26 boats and 40 anglers fished the Florida Parishes Bass Anglers rescheduled event that was held on April 17, 2016 and it was a beast of a tournament. The east winds blew for 3 days gaining strength each day causing the waters to creep then like the winds increase. Saturday morning Livingston Parish closed the Tickfaw, Amite and Blind Rivers. The fishing areas and choices decreased. Forecast wind speeds of 25 mph winds meant running the Lake to greener pastures was out. On a good day tournament winning sacks are tough to find in the finicky area but with water over the docks and on the porches of the local camps it was brutal. Talk at the ramp was lighter than normal for a tournament day. Nobody had plans on where to find fish, everyone was just going fishing, for a large pot of money. “Grind” was the word that was on everybody’s lips and we knew it was going to be just that. Blast off time came and game faces went on, floods and where we were didn’t matter anymore, the game was the same and it was time to do work. Most anglers headed south to Ruddock, a couple ran the Long canal to the Tangi and a couple just dropped trolling motor and started fishing. The 25 mph winds made fishing even tougher. Even pitching a lure to a target was difficult as the wind blew your line off the intended target, boats were being pushed forward or to the side making slowing down hard and the bushes and branches we were pitching to were blowing from side to side also. Did I say it as a brutal day??
I want to thank all our members, Manchac left no doubt that FPBA has some of the best, most hardcore bass fishermen in the area. To have 26 boats pay an entry fee to fish in the conditions we had and on the fishery we were on is a testament to how much the members just love to fish. Thanks guys, you are awesome!!! Normally this is where I say something like “ but anytime you have some of the areas best sticks some of them will figure it out”, Sunday that did not happen. A total of 7 bass and 7.18 lbs were weighed. The display did not exactly light up. Patrick Engerran and Bailey Madere brought in 2 bass for 2.16 lbs, which included the Mister Twister Big Bass of the tournament with a 1.35 lb Manchac slouch daddy to take 1st place and the big bass award. The 2nd place team of Wyatt Junot and Josh Crowder also brought in 2 bass for 1.96 lbs. Skip Rayborn claimed 3rd with one bass weighing 1.22 lbs. Forrest Green and Al Duncan wrapped up the 4th spot with a .95 lb bass. Jason and Trenton Pittman managed a keeper for .89 lbs to claim the Tight Lines Bait & Tackle sponsored 5th spot. Big difference from last tournament where we had club records broken for biggest 5 bass with 17.76 lbs and 2 bass over 5 ½ lbs to club records for smallest winning weight and smallest big bass.
I want to thank all our members, Manchac left no doubt that FPBA has some of the best, most hardcore bass fishermen in the area. To have 26 boats pay an entry fee to fish in the conditions we had and on the fishery we were on is a testament to how much the members just love to fish. Thanks guys, you are awesome!!! Normally this is where I say something like “ but anytime you have some of the areas best sticks some of them will figure it out”, Sunday that did not happen. A total of 7 bass and 7.18 lbs were weighed. The display did not exactly light up. Patrick Engerran and Bailey Madere brought in 2 bass for 2.16 lbs, which included the Mister Twister Big Bass of the tournament with a 1.35 lb Manchac slouch daddy to take 1st place and the big bass award. The 2nd place team of Wyatt Junot and Josh Crowder also brought in 2 bass for 1.96 lbs. Skip Rayborn claimed 3rd with one bass weighing 1.22 lbs. Forrest Green and Al Duncan wrapped up the 4th spot with a .95 lb bass. Jason and Trenton Pittman managed a keeper for .89 lbs to claim the Tight Lines Bait & Tackle sponsored 5th spot. Big difference from last tournament where we had club records broken for biggest 5 bass with 17.76 lbs and 2 bass over 5 ½ lbs to club records for smallest winning weight and smallest big bass.
The Manchac area is known to be tough but not this tough. The high waters and high winds cut off the good areas most guys would have ran to. This year it has been taking 13 lbs or better to win most tournaments. Don’t judge the club or the area by this tournament, next time we visit it I’m sure it will be back to normal and the results will be back to normal and the display will light up!!!!!
The next tournament was scheduled for the West Pearl but we are moving it the East Pearl for the launch at the Green Bridge. The date is still May 15th. The West Pearl is open to fish and the boundaries are the same for both launches so the launch site is the only thing moved. A new revised schedule will be posted on fpbassanglers.com soon. New members must turn in an app by May 8th for membership and to fish the tournament.
Thanks to all of our sponsors for 2016 and visit our sponsor’s page at fpbassanglers.com to learn more about them and how to contact any or all of them. Platinum Level sponsors are Mister Twister, Legend Cartography, Tight Lines Bait & Tackle, Hydraulic Services and Supply and Stalker Fishing Lures. Gold Level Sponsor Louisiana Cat. Silver Level Sponsor Southern Way Retrievers. Thanks always to the North Shore Bass Series and Northshorefishingreport.com for providing us with the platform to keep everyone informed.
For info to join the FPBA or just to check us out go to our web site at fpbassanglers.com or look for us on Facebook as The Florida Parishes Bass Anglers or Twitter @TheFpba. Subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don’t miss any of our weigh in videos to get the top finishers reports on how they made their money. Contact Patrick Engerran at (985) 474-6112 or email pengerran@yahoo.com or Jason Pittman at (985) 630-3656 for info on joining or becoming a sponsor.