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Waldrep wins Bassmaster Weekend Series on Rayburn
This year, there is no shared weight format and the series is being run by American Bass Anglers. Sam Rayburn has already hosted several tournament events this year. The berry bush, so to speak, has been plucked pretty clean and catching fish has been difficult for many people. There were a lot of factors that made it difficult to find fish. a) the water temperature has dropped nearly 10 degrees in a week b) lake levels are steadily dropping c) the fish have seen a lot of lures recently With those factors in mind, 53 boats, each with a pro and co angler started the hunt for fish Feb. 12. The pro anglers are allowed a fivefish limit, while the coanglers are limited to three. Charles Dubroc weighed in the first five fish limit of the day with 10 lbs. 3 oz. As each angler brought their catch to the scales, the weights stacked up tight.
"I was fishing shallow, inside the grass line. I didn't have a single bite until after 9:30." Waldrep hit six different spots, but only got five bites all day. "The fish are scattered. They were anywhere from 3'-30' deep." With only minutes to spare, he caught his last fish at 2:48, winning the tournament by just over a quarter of a pound! The co-angler winner was Matthew Launikitis of Montgomery. His three-fish limit weighed 11.13 lbs, a two pound lead over second place. "It was one of those days when everything went good. We covered lots of water, and I managed to bang a few on the nose." Matthew also participated in the FLW Stren tournament this week. "I fished as a non boater all week. Everyone I fished with were first class, great people. Today I fished with Sonny Glasco. Really great partner. I live on Lake Conroe, and today I just fished the same way I do at home. We went to secondary points, and I threw a Carolina rigged watermelon lizard in front of the buck brush, about 8' deep." Total he caught seven keepers, but his best three were more than enough to secure a first place finish. His kicker, 4.88 lbs., also won Big Bass honors. The second place winner on the boater side was Bill Pennick of Nacogdoches with 12.94 lbs. "We fished the outside edges of spawning flats" Bill explained. "We stayed in just one area most of the day, and really grinded them. There has been a lot of fish caught in that spot all week." He had luck on a Carolina rigged pumpkinseed lizard and a 3/4 oz red rattle trap. Bryan Smith of Carthage won second place in the co angler division with 9.13 lbs. "I had a good start, but then it got real slow. I had my limit (3 fish) by 8:30. The only other fish I caught was at 11:30, and I was able to cull with it." Bryan was fishing in front of the buck brush in 8'-12' with a variety of baits, including spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and crank baits. Top 5 Pros: 1st - $2,648 13.32 lbs. Corey Waldrop 2nd - $1,324 12.94 lbs. Bill Penick 3rd - $751 12.88 lbs. Lee Wood 3rd - $ 751 12.88 lbs. Eric Wilson 5th - $530 12.63 lbs. Alan Kelly Big Bass - $295 6.57 lbs. Bob Vote Top 5 Co-anglers 1st - $1,257 11.13 lbs. Matthew Launikitis 2nd - $628 9.13 lbs. Bryan Smith 3rd - $419 8.75 lbs. Michael Magliocco 4th - $293 8.25 lbs. Kevin Green 5th - $251 7.82 lbs. Leon Thompson Big Bass - $140 4.88 lbs. Matthew Launikitis The next Bassmaster Weekend Series tournament, operated by American Bass Anglers will be Sunday March 4 on Sam Rayburn. For more information click to www.abaproam.com or call 888-203-6222.  |
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