Bassmaster weekend anglers battle blustery wind on Sam Rayburn
By PATTY LENDERMAN Lakecaster Managing Editor

Outdoors photo/Patty Lendermann AARON JOHNSON won first place in the Boater division with 17 lbs. 10 oz. Pictured right, John Lombard brought in the 6 lb. 5 oz. bass that took Big Bass Honors for the Boaters.

It was another cold and windy day for Bassmaster Weekend Series anglers March 4 on Sam Rayburn. There were 52 boaters and non-boaters competing on this breezy day. Top weights were fairly tight, but it was Aaron Johnson who came out on top on the Boater side, while CoAngler Mickey Carr took 1st place in his division.

Due to the windy conditions at take-off, a last minute decision to let the participants trailer was issued. Nearly 3/4 of the field opted to take advantage of it, pulling their boats to ramps closer to their fishing holes. While many anglers hoped to find fish out of the wind, several found themselves challenging their trolling motor to stay out in it. At 2:40 p.m., they began trickling to the scales.

The tournament is divided into two categories, Boater and Non-Boater. Each boater is allowed five fish, each nonboater is allowed three. During the regular season, each angler is trying to accumulate enough points to advance to the Regional Championship.

Aaron Johnson of Bossier City, LAtook first place in the Boater division with 17 lbs. 10 oz.

"It was really windy, but we had a good day. I only went to three different areas, focusing on hardwoods and bushes. I caught most of my fish on creature baits and tubes in about 3'. With the wind blowing so much, I tried to stay in protected areas. I didn't have a limit until after 1:00, but I caught better fish between 2:00-2:30 p.m."

The biggest fish in his bag weighed 5 lbs 4 oz. His 1st place check was for $2,648.00.

Second place in the Boater division was won by Brandon Baker of Beaumont. The day started out fast and furious for him, putting a limit in the boat in just minutes.

"I was throwing shad pattern rattle traps. The areas I fished were out in main lake pockets and points, NOT protected from the wind. The first five probably weighed about 8 pounds, but I was able to cull all of them. The bigger fish bit between 10:00- 11:00. It never slacked off, they bit all day." Brandon's limit weighed 17 lbs. 1 oz., worth a second place check for $1,324.00.

The Big Bass in the Boater division was caught by John Lombard of Zwolle, LA. It weighed 6 lbs. 5 oz., helping with his 12 lb. 9 oz. total weight and eighth place finish.

"I caught her around 11 a.m.. We were exposed, out in the wind and waves. I was throwing a Texas rigged green pumpkin worm in about 6' in the hydrilla, just outside deep buck brush. It was hard to feel the bite today, the wind was bowing my line. When I'd feel a bite, I tried to reel in enough slack to get a good hookset but it was hard to judge. I caught another nice one by a big willow tree, but two more sure would've helped in the overall standings."

John won $295 for Big Bass and another $397 for his eighth place finish.

Boater Division top 5:

First - 17-10 Aaron Johnson, Bossier City LA

Second - 17-01 Brandon Baker Beaumont

Third - 14-09 Mike Michalec Willis

Fourth - 13-15 Chad Wiley Pineville, LA

Fourth - (tie)13-15 Keith Caka Brooklyn

The co-anglers battled for fish from the back of the boat, and Mickey Carr from San Leon brought in the biggest three fish limit to take first place.

"It was rough. For me, it was sheer luck boating those fish. I caught them all on a double willow chartreuse/white spinnerbait. My biggest, 5 lb. 4 oz., was out in 9'. The rest were in about 4'-5'." He weighed in 12 lbs 1 oz, winning a check for $1,078.00

Bill Rodgers of Jasper won second place in the co-angler division with 11 pounds even.

"I had about six pounds on three fish by around 8:30. I caught my fish on Carolina rigged lizards, and also some on rattle traps. The fish were in the grass about 4' deep. I was able to cull all of those with better fish."

Bill was presented a $539 second place check.

The Big Bass for the coanglers was brought in by Bill Penick III of Nacogdoches. He caught this 5 lb. 6 oz. bass on a watermelon red Kicker Fish wacky worm.

"We were in the back of a pocket on the south end of the lake. I was fishing the grass, just letting my wacky worm sink into it."

Bill won $113 for Big Bass, and he finished in fourth place overall for an additional $252.

Top five Co-Anglers:

First - 12-01 Mickey Carr San Leon

Second - 11-00 Bill Rogers Jasper

Third - 8-13 D e n n i s Parrott Houston

Fourth - 8-09 Billy Penick Nacogdoches

Fifth - 7-11 L e o n Thompson Beaumont

The Bassmaster Weekend Series will have their next tournament on Sam Rayburn March 25. For more information, visit their website at www.abaproam.com.