Spivey Strong benefit tournament

[Chalk]

Fished the Spivey Strong Benefit Tournament this past weekend w/ ‪KyTrkyHntr. Starting the topic with my boat and we will end the report w/ KyTrkyHntr boat.

Finally in the short rows wrt the Lake & Bay spent the entire summer working on that thing – to the point of the wife finally said, “how much more money are you going to spend on that?” Went fishing around the other weekend and towards the end of the day – when trimming the boat shuddered, let off trim and good. Well after a week of looking around the internet and troubleshooting. Problem was a low pressure pump – got it all together and still needed a 1.25 seal that nobody from Tallahassee to Destin had.

Had been working towards fishing the tournament for a while and was planning on asking KyTrkyHntr to fish – little did he know we would have to use his new to him 18 HPX.

The weather forecast looked pretty dismal – building high pressure and lazy outgoing tide – knew it would be grind. We launched the boat and headed into a stiff NW wind – was suppose to be N – NE. Had trouble getting into the spot I wanted to start at, but we fished what the wind gave us. Drifted back towards the boat channel and KyTrkyHntr locks into a trout over 20 and we have a decent trout. Short while later – I catch a trout around 19.5” – figure we have a decent chance at trout section of tournament. Should start looking for reds now.

Wind seemed to die with the ebb of the tide & it starting to turn and then the wind found another gear and it was bad – glad we didn’t make a big run. Keep fishing down the flat and I felt a good thump, laid back into it. Looked down range and the black axe handle came to the surface and shook her ominous yellow mouth releasing the hook and saying “see ya – sucka!”

Fished to the back of the bay and only saw one red and the wind just wouldn’t allow us to fish it effectively. So, made a command decision to put it on the trailer and move locations. Relocated into a sheltered bay and made a run north. Immediately found reds, trout, flounder – everything under the sun was there – had thought about this place, but I seem to have a love/hate relationship with this place.

Decided to make a move across the bay…apply power – the Yamaha wouldn’t go. Same engine Birddog had and similar symptom…so we idle to the hill and I get out and do the same thing that we did on BD’s boat. No joy – so we start idling about 2 miles back to the ramp.

Boat seems to get better after mile 1.5 – thinking water in the gas. So we decide to hit one last bank before we head in. Get up on the platform and there’s a red – won’t eat. There’s another red…can’t get the bait in it’s face quick enough…there are two reds riding a stingray…they are looking down and we drag baits across the stingray several times. Finally KyTrkyHntr hooks a red and the line breaks.

It just wasn’t meant to be – we head to the weigh in and see if our two trout have a chance or not. KyTrkyHntr said, “are they worth weighing?” I say, “Yes, it has been a tough day for all.”

We end the day with KyTrkyHntr getting third place in trout with 2.20 lbs and me getting third with 1.97 lbs. KyTrkyHntr got a $100 gift card and a grab bag of SWA lures and I got a grab bag of SWA lures.

The tournament had over 40 boats and all proceeds went to Russ Spivey – he is battling Leukemia. The tournament raised $13,000 and was a great success with the help of local businesses who donated items for the tournament and auction. Good to see folks pull together - something you do not see too much anymore.

Thanks to KyTrkyHntr for fishing with me – was a fun day despite the fish nor the weather cooperating.

If the Lake & Bay is operational – will be fishing another benefit tournament next weekend – Bottorf Memorial tournament – tied for 3rd in it last year. Good to be back on the water – I’m rusty and out of fishing shape for sure.

[Jumptrout51]

Not bad considering the issues you had.
What is wrong with the motor?
Out of oil?

[Chalk]

Think KyTrkyHntr has a bad gas issue or something - he is caring it to the shop tomorrow.

I carried mine out today and it ran like a stripped azz ape for three miles and then it died idled three miles back to the ramp - its going to the shop tomorrow. Can't complain - 615 hours on the Mercury and she always gets me back to the ramp. Though at varying speeds at times