BASS FISHINGBass Fishing Sports Blog

THURMOND LAKE

Raysville Marina (Leon Buffington and Doug Pentecost), (706) 595-5582 – Jason Lawson, of Thomson, caught 24 crappies in our fish house. Fishing has been on the slow side since last weekend’s subfreezing temperatures.

Capt. David Willard, U.S. Coast Guard-licensed, fulltime professional guide specializing in hybrids and striped bass and trophy largemouth bass. (Boat phone: (706) 214-0236. (803) 637-6379 (crockettrocketstriperfishing.com) – Water temperature is in the mid-50s and the lake is clear. I am still doing some scouting, catching good fish in the shallows on live herring, but by the time I get around to taking out parties, the weather gets bad. I had a group from Sharon, Pa., and we tried to go, but the winds were too high. They’ll be back in April. I’m still catching some white perch. some largemouth, too, are being caught on herring fished behind planer boards in the shallows on planer boards. We’re about two weeks away from some really good fishing.

William Sasser’s Guide Service, (Capt. William Sasser and Capt. Mark Crawford, U.S. Coast Guard-licensed, full time professional guides specializing in crappies, hybrids and striped bass). (706) 589-5468 (William), (706) 373-8347 (Mark) or (864) 333-2000. (Clark Hill Herring Hut) – William: Debbie Peoples and Alan Salmi, Jacksonville, Fla., caught two 8-pound hybrids and one striper on downlines 40 feet down. we missed a 30-pound class fish using live herring behind planer boards. Mark: Brandon Cannon, Greer, S.C.; Michael Brightwell, Lyman, S.C., and Brittany Whitaker, Greer, caught nice bunch of hybrids and stripers, including a 15-pounder, while fishing with charter Capt. Andrew Tubbs. Robert Higgins, Larry Hutto and Stephen Rouse, all of Greenville, S.C., landed 14 hybrids and stripers 6 to 13 pounds. Jack Robinson, Larry Robinson and Michael Tate, all of Statesboro, Ga., caught stripers 12 to 22 pounds.

Capt. Tommy Dudley, U.S. Coast Guard-licensed professional guide specializing in stripers and hybrids. (706) 833-4807 – Because of family issues, I won’t be making any guided trips for awhile. I’ll let everyone know when I am able to be active again. Check out my Web site, fishlakethurmond.com.

NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAIN STREAMS

Carter and Hunter Morris, licensed professional guides specializing in fly fishing for rainbow, brook and brown trout. (706) 833-1083 (flyfishingnorthgeorgia.com; facebook.com/flyfishingnorthgeorgia) – Dad and I had trips on the Noontootla Creek recently and, after we learned where the fish were and what they were hungry for, we had some very productive days. After some significant rainfall earlier in the week, the trout were pushed higher up in many of the runs than they’ve been at lower water levels. Stripping brown and olive rubber-legged Wooly Buggers caught most of the larger fish that has ignored an arsenal of other flies. The Amicalola River delayed harvest section is also fishing really well, producing brook and rainbow trout up to 15 inches.

MERRY LAND BRICKYARD PONDS

Check-in station, 1408 Doug Barnard Parkway, Gene Kirkland and Brantley Toomer, (706) 722-8263 – Matt Painter caught nine bass, two over 6 pounds, on plastic worms in the Expressway Pond. Lynn Ross caught 42 crappies in the Membership Pond on minnows. Luther McLeod caught 51 crappies in the Ditch. Paul Henry and son caught 64 catfish on liver and worms in the Pollard Pond. Mack Sealey caught 32 big crappies and bass in the Membership Pond on minnows and jigs. Benny Oliver caught 64 crappies in the Ditch on minnows and jigs. Josh Barfield caught 22 crappies over 1.5 pounds each on minnows and jigs in the Expressway Pond. We’re holding a meeting at our bait and tackle shop on March 3 at 2 p.m., to discuss the rules for our March 16 bass tournament opener. Teya Jones caught eight carp on doughballs in the Ditch. Marty Pearson and Paul Grubbs caught eight bass in the Membership Pond. Here’s the Lock and Dam report: Jesse Burch caught five shad on jigs. Wang Fo caught eight shad on Sabiki Rigs. Harold Jones caught five stripers on live herring down river. One weighed more than 10 pounds. Josey and Jim Mitchell caught 18 crappies and five stripers down river on herring and shiners.

We have live herring for sale at $6 a dozen at our store.

SAVANNAH, GA.

Miss Judy Charters, Capt. Judy Helmey, (912) 897-4921 (missjudycharters.com.) P.O. Box 30771, Savannah, Ga. 31410-0771 – thanks to all the fishermen who attended my inshore and offshore schools. it was great to see everyone. Colder temperatures lowered the water temperature to the low 50s. A few spotted sea trout are being caught in the creeks on white ice Super Flukes on red quarter-ounce jig heads. The secret is to cast it, let it sit, reel in a few turns and repeat. That gives the fish enough time to mouth the lure.

Bridges at their uprights provide plenty of vertical feeding surfaces for sheepshead. try fishing one hour before and one hour after the full tide stage.

THURMOND LAKE

Raysville Marina (Leon Buffington and Doug Pentecost), (706) 595-5582 – Shirley Branch, Augusta, caught 16 crappies in our fish house on minnows. William Hawkins, of Raysville, caught 16 crappies, including a 4-pounder, in Huge Hart Creek. Debbie Percival, of Raysville, caught 17 nice crappies on minnows.

Capt. David Willard, U.S. Coast Guard-licensed, fulltime professional guide specializing in hybrids and striped bass and trophy largemouth bass. (Boat phone: (706) 214-0236. (803) 637-6379 (crockettrocketstriperfishing.com) – Water temperature is in the mid to upper 50s and the lake is on a slight rise. I’m having to reschedule about half my groups due to rain and high winds. On the nice days, the lake is producing some good catches. We’ve been having lots of rain in the mornings, so I’m going out in the afternoon. the shallows are hot right now, but we’re also catching some deep fish. James Lewis, his brother-in-law, Reggie Hammond, of Lexington, S.C., caught a cooler full of largemouth and white perch. we didn’t get the first striper until late in the afternoon. About an hour before dark, we could see gulls begin diving in the shallows. we pulled herring under planer boards and caught six nice stripers, one hybrid and missed several just before dark.

William Sasser’s Guide Service, (Capt. William Sasser and Capt. mark Crawford, U.S. Coast Guard-licensed, full time professional guides specializing in crappies, hybrids and striped bass). (706) 589-5468 (William), (706) 373-8347 (Mark) or (864) 333-2000.(Clark Hill Herring Hut) – William: Justin Thornburg, Leme Baber, both of Pueblo, Colo., Brandon Clasby, Canon City, Colo.; Rodney Boyd and Tim Boyd, of Aiken, caught 29 fish. They were an exceptional 29. Bulk of the fish was composed of hybrids 8 pounds or more. also included were striped bass of 24, 11 and 9 pounds. mark: Jack Becker and Ron Walters, of Savannah Lakes Village, and Jim Morgan, of Laurinburg, N.C., three stripers of 15, 18 and 26 pounds. Bruce Davis, of Hephzibah; Terry Williams, of Beech Island; Eric Crawford, of Thomson; De’Marest Hammond, of Augusta, caught 50 white perch and a nice mess of hybrids and stripers. Terry Johnson, of Aiken; Robert Clothier, of Aiken; Randy Wendt, of Illinois, eight hybrids and stripers 3 to 8 pounds. Jeremy Walden, of North Augusta; Daryl Turner and Daniel Reeves, both of Aiken, caught five stripers 8 to 18 pounds and five largemouth. John Houts, of North Augusta, and his son, Phillip, and Robert Hale, of Columbia, caught six fish 5 to 22 pounds. Phillip, 18, caught the 22-pounder. He just joined the Army and is en route to Fort Benning, Ga. we hope he stays safe.

Bradd Sasser, Clark Hill Herring Hut, Clarks Hill, S.C. (864) 333-2000 – Patrick Broadwater and Cornelius Thurmond have been catching slab crappies in the Dordon Creek area, using medium minnows. we have reports that hybrids and stripers are showing up at the dam off the off-limits cable about 25 feet down. the fish also are to be found in the Lake Springs and Clark Hill Park areas. the key is watching the sea gulls.

NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAIN STREAMS

Carter and Hunter Morris, licensed professional guides specializing in glide fishing for rainbow, brook and brown trout. (706) 833-1083 (flyfishingnorthgeorgia.com) (facebook.com/flyfishingnorthgeorgia) – without a hint of winter in the air, the bugs are already hatching and the trout are already biting like it’s spring. But, the fishing pressure is still consistent with winter (which, believe it or not, is technically the season we’re still in). So if you’re only going to make it up to north Georgia for some trout fishing a time or two this year, now is the time to go. the Toccoa, Chattahoochee and Chattooga rivers all have miles of public water that is fishing really well. Try elk hair caddises and various caddis emerger patterns on all these streams. And the private trophy sections on the Soque and Chestatee rivers have already produced some of their biggest fish in years.

MERRY LAND BRICKYARD PONDS

Check-in station, 1408 Doug Barnard Parkway, Gene Kirkland and Brantley Toomer, (706) 722-8263 – Chris Kelly caught a 7½ pound bass on a Brush Hawg in the Garden Pond. Sammy Hogan caught bass weighing 9 and 6 pounds in the Expressway Pond on trick worms. Claude Dailey caught 51 crappies and Larry Jones caught 42 crappies in the Ditch. Both were using minnows. Sandra Mitchell caught nine carp, including one of 17 pounds, in the Ditch on dough balls. Bryan Rooker and sons caught 53 catfish in the White Elephant Pond on liver. William Blocker caught eight bream over 1 pound each in the Cornell Pond on worms. David Nettles caught 53 huge crappies in the Membership Pond on minnows and jigs. David and Robbie Hewitt caught an 8-pound catfish on liver in the Membership Pond. Lock and Dam: Harry Cook and Van Tran caught eight shad, each using Sabiki rigs. Sinkey Boone caught 35 bream on worms down river. Barney Edwards caught six stripers, including an 11-pounder, on live herring.

SAVANNAH, GA.

Miss Judy Charters, Capt. Judy Helmey, (912) 897-4921 (missjudycharters.com.) P.O. Box 30771, Savannah, Ga. 31410-0771 – As most of you know, I have been fishing for more than 50 years. during that time, I have caught about five of a species called “Cubbyu.” I always called them “baby boogies with the bulging eyes!” But I chanced to thumb through a book, an Illustrated Guide of the Fishes of Grays Reef, by Dr. Matthew R. Gilligan. And there was a photo of the Cubbyu. the book was published in 1989 and if you can find a copy, grab it. I refer to mine every day.

THURMOND LAKE

Raysville Marina (Leon Buffington and Doug Pentecost), (706) 595-5582 – Jack Owens and Terry Seeba caught 36 crappies, the largest 2½ pounds – on small minnows. Tommy Blum has been catching hybrids in Lloyds Creek, using live herring.

Capt. David Willard, U.S. Coast Guard-licensed, fulltime professional guide specializing in hybrids and striped bass and trophy largemouth bass. (Boat phone: (706) 214-0236. (803) 637-6379 (crockettrocketstriperfishing.com) – Water temperature is in the low to mid 50s; the lake is clear and very low. I was planning to wait to March to get started, but the weather is predicted to be so nice and I have some of my regular clients who are itching to give it a try. if the weather holds, I guess we’ll go the first of next week. my scouting has produced more fish in the afternoons with a few degrees warmer water and that’s typical for the time of the year. we pulled some planer boards in the shallows on some spots that (believe it or not, didn’t have any hydrilla) and caught some 2- to 3-pound hybrids, a 6-pound striper and several nice largemouths in the 3- to 5-pound class. White perch are still hitting back in the creeks on a Berry’s Flex-It Spoon. They’ll also hit cut herring, but that’s sort of expensive.

Ralph Barbee Jr., professional guide specializing in largemouth bass. (706) 860-7373 – Fishing with Ralph Barbee airs Saturdays at 11 a.m., and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. on Comcast Channel 21, WRDW-My12, Knology Ch. 7, Atlantic Broadband (Aiken) Ch. 7 and Charter Ch. 9 (Fort Gordon).

William Sasser’s Guide Service, (Capt. William Sasser and Capt. mark Crawford, U.S. Coast Guard-licensed, full time professional guides specializing in crappies, hybrids and striped bass). (706) 589-5468 (William), (706) 373-8347 (Mark) or (864) 333-2000. (Clark Hill Herring Hut) – William: Dean Johnson, Gary Johnson, Jack Bailey and Ben Knight, all from Waynesboro, Ga., caught just six fish. they were trying to catch big fish, but wound up with just a 9-pounder. Sid Thurman, Aiken; Jack Schwarz, Monetta, S.C., and Eric Fox, of Aiken, caught 24 hybrids and stripers 2 to 8 pounds. the fish came on downlines in 30 feet of water.

Capt. Tommy Dudley, U.S. Coast Guard-licensed professional guide specializing in stripers and hybrids. (706) 833-4807 – because of family issues, I won’t be making any guided trips for awhile. I’ll let everyone know when I am able to be active again. Check out my Web site: fishlakethurmond.com.

NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAIN STREAMS

Carter and Hunter Morris, licensed professional guides specializing in fly fishing for rainbow, brook and brown trout. (706) 833-1083 (flyfishingnorthgeorgia.com) (facebook.com/flyfishingnorthgeorgia) – Hunter: It’s finally gotten somewhat cold in the north Georgia mountains, meaning it’s finally time to streamer fish for the largest trout in the streams. These fish got to be the biggest by being the toughest to trick. but this time of the year, it’s hard for them to resist the big meal swimming across their noses. Look for undercut banks and submerged logs that provide sufficient cover for the big ones. try fishing from the middle of the stream and casting toward the banks and slightly down stream, using a Muddler Minnow or a White Zonker.

MERRY LAND BRICKYARD PONDS

Check-in station, 1408 Doug Barnard Parkway, Gene Kirkland and Brantley Toomer, (706 722-8263) – the Ditch has been producing some good catches of crappies, with live shiners the bait, for Ron Hoke and Ronald Hoke, 40; Willie Greene, 85; Harry Garfield, 65; Jay Robinson, 58, and Edwin Jones, 63. Lamar Glover and Sidney Watson caught 76 big crappies in the Membership Pond. Mick Yates caught nine bass including a 7-pounder in the Garden Pond on plastic worms. Willie and Sandy Starke caught 54 bream and catfish on worms and liver in the Pollard Pond.

BEAUFORT, S.C. & VICINITY

Ralph Goodison, Fripp Island, (843) 838-2530 – The cold weather has kept many fishermen from venturing out. but there have been some nice days and some anglers have taken advantage of those to try their luck. most, but, will wait for a warming trend.

SAVANNAH, GA.

Miss Judy Charters, Capt. Judy Helmey, (912) 897-4921 (missjudycharters.com.) P.O. Box 30771, Savannah, Ga. 31410-0771 – It’s the time of year when you can find redfish in shallow water during low tides. when the tide is high, I’d check out the marsh grasses. if we get a warming trend with daytime highs in the 60s and 70s, that’s the time to go fishing.

THURMOND LAKE

Raysville Marina (Leon Buffington and Doug Pentecost), (706) 595-5582 – Jack Owens caught 25 crappies. Not much has been going on because of the extreme cold weather.

William Sasser’s Guide Service, (Capt. William Sasser and Capt. Mark Crawford, U.S. Coast Guard-licensed, full time professional guides specializing in crappies, hybrids and striped bass). (706) 589-5468 (William), (706) 373-8347 (Mark) or (864) 333-2000 (Clark Hill Herring Hut) – William: we did a show on Thurmond Lake with the “Bob Redfern Outdoor Magazine.” the Neilsen Ratings show the program attracts 485,000 viewers per episode on Fox Sports South and Versa. our show will air at the end of February. we caught 10- to 15-pound stripers on live herring fished beneath planer boards. Mark: Andrew Wright, Beech Island; O’Neal Jackson, Aiken, and Joe Odom, Aiken, caught eight fish 2 to 14 pounds. Jonathan Bullard and Judah Johnson, both of Augusta; Cecil Bullard, Appling, and Chris Cosper, Augusta, caught a bunch of excellent stripers, the largest 13 pounds. Carl Zoellner and Nat Justice, Dillard, Ga., and Kelly Littlejohn, Otto, N.C., caught a nice bunch of stripers including a 14-pounder. we caught the fish on downlines and pulling herring beneath planer boards. Check out my Web site at williamsasserfishing.com.

Capt. Tommy Dudley, U.S. Coast Guard-licensed professional guide specializing in stripers and hybrids. (706) 833-4807 – Because of family issues, I won’t be making any guided trips for a while. I’ll let everyone know when I am able to be active again. Check out my Web site: fishlakethurmond.com.

NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAIN STREAMS

Carter and Hunter Morris, licensed professional guides specializing in glide fishing for rainbow, brook and brown trout. (706) 833-1083 (flyfishingnorthgeorgia.com) – Hunter: with the exception of a few really cold days, it’s shaping up to be a pretty mild winter. We’ve had only two to three trips per week, but we’ve seen very small decline in the feeding activity of the trout on Noontootla Creek and only a slight lull in the fishing on the Toccoa River tailrace. And I can’t say enough excellent things about the fishing at Fern Valley on the Soque River. Both my trips there this week yielded a lot of trout in a fairly small midday window of opportunity – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

MERRY LAND BRICKYARD PONDS

Check-in station, 1408 Doug Barnard Parkway, Gene Kirkland and Brantley Toomer, (706 722-8263) – the Ditch has been producing some whopper crappie catches. Robert Dasher and David Buckley caught 60 crappies. Jay Robinson and Hammond Merriwether caught 146 huge crappies on minnows and jigs. Nick Butler and Rick Smith caught 300 crappies on Saturday and 300 on Sunday, on minnows and jigs. Jay Robinson and Brandy Ito caught 200 huge crappies on jigs and minnows. Stella Bush caught 30 catfish and 18 bream in the Pollard Pond on worms. Larry Gordon caught 89 crappies in the Membership Pond on minnows. Steve Williams caught 120 in the same place on minnows. Harry Parker caught seven bass in the Garden Pond on plastic worms. one weighed 6 pounds, another 5.

BEAUFORT, S.C. & VICINITY

Ralph Goodison, Fripp Island, (843) 838-2530 – the redfish are stacked up in deep holes in the tidal creeks. Mud minnows are the best baits. Sheepshead fishing has been excellent. Everything else slowed down. I’ve been watching from my deck schools of fish of some kind just off Fripp, with birds diving on them.

SAVANNAH

Miss Judy Charters, Capt. Judy Helmey, (912) 897-4921 (missjudycharters.com.) P.O. Box 30771, Savannah, Ga. 31410-0771 – during the cold water season, the spotted sea trout fishing can be excellent. But, before expecting serious catches, I suggest trying to fish after a few days of a warming trend. best bait is always going to be live shrimp fished beneath a small, adjustable float. For those who can fish a weedless Super Fluke, that will be your go-to bait.

As far as inshore fishing goes, you may make a excellent catch one day and have not so excellent results the next. the secret is to pick sunny days when the tide is low during noon time. then I suggest fishing the last half of the outgoing and first half of the incoming tides. if that doesn’t work, then I suggest stopping by the fish market on the way home!

Governor Rick Scott:  “John is a talented chef and cooks up some of the best food I’ve ever tasted.”

There is a new Chef in the Governor’s Mansion and he isn’t serving up Caribbean-Latin fusion dishes.

John Minas assumed the role of Florida Executive Chef in may 2011.  Trained at the Culinary Institute of America, including a prestigious externship at the four-star restaurant 2941 in Falls Church, Virginia, Chef Minas is enthusiastic about food:  “Passion for cooking flavorful and fresh foods is what drives young culinary enthusiasts like me every day.”

Minas, who grew up in the deep-rooted Armenian community of Watertown, Mass., inherited a love of food from his Armenian and Assyrian family.  “Every Sunday, we’d go to my grandfather’s house,” he said.  “He cooked the best Armenian and Middle Eastern food I ever tasted:  dolmas, sarmas.  And his fasoulia — oh my gosh!  he made it all and he made it amazing.  he wasn’t a trained chef, but he was a great cook.”

On weekdays, young Minas rushed home from high school to watch the back-to-back shows of Food Network pioneers Emeril Lagasse and Mario Batali.  “Those guys were all about the food and the technique,” he said.

The thought took hold that he could meld the elegance and discipline of Western fine dining with the flavors and ingredients he grew up with.  After training at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, new York, Minas worked at several restaurants in the Northeast and was plotting to open his own when he heard about the unique opportunity in far-off Tallahassee, Florida.  he sent a resume and got a quick invitation for an interview on April 11, his 26th birthday.  The interview turned out to be an audition.

“All of a sudden I was cooking breakfast at the mansion,” he said.  “That was followed by lunch and then dinner.”  Nearly every dish in his day-long cooking marathon reflected Minas’ cultural connection.

“My dinner entree was a watercress tabbouleh with Chilean sea bass and grilled asparagus,” he said.  “It was a French take on Middle Eastern.  I’m very big on that.”  The fourth of six candidates to try out, Minas was barely back in Boston when he received news that he’d been hired.  he started his new job in may and launched straight into an exciting yet demanding routine.

Minas supervises all plotting and preparation for a whirlwind of state dinners and charity events as well as daily meals for Gov. Rick Scott and First Lady Ann Scott.  Minas said he’s excited about Florida’s rich variety of fresh seafood and produce, and is greatly honored by this special opportunity to create fine dishes for the Governor and First Lady of Florida and their guests.

On Saturday, October 29, Chef Minas will travel 30 miles south along the big Bend Scenic Byway on US Highway 98 to the fishing community of Panacea, where he will conduct a cooking demonstration at the 6th Annual Mighty Mullet Maritime Festival.

Festival organizer Bill Lowrie said: “The festival date coincides with the historic mullet runs along our big Bend Coast.  In the past, men from Wakulla would travel to makeshift seineyards along the coast to pull in tons of mullet by hand.  Farmers from Georgia and beyond would arrive by wagon with their produce to barter for the salt-cured delicacy.  Mullet was king, as it is again for a day on October 29th.“

Diane Delaney, organizer of the demonstration, commented:  “Some of the best cooks around have served up mullet at past festivals—from classic fried, dips, smoked, and stews to more innovative creations of tacos, beurre blanc, and omelets.  Minas will put his creative talents and techniques to the test.  Battle Mullet is on!  And you can be the judge.  We are all very, very excited to see what Chef Minas creates.”

You can see Chef Minas in action at 11:30 a.m. on October 29.  The all-day Festival will begin at 10 a.m. at Panacea’s Woolley Park on Dickerson Bay.  Parking is free and admission is only $3 per person and free for children 12 and under.  For further information visit mightymullet.com or contact Diane Delaney at 850/984-0663.

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NATIONAL GUARD FLW COLLEGE FISHING TEXAS REGIONAL GEARING UP FOR LAKE SOMERVILLE

Drought causes low water levels, shallow patterns key on Lake Somerville

COLLEGE STATION, Texas. (Oct. 5, 2011) – National Guard FLW College Fishing is headed to Lake Somerville Oct. 13-15 for the Texas Regional Championship which is being hosted by Texas A&M University. Twenty college teams will be competing for a top award of $50,000 to be split between the school and bass fishing club; $37,500 for bass club, which includes $12,500 in cash as well as a Ranger 177TR with a 90 horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard wrapped in school colors and $12,500 for their school.

“The water is really, really low on Somerville,” said Walmart FLW Tour pro Clark Wendlandt of Leander, Texas. “We are in a huge drought right now, so I think the fish will be in obvious shallow cover like rocky shorelines and brush piles.

“I don’t think the fishing will be that tough, especially with it being a fairly small field, but there won’t be much out in the water. if someone figures out the right shallow pattern they’ll have the best chance of winning. I think it will take 15 to 17 pounds per day, and somewhere around 40 pounds total to win the tournament.”

Anglers will take off from the Lake Somerville Marina located at 505 Marina Drive in Brenham, Texas, at 7:30 a.m. each morning. all weigh-ins will be held at Duncan Field located at 830 George Bush Drive in College Station. Thursday and Friday weigh-ins will start at 4 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at 5 p.m., or upon the completion of the Texas A&M vs. Baylor football game. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.

Schools competing in the Central Regional tournament, which is hosted by Southern Illinois University, include:

Baylor University – Alton Jones, Woodway, Texas, and Brian Bauer, Waco, TexasLamar University – Justin Royal, Vidor, Texas, and Troy Luce, Beaumont, Texas Lamar University – Matt Morrison, Tomball, Texas, and John Iles, Hemphill, Texas Louisiana Tech University – Brian Eaton, Monroe, La., and Wade Tracy, Alexandria, La. Louisiana State University – Timothy Morris, Donaldsonville, La., and Richard Murdock, Lawrenceville, Ga.Louisiana State University – Mason McCain and Doug Greenman both of Lake Charles, La.Louisiana State University – Douglas McClung, Gramercy, La., and Travis Laurent, Gonzales, La. Northeastern State University, Tahlequah – Rod Green and Jonathan James both of Tahlequah, Okla.Oral Roberts University – Zach Vankeulen, Overland Park, Kan., and mark Johnson, Glenpool, Okla. Sam Houston State University – Seth Brittain, Center, Texas, and Tanner Walker, Gonzales, Texas Southeastern Louisiana University – Andrew Cavell, Baton Rouge, La., and Austin Crowson, Livingston, La.Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Nathan Colwell, Pryor, Okla., and Shane McGlothlin, Andarko, Okla.Stephen F. Austin University – Andrew Upshaw, Hemphill, Texas, and Ryan Watkins, Rockport, TexasTexas A&M University, Kingsville – Jerod Hawkes, Sabinal, Texas, and Cody Burrell, Kingsville, TexasTexas A&M University – Andrew Shafer, College Station, Texas, and Weston Brown, Bryan, TexasTexas A&M University – Kyle Bates and Cody Collins both of College Station, TexasTexas A&M University, Corpus Christi – Jacob Heath, and Kennedy Schwartzburg, both of Corpus Christi, Texas University of Oklahoma – Paul Muzljakovich, Wagoner, Okla., and Tyler Nipper, Tahlequah, Okla.University of Texas, Tyler – Mason Holmes, Bullard, Texas, and Dean Mize, Tyler, TexasUniversity of Texas – Mason Holmes, Bullard, Texas, and Steve Cermak, North Richland Hills, Texas

The top five teams from each regional tournament advance to the national championship where the first-place team wins an award of $100,000; $25,000 for their school and $50,000 cash and a Ranger 177TR bass boat with a 90 horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard wrapped in school colors for their fishing club.

Texas A&M will be hosting the College Fishing Festival throughout the three day tournament. Students and fishing fans alike will be treated to the a Ranger Boat simulator, Sony PS3 Gaming Trailer, tailgate games, a sports zone along with contests for cash and several prize give-aways. the festival will take place at Duncan Field from 2 – 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

College Fishing is free to enter and FLW Outdoors provides boats and drivers for each competing team along with travel allowances. all participants must be registered, full-time undergraduate students at a four-year college or university and members of a fishing club recognized by their college or university.

Coverage of the Central Regional Championship will be broadcast in high-definition (HD) on VERSUS. “FLW Outdoors,” will air Nov. 27 from 1 – 2 p.m. ET. “FLW Outdoors,” hosted by Jason Harper, is broadcast to approximately 500 million households worldwide.

Freshwater kayak fishing’s version of the huge game is coming to town.

Editor’s Note: Team Gregory’s updated release is added immediately below. with $10,000 in prizes, live music, and a film festival, this is much more than a fishing tournament.  

Drew Gregory’s River Bassin Tournament Trail Grand Finale to be Hosted by Roanoke Sept. 10World’s largest freshwater paddle-powered fishing tournament trail to award more than $10,000 in prizes as well as River Basser and Team River Basser of the YearAugust 30, 2011: Professional Kayak Angler Pioneer Drew Gregory concludes his 2011 River Bassin Tournament Trail series, presented by Jackson Kayak, with the grand finale in Roanoke, Va.  The tournament will be hosted by the Roanoke Region of Virginia on Saturday, September 10, and will feature some of the top kayak anglers from across the country. “When looking for a potential grand finale location we wanted a region that boasted some of the most beautiful rivers and scenery in the country, as well as numerous other activities available for the whole family,” Gregory said.  “The search finished quickly at Roanoke, Va., because it truly is a destination that anglers, their friends and family will delight in exploring.” “I am really excited because the finale will feature the typical exciting ‘results show,’ where the River Basser and Team River Basser of the Year will also be announced along with the winner of the lake and river division,” Gregory continued.  “But, we’ll also have live music by local favorite, the Blue Moonshine band, great local food, a film festival and numerous kayak fishing pros will be in attendance to share the latest in the world of kayak fishing.  with all this going on, to go along with what the Roanoke region already offers, it is hard to imagine this won’t be one of the most exciting events in the kayak fishing world this year!” This year’s trail has expanded from five to 12 stops across the United States, from Texas to Wisconsin, down to Georgia and stops in between, making it the largest paddle-powered freshwater tournament trail in the world. The tournament helps to increase positive awareness of the eco-friendly sport of kayak fishing.    The eco-friendly trail is driven by a unique, conservation-minded, paddle-power only, catch-measure-photo-release format that promotes sustainability within the environment.  Anglers will fish in surrounding rivers and take a photo of their catch on a standard measuring board given to all anglers.  Upon taking the photo, they release the fish back into the water for future generations to delight in.  Anglers then return to the host location to fill out their scorecard, turn in their camera’s memory card, and learn their placements at the “results show” that evening. The “results show” is displayed in a slide show format where Gregory MC’s and recognizes the top anglers in all categories (individual angler, team, youth and top female) on stage to share their fish photos and discuss with them their day on the water. throughout the trail, more than $60,000 in prizes from numerous sponsors will be given away, most notably from – Jackson Kayak, Diablo Paddlesports, NuCanoe, Bass Pro Shops, Aqua Bound & Bending Branches paddles, Kokatat Watersports Wear, Paddle and Trail, Amazon Expeditions, KayakBassFishing.com, RiverBassin.com, Gorilla Glue, GoPro Cameras, RAM Mounts, Tallon Systems, and Kayak Angler Magazine.  The trail is also poised to raise money for the ALS Foundation.  The foundation is instrumental in assisting those with Lou Gehrig’s Disease, as well as searching for a cure to a disease that can affect anyone, of any race, age, gender or social class at any time. The entry deadline is Friday, Sept. 9, with a mandatory pre-tournament meeting at 7 p.m. the same night at the Green Ridge Recreation Center located at 7415 Wood Haven rd, Roanoke, VA 24019. Tournament check-in time is 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at the same location. Registration fees range from $15-50 per person. for more information on the tournament trail, its stops across the U.S., its sponsors, hosts, partners and causes please visit riverbassintrail.com. Roanoke, VA to Host “Super Bowl” of Freshwater Kayak FishingBy Drew GregoryThere is no better place to host a super bowl of freshwater kayak fishing than Roanoke, Virginia, and that is what is scheduled for September 9th and 10th weekend. The finale of the River Bassin Tournament Trail, presented by Jackson Kayak, will combine with KayakBassFishing.com to hold both a river and a lake division that will bring both freshwater worlds together for a fun filled family event. The festival atmosphere around the event will feature live music, food, vendors, a film festival, new 2012 kayaks on display from numerous brands and several pros in attendance to speak on behalf of the sport and its future. Jackson Kayak’s ambassador and concept designer Drew Gregory (RiverBassin.com) will host and MC the event, while Wilderness System’s go to man Chad Hoover (who also runs KayakBassFishing.com and Hook1 Kayak Fishing Gear) will be on hand to stir things in a way only Hoover can! Also, well-known Wilderness Systems pro, and owner of Blue Ridge Kayak Fishing, Jeff Small will be showing off some of his latest DVD creations and sharing some of his favorite tips with the audience. To make sure this event gets kicked off with a bang, the entry to this inaugural event is only $25-35, which covers everything including the angler’s meal on Saturday and the ability to win over $10,000 in prizes! Numerous divisions are available including a team division, youth division and prizes awarded for top female and top film in the film festival. The River Bassin Tournament Trail, presented by Jackson Kayak, will also be awarding the River Basser of the Year award at the finale as the top 10 will compete in a “tournament within the tournament” format to see who takes the 2011 title. with all this going on, in one of the most scenic areas of the country and at a low price, its no doubt that this event is well on its way to becoming a can’t miss kayak fishing event! for more information on this unique, catch-photo-release tournament, visit riverbassintrail.com/tournaments-stops/roanoke.

Clemson University population biologist Peter Marko and his colleagues have found that some fish sold in stores are not from the fishing grounds certified as sustainable, and some are not Chilean sea bass at all.

Analyzing the mitochondrial DNA from fish bought at retail outlets in eight states, the researchers found that eight percent of 36 fish sampled were ?really other species,? according to Marko, and that 15 percent of 33 fish sampled had mitochondrial DNA variants that are not known from the South Georgia/Shag Rocks population, which is the only certified Chilean sea bass fishery. The location is in the South Ocean between Antarctica and the southern tip of South America.

The researchers say the findings raise questions about the integrity of the ?chain of custody? for retail fish certified to be from sustainable fisheries. somewhere along the fish supply chain, which starts with the Marine Stewardship Council certifying that a location is a sustainable fishery and ends in a market with fish on ice eco-labeled as sustainably harvested seafood, a significant number of impostors are introduced.

?Our data point to a problem with the supply chain,? said Marko. ?Fish are being sold that are improperly labeled. Where and how the uncertified fish reach market was not the focus of our research but are issues that deserve attention.?

Amy Jackson, Deputy Standards Director, MSC responded to the research: “Naturally, we are very concerned about the results in Current Biology,? she says. ?The MSC has already launched an investigation and we have approached the authors to share their specific product information. Once we have conducted a full review of the products reported as mislabelled, we will publish the outcome of our investigation and provide information relating to actions the MSC has taken.”

The MSC has a long running programme of DNA testing as part of its commitment to ensuring robust and credible chain of custody certification. In late 2008 and early 2009 the MSC collected samples of South Georgian (Patagonian) toothfish, (Dissostichus eleginoides). The samples were analysed by the TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network (in a study led by Dr Rob Ogden). In June 2009, the results showed that all MSC ecolabelled products tested had come from the MSC certified fishery operating out of Area 48.3.

Jackson added: “The MSC Chain of Custody programme requires full traceability checks at every point of the supply chain allowing the MSC to investigate any allegations of mislabelling. Our investigation will identify if any breach has occurred and pinpoint exactly where in the supply chain it happened. If proven, it could result in the suspension or withdrawal of their Chain of Custody certificate. The MSC uses DNA testing to complement its third party certification programme and it is a powerful tool in eradicating mislabelling from seafood supply chains. we hope to work with the authors of the paper along with other experts in this field to achieve this goal.”

The research by Marko, Holly Nance and Kimberly Guynn is reported in the Aug. 23 edition of Current Biology (Marko et al.: “Genetic detection of mislabeled fish from a certified sustainable fishery” Vol. 21 No. 16)

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Questions continue to mount about a Texas-based company’s plan to withdraw water from the St. Mary’s River near Moniac in the Georgia Bend area and extract half of the naturally-occurring tannins from the water.

The Southern Environmental Law Center in Atlanta is the latest organization to direct its ire at the proposal, submitting a letter to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division late last month urging the agency to deny Miocene Holdings LLC’s applications for permits to withdraw up to 350,000 gallons per day, filter out the tannins and discharge up to 349,000 gallons per day back into the river.

“Georgia’s water quality standards do not allow this kind of wholesale chemical alteration in the St. Mary’s River,” states the letter dated July 28 from Gilbert B. Rogers, the center’s senior attorney. “Without scientific assurance that the chemically-altered discharge of water will not be harmful to humans, animals or other aquatic life, Miocene cannot be permitted to make the proposed discharge.”

Miocene’s permit applications remain incomplete after its initial submittal to GEPD in December, 2010. Regulators have been corresponding with Miocene’s engineers and other consultants since that time, requesting further information and analysis.

The company’s initial plan to pump water back into the river after extracting the tannins may be changing, according to GEPD’s acting assistant branch chief for the St. Mary’s and three other watersheds, Cliff Lewis.

Miocene is contemplating “operational options … to eliminate a direct discharge back to the river,” Mr. Lewis wrote in an e-mail to members of the St. Mary’s River Management Committee and the St. Johns River Water Management District.

The committee consists of representatives from Baker, Nassau, Camden and Charlton counties, while the district regulates water consumption and plotting in 18 counties in northeastern and eastern central Florida.

Both groups have filed objections to the permits without further data from the applicant regarding the volume of the river’s flow at the project site. It’s located on roughly 100 acres on the eastern side of the St. Mary’s River.

Assurances from Miocene that withdrawals will stop if the river gets too low are based on flawed data, they contend.

Miocene’s permit application relies on historic river flow measurements from the USGS monitoring stations at Moniac and Macclenny, 3 miles and 13 miles, respectively, from the project’s location.

The water district, management committee and Southern Environmental Law Center have questioned that regulators require Miocene to submit site-specific data showing the project’s potential impact on the river’s flow.

Miocene’s application has also drawn criticism for not addressing possible impacts from the tannin removal.

The firm intends to use the tannins as an organic fertilizer additive, which company officials have said will help reduce the use of chemical fertilizers that harm the environment.

The tannins give the river its murky appearance and a low pH level. an analysis submitted to GEPD by Miocene shows the river’s pH level is expected to increase, but the company has yet to submit information on how the change will affect the river’s environment.

Mr. Rogers wrote in his letter to GEPD the project will “significantly harm this sensitive blackwater ecosystem.” He notes that the river supports at least 65 species of fish, including sunfish and bass, as well as native plants and is already impaired due to elevated levels of mercury.

“It is still not suitable for fishing, which is its designated use under the Clean Water Act,” Mr. Rogers stated.

Charlton County’s Chip Campbell, who chairs the St. Mary’s River Management Committee, remained skeptical of the project at the committee’s June 27 meeting in Callahan.

The meeting’s minutes indicate he expressed concern about the “newness” of the project and said he felt it is tantamount to mining a public resource.

That led the committee to begin discussing the possibility of mining royalties.

Mr. Lewis, who attended the meeting, however, soon clarified that Georgia law, which governs the Miocene property, addresses mining and extraction but likely not the extraction of tannins, specifically, nor the extraction from a public water body, the minutes show.

Once Miocene’s permit application(s) have been completed and reviewed by GEPD, a public comment period will commence, though it’s unclear when that will occur.

A message left for Miocene’s plant manager and Glen St. Mary resident Emmett Noblitt early this week seeking comment was not returned.

i know that there are catfish carp bass brim and crappie. what other fish can i catch in lakes in GA(besides minnow/bait fish)
also please tell me how large there fish get if you know

THANKS!