First Derby of the Year...

I finally got to compete in my first tournament of the year.  Thanks to an ill-fated retreive on a duck hunt New Year's eve weekend, I've been sidelined with a pretty severe knee injury. But that is all in the past, I've knocked the dust off of the equipment and fished my first derby.  I spent the last three days on Kentucky Lake, practicing fo and competing in the FLW Outdoors' first BFL tournament of the year for the LBL division.  I'm glad to report all was a success.  I managed a limit that weighed 18lbs-15oz and finished fifth.  It's not a win, but it's a solid finish considering there nearly 170 anglers competing in the event.  Regardless of the finish, I fished all day without the use of any seats in the boat, and my leg held up just fine!  That's what I call a win-win situation.  I'll post pattern and baits information later this week. Thanks for stopping by.
God Bless,
Duke

Things are heating up!

The title of the post sums up just about everything I'm going to talk about, it accurately describes the water temps, the air temps and of course the fishing here in Southern IL.  I spent the day on the lake yesterday, trying to get myself conditioned for the upcoming tournament season.  Thanks to some great work with the physical therapist I believe I can go all day and not feel too wiped out.  With that being said, there are some times that your main purpose for the trip actually becomes secondary, like yesterday, when warming water temps and hungry bass lined up perfectly.  After a somewhat rough start to the day, we managed to locate and catch several really nice fish.  Water temps were running in the low to mid-fifties, which has some of the bass in my local lake pulling up and staging on what I like to call early pre-spawn locations.  We hit a stretch in the afternoon, where you could call your shot.  I've posted a few pics of yesterday's trip.  I caught all of my fish on an Excalibur Xr50 in Rayburn Red, using 12lb Maxima ultragreen monofilament on a Powell Rods 703CB Glass.  All I can say is we had a blast!  Hope you enjoy the pictures.
God Bless,
Duke





First one of the day



Best of the day...pushed 6.5 lbs

 


Last good one of the trip...great way to end it!



 

Tinkering with tackle...

Tournament season is underway in a lot of areas, and my season is about to start, so I've been getting my ducks in a row.  Tinkering with some tackle that is.  I'm blessed to work with some great companies, and I'm as excited as ever about using some of their products this year.  Powell Rods has developed some new models, as well as a brand new entire line of fishing rods that have an excellent price point.  I'm definitely excited about their new Endurance model crankbait rods the 724 CB glass is sure to be a great one.  Lunker Lure has introduced a new series of jigs called the Limit Series.  It comes in two different head styles both equipped with a Gamakatsu hook round bend hook.  I had a chance to use some of these jigs last fall, and I was nothing but impressed!  Stay tuned, as it looks like, Lord willing I'll head down to Kentucky Lake next week for a BFL event. 
God Bless,
Duke