[Shannon]

We had a full field Saturday 200 boats cool with stiff North wind all day. I caught a limit that weighed 6-05 and got me a check in 28th place. It was a tough bite and I lost two good fish that day, a 4 pounder in the first ten minutes on a 10.5" Ol Monster grape worm came undone at the boat while I was waiting for my boater to get the net, and then I lost a 3 pounder later in the morning flippin in dense reeds the fish wrapped me up and I told him to get the boat in there he trolled into the reeds reached over and grabbed my line then like 3 seconds later it broke down close to the fish. I really don't know what happened but I know that he never should have touched my line, I'm not sure if the knot slipped down around the eye and cut on the edge or what, but 50 lb Power Pro doesn't break that easy. I was highly upset with these two instances especially when at the weigh-in 12 lbs. won on the co-angler side and knowing I lost 7 lbs worth of fish. Anyway the fish I did get in the boat I caught 4 of them flippin a blackberry ultra-vibe speed craw with a 1/2 oz. tru-tungsten (junebug) pegged down tight and my other keeper on the grape worm. We fished mostly around pads near a spawning flat, open water hydrilla was good for two Small fish and the rest came from the maden cane with Kissimmee grass up against it near Reds and back in Goblets Cove. My boater got a limit that only weighed 5-05 and we had two other guys from my club got checks as well, one in 21st on boater side and one in 22nd on co-angler side. 17 lbs. won the boater side and big fish on both sides were 9 pounders. Not bad considering the weather.

 

[Shannon]

I have been wondering if a drop of solder at the eye gap would help or maybe the super glue to keep it away from that edge. I usually always crimp that gap closed with my pliers, but that's not good enough apparently.

 

[Shannon]

Thanks guys, I'm going to stock up on super glue for sure. I do check the line as well every couple flips, but you know that when that fish is in there running circles around the reeds tying you up there is no telling where your knot is by that time.
Drew maybe next year I can start looking for a boat, I have a couple potential sponsor things I've been looking into as I build my resume' which may help offset some expenses.

 

[Shannon]

Tom,
It sure was a tough weekend, no doubt those fish have been absolutely hammered for the last couple weeks with everybody praticing for all the tournaments, and there was a big tournament there last Saturday when we had our club tournament too. I know the feeling with zero's, since I zeroed last Saturday. I think that may have helped me to totally change my approach for the BFL by downsizing my bait for flippin. Last year I zeroed the first two BFL's and now that I've calmed down a bit I'm feeling better about the 28th / 200, now I'm gettin myself pumped to get on a roll for the next one. Get em' next time Tom!
A note for those of you who have been here since last year, the guy I fished with in the super tournament who put me on fish to finish 11th - Jim Folks, this past fall made it to the All American by finishing 6th at the regionals.

 

[Shannon]

Okay, I'll re-phrase I down sized my flippin bait.