6/27/14-6/29/14 - Avid Anglers @ Lake Champlain Larrabees Ramp (Ticonderoga)
At the end of June, Avid Anglers had scheduled a weekend at Ticonderoga. 2nd year in a row we have done this. This type of trip is good for building comradery amongst the club. Not just fishing together, but eating, drinking, and get to know each other off he water too. Last year was my first time to Champlain, but this was my first time to the Ti area. Definitely a different ball game down here. The weather was beautiful all weekend. A breeze from the north of practice, and out of the south on both tourney days.
Friday 6/27 - This was a pre-fishing day For Paul and I. Although I didn't draw Paul as my boater for either tournament, earlier in the year we had planned to travel together. We met up at where he keeps his boat at about 2am. Loaded up truck, and boat and headed out. Arrived safely, and were on the water a little after 8am. Some wind and heavy rain had come through the area earlier in the week, and really muddy up the water which didn't help the bite. We hit many areas, and although we didn't put alot in the boat, atleast we had a little better idea of what might work, and what wasn't working. Amazing the amount of species in this lake. Paul had a big Bowfin take his jig, had to big 5-6lbs. Saw a Gar, and some Big Carp. Caught White & Yellow Perch, Pickerel, Crappie, and Rock Bass. As far as Bass keepers, we both had 3-4 keeper Largemouth for 5-6lbs. My big one of the day was a 2-1/2lber.
Saturday 6/28 - This tournament counted as the last one of the 2014 season, and would decided of things, most noted was AOY (Angler of the Year, and the newly added CAOY (Co Angler of the Year). I was paired with Mike today. Took us a little to get it going. What we were finding, is in the 8-12ft with bait present around outside weed lines and ledgewalls we were finding some fish. It was still a grind. Mike had 4 Largemouth at the end of the day but with 2 quality ones in his 11.46lb bag including a 5.80lber, and a 3-1/2lber for a 5th place finish. I caught a limit @ 8.03lbs, unfortunately my big fish of the day, a 2-1/4lber that I caught near the Ti ramp kick over with an hour to go. Must been one caught, and released from the many tournament run out of there recently. Minus the penalty, my 7.78lbs gave my 9th place. Al Jr took 4th with a limit @ 11.60lbs including a 5.04lb Largemouth. Ed took 3rd with a limit for 14.20lbs. Paul took 2nd with a limit of Smallmouth @ 15.84lbs, as he made a run north of the Crown Point Bridge to find them. Fred took the win with a nice limit of Largemouth @ 17.43lbs including a 5.15lb Largemouth. And with that Paul was Crown the 2014 AOY with a near perfect season (4 wins, one 2nd place), and I took the 1st officail CAOY! Bonus fish of the day, first Mike getting a fatty Catfish on a tube 5-6lbs anyway. Later while dropshotting I got into a massive Sheepshead (Freshwater Drum) 10lbs any way, brutal fight, but I knew right away it wasn't bass.
Sunday 6/29 - This tournament was the first of the 2015 season. I was paired with John S today. John was committed to the shallow bit, and I got my practice in as a net man. Most of his fish were caught flippin' the grass matt, or on the frog. I was a change for how I had fished the last two days, but I thought I was perpared for anything. Well today was a one of those humbling days for me, as I would only put a couple Pickerel, and a White Perch in the boat. I couldn't figure out the what difference between was John doing, what I was doing. Frustrating to say to least. This is a quote from JOhn the next day cause he could see a difference either " JB,
I was watching your technique, I didnt see anything that turned me off. Everything looked fine.
That is why I had little to say about what you were throwing it looked good to me.
You did everything correct as far as I was concerned." Nice of him to say that, but it was just one of those days for me. Regardless still a good day. End of the tournament Bill took 4th with a limit @ 10.13lbs, Dave 3rd with a limit @ 12.12lbs including tourney lunker Largemouth @ 3.91lbs, John S shallow water bite took 2nd with a limit @ 13.58lbs, And Paul making that Smallmouth run again took the win with 14.93lbs.
Great weekend overall. With a B.A.S.S. State Fish-offs coming in August, is was good to get out and get a feel for this area, although it will ishing completely different by then. Proud to take the 1st Avid CAOY, it was one of my goal this year. And although stumble to start the next season, it will be added motivation to dig out of the hole.
Here's the link the recap on the Avid site: http://www.avidbassin.com/shell.php?inset=article&id=44&headline=Fred%20on%20Saturday,%20Paul%20on%20Sunday%20at%20Ti&idcount=1