Fishing News - 7/20/00
BASS Masters Classic
Report - Notes and Quotes
From BASS
Day 1 Notes&Quotes
RICK CLUNN 9-5, fifth place - I'm in there with the crowd. I came here with
game plan that largemouth would provide consistency, but win it with
smallmouth. That's my game plan, and I will stick with it. I culled one
smallmouth. Not really in tune with these smallmouth yet. They are the kind
that will win tournament. The winner will be the one who figures out how to
catch bigger fish.
Spent five hours in Lake MIchigan.
MIKE IACONELLI 9-14, tied for third place - I used today as a practice day.
I did a lot of looking. I think I can improve my weight each day.
I stuck to my game plan, to use today as a practice day. Went out
with idea of looking. I figured a couple of things out, which should help.
I had all largemouths. Had a good smallmouth on that I lost. Had
others follow. Didn't figure out how to get them to bite today.
I caught my largemouths in the river. Then went looking to try to
figure out smallmouths in the lake.
I believe that the average size of smallmouths is better than
largemouths in the river. If it stays calm and water clears more, might see
smallmouths really take over this tournament.
I caught my fish a little shallower than I had been. Using bigger
baits than I had been. I liked the fact that wind blew and it was overcast.
I'd like to see it stay the same as it was today.
I figured out that my smallmouths had shifted a little deeper than
they were sixe weeks ago. I think I can make adjustments to catch them
tomorrow.
Fished in river until 11:30. Spent remainder in the lake.
There were a lot of spectator boats. They were totally polite, and
it was great. Having people watch me pumps me up and I fish harder, so I
wouldn't mind 50 boats following me tomorrow.
A lot of desert bottom out there. I'm looking for rocks and vegetation.
There are enough smallmouths here to win tournament.
JAY YELAS 9-14, tied for third place - I fished Lake Calumet. About half of
the field was there. I had to go to finesse worms because of so much
pressure. I wanted to catch some of the fish there. Will have to do some
other things.
Best start that I've ever had in the Classic.
California background helped a lot today. I was fishing same area
that Aaron was. Just slow way down and pull out your spinning rod and light
line. Catch them on finesse baits.
Lake MIchigan was null and void today. Smallmouths just didn't show
up today. I was shocked. Totally shocked.
I think catch was so low because we had a month and a half
offlimits, and practice day was blown out. Guys were afraid to go out
there. That's where all the big fish are. If weather will allow us to get
out there and fish for smallmouths, will see some good fish.
I caught one smallmouth in main lake. Might spend some more time
there tomorrow.
Fishing grubs and Berkley Power worms. Caught my biggest fish on a
crankbait. Other good ones on spinnerbait. Mixed bag. I was fortune to
catch what I did.
AARON MARTENS 10-0, second place--- I caught 35 fish, 9 keepers. Caught a
lot of small smallmouths. Started in river and ended up in lake. Fished
mainly Calumet River. It's a great fishery, justs needs a few more years.
The wind is not hurting me. Dirtied up the water a little. If lake
clears up, probably will take more weight to win. Wind dirtying up water in
lake probably helps us in the river.
I have some other good spots, but smaller fish in them.
Light lines, small baits, lot of pressure, big crowds, California
fishing. That was California fishing. About all we do. I was using 6 pound
line. At least 30 boats there. I expect it to be the same or worse
tomorrow. I have a backup plan, but probably would be 8 or 9 pounds, not 10
or 11.
Fish are out there. I had a 13 or 14-pound bag out there last
month. River has a lot of fish in it.
Cloud cover hurting me the most. Scattering the fish a lot. They
are cruising more than they would if sun were out.
CARL MAXFIELD 10-1, first place--- Wjind was good. No problem running up
and down the lake. 3 fish at 9:30. Caught 14 or 15 out of one spot. Don't
know if I will go back. Wind made it happen. If wind changes, won't go
back. Just have to see.
Wind blew around corner of break wall. If wind speeds up, may help
it some.
I changed lures three days. Fished a jig, tube, and a small lizard.
Don't think bait was the key. Think it was the wind. Current coming right
across the point of break wall. They were up to get the baitfish.
I've seen baitfish here. Have to have clean water, structure, and
baitfish to have a good fishery.
This is a test, trust me.
This area seems to be fairly clean. Using 10-pound Stren, clear
line. Didn't have to retie a lot.
I don't think anybody had any expectations. What makes it so tough
is all the offlimits water. Think we have more offlimits than on.
Boat was sitting in 10 feet and fish were in about 6.
I went up there expecting to catch smallmouths. I was surprised
largemouths were there.
Caught 18 keepers, all largemouths.
Don't think cool weather had much to do with it. Fish through
spawning. Saw water temperatures of 74 degrees.
If wind gets bad, I guess that I will fish in the river with the
rest of them.
Playing field for this tournament more level than any other
Classic. I think that you will get standings jump around a lot.
B.A.S.S. Web site: http://www.bassmaster.com.
