Fishing News - 9/21/00
From BASS
Biffle Takes Lead Fishing In New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS, La.-September 21,2000-Oklahoma's Tom Biffle catapulted himself from third place into the second round lead with a 16 pound -9 ounce limit on Thursday at the BASSMASTER Louisiana Top 150. The day's limit gave
Biffle a two-day total of 30-10 allowing him to slip past Florida's Chet Douthit who had taken the top spot earlier in the day with a 12-13 catch and a two-day total of 27-4.North Carolina's Marty Stone slipped from first into third with 25-10. Kevin VanDam of Michigan used a 16-0 limit to move from 41st position into fourth and Texan Clark Wendlandt rounds out the top five at 23-6.
Unlike many of the other anglers Biffle decided that a long run, some of the anglers are traveling in excess of two hours from the launch site, was
not necessary in order to catch the big fish. "You could hit where I am fishing from right here with a rock," said Biffle. "I put my trolling motor in the water this morning when we launched and took it out this afternoon when it was time to come in. I went around in circles in the same area, on one pass I might have caught one fish and the next pass, two. But I am pretty sure that I caught at least one fish on each pass."I caught eight fish today, and lost one big one. About noon I quit jerking on the fish because I thought that they might be fish that I would need tomorrow or the next day. I told my partner that I wasn't going to jerk on them unless I thought that they were bigger than what I had. I jerked on one after that and luckily he was 4 ounces larger than what I had."
Douthit had troubles that kept him from maintaining the lead. "I lost one fish in two days, but it was the one I needed. I believe that he was about 6 pounds. On the fish before I guess that the reel wasn't in the seat real good and it just came out when I set the hook. I caught that fish. But on the next one, the big one, I saw the line going out and I thought don't jerk too hard, and I lost him." Douthit was able to laugh about his misfortune though; "the ESPN2 crew got in on tape"
VanDam, who was only able to bring in 8-2 on day one, came back strong
in his second outing. "Each day on the water you learn a few things and it gets you closer," said VanDam. "Yesterday was a tough day, so I had to change the area I was fishing."Alan Hults of Mississippi maintained his lead on the amateur side with a total of 14-7. Douthit and Alabama Pro Randy Howell shared the Big Bass award, and the $1000 prize, for day two with fish that weighed in at 4-3. Among the amateurs, Florida's Danny Grissett claimed the $400 with a 4-12 weight.
The event will continue through Saturday with weigh-ins held at Bayou
Segnette State Park beginning at 3 p.m. each day. All activities and grandstand seating are free to the public.A free BASSMASTER CASTINGKIDS event, sponsored by Chevy Trucks and Zebco,
will be held on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This fun-filled national program designed by B.A.S.S. CEO Helen Sevier encourages children to perfect the basics of fishing - casting, pitching and flipping. The Louisiana B.A.S.S. Federation will conduct this event and provide instruction.The BASSMASTER Tournament Trail is the oldest and most prestigious pro
bass fishing tournament circuit. It continues to set the standard for credibility, professionalism, and sportsmanship for more than three decades.Sponsors of the 2000 BASSMASTER Tournament Trail include: Ranger Boats, RangerTrail Trailers, Mercury Outboards, Chevy Trucks, ACDelco Batteries, Worldwaters.com, Humminbird/Zercom Marine, Pennzoil Marine, Flowmaster Exhaust Systems, First USA/B.A.S.S. Platinum Visa, MotorGuide Trolling Motors, Gore-Tex Outerwear, GMAC Insurance.
The event is sponsored locally by the State of Louisiana, Jefferson Parish
and the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation. B.A.S.S. Web site: http://www.bassmaster.com.
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