October 13, 2007
Lake Austin – Austin, TX
The ATX Bassmasters took to Lake Austin at midnight on September 15th for the first night tournament of the year. The moon was dark and the wind was light. The club had the lake pretty much to ourselves until 4am when another 3 tournaments started! The lake started to get a little crowded and was crowded for sure once the rec traffic started showing up after dawn.
The fishing was tough for most, but South Austin Marine Skeeter Team member, Patrick Anderson, found enough to take first place with 11.86 pounds. Patrick also caught the tournament big bass, 4.98 pounds. Patrick reported going the first couple of hours without a bite. Patrick found the fish between boat dock lights in less than 2 feet of water He caught his fish on flukes and Texas rigged lizards Patrick caught all of his fish before the sun came up.
Garland Abernathy took second place with 7.71 pounds. Garland reported catching his keepers after the sun came up. Senkos, black/blue and green laminate, accounted for 2 keepers. His final keeper fell prey to a Tilapia colored crankbait in 8-10' of water right before weigh-in... "Never Give Up ! "
The famous Fishgod, Dan Taylor, came in third with 7.57 pounds. Dan caught all of his keepers on a black buzzbait fished over grass before the sun came up. He reported catching a ton of short fish throwing various soft plastics. Dan, like Patrick, caught all of his fish before the sun came up.
Mark Peevey came in fourth place with 7.52 pounds to increase his lead in the AOY race. Mark caught all of his fish in 8'-10' of water next to lighted docks in between 2:30am and 4:30am. Mark used a Texas rigged worm in Junebug color to catch his keepers.
Pete Albarado, also a South Austin Marine Skeeter Team member, came in fifth place with 7.21 pounds. Pete reported catching his fish in two to three feet of water using a Spro Bronzeye frog over the shallow grass.
Michael Waldrop, of the world famous Bee Cave BBQ (corner of Bee Caves Rd. and River Hills Rd.), caught 7.04 pounds to take sixth place.
The ATX Bassmasters will compete again on Lake LBJ, Cottonwood ramp, on October 14th. If you are interested in joining a BASS Federation Nation club, come by Threadgill's on Riverside the first Tuesday of the month at 7pm.
