MIDSTATE BASS ANGLERS SPRING OPEN
KINKAID LAKE
As only the month of April can be like, those fishing the annual Midstate Bass Angler Spring Open on Lake Kincaid found weather conditions to be a major factor in the event. The lake was full from earlier rains. It was not really high but full. In particular the water from the rains had the water at least stained through out the lake and even muddy up in the upper arms.
If this was not enough the season was getting off to a late start as far as temperatures go. Water temperatures had been down into the upper 40's just to 50 the week before. A spectacular week of warm weather had warmed the water up fast. Surface temperatures had jumped to the low 50's every where and even had soared to the 60's in protected coves and bays. Everyone's hopes of catching big bags had soared as well.
That infamous "Fickle Finger of Fate" was going to intervene. The evening before the event brought more rain and as the morning approached the storms grew and bordered on the extreme. Heavy rains fell from about 3:00 AM until just as the event was getting ready to kick off. Take off itself was spared of rain but cloud cover was thick and a returning shower soaked the anglers again early morning. As the day progressed the skies would clear and clouds would gather again and disperse.
The field of 47 boats worked the lake over hard. With stained water and cloud cover most went shallow. Wind picked up as the day went on and hopes of the shaloow bite grew. Main lake points, secondary points, small cuts, backs of creeks and pockets, weeds, rocks, and wood were all explored in the hope of catching that big bag green fish which would bestow honor and money as well as the satisfaction of winning. some were to know success others the frustration of not meeting their expectations.
At weigh in again the anglers found settled weather as can be seen in the picture above. As the boats reported in the results of the number of fish were radioed up to the score board. As the anglers brought their bags to the scales it became apparent that, even with the great hopes, efforts, and wishes of the anglers, this day the fish as a whole were the winners.
Now there were some good fish weighed in as can be seen in the attached photos.
As always however some one figures out what it takes to capture our finny friends. Now not one team was able to bring a limit sack of 6 fish to the scales, however two well known and accomplished anglers from Murphysboro, IL did rattle their cages. They brought three fine Kincaid bass, including the Big Bass for the event, lighting up the dial at 13.76 pounds. Using their arsenal of plastics and spinner baits they worked the mid lake area fishing relatively shallow water. The lunker was caught on a spinner bait in 3 to 4 feet of water about 12:30 and weighed 6.45 pounds. Fortunately for the rest of the field, this team lost two other good fish or they would truly have schooled everyone present. They earned their $860 for the day for 1ST Place and their efforts were sweetened with an additional $470 for Big Bass.
1ST PLACE TEAM AND BIG BASS-ROB WALDRON AND CARL JOHNSON
The Southern Illinois Father and Son team of Rick and Kory Byrnes hauled a 4 fish sack to the scales. At 13.36 pounds this secured them 2ND Place and a check for $470. They caught two of their keepers on spinnerbaits prior to the rain during the event. Rick said they were unable to doing any more the spinnerbait after that but were able to get the other two using a jig. They are sponsored by Anglers Choice, Mercury Motors, and Motor Guide trolling motors.
2ND PLACE TEAM-KORY AND RICK BYRNES
With another nice 3 fish bag, the team of Bill Griffiths of Willsville, IL and Greg Ellett or Vergennes, IL took 3RD Place with a weight of 10.99 pounds. Their check for $340 came on a tube for two of their keepers and a Boyah spinnerbait for the third.
3RD PLACE TEAM-GREG ELLETT AND BILL GRIFFITHS
The following are those who also made it to the check line:
4TH PLACE TEAM GALE/REED 4 FISH 10.78 LBS $260
5TH PLACE TEAM WAGNER/RICE 4 FISH 9.72 LBS $215
Take time now to mark your calendar to attend the MIDSTATE BASS ANGLERS FALL OPEN on Kincaid Lake Sunday, September 19th. Check here on 7/24 Outdoors.com under "Upcoming Tournaments" or Bass Clubs in the Fishing Scene or at THE FISHING HOLE AT LEISURE TIME, Leisure Time Pools, 2415 North Illinois, Swansea, IL 618-236-1600, http://thefishingholeswansea.com/.
