Jefferson, TX – Jordan Osborne of Hallsville, TX, put together a hefty 5-fish limit this Saturday, March 2nd, on Lake of the Pines, weighing in at 28.50 lbs. His largest of the 5 weighed 6.42 lbs. Spring temperatures in Texas have been in the mid to upper 70s over the past couple of weeks, and a few days have even pushed over 80. However, on Wednesday, a cold front pushed through the area, bringing back the North winds and cold air. For two days, temperatures dipped back down around 40 degrees, and if you like to fish this time of year, you know exactly the effect it has on bass.
The Top 150 Solo Trail had fished just one week prior, and the cold front changed up the patterns for this event. Osborne was able to figure them out and found himself sitting on top of the 57-boat field when the scales closed on March 2nd at Lakeside Park, taking home the top prize of $4,000.00.
“I ran up north and threw a big sixth sense swimbait over shallow grass next to the river channel. I was watching fish on forward-facing sonar. They would show themselves following the crankbait, and I would follow up with a drop shot. Most of my bites came early. I caught 30 or so fish, and they were all good size, as most were over 4 lbs. I had an early boat number, so I pulled over and let the field settle in the flats and spawning areas before I executed my pattern. I didn’t want to show how I was catching them. My day was over around noon, and I made a 2-hour idle back to the weigh-in because of a Jack plate issue. I could not get my boat up on a plane, and I knew that it would take me a while to get back to the South end of the lake where the weigh-in was located. Turns out it was a good move, and it paid off.”
In second place, Russ Carter of Longview, TX, brought in a solid 5-fish limit weighing 22.69 lbs. Not only did he have the weight to place 2nd, but Russ’s largest fish weighed 7.58 lbs, earning him the big bass title for the event. Second place was worth $2,250.00, and big bass added another check for $570.00, for total earnings of $2,820.00.
Carter Commented, “I practiced for 3 days, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I found fish all 3 days, on different patterns, so I wasn’t sure which direction to go. On Friday, I went back to one location thinking after the cold front they should bite. After the 4th or 5th cast, I had a good fish. Five more minutes and I caught another keeper. These were shallow spawning fish in grass. I also found some on Friday that had moved out after the front. I went to the river and got 4 bites in 4 casts, so that’s where I decided to start. I went there on Saturday, nothing. Left and went deeper to 6-8 ft. Finally caught a couple on a baby brush hog. Normally when you catch one it will fire them up, but it didn’t happen. Around 11:30 or so, I went back up north to the edge of the river. I caught 2 more keepers real quick. It fired them up.
A few minutes later, a boat trolled directly over where I was catching them, and because it was shallow, it ran all the fish off. They were not in the tournament; they were out enjoying the day. At this point, I had 4 fish for 8 lbs. I knew that wasn’t going to cut it, so I went down the lake and stopped at a ridge I usually fish in the summer or in the dead of winter. Caught one, and it wouldn’t keep. Kept casting for 5 minutes and caught my 5th keeper and started culling. Four lbs., then caught the 7.58, then one more good one. I felt a tree and brought my bait all the way to the surface, and when it fell, it kept going. I knew it wasn’t that deep, so I set the hook and got the last fish for over 6 lbs. and finished out the day right there. I really enjoyed this tournament. I’ve fished a lot of them in my day.”
Finishing in 3rd place was Justin Margraves of Diana, TX with a 5 fish limit for 21.38 lbs. Justins bag of fish was the last one that broke the 20 lb. mark for this event. Had the cold front not hit mid-week, this lake would have shown us its true potential and there would have been some weights over 30 lbs. Justins weight allowed him to take home a check for $1500.00.
“My day was spent focusing on one thing. I caught all my fish in drains that were approximately 3 to 5 feet of water. Drains are a funnel point where deeper water is adjacent to a spawning flat. This time of year, even with cold fronts you can expect to find them waiting for the water to warm up. I was throwing a Strike King Thunder Cricket and a Texas rig rage bug. I went back and forth between these two baits all day. I didn’t go to very many locations, but I caught fish in all of them culling a couple times.”
Finishing in 4th place was Shane Gibson of Kilgore, TX. His 5 fish limits of 19.42 lbs. His efforts earned him a check for $1100.00. Finishing in 5th place is Blake Whatley of Harleton, TX with five fish for 19.37 lbs. earning him $900.00.
Top 25
This tournament concludes our trips to Lake Of The Pines for this season and the next stop for the Texas Pro League Division will be Sam Rayburn on April 13th launching from Cassels Boykin Park in Angelina County.
At the end of the season, we will crown the Angler of the Year in this division and the top 200anglers by points will receive an invitation to fish the 2024 Top 150 Solo Championship.
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About American Bass Anglers: American Bass Anglers is dedicated to organizing affordable, local tournaments for weekend anglers while offering opportunities for individual angler advancement. To learn more about American Bass Anglers, including the Team Series, American Fishing Tour, American Couples Series, annual Military Team Bass Tournament, Top 150 Solo Tour, and Pro League, all presented by Caymas Boats, please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406.
