Gallatin TN. Jeff Baker of Hendersonville TN comes out on top by 1 ounce to win the 2nd stop for the Central TN division. We had 50 anglers to fish at the event, with 30 of the 50 bringing to the scales a limit of 5 fish. At the start of the day, it was 42 degrees warming up to about 80 degrees making for a beautiful day for fishing. With Jeffs win it made each of the 5 fish worth $760.00 a piece for a total of $3,800.00. Jeff had 16.82 pounds with a kicker of 4.07 pounds.
Jeff stated that he went junk fishing because I hadn’t practiced or anything. So not knowing exactly how the fish was sitting up, I went down to the lower end and fish areas that I had fish in the past. I started catching some fish using Red Square bill crankbait, so I stayed with it all day. I probably caught 30 keepers today, well in less than five foot of water. I had a great day, and it was a beautiful day to fish and there’s a lot of fish biting and I like to thank the good Lord for a great time.
Corey Steakley of Lebanon TN takes 2nd place with 16.71 pounds with a kicker of 4.80 pounds. Corey took home a check for $2000.00 with a finish of less than .11 of a pound behind the 1st place finisher.
Cory stated that he caught all of his fish flipping a green pumpkin bait. I did not catch many fish this morning, but as the day went on and the sun started warming up the water. The bite seemed to pick up, as the fish was moving to the warmer water to try and spawn.
James Woodruff of Portland TN comes in 3rd place with 14.79 pounds. Making his 5 fish limit worth $1.400.00 in his pocket.
James stated that he caught all his fish flipping today using a black an blue jig. I was fishing in less than 3 foot of water, as the fish or in that spawning pattern. The bite seem to get better as the day went on, caught lots of fish and lost one that probably could have won me the tournament.
Carl Gillespie of Old Hickory TN takes 4th place with a 5 fish limit of 14.73 pounds making his 5 fish worth a check for $1,100.00.
Carl stated that fished a Japanese free rig all day. I managed to catch a 5 fish limit early, and then culled the rest of the day. I was concentrating on any cover to provide shade and ambush point, for the fish. I was also fishing in less than 3 foot of water.
Jonathan Newman of Hendersonville TN takes 5th place with a 5 fish limit of 14.54 pounds and a kicker of 5.08 pounds making his finish worth $900.00.
Jonathan stated that he also caught his limit flipping all day. I was using a solid black jig. I also caught my fish in less than 3 feet of water. The bigger females are moving to spawn now, so it is making for a good bite. These warm days are really helping to be able catch fish pretty much all day.
The big fish honors went to William Saddoris of Nashville TN, he finished 12th with a 5 fish limit of 12.74. But he had a kicker of 5.48 pounds to give the honors and a check for $500.00.
Top 25
The next tournament for this division will be May 1, 2024, at Center Hill, going out of Ragland Bottom, so make your plans.
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