I went to dinner with my friends after the tournament. We had hot wings and drunk. I finally started to feel relaxed.
I love fishing Northern Open tournaments because I get to see many of my friends from north. We all love fishing and talking about fishing!!
I would like to thank you guys very much for good time!!
Kota
Second day was cancelled, so we had a full field on the final day. Wind was calm in the morning. The tournament director Chris told us that there is no field restriction, so that we were able to go anywhere. I was happy to hear that.
I went to the first place and noticed that water was not as clear as the first day. I started throwing dropshot with Flick Shake 4.8. I had a bite quickly and it was a good fish, however I lost that one on the way. That was the first and only fish that I lost all week. After that fish, I struggle to get bite. I decided to go to the river and start cranking. I caught 2 small keepers right away but the bites stopped. I went to the main lake for deeper bite. because of the wind direction change and the stain water, smallmouth did not bite well. I caught one more keeper and I had to come in for weigh in. They weighed 10-10 lb, and I finished 15th for the tournament. I was dissappointed for not having a good back up plan when water gets dirty. I think my problem was that my areas were so far that I could not move many places because I did not have enough time.
After everybody weighed in, the tournament director Chirs Bows called from 10th place to the first place for the points ranking. When they were calling for the third place, I closed my eyes and waited. He called my friend name Pete first then mine.
We all fished hard and fought to the last moment. Everybody is the winner here.
Kota
Wind speed was around 25 mph today and it stayed around 20 mph all day long. I went to see how Lake Erie looked like, and I did not want to go out in that waves. It look like there were a few big white ships going across the lake from a distance, however when I looked at closely, that were not ships. They were white caps all across the surface!!
I worked on my tackle again, and I also make sure all the bolts are tight on boats. My Basscat and Yamaha have been good to me this year again.
Kota
It was very rough on the first day morning. For the first hour, waves were coming from different angles and it was hard to control the boat. I finally arrived to the place after more than 2 hours of driving. I started throwing dropshot with Flick shake, and catching fish right away. I caught a limit easily, then I threw crankbait. I culled a few times. Fish were anywhere from 6-10ft deep at this spot. Around noon, I decided to move to other areas. This spot was about 22-28 feet deep. I threw tubes and dropshot and culled few more times. Wind got calm and we decided to go back to the ramp. It was much nicer ride on the way back except by Sandusky bay and Kelleys Island area. I weighed in 21-7 for the first day and started at 7th place. Right now, it looks so windy, and windier than yesterday. Weather forecast says it will get up to 25 mph. well, if we have to go, I will need to take more time to get there.
It was a beautiful day on the water today. It was not windy and I got to drive around many places. Right now, Lake Erie has a lot of allergy in the western basin. It seems like the water color really does not matter for this little fish. Wherever I was, goby was hitting my tube today. I also learned that not all the goby spots produce smallmouth bass.
It has been windy here at Sandusky, OH. It is difficult to graph around the lake to locate smallmouth recently. This part of Lake Erie has many islands and gusty wind and big boats can create dangerous waves. Waves are usually not one direction, so it is important to pay attention to every wave I drive through.
I am glad to have Basscat and Yamaha 250HPDI set up. It has a great view while I am driving that is important because I can see what kind of next wave I have to climb. Also, Yamaha 250 HPDI has a quick response and the power that can push the boat immediately when I step on the gas pedal.
Kota
I went out fishing with Ken. He is going to fish the Bassmaster Open next week. It was a beautiful day on Lake Erie. We caught a few fish on Jackall Squad minnow 95 and Ken caught these Sheephead!! They are not good for tournament, but he enjoyed their powerful fight!
We fished the Bassmasters Classic together this year at Shriveport, LA. He was qualified through the Federation. I know it is very hard to qualify from that route. I hope he get back to the Classic again!
Kota
I arrived at Sandusky. There were several cars that I saw in the movie ‘ Back to the future.’
They just came back to the campground from driving together around the town. So I asked them ‘ Did you guys go to the future or the past with this trip?’
They said ‘ we went to the past, then drove to the future.’
I told them I would love to visit my future, too. One of them let me sit in their car, and I drove to the future!!! We had a wonderful time and laughed. Kota
I spent a few days at Pratt family home in upstate NY. I finally decided to go to Sandusky, OH. We had a lot of fun and I got relaxed. Steve and Nancy tried Sayuri’s Japanese home cooking, too. She taught them how to use chopsticks and she made Gyoza. Steve and Nancy tried them and they did well!
Thank you very much for letting us stay.
Now we are ready to hit the road!!
Kota
Hi Smallmouth people!
Jackall new lures, Super Pintail movie is uploaded at www.ninjatacklebox.com and go to movie page!!
Kota