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News:03/29/08
Northwest Louisiana's Jeff Rich and Nathan Fields Win College
Smashmouth Tournament on Lake Dardanelle
Jeff Rich and Nathan Fields Win on Lake Dardanelle!!!!
Story by Terrance Narveson
It was Northwest Louisiana's Jeff Rich and Nathan Fields that took home
the top honors at the Third Annual College Smashmouth Tournamnet held on
Lake Dardanelle this weekend. 54 teams from schools around the country came
and had a great time for another successful tournamnet. Most of the teams
said the fishing was sensational for practice as they were catching the
fish moving up in hoards to prepare for the spawn. Numerous 20lb sacks were
being caught during practice and the fishermen were thinking it would take at
least 40lbs to be close to the top 10. As soon as you think everything
is good mother nature throws you a curveball and it changes everything. A
cold front came in a greeted the anglers with cooler temperatures and cloudy
skies to go along with the already muddy water. The anglers still
managed to put together some very respectable fish. Here is how the top three
managed to battle their way to the top for the two days.
1st Place - 37.24lbs - Northwest Louisiana - Jeff Rich/Nathan Fields
It was a tough bite for them during practice and their hopes were down
as practice did not produce what they had hoped and heard others were
catching. They called a buddy that was here last year and he clued them into an
area he had success in last year and with the help of Google earth they
located the spot and checked it out and that is where they fished the first day
catching all their fish on a grass flat in Dardanelle Bay. The second
day Dardanelle bay was not as generous and they had to adjust from throwing
rattletraps to flipping jigs and tubes. They moved to Piney Bay area
and started flipping tubes on the rocks with a 6.32lb fish to start,
followed by two 5lb fish that sealed the deal. They were throwing American
Rodsmith 7ft Mag Strike paired with black/blue V&M Tubes to catch their big fish for
the day.
2nd place: Dan Langton/Don Winters
2nd place - 35.06 pounds - Murray State - Dan Langton and Don Winters
Practice turned out to be awesome for the pair as their biggest fish they
caught was a 7.3lb monster. Everyday of practice they boated around
20lbs and they figured it would take 25 a day to win. The cold front set
their fish back some and it became a challenge to get the bites they were
getting in practice. An ultimate Jig paired with a zoom trailer in black/blue
color was their key bait. Most of the fish were caught in pre-spawn areas moving to
spawning grounds. They were fishing in the Strip Pits and Shoal bay.
3rd place - Aaron McAlexander and Alex Lowe
3rd place 34.82lbs - Purdue - Aaron McAlexander/Alex Lowe
Aaron & Alex went to what they called a "private pond" and went after 5
bites before moving out and hunting bigger bites. Their pattern held up well
and with a little luck they managed to cull a few fish to get them third
place. On the last day with an hour to go they knew it was going to take a
couple really good fish to get them in contention. A quick stop at one
of the bridges yielded two five pounders with little time left in the day. This was Aarons
third and possibly last tournament but Alex's first so we will plan on seeing him
again next year.
For Complete Results, Click Here
Kristy Austin wanted to thank everyone that helped her put this
tournament together and all the fishermen that came and participated. The
invitation is always open to come and fish and hopes to see you next year.
Northwest Louisiana's Jeff Rich and Nathan Fields Win College
Smashmouth Tournament on Lake Dardanelle
Jeff Rich and Nathan Fields Win on Lake Dardanelle!!!!
Story by Terrance Narveson
It was Northwest Louisiana's Jeff Rich and Nathan Fields that took home
the top honors at the Third Annual College Smashmouth Tournamnet held on
Lake Dardanelle this weekend. 54 teams from schools around the country came
and had a great time for another successful tournamnet. Most of the teams
said the fishing was sensational for practice as they were catching the
fish moving up in hoards to prepare for the spawn. Numerous 20lb sacks were
being caught during practice and the fishermen were thinking it would take at
least 40lbs to be close to the top 10. As soon as you think everything
is good mother nature throws you a curveball and it changes everything. A
cold front came in a greeted the anglers with cooler temperatures and cloudy
skies to go along with the already muddy water. The anglers still
managed to put together some very respectable fish. Here is how the top three
managed to battle their way to the top for the two days.
1st Place - 37.24lbs - Northwest Louisiana - Jeff Rich/Nathan Fields
It was a tough bite for them during practice and their hopes were down
as practice did not produce what they had hoped and heard others were
catching. They called a buddy that was here last year and he clued them into an
area he had success in last year and with the help of Google earth they
located the spot and checked it out and that is where they fished the first day
catching all their fish on a grass flat in Dardanelle Bay. The second
day Dardanelle bay was not as generous and they had to adjust from throwing
rattletraps to flipping jigs and tubes. They moved to Piney Bay area
and started flipping tubes on the rocks with a 6.32lb fish to start,
followed by two 5lb fish that sealed the deal. They were throwing American
Rodsmith 7ft Mag Strike paired with black/blue V&M Tubes to catch their big fish for
the day.
2nd place: Dan Langton/Don Winters
2nd place - 35.06 pounds - Murray State - Dan Langton and Don Winters
Practice turned out to be awesome for the pair as their biggest fish they
caught was a 7.3lb monster. Everyday of practice they boated around
20lbs and they figured it would take 25 a day to win. The cold front set
their fish back some and it became a challenge to get the bites they were
getting in practice. An ultimate Jig paired with a zoom trailer in black/blue
color was their key bait. Most of the fish were caught in pre-spawn areas moving to
spawning grounds. They were fishing in the Strip Pits and Shoal bay.
3rd place - Aaron McAlexander and Alex Lowe
3rd place 34.82lbs - Purdue - Aaron McAlexander/Alex Lowe
Aaron & Alex went to what they called a "private pond" and went after 5
bites before moving out and hunting bigger bites. Their pattern held up well
and with a little luck they managed to cull a few fish to get them third
place. On the last day with an hour to go they knew it was going to take a
couple really good fish to get them in contention. A quick stop at one
of the bridges yielded two five pounders with little time left in the day. This was Aarons
third and possibly last tournament but Alex's first so we will plan on seeing him
again next year.
For Complete Results, Click Here
Kristy Austin wanted to thank everyone that helped her put this
tournament together and all the fishermen that came and participated. The
invitation is always open to come and fish and hopes to see you next year.
