"In the Boat" presented by Jewel Bait Company |
Tournament: Mr.Bass of Arkansas
March 9th, 2008
DeGray Lake
Angler: Frank Leone (Amateur Division)
26th place - 1 bass - 2.98 pounds
Pairing Meeting: When Ronnie read the pairing - "Cody Kemp and Frank Leone" I was trying to
remember where I had heard Cody's name before. When he started talking about an 11-pounder
he caught on DeGray a couple weeks ago, I remembered. "Did you send me a pic for the Lunker
page" I asked. "Yeah that was me and I am on them" Cody replied. I started to get pumped, but
Cody was young and when your young you always think your on em'. I was skeptical, but I liked the
fact that we would be throwing a jig all day, especially since
the water was still cold and a high pressure day was
forcasted.
Tournament: It was a beautiful but cold morning as blasted off
and headed towards Cody's first spot on the lower end of
DeGray. It was a frigid ride, but the spot looked great, so
we were both ready to go. On Cody's second cast, he nailed
a 4-pounder. "They're here" he yelled. Now I was Pumped!!!!!
About 5 minutes later I felt one thump my Jewel Football
head jig. I set the hook, but my rod never even loaded up and
the line was "flapping in the breeze" like a streaker at a
Manchester United soccer game. "Probably a pickeral", Cody
said. "Or a 10-pounder" I replied. A couple casts later I
caught my only keeper of the tournament, a 3-pounder, on
the jig. The rest of the day was tough for me. It's hard when
your boater strokes a 18.55 pound bag, and wins the tournament when you only boat one fish all
day. But I did learn several new tricks. Cody worked his Jewel Football Jig (5/8 oz.; Black/Blue
Flash) to perfection, managed his fish well, and deserved to win this event. My hat is off to him!
Frank's Keeper Count: Jewel Heavy Cover Finesse Football Jig (1/2 oz.; Black/Blue Flash) 1 keeper
Final Thoughts: Can a brother find a way to catch more than one fish from the back of the boat?
Maybe I need to ask Mike Langford, Sonny Bogard, Johnny Manning, or Bob West. Those guys
always seem to catch fish from the back of these $50,000 rigs. I feel like a caged tiger waiting for
the next MBOA tournament March 30th on Dardanelle. Time to unleash the beast............
See ya' on the flip side,
Frank Leone
March 9th, 2008
DeGray Lake
Angler: Frank Leone (Amateur Division)
26th place - 1 bass - 2.98 pounds
Pairing Meeting: When Ronnie read the pairing - "Cody Kemp and Frank Leone" I was trying to
remember where I had heard Cody's name before. When he started talking about an 11-pounder
he caught on DeGray a couple weeks ago, I remembered. "Did you send me a pic for the Lunker
page" I asked. "Yeah that was me and I am on them" Cody replied. I started to get pumped, but
Cody was young and when your young you always think your on em'. I was skeptical, but I liked the
fact that we would be throwing a jig all day, especially since
the water was still cold and a high pressure day was
forcasted.
Tournament: It was a beautiful but cold morning as blasted off
and headed towards Cody's first spot on the lower end of
DeGray. It was a frigid ride, but the spot looked great, so
we were both ready to go. On Cody's second cast, he nailed
a 4-pounder. "They're here" he yelled. Now I was Pumped!!!!!
About 5 minutes later I felt one thump my Jewel Football
head jig. I set the hook, but my rod never even loaded up and
the line was "flapping in the breeze" like a streaker at a
Manchester United soccer game. "Probably a pickeral", Cody
said. "Or a 10-pounder" I replied. A couple casts later I
caught my only keeper of the tournament, a 3-pounder, on
the jig. The rest of the day was tough for me. It's hard when
your boater strokes a 18.55 pound bag, and wins the tournament when you only boat one fish all
day. But I did learn several new tricks. Cody worked his Jewel Football Jig (5/8 oz.; Black/Blue
Flash) to perfection, managed his fish well, and deserved to win this event. My hat is off to him!
Frank's Keeper Count: Jewel Heavy Cover Finesse Football Jig (1/2 oz.; Black/Blue Flash) 1 keeper
Final Thoughts: Can a brother find a way to catch more than one fish from the back of the boat?
Maybe I need to ask Mike Langford, Sonny Bogard, Johnny Manning, or Bob West. Those guys
always seem to catch fish from the back of these $50,000 rigs. I feel like a caged tiger waiting for
the next MBOA tournament March 30th on Dardanelle. Time to unleash the beast............
See ya' on the flip side,
Frank Leone
Cody Kemp and a 10.8 pound DeGray "Dinosaur"