"In the Boat" presented by Jewel Bait Company |
Lake Dardanelle Big Bass Classic
Angler: Terrance Narveson
Fished with Kevin Holmes
I had a chance to get out a couple days before the tournament and all I did was run and check a
few key areas that I knew the fish would be transitioning to and I also wanted to see if there were
any places that might have good grass or pads. I did not want to miss out and hear about the
person that just killed them over here or there and I never took the time to check it out. My practice
day was literally about 3.5 hours long and most of the time was spent driving around the lower end
of the lake.
Tournament Day 1
We decided to stay around on the lower end of the lake and try to listen to the radio and catch a
few fish and hit some of the hourly prizes. There was a brutal thunderstorm that was moving
through and we knew that people would probably not be running around with that going on. 6 am
and we started throwing buzzbaits. I was throwing a homemade HogCaller buzzbait and kevin had a
WarEagle. Our first fish didnt take long to get and it was approx 2.5 lbs. As we moved down the
bank I told him we should really catch them in this grass patch coming up. Well I was right because
when we caught our 5th keeper I looked down at the clock and it was 6:34. We caught a limit in 34
minutes. Now we were culling and this was difficult because all the fish were about the same size.
Finally we decided that unless it was obvious we would just throw them back. We made a quick run
to another bank and caught two more fish there with one of them upgrading our catch. The first
hour came up and we thought about going in but the weights were high so we stayed put. As we
fished different places it seemed like the fish were eating good but everything was falling around
2-2.5 range with an occasional 2.75. We started to weight fish in to make room in the livewell
because we could only have 2 each in the well at a time I told him we should try and take a chance
and see what happens rather then throw them back and get nothing. This went on all morning and
everytime we would get back from weighing in we would replace it in about 20 minutes after
returning. At about 11 a big storm moved in and we had to reposition the boat to a little more
protected area because the wind got really strong and as soon as we did Kevin caught a fish on his
first cast and this storm must have really fired them up because we caught 7 more keepers during
the heavy wind and rain event. I even managed to lose a good one that we got to look at and that
hurts when you are fishing a big bass event. The day draws to and end and we were drenched but
it was a blast. All but 2 of our keepers were caught on the buzzbait and we probably caught about
20 for the day.
Day 2
We decided to run the same morning pattern as day 1 but we knew the weather was going to have
and affect on the bite a little. The wind was blowing strong and the water had colored up some but
we figured let give it a shot. 6am we started and it was not long before Kevin had put 2 in the boat
before I think I had a bite. We moved into the grass and kevin picked up another good one on a Big
Bite Cane Stick and I told him we have a chance to win some money with that one. We ran to
another spot that was not as windy and had some good grass and as we were fishing and listening
to the radio they announced the weights. I knew if we had a chance to get a check this might be it.
We weighed in the fish and ended up 3rd for the hour. Now we had to go and hit the big one. We
decided to fish in the wind because no one was doing it. Even though it was harder to fish it was
less pressured. We were throwing the Big Bite Cane Sticks just off the front edged of the grass
and bringing it back as slow as possible. It just seemed like the fish wanted it slow. We caught our
limits pretty quick and each had solid 2.5+ fish in the well but I lost a 4 again in the morning and
again about mid day. Fishing in the wind was not kind to me and my hooksets for the bigger fish.
We tried to hit a couple more hours but just missed out so I told him we have to and hit a big one
before we come back. When we returned our bite had slowed down and it was over and hour
before we caught another fish. Then at about 12:10 when we were about to move to another
location I got a bite and when I set the hook I knew it was a good fish. Get the Net!!!! As I was
fighting the fish it made a charge and came up beside the boat and tail walked in front of us that is
when I got to see what might have been a challenger for the big money and as soon she finished
her dance tantilizing us with sweet rewards the hook pulls loose. I felt the anguish of defeat
and wanted to crawl into a hole and not come out for 2 days. We tried to get the big one and she
won this day. Well I guess there is another day when I will get my revenge.
Tally for Day 2
12 keepers Cane Stick
2 keepers Buzzbait
Rods - Dobyns 683C, 704C, 635C, 704DX
It was an awesome tournanment and one I will remember for a while.
Angler: Terrance Narveson
Fished with Kevin Holmes
I had a chance to get out a couple days before the tournament and all I did was run and check a
few key areas that I knew the fish would be transitioning to and I also wanted to see if there were
any places that might have good grass or pads. I did not want to miss out and hear about the
person that just killed them over here or there and I never took the time to check it out. My practice
day was literally about 3.5 hours long and most of the time was spent driving around the lower end
of the lake.
Tournament Day 1
We decided to stay around on the lower end of the lake and try to listen to the radio and catch a
few fish and hit some of the hourly prizes. There was a brutal thunderstorm that was moving
through and we knew that people would probably not be running around with that going on. 6 am
and we started throwing buzzbaits. I was throwing a homemade HogCaller buzzbait and kevin had a
WarEagle. Our first fish didnt take long to get and it was approx 2.5 lbs. As we moved down the
bank I told him we should really catch them in this grass patch coming up. Well I was right because
when we caught our 5th keeper I looked down at the clock and it was 6:34. We caught a limit in 34
minutes. Now we were culling and this was difficult because all the fish were about the same size.
Finally we decided that unless it was obvious we would just throw them back. We made a quick run
to another bank and caught two more fish there with one of them upgrading our catch. The first
hour came up and we thought about going in but the weights were high so we stayed put. As we
fished different places it seemed like the fish were eating good but everything was falling around
2-2.5 range with an occasional 2.75. We started to weight fish in to make room in the livewell
because we could only have 2 each in the well at a time I told him we should try and take a chance
and see what happens rather then throw them back and get nothing. This went on all morning and
everytime we would get back from weighing in we would replace it in about 20 minutes after
returning. At about 11 a big storm moved in and we had to reposition the boat to a little more
protected area because the wind got really strong and as soon as we did Kevin caught a fish on his
first cast and this storm must have really fired them up because we caught 7 more keepers during
the heavy wind and rain event. I even managed to lose a good one that we got to look at and that
hurts when you are fishing a big bass event. The day draws to and end and we were drenched but
it was a blast. All but 2 of our keepers were caught on the buzzbait and we probably caught about
20 for the day.
Day 2
We decided to run the same morning pattern as day 1 but we knew the weather was going to have
and affect on the bite a little. The wind was blowing strong and the water had colored up some but
we figured let give it a shot. 6am we started and it was not long before Kevin had put 2 in the boat
before I think I had a bite. We moved into the grass and kevin picked up another good one on a Big
Bite Cane Stick and I told him we have a chance to win some money with that one. We ran to
another spot that was not as windy and had some good grass and as we were fishing and listening
to the radio they announced the weights. I knew if we had a chance to get a check this might be it.
We weighed in the fish and ended up 3rd for the hour. Now we had to go and hit the big one. We
decided to fish in the wind because no one was doing it. Even though it was harder to fish it was
less pressured. We were throwing the Big Bite Cane Sticks just off the front edged of the grass
and bringing it back as slow as possible. It just seemed like the fish wanted it slow. We caught our
limits pretty quick and each had solid 2.5+ fish in the well but I lost a 4 again in the morning and
again about mid day. Fishing in the wind was not kind to me and my hooksets for the bigger fish.
We tried to hit a couple more hours but just missed out so I told him we have to and hit a big one
before we come back. When we returned our bite had slowed down and it was over and hour
before we caught another fish. Then at about 12:10 when we were about to move to another
location I got a bite and when I set the hook I knew it was a good fish. Get the Net!!!! As I was
fighting the fish it made a charge and came up beside the boat and tail walked in front of us that is
when I got to see what might have been a challenger for the big money and as soon she finished
her dance tantilizing us with sweet rewards the hook pulls loose. I felt the anguish of defeat
and wanted to crawl into a hole and not come out for 2 days. We tried to get the big one and she
won this day. Well I guess there is another day when I will get my revenge.
Tally for Day 2
12 keepers Cane Stick
2 keepers Buzzbait
Rods - Dobyns 683C, 704C, 635C, 704DX
It was an awesome tournanment and one I will remember for a while.