Snatcher's Big Birch Tournament Preview

 

My Thoughts: Neither I nor my boater pre-fished. I can't remember if that has ever happened before. Maybe once or twice.  So I'm going in totally blind on a lake I haven't been to since my first year in the club, 2008, when I finished second-to-last, and my boater didn't place well. I liked the lake, though. It has clear water, smallmouth bass, and quite a bit of slop. We will not specifically target smallmouth, but my boater says he knows some rock/weed areas.  Hopefully, the slop will play. Looks like the winds will be on the reasonably mild side, just like they were for the first tournament of the year. If the tournament I fished in 2008 is any indication, 3lbers are hard to come by unless you are committed to sight-fishing smallies all day. Can anyone knock off Tuma in this one? Not likely. I would be happy if I could get a bag of 2lbers.

Rods I'm Bringing:

7'4"H Tatula Elite (Chicken Jig, Frog)

7'4"H Tatula (Frogs/Toads, Topwater)

7'4"H Tatula XT (Buzzbait)

7' H Mojo Bass Dock Skipper (Jigs,Chatter)

6'9" H Tatula Elite (FC) (Jigs, Chatter, Fluke)

6'8"M Avid (Topwater, Jerks)

6'6"MH GLX (Texas Rig, Dark Sleeper, Ned, Dinger,Fluke)

Spin:

5'6" Avid MH (Fluke, Dinger, Ned))

2008 Results:

Baxter Bass Snatchers 2026 Tournament Schedule (Tentative)

 

Last Saturday, we picked dates and lakes for the upcoming tournament season. The schedule will be debated and finalized at our February meeting.

Sunday, May 31st, Platte/Sullivan: Like I said in my tournament wishlist post, I would prefer a tournament on my lakes later in the year. If it is post-spawn, the lakes can be tricky if the fish are off. That said, I have had some really productive days in late May and early June, and thanks to being able to target bass right from ice-out, I should have a really good idea of productive areas. Will the Chicken play? Will I finally be able to beat out Tuma?

Saturday, June 20th, Big Birch (Grey Eagle): We fished this lake in my very first year in the club, 2008, and we haven't been back since. I really liked the lake. It has smallmouth and clear water. I hope this one stays.

Saturday, July 11th Gull /Crow Wing River: This was my suggestion, and it beat out all the other lakes we came up with in the vote. Tuma said later is better here. So at the next meeting, I am going to make a motion to switch it with Pelican or Leech.

Saturday, August 15th, Pelican Lake: I may have to stock up on a certain color of craw tubes for this one. Judging by my pre-fishWill the Chicken Play?

Saturday, September 12th, Leech Lake: Hopefully it stays at Leech, it doesn't blow hard that day, and water levels are normal. Will smallies play?

Saturday, October 3rd, Gull Lake: Gull Lake has been on fire the past few years. Will it continue? Will they bite the Chicken?