The Pros vs. the Harris Chain

The Pros vs. the Harris Chain

January 23, 2004

If you watch TV fishing shows, you probably think professional bass fisherman always catch fish. This assumption is definitely not true. There are times when even the pros get skunked.

A check of tournament records reveals that no one wins all the time. For example, Roland Martin, famous TV angler and 13 time Bass Angler of the Year has never won the Bassmaster Classic. What great anglers do is consistently produce fish even when times are tough. They may not have the winning weight, but they are almost always in the top third of the field.

Next week, the Citgo Bassmaster Tour kicks off their 2004 tournament schedule on the Harris Chain. Monday January 26 through Wednesday January 28 are practice days with the first day of the tournament coming on Thursday January 29. The anglers will leave from Hickory Point Marina at daybreak and the weigh-in begins at 3:00 PM at Venetian Gardens Marina in Leesburg. The tournament continues with the same schedule on Friday, as the field is cut to 12 anglers. Day three will launch at Venetian Gardens and the weigh-in will be at 4:00 PM. On Sunday, the top six anglers will fish off starting at Venetian Gardens and ending at 4:00 PM. On Saturday and Sunday an Outdoor Expo opens with Casting Kids Competition, Live Music, Concessions and Interactive Displays. The champion and remaining top five pro angler’s autograph signing will be at the sponsor booths immediately following the tournament.

Last year’s winner Skeet Reese, a talented young angler from California will return to defend his title along with all the famous TV angling professionals. The tournament was well attended last year and went a long way toward restoring Lake County as an angling destination. The tournaments are not televised live but appear on ESPN National Television a number of times during the year.

Recent Sunday Palm Gardens Tournament winners have been weighing five fish limits well over 20 pounds on a regular basis. It should be interesting to see how the TV pros do on waters that are famous for tough fishing. The winner of the weekly Palm Gardens Tournament receives about $300 for his efforts. The top prize in the Leesburg Citgo Tournament is $100,000.

Come on out and bring your autograph book. The Pros Versus the Harris Chain Show is about to begin!

See you next week!

Captain Phil Kelley