|
Return
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
|