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USA Bassin Coffeen Lake

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Another well run tournament by USA Bassin director Dan Blanton, from take off to weigh completed in a timely, courteous, professional, and informational manner. The day started off with some chilly temps at the 8am take off at around the 14-degree mark and overcast skies. The day warmed to a balmy mid 20’s. There was some brightness around the noon hour bringing the fish to basically a stand still for most then opening back up around 1:30. The “big plant” reportedly went down on Wednesday bringing the water temps down to 45 degrees at the main access. The main lake, outside cemetery cove, was just below 46, the trestle at 42-43, the discharge arm midway back was around the 70-degree mark. There were 25 teams fishing this USA Bassin event. On with the stats!!

First place and 2nd Big Bass went to the team of Les Claypool and Todd Harris. Their five fish limit weighed in at 11.99 pounds anchored by 2nd big bass of the day weighing 3.65 pounds. These guys have been due a win for a while. They reported keying in between the mouth of cemetery cove and the north power lines. Their bait of choice was a shad colored jerk bait. They reported keeping the boat in 20+ foot of water casting towards the bank with flouro carbon being their line of choice. Les’s quote was, “when they hit we caught a lot”.

Second place went to the team of Matt and Jim Carroll. Their five fish limit weighed in at 11.99 pounds. Jim’s technique of fish catching was pretty simple; jerk baits the Lucky Craft version. They reported catching their fish in 4-6 feet of water on the edge of the weed line at the north end of the lake. Jim reported making a run south but ended up heading north pretty quick. Their line of choice was 15# Seaguar Flouro. A 3.21 pounder anchored their five fish limit. Ranger Boats and Nameoki Marine sponsor them.

Third place and no stranger to the check line was the brotherly team of Sean and Jim Kelley. Their five fish limit weighed in at 10.98 pounds anchored by big bass of the day weighing 3.66 pounds. Their reported key to success was, like the above, jerk baits. They reportedly fished the main lake from the North to South power lines. Jim is sponsored by Diawa.

Great day fishing by all who attended. There were a total of 109 fish caught weighing 189.53 pounds. The next USA Bassin tournament is February 19, 2011. Mark your calendar and come out and join!

See ya on the water,

Mike Evanoff