The scales were sizzling as the 161 teams who came to fish the fifth and final 2003 Bass N Bucks event brought in limit after limit to be weighed in. 500 fish hit the scales for a total tournament weight of 1,119 pounds. These anglers were not only looking for a check in the 25 places being paid in cash and prizes, but were also battling for the points necessary to qualify for the championship in September. Mike Metcalf and Glenn Kirk seized the top slot first place position, leading the pack with 26.46 lbs, nearly six pounds over second place. Randy Smotherman and Buddy Rutherford took big bass honors with their 8.61 lb sow.
As the anglers came to the weigh in site to get their bags, they were encouraged by Dave Concienne, tournament director to fill their bags with the oxygenated and treated water to put their catch in from their live wells. Telling all the crew, anglers and spectators to get ready because the weigh in would be quick. Fish caught in hot weather stress easier, and the faster you get a tournament catch into oxygenated and treated water, through the weigh in line and to the live release barge which is also equipped with saturated oxygenated water, the better it is for the fish. It is a top priority to the crew and participants of Bass N Bucks to take the best care possible of the fish, putting them back into the lake in the best condition for yet another angler to enjoy at another time.
Many of the anglers who fish Bass N Bucks also fish other circuits and a number of them are very familiar with the winners circle. There are a few to be recognized for their consistent accomplishments, starting with Stan Burgay and Lance Hughes. This is a consistently tough team to beat, and has again earned “Anglers of the Year” status through points earned by their catches and participation throughout the season. Also recognized for their accomplishments are Harold Allen and Matt Reed who are BassMaster Classic bound next month in New Orleans.
1st place – 26.46 lbs – 2003 Skeeter Boat SX190/Yamaha 150 – Mike Metcalf of Center, TX and Glenn Kirk of Spring, TX took the field by storm. Classically secretive, they werent giving away much information about how they accomplished this task. LaDonna Metcalf said that the first secret was the 6 hard boiled eggs and pork chop that she made Mike for breakfast. After a lot of coaxing, Mike and Glenn did say that they caught their fish on crank baits and carolina rigs in the north lake area. They moved around a lot, fishing flats, ridges and sloughs. They enjoyed an all day but slow bite, catching 1-2 fish then a lull, catching 1-2 more, etc. Before days end they were able to cull six times to their final weight, including their 6.84 lb kicker that gave them 3rd place big bass. This team is sponsored by Captain Kirks Marine, Mercury Motors, Pro Craft Boats (and LaDonna).
2nd place -20.84 lbs – $2,600 – Harvey and Stacey Sharp, brothers from Spring, TX brought in their fish early to the scales. They had three in their sack weighing over 5 lbs each that were beginning to show signs of stress, and instead of staying out on the lake to try to catch more big fish, they brought in their catch for their weight to be tallied and the fish to go rest in the live release barge before being released back into the lake. Their best bites were on carolina rigged Zoom finesse green pumpkin worms. Fishing very deep, about 26′, they caught about 4 limits throughout the day in those deeper areas with shallow water access. Their best bite came between 9:00-10:30. “Weve come in second to Mike and Glen before. They are really great guys, great anglers. If we have to come in second to anyone, they are good ones” said Harvey and Stacey.
3rd place – 19.34 lbs – $1,600 – Mike Bono Sr and Mike Bono Jr, a father/son team and both of Lake Charles, LA used 1 oz. Stanley Jigs for their catch. Fishing main lake points in 10′ depths, their best working jig colors were black/blue/purple with a black/blue craw as well as black-green pumpkin with a pumpkin green craw. They fished the south end of the lake in areas with grass. The first 30 minutes of the tournament was their best bite time, but they were only able to cull about 3 bass.
4th place – 18.61 lbs – $1,400 – Stan Burgay and Lance Hughes
5th place – 18.47 lbs – $1,200 – Jerry and Patricia Gold
Big Bass –
1st – 8.61 lbs – $1,000 from Kicker Fish Bait Co. – Randy Smotherman of Shelbyville, TX and Buddy Rutherford of Converse, LA teamed up and brought in the big bass of the tournament. She came on a Texas rigged red bug Zoom worm at about 1:00. They were fishing deep banks, about 15′ depths with a little brush. Their total sack weighed in at 17.99 lbs, putting them in 7th place overall.
2nd -7.46 lbs – $650 – Larry Todd & Leon McCarty
3rd – 6.84 lbs – Mike Metcalf & Glenn Kirk
When all the weights were tallied and points added up, there were a total of 61 teams who qualified for the championship through points. Additionally there were 6 “wild card” teams, five of which qualified by weight in the last event and one team was drawn, making a total championship field of 67 teams. All teams going to the championship had to fish all five events in order to be eligible to fish the championship. There will be a banquet on Friday, September 12 at the Wesley center in Jasper, TX at 6:30 to present awards and have dinner. Special thanks to the Jasper Chamber of Commerce for hosting the championship. Fishing days will be Saturday, September 13th on Sam Rayburn at Twin Dikes Marina and then Sunday, September 14th on Toledo Bend at Cypress Bend Park. The championship has a guaranteed purse of over $85,000 in cash and prizes. Good luck to all the anglers advancing to the championship.
First place big bass money is sponsored by Kicker Fish Bait Company. Richard Burton of Bass Medics made sure every participating angler received live well solution for the care of the fish. Thanks to the Sabine River Authority of Louisiana for the weigh in area and the use of the Shimano Live Release Barge.
The kick-off tournament for the 2004 Bass N Bucks season will be in December. For more information on any of the Bass N Bucks events or standings, please contact Dave or Tricia Concienne at (409) 727-8941, www.bassnbucks.com or email at Tournaments@ BassNBucks.com
Sponsors Include: Skeeter/Yamaha – Kicker Fish Bait Co. – YUM – Rat L Trap – Minn Kota – Shimano – Silver Thread – Lowrance – Costa Del Mar – Dual Pro Charger – FishingWorld.com – Super 8 Motel – Check It Stik – McFerrin Insurance – BassMedics Rejuvenade – Catch N Cool Ice Blocks – Bait Fresh Bait Tank Treatment – Anns Tackle Shop – Need More Tackle – Rayburn Tackle – Piney Point Plaza – Holiday Inn Express – Toledo Town & Tackle – Bomber – Rebel – Heddon – SmithwickBy: Patty Lenderman
