The Central Division of Pro Team Tournament Trail had the fourth event out of five and was greeted by the City of Jonestown’s Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber rolled out their red carpet and welcomed Pro Team with open arms. They had organized an entire day of festival which included a Bike Blessing, Fish Fry, Live Music, and plenty of cold beverages. This was a big welcome since all of our anglers had been up since around four in the morning, and eaten nothing but a cold sandwich at the best all day.
Pro Team Tournaments would also like to thank the Chamber for providing the Catch and Release tank to insure that all the fish weighed in would be properly returned to the water. As many as fifty spectators at a time would gather around the tank and view the fish prior to releasing.
It turned out to be a very difficult day of fishing for most of the anglers. Pro Team had our first tournament on Lake Travis back in February. However, due to the recent rains, the lake has risen over fourteen feet and was being taken back down. During the days of rising water, the fish had moved up into the flooded brush and willow trees. However, during the drawdown, the fish had pulled back off and suspended over structure, making them extremely difficult to catch. One of the first teams to weigh-in reported catching over 28 fish, but only two keepers. Another team came to the scales and reported catching over 40 fish, but only three keepers.
Some of the teams had realized the change in the fishing and made adjustments. The leading teams dropped back to deeper water and fished slower than they normally would. While they did not get the numerous bites like some of the teams, they were getting the qualify bites need to put a winning sack together. Most of the winning stringers reported only getting five bites and weighing five fish all day. Once again, being a diversified angler, being able to recognize the difference in water conditions, and knowing how to change accordingly proved to be the ticket to put a good sack of fish together.
Kenneth Cummings and Brain Mater pulled it together and weighed in 15.15 Lbs on five fish. Those five fish proved to be worth $178.88 per pound. They took home over $2700 for their day’s effort.
Stacy Webb and Jack Fountain took second place with 10.70 Lbs. They won $830.00. We ask everyone to keep Stacy in mind since he had a devastating fire the morning of the tournament. Apparently, he lost everything the morning of the tournament.
Pro Team has an incredible Angler of the Year race in the central division. Bill Polkinghorn and Charles Whited have been leading all year long. However, due to the adverse conditions on Lake Travis, they dropped to second place.
Jim Behnken and Rick Rasberry took the lead by one point! Ronald and Rusty Chambers also proved there are very competitive by moving into third place. All three of the top teams have been extremely consistent all year. There is only four points separating the top three teams. Any mistakes at all in the last event can cause the top five teams a free birth in to the Central Division for next year. It is extremely important for them to keep all their fish buttoned up, not miss any strikes, check their line and hooks, and perform like true Pro Team Anglers.By: Michael Bristow
