October 4th, 2008. Hocking County Ohio 230 AM. The Weather Boys from Channel 4 out of Columbus, Ohio had predicted cold weather. A low of 44 degrees, wind and
possibly some rain. They got it wrong again. It was 54 degrees and no wind was moving the leaves on the big Maple tree in the front yard. Today would be our
Final Fish Off at Lake Logan. 32 of us had qualified . Many more than I can remember from past Fish Offs. I double checked the boat , baits, rods and reels all
before Beth was awake. I even had the boat hooked up to the truck and had checked boat gas and batteries for the umpteenth time.
Beth got up eventually and made two thermos bottles of coffee. She found our boat cups and put them aboard along with a few snacks. She iced the cooler and filled it with fresh water bottles . At 530 AM, cast had made his last trip outside and we were ready to roll. To say that we were anxious was putting it mildly. This was the day that we had fished for since the first Saturday in April 2008.
We arrived earlier than usual at the ramp. Carol and John Bircher had set up a picnic table with a table cloth. Hot coffee, Hot Chocolate and some donuts. After launching the boat we settled in and visited. The parking lot filled up quickly. Before we knew it, it was time to board the boat and get ready for blast off at 7 AM.
As John Bircher announced that weigh in would be at 2 PM instead of 12 noon, 32 anglers shoved throttles forward and raced to their honey holes. We arrived at ours in about 9 minutes. Wakes from other boats rocked our boat as we stealthily approached our area . Beth handed out Rods and our soft plastic baits of choice as I mounted the front deck and positioned us with the trolling motor.
We began fishing . Beth started with her micro Buzz Bait and I offered them a Spinner Bait. No strikes or blowups were to be had as we parted the still waters with our baits. I switched from a Spinner Bait to a Rage Tail Frog and Beth chose a Ribbit Frog. The fake amphibians looked great coming through the water and we had high hopes of a big blowup. None came and it was now full daylight with overcast skies.
I decided to explore the cover and structure with a Jig. I had two different ones on. A blue one and a green one. I would use both before this day was through. Beth had a 7 Inch Berkley Power Worm on and an additional rod sporting a 4 inch Berkley Power Worm. Beth would send these worms into some treacherous looking areas. Finally, A bass struck her 7 inch worm and she landed him. It was a disappointing 9 inch Largemouth. Beth spanked him and released him to grow up.
We moved from location to location. Running and Gunning, trying desperately to get that one big bite that would put a Bass in our livewell. We had no takers for the rest of the day. We both dreaded going into the Weigh In with a Skunk. Try as we might. We just couldn't get a plan going.
We headed in. Beth dropped me off at the State Docks and I walked to the truck. We trailered up and waited on everyone else to come in. It was to be another disappointing Weigh In. The Parking Lot around John and Carol Birchers boat was packed with tired looking anglers who had spent the last 7 hours searching , mostly in vain, for the elusive quarry.
Frank Sylvester weighed in a bag of 2 fish. His biggest was 2.50 Pounds. All together he would have a total weight of 3.96 Pounds. These weights would be good enough to secure Big Bass( $100.00) and First Place ($500.00).
Mike and Doug Gilliland weighed 3 fish for a total bag weight of 3.04 Pounds giving them Second Place ($300.00)
John and Carol Bircher had 2 that went 2.50 at the scales securing Third Place for them ($200.00)
Gary Barnhouse had 2 Bass weighing 2.16 Pounds winning 4th Place for him ($150.00)
Bud Dotson and Ron Butler had one fish at 1.60 Pounds taking 5th Place for them ($100.00)
Ed Hook and Bill Henry had one fish weighing 1.42 Pounds putting them in last 6th Place ($50.00)
Sam Skinner provided 8 Pizzas for an after the weigh in party. Pop was provided by Frank Sylvester.
Wilbur Moore and Darren Poston had provided the Early morning donuts.
John and Carol Bircher provided the coffee. Paper towels and table cloth.
Beth and I had a great time this year. We met a lot of new people. Renewed some friendships and caught a few fish. We are already looking forward to next year. May the fishing gods smile upon all of us and return us to the banks of Lake Logan early next April.
Bill Henry
Geno Seeger
Mike and Doug Gilliland
Bud Dotsun
Sam Skinner
Frank Sylvester
John and Carol Bircher
Beth got up eventually and made two thermos bottles of coffee. She found our boat cups and put them aboard along with a few snacks. She iced the cooler and filled it with fresh water bottles . At 530 AM, cast had made his last trip outside and we were ready to roll. To say that we were anxious was putting it mildly. This was the day that we had fished for since the first Saturday in April 2008.
We arrived earlier than usual at the ramp. Carol and John Bircher had set up a picnic table with a table cloth. Hot coffee, Hot Chocolate and some donuts. After launching the boat we settled in and visited. The parking lot filled up quickly. Before we knew it, it was time to board the boat and get ready for blast off at 7 AM.
As John Bircher announced that weigh in would be at 2 PM instead of 12 noon, 32 anglers shoved throttles forward and raced to their honey holes. We arrived at ours in about 9 minutes. Wakes from other boats rocked our boat as we stealthily approached our area . Beth handed out Rods and our soft plastic baits of choice as I mounted the front deck and positioned us with the trolling motor.
We began fishing . Beth started with her micro Buzz Bait and I offered them a Spinner Bait. No strikes or blowups were to be had as we parted the still waters with our baits. I switched from a Spinner Bait to a Rage Tail Frog and Beth chose a Ribbit Frog. The fake amphibians looked great coming through the water and we had high hopes of a big blowup. None came and it was now full daylight with overcast skies.
I decided to explore the cover and structure with a Jig. I had two different ones on. A blue one and a green one. I would use both before this day was through. Beth had a 7 Inch Berkley Power Worm on and an additional rod sporting a 4 inch Berkley Power Worm. Beth would send these worms into some treacherous looking areas. Finally, A bass struck her 7 inch worm and she landed him. It was a disappointing 9 inch Largemouth. Beth spanked him and released him to grow up.
We moved from location to location. Running and Gunning, trying desperately to get that one big bite that would put a Bass in our livewell. We had no takers for the rest of the day. We both dreaded going into the Weigh In with a Skunk. Try as we might. We just couldn't get a plan going.
We headed in. Beth dropped me off at the State Docks and I walked to the truck. We trailered up and waited on everyone else to come in. It was to be another disappointing Weigh In. The Parking Lot around John and Carol Birchers boat was packed with tired looking anglers who had spent the last 7 hours searching , mostly in vain, for the elusive quarry.
Frank Sylvester weighed in a bag of 2 fish. His biggest was 2.50 Pounds. All together he would have a total weight of 3.96 Pounds. These weights would be good enough to secure Big Bass( $100.00) and First Place ($500.00).
Mike and Doug Gilliland weighed 3 fish for a total bag weight of 3.04 Pounds giving them Second Place ($300.00)
John and Carol Bircher had 2 that went 2.50 at the scales securing Third Place for them ($200.00)
Gary Barnhouse had 2 Bass weighing 2.16 Pounds winning 4th Place for him ($150.00)
Bud Dotson and Ron Butler had one fish at 1.60 Pounds taking 5th Place for them ($100.00)
Ed Hook and Bill Henry had one fish weighing 1.42 Pounds putting them in last 6th Place ($50.00)
Sam Skinner provided 8 Pizzas for an after the weigh in party. Pop was provided by Frank Sylvester.
Wilbur Moore and Darren Poston had provided the Early morning donuts.
John and Carol Bircher provided the coffee. Paper towels and table cloth.
Beth and I had a great time this year. We met a lot of new people. Renewed some friendships and caught a few fish. We are already looking forward to next year. May the fishing gods smile upon all of us and return us to the banks of Lake Logan early next April.
Bill Henry
Geno Seeger
Mike and Doug Gilliland
Bud Dotsun
Sam Skinner
Frank Sylvester
John and Carol Bircher
