Archive
Saturday Team Trail
2010
Sides Hands Saturday Wildcat Tournament Reins to Russell
January 2, 2010
After nearly twenty five years of organizing and directing a host of bass fishing tournaments in the central North Carolina region, Pinky Sides held his last competition Saturday on Badin Lake. A small group of anglers watched as the long-time director of the Saturday Wildcat Series handed over the reins of leadership to Bo Russell, a regular participant in that event.
Over the past ten years, the New London resident has also served as director of a Tuesday Evenings on Badin series. Russell will also head up that competition, which will begin with the time change in April. Those competitions generally run from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
The Saturday Wildcat Series has been a popular gathering for many years under the guidance of Sides. It alternates between Lake Tillery and Badin Lake using the Swift Island and Alcoa Landings. Fishing usually lasts for seven hours. During the busy part of the bass season, Sides has had as many as 35 boat teams this past year. The Winter Trail sees numbers dwindle to the dedicated few who fish year round.
“I've been at this for a long time,” stated Sides after Saturday's tournament on Badin. “I know Bo Russell will do a great job with both the Tuesday and Saturday competitions. It's just time for me to step back and take a rest.”
After more rain this week, waters on Badin were murky, as winds whipped whitecaps down the lake. Four boat teams turned out in freezing temperatures to compete in the first event of the new year and Sides last at the helm. Tony Lambert and Dean Talbert brought in four fish weighing 10.7.4 pounds to capture the $80 first place position. Russell and partner, Nathan Williams, took second with 9.10.8 pounds.
Russell announced the remaining dates of the Saturday Wildcat Tournament series, using the same format as Sides. A few new adjustments to competition rules were added. Events and information through the end of February are posted on the Fishbyte.net Calendar. For additional details, contact Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950.
King And Harding Score Win On Grueling Badin
January 16, 2009
Bo Russell's Saturday Trail got off to a good start this past Saturday when eleven boat teams turned out for a grueling competition on Badin's winter waters. Five of the teams brought one to three fish to the scales, as many reported the fishing as uneventful.
Kevin King and teammate, Drex Harding, managed to find the most weight, winning the $100 first place pot. A bit of a glitch in scale readings left everyone on equal footing, but actual weights reading high. The pair also added Big Fish earnings to their wallets, a $55 value to the team.
Bo Russell, a veteran of local waters and area competitions, took over the Saturday Trail reins from longtime director, Pinky Sides just two weeks ago. Air temperatures at his first event last week on Tillery, kept anglers away. That weekend kept fishermen inside with single digits readings. Sides has been involved in organizing tournaments on the Yadkin Chain for over twenty five years.
“It was a good turnout for January,” stated Russell. “I'm really happy to see so many of the veterans here.” Now that hunting seasons are closing and holidays have ended, anglers are beginning to look back to the lakes for the new season. “This was a good time of year to make the change,” noted the new director. Russell will also run the Tuesday evenings on Badin series
Russell and son, John Russell, found two fish, enough for a second place showing. They won $65 for the family effort. With eleven boat teams, just two places and Big Fish paid out. Cost to compete is just $25.
Although there was plenty of sea gull, feeding action happening on and off all day, none of the boats could find bass alongside. “They were just feeding on small, dead feeder fish floating on top,” noted Harold Snuggs, who had come off the water earlier. “There wasn't any bite there.” Many of the anglers reported not a single bite all day.
The Saturday Trail will head to Tillery and the Swift Island Landing on January 23rd. The group fishes from 8 AM to 3 PM this time of year. Schedule details can be found on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. For more information, contact Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950.
Deal And Carter Win Grueling Day On Tillery
January 23, 2010
Six boats from Bo Russell's Saturday Tournament Trail blasted off from the Swift Island Access this past Saturday in winter conditions about as bad as anyone has seen. Water conditions were beyond murky as the anglers ran into muddy waters strewn with debris.
At the turn of the year, long-time organizer Pinky Sides turned over the Saturday Trail and Tuesday Evenings on Badin events to Russell after over 25 years of efforts. Russell noted last week that numbers are always down during the winter months, but spring is just around the corner.
“All the regulars will begin to come out once we get a little warmer,” stated Russell. “Both these competitions have been favorites for years and we want that to continue.”
Winners Shane Deal and Mike Carter were able to best the field with two fish having a combined total weight of 5.20 pounds. Only one other boat caught fish in the brown waters. Bo and son, John, took second with one fish weighing 1.68 pounds. Deal and Carter bagged a 3.06 pounder to grab the Big Fish title. They won $55 for first place and $30 for Big Fish. The Russells earned $35 for second.
As January rolls to its end, the Trail returns to Badin and the Alcoa Landing this coming Saturday. The group will fish from 8 AM to 3 PM. Cost is just $25 which includes $5 towards the solo lunker prize. For more information, contact Russell at 704 463-7829 or 704 322-1950. Complete information is also on the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forums.
2009
Sub-Freezing Temps Bring Out The Wildcats!
It was 19 degrees, motor chokes were freezing up, steering mechanisms were stuck solid, and the landing became a sheet of ice. None of these conditions stopped nine bass boats from blasting off from Swift Island Landing February 20th in a two-men-per-boat tournament sponsored by one of a sprinkling of “wildcat” groups in the region.
The Saturday Group, organized and kept running by Pinky Sides of New London, has been doing this for well over 30 years. “It's just a thing we've been doing,” said Sides as we sat in his van waiting for enough light to begin. “I just like to fish,” he stated.
Eighteen fishermen huddled with buddies in the morning light, joking and jostling as they donned heavier clothing. Said one, “Sure was warmer when I ate those two egg biscuits this morning.”
But, right on cue at 8 AM, all boats headed out. And, I say... all boats. Prior to launch, each competitor helped the ailing boats with various freeze problems in order for everyone to compete, proving this group isn't about the winning as much as fishing together. “There's no money in it for nobody, that's for sure, Said Sides. “A lot of us hang out during the week at Joe's Tackle in Albemarle.”
The day warmed up and the fish started hitting. By late afternoon a string of the “wildcatters” pulled through the bridge underpass and back toward weigh-in. The 3 PM weigh-in told the story. Half the boats caught few and the other managed to find the limit. The wining boat, with fishermen Chad Cook and Brandon Shaver weighed in a total of 24 pounds 5.9 ounces of bass and won the Biggest Fish prize with an 8 pound 6.3 ounce hawg. Second place went to Mike Treece and Kenneth Tucker of Albemarle who boated 13 pounds 15.8 ounces of fins.
The group moves on to Badin Lake Feb. 28th and will blast off at 8 AM from the Alcoa Landing.
Saturday Team Trail Combats Badin
Six boats hit the water, not their usual number, as some members preferred the comforts of inside.
Fog lay heavy over the water, but in the end, it was Lance Isenhour of New London and Dusty Clontz of Albemarle who walked away the wet and proud winners. Their 20 pounds 2.8 ounces was only a cast ahead of second place winners Dorian Turner and David Drye who boated 18 pounds 6.6 ounces. Every boat brought in the limit and all agreed it was a good day of fishing.
“We caught dozens of fish,” said Harold Snuggs, team member with Trail director, Pinky Sides. “None of them were all that big,” he laughed. Drye agreed saying they caught their limit within minutes at their first stop. “We spent the rest of the day trying to improve our overall weight,” he said.
Culling seemed to be the story of the day as bag after bag of fish were weighed in at 3 PM. “Everything seemed to pretty much be in the one to two pound size today, but there was a lot of them, stated winner Clontz. “We just managed to find some bigger ones!”
Daniel Cranford, director of the western division of the American Bass Anglers tour, was on hand to enjoy some of the action. “It was wet out there today, but at least it wasn't freezing,” he commented. Partner Chip Campbell said they came to practice on the lake. “We'll be here later in April and it's always good to check out our favorite spots at the beginning of the season,”
The Saturday Team Trail continues its competition next weekend at Tillery at 8 AM. The wildcat group will add Tuesday evenings to their schedule after the first weekend in March. The Badin-only competitions all begin at 4:30 PM and end at 8 PM. For more information see the fishbyte.net Forums, Outings and Events, or contact director, Pinky Sides at 704-305-1827.
Saturday Trail Revisits Tillery
April 4, 2009
They say in an open tournament, where you can place either one or two anglers on a boat, it takes twice the skill, effort or plain luck to pull off heaviest bag with just one man fishing. Terry James found one of those three when the Saturday Trail traveled to Tillery's Swift Island on April 4th. His 16 pounds 12.9 ounces would have been a great bag even for two.
“The bass aren't far from their beds,” stated James. “I think they're headed that way even though water temps today were only about 52 degrees.” Other anglers in the competition agreed, saying not yet, but soon.
Temperatures dropped just prior to the 7 AM blast off, but the weather was picture-perfect come the 2 PM weigh in. The 30-plus year competition fishes a number of lakes on the Yadkin Chain.
Recent angler on the Big Fish winning boat at the Tuesday Nites on Badin Series, Kevin Chandler and Bradley Chandler finished second with 13.13.1 pounds. They also scored Big Fish again with a 6.8.1 pound bass. Their total take home was $130, the same amount for winning first place.
According to Kevin Chandler, there still is no pattern to what the fish are hitting. They threw a variety of shaky heads, spinners where it was murky, and various other notions all day long.
The Saturday Trail Series moves to Badin's Alcoa Landing next Saturday, April 11th for a 7 AM Blast Off. For more information about the competition, contact organizer Pinky Sides at 704-305-1827.
Drye Team Takes Saturday Trail With 16-5
May 2, 2009
It took just under eight hours of prying beds and working rocks, but Dad and son, David Drye and David Jr. managed to best 12 other boats on Badin May 2 by bringing 16.5 pounds of bass to the scales. Although threatening storms never panned out, a steady and sometimes, brisk, wind harried anglers across the lake. On Badin, winds straight from the south or north manage to create problems for any boaters.
The Saturday Tournament Trail, shepherded by Pinky Sides, returned to Badin on their every-two-week schedule. The Trail fishes a five-fish limit and blasts off at safelight, returning at 2 PM. Temperatures spiked all afternoon as sun and clouds alternated overhead.
Hot on the heels of the Drye crew were Chad Cook and Brandon Shaver, two anglers often in the money in area tournaments. The partners also frequent Sides' Tuesday evening competitions on the lake. Their catch for the day weighed in at 14 pounds 11.2 ounces giving them a $65 day.
Although outside the money in third place, Terry and Chip Eudy managed to find the biggest fish of the day. Terry's 6 pound 1.8 ounce bass netted them Big Fish honors and a $65 prize. Total weight for the team was 14 pounds 2-tenths of an ounce.
The Saturday Trail continues its competition at Tuckertown on Saturday, May 16, leaving from the Flat Creek Landing. For more information about the group, contact organizer, Pinky Sides, at 704-305-1827.
30-Year-Old Group Takes On Tuckertown
May 16, 2009
The life expectancy of most fishing groups is about 7 to 8 years, but some seem to have just the right combination of ingredients to live a long and healthy life. The Saturday Trail, a wildcat group that fishes three of the Yadkin Chain lakes, has been around for 30 years, thanks in part to the leadership of Pinky Sides of New London.
The first part of the season's schedule for the group includes mostly Tillery and Badin visits, but the month of April means Tuckertown competitions are added to the schedule. “I think everyone likes to start things off at the two southern lakes in the chain,” stated Sides. “But, after a few weeks, everyone is ready to stretch their legs a bit. We add Tuckertown to the list in Late April just to change things up a bit and add something different.” This was the group's second visit of the season to the Flat Creek Landing on Tuckertown.
The strategy has played well in past years, and their return to the landing May 16th seemed to go over well once again. “I wasn't sure how many guys would travel up this way with the weatherman calling for storms all day,” laughed Sides, “but 12 boats is pretty darned good for today.” A couple new faces to the competition helped boost numbers and Sides has seen a lot of that recently. “Seems like we pick up new competitors every event,” noted Sides. “I've never seen some of these guys, but I'm sure glad they found us!” he laughed.
The Trail was part of a seven-tournament assault on the lake that day as anglers managed to stay out of each other's way all day long. “It was busy out there” commented Harold Snuggs, a regular on the Trail. “I think all the clubs handled it pretty well.” The haul to Tuckertown was well-worth the effort, as all groups turned in some of the best bag weights in weeks.
Brandon Shaver and Chad Cook, one of the hottest teams on the Yadkin Chain this year, captured top spot again with a bag weight of 21 pounds 1.1 ounces in the five-fish competition. The two are consistently fishing their way into money positions in a number of clubs and groups. In recent weeks, a 14 pound bag had often won events. Tuckertown and today's competition may have finally changed the lower-than-normal final weights.
Jeff Moore and Logan Efird were hot on the tails of Shaver and Cook and held the lead through most of the weigh in process. Their 19 pounds 4.6 ounces of scales at the scales was an exceptional effort and, one fish, a 6 pound 13.1 ounce bass grabbed Big Fish Honors for the team. Only a pound behind were third placers Terry James and Kevin Chandler with 18 pounds 4.9 ounces.
The Saturday Trail returns to Lake Tillery and the Swift Island Landing on May 30th and will fish from 7 AM to 2 PM. Entry fees for the competition are only $25, an affordable cost in tougher times. For more information, contact organizer Sides at 704-305-1827.
Tuckertown Plays Well For Shaver and Cook
June 27, 2009
Brandon Shaver and Chad Cook may well have managed the biggest take on Tuckertown last Saturday. Their secret probably wasn't the right lure or timing; it was all about knowing how to fish the lake when it was three feet below normal levels and when air temperatures reached 91 degrees. The pair fished with nine other Saturday Team Trail boats.
Although there was a light breeze blowing across the waters, it wasn't consistent enough, nor were there occasional clouds to blot a searing sun. Humidity levels reached far beyond the uncomfortable. The group blasted off from the Flat Creek Access area at 6 AM and fished until 1 PM. The hour to the scales was normal for the competitors in this crew, but it was a blessing that day.
Shaver and Cook, while toting a limit of five fish weighing 20.7.9 pounds to the scales, also added Big Fish to their day's angling prowess. The solo fish added 5 pounds 12.5 ounces to their total weight. They earned a sun-seared $150 plus the BF $50 for the day.
Hot on the pair's heels were Dwayne Saunders' and Scott Threadgill's 16.8.3 pounds of bass. The fishing partners narrowly missed Big Fish by netting a 5.2.5 pounder. They did win $50 for their bag weight and second place.
Dale Hobbs and Terry Eudy knocked down third place with 12.2.2 pounds, but were one place outside the paying spots.
The Saturday Team Trail returns to Lake Tillery and the Swift Island Landing on July 11th and will fish from 6 AM to 1 PM. Entry fees for the competition are only $25, an affordable cost in tougher times. For more information, contact organizer Sides at 704-305-1827. Tuckertown Reservoir has been dropped from the Trail's schedule for the remainder of the year. Check the Fishbyte.net Calendar for updated information.
Tucker And Chandler Haul 16 Plus Out Of Badin
July 25, 2009
On fickle Badin in July and August, you either find bass or they grin up at you all day. With temperatures reaching up into the low nineties Saturday, it wasn't a day that brought praises from the anglers. Most boat teams in the Sides' Saturday Trail Series saw the bass snearing at them, but a couple teams cracked the 16 pound mark. Kenneth Tucker and Kevin Chandler scored another day of their own smiles, nailing 16.8.3 pounds to win the seven-hour event.
Fifteen boats launched from the Alcoa Landing in Badin at 6 AM and did not return until the 1 PM weigh in. Badin has been extra stingy recently, giving up only occasional bragging weights. Still, the summer heat and water levels that fluctuate day-to-day have thrown the fish way off pattern. It's part guess, a bunch of luck, and pure skill to find them on a regular basis. Those three ingredients won Tucker and Chandler $150 on Saturday.
Hot on their heels was the power-house team of Buzz Dunlap and Pete Morris. That one-two combo is sure to get results as each has scored numerous times in the money at various tournaments this season. Less than three ounces kept them from a win this past weekend, as they netted 16.5.8 pounds and earned the $75 second place prize.
Just out of the money spots in third, but worthy of notice because of their 14.4.2 pound bag, were Lewis Brown and Billy Reynolds. Although the pair walked away with no cash for the position, a fourteen pound catch on such a day was worth some strut. And, Reynolds did rake in some funds with his 5.1.3 pound Big Fish for the day... the angler boated $75 for his team.
The Series is an un-affiliated group, directed by Pinky Sides of New London, that fishes twice a month on Badin and Tillery using a five-fish limit. A few events earlier in the season saw anglers on Tuckertown. The series moves to Tillery and the Swift Island Landing August 8 and will fish from 6 AM to 1 PM. Entry fees for the competition are only $25, an affordable cost in tougher times. For more information, contact organizer Sides at 704-305-1827.
Sides And Snuggs Win Saturday Tournament Trail At Badin
August 23, 2009
There's no telling how many times he's won this tournament. It's been happening twice a month for way beyond twenty years and he's directed it for a big portion of that time. Once in awhile he wins one and no one seems to mind. Pinky Sides and partner, Harold Snuggs, took the lead on what was otherwise a poor day of bass fishing on Badin Lake last Saturday.
Nine boats turned out for the 6:30 AM take off from the Alcoa landing, the smallest number of competitors this season. With schools opening doors for students just a couple days away, many of the usuals were getting in one last vacation with families. Unfortunately, it appears the bass went with them.
“There was nothing going on out there today, stated Sides at weigh in. “It was crummy fishing. He and Snuggs managed to find four fish weighing 9.5.4 pounds, pretty much guaranteeing them at least a paying spot at the 1:30 PM weigh in.
One other boat team brought in as many and ran a very close second. Kenneth Tucker and rider, Bryan Berry found 9.3.2 pounds to take second. Berry hooked a trip with Tucker prior to blast off and found himself on a winning boat.
Michael Kinard and Richard Crayton won Big Fish with a 3.5 pounder. Other boats struggled to net even one keeper all day.
The Series is an un-affiliated open competition, directed by Pinky Sides of New London, that fishes twice a month on Badin and Tillery using a five-fish limit.
A few events earlier in the season saw anglers on Tuckertown. The series moves to Tillery and the Swift Island Landing September 5th and will fish from 6:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Entry fees for the competition are only $25, an affordable cost in tougher times. For more information, contact organizer Sides at 704-305-1827.
Saturday Trail's Rothrock and Bryant Take Bi-Weekly Open
September 5, 2009
As cooler fall months loom closer, bass anglers look to better catches and more action. If Saturday's event at Tillery was any indicator, bite is beginning to come back. Although numerous boat teams in the eleven boat field struggled to find keepers, a few managed to find locations that produced.
Eric Rothrock and Michael Bryant were two such anglers. “We worked about all the lake before it was time to weigh in,” stated Rothrock. The pair out-fished all competitors using shaky heads and top water baits. “We stayed on the main lake and didn't wander up any of the creeks,” he noted.
The team netted 10 pounds 6.3 ounces to win the $120 prize. They also found a 3 pound 3.6 ounce bass that grabbed top honors in the Big Fish category. That single fish added $60 to their winnings. A beaming Bryant joked about the catch. “It wasn't a lot of weight, but it was nice to be catching fish again,” he laughed. “Things are gonna get better and cooler weather will get them biting again.”
Second place belonged to David Shepard and Henry Jenkins. The pair caught 9 pounds 13.6 ounces and took home $60. The event paid only two places. Third went to Josh Noe and Tony Furr with 6 pounds 15.9 ounces, an ounce shy of seven pounds. Furr has organized a new tournament series to debut next weekend, September 13th at Badin's Circle Drive Access. A second event is scheduled for October 11th at High Rock's Dutch Second Creek Access. Info can be found on the Fishbyte.net Forums or Calendar.
Fourth place went to solo angler Larry Stauch who found 6 pounds 4.7 ounces. Stauch caught a couple of his keepers with only a short time left to fish in the event.
The Saturday Trail Series, an open event for any angler, is coordinated by Pinky Sides of New London. It will resume on September 19 at Badin and the Alcoa Landing from 6:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Cost to enter is $25 and registration occurs at the landing. For more info, contact Sides at 704-305-1827.
Dunlap Wins Saturday Trail Open
October 3, 2009
As the heat of the summer months gives way to cooler fall weather, the Saturday Trail series on Badin and Tillery lakes attracts more and more attention. Popular throughout the season, the twice-monthly events gain additional involvement as they require no membership and registration is as simply as showing up. This past Saturday, the Trail used Lake Tillery as a gathering place.
Buzz Dunlap, a veteran of the series and master of the local waters, found the best holes and captured another first place. His 12.10.7 pounds also included Big Fish, a 4.13.9 pounder. He earned $120 and $60 for his dual-winning efforts and was the only boat that weighed in a limit of five fish.
This time of year, the wildcat event blasts off at 7 AM and concludes at 1:30 PM. Twelve boats launched from the Swift Island Landing off Highway 24/27. Anglers may fish solo or include a partner.
Organizer Pinky Sides of New London, and fishing partner Harold Snuggs earned second place honors with four fish Saturday at 6.15.9 pounds. They split the $60 purse.
Third place finisher, Grover Cook, managed two fish and 5.9.3 pounds. Jamie and Tiffany Carriker caught 1 fish weighing 4.7.4 pounds for fourth place. Henry Jenkins caught two fish weighing 2.14 pounds and finished in fifth.
The series returns to Badin and the Alcoa Landing on October 17th. Cost to enter is $25 and registration occurs at the landing. For more info, contact Sides at 704-305-1827.
Nineteen Pounds Takes Saturday Trail On Badin
October 10, 2009
One of the best changes for area anglers is not the fall colors or the dropping temperatures in October. It's that the Saturday Trail, run by Pinky Sides of New London, goes to an every week format. The open series changes its schedule from a bi-weekly competition and begins traveling between Tillery and Badin lakes each week throughout the fall and winter months. The events are a favorite for local anglers.
“It's great to see some weights returning,” stated Sides of the 19 pound winning bag last Saturday. “So many of the guys go duck and deer hunting and miss the best fishing of the year.” Only seven boats turned out for the event and Sides and fishing partner, Harold Snuggs won second place. No Big Fish pot is paid unless at least eight boats participate.
Derrick and Darryl Crumbley were the father and son team who boated the 19.98 pound “super” bag. Fish that size have been far and few between on Badin since early spring. Although the two anglers occasionally pair up to compete together, they are very often fishing on different lakes. “We really got into them today,” stated father, Darryl. “We had a really good day. It's about time.”
The Saturday Trail Series is an open event for any angler. It will continue on October 17 at Lake Tillery and the Swift Island Landing from safelight AM to 1:30 PM. Cost to enter is $25 and registration occurs at the landing. For more info, contact Sides at 704-305-1827.
Dunlap And Blake Win Tillery Event
October 17, 2009
It wasn't the nicest day for fishing, as blast off temperatures crashed overnight and hovered around forty two degrees and rain squalls hit the landing prior to launch. But, six boat teams still turned out for the weekly Saturday Trail event at Lake Tillery.
The launch area at the Swift Island ramp was full as the anglers worked through a benefit tournament crowd to blast off at 7 AM. The six boats slid under the bridge just beyond the ramp under cover of darkness and headed for the open waters beyond. It was perennial favorites, Buzz Dunlap and Benny Blake who took the most advantage of the bass in the pond, returning to the 2 PM weigh in with a loaded sack.
Dunlap and Blake, who had also entered the benefit tournament with a later weigh in, walked 13.6.3 pounds of bass to the scales to capture first place and $80. As soon as their weight was announced, the pair reloaded the catch into their livewell and hit the waters again for another hour-and-a-half of fishing before their next test.
According to Blake, the pair chased schooling action throughout the morning to find their fish. “We caught our first one at 10 AM and steadily added more to the livewell,” stated Blake as he walked back towards his boat. They team spent a few minutes working the busy schools and feeding action within a stone's throw of the ramp, before moving back out under the bridge.
Jeff Hudgins and Darren May found just under four pounds less than the winners, taking 9.15.8 pounds of bass from the lake. They won $40 for their efforts.
The trail moves back to Badin Lake and the Alcoa Landing next Saturday. The weekly series alternates between the two ponds. For more information, contact director Pinky Sides of New London at 704-305-1827. The Saturday Trail Series is an open event for any angler and allows either one or two anglers per boat with a five-fish limit. Cost to enter is $25 and registration occurs at the landing.
Bryant And Mann Take Tillery Halloween Honors
October 31, 2009
It may have been just hours before the ghosts and goblins flew across Lake Tillery's waters, but local anglers figured they'd make the best of that time by getting in another Saturday Trail event. Eight boat teams left the Swift Island Access just after safelight in the weekly competition that runs throughout the winter months. The Trail alternates between Tillery and Badin Lakes.
Michael Bryant and Nick Mann added additional funds to their fishing reserve as they put 12.12 pounds of bass safely in their net. The pair won $100.
Henry Jenkins, fishing solo, managed 8.4 pounds to take second and the $60 in winnings.
The Saturday Trail Series is an open event for any angler. It will continue on November 7 at Badin and the Alcoa Landing from safelight AM to 2 PM. Cost to enter is $25 and registration occurs at the landing. For more info, contact Director Pinky Sides at 704-305-1827.
Goodyear and Waterhouse Win Saturday Badin Event
November 7, 2009
No one will claim it was a banner bass day for Badin Lake anglers on the first Saturday in November. Seven teams joined the weekly open and ran head first into foggy conditions and even foggier bite. Blast off for the group was in air temps hovering at 32 degrees.
A 7 AM blast off meant plenty of daylight for the group and a bright sun had just begun to poke out over the horizon. But, some very odd conditions met anglers. The southern slice of the lake had only a light mist rising from the waters, while a heavy fog bank sat squarely at what anglers call “the gap”. That's the point in the lake where the Yadkin River flows into the main body of water on the lake. The fog was so thick it was an eerie dark color, and penetrating it meant going from bright sunshine to seeing less than 30 yards in front of you.
Fortunately, the strong sun and a heavy breeze that kicked up lifted the conditions by 9 AM, but bite never followed suit. Justin Goodyear and Tony Waterhouse did find 12.95 pounds and first place in the event. The team earned $90 for the spot.
C.L. and Terry Eudy stepped into the second spot with 10.14 pounds on a tough day. The first and second place teams were the only boats to bring in the five-fish limit. The Eudy boat won $50 for their outing.
Although outside the paying positions, Michael Kinnard and Justin Cook took third with 8.3 pounds.
The trail moves back to Lake Tillery and the Swift Island Landing next Saturday. The weekly series alternates between the two ponds. For more information, contact director Pinky Sides of New London at 704-305-1827. The Saturday Trail Series is an open event for any angler and allows either one or two anglers per boat with a five-fish limit. Cost to enter is $25 and registration occurs at the landing.
Treece And Solomon Add Win At Saturday Trail Event
November 14, 2009
Just the week before, the Saturday Trail anglers faced dense fog, icing ramps, and stiff afternoon winds on Badin Lake. Seven days later on Lake Tillery, the weekly competitors in the open event were treated to air temps in the seventies and a calm lake. That's fall fishing, and many prefer it.
The weekly, open series, which fishes Tillery and Badin and is one of the least expensive competitions in the region, saw another busy turnout even as focus swung to the opening day of rifle deer season.
Mike Treece and Ronnie Solomon added another payday to their list of successes, as the pair brought in 11 pounds 11.3 ounces of bass to grab the $100 first place honor. As Tillery wakes up after a sluggish summer bite, anglers are happily returning to the waters. The partners netted the $50 Big Fish award with a 7 pound 13 ounce hawg.
Second place belonged to director Pinky Sides and partner, Harold Snuggs. The veterans nearly caught Treece and Solomon with 11 pounds 5.9 ounces. That bag weight was good enough for the $50 award.
The Saturday Trail will move on to Badin and the Alcoa Landing on November 21. The group fishes from 7 AM until 2 PM unless adjustments are announced prior to blast off. Registration is done at the landing and anyone can fish solo or with a partner whenever they wish. For more information, contact Pinky Sides at 704-305-1827.
Talbert And Lambert Score 17+ On Badin
November 21, 2009
Some anglers love Badin Lake no matter what time of year or what the weather has in store. For many anglers in the Saturday Trail Series organized by Pinky Sides of New London, the every-other meeting on those waters can't come soon enough.
For Dean Talbert and Tony Lambert, the third Saturday in the month meant a big haul on the Yadkin waters. The pair netted 17.4.4 pounds of bass to take home a big win November 21st. They also boated the big toad for the day, a 6.4.6 pounder. First place paid $130, while Big Fish netted them another $65.
Second place was won by Bo Russell and Jamie Russell with an admirable 16.5.7 pounds.
Beginning with the December 5 tournament when the series returns to Badin, the teams will blast off at 8 AM. Registration for the open competition is at the ramp prior to the start. Cost is just $25 to enter the 30-plus year old series. For more information, contact organizer Pinky Sides at 704-305-1827.
Fishermen Face Ice at Tillery Event Start
November 28, 2009
The weatherman was being nice during the 6 AM TV weather reports when air temps of 32 to 38 degrees were reported across the central North Carolina region. When the Saturday Trail competitors blasted off from Tillery's Swift Island icy ramps on November 28th at 7 AM, anglers were braving 26 degrees and ice on anything that got wet.
For David Chilton and Bryan Plattenberger, the bitter cold was worth the trip. New to the trail, the pair had just learned about the open weekly series that moves between Badin and Tillery. They decided to try their luck two days after Thanksgiving. That choice was a good one.
Working the north end of Tillery with crankbaits in waters that had muddied badly with rains a couple days before, the pair hoisted 14.8.9 pounds of winning bass into the boat to grab the $130 first place prize. Chilton added a 5.13.8 pounder to the five-fish bag that eventually scored Big Fish and $65.
Randy Burleson, fishing solo, took second with five fish weighing 14.1.4 pounds. His bag included a solo 5.10.2 pounder. He won $65 for second place.
“We have to tell you how lucky we are to win this one,” stated Plattenberger. “We had four fish and were working a dock trying to find our last keeper.” According to Plattenberger, he threw a crankbait at a dock, but overcast. The bait flew straight over the dock, with the line strung over a dock pole.
“The crankbait was in the water over the other side when the bass struck,” laughed the angler. “When I set the hook the fish came out of the water and was hanging there off the end of the dock pole.” Sure they were going to loose the flapping bass, the boat team scrambled to get their boat around the dock to the other side where they could, first, fight the fish off the dock pole without losing it, and then battle it to the net.
“That last keeper was what it took to win this thing,” smiled Chilton. “We only won by about seven ounces so, without it, we'd be a second place team today. Sometimes you take 'em as you can get 'em,” he ended.
The Trail, coordinated by Pinky Sides, returns to Badin and the Alcoa Landing next Saturday. Anglers' Blast Off time will adjust ahead one hour to 8 AM in order to reduce some of the icing conditions at the ramp prior to sunrise. Either one or two anglers are allowed per boat.
Saturday Trail Back On 12/26
December 26, 2009
The presents under the tree are sure to include a few new baits, maybe some new gear, or possibly even the rod and reel you wanted. Think there's no place to try them all out in the near future? The Saturday Trail proves that theory all wrong.
Although inclement weather has nailed the series' numbers Saturday after Saturday in November and December, organizer Pinky Sides has hopes for the day after Christmas. The trail will hit Lake Tillery from the Swift Island Landing off Highway 24/27 on December 26th beginning at 8 AM.
“It seems like every Saturday the last few weeks has been nothing but cold and rain,” the long-time director stated. “We had only one boat show up on the 19th, but what do you expect? Most got snowed in just north of here.”
Sides is hoping all the anglers that Santa visited will show up to try out their presents. The Trail alternates between Tillery and Badin Lake throughout the winter months, fishing from 8 AM until 3 PM. Registration is done at the landing and anyone can fish solo or with a partner whenever they wish. For more information, contact Pinky Sides at 704-305-1827.