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So on Wednesday night my partner Stickbait (aka Muscleman or Stick
) talks me into fishing Sunday. (Had to get permission from the wifey as that's usually our day together.....wait ! we're retired so we spend everyday together. ) Now I can't remember the last time I had to get up a 02:30 in the morning to fish, but it's been awhile. Prep a couple of sausage burritos to go, and pack a couple of ice teas. Out the door and on my way at 03:10. There's no one on the road. 
Pick up the Ranger and realize I forgot an orange juice to wash them down. Stop at a 7-11 on Grant Line again.....no one in the store Guess its been awhile since I've shopped at 04:00. The trip as it turns out was uneventful for a change.Mike Vaughn 13th Annual Classic
Arriving at the Ladd's kiosk, there are 3 individuals with vests there checking live wells. I'm thinking "What a novel idea. Check boats as they arrive rather than have to run around looking for a boat check. Score one for organization. Hook up with Stick, and load the Ranger. ABA is also running their tournament out of Ladd's too. Unfortunately for me, on Wednesday at the Pow Wow we noticed a big hairy spider in one of the trees. Because of the wind, he was trying to climb back up his drop web. Well guess who decided to pull up to that spot and park. Getting out of the Roush I run smack dab into a web. Great I'm thinkin, now as soon as its light I'm gonna see this giant hairy spider crawling across my electronics, or Sticks tackle or life vest, or as I'm runnin up the river it comes flying into my face...jeez..
Signing up was a breeze and back to the boat checking for spiders with the flashlight. 3 fish limit. Got it Weigh in 12:45.OK time to enter the zoo. The cove looked like a small city with lights bobbing and silhouette shadows fading in and out on bows. Fortunately for me I could squeeze to a a space on the big docks and wait. Stick boards and now the challenge......maneuver through the sea of vessels to a safe spot. I'm always uncomfortable maneuvering through other vessels bunched up......its that "cloud" thing.
We're second flight boat # 48. Stick and I have made our plan of what to do today, but with this many boats we may not get to our primary local. As Vince is calling out the numbers I'm maneuvering through and with a few exceptions (because nobody looks just goes.....tunnel vision I call it ) get perfect timing when our number is called. I know the sweat will dry as I'm running the river. 
Spot #1
WOW, no ones there. I begin throwing crankbaits and Stick his magic jig. One pass nothing. Off to spot #2
Spot # 2
As we drift over the spot, Both of us are using the "Pops" technique. I feel the tick but think I just came off a rock. I'm lifting and there is no pressure....hmm why can't I fell my weightHey the line is moving out toward the boat.....tic number to and I reel...Nothing. (Now this delay is from lack of sleep on an old guy
)Stick says "Fish" then "It's a good one" and I slip the net under a nice 3lbr. After another 20 minutes or so Stick says something like "we should try over where the pilings are, I never see anybody fish there." Why not, we can also pre fish for WWN. So off we go to the other side of the river and start to fish. Within minutes Stick and his magic jig sets on another 3 lbr. After netting the fish we make another pass. We're almost at the low. I drop the bait into a hole and feel immediate pressure.... reel and lift and the reel screams to life. Its heading to deep water.... it leaps in the air (wholly crap)......no it'd under the boat.....no its on the starboard side...no its on the port side....no its headed for the weed. This fish is so hot it may melt the net. Finally she comes withing netting distance on the port side and Stick nets a 5. High Fives all around. Bubba says 10.98 TW. Stick says that's good. Being a rookie, I have no idea. Then nothing but 2s. Can't cull up. Weigh In
Adrian from C&C Baits weighs in in front of us with 13 and a 4.98 kicker (I think) Our turn and our BF weighs 4.89 (I think as memory fades) Total weight for us 10.98.
Park the ranger in the spider area again (at least its shady) While I'm unloading who walks by but Ken Mah. I call out to him and ask him if he can help me with my electronics. Now I, like tons of other guys, have known Ken for years and he accepts my request. I explain my Active Target dilemma and he asks "Do you have the chip?"
the chip, of course I don't have it's home on the kitchen table so I won't forget it. 
After Ken explains what I should try, I inquire about other problems I have. Ken shows me what I've been doing wrong and how to fix things and use "quick keys" He helps me with my transducer placement for active target. I'm so flustered and trying to absorb the information that I forget half the questions I wanted to ask. Ken was patient and helped me understand how to find the stuff I'd been looking for. So a BIG Shout out to KEN for helping. Next time at a tournament lunch will be on me. Well NOT on me but my treat. What a spread the barbeque was....ribs just right that the meat falls off the bone, chicken, potato salad, beans deserts, I mean just the food alone was worth the entry.
Don't know where the cloud went on this Sunday, but winning a bunch of C&C baits, shirts, hats in raffle was lucky.
Final results Stick and I finished in 8th place $200.00. Stick made the comment that this is the second 8th place in a row....so we should be "8 ballers".
More like "Crazy 8s" if you ask me.Anyway it was a great event and memorial. God Bless Mike Vaughn.
TL
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