Griffith Garrabrant wins the Wild West Winter Classic Lake Shata opener with 80.50” topping the field of 43 anglers. The lake level was rising with the creeks mudding the lake with cold water that brought tough conditions to the entire field, to top it off, windy and rainy weather. Griffith launched in the Pit arm stating that the road to the launch ramp was sketchy and muddy. He found that the water was chocolate brown when he arrived. On tournament day, his trolling motor failed to work, and he found himself going old school by having to pedal all day. During practice he caught his fish on a black and blue lizard Texas rigged, a jig, and ned in 5-10' of water: however, during tournament day, he had only one fish at 11 AM a 17.75” spotted bass. Griffith knew he had to adjust for the changing conditions, so he started looking around on his graph and found some fish on a hump in 30-50'. This is when the magic all transpired. He dropped a ned rig down to the fish, in ten casts, he caught 7 fish. The structure was rock, and the lure had to be slowly dragged. At this point, his smallest fish was 12.25”, realizing that he needed to cull, he picked-up a jig. On the very next cast, he caught a 19” largemouth that weighed close to 4 pounds. His big fish came out of 50’ of water on the same hump. He stated, “The fish ate the jig either on the fall or just as it hit the bottom. The bite was different than the usual spotted bass bite, the fish thumped the jig, I knew I had something big on right away.” He found the magical spot at noon and fished there until 2:20 PM. He had no cell service and felt that he had a good bag, so he left to assure he was able to return to the ramp and upload his fish before the deadline. Griffith expressed gratitude to Duckett Rods and Reels for their support and Headwaters Adventures for hosting the event and their support with the kayak community. Also, thanks to the Wild West Team for making these events happen.
Damian Thao came in second place with 79.50”. Damian’s fish all came deep on offshore humps and creek channels. The key structure had the main river channel swing close by and had to have rock. The majority of his bites came from 30-70'. He would place his boat in 50’ and drag is Caralina rig down to 70’ by letting the wind move his boat. They wanted something dragged very slow; Damian stated. He would also work his bait from deep to shallow and a crisscross pattern to get different angles and more bites. His two baits of choice were a brush hog and a tube. Another key to his area, bait was present. As the bite became slower, he would toss his C-rig to 80’ deep and work it uphill to 50’. Many of his bites came directly below his boat on the pause. Damian would like to thank his sponsors Kayak City, P-Line, Garmin, Duo Realis, Power-Pole, MB559 Fishing, La Custom Jigs and TM Custom baits.
John Myers finished in 3rd place with 78.50”. He fished offshore humps and island tops with small rock. His lures of choice were a tube and a bush dog. The bottom had to be sticky to get bit; John stated. The early bite produced the larger fish, but the afternoon bite produced more fish. John showed his gratitude to Headwater Adventures for hosting the event and all their amazing customer service. John also thanked his sponsors, Super Clean, Lunker Daddy Lures, RC fishing, Stage Stop Gun Shop, TM Custom Baits, Amped Outdoors but most of all his biggest supporter his wife.
Here’s your top ten
1.Griffith Garrabrant 80.50”
2. Damian Thao 79.25”
3. John Myers 78.50”
4. Kong Her 77.25”
5. Jinno Magno 75.00”
6. Carlos Marrazzo 73.00”
7. Joseph Silva 71.50”
8. Jacob Dasher 71.00”
9. Alexander AJ Ramirez 68.75”
10. Thomas Willingmyre 66.50”
Big fish 19" Griffith Garrabrant
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