It's Jim Simons at Gaston!

​      Leesville BASSMasters fished tournament number eight on August 5 out of Hawtree Creek Landing on Lake Gaston.  Temps at blastoff were in the mid-60s with temperatures around 90 at weigh-in.  Water temps were in the 80's.
      After what can only be described as a dog-day summer bite, only a few fish were brought to the scales today prolonging our club members continued struggles with meager catches in the middle third of our tournament season.  When all fish were weighed in, Jim Simons took the win with three fish weighing 5.58 lbs, which included the big fish of the day at 2.29 lbs.  Jim's big fish was caught under a dock, and got hung up almost immediately.  Thanks to a cooperative homeowner who raised his submerged boat lift, Jim was able to reach the fish and get him in the boat.
      Persistence paid off for second place finisher Tom Robertson with one fish at 2.19 lbs, caught with less than 15 minutes remaining.  Wes House came in third with one fish weighing 0.78 lbs, although he had a number of blow ups fishing lily pads some of which "had shoulders".  Our newest member, Sheldon Godfrey, was not able to bring a fish to the scales in his first tournament with the club.
      With four tournaments left between from September through November at Lakes Michie, Buckhorn, Falls, and Kerr, position changes in the top three are still possible, as no one has yet to lock it up.  Buckhorn in particular offers an opportunity to surpass current big fish leader Tom Robertson's 6.98 lb fish caught at our first tournament of the year at Harris.  Our next tournament is on September 23 at Lake Michie near Durham, NC.