Published: March 07, 2008 12:44 am            

Knight makes strong showing on Toho

Monte Knight started the 2008 FLW Tour season off with a bang by catching 17 pounds of bass on the first day of competition at Lake Toho in central Florida. Anglers were greeted with a strong cold front on the first day of competition and the bite slowed down drastically. Knight adjusted to the weather change in grand fashion and put together an impressive string in the process.

Knight’s first day creel was anchored by a trophy 9 pound 6 ounce bass caught on a Berkley Jigger Craw while flipping reeds, pads and pencil whips. The black and blue flake Jigger Craw was Knight’s weapon of choice during the tournament and it rewarded him well. The Jigger Craw was fished with a 3/8 tungsten weight teamed with a Reaction Innovation BMF hook. Sixty-five pound Ultra Cast Spiderwire line was also a key component in landing the lunker bass in the thick vegetation.

Day two of the tournament dawned sunny and bright and provided many anglers with the hopes of yet another good day on the water. However, the second day after a cold front passes is sometimes tougher than the day after. That was the case during this tournament as well. Many of the top anglers, including eventual winner, Brett Hite, caught only a fraction of the pounds weighed in on day one.

After another long run and lock through to Kissimmee, Knight’s expectations were finally dashed and he had to change tactics yet again. This time he switched to a drop shot technique and eked out a five fish limit at the last second, with his final keeper coming right at 3 p m, just minutes before leaving for the final weigh-in.

Though Knight dropped out of the top ten, he did secure a 14th place finish during some of the toughest conditions imaginable. When nighttime temperatures drop from 57 to 37 degrees in central Florida the bass just about go into shock and get a big case of the lockjaw. However, Knight responded to the situation valiantly and proved yet again that East Mississippi anglers can compete with anybody, anywhere, any time! Knight’s finish was good enough to pick up a $12,500.00 check.



Hot rainbow trout fishing in Lauderdale County



Bob Rea made a near perfect cast with his fly rod and wet fly combination. As the Copper John fly slowly sank to the bottom Rea worked the lure very slowly and enticingly. Suddenly a nice rainbow trout sucked in the fly and attempted a quick getaway. Rea bowed up on the rod and set the hook and the fight was on. This trout was over two pounds and was surely no pushover, especially on a fly rod. After quite a battle Bob finally wore the trout down and put him in his supper well.

Bob Rea and Jim Anderson have been regular fishing partners now for over ten years. During that time they’ve fished for bass in freshwater and caught redfish off the gulf coast. But they had never been trout fishing together until recently. Though Bob is an avid fly fisherman, he’s never been out west, or fly fished in saltwater. Bass and bream were his staple fare in lieu of trout.

Rea and Anderson made the short trip to Bruce Martin’s farm in search of rainbow trout, where the aforementioned battle took place. Yes, you read it right; they went fishing for trout, in Lauderdale County no less. Now before you think they’re crazy, just hear the rest of the story.

Some time ago a smart individual figured out that trout could live and thrive in our Mississippi climate. Now they can’t live in the near 90 to 100 degree summertime weather we have, but they can live, thrive and grow during the fall and winter months after the temperature has subsided.



Expert help



Scott Kirk of Southeastern Pond Management usually comes over each fall and stocks a healthy number of rainbow trout in Martin’s pond. Friends and family members usually enjoy some fine trout fishing during the milder winter days.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that catching trout is easy, however. Bob quickly found out that you can’t catch them on top if they’re not feeding on top. “Once I learned how and where to find them, I started catching them,” commented Rea. And the fun began then as they landed them regularly.

And when the fishing was over, the eating began. They prepared fish in a recipe similar to trout almandine, but used pecans instead. Not only were the fish good for them, but they were very succulent and tasty as well.

Next time you have a hankering to go trout fishing out west, you might want to give Southeastern Pond Management a call and inquire about getting your local pond stocked with trout. It’s unusual, but really fun and exciting during cold weather if you have a small lake that will hold them. If you don’t believe it, just ask Bob Rea, or Jim Anderson and they’ll tell you!

        

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