Stren Derby Starts Tomorrow

[Bill Babler]

Man what a rough condition for a derby. Spoke to both Beck and Pete Wenners and both said they have never seen the Rock like this. It is without a doubt as tough as a 16 penny nail. Yet!! on another blog here a couple of guys come in on the most dreadful part of this lake and catch 40 fish with a dozen quality keepers in two days. They had the pic's to prove it.

Anybody that can catch fish like they just did at the dam are either really lucky or doing something extremely good. I could not on my best day right now duplicate what they did where they were fishing and none of the others guide types are. We are struggling, for not keepers, but just for bites.

I have spoken to at least a dozen of the Stren guys, some have not had a keeper all week and some are maybe catching 1 or 2 per day. None after 8 AM. Of course someone will for sure have a big bag.

What are your guesses for the first two days that they all can fish. Pete says he thinks 10 pounds a day will let you fish on Saturday. What's your guesses.

I still think there is a cedar bite, but have been told it has vanished with the cool nights and the water clearing rapidly. I'm going to say the first day leader will have 17 pounds and the two day total will be 25 pounds. I did however over guess the Shell Knob derby of last weekend by 3 pounds, so I might be very hopeful.

Let us know what you think.

[Champ188]

I say the two-day lead will be 27 pounds.

[Matt Henry]

There will be a few big bags and then a large drop off. I say 16.5 day one and 29.3 total.

[denjac]

19 Pounds the first day with 6.2 big bass. 31 pounds total for day two. Winning bag will be caught from Long Creek to Big Indian. Deep diving crankbaits and jig will be the ticket.

[Gone Fishing]

I am thinking 26lbs puts you at the top of the list.

[Fat Boy]

I will play along, 15 the 1st day, day 2 lead somewhere around 25 and then falling fast. This lake and the fish have there nose in the air, we need some weather in here bad, some strong north winds for a few days. I can say there must not be much of a bite up the James I have not seen many boats up here all wk. If you can get on the right docks now you might be able to load them up, also dragging baits threw the trees tops would be my guess

[Quillback]

I would just be guessing, but I'm wondering if the windy weather and partly cloudy skies might get the fish in a biting mood.

[magicwormman]

I'll take a shot. I think the first day will be slow, with about 16.8 leading it. The 2nd day some cloud cover might help. My guess would be 28.3 total. It seems like no matter how tough the Rock can be, someone always finds a honey hole. That's what makes the game so exciting, you never know when it's your turn.

[Sprint21fter]

Whoever likes to drag and grind it out will do well. Haven't seen the forcast in a couple of days. If the wind picks up easily 28lbs for 2 days willl have them in the top 5. Any of those guys can bust a big bag if they are willing to zero for it. Around 45lbs for three days will be in the thick of it. If the wind picks up and some clouds roll in it might be what the lake needs to take off.

[Bill Babler]

Robbie Dotson in the lead with 15 pounds, and it get worse after that. I believe only about 1/2 dozen limits, from the 83 pros.

Watched the weighin on the internet at Beck's house. WAY to much fish handling and keeping these fish out of the water. Probably the worst fish care I have ever seen, in any derby bar none.

Ridiculas.

Way to many Children marched up on stage with their dads, for God only know what reason. The idiot anouncer is talking to the kids and the fish are gasping. Both Beck and I were furious at the handling. None of our local derby's handle fish in that kind of a carless manner.

They need to stop all this Bull -----. Weigh the fish and get it moving. I could give a flip about TV. FLW sucks so bad they almost need to cancel the TV anyway. Just a horrible production. Take care of those fish on a HOT day.

I've a mind to go down there tomorrow and just throw a friggin fit at the way they handled the fish. Those guys need to have their head held under water and see how long they can hold their breath.

Locals and local guides sturggled as did they all. It is very hard to put keepers in the boat.