Aaron Martin, Renaissance Financial Invitational

[Phil Lilley]

Was invited to fish this tournament by Lane Shumaker today. Gosh what a nice event! Yesterday they took us all up to the back of Dogwood Canyon to shoot. I can't tell you exactly what we shot but they were 320 sniper rifles (I think). Renaissance brought in 2 Marine Camp Pendleton sniper instructors to demonstrate and then let each one of us shoot targets at 200, 300 and 430 yards. Most of us hit the targets, I was 1 of 3. One guy hit the head (8x6 inch target) at 430. The rifles were built by the marines themselves and were not gov't issue. Pretty awesome stuff!

We were treated to a nice dinner at Big Cedar, over night at Spring Valley Lodge and then almost 6 hours of fishing this morning.

Renaissance brought in 15 pros to fish with 30 guests. The winners were Pete Wenners and Danny Cox (pitcher for the St Louis Cardinals). They're 3rd angler could not make it so they boated just over 12 pounds between the 2 of them. We only ended up with 2 keepers (smallies) caught by Lane. Lane actually caught 3 other keepers but the pro could only have 2 of the 5 fish weighed in. Gregg Bettis (Our other angler), and I caught several 14 inch smallies and both lost keepers at the boat.

Great time!

Now for a fishing report.

Water in most places was very clear and low to mid 60's. We didn't look for or see fish on the beds but anglers did say they saw and they did catch some bass on beds. Lane said most beds are deep - 10 to 15 feet deep.

We fished with and caught our fish on either a shaky head, a tube or grub. I fished mainly a grub, smoke, and got my bites in 13 to 20 feet of water. We didn't catch much up shallow at all.

Wenners and Cox caught all their fish on topwater! Pete said he had been fishing corners of docks close to spawning banks. He said this by far was the best topwater day so far this season.

Others caught fish on topwater but most fished shaky heads, grubs and tubes. Pretty equal I'd say. If you could find any colored water, the bite was better. We found some in the last 30 minutes in Clevenger Cove, right side, but it was too little too late for us.

I felt out of my element... haven't fished for bass in a very long time.

[motoman]

That sounds like a cool event Phil!:-).......any pix?

[Phil Lilley]

No I didn't take any. Steve Brigman was their photographer so we'll have a bunch of pictures shortly. I'll share.

[Pepe]

Wow, sounds like a nice event. Danny Cox was an outstanding pitcher and by all reports a great guy. I think he has a regular radio show on Saturdays.