The big bass have been on a feeding frenzy in Alabama’s Jordan Lake, so the fishing should be very good for the opening tournament in the 2013 Airport Marine Tournament Trail Saturday. But, anglers might have to wait in line to cast at a bass, said tournament director Flynn Gerald.

“There are about five or six other tournaments down there on the Jordan River besides us this weekend, so it’s going to be crowded,” Gerald said. “I don’t know what effect that might have on our tournament.”

However, Gerald noted that Airport Marine has the biggest tournament payout in the region.

“I think the other tournaments pay maybe $1,000 for first place at most and then maybe four or five places. We are paying up to $6,000 for first place and paying 15 or 16 places.”

What makes that big purse even more attractive, he noted, is that it comes with only a $100 entry fee per boat.

“We actually pay back more money than we take in and no other tournament does that. If you buy a boat from us and win we give you $3,000 just for buying the boat from Airport Marine. If it’s a Triton you get another $7,000. If you run an Evinrude that’s $5,000 more, and if you tow your boat with a truck from Gilmore Ford you get another $5,000. That adds up to a possible $23,000. And, if you fish with a kid or as a mixed couple you get another $500.”

Another bonus, he said, is anglers only have to fish one tournament in the six-tournament series to qualify for the Classic which also has a $100 entry fee and carries a potential first place prize of $50,000.

Some anglers, he said, want to double up Saturday and fish one of the other tournaments along with the Airport marine tournament.

“I will work with anybody as much as I can. But our tournament pays back so much they will have to blast off with us Saturday morning. If they can make arrangements with the tournament across the river to sign up with them and then blast off with us, fine. I’ve set our scales up where they can weigh in with us and then with the other tournament.”

Gerald said the weather is expected to be good for the tournament, with a slight chance of rain Saturday. Some rain fell Monday night which could muddy the water a little, he added.

“I think we are going to have really good fishing Saturday. The weather is going to dictate a mixed bag and I don’t believe the spots (spotted bass) will dominate in this tournament. For whatever reason the big fish are feeding right now so the fishing will be great.”

The only problem, he said, is all the anglers that will be on the lake this Saturday.

“But the following Wednesday we will be right back down at Jordan and there won’t be anybody fishing but us,” he said. The Airport Marine Midweek EZ Solo Trail, which annually draws a large number of boats on Wednesdays – starts Feb. 27.

“No skiers, No jet skis, no pontoons and no partners that always causes you to lose. Just us fishermen that don’t have to work or won’t work. We can fish alone and have the opportunity to be a hero or a zero” Gerald said.

“Entry fee for the mid-week trail is $70 per boat with an optional $5 big fish pot. There is a one time $30 initiation fee to be paid back in full at the Classic.

 

Airport Marine Tournament Trail

Sat, Feb 23, 2013

Jordan Lake – AL

Bonner’s Landing

Call Flynn Gerald 205-678-9666

www.airportmarinetrails.com