And that’s just fine, said tournament director Gettys Brannon, who is a manager at the Tomahawk Fishing Shop in Columbia, because that means some good fish should be caught in the championship.

“There’s just something about Lake Murray in the winter. When conditions are nasty you are not going to catch a lot of fish, but the big ones will come out to bite if you give them the right thing. It’s more of a quality game than a quantity game,” Brannon said. “We had some big bags brought in last week. It took 20 pounds to win and 17 pounds to get a check.”

Another indication that the big fish have come out to play on Lake Murray this time of year he said, is that, “We had guys come in last week with just four fish, but they weighed 18 pounds. Once you key in on what the fish want, you just have to keep your head down and keep fishing.”

Brannon said the Tomahawk Trail on Lake Murray has averaged about 25 boats per tournament in its first winter season, but with a guaranteed $5,000 purse he expects there will be 40 to 50 boats in the championship which will be fished Friday and Saturday, not the usual two-day weekend tournament days.

“Lew’s is giving providing a rod and reel for the championship, as well,” Brannon said.

“The crankbait bite should be on and the Alabama Rig, or Shane’s Baits, bite should be a big factor. I think fishing in the wind is going to be key, fishing the riprap and just following the wind. There will still be some guys catching fish on a jig, too.”

The Tomahawk Fishing Shop at 613 Harden Street, Columbia, is a locally-owned fishing-themed store as well as a tackle shop. The store in Five Points launched the Tomahawk Team Trail 2014-2015 Winter Series on Lake Murray.

Participants pay a one-time membership fee each of $30, then $60 per boat for each qualifying tournament, plus an optional $10 Big Fish entry. Teams can enter at the ramp or they can register early at the Tomahawk Fishing Shop and get 15 percent off on their next purchase.

“Being in downtown Columbia it is a little different environment from a regular tackle shop,” Brannon said. “We have a little something for just about everybody, from local art and wood carvings by local artists to all types of locally-produced apparel. We even have ice cream sandwiches and later we will also have boiled peanuts.”

Brannon said the shop also targets everyday anglers as well as serious tournament anglers.

“We carry local and regional brands such as ALX Rods in Aiken, Greenfish Tackle in Augusta and Local Boy Outfitters, an apparel brand in Columbia.”

Brannon said the store is considering holding a summer nighttime fishing trial this summer because of the proliferation of other tournaments on the lake in the springtime.

“We are definitely looking at doing the same deal next winter, tweaking it some and possibly having a bigger purse,” he said.

 

Tomahawk Team Trail Championship

Jan 30-31, 20154

Lake Murray

Larry Koon Landing

Call 803.609.7673

www.tomahawkfishingshop.com