Greenwood: The third stop on the First Flight Team Tournament Trail was held Saturday, April 17 on Lake Greenwood out of the Emerald Lake Marina at the Hwy. 72 Bridge. Weather as well as lake conditions were all but perfect. After the cold snap early in the week, temperatures were on the rise with afternoon highs in the low eighty’s. The lake levels had risen slowly during the previous week by about six to eight inches. Water temperatures had cooled slightly but were still in the mid fifties. The winds were calm all day. All of this resulted in a truly unbelievable great FFTTT Bass Tournament. Seventy seven teams competed for the $15,000.00 in money and prizes. Three hundred and fifty five bass were brought to the scales that weighed 818.52 lbs. for a 2.30 lb. average. There were 26 seven fish limits caught and only six teams were skunked. One of those had boat trouble and did not get back in time to weigh their fish.

The team of Robbie Sacora from Moncks Corner and David Malin from Ladson blew the seventy-seven boat field away by 3.5 lbs. with the winning seven fish limit that tipped the scales at 30.50 lbs. They took home the winners check for $3000.00. Their kicker was a 6.64 lb. beautiful Lake Greenwood specimen.  Robbie said that he and David caught a seven fish limit early by fishing top water baits shallow and then went looking for bigger fish. They culled every fish in the live well. They fished bedding fish and found them biting soft plastics, (but of course didn’t reveal great detail on exactly what soft plastics). They were in Robbie’s Triton TR-22 and have met all of the eligibility requirements for the Triton Gold Program which makes them eligible for the $1000.00 Triton Gold Bonus Check. “$4000 in ‘take home pay’ ain’t bad for a day on the lake.”  FFTTT now has two teams eligible for the $80,000 Triton Owners Tournament next summer; with Robbie and David joining Jimmy Cole and Gary Weathersbee, the Santee winners.

Rufus (Doc) McDaniel from Mooresboro, NC, and Clarence (Ed) Davis from Forrest City, NC, won the $2000 second place check with a seven fish creel that weighed 26.96 lbs. Doc is known as a Jig Man, but indicated on the stage that he caught his fish on a DD-24!!!-----A what???  He handed me one and upon close examination I found that it was a Jig, of course, with DD-24 painted on top of the head.  Doc said they fished structure and docks.  Good job Doc and Ed.

The third place check for $1200 went to the team of Frank Avent, of Florence and Bobby Wilson from Manning, riding in “The Pepsi Cola Ranger.” Their seven fish limit weighed 26.70 lbs.  Frank said they also fished bedding fish and caught their fish on “just about everything, but mostly soft plastics.”

Fourth place went to Davey Thomas from Sumter and Ed (Skeebo) Kelley from Hartsville. Their seven fish creel tipped the scaled at a net weight of 22.53 lbs. (one dead fish for a .25 lb. penalty). Their three biggest fish were bedding females with four coming off of structure. Their 5.92 lb kicker was caught, literally, on the last cast with three minutes to spare. That fish brought home the $1100.00 fourth place check.

Fifth place went to Robert Ross of Dalzell and William Davis of Sumter. Their seven fish limit weighed 22.42 lbs. and netted them the fifth place check for $1000.00. William said that their fish were caught on top water buzz baits and soft plastics fished slowly around structure.

The Marshall’s Marine “Big Fish Check” for $300 and the $135 URBON EYE WARE pair of sunglasses went to the team of Rick McLean and Chuck McIntosh of Sumter. Rick caught a beautiful Lake Greenwood Lunker that tipped the scales at 8.04 lbs. Rick said she was a bedding fish that he and Chuck fished for over an hour with everything in the tackle box. According to Rick, “she just wouldn’t hit a thing.” Finally he remembered he had a jig tied on a rod in the bottom of his rod box. He dug it out and the fish bit on the third or fourth cast. Chuck netted the fish and wouldn’t let Rick touch her--she went straight into the live well.

The Creech Roddy & Watson “Little Big Fish Check” went to the team of Randy and Lonnie Fulmer of Monetta and Batesburg, respectively. A 7.61lb. beauty netted them the 2nd Big Fish check for $200.

Another great tournament is now in the books.  Lake Greenwood in the middle of April is a great place to be “Bass Fishing.” Only three of the 355 fish were not returned to the lake. The fishermen and my “Tank Man,” David Eron did a great job keeping the fish alive; the bass and I both thank you for your efforts, and Raeford James & family thank you for the three dead fish.

The “Cliff’s Superettes” of the greater Turbeville, Effingham, and Johnsonville area point’s championship is beginning to become very interesting.  Davey Thomas and Skeebo Kelley with 385 points appear to have a commanding lead at this time. Robbie Sacora and David Malin are in second with 376 points followed closely by Robert Ross and William Davis who are one point behind with 375 points, and Randy and Lonnie Fulmer are one point behind them at 374. However, with two tournaments left—Clark Hill and Wateree: one slip—or a great finish could make things very interesting.

Remember our next event is out of the Dorn Facility in McCormick on Clark Hill Lake. Accommodations are limited. There are only six of the Town Houses left at the Savannah Lakes Resort---4, two bedroom and 2, three bedroom units. The two bedroom units let for $100 per night with a $35 clean up fee, and I’m not sure about the cost of the three bedroom units. Each of the 2 bedroom units has a full kitchen and will accommodate two teams very well and possibility three, because some have a fold-out queen couch. Call the SL Real Estate Group @ 864-391-5450, ask for Wanda and be sure to specify you are with FFTTT to get the above rates. The other alternative is the Culler’s Inn in Lincolnton, Ga. Ph. 706-395-6161, ask for Mary and specify FFTTT for $44.80/night room rates. Hickory Knob is usually booked but sometimes they have cancellations during the week before a weekend event.

See you at Clark Hill on May 15^th!!