Giving it a go at Gaston

Final Stren Series event in Northern Division begins

SOUTH HILL, Va. – The fourth and final Stren Series event on the 2009 Northern Division schedule began Thursday morning on Lake Gaston under warm, humid conditions.

The last time the Stren Series visited Lake Gaston was in October 2007. That tournament was originally scheduled to take place on Kerr Reservoir, but ultralow water conditions forced a venue move to Lake Gaston.

That event was won by crankbait guru David Wright of Lexington, N.C., with daily totals of 15-1, 13-3, 12-14 and 8-6 for a four-day total of 49 pounds, 8 ounces.

Wright is not fishing the event this year, much to the relief of the rest of the field.



“Now maybe I’ll have a chance,” joked pro Ott Defoe, who finished second to Wright in that event. “Overall I don’t think the fishing is as good as it was then. That tournament was a little later, and the water was a little cooler – the fish had definitely moved into more of a fall feeding pattern. It’s been pretty warm this week. But there are plenty of good anglers out here, and it’s still going to take a solid limit each day to make the top 10.”

As for fishing techniques on Gaston, it’s take your pick. Gaston still has plenty of grass for those who like to plow the weedy stuff. The lake is also chock full of docks, giving pros some shade to throw to. And as Wright demonstrated last time, some Gaston bass live offshore in 10 to 15 feet of water, relating to neither grass nor docks.

“You can fish just about anyway you want,” noted local pro J.T. Palmore of Gasburg, Va. “There are a lot of fish still schooling, and I’m going to try to make that work a little in the mornings, then I’m going to fish some docks and deeper stuff after that.”

Palmore expects weights to be very similar to the last time the Stren visited, minus a day’s weight since Strens are now three-day tournaments.

“The first day you’ll probably see a couple of bags in the 15- to 16-pound range, but the key is to bring in at least 10 pounds a day,” he said. “Consistency is king here. Having 15 pounds one day, but only 5 or 6 pounds the next two days is not going to get you a top-10 (finish). But having a solid 10 to 11 pounds per day will.”

Logistics

Anglers will take off from Americamps Lake Gaston Resort located at 9 Lakeside Lane in Bracey, Va., at 7 each morning. Thursday and Friday’s weigh-ins will be held at Americamps Lake Gaston Resort beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s weigh-in will also be held at Americamps Lake Gaston Resort beginning at 4 p.m.

The top 40 pros and 40 co-anglers based on year-end total points following this event will be invited to the no-entry fee Stren Series Championship to be held on Lake Pickwick in Alabama Nov. 5-7.

Thursday’s conditions

Sunrise: 7:02 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 69 degrees

Expected high temperature: 87 degrees

Water temperature: 76 degrees

Wind: light and variable

Day’s outlook: warm, humid, 30%