Seminole suspense
Big weights expected at AFS stop in southwestern Georgia
BAINBRIDGE, Ga. – The American Fishing Series has visited Lake Seminole on two previous occasions in recent years: 2007 and 2008.
Those were early-season stops and the top weights Seminole produced were not that spectacular. Greg Pugh of Cullman, Ala., won in 2007 with a four-day total of 53-09 and Clint Brownlee of Tifton, Ga., relied on shoal bass to win in 2008 with a four-day total of 45-04.
This time around, however, pros expect the legendary lake in Southwest Georgia to produce bigger weights. For one, tournament reports from Lake Seminole have been much better this spring, and second, this event is being held at the end of April instead of the bitter cold of January.
“I think the weights are going to be pretty impressive this time,” said Pugh at takeoff this morning. “When I won in 2007, these were four day events and I had 53-something for a total. Now these are three day events and I think it will still take something in the mid 50-pound range to win. I’ve talked to several guys that are catching some big fish so it should be quite a show.”
Pugh, who has a reputation as a sight-fisherman, said he has found a few fish on bed, but it’s not enough to last two days.
“Yes, there are still some fish on beds, but for the most part I think the bulk of the spawn is over,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of fry and a lot of old beds. I’ve got about five or six located that I can probably catch, but there is not enough left to do it for two days. I’m going to have to just fish, which is fine because there are some good post-spawn patterns working, too.”
Pugh believes that locals will dominate this event because the deeper spawn and post-spawn patterns will be hard to beat and the locals know where these sweet spots are.
“Right now the bigger fish are gathered up in little places no bigger than a truck,” Pugh explained. “And a lot of the locals in this tournament know exactly where those tiny spots are and they are good and catching those kinds of fish. I’ve got a couple of spots like that, but I don’t have dozens of them like some of these local boys do. And if they hit them right, we’ll see some 23- to 25-pound bags today.”
Logistics
AFS Anglers will take off and weigh in at Bainbridge Earle Mae Boat Basin located at 100 Boat Basin Circle in Bainbridge, Ga. Takeoff will be at 6:30 each morning, while weigh-in will begin at 2:30 p.m. daily. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.
Thursday’s conditions
Sunrise: 6:56 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 57 degrees
Expected high temperature: 80 degrees
Water temperature: 75 degrees
Wind: light and variable
Day’s outlook: perfect