Day 1
Place: SALEM CANAL, Pennsgrove, NJ
Time: 6:30am-2:30pm
Date: Saturday, September 17, 2011
Weather: Chilly 53 Degree morning start warming up 68 Degrees
Water Temps: 64 Degrees at start and rising to 68 Degrees; Coolers temps at you passed the Sportsmens club and ventured as far as one has enough gas to and back to the ramp.
Water Clarity: Less than 1.0'
Water current and Level: Seemed normal for the Canal with no indication Dupont was drawing water.
Best Lure: Finess worms; Dropshot; crankbaits, jigs
Depths fished: 2.0'~ 5.0'
Bass Limit: 3
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This past Saturday and Sunday, Sept 17-18, 2011, South Jersey Hook this concluded there 2011 Bass Fishing Club season by holding there annual 2 Day Bass Classic Championship tournament on the Salem Canal. This is the 1st time we've held it on the same body of water for 2 Days straight. With that said and combined with the after effects of Hurricane Irene and the massive new real estate heading past the Sportsmen Club, anglers found navigating the curves and bends pretty treacherous. For those unaware, the canal has new sand bars and trees laying out center of the channels. If that didn't scare you, then the quick depth level changes and dropoff had some submerged tree limbs sticking up just above the surface. It was pretty interesting to say the least.
Okay..onto Day 1 of SJHT Classic:
We had 17 out of 23 anglers that qualified for this classic come out and fish. There were 2 (3) Bass Limits caught with a total of 12 bass caught overall. Day 1 total weight gave up 14.15lbs with Lunker going 1.86lbs. 2011 Rookie of Year angler Jackson "Silent Assassin" F. led Day 1 with3 Bass going 4.63lbs. He was followed by 2011 AOY Runner-Up and lasts years 2010 Classic Champ Jimbo with 3 Bass weighing 4.04lbs!
Jackson 3 Bass going 4.63lbs
Jimbo's 3 Bass going 4.04lbs
Other angler Day 1 pics and weigh in: Rob "Ram1212" catch
Anglers watching on:
WallHanger's new Wawa Weigh Bag:
Anglers spoke about the tough bite, the slightly higher water level, CoCo looking waterways, and the lack of any real nibbles or even sniffs throughout most of the day! With half of the filed running up towards the Hawks bridge area and the other heading past the Sportsmen's club, that left an area known as the "Y" to be fished heavenly by yours truly. I didn't even have a little snag!!! Realizing that the bass were not really in the pads or the outer edges, I proceeded to start my outboard up and began heading towards the Sportsman Club area. Other anglers including B-Hopper and Bates reported they too were having a hard time locatiing any type of bass....no less even a different species!!! LOL!!! So in a nutshell, 8 out of 17 anglers brought at least 1 bass to the scales.
Day 2: Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011
Note: Arriving at the ramp around my customary 4:30amish time period, SJHT and I was surprised another bass club "South Jersey Bass Buster's" were setting to launch for there 6am start time. Realizing a possible conflict, I spoke to there President by the name of "Tony" and we kindly introduced ourselves and worked things out. Apparently and unbeknown to us, the Sportsmens Club sustained heavy water damage during the Hurricane Irene and subsequent rain deluge and had about 48" of water in there basement (Where there offices are located). The Sportsmens Club then yellow-taped off there premises and boat ramp launch area. This unfortunately did not leave South Jersey Bass Busters any alternative then to use the Rt. 40 regular canal launch. They even talked about fishing the NorthEast River but due to the Sussky Muddy water line stretching down to the mouth of the Potomac, that definitely was not an option. Since they were not affilated with the SJBCA, they had no conflict schedule to which to avoid a possible ramp jam. Fortunately for us, they only had 5~6 boats to launch but even still, there members along with there President, I give big shout-outs because we were all there for the same reason. To Fish!!! South Jersey Bass Busters even moved there 2pm weigh-in to the Luk-Oil parking lot up the street to accomodate us without us even asking. I give mad props to them and their members because it's so funny how emotions can somehow get the better of us and we react so negatively. Instead of proactively working around the issue.. If anyone knows them or speaks to them, give them our regards and a message that we greatly appreciated what they did!! That's real talk people!!
Finale Day 2
Place: SALEM CANAL, Pennsgrove, NJ
Time: 6:30am-2:30pm
Date: Sunday, September 18, 2011
Weather: Still chilly 55 Degree morning start warming up to 72 Degrees.
Water Temps: 61~64 Degrees at start. 68 Degrees Heading up towards Dupont; Cooler temps as you passed the Log Jam and ventured as far as one has enough gas to and back to the ramp.
Water Clarity: Less than 1.0'
Water current and Level: Normal for the Canal
Best Lure: Finesse worms; Dropshot; crankbaits, jigs
Depths fished: 2.0'~ 5.0'
Bass Limit: 3
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Alright....back onto Day 2:
With Jackson leading after Day 1 and Jimbo following closely behind, the Belt was still up for anyone. That is..if they caught the mother load on Day 2. The canal was so brutal on Saturday that only 15 out of the 17 anglers came back for more on Sunday and a chance to have the come-backs of all comebacks. Not too mention.... this years title!! In the 24hrs we had previously fished, the conditions were still somehat the same. The air was a bit warmer but the water temps were pretty much identical.
Fast forward to the takeoff at the Split or "Y" as some would say. 95% of the anglers are all pointing in the direction of heading towads the Sportsmen. Too Funny!! I guess they thought Jackson and Jimbo had left the fish still biting!! Wrong or so I would like to think. Well, I was even pointed in that direction with my Whopping 9.9hp outboard fully Gassed up!! We launch at 6.32am and word on the street is that Kyle "Wallhanger" has 3 Good ones in the Livewell. With Jackson trying to hold onto a 4.80lb lead over nearest competitor Jimbo, the urge to not skunk was definitely on Jackson's mind. He knew that 1 Big Bass could totally change everything up come weigh in and did not want to leave anything to chance. Ala Andrew "Bates" 4.32lber that he weighed in later in the contest. Catching multiple 3~4lbers on the canal is definitely possible, but with the changes in the structure, shoreline, normal "unseen" hideouts, and what not, Day 2 proved to be a little the same as Day 1. Once again only 2 (3) Bass limits were caught. A Total of 12 bass were weighed in again. 7 out of 15 anglers weighed in at least 1 Bass. Winning Lunker bass went 4.32lbs. Jiggen Den and Wallhanger brought some better size bass to the scales but outside of Jimbo mastering his newly discovered Jig work and laying down the mighty Drop-shot rod, he knew he was pretty much the only one that threaten Jackson's lead. Jimbo also caught a nice 2.17lber for his own Lunker on the day.
As the SJHT members prepared for the Weigh-in, there faces told the story...
Brian *BassHopper S. 2011 SJHT AOY Champion:
Brian *Bass-Hopper* S. (3) First Place wins; (3) 2nd Place wins; (2) 3rd Place wins
Without further adieu and me writing a novel, please give a big shout out to Rookie Sensation and this years SJHT 2011 Bass Classic Champ
Jackson "Silent Assassin" F.. 6 Bass weighing 8.84lbs
Note: Missing from pic are Rob and Al- who fished on Day 1. John N. step out to take the actual group photo
BN's special out of Gas photo..Ya see boys and girl...this is what you shouldn't do trying to follow those Big Outboard motors running to distant places!!!! Oh yeah..remind me to tell you the story of getting back to ramp. LOL!!
-------------------------------------------------- Summary: In what has been one of our best seasons with both new and old members, I believe I can say SJHT anglers truly were honored to come out and battle over the course of our 14 Tournament season. I'm truly honored and fortunate to have a great group of men who get along, communicate amongst one another, share tips and techniques in the meaning of bettering the club, and last but not least enjoy the sport of Bass Fishing for what it is. At the end of the day, it's nice to win and take home a $$$ prize and\or some hardware, but one can never take away the commaradie we share on and off the water, along with the memories that will last a life time.
Trying to keep up with the other boaters...
More scenary and wood:
2011 SJHT Awards:
As we prepare for participating in this year's 2011 Bass Bowl to be held down on the Nanticoke River, I'll be attending Wednesday's, Sept. 21, 2011 upcoming SJBCA's meeting where it will be discussed further. If an individual in the top 6 would like to ride down with me or meet me at the 4th Ward Clubhouse-down the road from Parvin Lake, you are more than welcome. Besides, it's always a good meeting to stay in the loop on the happening's within Fish and Game along with updated information on some of the failed water dams and roadways (i.e. Sunset lake) Meeting starts at 8pm and typically over by say 9:15pmish (depending on the # of topics to be discussed). After this meeting, we should have a better idea on the (3) 2 Team Boater\Rider Requirements.
Tight lines,
BN06
Edited by BigNasty06 on 09/20/2011
BN06, President
Congrats to Jackson on winning the Classic and Basshopper for winning the top spot in the rankings! Another great year for SJHT! I wished I could have fished more but my schedule just didn't allow that for me this year. I planned on fishing enough to quaifly for the Classic but as luck would have - Hurricane Irene forced me to miss Assunpink which then did not give me enough T's to get in--oh well Next Year!
BN thanks for again running an outstanding club!
I hope everybody has a great off season!
Layne
Congrats Jackson. You were unstoppable the second half of the season good job. Congratulations to Brian also way to go. I wish I could have made it, but I had to fish the finals for a different tx trail.
Congrats to Brian and Jimbo for having great years as well.
Thanks guys, I didnt get my first fish until after 10 on day 2. That fired me up and I fished as hard as I could after that. I was lucky to have everything go in my favor this season.
Great season everyone congrats to all. Its been a blast fishing with you guys this year. that canal was not nice to me all season. day 2 was my best day ever on the canal. 8 shorts... so congrats to Jackson and others who put it together. Ill be there with my game face in 186 days
Edited by Crappie Jon on 09/19/2011
good job to all thanks BN this year was fun. I learned a lot and was able to fish more then I should have. Thanks to my wife really stepping up and taking care of the twins without her support I would not have been to a lot of them. So if you happen to see her........... JUST TURN AND RUN BECAUSE SHE CAN BE MEAN! LOL JK
Congrats to Brian on AOY Nice job Brian, Next year don't run away with it so early, LOL!! Congrats to Jackson on the Classic win and first in the rookie catagory. (I don't think he's a Rookie!) LOL Thanks to Jimbo for always lending a hand to help the old man with his boat. Impressive year again Jimbo. Thanks to Jay and John for outstanding weighmasters. Thanks to Kyle for helping me get off a laydown that I unfortunately got stuck on not knowing where I was going. And thanks to all that helped out during the season with anything relating to the club. And Hal for that Bubba Bass and Lunker of the year! ( I still invision that monster in my little livewell!!
And once again thanks BN for a phoenominal year, hard work and dedication to the club and it's members.
Thanks for all the congrats guys and hats off to Jackson for figuring them out on the canal. I will have A slow start next year just for you Dennis LOL.Thanks BN for doing such A great job.It was A pleasure fishing with you guys
Edited by BASS HOPPER on 09/20/2011
Congratz to Brian for the total beatdown he gave all of us this year!!!
What can you say about Jackson and his incredible classic victory! The only one to figure them out on both days... While the rest of us where just hoping to bring something to the scale, he's culling them up!
Not to mention his late season dominance...
Yo Kyle thanks for pushing me all season, making me bring my best every Tourney just to keep up with you...
I would also like to give a special shout out to Rob M and Dale for really stepping up there game this year! Both guys had to deal with obstacles just to get on the water, but still brought there game faces!
Dan and Den really make you realize what its all about! Dan with his eagerness to learn, and dedication to make every Tourney! Den with is knowledge and dedication to push through the pain and do the thing he loves FISH...
A big thank you to the rest of you chumps for making this club what it is! Hal's with his Big fish cauching skills. Jay and John for your hard work and dedication! Big Al with his comical relief, and helping hand!
AND last but not least Reshawn "Big Nasty" Lewis for your ability to bring it all togather!
