Friday, February 17, 2012

Lake Okeechobee Recap

I am just getting settled back in after the first FLW Tour Open on Lake Okeechobee this past week.   Here is a little recap of how the tournament went for me.


Going into the tournament I was confident that the fish would be on bed with the full moon hitting during the tournament.  I had prepared to sight fish and  I quickly realized that wasn't going to be  the case on the first practice day.  I have always done well on Okeechobee when I was able to sight fish but had never quite mastered the flipping bite.   I had a great practice on the second and third day flipping and caught some pretty good fish.  I was confident going into the tournament, the most confident I have been flipping on the Big "O".  I really learned a lot those two days, more than I have ever have.  


The tournament went pretty good and I ended up with a 39th place finish.  I was blessed the first day with a pair of seven pounders. The second day didn't go as well, because I lost quite a few fish that day.  I am not over joyed with the end finish but I am happy with the way I fished and how much I learned on this trip.  I still have a lot to learn about the Big "O" and I can't wait to get back. 






I was flipping heavy mats with a Sasateki craw from Jackall and a Berkley Chigger Craw.  I varied between a 1.25 oz and a 1.5 oz Tiger Tungsten  flipping weight.  In the sparser areas I pitched a 1 oz punch jig from Dirty Jigs Tackle.  I was using 60lb Berkley Big Game braid.   I was also using Revo Premier Reels on the new Abu Garcia Villain rods.   This was my first time using the Villain rods and I am really impressed with them.  They are very sensitive and super strong.  


A big congratulations goes out to my buddy Randall Tharp for winning the tournament.   Randy has put in a lot of hours on Lake Okeechobee and he deserves this win.  


I am looking forward to Lake Hartwell coming up in a couple of weeks.    I finished 35th there last year and hope to improve on that this year.   I am going this weekend to try to get a couple of days in before it goes off limits Monday.   


I am super excited about this year and can't tell you enough how blessed I am with the sponsors that I have.


Please remember to follow me on Facebook and Twitter for more updates during practice and the tournaments.


Scott Canterbury


Psalm 16:8  I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.