We were very happy to see all the teams that made it to our first 2007 Team Bubba tournament on Lake Winnipesaukee. Mother Nature made sure that the tournament committee had to second guess where they were going to have their first tournament. We prevailed on keeping it on Winni and had 32 anxious teams that were ready to play in the 44+ degree temp waters. On tournament day the forecast was expected to be sunny with air temps in the 70's. It was indeed a beautiful day to be out on the water and on Winni. The tournament started on time at 7:00 with a safety stipulation of an off-limits anything below southern neck of Moultonborough Bay. At the time of the tournament there was still ice blocking the neck heading towards 20 mile bay and the Graveyard.
 
Lots of boats headed for the elusive smallmouth out in Moultonborough bay. By the time everyone settled into their starting spots we counted 18 boats fishing in the bay. My partner (Bruce Acox) and I started in a spot that we had done well in the past and we were very fortunate to come up on a school of smallies. We had found a boat load of smallies that were willing to bite. Bruce hooked up first and then before he got his into the boat I had one on as well to start the day off with a double. We had our limit of 4 fish by 7:23 AM, I wish it was that easy all the time. We landed 10 smallies and then that was it for a very lonnnng time. We didn't know it at the time but we had enough weight to come in 4th place with 11.24 lbs. We contemplated going for largies or just keep trying to find more smallies. We hit some more deep spots targeting 30 feet and did come up with about 5 more smallies. By 1 PM we decided to go for largies to find a kicker. I have to say this was the most fun I've had on Winni fishing for both species. We started hitting the coves up in the Lees Mills areas and I caught the first largie on a rattle trap. We then proceded to catch a couple more largies on jerk baits and then the jig bite really turned on for us with a tolal of 15 largies boated. Unfortunately, none of them would cull out the smallies. We did see the largies pulling up into these coves and at one point drifted over a big school of largies. We saw about 20 largies in this cove circling a school of small perch. We boated 5 of those fish before they eventually dispersed and then returned to the spot to catch 2 more.  
 
Ok, enough of my trip out, the big congrats go out to the team of Richardson and Smith. Their day wasn't as productive with the numbers of fish. They did not have a single fish in their boat by 1:00 PM. That definitely makes for a very long day but someone turned on the switch for them because in a matter of 20 minutes they had their only 4 bites of the day. Those 4 bites included the tournament's Lunker Largemouth with a sweeet 6.79 lb Hog. Their total weight, of those 4 jig bites, was a very impressive 14.13 lbs to take first place in the first 2007 Team Bubba tournament. Way to go guys!! Their 4 largemouth bites allowed them to take home $710 for their total winnings and Mr Richardson was also smart enough to join the Skeeter Real Money program and earn himself another $1000.
 
Second place went to team McNary/McNary (one of the two Teams of McNary/McNary) who brought in 13.34 lbs with 4 smallies. They had a tough morning bite but managed to pull some nice smallies using football head spidergrubs. One of their many nice smallies also claimed the tournament's Lunker Smallmouth award that weighed in at 4.35 lbs!! Their winnings came to $510 to be a very productive day for them as well. Congrats to McNary/McNary.
 
Third place went to team of Canelas and Denise. They brought in 3 smallmouth and 1 largie that totaled 11.51 lbs. Alan mentioned they had a tough smallie bite but stuck it out most of the day with the silver buddies and then went for largies after they caught their limit. They were fortunate to cull out one of their smallies on a largie that went after a spider grub. They took home $220 for their hard days work.
 
I already mentioned Bruce Acox and I came in 4th place with our 4 smallies that netted us $140. Fifth place went to team Germain/Germain who was short 1 fish for a limit but their 3 fish weighed in at 10.69 lbs. Their 3 largemouth came off multiple baits including a jerk bait, crank bait and a jib. They took home $80. The last money pay-out spot went to team Jim Peake and Chris Jean. Their 6th spot place rewarded them their entrance fee back with their 10.68 lbs of silver buddy smallmouths.
 
Taking the First Loser's Pool was team Phanuef and Weinhold catching all their smallies on silver buddies in 20 to 30 feet. They brought in 4 smallies that weighed in at 10.19 lbs. The FLP total was $320 which makes for a very exciting day especially since Kevin mentioned he didn't have the chance to pre-fish and wanted to come up and fish for a day of fun. Way to go guys, glad you had a great day.
 
 
Again, thanks for all of those who came out to play and thanks for understanding the need for an off-limits due to safety concerns. At the time I'm writing this little report I've also gotten wind that they declared Ice-out on Winni as of 3:13 PM on 4/23, the day after our tournament. If you haven't heard, the NH Bass Federation is hosting their annual Spring Open tournament this Sunday on the 29th out of Ames Farm. More info on this great event at www.NHBassFederation.com. Hope to see you there.
 
Our next Team Bubba tournament will be on Massabessic on May 6th out of Claire's Landing. Looking for another great turn-out to this one and we hope to see you there as well.
 
Now, the only other thing I wanted to mention/ask, did anybody see a Carolina rigged buzzbait being used?  
 
Full Results and pics coming soon...
 
Quit Wishin, Go Fishing!!!
Rob F.