The ’09 Backwoods Outdoors Bass Series had their first tournament of the year this past Saterday out of Wingates.

The Seminole Series drew 71 boats to a very well organized tournament. I mite add that 1 1/2 inches of water fell and the wind howled and still at weigh-in, a bald eagle swept over the weigh-in station. To me, that’s always a sign of better things to come.

Clint Brown and Chad Brough took first place with 25.57 pounds, Thomas and Flint King took second with 24.49 pounds and Big Fish at 9.27 pounds, Greg Gaston and Paul Tyre took third with 21.37 pounds of bass. There was close to 40, 6- to 7-pound bass released alive in the marina at Wingate’s.

Steven and Pam Wells took Jimmy and Pat Martin out for some Crappie fishen, they brought home 53 slabs in shallow water on minnows, the biggest was 2 1/2 pounds with lots of them in the 1- to 2-pound class.

We also had 11 big catfish taken on live bait fishen jugs. The 12th one weighed 40 pounds. They were all brought in and cleaned for a family cook-out.

There was the Backwoods Outdoors out of Wingate’s, two clubs out of Chattahoochee Park, one out of Sneads Landing near 150 boats, two out of Big Jims, a multitude of boats running.

The Hydrilla Gnats fished on the Hootch on Sunday with Mike Prindle weighing in 13.80 pounds, Nic Jeter 11.70 pounds and Paul Tyre had 11.40 pounds and the Big Fish at 4.38 pounds.

Wingate’s Fishing Report

February 15, 2009

Lake surface temp: 62Lake level: Down someClarity: Slite dingy in the coves and creeksFlint: Slite dingyChattahoochee: Muddy as a clay holeSpring Creek: Low and dingyReport provided by: Jack Wingate