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Wood Takes First In HT3 Bass Tourney

Dave Douglass/Highlands Today

John Wood, owner of Lorida Bait and Tackle, holds his Big Bass of 7.51 pounds and taking first place in the Budweiser HT3 Bass Tournament on Sunday.

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Dave Douglass

Published: September 21, 2007

LAKE PLACID — The Budweiser HT3 American Series Bass Tournament came to Lake Istokpoga on Sunday, launching out of Istokpoga Marina with 60 members who showed up at the event and launched from the southwest corner of the lake at 6:45 a.m.

The day started as any typical summer Florida day, with light winds out of the northeast and moderate to light clouds providing much needed relief from the sun. After a few hours, what little wind there was just about stopped and the heat took over, driving Bass into shaded cover type areas in deeper water.

I talked to a few anglers fishing a variety of areas and the answer was consistent, "The bite was tough." The results proved this statement to be true, as many of the boats came in at the 2:30 p.m. start of the weigh-in.

Fifteen anglers bypassed the scales and went straight to the cookout and tents provided by this first-rate pro Bass tournament organization. Everyone had one thing in mind — shade, drink and food.

Seven anglers weighed in one Bass, with the largest one Bass catch going to Michael Teate who finished 19th with a 5.07-pound Bass. The rest finished 40th place or less.

Six anglers weighed in two Bass with the best total weight at 9.48 pounds by Tom Morse. His big Bass was 7.30 pounds and he finished in second place overall.

Anytime you boat a seven pounds Bass ,it almost guarantees a top five finish this time of year on Lake Istokpoga.

Thirty-two anglers brought limits to the weigh-in scales of three Bass.

Fifth went to Billy Waddle with 8.04 pounds and big Bass of 4.49 pounds for $425. Fourth went to Keith Albritton with 8.32 pounds for $500 and third went to Remo Beaver with 8.81 pounds for $800. As I said previously, Morse took second with 9.48 pounds for $1,100.

First place went to John Wood — who lately seems for some reason to know where the "Tournament Bass" are — brought 15.04 pounds to the scales with Big Bass for the tournament at 7.51 pounds. He cashed in $2,000 for first place and $600 for the Big Bass.

Thirteen anglers cashed checks totaling $6,945 and a total of 104 Bass were weighed with an average weight per Bass of 1.97 pounds. Eight Bass were over three pounds and the remainder where, what most anglers refer to as, "Dinks."

Note: 97.4 percent of the Bass were released alive into the deepest water in the lake, which is excellent when considering many of the Bass were riding in live-wells all day in the heat. A tribute to the high level of professionalism this organization maintains.

These anglers have the best boats and equipment and really strive to be responsible for each Bass. Great care is taken to provide cooling tanks to reduce stress, as the Bass are prepared to be weighed in. The procedure is fast and efficient and thus the reason for the commendable results.

The host of the event, Istokpoga Marina, spared nothing and provided every hospitality possible, which ensured a first rate quality experience for both angler and all who turned out to participate in the festivities at the weigh-in event. Pat Malone knows how to throw a Bass fishing tournament.

Check out the HT3 Outdoor Pro Bass Tour online at www.ht3outdoors.com

Dave Douglass is a Bass angler tournament guide, Bass tournament angler and S.O.S.-Florida Lakes Inc. Vice Pres. You can reach him at (863) 381-8474, email him at davedouglass@sos-floridalakes.org or visit the Web sites reds-bass-fishing-guides.com and sos-floridalakes.org.

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