The third round of the 2008 Skeeter BASS Pro
Series produced one of the toughest bass bites in ABT history with only 46 bass
delivered to the scales by the 122-strong tournament field. Mastering the
mental and physically repetitive bass grind the best to score
his first win on the BASS Pro tour was 43 year old Scone Builder Neil Scott
(2/6, 2.75kg).
Relegating Team Gamakatsu’s Adrian Melchior
(3/6, 2.44kg) to second place at the Gamakatsu presented Lake Borumba BASS Pro
event.
Fishing the main basin of the lake for the
duration of the tournament Scott targeted the points, positioning his boat in
about 20-25 feet of water, before casting up into the 5-6 feet deep shallow edges
and working the lure back down the contour of the drop off and into the deeper
water.
“There were fish under my sounder all weekend”,
explained Scott, “so I was basically trying to intercept an active fish that were
moving up into the shallows to feed”, he added.
This approach delivered Scott his first scorer
for the tournament on the Saturday afternoon with the willing bass scoffing the
slow rolled and hoped gold ghost coloured Jackall TN60.
His second fish for the event showed a liking
for something shallower, falling to a black coloured River 2 Sea Bubble Pop 60
early on Sunday morning.
“It nailed the lure six feet out from the bank”,
explained Scott, “finally hooking up on its’ second go at the lure”, he added.
Scott’s choice of tackle that delivered him
victory included a 6’6″ G.Loomis baitcaster rod, Pfluger reel, spooled with
20lb Spiderwire and 20lb Berkley Vanish leader.
Victory for Scott delivered him with a healthy $3000
boost to his career earnings on the BASS Pro tour and a coveted berth into the
2008 Skeeter BASS Pro Grand Final at Lake St Clair
in October.
In contrast to Scott, Melchior opted for a
higher approach fishing three quarters of the way up the Yabba Arm of the lake
to compile his bag. Finding the hot-spot late in the final session on day one
Melchior targeted the edges of the creek, working the bank with an assortment
of lures including a Jackall Mask Vib 60 (red belly/ black), TN60 (purple), and
Megabass Baby Griffon (black).
“I cracked the pattern late on the Saturday
picking up one fish, and on Sunday I went straight back there and started using
the Baby Griffon working the shallows and following the retreating shaded as it
disappeared with the rising sun”, explained Melchior.
The presentation involved Melchior holding his
boat in about 20 feet of water and casting perpendicular to the bank and
working the lure back to the boat and past all the hot-spots that were likely
to hold fish.
The approach delivered Melchior with the greatest
number of fish for the tournament but unfortunately not enough weight to
overcome the size of Scott’s bag.
Melchior’s choice of gear when fishing spin included
a Megbass Lyacon rod, Daiwa Luvias 2500, spooled with 10lb Unitika PE,
and 8lb Aiger fluorocarbon. While his baitcaster outfit included a 6’6″ Samurai
S006 rod, Daiwa Steez 103 reel, spooled with 15lb Unitika jigging braid, and
14lb Aiger fluorocarbon.
Securing victory in the non-boater division was
ABT BASS Pro debutant Matthew Hawkless from Toowoomba who compiled a, 2/6,
2.17kg limit to kick start his BASS Pro career in grand style.
Fishing with Tony Mott on day one and Danny
Robinson on day two, Hawkless waiting until the second day two add his name to
the score board, picking up two fishing in quick session just after 10am in the
Yabba Arm of the lake.
“We were fishing scatter timber in about 15-20
feet of water and I was slow rolling and fast twitching a purple coloured
Jackall TN60 just above the bottom when I got hit”, explained Hawkless.
The gear used to present his Jackall included a
7′ G.Loomis IMX P400 rod, Shimano Sustain reel, spooled with 6lb Fireline and
12lb Nitlon leader.
Hunter Valley basser Alan McNamara claimed the Daiwa Big Bass prize for the round
for his 1.72kg specimen captured during session one on Saturday morning. Falling
to a silent Jackall TN60 in ayu colour McNamara picked up the fish just past
the junction of the Yabba and Kingaham arms, tempting it with a slow rolling
presentation in 40 feet of water.
Gamakatsu value added the rewards for anglers,
presenting each angler with a complementary cap or beanie at the briefing, and
a $250 plus prize pack for the largest bass caught on a Gamakatsu product each
session. Harry Watson picked up the
prize in session one, while Peter Derksen claimed the win in session three.
Session two didn’t produce a winner, with the pack randomly drawn and presented
to one lucky angler.
The next round of the 2008 Skeeter BASS Pro
Series sees the tour travel north for the Unitika Lake Monduran BASS Pro, 12-13th July. For entries and event information visit www.australianbass.com.au or phone
ABT (07) 3268 7958.
Gamakatsu Lake Borumba BASS Pro Boater Results
| Place | Boater | State | F1 | W1 | F2 | W2 | F3 | W3 | TF | TW | Payout $ |
| 1 | Neil SCOTT | NSW | 1 | 1.21 | 1 | 1.54 | 2 | 2.75 | 3000 + $50 Charltons Fishing Voucher | ||
| 2 | Adrian MELCHIOR | NSW | 1 | 0.79 | 2 | 1.65 | 3 | 2.44 | 1750 + $50 Charltons Fishing Voucher | ||
| 3 | Baden SPARROW | QLD | 2 | 2.4 | 2 | 2.4 | 1500 + $50 Charltons Fishing Voucher | ||||
| 4 | Alan MCNAMARA | NSW | 1 | 1.72 | 1 | 1.72 | 1100 + $500 Daiwa Big Bass + $50 Charltons Fishing Voucher | ||||
| 5 | Kylie CORNISH | NSW | 1 | 1.14 | 1 | 0.31 | 2 | 1.45 | 850 + $50 Charltons Fishing Voucher | ||
| 6 | Tim MORGAN | QLD | 1 | 1.42 | 1 | 1.42 | 750 | ||||
| 7 | Harry WATSON | QLD | 1 | 1.09 | 1 | 0.3 | 2 | 1.39 | 650 + $250 Gamakatsu Gift Pack (S1) | ||
| 8 | Steve ELDRED | QLD | 1 | 0.51 | 1 | 0.8 | 2 | 1.31 | 550 | ||
| 9 | Garry HARDMAN | NSW | 1 | 1.27 | 1 | 1.27 | 550 | ||||
| 10 | Steven OTTO | QLD | 1 | 0.92 | 1 | 0.92 | 550 | ||||
| 11 | Nicole JOVANOVIC | Qld | 1 | 0.86 | 1 | 0.86 | 400 | ||||
| 12 | David YOUNG | QLD | 1 | 0.81 | 1 | 0.81 | 400 | ||||
| 13 | Spiro ZANTIOTIS | QLD | 1 | 0.79 | 1 | 0.79 | 300 | ||||
| 14 | Simon BARKHUIZEN | QLD | 1 | 0.75 | 1 | 0.75 | |||||
| 15 | Glyn BARKHUIZEN | QLD | 1 | 0.64 | 1 | 0.64 | |||||
| 16 | Heath CRAVEN | QLD | 1 | 0.56 | 1 | 0.56 | |||||
| 17 | Dan RYAN | QLD | 1 | 0.56 | 1 | 0.56 | |||||
| 18 | Paul COOPER | QLD | 1 | 0.47 | 1 | 0.47 | |||||
| 19 | Stephen KANOWSKI | QLD | 1 | 0.46 | 1 | 0.46 | |||||
| 20 | Andrew PULBROOK | NSW | 1 | 0.45 | 1 | 0.45 | |||||
| 21 | Kerry SYMES | QLD | 1 | 0.4 | 1 | 0.4 | |||||
| 22 | Justin SCOTT | NSW | 1 | 0.36 | 1 | 0.36 | |||||
| 23 | David GREEN | QLD | |||||||||
| 23 | Aaron MOGG | Qld | |||||||||
| 23 | Dean SILVESTER | QLD | |||||||||
| 23 | Chris GALLIGAN | Qld | |||||||||
| 23 | Peter LEGGETT | Qld | |||||||||
| 23 | Mike DELISSER | QLD | |||||||||
| 23 | Todd CORMACK | Qld | |||||||||
| 23 | Gregg FLETT | NSW | |||||||||
| 23 | Mike CONNOLLY | QLD | |||||||||
| 23 | Jami KANOWSKI | QLD | |||||||||
| 23 | Matthew MOTT | QLD | |||||||||
| 23 | Shaun PARKINSON | Qld | |||||||||
| 23 | Jody VERNON | NSW | |||||||||
| 23 | Bruce ANDERSON | NSW | |||||||||
| 23 | Craig SIMMONS | QLD | |||||||||
| 23 | Matt JOHNSON | Qld | |||||||||
| 23 | Wayne PARRY | NSW | |||||||||
| 23 | Mal FAVAGER | QLD | |||||||||
| 23 | Michael HENARE | Qld | |||||||||
| 23 | Mark PERTOT | QLD | |||||||||
| 23 | Tony MOTT | QLD | |||||||||
| 23 | Danny ROBINSON | NSW | |||||||||
| 23 | Ian BLACK | QLD | |||||||||
| 23 | Ken MURRAY | Qld | |||||||||
| 23 | Ross MURRAY | Qld | |||||||||
| 23 | Paul MCKAY | Qld | |||||||||
| 23 | John BRIDER | Qld | Random Draw Gamakatsu Prize Pack | ||||||||
| 23 | Mick CLARKE | NSW | Random Draw Gamakatsu Prize Pack | ||||||||
| 23 | Stephen ALMOND | NSW | |||||||||
| 23 | Carl JOCUMSEN | QLD | |||||||||
| 23 | Mick ELSLEY | NSW | |||||||||
| 23 | Greg WALTON | QLD | |||||||||
| 23 | Mike CREIGHTON | QLD | |||||||||
| 23 | Gary STURDY | QLD | |||||||||
| 23 | Greg PARKES | NSW | |||||||||
| 23 | Bill SCHLOSS | Qld | |||||||||
| 23 | Dan MALLORY | QLD | |||||||||
| 23 | Christian SERNE | QLD | |||||||||
| 23 | Peter KEIDGE | QLD | |||||||||
| 23 | Trevor FOOTE | QLD | |||||||||
| 23 | Peter MORGAN | QLD |
Gamakatsu Lake Borumba BASS Pro Non-oater Results
| Place | Non Boater | State | F1 | W1 | F2 | W2 | F3 | W3 | TF | TW | Payout |
| 1 | Matt HAWKLESS | Qld | 2 | 2.17 | 2 | 2.17 | G.Loomis CR772, Shimano Symetre 1500, Berkley Scales & tackle bag, prize pack, + $50 Charltons Fishing Voucher |
||||
| 2 | Toby WILSON | NSW | 1 | 0.49 | 1 | 1.19 | 2 | 1.68 | G.Loomis CR772, Shimano Sedona 1500, Berkley tackle bag, prize pack, + $50 Charltons Fishing Voucher |
||
| 3 | Peter KELLEHER | QLD | 1 | 0.52 | 1 | 1.04 | 2 | 1.56 | Lamiglass XMG50, Berkley tackle bag, prize pack, + $50 Charltons Fishing Voucher |
||
| 4 | Shane ANDERSON | QLD | 1 | 1.31 | 1 | 1.31 | Pflueger Supreme rod, prize pack, + $50 Charltons Fishing Voucher |
||||
| 5 | Corey KERR | Qld | 1 | 1.18 | 1 | 1.18 | Pflueger Medalist rod, prize pack, + $50 Charltons Fishing Voucher |
||||
| 6 | David MELROSE | Qld | 2 | 1.01 | 2 | 1.01 | Spotters pack, prize pack |
||||
| 7 | Rob HINTON | Qld | 1 | 0.88 | 1 | 0.88 | Berkley Dropshot rod, prize pack |
||||
| 8 | Peter DERKSEN | Qld | 1 | 0.84 | 1 | 0.84 | Tica Thalos reel, prize pack + $250 Gamakatsu Gift Pack (S3) |
||||
| 9 | Gerry HARRISON | QLD | 1 | 0.82 | 1 | 0.82 | Uglyfish Sunglasses | ||||
| 10 | Chris HORNE | Qld | 1 | 0.74 | 1 | 0.74 | Prize Pack | ||||
| 11 | Chris HENSON | Qld | 1 | 0.48 | 1 | 0.48 | |||||
| 12 | Nicholas BUCKLEY | NSW | 1 | 0.46 | 1 | 0.46 | |||||
| 13 | James MUNRO | Qld | 1 | 0.33 | 1 | 0.33 | |||||
| 14 | Daniel CLANCY | NSW | |||||||||
| 14 | Joe ALLAN | QLD | |||||||||
| 14 | Les BARBER | QLD | |||||||||
| 14 | Paul FOOTE | QLD | |||||||||
| 14 | Ron SCOTT | NSW | |||||||||
| 14 | Allan PRICE | NSW | |||||||||
| 14 | Adam BYERS | Qld | |||||||||
| 14 | Jake SCHWERIN | QLD | |||||||||
| 14 | John SCHWERIN | QLD | |||||||||
| 14 | Rodney STOLBERG | Qld | |||||||||
| 14 | Scott MCKENZIE | NSW | |||||||||
| 14 | Terrence LANGHAM | Qld | |||||||||
| 14 | Denis ROUGHAN | NSW | |||||||||
| 14 | Tim MOSS | Qld | |||||||||
| 14 | Matt ANDERSON | NSW | |||||||||
| 14 | Daniel QUARMBY | NSW | |||||||||
| 14 | Marty VANVEGCHEL | NSW | |||||||||
| 14 | Davidjeremiah SPEICHER |
Qld | |||||||||
| 14 | Benjamin CAMPBELL | QLD | |||||||||
| 14 | William SCHLOSS | QLD | |||||||||
| 14 | Denise GRAHAM | NSW | |||||||||
| 14 | Danny MACLAREN | Qld | |||||||||
| 14 | Russell GLASSON | QLD | |||||||||
| 14 | Jay TORRANCE | NSW | |||||||||
| 14 | Stuart FRANCE | Qld | |||||||||
| 14 | Darryl HOHN | Qld | |||||||||
| 14 | David MUDD | NSW | |||||||||
| 14 | Evan JOHNSON | Qld | |||||||||
| 14 | Justin HAMILTON | Qld | |||||||||
| 14 | Tim STEENHUIS | QLD | |||||||||
| 14 | William MILFULL | Qld | |||||||||
| 14 | Darran BURNS | Qld | |||||||||
| 14 | Tyson ROBERTSON | QLD | |||||||||
| 14 | Gavin STICKLEN | QLD | |||||||||
| 14 | Ross PAULGER | Qld | |||||||||
| 14 | David REYNOLDS | Qld | |||||||||
| 14 | Charles WEST | Qld | |||||||||
| 14 | Malcolm STEWART | NSW | |||||||||
| 14 | Lachlan MCLENNAN | Qld | |||||||||
| 14 | Michael WALMSLEY | NSW | |||||||||
| 14 | Paul BERRY | NSW | |||||||||
| 14 | Michael BRITTEN | NSW | |||||||||
| 14 | Gary LEATHER | Qld | |||||||||
| 14 | Jason LOWE | Qld | |||||||||
| 14 | Robert TOMBS | NSW | |||||||||
| 14 | Ray SARGENT | QLD |