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Low Water To Greet BASSMASTER Anglers At Lake Martin
ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. - November 20, 2000 - No water. Well, not very much water.
That is what anglers in the $232,000 Alabama BASSMASTER Eastern
Invitational December 7-9, on Lake Martin can expect. A lake that is
traditionally low this time of year due to the Alabama Power Company
lowering the level, is even lower this year due to drought conditions in
the state.
Lake Martin is traditionally down around 10 feet this time of year, and due
to the lack of rain is slightly below that now.
But according to Alabama pro and reigning B.A.S.S. Angler-of-the-Year Tim
Horton, the lack of water shouldn't be a problem for the anglers. "People
will have to be more careful," explained Horton. "The lake has a lot
of
shallow islands people will have to look out for. Aside from that there
will be less shoreline coverage, but the fishing will still be good."
The best thing for the anglers now, according to Horton, is cold weather.
He explains that several nights of 30 degree temperatures should bring the
water temperature down around the 50 degree range, making the shad more
lethargic.
"Cold weather is going to make it better. If it gets real cold it could
open up a lot of options to anglers. It could open up a jig-and-spoon bite,
or it could open up a spinnerbait bite as a result of some of the shad
dying. A jig around some of the visible wood will probably be successful as
well. I believe that the most successful baits will be spinnerbaits and
crankbaits, though."
If temperatures don't drop, Horton says that anglers could see a good
topwater bite. He says that anglers would probably find success on a
buzzbait, but the bite will be a lot slower.
He also says that Lake Martin offers anglers an interesting twist. "Most
places you are able to pick an exact technique that can help you win," he
says. "Lake Martin is unique in that you can get down in clear water and
catch bass deep or you can get in stained water and catch them shallow. The
first thing that you have to do is decide if you are going to fish for
spotted bass, or if you are going after the largemouths. Going after the
spotted bass is a little more conservative route if you just want to pick
up some points and get a check. You have guys in the field, like Tripp
Weldon, who know where the underwater brushpiles are, and that makes them
real tough to beat."
The Alabama BASSMASTER Eastern Invitational is the second of four events on
the BASSMASTER Eastern Invitational Trail this season. The winning angler
in the event will take home $51,000 out of the overall $232,000 purse. In
addition to the prize money anglers will be vying to earn valuable points
that will help them qualify for next summer's BASS Masters Classic. The top
five anglers in the season's point standings will qualify to fish in the
"Super Bowl" of bass fishing.
The BASSMASTER Eastern Invitational will launch at Wind Creek State Park
Marina. Daily weigh-ins will be held each afternoon at 2:30 at Wind Creek
State Park.
Additionally, a free CastingKids event, sponsored by Chevy Trucks and
Zebco, will be held there Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This
fun-filled national program designed by B.A.S.S. CEO Helen Sevier
encourages children to perfect the skills of casting, pitching and
flipping. Local B.A.S.S. clubs conduct the events and provide instruction
to all youngsters.
The BASSMASTER Tournament Trail is the oldest and most prestigious pro bass
fishing circuit. It continues to set the standard for credibility,
professionalism and sportsmanship, as it has for more than three decades.
Sponsors of the 2000 BASSMASTER Tournament Trail include: Ranger Boats,
RangerTrail Trailers, Mercury Outboards, Chevy Trucks, ACDelco Batteries,
Worldwaters.com, Humminbird/Zercom Marine, Pennzoil Marine, Flowmaster
Exhaust Systems, First USA/B.A.S.S. Platinum Visa, MotorGuide Trolling
Motors, Gore-Tex Outerwear and GMAC Insurance.
The event is sponsored locally by the Lake Martin Area Economic Development
Alliance.
For more information contact:
B.A.S.S. Communications
(334) 272-9530
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