Archive
Saturday Night Open
2010
2009
Saturday Night Open Crew Covers the Late Shift
April 25, 2009
After a day of getting hammered by tournaments and recreational traffic, the waters of Badin quieted down just in time for one-single group to slide out unnoticed. The Saturday Night Open gang took off, as they do weekly, from the Alcoa Landing at 7 PM and chipped away at what hadn't fed all day. The strategy paid off as bed bass were more than hungry.
“We caught some big fish,” stated Director Todd Street. “Many of the boats weighed in a fish or two in the 5 to 7 pound range, approximately two pounds bigger than anything caught during the day. During five earlier tournaments on the lake that day, big fish were all low to mid 5 pounders. “The air temps dropped fast after about 5 PM, and I think that really helped,” said Street.
The half-night tournament returns to the lake each week and misses the heat of the day, especially during the summer months. The group has been active for many years and they enjoy being out when it's quiet. “We get from 15 to 30-plus boats every week and numbers usually climb as summer heat hits us,” noted the director. “Bass fishermen don't know what they're missing!” he ended. Weigh in times are at the stroke of midnight, long after most anglers hit the hay.
Winners of the April 25th event were Trent and Cody Stegall who found 17 pounds 4 ounces out in the dark. They also added Big Fish to their evening honors, as they pulled a 7 pound 4 ounce fish from the quiet waters. Payouts were $180 and $150 respectively.
Second place was won by Max Leer and Daniel (last name unknown... our apologies). The pair caught 13 pounds 8 ounces and took home the $75 payout. Third place finishers were a father and son team, Terry and Dillon Lowder who hooked up 11 pounds 8.5 ounces and a $45 pot.
Registration for the weekly events happens at the Alcoa Landing beginning at 6 PM and continues right up until Blast Off. During the last half hour, look for Street on his boat just off the docks in order to register. For more information, contact Street at 704-791-4009 or look at the group's information in the Fishbyte.net Forums and on the Calendar.
Night Crowd Avoids Storms To Find Bass
May 2, 2009
You've got to be a dedicated, and maybe a bit crazy, bass fisherman to brave the weather forecast when watches and warnings all call for lightning and high winds during a competition. That's what 11 boats did May 2 in order to compete in the Saturday Night Open at Badin tournament. Dark, heavy clouds from the southwest bore down on the group just prior to launch and brought a round of heavy showers and shrugs of shoulders. Rain suits came out and the determined bunch got ready for a long half-night.
At the 7 PM blast off, rains had slackened a bit and finally gave in to an calmer evening. Boats were already over the beds searching for bass by the time the air cleared. For the team of Ronnie Blankenship and Keith Deel, it was worth the effort and getting wet early. “Everything we caught we used the Gene Luwer baits on, stated Blankenship.
“Those things are great!” The pair boated 13 pounds .5 ounces to capture first place and the $200 grand prize at the midnight weigh in.
Organizer Todd Street was a bit disappointed with the 11 boat turn out, but admitted the weather probably played a role. “When the weatherman is calling for those storms, you have to be crazy to be out in a boat,” he laughed. “Some of us are.” Numbers for the competition usually soar as warmer weather rolls in. With that number of boats, only one place was paid, along with Big Fish.
Street himself took that honor by catching a 4 pound 15 ounce bass. His partner and series weighmaster, Todd Little, chuckled as Street announced his own name. “Here comes the dance,” he joked. Even at midnight, these guys enjoy the fun and camaraderie. Street took home $100 for his fish work.
Second place winners were Roger Vanover and Neil Cagle who boated 11 pounds 6.5 ounces, and third went to Chad Smith and partner, Steve (sorry, no last name) who brought home 11 pounds 3.5 ounces.
The series meets at the Alcoa Landing each Saturday night for their competitions. For more information, contact Street at 704-791-4009. A complete schedule, including two all-night Fish Offs, can be found on the Fishbyte.net Forums and Calendar.
Off-Hour Saturday Nighters Find Bass That Got Away
May 9, 2009
When the sun blazed on Badin Lake April 9th and temps hit the upper 80's, a number of tournaments, including a 60-boat-event, rocked the waters. Storms that saw some lightning swept the area shortly after and, as calm settled in during the early evening, the Saturday Nights on Badin anglers headed to the Alcoa Landing. The day's recreational traffic was gone and bass had returned to normal patterns. It was the evening crew's turn to find the ones others missed.
Todd Street, organizer for the weekly effort, was pleased with the 17 boat turn out. As word spreads about the alternative to fighting water crowds all day, numbers are growing for the group that begins at 7 PM and finishes up at midnight. “We could still use a few more boats,” stated Street, “but I am thrilled to see us gaining a few more anglers every week.” While many wonder about fishing in the dark so late, those who try it keep coming back for more.
“It's an open competition, so anglers can be out there all by themselves or they can take a buddy along,” commented Street. “There's no fighting the day crowds for good fishing holes, heat isn't a problem, and it's just nice and quiet.” During five hours of fishing, anglers bring their best five to the scales. Fishing for bass in the dark adds a whole new twist to traditional casting.
While some might think lakes taking a heavy hit during the day will shut down bite, nothing could be farther from the truth. That Saturday night, Ronnie Blankenship and, teammate, Keith Deel hauled 15 pounds 7 ounces to the midnight scales. Rather than spend high dollars on a Saturday evening out on the town, they had a payday worth $192.
Second place was nailed by Gary Freeze and Max Leer. The pair boated 14 pounds 4.5 ounces of fish scales, while also capturing Big Fish crown for the night. Their 5 pound 4.5 ouncer proved there were still some hungry, big ones out there waiting for a meal. Earnings included $80 for second and $160 for Big Fish.
Third place went to Todd Street and Todd Little (assistant tourney director). Their four fish totaled 12 pounds 3 ounces... all solid bass and one fish out of a higher payout at that per-fish average. They pocketed $48 for their night-time stroll.
If you're tired of the movies, spending money in the stores, or just sitting around at home on a Saturday night with nothing to do, but enjoy fishing for bass, the inexpensive, Saturday Night alternative might be just the answer. It's a unique group that offers a whole new angling adventure.
The series meets at the Alcoa Landing each Saturday night for their competitions. For more information, contact Street at 704-791-4009. A complete schedule, including two all-night Fish Offs, can be found on the Fishbyte.net Forums and Calendar.
Tough Night For Saturday Battlers
May 16, 2009
The weather doesn't cooperate. The fish get ornery, and it's tough to see 20 feet in front of you. That was the story for the Saturday Nights on Badin crew, a group that starts its quest for bass an hour or so before dark in the evening and weighs in long after most have tucked into beds for the night. According to organizer, Todd Street, it was an especially long haul for anglers that particular night as only two boats brought in limit.
“I guess it's been this way for everyone lately,” stated Street. “Usually, when bite goes away for the daytime fishermen, we can find it later on.” That's always the hope for anglers who blast off at 7 PM with the weekly series. Sometimes things just don't work out.
Jarrett Freeze and Todd Calhon did manage 14 pounds 7 ounces of success and added Big Fish to their net. That solo was 4 pounds 1.7 ounces. The second paying spot went to Derek and Brad (sorry, no last names available) who scored 10 pounds 9 ounces in their night's efforts.
“We are always looking for more anglers to join us,” noted Street. Once you try this different way of bass fishing, you'll love it. You gotta try it at least once,” he ended.
The series meets at the Alcoa Landing each Saturday night for their competitions. For more information, contact Street at 704-791-4009. A complete schedule, including two all-night Fish Offs, can be found on the Fishbyte.net Forums and Calendar.
Saturday Nights Red Hot On Badin
May 23, 2009
There can be a lot of reasons one particular fishing group grows even during tough economic times. For the Saturday Nights on Badin group, it's probably a little bit of all. This past weekend's turnout was the biggest ever, as 21 boats launched when the lake had quieted down from heavy recreational traffic that comes with Memorial Day Weekend.
“We saw a bunch of new faces join in, and I'm really glad about that,” stated director, Todd Street. “I've always fished for bass at night when things are quieter and heat isn't an issue.” As summer months draw near, historically, more anglers turn out to avoid the 90-plus degree heat. Anglers also find that bass often slide out of deeper holes and return closer to shoreline environments to feed voraciously at night.
Although the air was cooler, the angling was hot last Saturday. Ten out of the 21 boats caught limit. The team event allows either one or two anglers per boat and costs only $30 (Big Fish included) to enter. Perennial favorite, Roger Vanover added another paying finish to his year's list, as he boated 14 pounds .7 ounces to place first in the competition. Drex and Mike (sorry, no last names provided) placed second with 13 pounds 1.5 ounces. The pair also captured Big Fish brags for the night with a 4 pound 9 ounce specimen. The final paying spot went to solo angler, David Stirewalt who claimed 13 pounds 1.1 ounces of bass at the scales.
The Saturday Night at Badin group launches from the Alcoa landing at 7 PM each week. Two big events are just around the corner for the anglers when the annual Fish Offs are held, one on Lake Tillery (7/1) and the other on Badin (6/6). Both will begin at 11 PM and finish the next morning at 7 AM and cost $40 to enter. For more information, contact Street at 704-791-4009. A complete schedule can be found on the Fishbyte.net Forums and Calendar.
Midnight Bells Mark Blast Off For Ironman Fish Off
June 06-07, 2009
There are times when an angler just can't get enough good bass fishing. Early morning blast off times provide some extra fishing light for those enthusiasts, but there still doesn't seem to be enough time in the day. The Saturday Nights on Badin group proved this past Saturday and Sunday a good fishermen needs no “day” to go fishing. The group's blast off time for the first of two Fish Offs happened when most anglers were fast asleep... midnight. “Safelight” to this crowd meant it was about time to head for weigh in.
The “Ironman” competition featured 25 boat teams, the highest turnout ever in the four-year history of the group. Organizers Todd Street and Todd Little were thrilled with the turn out. “This is incredible,” stated Street. “The fishing was fantastic tonight... all of it was fantastic,” referring to the number of fish caught and the excitement on the landing at the end. “I think they all had a lot of fun,” added Little. “It takes some real reach-down-deep to be out here all night,” Fishing competition can be hard work, but add a midnight to 7 AM slant to it and it becomes an ironman, marathon competition.
According to nearly every boat, the grueling night was worth it as 17 limits of 6 fish were brought in. “Bite was on last night,” said Greg Gooch, a competitor who turns out for nearly every event in the area. Fellow angler, Ronnie Blankenship agreed. “That was what fishing should always be like,” he stated with enthusiasm. “You can't ask for better fishing.”
As 50-plus, exhausted anglers stood at weigh in watching one heavy bag after another come to the scales, no one was going home to beds before the verdict was in. While Little handled the scales and fish, Street wrote each boat team on a white board along with their results. Anglers watched as big numbers were added one by one.
When it was all tallied and over, Street and Little topped the ironman list with 20.2.5 pounds of catch. Their win was the second of the weekend for the pair, having won the Friday Nights on Tillery/Badin at Tillery just the evening before. That weekly event rotates between the two lakes on a weekly basis. The Saturday all-night win gave them a $425 purse to take home, along with the top-ironman bragging rights.
Second placers, Terry Cato and Rodney Harris, often in the money at competitions, scored 18.7 pounds and $200 for their in-the-dark efforts. They also added Big Fish to their livewell win with a 5.9 pounder, giving them another $250 and an excuse for staying out all night.
Third placers, Ronnie Blankenship and Keith Deel, have scored on a number of occasions at recent tournaments and have Badin figured out. They nailed 17.6 pounds of bass and $125.
“If fishing all night means this kind of action, it's worth the haul,” laughed Street. “With 17 boats of 25 catching limit and most of the rest bringing in one-under limit, these guys will be back for the next over-night event,” he predicted. The group will use Tillery and the Swift Island Landing on Saturday, August 1st. The same blast off and weigh in times of midnight and 7 AM will be used. And, although it's referred to as a Fish Off, these events may be renamed more appropriately... Ironman Competitions.
For more information about the Friday or Saturday events, contact Street at 704-791-4009.
Badin Saturday Evening Crowd Battles Everything But Fish
June 13, 2009
The evening gang that hurls itself at Badin Lake each week had their hands full this past outing. The group hits the waters at 7 PM and weekend traffic right up to dark was heavy. The nineteen boats that showed up to compete shared the waters for the first 2 hours with pleasure cruisers, water skiers and jet skis, making fishing tough to experience.
“I'm not sure all that traffic had something to do with the slow bite all evening,” stated director, Todd Street. “Bite was slow where traffic was heaviest, and a little better in the quieter parts of the lake.” Although most anglers found hungry bass hard to find, a few of the boats managed some good weights. Eight of the competing boats found limit and four other boats brought four fish to weigh in.
Herman Morton and Boyd Brown must have known the best places to find bass, as the pair netted 12.8 pounds to lead the charge that evening. Their knowledge and skills raked in the $216 jackpot for first placers.
Second spot went to Mark Laxton and Todd Smith, who battled 11.45 pounds of fish to the scales. Their payout was $90. Ronnie and Teresa Blankenship slid in just under the second placers with 11.25 pounds, winning $54 for their efforts. Although very rare, two anglers tied for Big Fish on the evening. Both boat teams of Morton and Brown and Roger Vanover and Neil Cagle brought in twin bass weighing in at 4.4 pounds, splitting the prize money of $180.
“We still could use more boats out here,” laughed Street. “I'd like to see this series send out fifty boats each week and make it the biggest evening series in central North Carolina. We've got a great thing started on a great lake and it's steadily growing. These guys really make it fun and that's what's helping it become so popular.” Weigh ins are looking more and more professional as Street and co-director Todd Little add score boards and other amenities to the scene. Still, the entry fee remains one of the lowest in the region at just $30 per boat.
Street also announced his plans for an “invitation only” event to be held later in the season for those anglers who have fished in five of the Friday or Saturday night events. He will call it the “King of the Night” event. “There will be no second or third place payouts,” he told the group. “It'll be winner take all, because you can have only one King!” Cost will be $30 per boat and a draw will occur later for which lake it will happen on. Watch Fishbyte.net for complete details.
For more information about the Saturday Nights on Badin series, contact Street at 704-791-4009. Registration happens at the landing just prior to blast off.
Largest Tourney Of The Weekend Battles Badin Bass
June 20, 2009
By Todd Street
Fishing success picked up rapidly on the lakes local to Montgomery and Stanly Counties, as the largest competition of the weekend blasted off Saturday evening on Badin Lake. While some had a tough time finding bass hiding spots, most anglers had live wells rocking all evening long.
Twenty seven boats from the Saturday Nights on Badin split the night as they blasted off at 7 PM, hoping to return for the midnight weigh in as winners. The weather forecast for Saturday had air temps predicted to be in the upper nineties and anglers opted for a cooler competition which resulted in a strong and cometitive field. Warmer temperatures also bring out the heavy recreational boating traffic during the day, and competitors can avoid most of that with the later event.
“I am really excited we have so many turning out for this weekly event,” stated director Todd Street. “I'd love to see more of these guys hitting the Friday night competition as well. More and more of them are now fishing both and that's great,” he ended.
The second of two All Night Fish Offs is fast approaching for the group. The first, held back on June 6th, was a huge success with a large boat turnout. Anglers are looking forward to the August 1st event on Lake Tillery. That $40 per boat event will blast off at 11 PM and weigh in the next morning at 7 AM. The Swift Island Access will be used.
The weekly event costs a mere $30, which includes Big Fish. One or two anglers per boat is allowed and a five fish limit is in force.
Ten of the boats caught limit this night as Greg Campbell and Don Underhill dragged 16.40 pounds of keepers to the weigh in arena. A large total fish count came in, but a few boats returned their catch to the lake after witnessing the winners' bag. “These guys really earned their $321 first place tonight,” chuckled co-director Todd Little. “What a great catch!”
Ronnie Blankenship, fishing solo and without his best fishing partner, wife Teresa, still tackled second place with 14.5 pounds. His take home pay for the evening was $150. The pair have consistently earned paying spots in past weeks and are earning a eputation of tough to beat.
Mike Walker and Aharon Faircloth finished up the paying spots with a third place, 13.8 pound bag. Their winnings totaled $80. Big Fish honors for the evening went to Jamen Smith and James Carriker who drilled a 6.75 pound lunker to earn the $260 paycheck.
“We are expecting a big turnout this coming weekend for both the Friday and Saturday night competitions,” stated Street. “We'll be on Badin both nights and the guys eat this lake up! I'm hoping to finally top the fifty boat mark.”
You can get additional information from director Todd Street by calling 704-791-4009 or emailing him at toddsatvshop@yahoo.com.
Badin Bass Can't Resist Saturday Nighters
June 27, 2009
By Todd Street & Fishbyte.net Staff
“It was a bass-fishing dream... well, the weather was anyways,” stated Todd Street. Not a lot of fish were caught at the Saturday Nights on Badin event June 27th, but to Street and many of the others who had survived a close call on the lake with a damaging storm just the night before, having gorgeous weather with fewer bass was more than OK. “I like quiet,” Street noted.
In past weeks, the Alcoa utility crews had been pulling water about as fast as possible in attempts to keep up with constant and heavy rains in the region. The swift currents down he lake were gone this particular evening as chutes closed off flow. “The water was just dead,” the event organizer stated. “It had to affect fish bite.” Street stated that water levels were reduced significantly as well.
In all, nineteen boat teams showed up for the evening, which runs from 7 PM to midnight, using the Alcoa Access landing as the gathering point. A number of husband and wife teams are finding the event to be a great weekend evening date and have been making it pay as well. This evening saw Mark and Melissa Treece earn money rather than spend it. Their “bait and a date” efforts caught 13.1 pounds of four bass in a five-fish competition and earned them $216. They added another $180 to their date stash with the 7.5 pound Big Fish for the night.
Greg Campbell and Don Underhill brought up second spot with a 12.8 pound haul to the scales. They took home $90. The final paying spot was won by Brandon and Dillon Talbert who scored $54 with 10.95 pounds of fish.
The open series will suspend competition on Saturday nights for one week due to the Fourth of July Holiday. They will return to Badin Lake July 11.
You can get additional information from director Todd Street by calling 704-791-4009 or emailing him at toddsatvshop@yahoo.com.
Friday And Saturday Night Anglers Have Mixed Returns
July 10-11, 2009
By Todd Street and Fishbyte.net Staff
It was two lakes, two different nights with perfect weather, and two different end esults when the Friday Nights on Tillery & Badin Trail and the Saturday Nights on Badin series met this past weekend. Both had solid boat turnouts for mid-July, but the bass responded best to the casts on Saturday where Roger Vanover and Neil Cagel carried off first place with 16.2 pounds.
“We had a great turnout Friday night, but the fishing was slow,” stated Todd Street, organizer for both series. “Lake Tillery had no water movement so the bite just wasn't there.” Only two of the fishing teams brought in the five fish limit, while three others brought in four fish. Jordan and Ricky Godwin made the best of the situation, out-casting 23 other boats, by bringing 12.75 pounds of bass to weigh in. The father and son team won $276 on the evening.
Second place on the night, that begins at 7 PM and ends at midnight, went to Joel Threadgill and Jeff Preslar. Their 11.7 pounds brought them a $115 payout. The husband and wife team of Ronnie and Teresa Blankenship placed in the money, yet again, with 11.5 pounds of bass. They earned $69. The Godwins added Big Fish to their prize package with a 6.75 pounder, capturing the $230 payday with it. The Friday Night Series alternates between Tillery and Badin lakes.
Saturday night's series, which always meets on Badin and the Alcoa Landing, saw fewer boats and more fish caught. “Our boat numbers were down a bit, but the action was better,” noted Street. Again, no water was being pulled from the lake, but Street reported the weather as being near-perfect. Water levels were down at least a foot.
Nineteen boats went searching at 7 PM and five came back with their limit. Four other teams found four fish. Vanover and Cagel's 16.2 pounds earned them $216. They also caught Big Fish, a 5.25 pounder, and added $180 to their haul for the evening.
David and Aaron Stirewalt, a father and son team, took second place with 12.35 pounds of bass. They won $90. The final paying spot went to Brian Welch and Chuck Green, who netted 11.45 pounds and won $54.
Both series will be on Badin this weekend, July 17th and 18th. August 1 marks a big night for the groups when the second all-night tournament takes place. Teams will fish through the night and into the next day in that event. At weigh in, the lake draw for the “King of the Night” tournament will take place. Information about both these events can be found on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. Those interested can also contact Street at 704-791-4009 or toddsatvshop@yahoo.com.
Weekend Evening Blast Off Crews Pound Badin
Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18
By Todd Street and Fishbyte.net Staff
The Friday Nights on Badin/Tillery competitors added yet another twist to bass fishing this past weekend... they added sauna to the list of weather extremes they've encountered this season. And, like the on-again, off-again bass fishing in recent weeks, those anglers who returned for the Saturday Nights on Badin event 24 hours later found a picture-perfect, summer evening for fishing. The change was a elief from the dripping humidity and heat the Friday nighters battled.
It's been that kind of season for the anglers who fish both series. While one night battles fish all evening, the other will be dead flat. Hit or miss moments is how the competitors describe their season. Both series fish from 7 PM until midnight and the Friday night competitions alternate between Badin and Lake Tillery. The Saturday events always occur at Badin and the Alcoa landing. This past weekend, both tournaments were held on Badin.
Friday night seemed to be the evening of choice, when thirty-four boat teams turned out in the heat. “The dog days of summer have set in, but these fishermen want to fish,” stated director Todd Street. “You either catch all the fish or you don't catch any. Not many fish were weighed in by each boat, but those that did come in had weight.” Six boats weighed in the limit of five fish with four others weighing in four fish. The winning bag topped the sixteen pound rating. In July any bag with average fish weights of three pounds is a good one. “I think it was the hottest night of the year so far, smiled Street. “The humidity was horrible, but everyone was excited to have so many competitors there.”
Derrick Livingston and Jonathon Spivey were the anglers with the magic that evening, scoring 16.35 pounds of bass. Their haul earned them $416. They added and rather handsome Big Fish purse to the accomplishment with a 7.25 pounder which earned them another $330. The $700 plus reward on a Friday night is a great example of where this series is going.
Second placers, Don Campbell and Greg Underhill, were but a crankbait's weight behind them. The pair rocked the scales with 16.1 pounds and took away the $176 prize money. Third place went to Brad Foley and Derrick Cranford who found 14.1 pounds. They earned $106, a sizable prize for a Friday night out in the heat.
On Saturday night, the weather and the bass had turned in opposite directions. While the heat and humidity had given way to cool and dry, the fish bite went away. Like other rivers on the Yadkin Chain, utility companies began to pull water around noontime that day, and it may have affected feeding patterns.
“There was a lot of boat traffic until dark,” noted Street, “but then it always turns into a fisherman's paradise.” Recreational boats turn in for the night, leaving the waters all to the anglers. “The boat crowd was a little lower than Friday, but we still had a good crowd.”
Twenty boat teams headed onto the waters at 7 PM and three came back with limits. One other boat had four fish in the livewell for weigh in. In a bit of a twist for weigh ins, a three-fish bag ended up winning the night. Jeff Swinney and Jeff Britt scored 12.6 pounds and walked away with the $228 in prize money. In order to win with two less fish than any other team, you've got to have a big one in the bag, and such was the case for this team. They also grabbed the Big Fish honors for the night with a 6 pounder, accepting the $190 in cash that came with it.
Returning to a paying position was Rusty Bowers and Rosco Bowers who brought in 12.15 pounds. The team won $95 for their efforts. Greg Campbell and Andrei Pelech hung in for third, tipping the scales at 10.8 pounds for the $57 third place prize.
Both Series come together in less than two weeks on Lake Tillery (August 1) for an all-nighter, open competition together. Any angler can enter. There will be no Saturday Night tournament that week on Badin. Directors Street and Todd Little plan to hold the drawing for the “King of the Night” Tournament lake to be held at a later date.
Information about both these events and the regular schedule of both open series can be found on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. Those interested can also contact Street at 704-791-4009 or toddsatvshop@yahoo.com.
August Starts Out Tough For Tillery All-Nighter
August 1, 2009
Sometimes a new month brings hope that things will get better. July hasn't treated any of the fishing groups and clubs in North Carolina very well, and the Saturday Nights on Badin Series wanted to kick the new thirty-one days off in style. Changing up from its usual 7 PM to midnight competition, the series met for the second of two all-night efforts. This time the teams moved to Lake Tillery hoping for some relief from a rash of non-feeding bass, blasting off at 11 PM and fishing until 7 AM on Sunday.
In the darkness surrounding launch, a second competition bubbled to the surface, all in good fun. After weeks and weeks of fishing against each other, there's bound to be a little trash-talking between anglers. It all came to a head for co-director Todd Little and angler Harry Goodle. On separate boats, the two picked and laughed and finally put down a $20 bet on the night on who would out-fish whom. Thirteen other boat teams laughed along with them as they sparred prior to blast off. Little and Goodle's partners, co-director Todd Street and Archie Webb Jr. wisely stayed far away from the bash.
The evening series begins its season in March and will finish up the last weekend in August. Considered an “open”, any angler can join in the weekly competitions which feature a five-fish limit and either one or two angler teams. All events begin at 11 PM at the Alcoa Access in the town of Badin and end at midnight. Two special events in the schedule included this past Saturday's all-night competition on Tillery.
Fishbyte.net also added a wist to the evening. An upcoming Product Review of Deep Creek Lures plastic baits had editor, Tom Sargent, passing out a box full of their products at registration. Anglers were asked to “field test” all of the products that night and report back in Sunday morning. Watch for the review article and those results later this week.
As boats began to pull back into the Swift Island Access just before the 7 AM weigh in, it was clear August had been a continuation of July's tough fishing. Storms all week had brought the pond up to full, but the fish weren't to be found. About 6 AM, water began to be pulled and a few angler teams had their best luck of the night in the last hour as a result. While weekly competitions feature a five-fish limit, both special events saw that limit raised to six.
At the scales, it was a cousin team, Ryan and Nick Nance, who bested the other fourteen boat teams. They managed to find 10.7 pounds of hungry-enough bass to win the $255 first place prize for the event.
Second placers, Steve Dyer and Frank Arnold, scored 8.55 pounds at the scales to grab the $120 paycheck for eight hours of fishing in the dark. They also found the biggest keeper in the event, a 3.3.5 pounder, to walk away with another $150 for Big Fish.
Third place was just a half ounce away. A bag weight of 8.5 pounds, brought in by Greg Campbell and Don Underhill, took away the $75 pot for third.
In the cheapest, but biggest payout event of the night, Harry Goodle won the $20 bet between he and ittle, and found some strut much to everyone's delight. It was all laughter as the two were the final competitors to weigh in. Both had caught only one small fish all night, but walked them to the scales as though they were monsters. Both were about the same size. A measurement overseen and confirmed by Fishbyte.net, revealed the two bass were probably brothers. Both were exactly fourteen-and-a-half inches. At the scales, Goodle won by half an ounce... 1.1.5 compared to Little's 1.1 pounds. The fun between the two was a great way to cap he evening's event.
At the end of weigh in, a drawing was held to set the location of the culminating event of the season. Both the Friday Nights on Tillery & Badin Series and The Saturday Nights on Badin Series will join together for a “King of the Night” championship on Labor Day Weekend. The Friday, September 4th event will be held at Tillery and the Swift Island Access. The event will run from 7 PM to Midnight. It will be a winner-take-all battle.
The Saturday Nights on Badin will finish its regular season the last weekend in August. That series began in March and has meet every weekend except for the July 4th holiday. Its popularity has risen dramatically, thanks in large part to the leadership of Street and Little. The pair, quick to laugh and easy-going, have worked hard to improve overall organization and the weigh in process during the season. They began double duty about halfway through the season when they took over the reins of the Friday Nights on Tillery & Badin Series. Boat numbers in that competition have grown as well.
There's still time to try either of the weekly open events. Cost for regular season evenings is $30. For more information, contact Todd Street at 704-791-4009 or toddsatvshop@yahoo.com , or Todd Little 704-634-9821. Information is also posted on the Fishbyte.net Forums and Calendar.
Badin Runs Roughshod Over Friday And Saturday Crews
August 14-15, 2009
By Todd Street and Fishbyte.net Staff
The fishing has been tough, but it really got rough for both the Friday Nights On Tillery/Badin and Saturday Nights on Badin groups this past weekend. The open competitions met at Badin Lake both nights and the waters refused to give up even one limit.
“When does the drought end?” laughed director Todd Street. “It's the first time I can remember us going a whole weekend and not one boat found a limit.” Just the weekend before, Roger Vanover pounded the waters for 20.05 pounds with four fish, giving everyone hope the rough ride was over. Vanover has been in the money on numerous occasions this season. “It was a barely nothing weekend, so we'll just keep fishing” said Street.
The end result wasn't for a lack of trying. On Friday evening twenty one boats turned out. Two caught four fish, while three others caught three fish. The 12.55 pound winning sack caught by Bruce Goins and Rodney Kinney would be considered excellent by most other fishing groups, but for this crowd it's tough. Goins and Kinney won $252 for their efforts.
Michael Cribb and Joe Bullard walked in 7.85 pounds to take the second place $105 prize, while third was won by Luke Helms and Nick Rushing with 7.35 pounds. Their take was $63. Don Underhill and Greg Campbell found the solo big one on the evening. Their 4.9 pounder earned them $210.
On Saturday night fifteen boats showed up back at Badin and only two boats found at least three fish. “if it wasn't for the fellowship it would be really bad,” added Street. Only one boat team caught two fish. Rusty Bowers and Ken Akers headed up the lackluster results at the scales with 6.85 pounds to win $180. Derek Cranford and Brad Foley found 6.10 pounds to take home $75, while Chris Furr and Chance Furr landed 4.70 pounds for third and $45. Bowers and Akers had Big Fish, a 3.35 pounder, to win the $150 prize for solo best.
With only two weeks left in both competitions' events, Street expects a good turnout. Most teams will use the remaining events as practice for the “King of the Night” championship September 4th at Lake Tillery. The lake was drawn two weeks ago after the second all-nighter the groups faced.
For more information, contact Street at 704-791-4009, or email him at toddsatvshop@yahoo.com.
Local Friday And Saturday Night Crews Wrap Up Regular Season On Badin
August 28 and 29, 2009
By Todd Street and Fishbyte.net Staff
It has to be the most grueling and exhausting bass series in the region for those who follow it week to week. The Friday Nights on Tillery and Badin Open and the Saturday Nights on Badin Series wrapped up their regular open series competition this past weekend with two events on Badin. Both Opens begin in early April and meet every seven days for five months straight, with blast off at 7 PM and scale time at midnight.
“It's always a bit sad to see it end for the year,” stated co-director Todd Street. He and fishing partner, Todd Little, coordinate the five-month-long endeavor. “But I think everyone is ready for a break.” The two groups will come together one last time for a run at the championship when all boats will compete in the King of the Night this coming Friday evening, September 4 at 7 PM at Lake Tillery's Swift Island Access area. Anglers have arned the right to compete for the honor with participation during the regular season. A large field of angling competitors is expected and the winners will walk away with some major bragging rights until next spring.
Harry Goodle and Archie Webb waited all season to finally light up the scoreboard with a win, much to everyone's delight, on Friday, August 28th. The pair travel all the way from Laurel Hill, NC every week to join in and have been as regular as clockwork. Although fishing was the usual summer tough, the pair netted 8.9 pounds to win the $192 first place prize. “We've been making donations all year,” laughed Goodle. “At least we got a little of it back!” Webb concurred. “Those were expensive bass,” he hollered from his boat as the pair prepared to blast off in Saturday's competition. While many competitors fish in either the Friday or Saturday event, Webb and Goodle will most often fish both each week.
Friday's seventeen boat field made it all the tougher to place. No boats brought in the five-fish limit, but Gary Freeze and Max Leer did manage enough to take the second spot with 7.95 pounds. They earned $80 for their efforts. Sammy Crader and Mike White placed third with 5.15 pounds to win $48. With more than fifteen boats, the series pays three places.
Co-directors Todd Street and Todd Little took home some tournament money with a 4.90 pound solo lunker to win Big Fish honors and $160 that went with it. The pair were still being teased the next night by fellow anglers about that effort. Street and Little, always laughing, picking at and enjoying those who join them each week, have won or placed on and off during the season. Those times give the rest of the crew an opportunity to take some shots back at them. All are received and fired back in a manner characteristic of the group. “It's really all about the friendships,” said Street. “New guys who join in fit in real fast and they never regret coming out.”
Friday's event was typical of Badin... about 9 PM it began to rain. “Most of the guys found a boat house and stayed there and talked,” stated Street. “If this was earlier in the year, you couldn't pay them to get under cover and not fish.” The drenching lasted until about 10:30 PM, but no one seemed to mind. “When you fish Badin at night, you kind of expect some rain,” noted Little. “It isn't Badin without rain storms.”
On Saturday night twenty boats turned out for the competition. “We've never seen these numbers at the end of a season,” noted Street. “It's probably one of the best turnouts at the end of the year that I can remember.” And, for one rare night of Badin evening fishing, the weather was perfect with low humidity and moderate temperatures. Mother Nature ended the regular season in gracious style. As a send off, total bag weights were up for the first time in weeks.
It took 13.8 pounds to win that night, as Trent and Cody Stegall, a father and son team, caught four fish and $228 in prize money. Ronnie Blankenship, fishing solo, boated 11.3 pounds to grab second and the $95 that went with it. Blankenship has often placed in the money this season and often fishes with wife, Teresa. Part of his bag included Big Fish for the night with a five pound solo hawg worth $190. Just a week before on Friday, he and Teresa won another first place with 4 fish and 10.35 pounds for $280 and had Big Fish for another $145.
Another angler who has earned his share of wins and places is Rusty Bowers. He and fishing partner Kenny Akers brought in the only limit for the night and took third place. They won $57 for that effort of 10.9 pounds of bass.
“You'd think these guys would just want to head home at midnight, but we all hung out in the Alcoa parking lot until after 2 AM talking about the season,” stated Street. “There was more than one big story told. This year has been one of the best ever; I can guarantee this is the best group of guys to fish with if anyone is looking for a group to fish with,” he ended.
After the King of the Night Championship this coming Friday on Tillery, the group will take a winter's nap and start back up April 2, 2010 at 7PM at Badin Lake at the Alcoa boat ramp. “New guys will never regret joining us next year, but they better come prepared to fish because these guys know the lake better than any. They all fish when it's dark, so they have to know it!” quipped Street one last time.
Night Champ Crowned As Friday And Saturday Series Close
September 4, 2009
Five months of weekly competitions and it all came down to a single outing. The King of the Night crown was bestowed on a father and son team at about 12:30 in the morning last Saturday. It wasn't about the prize money in this event; it was all about bragging rights.
The Friday Nights on Tillery and Badin Series and the Saturday Nights on Badin group came together for one final tournament of the season at Tillery's Swift Island Access off Highway 24/27 Friday night. Together, the two groups have met nearly fifty times on the two bodies of water since April. The grueling weekly series has become one of the most-popular gathering places of the season, attracting as many as 36 boats per week.
Criteria for an invitation to the championship included participation in a high percentage of the weekly competitions during the season. The prize money was a winner take all... no second or third and no Big Fish. Anglers would go home with cash or just memories. The open series groups had drawn Tillery as the location just a couple weeks before in an all-night event. Normal fishing hours for these anglers is 7 PM to midnight, offering something different from the usual early-morning events statewide.
By midnight, scales were set up by Todd Street, director of both groups. Beside the equipment were displayed two impressive trophies ready to go home with someone. A total of $480 was up for grabs for one of the 16 boat teams there. Anglers circled the area in the dark watching bags being emptied into the bin. Not surprising, Tillery had been another tough fish for everyone and bass were elusive. The big names and past winners had shown up for this last try and many had been skunked.
Trent and Cody Stegall, fishing the north end of the lake early on, had managed to find 11.85 pounds, filling a five-fish limit to claim the victory and crown. The pair lined up as anglers walked by shaking hands and getting in final friendly jabs. The were Kings of the Night and had earned the title.
“I'm really gonna miss not heading for the lake next weekend,” stated Street. These guys have been some of the best there is to meet up with each week. It's been a great year and interest has stayed high all season.” Co-director Todd Little was unable to make the final competition due to a conflict in schedules, leaving Street to fish solo. “Tough for you, but it gave us all a better chance,” laughed Harry Goodle. Street and Little have won a number of events during the season.
After weigh in, Street announced the opening event of the 2010 season. “Gear up and get ready for April 2nd at Badin and the Alcoa Landing,” shouted Street. “You better bring your best game, because it'll be back on that date.” Ronnie Blankenship and Rusty Bowers, two weekly anglers, were ready to go next weekend. “I sure hate to see it end for the season,” they agreed. “It's been a lot of fun.” It was well after 1:30 AM when the crowd finally headed back to their trucks and drove away, the closing act in a near-perfect season. No one wanted to see the curtain come down.