












The Hog Town Throw Down is now a memory with a smile as a
side note for most teams. We could not have custom ordered a
better weather pattern and most teams capitalized on that, with
large numbers of fish caught and released. The rains that
preceded the event left some stained water from Pensacola to
Panama City but had settled enough for the teams who depend on
spot and cast techniques to find fish. Team King/Coughlin said
they did see plenty of fish where they were staked out, but the fish
were nervous and picky. King stated "fish would rush the bait and
swirl on it, but turn off". Even if they could not put a hook in the
pair they needed, the water clarity did not appear to dampen their
sight fishing techniques.
The water clarity, the tide and the mid-day wind change may have
been a factor for many other teams in putting good numbers of fish
in the boat. Team Pattison/Cube have been hot all year and they
are still the team to catch in the points race. Mike Pattison
remarked the team caught well over 25 fish from their locations,
and 2 of those fish were quality enough to put them at the top of
the numbers again this month. Their mark of 12.52 lbs would hold
from wire to wire. Mike also stated their bigger fish came early in
the morning, but the bite did last pretty much all day. Such was
the case for many of the teams as well-with the wind coming
around from a more southerly direction later in the day, it was just
enough to keep the bite on, well into the afternoon. Following up
Pattison/Cube was team Jimenez/ Fackrell with an impressive
stringer of 11.90 lbs. And with Pattison/Cube not entering the
aggregate calcutta AGAIN, Jimmy and Dawna also took the 1st
place cash award for largest aggregate. Mike and Ken did put their
money on the line in the big fish calcutta and took first place
monies there with an impressive 6.5 pound sow with Team
Files/Midency close behind with a beautiful 6.38 lb fish.
Team Mistovich/Hinote round out the top three with their 11.16 lb
stringer. They were in the money for aggregate and took 2nd
there. Local knowledge and reading the water throughout the day
was their key to success.
Most teams I spoke to threw a combination of top waters plugs
early, and spoons and Gulp! throughout the day.
The story of the day came from a very unlikely trout. I am not
saying anything, but that trout sure looked a lot like the one that
Dawna was just edged out of the money with last month. Hmmm.
Tongue in cheek humor there, for sure! Dawna worked hard for that
trout last month to be edged out, so Team Jimenez/Fackrell
having the longest trout this time is a sweet victory, with Team
King/Coughlin in a close second.
Who would have thought fajitas would work at a redfish weigh in?
But, I tell you, my partner loves good food and his backyard
culinary skills are second to none! Special thanks to Curtis Gilbert
and Conner Gilbert of Conner's Jigs on some fantastic hot food.
Special Thanks also goes out to the great club sponsors
Gatorback Spoons, The Ships Chandler, No Doubt Fish Rule,
Guideline Sunglasses, and Stick It Anchor Pins for providing
the winners with some great product.
DREW MIXON
ECRC News