Trout fishing for toys

RICK GOINES

Flood conditions made week one have a slow start in the two week 2009 TASS Fall Speckled Trout Tournament and Toys for Tots Drive. Week two made up for it because everybody was catching plenty of fish.

I got reports that some people had their 10 fish limit before the sun could burn off the morning mist. “Trout holes” are like restaurants, everyone has a favorite. Trout fishermen can give you 99 reasons why their little spit of water is the best “trout honey hole” on the planet Earth.I like people with confidence. It ain’t bragging if it’s true!

Congrats to all! Those are some pretty specs!

Word is that everyone caught plenty of fish, especially in Week 2 when weather conditions became favorable.It always makes a tournament fun when fishing is good, and I think that was certainly the case with this year’s fall trout event. Somebody at TASS picked the right dates on this one.

I have been on the organizational end of activities like this tournament, and I can tell you from experience that it is not an easy job. Gratifying, yes, but it is sometimes frustrating and a little thankless. David Mears did a fine job, again this year, acting as event coordinator. John Dupree and his unselfish staff at Roberson & Dupree Shoe Store patiently weighed in speckled trout for two weeks. Any successful tournament is a group effort, and the TASS folks know that well, and always step-up-to-the-plate when needed.

Sponsors are also the unsung heroes of a good fishing tournament. Major sponsors for this event were: Opticon Communications, Inc. of Garner, Billy Ray’s Auto & Wrecker Service, Inc. of Wilson, and Bernice Pitt State Farm Insurance of Tarboro. Let them know you appreciate their generous sponsorship. A special thank you goes to Pizza Inn of Tarboro for supplying pizzas for the final weigh-in and awards function at the junction.

It was a great event for all, as a big Santa-sack full of toys had been collected for Toys for Tots. Sounds like one of those win-win situations to me. Toys for Tots collection boxes will still be out all over the area, and welcoming your toy donations up through Dec. 12. The toy you donate is sure to bring a smile Christmas morning. Think about that, and please help.

Hotspot of the Week: Sticking with our trout theme, I want to encourage you to get out and catch some specs. I did a little informal survey of the trout fisherman I know, and got some interesting ‘intel.’

The N.C. 92 bridge at Bath (I’m told there is only one), then the bridge near CB Marina, on NC 99 near Belhaven, are all producing nice speckled trout catches. It is the same road, just different numbers.

George Beckwith of Down East Guide Service says, “Almost all the creeks have trout in them, from Washington on the Pamlico, and New Bern on the Neuse, and all the way down to the mouths of the rivers. Specifically on the Neuse, both upper and lower Broad Creek, Goose Creek, and Northwest Creek are good places to look.” Captain George knows his stuff, so there you have a highly successful professional guide’s opinion. George is very good about sharing info, a rare quality in professional guides and charter boat captains. Most of them hate to give you the correct time of day.

Mirrolure MR 17 is the lure of choice for just about everybody. Most folks have a favorite color. Jig heads with ‘Gulp! Shrimp’ also got a lot of votes.

Red Drum also dine on some of these same trout baits, so be ready Freddy! A big Red Drum will get your undivided attention, no doubt.

You still have time to purchase some $1 raffle tickets for a Remington M887 Nitro Mag 12 gauge shotgun from Shooters of Rocky Mount. SPCA Alliance of N.C. is targeting the proceeds towards rescue, spay/neuter promotion to adopt shelter animals. Buy a ticket for our furry friends. Make ticket buying arrangements at (252) 823-6551 or 714-2128. The drawing is Dec. 19, just in time for Christmas.

Winners of the very successful 2009 TASS Fall Speckled Trout Tournament and Toys for Tots Drive were as follows:

First place: Jimmy Braswell 6.56. Second place: Bobby Williams 5.74 Third place: David Chapell 5.52. Fourth place: Rodney Braddy 5.50 Fifth Place Greg Bottoms 4.90

Your stories, photos, tall tales, and passable lies are welcome and appreciated at CarolinaAngler@Gmail.com.See you on the water, my friend!

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