Alsop and Leftridge Cash In Over 2K at First Burtons Event
Jerkbait Bite Dominates for Top 3 Teams
Reported by Tom Alsop – Smithville Marine, Stratos Boats, Evinrude Motors, 7/24 Outdoors, Big Bite Baits, Falcon Rods, Flying Fisherman Sunglasses, Picasso, Spro, Sunline, Tru-tungsten and Mihatchii sponsor Tom.
Burton’s Bait and Tackle held their first event of the 2010 season out of Little Platte Marina at Smithville Lake, Saturday April 3rd. 47 Teams were greeted with cool conditions in the morning, with temperatures in the mid 40’s, but bright sun and light southerly breezes made for a quick warm up with temperatures in the mid 60’s by weigh-in time. Dirty water predominates most of the lake, with water temperatures ranging from 47 degrees on the main lake to upper 50’s in some tributaries.
Smithville Marine sponsors the Burtons Bait and Tackle tournaments, where the dealership pays back its loyal customers with “Smithville Marine Bonus Bucks” at each Burtons tournament. Stratos boats have the 2X program at Burton’s events where anglers can double their winnings at each weekend event and Skeeter Real money also qualifies for the Burton’s tournaments. Today was one of those days when the winners cashed in big time for running the right boat from the right dealership. Don’t miss out on your chance to cash in at the next tournament. Smithville Marine has more new and pre-owned boats to choose from than most all other dealers in the Midwest. Call 816-532-4000 or go to www.smithvillemarine.com to check out their inventory.
Winners of the tournament today were the team of Tom Alsop and Keith Leftridge, both from Overland Park, KS. This team caught 4 fish, 10 lbs. 3 ounces for a narrow victory over the second place team. All of this team’s fish were caught on Spro McSticks before 10:00 a.m. The team’s equipment was a key to catching the finicky Smithville fish; a combination of 10 lb. Sunline Super Mono and Falcon Jerkbait special rods fished with the McSticks was the key. The 10 lb. Sunline has a diameter one or two sizes smaller than most competitors brand, the strength is still there but much more action is given to the McStick with the thinner diameter line, it is like using competitors 8 lb. or even 6 lb. test line, combine this with Sunline’s limpness and castability and you have the perfect jerking line. The parabolic bend on the Falcon Reaction Jerkbait rod is another big key; it ensures easy and effortless hook ups and will minimize any lost fish. The McStick speaks for itself, its heavier weight makes it a dream to cast in the wind and its action is unparalleled compared to other jerkbaits on the market. Try this set up and it will improve your jerkbait fishing tenfold. Tom and Keith took home $885.00 for the win, $240.00 for the Calcutta (winner take all side pot) and since they were running Keith’s Skeeter boat that he purchased from Smithville Marine, they took home an additional $500.00 from Smithville Marine and the Smithville Marine Bonus Bucks and and additional $500.00 thanks to the Skeeter Real Money program.
Winners of the tournament Keith Leftridge and Tom Alsop.
Coming in a close second was the team of Bill Barsotti and Chris Thacker with 3 fish that weighed 10 lbs. 1.5 ounces. Included in their bag was second big bass of the day with a 5 lbs. 12 ounce fish. This team had two, including their big fish by 10:30 and caught their last fish around 2:00. Jerkbaits on the main lake was the key for this team.
Chris Thacker and Bill Barsotti with a close 2nd place finish.
Taking third place was the team of Mike Payne and Paul Boesel with 3 fish that weighed 7 lbs. 12.5 ounces. This team also fished jerkbaits to catch all of their fish, with one fish coming early and two being caught later in the day.
Mike Payne with 3rd place.
4th place – Beetle Bailey and Harry Carr -2 fish – 7 lbs. 9 ounces.
5th place and Big Bass – Craig James and Kyle Barrett – 1 fish – 6 lbs. 1 ounces – also caught on a jerkbait.
Big fish of the day - 6 l bs. 1 ounces.
6th place – Ben and Austin Goldberg – 1 fish – 5 lbs. 4.5 ounces
7th place Tie – Dave Biscari and Sterling Scott and the team of Jason Fulton and Russell Fisher both weighed in one fish - 4 lbs. 6.5 ounces.
This lake is going to light up in the next week, weights were down today, but the water went from mid 30’s last week to upper 40’s and mid 50’s this week. The fish just haven’t moved up yet, with warm temperatures predicted all week look for much better weights and those infamous “big” fish to show up next weekend at the Mid States Event.
It is not too late to enter the first Mid States Tournament Association Event of 2010 to be held next weekend. The MSTA are Pro-Am event that fishes like a buddy event – both the boater and the non-boater combine their fish to make up the teams 5 fish limit. Call 816-532-4000 to get signed up!
