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01 February 2005 |
Early Anglers Cast in Tournament-Class Waters. April SML Fish-In Begins Bass League Season
By Jerry Hale
Smith Mountain Lake’s coves and backwaters will get lots of early spring visitors as the lake hosts another Bass Fishing League (BFL) divisional qualifying tournament on April 2.
“The event is likely to be fully subscribed,” said Dale Wilson, arguably the lake’s most experienced fishing guide, with more than 30 years of successfully pursuing local stripers and bass. A four-year member of the SML Chamber of Commerce/Partnership Board of Directors, Wilson has been instrumental in attracting both amateur and pro fishing events to the lake.
“BFL rules limit the field to 200 boaters, each of whom will be host to a co-angler fishing companion,” he said. “We expect a full roster because Smith Mountain Lake has a great reputation among bass fishing enthusiasts. Fishermen – and some women – will come from New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Alabama and the entire Southeast, some from as far as Florida.”
Entry fee is $200 per boater and $100 for each non-boater participant. Registered boat owners and co-anglers will gather Friday afternoon (April 1) for a rules and pairing meeting, though some will have arrived several days early to allow time for exploratory outings. At first safe light Saturday morning, they’ll fire up their $40,000-plus rigs and head for pre-chosen fishing spots, with several hundred dollars in carefully chosen equipment along for the ride. These are mostly amateurs; only 10-15 percent enjoy some degree of sponsorship from manufacturers of boats, engines, tackle or electronics. And almost all have “real jobs.”
“But they all love to bass fish, and they’re serious and skilled competitors,” Dale said. “You’ve gotta be to have a shot at finishing in the money in this league.”
Prizes for this event, the first of the year’s five Shenandoah Division (one of 28 US BFL Divisions) qualifying rounds, totals $39,000 with $5,500 going to the top-catching boater and $2,750 to the most successful co-angler (boaters and co-anglers compete in separate categories). Twenty percent of the field will earn prize money.
“This time of year, a boater will need a 15 pound-plus catch to win it,” Dale said. “Co-anglers, maybe 10-12.” All fish must be alive at weigh-in and measure at least 14 inches long. “Big penalties for dead or short fish,” he deadpanned.
The real winner, however, is the area economy, which is why the SML Chamber of Commerce/Partnership is so delighted when the lake attracts major tournament events.
“This contest provides area businesses with a significant sales boost in the off-season,” said SMLCC/P Executive Director Vicki Gardner. “Tournament participants rent houses, condos and motel rooms; they buy lots of food and gas and gear. We’re delighted to have them spend an April weekend in the SML area!”
You can catch the weigh-in about 2:30 p.m. on April 2, most likely at Water Wheel Marina, but watch for local updates as the event approaches.
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Last Updated ( 14 June 2007 )
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