~ Tournament Winner ~ Ron Fairbanks 7.75 lbs

~ Tournament Big Fish ~ Ron Fairbanks 3.40 lbs.

Also Fished
Jack Maher, Frank Kelly, Troy Beedle, Frank Beckwith, Jeff Weaver

~ Tensaw River ~

December has been a very cold month for us here in Florida. In the panhandle we’ve had our share of frosty mornings already. It might be different if this were Minnesota, but not in Florida. Our December tourney rolled around with early morning temps in the low 30’s , high blue skies, and a strong south wind. This combo makes for some tough fishing down here.

I went this month as a non-boater and was paired with Rich Cornelius. We left the blast off in his Blazer with a big 200 HP Yahama and the early morning wind ate my face completely off my head. Being faceless I’m not sure exactly where we fished but I know that it was south. We arrived at a shallow creek that had fog rising from the surface. It was a pretty area in the early light. We worked very hard for about an hour before we got the first bite. Rich landed a short fish on a jerk bait. I was slow rolling a spinner but had no luck. We eventually came to a bend that had some deeper water and settled down to fish a worm. We each caught a keeper from this hole. We sand papered the creek bends but only caught a few more dinks and small keepers. I wound up with one fish and Rich found two that would measure. We really worked hard for those bites. We decided to go to another creek about mid-day but as we rounded a point heading into the main drain we were met with very deep ground swells and rough water. After a short but incredibly heavy pounding we gave it up and headed north with the swells. We ran to finish the afternoon in the Dennis creek area but we must have gone air born at least 20 times on the way. My bones and joints were still rattling for several days after the ride.

At the weigh-in, it was Ron Fairbanks who stole the show. Ron was fishing with Fred Raby. Fred had taken him to one of his favorite spots (all good spots on the river are Fred’s favorites) and proceeded to fish the fast current. Eventually Ron figured out the winning combo and started catching fish on a cotton-candy chartreuse tail lizard. That was a lure that I never even got close to this weekend. Anyway it sure worked for Ron. He was all smiles as he approached the scales with his hefty bag of bass. He had 5 fish for 7.75 lbs to take 1st place and he also had the lunker at 3.40 lbs. Looks like "Fast Freddie" lost the entire $3.00 "boat bet". That is one that Fred seldom loses.

Strolling to the scales in 2nd place was Mac Cramer with 5 fish weighing 7.65 lbs. Brian Metcalf took 3rd place honors with 3 fish for 5.30 lbs. Sliding gently into the 4th slot was Pete Potter with 4 fish weighing 4.95 lbs.

Most fish were caught on soft plastics (june bug seemed to be the favored color….except for Ron!) and crank baits in shad colors. Most fish were caught in the lower portions of the delta near the grass lines. Catches were made in both the current and in the slack water. Water color ranged from muddy to stained depending on where you fished.

Our next tournament is on the bountiful Escambia River out of Swamphouse Landing. Latest reports are that the river is finally getting back in its banks but is still muddy and stained. I hope to see a good turn out for this one as convenience makes it a premium.

‘Til next time. *Keep your hooks sharp!

Creek Chub