Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 28, 1990 TAG: 9006280096
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By BILL COCHRAN OUTDOOR EDITOR
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
So why were several of the 40 fishermen practicing Wednesday for the Wrangler/B.A.S.S. National Championship on Smith Mountain Lake using hookless lures and other means to keep from boating bass?
The last thing you want to do, contestant David Barnes explained, is to give the bass a sore mouth and memory during practice.
"You just try to locate fish," said Barnes, a Maine fishing guide. "You try not to stick them, because you don't want them to get used to your bait."
Tournament fishermen have several devious ways of dealing with bass during practice. Some cut the hooks off their lures; others straighten the hook or smash the barb off.
"I just let them take the bait and don't set the hook and let them spit it out," Barnes said.
You never overstay your welcome when you locate a pod of fish, said Burl Triplett of Woodbridge. He received that advice from his friend Guido Hibdon, a pro who won the BASS Masters Classic in 1988 and is the 1990 B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year.
"I called him and asked him what he does before a tournament when he goes to check his fish," Triplett said. "How many hits does it take to convince him the fish are there?"
One is enough. Get it and get out, Triplett said he was told.
"That's what I have been doing. I bend the hook on my bait. I don't want the bass to feel anything."
No such mercy will be shown today, when the three days of competition begins. It will be time to put the metal to the meat.
After two days of successful practice, Triplett is ready. He said he has five patterns working for him. He expects a limit of five fish to be swimming around in his livewell by 9 a.m. today.
Joe Hurlbert of Virginia Beach also is on to bass, big bass - like up to 8-pounders.
"I probably saw 15 fish today that were over 4 pounds," he said after Wednesday's practice. "I didn't mess with them."
While confident, Hurlbert wasn't cocky. "This is a tough lake and it can put the whammy on you real quick," he said.
Like overnight, Jerry Elder said.
"This is by far the toughest place I've ever seen to find fish and come back and catch them," said the Lynchburg optician, who is billed as the tournament's favorite.
by CNB