After winning and taking Big Bass honors in the Alabama BASSBUM Solo Trail Northern Division Weiss Lake tournament and recently winning another BASSBUM Solo Tournament at Logan Martin Lake in their Central Division, I was awarded Angler-of-the-year title in the BASSBUM Solo Trail's Northern Division this weekend at Logan Martin Lake. This ceremony took place at the 2 day, end of the season, Championship Finale, featuring 35 of Alabama's best solo trail anglers, from both the central and northern division BASSBUM 2000 Solo trails.

What I was hoping for also took place at these awards. After placing 2 nd Saturday with 5 bass weighing 15 pounds, on the first day of this two day event, my hopes were high in eventually winning this prestigious annual BASSBUM solo trail event on Sunday. Trailing a little over one pound behind the first day leader, who had 5 bass weighing about 16 1/2 pounds, I knew I had a much better chance at winning this event, than the rest of the first day's top 5, who were all holding 3 pounds behind in the 12 pound range.

Although these excellent, and well known anglers could overtake 1 st place with a good sack of bass, conditions were tough and many had struggled to even get a limit Saturday, including me. All I needed was a repeat 5 bass performance of Saturday and the title of, "BASSBUM Solo Trail Champion 2000" could be added to my Angler of the Year title. However, leading any two-day bass tournament is a title that's hard to defend. I knew the first place award of $3000 would only go to the angler that survived this showdown to the end, and not without that angler having had to work for every bite he got. It was not going to be easy to catch the first day leader.

With no fog, (like most recent fishing trips), to greet us as we launched Sunday morning, the calm, cool air of dawn, was a relief as blast off took place. I was ready. Being in second place I took off in that order. As the first day leader took a right and trailed off downriver, I headed north. Far upriver, I stopped and made my first cast of the day with high expectations. As the Zara Super spook made its enticing walk across the waters surface, I awaited in anticipation, of the lovable blowup that had occurred so many times before.

I looked ahead, came up on a stump, the same stump that had produced my first days biggest bass weighing near 4 pounds. I had also released a big bass here on Thursday, after it had hit a buzzbait in practice. After taking big bass honors in the last BASSBUM Solo at Weiss Lake, of a bass that I really believe I lost the day before, I knew that big bass were catchable one day later. I awaited an explosion...that never came.

I seined the area, that had produced the winning catch Saturday and numbers of quality bass in practice, but had no bites, not one. We had taken off at 6:30 a.m. and it was now 9 a.m. and I was getting frantic about even catching a keeper bass to weigh in. Determined to make the best of the next remaining 6 hours, I knew I had better make a good decision soon, especially if I really was going to win this tournament. Tournaments are won by good decisions.

I made a move. It was a wise and good one. My first bass hit the spook at 9:40 it had a big head, long body and looked to be about 6 pounds, but actually weighed 4 1/2 pounds. I had cast the spook up on a lying tree and a small bass had rolled on it, I walked it a few times and unexpectedly the Big Bass had came out and nailed it!

I finished out my limit by 11:30 a.m. fishing spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and jerkbaits and began thinking about my BIG bass stump, as time was ticking on. Having 5 bass about 10 pounds, including one very small, borderline 12 inch bass, I knew I needed to cull one more bass. At least to be in the running to win this 2 day solo tournament, that is, if the current leader did not have as good a day as I was now having.

Saturday, I had fished this fabulous stump at 12:30 p.m. catching my biggest bass on my favorite lure, the zara super spook. This bass weighed almost 4 pounds. I decided that it was time for another move. Tournaments are won by making the right decision, making the right move, going to the right place and throwing the right lure for success. Go with what you know and what works best for you.

I arrived at the huge stump, just 2 hours before having to weigh in at 2 p.m. With cloudy conditions, there was no doubt about the lure I would choose to entice one last bass. I made a long cast, past the magical stump, that had recently produced several bass over 3 pounds, it was a, "Big Bass" hideout. I prepared for the blowup and it came as expected. However, just like man times before, the bass missed it!

Like so many blowups before, I knew what would trigger another strike. I frantically walked the spook, as if to simulate the baitfish attempting to get away from this menacing bass. Five feet, from the now simmering circles of the first blowup, a huge boil appeared right behind the spook. I stopped it, then immediately continued to walk the lure away from the obvious trailing bass. That's when the bass nailed it! My winning bass! I prayed, please don't come off, and the hooks held strong. Still, I had a problem, a Big problem!

The bass was determined to escape and had dove to the roots of the huge stump and got tangled up down below. I frantically trolled over to the stump, not knowing if the bass was even still there, for now I felt nothing. I thought the bass had hung me up and was gone, and perhaps my chance of winning a major tournament, like so many times before, were gone to.

I looked down in the clear water and to my amazement, right next to the stump, was the huge bass, swimming around down below with the spook hanging out of its mouth and the line wrapped around the roots. I thought, "this could be a $3000 bass" and without hesitation, reached all the way down past my shoulder actually wetting my I head while running my hand down the line. I felt the tail of the now played out bass. I pulled the bass up, cut the line and boated one of the most beautiful 3 1/2 pound bass I had ever seen. It was now 12:30 p.m. little did I know, that this was to be my last bass of the day. Not getting another bite, I culled the little bass, now having about 12 pounds and headed in. Was it enough?

When I arrived, the first day leader had rumors floating around that he had a good limit. BASSBUM Solo trail emcee, Jim Purdy, announced he would hold the first day's Top 5 till last in the weigh in. It came down to the wire. Places 3rd, 4th and 5th weighed in, showing it was a tough day for all. I was very fortunate, weighing in the biggest 5 bass limit of the day, weighing just over 12 pounds. Now it was time for the first day leader to weigh in. Did he have enough to overtake my promising victory?

He approached the weigh in stand, straining as he obviously was carrying a lot of water and a bag full of bass. It looked good, but it was not enough. I had won, ironically by about 3 1/2 pounds! With 10 bass weighing 27 3/4 pounds!

Perhaps not as prestigious as the Bassmasters Classic and Angler of the year title, like won by Mark Davis in 1995, all in one season. But, just as proud, I walked to the stage to receive my checks, plaques and the honor of beating some of Alabama's best solo trail anglers, in BASSBUM'S Solo trail season Championship Finale for the year 2000 (see www.bassbum.homestead.com for results)....Thanks, REED MONTGOMERY

Reed Montgomery
Producer / Host "Fishing Alabama" Radio Talk Show
WJOX 690 AM
1805 28 Street
Birmingham, Alabama 35218
Phone (205) 787-5133
Owner / Reeds Guide Service
"Over 30 Years Fishing Alabama for Bass and Stripers"
Website: www.fishingalabama.com