01/30 - January 29, 2005 - Lake Palestine, TX - Individual Trail

Wow! Not only is the new season here, but it is here with a great start. This season means so much to me personally, I am not even sure how to describe it. My first experiences bass fishing came from inside a Bass Cat boat back in the early 1970's. Now, Media Bass has the priviledge to be be working with that same company. Believe me when I say, "I am thrilled".
The 2005 Tournament Season got started with the Individual Trail kicking it off at Lake Palestine, TX on January 29th. The Friday evening registration with my good old friend Greg, at Porter's Sporting Goods on the lake was both busy and enjoyable. Concerns about potential fog delays the next morning were mixed in all conversations with anglers. I met many new fishermen and visited with more familiar friends Friday night.
As Saturday morning began fears of a fog delay were erased by simply cloudy skies. Nearly all of the 155 manned boats were on the water as we held the morning National Anthem and Prayer before taking off about 7 a.m. from the Villages Marina. What a nice place they have put together there too,might I add.
While the weigh-in progressed, only one of the 10 Little League Anglers (15 or under) maneged to catch a keeper bass. That lone Little Leaguer was Lewisville, TX resident, Cole Temple. Cole's bass weighed 2.06 lbs. and he received a brand new mountain bike and a plaque from Renfro Marine of Lancaster, TX. I want to thank all of the adult anglers (Coaches) for bringing these young people to learn of the good merits of bass fishing competition.
After the 97 anglers with fish had finished weighing in a total of 224 fish for 566.15 lbs., Larry Allen of Dallas, TX stood above the rest with his limit of 13.72 lbs caught on spinnerbaits in the north end of Palestine somewhere. Runninbg a close second was Les Williams of Chandler, TX who had a 13.67 lb. limit. Following Mr. Williams in Third Place was James Matthews of Palestine, TX who had a 13.61 lb. limit. Big Bass honors of the day went to Jay Atkinson of Plano, TX with a 7.59 lb. bass worth $500. Second Big Bass of the day was earned by Tim Edwards of Quinlan, TX for his 6.61 lb'er worth $270. There were several other bass weighed in the high 5 and low 6 lb. range worth mentioning too.
That will put a wrap on the story for the first Media Bass event of 2005. The next Individual Trail tournament will be on Saturday, February 26 at Cedar Creek Lake and followed on Sunday, February 27th at Cedar Creek with the new "Extra Edition" Individuals. Hope to see you there.

Gordon Stauffer
Media Bass