Darryl Burkhardt
Harris Chain-BASS January 31-February 6
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1-31-05 Day one-Why should anything be different?  The fishing was pretty tough today.  I found water temperatures in 58-63 degree range, but the weatherman is calling for rain and cold weather.  I saw a lot of empty beds and some cruisers today, but I really don't expect the sight fishing to be a big factor this week, especially with dark skies and rain.

I fished Little lake Harris and Big Lake Harris today, had four bites, set on two.  One was a spawned out three pounder, the other was a pre spawn five pounder.  Still way too early for me to have them figured out.  I will spend more time covering water tomorrow.

2-02-05 Day Two and three of Practice I came down with a cold yesterday and feel poor right now.  I have found a bunch of bed fish, like everyone else, they are quality fish.  The weather is turning nasty, it is rainy and cold, but the fish on beds are locked on.  I am 71st out tomorrow, which should allow me a chance to fish for some of these spawners.  My concern is that with all of the boats headed to the canals, they could muddy up the spawning areas making it difficult to find the beds.  I drew some very detailed maps for myself, so that if the overcast sky or the muddied up water is a factor, I should be able to blind cast the area

I have also located several deep areas that I can go to and catch some pre spawners.  The actual fishing has been tough, but if the sight fishing thing isn't happening, I think I can get a couple of bites in deeper water.  I also might be able to get a kicker fish in the deeper, pre spawn spots.

Last year here, I elected not to fish the spawning canals because everyone was going to be fishing them.  It was a major mistake, because there were enough fish there for everyone.  A guy can only catch one fish at a time, and there are so many, that if you just move a few yards down, you will find another one to catch, so this year I am going to join the crowd.

2-03-05 Day One. We were in a fog delay for three hours this morning, the day almost didn't go off.  I ran to the canals to do what I felt I should have done last year and there were thirty five boats in there.  I had to nice pair of bed fish just outside the opening of the canal, but the water had muddied up with all of the guys going in and I could never find them.  I blind cast the area, and I know that I was in the beds they would not bite.  

I went to my deep area to try and salvage the day. I caught two keepers that weighed just under five pounds and my co-angler caught three that went eleven pounds!  It is a wide open spot that gives the guy in the back as much chance as the guy in front.  With the BASS format, he weighed about 15 pounds.  I also lost two big fish on a crank bait.  I used my new Lamiglas, Skeet Reece, Fiberglass Crank bait rod, it is a wonderful piece of equipment.  Both big fish came off of a brush pile and each took me down into the cinder blocks that anchored the brush pile and just sawed me off.  One of the big fish, came up to shake the crank bait out of his mouth.  That sort of added insult to injury.

I like that deep spot, I was only able to fish it about an hour and a half, and we had eight quality bites.  I am going to start there tomorrow.  I definitely have things to shoot for.  I am about 3 pounds out of the top 50 which if I can keep doing it, will put me in the Classic.  That is my goal, a top 50 every tour stop.  I am also in position to cash a check if I can catch 10-12 pounds, so I do feel good about my chances on day 2.

2-04-05 Day Two. Today I ran to may off shore spot and threw a fat free shad crank bait.  I caught a 5 1/2 and a 4 1/2 right off the bat and felt good about my chances.  You recall yesterday that I told you my area was kind of wide open and it gave my co-angler equal chance to fish.  Today, my co-angler caught three fish that went over 11 pounds.  He had a six, a four and a one that was almost two pounds.  My co-anglers caught over 22 pounds on my spot in  two days.  I figure that the one stretch of deeper water produced about 33 pounds in two days.

The wind blew real hard today and the spot finally stopped producing.  I ran to another little area that was similar and caught a squeaker to give me three fish for ten pounds and change.  I was the last angler in the money at 72nd place.  That makes two tournaments in a row that I have cashed checks.  I did kind of fall off the pace that I wanted to maintain.  I still have a shot at the Classic, but must stay in the top 50 at these events.

I fished the Harris Chain again today, in Big Lake Harris, trying to discover whatever else I can about the lake.  Sunday and Monday I am going down to Toho and will fish, before leaving my boat at a friend's house in Orlando, and flying back to Oregon on Tuesday, to make sure things at the garage are in good shape.