A 55-degree temperature and partly cloudy skies greeted anglers on the James River out of Osbourne Landing, VA for the 2016 Bass Pro Shops Big Cat Quest Classic. That pleasant temperature was altered by 19 mph winds with occasional gusts up to 40 mph. Boat control would be a serious challenge for competitors
Osbourne landing is a perfect location for the multiple hourly paybacks that are a feature of this year’s Classic. Ramps and catwalks allow anglers to come in off the river and easily tote their catch to the scales for weigh-in. There several kids coming to the scales today.
Each team has to decide, hour-by-hour, whether or not to carry a fish to the scales. If they decide to take a fish in, they lose valuable fishing time. If they decide not to go in they may lose hourly prize money from for the top four fish of the hour. It is a tough decision, because a 1-pound fish may just be a winner in any given hour.
The weigh-ins began at the 7:00 to 8:00 am hour and continued through the 2:00 to 3:00 pm hour on Saturday. On Sunday the last payback weigh-in hour is 11:00 to noon. Anglers will be fishing for $20,000 in cash and prizes.
The first hour at the scales saw fish of 64.45, 31.60, 18.05 and 1.45 in the money. Jay “Jaybird” Hopkins was the angler that brought in the big fish. The second hour saw fish weighing 33.80, 27.80, 29.90 and 22.85 pounds take the four prize spots. First place paid $400 each hour; Second place paid $300; Third place paid $200 and fourth place paid $100.
Anglers were all reporting the severity of the wind and its effect on boat control and fishing in general. “It is just non-relenting,” said one angler. “We’ve been looking for somewhere to hide and can’t find it.”
By the end of the day numerous anglers were singing the blues about the wind. Two different teams described their set up as “backwards.” The wind was blowing harder than the current was running, making positioning the boat difficult.
That blustery wind was sure to have an impact on the day’s winner, and it did. “I wanted to go down river about 20 miles,” said “Jaybird” Hopkins whose first hour fish held up all day to claim top honors on day one. “It was too windy to go where I wanted, so I just ran up river, picked a spot and fished an hour. I didn’t do any good so I pulled anchor and moved to another spot. About 15 minutes later I had him on. I lucked up!”
What he had on was a 64.45 pound James River blue cat. “I lucked up,” repeated Hopkins describing his day. “Once I was anchored I used Carolina rigs. About 10 to 16 ounces of lead on a slider and 8/0 Gamakatsu hooks baited with shad.”
Hopkins plans to return to Plan A on Sunday. “I picked out a spot about 20 miles down river. That’s where I will go if it ain’t too windy.”
The process begins all over again on Sunday morning. Hourly payouts are given for the hours leading up to 1:00 when the tournament official ends. At that point hourly payouts for both days fishing will be distributed and the anglers catching the top 5 fish for the tournament will be rewarded.
The public is invited and encourage to attend the weigh-in activities at Osborne Landing, 9530 Osborne Turnpike, Henrico, VA.
For more information visit the website at kenfreemanoutdoorpromotions.com, email Ken Freeman at ken@kenfreemanoutdoorpromotions.com or phone Ken at 731-234-1888.
