B.A.S.S. tournament puts
Logan Martin on national map
Story by Carol Pappas
and Bassmaster Writer Thomas Allen
Photos courtesy of Bassmaster
Even the rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm on and around Logan Martin Lake as more than 200 anglers from all over the country and Canada launched the inaugural 2020 HuK B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX presented by Abu Garcia March 5.
The historic event, held during the Bassmaster Classic weekend on Lake Guntersville and the BASS Collegiate Series Championship on Lay Lake, chose Logan Martin as its inaugural site for the up-and-coming sport of kayak bass fishing.
Hosted by the Greater Pell City Chamber of Commerce, local officials quickly recognized the impact this national tournament had on the region. “We had over 200 anglers from all over the United States and Canada visit Pell City, stay in our area and patronize our local businesses,” said Chamber Executive Director Urainah Glidewell. “We heard so much positive feedback about how welcoming, warm and accommodating Pell City has been from the anglers. We appreciate being a part of this inaugural event.”
Chamber President Caran Wilbanks agreed. The Chamber, she said, was “honored and proud” to have hosted the inaugural tournament. “Over 222 kayakers, along with some of their families, came here from across the nation and as far away as Canada to fish in our beautiful lake and to shop and dine in our wonderful city.
“The comments and feedback we received from the anglers were all positive and enthusiastic about their Logan Martin Lake and Pell City experiences. We hope this tournament will be the first of many in the years to come.”
City Manager Brian Muenger cited the economic impact of the lake and tournaments like these. “We were extremely pleased at the turnout for the event. The total registration for the event was more than double the initial estimate we received from B.A.S.S., which speaks to the unique appeal of the event,” he said.
“More than two-thirds of the 222 fishermen came from outside of the area, and most came several days in advance to pre-fish for the event. The lake is a major economic driver for our area, and events that bring in outside anglers for long periods of time help increase that impact even further.”
Chasing the big fish and the trophy
Davis topped the field of 222 anglers with a strong five-bass limit measuring 87 3/4 inches.
Davis’ big fish measured 20 inches to cap off his winning limit, earning him the $10,000 first-place purse.
Logan Martin is the third reservoir along the Coosa River, which begins in northwest Georgia and runs south to the Alabama River. The Coosa River is home to the legendary Coosa spotted bass, one of the strongest fish that swims. However, to win on Logan Martin, a big largemouth or two are necessary.
Davis caught nearly 40 bass during official competition, but his limit consisted of three solid largemouth and two spotted bass.
Clear Creek hot spot for tourney
“I launched in Clear Creek, along with many other kayakers, and spent the day working a short length of bank,” Davis said. “This part of Alabama is saturated, and there was plenty of current rolling through the lake, which helps the fishing. I got on a short stretch of rocky shoreline and literally fished it all day long.”
He said the current was positioning the bass along an edge that seemed to reload with fish by the minute.
“I spent seven hours on that little section and never moved,” he said. “I used a Storm Arashi spinbait the entire time, which is unusual for me because I typically throw a Senko. However, the spinbait was the only lure I had that matched the baitfish I was seeing. The fact that I was fishing from a kayak forced me to slow down and focus on a specific area, and it worked.”
Davis fished out of an Old Town Predator PDL that he’s had for two years.
“I sold my bass boat and bought a couple of kayaks. The Old Town has been incredible,” he said. “I’ll be fishing from a kayak as long as I can. I love it.”
Mark Edwards from Pipestem, W.Va., wrapped up his event in second place after a solid day on Logan Martin where he produced a five-bass limit measuring 84 3/4 inches. Edwards runs a Native Watercraft Titan and attributes his success to its stability and accessories.
“I run a Torqeedo kayak trolling motor, which was critical to covering a lot of water and dealing with the current running through the lake right now,” Edwards said. “I started in Clear Creek on both days of practice. I found fish in the main lake pockets, but in a kayak, I couldn’t cover enough of those pockets to be competitive. So, I focused on the fish I found in Clear Creek and it paid off.”
Edwards’ limit consisted of two largemouth and three spotted bass.
“The spotted bass were schooling all day long in Clear Creek and I managed to catch some nice ones throughout the day,” he said. “This was a great event on a great lake even though it rained nearly the entire day. I’ve been fishing competitively from a kayak for three years and I’m super excited to see it getting national attention from Bassmaster. That’s going to take this community to new levels and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Jonathan Lessmann of Madison, fished out of a Bonafide 127 rigged with a Torqeedo trolling motor, YakAttack accessories and a Humminbird Helix 7.
“I launched in Clear Creek and watched the water muddy up as the day went on,” Lessmann said. “But as the current picked up, I was able to catch fish from a mudline on a consistent basis. I threw a custom white spinnerbait with a hybrid skirt in two feet of water or less to catch most of my fish. After several passes, I was able to narrow down the specific area where the bulk of the fish were staging, and it really paid off.”
Lessmann is a disabled Army veteran and found that competitive kayak bass fishing is good medicine for the body and soul.
“I can’t really stand for long periods of time, so a kayak is a natural fit,” he said. “I’ve always been an avid fisherman. Without fishing I don’t know what I’d do. Thankfully, a veteran friend of mine introduced me to the sport, and I’ve been crazy about it ever since.”
Rounding out the Top 10 were Eric Siddiqi (84 1/2 inches) of Ohio, Lance Burris (84 1/4) of Missouri, Dave Sewell (84) of Indiana, Jimmy McClurkan (83 3/4) of Tennessee, Mark Brinkley (83 1/4) of Tennessee, Rus Snyders (83 1/4) of Tennessee and Corey Racer (83) of Texas.
Most Basssmaster kayak events take place and wrap up in the same day. But because this was Classic week, B.A.S.S. invited the top 10, competing for more than $30,000 in cash, to cross the Classic Stage at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center in Birmingham the next day. Organizers thought it would bring more excitement and exposure to the inaugural event.
The B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series continues on Lake Fork in Texas, Tennessee’s Chickamauga Lake, the Upper Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wis., and wraps up at Clear Lake in Northern California.
