~ ~
Senko Wins Ray Scott Light Line Tournament
By Russ Bassdozer

April 27th, 2003

The Yamamoto Tour now crossing the country, where only Yamamoto soft baits may be used; Snag Proof events where only Snag Proof frogs may be used; they are not the only specialty tournaments coming to town.

Ray Scott, founder of and most influential man in organized bass fishing, has debuted a light tackle specialty tournament event, where competitors use only light rods and light lines (IGFA-rated 4 lb test).

"My team partner Donny McElvoy (host of the Outdoor Advantage TV Show on CSS) and I entered Ray's light line specialty event Sunday April 27th on Lake Guntersville, Alabama," says Hadley Coan.

"Most competitors had tiny little lures to match the light rods and 4 lb line, but Donny and I, we reckoned we'd need weight if we were to win. Our first decision was to use big baits for big bass - five, six and seven inch Senkos on 4 lb test. The key was using super-sharp 2/0 Daiichi red bleeding bait hooks, which more easily penetrated without popping the 4 lb line. Our plan worked like a charm. We took first place with 17 1/2 pounds of 5 big bass on big Senkos on 4 lb test line."

"Donny almost topped the 5 lb 12 oz Alabama state 4 lb line class record using a 6-inch 9L-5-222 Christmas tree color Senko, only to be eclipsed minutes later by a 6 lb 3 oz brick brought to the scales, which is the new Alabama state 4 lb line class record pending approval by the authorities," says Hadley.

"I wanted to let you know of the great things that are happening in Alabama on Lake Guntersville with Senkos," says Hadley Coan. "Last year around this time at a BASS pro event, the Bassmaster pros really introduced the Senko to everybody around this part of the country, and we made jaw-droppin' catches on Guntersville with Senkos then. Well the fish have gone crazy over Senkos again..."

"This reminds me of the reigning world record spotted bass caught on only 8 lb line, a 2/0 hook and 6-inch 9L-5-187 Senko by Bryan Shishido," says fishing industry promoter Russ Bassdozer.

Specialty tournaments challenge anglers to bat outside the box of their usual routine. Limiting competition to soft baits only or 4 lb. line puts novel challenges back into bass fishing, and a sense of fun and learning which traditional type tournaments seem to have lost. Even an experienced veteran can savor the unique fresh challenge, and it levels the playing field when all must fish alike, says Bassdozer.

"The specialty event concept, it's fun for everyone. Some include a package of social activities with a banquet, sample product giveaways, special bonuses for using certain brands of hooks or lines for example, factory pro staffers give informal teaching seminars and answer any questions. Everybody gets to become good friends at these social gatherings," says Bassdozer, "Specialty events are special days on the water where everyone goes home feeling like a winner."

For more information on the Yamamoto Tour or Snag Proof events, please visit: http://www.acopens.com

For more information on Ray Scott's light line events, kindly visit: http://www.rayscott.net 

~ ~