Bassmaster Elite Alabama Charge: Dam Busy

It was that crazy!
(Photo: James Overstreet BASS)

Once again the trend of 2011 is fishing in a crowd. Since the Bassmaster Classic, the first official Bassmaster tournament of the year, anglers have battled it out bow to bow. This past week at Pickwick Lake was no different. The tail water area below the Wilson Dam was very popular. Surprisingly, during this tournament many of the Top 30 anglers fished it. Each day the water current dictated which areas were fishable. Many anglers targeted the many giant rocks just below the raging waterfall. Others, like Davy Hite, the eventual winner also cast along the dam.

How crazy was it? How crowded was it? Well, It looked more like opening day of trout on a Great Lake tributary river than bass fishing. Instead of wader to wader, it was trolling motor to trolling motor. Many anglers complained of tangling with other competitors. If someone latched into a frisky drum or striper tangles were inevitable. Davy Hite and Keith Poche worked one section of the dam that was only a few yards long. Both has their boats beside each other and cast to the exact same spot.

Photo: James Overstreet (BASS)

Fishing shoulder to shoulder is not for everyone. But, when a win on the Elite tournament trail is possible, anglers have to just deal with it. Once again, the question is raised concerning the possibilities of how good this area could be if an angler had it to them self. After this Pickwick Lake tournament, the chances of anyone getting that fishing hole to yourself is slim to none.


Next week, the Bassmaster Elite anglers are at Toledo Bend in Texas.