Darold Gleason narrowly missed winning back to back ABA District 45 events by .13 lbs. Gleason won the ABA District 45 event on Sam Rayburn, Sunday November 22 and was .13 lbs from winning the ABA District 45 event on Toledo Bend November 29, 2009. Weather was a major player in both events for Gleason. Clear skies and high pressure made fishing tough on Rayburn for the entire field and rough water kept many anglers close to the ramp on Toledo.
Gleason’s win on Sam Rayburn started with an early limit of bass fishing Rat-L-Traps over grass. Gleason reported catching a decent limit on traps then culled two fish with a shallow crankbait fishing grass lines in 8 to 10 feet of water. Around noon Gleason made a move to deep water where he culled three times, including a six pounder, using a Carolina rigged Stanley Sidewinders.
Second place in the Sam Rayburn event went to William Flournoy with 11.59. Sonny Glasco took third with 10.49. The 6.77 lbs American Rodsmiths Big Bass of the tournament was caught by Rob Anatra. Rob won a rod from American Rodsmiths for his big fish. Dean West, a contractor in Lake Charles, spoiled Gleason’s back to back wins on Toledo with his 5 fish stringer weighing 13.38. West, a team Skeeter member, caught all of his fish in 20 to 25 feet of water along a creek channel on a CC spoon. Dean reported catching 75 to 100 fish on the spoon throughout the day. West fished the south end of Toledo Bend in his Yamaha powered Skeeter ZX 250.
Gleason, a middle school teacher from Leesville, LA, made a 35 mile run in his E-Tec powered Phoenix 721 to catch 13.25 lbs of Toledo bass and take second place. Darold said, “The ability to make a long run in rough water was key to his finish.” Gleason fished Rat-L-Traps around grass to start his day then switched to a shallow crankbait and a texas rigged Senko. Gleason reported catching 15 to 20 keepers throughout the morning. Darold wanted to thank his sponsors Stanley Jigs, Bill Lewis Lures, Phoenix Boats, Toyota Trucks Bonus Bucks Program, Castaway Rods, and BTS Products (Bow to Stern & KVD Line & Lure Conditioner).
The third place stringer was brought in by Bobby Vice, of Vinton, LA. Bobby’s 10.57 stringer was caught on Rat-L-Traps early and flipping jigs in grass the rest of the day. Eric Wade’s 3.87 lbs bass was the American Rodsmiths Big Bass of the tournament. Eric won a spinnerbait rod from American Rodsmiths. ABA District 45 would to thank all its anglers and sponsors, American Rodsmiths, The Yamaha Shop in Lake Charles, Fontenot and Fontenot Law Offices, and Pirates Cove Marina. Our next ABA District 45 event will be on Toledo Bend, Sunday December 20 following the Up and Coming Outdoors open Team tournament on Saturday. Pirates Cove Marina will be the host ramp for both events.
Travis Merritt
ABA District 45 Director
