The 2010 UBCS was hosted by the Lock Jaw Bass Club out of North Toledo Bend State Park on February 27th and 28th. Two clubs battled it out for the top honors and bragging rights. Twin Cities Team Club was there to get their 4 time victory trophy back and reclaim their bragging rights. Lock Jaw Bass club came in force to keep their two year winning streak going. Most members from both clubs arrived on Thursday to settle in and begin prefishing. This was the earliest we have ever had a UBCS and the LJBC made that decision based on other major tournaments taking place at Toledo. That did not pan out so well because one of the tournaments that held the great concern for us ended up scheduling their tournament the same weekend. The amount pressure on the water didn’t make things easy for the anglers. Add the fishing pressure with very cold temps and strong winds, and you are in for some tough fishing.
Thursday night the air was full of different aromas from deer gravy to BBQ steaks. There were several games of washer boards taking place with some stiff competition. Fish stories were being told around a camp fire and new nick names were being developed as the night went on. The weather seemed to be getting colder and everyone was trying to adjust their fishing strategies for the next day of prefishing.
Friday morning everyone was off to a slow start. With temperatures in the low 40s and no signs of any warming in sight, anglers were not that anxious to get out on the water. Even though it was tough conditions everyone made it out to try and locate some fish. It was a short day on the lake for most as conditions were not improving and neither was the bite. Friday evening the smell of food started working around the camp ground as TCTC began preparing the meal for that night. It was pot luck for the night and everyone filled their bellies before tucking in for a good night sleep to prepare for a challenging day ahead.
Saturday morning we started off early and Jacque and Billy, the official LJBC cooks, helped out with checking in everybody. LJBC won the coin toss the night before and opted to give TCTC first blast off on Saturday. It was anything but a great day of fishing for most anglers. The fishing was very tough but as always someone gets on them. After a very tough day on the lake all the anglers arrived at the park for the day one weigh in. On day one weights were very close in the team division and the club division. LJBC lead with a very narrow margin.
After weigh in, everyone brought their boats in to get them ready for the following day. Jacques and Billy had the beer on ice and Gumbo ready to eat. Once everyone served, the door prizes were handed out. Night stays at Grand Casino, dinner for two at the Big Sky, Shimano reels, Cast-a- way rods, ice chest, and various baits were among the door prizes given out. Everyone walked away with a door prize. There was more fish stories being told around the fire and everyone seemed to be enjoying the weekend even though the fishing was tough.
Sunday morning came and LJBC was first to blast off. Sunday was yet another tough day and it was evident at the weigh in as many teams came in with one or none. The leading team, Eric and Mitch LeBleu, came in short Sunday and relinquished the lead to John LeDoux and Max Richard. Pulling in a close second was LJBC president Jimmy Brown and DJ, and the 3rd place team went to yet another LJBC team which was Mitch and Eric LeBleu. Dwight Croak also from LJBC had the big bass of the day. TCTC did claim one trophy and that was taken by Ron Fogelson who had big bass Saturday which was also the big bass of the tournament. The Lock Jaw Bass club really poured it on Sunday and won the club event by over 10lbs. That makes three in a row for the Lock Jaw Bass Club and a promise for an all out shootout in 2011.
Jared LeBlue
