Part 2 of the Series

In part 1 of this series I discussed changing up our tournament tactics based on being a non-boater. The change being to take as little tackle as necessary to get the job done. Three of us did just that, stuffing a Plano 3700 box with just a few essentials and sticking to it throughout the day.

So how did it work? First the players involved: Matt Baker, Jeff King, and myself, Greg Johnson. Take a look at the results and you can decide. By the way, Matt paired up with Roger Adams, Jeff paired with Bill Whitt, and I paired with Bob Otto.

I can say with no uncertainty that I was excited to be fishing that morning and so was Jeff and Matt.

Another OVBM season has begun and much like last year Mike Brown is sitting on top after the first tournament held at Kentucky and Barkley Lakes. Unlike last year though some minor tweaks were made to the tournament format. Day One was held on Kentucky Lake and Day Two was launched from Barkley.

In the spirit of tweaks and changing things up a bit, I and two of my good friends and fellow OVBM aumni have decided to change our approach up a bit to tournaments. Mainly for cost savings, but also all three of us have had some changes and tweaks in our own lives that have made tournament fishing take a back seat...way back.

XENIA, OHIO - Bass in Lake Loramie will discover 100 new places to nest on Saturday March 15, 2008 when the Ohio Bass Federation’s Ohio Valley Bass Masters, Shelby County Bassmasters, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife (DOW) and Lake Loramie State Park team up to complete the final phase of a Spawning Habitat Improvement Partnership (SHIP) project around the lake. This large-scale conservation-partnering project was launched to enhance largemouth bass spawning habitat using artificial nesting boxes and is modeled after a successful SHIP project conducted at Buckeye Lake in 2005.

Senate Bill 271 was introduced to the Senate Environment and Natural Resources committee on January 10, 2008. The bill, if passed, will change 5 statutes and make some technical changes to other boating laws. State Senator Larry Mumper (R-Marion) is the sponsor. The bill addresses several boating issues that the ODNR Division of Watercraft brought to Senator Mumper’s attention, he said in sponsor testimony. “I see this bill as a common-sense modernization of our laws and do not anticipate any controversy or opposition.” The bill, drafted in close coordination with the Division of Watercraft, would mean the following if adopted:

• Create a "no wake" zone within 100 feet of a law enforcement or public service boat that is stationary and displaying a flashing light.
• Allow for slow towing in some "no wake" zones to improve safety for people learning water sports.
• Include Type V (specialty) life jackets among the types acceptable for children to wear.
• Allow for the transfer of electronic titles for outboard motors. (Electronic transfer of titles for boats has been in place since 1993.)

By Greg Johnson

The OVBM 2007 Season Awards Banquet will be held this Saturday, February 9 from 6-9pm at Treasure Island restraunt in Moraine.

All OVBM Members and their guests are invited to attend. Ohio Valley's Angler of the Year, Big Bass Cup winner, and The Top 8 will be honored.

Here is a review of how the Top 8 found their way up to the top of the standings this past year: