The Erick Bell Memorial honors the man who started the “One Lure Tournament”. We use one of our events each season to follow the tried and true concept. In the Erick Bell Memorial anglers are told which lure they will use for the day. It is one lure, all day. You can have as many of them as you like but can only use that one lure.
The event took place in Upper Tampa Bay with anglers spread out from Safety Harbor to Rocky Creek and every fishy spot in between. Fish were caught on the outside flats and back in the creeks.
We typically choose a lurte that isn’t one of the regulars in everyone’s tackle box. For this event we chose the 1/4 ounce Storm WildEye Swim Shad. We allowed both the golden mullet or the shad colors.
The day started with unseasonably warm weather under blue skies and a negative low tide which challenged everyone to find some water and learn how to use the bait. While plenty of fish were caught, there was only one Snook, Redfish, Trout slam caught among the 30 competitors.
The Pic n’ Sip was held as the Cop Shop in Oldsmar. Once again, thank you Cop Shop for welcoming our crew.
Now for the results of the Erick Bell Memorial:
Slam Category
First Place went to JoseC with a 74.45″ slam. Jose took home $150 and a Polar Bear Cooler.
Second Place went to first time winner Olinfins with a 44″ slam with a flounder replacing the snook. Olinsfins took home $90 and a Wang Anchor.
Third Place went to Mako with a 45.5″ best three Red and Trout combination. Mako took home $60 and a Finatic Designs print.
Snook Division
1st Place – 13- 33.5 snook – Fins Superline
2nd Place – MarkM – 21″ snook – Holy Mackerel Tackle Gift Certificate
3rd Place – Dirksfishin – 12″ flounder – Backwater Paddle
Redfish Division
1st Place – EZYLYF – 28.25″ redfish – Fins Superbraid
2nd Place – Bigfish171 – 27.5″ redfish – Canoe Country Outfitters Gift Certificate
3rd Place – Buda – 23.5 redfish – PFTS Perpetual Jug
Trout Division
1st Place – Tide1on -23″ trout – Fins Superbraid
2nd Place – Rugrat – 21″ trout – Masthead Enterprises Gift Certificate
3rd Place – MikeB – 20.25″ trout – Backwater Paddle
Congratulations to all of the winners and a big thanks to all of our sponsors.
Our next event is PFTS #5 – The My Lures are Better than Your Lures – is on April 7, 2012 in the Palma Sola area. This is the final event and we will be announcing the winners of the Angler of the Year!
We look forward to everyone, and more, coming out to join the fun.
