Notes from the Tournament Director 6/12/11:

TIPPING the SCALE

Tour Stop Five RUSSELL

Notes from the Tournament Director 6/12/11

The 2011 TBF Tournament Tour’s 4th stop Greenwood was a hoot – Thanks for making it so!

HOT HOT HOT – ICE ICE ICE BABY! Lake Russell promises only to be fun and HOT, with many small fish sure to be caught. But, Russell can surprise you – it does have big spots and big Large Mouths – let’s challenge Russell not Vice Versa! Keep you, your non boater, and the fish KOOL all day long - Bring lots of ICE for the trip!

KEEP ‘EM ALIVE: Several days in advance, you might opt to freeze some of those pint size plastic drinking water bottles you all buy/use. On Saturday, throw them in the boat cooler! Start before blast off by filling live wells, put them on recirculate, and place two frozen water bottles in them to temper the water. At least every two hours and dependant on your catch and the heat, replace thawed out bottles with frozen ones! Save the replaced bottles, they can be chilled, drank, or frozen once again. Remember cooler water holds more oxygen! A wet face towel kept in the cooler & place around your neck periodically will help keep you cool in the heat! Keep hydrated and hydrate often!

GETTING STARTED EARLY!

We are launching from the Hwy 72 Bridge Ramp at the middle of the lake adjacent to Calhoun Falls, SC. Please be launched, have your boat checked, and your non-boater aboard by 5:15AM. Be ready to Blast Off at safe light! Having all boats and all anglers present and accounted for early assures a timely launch – The “morning bite” is big on Russell!

The tournament committee (flashing red lights and high visibility vests identify them) will be checking boats at the dock / ramp starting at 5:15 AM. Have aerator turned on, the live well lids up; and, when instructed, demonstrate the kill switch. Listen carefully to the members of the tournament committee; they will provide you with information about the official time, weigh in time, answer any questions you may have, and issue the Official TBFSC Tournament Fob with your boat number on it. NOTE: The fob is proof that you have met all TBF requirements, and are qualified to fish. The Boater / Co-Angler MUST NOT LOSE THE FOB! Without it you cannot weigh in!

NOTE: After boat check remain floating in basin to the right the of ramp, big motors off and use trolling motors only in the staging area in front of the tournament dock prior to launch to assure that every angler can hear the Tournament Director Pre-Launch Meeting Announcements. Make sure you have read and know the tournament rules – it is your responsibility to know them and comply with them at all times! Off limits will be areas marked as such by local authorities.

5:15 AM - Floating, Boat Check Complete, Fob in Pocket, and CO-Angler aboard

5:45 AM - Announcements

SAFE LIGHT – Last Boat acts to Safely Blast off the flight.

3:30 PM Sharp! - All boats must be back in by 3:30 sharp or be subject to penalty. Check in boat floating in front of the Boat Check / Tournament dock; a TC team member wearing a high visibility vest and will record your time of arrival and take your fob! You must return the fob in order to weigh in, no exceptions!

Weigh In – I will be floating in the boat basin at approximately 3:15 PM to record your on time check and take your fob! The TBF tent will be set up in the area. Bring your catch directly to the weigh in area in a tournament assigned bag only! Please DO NOT hold your catch until others have weighed in. It is our goal to complete the weigh in and announce the winners before 4:30 PM – Your assistance is appreciated – KEEP’EM ALL ALIVE!!

The weigh in bags are kept to a minimum to assure the safety of the fish. If you do not have an official bag, you can get one from an angler after he returns his fish to the lake. Be patient and polite, please!

Be careful, be safe, Good FISHING, and GOOD Luck!

Tony Wilcox
2011 TBFSC – Tournament Director