 |
| FishTails |
Burdette/Summers Clobber Competition on Mon River
[August 13, 2002] - Chris Lawrence
 |
| Mike Garber and Mike O'brien weigh-in a largemouth weighing 3lbs-6oz
at Prickett's Fort. |
John Burdette and Jim Summers knew they had to have a decent showing on the Buddy Trail's final stop of 2002 to
insure a finish in the top four and automatic berth into the state tournament. What they did almost proved to be
one of the most remarkable feats of the year on the trail.
"We figured we had to catch three fish to finish at least 15th." Says Burdette, "We knew if we finished
15th or better we'd have it locked up."
As it turned out, the well-known tandem had it "locked up" before most of the competition had locked
through.
"We had three fish by the time the first flight was locked through at Opekiska." Says defending State
Champion Summers. "We heard the whistle and knew we were probably in good shape."
From there, the two longtime fishing buddies turned their attention toward making it a profitable day and almost
pulling off what even they thought was among the longest of long shots.
Taking advantage of an early morning bite, Summers and Burdette started in the mouth of Indian Creek with Pop-R
and buzzbaits. The two soon had a limit of quality keepers.
"We were culling by 11:00." Says Summers.
Using a six-inch Culprit worm in Tequila color, the team managed to boat the bulk of 16-keepers before the day
ended, including the tournament lunker of 3lbs-8oz. The amazing total on what most anglers described as a tough
day was a whopping 11lbs-12oz.
The win propelled Summers and Burdette to a final finish of second place in the Buddy Trail championship for the
year, 24 points behind Champions Jim Merical and Ryan Harmon. Few, including Burdette and Summers, would have forecast
such a high finish after blanking in the first tournament of the year at Sutton.
Always a bridesmaid, Lester Marsh and Alan Fluharty solidified their final top four finish as well on the Mon with
their third straight second place finish. Unlike narrow misses at Ravenswood and Moundsville however, the Morgantown
team was a distant second on this day with 7lbs-6oz.
"This is our home water and we knew we could do well here." Noted Marsh.
The two used a little known spot near Fairmont to boat six fish early.
"He broke off a big one early in the morning that worried us." Said Fluharty. "As it turned out
it didn't matter though because Jim and John had so much weight. It wouldn't have mattered even if we caught it."
Jody Green and substitute partner Randy Slayton scored third place with 6lbs-1oz. The strength of their biggest
fish help break the tie and left Scott Phillips and Monte Krepps in fourth with 6-1 as well.
The Prickets Fort Tournament wraps up the Buddy Trail season for 2002.
|
|
|
|
