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View Full Version : Irvine Lake 2-15-09 Presidents Day Weekend Tourney 3rd Place & a Masters Spot!



johnsfishing
02-19-2009, 11:09 PM
Well once again my Dad and decided to fish yet another tournament in search of a tournament placing fish and hopefully a masters spot.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/johnsfishing/Irvine%20Lake%202-15-09/2009IrvineLake-PresTourn2-15-09053.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/johnsfishing/Irvine%20Lake%202-15-09/2009IrvineLake-PresTourn2-15-09052.jpg

We arrived at the lake around 5:15 (last vehicle in the first 2 rows) and I went up to the shop to pay for the tourney and check out the tackle shop. It was cool to see that Daniella knew who I was. She was writing my name down as I was approaching her with the money, thought that was cool.

While in the tackle shop I talked with T.O. (Bob), thanks for waving me over and all of the great discussion we had and also with Berkley Pro Team Member Ken Lewis, thanks for the tips, good meeting you. The day started out at 34 degrees with frost all over the dock and morning mist on the water. We departed our ways with Bob and set off for Trout Island.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/johnsfishing/Irvine%20Lake%202-15-09/2009IrvineLake-PresTourn2-15-09004.jpg

We bait fished our spot for about an hour and a half with one mediocre hit. I tried setting the hook on this fish but it was not meant to be. We only saw a handful of fish caught from shore, 3 or so of those being Frenchy's and one or two further down the shoreline.


We departed from Trout Island and set out on the troll around the lake starting from the West Shore all the way around to the flats, not one hit.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/johnsfishing/Irvine%20Lake%202-15-09/2009IrvineLake-PresTourn2-15-09006.jpg

It was then close to 11am and thats when the bite shuts off if there is one. So we checked out the newly submerged back part of the flats. It was about 2ft deep. That was fun, something different to do.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/johnsfishing/Irvine%20Lake%202-15-09/2009IrvineLake-PresTourn2-15-09008.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/johnsfishing/Irvine%20Lake%202-15-09/2009IrvineLake-PresTourn2-15-09011.jpg

We then continued on the troll and ran into T.O. and Kewly out in the middle of the lake. We talked it up for awhile and soon departed.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/johnsfishing/Irvine%20Lake%202-15-09/2009IrvineLake-PresTourn2-15-090-5.jpg

My Dad and I starting looking at our watches 1:15, 1:30, and then 1:45 and then my Dad says you look a little pissed and I replied its a nice day but we need a fish. All day we had talked about just getting that one fish for the tourney as going in, we werent planning on limiting out.

Just a couple minutes later we get a big hook up! We both go into instinct mode! I grab the pole and set the hook and start cranking down on the beast. My Dad puts the motor in neutral (and eventually off) and gets the net and then reels in one of the lines because it had started tangling the line the fish was on!! We get these lines up the boat and I yell cut it! My Dad just in time finds the fingernail clippers and I make sure he cuts his line. The lure had wrapped up around my line so we didnt loose much line but we did loose a brand new Mirashad. Seconds later my Dad has the net in the water and we land this beast of a Brook Trout.

Seconds after landing the fish I start the motor on the second pull and we are off to the dock. We were so excited but at the same time questioning if we were going to make it. We knew it was money! We got into Boat Dock cove and I said, "Beach it right there!!" instead of docking it as we had no time. I was off to the races.. running up the hill from shore and then bolting through the parking lot! Wow! what a rush, I made it just in time for my fish to be weighed. After that, we got the final weight of 4lbs 4oz for the Brook Trout. The tournament was then in the books for the day.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/johnsfishing/Irvine%20Lake%202-15-09/2009IrvineLake-PresTourn2-15-090-1.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/johnsfishing/Irvine%20Lake%202-15-09/2009IrvineLake-PresTourn2-15-090-2.jpg

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http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/johnsfishing/Irvine%20Lake%202-15-09/2009IrvineLake-PresTourn2-15-090-6.jpg

It was amazing to see and hear everyone congratulating me on the fish! It means alot guys, thanks! After the raffle was done Daniella announced the winners. Congratulations guys! Way to go all of you, it was a very slow day out at the Vine.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/johnsfishing/Irvine%20Lake%202-15-09/2009IrvineLake-PresTourn2-15-090-7.jpg

"3rd Place, 4lbs 4oz, John Struckman"

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/johnsfishing/Irvine%20Lake%202-15-09/2009IrvineLake-PresTourn2-15-090-8.jpg

After the results and pictures we went out on the lake for a "victory" troll down the West shore.

It was great seeing everyone out there on an awesome weather day!

In Conclusion,

It was a classic example, as my Dad said of "Never give up", we fished it hard all day and we were rewarded.
Thank you everyone for prior comments on other threads, sorry for getting this one up so late.

Good Fishing to Everyone


johnsfishing

Seng90806
02-20-2009, 12:06 AM
good job out there!!! now all you have to do is take home the masters

Daryl
02-20-2009, 11:12 AM
Good job John. Congratulations on placing and qualifying for the Masters.

Granny Fish
02-20-2009, 11:24 AM
Wow! Great report John. I was really excited when we seen you come rushing to the scales. I'm glad you made the cut and will be fishing the Masters. I didn't get a chance to congradulate you Sunday because of all your fans crowding around. :LOL: You put the time in on the water and you deserve to win. Good luck in the Masters. That was a really beautiful fish.

Sue
02-20-2009, 12:51 PM
Awesome report John, and wonderful job on the fish.

You're a true asset to Team57 and I am soooooo happy you made the Master!

Hitts0n
02-20-2009, 01:06 PM
Those fish look small compared to what the really are ! Good stuff J0nh ! See ya soon !

dirty girl
02-20-2009, 01:08 PM
http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww358/dirtygirlfishing/way_to_go-1.gif YEAH John! Talk about earning your spot in the masters. Good for you for hanging in there with your dad to the bitter end, then racing to the scales. Great story and great pics. Good luck at the masters!
Keepin it dirty,
Dirty Girl

Mondo21
02-20-2009, 04:19 PM
WOW!!!:EyePop: What a nice fish John. Congrats in placing in the Masters. :Thumbs Up: Cindy:Big Smile:

olfishergal
02-20-2009, 06:02 PM
congrats John you deserve it.....beautiful fish....OFG

crappiemike
02-20-2009, 06:58 PM
way to go out there john!! nice looking fish...

congrats to everybody on the winnings!!!!

cm

diamondbear
02-20-2009, 07:28 PM
VICTORY TROLL , I like that as you earned it jf , nice fish .

Marley
02-20-2009, 10:05 PM
Nice job! I'm not sure if I was more impressed with the fish or your sprint uphill to the porch. You didn't have a single second to spare! I'll be rooting for you in the Masters, unless I get a spot myself. We'll have to see.
Too bad about the Mirashad. That's a hot little lure. Wasn't flame, was it? That's my favorite color, caught a bunch on it.

PONTOON
02-20-2009, 11:30 PM
Congratulations John!:Thumbs Up::Thumbs Up:
You and your Dad make a great team and I wish you luck in the Masters tournament.

TroutOnly
02-21-2009, 10:14 AM
GREAT JOB AGAIN JOHN, IT WAS FUNNY WHEN WE WERE STOPPED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAKE AND YOURE DAD SAID ALL WE NEED IS ONE NICE FISH, THE FISHING GODS WERE LISTENING,THAT WAS A BEAUTIFUL BROOK, LAKE MARY AT MAMMOTH HAS GIVEN ME SOME LIKE YOURES, YOU KNOW I ALMOST FORGOT YOU GUYS OWNES ME A BREAKFAST BURRITO FROM THE CASTAIC TRIP I GUESS I HAVE TO COLLECT LATER,,,lol,,,,T/O

troutdog
02-21-2009, 01:12 PM
Nothing better than sprinting to a weigh in...WTG John, congarts and way to represent Team57 buddy!


TD

Troutman65
02-21-2009, 03:33 PM
John, excellent job on that brook trout and a spot in the Masters :!!!: You and your Dad Glen sure are a great team :!!!: Hopefully Glen will be able to get a spot in the Masters too:!!!: That would be :Cool: Nice report :!!!: See you at the lake :Wink::Cool:

yamafish
02-22-2009, 05:42 PM
John,
Nice fish you got there! And you got the Wonka golden
ticket to the Show!
Congratulations!

Good luck in the masters!
Bring back the jacket for T57!

Rodger - YamaFish

Rooster
02-22-2009, 06:21 PM
What an awesome report and pics. John im so happy for ya bro. Cant wait to hear how ya do in the Masters. Congrats :Applause:

Santa Fe Eric
02-22-2009, 08:57 PM
Way to go John!
Way to represent!
I'll be rooting for you!

johnsfishing
02-25-2009, 06:07 PM
sorry for the late replies!!!

Seng90806- Thanks! I am going to put my all into it.

Daryl- Thank You.

Granny Fish- Awesome! Thanks for the sweet comment! :LOL: my fans.. haha! thank you once again.

Sue- thanks!!! awesome.

Hitts0n- thanks. see ya out there.

dirty girl- Im glad you enjoyed the report, thanks.

Mondo21- thank you.

olfishergal- thanks a bunch.

crappiemike- thanks for the reply.

diamondbear- thank you.

Marley- :LOL: running up to the porch was such a rush, thanks and yes I heard the Mirashad (flame) is a hot lure, I need to pick up another one of those.

PONTOON- thank you!! much appreciated.

TroutOnly- thanks! Im glad they listened because that is all we needed, was one nice fish! Good seeing and talking with you out there. And by the way.. Ive never had a breakfast burrito. :LOL:

troutdog- thanks, its a pleasure. I need a new shirt soon! :LOL:

Troutman65- thanks for the cool comment! see ya out there soon.

yamafish- thanks man! Ill give it my all to win.

Rooster- thank you.

Santa Fe Eric- thanks.

Tight Lines Everyone
Good Luck at Irvine,

johnsfishing