Lake Jordan, N.C.- November 3, 2007
Many times through the 66
books of the King James Bible, God had tested his servants but none more so
than Job: Things can be so glorious one day and suddenly it would seem that
things can't get any worse the next. This was close to the case at Lake
Jordan in Raleigh N.C. My Partner and I were enjoying the things God had
intended us to. The weather was in the mid 70's with calm winds and we were
doing what we love, trolling for slab craps in the middle if the lake with
no one in sight. When Friday came, I was wondering if one of the seven seals
in revelations had been opened. Now it was cold; the wind was gusting to 25
mph and waves high enough to sink a 20 ft. Ranger Fisherman boat. On a whim
of a second guess I decided to drive a hundred miles to get tight lining
rods for Saturday thinking that “oh yes... now I would be able to fish
the middle of Lake Jordan with 10 to 15 mph winds”. I honestly believe
the devil rode in the back seat with me to change rods because I actually
heard a snicker of a laugh come from the back. Needless to say, it is harder
to tight line in 10 to 15 mph winds in the middle of the lake than it is to
troll. But Lord I promise I will not leave you.
It was a different tale
for the Raleigh team of Freddie Sinclair and Eddie Clifton. The two fished
in sight of the Farrington Bridge around the trees to haul in 17.52 lbs. of
craps to take first place honors along with $1000 cash, two B&M poles of
their choice plus the so desired Winners Circle shirts, for their efforts.
The duo was tight lining minnows on the bottom.
Fishing their first
crappie tournament after switching over from striper fishing (not a novice
at that with several over 50 and a couple over 60 lbs) Gary Ashe and James
Robinson from Concord N.C. took second place with 17.23 lbs. slow trolling
or dragging K-grubs on the bottom to get a check for $500 smackaroos and
also the big fish which weighed 2.44 lbs. This helped their pockets with
$299.00 worth of gas money.
Taking third place was the
consistent team of Milton Dowey and Joe Cantey from Lugoff, S.C. the two
netted 14.92 lbs. fishing around the Farrington bridge all the way up to No
Name Creek. Milton and Joe were also tight lining minnows on the bottom.
In all 48
teams fished for a purse of $4000.00