Wow is all I can say. Myself and three other members of the UofL bass fishing team competed in the Arkansas Tech University Invitational on Lake Dardanelle last Friday and Saturday. My partner and I practiced Wed and Thurs and had a ball. This lake is filled with fish, big fish, and it is beautiful down there.

On the first day of practice we were mainly trying to learn the lake and hit a lot of areas using lots of baits to figure the fish out. Our best 5 went around 18 lbs, anchorded by two 5 lbers I caught on a trap. We caught most the fish on trap and jig that day.

Day two was a little tougher, we had around 15 lbs anchored by a 7lber caught on a jig. We hit all new places and once we caught a keeper or two we left out of there.

Day 1 of the tournament we had 5 that went about 14 lbs, but we were happy. Caught them on frogs...totally different then practice day. Lost three fish that would had put us up to the 20 lb mark. We hated the no net rule!

We were sitting in the top ten, which we were happy with since all the other schools in the top were either 2 minutes from the lake to an hour from the lake.

Next day we found the fish, big fish, but we did not capitalize. Came in with a wopping 4 lbs something with 2 keeps and lost our limit twice that day. We found them in a foot of water, mixed in with lilly pads and last years stalks, 66 degree temps way back in a bay. We caught over 100 fish and this was one of my greatest fishing trips ever.

We got a police escort to the meeting, pretty funny when everyone pulls over like it is a funeral procession. I was intervied three times and our other team was intervied a couple times out on the water by FOX. Eventhough we didn't come out with a win, it was a great time and experience in my book. Can't wait to go back.

Oh and does anyone plan on fishing the UofL fundraiser this weekend at Nolin? Man we would sure appreciate the support from any of you guys on here. If you have any questions or anythings shoot me an email at [email protected]
C'mon guys, come out and fish!

Eric Hickman Jr.
The L-Raisin' Anglers of UofL
Vice President
[email protected]
http://www.freewebs.com/ejhick01/