I fished a public budd bass tournament on my home lake, Laurel River Lake in southeast Kentucky, this weekend. My partner and I had 21.56 lbs on 5 fish and finished 3rd. It took over 23lbs to win.

I've posted a coment earlier about the increasing weights it was taking to win a tournament on this lake in the spring, but unil now I had always been on the outside looking in. It was kind of disapointing to have such a great catch and not win the tournament, but on the other hand it is extremely encouraging to see bags this size becoming the norm on my home lake.

My previous comment credited the huge number of 5lb+ smallmouth that are being caught in recent years for the increase in weight needed to place in a tournament, but our bag consisted of just one Smallmouth just over 5lbs, and 4 largemouth, with two of them weighing in right at 5lbs or a little better. It is a great feeling to see a lake that is experiencing a growth in both populations.

23 is not bad, neither is 21.56

That's great news.

With the media telling us that we are killing our resources with acid rain, pollution and global warming, it is nice to read about a successful body of water that is producing quality fish.

'

Hey, do you think the media may be wrong?  

Congrats on your limit.  You guys did great.

That's a nice sack of fish and good news about this lake as well!

The feeling of thinking you had the best day and the biggest bag is worse than loosing the winning fish at the boat imo.

Twenty pound sacks are hard to come by. Congratulations on the third place. How nice is it to be staring back down the order of finish instead of looking up? Good job.

Sounds like you did everything right and as did someone else...Quite an accomplishment and congratulations to both you and your partner.  

Big O

www.ragetail.com

It has been taking 20 pound sacks to win here too.  Kentucky has some great fisheries.

MAN, a lot of tournaments in my area are being won with 12-14lbs! What the heck guys!?!

I fished the same tournament and watched the weigh-in, this lake holds a lot of monster fish. Every tournament this year has taken more than 20 lbs. to win it. Just because every tournament has taken over 20 lbs. to win, don't mean the fish are easy to catch Justin and his partner fished their buts off. Congradulations!!!!!!!

Laurel Lake is the best lake in Kentucky, hands down for spring tournaments. It is producing pigs, next year it may take 30 lbs to win a early spring tournament.

Laurel Lake is the best lake in Kentucky, hands down for spring tournaments. It is producing pigs, next year it may take 30 lbs to win a early spring tournament.

Sounds like I am going to have to take me a fishing trip real soon.

Better make it down before the end of May Big Tom, after that the lake turns horrible until the fall.  I think it is the deep clear water that cause the fish to suspend so deep in the summer. As good as this lake has became in the spring it is that bad in the summer. By July it will take 5lbs or less to win the local Tuesday nighter.

Sucks, because you know they're down there. Just can't figure them out.

That sounds like the lakes here too.  I know where they are but I cannot seem to put a stringer together during the day at all.

I may make it down there before then.  I got a couple tournaments on Yatesville soon that will keep me pretty busy.

Have you ever fished Cedar Creek?  Apparently its supposed to be doing really well right now.  I know of a seven and an eight pounder that has been caught out of it this year.

I have fished Cedar Creek, but only once. At first I thought "wow this bank looks great", then I thought "wow this whole lake looks great". I was a little overwhelmed. I have heard stories of some good fish coming out of there but I didn't have any luck at all, the time I went. I want to fish Cedar Creek some more, but I've got to get some more info before I go back.

My dad caught a 6.22 Smallmouth last Saturday in this same tournament at Laurel and I weighed a 6.3 largemouth for a guy at the dock on Wed. They are really on right now at Laurel.