Pickwick prophesying

Two of Pickwick’s best discuss ledges and grass

FLORENCE, Ala. – It’s not often you get a chance to sit in on a conversation between a lake’s two best bass anglers as they discuss the intricacies of what’s happening under the surface of their home lake.

Before takeoff of the FLW American Fishing Series on Pickwick Lake this morning, such a conversation was taking place between well-known Pickwick locals Randy Haynes of Counce, Tenn., and William Davis of Sheffield, Ala.

Haynes and Davis battle each other frequently on Pickwick, but at the heart of their tournament competition is a mutual respect and desire to know what’s happening on the lake.

At the 2008 AFS event on Pickwick, Haynes and Davis traded the lead, but Haynes eventually won. And after day one in this event, Haynes leads and Davis is in second.

“I’m strictly a ledge man, that’s all I fish is ledges,” Haynes said. “William does it all – he’s more of a true tournament fisherman – he’s good on ledges, but he can also fish up in the grass and go shallow back in creeks. I want to learn more of what he knows.”

This morning both pros were contemplating just how much grass it takes in a lake before the bass trade their river-front view on the ledges for the greener pastures of grass.

Obviously bass in grass-less lakes like the primary structure breaks of the main river and creek channels – especially on the TVA system. But bass also love grass, and with so much grass coming on in Pickwick these days, will it ever get to the point that it negates the ledge fishing?

“I hope so!” joked Davis who likes to fish the grass.

Haynes only shook his head.

“The grass does get thick in these TVA systems sometimes,” Haynes opined. “But with so much fluctuation, current and cold weather, at some point it all gets washed away. I think these TVA fish will always relate to ledges first and then grass because they know that grass is only temporary.”

This very scenario was recently played out in the FLW Series event on Chickamauga a few weeks ago. Chickamauga, too, is now flush with hydrilla and milfoil due to a recent growth spurt in the lake’s vegetation.

In that event, Mark Rose won on ledges but finishing just behind him were several pros who were targeting grass exclusively.

And here this week at the Pickwick event, the jury is still out on how this event will be won. Haynes took the early lead on day one with ledge bass, but behind him are Davis and others who are fishing the grass.

The day two weigh-in will begin Friday at 2 p.m. CST at McFarland Park.

Friday’s conditions

Temperature at takeoff: 58 degrees

Expected high temperature: 80 degrees

Water temperature: 76 degrees

Wind: NNW 10 to 15 mph

Day’s outlook: breezy and mild