27 Pounds Wins At Oconee In Unique Bass Tournament Format

Minor League Fishing bass tournament hit Lake Oconee on Saturday, June 27, and it took 27-plus pounds and 11 bass to win the event.

The unique bass tournament format allows teams to weigh every legal bass. Anglers are allowed to weigh in as often as they like to avoid crowded livewells and fish dying. In addition, the weights of the competitors are posted via text message to all the contestants on an hourly basis.

Saturday had fairly high winds for summertime, and Georgia Power cooperated with creating current both in the morning and in the afternoon.

First-place winners were Chad Barker and Michael Lynch with 11 bass that went 27.65 pounds, and they split a check for $1,410. Second place with 24 pounds went to Matt Henry and Justin Kimel.

Several competitors commented that they had plenty of bites, but getting them into the boat was a major frustration.

Chad Barker and Michael Lynch used a one-two punch method of fishing. Chad threw a Spro Poppin’ Frog, and Michael would follow right behind him with a jig or shaky head. Chad executed well by landing every bass he hooked up, although there were several times the bass missed the frog completely.

Michael’s follow-up worked well on those fish that missed the frog or weren’t interested in the topwater frog offering. The winners also commented that docks played a major role in their tournament win.

Michael Lynch (left) and Chad Barker won the Minor League Fishing tournament on Oconee with 27.65 pounds and 11 bass.