Billy, Scott, Matt and Kent are winners at the Crappie Masters

The Crappie Masters is starting of with a bang in 2014 with

Billy and Scott Williams winning the 2014 Florida State Championship

and

Matt Morgan and Kent Watson winning the second leg of the Florida State Championship

Congratulations guys, you all did a great job.


Billy Williams holding up the winning trophy.

Matt and Kent holding up their big fish.

Here's a great video of Matt describing a little about how they did it. It depicts an unusual technique where they spider rig off one side of the boat with 6 poles and use two poles dipping pads on the other side.


Shows you what a little ingenuity and versatility can do for you.

I went to the weigh in at Lake Monroe last weekend. Seeing those big fish was quite inspiring. Looks like the Crappie are starting to get into the pads down here in Florida with big females staging on the outside of them still.

The day before the tournament I enjoyed "Media day" fishing with Scott Williams. He is a very laid back and pleasant fisherman. We rattled across Lake Monroe in a rain storm and continue to fish in the rain all morning. The weather was not cooperating, but the fishing was not bad at all. We had about 5 good ones, but we caught lots of small fish which kept us entertained. Although I did not win big fish at the media event, it was all great fun nonetheless. Still, getting off the lake as cold and wet as I was, was a good thing too!


Here's Chucker "representing" for Crappie.com. You can see Billy and Scott in the background accepting their trophies.

After the weigh in, I went to Hontoon Landing Resort and Marina for a “Writers Camp”. It's kinda funny. I got to fish with the winner of the Championship Scott Williams for media day. And now I was going fishing with Matt Morgan and Kent Watson the very next day at this “Writers Camp” event. Fishing with two winners, two days in a row.

Hontoon Landing is just North of Lake Monroe, and Blue Springs. I'm not sure if you all know about Blue Springs, but it's a natural haven for Manatee. This time of the year there are hundreds there enjoying the natural warm water spring that pumps out over 100 million gallons of 72 degree water each and every day. To see a mother manatee and her calf swim by, slowly, right next to your boat is awe inspiring.

The next day we went down the river to fish (actually South, up river, the river runs North). We idled through a super long no-wake zone designed to protect the manatee. It must have taken close to an hour. But time flew by because of all the sights to see. Deer, Turkey, birds or every kind, and yes Manatee.


It's a shame to see the prop marks on the baby manatee. Hate to say it, but maybe its gonna help her, might serve as a lesson to keep a little more distance from props, well at least hopefully. Seeing them swim through the water so gracefully is truly amazing.


Wow, look at the definition on this Humminbird 1199. Looks like a cartoon drawing. It was so cool to see them on the chart.


Can't forget the Alligators too. Now if that is not a relaxed gator, I don't know what is.


Kent helping Kimber get a fish into the boat.


A couple nice ones we caught.

I'm new to fishing Lilly Pads but I guess it's that time of the year. These guys really know how to fish them quickly. They just keep moving, and dipping their jigs in every hole they can find. Down to the bottom they go, pick it up, jig it twice, move on to the next hole. No messing around, no wasting time.

Check out West Volusia's website for more information about this beautiful area: www.VisitWestVolusia.com
If for no other reason, come here to fish and see the Manatee. You will not be disappointed. I guarantee.