Sondra Rankin's Blogspot
Ft. Loudoun/Tellico Lakes, Knoxville, TN
Sondra Rankin

Hello, Fishing Fans!

Greetings from Knoxville, TN! It's so nice to have a break long enough to SIT down and review my thoughts over the past few days! This has been an extremely busy week for me! Thanks in advance for your time.

FLW Tour Event, number two, was such a learning experience for me. I was able to bring my own boat, my Ranger Z20, and spend a couple days on the water finding my "own" fish. I was very confident after a good practice that no matter who I'd drawn during the event, that I would at least catch a "few" keepers. The keeper largemouth limit was 14 inches. Friends, I probably caught 520 13.75 inch fish during my stay here in Tellico City. Wow, there are 100's to be caught! What a phenomenal fishery to take friends, kids, and family fishing. The fishing here was fun, indeed, however, keepers were HARD to come by! I believe I only caught four keepers the entire time I've been here! I did catch one nice three pounder on the first day of the tournament, but we'll get to that later!

On day one I drew a local Pro, Mark Mauldin, and was ecstatic to say the least! On the Co-Angler side of the trail it's literally fundamental to receive a good draw partner... a local is most always a bonus! Mark had just fished a tournament one month prior on Loudoun and won with 26lbs. Every spot we pulled up on, he had a story of success! My motivation was high, hopes were even higher, and my mood was that of a winner. Half way through the day, neither he nor I had a keeper in the boat. I began to feel a bit of uncertainty then that waivered my confidence greatly. I tried to mentally prepare myself for a "late bite" but felt a bit of reluctance. Really, my "local/guide/expert" draw had nothing in the live well and we were on the downhill stretch? I stayed positive. We were throwing fish off the side of the boat left and right, fish sized anywhere from four to 13 and a hair shy of 14 inches. It was fun, but a bummer the same. I'd been casting a "shaky head" most the morning, but felt the need to chunck a plug behind the boat to cover a bit more water. Sure enough, the tick, the pull, the lean set and a keeper in the boat! He measured about 14.25 inches. We continue around the rip rap and I'm chunckin' away and caught several more short fish. We come around a bend and I pick up my shaky head once again. I was throwing an 1/8 ounce football head jig with a Berkley Red Crawler Triple Hand Pour 4 inch finesse worm. I pitch up to the bank on a tip of a small point and pull up to feel the slightest amount of pressure. I set, the rod bends and Sondra has a 3.5 lber in the boat. The funny thing about my catching this fish was that the camera boat, FSN, was on my Pro Partner doing a spot on the "local top five pick" for the tournament. He was flipping a jig into the rip rap and explaining how tough the bite was and I performed for him. He said quote, " I was a boaters worst nightmare"! I just think it was because I was a girl and was catching the fish behind him. Actually, in all humor, it's very common for a coangler to catch fish behind a pro in a finesse fashion, especially if he/she is power fishing. Always remember, if the bite is tough, slow it down and shrink it up! My day one partner went in empty handed. Not a keeper all day. I felt so badly for him. We both fished extremely hard!

My day two partner, to put it the best way that I possibly can, was not around any big bites. We caught a lot of fish, dozens probably, just no keepers. I finished the tournament out in 88th. Not exactly the place I'd want to be, but much better than my finish on Travis, for sure! Oh, and MUCH WARMER!!! We were blessed with beautiful weather this week, beautiful scenery, and wonderful time with friends! I am a fierce competitor, so not placing well does bring me down a bit. But it is temporary... This tournament is OVER, I'm heading home after working the fun zone today, and I have nothing to focus on now but Lake Norman. I have only one way to go from now, and that's UP!

Thanks you so much for your time, again. My fans mean everything to me. Without your support and encouragement for me to keep pluggin along, it would be hard to prevail in tough times. Each and every one of you are extremely appreciated and I'm looking forward to shaking your hands and talking fishing in the future! Remember, keep God first in your life, keep your line wet, and keep on keepin' on!

Fish on and Happy EASTER!! Be reminded our sins are forgiven because of HIM!

Sondra Rankin

Paducah, KY