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Southern Open #1 – Harris Chain – Feast or Famine Now you find them…now you don’t! Slow Start to Joey’s 2012 Season – But a Silver Lining Too!

Tavares, Florida, January 23, 2012 – Joey Nania and a number of other fellow pros bowed to the expertise and seasoned experience of others on the Harris Chain of Lakes last week in the first Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open of the season. 

On the Tournament

Joey had at least one good pre fish day estimating a probable catch of between 13 and 14 pounds.  Flipping worms seemed to be the method of choice.  As was learned after the fact many of the bigger bites were on site fish – one of Joey’s favorite ways to fish, however it took being in the right spawning area of the various lakes to take advantage of the fish that moved up over the course of the tournament.  After his final day’s weight landed him firmly (with a thud) in 134 place out of 197, Joey told tournament director Chris Bowes, “This was tough, I learned a lot and look forward to coming back again one day to apply those lessons.”

“I was amazed at the size of the fish that the leaders like Chris Lane were bringing up to the scales.  I would have loved to bag some of those toads.” As would have a lot of the other 197 professional anglers on the Harris Chain last weekend. “I’m not discouraged at all. Every time I go out adds to my knowledge.” 

Sliver Lining – Meeting Great Young People

Joey’s highlight of pre-fishing was meeting two young fishing enthusiasts and befriending them and their families.  “I was fishing past a dock and there were two kids (ages 11 and 14) Devin and Kyle fishing there.  We started talking and they started asking all kinds of fishing questions just like I used to do at home onLibertyLake. They had never been in a bass boat (much less a Mercury powered Nitro). I told them if their parents approved they could come fishing with me for that Sunday afternoon.  They were all over the offer and their parents agreed, brought them life jackets and we went on to fish and have a great visit.  I really enjoyed their company and friendship. They are great kids and really fired up about fishing. Their parents were great people too and I now have two ‘foster families’ in Central Florida. It really made the whole trip extra special for me.” The photo here is Joey with Devin and one of their green friends!

Next Up: 

Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open #1:  Lake Lewisville, Texas– January 9-11