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Saturday, April 30th, 2011 : Welcome to the 2011 Club Challenge.....or as we renamed it "Mud Bog 2011"! In my 10 years of tournament fishing, on the Upper Bay, NEVER have seen current or muddy water like this! 5 clubs competing, 80+ people, not much clean water to fight for. I found some bigger fish during a scouting trip, and again pre fish, hoping I could catch them in the dirty water. We made the short trip to Apartment Cove, first boat there! We staked our claim on the inner most part of the small cove, and started the tedious, slow process. I chose a Zipper ring worm, black, with a blue paddle tail, rigged on a Tru Tungsten Ikey Head. I fished it on a medium heavy Berkley Lightning rod, with 12lb Vicious Pro Elite Flourocarbon. SLOW. There were 2 other boats there, so it was a crowd, and both of those boats boated keepers. Our turn. I caught my first fish, 3lbs 4oz tight to cover, under an old concrete culvert box. Soon after, I lost a good fish, bad hookset, swimming at sonic speed right at me, never had a chance. I know, days like this, I CANNOT MISS FISH! Execution is critical. We decided to run to Swan Creek, but our stay there was brief. On our way to Furnace Bay, to join the fleet of 50 other boats, we stopped back at Apartment Cove. Empty, not another boat there. Sweet! We worked the area again slow, where Mike C caught a good 4lb fish. Joined again by 3 more boats, we stayed put. I caught my next 3lb fish from a laydown tree, tight in it again. Soon there after, Mike caught his second fish, from the same spot as his first. Another boat caught a 5lb fish from the same spot. This "spot" I refer to, is the sweet spot within the spot. Its no bigger than a car, and they stack up there. I continued laps around the cove, fish on! Fish off! Missed another 4lb fish, just came unbuttoned, gone. ARGH! CANNOT MISS FISH ON A DAY LIKE TODAY! With commotion behind us, the boat from earlier caught a 7lb fish from the exact spot as Mikes fish, and his previous 5lber. We finished out the day in there with no other bites. Catching fish under these conditions is a huge accomplishment! So I was pleased with my day. 2 fish at the scale, for 7lbs 3oz, good for 15th place overall. Team Outcast finished 2nd overall by a mere 2lbs. Next one at Dundee on the 22nd, and then the Ultimate Bass Upper Bay Bash! See you on the water, where life is good!  |
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April 9th, 2011. Morning temps in the 40s, slight breeze, and my Team Outcast tourney season kicks off. With not much to go on, and a subpar SQT the week before, we decided to gamble. Ran to Quantico Creek, hoping for some shallow grass, and wood action. We worked the creek wood, stumps, and some points with nothing to show for about an hour. Finally, a short fish, end of a tree, on a crankbait. Maybe??? BOOM, "Tracy, get the net, this is a monster''........."nevermind'', I foul hooked a carp, but it felt good! Tracy has 1 short fish, we decide to move....not so fast. We see a boat catch a keeper right in front of us, so we work past them. Finally, first keeper, on an Excalibur xcr100 crankbait, hit me literally right at the boat. We moved anyway, to Chicamuxen, then up to the Pumphouse. I missed a fish on the rock jetty right away, on a shaky head. We watched another boat sitting on the sweet spot, not catching anything at all, so now the head games start. "Where are they?, What are they eating?'', other boat leaves. I work straight through where they sat, and bam, keeper #2. Same bait, same type retrieve. We continue around the Pumphouse rocks for another hour or so, and on the sweet spot again, keeper #3, on the crankbait again. With time winding down, headed back to Mattawoman, finished out the day in the shallow grass with no other bites. All in all, it was a tough day, but we had fun, and brought 3 fish back for almost 7lbs. Next stop, Upper Bay, for the Club Challenge. See ya on the water!  |
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Wednesday April, 6th, 2011: Here we go, full swing into the 2011 tournament season. After a great vacation, I am 1000% focused, and raring to go. Up first, the MBF SQT #1, Potomac River, April 2nd, 2011. The water was still cold, 46 to 49 degrees, Mother Nature has been crazy lately. Pre fished on Friday with Jr World Champion, John Duarte. 20mph winds really hampered our day, but we found fish in Mattawoman, shallow grass, behind Marsh Island. We tried and failed at everything else. Without so much as a clue to Saturdays tournament, my head spun all night. My Co-angler for the SQT was Mitch Boyle, from the Western Region. He found some fish pre fishing also, so gameday came, we headed off to his first spot. Bad Luck, Bad Draw Position, Slow Boat, whatever the case, there was already a boat on his spot, and they were catching fish. We worked the area around that boat, and had a great flurry of fish at one point. I caught the first keeper on a Bandit 100 series crankbait in 6' of water, not too long after Mitch caught his keeper. From that spot alone, we caught about 13 fish total, just the 2 small keepers though. Quick run to the pumphouse, 4 boats sitting there, so we ran to Marsh Island. We worked the area thoroughly, inside and out, with only 4 short fish to show. Overall, it was a tremendously tough day, the big girls just wouldnt show up. When a 5lb fish wins lunker, on the Potomac, in Spring, times are tough. Congrats to Don Muir, Brian T, and Randy Elliott, good job boys. Also a huge CONGRATS to Gene Zinkhan, and Joe Devoe, you guys are right there, in position to make the State Team. Thats how Team Outcast rolls!!! Next SQT is June 18th, Deep Creek Lake. Next tourney, is Team Outcast #2, this weekend back on the Potomac. Keep watching the site for updates, while I keep my eyes on the prize. Success is where preparation and opportunity meet, see ya on the water, where life is good! |
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Saturday March 18th, 2011: Here we go, 2011 season is underway. A lot of changes this year, new sponsors, new outlook, and an unrelenting new focus. Huge THANKS to John Hansen, RemoteMechanic.com for keeping things running. Thanks to Crooked Creek Tackle, E3 sports apparel, for their personal support, and Thanks to Ryan Abey and Explosive Tackle for supporting the greatest club around, Team Outcast. Check out the following sites,explosivetackle.com, crookedcreektackle.com, and RemoteMechanic.com, and follow me here or on Facebook. We will try this year to update the site weekly, as well as Tips and Tricks as we get them. As always, I'm on the hunt for additional sponsors, and support wherever possible. Anyone who owns a business, or knows someone who owns a business, that would like to advertise, please contact us through the site, or me directly at ctawney26@yahoo.com. Any business, personal or professional, I will represent with 100% full focus. I take this very serious. Thank you to my fans, friends, family, and sponsors, 2011 is here, and its gonna be outstanding! |
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January 5, 2011 -- Welcome to 2011. The start of the show season is here, The Fishing Expo @ Timonium, January 13-16, I will be there. Most likely at the Mobile Auto Service booth, repping the sponsors. Then the Spring Fishing Classic at BPS in February. A much needed vacation in Florida in March. Then we fish!!! Look for a new page coming soon, Tips and Tricks. Its in the works now. Thanks to all my sponsors; Fish Harder-Tru Tungsten, Picasso, Mihatchii, E3 sports apparel, Crooked Creek tackle, & Mobile Auto Service-Remotemechanic.com. Looking forward to 2011. Now if G Swindle can win the Classic on the Delta? |
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November 22nd, 2010 -- As the tournament season winds down, and the water gets chilly, the fishing slows. The holidays are just about here. Beginning with Thanksgiving, into the New Year, a lot of changes are being made. 1st and foremost, Thanksgiving, and what I'm thankful for. Many things, where to start. My Friends, My Inner Circle. I have the best support staff in place. The positivity, the push, the best people. I'm thankful for my sponsors, Tru Tungsten, E3, Mobile Auto Service/ Remote Mechanic, Crooked Creek Tackle, & my future sponsors. They keep me going, keep me motivated. Thankful for my family, for sticking this out with me. Thankful for Tracy B for keeping the site running, and keeping my sponsor obligations straight. Thankful for my health, and my full-time job and co-workers. Thankful for John M, for starting me off catching bass, and always being there, like my brother. And Thankful for Anita, for seeing my dream along with me, and her push, and drive. Everyone in my life is here for a reason, and I wouldn't ever change that. Looking forward to 2011, new sponsors, new brothers, new family, new fish. Let's keep this train rolling, bigger and better. See ya on the water, where life couldn't be better! Chuck |
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October 16th, 2010, The Potomac River. Don't know where to start with this report, considering at 3am, I realized my boat was damaged. More on that later. Thanks Clint, for bringing your boat, allowing me the opportunity to fish. Chilly run in the morning north to the pumphouse, muddy water, low tide, and windy. We started out throwing crankbaits. My all time favorite crankbait, IMA Shaker, in the dolphin color, came through for me. Managed 2 fish from the rocks/concrete closest the shore immediately at the pumphouse pier. With winds blowing over 30mph, we ran back to Mattawoman, along with everyone else. We flipped wood, rocks, & grass the remainder of the day. I picked up 1 more keeper on a Berkley 4" Pulse worm, from the grass near Trash Point. Congrats to Brian & Dave on 2 giant fish. Good job boys. 1 tourney left, its been a great year. As for the boat, see below post.... 
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On the morning of October 16th, 2010 Preparing for my tournament, I uncovered the Stratos at 4am, immediately noticing something wrong. My transom strap was loose....wasn't loose the night before. I bent over to tighten it, BAM, reality struck! Someone ran into my boat, with their car. Prop was missing a blade, skeg bent and twisted, trailer light broke. Hit and Run. After a witness told me the type of car, we took the bumper piece left at the site, and went searching. We found her. She is giving 3 different stories, lying, and playing games. Now comes the insurance fight, never fun. As of this posting, no word from her insurance, still aint fixed, and she's still lying. Need an entire new lower unit, to start. Stay tuned for updates, thanks for everyones support! 
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Sept 25th, 2010. Chilly morning air. Started the day with a run to the quarry, in the Gunpowder River. A few days of pre-fishing, and help from a friend, only place I knew of fish. Upon entering the gate, it was clear, I was not the only 1 there. Fishers of Men launched a tournament, as did the River Ratz, which put another 20 boats in the area. I shared the quarry with 9 other boats, and quickly became frustrated. I had no less than 3 boats around us catching numerous fish, while we went bite less. Finally, after a quick bite, I set the hook, felt like a great fish, GONE! Never saw it, it just came off. After another 4 hours of watching people catch, we left the quarry. Decided to fish the canal on the way out, boom, fish on. I was throwing a Crooked Creek Tackle Thunderjig (chatterbait), ghost white, with a white zoom fluke trailer. The fish hit me, literally, against the bank, super tight. Initially thinking that the 25mph wind, creating current, would fire these fish up, I was wrong again. Tracy and I covered another 200 yards of bank before I caught my second keeper. Same lure, but this one short lined me, as I was reeling my lure out of the water, maximum of 3' of line. Ran the rest of the canal, ran to Maxwell Point, finished my day in Saltpeter creek with nothing else. On a tough day, after a tough summer, I will gladly take 2 solid keepers. Until next time, see ya on the water!  |
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September 11th, 2010, I joined MBF Northern region director Tom Todd, Greg, and Dan at Gunpowder State Park for Md Park Quest. This is the first year the MBF has participated in this event, helping educate kids about the outdoors. We set up a tent, brought along a boat, and taught the kids about fishing. Tom and Greg spent most of the day with the casting kids set up, teaching them the art of casting to a specific target, Dan and I taught them about the Texas rig. We literally tied over 100 Texas rigged worms each, showing the kids how to do so. In return, we let them attemp to tie some themselves, and overwhelmingly, they did a great job. We all had a good time, and enjoyed the event. Anytime you can give back to the kids, teach the youth, and improve their mental capacities, do so. Its very rewarding, and ya might be surprised what you learn about yourself. 
 
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Saturday, August 28, 2010, water temps 79 to 83. High pressure, high bluebird skies plagued the day. Launched from Tydings at safe light, and began our journey. As Mr Travis Metz and I got to our first spot, already occupied by 2 boats, with a 3rd coming in also, we headed straight to the Northeast River, first stop, Charlestown. We both worked multiple baits around the marina, where I hooked up with a 2.67 lb fish on a crankbait. An xps shallow diver. After an hour, no more bites, we moved a little farther up river. We again worked multiple baits around pilings and submerged wood. Travis hung his crankbait in a piling, I swung the boat past to free his bait, BANG, fish on. A 1.4lb fish. Tide was rising fast, and we kept firing. 1 missed fish on a shakey head, time to move again. After a run and gun few hours, no more fish, we headed in. Wasn't a bad day considering the conditions, more than a few people struggled, with a few getting shut out completely. On to the next one, September, BASS Northern Open, can't wait. See ya on the water, where life is good.... 
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July 17, 2010: MBF Tourney # 3, Dundee Creek Marina 2 words- Tough Day! I spent the majority of Friday pre-fishing for this contest. Found clean, clear water, good tides, caught 1 good keeper, I had confidence. Then Saturday reared its ugly head. Overnight thunderstorms, and a major tide change muddied everything, changed the water drastically. We attempted to stick with the original game plan, ran to Seneca Creek. After a few hours, numerous bait changes, and building frustration, we moved back to the Gunpowder. Maxwell Point, crankbaits, 88 degree water, nothing! Military pier, frogs in the grass, flipped the pier, nothing. Outside grass edge, my partner Jim Hitt, finally a fish on a frog. After spending time there, back to Maxwell, over to Saltpeter, we were still struggling. We called it a day. Congrats to John and Walt on great bags, on a hard day. The Gunpowder/Dundee area has been off all year, muddy, horrible tides. With much thought, and conversation, why doesn't the MBF go north? We have an unbelievable northern area. Susquehanna, Northeast, Elk, and the Conowingo Lake. Changes need to be made. |
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May 29, 2010: Fished the River Ratz Spring open, at the last minute, with my Mentor, John Malczewski. We came up with a quick plan Friday night, and hoped for the best. We drew boat 18 of 24, and were quite surprised when we got to our spot, and it was empty. Scattered grass and a gravel bank, with a small rock jetty, in front of Perryville VA Hospital. About 20 minutes in, John hooked into a 4 lb + fish, that spit his buzzbait halfway to the boat. Not a promising start. But we hung in there, with no particular pattern, and managed a limit of fish before 8:30. I caught fish on a frog, a popper, a crankbait, and an ikey head with a Zoom trick worm. John stuck to the buzzbait, a Strike king sexy shad spinnerbait, and a Manns Mid 1-. All three of our big fish came on the spinnerbait, a 5lb even, a 4 1/2 lber, and our 3lb 11oz fish. All the fish came from the grass on the incoming tide, the bite died with the slack tide, however, we managed a few fish dragging a jig in the grass also. As we got to the scales, we realized we had a chance to place well, and we did just that. 3rd place overall with 19.11 lbs, missing the win by just over a lb. The missed fish first thing in the morning would have sealed the deal, but its called FISHING, not CATCHING. was an incredible day with my favorite fishing partner, and best friend. Thanks John, we finally did it, got the monkey off our back. Thanks to River Ratz, always a well run tournament. 
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April 10, 2010: MBF tourney #1, Potomac River, Smallwood state park. Water temps steady at 62 degrees, stained water. We started out with a short run to a point on the main river south of Mattawoman creek. Rattle traps, and Crankbaits on a gravel bank, with a huge drop to 18 feet deep. A few short fish over a few hour period there, we moved down to Quantico. Nothing happening, tide was super low, windy conditions, chilly air. We moved to a concrete wall, on the Virginia side of the river, and after probing around, I caught the first and only keeper of my day, for 3lbs. After a few more short fish, on the Ima Shaker crankbait, and a Tru Tungsten Ikey head, with a pumpkin/chartreuse zoom trick worm, we moved to the back of Mattawoman creek. With weigh in looming at 2:45, we caught 6 straight short fish between 2 and 2:25, unfortunately, out of time. I finished 27th of the 43 boats entered, not a bad deal, next time I promise to be better. Upper Bay, May 1st, Dundee Creek Marina.........see you there |
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Welcome to the debut of Team Outcast.... First club tourney, April 3, 2010. Ahhh, gotta love a cold front. We fished our first clubby of 2010 on the Potomac river, smallwood state park. Tough conditions, cold weather leading into the night before, but almost everyone caught fish. We started out in Chicamuxen, throwing rattletraps and crankbaits in the grass, 4' deep, with my partner Mike Chittams getting some fish quick. One gravel point in particular, we drilled the the short fish, with just 1 keeper. A couple moves around, and rescuing Mikes beloved lipless crankbait ( which he later lost anyway, sorry about the tree on federal property), we finished up in the grass in Mattawoman. Mike had a great day, with 5 fish for 11lbs. I had 2 keepers for almost 6lbs. Congrats to Charlie D, with a giant bag, that included an 8lb, 8oz monster (see pic).  |
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March 7, 2010 -- Its been a long winter, 80'' of snow, cold and windy. Its all coming to an end, fishing is around the corner. Having signed with a big name sponsor, means bigtime responsibility. The opportunities are endless, and the rewards are great. I have been at Bass Pro in Arundel Mills for the past 2 weekends representing Fish Harder, in particular, Tru Tungsten. We are pushing the whole lineup, But focused on the Tru life swimbaits, and Mad Maxx frogs. The 4'' swimbaits are selling well, sold out of golden shiner, and bluegill. Its so rewarding to stand in the aisle talking to people who want to know. I answer the questions, I know the products. Its especially rewarding, and humbling when people know your name. It feels so good. Next weekend is focused on the kids, the youth, getting them involved in the outdoors. I will still be there repping the sponsors, shaking hands, and talking fishing, come join me. The boat will be prepped, the rods respooled, new baits tested, maps reviewed, fishing reports looked over, and its game on. 
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February 23, 2010 -- Here we go into the 2010 season, incredible new sponsors, New club, and a new outlook. First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to my manager, webmaster/administrator and friend, Tracy. Without her, none of this is possible, great job girl. I have signed a new sponsor for 2010, Fish Harder/ Tru Tungsten. Please check out their site at www.fishharder.com, or become a fan on facebook. This is a huge signing for me, it opens a lot of doors, and I'm thankful for the support they have given me. I will be promoting Tru Tungsten, Picasso, & Mihatchii hooks, as well as Crooked Creek tackle 100% full speed ahead all year long. I have joined a new club also, as a charter member of Team Outcast. We are planning big things for the start of a brilliant new club, with new ideas, and a fresh twist to bass fishing. A great bunch of quality fisherman, that I look forward to competing against, but foremost, sharing and learning from. For those who havent heard, In a previous blog, Johnny Duarte, who qualified from my boat for the Junior World Championship, with a landslide win at Dundee, WON the Junior World Championship in Florida. Let me repeat, HES THE WORLD CHAMPION. Congrats Johnny, cant wait to get ya on the water this year. All in all, Im so grateful for my fans, and the support I have been given, and the future ahead of me. Lets whack em, make a good showing, and have fun. Chuck |
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August 8th, 2009. Misty Morning club tourney, Dundee Creek Marina. Water temps @ 78* in the am, to 82*afternoon. Saltpeter creek was the exception, @ 88*. Right from the start, according to all weather reports, was gonna be a tough day! And it was. Took a short run up in the Gunpowder river, to a secret rockpile, known only to a select few. Alternated between a Yum Buzzfrog, and an Ima Shaker Crankbait. Not much happening with the frog bite, however within 20 minutes hooked up with a 3lb fish on the crankbait. Ran to a grass bed at the state park, nothing going. Back to the rockpile, another 2lb keeper. Things look promising............. A few blowups on the frog, a miss on a shaky head, and 2 more short fish from the rockpile. Played the run n gun game all day, chasing tides, junk fishing. The sun burned through the clouds, temps heated up, fish turned off. All in all, was a good day, we didnt blank, but lost the overall points lead, with less than 5 minutes remaining. Watched 2 fish caught right at the marina, dagger in the heart. Still have 4 tourneys left to get back to the top. WE WILL DO THIS! Until next time, Tight lines.........C |
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July 19th, 2009 Jr World Championship qualifier Water temp 76*am, 81* afternoon Was a tough day for fishing, regardless of age or ability. Very high tides early, the morning after a high pressure system, no wind, blue bird skies. However, Johnny Duarte, fishing from my boat, in the 11-14 age group overcame. He kept his head down, and fished. and fished. and fished harder. Throwing a 10 inch ribbontail worm to bridge pilings paid off. First 4lb fish came strong about 10am. Johnny kept going, we ran all over the Gunpowder River, lay downs, grass, piers, rock piles, nothing doing. HE made the decision to run back to the bridge, where again he tossed the 10'' worm. On back to back pilings, just after noon, he missed another 4lb fish, and a smaller keeper. Undeterred, he plugged away, and it happened. Another fish over 4 lbs in the boat. I was very impressed with this young mans ability, and tenacity. He never gave up, fished until 1:55pm, with the weigh in at 2. After which, he went and won the casting kids competition. A clean sweep for a boy with a truly bright future in the sport of bass fishing. Congratulations young man, GOOD LUCK in West Virginia. 
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Conowingo lake, July 11th, 2009 water temp 81* Launched out of Glen Cove at 5:15am, Headed south along the shore from Glen Cove to Hopkins. Throwing a Green pumpkin/ Chartreuse YUM Buzzfrog, and alternating with an Excalibur XR75 lipless crankbait, Red and Chartreuse. Had a small limit of smallies before I got to Hopkins. Inside Hopkins, in the grass, with the buzzfrog, got a few good bites. 1 tree in particular, gave up a solid largemouth. They were really sucking water through the dam, and the grass came almost completely out of the water. Ran to the train bridge, close to the public ramp. Behind the Second bridge, tight to the wood, with a Green pumpkin 5'' Berkley power shaky worm, rigged on a 1/4 oz football jighead, another solid 2 1/2 lb largemouth. Ran back to Hopkins about 11am, worked the same trees with a Black Emerald Zoom trick worm, wacky rigged, on an 1/8oz Zappu Inchy Wacky jig head, another 2 1/2 lb largemouth. Worked around the cove, as the water started to rise up again, a few short fish. Worked to the point on the right side out of Hopkins, Throwing the Excalibur to a good rocky point, 2 1/4lb smallmouth. Worked back to the "magic tree'', 1 more flip with the wacky rig, 1 more fish over 2lbs. All in All, was a great day, best five went 11lbs 6oz, a solid limit for July on Conowingo lake. |
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