Bass looked for cover on Lake Fork Saturday morning, but many couldn’t keep from being sniped by the anglers firing away at the first ever Rat-L-Trap Shootout. Fishermen from Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Alabama, and other states hit the water to see who was the best Rat-L-Trap strapping angler on Lake Fork. When the ‘Traps were holstered and the anglers came to weigh-in it was Paul Wirta and Shawn O’Malley that came away with the title. The winning lure was a “Floating” Rat-L-Trap in chrome/black back with a white-feathered hook on the tail. They fished it shallow around vegetation to get their key bites. The duo also managed to take the big fish 1st place prize with a fish under the 16 inch Lake Fork slot that weighed 2.38 lbs.
While many fishermen reported catching multiple 4 to 7 lb. fish, they all were under the 24 in. slot, and no over 24’s were brought in. Despite the nasty northwestern front that moved in and whipped up winds, all the anglers seemed to have a good time on the water, and everyone made it in safely.
David and Brenda Haas of Media Bass directed the tournament and did an excellent job ensuring that everything ran smoothly. One in every five anglers were paid back cash and then 7 places following that received two Micro-Magic Duckett Fishing Rods valued at $160 per rod. Every contestant received a goody bag filled with Mustad hooks, Netbait soft-plastics, and Vicious Fishing Line.
Bill Lewis Lures, the official makers of the Rat-L-Trap is hitting 50 yrs in business in 2014. There are plans for more Rat-L-Trap tournaments for 2014 on Sam Rayburn Reservoir, the California Delta, a TBD location in Florida, and again on Lake Fork in the fall. Please go to www.rat-l-trap.com for more information and a detailed listing of the tournament results. Please contact Megan at our office for further information – mcumbaa@rat-l-trap.com.
Wes Higgins
President
Bill Lewis Lures
ph: 800-633-4861
cell: 318-202-0410
fax: 318-445-8301
Rat-L-Trap.com