Since Fork is popular slot lake, this tournament is always wild. A few big bass win the big money but some small fish get check too. So far that smallest fish to get a check has been 0.45 lbs. A 10.69 is leading.

Sadly, the fishing isn't the only thing that's gotten wild.

There were two accidents yesterday, one resulted in fatality. There are few threads on TFF that discuss some of what happened.

quote:

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Kmoo.com Written by KMOO News
Saturday, 13 September 2008 07:13
Three men were injured in a boat accident on Lake Fork Friday morning. One of the men later died from his injuries at a Tyler hospital. Gerald McSchooler and his nephew were fishing on Lake Fork yesterday when their boat was struck by another bass boat near Little Mustang Cove. Authorities say one boat struck the other, running up and over it, eventually capsizing in the water. McSchooler and the driver of the other boat were taken from the lake to Tyler hospitals by helicopter. McSchooler's nephew suffered only minor injuries.

McSchooler's boat was able to make it to the shore while the other boat remained in the water for more than an hour. Game Wardens were eventually able to recover the boat and have impounded both vessels pending the investigation into the crash.

McSchooler worked at Cade's Building Supplies in Mineola. The hardware store remained closed Saturday morning. He had been involved in community theater at the Lake Country Playhouse.

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Here are pics from TFF of the boats involved. The Champion hit on the starboard side belonged to the man who passed. The upside down boat in the water is the Blazer that hit the Champion.






Thoughts and prayers for those involved. Be careful out there guys.


[This message has been edited by kyledr04 (edited 9/13/2008 8:03p).]

Lordy. T&P for those involved.

T&P

Holy crap, were they hit at the boat ramp?

No, these picture were taken after TPWD dragged the boats back to the ramp.

Sorry to hear about that.

An amateur tournament with lots of entries and hourly prizes is why the McDonald's Tournament weekend always equals a few days off the water for Woodruff Guide Service.

T&P's sent out.

I have to say this because it has been on my mind forever. even though it is negligent boating. This **** happens because of the technology of putting 250-300 hp motors on boats to make them go 80+ mph. There is no need for it. Fishing should not be that serious that you have to go that fast on the water to accomplish your goals of catching a fish. When there is just open water and anyone can go any direction at close to flying speeds, dangerous things are bound to happen. Sorry if y'all think that i am wrong, but it is the truth and people need to think about it.

yeah i never understood why a bass boat needs more power than many ski boats

You have to be a pretty bad fisherman if you have to have the speed to hit that many different spots to catch a fish before the tournament runs out.

They already limit HP to 250 for official tournaments because they were having problems with fishermen "racing" eachother to the same spot, and constantly escalating speed. Now they're tweaking the hulls so that they can get 1mph more top end speed out of that 250hp limit.

I want people to be able to boat freely, and do what they want, but they need to do it RESPONSIBLY, and 70-80 mph on small water where other boats could be coming from any direction and of course with NO BRAKES is not responsible. Period.