To borrow a phrase commonly heard in racing circuits, Johnny Creel and Steve Stewart headed out into the waters of Lake Seminole to defend their 2006 & 2007 titles, while in pursuit of an unprecedented three-peat with FOM's South GA Division.
The field of 36 teams headed out of the Bass Island canal from Wingate's Lunker Lodge on what was forecasted to be a beautiful South Ga winter morning. It would play out to be about 40-degrees warmer than last months event on Lake Harding, but the damage had probably already been done. A mid-week cold front had cooled Ole Sem's waters back down several degrees, and put the push towards the spawning beds back, by at least a few more days.
Stewart, a Seminole veteran from Donalsonville, GA, was coming off of a 13th place Stren Series finish earlier in the month, where the winner barely broke a ten-pound-per-day average. With day 1, 2, and 3 weights of only 3-4, 12-5, and 7-3, Steve missed the 4th day cut by just a little over a pound, and had a pretty idea what it would take to win this one.
Johnny Creel said that the most exciting moment of the day was when they got their 5th fish, which he knew would give them a very good chance of winning the tournament.
Stewart reported that they only caught 5 fish with one additional missed strike. With all of their fish falling for Carolina Rigs, the three biggest fish were caught in water over 15 feet deep, and the smaller fish later in the day, up on shallow sandbars.
In 2006, the very efficient Seminole Duo put together a FOM South GA one day record of 27.99 pounds. This years limit came from a spot less than 100 yards from where the 2006 record came from. With this year's victory, Stewart & Creel claim 4 out of the last five Division tournaments on Lake Seminole.
Special thanks to all the fine companies that make FOM possible; Triton Boats, Mercury, Shakespeare, All Star Rods, Pflueger, Strike King Lure Company, Reese Marine Towpower, XTools, Solar Bat, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, Berkley, Keelshield, Grace Full Gospel Church, MotorGuide, SOSPENDERS, Marshall’s Marine Lake City SC, Kistler, Mizmo Bait Company, Dual Pro Charger, , Buckeye Lures, Stanley Jigs, Deka Marine Master Batteries, Spike-It, Jacobs Glass, Poor Boys Baits, T&H Marine, Rejuvenade, and Keep Alive Oxygen Infusers
Local sponsors for this tournament were Wingate's Lodge, Faceville Baptist Church, Po Boy's BBQ, Masterbuilt Outdoor Products, Hawg Heaven Gear, Hot Hands, and JJ's Magic.
