My first tournament of the season was a tough event on Sam Rayburn.  It was the Stren.......Oops I mean the FLW American Fishing Series.  The water temp was in the mid to upper 40's throughout most of the lake.  There were some shallow areas that would warm up to the low 50's in the afternoons.  I found a few fish on lipless crankbaits along grass edges and also had a shallow bite on my homemade spinnerbait around wood.  Overall the bite was tough.  I ended day one with 12 pounds even.  I caught most on the crankbait around the edge of one grass flat on the north end of the lake.  I was using braided line and a 7' CASTAWAY medium action Soft Touch Series rod.  The rod allowed me to rip the bait from the grass and trigger strikes.  The rod is also has the proper action for playing fish hooked on treble hooks.  I used the 7' heavy action Soft Touch Series rod for my spinnerbait.  It has enough give, to allow the fish to enhale the bait and enough backbone to pull the fish from heavy cover.  My 12 pounds put me in 10th place and in good shape for day one. 

Day 2 was a difficult day.  The only strikes I generated were from short fish.  I ended the day without a keeper bite.  I dropped in the standing, but still had enough weight to stay in the top 50 and earn a small check. 

Last week there was a 20 foot tall waterfall in front of my house.  This week there is a 20' tall ice sickle!  Hope the jet stream moves back north soon!