Gatewood is still open and they have stopped the drawdown, keeping it around 822.5 for a couple of weeks before letting it slowly rise. We'll be out there this Sunday getting the new year off and running and I would love to see all of you there as well. If you have another ramp you want to launch and come up here by water, I am ok with that. If someone were to ask to see your livewell please don't take offense to it (no one has ever done that in my events and I hope it never happens, but you never know). I don't do it, but some folks aren't as trusting as I am. As of right now the weather looks pretty good for Sunday.
For those who get annual launch passes at Gatewood, the 2020 stickers are in, just catch the park manager or someone in the office and get yours.

All events are 1PM till 5PM until the daylight savings time shift in March then we finish out at 1PM till 6PM.
All tournaments are held out of Bartow County Gatewood Park: Exit GA-20 exit on I-75 and turn east, Turn south at the light (right from I-75, left from Canton) next to Wendy's onto Spur 20. Go about 2 miles and turn left on Jim Knight Rd., Turn left when it dead ends at the Bartow Beach Rd. (right in front of the COE maintenance yard). Stay on the Beach road and stay to the left past the park Manager's house and follow the signs to the left to the boat ramp

By tournament time tomorrow the lake will be 5' higher than it was last Sunday!! Amazing what 3" of rain will do to this lake!

Our first Sunday event of the New Year came about with cool High bluebird skies, water temps in the high 40's, clean water in the main lake and muddy above the Blockhouse and up the river. There were 40 anglers with 23 paid entries today, we caught 37 fish for a total of 57.26lbs with 5 largemouths. Here's how the money paid out:
5th place went to Jason & Jason (Boat #21) with 3 fish for 4.99lbs and $35 (see me next Sunday for your money, ya left too early!)
4th place went to Ricky and Jason with 3 fish for 5.01lbs and $52, (see me next Sunday for your money, you also left too early!)
3rd place went to Scott Laughman with 3 fish for 5.24lbs and $69
2nd place was Gage and Blade with 3 fish for 6.18lbs and $86
1st place was a clean sweep for Mike G. with 3 fish for 6.24lbs for $103 and the Side pot of $240, AND Big Bass with a 4.06lb Largejaw for another $115!
Looks like Rick and Danny blew a cylinder on the big motor near Little River and worked all the way back to Galts with a trolling motor. My Optimax also started acting badly today, hopefully it isn't something really bad. with any luck I will find out tomorrow!
Boat or no Boat I will be back at the ramp next Sunday so we will see ya'll there!