A look at Elite venues

A look at Ross Barnett

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The fourth stop of the 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series season takes the pros to central Mississippi and Ross Barnett Reservoir, April 27-30. The forecast calls for a violent storm Wednesday night, with the potential for a tornado, followed by calms days with temps climbing near 90 on Friday. Scattered storms are predicted for Saturday while Sunday brings a cold front and chances of powerful thunderstorms. <p> <em>All captions: Mike Suchan</em>
The fourth stop of the 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series season takes the pros to central Mississippi and Ross Barnett Reservoir, April 27-30. The forecast calls for a violent storm Wednesday night, with the potential for a tornado, followed by calms days with temps climbing near 90 on Friday. Scattered storms are predicted for Saturday while Sunday brings a cold front and chances of powerful thunderstorms.

All captions: Mike Suchan

Ross Barnett, named after the state’s 52nd governor, was formed by damming the Pearl River in 1963. At 33,000 square acres, it is the state’s largest drinking water resource but one of the smaller lakes the Elites will visit. The lake, which has an average depth of 10 feet, features 105 miles of shoreline and a 3.5-mile dam and spillway as its southwestern boundary.
Ross Barnett, named after the state’s 52nd governor, was formed by damming the Pearl River in 1963. At 33,000 square acres, it is the state’s largest drinking water resource but one of the smaller lakes the Elites will visit. The lake, which has an average depth of 10 feet, features 105 miles of shoreline and a 3.5-mile dam and spillway as its southwestern boundary.
The Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Ross Barnett takes off each day at 6:15 a.m. CT from 115 Madison Landing Circle in Ridgeland. The 3:15 p.m. weigh-ins are a short walk away in Old Trace Park. This is the 12th B.A.S.S. tournament held on the lake.
The Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Ross Barnett takes off each day at 6:15 a.m. CT from 115 Madison Landing Circle in Ridgeland. The 3:15 p.m. weigh-ins are a short walk away in Old Trace Park. This is the 12th B.A.S.S. tournament held on the lake.
Dalton Laster of Morton holds what many believe is the largest bass ever caught in a tournament on Ross Barnett. Competing in a Fishers of Men event in March 2016, Laster landed this 11.35-pounder shown in a photo submitted to the Jackson Clarion-Ledger. Larry Bull of the state fisheries bureau noted several 10-plus bass caught a decade ago and one in 2010, but records were not kept before 2003.
Dalton Laster of Morton holds what many believe is the largest bass ever caught in a tournament on Ross Barnett. Competing in a Fishers of Men event in March 2016, Laster landed this 11.35-pounder shown in a photo submitted to the Jackson Clarion-Ledger. Larry Bull of the state fisheries bureau noted several 10-plus bass caught a decade ago and one in 2010, but records were not kept before 2003.
Former Elite Series pro Kevin Short weighed an 8-pound fish (left) on the first day of the 2015 Open on Ross Barnett, which proved to be the big bass of the event. A 2013 article in Mississippi Sportsman detailed how fishing improved after pinpoint grass spraying. Clarion-Ledger outdoor writer Bobby Cleveland was credited for serving as a conduit between anglers and reservoir management, advising on which areas needed spray to eliminate channel-clogging vegetation.
Former Elite Series pro Kevin Short weighed an 8-pound fish (left) on the first day of the 2015 Open on Ross Barnett, which proved to be the big bass of the event. A 2013 article in Mississippi Sportsman detailed how fishing improved after pinpoint grass spraying. Clarion-Ledger outdoor writer Bobby Cleveland was credited for serving as a conduit between anglers and reservoir management, advising on which areas needed spray to eliminate channel-clogging vegetation.
Elite Series pro Mike McClelland, who won a Mississippi Invitational on Ross Barnett in December 1996 with 22 pounds, 4 ounces, showed whatever lake managers did since then worked. His 23-5 bag led after Day 1 of the 2015 Open there, easily topping his three-day total from nine years earlier. Of course, The Rez, as it’s known to locals, reared its fickle head as both McClelland and Short missed the Day 3 cut.
Elite Series pro Mike McClelland, who won a Mississippi Invitational on Ross Barnett in December 1996 with 22 pounds, 4 ounces, showed whatever lake managers did since then worked. His 23-5 bag led after Day 1 of the 2015 Open there, easily topping his three-day total from nine years earlier. Of course, The Rez, as it’s known to locals, reared its fickle head as both McClelland and Short missed the Day 3 cut.
Local stick Gene Bishop of Ridgeland benefited and ended up winning that 2015 Open with 55-14. He fished “history” on Day 1 and stumbled with only 8-13, then weighed 21 then 26-1 to take the title and Classic berth.
Local stick Gene Bishop of Ridgeland benefited and ended up winning that 2015 Open with 55-14. He fished “history” on Day 1 and stumbled with only 8-13, then weighed 21 then 26-1 to take the title and Classic berth.
Randall Tharp, the 2013 Open winner on Ross Barnett with 41-15, was asked his take on the venue this week. “I’ve heard the lake has improved dramatically, and as I’ve monitored tournament weights during the pre-practice period, I’ve been impressed with the size of bass regularly brought to the scales,” he said. “Other than the Open I won there, I don’t have a lot of other experience to draw from, but I do know that anytime I can flip a jig I’m happy. And, you can bet a jig will play this time around.”
Randall Tharp, the 2013 Open winner on Ross Barnett with 41-15, was asked his take on the venue this week. “I’ve heard the lake has improved dramatically, and as I’ve monitored tournament weights during the pre-practice period, I’ve been impressed with the size of bass regularly brought to the scales,” he said. “Other than the Open I won there, I don’t have a lot of other experience to draw from, but I do know that anytime I can flip a jig I’m happy. And, you can bet a jig will play this time around.”
Who knows if Roland Martin fished history to land this 6-7 big bass of the 2013 Open. Martin and Bill Dance each won two B.A.S.S. events on Ross Barnett, from 1968 to 1973. Dance became the first to win two Bassmaster events on the same body of water in the 1970 Rebel Invitational there.
Who knows if Roland Martin fished history to land this 6-7 big bass of the 2013 Open. Martin and Bill Dance each won two B.A.S.S. events on Ross Barnett, from 1968 to 1973. Dance became the first to win two Bassmaster events on the same body of water in the 1970 Rebel Invitational there.
Ross Barnett has an average depth of 10 feet but the varied habitat lends itself to options. The lake has three primary areas: main lake, up river and Pelahatchie Bay. Each gives anglers a different look. The main lake area offers ledges, stump-filled flats (that’s Brent Chapman trying to clear a stump) and riprap banks along the dam and entrance to the Pelahatchie Bay area.
Ross Barnett has an average depth of 10 feet but the varied habitat lends itself to options. The lake has three primary areas: main lake, up river and Pelahatchie Bay. Each gives anglers a different look. The main lake area offers ledges, stump-filled flats (that’s Brent Chapman trying to clear a stump) and riprap banks along the dam and entrance to the Pelahatchie Bay area.
Wanna see some big ole lizards? Alton Jones showed us an 8-footer warming itself on a log during practice this week, but the 697-pound gator caught last year just outside the Rez proves respecting the water is critical here.
Wanna see some big ole lizards? Alton Jones showed us an 8-footer warming itself on a log during practice this week, but the 697-pound gator caught last year just outside the Rez proves respecting the water is critical here.
That gator would be a nice little snack for this critter, the fossilized bones of which were discovered when excavating for the spillway way back in the early 1960s. Named Willie the Whale by locals, the 50-foot long whale-like beast was a basilosaurus, which lived 40 million years ago. A geologist said they weren’t uncommon in the area, but since the state didn’t have funds to dig it up, some of the fossils were taken home by folks and others remain in the fill of the spillway. The basilosaurus is the state fossil in Mississippi and Alabama.
That gator would be a nice little snack for this critter, the fossilized bones of which were discovered when excavating for the spillway way back in the early 1960s. Named Willie the Whale by locals, the 50-foot long whale-like beast was a basilosaurus, which lived 40 million years ago. A geologist said they weren’t uncommon in the area, but since the state didn’t have funds to dig it up, some of the fossils were taken home by folks and others remain in the fill of the spillway. The basilosaurus is the state fossil in Mississippi and Alabama.
Before the lake was built, people came to the area to enjoy the Pearl River at Roses Bluff Park, a popular spot for boaters, swimmers and picnics. It’s all under water now.
Before the lake was built, people came to the area to enjoy the Pearl River at Roses Bluff Park, a popular spot for boaters, swimmers and picnics. It’s all under water now.
The Natchez Trace Parkway borders Ross Barnett on its northern side. Part of the Old Trace, a wilderness trail first used by Indians, is now a national park from Nashville, Tenn., to Natchez, Miss. Six miles had to be rerouted as the new reservoir would cover the scenic road and park.
The Natchez Trace Parkway borders Ross Barnett on its northern side. Part of the Old Trace, a wilderness trail first used by Indians, is now a national park from Nashville, Tenn., to Natchez, Miss. Six miles had to be rerouted as the new reservoir would cover the scenic road and park.
The primary purpose of Ross Barnett was to supply water, but it’s also served as great recreation for many in the state as well as reclaimed land for Jackson. The Elite event will be the 12th tournament held there by B.A.S.S.
The primary purpose of Ross Barnett was to supply water, but it’s also served as great recreation for many in the state as well as reclaimed land for Jackson. The Elite event will be the 12th tournament held there by B.A.S.S.
This one should provide an economic boon, with 109 Elites - Jay Brainard is staying home for the birth of his first child -- staff and fans converging Ross Barnett for the fourth event of the season. With several dramatic and spectacular Elite events, one only wonders what marvel might come from mid-Mississippi.
This one should provide an economic boon, with 109 Elites – Jay Brainard is staying home for the birth of his first child — staff and fans converging Ross Barnett for the fourth event of the season. With several dramatic and spectacular Elite events, one only wonders what marvel might come from mid-Mississippi.

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