2014 Lake Eufaula, GA Outdoor Writer's Conference

Introduction: Sitting right on the border of Alabama and Georgia is a 46,000 acre gem of a lake called Walter F. George, or in some circles, Lake Eufaula (not to be confused with the lake in Oklahoma of the same name). It is here that bass fishing legend, Tom Mann invented his Little George Tailspinner bait and the Jelly Worm. It is here that in 1969, Rip Nunnery accomplished the best, single day weight in B.A.S.S history - a 98-15, 15 bass limit. It is here, that Blake Honeycutt won that same tournament with the heaviest winning weight in B.A.S.S. history - 138 pounds, 6 ounces.

Sitting right on the border of Alabama and Georgia is a 46,000 acre gem of a lake called Walter F. George, or in some circles, Lake Eufaula.

It is here, within the facilities run by George T. Bagby State Park and Lodge, that the folks over at Big Bite Baits, Gamakatsu, Spro, Sunline, and Gill hosted their fifth annual writers' conference to introduce both new and existing products.

The Lodge at George T. Bagby State Park played host to this year's writers' conference by Big Bite Baits, Spro, Gamakatsu, Sunline & Gill

Writers' Conference: TackleTour has been lucky enough to receive an invitation to this event since its inception five years ago, and while details of the event change from year to year, what does not change is the hospitality of its organizers and the camaraderie of all those involved. Writers from all the top publications including BassFan, Wired2Fish, InFisherman, Bassmaster, Advanced Angler, are all in attendance as are the hosting companies' bass pros. Names like Aaron Martens, Dean Rojas, Russ Lane, Mike McClelland, Jeff Kriet, Chad Pipkens, John Crews, and Mike Neal were on hand to show us the latest and greatest from these companies.

Lake Eufaula was resplendent in Fall colors.

Over the course of 3 days, each writer gets up to two hours with each pro to cover material such as fishing techniques, rigging advice, gear selection, and of course new and prototype products. Not everything can be discussed immediately, but the on the water, one on one time with each pro is invaluable to what we all do.

George T. Bagby State Park is one of four parks run by the State of Georgia to protect natural habitat along the shores of Lake Eufaula.

Eufaula Lake: Previous year's events have been held at Lake Lanier (3 times) and Table Rock Lake (once), but this year we were afforded the opportunity of a new venue. Walter F. George Lake, more widely known as Eufaula Lake, Georgia is a 46,000 acre lake that extends approximately 30 miles north up from its dam on the Chattahoochie River. It is run by the US Army Corp of Engineers though there are several state run protected areas where habitat and wildlife are left to prosper in their natural environment. These include deer, otters, coyotes, bobcats, owls, hawks, turkey, quail and more, and also endangered species such as bald eagles, alligators and the peregrine falcon.

Big Bite Baits, Spro, Gamakatsu, Sunline, and Gill go through great lengths to host this writers' conference each year.

The primary underwater cover in this lake is hydrilla, which as in all waters where this vegetation is present, is the subject of debate. The thicker the mats, the more difficult it becomes to navigate the lake, but the healthier the fish population - at least to a point. What we witnessed out on the water seemed to be a really good balance between accessibility, fishability, and healthy habitat.

Lake Eufaula has no shortage of underwater habitat for fish.

Eufaula Lake's healthy underwater habitat plays host to a number of fish species including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, bluegill, blue catfish, flathead catfish, channel catfish, white bass, striped bass, and hybrids. Species caught during our three day event were largemouth and spotted bass.

A view of the state run Lodge at George T. Bagby State Park.

The Lodge offers sixty rooms and suites and five cabins.