Articles by Bobby Cleveland

About Bobby Cleveland
Bobby Cleveland has covered sports in Mississippi for over 40 years. A native of Hattiesburg and graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Cleveland lives on Ross Barnett Reservoir near Jackson with his wife Pam.
Bass Fishing

Recent catch proves bass record within reach

January 15, 2013 Bobby Cleveland

When he caught a 17.34-pound bass Jan. 4 at Davis Lake, Jeff Foster did more than simply post the second-largest largemouth ever reported in Mississippi. He showed conclusively that Anthony Denny’s state record of 18.15 pounds is vulnerable.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt about that whatsoever,” said Ron Garavelli, the chief of fisheries for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. “That fish right there could have — no, make that would have — broken the record had it been caught a couple of months later when it was full of eggs.

“We’re only talking about .8 of a pound difference between 17.34 and 18.15, so yeah, fully loaded with eggs it would have been the record.” […]

Deer of the Year

Hunter gets her ‘Oh My Gosh Buck’

January 9, 2013 Bobby Cleveland

Delise Menotti of Vicksburg loves deer hunting to the extent of few women. From the start of bow season to the end of the final primitive weapon season, she eats, sleeps and dreams the sport.

She hunts as often as possible, usually with her husband Scott.

Heck, she even wrote a country music song about it, which includes these lyrics: “I’m huntin’ deer and my dear is huntin’ me. Gotta Boone and Crockett in my scope, said a prayer asked for hope and steadied my rifle for the shot.” […]

Deer of the Year

Hunter gets ‘Bull Shark,’ all 164 4/8 inches of him

January 8, 2013 Bobby Cleveland

Following what is becoming an all-too-familiar plot of modern deer hunting, Taylor Chastain closed the book on a well-known buck’s story on Jan. 3 at Bozeman Farms in western Madison County.

It was the Bull Shark.

Chastain and the Bozemans had been watching the deer for three seasons. There are numerous trail cam photos dating back to 2010, when it finally achieved mature status, a close call from the 2011 archery season and sheds from both years. […]

Bobby C's Outdoors

Chase to fulfill resolution begins

January 4, 2013 Bobby Cleveland

I promised myself that the first day that conditions allowed, I would try to get started on fulfilling one of the many New Year’s resolutions I made, and the only one I am likely to continue.

The resolution: Catch at least 21 freshwater species of fish in Mississippi in 2013.

I am also attempting to get 15 saltwater species in the Gulf, which would be easier if it wasn’t harder to arrange the trips. […]

Breaking News

Giles Island buck measures 242 inches

December 22, 2012 Bobby Cleveland

Jimmy Riley knows bucks. It’s his job, since he’s the head guide at Giles Island Hunting Club, one of the South’s premier outfitters, and a star on Mossy Oak’s “Deer Thugs” on the Pursuit Channel.

But even he was stunned at the antler dimensions of a Giles Island Buck killed Thursday (Dec. 20)by client Joshua Bruce of Alexandria, La.

“I measured him at 242 6/8 inches gross,” said Riley. […]

Featured

Davis Lake crappie overpopulated, need thinning out

December 20, 2012 Bobby Cleveland

Crappie continue to dominate the statewide fishing report, with quality slabs coming from the oxbows like Eagle, Chotard and Ferguson lakes, but there’s a lake in Northeast Mississippi that is producing better quantity.

But as good as the bite is, Davis Lake is not getting great reviews.

An anonymous writer to MS-Sportsman.com this week was concerned about the overall condition of the crappie fishery at the 200-acre lake operated by the U.S. Forest Service. His e-mail: […]