DAY 1 - 2012 FOM LEGACY SERIES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
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07/27/12, Florence, AL… FOM kicked off its annual Legacy Series National Championship Thursday evening at the City Coliseum on Veteran's Drive in Florence, AL with the 6:00pm pre-tournament meal and meeting. 300 Adult-Junior competitors along with a host of family members enjoyed an evening of food, fun, and fellowship as well as our special guest speaker, BASS Elite Series Pro, Tim Horton. We want to thank our Presenting Sponsor, Strike King Lure Company and event hosts, Debbie Wilson, Suzie Shoemaker, and the Florence/Lauderdale Tourism Commission.
150 Adult-Youth teams blasted off from McFarland Park at 6:00 am this morning under partly cloudy skies and warm muggy conditions, with hot temperatures and scattered thunder storms expected for the afternoon. By the end of day, 573 bass crossed the scales, weighing in at 1234.38 lbs. 136 teams connected with fish today and 92 teams limited out. Many reported culling through 15 to 20 or more fish.
With a very impressive 21.37lbs limit, Norman and Chase Ligon will be heading into Saturday’s final day of competition with a mere .18 lbs lead over fellow Alabama Northwest competitors, Donny and Colby Beck, who are presently sitting in the second slot with 21.19.
Just 2.11 lbs back and in 3rd place with 19.08, is the Tennessee West team of Lance and Cole Walker. Their notable limit included 3 nice smallmouths and 2 largemouths, of which one tipped the scales at 6.07 lbs.
TN-W Teammates, Randy Haynes and Wesley Anderson, placed 4th today with 18.11 lbs and Mississippi Central’s, Justin Atkins and Zane Loveday round out the top five with 18.08 lbs.
Horrendous rain, accompanied by very violent lightning plagued the weighin during flights 3 through 5’s scheduled weighin period, thus causing missed photos of many big fish. Danny and Brayden Montgomery, TN-W, claimed “First Big Fish” honors for their outstanding 6.62 lbs largemouth and the “2nd Big Fish” Award went to Kyle and Luke Glasgow for their 6.50 lbs brute.
Although the storm front passed through today, fish weights are not expected to be affected much and optimism remains high for yet another good day of fishing on Saturday's final day of competition where the winners will earn a stunning brand new red and silver, 2012 Skeeter 190 ZX, powered by a 150 hp Yamaha outboard for a total package valued at more than $30,000.00, plus the title of 2012 FOM Legacy Series National Champions.
We want to thank Strike King Lure Company as the Legacy Series Presenting Sponsor, and event hosts, Debbie Wilson, Suzie Shoemaker, and the Florence/Lauderdale Tourism Commission, along with Whole Hog Catering (great grilled chicken!) and the Florence City Park Police.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the fine companies that make Fishers of Men possible: Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, Pflueger Fishing, Stren, Markel American Insurance Company, Nestor Hosiery, Strike King Lure Company (the Legacy Series Presenting Sponsor), Power Pole, Marshall’s Marine, Helly Hansen Outdoor Gear/Sporting Goods, Keelshield, Buckeye Lures, Jacobs Glass, Solar Bat, Duckett Fishing, Berkley Fishing Products, Outdoor Specialty Products (Rejuvenade "Next Generation"®), Abu Garcia, Markel American Insurance, Nester Hosiery, Power Pole, Marshall’s Marine of Lake City SC, Keelshield, and Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits
