Lake Claiborne Results: Feb 18, 2012
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Fishers of Men Launches into its 6th Season
Saturday, February 18 marked the beginning of the 6th season for the Fishers of Men North Central Louisiana Division and the start of the five-tournament series in which anglers vie for a bid to the organization’s annual regional and national championships. The inaugural event began at 6:30 a.m., as the teams competing for $2,750 in prizes launched from Kel’s Cove on Lake Claiborne in Homer, Louisiana. The resolve of each of the anglers would be tested throughout the day as they faced less than ideal conditions including temperatures hovering in the upper 40s, consistent winds and rain for much of the morning.
Though battered by Mother Nature, by the time the weigh-in scales closed the resilient field of anglers had brought forth 72 fish totaling 154 pounds. Topping the charts for the day were Farmerville natives Scott Smith and Stacy Boggs who concentrated their efforts on two locations they were confident would produce. The anglers’ hunch proved correct as they were able to land five fish totaling 18.56 pounds, most of which were caught at a depth of seven feet. The largest of the catch—a 6.23 pound largemouth caught by Smith on a jig—took 1st place big bass for the tournament. In total the team earned a payout of over $1,500.
Following a different pattern and fishing multiple baits in multiple locations were the second place team of Kenny and Courtney Harris. The father/son duo, hailing from Calhoun and Eros, respectively, managed to catch nearly a dozen fish during the tournament with their five largest weighing in at 14.70 pounds. With their second place finish, the pair received a payout of $657. Just six-tenths of an ounce behind them were Tom McMillan (Choudrant) and Todd Risinger (West Monroe). Fishing brush tops and docks across the lake, the 3rd place team netted five fish weighing 14.04 pounds and earnings of $430. Included in their total weight was the 2nd place big bass that tipped the scales at 4.09 pounds. Other money winners in the tournament included winners of the “just out of the money” consolation prize—Jon Richardson and Trey McGuire (5 fish, 13.84 pounds).
On the Friday night prior to the event, First Baptist Church of Calhoun hosted the pre-tournament meeting in which anglers, tournament staff, friends and family members gathered for a meal, door prizes, and had the opportunity to hear an inspiring message presented by Brian Patton.
For those who missed out on the first tournament and want to join the action, it’s not too late to take part in the chase for two new Skeeter boats to be awarded at the Regional and National championships. The North Central Louisiana Fishers of Men division will hold the next tournament on Saturday, March 17 on Lake D’Arbonne.
Area anglers will also want to mark their calendars for Saturday, April 7, when the first Fishers of Men Big Bass Open tournament will be held on Lake D’Arbonne. No Fishers of Men membership is required to participate and the event will include a Family Fun Night on the preceding Friday and hourly weigh-ins throughout the tournament day broadcast live by Z-107.5. For information, log on to the website at www.fomntt.com or contact Tournament Director Brent Crawford: (318) 548-4196 or brentwade@aol.com.
The Fishers of Men would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the fine national sponsors that make Fishers of Men possible: Skeeter Boats; Yamaha Outboards; Stren; Pflueger; Strike King Lure Company; Nester Hosiery; Markel American Insurance; Marshall’s Marine; Power-Pole; Duckett Fishing; Buckeye Lures; Keelshield; Solar Bat; Jacobs Glass; Helly Hansen Workwear; and, Rejuvenade.
The North Central Louisiana Division would like to thank our local sponsors that were instrumental in bringing the Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail to local anglers: Community Trust Bank; Crawford Financial; Ludwig Brothers Marine; First National Bank; McKinney Honda; KXKZ-107.5; Southern Steel Fabricators; Ruston Glass & Mirror; and, Radian L. Hennigan, CPA.
