The North Carolina East Fishers of Men Firefly Weeknight Series held their third tournament of the 2025 season on Pembroke Creek, Friday, April 28, 2025. The weather was sunny and mild with temperatures in the low 70’s with a moderate breeze out of the South West at 10-20 mph which created difficultly running outside Edenton Bay.  Eight teams participated in the tournament and all teams attended the pre-tournament meeting.

The meeting was started with a prayer and our Chaplain Kenneth Wallace providing the message. Kenneth spoke about “The two Thieves on the Cross”. He read the scripture out of Luke 23: vs 39-43 (NKJV).

Kenneth reflected on the two criminals that were hung beside Jesus on the day of the crucifixion and discussed the heinous crimes they committed. Both were broken physically and emotionally and were facing certain death. Yet their response to Jesus were worlds apart. One mocked Jesus while the other acknowledged his guilt and recognized Jesus as innocent and divine.  With nothing to offer but faith and a humble plea, he said “Remember me”. Jesus response was with grace! Immediate, undeserved and full of hope: “Today you will be with me in Paradise”

Kenneth went on by saying this moment was the clearest picture of the Gospel; Salvation

not earned by deeds, but received by faith. Even in his final moments, this thief experienced mercy, proving it’s never too late to turn to Jesus.

He asked the members the members to reflect on which thief were they more like today in their hearts? Kenneth emphasized that we’ve done nothing too bad to be forgiven, no past is too dark, and no soul is too lost. Jesus saves not because we’re good but because He is!

Kenneth finished by reading Ephesians 2: vs 8-9 which reminds us that it is by Grace that we are saved, through faith that is a gift from God. Jesus meets us where we are – and his Grace covers everything!  The message ended with a prayer thanking Jesus for His Mercy and his gift of Salvation.

After reviewing the rules highlights, our fishermen set out on the Pembroke Creek in search of the winning catch. The fishermen found the bite to bit tough with the afternoon sun and breezy conditions.  There were 32 fish weighed for a total 67.5 pounds.  30 of the fish were released back into the water for 93.8% release. The average number of fish per team was 4, average weight per team 8.45 pounds and the average fish weight was 2.11 pounds.

When the teams came to the scale, Justin Chamblee and his partner Josh Powell, brought a five fish limit to the scales that weighed 13.27 pounds with a nice 4.48 pound kicker fish to secure first place for the tournament. They took home $225.00 dollars for first place. Second place went to the team of Jason Samson and Kenneth Wallace with a five fish limit that weighed 13.27 pounds however they had a .25 pound penalty for a dead fish. Their final weight was 13.02 pounds with a nice 4.21 pound fish to secure runner-up for the day. They took home $55.00 dollars for their efforts. Third place went to Chris and Zach Meads with a five fish limit that weighed 11.40 pounds. There were only two places paid due to the number of boats entered in the tournament. 

Big Fish honors went to the team of Kirk and Trent Nixon who weighed in a nice 4.58 pound fish to take home $40.00 dollars for big fish honors.

We would like to thank all those who helped with making this tournament a success, especially Kenneth Wallace, Gary Sawyer, Isaiah Seigh and Eric Ball as well as all our fishermen. We also would like to thank all the Fishers of Men sponsors; Bass Cat, Mercury, Realtree Fishing, Power Pole, Firefly Outdoor and Marine, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Spiderwire, TH Marine and X2Power.

Place	Team	Members	# Fish	Big Fish	Gross	Penalty	Net Wt	Points
1	32787	Justin Chamblee Josh Powell	5	4.48	13.27	0	13.27	200
2	30953	Kenneth Wallace Jason Samson	5	4.21	13.27	0.25	13.02	199
3	30973	Chris Meads Zachery Meads	5	0	11.65	0.25	11.4	198
4	35650	Craig Simmons Gill Burke	5	0	9.25	0	9.25	197
5	30981	Kirk Nixon trent nixon	5	4.58	8.99	0	8.99	196
6	30954	Patrick Seigh Isaiah Seigh	3	0	6.07	0	6.07	195
7	32786	Alan Meads Gerald Murray	3	0	4.59	0	4.59	194
8	32785	Gary Sawyer Eric Ball	1	1	1	0	1	193
First Place Justin Chamblee and Josh Powell with a five fish limit that weighed 13.27 pounds. Their big fish weighed 4.48 pounds Second Place Kenneth Wallace and Jason Samson with 13.02 pounds. Their big fish weighed 4.31 pounds. Third Place Chris and Zach Meads with five fish that weighed 11.40 pounds. Big Fish for the tournament Kirk and Trent Nixon with a nice 4.58 pound fish.