The curtains have been pulled on the final act of the FOM Nation’s 2017 Season and the finale was amazingly calm until the last few minutes.
Last but not least, the Diamond’s shined well enough on day two to secure District 2’s Adult/Junior slot for the National Championship. They ended up in 29th place overall with 18.75 for the weekend.
Just above them, the day 1 male/female team leader, Ben and Lacy Kabel, nearly doubled their first day weight and sound-fully netted the other District 2 special teams slot for the Guntersville tournament next spring. The other good news was that since they qualified as a special team, they did not use the 10th place slot. Gotta love a good double qualifying finish on the last day of the season. After getting some special worms delivered overnight, they finished with 22.95 pounds!!
The severe front that had threatened for days brought in a very cloudy day with a lite wind starting mid-morning and slowly building throughout the day. The clouds and wind changed the sizes a lot of the teams were catching, but it seemed like for every team that dropped two pounds, the next team picked them up. There were a few large fish caught, but for the most part it was just one bag after another with five fish limits. Interestingly, there were only three teams that made it into the top ten, that didn’t finish there on day 1.
And more amazingly, the top three teams after day 1, finished in the top three after day two. Sadly, for the day 1 leaders, Steve Sanders and Tim Gables, a ten-pound limit was not nearly enough to hold the lead and they went from having a two-pound lead to falling almost 5 pounds out of first. It was still a great weekend as they secured a slot in the National Championship. They just couldn’t get the big bites they needed to stay on top.
Day one’s second place holders, Mike Crump and Jeff Cooper, had another very solid day, and finished just three pounds back, holding strong to their 2nd place position. Their two-day total was just over 30 pounds, and most importantly, also secured them a slot to move on to the finals. Maybe their most difficult moment of the day was weighing in just after the day’s biggest bag, a beautiful 18 pounds.
And that 18 pounds, 18.53 to be exact, was not just the heaviest catch of the day, it was also the biggest bag for both days, nudging out another 18-pounder from day one by just under2/10ths of a pound. It also had the largest bass of the weekend in it, a beautiful bigmouth bass weighing 5.88 all by herself. She would also nudge out day one’s big fish by a little over half a pound. But most importantly, it bumped Sanders and Gables out of the lead for good, a spot they did not easily let go of. With such an amazing day, it was no big surprise to see George Crain and Allan Glasgow fight their way into 1st place, and after a brief few moments of waiting to see what Crump and Cooper had, never look back. A short interview of their weekend should be available in a few days.
George and Allan are the Points Champions for the AL Northeast Division this year, so they also double qualified for the trip to Guntersville, allowing their slot to be filled by another team further down the line.
Coosa Landing will likely smell fishy for weeks to come. An estimated 650 fish were caught and released to fight another day, after taking a few days off to let their lips heal, of course.
Wishing all the #FOMNation Peeps a wonderfully thankful Thanksgiving, and a magically Merry Christmas. The 2018 season is less than two months away.
A great big thanks to the Greater Gadsden Area Tourism (Hugh Stumps III, Gadsden Parks and Recreation (Jennifer Gipson) and Coosa Landing (Julie Tucker) for rolling out the red carpets for the #FOMNation this weekend.
For more pictures, click here
And thanks to the wonderful sponsors for making 2017 one of the best seasons yet for the Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail:
BassCat Boats, Mercury, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Strike King Lure Company, Kings Home, Power-Pole, Raymarine, Duckett Fishing, ORCA Coolers, Buckeye Lures, T&H Maine, Gator Guards, Solar Bat, Kistler Rods, HydroWave, Enigma, KidCasters, Fishouflage, Costa, Jacobs Glass, Rayjus Sportswear, Rod ArmorZ, and Rejuvenade.
| View Multiday Day Results | Day 1 | Day 2 |
Place | Team | Members | # Fish | Big Fish | Gross | Penalty | Net Wt | Points | |
1 | 19037 |
George Crain Allan Glasgow | 5 | 5.88 | 18.53 | 0 | 18.53 | 200 | |
2 | 19022 |
Craig Bellew Jason Morgan | 5 | 5.08 | 15.35 | 0 | 15.35 | 197 | |
3 | 21290 |
Ben Kabel Lacy Kabel | 5 | 4.5 | 14.55 | 0 | 14.55 | 191 | |
4 | 19076 |
Mike Crump Jeff Cooper | 5 | 0 | 14.47 | 0 | 14.47 | 199 | |
5 | 18312 |
Alan Smith Ralph Pierce | 5 | 4.73 | 14.46 | 0 | 14.46 | 193 | |
6 | 19032 |
James Swindle Austin Swindle | 5 | 0 | 14.29 | 0 | 14.29 | 194 | |
7 | 3980 |
Ronald Lambert Andrew Lambert | 5 | 0 | 13.88 | 0 | 13.88 | 184 | |
8 | 21603 |
Steve Wilson Hank Hayes | 5 | 0 | 13.41 | 0 | 13.41 | 196 | |
9 | 22261 |
David Saltsgaver Bill Caldwell | 5 | 0 | 12.58 | 0 | 12.58 | 186 | |
10 | 14592 |
Christopher Newell Roger Motes | 5 | 0 | 12.32 | 0 | 12.32 | 180 | |
11 | 13206 |
Bobby Sanders Troy Shirley | 5 | 0 | 12.24 | 0 | 12.24 | 188 | |
12 | 17176 |
Curtis White Zachery White | 5 | 0 | 12.17 | 0 | 12.17 | 192 | |
13 | 18937 |
Darrin Gibson Charles Agerton | 5 | 2.83 | 12.16 | 0 | 12.16 | 170 | |
14 | 3808 |
Mike Hazel Chad Hazel | 5 | 0 | 12.05 | 0 | 12.05 | 189 | |
15 | 22259 |
Tom Goins Vernon Silver | 5 | 0 | 11.88 | 0 | 11.88 | 190 | |
16 | 22260 |
Jon Richardson | 5 | 3.8 | 11.87 | 0 | 11.87 | 182 | |
17 | 19013 |
Kelly Huffstutler Tim Harbison | 5 | 0 | 11.14 | 0 | 11.14 | 195 | |
18 | 17734 |
Sean Terrell Chris Blackwood | 5 | 4.55 | 10.95 | 0 | 10.95 | 161 | |
19 | 740 |
Kenneth Bean Alvin Parrish | 5 | 0 | 10.87 | 0 | 10.87 | 183 | |
20 | 21020 |
Shane Bryson Brandon Johnson | 5 | 0 | 10.85 | 0 | 10.85 | 179 | |
21 | 11485 |
Charles Estes Austin Archer | 5 | 0 | 10.83 | 0 | 10.83 | 176 | |
22 | 3392 |
Randy Culver Steve Miles | 5 | 0 | 10.7 | 0 | 10.7 | 149 | |
23 | 18493 |
Wallace Osborn John Hayes | 5 | 0 | 10.38 | 0 | 10.38 | 185 | |
24 | 14608 |
Errol Duckett Jimmy Leshock | 5 | 0 | 10.3 | 0 | 10.3 | 164 | |
25 | 21617 |
Steve Sanders | 5 | 0 | 10.24 | 0 | 10.24 | 198 | |
26 | 609 |
Hubble Sowards Mark Watson | 5 | 0 | 9.92 | 0 | 9.92 | 178 | |
27 | 22252 |
Gary Horne Zac Lambert | 5 | 0 | 9.82 | 0 | 9.82 | 156 | |
28 | 11889 |
Ron Holler Elaine Holler | 5 | 0 | 9.81 | 0 | 9.81 | 167 | |
29 | 19827 |
Steve Callins Ty Story | 5 | 0 | 9.75 | 0 | 9.75 | 163 | |
30 | 15933 |
Justin Wimberley Eric Weeks | 5 | 0 | 9.59 | 0 | 9.59 | 173 | |
31 | 19021 |
Tim Van Polen Brandon Smith | 5 | 0 | 9.57 | 0 | 9.57 | 162 | |
32 | 19083 |
Dwayne Lewis Malissa Lewis | 5 | 0 | 9.48 | 0 | 9.48 | 148 | |
33 | 19031 |
Joe Roberson Glenn Whisenhunt | 5 | 0 | 9.31 | 0 | 9.31 | 160 | |
34 | 13359 |
Kem Skelton Keith Buterbaugh | 5 | 0 | 9.3 | 0 | 9.3 | 157 | |
35 | 19074 |
Chris Cooper Bob Maggerise | 5 | 0 | 9.19 | 0 | 9.19 | 187 | |
36 | 21765 |
Billy Brooks Chad Fenton | 5 | 0 | 8.83 | 0 | 8.83 | 175 | |
37 | 21477 |
Timmy Gaddie Clint Childress | 5 | 0 | 8.82 | 0 | 8.82 | 141 | |
38 | 11885 |
Garry Burns Kevin Stephens | 5 | 0 | 8.72 | 0 | 8.72 | 181 | |
39 | 19931 |
Harvey Starling Bill Hopson | 5 | 0 | 8.71 | 0 | 8.71 | 177 | |
40 | 7563 |
William Russell Norman Buce | 5 | 0 | 8.7 | 0 | 8.7 | 171 | |
41 | 21221 |
Chris Baldus Josh Faile | 5 | 0 | 8.57 | 0 | 8.57 | 151 | |
42 | 18730 |
Kevin Diamond Josh Diamond | 5 | 0 | 8.48 | 0 | 8.48 | 172 | |
43 | 13606 |
Steve Neal Fred Lynn | 5 | 0 | 8.41 | 0 | 8.41 | 168 | |
44 | 13312 |
Randy Gravett Chad Weaver | 5 | 0 | 8.4 | 0 | 8.4 | 153 | |
45 | 21547 |
Michael Mitchell Trey Mitchell | 5 | 0 | 8.3 | 0 | 8.3 | 159 | |
46 | 21216 |
Albert Lovvorn | 5 | 0 | 8.14 | 0 | 8.14 | 165 | |
47 | 21115 |
Roger Caldwell Matt Caldwell | 5 | 0 | 8.06 | 0 | 8.06 | 169 | |
48 | 19971 |
Morris Ellis Jr. Randy Smith | 5 | 0 | 8.03 | 0 | 8.03 | 174 | |
49 | 18635 |
Jerry Sandretto Grant Olsen | 5 | 0 | 7.8 | 0 | 7.8 | 145 | |
50 | 18913 |
Brad Carroll Edward Looper Jr | 5 | 0 | 7.74 | 0 | 7.74 | 158 | |
51 | 19030 |
Waylon Hill | 5 | 0 | 7.68 | 0 | 7.68 | 150 | |
52 | 21095 |
E L Cobb Jim Bell | 5 | 0 | 7.47 | 0 | 7.47 | 147 | |
53 | 577 |
Matthew Higgins Ed Reeves | 5 | 0 | 7.46 | 0 | 7.46 | 146 | |
54 | 14609 |
Michael Stewart Thomas Pugh | 5 | 0 | 7.14 | 0 | 7.14 | 154 | |
55 | 21781 |
Mark Scott Ross Williams | 5 | 0 | 7.05 | 0 | 7.05 | 137 | |
56 | 19075 |
Marlin Saint Ronald Coats | 5 | 0 | 6.94 | 0 | 6.94 | 143 | |
57 | 17468 |
| 5 | 0 | 6.64 | 0 | 6.64 | 166 | |
58 | 16275 |
Robert McEarchern Richard McEarchern | 5 | 0 | 6.59 | 0 | 6.59 | 144 | |
59 | 21021 |
Harris Housley | 5 | 0 | 6.47 | 0 | 6.47 | 152 | |
60 | 19095 |
Terry Burleson Chris Mayfield | 5 | 0 | 5.82 | 0 | 5.82 | 155 | |
61 | 21551 |
| 5 | 0 | 5.71 | 0 | 5.71 | 139 | |
62 | 14599 |
Jimmy Garrie Joe Garrie | 5 | 0 | 5.71 | 0 | 5.71 | 142 | |
63 | 15930 |
Jack Langston Sherri Langston | 5 | 0 | 5.7 | 0 | 5.7 | 138 | |
64 | 21578 |
| 4 | 0 | 4.84 | 0 | 4.84 | 140 | |
65 | 18906 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 135 | |
66 | 14565 |
Ricky Smith | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 136 | |
67 | 14590 |
Gary Livingston David Whitten | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 133 | |
68 | 21487 |
Bob Floro Mike Floro | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 132 | |
69 | 19016 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 134 | |
70 | 22251 |
Richard Hollis | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 132 | |
71 | 16199 |
Chris Todd Bennie McCoy | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 132 | |