This past Saturday February 13th Crappie USA held a qualifying event at the Earl G. Williamson Park on Caddo Lake near Oil City, Louisiana. Anglers were battling some of the harshest conditions possible with 6 inches of snow falling on Thursday and Friday and freezing temperatures on Friday making boat ramps hard to negotiate with State and County police closing many roads around the lake making it imposable for some to get on the lake. These anglers were competing for not only cash and prizes, but a chance to advance to the prestigious Cabela's Crappie USA Classic to be held next Fall.
Semi-Pro Division Results
Taking first place was the Hughes Springs, Texas team of Freddie Dooly and Dwayne Barihol with a total weight of 7.6 pounds and earning $1,000.00. Freddie and Dwayne found their fish on the Texas side holding in 25 feet of water. With their knowledge of crappie and knowing these fish do not like current the team fished an eddy that had formed using blue/chartreuse Southern Pro umbrella size tube jigs on the bottom in 17 feet of water. The team only caught 10 fish all day.
Second place went to the team of Richard Spohrer of Shreveport, Louisiana and Robert Britner of Many, Louisiana with 1 fish weighing 1.26 pound. Richard and Robert were fishing up the bayou using jigs tipped with minnows. The team earned $600.00 for second place in the Semi-Pro Division.
Amateur Division Results
In first place in the amateur dvision was Robert Rushing of Shreveport, Louisiana and Eddie Johnston of Oil City, Louisiana with a weight of 4.74 pounds and earning $500.00. Robert and Eddie were fishing up the bayou anchoring down in the edge of the current casting large shiners under floats in 12 feet of water.
Second place went to Danny Whitecotton of El Paso, Illinois and Steve Brandt of Shreveport, Louisiana weighing in 0.79 pound and earning $300.00. The team started out fishing jigs in 15 feet of water, then switched to live bait to get the one fish which gave them second place in the Amateur Division.
Congratulations to all the teams fishing this event. For a complete list of tournament standings and downloadable photos for this event visit www.crappieusa.com then go to Tournament Results.
Big Fish Award
Taking big fish of the event was the Hughes Springs, Texas team of Freddie Dooly and Dwayne Barihol with a 1.58 pound crappie earning them an additional $100.00. Second place in the big fish contest was the team of Robert Rushing of Shreveport, Louisiana and Eddie Johnston of Oil City, Louisiana with a 1.36 pound crappie earning them an extra $50.00.
Crappie USA Free Kids Fishing Rodeo
In conjunction with the tournament Crappie USA held their Kids Rodeo on Saturday morning with 13 brave children attending the event. "Each of the children attending the Crappie Kids Rodeo should all win a medal for their dedication and desire to participate", said Crappie USA CEO Darrell Van Vactor. All the participants signed up for a chance to win one of 6-$2,000.00 scholarships to be drawn for at the Cabela's Crappie USA Classic.
Crappie USA and our anglers have contributed nearly $270,000.00 to the "Crappie Kids" Scholarships since 1997. We are very proud to be a part of the education process for the youngsters who participate in our tournaments as adult/youth teams and those who fish in the Crappie USA "Kids Fishing Rodeos".
"A special thanks goes out to the Shreveport/ Bossier City CVB, Caddo Parrish Commission, Louisiana Oil and Gas Museum, Cities of Oil City, Vivian and Mooringsport Louisiana and all the staff at Williamson Park for the great hospitality. and hard work. This was one of the most challenging events I have ever held with over 6 inches of snow falling on Thursday and Friday and freezing temps Friday night making ramps hard to negotiate", said CEO Darrell Van Vactor. For more information on the area call: 1-888-45-VISIT or visit their website at: http://shreveport-bossier.org.
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