November 20th Crappie USA held the first qualifying event of the 2011 season at Grenada Lake, Mississippi. 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 October 12th-15th, 2011 at Kentucky/Barkley Lakes at Paris, Tennessee.
Semi-Pro Division Results
Taking first place was the Bruce, Mississippi team of Ricky Odom and Danny McCormick with a weight of 16.45 pounds and earning $1,200.00. Ricky and Danny were fishing the Skuna River area slow trolling double minnow rigs in 8 feet of water with their fish suspended in the 5 feet range and catching over 50 keeper fish. Each team is allowed to weigh in their top 5 fish at the end of the day.
Second place went to the team of Jerry Trimble of Hardin, Kentucky and Cliff Edwards of Murray, Kentucky with a weight of 15.55 pounds and earning $750.00. Jerry and Cliff much like all the other teams were fishing the Skuna area slow trolling Southern Pro black and hot pink jigs in 10 feet of water with their fish running 5-6 feet deep. The team caught nearly 20 fish for the day.
In third place was the team of Terry Elliott of Greenfield, Tennessee and Jeff Elliott of Jackson, Tennessee weighing in 15.4 pounds and earning $500.00. Terry and Jeff were also slow trolling double minnow rigs catching over 40 keepers in the Skuna area.
The 3-person team of Steve Ferguson of Puryear, Tennessee along with Joey and Levi Briggs of Dexter, Kentucky took fourth place with a weight of 15.38 pounds and earned $400.00. Steve, Joey and Levi were using Southern Pro jigs tipped with minnows in 12 feet of water with their fish suspended around 6 feet deep.
Fifth place went to the Grenada, Mississippi team of Patrick Stone and Brandon Fulgham weighing in a total of 15.1 pounds of crappie.
Amateur Division Results
In first place in the amateur division was the team of David Cope of Paducah, Kentucky along with Michael and Aaron Bowland of Mayfield, Kentucky with a weight of 16.59 pounds and earning $750.00. The 3-person team was slow trolling in 8-10 feet of water with their fish suspended 4 feet deep using red/chartreuse and black/chartreuse Southern Pro jigs tipped with minnows. The team caught nearly 30 keeper fish which is a 12 inch fish.
Second place went to the Dyersburg, Tennessee team of Stacey and Carly Weeks along with Stan Welch weighing in 16.06 pounds and earning $500.00. The team was fishing in 8 feet of water catching 29 keeper fish on Southern Pro jigs tipped with minnows.
Taking third place was Marshall Sterns of Frewsburg, New York and Ray Sterns of Kennedy, New York with a weight of 15.75 pounds and earning $300.00. The New York team was fishing in 18 feet of water with their fish running in 13-15 feet deep using Southern Pro jigs tipped with minnows. Marshall and Ray said this was the best crappie fishing they had ever experienced.
In fourth was the team of Alan Carter of Murray, Kentucky and Tony Sheppard of Dexter, Kentucky with a weight of 15.7 pounds and earning $200.00. The team was also fishing the Akuna river using Southern Pro jigs tipped with minnows and catching over 50 keepers for the day.
Fifth place went to the team of Chris Sipes of Columbiana, Alabama and Clint Sipes of Pell City, Alabama with a weight 14.97 pounds and earning $150.00. Chris and Clint were fishing about 5 feet deep using Southern Pro jigs tipped with minnows to catch nearly 40 keepers for the day.
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 Bruce, Mississippi team of Ricky Odom and Danny McCormick with a 2.92 pound crappie and earning $402.50. Second place in the big fish contest was a tie between the teams of Terry Elliott of Greenfield, Tennessee and Jeff Elliott of Jackson, Tennessee and the team of Brian Cleland of Decatur, Illinois and his partner DeWayne McCord of Wingo, Kentucky with both teams weighing in a 2.84 pound crappie and earning $82.50.
Crappie USA Free Kids Fishing Rodeo
In conjunction with the tournament Crappie USA held their Kids Rodeo on Saturday morning with several local children attending the event. 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 $310,000.00 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”.
"We would like to give a big thanks to Walter McCool Executive Director of the Grenada CVB for all his help with the tournament and to the Corp. of Engineers for all their help and for the release tank", said Tournament Director Larry Stephens. "Also thanks to Lee Jackson new owner of The Bait Shop for providing worms and coffee at the Kids Rodeo and helping with the weigh-in", said Stephens. For more information on the area call: (662-226-2571) or visit their website at: http://www.visitgrenadams.com.
Stats for the Tournament:
Weather-The morning started with clear skies and 48 degrees with light winds. The afternoon brought 75 degrees and clear skies for a beautiful day for fishing.
Water-Stained, 59 degrees in winter draw down on the lake.
National Sponsors of Crappie USA are: Cabela’s, Rebel Yell Bourbon, Ranger Boats, Evinrude Outboards , Energy-Mate by Acli-Mate "The Official Energy Drink Of Crappie USA", Cruiser RV, B ‘n’ M Poles, Minn Kota, Humminbird Electronics, Adventure Products EGO Nets, J.R. Mad’s, Charlie Brewer’s Slider Co., Big Bite Baits, TTI-Blakemore Road Runner, Driftmaster Rod Holders, Fishouflage, Touchdown, Vicious Fishing Line, Southern Pro Tackle, Anglers Unlimited and Ron Gooding Insurance.
The following companies furnish product to help make these events possible: Kodiak Fish Attractants, Keep Alive, and Hydro Glow.
For more information please call Crappie USA Inc. at 270-395-4204. Please visit our website at www.crappieusa.com.
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