Tuesday Wildcat Event Ends In Tie For First Four hours of fishing competition on Badin ended in a deadlock for first place last Tuesday when sixteen boat teams hit the lake at 4:30 PM. With scales measuring to a hundredth of a pound, two teams brought in identical bags for a split of the winning monies. Russell’s Tuesday Wildcat Open has seen bag weights climbing recently, but having that happen in pairs is not customary. Jarrett (Cashion Custom Rods Pro Staffer) and Gary Freeze found their catch more than just similar to the Brandon Williams and Mark Laxton bag. Both teams had 13.46 pounds at the 8:30 PM scales. Purses for first and second were combined and split equally between the two teams. Each took home $120. The one item not equaled in the Freeze team’s bag was Big Fish at 5.26 pounds. That solo gave them an additional $80. Russell’s Saturday Wildcats will be at Lake Tillery this coming Saturday from safe light until 2 PM. Russell runs a weekly Saturday series on the four main lakes on the Yadkin River Chain. The Tuesday Wildcats fish every week at the Alcoa Landing on Badin. Cost to join in the Open is $25, of which $5 goes to Big Fish and $15 is paid back. The group fishes from 4:30 to 8:30 March into November. For more information, contact Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. Russell also maintains a Facebook presence for both his Tuesday and Saturday Wildcat series. Search for Russell’s Bass Fishing Tournament Series. |
“Well, we have had another successful year,” stated co-director Todd Street. “We hit our big number of forty boats in an event, caught some fish and everyone has stayed safe.” Street and co-director Todd Little have run both nights tournaments for two years. Freeze and Johnston Win Badin Scramble
Many of us groaned and grumbled about all the rain that fell this past week across the region, but, for bass anglers, it turned out to be the best thing that could happen. The lackluster bite that has plagued most boat teams was far away when Bo Russell’s Saturday Wildcats hit Badin lake August 21. For first placers Jarrett Freeze and CJ Johnston, the rain meant a five pound per fish average in the outing. Thirteen boat teams showed up for a safelight scramble at the Alcoa Landing, just a day and a half after storms dumped as much as four inches of wet in the area. For anglers, it meant a drop in water temperatures and stream flow where it had been non-existent for weeks. The change in environment brought with it bass bite unseen on Badin for some time. Freeze and Johnston paired up for twenty pounds even to win the $120 first place prize. Director Bo Russell and son, Jame, scored far back from the winners, but netted enough for second place, 10.74 pounds. They used a 4.62 pound anchor that became Big Fish of the tournament. Second place paid $75, while the lunker prize was $65. The open series moves back to Lake Tillery and the Swift Island Access next Saturday for a safelight to 2 PM event. For more information, contact Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. Russell also maintains a Facebook presence for both his Tuesday and Saturday Wildcat series. Search for Russell’s Bass Fishing Tournament Series. |
Tuesday Wildcat Honors Nabbed By Bryant And Goodyear The Russell’s Tuesday Wildcats found the going about as tough as it gets this week when they headed for their usual Badin haunts. A four-hour outing that began at 4:30 PM saw fifteen teams struggle to find much to walk away with. A total of fifteen keeper fish were caught all evening. Michael Bryant and Justin Goodyear headed the lackluster assault, finding 10.30 pounds for the win. Their outing paid them $135. Director Bo Russell and partner, Nathan Williams finished second with 6.52 pounds for $90. Partners Eddie Johnson and Bo Hood found Big Fish, a 4.54 solo worth $75. Russell’s Saturday Wildcats will be on Badin this Saturday, August 21. Russell runs a weekly Saturday series on the four main lakes on the Yadkin River Chain. The Tuesday Wildcats fish every week at the Alcoa Landing on Badin. Cost to join in the Open is $25, of which $5 goes to Big Fish and $15 is paid back. The group fishes from 4:30 to 8:30 March into November. For more information, contact Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. Russell also maintains a Facebook presence for both his Tuesday and Saturday Wildcat series. Search for Russell’s Bass Fishing Tournament Series. |
Team Makes It Three Straight They are as hot as July… and August. Brandon Williams and Mark Laxton grabbed another win in the Russell’s Wildcats last Saturday under scorching sun, something that appears to be their edge. The series moved back to Badin for their early morning attack. The pair hauled a healthy 12.92 pounds to the weigh in to win $125 in the fourteen boat field. Henry Jenkins and David Shepard were their closest foes. That team netted 11.7 pounds for second. Their anchor was Big Fish, a 4.7 pounder. They won $85 for second and $70 for the solo. Russell runs a weekly Saturday series on the four main lakes on the Yadkin River Chain, while his Tuesday Wildcats fish every week at the Alcoa Landing on Badin. Cost to join in the Open is $25, of which $5 goes to Big Fish and $15 is paid back. For more information, contact Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. Russell also maintains a Facebook presence for both his Tuesday and Saturday Wildcat series. Search for Russell’s Bass Fishing Tournament Series. |
On Friday evening, twenty-five tournament teams showed up to compete in the weekly, open series. “Friday night looked like rain, but the weather held off for the crew,” stated Todd Street, director. “The humidity was up and the bite is going away.” 
Saturday night’s turnout may have been affected by the poor bite the night before. “A lot of teams were disappointed after Friday night’s performance. The August crunch is on, the bite was off, and the crowd is slowing,” noted Street.
August 8, 2010 July rolled into August. With record setting heat swarming the region and humidity making any activity nearly unbearable, the last thing anyone might wish for is a day standing outside under the sun for eight hours. That is exactly what nine top competition teams did when the Deep Creek Lures Tournament Trail came to Badin last Sunday.
The sixth event in a season that began in early March, the teams have their eyes on an estimated $3,000 Fall Classic in October. That purse will be paid to just the top two teams after the October 23 and 24 event. Standing between them and that money is one more event, September 12, on Gaston Lake. Deep Creek Lures is a soft plastics company located in Rougemont, NC. Their US made products are produced with raw virgin plastics rather than the most-common, water soluble plastics. This keeps the baits soft and light. The teams took off from the Circle Drive Access on the northern end of the lake at safelight. Eight hours of sun-scorched fishing was in front of them. For Bob Jennett and Derek Crumbley, the day turned out well. The veteran pair found bass all day using crankbaits. Their biggest came on a medium diver, while the smaller bass were caught on shallow diving baits. “We had to move around a lot,” stated Jennett after weigh in. “We caught them throughout the day and culled one last one a half hour before we came in.” That final cull gave them 18.15 pounds for the $440 win. Their anchor was Big Fish of the event, a 4.55 solo that provided another $90. Less than a pound back were Ron Wolfarth and Marty Sweeting. That boat netted 17.38 pounds for second and $290. Their largest was a 3.61 pounder. After that spot, weights trailed off rapidly through the rest of the field. Winner of a custom built rod donated by JB Custom Rods was Larry Hipps. |
Williams & Laxton Make It Two In A Row It’s not uncommon for a partner fishing team to figure out a lake‘s bass patterns and score a string of wins and places on a lake. While fish are hitting hard in a couple locations, those anglers score well until the bass move on. But, when a team can do it on different lakes, it shows an understanding of bass biology and the underwater environment. Brandon Williams and Mark Laxton scored back-to-back wins in Bo Russell’s Wildcat events with a win on Lake Tillery Saturday followed by a Tuesday evening victory on Badin. The partners competed against nineteen other boats in the latest competition and won $180. Derek Crumbley and Keith Parris used a Big Fish win to grab second place and a total of $220. Russell runs a weekly Saturday series on the four main lakes on the Yadkin River Chain. The Tuesday Wildcats fish every week at the Alcoa Landing on Badin. Cost to join in the Open is $25, of which $5 goes to Big Fish and $15 is paid back. The group fishes from 4:30 to 8:30 March into November. For more information, contact Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. Russell also maintains a Facebook presence for both his Tuesday and Saturday Wildcat series. Search for Russell’s Bass Fishing Tournament Series. |
Goins Team Wins Friday Nite Weekly Most of the time, the evening fishing crowd can avoid much of the heat of the day. This past weekend, that wasn’t the case. The Friday Nites on Tillery/Badin open series headed for Badin with heat still in the upper nineties and little hope it would drop much. The weekly anglers made quick work of the bass in the 7 PM to midnight event. Rodney and Bruce Goins took a $300 prize home when they out-netted twenty-five other boat teams with 15 pounds even. Farron Skeen and Travis Comer took second with 12.36 pounds. They won $125. Third place went to Phil and Anthony (no last names provided) who boated 10.68 pounds worth $75. Ricky and Jordan Godwin caught Big Fish, a 5.72 pounder that earned them $250. The weekly series costs $30 and alternates between Lake Tillery and Badin Lake. For more information, contact Director Todd Street at 704-791-4009 or email him at toddsatvshop@yahoo.com. |
July 24, 2010 As far as tournament fishing goes, everything but the final catch was reason to stay off the lake. When Russell’s Saturday Wildcats traveled to Badin Lake on Saturday, temperatures at gathering time hovered above 80 degrees and humidity made it feel much worse. Those conditions would get no better as a hot sun added to fishing woes. One boat team made the best of the day when, at weigh in, they dumped 17.62 pounds of caught bass onto the scales.
Russell’s Saturday Wildcats uses four of the main lakes on the Yadkin Chain for the weekly opens and fishes from safelight to 1 PM this time of year. Ken Tucker and Dan Burnham made it a good competition when they brought 13.86 pounds in for a second place finish. Any limit of five under such harsh conditions is a feat. The team won $85. Ron Wolfarth, fishing solo, finished one spot outside a payday with 11.08 pounds. Fourth place went to Robyn Parker and Bryan “Scooter” Berry with 9.62 pounds. The open series will move to Lake Tillery and the Swift Island Wildlife Access this coming Saturday, July 31st and will fish from 6 to 1 PM. For more information, contact Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. Russell also maintains a Facebook presence for both his Tuesday and Saturday Wildcat series. Search for Russell’s Bass Fishing Tournament Series. |
Henry Jenkins and David Shepard spent a good deal of time working the humps well off-shore looking for larger bass. Their winning catch included a solo 6.02 pound hawg that became Big Fish and vaulted their total weight into the winner’s bracket. They earned $125 for first and another $70 for the solo.
July 20, 2010 With July comes heat, vacations and a lull in fishing for many. Only four boats showed up for the Sides’ Wednesday Specials on Badin this week. With temperatures soaring into the nineties, it is no wonder folks prefer to be in the water rather than on it. In the last few weeks, the angling team of Don Luther and Ronnie White finally broke into the winner’s circle with some solid weights. Fishing without his partner this week, White maintained the pair’s winning streak with a whopping 18.9 pounds. Only one place and no big Fish were paid out. This coming week, July 28th, a slight change in blast off will occur. The group will not go out until 7 AM. They will still finish at noon. Entry fee for the weekly open competition is $25 per boat. |
16.18 Wins Tuesday Evening Four Hour Clash Although the heat of July has put many teams on the sidelines, the Tuesday Wildcats of Badin continue the weekly trek to the lake. Fourteen teams vied for $285 in prize money this week and a pair of veterans took home the biggest chunk. Gary Abbott and Greg Gooch took top spot with 16.18 pounds of bass in temperatures that began in the mid-nineties and had only come down a few degrees by the 8:30 PM weigh in. That effort earned the team $125. Lewis Brown and Billy Reynolds scored a second place showing with 13.96 pounds. That place paid $85. Big Fish went to John Kistler at 4.50 pounds $70. The Russell’s Tuesday Wildcats is an open competition on Badin Lake which uses the Alcoa Landing. Bo Russell also runs a weekly Saturday series on the four main lakes on the Yadkin River Chain. Fishbyte.Net will be providing On The Water coverage, including video, of this Saturday, July 24th event on Badin. |
July 17, 2010
For the second time in as many months, a father/daughter bass team bested all other competitors in the Adam & Eve Tournament Series on the Yadkin Chain. While other clubs found fishing tough at various other lakes, the males and females lit up Badin Lake with some impressive weights. In just six hours of competitive fishing, fourteen of the nineteen teams found fish to weigh in. Six of them scored double digits weights in the six-fish limit event. “We caught fish all day long,” stated winner Robert Parrish. He and daughter, Leigh, used a combination of shakeyheads, jigs, and flukes, but noted that their biggest in the 19.2 pound sack came between 10:30 and 11:30 AM. The team won the last event in June, also on Badin, with 14.6 pounds. They had placed in the money at other events in the past, but never won it all. The win Saturday gave them $237.50 to take home. John and Samantha Haywood found themselves back in the prize category when the husband and wife team added a second place showing to their list Saturday. They couple finished third in June with thirteen pounds, but added another five to their sack for the July event. They scored an outstanding 18.15 pounds this Saturday for $142.50. The couple just began fishing with the group recently. Neill Macdonald and Pat McAllister rounded out the top three with 15.11 pounds. They also claimed Big Fish honors with a healthy 5.4 pounder. Third place paid $95, while Big Fish added another $95. The couples’ series will move to Lake Tillery August 14 and will use the Swift Island Access off Highway 24/27. They will fish from 6:30 AM to 12:30 PM. More information about the Open events can be found on their web site at www.wix.com/clarkricky/adam-and-eve-bass-tournament or by contacting Ricky Clark at 336-461-2006 or emailing him at crclark@rtmc.net. |
White & Luther Break Into Wednesday Winning Column It’s been a dozen tries and half of those have ended up as a second place finish. For Ronnie White and Don Luther, mid-July was the charm as the team scored 17.54 pounds of Badin bass in the Sides’ Wednesday Special this week. The weekly opens, begun earlier in the season by Teddy Starnes, have filled a gap between weekends for anglers. Turnouts have climbed to as many as fifteen boat teams. This week, six showed up in air burdened with humidity to pay the $25 entry fee. White and Luther have been investing for weeks and have been nudged out of first each time, sometimes by only an ounce or two. The second place team this week nearly did it to them again. Derek Tolley and Kirk Wood brought 17.12 pounds to the scales, making some anxious moments for the winners. No Big Fish was paid with only six entries. For more information about the open events, contact director Pinky Sides at 704-463-5975. |
Bowers Battles Storms To Win Wildcat Event
When summer storms hit the central North Carolina region, one of the worst places to be is on Badin Lake. Whether it’s the geography surrounding that body of water or the near two hundred feet deep waters, strong winds and lightning can turn the pond into a raging beast in minutes. That’s the situation the Russell’s Tuesday Wildcat competitors found themselves in this week before the event was done. Fourteen teams went head-to-head with storms and each other as straight-line winds and lightning roared around them. “I’ll admit. All that bad lightning had me worried,” stated director Bo Russell. “I just sat out some of it.” Rusty Bowers was one of the anglers who went nose-to-nose with the elements. His battle landed him first place with 10.64 pounds and $125. Russell Edwards and Jamie Clark placed second with 9.72 pounds and $85. Big fish went to Dan Mullane and Sam Hilton who found a 5.12 solo worth $70 amidst all the wind and rains. The Tuesday Wildcats fish every week at the Alcoa Landing on Badin. Cost to join in the Open is $25, of which $5 goes to Big Fish and $15 is paid back. The group fishes from 4:30 to 8:30 March into November. For more information, contact Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. Russell also maintains a Facebook presence for both his Tuesday and Saturday Wildcat series. Search for Russell’s Bass Fishing Tournament Series. |
Sorrell Wins Archdale Bass Club Badin Competition
Badin Lake is snuggled in the lap of the Uwharrie Mountains south of the Piedmont amidst a kaleidoscope of mixed of landscapes and users. From shores crowded with opulent neo-castles complete with noisy recreational craft of every shape and size to the Uwharrie National Forest’s chestnut lined slopes pouring right to the water’s edge allowing wading fly fisherman to quietly stalk a finny breakfast. It is a diverse beautiful oasis with a little for everyone. Not to miss this treasure, The Archdale Bass Club launched the first of two July tournament dates early this past Saturday morning. The dock talk and tackle shop reports ranged from bemoaned slim pickings to hefty bags of feisty largemouth. Our membership having arguably some of the area’s better anglers among us, they did indeed do us proud. Great Daddy Eddie Yahya drug in a great bag of 5 fish weighing 12.5 pounds for third place. Big Mike Hedgecock added another strong showing to a great recent record with 5 fish weighing 13.09 pounds. Young Mr. Brian Sorrell topped the leader board handily with a 5 fish bag weighing 15.97 pounds. “Mr. Lucky”, and most experienced club member, Clayton Proctor had big fish for the tournament with a respectable 4.92 pound bucketmouth. The next tournament will be July 24 on our newly adopted but unofficial home waters of Randleman Regional Reservoir. The Level Cross exit off Highway 220 will see us open the gates of this tremendous fishing facility at 6 am and start the tourney as soon as we can get everyone in the water. Weigh-in will be at 2:30. |
Harvell and Spake Tame Late-Night Badin Bass
It was a three o’clock weigh in, but there wasn’t the usual boat traffic and mid-day heat to deal with. When the Redneck Wranglers bass club came off Badin Lake after eight hours of competition, the sun was still a few hours from rising over the horizon and the only light came from a single light pole at the Circle Drive access ramps. The club had begun its attack at 7 PM on Friday night and the weary anglers arrived back at weigh in at 3 AM. According to a number of boat teams, bite had been slow in the evening hours, but at about midnight the bass began to stir. All ten weighed in fish and half the field had their limit of five. Two others had four. According to Danny Spake, their luck was especially good just before coming in.
“We caught our best in the last hour,” stated Spake. “The last bit made the difference.” For Spake and partner Joey Harvell, that luck produced 18.7 pounds and a first pace finish. Their night’s outing was worth $160. Their anchor was a 7.14 pounder that was Big Fish of the night, adding $75 more to their pockets. Greg and Dennis Sexton finished close behind with 16.1 pounds valued at $75. Third place went to Richard Batson and Vince Mounts who bagged 15.5 and $40. Their largest was a 6.1 solo lunker. The Redneck Wranglers have yet another night event later this month when they meet at Tuckertown Night and the Flat Creek Wildlife Access for a 7 PM to 3 AM competition. The Redneck Wranglers fish a twelve event season that includes one two-day event and a fish off in October. Most invitation only competitions go from safelight to 3 PM. Cost per event for the non-affiliated club is $40, which includes the Big Fish pot. For more information about the group, contact secretary Danny Spake at 336-622-1409. Info can also be found on the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forums. |
Underhill and Campbell Win Third Straight on Badin Nites For Don Underhill and Greg Campbell, showing up at the weekly Friday Nites on Badin/Tillery competition meant a possible three straight wins. Fishing after dark takes some different skills, but the partners had shown in recent weeks they knew what they were doing. The open competition takes off at 7 PM and anglers have only a couple hours of daylight fishing this time of the year before darkness covers the last half of their event. “It was another good weekend with the hot temps and the water temps way up,” stated Todd Street, co-director of the series. “The night time gang is still finding a few fish to bring to the scales. When some of your spring heavy-weights slow down, this group of guys find the summer time to be their time. The big sacks are starting to show up and the boat numbers are still up,” he noted. On Friday night, thirty teams turned out to give Underhill and Campbell a tough run and seven of those boats brought in limits of five. One other team scored four. Try as they might, the trophy money went to the same pockets as Underhill and Campbell hauled 17.44 pounds worth $348 to the scales. Their anchor lunker was a 6.38 pounder that became Big Fish and added $290 to their winnings. In all, the team has won over $1,000 in the last two weeks. Ronnie and Bobby Blankenship scored a second place finish with 15.32 pounds, good for $145. Robert Griffin and Bobby Cook finished third with 14.34 pounds worth $87. The most impressive effort Saturday evening was by Ronnie Blankenship and Bobby Blankenship. The duo had placed second on Friday night and upped the ante on Saturday. The pair netted a whopping 20.68 pounds during the five hours of competition and earned $264 for first. Their Big Fish, a 6.42 solo, was the lunker for the event and added a $220 prize to their winnings. Third place went to Terry and Brandon Talbert who boated 11.80 pounds for $66. For more information about the Friday or Saturday Nite Opens, contact Todd Street at 704-791-4009 or email him at toddsatvshop@yahoo.com, or call at Todd Little 704-634-9821. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forum. |
Badin Wednesday Special Open Blasts Off Under New Leadership As June wound down a promised change took place in the Wednesday Specials held on Badin Lake. Teddy Starnes began the weekly opens a few months ago and set a schedule that ran until the end of that month. The competitions became so successful, Pinky Sides, a longtime tournament director himself, agreed to continue the events. This week’s event was the first under new leadership. Buzz Dunlap went down in the history books as the winner of Sides inaugural event. The angler has won and placed in numerous competitions this season and added another to his list. He boated 15.02 pounds in the win. Mark Bayse and Eddie Lackey netted 11.64 pounds, good for a second place showing. Ronnie White and Don Luther, partners who have finished second in a majority of the events this season, could onl score Big Fish during this outing. They packed a 5.41 pound solo onto the scales for that honor. More information can be gained by calling Sides at 704-305-1827 or viewing the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forums. Cost to enter each open is just $25 per boat. The group fishes from 6 AM to noon. |
Post-Fourth Tuesday Heat Slows Bite Both the bass and the anglers had returned from a weekend off for the Fourth of July. When Russell’s Tuesday Wildcats blasted off from Badin’s Alcoa Landing, only twelve boats skimmed away. When they returned at 8:30 for weigh in, it appeared the bass were reluctant to show up as well. “Ninety-five degree heat I guess,” pondered director Bo Russell as he reflected on the low turnout and lesser weights. Partners Robert Griffin and Bobby Cook were the luckiest boat as they managed 12.26 pounds for the win. They took home $110 for their heat-filled outing. Darrell and Kevin (sorry no last names) finished second with 11.16 pounds and added Big Fish, a 5.88 pounder to their winnings. They earned $70 for second and $60 for the solo. Unusual for the Tuesday evening anglers, only three boats had limits of five fish. Most attributed the outcome to heat. The Tuesday Wildcats fish every week at the Alcoa Landing on Badin. Cost to join in the Open is $25, of which $5 goes to Big Fish and $15 is paid back. The group fishes from 4:30 to 8:30 March into November. For more information, contact Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. Russell also maintains a Facebook presence for both his Tuesday and Saturday Wildcat series. Search for Russell’s Bass Fishing Tournament Series. |
Underhill And Campbell Score Back To Back Wins It was a weekend beginning to remember for the Friday Nites On Badin/Tillery open series. Directors Todd Street and Todd Little have been on a two-year quest to field forty boats for an event in either their Friday series or the popular Saturday Nites on Badin events. That mission became history a week before the Fourth when forty-one teams turned out for a 7 PM blast off on Badin. “We finally got it,” laughed a jubilant Street, “but we won’t stop there. The new number is fifty. If we can watch forty boats take off, we can shotgun even more.” According to the director, temperatures were still hot and plenty of traffic was on the lake. “It was just pure hot until the lights went out,” he noted. “Recreational traffic was heavy until then as well.” For one boat team, competing in both the Friday and Saturday night events was a great payday. Don Underhill and Greg Campbell scored wins at the midnight weigh ins with 18.52 pounds Friday and 18.34 on Saturday. Their earnings were Friday’s $480, and $264 in the eighteen boat field for Saturday. Keith and Cody Deel took second on Friday with 16.08 pounds for the $200 payday, while Jim Marsh and Ethan Marsh took the Saturday second spot with 17.72 pounds worth $110. The Deel team had Big Fish, a 5.50 pounder worth $400. Third place finishes were Jeff Preslar and Joel Threadgill on Friday with 11.68 pounds for $120, and Saturday it was Benji Christopher and Narty James with 14.56 pounds for $66. |
Sweeting Wins Saturday Wildcat Pre-Fourth If ever the weather was right for fishing, this past weekend had it just right. Bo Russell’s Saturday Wildcats took to Badin Lake to enjoy the lower temperatures and no humidity, even as Fourth of July recreational traffic began to heat up. Marty Sweeting found himself competing against seventeen other boat teams at the safelight blast off, but managed to score the biggest sack weight. The solo angler won with 12.50 pounds, even after a two pound deduction for two dead fish. He earned $160 for his efforts. Henry Jenkins and David Shepard were second and had Big Fish. The partners found 12.48 pounds and anchored their catch with a 5.10 pound solo. They got $110 for second and $90 for their biggest lunker. “We are at Tuckertown next Saturday,” stated Russell. “The guys always like the weights they pull from there, so we expect a good turnout. They will fish from safe light until 1 PM. The Wildcats will be on High Rock at the Southmont Access this coming Saturday. For more information about the weekly open competitions, contact Director Bo Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. Russell also maintains a Facebook presence for both his Tuesday and Saturday Wildcat series. Search for Russell’s Bass Fishing Tournament Series. |
Dunlap Wins Wednesday Badin Special
The month of June fishing wound down this week as the hottest June on record, but for anglers it was a blur of action on local lakes. After a slow bite start early in the season, the heat brought on the bass bite. When Teddy Starnes began his Wednesday Specials on Badin a couple months ago, he timed it perfectly for catching, but kicked it off in a heat wave. This last Wednesday was Starnes’ final day as director of the weekly event that has seen numbers grow. Pinky Sides will take over the reins and has made a couple adjustments. Each event will begin at 6 AM and end at noontime and will cost $25 per boat. “I really want to thank all the guys who turned out and joined us,” stated Starnes. “I’ve got a bunch of things to tend to in the next few months and now Pinky will do a great job.” Sides has headed fishing tournaments for more years than most remember. This week, Buzz Dunlap was the final winner during Starnes’ command. Dunlap pulled a huge bag from Badin, 20.10.7 in five fish. He won $105 in the nine boat field. Ronnie White and Don Luther nabbed yet another second place win with 19.12.6 pounds. The partners have now captured that spot for more than half of the competitions. They earned $70 This Wednesday. Marty Williams boated the Big Fish bragging rights of the event with a 6.4.4 pounder. He won $45. As the Wednesday Specials shifts to Sides leadership and a 6 to 12 timeframe, more information can be gained by calling Sides at 704-305-1827. |
Badin Wildcat Winners Net 16.84 Russell’s Tuesday Wildcats continues to draw the evening anglers to the shores of Badin Lake and, this week, the pond provided a sack of bass for the winners. The Open event saw seventeen entries ready for the 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM competition. The weekly gathering usually fields some of the best fishermen in the region. For Robert Griffin and partner, Bobby Cook, the title of best of the week came with the 16.84 pounds. The pair won $155 for their fishing strategies. Perennial favorites Greg Gooch and Gary Abbott finished second with 15 pounds and earned $100. Big Fish honors went to Pete Morris and Bill Gooch. They found a 6.26 solo that brought $85 to their boat. The Tuesday Wildcats fish every week at the Alcoa Landing on Badin. Cost to join in the Open is $25, of which $5 goes to Big Fish and $15 is paid back. The group fishes from 4:30 to 8:30 March into November. For more information, contact Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. Russell also maintains a Facebook presence for both his Tuesday and Saturday Wildcat series. Search for Russell’s Bass Fishing Tournament Series. |
Bryant Team Wins Wednesday Event On Badin
It’s not too often you’ll hear bass fishermen say it wasn’t a good day for fishing, but that was the case this last Wednesday when anglers gathered for the Starnes’ Wednesday Special on Badin. They caught fish. Some of them earned some good cash. But still, it just wasn’t a very good day to be out there for the eleven teams. “We saw heat nearing one hundred degrees, heavy humidity, and absolutely no breeze at all the entire time,” stated director Teddy Starnes. “The birds on the buoys were roosting there with their wings spread out trying to cool down,” he stated. According to Starnes, the bass never got serious about feeding. Fishbyte.Net Pro Angler Les Tolley, fishing with partner Les McLean, felt the same way. “It was such a hot and unbearable day only three teams brought in a limit of fish. The pair finished third with 14.6.9 pounds. Tolley has won the last two events. They finished one spot out of a paying position. For James and, son, Michael Bryant, the fishing was tough, but good enough for a win and a good bag. The team scaled 16.1.3 pounds to claim the $150 prize for first place. Their largest was a 5.80 solo. Don Luther and Ronnie White seem relegated to second place showings. For the third week in a row, the partners found themselves just a notch outside the top honors. They boated 14.6.9 on Wednesday for yet another second that paid $100. They were big money winners, however, as they scored the Big Fish of the event. The 6.0.8 pounder gave them an additional $55. This coming Wednesday, June 30, is the final event Starnes will be hosting for the 2010 season. His events gained popularity quickly and numbers have jumped to a weekly count of between ten and fifteen teams. It is expected that Pinky Sides will continue the Wednesday gatherings, but will make some adjustments. Information will be posted next week. |
Thurman And Bowers Win Heat-Fest One of the main ideas behind fishing in the evening is to escape the searing heat of a summer day. Anglers can enjoy some quiet time on a lake while feeling the temperatures drop to more comfortable levels around them. That didn’t happen this Tuesday when Russell’s Tuesday Wildcats headed for their weekly stop at Badin. The second day of summer sent a warning shot across their bows… she was here and she was cranky. Eighteen boat teams turned out in 95 degree heat at the 4:30 PM blast off Tuesday. Gary Thurman and Rosco Bowers made the best of the hot and sticky ride, finding 14.02 pounds of keepers to grab a first place showing. Their bag also included the biggest solo, a 4.18 pounder. The team accepted $160 for their win and an additional $90 for Big Fish. Kenneth and Chris Tucker, veterans of the heat, pulled 11.74 in the competition to take second. They earned $110. “It was way too hot,” stated director Bo Russell. “We had 95 degrees when we took off.” The Tuesday Wildcats fish every week at the Alcoa Landing on Badin. Cost to join in the Open is $25, of which $5 goes to Big Fish and $15 is paid back. The group fishes from 4:30 to 8:30 March into November. For more information, contact Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. Russell also maintains a Facebook presence for both his Tuesday and Saturday Wildcat series. Search for Russell’s Bass Fishing Tournament Series. |
For the anglers joining in on the Friday Nites on Badin & Tillery and the Saturday Nites on Badin competitions, it was a long weekend. Directors Todd Street and Todd Little had their hands full as the first followed its usual 7 PM to midnight schedule, but Saturday’s kicked off at 11 PM and went until 7 AM Sunday morning. For anglers who usually catch the late evening bite, this was their chance at a sunrise bass.
Second place went to Aharon Faircloth and Calvin who captured 16.46 pounds worth $150. Jeff Preslar and Joel Threadgill finished third with 13.90 pounds to earn $90. For an angler who usually finds luck on his side, Ronnie Blankenship and teammate Keith experienced a long night’s momentary lapse when they threw a sixth fish back into Badin just before coming in. Traditionally, the Friday and Saturday night events are a five-fish limit, but the two all-nighters jump the catch to six. The partners scored an impressive 17.52 pounds with the five they brought in, just a bit over a tenth of a pound off the winners’ score. They settled for the $168 second place winnings. Chad Smith and Steve Butler found 16.66 pounds, good for a third place $105. |
The team who netted the best keepers was brothers Rusty and Rosco Bowers. The partners managed 17.24 pounds on their way to the $360 winning purse. The also dragged in the biggest single, a 5.56 pounder that brought them another $300.
On Saturday night, boats started rolling in for the all night “war” around 10 PM, according to Street. “These guys were anxious for their livewell checks and to pay their entry fee for the night. It was clear and humid all night, but once again the bite was on. I heard a lot of the guys were just waiting for that day-break bite and it was on,” he stated. The scales showed he was right.Tuesday Wildcats Weigh In Badin Big Weights Badin Lake continues to give up some sizable bass to anglers chasing favorite haunts there, and the local, weekly competitions are taking advantage of those offerings. Most recently, the Russell’s Tuesday Wildcats rushed the lake at 4:30 PM with sixteen boat teams to add to the string of heavy weights. Perennial placers, Bob Jennett and Dereck Crumbley found themselves taking home another paycheck when they put 16.04 pounds on the scales. They got $145 for first place in the four-hour competition. Brothers Rusty and Rosco Bowers hit the money trail again with a second place showing. They barely missed the winners’ circle with 16.02 pounds, just a couple hundredths of a pound behind Jennett and Crumbley. The brothers did have the Big Fish of the event with a 6.54 pounder. They won $95 for second and $80 for Big Fish. Russell announced at the end of weigh in that his Saturday events on Tillery will move back to the Swift Island Landing on Hwy 24/27 beginning June 19. The Tuesday Wildcats fish every week at the Alcoa Landing on Badin. Cost to join in the Open is $25, of which $5 goes to Big Fish and $15 is paid back. The group fishes from 4:30 to 8:30 March into November. For more information, contact Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. Russell also maintains a Facebook presence for both his Tuesday and Saturday Wildcat series. Search for Russell’s Bass Fishing Tournament Series. |
June 9 & 16, 2010 Story by Teddy Starnes and Fishbyte.Net Staff Photos by Les Tolley Two Wednesdays of fishing on Badin and two of the same winners and placers… the only difference for both teams was a couple of pounds. As the Starnes’ Wednesday Specials on the lake continues to grow in popularity, any newcomers will need to best some regulars out of the winners’ circle.
Father and son team, Les and Derek Tolley once again grabbed the best Badin bass, wrapping up another payday in a great season. Les Tolley was welcomed to the Fishbyte.Net Pro Angler Staff last month. The team scored 19.12.3 pounds June 9th and 17.11.8 pounds this week for a pair of wins. In just two weeks they have won $309 in the series. Trailing them by just a fish weight at both events were Don Luther and Ronnie White. That team scored 19.11.6 last week and 16.4.5 pounds this week. Total payday for that team for both weeks was $206. This week’s Big Fish winner was Danny Stillwell, who boated a 6.7.6 pounder to win the $65 for that honor. “It’s been a good run,” stated Les Tolley after the event. “Our luck will change, no doubt, but it’s great while it happens.” Tolley noted they have been throwing a bit of everything at bass. This week, thirteen boats competed in the weekly event which uses the Alcoa Landing. Cost to join in is $25 for a solo angler and $35 for a boat team. The group fishes from 8 AM to 2 PM. For more information, contact director Teddy Starnes at 704-463-5762 or visit the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forums. |
19.28 Wins Saturday Wildcat Series Russell’s Saturday Wildcats return to familiar haunts this past Saturday and the weights showed the familiarity with home bass. Although only eight teams braved the heat, a couple regulars topped the list of big hitters in the competition. Dwayne Saunders and Scott Threadgill scored top billing when they measured 19.28 pounds. They also had Big Fish, a sweet 6.34 pound single haul. The team earned $70 for first place and $40 for Big Fish. Marty Sweeting, fishing solo, came in second with an impressive 15.68 pounds. His efforts were worth $50. Five limits were weighed in and all fish were released alive. For more information about the weekly open competitions, contact Director Bo Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. Russell also maintains a Facebook presence for both his Tuesday and Saturday Wildcat series. Search for Russell’s Bass Fishing Tournament Series. |
June13, 2010 For most, it just wasn’t a day made for bass fishing, but two anglers from the West Side Anglers made it their day as temperatures scorched towards ninety degrees and humidity dripped from their gear. At the club’s 5:30 AM blast off, it was already near intolerable, but Kevin Mason and Dan Burnham knew there were bass with their initials on them in Badin.
Five boats from the Montgomery County group chose a day that made fishing in the sun an act of heroism and found bite early in the six-fish limit event. Mason and Burnham topped all with an impressive 16.07 pounds. Their strategy included sinkos in about three feet of water. “We caught everything right off this morning,” stated Mason, “and then it just went dead.” The partners also grabbed top solo honors with an anchor 5.44 pound Big Fish. They earned $70 for the first spot and $30 more for the lunker award. Richie Stuart and Randy Cranford made it a duel when, nearly last to the scales, they threw a scare at the top team. Stuart and Cranford dumped 14.52 pounds and a solo 4.67 pounder on the weigh in equipment. The two boats biggest fish was the difference between a first or second place showing. Red Tucker serves as president of the club and Glenn Galloway directs tournaments. The West Side Anglers’ tournament-equipped trailer is often seen at various opens and charity events. For more information about the West Side Anglers, contact vice president, Glenn Galloway at grg1@embarqmail.net or Kevin Mason at 910-576-1949 or email him at khmason@yahoo.com. |
June 8, 2010 When you have only four hours to hunt for bass and the first two teams drag over thirty-five pounds of fish out of livewells, your game may not have been good enough. For nineteen boat teams fishing the Russell’s Tuesday Wildcat event on Badin last Tuesday, the action was furious and a solo angler won it all.
Bill Gooch, fishing the waters alone, scored the 18.96 pounds for a $170 win. His Big Fish of the tournament, a 5.08 pounder, added $95 to his evening’s earnings. Teammates Bob Jennett and Dereck Crumbley took second with 16.60 pounds and earned $115. The Tuesday Wildcats fish every week at the Alcoa Landing on Badin. Cost to join in the Open is $25, of which $5 goes to Big Fish and $15 is paid back. The group fishes from 4:30 to 8:30 March into November. For more information, contact Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. Russell also maintains a Facebook presence for both his Tuesday and Saturday Wildcat series. Search for Russell’s Bass Fishing Tournament Series. |
Fisher & Morgan Team Win Yadkin Yahoo On Badin The Yadkin Yahoo Bass Club took on a very tough Badin Lake on Saturday June 5th, but one team figured out a way to catch a limit of largemouth. Taking first place honors with five bass weighing 13.36 pounds was the team of Darrell Fisher and Ray Morgan. They also captured Big Fish money with a nice 4.41pound lunker. Club founder Andy Herring and his partner Floyd Moore finished in second place with four bass totaling 8.74 pounds boosted by a nice 4.21pound bass. Ben Motley and Adam Vanhoy were third with 6.78 pounds. The next tournament for the Yadkin Yahoos will be on June 26th at Tuckertown Lake starting at 6 AM from the Flat Creek Landing. For info about The Yadkin Yahoo Bass Club, contact Andy Herring at 704-791-9222. |
All-Nighter On Badin To Highlight Weekend Bass Action
This past weekend was the perfect example of what the heat of summer brings to bass anglers. While a 6 AM blast off and the next hour or so of fishing is bearable, the late morning to weigh in time drains even the best. Temperatures and humidity skyrocket and there’s no place to find shade on a bass boat. With that kind of weather, the lake becomes a magnet for recreational boating and the traffic and crashing waves become a nuisance and a danger. The Saturday Nites on Badin crowd have been using a strategy to avoid all that. This coming weekend they take it to an extreme. Their usual 7 PM blast off moves up to 11 PM for this one event and, rather than a midnight visit to the scales, the open competition will weigh in Sunday morning at 7 AM. No heat. No buzzing recreation traffic. Just peace and quiet fishing on a lake. The action takes place on the Alcoa Landing and costs just $30, which includes Big Fish. The event is one of two all-night competitions for the group. They will do it all again on Lake Tillery July 24th. They wrap up their weekly open series on August 27th with a “King of the Night” finale for those who have fished at least ten of the regular season events. That championship is a winner-take-all shoot out. For more information about the Saturday Nite Opens, contact Todd Street at 704-791-4009 or email him at toddsatvshop@yahoo.com, or call at Todd Little 704-634-9821. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forum. |
June 5, 2010 By Ricky Clark and Fishbyte.Net Staff Photos Courtesy of Ricky Clark The weatherman certainly had it called right for Saturday, June 5th, when predictions for a hot and steamy experience were outlined. That threat didn’t stop twenty-six male-female boat teams from turning out for the fourth event in the 2010 Adam & Eve Bass Tournament schedule. When over 185 pounds of fish passed over the weigh in scales after 12:30 PM, it was clear the participants had turned the heat up on unsuspecting bass.
Robert Parish and daughter, Leigh, used the day on Badin Lake to best other teams with 14 pounds 6 ounces of bass and grab their first-ever win in the series. Their victory netted them $325 at the Lakemont Wildlife Access. The Adam & Eve Series requires two-person boat teams with a makeup of one male and one female entrant. Cost is only $25 per event with an optional $5 Big Fish pot. Registration occurs at the landing. The series fishes the four main lakes on the Yadkin Chain and hosts eight events from March through October. Husband and wife, Ricky and Sherry Clark serve as organizers for the six-fish competitions.
Rounding out the paying positions were John and Samantha Haywood, just two ounces away from a better payday. Their 13.0 pounds were enough for a third spot and $130. Michael and Lauren Hedgecock scored the heavy-hitter during the event. They nailed a 5 pound 2 ounce solo that grabbed the Big Fish $130 pot. The Series returns to Badin’s Lakemont Access on July 17 at 6 AM for a six-hour event. The remaining 2010 schedule also includes August 14 on Tillery, September 11 on Tuckertown, and October 9 back on Badin. Events are open to anyone. For more information about the series, contact Ricky Clark at 336-461-2006 or email him at crclark@rtmc.net. |
Just over a pound back in second place were Sam and Tracey Lemons with 13 pounds 2 ounces. They earned $195 for the outing. Lemons hosts his own trail, a weekly open on Tillery on Thursday evenings. Information can be found on the Fishbyte.Net Calendar.
June 2, 2010 Recent torrents of rain may have kept some anglers off the water pursuing other habits this past Wednesday. When Starnes Wednesday Specials blasted off from the Alcoa Landing, only seven boats were in the charge. That didn’t stop those who were competing from looking for serious bass. Buzz Dunlap, fishing solo, grabbed the biggest haul with 23.0.9 pounds. He won $102 for his casting. In second, Derrick Crumbley and Calvin (no last name provided) brought in 14.9.3 pounds for the $68 prize. No Big Fish award was given as rules dictate there must be at least eight boat teams participating for that honor. Cost to join in is $25 for a solo angler and $35 for a boat team. The group fishes from 8 AM to 2 PM. For more information, contact Starnes at 704-463-5762 or visit the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forums. |
Gooch And Abbott Add To String Of Wins
The list keeps getting longer and longer for two local anglers. An impressive string of wins and shows by anglers Gary Abbott and Greg Gooch on Lakes Tillery and Badin have continued to mount through the early spring months. Now it appears the streak will last into the summer heat. Bo Russell’s Tuesday Wildcats on Badin series was their latest hit and nineteen pounds of bass was the target. Their 6.16 pound solo fish was also deemed the Big Fish of the competition. First place paid $135, while the lunker was worth $75. In the fifteen boat field using the Alcoa Landing, Derreck Crumbley and Bob Jennett took second with 18.92 pounds. That place was worth $90. Jennett is hot off an ABA AFT Division 14 win just three days before at Tuckertown. The Tuesday Wildcats fish every week at the Alcoa Landing on Badin. Cost to join in the Open is $25, of which $5 goes to Big Fish and $15 is paid back. The group fishes from 4:30 to 8:30 March into November. For more information, contact Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. Russell also maintains a Facebook presence for both his Tuesday and Saturday Wildcat series. Search for Russell’s Bass Fishing Tournament Series. |
Weekly Wednesday Special Takes Big Haul Big fish and lots of them… that was the whole story in the Starnes’ Wednesday Special weekly event on Badin this past week. With eleven of twelve boats entered bringing in fish to weigh, and six solos that topped the five pound and up range, it was a monster haul day. The slugfest bass hunt began at the Alcoa Landing in Badin as it does each week, and it ended when local legend Buzz Dunlap dragged his 22.13.5 pound catch to check out. His biggest fish, a 6.4.4 pounder wasn’t the biggest one caught that day and was eventually beat out by two one-hundredths of an ounce. Still, the first place money of $150 was more than enough to cover the day’s expenses. According to director Teddy Starnes, strategies varied as much as could possibly be. While some anglers are still watching for the last bass hanging out near beds, many are throwing jigs at docks, looking for transition fish on points, and working grasses over with plastics. “I saw guys using crankbaits deep, pitching at docks, working grass beds, …you name it,” he stated. Eight of the boats brought limits of five to the scales. Runners up, Bob and Derek made a hard run at Dunlap with a 21.4.3 pound total. They earned $100. Big Fish of the tournament belonged to Starnes, who was the one ouncing out Dunlap by a hair. His 6.4.6 pound solo took the $60 honors. Sonny Beam of Monroe placed third with a healthy 15.4.9 pound catch, just outside the paying slots. Cost to join in is $25 for a solo angler and $35 for a boat team. The group fishes from 8 AM to 2 PM. For more information, contact Starnes at 704-463-5762 or visit the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forums. |
Spenser Wins Montgomery Bassmaster Duel On Badin A father and son team stole the Badin show for the Montgomery Bassmasters last Saturday and, in the process, one angler found himself sitting in third place in the club’s points race. Four boats from the club used the busy local lake for their May gathering. Michael Spenser’s five fish weighing 12 pounds 11 ounces were anchored with Big Fish of the competition, a 3 pound 3 ounce keeper. “This is Michael’s second year in club and he is doing really well,” stated Don Newsome, the club’s secretary. The win moved the newcomer into third place in points. Spenser also brought along his father, Randall, who boated 9 pounds. “They caught all their fish on buzzbaits early in the day,” noted Newsome. The chase for points is back on this season as James Blue pulled away from Walley Fields and back into first place. The pair took it to the final event last season when the club championship was decided by a single point at Tuckertown. Three anglers from the club have now qualified for the NC BASS State Tournament in October 1and 2. James Blue, Woody Maness, and Donald Newsome will travel to Edenton, NC on Albemarle Sound with head rivers of Chowan, Perquimans, Little and Pasquotank rivers for the two-day competition. The club will participate in the Troyfest street festival June 26, and will be sponsoring their annual, fall tournament on Lake Tillery on September 25. Four final club events are scheduled, including Tuckertown June 12, a night event on Tillery July 12, another night event on Badin August 14, and the season finale on High Rock September 11. The Montgomery Bassmasters, a four-year-old club based in Troy, NC, has 13 members and growing. Prior to the club's start and several years before, the Uwharrie Bass Club existed in the county. They are members of NC Bass Federation, the FLW, and TBF. The club fishes mostly the Yadkin Chain along with Shearon Harris, Jordan and KerrLake (Buggs). The club is looking to add more members. For more information, contact President James Blue or Tournament Director Michael Maness at 910-571-0022. Information can also be found on the Fishbyte.net Calendar or Forums. |
Tuesday Wildcats Tear Up Badin Bass A pile of big fish came to the scales in the Russells Tuesday Wildcats this week making the race to the top an anxious one come weigh in time. In the end the Big Fish pot had to be split and the winning bag was over twenty-five pounds. “Man did they catch ‘em today at Badin,” stated organizer Bo Russell. “And, the guys are doing a great job keeping their fish alive. We had only one dead fish come in.” Of the eighteen boat teams that entered, thirteen of them carried a five-fish limit to the scales, keeping Russell busy after the 8:30 PM end time. When all was said and done, it was a team of local favorites, Greg Gooch and Gary Abbott who won with 25.86 pounds. They won $160 for first. Matt Stanley and CJ Johnston were second with 22.98 pounds, worth $110. The Big Fish pot had to be split when two teams brought in identical bass weighing 6.64 pounds. The teams of Derek and Kenneth Cranford and Mike Morton and Brandon Williams each walked away with $45. The Tuesday Wildcats fish every week at the Alcoa Landing on Badin. Cost to join in the Open is $25, of which $5 goes to Big Fish and $15 is paid back. The group fishes from 4:30 to 8:30 March into November. For more information, contact Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. Russell also maintains a Facebook presence for both his Tuesday and Saturday Wildcat series. Search for Russell’s Bass Fishing Tournament Series. |
Grandad & Grandson Team Win Saturday Competition Badin’s Alcoa Landing was slammed full last Saturday morning as three different events used the space to launch and land. The weekly wildcats lined up and pulled out last, all twelve boat teams dwarfed by an open fund raiser and another club event. For the Badin regulars, the added squeeze and competition didn’t matter. A grandfather and grandson spending the day as teammates used the time to outwit an impressive 16.54 pounds of bass to win the event. The pair used Big Fish of the tournament, a chunky 6.64 pounder, to capture first place. Calvin McCaskill and Bryan DeHart fell two pounds short and placed second with 14.34 pounds. The series uses a five-fish limit. Next week, Saturday May 29, the wildcat series will move back to Tuckertown for a 7 AM – 2 PM gathering. For more information, contact Bo Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. A weekly schedule and information about the open series is also available on the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forums. |
Davis & Howard Use Six-Plus Pounder To Win Bear Creek Event
The Bear Creek Bass Club proved its bassing skills on Badin this past Saturday when twenty five teams scored a 2.19 pound average per fish in the eight-hour event. On top of that list were an angling team who improved their overall standing to twentieth in the club points race. D.C. Howard and Kenny Davis used overcast skies and muggy atmosphere to haul a 2.8 pound average catch to the scales. According to Davis, the team had their limit by 9:30 AM. They used a Badin “full pond” and a shaky head to catch their biggest solo, while most of the rest were caught on buzzbaits. The Bear Creek Bass Club holds eleven events during the season. Two of those are two-day competitions. Their season ends in November. Annual dues are just $40 and monthly meetings are held. Ryan Mullis serves as president.
Davis and Howard brought their five-fish limit in and anchored the winning bag with a 6.02 pounder for first. Their total weight was 14.02 pounds. They earned $200 for first and another $140 for the Big Fish. Top in the point standings, Lewis Gordon and Randy Burleson lost no ground on other teams with a second place showing. Their 12.68 pounds was worth $150 and widened the gap in the standings. They now hold a commanding 15 point lead over David Strider and Ken Troutman. That team finished third at Badin Saturday, just a third of a pound behind Gordon and Burleson’s bag. The third place bag of 12.30 pounds was worth $100. Just two weeks prior at Tuckertown, David McEachern and Mike Culler had finished second. At Badin they finished a close fourth with 12.16 pounds for $50. They now sit in sixth place in the club points race. Thirteen of the boat teams brought in limits of five and 219.62 total pounds were caught. The Bear Creek Bass Club moves on to Lake Tillery Saturday, June 19 for their sixth of eleven events in the 2010 season schedule. For more information about the group, contact Martin Ledford at mledford@bearcreekbassclub.org or visit their web site, maintained by Ledford, at www.bearcreekbassclub.org. Details are also available on the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forums. |
McLean And Tolley Win Again At Badin There’s a bass angling team that has ridden into town and the local rod-slingers are lining up behind. After posting two wins at High Rock and one at Tuckertown, the pair used Teddy Starnes’ Wednesday Specials Series at Badin this week for their latest showdown. When the mid-week dust had settled, the buzzbaits of Les Tolley and Les McLean had cleared the streets again. Fifteen boat teams showed up for the weekly 8 AM to 2 PM event at Badin Alcoa and those anglers included some of the top local competitors. “When anglers like Bo Russell, Buzz Dunlap and some of those others show up, you need to have your “A” Game on,” stated Tolley, a recent addition to the Fishbyte.Net Pro Staff, after the event. “We stuck to the buzzbaits as a strategy and it paid off.” Tolley and McLean hauled 19 pounds 6.4 ounces of bass in to claim first place and $183 in prize money. Solo angler Buzz Dunlap ran them right to the edge with his master’s effort. The hands-on favorite scored 19 pounds 1.1 ounces to claim the second place purse of $122. His catch was anchored with Big Fish, a solid 6 pound 9.0 ounce lunker worth an additional $75. Three quarters of the field brought a limit of five bass to the scales, proving that the recent, heavy rains have spurred bass bite. Badin’s waters were moving swiftly Wednesday. “At 10 AM, they had two of the gates open and those turbines were churning,” stated Starnes. Besides the solid fish the first two teams brought in, one other six pound and three-five pounders were caught, according to the director. A couple 17 pounds bags and numerous other total weights scored above the 14 pound mark. The Wednesday events are open to anyone who wishes to fish and cost just $25 for a single angler or $35 for a team. No membership fees are required. Since its inception just over a month ago, the turnout has grown with each event. Starnes had originally planned to run the events through June, but is open to extending that schedule if anglers wish it. For more information, contact Starnes at 704-463-5762 or visit the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forums. |
| Bowers Brothers Win Tuesday Wildcat Battle May 18, 2010 When a majority of the bass boat field hauls in the five-fish limit, chances are good the fish were hitting baits well. That was the case Tuesday evening when Russell’s Tuesday Wildcats hit Badin Lake at 4:30 PM for their four hour competition. Eighteen teams turned out for the weekly event and eleven of them weighed in their five-fish limit in a skill-fest that went down to the wire. Brothers Rosco and Rusty Bowers held less than a quarter ounce weight edge when the scales were finally closed. In order to earn the $160 first place prize, they had to bring 14.52 pounds out of their livewell. Giving them a run for that money were Greg Gooch and Gary Abbott. That team found 14.30 pounds, enough for second and $110. Pete Morris and Bill Gooch had Big Fish, a 4.80 pounder that earned the team $90. The Tuesday Wildcats fish every week at the Alcoa Landing on Badin. Cost to join in the Open is $25, of which $5 goes to Big Fish and $15 is paid back. The group fishes from 4:30 to 8:30 March into November. For more information, contact Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. |
May 15, 2010 By Jay Childress Photos Courtesy of Jay Childress It was the biggest day in the Tarheel Striper Club’s history, thanks to a tremendous turnout and big striper bite on Badin Lake. An open event last weekend, hosted by the biggest striper organization in the state, was a great day for the “live-baiters” and a good day for those trolling for the fish.
According to club president, Jay Childress, thirty-eight teams and sixty-seven anglers checked in 190.45 pounds. Thirteen teams came to weigh in and, of those, ten were using live bait in the event that paid out the biggest prizes ever. Three utilized trolling tactics. “For some reason the fish went to the bottom again and the trollers had a hard time getting to them,” stated Childress. Only three trolling boats could bring results to the weigh in.
“It was a great day, a little on the hot side, but it didn't stop the fishermen from coming out and it didn't stop the live baiters from waxing the trollers again,” chuckled Childress. “The live-baiters took the top three places and big fish with the biggest payouts we have ever had.” Thirty-five fish were weighed in. The club is off to Jordan Lake next month with the last Open Tournament of the year and they expect yet another huge turn out. The tournament will be held at Poe's Ridge Boat Ramp (near the Dam) on June 12th. The public can find directions to the ramp by going to the Tarheel Striper Club’s web site (www.tarheelstriperclub.com/phpBB3/) and going to the events page and clicking on Jordan Lake tab. |
Dunlap Scores Wednesday Special Win If it’s on a Yadkin Chain lake, Buzz Dunlap will probably fish it and, chances are good, he will earn some of the prize money. When Teddy Starnes started the Wednesday Specials on Badin a month ago, it added yet another opportunity for a payday. The local angler knows the lakes and has bass behaviors pretty well figured out. Eleven boats showed up for the weekly 8 AM to 2 PM competition this week at Badin’s Alcoa Landing. “A lot of small fish were caught today,” stated Starnes, “and some of them had some size. I think everyone threw a little bit of everything at them today.” Dunlap drew on his knowledge of the lake to drag 15 pounds 11.8 ounces to the winner’s circle to. His winnings were $123. Will Davis gave him a good run in the weight category and finished second. He weighed in 13 pounds 15.5 ounces and had Big Fish, a 5 pound 4.6 ounce keeper. Second place and Big Fish paid $82 and $55 respectively, making Davis the top money earner on the day. “A few other anglers brought in twelve pound bags,” stated Starnes. Given that most bass are now in post-spawn with a few still hanging out on the edges of bedding areas feeding on fry, the results Wednesday were typical of that stage. For more information, contact Starnes at 704-463-5762 or visit the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forums. |
New Faces And Veterans Win Friday/Saturday Nite Opens
It was new faces and a veteran in the winners’ circles this past weekend when the Friday Nites On Tillery & Badin series visited the more-southern lake at Cook’s Marina and the Saturday Nites On Badin met at that lake’s Alcoa Landing. An angler who has torn up most every event he’s entered this year hit the bass jackpot again on Friday, but with a different partner. Saturday saw a boat team win that had scored runners-up and lower paying finishes many times, but had never broken into the top spot. Partners Greg Gooch and Chip Hurley put together a 17 pound sack in an eighteen boat field to win $204. Mark Laxton and Eddie Tucker took second with 11.10 pounds for $85, while Ronnie and Teresa Blankenship hit third with 10.72 pounds, good for $51. Laxton and Tucker also had Big Fish, a 4.54 pounder worth $170.
Co-director Todd Street emphasized again that anglers should not be on a lake on the same day as a tournament. “You can not fish the lake the day of the tournament… not even at the boat ramp waiting,” he noted. The two he was referring to were Derek Cranford and Brad Foley. They worked in the wind the entire time knowing it would wear down trolling batteries, but also understanding that’s what it would take in a twenty-two boat field. They scored 13.22 pounds to win the $252 for first. Their anchor fish became Big Fish of the tournament, a 5.06 pound hawg worth an additional $210. For more information about either the Friday or Saturday open events, contact Street at 704-791-4009 or email him at toddsatvshop@yahoo.com, or call at Todd Little 704-634-9821. Information and event schedules are also posted on the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forums. |
May 8, 2010 It was a busy day on Badin Lake with five tournaments occurring simultaneously, but that didn’t stop the Mint Hill Bass Club from finding some quality bass. The ten teams set out at safelight and returned by 1 PM with several decent limits, despite a tough wind blowing from the North.
Kevin and Johnny Townsend weighed in 13.3 pounds for first place. The teammates weighed in first and then watched nervously as other teams brought their bags to the scales. Nothing else matched up. Noting the amount of boats fishing on the lake, Kevin stated, “You have to fish with a soft touch when there is this much pressure on a lake.” They won $130 for their strategy. Neil and Sonny Lowry had 2nd place with 12.20 pounds and were able to split $65. Benji Price and Jay Simpson took 3rd with 11.10 pounds. The next competition for the Mint Hill Club will be on May 22nd at Tuckertown. For more information contact Dean Townsend at 704-443-5236, or Tommy Stilwell at 704-753-2267. A full schedule can also be found on the Fishbyte Calendar. |
Tuesday Wildcats Post New Winners In any competition series, there are the boat teams who regularly find themselves with a payday at most events. And, there are the hungry teams who are yet to score a win, but are there every week or month getting better and stronger. Those new faces are the ones to watch as they figure out where and how the bass bite. For one of those teams, it all paid off last Tuesday when strategy and skill hit a peak.
Seventeen boat teams made the competition tough for Bo Russell’s Tuesday Wildcats on Badin May 11. In a four-hour, 4:30 to 8:30 PM window of time, bass anglers are expected to do what other clubs attempt in eight-hour competitions… find five big bass that turn heads at weigh in at the Alcoa Landing. “It was a good day on the lake,” stated director, Bo Russell. “We didn’t get any of the rain and there was not too much wind.” For first-time winners Jamie Carriker and Jaman Smith, it was more than just a good day on the lake. The partners have been back week after week chasing the perennial favorites, a hungry young team on the prowl, getting stronger one competition at a time. They pounded the waters for 19.56 pounds in that short outing, outcasting the closest team by almost four pounds. Their anchor was Big Fish of the event, a 5.88 solo. The team won $155 for first and $85 for the lunker. Pete Morris and Greg Gooch finished second with 15,88 pounds of bass, winning $100. The Tuesday Wildcats fish every week at the Alcoa Landing. Cost to join in the opens is $25, of which $5 goes to Big Fish and $15 is paid back. The group fishes from 4:30 to 8:30 March into November. For more information, contact Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. |
The weather is getting warmer; the lakes are getting busier and the Davie Bass Trail club is starting to get hot. In their third event of the season, thirteen boats slipped into the water at Circle Drive on Badin Lake and spent the day hooking hungry Bass. It was a little difficult for the group, as there was a strong wind from the north and four other tournaments were on the lake, but they still managed to boat some decent fish. First place and Big Fish went to J.D. Rocket with 18.1 pounds. His big fish weighed 5.2 pounds. Mike Boger took second with 13.5 pounds and Dennis Redd came in third with 10.4 pounds. The group brought a total of fifty fish to the scales at 2 PM, with an average weight of 2.12 pounds per fish. The Davie Trail members will tangle with High Rock next on June 12th. For more information contact Kevin Benfield at krdbenfield@yadtel.net. A full schedule can also be found on Fishbyte.net Calendar. |
Hospice Tournament Draws Large Field The small town of Badin and the Alcoa boat landing at Badin Lake were overwhelmed Saturday when 54 boat teams arrived for the Sixth Annual Hospice of Stanly County Charity Bass Tournament. Trucks lined the road leading to the ramps and dozens of boats were spread out over several hundred yards in the small cove. The tournament hosted some of the areas best competition and big bags of bass were abundant at the scales by the end of the day.
Southern Championship Fishing (www.southernfishingtrail.com) had their trailer and digital weigh-in equipment on hand to assist Hospice Director Tonya Smith. Tony Furr and Aaron Harwood of Southern Championship Fishing facilitated the registration, blast-off and weigh-in. Buzz Dunlap and Benny Blake, two well-known local anglers won 1st place with a whopping 23.49 pounds. They walked away with the $1000 payout for first place. Brandon Shaver and Chad Cooke took 2nd place with 19.49 pounds. Returning 2009 winners Rusty and Michael Bowers won third place with a solid 17.87 pounds. They won $600, plus an extra $100 given by Boater’s Marine to the Champion boat owner with the most weight. Fourth place and Big Fish went to the father-son team of Brian and Dylan Daniel. They had 17.85 pounds total and one large 6.80 pound bass. The Daniel team fished all day using home-made, deep-diving crank baits. Brian makes specific lures for many lakes in NC which are available at www.bccustomlures.com. Buddy Ritchie and David Lowder grabbed the 5th spot with 17.45 pounds. A total of 8 spots were paid and Southern Championship Fishing gave away two membership certificates. The tournament was a success for the Hospice of Stanly County and its participants. With a large turnout and good weather, over $5000 was raised for the Hospice efforts. The Hospice Mission is to improve the quality of life for all persons with terminal illnesses, and to assist them, their families, their caregivers, and the community in addressing and experiencing end of life issues in an environment that promotes dignity, comfort, and caring. Fishbyte will announce details for next years Hospice charity tournament as soon as they become available. A complete listing of all anglers and their results can be found at www.southernfishingtrail.com. |
Fire Department Club Puts 17 Teams On Badin
The May 4th outing couldn’t have happened on a better weather day. With partly cloudy skies, light winds and an air temperature above 80 degrees, the water temperature was 70 plus degrees. Although the lake was down 1.6 feet from full pool, the Badin waters were mostly clear with good visibility. For this club, the bite was tough, but five teams managed a five fish limit. The club weighed in a total of 57 fish. The team of McLean and Feree earned top honors with five at 16 2/3 pounds. Team Kimball and Barnes hopped on second place with 13 pounds .625 ounces. Others with limits were third placers McDonald and Scott with 11-11.375, Elmore and Watkins with 9-09.50, and Team Zachary with 9-08.25. The lunker of the day was caught by team Kimball/ Barnes and weighed 6 pounds 4.125 ounces. The club of 30 years moves on to tackle Randleman on May 13. Members are active and former members of the city’s fire service. |
It was their fifth outing of the season and the High Point Fire Department went after Badin like, well… a house afire. When all was said and done and gear was stowed away for the next call to the lakes, the anglers had matched wits with and beat 124.0625 pounds of bass.
May 5, 2010
After a sluggish start early in the spring due to record-breaking cold temperatures and poor water conditions, the bite has definitely improved and anglers are headed to local ponds whenever they can. Starnes’ Wednesday Wildcats, a weekly competition that began just one month ago, fielded nine boats of anglers who can slip out mid-week. They pulled back into the Alcoa landing in the afternoon with several nice bags after a beautiful day on Badin Lake. Buzz Dunlap won first place with 14.87 pounds and Big Fish at 5.01 pounds helped get him there. Dunlap earned $150 for spending a late spring day on the lake. Dunlap edged out Pinky Sides and his daughter, Wanda Kaye Sides, by only eight ounces. They took second place with 14.05 pounds. Other anglers including Jamie Carriker, Jaman Smith and Chip Hurley also weighed in with respectable bags. The Wednesday Specials series is open to the public and it fires off every week at the Alcoa Landing on Badin Lake at 8 AM. For more information about the weekly open competitions, contact Starnes at 704-463-5762 or visit the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forums. |
May 4, 2010 Twenty boat teams in the Russell’s Tuesday Wildcats reported plenty of small action this week, with a two pound bass in the net being a good catch. There was one team, however, that disagreed. The result of that conflict was a ten pound difference between first and second places.
According to most anglers, a wide variety of buzz and spinner baits, jigs, and soft plastics were thrown in about every part of the lake. Numerous teams noted that buzz baits seemed to work for them the best. Still, the action wasn’t enough to command at the scales. The odds-on favorite partners, Greg Gooch and Gary Abbott were the one exception. At the scales, the pair poured five fish and 20.16 pounds of pure win into the basket. That 4.032 pound average per fish earned them $180 for first. Series sponsor Burris Marine of Old Whitney Road in New London provides water for each event and gave away a lower end gear oil change to the winners. Gooch and Abbott also had Big Fish, a 5.76 pounder that added $105 to their wallets. Lewis and Allen Phillips placed second with 10.46 pounds. Sixteen of the twenty-one boats weighed in and many of them had limits. A total of sixty-one fish were caught. As happens each week, a good crowd of spectators from the area turned out for the weigh in. The Tuesday Wildcats fish every week from the Alcoa Landing from 4:30 to 8:30 PM. Cost is just $25, including the Big Fish Pot. For more information, contact Bo Russell at 704-463-7829. |
Night time is the right time. The only crowd on Badin Lake during the last hours of April was the Friday Nights on Badin and Tillery bunch. Twenty-five boat teams swarmed the waters in what will be the first of many large turnouts this season. As warmer weather begins to pile in, the fishing-after-hours, weekly events become the way to go. “I think spawning season is here,” stated Todd Street, co-director of the events. “The big fish are showing up at the scales.” That note came moments after nine limits of five had been dragged in for weighing. “The fish are getting big and our crowd is on the way,” he noted.
Eleven of the eighteen teams weighed in, with ten limits of five fish and one four fish bag. “The lowest weight of any team was barely under ten pounds at 9.98 pounds,” noted Street. The Friday night crew heads for Tillery and Cook’s Marina this coming weekend. Saturday events are always on Badin at the Alcoa ramps. For more information about the Saturday Nite Opens, contact Todd Street at 704-791-4009 or email him at toddsatvshop@yahoo.com, or call at Todd Little 704-634-9821. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forum. |
Eddie Talbert and Mike Tucker lead the charge on bass Friday with 18.96 pounds. That bag won the pair $288. Their big keeper was a 6.70 pounder that also added Big Fish honors and $240 to their winnings. Chad Smith and Steve Butler found 12.70 pounds for a second place finish and earned $120. Martin Rushing and Bobby Munsen added 12.48 pounds, winning $72 for third. 
“At the scales, it was big fish after big fish,” exclaimed Street. “There were three fish over six pounds, three fish over five pounds, and three fish over four pounds.” The total bag weights at the end of the night were proof. The increase in pleasure boat traffic didn’t seem to phase bite after the 7 PM start. The events end at midnight. Large Field Expected For 6th Annual Hospice Tournament Last year’s winners of the Annual Hospice of Stanly County Bass Tournament are ready to have at it. Just a week prior to the 6th Annual event, brothers Michael and Rusty Bowers have been scouring the lake and gathering information in preparation of their title defense. They have just a few days left before the Saturday, May 8th blast off in the early morning hours at Badin’s Alcoa Landing. “These fund-raising events help us tremendously by raising money we need to help those who can't pay for hospice services,” stated Hospice Development Director, Tonya Smith. Hospice of Stanly County (http://www.hospiceofstanly.org/) has served the residents of Stanly County, since 1982, by providing quality compassionate care for people facing an incurable illness or injury. According to their web site, the work the organization does is not easy. “Our healthcare program focuses on caring for persons who are in the last stages of a terminal disease, enabling them to live at home as fully and comfortably as possible.”
Last year, 120 anglers on 60 boats turned out for the event, making it one of the largest, open bass tournaments Badin saw all summer. The Bowers wrestled over 21 pounds of spring bass into the livewell to capture the honors. The field of competitors is expected to grow this year. The Hospice Mission is to improve the quality of life for all persons with terminal illnesses, and to assist them, their families, their caregivers, and the community in addressing and experiencing end of life issues in an environment that promotes dignity, comfort, and caring. |
May 1, 2010 It was all about a dominating bag of bass on Saturday when the Russell’s Saturday Wildcats took their show to Badin Lake. For those who could fish beds, the big ones were waiting. One boat team of regulars came to the waters ready to hunt and their seventeen pounds at day’s end had the solo anchor everyone wanted.
Derek Crumbley and Steve Hill returned to favorite holes on Saturday and made them produce. A prize of $135 was theirs for the 17.04 pounds they boated. The fifteen-boat field also paid them $75 for the 5.52 pound Big Fish, one Crumbley noted had been caught on beds. The open, wildcat series has been alternating between Tillery and Badin since February, but moves to Tuckertown for the second time this coming Saturday, May 8. The group will fish from 7 AM to 2 PM. In June, High Rock will be added to the rotation. A complete schedule is available on the Fishbyte.Net calendar and series director, Bo Russell, regularly posts news and updates on the group’s Facebook page. Jarrett Freeze, fishing solo, nailed down the second spot with 13.38 pounds at weigh in. John Strider and Josh Caviness took third with 12.76 pounds. For more information, contact Bo Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. |
April 28, 2010 If there was ever a good reason to call in “sick” to work, Starnes’ Wednesday Open Series on Badin might be it. The trail, now into its first full month, is growing in popularity and yielding some good catches. Eleven teams fished out of the Alcoa Landing on Badin Lake for six hours this past Wednesday and four of those teams had limits over 11 pounds.
A cold front brought in by rain the night before and windy conditions made the strategy a little more difficult, but Jamie Carriker and Jaman Smith figured it out early. Carriker and Smith won first place with 12.4 pounds. They used a buzz bait early on and caught their limit within the first two hours. “We hardly caught anything after the wind picked up,” noted Carriker. Most of their catches were made in the south end of the lake. They pocketed $129. Chip Hurley took second place with 11.10 pounds. and made $86. Dale Hobbs hooked the Big Fish at 3.11 pounds. The Wednesday Specials series is open to the public and it fires off every week at the Alcoa Landing on Badin Lake at 8 AM. For more information about the weekly open competitions, contact Starnes at 704-463-5762 or visit the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forums. |
Threadgill Team Bests Bassers In Tuesday Wildcat When you’ve got the keys to a lake, it doesn’t take long for the rest of the anglers in the region to know it. A pair of local anglers continued their dominance of bass on Badin last Tuesday, proving their spring fishing strategies are beyond reproach. In four hours time under a rising moon that is about as big as it can get, the partners hauled almost seventeen pounds of green fight into their boat. Fifteen teams showed up for the 4:30 PM competition at the Alcoa Landing. The Russell’s Tuesday Wildcat events are weekly assaults on those waters and usually attract the best skills in the area. “The competition is really good out here week-to-week,” stated Bo Russell, organizer. Just the weekend before, fish continued to flirt with beds with some anglers finding them and most not. Jason and Scott Threadgill, two fishermen who made a huge run at the Farmer Lions Club Memorial on the same lake just three days prior, returned to their favorite holes Tuesday to chalk up yet another payday. They boated 16.60 pounds that included a Big Fish of 6.22 pounds. In Saturday’s Memorial, the team scored over 20 pounds. Over the last month, their presence at opens has meant finishes in the top three each time. They added $135 and $75 for Tuesday’s outing. Charles Hobbs and Danny Stilwell came in second and received $90. “It turned out to be a pretty nice evening to fish,” noted Russell. “Just a little chilly on us old folks.” Weather patterns had shifted dramatically in the past day with air temps plummeting as a full moon was about to rise. The Tuesday Wildcats fish every week at the Alcoa Landing. Cost to join in the opens is $25, of which $5 goes to Big Fish and $15 is paid back. The group fishes from 4:30 to 8:30 March into November. For more information, contact Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. |
April 24, 2010 The Lakemont Landing on Badin was a hum of activity over the past weekend as no less than three groups of bass anglers used the access as a meeting place or for a launch to other spots on the lake. When the Top Gun Bass Club of Thomasville slid back into the ramps for a 4 PM weigh in, there was little left but their rigs and bass.
Twelve boat teams from the Triad area group used nine hours of hard fishing to land numerous five-fish limits and a number of fours. Russell Draughn was one of the first to bring his fish to report. His five in 13.14 pounds never looked back as he rolled to a win. One very close challenge came from the fourth bag to weigh in. Tim Allen pulled a 5 pound Big Fish of the event from his bag first and then dropped three more in the basket. His total weight of 13.1 came just a fin away from stealing the win away from Draughn. “I just needed that last fish,” stated Allen as he walked the bag back to the lake. Robert Loflin was the next skilled angler with a 12 pound even bag weight. He scored five fish. Others bringing luck to the board were Justin Minor with 11.2, Mike Riggs with 11.0, Ron Moore with 9.3, Roger Draughn with 9.12, and Jason Riggs with 8.14. Roger Draughn serves as club president. |
Anglers Can Eat Breakfast At Badin Fire Dept. This Saturday! If you are headed to Badin Lake this Saturday and are anywhere near the town on the south end, stop at the Badin Fire Department for an early breakfast, or visit them later in the day for a hot dog and cold beverage. The Badin Fire Dept. is teaming up with Badin’s First Presbyterian Church Pastor Dan Wray, in order to raise funds for two local Jr. High students. “We are opening real early so that anglers can take advantage of the food before they head out on the lake,” stated Wray last week. “Hopefully, some of them come hungry to the tournaments!” The students are embarking on an educational/ambassadorship journey over seas, with the “People to People” program later this summer. Kali Wray, Dan’s daughter will represent Stanly County and North Carolina. In order to qualify for the trip, Kali had to complete a lot of extra homework and pass several difficult tests. She must also raise a significant amount of funds to help fund her trip. Kali’s father, Dan Wray has contributed significantly to that community over the years as a Pastor and a professor. Thank the Wray family and help Kali by stopping in this Saturday and grabbing a biscuit and some coffee in the morning, or a hamburger and cold drink later in the afternoon. |
Under overcast skies and on a day that threw a mix of weather conditions at bass anglers, The Cabarrus Bassmasters had Badin Lake on its schedule last Saturday. It was all about adjustments all day as the sun peeked in and out, a few showers mixed in with winds that kicked up and then died again and again, and five other tournaments raked the waters. The Public Safety Fishing Club requires that members must be affiliated with or retired from a public safety agency such as law, fire, EMS, emergency management, or military. Exception is granted to associates or family members of existing club members. Seven boat teams launched from the Alcoa Landing at 7 AM and fished until 3 PM. As the day wore on, many of the boats worked their way up the main channel seeking battle around bedding areas and transition locations. One pair, R. Poplin and M. Poplin used the time to net 14.49 pounds in five. They anchored their bag with the Big Fish, a 4.31 solo. Other finishes included, 2nd- D Stewart/N Stewart 5@13.50, 3rd- Alan Thompson 5@ 9.34, 4th- M Murphy 4 fish, 5th- M. Coley/J. Coley 3 fish, S Mason/M Mason 3 fish, K Johnson 3 fish. The club rejoins on May 1st at High Rock Second Creek for a 7 AM to 3 PM competition. For more information, contact Alan Thompson at 704-791-2907 or amt6973@aol.com if interested in club membership. |
April 24, 2010 There’s one spring bass tournament two anglers won’t miss simply because tradition makes it a good paycheck. For the second time in as many years, the partners returned to the winner’s circle, adding over four pounds to last season’s catch. Members of the Farmer Lions Club turned out in force on Saturday, April 24th at Badin's Fish Tales Marina and Grill on the very north end of the lake, and so did the anglers as 44 boats with two per boat hit the waters at 7 AM. The occasion was the 23rd Annual Farmer Lions Club (Denton, NC) Annual Spring Tournament and Delk Memorial event. Although a strong storm front was bearing down on the mid-Carolina’s all day, the worst of the weather held out until shortly after all were off the water.
Participating anglers and those from five other tournaments on the lake Saturday were kept seeking strategies to find the larger hawgs. A variety of attacks were seen being used out on the water, as fishermen looked to docks, bedding areas, and transition points. Theo Hagerman and Jim Marsh’s approach was the right one. “We went after the bushes,” stated Hagerman after he and his partner had accepted the first place prize and trophies. “By 10:30 we were culling,” he noted. Hagerman is known as a superb bed angler, but changed up locations as bass have only teased outer beds. In 2009 the pair collected 24 pounds 2.5 ounces, and this year they catapulted to 28.35 pounds in eight fish. Their anchor was a 5.20 pound solo that also nailed Big Fish. The two won $600 for first and another $440 for the monster.
Early on, it appeared Bennett Pridgen and Lane Hayes might have a shot at a title spot with an 18.45 pound sack and a 5.05 pound lunker. That weight shattered what had come to the scales thus far, but only held until Randy Weddington and Brad Smith broke the twenty pound mark with a 20.55 total. Nick Nance and father, Doug, gave them a close run with a 20-even sack. CJ Johnston and Matt Stanley walked in 18.10 to fall short. Second place was still to be decided until Scott and Jason Threadgill unloaded a heavy livewell, placing 23.85 pounds of bass in a bag. The brothers have finished a number of recent area benefits and memorial events in the top four. Their largest was a 4.70 pounder and they held the lead only briefly.
Two favorites, Buzz Dunlap and Pete Morris also made a late stab at the lead, unseating Weddington and Smith from third with 20.70 pounds, a mere .15 pounds. That gave Dunlap and Morris a third-place $150 payday, but still short of the Threadgills. Just the year before the Dunlap and Morris teamed had walked home with Big Fish honors, so things were looking grim for 2010. One final bag had to come from a boat, and it was the spring 2009 champions, Hagerman and Marsh. Their bag of eight shattered all hopes even as the fish tumbled into the weigh in basket. The scoreboard said it all moments later when all 28.35 pounds hit the top spot. The Threadgills would settle for another runner-up position, but had $300 to show for their work. Donations from area business sponsored served as door prizes at the end. The lone, female angler of the event, Kailey Vanover, daughter of Roger Vanover, took the top prize of $100 in cash. “She really earned that,” stated the happy father. “She out-fished me today and I lost her biggest fish getting it into the livewell. It was the biggest one we got all day. This will make her happy!” Like its sister tournament near the end of October, the tournament allows an eight fish limit and pays out the first three places. Bass fishermen from across the region have found the event a must-do and this season's event was no disappointment. The Lions Club invites all anglers in the area to participate in their upcoming fall event. More information will be forthcoming. Watch for details on the Fishbyte.Net pages. Further details can be gained from tournament organizer Richard Delk at 336-241-2333. |
Sides Wins Wednesday Open On 13 Pounds It was only a matter of time before local fishing legend Pinky Sides returned to the limelight, and last Wednesday was his turn. The angler and fishing tournament director of over 25 years bested a six field turnout to win the new Starnes’ Wednesday Special, an open-to-all every Wednesday event on Badin. The events are $25 for a solo angler. If two anglers are on the boat, cost jumps to $35. With nine boats participating, Big Fish will be paid out. For now, the events will take place April through June, with a decision being made about extending the schedule later. A combination of crank baits and spinners were used for the winning bag and most anglers catching fish were following suit. “We were culling bass by 9 AM, but there was no big bite,” stated Starnes. According to the director, there are still few signs of tails being damaged by bedding action. Some sun and clouds mixed through the day and a light breeze picked up after lunchtime. Starnes himself ran the same baits and found second place with 12.13 pounds. Right behind him in third was JT Morris, while Sunny Bean scored fourth. For more information about the weekly open competitions, contact Starnes at 704-463-5762 or visit the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forums. |
April 18, 2010 A small group of bass boats slid down from the Triad area last Sunday and snuck quietly onto Badin Lake from the Circle Drive Access. With a larger tournament going on just around the corner, the four boats and seven club members of the Triad Bassmasters were hardly noticed in the swarm of boats on the lake. That fact didn’t stop Kyle Joyce in his search for bass. The angler topped others in the individual competition by bringing 7.20 pounds to the scales later in the day. That added 200 points to his run at a club championship. Bill Workman slid in second with 4.95 pounds that included a solo lunker as an anchor. The 2.255 pounder was Big Fish on the day. Johnny Dunnavant placed third with 3.35 and fourth placer, Chris Foreman, had 1.80 pounds. The club is accepting new members. They are involved in a variety of community improvement projects during the year. For more information about the club, contact Berry at 336-552-9156 or email her at carolinalindaberry@yahoo.com. |
Saunders Rises To Top In Tough Yadkin Competition
The Yadkin River One on One Tournament Trail is, without question, one of the most popular series in central North Carolina. Experienced anglers, who are young and old, compete in the Sunday Trail series on the Yadkin Chain and the results are never disappointing. Although competition is tough, it remains a friendly draw for all anglers. Tactics and favorite baits are often the topic of open discussion after weigh ins. Although it was a little windy and cool this past Sunday, the outing was no different from any other, as competitors brought numerous good-sized bags to the scales. Several caught their limit and most were all within a pound of each other. Ronnie Saunders won first place with 14.23 pounds. Fishbyte.Net found him on the water at 9 AM throwing plastic worms and having success. He won $345 for his efforts. Second place went to Nick Nance with 13.86 pounds along with $230 in prize money. Ricky Clark grabbed third place with 12.92 pounds and he earned $115 for his work on the water. Billy Lawson caught Big Fish at 5.40 pounds. Twenty-five boats lined up in the dark at the Lakemont Landing on Badin for this tournament. The series is growing in popularity and the competition certainly is not getting any easier. For more information or to ask for an invitation, contact Jason Poindexter at 704-857-0236 or co-director Jimmy Sanders at 336-953-1086. Complete club information and 2010 schedule are posted on the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forums. |
Bowers Team Grabs Friday Nite While Burris Team Scores On Saturday As happens most every weekend on Badin and Tillery, the night crews headed for the waters shortly after dinnertime when the day was about out of breath. Two open trails, one on Friday and the other on Saturday, were both on Badin this week to chase the largemouths. The Friday night open alternates between the two lakes, while the Saturday night event remains on Badin. Sixteen teams took advantage of good weather the first event, while twelve competed the second. Brothers Rusty and Rosco Bowers championed all Friday evening with 13.5 pounds of bass to grab the $180 first place prize. Shawn Williams and Jamie Talbert fell three pounds short in their bid, netting 10.58 pounds, to haul in $75 in winnings. Jason Hathcock and Philip King rounded out the paying positions with 10.02 pounds and a $45 payday. Big Fish honors went to John and Kevin (sorry, no last name provided) with a 6.66 pounder worth $150.
The turnout for Saturday evening was a bit off the pace when only a dozen boats turned out. Numbers in the open can grow to the mid-thirties during the season and Street expects to hit forty this season. Ronnie Blankenship and Roger Vanover, a fishing combo that won the Montgomery County Ducks Unlimited event on Lake Tillery earlier in the day, took a couple hours off and then headed to Badin and the Alcoa Landing to find 11.18 more pounds for second place. The series needs at least thirteen boats to show to pay second place. Directors Todd Street and Todd Little dragged 10.66 pounds in and had only bragging right to show as well. Big Fish honors went to Kevin Burris. For more information about the Saturday Nite Opens, contact Todd Street at 704-791-4009 or email him at toddsatvshop@yahoo.com, or call at Todd Little 704-634-9821. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forum. |
While the Swift Island Landing is closed for renovations, the Friday night open will use the Cook’s Marina Access when on that lake. Director Todd Street noted that anglers should not fish a lake the day of a tournament.
Starnes And Dennis Win 2nd Outing Of New Wednesday Open There’s never enough time or days to fish. In case you need one more option to add to the menu, Teddy Starnes has organized a weekly open on Wednesdays that may fit your schedule. The new series is happening on Badin Lake and the Alcoa Landing from 8 AM to 2 PM. This week’s event began in high winds and rough waters. “There are a lot of guys who’d like to fish mid-week, so we put this together hoping it would work for them,” stated new director Teddy Starnes. “It’s open to anybody who wants to bass fish and doesn’t cost much. I think a lot of guys will like it.” The events are $25 for a solo angler. If two anglers are on the boat, cost jumps to $35. With nine boats participating, Big Fish will be paid out. For now, the events will take place April through June, with a decision being made about extending the schedule later. Competition began two weeks ago with a five-boat turnout. This week four showed in weather that had turned overnight. Hard winds were sweeping straight out of the north, a bad element on Badin. Air temperatures during the outing never reached the mid-fifties. For Starnes and boat partner, Bob Dennis, the weather was just right. The pair netted five fish and 14.10.2 pounds to take the first spot at weigh in. Pinky Sides, fishing solo, barely missed knocking off the top team when he netted an almost identical 14.9.5 pounds. Barely a bait’s weight behind Sides, was Bo Russell and Tony Lambert. That team scored 14.5.5 pounds for third. “Most of the guys found nothing all morning,” stated Starnes about the exploration. “From about noon to 1:30 PM, the bite began to happen. We caught all five of ours during that short time.” According to Starnes, most of the fish caught were nailed on spinnerbaits. Anglers have been watching closely to see when the fish move to beds. “A couple of the bigger fish showed just a little wear on their tails,” noted Starnes. For more information about the weekly open competitions, contact Starnes at 704-463-5762 or visit the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forums. |
The Badin Alcoa Landing was the site where the Sandhills Bassmasters staged their April gathering and members found the going and bite rather rude. Anglers across the lake found confused bass transitioning to beds, with fish trying to decide whether to feed or move to other pursuits. Reggie Bartell was the only angler to coax a limit of five out of the waters, netting 12.16 pounds. He also hooked the Big Fish of the event, a 2.82 pounder. The Sandhills Bassmasters group is a member of the Southern region of the NC bass federation. They began their 2010 quest on January 23rd on Lake Tillery and will finish on December 11th at a lake to be named. They fish eight different lakes across the state. Dan Jones serves as president. Derek Burrows scored the second largest bag, bringing three fish and 4.97 pound in for weigh in. Third place went to Daniel Jones with 4.36 pounds in two, while Dan Jones settled for fourth with two fish and 3.42 pounds. Rounding out the final teams were Donnie Sellers with 2.94 pounds and Mark Seals with 2.09. The group’s next event will be at Kerr Lake and the Flemington Ramps on May 15. The group is looking for new members. For more information about the group, contact president Dan Jones via email at dfishjones@gmail.com of visit the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forums. |
April 13, 2010 You’d have to call it a heavy mauling for a mid-week bass tournament. Twenty one boat teams showed up to put a lickin’ on Badin largemouths this week at the Russell’s Tuesday Wildcats, and the ones carrying the biggest stick took home nearly $200 in prize money. As has so often the case recently, the winners accepted their check in front of a good crowd. As two weather fronts were about to clash over the Carolinas, anglers broke from the docks at 4:30 PM on a day that had reached nearly 80 degrees. Weather forecasts were for overcast skies and only about 60 degrees the next day. Heavy winds directly from the north were also in the forecast. That combination often changes fishing strategies on the lake.
Just before the 8:30 weigh in, a pile of boats rolled back to the ramps. Anglers were quick to bring bags to the scales, and director Bo Russell was busy for a bit. One of the final competitors to weigh in, Jim Marsh, topped all by over 3 pounds, putting an exclamation point to the outing. The solo angler scored 17.50 pounds to carry away $190. As boat numbers have increased from week to week with warmer weather, so has an appreciative spectator following. Knots of people travel to the location each week to watch the bass come in. Russell’s set up with scoreboard, on-site advertising for sponsors, and quick processing has made it all a good show.
Greg Gooch and Gary Abbott had upped the ante just moments before, when their 14.12 in five vaulted them into first place. They settled for second and $125. Buddy Holt and Bo Russell had held the lead for numerous bags. They hoisted 13.9 pounds at weigh in and things looked good for the pair for a bit. Their five earned them a third place $105. David Eichorn found the biggest bass of the evening. His 5.26 pound solo earned him a $105 Big Fish honor. Another of note bringing fish in was Ken Tucker, fishing solo with 12.62 pounds. The Tuesday Wildcats fish every week at the Alcoa Landing. Cost to join in the opens is $25, of which $5 goes to Big Fish and $15 is paid back. The group fishes from 4:30 to 8:30 March into November. For more information, contact Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. |
Until this last weekend, there was a block of time when a bass angler couldn’t find a group to fish with. That all came to an end a few days ago, when the Saturday Nites on Badin Open began its weekly onslaught of Badin Lake. The very competitive, core group of regulars turned out to kick off the 2010 season. Fourteen boat teams launched from the Alcoa Landing after taking almost five months off and director Todd Street was glad the show was back on. “The guys really like this open event and I know we’ll hit a forty boat field soon,” he stated. Todd Little, Street’s fishing partner and co-director of the events, was equally as glad to be back. “It just isn’t summer until we come here every Saturday night,” he laughed. The weekly events are open to any angler and teams can be either one or two anglers per boat. Blast Off is at 7 PM and all return for a midnight weigh in. Street noted that, especially in summer months when recreational traffic is high, the lake always quiets down about dusk and anglers have the lake to themselves. Cost to join in on either competition is just $30. With a fourteen boat field, Rusty Bowers and partner, Mark, found themselves in the best fishing seat of the evening. The series pays just one spot unless fifteen boats show. The winner-take-all event Saturday was worth $280 and the team took it all with 10.98 pounds. Gary Freeze and Max Leer found themselves in second place, usually a pretty good place to be in a tournament, but without a payday. They weighed in 9.96 pounds. Street and Little took home the Big Fish honors for the opener with a 4.36 pounder worth $140.
“Bite was slow Saturday night,” stated Street after weigh in. “It started off a beautiful evening, but when those lights go out, it starts getting chilly this time of year.” Temperatures at midnight were 45 degrees. “The diehards were still there come weigh in,” laughed Street. Under ten boats participating, the event also becomes a winner-take-all, but it also pays no Big Fish so the pot grows substantially. Shawn Williams and Jamie Talbert were the luckiest of the crews and slipped away after midnight with an extra $240 in their pockets. They hauled 13.66 pounds of bass to the scales. Street and Little came in second with 9.60 pounds, but had nothing to show for it but memories. For more information about the Friday or Saturday Nite Opens, contact Todd Street at 704-791-4009 or email him at toddsatvshop@yahoo.com, or call at Todd Little at 704-634-9821. Information is also available on the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forum. |
Carolina Mustangs Benefit Returns To Badin Only three of the boat teams found a limit, but the end result was still monies raised for a good cause. The Carolina Mustangs 9 U and Carolina Crushers 12 U held their third fund raising tournament at Badin and the Circle Drive Landing last weekend, but found bite rather slow. “We only had six boat teams turn out for this one,” stated director Theo Hagerman. The baseball group was competing with a number of well-known opens in the area last weekend and numbers were cut in half. Hagerman and partner, Jim Marsh, were one of the teams to bring in the eight-fish limit, scoring 25 pounds 9 ounces to win first place. Second placers Nick Nance and Doug Nance found eight that tipped the scales at 23 pounds 7.8 ounces. Rick Wright and Robert Trueblood found Big Fish, a 4 pound 15.8 ouncer. The Carolina Mustangs 9 U and Carolina Crushers 12 U baseball teams are the benefactors of monies raised. This year, organizer Theo Hagerman decided to run a series of six events, all at either Badin or Tuckertown Reservoir, all held from March through May. The group will meet again at Badin Circle Drive ramp on April 17th. Two final events in May will happen on Tuckertown. An eight-fish limit is used. For more information, contact Theo Hagerman at 336-906-5675. A schedule of future events is also posted on the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forums. |
Father And Son Team Wins Saturday Trail Event Although the day’s competition began back on the chilly side, the Russell’s Saturday Wildcats took advantage of what turned out to be a nice day on the lake. After a week or so of above normal temperatures, Saturday’s blast off was a reminder that winter had just passed. Still, twelve anxious bass teams turned out for an attack on Badin. “It was a good day to be on the lake,” stated director Bo Russell. “We had four limits of five fish brought in,” he noted. “It was a little windy this morning but it calmed down after lunch to be very nice.” For Russell, one of those limits was magic, as he and son, Jamie, bagged 13.28 pounds to grab a first place finish. The younger Russell made sure one of those was Big Fish of the competition, a 4.62 pounder. The weekly series adds both Tuckertown and High Rock to its schedule beginning April 17th. The teams will head for the Flat Creek Wildlife Access on Tuckertown on that date, fishing from 7 AM to 2 PM. In June, High Rock will enter into the mix, making the weekly series a four-lake competition. Cost to join in is $25 per event, including Big Fish. Grover Cooke and Alvin Mauldin, a team that often finds themselves in a paying spot at the end of a day’s fishing, took second with a bag of 11.44 pounds. For more information, contact Bo Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. A weekly schedule and information about the open series is also available on the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forums. |
April 10, 2010 Information and Photos Courtesy of Ricky Clark For months and an entire season, it had been a father and daughter team racing after a win in the popular Adam & Eve Trail on the Yadkin Chain, but it took an adjustment to a brother and sister combo to score the first win. Team Ron Nelson, and daughter, Carmen, had unsuccessfully chased the top trophy event after event, coming close many times. When daughter was out of town for the weekend, Dad turned to his sister to be a partner. Twenty-two boat teams turned out for the second event of the season at Badin Lake and the Lakemont Landing. Of those, seventeen weighed in fish on a day that began with ice and ended near 70.
The Nelson team hauled 13 pounds 15 ounces to the finale and pocketed a $275 winner’s prize. An even pound back in second place were J.T. and Brittney Marsh with 12 pounds 15 ounces. They earned $165. Don and Susie Luther, no strangers to the winners’ and placers’ circle on the tour, grabbed third place and $110. Big Fish was found by Teddy and Della Starnes, a 5 pound 7 ounce lunker. Cost to fish in the six-fish limit competition is $25 with a $5 Big Fish side pot. All teams must consist of one male and one female angler. The series moves on to Tuckertown Reservoir May 8, where they will use the Highway 49 Access Ramp. Thee group will fish from 7 AM to 1 PM. For more information about the Adam & Eve Series, contact Ricky or Sherry Clark at 336-461-2006. A complete schedule and information can also be found on Fishbyte.net Calendar and forums. |
Mustangs Find Slow Going On Badin 3.27.10 It’s all for the Mustangs and Crushers. With names like that, you’d expect monstrous bags of fish coming in, but anglers in the second event of the fund raising tournaments found bass bite slow.
A field of ten boats showed up at the Circle Drive Landing to participate in the second event of a season of fund raisers. The Carolina Mustangs 9 U and Carolina Crushers 12 U baseball teams are the benefactors of monies raised. This year, organizer Theo Hagerman decided to run a series of six events, all at either Badin or Tuckertown Reservoir, all held from March through May. “No one missed much at Badin today,” laughed Hagerman. “The bite was slow and there was only one limit weighed in.” Bob Jennett and Derek Crumbly hauled 23 pounds 6.6 ounces to the scales for first place, while Scott Henley and Kelly Allen scored a second with seven fish and 21 pounds 2.2 ounces. They also claimed Big Fish of the event with a 4 pound 15 ounce bass. Hagerman and Jim Marsh rounded out the paying spots with seven bass weighing 18 pounds 14 ounces. The group will meet again at Badin Circle Drive ramp on April 10th and 17th. Two final events in May will happen on Tuckertown. An eight-fish limit is used. For more information, contact Theo Hagerman at 336-906-5675. A schedule of future events is also posted on the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forums. |
About the time the last boat was sliding off the water on Badin last Friday, rigs began turning into the Alcoa Landing parking lot. Something different was happening and it could only be the Friday Nites on Tillery/Badin gang. Eighteen boats turned out for the opening night of a favorite show.
“It’s great to be back,” stated an elated Director Todd Street prior to Blast Off. “I was tired by the end of last season, but have been so looking forward to this.” Although the weekly events, which alternate between Badin and Tillery’s Swift Island, are open to anyone who wants to fish, a regular crowd is always there. New faces pop in throughout the season. “We had perfect weather, but the bite was a little slower for this time of year. It was a great turnout for the first tournament,” noted Street. The local angler, who owns Todd Street’s Gun & Pawn in Midland, co-directs both this series and the Saturday Nites On Badin series with Todd Little. Although both events flirted with forty boats per turnout last season, that continues to be the magic number. “We want forty boats,” laughed Street. The group fishes from 7 PM to midnight. Leon Garner and David Stirewalt kicked the season off with an 11.30 pound bag good enough for first place and the $204 purse. Only three limits were weighed in. Chad Smith and Madison Smith took second and the $85 prize with 10.70 pounds, while Kevin Burris and Dean Burris wrapped up third and $51 with 9.80 pounds. Chris and Chance Furr dragged in Big Fish for the night, a 5-pound-even brute that earned $170. For more information about either the Friday or Saturday open events, contact Street at 704-791-4009 or email him at toddsatvshop@yahoo.com, or call Todd Little at 704-634-9821. Information and event schedules are also posted on the Fishbyte.Net Calendar and Forums. |
Tuesday Evening Take On Badin “Perplexing” Bo Russell’s Tuesday Wildcat Tournament ended with many a perplexed face and too many empty bags this past week. It was difficult to find a fish in February, but the bite had been steadily improving throughout March, as temperatures and water conditions improved. Just last weekend large catches were made on Badin Lake. So, why was it that after a beautiful, warm spring day everyone was having such a hard time catching fish?
Several members of the group suggested, “The fish have finally begun to move”. If the fish have gone into spawning mode and headed towards shallower water, it would explain why last week's fishing tactics did not work this week, they all agreed. Bass will still hold off points, but should begin moving into shallower water.
The luck was not completely bad for all twelve-boat teams. Bo Russell and his partner, Nathan Williams, won first place with 9.44 pounds. Father and son team, Kevin and Bradley Chandler won 2nd place with 8.08 pounds. Half-a-pound behind in third place were Pete Morris and Bill Gooch with 7.64 pounds. Big Fish went to Kenneth Tucker and Dale Hobbs who weighed in a 4.52 pounder. For more information about the open series, contact Director Bo Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. A complete schedule and further information can also be found at Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. |
The Yadkin Team Trail blasted off from the Circle Drive Landing on Badin Lake Saturday and proved once again, that they know how to find fish on the Yadkin chain. Almost every one of the sixteen boat teams brought fish back to the scales.
The cold morning temperature may have prompted a few excuses, but it didn’t seem to faze Tim Hawley and Matt Stanley, who won first place and 2nd Big Fish with 19.74 pounds. Second place went to Bennett Pridgen and Lane Haye with 18.08 pounds. Only half of a pound separated third place winner Ron Wolfarth with 17.55 pounds. Shane Floyd and Tony Garritta were also not far behind with an even 17 pounds. of bass. Bobby Lovings and Dwight Morgan had a respectable bag and won Big Fish at 6.62 pounds. Boats from the Yadkin Team were spread out from the north end of the lake to the southern end, disputing evidence that one area is better than another is. Most teams brought in well over 12 pounds of fish. The next tournament will be held on High Rock Lake on April 17th. For more information contact Carl and Diane Benton - Yadkin Promotions 336-859-4366. A complete schedule can also be found on Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. |
Barringer & Honeycutt Win Wildcat With A “20-20 Vision”
Thirteen wildcat boats tore onto Badin lake this last Saturday morning from the Alcoa Landing and seven of them came back with a five-fish limit. Two of those teams scored solo lunkers over seven pounds. John Barringer and Phillip Honeycutt were the ones with the right stuff, scoring the “20.20” pounds to grab first place honors. Hot on their heels in second were Michael Hedgecock and Austin Garland with a bag of 20.04 pounds. Both teams had a fish over seven pounds. “Everyone had a good day,” stated director, Bo Russell. “Even the teams that didn't get in the money this week saw a bunch of action.” Barringer and Honeycutt added Big Fish with a 7.86 pound lunker. Again, Hedgecock and Garland were right there with a 7.46 lunker. “There were seven limits of five fish weighed in,” noted Russell “We had a sixteen-plus pound bag and three bags over fourteen pounds. Bite was heavy.” Russell also runs a Tuesday evening open series, the Tuesday Afternoon Wildcats at Badin from 4:30 until 8:30 every week. For more information about either of the open series, contact Director Bo Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. A complete schedule and further information can also be found at Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. |
As waters warm and days tick off the calendar, anglers look for bass to move through the spawn stages. For many, the quest for the heavy weights is just a vision, but for two anglers in the Russell's Saturday Wildcat competition, 20-20 became more than just a hope. It became what their livewell saw.When A Friend Hands You A 75 Pounder... When friends Chris Hammill of Kannapolis and Eric Fincher set out on Badin Friday night to chase some catfish, neither of them expected the twist of fate that might occur. Both are experienced cat-fishermen and both are very competitive in the Yadkin Mastercatters series. Fincher holds the NC State record for largest blue catfish caught, an 89 pounder, and has caught several 60 and 70 plus pound specimens since November of last year. The partners were working the waters upriver when Fincher set the hook on what he thought was a catfish in the 20 to 30 pound range. Within seconds, the catfish had hung him up on some bottom structure. He could still feel the fish on the line, so handed the rod to his friend to prove it. Both agreed it was a small one. Fincher told his buddy he could have the fight and the fish if he could get it un-hung. The challenge was on. Hammill patiently worked with the fish, pulling and tugging the rod until the fish broke loose. That's when they knew it was no average cat. Hammill battled the monster, trying to get it to surface. Again and again he worked it closer to the top, only to have it run deep. Finally, it tired and they had it boat-side. Their net was barely big enough, but it finally landed in the boat. A few phone calls to locate scales big enough to weigh the cat, and a few photos, and the cat was released back into Badin. She lives another day in the dark depths of Badin where cat anglers know the monsters prowl. |
Livingston And Wallace Strike Again For One-Bass
They first popped onto the scene back in October of 2009 when they placed third in the fall Farmer Lions Club Memorial on Badin, and have begun a torrent of wins and places in 2010. Winning a Triple H Benefit on High Rock March 6 and jumping on another first the next day with the High Rock Sunday Wildcats has lead to a win with The One Bass Club on Badin this last Saturday. The One Bass Club began its season on Badin Lake March 27th amidst a busy landing on Circle Drive. A very cold morning, and hopefully one of the last, sixteen boats and thirty members were ready for the first blast-off.
The One Bass Club uses a different approach than other competitions. They fish for just five hours and bring only their largest, single fish to the scales. It changes the strategy in terms of finding fish, culling and lure selection. One fish takes it all for anglers who fish individually. Derick Livingston had the biggest bass in his bag, weighing 5.74 pounds. Livingston won first place and $270. Second place went to his partner Andrew Wallace with his fish weighing 5.12 pounds. Wallace won $180. Livingston and Wallace might be one of the youngest teams fishing competitively in central North Carolina, but they certainly continue making a splash. Fishing in various club and open tournaments, they have won at least three times already this season and placed several other times. Brad Foley won third place, as thirteen of the sixteen boats had fish to weigh-in. For more information on The One Bass Club see their website at www.theonebassclub.bravehost.com or contact Rodney Jones 336-471-3855. A complete schedule can also be found on Fishbyte.net Calendars and Forums. |
Handy Wins ABA AFT West Div. 14 Event It was another busy Saturday morning at the Circle Drive landing on Badin Lake as three different groups made preparations for their tournaments. An hour before the sun rose, members of the ABA AFT West Division 14 were sliding their boats into the water and making final adjustments. The twelve boats would return for their weigh-in at 3 PM with several respectable bags of bass. The cold weather didn’t seem to affect 1st place and Big Fish winner Kenneth Handy. He hauled in 18.67 pounds total, and his big fish weighed 5.92 pounds. Bob Jennett, coming in second place, also found plenty of fish with a bag weighing 15.98 pounds. Just a few ounces behind Jennett, was Daniel Hayworth in third place with 15.59 pounds. Director Tonnie Tucker also had a respectable bag weighing just over 10 pounds. The ABA AFT group is one of the only clubs where everyone, regardless of their catch, walks away with something at the end of the day. Their weigh-ins are followed with giveaways and prizes including towels, jackets, and cases of beer. Their sponsors including Triple T Electric Company and Anheuser-Busch, who help make this possible. Their next event will be on Tuckertown at the Flat Creek Access on April 10th. For more information about the club, contact Tucker at htucker001@triad.rr.com or call him at 336-859-3902. The complete schedule is listed on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. The web site for the ABA AFT is www.americanbassanglers.com/index_aft.php. |
Conner And Rushin Battle Elements To Grab Tuesday Night
Windy weather and rough water did not stop the ten teams fishing Bo Russell’s Tuesday Night Wildcat Trail from catching some good fish. White caps and 12-inch swells covered the main sections of Badin Lake as the teams set out at 4:30 P.M. It was difficult for the anglers to keep their boats on points in the windy weather and those with more powerful trolling motors were thankful for the extra dollars spent.
Martin Rushin and Bobby Conner braved the windiest main points on the lake and netted first place for their efforts. They had 11.86 pounds after just 3 and a half hours. The partners took home $90. Kevin and Colby Chandler scored place with 7.44 pounds and took $60 away. Pete Morris had Big Fish weighing 6.30 pounds. The group fished until 8 PM, but will increase their fishing time by 30 minutes as the weather and light improves. They will compete every Tuesday evening until November at the Alcoa Landing on Badin Lake. For more information about the open series, contact Director Bo Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950. A complete schedule and further information can also be found at Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. |
Access
BADIN LAKE |
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Access Name |
County |
Sponsor |
Directions |
| Circle Drive | Montgomery | NC Wildlife Resources Commission | On Shoreline Drive (S.R. 2551), off Blaine Road (S.R. 1161), southeast of N.C. 8 and N.C. 49 junction |
| Lakemont | Montgomery | NC Wildlife Resources Commission | On Lakemont Road (S.R. 1158), off Blaine Road (S.R. 1156), south of N.C. 49 and N.C. 109 junction |
| Badin Boat Access | Stanly | Alcoa | Off Hwy. 740, north of Badin |
| Old Whitney Access |
Stanly | Alcoa | On Old Whitney Road, off Hwy. 740, northeast of Badin |
| Palmerville Access | Stanly | Alcoa | On Palmerville Road, off Hwy. 740, north of Badin |
| Garr Creek Access | Montgomery | Alcoa | On Tuckertown Road, off Hwy. 49, northwest of Troy |
| Cove Boat Access | Montgomery | US Forest Service | On Forest Road 554, off Hwy. 109, northwest of Troy |
FALLS RESERVOIR |
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Access Name |
County |
Sponsor |
Directions |
| Falls Boat Access | Stanly | Alcoa | Located off Falls Road, southeast of Badin |
| Deep Water Trail Access | Montgomery | U.S. Forest Service | Located on Forest Road 554, off Hwy. 109, northwest of Troy |