1st place, Freddie House

Archdale Club Opens At Badin
March 6, 2010

The fishing was less than spectacular, but spirits were high at the Archdale’s Bass Club opener this past weekend.  With good weather and a solid turnout, the Archdale anglers took to the water at Badin Lake with hopes of a successful season.  The group ate breakfast together and then hunted for hungry bass.

Freddie House (1st place), Dwayne Roberts (2nd place) & Sam Gunter (3rd place)

The cold weather and muddy water has made it tough for many anglers early in the season, but as the Archdale crew rallied for their weigh-in, several of their boats had bass.  Freddie House had a couple of nice fish weighing a total of 6.62 pounds., which put him in first place.  House caught one fish on a slow-moving crank bait and one on a spinner bait. 

Dwayne Roberts had Big Fish and second place with one large bass weighing 4.48 pounds.  Sam Gunter was not far behind with two fish weighing in for a total of 4.36 pounds.  Many in the group were flustered by the lack of action on the lake, but it was clear they were happy that the season was underway. 

The Club held a vote following their weigh-in and they decided to meet at Belews Falls, Pine Hall Landing on April 3 at 7 AM for their next event.   Water temperatures are generally warmer at Belews, which should help put bass in every boat.

For more information on the Archdale Bass Club see the Fishbyte.Net calendar link or email Bill Frazier at bill.frazier@highpointnc.gov.

Badin Turns Cold For Russell's Wildcats
February 27, 2010

Bo Russel's Saturday Wildcats were hoping they'd put bad fishing behind them after a lackluster bass performance just a week before on Lake Tillery. Six boat teams moved to Badin and the Alcoa Landing for the February 27th event, feeling a bit better about their chances. The largemouth had different ideas.

One boat team found fish by the 3 PM scales close and were awarded the full pot of cash. “Our tournament today on Badin was really tough,” stated Russell after the competition. “I know it's going to get better.”

Shane Deal and Mike Carter were the only team members to bring a fish to the scales. “Notice I am reporting 'a' fish,” noted the new director. “That lone lunker weighted in at 2.76 pounds, good enough for first, second and Big Fish,” The pair took all the prize money, $55, $35 for first and second and $30 for Big Fish.

“David Eichorn had a bad luck story and it's really worth noting,” stated Russell. Eichorn caught one fish that he estimated at over two pounds, but his motor failed him and he had to be towed back to the Alcoa landing. “He missed the 3 pm deadline for weigh in; therefore we had no choice but to disqualify him,” reported Russell. At the very least, the angler would have found second place, but instead is facing repair costs.

“I want to congratulate David for being a real gentleman,” stated Russell. “When he did get back to the landing he understood he was DQ'ed and had no problem at all with it. That's real sportsmanship.”

The open series alternates between Tillery's Swift Island access and Badin's Alcoa landing. Later in the season, they will add Tuckertown and High Rock to the schedule for a few events. The full schedule is viewable on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. Cost is just $25 to join in. That includes a $5 Big Fish side bet.

For more info, contact Russell at 704-463-7829 or 704-322-1950.

Smith And Freeze Win Yadkin Promo Bass Opener
Info and Photo Courtesy of Tony Garitta
February 27, 2010

Sometimes a week can make a difference and, although the last seven days saw more rain and sub-normal temperatures, evidence of better bass bite was apparent. Carl Benton's Yadkin Bass Tournament Trail traveled to Badin Lake for its season opener Saturday and anglers did pry a few out of hiding.

Jon Smith of Thomasville (left) & Jarrett Freeze of Landis (Photo courtesy of Tony Garitta)

The 7:30 AM blast off from the Circle Drive Landing saw ten boat teams entering the competition. Air temps hovered below the freezing mark and anglers were barely recognizable under mountains of cold weather gear. “This early in the season and in this weather, I'm glad to have ten boats,” stated Benton, organizer of the Yadkin Promotions events for many years. Benton also runs a crappie trail that began back in January.

At 3 PM, Jon Smith of Thomasville and Jarrett Freeze of Landis, raised 4.43 pounds out of Badin to grab first place and $325. The pair also had Big Fish of the day, and earned $65 for that feat. The team is sponsored by R & L Sheet Metal.

Curtis Rollins of Winston-Salem and Todd Parker of Salisbury brought 4.04 pounds to the scales to nail second and $200. Tom File and Thomas Ludwick, both of Salisbury, finished third with 3.23 pounds. Third place paid $85.

Benton has combined two of his trails this season, The Yadkin and Piedmont Trails, to form the new series. Membership is $30 and entry fee is $80 for each event. An optional $10 Big Fish pot is available. Anglers fish a five fish limit and can fish alone or as a team. The Trail's next event is March 13 at High Rock and the Tamarac Marina landing from 7:30 AM to 3PM. New members are welcome.

For more information, contact Benton at 336-859-4366. Additional info is available, along with the complete schedule, on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums.

Southfork Has Rough Day On Badin
February 20, 2010

1st place & Big Fish, Derek Lilley

On the big opening weekend for many groups, the story was the same up and down the Yadkin chain.  “No bite!”  Hundreds of boats from different clubs took to the water with hopes of starting the year off with a bang, but most wells were empty at the end of the day. 

Despite the beautiful weather and some highly-experienced fishers, the Southfork Bass Masters Club results were no different Saturday at Badin Lake and the Alcoa Landing.  The cloudy conditions of the water, combined with record-low temperatures throughout the winter have made it difficult to lure fish onto the boat. 

“One d*** fish”  was echoed by many, as the Southfork group conducted its weigh-in, because that’s all it took for Derek Lilley to walk away with a victory.  Lilley secured first place and Big Fish with one, hungry 3.6 pounder.  He caught the fish with a small crank bait near a boat dock.  Lilley was content with a win, but like most others, he wished there was more to show for their day on the lake. 

Even pro-fisherman Billy Harris, who recently relocated from Tennessee, had no luck on this beautiful day at Badin. Everyone agreed it was a “good day of fishing, but a bad day for catching, and it can only get better from here.”  Despite the bad luck, members of the group were optimistic about more warm days and the season ahead of them.

For more information about the club, visit their web site at www.southforkbassmasters.com or email Steve Dyer at sdyer@isaacsgrp.com. New members are always welcome.

1st place & Big Fish, Jim Meritt, Mike Daniels, & Kenneth Tucker

2nd place, Tommy & Kathy Hackworth

3rd place, Billy Cox & Brandon Wilburn

Tarheel Striper Club Sees Record Turnout At Badin Event
January 16, 2010
By Jay Childress
Photos Courtesy of Jay Childress

Although conditions for bass fishing may not be the best, striper anglers know their prey is out there and on the hunt. The Tar Heel Striper Club took advantage of the season, January 16th, when a record turn out hit Badin Lake's waters from the Circle Drive Landing.

According to club president, Jay Childress, twenty eight boat teams and forty four anglers from the club competed in the second event of the group's 2010 season. The club stresses teaching others how to striper fish. Although each event is competitive, it is done in a friendly spirit, according to the club's mission statement.

Tarheel Striper Club

“I want to thank everyone for coming out. It was the best turn out we have ever had,” stated Childress.  “Not a lot of fish caught, but we still had a lot of fun.” The group meets in Asheboro at the Golden Corral on a regular basis to promote a family oriented, good fun, fellowship among friends. Dues are $30 annually and tournament fees are $20 per person ($40 max per boat) plus $5 per person for the big fish pot. The group uses a three fish per boat tournament limit and fish must be at least twenty inches long.

First place and big fish went to Jim Meritt, Mike Daniels, and Kenneth Tucker with one fish with a total weight of 7.50 pounds. Tommy Hackworth and Kathy Hackworth brought in one fish weighing 5.35 pounds to capture second. Third place finishers were Billy Cox and Brandon Wilburn with one fish weighing 4.65 pounds.

The club moves on to Lake Norman and the Pinnacle Point Ramp on February 13. Their next meeting will be March 1st. For more information, visit the club's web site at http://www.tarheelstriperclub.com/phpBB3/index.php or contact Childress at  919-478-6620 or chilly3@vzw.blackberry.net.