Belews Open Produces Low Yield
March 7, 2010

The Triad Bassmasters were hoping to do some late-winter taming last weekend when the club held one in a series of open events at Belews and the Pine hall Ramp. Like so many other pond results recently, the bass had other ideas.

Five boats turned out in frigid weather for the 7 AM to 3 PM competition. The Triad Bassmasters hope the opens generate membership interest. According to club president, Linda Berry, the eighty percent payback event was still a success.

Johnny Dunnavant and Kyle Joyce, who serves as Tournament Director for the club, placed first with 4.8 hard-fought pounds. Cost to join in the event was $50.

For more info about the Triad Bassmasters, contact Kyle Joyce, Tournament Director, at  336-466-1014, or Linda Berry, Club President, at 336-552-9156. The club holds monthly meetings at Gander Mountain in Greensboro.

1st place and Big Fish, Billy Lawson

Archdale Club Uses Belews As Warm Up For Season
Info and Photos Courtesy of Bill Frazier
February 27, 2010

For Billy Lawson, the late winter waters have been a reward in waiting. A regular  on High Rock, the angler has been broadening his reach the last few weeks and it's paying off. The winner of last weekend's Yadkin Trail One On One at Tillery, the up-and-coming fisherman hauled to the Archdale Bass Club's warm up opener at Belews on Saturday, proving once again that the early season belongs to him.

“We choose to return north of the Triad to Belew’s Creek Lake for this year’s Wildcat Warm-up,” stated Bill Frazier, Archdale Bass Club secretary. “Early season reports are that fishing is painfully slow with all nearby bodies of water filled with extra cold, muddy water. The water conditions seemed to be the lesser of watery evils lately for getting bit by one of our fishy friends.”

The club uses an open competition as its warm up to a season that begins March 6 at Badin's Circle Drive landing. The club emphasizes friends, fellowship and fishing and members consider it a community event. Annual dues are $40, which covers an end of year “Classic” payout and what they call the 7 Pound club. For every member that fishes, a dollar is contributed cumulatively per tournament until someone catches a 7 pounder. “They get that payout then it starts over,” noted Frazier. It is $20 per man per tourney. Five dollars extra is collected per visitor, which goes to the classic pot.

“A couple of visitors took our challenge and, even with the strong winds, had a day well worth the bragging rights,” stated Frazier. Visitor Billy Lawson won with 5 fish totaling 15.51 pounds. That included the solo lunker for the day which weighed in at 7.72 pounds. Lawson's friend, Derrick Loflin, brought in the second  bag of 5 fish with 11.15 pounds.

Last year’s winner in the warm-up, Lucas Hutchins of Jamestown, had 5 fish for third place with 7.02 pounds. According to members, Lucas lost one good fish twice near weigh-in time that may have won it for him.

For more information about joining the Archdale Bass Club, contact Frazier at bill.frazier@highpointnc.gov or 336-880-0627. A complete schedule and information is posted on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums.

Open Competition This Sunday At Belews
March 7, 2010

If you are looking for a pre-season warm up, the Triad Bass Masters have just the kick start. The group is offering an “Open” competition on Belews Lake Sunday, March 7 and are inviting everyone to turn out. Belews has been the one pond delivering bass when all others have gone flat the past three weeks.

Registration will happen at the Pine Hall Ramp and the event will run from 7 AM to 3 PM. President Linda Berry announced that cost will be $50 per boat with an optional $10 Big Fish side bet. “One place will be paid for every seven boats entered in the tournament,” stated Berry. “We are guaranteeing a minimum of 3 places paid.” The competition will feature a five-fish limit.

Payback will be 80% of total entry fees, while Big Bass will be paid at 100% of participation. For more info contact Kyle Joyce, Tournament Director, at  336-466-1014, or Linda Berry, Club President, at 336-552-9156. The club holds monthly meetings at Gander Mountain in Greensboro.