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CMN Team Bass Tournament
2010
2009
Bassers Turn Out For Children's' Miracle Network
May 30, 2009
Nothing, not smack-full pond, not stiff winds out of the north west, not even red-stained, murky waters, could stop bass anglers from turning out for children on May 30th at High Rock Lake. Thirty-nine boats with two anglers per deck came to the Tamarac Marina Landing to show their support for the Children's Miracle Network at the 2nd Annual CMN Team Bass Tournament.
Within short order, most anglers knew they'd need to ply waters as far up feeder creeks as possible in order to avoid the muddy waters created by heavy rains all week. Main channel waters were strewn with heavy debris and, at full pond, many of the trestle underpasses were impassable, even by the thinnest of bass boats. Although waters were moving rapidly through the dam outlets, just as much was pouring in. Levels remained unchanged all day long.
Rules for the competition called for two anglers per boat and team fees were $85 with an optional Big Fish addition of $10. All anglers will be treated to a free cook out after the event. Twenty five dollars from each team entry went to the Children's Miracle Network. Door prize tickets could be purchased for the large number of prizes and gifts provided by area businesses and sponsors.
According to Jack Scott, organizer of the event, the turn out was far larger than the year previous. “We had 27 boats last year, so we know this event is growing,” he stated. “We couldn't have asked for a better day than this. Last year it rained and this year its sunny and not too hot.” He continued, “I truly appreciate the great support from all our sponsors and the anglers. The Children's Miracle Network is a superb effort for kids in need and I'm proud to be part of that help network.” Numerous banners spread across the area proclaimed the many corporate supporters to all.
Food Lion has been a Corporate Sponsor for Children’s Miracle Network since 1991 raising over $29.3 million. According to Scott, ”Our fund raising efforts happen year round. For 2008,our loyal customers and associates raised $2.96 million for the 29 Children’s Hospitals we support in our 11 state operating areas. All money raised by Food Lion supports your local Children’s Miracle Network Children’s Hospital.”
Weigh in was a grand affair amid drawings for all the raffle items, which included a Samsung 40 inch flat screen TV donated by Best Buy. Winner of that item was Melissa Scercy of Lexington. The smell of burgers on the large grill wafted across the area as anglers were treated to all the fixin's while waiting for the scales to close. Although $1,000 awaited the top anglers of the day, the day was more about the festive atmosphere surrounding the event than final paychecks.
Terry James and Kevin Chandler topped all teams and were announced as winners by Scott over the loudspeaker system. Their full bag of five fish weighed 25.34 pounds. They also added 2nd Big Fish to their award list, making their take home a whopping $1,155 for seven-and-a-half hours of fishing fun.
Second in the money were Steve Carlesie and Neil Brock with 25.06 pounds of bass. They did edge out first place winers for Big Fish with a superb 6.94 hawg. Their total paycheck was $735.
Third place was put away by Eric Moser and Tracy Smith who bagged 18.92 pounds during the competition. Their winnings totaled $300. Todd Shoaf and Tommy Roach took fourth spot with 16.70 pounds. That position through 8th place received gift cards and prizes as rewards for their placement efforts. Shoaf and Roach both accepted two charcoal grills and all the accessories to go with them.
Winners of a pair of fishing tackle cases in fifth were Bobby Leonard and Brian Fritz with 16.36 pounds. Steve Sink and Tony Foster brought in 15.58 pounds for sixth, while seventh was handled by Mike Miller and Bill Noah with 15.50 pounds. The final prize spot was caught by Steve Singleton and Wayne Needham with 15.32 pounds. Those two anglers arrived within minutes of blast off to pre-fish the lake for an upcoming Fishers of Men tourney. They couldn't resist the competition and donating to CMN.
“I can't ask for a better day,” stated Scott as he and his many assistants watched bass boats being lifted out of the water. “These guys really turned out for the CMN and I am so proud of them and the support we got from the business community. It just really makes me proud of all of them,” he ended. Scott was already talking about next year's event even as his crew began the clean up and pack away efforts.