Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters Crown New National Champions
October 14,15, 2005
Old Hickory Lake near Nashville, TN, was the site for CrappieMasters national championship. The battle for $150,000 in cash and prizes included 210 qualified teams representing 20 states. With a little fog to contend with in the mornings they enjoyed nearly perfect fall weather.
"The fishing here was very tough," says CrappieMaster Vice President, Paul Alpers. "However, the teams successfully used a technique not common to many crappie fishermen…pulling crankbaits. Our fishermen here included seven or eight previous classic winners along with excellent teams from all over the country. They proved that no matter how tough the fishing conditions become fish can be caught by those who solve the puzzle. Old Hickory was a prime example."
First place went to Tracy McIntosh of Dyersburg, TN and John Woods of Newbern, TN. These fishermen were classic-seasoned but had never finished in first. They caught 20 fish with a two-day total of 19.26 pounds, to carve their names in the history book. "We went out the first day and caught 10 fish off of brush piles in the morning," says Woods. "That afternoon we trolled crankbaits and caught our biggest fish. Today we trolled crankbaits in 25 feet of water catching the crappie at about 15 feet." The strategy paid off with a national championship title and two fully-rigged Nitro model 898 boats with Mercury motors, Lowrance locators and Motorguide trolling motors for a first place package valued at $75,000. The team also landed the big fish of the tournament of 1.76 pounds to win an additional $1500 cash.
Second place was Tim Ridley of McKenzie, TN and Scott Watson of Paris, TN with a weight of 19.10. "We spent most of our practice just looking for the cover," says Watson. "With today's technology, a fisherman is able to mark an exact spot with a GPS. Our fishing was on the cover along drop-offs going from about 11 feet to 17 feet deep. When we would see a fish on the locator we would just aggravate him with our baits until he would bite." Ridley says, "I want to thank my Lord and Savior who blessed us today with some good fish. We just slow trolled with minnows. Most fish came between nine and eleven o'clock with the bites stopping by noon." Their efforts earned them two 4x4 automatic four wheelers.
Third place went to the IL adult/youth team of Dan and Dustin Lutchka. This uncle/nephew combo was leading after day one but didn't get the quality fish needed on day two to hold the lead. They were pulling crankbaits on long lines. "Day two was tough due to the boat traffic and all the other fishermen that came into the area," says Lutchka. "Instead of watching the depth finder like I needed to be doing, I was watching other boats and steering around them. What we needed was a backup spot and we couldn't find another spot in practice." The crankbait trolling duo caught 19.03 to earn them $6000 cash.
Fourth place went to the TN team and five-time classic champs, Ronnie Capps and Steve Coleman with 18.83. Fifth was also a former classic champ team, Larry McMullins and Dan Hudgens from MO, with 17.99. Jason Sandage and Allen Chappell, MO caught 17.92.
"It has been great for Bass Pro Shops to be on board with Crappie Masters Tournament Trail," says Julie Schuster, Promotions Manager at Bass Pro Shops of Nashville. "I've been with the men and women fishermen all week and it's like a big family reunion. It's a great and unique experience for everyone involved. We have had the fishermen at our Bass Pro Shop store all week talking to the customers giving tips on how to catch fish and the customers have enjoyed that. The event has not only brought a lot of money to the community but also an awareness of competitive crappie fishing. Kaye Ireland of the Sumner County Convention & Visitors Bureau was instrumental in helping make all of this happen in such a great way."
Special thanks goes to Flipper Bait and Tackle for the services they provided including hosting the media/celebrity tournament and for being the organization spot for the parade.
The classic 'extras' included: Crappie Days at Bass Pro Shops; top entertainment including Briana Lawler and legend Archie Bell; a special 'Kids In the Outdoors' fishing day; a parade through Gallatin that included the police, fire department and 130 fishing boats flying American Flags; coverage by Channel 2 Nashville, DreamMakers Outdoors and One-On-One Productions; and other features that made this CrappieMaster Classic special for everyone involved.
Thanks once again goes out to our national sponsors of the Bass Pro Shops CrappieMasters Team Tournament Trail, which include: Bass Pro Shops; Tracker Boats; Mercury Motors; Motorguide; Mr. Crappie Hooks; Road Runner by Blakemore; Grizzly Jigs; PerottiBilt Rod Holders; KeelShield; Charlie Brewer Slider; Fish Hedz; Biosonix; BugBand; American Angler; Crappie Unlimited; Sure Life; Hydro Glow; Worm Glo; Knight Rifles; Bagley; Budweiser/Bud Light; Kodiak; Dream Maker Outdoors; Spike-It; The Outdoor World of “Kastaway Kullis”; Keep Alive; Emmrod; Huffman Publishing; Lowrance Electronics; Fisher Girl and Bobby Garland Lures.
Local sponsors included: Sumner County Convention & Visitors Bureau; Steamboat Bill's; Shoney's Inn; Flippers Bait & Tackle; Jameson Inn, Gallatin; Comfort Inn, Gallatin; AmeriSuites, Hendersonville; Hampton Inn, Gallatin; Holiday Inn Express, Hendersonville; Chick-fil-A, Gallatin.
For more information, contact Bass Pro Shops CrappieMasters at www.crappiemasters.net or call:
Ed Johnson, President
Director crappiemasters@aol.com
S.E. Oakwood, Lebanon, MO 65536
417-532-7192 (office); 417-718-7069 (cell)
Paul Alpers, Vice President
P.O. Box 64, Barnett, MO 65011
417-532-7192 (office); 573-280-8020 (cell)
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