For Immediate Release
Jan. 31, 2006
Florida State Championship
Leesburg, FL
Harris Chain of Lakes
Missouri Team wins Florida State Crappie Championship!
Meyers win Florida Title!
Held on the Harris Chain of Lakes at Leesburg, Florida, crappie fever exploded as 176 anglers from 18 states fished the Harris Chain of Lakes. Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats, and Mercury Motors were major sponsors of the history making event in conjunction with the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake County Water Authority, Lake County Tourism and the Daily Commercial.
Missouri father-son team, Joe and Mike Meyer, of Paris, MO and St. Charles, Mo netted 10.03 lbs. the final day of the $80,000.00 Florida State Crappie Championship sponsored by Bass Pro Shops CrappieMasters Team Tournament Trail to become the Bass Pro Crappie Masters Florida State Champion. The Meyers team fished around the docks and cover and managed to keep the top weight for both days for a $26,000.00 two day total in cash and prizes. Meyers' were using Grizzly jigs, minnows, and some homemade lures. Second place went to Nathaniel and Larry Smith of Ocala, FL. Their 9.95 weight on the final day was breathtakingly close to first but good enough to land a check for $6000.00! The Smith team was using home tied jigs and minnows and fishing in 12 feet of water. Third place went to strong contenders Eddy Everett and Clinton Everett, of Okeechobee, Florida, which earned them a check for $3000.00!
The total purse paid 25 places cash with 25th receiving $200.00. This was, by far, the largest purse paid out in a crappie tournament trail for a kick off event for the start of the season. The Bass Pro CrappieMasters Trail moves north to Reelfoot Lake in Tiptonville, TN, March 4th, for a National Qualifier worth $20,000.00 with 12 qualifiers for the 2006 season! The National qualifiers are open to all anglers wanting to enter.
The National Championship will be held in Grenada, MS, Oct 4-7, 2006. Grenada is known for its giant crappie!
Bass Pro Crappie Masters thanks all local sponsors for their support in bringing this National Qualifier and State Championship to their area. LEESBURG AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, LAKE COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY, GUEST HOUSE INN & SUITES, MICROTEL INN & SUITES, SHONEY'S INN MEETING CENTER, PALMS MOTEL, SUPER 8 MOTEL, CANDLELIGHT MOTEL, BIG BASS MOTEL, LEE MOTEL, DELUXE MOTEL, DAYS INN, SHAMROCK LOUNGE & PACKAGE, THE BAIT SHACK, BUDGET INN-LEESBURG, SANDY'S BAIT & TACKLE, BARNETT TIRE SERVICE INC, CAIN POLE SOUTH, THE STREET CHARHOUSE, CENTURY 21 CARLINO REALTY INC., NOBLES MARINE, GATOR BAY MARINA.
We also thank our National Sponsors: BASS PRO SHOPS, TRACKER BOATS, NITRO BOATS, ARCTIC CAT, MERCURY MOTORS, MINN KOTA, HUMMINBIRD, KEELSHIELD, GRIZZLY JIGS, FISHERGIRL, ROAD RUNNER by BLAKEMORE, BIOSONIX, BUGBAND, PERROTIBILT, MR. CRAPPIE, SLIDER, AMERICAN ANGLER, HYDROGLOW, SURE LIFE, BAGLEY BAITS, SPIKE-IT, KIGHT RIFLES, FISH HEDZ, KODIAK SCENTS, BOBBY GARLAND, KEEPALIVE, EMMROD, STANLEY WEDGETAIL, KASTAWAY KULIS , BUDWEISER, CRAPPIE UNLIMITED, MONSTER CRAPPIE, LOKINETS, THE WOODSHED, KASSWINNS, KASTAWAY.
For more information, contact Bass Pro Shops CrappieMasters at www.crappiemasters.net or call: |
