For Immediate Release
Jan. 30, 2006
Florida State Championship Leg 2
Leesburg, FL
Harris Chain of Lakes
Crappie Fever has Exploded in Florida!!!!
Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters Team Tournament Trail continued its 2006 season with the Florida Open State Championship Crappie Tournament. Sponsored by Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Boats as anglers from across the United States are competing for $80,000 in cash and prizes and the bragging rights that come with the title of 'Florida State Champions of Crappie Fishing'. The 'open tournament' means men and women, young and old, experienced, and weekend anglers are all competing with an equal shot at the title.
Joe and Mike Myer, a father and son team, took advantage of good Florida weather and proven techniques to capture first place in the 2nd leg of the Florida State Championship held in beautiful Leesburg Florida, home to the Harris Chain of Lakes. Team Meyers weighed in 10.54 lbs of 7 crappie to take the $12,000.00 prize of two Arctic Cat four wheelers. 2nd place weight of 10.06 snagged a check of $3000.00 for Dale Willard of Charlotte , North Carolina. Dale caught his fish on Cripple Ripples and Charlie Brewer Sliders while fishing 200 yards off shore using a pulling technique.
Third place team, Kevin and Stephen McElroy from Alabama, netted $1500.00 with their weight of 9.98. Using long line trolling, the team used Sun Fly Jigs, fishing 14 to 15 feet deep with 60 yards of line out.
Big Fish went to The Meyers and Meyers team with a weight of 1.88 with a check for $550.00 !
Harris Chain of Lakes at Leesburg, FL (site of the 2005 Citgo Bass Master Classic) is host to the second and final leg of the event on January 29th. Excitement filled the air as the weigh-in decided the top 50 teams who moved on to the Florida State Championship tournament on Jan. 29.
The Florida State Title will be decided between the top 50 anglers that qualified. This final day concludes three tournaments in eight days worth an incredible $80,000,00, up $5000.00 from the original $75,000.00 The State Champion will be crowned giving the team a permanent spot in the history books.
Family involvement is important to Crappie Masters. Special kids fishing rodeos will be held at each event with prizes for the young anglers. The kids will be able to experience a number of outdoor activities and educational exhibits during each tournament day. Major corporate sponsors for the event include Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats and Mercury Marine. There will be exhibitors and Tracker Boat displays along with local and national sponsor exhibits for everyone to see.
The Bass Pro Crappie Masters Team Tournament Trail has 13 tournaments in 10 states scheduled in 2006. The National Championship was held at Old Hickory Lake In Hendersonville, TN in October of this year. Anglers can fish any of the Bass Pro Crappie Masters Tournaments for a chance to qualify for the Classic. Each tournament qualifies 20 of the top teams for the classic.
More information is available on the Bass Pro Crappie Masters web site at www.crappiemasters.net. More details will be posted throughout the remainder of 2006 and promotional pieces will be available throughout the state of Florida as well as all of the tour locations and Bass Pro Shops everywhere.
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: |
