March 18, 2006
Ross Barnett Reservoir, Pearl, MS.
Capps and Coleman rebound to take Ross Barnett national qualifier.
Bass Pro Shops CrappieMasters Team Tournament Trail brought “CRAPPIE FEVER” and a national qualifying tournament to Ross Barnett Reservoir and beautiful Pearl, MS on Mar. 18. As the ‘Magnolia State” was bursting into spring bloom, 116 anglers worked the waters of a very productive Ross Barnett Lake. With 13 teams catching 12 lbs or better, the spring staging for spawn was obviously in progress on this top fish producing lake.
Competition was close as six time national champions Steve Coleman and Ronnie Capps, of Tiptonville, TN brought in a top weight of 15.64 lbs. Ronnie and Steve said "this was classic fishing as the males were shallow at sandy bottoms near the mouth of creeks. We backed off to the ledges for the females in about 10-12 foot depth." Ronnie said he had pre-fished a couple days and found the pattern, then Steve fished a few days and found the same thing and this determine how they would fish the lake. Their first place finish netted them two 4x4 400 series Arctic Cat four wheelers with a total value of $13,500.00!
Second place went to Dr. Lowell Jones Jr. and Kenny Blackwell, members of the local Magnolia Crappie Club, the team was trolling the stumps and clear water fishing 14 feet deep in 18 foot waters catching a total weight of 15.34 lbs, which landed them a check for $3000.00 and a trip to the National Championship in Grenada, MS in October of 2006.
Third place was captured by the team of Wayne Hanson & Don Beckham whom jigged with single rods weighing in 7 crappie for 15.12 lbs and netted them $1500.00. Fourth place went to Billy Hall and Jerry Blount with a check for $1000.00 for their weight of 13.78. Fifth place and $650.00 went to Charles Lindsey and Larry Mobley whom weighed in 13.47 lbs and took second big fish weighing 2.52 lbs. First place big fish was won by Elbert and Harold Thomas with a crappie weighing 2.69 lbs.
In all, 10 places were paid out and Bass Pro Shops gift certificates were paid down through the field along with other valuable prizes including Perotti rod holders, Walley Marshall signature rods, and Humminbird locators. 11 states were represented at Ross Barnett which showed to be an excellent big fish lake.
Special thanks to local sponsors that made this an excellent national qualifier: Rankin County Board of Supervisors, Pearl Chamber of Commerce, Gray-Daniels Ford, Flowood MS Chamber, Microtel, Sprint Mart, Tommy's Trading Post, Budweiser, Miss 103 Country Radio, Jameson Inn, Lake Harbor Trade Depot, Super 8 Hotel, Pizza Hut, Jerry's Catfish House, Sleep Inn and C & S Marine, Inc.
We also thank our National Sponsors: BASS PRO SHOPS, TRACKER BOATS, NITRO BOATS, ARCTIC CAT, MERCURY MOTORS, MINN KOTA, HUMMINBIRD, KEELSHIELD, GRIZZLY JIGS, TURBOSET, FISHERGIRL, ROAD RUNNER by BLAKEMORE, BIOSONIX, BUGBAND, PEROTTIBILT, MR. CRAPPIE, SLIDER, AMERICAN ANGLER, PORCUPINE ATTRACTANT, 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.
Bass Pro CrappieMasters is a national tournament trail covering 12 states . For more information contact www.crappiemasters.net or crappiemasters@aol.com
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