The City of Tavares hosted the first leg of the Toyota Tundra Florida State Championship on Harris Chain of Lakes. The tournament weigh in was held at Wooton Park where the city will be building an extravagant complex on the water and will be hosting the 2008 National Championship in October of 2008.

The Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters tournament had 146 anglers competing. A cold front moved in during the last couple days of fishing with cooler tempatures, some rain, wind and cloudy skies. Many anglers said the bite turned on the last day of practice and this remained true for competition day.

Family teams dominated the top spots and 16 husband wife teams participated in the tournament. Father and Son team of Brian and Robert Edmondson from Fruitland, FL. took the top honors with a seven fish total of 9.52 lbs. The team stated the fished in 6-9 foot depths, trolling very slowly using Showdown jigs. They also changed colors a lot and moved to different areas throughout the day. First placed earned them $5,000.00 and put them in the lead going into the second leg held on Monroe Jessup Lakes in Sanford, Fl. next weekend.

Second place went to Joe Meyer and Barry Meyer of Missouri and Ohio. The BnM pole team was spider rigging with Roadrunner Jigs on the bottom and minnows on the top hook. The team fished 5-9 foot depths and weighed in 9.18 lbs. The team earned $2,500.00 for their excellent effort.

Husband-Wife team of Byron and Linda Dillon from NewPort Richie, Fl. came in with a strong showing for third place weighing in 9.08 lbs. The team was long lining with Roadrunner jigs. Third place earned them $1250.00 and top male/female team earning a Bass Pro Shops $100.00 gift certificate.

Big fish was won by Roy Cape and Robert Harris of Georgia with a crappie weighin 1.74 lbs.

Sportmans channels’ Revive the Outdoors with Cody & Cody was on hand filming the event and will be televising the Toyota Florida State Championship. The Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters trail thanks the City of Tavares for the great efforts, support and hospitality.

Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters would like to thank local sponsors that include: City Of Tavares, Lake County Florida Department Of Tourism, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Orlando, The Daily Commercial, Inn On The Green, Guest House Inn & Suites, Barnett Tire Service Inc, Sandy's Bait & Tackle, Palm Gardens RV Park, Mount Dora Chamber Of Commerce, Century 21 Carlino Realty Inc., Soups to Nuts Diner, Pollard Bait Company, Days Inn Eustis, Perotti Built, Holiday Inn Express and Best Western Lake County Inn.

Special thanks to our National Sponsors that include: Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats, Nitro Boats, Toyota Tundra, Mercury Motors, Minn Kota, Humminbird, American Angler, RoadRunner by Blakemore, Mr. Crappie Hooks, Hydro Glow Fish Lights, Grizzly Jig Company, Foodsource, Proplite, Cajun Fryer, Mr. Crappie Wally Marshall Signature Series Crappie Rods, SureLife, Tite Lok, Spike-It, Kodiak Scents, Slider, Bobby Garland, Bugband, KeepAlive, Monster Crappie, Bryant’s Osage Outdoors, Cocoon Live Eye Wear, Net-n-Buddy, Grip N Check, EzRod Organizer, Rocky Top Tackle, Well Mate, The Catch, DotLine, AWD Baits, Frabill, Porcupine Fish Attractor and Coldstream Fisheries.

The guarantee says it all! For more information, contact Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters at www.crappiemasters.net or call:

Paul Alpers, President 573-280-8020
Bobby Brown, Vice President 417-532-0244
Betty Rutledge, Administrative Assistant 660-723-1552

© Copyright 2006 by crappiemasters.net

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