Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters' Tennessee State Championship was the first for the state of Tennessee. Held on Kentucky lake and sponsored by Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Marine, Mercury Motors, Humminbird, Minn Kota, Paris Henry County COC and the NW Tennessee Tourism, the tournament kicked off with high waters, warm weather and some winds. Held at Buchanan Resort, Garry Mason Mc'd the event and a special guest appearance by Kevin Weldon who performed for the crowd. The tournament was recorded for later airing on the Dish network 230. The two day event was open to all anglers and the winners showed how to make a come back.

After day one Scott Buchanan and Larry Buchanan from Kentucky and Indiana were sitting in 8th place with a seven fish total of 10.47 lbs. On day two they became the only team to bust the 12 lb mark weighing in 12.06 lbs. That weight kept them on the hot seat for the remainder of the weigh in and clinched the Tennessee State Championship for them with a two day total of 22.53 lbs.

The team caught all their fish in 12-16 foot waters. Using Southern Pro jigs the team changed color depending on the sky. During cloudy skies they used black and chartreuse changing to red and chartreuse when the sun came out. The colors made a significant difference. They used Wally Marshall 12 foot poles and some BnM poles. The team earned $5000.00 and the crown of being the first Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters Tennessee State Champions.

Day one leaders had 11.79 lbs on seven fish, the top mark for the day and the top weight of only 3 teams that reached the 11 lb. mark. Sammy Tidwell and Danny Todd made the final weigh in close as they came in second over all just missing the weight needed to be first. They weighed in 10.63 lbs and finished with a total of 22.42 lbs. The team set the big fish mark on day one that won them the big fish competition weighing in a 2.68 lb. crappie.

The second place team fished with Southern Pro jigs tipped with minnows on BnM 10 foot poles which they find easier to handle in shallow or deep waters. They were fishing 18-22 foot waters but didn’t get their catch till the front came through and wind changed directions allowing them to move back to the spots they wanted to fish. They earned a total of $2948.00 for second and big fish.

If it wasn't enough for the Tennessee State Champions to endure the hot seat with the day one leaders, they had to contend with Ronnie Capps and Steve Coleman being right there with them. Capps and Coleman were in fourth place after day one with a total of 10.87 lbs. They were just short on day two weighing in 11.38 lbs for a total two day weight of 22.25 lbs.

The team stated they did same thing they usually do, Capps-Coleman rigging with live baits. They fished deep in 21-34 foot of water. They like many anglers had trouble keeping them alive when they came from deep waters and had some bad luck with a lower unit going out. The team stated they caught a lot of fish but it took time to figure out not having much pre fishing time. Third place overall earned them $1250.00.

Other notables were Shane Moore and John Eubanks finished 4th overall with 21.39 after being in 2nd on day one winning $1100.00. Larry Sisson and David Sisson was 5th on day one and finished the tournament in 5th place with 21.27 lbs earning $1050.00. 6th place was Keith Cone and Harvey Freeman with 20.12 whom came from 12th place after day one to win $1040. James McCoy and Jeff McCoy finished 7th overall with 19.72 lbs, they moved up after being 13th on day one winning $1030.00. Tim Gill and Mike Tinsley went from 21st place to 8th place overall with a total weight of 19.63 $1020.00. 9th place went to Tim Blackley and Jackie Vancleave with 19.54 lbs moving up from 14th on day one $1000.00. 10th place went to Fred Walker and Rick Howard with a total weight of 19.52 lbs. whom dropped from being in 3rd after day one winning $800.00. Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters paid over $20000.00 in cash and prizes with over 30% of the field receiving cash or prizes.

Father Daughter team of Steve Ferguson and Teresa Ferguson won top Male-Female team weighing in a total of 18.43 lbs, 18th overall and winning them a Minn Kota trolling motor. Top Adult-Youth team was Patrick Spencer and Landon Spencer whom also won a Minn Kota trolling motor with their weight of 9.62 lbs. Second big fish was a tie between Gary Yamamoto's Bill Braswell and Mike/Debbie Gore who each weighed in a 2.09 lb. crappie. Crappie Masters Editor, Author and writer Tim Huffman won the Media Vip fish off. Tim fished with Tite Locks Eva and Phil Rambo and weighed in a 1.55 lb crappie.

Special thanks to local sponsors that include: Paris Henry County COC, NW Tennessee Tourism, Buchanan Resort, Fishtale Lodge, Elliots Outdoors, Seaton's, Super 8 Hotel, The Tackle Box, The Econolodge, Paris Landing, Hooks & Horns, Nu Look Laundry, Ace's Pizza, Lepanto Restuarant, Raymer Motorsports and Hampton Inn.

Special thanks to our National Sponsors that include: Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Marine, Mercury Motors, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Toyota, American Angler, RoadRunner by Blakemore, Proplite, Cajun Fryer, Vicious Fishing Line, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, Mr. Crappie Wally Marshall Signature Series Crappie Rods, Grizzly Jig Company, Tite Lok, Spike-It, Kodiak Scents, Slider, Bobby Garland, Bugband, KeepAlive, Monster Crappie, Bryant’s Osage Outdoors, Grip N Check, DotLine Nets, AWD Baits, Porcupine Fish Attractor, Navionics, Coldstream Fisheries, Showdown Jigs, DriGrip Sunscreen, The Fishing Butler and Chumbob.

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