News
Chappell- Sandage Crowned 2007 National Champions
By
Oct 21, 2007, 16:01

Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters All American Tournament crowned its 2007 National Champions on October 20, 2007 at Reelfoot Lake, Tiptonville, Tn. After two days of competing with 480 anglers the national champions are Allen Chappel and Jason Sandage of Bloomfield, Missouri. The 2007 champions weighed in 10.13 lbs on seven fish on day one placing second going into the final day. Day two the team weighed in 9.73 to win the top honors with a total weight of 19.86 lbs. Chappell and Sandage are now each proud owner of two Nitro 898 boats with a Mercury 225 Motor sponsored by Tracker Marine and Mercury Motors. The team also won the $500.00 Minn Kota mega bucks.

Sponsored by Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Marine, Mercury, Minn Kota, Humminbird and Reelfoot Lake Tourism, the championship week began with activities early in the week. Registration and a boat parade was held in Tiptonville, Tn. Anglers participated in the parade driving through Tiptonville showing support for our U.S. Troops and the community. Rod Fry and Jeanne Fry won the best boat award for their decorated pirate theme. Joe Miller offered $1000.00 for first place in the 2008 parade. He challenged others to match the funds for support of the boat parade.

The welcome banquet was held at Casino Aztar in Caruthersville, MO. Anglers were present for food and entertainment and final tournament details. Briana Dean sang the National Anthem and Kevin Weldon performed for the guest. Anglers were awaiting word whether the first day of competition would be canceled due to winds. Weather forecast predicted winds below 17 mph for the competition day which was well below the strong winds on the last pre-fishing day.

The Angler Team of the Year award was presented to points champions Steve Coleman and Ronnie Capps. The team was awarded a Tracker Pro Team 190 Tx boat, trailer and Mercury motor. The team has won back to back to back angler team of the year awards. Food Source Stephen and Kevin McElroy took second place. Blakemore Lures Road Runner team of Coy & Gilford Sipes tied with Whitey Outlaw and Dean Sanders for third. Grizzly jigs/American Angler team of Wade Mansfield and Reggie Riedinger took the fifth place in the points race.

The kids rodeo was held Saturday morning at Reelfoot Lake State Park. Approximately 40 kids fished for prizes. Activities include fishing, karaoke and food. Proplite's J.D. Huffman held a youth hunt drawing for the young outdoor enthusiasts to be held Mississippi. Kids were interviewed and filmed by Cody of the Revive the Outdoors Crappie Masters edition on Sportsman channel, by Bass Pro Shops Next Generation Kids show and Jerry Adams Outdoors show. All kids received prizes.

The awards banquet was held at the Lake County auditorium in Tiptonville. Anglers enjoyed food and entertainment before the awards presentations. Entertainment was provide by Briana Lawler Dean of Nashville, TN.

Day one of the competition was held in party cloudy skies with gusting winds. Mid day winds gust to over 20 mph giving anglers more to deal with than low waters and stumps. Anglers showed their wares as local anglers John Adcock and Ed Adcock took day one with seven fish weighing 10.37 lbs. Second place after first day was Allen Chappel and Jason Sandage with 10.13 lbs. Third place was locals Billy Blakley aMark Peirce of Samburg, TN. with a total of 9.72 lbs.


Day two brought excitement as the final 10 teams from day one were the last to weigh in with the current leader on the hot seat. While Allen and Chappell and Jason Sandage became the National Champions, second place was taken by Troy TN anglers of Roy Logan and Wade Hendren with 19.58 lbs. The second place team won a Tracker Pro Team 190 Tx boat and Mercury Motor.

Third place went to 2005 Champions, John Woods and Tracy McIntosh of Tennessee. The team weighed in 18.35 lbs over the day event. Third place earned the team $5,000.00 cash. Fourth place went to Tommy Moss and Jim McKay for weighing in 18.26 lbs. The team earned $3500.00 for their finish. Fifth place went to the day one leader’s local teams of John Adcock and Ed Adcock. The team finished with a total weight 18.24. The team earned $2500.00.

Bass Pro Shops Wally Marshall and Jeff Hueman of Texas won big fish and over $1900.00 with a Budweiser bonus. The team held the big fish at the end of day one and held that spot through out day two with a weight of a 2.05 lb. crappie. The Crappie crushed a Crappie Thunder by Road Runner, in the blue and white color. Second big fish went to J.C. Thomas and Robert Thomas of Mississippi with a crappie weighing 1.98 lbs.

Top adult youth team went to Elmo Adams and Josh Lamb winning them a Minn Kota trolling motor. Top male female team went to Sam and Cheryl Sandage earning them a Minn Kota trolling motor.

Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters National Championship paid down 40 spots in cash and prizes.

Special thanks to all the local people that helped make this a successful event.


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