News
Willard Crowned Toyota Florida State Champion
By
Feb 2, 2008, 20:22

The Toyota Florida State Champion was crown Feb. 2, 2008 in Sanford, FL. Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters held the Toyota Florida State Championship on Lakes Monroe Jessup in Sanford Fl. Teams from 15 States competed in the tournament. The tournament was sponsored by Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Marine, Toyota, Mercury, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Seminole County Tourism and the City of Sanford Florida.

After cloudy skies and a front moving through the previous day, it was perfect weather in the beautiful city of Sanford, Fl. North Carolina’s Dale Willard was crowned the Toyota Florida State Champion. Willard weighed in seven fish for a total of 10.32 lbs. Fishing by himself he was long lining with Wally Marshal and BnM poles using blue & white jigs with a chartreuse tail. Dale stated he was moving about 1.1 – 1.2 mph with his Minn Kota trolling motor fishing 2.5 feet deep. His first victory on the Crappie Masters trail earned him $5,000.00 and two Minn Kota Trolling motors.

The Toyota Florida State Champion was not the only one fishing alone and doing great. Floridian George Parker took second place with a weight of 9.67 lbs. Parker used pink-chartruese and white-chartrues Slider & Showdown jigs with Wally Marshal rods to take second place. He was long lining at speeds of 1.1 to 1.3 mph in 5-6 foot depths. Second place earned him $2,500.00.

Third place went to husband-wife team Danny & Beth Williamson of Georgia. They were using Showdown jigs, pink in color on Road Runner heads. They stated that their Humminbird locator played a large role by finding a channel where they found 2/3 rds of their catch. The team had 9.58 lbs on seven fish. Third place earned the team $1250.00.

Fourth place was taken by FoodSource team of Stephen and Kevin McElroy from Alabama who also took big fish honors with a slab weighing 2.05 lbs. The food source team placed second in the 2007 Florida State Championship and had another strong showing.

The kids fishing rodeo held the morning of the state championship in conjunction with the City of Sanford had over 170 kids participating. The kids got to fish a city park stock pond for fun and prizes. Kids 12 and under participated and each child got a prize sponsored by Crappie Masters, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Orlando and the City of Sanford. The kids got a special visit by the Sheriffs helicopter and city fire truck. The event is one of the largest kids fishing rodeo of the year.

The next stop on the tour is a divisional tournament on Lake Logan Martin in Pell City, Alabama on Feb. 23, 2008. The next one day major event is March 1, 2008 on Reelfoot Lake, Tiptonville, Tn.

Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters would like to thank local sponsors that include: Sanford Chamber of Commerce, Seminole County Tourism, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Orlando, Oscars Waterfront Bar & Grill, The Palms Island Resort and Marina, Days Inn, Sobik’s Subs, Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, City of Sanford,. BBQ Rib Ranch, Colonial Room Restaurant, Lake Monroe Bait & Tackle, Hampton Inn and Best Western Deltona 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.






© Copyright 2005 by crappiemasters.net