Rainy, cloudy, and windy, all the usual
conditions for the Southeast Texas Team Trail, thirty-three
teams left out of Lake Houston Marina at 7:05AM, in
search of the five bites that would land them a check
for $1,320.00 and the Bass Cat Bonus Bucks Certificate
worth $1,000.00.
As the fish started coming to the
scales it was really close, with three teams having
similar sacks. Of course there is always the one sack
that stands out from the rest. As the brother team
of Justin & Clint Adkins made their way through
the line you could see heads turn and fingers point.
As the fish made it to the bump tank the crowd grew
quiet. One fish, two fish, three, four, and finally
the fifth fish were placed in the bag. The scales
locked on 18.42 lbs. Not only did this big bag secure
first place but it knocked on the door of the record
for the biggest bag ever weighed in a tournament on
Lake Houston with the record being 18.44 lbs. This
was the brothers first year to fish a tournament trail
and their first win as a team. Justin and Clint fished
Zoom Centipedes, spinnerbaits, and Mizmo Tubes with
Castaway rods along brush and small drains.
Coming in 2nd place with a weight
of 13.89 lbs. was the team of John Condon & Terry
Bagley. This was John and Terry's first tournament
with Anglers Choice this year and we hope to see them
again on Lake Livingston in May.
Albert White and Bill Harlan came
in 3rd place with a weight of 13.26 lbs. As you all
know there was a protest at the Houston event. THIS
WAS NOT A PROTEST FOR CHEATING!!!!! Bill and Albert
have fished tournaments for many years and respect
their fellow fisherman. The protest was taking under
consideration by a panel of fisherman selected randomly
from the field of contestants. It was decided among
the panel that Albert and Bill's points be withheld
until a polygraph could be issued. It was issued Tuesday
and passed. The protest was in regards to the life
jacket on and fastened while the combustible engine
is running rule. Some thought that when the team in
question removed his life jacket he was to far out
from the dock. Many remove their life jackets before
stepping from their boat. This leaves a very grey
area in deciding how far away from the bank is acceptable.
In order to avoid any other conflicts regarding this
rule I must insist that everyone keep your life jacket
on and fastened until you step clear of your boat.
Charles Bebber and Ricky Johnson
came in fourth and had Big Bass of the tournament
with a weight of 5.86lbs...
A special thanks to Bassfanatic.com
for their donation of Mizmo Tubes for the team finishing
one place out of the money. Bassfanatic does this
at every event and it is certainly appreciated. Our
next event will be on Lake Livingston out of Waterwood
Marina. Registration will be at Waterwood's Country
Club from 6:00PM till 8:00PM. Waterwood Marina has
special rate rooms at $50.00 a night for Anglers Choice
contestants. Call as soon as possible to make reservations
as last time they filled up quickly.
