Carolina Bassers
High Rock Tournament September 25, 2004

 Tourney Rundown
The first day of this two-day tournament weekend dawned earlier than usual for some.  A last minute catch by the tournament committee on the Blast-Off time caused a slip from the original 0600 time to a more realistic safe light time of 0700.  Word was put out via the forum and phone calls and most players caught the change.  The weather was just beautiful, but fishing proved tough, as it has for most all the tourneys this year.

Storm Rutcho topped the field in First Place with a medium sack of 3 fish weighing 9.15 lbs.  A crankbait was his weapon of choice.  Second Place went to John Gaivin with 3 fish weighing 7.73 lbs and he too scored with crankbaits.  A close Third Place was awarded to hard working Adam Spell with 3 fish weighing 7.56 lbs.  Fourth Place was earned by Keith Ducote with 2 healthy fish weighing 6.45 lbs.  Finally, Fifth Place went to Hume Hawkins with 3 fish weighing 5.77 lbs.

The youth showed up in force, but the tough bite took it’s toll with only 3 participants weighing in.  “Rising Pro” Nick Bell took Top Honors (1St Place and Big Fish) with a nice 3.73 lb fish which he caught on a buzzbait.  Up-N-Coming star Tyler Teer bagged 2 fish weighing 3.56 lbs.  Young Tiger Joey Gwynn snagged a keeper weighing 1.73 lbs, caught on a Rocket Shad.

Club member Rich Spollarich donated lot’s of nice crankbaits to the club youth courtesy of Custom Lures Unlimited and was much appreciated by all in attendance.

Weather Conditions
Sunny/mild - Air temps ranged from a morning low of 57 to a high of 86 degrees
Winds – 5 to 10 knots
Water temp - Averaged 73-75 degrees, depending on where you fished

Report by Ray Russ

Tournament Data
Participants: 41
Youth Participants:  11
Participants catching fish: 25
Fished weighed:  40  (5 over 14")
Limits:  0
Fish weighing over 5 pounds:  0

Tournament Results                                                 Youth Results

Place Angler Bass Weight Place Angler Bass Weight
1st Storm Rutcho 3 9.15 1st Nick Bell 1 3.73
2nd John Gaivin 3 7.73 2nd Tyler Teer 2 3.56
3rd Adam Spell 3 7.56        
4th Keith Ducote 2 6.45        
5th Hume Hawkins 3 5.77        
Honorable Mention Honorable Mention
Ken Spell 2 5.02      
Big Fish Weight Big Fish Weight
Rich Szczerbala 4.64     Nick Bell 3.73  
   

 

 Left to Right 1st - 4th - 5th John Gaivin 2nd Place
Youth Adam Spell 3rd
 
Nick Bell 1st Place & Big Fish