2008 Tournament Results
| Lake: | Oconee, GA |
| Region: | 2 |
| Date: | 09/22/07 |
Crappie USA Tournament Results for Lake Oconee
This past Saturday Crappie USA held a qualifying event at the South Bay Marina on Lake Oconee, Georgia. These anglers were competing for not only cash and prizes, but a chance to advance to the prestigious Cabela's Crappie USA Classic to be held in the fall of 2008.
Semi-Pro Division Results
Taking first place was the team of Danny Cannon of Toomsboro, GA and Billy Williams of Cochran, GA weighing in a total of 7.49 pounds and receiving $600.00. Danny and Billy were single pole vertical jigging brush piles in 10-15 feet of water using hal flies and minnows. This is the first tournament they had ever fished with a single pole.
Second place went to Steve Deason of Gray, GA and Rick Howard of Warner Robbins, GA with a weight of 7.03 pounds. Steve and Rick were fishing docks along with 4 brushpiles throughout the day using chartreuses Culprit Paddle Tail jigs. The team took home $350.00 for second place.
In third place was Charles Sightler of Gray, GA and Richard Williams of Macon, GA with a total weight of 5.51 pounds
The Gilbert, GA team of Joe and Janette Carter took fourth place with a weight of 5.05 pounds.
Fifth place went to the Forsyth, GA team of Jonathon and Keith Mullis weighing in a total weight of 3.79 pounds.
Amateur Division Results
In first place in the amateur division was Robert E. Huff of Macon, GA and Raymond W. Huff of Sharpsburg, GA with a weight of 9.03 pounds and taking home $800.00. Robert and Raymond was pushing Jiffy Jigs tipped with minnows in 10-20 feet of water in the Richland Creek area. The team reported catching their fish on bottom.
Second place went to Ricky Willis of Gray, GA and Troy Thiel of Gordon, GA with 8.06 pounds and receiving $400.00. Ricky and Troy fished 75 % of the area from Hwy 44 to the back end of Richland Creek. The team was catching their fish in brush piles 10 to 18 feet deep and by shooting docks with their fish suspended at several different depths. They were using several different colors of Culprit jigs.
Taking third place was Tommy Vaughn of Elloree, SC and John Johnson of Swansea, SC with a weight of 7.97 pounds and took home $250.00. Tommy and John were shooting docks, a technique they had never done before Friday. The team used a variety of colors and types of jigs with minnows in 1-9 feet of water.
In fourth was the team of William Hinson of Cassatt, SC and Tommy Slice of Columbia, SC with a weight of 7.34 pounds and receiving $175.00. The team was fishing Lick Creek in 20 feet of water long lining 1/16th ounce Culprit Jigs. William and Tommy were fishing docks all day using home made jigs with their fish coming from several different depths.
Fifth place went to the team of Fred Walker and Mickey Peacock of Lizella, GA weighing in 7.3 pounds and receiving $150.00 for fifth place. The team fished docks all day using homemade jigs with the fish coming from several different depths.
The top male/female of the event was Avery and Patricia West of Elkin, NC weighing in 5.09 pounds.
Congratulations to all the teams fishing this event. The first place team in each division have now qualified for the Cabela's Crappie USA Classic along with the top 10 teams in each division advancing to the regional event which will have a major payback. For a complete list of tournament standings and photos for this event visit www.crappieusa.com then go to Tournament Results.
Big Fish Award
Taking big fish of the event was the first place amateur team of Robert and Raymond Huff with a 1.73 pound Oconee Crappie. The team received $343.00. Second place in the big fish contest was the team of Tommy Vaughn and John Johnson with a 1.61 pound crappie. The team took home a check for $250.00.
Crappie USA Kids Fishing Rodeo
In conjunction with the tournament Crappie USA held their Kids Rodeo on Saturday morning with 55 local children attending the event. All the participants signed up for a chance to win one of 4-$5,000.00 scholarships to be drawn for at the Cabela's Crappie USA Classic. Each child also received McDonald's certificates from John and Jodi Hudson the local McDonalds owners. Andy from the Georgia Power had drinks and cookies for all the kids. Tournament Director Larry Stephens wish to thank all that made the kid's event such a success.
Crappie USA and our anglers have contributed nearly $250,000.00 to the "Crappie Kids" Scholarships since 1997. We are very proud to be a part of the education process for the youngsters who participate in our tournaments as adult/youth teams and those who fish in the Crappie USA "Kids Fishing Rodeos".
A special thanks goes out to Megan Spears from the Eatonton-Putnam County Chamber for all her help with the tournament and for her work on the kid's rodeo. Another big thanks goes to Rhonda Tuttle and her staff at the South Bay Marina for having the weigh in site ready through all the new construction.
Stats for the Tournament:
Total # of participants-82
Weather- 90 degrees with light winds and sunny.
Water-.Water clear to stained and 82 degrees.
National Sponsors of Crappie USA are: Cabela's, Ranger Boats, Suzuki Marine, Tite-Lok Rod Holders and Acc., B ‘n' M Poles, Minn Kota, Humminbird Electronics, Adventure Products EGO Nets, J.R. Mad's, Eagle Claw, Eagle Claw Nitro Baits, Charlie Brewer's Slider Co., Food Source Lures, K-Z Recreational Vehicles, Big Bite Baits, Vicious Fishing Line, Flip Stick Co., Southern Pro Tackle, Crappie Unlimited, Culprit Crappie Baits and Ron Gooding Insurance.
The following companies furnish product to help make these events possible: Kodiak Fish Attractants, Crappie Pro Lures, Keep Alive, Tech Tackle, and Hydro Glow.
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