Trent Jones of Martin with his partner Justin Bell of Medina, formerly of Martin | | | A local man and members of his team have claimed more than just bragging rights after bringing home the title of Tennessee Crappie Master’s State Champions last week. Trent Jones of Martin and his partner, Justin Bell of Medina, formerly of Martin, have earned trophies, as well as a $4,000 cash prize after the two-day event on Kentucky Lake in Henry County May 19-20.
The weather was deemed perfect throughout the tournament, which was rescheduled in 2010 due to flooding. According to a contest representative, most anglers reported catching large number of crappie during the tournament and during pre-fishing. Jones and Bell were in the lead that Friday with 12.18 pounds of fish caught. That lead netted them a spotter and television crews from Bass Pro the second day of the tournament. The pair’s day-one lead also broke a record for them and two other teams for catching seven fish totaling 12 pounds. No team matched those weights during the second day of competition. Bell and Jones snagged a total weight of 11.80 pounds the second day of the tournament. Overall, the team reeled in 23.98 pounds of crappie during the Crappie Master’s tournament.
The fishermen admitted they used BnM Poles, Double Hook minnow rigs with red chartreuse jigs. They fish the lake often and said they decided to use the same strategy as they normally would use to fish the lake. They fished 10-13-feet deep and used Titelok rod holders and Humminbird electronics.
They won $4,000 for the first-place victory and now qualify for the Crappie Master National Championship in Columbus, Miss., in October.
Another Weakley County resident earned more than just bragging rights when he and his team member brought home second-place wins from the two-day tournament.
Local veterinarian Jason Roberts, and his partner, Edd Foulk of Paris, fell just short of claiming the top weight the first day of the tournament catching 12.07 pounds of fish.
The second day of competition, the team caught 11.47 pounds of fish, for combined total weight of 23.54 pounds of fish. They earned $2,250 for their second-place finish.
The event was sponsored by Bass pro Shops, Tracker Marine, Humminbird, Minn Kota, Paris Henry County Alliance and Northwest Tennessee Tourism. WCP 5.29.12 |
