10-28-2010, 04:10 PM
COLUMBIA, S.C. - The 5th annual Berkley Big Bass Challenge on Lake Fork hosted by BassChamps set another record with 782 anglers showing up to win cash prizes along with the chance to win one of two Skeeter Boats with a combined value of more than $113,000.
Lake Fork is known for its big bass, but has a slot limit. Any bass between 16" and 24" is considered illegal, so only fish under or over the slot could be weighed in.
The Skeeter boat awards were for the biggest bass over and the biggest bass under the slot. The hourly payout formula along with the strategy of when to weigh the fish kept the anglers guessing and added more anticipation and excitement for the audience. Nacogdoches, Texas, resident Dale Drewery was the overall winner with his 9.08-pound bass.
"The Big Bass Challenge is strictly for the amateur angler," said Andrew Marks, Marketing Director for Berkley. "It doesn't include any professionals, and is a great way to get the whole family involved. With another record turnout, we will set our sights on next year's event to make it even bigger and better.
Windy conditions plagued the event, but when Drewery brought his nine-pounder to the scales it was clear that this event would get interesting. Fishing a flooded timber point, Drewery threw a Carolina rigged 10-inch Berkley Power Worm and struck gold. The big bass award was a Skeeter ZX 200, rigged with Yamaha VZ200 HPDI with Minn-Kota trolling motor and Humminbird electronics plus $500.
The winning bass under the slot was weighed in during the first hour of the first day. Michael Rogge of the Lake Fork area fished deep standing timber, swimming a 5" Berkley Power Hawg. The scales locked in at 2.96 pounds, the biggest under the slot to be weighed in over the course of two days. He was presented with a Skeeter SX 195 powered by a Yamaha 150, Humminbird electronics and Minn-Kota trolling motor plus $500.
The Experience Trailer was on site to support Lake Fork Marina with demos and education on the selection of baits. Johnny Glass, James Clademeyer and John Tanner, Berkley Elite Guides on Fork were also helping the anglers with their selection.
The tournament will air on WFN and more information can be found on the BassChamps website. The dates for the 6th Annual Berkley Big Bass Challenge on Lake Fork will be announced soon.
5th Annual Berkley Big Bass Challenge Winners - Lake Fork, Texas
DALE DREWERY Nacogdoches , Texas - Skeeter ZX 200 - Yamaha VZ200 HPDI - Minn-Kota- Humminbird + $500.00
JOHNNY HAYNES<br />
Farmington, NM - $500.00
SKEETER FOWLER<br />
Grand Saline, Texas - $500.00
MICHAEL ROGGE<br />
Yantis, Texas - Skeeter SX 190 - Yamaha VMAX 150 HPDI - Minn-Kota- Humminbird + $500.00
CYRUS GRIFFIN<br />
Greenville, Texas - $500.00
JEFF NELSON<br />
Garland, Texas - $500.00
STEVE HOPE<br />
Ovilla, Texas - $500.00
DAVID OZIO<br />
Beaumont, Texas - $500.00
DON WOODS<br />
Quitman, Texas - $500.00
BILLY DYSON<br />
Arlington, Texas - $500.00
DON OVERSTREET<br />
Sulphur Spring, Texas - $500.00
TJ COPELAND Jr.<br />
Mineola, Texas - $500.00
ERIC WRIGHT<br />
Scurry, Texas - $500.00
WAYNE KRALIK<br />
Plano, Texas - $500.00
JIMMY HOLT Sr.<br />
Ore City, Texas - $400.00
LYNDEL PEARSON<br />
Point, Texas - $400.00
GEORGE FREEMAN<br />
Norman, Okla. - $400.00
CLAY IVY<br />
Robline, La. - $400.00
JD HARRIS<br />
Larid Hill, Texas - $400.00
LYNN BAXTER<br />
Gilmer, Texas - $400.00
JOHN GUICE<br />
Trophy Club, Texas - $400.00
DAVID WEBER<br />
Dallas, Texas - $400.00
JOHN GUICE<br />
Trophy Club, Texas - $400.00
JOSEPH BRYSON<br />
Alba, Texas - $400.00
DON ROBINSON<br />
Kilgore, Texas - $400.00
DAVID SPEAKMAN<br />
Mesquite, Texas - $400.00
KURT RATLIFF<br />
Rockwall, Texas - $350.00
GAULDEN STARR<br />
Avinger, Texas - $350.00
DAVID FANNING<br />
Addison, Texas - $350.00
DALE HARRISON<br />
Ruidoso, New Mexico - $350.00
JEFF HUDSON<br />
Ore City, Texas - $300.00
LYNN BAXTER<br />
Gilmer, Texas - $300.00
GARRY SIGLER<br />
Waco, Texas - $300.00
JIMMIE FORD<br />
Marshall, Texas - $300.00
PAUL KIRK<br />
Red Oak, Texas - $300.00
JOHN REDMON<br />
Emory, Texas - $300.00
LYNDEL PEARSON<br />
Point, Texas - $300.00
CLARA BOX<br />
Princeton, Texas - $300.00
CHARLES CALHOUN<br />
Gilmer, Texas - $300.00
CHARLIE CREDICOTT<br />
Benbrook, Texas - $300.00
WILLIAM TALLEY<br />
Taylor, Ark. - $250.00
DAVID CODY<br />
Yantis, Texas - $250.00
MARC MITCHELL<br />
Sulphur Springs, Texas - $250.00
DAVID SETTLE<br />
Yantis, Texas - $250.00
DONALD MOORE<br />
Kilgore, Texas - $200.00
RUSSELL ROBINSON<br />
Sumner, Texas - $200.00
HAROLD BREDEMEIER<br />
Richardson, Texas - $200.00
JAMES PAINTER<br />
Grand Prairie, Texas - $200.00
BRUCE SHAW<br />
Cleveland, Texas - $200.00
Media Contact<br />
Kevin Jarnagin, Blue Heron Communications 800-654-3766 or Kevin@blueheroncomm.com
Lake Fork is known for its big bass, but has a slot limit. Any bass between 16" and 24" is considered illegal, so only fish under or over the slot could be weighed in.
The Skeeter boat awards were for the biggest bass over and the biggest bass under the slot. The hourly payout formula along with the strategy of when to weigh the fish kept the anglers guessing and added more anticipation and excitement for the audience. Nacogdoches, Texas, resident Dale Drewery was the overall winner with his 9.08-pound bass.
"The Big Bass Challenge is strictly for the amateur angler," said Andrew Marks, Marketing Director for Berkley. "It doesn't include any professionals, and is a great way to get the whole family involved. With another record turnout, we will set our sights on next year's event to make it even bigger and better.
Windy conditions plagued the event, but when Drewery brought his nine-pounder to the scales it was clear that this event would get interesting. Fishing a flooded timber point, Drewery threw a Carolina rigged 10-inch Berkley Power Worm and struck gold. The big bass award was a Skeeter ZX 200, rigged with Yamaha VZ200 HPDI with Minn-Kota trolling motor and Humminbird electronics plus $500.
The winning bass under the slot was weighed in during the first hour of the first day. Michael Rogge of the Lake Fork area fished deep standing timber, swimming a 5" Berkley Power Hawg. The scales locked in at 2.96 pounds, the biggest under the slot to be weighed in over the course of two days. He was presented with a Skeeter SX 195 powered by a Yamaha 150, Humminbird electronics and Minn-Kota trolling motor plus $500.
The Experience Trailer was on site to support Lake Fork Marina with demos and education on the selection of baits. Johnny Glass, James Clademeyer and John Tanner, Berkley Elite Guides on Fork were also helping the anglers with their selection.
The tournament will air on WFN and more information can be found on the BassChamps website. The dates for the 6th Annual Berkley Big Bass Challenge on Lake Fork will be announced soon.
5th Annual Berkley Big Bass Challenge Winners - Lake Fork, Texas
DALE DREWERY Nacogdoches , Texas - Skeeter ZX 200 - Yamaha VZ200 HPDI - Minn-Kota- Humminbird + $500.00
JOHNNY HAYNES<br />
Farmington, NM - $500.00
SKEETER FOWLER<br />
Grand Saline, Texas - $500.00
MICHAEL ROGGE<br />
Yantis, Texas - Skeeter SX 190 - Yamaha VMAX 150 HPDI - Minn-Kota- Humminbird + $500.00
CYRUS GRIFFIN<br />
Greenville, Texas - $500.00
JEFF NELSON<br />
Garland, Texas - $500.00
STEVE HOPE<br />
Ovilla, Texas - $500.00
DAVID OZIO<br />
Beaumont, Texas - $500.00
DON WOODS<br />
Quitman, Texas - $500.00
BILLY DYSON<br />
Arlington, Texas - $500.00
DON OVERSTREET<br />
Sulphur Spring, Texas - $500.00
TJ COPELAND Jr.<br />
Mineola, Texas - $500.00
ERIC WRIGHT<br />
Scurry, Texas - $500.00
WAYNE KRALIK<br />
Plano, Texas - $500.00
JIMMY HOLT Sr.<br />
Ore City, Texas - $400.00
LYNDEL PEARSON<br />
Point, Texas - $400.00
GEORGE FREEMAN<br />
Norman, Okla. - $400.00
CLAY IVY<br />
Robline, La. - $400.00
JD HARRIS<br />
Larid Hill, Texas - $400.00
LYNN BAXTER<br />
Gilmer, Texas - $400.00
JOHN GUICE<br />
Trophy Club, Texas - $400.00
DAVID WEBER<br />
Dallas, Texas - $400.00
JOHN GUICE<br />
Trophy Club, Texas - $400.00
JOSEPH BRYSON<br />
Alba, Texas - $400.00
DON ROBINSON<br />
Kilgore, Texas - $400.00
DAVID SPEAKMAN<br />
Mesquite, Texas - $400.00
KURT RATLIFF<br />
Rockwall, Texas - $350.00
GAULDEN STARR<br />
Avinger, Texas - $350.00
DAVID FANNING<br />
Addison, Texas - $350.00
DALE HARRISON<br />
Ruidoso, New Mexico - $350.00
JEFF HUDSON<br />
Ore City, Texas - $300.00
LYNN BAXTER<br />
Gilmer, Texas - $300.00
GARRY SIGLER<br />
Waco, Texas - $300.00
JIMMIE FORD<br />
Marshall, Texas - $300.00
PAUL KIRK<br />
Red Oak, Texas - $300.00
JOHN REDMON<br />
Emory, Texas - $300.00
LYNDEL PEARSON<br />
Point, Texas - $300.00
CLARA BOX<br />
Princeton, Texas - $300.00
CHARLES CALHOUN<br />
Gilmer, Texas - $300.00
CHARLIE CREDICOTT<br />
Benbrook, Texas - $300.00
WILLIAM TALLEY<br />
Taylor, Ark. - $250.00
DAVID CODY<br />
Yantis, Texas - $250.00
MARC MITCHELL<br />
Sulphur Springs, Texas - $250.00
DAVID SETTLE<br />
Yantis, Texas - $250.00
DONALD MOORE<br />
Kilgore, Texas - $200.00
RUSSELL ROBINSON<br />
Sumner, Texas - $200.00
HAROLD BREDEMEIER<br />
Richardson, Texas - $200.00
JAMES PAINTER<br />
Grand Prairie, Texas - $200.00
BRUCE SHAW<br />
Cleveland, Texas - $200.00
Media Contact<br />
Kevin Jarnagin, Blue Heron Communications 800-654-3766 or Kevin@blueheroncomm.com