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Junior Angler's "Open" Bass Tournament
2004
Pictures from ABC
Tournament 2004
The Kentucky District of American Bass Fishing Club Inc. hosted the
fifth annual event
on May 15th at Wilgreen Lake located near Richmond Kentucky. The
event is open to
any junior bass angler age seventeen and under. The tournament was
directed by Rex
Allen, Wilgreen Marina operator Randy Nunley and ABC Regional
Director Mike Sexton. The field Comprised of twenty-eight anglers, seven
to seventeen
who competed for cash and sponsor donated prizes estimated at over
$5000.00. The
festivities began on Friday evening with supper provided by Wanda and
Randy Nunley
for the competitors and their their families
Registration for the tournament opened at 5:00 AM
on Saturday morning. Coffee and
donuts were provided at no change for the attendees. Competitors paid an
entry fee of $20.
Each contestant received "Goodie" bag containing
approximately $30 of baits and
merchandise during the registration process.
Several of the local ABC district members were on hand with their boats to
act as guides
for competitors that did not have access to bass boats. According to
Regional Director
Mike Sexton, " ABC is very proud of our organization. Our adult
membership has continually
supported youth participation in events across the country. The
Kentucky District was the
first to hold such an event strictly for the junior anglers. This is the
fifth year we've hosted the
tournament and it gets larger and better every year."
After opening ceremonies, which included the National Anthem and
presentation of colors,
the competitors headed our to what many thought would be a very thought
day of fishing.
Bass were on the nests and many local anglers were reporting very few
keeper fish being
caught in the week prior to the tournament. Despite the tough fishing
conditions, drizzling
skies and one brief down pour, the junior anglers brought some nice fish
to the scales. As has
become a tradition, a lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and
drinks was delivered to the
competitors and their guides midway though the tournament. Immediately
following the weigh
in, door prize drawings were held. Each competition received a door prize.
The final standings and purse winnings were as follows:
Place Name
Purse
Fish Weight
Big Bass
1st Andrew Luxon
$218.00
5
6.60
3.10
2nd Josh Tipton
$173.00
3
3.25
1.50
3rd Trevor Edwards
$125.00
1
3.20
3.20
4th Elizabeth Tipton
$113.00
2
2.65
1.70
5th Drew Sadler
$63.00
2
1.85
6th Tommy Fox
$48.00
2
1.65
7th Nick Smith
1
1.45
8th Emily Powell
1
.95
9th Wes Burton
1
.80
10th Patrick Smith
1
.75
11th Brett Smith
1
.75
12th Tyler Moberly
1
.70
The "Big Bass" pot of $150.00, donated by Bill Sexton and
Thurman Parson went to
Trevor Edwards. Emily Powell was awarded the "Trash Fish" pot of
$50.00 with a
.85-pound crappie, and a $50.00 cash award given to Mikey Pingleton for
being the
youngest angler to compete.
In addition to his cash purse for first place, Andrew Luxon was awarded a
new reel
donated by Mr. Joe Behr and a new rod donated by Thurman Parsons.
According to the tournament directors, holding an event such as this is
only possible
with the support and donations from members, local businesses, industry
sponsors and
local sportsmen that believe like we do that. "The future of our
sport is fishing today...".
We want to thank of them for helping us provide a very special day for the
kids and their
families. While some preferred to remain anonymous, we thank them as well.
A very
special thank you goes out to Wanda Nunley, Jane Sexton and Morgan family.
They
ran the errands, contacted the sponsors and generally chased down all the
details for us.
2004 Sponsors
Wilgreen Lake Marina, Bait & Tackle
The "Cain" Pole Bait & Tackle
Driftwood Lures
Steve Riley / D&L Jigs
Cabin Creek Bait Co.
Bob Shearer--ABCGeorgia District
Jim Dicken / Fishing Guides Home Page
Joe Behr
Wal-Mart
Coca Cola
Donut Days
Chapman's Landing
Berkley Pure Fishing
Yum Baits
Wil Hod Inc.
Thurman Parsons/Nationwide Insurance
Bill Sexton
Stokeys Marine
Angler's Outpost
Dicks Sporting Goods
Jenny Lube/Pennzoil
Brian Richmond
Rose Rebekah Lodge #7 Paris KY.
Plans are now being made for next year's event. According to ABC Regional
Director
Mike Sexton, "As long as we can get the support and the kids will
come and compete,
then we will continue with the annual tradition of junior angler's
tournament.
This is a very special day for kids and Ithink the adults have just as
much fun as they do."
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