The Piedmont Division of the Fishers Of Men National Tournament Trail came to High Rock Lake on May 14 for the fourth stop on the 2011 circuit.
Thirty-three teams lined up at first light, excited because they had just found out the Regional Championship will be help at High Rock in September, bringing hundreds of anglers here from as far as New York.
The owner of the Tamarac Marina, Dan Black, said he was excited to be hosting the group of fishermen and invited people to come to the weigh-ins on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 23 and 24.
The grand prize for that Tournament will be a Skeeter boat.
After 10 hours of fishing in scattered showers, the sun greeted the anglers at the weigh-in as James “Smiley” Alred and Larry Brickey of Browns Summit weighed in a 19.02-pound catch to capture the $1,140 first prize.
Lexington’s Robert Mixon and Steve Sink took over the points lead, with a second place finish with 17.15 pounds, receiving $654 for their effort.
Third Place went to Salisbury’s CJ Johnston and Matt Stanley, with 16.88 pounds, winning $444.
Byron Odaniel and Dave Snyder of Charlotte took fourth place, winning $358 with a bag of bass totaling 16.17 pounds.
Fifth place went to Bobby Steele and Robert Williams of Siler City, who won $296.
Sixth was Al Needham and Howie Payne of Seagrove with 14.85 pounds, rounding out the cash winners with $238.
The big fish, weighing 5.96 pounds, for the tournament went to Bradley Houchins and Jonathon Jones.
Rae Kiester and Greg Sink had a 5.55-pound lunker.
Most of the winning catches were caught in less than 3 feet of water.
The Rookie team leader so far this year is Kenneth and John Shumate.
The Adult/Junior leader is Bradley and Steve Singleton (Belews Creek winners) and the top Guy/Gal team is Drew and Amy Montgomery.
These teams have automatically qualified for the Regional Championships, as well as the tournament winners Brickey/Alred, and Marty/Dusty Nester (Lake Norman).
The next event for the Piedmont Division will be the regional Qualifier on Badin Lake on June 11. The Badin Lake tournament will begin at Circle Drive. The Friday night pre-tournament service will be held at High Rock Community Church in Denton.
Directions to the ramp are: Travel southbound on U.S. 52 toward Albemarle, turn left on N.C. 49 and continue to the Tuckertown Lake bridge. Continue 2 miles and turn right on Badin Lake Road, beside the Cagles Store.
Travel down this road until you cross a small bridge. Take the first or second right you come to which loops around and follows the lake. Stay on this road until you get to the wildlife ramp.
To get to the church travel back to N.C. 49. Turn right and go to N.C. 109 (about 10 miles) Turn left and go under N.C. 49 and travel to 18870 South N.C.109, Denton, which is about 4 miles.