Chris Lucas was “tickled to death” with the start of the 2013 Anglers Choice Marine Team Trail under a new two-division format for Virginia and North Carolina anglers last month on Smith Mountain and High Rock Lakes.

“We had over 200 entries at Smith Mountain and we started out with 43 on the Carolina side down at High Rock,” said Lucas, tournament director for the Anglers Choice tournament trails. “We are just starting to build the Carolina Division and we were pleased with the participation.”

While the opening dates for the two divisions were on separate weekends and different lakes, the next tournaments in the two series will be on the same weekend, both on Lake Gaston, with the Virginia Division fishing out of Americamp on Saturday and the North Carolina Division fishing out of Americamp on Sunday.

“This way the guys can get two qualifiers in one trip on the same weekend,” Lucas said. “We are getting a lot of positive feedback on that with gas prices the way they are. Getting two out of the way in one weekend is a big advantage to the fishermen.”

Lucas said the numbers look pretty good for participation this weekend, with around 100 entries expected on the Virginia side and 45-50 on the Carolina side.

“As for the weather, the forecast calls for highs in the 50s, sunny on Saturday and cloudy on Sunday. Somebody said they are now calling for a little rain on Sunday,” Lucas said.

“They held a State Mr. Bass Tournament on Gaston and I heard they caught fish on Shakey Heads, spinnerbaits and crankbaits. It probably will be one of those early springtime tournaments this weekend where you can probably catch fish on whatever you want to. You just have to be in the right place when they move up to feed,” he said.

“I think we will have some pretty good bags brought to the weigh-ins.”

Lucas said the new schedule features a five-qualifier format to make the classic. Anglers can do this by fishing five tournaments in either division. Also new for 2013 is that the top 5 teams in the points race for both divisions will receive a free entry to the Classic.

The Virginia Division, which will hold the second tournament of the season Saturday on Lake Gaston, includes: April 6, Smith Mountain Lake, Parkway Marina; April 27 Kerr Lake, Occoneechee State Park; May 25, Smith Mountain Lake, Parkway Marina; and June 29, Kerr Lake, Occoneechee State Park.

The North Carolina Division, which kicks off Sunday on Lake Gaston, includes: April 7, Smith Mountain Lake, Parkway Marina; April 28 Kerr Lake, Occoneechee State Park; June 22, High Rock Lake, Tamarac Marina; June 30, Kerr Lake, Occoneechee State Park.

The two-day Classic for both divisions will be held Oct. 12-13 on Kerr Lake out of Occoneechee State Park.

“We are rolling now,” Lucas said. “We’ve got another double-tournament weekend April 6-7. The season is really going by quickly.”

Anglers Choice Marine Team Trail

Mar 23-24, 2013

Lake Gaston

Call Chris Lucas 276-358-0844

www.anglerschoicemarine.com