“Our record for a tournament was 197 entries and we hit 223 boats in our first tournament at Smith Mountain Lake,” said Chris Lucas, Anglers Choice Marine Tournament Trail Tournament Director. “That was a great turnout and I think we have another big turnout coming on Buggs Island April 7.”

Lucas said he was “a little nervous” because of the rising gas prices and the fact that the Carolinas Bass Challenge Trail opened up in nearby North and South Carolina with good sponsorship.

“But we have a great group of core fishermen here in Virginia and our tournaments are always fun for the fishermen and the fish are usually cooperating, too.”

Lucas listed the reasons he thinks the Anglers Choice turnouts are always good and are increasing this year.

“We work hard to make the tournaments as angler-friendly as possible. We have a low entry fee which enables guys to come fish with us. We feed everybody when the tournament is over.”

And the prize money is very good, too, he added.

“I got a little better sponsorship deals lined up this year and we were able to up our payback. In the first tournament five teams won more than $1,000 and we paid 44 places.”

In the Smith Mountain tournament Kenny and Brandon Reynolds finished in first place with 23.31 pounds and took home a check for $3,000. Wayne Burchett and Don Dalton finished second with 20.81 pounds and had the 4.11-pound lunker smallmouth of the day. They took home a total of $4,230.

Lucas said he expects fishing to be good at Kerr this week.

“I saw in one lake report that the water temperature was running 68 to 73 degrees so I am sure there will be some spawning fish, and there will also be some pre-spawn fish so guys will be able to catch them on whatever they want to catch them with. The lake level was at 306 feet, but I expect they will pull water so by the tournament it could be down to 304-305, which means there will be plenty of bushes in the water to fish.”

Because of the anticipated large entry he urged anglers to pre-register for the tournament to help organizers plan for the food and to reduce waiting time the morning of the tournament.

“Pre-registration for the April 7 tournament at Kerr will end on Thursday April 5, at 12 noon. The Best Western will be the host motel in Clarksville. Be sure you tell them that you are fishing the Angler’s Choice Trail to receive a special rate. The Lake Motel will do the same,” he said.

He also asked anglers to help make the launch run smoother with the high volume of boats.

“If you are a high number to launch please don’t come to the launch area until an announcement is made at the beginning of each flight. This way you will know what is going on as the tournament begins.”

The Anglers Choice Trail includes a six-qualifier series, capped by a two-day Classic in the fall. Tournaments remaining include : April 7 on Kerr Lake, April 28 on Kerr, May 19 on Smith Mountain, June 16 on Smith Mountain, and July 28 on Kerr Lake. All tournaments will run 7 a.m. to 3 p.m, except the July tournament which will run 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Classic will be held Oct. 13-14 on Smith Mountain Lake.

The entry fee is $100 per tournament per team, plus $20 for the Big Fish Pot per day. The Classic will pay a Lunker Pot for both days, requiring an additional $20 for the Lunker Pot in the championship. The winning team in the Classic will take home a new Ranger Z118 boat, Mercury Opti Max motor and trailer package.

The series is loaded with incentives, Lucas said. The tournaments are Stratos 2X registered (double your money), Ranger Cup registered ($500 Range Cup bonus for first place, doubled to $1,000 if boat purchased at Anglers Choice in Martinsville, Va.), and Triton Gold registered (win an extra $7,000 if qualified).

First place is guaranteed $2,000 if there is a 70-boat field. The Jiffy Automotive Big Fish of the Year Award is $500 and the Jiffy Automotive Points Champions will win $1,250. Also, under the Jiffy Automotive Big Bucks Program, Anglers Choice will hold two random drawings at each tournament for $100 for those who did not place in the money in the tournament, is present for the drawing, and has an Anglers Choice Team Tournament Trail decal displayed on the boat. The award will be doubled for winners fishing out of a boat purchased from Anglers Choice.

In addition, the Sea Tow Bonus $250 Award will be made to any annual active member of Sea Tow who catches the Big Fish at all Smith Mountain and Kerr Lake tournaments. Free Seacare members and complimentary memberships are excluded from the bonus.

 

Anglers Choice Marine Team Trail

Sat Apr 7, 2012

Kerr / Buggs Island Lake

Occoneechee State Park Ramp #1

Call Chris Lucas 276-358-0844

www.anglerschoicemarine.com

[email protected]