The Carolinas Bass Challenge launched in February like a rocket going to the moon and has picked up steam every tournament held since, with the two-state championship on Kerr Lake in October expected to be one of the richest and most competitive tournaments in the history of bass fishing in the Carolinas.

It has already paid huge dividends for anglers who have scored along the way, said tournament director Brett Collins just before the North Carolina Division Final this Saturday on High Rock Lake.

“Over four North Carolina qualifiers so far we have averaged paying back $10,250 to first place and the total payback after High Rock will be over $130,000 – just on the North Carolina side.”

The Carolinas Bass Challenge is a two-division series promoted by Skeeter Boat dealers Marshall’s Marine in Lake City, S.C., Foothills Marine in Morganton, N.C., and Palmetto Marine in Greenville, S.C. The South Carolina Divisional Final will be held June 23 on Lake Wateree out of Clearwater Cove.

Teams had to fish three of four four qualifiers in a state division or a combination of three qualifiers across divisions to make the Divisional Final and Championship. Each team member paid a $35 membership fee and the team entry fee per tournament is $200. While first place was guaranteed at $5,000 for each event, that was surpassed and often doubled or more at each tournament.

The winning team at both the South Carolina Division Final and the North Carolina Division Final will win a Skeeter TZX190/150 with a Yamaha 150HPDI. The winning team in the Championship on Kerr Lake in October will win a Skeeter ZX200/200 Yamaha SHO.

“We will start taking entries to the Kerr Championship Monday June 25th after the South Carolina Wateree Final,” Collins said. “The 2012 Kerr Championship meeting will be held Friday, October 26. At least one team member must be present.”

He also announced that Cashion Rods has been added as a 2012 sponsor. The 2012 CBC Championship winning team and the North Carolina and South Carolina Final winning teams will receive two Cashion rods valued at $200 each.

“More than 125 teams have qualified to enter the North Carolina final at High Rock,” said Collins.

Steve Sink and Robert Mixon won $1,000 for the North Carolina Division points title. Sink fished with Tony Foster to place fourth in the Lake Hickory qualifier May 19 to cinch the points championship. Maurice Freeze and Pat Tierny won $500 for second in the points and Ken Fender and Matt Haywood collected $250 for third place in the points.

Fishing has been tough on High Rock, Collins said, but reports are it has been improving slightly recently.

“I heard the fishing was better this past weekend. But the lake is muddy and after all the rain the region received it probably will be muddy Saturday,” Collins said.

Fishing probably will be most productive, he said, fishing docks and offshore, which is the norm this time of year on High Rock.

And, Collins added, you usually have to have a pretty good kicker in the bag.

“Whoever has that will win,” he said.

 

Carolinas Bass Challenge – North Carolina Division Final

Sat, Jun 2, 2012

High Rock Lake

Tamarac Marina

Call Brett Collins 803-413-7521

[email protected]

www.carolinasbasschallenge.com