Steve Stewart and Johnny Creel pull out the victory

By: Frank Evans
Saturday May 18, 2013, Augusta, Georgia… The 2012/2013 FOM National Championship, Presented by Stren, came to a close today as Georgia South partners Steve Stewart and Johnny Creel
hauled in a 20.61 lbs bag of fish. For their 3-day tournament-winning 48.02 lbs, the new FOM National Champions, Steve and Johnny won tournament plaques, a share of Bonus Bucks, a $500.00 Power-Pole certificate, and finally, a brand new Skeeter FX 21/ 250hp SHO VMAX package valued at $72,000.00.

Johnny and Steve conceded most of their fish came by anchoring off one particular point and tossing carolina-rigged, grn/pumpkin, Big Bite creature baits to a shallow water point that gradually sloped off into 5 to 8 feet of water, up on Georgia’s Little River, just above the Hwy 47 Bridge.

Day 1 and 2 leaders, Steve Strickland and Stephen McCord encountered problems with their boat today and want to thank FOM and John Snincak for the tow in and Jeff Camp for selflessly giving his own boat so they could finish the day. The two Georgia South boys boated 27.18 lbs on Day-1 and 16.19 Friday by working several places each day all over the lake. They fished the Parksville area and all the way up to Bobby Brown State Park near the confluence of the Broad River. These phenomenal anglers also fished Mistletoe and Cherokee Creek up on the Little River arm. Steve stated that they cast small #5 Alabama rigs adorned with 2 1/2 inch Berkley shad-colored swimbaits and a few bass attacked a large, spook-type walking bait. Today, Steve and Stephen weighed one fish, at 2.37, for a tournament total of 11 coming in at 45.74 lbs and 2nd place where they were awarded the beautiful 2013 Skeeter ZX 190/150 Yamaha VMAX package, valued at $32,000.00.

Finishing 3rd are Louisiana North Central’s Martin Elshout and Mark Price. Martin and Mark boated 12.90, 13.18, and today’s 17.34 for a 43.42 lbs finish. The very competitive anglers said that they milk-runned 10 to 12 places, however, most of their catch came from only 4 to 5 spots. A few fish were netted while casting Alabama rigs, and a mustard colored Bandit crankbait in shallow water. However, by Day 3 it became evident that watermelon/ pepper, wacky-rigged, senkos were the key to larger fish in 2 to 4 feet.

Moving up from 8th and taking 4th overall were the Tennessee West team of Jason Martindale and Josh Alexander. Josh and Jason netted their fish around the Wildwood Park lake points with Strike King blue glimmer, Baby Burner Spinner Baits in and around the inundated grassy weeds in shallow water. Jason stated that the Strike King 5XD Ghost Minnow crankbait was also very effective in 7 to 12 feet of water near points.

With 43.06 lbs Fifth place finishers, Tom Belinda and Daniel Peterman, Pennsylvania Central, used Reaction Baits, Skinny Dippers, along with Zoom Swimming Fluke Juniors to catch 17.36, 15.90, and 7.85 today. They concentrated on the windy sides of points using the Alabama rig and carolina-rigged plastics and the Strike King KVD Sexy Dog.

The Day 3, $420.00, Big Fish Award went to Cody Davis and Tim Marshall for their 6.44 lbs bucketmouth. Tim caught it up near the 47 bridge using Bass Trix Paddle Tails and Reaction Innovations Little Dippers.

South Carolina Upstate anglers, David Vaughn and Dan Marrow won today’s no fee Second Chance “redemption” Tournament with 5 fish weighing in at 14.79 lbs.

I will edit this story after I get some sleep. For higher resolution copies of you pics, send me an email to: [email protected] Thanks to everyone.

We want to thank Stren as the Presenting Sponsor, and Barry Smith, Rebecca Lutz, and Shelly Blackburn from the Columbia County Convention & Visitors Bureau for hosting this event and providing a fine meal at the impressive Patriots Park Complex during the Wednesday evening pre-tournament meeting, also, Jeb Bell with the Columbia County Recreation Department as well as Wildwood Park, Darren Sigmon and Henry Thomason of Skeeter Boats and Marshall’s Marine who provided some fine tasting “Skeeter Beans” to everyone all day on Thursday, and our Host hotel: Comfort Inn & Suites, 4071 Jimmie Dyess Parkway, Augusta, GA.

We especially want to thank Elite Series Pro and 2008 BASS Classic winner, Alton Jones as the special guest speaker for the Wednesday night pre-tournament meeting. Alton has an exceptional gift that is used very effectively.

We also want to take this opportunity to thank all the fine companies that make Fishers of Men possible; Skeeter Boats, Yamaha, Stren, Pflueger, Strike King, Nester Socks, Power-Pole, Marshall’s Marine, Lowrance, Keelshield, Buckeye Lures, Jacob’s Glass, Solar Bat, Duckett Fishing, Berkley, Fibro Tex, Hydrowave, Kistler Custom Rods, RAYJUS Sports, and Outdoor Specialty Products (Rejuvenade).

For higher resolution copies shoot me an email at [email protected]
Johnny and Steve conceded most of their fish came by anchoring off one particular point and tossing carolina-rigged, grn/pumpkin, Big Bite creature baits to a shallow water point that gradually sloped off into 5 to 8 feet of water, up on Georgia’s Little River, just above the Hwy 47 Bridge.

Day 1 and 2 leaders, Steve Strickland and Stephen McCord encountered problems with their boat today and want to thank FOM and John Snincak for the tow in and Jeff Camp for selflessly giving his own boat so they could finish the day. The two Georgia South boys boated 27.18 lbs on Day-1 and 16.19 Friday by working several places each day all over the lake. They fished the Parksville area and all the way up to Bobby Brown State Park near the confluence of the Broad River. These phenomenal anglers also fished Mistletoe and Cherokee Creek up on the Little River arm. Steve stated that they cast small #5 Alabama rigs adorned with 2 1/2 inch Berkley shad-colored swimbaits and a few bass attacked a large, spook-type walking bait. Today, Steve and Stephen weighed one fish, at 2.37, for a tournament total of 11 coming in at 45.74 lbs and 2nd place where they were awarded the beautiful 2013 Skeeter ZX 190/150 Yamaha VMAX package, valued at $32,000.00.

Finishing 3rd are Louisiana North Central’s Martin Elshout and Mark Price. Martin and Mark boated 12.90, 13.18, and today’s 17.34 for a 43.42 lbs finish. The very competitive anglers said that they milk-runned 10 to 12 places, however, most of their catch came from only 4 to 5 spots. A few fish were netted while casting Alabama rigs, and a mustard colored Bandit crankbait in shallow water. However, by Day 3 it became evident that watermelon/ pepper, wacky-rigged, senkos were the key to larger fish in 2 to 4 feet.

Moving up from 8th and taking 4th overall were the Tennessee West team of Jason Martindale and Josh Alexander. Josh and Jason netted their fish around the Wildwood Park lake points with Strike King blue glimmer, Baby Burner Spinner Baits in and around the inundated grassy weeds in shallow water. Jason stated that the Strike King 5XD Ghost Minnow crankbait was also very effective in 7 to 12 feet of water near points.

With 43.06 lbs Fifth place finishers, Tom Belinda and Daniel Peterman, Pennsylvania Central, used Reaction Baits, Skinny Dippers, along with Zoom Swimming Fluke Juniors to catch 17.36, 15.90, and 7.85 today. They concentrated on the windy sides of points using the Alabama rig and carolina-rigged plastics and the Strike King KVD Sexy Dog.

The Day 3, $420.00, Big Fish Award went to Cody Davis and Tim Marshall for their 6.44 lbs bucketmouth. Tim caught it up near the 47 bridge using Bass Trix Paddle Tails and Reaction Innovations Little Dippers.

South Carolina Upstate anglers, David Vaughn and Dan Marrow won today’s no fee Second Chance “redemption” Tournament with 5 fish weighing in at 14.79 lbs.

I will edit this story after I get some sleep. For higher resolution copies of you pics, send me an email to: [email protected] Thanks to everyone.

We want to thank Stren as the Presenting Sponsor, and Barry Smith, Rebecca Lutz, and Shelly Blackburn from the Columbia County Convention & Visitors Bureau for hosting this event and providing a fine meal at the impressive Patriots Park Complex during the Wednesday evening pre-tournament meeting, also, Jeb Bell with the Columbia County Recreation Department as well as Wildwood Park, Darren Sigmon and Henry Thomason of Skeeter Boats and Marshall’s Marine who provided some fine tasting “Skeeter Beans” to everyone all day on Thursday, and our Host hotel: Comfort Inn & Suites, 4071 Jimmie Dyess Parkway, Augusta, GA.

We especially want to thank Elite Series Pro and 2008 BASS Classic winner, Alton Jones as the special guest speaker for the Wednesday night pre-tournament meeting. Alton has an exceptional gift that is used very effectively.

We also want to take this opportunity to thank all the fine companies that make Fishers of Men possible; Skeeter Boats, Yamaha, Stren, Pflueger, Strike King, Nester Socks, Power-Pole, Marshall’s Marine, Lowrance, Keelshield, Buckeye Lures, Jacob’s Glass, Solar Bat, Duckett Fishing, Berkley, Fibro Tex, Hydrowave, Kistler Custom Rods, RAYJUS Sports, and Outdoor Specialty Products (Rejuvenade).

For higher resolution copies shoot me an email at [email protected]