The Carolinas Bass Challenge continues to roll in both North and South Carolina with between 140 and 150 boats expected for the North Carolina Division tournament Saturday on Lake Norman.

“The support for the trail in it’s first year has been great,” said tournament director Brett Collins who noted that 190 teams have joined the North Carolina Division so far.

And for good reason. The paybacks have been very strong.

“The past three qualifiers – Lake Murray, Lake Wylie and Lake Norman – have paid first place at least $10,000,” Collins said.

Collins reported that David Williams and Gerald Williams lead the North Carolina Division points standings with Shane Lehew and Larry Lehew in second place.

“Matt Hawood and Ken Fenders are in third place and all three of these teams do well on Lake Norman,” he said. Points winners earn $1,000 for the year.

The field should find fishing very good this weekend, said Collins who noted that while the water level was low for the last CBC tournament in February it looks to be about normal now.

“Fishing has been good so far and the topwater bite should be a big factor this weekend. The shallow bite usually pays off this time of year at Lake Norman,” he noted. “The spawn is about done so most of the fish should be aggressive. The team that can catch a largemouth will probably end up on top.”

Collins asked that the teams fishing the tournament arrive at Pinnacle Landing as early as possible Saturday to facilitate the start of the tournament.

“As usual, we will have food and drinks waiting on the guys when they get back off the lake,” he added.

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 sponsoring boat dealers provide free food for the anglers at the weigh-ins.

The remaining schedules for the two divisions include :

North Carolina Division – April 21, Lake Norman, Pinnacle Landing; May 19, Lake Hickory, Whittenburg; June 2, N.C. Divisional Final, High Rock, Tamarac Marina.

South Carolina Division – April 28, Santee Cooper, John C. Land; May 12, Lake Wateree, Clearwater Cove; June 23, S.C. Divisional Final, Lake Wateree, Clearwater Cove.

The Carolinas Bass Challenge Championship will be held on Kerr Lake October 27, 2012.

The entry fee per tournament is $200 per team and each team member must pay a $35 membership fee. First place in each qualifying tournament is guaranteed $5,000, with $1,000 for big fish. Teams may fish three of four qualifiers in a state division to make the Divisional Final and Championship or they may fish a combination of three qualifiers across divisions and make the Division Final and Championship. The team that wins the points in each state division will win $1,000.

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.

 

Carolinas Bass Challenge – North Carolina Division

Sat, Apr 21, 2012

Lake Norman

Pinnacle Access

Call Brett Collins 803-413-7521

[email protected]

www.carolinasbasschallenge.com