Lake James Wrap Up
The first stop of the 2022-23 season for the North Carolina BASS High School and Junior Series was held at scenic Lake James in typical Fall fishing conditions. The blast-off for our 84-boat field was on a foggy morning which delayed our blastoff. After a brief delay, the young men and women took off in search of big largemouth and smallmouth bass that inhabit these beautiful clear waters.
Leading the field in the Junior Division (17 teams) was Bentlee Black from Cleveland County Bass Anglers with the only five fish limit in the Junior Series. His limit weighed 7.37 pounds. With that catch, Bentlee won the 1st place plaques, Woods to Water cash ($200) and Skyline Marine/Shimano gift cards. Finishing second were Alvin Martin and Parker Wicker from the Rowan County team. Their three fish weighed 6.02 pounds and won them $100 of Woods to Water cash, and Academy Gift Cards as well.
In the High School Division, the Bandys High School team of Jon Luke Foster and Carter Simmons edged out the Cleveland County team of Coleman Self and Jackson Wilson. Foster and Simmons took home the victory by weighing in a 5 fish limit of 10.52 pounds. They took home the high school champions plaques, the Woods to Water cash prize ($300), Water Wood Crankbaits, and Shimano gift certificates from Skyline Marine.
Close behind in second place with a limit weighing 10.30 pounds, Self and Wilson took home the second-place plaques, Woods to Water cash ($200) Water Wood Crankbaits, and a Shimano gift certificates from Skyline Marine.
Finishing in third place, the second Cleveland County team of Lawton Williams and Eli Cooke brough in a limit weighing 8.33 pounds. The team received the third-place plaques, Woods to Water cash ($100), Academy gift cards, and Water Wood crankbaits for their catch.
Last year’s winning McDowell County team of Ty Allison and Brayden Padgett claimed fourth place this Fall. They weighed in a five fish limit of 8.25 pounds. They received the fourth-place plaques and Academy gift cards.
The second McDowell County team of Macey Allison and Cameran Young rounded out the Top 5 with five fish weighing 7.97 pounds. They repeated their 5th place finish from last spring and took home plaques and Academy gift cards for their efforts.
As always, we’d like to thank all of our sponsors and volunteers for making this tournament possible. These include but are not limited to: Bryan Moore, Todd Bare, Deanna Garmon, Academy Outdoors, Skyline Marine, Shimano Fishing, Water Wood Custom Baits, and Woods to Water Outdoor Company.