High Rock Lake – Fall 2023 Tournament
We chose High Rock Lake as the first stop of the 2023-24 season for the North Carolina BASS High School and Junior Series. It is no secret that it is a three-time BASS Masters Classic Lake! With Hurricane Ophelia rolling up the East coast, check-in was in a steady rain. We held out hope the hurricane would cooperate and move North and East and the weather would improve. The weather did not scare off most of the competitors as an opening tournament record 94-boats showed up to fish! The blast-off for our opening tournament was cloudy with light rain. The young men and women took off in search of big, healthy largemouth that swim in these dingy Yadkin River waters.
In the Junior Division (21 teams) first and second place were separated by one-one hundredth of an ounce! Tyler Nelson and Sawyer Reynolds weighed a five fish limit weighing 10.47 pounds and with that catch, the Bandy’s team won the 1st place plaques, Woods to Water cash ($200) and Skyline Marine/Shimano gift cards. Finishing a very close second were Larson Morgan and John Balcerzak from the Southlake Fishing Team. Their limit weighed 10.46 pounds and won them $100 of Woods to Water cash and the second-place plaques. With a limit of bass weighing 8.22 pounds, Stanly County Bassmasters Logan Eudy and Brody Clontz won the third-place plaques and $50 in cash.
In the High School Division, the McDowell County team of Zach Ramsey and Brayden Padgett brought in an impressive 5 fish limit weighing 16.87 pounds which included the Big Bass of the tournament which weighed in at 5.99 pounds! Ramsey and Padgett took home the victory and the high school champions plaques, the Woods to Water cash prize ($300), Water Wood Crankbaits, and Shimano gift certificates from Skyline Marine. They also left with the Big Bass plaque and additional cash!
In second place, Anson Anglers Lucas Gatewood and Mason Tarlton brought in five quality fish weighing 14.65 pounds! The duo took home the second-place plaques, Woods to Water cash ($200) Water Wood Crankbaits, and gift certificates from Skyline Marine.
Finishing in third place and fourth place we had the Rowan County Anglers – Freeze Family Battle. Younger brother Chayd Freeze teamed up with Mason Crayton (and boat captain dad Jarrett Freeze) to edge out older brother Traydun Freeze and his partner Austin Hayes (and boat captain uncle Gary Freeze.) For their day’s efforts, the younger Freeze and Crayton brought in a 13.74-pound limit, and they took home the third place plaques, Woods to Water cash ($100), and Water Wood custom crankbaits. In fourth place, the elder Freeze and Hayes won the fourth-place plaques plus cash for their limit weighing 12.96 pounds.
The Bandy’s team of Jon Luke Foster and Carter Simmons rounded out the top five with five fish weighing 12.26 pounds. They took home the fifth-place plaques and cash for their effort. Again, this year we are paying out places 6 through 10 so be sure to fish hard all day long.
Lastly, we’d like to thank all of our sponsors and volunteers for making this tournament possible that include but are not limited to: Bryan Moore, Todd Bare, Randy Christy, Deanna Garmon, Skyline Marine, Shimano Fishing, Water Wood Custom Baits, and Woods to Water Outdoor Company.