Lake Tillery – Fall 2023 Tournament #2
The second stop for the Fall schedule was Lake Tillery just East of Albemarle, NC. Once again, check-in was in a steady rain, and once again, the weather did not scare off most of the competitors. We had another great field show up to fish with a total of 88 boats check in and ready to go catch the largemouth, spotted bass, and occasionally smallmouth bass that reside in this lake. The blast-off for our opening tournament was cloudy with light rain. The young men and women took off hoping for heavy bags of bass found in these clear Yadkin River waters.
In the Junior Division (19 teams) Larson Morgan and John Balcerzak from the Southlake Fishing Team weighed a five fish limit weighing 10.94 pounds and with that catch, won the 1st place plaques, Woods to Water cash ($200) and Skyline Marine/Shimano rod and reel combos! Congratulations to the team for their first win! Finishing in second place were newcomers Lillian Coley and Daniel Coley from Focused Fishing. Their limit weighed 7.94 pounds and won them $100 of Woods to Water cash and the second-place plaques. With a limit of bass weighing 7.92 pounds, the Bandy’s Team of Tyler Nelson and Sawyer Reynolds won the third-place plaques and $50 in cash.
In the High School Division (69 teams), the McDowell County team of Zach Ramsey and Brayden Padgett once again brought in an impressive 5 fish limit. In securing their second straight win, they brought in five largemouth weighing 16.35 pounds which included a nice 5.80 pounder! Ramsey and Padgett again left as the High School Champions with plaques, the Woods to Water cash prize ($300), Water Wood Crankbaits, and Shimano SLX rods from Skyline Marine.
The Bandy’s team of Jon Luke Foster and Carter Simmons brought in five quality fish weighing 14.01 pounds despite having boat issues. The team left with the second-place plaques, Woods to Water cash ($200) Water Wood Crankbaits, and Shimano SLX rods from Skyline Marine. Finishing in third place Rowan County Anglers Traydun Freeze and Austin Hayes had another good day weighing in a limit of 13.01 pounds. For their efforts, Freeze and Hayes headed home with the third-place plaques, Woods to Water cash ($100), and Water Wood custom crankbaits.
In finishing in fourth place, Jesse and Fisher Lancaster could manage only four fish, but they were the right ones as they totaled 12.07 pounds! The Lancaster Academy anglers were rewarded with the fourth places plaques and cash for their day’s catch. They also gained valuable points in the yearly points race. Rounding out the Top 5, the Focused Fishing team of Joah and Morgan Coley brought us a five fish limit weighing 11.08 pounds. They completed a great day for the Focused Fishing Team taking home the fifth-place plaques and cash for their efforts.
The Big Bass of the tournament was brought in by the Riley’s Catch Team of Braden Smith and Westyn Medlin. The big largemouth weighed in an impressive 6.70 pounds and won the team the Big Bass plaque and cash. The fish also anchored a sixth place finished for the team. Once 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, Deanna Garmon, Skyline Marine, Shimano Fishing, Water Wood Custom Baits, and Woods to Water Outdoor Company.