Albemarle, NC
The 80 boats that showed up on Lake Tillery were greeted with another beautiful, clear day on our second stop of the 2023 spring season for the North Carolina BASS High School and Junior Series. The blast-off was moved to the main channel to start of tournament day. All of our anglers took off in search of big largemouth, spotted, and smallmouth bass which swim in this Yadkin River lake. We quickly received word that the fish were indeed biting first thing that morning.
Taking their first ever win in another close finish in our Junior Division (16 teams) were Gage Taylor and Levi Green from Davie County with four fish that weighed 5.70 pounds. Gage and Levi traveled back North with the 1st place plaques, Woods to Water cash ($200) and Skyline Marine/Shimano gift certificates. Finishing a close second was the Bandy’s Fishing Team of Tyler Nelson and Seth Harrell. They also had four fish and their catch weighed 5.46 pounds winning them $100 of Woods to Water cash, and Academy Gift Cards as well.
In the High School Division, the Anson Anglers duo of Lucas Gatewood and Mason Tarlton got their first ever win! They brought in an impressive bag of five fish that weighed 13.75 pounds. IN their 13 pound plus bag they also had the Big Bass of the tournament! The nice largemouth weigh in at 5.91 pounds. They took home the high school champions plaques, the Woods to Water cash prize ($300), Water Wood Custom Baits, and Shimano gift certificates from Skyline Marine plus the Big Bag plaque and Academy gift cards! Great catch guys!
Not too far behind in second place was the Rowan County team of Austin Hayes and Traydun Freeze with a five-fish limit weighing 12.50 pounds. Austin and T-man took home the second-place plaques, Woods to Water cash ($200) Water Wood Custom Baits, and a Shimano gift certificates from Skyline Marine. Finishing in third place were Emma Plonk and Bryson Hurt of North Lincoln. They brought in a limit weighing 11.92 pounds! For their nice catch, they received the third-place plaques, Woods to Water cash ($100), Academy gift cards, and Water Wood Custom Baits.
The Fuquay Varina team of Grady Stanley and Kieran Stephenson had boat trouble, but still managed to grab fourth place weighing in a five fish limit of 10.94 pounds. They received the fourth-place plaques and Academy gift cards. Rounding out the top five was the Davie High School team of Kason Stewart and Parker Davis with five fish weighing 10.37 pounds. Their top 5 finish landed them the 5th place plaques and Academy gift cards for their day. Places 6-10 also were rewarded with gift cards from Academy.
Finally, 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, Academy Outdoors, Skyline Marine, Shimano Fishing, Water Wood Custom Baits, and Woods to Water Outdoor Company.