Following its seasonopening North Division fishing tournament on Lake Oconee last month, the Georgia Bass Trail was back on the waters of Lake Sinclair this past weekend at Dennis Station.
Fifty-two teams competed in the Lake Sinclair tournament with seven teams finishing in the money, led by Randy Jackson and Shae Smith, who placed first with 14.52 pounds of fish.
Edging out the duo of Blake Tomlin and Justin Foster by a less than an ounce meant an extra $1,500 for Jackson and Smith as first place paid $3,020 and second place $1,510. Smith also caught the tournament’s biggest fish, adding an extra $480 to his take.
The team of Kelvin and Casey Wilcox placed third ($954) by catching 13.43 pounds, while John Duvall and Jason Cheek finished fourth ($796) after reeling in 12.95 pounds.
The team of Brandon Cochran and Charles Vann was fifth with 12.67 pounds ($636); Lee Harper and David Koon finished sixth with 12.03 pounds ($558); while Todd Classon and Kevin Bortdorf placed seventh ($476) with 11.12 pounds.
The tournament also conducted three drawings for prizes, including a $100 cash prize, Georgia Bass Trail shirts, and bait from AG’s Backbone Baits.
Georgia Bass Trail will next host Wheels and Reels at Dennis Station on Lake Sinclair Dec. 10, a benefit tournament for Ron Bradley, who is wheelchair bound after being injured while on a call for the Leesburg Fire Department. Everyone is invited and anyone can fish.
North Division tournaments continue Jan. 28, 2023, at Lake Lanier (Laurel Park), on Clarks Hill Lake (Wildwood Park) on Feb. 18, Lake Lanier again on March 11, and back to Lake Oconee (Sugar Creek Marina), April 29-30, with the final tournament May 20, on Lake Hartwell.
South Division tournaments continue Jan. 14, at West Point Lake (Pyne Road), on Lake Seminole (Big Jim’s Marina) on Feb. 11, back to West Point (Shaefer Heard Park) on March 18, Lake Eufala (Lake Point Marina) on April 15-16, and May 6 on Lake Blackshear.
Also, the teams of Dale Blackwell and Britt Daniel, along with John Duvall and Jason Cheek from Georgia Bass Trail tournaments last year are fishing the Bass Championship Tournament at Lake Hartwell this week in hopes of earning berths in the Bass Master Classic.