Big flathead anchors win

Barger, Miller wipe out NCCATS field

At about 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 26, Justin Barger of Hickory and Brandon Miller of Salisbury brightened the night sky by dragging a 46.9-pound yellow-hued flathead catfish into their boat from High Rock Lake.

The huge fish anchored a three-fish catch of 122 pounds to give the two anglers the win at the N.C. Catfish Association Tournament Series (NCCATS) night-time event.

Barger and Miller received $340 for first place, $440 for the side pot, and $230 for the big fish of the evening. They took the big cats from rip-rap banks in eight feet of water with Carolina-rigged live bream.

Steve Cutting and Kolt Whitley, both of Lexington, and Max Newell of Greensboro took the second-place prize of $330 with a 3-fish catch totaling 95.9 pounds that included a 35.6-pound flathead.

The Southmont team of Mike Kearns and Scott Briggs had 86.4 pounds for third place, winning $100. Dennis Leonard of Harrisburg and Chris Fraley of Mount Holly placed fourth with 81.5 pounds, collecting $50.

Queens win CATT Classic at Kerr

Mike and Josh Queen of Lincolnton combined an opening-round catch of 15.09 pounds with a closing catch of 12.84 pounds to win at the May 18-19 CATT Classic on Kerr Lake.

Their two-day total of 27.94, worth $13,056, edged out the second-place catch of 27.78 pounds brought in by Robert Walser of Lexington and Mack Lowe of Indian Trail who had 13.56 and 14.22 pounds, good enough for $4,885.

The title was up for grabs Sunday after Tony Woodard of Four Oaks and Scott Smith of Apex, who lead after the first day with 16.61 pounds, brought only 5.6 to the scales to fall to 45th place and out of the money.

Because big fish were hard to find, very little weight separated the top five teams, which all had more than 27 pounds.

Paul Rigsbee of Timberlake and Ryan Rigsbee of Apex placed third with 27.44 pounds for $2,000; Robin Collins of Rockingham and Ronnie White placed fourth with 27.13 pounds for $1,500; and Pat Tierney of Denver and Maurice Freeze of Concord took fifth with 27.07 pounds for $1,200.

Smiths ‘bushwhack’ field at High Rock

While most teams got bushwhacked in the buttonwood bushes at the May 11 Yadkin Team Tournament at High Rock Lake, Sam and Michael Smith of Lexington probed the vegetation for 19.21 pounds to take the first-place prize of $386.

The two anglers flipped the bushes in the “One Bush” area off the main lake with using Zoom Brush Hog plastics. They caught 12 keepers and culled to the five-fish limit.

“The fish were tight to the bushes,” Sam Smith said. “You had to fish slowly and toss the lure into the middle of the bush to get the fish to hit. A couple of fish came from the roots of trees.”

The Lexington team of Shane Floyd and Tony Garitta placed second with a 5-fish limit totaling 15.26 pounds. Their catch was anchored with a 6.44-pound bass, the big fish of the day, that struck a Zoom pumpkin-colored lizard tossed in a bush in Flat Swamp Creek. Floyd and Garitta received $200 for second place and $71.50 for big fish.

Tom File and Thomas Ludwick, both of Salisbury, finished third with 15.18 pounds and collected $85.

OTHER TournamentS

BASS TOURNAMENTS

CATT Yadkin Division

Tuckertown Lake, May 25

1. Bob Jennett (Kernersville)-Derek Crumbley (High Point), 24.40, $1,010; 2. David Wright-Chris Brown (Lexington), 20.95, $330; 3. Scott Threadgill (Troy)-Jason Threadgill (Norwood), 20.55, $288; 4. Jack Vanderford-Phillip Hedrick (Salisbury), 19.85, and big fish, 7.15,, $292; 5. Wayne Lawson-Dale Hege (Ramseur), 19.05, $100.

Bassmaster Weekend Series N.C. Division 5,

Kerr Lake, May 25

1. Rob Digh (Denver), 14.18, $1,656; 3. Mike Miller (Archdale), 13.08, $828; 4. Robert Stump L. Morrison Jr. (Winston-Salem), 11.95, $386; 5. Scott Hamrick (Denver), 11.74, $331. Big fish: Kent Goat Medlin (Jacksonville), 4.50-pound bass, $135. Co-anglers: 1. Leo Gizzard (Middlesex), 6.40, $766; 2. Robert Wells (Kill Devil Hills), 6.30, $383; Robert Vaow (Cornelius), 6.04, $255; 4. Michael Jessup (King), 5.61, $179; 5. Jeremy Bogard (Wilkesboro), 5.54, $153. Big fish: Shane Sharpe (Charlotte), 3.50-pound bass, $63.

Fishers of Men Legacy Tournament N.C. Central Division

Falls Lake, May 25

1. Ron Duffy-Matt Johnson, 15.40, and big fish, 5.54 pounds, $413; 2. Keith-Alden Patterson, 13.29, $190; 3. Lonnie-Justin Whitfield, 12.78, $142; 4. Brian-Wade Ellis, 11.75, $114; 5. Joey-Emily Davis, 9.43, $95; 6. Richard-Andy Vaughn, 9.39, $76.

Carolinas Bass Challenge

Lake Hickory, May 11

1. Cliff Kirby (Catawba)-Rick Dunstan (Pinehurst), 25.12, $9,000; 2. Todd Walters (Kernersville)-Jason Threadgill (Albemarle), 24.33, $4,000; 3. Mitchell Cook (Drexel)-Mark Kitchens (Aiken), 24.18, $2,350; 4. Eric Jeter (Asheville)-Darren Jeter (Marshall), 24.16, $1,550; 5. Wyatt Blevins (Pulaska, Va.)-Greg Osborne, 23.84, $1,050; 6. Steve Addington (Dallas)-Scott Beattie (Lincolnton), 23.83, $825; 7. Brian Morgan (Newton)-Ramon Stockham (Greensboro), 23.48, $600; 8. Kelly Logan (Morganton)-Jason Wilson (Bessemer City), 23.03, $550; 9. Pat Tierney (Denver)-Maurice Freeze (Concord), 22.83, $500; 10. Darrell Fisher-William Gregory, 22.49, $460. Big fish: Chris Guest-Nathan White (Shelby), 7.15 pounds, $1,000.

BASS Southern Open

Logan Martin Lake (Ala.), May 16-18

1. David Kilgore (Jasper, Ala.), 46-8, $47,247; 8. Hank Cherry (Maiden), 36-2, $5,576; 10. Alvin Shaw (Roaring Gap), 31-7, $3,827.

CBS Quality Cars Mini Trail

Shearon Harris Lake, May 18

1. Jaime Fajardo-Scott Woodson (Fuquay-Varina), 20.18, $756; 2. Tim Goad-Butch Williams (Pittsboro), 15.58, $462; 3. Bryce McClenney (Raleigh)-Michael Christie (Fuquay-Varina), 12.55, $336; 4. Mike Eggers-Mark Willis (Garner), 11.99, $252; 5. Hal Abshire (Cameron)-Ethan Cox (West End), 11.65, $189; 6. Calvin McCaskill-Aaron Faircloth (Thomasville), 11.21, $105. Big fish: Fajardo-Woodson, 7.12 pounds, $196.

FLW Tour

Lake Eufaula (Ala.), May 16-19

1. Randy Hanes (Counce, Tenn.), 73-1, $125,000; Bryan Thrift (Shelby), 62-1, $35,000; 9. David Fritts (Lexington), 51-2, $14,000; 24. Matt Arey (Shelby), 27-5, $11,500; 47. Wayne Hauser (Mooresville), 23-6, $10,000; 62. Brent Long (Cornelius), 21-13, $4,000. Co-anglers: 1. Bryan New (Belmont), 27-7, $20,000; 8. Justin Jones (Apex), 18-2, $1,800.

Carolina Coach & Marine Monday Night Trail

Lake Norman, May 20

1. Jonathan Foster-Jason Dehart, 14.60, $480; 2. Scott Hamrick-Chuck Poovey (Denver), 13.85, and big fish, $560; 3. Michael Hobbs-David Clubb (Mooresville), 13.35, $160.

Adam & Eve Trail

Tuckertown Lake, May 11

1. Robert-Leigh Parrish (Albemarle), 22-5, $225; 2. Ron-Carmen Nelson (Sophia), 17-1, $135; 3. Mark-Audrey Bayse (Thomasville), 13-2, $90. Big fish: Roy-April Barrow, 5-15, $90.

Boats Unlimited Team Bass Trail

Jordan Lake, May 11

1. Randy Fisher (Hillsborough)-Donnie Lowe (Mebane), 16.52, $2,030; 2. Billy Bledsoe-Brian McDonald (Fayetteville), 15.83, $590; 3. Curtis Vaughn (Rougemont)-Charles Vaughn (Timberlake), 14.75, $510; 4. Bubba Haywood (Roxboro)-Steve Goodwin (Durham), 12.05, $430; 5. William Small (Wake Forest)-Lee Williams (Durham), 11.52, $350; 6.Mike Miller (Pittsboro)-Vladimir Tirado (Raleigh) tied Mark Herndon (Bahama)-Jay Garrard (Durham), 10.19, $250 each team; 8. Vinston Nettles (Pittsboro)-Jimmie Spencer (Asheboro), 9.99, $200; 9. Ean Davis-Matt Czerepak (Southern Pines), 9.96, $150. Big fish: Bledsoe-McDonald, 6.00 pounds, $630.

Carolina Coach & Marine Monday Night Trail

Lake Norman, May 13

1. Scott-Dwight Beattie (Lincolnton), 13.55, $500; 2. Alfred Kiesling (Mooresville)-Roger Griffin (Statesville), 12.95, $280; 3. Mack Lowe (Indian Trail)-Kyle Whisnant (Charlotte), 12.55, $180; 4. Aaron Miles-Buck Morgan, 12.10, $120, and big fish, $270.

Fisher of Men Central Division

Falls Lake, May 11

1. Joel Lloyd (Chapel Hill)-Hunter Campbell, 20.77, plus big fish, 7.01 pounds, $1,618; 2. Ricky Bridges-Anthony Liles (Youngsville), 20.01, $687; 3. Steve Upchurch (Raleigh)-Jeff Hodges, 19.99, $675; 4. Jason Suggs (Fayetteville)-Calton Hall (Stedman), 17.22, $677; 5. Phillip Eakes (Bahama)-Dan Glosson (Rougemont), 16.46, $486; 6. Chris Inscoe (Clayton)-Mark Antonelli, 15.82, $221; 7. Todd Durham-Todd Rich, 15.67, $354; 8. David Reynolds-Stephen Reynolds, 15.64, $157.

FOM Legacy Piedmont Division

High Rock Lake, May 11

1. Shane Davis-Trey Cooke, 10.90, and big fish, 5.55 pounds, $497.50; 2. Allen Snyder-Jason Odell, 6.12, $242.50; 3. Thomas-Hayden Simmerson, 5.36, $171; 4. Hunter-Heath Moore, 4.84, $84.

Hospice of Stanly County Charity Tournament

Badin Lake, May 11

1. Anthony-Aaron Brooks (Albemarle), 21.84, $1,000; 2. Buzz Dunlap (Mt. Gilead)-Pete Morris (Troy), 21.40, $800; 3. Dustin Horne-Cale Helms, 19.29, $600; 4. Russell Edwards, 18.38, $400; 5. James Gill-Jeff Coley, 18.22, and big fish, 6.33 pounds, $300; Terry-Allen James (Wadesboro), 17.97, $200; Theo Hagerman-Jim Marsh, 17.85, $150; 8. Mark Tarlton-Tim Cauthen, 17.49, $125.

Carolina Anglers Team Trail, Old North Division

Jordan Lake, April 27

1.William Blanton (Fayetteville)-Steve Belch, 20.39, $920; 2. Brad McLaurin-Mike Marchant, 16.51, $485; 3. Chad Craven (Raleigh)-Ben Cannon (Apex), 16.38, $210; 4. Brian-Chris Turbyfill (Whitsett), 16.28, $110; 5. Ronnie Hatem-Brian West (Fayetteville), 14.77, $100. Big fish: Scott Mooneyham (Fayetteville)-Curtis Bourne (Durham), 5.12 pounds, $182.

CATT, Old North Division

Kerr Lake, May 5

1. Stump Bledsoe (Hope Mills)-Glenn Elliot (Fayetteville), 15.41, $2,099; 2. Howard Bohannon (Durham)-Justin Bohannon, 15.24, $1,000; 3. Powell Kemp-Michael Chlomoudis (Murfreesboro), 15.00, $480; 4. Jamey Way (Tarboro)-Jeff Little, 14.84, $330; 5. Mike Layton-Scooter Lilly, 14.67, $220; 6. Andrew Smith-Lee Williams, 14.61, $170; 7. Chad Craven (Raleigh)-Tommy Farley (Colonial Heights, Va.), 14.16, $130; Larry Steven-Brian Grady, 13.58, $120; 9. Scott Mooneyham (Fayetteville), 13.58, $110; 10. Dennie Gilber-Russell Nicewander (Bluefield, WV), 13.38, $100; 11. Bill Burton-Eddie Glascock, 12.81, $80. Big fish: Steve Gardner-Chuck Bolton (West End), 5.15 pounds, $392.

CATT Yadkin Division

High Rock Lake, May 5

1.Tony Waterhouse (Lexington)-Justin Goodyear (Thomasville), 22.35, $950; 2. Chad Poteat (Mt. Airy)-Mike Miller (Trinity), 20.21, $330; 3. Jackie Reilly (China Grove)-Butch Drew, 18.05, $210; 4. Kevin Chandler (New London)-Clay Williams, 17.95, and big fish, 6.05 pounds, $292; 5. Jack Vanderford-Phillip Hendrick (Salisbury), 17.95, $100.

Fishers of Men, Piedmont Division

Badin Lake, May 4

1. Robert Mixon (Lexington)-Robert Lambert (Denton), 22.6 pounds, $1,794; 2. MIke Simpson (Fayetteville)-James Ogle (W-S), 19.97, $634; 3. Nick Mann (High Point)-Michael Bryant (Thomasville), 19.17, plus 6.48-pound big fish, $646; 4. David Snyder (Concord)-Briant O’Daniel (Kannapolis), 19.14, $486; 5. Anthony Brooks (Albemarle)-Dwayne Saunders (Troy), 19.06, $358.

BASS Elite Series

West Point Lake, La Grange, Ga., May 2-5

1. Skeet Reese (Auburn, Calif.), 46-6, $100,000; 4. Hank Cherry (Maiden), 41-2, $15,000.

Triangle Team Bass Spring Mini Trail

Falls Lake, May 4

1. Jesse Wise (Erwin)-Terry Hobbs (McGee’s Crossroads), 27.39, $975; 2. Jerry Woodard (Pikeville)-Tommy Dailey (Seven Springs), 21.61, and big fish, 7.18-pound bass, $810; 3. James Poirrier (Broadway)-Richard Sczerbala (New Hill), 19.81, $415; 4. Tim Penhollow (Mebane)-Greg Cima (Raleigh), 19.56, $330; 5. Billy Bledsoe -Brian MacDonald (Fayetteville), 19.52, $250; 6. David-Bobby Matthews (Durham), 19.25, $210; 7. Ron-Sara White (West End), 17.68, $180; 8. Michael-Steve Hatley (Chapel Hill), 16.69, $110.

Carolina Coach & Marine Monday Night Trail

Lake Norman, May 6

1. Cliff Kirby (Catawba)-Eddie Black, 17.00, $710; 2. Mac Lowe (Indian Trail)-Kyle Whisnant (Charlotte), 15.40, $260; 3. Scott-Dwight Beattie (Lincolnton), 11.65, $180.

STRIPED BASS TOURNAMENTS

Tarheel Striper Club

Lake Gaston, May11

1. Steve-Tammy Shoe, 17.5, and big fish, 6.45 pounds; 2. Robert Moss (Trinity)-Robert Steele (Lexington), 16.3; 3. David Wilburn-Mark Unrue (Asheboro)-Ronnie Cook, 8.95; 4. Coy Hamilton (Lexington), 5.0; 5. Kevin Buskirk (Madison)-Bobby Johnson, 3.3.