Peter Thliveros, also known as Peter “T,” won the Jan. 17-19 Bassmaster Southern Open at the St. Johns River, Palatka, Fla.
His three-day catch of 55-03, bolstered by a 26-pound haul during the final round, paid $50,657.
Many North Carolinians met the St. Augustine, Fla., pro at the January 4 Bass & Saltwater Fishing Expo at Greensboro where he was a seminar speaker and talked about the modified Carolina rig with Zoom plastics he uses in conjunction with an ultra-slow retrieve to catch fish, the same technique he employed to win the Southern Open.
Other Tar Heels met Thliveros at the January 12 open house at David Fritts Outdoors at Lexington which attracted a large gathering of fishing fans who were also greeted by Forrest Wood, founder of Ranger boats.
Wood distributed autographed photos of himself while Thliveros and other pros, including David Fritts, David Wright, David Dudley, Joel Richardson, Maurice Freeze, and Robbie Walser, autographed fishing caps for young fishermen.
Clinton’s Felton Jackson placed 29th at the Southern Open with 19-04 and banked $1,520.
John Strider of Monroe ranked third among the non-boaters with a three-day catch of 22-12 and received $4,503.
Non-boater Mark Cole of Rocky Mount finished 24th with 9-06 and won $507.
Christian Johnson of Iron Station won the Balls Creek Junior Bassmaster tournament at Mountain Island Lake with 6.24 pounds. His catch was anchored by the big fish of the day, a 2.30-pound bass.
Robbie Helms of Mt. Holly placed second with 3.65 pounds, and Tyler Hoopaugh of Shelby finished third.
Freezing temperatures, icy roads and ramps, and patches of snow forced several tournament postponements Jan. 19-20.
The National Bass Circuit Norman Winter Sport Series tournament at Lake Norman and the North Carolina Crappie Tournaments event at Badin Lake, both set for Jan. 19, were postponed and rescheduled at later dates.
The Norman Winter Team Bass Championship trail canceled its Jan. 20 tournament at Lake Norman, and the New Piedmont Team Tournament trail postponed its Jan. 20 event at Badin Lake.
Both events will be held at later dates.
BASS TOURNAMENTS
National Bass Circuit Winter Norman Sport Series
Lake Norman, Dec. 22
1. Jody Wright of Ellenboro and James Dyer of Shelby, 17.44, $431; 2. Donald and Kevin Stanley of Newton, 14.19, $153.
Big fish: Wright and Dyer with a 4.21-pound bass worth $56.
Lake Norman, Jan. 5
1. Andy Montgomery of Blacksburg, S.C., and Louie Hull of Caesar, 13.26, $625; 2. Jeff Gordon of Lexington and Scott Shannon of Advance, 11.90, $350; 3. Donald and Kevin Stanley of Newton, 11.72, $230; 4. David Snyder of Concord and Ed Markham of Statesville, 11.50, $177.
Big Fish: Montgomery and Hull with a 6.54-pound bass worth $133.
Norman Winter Team Bass Championship
Lake Norman, Dec. 22
1. Jody Wright of Ellenboro and James Dyer of Shelby, 17.25, $1,300; 2. Donald and Kevin Stanley of Newton, 14.25, $700; 3. Tony Shook of Claremont and Michael Fox of Statesville, 13.20, $380; 4. Randy Tatu and David Bowers, 12.80, $295; 5. Nathan White of Shelby and Chad Taylor, 12.15, $205; 6. Mike Lovelace of Advance and Al March, 12.00, $185; 7. Ken Hoyle and Tommy Thomas, 11.85, $120; 8. Grant McPeters and Donnie Woody of Marion, 11.65, $115; 9. Vince and Mike Parker, 11.10, $95; 10. Chris Curtis of Concord and Roy Winkler of Charlotte, 11.05, $85;.
Big fish: Patrick Tierney and Shorty Vaow with a 4.70-pound bass worth $850.
Lake Norman, Dec. 29
1. Donald and Kevin Stanley of Newton, 12.65, $1,360; 2. Dave Stevens of Sherrills Ford and Mark Henderson of Lincolnton, 12.35, $735; 3. Jody Wright of Ellenboro and James Dyer of Shelby, 12.25, $415; 4. Gary Michaud and Doc McDaniel, 11.15, $330; 5. Dylan Flowe and Micah Gibson of Charlotte, 10.70, $230; 6. Kelly Logan of Morganton and Brad Lambert, 10.60, $205; 7. Jason DeHart and Lee Hoyle, 10.10, $140; Grant McPeters and Donnie Woody of Marion, 9.90, $135; Nathan White of Shelby and Chad Taylor, 9.75, $150; 10. Jarrett and Gary Freeze, 9.75, $95.
Big fish: Chuck and Bruce Camp with a 4.10-pound bass worth $920.
Lake Norman, Dec. 30
1. Jim Duncan and Wes Brown, 16.25, and big fish with a 5.65-pound bass, $1,535; 2. James Dyer of Shelby and Donald Fortenberry of Lawndale, 14.00, $455; 3. Nathan White of Shelby and T. J. Harris of Charlotte, 11.50, $245; 4. Kelly Bumgarner and Billy Wooten, 10.90, $175; 5. Brian Travis and Ashley Brotherton, 10.60, $155; 6. Craig Chambers and Keith Ogden, 120.40, $110; Chuck and Junior Price, 10.30, $75.
Lake Norman, Jan. 6
1. James Dyer of Shelby and David Fortenberry of Lawndale, 12.80, and big fish with a 5.55-pound bass, $1,950; 2. Gary Michaud and Doc McDaniel, 10.85, $600; 3. Mark Guinn and Mike Calhoun, 10.30, $300; 4. Jerry Bono and Chris Brown of Lexington, 10.05, $275; 5. Jason Wilson and Jamie McSwain, 9.70, $215; 6. Jerry Goble and Jim Witherspoon, 9.60, $195; 7. Jason and Chuck Price, 9.50, $130; 8. Brian Travis and Ashley Brotherton, 9.30, $125; 9. Rodney Adams and Ray Gilleland, 9.05, $105.
Lake Norman, Jan. 12
1. Steve Austin and Gene Monroe of Belmont, 12.45, $1,300; 2. Kevin Toler and Rodney Lambert of Statesville, 11.55, $700; 3. Roger Pope of Statesville and Nathan Webber, 10.95, $380; 4. David Hildebran, 10.80, $295; 5. Bryan Thrift and Hank Cherry, 10.70, $205; 6. Kelly Logan of Morganton and Brad Lambert, 10.50, $185; 7. Jacob Cooke and Jason Kester, 10.50, $120; 8. Kelly Yoah and Dennis Hensley, 10.30, $115; 9. Matt Haywood and Billy Dumas, 10.25, $95; 10. Rob Digh and Louie Hull, 10.00, $85.
Big fish: Gerald Smith of Maiden and Michael Smith with a 4.85-pound bass worth $860.
CATFISH TOURNAMENTS
N.C. Catfish Association Tournament Series
Lake Norman, Jan. 12
1. Joe Montaigne of Statesville and Trent Upright of Iredell County, 69.95, $550; 2. Shane Reel of Iron Station and Mac Byrum of Denver, 67.40, $300; 3. Chris and Jim Fraley of Mt. Holly, 62.15, $170; 4. Tony Holler Jr. and Tony Holler Sr.of Hickory tied Omar Edwards and Tracy Setzer of Claremont, with each team receiving $50.
Big fish: Montaigne and Upright with a 37.85-pound blue catfish worth $160.
STRIPED BASS TOURNAMENTS
Tarheel Striper Club
High Rock Lake, Jan. 12
1. Jerry Hill of High Rock Lake, 12.10, and big fish, $503 & trophy; 2. Johnny Young of Southmont, 10.75, cash & trophy.
SCHEDULES
Fishers of Men (already in progress)
Contact: www.fompiedmont.com
N.C. Piedmont Division
Feb. 23 at Belews Creek, March 22 at Lake Wylie, April 19 at Lake Norman, May 17 at High Rock, May 26 at High Rock (Open).
N.C. Foothills Division
March 15 at Wylie, April 19 at Hickory, May 17 at Lake James, June 21 at Lake Norman, July 19 at Badin Lake.
N.C. Central Division
March 1 Shearon Harris, March 29 at Jordan Lake, April 19 at Kerr Lake, May 17 at Lake Gaston, June 7 at Falls of the Neuse.
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