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The 18th
Annual
Georgia State Championship/Highland Marina Invitational Bass Fishing Tournament
also known as the "Tournament of Champions" was held on West Point Lake November
19th and 20th, 2005.
This year we had 312 teams from 8 States
who competed for over $75,000 in cash and prizes.
48 teams won cash awards. First place for this years event was raised to
$30,000!
The fishing was really tough this
year due to the changing weather and fishing patterns, but the team of
Dwayne Smith & Tim Malcolm from Americus, Ga came
out on top by staying consistent both days. They weighed in 13lb 8oz on
the first day (they were in 4th place) and came in on day 2 with 14lb 1oz helped
out by their 6lb 7oz big fish. They took home both the $30,000 first place
cash, but also the $1,560 day 2 big fish pot.
Husband & wife team of
Jeanne & Jimmy Millsaps from Canton Ga.
finished
second this year, they finished 10th last year and have been in the top 10
almost every year that they have fished. This weekend they weighed in a
two day total of 22lb 10oz and took home $8,500 for their efforts. I can
see a first place finish in their future.
James Beavers from Manchester Ga & 13 year old Trey
Eslinger from LaGrange Ga
took third and earned $5,000 for their two day five fish limit weighing 22lb
4oz. Trey caught 6+lb fish on day one and James caught a 5lb 6oz
fish on day 2 - once again consistency is the trick to staying on top in this
Tournament.
Fourth place went to
Vernon Wilkes from Carrollton Ga & Frank Worthy from
Austell Ga They earned $5,000 for their two day five fish limit that weighed in at
22lb 2oz. Fifth place went to the team of
Jim Windham from Bonaire Ga & Greg Barwick from Dublin Ga
who took home $3,000
with a two day total of 22lbs.
Eighth Place finishers
Joey Stanfield & Jeremy York both from Loganville Ga
took home the big fish pot of $1,560 for day 1 with their biggest fish of the
Tournament that weighed in at a nice 8lb 9oz bringing their total winnings to
$2,460. This year we added an
extra award, the envious "Guppy Award" for both
days. This award is for the smallest weight each day and each team gets
$100 for the achievement. This years awards went to the team of
Thomas Norris & Stephen Keeble on day 1 for an
impressive 14 ounce spotted bass. Day 2 winners
Sonny Benton & Stanley Adams culled a couple of fish and almost broke the
scales with an unbelievable 12 ounce spotted bass!
Thanks to all of the great fishermen & women who fished this
event this year and through-out the years. See everyone next year for
number 19.
Danny & Kris Ellrich, Mark Biagiotti, & the Staff of Highland Marina |
