Crappie USA Tournament held on Logan Martin Lake in Riverside

Logan Martin Lake played host to the first Crappie USA event of 2018 this past Saturday, February 17. Over 65 anglers from several states were competing for not only the $6,000 in cash and prizes but a chance to advance to the prestigious Cabala’s Crappie USA Classic.

The Classic event will be October 3 – 6, 2018 on Lake Cumberland at Somerset, Kentucky and will have a guaranteed payout of $125,000 in cash and prizes.

Pro Division Results

Saturday was a beautiful day to be fishing on Logan Martin Lake. Temperatures were in the mid 60’s with partly cloudy skies and, at times, challenging SW winds at 15 – 25 mph.

Forrest and Jacob Walker of Centerville, Georgia and Byron, Georgia took first place in the Pro Division with a total weight of 12.92 pounds and earning $1,400.00. The team fished Steer Creek and Riverside Landing areas in 6 feet of water, pulling Jiffy Jigs hair jigs in yellow tail color to catch over 100 fish for the day. The fish were moving in ready for spawn, due to the 59 degree water temperatures in the area. 

Steve Ferguson of Puryear, Tennessee and Frank Finley of Kirksey, Kentucky took second place with a total weight of 12.67 pounds and earned $600, plus an additional $250 Ranger Cup Bonus and $160 2nd place Big Fish of the event.  The team fished mid-lake just off the main river channel using Big T baits in dark colors on 16 foot Jenko rods to land their fish, which included 2nd place Big Fish weighing 2.26 pounds.      

Taking third place were Adam Mobbs and Carlton Teague, both of Gaylesville, Alabama weighing in at 11.76 pounds and earning $400, plus an additional $250 Talon Bonus.  The team long lined trolled in 4 – 16 feet of water using Big Bite Baits in blue/chartreuse and bubblegum colors to catch 25 – 30 fish for the event.    

Amateur Division Results

Frank Jackson and James Stewart, both of Warner Robins, Georgia took first place in the Amateur Division with a total weight of 12.1 pounds and earned $900. The team fished Arrowhead area long line trolling in 5 – 15 feet of water using Big Bite Baits in bubblegum and popsicle colors to land 55 fish for the day.      

Taking second place were Joe Partenza of Monticello, Georgia and Richard Malcolm of Covington, Georgia weighing in at 11.87 pounds and earning $500. The team fished Chocali and Big Lake area, shooting docks with Tadpole and Sugar Bug Jigs with slobber to catch over 80 fish for the day.        

Gary and Blake Kendrick of Pell City, Alabama and Hoover, Alabama took third place of the event weighing in at 11.09 pounds and earned $400, plus an additional $125 Ranger Cup Bonus. The team fished Problem Creek area long line trolling using Charlie Brewer Slider grubs in Funky Monkey color to land over 25 crappie and over 45 bass in various depths of water.    

In fourth place were Donald Hicken of Somerset, Kentucky and Chad Hill of Science Hill, Kentucky with a total weight of 11.02 pounds and earned $300.  The team fished the Chocalif area in 16 feet of water long line trolling and shooting docks using Monkey Milk and Live Bait color jigs to land over 100 fish for the event.      

Big Fish of the tournament was caught by Andy Adams and Braxton Davis of Logansville, Georgia, weighing in at 2.51 pounds and earning a check for $400. The team caught their fish in Blue Springs area, slow trolling jigs in chartreuse and blue colors in 4 feet of water.

“I want to thank the City of Riverside, Riverside Landing and Brian at America’s Best Motel for making the event possible on beautiful Lake Logan Martin”, said Darrell Van Vactor, Operations Manager for Crappie USA.

National Sponsors of Crappie USA are: Cabela’s, Ranger Boats, Mercury, Mustad, B ‘n’ M Poles, Humminbird Electronics, Gamma, Adventure Products EGO Nets, Minn Kota, J.R. Mad’s Madgic Fish Breading, Big Bite Baits, TTI-Blakemore Road Runner, Driftmaster Rod Holders, World Fishing Network-WFN, Cumberland Crappie Double Seat Mounts, Church Tackle Company, Charlie Brewer’s Slider Co., Crappie Now on-line Magazine, Talon Shallow Water Anchors, Humminbird/Lakemaster Maps, Sunsect Sunscreen & Insect Repellent, Digital EFX Wraps, Gill Rainwear, AWD Baits, Tentnology, Crappie Magnet, Jenko Fishing, Lake Cumberland Tourism, Extreme Bait Systems, Rigrap, and Bait 2 Go.

For more information about Crappie USA contact 502-384-5924 or check out their website at: www.crappieusa.com or the Crappie USA Tournament Trail Facebook Page. Both sites contain information on events along with special information for crappie anglers everywhere.