The 2003 East Texas Team Circuit kicked off December 8, 2002 at Twin Dikes Marina, Lake Sam Rayburn. 254 teams braved cold temps in the 40’s warming to into the 60’s with mild winds to fish the first in a series of 5 tournaments for the 2003 season. It took 19.29 lbs to take top slot in this event which won a fully rigged Skeeter SX190 / Yamaha bass rig, just part of the more than $48,000 won in cash and prizes. Thirty places overall were paid plus three big bass places, all of which weighed in at over 8 lbs!
1st place – 19.29 lbs – Shelby Shaw of Huntsville, TX and Rusty Clark of Evadale, TX brought a five fish limit to the scales winning them the Skeeter / Yamaha bass rig. They also took first place big bass honors, weighing in their kicker fish at 8.54 lbs for an extra $1000. First place big bass check was sponsored by Kicker Fish Bait Co. This team caught all of their fish on Rat-L-Traps in a Bleeding Shiner color. Their best bite came early, having their initial limit by 9:00am. Fishing in about 10′ depths off of grassy points, they were able to cull a full limit to their final winning stringer.
2nd place – 18.36 lbs – Mike Michalec of Conroe, TX and Harold Stalcup of Hemphill, TX were using new crank baits by Rapala. This crank bait is called a DT-10, a David Fritz Series, and Red craw as well as Parrot color patterns proved to be this teams winning baits. They fished in coves along grass lines in 5-10′ of water and had their first limit by 8:30am. They were able to cull another full limit before weighing in. This team is sponsored by Falcon Rods and Shimano Reels.
3rd place – 17.86 lbs – Randy Hicks and Rick Skidmore, both of Lumberton, TX brought in their five fish limit and enjoyed an all day bite. Fishing above 147 bridge, they used _ oz chrome/blue Rat-L-Traps in 5-6′ grassy points. Their best bite came between 9:00am-1:00pm and rounded out their first limit by 9:30. This team had a little bit of a scare, when they went to leave their final spot their motor wouldnt start. Finally, with only 12 minutes left to get to the weigh in it started and they got there just in time.
4th place – 17.84 lbs – Stan Burgay and Lance Hughes of Center, TX caught their limit on Rat-L-Traps and DD-22’s in chrome and shad colors. Their best bite came before 9:00 am in 10-12′ grassy gut (drain) areas. This team is sponsored by Ranger Boats, Yamaha Motors and Travis Boating Center.
5th place – 17.84 lbs – Billy Hinds and Chip Robinson of Baton Rouge, LA fished creeks in 10-14′ depths for their catch. They used red crank baits and at 1:00 caught their 6.90 lb kicker fish. When asked if anything interesting happened today, Billy said “Well, I didnt fall out of the boat today like I did at Sealys Team Championship!”
A total of 733 bass were weighed in for a total tournament weight of 1735 lbs. With a mere 3 lbs difference between 1st and 10th places, these anglers were watching as 1/100ths of ounces meant the difference in hundreds of dollars in prize money.
1st – 19.29 lbs – Rusty Clark & Shelby Shaw
2nd – 18.36 lbs – Mike Michalec & Harold Stalcup
3rd – 17.86 lbs – Randy Hicks & Rick Skidmore
4th – 17.84 lbs – Stan Burgay & Lance Hughes
5th – 17.84 lbs – Billy Hinds & Chip Robinson
6th – 17.83 lbs – Craig Hall & Phillip Grooms
7th – 17.25 lbs – Ray Beck & Shane Hilton
8th – 17.19 lbs – David Ozio & Kevin Wing
9th – 17.09 lbs – David Wharton & Jimmy Olive
10th- 16.27 lbs – Bradley Stringer & Donald Stringer
Big Bass –
1st – 8.54 lbs – Rusty Clark & Shelby Shaw
2nd – 8.15 lbs – Sonny Glasco & Randy Michalec
3rd – 8.07 lbs – Ray Beck & Shane Hilton
For more information please contact Dave or Tricia Concienne at (409) 727-6608, www.bassnbucks.com or email at Tournaments@ BassNBucks.com
Sponsors Include: Skeeter / Yamaha – Kicker Fish Bait Co. – YUM – Rat L Trap – Minn Kota – Shimano – Silver Thread – Lowrance – Costa Del Mar – Dual Pro Charger – FishingWorld.com – Super 8 Motel – Check It Stik – McFerrin Insurance – BassMedics Rejuvenade – Catch N Cool Ice Blocks – Bait Fresh Bait Tank Treatment – Anns Tackle Shop – Need More Tackle – Rayburn Tackle – Piney Point Plaza – Holiday Inn Express – Toledo Town & Tackle – Bomber – Rebel – Heddon – Smithwick
