Membership is $35 per year and is made up of men and women who enjoy tournament style bass fishing in a fun, family style environment. The couples fish numerous tournaments during the year in order to be eligible for the annual championship. This year the championship had to be moved from Lake Limestone to Lake Belton due to the low water conditions on Limestone closing down the public launching ramps. Belton is also low but with much longer boat ramps accessibility is still good. Forty one teams were eligible to participate; all anxious to prove they would reign as the 2011 champions.
The City of Temple was able to help sponsor this event through the use of hotel and motel tax income. Friday night the TBC members were treated to a Texas style BBQ at the Mayborn Convention Center. Numerous awards were presented to sponsors and to the participants who made the championship. A raffle was also held with a chance to win two custom built fishing rods and reels. The proceeds were donated to regional volunteer fire departments and to the Fishing for Freedom Foundation. Dozens of door prizes were won by those attending and then teams were auctioned off in Calcutta style.
Saturday morning found the 41 teams at Cedar Ridge Park on Lake Belton waiting for safe daylight to have their starting position number called. The fishermen were met with temperatures in the 50’s and a beautiful sunrise. At 3:00 pm the teams gathered back at Sunset Pavilion in Cedar Ridge Park to weigh-in their fish. After the first day the team of Ronnie and Jeanne Wallace of San Angelo were leading the field with 5 fish weighing a total of 16.31 lbs. All total 32 of the teams weighed-in 73 bass with an aggregate weight of almost 150 lbs. The biggest bass of the weekend, a 5.37 lb largemouth, was caught by Harley and Teri Brigman from the southern region chapter.
Sunday morning found temperatures a little warmer in the mid to high 60’s, but still offered a gorgeous day of fishing, with the only issues being the low lake level creating hazards and the wind from the south making some areas of the lake difficult to fish. The weights of the two days are combined to determine the overall champions.
While waiting for the teams to arrive from their day of fishing, I had a chance to interview Brett and Jennifer Smith of New Braunfels, who are TBC South Central Directors. They found out about the couples trail when they were on their computer and Googled couples bass fishing. Jennifer said “I love doing things with Brett and we both enjoy fishing, but most of all I enjoy the fellowship of the other fishermen and the new friends that I have made. I use to only fish saltwater, where I always caught fish, but am enjoying the challenges of hooking the elusive black bass. Sometimes I’ll start to get a little bored, but then I get a strike and the excitement begins.” She recommends the couples trail to all who enjoy spending time together outdoors.The team of Ronnie and Jeanne Wallace continued to find fish and again took first place with 9.97 lbs giving them a two day total of 26.28 lbs. Second place was the team from Mount Vernon, Steven and Caitlyn Stroman, with a two day total of 20.81 lbs. Rounding out the top three teams was the local central Texas region team of Tom and Joann Flanary from Lorena with 15.37 lbs. All total 126 fish were brought to the scales for a total weight of over 350 lbs. The bass were released back into Lake Belton near Lake Belton Marina.
Tommy and Pam Busbee from May, Texas, near Brownwood, directors and founders of TBC, wish to thank area businesses and the entire community for the support they gave in making sure the tournament was a success. Since they rotate the lakes between regional clubs, it will be a few years before they are able to come back to Central Texas, but they will definitely be back to enjoy more Central Texas hospitality.
For information on joining Texas Bass Couples go to their website at www.texasbasscouples.com. Membership is open to men and women who wish to fish together as a team in the same boat.By: Rick Smith
