Starting on Friday night with the first of two Banquets provided for our Classic couples, all of the participating couples received a large heavy duty custom-made weigh bag with the C.A.S.T. logo silk screened on the side — a custom-made towel again with the C.A.S.T. logo silk screened on it — a lure from Lucky Craft Baits — hooks from Eagle Claw — enough crackers and snacks to hold them for two days of fishing from Kraft Foods and several bottles of water to wash it all down.
During the awards banquet on Friday night, our Top Six Couples in all 6regions were presented with individual plaques for their achievement in this year’s regional standing. In addition each regions “Team of the Year” and “Big Bass of the Year” winners received plaques for their outstanding accomplishments.
This tournament has developed a national reputation over the last 18 years as being the finest couples championship held each year and again this year it more than lived up to its reputation.
Without question, the highlight of the evening was the presentation of a fully rigged brand new 2003 Ranger 519 Boat with a brand new 200hp Mercury Outboard Motor. Mike Garner, owner of Diamond Sports Marine, one of the newest Ranger Boat Dealers in Texas, reached into a hat and pulled out the name of David & TeresaMeeks of Bandera, Texas. After they calmed down from jumping up and down and screaming, they were awarded the keys to a brand new 2003 RANGER 519 BOAT & MERCURY 200HP OUTBOARD MOTOR estimated retail valued of $35,700.00.
Just before sun rise on Saturday morning, we started the tournament with a trumpet solo of the Star Spangled Banner by Joe Schroder. The sound of the trumpet echoed off the hills and down the cove in the perfectly still morning air. I can not tell you how it made me feel, but only that I got chills over my entire body. I must have not been the only one that his playing affected for when I introduced Joe to the couples at our Saturday night banquet, they gave him a 5-minute standing ovation. And I must say he well deserved it.
As for the tournament, everyone told us that Lake Texoma fishingconditions were extremely tough right now and that we were going to bevery lucky to catch any fish at all. They were indeed correct with only 50% (77 teams) of our couples landing even a single fish. However, the best thing as the tournament director was that at the start of the 2nd day there were 22 couples with-in 4 pounds of first place. I don’t need to tell you how exciting that made the final weigh-in.The leaders after the first day were Mike and Cathy Cagle of Quinlan, Texas with just over 12 pounds. Most of their fish came from concentrating their fishing in one small area.
Saturday Night
At our banquet on Saturday night the food was again delicious and again catered by “Ms. Scarlet’s Catering of Haltom City, 817-831-6775”. And every single couple won a great door prize. We gave away everything that just anybody who fishes could possibly want. West Texas Twister Rods donated 10 certificates for their finest rods. George Thurston, owner of West Texas Twister Rods, was on hand to take the orders of the winning couples and will custom-make the rods to their personal preferences. Continental Batteries gave a dozen of their deep cycle batteries to some of our lucky couples. John & Grace Watts were there representing Academy Outdoor Stores and gave away over 50 different items that every fisherman would want. From several fine watches to rods to boxes full of baits. Many, many other fine companies donated to make this night a such a special event.
Two other extraordinary door prizes were given away on Saturday night.Luxor’s Jeweler of Bedford donated both a fabulous Diamond Ring and a gorgeous Diamond necklace.
On Sunday morning the conditions had changed from almost perfect to almost impossible. The winds had shifted from a mild southern breeze on Saturday to near gale force out of the north on Sunday. The temperature had dropped from 82 on Saturday to 49 degrees on Sunday morning. I do not know what the wind chill was, but I do know that I was very cold.
The very high winds on Sunday kept the Cagles from getting evenclose to the spot that they fished on Saturday, so they just scrambled and covered as much new water as possible. The gamble paid off very well as it was Mike & Cathy Cagle that once more brought in the largest bag of bass on Sunday. Again with a little over 12 pounds, they led the tournament from wire to wire.
Our Money Winners:
I cannot list all of the 25 money winners, but here is the Grand Prize Winner and the top 10 couples with their weights and prize money.
Grand Prize Winners were David & Teresa Meeks of Bandera, TX. They were awarded the keys to a brand new 2003 RANGER 519 BOAT & MERCURY 200HP OUTBOARD MOTOR with an estimated retail valued of $35,700.00.
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TOP TEN WINNERS
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