The Fishers Of Men National Tournament Trail is pleased to announce that the final stop along the 2004 Regional Championship Series will be held on Lake Wheeler. At 67,100 acres Wheeler is the largest of the three lakes that are located in Northern Alabama within the expansive Tennessee River Valley. I read that Wheeler was ranked #1 for fishing waters during the last ten years in Alabama. With deep drops, flats, many tributaries, and an abundant supply of milfoil 1, this lake should be the best of the five waters chosen for our 2004 Region Championship series, the Fishers Of Men South East Region Championship.
We will be launching out of; and having our weigh-ins at the River Walk Marina, on Hwy 31 North, near the Hudson Bridge, in Decatur AL. An invasion force of 400 competitors or more, including many family members, will begin to arrive on Nov. 2nd in their quest to earn a share of the total purse worth over $36,800.00 in prizes and cash awards.
To earn a spot to the South Central Regional Championship Tournament, anglers from the North Louisiana and South Louisiana Divisions; North Mississippi, Central Mississippi, and South Mississippi Divisions; the Oklahoma Division; Texas Central, Texas North Central, Texas East, and Texas Northeast Divisions, had to battle their way to the top 25 of their respective divisions through five qualifying events, by earning points. Points are awarded to the competitors according to how they place in the tournaments. Anglers also are awarded 50 extra points for attending our “special and unique” Friday-night meetings.
After the off limits period beginning Oct. 27th through Nov.2nd, the teams will begin two days of practice on November 3rd. The official days of tournament competition are November 5th and 6th, culminating in the substantial payout to top finishers. The first place team will earn a fully rigged, Triton TR-185, powered by a Mercury 150 hp XR6. These two manufacturers are among the top leaders in the boating industry.
Tournament anglers will blast off from the River Walk Marina, on Hwy 31 North, at the Hudson Bridge Pool, at safe light, in search of the huge Largemouths, Spots, and Smallmouths that are infamous to these waters. The daily weigh-ins will begin at 3:00 pm on Friday and Saturday. We hope to have a huge turnout in support of the Fishers Of Men and this exciting portion of our event.
The top seven finishers, by weight, in this event, along with the highest finisher from each division, and all “Division Points Champions” will earn a berth to the No Entry Fee National Championship, to be held May 9th thru May 14th, 2005, on Kentucky Lake, Paducah, KY, where they will compete for nearly $60,000.00 in cash and prizes that includes a fully rigged Triton TR-20 with a Mercury 200hp motor.
We want to express our deepest appreciation to Pam Swanner, Executive Director, and Kay Smallwood, Special Events Director, for the Decatur/Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau (719 6th Ave., SE, Decatur, AL ph. 256-350-2028), for sponsoring our event. We also would like to thank Steve Conner (256-340-9170) of the Riverwalk Marina at the Hudson Bridge on Hwy 31 North. Thanks, also, goes out to The First Baptist Church of Decatur for hosting pre-tournament meeting. Although anglers are required to be in attendance at 5:15 pm, we encourage and invite the public to attend our meeting that starts at 7:00 pm.
Last of all, we don’t want to forget Donna Oliver of the Holiday Inn at, 1101 6th Ave., in Decatur (256-355-3150), and Tami Reist at Country Inn and Suites (256-355-6800), also located in Decatur at 807 Bank St., NE, for giving us special room rates.
We owe our utmost loyalty to our fine national sponsors: Without them, the Fishers Of Men would not be possible. Many thanks to: Earl Bentz @ Triton Boats, Mercury, Strike King Lure Co., Spike-It Bait Co., Marshallâs Marine, V&M, Kistler Custom Fishing Rods, Castrol, Jones Chevrolet, Motor Guide, Solar Bat, Sufix Fishing Line, Stanley Jigs, Deka Marine Master Batteries, Lowrance, Bass Pro Shops, Jacob’s Glass, Bass Rx, Keep Alive Oxygen Infusor, The Original Fish Formula, and FishingWorld.comBy: Frank Evans, Senior Staff Writer
