The inaugural Pickwick Lake Catch-A-Dream Team Challenge, held at Pickwick Landing State Park near Counce, TN, was an overwhelming success. Net proceed to the Catch-A-Dream Foundation is $8,000.
“We wanted to create a tournament that was different, and could become a signature event on this part of Pickwick Lake,” said Shane Cox, owner of Hammer Rods, one of two Presenting Sponsors. “And it certainly appears that we are off to a great start.”
Tony Browning, of B&H Outdoors, the other Presenting Sponsor, said “The Team format seemed like a good idea, and Pickwick anglers embraced the concept. We were pleased to partner with the Catch-A-Dream Foundation, whose mission and values are right in line with those of our community of fishermen. It is a perfect fit.”
The tournament featured a 2-Boat, 4-person format, with anglers competing for $15,000 in cash prizes. Twenty-nine teams entered, and 27 of those teams weighed in with 8-fish limits. Anglers brought in 223 bass, totaling 757.1 pounds. Top prize of $8,000 was claimed by the team of Andy Houpt/Mitch Harrison and Curt Brown/Carry Clark with a weight of 40.40 lbs. This team also had the lunker bass at 8.40 lbs. and each team member won a unique custom Hammer Rod issued exclusively for this tournament.
One interesting sidebar was the “Three Angels” Award, graciously provided by the Whitten family of Germantown, TN in the amount of $500. The gift was designated to the angler catching the largest smallmouth of the tournament weighing 6 lbs or more, with the stipulation that if no smallmouth weighing at least 6 lbs was caught, the $500 would go to Catch-A-Dream. Amazingly, the first fish weighed in was a smallmouth of exactly 6.0 lbs, caught by the team of Jason Foster/Brice Cohea and Brian Cissom/Jeffrey Moore.
Tournament coordinator Sandie Cox said it well, once the bottom line figures were determined; “Absolutely wonderful! I’m beyond thrilled with this figure for a first year tournament. A lot of people worked very hard to make this event a success, and we are grateful for the support from donors, sponsors and volunteers.” The Friday night registration banquet, auction and program was also a highlight, and set the tone for the entire weekend. “We appreciate First Baptist, Counce for the hospitality and use of their multi-purpose building for the banquet; the tournament could not have been as successful without their help,” Cox said.
Plans are already underway for the 2nd Annual Pickwick Lake Catch-A-Dream Team Challenge and, after fully assessing this first effort in the near future, the Committee will announce date and details for the 2014 tournament. For full tournament results, or to learn more about Catch-A-Dream, visit the web page at www.catchadream.org.
