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BIG BASS TOURNAMENT
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| Date: | | September 6, 2009 |
| Tournament: | | Anchor Marine Big Bass 2009 |
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| Johnny Harris, Victoria TX , Wins 3rd Annual Anchor Marine Big Bass on Choke Canyon with a 12.28 tops record field of 275 |
| By: Bass Champs Staff |
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The Third Annual Anchor Marine Big Bass Round-up on Choke Canyon is now in the books. A record 275 anglers made their first cast at 6:30 AM this past Sunday, September 6th on Choke Canyon with one thing on their mind, Big Bass! This event, sponsored by Anchor Marine of San Antonio, Texas featured hourly big bass paybacks, and a new Skeeter SX 190 with a Yamaha VMAX 150 and Minn Kota trolling motor for the overall heaviest fish of the day valued over $30,000.
Choke Canyon has developed a reputation over the past few years as having giant bass and lots of them. The lake has given up multiple record setting five fish bags during Bass Champs team events with several sacks weighing over 40 lbs and one weighing 44.98 lbs.. Choke Canyon also set new records this past season with two fish weighing over 15 pounds being weighed in. So, expectations were high as everyone anticipated someone bringing in a huge fish. But, with low lake levels and recent fronts passing through, it was anyone's guess as to what might be brought in.
The first hour started off the day with a bang. Johnny Harris of Victoria, TX brought in a 12.28 lb largemouth and set the mark for everyone to chase.
Each hour more and more fish came in. The average winning weight was well over nine pounds but as each hour passed, Johnny Harris grew more and more nervous. Mr. Harris stated, "I tried to go back out and fish, but it is very difficult to fish when your hands are shaking. It was one of the longest days of my life, I couldn't wait for the final hour to be over."
When the final weigh in was over, it was official, Johnny Harris had won the event with his 12.28. At the final award ceremony Mr. Harris was asked to walk everyone through catching the fish. "I started fishing a rocky point pretty close to the weigh in area with a lipless crankbait. I was fishing in about 12-15 feet of water. I caught the fish at about 6:45, only 15 minutes after the official start time. It was still dark outside. I knew it was a big one, and thought I would probably earn a check, but I had no idea I would win the boat." Mr. Harris continued, "I don't currently own a boat but my friend let me borrow his to fish this weekend. So, winning this new Skeeter is a dream come true. This is a really fun event. I’d like to thank Anchor Marine and Bass Champs for putting this event on. I still can't believe I won."
After the awards ceremony, a drawing was held from the over 150 anglers that took a Skeeter Demo Ride on Saturday. One card was pulled out of the box, and T.J. Lackey of Center Point , TX was announced as the winner of the $1500 Cash Prize.
As the tournament wrapped up, Tony Alvarez, the owner of Anchor Marine, thanked all of the anglers for coming out and participating in the third annual event and welcomed everyone back for an even better event next year.
Special thanks to the Choke Canyon Lodge and the Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce for providing the lodging for the Bass Champs Staff.
The next Bass Champs event, the first annual Abu Garcia - REVO Big Bass, will be held this upcoming weekend on Lake Ray Roberts. For more information go to http://www.basschamps.com.
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