Hunt & Collingsworth win Media Bass Team Circuit kick-off with 26.93 pounds
By Lynn Atkinson srayburn@rayburncountry.com

Media Bass held their first team tournament of the season at Jackson Hill Park & Marina. As the anglers started to arrive they found the Media Bass crew at work getting everyone registered for the day. Jackson Hill had hot coffee and a buffet breakfast ready to go or you could get the special breakfast plate.

The morning forecast looked great with light winds and sunshine. The temperature started in the mid 40s and climbed into the low 70s by the end of the day. You couldn't ask for a better day. This week the anglers have been plagued with high winds, keeping pre-fishing to a minimum. Don't sell any off these hardcore anglers short. 85 entries registered to compete for a total pay out of $11,174.00. That's not bad.

The anglers got their boats in the water and livewell checks done then sat in silence as things were prepared for the starting signal. When they were turned loose they raced to their first spots. As the anglers where trying to out smart their quarry, Gordon Stauffer and his grew started getting the weigh in site set up.

When the boats started arriving you could tell by the smiles that the fishermen had brought in some nice fish.

Eric Hunt and Rick Collingsworth (not pictured) won 1st place with nearly 27 pounds

Eric Hunt and Rick Collingsworth came in with 5 fish that topped the scales at 26.93 lbs. Their best bait was a Rat-L-Trap run over the grass. The bite came early 'till around 9 then slowed down. It picked back up around 12:00 and lasted until 3:00 giving them a chance to net their winning fish. We were sorry Rick couldn't hang around but he had a game to get to. Thanks Gambler and Mercury.

Ricky Potts and Bill Hudspeth came in with 5 fish that weighed in at 26.63 lbs. Their best bait was the Carolina rig that they worked around grass and structure. Ricky and Bill had not gotten to pre-fish this time and had to go out and put it together from scratch. They got the pattern put together and ran with it to cull several times during the day. Thanks to V&M Baits and American Rodsmiths.

Jason Wells and Vic Cooper came in with 5 fish that weighed in at 24.88 lbs. They started early with Traps in the grass to pick up the first fish. As the bite died down they moved out and got the Carolina Rig out to do some deep down work. They culled a few more good fish into the livewell. Special thanks to Town & Country Marina, Tri-Lake Tackle, Shimano Rod & Reels and Southwest Outdoors

Trailing by just a few ounces, Ricky Potts & Bill Hudspeth won 2nd place

Lee Saenz and Jesus Vasquez came in with big bass that weighed a whopping 9.14 lbs that was caught early on a trap worked in shallow grass.

Ricky Potts & Bill Hudspeth came in with a big fish that weighed in at 8.30 LBS

Big thanks to Terry & Connie Sympson and the crew. There was hot coffee and breakfast in the morning and some of the best chicken and dumplings I've found for lunch. I also know Terry can cook a mean rib-eye steak if you make reservations.

We want to thank Gordon Stauffer, and crew for all the hard work they have done setting up and bringing Media Bass to Jackson Hill Marina. We also want thank Tara Smith from the Volunteer Fire Dept of Broaddus for her help. They all did a great job.

Jason Wells & Vic Cooper won 3rd place with 24.88 lbs

A big thanks to all the Sponsors of Media Bass for all their help and support.

The Big Bass of the tournament weighed 9.14 lbs. Lee Saenz and Jesus Vasquez brought her in. They caught her in shallow water with a rattle trap.