Fifty-four members of the Shoals Youth Bassmasters (SYBM) fished the club’s third tournament of the season July 15, 2017 on Wheeler Lake from First Creek.
Richard Laxson, director of the SYBM, noted the attendance at the Wheeler tournament was considered good when taking the threat of storms during the competition and the anticipated temperatures plus humidity. In the end, the storms held off until after the weigh-in at 11 AM. The heat was pumping the mercury to eighty seven degrees which closely matched the water surface temperature.
Age Divisions top finishers
The event marked the halfway point in the year with three tournaments left.
A lot of small bass made the trip to the scales with some youth advisors mentioning that the fishing was tough.
The final results of the Wheeler tournament were:
10 and under:
1st Place Spencer Lovett – 10 lbs. 3 oz.
2nd Place Hayden Brewer – 10 lbs.
3rd Place Sean Parker Willingham – 7 lbs. 2 oz
4th Place Mason Newton – 7 lbs 1 oz.
11-15 age group:
1st Place Jenny Beth Clifton – 10 lbs. 8 oz.
2nd Place Tyler Finley – 9 lbs 10 oz.
3rd Place Fisher Heard – 7 lbs 8 oz.
4th Place Troy Bates – 5 lbs 8 oz.
16-18 age group:
1st Place Jared Sparks – 7 lbs.
2nd Place Hunter Jones – 3 lbs. 6 oz.
3rd Place Clayton Birdyshaw – 3 lbs 1 oz.
Lunker: Fisher Heard – 4 lb. Largemouth
Jenny Clifton
Levi Norwood
The next club tournament is on Pickwick Lake is August 12 out of Colbert Park just off the Natchez Trace Parkway. The following tournaments will be August 26 on Wilson Lake and back on Pickwick September 9. Club tournaments begin at 7:00 A.M. and weigh-in is 11:00 A.M.
There are three age divisions for competition:
1.) 10 and Under
2.) 11 thru 15
3.) 16 thru 18
The youth anglers in each division have a responsible adult advisor in the boat.
The club’s year end picnic is held after the last tournament and members must have joined the club before the last tournament to be eligible to attend.
For information on the Shoals Youth Bassmasters call Richard Laxson at 256-757-1660 or email [email protected].
