Winter Open Results

[mwardncsu]

Well, we sure got the name of this one right..... snowing from mid-day Fri and did not stop till right at 4pm. Wish it had STARTED about 6am on Saturday as I heard of a good bite on Friday and they must have chewed because overall it was a tough bite on Saturday.

I heard that a few boats in the tourney pulling live bait watched a clinic being put on by Mr. Swamp Monkey and a friend throwing flukes & swim-baits - always keep a fluke at the ready this time of year - especially in the snow!

We had 37 teams brave the conditions - we would have had 40 but we lost a few teams that were coming up out of NC that could not travel until Fri afternoon and the roads between here and there were in tough shape.

Now, I do want to know why the one tournament we hold over on the Blackwater side to make life easier for you Blackwater boys had either a) some BW guys not fishing it or b) the rest of you picking up and fishing on the Roanoke side??? I think the only one fishing the Blackwater hails from Claytor Lake

We collected 150 toys for for Lake Christian Ministries to distribute to families in need - thanks to all of you that contributed and thanks to Sea Tow SML for your help with the collection logistics - also thanks to Striper Sniper Tackle for donating the custom Cashion jigging rod that was raffled off - unfortunately I did not get the name of the person that won it - if you're out there can you let me know.... thanks!



In the Youth division, we had 8 kids keep their parents on the water for the day so they could compete. The winners in the Youth category were:

1st Place - Kaylee - Team PrimeTime - 38.75"
2nd Place - Lauren - Team Linesiders - 37.5"
3rd Place* - Matthew - Team Lawrence - 36.25". (apologies for the data entry mistake that led to us not recognizing you)
3rd Place* - Finn - Team Pontus - 35"




4 Ladies competed, vying for the. beautiful time-piece donated by Haywood Jewelers in series-long completion for longest ladies fish. Renee Kissella moved to the top of the Lady's ranking, in an attempt to defend her Lady's Champion title from last season - with a nice 36.5" striper




In the overall competition, 23 of the 37 teams checked in fish. A number of teams had one nice fish, but either could not find another to go with it, or found a smaller to mid-sized fish. Only one team was able to muster two good fish to the check-in - bringing them both 1st Place & Big Fish honors....

1st Place:
Team Prime Time - Fish 1: 36.5" / Fish 2: 38.75" - Total 75.25" - $1900

2nd Place:
Team STRIKE ZONE - Fish 1: 30.75" / Fish 2: 36.55" - Total 67.25" - $850

3rd Place:
Team Blackwater Bruisers - Fish 1: 29.25" / Fish 2: 35" - Total 64.25" - $400

4th Place:
Team Linesiders - Fish 1: 26" / Fish 2: 37.5" - Total 63.5" - $280


Big Fish:
Team Prime Time - 38.75" - $900

4 teams won their $100 entry fee back in the non-placing team (and must be present to win) raffle....

Thanks to all that come out to fish & support the event - and a special thanks to all our sponsors that enable us to put on these events! Looking forward to little time off and then seeing everyone back in late March for the 2nd half of the season!

[Shadslinger]

It definately was tough out there. Glad I was able to get out and be a part of it. Everybody knows there ain't no fish on the bw side...haha we had to go where we at least had a chance.

[mwardncsu]

Just was informed of an error on totals of one team's entry yesterday so re-doing the tables.... update coming soon - not an error affecting the payouts. But everyone please check your #s as fat-fingers sometimes happen especially when fingers are frozen.....

[Midwest Walleye]

Great tournament Striper Mafia! Thank you for all your time and effort putting these on. And a special thanks for what you do for the kids. My 8 year old had a blast on the boat but an even better time at the post tournament award show.

[camoboatguy]

I think a big pat on the back and thanks for putting together a top notch tournament is in order to Mike Ward.... I'm sure the hours spent on these things go un-noticed by most. Good job MWard!

[mwardncsu]

Corrected results posted.... if you guys see any other mistakes please let me know - I strive to have it right the 1st time but mistakes do happen.....

thanks guys - it is a lot of work but I enjoy it and more importantly enjoy seeing the fellowship of all the anglers and especially the kids.... the weather put a bit of crimp in my normal setup but it came off overall OK.


For those that fished it, I'll be sending an email asking for your feedback - PLEASE send me your thoughts & feedback - positive and more importantly the negative.... can't improve if we don't know what needs to improve.....

[mwardncsu]

Dec 10, 2017 19:10:15 GMT -5 Midwest Walleye said:

And a special thanks for what you do for the kids. My 8 year old had a blast on the boat but an even better time at the post tournament award show.

I would be remiss in not acknowledging some that wish to remain unacknowledged in this aspect - we've had several that participate in the tournaments make specific contributions to allow the youth portion of the tournament to be as cool as it is - as I've said before, that's really my favorite part and its very important to me and others that we get them involved, help them understand the importance of good stewardship & sportsmanship.

[kneedeep]

Thanks Mike, Another Great Event. I know you put alot of work in it. The only reason we are fishing these tourneys is for Finn. We like to fish, and would fish regardless of the tournament, however the tournament portion makes it very exciting for the kids. They get to see just how many grown ups work hard to go fishing, they get to see the friendly comradery, and maybe even some of the competitive side of life. We DO KEEP score. LOL.

We all had a blast, and a very comfortable advantage over some....

I did painfully watch a bass boat catch about 26 fish off the same point, super nice guy, and let me make the pass at it that yielded the tournament double, then offered the point to me as he went home to eat lunch. I always meet great Sportsman on the lake.

Again, thanks for everyones efforts, look forward to seeing you on the water before March.....

Fish gotta eat.