MURRAY, Ky. (April 9, 2011) – Spc. Dustin Watkins of Mayfield, Ky., and Spc. Eric Abbott of Columbus, Ky., won the FLW Soldier Appreciation Bass Fishing Tournament held on Kentucky Lake Saturday. The team, fishing with Thomas Frink, Kennesaw State University, caught a three-bass limit for a total of 8 pounds, 6 ounces to take the title and bragging rights amongst their peers.
“This was my first time fishing on a lake, I am a pond angler,” said Watkins. “We used shakyheads, jigs, hot dogs and went fishing. Tom is such a pro, we had a great time.”
"I got to drive the boat today!" said Abbott. “This was my first time fishing a tournament and we just had a blast. Tom is a pro and he really taught us a lot about what lures to use and how to drive a boat.”
Each of the participants in the FLW Soldier Appreciation Tournament are members of the Kentucky National Guard and most have had at least one tour of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan.In this tournament, National Guard FLW College Fishing anglers took teams of two, which consist of members of the National Guard, fishing to compete amongst their peers. Each team was allowed to bring in three bass. FLW Outdoors is operating the tournaments in conjunction with the National Guard to show appreciation to our service members of the National Guard.
“This was the most fun I’ve had all week,” said Frink. “We had a great time out on the water and it was an honor and a privilege to take these guys out and teach them how to fish. I showed them how to run the boat and trolling motor. I really just tried to show them some fun so they could relax before being deployed.”
A total of 16 service men, eight teams, participated in the tournament. Rounding out the teams was:
2nd: Spc. Brandon Elkins, Murray, Ky., and Spc. Kenny Pulliam, Louisville, Ky., with Miles “Sonar” Burghoff, University of Central Florida, three bass, 7-8
3rd: Pfc. Michael Holloway, Cadiz, Ky., and Pfc. Allen Keeling, Elkton, Ky., with Jody White, Virginia Tech, three bass, 6-15
4th: Pfc. Manny Thomas, Mayfield, Ky., and Pfc. Allen Poole, Mayfield, Ky., with Will White, North Carolina State University, three bass, 6-9
5th: Staff Sgt. Eric Duncan, Benton, Ky., and Spc. Trent Ellegood, Murray, Ky., with Dustin Vaal, Indiana University, three bass, 5-8
6th: Staff Sgt. John Brinkley, Calvert City, Ky., and Spc. Brian Levine, Mayfield, Ky., with pro Bill Shimota, two bass, 4-15
7th: 1st L.t. Kurt Fruberger, Paducah, Ky., and Pfc. James Ramage, Smithland, Ky., with Jordan Truttschel, University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, one bass, 2-0
8th: Brig. Gen. Lonnie Culver, Bardstone, Ky., and Command Chief Master Sgt. Mark Grant, Columbia, Ky., with Stephen Barge, Murray State, one bass, 1-13
The Soldier Appreciation Tournament was held in conjunction with the National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship on Kentucky Lake and hosted by Murray State University.