NORMAN, OK – The Texas Team Trail bass fishing circuit opened their 2012 season this past weekend on Sam Rayburn with a host of anglers ready to begin a new and exciting bass tournament trail. Center, Texas residents, Philip Crelia and TJ Goodwin won the inaugural event with a weight of 25.23 pounds of largemouth bass.
Throwing chatterbaits and jigs, the duo won the first-place prize of an 18-foot Triton 18SE boat/Mercury 150 ProXS motor/trailer package valued at $25,000. As an added bonus, the anglers also pocketed a Big Bass bonus of $750 for the 8.71-pound largemouth the duo brought to the scales.
“This was an unbelievable tournament for us,” said Crelia. “The entire event was outstanding, and there was a bunch of great anglers on the water. The conditions were about what we expected and we were able to capitalize on every bite.”
Coming in second was Ben Hogan and Kenny Moser of Yantis, Texas with a bag of 19.07 pounds. The second place finishers came away with $5,591 of total winnings, which included $3,750 cash payout, $1,341 Angler Advantage payout, $250 Ranger Cup contingency and $250 Mercury contingency. In third place, with 19.01 pounds, anglers Stephen Johnston and Dicky Newberry walked away with a final payout of $4,262, which included $2,250 cash payout, $1,012 Angler Advantage payout, $250 Ranger Cup contingency, $250 Mercury contingency and the $500 Angler Cash award.
“The event was a tremendous success,” said Mike Hastings, Texas Team Trail tournament director. “Our sponsors really did a great job. Their outpouring of support shows the dedication to our sport of fishing. I really can’t say enough about the amount of anglers that signed up to fish. They fished great and showed up big time.”
The next stop for the Texas Team Trail is Ray Roberts Lake on April 7th.
For full results, please go to www.texasteamtrail.com/tournaments/event-results
2012 Scheduled Events
April 7 – Ray Roberts Lake
May 5 – Lake Livingston
June 9 – Lake Lewisville
Championship – October 20-21 – Lake Amistad