Mother Nature has provided what to many anglers would be dilemma here on Lake Eufaula this week. The Women Bass Fishing Anglers' Tour is here competing in their final 2005 regular-season event. Blistering heat, afternoon electrical storms combined with frog-strangling rain, a rising lake level accompanied by muddy water, and fish that are confused about their normal transition to deep ledges, did not prevent the 80+ women anglers from bringing almost 300 pounds of bass to the weigh-in today.
Pam Martin-Wells, of Bainbridge, GA and the all-time leading money winner of women's competitive bass fishing, is leading after the first day of competition with 13.06 pounds. Only 1.50 pounds behind Wells is Susan Hand, from Muscle Shoals, AL. Rounding out the top five in the Pro Division are: Emily Shaffer from Mt Juliet, TN, who also took the big-bass award for the day with a bass weighing 4.62 pounds; Donna Newberry of VanBuren, AR, and Deanie Tate from Arkadelphia, AR.
The Non-Boater Division sees Joan Davis of West Lafayette, IN weighing in a catch of 12.57 pounds. Renee Brisendine from Eden, NC is in second, followed closely by Susan Wild from Lexington, KY. Barbara Wachter hailing from Quincy, Fl is in fourth place and Berth Cavakis from Amity, AR rounds out the top five, after the first day of competition.
At this writing yet another thunderstorm is moving up the lake, which will cause much head-scratching as the women decide their final day's strategy. Those who make the right adjustments or decisions, based on many bass fishing experiences, should be rewarded with success and a part of the $20,000 payout. First place will pay $7,000, with a total of nine places being paid in the Pro Division. First Place for the Non-Boater Division will pay $2,000, with a total of seven places being paid.
Thirty berths in the WBFA Tour Classic World Championship of women's bass fishing will be decided at this event, along with Angler of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Amateur of the Year titles. All of the races are very close going into this event, some separated by only a few points. This will make for a very exciting, dramatic finish at Friday's final weigh-in. The final weigh-in will be held beginning at 3pm at the Lakepoint Resort State Park Marina. The public is invited to attend.
The Eufaula/Barbour County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event with Lakepoint Resort acting as housing headquarters for the weeklong event. "Neither Lake Eufaula nor the City of Eufaula is ever a disappointment when we visit for an event", commented Carole Cook, the WBFA Tour Business Manager. "The hospitality is unsurpassed, the food is delicious and Lake Eufaula has always been a premier fishery", Cook said.
The WBFA Tour is slated to visit Lake Eufaula again in February of 2006, for their Spring Fling Invitational Pro/Am event. The WBFA Tour is sponsored nationally by: Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, DEKA batteries, Minn Kota, Mercury Marine, Triton Boats, Stay'N Charge Charging Systems, Alex Langer's Flying Lure, Kick'N Bass Scents, Hog Rustler Lures, and Eidolon Bait Company.