The top-four anglers from seven women's bass clubs, representing five states, began competition in the Affiliated Club Championship of the Women's Bass Fishing Association Thursday at first light. Dodging sever weather, predicted for Wednesday night into Thursday morning, the women anglers took off under heavy clouds, on the glass covered surface of Table Rock Lake. With high hopes of a great top-water bite early, most boats headed for shallow water on the super-calm fishery.
As their team members worked to limit on black and smallmouth bass, the alternate members of each team participated in the first "alternate fishing tournament", provided by ACC Director, Joan Craig and the WBFA Tour. The alternates fished from 8 am until noon, and could catch any species of fish. Most went for sunfish, using live bait or small top water baits. Some fished for catfish or keeper bass to help them win the $300+ first-place prize, consisting of a fully stocked tackle box. Alas, it was a patient, Lake Dardanelle Lady Angler, Lesa Brown of Harrison, AR, that took home the prize with 4.20 pounds of bluegill and other sunfish.
The first-day weigh-in started promptly at 3 pm for the club teams, who are paired with members from a club other than their own. This mixed pairing promotes both fellowship and a great spirit of friendly competition. When the first day's weigh-in was over, the individual weights of team members were added together, and the Lake Area lady Anglers from Louisiana held the lead with 22.49 pounds of bass. The $260 Lunker Award-of-the-day went to Linda Redford, member of the Table Rock Lady Anglers, with a 5.6-pound largemouth bass. Carole Hollingsworth, member of the Ohio Buckeye Gems caught the heaviest individual stringer, and the only 5-fish limit, that weighed 10.52 pounds.
Less than 3 pounds behind the LALA team is the Indiana Bass'N Gals, with 19.64 pounds. The Buckeye Gems Bass Club, hailing from Ohio is in third with 16.18 pounds. The close weights are leading towards a very dramatic finish for the clubs on Friday, with the final weigh-in scheduled to start at 3 pm, at the Mill Creek Corps of Engineers Park launch. The public is invited to attend the exciting, final weigh-in that will determine bragging-rights, and a $2,600 cash prize, for the Championship team. The Championship team will also be honored at a Championship Banquet to be held at the Kimberling Inn and provided by John Redford, owner of Thousand Hills Golf Course, in Branson, MO.
The WBFA Tour is sponsored nationally by: Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, Mercury Marine, Triton Boats, Stay'N Charge charging systems, Alex Langer's Flying Lure FlowMaster, FisherGirl, Minn Kota, Kick'N Bass scents, Hog rustler Lures, BassMedics and Eidolon Bait Company.