Everybody Catches Fish in Season Opener

Looks like a lot of anglers have been suffering from cabin fever, if today's 2024 season opener of the Dewey Mullins Memorial Bass Tourney Series is any indication. A total of 22 anglers in 13 boats showed up at the Pungo Ferry boat ramp this morning to do battle against one another.

When the dust had settled from the 3 p.m. weigh-in, the tally sheet revealed that these anglers had caught a combined total of 63 bass, weighing a grand total of 124.31 pounds. The math further revealed an average weight per fish of 1.97 pounds.

Leading the charge today was the team of (from left) Donald Armstrong and Andy Morath, with a five-fish limit weighing 13.06 pounds. Their big fish weighed in at 4 pounds even. In addition to finishing in first place, they also went home with the bigger of two side pots.

Claiming second place and the smaller of the side pots was the team of (from left) Gary Coderre and Dave Anderson, whose five-fish sack weighed 12.29 pounds. They didn't have a big fish.

Finishing in third place today was the solo angler (right) Mark Ingram, who also brought five fish to the scales for a total weight of 11.28 pounds (after one dead-fish penalty). His big fish weighed 2.77 pounds.

Coming away in fourth place was the team of Wayne Hayes (left) and Ken Testorff (man behind the camera), whose five fish tipped the scales at 10.98 pounds. They didn't have a big fish.

And concluding the list of money winners today was the solo angler Gabe Himmelwright (right), with the tournament's big fish, which weighed 4.30 pounds. His total weight was 10.77 pounds (after one dead-fish penalty).

The remainder of the field finished in the following order:

     * Team of David Dozier and Richard Hall, five fish, total weight 10.78 pounds, no big fish.
     * Team of Steve Bailey and sister, Jennifer Hannah, five fish, total weight 10.44 pounds, no big fish.
     * Team of Doug LaBrecque and Aaron Leigh, five fish, total weight 9.77 pounds, no big fish.
     * Solo angler Bob Clarkson, five fish, total weight 8.41 pounds, no big fish.
     * Solo angler Chris Fretard, five fish, total weight 7.98 pounds, no big fish.
     * Team of Rob Peppers and Mike McCluskey, five fish, total weight 7.50 pounds, no big fish.
     * Team of Chris Vitovich and son, Sean Vitovich, four fish, total weight 6.21 pounds, no big fish.
     * Team of Jim Leavis and Ken Matthias, four fish, total weight 4.84 pounds (after one dead-fish penalty), no big fish.

Our next scheduled tournament is April 20th (exact times TBA). Everyone is provided details of all our events by email. To ensure you receive these notices, simply provide your email address to Ken Testorff, email: kenneth34@cox.net, if you haven't already done so.

In the meantime, congratulations to all of today's winners and thanks to everyone who came out to participate. Hope you keep coming back.

(Click anywhere on this chart for a larger version.)