A New All-Time High Mark for the Dewey Mullins Memorial Bass Tourney Series

A day in which all the competitors catch fish is always a good day, as evidenced by today's contest when 21 anglers in 13 boats weighed a combined total of 64 bass with an overall weight of 142.45 pounds and an average weight per fish of 2.22 pounds. However, there was only one real star today, and that was Dave Dozier (left), who brought a five-fish limit to the scales, weighing 20.48 pounds, anchored by a 9.38-pound largemouth--the largest heretofore recorded in one of these tournaments.

Should anyone be wondering, let me assure you that neither of those two numbers are typos. They are, as you say, the "real deal." Enroute to capturing today's 1st place money, the bigger of two side pots, and the tournament's big-fish honors, Dave also set a mark that will be extremely difficult for anyone to overcome during the remaining months of this year's seasonal-lunker pursuits.

One can only admire a fish of this size, as well as the angler who caught it...especially since he was fishing solo today. For anyone interested, Dave allowed that he caught this fish on a buzzbait. I dare say that undoubtedly was one "tug on the line" he won't soon...if ever...forget.

Finishing in 2nd place today was the team of (from left) Rob Peppers and Mike McCluskey who had a five-fish limit weighing 14.58 pounds, buoyed by a bass that tipped the scales at 5.55 pounds. They also took home the smaller of the two side pots.

Laying claim to 3rd place was the solo angler (left) Chris Fretard. His total weight came in at 12.83 pounds, with a big fish that weighed 5.73 pounds.

Following is how the rest of the field lined up behind these money-winners:
     * The team of Jim Leavis and Ken Matthias had five fish for a total of 11.59 pounds. They didn't weigh a big fish.
     * Solo angler Mark Ingram had five fish for a total of 11.32 pounds. He didn't weigh a big fish.
     * Solo angler Gabe Himmelwright caught five fish but mistakenly only brought four of them to the scales. They weighed 10.73 pounds, after a 0.25 penalty deduction for one dead fish.
     * The team of Gary Coderre and Dave Anderson had five fish for a total of 10.58 pounds. They didn't have a big fish.
     * The team of Jim Crist and Eric Killian had five fish for a total of 9.47 pounds. They didn't have a big fish.
     * Solo angler Bob Clarkson had five fish for a total of 8.87 pounds. He didn't have a big fish.
     * The team of Steve Bailey and his cousin, Josh Chase, had five fish for a total of 8.74 pounds. They didn't have a big fish.
     * The team of Chris Vitovich and his son, Sean Vitovich, had five fish for a total of 8.62 pounds. They didn't have a big fish.
     * The team of Colton Wynne and Ryan Rickles had five fish for a total of 7.71 pounds. They didn't have a big fish.
     * The team of Wayne Hayes and Ken Testorff had five fish for a total of 6.73 pounds. They didn't have a big fish.

Tournament director Wayne Hayes and I both extend a hearty congratulations to all the winners today and thank everyone who came out to participate. We would be remiss if we didn't also pay tribute to Skip Schaible, who once again provided the photos you see here. And further, when Chris Fretard experienced a problem with his towing vehicle at day's end, Skip volunteered to take the competitor and his boat home. Thanks for being such a Good Samaritan, Skip.

For planning purposes, our next scheduled Dewey's tournament is Sunday, May 19th. Watch for email  announcements and blog posts from me about this event in coming days. Incidentally, should anyone reading this item like to have your name added to my email contact list for all of the Dewey tournaments, as well as any open tournaments the TD decides to have throughout the year, just drop me a note at kenneth34@cox.net, and I will gladly comply.

In the meantime, Tight Lines! to one and all.

(Click anywhere on this chart for an enlarged version.)