19th Annual West Tennessee Industrial and Commercial League Invitational Bass Tournament
DuPont Takes Home The Trophy For 2003
The 19th Annual West Tennessee Industrial and Commercial League Invitational Bass Tournament was held on Sunday, September 28th at Birdsong Resort, Marina and Lakeside RV and Tent Campground on the scenic Tennessee River's beautiful Kentucky Lake. Two hundred and forty two (242) fishermen from area companies were able to spend a fun-filled day on Kentucky Lake, catch a few fish, enjoy Benton County's vast shoreline and even make new friends.
Eighteen (18) West Tennessee companies and bordering companies in Middle Tennessee were represented by one hundred and twenty three (123) boats. The "ooze off" went very smooth during the early morning sunrise at the mouth of Birdsong Creek with flights leaving at 7:00 a.m.. Weigh-in time began at 4:00 p.m. and went on through 5:30 p.m. Ninety five (95) fish were checked in, weighing an amazing 238.46 pounds. Only two fish were on the fatality list. A great job by all the bass enthusiasts in the catch-and-release program!
E. I. DuPont, of New Johnsonville, Tennessee, placed first in the tournament and received the coveted "Best of the Best" rotating trophy for 2003. This colossal four-tiered trophy tops 5 feet tall. 2002 reigning champion TVA - New Johnsonville relinquished the trophy to the new 2003 winners.
All participating teams' weights are considered when determining each company's "trophy teams." The top three teams' weights are totaled to select the winning company. The three trophy teams for E.I Dupont were: Derek Wiser and Scott Dodd; Donnie Marrs and Roger Marrs, and Richard Eden and Mack Hemby, Jr. Their combined weights of 11 fish, weighed a total of 35.53 pounds to win the trophy for the 19th annual torunament.
The huge rotating trophy will be displayed in the lobby of E. I DuPont plant for the next twelve months. TVA, New Johnsonville, came in second place with 32.19 lbs, and Norandal, Huntingdon took the third seat weighing in 25.66 lbs.
Winning the individual team competition was the team of Derek Wiser and Scott Dodd, New Johnsonville, with a whopping 19.91 lbs. This E. I DuPont team took home $805.00. In second place was the team of Tim Chadwick and Kyle Manns, McKenzie, (Norandal) with 17.13 winning $490.00. Third seat was claimed by Joe Jackson and Eric Jackson (Anvil International) with 12.77 lbs, taking home $385.00 The Big Bass Pool was also taken home by the Wiser and Dodd Team from DuPont, who checked in the "biggest bucket mouth" bass weighing 6.24 pounds, taking home the check for $1,428.00. The second biggest fish weighed in from Doug Story and David Schmitt (TVA) at 5.97 winning a second place payout of $952.00. Third big fish was captured by a team of brothers - Donnie and Roger Marrs. This third place team took home a top-of-the-line dishwasher valued at $699.00 donated by Maytag of Jackson. "A tip of the scales" to all the fishermen who made this huge event a success.
Tourism is serious business in Benton County. According to one area motel manager, "We had a flurry of bass fishermen over the weekend and, in fact, we attribute all the new business to the tournament. I imagine that other motels, restaurants and gas stations financially benefited as well." Fishermen from over fifty cities and spectators from three different states gathered together in Camden, Tennessee for this 19th annual event held at Birdsong Resort, Marina and Lakeside RV and Tent Campground.
Next year's dates for the 20th Anniversary West Tennessee Industrial League Bass Tournament to be held at Birdsong Resort, Marina and Lakeside Campground in Camden, Benton County Tennessee on Sunday, September 26, 2004. For photos and standings, click HERE. For more information on becoming a 2004 participant, contact: Bob Keast, Tournament Director at 255 Marina Road at Exit 133 of I-40, Camden Kentucky Lake, TN 38320.9699 or call 731.584.7880.
Keeping Your Tournament-Caught Bass Alive
Click HERE to download pdf.