Middleton Tops at Palestine

To say that the February 22 tournament on Lake Palestine was tough would be a huge understatement.  In a tournament that saw over half of the field fail to catch a keeper and no angler able to bring more than two fish to the scales, Chuck Middleton came out on top with two bass for 5.35 lbs. for his dogged persistence.  Chuck flipped a jig under a dock in 9' of water and pitched a spinner bait in 2 1/2' near another dock for his winning catch.  Chuck collected $300 for his 1^st place finish and added another $73 for his half of the heavy boat pot.  Congratulations Chuck!  

Bill Kessler continued his hot streak after last month’s win at Martin Creek, finishing 2^nd with two fish for 4.24 lbs.  Bill’s fish came on a Bubble Gum trick worm fished shallow.  Bill earned $228 for his efforts. 

Third place went to Hameed Ghaffar who used a Green Pumpkin trick worm fished “chicken style” to nab two keepers that weighed in at 4.22 lbs. for $136. 

Long time Century member, Paul Zukosky, took 4^th place honors and $100 for his two keepers weighing in at 4.16 lbs. 

Last year’s Century Angler of the Year, Robert Hargrove, nailed down 5^th place and pocketed $75 for two fish that weighed 3.35 lbs. 

Yours truly, took the final paid place with one fish for 3.11 lbs which not only garnered 6^th place but Big Bass as well.  For my efforts/luck I took home $200 which included $145 for the Big Bass honors. 

Joe Thompson, who was paired with winner Chuck Middleton, weighed in one bass for 1.92 lbs 
and collected $73 for his half of the heavy boat pot. 

Century President, Nick Carroccio, was the winner of the 1^st place out of the money tackle pack and Chuck Middleton was the winner of the free entry drawing.

There were 17 fish weighed in for 36.62 lbs and a 2.15 average.  All in all the weather was nice with light winds and highs in the upper 50s each afternoon.  Weather temps ranged from 49 degrees on the south end of the lake to the upper 50s up north.

Kudos to Century members for a clean sweep of the top six places at the B.A.S.S. Federation Tournament on Saturday, February 21, at Palestine.

NEXT CENTURY MEETING:  WEDNESDAY, March 24, 7:00 p.m.

VFW #5076, Garland—1906 Miller Road (Mapsco 29A.H)

Mark Calhoun  

A big welcome to the following new members of Century Bass Club:
Curtis Hinden                                 Paul Pierce

Brandon Keasling                           Michael Reed

Weldon King                                  Randy Short

Ed Leipply                                     Michael Stewart

Robert Oleson                               John Walker

Good Luck to the Century Top Six Team that will be competing at the B.A.S.S. Federation State Championship at Lake Livingston March 8 – 12.  Representing Century Bass Club will be:

Nick Carroccio (Captain)     Mark Calhoun
Paul Zukosky                       Bill Kessler
Philip Webb                        Randy Conover 

Also representing Century on the North East Federation team at Livingston will be:
Mike Adam
Keith Green
Vince Keasling 

Don’t forget to bring in your used plastics at the tournaments and any unwanted baits to the meeting to be recycled and donated to Little Buddies, Casting Kids, and other children’s fishing organizations.