Twins conquer field to win Bass Champs
By PATTY LENDERMAN

JEREMY AND TONY MURRAY brought in the first place winning sack for $20,000 at the Bass Champs event on Sam Rayburn.

Young twin brothers, Jeremy and Tony Murray weighed in early with a 22.58 pound sack that held for a first place win at the Bass Champs East Texas Region Jan. 20 on Sam Rayburn at the Umphrey Family Pavilion.

This year anglers are enjoying an all cash payback, including a first place purse of $20,000. Three-hundred and-six teams competed for more than $70,000 paid in 41 places.

East Texas lakes have been low for a long time, but recent rains have muddied the water and filled them up to over full. Sam Rayburn levels have continued to rise daily, being a little more than three feet above full pool Jan. 20. The weather forecast was predicted to be wet and cold. While the cold remained, it was a fairly dry, cloudy day.

Traveling all the way from Porter, Tony and Jeremy Murray did their homework, found some good fish during practice and came back to win $20,000.

"It started out real good for us. On our second cast, we caught a four-pounder, and we wrapped up our first limit in about 30 minutes," Tony explained. "We hit secondary points with Rapalla DT-16 crank baits in 10'-15'. I think the wind and muddy water actually helped us today. The bite was real good until about 10 a.m., and slowed down after that. We rotated about five or six different spots, and caught probably 12 keepers, culling five or six times."

THE BIG BASS of the tournament weighed 7.52 lbs., caught by John Olsen.

Their kicker weighed 6.44 pounds, helping with their total weight of 22.58 pounds. Their win - $20,000.

Lance Hughes and Scooter Clark of Center won second place and $5,000 with 21.50 lbs. They started out by running about 20 miles up the lake, working their way back hitting 8-10 different spots.

Lance said "We caught our fish on 3/4 oz red rattle traps, around drains in 6'-9'. At our first stop, we picked up two, moved and caught one at our next spot. We just kept moving, picking up one or two at each place. All total we put nine keepers in the boat all day."

Artie Longron and Todd Soape of Team Hogwallow had a close third place finish with 21.44 lbs.

"Miss Ann at Ann's Tackle set us up with a special red rattle trap. We fished near creeks in 6'-10', slow rolling the rattle traps. On the second cast we put a five-pounder in the boat. We only hit three different spots, and caught more fish in the morning."

Before days end they were able to cull a few times, bringing their weight up to win $4,000.

Glen Kimble and Gary Boyett brought in the last sack over 20 pounds, totaling 21.06 for a fourth place win. They doubled their $3,000 check with the Skeeter Bonus program for a $6,000 payday.

Top Teams:

First - $20,000 22.58 lbs. Jeremy Murray and Tony Murray

Second - $5,000 21.50 lbs. Lance Hughes and Scooter Clark

Third - $4,000 21.44 lbs. Artie Longron andTodd Soape

Fourth - $3,000 (x2) 21.06 lbs. Glen Kimble and Gary Boyett

Fifth - $2,500 19.16 lbs. Clint West and Clay West

Sixth - $2,000 18.02 lbs. John Olson and Trey Smith

Seventh - $1,500 17.60 lbs. Jeff Vines and Daniel Brockman

Eighth - $1,300 17.46 lbs. Butch Hollis and BJ Woods

Ninth - $1,150 17.28 lbs. Todd Driscoll and Larry Byrd

Ninth - $1,150 17.28 lbs. Damon Childress and Doyle Tibbitts

.......and last in the money.......

41st - $500 12.26 lbs. Greg Crawford and Sammy Smith

Big Bass - $1,000 7.52 lbs. John Olson and Trey Smith

There is a lot of money up for grabs through sponsor incentive bonuses.

Skeeter - Double your money bonus up to $5,000 for the highest finisher in a Skeeter Boat at every tournament (boat must be within three years of original purchase)

Dealer Bonus - $250 to the first team at each event to have an exact even weight and a signed business card from a Skeeter Dealer

Abu Garcia - If your team wins Big Bass and you have an Abu Garcia REVO in your boat, you will win two new REVO's.

Sure Life - If your team wins a Bass Champs Team event with five live fish and you have either - Catch and Release or Please Release Me in your live well, you will receive an additional $200

Feeling lucky? The next East Texas Region tournament will be Feb. 17 on Sam Rayburn at the Umphrey Family Pavilion.

Also - Bass Champs will be holding a Dodge Mega Bass hourly big bass tournament July 29. Ten places will be paid each hour, and the top hourly prize will be a Dodge Ram pickup.

For more info and rules, click to www.basschamps.com or call 817-439-3274.