Burgay, Reagan take win at TFC bass kickoff
By SHARON STOREY Lakecaster Correspondent

Outdoors photo/Sharon Storey TEXAS FOREST COUNTRY Bass Circuit presented Stan Burgay and Charles Reagan a $10,000 check for first place.

In the much-anticipated kickoff of the four-county tournament series, Sept. 8th found people scrambling with excitement.

Stan Burgay and Charles Reagan captured the win with a total weight of 21.92 lbs.

It was a first for Texas Forest Country as they sported their brand new name and logo. The name was changed from Pineywoods Economic Partnership. Tom McClurg, retired director of Jasper County Economic Development and second vice president of TFCP proudly stated that the new name and logo is more positive, more attractive and without a doubt will bring more visitors to our part of the world.

The Jasper Junior High Leo Club was on hand to volunteer their Saturday to help by running fish back to the lake. Directors from all four chambers of commerce; Jasper County, Sabine County, San Augustine and Shelby counties were also there to support this new series. With pride and excitement on everyone's faces, we watched as the boats from 109 teams pulled up and the line formed to weigh in their catches of the day.

PHIL HENDERSON and Perry Hooks took second place with 20.28 lbs. and are congratulated by the Chamber and tournament directors. Outdoors photo/Sharon Storey

At about 3:20 p.m. the big bass started rolling in. Ray Beck and Shane Hilton came in third place standing with 19.57 lb. bag. Team #49, Phil Henderson and Perry Hooks took the second place standing with 20.28 lbs. and lead the big bass category for a long while with a 9.76 pounder. Phil said there was no consistency to any technique they used, they pulled them in all day using mostly crank baits and Carolina rigging. "Just must be living right", laughed Phil. Perry and Phil would like to thank Dawson Marine for giving them the right stuff.

Around 3:30 p.m., Brent Meaux, Jasper County/Lake Sam Rayburn Chamber Representative came over to make me aware of what was waiting in the wings, "This is the big one", he stated as I watched Burgay and Reagan make their way up to the scales with the big bass of the day.

The bag weighed in at a whopping 21.92 lbs. That included a big mouth bass they said they caught on the way back in weighing 9.91 lbs. This would take the prize of $10,000.

The top ten fishermen of the day were as follows: #1 - Stan Burgay and Charles Reagan with a total weight of 21.92 lbs. And the Big Bass of the day weighing in at 9.91 lbs., #2 - Phil Henderson and Perry Hooks with 20.28 lbs., #3 - Ray Beck and Shane Hilton with 19.57 lbs., #4 - Harold Allen and Glen Freeman with 19.2 lbs., #5 - Bill Hudspeth and Ricky Potts with 18.92 lbs., #6 - John Gunnels and Dicky Newberry with 18.71 lbs., #7 - Jason Moorehead and Charles Shofner with 17.77 lbs., #8 - Jerry Ketchum and Gordon McBride with 17.56 lbs., #9 - Jerrel Pringle and Jeff Wouldridge with 17.21 lbs. And last but not least #10 - Don Mattern and Phillip Mattern with 16.73 lbs.

As the tournament wound down and the weigh-in came to a close, the children of the audience were called to the stage. Rods and reels presented by American Rodsmiths' were given out to the "future of our sport." With smiles on their faces, the children began to explore their new prizes.

Every fishing story that was told as the day winded down seemed to include "crank baits" as that was the star of the day for the lunkers.

Each of the Chambers of Commerce had a design in mind when putting this circuit together. First, creating a fun, "off season" tournament series that visited each of the four counties on Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend. By doing this, it also helps to extend the tourism season in our areas. This also procreates hotel/motel occupancies to help keep much needed tourism dollars flowing.

This circuit is open to everyone, so grab a partner and join us Oct. 6 at Lowes Creek Park on Toledo Bend. Visit www.texasforestcountry. com for news and events all over the East Texas lakes area.