Watkins, Blakelock take first Bass-N-Bucks win
By PATTY LENDERMAN Lakecaster Managing Editor

Outdoors photo/Patty Lenderman BART BLAKELOCK and Johnny Watkins had not one but two seven pounders included in their first place limit that weighed 29.23 lbs.

"In like a lion, out like a lamb" is the noted reputation for March winds. Holding true to the saying, the wind on Sam Rayburn March 2 started as a purr in the morning, roaring by the end of the day. That didn't daunt 217 tough teams that braved the rough water, with swells 3'-5' trying to find spots they could hold their position in to successfully fish. This elite group of anglers exceeded predictions, bringing in one heavy sack after another. Johnny Watkins and Bart Blakelock won 1st place and $15,000 with more than 29 pounds!

There was a southerly breeze at take-off, which steadily picked up through the day. Temperatures rose to the mid 70's as the cloud cover intensified, seemingly helping with the big bass bite.

Once the teams began making their way to the scales, big weights were tallied right away. Richard Draper was among the first to the scales, fishing by himself and weighed in a 20.57 lb sack. The next few teams brought in more heavy stringers. Matt Byrd and Brian Sewell weighed in 19.76 lbs then Keal Woodruff and Roy Sanford topped them at 24.45 lbs. While the leader board started out fast and furious, their weights were not topped for a long stretch as more teams brought in their creel. The attention of the spectators was grabbed as two strong anglers heaved their heavy sack of bass up the hill to the pavilion. First, their biggest was weighed at 7.59 lbs. Nice start, then putting the other four with it their total weight was 29.23 lbs! Johnny Watkins and Bart Blakelock secured their 1st place win.

Outdoors photo/Patty Lenderman RICHARD BODIN shows two of the best catches he and his partner David Truax (not pictured) brought in for a 2nd place finish. The biggest, 8.87 lbs won Big Bass honors. Bodin's son is standing in for Truax in the picture.

"It was just meant to be" Johnny stated with a smile. They had gotten a late start to their morning, barely making their flight. "We took off, and headed to our first hole. It wasn't five minutes before we put our first fish in the boat - it was a seven pounder! That's a great way to start a day." They had gone only part way up the lake from the launch site to target shallow drains with grass in 4'-6'. "There were other anglers nearby, but we were using Stanley Swim Jigs. There's something about it that's different. It got the big ones to bite today." They finished a limit by 11:00, and continued to catch bigger fish. "We culled three times, and when you're putting four pounders back in the water it's a pretty special day." Bart caught their biggest fish of the day around 11:30, weighing 7.59 lbs. They used Tempest rods with their Stanley Swim Baits for their winning stringer, cashing in $15,000 for their 1st place win.

Soon after that, Richard Bodin and David Truax brought in another hefty sack of bass. Their biggest was weighed first, totaling 8.87 lbs and winning Big Bass honors. The rest of their creel was added to the scales for a total weight of 27.58 lbs winning 2nd place. "The only bait we used all day was a crawfish Yozuri bait" David explained. "We hit three different spots with shallow grass about 2'-4' deep." They had gone way north to find their fish, and had a limit in the boat by 10:30 but reported catching fish all day. David shook his head as he recalled breaking off on one that was bigger than the 8 pounder they got to the boat. "We would have won this if I got him in." It was a long, rough ride back to the Umphrey Family Pavilion for them, but it paid off well. They won $4,000 for 2nd place, another $1,000 for Big Bass and Richard also won $2,500 as the top finishing qualified Ranger Cup angler.

Roy Sanford and Keal Woodruff won 3rd place with their 24.45 lb stringer. "It was a good day" Roy began. "It started out with a 5 pounder, and we caught lots of fish all day!" They made a long run to their spots, and battled the wind to fish them. "We slow rolled a chartreuse & white double willow Stanley spinnerbait over grass 4'-5' deep. By the end of the day we probably culled four or five limits." Bass weren't the only fish they caught. Roy boated a 52 pound carp. "It nearly wore my arm out. Took a long time to get him in, so we weighed it before putting it back. It was huge!" Then Keal brought in a 15 pound high fin blue cat. At the end of the day, they won $2,500 for 3rd place, plus another $1,000 as the second highest Ranger Cup qualifier.

Top Teams:

1st - $15,00029.23 lbs. Johnny Watkins and Bart Blakelock

2nd - $4,000 27.58 lbs. David Truax and Richard Bodin

3rd - $2,500 24.45 lbs. Keal Woodruff and Roy Sanford

4th - $1,500 20.57 lbs. Richard Draper and Shane Dubose

5th - $1,300 20.33 lbs. Toby Hartsell and Wade Ellis

6th - $1,000 19.76 lbs. Brian Sewell and Matt Byrd

7th - $1,000 19.74 lbs. Michael Lowery and Lance Lowery

8th - $1,000 19.33 lbs. Tom Arnall and Lorin Lively

9th - $1,000 18.30 lbs. Charles Bebber and Keith Caka

10th - $1,000 18.06 lbs. John Gunnels and Dicky Newberry

….and last in the money….

28th - $600 16.07 lbs. Billy Perkins and Ken Erb

Ranger Cup winners:

1st - $2,500 Richard Bodin

2nd - $1,000 Keal Woodruff

3rd - $500 Toby Hartsell

"I'd like to thank everyone for coming out and fishing with us" David Concienne announced. "I'd like to commend everyone for taking such great care of the fish after you catch them. They're coming to the scales in great shape to be turned back into the lake."

Bass N Bucks will be heading to Lake Conroe March 15th for the third event in the Conroe Series. The next East Texas Team Circuit tournament will be April 6, back to Sam Rayburn.

For more information, click to www.bassnbucks.com or call 409-727-8941.