Powells take championship at SRA Crappie for Cash
By DONALD GERVAIS Lakecaster Correspondent

Newsboy photo/Donald Gervais AMANDA POWELL and her father Garland hold up some of their crappie catch that earned top honors at the 2nd Annual Crappie for Cash tournament held March 22 on Toledo Bend Reservoir.Their 10-fish limit tipped the scales at 16.99 pounds and included big fish of the day, held in Garland's right hand, a 2.02 pound slab.

Father and daughter Garland and Amanda Powell set new records at the 2nd annual Louisiana Sabine River Authority's (SRA) Crappie tournament held March 22 on Toledo Bend Reservoir with a ten fish limit weighing 16.99 pounds. Their winning limit included the big fish of the day that weighed 2.02 pounds.

Mention "Toledo Bend Lake" to anglers and "bass" comes to mind most often. For years the lakes' crappie fishery has remained a guarded secret, perhaps not much longer. Despite a cold front moving into the area on tournament day, the 24 teams of the tournament managed to find the white and black crappie and set new heights for future tournaments.

"I really thought that a limit between 13-14 pounds would win the tournament," said Mike Carr, Louisiana SRA Facility Manager and tournament director. "Was I wrong! The anglers caught them today."

Newsboy photo/Donald Gervais BRIAN SIMONE and Brandon Guidry claimed second place at the 2nd Annual Crappie for Cash tournament held March 22 at Toledo Bend Reservoir.They brought in 10 crappie weighing 15.58 pounds, including a 1.92 pound slab-3rd big fish of the day.

First to the scales was the team of Billy and Larry Barnard, Carr's predicted favorites to win the event. The seventy plus year old brothers hoisted their bag to the scales that weighed 10.9 pounds with the big fish 1.42 pounds.

"We didn't catch a single male crappie today," said Billy, who admits to fishing every chance he can. "The cold front pushed the females out. When the wind switched to the north it was over for us. They haven't spawned yet." The brothers took 6th overall and earned $330.

Larger bags began arriving and weighed by members of the Toledo Bend Classic Oilman's committee (formerly known as the Southeast Texas Oilman's). The big fish of last year's contest, weighing 1.96 pounds was broken with the champs' black crappie.

"She's been my fishing partner since she was old enough to hold a fishing rod," said Garland of his daughter. "She caught her share of the fish today."

It was the first crappie tournament as a team for Garland and Amanda, a junior at Northwestern State University. Dad captained his Pro Gator bass boat, powered by an Evinrude motor to the Blue Lake area and concentrated their efforts in 4-5 feet of water with artificial lures. Garland used blue and white and red and white jigs around scattered grass clumps while Amanda threw an imitation minnow bait. Both equally caught some of the 18 keepers brought into the boat. Garland, A Marthasville, La. logger, caught the big crappie on a jig with their best fishing time between 1:30 and 2 p.m. The team collected $1,175 for first place and $400 for the big fish of the tournament.

"I have to split these 3 ways," said Garland. "Amanda gets half and my wife gets my half."

Brian Simon and Brandon Guidry had to share second place ($1,100) and 3rd big fish of the day ($100). Their 10 fish weighed 15.58 pounds, anchored by a 1.92 pound slab. They spent their day fishing north of the lake targeting crappie with shiners on a Louisiana shore area. They received a free entrance to next year's tournament by luck of the draw of the pre-registered contestants at the Friday evening meeting.

They fished from a Ranger boat, powered by a Honda outboard in depths of 4 feet. A small spilt shot helped keep thee minnows under the corks they used around grass areas. Although friends for 20 + years, it was the first tournament fished together. Tackle used included Cabella and B&M rods and 10-pound test Berkeley Big Game in green color. They reported an all day bite.

Rayne, La. anglers Jason Guidry and Jennifer Hidalgo partnered for their first tournament and took home the third place honors and check worth $660 for their catch of 13.09 pounds. Black and chartreuse jigs, and Road Runner spinners, fished in 5- 10 feet of water in the Indian Mound area of the lake accounted for their limit.

Guidry kept his Gambler boat, powered by a Mercury motor over grass where they used Shimano rods Daiwa reels, spooled with 10-pound test Vanish line.

Paul Hattaway and Todd Gibbs took 4t place with 12.03 pounds. Thomas Maby and Kevin Unnerstall claimed 5th place with 11.87 pounds.

"It's a bit discouraging that the team numbers were done this tournament,"

said Susie Anthony of the La. SRA and tournament organizer. "The timing on the holiday may have kept some from fishing; we will be looked at for next year's tournament date."

All top ten teams cashed paychecks as did the top three fish of the day in the non-profit tournament. $4,000 was guaranteed prior to the tournament date and all entrance fees were paid back according to Anthony. All the tournament workers were volunteering the time. Anthony also acknowledged the help of the Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce for helping in the tournament.