(L to R: Hayes, Barnes, Collier, Evans, Joyner. Kneeling: Howard)
Danny Hayes showed yet another dominating performance at event number five for the Five County Bassmasters. Originally scheduled for the Tar/Pamlico rivers, the event was moved to Kerr Lake due to the affects of hurricane Irene on the NC coastal rivers. Hayes and team partner Eugene Barnes took home the top spot with a five fish limit of 13.10 pounds. Their kicker fish of 3.29 pounds earned Hayes five bonus points for angler of the year standings. Hayes stated that most of their fish came off of windy points early in the day using top water lures. Once the wind calmed and the top water bite dwindled the team quickly moved to deeper points with stumps.
Taking home the second position with 9.99 pounds was Ed Collier and rookie partner Ethan Howard. Collier noted that the team caught multiple fish throughout the day and was able to cull and upgrade a few different times. Collier also stated that his young partner settled in very nicely and was able to contribute several fish to the teams overall weight. I think we can all look to see Ethan at future events and hopefully as part of our youth club.
Finishing in the third position was the team of Wayne Joyner and Andy Evans with 8.98 pounds. Evans stated that the loss of two quality fish cost the duo some additional weight and at least the runner-up position for the event.
Filling the fourth position was the pairing of Randy Parker and his rookie partner Brock Johnson. Parker and Johnson netted 8.64 pounds for their effort with Johnson contributing to the catch also. Johnson is currently a member of our youth club with Parker being the youth director. Obviously Randy is doing a great job of mentoring to these youth anglers considering the initial performance and the introduction of current youth members Brock Johnson and Max Prince to our club events.
Rounding out the top five included the team of Jeff Narron and Jason Skinner. Narron and Skinner were able to bring 8.18 pounds to the scales for the event.
With only one event remaining in the season the points battle has really tightened up. Jeff Narron and Ed Collier are now tied for the top spot with 459 points each. Tim Gardner follows in the third position with 449 points. Curtis Johnson sits in the fourth position with 445 points and Randy Parker holds the fifth spot with 439 points but is followed very closely by Scottie Braswell in sixth spot with 436 points. Each of these anglers have a mathematical shot at the angler of the year race going into the final event making for one great finish to the season.