Fishermen compete in Peach Classic tournament
Published 4:52 pm Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Shea Easterling and Taylor Lamar outfished the competition Saturday to win the Peach Classic Fishing Tournament at Higgins Ferry Park.
Easterling and Lamar, of Marbury, caught five fish that totaled 17.05 pounds to claim the $1,000 first-place prize.
The duo said most of their fish were caught upstream toward Lay Dam.
“We couldn’t figure anything else out,” Easterling said.
Crayton Taylor caught the day’s “big fish,” which weighed 6.5 pounds.
Taylor, of Verbena, said he caught the fish on a plastic worm.
Taylor, whose partner was David Hagan, said he fishes Lake Mitchell several times a week, and his knowledge of the lake paid off with a $290 prize.
Twenty-nine boats registered for the tournament, with $10 of each $100 registration fee going into the big fish pot.
Tournament proceeds will benefit Rotary Club of Chilton County charities.
The club hosts the tournament each year.
Kim Cleckler of Thunderhawk boats conducted the weigh-in.
Other sponsors included McKinnon Toyota Nissan, Shoney’s, Thompson Gas, Airport Marina, Stella-Jones Corporation, NAPA Clanton, Advance Auto Parts and O’Reilly’s.
The team of Hagan and Taylor finished second, with a weight of 16.94 pounds. Their prize was $350.
The team of Chris Minor and Eric Stagges finished third, with a weight of 13.69 pounds. Their prize was $200.
“The Rotary Club of Chilton County would like to thank all the fishermen who participated in the tournament, as well as all of our sponsors,” said Club President Stephen Dawkins, who is also managing editor of The Clanton Advertiser. “We were able to provide cash prizes to the winners and several door prizes. Best of all, we’ll be able to do good in the community with money raised from this event.”