Tournament Director Chris McNeil congratulates Bubba
THE SHOALS-Bubba Jones left the Shoals with a nice payday and some special memories after winning a North Alabama Kayak Anglers bass tournament on Wilson and Pickwick lakes.
Jones, of Hazel Green, caught three bass with a combined length of 56 inches to win the tournament that was held May 21. Unlike traditional bass tournament where anglers take their fish to a central location to be weighed, kayak anglers take a picture of their catch on a measuring board and then compare photographs to determine the winners. The bass are released immediately after being photographed.
Jones caught his two largest fish, a 20.5-inch and a 20-inch largemouth bass, after seeing them feeding in shallow water on Wilson Lake. “The water was so shallow where I saw them swirl that I thought they were probably just some big carp. I decided to go ahead and cast a buzzbait into the spot where they feeding, just in case they were bass…”
Jones won $870. In addition to winning, the Shoals tournament had special meaning for Jones. It was the last opportunity for and his son, Zac Jones, to fish together before Zac left for a mission trip in Guatemala.
“I will remember this tournament for a long time,” Bubba Jones said.
Eric Atkins finished second with three bass that had a combined length of 53 inches. Matt Delaplane was third with 50.25 inches. Rounding out the top 5 were Lanny Watkins with 50 inches and Greg Massa with 49.5 inches.
The tournament attracted anglers from throughout the Tennessee Valley.
Susann Hamlin, president and CEO of Colbert County Tourism, which helped sponsor the tournament, hopes to attract additional kayak fishing competitions to Wilson and Pickwick lakes. Hamlin said the tournaments are an excellent way to boost tourism in Colbert County and to provide fishing opportunities for local residents who enjoy fishing from kayaks. She said fishing from kayaks is gaining popularity among recreational and competition anglers.
