Fishing Tournaments

Members already eligible to enter the Classic can be viewed by clicking on the link in red on the home page of the CATT site. We expect up to 150 teams and we will have motel info up soon. To learn more about the Lake Murray area, visit lakemurraycountry.com.

A lot of the teams Feb. 20 fishing in the Carolina Angler’s Team Trail reported a tough bite on the lower end of Lake Wylie and very crowded waters on the upper parts of Lake Wylie. Warm weather has got to be near and that should make for better fishing.

The top prize in the event went to 2009 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., who added another accolade to his career Sunday by winning the 40th Bassmaster Classic on Lay Lake.

“There has been a lot of rain in the area which has really muddied the water,” said FLW Tour pro Chris Baumgardner of Gastonia, who has two top-10 finishes including a win at Lake Norman. “Anglers will want to look for the ‘hot holes’ and fish slow and shallow. Ramsey Creek and near the 150 Bridge should be full of fish as the water tends to be a little warmer in those areas. Crankbaits around rocks should work well.”

Carolina Angler’s Team Trail Spring 2010 series launch scheduled Saturday, Feb. 6, from Buster Boyd Access Area at Lake Wylie, has been postponed because of the weather, event organizer Brett Collins said Friday.

Most fishing tournaments are about bringing home the big fish and the big paycheck, and this one is, too. But the inaugural Boat Sales of Lake Wylie Catfish Tournament also is about bringing children to good homes.

LAKE WYLIE -- Roger Pope of Statesville, N.C., topped the field of boaters during Saturday's North Carolina Division Bass Fishing Leauge tournament on Lake Wylie. Pope collected five fish at 19 pounds, 10 ounces for the top prize of $4,874.