Seventy-two teams enjoyed the awesome weather on Sam Rayburn while not only taking part in The Outlaw Outdoors November Open Tournament, but also helped make Christmas better for a lot of kids in Jasper County.

Throughout weigh in the lead changed frequently, but when the scales closed, the team of Jason Bonds and Todd Castledine were on top with 25.38 pounds topping the second place team by over 3 pounds. Finishing in first place for the tournament was worth $2,000, plus they were the highest placing team in The Blue Santa Incentive earning them another $1,000.

The second-place team of Josh Sowell and John Packard seemed to have a solid grasp on the tournament right up until the end with their final sack of bass weighing 21.94 pounds, including a big bass weighing 6.55 pounds. Their day on the water was worth $1,700.

Rounding out the top three places was the team of Bryan Lohr and Harold Moore with 21.54 taking home $1,350.

Big bass honors for the tournament went to the father son team of Rob and Will Emmert. They brought in a Rayburn giant weighing 8.55 lbs. earning them $350.

The biggest story of the day was the amount of cash and toys that was collected and donated to The Blue Santa Program. Jasper County Sheriff Department Chief Scotty Duncan was onsite with his BBQ trailer helping to raise money with his tasty BBQ links and sandwiches. The Jasper Sam Rayburn Chamber of Commerce organized a silent auction with some items donated by local businesses. At the end of the day, over $6,000 in cash and toys was donated to The Blue Santa Program of Jasper County. This will go a long way in brightening the lives of many kids on Christmas morning.

Photos courtesy of Outlaw Outdoors