Breezy conditions and the spring bass spawn in full swing gave Patriots Challenge competitors reason for optimism for April's Patriots Challenge Weekend Series. Five fish limits became the order of the day and as every team that came to the scales had a limit of spring bass. When it all ended , the team of William Flournoy and Lanton Chumley won with an impressive 24.96 lbs including a 7.05 kicker.
Clarence Sanderson and Bobby Addison came in with 21.22 lbs including the days big bass at 8.97 lbs and a very close third place went to Kevin Wolford Shane Prejean with 21.19 lbs including a great looking 8.30 lb beauty queen .
Some good fish were caught with rattletraps and spinner baits, however the best and most consistent fish of the day were caught flipping with Texas rigged Senko's and Carolina rigged worms. The next Challenge will be on May 21st.
Young fish from the last several years successful spawns and what appears to be a large number of fish in the 5 yrs and up classes, had us predicting a banner year and so far it has been just that. The scales at Jackson Hill Marina have seen a record number of double digit fish and dozens of seven plus pound fish so far this year reports Connie Sympson of Jackson Hill.
It was also announced that Outdoor Freedom Network the charity that operates the Patriots Challenge and Deep East Texas High School Fishing Series out of Jackson Hill Marina has been named the winner of the 2015 National American Legion Enhance the Lives of the Disabled Award.
"We are honored to receive this award and grateful to the Anglers and Supporters of Patriots Challenge who allow us to provide access to the beautiful Natural Resources of Deep East Texas for Disabled Veterans" said Terry Sympson Founder of OFN. "Without the financial contributions and personal time that our anglers and supporters donate to our cause we simply could not exist" he added.
Patriots Challenge was created to say thank you to the people who have given us the freedom to enjoy wonderful natural resources like Sam Rayburn Lake. OFN is a 501 (c) (3) public charity that operates the Patriots Challenge Fishing Tournament Series to help raise money to host military members past and present for free stays, food, guided fishing trips, rest and relaxation on beautiful Sam Rayburn Lake. All profit made at these weekend series tournaments directly benefit military members and their families. For more information about Patriots Challenge and the other events hosted by OFN you can go to www.outdoorfreedom.net or call Jackson Hill Marina at 936-872-9266.