NCBFN Eastern Regional – Chowan River
Chuck Murray wins State Championship with an 18.15 lb catch on final day for a total of 26.10 pounds. Five County Bass Masters take Eastern Championship Club Title with 83.61 pounds
Five County Bass Masters caught 83.61 pounds of bass winning the State Club Championship on Chowan River out of Pembroke Fishing Center in Edenton, NC. Sandy Creek Bass Masters had held the title for the past 4 years with wins at Gaston Lake (2007), Kerr Lake (2008), Roanoke River (2009) and Gaston Lake (2010) but 5 County said the streak is over with help from sluggers Jeff Narron with 22.0 lbs and Brent Boyette with 19.32 lbs. Both team members made the 2012 NC B.A.S.S. Federation Nation State Team.
Team Andy anchored by Jay Wright with 18.22 lbs and Andy Evans with 17.69 lbs took second place with 78.53 lbs, Hoke County Bass Masters took third place with 70.88 lbs anchored by Phillip Smith with 17.06 lbs, Reel’em In Bass Masters took fourth place with 67.96 lbs anchored by Allen White with 15.24 lbs and Sandy Creek Bass Masters took 5th place with 66.61 pounds anchored by Chuck Murray‘s 26.10 lbs and Marvin Edwards 18.43 lb catch.
NC B.A.S.S. Federation Nation President Chuck Murray from Louisburg NC came through this year to take the Championship with the largest bag of the tourney on the final day with five bass weighing 18.15 pounds. Murray was in 25th place after day 1 and knew he needed a big bag to make the team. Murray stated “I caught my limit pretty quick this morning and then decided to go HAWG hunting. When I caught that big fish, I knew I had a chance. Last year Chuck had the Championship in his hand just to watch it flip-flop away. Chuck had a miscue stepping out of his boat and falling on the dock as a four pounder flip-flopped from his bag onto the dock and back in the lake. It still haunts him today and he thought it might have happened again today. He was culling a fish today and had his live well full of water. When he opened the live well trying to catch the smallest fish, a 2.5 pounder sailed out of his live well right into the river. He said, “NOT AGAIN! It cost me a pound overall today, but thank goodness it did not matter. I was worried all day. All I can say, is Thank the Lord for the fish! He was good to me all day. I also had a great partner for the weekend and we had a lot of fun.”
Brian Bowers of Franklinton, NC took second place with 22.48 lbs, Jeff Narron of Kenly NC was 3rd with 22.00 lbs, Joe Smith of Wilson NC took 4th with 20.84, Derek Bowden of Louisburg NC took 5th with 20.26 lbs, 6th place was Brent Boyette from Kenly NC, with 19.32 lbs and 7th place went to Davis Swain of Wilson NC with 18.95lbs.
Big Bass Honors:
Day 1 Mercury Big BASS Award – Jamie Smith with Alamance County Bass Masters with a nice 6.05 pounder
Day 2 Triton Big BASS Award– Chuck Murray with Sandy Creek Bass Masters with a nice 6.64 pounder
Each angler received $500 for their big bass catch.
Heading to Florida in 2012 for the Southern Divisional to compete for the National Championship will be:
Chuck Murray (Louisburg), Brian Bowers (Franklinton), Jeff Narron (Kenly), Joe Smith (Wilson), Derek Bowden (Louisburg), Brent Boyette (Kenly), David Swain (Wilson) , Scott Hamrick (Denver), David Williams (Maiden), Todd Barbee ( Mt. Pleasants), Jerry Craig (Hiddenite), Billy Scoggins (Mooresboro), Roger Hoover (Mooreseville), Billy Harris (Mooresville).
Special thanks go out to Lenny and Vicky Smathers, Lori Murray, and workers that helped out during the tourney.
