After a two hour fog delay the colorful autumn banks of the Ohio River was uncovered and the Kentucky Regional held on the Ohio River was underway. Over 50 USA Bassin Teams competed. The top five would receive prize money, and the top 40 teams would advance to this years USA Bassin Classic.

 

Take off would come from tournament director Billy Brown in number order at the mouth of Big Bone Creek. As take off began one third of the anglers choose to return back into Big Bone Creek and begin fishing. The rest of the teams traveled the main river to there first fishing spot.

 

Check in times for the two flights of teams would be pushed back one hour. The first flight would be due in at 4:00pm and the second at 4:20pm. Check in would be simple but place more of the responsibility on the team anglers. Tournament Director Billy Brown had given each team a poker chip with a number on it. The poker chips had a hole in them so they could be placed on a pegged and numbered board. If your teams numbered chip was not on the board when time expired the team would be penalized. I spoke with several anglers with positive comments on the system. Some went on to say how they felt this would work on the divisional level as well. I have to say it was interesting to watch some team that were pushing the time limit, scramble up the boat dock with poker chip in hand.

 

Exactly 40 teams would catch fish advancing every team with a catch to the Classic to be held May 1st and 2nd next year. Over 130 pounds of fish would be caught, and nine teams would find a limit of bass. The highest finishing divisional team was Chris Cameron/ Buddy Norris with a 9th place finish.

 

John Carter and Sandra Dyer would win total weight with five fish weighting 8.65 pounds. Carter and Dyer would also take home big bass honors with a 2.86 pound bass. Carter and Dyer would take home almost $2500 in prize money. Second place would go to David and Joe Powell with a limit of fish at 7.47. Tim Luttrell and Jeff Durbin would take the third spot at 7.35. Shane Metz and Neal Ramsey also with a limit of bass would grab fourth place at 6.94. With only one once difference Paul Perkins and Dale Hall would place 5th.

 

Special thanks to all who helped make the Kentucky Regional on the Ohio River a success. As always thank you to our many sponsors that help make our tournament series possible.