A full field of 178 teams had qualified for the event with points earned in divisions from across the tri-state area. One of the teams participating was the Ballard’s. William Jr. and William Sr. a father and son team that has been fishing USA Bassin’ since the series was established. The two didn’t qualify for the Classic at this year’s regional but they captured the hearts of everyone at the Southern Indiana Regional.

William Sr. is now 82 years old and has been fishing most of his entire life. Mr. Ballard repaired furnaces just before entering the Army where he served in the Korean War. When Sr. returned from the Army he began working at Marvy heating and cooling in Louisville.He worked at Marvy until he retired. Sr. prefers throwing a Carolina rig with a lizard tied on.

In an interview with William Jr. he told me that dad liked to fish slower baits from the back of the boat and Jr. would fish the faster baits up front. He went on to tell me that the two really enjoy the time they spend together fishing tournaments. The Ballard’s have been fishing tournaments together since the days of the ole Midwest series. Team Ballard has qualified for only one Classic since fishing USA Bassin’.

When asked what was their favorite place to fish William Jr. said that he Dad would say Kentucky Lake. William Jr. told me the two didn’t place in the Classic 4 years ago on Kentucky Lake but Dad was able to catch 25 – 30 fish a day and had a blast. Gary Earl Director of the Southern Indiana Regional is pictured presenting William Sr. with a trophy for being the oldest angler in the regional field that has fished every Southern Indiana Regional tournament.