2014 Classic, Oct. 11 & 12/RESULTS

[FishinSteelersFan]

We have a total of 40 members that have qualified for the Classic this year, by fishing 6 or more events in 2014. They are:

Alex Dreschler
Brad Watson
Brandon Winstead
Brent McDonald
Brett Draper
Chad Pitman
Chad Young
Chris Dull
Cole Cummings
Dante Bates
Darren Ellingwood
Doug Branch
Ernie Smoak
Gary Allen
George Alamond
Greg Wagner
Jason Bloxom
Jeff Lantz
John Koehler
Johnny Costello
Johnny McCall
Kevin Hagedorn
Kevin Lettau
Kurtis Jones
Matt Clark
Michael Pilgreen
Michael Scotch
Mike Craig
Mike Gomez
Mike Pilgreen
Randy Garsee
Ray Parish
Robert Bradley
Scott Murphy
Scott VanArsdel
Steven Flanagan
Terry Wroten
Todd Branton
Todd Meyers
Ty Wood

Please remember to bring your fishing licenses and driver's licenses with you to registration, I will be checking ALL. Just like past years, if you don't have them you will not be allowed to fish!

[FishinSteelersFan]

The way that we're going to determine the Classic lake this year is spelled out in our rules, which was voted on last year. Rule #22 states: All membership fees go into the Classic pot. The Classic tournament will be a two-day event. This year's Classic will be a "mystery lake" format. All Classic qualifiers will meet at a pre-determined location, where all the lakes that have been fished during the season will be placed into a hat and a lake drawn. Anglers can then decide if they want to fish the Classic, or not, pay their 2 day entry fees ($120/team) and we will all drive to the ramp and launch together. This same procedure will be done for day 2, with the lake drawn for day 1 out of the mix, and a different lake will be drawn for day 2. The Classic payout will be: 1-10 boats 35%/25/20/15/5%; 10-20 boats 30%/22.5%/20/15/7.5/5%; 20+ boats 25%/20/17.5/15/10/7.5/5%. There will be one big bass paid per day at 50% of the Big Bass Pot. If the 7 Pound Pot rolls over into the Classic, then these funds will pay/supplement this Big Bass Classic Pot...since that is what the 7 Pound Pot was funded for a BB Pot. There will be no money in the treasury after the classic tournament, the balance shall be ZERO.

So, for those that missed it at the rules meeting, we will meet at the Teague boat ramp parking lot on Oct. 11 at 5:00am. We will draw a lake, as written above, from all the lakes that we have fished during the season. Lake Bistineau is NOT going to be in the mix, because of hazardous low lake conditions. The Red River is out, as Bass Champs will be there that weekend with 250-300 boats. So, the following lakes will be drawn from: BB Hosston, Caddo, Cross, Grand Bayou, and Toledo Bend. We will meet at the same place on Sunday, Oct. 12, and draw a different lake. Following weigh-in on Sunday, we will vote on whether or not we want to keep the "mystery lake" format for next year's Classic or do something different.

[FishinSteelersFan]

Congratulations to our 2014 Classic Champions...Johnny Costello and Chad Young. They had the day one lead on Caddo and held onto it after the Toledo Bend leg of the 2 day tourney. We had 12 teams fish the Classic, here's how it turned out:

1. Johnny Costello/Chad Young...27.17 pounds ($1380)
2. Darren Ellingwood...25.00 lbs. ($1035)
3. Ernie Smoak/Greg Wagner...21.99 lbs. ($920)
4. Mike Pilgreen/Johnny McCall...19.72 lbs. ($690)
5. Jason Bloxom/Brent McDonald...16.76 lbs. ($345)
6. John Koehler/Robert Bradley...15.85 lbs. ($230)
7. Todd Meyers...13.39
8. Chad Pitman/Ray Parish...4.95
9. Todd Branton/Brett Draper...3.96
10. Brad Watson/Jeff Lantz...0.99
11. Michael Pilgreen/Michael Scotch...0.97
12. Matt Clark

Day 1 Big Bass (Caddo): Darren Ellingwood...8.67 pounds ($140)
Day 2 Big Bass (Toledo Bend): Koehler/Bradley...6.74 pounds ($140)

Total Year Weight Pot Winners: Mike Pilgreen/Johnny McCall...$180
For a full breakdown of Classic weights (Caddo and Toledo Bend) check our website, it has each day's weights.

Total Classic Payout was $5,060.00.  The LA Poormans balance is ZERO, and 100% of all money take in has been paid out!

Everyone seems to like the "mystery lake" format for the Classic, and voted to keep it (with some tweaks) for next year's Classic. I hope that everyone had a good time this year, and hope to see you all next year...spread the word, Cross Lake OPEN on January 17th!