Left to right, Mike Hall, Gary Rank, Col. Brian Anderson, Bob Williams, Jeff Wible and James Burati stand with the $1,000 Grand Prize check awarded to Gary Rank and Jeff Wible for catching a total of 18.44 pounds of bass at the Fourth Annual Armed Forces Bass Tournament May 4 on Bolling. Katelin Rank (kneeling) holds her father's $100 “Big Bass“ check. Rank's winning catch weighed in at 7.63 pounds.
Services sponsored the Fourth Annual Armed Forces Bass Tournament and Reel Kids skills competition at the Capital Cove Marina on Bolling May 4. Ten teams competed in the tournament, and more than 50 kids participated in the skills event. Competitors included civilians and retirees from as far away as Richmond and Fredericksburg, Va.
The spring weather provided a perfect backdrop for the event. With a total of $2,500 in money and prizes, including a $1,000 grand prize at stake, competition for catching the biggest and best bass was fierce. First, second, third and fourth place prizes were awarded for most pounds of bass caught and a $100 prize for ‘‘Biggest Fish.” Prize money was provided by corporate sponsors for the event – Pack-Rat storage company and Mercury Marine.
‘‘No one went home empty-handed. Every team caught a fish but one. They had a great time and it was an absolutely beautiful day,” said Bob Williams, deputy, Community Support Flight. He also adds that Mother Nature smiled on the anglers in other ways that day. ‘‘Normally, this time of year, the bass average around 2 pounds. But, the fish that were brought in (during the tournament) ended up averaging over 3 pounds.”
Turnout for the Reel Kids skills competition was outstanding with more than 50 participating. Reel Kids tests the casting, flipping and pitching skills of children 8 to 15 years old with a colorful target in the water. The equipment and kits were provided by The Bass Federation.
‘‘Its goal is to introduce young folks to the outdoors and to fishing,” said Williams, who is also a professional bass fisherman. With help from fellow professional bass fisherman Michael Hall and the Outdoor Recreation staff, the Reel Kids program was a real success.
Even the littlest anglers were included in the fun. ‘‘Although (the younger kids were) to young to officially compete, we afforded everyone the opportunity to enjoy the day. We had kids as young as 3 out there. They really had a good time,” said Williams.
The winners were:
$1,000 First-place prize – Gary Rank and Jeff Wible with a total of 18.44 pounds
$300 Second-place prize – Kevin Morrow Sr. and Kevin Morrow Jr.
$200 Third-place prize – Tyrone Brown
$100 Fourth-place prize – LeRoy Harriot
$100 Biggest Fish prize – Gary Rank and Jeff Wible, 7.63 pounds
Age group 8-11 with a score of 100 – Travis Letourneau
Age group 12-15 with a score of 140 – Aaron Oliver
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