BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
The Elmore County Commission recognized Tallassee resident Eric Cagle at their regular meeting this week, for his 2020 Crappie Masters National Championship status.
Cagle met with Commissioners Monday evening and was told how proud the County overall is of his accomplishment, as well as his hometown.
Commissioner Bart Mercer said, “The County Commission has made this a priority for us in relation to tourism and our Economic Development Authority to bring fishing tournaments into the county and we have been very successful with that. We have had some Crappie Masters tournaments in the county that we have participated in over the years. I see these fishermen come through…it is really good to see someone from Elmore County win one of these championships. Congratulations on what you did. Thank you.”
Chairman Troy Stubbs told Cagle, “We appreciate you being here tonight and the opportunity we have to recognize you and others for their accomplishments.”
CrappieMasters.net reported on Cagle’s win last year on their website. The tournament was held in Monroe, Louisiana in September. In their reporting online, CrappieMasters.net wrote:
“In what can be described as the ultimate fishing championship, Alabama’s Eric Cagle battled Tropical Storm Beta, a field of over 100 boats, rapidly rising water on the Ouachita River, and moving fish to claim his first Crappie Masters sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association, American Ethanol, and Bass Pro Shops National Championship hosted by the Monroe and West Monroe Chamber of Commerce on the Ouachita River September 23rd thru the 26th.
“Sitting in third place after day one looking up at the reigning National Champion Robert Carlile in the lead, Cagle knew he had work to do to overtake Carlile. Like many of the competitors, the rising water created havoc and completely took many locations fish were found early in the week out of play. Cagle also had to go to plan B and it worked out.
“Even with blue bird Championship Saturday skies, Cagle put his head down and made the winning decision to ignore boat traffic and win or lose in his day one spot. Obviously that decision worked out as he topped the scales with a 14 fish limit weighing in a winning 28.81 pounds overtaking Carlile and holding off the eventual runners up Dustin Harris and Kelley Graham, good for the $30,000.00 top prize. Cagle said the key to victory was to not worry about what other teams were doing, grind it out, and focus on his fishing, and let the chips fall where they may.
“Eric Cagle also took home a $2,000.00 E10 fuel bonus provided by the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, and other bonuses provided by Freaky Franks Custom Tackle, his sponsor HH Rods and Reels, and Jenko Fishing.”
In 2019, Cagle and his partner Wade McDonald claimed a Crappie Masters Victory and Alabama State Championship on the Alabama River and Lake Jordan. The event was hosted by the Elmore County Commission in March that year.
