By Andrew Edwards
Staff Writer
The American Crappie Trail National Championship has finished it’s first of three days, as pro-crappie anglers from across 15 states competed for a guaranteed minimum of $100,000 in cash and prizes.
80 different boats parked at 3575 Main Street in Millbrook for their weigh-in on Thursday afternoon, after a full day of fishing out on the Alabama River.
Elmore County Commissioner and District 4 Representative, Bart Mercer, said the opportunity to hold the tournament in Millbrook is crucial to the local economy.
“We’re very excited that the American Crappie Trail chose us for their destination, and we thrive on the challenge of hosting all of these great people from out of state. The fishing locations in Alabama are superb, and there’s no shortage of natural resources right here in Millbrook,” Mercer said.
Participants were paired in groups of two and weighed in catches ranging from 0 to 14.41 pounds.
Locally, Millbrook resident, Steve Brown, placed in the top five for day one with a weight total of 11.68.
“There’s been about three inches or rain over the last couple of days that’s made the water-level rise and that can make things tricky when you’re trying to fish. We’re overall pleased with what we caught, though, and we hope to improve upon it tomorrow,” Brown said.
80 boats and over 100 individuals started the day, but after Thursday afternoon, that number was cut down to the top 50 teams.
The top five teams for the morning/afternoon were:
TC Llyod and Eric Cagle: 14.41 lbs
Josh Jones and Josh Reynolds: 13.35 lbs
Brett Luther and Robert Luther: 12:00 lbs
Jason Westerberg and Jim Westerberg: 11:77 lbs
Steve Brown and Gerald Overstreet 11.69 lbs
After tomorrow’s cut, only 25 teams will remain. The weight from the previous day will stack, and the team with the most weight at the end of the tournament will be crowned the champion.
Competition resumes tomorrow morning around 6:45 a.m. and we will update you with the results tomorrow evening.
The complete list for the top 50 qualifiers can be viewed HERE.
