The Texas B.A.S.S. Nation – Southeast Region held its fifth Region Qualifier of 2019 on May 11th. The tournament was held on Lake Belton and scheduled to launch out BLORA. The prior week Southeast Texas was plummeted with rainfall and storms, raising the Belton lake level over 5 feet since the previous weekend, putting the Region Directors on high alert to make difficult decisions. On Wednesday the decision was made to continue the tournament, but the club presidents were notified there could be changes at the last minute. Lake Belton was continuing to rise and Region Director Eddie Dillow was notified by lake authorities of the potential of ramp and even lake closure. This came true as Friday as the lake rose another foot, and BLORA was forced to close their ramp. The directors made the decision to allow trailering with the weigh-in at BLORA.
Weather conditions Saturday were not favorable as storms came through, but the fishing was great as 37 of the 75 angler field weighed in limits! The Bass Club angler Eric Adams took advantage of the flooded conditions throwing bladed jigs and pitching bushes filling his limit early. While culling several times throughout the day, Eric bested the field with a 21.28 pound limit, and a 6.26 pound kicker, to win the event! Fellow TBC angler Brian Jones earned the 2nd spot with a 17.24 pound limit with his 6.20 pound kicker, followed by Vidor Bass Angler Association angler Carl Skiles. with 16.36.
Big Bass honors went to Vidor Bass Anglers Association angler Justin Royal with a 8.16 pound Lake Belton Toad, followed by TBC angler Kenny Curlee with 6.44!
Thank you to Seven Coves Bass Club & Onalaska Bass Club for assisting at this event. Also, thank you to BLORA for being the host site.
June 8th will be our last qualifying event of 2019 on Sam Rayburn out of Mill Creek. We will announce our Angler Of The Year, Top-40 Championship Qualifiers, as well as the Top-40 lake. See you at Big Sam!
Special thanks to sponsor partner McCain Rods and Swagger Tungsten. Please know that Swagger is offering a special promotional discount to Region anglers, so please contact your club president for more information.
-DT