Page 4 - Crappie NOW - May 2019

by Ron Wong

ot only did the cities of Ruston and learned to embrace. The top 100 teams from
Farmersville, Louisiana roll out the red 2018 qualifying tournaments were invited to
Ncarpet for the crappie anglers competing the championship tournament. Points from
in the American Crappie Trail national this tournament were also used to determine
championship tournament, the Super Bowl of the 2018 Angler of the Year award.
Crappie Fishing, but Lake D’Arbonne showed For the fans and spectators of the
why it is one of the top crappie lakes in the nation. tournament, the excitement began from the
1.25 to 1.5-pound crappie were abundant and day 1 weigh-in to the final fish weighed. This
easy to catch. Ruston, Farmersville and the was the first ever 3-day crappie tournament
Louisiana department of Tourism together with elimination after each of the first 2 days of
provided the finest hospitality one could find competition. After day 1 weigh-in, the field was
anywhere in the U.S. All the accommodations, cut to the top 50 teams to compete on day 2
food, and welcoming atmosphere were top and after the day 2 weigh-in, the top 25 teams
notched. Local marine dealerships worked went on to fish championship Saturday. Every
over time to help contestants that experienced fisherman expressed how working to make
boat problems get back on the water. the cut racked their nerves. So many 10- to
On the final day of the tournament, as the 12-pound limits of crappie were weighed with
25 teams drove from the lake to Ruston for the the weights so close it had all teams on edge.
weigh-in ceremonies, oncoming traffic pulled Weights so close throughout the field is rare.
to the side of the road to admire and respect After the final crappie was weighed on
them. The police escort on that final was not championship Saturday, the Strike King team
only appreciated by the anglers but made them of Tony Hughes of Obion, TN and Jeff Riddle of
all feel like royalty. To kick-off tournament Hornbeak, TN won the tournament with a total
week, John Godwin of the Duck Dynasty 3-day weight of 35.94 pounds. Second place
fame, arranged a welcome party to all B’n’M went to the team of Daniel Porter ad Jeremy
pro staff members fishing the tournament to Aldridge with a total weight of 35.93 pounds.
nearby Duck Commander Warehouse in West This gives you an idea of how close all the
Monroe with dinner provided by Jeff Smith of weights were throughout the tournament.
Crappie Magnet. At the event, all attendees The ACT National Championship
toured the new Duck Commander museum. tournament provided the highest ever total
The American Crappie Trail National purse of over $136,00 in a crappie tournament.
Championship provided the first elimination- A day prior to the actual tournament, a media/
style format used in crappie tournaments. It sponsor/local officials one-fish tournament was
added excitement and drama the anglers held. A record number of teams participated

4 Crappie NOW May 2019