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Berkley Big Bass Challenge Hosts Record Field

The 5th annual Berkley Big Bass Challenge on Lake Fork hosted by BassChamps set another record with 782 anglers showing up to win cash prizes along with the chance to win one of two Skeeter Boats with a combined value of more than $113,000.

Lake Fork is known for its big bass, but has a slot limit. Any bass between 16" and 24" is considered illegal, so only fish under or over the slot could be weighed in.

The Skeeter boat awards were for the biggest bass over and the biggest bass under the slot. The hourly payout formula along with the strategy of when to weigh the fish kept the anglers guessing and added more anticipation and excitement for the audience. Nacogdoches, Texas, resident Dale Drewery was the overall winner with his 9.08-pound bass.

"The Big Bass Challenge is strictly for the amateur angler," said Andrew Marks, Marketing Director for Berkley. "It doesn't include any professionals, and is a great way to get the whole family involved. With another record turnout, we will set our sights on next year's event to make it even bigger and better.

Windy conditions plagued the event, but when Drewery brought his nine-pounder to the scales it was clear that this event would get interesting. Fishing a flooded timber point, Drewery threw a Carolina rigged 10-inch Berkley Power Worm and struck gold. The big bass award was a Skeeter ZX 200, rigged with Yamaha VZ200 HPDI with Minn-Kota trolling motor and Humminbird electronics plus $500.

The winning bass under the slot was weighed in during the first hour of the first day. Michael Rogge of the Lake Fork area fished deep standing timber, swimming a 5" Berkley Power Hawg. The scales locked in at 2.96 pounds, the biggest under the slot to be weighed in over the course of two days. He was presented with a Skeeter SX 195 powered by a Yamaha 150, Humminbird electronics and Minn-Kota trolling motor plus $500.

The Experience Trailer was on site to support Lake Fork Marina with demos and education on the selection of baits. Johnny Glass, James Clademeyer and John Tanner, Berkley Elite Guides on Fork were also helping the anglers with their selection.

The tournament will air on WFN and more information can be found on the BassChamps website. The dates for the 6th Annual Berkley Big Bass Challenge on Lake Fork will be announced soon.

5th Annual Berkley Big Bass Challenge Winners – Lake Fork, Texas

DALE DREWERY
Nacogdoches , Texas - Skeeter ZX 200 - Yamaha VZ200 HPDI - Minn-Kota- Humminbird + $500.00

JOHNNY HAYNES
Farmington, NM - $500.00

SKEETER FOWLER
Grand Saline, Texas - $500.00

MICHAEL ROGGE
Yantis, Texas - Skeeter SX 190 - Yamaha VMAX 150 HPDI - Minn-Kota- Humminbird + $500.00

CYRUS GRIFFIN
Greenville, Texas - $500.00

JEFF NELSON
Garland, Texas - $500.00

STEVE HOPE
Ovilla, Texas - $500.00

DAVID OZIO
Beaumont, Texas - $500.00

DON WOODS
Quitman, Texas - $500.00

BILLY DYSON
Arlington, Texas - $500.00

DON OVERSTREET
Sulphur Spring, Texas - $500.00

TJ COPELAND Jr.
Mineola, Texas - $500.00

ERIC WRIGHT
Scurry, Texas - $500.00

WAYNE KRALIK
Plano, Texas – $500.00

JIMMY HOLT Sr.
Ore City, Texas - $400.00

LYNDEL PEARSON
Point, Texas - $400.00

GEORGE FREEMAN
Norman, Okla. - $400.00

CLAY IVY
Robline, La. - $400.00

JD HARRIS
Larid Hill, Texas - $400.00

LYNN BAXTER
Gilmer, Texas - $400.00

JOHN GUICE
Trophy Club, Texas - $400.00

DAVID WEBER
Dallas, Texas - $400.00

JOHN GUICE
Trophy Club, Texas - $400.00

JOSEPH BRYSON
Alba, Texas - $400.00

DON ROBINSON
Kilgore, Texas - $400.00

DAVID SPEAKMAN
Mesquite, Texas - $400.00

KURT RATLIFF
Rockwall, Texas - $350.00

GAULDEN STARR
Avinger, Texas - $350.00

DAVID FANNING
Addison, Texas - $350.00

DALE HARRISON
Ruidoso, New Mexico - $350.00

JEFF HUDSON
Ore City, Texas - $300.00

LYNN BAXTER
Gilmer, Texas - $300.00

GARRY SIGLER
Waco, Texas - $300.00

JIMMIE FORD
Marshall, Texas - $300.00

PAUL KIRK
Red Oak, Texas - $300.00

JOHN REDMON
Emory, Texas - $300.00

LYNDEL PEARSON
Point, Texas - $300.00

CLARA BOX
Princeton, Texas - $300.00

CHARLES CALHOUN
Gilmer, Texas - $300.00

CHARLIE CREDICOTT
Benbrook, Texas - $300.00

WILLIAM TALLEY
Taylor, Ark. - $250.00

DAVID CODY
Yantis, Texas - $250.00

MARC MITCHELL
Sulphur Springs, Texas - $250.00

DAVID SETTLE
Yantis, Texas - $250.00

DONALD MOORE

Kilgore, Texas - $200.00

RUSSELL ROBINSON
Sumner, Texas - $200.00

HAROLD BREDEMEIER
Richardson, Texas - $200.00

JAMES PAINTER
Grand Prairie, Texas - $200.00

BRUCE SHAW
Cleveland, Texas - $200.00

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