B.A.I.T. News

Winchell and Winchell Win B.A.I.T. Classic XII on Chickamauga

On Friday October 7, 2011 and Saturday October 8, 2011 B.A.I.T. held it's twelfth annual Classic on Chickamauga Lake in Dayton, TN. Fluctuating water levels and dropping temperatures from the week before led to some tough fishing conditions early in the week. As the week progressed however, the fishing got a lot better. The City of Dayton and Creekside Marketing played a major role in helping B.A.I.T. make this tournament possible. The City of Dayton furnished traffic control and provided help at weigh in also. 131 boats showed up to compete for first place prize which was a fully rigged 2011 Nitro Z-8 with a 200 hp Mercury Optimax Pro XS. First through tenth places also received trophies.

First place honors went to Doug and David Winchell (TN-I) with a two day total of 35.59 lbs. For their efforts they were awarded a brand new 2011 full rigged Nitro Z-8. Second place went to Cal Clark (AL-VIII) with 34.34 lbs. and was worth $4,500.00. Third place went to Barron Adams and Brian Pierce (TN-IV) with 33.21 lbs. worth $2,500.00. Fourth place went to Mike Pharr and Mike Raney (AL-III) with 32.60 lbs. worth $1,400.00. Fifth place went to Mark Mauldin and Lee Monday (TN-I) with 31.65 lbs. worth $1,000.00. Sixth place went to David Crider and Zack Crider (AL-IV) with 29.79 lbs. worth $800.00. Seventh place went to Ott DeFOE and Jason Nichols (TN-I) with 29.72 worth $700.00. Eighth place went to Anthony Szozda and Gary Thacker (AL-III) with 29.33 lbs. worth $650.00. Ninth place went to Kelvin Michael and Jason Patterson (AL-III) with 28.18 lbs. worth $600.00. Rounding out the top ten was the team of Charles Hatmaker, Jr. and John Talton (TN-IV) with 28.03 lbs. worth $500.00.

Eleventh through 26th place went as follows:

Dickerson, John and Long, Richard - AL III	27.47	425.00
Lowe, Mike and Smiley, Tim - TN II	25.92	425.00
Leonard, Joe and Pendergrass, Rex - VA I	25.82	425.00
Inklebarger, Ryan and Wade, Jack - TN I	25.81	400.00
Justice, John and Saylor, Jamey - TN II	25.59	400.00
Bishop, Bryce and Yelverton, Jason - AL III	25.18	350.00
Kinser, Mike (alt) and Orr, Scott - TN IV	25.15	325.00
Calbaugh, Eddie and Hurley, Gary - TN II	24.08	325.00
Padgett, Brad and Padgett, Daniel - TN II	24.07	300.00
Hinds, Julian and Presley, Joseph - TN II	24.07	300.00
Inman, John and Loveday, Ray - TN I	23.46	275.00
Long, Dan and Wheat, Billy Joe - TN II	23.43	250.00
Wyatt, Delmer and Wyatt, Tim - TN II	23.23	250.00
McConnell, Charlie and Pate, Bill - TN I	23.13	250.00
Powers, Craig and West, John - TN I	22.87	250.00
Guyse, Allen and Hogeland, Rahn - AL VII	22.86	250.00

Day one lunker largemouth went to Mark Mauldin and Lee Monday (TN-I) weighing 6.29 lbs. worth $655.00. Day one lunker smallmouth went to Charlie Hodle and Rick Murray (IN-I) weighing 3.67 lbs. worth $655.00. Day two lunker largemouth went to Doug and David Winchell weighing 7.30 lbs. worth $655.00. Day two lunker smallmouth was a tie between Cal Clark (AL-VIII) and Joe Leonard and Rex Pendergrass (VA-I) weighing 3.68 lbs. and was worth $327.50 for each team.

The City of Dayton helped with traffic control and had excellent facilities ready for us to use. The Family Church of Dayton and the Reel Men cooked for all members of B.A.I.T. and its staff Thursday evening after registration. During registration B.A.I.T. gave away four $500.00 door prizes plus door prizes from Luck E Strike Lures and Products from The Professor. The host motels were exceptionally great in aiding all of the fishermen's needs. Breakfast was made early and there were snacks for the fishermen to take with them and also towels to wipe their boat down at the Holiday Inn Express. The National anthem was sung each morning by great singers courtesy of Gary Louallen. The Professor gave a seminar on sonar and GPS Wednesday evening for all who wanted to come.

B.A.I.T. wants to thank all its sponsors for helping put this event on; it would not have been possible without you: City of Dayton - Gary Louallen and Tony, Creekside Marketing - Bud Strader, Holiday Inn express of Dayton - Tessa Moody, Sportsman Ministries - Joe and Missy Lee, The Family Church of Dayton and the Reel Men, The Professor - Wilson Frazier and all B.A.I.T. staff and other helpers.

You can also become a part of "America's Best Team Trail" by logging on to our website, www.baitinc.com, and checking each division's schedule to see when we will be in your area. Membership is only $40 per person. Membership includes a B.A.I.T. official spinnerbait, decal and a subscription to Midwest Outdoors magazine. Qualifying is easy - all you have to do is fish 7 tournaments in one or various divisions. You can also qualify by finishing in the top 40% (of the average number of boats per tournament) in points in one division. Join today and become a part of Bass Anglers Invitational Trail! We currently have 17 divisions covering 7 states and we are still growing!

Classic XIII has been set!! B.A.I.T. will be heading to Seneca, South Carolina to Lake Keowee. Date TBA. We will have lots of cash and prizes to give away and we hope to see you there. If you have any questions please contact us through our website www.baitinc.com. God Bless and remember to take a kid fishing! For more information please call Sunny DeFOE (President) 865-679-2233, Chris Covington (Vice President) 865-607-0810.