Sanders & Holleman Win National Crappie League Louisiana Battle
Category: Crappie Fishing Tips
May 9th, 2023 by sworrall
Modified May 9th, 2023 at 3:20 PM
The National Crappie League held an Open Division, two-day national qualifier on the Ouachita River and Poverty Point Reservoir in Louisiana, May 6-7. Anglers competed for $22,000.
Waters were extremely high and dropping, but weather conditions were great both days.
Jordan Sanders & Jason Holleman took the lead on day one and kept their foot on the gas by catching the top weight on the second day, too. Five-fish limits each day resulted in 10.80 and 10.52 pounds, for a total weight of 21.32. Their big fish was 2.44 pounds. They took the first-place prize of $7,500.
The team fished Poverty Point, concentrating on coves. They didn’t prefish, so day one was prefish and tournament. The team covered nine miles of water but kept returning to one area where they caught their bigger fish. Because four of their day-one fish came from that area, and because they only had two other boats there during the first day, they started day two in the hot spot, and it paid off. They said their fish were “on fire”. Baits included Slab Syndicate handtied jigs and ATX 1-inch Baby Shad.
Cliff and Alissa Bammes were second place with 10.31- and 9.41-pound stringers, for a total of 19.72. They won second place for $3,200 and caught the big fish of the tournament with a 2.58-pound slab to earn an extra $2,000. They also won top male/female team for $300, for a total of $5,500.
The Bammes were less than a half-pound out of first place starting day two. “We had a quick start (on day two) by catching two fish over two pounds before 7:00 am, but we had some dry spells and the fish didn’t turn on today after lunch like they did yesterday. We ran out of batteries, so we had to come in early. We fished out in the middle of Poverty Point. Most fish were on bottom and hard to see.” The team used HH Rods, K9 Fishing Line, Pro Tuff baits and Power Poles.
Lamar Bunting was third place with a day one 9.66 and day two 9.90, for 19.56 pounds. He earned $2,200 and had the second big fish of the tournament, a 2.54 pounder, for a $300 bonus. He won a total of $2,500.
Bunting single-pole LiveScoped the Ouachita River. He used Ozark Rods, Bobby Garland Jigs, Snacky Lures, Pro Tuff, and Moxis. “I stayed on the trolling motor covering a lot of water. I killed my batteries and had to grab another one to give me one more hour fishing. The last hour is when I caught my fish.”
Frank Haidusek and Eric Howard took fourth with 19.36 pounds to win $1,500. Fifth place was Chad Turner with 16.56 pounds to win $1,200. Sixth were Kevin McCarley and John Harrison with 16.29 pounds to earn $800. Roy Hoy and Terry Richard finished seventh with 16.07 pounds for $750. Trey and Tucker Underwood had 15.10 pounds for eighth place and they were also top adult/youth for a $300 bonus, to win a total of $950. RJ and Zack Hagett were ninth with 15.03 pounds to win $550. Tenth place was Colton Brower and Jason Adams with 14.16 pounds to earn $450. Dan and Sue Dannenmueller earned $300 for the top senior team.
Special thanks to the local sponsors: Monroe-West Monroe CVB; Ludwig Marine LLC; Morris Marine; Peggy Sullivan State Farm Insurance; Walpole Tire & Service; Ink’s Firestone; ACME Glass & Mirror; Battery Pro; Waterfront Grill; Goldman Marine; Texas Roadhouse West Monroe.
Special thanks to the national sponsors: Carzone USA, Crappie Monster, HH Rods & Reels, Fisherman’s Haven, Power Pole, Rockport Rattler, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Pro Control, Outlaw Lithium Batteries, Ludwig Marine, Morris Marine, Team Crappie, TTI Blakemore, Crappie Brakes, Everharts Outdoors, Hook & Bullet, BnM Poles, Midsouth Tackle, Charlie Brewer Slider, Sore Mouth Tackle, Quality Heating & Plumbing, Crappie Customs, Swamp Gear, Crappie Magnet, Slab Crazy Outdoors, Jenko Fishing, Crappie Now, Crappie.com, Snacky Lures, Millennium Marine and Pro Dezigns.
Photos: crappiecentral.com
The next NCL Open Division tournament is June 3-4 at Sardis Lake, MS. The next Division 1 tournament is May 13, Salamonie & Mississinewa, IN.