Haidusek & Howard Win National Crappie League Tournament at Toledo Bend
Many, LA – The National Crappie League visited Toledo Bend, Many, Louisiana, for an Open Division, two-day national qualifier tournament on June 24 & 25, 2023. The fishermen faced 104-degree, humid, extreme heat and bright sunshine but found plenty of cooperative fish, allowing a five-fish limit each day.
The HH Rods and Reels Team of Frank Haidusek of Kansas, and Eric Howard of Florida, took the first-day lead and continued the good fishing into day two of the competition to win by 1.73 pounds. Day one weight for five fish was 9.84 pounds, day two 9.46, for a ten-fish total of 19.30 pounds to win $7,400. They also had big fish of the tournament with a 2.43-pound slab worth $2000. They earned a total of $9,400.
Haidusek and Howard fished mid-lake using Pro Tuff and other baits. During pre-fishing they were targeting black crappie but had no success, so they switched to white crappie. Sometimes luck is luck, and sometimes luck comes from hard work. They got lucky and found their fish on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. They decided to focus all their efforts on that one area. Most of their fish came from 15 to 20 feet of water on a creek channel. The key was being in the right place at the right time. Day one fish were caught from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and day two crappie were caught by 7:30 a.m.
Hayden Jeffries and Dan Jeffries of Brandon, Mississippi, took second place with 17.57 pounds to win $3,200. This team pre-fished 15 to 35 feet deep water, looking for big white crappie but didn’t find them. They said the fish they caught weren’t pressured, but there weren’t enough big fish there to win.
Third place was Clay Gann and Todd Froebe of Lindale, Texas, who struggled on day one and ended in the seventh place spot. The second day, they caught a huge stringer of 9.73 pounds to move up to third with a total of 17.45 pounds and a check for $2,400. They also had the second big fish of the tournament with a 2.17 pounder, worth $300, for a total payday of $2,700.
Fourth place was Travis Brown and Justin Smart with 17.10-pounds to win $1,400. Fifth place and top male/female team were Cliff and Alissa Bammes, with 16.80 for $1,400. Sixth were Christopher Godwin and Wesley Miller, with 16.78 for $850. Seventh was JoJo Baker and Phillip Wilson with 16.75 for $750. Eighth was Travis Decker and Michael Culberson with 16.50 for $650. Ninth was Bret Davis and Robbie Ricard with 16.32 for $550. Tenth was Jody and Eden Vann, with 15.23 to earn $500. Stephen Adams was the top senior to win $300. Brandon and Braydon Deshotel was the top adult/youth team to win $300.
Special Thanks to Our Local Sponsors
Toledo Bend Lake Country, Sabine Parish Tourist & Recreation Commission; Cypress Bend Golf Resort & Marina; Toledo Bend RV Resort & Cabins; Toledo Town & Tackle; Curtis Family Pharmacy; Nichols Stores; Driftwood Inn Lodge by the Lake; Living the Dream Guide Service; El Patio Mexican Grill; Fisherman’s Galley; Toledo Fiberglass
National Sponsors
CarZone USA; Crappie Monster; Grenada Lake Resorts; H&H Rods and Reels; Fisherman’s Haven; Power-Pole; Rockport Rattler; Outlaw Lithium Batteries; Pro Controll; O’Reilly Auto; Team Crappie; Everharts Outdoors; Crappie Brakes; Ludwig Marine; Morris Marine; Charlie Brewer Slider; B’n’M Poles; Crappie Magnet; Jenko Fishing; Midsouth Super Jigs; SoreMouth Tackle; Quality Plumbing N Heating; Millennium Marine; Snacky Lures; CrappieNOW; Crappie.com; Prodezigns; Crappie Customs; Swamp Gear; Hook & Bullet; Slab Crazy Outdoors
Photos
Thanks to Crappie Central for the photos.
Upcoming Events
Open Division: Dec 9-10, Lake D’Arbonne, Farmerville, LA.
Division 1: Sept 9, Lake of the Ozarks, Gravois Mills-Laurie, MO; Oct 7, Rough River Lake, Fall of Rough, KY; Oct 14, Lake D’Arbonne, Farmerville, LA.
National Championship & Expo 2024 Feb 15-18, Ouachita River, Poverty Point, Monroe/West Monroe, LA, and Monroe Civic Center
