January 27, 2016 (More Photos) - Shelby County Bass Anglers (SCBA) received the Texas Association of Bass Clubs, Falcon Lake 2015 State Championship award during their annual awards banquet for the 2015 season on January 14. The banquet was held at the John D. Windham Civic Center and those attending enjoyed fish and chicken prepared by the Shelby County Cookers.
Robert Rose, President of the Texas Association of Bass Clubs, presented championship jackets to the winners from the State Tournament which was held at Falcon Lake this past September. Jackets were presented to Glenn Sowell, Jason Wells, Darrin Wiggins, Lance Hughes, David Koonce, Josh Sowell, Cody Barton, and Jacob Permenter. Rose also presented the club with a "Traveling Trophy" which now has the name of SCBA as the newest plaque addition.
Wells introduced the guest speaker BASS elite angler Keith Combs from Huntington, Texas who at the Toyota Texas Bass Classic in 2014 broke the tour-level world record with 110 pounds following three days of competition at Lake Fork. The previous record was 83 pounds.
Comb spoke about how to practice to win a tournament and how to make small adjustments when you find a potential area to help keep you up on the leader board and win. He also spoke about a new class he is offering in Lufkin - the Electronic Edge which is a series of classes designed to help any angler, novice or expert, become better at utilizing their electronics to find and catch more fish.
Recognition of officers and directors for the past year: Jason Wells, President; Larry Matthews, Vice-President; Jake Permenter, Secretary; David Koonce, Treasurer; Tournament directors - Levi Willoughby, Cody Barton, and Ricky Sims; Sammy Arnold, Fundraising Chairperson; Chris Cartwright, board member; Will Lloyd, board member; James Crelia, board member.
Shelby County Junior Bass Anglers (SCJBA) attending were asked to stand and be recognized along with the SCJBA Advisers Glenn and Diana Stanford. Brett Clark and Jared Wiggins were presented plaques for 2015 Jr. Anglers of the Year.
Glenn Stanford responded to words of praise from Wells saying, "Actually we couldn't have done it without y'all. I mean to be honest. It is such a fabulous program they have running right now. I don't know if y'all heard about our first tournament in December; there was 490 teams at this tournament. That right there is a bunch of seventh grade through twelfth grade." He finished saying they couldn't have done it without the clubs support. Stanford also recognized Chandler Burgay and James Marshall for finishing 10th place out of 390 plus teams. Their next tournament will be on February 6th.
Wells also recognized the winners of each tournament for the past year:
February - Jason Wells and John Olive, 25.43lbs
March - Bobby Joe Cartwright and Michael "Lil Man" Gardner, 26.72 lbs
April - Ryan Pinkson, 20.77 lbs.
May - Clarence Denby, 17.32lbs
June - Ryan Pinkston, 24.48lbs
July - Chris Cartwright and Andre Cartwright, 18.57lbs
August - John Olive and Jason Wells, 21.93lbs
September - David Koonce and Brandon Wells, 21.94lbs
Wells presented some special 1st time awards: Michael 'Lil Man' Gardner - "I'm Gonna" award, Philip Crelia - "I Had On" award, Bobby Addison - "Are We Trailering" award, Cody Barton - "I Gotta" award, Collin Lloyd - "I Second That" award, 'Moon Pie' Sowell - "Stealth Bomber" award, David Cartwright - "Dragon Fly" award, Cody Barton and Jacob Permenter - "Total Team Combined Weight" award.
End of the Year Awards were presented as follows:
- 2015 Big Bass of the Year - Chance Moton and Shane Murphy (9.49lbs)
- 2015 Largest Stringer of the Year - Michael Gardner and Bobby Cartwright (26.72lbs)
- 2015 Horizon Award - Justin Brinson and David Cartwright
- 2015 Most Total Weight for the Year - Jason Wells and John Olive (135.51lbs)
- 2015 Anglers of the Year - Jason Wells and John Olive
- 2015 Norris Askew Classic Championship - Jason Wells and John Olive (Day 1 Sam Rayburn: 22.12lbs, Day 2 Toledo Bend: 15.37lbs, Total: 37.49lbs)
To learn more about the SCBA, visit them online http://www.shelbycountybassanglers.com.
