Clarksville, TN – The 17th annual Austin Peay State University Governors Bass Tournament is one week away…and the current weather forecast is predicting a near picture-perfect day.
This year’s version will be held Saturday, May 14th, at Kentucky Lake, with registration and boat launching from Paris Landing, Tennessee, State Park. Last season’s tourney was postponed from May 8th to May 23rd, due to flood conditions that surrounded the area. Despite the two-week delay, the tourney still drew 269 boats.
Despite recent heavy rains, this year’s tourney looks promising, with temperatures currently predicted to be in the low 70s and little chance for precipitation. APSU again is hopeful of approaching the 300-boat total—the record of 333 was set in 2009.
Sponsored by Mercury, Motorguide, The Leaf Chronicle, Legends Bank, Morgan Contractors Inc., Beach Oil, 5 Star Radio Group, Jenkins and Wynne Ford Lincoln Mercury Honda, B&J Marine, WJZM (1400 AM), WKDZ 106.5 FM, WVRY 105.1 FM solid Gospel, Walmart Supercenters (Clarksville), DBS and Associates Engineering, Inc. (David Smith), Grandpa’s Outdoors, The Tackle Box, The New Clarksville Marina, Eagles Nest Campground along with the Governors Club, the tournament will benefit Austin Peay athletics.
Twelve thousand dollars in prize money—an increase of $1,000—will be awarded with a guaranteed first-place prize of $5,000, boosted from the previous $4,000 award. Second-place is guaranteed $1,500. Third and fourth-place will receive $1,000 and $600, respectively. The top 25 places will receive prizes.
Each individual entering the tournament has the opportunity to win the grand door prize, a $12,000 gift certificate from Mercury for Mercury products. In addition, other door prizes will be awarded.
The tourney will begin 6:00am, Saturday, May 14th, although all contestants must be checked in between 4:00am-5:30am, with a mandatory meeting on the water at 5:45am Pre-registration entry fee is $100.00 per boat (two people per boat), $110.00 after noon, Friday, May 13th.
Fishing with artificial baits only is authorized with no motor trolling allowed. A five-fish limit per boat exists.
The Governors Club will have sausage biscuits prior to the tournament and hamburgers and hot dogs at weigh-in.
Weigh in will begin at 3:00pm and boats launching will take place in order of postmark of entry form. Only largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass measuring 15 inches (with mouth closed) will be weighed.
Last year, the team of Sam Lashlee, of Hermitage, and Jeff Davis, of Lebanon, came away with a catch of 29.12 pounds to easily outdistance McKenzie’s Scott Mansfield, who fished by himself but hauled in 22.42 pounds for second. It was Lashlee’s second first-place finish.
For entry form and more information, stop by the APSU University Advancement office or call 931-221-7024 or (931-221-7127), between 8:00am-4:30pm. After business hours, call 931-624-2909 or 931-436-1044. In addition, all this information, including the entry form, is available at the APSU athletics web site: www.letsgopeay.com .
