Military event more than just another bass tournament

ATHENS, Ala. – When anglers gather to fish the 21st annual American Bass Anglers Military Team Bass Championship tournament, slated for May 5-7, 2011, on Clarks Hill Lake, they fish for more than prizes.

True, the anglers fish for a chance to win a 3-night, 4-day big game fishing adventure to Los Sueños Resort in Costa Rica, courtesy of Early Times Kentucky Whisky and JDC Marketing. They also fish for other cash prizes, but they really fish for fun and to recapture the spirit they enjoyed while serving their country.

“I really like to fish this tournament because it’s like the camaraderie that we used to have in the service,” said Chris Bolden, a 10-year Navy veteran from Lexington Park, Md. “I’m looking forward to my seventh military tournament. It’s a bunch of folks getting together to have fun. Now, we have women participating and it’s even sweeter.”

Also called J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir, Clarks Hill Lake covers 71,535 acres along the Savannah River on the Georgia-South Carolina line. It can produce largemouth bass approaching 15 pounds. Many anglers fish poppers and walking topwaters or jerkbaits around points or in the creeks. Anglers can also fish shaky head jigs tipped with watermelon or green pumpkin plastic over humps in 15 to 20 feet of water.

Bolden, who worked on P-3 Orion patrol aircraft in Maine, Spain and other places, fishes local tournaments on the Potomac River. He often fishes with his wife, Cyndi, who retired from the Navy.

“I’ve never fished Clarks Hill Lake before, but always wanted to, so I’m excited about that,” Bolden said. “I won’t really know how to fish the lake until I get there, but I’m probably going to fish points with shaky heads and drop shots.”

The anglers will launch at Wildwood Park in Columbia County, Ga. Any active duty military or Coast Guard member, Department of Defense civilian or contractor, retired military member or honorably discharged veteran can participate. Military family members at least 16 years old can also participate.

Bolden will fish with Pete Hirschoff, a retired Navy senior chief petty officer. Among other assignments, Hirschoff served on the around-the-world maiden voyage aboard the U.S.S. John C Stennis aircraft carrier. He also served aboard another carrier, the U.S.S. George Washington, and in Iraq.

“This will be my first time to fish in a big tournament like this,” Hirschoff said. “I never fished Clarks Hill Lake. I am anxious to see if there are other anglers that I may have served with during my military days.”

Jack Bell, a retired Marine Corps captain, served on explosive ordnance disposal teams and as a Parris Island drill instructor. He fished many military tournaments and other ABA events since 1985. He normally fishes with the Hub City Bassmasters in Crestview, Fla., but never fished on Clarks Hill.

“Since my retirement from the military and a couple of other life-changing events, I haven’t been on the water as much as I would have liked these past few years,” Bell said. “I really enjoy the brotherhood and camaraderie more than the competition. I have not fished Clarks Hill Lake before, but I’m certainly looking forward to it.”

Bell plans to fish with Matt McCloud, another Clarks Hill newbie. An Air Force staff sergeant medic on active duty at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., McCloud served a tour in Iraq and participated in humanitarian missions to Haiti and elsewhere.

“The first time I competed in a military team tournament was in 2010 at Lake Eufaula,” McCloud said. “I’ve never had the chance to fish Clarks Hill, but I’ve done a ton of research on the lake and studied prior winning patterns. I was very lucky to have a father who loves the outdoors. I would like to thank him for his knowledge of the outdoors and for sharing his passion with his children. Without strong roots in the outdoors, I don’t know where I would be or what I would be doing.”

Besides the trip to Costa Rica and cash prizes for top catches, some lucky competitor may win a seven-day trip for two to anywhere in the world with Armed Forces Vacations in a drawing. The public may attend the free weigh-ins, which begin at 3 p.m. each tournament day at Wildwood Park. In addition, the Bama Girls, all former Miss Alabamas, and other acts will entertain during a free USO show, slated for 7 p.m. May 3 at Patriots Park.

For more information on the tournament, call (888) 203-6222. On line, see www.americanbassanglers.com.

About American Bass Anglers: The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series provides weekend anglers a professionally operated competitive tour with a path the world championship of bass fishing the Bassmaster Classic. American Bass Anglers commitment is to provide low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers and the American Fishing Tour, The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com.