The Grant/Matheny team weighed 14-fish at 24.12 pounds.
The Crappie Masters American Ethanol KY/TN State Championship was held last weekend on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes, which resulted in great promotion of E10. The national tournament trail is presented by NCGA and Renewable Fuels Association; this championship was sponsored by KyCorn and Commonwealth Agri-Energy. This program provides us opportunity to share the good news and dispel some common myths about ethanol and marine engines. TN Corn Growers assisted in some local media efforts.
The winners, Jonathan Grant and Jackie Matheny, hailed from Mayfield, KY. The leaderboard showed a razor thin margin throughout the entire weekend, but they posted the two highest weights each day of the tournament. The Grant/Matheny team weighed 14-fish at 24.12 pounds. The team won $5,000 for the victory, plus the additional $500 Missouri Corn Grower Association/American Ethanol Bonus for using E10 fuel in their boat. Read more results.
Executive Director Laura Knoth explained how the program continues paying dividends.
“Over the past couple of years, I’ve had the opportunity to have personal conversations with anglers; their depth of knowledge and attitude regarding corn farmers and ethanol, including its compatibility with boats, is increasing and improving. Area businesses are also taking note of our message, marine service dealers allowed us to display pro-ethanol banners in front of their buildings. That is definitely a first, and it’s the start of a promising dialogue!”
The KyCorn and CAE sponsorship also included a Crappie Masters TV episode to be filmed at this tournament, which will amplify the messages of this weekend to a national television audience. The episode will air in Spring 2018, and will feature messages by Jessica Bennett, NCGA’s Director of Market Development, and Adam Andrews, KyCorn’s Program Director. Farmer leaders used the fanfare associated with this tournament to earn some media attention. They also sent letters-to-the-editor to several newspapers throughout Kentucky and West Tennessee, many of which were printed.
The runner up position was claimed by the Jenko Fishing team of Tony and Mike Sheppard, who like Grant and Matheny, made a critical and bold decision to leave Kentucky Lake for Barkley Lake on Championship Saturday based solely on predicted high winds and familiarity with the lake. Although their day two weight was lower than day one, the 21.17 pounds they did weigh was enough to keep them comfortably in second place and claim the $2700.00 prize that went with it.
Third place went to the eight-time National Championship team of Ronnie Capps and Steve Coleman who overcame engine failure on Championship Saturday reducing the team to rely solely on their Minn Kota Trolling Motor and Humminbird electronics to find quality fish and go to a secondary launch site. They were able to maintain their third place position weighing in a two day weight of 19.91 pounds, reconfirming the fact they remain a force to be reckoned with even in the face of adversity.
Fourth place was filled by the team of Tony and T.J. Grooms who made a huge jump on Championship Saturday moving up from 16th place to 4th and claim $1600.00 for their effort.
Fifth place went to the two time 2017 Crappie Masters winning team of Paul and Elizabeth Turner, who had another strong showing weighing in a two day weight of 19.76 pounds taking home a $1200.00 check along with a $100.00 Grizzly Jig Company Certificate for finishing as the top Male/Female team of the tournament.
The father/daughter team of Mark and Olivia Arnold, who weighed in 16.95 pounds, were awarded the top Adult/Youth prize of a $100.00 Everhart’s Outdoor Store gift card and a Minn Kota Trolling Motor.
Big Fish of the tournament, a 2.58 dandy, was caught by the team of Monty McWilliams and David Davidson who stated that was the only quality fish they caught over the two tournament days. This one fish was worth $812.00.