Jase Saunders Benefit Fishing Tournament
By Matt Harrup
The Jase Saunders Benefit Fishing Tournament was scheduled for Saturday, September 8th, 2018 but a rainy forecast was determined to change the date. The forecast had everyone worried as it predicted thunderstorms for the whole day and cooler temperatures. Although the cooler temperatures were welcomed the thunderstorms were not.
At 530am on Saturday morning we all started to roll in. Two boats were already at the ramp with one already in the water waiting. Registration opened and livewell checks began. It wasn’t long before we had boats lined up at the ramp waiting to be launched. The big talk was the weather and when the thunderstorms would arrive. The weather during registration was different then the forecast thankfully, it was partly cloudy and no fog. The radar showed a strong thunderstorm on the Carolina/Virginia border but wasn’t moving. This didn’t stop 25 boats from showing up to participate in this event.
Around 650am all boats were in the water and ready to be launched. The announcement was made that there will be two spots paid out for big fish since we had over 20 boats in the event.
At 700am all boats were launched one by one by their boat numbers. Three minutes later all boats were passed the no wake buoys and headed out to their favorite spots. The weather still a concern as it was now 100% cloudy the forecast we all had seen the night before still on our minds.
As the day went on the weather got better far as the possibility of rain. The sun came out and heated everything up. The water temperature was in the mid-80s and everyone knew their best chances of having a big bag or big fish was to go deep. As we rode around we passed many boats offshore or off main points. Some could be found running deep banks that were known to have nice ledges underneath the surface of the water. As the day progressed the temperature got up close to 80 degrees.
Just before the 3 o’clock hour preparations started to prepare for the weigh-in. Thebasscast.com came out to be present for the weigh-in and assist with the picture taking. Michelle and Jase Saunders arrived a few minutes early to wait for Seth Saunders and his partner to come in and to be present for the weigh in as well.
At 3 pm there was a line of boats eager to be trailered and get in line for the weigh-in. The first two boats out of the water had no fish and would be the start of the conversation as to how tough the day on the water. Weigh-in was started off by Frank Dalton who turned in three bass. The line formed and weigh-in was in full swing. We saw a hand full of three-pound bass, a few four pounders and a nice five pound bass by Craig Blankenship and his grandson. Weigh-in finished up around 330pm followed by Seth giving the crowd a big thank you for coming out to support his family.
Shortly after weigh-in finished up the check ceremony began. Here are your winners;
Big fish 1st place: Craig Blankenship (boater)/Joby Blankenship with 5.18lbs
Big fish 2nd place: Bud Adkins (boater)/Kevin Barker (coangler) with 4.09lbs
Overall 1st place: Craig Blankenship (boater)/Jacob Blankenship (coangler) with 5 fish for 14.35lbs
Overall 2nd place: Chase Bennett (boater)/Colin Bennett (coangler) with 5 fish for 11.03lbs
Overall 3rd place: Chad Wilson (boater)/Elliott Pilson (conagler) with 5 fish for 10.34lbs
Overall 4th place: Been Reynolds (boater)/Brian Blair (coangler) with 5 fish for 9.32lbs
This benefit tournament was a huge success raising $670 for the family of Jase Saunders to help pay medical bills. Also, the winning angler (Overall and Big Fish) gave some of his winnings back to the family as well. Thank you to everyone who came out to fish the benefit as if it wasn’t for each and every one of y’all this wouldn’t have been possible. I originally told Seth that my goal was to raise $500 for him and his family and due to the large turnout we easily passed my goal. By supporting benefits like this each one of us shows the community that not only do we love being outdoors but we like to help the community out when in need as well. Thank you so much and good luck in your future events that you attend.
I would like to thank thebasscast.com for letting us use their scales for weigh-in and for being there to assist at the weigh-in. Also, I want to thank Cody Breeding, Seth Saunders, Robert Parker and Jacob Stevens for helping me at registration, with live well checks, and at the weigh-in. Also to those boats with kids onboard, thank you so much for teaching our love for the outdoors to the next generation.<4>