1 of 6

Bryson Harrison and Evan Ray

Drake Padgett and Chappell Clanton

Drayden Whitten and Isaac McMath

Emma Claire Copeland with Boat Captain David Copeland

Kal-El Savage and Rex Burkett

Landon Nash and Lane Landon

On Saturday, Nov. 16, the Straughn Fishing Team set out for its last tournament of the Wiregrass Student Angler Trail on Lake Eufaula.

It was a cool start to the morning as 93 boats awaited to blast off. Due to fog, the blast off was delayed a few hours. As soon as the fog lifted the eight Straughn fishing teams set out on a mission to take on Lake Eufaula in hopes of weighing in some big bags.

In the high school division there was a total of 74 teams/boats.

Of the eight Straughn teams that fished on Lake Eufaula, six teams weighed in fish.

The team of Isaac McMath and Drayden Whitten finished in 13th place with five fish weighing in 9.10 pounds.

The team of Chappell Clanton and Drake Padgett finished 28th place with four fish weighing in 5.94 pounds.

The team of Bryson Harrison and Evan Ray finished 40th place with two fish weighing in 2.97 pounds.

The team of Rex Burkett and Kal-El Savage finished 43rd place with two fish weighing in 2.76 pounds.

In the junior high division there was a total of 19 teams/boats.

Emma Claire Copeland finished in 2nd place with three fish weighing in 7.49 pounds. She also won the Big Fish award with the big fish weighing in at 3.71 pounds.

The team of Lane Landon and Landon Nash finished 10th place with one fish weighing in 2.07 pounds.

This weigh in was a little different for the Straughn Bass Team. The team welcomed a new junior high angler, Emma Claire Copeland late into the season. Emma Claire does not have a fishing partner but showed her strengths all alone as she fished her first-ever tournament and finished in second place overall in the junior division and also won the Big Fish award. She brought home two new pieces of hardware.

The Straughn fishing team is excited to have their first ever female angler with hopes of gaining new female members in the future. “That is what is so wonderful about the sport of high school fishing. It is a versatile sport and open to anyone who loves to fish,” representatives of the team said.

With this being the last tournament of the Wiregrass Student Angler Trail, the top teams were announced at the conclusion of the weigh in. The Straughn fishing team finished fifth overall for the Team of the Year award.

As the team continues their fishing season into the new year, they thank their sponsors for their contributions. Without them it would not be possible.

Sponsors for the Straughn Bass Fishing team are Andalusia Ford, Jade Homes, Covington County Commission, Omni Rentals, Casey Propane, Dr. Jon D. Ward, Wyatt Sasser Construction, Johnson and Associates, Pettis Trucking, Clem’s Tackle, Moore Builders, Civil Southeast, Andalusia Farmers Cooperative, SunSouth, Southern Independent Bank, and Covington Electric Cooperative.

Even with the generosity of the sponsors listed, the team still needs more help to carry them through the year, according to team representatives. Any individual or business who would like to assist the team should contact Dawn Ray at 334-208-4928 or dawn.ray32@yahoo.com.

The anglers’ next tournament is not until 2025. Although they are getting a long break, many of the anglers will still be fishing on their time off.

The Straughn Fishing Team will resume its schedule fishing with the Alabama Bass Nation High School Tiger Trail. The junior high teams will fish on Logan Martin Lake on Saturday, Feb. 8. The senior high teams will fish on Logan Martin Lake on Saturday, Feb. 22.

More Sports

Straughn cheerleaders finish in 11th place at state

Pleasant Home cheerleaders finish in fourth place at state

Bobcats earn basketball sweep over Red Level

Eagles score basketball win, Lady Eagles fall to Samson