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NBC All Pro Series Yadkin Division
2010
2009
Sorrell and Hedgecock Storm NBC Yadkin Pro At High Rock
May 23, 2009
Nine hours of tough fishing against some of the best competition that floats on the Yadkin River and five ounces is worth $900... the difference between first place and fourth. That's what it took for Brian Sorrell and partner, Michael Hedgecock on the first day of Memorial Weekend on High Rock to win the National Bass Circuit's All Pro Series Yadkin Division competition. The anglers bested 27 other boat teams by, literally, the weight of a few large crankbaits.
The competition, which used a busy Tamarac Landing, launched to a quiet morning, but by noon the waters were churning with summer recreational traffic. There were no quiet coves on a lake that was at full pond to begin with. Debris fields were everywhere making movement a rather treacherous, and only the bravest and shortest could slip under the trestles. Sorrell and Hedgecock began their morning a short ways up Crane Creek working docks and rocks, but found little luck. A shift in locations and tactics made the difference, as the pair began finding bass soon after.
The NBC All Pro Series Yadkin group pulled some of the largest average bag weights this May, as the first six positions pulled from 18.86 pounds to the winning bag of 19.88 pounds. Barely a pound separated these positions, and it got even closer as teams competed for the $1,200 top prize. Sorrell and Hedgecock beat second placers, Michael and Barry Davis by just over a tenth of a pound. That team scored 19.75 pounds and walked away with the $800 prize. The Davis Team did nab Second Big Fish with a 5.99 pounder, which added $108 to their winnings. Ironically, they bumped out the tournament winners' 5.79 pounder in the last few minutes of the weigh in.
First Big Fish bragging rights were given to Josh Brady and Tommy Swicegood who found a 6.13 pounder. That solo fish paid them a big $260 thank you. Most of the winning boat teams admitted to flipping brush or using spinners most of the day.
Mike Miller and Maurice Freeze nailed third spot with a bag weight of 19.56 pounds, taking home $500 in the process. Their weight beat fourth placers, Randy Weddington and Ronnie Smith, who boated and bagged 19.4 pounds. Fourth place paid $300.
It wasn't until the teams hit fifth place that bag weights slipped a hair below the 19 pound mark. Chris Brown and Jason Thomas narrowly missed the “19” Club by weighing in 18.98 pounds. The pair netted $250 for a day's work. Sixth and final paying slot went to Rob Digh and Brent Long. That Team hauled out 18.86 pounds and won a $200 check.
The National Bass Circuit ( http://www.national-bass.com ), directed by Scott Turner, boasts a number of levels of competition and regional divisions within each of those. Information about the All Pro, Sports Series, and Top Gun events can be found on their web site or on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums.
All competition levels culminate in a 3-day Championship event November 13, 14, and 15 at Lake Norman. The event will take place at the Blythe Landing from safelight to 3 PM each day. A mandatory meeting will take place that Thursday. For more information, contact Scott Turner or Jeff Turner at 704-791-4210 or 800-230-4236.