2011 - 2012 Tournament Season

2010 - 2011 Tournament Season

Texas Trails Bassmasters held thirteen tournaments this season, beginning in November 2010 at Lake Cypress Springs and ending with two one-day events at Lake Quitman in November 2011.  Participation ranged from a high of 13 at both Monticello in January 2010 and Lake of the Pines in March, to a low of eight at Bob Sandlin in September.  The average attendance was slightly more than 11 anglers, down about one from 2009 – 2010.  Five members – Lew Conder, Don Hampton, Albert Jordan, Don Overstreet, and Gary Smith – entered every tournament.

 We had eight different winners in the thirteen events: Kenny LaDuke (4), Dean Stroman (3), and Lew Conder, Jake Dollison, Scott Fruge, Albert Jordan, Chuck Rizzuto, and Dave Settle one each.  Don Overstreet achieved the distinction of weighing at least one bass in all 13 tournaments.  Dean Stroman, eight tournaments; and Kenny LaDuke, seven tournaments, weighed at least one fish in every tournament they entered; no one with more than three tournaments fished achieved this milestone.

The big stringer of the year was 22.20 pounds weighed by Dean Stroman at Lake of the Pines in March. The heaviest string ever weighed in Texas Trails history (125 tournaments) remains 22.21 pounds weighed at Quitman in March 2006.  The big bass of this season was a 7.71 pound lunker caught at Lake of the Pines by Dean.  The biggest winning margin of the year was 8.12 pounds by Dean Stroman at Welsh in December and the smallest victory margin was a scant 0.01 pounds posted by Don Stapleton at Hawkins in July. 

Eight anglers weighed more than 30 fish for the season: Albert Jordan, 53; Lew Conder, 48; Don Hampton, 44; Don Overstreet, 43; Chuck Rizzuto, 38; Haden Sickles, 36; Dean Stroman, 32; and Gary Smith, 31.  Of anglers fishing all events, Albert Jordan had the highest average weight per bass at 2.00 pounds each, followed by Lew Conder, 1.78; Don Hampton, 1.76; Don Overstreet, 1.54; and Gary Smith, 1.54. Angler of the Year Albert Jordan weighed in 105.79 pounds, besting Dean Stroman by almost 14 pounds. 

Over the course of the season the club weighed 458 fish totaling 847.97 pounds, and average weight of 1.85 pounds.  Almost 97% of the bass were released alive to fight again.  Sixty-five limits were achieved, as well as 23 water hauls.  Anglers recording limits during the season were Albert Jordan, 10; Lew Conder, 8; Don Hampton, 6; Chuck Rizzuto, 6, Kenny LaDuke, 5; Don Overstreet, 5; Scott Fruge, 4; Haden Sickles, 4; Gary Smith, 4; Dean Stroman, 4; Jake Dollison, 2; Don Stapleton, 2; Dave Wylie, 2; Brad Drake, 1; Dave Settle, 1; and Guests, 1.    
 

2009 - 2010 Tournament Season

Texas Trails Bassmasters held thirteen tournaments this season, beginning in November 2009 at Lake Tyler and ending with two one-day events at Lake Tyler in October 2010.  Participation ranged from a high of 16 anglers at Monticello in January to nine fishermen at Lake Tyler in October.  The average attendance was more than 12 anglers. Seven  members –  Lew Conder, Jake Dollison, Scott Fruge, Don Hampton, Albert Jordan, Don Overstreet and Haden Sickles  – entered every tournament.  We had nine different winners in the thirteen events:  Don Hampton (3), Albert Jordan (2), Dean Stroman (2), Jake Dollison, Shane McCollum, Don Overstreet, Dan Roach, Dave Settle and Gary Smith.  Scott Fruge and Don Hampton achieved the milestone of weighing at least one fish in every tournament this season.  The big stringer of the year was 20.49 pounds weighed by Don Hampton at Quitman on May 2nd.  This was the second heaviest stringer weight in Texas Trails history (110 tournaments), surpassed only by a 22.21 pound bag weighed at Quitman in March 2006.  Don’s big string also included a 9.61 pound lunker, the heaviest bass ever weighed in a Texas Trails tournament.

Six anglers weighed more than 30 fish for the season, accounting for more than 58% of fish brought to the scales – Jake Dollison, 34; Scott Fruge, 41; Don Hampton, 49; Albert Jordan, 48; Don Overstreet, 40; and Haden Sickles, 38.  Dean Stroman had the highest average weight per bass at 3.01 pounds.  Of anglers fishing all the events, Don Hampton had the highest average weight per bass at 2.26 pounds, followed by Lew Conder at 2.17 pounds, Albert Jordan at 2.08 pounds, Jake Dollison at 2.01 pounds, Don Overstreet at 1.92 pounds, Scott Fruge at 1.86 pounds and Haden Sickles at 1.73 pounds.  Angler of the Year Don Hampton weighed in 110.98 pounds, besting second place angler Albert Jordan (99.81 pounds) by just over 11 pounds. 

Over the course of the season the club weighed 429 fish totaling 844.57 pounds, an average weight of 1.97 pounds.  Almost 98% of the bass were released alive to fight again.  Forty-six limits were achieved, as well as 31 water hauls.  Anglers recording limits during the season were Albert Jordan (8), Jake Dollison (5), Scott Fruge (5), Don Hampton (4), Don Overstreet (4), Haden Sickles (4), Dave Settle (3), Jim Canon (2), Brad Drake (2), Shane McCollum (2), Dean Stroman (2), Lew Conder, John Heimgartner, Dan Roach, and Gary Smith (a guest also recorded one limit).  The “average” angler caught 2.68 bass per tournament over the season. 

Quitman in May was the most productive normal limit lake for total weight; the club weighed 44 fish weighing 130.70 pounds, an average of 2.97 pounds per bass.  Winnsboro was close behind with an average weight per bass of 2.73 pounds.  Lake Welsh produced average weights over three pounds – 3.22 pounds in December 2009 and 3.18 pounds in February 2010, but the catch rate was less than one per angler.  Tawakoni in August 2010 was also tough fishing, producing only 15 bass for 13 anglers.  The biggest margin of victory was Don Hampton’s 8.49 pound lead at Welsh in February, followed closely by Don Overstreet’s 7.53 margin at Welsh in December.  The smallest margins were Shane McCollum’s .52 pound victory at Monticello and Jake Dollison’s .59 win at Fork in April.  

2008 - 2009 Tournament Season

Texas Trails Bassmasters held fourteen tournaments this year, beginning in November 2008 at Lake Winnsboro and ending with our two one-day events at Lake Tyler in November 2009.  Participation ranged from a high of 19 anglers at Monticello in January to nine fishermen at Lake Fork in October.  The average attendance was around 12 anglers, significantly higher than the average of about seven the past year.  Four members –  Jim Canon, Lew Conder, Don Hampton, and Albert Jordan  – entered every tournament.  We had eight different winners in the fourteen events:  Don Hampton (3), Albert Jordan (3), Brad Drake (2), Dean Stroman (2), Jim Canon (1), Don Overstreet (1), Kelly Perry (1), and Jeff Plunkett (1).  Don Hampton and Albert Jordan achieved the milestone of weighing at least one fish in every tournament this season.  This big stringer of the year was once again claimed by Albert Jordan with his 19.29 limit at Winnsboro (which also produced Albert's big string in May last year) in August.  Albert also had the big bass of the season with a 6.29 lunker at Winnsboro in August.
 
Six anglers weighed more than 30 fish for the season, accounting for more than 54% of fish brought to the scales – Albert Jordan, 58; Don Hampton, 50; Lew Conder, 38; Jake Dollison, 37; Jim Canon, 35; and Haden Sickles, 31.  Dean Stroman had the highest average weight per bass at 2.66 pounds, but of anglers fishing at least half the tournaments Albert Jordan averaged 2.26 pounds per fish weighed.  Angler of the Year Albert Jordan weighed in a massive 131.08 pounds over the season, besting second place Don Hampton (105.69 pounds) by more than 25 pounds.

Over the course of the year the club weighed 456 fish totaling 878.70 pounds, an average weight of 1.93.  Almost 96% of the bass were released alive to fight again.  Fifty limits were recorded, as well as 36 water hauls.  Anglers recording limits during the season were Albert Jordan (9), Don Hampton (6), Lew Conder (5), Jake Dollison (4), Don Overstreet (4), Brad Drake (3), Kelly Perry (3), Haden Sickles (3), Jim Canon (2), Scott Fruge (2), Mark Johnson (2), Dean Stroman (2), Bob Bryan (1), Jeff Plunkett (1), Chuck Turner (1), and Jack White (1).  The “average” angler caught 2.65 bass per tournament over the season.

Bob Sandlin in September was far and away the most productive lake for total weight; the club weighed 50 fish weighing 99.14 pounds, an average of 2.86 pounds per bass.  Lake Welsh produced average weights over three pounds – 3.53 in December and 3.41 in February.  Other than Welsh, Winnsboro in August had the best average bass at 2.86 pounds.  Hawkins in July was tough, producing only 17 fish for 12 anglers.  Fork in October and Monticello in January were also a tough tournaments, with anglers bringing in an average weights of only .75 pound and .95 pound respectively.  The biggest margin of victory was Brad Drakes’s 6.97 pounds at Cypress Springs in June, followed closely by Albert Jordan’s 6.47 pound margin at Winnsboro in August.  Kelly Perry squeaked out a .13 pound win at Monticello in January.

2007 - 2008 Tournament Season

Texas Trails Bassmasters held sixteen tournaments this year, beginning in September 2007 at Lake Fork and ending with our two one-day events at Lake Tyler in October.  Participation ranged from a high of 11 anglers at Winnsboro in May to five fishermen at Tyler.  The average attendance was around seven anglers.  Three members – Lew Conder, Don Hampton and Albert Jordan  – entered every tournament.  We had seven different winners in the sixteen events:  Albert Jordan (4), Lew Conder (3), Don Hampton (3), Mark Johnson (2), Jack White (2), Curtis Jordan (1), and Kelly Perry (1).  No angler achieved the milestone of weighing at least one fish in every tournament this season.  This big stringer of the year was claimed by Albert Jordan with his 18.77 limit at Winnsboro in May.  Big bass honors went to nine fishermen this season, with Albert Jordan leading the field with his 7.47 pounds at Hawkins in July.  Of particular note is Jack White’s .9 lunker that took big bass at Monticello in January. 

Five anglers weighed more than 20 fish for the season, accounting for more than 76% of fish brought to the scales – Albert Jordan, 53; Don Hampton, 49; Lew Conder, 34; Kelly Perry 31; and Mark Johnson, 30.  Jeff Davis had the highest average weight per bass at 3.38 pounds, but of anglers fishing at least half the tournaments Albert Jordan averaged 2.11 pounds per fish weighed.  Albert Jordan weighed in a massive 111.57 pounds over the season, besting second place Don Hampton (88.88 pounds) by more than 22 pounds. 

Over the course of the year the club weighed 264 fish totaling 494.12 pounds, an average weight of 1.87.  Almost 97% of the bass were released alive to fight again.  Twenty-four limits were recorded, as well as 28 water hauls.  Anglers recording limits during the season were Albert Jordan (6), Don Hampton (5), Kelly Perry (3), Jack White (3), Lew Conder (2), Mark Johnson (2), Curtis Jordan (1), Mac McDaniel (1), and Chuck Turner (1).  The “average” angler caught 2.24 bass per tournament over the season. 

Winnsboro in May was far and away the most productive lake for total weight (last season the best month was May, but at Lake Quitman); the club weighed 25 fish weighing 68.33 pounds, an average of 2.73 pounds per bass.  At Cypress Springs in June the club weighed 29 fish weighing 49.79 pounds.  Lake Welsh produced average weights over three pounds – 3.40 in December and 3.37 in February.  Other than the power plant lakes, Hawkins in July had the best average bass at 2.96 pounds.  Tawakoni in October 2007 was tough, producing only two fish for six anglers.  Monticello was also a tough tournament in January 2008, with anglers bringing in an average weight of only .63 pounds.  The biggest margin of victory was Albert Jordan’s massive 10.15 pounds at Welsh in December, followed closely by his 10.12 margin at Winnsboro in May.  Lew Conder squeaked out a .04 pound win at Welsh in February and Jack White squeezed into first by .05 pound at Monticello in January.

2006 - 2007 Tournament Season

Texas Trails Bassmasters held thirteen tournaments this year, beginning in September at Lake Winnsboro and ending with our two one-day events at Richland Chambers in August.  Participation ranged from a high of 15 anglers at Quitman in May to seven fishermen at Richland Chambers.  The average attendance was 11 anglers.  Five members – Lew Conder, Don Hampton, Mark Johnson, Albert Jordan, and Mac McDaniel – entered every tournament.  We had seven different winners in the thirteen events:  Don Hampton [4], Fork (October), Bob Sandlin, Welsh, and Quitman (May); Lew Conder [2], Quitman (November) and Richland Chambers; Jeff Davis [2], Winnsboro and Monticello; Mark Johnson [2], Gilmer and Cypress Springs; Harold Burns, Fork (April); Albert Jordan, Richland Chambers; and Kelly Perry, Caddo.  No angler achieved the milestone of weighing at least one fish in every tournament this season.  The big stringer of the year was claimed by Don Hampton with his 15.89 limit at Bob Sandlin in January.  Big bass honors went to nine fishermen this season, with David Mann leading the field with his 7.72 lunker at Cypress Springs in July.

Seven anglers weighed 25 or more bass for the season, accounting for almost 71% of fish brought to the scales – Don Hampton, 36; Kelly Perry, 32; Lew Conder, 31; Albert Jordan, 31; Sam Hooten, 27; David Mann, 27; and Mark Johnson, 26.  Don Hampton had the highest average weight per bass – 2.29 pounds – of all anglers fishing six or more tournaments..  Don weighed in a total of 82.60 pounds of bass at the thirteen tournaments, besting second place Lew Conder in this category by almost 24 pounds. 

Over the course of the year the club weighed 296 fish totaling 525.15 pounds, an average weight of 1.77.  More than 98% of these fish were released alive.  Twenty-six limits were recorded, as well as 43 water hauls.  Five members had three or more limits – Don Hampton, 5; Sam Hooten, 4; Lew Conder, 3; Jeff Davis, 3; and Kelly Perry, 3.  The “average” angler caught 2.18 bass per day over the season. 

Quitman in May was far and away the most productive lake (last season the most productive lake was also Quitman, but in March); the club weighed 38 fish weighing 79.55 pounds, an average of 2.09 per bass. However, Monticello again produced more numbers (51 bass, 50.46 pounds, .99 average) and Welsh repeated (9 bass, 34.76 pounds, 3.86 average) the best average.  Other notable lakes for the season were Winnsboro in September (20 bass, 44.87 pounds, 2.24 average) and Bob Sandlin in January (25 bass, 61.60 pounds, 2.46 average).  Notorious was Gilmer in June, which produced one bass for 10 anglers; at least it was a good one, weighing 3.63 pounds.  The largest winning margin was Don’s 5.40 pound advantage at Welsh, and Harold Burns squeaked out his Fork win in April by .07 pound. 

 2006 Tournament Season

Texas Trails Bassmasters held nine tournaments this year, beginning in January at Lake Monticello and ending with our two one-day events at Richland Chambers in August.  Participation ranged from a high of 17 anglers at Monticello to nine fishermen at Richland Chambers.  Six members – Lew Conder, Jeff Davis, Don Hampton, Sam Hooten, Albert Jordan, and Kelly Perry – fished every tournament.  We had six different winners in the nine events:  Jeff Davis, Fork and Hawkins;  Mac McDaniel, Welsh and Richland Chambers 2; Kelly Perry, Monticello and Richland Chambers 1; Sam Hooten, Quitman; Don Hampton, Cypress Springs; and Lew Conder, Tawakoni.  Recognition should be given to Don Hampton and Kelly Perry, who both weighed at least one fish in every tournament, and to Albert Jordan, who won big bass of the tournament a remarkable four times.  The big stringer of the year was claimed by Sam Hooten with his 22.21 limit at Quitman in March.  The largest fish weighed this season was the 8.54 lunker Albert Jordan caught at Quitman. 

Four anglers weighed 25 or more bass for the season – Jeff Davis, Don Hampton, Sam Hooten, and Albert Jordan.  Sam Hooten edged Lew Conder for the highest average bass weighed, 2.37 pounds to 2.36.  Sam weighed in a total of 61.51 pounds of bass at the nine tournaments, besting second place in this category by more than six pounds. 

Over the course of the year the club weighed 268 fish totaling 481.15 pounds, an average weight of 1.80.  More than 93% of these fish were released alive.  Twenty-eight limits were recorded, as well as 19 water hauls – five of those at Lake Welsh with its more restrictive length limit.  The “average” angler caught 2.53 bass weighing 4.54 pounds per day over the season. 

Quitman in March was far and away the most productive lake; the club weighed 37 fish weighing 117.70 pounds, an average of 3.18 per bass.  However, Monticello produced more numbers (74 bass, 49.74 pounds, .67 average) and Welsh (9 bass, 35.12, 3.90 average) showed the best average.  The largest winning margin was Sam's 3.06 pound advantage at Quitman, and Kelly got his Monticello win by .27 pound.