The Bainbridge BassCats have had a busy spring season in 2017 and this past weekend competed against each other to see who could wear the crown of top angler.

Throughout the season, the BassCats have club events where the anglers compete for points that will be tallied and counted toward their Angler of the Year award that is announced at the BassCat banquet.

In the junior division, Bowynn Brown placed first with a combined weight of 8.84 pounds and Blake Fagan came in second weighing in at 6.19 pounds.

Cuyler Duke won the senior division with a combined weight of 5.76 pounds while Andru Matthews came in second with 1.64 pounds.

Cuyler Duke also claimed the big fish award for bringing in a fish weighing 3.96 pounds.

While the competition this past weekend was friendly, the BassCats will head into a tournament this weekend at Lake Blackshear in Cordele looking to qualify teams for state.

While the BassCats already have a number of teams qualified, Basscat coach Roy Matthews would like to see more qualify at Blackshear.

“We’ve got about 8 or 9 teams at least that are going up there,” said Matthew. “I would like to see them qualify.”
Blackshear is the last stop on the Georgia Bass Trail, so this is the last chance for more teams to qualify. If they don’t qualify, Bainbridge will still be well represented in the state championships in June.

“We have managed to get 19 teams qualified to go to the state,” said Matthews. “I think that’s a pretty good turnout and a real good improvement compared to the fact that we had 3 teams last year.”

There will be challenges to face in Lake Blackshear according to Matthews.

“Despite Blackshear being close, I don’t think any has really fished it,” said Matthews. “The kids have to get better at expanding their skill set to other lakes and new techniques.”

Matthews points to the growth of the sport and the continued support of parents, the community and those within the school system for the massive jump in number of teams heading to state. He says the boosters keep the club very active.

Not only do the BassCats have a massive representation at state already, they also have an angler in contention for the statewide Angler of the Year Award.