Day One of the Shreveport/Bossier City Fishers Of Men National Championship Tournament proved to be productive for many of the 280+ anglers who blasted off at 7:15am

(Mar. 25, 2009 – Shreveport/Bossier City, LA)... Over 300 anglers and family members gathered at the Bossier City Civic Center, 620 Benton Rd for the Fishers Of Men pre-tournament meeting; arranged by Mary Anne Tice, Executive Director for the Shreveport/Bossier City Regional Sports Authority. Attendees enjoyed a delicious meal provided by East South Baptist Church and thoroughly appreciated our speaker’s music and words of encouragement from Country Music’s former “Horizon Award” winner, Marty Haggard.

By the end of the fishing day, 141 teams lured 458 bass to the scales, weighing 1070.30 lbs. including one 11.70 lbs national-championship-record-breaking bass and sixty, 5-fish limits.

Rodney Hicks battled the phenomenal 11.70 lbs sow for 20 minutes just after 8:00am, utilizing a soft plastic bait. He and his partner, Kyle Ferguson (Alabama Central Div) are leading after the first day, with 21.17 lbs. Rick Ferguson and David Patrick (Arkansas South) are currently holding the 2nd place slot with a limit of quality fish going 19.80 lbs.

Sitting in 3rd place after Day 1 is Kansas anglers, Chuck Gardner and Shane Wilson, with a limit weighing 17.93 lbs. Tied with the 3rd place team at 17.93 are North Carolina East Division teammates, Kevin Jones and Mike Posten.

Rounding out the top 5 places on Day–one are David Marshall and Curtis Harding (from the Texas East Division) with 16.43 lbs. The Day-one $250.00, Second Big Fish Award went to Alabama Central anglers, Ken McMellan and Doug Rochelle for their 6.13 lbs largemouth.

Locally, we appreciate the efforts of Mary Ann Tice and her assistant, Shannon, from the Shreveport/Bossier City Regional Sports Authority in bringing us to the area. Also we want to thank the east South Baptist Church for providing our grand meal; consisting of Deep-fried fish, Jambalaya, and fries. The people at the Civic Center were the greatest; by getting everything setup and helping us at all times during our event with such a friendly and genuine attitude.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the fine companies that make Fishers of Men possible; Triton Boats, Mercury, Strike King Lure Company, Outdoors, All Star Rods, Solar Bat, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, Keel shield, Marshall’s Marine Lake City SC, Kistler, Jones Chevrolet, All-Terrain Tackle, Dual Pro Charger, XTools, Lowrance, Buckeye Lures, Stanley Jigs, Castrol, Deka marine Master Batteries, Spike-It, Jacobs Glass, Motorguide, Hooah Energy Bars & Drinks, Hot Rods Marine Care Products, SOSPENDERS, River Bottom Lures, Shakespeare, Diamond Cut Jeans, T&H Marine BASS Rx, and Keep Alive.