Team Gordon “Leaps” The Competition
February 29, 2020-Jefferson County, TN: On a day that comes only once every 4 years, Leap Day 2020 dawned cold and snowy as 227 boats registered for the first Morristown Marine Team Trail event of the year. The fishing was fair, as only 68 limits were brought to the scales, however, 142 teams weighed at least 1 fish. The post-front, high bluebird skies made for a nice day, but tough fishing. A total of 544 fish hit the scales and were released alive and well Saturday, for a total of 1,480.86 lbs. A total of 38 places were paid, with a cut weight of 13.84 to cash a check. Including field payout and all contingency money, a total of $47,020.00 was paid out at the ramp.
Making the most of Leap Day was the team of Jeremy Gordon of Rutledge, TN and Phillip Gordon of Middlesboro, KY. They had a monster bag weighing 21.34 lbs and was anchored by a giant 5.04 lb smallmouth. After weigh in, Jeremy & Phillip said they caught their fish deep off of schools they located using sonar and active imaging. Jeremy & Phillip took home several checks Saturday totaling $13,000.00. Congrats on a big win, guys!
Right on their heels was the team of Joe Slagle (Bristol, TN) and Garrett Clark (Kingsport, TN) with a big limit weighing 18.66 lbs. Joe and Garrett said after weigh in they caught most of their bag fishing vertical. For their efforts, Joe & Garrett cashed a check for $4,000.00. Congrats on a great finish!
Coming in 3rd was Steven Dark of Jonesborough, TN with an 18.03 lb limit. Steven took home a check for $3,000.00 for his day of fishing. Congratulations!
4th place went to Brian Pate of Wise, VA and Austin Compton of Raven, VA with a 5 fish total of 17.40 lbs. Brian and Austin cashed a $1,500.00 check for their day of fishing. Good job, guys!
Rounding out the top 5 was Mike Smith and Tyler Kirby both of Jacksboro, TN with a weight of 17.39 lbs. Mike and Tyler’s bag of fish earned them a $1,000.00 check. Nice limit, guys!
Check out the full results here.
The Citizens Bank Big Largemouth went to Jimmy Taylor and Chase Henley with a 5.29 giant of a green fish! That fish was worth $1,125.00! Congrats!
The Citizens Bank Big Smallmouth payout went to Rod Whitworth and Johnny Wilson on monster smallmouth tipping the scales at 5.44 lbs! That toad brownie earned them a check for $1,125.00! Nice fish, guys!
New for 2020 is our Highest Finishing Minn Kota and Humminbird Bonus. Anyone entering the tournament with BOTH Minn Kota and Humminbird products installed on the boat being used for the tournament qualifies for this payout. Saturday’s winners were Greg McDavid and Justin Williams with 16.76 lbs and they got a check for $250.00. 2nd Highest Finishing MinnKota/Humminbird went to Rex Huff and Mike Boggs with 116.72 lbs. They received a check for $150.00. Humminbird: Simply. Clearly. Better. Check out how to get in on the One Boat Network at https://www.minnkotamotors.com/ and get paid for running the best equipment on the water.
Highest Finishing Gray Fox Insurance payout went to Clifford Bunch & Gary Pilkenton with a total weight of 16.46 lbs and a got them a check for $250.00 2nd Highest Finishing Gray Fox Insurance payout went to Jimmy Taylor and Chase Henley with their 15.17 lb bag. Their choice to insure with Gray Fox Insurance paid them back $250.00 Saturday. Get in touch with Randy Heatherly and the gang at Gray Fox Insurance in LaFollette, TN and get in on the payback!
The 2020 Morristown Marine Bucks program is a 2-tier system designed to show our thanks to those who choose to purchase their boats from us. The Morristown Marine New Bucks pays back those who purchased a brand-new boat from us in 2018, 2019 or 2020. Saturday’s winners were: Clifford Bunch with 16.46 lbs that earned him a check for $1,000.00. 2nd highest finishing Morristown Marine New Bucks went to Jimmy Taylor with 15.17 lbs and he got a check for $750.00. Thank you both for choosing to spend your hard-earned dollars at Morristown Marine.
The 2nd tier of Morristown Marine Bucks is the pre-owned program. Same idea as the new boats, just tailored to our pre-owned customers from 2018, 209 and 2020. Saturday’s winners were: Brandon Hartgrove with 14.34 lbs and he got a check for $500.00. 2nd Highest Finsihing Morristown Marine Pre-owned Bucks went to Jackie Nicely and a check for $250.00. Thank you both for choosing to buy your pre-owned boat at Morristown Marine!
Highest Finishing Skeeter Bonus:
- Gordon/Gordon: 21.34 lbs, $3,000.00
- Dewees/Napier: 17.24 lbs, $1,500.00
- Hamilton/Ball: 16.61 lbs, $1,000.00
- Majni/Willis: 16.58, $800.00
- Bunch/Pilkenton: 16.46 lbs, $700.00 6.
- Carmack/Davis: 15.92 lbs, $500.00
- Brown/Leonard: 15.24 lbs, $250.00
- Taylor/Henley: 15.17 lbs, $200.00
- Wormsley/Carroll: 15.15 lbs, $150.00
- Roark/Smith: 15.14 lbs, $100.00
Morristown Marine would like to give a special thanks to The Carson-Newman Fishing Team for assisting us with parking Saturday morning. It’s not a glamorous job, but these guys did great managing the flow of boats in a very constricted space. Thank you guys and I appreciate the patience and understanding from our anglers as these young men managed to get all our available parking filled to capacity.
Also, we’d like to thank Skeeter, Yamaha, Humminbird, Minn Kota, Power Pole, Jefferson County, Gray Fox Insurance, Old Stage Printing, Shotcrete, Volunteer Trenching, Jimmy Taylor Plumbing, B&H Sales, Lake View Dock, Citizens Bank, Cumberland Gap Spring Water, Jerry’s Bait Shop, L&M Sales & Service, Value RX Pharmacy, and Hammrtech for sponsoring the 2020 Morristown Marine Team Trail. If not for help of these sponsors, this tournament trail would not exist.
Our next stop brings us back to LaFollette, TN in beautiful Campbell County for our annual trip to Lonas Young Park and the great atmosphere at The White Bridge! We look forward to seeing all of you on March 21st on Norris Lake!