NAPIER AND KEATON SQUEAK OUT A WIN
March 21, 2026– New Tazewell, TN: The Morristown Marine Team Trail returned to Brogan’s Ramp on Norris Lake after several years for stop 2 of the 2026 season. 225 teams registered for the tournament and 215 boats were in the water for blast-off looking to claim a share of the $53,660.00 pay out across 38 places, and contingencies. A chilly march dawn welcomed the MMTT back to Claiborne County with a few early morning clouds and bright, blue-bird skies throughout the day. It seemed that the unpredictable March weather had some fish staging up and others out deep and still others somewhere in between. Saturday’s low temp was 51 and the high was in the low 70s. A light Northwesterly breeze persisted through the day and culminated with a post weigh-in cloudburst.
Most anglers found fish, but it was not easy and catching quality bass was even more difficult. 82 teams weighed bags between 10 and 14 lbs. Average weight per fish for this tournament was 2.26 lbs. Average bag weight was 10.58 lbs. Of the 225 registered teams, 154 teams weighed at least 1 fish for a total of 723 fish weighed with all of them being released alive and well for someone else to catch on Norris Lake. A total of 128 teams weighed a 5 fish limit, with a grand total of 1,630.63 lbs of fish brought to the scales. Boats 1 started blast-off at 7:28 am and concluded with boat 250 being called at 8:10, a total of 42 minutes and an average of 1.95 boats per minute. The scales officially opened at 2:45pm and officially closed at 4:40pm, taking an hour and 55 minutes, averaging 1.4 bags per minute weighed. We appreciate all you guys for making that run so smoothly. By far the best group of fishermen in the sport!
The team of John Napier and Jason Keaton squeaked their way to the 1st place spot for Stop 2 of the 2026 MMTT Season. John and Jason narrowly outweighed the 2nd place team by .04 lbs, with a total bag weight of 15.46. John and Jason said they used forward facing sonar all day long and covered a large area of the lake looking for isolated bait balls. John and Jason took home a check for $10,000.00 for 1st place overall, $5,000 for Highest Finishing Skeeter, and $250 for Highest Finishing Humminbird and Minnkota. Their total winnings on the day added up to $15,250.00. Congrats on a big payday and a great weekend of fishing!
Following in second place is the team of Stuart Helton and Zachary Helton bringing in a bag weighing 15.42lbs. This cashed them a check for $3,500.00 for 2nd place. By far the closest weigh in we’ve had in years! Great job guys!
3rd place went to the team of Jimmy Crum and Tim Saylor with a total weight of 15.37 lbs. Jimmy and Tim earned a check for 3rd Place Overall — $2,000.00. Additionally, Jimmy and Tim earned $2,000 for 2nd Highest Finishing Skeeter and $150 for 2nd highest finishing Humminbird/MinnKota earning $150.00. A total payday of $4,150.00. Way to go, guys! So close….just .12 lbs away from getting the win! Congrats on a great finish!
4th place goes to Daniel Padgett and Travis McFalls with a total of 15.31 lbs. Daniel and Travis will cash a check for $1,600.00 for 4th place overall. Congratulations on a great day of fishing, guys!
Rounding out the top 5 was the team of Jeff Moore and Chase Henley with a total weight of 15.17 lbs. Jeff and Chase had a great day on Norris and will cash a check for $1,500.00 for 5th place. Great job, guys!
Check out the full results here: Stop 2_Norris Lake Results 3.21.2026
The Citizens Bank Big Largemouth went to the team of Rex Huff and Mike Huff with a stud green fish weighing 6.08 lbs. They will receive a check for $1,105.00 for catching this toad! Congrats!
The Citizens Bank Big Smallmouth payout went to the team of Donny Skelton and Donny Skelton jr. with a tank 3.72 lb brownie. These guys will get a check for $1,105.00 for their big fish. Way to go, guys!
Highest Finishing Minn Kota and Humminbird Bonus paid out this weekend as follows:
1st: John Napier and Jason Keaton, 16.80 lbs. $250 Humminbird/MinnKota Bonus
2nd: Jimmy Crum and Tim Saylor, 15.37 lbs. $150 Humminbird/MinnKota Bonus
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 goes to Dylan May and Braden Ruckman with 15.09 lbs for $250.00. 2nd Highest Finishing Gray Fox Insurance payout goes to David Ramey and Trevor Sexton with 13.43 lbs. 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 Morristown Marine Bucks program paid out as follows:
Morristown Marine New Bucks:
1st: Philip Gordon and Jeremy Gordon, 14.63lbs. $1,000.00 Bonus.
2nd: Terrell Hendren and Benny Roberts, 11.71 lbs. $750 Bonus.
The Morristown Marine New Bucks pays back those who purchased a brand-new boat from us in 2024, 2025 or 2026. This is just our way of saying “Thank You” for choosing your new boat from us.
Morristown Marine Pre-Owned Bucks:
1st: Creed Sullivan and John Sullivan 10.64 lbs. $500 Bonus.
2nd: Johnathon Kennedy and Joe Zajac – 9.89lbs.
Want to get in on the winnings? We have several pre-owned boats that are tournament ready! Don’t leave money on the table!
Thank you both for choosing to spend your hard-earned dollars at Morristown Marine. All you have to do is purchase a certified pre-owned boat from Morristown Marine to qualify for this payout.
Highest Finishing Skeeter Bonus:
- Napier/Keaton: 15.46 lbs, $5,000.00
- Crum/Saylor: 15.37 lbs, $2,000.00
- Gordon/Gordon: 14.63 lbs, $1,500.00
- Woods/Rankin: 14.27 lbs, $800.00
- Osborne/Brown: 14.07 lbs, $700.00
- Lawson/Fickey: 13.96 lbs, $500.00
- Bryan/Bryan: 13.93 lbs, $250.00
- Hamilton/Ball: 13.35 lbs, $200.00
- Seeber/Watkins: 12.81 lbs, $150.00
- Rowlands: 12.76 lbs, $100.00
Morristown Marine would like to give a special thanks to Skeeter Boats, Yamaha, Humminbird, MinnKota, Gray Fox Insurance, Claiborne County Mayor, Joe Brooks, Claiborne County Chamber CEO Karyn Clark, Turkey’s Dry Dock for allowing us to park anglers across the street at his business location, All the fine folks who came out at 5:30 to help with parking and traffic control, Tazewell Volunteer Fire Dept for filling the weigh tanks, Tennessee Highway Patrol for traffic control on the highway, Old Stage Printing, Volunteer Trenching, Lake View Dock, Citizens Bank, Cumberland Gap Spring Water, Jerry’s Bait Shop, AZ Rags, Pulse Fish Lures and Smoky Mountain Fiberglass for sponsoring the 2026 Morristown Marine Team Trail. If not for the help of these sponsors, this tournament trail could not function at the level it does. Thank you all so much for your support of our anglers.
We want to thank our staff and crew for another great event. The time, effort, long hours, early mornings, and late nights aren’t often recognized, but we want you guys to know how much we appreciate all the sacrifices you make to help us with this trail. Thank you so much!
We also want to thank all of the anglers for coming out to fish out trail. If not for your participation, this trail would not exist. We love putting these tournaments on and want each of you to know that we appreciate you spending your hard earned money and time to fish our trail. Thank you so very much.
Please take a moment to complete the Economic Impact Report for the Classic: Norris Lake Economic Impact Report