Space available for weekend bass classic

By Myra Bean

There are still 80 boat spots available in the 35th annual St. Jude Bass Classic Sunday at Sardis Lake, according to Dennis Morlok, coordinator.

Two hundred and sixty boats with 530 anglers have already registered for the annual Memorial Day weekend event.

The public can get a look at the entrants at the check-in Saturday at the Batesville Civic Center until noon. Concessions will be available, Morlok said.

Even though the boat limit has not been met, Morlok is pleased with the number of entrants.

“We have a real good turnout even with the water dangerously low,” Morlok said.

Anglers will take to the waters at first light, around 5:30 Sunday morning. Weigh-in begins at 2 p.m.

Anglers from 10 or 11 different states will be in attendance. Traveling the farthest are an angler from Delaware, two from Florida and one from Michigan, Morlok said.

This year with the water so low, the fish will not be immediately thrown back into the lake, according to Morlok.

There is a 400-gallon tank with an aerator to house the fish until they can be returned to the lake.

The St. Jude Bass Classic is the nation’s oldest and largest charity fishing event with a pick-your-partner tournament format.

All proceeds will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Total contributions to the hospital from the tournament now exceed $2,000,000.

The entry fee is $250 per boat and anyone who wants to enter has until noon Saturday at check-in.

The Grand Prize in 2007 is a fully rigged 519 Ranger boat powered by a 200 Mercury Optimax outboard riding on a deluxe Ranger Trail trailer. This Grand Prize will be awarded to one participant who is present at the random drawing held at the conclusion of the awards ceremony.

All participants will receive lure packs from Strike King and each boat will receive a gallon of Pennzoil synthetic blend outboard oil compliments of Pennzoil and Windward Petroleum. Cash and prizes will be awarded to the top 50 teams. These awards will be provided in part by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King lures, Oxford Publishing, and Pure Fishing.

In addition, the winning team will receive two War Eagle aluminum boats and trailers with 9.9 Mercury outboards.

For more information or to enter this event anglers may call Dennis Morlok at 662-781-9201 or (cell) 901-489-5093.