Fork anglers reel in big bucks in Bass Champs Mega Bass

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Tommy Ellis of Athens, La., topped a record field of more than 1,800 anglers to grab the top prize in the Bass Champs Mega Bass big bass tournament held July 19 at Lake Fork.

Ellis weighed in a 10.49 pounder during the noon hour. The tournament’s biggest bass won the angler a fully-rigged ZX200 Skeeter boat, plus $15,000 for bringing in the heaviest fish of the hour.

The tournament paid out a whopping $20,850 in cash to the Top 12 bass of each hour, including $15,000 for the biggest bass. Other $15,000 winners were Jerry Dean II of McKinney (10.02) Steve Trimble of Duncanville (9.10), Joshua Pierce of Murchinson (8.98), Billy Gilbert of Hot Springs, Ark. (8.73), Brad Rogers of Yantis (8.63), Tim Wilcoxon of Rockwall (8.37).

There 22 bass over the 16- to 24-inch slot bought to the scales for the day, including two fish in the 10-pound class, two 9 pounders, six 8 pounders, eight 7 pounders and four 6 pounders. The tournament paid out more than $200,000 prize and cash.

Originally scheduled for March 22, the Mega Bass event was postponed as the result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Along with other sporting events, the crisis forced the cancellation or postponement of countless fishing tournaments across the country, including dozens of events at the pro and semi-pro levels.

Some organizations have resumed competition in recent weeks, where allowed, under restricted formats using drive through weigh-ins and/or prohibiting spectator attendance. 

Most recently, FLW announced the relocation of the final two Pro Circuit events of 2020, including the league’s TITLE Championship originally scheduled for Aug. 24-29 on the St. Lawrence River.

The circuit’s final Super Tournament is now set for Aug. 11-14 on Lake Erie, and the championship will be held on Sturgeon Bay in Wisconsin. Additionally, BASS cancelled its Eastern Open on Oneida Lake in New York with new dates and location pending.

Also canceled was in-person International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades show (ICAST) earlier this month and the upcoming Bass Fishing Hall of Fame induction ceremony set for Sept. 24 in Springfield, Mo.