Forty-eight bass anglers were in contention for seven coveted spots at the North Carolina BASS Federation Nation Eastern Regional State Team Qualifier Event held on Lake Gaston on April 20, 2007. The top seven finishers qualified for the 2007 N.C. BASS Federation Nation State Team which will compete against the state teams of Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama the week of June 4-9 on Lake Eufaula, Ala.
Chuck Murray of Louisburg, N.C., took first place, topping the scales with a five-fish limit weighing 19.10 pounds. Mike Dinterman of Stovall, N.C., was second with a five-fish limit weighing 17 pounds; third was Bobby Williams of Rocky Mount, N.C., with 16.55 pounds; fourth went to Eric Schell of Raeford, N.C., with 16.20 pounds; fifth went to Rick Olson of Garner, N.C., with 15.15 pounds; sixth place was Hunter Campbell of Henderson, N.C., with 13.85 pounds; and Steve Vann of Goldsboro, N.C., was seventh with 13.55 pounds.
The big fish of the tournament — a nice 6.65-pounder — was caught by Steve Vann; Chuck Murray followed with a 5.70-pounder.Most of the fish were caught on spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits, crankbaits, and jigs. Murray credited his winning catch to a Shooter Lures jig manufactured by Louie Hull and Gene Hoyle of Casar, N.C.
These seven qualifiers will combine with six qualifiers from the N.C. Western Region (Mark McIntosh of Gastonia, Larry Haney of Dallas, Lenny Smathers of Granite Falls, and Brian Anderson, Patrick Tierney, and Billy Wilhelm of Denver) to represent North Carolina in the BASS Federation Nation Southern Divisional event on Lake Eufaula, Ala. The top N.C. angler from this event will advance to the BASS Federation Nation Championship with a chance to advance to the 2008 Bassmaster Classic.
