Charity bass tournament raises money for local organization

GIBSON COUNTY, Tenn. — Fishermen from across West Tennessee hit the waters of Gibson County Lake Sunday afternoon to see who could reel in the most bass. The tournament was held in support of the Exchange Club Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

“It’s a great cause because our kids are the future of this country, and anything we can do to help them out is always a great thing,” Puddle Jumpers member Terry Dunaway said.

Representatives say fundraisers support over 50 percent of the programs at the Lauderdale County center.

“The money is used to provide the services for our children there,” said Annette Maxwell, director for the Exchange Club Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse in Lauderdale County. “We offer trauma-focus therapy. We do groups there for parenting and nurturing. We have a relative caregiver program.”

Out of the 37 boats competing, the biggest bass caught weighed in at almost 12 pounds.

“It was a really tough day, like bluebird skies, high skies. We fished deep trees all day, and we lucked out and started catching them around lunch time,” tournament winner Dalton Pitt said.

Even though it may have been a tough day for fishing, competitors say they consider the tournament a success, managing to raise more money than they did last year.

“We raised a total of over $3,100 today opposed to $1,800 last year, so we feel very fortunate,” Dunaway said.

Trophies and prizes were given to the top six teams, but competitors say there were no losers Sunday.

“But all in all it was a good day,” Puddle Jumpers member Will Bass said. “I think the teams that came out had a good time, and obviously it’s for a good cause, so that’s the most important thing.”

The Puddle Jumpers say they are already looking forward to holding the charity bass tournament again next year and encourage anyone interested to participate.

After each weigh-in Sunday, the bass were released back into the Gibson County Lake.