Welcome
Welcome to the Carolina Crankers website! We are the oldest bass club in Union county North Carolina. Founded in 1985, The Carolina Crankers are a dedicated club of bass fisherman. Most of our members have been fishing with us from ten to twenty years. We welcome all new members to our group.
Show me the Money!
Lake Tillery was the location for this year's Carolina Classic. The five qualifing teams were greeted by a bitter cold morning with 29 degree temperatures. As a long 2011 season closes it was the team of Mark Tarlton and Terry Benton that closed the deal in style! Winning the first tournament of the season and finishing the season with four straight victories the pair is seeing green! Mark and Terry weighed in 4 largemouth totaling 11lbs. and 6ozs. The sack was anchored with a 4lb. and 2oz. chunk. The team won $500 for first place as well as $100 for big fish! Tom Streeter and Jimmy Sullivan took home $50 for second place with two fish totaling 5lbs. and 14ozs.
2011 Carolina Classic Results:
Mark Tarlton and Terry Benton 11lbs. 6ozs.
Tom Streeter and Jimmy Sullivan 5lbs. 14ozs.
Mike Love and Ronnie Rushing 5lbs. 2ozs.
Rodney and Lisa May 4lbs. 8ozs.
Wayne Snyder and Jeremy Pressley 4lbs. 4ozs.
We would like to thank all the members for a wonderful season. Congratulations Mark and Terry! Join The Carolina Crankers next January for the start of the 2012 season!
2011 Carolina Classic Results:
Mark Tarlton and Terry Benton 11lbs. 6ozs.
Tom Streeter and Jimmy Sullivan 5lbs. 14ozs.
Mike Love and Ronnie Rushing 5lbs. 2ozs.
Rodney and Lisa May 4lbs. 8ozs.
Wayne Snyder and Jeremy Pressley 4lbs. 4ozs.
We would like to thank all the members for a wonderful season. Congratulations Mark and Terry! Join The Carolina Crankers next January for the start of the 2012 season!
Going out on Top!
As the regular season ends on The Carolina Crankers weekend series, familiar faces continue to take the top spot. Mid 30 degree temperatures and 25mph winds greeted teams at the Badin Lake blast-off. The Carolina Crankers first visit to Badin Lake was a productive one for most teams. At the 4:00pm weigh-in it was Mark Tarlton and Terry Benton hauling in five largemouth totaling 11lbs. and 2ozs. Mike Love and Ronnie Rushing finished in a close second with a Badin Lake limit weighing 9lbs. and 12ozs. Bengie and Randy took big fish honors with a 3lb. and 8oz. chunk. Congratulations to our winners. The Carolina Crankers would like to thank everyone for a wonderful season. Please join us this January for the start of the 2012 season. Please see the tournament schedule for next year's season. Qualifying teams for the year end classic will meet at Lake Tillery on November 12th for The Carolina Crankers Classic!
The Magic Touch!
The Carolina Crankers bid farewell to Lake Lee this Saturday with this years' last visit to the small watershed. Rumors of large catches in previous weeks had anglers anxious to wet a hook. Mark Tarlton and Terry Benton continued their late season surge with a back to back victory. The pair only managed one keeper, but it was the right one! This Lake Lee chunk weighed in at 4lbs. and 10ozs. The solo largemouth took big fish honors as well as 1st place by becoming the tie breaker in a tight competition. Team members Tom Streeter and Jimmy Sullivan brought in four fish that totaled 4lbs. and 10ozs. By club rules, big fish is the tie breaker. Congratulations Mark and Terry and great job to Tom and Jimmy for such an exciting finish! Join The Carolina Crankers for our final regular season event on Badin Lake on October 29th. Blast-off is at 8:00! Till then...
Angler Abuse!
Like kidney punches from a prize fighter, Lake Tillery punished anglers brave enough to compete in The Carolina Crankers event this Saturday. Morning lows hovered at the 50 degree mark while 20mph winds with 40mph gusts turned the lake into a washing machine. Those lucky enough to find shelter from the wind were greeted with gin-clear water and a slim bite. The bite was on at the heart of the lake. Anglers fighting the winds and crashing waves on the main lake enjoyed a steady bite. Club members Terry Benton and Mark Tarlton took top honors today with 5 largemouth weighing 12lbs. and 0ozs. Mark and Terry also brought home big fish honors with a 3lb. and 14oz. Lake Tillery largemouth. Mitchell York and Jeremy Sailor grabbed second place with four fish weighing 7lbs. and 10ozs. We would like to congratulate today's winners and thank everyone that competed. Join us October 15th on Lake Lee from 8:00am to 4:00pm. Till then...Keep em Hooked!
All Good Things Must Come to an End
This Thursday night marked the end of the 2011 Thursday night series on Lake Monroe. In what has shown to be a great series, Mike Love and Ronnie Rushing went out on top. The pair clinched the victory with two fish weighing 3lbs. and 4ozs. Mike and Ronnie also grabbed the series title this season with seven wins in the Carolina Crankers Thursday night series. Tournament directors Rodney and Lisa May finished in second place for the season with six series victories. We would like to thank Mr. Byrd, the warden of Lake Monroe, for hosting our series this season. We appreciate Mr. Byrd for staying open late for our club to compete. We look forward to hitting the lake again next April to begin our 2012 Thursday night series. The Carolina Crankers would like to thank our team members for their loyalty and dedication to our tournament series. The Carolina Crankers weekend series has three open events remaining this season before our yearly fish-off. Join us October 1st on Lake Tillery from 8:00am to 4:00pm.
Winter In September
When the weather channel predicted low 60's for this Saturday, The Carolina Crankers team members were excited! What we encountered was winter in September! A slow mist and a cold wind blew throughout the entire day leaving temperatures in the basement. Nine teams competed in this weeks trip to Cane Creek. In the end it was the veteran team of Wayne Snyder and Jeremy Pressley scoring the victory. Wayne and Jeremy caught two late day largemouth weighing 6lbs. and 0ozs. Team members Marshall and Joseph finished in second place with two fish weighing 5lbs. and 12ozs. The pair also cashed in with Saturday's big fish weighing 3lbs. and 4ozs. The Carolina Crankers would like to say welcome to our new teams that joined us this week. Join The Carolina Crankers weekend series in two weeks on Lake Tillery. Till then...Keep em hooked!
Bite Me Please!
As the Thursday night series season progresses, the heavy fishing pressure has taken its toll on Lake Monroe. The big girls of the spring are gone and the bite is painstaking. Familiar faces managed a productive bag this week. With nightfall cutting tournaments short at 8:00pm, teams must take advantage of even the smallest nibble! Mitchell York and Jeremy Sailor brought two bass to the scales weighing 3lbs. and 12ozs. The pair hopes the victory is a beginning to a weekend sweep. Mitchell and Jeremy also won the Carolina Crankers weekend series tournament on Cane Creek a month ago. The club returns to Cane Creek this Saturday from 8:00am to 4:00pm. Congratulations Mitchell and Jeremy and good luck on Saturday!
Threepeat!!
This Thursday night on Lake Monroe anglers were hopeful. With a bigger bite just this past Saturday, teams looked for the gamechanger! As it always seems to go, the bite turned for the worse. On a bright note, Tom Streeter with partner Jeremy pulled out win number three in just as many tournaments! The pair accomplished a triple which has not been recorded in a Carolina Cranker tournament series. Tom and Jeremy weighed two largemouth totaling 5lbs. and 4ozs. Congratulations on a great job guys! Join us next Thursday at Lake Monroe and next Saturday on Cane Creek!
Where's the Beef!
The slow bite on Lake Monroe seems to be breaking. August had probably been the lowest total weights for the 2011 season. Now, it's a new month and the bite is improving. Tom Streeter and Jimmy Sullivan proved it true this Saturday with an enormous bag for a well earned weekend series victory. Tom and Jimmy weighed five largemouth bass totaling 19lbs. and 12ozs. after a 4oz. dead fish penalty. The pair also took big fish honors with a 9lb. and 0oz lunker but were penalized 4ozs for a dead fish. Rodney and Lisa May finished in second this week with four Lake Monroe largemouth weighing 7lbs. and 12ozs. We would like to congratulate this weeks winners. Sorry we had no pictures for this previous Thursday night series tournament. Tom also won the night series tournament this week with Rodney and Lisa finishing 4ozs. behind in second place. Join us in two weeks when The Carolina Crankers take on Cane Creek!
LockJaw!!!
Slowly but surely anglers are digging to the bottom of their bag of tricks. A month has past and the bass bite continues to falter. The Carolina Crankers threw the book at the fish this Thursday night. Small bank runners were ocassionally coaxed to strike while the trophies continued with summertime lockjaw. At weigh-in, the veteran team of Mike Love and Ronnie Rushing weighed one fish totaling 2lbs. and 8ozs. The pair said the fish hit hard and fast at the very beginning of the tournament. It was downhill from there. Directors Lisa and Rodney May finished second with one fish weighing 1lb. and 2ozs. Congratulations Mike and Ronnie! This team has put on a show this season. Keep up the good work!
Cane, more of the same...
Oddly enough, the summer doldrums continue to plague the weekend series for The Carolina Crankers. Past years haven't produced a consistently slow bite like the one experienced this season. Nine teams took on Cane Creek this Saturday with only five bass hitting the scales. At the 3pm weigh-in it was Unionvilles' own Mitchell and Jeremy bringing in two bass totaling 6lbs. and 2ozs. giving the team their first weekend series win of the 2011 season. They were also awarded with big fish honors with a 3lb. and 10oz. largemouth. Tournament directors Lisa and Rodney May finished in second with a solo weighing 3lbs. and 0ozs. The Carolina Crankers would like to congratulate Mitchell and Jeremy for a well deserved victory this weekend! Join our Saturday series in two weeks at Lake Monroe from 7am to 3pm.
Victory!
The Carolina Crankers hit Lake Monroe with high expectations this Thursday night. With a week of upper 80's and low 90's anglers expected a better bite than the previous two weeks. We soon found that the bass would not cooperate. One team managed two bites and made them count. For their second Thursday night victory, Mark Tarlton and Terry Benton weighed two largemouth bass totaling 5lbs and 10ozs. We would like to congratulate Mark and Terry for a great job against dismal odds. Keep up the good work fellas! Join The Carolina Crankers this Saturday on Cane Creek from 7am to 3pm. Until then... Keep em hooked!
And The Thunder Rolls...
The Carolina Crankers hoped to squeeze in the Thursday night tournament before the storms came through. Mother nature would not cooperate. After less than two hours of competition the threat of impending lightening and storms pulled the teams off Lake Monroe. Everyone vowed to return fishing after it had passed. With danger of a fish kill, we held an early weigh-in promising to add to the totals at the end of the night. Tom Streeter and partner dropped a 4lb. and 10oz. chunk on the scales. The teams knew what to shoot for as fishing resumed but no one could knock off the top spot! We would like to congratulate Tom and his partner for their victory this week. Please join us each Thursday evening from 4:30pm to 8:30pm on Lake Monroe.
Opps I did it again!
The team of Mike Love and Ronnie Rushing continues their tear on the circuit this week with another victory! The Carolina Crankers resumed their schedule this Saturday at Lake Tillery. After a break in July the guys were anxious to get back to business. And for Mike Love and Ronnie Rushing it was just another day at the office! The team cleared the field by 9lbs.! Mike and Ronnie weighed five largemouth bass totaling 11lbs, and 4ozs. after a 4oz dead fish penalty. The pair also took home big fish honors with a 3lb and 4oz chunk. Directors Rodney and Lisa May finished a very distant second with two fish weighing 2lbs and 10ozs. Congratulations Mike and Ronnie for another impressive win! The Carolina Crankers would also like to welcome new members John Cook and partner Brian. The pair finished in a respectable third place in their first Saturday Series tournament. We'll give you one "atta boy" for that! Join us in two weeks for our next Saturday Series tournament on Cane Creek. Until then... Keep em Hooked!
Steam Bath!
The heat finally slowed the big fish bite on Lake Monroe this week. Temperatures in the mid to upper 90's have tightened the lips of even the hungriest bass. All it took was a solo largemouth to take the pot this week. Tournament directors Rodney and Lisa May weighed in one bass at 3lbs. and 4ozs. Congratulations guys, keep up the good work! Join The Carolina Crankers this Saturday on Lake Tillery. The club will blast off from Norwood at 7am.
The Dynamic Duo!
A look of total exhaustion passed over the faces of The Carolina Crankers teams this Thursday night. With a second week of relentless heat, daytime temperatures hit the triple digits as the water temperature climbed to 96 degrees. The short four hour tournament seemed to last twice as long with the heat and extremely slow bite. At nightfall, it was the consistent and very talented team of Mike Love and Ronnie Rushing that took the cash! The pair weighed two Lake Monroe largemouth at 8lbs. and 8ozs. Congratulations Mike and Ronnie for a great catch on a very trying night! Join The Carolina Crankers next Thursday for our weeknight series as well as next Saturday, August 6th from 7:00 to 3:00 on Lake Tillery. Please see schedule or contact the club directors for more details. Until next time...Keep Em Hooked!!!
Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner!
Hot, hot, hot!!! This Thursday night on Lake Monroe, the temperature was 98 degrees with a dead calm breeze. Four teams were brave enough to suffer through the relentless heat to compete in this week's Carolina Crankers weeknight tournament series. The bite was extremely slow and dismal but was mostly expected with the extreme heatwave. When the fish were tallied and the weights recorded, it was Terry Benton and Mark Tarlton with a much overdue victory with three fish weighing 5lbs even! The pair have been consistently finishing in second place with most losses only by ounces. We are proud to congratulate Mark and Terry for their first Thursday Night Series win of 2011! Join us next week on Lake Monroe for our next Carolina Crankers Night Series tournament. Until then... Keep Em Hooked!!!
The Carolina Crankers Take A Kid Fishing Day!
It was a beautiful day for our first annual childrens' event this Saturday. Cooler temperatures and cloudy conditions served up the perfect day for the kids to take the lake! The children hit the water with the enthusiasm we all had as youngsters that never seems to fade for the avid fisherman. It was a wonderful day of smiles and laughter as the children finished their tournament and hit the prize tables! Follow it all up with a hotdog cook-out and I believe we all made memories that we will keep for a lifetime. The Carolina Crankers would like to thank the children and parents that participated as well as volunteered for this years' event. A very special thank you goes out to all of bass fishings' companies and corporations that made today soo special by donating prizes and products for our participants and parents. The Carolina Crankers would not have been able to make this such a memorable and enjoyable day without you!
The Right Bite!
Following a week of near 100 degree temperatures, anglers didn't know what to expect for this Thursdays' night series event. When it was time to blast off, the temperatures had dropped and the air had lightened. Eight teams hit Lake Monroe and hit it hard! The average size for fish weighed in this week continued to hold around 4 pounds. Members Mike Love and Ronnie Rushing grabbed the pot this week with two fish weighing 7lbs and 0zs. In a very close and very familiar second place were Terry Benton and Mark Tarlton with a solo largemouth weighing 6lbs and 12ozs. Congratulations to this weeks winners and please remember this Saturday is Take A Kid Fishing Day on Lake Tillery!
Upon a Stormy Night!
This weeks' Carolina Crankers night series tournament was cut short. The teams watched as a first round of storms skirted around Lake Monroe about 5:30pm. The sun popped in and out briefly as the humidity skyrocketed. Club directors Lisa and Rodney May were headed into the lower creek about 7:30pm when they decided to turn back. The skies behind the lake went black. In a last ditch effort, the pair decided to stop one more time and were rewarded with two largemouth weighing near 10lbs. in less than 10 minutes! By ten minutes to 8:00pm the lightning had gotten to close for safety and the teams pulled off the lake. We would like to congratulate Lisa and Rodney for their win last night and thank all the members that participated. Join us this saturday at Iron Horse for our bass fishing yard sale. Please don't forget our First Annual Take A Kid Fishing Day on Lake Tillery next saturday July the 16th!!!
Bassin Bonanza!
The fireworks started early in Monroe this week! The Carolina Crankers hit Lake Monroe this Thursday for what turned out to be a jaw-dropping event! On what had seemed to be a slow and stagnant night, member Mitchell York was quietly sinking the boat with Lake Monroe lunkers! With a maxxed out livewell, York rushed for the scales. When the dust settled and we caught our breath, Mitchell had weighed in 5 Lake Monroe largemouth bass crushing the scales at 19lbs. and 4ozs! His hefty sack of fish was anchored by a 6lb and 4oz lunker. Following in second place this week were members Sam and Marshall with 4 fish weighing 7lbs and 12ozs. Congratulations Mitchell, that was one memorable sack! Join us next Thursday night at Lake Monroe and remember our Fishing Yard Sale Saturday the 9th at Iron Horse. Until next week....Keep em Hooked!
Hot Day at The Lake!
This Saturday the Carolina Crankers hit Tuckertown reservoir. A nine boat field tried to beat the heat as temperatures crept to the mid ninetys. True to this time of year, the field was split with some keying in on the bite as others searched for the elusive lunker. At 3:00pm the teams hit the scales. Taking first place and the bank of $180 was the team of Charlie and Waylon Lineberry. The pair weighed in five Tuckertown largemouth at 11lbs. and 4ozs. Veteran members Mike Love and Ronnie Rushing finished in second place with 9lbs. and 4ozs. anchored by the tournament's big fish of 3lbs. and 6ozs. Mike and Ronnie were awarded $45 for big fish of the day. We would like to congratulate Saturday's winners and thank everyone that joined us at Tuckertown. Please remember to join us for our Fishermans' yard sale July 9th at Iron Horse in Monroe NC. Also keep in mind our first annual Take A Kid Fishing Day in three weeks on July 16th from 8:00am to 12:00pm on Lake Tillery. Until then...Keep Em Hooked!!!
A Pleasant Surprise!
When the Carolina forecast looks the worst, a calm breeze changes the day! A steam bath was what we were expecting but the clouds pulled in and the heat faded. It was a wonderful summer night on everybody's favorite fishing hole. Six teams blasted off this week for the Carolina Crankers weeknight series. Club directors Rodney and Lisa May took the win this week with three bass weighing 8lbs. and 2ozs. Second place found members Jeremy and Mitch with a solo 3lb. and 12oz. largemouth. Thank you to our members that continue to join us each Thursday on Lake Monroe. Catch the Carolina Crankers Saturday Series on Tuckertown from 8:00am to 3:00pm this Saturday. For more information please contact our club directors. Sorry about the pictures this week. Had to take them with the phone!
You Get a Line and I'll Get a Pole....
...Mike Love and Ronnie Rushing went fishing in the lunker hole! Just when you thought that the fish were off the beds, up pops another trophy full of eggs. The Carolina Crankers were greeted with another wonderful weekly trip to Lake Monroe this Thursday. Daytime temperatures leveled then fell this week and a heavy rain the night before cooled the water temperature to the mid 80's. Lake Monroe continued to produce for the team of Mike Love and Ronnie Rushing. The paired took home first place honors with a lunker weighing in at 7lbs. and 14ozs. Following in at a close second was Mark Tarlton and Terry Benton with four Lake Monroe largemouths. The teams' weight was 7lbs. and 8ozs. Congratulations to Mike and Ronnie on back-to-back Thursday night victories. So don't let the heat scare you because the fishing is always great at this honey hole! Join The Carolina Crankers each Thursday on Lake Monroe from 4:30pm to 8:30pm.
Saturday Scorcher on Stumpy Pond
The earlier start time for this weeks' event on Stumpy Pond just wasn't enough to crack the midday heat. Temperatures soared to the mid 90's well before noon. This years' return trip to the SC sweet spot fell short of expectations. The Carolina Crankers were welcomed with an unusually slow bite. In the one bright note of the day, Lisa May continued to show her winning touch with the small SC lake. Even with a blown livewell, Lisa pulled out her second win on Stumpy Pond in two years. Lisa and Rodney May weighed in 3 largemouth bass at 8lbs. and 14ozs. The team was awarded $140 for first place as well as $35 for big fish. Lisa's big fish weighed in at 3lbs. and 4ozs. Tom Streeter and Jimmy Sullavan finished in second place with four fish weighing 4lbs. and 10ozs. Thank you to the members that made the trip this week. Congratulations Lisa and Rodney. Join The Carolina Crankers June 25th on Tucker Town from 8:00am to 3:00pm!
Turn up the air conditioner!
The only thing that proved to be hotter this Thursday than the temperature was the team of Mike Love and Ronnie Rushing! With water temperatures as well as daytime temperatures in the mid 90's, nothing could cool down the bite for this veteran team. Lake Monroe continues to produce for the Carolina Crankers even with heavy daily fishing pressure and extreme temperatures. At nightfall, Mike and Ronnie weighed four stout largemouth totaling 8lbs. and 14ozs. They were awarded $120 for first place. Terry Benton and Mark Tarlton grabbed second place with a solo chunk weighing in at 4lbs. and 6ozs. The Carolina Crankers would like to thank our new members; Chris, DJ, and Debbie for joining us last night! Great job Mike and Ronnie. Mark and Terry get one "atta-boy" and possibly a check beside your names! Join The Carolina Crankers this Saturday on Stumpy Pond SC from 7:00am to 2:00pm. Keep em Hooked!
Trophy Lake!
It has become apparent that the mostly unknown union county watershed named Lake Monroe has hit trophy lake status! For four years the Carolina Crankers have fished this lake every thursday night from mid April to late October. This magic lake in Monroe NC produces large bass year in and year out. Only five boats braved the heat this Thursday. With daily temperatures at or above 95 all week, Lake Monroe refused to dissappoint! At weigh-in, it was club directors Rodney and Lisa May taking first place with five bass weighing 10lbs. and 8ozs. The tournament produced three largemouth 5lbs. or larger. Although numbers often win tournaments, the spotlight fell upon Wayne Snyder and Jeremy Pressley this week. Jeremy rocked the scales with a huge Lake Monroe solo lunker weighing 9lbs. and 8ozs! This little lake is capable of producing the fish of a lifetime on any cast. So, when you feel that tap...set it hard! Congratulations to this weeks' winners and until next Thursday, Keep em hooked!
Double Digits!
Eight teams hit lake Monroe this morning for The Carolina Crankers saturday tournament series. Members Tom Streeter and Jimmy Sulavan had a plan. Hit the skinny water and hit it hard! The pair managed an impressive limit in water less than two foot deep. Tom and Jimmy weighed in five solid largemouth at 13lbs. and 12ozs. The team was awarded $160 for first place. Tim Davis grabbed big fish honors for the day. Davis took home $40 for his 4lb. 0oz. largemouth bass. Congratulations Tom and Jimmy and great job on that big fish Tim! Join The Carolina Crankers for our next saturday series event at Stumpy Pond on June 11th from 8am to 3pm. Keep em Hooked!
Target Practice!
When Wayne Snyder and Jeremy Pressley hit the water they never expected what the night would hold. An hour or so after blast-off the pair were fishing a point on the lower end of the lake. A homeowner decided to do some goose hunting and then turned the gun at them! He fired a round across the center of the boat as Wayne and Jeremy stood frozen. Authorities arrived shortly but didn't charge the homeowner whose response was that he was trying to scare away the geese! Wayne said the man drew down on them and fired but there wasn't a goose in his boat. As the field of nine boats hit the scales it was the pair of Snyder and Pressley that climbed on top again. Wayne and Jeremy weighed two fish at 6lbs. and 4ozs. After a four oz. penalty for a dead fish their total weight was 6lbs. and 0ozs. Terry Benton and Mark Tarlton also weighed in two largemouth weighing 6lbs. and 4ozs. Unfortunately, the team was charged an 8oz. penalty for two dead fish and finished with a weight of 5lbs. and 12ozs. Great job Wayne and Jeremy. The rest of us have our work cut out for us! The Carolina Crankers would also like to welcome our new fellow fishermen and friends that joined us this thursday! Lake Monroe hosts The Carolina Crankers this saturday May 28th from 7am to 3pm. See ya on the water!
Twice as Nice!
The team of Wayne Snyder and Jeremy Pressley knocked out win number two for the Carolina Crankers Thursday night series. Thirteen teams made their way to Lake Monroe for the weekly event. But after a week of unsettled weather, the bite was still slow for the tournament. Wayne and Jeremy weighed in three largemouth at 7lbs and 0ozs. Their final weight was 6lbs. and 12ozs after a 4oz penalty for a dead fish. Mark and Randy Tarlton finished in second with three fish weighing 4lbs. and 4ozs after an 8oz dead fish penalty. Wayne and Jeremy banked $260 for a great nights' work. The Carolina Crankers would like to congratulate thursday nights' winners! Join us each thursday on Lake Monroe from 4:30 to 8:30.
Cicada Feast on Tuckertown!
Cicadas cover the trees and banks of Tuckertown reservoir. The constant drone of the insects fills the air at the lake. Late summer and early fall may produce some of the largest fish this lake has coughed up. Cicadas are being engulfed from the creek to the dam! Thirteen teams made the trip for this saturdays' Carolina Crankers event at Tuckertown. The teams mustered an impressive 82lbs. on an overcast day at the lake. Taking top honors for the first time in 2011 were Marshall and Ryan weighing in a hefty five fish limit of 12lbs. and 12ozs. The pair anchored their sack with todays' big fish weighing in at 4lbs. and 14ozs. Ryan and Marshall took home $200 for first place as well as $65 for big fish. Nice job guys! Just ounces out of the lead, Sam Hilton and Shawn Knight were awarded $60 for five fish weighing 12lbs. and 0ozs. Congratulations to our winners today and thank you to all the teams that participated. Join us May 28th on Lake Monroe in union county from 7am to 3pm.
How do you wiggle your worm?
While the water temperatures were heating up this thursday at Lake Monroe the bite seemed to dwindle. Anglers caught numbers of fish but the larger bass avoided the scales. In a nine boat field, it was the team of Lisa and Rodney May that found the bite. Lisa and Rodney weighed in four fish at 6lbs. and 10ozs. Terry Benton and Mark Tarlton followed in second place with two fish weighing 4lbs. and 11ozs. Lisa and Rodney were awarded $180 for a tough night's catch. We would like to congratulate our winners for their efforts. Please join The Carolina Crankers this saturday May 14th at Tuckertown at 7am. We will be launching from the highway 49 ramp.
Road Trip!
The Carolina Crankers made there first trip to Lake Wateree saturday May 7th. On what became a beautiful day on the SC lake, anglers found a slower bite than expected. Weeks prior, during practice, teams caught hefty sacks of largemouth bass. But on tournament day the largemouth seemed to be in transition. Most teams found fish early but the bite dwindled as boat traffic increased. When the day was through, it was Tom and Jimmy of Monroe that brought the winning sack. Tom and Jimmy had 5 largemouth weighing 9lbs. and 0oz. anchored by a big fish at 3lbs. and 8oz. Ryan and Marshall of Union county finished a close second with 5 fish weighing 8lbs. and 2ozs. Tom and Jimmy tied for big fish with Mark Tarlton and Terry Benton both having a big fish at 3lbs. and 8ozs. Total weight being the tie-breaker, Tom and Jimmy were awarded $140 for first place as well as $35 for big fish. Congratulations to our winners! The Carolina Crankers would like to thank all members that made the trip this saturday. Join us next saturday, May 14th, at Tuckertown from 7am to 3pm. We will blasting-off from the highway 49 ramp.
By a Hair!
Cinco do Mayo brings closest victory of the season for Snyder & Pressley! In an unseasonal twist, evening temperatures dipped in the upper 30's wednesday night slowing the bite on Lake Monroe. While the sun shown all day thursday it wasn't enough to cure the tight lip of our Union county largemouth. We would like to thank Cam and Kevin for joining us this week for their first night series tournament. Cam and Kevin brought 3 fish to the scales including a 5lb. 4oz. bucketmouth. The teams' weight was 7lbs. and 2ozs. However the team was penalized 4ozs for a dead fish. Their final weight was 6lbs. and 14ozs. As the team of Wayne Snyder and Jeremy Pressley unbagged their fish, all eyes were on the scales. When the dust settled and the scales stopped, Wayne and Jeremy's four largemouth had taken first place with 7lbs even! The Carolina Crankers would like to congratulate Wayne and Jeremy for their first victory of 2011's Thursday night series. Join us each week on Lake Monroe from 4:30pm to 8:30pm. We would also like to remind everyone of our Lake Wateree tournament this saturday, May 7th from 8:00am to 4:00pm. For more information please contact our club directors.
On a Roll!
The Carolina Crankers visited Lake Lee this Saturday April the 30th. Anglers were greeted with blue skies and 80 degree temperatures. Club member Mike Love continues to have the golden touch for the big fish! In a 12 boat field it was Mike Love and Terry Benton taking top honors with a huge sack weighing 15lbs. and 12ozs. Their sack was anchored by Mike Loves' 8lb. 10oz. lunker. Winning the event, the team took home $210 for first place as well as $60 for big fish. Harold and Shawn Knight were awarded $30 for second place with a respectable bag weighing 12lbs. and 2ozs. The Carolina Crankers punished Lake Lee weighing in over 90lbs. of largemouth bass! Join us next Saturday, May 7th on Lake Wateree from 8am to 4pm at the Beaver Creek boat ramp.
Night Series Trouble for Monroe Lunkers!
All trophy largemouth beware, The Carolina Crankers Thursday Night Series is underway and the competitions are heating up! Eight teams participated in this weeks' event and at nights' end, Mike Love and Ronnie Rushing put on a show. Mike and Ronnie brought two fish to the scales weighing an impressive 14lbs. and 6ozs. The pair took first place and $160 for their efforts. We would like to say congratulations for a great catch! Harold and Shawn Knight finished in second place with three fish weighing 4lbs. and 6ozs. Join the Carolina Crankers this Saturday from 8am to 4pm on Lake Lee.
The Smile Says it all!
With the holiday weekend approaching, a smaller field met this Thursday for our weekly series. Though the bite was slow, cooler temperatures and overcast skies had anglers itching to wet a hook. We would like to congratulate Mitchell and Jeremy for their winning weight of 4lbs. and 2oz. They were awarded $100 for first place. Great job guys! Wayne Snyder finished a close second with 3lbs. and 4oz. We would like to say welcome to our new anglers that fished with us last night! See ya next week.
Thursday Nighters off to a quick start
The Carolina Crankers started their Thursday night series this week on Lake Monroe. Anglers enjoyed mild temperatures with water readings in the upper 60's to low 70's. A nine boat field gathered for the weekly event. Weigh-in brought several large bass to the scales. We would like to congratulate Rodney and Lisa May for their catch weighing 14lbs and 14oz. They were awarded $180 for first place in the event. Mark Tarlton and Terry Benton took second in the tournament with a weight of 6lbs and 12oz. We would like to invite everyone to join us each Thursday night for our mid-week series.
Batten down the hatches!
To say that Saturday's tournament on Lake Lee had our anglers windburned would be an understatement! 15mph to 20mph winds with gusts in the 30s met the Carolina Crankers Saturday. A weeks worth of rain became a roadblock for everyone. By days end, most hoped to see full livewells but there would be none. Tommy and Jimmy of Monroe weighed two fish totaling 3lbs and 8oz. to claim first place. They were awarded $140 for their efforts. Mike Love and Ronnie Rushing grabbed big fish honors of $35 with a 3lb 0oz largemouth. Please join the Carolina Crankers on April 16th at Lake Wateree! Check our schedule for ramp information and starting times. The Carolina Crankers would also like to invite everyone to join us for our Thursday Night Series. We will begin our night tournaments Thursday April 14th at 4:30pm on Lake Monroe. Please contact our club directors for more information.
Spring Blast a winner on Lake Monroe
Bluebird skies and 75 degree temperatures greeted the Carolina Crankers on Lake Monroe March 19th. Two hard hitting rain showers the previous week stained the lake and drove the lake levels up two to three feet. 12 teams vied for position on the smaller lake and when the fish hit the scales it was Brian Price and Ricky Godwin taking top honors. Brian and Ricky weighed in 8lbs. 8oz. of spring largemouth. Their bag earned them $200 for a beautiful day on the water. Tommy and Chris Snyder finished a very close second barely missing the mark with 8lbs. 0oz. They took home $40 for second place but grabbed big fish honors and $60 for their 3lb. 12oz. largemouth. We invite everyone to join us April 2nd from 8 to 4 on Lake Twitty!
Weatherman needed March 5th on Wylie
Today's high 69 with showers after 6pm. Which lake was the weatherman on? At blast-off we had slight drizzle Saturday on Lake Wylie. The light precipitation was only a taste of the soaking in store for the Carolina Crankers season opener. Today found most teams bundled in suits against the rain and steady wind while some stayed dry under the bridge. At days end, Mark Tarlton and Terry Benton brought home the winning sack. The pair caught 5 largemouth weighing 10lbs 10oz. Mark and Terry were awarded $180.00 for first place while Lisa May brought home the big fish prize of $45.00 with her 4lb 12oz largemouth. Congratulations to our winners!
February 12th a hit on Tillery
Congratulations to Jody and Winston of Troy NC! They took first place honors as well as big fish with a total weight of 8lbs. 6oz. Their biggest fish went 3lbs. 4oz. Jody and Winston were awarded $120.00 for first and $30.00 for big fish. Saturday seemed to be a split day for the field. Three boats managed to find fish and three did not. While the sun was shining and the temperature climbing, the wind was howling and the water was swift. We invite everyone to come and participate in our regular season opener on Lake Wylie on March 5th at 8am.
2011 Gets off to a cold start on Cane Creek
A brand new season started on Saturday January 15th at Cane Creek. Four teams braved the winter chill to have first shot at new years' victory. At 8:00 blast off the temperature was 26 degrees while the water temperature was a mere 38. One shocked team found ice 1 inch thick at 50mph! Though the cold was numbing, nothing was more brutal than the January bite. After 8 hours of fishing, our teams were empty handed and the scales were dry. Although Saturday was a painful reminder of winters grip on the south, everyone involved seemed happy to break that cabin fever!