May 30, 2015
Dayton, TN — Chad Reel won the 3rd annual Chickamauga Big Bass Fishing Tournament on May 30, 2015 at the Chickamauga Lake in Dayton and took home $2000.00 for his overall “Big Bass” and also won $300 for his 10 am hourly winning Bass, which weighed 8.27 lbs. That fish was also the daily winner. 42 Anglers registered for the event.
The Take-off and weigh in was held at the Dayton Boat Dock. This tournament was setup with hourly weigh ins, with 4 prizes possible per hour and then an overall “Big Bass” award of $2000. The hourly prizes for biggest fish weighed that hour was $300,$200, $100 and $50.
One female placed; Cindy Hatfield, an employee of Rhea Medical Center netted $500 in prize money for her 2pm first place win with a 5.51 pounder, and 2nd place with a 4.95 pound bass. Hatfield’s husband Brian, winner of the first two Chickamauga Big Bass Tournaments, added $200 to the family’s winnings with the second place bass at 10am-7.32 pounds.
The youngest fisherman of the day at 8 years old was Blake James. Blake took third place at 9am with 4.01 pounds, and narrowly lost 3rd place to finish 4th at 1 pm, when his dad Brad James brought in 4.60 in response to Blake’s 4.32 fish.
Several local businesses stepped up to sponsor the event. The main sponsor was Lazy Boy Manufacturing.
The Chickamauga Big Bass Tournament is an annual fund raiser for the Rhea Medical Healthcare Foundation. A non-profit 501(c)3, the Foundation raises money to help purchase new equipment and updates to existing medical equipment, and provide healthcare training and resources to patients, the community and employees of Rhea Medical.
This event grows more popular each year. The uniqueness of hourly weigh-ins with cash and prizes for the top four finishers each hour make it fun to participate and watch.
9am Winners:
Chuck Scott 6.10
Houston Shaver 4.16
Blake James 4.01
Bill Shipley. 3.93
10am:
Chad Reel 8.27
Brian Hatfield 7.32
11am:
Tim Morgan 6.62
Josh Hall 5.69
William Marler. 5.55
Chuck Scott 4.71
Noon:
Robbie McGill 6.31
Michael Wallis 4.91
Chad Reel 4.78
Houston Shaver 3.69
1:00pm:
Bill Shipley 5.00
Donald Brock 4.77
Brad James 4.60
Blake James 4.32
2:00pm:
Cindy Hatfield 5.51
Clint Harrison. 5.08
Dwayne Hagler 4.54
Dustin Henderson 4.47
3:00pm:
Don Kagley 6.16
Cindy Hatfield 4.95
Mike Massengill 4.72
Brad James 4.42
Thanks to Becky Bodkin for supplying the tournament information.
