By By Mike Giles / outdoors writer
May 7, 2004
Todd Ratcliff and Bilbo Lampton caught a limit of bass with two kickers over the slot en route to winning the third annual Meridian Firefighters Take a Kid Fishing tournament. Their thirteen plus pound limit easily outdistanced the second place finishers.
This team had a limit of bass with one kicker by 8 a.m. Ratcliff caught the four pound kicker on a Rattlin' Chug Bug early that morning. They spent the rest of the day trying to cull the smaller fish and did just that. At about 10 a.m. they caught their second lunker of the day, which ultimately propelled them to the top place finish. First place was worth a cool $1,000.00.
Over thirty-five boats participated in this tournament that benefitted fire fighters, youths, and burn victims. Although there were a lot of winners in the final outcome, all of the young participants were successful at just getting a chance to participate in the tournament to catch a fish. Each youth received a bag of lures and baits in addition to an individual trophy for participating. Some of the boats had at least two young fishermen. Breakfast and lunch were delivered or available for each participant.
Second place went to veteran angler Joey Knight and his daughter Hannah. Knight had the lunker of the tournament, which was worth $350.00. In addition, second place brought them a $500.00 check, which brought their total winnings to $850.00.
Third place went to the team of Ken Murphy, Jaime Boland and Justin Giles with a limit of bass. They also caught several stripers with the biggest pushing six pounds. Although they couldn't weigh the stripers with their largemouth bass, the largest striper did bring them another $100.00 for the bonus rough fish award. Their total winnings came to $550.00. They caught most of their bass on Carolina rigged worms. The stripers were caught on crankbaits and jerkbaits.
Burn center and families
This year the Meridian Firefighters tournament raised approximately $4,000.00 for the Burn Center and family fund. Half of the proceeds went to the Burn Center and half went to the Meridian Firefighters' Family Fund. As most people know, the Mississippi Burn Center treats any burn victims and relies heavily on donations from the public.
The Family Fund is available for firefighters that become disabled, ill, or have to miss work due to an extended illness by one of their family members. One local fire fighter, Chris Boles, benefitted from the fund last year when his child had to be hospitalized in an out-of-town hospital. As a result Boles had to miss work to be with his family in a time of need.
The remainder of the top money winners are as follows:
4. Randy Gabriel and Chase Miller $ 400
5. Tim and Mitchell Fox $350
6. Mike Chaney and Brock Mosley $300
7. David and Morgan Fason $250
8. Scott and Caleb Smith $200
9. Paul and David Goforth $150
10. Keith Lovette, Trevor Bunyard and Colby Jones $100