Hooked on Education tourney brings 152 boats to Pontiac


Participating boats prepare to head out Saturday morning at the beginning of this year’s White River Valley Electric Cooperative’s annual Hooked on Education out of Pontiac Cove Marina. Photo courtesy Drew Dreckman.

David Rogers of Bradleyville, left, and Laryme Campbell of Thornfield won $2,290 in Saturday’s White River Valley Electric Cooperative tournament with a 19.12-pound catch. They also won another $670 for bringing in the largest bass, which weighed 5.21 pounds. Photo courtesy WREVC.

This year’s White River Valley Electric Cooperative’s annual Hooked on Education Fishing Tournament, held May 4 out of Pontiac Cove Marina on Bull Shoals Lake, welcomed 152 registered boats. The annual tournament raises funds for WRVEC’s Operation Round Up Program, which has collected and distributed more than $3.6 million to students, local organizations and families throughout the five-county WRVEC service area.

Participating boats launched at 7 a.m. Teams had eight hours and up to five fish to bring in the highest poundage and biggest bass. These teams were awarded prizes at weigh-in:

 1. David Rogers of Bradleyville and Laryme Campbell of Thornfield won $2,290 with a 19.12-pound catch; they also won another $670 for bringing in the largest bass weighing 5.21 pounds.

 2. Buck Comstock or Protem and Greg Blair of Bradleyville won $1,775 with a 17.66-pound catch.

 3. Mike Smith and Jay Oliver won $1,260 with a 17.1-pound catch.

 4. Bryan Barnard and Tyler Matlock won $1,085 with a 16.96-pound catch.

 5. Billy Littleton and T. Le won $965 with a 16.21-pound catch.

 6. Jason Davidson and Darren Tilley won $750 with a 15.95-pound catch.

 7. Donald Parkin and Rodney Shockey won $600 with a 15.84-pound catch.

 8. Tony Moser and Randy Ziegler won $550 with a 15.15-pound catch.

 9. Michael Welch and Phillip McFarland won $435 with a 14.94-pound catch.

10. Danny Barr and Andrew Rogers won $365 with a 14.91-pound catch.

11. Matt Brown and Blake Curtis won $335 with a 14.83-pound catch.

12. Kelvin Preis and L.A. Lindsey won $310 with a 14.79-pound catch.

13. Jacob Davis and Kenyon Johnson won $275 with a 14.64-pound catch, and brought in another $525 with the second-largest bass weighing in at 4.83 pounds.

14. Robert Pearson and Roger Pearson won $253 with a 14.55-pound catch.

15. Derek Leek and Tyler Leek won $225 with a 14.52-pound catch.

Also, Shawn Swearengin and Casey Merrifield won $295 with the third-largest bass weighing 4.77 pounds.

Operation Round Up helps fund monthly grants to help families and organizations with basic needs such as food, shelter and clothing during difficult circumstances. Other funds provide scholarships to students headed to college. 

Event sponsors included Arrowhead Building Supply Inc., Hotel Grand Victorian, Tripium LLC, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge,  Knight Heating & Air,  College of the Ozarks, Titanic Museum Attraction, Parade of Homes Real Estate Magazine, Builder’s Supply LLC, Built Right LLC, Step Above Realty, Branson Dental Center, Tanger Outlets and Progressive Solutions.

Ozark County Times

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