Okatibbee ~ The Battle of Small Fish

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601-624-0359 2010-11 Issue 11 June 4, 2011 Okatibbee ~ The Battle of Small Fish Okatibbee Winners MCC s V-P, Shelton Culpepper, said it best at the weigh-in. This was a battle of the small fishes.

MCC veterans, Randy Bouchillon and Joe Lowrey, found a few good ones pre-fishing Thursday and Friday, and, being the tough competitors they are, locked in on a few good ones on Saturday.

Joe told me they used 2 pounds of minnows to catch 8 pounds of fish. Regardless of the size of the fish, we all had a great time on a beautiful lake in east-central Mississippi.

1 Issue 11 June 4, 2011 Okatibbee ~ The Battle of Small Fish Okatibbee Winners MCC s V-P, Shelton Culpepper, said it best at the weigh-in. This was a battle of the small fishes. Indeed, Okatibbee s best kept secret and challenge to our tournament competitors was where to find some good fish. MCC veterans, Randy Bouchillon and Joe Lowrey, found a few good ones pre-fishing Thursday and Friday, and, being the tough competitors they are, locked in on a few good ones on Saturday. Joe Lowrey and Randy Bouchillon show off part of their tournament winning catch of 8.13 pounds. Great job, men. You were the only team to catch 7 fish that totaled over 8 pounds. Joe told me they used 2 pounds of minnows to catch 8 pounds of fish. Regardless of the size of the fish, we all had a great time on a beautiful lake in east-central Mississippi. And, as always, the best part seemed to be the great fellowship and cook-outs and conversations we shared off the lake under the shade tree or on Thursday and Friday nites with some great (you newcomers don t know what you re missing) get-togethers. Culpepper cooked fish for us on Thursday nite at the Day s Inn, and I m telling you the fish and the fries and the fixins were all great, Shelton. Thank you, sir. Again, you re way too good to us. And, then on Friday nite Rodger Womack and Ray Williams broke out the grills and the tequila wings and the deer sausage, and we all ate until we darn-near popped. When other crappie clubs call and want to know how we manage to attract such good numbers at our tournaments, my explanation always begins with stories about our get-togethers. I m not sure where else you could have so much fun with a bunch of your fishing friends. PJ As Good As It Gets Shelton Culpepper and David Thornton were very worried when they put the boat on the trailer at the end of T-Day at Okatibbee. These veteran tournament fishermen were leading the Points Race going in to Okatibbee, and they were pretty sure they were at risk of losing their season-long grip on 1st place because of such a poor catch at Okatibbee. But, their closest competitors for Points Winners for Season 2010/11, Will Clark / Carl Painter and Tonya Robertson / Terry Stewart, also struggled to catch big fish at Okatibbee. Ain t that what it s all about? Good clean competition with a few of your fishing friends is as good as it gets. Think about it, in the midst of the State s worst Mississippi River flood where many of our members are displaced and evacuated and/or fighting daily to keep the high waters off their valuable crops and homes, we some how managed to set those things aside for a little bit and have a great time at a fishing tournament. Arkabutla 39 teams entered lbs won it. Driscoll/Harrison Wolf Lake 42 teams entered 9.57 lbs won it. Moak/Moak Eagle Lake 36 teams entered lbs won it. Krutz/Stevenson Chotard 37 teams entered lbs won it. Robertson/Stewart Barnett I 42 teams entered 7.52 lbs won it. Driscoll/Wyssinger Washington 43 teams entered lbs won it. White/White Grenada 39 teams entered lbs won it. Stewart/Robertson Barnett II 32 teams entered 9.87 lbs won it. Blount/Sullivan Okatibbee 28 teams entered 8.13 lbs won it. Bouchillon/Lowrey Y all just ask one of newest and oldest members, Roy Norwood, about this MCC bunch. By the way, y all did notice that Roy was in the money again, didn t you. While chomping on a Womack Special Tequila Chicken Wing, Roy was heard to say, This is about as good as it gets. If I d known y all did this, I would have come back sooner. And, where else could you get such a kick out of seeing an 11-year old boy catch the Big Fish of the tournament? Y all need to hear this. Tommy Moss lied to young Jake Clark in the last hour of the tournament, telling him we were catching all ours on pink & white cranks a complete and total falsehood. You guessed it Jake quickly found a pink & white bait and tied it on his trolling pole. Tommy had just said to me, Wouldn t it be something if he actually caught one on that pink and white?, when young Jake went to hollering for the net. Turned out to be the Big Fish of the tournament, and put Tommy and me on the hunt for some pink & whites in our own tackle boxes. PJ

Page 2 2010-11 Issue 11 June 4, 2011 Huge, that s right, I said HUGE fish swim in Sardis... What can I say about Okatibbee that we don t already know?

I mean everything was clean and neat and the boat ramps and parking lots were great and convenient. And the campgrounds and the overall look and feel of the place was just the best.

Also, congratulations to Joe Lowrey and Randy Bouchillon for bringing in the winning stringer..well friends, can you believe we are about to fish our final regular season tournament of the year?

2 Page Issue 11 June 4, 2011 Huge, that s right, I said HUGE fish swim in Sardis... What can I say about Okatibbee that we don t already know? It may not be known for monster crappie but what a great place to hold a tournament! Some of the best facilities we ve ever fish ed. I mean everything was clean and neat and the boat ramps and parking lots were great and convenient. And the campgrounds and the overall look and feel of the place was just the best....it is also a great place to take a kid fishing. The big fish of the day was caught by 11 year old Jacob Clark fishing with his dad, Bobby Clark. Good job guys! Also, congratulations to Joe Lowrey and Randy Bouchillon for bringing in the winning stringer..well friends, can you believe we are about to fish our final regular season tournament of the year? For this last tournament, we are headed to one of Mississippi s premiere crappie holes, Sardis lake. I have been hearing stories of monster crappie being caught all summer long so we should be hitting it at just the right time. Tournament Director Hugh Krutz.The water will be up this year due to all the flooding so the local guys may not have as much of an advantage as they would at normal pool. The fish should be over the spawn and in full summer pattern by the time we hit the lake. Registration 4:30 to 5:15 AM We will base everything out of Holiday Lodge Holiday Lodge Restaurant registration and weigh-in. Start fishing time: 6:00 AM Stop fishing: 2:00PM Registration will be from 4:30-5:15am and start fishing time will be 6:00am. I ll see ya on the lake!!! Hugh Weigh In Holiday Lodge. Weigh In Tickets must be turned in before 3:00 PM. Start 6:00 AM Stop 2:00 PM Holiday Lodge Restaurant Registration 4:30 5:15 AM Weigh-In 3:00 PM

3 Directions to Sardis events Friday Nite Get-Together Friday, June 17, MCCer Les Smith has invited us to his place for a cookout. You don t need to bring anything but a $10 bill to cover you part of the Sardis eats ribs, brisket, smoked beans, fixins you get the picture. It ll be ready for you beginning around 4:30. Les suggests you bring your own drinks. Les s place is right on your way to the Holiday Lodge & has plenty of parking room for trucks and boats. Les sent the following to me. Paul, yes we are on go. Address 1104 Broom Rd Como, Ms., cell phone , home phone Take the MS-310 exit off of I-55, EXIT 257 (5 miles above Sardis), Take Como exit Hwy 310 going east towards Holiday Lodge, go 7.5 miles turn right on Broom Rd, cabin sets on the left at corner of 310 & Broom Rd. (If you load into GPS it says the cabin is on the right, that is wrong). If you are coming from Holiday Lodge it is 9.9 miles from the lake. Kent Driscoll sent the following directions to Holiday Lodge. Directions to Holiday Lodge from south, exit I-55 at Como exit Hwy 310, turn right (east) and go 16 miles to Harmontown. Turn right (south) on county road 517(Lakeside grocery on left plus Holiday Lodge signs) go 3 miles to restaurant/boat ramp/cabins. Holiday Lodge has minnows, ice, cabins, restaurant, campground with hookups, fishing cleaning station, showers and restrooms. Bennie & Susie are good people. Qualifying for the Post-Season I have only this last reminder for you concerning post-season qualification. If you don t heed my call, by the time we leave Sardis, yer out as Baseball Umpire and MCC Fisherman Johnny Weatherford would say. Remember, every team who qualifies gets $1 per point, plus you re in the running for the Big Mama Money (that s a different prize than the Big Fish prize at the regular tournaments), and you ll get to fish the 2011 Magnolia Crappie State Championship 2-day event in September. And, right now, it s looking like the State Champs pot could exceed $20,000, and don t forget the entry fee is free. We only charge $20 per team for Big Fish Prizes at the Finals. Here are some things you must do if you want to share in the fun and prizes of the Post-Season. 1 Enter minimum of 7 regular tournaments and accumulate 90 points. You get a point per pound of fish you weigh in + 10 points for entering. Some of you may have to catch a boat load at Sardis or pay for 8 or 9 regular tournaments. You have until the close of the Sardis tournament to back pay tournaments some of you late-bloomers missed. 2 If you haven t already done so, you must declare a regular partner, and he/she must pay their MCC dues ($50 unless he/she is a minor under age 16) before the close of Sardis event, or fish by yourself at the State Championship. Don t show up at the September Championship and say, Here s my new partner. Sardis, got it, Sardis or he s out. 3 Splash for Cash little different cut-off time here pay attention. You must be clear of Terry Stewart and the Splash for Cash requirements before the end of registration at Sardis. Why the earlier closing time? Well, shoot, Terry s got to have some time to get all those raffle ticket stubs made ready for the big drawing later that afternoon. I can just see Terry up there on the bank, under a shade tree now, while the rest of us are out there fishing. He ll be cussing every one of you backsliders who wait until June 18 to clear his list. And, if Terry doesn t clear you for the State Championship and other Post Season prizes, you re what???? Say it for us, Johnny Weatherford Yer out! Example Guest fisherman Scott Vance first tournament was Okatibbee as guest. You can qualify for the 2011 State Championship. Join the club, pay for enough tournaments to cover 90 points including Sardis, buy a book of Splash for Cash raffle tickets and you re in as a one-man team. Or, bring a friend with you. He/she will have to join MCC($50), split the entry fees with them, and buy 2 books of raffle tickets, and you re in. Or, convince Tom O Keefe or some other MCC member who doesn t have a partner to let you in their boat, and then you ll owe us $50 for membership and you ll have to pay for one book of Splash for Cash tickets. Example Sid and Scott Steen. Y all need to pay for 2 more regular tournaments including Sardis. Pay for 2 books of Splash for Cash tickets, and you re in. Example Roy Norwood. Roy, there is no way in hell for you to qualify for the $20, MCC State Championship. Well maybe Pay for 5 more regular tournament entry fees including Sardis, buy a book of raffle tickets, and catch 26 pounds of fish at Sardis. (Disclaimer Exact payout for Championship has not been decided by the Board.) No, really we like you, Roy. See #1 above. And, if you or any one else has a question call PJ

4 Kim Lovorn Southern Belle T-Shirts Calhoun City, MS

10/11 Tournament Season Sept 25 Grenada BIG MAMA OPEN Regular Tournaments Oct 16 Arkabutla Nov 6 Wolf Lake Dec 4 Eagle Lake Jan 8 Chotard Feb 12 Barnett Mar 12 Washington Apr 9 Grenada Apr 30

Okay, now we re down to the finish line for closing out this season s Splash for Cash. The official cut-off for the Splash for Cash is 5:30 AM, Saturday June 18.

Thank you, Academy Sports. Several of you who are planning to participate in our post-season payouts and prizes must act now.

Remember, to qualify for the post season payouts and activities, you and your adult partner must each have sold a book each that s 25. tickets @ $5 each.

$MCC Governing Board 2010-11 President, Paul Johnson 601-624-0359 Vice President, Shelton Culpepper 601-764-8168 Sec\Treasurer, Steve Stevenson 601-519-3175 Tournament Director, Hugh Krutz$ 601-946-3111 Weighmaster, David Thornton 601-218-0007 Imm Past President, Brad Taylor 662-820-4581 Director 2011 Rod Womack 601-942-8907 Director 2011 Jimmy Smith 601-757-1142 Director 2011

601-946-3111 Weighmaster, David Thornton 601-218-0007 Imm Past President, Brad Taylor 662-820-4581 Director 2011 Rod Womack 601-942-8907 Director 2011 Jimmy Smith 601-757-1142 Director 2011

5 10/11 Tournament Season Sept 25 Grenada BIG MAMA OPEN Regular Tournaments Oct 16 Arkabutla Nov 6 Wolf Lake Dec 4 Eagle Lake Jan 8 Chotard Feb 12 Barnett Mar 12 Washington Apr 9 Grenada Apr 30 Barnett May 21 Okatibbee Jun 18 Sardis Sep 16-17, 2011 State Championship Wolf Lake Enter minimum of 7 regular tournaments and have 90 pts to qualify for Post Season. Okay, now we re down to the finish line for closing out this season s Splash for Cash. The official cut-off for the Splash for Cash is 5:30 AM, Saturday June 18. Money and ticket stubs are due back to me before registration is over at Sardis. We ll have the drawing for the $1,000 Academy Gift Card at the weigh in of the Sardis tournament on June 18th. Thank you, Academy Sports. Several of you who are planning to participate in our post-season payouts and prizes must act now. Call me at if you need to get stubs and money to me before the Sardis tournament. You can mail your tickets and a check to me if necessary. Remember, to qualify for the post season payouts and activities, you and your adult partner must each have sold a book each that s 25. $5 each.. A lot of our teams have sold the tickets to themselves.. That s perfectly okay. Anyone can be the $ winner!!! Even you, Scott Vance. You don t want to miss the Points payouts, the Big.. Mama Pots, or our State Championship tournament. MCC Governing Board President, Paul Johnson Vice President, Shelton Culpepper Sec\Treasurer, Steve Stevenson Tournament Director, Hugh Krutz Weighmaster, David Thornton Imm Past President, Brad Taylor Director 2011 Rod Womack Director 2011 Jimmy Smith Director 2011 Eli Rowell Director 2012 John Harrison Director 2012 Ken Middleton Director 2012 Bo Hudson Director 2013 Bernard Williams Director 2013 Terry Stewart Director 2013 Ray Williams Magnolia Crappie Club Shirts & Caps First-year member Maj. Tommy O Keefe, looks cool in his new official club shirt. Tommy says, These shirts are great. Come get you some! To order shirts call Shelton Culpepper at $12 Short $25 Long $30

Page 6 2010-11 Issue 11 June 4, 2011 Okatibbee ~ Top Teams Joe Lowrey and Randy Bouchillon take first place with 8.13 pounds on Okatibbee.

Y all bring them minner poles with you to Sardis. Tommy Moss and his boat driver, Paul Johnson, some how managed to catch 2nd place with 7.60 lbs. Where s your cap, PJ?

In The Running 6th R Clary / G Walker 7th C Rowell / E Rowell 8th Culpepper / Thornton 8th D Terry / B Williams 10th C Blount / M Blount 11th C Chriswell / B Taylor 12th

58 lbs 6.55 lbs 6.40 lbs 6.36 lbs 1.59 lbs 1.58 lbs 29 boats A Good turnout given the historic flood & recent storms in MS.

88 lbs Big Mama winners must qualify for post-season to win Big Mama prizes. Specifically, Tackett-Harris and Steen-Steen, I m talking to you. Split # 2 Big Mama 3.

6 Page Issue 11 June 4, 2011 Okatibbee ~ Top Teams Joe Lowrey and Randy Bouchillon take first place with 8.13 pounds on Okatibbee. After finishing 2nd in our previous tournament at Barnett, this experienced team was determined to catch the Top Prize at their favorite lake, Okatibbee. Great job, gentlemen. Y all bring them minner poles with you to Sardis. Tommy Moss and his boat driver, Paul Johnson, some how managed to catch 2nd place with 7.60 lbs. Where s your cap, PJ? First-year member and crank bait specialist, Tommy O keefe, along with guest Scott Vance cranked up 3rd place with 7.27 lbs. In The Running 6th R Clary / G Walker 7th C Rowell / E Rowell 8th Culpepper / Thornton 8th D Terry / B Williams 10th C Blount / M Blount 11th C Chriswell / B Taylor 12th Middleton / Nipper 13th Guest / McWilliams 14th R Norwood Big Fish 1st Jake Clark & his Daddy 2nd Nipper & Middleton Other Big O Stats 6.86 lbs 6.82 lbs 6.80 lbs 6.80 lbs 6.68 lbs 6.58 lbs 6.55 lbs 6.40 lbs 6.36 lbs 1.59 lbs 1.58 lbs 29 boats A Good turnout given the historic flood & recent storms in MS. 28 teams weighed 189 fish 1st time every fishing team weighed 7 fish Total weight lbs Avg size lbs Big Mama winners must qualify for post-season to win Big Mama prizes. Specifically, Tackett-Harris and Steen-Steen, I m talking to you. Split # 2 Big Mama 3.32 lbs Clark/Painter $ lbs Blackwell/Jones $ lbs Tackett/Harris $ lbs Steen/Steen $107 Two of our club s officers, Hugh Krutz and Steve Stevenson, showed out with 7.07 lbs of Okatibbee s best. Thanks, guys. Grandpa and grandson Sid & Sidney the Third Steen scored 5th place, 6.94 lbs. Look out, Scott, Sid III may be moving in lbs Johnson/Moss $72 As Good As It Gets

7 Overall Points Race Team # Arka Wolf Eagle Chot Barn Wash Gren Barn II Okat Sard Total 1 Culpepper / Thornton W. Clark / C. Painter Robertson / Stewart Krutz / Stevenson Holmes / Morgan J. Smith / R. Smith Lindsay / Lindsay A.E. Smith / L. Smith Wade / Wade Blount / Sullivan Williams / Womack Rowell / Rowell Blackwell / Jones Clary / Walker Johnson / Moss Terry / Williams Chappell / Hudson Driscoll / Harrison Bouchillon / Lowery Weatherford / Weeks T. O'Keefe McDonald / McDonald Criswell / Taylor Garrett / Horton Finkley / Howell Cannon / Gray Jeffcoats / Thomas D. Moak / S. Moak Grice / Oswalt Middleton / Nipper Lack/Lack J.L. Smith / J. Smith B. Clark / J. Clark Nowell / Nowell Steen / Steen Hicks / McWilliams A. Mullins Frazier / Jackson Fulgham / Stone McPhail / Winstead Ward / Ward Burroughs / Tindle M. Sumrall Guidry / McMurtrey R. Norwood Harris / Tackett Gunter / Talley Collins / Bradshaw / Douglas Bowen / Pridmore Robert Knight Jim Dodd White / White Grey / Koestler Lowrie / Reasons McCormick / Odom Stewart / J. Weeks

8 Great shade and good-size crowd for Okatibbee Weigh-In. Beautiful facility We caught lots and lots of fish Had great weather and wonderful camaraderie. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly and that little guy Jacob. Not sure if that was L to R or R to L, but we all know which one is Jacob and either way, Ronald, you re Bad.

Page 9 2010-11 Issue 11 June 4, 2011 Big Fish Jacob Clark, 11 years old, is quite a fisherman.

quick to put on the suggested pink & white crankbait. In less than 3 minutes, Jake had the Big Fish of the day tugging on his string.

Something like, Hey, Jake, I know what I m going to do with my half of your Big Fish money. What are you going to do with your half?

9 Page Issue 11 June 4, 2011 Big Fish Jacob Clark, 11 years old, is quite a fisherman. Listening to good advice from nearby competitor, Tommy Moss, Jake was Good job Jake ~ Uhhh, you too, Bobby. quick to put on the suggested pink & white crankbait. In less than 3 minutes, Jake had the Big Fish of the day tugging on his string. His daddy, Bobby, finally got the net under the fish. Tommy Moss was heard hustling the young fisherman at the weigh-in. Something like, Hey, Jake, I know what I m going to do with my half of your Big Fish money. What are you going to do with your half? Larry Nipper caught the second place Big Fish while Ken was gone to town on lunch break, or something. Actually, I don t know who caught this monster, and it was great seeing both you guys, given your major flooding problems up in the Delta.

10 Sardis, June 18th We re going to fish Sardis for first time in over 12 years. Sardis is now famous for its over 3 pound club. Great new sponsor for Sardis is the Holiday Lodge. Make your reservations now. Be sure to tell the nice folks at the Holiday Lodge that you re with the Magnolia Crappie Club. Thank you, Holiday Lodge!! We look forward to the June 18th event. Fisherman s Corner 4420 Highway 80 Morton, MS Fisherman s Corner asks the MCC tournament fishermen to drop by on your way to the lake. Lots of fresh, lively minnows and other fishing supplies. Need groceries, water, cold drinks, gas, oil for your boat? We got it. Good Luck.

MCC is fortunate to be able to call you one of our own..you re way too good to us. Jasper County, MS 601-764-2060 MCC Seems Like One Big Happy Family Still Growing We all know Eli & Cole Rowell.

11 Thank you, Shelton for sponsoring MCC again as a Platinum level sponsor....your service and leadership to the club as a Board Member and Officer for several years is also appreciated, and the fish fry in Meridian wasn t half bad, either. MCC is fortunate to be able to call you one of our own..you re way too good to us. Jasper County, MS MCC Seems Like One Big Happy Family Still Growing We all know Eli & Cole Rowell. This red-headed father and son team has been fishing with us for several seasons. Eli is a Board Member of MCC, and Cole is one of several youngsters in the club who knows how to handle a jig pole or a spinning reel. The whole Rowell family is pictured on the front of this issue. Great picture, great folks all red-headed, my kind of people. I wish I had my camera Thursday, two days before the Big O tourney when the Rowell train came rolling into the campground area at Okatibbee looked like a wagon train to me. That big red dually pick-up with at least a 40-foot long camper hitched to it, plus that new Ranger Boat tagged onto the camper s back bumper. I asked Eli how you back a boat into the lake with all that hooked up, and he just laughed. Speaking of this year s crop of young fishermen who have joined dads and granddads on at least one tournament day or at another MCC function, I d have to say they and their participation as a family illustrate how blessed we are in America, in our State, and in this crappie club. I know Eli and all the other dads and granddads will agree. I ll try not to leave anyone out, please forgive me if I do. Cole Rowell and his two younger siblings, Cole Stewart, Jake Clark, Cassidy Blount, Logan Grice, Alli Taylor, Mary Kent Driscoll, John Harrison s daughters, C.J. the Third Steen, Lefty s great big son Chad, Don Terry s pint-size-but-mature-for-his-age 4-years-old son, Adonis, Tyler Lack s (and others I forgot to mention) participation with us at tournaments & other MCC activities make our club so much younger, stronger and healthier. And, as unlikely as it may seem, with our open guest rule this year, we continue to welcome first time tournament fishermen to our MCC family. Do y all realize we had 5 or 6 guests potential members fish with us for their first time ever at Okatibbee? I ll use Scott Vance as a great example. Scott and I are probably distant cousins (don t hold that against him) since both our families hail from Conehatta, MS. My mother s maiden name was Vance. My son s first name is Vance. I m thinking Scott s Grandfather and my Papaw Vance were brothers. But, anyway, back to our MCC guests and Scott in particular. Scott told some of us that he d thought about joining MCC for a couple of years and just hadn t committed. But, he was at Grenada the weekend we had our April tournament up there, and he saw some of us on the water and talked to us there. And, thru Crappie.com, he and Major Tom O Keefe struck up a friendship and discovered they both like to pull crank baits, and Scott s home lake is Okatibbee. So, Tommy invited Scott to be his guest partner. We hope that Scott and all the rest of our guests found a fishing home with our MCC family. Y all come on back now, ya hear!!! Cuz, hope to see you at Sardis.

12 Magnolia Crappie Club 1015 Halton Ct. Brandon, MS The Rowell Family As Good As It Gets David Thornton Pat Jeffcoats & Lefty Thomas Scott Vance & Carl Painter Doc Jones & Kenny Blackwell Okatibbee Pics 2011 Joe Lowrey & Freddy Weeks Cassidy Blount The good, the bad, the ugly, and that old guy. Big Willard Parks Mike & Paula Nowell L to R or R to L? Brad Taylor Guest & David McWilliams

Windy Sardis $100K, really?

601-624-0359 2011-12 Issue 8 Apr 25, 2012 Windy Sardis $100K, really? Sardis Winners Sardis proved to be a tough challenge on T-Day, didn t it? No one said this tournament fishing is always easy. Nonetheless,