Lake Somerville, Event #3 for the anglers of Texas Central Fishers of Men. Seven days leading up to this event the wind ranged from the upper teens to mid 20mph, anglers who did visit the lake prior to the tournament were very concerned that the lake would not produce, it would be far to windy, water was overly stained, fish would not bite, lake would be too crowded, and on and on. After my time on the lake Wednesday, I was starting to believe they may be correct, I was starting to add in a few more concerns to be quite honest. Lake Somerville is not a lake most of the anglers in this division fish, it would be labeled as; pushing the GPS boundary when referring to a Central Texas lake. Saturday, March 13th can only be labeled as a testiment to what a difference a week makes.
Anglers gathered Saturday morning at Overlook Marina on Lake Somerville for boat checks and tournament launch, the ones who had visited the lake that week were not as optomistic as the anglers who had not been there before, but all were ready to compete and enjoy the fellowship experienced at a Fishers of Men event.
The wind showed up and got a little stronger throughout the day, but waited until late Saturday evening to reach miserable fishing conditions. The wind and cloud coverage that was present provided the desired conditions for fish to move and chase bait. The father / son team of Brian and Jacob Washburn took full advantage of those conditions, they positioned themselves in 3ft of water and stayed put all day and were rewarded with a sack of fish weighing 19.84lbs, anchored with a kicker weighing 6.38lbs. Brian had spent a few days in the hospital at the beginning of the week and we were concerned that he would not make it to the event, not only did he make it to the event, but he showed up with a desire to win. Jacob and his father worked hard throughout the day and made it happen, they took first place for the event.
Stephen Cooksey and Troy Slaughter traveled from Tyler Texas area on Wednesday morning to spend a few hours on the water to learn. What they learned that day was; it takes about 3.5 hours to drive from Tyler to Lake Somerville and the fishing can be very tough on Lake Somerville. They went home that day with serious doubts about the event, but come Saturday they both showed up with smiles on thier faces ready to work, and what a different day it was for them. Stephen and Troy came to the scales with a sack of 5 fish that weighed in at18.28lbs. The bag was full enough to secure 2nd place for the event.
The team of Jarrett Rabroker and approved substitute Rowdy Lopez went out Saturday morning with winning on their minds, after receiving a fishing report for the time they spend on the water a week earlier I was concerned they would back out of this event, but they showed up and did enough to find a limit of fish that set the scales at 14.98lbs, allowing them to settle into the third place spot for the event.
Don Schuetze was big bass winner of the event when he showed up with a fish that weighed 6.85lbs. Not a bad fish at all.
All the anglers enjoyed smoked briskets sandwiches after the weigh in and a wonderful message from Divisional Chaplain Mr. Bill Shelnutt.
It was a pleasure seeing all the anglers, spending time in fellowship and competing.
Fishers of Men would like to thank all of our fine sponsors; BassCat Boats, Mercury, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Spiderwire, Shakespeare, Power-Pole, T&H Marine, BassBoat Technologies, Amphibia Eyewear, Gator Guards, FroggToggs and Jacobs Glass
TEXAS CENTRAL DIVISION would like to also thank our wonderful sponsors: BINGHAM MARINE TEXAS, TYLER WRAP COMPANY, BE ONE PROMOTIONS, SIT MEANS SIT DOG TRAINING, ACADEMY PAINT AND BODY, CUSTOM TRUCK AND WHEEL, BUSY B ERRAND SERVICE, FORAGE LURES, BASS ASSETS LURES, NTX BAITS, CORNERSTONE LURES, TEMPLE FORK OUTFITTERS, ARDENT OUTDOORS, VICIOUS FISHING, STEVE O'S REEL REPAIR, TEAM LOGGAINS, PRO-TEC PRODUCTS
We would also like to take the time to personally thank, Melissa Eller for running the computer during the event. Nikki Washburn, Lillie Eller, Melissa Eller and little JW for helping with putting together the sandwiches for all the anglers. Nathan Eller, Ty Eller and Luke Bingham for their help during the raffle. And Luke Bingham for his help taking photos of anglers at weigh in. With out volunteers it would be impossible to run the events, I am very grateful for all the help.

Place | Team | Members | # Fish | Big Fish | Gross | Penalty | Net Wt | Points | |
1 | 26726 |
Brian Washburn Jacob Washburn | 5 | 6.38 | 19.84 | 0 | 19.84 | 200 | |
2 | 26721 |
Stephen Cooksey Troy Slaughter | 5 | 0 | 18.28 | 0 | 18.28 | 199 | |
3 | 26604 |
Gerald Rabroker Jarrett Rabroker | 5 | 0 | 14.98 | 0 | 14.98 | 198 | |
4 | 26597 |
Earl Loggains Leisha Loggains | 5 | 5.45 | 14.95 | 0 | 14.95 | 197 | |
5 | 26727 |
James Barnett Mike Sedillo | 5 | 0 | 14.43 | 0.25 | 14.18 | 196 | |
6 | 26596 |
John Baran Michele Baran | 4 | 5.31 | 14.14 | 0 | 14.14 | 195 | |
7 | 26746 |
Don Schuetze Michael Soden | 2 | 6.85 | 12.75 | 0 | 12.75 | 194 | |
8 | 26725 |
Bob Reed Christopher Carpenter | 4 | 0 | 12.37 | 0 | 12.37 | 193 | |
9 | 26666 |
Craig Taylor Jason Carter | 3 | 4.61 | 10.73 | 0 | 10.73 | 192 | |
10 | 26872 |
William Shelnutt Tyler Eller | 4 | 0 | 8.05 | 0 | 8.05 | 191 | |
11 | 26600 |
Gary Johnson Tina Johnson | 2 | 0 | 7.43 | 0 | 7.43 | 190 | |
12 | 26627 |
Colten Niemeier Mark Clifton | 3 | 0 | 7.26 | 0 | 7.26 | 189 | |
13 | 26601 |
Willie Eller Nathan Eller | 3 | 0 | 6.03 | 0 | 6.03 | 188 | |
14 | 26901 |
Marlon Powell Carlton Bryant | 1 | 5.63 | 5.63 | 0 | 5.63 | 187 | |
15 | 26723 |
Gus Chavira Toby Turner | 2 | 0 | 4.47 | 0 | 4.47 | 186 | |
16 | 26598 |
Ron Chance Daryl Branham | 1 | 4.34 | 4.34 | 0 | 4.34 | 185 | |
17 | 26722 |
David Titus Brenda Titus | 1 | 2.58 | 2.58 | 0 | 2.58 | 184 | |
18 | 26730 |
Joshua Bingham Luke Bingham | 1 | 1.12 | 1.12 | 0 | 1.12 | 183 | |
19 | 26599 |
Michael Kersey Patrick Zangarine II | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 182 | |