Battle of the Lakes Honors Go To Chuck and Jace Woodall and Michael James Clauson
by Ron Presley,
The first-place team included top veteran angler.
The North Alabama Catfish Trail (NACT) Battle of the Lakes challenged anglers to fish two different Alabama lakes on 2 consecutive days. The Friday competition took place on Wilson Lake and the Saturday competition was on Wheeler. The winners were determined by the heaviest total weight from the two days of fishing for a 3-fish bag each day.
In addition to winners by placement, the trail recognized the Big Fish on Wilson, Big Fish on Wheeler, Top Lady Angler, 2nd Top Lady Angler, Top Youth Angler, and Top Veteran Angler.
The weather cooperated and was relatively nice for a mid-August day. The winds cooperated and offered no challenge to the anglers.
First Place and Top Veteran
The final honors went to the father/son team of Chuck and Jace Woodall who teamed up with Michael James Clauson to bring home the win with a total of 179.76 pounds. The team earned a check for $5,500.00!
The team’s efforts also won the Top Veteran award for Michael James Clauson. He won a plaque and $350 donated by KatMama Industries, Dry Creek Marine LLC, Will Shelton, Catstalker Ron Goucher REEL EM UP LLC, and SeaArk Boats.
Chuck Woodall always attacks Wilson differently than Wheeler. So knowing he wanted to suspend fish on Wilson and given the heat of recent days, he began day one searching for deeper water.
“The weather was nice,” Chuck reported. “The water was in great shape and there was no wind at all. When I found a good school of bait fish in deep water I used the trolling motor to spot-lock and started fishing.”
The team had no more than baited the poles and got the last line dropped to the bottom that the first rod dropped. They were hooked up instantly.
“I looked at my son Jace, and our partner Micheal,” recalled Chuck. “I said it’s gonna be a good day. We fished in that same spot all day. We ended up with 13 fish for the day on Wilson. Our weigh-in fish totaled 86.77 pounds and was good enough for 3rd place after one day.”
Going into the second day on Wheeler the team’s strategy was to drag baits as normal. The weather on the second day started much like the first but with a little more wind. Still, the lake was fairly calm. Repeating the early action of day one, the team got a good start on day two.
“Wheeler fishes a little different,” explained Chuck. “So I found a good stretch to drag. No sooner than we got the last pole out the first fish hit. It was a pretty good fish. We kept dragging the same line for about a mile.”
With no more takers, the team started looking for deeper water. They ended up straight across the lake where they pulled up the rods, turned to the electronics, and started scanning.
“The new spot looked the same as Wilson,” recalled Chuck. “I found several schools of bait fish. We got set up and started dragging baits and we started catching fish. Our big fish of the day came pretty quick.”
“Jace lost a good fish early in the morning and thought the day was over,” added Chuck. “It didn’t stop him though. He kept his hopes up and it paid off. He loves fishing more than any kid I know.”
The bite was much tougher on day two and they ended up with only 5 fish on Wheeler. The team’s consistency paid off and two days of posting weights in the 80s gave them a total weight of 179.76 pounds which was good enough for top honors. The win was fantastic but it was much more for Chuck.
“My son Jace, our partner Micheal, nor I thought for a minute our day two weight would be enough to win,” recalled Chuck following the tournament. “We were super excited for sure. I was really excited for Micheal because he’s never won a big catfishing tournament before. It meant a lot to him. My son and I have seen the edge a couple of times but never won a big one. Overall it was a pretty awesome experience for all of us.”
“I want to thank our sponsors, Warrior Cat Rods, Spread Em Planer Boards, and Penn Reels,” stated Chuck. “Because without them we wouldn’t have been able to do what we did.”
“I also wanna thank all of my comrades who are big into this catfishing world too,” added Chuck. “Thanks to Lewis Miller, he runs our main catfishing trail Tennessee Mad Catters. He goes out of his way to run a good trail. He also tries to keep kids fishing every chance he gets. He is a guy that will be there anytime you need him. Thanks to Steven Sumner. He gives my son a heck of a time and keeps it interesting for him at every tournament. And thanks to Randy Chappell for sure because without him, I wouldn’t have the boat I do. There are several others I won’t list just to shorten the post.”
“The comradery that comes along with this sport is awesome,” concluded Chuck. “Anytime we need bait everyone jumps in to help find it. Anytime someone needs help with boat problems someone is there to help. You name it. We all come together to make it happen.”
Second Place and Top Lady Angler
The runner-up spot went to Bill and Cindy White with a total weight of 163.31 pounds. Their weight also gave the Top Lady Angler Award to Cindy. Prizes were donated by SeaArk Boats, KatMama Industries, Dry Creek Marine LLC, and North Alabama Catfish Trail.
“We had a blast fishing Battle of the Lakes,” Cindy said on a Facebook post. “End of day 1 we were in 8th with 63.95 #. Day 2 was fast and furious with a triple to start us off. With 99.36# and a total of 163.31# we were able to net 2nd place. Thank you to North Alabama Catfish Trail and KatMama Industries for putting on this great event.”
“We have an awesome new sponsor that we will be sharing soon,” continued Cindy. “Thank you Jerri Gilchrist for the wonderful pictures that captured our adventure. And for making Lady Angler an awesome experience.”
Cindy also thanked the team sponsors, Dry Creek Marine LLC, Caveman Clips, Dales Tackle, and MulTbar Rod Rack.
Third Place
The third spot went to Doug McAnally and Jackson Mitchell. They teamed up to weigh a two-day total of 160.48 pounds to earn 3rd place and a check for $2,000. They held down 2nd place after day one with 93.87 pounds and were just 3 pounds out of 2nd place on the final day.
They bumped on Wilson and finished up on Wheeler dragging boards.
“I am so thankful to be able to fish,” said McAnally in a Facebook post. “It is such an enjoyable experience [to relieve] the stress away each and every time. Thanks to all my sponsors and people who bring me great products. I love all you guys. Tiffany Marie McAnally, Dry Creek Marine LLC, River Rats Reel Repair, SmackDown Catfishing,
Spread Em Planer Boards, SIC Outdoors, and MulTbar Rod Rack.
Fourth Place, Big Fish on Wilson, and Youth Angler
Brian Meares, Chase Henderson, and youth angler Lane Theasher brought a two-day weight of 151.03 pounds to the scales to claim 4th place. The team held the lead after day one with 108.50 pounds. Their day one big fish weighed 52.73 pounds and held good for Big Fish of the tournament on Wilson.
The team earned a check for $1000.00. The team’s weight also gave Lane Theasher the Youth Angler Award.
Big Fish on Wheeler
David Shipman and Phil King teamed up to bring a 71.19-pound blue to the scales and win Big Fish on Wheeler.
Lady Angler 2nd Place
Sandra Luenke claimed the 2nd place Lady Angler Award with a weight of 101.03 pounds. She was fishing with Doug Smith. The team finished 10th overall.
Prizes for the 2nd Place Lady Angler were donated by North Alabama Catfish Trail, REEL EM UP, LLC, Catstalker, Caveman Clips, Demon Dragon, and ANVIL RODS.
Final Thoughts
The NACT is a family-friendly tournament trail aimed at fishing for old fashion fun. Tournament director Lisa Gail Haraway has assembled a great group of sponsors, volunteers, and anglers to accomplish her goals. She was particularly pleased with the recent Battle of the Lakes event.
“What an amazing tournament,” offered Haraway. “I want to thank everyone that came out and fished with us and thanks to all the volunteers. We had a blast. We had lots of laughs, made lots of memories, gave away lots of prizes, and many anglers caught their personal best catfish. It was a chance to make new friends and visit with old ones. I was pleased to see a lot of new anglers fishing the trail, some of whom were new to tournament fishing, and I hope they want to return.”
For more information on North Alabama Catfish Trail visit their website or follow them on Facebook.
Their next tournament will be on Wilson Lake on August 26, 2023.
