CULLMAN, Ala. — Sixth-grader Greer Gammon from Dickson County High School in Tennessee said his favorite way to fish on Old Hickory Lake, his home fishery near Nashville, is flipping boat docks and grass for largemouth bass.
On Sunday, however, he and his partner Andrew Terry, a seventh-grader, used a Ned rig and a shaky head to take home the title during the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster Junior Series event at Smith Lake with three spotted bass weighing 6 pounds, 9 ounces.
“It feels really good (to win). I’m just glad my boat captain can put me on the fish, and I can catch them,” Terry said.
Boat captain Whit Gammon said the duo had to learn how to finesse fish throughout practice and made the most of their first attempt.
“These boys never fish with a spinning rod, so it was a total about face to come down and finesse fish. They did a really good job,” Whit said. “As a tournament fisherman, I knew it was going to be a grinder, and getting something in the boat early was super important.”
Whit said the team arrived at their first spot and within five minutes, Greer swung the first keeper in the boat. A few minutes later, Terry landed a spotted bass close to 3 pounds for their second keeper of the day.
“It took all the pressure off,” Whit said.
Dickson County found two key areas in practice and milked one of those areas most of the tournament, an area about 12 miles from takeoff at Smith Lake Park. The key to success was a patient presentation, Greer said.
“(The key was) Dragging it really slow, paying attention,” Greer said. “And having fun.”
Elisha Colley and Ashton Johnson from Sand Rock High School claimed second place with two fish weighing 3-15 and Hank Hudson and Brayden Cooper from the Good Hope Fishing team secured third place.
Colton and Carson Harrell from South Carolina took home big bass of the day with a 3-12 spotted bass.
Sunday’s tournament was hosted by the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce.
The next Mossy Oak Bassmaster Junior Series event will take place on Lake Cumberland May 9.