Clarksville, TN – The 17th Austin Peay State University Governors Bass Tournament has been postponed until Sunday, May 22nd as a result of extremely high waters and flooding resulting from recent rains.
As a result, it means after the bass tourney successfully dodge storms and weather-related conditions for the first 15 years of its existence, the last two tournaments have been postponed. Last season’s torrential downpours and flooding caused that tourney to be postponed to Sunday, May 23rd. Last year’s tourney, despite the delay, still drew 269 boats.
Meanwhile, everything else, including times and prize money, will remain intact.
Twelve thousand dollars in prize money—an increase of $1,000—will be awarded with a guaranteed first-place prize of $5,000, boosted from the previous $4,000 award. Second-place is guaranteed $1,500. Third and fourth-place will receive $1,000 and $600, respectively. The top 25 places will receive prizes.
Each individual entering the tournament has the opportunity to win the grand door prize, a $12,000 gift certificate from Mercury for Mercury products. In addition, other door prizes will be awarded.
The tourney will begin 6:00am, Sunday, May 22nd, although all contestants must be checked in between 4:00am-5:30am, with a mandatory meeting on the water at 5:45am. Pre-registration entry fee is $100.00 per boat (two people per boat), $110.00 after noon, Friday, May 20th.
Fishing with artificial baits only is authorized with no motor trolling allowed. A five-fish limit per boat exists.
The Governors Club will have sausage biscuits prior to the tournament and hamburgers and hot dogs at weigh-in.
Weigh in will begin at 3:00pm and boats launching will take place in order of postmark of entry form. Only largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass measuring 15 inches (with mouth closed) will be weighed.
Last year, the team of Sam Lashlee, of Hermitage, and Jeff Davis, of Lebanon, came away with a catch of 29.12 pounds to easily outdistance McKenzie’s Scott Mansfield, who fished by himself but hauled in 22.42 pounds for second. It was Lashlee’s second first-place finish. Since 2006, he also has one second- and two third-place finishes.
For entry form and more information, stop by the APSU University Advancement office or call 931-221-7024 or (931-221-7127), between 8:00am-4:30pm. After business hours, call 931-624-2909 or 931-436-1044. In addition, all this information, including the entry form, is available at the APSU athletics web site: www.letsgopeay.com .
