The Baldwin Backlashers Bass Club held their annual banquet on Jan. 12 in Sandersville and I was invited to attend. I had not been to Sandersville in several years and trusted the lady on my GPS to get me to the location of the restaurant where the banquet was held for the first time. 

She (the GPS lady) obviously did not know about the further extension and recent opening of the fall line freeway. After a few wrong turns and “make a U-Turn as soon as possible” several times from the GPS lady, I arrived safely at the restaurant.  

During a delightful meal of steak and seafood, I had the chance to discuss the previous year of angling with several club members. They always have stories to tell about both the good and bad times individual members experienced during the previous tournament season. Once the meal was over and the many interesting fish stories were told, Bob Williams the club president recognized club member’s angling and club achievements during the 2018 tournament season. 

First place for the year was never in doubt as Mike Bowers took top honors and was awarded the Angler of the Year by catching 122.66 pounds of largemouth bass during the 2018 club tournaments. 

Competition between anglers in second through fourth place was not decided until the last and final tournament of the year held on consecutive days at Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair. Second place went to Michael Eubanks with 111.21 pounds. Other top finishers were; third place, Danny Roberts with 110.59 pounds; fourth place, Buck Eubanks with 110.28 pounds; fifth place, Steve Clay with 90.15 and sixth place, Bill Jones Jr. with 71.95 pound. 

Those top six anglers in the club will compete in the 2019 Georgia Bass Federation Top Six tournament at West Point Lake on March 25-26. They will initially fish against other bass clubs in Georgia. The top anglers from the Georgia Bass Federation tournament will then compete against other state clubs and the winner there will compete in the B.A.S.S. Master Classic.  

Other awards presented included Bob Clark, President’s Award; Steve Clay, Backlasher of the Year; Bob Clark, the Most Dedicated; Most Improved Angler, Emory Mimbs and the Big Fish Award, Steve Clay with a largemouth bass weighing 6.72 pounds. Congratulations to the Baldwin Backlashers Bass Club for another successful year of angling competition.

If you like competitive fishing and the club atmosphere, you might want to consider a membership in this outstanding community service and competitive fishing club. During my return home after the banquet, I did not trust the GPS lady and used my own judgement to get home safely. 

Local author Susan Lindsley will hold a book signing on Jan. 25-26 at the Red Door in downtown Milledgeville for her new book titled “Wildlife in Persimmon Paradise.” This will be Lindsley’s 14th book and second concerning Georgia wildlife in the outdoors. Good fishing and see you next week.