Carterville claims first Bass Fishing Sectional title


Darren Kinnard
Section618.com

MURPHYSBORO — The Carterville duo of Hudson Chapman and Carson Harris provided more proof to the old axiom “it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish” at the weather-delayed Kinkaid Lake Bass Fishing Sectional.

Through their first five and half hours on the water, Chapman and Harris had not reeled in a keeper. The final 90 minutes was a much different story.

The Carterville juniors collected the five fish limit, with Harris hauling in what turned out to be the day’s big bass, a 5.31 pounder. That monster was part of a 16 pound, 5 ounce bag that was than two pounds better than the rest of the field, not only earning a Chapman and Harris a trip to the State Tournament, but also the Sectional Championship.

It’s the first Bass Fishing Sectional championship in school history.

Carterville will be joined at State by teams from Pinckneyville and Trico. Pinckneyville’s Conner Lacy and Carson Harris weighed in 14 pounds, 2 ounces to take second. Trico’s Garret Franklin and Kade Estel brought in 13 pounds, 9 ounces to finish third.

Pinckneyville actually had two teams finish in the top four, as Logan Maxey and William Mayer hauled in 12 pounds, 8 ounces to take fourth place. Maxey and Mayer will serve as the alternate team for State. The State Tournament will be May 20-21 at Carlyle Lake.

This sectional was originally scheduled for last Thursday but was postponed due to threat of severe weather. Monday’s weather was much better, leading to some quality results. Of the 17 boats to hit the water, 13 brought fish to the scale, with 10 of those 13 bringing in the five fish limit.