TASS tourney successful

Rick Goines
Fisherman Columnist

May 16, 2008 10:35 am

— Last weekend, TASS (Tarboro Association of Saltwater Sportsman) held the annual John Cherry Rockfish Rodeo on the Tar River, in memory of the son of Robert and Jo Cherry, who passed away November 2003, at age 23, after a courageous battle with Batten Disease.
John loved the Tar River and fishing with his dad. This annual event funds scholarships in John's honor at Edgecombe Community College. For more information on TASS and their many worthwhile projects and fishing activities, visit their web site online at www.tassclub.com.
This year’s tournament was postponed a week, from May 3 to 10, because of high and “unfishable” waters. The Tar River on Saturday was in beautiful shape; it was a gorgeous, sunny day, and lots of fish were caught. A good time was had by all. Good call, TASS brass! You were right on the money with that one week postponement.
The Friday night captain’s meeting was interesting to this writer. Final paperwork was done, rules were reviewed and questions answered. Goodie bags with sponsor pens, pads, cups and other neat stuff, along with two tournament t-shirts per boat entry, were handed out. They even got a handy, dandy chart to help them understand how to measure fish accurately. I saw a lot of hand shaking, back slapping and friendly laughter. However, those same folks had that look in their eye that told me they were going to do everything humanly possible to out-fish the competition. I saw some very determined faces.
Let me set the stage for you. Forty-nine boats, hauling at least 90 fishermen left the Tarboro town boat ramp at 6 a.m. to pursue Rockfish. Boats and trailers rolled in to Tarboro from Greenville, Rocky Mount, and Roanoke Rapids. It says something special about the Tar River when an angler has the Roanoke River in his backyard, but chooses to drive an hour each way to fish a tournament in the Tar. Some of these fishermen had been there to check their boats in at 3:30 a.m. That’s THREE THIRTY in the MORNING? Are you kidding me? Those are some serious fishermen. Did these guys even go to bed Saturday night? At 3:30 in the morning I am probably dreaming about catching a world class rockfish, or scarfing down a bushel of Maryland-style steamed and spiced hard shell crabs".
Each boat was allowed to enter the combined weight of their two biggest rockfish. The prize money was awarded to the first and fifth place winners. Also, to keep things interesting, a cash prize was offered for the biggest catfish, and the biggest, ugliest blackfish. TASS had a $3,000 guaranteed cash prize payout. Fishermen used every type of bait and lure you can imagine, but the consistent bait of choice seemed to be large minnows fished on a two-hook bottom rig with a sliding sinker of 2-3 ounces of lead.
For the second year, Joe Dail of Macclesfield must have gotten up on the right side of the bed because last Saturday morning he was the big money winner (again) in the TASS 2008 John Cherry Rockfish Rodeo. I am sure it was a nice Mother’s Day at the Dail house because his boat won the $1,000 first-place team prize, as well as the $500 biggest rockfish, and $100 biggest Catfish purses. Yo, Joe, what do ya know? Obviously, he knows how to fish the Tar River pretty darn good. Winner of three cash prizes, Joe Dail attributed his success to fishing the Tar River every day the past two months, understanding river conditions and discovering where the fish hang out. He makes it sound so simple, but you and I know better don’t we? This man works hard at it, and knows his stuff. He deserves and earned his success.
Interesting tidbits about some of the winners: This is the second year in a row that Joe Dail and Robert Cherry captained boats that have finished first and second. With very little sleep, and all the pressure of organizing and coordinating this event, TASS President Jimmy Dupree still managed to participate and come in third place. You da man, Jimmy. The fifth-place team was one of the last boats to enter and register for participation and probably came close to not even fishing. The handsome trophy awarded to Junior Division first place was almost as big as the winner, Harrison Hardy.
TASS folks, you did it again, thanks! Congratulations to the prize winners, and all the participants, who enjoyed a beautiful day of fishing on the picturesque Tar River, and continued endowing the John Cherry Memorial Scholarship fund at Edgecombe Community College. It just doesn’t get any better than that! I think we had like 90 winners, if you know what I mean. Way to go, guys. Tournament t-shirts are still available for sale at Roberson & Dupree Shoe Store on Main Street in Tarboro.
TASS President and tournament organizer Jimmy Dupree summed it up pretty well when he said, “The tournament was a tremendous success. I want to thank the TASS volunteers, the Town of Tarboro, our 42 sponsors, and the 90 fishermen that all came together to make their positive contribution to the fifth annual John Cherry Rockfish Rodeo. Everything went just as planned, and all you people made it happen. The Rockfish have made a strong return to the Tar River, as evident by the number of fish caught and released. Several boats reported catching as many as 10 fish. It’s too bad we will not be able to have this event next year in May, as the North Carolina Wildlife Commission will close the season at the end of April.”
Please share with me your fishing stories and photos by e-mail at carolinaangler@suddenlink.net.. I promise to always answer your e-mail.
See you on the water, my friend!