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JOHN WALPOLE JR'S YARD BOY BEST OF OPEN CLASS BOATS IN DIVISION 3!

by Jack Holmes

John Walpole Jr. from Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina put together a stellar performance with three good fish to lead Division 3's Open Class (South Carolina) for the 2005 season. John and his team of Greg Garner and Michael Herold scaled a 32.70 at the season opener at Georgetown (Tailwalker), then weighed a 28.75 at the second event in Charleston (Rhump) and ended with a 35.68 at the third tournament, the Frantic Atlantic in Myrtle Beach. That's a 97.13 three-fish aggregate. John fishes a 27' Yamaha powered Contender named Yard Boy. He was part of the winning Open Class team, Squeeze Play, last season, obviously got his own ride and stayed right at the top. You've got to love this story. He will get the trip to the Nationals courtesy of the SKA.

Georgetown, South Carolina's Black Cat also goes to the big show on us because he ran the leading Mercury powered boat, a 35' Triton. Jamey Stewart, Senior Angler Vernon Stewart, Lady Angler Carlette Stuart, Junior Angler Hunter Harrelson, Chris Harrelson and Buddy Wedgeworth caught a 28.62 at Tailwalker, a 31.40 at Rhumps and finished their three-fish aggregate at the Fishing for Miracles, 32.59. This team fished 29th last season with only a 51.56 aggregate compared with 92.61 this season. They also put Hunter into the Top Junior Angler position, something he will remember for a lifetime and Vernon is our Top Senior Angler. What a difference a year makes! Jamey got a new Triton and maybe that was his confidence builder. Whatever, the Black Cat has proven to be a force to be reckoned with.

Yates Sea is going back to the big show, moving from tenth last season to third. Dave Yates' Mercury powered Contender team of David Yates and Elizabeth Thomley kicked the season in the teeth with their big 39.23 at Tailwalker, then scaled a 23.02 and a 27.98 for a 90.23 aggregate. This is a team that has proven over the years that they can fish with the best of them. Consistency is what makes them great and makes them a favorite at the Nationals! Dave is from Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.

From Martinez, Georgia came Rusty Campbell, Racy Florence II, James Davis and Alan Smith, otherwise known as the Half Mine team to earn fourth place honors with an 85.19 aggregate. The Yamaha powered Triton team's biggest king came in Rhump's event, a 33.37, coupled with a 28.37 and a 23.45. This was the team's first-year effort and I don't think we've heard the last from them.

Ralph Turner from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Michael Smith piloted Team Winner's World into fifth with an 84.70 aggregate. After just missing the cut last year this team came back strong. They scaled a 25.98, a 25.80, and their biggest king, a 32.92 caught in Fishing for Miracles. Make no mistake, this group has fished with us for a long time and I consider them to be a world-class team. Very consistent, knowledgeable, and is capable of winning it all at the big show. I wouldn't bet against them.

Sixth place fell to the Nauti Buoys, Walter Warren from Pawley's Island, Doug Brown, Jim and Jake Horton and Scott Johnson. They scored an 83.27 three-fish aggregate. They qualified 11th last year in Class of 23' but moved to the Open Class this season and it is obvious that it agreed with the team. Great job! They fish a Yamaha powered Contender.

Bert Harvey's Juggernaut team put together an 82.28 aggregate thanks to the final 29.44 they weighed in Savannah. Albert Harvey, David Morris and Jim Roberts make up this team who qualified ninth last year. Good consistency and determination has proved that they can hang with the best of them. They fish a Yamaha powered Contender.

Team Old School was eighth. Scott Jennings, Richard Jennings and Danny Williams fished one event last season but this year proved that they can fish. With an 82.25 aggregate and a big 35-pounder on their side caught at Tailwalker I believe we have another top contender in South Carolina. The team fishes a Mercury powered Wellcraft.

Ninth fell to the Like 2 Fish with an 81.98 aggregate. Mark Drolshagen from Charleston, Randel Baird, Frank Brigman and Steve Perryman fish a Yamaha powered Contender. Mark probably had some problems last season because he only weighed one fish. However he's back where we expect him to be, near the top of the leaderboard if not on top.

Rounding out the top ten is a first-year team, the Reel Justice. Ralph, Brian and Andrew Justice make up the team that posted a three-fish aggregate of 80.67. Nothing shabby about that! The team fishes a Yamaha powered Contender.

To all the South Carolina teams, you have Champions from your state in the record books. I believe that we could see another one this year. I'm impressed with each and every one of you!