By ERIC VICCARO
[email protected]

Bowie High School bass club members were pensive as they waited to learn the cut-off line for teams to qualify for the state meet.
Ultimately, the cut-off line was determined at 5.26 pounds.
That meant Blake Allen and Will Hamilton could join the rest of their teammates at state based on Saturday’s results at the Texas High School Bass Association regional tournament – which took place at Lake Palestine.
“It was right down to the wire,” said Toni Stone, with the bass club. “It was so close, and Blake and Will weighed 5.29 pounds. There were a couple of teams left to weigh. It was exciting.”
Overall, 130 two-person teams qualified for the THSBA state meet set for May 20-21 at Lake Ray Roberts in Sanger.
“The boys were prepared,” said boat captain James Wilkins, who reported spinnerbaits were the lure of choice to reel in the fish, who works with Kyler Ratliff and Jeremy Stone.
“The fish were coming up shallow,” Wilkins said, “and that’s how we caught the big fish, with the spinnerbaits.”
Wilkins reported Jeremy Stone and Kyler Ratliff caught four keeper fish by 10 a.m., which was when the weather turned surly. Read more in the April 26 Bowie News.

Bowie High School angler Jared Stone holds up one of the fish he caught during the Texas High School Bass Association regional tournament at Lake Palestine last Saturday. Stone, and the rest of the fishing Rabbits qualified for the state meet set for May 20-21. (Courtesy photo)