This year's Arizona Crappie Association Spring Crappie Fest is in the books. Thanks to everyone who attended and also to those who helped make it another great event. For the tournament, Team Crappietiers (Florin Nesiu, Andrew Nesiu) took 1st place ($300) with total weight (7 crappie) of 14.10 lbs. They also won the "Wild Willie" biggest crappie ($300) at 2.43 lbs. Team 2 1/2 Snipers (Randy Howton, Brock Howton, and Matthew Picklesimer) took 2nd place ($180) with total weight of 11.62 lbs. Team MartyCameron (Marty & Cameron Gilliam) placed 3rd with total weight of 11.48 lbs. Thanks to Tim Fitzgeral (Timbo) and James Rollins (Rollo) for running the tournament and weighin, and Mary Rollin's help in in both tournament and meeting minutes.
At the meeting, we voted in a few new members now a part of the AZCA. Welcome Patrick Middleton, Richard James, Ron Esquivel, Jeff Rankin, and John Fillion!
The raffle was the biggest one we've done yet with over $600 worth of prizes including 2 BnM Diamond Series 8ft pols, 1 Canyon cooler, 1 Crappie Monster Outlaw net, 1 Rapala touch screen tournament weigh scale, 2 stone cutting boards (donated by Florin and Andrew Nesiu), 2 Cameron's Custom Jigs (extra prize donated by Cameron Gilliam), AZ Lead Works prizes (donated by Matthew Pickelsimer), 2 Liar's Korner $25 gift certificates (donated by Liar's Korner), 1 Phoenix Fishing Supply $25 gift certificate, 1 AZCA drink cup, 1 Group 31 Interstate battery (donated by Brian at Mudshark Marine), 2 camp chairs and other cool stuff all donated by Brian at Mudshark Marine. Thanks to Randy Howton of AZ Crappie Sniper Guide Service for help getting the raffle prizes.
The fish fry potluck Saturday night was superb as usual. Special thanks to Dave Thompson, Larry Larsen, and Bill Poppert for doing the fish fry and thank you for everyone bringing dishes to share. Finishing up the night we had some campfire time sharing stories about the big 3lb crappie that got away.
Finally, thanks to Cameron Gilliam for stepping up again this new season and staying on as Vice President. Cameron has been vital to bringing fresh ideas with the Crappie Fishermen of Arizona Facebook group, National Crappie League Arizona tournament trail, and Monday night fishing report live feed. We are also thankful to have Tommy Rufrano (Fishman) continue on as treasurer, Kevin Morgan continue as Membership Director, and new this season James Rollins (Rollo) will be the tournament director.
Now don't forget, this coming weekend is the Arizona Mule Deer Org Crappie Tournament at Alamo Lake. This is a family-friendly event and they are doing a full-fledged pig roast the Friday night before the tournament and doing a fish fry on Saturday and ask those attending to bring a side dish, dessert, drinks, etc. to share for both dinners. More information for this can be found on the Crappie fisherman of arizona Facebook group page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/169460015028474