The 2007 open bass tournament season will cast off at Lake Bruin Feb. 3 with the 21st Annual J.R. Roberts Memorial Team Bass Challenge.

This event attracts some of the best fishermen and ladies from three states. Each year we have anywhere from 180 to 220 contestants, making this the largest open team event in the area.

There are no major changes in the rules or entry fees from last year. The host marina will be Shiloh’s Lake Bruin Resort, which can be reached by phone at 318-766-3334.

Due to the large number of entries, contestants are allowed to launch from any landing (public or private) on Lake Bruin but must come to Shiloh’s Landing for boat check and to draw a number for take-off position before 6 a.m. The check-in boat will be anchored just out from the boat ramp at Shiloh’s Landing.

Based on 100 entries, the first place team in the five-bass division will take home $4,000 The second place team will bring home $2,000 and the third place team gets $1,000.

A total of 10 prizes will be awarded based on the teams with the combined total weight of their five largest fish.

In the big bass division, the team with the single largest bass will net $1,000. The second largest fish is worth $500 and the third place lunker nets $300.

Over the years, the winning weights have dropped off. During the first 10 years or so, it took 20 pounds or more to win my dad’s memorial. One year, it took five bass weighing over 19 pounds to take 10th place and 27 pounds to win. The record lowest winning weight was 12.89 pounds, caught by my good friends from Zachary, La., Mark Cifero and Johnny Peterson. That was just after the largemouth bass virus killed many fish in 1999 and 2000. Lake Bruin’s bass population has rebounded and the fishing should be great in February.

The last three tournaments have been especially interesting, and also included a near-threepeat.

In 2004, Danny and Jody Smith took home the big bucks with 16.75 pounds. The Smith brothers returned and successfully defended their title in 2005 with 15.26 pounds and became the first team to win the J.R. Roberts Memorial in back-to-back years. The winners in 2006, Ernie Heckford and Chris Scott of Monroe reeled in five bass weighing an impressive 18.01 pounds. Danny and Jody Smith lost their title and chance of a record three-consecutive wins by a mere half-pound. The Smith brothers placed second with 17.49 pounds.

Entry forms will be mailed to all that fished last year, or you can receive a form by e-mail or fax. Just send a request to eddie@fishingwitheddie.com or visit my Web site at www.fishingwitheddie.com

My family and I are really looking forward to visiting with everyone again this year. Many people have competed in this event for 20 straight years.

Have a safe and Happy New Year.

Eddie Roberts writes a weekly fishing column for The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached by e-mail at fishingwitheddie@highstream.net.