This year the Texas based Media Bass Trail offered local anglers a chance to “cast for cash” within a resonable drive.

The Media Trail’s Louisiana Division cast off in February on False River. When the smoked cleared local favorites Chuck Ballard and Gene David weighed in a five bass tournament limit — 21.88 pounds — to take first place. Forty-three teams competed in the False River event.

The second stop landed us on Lake Concordia. Again Ballard and David won the first place with 17.83 pounds. The circuit is based on a pounds plus point system.

Back to back wins pushed the repeat winners way out front in the point totals.

If that wasn’t enough Ballard and David made a three-peat by taking first place on the third stop of the Media Trail on False River with 11.65 pounds of hard to catch bass.

The fourth stop was on Lake St. John where the Ballard and David roll came to an end, thank goodness.

My brother Robby and I stumbled across a pattern early in the tournament and put together a five bass limit weighing 14.93 to win the St. John event.

Our next stop will be on home waters again, Lake Bruin — the final stop of the Media Trail’s Central La. Division will be held on the Saline/Larto Complex out of Woodson’s Landing.

After that event the top point leaders from all division will go to one or all four championship events.

The finals will be held this fall on Ross Barnett, Texhoma, Table Rock, D’Arbonne and Sam Rayburn. It’s great to have a national circuit come through area.

So far the turnout has been great, so maybe the Media Trail’s Central La. Divison will retunr in 2008.

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