GALLERY: Straughn anglers cast lines at Lake Martin tourney

1 of 8

Brooks Clark and Austin Alexander. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Drake Padgett and Chappell Clanton

Emma Copeland with boat captain David Copeland. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Evan Ray and Bryson Harrison. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Isaac McMath. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Kal-El Savage and Rex Burkett. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Lane Landon. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Walker Faust and Gavin Odom. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

The Straughn Bass Fishing Team members fished their third tournament of the season Saturday, March 22, on Lake Martin with the Alabama Bass Nation High School Tiger Division.

Lake Martin is a treasured lake located in East-Central Alabama. It is a 41,150-acre man-made lake with over 880 miles of wooded shoreline bordering Tallapoosa, Elmore and Coosa counties. The lake was formed by the construction of Martin Dam on the Tallapoosa River. Martin Dam powerhouse is used to generate hydroelectric power for Alabama Power Company. Construction of Martin Dam began in 1923 and was completed in 1926. Originally known as Cherokee Bluffs for the geological formation upon which it was built (which recognized the historic indigenous people of the area), the dam was renamed in 1936 in honor of Thomas Martin. Martin was then the president of Alabama Power Company.

Lake Martin was the largest man-made lake in the world when it was completed. Today it still ranks as one of the largest man-made lakes. It is a popular recreation area for swimming, boating, fishing, water skiing, camping, and golfing.

The cities of Alexander City, Dadeville, and Eclectic are the major cities bordering the lake.

All eight teams fished on Lake Martin with every team weighing in fish. With 174 total boats participating, the results were noteworthy.

In the high school division there was a total of 112 boats.

The team of Evan Ray/ Bryson Harrison finished in 12th with five fish weighing in 9.51 pounds.

Isaac McMath finished 57th with five fish weighing in 7.66 pounds.

The team of Rex Burkett/Kal-El Savage finished 64th with five fish weighing in 7.36 pounds.

The team of Chappell Clanton/Drake Padgett finished 103rd with five fish weighing in 5.18 pounds.

The team of Austin Alexander/Brooks Clark finished 111th with two fish weighing in 2.25 pounds.

In the Junior division there was a total of 62 boats.

The team of Gavin Odom/Walker Faust finished in 25th with five fish weighing in 7.06 pounds.

Emma Copeland finished 50th with four fish weighing in 3.62 pounds.

The team of Lane Landon/Landon Nash finished 55th with two fish weighing in 1.81 pounds.

The Junior division fished their last seasonal tournament with Alabama Bass Nation on Saturday, March 29th on Lay Lake.

The Senior division will take on Lake Tuscaloosa for their final tournament of the year on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

Both divisions could have the chance to fish in the Alabama Bass Nation High School State Championship tournaments in May 2025. This will depend on the final standings once all regular scheduled tournaments are completed.