Cedar Creek Lake/Malakoff, TX -- March 28-29,1998 --- BIG BASS AND HIGH WINDS dominated last weekend's 15th Annual Tournament out of Log Cabin City Park. Despite steady south winds of 20 mph and gusts over 30, over 900 anglers managed to weigh-in 412 Cedar Creek big bass. On Sunday afternoon, Eugene Brown of Malakoff brought in the Tournament winning bass of 12.40 lbs. to claim 1st Place - a lake-ready Skeeter ZX 176c with 115 HP Yamaha Outboard from Plano Marine. Eugene landed the winning fish on a white Strike King spinnerbait around shallow water stickups on the lower end of the lake. Without making another cast, he and his partner headed to the weigh-in some five miles distant. During the rough trip, they experienced lower unit problems with their motor and were adrift when aided by Tournament contestants Troy and Perry Mitchell. The Mitchells gave up valuable fishing time towing the disabled boat of the soon to be Tournament winner to weigh-in. In recognition of their aid to a fellow competitor, at the Awards ceremony the Mitchells were given free entries to next year's KCKL Tournament.

David Frankum of Seagoville held onto 2nd Place with a monster bass of 11.13 lbs. He reported catching his fish early Saturday morning on a Rattletrap in shallow water. During discussions at Saturday afternoon's BBQ, he quickly become the favorite to win the Tournament given the increasingly high winds of the weekend. However, like last year, the first day leader was topped by a Sunday catch. For 2nd Place David took home over $2700. 3rd Place and $1700 went to Dennis Davis of Malakoff for a fine 9.46 lb. bass. Dennis reported catching several more nice fish during the event.

Due to excellent participation, the Tournament was able to increase the cash awards and number of places paid above the guaranteed levels. In addition to the Skeeter/Yamaha 1st Place Rig, 135 checks were paid to the Final Standings and Hourly winners.

While the high winds of the weekend made fishing and boat control a real challenge, the conditions created fertile testing grounds for the Demo rides provided by the Skeeter/Yamaha Factory Team. They gave over 400 test rides in several of the ZX models. Also, representatives of Plano Marine were on hand to talk with anglers about new and used rigs. After the final weigh-in, a drawing was held for a second Skeeter/Yamaha rig. The lucky winner was Michael Collom.

This event was sponsored by KCKL Radio, Plano Marine, Skeeter Boats, and Yamaha Outboards. Additional product participation was provided by Strike King, Stren, Browning, Lew's, Bass Pro Shops, Big Cedar Lodge, CastAway, and Magellan.

50 places were paid in the Final Standings. Many of the above anglers also won one of the 80 hourly prizes for the top five bass weighed each hour.