These are some of the members of the Lehigh Acres Bass Club which particpate in area fishing tournaments. Photo by Mel Toadvine

When you think of Lehigh, you don’t think of men who love fishing. But there is a group of about two dozen men who would rather fish than do much else. This group of anglers, from a nine-year-old boy to men who are in their 70s meets on Thursdays once a month, usually at the beginning of the month at Frog’s Auto Repair in Lehigh, which is owned by Roger Barger.

They meet to pass out trophies from previous tournaments and competitions and to tell yarns about how big the fish they caught were and to have a cold beer on a hot night.

They met last week to pass out trophies to one of their members, Chris Hefner of Lehigh who won first place for weight and a trophy for the biggest bass in a recent competition.

Sports anglers love fishing and their favorite, most said, is to bag a big-mouth bass. Tournaments are held all over the state and the Lehigh club takes part in several tournaments throughout the year.

The next big tournament is July 25 and members were told the location is the Lake Kennedy chain of lakes at Cape Coral. Fishing is from 5 p.m. to midnight.

Chris Hefner shows off two awards he won in a recent fishing tournament. They were given to him last week at a meeting of fishermen

There’s a $50 entry fee per team which is a party of two on one boat.

These anglers fish for the pure pleasure of bagging a bass, and a big one, because weight is important in the competition. After they’ve been caught and weighed they throw them back into the water. At the Annual Open Team Tournament in Cape Coral, 12 inches is the minimum permitted catch and each team has a six-fish limit.

Frog’s Auto Repair will join sponsor Fred’s Award world with trophies given out for first place and for the biggest fish.

These anglers are serious about their hobby. There are 16 rules they must adhere to from contestants fishing as a two-person team from the same boat or single entrant. Contestants can choose their own partner and register as a team and catch six fish per team.

They can only use artificial lures with the exception of pork trailers. Only one fishing rod may be used at a time and trolling as a method of fishing is prohibited.

Competing boats must stay a minimum of two casting distances apart unless allowed by the other boater to enter the area.

Tom Pierson, the Lehigh club’s vice president, said the tournament will draw a big crowd. President of the group is Joe Campogiani. There are four charter members, otherwise known as “Plankowners” in the club. they are Jimmy Bass (that’s his real name); Jimmy Frank, Roger Barger and George Frank.

Pierson said that at the team tournaments that their members attend, fathers and sons are often team mates. There are other bass clubs in the area and Pierson said they fish freshwater lakes and ponds and they pull their boats as far away as Lake Toho at Kissimee, Fla. But mostly they fish from Lake Okeechobee to Lake Placid in boats from 14 to 21 feet.

Pierson said that if there are men and women who are interested in becoming a member of their club, to call 770-7912. Dues are $20 a year. Members of the Lehigh Bass Fishing Club come from Felda, and Alva, but most members live in Lehigh.

Points are recorded and Pierson said the Angler of the Year wins prizes including an embroidered jacket.

Bass fishing is very popular up and down the Atlantic coast from Maine to Florida. The Open Mouth Bass is the favored fish for sport, too. The bass are known for their large open mouths and when they are hooked, because of their large mouths, they can often throw off the lure that nabbed them. Bass grow to 12 and 14 pounds usually. In addition to being known as the Open Mouthed Bass, they are also known as Black Bass and Big Bass.

Barger said the club was formed by two deceased anglers, known well to many older fisherman in the area, Tip Topton and George Kinney.

“We all have a lot of fun and we would love to have more members join us. If you love to fish, come on out to one of our meetings,” Barger said.

Pierson said that on Sunday Lake June was a nice hot summer day for a Bass tournament.

“We had nine boats for a total of 17 fishermen. As hot as it was, most came back with a five-fish limit. Ronnie Frank was the winner with almost 10 pounds, and collected the big bass pot with a nice 3.3 pound large mouth,” Pierson said.

“We had two junior anglers competing today, and they both beat their fathers who they were fishing with. How cool is that? Everybody had a good time and caught fish; next regular tournament is Aug. 9 at Lake Okeechobee,” he said.