By Tommy Milstead

April 18, 2004 - The third qualifying tournament for U.S. Anglers Choice NW Alabama was held on Pickwick Lake out of McFarland Harbor in Florence, AL. Thirty eight teams blasted off around safe light.

Joel Tidwell of Tuscumbia, topped the field single handedly with a five fish limit that weighed 15.20 pounds. Tidwell fished a purple three hooker rig around bushes in shallow water. 1st place paid $1500.

Clay Fritts (Florence) and Jeff Stern (Scottsboro), placed second with five fish for 13.92 pounds. Fishing out of Fritts' flatbottom, the team headed up river around the shallow rocks below Wilson dam. Tubes and finesse worms caught fish early for Fritts and Stern, earning them a check for $790.

Monroe Tidwell (Leighton) and Grover Tidwell (Tuscumbia) made the top three a family affair, coming in with five fish that weighed 13.72 pounds. Sight fishing with trick worms won them $615 and third place.

Big Bass went to the team of Ricky Wisdom (Florence) and Charles Gray (Killen) with a nice smallmouth bass that weighed 4.95 pounds. The fish anchored their 5th place finish and won them an extra $370.

Ellis Taylor and Stanley Taylor continue to hold the top spot in the Anglers of the Year race with 326.49 total points. Tony Baker and Gene Roberts moved up one spot to take second with 314.97 points.

Anglers Choice national sponsors include: Bass Cat Boats, Mercury Outboards, Motorguide Trolling Motors, Pure Fishing, Hamby's, Lowrance, Keep Alive and Sure Life Labs, Competitive Edge, Bass West, and Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits.

NW Alabama team trail sponsors are Gray's Tackle Shop, Jim Bishop Big Six Autos, LB Lures, Listerhill Credit Union, Carter Oil Company, Woody's Lodge, Dale's Restaurant, George's Steak Pit, Goose Pond Tackle & Grill, and Mango Tackle