Area man wins NPFL fishing tournament after disqualification

Area man Ryan Satterfield won a $100.00 when first-place winning angler Barron Adams was disqualified from the event for failure to produce a valid Texas fishing license. Area lake Wright Patman, which sits on both Cass and Bowie counties was home to the National Professional Fishing League’s second stop of their 2023 league tournament.032 According to an article by Justin Brouillard on the NPFL website, Satterfield won the event with a three-day total of 50 pounds, 4-ounces.

“Local angler Satterfield caught 18 pounds, 9 ounces on the final day to take his first career NPFL victory, on his home body of water. Focusing on bass up the river on Wright Patman, he started off the event on day one with a 16-pound, 2-ounce, and followed it up with a 15-pound, 9-ounces on day two.”

“Initially,” explains NPFL on their Social Media Page, “Barron Adams had been deemed champion, but shortly after the weigh-in, it was discovered that there was an issue with his fishing license that led to his disqualification. Therefore, Ryan is the champion due to his three-day weight being the second biggest.

“A simple, honest mistake cost Barron Adams $100k. He was disqualified for fishing the tournament on Wright Patman Lake without a legal fishing license. During the post-tournament polygraph, Barron was asked if he had a valid fishing license, to which he replied, “yes.” He passed the polygraph. However, when asked to physically provide a copy or proof of his official license, he realized that after entering all of his information online (before fishing) he never fully completed the process. Therefore, he never received confirmation from the site and fished the entirety of the tournament without possession of the required license. Therefore, making Ryan Satterfield the NPFL official champion of Wright Patman Lake.”

In response to the development, Satterfield said, “It makes me sick for him, Barron had a great week out here; I don’t wish what happened to anybody. We all work so hard out here that it just makes me sick for him.”

Later in the article on the NPFL website, it notes that “After a tough practice, Satterfield stuck to his guns on the first two days patiently waiting for the bigger fish to arrive.

Today, he arrived to find that the bigger females were pushing back in to spawn and he capitalized with his biggest bag of the week.

‘The water came up faster in the river than it did the lake,” said Satterfield. “That higher water allowed me to capitalize on the bigger fish moving back in to spawn.’” Satterfield, who grew up on Wright Patman, wanted to “get away from the crowd and fish his way. “Throughout practice, he got enough bites on a frog to make it an easy decision to fish how he is most comfortable.”

“I had two stretches of bank,” said Satterfield, “and I was focusing on the root systems of certain types of bushes,” he added. “I was afraid it would be off, but there was enough bass to keep me in it. On the final day, I really thought I would get up there and catch a limit of males, but to my surprise, the females moved in and it was a fun day; frog fishing is my favorite way to catch them, and I kept my mind right and went to work.”

According to the article, “Satterfield fished his popping frog on a Brad’s Custom Rods 7’3” extra-heavy rod with a Shimano reel spooled with a 60-pound braid. For a follow-up for fish that miss the bait, he would flip a Texas-rigged Strike King Rage Bug in black/blue color, and a ¼-ounce Jig Shack flipping weight.”

Carla Carroll, Ryan’s Mom, exclaimed, “Like I said this morning, I was lost for words because I am so proud of our son, but at the same time I knew how he would be about the other angler’s mistake. He has so much compassion for everyone so he’s very humble. Everything you said, Darrin is so true, and I love all of you that have come and told me what a great young man he is!!!! This is just amazing how God always works in your favor if you’re walking with him!!! Thanks be to God, and I can’t wait for the next adventure that he loves so much. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, Texarkana for all the support for my Ryan Satterfield!!!”

Ryan’s Dad, Darrin, proudly said, “I’ve had a day to understand what’s went on the last couple of days. I had the chance to follow Ryan Satterfield Fishing around for the last three days. Nothing better than watching your son do what he’s wanted to do his entire life. Watching him has been an absolute privilege to see what he has learned from not only me but the big sticks around here. Doug Jordan. Kelly Kelley Frix Michael Yoder Larry Wilcher Jr. I was absolutely humbled to see what he has become. I’ve shed a tear or 2. I can assure you he was devastated at what happened to Barron. I have great respect for the way you handled it. I love you son. Take it all in stride because God Has a lot in store for you. The greatest heart ever. I’m very proud of what you accomplished. Can’t wait until your next story!”