Benson, Dillinger take third at Palestine

Jan. 8, proved to be a worthy adversary as the cold and rain showed up just as the student anglers began their competition on Lake Tyler for the day. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

That was the case for the JTX Forged Wheels Ultimate High School Tournament on Lake Palestine when 72 of the 110 boats ventured out for the day.

Dylan Benson and Carson Dillinger started the morning on a promising note when Benson reeled into and set the hook on a 7.45-pound bass.

At first, he thought that he had hung up his crank bait on the edge of the dock, but when his hang up started walking away from him he knew the fight was on.

Meanwhile, the team of Whittenberg and Fincher were searching for a viable pattern in hopes that it would produce a fruitful catch. This team worked docks, points, and brush piles and were able to land a keeper midway through the morning.

As the scattered showers moved through the area the Boat Captains (Mike Benson and Barry Watkins) did a great job of evaluating the weather conditions, and sought shelter in empty boat houses or under bridges.

During one of these rain showers Dillinger and his team were taking shelter under a low lying bridge and continued to fish the bridge pylons. While throwing a Texas Rig, Dillinger hooked into and landed a nice 3-pound bass.

The weather conditions continued to deteriorate as the day went on and so did the bite.

Whittenberg and Fincher weighed in one fish for 1.79 pounds and finished in 30th place. Benson and Dillinger were only able to take two fish to the scales weighing in at 10.74 pounds.

Only 38 of the 72 teams that fished were able to weigh in fish on this tough day of fishing.

Benson and Dillinger finished in third place for the day and Dylan Benson caught the Big Bass of the tournament with his 7.45 pounder.

The next Ultimate High School Fishing Tournament is on Sam Rayburn Reservoir on Feb. 12.