FLEMING ISLAND – Boats lined the docks of Whitey’s Fish Camp last Thursday at 4:45 p.m., preparing to launch in search of prized trophy bass. Thrity-one vessels searched the waters of Doctors Inlet, Doctors Lake, Black Creek and the St. Johns River in search of winning lunkers during the ninth week of the 22-week tournament, which will end the last week of August.

Fishermen returned at 8:30 p.m. with their catch. Many spectators watched the weigh-in as they enjoyed freshly-cooked seafood, drinks and live music.

Chris Cercy and Eric Roberts finished with the first-place prize for the second consecutive week. The dynamic duo caught five fish with a combined weight of 17.71 pounds. Last week, they put 21.15 pounds worth of fish in the live well.

Travis Spencer, whose five fish total weighed in at 14.42 pounds, finished second, while Matt Darden and Justin West secured third, hauling in five fish for 13.75 pounds.

Cercy and Roberts won a cash prize of $500, and Spencer earned $210. Darden and West received $160 for third place.

Phillip Turwitt and Jason Jackson earned fourth place, putting four fish in the boat (12.87 pounds) for $160.

The tournament also kept lighthearted fun in the details, awarding a prize to the “Average Joe” and for the smallest fish caught.

Hunter and Chase McFarland, who finished in 14th place, took home the “Average Joe,” prize. Their three fish weighed a combined 6.49 pounds.

The duo took home a $50 prize for the middling feat.

Micheal Thierry Jr. and Michael Thierry III, who pulled in a fish weighing a mere 0.58 pounds, were awarded $25.

The Workin’ Man’s Bass Tournament is featured during warm summer evenings every Thursday. The tourney brings avid anglers and local fishing enthusiasts together for an evening of friendly competition and community camaraderie.

As the tournament moves toward its midway point, Cercy and Roberts are No. 1 overall, leading the pack with an impressive 110.66 pounds and 226 points.

Robin Hodges and Jesse Howard follow the dynamic duo of Cercy and Roberts at second place with 76.10 pounds and 204 points.

Meanwhile, Austin Duncan and Kevin Duncan currently sit at No. 3 with 70.29 pounds and 194 points. 

Daniel Greene, tournament organizer, shared his thoughts about the weekly event.

“So far, it’s been up and down. They’re out there fishing offshore on shell bars. These (fishermen), they’ve been out on the water for a long time. The (competitors) pretty much grew up on the water,” he said.