The Farmersville duo of Mason Erwin and Kolten Peel show off their total haul at the THSBA State Tournament last weekend. The pair hauled in four fish, weighing a total of 11.8 pounds. (Courtesy Photo) (More Photos)

A pair of Fightin’ Farmers took off for Lake Palestine last week to compete in the Texas High School Bass Association’s state tournament. After qualifying for the event at the regional tournament at Possum Kingdom, Mason Erwin and Kolten Peel took to the waters in search of some of the top bass Lake Palestine had to offer.

With 195 teams in attendance for the meet, the Farmersville duo would have plenty of competition over the two-day tournament that kicked off on Friday, May 17. In the end, the pulled in four bass, weighing in at a total of 11.8 pounds. 

That would be good enough to finishing 116th in the bunch. Winnsboro’s Porter South and Leon Ackerman won the event with a total weight of 38.82 pounds that included 10 fish. Lucas Lovejoy’s Izak Lenart and Grant Pursifull also reeled in 10 bass, weighing a 33.92 pounds to take second.

Carrolton Newman Smith’s Ruben J. Rodriguez and Preston Peters took home third with a total of 33.00 pounds, as they also hauled in 10 fish. This is the second time Erwin has taken part at the state tournament, having competed alongside Tye Thompson last year. James Wood and Jayce Fagan also took part a year ago. 

Erwin and Peel were also named Farmersville’s Anglers of the Year at last week’s spring sports banquet. They were joined at the state tournament by Rusty Erwin, who served as the team’s Boat Captain. 

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