Page 8 - Lady Bass Digital Magazine Stelly Special Ed 2022

Wells Inches Past Hatten to Win 2022

Wildcard On Lake Bull Shoals

The 2022 regular season of the Gary Yamamoto Custom Wagyu Beef and the Inn at BK Ranch was
rounded out the the Lady Bass Anglers Association Wildcard event on Lake Bull Shoals in Peel, Ar-
kansas. The Anchor Pointe, Resort, Highway 125 Marina and The Copper Fish Resort rolled out the
carpet for the ladies who were all vying not only to win the event, but to also qualify for the Lady
Bass Classic to be held in October on Lake Logan Maring in Alabama. For most of the anglers, this
was a new section of the lake so it was to a degree like fishing an whole new body of water. Rising to
the occasion, the ladies were able to break it all down and make it happen. Practice for most of the
anglers was very productive so there was plenty of excitement and anticipation in the air.

Nikki Jo Hatten of Clanton, Alabama brought out the big guns on day one bringing 13.19 lbs to
the stage and setting the tone for her bid to qualify for the October Classic. Hatten also was in the
running for the biggest one day bag prize sponsored by Christie E. Ball. Not far behind was Village
Mills, Texas Angler Stephanie Hemphill-Pellerin with a nice bag of her own weighing in at 10.31
lbs. Sitting in third was another Texas angler Pam Ridgle with 10.75 lbs. The Joey Ridgle Septic and Sanitation Big Bass
Leader in the Pro Division on day one was Nikki Jo Hatten of Clanton, Alabama with a weight of 4.02 lbs.

In the co-angler division, Bradyville, Tennessee’s DeAnna Lovvorn filled her limit and brought a 7.19 lb bag to the scales
also setting her up as the leader in her division for the Christie E. Ball biggest one day bag award. She was followd closely
by Jennifer Orlowski of Holliseter, Missouri who brought a 7.64 lb bag to the scales. Sitting in third place with a 6.61 lb
bag was Cindy Adler-Jackson of Harrison, Arkansas. The Joey Ridgle Septic and Sanitation Big Bass Award leader was
Cassie Hall of Alabaster, Alabama with a bass weighing in at 4.31 lbs.

As with any event, anglers have to adapt to the changing conditions each and every day if they are going to be successful.
No angler in the group can ever be counted totally out of the running and with so much on the line, day two was the
make or break day. Consistency and persisitence are so key in this sport!

Pam Martin-Wells was sitting in fourth place, just under four pounds behind the
day one leader, Nikki Jo Hatten. Pam put her Stanley Top Toad and Spro Popping
frog to work and generated explosive top water bites to spring her to the top of the
leader board bringing 11.86 lbs to the scales and a total two day weight of 21.45
lbs. This just edged her past Nikki JoHatten who’s two day total was 21.39 lbs. Also
known for her combacks on day two, Pam Ridgle of Murchison, Texas held strongly
to her third place position with a two day totay of 18.72 lbs. Robbie Hartline of Hot
Springs, Arkansas moved into fourth place with 15.99 lbs. Emily Freeman of Mur-
ray, Kentucky finished in 5th place securing a check with 14.46 lbs. Lisa Johnson of
Centre, Alabama moved up into sixth place securing her title as the LBAA’s 2022
Angler of the Year!

While competing and fishing well in events is the norm for Pam Martin-Wells, this win is even more impressive when
you consider that she did this just ten weeks after major abdominal surgery and just days after receiving chemotherapy.
When asked about why she would even compete, Martin-Wells stated, “After days of MRI’s, doctors appointments, che-
mo and all kinds of medical chaos I told my husband I just wanted something to feel normal, and I find that by being on
the water. I’m a very strong-willed person and there was no way I wasn’t going to compete in the tournament.”

In the Co-Angler Division, the challenge is always to be consistent and persistent. Remember, the co-anglers have to

8 Lady Bass Anglers Association Wells Inches Past Hatten