There was a full tournament field that launched at 6:30 a.m. at Mozingo Lake this past Saturday to participate in the 2008 Buddy Bass World Championship.

This event was part of the fourth annual Mozingo Fishing Festival that is held yearly to promote fishing to children. With his fishing partner backing out on him at the last minute, Kyle Brewer a 25-year-old from Lincoln, Neb., decided to go ahead and make the trip down by himself to fish in the tournament.

WIth the big cash prize on the line and the respect that the win carries throughout the region, Brewer overlooked his "no partner" problem and started pounding the water in search for largemouth bass.

It is unheard of for tournament fishermen to fish in a "buddy" tournament by themselves because it greatly reduces their chances of winning. With the odds stacked against him and one of the roughest days out on the water, Brewer puled off the unbelievable.

As Brewer approached the stage, no one gave him a chance, but as he pulled his five fish from the livewell the crowd was overwhelmed. HIs total stringer weighed over 22 lbs. which dominated the other boats for a first place finish.

The catch also carried on it the biggest bass that was weighed in for the tournament a 6-pound giant.

"I found most of the big bass on one hump and I was throwing a crankbait," Brewer said when asked about how he caught the bass and what they were biting on. "What a great day out on the water."

The first place finish came with a check for $2,000 that was well earned. Local anglers finished high again this year. Kenneth Simmons and Jon Murphy from Parnell finished in fourth place, while dave Cochran and Tom Dean of Maryville came in eighth.