Steve Holt (center) and Hubert Stafford (right) show off a good catch at a recent tournament in April. They didn't win, but placed well in the Fishers of Men National Tournament. Two of Miller County's top fishermen have won yet another bass tournament, along with enough cash to almost pay for the gas they use as Hubert Stafford and Steve Holt go fishing every time they get a chance.

Hubert Stafford, former owner of Stafford Market (Pic N Sav) and Steve Holt, former owner of Holt Nitrogen Company, have retired from those businesses and now have more time to do what both of them love to do, fish.

These two fishermen, who are also best friends, team up to make one of the most productive fishing teams in this area. Living just a few minutes from two of the finest fishing lakes in the country doesn't hurt their chances of knowing what the bass are hitting, where they are likely to be, and what time to be at those "honey holes" on Lake Seminole or Lake George/Eufaula. The most recent tournament these two anglers won was up at Lake George/Eufaula on May 1, 2010.

According to Stafford, "The classic post-spawn fishing carried the day. The bass were moving off the beds and stopping at the first breaks before they go to deep water for the summer." Stafford and Holt won The Backwoods Outdoors Bass Trail Tournament as they caught five bass weighing 27.05 pounds. They also caught the biggest bass for the tournament, a 7.85 pound hawg. Their winnings came to $3300.00 for a day's fun.

"The bass were biting good all day," Hubert said. "We caught approximately 25 keepers during the day (you can only weigh in the best five bass). This will go a long way in helping us qualify for the two day classic October 8 and 9, 2010, one day on Lake Eufaula and one day of Lake Seminole."

Steve said, "Look out tackle stores, here we come. You need to win one of the tournaments along to pay the way.

These two fishermen make every attempt to fish a tournament almost every weekend. They both have very understanding, supporting wives, especially when they bring home the winning cash.

It is always good to enjoy what you are doing, be it fun or work. Professional bass fishing is both fun and work, and winning tournaments makes is lots more fun. These two win and place in the money a good bit of the time.