Crappie tourney to honor J.R., Geraldine Tucker

By Dawn Treglown

CEDAR BLUFF — Organizers of a local crappie fishing tournament set for next month hope to honor the memories of Jerry “J.R.” and Geraldine Tucker and their dedication to fishing and conservation of Weiss Lake.

The J.R.'s Weiss Lake Open will be held Saturday, Feb. 23, from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m. The event is a crappie tournament to benefit the Weiss Lake Improvement Association.

“The tournament is honoring J.R. and Geraldine Tucker,” said Carolyn Landrum, an employee of J.R.'s Marina who also volunteers extensively with the Weiss Lake Improvement Association.

Geraldine Tucker died in 2006, and her husband J.R. lost his life to illness in February 2007.

They left their businesses, including the marina, hotel, storage units and boat shop, to their sons Jason and Curt. J.R.'s Marina has been in operation for more than 25 years.

“It was truly a 'mom-and-pop' organization,” said Leisa Boggs, a family friend and part-time employee of the business.

She added that the Tuckers were very well liked and respected.

“Geraldine was the lifeblood of this marina,” Boggs said. “She ran the business so J.R. could fish.”

She said J.R. was very respectful and conscientious of Weiss Lake.

“He supported the restocking of crappie, and everybody liked him,” she said. “Tons of people from all over the United States would come down here.”

Tony Estes is the tournament director and organized the event.

“Tony did this, because he had such high regard and respect for J.R. and Geraldine,” Boggs said. Estes agreed.

“Both Geraldine and J.R. did everything they could to promote Weiss Lake,” he said. “I felt like they needed some recognition.”

Landrum said she was unsure if the event would become an annual event.
“We'll see how it goes,” she said.

The crappie tournament is sponsored by Mercury Marine and Triton Boats and Motor Guide. Fishing in America is conducting the weigh-in. Entry fees for the event include $50 per boat and an optional $10 Big Fish pot guaranteeing 100 percent payback.

Teams will consist of two anglers who may weigh up to five fish. Crappie must be alive at the weigh-in and must have been caught from Weiss Lake during the tournament hours following state and local laws for taking game fish by the team members.

Teams may launch anywhere on the lake.

Teams must be in the weigh-in line by 4 p.m. Central Time. If not, they will be disqualified. J.R.'s Marina is the weigh-in site.

The first place winners are guaranteed a payback of $3,000. Second place winners are guaranteed $1,500. Third place winners will receive $1,000 and fourth place winners will receive $500. Other places will be paid based on entry numbers.
Entry forms are available at J.R.'s Marina in Cedar Bluff and the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. Participants may pay fees and register at J.R.'s Marina during normal business hours. They may also mail in their registration forms and fees to Fishing in America, 2180 East Upper River Road, Decatur, AL, 35603.

For details or further information about the J.R.'s Weiss Lake Open, please call the marina at 256-779-6461. Information is also available online at www.jrsmarina.com.