Angler reels in a super Sunday

If ever there was a case of being in the right place at the right time, last weekend was Jason Williamson's time -- and Texas was his place.

It was late morning on the third and final day of the first Bassmaster Elite series tournament of 2009 and the 28-year-old Aiken angler was having a good day that was about to turn great.

"It was about 11 or 11:30 and I had a decent bag of fish, and some big ones, too," he said.

He had high hopes of placing near the top in the tournament on Lake Amistad.

A few casts later, a monster bass rose from the depths and gobbled up an Osprey swimbait.

"I actually got to watch the fish come up and eat it," he said. "I fought it to the side of the boat. Then I told my camera guy, 'Dude, this one's over 10 -- for sure.'"

When Williamson returned to the final weigh-in, the 11-pound, 3-ounce fish gave him his first Bassmaster victory since joining the pro tour a little more than two years ago. It was also the largest bass he had ever caught.

"The best I had caught before that one was 10 pounds, from Lake Falcon in Texas," Williamson said.

His three-day winning weight was 96 pounds, 6 ounces. His reward for first place: $100,000.

After resting for a few days at his home in Aiken, though, he was ready for action again. He is leaving town today for Russellville, Ark., to get ready for the next Bassmaster Elite Series event Thursday through Sunday.

The Lake Amistad tournament, by the way, was taped. The highlights -- including Williamson's fabulous final day -- will be televised on The Bassmasters show, which will run at 9 a.m. Saturday on ESPN2.

COOKIN' FOR KIDS: It's hard to believe one of Augusta's best annual parties will turn 20 this year, but the Cookin' for Kids event at Daniel Field on Friday and Saturday will mark the 20th year of the popular fundraiser for Child Enrichment Inc. and the Child Advocacy Center.

Activities include a Friday night oyster roast for adults from 7-11 p.m. at Daniel Field. Admission costs $50 per couple or $30 per person and includes raw oysters, chicken, beer and wine, auctions and live music from The Toasters.

Saturday's activities for the whole family will include cooking teams participating in a wild game, barbecue and fish cook-off that will be judged by local community volunteers.

Other activities include the Georgia Southern Wildlife and Raptor Program Flight Shows (noon and 1 p.m.), karaoke, children's games and more. Admission costs $5 for ages 13 and older; $3 for ages 3 to 12; and free for ages 2 and younger. More details are at www.CookinForKids.com.

Child Enrichment is serving record numbers of abandoned, abused, neglected and sexually abused children. More than 14,000 children have received its services since 1978.

ARCHERY HONORS: A reader graciously pointed out to me an omission in last Sunday's mention of honors brought home by two local archers who earned spots on the 12-person 2009 Junior U.S. Archery Team that competed in world competition in Poland earlier this month.

In addition to what we reported last week, Harlem High School senior Samantha Pruitte's Junior Female Compound team took a gold medal, prevailing over a Russian team 228 to 225.

Reach Rob Pavey at (706) 868-1222, ext. 119, or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.