Newman's charity fishing tournament

The 8th Annual Ryan Newman Foundation Charity Fishing Tournament was held Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013.

The tournament was held on Lake Norman in Statesville, N.C.

The charity event kicked off with a Charity Dinner and Auction Friday night.

Founded by NASCAR driver Ryan Newman and his wife, Krissie, the Ryan Newman Foundation promotes animal welfare, environmental conservation and college scholarship programs.

NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr. (left) and Bassmaster Elite Series pro Ott DeFoe (right) were among the high-profile guests at Friday’s dinner.

Truex and DeFoe talk a little fishing before dinner.

NASCAR driver and event host Ryan Newman (left) greets DeFoe.

Newman tells a couple fish tales.

Attendees enjoyed a live music set from Trey Calloway and Andrew Russell of the Nightcrawlers.

Ryan and Krissie Newman welcome attendees and thank them for their support.

Anglers got an early start on Lake Norman for the 8th annual Ryan Newman Foundation Charity Fishing Tournament.

Mark Cass and Walker William put in at the launch.

Colby Edwards waits for his grandfather, Stephan Evans, to launch their boat.

Colby Edwards helps guide his grandfather’s boat.

It was a chilly morning on Lake Norman.

JW Moreno boards his boat at the launch site.

B.A.S.S. tournament staff were on hand for the official weigh-in.

A line of trucks approaches the ramp.

Anglers were bundled up for the one-day tournament.

The fishermen paused to honor our nation as the national anthem was played.

The field was anxious to take off.

NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr. (left) and his co-angler Aaron Switzer started fishing close to the ramp.

Other boats started their run to other parts of the lake.

Billy Shelton throws an Alabama rig in search of some North Carolina bass.

Shelton (left) and co-angler Richard Owen (right) fish near some boat docks early on Saturday.

We spotted Bassmaster Elite series pro Hank Cherry (left) and co-angler Hilary Hughes (right) nearby.

Cherry unhooks one early…

and casts again.

He pulls in another small one.

Layers were very important on this cold December day.

Chris Moody and Ronnie McCoy share a boat.

Truex and his co-angler Switzer share a laugh.

Despite the joking, they’re serious about winning.

Bassmaster Elite Series pro Ott DeFoe knows a thing or two about finding bass.

He gives us a glimpse of his latest catch…

And then gets back to business.

DeFoe is paired with co-angler Eric Winter.

DeFoe sported an aluminum rig for the Newman’s Charity Fishing Tournament.

Bob Peaslee (left) helps net a fish for Zach Peaslee.

Nicely done!

It’s weigh-in time, and Angela and John Mayo hold up a nice Norman largemouth.

Shane LeHew weighs in his best bass.

New leader (and eventual winning boat) Nick Miller weighs in on the B.A.S.S. stage.

Big fish winner Jody Wright shows off his 6.12-pound largemouth bass.

Dwight (left) and Scott Beaty show off the bass for the crowd.

Rich Dunstan holds up two fish for the camera.

David Cooke is onhand for the event.

Alvin Shaw weighs in; he and his partner were the 2nd place team winners.

Colby Edwards holds up his fish with his grandfather, Stephen Evans.

Third place finishers Andy Montgomery (left), NASCAR driver Ryan Newman (center) and Bryan Thrift (right) gather onstage.

NASCAR driver Ryan Newman presents Big Fish winner Jody Wright (left) with his trophy.

Newman (center) with tournament winners Brandon Brickweg (left) and Nick Miller (right).

Newman (left) with Husband/Wife division winners Angela and John Mayo.

2nd place winners Alvin Shaw (left) and Brent White.

Ryan Newman Foundation Charity Fishing Tournament winners Brandon Brickweg (left) and Nick Miller (right) with their trophies and 1st prize Nitro Z9 boat .