Tuesday, April 26, 2011 3:25 pm

It’s the 22nd annual Murfreesboro Lions Club’s Fish For Sight Charity Tournament Saturday, April 30, at Smyrna’s Fate Sanders Marina on nearby J. Percy Priest Lake.

“It’s one of our biggest fund-raisers of the year for the preservation of vision to benefit our neighbors here in Middle Tennessee,” confirmed Lioness spokeswoman Jonelle Boggs Prince, of Murfreesboro.

Contest anglers can arrive at the boat dock restaurant as early as 4 a.m.

“After having a good hearty breakfast to have energy to land those biggo fish, we’ll have a biggo “blast off launch” promptly at 6 a.m.,” Prince noted. “We’ve got anglers casting for cash from Morrison, Manchester, Watertown, Smithville, Short Mountain and Eagleville…some of best, most serious anglers…”

We’re talking “biggo fish” and monetary awards here, she noted.

“Top-catch winner will awarded a whooping $3000,” Prince confirmed. “Second and third place awards are $1500 and $1200 respectively. Plus, a biggo bonus of $500 will be awarded for the biggest largemouth bass and likewise, $500 for the biggest smallmouth bass.”

This is a major charitable cause that causes waves of goodwill throughout the community, she noted.

“Lions Clubs have been able to contribute thousands of dollars to programs supporting sight services,” Prince itemized. “These services include free vision screenings, research, eye operations and eyeglasses for those who can’t afford them, benefitting persons throughout Middle Tennessee, including Rutherford, Cannon and multiple surrounding counties.”

Major sponsors include Smyrna Ready Mix, CPA Jay Grannis, Wal-Mart, Murfreesboro Outdoors, J. Smythe Leasing, Stones River Fiberglass boat repair, Emerson Climate Technologies, Roscoe Brown Heating & Cooling, Haynes Brothers Lumber Co.

Non-fishing persons wanting to make donations for sight preservation can mail to Lions Club, P.O. Box 0008, Lascassas, Tenn., 37085-0008.