Day One of FLW Costa Series Event on Lake Amistad Cancelled due to unsafe conditions

 

Advisory for Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019

 

WHAT:                 Day One of the season-opening Costa FLW Series event on Lake Amistad presented by Ranger Boats has been canceled due to strong winds. Originally scheduled to start today (Thursday, Jan. 3), the event is the first stop in the Southwestern Division.

 

WHERE:              Costa FLW Series at Lake Amistad presented by Ranger Boats

                             East Diablo Launch Ramp

Highway 90 W.

Del Rio, Texas

 

NOTES:               All boaters and co-anglers will now compete on Friday and Saturday, with the winner in each category determined by heaviest cumulative two-day weight.

 

“The forecast is pretty rough. It’s pretty rough right now, but the midday forecast is for upper 20-mph gusts, cold air temperatures and cold water temperatures,” Costa FLW Series Tournament Director Mark McWha said after announcing the cancelation. “We just decided we’re going to hold them off today.”

 

The pre-dawn air temperature in Del Rio, Texas, hovered just a few degrees above freezing, but a strong northwesterly wind amplified the chill. The National Weather Service out of Austin and San Antonio also issued a special weather statement for Val Verde County regarding the chance for freezing rain and sleet right up until shortly before takeoff.

 

The tournament field includes 130 boaters and their co-anglers partners.

 

Anglers will take off from the East Diablo Launch Ramp, at 7:30 a.m. CST both days of competition. Weigh-ins will be held at the Launch Ramp on Friday and Saturday beginning at 3:30 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.


New Years Fishing Resolutions - What are you Wanting to Improve?

Story & Photo Courtesy of Luke Estel

Another year, another fishing season.

I myself have made some New Year resolutions. My wife has made some for me also.

Her number one resolution for me is to start being more romantic. Apparently I lack in that department. I told her I would try, but no guarantees.

Every year people try to do something different or change something that they did in the previous year. I have made myself a list for this year that I will try to conquer for the upcoming fishing season.

1. Be more versatile.

We all say it every year but do we really do it? I like to think I try but the majority of the time I fall back on my old habits. To be competitive now a days, a fisherman must know how to catch fish every way necessary in any condition. This is a never ending learning process. For me it would be jerk baits, shakey heads, and punching mats. To me, those techniques bore me. I can catch fish on all of them but I would much rather throw something else. So this year I decided to start early and took the boat out to the lake January 1st and fished a suspended jerkbait. I could lie and tell you I caught several but in reality I never had a bite, but at least I went. I am typically not a cold weather fisherman but this year I will make an attempt to do more of it.

2. Learn to read my units.

I know how to read side scan and all that but I am not “Chopper” good. My partner, Chopper, is one of the best I have ever seen. In fact, I let him run the boat when we are out looking for fish offshore. It’s time for me to learn for myself. I have watched him drive over an area, throw a marker buoy out, tell me there are three big fish there, and proceed to catch two of them. That’s impressive! So this year I will be doing a lot more sitting in the driver seat.

3. Practice more.

When it comes to big tournaments, I definitely put in the time, but when it comes to local tournaments, I hardly even go before the event. Since I fish the same lakes over and over, I sometimes trick myself into believing that I am good enough just to go out and catch them the day of. Well, I am not which usually results in me not getting a check. Not going to happen anymore. If I am going to get my butt kicked, I am going to go out swinging.

4. Have more fun.

In the last several years I have changed the way I fish. I tend not to worry about it as much as I used to. Of course I still get excited at blast off but I don’t act like it’s the end of the world if I don’t cash a check or if I lose a big bass. This year I am going to expand on that. Sometimes I take for granted on how lucky I really am to be able to do what I do. No, I am not a professional and no, I don’t plan or want to be one either. This year I want to help fishermen that are struggling and teach them to relax and have fun. After all, isn’t this why we do it? It’s Just Fishing!

I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. Please be safe on the water. Help your fellow competitors out. Enjoy what God gave us. Relax and have fun. See you all on the water.

 

Strike King Pro Luke Estel from Carbondale Illinois Fishes the BASS Opens, Is an AnglersChoice Classic Champion and an all around great guy and fisherman as well as accomplished writer.

The Knight Rider Blog - “Its Time, Lets Roll!”

Looking ahead can be critical to success. Looking back can be important as well.

As do many professional bass anglers, 2015 Forrest Wood Cup Champion Brad Knight spends plenty of time in the woods during the offseason. Hunting is a way to rewind and refocus. Plus, there are the tangible benefits.

“I went to New Mexico and I killed a really nice elk with my bow,” says Knight. “That’s all we eat around my house. We don’t eat beef. We just pretty much eat the things that we kill, so that was good.”

Of course, hunting is not so much about the killing. “Deer season was really good. I hunted in Texas. I hunted in Canada a couple of times. I never did shoot one, but that was my preference. I was holding out for better opportunities. I had a chance to kill a new personal best several times but it still wasn’t what I had set my mind to. I had a great experience; great time in the outdoors.

“Being outdoors is really just a re-set, kind of a way to refocus my mind, to think about the year that passed and the year coming up. It was successful on that front, if not getting to shoot one. But that’s not really the main, primary deal anyway.

“It’s just therapeutic for me to be out there.”

When Knight looks ahead to ‘the year coming up’ he notes that the 2019 tournament season starts very soon - the FLW Tour kicks off on Sam Rayburn Reservoir January 10. He is preparing accordingly.

“It’s kind of strange that we’re starting out so early, being there the first week of January. Normally we start in mid-February in Florida so it’s going to shake everything up a little bit.

“I just got my new Phoenix bass boat in so I’m getting that dialed-in, getting all my graphs installed and getting my engine broke-in. I got all my new rods and reels from Lew’s so I’m spooling those up.”

If luck can be defined as the point where preparation meets opportunity, then Knight needs only for opportunity to smile on him in order to have some luck this season. He has addressed the preparation aspect. Thoroughly. For instance, “I’m going through my Red Eye Shad boxes – I’ve got 3 or 4 of those lined up – and I’m going through every one of them, making sure all the hooks are in good shape, none of them are rusty and all the points are in good shape.

“I have a system for how I set my crankbaits up. I have 12 colors. I have 5 of each one in a box. Two will have hooks. The other 3 don’t. My parents have a pool where I tune my crankbaits. I hand-tune each one to make sure they run perfectly, the two with hooks on them, so I know if I reach in the box, I can pull out a 1.5 square bill, or a 2.5, on game day without having to tune it on the water. All that work is done in advance.

“I try to think of everything I can control myself and take control of that variable. That doesn’t always equal success, doesn’t always equal tournament wins, but at least it’s one thing I know that doesn’t hurt me. I’m doing everything in my power to stay on top.”

One thing beyond Knight’s power is the Tour schedule. “Doing this as long as I have, I don’t really get too worked up about what the schedule is. I’m going to fish regardless. I don’t have many preconceived notions. I’m just going to show up, work as hard as I can at each one of them and see where I am when the smoke clears.”

Knight will drive his new F-350, Lance camper on top and Phoenix boat in tow, to Texas “a couple days early. I just want two or three days to sit in my boat and look at everything and get my mind right and focus on the season.”

He feels like high water levels on Rayburn will level the field for visiting anglers who must begin the season against a stout slate of Texans who have signed up for the Tour this year. “We could have us an old school fishing derby!”

Then again, Knight thinks the concept of a ‘homefield advantage’ is overrated anyway considering today’s technological advancements that reveal, in a matter of hours, secrets that locals may spend years learning. “I have two events that are within an hour drive of my house, on Cherokee and Chickamauga. That doesn’t mean anything this day and time because everybody is so good, they can spend 3 days of practice and figure out what I know from a lifetime of fishing here.”

Knight points to his Lowrance electronics as an example of the power and knowledge available to all bass anglers these days. “We have a new Live unit that I’m really excited about. The Active Imaging feature uses a new transducer that has excellent clarity at really long range on your Side Scan. Live View is going to be a game-changer for us as well. I’m excited to put that into play.”

Another advancement that will help Knight be efficient on the water and, surprisingly, within the relatively roomy confines of his Lance camper is his new Mercury Pro XS 4-stroke. “The new Pro XS – I just had a chance to take it out the other day and I was blown away at how that thing performs, plus, being a 4-stroke, I don’t have to worry about carrying oil any more. I stay in a truck camper, so every inch of space is spoken for. Being gone for 3 or 4 weeks at a time, that’s 8-to-10 gallons of oil that I don’t have to keep up with. That sounds minimal, but that frees up a lot of space for me.”

Knight likes a couple of other things about the Pro XS as well. “It’s a lot quicker and more fuel efficient, which is another advantage. It’s going to be fun to get out there and run that thing up and down the lake.”

One aspect of this past offseason Knight won’t miss is all the drama that circulated around the addition of MLF’s Bass Pro Tour and the associated roster changes at B.A.S.S. and FLW.

“I think after the turbulent offseason we had with the new trail and everybody switching around, I think everybody’s just ready to get back into the groove of fishing. Everybody’s kind of over the drama that was the offseason and everybody’s ready to get back to doing what we do. And that’s catching fish and enjoying ourselves and seeing everybody again. Let’s rock and roll and get back to work.

“It’s here, on us now.”

 


SAM RAYBURN RESERVOIR READIES TO KICKOFF 24TH FLW TOUR SEASON

 

High Water Levels and Wintertime Temperatures to Keep Pros Guessing at Tournament presented by Polaris

BROOKELAND, Texas (Dec. 27, 2018) – Fishing League Worldwide (FLW), the world’s largest tournament fishing organization, is set to launch the 2019 FLW Tour season – the 24thseason of the competitive Tour – Jan. 10-13, with the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Polaris. Hosted by the Jasper County Development District, the tournament will feature 170 of the world’s best bass-fishing professionals competing for a top award of up to $125,000 and valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2019 FLW Cup – the world championship of bass fishing.

The FLW Tour has visited Sam Rayburn three times previously, with 2019 marking the 4th visit in FLW’s 24-year history. When the Tour last visited the largest lake in Texas in 2014, FLW Tour superstar Bryan Thrift slowed way down – flipping and pitching a Texas-rigged Damiki Knock Out – to out-fish some of the biggest names in the sport and earn the sixth victory of his career. Thrift will be among the early tournament favorites for the upcoming event as well. The total purse for the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Polaris is more than $860,000, including $9,000 through 65th place in the Pro Division.

“It’s always exciting to start another FLW Tour season, but it’s really exciting this year to be kicking off the season in Texas,” said local FLW Tour pro Jason Reyes of Huffman, Texas, a three-time FLW Cup qualifier who has three top-10 finishes on Sam Rayburn in FLW competition. “Sam Rayburn can be a bit intimidating if you haven’t fished it before – 100,000 acres of lake that is full of grass and hydrilla and everything looks good. But, it is a lake of opportunity and the potential is there for 10+ pound bass and 30+ pound limits. You can really separate yourself if you can catch a bag like that.”

Reyes said that the region has seen an influx of rain lately and the water levels are higher than normal for this time of year. The water temperature is currently steady between 53 to 55 degrees and with the fish still in their wintertime mode Reyes expects quite a few different patterns to be in play.

“The lake is fishing fairly well,” Reyes said. “Depending on the weather, this tournament will be all about what happens the week before the tournament. We might see everyone out fishing in cold weather gear or we might see everyone in shorts and sweatshirts. The big question will be if the fish move up shallow.

“I don’t think a guy will be able to win it from one spot – they’re going to have to have multiple areas,” Reyes continued. “Lipless crankbaits are always a big player on Rayburn this time of year. Carolina rigs, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and flipping a jig or soft-plastics will all produce as well. Both ends of the lake will be in play, and we’ll be able to catch them fishing whatever our strengths are.”

Reyes estimated that it would take a two-day total of 30 to 31 pounds for an angler to make the top 30 cut and fish the weekend. He predicted the winner would have a four-day total right around 72 pounds.

”This time of year, we can expect to see quite a few changes over the four-day tournament,” Reyes went on to say. “We may see a guy show out with a huge limit on Day One or Two and then struggle to catch half of that the next day. It’s going to be a fun tournament and a great fishery to kick off the 2019 FLW Tour season.”

Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. CST each day from the Umphrey Family Pavilion, located at 5438 Sam Rayburn Parkway, in Brookeland. Thursday and Friday’s weigh-ins, Jan. 10-11, will be held at the pavilion beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins, Jan. 12-13, will also be held at the pavilion, but will begin at 4 p.m.

Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Polaris will premiere in 2019. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs each Saturday night at 7 p.m. EST and is broadcast to more than 63 million cable, satellite and telecommunications households in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean on the World Fishing Network (WFN), the leading entertainment destination and digital resource for anglers throughout North America. FLW television is also distributed internationally to FLW partner countries, including Canada, China, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and South Africa.

The popular FLW Live on-the-water program will air on Days Three and Four of the event, featuring live action from the boats of the tournament’s top pros each day. New for 2019, host Travis Moran will be joined by veteran FLW Tour pros Todd Hollowell and Peter Thliveros to break down the extended action each day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. On-the-water broadcasts will be live streamed on FLWFishing.com, the FLW YouTube channel and the FLW Facebook page.

Prior to the weigh-ins each day FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at the Umphrey Family Pavilion from 2 to 6 p.m. each day. The Expo is a chance for fishing fans to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities.

Also for youth, the FLW Foundation’s Unified Fishing Derby will be held at the pavilion on Saturday, Jan. 12 from Noon-2 p.m. The event is hosted by FLW Foundation pro Cody Kelley along with other FLW Tour anglers, and is free and open to anyone under the age of 18 and Special Olympics athletes. Rods and reels are available for use, but youth are encouraged to bring their own if they own one. The 1st and 2nd place anglers that catch the biggest fish will be recognized Saturday on the FLW Tour stage, just prior to the pros weighing in.

As part of the FLW Tour’s community outreach initiative, FLW Tour anglers will visit patients, guests and staff at the Brookeland High School, located at 187 Wildcat Walk, in Brookeland on Wednesday, Jan. 9 from 9-10 a.m. to introduce students to fishing and outdoor activities in their community. During the presentations the pro anglers will reinforce how science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) relate to outdoor activities and the life as a professional angler as well as discussing different career paths within the outdoor industry.

In FLW Tour competition, the full field of 170 pro anglers compete in the two-day opening round on Thursday and Friday. The top 30 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continue competition Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.

Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2019 FLW Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2019 FLW Cup will be on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Aug. 9-11 and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.

For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the sport’s top anglers on the FLW Tour on FLW’s social media outlets at FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube and Snapchat.


"Taking my Talents to the Front of the Boat" - From Co to Pro - The Joel Willert Blog

In the 2018 season, I fished all 7 events on the FLW Tour as a co-angler. My ultimate goal was to cash checks and try to finish the year in the top 10 co-angler of the year standings to qualify to fish the tour in 2019 as a pro. I didn’t really know if I would have the funds to make the jump, but I was hoping to cash enough checks to help me make the move.

 

After the first couple tournaments, I cashed a couple checks that really helped get the ball rolling in the right direction.  The 5thplace finish in the third event at Lake Lanier really got the momentum going for me, and that lead to a win at Lake Cumberland. From Cumberland, I went down to Smith Lake and got back-to-back wins there.  After Smith Lake I found myself sitting first in points in the co-angler AOY with only two tournaments to go.  I felt like if I could just catch a few fish in the last two tournaments, I could stay inside my goal of the top ten and that would give me the chance to do what I felt was right for next year.  Kentucky Lake didn’t go so well being the only tournament of the year where I didn’t cash a check.  At the last event on Lake St. Clair I had a mediocre finish and cashed a check there. After it was all said and done, I ended up 3rdin the points for the year.

 

My decision to move to the font of the boat was made a little easier because FLW eliminated the co-angler for the 2019 season.  With the opportunity to go to the front and not really any other direction at this time, I figured what better time to go to the front and give it a shot rather than wait until next year.

 

I feel like spending time at the back of the boat as a co-angler helped prepare me to be a better fisherman at the front.  The biggest benefit has been the opportunity to see different bodies of water and learning to fish for different types of bass.  Just this past year, I saw a many different types of lakes and fish from the Florida largemouth to the Smith Lake spotted bass and those huge northern fisheries like Lake St. Clair.  It is obviously different than the lakes I am used to fishing up north in Minnesota.  Having the opportunity to see those different lakes and experience different types of fishing and really look at fishing as a business vs just going out fishing helped me to see how the other guys operate and treat it as a business. I learned a lot as a co-angler, and I am looking forward to putting what I learned to work next year.

 

During the off season I fished a few local tournaments with some success.  I also spent time at Mille Lacs going there almost every weekend trying to keep everything fresh for new year. There was a cold snap here earlier than normal this year that made it tough to be out fishing this fall.  Usually you can fish into the middle of November, but this year it ended a whole lot sooner.

 

Once the lakes pretty much froze up, I start packing the boat and going down to Kansas. My buddy bought a ranch down there, so I took my boat and camper down before winter set in while the roads were still good.  I wanted to get it out of the elements of Minnesota so I wouldn’t have to drive it through all the salt once the season got closer. It sure is nice to have a buddy with a heated garage.

 

I didn’t hunt Wisconsin this year for the first time since I was 12 years old.  When I took my boat down to Kansas, I spent about a week down there getting everything set up and ready to hunt. We spent some time hunting after Thanksgiving.  I left there and spent a few days on Rayburn. Since I’ve never been on Rayburn before I thought I would spend a little time there to get my bearing straight and see where I can run- I didn’t necessary go to find fish.  My biggest fear is the wind down there, so I wanted to ride around just in case the wind was bad during practice and I wouldn’t be able to run around and get a good look at the lake. I didn’t want practice to be the first time I saw the lake.

 

In just a few short weeks the 2019 FLW tour will be starting, and I am really looking forward to getting off to a good start at the front of the boat. I will check back in soon with an update.

 

Joel Willert is a Professional Fisherman from Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Joel has had tremendous success as a Co-Angler on the FLW Tour and is now taking his talents to the front of the boat and starting his rookie campaign on the FLW Tour in 2019.

Ranger Boats Introduces Fish & Cruise Pontoon Models 

 

 

Existing pontoon lines receive significant upgrade to features and styling for 2019


  

FLIPPIN, Ark. (December 18, 2018) - Ranger Boats brings together the best of both worlds with the introduction of the new Ranger® Reata® 223FC and 220FC. These all-new boats combine features for both cruising and fishing into multi-use designs to accommodate families and anglers. Sharp, new aesthetics and styling have been integrated in both Fish & Cruise as well as Ranger's existing Fish Series and Cruise Series, updating the entire lineup for 2019.

"We pride ourselves on listening to our customers and dealers on their wants and needs in our product lines," said Bart Schad, Ranger Boats Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "We have incorporated that feedback into these new models to create an ideal fish/cruise line that exceeds the needs of everyone on board. Combined with the upgraded aesthetics throughout the entire pontoon line, we have seen tremendous response and look forward to officially bringing these new boats to market."
The new pontoons' fish-and-play design brings together a host of creature comforts for pleasure cruising and fishing features valued by anglers. Both the 223FC and 220FC boast an expansive front deck with a comfortable couch with storage underneath and two new helm seats with self-leveling armrests. A port side gate with a new stainless steel latch offers wheelchair access to the deck.
Another lounging couch sits midship on the port side with additional storage hidden underneath. The custom, color-matched console with a new glove box door will accept electronics up to seven inches. A larger Bimini top, also new for 2019, straddles the railings midship for extra protection from the elements.
The stern houses two all-new fishing chairs and a fishing station, replete with an aerated livewell with integrated baitwell bucket, storage compartment, cup holders and tool holders. A back gate with an updated stainless steel latch gives access to the boarding platform with ladder.
Both the interior and exterior boasts a bold, fresh look with new fencing and exoskeleton that accommodates an optional trolling motor mounted on the bow along with updated graphics reminiscent of Ranger's fiberglass boats. All the new furniture features fully-wrapped custom upholstery with rich accents and integrated LED lighting. Each model offers a choice of grey or tan interiors complete with matching woven flooring covering the deck from bow to stern. Not to be outdone, the pontoon logs feature a rich, powder-coated finish, available in either black or charcoal for a fully custom look.
 
The 223FC and 220FC measure 24 feet, 2 inches, in overall length and 102 inches across. Both models are available with a wide selection of factory rigged outboards.
The original line of Ranger pontoon boats - 200F, 220F, 223F, 200C, 220C, 223C, 243C - have adopted the new fit and finish brought by the new Fish & Cruise models. These existing boats also received the updated seating, graphics, flooring, fence design with rounded corners, bold graphics, chrome badging and console. These models are offered in a multitude of configurations to fit each customer's needs.
Available in several rich color packages, Ranger Reata pontoons are competitively priced for a variety of budgets and are backed by one of the strongest warranties in the pontoon business. For more information on the new models and features for 2019, customers are encouraged to visit www.rangerboats.com or call 800-373-BOAT (2628).
2019 RANGER 220FC
Overall Length:              24 feet, 2 inches
Deck Width:                   102 inches
Maximum HP:                150
Fuel Capacity:                32 gallons
Max Person Capacity    10 persons
Approx. Boat Weight:    2,120 lbs.
2019 RANGER 223FC
Overall Length:             24 feet, 2 inches
Deck Width:                   102 inches
Maximum HP:               200
Fuel Capacity:              52 gallons
Max Person Capacity   11 persons
Approx. Boat Weight:   3,104 lbs.
About Ranger Boats
Headquartered in Flippin, Ark., Ranger Boats is the nation's premier manufacturer of legendary fiberglass and aluminum fishing boats, with acclaimed models and series in the bass, multi-species, fish 'n play, saltwater, waterfowl utility and pontoon boat segments. Founded in 1968 by Forrest L. Wood, Ranger Boats continues its commitment to building the highest-quality, strongest-performing boats on the water. For more information, go to RangerBoats.com.

Lake Amistad to Host 2019 Costa FLW Series Season Opener Presented by Ranger Boats

DEL RIO, Texas (Dec. 20, 2018) – The 2019 Costa Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) Series tournament season is set to open at Lake Amistad, Jan. 3-5, with the Costa FLW Series at Lake Amistad presented by Ranger Boats. Hosted by the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce, the three-day Southwestern Division tournament will feature as many as 300 regional bass-fishing anglers and a top prize of up to $90,000, including a brand new Ranger Z518L boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard engine.

“In general, it’s going to be a tough event and the weights will be lower than we’re used to, but there will still be some anglers who catch some big ones in the 6- to 8-pound range,” said Costa pro Todd Castledine of Nacogdoches, Texas., who had a 2ndplace finish in FLW Series competition at Lake Amistad in 2012. “Fish will either be 2 pounds or really big. It’s hard to catch those 2½ - 4½-pounders right now – there’s a big class of fish missing. If guys can get around a wolf pack of big ones, that will be good. It’s not like other lakes where you just find one fish alone. If you come across a fish, they’ll be in wolf packs. It’s just takes some time to find them.”

Castledine said anglers will be able to catch fish from one end of the lake to the other.

“Those wolf packs can be anywhere – they roam around based on the baitfish,” said Castledine. “That’s the beauty of Lake Amistad – you can win it anywhere. Every single place you go, it looks good for catching fish.”

The Texas pro said fish will likely be caught both shallow and out deep.

“There will be some shallow fish just kind of grinding up and down the bank,” said Castledine. “They’ll be around drop-offs, grass and bushes. For those fish, I see spinnerbaits, ChatterBaits, swimbaits, jerkbaits, and Rat-L-Trap-type baits being players.

“The big schools get out deep. You can catch them in 30 to 70 feet of water,” Castledine continued. “They’ll be on big ridges and points. There are phenomenal ledges that run way out to the middle of the lake and some of them even have bushes as deep as 30 or 35 feet down. Carolina rigs, big jigs and drop-shot rigs will be favored.”

As for a winning weight, Castledine said that the large gap in fish size makes it’s hard to pinpoint an exact number. He said it could take as little as 28 pounds to make the top-10 cut, with the winner posting up over 60 pounds.

“There’s no doubt that someone could weigh in on Day One and make the cut,” said Castledine. “Limits won’t be made up of 3s and 4s – someone could have a couple 8s and some small ones and do well. It’s hard to predict right now – its boom or bust.”

Anglers will take off from the East Diablo Launch Ramp, located off Highway 90 West in Del Rio, at 7:30 a.m. CST each day. Weigh-ins will also take place at the East Diablo Launch Ramp location, and will begin at 3:30 p.m. each day. All takeoffs and weigh-ins are free to attend and open to the public.

In Costa FLW Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event. At Lake Amistad, pros will fish for a top prize of up to $90,000 including a brand new Ranger Z518L boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard if Ranger Cup qualified. Co-anglers will cast for a brand new Ranger Z175 boat with a 115-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard, and $5,000 if Ranger Cup qualified.

The Costa FLW Series consists of five U.S. divisions – Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western – along with the International division. Each U.S. division consists of three regular-season tournaments with competitors vying for valuable points that could earn them the opportunity to compete in the season-ending Costa FLW Series Championship. The 2019 Costa FLW Series Championship is being held Oct. 31 – Nov. 2 on Lake Cumberland in Burnside, Kentucky.

For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Costa FLW Series on FLW’s social media outlets at FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube and Snapchat.


Sportsmans Warehouse Last Minute Deals!

A few last minute deals and steal from the fine folks at Sportsmans Warehouse! If you need an item fast, check them out!


MLF Bass Pro Tour taps Raleigh, N.C., lakes for March 2019 destination

TULSA, Okla. (Dec. 20, 2018) - Major League Fishing today announced that Raleigh, N.C., is the third destination for the 2019 Bass Pro Tour, and that three prolific nearby lakes will be used over the course of the event's March 26-31 competition dates.
Falls Lake, Shearon Harris Reservoir and Jordan Lake are the waters to share in the prestige of hosting bass fishing's newest and highest profile tournament series, which features 80 of the best professional anglers in the country.
"North Carolina is well-known for its outdoors and natural beauty and our amazing lakes are no exception," said Tori Collins, Associate Director of the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance. "We're excited to showcase the fishing-rich culture of our region and all the Raleigh area has to offer to the best anglers in the country and spectators alike."
"Raleigh is a great example of how our Bass Pro Tour format allows us to take advantage of smaller venues with excellent fishing opportunities among multiple lakes instead of our having to pick a spot based only on size," said MLF's Michael Mulone. "I know our guys are excited about visiting these great bass fisheries during the prime spring period. It's sure to be a wildly entertaining competition."
Located in the Cape Fear River drainage, Shearon Harris Reservoir is a 4,000-acre power plant lake considered to be one of North Carolina's most prolific bass fisheries. A Wildlife Resources Commission fact sheet reports that an impressive 41 percent of the largemouth bass surveyed in 2017 were within the lake's 16- to 20-inch slot limit. It also noted that back-to-back tournaments in 2017 were won with five-fish limits weighing over 40 pounds.
North Carolina's Shearon Harris Reservoir is a power plant lake with a reputation for producing good numbers and quality-sized bass. A large percent of the bass population falls within the sizes protected from angler possession by a slot limit of 16 to 20 inches, but will count in MLF competition because of the league's catch, weight and immediate release format. (Photo courtesy of Visit Raleigh. Click to enlarge/download)
Falls Lake also gets high marks as a bass fishery. The 26-mile-long lake is said to have three very distinctive segments across its length, meaning that at least one area could be at the peak of bass spawning activity in the late March timeframe, potentially increasing the chances of a bass 10 pounds or more showing up.
Jordan Lake's record largemouth bass stands at 14 pounds, 6 ounces. The 14,000-acre impoundment offers a diversity of angling cover and structure - ditches, islands, pockets and aquatic vegetation - that make it appealing to MLF's anglers looking for springtime bass movement patterns.
North Carolina's Jordan Lake is a familiar destination for several tournaments local to the region, but only a few of the 80 Bass Pro Tour anglers will likely have any previous experience on the fishery. The 14,000-acre lake provides miles of undeveloped shoreline and a wealth of offshore bass cover. 
MLF uses a conservation-minded catch, weigh and immediate-release-back-into-the-water format during competition, with no restriction as to the number of "scorable" bass allowed. As a result, the Bass Pro Tour often has the flexibility to go where other tournament trails can't. Most other major bass tournaments rules allow anglers to catch and hold their daily limits, usually five bass, in boat livewells for a ceremonious weigh-in at the competition day's end.
All Bass Pro Tour venues must also pass stringent MLF connectivity requirements because the MLF NOW! live stream and SCORETRACKER© are critical components to an event's execution.
Bass Pro Tour events feature five hours of live streaming on each competition day, with free access to the real-time broadcast available at www.majorleaguefishing.com. Also, the Raleigh Bass Pro Tour event will result in a two-hour television show that will air on Discovery Channel in the fourth quarter of 2019. It will repeat on Sportsman Channel in first and second quarters 2020.
MLF also has programming on Outdoor Channel, World Fishing Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network and Discovery Channel, and all episodes are available on-demand on My Outdoor TV (MOTV).
For more information about MLF and its anglers, rules and sponsors, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Bass Pro Shops to Increase Support for Collegiate Team Bass Pro Contingency Program in 2019

Bass Pro Shops is stepping up their support of collegiate bass fishing with the Team Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Angler Contingency Program. Bass Pro Shops will be giving collegiate anglers the opportunity to apply to join Team Bass Pro field staff and be a part of the great team that Bass Pro Shops fields in fishing, hunting and the outdoors.

This program is tied directly to anglers competing in the 2019 Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series events and is growing to award gear packages at all four ACA events throughout the season! Exposure of the brand to this group of anglers is important because they will continue the legacy and traditions of the outdoors.  This group is on the verge of having discretionary income and by showing support for the events they participate in we can create loyal customers as they create the next wave of future anglers.

“This is a unique opportunity for selected anglers while also providing prizes deep into the field during the upcoming season,” said Wade Middleton, Director of the Association of Collegiate Anglers and President of CarecoTV. “We’re excited to be working alongside Bass Pro Shops and looking for more ways to give back to college anglers competing in this Series.”

 

Team Bass Pro Collegiate Anglers – How to Qualify for Gear Packages

50 teams (100 anglers) will be selected to be represent Team Bass Pro, will be provided with a Bass Pro Shops hat to wear during Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series events and across the weigh-in stages. Team Bass Pro collegiate anglers must wear this hat to qualify for gear packages. This is a team contingency program, so anglers must sign up with the partner who they will fish the events with.

Team Bass Pro collegiate anglers must also use #TeamBassPro across all their social media postings, via personal and/or team/club accounts, between January 28, 2019 through May 25, 2019.  Team Bass Pro collegiate anglers must use the #TeamBassProand post during an event to qualify for gear packages at that event. Anglers not meeting these criteria will not qualify to win gear packages.

 

Regular Event Gear Packages

  • TOP 3 Finish
    • Bass pro Shops A/M 24 Auto Manual Inflatable Life Vest, Johnny Morris Patriot Rod, and Platinum Signature Reel.
  • TOP 10 Finish
    • Both anglers to receive Bass Pro rod and reel combo: Johnny Morris Patriot Rod and Platinum Signature Reel.
  • TOP 20 Finish
    • Both anglers to receive Bass Pro Shops XPS Stalker top Loader Tackle Bag with 4 boxes.

* Anglers can only win one of Top 3, Top 10 or Top 20 gear packages at each event*

 

Championship Event Gear Packages

  • Top 3 Finish
    • Both anglers to receive: Bass Pro Shops 100MPH GORE-TEX Rain Parka, Bass pro Shops 100MPH GORE-TEX Rain Bibs, Bass pro Shops A/M 24 Auto Manual Inflatable Life Vest, Johnny Morris Patriot Rod, and Platinum Signature Reel.
  • Top 10 Finish
    • Both anglers to receive: Bass pro Shops A/M 24 Auto Manual Inflatable Life Vest, Johnny Morris Patriot Rod, and Platinum Signature Reel.
  • Top 20 Finish
    • Both anglers to receive: Johnny Morris Patriot Rod and Platinum Signature Reel.

 

How to Apply for Team Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Angler Contingency Program

Teams must submit their RSVP online for the Team Bass Pro bass fishing contingency program via the link below. Remember, this is a team contingency program, so please sign up with the partner who you will be fishing the events with for the year.

RSVP HERE!

This link to RSVP will be available till 50 teams have been selected for Team Bass Pro. 

Be sure to RSVP early!  Availability will fill up quickly!

 

2019 Bass Pro Shops  Collegiate Bass Fishing Series Events

  • Texas Lunker Challenge presented by Mossy Oak Elements on Sam Rayburn Reservoir, February 3, 2019.
  • Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley on Kentucky Lake, March 9-10, 2019.
  • BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops on Pickwick Lake, May 23-24, 2019.
  • AFTCO Bass Fishing Open on Lake Dardanelle, October 26-27, 2019.

Alabama Bass Trail Announces their 2019 ABT Open on Lay Lake!

For all the details check out their website here

Registration Opens February 1st!

 


AC Insider featuring the Mercury Marine Pro XS 4 Stroke & Kevin "The Baitman" Baxter!

As Christmas and Tournament season approaches, The boys spend some time at Mercury Marine Dealer Wedowee Marine and talk the new 4 Stroke Mercury Pro XS with Wedowee GM Eric Morris. They also welcome in Kevin "The Baitman" Baxter to talk Post Black Friday, Last minute Christmas tackle stocking stuffer buys that need to be on your Christmas list. Check it out and Merry Christmas!!


RANGER CUP UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES 2019 PROGRAM DETAILS

 

Payouts, discounts available to both ACA- and FLW-affiliated
collegiate bass anglers 

FLIPPIN, Ark. (December 17, 2018) - Collegiate bass anglers will have more opportunity to cash in on tournament success in 2019 thanks to the continued support of Ranger Cup University. The contingency program, designed by Ranger Boats exclusively for college anglers, is free of charge and open to any college angler, regardless of the brand of boat they own.

To remain qualified in the program, anglers need only adhere to simple clothing and logo requirements while fishing select ACA- and FLW-affiliated events. Additionally, Ranger has once again partnered with Gemini Custom Apparel, the industry's leading tournament apparel provider, who will offer custom jersey pricing for as low as $48 for Ranger Cup University anglers.
For the 2019 season, each qualified event will feature a cash prize paid to the Ranger Cup University-qualified team/angler with the highest place of finish. A $200 cash prize will be paid at each of the 15 Yeti FLW College Fishing qualifying events, while each of the select events below feature a $500 cash prize:
Texas Lunker Challenge presented by Mossy Oak Elements (Feb. 3, Sam Rayburn Reservoir)
Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley (Mar. 8-10, Kentucky Lake)
AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open (Oct. 25-27, Lake Dardanelle)
Yeti FLW College Fishing Open (Mar. 12, Kentucky-Barkley Lakes)
In addition to payouts at the above regular-season events, a $2,000 cash prize will be awarded to any Ranger Cup University-qualified team/angler that wins either the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship or the Yeti FLW College Fishing National Championship. In the event that the winners of either major championship are not Ranger Cup University participants, a $1,000 cash prize will be paid to the Ranger Cup-qualified teams/anglers with the highest places of finish in the championship events.
Along with the cash prizes, the highest-finishing Ranger Cup University-qualified team/angler in each championship event will also receive automatic entry into the Ranger Cup University Team of the Year Challenge. The made-for-TV fish off, which will air on Pursuit Channel, NBC Sports Network and WGN America during episodes of Americana Outdoors and Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, will feature the two Ranger Cup University teams competing for the title of 2019 Ranger Cup University Team of the Year and a $2,000 cash prize. Both teams will receive airfare, lodging and meals as part of an expense-paid trip to the tournament location where they will compete from fully rigged Ranger boats.
For complete program guidelines and details on Ranger Cup University, including payout, clothing requirements and informational videos, go online to https://rangercup.com/includes/staticPages/RangerCupUniversity.cfm

Minn Kota, Humminbird And Talon Sign Multiyear Agreements To Become Premier Sponsors Of B.A.S.S.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dec. 17, 2018

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Johnson Outdoors, one of the most innovative companies in the fishing and boating industries, has expanded its sponsorship of B.A.S.S. events, including the Bassmaster Classic and Bassmaster Elite Series.

Under the multiyear agreement announced today, three of Johnson Outdoors’ most powerful brands — Minn Kota, Humminbird and Talon — will be premier sponsors of B.A.S.S., the world’s largest fishing organization with more than 500,000 members, through 2019, 2020 and 2021. Minn Kota and Humminbird will continue their prominence at Bassmaster events. Minn Kota’s Talon shallow-water anchors brand is new to the family of premier sponsors of B.A.S.S.

“We at B.A.S.S. value our close relationship with Johnson Outdoors companies, and we appreciate their loyalty over the years,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “We share a dedication to inspire more people to experience the great outdoors, and we look forward to working alongside Johnson Outdoors to accomplish that goal in the coming years.”

“We are excited to continue our long-standing partnership with B.A.S.S. as it reflects our mutual commitment to the sport of fishing,” said Johnson Outdoors Senior Director Joe Brown. “Minn Kota and Humminbird have deep roots in the fishing community. Educating and inspiring anglers from first-fish to high school competitions, and even up to the Bassmaster Elite Series, is the embodiment of our agreement, and it gives us a platform to connect with anglers at every stage of their passion.”

Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics will serve as a premier sponsor in three categories — boating electronics, trolling motors and shallow-water anchors — for all levels of B.A.S.S. competition, including the Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Bassmaster Elite Series, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan Outdoors, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops and Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series.

The Classic is set for March 15-17 in Knoxville, Tenn., with Minn Kota, Humminbird and Talon logos prominently on display at the Bassmaster Classic weigh-ins at Thompson-Boling Arena adjacent to the Tennessee River in Knoxville.

“The 2018 Classic in Greenville and Anderson, S.C., drew record attendance of more than 143,000, and we look forward to a similar turnout in Knoxville,” Akin added.

But before the Classic, the new premier partnerships will kick off Jan. 24-26 with the BassPro.comBassmaster Eastern Open on Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes at Leesburg and will continue with two back-to-back Elite Series events, one on the St. Johns River at Palatka, Fla., Feb. 7-10, and another at Lake Lanier, Gwinnett, Ga., Feb. 14-17.

The nine-stop Elite Series circuit features a full field of 75 top-tier professional anglers striving to catch the heaviest five-bass daily limits on some of the hottest and most productive bass fisheries in the United States. In addition to $100,000 first-place prizes in each contest, the anglers will be gunning to qualify for the “Super Bowl of Bass Fishing,” the Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. The career-making event will be held in the spring of 2020 and will mark the 50th Classic since the inaugural championship on Lake Mead, Nevada, in 1971.

In addition to connecting with anglers through 35 Bassmaster tournaments next year, Minn Kota, Humminbird and Talon will reach bass fishermen through B.A.S.S.’s diverse, industry-leading media, including Bassmaster.comBassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times magazines, The Bassmasterstelevision show, Bassmaster LIVE, Bassmaster Radio, social media and expos at the best-attended tournaments in existence — the Elite Series and Classic.

About Johnson Outdoors
Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson Outdoors and consists of the Humminbird®, Minn Kota® and Talon® brands. Humminbird® is a leading global innovator and manufacturer of marine electronics products including fish finders, multifunction displays, autopilots, ice flashers, and premium cartography products. Minn Kota® is the world’s leading manufacturer of electric trolling motors, as well as battery chargers and marine accessories. Minn Kota® Talon® offers a complete line of shallow water anchors. http://www.johnsonoutdoors.com.

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2 and Pursuit Channel), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, BassPro.com Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Series presented by Magellan Outdoors, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.


HARMONY HIGH SCHOOL WINS BASS PRO SHOPS FLW HIGH SCHOOL FISHING LAKE OKEECHOBEE OPEN

CLEWISTON, Fla. (Dec. 17, 2018) – The Harmony High School duo of Grady Johnson and Dawson Turner, both of St. Cloud, Florida, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 20 pounds, 1 ounce to win the 2018 Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Lake Okeechobee Open.

A field of 26 teams competed in the no-entry fee tournament, which launched from Roland and Mary Ann Martins Marina in Clewiston. In FLW/TBF High School Fishing competition, the top 10-percent of teams competing advance to the High School Fishing National Championship.

The top two teams on Lake Okeechobee that advanced to the 2019 High School Fishing National Championship were:

1st:     Harmony High School, St. Cloud, Fla. – Grady Johnson and Dawson Turner, both of St. Cloud, Fla., five bass, 20-1

2nd:    Union County High School, Blairsville, Ga. – Coby Thompson and Colby Elliot, both of Blairsville, Ga., five bass, 14-3

Rounding out the top 10 were:

3rd:     Osceola High School, Kissimmee, Fla. – Clint Leonard and Caden McCammon, St. Cloud, Fla., five bass, 10-1

4th:     Bassinators – Cayden Oltman, Richfield, Minn., and Nehemiah Glenn, Lakeville, Minn., five bass, 9-6

5th:     Tioga High School, Tioga, La. – Kolton Mitchell, Dry Prong, La., and Rylon Ganey, Pineville, La., five bass, 9-3

6th:     Okeechobee High School, Okeechobee, Fla. – David Daniel and Cody Wojcieszak, both of Okeechobee, Fla., five bass, 9-0

7th:     Moore Haven High School, Moore Haven, Fla. – Caleb White, Clewiston, Fla., and Brice Prowant, Moore Haven, Fla., five bass, 9-0

8th:     Bassinators – Conrad Couden, Fort Myers, Fla., and Solomon Glenn, Lakeville, Minn., five bass, 8-12

9th:     Marion County Bass Masters – Zack Barrera, Morriston, Fla., and Alexander Cook, Ocala, Fla., five bass, 8-7

10th:   Bartow High School, Bartow, Fla. – Bryson Royer, Bartow, Fla., and Dawson Troutt, Lakeland, Fla., five bass, 7-12

Complete results and photos of the top five finishers from the event can be found at FLWFishing.com.

The 2018 Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Lake Okeechobee Open was a two-person (team) event for students in grades 7-12, open to any Student Angler Federation (SAF) affiliated high school club in the United States. The top 10 percent of each Challenge, Open, and state championship field will advance to the 2019 High School Fishing National Championship on a body of water that has yet to be revealed. The High School Fishing national champions will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice.

In addition to the High School Fishing National Championship, all High School Fishing anglers nationwide automatically qualify for the world’s largest open high school bass tournament, the 2019 High School Fishing World Finals, held in conjunction with the National Championship. At the 2018 World Finals more than $150,000 in scholarships and prizes were awarded.

Full schedules and the latest announcements are available at HighSchoolFishing.org and FLWFishing.com.


Reticulated Siren.....Will we see imitation lures soon?

Florida and Alabama have much in common.

The two states share a border, a sea, a passion for football and fishing, and, now, a monster.

Meet the Reticulated Siren.

David Steen, Ph.D. shared via Twitter – “Big News: Excited to finally introduce the Reticulated Siren, a "new" species of salamander I have been working to describe since 2009. It lives in Alabama & Florida & at nearly two feet long is one of the biggest amphibians in the world.”

Lure makers are sure to start selling Reticulated Siren imitators soon! Look for them in the trunks of cars at boat ramps before club tourney blast-offs all over the Heart of Dixie and the Sunshine State!

 

Author Vance McCullough is an avid Outdoorsman and Football Coach from Jacksonville, Florida. You can Follow Vance here on Facebook or here on Instagram.

Registration for the Texas Lunker Challenge presented by Mossy Oak Elements Now Open

The first event of the 2019 Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series season!

Starting today, December 14th, collegiate anglers nationwide will be able to register for the first Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series event of the 2019 season – the Texas Lunker Challenge presented by Mossy Oak Elements – taking place on Sam Rayburn Reservoir on February 3rd.

This will be the second year that Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series will kick off the 2019 season with this big bass event that is loaded with prizes.  Every angler in the field will weigh only one bass to earn points towards the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia standings, as well as win a wide range of great prizes.

Sam Rayburn is without question one of the best bass fishing lakes in the nation.  On any given cast, a double-digit fish can be caught – which could win this event and give the angler and college bass fishing team a large amount of points toward the Bass Pro Shops School of Year title.

For more information about the 2019 Texas Lunker Challenge presented by Mossy Oak Elements, click the link below and stay tuned for more to follow!   The event will include an Angler Check-in and Pre-Tournament Meeting at Umphrey Family Pavilion, the evening before the event, as well as one-day of fishing on Sam Rayburn Reservoir. The take-off and all weigh-in activities will take place at Umphrey Family Pavilion.   Stay tuned for more details on this college bass fishing event!

Register

Angler Packet

Rules

For more information about the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, please visit www.CollegiateBassChampionship.com.


Bass Pro Shops Title Sponsor of American Bass Anglers

Athens, AL (December 13, 2018) - Bass Pro Shops and American Bass Anglers announced today a multiyear partnership to provide more avenues for weekend anglers across the country. Bass Pro Shops will become the Title Sponsor of American Bass Anglers and will support a new 150hp bass tournament trail. As North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company, Bass Pro Shops is a recognized leader in supporting grassroots weekend anglers and growing the sport of fishing and attracting new audiences to enjoy the outdoors.

“Bass Pro Shops is excited to support American Bass Anglers as part of our ongoing commitment to inspire everyone to enjoy, love and conserve the great outdoors,” said Christine Wamsley, Bass Pro Shops Director of Partnerships and Events. “American Bass Anglers play an important role in helping more amateurs discover fishing and we’re excited to further align with them through these new events.”

“Bass Pro Shops have continually provided support to outdoor enthusiast with the tools that fuels the passion of countless people worldwide.  We are very proud to work with a partner who puts the future of the sport and the outdoors in the forefront.  They have been a lifelong supporter of the weekend angler both offering a broad selection of angling tools plus supporting fishing conservation.  Included in this partnership will be the formation of the new 150hp and below Team Bass Tournaments, designed to offer the weekend anglers and pleasure fishermen the opportunity to compete on a level playing field,” said Morris Sheehan, President of American Bass Anglers.

About Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.”

About American Bass Anglers
American Bass Anglers is the largest tournament organization for the weekend angler.  American Bass Anglers operates the American Fishing Tour, the ABA Open Series, the 100% Team Trail, the American Couples Series and the annual Military Team Bass Tournament.  Each tour is designed specifically for the weekend angler, offering low-cost and close-to-home events where anglers can qualify for a large year end championship.  For more information on American Bass Anglers, visit www.americanbassanglers.com.


AC Insider Podcast Featuring Classic Qualifier Matt Robertson & Elite Rookie Quentin Cappo & MLF, BASS, FLW & PETA News.

 

The boys are back with special guest Matt "On 'em" Robertson to talk about his Team Championship Classic Qualification. They also welcome in Elite Series Rookie Quentin Cappo to talk about his upcoming Rookie Season. The boys talk MLF/BASS & FLW News, More PETA Stuff, Weird Pirate crap and more!


MLF Bass Pro Tour Names Texas' Lake Conroe Its Second Destination

TULSA, Okla. (Dec. 12, 2018) - Major League Fishing announces the venue for the second stop on its new eight-event Bass Pro Tour is Lake Conroe, a popular recreational lake in Texas located about 40 miles north of Houston. The news follows only a few days after the league announced its series opener is scheduled for Florida's Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in late January.
Many of the Bass Pro Tour's 80-man roster, among which are seven anglers from Texas, have experience on the 21,000-acre lake that serves as an alternate drinking water supply to Houston. However, previous knowledge may not be much of a factor during the 2019 Bass Pro Tour competition dates of Feb. 12-17, because recent rains have carried new debris into the lake to create additional bass hideouts and possibly altered some of the known brushpiles and other existing cover in the lake.
"Lake Conroe is a great bass tournament fishery because it has such a diverse variety of cover including docks, islands, bulkheads, humps and standing timber," said Michael Mulone, MLF Senior Director of Events and Partnerships. "Complementing the usual appearance of a double-digit bass caught during competition, is the great presence and support by our hosting partners and the entire angling community from the region and state."
"The Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. actively supports catch-weigh-immediate release tournament practices in Texas," said Dave Terre, Chief Inland Fisheries Management and Research, TPWD Inland Fisheries Division. "The format used by Major League Fishing maximizes survival of tournament-caught bass by totally by bypassing live well containment or a stressful stage weigh-in process."
"They even use unique tournament rules to promote proper handling of fish while on the water. We know, based on our studies, that larger bass are particularly susceptible to stress and delayed mortality with traditional tournament formats. MLF's low impact format may be particularly meaningful to Lake Conroe, or others lakes, where fisheries management efforts are geared towards the production of big fish. In our mind, the MLF format has the same impact as simple "catch and release" fishing - It's practically zero!  It really can't get any better than that," Terre added.
Although in development over a period of years, the creation and launch of the Bass Pro Tour was officially announced in September. Its catch-weigh-immediate release format is one distinguishing characteristic from the other large tournament trails, but so is the fact that all of the rules for the new tour are decided by and voted upon by the Bass Pro Tour anglers.
MLF pro Alton Jones of Waco, Texas, will be the first to say "Don't look for any home court advantages" for the Texas anglers. The majority of his major tournament victories over his nearly 40 years of competing have come in other states.

Perhaps the most game-changing rule implemented by the anglers to date is when they voted to have no entry fees for participation in the 2019 Bass Pro Tour events.

"We control our own destiny, and that's what makes Major League Fishing and this new tour so unique," said MLF pro Gary Klein, a Texas-resident and co-founder of the league and the Bass Pro Tour. "We see competitive bass fishing as a major league sport and that's the basis for all of our decisions going forward. As for the Conroe destination, I can't be more pleased than to have a Texas lake become one of our earliest stops in 2019."

MLF will feature five hours of live streaming during each competition day with free access to the real-time broadcast being available at www.majorleaguefishing.com. Also, the Conroe Bass Pro Tour event will result in a 2-hour television show that will air on Discovery Channel in the fourth quarter of 2019. It will repeat on Sportsman Channel in first and second quarters 2020.
MLF also has programming on Outdoor Channel, World Fishing Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network and Discovery Channel, and all episodes are available on-demand on My Outdoor TV (MOTV).
For more information about MLF and its anglers, rules and sponsors, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Rookie Blog - Hunter Freeman - I'm Ready to Get Going!

Photos Courtesy of Jason Duran & FLW

Looking back on last season the FLW Cup was a fun event for me. It was really tough fishing and the weights showed it.  I admit it wasn’t the finish I wanted. Going into the Cup everybody said before I left home, you’re not expected to do anything.  It was kind of like do your best. That lit a fire under me, and I looked to it as a way to show out.  Everybody was expecting me to bomb, but I finished mid pack.  I think it was a good event for me.

College fishing was the biggest thing I had ever fished. I’m just 21 years old, and my first pro tournament was the Super Bowl of bass fishing.  It was like I didn’t really get a warm up.  So, looking back on that event it was not a disappointment. I was really happy with the finish in my first ever professional level tournament.

When the Cup was over, I came home and fished everyday just like before the Cup. I was really going hard at it and spent a couple days on Rayburn.  Getting time back out on the water was important for me.  Then I was presented an opportunity I couldn’t pass.  The chance to fish at the next level is something I have always dreamed of.  I went to college to get a degree but obviously I wanted to fish.  The ultimate goal was to win one of the brackets to get the inside track to fish at the next level.  When it happened, I said this is my shot!  I kind of had the spotlight and ran with it while I had it.  The opportunity to fish the FLW Tour is an opportunity of a lifetime for me, and this year I am looking forward to fishing the Tour.

I took a two month break from fishing to spend some time in the woods and with family.  Since hunting season has started I have been doing a lot of hunting.  I have seen one buck on a camera at my buddy’s place, and I’ve been wasting a lot of time up there trying to get that buck in the day light.  I haven’t been able to get a shot yet.

Zach Birge, former tour pro, current tour pro Jordan Osborne and a few more buddies and I made a cross country hunting trip to North Dakota to shoot some ducks.  We all really had a lot of fun.

While at home I have been trying to get everything finalized for next year.  I have been working on contracts designing a boat wrap.  The new Basscat boat is rigged, so it is now time to get the pedal to the metal again and back out on the water every day (or at least 5 or 6 days a week).

I am really excited to have the new Mercury 4 Stroke on my boat this year.  Recently, I fished the Toyota owners tournament and had the opportunity to drive the new Mercury 4 Stroke.  Let me just say that new motor is mean!  When you turn the key it has a growl like a V8 Truck with a Flowmaster exhaust.  I was impressed with the hole shot and the power.  I am the biggest fan of Mercury ProXS 2 stroke there ever was.  I put 1200 hours on one before, and it was solid.  Just like the 2 stroke, the 4 stroke really matches up in power.  The top end speed is blazing fast. I like how it sounds so mean on the low end, but as you get on the top end, it’s quiet so all you hear is the wind.

I am gearing up for the FLW Tour for 2019. I looked at the schedule in previous years and there were a lot of clear water and shaky head type tournaments.  It looks like this year will be made up mostly of big line and big baits.  The first 4 or 5 are all grass lakes.  I am especially excited about kicking it off a Rayburn, a lake where I have had success and experience in the past.  I couldn’t ask for a better place to begin my pro career.  I am going to start with a clean slate and go off what the fish are doing- not how I caught them a year or two ago.  I know you don’t want to bomb your first day as a pro so I’m going to try and take the right approach to start off right and not spin myself out.  Since I’ve never been to Toho, I’ve been doing a lot of map study and video watching from the past trying to prepare for that lake.

There are a lot of names on the rookie field for next year that I know.  Four of them are guys I fished against in college, including Corey Neece.  I didn’t sleep at all the night before the last day of the national championship because Corey was on the team right behind us, and they were the only team whose weight went up each day.  Corey will be one to look out for.  Nick LeBrun will also be a guy to watch for.  He won the All-America and did well in the FLW CUP.  For me I think fishing the Cup, getting the monkey off my back, gaining the experience and not being nervous give me the drive to do well and desire to get back at it.  I said when I left Hot Springs “I gotta get back here!”

My goals for next year are to cash a check in every event- the biggest one being ROY.  AOY would be great, but you only get one chance to be ROY. The third goal would be to make the FLW Cup again.

 

Hunter Freeman is the 2018 FLW College National Champion and FLW Cup Qualifier. Hunter will be a Rookie in the 2019 FLW Tour Season. Photo Courtesy of FLW

 

 


Angler Blog with Luke Estel - The Bassmaster Team Championship

Luke Estel

My partner Josh and I qualified for the Bassmaster Team Championship on the Harris Chain of Lakes by winning the Anglers Choice Classic in March held on Lake Guntersville. I had visited the Harris Chain before but the times I was there the events were held in January where the bass are typically spawning. Early December would fish much different so we set out on our two and a half day practice with absolutely no clue on what to do. We started fishing a few shell beds I had previously found and immediately started catching some fish but they were small. We did scan one area where Chopper found some bass using our side scan where he caught one three pounder and had several more bites. After our practice had ended we decided to start at that on spot and see what we could do. As our boat number was called, we raced across the lake to the spot and realized it was unfishable. The four and five foot waves made it impossible for me to even stand on the front deck and even the spot lock couldn’t stay in the water. The few other spots we had found were the same way. I started kicking myself for not finding areas that the wind wouldn’t have affected us that much but we didn’t. We ended up catching four small ones that weighed a whopping four pounds. Good enough for 165thplace after day one. The next morning we decided to explore some new water in hopes of finding the mother load. At 1:30 we were fishless and Chopper asked if we should just go hit our spot so we could at least catch some fish. I sat the boat down on our waypoint and Chopper’s eyes lit up. “They are here and they are big!” He said. I nonchalantly agreed as we worked down the bank. I caught 3 small keepers real quick and then what I thought could never happened, happened. The bite was not hard but it felt good. I set the hook into what felt like a cinder black. “There is no way this is a bass.” I said to Chopper. Chopper looked at me and said, “It’s a giant, I know it is.” The fish jumped completely out of the water and I thought I was going to pass out. I had a ten pounder on!! Of course, we don’t like to carry a net in the boat so I played her around so Chopper could reach her, She surged and I hit my button only to realize my reel wouldn’t engage back.” If I lose this fish, we are putting it on the trailer!” I yelled.  The real finally engaged and I brought her back to the boat and Chopper grabbed it. We were screaming and hugging. I had never seen a fish that big before in my life. In fact, she was so big I could hardly get her in my livewell. At 27 inches long and the mouth the size of a volleyball, it didn’t seem real. “Well, that helps, let’s get another one.” Chopper said calmly. About that time another boat pulled up within a 100 yards of us fishing the same stuff we were. And let me tell you, they put on a clinic. They were catching them so fast it was impressive to watch. As we stood there watching I got another bite and this time it was a five. Ten minutes later Chopper catches a 4 and a 2.5. Then it was time to go. I couldn’t believe what had just happened. We got to the weigh in and my big fish wouldn’t even fit in the bag. When she settled on the scales, it read 9.5 pounds! Our entire limit weighed 22 pounds. We ended up winning day 2 big bass and moved all the way up to 33rdplace. The team that we watched catch all those bass had 29 pounds and the boater won the entire event on that spot catching another 26 and 32 pounds off of it. What an amazing spot and we had found it all by ourselves. I just wish we would have had more time but that’s fishing and plus, I caught my personal best. All of our fish came off a Strike King Rage Cut-R worm. Not only did we not give up, we got to experience a day that will be hard to beat. Remember, It’s just fishing.

 

Strike King Pro Luke Estel from Carbondale Illinois Fishes the BASS Opens, Is an AnglersChoice Classic Champion and an all around great guy and fisherman as well as accomplished writer.

 


GEORGIA STUDENT ANGLERS WINS BASS PRO SHOPS FLW HIGH SCHOOL FISHING LAKE SEMINOLE OPEN

BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (Dec. 10, 2018) – The Georgia Student Anglers duo of Jackson Conley of Bainbridge, Georgia, and Brunson Fain of Donalsonville, Georgia, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 17 pounds, 3 ounces to win the 2018 Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Lake Seminole Open presented by Berkley.

According to post-tournament reports, the duo caught their fish in the Flint River, slow-rolling a blue and gray-colored spinnerbait over the rocky bottom.

A field of 25 teams competed in the no-entry fee tournament, which launched from Wingate’s Lodge in Bainbridge. In FLW/TBF High School Fishing competition, the top 10-percent of teams competing advance to the High School Fishing National Championship.

The top two teams on Lake Seminole that advanced to the 2019 High School Fishing National Championship were:

1st:     Georgia Student Anglers – Jackson Conley, Bainbridge, Ga., and Brunson Fain, Donalsonville, Ga., five bass, 17-3

2nd:    Quincy Junior Bass Club – Brent Johns, Quincy, Fla., and C.J. Lockamy, Southport, Fla., five bass, 13-4

Rounding out the top 10 were:

3rd:     Gordon Lee High School, Chickamauga, Ga. – Nickolas Barnes, Chickamauga, Ga., and Devon Underwood, Rock Springs, Ga., five bass, 12-7

4th:     Bainbridge High School, Bainbridge, Ga. – Reece Conley and Ashton Aldridge, both of Bainbridge, Ga., three bass, 11-0

5th:     Quincy Junior Bass Club – Niki Smith, Quincy, Fla., and Bodie Lachina, Lynn Haven, Fla., five bass, 10-3

6th:     North Mississippi Student Anglers – Parker Maples and Kade Minor, both of Amory, Miss., four bass, 9-13

7th:     Marietta High School, Marietta, Ga. – Lee Rose Koza and Carter Koza, both of Marietta, Ga., three bass, 9-0

8th:     Shelby County Fishing Team – Ethan King, Wilsonville, Ala., and Tyler Cain, Bessemer, Ala., five bass, 8-5

9th:     Quincy Junior Bass Club – Riley McKamey, Tallahassee, Fla., and Tommy Dunaway, Havana, Fla., two bass, 7-8

10th:   Temple High School, Temple, Ga. – Elijah Nixon and Dawson Stripling, both of Temple Ga., three bass, 6-15

Complete results and photos of the top five finishers from the event can be found at FLWFishing.com.

The 2018 Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Lake Seminole Open Presented by Berkley was a two-person (team) event for students in grades 7-12, open to any Student Angler Federation (SAF) affiliated high school club in the United States. The top 10 percent of each Challenge, Open, and state championship field will advance to the 2019 High School Fishing National Championship on a body of water that has yet to be revealed. The High School Fishing national champions will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice.

In addition to the High School Fishing National Championship, all High School Fishing anglers nationwide automatically qualify for the world’s largest open high school bass tournament, the 2019 High School Fishing World Finals, held in conjunction with the National Championship. At the 2018 World Finals more than $150,000 in scholarships and prizes were awarded.

Full schedules and the latest announcements are available at HighSchoolFishing.org and FLWFishing.com.


McKendree University Takes Over the Top Spot Heading into Winter Break

Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia Releases the Latest Rankings

The fall tournament season has concluded, and results are final for the remaining events of the semester.  In the most recent update to the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia, a major shakeup has occurred toward the top of the standings.  Adrian College no longer sits in the number one spot.  After holding that position since the 2018-19 season started, Adrian relinquishes their lead due in part to the overwhelming success of McKendree University.

McKendree University managed to edge out second place by just 60 points to become the current leader in the School of the Year race.  A strong fall season is what has propelled the Illinois based team to the top spot of college fishing’s most prestigious title.  “We are absolutely thrilled to be sitting in such a great position going into the spring season!  The School of the Year competition is loaded with outstanding teams and anglers from all over the country, so we are really excited about where we are,” says Jon Rinderer, Bass Fishing Coach at McKendree University.

Recent performances this fall can be credited for this climb into the number one spot.  At the AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open in October, McKendree University earned a total of 905 points.  This point total is more than double that of what the former leaders, Adrian College, gained at Lake Dardanelle.  The team’s performance at that event in October helped McKendree to close the gap near the top of the leaderboard.

Entering the 2018-19 season, the Association of Collegiate Anglers announced a number of changes in regard to points distribution as it pertains to the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.  To view those rules, CLICK HERE.

Here is a brief highlight of two of the major changes: school run events become more valuable, and for major ACA events points are paid out to only 100th place.  The intent of these changes was to create an even more competitive race for the School of the Year title.  Up to this point in the season, we are witnessing just that.

Very seldom do we see a margin as close as this towards the top of the leaderboard.  McKendree University currently holds a 60-point lead over Adrian College.  Take a quick look at the points breakdown and you can instantly see where McKendree is capitalizing on each opportunity.  From local school run events, to major ACA ran tournaments, they have managed to accumulate valuable points.  “As with any competition, being active and having consistent finishes is the key to be number one, whether it be a school run event or one of the major events,” notes coach Jon Rinderer.

As was noted above, the new changes to the program lend themselves to a great deal of success but can also magnify a poor performance.  This is something the schools need to be aware of as the season progresses adds Rinderer, “Also, with this year’s changes in the points system at both school run events and the major tournaments, there is the possibility of not scoring any points at all if you don’t do well.  Therefore, consistently performing well is more important than ever.”

Although the season is entering the second half of the year, there are still numerous opportunities for teams to make a run at the title.  In ACA events alone, there are three more tournaments.  Each one will present the opportunity to earn double points as well.  A good start to the year may not ensure a victory in the School of the Year race, but it provides a team with much needed confidence to go out and compete in hopes of taking home the title.  “With being ranked number one in SOY, it brings great momentum heading into spring.  We will all have the mindset to finish the year off strong and to maintain the number one spot,” says sophomore Nate Doty.

Sitting in second place is the aforementioned Adrian College.  After a long run in the number one slot, the Michigan based anglers have dropped one spot.  Right behind them in third is Murray State University.  The top three teams are separated by only 150 points.

Here’s a look at the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year Top 20:

  1. McKendree University (Lebanon, IL)
  2. Adrian College (Adrian, MI)
  3. Murray State University (Murray, KY)
  4. Grand Valley State University (Allendale, MI)
  5. Bethel University (McKenzie, TN)
  6. University of Louisiana – Monroe (Monroe, LA)
  7. Arkansas Tech University (Russellville, AR)
  8. Bemidji State University (Bemidji, MN)
  9. Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, OK)
  10. Bryan College (Dayton, TN)
  11. Campbellsville University (Campbellsville, KY)
  12. Northwestern State University (Natchitoches, LA)
  13. Blue Mountain College (Blue Mountain, MS)
  14. Auburn University (Auburn, AL)
  15. West Virginia University (Morgantown, WV)
  16. Sam Houston State (Huntsville, TX)
  17. University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA)
  18. University of Missouri (Columbia, MO)
  19. Charles Community College (Cottleville, MO)
  20. University of Montevallo

To view the complete standings for the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year Presented by Abu Garcia, CLICK HERE.


Registration Opens For The Bassmaster Marshal Program

Bassmaster Elite Series marshals get to ride along with the pros in competition, and many enjoy filing blog posts and photos from their day.

Photo by B.A.S.S.

Dec. 7, 2018

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Registration is now open for B.A.S.S. members who are interested in serving as marshals for the 2019 Bassmaster Elite Series.

The marshal program, created by B.A.S.S. in 2009 as a way to attract observers who would ride along with the pros, allows people to spend two to four days on the water with some of the best professional anglers in the sport. Marshals are not allowed to fish, but they are encouraged to take photos, send blog posts to Bassmaster.com and serve as an extra set of eyes for B.A.S.S. tournament officials, making sure all rules are observed.

The marshal experience appeals to those from all walks of life. But since it allows people to gather tips and tricks, it obviously appeals most to serious bass fishermen.

“I marshaled for the first time about five years ago — just one tournament — because B.A.S.S. was holding an event in the western part of the United States, and it was something I had been wanting to do,” said Rick Moore, a retired California resident who fishes more than 100 days a year. “Since then I’ve just done it more and more, and now I think I’m scheduled to marshal seven events this coming year. It’s just become one of my hobbies.”

Moore said he expects to learn something on every trip.

“I’ve fished events in the past as a co-angler, and to me, marshaling is just a better experience,” he said. “The anglers are more relaxed and honest with you when you’re not fishing — and you can pay better attention to everything they’re doing when you’re not worried about putting fish in the boat yourself.”

Marshal spots are available for eight of the nine regular-season Elite Series events for $150. The Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department doesn’t include marshals; instead, judges are recruited to assist with the catch/weigh/release scoring process in that Elite event. Marshals also are invited to participate in the postseason event — Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship in September at a site to be announced, and the 2019 Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods March 15-17 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Every marshal is guaranteed to be on the water for the first two competition days. As the Elite Series field is cut to 20 for the semifinal day and 10 on Championship Sunday, marshals are selected for those bonus days based on their blogging and photography in the preliminary rounds.

Bass fishing fans who want to spend time on the water with a pro can register on the Elite Series page at Bassmaster.com or by phone at (877) BASS-USA.


Team Tournament Angler Fulfills Dream To Qualify For The Bassmaster Classic

Matthew Robertson wins the 2018 Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off on Harris Chain of Lakes, out of Leesburg, Fla., with a two-day total of 57 pounds, 9 ounces.

Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.
Dec. 8, 2018

LEESBURG, Fla. — Matthew Robertson said he’s spent the past 20 years working toward a chance to compete in the Bassmaster Classic.

Following a commanding performance at the Bassmaster Team Championship and the ensuing Classic Fish-Off, Robertson’s time has arrived.

Robertson, a 32-year-old resident of Kuttawa, Ky., was dominant both Friday and today on the Harris Chain of Lakes here in central Florida. His two-day total weighed a whopping 57 pounds, 9 ounces, which gave him almost a 24-pound cushion over the nearest competitor in the field of six anglers.

Robertson caught a five-bass limit on Friday that weighed 25-10, but he saved his best for last — a 31-15 sack that was the heaviest bag weighed in either the Team Championship or the Fish-Off.

Robertson teamed with Kentucky B.A.S.S. Nation Team Trail partner Wendell Anderson on Thursday to catch a 29-1 limit; the second-heaviest of the week. Robertson’s 25-10 limit on Friday was the third heaviest.

The victory earned Robertson the 52nd and final berth in the 2019 Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. The Classic, the most prestigious bass fishing championship in the world, will be held March 15-17 in Knoxville, Tenn.

“Those guys (already in the Classic) don’t know who I am right now,” Robertson said. “But come March, I want them to show them what I can do.”

The Top 3 finishers among 197 teams entered in the national team championship qualified for the Fish-Off, which began Friday as the anglers competed individually for a spot in the Bassmaster Classic. Robertson and Anderson finished second in the team event, largely because of that 29-1 limit on Day 2, which vaulted them from a tie for 59th place after Day 1 straight into the Fish-Off.

But Robertson took things to a whole new level in the individual competition.

Many of the nearly 400 anglers competing this week fished grassbeds and shorelines throughout the Harris Chain — normal strategy for this fishery. Robertson, however, opted to fish 150 yards offshore in about 9 to 10 feet of water. He said there was no visible structure there; just a hard spot on the lake’s bottom. Robertson said the area measured 40 by 50 yards, and when he idled over it in practice, he saw big bass on his electronics.

“When Wendell and I got down here, we decided we were gonna’ fish exclusively offshore,” Robertson said. “We idled every inch of (Lake) Eustis and Harris and Little Harris in practice and we found the spot. We actually couldn’t get them to bite at practice, so that’s why we want back over to Eustis on Day 1 (of the Team Championship.)

“When we only caught 11 pounds in Eustis, we knew we had to make a change. If we were going to die, we were going to die doing what we do well, and that’s fishing offshore. So, we went back to that hard spot and pulled out some big swimbaits, a big spinnerbait and a big crankbait. We went to work on them.”

Anderson graciously relinquished the spot to his partner in the Fish-Off, and it replenished itself both days. Each of the bass Robertson caught Friday weighed between 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 pounds, but he caught a 7-4 Saturday to anchor the 31-15 bag.

Robertson’s key lures included a SPRO Big John (citrus) crankbait and a 7-inch swimbait with a 1-ounce jighead. The combination worked as he caught a limit within 75 minutes of takeoff both days of the Fish-Off.

He upgraded his catch several times on both days, and put back more pounds of bass than several of competitors weighed in the Fish-Off.

Robertson said he’s extremely confident in his abilities, but humbled by his chance to represent everyday anglers in the Classic.

“This is very special,” he said. “I’m just your ordinary working man. I represent every common man and that’s who I’m going to be fishing for in the Classic.”

Jayme Copenhaver III of the Chattanooga (Tenn.) Bass Association finished second in the Fish-Off with a two-day total of 33-12. Copenhaver caught a 21-6 limit Friday and trailed Robertson by 4 1/4 pounds heading into the final day of competition. He couldn’t get enough big bites today, however, to pressure Robertson.

Rounding out the Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off field are: third, Adam Dysart, Chattanooga Bass Association, 22-3; fourth, William “Clay” Samples, U.S. Angler’s Choice, 15-5; fifth, Anderson, 10-4; and sixth, Charles “Tyler” Purcell of U.S. Angler’s Choice, 7-1.

The Greater Orlando Sports Commission hosted the tournament with the assistance of Florida’s Lake County.

In all, 197 tandems (394 anglers) from 35 states and three foreign countries competed in the Bassmaster Team Championship. A total of $120,000 in cash and prizes were distributed to the top 39 teams.

Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish Off12/7/2018 - 12/8/2018

Harris Chain of Lakes - Venetian Gardens - Leesburg, FL

STANDINGS DAY 2

Name # Fish Lbs - Oz

1 Matthew Robertson KY BN Team Trail 10/57-9
2 Jayme Copenhaver III Chattanooga Bass Association 10/33-12
3 Adam Dysart Chattanooga Bass Association 9/22-3
4 William Samples Anglers Choice 6/15-5
5 Wendell Anderson KY BN Team Trail 5/10-4
6 Charles Purcell Anglers Choice 5/7-1

BIG BASS

Day Name City,State Lbs-Oz

1 Jayme Copenhaver III Ooltewah, TN 6-12
2 Matthew Robertson Kuttawa, KY 7-4


Robertson Takes Lead For Bassmaster Classic Spot With Huge Limit From Lake Harris

Matthew Robertson of the Kentucky B.A.S.S. Nation team trail leads the first day of the 2018 Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish Off on Harris Chain of Lakes, out of Leesburg, Fla., with 25 pounds, 10 ounces.

Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.

Dec 7, 2018

LEESBURG, Fla. — Matthew Robertson has been wearing a hat the past few days that pretty much sums up his experience this week on the Harris Chain of Lakes.

“ON ‘EM,” the hat reads in block white letters against a black field.

Robertson was “on” the Florida-strain bass yet again today, the first round of the Bassmaster Classic Fish-Off — a tandem event that followed the Bassmaster Team Championship held here earlier this week.

Robertson caught a five-bass limit today that weighed 25 pounds, 10 ounces. That put him more than 4 pounds ahead of Jayme Copenhaver III of the Chattanooga (Tenn.) Team Trail; Copenhaver caught a 21-6 limit Friday.

Members of the top three duos from the Team Championship qualified for the fish-off, which offers a single berth in the 2019 Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods to the top finisher. After fishing alongside each other all week — all year, in fact — the teammates had their weights zeroed today as they began competing individually on the Harris Chain.

Though there’s still a full day of competition remaining, Robertson certainly looks like he could become the angler to fill the 52nd and final spot in the world championship of bass fishing. The 32-year-old Kuttawa, Ky., resident teamed with Kentucky B.A.S.S. Nation partner Wendell Anderson to finish second in the team tournament earlier this week. They bagged a 29-1 limit on Thursday (the heaviest of the two-day event) to leapfrog dozens of teams and reach the fish-off.

Robertson’s 25-10 today was the second heaviest bag weighed this week — trailing only the 29-1 he and Anderson posted a day earlier. After launching from Ski Beach Park at 6:45 a.m. ET, Robertson headed to Lake Harris, where he needed only an hour to catch a limit.

He upgraded his catch a few times later in the morning, but with more than 25 pounds in the livewell, the hardest work of the day was done.

His heaviest bass weighed 5 3/4 pounds, and the lightest was a 4 1/2-pounder, which proved the consistency of the bite he’s located here in the central Florida fishery.

“I’m just going out there and fishing my style,” Robertson said. “The fish are there. I’ll just see if I can get five bites.”

Robertson wants to fish professionally, and he said he’s spent the past 20 years preparing for the chance to compete in the Bassmaster Classic. With only one day of solid fishing between him and his lifelong goal, his confidence is high.

“I’m fishing calm and collected,” he said. “I’m making the right decisions and not letting my emotions get the best of me. I’m ready for this.”

So is Copenhaver, it appears.

After Robertson wowed the crowd with his 25-plus pounds, Copenhaver slipped onto the stage and threw up his own impressive limit. He’s 4-4 behind the leader, but said the right bites are there to overcome the deficit. He had the big bass on Friday (a 6-12) to prove it.

“This morning, my bite was fast and furious for a bit,” Copenhaver said. “When you have some wind in the morning, you get some bites. When it dies down, it’s painfully slow; like watching paint dry. When you a get a blip of wind, you have to capitalize on it.”

Virginia’s William “Clay” Samples, a member of the U.S. Angler’s Choice Team Trail who paired with Charles “Tyler” Purcell to win the team championship, is in third with a limit that weighed 14 pounds. Adam Dysart of the Chattanooga Bass Association is fourth with four bass weighing 11 pounds, and Anderson of the Kentucky B.A.S.S. Nation is fifth with five bass weighing 10-4.

Purcell, also of U.S. Angler’s Choice team, is sixth after catching one bass that weighed 1-12.

Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish Off

12/7/2018 - 12/8/2018

Harris Chain of Lakes - Venetian Gardens - Leesburg, FL

STANDINGS DAY 1

Name # Fish Lbs - Oz

1 Matthew Robertson KY BN Team Trail 5/25-10

2 Jayme Copehhaver III Chattanooga Bass Association 5-21-6

3 William Samples Anglers Choice 5/14-0

4 Adam Dysart Chattanooga Bass Association 4/11-0

5 MWendell Anderson KY BN Team Trail 5/10-4

6 Charles Purcell Anglers Choice 1/1-12

BIG BASS

Day Name City,State Lbs-Oz

1 Jayme Copenhaver III Ooltewah, TN 6-12


Anglers Choice Team Goes From Alternates To Winners In Bassmaster Team Championship

William Samples and Charles Purcell of the Anglers Choice team trail won the 2018 Bassmaster Team Championship on Harris Chain of Lakes, out of Leesburg, Fla., with 42 pounds, 10 ounces.

Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.
Dec. 6, 2018

LEESBURG, Fla. — William Samples and Charles Purcell weren’t supposed to compete in the Bassmaster Team Championship held today on the Harris Chain of Lakes in central Florida.

But officials with the Anglers Choice Team Trail asked them a week ago if they could step in as alternates after another duo that did qualify couldn’t attend. Samples and Purcell made the most of the opportunity and won the Team Championship with a two-day total of 10 bass that weighed 42 pounds, 10 ounces.

Samples and Purcell outlasted a field of 197 teams from 35 states and three foreign countries to earn the win. That number included 14 fishing teams that finished ahead of Samples and Purcell in the Anglers Choice yearly standings.

Samples lives in South Boston, Va., and Purcell hails from just across the border in Townsville, N.C. They won a Nitro Z20 and Mercury 225 Pro XS boat/motor combo valued at $42,000 with their improbable victory.

“Everything just went wrong for us at the beginning of the year, until we pulled it together,” Samples said about their season on the Anglers Choice circuit. “I fell in the water in the first tournament of the year at Smith Mountain Lake. It was 46 degree water. It cost us $5,000. We had a monkey on our back until late spawn, and then we buttoned it up. We won a tournament a couple of weeks ago, and now here we are — winning the Bassmaster Team Championship.”

Samples and Purcell were in second place after Day 1 of the tournament with a five-bass limit that weighed 21-9. They were almost as good today, with a 21-1 limit of five bass.

“We found a spot in practice that I told (Purcell) was going to be a 30-pound hole,” Samples said. “Every fish we weighed came from (within 75 yards) of that hole. The bite started about 10 o’clock and ended about 11:30 a.m. In that hour and a half, there was a flurry.”

“We worked hard for this all year,” Purcell said. “Everything that could go wrong did, until we pulled it together. This is an incredible feeling.”

Matthew Robertson and Wendell Anderson, who are part of the Kentucky Bass Nation Team Trail, had the big bag of the tournament — a whopping 29-1 limit today that helped them finish second with 40-1 overall. It also earned them $14,800 in cash to split.

Adam Dysart and Jayme Copenhaver III of the Chattanooga (Tenn.) Bass Association placed third with 39-15 and won $10,000.

Those Top 3 duos now will be separated, and the six anglers will compete individually in the Classic Fish-Off to be held Friday and Saturday on the Harris Chain. All weights were zeroed after the Team Championship ended today, and the angler with the heaviest overall weight in the two-day Fish-Off will earn the 52nd and final berth in the 2019 Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.

This year’s Classic will be held March 15-17 in Knoxville, Tenn.

Though they trailed the winners by nearly 3 pounds, Robertson and Anderson were the talk of the tournament after their tremendous 29-1 limit. They were tied for 59th after Day 1 and actually were in 85th place when they came to the scales at Ski Beach Park today.

Then the Kentuckians began hoisting Florida-strain largemouth that caused everyone to take notice. The biggest of the bunch weighed 6-12, and there were two more 6-pounders and a pair of 4-pounders in their sack.

“We just kind of hopped around and we came across something about midday,” Robertson said, taking care to not divulge too much information since he’ll fish again Friday and Saturday.

“We had some boat trouble yesterday and missed about three hours of fishing. We had a full day today and things went right. I’m doing something a little different, and not listening to what people say you should be doing.”

Dysart and Copenhagen overcame motor trouble of their own on Wednesday and still managed a limit of 19-2. They followed with a 20-13 limit on Thursday to slip into third place by a mere 6 ounces over Eddie Levin and Ryan Mallory of the Ohio Bass Nation Team Trail.

Levin and Mallory were fourth overall with 39-9 and they earned $8,000. Nevada’s Aaron Leon and Timothy Klinger of the Ultimate Bass Team Trail placed fifth with 36-8 and won $6,000.

Two bass caught today weighed more than 8 pounds and qualified for the Florida TrophyCatch program. Illinois’ Luke Estel of the U.S. Anglers Choice Team caught a 9-5 lunker that was worth $500 as the heaviest bass of the day. Matt Gorham of the West Michigan Team Trail caught an 8-6.

The six anglers who advanced to the Classic Fish-Off will take off Friday and Saturday at 6:45 a.m. ET from Ski Beach Park in Leesburg. Weigh-in is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. both days at the same location.

The Greater Orlando Sports Commission is hosting the tournament with the assistance of Florida’s Lake County.

Bassmaster Team Championship
12/5/2018 - 12/6/2019
Harris Chain Of Lakes - Venetian Gardens - Leesburg, FL
STANDINGS DAY 2
Today's Activity
# Fsh Lbs - Oz
Accumulative
Name # Live # Fsh # Live Lbs-Oz PTS
1 William Samples - Charles Purcell 5 5 21- 1 10 10 42-10
Anglers Choice
2 Matthew Robertson - Wendell Anderson 5 5 29- 1 10 10 40- 1
KY BN Team Trail
3 Adam Dysart - Jayme Copenhaver III 5 5 20-13 10 10 39-15
Chattanooga Bass Association
4 Eddie Levin - Ryan Mallory 5 5 19- 3 10 10 39- 9
OH BN Team Trail
5 Aaron Leon - Timothy Klinger 5 5 20- 9 10 10 36- 8
UBTT
6 Ken Thompson - Brad Weese 5 5 23-12 10 10 35- 8
Anglers Choice
7 Steven Caudill - Rodney Roe 5 5 17- 6 10 10 34-11
NTBA
8 Dean Alexander - Tom Martens 5 5 14- 3 10 10 34- 2
TX BN Team Trail
9 Pat Schlapper - Wade Rickey 5 5 11- 8 10 10 33-11
Major League Series
10 Travis O'Quinn - Shannon O'Quinn 5 5 12- 3 10 10 32-11
Morristown Marine
11 Roger Etheridge - Chad Schroeder 5 5 17-10 10 10 32- 2
Pride of the South
12 Joe Ellis - Ronald Ellis 5 5 15- 4 10 10 31-13
Tennessee Team Trail
13 Seth Davis - Brent Butler 5 5 17- 5 10 10 31- 9
Chattanooga Bass Association
14 Taylor Smith - Dan Jensen 5 5 14- 6 10 10 31- 5
Northwest Bass
15 Steven Nieto - Lupe Nieto Jr 5 5 11-10 10 10 30-13
TX BN Team Trail
16 Blake Smitherman - Daniel Murkerson 5 5 12- 4 10 10 30- 9
Airport Marine Team Trail
17 Wesley Ward - Grant Hopson 5 5 20- 6 10 10 30- 7
Alabama Bass Trail
18 Ruben Chavez III - Wilson Couch III 5 5 11-13 10 10 29-13
Media Bass
19 Chris Glover - Jeff Hampton 5 5 12- 1 10 10 29-13
US Anglers Choice
20 Josh Busby - Timothy Taylor 5 5 15-12 10 10 29-13
Ozark Mountain
21 Shawn Larance - Scott Smiley 5 5 17- 7 10 10 29- 5
Media Bass
22 David Mccormick - Gary Shartzer 5 5 15- 2 10 10 29- 0
Ozark Mountain
23 David Chong - Doug Brownridge 5 5 15-13 10 10 28-13
Renegade Bass Tour
24 Chip Servant - Josh Cotier 5 5 14- 5 10 10 28-11
MA BN Team Trail
25 Mark Averill - Gary Tepastte 5 5 12- 0 10 10 28- 3
West Michigan Bass
26 Allan Glasgow - George Crain 5 5 15-15 10 10 28- 0
Fishers of Men
27 Matt Gorham - Jack Sage 5 5 17- 2 10 10 27- 5
West Michigan Bass
28 Mike Williams - Duane Jacobs 5 5 16-15 10 10 27- 2
Bassmania
29 Todd Buckingham - Chris Beaudrie 5 5 15-13 10 10 27- 1
KY BN Team Trail
30 Wesley Sams - Jordan Wiggins 5 5 13-13 10 10 26-14
Alabama Bass Trail
31 Greg Pugh - Charlie Cummings 5 5 11-13 10 10 26-10
Alabama Bass Trail
32 Steven Morris - Matt Vanzant 4 4 6-15 9 9 26- 7
Pride of the South
33 Luke Estel - Josh Jackson 5 5 22- 0 9 9 26- 1
US Anglers Choice
34 Jason Hopper - Chris Rounsavall 5 5 12- 0 10 10 25- 8
Pride of the South
35 Jason Ammerman - Eric Kiliszewski 5 5 12-10 10 10 25- 7
West Michigan Bass
36 Ronald Risenhoover - Larry Green 5 5 14- 2 10 10 25- 4
Media Bass
37 Mark O'Brien - Ryne Sanders 5 5 5- 7 10 10 25- 3
US Anglers Choice
38 Keith Tuma - Andy Walls 5 5 11-12 10 10 24-15
MN BN Team Trail
39 Greg Barwick - Donald Adcock 3 3 10-11 8 8 24-14
Media Bass
40 Tom Statler - Dillon Statler 5 5 15- 9 10 10 24-11
Joe Bass Team Trail
41 Casey Majni - Taylor Watkins 5 5 15- 0 10 10 24-11
Tennessee Team Trail
42 Terry Blackwood - Jerry Hoesli 5 5 13-15 9 9 24- 6
KS BASS Nation
43 Dylan Dew - Larry Dew 5 5 11-14 10 10 24- 6
Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit
44 Adam Elliott - Jason Hamaker 5 5 6- 6 10 10 24- 4
Alabama Bass Trail
45 Ty Faber - Mark Faber 5 5 10- 7 10 10 24- 4
UBTT
46 Doug Iorio - James Lipo 5 5 8-13 10 10 24- 2
Western PA Bass Series
47 Jack Rinkers - Eric Galasso 5 5 9-13 10 10 24- 2
New Jersey BN Team Trail
48 Cody Pike - Scott Banton 5 5 8- 9 10 10 24- 1
VA Elite 70
49 Douglas Schrader - Charles Schrader 5 5 16- 6 7 7 24- 0
BBT
50 Timothy Boothe - Timothy Bragg 5 5 14- 1 10 10 23-15
Anglers Choice
51 Michael Robinson - Bryan Heaberlin 5 5 9- 1 10 10 23-11
Fishers of Men
52 Dustin Huggins - Cody Kemp 5 5 10- 7 10 10 23- 3
Arkansas Bass Team Trail
53 Delmar Silva - Tanya Silva 5 5 13-13 10 10 23- 0
NM BN Team Trail
54 Justin Durden - Jacob Walker 4 4 10- 4 9 9 22-15
Airport Marine Team Trail
55 Jack Ebach - Robert Moss 5 5 7-12 10 10 22-11
West Michigan Bass
56 Mike Hicks - Ken Presley 5 5 15- 4 10 10 22-10
VA Elite 70
57 Cody Nichols - Koby Newman 5 5 14-12 10 10 22- 9
Alabama Bass Trail
58 Joshua Hubbard - Tom Catlin 5 5 8- 9 10 10 22- 9
Illinois Bass Nation
59 Bradley Jones - Charles Kilgore 5 5 11-13 10 10 22- 5
Alabama Bass Trail
60 Jeff Brauneck - Fred Brauneck 5 5 13- 1 10 10 22- 4
West Michigan Bass
61 brandon robbins - Russ Franklin 5 5 9-14 10 10 22- 2
Ozark Mountain
62 Nicholas Turner - Joe Lay 5 5 12- 9 10 10 22- 1
Alabama Bass Trail
63 Larry Baldock - Donovan Smith 5 5 10- 3 10 10 22- 1
Fishers of Men
64 Alan Bull - Shawn Gordon 5 5 13- 5 10 10 21-15
Arkansas Bass Team Trail
65 Bryan Ray - Brian Wilson 5 5 10- 9 10 10 21-15
West Michigan Bass
66 Bryan Welch - Hal Blackwelder 5 5 13-10 10 10 21-14
Anglers Choice
67 Chris Dover - Robert Fowler 5 5 13-12 9 9 21-12
Carolina Bass Challenge
68 Ralph Laster - Michael Fiedler 5 5 13-13 10 10 21- 9
Joe Bass Team Trail
69 Dean Silvester - Mark Ferguson 5 5 10-12 10 10 21- 8
Australia BN
70 Chad Ray - Clint Miller 5 5 6-15 10 10 21- 7
Alabama Bass Trail
71 Ray Covington Jr. - Phillip Williams 5 5 14- 1 9 9 21- 7
Alabama Bass Nation
72 Howard McCallister - Tim Robinson 5 5 11-13 10 10 21- 7
Ozark Mountain
73 Paul Sherman - Jed Persson 5 5 11-11 10 10 21- 6
MN BN Team Trail
74 Chris Lewis - Jason Adams 5 5 10- 6 10 10 21- 6
Anglers Choice
75 Mike Altizer - Shannon Breeding 5 5 10- 7 10 10 21- 4
Anglers Choice
76 Truett Hill Jr - Chris Coleman 5 5 8- 6 10 10 21- 0
Fishers of Men
77 Travis Salo - Garret Seppala 5 5 9- 1 10 10 20-15
NH Bass Nation
78 Bob Garman - Harry Heins 5 5 12- 1 10 10 20-13
Iowa BASS Nation Team Trail
79 Cory Ownby - Dewayne Wilson 5 5 10- 2 10 10 20-10
Tennessee Team Trail
80 Blake Bushong - Matthew Vavroch 5 5 10-11 10 10 20- 7
Iowa BASS Nation Team Trail
81 Lanny Guthrie - Lee Hurley 5 5 10-10 10 10 20- 5
Alabama Bass Trail
82 Joe Durnal - Zack Coffee 5 5 13- 3 8 8 20- 2
Angler Nation
83 Greg Alexander - Craig Morris 5 5 10-13 10 10 19-13
Delaware Bass Nation
84 Andrew Eutsler - Jared Essary 5 5 10- 8 10 10 19-11
Joe Bass Team Trail
85 John Pollard - Dallas Weldon 5 5 6- 5 10 10 19- 9
Alabama Bass Trail
86 Brian Robbins - Jeremy Talbert 5 5 6-11 10 10 19- 7
Carolina Bass Challenge
87 Gary Henries - Toby Cooper 5 5 11-13 10 10 19- 4
Dockside Marine Team Trail
88 Robert Cowan - Dallas Beasley 5 5 9- 7 10 10 19- 0
Joe Bass Team Trail
89 Travis Perret - Chris Maggio 5 5 15-11 7 7 18-14
KC Team Tour
90 Larry Franks Jr. - Larry Franks Sr. 3 3 4- 3 8 8 18-10
Alabama Bass Nation
91 Rodney Cromer - Roger Farr 5 5 9-13 10 10 18- 9
Carolina Bass Challenge
92 William Solomon - Daniel Taylor 5 5 10-13 9 9 18- 8
Morristown Marine
93 Charles Reed - Kirk Wall 5 5 11-13 9 9 18- 7
Fishers of Men
94 Brian Harvey - Mark Mauldin 4 4 11-11 9 9 18- 7
Tennessee Team Trail
95 Tony Morton - Josh Cupp 4 4 9-11 9 9 18- 4
Tennessee Team Trail
96 Jason Munch - Scott Berg 4 4 7- 3 9 9 18- 3
BBT
97 Shane Rawlings - David Osterhout 5 5 8-15 10 10 18- 1
West Michigan Bass
98 Russell Pasket - Chris DiBeradino 4 4 12-14 8 8 18- 0
TX BN Team Trail
99 Darrell Brown - Gale Brown 5 5 10-11 10 10 18- 0
Sunflower Team Series
100 Seth Brogan - Roger Castillo 5 5 13-11 9 9 17-14
Anglers Choice
101 Michael Morse - Kris Lockard 4 4 4- 4 9 9 17-14
Lakeland Bassmasters
102 David LeBlanc - Doug Hume 5 5 13-11 7 7 17- 8
NH Bass Nation
103 Lyle Armstrong - Mitchell Armstrong 3 3 3-15 8 8 17- 8
Joe Bass Team Trail
104 Luke Gritter - Jesse Weener 5 5 8- 0 10 10 17- 7
D&R Sportscenter
105 Craig Gong - Ryan Reynolds 3 3 7- 1 8 8 17- 2
Cen Cal Elite
106 Jason Porter - Steven Caldwell 5 5 10- 0 10 10 17- 1
Media Bass
107 Ray Trudeau - Fred George 5 5 8-12 10 10 17- 0
FL BN Team Trail
108 Gentry Gordy - Chad Smith 5 5 12-15 8 8 16-14
Alabama Bass Trail
109 Michael Matthee - Glen Naude 5 5 10- 2 8 8 16-14
So Africa BN Team Trail
110 Nobuyuki Terajima - Doug Castro 1 1 2- 0 4 4 16-13
TN BN Team Trail
111 Mark Hensiek - Don Douglas IV 4 4 5-13 9 9 16-12
Arkansas Team Bass
112 Mike Crowther - Josh Kimmel 3 3 7- 8 8 8 16-12
UBTT
113 Steve Clark - David Norgrove 5 5 8-12 10 10 16- 7
Bassmania
114 Peyton McCord - Aaron Cherry 4 4 5- 4 9 9 16- 6
Alabama Bass Nation
115 Arthur Fortin - Brian Sherrill 5 5 8-11 10 10 16- 4
Winter Bass O Thon
116 Lester Hawkins Jr - Matthew Adamson 5 5 12-14 6 6 16- 0
NM BN Team Trail
117 Brad Webb - Jay Ferk 5 5 8- 3 10 10 16- 0
Fishers of Men
118 Danny Morris - Joe Minor 5 5 11- 7 8 8 15-15
Pride of the South
119 Brandon Rose - Jeff Yorks 5 5 5- 7 10 10 15-15
MI BN Team Trail
120 Burton Bryan - Willie Bryan 5 5 8-12 10 10 15-12
Morristown Marine
121 Chris Pitts - John Knapp 5 5 5-11 10 10 15- 8
Pride of the South
122 Justin Orr - Brannon Holley 5 5 12- 8 7 7 15- 7
NM BN Team Trail
123 Trevor Kettles - Greg Vance 5 5 7- 3 8 8 15- 1
Iowa BASS Nation Team Trail
124 Hunter Denmark - Carson Denmark 5 5 9-11 9 9 14-14
Pride of the South
125 Fred Ingalls II - Mark Allen 5 5 7- 4 10 10 14-12
Upstate Anglers
126 Craig Ninaber - Neels Botha 3 3 9- 6 8 8 14- 9
So Africa BN Team Trail
127 Jake Lee - Dalton Price 5 5 7- 6 10 10 14- 8
Tennessee Team Trail
128 Jacob Slade - Cody Sisson 5 5 8- 0 9 9 14- 3
Media Bass
129 Rick Imler - Robert Newlon 5 5 5- 7 10 10 14- 2
Great Lakes Largemouth Series
130 Matt Looney - Larry Smith 4 4 9- 4 6 6 13-14
Angler Nation
131 David Craft - Stoney Johnson 5 5 7- 2 10 10 13-12
Chattanooga Bass Association
132 Allen Williford - Austin Moore 4 4 5- 2 9 9 13-10
Illinois Bass Nation
133 Larry Gawith - John Hughey 4 4 7- 2 9 9 13-10
Sunflower Team Series
134 Nick Deering - Conner Petropoulos 5 5 10- 2 7 7 13- 9
Maine Man vs Bass
135 Mike Merz - Duane Poole 4 4 5- 3 7 7 13- 2
Upstate Anglers
136 Brian Rodriguez - Ryan Fleck 5 5 12- 0 6 6 13- 1
FL BN Team Trail
137 Johan Van Veelan - Nikki van Veelen 5 5 9- 2 7 7 12-15
So Africa BN Team Trail
138 Chip Crews IV - Josh Stafford 5 5 8-11 7 7 12-14
Carolina Bass Challenge
139 Ryan Kelly - Joshua Schumaker 4 4 5-13 9 8 12-13
West Michigan Bass
140 Mitch Miles Jr - Scott Sawyers 4 4 6-14 9 9 12-13
Anglers Choice
141 Kyle Metzger - Jeff Currie 2 1 2- 8 7 6 12- 7
Upstate Anglers
142 Steve Stier - Marc Snyder 5 5 6-13 10 10 11-15
D&R Sportscenter
143 Josh Ingram - Ian Mcroy 5 5 7- 9 6 6 11-14
Anglers Choice
144 Tim Shafer - Gregory Lewis 5 5 5- 5 10 10 11-13
NTBA
145 Michael Byrd - Andrew Miller 5 5 9- 3 7 7 11-11
Pride of the South
146 Dion Bright - Brian Closson 4 4 6- 6 9 9 11-11
WV BN Team Trail
147 Jesse Draime - Carl Duvernay 5 5 9- 7 7 7 11- 9
Media Bass
148 Thomas Whitmore - Leonard Law 4 4 5- 9 9 9 11- 4
Anglers Choice
149 Adam Christen - Brett Coggins 3 3 7- 5 5 5 10-10
Alabama Bass Trail
150 Josh Collier - Anthony Ardizzone 0 0 0- 0 5 5 10- 2
IN BN Team Trail
151 Eric Panzironi - Robert Holcomb 0 0 0- 0 5 5 10- 1
FL BN Team Trail
152 Kevin Jackson - Bryan Jackson 3 3 4-12 7 7 10- 0
Joe Bass Team Trail
153 Dave Schneider Jr - Dave Hedge 0 0 0- 0 5 5 9- 9
IN BN Team Trail
154 Greg Marshall - Karl Schreiber 3 3 3- 9 8 8 8-15
Anglers Outpost
155 Beau Govreau - Brett Govreau 0 0 0- 0 5 5 8- 8
Anglers Choice
156 Perry Dewees - 4 4 6-12 5 5 8- 1
Morristown Marine
157 Colten Fink - Travis Hitchins 5 5 6- 3 7 7 8- 1
Cheat Lake Bass Anglers
158 Craig Hodges - Shaun Campbell 0 0 0- 0 5 5 7-15
NTBA
159 Dustin Neat - Mark Wethington 0 0 0- 0 5 5 7-14
NTBA
160 Cole Bailey - Sam Rankin 0 0 0- 0 5 5 7- 7
TBBA
161 Tony Hogan - Johnny Clark 0 0 0- 0 5 5 7- 5
Alabama Bass Nation
161 Rick Osterholt - Ronald Rokisky 0 0 0- 0 5 5 7- 5
FL BN Team Trail
163 Bryce Kalen - Bryan Kalen 0 0 0- 0 4 4 7- 5
IN BN Team Trail
164 Josh Ray - Tracy Holder 0 0 0- 0 5 5 7- 3
Arkansas Bass Team Trail
165 Kenneth Sessions - Greg Sessions 0 0 0- 0 5 5 7- 2
Pride of the South
166 James Love - Colt Love 0 0 0- 0 5 5 6-12
Anglers in Action
167 Jason Forsgren - Samuel Collins 0 0 0- 0 5 5 6- 9
Tennessee Team Trail
168 Brad Hickinbottom - Brian McCay 0 0 0- 0 4 4 6- 4
Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit
169 Vernon Silver - Gerald Butler 0 0 0- 0 4 4 6- 1
Fishers of Men
170 Don Ammerman - Wes Woodard 0 0 0- 0 5 5 5-13
West Michigan Bass
171 Josh Wray - Donald Wray 0 0 0- 0 3 3 5- 8
Ozark Mountain
172 Joey Davidson - Tullis Lanier 0 0 0- 0 1 1 5- 8
Alabama Bass Trail
173 Russell Wagy - Charles Wagy 0 0 0- 0 3 3 5- 6
VA Elite 70
174 Scott Tyrell - Jacob Saunders 0 0 0- 0 3 3 5- 4
NTBA
175 Ryan Hovatter - Bryson Grimes 4 4 3- 9 7 7 5- 3
Cheat Lake Bass Anglers
176 Kevin Dickey - Kevin McClellan 0 0 0- 0 4 4 4-10
Ozark Mountain
177 Rob Messenger Jr - John Levesque 0 0 0- 0 3 3 4-10
NH Bass Nation
178 Kevin Riney - Tobin Baker 0 0 0- 0 2 2 4-10
Arkansas Bass Team Trail
179 Jason Schade - David Doty 0 0 0- 0 3 3 4- 8
Major League Series
180 Jeff Delk - Allan Farris 0 0 0- 0 3 3 4- 0
NTBA
180 Robbie Pelt II - David Caylor 0 0 0- 0 3 3 4- 0
Alabama Bass Trail
182 Tom Ives - Steven Ives 1 1 1-13 3 3 3-15
US Anglers Choice
183 Timothy Hatcher - Brandon Underwood 0 0 0- 0 2 2 3-11
Alabama Bass Trail
184 Rick Jones - Jeremy Gilbert 0 0 0- 0 3 3 3-10
Ozark Mountain
185 Barry Isabell - Robert Freeman 0 0 0- 0 3 2 3- 8
Alabama Bass Trail
186 Ryan Grey - Michael Coomes 0 0 0- 0 3 3 3- 7
Media Bass
187 Bob Grosso - Warren Gensel 0 0 0- 0 3 3 3- 5
FL BN Team Trail
188 Hunter Penny - Chris Hopper 0 0 0- 0 3 3 2-14
Alabama Bass Trail
189 Micheal Henderson - Tim Cook 0 0 0- 0 2 2 1-15
D&R Sportscenter
190 Lowell Everett - Lawrence Curd 0 0 0- 0 2 2 1-12
Airport Marine Team Trail
191 Chris Payne - Jonathan White 0 0 0- 0 1 1 1- 5
Pride of the South
192 Bo Spence - Trey Coker 0 0 0- 0 1 1 1- 1
Pride of the South
193 James Bullard - Jonathan Bullard 0 0 0- 0 1 1 1- 0
Tennessee Team Trail
193 James Holencik - George Holencik 0 0 0- 0 1 1 1- 0
Western PA Team Bass Series
195 Colton Bryan - Henry Bryan Jr 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
Morristown Marine
195 Chris Risner - Tim Eaton 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
West Michigan Bass
195 Jeffery Walker - Larry Griffith 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
Tennessee Team Trail

Name City,State Lbs-Oz
BIG BASS
Day
1 Nobuyuki Terajima - Doug CaHsetromitage, TN 10-10
2 Luke Estel - Josh Jackson Murphysboro, IL 9- 5


Wisconsin Bass Team Grabs First-Round Lead In Bassmaster Team Championship In Florida

Wisconsin anglers Pat Schlapper and Wade Rickey of the Major League Series lead the first day of the 2018 Bassmaster Team Championship on Harris Chain of Lakes, out of Leesburg, Fla., with 22 pounds, 3 ounces.

Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.
Dec. 5, 2018

LEESBURG, Fla. — If Wisconsin anglers Pat Schlapper and Wade Rickey had started today’s opening round of the Bassmaster Team Championship using sturdier fish hooks, they likely would have a considerably heavier weight than the 22-pound, 3-ounce limit they carried to the weigh-in.

Still, that limit of five bass was enough to put the Wisconsin tandem atop the leaderboard heading into the second and final day here on the Harris Chain of Lakes in central Florida.

Schlapper and Rickey had never fished in the Sunshine State, and they believed 3/0 hooks would be enough to boat the hefty Florida bass they hoped to catch. But when they did stick big bass early on Wednesday, the fish literally straightened those hooks and slipped away.

Frustrated, but undeterred, Schlapper and Rickey switched to beefier 4/0 hooks, and they started putting big bass in the boat. Rickey’s 6-pounder was the largest, and the duo rounded out their bag with a quartet of solid 4-pounders.

Schlapper and Rickey, who fish with the Major League Series back in Wisconsin, are 10 ounces ahead of the Anglers Choice team of Virginia’s William Samples and North Carolina’s Charles Purcell, who are second with 21-9. Brothers Travis and Shannon O’Quinn of Team Morristown Marine are in third place with 20-8; Eddie Levin and Ryan Mallory of the Ohio B.A.S.S. Nation Team Trail are fourth (20-6); and Dean Alexander and Tom Martens of the Texas Bass Nation Team Trail are fifth (19-15.)

“We’ve never been fishing down here, so we didn’t know what to expect,” Schlapper said. “We lost some nice fish, but we ground it out. We only fished that one spot, and we stopped fishing it hard about 10 a.m.”

Schlapper and Rickey said they found big bass on another half dozen spots they scouted in practice, but they’re not sure those places will be unoccupied when they arrive Thursday morning. The duo was, however, aboard the 151st of 197 boats to launch today. Since the takeoff order is inverted on Day 2, they’ll get an earlier start on Thursday.

“I’m confident we’re around some fish,” Schlapper said. “But not having fished here before, I don’t know which community holes we’re around. We didn’t see anyone else fishing like we were, but (a few boats saw us fishing) and got an education this morning. If one of them is ahead of us, we might come in with nothing.”

Duos from 35 different states and three foreign countries (Australia, Canada and South Africa) are competing in the Team Championship. Each team consists of two anglers trying to amass a shared five-bass limit in the team portion of the championship.

The tandem with the heaviest two-day combined weight will be crowned team champion after Thursday’s weigh-in, and also will win a Nitro Z20 boat and Mercury 225 Pro XS boat/motor combo valued at $42,000.

Brisk winds swept across central Florida on Wednesday which made moving around the Harris Chain rough on competitors. Still, anglers such as Alexander and Martens were among those who benefited from the weather, which featured temperatures in the upper 50s and clear skies to go with steady winds from 10 to 15 mph.

“(The wind) put us into a little funk, but we had a good morning,” Martens said.

Alexander caught an 8-2 largemouth that was one of three bass to qualify for the TrophyCatch Florida program on today. Adam Elliot caught a 9-4, and Tennessee’s Nobuyuki Terajima had the big bass of the day with a lunker that tipped the scales at 10-10. It was almost 3 pounds heavier than his previous best — a 7-12 he caught on Kentucky Lake.

Terajima didn’t offer details on how he caught the big bass, which earned him a $500 prize, but he did say he was worried at one point that he and his partner, Doug Castro, were in for a tough day.

“We were struggling,” Terajima said. “We had no fish at 11 (o’clock.) We moved to a new location and I got this one. I wish I could catch one more like this tomorrow. No one can tell.”

Anglers no doubt will be look for those types of bites again Thursday.

Following the Team Championship round, members of the Top 3 teams will move on to the Team Championship Classic Fish-Off, also on the Harris Chain, where they will compete individually for the final berth in the 2019 Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’s Sporting Goods. That tournament, the most prestigious and storied in all of competitive bass fishing, is scheduled for March 15-17 in Knoxville, Tenn.

Anglers will launch Thursday at 6:45 a.m. ET from Ski Beach Park in Leesburg. The final weigh-in for the team portion of this tournament will begin at the same location at 2:45 p.m. ET.

The Greater Orlando Sports Commission is hosting the tournament with the assistance of Florida’s Lake County.

               Bassmaster Team Championship
12/5/2018 - 12/6/2018
Harris Chain Of Lakes - Venetian Gardens - Leesburg, FL
STANDINGS  BOATER DAY   1
Name                                  Fish/Weight

Pat Schlapper - Wade Rickey             5/22-3
Major League Series
William Samples - Charles Purcell       5/21-9
Anglers Choice
Travis O'Quinn - Shannon O'Quinn        5/20-8
Morristown Marine
Eddie Levin - Ryan Mallory              5/20-6
OH BN Team Trail
Dean Alexander - Tom Martens            5/19-15
TX BN Team Trail
Mark O'Brien - Ryne Sanders             5/19-12
US Anglers Choice
Steven Morris - Matt Vanzant            5/19-8
Pride of the South
Steven Nieto - Lupe Nieto Jr            5/19-3
TX BN Team Trail
Adam Dysart - Jayme Copenhaver III      5/19-2
Chattanooga Bass Association
Blake Smitherman - Daniel               5/18-5
MAirport Marine Team Trail
Ruben Chavez III - Wilson Couch         5/18-0
IMedia Bass
Adam Elliott - Jason Hamaker            5/17-14
Alabama Bass Trail
Chris Glover - Jeff Hampton             5/17-12
US Anglers Choice
Steven Caudill - Rodney Roe             5/17- 5
NTBA
Taylor Smith - DAN JENSEN               5/16-15
Northwest Bass
Joe Ellis - Ronald Ellis                5/16-9
Tennessee Team Trail
Mark Averill - Gary Tepastte            5/16-3
West Michigan Bass
Aaron Leon - Timothy Klinger            5/15-15
UBTT
Cody Pike - Scott Banton                5/15-8
VA Elite 70
Doug Iorio - James Lipo                 5/15-5
Western PA Bass Series
Jack Ebach - Robert Moss                5/14-15
West Michigan Bass
Greg Pugh - Charlie Cummings            5/14-13
Alabama Bass Trail
Nobuyuki Terajima - Doug Castro         3/14-13
TN BN Team Trail
Michael Robinson - Bryan Heaberlin      5/14-10
Fishers of Men
Roger Etheridge - Chad Schroeder        5/14-8
Pride of the South
Chad Ray - Clint Miller                 5/14-8
Alabama Bass Trail
Larry Franks Jr. - Larry Franks Sr      5/14-7
.Alabama Bass Nation
Chip Servant - Josh Cotier              5/14-6
MA BN Team Trail
Jack Rinkers - Eric Galasso             5/14-5
New Jersey BN Team Trail
Seth Davis - Brent Butler               5/14-4
Chattanooga Bass Association
Greg Barwick - Donald Adcock            5/14-3
Media Bass
Josh Busby - Timothy Taylor             5/14-1
Ozark Mountain
Joshua Hubbard - Tom Catlin             5/14-0
Illinois Bass Nation
David Mccormick - Gary Shartzer         5/13-14
Ozark Mountain
Ty Faber - Mark Faber                   5/13-13
UBTT
Michael Morse - Kris Lockard            5/13-10
Lakeland Bassmasters
Lyle Armstrong - Mitchell               5/13-9
AJoerBass Team Trail
Jason Hopper - Chris Rounsavall         5/13-8
Pride of the South
John Pollard - Dallas Weldon            5/13-4
Alabama Bass Trail
Keith Tuma - Andy Walls                 5/13-3
MN BN Team Trail
Wesley Sams - Jordan Wiggins            5/13-1
Alabama Bass Trail
David Chong - Doug Brownridge           5/13-0
Renegade Bass Tour
Jason Ammerman - Eric Kiliszewski       5/12-13
West Michigan Bass
Dustin Huggins - Cody Kemp              5/12-12
Arkansas Bass Team Trail
Brian Robbins - Jeremy Talbert          5/12-12
Carolina Bass Challenge
Justin Durden - Jacob Walker            5/12-11
Airport Marine Team Trail
Truett Hill Jr - Chris Coleman          5/12-10
Fishers of Men
Dylan Dew - Larry Dew                   5/12-8
Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit
brandon robbins - russ franklin         5/12-4
Ozark Mountain
Allan Glasgow - George Crain            5/12-1
Fishers of Men
Larry Baldock - Donovan Smith           5/11-14
Fishers of Men
Shawn Larance - Scott Smiley            5/11-14
Media Bass
Travis Salo - Garret Seppala            5/11-14
NH Bass Nation
Ken Thompson - Brad Weese               5/11-12
Anglers Choice
Bryan Ray - Brian Wilson                5/11-6
West Michigan Bass
Todd Buckingham - Chris Beaudrie        5/11-4
KY BN Team Trail
Peyton McCord - Aaron Cherry            5/11-2
Alabama Bass Nation
Ronald Risenhoover - Larry Green        5/11-2
Media Bass
Chris Lewis - Jason Adams               5/11-0
Anglers Choice
Jason Munch - Scott Berg                5/11-0
BBT
Matthew Robertson - Wendell             5/11-0
AKYrBNnTeam Trail
Mark Hensiek - Don Douglas IV           5/10-15
Arkansas Team Bass
Mike Altizer - Shannon Breeding         5/10-13
Anglers Choice
Dean Silvester - Mark Ferguson          5/10-12
Australia BN
Bradley Jones - Charles Kilgore         5/10-8
Alabama Bass Trail
Cory Ownby - Dewayne Wilson             5/10-8
Tennessee Team Trail
Brandon Rose - Jeff Yorks               5/10-8
MI BN Team Trail
Terry Blackwood - Jerry Hoesli          4/10-7
KS BASS Nation
Matt Gorham - Jack Sage                 5/10-3
West Michigan Bass
Mike Williams - Duane Jacobs            5/10-3
Bassmania
Josh Collier - Anthony Ardizzone        5 /10-2
IN BN Team Trail
Craig Gong - Ryan Reynolds              5/10-1
Cen Cal Elite
Eric Panzironi - Robert Holcomb         5/10-1
FL BN Team Trail
Wesley Ward - Grant Hopson              5/10-1
Alabama Bass Trail
Kyle Metzger - Jeff Currie              5/9-15
Upstate Anglers
Timothy Boothe - Timothy Bragg          5/9-14
Anglers Choice
Chris Pitts - John Knapp                5/9-13
Pride of the South
Blake† Bushong - Matthew Vavroch        5/9-12
Iowa BASS Nation Team Trail
Lanny Guthrie - Lee Hurley              5/9-11
Alabama Bass Trail
Casey Majni - Taylor Watkins            5/9-11
Tennessee Team Trail
Paul Sherman - Jed Persson              5/9-11
MN BN Team Trail
Howard McCallister - Tim Robinson       5/9-10
Ozark Mountain
Robert Cowan - Dallas Beasley           5/9-9
Joe Bass Team Trail
Dave Schneider Jr - Dave Hedge          5/9-9
IN BN Team Trail
Nicholas Turner - Joe Lay               5/9-8
Alabama Bass Trail
Luke Gritter - Jesse Weener             5/9-7
D&R Sportscenter
Mike Crowther - Josh Kimmel             5/9-4
UBTT
Jeff Brauneck - Fred Brauneck           5/9-3
West Michigan Bass
Andrew Eutsler - Jared Essary           5/9-3
Joe Bass Team Trail
Delmar Silva - Tanya Silva              5/9-3
NM BN Team Trail
Shane Rawlings - David Osterhout        5/9-2
West Michigan Bass
Tom Statler - Dillon Statler            5/9-2
Joe Bass Team Trail
Greg Alexander - Craig Morris           5/9-0
Delaware Bass Nation
Rodney Cromer - Roger Farr              5/8-12
Carolina Bass Challenge
Bob Garman - Harry Heins                5/8-12
Iowa BASS Nation Team Trail
Rick Imler - Robert Newlon              5/8-11
Great Lakes Largemouth Series
Alan Bull - Shawn Gordon                5/8-10
Arkansas Bass Team Trail
Tony Morton - Josh Cupp                 5/8-9
Tennessee Team Trail
Beau Govreau - Brett Govreau            5/8-8
Anglers Choice
Allen Williford - Austin Moore          5/8-8
Illinois Bass Nation
Ray Trudeau - Fred George               5/8-4
FL BN Team Trail
Bryan Welch - Hal Blackwelder           5/8-4
Anglers Choice
Chris Dover - Robert Fowler             4/8-0
Carolina Bass Challenge
Craig Hodges - Shaun Campbell           5/7-15
NTBA
Mike Merz - Duane Poole                 3/7-15
Upstate Anglers
Dustin Neat - Mark Wethington           5/7-14
NTBA
Trevor Kettles - Greg Vance             3/7-14
Iowa BASS Nation Team Trail
Cody Nichols - Koby Newman              5/7-13
Alabama Bass Trail
Brad Webb - Jay Ferk                    5/7-13
Fishers of Men
Ralph Laster - Michael Fiedler          5/7-12
Joe Bass Team Trail
Steve Clark - David Norgrove            5/7-11
Bassmania
William Solomon - Daniel Taylor         4/7-11
Morristown Marine
Douglas Schrader - Charles              2/7-10
SBBTder
Arthur Fortin - Brian Sherrill          5/7-9
Winter Bass O Thon
Fred Ingalls II - Mark Allen            5/7-8
Upstate Anglers
Cole Bailey - Sam Rankin                5/7-7
TBBA
Gary Henries - Toby Cooper              5/7-7
Dockside Marine Team Trail
Mike Hicks - Ken Presley                5/7-6
VA Elite 70
Ray Covington Jr. - Phillip             4/7-6
WAlabama Bass Nation
Darrell Brown - Gale Brown              5/7-5
Sunflower Team Series
Tony Hogan - Johnny Clark               5/7-5
Alabama Bass Nation
Rick Osterholt - Ronald Rokisky         5/7-5
FL BN Team Trail
Bryce Kalen - Bryan Kalen               4/7-5
IN BN Team Trail
Josh Ray - Tracy Holder                 5/7-3
Arkansas Bass Team Trail
Jake Lee - Dalton Price                 5/7-2
Tennessee Team Trail
Kenneth Sessions - greg sessions        5/7-2
Pride of the South
Jason Porter - Steven Caldwell          5/7-1
Media Bass
Burton Bryan - Willie Bryan             5/7-0
Morristown Marine
Ryan Kelly - Joshua Schumaker           5/7-0
West Michigan Bass
Joe Durnal - Zack Coffee                3 /6-15
Angler Nation
Brian Harvey - Mark Mauldin             5/6-12
Tennessee Team Trail
James Love - Colt Love                  5/6-12
Anglers in Action
Michael Matthee - Glen Naude            3 /6-12
So Africa BN Team Trail
David Craft - Stoney Johnson            5/6-10
Chattanooga Bass Association
Charles Reed - Kirk Wall                4/6-10
Fishers of Men
Jason Forsgren - Samuel Collins         5/6-9
Tennessee Team Trail
Larry Gawith - John Hughey              5/6-8
Sunflower Team Series
Tim Shafer - Gregory Lewis              5/6-8
NTBA
Brad Hickinbottom - Brian McCay         4/6-4
Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit
Jacob Slade - Cody Sisson               4/6-3
Media Bass
Vernon Silver - Gerald Butler           4/6-1
Fishers of Men
Mitch Miles Jr - Scott Sawyers          5/5-15
Anglers Choice
Don Ammerman - Wes Woodard              5/5-13
West Michigan Bass
Thomas Whitmore - Leonard Law           5/5-11
Anglers Choice
Josh Wray - Donald Wray                 3/5-8
Ozark Mountain
Joey Davidson - Tullis Lanier           1/5-8
Alabama Bass Trail
Greg Marshall - Karl Schreiber          5/5-6
Anglers Outpost
Russell Wagy - Charles Wagy             3/5-6
VA Elite 70
Dion Bright - Brian Closson             5/5-5
WV BN Team Trail
Kevin Jackson - Bryan Jackson           4/5-4
Joe Bass Team Trail
Scott Tyrell - Jacob Saunders           3/5-4
NTBA
Craig Ninaber - Neels Botha             5/5-3
So Africa BN Team Trail
Hunter Denmark - Carson Denmark         4/5-3
Pride of the South
Steve Stier - Marc Snyder               5/5-2
D&R Sportscenter
Russell Pasket - Chris DiBeradino       4/5-2
TX BN Team Trail
Kevin Dickey - Kevin McClellan          4/4-10
Ozark Mountain
Rob Messenger Jr - John Levesque        3/4-10
NH Bass Nation
Matt Looney - Larry Smith               2/4-10
Angler Nation
Kevin Riney - Tobin Baker               2/4-10
Arkansas Bass Team Trail
Danny Morris - Joe Minor                3/4-8
Pride of the South
Jason Schade - David Doty               3/4-8
Major League Series
Josh Ingram - Ian Mcroy                 1/4-5
Anglers Choice
Seth Brogan - Roger Castillo            4/4-3
Anglers Choice
Chip Crews IV - Josh† Stafford          2/4-3
Carolina Bass Challenge
Luke Estel - Josh Jackson               4/4-1
US Anglers Choice
Jeff Delk - Allan Farris                3/4-0
NTBA
Robbie Pelt II - David Caylor           3/4-0
Alabama Bass Trail
Gentry Gordy - Chad Smith               3/3-15
Alabama Bass Trail
David LeBlanc - Doug Hume               2/3-13
NH Bass Nation
Johan Van Veelan - Nikki van            2/3-13
VSoeAfrica BN Team Trail
Timothy Hatcher - Brandon               2/3-11
UAlabama Bass Trail
Rick† Jones - Jeremy Gilbert            3/3-10
Ozark Mountain
Barry Isabell - Robert Freeman          3/3-8
Alabama Bass Trail
Ryan Grey - Michael Coomes              3/3-7
Media Bass
Nick Deering - Conner Petropoulos       2/3-7
Maine Man vs Bass
Bob Grosso - Warren Gensel              3/3-5
FL BN Team Trail
Adam Christen - Brett Coggins           2/3-5
Alabama Bass Trail
Travis Perret - Chris Maggio            2/3-3
KC Team Tour
Lester Hawkins  Jr - Matthew            1/3-2
ANMsBN Team Trail
Justin Orr - Brannon Holley             2/2-15
NM BN Team Trail
Hunter Penny - Chris Hopper             3/2-14
Alabama Bass Trail
Michael Byrd - Andrew Miller            2/2-8
Pride of the South
Jesse Draime - Carl Duvernay            2/2-2
Media Bass
Tom Ives - Steven Ives                  2/2-2
US Anglers Choice
Micheal Henderson - Tim Cook            2/1-15
D&R Sportscenter
Colten Fink - Travis Hitchins           2/1-14
Cheat Lake Bass Anglers
Lowell Everett - Lawrence Curd          2/1-12
Airport Marine Team Trail
Ryan Hovatter - Bryson Grimes           3/1-10
Cheat Lake Bass Anglers
Perry Dewees -                          1/1-5
Morristown Marine
Chris Payne - Jonathan White            1/1-5
Pride of the South
Brian Rodriguez - Ryan Fleck            1/1-1
FL BN Team Trail
Bo† Spence - Trey Coker                 1/1-1
Pride of the South
James Bullard - Jonathan Bullard        1/1-0
Tennessee Team Trail
James Holencik - George Holencik        1/1-0
Western PA Team Bass Series
Colton Bryan - Henry Bryan Jr           0/0-0
Morristown Marine
Chris Risner - Tim Eaton                0/0-0
West Michigan Bass
Jeffery Walker - Larry Griffith         0/0-0
Tennessee Team Trail

BIG BASS
1Nobuyuki Te Hermitage,  10-10


AC Insider Podcast Featuring Elite Series Rookie Garrette Paquette & Longtime Friend Don Barone

 

This week the Boys welcome in Elite Series Rookie and Classic Qualifier Garrett Paquette as we get to know the rookies on tour this year. They also talk with Outdoor Writer and longtime friend Don Barone about his foundation in Tackle the Storm and his newest ventures. Chris talks Progressive Bass Wrap Up and Jason looks ahead in the Costa Countdown to blastoff. All of this and more on the AC Insider Podcast!


Engel Coolers Renews Partnership with the ACA and Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series for the 2019 Season

The Association of Collegiate Anglers and Engel Coolers have announced their renewed partnership with the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series. As a sponsor of the Series, Engel Coolers will support collegiate anglers nationally at each of the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series events along with continuing their discount program.

“As the Series continues to grow, Engel is excited to grow with it.  We’re proud to count ourselves among the impressive group of partners that support an equally impressive collective of anglers,” said Mike Dixon, Vice President of Engel Coolers.

“These young men and women are excellent representatives for the sport and critical to the future of boating and fishing.  Not only are they ideally suited to convey their passion for fishing to other youth in their community, they are tremendous ambassadors for environmental stewardship, boating safety, and angling etiquette,” continued Dixon.

Engel Coolers has designed a line of heavy duty coolers that are built for more than just keeping things cold. Rugged, Durable, High Performance Marine Coolers; insulated, spill-proof drinkware; lightweight cooler/dry boxes; soft-side coolers; and AC/DC Fridge Freezers are just some of the products that we have become known for. If your outdoor adventure or recreation require a heavy duty cooler solution, look no further. When the heat cranks up, Engel is here to cool things down. Adventurers, fisherman, hunters, and campers the world over rely on Engel high performance, heavy duty coolers.

In addition, Engel will continue their discount program for the 2019 season. Engel will be offering collegiate anglers a 35% discount on their purchase of Engel products. Anglers are encouraged to take advantage of the many sponsor and incentive programs from a wide range of distinguished Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series sponsors, and the ACA. To receive your discount, please send an email request from your school email to [email protected].

 

“I’ve used Engel Coolers in the field and on the water, as well as anywhere I need a cooler to keep things cool – it’s never failed me.  You’ll see us working with Engel in a variety of videos as well coming up on how to use them to assist in fishery care as well.   We’re excited to continue our partnership with Engel Coolers and to continue to introduce the lineup of Engel products to collegiate anglers,” said Wade Middleton, Director for the Association of Collegiate Anglers and President of CarecoTV.


COVERCRAFT® Announces Title Sponsorship of Bradley Roy

PAULS VALLEY, OK – November 30, 2018 – Today Covercraft announced a title sponsorship of Major League FishingTMprofessional angler Bradley Roy. A three-time Bassmaster ClassicTMqualifier, the Lancaster, KY resident is currently 10th in BassFan’s world rankings.

“We are thrilled to become Bradley Roy’s title sponsor,” said Covercraft Director of Marketing Jeff Jegelewicz. “Not only is he a Top-10 angler, but he’s dedicated to giving back to the community through charitable events and programs. This speaks volumes about his character, and we feel he represents the Covercraft brand exceptionally well.”

One part of Roy’s commitment to his community is the annual Bradley Roy High School Open fishing tournament. Aspiring anglers from his home state open their fishing season each year looking to earn their place in high school fishing’s biggest national events.  Beginning in 2019, the Bradley Roy Open will also add Covercraft as the title sponsor. “We attended the 2018 high school event and were extremely impressed.  High school fishing is a huge deal for these kids and their parents and mentors.  We want to put our support squarely behind them,” said Jegelewicz. A video chronicling the most-recent Open is posted on Roy’s YouTube page here -  https://bit.ly/2P4RjSp

Roy also gives back to those who have fought for freedom.  Through a partnership with Louisville-based USA Cares (www.usacares.org), Roy has hosted six benefit tournaments to assist the organization with its efforts to provide financial and advocacy assistance to post-9/11 active duty US military service personnel, veterans, and their families. Two more tournaments are scheduled for 2019.  Covercraft will continue its support of these events as well.  Life-to-date, the events have raised over $30,000.

Covercraft branding will be the focus of Roy’s truck, boat, and jersey for 2019 - but the sponsorship goes beyond that.  With the support of Covercraft and the associate sponsors, Roy will be hosting a sweepstakes for one angler to fish with him and attend the 2019 Covercraft Bradley Roy High School Open.  Covercraft will outfit the lucky winner’s vehicle with their products bumper to bumper. More information and how to enter will be available in 2019.

About Covercraft

Covercraft Industries, LLC is the leading branded manufacturer of Automotive, Marine and Recreational Vehicle protection products, as well as a market leader in outdoor protection products for Home and Garden. Covercraft’s product offerings include full vehicle covers, seat covers, front end masks, dashboard covers, window sunscreens, patio furniture and outdoor kitchen covers and other products and preserve and protect. The company focuses on custom


Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour Announces Inaugural Event Top Competitive Bass Fishing League Selects Kissimmee, Fla., to Kick Off Season

TULSA, Okla. (Dec. 3, 2018) - Major League Fishing officials announced today that the MLF Bass Pro Tour will head next month to Kissimmee, Fla., to kick off its inaugural season. Though the majority of the Jan. 29 - Feb. 3 action will take place on historic Lake Toho, the championship round will be held on another nearby body of water out of respect for the Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) tournament that follows.
News of the MLF Bass Pro Tour shook the fishing industry when it was announced in September. After obtaining the support and commitment of 80 of the world's top anglers, MLF was able to begin conversations with potential tournament destinations in mid-October.
"We're delighted to welcome the inaugural Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour to Kissimmee," said John Poole, Executive Director of Kissimmee Sports Commission. "We pride ourselves on our destination's championship bass fishing lakes, which have been home to many marquee tournaments throughout the years. The impact of this event will benefit the industry's prominent presence in Kissimmee for years to come."
While all 2019 locations are nearing announcement, Major League Fishing must first go through an extensive vetting process that includes an extensive survey of the area and lakes for each venue prior to confirmation. Unlike all other bass tournaments, MLF gives fans a real-time virtual onsite experience of angler coverage by using industry-leading communication technology requiring highly specialized connectivity needs to be able to feed all of MLF's integral components, like its live-streaming MLF NOW! and SCORETRACKER© live.
"It's wonderful to have a place like Kissimmee on board and so many other cities interested in hosting our Bass Pro Tour events, because it really validates the impact of Major League Fishing's visitation to an area," said Michael Mulone, Senior Director of Events and Partnerships. "The power of our brand is resonating with destinations as they know our anglers and content will provide significant exposure and tangible economic impact to their respective communities. We are so grateful that Experience Kissimmee and the City of Kissimmee are partnering with us on the inaugural Bass Pro Tour event."
Major League Fishing features the 80 top anglers in the country and includes Bassmaster Classic champions, Angler of the Year winners and titleholders from both the Bassmaster Elite Series and the FLW Tour. In the Bass Pro Tour opener, two groups of 40 anglers will compete across Lake Tohopekaliga, known as Lake Toho, all seeking to make it to the final day's championship round of 10 anglers.
The format is for the competitors to seek and catch as many fish as possible in 7.5 hours of fishing, during which all "scorable bass" will be weighed, scored and immediately released back into the water, a scenario that sets the Bass Pro Tour apart from all other bass tournament series.
The Kissimmee Bass Pro Tour event will also result in a 2-hour television show that will air on Discovery Channel in the fourth quarter of 2019, and then in the first and second quarters on Sportsman Channel.
Major League Fishing has previously visited Florida twice to film its highly popular "Major League Fishing" television show, including the filming of the MLF 2018 General Tire World Championship, all of which also air on Outdoor Channel.

Amazon Alexa can now connect to Big Mouth Billy Bass!!!

Courtesy of USA TODAY:

Remember Big Mouth Billy Bass? That strange wall-mounted fish from the '90s that sings "Take Me to the River?"

Well, now it connects to Amazon Alexa's voice assistant, and its lips will move in-sync with Alexa's voice commands.

The fish can respond to inquiries about the weather, your commute, news, random facts and more. Oh, and it will sing an original song this time called "Fishin' Time."

It's available on Amazon for $39.99 and will be released on Dec. 1.

The fish was first hacked by artist Brian Kane two years ago. Video of his altered talking fish went viral, garnering almost 2 million views. 

To read the whole story click Here


Final Bassmaster Classic Berth On The Line At Team Championship On Harris Chain

November 28, 2018

LEESBURG, Fla. — The 2018 B.A.S.S. tournament schedule that began in January and crisscrossed the country through 17 states over 10 months will reach its conclusion with the Bassmaster Team Championship on Dec. 5-8 at Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes.

The event will determine the final berth for the 2019 Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, which is scheduled for March 15-17 in Knoxville, Tenn.

Qualified teams from around the globe will compete for two days next week to determine the national team champions. Then the six anglers from the Top 3 teams will fish solo the final two days in the Team Championship Classic Fish-Off, with the winner earning a trip to the Classic.

“It’s a pretty amazing thing to think that you’ll have teams from Arizona, Texas, Ohio — all over the country — and they’ll be competing for a chance to take part in pro fishing’s pinnacle event,” said Clifford Pirch, a Bassmaster Elite Series pro from Arizona who has fished the Classic five times. “I don’t care what part of the country you come from, that’s the deal you’ve always dreamed of being a part of.”

Some competitors will be traveling from other countries. Also competing in the championship are three teams from South Africa and one from Australia. To qualify, two-angler teams representing sanctioned team trails had to finish near the top of their respective circuit’s championship or team of the year race.

Daily takeoffs will be at 6:45 a.m. ET from Ski Beach Park in Leesburg, and weigh-ins will be held at the park each day at 2:45 p.m.

Counting the team qualifier, the Classic field will feature 52 anglers, including Alabama pro Jordan Lee, who receives an automatic berth as the defending champion, and Drew Benton of Florida, who punched his ticket by winning the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in May.

Seven anglers also qualified through the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens circuit, along with one from the Carhartt College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, three from the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors, three from the Mossy Oak Fishing Classic Bracket and 35 from the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings.

Pirch finished 28th in the AOY standings to qualify for the Classic for the sixth time. He’s finished in the Top 20 three times at the Classic, including a 13th-place showing at South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell last year.

He’s also had some success on the Harris Chain, where the final berth will be decided. In 2012, he finished second in a Southern Open held on the fishery with a three-day total of 58 pounds, 1 ounce.

“That tournament was in January, and when it actually warmed up, I saw a lot of really big fish,” Pirch said. “Then we had a little hiccup with the weather, had a cold night. So it wasn’t quite as wide open as it could have been.

“But I definitely saw the potential of the place.”

Pirch offered some advice to the anglers taking part in the Team Championship.

“Anywhere in the Southeastern United States this time of year, I would really be looking for that little bit of clearer water and better grass,” he said. “There’s always that zone that seems to be healthier than a lot of other places.

“There are plenty of big fish in those lakes, and if you can find areas like that, you should find some of those fish.”

Pirch said it’s also important for team anglers who may not be used to fishing under such enormous pressure to remember it’s a fishing tournament, just like any other.

“You’re fishing for a Classic berth, and that’s an exciting thing for any angler,” he said. “But in the end, it’s about catching the five biggest fish you can every day. Whatever happens will happen one day at a time.”


Bass Pro Shops Becomes Title Sponsor of Collegiate Bass Fishing Series and School of Year Program

 

SAN ANTONIO, TX (November 28, 2018) — The Association of Collegiate Anglers and the Collegiate Bass Fishing Series are proud to announce their new partnership with Bass Pro Shops. Under the agreement, Bass Pros Shops will become the title sponsor of the Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, as well as the title sponsor of the Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley event and the prestigious School of the Year program.

Bass Pro Shops was founded in 1972 by avid young angler Johnny Morris on eight-square-feet of space in the back of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri. In 2017, Bass Pro Shops united with Cabela’s to create North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company with 200 retail and marine centers and a commitment to inspire everyone to enjoy, love and conserve the great outdoors.

“Bass Pro Shops founder and conservationist Johnny Morris is passionate about introducing new audiences to the sport of fishing,” said Christine Wamsley, Director of Sponsorships for Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s. “We’re excited to contribute to the rising popularity of collegiate fishing as part of our broader efforts to connect more people to nature.”

With the series title sponsorship, Bass Pro Shops will also take over as the title sponsor of the most sought-after title in college fishing, the School of the Year program. As part of the School of the Year program, Bass Pro Shops and the ACA will continue to support a growing number of sanctioned school-run events across the nation this season, as well as major events on the national level.

In addition, Bass Pro Shops will also continue the angler favorite discount card which will be available to collegiate anglers who fish the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series in 2019. More information can be found on the Discount and Incentives page.

The 2019 Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series consists of four nationally televised tournaments , including the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship, which are scheduled for the following dates:

  • Texas Lunker Challenge presented by Mossy Oak Elements – Sam Rayburn Reservoir – February 3, 2019
  • Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley – Kentucky Lake – March 9-10, 2019
  • BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops – Pickwick Lake – May 23-24, 2019
  • AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open – Lake Dardanelle – October 25-26, 2019

For more information about the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, please visit www.CollegiateBassChampionship.com.


Tiny Fastach Clip Offers HUGE Advantages

Vance McCullough

 

There’s nothing dry about a kayak. And space is limited.

These are two of the drawbacks that make the sport of kayak fishing a great challenge, especially in cold weather.

A tiny piece of hardware answers both problems.

In winter, wet hands make it difficult to tie knots. Clips and snaps can be arduous to open and close with cold, shaky hands – and nearly impossible with gloves.

Yet, constant retying is common in kayaks where anglers can’t spread 20 rods across the deck as they can in a big motorboat. That glass rod you crank with may be the same one you tie a jerkbait to when the bite slows down and you have to do so as well.

Also, many lures perform better with a clip or split ring than when tied directly to line.

Enter the Mustad KVD Fastach Clip. A twist and a pull will remove a lure and then allow you to attach the next one as quickly.

Maybe even as quickly as Kevin VanDam.

A twist connection on one end lets you swap-out lures with the simple turn of the wrist. No retying needed. Made with the same quality as Mustad's premium hooks, the Mustad KVD Fastach Clip provides a secure connection. The increased efficiency means more time spent fishing.

This will also allow you to cut down the number of rods you need to cram into your kayak while greatly expanding your lure choices because, let’s face it, no matter how many plugs you stuff into a box, if it takes too long to change one for another, you won’t do it.

The Fastach Clip broadens your options.

Again, it is easy to use with cold or wet hands. Traditional clips are too small and stiff for my fingers, so I just retie – something I’ve become good at. I can’t, however retie as fast as I can twist and pull. Cold weather lure changes are nothing to dread now. I can dial-in the best lure choice much more quickly.

That’s important when winter fish are being finicky.

The Mustad KVD Fastach Clip is offered in 4 sizes and comes packaged by the dozen for about three bucks a pack.

 

Author Vance McCullough is an avid Outdoorsman, Kayak Fisherman and Football Coach from Jacksonville, Florida

Thump Cold-Water Bass. Don’t Rattle Them.

Vance McCullough

As waters cool, big bass get active again. Fish that have hidden beneath impenetrable cover or sulked in the depths and refused to bite your bait are suddenly putting on the feed bag.

As late fall becomes winter, now is a great time to catch big bass. In fact, a deep freeze will stun shad and other baitfish. Strong predators take advantage of such situations.

When conditions are a tad bit adverse, or bass have simply heard lures rattle past all summer, a subtler approach can make all the difference.

Then there’s this:  Scientists tell us that as fish mature, they rely more heavily on their lateral line to locate food. This remote sensory organ is attuned to vibration rather than sound. And as fish mature, they generally grow larger.

Hence, bigger fish are more likely to eat a lure that thumps-out a low frequency vibration than one that rattles-out a high pitch sound and attracts the more abundant, smaller, ‘crumb-snatcher bass’ that rely more readily on their sense of hearing.

The adjustment could be as simple as switching to a tungsten-toting ‘trap’ instead of one loaded with the traditional bb’s.

Strike King’s Tungsten 2 Tap comes to mind. Another classic example would be Heddon’s One Knocker. 

And, since we’re looking for big bass, throw a big lure. Three-quarters of an ounce would work well. Don’t be afraid to throw the big lipless bait into shallow water. Grass should be thinned out enough this time of year that you can dip-and-rip a relatively heavy lure through it when the big girls visit the upper edge of the food shelf.

On one memorable trip I caught a 9-pounder in the morning and a 6-pounder in the afternoon, both from tufts of grass in 4 feet of water adjacent to the 30-foot depths from which the fish had slid up. The day before, my friend caught a giant from one of the very same grass clumps, about the size of a trash can. When they are ready to eat, they will sit up at the dinner table, usually in surprisingly shallow water.

While knocker-style plugs are great choices for low frequency fishing, you can cut the sound completely and send out good vibes only. Some flat-sided lures are devoid of any internal noise makers.

On the other hand, blade baits make for a superb change up.

The old school Silver Buddy or Gay Blade are about the size of a threadfin shad and will catch good numbers of fall and winter fish shallow or deep. I’ve successfully used them in holes and ditches on Lake Toho, the Saint Johns River and similar Florida waters during the cooler months.

The Steel Shad is a unique blade bait that comes in an unmatched variety of sizes to match the forage you want to imitate, including big ole gizzard shad and wild shiners – that would be the 2oz. XXL size. And as the folks at Steel Shad point out, “Our blade bait is designed to catch fish in 6 inches or 60 feet of water. It’s the only blade bait you will find that can run on the water’s surface.”

That’s a handy characteristic when cranking the flats for big cold weather bass.


AC Insider Podcast featuring the Man, the Myth, the Legend...Fat Cat Newton!!!

Still hungover from Thanksgiving Turkey and Football, The Boys check out the 2019 FLW Roster, Talk about some Tuesday giving opportunities and welcome in Social Media and YouTube sensation, The one and only, Fat Cat Newton! They talk fishing, Amish made Japanese swimsuits, Randy Flowers and more! This Episode is "Wall to Wall, Tree top Tall" It will be the best podcast you've ever heard. Check it out!

Links to Charities and Donation talked about in the show:

Go Fish For Me: Grants Story

Go Fish For Me: Paradise California Camp Fire

Win The Bass Chaplains Boat - Chris Wells


FISHING LEAGUE WORLDWIDE ANNOUNCES 2019 FLW TOUR ANGLER ROSTER

MINNEAPOLIS (Nov. 26, 2018) – Fishing League Worldwide (FLW), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced today the complete professional angler roster for the upcoming 2019 FLW Tour season, the 24th season of the FLW Tour. The field will be showcased along the 2019 FLW Tour, which features seven regular-season tournaments around the country with competition kicking off at Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Jan. 10-13, in Brookeland, Texas, and culminating with the world championship of bass fishing – the FLW Cup at Lake Hamilton, Aug. 9-11, in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

There was enormous demand to compete on the 2019 FLW Tour, with 210 anglers registering for a slot on the prestigious tournament circuit in its final year of priority registration before switching to a strict qualifying process and a 150-pro field in 2020. To accommodate all anglers earning priority entry through the 2018 FLW Tour, Costa FLW series, T-H Marine BFL All-American, YETI FLW College Fishing National Championship and TBF National Championship plus sponsor entries, the 2019 FLW Tour field will feature 170 pros.

The top award at each qualifier is $125,000 with $300,000 going to the winner of the FLW Cup. Since the final field exceeds the published payout basis of 150 pros, FLW will survey all 170 participating pros to finalize the 2019 payout structure.

The 2019 FLW Tour roster is headlined by a stout contingent of bass-fishing heavyweights, including three-time Angler of the Year (AOY) and 2003 FLW Cup champion David Dudley of Lynchburg, Virginia, 2015 AOY and 2011 FLW Cup champion Scott Martin of Clewiston, Florida, and two-time Angler of the Year Bryan Thrift of Shelby, North Carolina. They’ll be joined by bass-fishing legends Jimmy Houston of Cookson, Oklahoma, and Larry Nixon of Quitman, Arkansas, as well as three former FLW Cup champions – John Cox (2016), Brad Knight (2015) and Darrel Robertson (2002). James Niggemeyer of Van, Texas, the 2019 FLW Cup runner-up, and rising star Luke Dunkin of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, are also among the top contenders for 2019. The 2019 Tour will also feature 34 rookies from around the country.

“With the demand we saw this year to join the FLW Tour, we couldn’t be more eager to kick off another season at Sam Rayburn Reservoir in January,” said Bill Taylor, FLW’s Senior Director of Tournament Operations. “FLW has long been the home to some of the most decorated bass anglers in the sport, and with the expanded live coverage at all of our Tour events this year, we are more than ready to show off their skills at some of the best fisheries in the world.”

In FLW Tour competition anglers are vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2019 FLW Cup, the world championship of bass fishing. The 2019 FLW Cup will be held on Lake Hamilton and is being hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.

For complete details and updated information, visit FLWFishing.com.  For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishingand on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.

2019 FLW Tour Anglers

Jason Abram                                                        Piney Flats, Tenn.

Randy Allen                                                          Gilliam, La.

Scott Ashmore                                                     Broken Arrow, Okla.

Evan Barnes                                                         Hot Springs, Ark.

Clayton Batts                                                        Butler, Ga.

*Bradford Beavers                                              Summerville, S.C.

Matt Becker                                                           Finleyville, Pa.

Bob Behrle                                                            Hoover, Ala.

Daryl Biron                                                            South Windsor, Conn.

Randy Blaukat                                                      Joplin, Mo.

Greg Bohannan                                                   Bentonville, Ark.

Terry Bolton                                                          Benton, Ky.

Lionel Botha                                                         Malabar, Fla.

*Bailey Boutries                                                   Daphne, Ala.

Jay Brainard                                                         Enid, Okla.

Christopher Brasher                                           Longview, Texas

Jimmy Brewer                                                      Marshall, Texas

Aaron Britt                                                             Yuba City, Calif.

Grae Buck                                                             Harleysville, Pa.

*Miles Burghoff                                                    Hixson, Tenn.

Tim Cales                                                             Sandstone, W. Va.

*Jonathan Canada                                              Helena, Ala.

Robert Case Jr.                                                    Point, Texas

Todd Castledine                                                  Nacogdoches, Texas

Russell Cecil                                                        Willis, Texas

Ryan Chandler                                                     Hebron, Ind.

Glenn Chappelear                                              Acworth, Ga.

*Jason Christy                                                      Dadeville, Ala.

Joey Cifuentes                                                     Clinton, Ark.

Sheldon Collings                                                 Grove, Okla.

Ramie Colson Jr.                                                 Cadiz, Ky.

Kyle Cortiana                                                       Coweta, Okla.

John Cox                                                               DeBary, Fla.

Alex Davis                                                             Albertville, Ala.

Darrell Davis                                                        Dover, Fla.

*Randy Despino                                                  Colfax, La.

Tommy Dickerson                                               Orange, Texas

Jeff Dobson                                                          Bartlesville, Okla.

Bradley Dortch                                                     Atmore, Ala.

Josh Douglas                                                       Isle, Minn.

Kurt Dove                                                              Del Rio, Texas

David Dudley                                                       Lynchburg, Va.

Tony Dumitras                                                     Winston, Ga.

Luke Dunkin                                                         Lawrenceburg, Tenn.

*Dakota Ebare                                                     Stephenville, Texas

*Jon Englund                                                       Farwell, Minn.

Charlie Evans                                                      Berea, Ky.

Ron Farrow                                                           Rock Hill, S.C.

Austin Felix                                                           Eden Prairie, Minn.

*Kevin Finley                                                        Phoenix, Ariz.

Mark Fisher                                                           Wauconda, Ill.

Tim Frederick                                                       Leesburg, Fla.

*Hunter Freeman                                                Monroe, La.

*Derek Fulps                                                        Broken Arrow, Okla.

Nick Gainey                                                          Charleston, S.C.

*David Gaston                                                      Sylacauga, Ala.

*Sam George                                                       Athens, Ala.

Matt Greenblatt                                                    Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Chad Grigsby                                                       Maple Grove, Minn.

*Brant Grimm                                                       Church Hill, Tenn.

Buddy Gross                                                         Chickamauga, Ga.

Cody Hahner                                                        Wausau, Wis.

Bradley Hallman                                                 Norman, Okla.

*Chip Harrington                                                 Olathe, Kan.

Dylan Hays                                                           El Dorado, Ark.

Billy Hines                                                             Vacaville, Calif.

Jamie Horton                                                       Centreville, Ala.

Jimmy Houston                                                   Cookson, Okla.

Miles Howe                                                           San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

Rex Huff                                                                Corbin, Ky.

John Hunter                                                          Shelbyville, Ky.

Bill Hutchison                                                       Bessemer, Ala.

Charlie Ingram                                                     Centerville, Tenn.

Eric Jackson                                                         Walling, Tenn.

*Rex Jaeger                                                          Hamilton, Ohio

Jim Jones                                                             Big Bend, Wis.

Rob Jordan                                                           Flowery Branch, Ga.

Cody Kelley                                                          Conway, Ark.

Jay Kendrick                                                         Grant, Ala.

Rob Kilby                                                               Hot Springs, Ark.

Brad Knight                                                           Lancing, Tenn.

Brian Latimer                                                       Belton, S.C.

*Marty Lawrence                                                 Mesa, Ariz.

Jeremy Lawyer                                                    Sarcoxie, Mo.

*Nick LeBrun                                                        Bossier City, La.

Wes Logan                                                           Springville, Ala.

Richard Lowitzki                                                  Hampshire, Ill.

Tim Malone                                                          Kodak, Tenn.

Scott Martin                                                           Clewiston, Fla.

Lendell Martin Jr.                                                 Nacogdoches, Texas

*Michael Matthee                                                Centurion, Gauteng Province, South Africa

Billy McCaghren                                                  Mayflower, Ark.

Chris McCall                                                         Palmer, Texas

Johnny McCombs                                               Morris, Ala.

Bill McDonald                                                       Greenwood, Ind.

Brandon McMillan                                               Clewiston, Fla.

Jared McMillan                                                    Belle Glade, Fla.

Chuck Medley                                                      Owens Cross Roads, Ala.

Jason Meninger                                                   Saint Augustine, Fla.

Kerry Milner                                                          Bono, Ark.

Kurt Mitchell                                                          Milford, Del.

Tom Monsoor                     ��                                 La Crosse, Wis.

Harry Moore                                                         Valley, Ala.

Bob Morin                                                             Seymour, Tenn.

Troy Morrow                                                         Eastanollee, Ga.

Brandon Mosley                                                  Choctaw, Okla.

Jim Moynagh                                                       Carver, Minn.

Shawn Murphy                                                     Nicholasville, Ky.

*Cody Murray                                                       Nampa, Idaho

Chris Neau                                                           New Orleans, La.

*Corey Neece                                                      Bristol, Tenn.

*Ron Nelson                                                         Berrien Springs, Mich.

*Dicky Newberry                                                  Houston, Texas

James Niggemeyer                                            Van, Texas

Larry Nixon                                                           Quitman, Ark.

Jordan Osborne                                                   Longview, Texas

Robert Pearson                                                    Herndon, Va.

Pete Ponds                                                           Madison, Miss.

*Hensley Powell                                                  Whitwell, Tenn.

Chad Randles                                                      Elkhorn, Neb.

* Drew Ratley                                                       Shreveport, La.

Tom Redington                                                    Royse City, Texas

Matt Reed                                                              Madisonville, Texas

Clark Reehm                                                        Elm Grove, La.

Jimmy Reese                                                       Witter Springs, Calif.

Jason Reyes                                                         Huffman, Texas

Curtis Richardson                                                Belleville, Ontario, Canada

Darrel Robertson                                                 Jay, Okla.

*Troy Roder                                                          Brookeland, Texas

Zell Rowland                                                        Montgomery, Texas

Craig Rozema                                                      Simpsonville, S.C.

*Ryan Salzman                                                    Huntsville, Ala.

Casey Scanlon                                                    Lake Ozark, Mo.

Bryan Schmitt                                                       Deale, Md.

Colby Schrumpf                                                  Highland, Ill.

Braxton Setzer                                                     Montgomery, Ala.

Billy Shelton III                                                     La Crosse, Va.

Charles Sim                                                         Nepean, Ontario, Canada

*A.J. Slegona                                                       Pine Bush, N.Y.

Blake Smith                                                          Lakeland, Fla.

Derrick Snavely                                                   Piney Flats, Tenn.

Matthew Stefan                                                    Junction City, Wis.

Tyler Stewart                                                        West Monroe, La.

*Chuck Stratton                                                    Chaffee, Mo.

*Wade Strelic                                                       Alpine, Calif.

Mike Surman                                                        Boca Raton, Fla.

Timmy Thompkins                                              Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Bryan Thrift                                                           Shelby, N.C.

Rusty Trancygier                                                  Hahira, Ga.

J. Todd Tucker                                                     Moultrie, Ga.

Jim Tutt                                                                  Longview, Texas

Andrew Upshaw                                                  Tulsa, Okla.

John Voyles                                                          Petersburg, Ind.

*Jacob Wall                                                          Jacksonville, Ore.

Chad Warren                                                        Sand Springs, Okla.

Joshua Weaver                                                    Macon, Ga.

Joseph Webster                                                   Winfield, Ala.

Kyle Weisenburger                                             Ottawa, Ohio

Chris Whitson                                                       Louisville, Tenn.

Andy Wicker                                                         Pomaria, S.C.

Scott Wiley                                                            Bay Minette, Ala.

*Joel Willert                                                          Prior Lake, Minn.

David Williams                                                     Maiden, N.C.

*Austin Wilson                                                      Citrus Heights, Calif.

Barry Wilson                                                         Birmingham, Ala.

Matt Wittekiend                                                    Angleton, Texas

*Tyler Woolcott                                                     Port Orange, Fla.

David Wootton                                                     Collierville, Tenn.

Gary Yamamoto                                                  Palestine, Texas

Andy Young                                                         Isle, Minn.

 

* denotes 2019 FLW Tour Rookie


Sportsmans Warehouse Black Friday Deals!

AC's John Byrne and the Crew from Sportsmans Warehouse talk Black Friday Specials in-store and online at www.sportsmanswarehouse.com


AC Insider Podcast - FLW, BASS & MLF News, Thanksgiving Holiday & Iron Bowl Week and More!!

This week the boys get down and dirty on some industry news, FLW, BASS & MLF News as well as discuss some big derbies from the past weekend including a 30 pound bag on Pickwick. Jason looks ahead on the Costa Countdown to blastoff and the boys continue to fast in order to get all they can when they pull up to the dinner table on Thanksgiving day. Its a Thanksgiving week/Iron Bowl week party here on the AC Insider Podcast, Check it out!


FLW AND RAPALA FISHING LOOKING FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE ANGLERS FOR NEW YOUTUBE REALITY SERIES

MINNEAPOLIS (Nov. 20, 2018) – Fishing League Worldwide (FLW), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced today that they are seeking applicants to be featured in a new, original YouTube based reality series, presented by Rapala, called Varsity Bass. Applicants should be a current high school or college fishing angler or team and are asked to submit their video through social media.

Similar to the hugely successful FLW Circuit Breaker series, each episode will document life as an angler that is just starting out in the sport of tournament bass fishing. It will allow fans to experience firsthand what life as a student angler is really like and feel both the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat as it happens to the young anglers competing in the YETI FLW College Fishing and Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Open circuits. A new angler or team will be featured in each episode.

“We are extremely excited to partner with FLW and showcase the talented young bass anglers that compete at the high school and college levels,” said Matt Jensen - Director of Marketing for Rapala USA. “We know that there are some unique, compelling stories that are waiting to be told and after the success of FLW’s Circuit Breaker series we are eager to see what the talented production team at FLW can come up with. Rapala is proud to be associated with such a fresh and innovative idea, which matches our strategic initiatives to support the fast pace growth of youth fishing!  We expect Varsity Bass to be a huge success.”

Anglers are encouraged to submit a video – up to 10 minutes in length – that captures why they would be a great fit to be featured on Varsity Bass. Personality, creativity, uniqueness and passion for the sport are all qualities that producers of the show will be looking for on the submission videos.

To apply, visit http://bit.ly/VarsityBass. Videos should be uploaded to YouTube with the privacy set to “Unlisted.” Video links along with the application can be submitted starting Monday, Nov. 19 through the end of the year.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.


Dunlap Wins ABA AFT D125 on Lake Allatoona

The American Bass Angler’s D125’s newest member Johnny Dunlap of Acworth, GA takes first place at the American Fishing Tour Division 125 Georgia North Tournament held at Lake Allatoona on November 17. Running out of Galts Ferry near Acworth, GA, Johnny brought back 5-fish that locked in the scales at 8.11-lbs. anchored by a 3.08-lb. kicker.  For the victory, Johnny took home a check for $620.

“I just threw a crank-bait and worms” Johnny stated in his post-tournament interview.

Second place was claimed by Mike Cronin with 5-fish and a total weight of 7.92-lbs. For his efforts, Mike took home $375 in prize money.

JohnKisella took third place with 5-fish and a total weight of 7.85-lbs. and took home $130 in prize money.

The fourth-place money winner was Nick Tunney with a five-fish limit weighing in at 7.44-lbs. Nick took home $101.

The Biggest Bass of the tournament was caught by David Huie.  His spotted bass topped the scales at 3.21-lbs. earning him $125.

The next tournament in this division will take place on December 1, 2018 launching from Galts Ferry Ramp on Lake Allatoona.

For more information on this event or division please contact local director Matt West at (404)641-6345 or visit www.americanbassanglers.com.


TRUMANN HIGH SCHOOL WINS BASS PRO SHOPS FLW HIGH SCHOOL FISHING LAKE HAMILTON OPEN

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (Nov. 19, 2018) – The Trumann High School duo of Jay Morgan and Jackson Darr, both of Trumann, Arkansas, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 15 pounds, 8 ounces to win the 2018 Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Lake Hamilton Open by a near 5-pound margin.

According to post-tournament reports, the Wildcat duo caught their fish flipping a jig and throwing a white swimbait.

A field of 20 teams competed in the no-entry fee tournament, which launched from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commision-Hulsey Hatchery Access in Hot Springs. In FLW/TBF High School Fishing competition, the top 10-percent of teams competing advance to the High School Fishing National Championship.

The top two teams on Lake Hamilton that advanced to the 2019 High School Fishing National Championship were:

1st:     Trumann High School – Jay Morgan and Jackson Darr, both of Trumann, Ark., five bass, 15-8

2nd:    Rogers County Bass Anglers – Dakota Page, Catoosa, Okla., and Bryce Blue, Claremore, Okla., five bass, 10-14

Rounding out the top 10 were:

3rd:     Bauxite High School, Bauxite, Ark. – Brody Jacks, Tull, Ark., and Kanon Harmon, Benton, Ark., five bass, 10-13

4th:     Scotts Hill High School, Scotts Hill, Tenn. – Chase Milholen, Lexington, Tenn., and Jaxon Sullivan, Reagan, Tenn., five bass, 9-7

5th:     Henryetta High School, Henryetta, Okla. – Connor Bullard and Quinton Story, both of Henryetta, Okla., five bass, 9-1

6th:     Calvary Baptist Academy, Shreveport, La. – Jackson Gregory, Shreveport, La., and John Kyle Pearce, Frierson, La., five bass, 8-12

7th:     Alpha Anglers of Atascocita – Maverick Winford and Dustin Walters, both of Humble, Texas, five bass, 7-14

8th:     Jessieville High School, Jessieville, Ark. – Beau Browning and Braxton Shifflett, both of Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 7-2

9th:     Central Arkansas Youth Fishing Association – Andrew Bean and Anthony Bean, both of Little Rock, Ark., five bass, 6-14

10th:   Fountain Lake High School, Hot Springs, Ark. – Milachi Thornton, Lonsdale, Ark., and Evan East, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 6-8

Complete results and photos of the top five finishers from the event can be found at FLWFishing.com.

The 2018 Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Lake Hamilton Open was a two-person (team) event for students in grades 7-12, open to any Student Angler Federation (SAF) affiliated high school club in the United States. The top 10 percent of each Challenge, Open, and state championship field will advance to the 2019 High School Fishing National Championship on a body of water that has yet to be revealed. The High School Fishing national champions will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice.

In addition to the High School Fishing National Championship, all High School Fishing anglers nationwide automatically qualify for the world’s largest open high school bass tournament, the 2019 High School Fishing World Finals, held in conjunction with the National Championship. At the 2018 World Finals more than $150,000 in scholarships and prizes were awarded.

Full schedules and the latest announcements are available at HighSchoolFishing.org and FLWFishing.com.


Pietsch & Dawson with Texas A&M Win College National Championship Qualifier on Sam Rayburn with 34.13 total

Congratulations to Derek Pietsch and Trey Dawson fishing for Texas A&M Galveston! They held onto their Day 1 lead in The Bass Cat College National Championship Qualifier presented by Ross Motorsports finishing with 34.13 lbs and earning a berth to The Bassmaster College National Championship.

Full Results Here


Evinrude Announces Program Year 2018 Dealer of the Year Award Winners

STURTEVANT, Wis., November 19, 2018 – Evinrude announced today the recipients of their Program Year 2018 Dealer of the Year awards; recognizing the Evinrude dealer network in the U.S. and Canada for excellence in sales and support. Award categories are further broken down into district, region and national recipients.

“Beyond the technological advances we’ve put into the Evinrude E-TEC G2 engines, we are equally proud of having built a strong network of dealers who offer customers the best ownership experience from sale to service,” said Tracy Crocker, president of the BRP Marine Group and senior vice president and general manager of Evinrude. “We are honored to recognize our Dealers of the Year and thank all of those who provide excellent support to our loyal customers.”

"Evinrude engines are the most technologically advanced line on the market,” said Richard Thayer, business manager, Thayer Marine. “Their quest to give anglers the most efficient, cost effective and advanced engine is clear. If something goes wrong, they are the fastest company I work with to turn negatives into positives. From the top down, Evinrude does everything they can to help us grow our business. That is why over 90% of the Rangers we sell are powered by Evinrude.”

National Evinrude Dealers of the Year (Engines)

  • Martin Motor Sports – Edmonton, AB
  • River Valley Power & Sport – Red Wing, MN

National Evinrude Dealers of the Year (Parts and Accessories)

  • AVO Marine Sales and Service – Winnepeg, MB
  • Boaters World Marine Centers – Lake Placid, FL

Regional Evinrude Dealers of the Year (Engines)

  • Martin Motor Sports – Edmonton, AB
  • Mike’s Marine – Carleton Place, ON
  • River Valley Power & Sport – Redwing, MN
  • Short’s Marine – Millsboro, DE

Regional Evinrude Dealers of the Year (Parts and Accessories)

  • AVO Marine Sales and Service – Winnepeg, MB
  • Boater’s World Marine Centers – Lake Placid, FL
  • Jacobsen’s Marine – Edmonds, VA
  • White Water Marine – Sackville, NS

District Evinrude Dealers of the Year (Engines)

  • American Marine & Motorsports – Shawano, WI
  • Bay Marine – Trenton, ON
  • C&P Marine – Bronston, KY
  • Century Marine – Century, FL
  • Cowtown USA – Cuba, MO
  • Crowley Marine – Denver, CO
  • Gulf Coast Marine Center – Port Charlotte, FL
  • Lakeside Motor Sports – Mecosta, MI
  • Long Island Marina – Catawba, NC
  • Martin Motor Sports – Edmonton, AB
  • Mike’s Marine – Carleton Place, ON
  • Real Deal Marine – Pineville, LA
  • River Valley Power & Sport – Redwing, MN
  • Short’s Marine – Millsboro, DE
  • Thayer’s Marine – Norwich, CT
  • Waypoint Marine – Corpus Christi, TX

District Evinrude Dealers of the Year (Parts and Accessories)

  • AVO Marine Sales and Service – Winnepeg, MB
  • American Marine & Motorsports – Shawano, WI
  • Atlantic Outboard – Westbrook, CT
  • Beck’s Outboard – Jacksonville, FL
  • Boaters World Marine Centers – Lake Placid, FL
  • Clark’s Jet-A-Marina – Calvert City, KY
  • Cope Marine – O’Fallon, IL
  • Hannay’s Marine – St. Anthony, MN
  • Jacobsen’s Marine – Edmonds, VA
  • Leaders Marine – Kalamazoo, MI
  • Magnum Outboard Company – Harvey, LA
  • Martin Motor Sports – Edmonton, AB
  • Ron’s Marine & Equipment – Portsmouth, VA
  • Short’s Marine – Millsboro, DE
  • Waypoint Marine – Corpus Christi, TX
  • White Water Marine – Sackville, NS

Evinrude’s engine line up, from 3.5 to 300 HP, offers customers superior value across a full range of applications, and are available at authorized Evinrude dealerships worldwide. Follow Evinrude on Facebook at www.facebook.com/brpevinrude.

For a complete list of new and existing Evinrude dealers, visit
www.evinrude.com.


Swider & White drop over 30 pounds on scales for Pickwick Winter Bass Series Win!

Courtesy of Midway Marine:

Midway Marine PWBT started off right with 120k in current and great temps!! 8 teams over 20 pounds and multiple 7-8.5 pounders!!! Congrats to Michael Swider and Tommy White for the win with a whopping 30.98 pounds with $1000 1st and $380 1BB of 8.34!!! Mike Roach and Tom Cook took second with 25.83. Mark Davis has 2nd BB with 8.31. Carroll Hoselton and Kevin King got 3rd with 22.88. 4th was Newman and Nichols with 22.01. We had 36 boats and paid 9 places. Next tournament is on December 1st!!!