Two Summer Lures VanDam Won’t Leave Home Without
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin / Dynamic Sponsorships
The greatest professional bass angler of all time got his start while casting topwater lures at summertime bass as a young teenager while walking the shoreline of School Section Lake where his grandparents lived in Central Michigan.
Not much has changed in 40 years for Kevin VanDam. When asked recently to choose just two lures all anglers should consider having in their summer arsenal – he chose a topwater walking bait and a deep diving crankbait.
Topwater was my thing back in those days, from Jitterbugs to buzzbaits, and now it’s a 4.5” KVD Sexy Dawg topwater that I’ve always got tied-on in summer,” says the 7-time Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year. “The thing is, no matter how hot it gets, there’s always a few bass shallow that are willing to hit a topwater at sunrise or sunset in the summertime.”
One tip that might surprise a lot of anglers regarding VanDam’s topwater tactics is his insistence on always using 40-pound braided line. He says braid helps the Sexy Dawg ‘walk’ a little better on the surface, and even more importantly, leads to far firmer hooksets at the end of a long cast, as opposed to monofilament.
VanDam spools his braided line to a fairly speedy 7.3:1 gear ratio Quantum Smoke S3 reel. The compact reel features a larger spool to hold more line that leads to longer smoother casts. He uses a 7’ 4” TourKVD rod with a soft and forgiving enough tip to make sure bass get a good grip and stay hooked when they smash his surface lure.
As the day heats up, and topwater action is likely to fade, VanDam ties on a deep diving crankbait that has earned him hundreds-of-thousands of dollars – a Strike King 6XD that will dive to depths of 20-feet on 12 pound line.
This lure allows the career long Quantum pro to dig depths on main lake points and deep aquatic vegetation where fat bass are likely to live in mid summer -- and to do so at a fairly efficient pace compared to a heavy jig or large plastic worm.
In lakes where the water is pretty clear he likes the color “Blue Gizzard Shad” when cranking a 6XD – and if it’s dingier, he leans mostly on the color he made famous – “Sexy Shad.”
Either way he ties them to a long 7’ 10” TourKVD rod that allows him to launch the lure as far as possible, which in turn maximizes its diving depth on the retrieve. And much like it’s tough to tow a large bass boat with a sports car, when deep cranking, he reaches for the Toyota Tundra of baitcasters – the large spooled 5.3:1 Quantum Smoke HD.
VanDam no longer spends a lot of time walking the shores of School Section Lake casting Jitterbugs, but he absolutely loves sharing time on the water in the heat of summer away from the Elite Series by meandering various Michigan waterways in the family’s Regency pontoon. Of course, the pontoon is rigged to be fishing friendly for he and sons Jackson and Nicholas – and there’s typically a topwater tied-on within arms reach, even when he’s just chillin to beat summer’s heat.
ULM’S FREEMAN WINS YETI FLW COLLEGE FISHING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FISH-OFF ON RED RIVER, AUTOMATIC ENTRY TO 2018 FORREST WOOD CUP
SHREVEPORT, La. (June 2, 2018) – For the third time in YETI FLW College Fishing history, the National Championship winners Hunter Freeman and Thomas Soileau from the University of Louisiana-Monroe faced off Saturday in a one-day fish-off on the Red River to decide which team member would represent their school at the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing.
After the scales settled and the final fish had been weighed, Freeman won the automatic entry into the Forrest Wood Cup after weighing a five-bass limit totaling 7 pounds, 11 ounces. Soileau weighed a five-bass limit totaling 6 pounds, 9 ounces, giving Freeman the win and advancing him to compete against the best anglers in the world August 10-12 on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Arkansas, at the Forrest Wood Cup.
“This has been an incredible week,” said Freeman, a junior majoring in business administration who resides in Monroe, Louisiana. “I’ve been on the water so much over the past few weeks that I am mentally and physically exhausted, but winning the championship with Thomas and now getting to compete at the Forrest Wood Cup makes it all so worth it.”
Freeman is guaranteed at least a $10,000 paycheck, as that amount is awarded to the last-place finisher at the Forrest Wood Cup. The angler that wins the Forrest Wood Cup will earn $300,000 – professional bass fishing’s most lucrative prize.
“Every little boy’s dream is to fish in the biggest tournament there is, and that’s the Forrest Wood Cup,” Freeman said. “When they announced this tournament on the Red River, I said, ‘That’s my shot. If I’m ever going to make it, I have to do it.’
“I spent so much time and money up here practicing. To make it, it’s a dream come true. I’m not just going to show up at the Cup; I’m going to try to bring it and represent the whole College Fishing crowd.”
The final standings after the one-day fish-off on the Red River were:
1st: University of Louisiana-Monroe – Hunter Freeman, Monroe, La., five bass, 7-11, Entry into 2018 Forrest Wood Cup
2nd: University of Louisiana-Monroe – Thomas Soileau, Monroe, La., five bass, 6-9
Full results and standings for the 2018 YETI FLW College Fishing National Championship can be found at FLWFishing.com.
The 2018 YETI FLW College Fishing National Championship presented by Lowrance C-MAP Genesis on the Red River was hosted by the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission & Red River Waterway Commission and featured 168 of the top college bass fishing clubs from across the nation competing for the top prize of $30,000, including a new Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Mercury or Evinrude outboard.
Television coverage of the YETI FLW College Fishing National Championship presented by Lowrance C-MAP Genesis on the Red River will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) Aug. 15 from Noon -1 p.m. EDT. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs on NBCSN, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world.
College Fishing is free to enter. All participants must be registered, full-time students at a college, university or community college and members of a fishing club recognized by their college or university.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follo
11thAnnual Chris Lane Kids Fishing Camp Held Memorial Day Weekend Coincides with Fourth Foodland Bass Team Tournament at Lake Guntersville
Guntersville, Ala. – June 4, 2018– Each year, on Memorial Day weekend, when the whole country turns its focus on remembering the men and women of the U.S. Military, Bassmaster Elite Series pro and 2012 Bassmaster Classic Champion Chris Lane along with his family and friends at Mitchell Foods / Foodland Grocery Stores add giving back into the equation.
Lane, who moved to Guntersville, Ala. nearly a decade ago, held his 11thannual Chris Lane Kids Fishing Camp at Bucky Howe Park in the Spring Creek arm of Lake Guntersville this past Memorial Day weekend. The camp is a way for Lane to share the love of his occupation with young people in an effort to grow the sport, but it is also a way for him to show appreciation to his community.
For the whole of the event, the children rotate through stations coached by Elite Series pro Justin Lucas and Devin Campbell, as well as local high school fishing team members and coaches. Each of the attendees receives instruction in fishing skills such as proper casting technique, rigging of rods, decorating lures, riding on pontoon boats and catching bluegill, bass, catfish, and drum from the docks at the park.
As happened in each of the previous events, the young participants received a gift pack from some of Lane’s outstanding sponsors. They received rod and reel combos and gift cards from Bass Pro Shops, along with apparel and products from Power Pole, Luck-E-Strike, Frogg Toggs, Eagle Claw TroKar, TH Marine, Costa, and River2Sea. The kids and their parents were treated to lunch prepared by Tony Chachere; who came from Louisiana to cook for everyone. They had a selection of cold Gatorade beverages to enjoy as well.
Lane said the event has significant meaning for him and his family. “Fishing is my profession and it was at events like this I learned to love the sport enough to make it a career,” he said. “I have been so fortunate in my career, and so accepted by the people of Guntersville, that I’ve wanted to share this sport with my community and give something back to them. This event is all about food, family, fishing and fun for us, and we hope the people of this community feel that.”
The fourth annual Foodland Bass Team Tournament was held in conjunction with Lane’s Fishing Camp again this year. The event; which is limited to 200 teams, features a $100 team entry fee that produces a $10,000 first prize, paychecks to the top 40 places and first and second big fish prizes worth $1,000 and $500. The teams fish from safe light, with the first flight due back at Bucky Howe Park at 1:00PM; they may present a three fish limit at the scales.
As for the tournament, the team of Charles Thompson and Walt Mullins proved to be the most successful team for the day. The Georgia based team’s three fish limit came to a total of 19.63 pounds and included the 7.94-pound second big fish of the event. Their effort earned them the $10,000 first prize along with the $500 bonus from River Rocks Plantation for having the second biggest bass of the event.
The pair was shocked and overjoyed by the outcome. “We absolutely love coming to Lake Guntersville, so fishing this event was just another excuse to be on this lake; we did not expect to have a day like this,” they said. “This is the biggest event that we have ever won; we are absolutely stunned and so happy to be standing here as the winners of the event; it’s been a great day.”
The pair reported running just north of the power lines near Seibold and fishing a grassy ledge to catch their fish. They reported catching a total of nearly 50 bass on 1/4-ounce Spot Remover Shaky Heads matched with green pumpkin Zoom Magnum Trick Worms.
The day’s Big Bass prize was presented to the team of Mitch Smith and Jimmy Shaver who finished the event in fifth place, but their creel was anchored by the 8.20-pound lunker that earned them the $1,000 bonus from River Rocks Plantation for the event.
David Mitchell, president of Mitchell Foods and Foodland said that the event is something he and his team look forward to each year. “This is something we look forward to each year now,” said Mitchell. “There is no telling how many hundreds of hours our people put into this, but it is worth it to give back to our community, and to be a part of something the Chris (Lane) has dedicated a ton of time to as well. He is such a genuine person and a great ambassador for our area that we want to be a part of sharing his vision and add something to the day; it is just a true joy for us to be a part of.”
2018 Foodland Bass Team Tournament Results
| Place | Team | Fish* | Big Fish | Total Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Thompson/Walt Mullins | 3/3 | 7.94 2nd Big Bass | 19.63 |
| 2 | Heath Martin/ Jesse Martin | 3/3 | 18.41 | |
| 3 | Wes Ward/ Chad Hall | 3/3 | 7.49 | 17.79 |
| 4 | Alan Barrett/ Tyler Caldwell | 3/3 | 16.98 | |
| 5 | Mitch Smith/ Jimmy Shaver | 3/3 | 8.20 1st Big Bass | 16.94 |
| 6 | Tim Buckner/ Connie Buckner | 3/3 | 6.18 | 16.91 |
| 7 | Brandon Smith/JT Thomason | 3/3 | 16.84 | |
| 8 | Lance Whitaker/ Jeremy Briscoe | 3/3 | 6.24 | 16.47 |
| 9 | Jeffrey Moore/Kenneth Moore | 3/3 | 6.43 | 16.25 |
| 10 | Bryon Luman/ Keith Miller | 3/3 | 16.19 | |
| 11 | Blake Hall/ Hadley Coan | 3/3 | 15.97 | |
| 12 | Jim Leary/ Eric Wilson | 3/3 | 15.88 | |
| 13 | Shawn Hornbuckle/ Jason Hysell | 3/3 | 15.84 | |
| 14 | Steve Green/ Ricky McBride | 3/3 | 6.78 | 15.57 |
| 15 | Zach West/ Rodney Evans | 3/3 | 15.47 | |
| 16 | Marty Likos/ Michael Carter | 3/3 | 15.32 | |
| 17 | Chris Burgess/ Mark Arnold | 3/3 | 14.60 | |
| 18 | Matt Bradley/ Michelle Bradley | 3/3 | 14.43 | |
| 19 | Michael Seeley/ Kellie Seeley | 3/3 | 14.40 | |
| 20 | Dustin McCullars/ Lee Oliver | 3/3 | 14.33 | |
| 21 | Chris white/ Rick Armstrong | 3/3 | 7.08 | 14.31 |
| 22 | Cody Vaughn/ Brian Franks | 3/3 | 14.26 | |
| 23 | Lee Stephens/ Philip Browns | 3/3 | 14.09 | |
| 24 | Bobby Gregory/ Cannon Talton | 3/3 | 13/76 | |
| 25 | Robert Keel/ Kyle Howard | 3/3 | 13.60 | |
| 26 | Claude Simpson/ Tim Mccoy | 3/3 | 13.41 | |
| 27 | Kadin Dick/ Richard Peek | 3/3 | 13.35 | |
| 28 | Alvin Torrey/ Kerri Torrey | 3/3 | 13.21 | |
| 29 | Paul Wilder/ Jerry Wells | 3/3 | 13.09 | |
| 30 | Billy Copeland/ Bo Copeland | 3/3 | 12.75 | |
| Tied 30 | Ted McClellan/ Frankie Otwell | 3/3 | 12.75 | |
| 32 | Aubrey Mauldin/ Patrick Drain | 3/3 | 12.73 | |
| 33 | James Luna/ Shawn Newby | 3/3 | 12.66 | |
| 34 | Daniel Heideger/ Larry Stanley | 3/3 | 12.58 | |
| 35 | Chris Hester/ Tammie Hester | 3/3 | 12.27 | |
| 36 | Kevin Stubblefield/ Scott Randles | 3/3 | 12.02 | |
| 37 | Jay Holcomb/ Roger Chisenall | 3/3 | 11.88 | |
| Tied 37 | Chris Tate/ James Stoller | 3/3 | 11.88 | |
| 39 | Kobi Mears/ Nick McAnally | 3/3 | 11.80 | |
| 40 | Alan McRoberts/ Mike Hopkins | 3/3 | 11.76 | |
| 41 | Alan Smart/ Alyson Smart | 3/3 | 11.75 | |
| 42 | Kevin Walker/ Lindsey Walker | 3/3 | 11.66 | |
| 43 | Mark Horton/ Dave Rigsby | 3/3 | 11.62 | |
| 44 | William Grisham/ Bryan Whitt | 3/3 | 11.59 | |
| 45 | Danny Latty/ Johnny Harper | 3/3 | 11.59 | |
| 46 | Chris Hargrove/ Britt Perry | 3/3 | 11.53 | |
| 47 | Wesley Brown/ James Klingbell | 3/3 | 11.44 | |
| 48 | John Tracy/ Luke Lacy | 3/3 | 11.29 | |
| 49 | Bland Morris/ David Smart | 3/3 | 11.23 | |
| 50 | Sam Long/ Don Long | 3/3 | 11.22 | |
| 51 | Aaron Hargrove/ Justin Romine | 3/3 | 11.21 | |
| 52 | Hoyt Barnard/ Richard Payne | 3/3 | 11.19 | |
| 53 | Ronald Slawson/ Don Horner | 3/3 | 11.14 | |
| 54 | David Nixon/ Delnad Green | 3/3 | 10.76 | |
| 55 | Darrell Yockel/ Keith Bellomy | 3/3 | 10.74 | |
| 56 | David White/ Hannah Peoples | 3/3 | 10.71 | |
| 57 | Rex Chambers/ Kevin McMahan | 3/3 | 10.70 | |
| 58 | Barry Wesley/ Brian Wesley | 3/3 | 10.69 | |
| 59 | Tracy Gay/ Jeremiah Johnson | 3/3 | 10.62 | |
| 60 | Jeff Ragsdale/ Hunter Ragsdale | 3/3 | 10.60 | |
| 61 | John Ard/ Jim Reising | 3/3 | 10.56 | |
| 62 | Robert Lang/ Trent Noojin | 3/3 | 10.52 | |
| 63 | Roy Brown/ Ryan Bradford | 3/3 | 10.46 | |
| 64 | Delmus Grayson/ Mike Chastain | 3/3 | 10.45 | |
| 65 | Shane Combs/ Kris Walker | 3/3 | 10.44 | |
| 66 | Danny Jenkins/ Scott Crutches | 3/3 | 10.41 | |
| 67 | David White/ Fisher White | 3/3 | 10.38 | |
| 68 | Franklin Beard/ Casey Bears | 3/3 | 10.36 | |
| 69 | Evan Boutwell/ Wayne Christopher | 3/3 | 10.34 | |
| 70 | Joe Avery/ James Hudgins | 3/3 | 10.33 | |
| 71 | William South/ David Ferree | 3/3 | 10.18 | |
| 72 | Roger Morse/ Matthew Morse | 3/3 | 10.13 | |
| 73 | Brian Shook/ Randy Tolbert | 3/3 | 10.08 | |
| 74 | David Davis/ Hunter Davis | 3/3 | 10.08 | |
| 75 | Chris Hopper/ Charlie McMichael | 3/3 | 9.94 | |
| 76 | Mike Morris/ Dan Melton | 3/3 | 9.92 | |
| 77 | Michelle Norrodo/ Austin Daniel | 3/3 | 9.90 | |
| 78 | Jason Dabbs/ Shane Dick | 3/3 | 9.89 | |
| 79 | Jeff Gray/ Kristi Little | 3/3 | 9.62 | |
| 80 | Don Nave/ Wesley Black | 3/3 | 9.60 | |
| 81 | Colton Robinson/ Kevin Tucker | 3/3 | 9.58 | |
| 82 | Jerry Ellis/ Skylar Langston | 3/3 | 9.40 | |
| 83 | Kevin Shikle/ Dan Avis | 3/3 | 9.36 | |
| 84 | Brad Kesler/ Darrin Young | 3/3 | 9.32 | |
| 85 | Matthew Duke/ Phillip Curvin | 3/3 | 9.27 | |
| 86 | Timothy Haney/ Skylar Haney | 3/3 | 9.27 | |
| 87 | Bobby Gregory/ Joe Kersey | 3/3 | 9.26 | |
| 88 | Shane McAllister/ JR Lewis | 3/3 | 9.17 | |
| 89 | Matthew Thomas/ Brantley Whitlow | 3/3 | 9.14 | |
| 90 | Matt Schlosser/ Jerry Perkins | 3/3 | 9.13 | |
| 91 | Paul Gring/ Andy Johnson | 3/3 | 9.12 | |
| 92 | Micheal Clay/ Rick Hamby | 3/3 | 9.10 | |
| 93 | Tony Randles/ Tony Blackwell | 3/3 | 9.09 | |
| 94 | Dan Beddingfield/ Daniel Beddingfield | 3/3 | 9.08 | |
| 95 | Robert Lane/ Chris Lane | 3/3 | 9.05 | |
| 96 | Kent Ware/ Emily Ware | 3/3 | 8.99 | |
| 97 | Danny Long/ Rick Hensley | 3/3 | 8.98 | |
| 98 | Darrin Baker/ Drew Schaffer | 2/2 | 8.93 | |
| 99 | Steven Lindsey/ Kevin Murphy | 3/3 | 8.81 | |
| 100 | Allen Fuller/ Shane Brysin | 3/3 | 8.75 | |
| 101 | Mike Fawcett/ Kyle White | 3/3 | 8.71 | |
| 102 | Rick Mettler/ Rick Murray | 3/3 | 8.71 | |
| 103 | James Bean/ Kelly Marchal | 3/3 | 8.70 | |
| 104 | Deon Smith/ Todd Hathcock | 3/3 | 8.69 | |
| 105 | John Keith/ Tony Tidwell | 3/3 | 8.68 | |
| 106 | Charles Hodle/ Tommy Hodle | 3/3 | 8.64 | |
| 107 | Timothy Boyet/ Brian Sims | 3/3 | 8.44 | |
| 108 | Betty Stahl/ Eric Stahl | 3/3 | 8.39 | |
| 109 | Micheal Cooper/ Darren Cooper | 3/3 | 8.36 | |
| 110 | Darryl Gentry/ Robert Hargis | 3/3 | 8.34 | |
| 111 | Micheal Stevens/ Paul Arnold | 3/3 | 8.20 | |
| 112 | Chuck Medley/ Chris Roberts | 3/3 | 8.16 | |
| 113 | Caleb Beaumont/ Taylor Smith | 3/3 | 7.98 | |
| 114 | Jess Beihoffer/ Jake Beihoffer | 3/3 | 7.78 | |
| 115 | Jonathan Dauwen/ Pete Spaulding | 3/3 | 7.66 | |
| 116 | Jesse Rigsby/ Scott Rigsby | 3/3 | 7.65 | |
| 117 | Charles Horton | 3/3 | 7.55 | |
| 118 | Ben Jennings/ Illya Gibbons | 3/3 | 7.52 | |
| 119 | Diane Fletney/ Sean Cooper | 3/3 | 7.39 | |
| 120 | Toby Beach/ Ron Fudge | 3/3 | 7.31 | |
| 121 | Danny Self/ David Bailey | 3/3 | 7.16 | |
| 122 | Scott Marshall/ Doug Webster | 3/3 | 7.12 | |
| 123 | Tyler Gillian/ Bobby Colquitt | 3/3 | 7.05 | |
| 124 | James Hughes/ Tommy Moultrie | 3/3 | 6.94 | |
| 125 | Casey Chambers/ Phillip Bell | 2/2 | 6.68 | |
| 126 | Randy Waddel/ Brad Tedford | 3/3 | 6.65 | |
| 127 | Troy Frazier/ Jerry Frazier | 3/3 | 6.50 | |
| 128 | Charles Fallin/ Joe Maclean | 3/3 | 6.37 | |
| 129 | Roger Gray/ Joshua Gray | 3/3 | 6.32 | |
| 130 | Brian Surber/ John Mobley | 3/3 | 6.25 | |
| 131 | James Ellis/ Kelly Ellis | 3/3 | 6.24 | |
| 132 | Shane Moss/ Westin Moss | 3/3 | 6.14 | |
| 133 | Joseph Calrk/ Blake Farmer | 3/3 | 5.97 | |
| 134 | Clint Crew/ Jake Crew | 3/3 | 5.97 | |
| 135 | Dusty Walker/ Wayne Guffey | 3/3 | 5.87 | |
| 136 | Bradley Hodges/ Mike Hodges | 2/2 | 5.34 | |
| 137 | Eugene Hall/ Patrick Hall | 2/2 | 4.62 | |
| 138 | Colby Seymoure/ Dakota Landers | 3/3 | 3.69 | |
| 139 | K Dixon/ J Gilbert | 1/1 | 2.11 | 2.11 |
BOSSIER CITY’S NICK LEBRUN WINS T-H MARINE BFL ALL-AMERICAN TOURNAMENT ON CROSS LAKE
Courtesy of FLW Fishing
Nick LeBrun tops Boater Division, wins $100,000 and invitation to Forrest Wood Cup
SHREVEPORT, La. (June 2, 2018) – Local boater Nick LeBrun of Bossier City, Louisiana, brought five bass to the scale Saturday weighing 19 pounds, 15 ounces, to win the 35th annual T-H Marine Bass Fishing League (BFL) All-American on Cross Lake with a three-day cumulative total of 15 bass weighing 62-8. LeBrun’s weight helped him edge second-place angler and friend Randy Deaver of Blanchard, Louisiana, by 2 pounds, 3 ounces, and earned him $100,000 and a berth into the world championship of bass fishing – the Forrest Wood Cup.
“To win this caliber of tournament right here at home means everything to me, my family, my career and my sponsors,” said LeBrun, who earned his third career win in FLW competition. “Fishing in an event like the Forrest Wood Cup is something I’ve dreamed about since I competed in my first club tournament. I’m truly humbled and blessed.”
Lebrun’s go-to pattern this week involved fishing cypress trees and duck blinds on the western end of the lake. He focused on trees in various bayous, and relied heavily on a 6th Sense Movement 80X crankbait on a 7-foot Fitzgerald Rods Bryan Thrift cranking rod with 17-pound-test Bass Pro Shops XPS fluorocarbon line, as well as a V&M flipping jig with a V&M Flat Wild trailer. LeBrun also used a Spro popping frog to catch a couple of key fish up shallow on Day Two to complete a limit.
“The 80x was my main bait this week and is what produced the majority of my 26-pound limit on Day One,” said LeBrun. “It’s a deal where it catches 3-plus pound fish, but not a lot of them. Today, I caught four out of the five I weighed in on it.”
LeBrun used a methodical approach to picking apart his cover this week, taking advantage of his bait’s abilities to lure fish.
“Basically one was a moving bait and one was a pitching bait,” said LeBrun. “Whenever I was somewhere I couldn’t throw the crankbait, like a certain tree where the limbs were too low or too long, that’s when I would pick up the jig as a little insurance. Every time I fished a duck blind, I’d parallel the edges with the 80X, but before I’d leave, I’d pick up the V&M jig to kind of probe and throw up in the blind and in places you have to beg one to bite.”
LeBrun’s win was especially emotional for him and his family Saturday. Earlier this week, Lebrun shared that he lost his father,
Billy LeBrun, in February, and that he dedicated an 8-pound kicker to him on the water. Today, the Louisiana boater said he experienced another moment that told him it would be a special day.
“When we were at the takeoff ramp, I was pacing around the dock before getting in the boat, and there was some music playing over the loud speakers. A song called “Small Town Southern Man” by Alan Jackson came on, and it’s one of the songs my family and I remember my Dad with. It’s been tough this year, but when I heard that, I felt like he stepped in the boat with me. It’s something that’s just hard to explain.”
The top 10 boaters on Cross Lake finished:
1st: Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., 15 bass, 62-8, $100,000
2nd: Randy Deaver, Blanchard, La., 15 bass, 60-5, $20,200
3rd: Adam Wagner, Cookeville, Tenn., 15 bass, 53-13, $15,100
4th: Roger Fitzpatrick, Eldon, Mo., 14 bass, 52-7, $14,000
5th: Tyler Morgan, Columbus, Ga., 15 bass, 50-14, $13,000
6th: John Duvall, Madison, Ga., 15 bass, 50-9, $12,000
7th: Rob Jordan, Flowery Branch, Ga., 14 bass, 49-5, $11,000
8th: Marty Sisk, Evansville, Ind., 15 bass, 48-13, $10,000 + $4,000 Ranger Cup Contingency
9th: Heath Pack, Ellijay, Ga., 13 bass, 39-0, $9,000
10th: Ben Blaschke, Muldrow, Okla., 12 bass, 37-11, $8,000
A complete list of results is posted at FLWFishing.com.
Overall there were 43 bass weighing 128 pounds, 7 ounces, caught by the final 10 boaters Saturday. The catch included six five-bass limits.
Matthew Bouldin of Smithville, Tennessee, won the Co-angler Division and $50,000 Saturday with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 39 pounds, 5 ounces, followed by Jesse Parks of Avondale, Arizona, in second place with 13 bass weighing 39-1.
The top 10 co-anglers finished:
1st: Matthew Bouldin, Smithville, Tenn., 15 bass, 39-5, $50,000
2nd: Jesse Parks, Avondale, Ariz., 13 bass, 39-1, $15,000
3rd: Mike Allen, Crystal Springs, Miss., 12 bass, 32-0, $6,200
4th: Matthew O’Connell, Brooks, Ga., 13 bass, 28-6, $5,050
5th: James McWhorter, Hamilton, Ohio, nine bass, 25-12, $4,500
6th: Brandon Brock, Honea Path, S.C., nine bass, 23-6, $4,000
7th: Hernandez Ruffin, Bellevue, Wash., eight bass, 22-9, $3,500
8th: Michael Nelms, Hartwood, Va., eight bass, 22-8, $3,000
9th: Daniel Tuten, Byron, Ga., eight bass, 20-15, $2,500
10th: Ray Blash, Waynesville, Mo., eight bass, 18-4, $2,000 + $1,000 Ranger Cup Contingency
Overall there were 24 bass weighing 68 pounds, 11 ounces caught by nine Co-anglers Saturday. The catch included two five-bass limits.
Hosted by the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission, the BFL All-American featured 98 of the best boaters and co-anglers from across the 24-division T-H Marine BFL circuit casting for cash prizes of up to $120,000 in the Boater Division and $60,000 in the Co-angler Division, plus an invitation to compete for bass fishing’s most coveted prize – the Forrest Wood Cup – held Aug. 10-12 on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Television coverage of the 2018 T-H Marine BFL All-American at Cross Lake will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) Aug. 1 from Noon to 1 p.m. EDT. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs on NBCSN, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world.
The 2018 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
ULM GOES WIRE-TO-WIRE, WINS YETI FLW COLLEGE FISHING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
SHREVEPORT, La. (June 1, 2018) – The University of Louisiana-Monroe (ULM) duo of Thomas Soileau and Hunter Freeman, both of Monroe, Louisiana, weighed a five-bass limit Friday totaling 15 pounds, 13 ounces – the largest limit weighed in the three-day tournament – to win the 2018 YETI FLW College Fishing National Championship on the Red River presented by Lowrance C-MAP Genesis. The Warhawk duo led the event wire-to-wire, and their three-day total of 15 bass for 42-8 gave them the win by a 7-pound, 6-ounce margin – the largest margin of victory in FLW College Fishing Championship history. Cody Huff and Garrett Enders from Tennessee’s Bethel University finished second with 15 bass for 35-2.
“I had confidence coming into the event that we were going to do well, but if you had told me we were going to lead for three straight days and then win I would have told you that you were crazy,” said Freeman, a junior majoring in business administration. “This is pretty special. The Red River has been good to us this week and I can’t ask for any more.”
“This is unreal,” said Soileau, a recent criminal justice graduate. “Today started off really slow and we kind of got down on ourselves. We only had three fish for five pounds around 11 (a.m.), so we had to scramble and went to a spot that we hadn’t hit all week and it paid off. We caught three solid fish off of it and that put us right up around 15 pounds.”
The ULM team caught the majority of their fish this week targeting bass in the mouths of creeks and bays on the south end of Pool No. 4. They said that their key baits were a chartreuse and black-colored Black Label Tackle Cliff Pace Ricochet Crankbait, a Carolina-rigged California 420-colored Zoom Brush Hog, a jig with a Strike King Rage Craw and a Yamamoto Senko with a spinner blade on it – a bait they called a ‘hootenanny’.
The Warhawk team will now advance to compete in a one-day fish-off on Saturday against each other in the marina bay of the Red River South Marina in Bossier City. The two anglers will weigh in Saturday at 3:25 p.m. prior to the final weigh in of the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) All-American championship at Cross Lake. The winner will receive entry into the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing, held August 10-12 on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
“We work really well together as a team, and he’s the one that usually makes the calls so it’s going to be tough to beat Hunter,” said Soileau. “But, I’m not giving up and I’m going to give it all that I have got. I definitely would love to fish in the Forrest Wood Cup. We’ve fished against each other in some small tournaments, but never with anything like this on the line. All I know is that it’s going to be fun, and I can’t wait to go fishing tomorrow.”
“Thomas is a really good angler and he’s the perfect partner to have in the boat, which is why we work so well together,” Freeman went on to say. “We put our time in and really deserved to win his event. Now, tomorrow, it’s just going fishing – just another tournament. We’ll go fishing tomorrow and see how it all shakes out.”
The top 10 teams on the Red River finished:
1st: University of Louisiana-Monroe – Thomas Soileau and Hunter Freeman, both of Monroe, La., 15 bass, 42-8, Ranger Z175 w/ 90-horsepower outboard
2nd: Bethel University – Cody Huff, Ava, Mo., and Garrett Enders, Mifflinburg, Pa., 15 bass, 35-2, $5,200
3rd: Tusculum College – Nick Hatfield, Chuckey, Tenn., and Corey Neece, Bristol, Tenn., 15 bass, 34-5, $4,000
4th: Adrian College – Nicholas Czajka, Brighton, Mich., and Jack Hippe III, Davison, Mich., 15 bass, 30-14, $3,000
5th: University of Nebraska – Jackson Ebbers, Cambridge, Neb., and Charlie DeShazer, Fremont, Neb., 15 bass, 30-9, $2,000
6th: Northwestern State University – Hunter Malmay, Zwolle, La., and Robert Jones, Minden, La., 15 bass, 28-3
7th: Adrian College – Cody Batterson, Pleasant Hill, Iowa, and Chase Serafin, White Lake, Mich., 15 bass, 27-4
8th: Murray State University – Nick Montilino, Edina, Minn., and Brock Spencer, Waynesfield, Ohio, 15 bass, 27-2
9th: University of Pittsburgh – Michael Dunn and Henry Colberg, both of Pittsburgh, Pa., 14 bass, 26-4
10th: University of Missouri – Gabriel DuBois, Mason, Ohio, and Brandon Heizer, St. Louis, Mo., 13 bass, 25-3
Full results for the entire field can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Overall there were 48 bass weighing 91 pounds, 11 ounces caught by the final 10 college teams Friday. The catch included nine five-bass limits.
The 2018 YETI FLW College Fishing National Championship presented by Lowrance C-MAP Genesis on the Red River was hosted by the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission & Red River Waterway Commission and featured 168 of the top college bass fishing clubs from across the nation competing for the top prize of $30,000, including a new Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Mercury or Evinrude outboard.
Television coverage of the YETI FLW College Fishing National Championship presented by Lowrance C-MAP Genesis will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) Aug. 15 from Noon -1 p.m. EDT. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs on NBCSN, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world.
College Fishing is free to enter. All participants must be registered, full-time students at a college, university or community college and members of a fishing club recognized by their college or university.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow YETI FLW College Fishing on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
BOSSIER CITY’S LEBRUN LEADS DAY ONE OF T-H MARINE BFL ALL-AMERICAN TOURNAMENT ON CROSS LAKE
Arizona’s Parks Leads Co-anglers
SHREVEPORT, La. (May 31, 2018) – Local boater Nick LeBrun of Bossier City, Louisiana, grabbed the early lead at the 35thannual T-H Marine Bass Fishing League (BFL) All-American on Cross Lake Thursday with a massive five-bass limit weighing 26 pounds, 9 ounces. LeBrun will begin day two of the three-day competition with a 3-pound, 13-ounce, lead over Adam Wagner of Cookeville, Tennessee, and Chris Daves of Spring Grove, Virginia, who are tied for second place after each weighing five bass good for 22 pounds, 12 ounces.
The BFL All-American features 98 of the best boaters and co-anglers from across the 24-division T-H Marine BFL circuit casting for cash prizes of up to $120,000 in the Boater Division and $60,000 in the Co-angler Division. In addition to the six-figure payout, the top boater will receive an invitation to compete for bass fishing’s most coveted prize – the Forrest Wood Cup – held Aug. 10-12 on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
“I’m thrilled to be leading this big of an event right here at home,” said LeBrun, who qualified for the tournament through the BFL Cowboy Division. “It’s only a 49-boat field, but these guys are the best anglers from across the BFL. I can’t let off the gas because I know they’re going to catch them again tomorrow.”
LeBrun’s 26-pound showing was anchored by an 8-pounder that he caught early this morning. Not only was it his first bite of the day, but it also became part of a special tradition that LeBrun has started this year.
“I ran to my spot, settled down and got in the groove. I hadn’t gotten a bite, but at 8:30 (a.m.) that fish slammed my bait,” said LeBrun. “We got it in, and every time I catch a big one now in a tournament I thank my Dad, who passed away in February. I think he’s kind of watching over me. I say ‘this is for you Pop’. It was pretty cool to do that this morning.”
LeBrun said he has two main patterns for this event, with his primary pattern producing the majority of his weight Thursday.
“I didn’t get very many bites, but when I did they would be the right quality,” said LeBrun. “I decided to kind of ease off of them at 10:30 (a.m.) I had around 23 pounds and went and fished stuff that I hadn’t ran before. The pattern that I’m on is pretty unique. I felt like I could take it and just kind of run with it. I went to an area I hadn’t been to before, and caught another 5-pounder at 12:30 (p.m.).”
LeBrun said that while he’s happy to have the weight he did on Thursday, he’s also realistic about how quickly conditions can change.
“I’ve got two ways to catch big ones, but I wish I had three. Cross Lake can change overnight and humble you quick.”
The top 10 boaters after day one on Cross Lake are:
1st: Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., five bass, 26-9
2nd: Adam Wagner, Cookeville, Tenn., five bass, 22-12
2nd: Chris Daves, Spring Grove, Va., five bass, 22-12
4th: Tyler Morgan, Columbus, Ga., five bass, 22-4
5th: John Shore, Owasso, Okla., five bass, 22-3
6th: Rob Jordan, Flowery Branch, Ga., five bass, 21-11
7th: Randy Deaver, Blanchard, La., five bass, 21-0
8th: Heath Pack, Ellijay, Ga., five bass, 20-3
9th: John Duvall, Madison, Ga., five bass, 19-7
10th: Roger Fitzpatrick, Eldon, Mo., five bass, 19-4
A complete list of results is posted at FLWFishing.com.
Overall there were 206 bass weighing 670 pounds, 3 ounces caught by 48 boaters Thursday. The catch included 34 five-bass limits.
Jesse Parks of Avondale, Arizona, leads the Co-angler Division with five bass weighing 16 pounds, 9 ounces, followed by Michael Nelms of Hartwood, Virginia, in second place with five bass weighing 13-12.
The top 10 co-anglers are:
1st: Jesse Parks, Avondale, Ariz., five bass, 16-9
2nd: Michael Nelms, Hartwood, Va., five bass, 13-12
3rd: Mike Allen, Crystal Springs, Miss., five bass, 13-8
4th: Brandon Brock, Honea Path, S.C., five bass, 13-3
5th: Michael Miller, Greenville, S.C., five bass, 12-0
6th: Ray Blash, Waynesville, Mo., five bass, 11-12
6th: Matthew Bouldin, Smithville, Tenn., five bass, 11-12
8th: Billy French, Hamilton, Ohio, four bass, 11-8
9th: Colton Chambers, Elizabethton, Tenn., three bass, 11-5
10th: Daniel Tuten, Byron, Ga., five bass, 10-13
Overall there were 122 bass weighing 290 pounds, 11 ounces caught by 45 Co-anglers Thursday. The catch included 11 five-bass limits.
Competitors will take off from the American Legion Hall ramp, located at 5315 S. Lakeshore Drive in Shreveport, at 7 a.m. CDT Friday and Saturday, June 1-2. Weigh-ins each day will be held at the Bass Pro Shops, located at 100 Bass Pro Drive in Bossier City, Louisiana, and will begin at 4 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.
The 2018 BFL All-American on Cross Lake is being hosted by the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission.
Television coverage of the 2018 T-H Marine BFL All-American at Cross Lake will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) Aug. 1 from Noon to 1 p.m. EDT. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs on NBCSN, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world.
The 2018 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
ULM EXTENDS LEAD ON DAY TWO OF YETI FLW COLLEGE FISHING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
SHREVEPORT, La. (May 31, 2018) – The University of Louisiana-Monroe (ULM) duo of Thomas Soileau and Hunter Freeman, both of Monroe, Louisiana, brought a five-bass limit to the stage Thursday weighing 12 pounds, 4 ounces, to extend their lead to 1-pound, 1-ounce, with one day left to fish at the 2018 YETI FLW College Fishing National Championship on the Red River presented by Lowrance C-MAP Genesis. ULM’s two-day total of 10 bass weighing 26-11 has paced the 168-team field thus far, with Tennessee’s Tusculum College right behind them in second place with 10 bass weighing 25-10.
The field is now cut to the just the final 10 teams at the four-day event that featured 168 of the top college bass fishing teams from across the nation competing in the internationally-televised tournament for the top prize of $30,000, including a new Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard.
The National Champions will be crowned Friday, based on the cumulative three-day weight total. The winning team will then advance to compete in a one-day fish-off on Saturday against each other on an undisclosed local fishery, which will be revealed following Friday’s Championship weigh-in. The two anglers will weigh in Saturday at 3:25 p.m. prior to the final weigh in of the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) All-American championship at Cross Lake. The winner will receive entry into the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing, held August 10-12 on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
“Today was a lot tougher, and we’re definitely going to have to make some adjustments for tomorrow,” said Freeman. “I think the difference today was the clouds and the wind. We only had six keepers. We broke off some and lost a couple, but they didn’t feel that big. It’s weird – the fish aren’t really fighting, they’re coming straight up.”
“The wind was pretty bad today and it made fishing more difficult,” Soileau said. “We were using lighter weights, so I put a heavier one on to help with the wind, but then I stopped getting bites. Sometimes we had to make the exact same cast to the same spot three or four times in a row before you would get bit.”
The Warhawk duo said that they used four different baits Thursday to catch their six keepers, specifically mentioning a crankbait and a jig. They said that they fished backwater areas in Pool No. 4, targeting stump fields and rock piles on sandy points.
“We’re looking for anywhere the shad can gang up,” Freeman said. “In practice every fish we caught was spitting up crawfish pincers. Now there are a lot more gizzard shad around and everything is relating to the shad.
“Tomorrow we’re going back and going to really bang on our third spot,” Freeman went on to say. “We still have one spot that we have saved didn’t hit today. I’m not sure that it can kick out a big one, but I think it can kick out some keepers.”
The top 10 teams on the Red River that will advance to the final day of competition are:
1st: University of Louisiana-Monroe – Thomas Soileau and Hunter Freeman, both of Monroe, La., 10 bass, 26-11
2nd: Tusculum College – Nick Hatfield, Chuckey, Tenn., and Corey Neece, Bristol, Tenn., 10 bass, 25-10
3rd: Bethel University – Cody Huff, Ava, Mo., and Garrett Enders, Mifflinburg, Pa., 10 bass, 22-6
4th: University of Nebraska – Jackson Ebbers, Cambridge, Neb., and Charlie DeShazer, Fremont, Neb., 10 bass, 22-4
5th: Northwestern State University – Hunter Malmay, Zwolle, La., and Robert Jones, Minden, La., 10 bass, 22-3
6th: Adrian College – Nicholas Czajka, Brighton, Mich., and Jack Hippe III, Davison, Mich., 10 bass, 22-2
7th: Murray State University – Nick Montilino, Edina, Minn., and Brock Spencer, Waynesfield, Ohio, 10 bass, 18-10
8th: University of Pittsburgh – Michael Dunn and Henry Colberg, both of Pittsburgh, Pa., nine bass, 18-10
9th: Adrian College – Cody Batterson, Pleasant Hill, Iowa, and Chase Serafin, White Lake, Mich., 10 bass, 18-10
10th: University of Missouri – Gabriel DuBois, Mason, Ohio, and Brandon Heizer, St. Louis, Mo., 10 bass, 18-9
Full results for the entire field can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Overall there were 357 bass weighing 576 pounds, 5 ounces caught by 124 college teams Thursday. The catch included 30 five-bass limits.
The final 10 FLW College Fishing National Championship teams will take off Friday from the Red River South Marina, located at 250 Red River South Marina Road, in Bossier City, Louisiana, at 6:30 a.m. CDT. Friday's Championship weigh-in will be held at the Bass Pro Shops located at 100 Bass Pro Drive in Bossier City, at 3:30 p.m. prior to the Day Two weigh-in of the BFL All-American championship. All takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.
Television coverage of the YETI FLW College Fishing National Championship presented by Lowrance C-MAP Genesis will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) Aug. 15 from Noon -1 p.m. EDT. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs on NBCSN, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world.
College Fishing is free to enter. All participants must be registered, full-time students at a college, university or community college and members of a fishing club recognized by their college or university.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow YETI FLW College Fishing on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
The Bassmaster Elite Series Returns To Texas And The Sabine River
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UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA-MONROE LEADS DAY ONE OF YETI FLW COLLEGE FISHING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
SHREVEPORT, La. (May 30, 2018) – The University of Louisiana-Monroe team of Thomas Soileau and Hunter Freeman, both of Monroe, Louisiana, grabbed the early lead Wednesday after Day One of the 2018 YETI FLW College Fishing National Championship on the Red River presented by Lowrance C-MAP Genesis. The Warhawk duo brought a five-bass limit to the scale weighing 14 pounds, 7 ounces, giving them a 12-ounce cushion over the second place team of Charlie DeShazer and Jackson Ebbers from the University of Nebraska.
“We locked down to Pool No. 3 to catch our fish today,” said Freeman, a junior majoring in business administration. “We really didn’t know what to expect. We came here three weeks ago to pre-practice and found a few areas that we felt could produce, but it’s much warmer now. The water is 95 degrees and it’s 2½ feet deep, so we backed up a little bit – and we found them.”
“We’re fishing a little deeper, offshore,” said Soileau, a recent criminal justice graduate. “Most of our bites came around 8-feet deep. We hit three or four spots, and caught one big fish off of each one. It happened pretty quickly.”
The duo said they stopped fishing their main areas around 10:30 a.m. and spent the rest of the day practicing and looking for new water. They managed 8 or 9 keepers throughout the day, both fishing the same unnamed crankbait, although different colors.
“With having to manage the locks and everything, it takes almost two hours to get to our spots,” Soileau said. “It really takes up a lot of our fishing time, so every cast counts.”
“One of our spots should be replenishing. With the hot conditions and a little bit of wind it’s setting up perfectly,” Freeman said. “We cut out a little early today and left them biting. Some other teams are fishing around us, but we’re doing something no one else is doing. Our plan is to do the same thing tomorrow and hope they’re still there.”
The four-day event features 168 of the top college bass fishing teams from across the nation competing in the internationally-televised tournament for the top prize of $30,000, including a new Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard.
The National Champions will be crowned on Friday based on the cumulative three-day weight total. The winning team will then advance to compete in a one-day fish-off on Saturday against each other on an undisclosed local fishery, which will be revealed at Friday’s weigh-in. The two anglers will weigh in Saturday at 3:25 p.m. prior to the final weigh in of the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) All-American championship at Cross Lake. The winner will receive entry into the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing, held August 10-12 on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
The top 10 teams after Day One on the Red River are:
1st: University of Louisiana-Monroe – Thomas Soileau and Hunter Freeman, both of Monroe, La., five bass, 14-7
2nd: University of Nebraska – Jackson Ebbers, Cambridge, Neb., and Charlie DeShazer, Fremont, Neb., five bass, 13-11
3rd: Kennesaw State University – Payton Morgan, Woodstock, Ga., and Logan Smith, Ball Ground, Ga., five bass, 12-7
4th: Tusculum College – Nick Hatfield, Chuckey, Tenn., and Corey Neece, Bristol, Tenn., five bass, 12-1
5th: Northwestern State University – Hunter Malmay, Zwolle, La., and Robert Jones, Minden, La., five bass, 11-14
6th: California State University-Long Beach – Cole Thomas, Lakewood, Calif., and Via Thao, Long Beach, Calif., five bass, 11-6
7th: Clemson University – Garrett Addis, Central, S.C., and Aaron Banquer-Glenn, Bend, Ore., five bass, 10-15
8th: Kansas State University – Tyler Nekolny, Coral Springs, Fla., and Hunter Whiteley, Willard, Mo., five bass, 10-12
9th: University of North Alabama – Triston Crowder, Lawrenceburg, Tenn., and Lake Blasingame, Killen Ala., five bass, 10-10
10th: Slippery Rock University – Ryan Kozlowski, Cranberry Township, Pa., and Nathan Quince, Imperial, Pa., five bass, 10-8
For a full list of results, visit FLWFishing.com.
Overall there were 503 bass weighing 834 pounds, 4 ounces caught by 149 college teams Wednesday. The catch included 60 five-bass limits.
The FLW College Fishing National Championship anglers will take off each morning from the Red River South Marina, located at 250 Red River South Marina Road, in Bossier City, Louisiana, at 6:30 a.m. CDT. Thursday's weigh-in, May 31, will be held at the Marina, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Friday's Championship weigh-in, June 1, will be held at the Bass Pro Shops located at 100 Bass Pro Drive in Bossier City, at 3:30 p.m. prior to the Day Two weigh-in of the BFL All-American championship. All takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.
Television coverage of the YETI FLW College Fishing National Championship presented by Lowrance C-MAP Genesis will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) Aug. 15 from Noon -1 p.m. EDT. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs on NBCSN, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world.
College Fishing is free to enter. All participants must be registered, full-time students at a college, university or community college and members of a fishing club recognized by their college or university.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow YETI FLW College Fishing on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
AC Insider Podcast Episode 16 Featuring Toyota Texas Fest Winner Drew Benton, Texas' Clint Wade & Stacy Spriggs & Memorial Day Shenanigans!
On this weeks short week of AC Insider Podcast the boys talk to Toyota Texas Fest Winner Drew Benton and how he tamed lake Travis. We also talk a little more sportsmanship and then Clint Wade and Stacy Spriggs join us to talk about the upcoming Texas Team Trail Championship on Sam Rayburn! This is one you wont want to miss!
FLW AND T-H MARINE ANNOUNCE EXTENSION OF PARTNERSHIP IN MULTI-YEAR DEAL
MINNEAPOLIS (May 29, 2018) – Fishing League Worldwide (FLW), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, today announced the renewal of its global partnership with T-H Marine via multi-year extension, in which the industry-leading manufacturer of thousands of boat parts and accessories will continue to serve as the title sponsor of the Bass Fishing League (BFL) as well as the official weigh-in bag, fish care provider (G-Juice Live Well Treatment) and jackplate provider for FLW.
“We are thrilled to renew our global partnership with T-H Marine, a world-class brand and core sponsor that perfectly aligns with FLW,” FLW President of Marketing Trish Blake said. “The long-term partnership exemplifies the buying power and marketability that professional bass-fishing fans offer. We’ve always considered our core FLW audience to be among the most loyal and passionate consumers in the country, and we are proud to partner with industry leaders such as T-H Marine to feature brands that share FLW’s unmatched commitment to its fan base and advancing the sport.”
As part of this extension, T-H Marine will continue as title sponsor of the FLW Bass Fishing League, and the brand will be prominently featured across all of FLW’s platforms, including its tournaments and Expos, websites and social media content, FLW Bass Fishing magazine and the “FLW” television show, broadcast internationally to more than 564 million households, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world. The two brands will also work in conjunction on retail promotions during FLW tournaments and Expos in select markets.
“With a worldwide platform of tournaments and opportunities to learn about fishing, FLW does an exceptional job at getting people interested and involved,” said Greg Buie, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at T-H Marine. “We love that commitment to the future of fishing and we are excited to continue and grow our partnership.”
The T-H Marine logo will also remain prominently located on the FLW weigh-in stages and equipment trailers, as well as the jerseys of its sponsored FLW anglers. This current list of sponsored anglers includes: Forrest Wood Cup Champions Anthony Gagliardi (2014) and Justin Atkins (2017), Angler of the Year winners Bryan Thrift (2010, 2017) and Andy Morgan (2013, 2014, 2016), FLW Tour event winners Mark Rose, Larry Nixon, Matt Arey, J.T. Kenney and Jason Lambert, and many more accomplished anglers that compete at the sport’s top level on the FLW Tour.
As part of the sponsorship agreement, T-H Marine will continue to offer FLW anglers the Atlas Awards contingency programs for anglers competing in the YETI FLW College Fishing, BFL, and Costa FLW Series along with other sanctioned events. T-H Marine will award cash prizes to Atlas Awards members who are the winners or highest qualifying finisher of sanctioned events if he or she is the owner of certain T-H Marine products. For additional details on the Atlas Awards contingency program and a complete list of official rules and eligibility requirements, visit THMarine.com/atlas-awards.
For more information on T-H Marine, the entire T-H Marine lineup of marine parts and accessories or to locate an authorized T-H Marine distributor, please visit THMarine.com. For more information about FLW, their tournaments and sponsors, visit FLWFishing.com.
About FLW
FLW is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money in 2018 across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, with offices in Minneapolis, FLW and their partners conduct 286 bass-fishing tournaments annually around the world, including the United States, Canada, China, Italy, South Korea, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa and Spain. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW" television show, broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, while FLW Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. For more information visit FLWFishing.com and follow FLW at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
About T-H Marine
T-H Marine is celebrating its 43rd Anniversary of business and has grown to be one of the largest manufacturers of boating and fishing accessories in the U.S. T-H Marine provides parts to virtually every boat manufacturer in the country and distributes them through virtually every major distributor and retailer of boating and fishing products. To learn more about T-H Marine, please visit www.thmarine.com.
Angler Charged is Alleged Cheating Scam in Kayak Fishing Tournament
Breaking News - Vance McCullough
Texas game wardens took a man into custody after a kayak bass tournament on Decker Lake.
He was charged with fraud in a bass tournament. Apparently, he cut the tail off his first fish and used it to ‘lengthen’ subsequent fish in subsequent photos during catch-photograph-release events wherein fish are judged by length, not weight.
He covered the joint between the two tails with his hand, a practice he is said to have engaged in during multiple tournaments over several years.
Suspicion had surfaced as other anglers examined his on-line photos over time and they often looked, well, not quite right. TPWD inspected his kayak and found a severed fish tail. The man initially denied wrong-doing, saying he found the tail in some reeds and was going to turn it in.
Um . . . what?
He later admitted guilt, adding that he had pulled this trick on multiple occasions.
Does the fish in this picture look a bit disproportioned?
COSTA FLW SERIES HEADED TO LAKE BARKLEY FOR TOURNAMENT PRESENTED BY T-H MARINE
CADIZ, Ky. (May 29, 2018) – More than 360 pros and co-anglers are set to compete next week, June 7-9, at the Costa FLW Series at Lake Barkley presented by T-H Marine. The tournament, hosted by the Cadiz-Trigg County Tourist and Convention Commission, is the second of three regular-season tournaments scheduled in the FLW Series Central Division. The event will feature anglers competing for a top award of up to $91,000, including a brand new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard.
“I think it will be primetime offshore fishing over the next couple of weeks,” said FLW Tour veteran Terry Bolton of Paducah, Kentucky, a 13-time Forrest Wood Cup qualifier. “It seems like more fish are getting out there each day, and with warm weather being forecast as the week goes on, it’s likely going to be in full effect.
“I think the fish should be getting out of their post-spawn funk and really starting to feed,” Bolton continued. “If they stop biting a crankbait out on the ledges, a guy can pick up a worm, jig or a swimbait and catch a few doing that.”
Bolton said he expects both Barkley and Kentucky lakes to see action during the event.
“That’s the thing about fishing around Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake in early June – it will all be good,” said Bolton. “With the rainfall we’re getting, there’s going to be a little more current which should help bunch those fish up. It’s really going to be a good time to compete.”
Bolton predicted that a three-day cumulative weight total in the 65- to 70-pound range should be enough to take home top honors.
Anglers will take off from Lake Barkley State Resort Park, located at 3500 State Park Road., in Cadiz, at 6 a.m. CDT each day of competition. Weigh-ins will also be held at the park and will begin at 2 p.m. each day. All takeoffs and weigh-ins are free 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 Barkley pros will fish for a top prize of $91,000, including a brand new Ranger Z518C 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 90-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 2018 Costa FLW Series Championship is being held Nov. 1-3 on Lake Guntersville in Guntersville, Alabama, and is hosted by the Marshall County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
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 Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
Haney sets Single Day Kayak Record and Wins KBF Toad Fest in the Marsh Event
By Vance McCullough
Brandon Haney didn’t set out to break the Kayak Bass Fishing single-day record Sunday morning. In fact, as were most competitors in the Toad Fest on the Marsh near Fellsmere, FL, he was most concerned with battling high winds from Tropical Storm Alberto. “I have to tell you, when I started today I thought it was going to be horrible. It was going to be windy, rainy. I hoped I was going to catch five fish.
“By the time I got halfway through the lake I hooked up on an eight-and-a-half-pounder. That’s when I knew it was going to be a good bite.”
Haney parlayed the ‘good bite’ into a 5-fish limit that stretched to 114.5 inches. Kayak tourneys are catch-photo-release (CPR) affairs where success is measured in length, not weight but Haney also likes to weigh his big fish just out of curiosity. His creel included 2 Florida FWC Trophy Catch caliber fish over 8 pounds. His best 5 would have weighed, at minimum, 32.5 pounds.
“That’s new record for a KBF Trail event,” said tournament director Jason Broach. “It will probably stand for a long, long time.”
To make the feat even more impressive, over a third of the field did not record a single fish catch.
There were 3 ‘stringers’ over 100 inches. Very solid.
“If the weather hadn’t been so bad I’m sure we would have had several guys go over 100 inches today,” said Broach.
It’s not that the fish minded the conditions. Low pressure usually spurs strong feeding activity. Haney found the fish on Kenansville Lake were willing to crush his Chatterbait. “Surprisingly, after I caught a couple more 20’s (20-inch fish) I hooked up on a 9-pounder and that sealed the deal for me.”
Tournament anglers often say, ‘when it’s your time to win, it’s your time’. Such was the case for Haney who had a tense moment. “I actually almost lost the 9-pounder at the boat. I was using a Chatterbait and as I was pulling the fish up to lip it, the Chatterbait flew out of its mouth and I managed to lip it at the last second and pull that thing into the boat. Apparently today was my lucky day.”
Haney took a first-place check worth $1,219.
As for propulsion, Haney mixed in some pedaling with his paddling. “I was doing a lot of flipping where there’s a lot of hydrilla and you can’t really use your (Hobie) Mirage Drive so I was paddling around a little bit, trying to get up into the weeds.
“But the main thing I was catching them on was the Chatterbait, drifting around and throwing it where I thought they would be. It worked really well today.”
It worked well for Haney and a few others.
Mostly the weather wore down the anglers in the field of 45. I know. I was one of them. My son, Hunter fished it too. We struggled, physically, to catch what we did and finish in the middle of the pack. The wind did not stop and if we did, we lost all the ground we had just fought to cover. At times progress was measured in inches. Hunter’s hat blew off. When we got to our primary area in a huge main lake grass bed, we threw out our redneck sea anchors - 5-gallon buckets - to slow our drift. 
Hunter caught a fish before he realized he was minus a rod and reel. He has no idea when it blew out of his boat. At one point he took a wave over the bow. Did I mention the wind was rough?
Later, I reached behind me for my tackle bag and it wasn’t there. I looked down the canal and saw it floating like baby Moses in a basket. I sprint-paddled about 50 yards to get to it before it could take on enough water to sink. On occasion I had to spend a few minutes at a time using my redneck bilge pump – a dollar store super soaker – to bail gallons of water out of my kayak.
It’s hard to cast while paddling. “My lure hasn’t spent near enough time in the water,” said Hunter.
That was a major reason for low catch rates. Guys who had pedal drive systems were at a huge advantage in the places where they could use them. Many areas are covered with hydrilla which renders a pedal system nearly inoperable. And on the lake we fished, Fellsmere Lake, motors of all kinds - including electric are currently outlawed, even though KBF rules allow them where they are legal to use. So paddling was the deal on Fellsmere, officially named Headwaters Lake at a recent meeting of state and local officials but still called ‘Fellsmere Lake’ by locals.
For that reason, Fellsmere didn’t produce well on a day when the throng of anglers it hosted were pinned down by the wind. BUT - check AnglersChannel.com in the near future for my report about this exciting new fishery that you absolutely will want to visit!
There were 4 other lakes available to contestants: Garcia, Blue Cypress, Stick Marsh and the aforementioned Kenansville that produced the winning fish.
Stick Marsh is open enough for anglers to pedal their craft. By midday many of the anglers who had started on Fellsmere had jumped the berm to fish the famed Stick Marsh. I watched a guy catch a 5-pounder (20.5 inches) as he bobbed in the white capped waters that poured through a break in an old levee. Nobody could hold their position long enough to fish that spot without a pedal drive. Ask me how I know.
There had been much speculation that the Toad Fest may be canceled. That would have been disappointing, especially for anglers who came from Atlanta, GA and as far away as Arkansas to sample the action on the Fellsmere area lakes. Late Saturday Broach said KBF would continue to monitor the weather and he would send word ASAP if the event was cancelled. Sunday morning Broach said, via Facebook, that the tourney would go on and hopefully the heavy stuff would remain offshore. He encouraged anglers to fish sheltered locations and keep an eye on the sky. Ryan Sperling, a participant, replied to the post “I can tell you the heavy stuff didn’t stay off shore lol. I had to get off the Stick Marsh as I was getting blown sideways!”
“Today would have been a good day to go to a lake where I could use my PropPod,” chuckled Will Mansfield as he prepared to drag his kayak up the steep, slick embankment of Fellsmere Lake after a tough day on the water.
Mansfield is a US Army veteran who oozes enthusiasm for the sport of fishing. Check out his Instagram @barefootyakkinangler.
PropPod is an electric motor that fits into the pedal drive cavity at the bow of compatible kayaks. This placement is said to yield better control compared to motors mounted on the stern. The price point is also very favorable compared to competitors. Check out the PropPod at YakTools.com.
Kelseyville Knights Win Bassmaster High School Title On Clear Lake
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Bethel Anglers Claim Championship Title
Courtesy of Boat US Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship
FLORENCE, AL. (May 25, 2018) – Today 330 of college fishing’s best anglers took to Pickwick Lake with hopes of taking home the title, and tonight only two competitors leave with the championship trophy. Carter McNeil and Cole Floyd of Bethel University are the winners of the 2018 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship. Bringing 25.12 pounds to the scales on Day 2, Mcneil and Floyd best the field by more than six pounds with a two day total of 47.75 pounds.
The Day 1 leaders entered the final day of tournament competition with a slim lead over second place. Leading by 0.03 pounds, their margin of error was small. “We knew we had to bust them. We knew we had some guys on our tail,” says Floyd. By 7:45 am their nerves began to settle. McNeil and Floyd had a limit weighing 11 pounds in the box within the first hour and a half of tournament competition.
From there on out, the pair went to work upgrading their limit. Fishing multiple
offshore spots, the Bethel anglers knew it was paramount to manage their fish, “We had several different schools of fish, and we went in with a gameplan. We’re going to take our best so many and we’re going to rotate them,” recounts McNeil. Working a variety of baits including crankbaits, soft plastics, and a jigging spoon, at around 8:15 am they culled up significantly. The team landed one fish weighing four and a half pounds, and another weighing six pounds. Those two fish catches boosted their bag well up over 19 pounds at the time. “I think we managed our time right on it, and hit it at the necessary times. Just rotating them schools and jumping back and forth really paid off for us today,” said McNeil.
Good decision making paid off to the tune of 25.12 pounds and a championship title for Carter McNeil and Cole Floyd. With little to no experience on Pickwick Lake entering the event, Floyd is overjoyed with today’s result, “Just going out there and catching the winning bag on the place, it made it really special.” His fishing partner Carter McNeil is also overcome by their achievement, “It feels awesome, this is what every college kid dreams of. We really focused, and grinded through practice and the tournament. We are fortunate and blessed to come up with some fish that got us this championship.”
Finishing in second place when the scales closed was the Bryan College team of
Nathan Bell and Cole Sands. Having fished this event before, Bell is pleased with how his boat finished, “I think my highest finish in this tournament has been a 94th. It’s kind of been my jinx in my college fishing career. We’re super thankful to come in second. It’s a big deal.” Entering today outside of the top five, sitting in seventh place, they were nearly four pounds out of first place.
Our crew caught up with them mid-morning and the Bryan College pairing was working on a good bag. An early afternoon cull had Nathan thinking they might have a shot at the title, “We got a big bite right there at the end that was able to cull us up about three and a half pounds. We were thinking, man we might have a shot but we didn’t know those guys were going to blast them.” At the end of the day, finishing second overall in a field made up of the nation’s best is still a major accomplishment. The second member of the tandem, Cole Sands , understands the magnitude of this moment for his team, ” We’re ecstatic and extremely blessed to have this finish.”
Rounding out the top three for the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Cabela’s is a pair of anglers from the University of North Alabama. Triston Crowder and Lake Blasingame weighed in 18.10 pounds to finish with a two day total of 40.70 pounds. The pair of local anglers entered today just 0.03 pounds outside of first place. Of the field entering today, they had the smallest margin to make up in order to claim first place. Although they would have liked to win, Crowder has no complaints about finishing in third, “I’ll lose to Nathan and Cole from Bryan, and I’ll lose to Cole and Carter from Bethel. They’re really good fishermen. It just don’t bother me that they beat me.”
Last year, the UNA team of Sloan Pennington and Hunter McCarty won this very tournament. There has never been a school repeat back to back as champion in this event, and these two entered today looking to capitalize on the opportunity. “We definitely wanted to win. Not only to keep the trophy here in Florence, but just because it’s been a dream of both of ours for a long time,” said Blasingame. Once the weights were finalized, Crowder and Blasingame fell shy of accomplishing their dream and making history, but they are pleased with their third place showing.
To view the complete standings, click here.
Following the conclusion of the final weigh-in, a champion was named in the
Cabela’s School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. Bethel University entered this event with over a 600 point lead, and they are leaving Florence as the best school in the nation. The University of North Alabama, and Murray State University rounded out the top three in that order. In the coming days we will post the results and a complete recap for the 2018 Cabela’s School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.
Arizona Angler Claims Title At B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional On Clear Lake
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Northeastern State University Wins Bassmaster College Event At Clear Lake
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Arizona Wins At B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional On Clear Lake
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FLW TEAMS WITH WALMART AND TAKE ME FISHING™ TO KICK OFF NATIONAL FISHING AND BOATING WEEK WITH #REELFUN FISHING EVENTS AT 2,000 WALMART LOCATIONS
MINNEAPOLIS (May 21, 2018) – Fishing League Worldwide (FLW), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, has teamed with Walmart, The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) and its Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ campaigns, Jack Link’s, Pringles and Zip Firestarters to celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week June 2-10.National Fishing and Boating Week is a national celebration that highlights the importance of recreational boating and fishing and will encourage anglers of all ages across the United States to get out on the water and find their new favorite fishing hole.
<image005.jpg>The week will be kicked off with #ReelFun Fishing events hosted by FLW tournament anglers June 1-3 at more than 2,000 Walmart® stores. The events will help families prepare for fishing success as the anglers provide expert tips for local fisheries and guidance on tackle and gear selection. Children are invited to test their casting skills and receive a free fishing lure courtesy of Wildlife Forever’s State-Fish Art Contest. Every child will also receive a future FLW Tour pro sticker. Adults will receive a free fishing license holder and free digital subscription to FLW Bass Fishing magazine. Everyone will receive free Jack Link’s beef jerky samples while supplies last.
“We are thrilled to team with our partners at Walmart, RBFF, Jack Link’s, Pringles and Zip Firestarters to showcase National Fishing and Boating Week to the millions of Walmart shoppers and outdoor enthusiasts that attend our #ReelFun Fishing events,” said Trish Blake, FLW President of Marketing. “There are very few experiences that compare to landing your first fish, and our FLW ambassadors will be on-site to help everyone select the right gear and discuss their favorite fishing tips.”
While National Fishing and Boating Week coincides with free fishing days in many states, prospective anglers are encouraged to purchase a fishing license while at Walmart for continued fun on the water all year long. To find out if your state is among those offering free fishing days and to find places to fish and boat, visitTakeMeFishing.org .
"The #ReelFun events provide additional resources for families across the country to have their #FirstCatch during National Fishing and Boating Week," said Frank Peterson, RBFF President and CEO. "We hope everyone from curious beginners to experienced anglers and boaters will feel inspired to get out on the water and create memories with their families and friends."
For more information about the local #ReelFun Fishing events happening at more than 2,000 participating Walmart stores across the country or to find a store near you, visit TakeMeFishing.org/ReelFun. For more information about FLW, visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, news and more, follow FLW on their social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube andSnapchat.
Fans are encouraged to share their catch during National Fishing and Boating Week with @FLWFishing and @Take_Me_Fishing with the hashtags #ReelFun and #FirstCatch.
About FLW
FLW is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money in 2018 across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, with offices in Minneapolis, FLW and their partners conduct 286 bass-fishing tournaments annually around the world, including the United States, Canada, China, Italy, South Korea, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa and Spain. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW" television show, broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, while FLW Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. For more information visit FLWFishing.com and follow FLW at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube andSnapchat.
Giant Bass Propels Lane Coale Into Early Lead In B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional
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AC Insider Podcast Episode 15 - Featuring FLW Pro James Niggemeyer and the Talk on Sportsmanship and Bass Fishing
Photo Courtesy of FLW
In this weeks Podcast the boys talk about the BASS Texas Fest, The FLW Tour on Kentucky Lake, the Progressive Bass Wrap up and they talk with FLW Tour Pro James Niggemeyer and talk about Kentucky Lake, Off Days and Ice Cream! Make sure and catch the Controversial Part 2 of this show as well!!
Part 1
Part 2
Costa Coutndown to Blast Off - May 23, 2018
AC's John Byrne & Pro Staffer Rob Digh Talk Clarks Hill and all thats coming up this Memorial Day Weekend on the Costa Countdown to Blastoff!
T-H MARINE ACQUIRES BLUE WATER LED ENTERPRISES
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Elephants DO Eat Peanuts.........
By Vance McCullough
As bass across Florida wrap up their annual spawning ritual they once again turn their attention to the only other activity on their agenda – eating. And for a short while it appears every bass, regardless of size wants the same menu item – fry.
Those eggs that were so jealously guarded by buck bass have now turned into swarms of tiny fish and even the biggest female bass have hung around up shallow to eat as many of them as they can. The males may be guarding them, but it seems more like they are protecting a food source rather than defending the next generation.
For this reason alone, I will often throw the smallest lures I can cast on light spinning gear in late spring and early summer.
As I sort through scores of small keeper-size bass I come across my share of giants on tiny lures. I have caught 7-pounders on 4lb. line and a crappie jig. The other day I had a 6-pounder eat a 3-inch weightless worm.
Elephants eat peanuts. And giant bass eat tiny bait.
Even after the fry fest is over I will turn to trimmed-down tackle under tough fishing conditions and continue to catch big bass.
A trip to the tidal lower St. Johns River comes to mind. I was either missing bites or my worm was being carried off by crabs. I couldn’t tell so I bit the worm down to nothing more than a tail and couple of inches of plastic, just enough to hold a hook. ‘Now I’ll catch these short-biting little rascals, if they are actually fish,’ I thought. The next one was definitely a fish, a 6-pound largemouth in fact.
Florida’s numerous tidal rivers are famous for producing numbers of fish for those tossing tiny baits. Beetle spins are a classic example. They entice everything that swims. These fertile rivers are full of small prey items and fish of all sizes eat them.
Of course, light tackle helps with both, lure placement and the process of fighting and landing the fish. ‘Fighting’ might be the wrong term for how you play a big fish on light tackle. If we’re throwing lures as small as the ones I’m suggesting, spinning rods and reels are necessary. I don’t trust the drag on spinning reels, so I flip the anti-reverse switch and I ‘back-reel’, meaning I open the palm of my hand and let the reel handle freely turn backward and slap against it to slow it down. At any point I can begin retrieving line again should the fish begin to tire.
My lures are so small this time of year that I often use old Altoids tins for tackle boxes. I can pack small jigs, spinner baits, crankbaits, even diminutive topwater plugs in the tins and they will fit snuggly without rattling around too much and blunting any of the light hooks.
I love to use small jig heads that will find the corner of the mouth on smaller fish but will lodge themselves in the roof the mouth as the biggest bass completely inhale them. This makes the jig impossible for the big fish to throw. As long as the line holds up the fish is coming to the boat.
Until the big fish move back out and start eating larger bait, downsize your lures to upsize your fish!
Lifelong friends Wylie & Parker take the win on Tawakoni at Bass Champs with over 22 pounds!
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Hendriks & Dillon Go Big On Jordan in NC Bassmaster High School Series!
May 19, 2018 – Jordan Lake
The final event for the NC Bassmaster Junior & High School Series (East Division) took place over the weekend on Jordan Lake. Although the wet weather looked to have played a role in the lower than anticipated turnout, with only eighteen teams attending, the overall quantity and quality of bass was pretty good. Several teams managed to fill out their five fish limit, with three teams breaking the 20-pound mark. More importantly was the fact that all eighteen teams caught and weighed in fish. Congratulations to every one of you for not giving in to the weather conditions and staying focused.
Representing Voyager Academy, Brycen Hendriks and Kyle Dillon, competing in their very first event, took the top spot with an impressive catch of 22.25 lbs, anchored by a nice 5.58 largemouth. Hendriks and Dillon were forced to end their day over an hour early due to trolling motor issues and had to nervously wait for the remaining teams to return and weigh-in. However, the duo prevailed and were awarded with matching first place plaques, casting rods from Favorite Fishing Rods, along with tackle products from Z-Man Fishing and Penetration Hooks for their hard work.
The tandem of Ethan Gilbert and Nick Walker filled the second position with their catch of five Jordan Lake largemouth that hit the scales at 21.59lbs, including a nice 7.51lb brute. Both anglers received plaques signifying their accomplishment, along with casting rods from Favorite Fishing Rods, and tackle products from Z-Man Fishing and Penetration Hooks.
Filling a very close third spot was the team of Wyatt Long and Logan Jennings. The duo managed to bring 21.52lbs to the scales, anchored by a solid 6.92lb kicker fish. The pair of anglers were awarded matching Favorite Fishing Rods and products from Z-Man Fishing and Penetration Hooks.
Filling the fourth spot was the tandem of Nathan Canaday and Ayden Wood with their catch of 17.49lbs, including the single biggest fish of the event… Actually, the single biggest fish of the NC Bassmaster Junior & High School (East Division) series, weighing in at a very impressive 9.43lbs.
Rounding out the top five was the team of Nathaniel Moss and Ryan Stainback with their catch of 16.54lbs.
Canaday & Wood Crowned Champions
Congratulations to Nathan Canaday and Ayden Wood for earning the most points among all teams over the course of the four events of the 2017/2018 season. Upon final confirmation from B.A.S.S. after all memberships are confirmed and a final audit of the series is complete, Canaday and Wood will earn a spot in the 2018 Bassmaster High School National Championship.
Pace’s 10-pounder nets him a new Toyota Tundra
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin /Dynamic Sponsorships
The biggest bass of Toyota Basssmaster Texas Fest to benefit Texas Parks and Wildlife Department was a 10 pound 5 ounce Lake Travis giant that bit Cliff Pace’s tiny finesse lure while his fellow competitors were still running to their first fishing spot early on Day 1 of the tournament.
The big largemouth bit a 3 ¾” V & M Drop Shad on a Carolina Rig in 27-feet of water. Pace used 20-pound HI-SEAS fluorocarbon as his main line, and 15-pound HI-SEAS fluorocarbon for the leader.
“That fish was a gift. I stopped on that spot on a whim. That fish was meant to be,” Pace told fans from the weigh-in stage.
When asked what the biggest bass he had ever caught in his life was, he explained it was another Texas 10-pounder caught during a Bassmaster Elite on Lake Falcon a few years back.
Texas ten pounders aren’t new to the 2013 Bassmaster Classic Champion from Mississippi, and neither are Toyota Tundras. Pace was actually the very first Elite Series pro to tow with a Tundra long before the truck became the tow vehicle of choice for most Elite Series pros.
“You’ll laugh, but one of the things I loved most about that first Tundra was it had a really long bed, so I could store an 8’ flippin’ stick in there with plenty of room,” says Pace, who is also one of the longest registered members in the Toyota Bonus Bucks contingency program for tournament anglers.
Having plenty of room for storing extra long fishing rods is great, but ultimately, it’s reliability that has lead Pace to purchasing eight Toyota Trucks.
“I don’t have to take them to the shop for repairs. That’s what I like most about owning a Toyota. I put 100,000 miles on my Tundras every two years, and the only thing I have to buy for them is gas, oil, and new tires,” says Pace who is now the proud owner of his 9thToyota Tundra.
This one not purchased, but very much deserved through great skill and a little luck to lure a 10-pounder to bite his tiny finesse bait.
LAMBERT SHATTERS RECORDS, WINS FLW TOUR AT KENTUCKY LAKE PRESENTED BY COSTA SUNGLASSES
Courtesy of FLW Fishing
Tennessee’s Jason Lambert Weighs More than 100 Pounds of Bass in Four Days at Kentucky Lake, Wins $100,000
Link to HD video of Lambert’s winning moment
GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. (May 20, 2018) – Pro Jason Lambert of Michie, Tennessee, brought five bass weighing 27 pounds, 3 ounces, to the FLW weigh-in stage Sunday to win the FLW Tour at Kentucky Lake presented by Costa Sunglasses by a margin of 28 pounds even – a new all-time FLW Tour record for margin of victory. Overall, Lambert’s four-day total of 101 pounds, 9 ounces, was the most weight to ever win an FLW Tour event at Kentucky Lake, and the tenth-largest total-tournament catch in FLW Tour history. For his dominant performance on the water this week, Lambert earned $100,000.
“To catch over 100 pounds here – that’s history. It’s something that will last forever,” said Lambert, who claimed his third career win on Kentucky Lake in FLW competition. “This whole week has been phenomenal – this lake is special to me.”
Lambert’s first stop on championship Sunday was a point protruding from the mouth of Pisgah Bay, the location where he upgraded his limit with a 9-pounder Saturday. With a 19-pound advantage heading into today’s competition, Lambert knew that all he needed was a few keeper bites to shut the door.
“I started out this morning and got like two 3’s and a 5 on my first three casts, and immediately the pressure was off,” said Lambert. “I knew at that point in time that the game was over.”
As the morning progressed, Lambert moved to an area that produced for him both on Thursday and Saturday – a south-facing point on a main-lake ridge, just north of the U.S. Highway 68 bridge.
“I caught around five there, including a few 4-pounders that didn’t help and a giant,” said Lambert. “The fish were in about 24 feet of water and right on the break of the point.”
Lambert’s main lure for the week was a 5- and 7-inch Green Shad-colored Castaic Jerky J soft jerkbait on a 1-ounce Scrounger Head-type jig on 18-pound-test Sunline Super FC Sniper Fluorocarbon line with a 7-foot, 11-inch Duckett White Ice II swimbait rod and a Duckett 360RW reel. On Friday, Lambert also used a Gene Larew Tattletail Worm on a jighead to catch his limit south of Paris from a ditch on a shallow roadbed.
“For me, the Jerky J is a confidence bait more than anything. Everybody throws a paddle tail swimbait and it’s got that big wide wobbling tail on the back, but the Jerky J has a sleeker, more subtle approach – it really looks like a shad swimming in the water. I have the confidence in it to throw it, and I love it.”
The final 10 pros finished on Kentucky Lake:
1st: Jason Lambert, Michie, Tenn., 20 bass, 101-9, $100,200
2nd: Scott Martin, Clewiston, Fla., 20 bass, 73-9. $30,100
3rd: Josh Douglas, Isle, Minn., 20 bass, 72-12, $25,000
4th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 19 bass, 72-3, $20,000
5th: General Tire pro Mark Rose, West Memphis, Ark., 19 bass, 71-11, $19,000
6th: Alex Davis, Albertville, Ala., 18 bass, 67-13, $18,000
7th: Jeff Gustafson, Keewatin, Ontario, Canada, 20 bass, 67-0, $17,000
8th: Cody Meyer, Auburn, Calif., 20 bass, 64-8, $16,000
9th: John Cox, DeBary, Fla., 19 bass, 59-8, $15,000
10th: Pennzoil Marine pro Matt Arey, Shelby, N.C., 19 bass, 55-2, $14,000
For a full list of results visit FLWFishing.com.
Overall there were 48 bass weighing 180 pounds, 8 ounces, caught by all 10 pros Sunday. Eight of the final 10 pros caught a five-bass limit.
Ronny Webb of Dyersburg, Tennessee, won the Co-angler Division and $25,000 Friday with a two-day total of nine bass weighing 26 pounds, 14 ounces, followed by Stephen Crawley of Bush, Louisiana, who finished in second place with eight bass totaling 25-4, worth $7,600.
Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Kentucky Lake presented by Costa Sunglasses will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) June 27 from Noon-1 p.m. EST. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs on NBCSN, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide.
The total purse for the FLW Tour at Kentucky Lake presented by Costa Sunglasses was more than $930,000. The event was hosted by the Kentucky Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau. The next tournament for FLW Tour anglers will be the FLW Tour at Lake St. Clair presented by Mercury, June 28 to July 1, in Detroit, Michigan, hosted by the Detroit Sports Commission, Macomb County, Huron-Clinton Metroparks Authority, and the Sterling Heights Regional Chamber of Commerce.
In FLW Tour competition, pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day, with pros supplying the boat, controlling boat movement and competing against other pros. Co-anglers fish from the back deck against other co-anglers. The full field of anglers competed in the two-day opening round. Co-angler competition concluded following Friday’s weigh-in, while the top 30 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advanced to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continued 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 2018 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2018 Forrest Wood Cup will be on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Aug. 10-12 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 Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
Drew Benton Wins First Elite Series Title At Texas Fest On Lake Travis
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LAMBERT CATCHES RECORD-BREAKING LIMIT TO TAKE LEAD AFTER DAY THREE OF FLW TOUR AT KENTUCKY LAKE PRESENTED BY COSTA SUNGLASSES
Day-Two Leader Randy Haynes Withdraws from Competition, Jason Lambert Hauls in 30-pound, 8-ounce Limit to Vault into Lead
GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. (May 19, 2018) – Pro Jason Lambert of Michie, Tennessee, caught a five-bass limit Saturday weighing 30 pounds, 8 ounces – surpassing the record that he already owned for the largest single-day limit ever caught on Kentucky Lake in FLW Tour competition– to catapult into the lead at the FLW Tour at Kentucky Lake presented by Costa Sunglasses.Lambert will bring a commanding 19-pound, 3-ounce lead into Championship Sunday, where the final 10 pros will compete for up to $125,000.
Lambert trailed Day Two leader Randy Haynes by 2 pounds, 4 ounces, starting today’s competition, but gained his massive lead after Haynes, in an unprecedented move, decided to withdraw himself from the competition.
Shortly after takeoff, Lambert and Haynes both arrived on the same area – a well-known community hole at the north end of the lake, and a spot that both anglers fished on days one and two. Lambert arrived first, and the two anglers fished side-by-side for several minutes. Lambert caught several keepers quickly. Frustrated by the situation, Haynes chose to leave the area, return to the ramp and withdraw from the event. Haynes finished the tournament in 12th place and received $12,000.
Lambert ended up catching a limit from the area, but landed an additional three largemouth – including a 9-pounder – at his next stop that upgraded him past the 30-pound mark.
“I actually found those fish [at the second location] yesterday afternoon. It’s a place that I’ve fished in the past, but I hadn’t seen them there [this week] until I pulled up on them and they were eating some gizzard shad,” said Lambert, who was also crowned champion when the FLW Tour last visited Kentucky Lake in 2016. “I hadn’t caught anything there, but when I saw that happen I knew there were some fish down there.”
Lambert said he used 5- and 7-inch Castaic Jerky J soft jerkbaits on a Scrounger Head jig to catch his fish, a bait he’s relied on all week. It’s also the exact lure that caught the bulk of his weight in 2016.
“I probably wouldn’t have gone to my second area this morning had I not caught a good limit early on,” said Lambert. “I had around 20 pounds when I left the first spot, so I went there and idled over them and found that there were more fish down there than I thought. I got a couple 5-pounders and was done after I caught the giant.”
The Tennessee pro said he plans to go out Sunday and finish strong, even with his commanding lead.
“I’m going to start out tomorrow at the second stop from today. If I can catch two or three good ones in the morning, we’re going to have some fun and try and break the 100-pound mark.”
The top 10 pros advancing to the final day of competition on Kentucky Lake are:
1st: Jason Lambert, Michie, Tenn., 15 bass, 74-6
2nd: Scott Martin, Clewiston, Fla., 15 bass, 55-3
3rd: General Tire pro Mark Rose, West Memphis, Ark., 14 bass, 52-2
4th: Josh Douglas, Isle, Minn., 15 bass, 51-4
5th: Jeff Gustafson, Keewatin, Ontario, Canada, 15 bass, 51-1
6th: John Cox, DeBary, Fla., 15 bass, 50-11
7th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 14 bass, 48-14
8th: Cody Meyer, Auburn, Calif., 15 bass, 47-9
9th: Pennzoil Marine pro Matt Arey, Shelby, N.C., 15 bass, 47-1
10th: Alex Davis, Albertville, Ala., 13 bass, 47-0
Finishing 11th through 30th are:
11th: John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky., 15 bass, 46-9, $12,000
12th: Randy Haynes, Ripley, Miss., 10 bass, 46-2, $12,000
13th: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., 15 bass, 45-12, $12,000
14th: Costa pro Dylan Hays, Sheridan, Ark., 15 bass, 45-11, $12,000
15th: Brandon Cobb, Greenwood, S.C., 15 bass, 45-8, $12,000
16th: Bill McDonald, Greenwood, Ind., 14 bass, 45-6, $12,000
17th: Quaker State pro Scott Canterbury, Odenville, Ala., 14 bass, 45-3, $12,000
18th: Tyler Stewart, West Monroe, La., 14 bass, 44-2, $12,000
19th: Brandon Mosley, Choctaw, Okla., 15 bass, 43-13, $12,000
20th: Jordan Osborne, Longview, Texas, 14 bass, 43-10, $12,000
21st: Lowrance pro Austin Felix, Eden Prairie, Minn., 11 bass, 43-2, $10,000
22nd: Koby Kreiger, Bokeelia, Fla., 14 bass, 42-13, $10,000
23rd: Jim Dillard, West Monroe, La., 15 bass, 42-4, $10,000
24th: Scott Dobson, Clarkston, Mich., 12 bass, 41-15, $10,000
25th: Cabela’s pro Clark Wendlandt, Leander, Texas, 15 bass, 41-8, $10,000
26th: Kid Casters pro Charlie Evans, Berea, Ky., 15 bass, 40-3, $10,000
27th: Timmy Thompkins, Myrtle Beach, S.C., 12 bass, 36-12, $10,000
28th: Joseph Webster, Winfield, Ala., 11 bass, 35-10, $10,000
29th: Polaris pro David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., 11 bass, 34-15, $10,000
30th: Abu Garcia pro Tim Cales, Sandstone, W. Va., 11 bass, 32-13, $10,000
For a full list of results visit FLWFishing.com.
Overall there were 123 bass weighing 401 pounds, 7 ounces, caught by 29 pros Saturday. The catch included 21 five-bass limits.
Ronny Webb of Dyersburg, Tennessee, won the Co-angler Division and $25,000 Friday with a two-day total of nine bass weighing 26 pounds, 14 ounces, followed by Stephen Crawley of Bush, Louisiana, who finished in second place with eight bass totaling 25-4, worth $7,600.
In FLW Tour competition, pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day, with pros supplying the boat, controlling boat movement and competing against other pros. Co-anglers fish from the back deck against other co-anglers. The full field of anglers competed in the two-day opening round. Co-angler competition concluded following Friday’s weigh-in, while the top 30 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advanced to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros now continue competition Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.
The total purse for the FLW Tour at Kentucky Lake presented by Costa Sunglasses is more than $930,000. The event is hosted by the Kentucky Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2018 Forrest Wood Cup will be on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Aug. 10-12 and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.
The final 10 anglers will take off at 6:30 a.m. CDT Sunday from Kentucky Dam State Park, located at 7792 U.S. Highway 641 N. in Gilbertsville. Sunday’s weigh-in will be held at the park beginning at 4 p.m.
Prior to the weigh-in Sunday, FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at Kentucky Dam State Park from noon to 4 p.m. The Expo is the perfect opportunity for fishing fans of all ages to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, meet characters from the “Paw Patrol” children’s television show, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities.
Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Kentucky Lake presented by Costa Sunglasses will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) June 27 from Noon-1 p.m. EST. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs on NBCSN, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide.
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 Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
Drew Benton Takes Over Lead At Bassmaster Texas Fest At Lake Travis
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Jacob Wheeler Charges Ahead At Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest On Lake Travis
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Mercury Introduces Verado, FourStroke, Pro XS and SeaPro V-8 and V-6 models ranging from 175-300hp
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Casey Ashley talks Willie and swimbaits at Texas Fest
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin / Dynamic Sponsorships
Casey Ashley caught a solid limit amid Thursday’s sweltering heat to sit near the top of the leaderboard. The always easy-going 2015 Bassmaster Classic Champ took a minute prior to Friday’s launch to talk about Lake Travis, Toyota Trucks, swimbaits, and even a mention of Texas native Willie Nelson.
Q: What was the biggest surprise amid Day 1 of competition here at Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest to benefit Texas Parks and Wildlife Department?
Casey:The biggest surprise was that I actually caught a decent limit, because while you may catch 100 fish a day here, the randomness of catching a big one is truly an unknown.
Q: Your biggest fish yesterday was a 4 pound 5 ounce largemouth. How did you catch it?
Casey:I caught it on one of my absolute all time favorite lures – a green pumpkin Zoom trick worm rigged on a Casey Ashley Shaky Head from Greenfish Tackle.
Q: This week’s tournament is title sponsored by Toyota, and you’ve bought a bunch of Tundras. How many Toyota Tundras have you owned throughout your Elite Series career?
Casey: I’ve bought five Tundras, and my daddy has bought two as well - so seven Tundras total between the two of us.
Q: You’re a music man. You recorded a demo CD in Nashville a few years back, and you’ve sang the National Anthem on a handful of occasions before blast-off at an Elite Series tournament. What song is stuck in your head this morning?
Casey:Kenny Chesney’s “Lucky Old Sun” – which is pretty fitting for the hot weather we’re having here, and the fact it features Texas native Willie Nelson singing along with Kenny.
Q: Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest helps raise money that Texas Parks and Wildlife uses to fund urban youth fishing initiatives. You have a youth angler of your own – a 5-year-old son named Troy. Tell us about fishing with him?
Casey:I’ve learned from taking Troy fishing that size and species don’t matter. It’s all about getting a bite. And still there are times when I can be catching one crappie after another, and he’ll still lose interest. So when they tell you they’re done, don’t make them stay, or you’ll ruin the experience.
I will say here at Lake Travis would be a great place to take a kid fishing, because there’s so many fish in here. I’d just tie on a little 3” swimbait for him, and let him cast and wind it on a Zebco reel. And as many little 12 to 13” bass that swim here – I’ll promise ya he’d have a real good chance of catching one.
HAYNES OUT IN FRONT WITH OVER 26 POUNDS AFTER DAY ONE OF FLW TOUR AT KENTUCKY LAKE PRESENTED BY COSTA SUNGLASSES
Courtesy of FLW Communications
GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. (May 17, 2018) – Pro Randy Haynes of Ripley, Mississippi, weighed a 26-pound, 3-ounce, limit of bass Thursday to take the early lead at the FLW Tour at Kentucky Lake presented by Costa Sunglasses. Haynes’ limit – tied for the third largest single-day limit ever caught on Kentucky Lake in FLW Tour competition – will pace the field heading into Day Two of the four-day event that features the world’s most best bass-fishing professionals and co-anglers casting for top awards of up to $125,000 cash in the Pro Division and up to $25,000 cash in the Co-angler Division.
Right behind Haynes is second-place pro Jason Lambert of Michie, Tennessee, a fellow ledge-fishing expert who was the 2016 FLW Tour at Kentucky Lake Champion. With Haynes and Lambert both catching their fish out deep and separated by less than 2 pounds, the stage could be set for a potential offshore shootout.
“My first five holes were tough, but I hit a good one and stayed there most of the day. I caught a couple, left for a little while, came back and culled a couple more times,” said Haynes, who is seeking his second career win in FLW Tour competition. “It was pretty tough out there – I only had six keeper bites all day. I’m very fortunate to have what I did. It’s kind of wide open out there right now. I can fish anywhere I want to, and I like that.”
Haynes said he counted 10 bass in his primary location, six of which he put in the boat. He said it took most of the day to put together his limit.
“I just grinded it out and the bites I got were the right ones,” said Haynes. “The spot is burned to the ground now so I’m going to have to go out there and start over tomorrow. It’s all about finding them right now – finding the fresh ones. That’s the whole deal right now.”
The top 10 pros after day one on Kentucky Lake are:
1st: Randy Haynes, Ripley, Miss., five bass, 26-3
2nd: Jason Lambert, Michie, Tenn., five bass, 24-6
3rd: Quaker State pro Scott Canterbury, Odenville, Ala., five bass, 21-5
4th: Lowrance pro Austin Felix, Eden Prairie, Minn., five bass, 19-13
5th: Josh Douglas, Isle, Minn., five bass, 19-10
6th: Bradley Hallman, Norman, Okla., five bass, 18-6
7th: Polaris pro David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., five bass, 18-5
8th: Scott Martin, Clewiston, Fla., five bass, 17-14
8th: Tom Redington, Royse City, Texas, five bass, 17-14
8th: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., five bass, 17-14
For a full list of results visit FLWFishing.com.
Anthony Gagliardi of Prosperity, South Carolina, earned the $500 Simms Big Bass award in the Pro Division Thursday thanks to a 6-pound, 15-ounce bass.
Overall there were 641 bass weighing 1,804 pounds, 13 ounces, caught by 169 pros Thursday. The catch included 76 five-bass limits.
Ronny Webb of Dyersburg, Tennessee, leads the Co-angler Division with five bass weighing 17 pounds, 7 ounces, followed by Keith Gunsauls of El Cajon, California, who weighed five bass totaling 15-2, good for second place.
The top 10 co-anglers after day one on Kentucky Lake are:
1st: Ronny Webb, Dyersburg, Tenn., five bass, 17-7
2nd: Keith Gunsauls, El Cajon, Calif., five bass, 15-2
3rd: Greg Ravitsky, Ashburn, Va., five bass, 14-10
4th: Mike Gabel, Saint Charles, Ill., five bass, 14-4
5th: Michael Yoder, Texarkana, Ark., five bass, 14-1
6th: Rex Jaeger, Hamilton, Ohio, five bass, 13-11
7th: Chatfield Smith, Minnetonka, Minn., five bass, 13-8
8th: Roger McQueen, Eagar, Ariz., four bass, 13-4
9th: Craig Middleton, Harrodsburg, Ky., four bass, 11-12
10th: Michael Weimann, Murfreesboro, Tenn., four bass, 11-9
Christopher Kanute of Clover, South Carolina, earned $250 for the Simms Big Bass award in the Co-angler Division with a 6-pound, 1-ounce bass.
Overall there were 292 bass weighing 769 pounds, 10 ounces caught by 137 co-anglers Thursday. The catch included nine five-bass limits.
In FLW Tour competition, pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day, with pros supplying the boat, controlling boat movement and competing against other pros. Co-anglers fish from the back deck against other co-anglers. The full field of anglers competes in the two-day opening round. Co-angler competition concludes following Friday’s weigh-in, while 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.
The total purse for the FLW Tour at Kentucky Lake presented by Costa Sunglasses is more than $930,000. The event is hosted by the Kentucky Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Anglers will take off at 6:30 a.m. CDT each day from Kentucky Dam State Park, located at 7792 U.S. Highway 641 N. in Gilbertsville. Friday’s weigh-in, May 18, will be held at the State Park beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins, May 19-20, will also be held at the park, but will begin at 4 p.m.
Prior to the weigh-ins Saturday and Sunday, May 19-20, FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at Kentucky Dam State Park from noon to 4 p.m. The Expo is the perfect opportunity for fishing fans of all ages to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, meet characters from the “Paw Patrol” children’s television show, 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 Kentucky Dam State Park on Saturday, May 19, from 9-11 a.m. The event is hosted by FLW Foundation pro Cody Kelley along with other FLW Tour anglers, and is free and open to youth (18 and under) and Special Olympics athletes (all ages). 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.
Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2018 Forrest Wood Cup will be on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Aug. 10-12 and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.
Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Kentucky Lake presented by Costa Sunglasses will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) June 27 from Noon-1 p.m. EST. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs on NBCSN, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide.
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 Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
Texan Ray Hanselman Takes Early Lead At Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest On Lake Travis
Texas Fest offers fans a unique format under which the majority of the fish are caught, weighed and immediately released. Each pro is allowed to keep one big bass that measures more than 18 inches.
Each big bass will be brought to the scales, weighed and showed off to the Bassmaster cameras. The bass are then immediately returned to Lake Travis after the weigh-in has concluded.
Hanselman grew up in South Texas, and has guided bass fisherman on legendary Lake Amistad for many years. After noticing many similarities between Lake Travis and Amistad, he was confident in what he needed to do.
“The water color on Lake Travis is very similar to Amistad. But the biggest difference is there isn’t any grass here,” Hanselman said. “I just clicked with this lake. I’ve fished many of the other lakes in this chain and they are all pretty similar, but overall I don’t have much experience on this particular lake.”
The 45-year-old rookie earned an invitation to fish the Bassmaster Elite Series by finishing among the Top 5 in standings for the 2017 Bass Pro Shops Central Opens last year.
“The weather has been hot and calm, which makes my morning bite critical,” he said. “I’d feel a lot better about staying consistent if some clouds and wind would move in. It’s harder to fool these bass in water this clear.”
Lake Travis is known for its gin-clear water and substantial fishing pressure due to close proximity to Austin, Texas.
“Another 20-pound day is sure possible, but getting the right fish to bite at the right time is the challenge,” he said. “I caught my three big bass from the same stretch that was about 250 yards long. After that, I left it alone hoping to save some bigger fish for coming days of the tournament.”
Bobby Lane of Lakeland, Fla., managed an impressive 21-2, which will have him starting Friday’s second round of competition in second place.
“I fished real clean today,” Lane said. “I caught three big fish and I got them into the boat without any problems. That doesn’t always happen, especially when you’re fishing around wires, cables, pipes and docks. Lake Travis is full of those types of things.”
The big bass of the tournament will win its captor a 2018 Toyota Tundra.
Currently leading that race is Cliff Pace of Petal, Miss., with a giant 10-5. That big bass pushed his first limit to 19-8 and third place.
“Any time you catch a 10-pounder in a tournament, it’s a big surprise,” Pace said. “But catching that fish on this lake is just as surprising. There are plenty of big fish here, but Travis is full of small 10- to 13-inchers, making it hard to catch a real big one. That fish was a gift from God, and I’m thankful for it.
Rounding out the Top 6 are Jacob Powroznik and Josh Bertrand tied at fourth place with 19-5, and Jacob Wheeler is in sixth with 17-4.
A total purse of $1 million will be paid out at Texas Fest, including $100,000 to the winner, who also earns a berth in the 2019 Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
Takeoff will begin at 6:15 a.m. CT each morning at Jones Brothers Park in Jonestown, Texas, and weigh-ins will be at the same location each afternoon beginning at 3 p.m. Fans can follow the action online by tuning in to Bassmaster LIVE on Bassmaster.com and the ESPN App and by viewing BASSTrakk leaderboard and other real-time coverage on Bassmaster.com.
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AC Insider Podcast with Chris Brown & Jason Duran & Special Guest Haden Lamb!
Day late and a dollar short, this weeks trade excuse for a podcast features the Progressive Bass Wrap up, The Costa Countdown to Blast off and Chris & Jason talk to TN Angler Haden Lamb who along with is partner Trevor Porter won last weekends Chattanooga Bass Association Event on Chickamauga with over 42 pounds!!! Check it out!
Iaconelli and Texas Fest Hooking Kids on Fishing
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin / Dynamic Sponsorships
Mike Iaconelli sat eating his traditional sausage, egg and cheese croissant in the dawn’s early light of Day 1 at the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest to benefit Texas Parks and Wildlife Department showing off a Molix spinnerbait and a swimbait he hoped would lead to a fast limit of bass during the early morning shad spawn, and then a chance to upgrade his weight throughout the day.
Iaconelli is a grinder. Always believing that even amid a stellar career that includes a Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title and a Bassmaster Classic Championship that he has to work harder than a lot of pros in order to stay competitive. So the over-the-top 14 hour practice days he logged in the 90-degree Central Texas heat this week comes as no surprise.
It’s also no surprise that amid bites of breakfast sandwich and the obvious stress that arises from contemplating the day’s challenges – like bright 96 degree sunshine over Lake Travis’ clear water – that Iaconelli’s thoughts always seem to center on getting more kids involved in fishing.
Along with the love he has for his wife Becky, his four children, old school hip hop music, collecting antique glass bottles, and Philadelphia sports teams – is an absolute passion for introducing youth anglers to the sport he loves.
“Lake Travis is a fun lake. It’d be the perfect place to take kids bass fishing, because there’s so many bass swimming here, you know they’d get a bite,” says “Ike” with excitement. “One day of practice here at Travis, I caught 120 bass. Now look, only 10% of those were keepers. But still, 120 bass in one day! That’s phenomenal!”
Speaking of numbers, two days before traveling to Texas, “Ike” hosted over 250 kids at Haddon Lake near his New Jersey home as part of the Ike Foundation Hook ‘Em Early Kids Event.
“It was awesome, man. We stocked bass, catfish and bluegill, and gave every kid a free Flambeau tackle box, plus a free Abu Ike Dude rod and reel combo. And every fish they caught counted, because we awarded prizes for total inches of fish caught in three age divisions,” he reflected. “And the best part … roughly 40% of the kids who attended had never been fishing before!”
Iaconelli’s passion couldn’t have been expressed on a more fitting morning, because the very focus of Texas Fest is to raise money that is ultimately funneled to fund Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s youth fishing initiatives in 11 major metro areas.
The effort is estimated to introduce roughly 50,000 new anglers per year to the sport Iaconelli and everybody within sight of the giant American flag hanging over Jones Brothers Park Boat Ramp on Lake Travis Thursday morning loves so soulfully.
“My hope is that we can take our Ike Foundation tournaments to a lot more locations, and use them as an opportunity to do supplemental stocking in those small lakes. That way the kids that come to our events catch lots of fish, have a great experience, and become anglers for life. Plus we leave those lakes in better condition than we found them,” he concluded with passion and purpose.
The same exact passion and purpose shared by all those involved with Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest to benefit Texas Parks and Wildlife Department this week on Lake Travis.
Matt Lee and KVD talk Texas Fest on Lake Travis
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin / Dynamic Sponsorships
Two of professional bass fishing’s classiest guys, Matt Lee, who is getting married in 16 days, and Kevin VanDam who has been married for 26 years, gladly took a break from the 95-degree sunshine in Central Texas to sit in the shade and answer a few questions about this week’s Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest to Benefit Texas Parks and Wildlife Department that starts Thursday on Lake Travis.
Q: Lake Travis is super healthy and full of fish. What’s the most number of bass you caught in a single practice day here this week?
Matt Lee:30
KVD:75
Q: Name two lures we’ll see Elite Series pros slinging on Lake Travis to try to catch a big fish that will go a long way in separating themselves from the pack?
Matt Lee:Topwater and a swimbait
KVD:Swimbait and a big creature bait
Q: There’s a lot of clear water on Lake Travis. Will the front deck of your boat be more full of Quantum spinning reels, or baitcasting reels?
Matt Lee:An equal mix
KVD:Just about even.
Q: When the scales stop spinning after Day 1 – how much weight would you guess the guy sitting in 20thplace will have?
Matt Lee:16 pounds
KVD:16 pounds
Q: The hilarious and talented B.A.S.S. photographer, James Overstreet wants to know, if you could only eat one species of fish, what would it be?
Matt Lee:walleye
KVD:yellow perch from the Great Lakes region
Fishing Superstars VanDam & Klein, Along with Industry Pioneers To Be Inducted Into Bass Fishing Hall Of Fame
Courtesy of Bass Fishing Hall of Fame
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Six individuals who have helped make the black bass America’s mostpopular game fish have been selected for induction into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, theHall’s board of directors announced today.
The Class of 2018, which will be inducted in ceremonies at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of WildlifeMuseum and Aquarium in Springfield on September 27, 2-018, includes two stars of professional bass fishing — Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., and Gary Klein of Mingus, Texas — and four leaders from the sportfishing industry and its media.
Also being inducted are Tommy Sanders of Little Rock, Ark., a veteran outdoor television host; Helen Sevier of Montgomery, Ala., former CEO of B.A.S.S.; Berkley Bedell of Naples, Fla., founder of Berkley and Co.; and Dr. James Henshall, a 19th Century author who is considered the father of bass fishing.
The inductees were nominated by members of the Hall of Fame and elected by a 30-member panel of sportfishing industry leaders, members of the outdoor media, professional anglers and members of the Hall of Fame.
“We on the board of directors are grateful for the efforts of the Selection Committee in identifying this year’s induction class,” said John Mazurkiewicz, vice president of the Hall of Fame Board and Nomination Committee chair. “The new selection process, which went into effect this year, helps ensure that we are again inducting some of the great pioneers in bassfishing.”
The six will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame museum, which opened last November within the Wonders of Wildlife complex at the flagship Bass Pro Shops store in Springfield. The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring anglers, manufacturers, innovators and media who have furthered the sport of bass fishing. On display in the museum are artifacts, photos and biographical information about 71 members of the Hall of Fame who have been inducted since 2001.
“Our first Induction Banquet and the grand opening of the new Hall of Fame facility at Wondersof Wildlife was incredibly successful, attracting both pioneers and current leaders of our sport aswell as anglers and fans who are passionate about bass fishing,” said Donald Howell, BFHOF
Board president. “We are expecting a sell-out crowd on Sept. 27 as we honor the newest members of the Hall of Fame.”
Tickets to the banquet and information about the Hall of Fame and its mission are available at Bassfishinghof.com.
About The Class Of 2018
Berkley Bedell — Born in Spirit Lake, Iowa, March 5, 1921, “Berk” Bedell began tying flies with dog hair and selling them to trout fishermen as a source of Depression-era income while he was still in high school. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Bedell began to expand his Berkley & Co., positioning it to become one of the largest fishing tackle companies in the world. The company launched Trilene fishing lines and added or acquired numerous other brands over the years. Bedell was elected to Congress in 1977 and served five terms. His son, Tom, served as CEO of the company, which became known as Pure Fishing in 1979.
Dr. James A. Henshall — Henshall (1836-1925) was the author of the first book on bass fishing, Book of the Black Bass in 1881, and was the sport’s earliest advocate of note. A surgeonby trade, he designed the most popular rod and reel of his day, though he chose to patent neither because he believed his creations should be available to all manufacturers and anglers. He was also an innovator in hatchery management during his time with the U.S. Fish Commission. Henshall predicted the decline of trout fishing and habitat as well as the rise of the bass insportsmen’s eyes. Though he wrote extensively for several outdoor publications even to the endof his long life, he is probably best remembered for a single line in bass book: “I consider him, inch for inch and pound for pound, the gamest fish that swims.” It is still the greatest commenton the greatest of game fish.
Tommy Sanders — When one thinks of bass fishing television, Tommy Sanders rises to the top. The smooth, witty announcer has been the face of B.A.S.S. on television since 2000. Sanders is synonymous with outdoors TV, gracing ESPN Outdoors for more than a quarter century. Jerry McKinnis, a model of longevity with 44 years of The Fishin’ Hole, said he believes Sanders holds the distinction of appearing on the network more than any of the thousands of other personalities. Besides starting FLW coverage, Sanders has hosted Stihl Timbersports, the GreatOutdoor Games and the wraparound segments for the ESPN Outdoors block. But he’s mainlyknown as the host of The Bassmasters, where he has earned numerous awards. Recently inducted into the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame, Sanders is also known for his recent work as host of“Bassmaster LIVE” and “The Livewell.”
Helen Sevier — Sevier devoted three decades of service to the fishing industry, first as executive vice president and, from 1986-2001, CEO of B.A.S.S., Inc. Under her leadership,
B.A.S.S. grew to 600,000 members worldwide and conducted the world’s most prestigiousfishing tournament circuit. She worked tirelessly to promote sport fishing and conservation, creating the Bassmaster Casting Kids program, which has introduced millions of youngsters to fishing, in 1991. Sevier helped found the American Sportfishing Association and served on numerous industry boards and councils. Among her awards: the William E. Ricker Resources Conservation Award by the American Fisheries Society (1987), the U.S. Department of theInterior’s Conservation Service Award (1997), and the Norville Prosser Lifetime AchievementAward from the ASA (2002). She was inducted into the National Freshwater Hall of Fame in 2004.
Gary Klein – He has been involved in the bass fishing industry at the highest levels for almost 40 years. During that time, Klein has fished in more than 400 Bassmaster tournaments, helped create the Major League Fishing television show, won two B.A.S.S Angler of the Year awards, made 30 Classic appearances and recorded eight victories in B.A.S.S. tournaments alone. Klein has won the U.S. Open and a gold medal in the ESPN Great Outdoor Games. He has known no other job except as a professional bass angler. While the idea of young anglers leaving college and becoming a full-time professional is commonplace today, Klein was the first to make professional angling his first career when he started fishing at the age of 19. After four decades of competition, he is considered one of the top anglers in the world.
Kevin VanDam – VanDam is one of the most recognized names in bass fishing as the all-time money winner with B.A.S.S. (more than $6 million). His initials are the most-feared in bass fishing as KVD has won four of the 27 Bassmaster Classics in which he’s competed, has a record25 B.A.S.S. wins and has seven Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles. He was the first-everwinner of ESPN’s “Outdoorsman of the Year” ESPY trophy. During only four years with theFLW Tour, he finished in the top 10 nearly 30 percent of the time, pocketed more than $370,000 in winnings and appeared in four Forrest Wood Cups. In addition to his fishing accomplishments, VanDam is a philanthropist through his KVD Foundation as well as contributions in the KVD Charity Classics with the Detroit Lions, Michigan hospitals, March of Dimes and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Terry Scroggins’ peanut pattern
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin / Dynamic Sponsorships
You never know what you’re gonna see when you look inside Terry “Big Show” Scroggins’ Triton bass boat. Sometimes it’s two or three pairs of cheap reading glasses tossed among a pile of discarded lures.
Another time it was a jar of pickles, because Scroggins claims drinking pickle juice makes his muscle cramps disappear.
These days, it’s 2-pounds of Planters Honey Roasted Peanuts that ride in a plastic jar on the carpeted floor of the hilarious and kind-hearted food lover’s boat.
No matter when one glances inside Scroggins’ boat this Elite Series season – there sits the large plastic jar of peanuts.
“They’re probably not the best thing a guy can eat. I mean look, they have 160 calories per ounce, but they’re handy to get ahold of when you’re running down the lake. Plus they’re self-contained in this plastic jar that won’t break. And they stay fresh and dry whether it’s cold and rainy like it was at Lake Martin, or 90 degrees and sunny like here at Lake Travis,” explains the always practical and comical Carhartt pro.
And so while his buddy Gerald Swindle will compliment Lulu’s sandwiches with Famous Dave’s pickles on Lake Travis, and Quantum pro Casey Ashley insists on a fruit cup of diced peaches with today’s tuna salad – for Scroggins, it’ll be a black forest ham and smoked gouda cheese sandwich, dark chocolate cookies, and yes, Planters Honey Roasted Peanuts.
“Gotta be honey roasted, not just regular,” insist Scroggins. “And the best part is, once you eat ‘em all, you can use the jar to store your spare coins.”
Hopefully, the ‘peanut pattern’ leads to $100,000 worth of spare coins for Scroggins on the final day of Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest Benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department here on Lake Travis.
Sonar Chart Live from Navionics - See What You've Been Missing!
With technology growing rapidly, more ways to map and find fish seem to be introduced each year. The latest is instant mapping. The question is, aside from mapping your own lake, how can this be used in everyday fishing or help me on tournament day? Edwin Evers uses Navionics SonarChart Live and explained at last year’s Bassmaster Classic that it helped him fish inside timber. These areas of thick timber aren’t able to get a past survey boat in-between so these instant one foot contours, helped him identify deeper holes or creek beds within the timber to locate where his better fish are coming from.
Fishing on reefs or underwater structure, SonarChart live can be very helpful in just taking a few extra minutes to troll over the area and get a real time contour map. This will identify the exact breakpoints, high points, specific broken pieces, and just dial in exactly where you might want to cast or anchor.
Navionics SonarChart Live can be used at any speed as long as your transducer can hold bottom. Its available on Raymarine, Lowrance, Simrad, Vexilar, and other wireless transducers using the Navionics App as well. See www.Navionics.com for more details.
Classic Berth, Big Payday On The Line At Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest
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McClelland and VanDam feel at home on Lake Travis
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin / Dynamic Sponsorships
Tuesday morning marked the start of the second very long hot practice day on Lake Travis for the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Two of pro fishing’s most likeable, accomplished, and even-keeled veteran anglers, Mike McClelland and Kevin VanDam, launched next to one another in the humid predawn air, and say this gorgeous reservoir in the Texas Hill Country is very new to them, but also one they’re liking a lot, and feeling right at home on.
“Yesterday was the first time I’ve ever fished here, and I like it a lot. It reminds me a lot of Table Rock in terms of the rocky terrain and all the rocky shoreline transitions,” says VanDam.
“Yep, Kevin’s exactly right. It reminds me a ton of Table Rock too, as well as places like Bull Shoals and other Ozark reservoirs,” agrees McClelland. “Before I saw this place I envisioned it looking like Choke Canyon, maybe with vegetation like a lot of the great Texas fisheries we’ve been to, but it’s really more like Table Rock, or even a miniature Amistad.”
“Fans can expect to see us use just about every lure imaginable this week – from soft plastics of every shape and kind, to crankbaits, spinnerbaits, swimbaits -- you name it – this event is one in which you’ll see ‘em all used,” says McClelland.
While both pros were their typically gracious selves, both were also jittery to start casting, knowing the early morning shad spawn was taking place as the sun began to rise over Travis’ clean waters that are currently about 78-degrees on the surface.
“It’s that time of year, shad are spawning all over the southern half of the country right now, including here. So it’s time to get out there. I only practiced 13 hours yesterday,” winked VanDam, as he idled out for another long day of doing a job he’s loved for 28 remarkable seasons as a pro.
DELTA TEEN TEAM WINS BASS PRO SHOPS FLW HIGH SCHOOL FISHING CLEAR LAKE OPEN IN CALIFORNIA
LAKEPORT, Calif. (May 15, 2018) – The Delta Teen Team duo of Miles Kaneko and Jared De Fremery, both of Berkeley, California brought a five-bass limit to the scale Sunday weighing 19 pounds, 2 ounces to win the 2018 Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Clear Lake Open and earn the title of TBF/FLW California State Champions in Lakeport, California. The win advanced the team to the 2018 High School Fishing National Championship, held June 26-30, on Pickwick Lake in Florence, Alabama.
According to post-tournament reports, the duo caught their limit on the south end of Clear Lake, fishing docks in 5 to 8 feet of water. Their key bait was a 6-inch Margarita Mutilator-colored Roboworm on a drop-shot rig and an unnamed wacky-rigged weightless worm.
A field of 72 teams competed in the no-entry fee tournament, which was a combined event for high-school anglers. Teams from across the U.S. were eligible to compete in the Clear Lake Open, while only California schools competed in the California State Championship. The combined tournaments launched from the Konocti Vista Casino Resort and Marina in Lakeport. In FLW/TBF High School Fishing competition, the top 10-percent of teams competing advance to the High School Fishing National Championship.
The top seven teams on Clear Lake that advanced to the 2018 High School Fishing National Championship were:
1st: Delta Teen Team – Miles Kaneko and Jared De Fremery, both of Berkeley, Calif., five-bass, 19-2
2nd: Lake County High School Fishing Team – Jason Gentle and Nathan Phillips, both of Kelseyville, Calif., five bass, 17-10
3rd: Phoenix High School Bassmasters – Derek Richards and Taj White, both of Glendale, Ariz., five bass, 16-10
4th: California Student Angler Federation – Josh Poore and Brendan Holden, both of Clovis, Calif., five bass, 16-7
5th: Nor Cal Junior Bass Club – Grant Toler and Garrett Frick, both of Redding, Calif., five bass, 16-3
6th: Yuba City High School, Yuba City, Calif. – Alec Engelhardt, Yuba City, Calif., and Shawn Fields, Nevada City, Calif., five bass, 16-2
7th: Pleasant Valley High School, Chico, Calif. – Conner Urling, Roseville, Calif., and James Hawkinson, Chico, Calif., five bass, 16-2
Rounding out the top 10 teams were:
8th: Vista Del Lago High School, Folsom, Calif. – Clark Demacabalin and Weston Kennedy, both of Folsom, Calif., five bass, 16-1
9th: Alameda High School, Alameda, Calif. – Nicholas Velasquez and Joey Yang, both of Alameda, Calif., five bass, 15-13
10th: Freedom High School, Oakley, Calif. – Tyler Hurney and Justin Hurney, both of Oakley, Calif., five bass, 15-13
Complete results from the event can be found at FLWFishing.com.
The 2018 Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Clear Lake 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 2018 TBF/FLW High School Fishing California State Championship was also two-person (team) event for students in grades 7-12, but open to only Student Angler Federation (SAF) affiliated high school clubs in California. The top 10 percent of each Challenge, Open, and state championship field will advance to the High School Fishing National Championship. 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 high school bass tournament, the 2018 High School Fishing World Finals, held in conjunction with the National Championship. At the 2017 World Finals more than $60,000 in scholarships and prizes were awarded.
Full schedules and the latest announcements are available at HighSchoolFishing.org and FLWFishing.com.
Alabama Bass Trail Announces 2019 Tournament Schedule, Registration Opens August 1
Decatur, Ala. (May 15, 2018) – The Alabama Bass Trail (ABT) is pleased to unveil the 2019 tournament schedule with a cash payout reaching over $500,000 plus a grand prize of a new Phoenix Bass Boat. Returning for the sixth season, the team-style tournament series is held on eleven of the lakes of the Alabama Bass Trail beginning February 16, 2019, with the championship tournament to be held on October 25-26, 2019.
Sanctioned by BASS (Bass Anglers Sportsman Society), the ABT Tournament Series contains two divisions, North and South, and each division is made up of five tournaments on five different lakes. The maximum number of boats for each tournament is 225. Teams must fish in all five tournaments in their respective division; no single entries will be allowed.
South Division:
- February 16, 2019
Lake Martin hosted by Alexander City Chamber of Commerce - March 30, 2019
Lake Jordan hosted by the City of Wetumpka - April 20, 2019
Alabama River / Cooter’s Pond hosted by City of Prattville Parks and Recreation - May 18, 2019
Lay Lake hosted by Shelby County Commission - June 15, 2019
Lake Eufaula hosted by Eufaula-Barbour Chamber of Commerce
North Division:
- February 23, 2019
Smith Lake hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Walker County - March 23, 2019
Wheeler Lake hosted by Decatur Morgan County Tourism - April 27, 2019
Weiss Lake hosted by City of Leesburg - May 11, 2019
Pickwick Lake hosted by Florence-Lauderdale Tourism - June 8, 2019
Neely Henry Lake hosted by the City of Gadsden
Hosted by the Mountain Lakes Chamber of Commerce, the championship tournament is set for October 25-26, 2019, on Lake Guntersville. “One of the most effective measurements of our success is how much of an economic impact a tourism event makes in the community. The Mountain Lakes Chamber of Commerce has hosted an Alabama Bass Trail tournament in the past and once the final numbers were in, an economic impact study was conducted. The study clearly indicated the positive impact the tournament made on the city of Scottsboro and Jackson County from the tax revenue generated during the anglers’ visit. And now more than ever, we are looking forward to hosting the 2019 Alabama Bass Trail Championship at Goose Pond. We hope everyone will come out to experience the excitement this tournament brings,” said J.P. Parsons, vice president of destination marketing for Jackson County Tourism.
The championship event will include up to 185 boats. The 185 boats are comprised of the 10 divisional tournament winning teams, top 75 teams in points from both divisions that fished all five events in their respective divisions, along with the top 15 student boats, top five college teams and the top five couples teams collectively from both divisions that fished all five events in their respective division.
“We are excited to announce the 2019 schedule, especially that the championship is heading to Lake Guntersville where it all started for the Alabama Bass Trail in February of 2014. There has been an incredible interest from new teams about the 2019 schedule. Each year we strive to put together a schedule that will put anglers on the lakes at the best possible time for fishing and we want to change things up from previous years to keep the anglers engaged. Once our tournament travels to an area, we are honored when city officials reach out to us and ask when the Tournament Series will be back. That’s a true testament to the impact the Alabama Bass Trail has on a community,” said ABT Program Director Kay Donaldson.
Each tournament features a $10,000 guaranteed first place prize and pays 40 places totaling over $47,000. In conjunction with the Alabama Bicentennial celebration in 2019, an additional $200 bonus prize will be awarded at each tournament to the team that finishes in the 200th place. The winning team of the championship walks away with a fully rigged bass boat valued at $45,000; there is a $5,000 bonus cash prize for Angler of the Year and $2,500 for runner-up Angler of the Year. According to Donaldson, over $568,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded when the ABT Tournament Series wraps up its season in 2019.
2019 Payout Schedule:
| First place | $10,000 |
| Second place | $5,000 |
| Third place | $4,000 |
| Fourth place | $3,000 |
| Fifth place | $2,000 |
| Sixth place | $1,500 |
| Seventh place | $1,100 |
| Eighth place | $1,100 |
| Ninth place | $1,100 |
| Tenth place | $1,100 |
| 11th – 20th (each) | $750 |
| 21st – 40th (each) | $500 |
| 200th | $200 |
Anglers who fished all five events in their respective divisions in 2018 will be given a priority entry period from August 1 to August 14, 2018, to register online at www.alabamabasstrail.org. Registration will be open to the public on August 15, 2018. The entry fee per tournament is $1,300 per team, which includes registration for all five tournaments in the respective division. Each team may choose to pay a $500 nonrefundable deposit to hold the team’s spot. The balance of $800 must be paid by January 18, 2019.
ABT Tournament sponsors include Phoenix Bass Boats; Bill Penney Toyota; the Alabama Tourism Department; America’s First Federal Credit Union; Academy Sports & Outdoors; Garmin; T & H Marine Supplies, Inc.; Alabama Power Company; Buffalo Rock, Inc.; Jack’s; Wedowee Marine; Trapper Tackle; Lews Fishing; FishNeelyHenry.com; Power-Pole; YETI and Hydrowave. Pond MD will manage fish care and Southern Stream Live will be the live-streaming company.
For more information, call Donaldson at 855.934.7425 or visit www.alabamabasstrail.org.
ABOUT ALABAMA BASS TRAIL
The Alabama Bass Trail is a program of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association. Its mission is to promote Alabama as a year-round fishing destination, to preserve natural resources for generations to come, and to educate high school and college-aged students to be good stewards of natural resources. The 13 bass fishing lakes consist of Lake Guntersville, Wheeler Lake, Pickwick Lake, Lewis Smith Lake, Neely Henry Lake, Weiss Lake, Lake Martin, Lay Lake, Logan Martin Lake, Lake Jordan, Alabama River, Lake Eufaula, and the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta. For more information, visit www.alabamabasstrail.org.
Roberson Steals The Show In YES Event #1
Edenton, NC – 5/5/2018
Event number one for the 2018 Collins Inc. – Youth Educational Series kicked off over the weekend on the Chowan River / Albemarle Sound region. Teams launched from the Bayside Marina around 6:15 AM and returned at 2:30 PM for the afternoon weigh-in.
Morgan Roberson, fishing without a team partner, took the top spot with a massive catch of five fish weighing an impressive 25.22 lbs, anchored by the eventual event lunker weighing in at 7.88 lbs. Since she had no team partner to share the winnings with, Morgan doubled up on all prizes and took home both first place plaques signifying the win along with multiple tackle related prizes from Outdoor Accessories Unlimited, Z-Man Fishing Products, Penetration Hooks, Solar Bat Sunglasses, and $50 gift cards from Ranger Wear.
Morgan is no stranger to the top of the results charts, as this is her third overall victory in three seasons among the Youth Educational Series of events. She also has a previous second-place finish to add to her records. Congratulations Morgan!!!
Filling the second position was Nathaniel Moss, another solo angler. However, having to fish alone didn’t keep Nathaniel, one-half of the reining 2017 Youth Educational Series points championship team, from also bringing an impressive bag of fish to the scales that weighed in at 16.67 lbs, anchored by a 7.39 kicker fish. Nathaniel also doubled up on the prizes with his tandem plaques signifying the accomplishment, along with multiple tackle related prizes from Outdoor Accessories Unlimited, Z-Man Fishing Products, and Penetration Hooks.
The third spot went to Nathan Canady and Ayden Wood with their catch of 13.26 lbs, also anchored by a brute weighing in at 7.05 lbs. These two anglers are currently enjoying some amazing finishes among NC Bassmaster Eastern & Western Division High School Series events and are looking to do the same among the Youth Educational Series events this season.
Rounding out the top five positions included the fourth place tandem of Wyatt Long and Logan Jennings with their catch of 11.07 lbs and the fifth place team of Dorien Scott and Andrew Pittman with their catch of 5.15 lbs.
Thanks to all sponsors that contribute to these youth events. We could not offer such great rewards and opportunities without your support.
Thanks to all of the boat captains and club advisors that take time away from their personal fishing opportunities and other leisure activities to coach and mentor these young anglers. You are appreciated very much for the role that you play.
Clark & Clark Win Collins Boating Bass for Cash Series Event on Chowan River with over 24 pounds!!!
A field of sixty-three teams made their way to beautiful Edenton, NC for the fourth event of the 2018 Bass For Cash Series season. The weather was pleasant and the bite appeared to be good for the majority of the teams, as forty-nine teams recorded double-digit weights, with twenty-five teams scoring over 15lbs. Ron & Ronnie Clark topped the field with their five fish limit catch that weighed in at 24.88lbs. The duo also claimed the Outdoor Accessories Unlimited lunker award with a nice 7.69 largemouth. The tandem netted a total of $1930 for the win and another $315 plus a $100 Outdoor Accessories Unlimited gift card for the lunker.
Mike May & Dale Winstead filled the second position with their limit of fish that weighed 22.47lbs. The pair walked away with $1092 for their effort.
Cliff & Randy Jenkins settled for the third spot, narrowly missing the runner up position by less than 3 ounces, with their catch of 22.30 lbs. The duo claimed $734 for their limit of largemouth bass.
Cameron Smith & Tyler Jones secured a $600 payday with their fourth place catch of 21.08lbs.
Rounding out the top five was the team of Buster Seabolt & Skeet Bennett with their catch of 19.18lbs, granting the pair a $490 payout.
With only two events remaining in the season, this is a reminder that each “Individual” angler must compete in, at least, four of the six regular season events to be eligible for championship competition.
