HUDSON, PUGH AND GREGORY TIE FOR T-H MARINE FLW BASS FISHING LEAGUE WIN ON LEWIS SMITH LAKE
Stephenson Claims Co-Angler Title
JASPER, Ala. (April 8, 2019) – Boaters David Hudson of Jasper, Alabama, and Greg Pugh and Dexton Gregory, both of Cullman, Alabama, ended up in a three-way tie for the win at the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Choo Choo Division tournament on Lewis Smith Lake after each bringing five bass weighing 15 pounds, 1 ounce, to the scale. After contingency awards, Hudson earned $3,001, with Gregory taking home $2,801 and Pugh $2,501.
Gregory and Pugh said they caught their bass sight-fishing. Gregory caught his fish from Rock Creek – both largemouth and spotted bass.
“I had a few largemouth I found first thing [in the morning]. After that I went and got some spotted bass that I actually found on Friday during practice,” said Gregory, who earned his first in win FLW competition. “The largemouth were on little flats in the backs of pockets in 1 to 3 feet of water, while the spots were keyed in on certain rocks in 5 to 7 feet of water. I ended up catching 15 keepers throughout the day.”
Gregory said he flipped a white ½-ounce custom jig with a white Zoom Super Chunk trailer for his largemouth, while his spotted bass ate a 1/8-ounce shaky-head rig with a Bold Bluegill-colored Strike King KVD Fat Baby Finesse Worm.
Pugh, who earned his second career victory in BFL competition, primarily fished mid-lake, catching bass on jerkbaits, topwaters, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and Hawg Caller jigs. All of the fish that he weighed in came via sight-fishing, though.
Hudson worked in Ryan Creek and on the main lake and said he caught approximately 50 fish throughout the day.
“The other two [Gregory and Pugh] were sight-fishing, but I just fished, with most of my bites coming from 8 to 10 feet of water,” said Hudson, who earned his first career victory as a boater in FLW competition. “They could’ve been spawning, but I couldn’t see them – I didn’t try to. All of my fish were spotted bass, and I think that the Gamma 6-pound-test fluorocarbon line is what made the difference for me. The water in the area was so clear, and when I started using it I had a lot more bites.”
Hudson said his baits of choice were wacky-rigged Watermelon Seed- and green-pumpkin-colored Yamamoto Senkos and a shaky-head rig with a Payback-colored Reaction Innovations Flirt Worm.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: David Hudson, Jasper, Ala., five bass, 15-1, $3,001
1st: Greg Pugh, Cullman, Ala., five bass, 15-1, $2,501
1st: Dexton Gregory, Cullman, Ala., five bass, 15-1, $2,801
4th: Josh Butler, Hayden, Ala., five bass, 14-10, $979
5th: David Milsaps, Ranger, Ga ., five bass, 14-9, $1,053
6th: Randall Allen, Owens Cross Roads, Ala., five bass, 14-5, $690
7th: Jackie Flack, Cullman, Ala., five bass, 14-3, $628
8th: James Swindle, Parrish, Ala., five bass, 13-15, $565
9th: Justin Blalock, Cullman, Ala., five bass, 13-10, $502
10th: Kyle Glasgow, Guin, Ala., five bass, 13-4, $439
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Chad Aaron of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, caught a 4-pound, 12-ounce bass – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division – and earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $500.
Justin Stephenson of Jasper, Alabama, won the Co-angler Division and $1,873 Saturday after catching five bass weighing 15 pounds, 5 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Justin Stephenson, Jasper, Ala., five bass, 15-5, $1,873
2nd: Cameron Gatlin, Chattanooga, Tenn., five bass, 15-4, $936
3rd: Daniel Swartz, Jasper, Ala., five bass, 14-3, $591
4th: Randy Hill, Athens, Ala., five bass, 13-6, $564
5th: William Ryan, Jasper, Ala., five bass, 12-9, $355
6th: Hayden Obarr, Gurley, Ala., five bass, 12-6, $325
7th: Donnie Gamble, Bessemer, Ala., five bass, 11-14, $295
8th: Richard Lucia, Buford, Ga., five bass, 11-10, $266
9th: Hank Golden, Tallassee, Ala., five bass, 11-4, $336
10th: David Marr, Cleveland, Tenn., five bass, 10-13, $207
Matthew Spears of Jasper caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 3 pounds, 14 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $222.
The tournament was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce Walker County.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 10-12 BFL Regional Championship on Lake Seminole in Bainbridge, Georgia. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518L with a 200-horsepower outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518L with a 200-horsepower outboard.
The 2019 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. The 2019 BFL All-American will be held May 30-June 1 at the Potomac River in Marbury, Maryland, and is hosted by the Charles County Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism and the Commissioners of Charles County. 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, and YouTube.
VINITA HIGH SCHOOL WINS 2019 BASS PRO SHOPS FLW HIGH SCHOOL FISHING LAKE TEXOMA OPEN
DENISON, Texas (April 8, 2019) – The Vinita High School duo of Tyler Lake and Jessie Woodward, both of Vinita, Oklahoma, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 22 pounds, 11 ounces to win the 2019 Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Lake Texoma Open.
A field of 26 teams competed in the no-entry fee tournament, which launched from Highport Marina in Pottsboro. The tournament was hosted by the Denison Area Chamber of Commerce. In FLW and TBF High School Fishing competition, the top 10-percent of teams competing advance to the High School Fishing National Championship.
The top two teams on Lake Texoma that advanced to the 2019 High School Fishing National Championship were:
1st: Vinita High School, Vinita, Okla. – Tyler Lake and Jesse Woodward, both of Vinita, Okla., five bass, 22-11
2nd: Norman North High School, Norman, Okla. – Hunter Meadows and Cameron Meadows, both of Midwest City, Okla., five bass, 19-1
Rounding out the top 10 were:
3rd: Tushka High School, Tushka, Okla. – Seth Daniel and Sam Kennedy, both of Atoka, Okla., five bass, 16-4
4th: Charles Page High School, Sand Springs, Okla. – Reese David and Mack Taylor, both of Sand Springs, Okla., five bass, 14-6
5th: Mannford High School, Mannford, Okla. – Todd McKinley, Mannford, Okla., and Cole Kilpatrick, Yale, Okla., five bass, 13-3
6th: Broken Arrow High School, Broken Arrow, Okla. – Michael Reiss and Max Klein, both of Broken Arrow, Okla., five bass, 12-7
7th: Queen City High School, Queen City, Texas – Rylan Donaldson, Queen City, Texas, and Carson Dillinger, Bloomberg, Texas, five bass, 11-14
8th: Westmoore High School, Oklahoma City, Okla. – Joshua Smith, Oklahoma City, Okla., and Colton White, Moore, Okla., five bass, 11-9
9th: Queen City High School, Queen City, Texas – Ryan Ream and Dylan Benson, both of Atlanta, Texas, five bass, 11-0
10th: Calvary Baptist Academy, Shreveport, La. – Mark Andrew Trant and Noah Trant, both of Bossier City, La., five bass, 10-15
Complete results from the event can be found at FLWFishing.com.
The 2019 Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Lake Texoma Open was a two-person (team) event for students in grades 7-12, open to any Student Angler Federation (SAF) affiliated high school club in the United States. The top 10 percent of each Challenge, Open, and state championship field will advance to the 2019 High School Fishing National Championship on a body of water that has yet to be revealed. The High School Fishing national champions will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice.
In addition to the High School Fishing National Championship, all High School Fishing anglers nationwide automatically qualify for the world’s largest open high school bass tournament, the 2019 High School Fishing World Finals, held in conjunction with the National Championship. At the 2018 World Finals more than $150,000 in scholarships and prizes were awarded.
Full schedules and the latest announcements are available at HighSchoolFishing.org and FLWFishing.com.
Bedding Bass Will Likely Be Key During Bassmaster Elite At Winyah Bay
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FLW AND GENERAL TIRE ANNOUNCE EXTENSION OF GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP
Premier Tire Brand Renews with Fishing Organization, Named Title Sponsor of 2019 BFL All-American
MINNEAPOLIS (April 8, 2019) – Fishing League Worldwide (FLW), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, and Continental AG today announced an extension of their global partnership that continues to showcase and promote the General Tire brand, the “Official Tire” of FLW. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
General Tire, which first became an official sponsor of FLW in 2016, will maintain a significant presence at more than 200 tournaments across multiple FLW circuits, including the FLW Tour, the Costa FLW Series, the T-H Marine Bass Fishing League (BFL), YETI FLW College Fishing and the Bass Pro Shops High School Fishing Opens. Per terms of the agreement, General Tire has also been named as the presenting sponsor of the prestigious 2019 T-H Marine BFL All-American, held May 30-June 1 on the Potomac River in Marbury, Maryland.
“Entering their fourth season as an FLW sponsor, General Tire has been extremely creative and effective in maximizing our relationship by developing campaigns that fully engage FLW fans, members and anglers, both on and off the water,” FLW President of Marketing Trish Blake said. “Being named the title sponsor of one of our most prestigious events – the BFL All-American – ensures that the General Tire brand will remain highly visible to our fans and anglers. We are pleased to announce this extension and look forward to continuing our collaboration with such a highly regarded partner.”
“We are very excited to continue our longstanding partnership with FLW,” said Travis Roffler, Director of Marketing, Continental Tire. “Fishing has continued to be a great fit for the General Tire brand, as we embody an outdoor lifestyle that usually requires trucks and the right kind of tires to get you where you need to go. We’re looking forward to continue to engage with FLW fans and anglers in 2019 and beyond.”
General Tire will receive exposure across multiple FLW media platforms including its website, social media outlets, FLW Bass Fishing magazine, the Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show, and on-site activation at all FLW-sanctioned tournaments and Outdoor Expos.
As part of the sponsorship agreement, General Tire will begin offering a contingency award program for all boaters and co-anglers competing in the two-day T-H Marine BFL Super Tournaments and the 2019 BFL All-American. To participate, an angler must be the owner of a vehicle and/or boat trailer used at the tournament that is running on General Tire tires and have a General Tire decal displayed on the vehicle and/or boat. The highest-finishing boater and co-angler that meet contingency requirements at each T-H Marine BFL Super Tournament and the All-American will receive a $200 Visa gift card.
All contingency payouts will be administered by FLW, allowing for immediate payouts at each tournament. Updated details and terms of the program will be posted at FLWFishing.com.
For more information on General Tire or to locate an authorized General Tire dealer near you, please visit GeneralTire.com. For complete details and updated information about FLW, visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
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 2019 across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, with offices in Minneapolis, FLW and their partners conduct more than 290 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 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 and YouTube.
About General Tire
For over 100 years General Tire has offered a complete quality line of ultra-high performance, passenger, light truck, off-road and commercial tires to meet all your needs. General Tire is a proud supporter of ARCA, Best in the Desert Racing Series, Major League Fishing, Fishing League Worldwide, King of the Cage, Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, Late Model Dirt Series, Pro Pulling League, Modified Series, Drag Boat Racing Series and ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series, Petty’s Garage, Expedition Overland, FreestyleMx.com Tour, Zero One Odyssey and Spec Tire of JeepSpeed. Team GT supports athletes: CJ Hutchins, Jim Beaver, Jeff Proctor, Chase Motorsports, Camburg Racing, Stan Shelton, Ryan Beat, Skeet Reese, Edwin Evers, Mark Rose, Ott DeFoe, Andy Montgomery, James Watson, Alton Jones Jr., John Crews, Britt Myers and Bill McDonald.
Meet Mike Elsea, Your 2019 KBF National Champion!
Vance McCullough
Mike Elsea was dialed-in. The results prove it. With a 3-day total of 288.75 inches and a winning margin of 16 inches against a field of 461 competitors, his was the most dominant performance ever in a Kayak Bass Fishing National Championship, or any major kayak tournament for that matter.
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around it,” said Elsea even after the long ride home to Indiana with the big check for $73,000 beside him.
“I caught my first bass of the tournament on a spinnerbait,” said Elsea, “but after that, I couldn’t get bit on a moving lure. I had to slowly drag a lure tight to the base of a cypress tree – try to peel the bark off of it and get hung up in order to get a bite.”
In a sea of sameness that confounded other anglers, Elsea differentiated the key trees among Caddo Lake’s countless flooded cypress. He could call his shot so well that he would just pedal to the next target and, often as not, catch a bass. “It got to a point where I would just close my eyes, because everything looks so similar with all the trees, and I would open them and say ‘oh, over there, that tree is off by itself’. And it might be 400 yards away, but I would go there and, half the time, I’d catch a fish. Depth didn’t really matter. I caught fish in 3 feet of water and I caught a fish in 8 feet of water, but the tree had to be isolated.”
If he sounds like a hardcore tourney angler, there’s good reason: Elsea has fished the pro division of the Bassmaster Opens and FLW Costa Series. He even fished the first BassFest on Chickamauga a few years back, narrowly missing a shot to fish the final day when he lost a 5-pounder at the boat and finished 11thin the wildcard elimination round. The Top 10 advanced.
Elsea expects that background to pay off now. “When you get your butt kicked 9 times out of 10 it’s going to make you better. Fishing at that level made me better. It made me more versatile. I learned different techniques, learned about finding fish. I’m taking that with me to the kayak tour.”
So how did he go from competing at a very high level in a motorboat to fishing from a ‘yak? “I kind of went through a rough period in my life. I got rid of my boat. I wasn’t able to fish much for a little over year.
“I wasn’t a real happy person to be around, to be honest. I wasn’t happy with myself and I’m sure I didn’t make very many people happy at that time either.”
A friend showed Elsea a new way to enjoy the same sport of bass fishing that he had enjoyed competitively since age 16. “A good friend of mine, year before last, kept sending me pictures. He’d gone and gotten himself a kayak and was sending me texts and pictures of all the fun he was having. I wanted to get back on the water, so I went and bought little cheapo kayak to get out there and it was fun.”
That was the beginning. As Elsea dove further down the rabbit hole, he decided to go ‘all in’ with the fastest growing outdoor activity in America. “I did some more research, was looking into this whole kayak fishing thing and couldn’t believe how big it was. There are tournaments and national championships. I thought, ‘this is cool’. With the competitive nature that I have, I looked into getting a real fishing kayak.”
Elsea found his ‘real fishing kayak’ the first time he laid eyes on the Native Watercraft 10.5 Titan with a Propel Drive. “I loved the idea of a pedal drive so I can move while I fish at the same time. The Titan is really wide so it’s real stable – I stand up most of the time.”
Elsea qualified for the biggest stage in the kayak kingdom by fishing close-to-home state challenges. “That’s really all I did. I wanted to start small. I started fishing the state challenges and qualified for this year’s National Championship through that and low and behold, I went out and won that thing,” chuckled the new champ.
“The phone hasn’t quit ringing. I have to do a podcast later tonight. Chad Hoover wanted me to stay behind and film an episode of his YouTube show, Kayak Bass Fishing, with him. We had a great time and caught some really nice fish.”
When not catching fish, Elsea is still handling animals. “I work with pigs on a commercial hog operation. I deliver babies most of the time, and give shots and vaccines, take care of the sick and things like that.
“On top of that, I’m also a fitness trainer. I’ve been that for almost 20 years now. I work 14 hours a day on average between the two jobs. Hopefully that will change here pretty soon.”
Elsea is one fitness trainer who has no problem with his clients eating pork. “Pork is a good thing to eat. One in every 4 pigs born here in the US ends up overseas so we not only feed our community around here but we’re actually feeding the world and that’s a good feeling.”
Elsea resides in the Indianapolis area. What does he consider his ‘home water’? “Indiana has a bunch of small lakes. But no matter what direction I go, I have to drive at least an hour to hit water. That stinks,” he laughed.
He mentioned a couple of nearby reservoirs and then pivoted away, “but I grew up in the northern part of the state and there’s a lot of natural lakes up there. If I have the preference and the opportunity, I’ll make the 2-hour drive to go fish some of those northern lakes. All those lakes, I feel like, are my backyard in a sense and some of them have some toads in them, I mean, some really nice fish.”
The need to choose his water wisely followed Elsea from Indiana to Louisiana where there were more lakes than ever for championship participants to pick from.
“I qualified in May or June, so I started my research on that area 9 months ago. I looked up every article I could possibly find on Cross Lake, on Lake Bistineau, Caddo Lake, the Red River. Most of my homework was done on a computer, looking up fishing reports and articles and looking at Google Earth and YouTube videos – I can’t tell you how many hours of YouTube I watched just trying to find something, anything. Getting live views of the area . . .
“and it still didn’t do it justice when I got there. I was overwhelmed by the number of trees. Like ‘holy smokes’ how am I going to do this?
“The general consensus is that most of the big tournaments in that area, the multi-lake tournaments, are won on Caddo Lake. And that lake is 25,000 acres and it fishes twice that. It fishes huge. You’ve got 10-bazillion trees and you’ve got bayous that go back until you’re who-knows-where. Especially in a kayak because you can get so much further back in that stuff than you can in a boat so you’ve got that much more water available to you.”
Elsea addressed one of tournament angling’s dirty little secrets. There are no rules against collecting information from others prior to KBF competition as opposed to say, the Bassmaster Elite Series, so he is absolutely clean, but most don’t have the guts to talk about this:
“I’m not going to lie. Part of this game is trying to get some local intel. Anybody can do that just by getting on a fishing forum and making a friend. I did that and got a little bit of help, at least as far as narrowing it down to which lake, because of all that water. Running around to try to hit every body of water like a chicken with my head cut of was, I knew, going to be time wasted.
“I put all my eggs in one basket and fished where big fish live.”
He prefers to catch ‘em on topwaters as well as anyone but Elsea had to drag bottom in order to top the leaderboard in Louisiana.
“I was bouncing between a SinkER Swim Tackle jig – SinkER Swim is a small company in New York. He makes hand-tied custom jigs, good friend of mine. I used one of his jigs and tipped it with a beaver-style trailer – and I was alternating between the jig and just a straight up Texas-rigged creature bait, again such as a Sweet Beaver or a Strike King Rodent.
“The key was getting that bait as close to the base of the tree as I could. I was more or less dragging that bait around the base of the trees, trying to get it hung up. I couldn’t hop it; couldn’t work it like you normally would. I just dead-sticked it. Once that thing got hung up on a root ball or cypress knee, the line would swim off. That’s how I got my bites.”
“They were in all 3 stages. Some were going in, some were on beds and some had already spawned, had beat up, bloody tails while others didn’t have a mark on them.”
Elsea notes that bass in cypress lakes often spend their entire lives on a single big, isolated tree with no need to leave for long. “They stage there, they spawn there, and they recuperate there. It’s a good ambush point.
“Those bigger trees were the key for me in finding those bigger bites.”
Elsea was driven through three days of fierce fishing by a stinging mistake on Day 1. “I had a 20-incher jump off the board while I was trying to take the picture. It ate at me. It still bothers me. I hate making mistakes like that. I was just sick about it the whole time.”
The lost fish reminded Elsea of the 5-pounder that he lost during that BassFest years ago which cost him $10,000 and a shot at the finals.
No matter how many we catch, it’s always the fish we lose that stick with us forever.
“It’s just another example of something that you don’t ever forget.”
Fitzgerald Rods did the heavy lifting and Lew’s reels handled the 15-lb Seaguar fluorocarbon Elsea relied on while peeling the bark off numerous cypress trees around the bayou.
A Bioenno Power lithium battery powered Elsea’s Power-Pole Micro. “That was a staple. It helped me huge on that last day. After the storm blew through it got up to 25 or 30 miles per hour.” Not only did the pole keep him in position to fish slowly, but it helped him to not get blown “a mile away while” fighting fish.
Elsea is big on a new tungsten weight manufacturer “Titan Tungsten. They’re a new company but they’re just exploding. They make the highest quality tungsten I have ever seen. They’ve just come out with their Pro Series weight which has the weight stamped right on there.”
He used a tiny 1/8-ounce version. “Until that wind kicked up on that last day, in the last hour and I had to go to a ¼-ounce weight.”
Precision was critical. “I absolutely had to drag it. If I hopped it, I wouldn’t get bit. If I was 6 inches out from that tree, I was not going to get bit. I had to get hung on the bark.”
As dialed-in as Elsea was, Divine intervention still played a role.
“That last hour, I’ve got to give all the glory to God because He blessed me on that deal. One-hundred percent. Those fish were there, I culled 4 out of my 5 fish in that last hour. It was insane.”
Elsea sees a bright future for competitive kayak anglers, especially now that FLW Fishing has partnered with KBF to host a couple of tournaments this year. “I think it is a huge opportunity. I’m excited about it. I’m planning on at least fishing the first one and, hopefully, making it to the 2ndone.
“The sport of kayak bass fishing - this is just my 2ndyear in it - I didn’t know that it was as big as it is, and it’s getting bigger by the minute. I think the partnership with FLW could take it to one more level.
“I want to do everything I can to help grow the sport, help get more people involved because this thing just changed my life.”
What’s next for Elsea? He has a web site in the works. It will be called MikeElseaFishing.com. You can also search the tagline: Blessed Beyond Measure. YouTube channel is coming too. For now, people can follow Elsea on Facebook and Instagram, just search ‘Mike Elsea’. Either way, keep an eye on our sport’s newest ambassador.
“This ride is just beginning.”
Full Results can be found HERE
Redington & McClendon Win Bass Champs event won Sam Rayburn with over 21 pounds!!!
| Place | Boat | Truck | Angler 1 | Angler 2 | Fish | Big Bass | Wt. | Prize Amt. | |
| 1 | DAVE REDINGTON SULPHUR SPRINGS , TX |
CHAD MCCLENDON GRAPEVINE , TX |
5 | 7.80 | 21.99 |
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| 2 | ADAM DUNN HOUSTON , TX |
JOSHUA WARE NEW CANEY , TX |
5 | 0 | 21.83 |
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| 3 | MATTHEW DELANEY POLLOCK , LA |
MATTHEW NUGENT DRY PRONG , LA |
5 | 0 | 21.14 |
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| 4 | BRADLEY HILLEBRANDT RAGLEY , LA |
JORDAN BREAUX SULPHUR , LA |
5 | 0 | 20.44 |
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| 5 |  |
BRANDON MOODY APPLE SPRINGS , TX |
JESSE MOODY APPLE SPRINGS , TX |
5 | 0 | 20.29 |
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| 6 |  |
CHAD KEMP BRIDGE CITY , TX |
BRENT KEMP ORANGE , TX |
5 | 0 | 19.76 |
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| 7 | MATT MORRIS SHREVEPORT , LA |
BILLY GASTON SHREVEPORT , TX |
5 | 7.96 | 19.60 |
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| 8 | TODD NEWMAN NACOGDOCHES , TX |
SHANNON HALE NACOGDOCHES , TX |
5 | 0 | 19.11 |
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| 9 | MICHAEL LAFLEUR ORANGEFIELD , TX |
JOHN DICKERSON ORANGE , TX |
5 | 7.96 | 18.98 |
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| 10 | |
JASON FONTENOT LAKE CHARLES , LA |
NICK ABSHIRE SULPHUR , LA |
5 | 7.81 | 18.94 |
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| 11 | JACOB JOHNSON LAKE CHARLES , LA |
SHANE CORMIER RAGLEY , LA |
5 | 0 | 18.77 |
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| 12 | KURTICE FLOYD NEWTON , TX |
GREG LEBLANC NEDERLAND , TX |
5 | 6.93 | 18.49 |
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| 13 | TEDDY CLOIDE VIDOR , TX |
WESLEY DAWSON CHESTER , TX |
5 | 0 | 18.33 |
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| 14 | WILL CARSTENS ALEXANDRIA , LA |
ROSS BRYANT ALEXANDRIA , LA |
5 | 0 | 18.31 |
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| 15 | |
EASTON HEIGLEY BROOKELAND , TX |
BLAKE SCHROEDER WHITEHOUSE , TX |
5 | 8.39 | 18.24 |
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| 16 | RIVER LEE NACOGDOCHES , TX |
HUNTER MUNCRIEF PINELAND , TX |
5 | 0 | 18.03 |
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| 17 | |
RUSTY CLARK SAM RAYBURN , TX |
CORY RAMBO ORANGE , TX |
5 | 0 | 17.86 |
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| 18 | |
LANCE DUFF LUMBERTON , TX |
COLE COSTLOW LIBERTY , TX |
5 | 0 | 17.59 |
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| 19 | |
STEVEN HANNA BEAUMONT , TX |
ANTHONY BAKER BEAUMONT , TX |
5 | 0 | 17.58 |
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| 20 | |
DOUG MCCAIN LAKE CHARLES , LA |
MASON MCCAIN LAKE CHARLES , LA |
5 | 0 | 17.18 |
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| 21 | JOHNNY VINES GROVES , TX |
SHANNON PRICE PORT ARTHUR , TX |
5 | 0 | 17.17 |
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| 22 | MASON GUIN DECATUR , TX |
CAMERON LAFLEUR BRIDGE CITY , TX |
5 | 0 | 17.15 |
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| 23 | LEN FAIRBANKS LIVINGSTON , TX |
REID FAIRBANKS KYLE , TX |
5 | 0 | 16.83 |
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| 24 | JOHN MADDOX LUFKIN , TX |
JEFFERY WISE LUFKIN , TX |
5 | 0 | 16.76 |
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| 25 | PHILLIP CRELIA CENTER , TX |
TJ GOODWYN CENTER , TX |
5 | 0 | 16.69 |
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| 26 | JOSEPH CHILDERS SULPHUR , LA |
DARREN YOUNGBLOOD SULPHUR , LA |
5 | 0 | 16.57 |
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| 27 | MIKE TAYLOR JASPER , TX |
RANDY DEARMAN ONALASKA , TX |
5 | 0 | 16.37 |
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| 28 | |
BOB VOTE KINGWOOD , TX |
ANDY VOTE KINGWOOD , TX |
5 | 0 | 16.35 |
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| 29 | GERALD MITCHELL JENA , LA |
JASON LEBRUN CHOUDRANT , LA |
5 | 0 | 16.18 |
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| 30 | RICKY BLANKINSHIP HOMER , LA |
DAVID CURTIS BROOKLAND , TX |
5 | 0 | 15.79 |
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| 30 | MARSHALL HUGHES HEMPHILL , TX |
DANIEL METREYEON BEAUMONT , TX |
5 | 0 | 15.79 |
|
|||
| 32 | JASON MOOREHEAD JASPER , TX |
TY MOOREHEAD JASPER , TX |
5 | 0 | 15.51 |
|
|||
| 33 | |
JAMES BLYTHE JR ELM GROVE , LA |
EDDIE MORGAN BOSSIER CITY , LA |
5 | 0 | 15.45 |
|
||
| 34 | JONATHAN SIMON ORANGE , TX |
COREY STANLEY ORANGE , TX |
5 | 0 | 15.44 |
|
|||
| 35 | EDWARD LACOSTE HEMPHILL , TX |
CHRIS NEWMAN HEMPHILL , TX |
5 | 0 | 15.35 |
|
|||
| 36 | SEAN MECHE LAKE CHARLES , LA |
RODNEY OWENS RAGLEY , LA |
5 | 0 | 15.33 |
|
|||
| 37 | |
ALLEN SHELTON FARMERS BRANCH , TX |
STRIDER BROWNING GUN BARREL CITY , TX |
5 | 0 | 15.31 |
|
||
| 38 | MALCOLM FRANKS FLORIEN , LA |
RONNIE BLAND BURKEVILLE , TX |
5 | 0 | 15.21 |
|
|||
| 39 | JOSHUA SIKES PINEVILLE , LA |
SAMUEL CANOE GEORGETOWN , LA |
5 | 0 | 14.93 |
|
|||
| 40 | GARY ALLEN NACOGDOCHES , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.91 |
|
||||
| 41 | HAROLD BLYTHE ZAVALLA , TX |
BREYER ABSHIRE KIRBYVILLE , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.86 |
|
|||
| 42 | |
COLE STEWART HEMPHILL , TX |
BRANDON BAKER HEMPHILL , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.80 |
|
||
| 43 | CLYDE GLENN BELTON , TX |
STEPHEN PHILLIPS JR BEAUMONT , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.77 |
|
|||
| 44 | |
KEVIN BURKS KOUNTZE , TX |
JASON GATES KOUNTZE , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.75 |
|
||
| 45 | SHELBY SHAW HUNTSVILLE , TX |
ZAC CLARK CENTER , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.62 |
|
|||
| 46 | |
ROY GEESEY CROWLEY , LA |
CHARLES ANZALONE CROWLEY , LA |
4 | 8.01 | 14.55 |
|
||
| 47 | |
 |
COLE BREWER LEESVILLE , LA |
ROB RICHARDS SPRING , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.47 |
|
|
| 48 | GARY MCDONALD CENTER , TX |
CLARENCE DENBY ETOILE , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.36 |
|
|||
| 49 | |
CHARLIE BROWN III FLINT , TX |
MATTHEW MCCLELLAN TYLER , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.31 |
|
||
| 50 | |
RANDY HANNA ZAVALLA , TX |
JASON DEW PINELAND , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.30 |
|
||
| 51 | SAMMY CHRISTIAN LUMBERTON , TX |
ALLAN SHIVERS JASPER , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.20 |
|
|||
| 51 | BLAKE ISTRE ORANGE , TX |
CHRIS MCCLAIN DEWEYVILLE , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.20 |
|
|||
| 53 | WILLIAM WALKER JENA , LA |
BUBBA NUGENT POLLOCK , LA |
5 | 0 | 14.18 |
|
|||
| 54 | |
THOMAS DECLET JR THIBODAUX , LA |
THOMAS DECLET SR HEMPHILL , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.10 |
|
||
| 55 | LARRY DEAN HUMBLE , TX |
SHANA DEAN HUMBLE , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.01 |
|
|||
| 56 | |
JEFF HOLDER BOSSIER CITY , LA |
TERRY BURGHART SHREVEPORT , LA |
5 | 0 | 13.82 |
|
||
| 57 | BRYAN CARETHERS SILSBEE , TX |
JUSTIN HOLMES LUMBERTON , TX |
5 | 0 | 13.79 |
|
|||
| 58 | |
DONNIE PICKARD BRIDGE CITY , TX |
ALAN ASHBY ORANGE , TX |
5 | 0 | 13.74 |
|
||
| 59 | CLIFFORD MCCARTY LONGVIEW , TX |
BOBBY GUY TEXARKANA , TX |
5 | 0 | 13.58 |
|
|||
| 60 | |
 |
ERIC HUNT BUNA , TX |
STEVEN MOORHEAD JASPER , TX |
5 | 0 | 13.57 |
|
|
| 61 | JASON BONDS LUFKIN , TX |
JAMES NITSCHKE WILLIS , TX |
5 | 0 | 13.54 |
|
|||
| 62 | |
BRAD DEAL SPRING , TX |
JOHN DUNCAN HOUSTON , TX |
5 | 0 | 13.43 |
|
||
| 62 | KENNY COBB HODGE , LA |
BOBBY LOGAN COUSHATTA , LA |
5 | 0 | 13.43 |
|
|||
| 64 | |
DAVID MORTON LUFKIN , TX |
JOHN MOREHEAD HUNTINGTON , TX |
5 | 0 | 13.39 |
|
||
| 65 | CHRIS BERRY HOUSTON , TX |
KYLE GUIDRY OPELOUSAS , LA |
5 | 0 | 13.25 |
|
|||
| 66 | JASON LAWSON CORRIGAN , TX |
MASON MOODY CORRIGAN , TX |
5 | 0 | 13.24 |
|
|||
| 67 | MARTIN ELSHOUT ABITA SPRINGS , LA |
MARK PRICE RUSTON , LA |
5 | 0 | 13.20 |
|
|||
| 68 | PAT CASCIO BROOKELAND , TX |
RAY LASSIEGNE MARRERO , LA |
5 | 0 | 13.04 |
|
|||
| 69 | MICHAEL RISINGER WEST MONROE , LA |
SONTUS MITCHELL RUSTON , LA |
5 | 0 | 12.93 |
|
|||
| 70 | |
JOHN HIGHTOWER BROOKELAND , TX |
JERRY DUBOSE KIRBYVILLE , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.80 |
|
||
| 71 | AUSTIN MILAM PORT NECHES , TX |
KOLTON CLARK NEDERLAND , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.74 |
|
|||
| 72 | JORDAN WOOD LUMBERTON , TX |
CAMERON ROANE BEAUMONT , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.72 |
|
|||
| 73 | TRAVIS SIGNORIN WILLIS , TX |
BOB SIGNORIN OAKHURST , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.67 |
|
|||
| 74 | SAM HUCKABEE SHREVEPORT , LA |
ROBERT CHAMBERLAIN SHREVEPORT , LA |
5 | 0 | 12.65 |
|
|||
| 75 | MIKE EDWARDS JASPER , TX |
JAMES MUFFLER KARNACK , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.57 |
|
|||
| 75 | KURT HAGGARD ORANGE , TX |
DEREK TORFORIS VIDOR , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.57 |
|
|||
| 77 | |
KEVIN MASON COLDSPRING , TX |
BUD PRUITT HOUSTON , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.45 |
|
||
| 78 | JOHN BURLESON LOVELADY , TX |
RODNEY SALMON CROCKETT , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.37 |
|
|||
| 79 | MIKE MELANCON NEDERLAND , TX |
JESSE FLOYD NEDERLAND , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.27 |
|
|||
| 79 | KURT LUKER CLEVELAND , TX |
RICHIE THORNTON SPLENDORA , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.27 |
|
|||
| 81 | |
MIKE SOLIZ ORANGE , TX |
EDDIE CHOATE BEAUMONT , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.24 |
|
||
| 81 | |
CHANCE ARCENEAUX LAKE CHARLES , LA |
DWIGHT ABSHIRE SANTA FE , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.24 |
|
||
| 83 | RICHARD MORRIS TRINITY , TX |
BRIAN KING TIMPSON , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.16 |
|
|||
| 84 | SCOTT BARNETT MANSFIELD , TX |
MARK CHILD ARLINGTON , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.13 |
|
|||
| 85 | ROBERT HOWARD CYPRESS , TX |
DANIEL HOWARD CYPRESS , TX |
5 | 0 | 11.89 |
|
|||
| 85 | TED PRIESING DALLAS , TX |
VIRGIL CHANEY JASPER , TX |
5 | 0 | 11.89 |
|
|||
| 87 | CHRIS EAVES HUMBLE , TX |
LORI EAVES WOODLANDS , TX |
5 | 0 | 11.83 |
|
|||
| 88 | |
TOBY JONES STONEWALL , LA |
CARL JONES DAYTON , TX |
5 | 0 | 11.76 |
|
||
| 89 | IVAN DAIGS RUSTON , LA |
RANDY BRANCH RUSTON , LA |
5 | 0 | 11.60 |
|
|||
| 90 | COREY HARMON PORT NECHES , TX |
JESSE JOHNSON PORT NECHES , TX |
5 | 0 | 11.38 |
|
|||
| 91 | GEORGE GLASS DERRIDER , LA |
TRENT MANUEL ORANGE , TX |
5 | 0 | 11.25 |
|
|||
| 92 | BRANNON MIRE YOUNGSVILLE , LA |
ERIC ARNOLD LAFAYETTE , LA |
5 | 0 | 11.23 |
|
|||
| 93 | |
DEREK MONG MANY , LA |
TAMMY MONG MANY , LA |
5 | 0 | 11.22 |
|
||
| 94 | |
STEVE BELLON LAKE CHARLES , LA |
TONY COBURN LAKE CHARLES , LA |
5 | 0 | 11.19 |
|
||
| 94 | CRAIG MASSEY HOUSTON , TX |
SCOTT HOLIFIELD GRAND BAY , AL |
5 | 0 | 11.19 |
|
|||
| 96 | |
TIM WILCOXSON ROCKWALL , TX |
TIM WILCOXSON EDGEWOOD , TX |
2 | 8.89 | 11.01 |
|
||
| 97 | |
|
MIKE PETROVIC ALVIN , TX |
MARK PERRY ALBA , TX |
5 | 0 | 11.00 |
|
|
| 98 | LAMARCUS MCCRAY HOUSTON , TX |
JAMES ROZELL HOUSTON , TX |
5 | 0 | 10.91 |
|
|||
| 99 | |
SEAN GOODSON ALBA , TX |
BILL SWEETEN YANTIS , TX |
5 | 0 | 10.86 |
|
||
| 100 | LARRY BENEFIELD HUFFMAN , TX |
JIMMY ROZELL JR PORTER , TX |
5 | 0 | 10.59 |
|
|||
| 101 | |
HAYWOOD WALLACE HUFFMAN , TX |
STUART WALLACE ADDIS , LA |
5 | 0 | 10.14 |
|
||
| 102 | JOSEPH LAFLEUR ORANGE , TX |
ROWDY SLAUGHTER BROOKELAND , TX |
5 | 0 | 9.76 |
|
|||
| 103 | ALEX STEWART GOLDONNA , LA |
BRAYDEN STEWART GOLDONNA , LA |
5 | 0 | 9.75 |
|
|||
| 104 | |
SHAWN OQUINN LAVERNIA , TX |
KURT HANKS CARLYSS , LA |
5 | 0 | 9.46 |
|
||
| 105 | STUART VILLIEN DUSON , LA |
KIPP THERIOT YOUNGSVILLE , LA |
5 | 0 | 9.43 |
|
|||
| 106 | JOHN GRIMM MAGNOLIA , TX |
TIM MAGER MAGNOLIA , TX |
5 | 0 | 9.32 |
|
|||
| 107 | ROBERT HORN MILAM , TX |
PHILLIP SMITH BROOKELAND , TX |
5 | 0 | 9.28 |
|
|||
| 108 | |
ANDREW FATERKOWSKI MONTGOMERY , TX |
BILLY DRIGGERS HUNTSVILLE , TX |
5 | 0 | 9.25 |
|
||
| 109 | ROBBY JONES ORANGE , TX |
PAUL WOODS BUNA , TX |
3 | 0 | 9.00 |
|
|||
| 110 | |
DON DICKERSON PINEVILLE , LA |
JASON FOUNTAIN PINEVILLE , LA |
5 | 0 | 8.68 |
|
||
| 111 | |
WARREN CONNER MAGNOLIA , TX |
MIKE HANKS HEMPHILL , TX |
4 | 0 | 8.56 |
|
||
| 112 | JAMES COLE SPRINGHILL , LA |
5 | 0 | 8.55 |
|
||||
| 113 | |
TERRY LUEDTKE BURTON , TX |
DOYLE REEVES BURTON , TX |
4 | 0 | 7.93 |
|
||
| 114 | JASON MANNERS CLEVELAND , TX |
JORDAN MANNERS CLEVELAND , TX |
5 | 0 | 7.65 |
|
|||
| 115 | |
JACK TINDEL III ORANGE , TX |
DALTON SOLIZ ORANGE , TX |
5 | 0 | 7.30 |
|
||
| 116 | KEVIN IZZI SMITHVILLE , TX |
CHRISTOPHER IZZI SMITHVILLE , TX |
4 | 0 | 6.21 |
|
|||
| 117 | |
HARLAN DUBOIS WINNFIELD , LA |
CHRIS JOLLY DOWNSVILLE , LA |
2 | 0 | 5.31 |
|
||
| 118 | DEAN COLEMAN HUMBLE , TX |
SUZANNA COLEMAN HUMBLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | CULLEN NEWMAN KOUNTZE , TX |
JOSH ALLIEN KOUNTZE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | |
STEPHEN NEWELL SHREVEPORT , TX |
CHRISTINE NEWELL SHREVEPORT , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | |
CHRISTOPHER ATWELL POLLUCK , LA |
JUSTIN CROOKS COLFAX , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | DARRELL REEVES RAGLEY , LA |
JASON FRUGE HOUSTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | SHANNON FRICK HEMPHILL , TX |
GARY FRICK HEMPHILL , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | ED MELTON HOUSTON , TX |
HENRY TROTTY KOUNTZE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | |
ROBERT GLENDE KIRBYVILLE , TX |
JASON BURT BUNA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | CLINT BATES HAUGHTON , LA |
DAEGAN BATES HAUGHTON , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | ERIC LEGER MAMOU , LA |
TODD FEUCHT VILLE PLATTE , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | ROBERT LAIRD JR GOODRICH , TX |
MOLLY LAIRD GOODRICH , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | |
PERRY HOOKS DOUGLASS , TX |
KENNY JONES ETOILE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | BRADLEY PAGE FRIENDSWOOD , TX |
JOHN SCOTT FRIENDSWOOD , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | WYATT FRANKENS CORRIGAN , TX |
CODY BARCHENGER TAYLOR , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | |
JERRY HAYES SUGARLAND , TX |
CHANDLER HAYES SUGARLAND , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | |
MIKE GARRETT HOUSTON , TX |
BRYAN LANDERS BROOKELAND , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | PHIL MARKS DALLAS , TX |
BRET STAFFORD TEMPLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | SCOOTER CLARK CENTER , TX |
RYAN PINKSTON CENTER , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | |
HAROLD ALLEN SHELBYVILLE , TX |
MATT LOETSCHER MANY , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | STEVE DILLARD LUFKIN , TX |
DANNY CROSS LUFKIN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | JUSTIN MORTON ETOILE , TX |
JAMES JARED ETOILE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | RICHARD DRAPER HOUSTON , TX |
MATTHEW DRAPER HOUSTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | COY RIGGINS HUTTO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||||
| 118 | |
LORIN LIVELY MONTGOMERY , TX |
STEVEN CAIN MONTGOMERY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | DAVID BOWLEY JR LUFKIN , TX |
BILLY BOWLEY TOMBALL , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | RALPH DUPUY GROVES , TX |
BRYANT RODRIGUES PORT NECHES , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | |
LINDY HADLEY BROOKELAND , TX |
GREG GREEN LUMBERTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | |
GREG GILLUM PLANO , TX |
CLIFFORD TIMPSON DENISON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | MICHAEL WILLIFORD LIVINGSTON , TX |
JOEY MARTIN | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | KELLY OWENS CROWLEY , LA |
BRENT BROUSSARD ROSENBERG , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | |
DANNY BENNETT HUNTSVILLE , TX |
NEIL CLEMENTS PASADENA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | MARC WOOLEMS JASPER , TX |
JASON HANKS PINELAND , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | |
JERRY MASON RAGLEY , LA |
AARON SAMMONS BUNA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | |
DEWAYNE REESE DIBOLL , TX |
JOHN COX LUFKIN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | |
JASON GLENDE CYPRESS , TX |
TYLER BEARDEN TOMBALL , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | JOSH DUNAWAY SULPHUR , LA |
GARRET THOMPSON IOWA , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | |
LARRY COTTEN HUFFMAN , TX |
RODNEY DOTSON BROOKELAND , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | |
BOBBY SHOEMAKE JR CROCKETT , TX |
DAVID DRISKELL CROCKETT , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | JOHN SCOTT III NACOGDOCHES , TX |
JODY NORSWORTHY JASPER , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | KEVIN WOLFORD ORANGE , TX |
SHANE PREJEAN ORANGE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | |
BILLY WOLCOTT WOODVILLE , TX |
JAMES SEALE JASPER , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | |
JAMES DISLER LEANDER , TX |
DAVID DISLER CONROE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | |
KEN SMITH RICHARDSON , TX |
KEVIN LASYONE DRY PRONG , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | CLINT WADE HUNTSVILLE , TX |
STACY SPRIGGS HUNTSVILLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | CLOYS WARREN JR RED ROCK , TX |
WILLIAM SPILLER BASTROP , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | |
TED ODELL BUNA , TX |
TRACE ODELL BUNA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | |
BRANDON PICOU LAKE CHARLES , LA |
ANDREW DELANO BUNA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | CODY ERICKSON HUNTSVILLE , TX |
RICHARD SCHAUBERT CONROE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | |
JOHN BURTON NEDERLAND , TX |
MICHAEL DORSEY ORANGE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | WILLIAM MESSER TIMPSON , TX |
CHRISTOPHER BEVERLY SHEPHERD , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | |
SETH HAUSMAN NACOGDOCHES , TX |
TYLER HAM ROCKWALL , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | |
ARCHIE DORE II NATCHITOCHES , LA |
ANDY BARNES NATCHITOCHES , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | JUSTIN SOWELL SILSBEE , TX |
DAVID GORE KOUNTZE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | |
KERRY CAMPBELL GOODRICH , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | CODY JORDAN HEMPHILL , TX |
CODY CLARK HERMPHILL , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | |
BRANDON THRASH DOWNSVILLE , LA |
MICHAEL WOLFF MONROE , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | CHARLES HUMPHREY NEW CANEY , TX |
BEN SMITH NEW CANEY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | |
JASON WILLIAMS NEDERLAND , TX |
RYAN ROSS PORT NECHES , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | DOUGLAS SCHYSM RAGLEY , LA |
CHRIS GALLENDER VILLAGE MILLS , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | |
JESSE RAWLS BROWNSBORO , TX |
DANIEL COX BROWNSBORO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | |
ERIC WILSON MARSHALL , TX |
HOWARD WILSON NACOGDOCHES , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | |
CHRIS HUEBEL NEDERLAND , TX |
DON GOULD MAURICEVILLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | |
NATHAN BYRD MIDLOTHIAN , TX |
JOE BYRD SPRING , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | |
CJ NICHOLS ALEXANDRIA , LA |
RAY BECK BROOKELANDL , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | |
SCOTTY VILLINES PONCA , AR |
RUSSELL LEWIS PINEVILLE , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | KRIS WILSON MONTGOMERY , TX |
BRYAN LOHR LUMBERTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | |
DANIEL HICKMAN HUNTINGTON , TX |
DUSTIN ALEXANDER HOCKLEY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | |
BENJI DUMAS MINDEN , LA |
JIMMY DUCK III CENTER , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | |
DENNIS COURTNEY LAKE CHARLES , LA |
JERRY CHILDRESS SULPHUR , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | CLAY DARDEAU RAGLEY , LA |
CRAIG BEAN LAKE CHARLES , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | JASON MCRAE HENDERSON , TX |
TRAVIS MARTIN HENDERSON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | |
TOMMY WOODARD CONROE , TX |
CHRIS JACOBUS LONGVIEW , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | |
CHRISTOPHER GORDON CLARENCE , LA |
DENNIS MORGAN II NATCHITOCHES , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | |
JAMES PRUITT HOUSTON , TX |
RICK JOHNSON CONROE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | JERREL PRINGLE HEMPHILL , TX |
KEITH KEELE TENAHA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | |
BRANDON VAUGHAN AZLE , TX |
BOBBY BADARACK FT WORTH , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | TOMMY SHELTON MONTGOMERY , TX |
TRAVIS STEWART NEED INFO |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | CHRIS CLEMENS LUFKIN , TX |
DALLAS COLE LEESVILLE , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | |
GARY REPPOND ZAVALLA , TX |
CURTIS SMITH LUFKIN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 118 | WAYNE TRIANA JR NACOGDOCHES , TX |
CARY WALKER NACOGDOCHES , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 118 | COLTON BOLES LUFKIN , TX |
BUD BOLES POLLOK , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | |
CHAD PRIMOS SHREVEPORT , LA |
BRIAN HEADRICK DEBERRY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | CLAYTON BOULWARE ZAVALLA , TX |
ALBERT COLLINS NACOGDOCHES , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | JOE MAZZURCO LUFKIN , TX |
JASON GRIFFIN CONROE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | |
LARRY WEPPLER HOUSTON , TX |
DENNIS FIKES HOUSTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | |
DANNY LASHLEY BOYCE , LA |
MICHAEL IVEY OTIS , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | RANDY QUALLS STREETMAN , TX |
MIKE METCALF JASPER , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | DON BRINSON WACO , TX |
DAVID BATTREALL TEMPLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | SHANE BARNES MIDWAY , TX |
MATTHEW BENEFIELD HUFFMAN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | |
STEVE WOODIE SOUR LAKE , TX |
FOYCE WINN VIDOR , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | |
BEN SOUTH JASPER , TX |
BRYAN SOUTH JASPER , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | CASEY BURLEIGH ORANGE , TX |
JOSH RODGERS BEAUMONT , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | BOBBY VICE GROVES , TX |
RICKY GUY HUMBLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | JARRETT LATTA CEDAR PARK , TX |
BRIAN LOWRANCE NACOGDOCHES , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | |
GENE BAGLEY BEAUMONT , TX |
MITCH STEPHENSON BEAUMONT , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | VIC COOPER SHELBYVILLE , TX |
JASON WELLS CENTER , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | JOEY POHL CARMINE , TX |
JODY POHL CYPRESS , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | TROY WILLIAMSON SHEPHERD , TX |
CHARLES WOODDELL NEED INFO |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | STEVEN SHAFER CLEVELAND , TX |
KENT WILLIAMS LA PORTE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | GREG OSTERTAG MT VERNON , TX |
BRENT EDWARDS MIDLOTHIAN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | KEVIN WALKER JR BUNA , TX |
JEFF BRIDGES LUMBERTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | |
DAMON CHILDRESS ORANGE , TX |
ROBERT CRUSE LUMBERTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | ROGER JOHNSON JR VIDOR , TX |
KIRK LELEUX KIRBYVILLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | COLT DEAR BUNA , TX |
ASHLEY ADAMS BUNA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | JOHN ILES LUFKIN , TX |
BRIAN SHOOK CHINA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | |
RONNIE GUNTER LILLIE , LA |
JERRY THOMPSON MANY , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | |
PHILIP HANKS BUNA , TX |
RODNEY SAMMONS BUNA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | |
CHARLES HICKMAN HUNTINGTON , TX |
TERRY HICKMAN KINGWOOD , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | |
LUCAS RAGUSA GONZALES , LA |
BLAKE CANELLA PLAQUEMINE , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | RANDY BROUSSARD HACKBERRY , LA |
RICHIE KOONCE WESTLAKE , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | |
DOUG PERKINS PORTER , TX |
BRAD HENSLEY CLEVELAND , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | |
STUART WELCH ORANGE , TX |
WESLEY MURDOCK VIDOR , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | JEREMY LEMMONS TOMBALL , TX |
CODY NICHOLSON ANDERSON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | LANCE SCOTT BROOKELAND , TX |
KEVIN BOLTON WILLIS , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | |
BILL DAIGLE LAFAYETTE , LA |
ANDRE CHAPMAN CHURCH POINT , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | OSCAR LANGELE JR MANY , LA |
JAMES CAMPISE ORANGE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | |
ANTHONY GUIDRY KAPLAN , LA |
ZACHARY GUIDRY KAPLAN , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | |
CALVIN JOHNSTON KINGWOOD , TX |
THOMAS BEENE SHREVEPORT , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | CADE DURIO LAKE CHARLES , LA |
JOHN DURIO HEMPHILL , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | DUANE PITTMAN PRAIRIEVILLE , LA |
ZACHARY GAGNARD MANY , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | TREY MORGAN GOLDONNA , LA |
JOHN CANERDAY CALVIN , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | BUDDY BUMSTEAD KOUNTZE , TX |
DANNY CHERRY KIRBYVILLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | ANDRE MARTIN LENA , LA |
GLEN FREEMAN ZWOLLE , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | CLINT WEST BEAUMONT , TX |
NATHAN PRINE BUNA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | MICHAEL ROGER SCOTT , IA |
JOSH WILLIAMS NEWCASTLE , OK |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | MIKE ATCHLEY MOSCOW , TX |
PAUL SHIRLEY LEGGETT , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | |
TED PATE ALEXANDRIA , LA |
VINCENT NEAL CALDWELL , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | AARON FREEMAN THE WOODLANDS , TX |
BEN MATSUBU MILAM , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | CHRISTOPHER WADE CANTON , TX |
ARCHIE WADE CANTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | |
KEITH HAWKINS LAKE PROVIDENCE , LA |
J. DUCK HAWKINS IRVING , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | |
MALCOLM WILLIAMS BRONSON , TX |
STEVE WILSON FREDERICKSBURG , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | SHAWN VERINSKY LUMBERTON , TX |
BLAKE COLE ORANGE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 118 | BRANDON DAVIDSON LITTLE ELM , TX |
JIM FURR HEMPHILL , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Mike Sutherland Wins Big Bass Tour Table Rock event with a 9.02 Table Rock Monster!!!!!
Congratulations to Mike Sutherland on his win at Table Rock Lake! Mike's 9.02lb giant topped a record field at the 10th annual KVD Big Bass Classic and earned him the keys to the $45,000 Nitro Boats Z19 powered by Mercury Marine!
Top Weights:
Bryan New Wins American Bass Anglers Ray Scott Championship!!
Stoute Claims Co-Angler Title
Courtesy of American Bass Anglers
By John N. Felsher
ATHENS, Ala. – After three straight days at the head of the pack, Bryan D. New won the Boater Division in the 2019 Ray Scott Championship, held April 4-7 on Walter F. George Reservoir near Eufaula, Ala.
The Belmont, N.C. angler finished the four-day tournament with a perfect catch of 20 bass weighing 98.70 pounds. An 8.80-pound bucketmouth he caught on Day 3 also took top honors in the tournament big bass competition. For the victory, New won $50,000 in cash plus a new 21TRX Triton boat equipped with a 250-horsepower Mercury Pro XS outboard motor.
During each off the four days of fishing at Walter F. George Reservoir, better known as Lake Eufaula, New landed five-bass tournament limits. New’s Day 3 catch of 26.03 pounds was one of only two bags exceeding 26 pounds caught in the event. New placed second on Day 1 with 25.69 pounds, but took the lead the following day with a 25.61-pound bag and never relinquished it. He capped off his winning effort with 21.37 pounds on the final day to seal the victory by more than eight pounds.
“On the first day, my co-angler was reeling in a jig and a big bass blew up on it,” New revealed. “I picked up a white Greenfish Tackle swim jig with a Rage craw trailer on it and caught some pretty good fish. I also caught some good fish in the tournament on Greenfish Tackle Creeper Head Jig tipped with an Ol’ Monster worm. I probably fished more than 150 places on the lake. On the final day, it was a grind.”
In second for the boaters, Scott Montgomery, a local favorite from Eufaula, Ala., also finished with four straight five-bass tournament limits. He moved up one place from Day 3 with a 23.68-pound bag that gave him a total of 90.65 pounds including a 6.82-pound lunker. Montgomery stayed in the top six each day with earlier catches of 24.63, 22.00 and 20.34 pounds.
“On the first day, I had a really good day fishing brush offshore,” Montgomery explained. “I started culling 4-pounders. The next day was so tough I could hardly get a bite. On the third day, I went to the bank with a swim jig and caught a good bag. We returned to that spot that last day and I didn’t get a bite. I didn’t have a keeper until about 9 a.m. on the final day. I finally went back to running brush. My go-to baits all week were a Davis Bait swim jig with a Big Bite prototype trailer and a jig with a Big Bite Baits Fighting Frog.”
Ryan Ingram of Phenix City, Ala. also moved up one spot on the last day to finish third with 20 bass going 89.45 pounds topped by a 6.52-pounder. He weighed in 25.55 pounds, the biggest bag on the final day, to add to his other weights of 24.69, 23.94 and 15.27 pounds to stay in the top five throughout the competition.
“On the first two days, I caught my fish out on the river cranking,” Ingram said. “During the next two days, I caught all my fish on a 1-ounce Ledgebuster willow-leaf spinnerbait. I was fishing brush on ledges. The ledges were in about 20 to 22 feet of water with the brush up at about 10 to 12 feet deep.”
Trevor Fitzgerald of Belleview, Fla. jumped from sixth place take fourth on the final day with a 23.80-pound catch. An 8.42-pounder helped him make the leap. Fitzgerald finished with a perfect 20 bass limit weighing 84.66 pounds. He also brought in catches weighing 22.31, 13.13 and 25.42 pounds.
Completing the top five boaters, Chandler A. Ray of Edsion, Ga. finished with 20 bass and 84.48 pounds including a 6.90-pound kicker. He stayed in the top eight throughout the tournament with catches of 22.86, 24.03 and 14.29 pounds. On the final day, he brought in 23.30 pounds.
In the Co-Angler Division, Jeremy S. Stoute of Crestview, Fla. won the championship with seven bass weighing 32.87 pounds. He anchored his catch with a 7.24-pounder that also won the Co-Angler Division lunker title. For winning the championship, Stoute took home $25,000 in cash plus a new 19TRX Triton boat powered by a 225-horsepower Mercury Pro XS outboard motor.
Fishing with Montgomery on the final day, Stoute caught one fish weighing 5.51 pounds, big enough to lift him from third place to the title. On the first day, Stoute landed one 1.21-pound bass, putting him at 169th place out of 195 competitors in the division. He made up for it on the second day with a 16.85-pound catch that vaulted him up 162 notches into seventh place. He landed 9.30 pounds on Day 3 to move into third.
“I almost went home after the first day because I only had one small fish,” Stoute remarked. “I caught one on the last day too, but it was the one I needed. I got to watch a clinic today watching Scott Montgomery fish. It was awesome!”
Tim L. Blanton of Climax, Ga. finished second among the co-anglers with a perfect four consecutive three-bass division limits to give him a total of 32.51 pounds. On the final day, he brought in 11.43 pounds with 6.71-pound kicker, the largest catch by any co-angler that day. That bag allowed him to move up from 14th place to less than six ounces from championship. On the other three days, he landed bags weighing 6.53, 7.00 and 7.55 pounds.
“All four days, we went all the way down almost to the dam,” Blanton said. “For the first two days, we fished Carolina rigs. On the last two days, we fished crankbaits around humps and ridges in four to 10 feet of water. I caught a lot of fish during the first two days, but not as many on the last two days. I lost about a 3-pounder on the second day and that hurt.”
Just three ounces behind, Durward Henderson of Titus, Ala. finished third with nine bass at 32.33 pounds. Catching 4.82 pounds on the final day, he dropped one position. He landed other catches of 12.87, 12.24 and 2.40 pounds with a 5-pound kicker.
“We ran piles in six to 16 feet of water,” Henderson said. “I threw a jig all day. The lake is in good shape. With the way it’s fished in the past two or three years and the stringers of fish coming in, it’s should be on the top of any list of bass lakes across the nation.”
Catching four consecutive three-bass division limits, Kevin Shrader of Valley Head, Ala. advanced every day of the competition. He finished fourth with 12 bass going 30.54 pounds. He moved up one spot on the final day with 6.65 pounds. In all, he also brought in bags weighing 8.17, 6.15 and 9.57 pounds,
Jim C. English of Gordon, Ala. rounded out the top five co-anglers by finishing with 10 bass and 29.84 pounds including a 5.87-pound kicker. He brought in catches weighing 8.03, 9.31, 10.49 and 2.01 pounds.
The Ray Scott Championship tournament culminated another season in the American Bass Anglers Open Series. Nearly 200 anglers in each division fished the event, each one earning a shot at the title by advancing through 18 divisions and nine area championships.
Cobb Puts Finishing Touches On Wire-To-Wire Victory In Bassmaster Elite At Lake Hartwell
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Brandon Cobb In Position For Wire-To-Wire Victory In Bassmaster Elite At Lake Hartwell
South Carolina's Brandon Cobb leads going into Championship Sunday of the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell with a three-day total of 55 pounds, 6 ounces.
ANDERSON, S.C. — For three days, the field has been waiting for Brandon Cobb to stumble.
It hasn’t happened yet — and now, they’re almost out of time.
Cobb caught five bass today that weighed 18 pounds, 5 ounces and held on to the lead for the third straight day in the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell. His three-day total of 55-6 gives him more than a 5-pound cushion over his closest competitors going into Championship Sunday and a chance at a rare wire-to-wire victory in an Elite Series event.
“I don’t know how many fish I went through today that weighed from about 2-4 to 2-11,” said Cobb, whose thumbs were red and raw from handling bass today. “I caught so many fish, but I just couldn’t find any big ones in the area I had been fishing.
“That’s why I finally decided to change areas.”
Cobb went to an area that he said was “new for this tournament, but certainly not new” to him as a bass angler on Lake Hartwell. He grew up fishing the lake and was actually a member of the bass fishing team for Clemson University, which is positioned on the banks of Hartwell.
Once he changed locations, he quickly caught his biggest fish of the day — a largemouth in the 5-pound range.
“I actually caught two pretty good ones out of that area,” Cobb said. “So, I might just change things up and spend all day in there tomorrow or at least go there a little earlier.”
Coming into the week, Cobb was afraid his history on the lake would serve as a detriment because a string of unusually cold nights and a steadily falling lake level has had the fish behaving strangely.
But he survived Thursday’s first round with a catch of 19-9 and maintained the lead with 17-8 Friday. Now, he believes the conditions are normalizing on Hartwell — and he thinks that could play into his hands as he tries to become the first wire-to-wire winner on the Elite Series since 2016.
“In practice, the fish weren’t doing anything like they would normally do this time of year,” Cobb said. “So, I was really worried that my history here would hurt me — or at least not help me very much.
“But as the week has gone on, the fish have started acting exactly like they’re supposed to. Since they didn’t do it all week in practice, a lot of people aren’t ready for it — but I feel like I am.”
If Cobb is to complete the start-to-finish win, he’ll have to hold off a logjam of anglers with weights in the 49-pound range. Micah Frazier (49-12), Stetson Blaylock (49-10), Drew Cook (49-7) and Bill Lowen (49-1) are all within relatively easy striking distance of Cobb if he finally stumbles.
Blaylock, a third-year Elite Series pro from Benton, Ark., was the biggest mover Saturday, bringing in five bass that weighed 19-3 to rise from 10th place into third. His catch was anchored by a 5-15 largemouth that gave him the lead in the race for the Phoenix Boats Big Bass award.
“I thought that biggest fish would weigh better than 6 pounds when I was fishing for it,” Blaylock said. “But that’s been the story all week — they all look bigger in the water than they do when you catch them.
“I’ve spent a lot of time on fish this week that I thought were 3-pounders and they didn’t even help me. I can’t understand how they can be so long, but then be so skinny.”
Since warm conditions have settled into the region, Blaylock said big things are possible Sunday.
“I feel like the areas that I’m fishing should be running out and I should be disappointed,” he said. “But in the back of my mind, I keep thinking that they’re showing up.
“So I’m just gonna let it unfold, and hopefully they’ll keep showing up some more.”
The Top 10 remaining pros will fish on Championship Sunday with takeoff scheduled for 7 a.m. ET from Green Pond Landing and Event Center. The weigh-in will be held back at the same site at 3:15 p.m., with the winning pro earning a $100,000 first-place prize.
A special expo will also be held Sunday at Green Pond Landing with demo rides of a Nitro, Skeeter and Triton boats, prizes from Toyota and Academy Sports + Outdoors, fun activities at the Berkley/Abu Garcia Experience trailer and more.
Sunday is also B.A.S.S. Member Appreciation Day. Fans who show their B.A.S.S. member cards at the B.A.S.S. Merchandise booth will receive a free Bassmaster hat.
Sunday will also feature the Elite LIVE Watch Party from noon-2 p.m. Fans can watch Bassmaster LIVE and hang out with special guests and possibly have a chance to be on the show.
2019 Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell 4/4-4/7 Lake Hartwell, Anderson SC. (PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3 Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$ 1. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 15 55-06 100 Day 1: 5 19-09 Day 2: 5 17-08 Day 3: 5 18-05 2. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 15 49-12 99 Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 18-03 Day 3: 5 14-00 3. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 15 49-10 98 Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 16-13 Day 3: 5 19-03 4. Drew Cook Midway, FL 15 49-07 97 Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 20-06 Day 3: 5 14-13 5. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 15 49-01 96 Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 18-03 Day 3: 5 14-14 6. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 15 47-08 95 Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 13-06 Day 3: 5 19-08 7. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 15 46-06 94 Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 16-03 Day 3: 5 16-04 8. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 15 46-03 93 Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 13-15 Day 3: 5 14-11 9. Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 15 45-14 92 Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 15-03 Day 3: 5 16-01 10. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 15 45-10 91 Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 15-09 Day 3: 5 17-00 11. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 15 45-06 90 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 15-11 Day 3: 5 14-12 12. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 15 44-06 89 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 14-03 Day 3: 5 16-02 13. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 15 44-05 88 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 15-13 Day 3: 5 13-04 14. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 15 44-03 87 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 15-03 Day 3: 5 14-00 15. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 15 44-01 86 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 15-03 Day 3: 5 17-03 16. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 15 43-14 85 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 16-14 Day 3: 5 12-10 17. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 15 43-13 84 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 14-04 Day 3: 5 15-06 18. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 15 43-11 83 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 12-05 Day 3: 5 16-01 19. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 15 43-07 82 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 14-09 Day 3: 5 13-04 20. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 15 43-00 81 $10,000.00 Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 11-09 Day 3: 5 16-14 21. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 15 42-14 80 $7,500.00 Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 15-00 Day 3: 5 12-07 22. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 15 42-11 79 $7,500.00 Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 11-06 Day 3: 5 14-07 23. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 15 42-11 78 $7,500.00 Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 10-05 Day 3: 5 15-13 24. Seth Feider New Market, MN 15 42-09 77 $7,500.00 Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 16-07 Day 3: 5 12-14 25. Chris Zaldain Laughlin, NV 15 41-12 76 $7,500.00 Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 12-02 Day 3: 5 15-10 26. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 15 41-11 75 $7,500.00 Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 11-08 Day 3: 5 14-15 27. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 15 41-04 74 $7,500.00 Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 10-13 Day 3: 5 14-09 28. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 15 41-02 73 $7,500.00 Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 11-06 Day 3: 5 12-15 29. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 15 40-13 72 $7,500.00 Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 13-13 Day 3: 5 10-01 30. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 15 40-00 71 $7,500.00 Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 12-08 Day 3: 5 13-08 31. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 15 38-13 70 $7,500.00 Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 14-05 Day 3: 5 10-13 32. Randy Pierson Oakdale, CA 15 38-04 69 $7,500.00 Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 13-15 Day 3: 5 11-13 33. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 15 37-15 68 $7,500.00 Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 13-06 Day 3: 5 12-04 34. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 15 37-08 67 $7,500.00 Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 11-10 Day 3: 5 11-02 35. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 15 35-08 66 $7,500.00 Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 11-05 Day 3: 5 08-13
MCKEE’S MORRIS GOES WIRE-TO-WIRE, WINS COSTA FLW SERIES ON KENTUCKY/BARKLEY LAKE
Morris Earns Second Career Victory in FLW Competition, $39,608, Carrollton’s Bickers Takes Home New Ranger Boat as CoAngler Champ.
GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. (April 6, 2019) – Pro Jake Morris of McKee, Kentucky, brought just two bass weighing 5 pounds, 12 ounces, to the scale Saturday, but as it turned out he could have took the day off. Morris’ big 24-pound, 10-ounce Day One limit on Thursday was enough to propel him into the early lead and go wire-to wire to win the Costa FLW Series at Kentucky Lake presented by Lowrance. Morris’ three-day total of 10 bass weighing 44 pounds, 2 ounces gave him the win by a 6-pound, 14-ounce margin over second-place pro Steve Floyd of Leesburg, Ohio, and earned him $39,608 in the three-day event that kicked off the 2019 FLW Series Central Division season.
“I’m just as proud of the two that I caught today as the 24 (pounds) that I had on Thursday,” said Morris, who also won a T-H Marine Bass Fishing League (BFL) Regional Championship tournament on Lake Barkley in 2010. “It was tough out there today. My nerves are shot. It was a half-hour boat ride back and I thought for sure I had blown it. It hasn’t even sunk in that I won yet – maybe it will tomorrow.”
Morris said that he fished the same 75-yard stretch all three days of competition – a big flat that had a ditch against the bank, near the mouth of the Little River in Lake Barkley. He said that his key bait for the week was a 3/8-ounce Stan Sloan spinnerbait with a chartreuse skirt, Colorado and willow-leaf blade and a white Zoom Fat Albert Grubl trailer.
“I was making the same cast and getting tired of looking at it,” Morris joked. “I think the key was two main things – the water color was dirtier back in my area and the temperature was 3 to 4 degrees warmer.
“I worried myself sick all day long, so to get the win today is crazy,” Morris went on to say. “I won a BFL regional event here and that was special, but this one feels a little better because the competition was so tough. I had a great week and it’s a tournament I will remember for a long time.”
The top 10 pros on Kentucky and Barkley lakes finished:
1st: Jake Morris, McKee, Ky., 10 bass, 44-2, $39,608
2nd: Steve Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 12 bass, 37-4, $15,548
3rd: Shawn Kowal, Linn Creek, Mo., 12 bass, 36-9, $11,982
4th: Jimmy Washam, Covington, Tenn., nine bass, 35-11, $9,902
5th: Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 11 bass, 35-6, $8,912
6th: Dan Morehead, Paducah, Ky., eight bass, 30-5, $7,922
7th: Brad Cook, Afton, Okla., nine bass, 30-3, $7,131
8th: Christopher Jones, Bokoshe, Okla., eight bass, 28-15, $5,941
9th: William Campbell, Middlesboro, Ky., nine bass, 28-8, $4,951
10th: Travis Wilson, La Harpe, Ill., seven bass, 23-6, $3,961
A complete list of results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Steven Hatala of Harrison Township, Michigan, weighed an 8-pound, 11-ounce, largemouth Thursday – the biggest of the tournament in the Pro Division. For his catch, Hatala earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $294.
Troy Bickers of Carrollton, Kentucky, won the Co-angler Division and a Ranger Z175 with a 115-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard motor with a three-day total of five bass weighing 20 pounds, 14 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers on Kentucky and Barkley lakes finished:
1st: Troy Bickers, Carrollton, Ky., five bass, 20-14, Ranger Z175 w/ 115-horsepower outboard
2nd: Chad Allison, Carl Junction, Mo., seven bass, 20-7, $5,069
3rd: Kit Lueg, Olathe, Kan., six bass, 19-10, $4,125
4th: Christopher Stites Sr., Lebanon, Tenn., six bass, 19-5, $3,478
5th: Bill Fussell, Thibodaux, La., four bass, 17-8, $2,981
6th: Craig Hulsey, Park Hills, Mo., five bass, 17-3, $2,484
7th: Kennith George, Edmond, Okla., five bass, 14-15, $2,038
8th: Kevin Mahlke, Wentzville, Mo., four bass, 14-14, $1,739
9th: Steve Madar, Starkville, Miss., four bass, 14-11, $1,491
10th: Howard Poitevint, Bainbridge, Ga., three bass, 14-2, $1,492
Bickers caught a fish weighing 8 pounds, 3 ounces, out of the back of the boat Friday – the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – to win the Co-angler Big Bass award of $196.
The Costa FLW Series on Kentucky/Barkley lakes presented by Lowrance was hosted by the Kentucky Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau. It was the first of three Central Division tournaments of the 2019 regular season. The next tournament for FLW Series anglers will be the Costa FLW Series at Santee Cooper presented by Power-Pole, held April 25-27 in Summerton, South Carolina. For a complete schedule, visit FLWFishing.com.
The Costa FLW Series consists of five U.S. divisions – Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western – along with the International division. Each U.S. division consists of three regular-season tournaments with competitors vying for valuable points that could earn them the opportunity to compete in the season-ending Costa FLW Series Championship. The 2019 Costa FLW Series Championship is being held Oct. 31 – Nov. 2 on Lake Cumberland in Burnside, Kentucky.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Costa FLW Series on FLW’s social media outlets
La Crosse, Wisconsin, announced as site for Inaugural Redcrest Championship
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professional bass fishing world since its January debut, and the league announced today that the season-ending championship for the tour will be titled "Redcrest".
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MLF Pro Edwin Evers leads in Bass Pro Tour points after three events. The MLF Redcrest championship event will feature the 30 anglers who have accumulated the most qualifying points over the course of the 2019 Bass Pro Tour's eight-event season.
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La Crosse, Wis., and the scenic Upper Mississippi River region will serve as host to MLF's first tour season championship, the Redcrest. It is scheduled for Aug. 19-25 and will host 30 anglers who qualified by points from the Bass Pro Tour.
(Photo by Megan Kirking, Explore La Crosse)
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Morris Maintains Kentucky Lake Costa Lead
April 5, 2019 by David A. Brown
He was concerned he should’ve gotten more, but it turns out that Jake Morris had enough weight on day one to withstand a leaner day two and retain the lead at the Costa FLW Series Central Division opener presented by Lowrance on Kentucky Lake. Morris’ two-day total is 38 pounds, 6 ounces.
After topping yesterday’s field with a limit catch of 24-10 (the tournament’s heaviest bag), the McKee, Ky., pro managed only three keepers today for 13-12. Clearly, Morris was around quality once again, as he expanded his lead from 4-9 after day one to a whopping 7-pound, 6-ounce margin going into the final round.
“I probably should have stayed a little longer yesterday and seen what I could’ve caught, but I probably left them too early because they weren’t biting as good this morning,” Morris says. “I had to back up and punt today and move to a couple of other locations. I got lucky this afternoon and caught one that was about 6 pounds.”
Morris started out on the same undisclosed area as he fished on day one. It features an assortment of rock and wood in 4 to 5 feet of water. That spot offered a handful of opportunities, but he could bring only two fish to the boat.
“I set the hook on my first fish, the rod bowed double and it just came loose,” Morris says. “I caught one big one, fished another hour and caught a small one. Then I fished and fished and fished and finally stuck another one that was probably the biggest one I’ve had on. I had it on for three to four seconds, and it came loose. I was about to cry then.”
From there, Morris ran 20 miles to one of the spots he was planning to save for the final day. Similar in depth and makeup to his main area, this spot yielded his third and final keeper.
Morris says the day-two weather played a big role in his productivity. Specifically, lack of wind hurt him.
“A little bit of wind probably helps my spot,” Morris says. “The areas I’m fishing are protected, so I don’t care how hard it blows. A little ripple on the water will help.”
Morris caught all of his day-two fish on a 3/8-ounce chartreuse tandem spinnerbait with a Colorado and willow-leaf blade. The right presentation: glacial.
“I still don’t think I’m fishing it slow enough, but if I go much slower, I won’t even be reeling,” Morris says. “It’s scary how slow I’m reeling, but it makes a big difference.”
TOP 10 PROS
1. Jake Morris – McKee, Ky. 38-6 (8)
2. Cole Floyd – Leesburg, Ohio – 31-0 (9)
3. Jimmy Washam – Covington, Tenn. – 30-11 (8)
4. Dan Morehead – Paducah, Ky. – 26-1 (7)
5. Brad Cook – Afton, Okla. – 24-8 (7)
6. Christopher Jones – Bokoshe, Okla. – 24-3 (6)
7. Steve Floyd – Leesburg, Ohio – 23-15 (7)
8. Travis Wilson – LaHarpe, Ill. – 23-6 (7)
9. Shawn Kowal – Linn Creek, Mo. – 22-3 (7)
10. William Campbell – Middlesboro, Ky. – 22-0 (7)
ALLISON TRUSTS FAVES FOR CO-ANGLER LEAD
Improving both in fish count and weight, Chad Allison rose from fifth place to take over the co-angler lead with 20 pounds, 7 ounces. The Carl Junction, Mo., co-angler had three fish for 8-13 on day one, and today he added a quartet that weighed 11-10.
After fishing near the Kentucky Dam on day one, Allison found himself facing shallow river habitat today. Adjusting to this scenario was essential, so he stayed loose and fished what was in front of him.
“I just slowed way down today,” Allison says. “I knew I needed a few more bites to make this top 10. This time of year, I have a few baits that I have confidence in, and I like to keep them in my hand because I know it’s a grind to get bites.”
Allison says he had a jig and an umbrella rig in his arsenal, but he kept his specific details under wraps. He did note that he’s making key adjustments to maximize effectiveness.
“I feel like the fish are definitely moving back to where they want to spawn,” Allison says. “I’ve weighed in four pretty big smallmouths, and they’re coming in first. That’s what keeps me going. I’m looking for what they should be spawning on and throwing at it.”
TOP 10 CO-ANGLERS
1. Chad G. Allison – Carl Junction, Mo. – 20-7 (7)
2. Bill Fussell – Thibodaux, La. – 17-8 (4)
3. Craig Hulsey – Park Hills, Mo. – 15-5 (4)
4. Kennith George – Edmond, Okla. – 14-15 (5)
5. Kevin Mahlke – Wentzville, Mo. – 14-14 (4)
6. Steve Madar – Starkville, Miss. – 14-11 (4)
7. Troy Bickers – Carrollton, Ky. – 14-4 (3)
8. Howard Poitevint – Bainbridge, Ga. – 14-2 (3)
9. Christopher Stites Sr. – Lebanon, Tenn. – 14-0 (4)
10. Kit Lueg – Olathe, Kan. – 13-14 (4)
South Carolina Pro Brandon Cobb Stays Out Front At Bassmaster Elite At Lake Hartwell
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2019 Toyota Bassmaster AOY Championship Will Be Held On Lake St. Clair
| Elite Series Pro Chad Morgenthaler fights a smallmouth bass in the 2017 Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair. B.A.S.S. officials announced today that Lake St. Clair will serve as the host venue for the 2019 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship on Sept. 26-29.
April 5, 2019 |
HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The Bassmaster Tournament Trail has visited Lake St. Clair six times since the early 1990s, including twice for high-stakes Elite Series events.
But the stakes have never been higher than they’ll be when the trail returns to the massive 275,000-acre fishery in late September.
B.A.S.S. officials announced today that Lake St. Clair will serve as the host venue for the 2019 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship on Sept. 26-29. The tournament, which carries a whopping $1 million total purse, will decide the 2019 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year winner, the 2019 DICK’S Sporting Goods Rookie of the Year and the bulk of the lineup for the 2020 Bassmaster Classic.
“B.A.S.S. has had some great events at Lake St. Clair, and the people there have always been enthusiastic and supportive fans,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “This has already been one of the most exciting years we’ve ever had on the Bassmaster Elite Series, and I can’t think of a better place for it to end than on a great smallmouth fishery like St. Clair.”
The hosts for the event will be the County of Macomb and the Sterling Heights Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Takeoffs and weigh-ins will be held at Lake St. Clair Metropark — and they’ll once again feature the party atmosphere that fans have come to expect from the Elite Series’ season-ending celebration.
Anglers will compete Thursday and Friday, Sept. 26-27, and then have an off-day built around interaction with fishing fans on Saturday, and conclude the championship on Sunday. Saturday’s activities will include an Outdoors Expo with merchandise, food and drink vendors and sponsor activations and promotions. Elite anglers will provide seminars revealing their best bass fishing techniques, and they’ll be available to sign autographs, mingle with fans and talk fishing.
“Between now and the 2020 Bassmaster Classic, B.A.S.S. is celebrating the ‘Year of the Fan,’” Akin said. “We’ll be doing special things to show appreciation for our fans throughout that time, and we’ll certainly be doing plenty during the AOY Championship.
“Obviously, the tournament and the crowning of a new AOY champion will be the main attraction at Lake St. Clair. But there will also be a festival with music, barbecue and fun things for everyone who attends.”
Anglers will be allowed to fish Lake St. Clair and all rivers, creeks and canals connected to the lake. Anglers will not be allowed to travel south of the Ambassador Bridge Highway 3 in the Detroit River or north of the I-94 bridges in the St. Clair and Black rivers, according to B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Trip Weldon.
The AOY standings change throughout the season, with anglers earning points each time they fish a regular-season Bassmaster Elite Series event. Only the Top 50 from the 75-angler Elite Series field will qualify for the AOY Championship, where they’ll have a chance to win the 50th AOY title ever awarded by B.A.S.S. and the $100,000 paycheck that goes with it.
The history of the award dates back to 1970 when the first AOY trophy was won by bass fishing superstar Bill Dance. Since then, legends of the sport like Jimmy Houston, Hank Parker, Davy Hite, Rick Clunn and Roland Martin have all earned the title. Martin won the crown an amazing nine times.
Canadian pro Chris Johnston grabbed the early lead in this year’s AOY standings after finishing second in the Elite Series opener on the St. Johns River in Florida and 10th in the event that followed at Georgia’s Lake Lanier. With a points total of 190, Johnston is followed in the standings by Scott Canterbury of Alabama (182), Lee Livesay of Texas (181) and Patrick Walters of South Carolina (176).
Walters said the AOY title is something every bass fisherman dreams about.
“This is my first season on the Elite Series — and from the moment I knew I was going to be fishing here, my goal was to win AOY,” Walters said. “That’s it. It doesn’t get any better than that in bass fishing. If I win Angler of the Year, the Rookie of the Year title will take care of itself.”
In addition to deciding the various season championship races and 39 berths for the Classic, the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship will award $25,000 and an Elite Series trophy to the angler who has the heaviest total weight for the three-day competition.
“The Bassmaster Elite Series is a year-long race to determine the best bass angler on tour,” Akin said. “Fans can witness the culmination of all that at the AOY Championship.”
B.A.S.S. also announced the dates of its first-ever “makeup tournament,” which will only take place if one of the nine regular-season Elite events has to be canceled this year. In the event that might happen, anglers, staff, sponsors and others have been asked to set aside the weekend prior to AOY — Sept. 19-22 — to make up any canceled tournament.
Maybe it’ll pay Arey to be sick
Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
The day before Team Toyota’s Matt Arey left home in Shelby, N.C. for the relatively short drive down to Lake Hartwell, he spiked a 101-degree fever. His sweet wife Emily confesses he got the nasty virus from she and their cute young daughters. Emily was actually bedridden for two days with the same crud.
But if ever there was a cure for feeling crappy – it’s being surrounded by the love of family – and knowing you’ve got a shot to take home your first blue Bassmaster Elite Series trophy and $100,000.
“I’ve had fever, cough, and body aches, and I just feel beat down and tired. I think it’s like a mini flu,” says the 38-year-old. “But I was hoping to catch 15 pounds Thursday, and ended up with nearly 17 pounds, so that definitely helps me feel a little better.”
When interviewed at the end of practice as to what he liked best about Lake Hartwell, Arey responded, “The fact that it’s so close to home, and all my family can be here to share this tournament with me.” Arey certainly has plenty of family here, including his parents, his wife Emily, daughters Reese and Wren, as well as Emily’s parents.
“Friday’s rain will be a challenge to me. It’s not conducive to the way I’m wanting to catch ‘em here,” warns Arey. “But throughout my career, I’ve always felt comfortable in the pre-spawn. To be honest, I’ve probably won 70% of my career prize money in the months of March and April,” says Arey, who has won nearly $1 Million during his illustrious career.
“I’ve just always been better at staying a step ahead of the fish in the pre-spawn, rather than trying to chase them once they leave the spawning beds. And staying a step ahead of them is definitely the key to pulling a “W” in a 4-day tournament,” he concluded.
After catching nearly 17 pounds on Day 1, there’s no doubt Arey has a shot to feel a whole lot better by Sunday evening. Especially given the love of family to serve as the best medicine of all.
Elite Series Coverage this week brought you by our friends at Visit Anderson in Anderson, South Carolina
Cobb’s Hometown Advantage Lands Him In The Lead At Bassmaster Elite At Lake Hartwell
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Jame Morris Leads Central Costa event on Kentucky Lake with 24.10 pounds
Courtesy of FLWfishing.com
April 4, 2019 by David A. Brown
Jake Morris leveraged a hot morning bite to sack up a 24-pound, 10-ounce bag that leads day one of the Costa FLW Series Central Division opener presented by Lowrance on Kentucky Lake.
“I caught six fish today. I culled once, and then I left them alone,” the McKee, Ky., pro says. “I just went practicing after 10:30. I had been getting a few bites in practice, but I didn’t have a clue what lived there.
“This morning for about 45 minutes, it was just wham, bam, bam. I left them biting, but tomorrow’s a different day.”
Morris says he had three or four prime spots within his main area, so he moved around until he found the active fish.
His area comprised a mix of rock and wood in 5 to 6 feet of water. His fish were clearly new arrivals, as indicated by their pale coloration.
“They’ve been deep all winter long, and now they’re moving up, getting ready to spawn,” Morris says. “They turn white in that deep water where they don’t get any sunlight, but they’ll get darker as they move shallower.”
Notably, Morris says his fish lacked the aggression common to prespawners.
“The bite really wasn’t aggressive, and they didn’t hardly fight either,” he says. “Four of the fish I caught, I didn’t even feel the bite; it just got heavy. I don’t understand that part. You’d think they’d be really mean right now.
“They didn’t even jump. I’d just dip them in the net – easy. It was just one of those days.”
Understandablyguarded in his details, Morris says he caught fish on a reaction bait and a jig. Carrying a lead of 4 pounds, 8 ounces into the second round of competition, he’s cautiously optimistic about getting back on the juice.
“The key was that I had the spot all to myself,” Morris says. “I hope nobody else finds out because there’s no pressure whatsoever, besides crappie fishermen. I look like I’m a crappie fisherman because there are about 12 crappie guys around me. I just hope I can catch as many as I did today.”
TOP 10 PROS
1. Jake Morris – McKee, Ky. – 24-10 (5)
2. Jimmy Washam – Covington, Tenn. – 20-1 (5)
3. Ramie Colson Jr. – Cadiz, Ky. – 19-0 (5)
4. Cole Floyd – Leesburg, Ohio – 17-11 (5)
5. Shawn Penn – Benton, Ky. – 16-13 (4)
6. Brad Cook – Afton, Okla. – 15-14 (5)
7. Steven Hatala – Harrison Township, Mich. – 14-4 (2)
8. Josh Ray – Alexander, Ark. – 13-0 (4)
9. Chris Engelage – Mascoutah, Ill. – 11-15 (4)
10. Sheldon Rogge – St. George, Kan. – 11-13 (4)
POWER PAIR GIVES GRIFFITH CO-ANGLER LEAD
If you can only catch two fish, it’s pretty cool when you get a pair that’s big enough for the tournament lead. That’s the case for Bobby Griffith of Mayfield, Ky., whose two-fish catch totaled an even 12 pounds.
Paired with pro leader Jake Morris, Griffith caught his 5-pounder shortly after arriving on the spot. His 7-pounder came about two hours later.
Both of Griffith’s fish bit a white ChatterBait with a pearl white grub trailer. Oddly enough, both fish exhibited a different level of urgency.
“One just killed it, and the other one just got heavy,” he says. “It was two different bites altogether.”
TOP 10 CO-ANGLERS
1. Bobby Griffith – Mayfield, Ky. – 12-0 (2)
2. Craig Hulsey – Park Hills, Mo. – 10-5 (2)
3. Bill Fussell – Thibodaux, La. – 9-8 (2)
4. Peyton Coleman – Paducah, Ky. – 8-14 (2)
5. Chad G Allison – Carl Junction, Mo. – 8-13 (3)
6. Kevin Mahlke – Wentzville, Mo. – 7-3 (2)
7. Carl Breeden – Valley Park, Mo. – 6-13 (1)
8. Frank Williams – St. Charles, Mo. – 6-11 (2)
9. Kurt Chelminiak – Delafield, Wis. – 6-3 (2)
9. Kit Lueg – Olathe, Kan. – 6-3 (2)
B.A.S.S. Unveils ‘The Year Of The Fan’ Celebration
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — On the heels of the best-attended Bassmaster Classic in history, B.A.S.S. announces a yearlong celebration of the heart and soul of the sport of professional bass fishing: the fans.
“The GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods crushed the attendance records with more than 153,000 fans descending on Knoxville, Tenn.,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “The atmosphere was electric and proved that bass fishing fans are the most passionate and rabid fans that exist. So, we decided to give them a yearlong thank-you gift with our ‘Year of the Fan’ celebration.”
“The simple truth is, without fanatical bass anglers, I’d probably have to get a real job,” said Bassmaster Elite Series pro Brandon Lester. “The everyday bass fisherman is the real hero in this industry, and I look forward to thanking them every chance I get for the rest of the season and beyond.”
That will add up to a lot of thank-yous, according to Jim Sexton, B.A.S.S. Vice President of Digital. “Not only did fans show up in droves to watch the Classic in person, but we had more than 25 million minutes watched on Bassmaster.com during Classic Week. And these fans watched from all over the world. We had 179 countries log on to Bassmaster.com to catch the action from the biggest stage in bass fishing.” It seems bass fishing truly is a universal language.
The Year of the Fan celebration will kick off at the next Elites Series event being held on Lake Hartwell, and culminate at the 50th anniversary of the Bassmaster Classic next March. Alongside B.A.S.S. and the Elite Series pros, sponsors of B.A.S.S. will be actively joining the celebration by bringing fans incredible experiences at the Elite Series venues. Here are just a few highlights of what fans can expect when they attend the Elite Series “Fandamonium”:
- B.A.S.S. Member Appreciation Day: Every Sunday at Elite events, the first 100 B.A.S.S. members to show their membership cards at the B.A.S.S. booth will receive a B.A.S.S. hat.
- Angler Alley: Fans can meet and greet Elite Series pros from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturdays prior to weigh-in. Bassmaster LIVE cameras will be on site to interview fans.
- Elite LIVE Watch Party: Special guests will be on hand to join fans in watching Bassmaster LIVE on Sundays from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Academy Sports + Outdoors will be providing special giveaways to fans on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Free Elite Angler Clinics: Fans will have a chance to get some free advice from Elite Series pros on a wide range of topics, as well as participate in Q&A sessions with the pros.
- Fish Care V.I.P.: The new Yamaha Live Release boats will become the platform for a few lucky fans to participate in a V.I.P. conservation program during all Elite events.
- Fandamonium Dance Off: Fans can show off their moves prior to weigh-ins for special prizes.
- Military and First Responder Appreciation Day: Every Saturday at Elite events, the first 100 active military/first responders or veterans to show their IDs in the B.A.S.S. booth will receive an official Bassmaster hat.
- Mercury Concert Series: Starting with the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks & Wildlife Department on May 4th, fans will be treated to a free concert provided by Mercury Marine.
- Toyota Fishing: Toyota is offering a variety of exciting activities for all fishing fans to enjoy at Elite events, including Toyota Build-A-Bait and Casting Kids Youth Activities, Meet the Pros – with Team Toyota Anglers Brandon Lester & Matt Arey, Toyota Interactive Vehicle Displays, Toyota Owner Appreciation gifts and more.
- Demo Rides: Fans will get some exciting boat rides courtesy of Nitro, Skeeter and Triton.
- Games Galore: Prior to weigh-ins on Saturday and Sunday, Berkley, Carhartt, Abu Garcia, Humminbird, Minn Kota, Power-Pole, Bass Pro Shops, Talon, Mossy Oak Fishing, Lowrance and other manufacturers and vendors will be offering fun games and cool prizes to fans who participate.
These efforts to thank B.A.S.S. fans are just the tip of the iceberg.
“We want to get to know the anglers who follow our sport,” said Bassmaster Magazine Editor James Hall. “So, we will be reaching out to our 55,000-plus Life Members to let them tell their stories. We will be interviewing weekend anglers at boat ramps across the country to get tips for Bassmasterreaders. We are going to have Elite Series pros interview fans instead of vice-versa. We believe that every bass angler has a compelling story to tell, from one who fishes on weekends from a kayak, to the competitive angler who has a full-time job and fishes the Bassmaster Opens. To celebrate and thank these men and women, we want to tell their stories.”
Additionally, the B.A.S.S. digital team will be highlighting fans on Bassmaster.com, as well as all social channels.
“We are going to be interacting with fans in a big way,” said Sexton. “There are around 1.6 million fans following B.A.S.S. social media channels. We want these anglers to share photos on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter using #yearofthefan, and we want to read their stories about fishing with family and friends. Plus, we will have plenty of fan contests throughout the year on the website. It’s all about the fans.”
B.A.S.S. legend and Elite Series pro Rick Clunn puts it best: “In the grand scheme of things, it’s not about how successful I am as a pro. The number of trophies I have on a mantel doesn’t push the sport forward. Instead, it is the knowledge that we, as an angling community, share with each other that promotes passion to pursue excellence. I am so thankful for the passion I see every day from B.A.S.S. fans. They are the heartbeat of our sport.”
Check out the kick-off tribute to all of the wonderful B.A.S.S. fans and the Year of the Fan celebration below:
https://www.bassmaster.com/slideshow/year-fan-classic
For updated events associated with the Bassmaster Year of the Fan celebration, visit Bassmaster.com.
Arey, Lester, and Mosley talk turkeys and Hartwell
Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
North Carolina’s Matt Arey, Tennessee’s Brandon Lester, and Mississippi’s Brock Mosley all agree on two things, a Toyota Tundra is their choice of tow vehicle, and no season beats turkey season.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about Lake Hartwell?
Arey:It’s only 1 hour and 40 minutes from home, so my wife Emily and daughters Reese and Wren get to be here with me this week.
Lester:It’s a huge reservoir, so everybody can spread out.
Mosley:I love that it’s full of fish.
Q: How much weight do you think the guy in first place will have on Day 1?
Arey:18 pounds 12 ounces
Lester:20 pounds
Mosley:21 pounds
Q: What percentage of the bass weighed in this week will be caught from visible spawning beds?
Arey:50%
Lester:60%
Mosley:30% - and I feel like most of those will get caught on Day 1
Q: If you could only have one lure for the rest of your life to catch a bass from a spawning bed, what lure would you choose?
Arey:Lunker Hunt 5” Lunker Stick in a color called “leech”
Lester:X Zone Lures 6” Fat Finesse wacky worm with a nail weight in the head of it.
Mosley:NetBait Paca Slim Craw. A lot of guys use white, but I prefer green pumpkin.
Q:It’s the start of baseball season, NFL draft season, the Masters Tournament, and March Madness. Which interest you most, and why?
Arey:Can I say turkey season, or spawning largemouth season?
Lester:None of the above – it’s turkey season.
Mosley:I played college baseball at Delta State, but I prefer turkey season over all those others.
Elite Series Coverage this week brought you by our friends at Visit Anderson in Anderson, South Carolina
Lineberger says love is in the water
Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
Spend five minutes talking to Bassmaster Elite Series pro, Shane Lineberger of North Carolina, and you’ll fast realize the man deeply loves and appreciates his bride Hope and teen daughter, Alli.
“There’s no way I could be out here fishing for a living without the support my wife gives me. The day I had to tell the boss at Timken Bearings I was resigning the job I had there for 20 years was the scariest day of my life. Thank heavens for Hope’s support,” says the very likeable Lineberger, who has long been a Toyota Bonus Bucks member.
Making bearings for pick-up trucks is now a thing of Lineberger’s past. He’s currently fresh off a high finish at the Bassmaster Elite Series at Lake Lanier, and looks to cash-in this week on Hartwell too. He only lives two hours from Hartwell, and fishes here a dozen times a year.
“It’s a blast to come down to Hartwell in May when the blue back herring are spawning. You can blast the bass on a topwater! It’s just nuts!” he smiles. “But it’s too early for that this week. Right now it’s all about the bass spawning, not the herring.”
“I actually think there’s already been one wave of bass spawn and leave the beds. And based on the warming weather trend we’re having right now, there’s a real good chance the biggest wave of spawners will probably hit this weekend,” warns the Champion Power Equipment pro.
Water levels on Hartwell are three to four feet higher than they typically are at this time of year. That’s made seeing beds a little more challenging. But you can bet this group of angling aces will see their way clearly to the Holy Grail of springtime activity, especially if the water levels will begin to fall slightly, as it did during practice.
Lineberger is rigged and ready with a Reaction Innovations’ Sweet Beaver, and he knows how to play the sight fishing game.
“I consider myself a fair sight fisherman. I don’t get the same amount of practice at it a guy like Drew Benton gets in Florida where bass spawn several months a year, but I’m ready to go looking for them this weekend if I can make it through the first two days of competition,” he says.
Indeed, love is in the air here in Anderson County, South Carolina. And if the warm weather holds, Lineberger warns it’ll be in the water this weekend too.
Elite Series Coverage this week brought you by our friends at Visit Anderson in Anderson, South Carolina
FLW Tour Winners Showcase with Jeremy Lawyer & "BLat", Brian Latimer
This week the boys welcome in recent FLW Tour Winner, Grand Lake Champion Jeremy Lawyer to tell us how he pulled off the win on a stingy Grand Lake in Oklahoma as well as they welcome in the Lake Seminole Tour Winner, B-Lat, Brian Latimer from South Carolina as he gives us the deets to his win and his top 10 finish on Grand Lake this past week! All of this plus the Costa Countdown to Blastoff, The Progressive Bass Wrap up and listen as Chris contests his blank in last weeks pick em' contest.
Lake Hartwell changed Caleb Sumrall’s life
Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
Leveraged by the magical fate of a few good topwater and drop shot bites on Lake Hartwell seventeen months ago, Caleb Sumrall went from a recently laid-off father of two, to a B.A.S.S. Nation National Champion, and then the last guy invited to join the Bassmaster Elite Series.
“At one afternoon weigh-in here on Hartwell back in October, 2017, I went from thinking I might finish second, have to sell my boat, and hurry to find a new job, to being a National Champion and a 2018 Bassmaster Classic qualifier, with a chance to start the pro career I’ve dreamed about forever,” says the highly likeable and humble, 31-year old from Southern Louisiana.
Now in his sophomore season, this week marks the third time he’s made the 12 hour drive from home to Anderson, SC to chase a dream and Hartwell’s black bass population.
“It was definitely a little nostalgic when I pulled in here for the first day of practice Monday. I obviously got a good vibe, this lake will always be special to me, but because it lacks hydrilla and hyacinth matts, it’s way different than home,” grins the former oil field service yard manager.
When he won the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship here, his practice was by no means rich with bites, and neither was the first day of practice on Hartwell this week.
“In the 2017 Nation Championship, I had five total bites in three days of practice. I’d see fish schooling on the surface and log a waypoint, and I found some brushpiles, but I wasn’t exactly full of confidence going into the tournament,” he remembers.
“This Monday wasn’t real good either, but Tuesday was better, the fish are moving shallow to spawn and shallow water fishing is my strength, so my confidence is building,” he says.
Water temps are ranging from 55 to 65 on Hartwell, and Sumrall predicts wacky-rigged soft plastics, small soft plastic swimbaits, spinnerbaits, and shallow crankbaits like Spro’s Rock Crawler will be major players this week.
Life is good for Sumrall right now. He’s fishing for a living less than two years after losing a “regular job”, but financially it’s still a strain.
“I guide on Toledo Bend and Rayburn with Darold Gleason when I’m not out on the Elite Series tour, and I’m grateful for it. But man, I’d like to get to a point financially where I could be with my wife and two kids way more when I’m not out here on the road,” says Sumrall, understandably.
If Sumrall’s sentimental history here at Hartwell shows itself this week, the $100,000 first place prize could alleviate a whole lot of strain, and change his life for the better once again at this gorgeous South Carolina reservoir.
Elite Series Coverage this week brought you by our friends at Visit Anderson in Anderson, South Carolina
Mercury Marine Signs Agreement To Continue As Premier Sponsor Of B.A.S.S.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Mercury Marine continues its longstanding support of B.A.S.S. with the announcement of a new premier sponsorship of the world’s largest fishing organization.
“For more than two decades, Mercury Marine and B.A.S.S. have partnered to not only bring fans the most exciting pro-level events in the sport, but also grow bass fishing through support of high school, college and B.A.S.S. Nation competition,” said Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S. “The continuation of this storied partnership proves that together we are laser focused on ensuring that the future of bass fishing is very bright.”
“We are delighted to renew our premier-level support of B.A.S.S. — a partnership that promotes our mutual values and our shared love of competitive bass fishing,” said Michelle Dauchy, Mercury Marine chief marketing officer. “Mercury and B.A.S.S. have worked together to advance the causes of conservation, youth development, and expanded opportunities for recreation and competition on the water. Mercury will continue to innovate outboard engines that give bass anglers a competitive edge, and we'll also find new and creative ways to elevate the sport,” Dauchy said.
Under the new agreement, Mercury Marine will be a premier sponsor of the biggest stages in bass fishing and also have premier sponsorship of youth and grass-roots programs, as well. These include the Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Bassmaster Elite Series, Basspro.comBassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Bassmaster Team Championship, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops and Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
One aspect of the renewed partnership fans will enjoy is the new Mercury Concert Series. These free concerts will take place prior to Saturday or Sunday weigh-ins at Elite Series events held this year on Lake Fork, Lake Guntersville, St. Lawrence River and Cayuga Lake, as well as the Angler of the Year Championship.
“We are so excited that Mercury Marine is again a premier sponsor of the Classic,” said Akin. “We broke records this year in Knoxville, with over 153,000 fans attending the biggest event in fishing. The Mercury team created some incredible fan experiences and will no doubt continue to raise the bar to keep bass anglers enthusiastic about our sport.”
The partnership extends well beyond event venues. Mercury Marine will have a strong presence within the extensive B.A.S.S. media platforms, including Bassmaster Magazine, The BassmastersTV Show and Bassmaster.com.
About Mercury Marine
Headquartered in Fond du Lac, Wis., Mercury Marine is the world’s leading manufacturer of recreational marine propulsion engines. A $3 billion division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), Mercury provides engines, boats, services and parts for recreational, commercial and government marine applications, empowering boaters with products that are easy to use, extremely reliable and backed by the most dedicated customer support in the world. Mercury’s industry-leading brand portfolio includes Mercury outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrive and inboard packages; MotorGuide trolling motors; Mercury propellers; Mercury inflatable boats; Mercury SmartCraft electronics; Attwood marine parts; Land ’N’ Sea marine parts distribution; and Mercury and Quicksilver parts and oils and Power Products, LLC. More information is available at mercurymarine.com
Bridges & Owens Win Media Bass Ross Barnett Event with over 20 pounds
March 31 - Ross Barnett - Photos
Nix and Rigdon Win TTZ on Texoma with over 25 pounds!
| PL | ANGLER 1 | ANGLER 2 | FISH | BIG BASS | WT | PRIZE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JAMES RIGDON | SHONE NIX | 5 | 8.78 | 25.10 | $5,000 + $590 Big Bass + $250 BIOBOR Bonus |
| 2 | WARREN KEPKE | CODY MORRISON | 5 | 5.66 | 23.19 | $2,000 |
| 3 | GRANT ADAMS | MACKENZIE SWEENEY | 5 | 6.01 | 22.58 | $1,000 |
| 4 | DAVID MEDLER | TERRY BRIDGES | 5 | 20.99 | $600 | |
| 5 | JJ KILLOUGH | LJ CASTILLO | 5 | 6.48 | 19.70 | $450 |
| 6 | JOSEPH WARE | ROGER CAMP | 5 | 19.69 | 4300 | |
| 7 | KERRY SLAUGHTER | LEE YOWELL | 5 | 19.25 | $250 | |
| 8 | DAVID BARNETT | BRANDT MCGINNIS | 5 | 4.86 | 18.73 | |
| 9 | BILLY CLINE | BILLY WILSON | 5 | 18.50 | ||
| 10 | RAY SPEAR | BOBBY WALKER | 5 | 18.43 | ||
| 10 | SEAN TROTTER | ALLEN SEIGL | 5 | 18.43 | Sean Trotter-Shimano Loyalty Program Winner-Curado Reel | |
| 12 | RANDY KEATING | BRUCE ANDERSON | 5 | 18.24 | ||
| 13 | MARK PARKER | RON SAUCEMAN | 5 | 17.60 | ||
| 14 | JOHNNY THOMPSON | JEFF REYNOLDS | 5 | 17.22 | ||
| 15 | BYRON ALBRECHT | MIKE JOHNSON | 5 | 4.00 | 17.20 | |
| 16 | JODY HOLUBEK | RICK SCOTT | 5 | 17.02 | ||
| 17 | MARK REEVES | BILL TILLMAN | 5 | 6.35 | 16.86 | |
| 18 | DAVID CARLOCK | JAKE MCWHIRTER | 5 | 16.01 | ||
| 19 | WES DAVIS | KEVIN STRICKLAND | 5 | 15.86 | ||
| 20 | JEFF ARNOLD | JOHNNY MATTHEWS | 5 | 15.07 | ||
| 21 | MONTY EDGE | TERRANCE WOOTEN | 5 | 14.94 | ||
| 22 | BRANDON FERRELL | RANDY FERRELL | 5 | 14.85 | ||
| 23 | JEREME DIETZ | JERRY DIETZ | 5 | 14.79 | Pre-Registration Winner! Shimano Curado Rods | |
| 24 | DAVID RUSH | WESLEY PRICE | 5 | 14.19 | ||
| 25 | TONY FERDINANDO | SHANE LOGAN | 5 | 13.93 | ||
| 26 | JASON BRUNETT | STEVEN DANIELS | 5 | 13.83 | ||
| 27 | JAY DAVIS | BILLY WALDSCHMIDT | 5 | 12.83 | ||
| 28 | LARRY BENCH | HI HILLBURN | 5 | 12.59 | ||
| 29 | CRAIG HATCHEL | DAVID WESTBROOK | 5 | 12.45 | ||
| 30 | NEIL DEMPSEY | GARY DEMPSEY | 3 | 6.70 | 12.37 | |
| 31 | PAUL IVERSON | DAVID MAY | 5 | 12.30 | ||
| 32 | RUSSELL BACA | CODY SUMMARSELL | 5 | 12.25 | ||
| 33 | JOHNNY RAY | JASON TRUITT | 5 | 11.86 | ||
| 34 | BRETT TAYLOR | BRUCE TAYLOR | 5 | 11.49 | Brett Taylor-Shimano Loyalty Program Winner-Curado reel | |
| 35 | AARON ASHMORE | BOBBY HOLLAND | 5 | 11.44 | ||
| 36 | TREY SAMMONS | CLAY SAMMONS | 4 | 11.15 | ||
| 37 | JAMES NEFF | JAMES SCHLINGMAN | 5 | 10.97 | ||
| 38 | CODY LOWE | KEVIN HATHAWAY | 4 | 10.90 | ||
| 39 | CHRIS DIGINO | GRADEN HANSEN | 5 | 10.64 | ||
| 40 | BUSTER JOHNSON | ZEB STRICKLAND | 5 | 10.50 | ||
| 41 | JAMES SWANZY | KEVIN SEIBOLD | 3 | 7.85 | ||
| 42 | HAYDEN RODGES | BRADLEY STANDERTER | 3 | 5.70 | ||
| 43 | ANDY SALLEE | MARK CHILD | 2 | 5.39 | ||
| 44 | MICHAEL NUGENT | EDWIN PULDA | 2 | 4.64 | ||
| 45 | DAVID CROW | DEREK JACKSON | 2 | 4.58 | ||
| 46 | GARY BERGMAN | RYAN BERGMAN | ||||
| 46 | ANDREW SHORE | HUNTER MCCLENDON | ||||
| 46 | SCOTT GREENROYD | RICKY MCCORMACK | ||||
| 46 | RYAN DEMPSEY | CODY DEMPSEY(Y) | ||||
| 46 | BRET GIFFORD | BILL STEARNS | ||||
| 46 | JUSTIN CALAHAN | SPENCER SUIT | ||||
| 46 | KY MARTIN | CHRIS MOORE | ||||
| 46 | MICHAEL KILE | RON SOMERS | ||||
| 46 | GARY MARTIN | JAMES SEYMOUR | ||||
| 46 | TANNER SPURGIN | NATHAN WOLF | ||||
| 46 | DAVID MAY | MICHAEL PEINADO(Y) | ||||
| 46 | JAMES GOODNER | GRANT GOODNER | ||||
| 46 | JACOB DAVID | NICK PRESTWOOD |
Ralph Dupuy Wins Outlaw Outdoors Sweet 16 Championship on Sam Rayburn with over 23 pounds!
Ralph Dupuy
1st Place Stringer - 23.47
1st Place Big Bass - 10.54
Jason Moore & John Singletary
2nd Place Stringer - 21.74
Jack Bryant - Jim Bryant
3rd Place Stringer - 21.20
Lake Hartwell: Just ask Colton
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
If you’re looking for insight on what to expect at the Bassmaster Elite Series event on Lake Hartwell this week, you might want to stop by Ralph Hayes Toyota – South Carolina’s most long established Toyota dealership, located three minutes from Hartwell’s shoreline.
Once you get there, ask for Colton. You won’t find him in a front office, but instead let your ears lead you to the back of the building where you’ll hear the roar of the industrial power washer 18-year-old Colton Turner uses to detail vehicles in order to pay for the white 2007 Tacoma he bought.
“It’s my baby,” he’ll tell you of his Tacoma. And the former angler from the B.A.S.S. sanctioned Palmetto Boat Center High School Trail will also tell you anything you need to know about fishing on Lake Hartwell. As a high school angler, he qualified for the State Championship four straight years.
“Oh, there’s no doubt, bass fishing is very much a part of the family culture here at Ralph Hayes Toyota,” says Stan Hill, the dealership’s Director of Training. “And when anybody wants to know about how to catch a bass on Hartwell around here, they just ask Colton.”
So we did. We asked Colton what B.A.S.S. fans could expect on Hartwell this week, and here’s what he had to say.
“I think you’ll see a lot of guys fishing a jig around boat docks or targeting pre-spawners with a crankbait out there in 15-feet of water,” says Turner. “There are definitely bass spawning here, the water temp is right around 60 degrees, but guys who don’t want to spend a lot of time trying to catch fish off beds will probably try to catch quality fish of docks with a jig.”
You can also count on spinning rods linked to wacky-rigged soft stick baits to get major playing time around Hartwell’s docks this week.
“We had a big team tournament here last weekend with 52 teams that know the lake well and 16 pounds won it,” says Turner. “But the thing that surprised me most is we saw fish schooling on the surface even though the water temp is barely 60 degrees. So don’t be surprised if somebody weighs fish this week throwing a topwater or small swimbait at schooling fish if they’re fortunate enough to see that kind of activity,” warns Turner.
When he’s not fishing or working at Ralph Hayes, he attends Tri County Tech to learn a trade in heating and air, but like so many of us, fishing is simply in his blood. His mom, Renee also works at Ralph Hayes, but his dad, Kevin has been fishing tournaments on Hartwell for as long as Colton can remember.
“Dad started me with a spinning rod when I was about 5-years-old, and with three boat ramps located 10 minutes from our house, it’s pretty much all I’ve ever known or wanted to do,” he says. “The dream week on Hartwell would probably be in late April catching bass on topwaters out of brushpiles on main lake points, but it’s still too early for that,” he adds.
“From Joe Gant, our salesman, to Brad Burdette our Service Advisor, it seems like everybody here at Ralph Hayes Toyota wants to talk about fishing,” he says with a grin.
Bass fishing is indeed a way of life at South Carolina’s oldest Toyota dealer. They’ve long supported B.A.S.S. events with loaner Tundras when needed for major events on Hartwell, and they sponsor high school fishing teams with financial donations to help alleviate the youngsters’ tournament travel costs.
Oh, and the tall kid in the back of the dealership detailing vehicles …. Yep, that’s Colton Turner … he’ll tell you anything you want to know about what the bass are currently biting on Hartwell, just a few blocks down Clemson Boulevard from where he and his power washer are doing their best work.
Elite Series Coverage this week brought you by our friends at Visit Anderson in Anderson, South Carolina
EVANS’ WILLIAMSON WINS T-H MARINE FLW BASS FISHING LEAGUE TOURNAMENT ON CLARKS HILL LAKE
Statesboro’s Pare Claims Co-Angler Title
APPLING, Ga. (April 1, 2019) – Boater Keith Williamson of Evans, Georgia, brought five bass to the weigh-in stage Saturday totaling 19 pounds, 13 ounces, to win the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) South Carolina Division tournament on Clarks Hill Lake. For his catch, Williamson took home $2,675.
Williamson said he primarily fished the Little River arm on the Georgia side of the lake, not far from the Highway 47 bridge. He said he used a brown and purple-colored Greenfish Tackle Original Square Rubber Jig with a green-pumpkin and green-glitter Zoom Tiny Salty Chunk trailer to catch his first keeper. His next two came on a ½-ounce Almost-colored Greenfish High Class Double Willow spinnerbait with a Pearl-colored Zoom Fat Albert Grub on a trailer hook.
“My first three came pretty quickly,” said Williamson, who earned his third career win on Clarks Hill Lake in BFL competition. “I caught one on a jig at the rocks a little deeper and then went shallower to see if they were bedding, but didn’t get any bites. The wind started blowing a bit, so I switched to a spinnerbait. I threw to the shallowest part of the ridge – 5 or 6 feet of water – and caught one right away – a 3- or 4-pounder. Within a few casts I caught another one giving me three good fish before 10 [a.m.]
“I left that spot and hit another shallow hump nearby that was probably 3 feet deep on top and caught a good 2½- to 3-pound spotted bass on the spinnerbait,” said Williamson.
After the sun got up, Williamson said he moved from the clear water to more stained water above the Highway 47 bridge to finish out his day. There, he caught the heaviest bass of the tournament– an 8-pound, 3-ouncer – on his Greenfish spinnerbait.
“I’m pretty sure I caught that fish in practice and then caught it again during the tournament,” said Williamson. “It was in front of a willow bush. I tried for it and she swatted the spinnerbait next to the boat. I left to fish some pockets and flats, but returned with an hour left before weigh-in and caught her.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Keith Williamson, Evans, Ga., five bass, 19-13, $2,675
2nd: James Meadows, Goose Creek, S.C., five bass, 14-14, $1,225
3rd: Bart Blackburn, North Augusta, S.C., five bass, 14-3, $750
4th: Brandt Tumberg, Moore, S.C., five bass, 14-1, $525
5th: Adam Beckum, Martinez, Ga., five bass, 14-0, $700
6th: John Duarte, Middle River, Md., five bass, 13-7, $413
7th: John Long, Grovetown, Ga., five bass, 12-11, $375
8th: Michael Maxfield, Hanahan, S.C., five bass, 12-6, $337
9th: Baylen Gaillard, Clark Hill, S.C., five bass, 12-4, $100
9th: Nicholas Toomey, Evans, Ga., five bass, 12-4, $100
9th: Jeffrey Borne, Gilbert, S.C., five bass, 12-4, $250
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Williamson’s 8-pound, 3-ouncer was the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division and earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $225.
Mitchell Pare of Statesboro, Georgia, won the Co-angler Division and $1,437 Saturday after catching five bass weighing 14 pounds, 3 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Mitchell Pare, Statesboro, Ga., five bass, 14-3, $1,437
2nd: Jack Daniel Hoy, Hollywood, S.C., five bass, 11-14, $612
3rd: Clay Wilson, Evans, Ga., five bass, 11-4, $376
4th: Bobby McDonald, Easley, S.C., five bass, 11-3, $412
5th: Shawn Kincaid, Lexington, S.C., five bass, 10-4, $225
6th: Kate Hough, Gilbert, S.C., five bass, 9-13, $306
7th: Kevin Henderson, Honea Path, S.C., five bass, 9-10, $178
7th: Travis Ruff, Connelly Springs, N.C., five bass, 9-10, $178
9th: Hunter Vincent, Santee, S.C., three bass, 9-0, $150
10th: James Akins, Cumming, Ga., five bass, 8-14
Pare also caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 5 pounds, 1 ounce. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $112.
The tournament was hosted by the Columbia County Board of Commissioners.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 17-19 BFL Regional Championship on the Potomac River in Marbury, Maryland. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518L with a 200-horsepower outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518L with a 200-horsepower outboard.
The 2019 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. The 2019 BFL All-American will be held May 30-June 1 at the Potomac River in Marbury, Maryland, and is hosted by the Charles County Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism and the Commissioners of Charles County. 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, and YouTube.
POWERS WINS T-H MARINE FLW BASS FISHING LEAGUE TOURNAMENT ON SOUTH HOLSTON RESERVOIR
Co-Angler Title Goes to Kingsport’s Blakely
BRISTOL, Tenn. (April 1, 2019) – Boater Craig Powers of Rockwood, Tennessee, brought a five-bass limit to the scale weighing 17 pounds, 9 ounces, to win Saturday’s T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Volunteer Division tournament on South Holston Reservoir. Powers earned $3,583 for his victory.
Powers spent his day fishing wind-blown points mid-lake, not too far from takeoff. He said the bite was tough, and that he caught just six keepers all day. He weighed in two largemouth and two spotted bass from a spinnerbait and a 3-pound smallmouth on a crankbait.
“I targeted blowdowns on the points with the spinnerbait, and when the wind quit blowing I switched to a flat-sided crankbait. It was the same deal [with the crankbait] – rocky, wind-blown points – but I stayed away from the trees,” said Powers, who earned his fifth win in FLW competition. “The crankbait has a tight wiggle and when they quit biting, I can usually catch a few on it.
Powers said his spinnerbait was a ½-ounce, custom-made lure with Willow Leaf and Colorado blades and a Glimmer Blue skirt, with a Zoom Split Tail trailer of the same color. His crankbait was a Root Beer-colored CP Custom Baits Series 3 balsa crankbait. He said he primarily worked in 6 to 10 feet of water.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Craig Powers, Rockwood, Tenn., five bass, 17-9, $3,583
2nd: Kevin Powers, Unicoi, Tenn., five bass, 13-15, $1,764
3rd: Jonathan Bowling , Harriman, Tenn., five bass, 13-8, $1,108
4th: Steve Coleman, Clayton, Ga., five bass, 13-6, $707
5th: Nathan Hipps, Canton, N.C., five bass, 11-7, $580
5th: Derrick Blake, Rockwood, Tenn., two bass, 11-7, $580
7th: Matt Linton, Kingston, Tenn., four bass, 10-6, $505
8th: Doug Burke, Castlewood, Va., four bass, 10-0, $454
9th: Tavin Napier, Rockwood, Tenn., three bass, 9-9, $404
10th: Wayne Coppage, Jonesboro, Tenn., four bass, 9-1, $353
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Powers also caught a 7-pound, 13-ounce bass – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division – and earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $355.
David Blakely of Kingsport, Tennessee, won the Co-angler Division and $1,714 Saturday after catching five bass weighing 11 pounds, 10 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: David Blakely, Kingsport, Tenn., five bass, 11-10, $1,714
2nd: Mark Dillard, Bluff City, Tenn., four bass, 11-7, $807
3rd: Clint Dyer, Jonesborough, Tenn., four bass, 10-10, $505
4th: Joey Boling, Walland, Tenn., three bass, 9-0, $353
5th: Brian Miller, Calhoun, Ga., three bass, 8-0, $303
6th: Audie Aultman, Knoxville, Tenn., three bass, 7-5, $278
7th: Bradley Watts, Afton, Tenn., four bass, 7-3, $252
8th: Jim Neece Sr., Bristol, Va., three bass, 6-15, $214
8th: Darren Kelly, Wartburg, Tenn., two bass, 6-15, $364
10th: Robert Barch Jr., Nelsonville, Ohio, two bass, 6-13, $177
Curtis Crooke of Washburn, Tennessee, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 4 pounds, 14 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $177.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 10-12 BFL Regional Championship on Lake Hartwell in Seneca, South Carolina, presented by Navionics. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518L with a 200-horsepower outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518L with a 200-horsepower outboard.
The 2019 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. The 2019 BFL All-American will be held May 30-June 1 at the Potomac River in Marbury, Maryland, and is hosted by the Charles County Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism and the Commissioners of Charles County. 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, and YouTube.
SMITHVILLE’S TRAMEL WINS T-H MARINE FLW BASS FISHING LEAGUE TOURNAMENT ON CENTER HILL LAKE
Co-Angler Title Goes to Goodletsville’s Adams
SPARTA, Tenn. (April 1, 2019) – Boater Josh Tramel of Smithville, Tennessee, brought five bass to the scale Saturday weighing 20 pounds, 12 ounces, to win the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Music City Division tournament on Center Hill Lake. For his first-place finish, Tramel earned $4,384.
Tramel said he primarily worked through two mid-lake areas with gravel and rock, and caught approximately 10 keepers throughout the tournament.
“One area was a staging area – a little creek channel swing in a major creek – and one had multiple staging areas close to points where bass were spawning,” said Tramel, who earned his sixth career win in BFL competition. “I caught most of what I weighed in before lunch, until 12 [p.m.] or so. My limit was made up of all smallmouth.”
Tramel caught three that he weighed at the channel swing in 6 to 8 feet of water using a Carolina-rigged green pumpkin-colored Berkley Power Hog. The other two smallmouth were caught at the points on Crawfish-colored Rapala DT6 and a DT10 crankbaits in 6 to 10 feet of water.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Josh Tramel, Smithville, Tenn., five bass, 20-12, $4,384
2nd: Jesse Rigsby, Old Hickory, Tenn., five bass, 17-2, $1,467
3rd: Mickey Beck, Lebanon, Tenn., five bass, 17-1, $1,127
4th: Clabion Johns, Covington, Ga., five bass, 16-15, $784
5th: Adam Wagner, Cookeville, Tenn., five bass, 16-5, $587
6th: Daniel Johnson, Lebanon, Tenn., five bass, 16-0, $538
7th: Michael Thomason, Winchester, Tenn., five bass, 15-13, $489
8th: Jay Melton, Murfreesboro, Tenn., five bass, 15-11, $440
9th: Dale Rowland, Shelbyville, Tenn., five bass, 14-6, $391
10th: Alex Hester, Crossville, Tenn., five bass, 13-13, $342
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Matt Langley of Lebanon, Tennessee, caught a bass weighing 5 pounds even – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division – and earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $335.
Mitchell Adams of Goodletsville’s, Tennessee, won the Co-angler Division and $1,374 Saturday after catching five bass weighing 15 pounds, 9 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Mitchell Adams, Goodletsville, Tenn., five bass, 15-9, $1,374
2nd: Tyler Barnes, Murfreesboro, Tenn., five bass, 15-5, $687
3rd: Sam Loveless, Somerset, Ky., five bass, 12-6, $459
4th: Brian Reed, Cookeville, Tenn., four bass, 11-3, $321
5th: Bryan Brinson, Hendersonville, Tenn., three bass, 8-8, $375
6th: Randall Wiggins, Birmingham, Ala., five bass, 8-1, $302
7th: Todd Knois, Lewisburg, Tenn., three bass, 8-0, $229
8th: James Davis, Springfield, Tenn., three bass, 7-13, $206
9th: Donnie Rubel, Murfreesboro, Tenn., two bass, 7-8, $183
10th: Kelly Stone, Westmoreland, Tenn., two bass, 6-13, $160
Andrew Whitaker of Scottsville, Kentucky, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 4 pounds, 5 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $152.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 10-12 BFL Regional Championship on Lake Hartwell in Seneca, South Carolina, presented by Navionics. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518L with a 200-horsepower outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518L with a 200-horsepower outboard.
The 2019 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. The 2019 BFL All-American will be held May 30-June 1 at the Potomac River in Marbury, Maryland, and is hosted by the Charles County Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism and the Commissioners of Charles County. 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, and YouTube.
OKEECHOBEE’S NIX WINS T-H MARINE FLW BASS FISHING LEAGUE TOURNAMENT ON LAKE OKEECHOBEE
Co-Angler Title Goes to Boca Raton’s Trudel
CLEWISTON, Fla. (April 1, 2019) – Boater Neil Nix of Okeechobee, Florida, brought five bass to the scale Saturday weighing 21 pounds, 11 ounces, to win the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Gator Division tournament on Lake Okeechobee. For his victory, Nix earned $5,641.
“I fished the North Shore area of the lake around scattered reed clumps. It’s a spawning area and during the spawn they get on those isolated clumps,” said Nix, who earned his second career win in FLW competition. “I caught most of my good fish early before 8:30 [a.m.], and one good one – a 4-pounder – around 11.”
Nix said he used a Texas-rigged, black and blue-colored Gambler Fat Ace with a 3/16-ounce weight to catch his fish on Saturday.
“I ended up catching more than 20 keepers during the tournament,” said Neil. “I also caught a couple flipping in Observation Shoals with a Texas-rigged [black and blue-colored Reaction Innovations] Sweet Beaver, but didn’t end up weighing any of those fish.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Neil Nix, Okeechobee, Fla., five bass, 21-11, $3,641 + $2,000 Ranger Cup Bonus
2nd: Santos Solis, Vero Beach, Fla., five bass, 21-3, $1,820
3rd: William Schmitt, West Palm Beach, Fla., five bass, 19-14, $1,032
3rd: Robert Crosnoe, Inverness, Fla., five bass, 19-14, $1,032
5th: Mikey Keyso Jr., North Port, Fla., five bass, 18-4, $728
6th: Jim Hurlock Jr., West Palm Beach, Fla., five bass, 17-9, $668
7th: Mike Davis, Alachua, Fla., five bass, 16-15, $1,082
8th: Jonathan Lecrone, Orlando, Fla., five bass, 16-5, $546
9th: Brett Cannon, Parkland, Fla., five bass, 15-8, $455
9th: Rick Mitchell, Naples, Fla., five bass, 15-8, $455
Complete results can be found at FLWFishi/ng.com.
Davis caught a largemouth weighing 9 pounds even – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division – and earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $475.
Jay Trudel of Boca Raton, Florida, won the Co-angler Division and $1,920 Saturday after catching five bass weighing 19 pounds, 13 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Jay Trudel, Boca Raton, Fla., five bass, 19-13, $1,920
2nd: Robert Turcotte, Naples, Fla., five bass, 16-0, $1,028
3rd: Moses Wilson, Clewiston, Fla., five bass, 15-9, $607
4th: Bryce Goff, Haines City, Fla., five bass, 13-1, $425
5th: Bryan Lefebvre, Pompano Beach, Fla. five bass, 12-5, $364
6th: Jesse Forthun, Saint James City, Fla., four bass, 11-13, $334
7th: Dana Bass, Miami, Fla., five bass, 11-9, $303
8th: Michael Robel, Bradenton, Fla., four bass, 11-6, $323
9th: Kevin Thomas, Miramar, Fla., five bass, 11-3, $243
10th: Steve Smith, Jacksonville, Fla., five bass, 10-11, $212
Larry Branch of Kissimmee, Florida, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 7 pounds, 5 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $118.
The tournament was hosted by Roland & Mary Ann Martin's Marina & Resort.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 10-12 BFL Regional Championship on Lake Seminole in Bainbridge, Georgia. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518L with a 200-horsepower outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518L with a 200-horsepower outboard.
The 2019 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. The 2019 BFL All-American will be held May 30-June 1 at the Potomac River in Marbury, Maryland, and is hosted by the Charles County Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism and the Commissioners of Charles County. 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, and YouTube.
FLW TOUR HEADS TO CHEROKEE LAKE FOR FIFTH EVENT OF SEASON
Jefferson City to Host Four-Day Bass Fishing Event Featuring Outdoor Expo and $125,000 Top Prize
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. (March 28, 2019) – Fishing League Worldwide (FLW), the world’s largest tournament fishing organization, is heading to Jefferson City to take on Cherokee Lake, April 11-14, for the FLW Tour at Cherokee Lake presented by Lowrance. Hosted by the Economic Development Alliance of Jefferson County, the tournament will feature four days of bass-fishing action from 165 of the world’s best bass-fishing professionals competing for a top award of up to $125,000 and valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2019 FLW Cup – the world championship of bass fishing.
Although Cherokee Lake has hosted multiple T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) events over the years, this event will mark the first time the FLW Tour has ever visited the fishery. The total purse for the FLW Tour at Cherokee Lake presented by Lowrance – the 215th event in FLW Tour history – is more than $860,000.
“Everybody knows you can go up the river to catch largemouth on Cherokee Lake. It’s got a decent population of largemouth, but I don’t think it can withstand the fishing pressure of a tournament of our size over four days,” said pro Jason Abram of Piney Flats, Tennessee, a 10-year FLW Tour veteran. “I think it’s going to take a mixed bag – largemouth and smallmouth – to win.
“The smallmouth population in Cherokee Lake is pretty strong still,” Abram continued. “It’s very possible that they could be bedding, although the TVA started dropping the water last week and that could hold them off. In my opinion, the majority of the anglers in the top 50 will likely be fishing for smallmouth.”
With both species of bass in play, it will be a crucial decision for tournament competitors. Abram said that smallmouth would likely be heavily targeted in staging areas - points and chunk rock – before moving in to spawn on pea-gravel banks. Abram expects the largemouth to also play a big role for anglers and predicted that the majority would be caught up the Holston River.
“These guys are used to running around flipping bushes and docks, but in East Tennessee, when the water is low, we don’t have that, Abram said. “We’re going to have to decipher what kind of rock and what depth of rock they are on.
“Someone is going to figure out how to catch a largemouth first thing, and then catch some smallmouth to fill out a limit. Or, they’re going to catch a limit of smallmouth and then go flipping or shallow-cranking for largemouth and catch that 4- or 5-pounder that puts them where they need to be,” Abram went on to say. “We’re just going to have to figure them out when we get there.”
The Tennessee pro estimated that a four-day cumulative weight of 58 pounds should be enough to earn the victory on Championship Sunday.
Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. EST each day from the TVA Dam Boat Launch, located at 2805 N. Highway 92, in Jefferson City. Thursday and Friday’s weigh-ins, April 11-12, will be held near the launch beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins, April 13-14, will also be held near the launch, but will begin at 4 p.m.
Prior to weigh-in each day, FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at the TVA Dam Boat Launch from 2 to 6 p.m. The Expo is a chance for fishing fans to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, as well as learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities.
Also for youth, the FLW Foundation’s Unified Fishing Derby will be held at the TVA Dam Boat Launch on Saturday, April 13, from Noon-2 p.m. The event is hosted by FLW Foundation pro Cody Kelley along with other FLW Tour anglers, and is free and open to anyone under the age of 18 and Special Olympics athletes. Rods and reels are available for use, but youth are encouraged to bring their own if they own one. The 1st and 2nd place anglers that catch the most fish will be recognized Saturday on the FLW Tour stage, just prior to the pros weighing in.
Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Cherokee Lake presented by Lowrance will premiere in 2019. The exact air-date will be announced soon. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs each Saturday night at 7 p.m. EST and is broadcast to more than 63 million cable, satellite and telecommunications households in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean on the World Fishing Network (WFN), the leading entertainment destination and digital resource for anglers throughout North America. FLW television is also distributed internationally to FLW partner countries, including Canada, China, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and South Africa.
The popular FLW Live on-the-water program will air on Days Three and Four of the event, featuring live action from the boats of the tournament’s top pros each day. Host Travis Moran will be joined by veteran FLW Tour pro Todd Hollowell to break down the extended action each day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. On-the-water broadcasts will be live streamed on FLWFishing.com, the FLW YouTube channel and the FLW Facebook page.
In FLW Tour competition, the full field of 165 pro anglers compete in the two-day opening round on Thursday and Friday. The top 30 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continue competition Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.
Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2019 FLW Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2019 FLW Cup will be on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Aug. 9-11 and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the sport’s top anglers on the FLW Tour on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Bassmaster Elite Series Returning To South Carolina’s Historic Lake Hartwell
ANDERSON, S.C. — After serving three times in the past 11 years as the host venue for the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Lake Hartwell is already firmly entrenched in professional bass fishing history.
Now it’s time to write the next chapter.
The Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell is scheduled for April 4-7 with daily takeoffs from Green Pond Landing and Event Center in Anderson at 7 a.m. ET and weigh-ins back at Green Pond Landing at 3:15 p.m. A field of 75 anglers will compete for a $100,000 first-place prize and valuable points in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race.
South Carolina pro Brandon Cobb, who lives just 50 minutes from the launch, believes the spawn could be in full swing by the time the tournament starts.
“This year we’ve had some warm weather, but we’ve had more cold nights than we’ve ever had,” said Cobb, a Clemson graduate who has been fishing Hartwell his whole life. “So the fish are a little behind from what they were the last few years.
“If the weather holds stable like the forecast says, I think it’s going to be mostly a spawn tournament. I don’t think every fish will be on bed, but there will be a lot of sight fish caught.”
Cobb said a bed-fishing tournament could be good for the entire field because all of Hartwell’s 56,000 surface acres offer perfect habitat for the bass spawn. Even anglers who haven’t fished the lake much in the past should be able to find good five-fish limits.
That’ll make for a great overall tournament, but it could eliminate the hometown advantage he was looking forward to during a rare week when he’ll get to fish an Elite Series event while sleeping nights in his own bed.
“Basically, my local advantage is gone if they’re on bed,” Cobb said. “A place like the St. Johns River in Florida has key spawning areas. But on Lake Hartwell, they spawn everywhere. In general, all of Lake Hartwell is the same water temperature — and when they come up, they come up everywhere.”
Normally, when a major tournament visits Hartwell, anglers spend much of their time chasing nomadic bass that are following the lake’s famed population of blueback herring. But that isn’t likely to be the case during this event.
“The one time of year when herring don’t play a major factor is during this spawn,” Cobb said. “That changes things a lot and really makes this tournament wide open.”
Cobb stopped short of saying the event will be a “junk fishing tournament” — which means anglers would be fishing a wide variety of tactics without any solid technique rising to the forefront. But he said it could certainly be an event where anglers find bass in a lot of different places and catch them on a lot of different baits.
“You could fish a different part of the lake every day and still catch them,” Cobb said. “Hartwell just has so much to offer. It’ll all depend on who consistently finds the biggest bags.”
Though he expects lots of 18- to 20-pound limits to be weighed, Cobb said he doesn’t expect the winning angler to reach that mark all four days.
“With the nature of the bedding fish on Hartwell, I would feel really good about averaging 17 pounds a day,” he said. “You may have one day where you catch 20 pounds and then another day when you don’t really find them.
“That 17-pound consistency will basically be the key.”
This is the third event on the 2019 Bassmaster Elite Series schedule. After the first two events on Florida’s St. Johns River and Georgia’s Lake Lanier, Canadian pro Chris Johnston leads the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 190 points, followed by Alabama angler Scott Canterbury (182) and Texas pro Lee Livesay (181).
A full field of 75 anglers will fish Thursday and Friday before the field is cut to the Top 35 for Saturday’s semifinal round. Only the Top 10 will advance to Championship Sunday for a chance at the coveted blue trophy and the six-figure paycheck.
On Saturday and Sunday at Green Pond Landing, the Elite Expo will offer interactive exhibits, merchandise sales, prizes and contests, food and beverage vendors and activities for children. Fans can also meet the Elites at Angler Alley on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. or participate in Elite Angler Clinics onstage at the same time. Saturday is also Military and First Responder Appreciation Day, and Sunday is B.A.S.S. Member Appreciation Day.
Visit Anderson is the host organization for the event.
Roberts & Owens Weigh over 24 pounds for the Win and $4,459 on Jordan Lake!
Courtesy of Raymond Jones - Collins Boating
As you can see from the picture above, the first event of the 2019 Collin’s Inc. – Bass For Cash Series was held yesterday at Jordan Lake, NC. The Collin’s Crew started tournament preparations onsite at Farrington Point Wildlife Landing at 3:00AM. 91 Adult Teams & 12 Youth Teams for 104 total were registered for this event that featured free food, free giveaways, AnglersChannel.com coverage from land and on the water, and improved payouts for the anglers. The first place team of Keith Roberts & Billy Owens took the victory with a five fish limit weighing 24.08 lbs. They were awarded $3,549.00 for their 1st place finish. Roberts & Owens also caught a “GIANT” 9.11 lb bass that took big bass honors for the day and paid out $910.00. All said and done, the Roberts & Owens duo rolled out of the parking lot after the pig picking with two first place trophies and $4,459.00 in winnings for the day. Congratulations Keith Roberts & Billy Owens!
Second Place was secured by Brandon Gray & Todd Massey with a limit of bass weighing 22.32 lbs. Gray & Massey secured a $1,774.50 payday Saturday for their 2nd place finish. The third place team of Chuckie Creech & Colton Davis also had a five bass limit that weighed 21.96 lbs and netted them $1,001.00 for their day of fishing.
The Top 12 Boats were issued checks Saturday in the 1st 2019 Collin’s Inc. – Bass For Cash Event on Jordan Lake, NC.
1st 24.08 lbs
Keith Roberts, Billy Owens $3,549.00
Big Fish 9.11lbs
Ketih Roberts, Billy Owens $910.00
Total Roberts & Owens Winnings: $4,459.00
2nd 22.32 lbs
Brandon Gray, Todd Massey $1,774.50
3rd 21.96 lbs
Chuckie Creech, Colton Davis $1,001.00
4th 21.59 lbs
Johnathon Holloway, Collin Ford $637.00
5th 21.31 lbs
Mike May, Dale Winstead $455.00
6th 20.18 lbs
Stephen Lasher, Chad Fare $341.25
7th 19.66 lbs
Britt Oquinn, Brian West $295.75
8th 19.61 lbs
Skeet Bennett, Buster Seabolt $273.00
9th 19.25 lbs
Mike Merchant, Brad Mclaurin $250.25
10th 18.94 lbs
Ron Clark, Ronnie Clark $227.50
11th 18.53 lbs
Rich Szczerbala, Jamie Olive $182.00
12th 18.34 lbs
Larry Hipps, Patrick Arzonico $136.50
Powroznik Rallies for Win in Bass Pro Tour Favorite Fishing Stage Three Raleigh
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MLF pro Jacob Powroznik wacky-wormed his way to the MLF Stage Three win on North Carolina's Shearon Harris Reservoir with a total catch for the day of 20 scorable bass weighing a cumulative 63 pounds, 4 ounces. (Click to enlarge)
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Lawyer Wins FLW Tour at Grand Lake presented by Mercury Marine
Missouri Pro Earns First Career Tour Victory, Wins $125,000
GROVE, Okla. (March 31, 2019) – The FLW Tour at Grand Lake presented by Mercury Marine promised a dramatic finish Sunday as all of the final top-10 anglers competing were within striking distance of first place and the title of Grand Lake Champion. When the scales settled, it was Bass Pro Shops pro Jeremy Lawyer of Sarcoxie, Missouri, who had caught enough weight to earn the first FLW Tour victory of his career.
Lawyer’s final-day catch of five bass weighing 13 pounds, 14 ounces gave him a four-day total of 62-12 and the win via tiebreaker – the Day Three standings – over international angler Michael Matthee of Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa, who also weighed in a four-day total of 62-12, but started the day fourth place. Lawyer started the day in place and earned the win and the first place prize of $125,000.
“I can’t even express what this means,” said Lawyer, the 2016 Bass Fishing League (BFL) All-American Champion who is fishing his third season on the FLW Tour. “I dreamt for years of making the All-American, then I finally made it there and won it. That was a huge milestone for my family – my bank account, my fishing career, everything. Now, to get a win at the Tour level, it’s unbelievable. And to do it here with my friends following me on a lake that I’ve got a lot of history with and love for, gosh, it couldn’t be any better.”
Lawyer said that he caught all 20 of the fish that he weighed in this week on spinnerbaits, his key one being a ¾-ounce Freedom Lures Swing head spinnerbait thrown on a 7-foot, 6-inch Lew’s Magnum Heavy Cover rod and Lew’s Pro Magnesium reel spooled with 20-pound Sunline fluorocarbon. He credited his knowledge of the lake as being the key to his victory.
“I fished four different areas of the lake. I might have retreaded some of the same watepr, but I started somewhere completely new every day,” Lawyer said. “I fished everything from Honey Creek to the Dam. It was so random. My five fish that I caught today came on five different things. One came off of a little pipe this morning. My big one came off of a laydown. One came off of a little secondary point that didn’t have anything there. Another came off of a big old tree that was almost completely out of the water way in the back of a creek. And it’s been that way all week.”
Like most of the FLW Tour field, Lawyer said the fishing was a grind. He caught seven keepers on each of the first two days of competition, six keepers on Saturday and just five keepers on Sunday. Despite the tough conditions, Lawyer declared that Grand Lake was still in great shape.
“If we were here just two weeks later, it’d be stupid what we catch,” Lawyer said. “The lake is in great shape, but the weather is just what held us all back this week. That probably worked in my favor.
“Getting the win from the tiebreaker just goes to show how tight the competition is on the FLW Tour,” Lawyer went on to say. “Everyone out here can catch them, and it really shows the power of catching five every day. I caught a tiny little line-burner today that I was embarrassed to bring to weigh-in, but boy, am I glad that I brought him along.”
The top 10 pros on Grand Lake finished:
1st: Bass Pro Shops pro Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 20 bass, 62-12, $127,500
2nd: Michael Matthee, Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa, 18 bass, 62-12, $30,200
3rd: Miles Burghoff, Hixson, Tenn., 18 bass, 61-3, $25,500
4th: Berkley pro John Cox, DeBary, Fla., 17 bass, 59-9, $20,100
5th: Bradford Beavers, Summerville, S.C., 19 bass, 58-4, $19,000
6th: Billy McCaghren, Mayflower, Ark., 18 bass, 58-1, $18,000
7th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 16 bass, 56-7, $17,000
8th: Brian Latimer, Belton, S.C., 12 bass, 46-12, $16,000
9th: Jamie Horton, Centerville, Ala., 14 bass, 43-5, $15,000
10th: Sheldon Collings, Grove, Okla., 15 bass, 39-9, $14,000
Complete results for the entire field can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Overall there were 31 bass weighing 102 pounds, 8 ounces caught by pros Sunday. Five of the final 10 pros weighed in five-bass limits.
Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Grand Lake presented by Mercury will premiere in 2019. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs each Saturday night at 7 p.m. EST and is broadcast to more than 63 million cable, satellite and telecommunications households in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean on the World Fishing Network (WFN), the leading entertainment destination and digital resource for anglers throughout North America. FLW television is also distributed internationally to FLW partner countries, including Canada, China, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and South Africa.
The total purse for the FLW Tour at Grand Lake presented by Mercury was more than $860,000. The tournament was hosted by the City of Grove and the Cherokee Casino Grove. The next event for FLW Tour anglers will be the FLW Tour at Cherokee Lake presented by Lowrance, in Jefferson City Tennessee, April 11-14. The tournament will be hosted by the Economic Development Alliance of Jefferson County.
In FLW Tour competition, the full field of 165 pro anglers competed in the two-day opening round Thursday and Friday. The top 30 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advanced to fish on 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 2019 FLW Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2019 FLW Cup will be on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Aug. 9-11and 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 and YouTube.
Caleb McNeal and Taylor Luna Win 2019 Alabama Bass Trail Lake Jordan
March 30, 2019 – Wetumpka, Ala. – While Lake Jordan in Wetumpka, Alabama may be one of the smaller lakes on the Alabama Bass Trail schedule, it certainly seems to produce monster results.
While the bass population of the Coosa River has largely been put off by a variety of conditions; high water, low water and up and down temperatures, that lull seemed to change on Saturday as the past week of stable weather seemed to have a positive effect on Lake Jordan. The evidence showed in the results of the second event of the ABT Southern Division’s 2019 schedule.
While events have been won here with higher weights in the past, the quality of limits brought to the scales were high. None tipped the ABT scales more so than the winners of the event, Caleb McNeal and Taylor Luna, who weighed 22.06 and took home the $10,000 winner’s purse.
The pair said that they benefitted by drawing out as the first boat to take off, giving them the first pick of fishing locations. “When we got the text saying we were boat number one, we felt like this could happen,” they said. “We were able to get upriver and pick our starting spot, and everything worked out from there.”
They said the stopped just short of the am on an offshore structure spot, and filled their limit fairly early with a football jig and a pair of swimbaits. “We caught our limit at 10:00, and culled up to our final weight by 11:30,” they said. “We caught them on 3/4-ounce Football jigs and Big Bite Baits BB Kicker and Basstrix swimbaits on homemade 3/4-ounce jigheads.”
The team seemed very happy with the outcome. “It’s been a while since we’ve been able to have this kind of quality win,” they said. “To beat a field this size, with this level of anglers means a lot to us.”
No stranger to being at the top of the leaderboard, Chris Rutland and Coby Carden finished the day in second place with 20.48 pounds. The pair said that they too ran upriver, and fished both ends of the lake. “We fished dam to dam with a football jig and caught four spotted bass and one largemouth we caught off a bed,” they reported. “We would have liked for the day to end just a little bit better, but, sometimes things just don’t happen that way. We fished clean, and just got beaten; there is nothing else we could have done, that’s just how it goes sometimes.” The pair earned $5,000 for their efforts.”
The team of Eric Morris – and ABT Sponsor from Wedowee Marine – and his partner Ben Williamson finished the day in third place; their second consecutive top 5 Southern Division finish. Together they earned $4,000 for their efforts, and gave themselves a three point lead in the Southern Division Anglers of the Year Race over John Pollard and Dallas Weldon.
The Mountain Dew Big Bass of the tournament went to the 53rd place team of Michael Cox and Colt Boyette. The 6.54-pound largemouth earned them the $500 bonus for catching the heaviest fish of the tournament.
The Southern Division of the Alabama Bass Trail hits the water next at the Alabama River oat Cooter’s Pond on April 20.
The Top 10 Standings are below, for complete standings, visit: https://www.alabamabasstrail.org/tournament-series/lj-results/
| Place | Anglers | Weight | Big Fish | Winnings |
| 1 | Caleb McNeal / Taylor Luna | 22.06 | 4.76 | $10,000 |
| 2 | Chris Rutland / Coby Carden | 20.48 | 4.90 | $5,000 |
| 3 | Eric Morris / Ben Williamson | 20.13 | 5.56 | $4,000 |
| 4 | Foster Bradley / Nick Harris | 19.46 | $3,000 | |
| 5 | Steven Morris / Matt Vanzant | 19.04 | $2,000 | |
| 6 | Michael Taylor / Steven Johnston | 18.91 | $1,500 | |
| 7 | John Pollard / Dallas Weldon | 18.47 | $1,100 | |
| 8 | Mark Succi / Douglas Stephens | 18.19 | $1,100 | |
| 9 | Danny Lavoie / Sammy Bailey | 17.84 | $1,100 | |
| 10 | Kevin Phillips / Robert Medas | 17.79 | $1,100 |
Whitwell High School Claims Bassmaster High School Southern Open Title On Lake Guntersville
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THRIFT TAKES OVER AT FLW TOUR AT GRAND LAKE PRESENTED BY MERCURY MARINE
Two-Time AOY Brings 3-Pound Lead Into Championship Sunday
GROVE, Okla. (March 30, 2019) – The FLW Tour at Grand Lake presented by Mercury Marine is setting up for a dramatic final day on Sunday – the top 10 is stacked with a two-time FLW Tour Angler of the Year, an FLW Cup champion, a Costa FLW Series Champion, a Bass Fishing League (BFL) All-American Champion and a local angling prodigy that are all in striking distance to win the tournament, and the top prize of $125,000.
Tour stalwart Bryan Thrift of Shelby, North Carolina, who started the day in fifth place, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 19 pounds, 3 ounces to take the lead with a three-day total of 52-1.
Pro Jeremy Lawyer of Sarcoxie, Missouri, (48-14) jumped into second after bringing in a limit weighing 17-9. Billy McCaghren of Mayflower, Arkansas, (46-12), South Africa’s Michael Matthee (44-15) and reigning Costa FLW Series Champion Bradford Beavers of Summerville, South Carolina (44-6) round out the top five. Local angler, 21-year-old Sheldon Collings of Grove (39-9) moved into the top-10 cut Saturday with a five-bass limit weighing 14 pounds, 13 ounces.
With just a 3-pound, 3-ounce cushion heading into the final day, tournament-leader Thrift is excited to see how it all shakes on Championship Sunday.
“I love it – this is where I want to be,” said Thrift, who has six career victories in FLW Tour competition – tied for No. 3 all-time. “If you’re ever leading going into the final day and it doesn’t make you excited, it’s time to quit. It’s an awesome feeling and I’m excited to get back out there tomorrow.”
Thrift said that he had seven bites on Saturday, catching, “a couple on a jig and a couple on a crankbait.” He first keeper came around 9:30 a.m., and he said he caught, “one here, one there” every 45 minutes or so.
“It’s tough because I can’t look at something and say ‘that’s where I’m going to get a bite,’ Thrift said. “I’ve got to go into places and fish everything there – docks, rocks, wood, sand, gravel – I have to fish all of it because I have no idea where I’m going to get bit from. I caught two today on a bare bank. I caught one on a dock, one out of a tree and one on a rock.
“The plan for tomorrow is to do the same as I did today,” Thrift went on to say. “I’m going to fish everywhere that I’ve gotten a bite – that’ll take me about an hour. And then I’m going to run all new water. We’ll see what happens.”
The top 10 pros advancing to the final day of competition Sunday on Grand Lake are:
1st: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 15 bass, 52-1
2nd: Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 15 bass, 48-14
3rd: Billy McCaghren, Mayflower, Ark., 15 bass, 46-12
4th: Michael Matthee, Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa, 13 bass, 44-15
5th: Bradford Beavers, Summerville, S.C., 14 bass, 44-6
6th: Brian Latimer, Belton, S.C., 11 bass, 43-4
7th: Miles Burghoff, Hixson, Tenn., 13 bass, 42-7
8th: Berkley pro John Cox, DeBary, Fla., 12 bass, 42-4
9th: Jamie Horton, Centerville, Ala., 13 bass, 41-10
10th: Sheldon Collings, Grove, Okla., 15 bass, 39-9
Finishing in 11th through 30th are:
11th: Bailey Boutries, Daphne, Ala., 11 bass, 39-8, $12,000
12th: Jon Canada, Helena, Ala., 12 bass, 37-15, $12,000
13th: Costa pro Todd Castledine, Nacogdoches, Texas, 13 bass, 37-14, $12,000
14th: Bradley Hallman, Norman, Okla., 12 bass, 37-8, $12,000
15th: Braxton Setzer, Montgomery, Ala., 12 bass, 37-1, $12,000
16th: Matt Reed, Madisonville, Texas, 13 bass, 37-0, $11,500
17th: Ryan Chandler, Hebron, Ind., 15 bass, 36-13, $11,500
18th: Joel Willert, Prior Lake, Minn., 12 bass, 36-7, $11,500
19th: Josh Douglas, Isle, Minn., 15 bass, 35-10, $11,500
20th: Kyle Weisenburger, Ottawa, Ohio, nine bass, 35-9, $11,500
21st: Ron Farrow, Rock Hill, S.C., 11 bass, 35-9, $10,500
22nd: Yamamoto Baits pro Larry Nixon, Quitman, Ark., 12 bass, 34-5, $10,500
23rd: Shell Rotella pro Jimmy Houston, Cookson, Okla., 12 bass, 33-12, $10,500
24th: Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., 12 bass, 33-9 , $10,500
25th: Polaris pro David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., 12 bass, 33-8, $10,500
26th: Joey Cifuentes, Clinton, Ark., 11 bass, 32-4, $10,500
27th: Rapala pro Terry Bolton, Benton, Ky., 10 bass, 31-8, $10,500
28th: Lendell Martin Jr., Nacogdoches, Texas, nine bass, 26-10, $10,500
29th: David Wootton, Collierville, Tenn., 10 bass, 26-6, $10,500
30th: Tyler Stewart, West Monroe, La., eight bass, 26-4, $10,500
Full results for the entire field can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Overall there were 98 bass weighing 276 pounds, 5 ounces caught by pros Saturday, Of the final 30 pros, 10 of them were able to bring a five-bass limit to the scale.
In FLW Tour competition, the full field of 165 pro anglers competed in the two-day opening round Thursday and Friday. The top 30 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advanced to fish on Saturday. Now, 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 Grand Lake presented by Mercury is more than $860,000. The tournament is hosted by the City of Grove and the Cherokee Casino Grove.
Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2019 FLW Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2019 FLW Cup will be on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Aug. 9-11 and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.
Anglers will take off for the final day of competition at 7 a.m. CST Sunday from Wolf Creek Park, located at 963 N. 16th St., in Grove. Sunday’s Championship weigh-in will be held at the park beginning at 4 p.m.
In conjunction with the weigh-ins, FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at Wolf Creek Park from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday. The Expo is a chance for fishing fans to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities.
Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Grand Lake presented by Mercury will premiere in 2019. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs each Saturday night at 7 p.m. EST and is broadcast to more than 63 million cable, satellite and telecommunications households in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean on the World Fishing Network (WFN), the leading entertainment destination and digital resource for anglers throughout North America. FLW television is also distributed internationally to FLW partner countries, including Canada, China, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and South Africa.
The popular FLW Live on-the-water program will air on Sunday, featuring live action from the boats of the tournament’s top pros each day. Host Travis Moran will be joined by Oklahoma Costa FLW Series pro Matt Pangrac to break down the extended action each day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. On-the-water broadcasts will be live streamed on FLWFishing.com, the FLW YouTube channel and the FLW Facebook page.
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 and YouTube.
Palaniuk, Lane, Sprague Complete Flip-Flops on Falls, Advance to Knockout Round at Favorite Fishing Stage Three Raleigh presented by Evinrude
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Brandon Palaniuk's 6-1 helped him to 42-5 in Elimination Round competition on Falls Lake.
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The competition around the Elimination Line came down to a battle of less than 2 pounds among Jeff Kriet, Dave Lefebre and Marty Robinson. Kriet scraped together 12-10 to finish the day with 33-10, and then hung on to the final spot as Robinson climbed to within 1-7.
Saturday's X-factor is the group of anglers in both Groups A and B whose Shotgun Round weights offered them the luxury of spending most of their Elimination days practicing and becoming more familiar with the nooks and crannies of Falls. David Walker, for example, weighed in only four fish for 9 pounds on the day; Casey Ashley weighed just one fish ... but it was a 7-6 hawg.
Many of the anglers fishing the previous two days of Elimination Round competition expressed some anxiety about leaving behind the big-fish bonanza that occurred on Jordan Lake in the Shotgun Rounds. And who could blame them: Kelly Jordon racked up a Bass Pro Tour-record weight of 82-4 during Day 1 of Shotgun Round action on Jordan Lake, and several anglers experienced near-record days on that fishery.
ALABAMA ROOKIE BOUTRIES GRABS LEAD AT FLW TOUR AT GRAND LAKE PRESENTED BY MERCURY MARINE
Rookie Chucks Spinnerbait All Day Long to Vault from 17th Place into Lead
GROVE, Okla. (March 29, 2019) – Rookie pro Bailey Boutries of Daphne, Alabama, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Friday weighing 20 pounds, 6 ounces, to take the lead after Day Two of the FLW Tour at Grand Lake presented by Mercury Marine. Boutries’ two-day total of 10 bass weighing 35 pounds, 4 ounces gives him a slim 4-ounce advantage heading into Day Three of the four-day competition that features 165 of the world’s best bass-fishing anglers competing for a top cash award of up to $125,000.
The 2016 FLW Cup Champion John Cox of DeBary, Florida, sits in second place, just 4 ounces behind Boutries with 35-0. Pro Bradley Hallman of Norman leads the Okie contingent with 31-12, good for ninth place, while Grove’s Sheldon Collings sits in 21st place with 24-12. Legendary pro Jimmy Houston of Cookson also made the top-30 cut and will start Day Three in 22nd place with 24-12. The field is now cut to 30 for Saturday’s competition with only the top 10 anglers advancing to championship Sunday.
Boutries said he caught 11 keepers throughout the day Friday, doing the majority of his damage with a War Eagle spinnerbait thrown on a 7-2 medium-heavy Profishiency rod, with a 6.5:1 Ardent reel spooled with 17-pound P-Line Tactical fluorocarbon.
“I caught a good one yesterday (Thursday) on the spinnerbait, but the rest of my limit came dragging a Texas-rigged creature bait. Today, all of my fish that I caught came on the spinnerbait,” said Boutries, who is fishing in his fourth career FLW Tour event. “That storm today really helped. When it started raining and got really windy, they really bit. The wind was a huge factor for me.
“I probably hit 10 different spots,” Boutries continued. “I was doing the same thing and it seemed that they like to be in a certain combination of rock.”
Saturday’s weather forecast calls for more rain and a drop in temperatures, but Boutries is confident that his fish will withstand the changing condition.
“I’m not even worried about the money, I just love fishing and I love being out here and competing against the best,” Boutries said. “I’m competing against Scott Martin, David Dudley, Bryan Thrift. And I’m leading the tournament. It’s so exciting.
“I don’t want to say that I’m going to really catch them again tomorrow, but I’m confident that I can go back out and catch five,” Boutries went on to say.
The top 30 pros that made the cut and will fish Saturday on Grand Lake are:
1st: Bailey Boutries, Daphne, Ala., 10 bass, 35-4
2nd: John Cox, DeBary, Fla., 10 bass, 35-0
3rd: Bradford Beavers, Summerville, S.C., 10 bass, 34-15
4th: Jamie Horton, Centerville, Ala., 10 bass, 32-14
5th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 10 bass, 32-14
6th: Brian Latimer, Belton, S.C., eight bass, 32-11
7th: Kyle Weisenburger, Ottawa, Ohio, eight bass, 32-7
8th: Billy McCaghren, Mayflower, Ark., 10 bass, 32-2
9th: Bradley Hallman, Norman, Okla., 10 bass, 31-12
10th: Terry Bolton, Benton, Ky., 10 bass, 31-8
11th: Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 10 bass, 31-5
12th: Braxton Setzer, Montgomery, Ala., nine bass, 29-13
13th: Michael Matthee, Centurion, GP, South Aftrica, eight bass, 29-0
14th: Miles Burghoff, Hixson, Tenn., eight bass, 28-14
15th: Larry Nixon, Quitman, Ark., 10 bass, 28-11
16th: Joel Willert, Prior Lake, Minn., eight bass, 27-12
17th: Costa pro Todd Castledine, Nacogdoches, Texas, eight bass, 27-6
18th: Ron Farrow, Rock Hill, S.C., eight bass, 26-15
19th: Jon Canada, Helena, Ala., seven bass, 26-10
20th: Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., nine bass, 26-5
21st: Sheldon Collings, Grove, Okla., 10 bass, 24-12
22nd: Jimmy Houston, Cookson, Okla., eight bass, 24-12
23rd: Tyler Stewart, West Monroe, La., seven bass, 24-10
24th: Lendell Martin Jr., Nacogdoches, Texas, eight bass, 24-8
25th: David Wootton, Collierville, Tenn., nine bass, 24-6
26th: Polaris pro David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., nine bass, 24-4
27th: Josh Douglas, Isle, Minn., 10 bass, 23-13
28th: Joey Cifuentes, Clinton, Ark., eight bass, 23-11
29th: Matt Reed, Madisonville, Texas, nine bass, 23-1
30th: Ryan Chandler, Hebron, Ind., 10 bass, 22-14
Full results for the entire field can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Andy Young of Isle, Minnesota, earned Friday’s $500 Big Bass award in the pro division after bringing a largemouth weighing 7-pounds, 4-ounces to the scale.
Overall there were 422 bass weighing 1,195 pounds, 11 ounces caught by 139 pros Friday. The catch included 31 five-bass limits.
In FLW Tour competition, the full field of 165 pro anglers competed in the two-day opening round on Thursday and Friday. The top 30 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight now 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 Grand Lake presented by Mercury is more than $860,000. The tournament is hosted by the City of Grove and the Cherokee Casino Grove.
Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2019 FLW Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2019 FLW Cup will be on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Aug. 9-11 and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.
Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. CST Saturday and Sunday from Wolf Creek Park, located at 963 N. 16th St., in Grove. Weigh-ins will be held at the park beginning at 4 p.m.
In conjunction with the weigh-ins, FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at Wolf Creek Park from 2 to 6 p.m. each day. The Expo is a chance for fishing fans to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities.
Also for youth, the FLW Foundation’s Unified Fishing Derby will be held at the park on Saturday, March 30 from Noon-2 p.m. The event is hosted by FLW Foundation pro Cody Kelley along with other FLW Tour anglers, and is free and open to anyone under the age of 18 and Special Olympics athletes. Rods and reels are available for use, but youth are encouraged to bring their own if they own one. The 1st and 2nd place anglers that catch the biggest fish will be recognized Saturday on the FLW Tour stage, just prior to the pros weighing in.
Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Grand Lake presented by Mercury will premiere in 2019. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs each Saturday night at 7 p.m. EST and is broadcast to more than 63 million cable, satellite and telecommunications households in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean on the World Fishing Network (WFN), the leading entertainment destination and digital resource for anglers throughout North America. FLW television is also distributed internationally to FLW partner countries, including Canada, China, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and South Africa.
The popular FLW Live on-the-water program will air on Saturday and Sunday, featuring live action from the boats of the tournament’s top pros each day. Host Travis Moran will be joined by Oklahoma Costa FLW Series pro Matt Pangrac to break down the extended action each day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. On-the-water broadcasts will be live streamed on FLWFishing.com, the FLW YouTube channel and the FLW Facebook page.
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 and YouTube.
A Rookie by No Means
North Carolina Pro Shane Lehew has been around the likes of Professional Fishing for several years but has recently made a move to the Bassmaster Elite Series to try and earn his chance to fish in the biggest tournament of his career, the Bassmaster Classic. Listen in as Jason and Shane talk fishing while Shane battles a few Lake Norman largemouth during the show.
20 Anglers Survive Elimination, Move on to Knockout Round on Falls Lake
Randall Tharp ended Elimination Round 1 in seventh place, advancing to the Knockout Round on Saturday.
By Joel Shangle - March 28, 2019
RALEIGH, N.C. – It has become one of the most interesting (and in some cases, gut-wrenching) focal points of the young MLF Bass Pro Tour season: the battle around the 20th spot in the standings during Elimination Rounds.
That 20th spot – which represents the final qualifier for the Knockout Round – is the definition of “make or break” and has created some of the highest moments of drama in the history of professional bass fishing.
If you’re Jacob Powroznik, you love it today: the Virginia pro weighed in 12 pounds, 13 ounces of Falls Lake largemouth to finish with a two-day total of 32-14, good for 20th in Group A at the Bass Pro Tour Favorite Fishing Stage Three Raleigh Presented by Evinrude. If you’re Michael Neal, not so much: the Tennessee pro put 17-4 on SCORETRACKER on the day, but fell 2 ounces short of Powroznik for the coveted final spot with 32-12.
“Well, what can you say: somebody has to be that guy, and today, that’s me,” Neal deadpanned as he waited for the start of the Berkely Postgame Show.
“It was very stressful,” Powroznik admitted. “At about 1 p.m., I was like ‘What am I doing wrong?’ The areas where those fish should be going, they’re just not there yet. The biggest thing is just keeping your head in it. I’m just glad I made it.”
Moving on to Knockout
For the 20 anglers who finished just ahead of Neal in Group A Shotgun and Elimination Round competition, it’s on to Saturday’s Knockout Round, where they’ll be joined by the Top 20 after tomorrow’s second Elimination Round on Falls Lake.
Notable performers on the day included:
- Andy Montgomery, who landed only four scorable fish on the day, but found a 7-4 and a 6-6 to finish the day in 18th with 34-13. Montgomery boated his 6-6 with 7 minutes left in competition.
- Jared Lintner, who weighed in 18-12 to finish 16th with a two-day total of 36-0.
- Josh Bertrand, whose 17-4 gave him 38-8, good for 14th.
Staying Put for Two Days
Unlike the previous competition schedule, there’s no lake swap: after fishing one day on Jordan Lake before switching to Falls, the Knockout Round will stay on Falls. Weights will be zeroed, which means that the heavy work done by round leader Kelly Jordon – who stacked 82-4 up on the first day and added 11-0 to his total today – will be erased.
But thanks to their stout performances on Jordan Lake, Jordon and fellow Top 10 finishers Todd Faircloth, Edwin Evers, Wesley Strader, Greg Vinson, Jacob Wheeler, Randall Tharp, Mark Daniels, Andy Morgan and Mike Iaconelli had the flexibility to more thoroughly scout around Falls in preparation for Saturday’s Knockout Round.
Changing Conditions on Falls
Group B’s Elimination Round on Friday will see mostly sunny skies and daytime highs in the mid-70s, and will be looking for largemouth on a fishery that’s currently in a positive transition from winter to spring: the water temperature rose 7 degrees during Thursday’s competition.
That fact that has shallow-water flippers like Powroznik anxious to fish again, and soon.
“Friday is going to be absolutely beautiful, Saturday is going to be beautiful, so it’s time: these fish are getting ready to spawn,” Powroznik said.
OHIO’S WEISENBURGER LEADS DAY ONE OF FLW TOUR AT GRAND LAKE PRESENTED BY MERCURY MARINE
Third-Year Pro Smacks 24+ Pound Limit on Finicky Grand Lake
GROVE, Okla. (March 28, 2019) – Pro Kyle Weisenburger of Ottawa, Ohio, caught a five-bass limit weighing 24 pounds, 12 ounces to take the lead on the opening day of the FLW Tour at the Grand Lake presented by Mercury Marine. Pros Todd Castledine of Nacogdoches, Texas (20-2), and Miles Burghoff of Hixson, Tennessee (19-12), are the closest anglers to Weisenburger in second and third place as the four-day tournament, which features 165 of the world’s best bass-fishing professionals casting for a top award of up to $125,000, heads into Day Two.
The weather in northeastern Oklahoma, although overcast, was nice Thursday, although many tournament anglers experienced a Grand Lake that was much more finicky than normal – likely due to fluctuating water levels. The bass are scattered and it’s left many competitors scratching their heads as they try to figure out the puzzle. Weisenburger found his the majority of his big limit in a single pocket, although he was also able to run around his creek arm and replicate his pattern on a couple other spots.
“I had a couple of good little stretches and caught 12 or 13 fish today, which is quadruple anything that I had done in practice,” said Weisenburger, who is fishing in his third season as a pro on the FLW Tour. “I think it was more area-oriented – when I got the stuff I was looking for, I got a couple of bites.
“I caught fish on two different baits,” Weisenburger continued. “I had three rods on my deck, but threw primarily just two baits and when I got in the right area they would really eat one of them. The conditions let me know which one I was going to throw. I checked the forecast and I believe it will be similar tomorrow, which is good because it really set up right for me today.
Weisenburger declined to divulge the specifics on his lures and pattern at this point of the tournament, but did hint that the water he was fishing was a bit dirtier than most.
“I caught one or two more keepers there that didn’t help me, so I decided I was going to ease off of them,” Weisenburger said. “I ended up leaving my primary area and I figured out a little bit of a pattern.
“It was a good day, but it’s only Day One,” Weisenburger went on to say. “I’m going to start in my primary area tomorrow and see where it takes me. Hopefully they’re still there and I will get to fish into the weekend.”
The top 10 pros after day one on Grand Lake are:
1st: Kyle Weisenburger, Ottawa, Ohio, five bass, 24-12
2nd: Costa pro Todd Castledine, Nacogdoches, Texas, five bass, 20-2
3rd: Miles Burghoff, Hixson, Tenn., five bass, 19-12
4th: Billy McCaghren, Mayflower, Ark., five bass, 19-9
5th: Bradford Beavers, Summerville, S.C., five bass, 19-0
6th: Dicky Newberry, Houston, Texas, five bass, 18-9
7th: Braxton Setzer, Montgomery, Ala., five bass, 17-7
8th: Christopher Brasher, Longview, Texas, five bass, 17-0
9th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., five bass, 16-12
10th: Bradley Hallman, Norman, Okla., five bass, 16-5
For a full list of results visit FLWFishing.com.
Burghoff earned Thursday’s $500 Big Bass award in the pro division after bringing an 8-pound largemouth to the scale – the largest fish of the day.
Overall there were 428 bass weighing 1,207 pounds, 2 ounces caught by 143 pros Thursday. The catch included 37 five-bass limits.
In FLW Tour competition, the full field of 165 pro anglers compete in the two-day opening round Thursday and Friday. The top 30 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continue competition Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.
The total purse for the FLW Tour at Grand Lake presented by Mercury is more than $860,000. The tournament is hosted by the City of Grove and the Cherokee Casino Grove.
Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2019 FLW Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2019 FLW Cup will be on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Aug. 9-11 and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.
Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. CST Friday through Sunday from Wolf Creek Park, located at 963 N. 16th St., in Grove. Friday’s weigh-in will be held at the park beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins will also be held at the park, but will begin at 4 p.m.
In conjunction with the weigh-ins, FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at Wolf Creek Park from 2 to 6 p.m. each day. The Expo is a chance for fishing fans to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities.
Also for youth, the FLW Foundation’s Unified Fishing Derby will be held at the park on Saturday, March 30 from Noon-2 p.m. The event is hosted by FLW Foundation pro Cody Kelley along with other FLW Tour anglers, and is free and open to anyone under the age of 18 and Special Olympics athletes. Rods and reels are available for use, but youth are encouraged to bring their own if they own one. The 1st and 2nd place anglers that catch the biggest fish will be recognized Saturday on the FLW Tour stage, just prior to the pros weighing in.
Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Grand Lake presented by Mercury will premiere in 2019. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs each Saturday night at 7 p.m. EST and is broadcast to more than 63 million cable, satellite and telecommunications households in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean on the World Fishing Network (WFN), the leading entertainment destination and digital resource for anglers throughout North America. FLW television is also distributed internationally to FLW partner countries, including Canada, China, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and South Africa.
The popular FLW Live on-the-water program will air on Days Three and Four of the event, featuring live action from the boats of the tournament’s top pros each day. New for 2019, host Travis Moran will be joined by Oklahoma Costa FLW Series pro Matt Pangrac to break down the extended action each day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. On-the-water broadcasts will be live streamed on FLWFishing.com, the FLW YouTube channel and the FLW Facebook page.
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 and YouTube.
David Walker Rides Jig, Spinnerbait to Top of Shotgun Round Two at Favorite Fishing Stage Three Raleigh
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David Walker's 8-6 caught an hour into the competition anchored his total day's weight of 47 pounds, 6 ounces for 15 bass to finish on top of Group B Shotgun Round.
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| Place | Angler | Total Weight | Total # Fish | Avg Weight | Largest Fish | |
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| 1st | David Walker | 47 - 06 | 15 | 3 - 03 | 8 - 06 | |
| 2nd | Ott DeFoe | 44 - 01 | 13 | 3 - 06 | 5 - 15 | |
| 3rd | Casey Ashley | 42 - 08 | 16 | 2 - 11 | 5 - 02 | |
| 4th | Brett Hite | 42 - 00 | 17 | 2 - 08 | 4 - 15 | |
| 5th | Ish Monroe | 40 - 01 | 10 | 4 - 00 | 7 - 00 | |
| 6th | Takahiro Omori | 32 - 03 | 11 | 2 - 15 | 5 - 10 | |
| 7th | Dustin Connell | 30 - 15 | 8 | 3 - 14 | 5 - 02 | |
| 8th | Stephen Browning | 30 - 00 | 10 | 3 - 00 | 5 - 04 | |
| 9th | Keith Poche | 27 - 07 | 12 | 2 - 05 | 5 - 02 | |
| 10th | Bradley Roy | 26 - 05 | 6 | 4 - 06 | 7 - 12 | |
| 11th | Mark Rose | 24 - 15 | 7 | 3 - 09 | 6 - 09 | |
| 12th | Gerald Spohrer | 24 - 11 | 8 | 3 - 01 | 6 - 15 | |
| 13th | Chris Lane | 24 - 03 | 8 | 3 - 00 | 7 - 06 | |
| 14th | Terry Scroggins | 24 - 01 | 8 | 3 - 00 | 4 - 14 | |
| 15th | Timmy Horton | 23 - 13 | 6 | 3 - 16 | 7 - 07 | |
| 16th | Dave Lefebre | 23 - 00 | 6 | 3 - 13 | 6 - 14 | |
| 17th | Shaw Grigsby | 22 - 15 | 8 | 2 - 14 | 3 - 14 | |
| 18th | Skeet Reese | 21 - 14 | 7 | 3 - 02 | 5 - 11 | |
| 19th | Marty Robinson | 21 - 08 | 6 | 3 - 09 | 5 - 00 | |
| 20th | Jeff Kriet | 21 - 00 | 8 | 2 - 10 | 5 - 06 | |
| 21st | Aaron Martens | 19 - 13 | 10 | 1 - 16 | 2 - 15 | |
| 22nd | Brent Chapman | 19 - 06 | 7 | 2 - 12 | 4 - 07 | |
| 23rd | Jordan Lee | 19 - 00 | 6 | 3 - 03 | 5 - 01 | |
| 24th | Roy Hawk | 18 - 07 | 7 | 2 - 10 | 3 - 11 | |
| 25th | Bobby Lane | 18 - 01 | 5 | 3 - 10 | 5 - 13 | |
| 26th | Greg Hackney | 18 - 00 | 5 | 3 - 10 | 6 - 01 | |
| 27th | Cliff Pace | 15 - 05 | 4 | 3 - 13 | 5 - 03 | |
| 28th | Jesse Wiggins | 14 - 04 | 4 | 3 - 09 | 4 - 11 | |
| 29th | Mike McClelland | 12 - 09 | 4 | 3 - 02 | 5 - 07 | |
| 30th | James Elam | 11 - 08 | 5 | 2 - 05 | 3 - 10 | |
| 31st | Russ Lane | 11 - 06 | 5 | 2 - 04 | 3 - 02 | |
| 32nd | Britt Myers | 10 - 12 | 2 | 5 - 06 | 8 - 02 | |
| 33rd | Justin Lucas | 10 - 01 | 3 | 3 - 06 | 6 - 02 | |
| 34th | Brandon Palaniuk | 8 - 10 | 3 | 2 - 14 | 3 - 02 | |
| 35th | Randy Howell | 8 - 10 | 2 | 4 - 05 | 6 - 01 | |
| 36th | Jeff Sprague | 7 - 15 | 4 | 1 - 16 | 2 - 11 | |
| 37th | Jonathon VanDam | 7 - 08 | 3 | 2 - 08 | 2 - 15 | |
| 38th | Dean Rojas | 6 - 05 | 3 | 2 - 02 | 2 - 05 | |
| 39th | Matt Lee | 3 - 12 | 2 | 1 - 14 | 2 - 06 | |
| 40th | Scott Suggs | 1 - 06 | 1 | 1 - 06 | 1 - 06 |
No Dinks here, We brought out the BIG Gun!
This week the boys welcome in FLW Costa Champ Brent Butler who just put up one of the top 5 heaviest stringers in Costa History with over 37.5 pounds to move from 40th to 1st in the recent Southeast Costa Chickamauga event. We find out how Brent pulled off the win on his home lake and poke and prod to get some details on how to catch those BIGS on Chick. The boys also look over recent derbies in the Progressive Bass Wrap Up and look ahead to this weeks MLF & FLW Events and more!
WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN - Team Tournament Blog
By Luke Estel
If I knew the real answer to this question, I would not be where I am at today, rather fishing every major event in the country. And winning.
There is however several things we as fishermen can do to increase our odds and put us into the winners circle.
“Drive”
My youngest daughter has got natural God given ability when it comes to athletics. Anything she does, she does well. My oldest cannot walk and chew gum at the same time.
I love them both the same. It’s just how it is.
My youngest, Hannah has played soccer all of her life. She is good. Not a D1 superstar, but good. No I am not the father that thinks his kids are all getting athletic scholarships, but she could play in college if she chooses. But, she lacks drive.
That is not a bad thing, but to compete at the next level, you have to possess it.
Drive cannot be taught. It comes from within yourself.
Athletes like KVD, Gerald Swindle, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods all have a drive like no other. No one taught this to them. They have had it their entire life.
Drive pushes an athlete to the limit. If a fisherman goes into an event just going for a check or hoping to get into the top percent, then they will never make it to the next level.
To become better, we have to push ourselves harder than everyone else. The rest will just fall into place.
“Failure brings Success”
That doesn’t sound right but that is how we learn. We need to use failure to our advantage.
How many times have you witnessed fishermen at the weigh ins with their head down knowing they were beat before the weigh in is finished?
If getting beat gets to you, and you cannot recover quickly, your entire season will end dismally. Learn from your failures and turn them into positives.
Figure out where you went wrong and adjust accordingly in the next event. Remember that most of your successful athletes or even business men have failed before they made it. They adapted and overcame.
“Old Habits are Hard to Break”
It’s a phrase that has been around forever and is very true still to this day.
On my home lake I dominated for at least seven years. I am not bragging about it, I am just stating the truth. And just like that, my reign was over.
Obviously no person can stay on top forever, but for me I couldn’t figure out why. My crankbait was my weapon. At times I felt like I was David Fritts.
I got to the point where I could feel a bass push the bait or swipe at the bait, change colors and catch him. And “poof” it was over.
For two years I tried to replicate the past with no success. Obviously I was a slow learner but eventually pulled through it.
The lake had changed. The grass started to grow deeper. The shore line restoration had made the lake clearer. And it changed the fish.
I was stuck in my old winning ways. Relying on your past winning spots can hurt you if you do not keep an open mind.
Just because you caught twenty pounds there five years ago, doesn’t mean they will always be there. Its ok to check those kind of places but don’t die on them.
Fishermen today are fast learners. If you want to win, you have to keep up with the times. Hard work, determination, and an open mind can help you succeed. It’s the “never give up’ attitude that turns regular fishermen into great fishermen.
Kelly Jordon Dominates on Jordan Lake: Texas Pro Racks up 82-4 in Shotgun Round 1 of Bass Pro Tour Stage Three Raleigh
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Todd Faircloth, also from Texas, made a solid run at leader Kelly Jordon's weight, with his 63-10 performance by the day anchored by a 9-4 giant. (Click to enlarge/download)
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KENTUCKY/BARKLEY LAKES SET TO HOST COSTA FLW SERIES PRESENTED BY LOWRANCE
GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. (March 26, 2019) – The 2019 Costa Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) Series Central division is set to open next week at Kentucky and Barkley lakes, April 4-6, with the Costa FLW Series at Kentucky Lake presented by Lowrance. Hosted by the Kentucky Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau, the three-day tournament will feature more than 260 of the best regional bass-fishing pros and co-anglers casting for a top prize of up to $90,000, including a brand new Ranger Z518L boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard in the pro division.
“I think we’ll see some big stringers caught on the front end and a tight race on the backside,” said FLW Tour Senior Tournament Director Bill Taylor of Benton, Kentucky, who before taking over the reins as tournament director was a very accomplished regional angler with numerous top-10 finishes and wins on Kentucky Lake. “We’re seeing a lot of big fish being caught, but the numbers are just a bit down from previous years. But overall the lake is fishing pretty decent right now. The water is fluctuating – a lot of current still moving through– and it has good color.”
Taylor said that he expects that tournament competitors will be catching them on shoreline channel breaks and gravel bars near the mouths of creeks. He also expects some fish to be caught in and around boat docks.
“It’s going to be the same old stuff for this time of year – smaller-type crankbaits,” Taylor said. “Rapala Shad Raps, No. 9, the new Strike King 1.5 Deep Squarebill crankbaits and Rat-L-Traps will all be catching fish.
“I think whoever wins is going to need to average around 18 pounds a day,” Taylor went on to say. “I think it’ll take right around 57 to 58 pounds to win.”
Anglers will take off from Moors Resort & Marina, located at 570 Moors Road in Gilbertsville, at 6:30 a.m. CDT each day. Weigh-ins will also take place at the resort, and will begin at 2:30 p.m. each day. All takeoffs and weigh-ins are free to attend and open to the public.
In Costa FLW Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event. At Kentucky Lake, pros will fish for a top prize of up to $90,000 including a brand new Ranger Z518L boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard if Ranger Cup qualified. Co-anglers will cast for a brand new Ranger Z175 boat with a 115-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard, and $5,000 if Ranger Cup qualified.
The Costa FLW Series consists of five U.S. divisions – Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western – along with the International division. Each U.S. division consists of three regular-season tournaments with competitors vying for valuable points that could earn them the opportunity to compete in the season-ending Costa FLW Series Championship. The 2019 Costa FLW Series Championship is being held Oct. 31 – Nov. 2 on Lake Cumberland in Burnside, Kentucky.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Costa FLW Series on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
