Byrne & Freeman Talk CBC, Collins Bass for Cash and More on this Weeks Progressive Bass Wrap Up Mid-Week Report!

This Week AnglersChannels John Byrne and Sportsmans Warehouse Fishing Manager CJ Freeman talk Collins Bash for Cash, CBC and more on the Progressive Bass Wrap Up Mid Week Report


GUNTERSVILLE SET TO HOST YETI FLW COLLEGE FISHING EVENT

 

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. (Feb. 20, 2018) – YETI FLW College Fishing will continue the season with an event March 3 on Lake Guntersville presented by Berkley. The tournament, hosted by the Marshall County Convention and Visitors Bureau, is the second of three regular-season events for anglers in the Southeastern Conference, and will feature a top prize of a $2,000 club scholarship and an invitation to compete in the 2019 College Fishing National Championship.

“The lake is fishing as good as I’ve seen it in the past two years,” said FLW Tour pro Alex Davis of Albertville, Alabama, who has 15 top-10 finishes on Lake Guntersville in FLW Competition, including four wins. “I think that the weather has had a lot to do with that. The water temperature is around 54 to 55 degrees – normally this time of year it’s around 48. The earlier warm up has pushed the fish up shallow and they are up to do some eating.”

Despite the warmer temperatures, Davis said that he expects the bass to still be in their prespawn patterns.

“The key will be finding the right size of fish,” he said. “The lake is full of 3-pounders – they’re everywhere. The key will be to find the 5-pounders. I think Rat-L-Traps, ChatterBaits and flipping boat docks will all be strong patterns. I don’t believe that this tournament will be won out deep.

“I think that the winning team is going to need at least 25 pounds in this event,” Davis went on to say. “I’m going to predict that the winners will bring 26 pounds to the scale.”

Competitors will take off from Guntersville State Park, located at 7699 Alabama Highway 227 in Guntersville, at 7 a.m. CST Saturday. Weigh-in will be held at the State Park beginning at 3 p.m. Takeoff and weigh-in are free and open to the public.

Schools are allowed to register up until the morning of the tournament. Entries may be made either by phone or at CollegeFishing.com.

Schools expected to compete in the Lake Guntersville tournament include:

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College – Gavin Hiers, Quitman, Ga., and Brennan Bledsoe, Cordele, Ga.

Auburn University – Anthony Vintson, Fort Gordon, Ga., and Julian Suero, Winter Springs, Ala.

Auburn University – Logan Parks and Lucas Lindsay, both of Auburn, Ala.

Augusta University – Joshua Rockefeller, Harlem, Ga., and Zachary Ramsey, Canton, Ga.

Blue Mountain College – Ty Cox and Alden Keel, both of Guntown, Miss.

Clemson University – George Compton, Laurens, S.C., and Matthew Sprouse, Pauline, S.C.

Clemson University – Derek Freeman, Anderson, S.C., and Robert White, Greenville, S.C.

Clemson University – Zach Kronewitter, Clemson, S.C., and Caleb Allgood, Fair Play, S.C.

East Carolina University – Colton Harrell, Matthews, N.C., and Sammy Camut, Cary, N.C.

Faulkner University – Breanna Wyatt and Joseph Lacy, both of Pell City, Ala.

Faulkner University – Tyler Presnell, Titus, Ala., and Christian Rines, Montgomery, Ala.

Florida State University – Owen Kuhn and David Korson, both of Tallahassee, Fla.

Florida State University – Garrett Sanders, Woodstock, Ga., and Parker Hamil, Tallahassee, Fla.

Georgia College & State University – Austin Stanley, Lawrenceville, Ga., and Phillip Green, Hoschton, Ga.

Jefferson State Community College – Zeke Gossett, Cropwell, Ala., and Hayden Bartee, Pell City, Ala.

Kennesaw State University – Spencer Guthrie, Acworth, Ga., and Ryan Kennedy, Woodstock, Ga.

Kennesaw State University – Garrett Guinan, Marietta, Ga., and Will Leonard, Kennesaw, Ga.

LaGrange College – Tanner Johnson and Jacob Wood, both of LaGrange, Ga.

Lander University – Drew Pridgen, Greenwood, S.C., and Chasten Beck, Cullman, Ala.

Lander University – Ben Stone, Donalds, S.C., and Greyson Williams, Greenwood, S.C.

Lipscomb University – Scout Monteith, Nashville, Tenn., and Hunter Hanks, Hermitage, Tenn.

Mississippi State University – Landon Cook, Collinsville, Miss., and Logan Blaine, Brandon, Miss.

Mississippi State University – Philip HIlton and Alex Lindsey, both of Laurel, Miss.

North Carolina State University – Will Monti, Charlotte, N.C., and Mitchell Lance, Raleigh, N.C.

Newberry College – Joe Cook, Pomaria, S.C., and Tucker Johnson, Irmo, S.C.

Polk State College – Kyle Stafford, Lakeland, Fla., and Austin Bell, Winter Haven, Fla.

Roane State Community College – Coby Clark and Garrett Greene, both of Harriman, Tenn.

Roane State Community College – Isaac Walker, Sunbright, Tenn., and Joshua Grizzle, Kingston, Tenn.

Samford University – Jody Brooks and Odom Stagg, both of Vestavia, Ala.

Tennessee Technological University – Austin Poston, Cookeville, Tenn., and Garrett Turner, Sparta, Tenn.

Tennessee Technological University – Tanner Rich, Byrdstown, Tenn., and Benjamin Aaron, Albany, Ky.

Truett-McConnell College – Dalton Bruce, Jasper, Ga., and Caleb Edwards, Commerce, Ga.

University of Alabama-Birmingham – Hayden Carnell, Cropwell, Ala., and Steven Petz, Strongsville, Ohio

University of Alabama – Andrew Deloney, Newton, Ala., and Jacob Daily, Mattoon, Ill.

University of Alabama – Caiden Sinclair and Hunter Gibson, both of Hoover, Ala.

University of Alabama – Blayde Dill, Jasper, Ala., and Jon Kilpatrick, Tuscaloosa, Ala.

University of Alabama – Alex Bare, Scottsboro, Ala., and Niklas Evans, Manhattan, Ill.

University of Georgia – Nathan Ragsdale, Fayetteville, Ga., and Wesley Griner, Leesburg, Ga.

University of North Georgia – Austin Young and Colin Glover, both of Dawsonville, Ga.

University of South Carolina – Austin Bradberry and Dalton Tumblin, both of Williamston, S.C.

University of South Carolina – Trevor Topken, Warwick, N.Y., and Brandon Biby, New City, N.Y.

University of South Carolina – Hunter Buice, Pacolet, S.C., and William Bond, Moncks Corner, S.C.

University of South Carolina-Beaufort – Tyler Black, Moncks Corner, S.C., and Alex Altman, Bluffton, S.C.

University of South Carolina-Beaufort – Charley Kuhn, Fort Mill, S.C., and Parker Wingard, Lexington, S.C.

Wallace Community College – Ethan Gilmore, Dothan, Ala., and Andrew Chapman, Georgetown, Ga.

Wallace Community College – Logan Chancey and Jaci Skipper, both of Dothan, Ala.

Wallace State Community College – Miller Spivey, Tyler, Ala., and Chandler Sickafoose, Dora, Ala.

Western Carolina University – Austin Garren, Cullowhee, N.C., and Derek Lindaman, Hillsborough, N.C.

Western Carolina University – Colby Shope and Jacob Boyd, both of Canton, N.C.

Young Harris College – Andrew Himmelreich, Powder Springs, Ga., and Ben Giles, Colbert, Ga.

YETI FLW College Fishing teams compete in three regular-season qualifying tournaments in one of five conferences – Central, Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Western. The top ten teams from each division’s three regular-season tournaments and the top 20 teams from the annual FLW College Fishing Open will advance to the 2019 FLW College Fishing National Championship. Additional teams will qualify for the National Championship if the field size in regular-season events exceeds 100 boats. The 2019 FLW College Fishing National Championship will take place May 30-June 1 on the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana, and is hosted by the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission & Red River Waterway Commission.

YETI FLW College Fishing is free to enter. All participants must be registered, full-time students at a college, university or community college and members of a college fishing club that is recognized by their school.

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


SYLACAUGA’S GASTON WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL BAMA DIVISION TOURNAMENT ON LAKE MARTIN PRESENTED BY NAVIONICS

Birmingham’s Wiggins Takes Co-angler Title

ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. (Feb. 19, 2018) – Boater David Gaston of Sylacauga, Alabama, caught five bass weighing 15 pounds, 2 ounces, Saturday to win the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Bama Division event on Lake Martin presented by Navionics. Gaston pocketed $5,046 for his efforts.

Gaston said he started his day on the lower end of the lake focusing on two fish that he had marked in practice.

“One was a 4-pounder and the other was just over 5 pounds. The 5-pounder ended up anchoring my limit,” said Gaston, who earned his first career win in FLW competition. “They were pulled up near some black floating docks, probably trying to warm up. They were staging and getting ready to spawn.”

Gaston said he used a Davis Bait Co. Wood Jig with a black and blue flake-colored Netbait Paca Chunk Sr. trailer on a 7-foot, 3-inch heavy action Enigma HPT Tournament Casting rod to catch the pair. After that, he said he began to make his way back to the launch ramp due to issues with his boat propeller.

“A chunk of the prop had come off earlier, and I couldn’t go faster than 30 mph,” said Gaston. “I hit secondary points on the way back using the Davis jig and was able to scrape together a limit.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          David Gaston, Sylacauga, Ala., five bass, 15-2, $5,046

2nd:         Marty Giddens, Eclectic, Ala., five bass, 14-8, $2,023

3rd:          Mark McCaig, Oxford, Ala., five bass, 14-6, $1,548

4th:          Michael Smith, Andalusia, Ala., five bass, 14-0, $1,599

5th:          Johnathan Stuckey, Tallassee, Ala., five bass, 13-9, $809

6th:          Jimmy Miller, Eclectic, Ala., five bass, 13-1, $742

7th:          Tony Hogan, McDavid, Fla., five bass, 12-11, $974

8th:          Jason Nixon, Wetumpka, Ala., five bass, 12-10, $607

9th:          Ethan Flack, Cullman, Ala., five bass, 12-5, $539

10th:        Josh Stracner, Vandiver, Ala., five bass, 12-3, $472

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Smith caught a bass weighing 5 pounds, 5 ounces – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division – and earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $555.

Randall Wiggins of Birmingham, Alabama, won the Co-angler Division and $2,123 Saturday after catching five bass weighing 13 pounds, 4 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers were:

1st:          Randall Wiggins, Birmingham, Ala., five bass, 13-4, $2,123

2nd:         Hulan Mattox, Alexander City, Ala., five bass, 12-5, $1,011

3rd:          Keith Reynolds, Ozark, Ala., five bass, 11-10, $951

4th:          Larry Chastain, Laurel, Miss., five bass, 11-2, $522

5th:          Mike Byrd, McDermott, Ohio, five bass, 10-13, $405

6th:          Joseph Casey, Trenton, Ga., five bass, 10-11, $371

7th:          John Bryan, Carrollton, Ga., five bass, 10-9, $337

8th:          Scott Carpenter, Childersburg, Ala., five bass, 10-7, $303

9th:          Jeremy Ray, Jacksons Gap, Ala., five bass, 10-5, $253

9th:          Timothy Watkins, Trussville, Ala., five bass, 10-5, $253

Reynolds caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – a 4-pound, 1-ounce fish. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $277.

The T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Bama Division event on Lake Martin presented by Navionics was hosted by the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce.

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. 11-13 BFL Regional Championship on the St, Johns River in Osage Beach, Missouri. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.

The 2018 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2018 BFL All-American will be held May 31-June 2 at Cross Lake in Shreveport, Louisiana, and is hosted by the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission. 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 FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube and Snapchat.


RISON’S BOGARD WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL ARKIE DIVISION TOURNAMENT ON LAKE OUACHITA PRESENTED BY NAVIONICS

Gravelly’s Rhoades Grabs Co-angler Title

MOUNT IDA, Ark. (Feb. 19, 2018) – Boater Teddy Bogard of Rison, Arkansas, caught five bass weighing 16 pounds, 14 ounces, Saturday to win the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Arkie Division season-opening event on Lake Ouachita presented by Navionics. For his efforts, Bogard took home $4,444.

Bogard said he fished in the backs of pockets on the upper end of the lake. He focused on ditches that were 6- to 7-feet deep and used a Red Craw-colored ¾-ounce Rat-L-Trap to build his limit.

“The ditches had flats on both sides that were 2- to 3-feet down,” said Bogard, who earned his second career win in BFL competition. “I worked around standing timber and caught 10 or 11 keepers by the end of the day.”

Bogard said his limit was capped off by a fish that came late in the day.

“I had a small ditch that took me 20 minutes to idle in to,” said Bogard. “I went in there, caught a 4½ -pounder, and immediately had to idle back out and head in – that was my anchor fish.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          Teddy Bogard, Rison, Ark., five bass, 16-14, $4,444

2nd:         Larry Gragg, Pine Bluff, Ark., four bass, 16-7, $3,022

3rd:          Doug Thompson, Mabelvale, Ark., five bass, 15-3, $1,513

4th:          Quincy Houchin, Mabelvale, Ark., five bass, 14-10, $919

4th:          Steve Howard, Conway, Ark., five bass, 14-10, $919

6th:          Timmy Poe, Bryant, Ark., five bass, 14-8, $778

7th:          Wayne Dixon, Morrilton, Ark., five bass, 14-0, $707

8th:          Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 13-12, $637

9th:          Fred Martin, North Little Rock, Ark., five bass, 13-2, $502

9th:          Rick Ellis, Cabot, Ark., five bass, 13-2, $502

9th:          Jamey Black, Sheridan, Ark., five bass, 13-2, $502

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Gragg caught a bass weighing 6 pounds, 7 ounces – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division – and earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $600.

Dusty Rhoades of Gravelly, Arkansas, won the Co-angler Division and $2,522 Saturday after catching four bass weighing 11 pounds, 7 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers were:

1st:          Dusty Rhoades, Gravelly, Ark., four bass, 11-7, $2,522

2nd:         Matt Mitchell, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 10-12, $1,061

3rd:          John McCullar, Benton, Ark., three bass, 10-11, $707

4th:          Jason Broomfield, Waldron, Ark., four bass, 9-6, $545

5th:          Darrell Joslin, Benton, Ark., two bass, 8-15, $424

6th:          Bryan Barnard, Harrison, Ark., three bass, 8-11, $389

7th:          Spencer Clark, Maryland Heights, Mo., five bass, 8-6, $354

8th:          Travis Mosley, Bowling Green, Ky., two bass, 7-12, $318

9th:          Matt France, Cabot, Ark., five bass, 7-9, $283

10th:        Nicholas Bergt, Atlanta, Texas, two bass, 7-3, $248

Rhoades also caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – a 6-pound, 14-ounce fish. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $300.

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. 25-27 BFL Regional Championship on the Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.

The 2018 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2018 BFL All-American will be held May 31-June 2 at Cross Lake in Shreveport, Louisiana, and is hosted by the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission. 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 FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube and Snapchat.


Gulett & Rivers Tops a Tough Crowd on Toledo Bend at Bass Champs with over 28 Pounds!

By: Patty Lenderman
Tough crowds, savvy anglers, Mother Nature and ticking clocks were just a few of the elements in the air February 17, 2018 at Cypress Bend Marina on Toledo Bend. Bass Champs held the second East Region event with over 500 anglers, making 279 teams and a total tournament purse of more than $76,000. Weather delays helped some and hindered others, but in the end Benjamin Gulett and Dustin Rivers came out on top to win the guaranteed 1st place purse of $20,000.

As morning began to dawn, a thick blanket of fog enveloped the area, preventing a safe launch for the contenders. “It was hard to make out anything, just feet away,” Chad Potts recalled. “The safety of everyone is paramount. In a situation like this, especially with so many boats and people involved, it is imperative that it is at least reasonably safe to navigate.” Boats are numbered and released in flights of 25 with a slight wait in between. Each flight is assigned a check in time that correlates with their release time. On this morning, the fog remained for more than three hours from the normal start time. “We know it is hard for everyone to be patient and wait until conditions are safe,” Potts continued. “We will always put safety as top priority.” The fog finally lifted, and teams were released to head to their spots. The first flight was not due in until 4:30.

Jason Hanks and Marc Woolems christened the scales with a limit weighing in at 17.34 pounds. Soon after, Yarri Schreibvogel and his youth partner Hailey Robertson initiated the Big Bass race with their catch of 6.59 lbs. The sacks of bass kept getting heavier and the kickers coming in kept getting bigger.

Shannon Wingate and Cole Moore were the first to weigh in excess of twenty pounds, having a 25.85 lb sack. More and more teams brought in great catches in the twenty pound range under them and it looked like they were going to take the win. Mere minutes before the scales closed, Benjamin Gulett and Dustin Rivers brought in their catch, tipping the scales to 28.58 lbs to champion the event.

The winners Benjamin Gulett and Dustin Rivers reported predominantly using a rattle trap for their catches, and had found the bite to be difficult to find. “We only had one fish in the boat at 3:00.” The extra time allotted due to the morning delay paid off for them. Between 3-4:00 they put their winning creel together, cashing in on the guaranteed 1st place $20,000 check!

2nd place winners Wingate and Moore also reported using rattle traps, fishing in 4’-8’ depths. They had all of the fish they weighed in by 1pm using Rayburn Red and Toledo Gold color patterns. They were awarded $6,000 plus the Lowrance bonus.

Sean Kennon and Jordan Hollingsworth pulled out a 3rd place finish focusing on brush piles in 25’ of water using ¾ ounce Santone football head jigs. They caught a limit weighing 24.78 lbs to win $4,500.

There were a lot of big bass weighed at the scales. The biggest of them all was weighed in by the team of Brannon Mire and Eric Arnold. Their big brute was 10.65 lbs, caught on a football jig, winning a $1,000 check for biggest fish of the day.

Thirty seven teams won checks, with the last $600 going to Martin Elshout and Mark Price with 16.42 pounds.

“When we have a large field of participants, we offer a $500 Conservation Bonus if you elect to pre-release your fish in lieu of weighing them in. It gives teams who would not have had enough weight to win a check an opportunity to cash in for their conservation efforts,” said Potts. All teams who elected not to weigh any fish were put into the drawing. David Czudek Sr and Emmett Dixon were the winners of the Conservation Bonus.

Each region has a total of four regular season events. Participants gain points in each, and the team with the most points at the conclusion of the fourth regular season event in their region earn the Anglers of the Year award. Along with the prestigious title, the entry fees for the next season in that region are waived for the winners. The points race is tight with only two events to go. Currently the top five points leaders are:
583 pts. Clayton Boulware & Albert Collins
575 pts. Jason Hanks & Marc Woolems
575 pts. Brian Lowrance & Jaret Latta
570 pts. Wyatt Frankens & Alec Castonguay
570 pts. Michael Newman & Justin Seeton

Click Here for Complete Results


UNION COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL WINS TBF/FLW HIGH SCHOOL FISHING LAKE HARTWELL EARLY BIRD CHALLENGE

ANDERSON, S.C. (Feb. 19, 2018) – The Union County High School duo of Cole Davis and Dillan Snow, both of Blairsville, Georgia, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Sunday weighing 18 pounds, 14 ounces to win the 2018 TBF/FLW High School Fishing Lake Hartwell Early Bird Challenge.

A field of 55 teams competed in the no-entry fee tournament, which launched from Green Pond Landing in Anderson. A total of 23 of the 55 high school teams competing weighed in a five-bass limit. In FLW/TBF High School Fishing competition, the top 10-percent of teams competing advance to the High School Fishing National Championship.

The top five teams on Lake Hartwell that advanced to the 2018 High School Fishing National Championship were:

1st:     Union County High School, Blairsville, Ga. – Cole Davis and Dillan Snow, both of Blairsville, Ga., five bass, 18-14

2nd:    T.L. Hanna High School, Anderson, S.C. – Patrick Murry and Mason Rametta, both of Anderson, S.C., five bass, 14-13

3rd:     Georgia Student Angler Federation – Michael Landernaeu and Brett Morlane, both of Cumming, Ga., five bass, 14-10

4th:     Union County High School, Blairsville, Ga. – Hunter Enlow, Union, Ga., and Ce Fowler, Jonesville, Ga., five bass,   13-12

5th:     Backwoods Bass Boys – Hunter Mckee, Thomasville, N.C., and Wyatt Long, Raleigh, N.C., five bass, 13-3

Rounding out the top 10 teams were:

6th:      Devildog Anglers, Travelers Rest, S.C. – Matt Harrison, Greenville, S.C. and Gantt Connor, Travelers Rest, S.C., five bass, 12-14

7th:     Franklin County High School, Carnesville, Ga. – Tyler Campbell and Joe Mitchell, both of Martin, Ga., five bass, 12-11

8th:     Buffalo Grove High School, Buffalo Grove, Ill. – Tyler Lubbat, Wheeling, Ill., and Tyler Christy, Bolingbrook, Ill., four bass, 12-0

9th:     Georgia Student Angler Federation – Glenn Worley, Dawsonville, Ga, and Paul Marks, Cumming, Ga., five bass, 10-12

10th:   Gilmer High School, Ellijay, Ga. – Isaac Bradshaw and Payton Heath Stover, both of Ellijay, Ga., five bass, 10-10

Complete results from the event can be found at HighSchoolFishing.org.

The 2018 TBF/FLW High School Fishing Early Bird Challenge on Lake Hartwell 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 High School Fishing National Championship on Pickwick Lake, in Florence, Alabama, June 26-29. The High School Fishing national champions will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice.

In addition to the High School Fishing National Championship, all High School Fishing anglers nationwide automatically qualify for the world’s largest high school bass tournament, the 2018 High School Fishing World Finals, held in conjunction with the National Championship on Pickwick Lake. At the 2017 World Finals more than $60,000 in scholarships and prizes were awarded.

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


Team of Mike & Dallas Chadwick Win Wild West Bass Trail Event on Lake Shasta!

1 Mike Chadwick Dallas Chadwick 5.46 17.20 $ 7,600.00 $ 975.00 $250 P-Line $250 Lowrance $250 Yamamoto $ 9,325.00
2 Justin Gordon Nick Wood 5.92 17.15 $ 4,800.00 $ 975.00 $ 5,775.00
3 Wayne Breazeale Mike Menne 4.12 15.59 $ 3,500.00 $ 975.00 $ 4,475.00
4 Daniel Hunt Colby Pearson 4.95 15.51 $ 2,800.00 $ 975.00 $250 Trapper $ 4,025.00
5 Bryant Smith Dustin Tacker 5.23 15.47 $ 2,200.00 $ 975.00 $500 Evinrude $500 Dobyns $ 4,175.00
6 Eric Padilla Matt Dawson 0.00 15.45 $ 1,700.00 $ 1,700.00
7 Joe Bitker Mike Gordon 2.42 15.10 $ 1,500.00 $ 1,500.00
8 Justin Eslick Jeff Green 0.00 14.68 $ 1,300.00 $ 1,300.00
9 Richard Dobyns Tom Salo 2.95 14.51 $ 1,200.00 $300 Evinrude $250 Lucas $ 1,750.00
10 Scott Burke Garrett Maddex 3.79 14.49 $ 1,100.00 $ 1,100.00
11 Nicholas Kanemoto Thomas Kanemoto 3.85 14.47 $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00
12 Stanley Mccurdy Jason Fookes 0.00 14.43 $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00
13 Jim Elliott Keith Comphel 2.92 14.37 $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00
14 Ryan Friend Clint Isbell 0.00 14.36 $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00
15 Jeff Michels Toni Zanotelli 3.28 14.31 $ 1,000.00 $200 Evinrude $ 1,200.00
16 Steve Flanders Jr Wright 3.12 14.29 $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00
17 David Cole Jamie Clifton 0.00 14.14 $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00
18 Ryan Mcintosh Jake Mcclellan 0.00 13.91 $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00
19 Vince Hurtado Jarod Ballardo 0.00 13.88 $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00
20 Mason Lewis Spencer Perry 2.73 13.79 $ 800.00 $ 800.00
21 Robert Bruggeman Nicholas Desabatino 2.65 13.75 $ 800.00 $ 800.00
22 Mike Carney Patrick Cardoza 0.00 13.73 $ 800.00 $ 800.00
23 Joe Hinkle Glen Lockhart 0.00 13.67 $ 800.00 $ 800.00
24 Kevin Brown Anthony Sierra 0.00 13.63 $ 800.00 $ 800.00
25 Jack Farage Mike Shoffner 0.00 13.59 $ 600.00 $ 600.00
26 Jody Jordan Greg Mccosker 0.00 13.55 $ 600.00 $ 600.00
27 David Romuar Mario Gardea 0.00 13.44 $ 600.00 $ 600.00
28 Ron Howe Steve Wilson 0.00 13.35 $ 600.00 $ 600.00
29 Bill O'shinn Donte Ray 3.31 13.29 $ 600.00 $ 600.00
30 Willie Church Kc Harris 2.72 13.27 $ 600.00 $ 600.00
31 Mike Motley Dan Semmatt 0.00 13.17 $ 600.00 $ 600.00
32 Robert Tibbetts Paul Dunlap 0.00 13.09 $ 600.00 $ 600.00
32 Ryan German Nick Nourot 0.00 13.09 $ 600.00 $ 600.00
32 Jeremy Zipton Clif Vanderwarf 0.00 13.09 $ 600.00 $ 600.00
35 Aaron Grooms Justin Kraft 0.00 13.08 $ 600.00 $ 600.00
36 Beau Joudrey Jason Cordiale 0.00 13.05 $ 600.00 $ 600.00
37 Rick Littlejohn Dan Scott 2.28 13.03 $ 600.00 $ 600.00
38 Dale Shirley Dave Tencati 0.00 13.01 $ 600.00 $ 600.00
39 Scott Farley Nick Randle 0.00 13.00 $ 600.00 $ 600.00
40 Dan Wilder Jake Jimmerson 2.42 12.95
41 Jesse Slaton Mike Ewing 0.00 12.93
42 Edward Lynch Garrett Pursell 0.00 12.90
43 Jason Sherman Chris Laskowski 0.00 12.83
44 Mark Hall Carlos Garcia 0.00 12.80
44 Luke Johns Tyler Bounds 2.48 12.80
46 Carl Keller Mike Nichelini 0.00 12.77
47 John Fernandez Eric Fernandez 2.50 12.70
48 Mike Goncalves Brandon Silvey 0.00 12.65
49 Steve Klein Alex Klein 0.00 12.62
50 Stephen Penrod Stanley Penrod 0.00 12.60
51 Mike Thomas Chris Fanecelli 0.00 12.53
52 Scott Chappell Jimmy Wade 3.54 12.51
53 Emmett Lovelace Jj Cascarina 3.22 12.49
54 Trevor Hagedon Bryan Trudeau 2.57 12.48
54 John Pearl Ron Bruggeman 0.00 12.48
56 Brent Cline Paul Foor 0.00 12.44 $250 Lucas $ 250.00
57 Russell Wallar Mike Wohlgemuth 0.00 12.42
58 Mike Frederick Chad Dibble 0.00 12.40
59 Jared Stone Marc Brown 0.00 12.38
59 Frank Caron Zack Thompson 0.00 12.38
59 William Hume Mike Kuhlman 2.41 12.38
62 Randall Doyle Nick Flanigan 0.00 12.37
63 Cliff Clement Timothy Gaura 3.91 12.35
63 Alex Tran Vijay Malhotra 2.40 12.35
65 Cliff King Shaun Leytem 0.00 12.34
66 Kenneth Phillips Chris Delamain 2.61 12.33
67 Dustin Maraviov Luke Wilson 2.30 12.29
68 Kelly Eagleton John Gilbert 0.00 12.28
69 Art Ferreira Jay Culver 0.00 12.25
70 Merl Nunes Larry Cates 0.00 12.19
70 Justin Evans Tony Holt 0.00 12.19
72 Dale Green Chris Mccabe 0.00 12.18
73 David Homen Gerry Johnson 0.00 12.15
74 Mike Sanders Matt Lindsey 0.00 12.13
75 Shawn Mock Randy Cotney 0.00 12.12
76 David Shafer Matt Atkins 0.00 12.11
77 Branden Mowers Jaramy Riddle 0.00 12.09
77 Gary Dobyns Craig Gottwals 0.00 12.09
79 David Church John Kidder 0.00 12.05
79 Ryan Scott Travis Averill 0.00 12.05
81 Yevgeniy Savitskiy Joshua Lerche 0.00 12.02
82 Josh Kaneko Miles Kaneko 0.00 12.00
82 Greg Gutierrez Ryan Brewer 0.00 12.00
84 Craig Main Jason Shy 0.00 11.99
84 Nathan Sellers Jordan Kunde 0.00 11.99
86 Ryan Tripp Clayton Eslick 0.00 11.94
87 Ron Tobey Frank Harris 0.00 11.93
88 Dennis Sisto Mike Henry 0.00 11.84
89 Charles Hose Bob Boyd 0.00 11.82
90 James Avalos Daryn Avalos 0.00 11.81
90 Richard (dick) Barr Walt Mcguiness 0.00 11.81
92 Brad Ford Brad Suarage 0.00 11.76
92 Brad Bonino Kim Bonino 2.57 11.76
94 Ryan White Scott Head 0.00 11.72
95 Mark Gomez Juan Acosta 2.65 11.67
95 Kurt Forrister Drew Forrister 0.00 11.67
97 Jeremiah Salamy Dan Frost 0.00 11.65
98 Tony Bazzocco Brandon Youngblood 0.00 11.63
98 Mark Schroeder Glen Grannis 0.00 11.63
98 Ryan Petersen Mat Brooks 0.00 11.63
101 Seth Dandridge Taylor Kudrna 0.00 11.60
102 Firuz Gizatullin Logan Huntze 0.00 11.59
102 Shane Peirson Tom Peirson 0.00 11.59
104 Edward Zinda Jr. Brian Conder 0.00 11.55
104 Dj Von Bima Jered Brendel 0.00 11.55
106 Jesse Martin Jared Walker 0.00 11.54
107 Norm Soderberg Dink Mendez 0.00 11.53
108 John Maes Russ Graves 0.00 11.52
108 Ryan Voorhees Archie Steele 0.00 11.52
110 Rick Kraft Jeff Wright 0.00 11.47
111 Terry Devincenzi Scott Crawford 0.00 11.46
112 Cesar Laguna Stacy Gee 0.00 11.45
113 Bryan Diehm Shon Mckinney 0.00 11.44
114 Russ Greenlee Scott Sweet 0.00 11.41
115 Randy Pierson Glenn Pierson 0.00 11.35
116 Jason Austin Ken Mah 0.00 11.31
117 Craig Groves Tim Domingues 0.00 11.25
118 Jimmy Johnson Barry Roberts 2.95 11.22
119 Mark Mello Phillp Dutra 0.00 11.21
120 Jeff Boom Jared Boom 0.00 11.20
121 Tony Botelho Phil Garcia 0.00 11.14
122 Jason Remmers Alex Niapas 0.00 11.12
123 Bill Talley Aaron Scott 0.00 11.10
124 Doug Mcka Doug Jones 0.00 11.09
124 Mike Saso Larry Vignolo 0.00 11.09
126 Jimmy Kuroki Scott Mackenzie 0.00 11.07
127 Chris Ashby Robert Couts 0.00 11.04
127 Ryan Monaghan Timothy Rhyme 0.00 11.04
129 Ken Watson Ron Gondolfi 0.00 10.99
130 Jim Vretzos Casey Dunn 0.00 10.98
131 Nicklaus Fiscus Steve Scates 0.00 10.94
132 John Bounds Travis Bounds 0.00 10.88
132 Fidel Campos Elias Yadao 0.00 10.88
134 Paul Fontaine Charley Almassey 0.00 10.86
135 Jason Vigil Jaren Mack 0.00 10.84
136 Gary Collins Tory Mihalenko 2.53 10.83
137 Jerry Woodward Rex Woodward 0.00 10.82
138 Brian Lovelace Ii Brian Lovelace 0.00 10.79
139 Terry Odom Alvin Borba 0.00 10.78
139 Ugene Downing Hunter Albright 2.98 10.78
141 Jonathan Green Dejon Lewis 0.00 10.77
142 Derik Dalton Thomas Dodd 0.00 10.73
143 Dan Sweat Tom Shimabukuro 0.00 10.71
143 Andrew Maack Eddie Rachel 0.00 10.71
145 Zachary Elrite Ken Whalen 0.00 10.70
146 Dan Eckhart Dana Sheldon 0.00 10.67
147 Devin Dick Toby Farkas 0.00 10.62
148 Thomas Vang Xiong Vang 0.00 10.58
149 Wade Durling Joseph Durling 0.00 10.56
150 Frank Martinez 0 0.00 10.53
151 John Garrett Tony Vaughn 0.00 10.42
152 Ed Christo Mark Casey 0.00 10.40
153 David Raper Tyler Meuchel 0.00 10.38
154 Tanner Spohn Nathan Chandler 0.00 10.32
155 Robert Balderez Corey Morris 0.00 10.28
156 Mike Moreno Deanna Moreno 0.00 10.26
157 Matthew Plymouth Dominick Hernandez 0.00 10.21
158 Ryan Contos Jim Sweeney 0.00 10.19
159 Gary Okusako David Symmons 0.00 10.17
160 Walt Austin Ron Barksdale 0.00 10.08
161 Mike Friend Shelly Carr 0.00 10.07
162 Manuel Nevarez Manny Nevarez 0.00 10.06
163 Gary Baldwin Richard Leal 0.00 10.04
164 Aaron Agner Jason Milligan 0.00 9.92
165 Earl Dalton Iii Christopher Gambol 0.00 9.88
166 Ryan Duchi Ryan Cool 0.00 9.87
167 Jacob Vanpool Chuck Stull 0.00 9.85
168 Mark Ballinger Dallas Hintz 0.00 9.83
169 Anthony Prophet Darren Vieira 1.73 9.81
170 Jason Kincanon Mark Crutcher 0.00 9.66
171 Miles Hanson Brett Hanson 0.00 9.65
172 Ron Rushing Stephen Gatewood 0.00 9.61
173 James Vella Jared Harris 0.00 9.60
174 Isaac Lawrence Dean Lawrence 0.00 9.56 $250 Lucas $ 250.00
175 Oneil Martin Kerry Harris 0.00 9.41
176 John Bell Logan Bell 0.00 9.37
177 Michael Birch Kenny Cassettari 0.00 9.24
178 Michael Kraft Beau Reynolds 0.00 9.01
179 John Morla Clarence Morla 0.00 8.98
180 James Crowell Richard Richardson 0.00 8.97
181 Jeffrey Richards Stan Lafever 0.00 8.95
182 Mike Sperbeck Ronald King 0.00 8.77
183 Mark Borgess Jodie White 0.00 8.69
184 Edison Hicks Paul Howard 0.00 8.65
185 William Ponting Terry Snyder 0.00 8.62
186 Dave Holmes Jeremy Wright 0.00 8.49
187 Oscar Sarnecki Eric Parra 0.00 8.47
188 Nick Welton Tony Franceschi 0.00 8.03
189 Scott Elliott Dale Baugh 0.00 6.36
190 Steve Ericksen Jarrod Page 0.00 5.38
191 Ryan Pearson Mike Wright 0.00 0.00
191 William Mclaughlin George Galletti 0.00 0.00
191 Bryan Aslakson Matthew Aslakson 0.00 0.00
191 Joseph Orozco Brent Billingham 0.00 0.00
191 Kevin Marcheschi Bryan Welch 0.00 0.00

 


Bass Mafia Becomes Exclusive Tackle Storage Solution for AnglersChannel.com

February 19, 2018

Columbia, SC – AnglersChannel.com and The Progressive Bass Wrap Up Show Welcome Bass Mafia as a new Partner for the 2018 Calendar Year. Bass Mafia will become the exclusive tackle storage system of both the AnglersChannel.com website, its E-Newsletter, Podcast and also the Progressive Bass Wrap Up TV show.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Bass Mafia into our growing list of exclusive partners.”  Said AnglersChannel.com President Chris Brown. “The line-up of products Bass Mafia offers a fisherman for tackle storage is the best in the industry. It’s efficient for an angler to have the right storage options for the many layers of tackle we all carry, from their new Line Bag to the Deep Coffins to the new Terminal Tackle Coffin, they have a box to fit every fisherman’s need. I have been a personal believer in this brand for a good many years and it’s the only tackle box that makes it into my boat.”

Bass Mafia will have Digital Advertising across the AnglersChannel.com website and E-Newsletters as well as Product Spotlights within the Sportsman’s Warehouse Product Spotlight segments in Web, TV and Podcast assets. “The AnglersChannel.com platform is unique with their Tournament Calendar and the results they cover for the different levels of tournament bass fishing. They reach a grass roots angler who is often looking for that extra edge and we look forward to working with them.” Said Bass Mafia VP of Sales and Marketing Jeremy Starks.


Wolfarth & Inman Win Carolina's Bass Challenge on Lake Norman with over 20 pounds!

Source: Carolinas Bass Challenge

Ron Wolfarth & Larry Inman brought in a great sack of Lake Norman bass weighing 20.61 lbs to take the win with 220 boats competing! Ron & Larry took home $10,000.00!

2nd went to Carl Meyers Sr & Carl Meyers Jr with another fat sack weighing 19.67 lbs! They collected $5,000.00!

Jordan Wright & Chris Casey wrapped up 3rd with another heavy bag weighing 19.59 lbs and they earned $3,500.00!

1st Skeeter Bonus worth $4,000.00 went to CJ Johnson & Matt Stanley with 5 bass weighing 16.91 lbs and they took home a total of $5,800.00 finishing in 6th place!

Tommy Williams & Thomas Hardwick weighed in 16 pounds even and finished 10th. They collected the 2nd Skeeter Bonus worth $3,000.00 pushing their total winnings to $4,300.00!

3rd Skeeter Bonus of $2,000.00 went to TJ Murphy & Matthew Burke with 15.72 lbs and they claimed 13th place. They took home $2,900.00!

$1,000.00 4th Place Skeeter Bonus went to Paul Guthrie & Dave Know with 14.68 lbs which put them in 19th Place. Paul & Dave took home a total of $1,575.00!

The BF of the day went to David Wright & Jeff Coble with a 6.59 lb largemouth! They collected $1,000.00 for that cast!

Place Team Weight Big Fish Winnings Bonus Winnings Points
1 RON WOLFARTH-LARRY INMAN 20.61 5.76 $10,000.00 $10,000.00 310
2 CARL MEYERS JR-CARL MEYERS SR 19.67 6.13 $5,000.00 $5,000.00 309
3 JORDAN WRIGHT-CHRIS CASEY 19.59 5.38 $3,500.00 $3,500.00 308
4 GENE WEBSTER-GUY EAKER 17.59 0.00 $2,500.00 $2,500.00 307
5 ROB DIGH-AARON DIGH 17.54 0.00 $2,000.00 $2,000.00 306
6 CJ JOHNSTON-MATT STANLEY 16.91 0.00 $1,800.00 $4,000.00 $5,800.00 305
7 SCOTT GRIFFIN-JERRY GOBLE 16.59 0.00 $1,700.00 $1,700.00 304
8 DEREK LIVINGSTON-JONATHAN SPIVEY 16.47 0.00 $1,500.00 $1,500.00 303
9 CHRIS BAUMGARDNER-GLENN SPARROW 16.29 0.00 $1,400.00 $1,400.00 302
10 TOMMY WILLIAMS-THOMAS HARDWICK 16.00 0.00 $1,300.00 $3,000.00 $4,300.00 301
11 JASON DEW-THOMAS ELLIOTT 15.87 0.00 $1,200.00 $1,200.00 300
12 DALE SURRETT-DANNY NIFONG 15.79 0.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 299
13 TJ MURPHY JR-MATTHEW BURKE 15.72 0.00 $900.00 $2,000.00 $2,900.00 298
14 LADD WHICKER-LANDON WHICKER 15.44 5.55 $726.50 $726.50 297
15 RUSSELL HOYLE-JERRY PRUITT 15.38 5.55 $726.50 $726.50 296
16 RICHARD ROBINSON III-GREG WHITTINGTON 14.85 6.27 $675.00 $675.00 295
17 MIKE STEPHENS-CODY YOUNG 14.83 0.00 $625.00 $625.00 294
18 BRANDON EGGERS-JEFF WINGLER 14.76 0.00 $600.00 $600.00 293
19 PAUL GUTHRIE-DAVE KNOX 14.68 0.00 $575.00 $1,000.00 $1,575.00 292
20 DAVID WRIGHT-JEFF COBLE 14.58 6.59 $550.00 $1,550.00 291
21 DENNIS ALLEN-JOHN SNEED 14.52 0.00 $525.00 $525.00 290
22 CRAIG CHAMBERS-KEITH OGDEN 14.50 0.00 $500.00 $500.00 289
23 GEORGE LAMBETH-CHAD POTEAT 14.46 0.00 $475.00 $475.00 288
24 WILLIAM HARRIS-ALVIN SHAW 14.36 0.00 $450.00 $450.00 287
25 ROBERT PARRISH-DWAYNE SAUNDERS 14.35 0.00 $425.00 $425.00 286
26 TYLER HOOPAUGH-CHRIS HOOPAUGH 14.34 5.19 $375.00 $375.00 285
27 CHRIS DOVER-ROBERT FOWLER 14.30 0.00 $360.00 $360.00 284
28 JAMES WALL-JIMMY WALL 14.17 0.00 $335.00 $335.00 283
29 CHRIS TARBUSH-CHRIS HAAS 14.13 0.00 $295.00 $295.00 282
30 MIKE SEAWRIGHT-GREG LOVELACE 14.09 0.00 $295.00 $295.00 281
31 LARRY HORTON-JAMES MARSHALL 13.97 5.35 $270.00 $270.00 280
32 CARSON ORELLANA-CHRIS CARNES 13.96 0.00 $260.00 $260.00 279
33 SCOTT HENLEY-ROBERT MIXON 13.76 0.00 $240.00 $240.00 278
34 CRAIG HAMILTON-JIMMY FORTSON 13.61 5.83 $230.00 $230.00 277
35 ERIC SELF-TYLER BEAM 13.60 0.00 $215.00 $215.00 276
36 JERRY DAVIS-TONY TYSINGER 13.56 0.00 $200.00 $200.00 275
37 JEFFREY COX-DEREK CUMMINGS 13.50 0.00 274
38 STEVE ADDINGTON-SCOTT BEATTIE 13.49 0.00 273
39 BARRETT LOCKLEAR-JAMAES LOCKLEAR 13.35 0.00 272
40 JOSHUA QUEEN-MIKE QUEEN 13.27 0.00 271
41 VINCE PARKER-MARK PARKER 13.24 0.00 270
42 TIM GAINES-MIKE BRYANT 13.16 0.00 269
43 ROBERT KERR-JAKE FRYE 13.16 0.00 268
44 JEREMY TALBERT-BRIAN ROBBINS 13.13 0.00 267
45 KENNETH KANIPE-KEVIN LYNCH 13.08 0.00 266
46 NATHAN ROYAL-DAVID BROOKSHIRE 13.08 0.00 265
47 MATTHEW MCBEE-MATT HAYWOOD 13.04 0.00 264
48 ADAM WATERS-DYLAN FULK 13.03 0.00 263
49 RONALD FARROW-ROGER FARROW 13.02 0.00 262
50 LARRY LEHEW-MIKE LANGFORD 13.02 0.00 261
51 CHARLES HOBBS-ANTHONY LUTZ 12.90 0.00 260
52 BOBBY OSBORNE-ROBERT OSBORNE 12.85 0.00 259
53 ADAM RIDINGS-MICHAEL RIDINGS 12.84 0.00 258
54 DOUG EASTON-PETE BEJTE 12.68 0.00 257
55 CHRIS ELLIS-MATHEW FRAZIER 12.66 0.00 256
56 ADAM YOUNTS-BRAD YOUNTS 12.57 0.00 255
57 MOE FREEZE-CLAY WILLIAMS 12.49 3.78 254
58 SHAE JONES-ADAM GREER 12.49 0.00 253
59 STEVEN AUSTIN-BRETT EAVENSON 12.34 0.00 252
60 BRIAN MORGAN-PHILLIP MCCLUNG 12.33 0.00 251
61 BRENT LONG-DAVE STEVENS 12.22 0.00 250
62 DILLION PAINTER-CHRISTIAN PAINTER 12.15 0.00 249
63 RYAN BENTLEY-GREG BERST 12.11 0.00 247
64 PHIL HENNESSEE-LEE HOILMAN 12.09 0.00 246
65 BILLY SCOGGINS-JACOB SCOGGINS 12.09 0.00 245
66 STEVEN GAWTHROP-KENNETH MARTIN 12.07 0.00 244
67 DREW MONTGOMERY-KENNY SEAGLE 12.06 0.00 243
68 TONY COLACURCIO-JAY ADAMS 11.95 0.00 242
69 JOSHUA LOVE-MIKE LOVE 11.94 0.00 241
70 KEVIN GLENN-BRIAN SILVERS 11.91 0.00 240
71 DAVE SNYDER-ED MARKHAM 11.82 0.00 239
72 WAYNE BAKER-TIM HOLLAR 11.79 0.00 238
73 ERIC JETER-DARREN JETER 11.79 0.00 237
74 MIKE ALLMAN-MIKE ALLMAN 11.76 0.00 236
75 CLINT BENBOW-JEREMI BEATTY 11.72 0.00 235
76 MATT HAYES-DEREK LILLEY 11.71 0.00 234
77 ROGER HOOVER-SCOTT HAMRICK 11.68 0.00 233
78 ROBIN COLLINS-RONNIE WHITE 11.65 0.00 232
79 DAN FUNDERBURK-BUTCH DREW 11.57 0.00 231
80 KYLE WHISNANT-JAMES BALL 11.39 0.00 230
81 STEVE SINK-TONY FOSTER 11.36 0.00 229
82 JASON BARNES-KEITH BARNES 11.32 0.00 228
83 ARIC DWYER-ROBERT ANDERSON 11.30 0.00 227
84 SCOTT TATE-GRANT MCPETERS 11.30 0.00 226
85 JODY WRIGHT-JAMES DYER 11.21 0.00 225
86 JASON WILSON-KELLY LOGAN 11.03 0.00 224
87 COLE HUSKINS- 10.98 0.00 223
88 DOUG PUNCH-ROCKY FRANKLIN 10.92 0.00 222
89 ROB HEDRICK-THOMAS WRIGHT 10.91 0.00 221
90 BRYAN WELCH-MARK INMAN 10.87 0.00 220
91 ADAM FILLMORE-TRAVIS YOUNG 10.84 0.00 219
92 SHANE KENNEDY-CURT LARE 10.83 0.00 218
93 JOSH HUFFMAN-DENNIS CAUDLE 10.80 0.00 217
94 CHIP CREWS-JOSHUA STAFFORD 10.72 0.00 216
95 DAVID SHIELDS-JOHN GALLIMORE 10.72 0.00 215
96 SAMUEL THOMAS-JOHN HARRIS 10.67 0.00 214
97 BYRON BRUSH-BYRON BRUSH SR 10.66 0.00 213
98 MIKE CLARK-CHRIS ANDERSON 10.64 0.00 212
99 LESTER ELTON-CHRIS MARTIN 10.62 0.00 211
100 TODD GARNER-SHANE HARTMAN 10.58 0.00 210
101 JOHNNY GUFFEY-WESLEY BELL 10.58 0.00 209
102 MIKE HOLLAND-KEVIN NEWMAN 10.55 0.00 208
103 GREG DEAL-TERRY WIKE 10.49 0.00 207
104 KEVIN FRANKLIN-WILLIAM PATTERSON 10.49 0.00 206
105 ERIC MOSER-JEFF MCQUAIGE 10.45 0.00 205
106 STACEY RICHARDS-BRIAN TRIPLETT 10.45 0.00 204
107 DYLAN GAULDIN-BRAD GAULDIN 10.43 0.00 203
108 DONALD POTEAT-JOHN ALLEN 10.43 0.00 202
109 CHRIS RICHEY-GEORGE BOST 10.43 0.00 201
110 CODY ANDREWS-BRENT WHITE 10.34 0.00 200
111 DANNY MASON-LIONEL MASON 10.32 0.00 199
112 STEVE SUMMER-JASON THOMAS 10.22 0.00 198
113 JAMES CLARK-RICK CARSON 10.16 0.00 197
114 RON WEYERSBERG-ED DOUTHIT 10.09 0.00 196
115 JERRY LINEBERGER-ANTHONY JOHNSON 10.07 0.00 195
116 CHAD ATCHLEY-DEMPSEY CARTER 10.06 0.00 194
117 MARK WILLIAMS-SHANE SHARPE 9.99 0.00 193
118 ROGER POPE-MICHAEL SMITH 9.93 0.00 192
119 TIM CHAPMAN-MARCUS LEECH 9.90 0.00 191
120 PAUL KISER-DAVID CHEEK 9.87 0.00 190
121 JIMMY CUMMINGS-JESSE SMITH 9.81 0.00 189
122 GARY MALKIN-TODD PARKER 9.80 0.00 188
123 KEITH PORTER-TONY PRICE 9.76 0.00 187
124 JACK CALDWELL-MICHAEL HOBBS 9.73 0.00 186
125 NORMAN LOWE-JOHN MILLER 9.69 0.00 185
126 TIMOTHY REAMS-TYLER ASHBY 9.67 0.00 184
127 KEITH SPEECE-WENDELL IRELAND 9.64 0.00 183
128 DALE LUCKEY-JOHN BROWN 9.61 0.00 182
129 WESLEY CASHWELL-SHANE DOUGHTIE 9.48 0.00 181
130 MKE DAVIS-DEAN TALBERT 9.44 0.00 180
131 ROBERT KENDRICK-HUNTER BURNS 9.40 0.00 179
132 AARON JORDAN-ADAM LOCKLER 9.38 0.00 178
133 ERIK MYERS-DAKOTA ROBERTS 9.34 0.00 177
134 GORDON SMITH-ERIC BRINK 9.32 0.00 176
135 ANGELA MAYO-JOHN MAYO 9.12 0.00 175
136 GREG OSBORNE-WYATT BLEVINS 9.05 0.00 174
137 PATRICK JONES-ALEX THORNTON 9.04 0.00 173
138 CHRIS GRAHAM-RICKY BYRD 8.99 0.00 172
139 TOM MCCOMBS-CURTIS LAIL 8.91 0.00 171
140 CHARLES STEWART-MATT DEAN 8.91 0.00 170
141 CHRIS WAGNER-CHASE DEAL 8.90 0.00 169
142 THOMAS JONES-PHILLIP ROGERS 8.86 0.00 168
143 JERRY CRAIG-BOBBY LATUCH 8.81 0.00 167
144 ERIC RICHARDS-LOUIS KRAFT 8.77 0.00 166
145 KYLE CREED-MORRIS ELLIOTT 8.61 0.00 165
146 MITCHELL CARVER-THOMAS RICHMOND 8.59 0.00 164
147 RICK DUNSTAN-JOSH HUFF 8.57 0.00 163
148 THOMAS VICKERS-BRIAN HUSKINS 8.55 0.00 162
149 BRETT MCLEAN-MAC MCLEAN 8.54 0.00 161
150 JORDAN VENABLE-JIM VENSABLE 8.38 0.00 160
151 ROB NICHLOSON-NOAH NICHOLSON 8.35 0.00 159
152 MIKE RAY-ORLANDO GILES 8.28 0.00 158
153 JEFF GRINDSTAFF-KEITH PEEK 8.24 0.00 157
154 THOMAS SIMMERSON-DOUG YOUNG 8.24 0.00 156
155 MICHAEL CRIBB-ROGER CRIBB 8.20 0.00 155
156 WAYNE INGRAM-CHRIS BROWN 8.17 0.00 154
157 LOUIE HULL-RYAN HULL 8.15 0.00 153
158 CHRIS NIEHAUS-LANCE DEITZ 8.10 0.00 152
159 RANDY WEDDINGTON-RONNIE WHITE 8.10 0.00 151
160 RONNIE BRITT-JIM BRITT 8.09 0.00 150
161 TANNER STIREWALT-AARON TREXLER 8.05 0.00 149
162 REGGIE GUFFEY-TOMMY CHAPMAN 7.95 0.00 148
163 DUKE DENISON-WALT BOWEN 7.81 0.00 147
164 ROBERT WALSER-MACK LOWE 7.75 0.00 146
165 JOSHUA ADAMS-ROGER ADAMS 7.71 0.00 145
166 KEITH WESTRICK-CHRIS HIGGINS 7.67 0.00 144
167 ANDREW WALLACE-RANDALL WALLACE 7.63 0.00 143
168 JAMES CRAIG-JOEY WARD 7.54 0.00 142
169 KEVIN HOLIDAY-JOHNATHAN FRADY 7.53 0.00 141
170 MICHAEL SANDERS-JUSTIN BERRY 7.52 0.00 140
171 JESUS LOACES-TRACY MCCREADY 7.47 0.00 139
172 MIKE YOUNG JR-NASON BANNER 7.36 0.00 138
173 BERNIE DAVIS-CONRAD MANUEL 7.28 0.00 137
174 SCOTT MCGINNIS-CALEB PROPST 7.19 0.00 136
175 GREG BRAGG-KEVIN LOCKHART 7.12 0.00 135
176 BILL GRIER-ROBBY BYRUM 7.03 0.00 134
177 JERRY DRAPER-RICKY DRAPER 6.89 0.00 133
178 JAMES BURR-BARRY DAVIS 6.78 0.00 132
179 GEORGE LAUSTER-BRYAN TILLY 6.59 0.00 131
180 WAYNE SKIPWORTH-DON SPRINKLE 6.56 0.00 130
181 BO RUSSELL-SCOTT ANDREWS 6.38 0.00 129
182 BRANDON GRAHAM-ALEX PALOMBA 6.30 0.00 128
183 ERIC CANTRELL-GERALD MVMURTRIE 6.24 0.00 127
184 TERRY HERMAN-THOMAS WIKE 5.81 0.00 126
185 EDDIE SMITH-MICHAEL CARSON 5.62 0.00 125
186 ALTON ROCKETT-RANDY HUFFMAN 5.49 0.00 124
187 JOEL LANE-SHANNON TURNER 5.08 0.00 123
188 HERB HUGILL-KIEL GUIN 5.03 0.00 122
189 DAVID FORD-KEVIN FARLEY 4.50 0.00 121
190 TYLER OSTERHOUT-BRANDON BORLEIS 4.44 0.00 120
191 KEITH BERRY-JARRAD POARCH 0.00 0.00 119
192 PAUL BRITTIAN-ROBERT CHURCH 0.00 0.00 119
193 TIMOTHY CLINE-BOBBY SNYDER 0.00 0.00 119
194 MITCHELL COOK-TODD HUFFMAN 0.00 0.00 119
195 SHAWN CROSBY- 0.00 0.00 119
196 DWIGHT DELLINGER-DOUG DELLINGER 0.00 0.00 119
197 DALE DUNCAN-DONNIE WOODY 0.00 0.00 119
198 HEATH FESPERMAN-ETHEN FESPERMAN 0.00 0.00 119
199 JOE FLOYD-CHRIS TINSLEY 0.00 0.00 119
200 THOMAS GAVIN-TRACY BROWN 0.00 0.00 119
201 PHILLIP HEDRICK-JACK VANDERFORD 0.00 0.00 119
202 LARRY HOUSER-JASON EAKER 0.00 0.00 119
203 COREY INGRAM-BRANDON ASHLEY 0.00 0.00 119
204 JOEL KETCHAM-SCOTT KETCHAM 0.00 0.00 119
205 DUSTIN LOFTIN-DUSTIN LOFTIN 0.00 0.00 119
206 THOMAS LUDWICK-THOMAS FILE 0.00 0.00 119
207 NICK MILLER-BRANDON BRICKWEG 0.00 0.00 119
208 KIRBY MOFFITT-SPENCER MOFFITT 0.00 0.00 119
209 KIRK MORROW-RODNEY MORROW 0.00 0.00 119
210 BRYAN PLATTENBERGER-STEVE PLATTENBERGER 0.00 0.00 119
211 MATT QUEEN-SHAWN WALLACE 0.00 0.00 119
212 RIC RHYNE-JOHN PARKER 0.00 0.00 119
213 WAYNE SHARPE-JEFF LEWIS 0.00 0.00 119
214 DARREN SIGMON-BRIAN HUFFMAN 0.00 0.00 119
215 DUSTY TAYLOR-KEATON HAWKS 0.00 0.00 119
216 KEVIN TOLER-RODNEY LAMBERT 0.00 0.00 119
217 TODD WALTERS-RUSSELL CORRY 0.00 0.00 119
218 RUSSELL WINTERS-MIKE MCDUFFIE 0.00 0.00 119
219 MILTON YANCEY-LARRY YANCEY 0.00 0.00 119
220 STEVE YODER-DENNIS HENSLEY 0.00 0.00 119

Mercury Marine Introduces all New 3.4 L V-6 Four Stroke!

Mercury Marine is pleased to introduce its new V-6 FourStroke outboard family and the expansion of its SeaPro commercial line at the 2018 Miami International Boat Show. The new engine family, which builds on the success of Mercury’s 75-150hp FourStroke outboards, features 175hp, 200hp and 225hp FourStroke outboards and a V-6 200hp SeaPro commercial outboard.

The new Mercury FourStroke and SeaPro outboards are built on Mercury’s new 3.4-liter V-6 platform, which is designed to be powerful, light, compact and fuel-efficient. The new V-6 engines are precision engineered from skeg to cowl.

“This new platform will position Mercury to advance product leadership in the 175-225hp outboard category, and deliver across the board on consumer needs,” said John Pfeifer, Mercury Marine president. “These new outboards address applications across recreational and commercial applications, strengthen our core product lineup by building off the success of our recent programs and delivering on the requirements of our global customers.”

The 3.4L V-6 employs a large displacement, naturally aspirated powerhead and proven mid-section and drive-system designs. Additionally, the 3.4L V-6 outboards are exceptionally versatile, offering the option of mechanical or digital controls, hydraulic or power steering, and black or white cowls on FourStroke-branded products, as well as a variety of accent panel colors.  This versatility makes the new V-6 an ideal engine for repower applications.

“These outboards set a new benchmark in the marine industry,” said Pfeifer. “They are the quietest, lightest, smoothest, quickest and most fuel-efficient engines we have produced in this range.”

The new FourStroke engine not only provides large displacement at 200hp, but is also exceptionally light weight at 475 pounds – the lightest weight in its class by more than 10 pounds. Lean and mean, the 3.4L V-6 FourStroke boasts Mercury’s best acceleration and 20 percent more torque than the closest four-cylinder competitor at cruise. Fuel efficiency is also unmatched – the new 3.4L V-6 FourStroke is calibrated to maximize fuel economy at cruise, yielding an advantage of up to a 15 percent compared to the closest four-cylinder competitor.

Other innovations that further differentiate the 3.4L V-6 are:

  • A top cowl service door that provides easy oil check and fill (if needed) without removing the cowl, making routine maintenance easier than ever before;
  • Idle charge battery-management capability that protects against consumers draining batteries while operating multiple electronic devices, and best-in-class net charging output of 20 Amp at 650 RPM;
  • Adaptive Speed Control that maintains RPM regardless of load or condition changes, improving the driving experience

“Based on what I’m hearing from our customers, we feel like we hit a homerun with the new V-6 FourStroke outboard lineup,” said Randy Caruana, Mercury Marine vice president North & Central America, and Asia Pacific. “What a great addition to the portfolio. These engines are light and quiet - to have a V-6 that’s lighter than a four-cylinder is just incredible.”

V-6 lineup of Mercury FourStrokes (175-225hp)

Mercury’s 3.4L, 200hp FourStroke is the company’s largest displacement in 200hp class. At 475 pounds, the engine is also the lightest in its class, and is 35 pounds lighter than current product in this range. With its performance-inspired dual overhead cam (quad cam) and four- valve design, the engine will reach higher speeds, faster. In addition, this outboard is the only one of its kind that maintains rpm regardless of load or condition changes and provides a “sportier” feel to the drivers.

Superior Fuel Economy

In addition, the new engines provide fuel savings to the consumer. At cruise and at WOT, the new four-stroke outboards take advantage of Mercury’s proprietary “Advanced Range Optimization” (ARO) calibration to generate greater fuel efficiency than the engine it is replacing and the closest four-cylinder competitor.

Additional Color Options

In addition to Mercury’s legendary black engines, this new lineup offers three shades of white available for the 200hp and 225hp outboards. For the first time, Mercury will also offer four accent panel colors plus ready-for-paint panels, which allow for personalization.

Noise, Vibration and Harshness

The new 3.4L V-6 boasts excellent NVH quality, and represents an advancement from current products.  Key NVH-enhancing features include:

  • The V-6 design is naturally balanced.
  • Multi-chamber air-intake quiets induction noise.
  • Fuel injector covers reduce high-frequency noise.
  • Specific cowl features prevent noise from reaching the operator.

200hp V-6 SeaPro

The Mercury SeaPro 200hp 3.4L V-6 four-stroke outboard sports the company’s largest displacement in its class. It’s also is the lightest engine in its class and is approximately 25 pounds lighter than the engine it is replacing. Like all Mercury SeaPro outboard engines, the 3.4L V-6 four-stroke is built for durability and reliability and is calibrated for commercial usage.

Like the 3.4L V-6 175-225hp FourStroke outboards, the new 200hp V-6 SeaPro outboard features "Advanced Range Optimization/ARO" calibration, which was developed by Mercury engineers to optimize cruise fuel economy. The ECU will adjust fueling automatically when conditions are right.  It does this so seamlessly that the operator won’t feel or hear it.  ARO allows for optimal fuel efficiency, giving consumers the confidence to stay out on the water longer.

Testimonials

“The new product is absolutely awesome,” said Dave Wallace, Scout Boats senior vice president & COO. “It’s more than what I expected. It’s very quiet and the acceleration is unbelievable.”

“The quick-access door on the top of the cowl gives the customer the access they need,” said Rob Kaidy, SeaVee Boats vice president of engineering. “There’s nothing else like that on the market today. When you open that door, in order to disengage the cowl, you hit a button and that turns into a handle; that’s brilliant – a simple idea executed well, a tremendous asset to the customer.”

“This will give us an opportunity to hit a unique price point and offer high-horsepower ranges that we weren’t able to offer in in the past,” said Shane Torzy, Crest Boats director of sales and marketing. “It’ll give us an edge when we partner with you guys and get it into the market.”


Major League Fishing Launches New App

TULSA, Okla., (Feb. 19, 2018) - Major League Fishing (MLF) announces that its all-new MLF App designed to deliver the ultimate experience for fans on the go is available now for free download on Apple and Android devices.

The new Major League Fishing App was developed with ease of use in mind as a way for fans on the go to keep up with everything MLF related, ranging from pro videos and tips to show news and the TV schedule for upcoming episodes. (Click to enlarge/download)

League officials are excited about what the new app means for viewers of all ages who follow the popular made-for-television MLF bass competitions, saying it provides an easier-than-ever way for them to see anglers' profiles, tips, standings, and the TV schedule for MLF, the No. 1-rated show on Outdoor Channel.

"This app is an incredible companion for watching our show, but will also likely become the preferred destination for our fans looking for 'everything' MLF," said Bailey McBride, MLF manager of marketing and communications. "In today's world of mobile devices, we knew we needed to get MLF information to our audience's phones for convenience and here it is."

The MLF App streams all the content and tips from the MLF website into a format that is easy for all ages and experience levels to use.

The Major League Fishing App is available now for free download from either the Apple App Store or Google Play, depending on devices.

"Our digital team spent considerable thought, time and effort during months of development to create this wonderful experience for even the most novice app user," McBride added. "We're very proud of the outcome and look forward to bringing MLF fans everywhere the latest and greatest in videos, news and more from the best professional bass anglers in the world."

This version of the MLF App will soon be followed by other additions, including integration of the fishing-club friendly Scoretracker Live and easy in-app access to the MLF Shop.

The 2018 season will be the seventh for MLF. According to Nielsen ratings, the show was Outdoor Channel's top-rated program in first and second quarters 2016 and 2017.

MLF also airs on the World Fishing Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network and Discovery Channel.

All past episodes of MLF, as well as thousands of hours of other outdoor programming, can also be watched via the exclusive MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app. MOTV is a global subscription-based, video-on-demand (SVOD) service, purchased monthly or annually.

The MLF and MOTV apps can be downloaded quickly and easily, from either the Apple App Store or Google Play, according to devices.

Additionally, MLF's event format, rules, anglers and sponsors can be found by visiting www.majorleaguefishing.com.


Gray & Massey Drop 34-pound + Limit on the Scales to Win Collins Bash for Cash on Jordan Lake!

Jordan Lake – 2/17/18

Thirty-seven teams converged onto Jordan Lake for the opening event of the 2018 Collins Inc. – Bass For Cash Series | Presented By Ranger Boats and Mercury Marine.  The unpredictable weather may have played a role in the lower turnout of anglers, nonetheless several of Jordan’s big girls came out to play for the participating teams as Brandon Gray and Todd Massey topped the field with their massive catch of five fish weighing in at 34.97 lbs.  Gray and Massey also netted the Outdoor Accessories Unlimited lunker for the event that weighed in at 9.65 lbs.

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The father / son duo of Danny and Ryan Hayes captured the second position with another catch over thirty pounds when they brought 30.84 lbs of largemouth to the scales, including a kicker fish worth 9.57 lbs.

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Tim Little and Ted Boyette filled the third spot with their catch of 28.18 lbs, also with a kicker fish at 9.61 lbs.

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Billy Bledsoe and Brian McDonald took the fourth position with their limit of fish weighing in at 27.26 lbs, anchored by their bonus catch of an 8.53 lb largemouth.

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Rounding out the top five included another father / son tandem of Ronald and Ronnie Clark with their catch of 22.79 lbs, also including a nice kicker fish weighing 7.37 lbs.

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Thanks to Steven’s Sausage for their help in providing the anglers with a hot meal as they returned for the afternoon weigh-in.

A special thanks to all of the anglers that came out under the chilly and wet conditions to support our series of events.  Our next event will take place March 31st on Kerr Lake.  Visit our schedule page and read more about the “Bonus Bucks” opportunity for this event that will make this one of our biggest payouts to date.  Entries for this event are coming in daily, so don’t wait too long to submit yours and get your starting spot among the attending teams.


Day 3 of Costa on Sam Rayburn Cancelled due to Heavy Fog, Lasyone Wins!

Dense Fog Forces Organizers to Cancel Final Day, Prizes and Points Awarded after Two Days of Competition

JASPER, TEXAS (Feb. 17, 2018) – A dense fog on Sam Rayburn Reservoir forced the cancellation of the final day of competition Saturday at the Costa FLW Series Southwestern Division opener on Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by YETI. Dry Prong, Louisiana boater Kevin Lasyone, who led the first two days of competition and was set to start Day Three with a 10½-pound lead, was declared the winner. Lasyone’s two-day total of 10 bass weighing 53 pounds, 1 ounce, earned him the victory and a winner’s check worth $54,200.

The final 10 boaters were in the water for most of the morning, waiting for the fog to dissipate and competition to resume. When the fog did not lift, Tournament Director Ron Lappin and FLW officials made the decision to cancel the final day of competition shortly before 11 a.m., due to safety concerns.

“We didn’t see conditions improving,” Lappin said. “So, we opted on the side of safety.”

Tournament winner Lasyone said he agreed with the decision and was happy to earn his first career FLW Series win, but was still disappointed that he wasn’t going to be able to fish the final day of competition.

“I was really looking forward to fishing all day at my spot,” Lasyone said. “The past few days I’ve left the area early, trying to manage my fish for three days of competition. I was planning to fish there all day today. It’s great to get the win, though. The Good Lord blessed me and when it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.”

Lasyone said his spot was a 150-yard stretch located in the middle of a community hole. He sat his boat in depths of about 25 feet while he made casts up to depths of 12 to 15 feet, dragging his black, blue and gold-colored ¾-ounce V&M Sneaky Snake jig amid a few isolated stumps.

“The fish that I caught were prespawn – fat and healthy,” Lasyone said. “There was a younger guy near me, but he was fishing shallow. I was making sure to keep my boat out in 25 to 30 feet. The key was really slowing down. I had to fish extremely slow.”

Lasyone said he added in a V&M Wild Thang worm with a ½-ounce weight on Friday.

“On Thursday my co-angler and I put around a dozen keepers in the boat. Friday, we caught 20 to 25. The fish were pulling in and reloading. I knew when I found this big school in practice that it had potential, but I didn’t realize that they were that big.”

When asked about the jig trailer that he had been throwing, Lasyone was coy.

“I don’t mind talking about the Sneaky Snake jig, but I’m going to keep my trailer close to the vest at this point. I will say that I was planning to throw a different one today.”

The top 10 pros on Sam Rayburn finished:

1st:           Kevin Lasyone, Dry Prong, La., 10 bass, 53-1, $54,200

2nd:          T.J. Goodwyn, Center, Texas, 10 bass, 42-9, $22,600

3rd:          Scotty Villines, Ponca, Ark., 10 bass, 41-3, $15,500

4th:           Kris Wilson, Montgomery, Texas, 10 bass, 39-5, $13,500

5th:           Darold Gleason, Many, La., 10 bass, 37-11, $12,500

6th:           Jon Englund, Farwell, Minn., 10 bass, 36-9, $9,750

7th:           Billy Billeaud, Lafayette, La., 10 bass, 35-14, $8,400

8th:           Garrett Hilton, Beaumont, Texas, 10 bass, 35-12, $7,400

9th:           Jason Bonds, Lufkin, Texas, 10 bass, 35-9, $6,400

10th:        Christopher Jones, Bokoshe, Okla., 10 bass, 35-6, $5,000

Full results for the entire field can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Jones caught a 9-pound, 5-ounce bass Thursday, the biggest of the tournament in the Pro Division, and earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $300.

Louis Ferguson of Woodville, Texas, won the Co-angler Division and a Ranger Z175 with a 90-horsepower outboard motor with a two-day total catch of 10 bass weighing 35 pounds, 14 ounces. Keith Honeycutt of Temple, Texas, finished runner-up with 10 bass weighing 30-11, good for $6,750.

The top 10 Co-anglers on Sam Rayburn finished:

1st:           Louis Ferguson, Woodville, Texas, 10 bass, 35-14, Ranger Z175 with a 90-horsepower outboard motor

2nd:          Keith Honeycutt, Temple, Texas, 10 bass, 30-11, $6,750

3rd:          James Callaghan, DeBerry, Texas, 10 bass, 29-15, $5,600

4th:           Michael Allbright, Athens, Texas, 10 bass, 27-13, $4,400

5th:           James Allen Pruitt, Houston, Texas, 10 bass, 27-5, $3,700

6th:           Zack Freeman, Russellville, Ark., 10 bass, 26-13, $3,250

7th:           John Moon, Brookeland, Texas, 10 bass, 26-9, $2,700

8th:           Andrew Brandstrom, White Bear Lake, Minn., 10 bass, 26-9, $2,100

9th:           Austin Miller, Spring Hill, Kan., 10 bass, 26-5, $1,640

10th:        Thomas Preiser, League City, Texas, eight bass, 25-12, $1,390

Ferguson also caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the Co-angler Division Friday, a giant weighing 10 pounds, 5 ounces that earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $200.

The Costa FLW Series on Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by YETI was hosted by the Jasper-Lake Sam Rayburn Area Chamber of Commerce. It was the first FLW Series Southwestern Division tournament of the 2018 season. The next Costa FLW Series tournament will be a Southeastern Division tournament, held March 1-3 on Lake Seminole in Bainbridge, Georgia. 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 2018 Costa FLW Series Championship is being held Nov. 1-3 on Lake Guntersville in Guntersville, Alabama, and is hosted by the Marshall County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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


Laysone Extends Lead in Rayburn Costa Series Event Heading into Championship Saturday

On a day two that saw lower weights across the board, Kevin Lasyone of Dry Prong, La. continued to run away from the rest of the field at the Costa FLW Series Southwestern Division Event on Sam Rayburn presented by YETI. Lasyone dropped a solid 21-pound, 11-ounce limit to give him a two-day total of 53 pounds, one ounce.

Check back later for complete details on Lasyone and the rest of the top five.

 

TOP 10 PROS

1.  Kevin Lasyone – Dry Prong, La. – 53-1 (10)

2.  TJ Goodwyn – Center, Texas – 42-9 (10)

3.  Scotty Villines – Ponca, Ark. – 41-3 (10)

4.  Kris Wilson – Montgomery, Texas – 39-5 (10)

5.  Darold Gleason – Many, La. – 37-11 (10)

6.  Jon Englund – Farwell, Minn. – 36-9 (10)

7.  Billy Billeaud – Lafayette, La. – 35-14 (10)

8.  Garrett Hilton – Beaumont, Texas. – 35-12 (10)

9.  Jason Bonds – Lufkin, Texas – 35-9 (10)

10. Christopher Jones – Bokoshe, Okla.  – 35-6 (10)


BASS Emcee Dave Mercer to be Inducted into Canadien Angler Hall of Fame!

Story Courtesy of Outdoor Canada Website

February 15, 2018

The 2018 Canadian Angler Hall of Fame awards

Dave Mercer has won international accolades as an angling ambassador, educator and entertainer

On Friday, luminaries of the Canadian sportfishing industry will gather at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, where Dave Mercer will become the newest member of the Canadian Angler Hall of Fame. In addition, Pat Pagano of the Italian Canadian HandiCapable Association will be presented with the Rick Amsbury Award of Excellence, and the Ontario B.A.S.S. Nation Pledge to Pitch It Campaign will be awarded the Conservation Project of the Year. All three awards are presented annually in conjunction with the popular Spring Fishing and Boat Show.

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Since he first hit the airwaves over 23 years ago, people noticed that Dave Mercer (above) was not your typical TV fisherman. Not only could he catch fish and effectively share tips and techniques, Mercer was also born entertainer—and just plain hilarious.

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As the originator of the one-minute fishing interstitial video, Mercer quickly became an audience favourite.

What started as a television tip series has now grown into one of the world’s most-watched fishing shows. Every week Mercer can be seen on Facts of Fishing in over 176 countries around the world. But more than that, when he’s not on the water, it seems like there’s nothing that Dave Mercer won’t do to promote the sport of fishing and his passion for it. Then, eight years ago Mercer got the call he had always dreamed of: He was chosen to host the Bassmaster Classic,widely recognized as the Superbowl of bass fishing. Mercer is only the fourth Bassmaster emcee in 40 years, and can now be seen in over 100 million homes every weekend on ESPN2. Mercer has also entertained over 2 million people in live audiences at Bassmaster events.

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Even just a partial list of Mercer’s accomplishments shows how deserving he is of entry into the Hall of Fame. His career ghighlights include:

  • Hosting 100 Bassmaster tournaments
  • Fishing broadcaster for: ESPN, ESPN2, NBC Sports, TSN, Outdoor Channel, CBS, FS1, City TV, Versus Network, CTV, CHCH
  • Facts of Fishing is the only fishing show to ever win the Golden Moose at the Outdoor Sportsman Awards for Best Videography
  • Rick Amsbury Award of Excellence
  • 10 Outdoor Writers of Canada Awards for Television and Video
  • Best-selling author of Dave Mercer’s 135 Secrets That Fish Don’t Want You To Know
  • Bass Pro Shops #1 selling DVD series 4 years in a row for Facts of Fishing Volumes 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • Mercer’s charity, Casting for a Cure, has raised over $200,000.00 to date for the Canadian Cancer Society and Nova’s Ark
  • First pro angler with over 100,000 Facebook followers
  • First person to ever throw out a first cast—instead of a pitch—at a Major League Baseball Game

Also the first pro angler verified on Twitter, Mercer has over 46,000 followers. And in some ways, his brief Twitter bio sums up just what Dave Mercer is all about:

“I am the host of TV's Facts Of Fishing and The Bassmaster Classic & Bassmaster Elite Series emcee. I enjoy long walks on the beach and slow wet kisses with BASS!”


Simms New SolarFlex Armor Shirt - The Sunscreen that Won't Wash Off!

When relentless heat threatens to cut short a pleasant afternoon tossing carefree casts, arm yourself with cool comfort and keep chasing those elusive fish. Simms' SolarFlex® Armor Shirt features hard-working COR3™ technology, with all-day odor-fighting and moisture-wicking protection. The shirt shields against the sun's harmful rays with a UPF 50 rating. Coolcore® fabric chills down as it gets wet, giving you natural relief from the heat. Mesh panels on the sides and arms add breezy ventilation that will keep you feeling fresh on the water from dawn until dusk. It is finished with a full-coverage built-in gaiter for all over protection.

Buy it HERE!

 


Registration for the 2018 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Opens

Registration is now open for the 13th annual BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Cabela’s. Collegiate anglers that meet the Championship criteria are encouraged to register now for the event. The Championship event will be held for the seventh consecutive year on Pickwick Lake in Florence, Alabama for a week-long schedule of activities.

 

Known as one of the largest and most prestigious collegiate bass fishing events in the nation, the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Cabela’s is a title coveted by anglers both nationally and internationally.  This year’s event is also the final Cabela’s School of the Year presented by Abu Gacria event for 2018 and it’s expected this year’s event will be pivotal in crowning not only the Cabela’s School of te Year award winner but will also be key in determining all the teams ranked in the top 20 nationally for the year.

The week-long celebration of college fishing will once again have a variety of activities going on from Yamaha Angler Appreciation Night, Garmin Electronics Displays, Ranger Boat Demo Rides, Abu Garcia Casting Contests, College Anglers Appreciation Banquet as well as many more events during the week.

“It’s hard to believe that we’re hosting our 13th BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Presented by Cabela’s. This event is the one that all college anglers want to win and they’re willing to travel from around the nation to get to Pickwick Lake in Florence, Alabama. The week-long event is always a highlight of the year for me as well as all the supporters of college fishing,” said Association of Collegiate Anglers Director and President of CarecoTV, Wade Middleton.

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2017 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Champions

All college teams are urged to register today to compete in this one of a kind collegiate bass fishing championship event for the chance to win great prizes throughout the week and thousands of dollars in contingency money! We look forward to seeing everyone this May in Florence, Alabama starting on the first official practice day, Sunday, May 20th!

2018 Qualification Criteria for the Championship

Register Here

For more information about the Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, please visit www.CollegiateBassChampionship.com.


Kevin Lasyone Leads Rayburn Costa Day 1 with over 31 pounds!!

February 15, 2018 by Rob Newell

With the number of giant bass and huge limits coming out of Lake Sam Rayburn in recent weeks, the burning question on day one of the Costa FLW Series Southwestern Division on Sam Rayburn presented by YETI became: would the 30-pound mark be broken again?

Kevin Lasyone of Dry Prong, La., wasted little time in answering that question when he toted a massive 31 pounds, 6 ounces to the scales to set the bar on day one. The biggest bass in his limit topped out at 8 pounds, 2 ounces.

Lasyone’s previous largest limit on Rayburn was 29 pounds in another tournament several years ago. He never dreamed he would ever beat that haul, but it all happened by 9:30 a.m. Thursday morning.

“I pulled into this place and the first fish that bit was that biggest one,” he recalls. “As I got her up to the boat, I looked down in the water and there was another of equal size following her. One the next cast, I hooked another big one but it got me around a stump and came off. I’m pretty sure it was that other fish.”

Lasyone adds that all the fish came from a 150-yard stretch located dead smack in the middle of a community hole.

“I saw a bunch of folks practicing there, but when I got there this morning, only one other boat was fishing the area. I couldn’t believe it.”

Lasyone says the only thing he can figure is that he is fishing the area a lot slower with a jig.

“A V&M football jig,” he says. “It’s the only thing I throw – just dragging it real slow. The area is just a textbook pre-spawn spot.”

“This lake is in the best shape I’ve ever seen,” he adds. “It’s got both numbers and quality right now and I can’t wait to go back out there again tomorrow.”

HONEYCUTT LEADS CO-ANGLERS
Keith Honeycutt of Temple, Texas leads the Co-angler Division with 19 pounds, 11 ounces. Honeycutt is no stranger to leading FLW events from the back deck. He has a total of seven FLW Tour or Costa wins to his name, two of which have come from Lake Sam Rayburn.

 

TOP 10 PROS
1. Kevin Lasyone – Dry Prong, La. – 31-6 (5)

2. Kris Wilson – Montgomery, Texas – 27-7 (5)

3. TJ Goodwin – Center, Texas – 25-3 (5)

4. Christopher Jones – Bokoshe, Okla. – 23-12 (5)

5. Casey Sobczak – Willis, Texas. – 22-6 (5)

6. Scotty Villines – Ponca, Ark. – 21-14 (5)

7. Jason Bonds – Lufkin, Texas. – 20-1 (5)

8. Cameron Mattison – Bossier City, La. – 20-1 (5)

9. Todd Castledine – Nacodoches, Texas – 18-11 (5)

10. Russell Cecil – Willis, Texas. – 18-5 (5)

 

 

 

PLACE ANGLER CITY/STATE DAY 1
WT (Fish) DAY 1&2
WT (Fish) WINNINGS
1 KEVIN LASYONE DRY PRONG, LA 31 - 6 (5) 31 - 6 (5)
2 KRIS WILSON MONTGOMERY, TX 27 - 7 (5) 27 - 7 (5)
3 TJ GOODWYN CENTER, TX 25 - 3 (5) 25 - 3 (5)
4 CHRISTOPHER JONES BOKOSHE, OK 23 - 12 (5) 23 - 12 (5) $300
5 CASEY SOBCZAK WILLIS, TX 22 - 6 (5) 22 - 6 (5)
6 SCOTTY VILLINES PONCA, AR 21 - 14 (5) 21 - 14 (5)
7 BILLY BILLEAUD LAFAYETTE, LA 21 - 0 (5) 21 - 0 (5)
8 JASON BONDS LUFKIN, TX 20 - 1 (5) 20 - 1 (5)
8 CAMERON MATTISON BOSSIER CITY, LA 20 - 1 (5) 20 - 1 (5)
10 TODD CASTLEDINE NACOGDOCHES, TX 18 - 11 (5) 18 - 11 (5)
11 RUSSELL CECIL WILLIS, TX 18 - 5 (5) 18 - 5 (5)
12 DUSTIN LABER GREELEY, CO 18 - 3 (4) 18 - 3 (4)
13 ROB BURNS PLANO, TX 18 - 0 (5) 18 - 0 (5)
14 KENNETH GRAEBER BENNINGTON, NE 17 - 13 (5) 17 - 13 (5)
15 GARRETT HILTON BEAUMONT, TX 17 - 11 (5) 17 - 11 (5)
16 JEFF SPRAGUE POINT, TX 17 - 8 (5) 17 - 8 (5)
17 T.R ANDREAS KERRVILLE, TX 17 - 6 (5) 17 - 6 (5)
18 DAROLD GLEASON MANY, LA 17 - 5 (5) 17 - 5 (5)
19 MICHAEL LAFLEUR ORANGEFIELD, TX 17 - 4 (5) 17 - 4 (5)
19 SKEETER FOWLER GRAND SALINE, TX 17 - 4 (5) 17 - 4 (5)
19 T W HARDY SILSBEE, TX 17 - 4 (5) 17 - 4 (5)
22 TIM FLOWERS MIDLAND, TX 17 - 2 (5) 17 - 2 (5)
23 BRIAN ROBISON MAGNOLIA, TX 17 - 0 (5) 17 - 0 (5)
24 STEPHEN JOHNSTON HEMPHILL, TX 16 - 15 (5) 16 - 15 (5)
25 ROGER HUGHES BARTLESVILLE, OK 16 - 10 (5) 16 - 10 (5)
26 JAY SHIPE EULESS, TX 16 - 9 (5) 16 - 9 (5)
27 JUSTIN MORTON ETOILE, TX 16 - 6 (5) 16 - 6 (5)
27 LEE BATSON HEATH, TX 16 - 6 (5) 16 - 6 (5)
27 DEREK FULPS BROKEN ARROW, OK 16 - 6 (5) 16 - 6 (5)
27 NICK LEBRUN BOSSIER CITY, LA 16 - 6 (5) 16 - 6 (5)
31 JERRY PROPST JASPER, TX 16 - 4 (5) 16 - 4 (5)
32 BRAD COOK AFTON, OK 16 - 2 (5) 16 - 2 (5)
32 RANDY DEAVER BLANCHARD, LA 16 - 2 (5) 16 - 2 (5)
34 JOHN PILCHER KANSAS, OK 15 - 14 (5) 15 - 14 (5)
35 DAKOTA EBARE STEPHENVILLE, TX 15 - 13 (5) 15 - 13 (5)
36 JEFF BUNCH NACOGDOCHES, TX 15 - 12 (5) 15 - 12 (5)
37 DAVID REDINGTON SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX 15 - 10 (5) 15 - 10 (5)
37 JOEY RENFRO NACOGDOCHES, TX 15 - 10 (5) 15 - 10 (5)
39 JAKE BIRAM TULSA, OK 15 - 9 (5) 15 - 9 (5)
40 TRAVIS MCKELVEY JENKS, OK 15 - 8 (5) 15 - 8 (5)
41 STEVE BRUTON BROKEN BOW, OK 15 - 7 (5) 15 - 7 (5)
42 JUSTIN WOJCIK BULVERDE, TX 15 - 6 (5) 15 - 6 (5)
43 BRANDON MOSS BLANCHARD, OK 15 - 3 (5) 15 - 3 (5)
44 ANDREW UPSHAW TULSA, OK 15 - 2 (5) 15 - 2 (5)
45 KYLE CORTIANA BROKEN ARROW, OK 15 - 1 (5) 15 - 1 (5)
46 DEAN ALEXANDER GEORGETOWN, TX 14 - 14 (5) 14 - 14 (5)
47 RICCI HEAD SHAWNEE, OK 14 - 13 (5) 14 - 13 (5)
47 JUSTIN STOKES CYPRESS, TX 14 - 13 (5) 14 - 13 (5)
49 ERIC WRIGHT BALCH SPRINGS, TX 14 - 9 (5) 14 - 9 (5)
50 TRAVIS HARRIMAN HUNTSVILLE, AR 14 - 8 (5) 14 - 8 (5)
51 RYAN WILLIAMS LUFKIN, TX 14 - 7 (5) 14 - 7 (5)
51 PHIL MARKS DALLAS, TX 14 - 7 (5) 14 - 7 (5)
53 CURTIS SIMPSON WEST MONROE, LA 14 - 5 (5) 14 - 5 (5)
54 TIM RENEAU DEL RIO, TX 14 - 4 (5) 14 - 4 (5)
55 AUSTIN TERRY SAN ANGELO, TX 14 - 1 (5) 14 - 1 (5)
56 JOSH HILTON CLARKSVILLE, AR 13 - 13 (5) 13 - 13 (5)
57 KEN SMITH DALLAS, TX 13 - 11 (5) 13 - 11 (5)
57 JEFF REYNOLDS CALERA, OK 13 - 11 (5) 13 - 11 (5)
59 TOMMY MARTIN HEMPHILL, TX 13 - 10 (5) 13 - 10 (5)
59 TY FABER PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO 13 - 10 (5) 13 - 10 (5)
59 KEITH COMBS HUNTINGTON, TX 13 - 10 (5) 13 - 10 (5)
62 COUGUN LEDFORD COWETA, OK 13 - 8 (5) 13 - 8 (5)
62 TREA LUEDKE MONTGOMERY, TX 13 - 8 (5) 13 - 8 (5)
64 CODY BIRD GRANBURY, TX 13 - 7 (5) 13 - 7 (5)
65 MARIO RIOJAS BLANCHARD, OK 13 - 6 (5) 13 - 6 (5)
65 HOLT MARKUM PARADISE, TX 13 - 6 (5) 13 - 6 (5)
67 RUSSELL PASKET ANDERSON, TX 13 - 5 (5) 13 - 5 (5)
67 TOMMY DICKERSON ORANGE, TX 13 - 5 (5) 13 - 5 (5)
67 JOHN DICKERSON ORANGE, TX 13 - 5 (5) 13 - 5 (5)
70 THERON CALDWELL COLLEYVILLE, TX 13 - 4 (5) 13 - 4 (5)
70 KEVIN GRESSETT TIOGA, TX 13 - 4 (5) 13 - 4 (5)
70 ROBERT CASE POINT, TX 13 - 4 (5) 13 - 4 (5)
73 JON ENGLUND FARWELL, MN 13 - 3 (5) 13 - 3 (5)
74 MATT COOPER SMITHVILLE, TX 13 - 2 (5) 13 - 2 (5)
75 CHRIS MCCALL PALMER, TX 13 - 1 (5) 13 - 1 (5)
75 SHAINE CAMPBELL LIVINGSTON, TX 13 - 1 (5) 13 - 1 (5)
75 BRIAN VICKERY LONGVIEW, TX 13 - 1 (5) 13 - 1 (5)
78 CAMERON PAPPAN WINFIELD, KS 13 - 0 (5) 13 - 0 (5)
78 MATT MASSEY LITTLETON, CO 13 - 0 (5) 13 - 0 (5)
80 ZACK BIRGE BLANCHARD, OK 12 - 15 (5) 12 - 15 (5)
81 JEREMIAH JOHNSON CHISAGO CITY, MN 12 - 14 (5) 12 - 14 (5)
81 RYAN WILBANKS WAGONER, OK 12 - 14 (5) 12 - 14 (5)
81 CODY SIRMONS BROOKELAND, TX 12 - 14 (5) 12 - 14 (5)
84 BRANDON MOSLEY CHOCTAW, OK 12 - 13 (5) 12 - 13 (5)
84 JEFFREY GENGLER FORT COLLINS, CO 12 - 13 (5) 12 - 13 (5)
86 MITCHELL WEBB SKIATOOK, OK 12 - 11 (5) 12 - 11 (5)
87 TYSON PATRICK MCCAMEY, TX 12 - 10 (5) 12 - 10 (5)
88 BRADY WINANS CADDO MILLS, TX 12 - 9 (5) 12 - 9 (5)
88 RANDY DESPINO COLFAX, LA 12 - 9 (5) 12 - 9 (5)
90 MARCO VACA ARDMORE, OK 12 - 8 (5) 12 - 8 (5)
90 BILL COOK HOUSTON, TX 12 - 8 (5) 12 - 8 (5)
90 JERREL PRINGLE HEMPHILL, TX 12 - 8 (5) 12 - 8 (5)
93 ANDREW MCCLUSKY SILSBEE, TX 12 - 6 (5) 12 - 6 (5)
94 RICKY GUY HUMBLE, TX 12 - 5 (5) 12 - 5 (5)
95 CHAD WARREN SAND SPRINGS, OK 12 - 3 (5) 12 - 3 (5)
95 TROY RODER BROOKELAND, TX 12 - 3 (5) 12 - 3 (5)
97 STACEY KING REEDS SPRING, MO 12 - 2 (5) 12 - 2 (5)
98 JOEL BAKER TALALA, OK 12 - 1 (4) 12 - 1 (4)
98 AARON FREEMAN THE WOODLANDS, TX 12 - 1 (5) 12 - 1 (5)
100 TERRY EZELL EL RENO, OK 12 - 0 (5) 12 - 0 (5)
101 JESSE WOLFE NELSON, WI 11 - 15 (5) 11 - 15 (5)
102 SAMUEL CANOE GEORGETOWN, LA 11 - 14 (5) 11 - 14 (5)
103 CAMERON FROWICK TYLER, TX 11 - 13 (5) 11 - 13 (5)
104 RICHARD STRINGER MIDLAND, TX 11 - 12 (5) 11 - 12 (5)
104 TOMMY BIFFLE WAGONER, OK 11 - 12 (5) 11 - 12 (5)
104 CHARLES DUBROC HESSMER, LA 11 - 12 (5) 11 - 12 (5)
104 DARREN HAHNE OTTAWA, IL 11 - 12 (5) 11 - 12 (5)
108 JEFF BRIDGES LUMBERTON, TX 11 - 11 (5) 11 - 11 (5)
109 JACK COVAS LAKE WALES, FL 11 - 10 (5) 11 - 10 (5)
109 ALTON WILHOIT NOBLE, OK 11 - 10 (5) 11 - 10 (5)
111 PHILLIP WHITTAKER BAYTOWN, TX 11 - 8 (5) 11 - 8 (5)
111 DICKY NEWBERRY HOUSTON, TX 11 - 8 (5) 11 - 8 (5)
111 KEVIN FINLEY PHOENIX, AZ 11 - 8 (5) 11 - 8 (5)
114 JEFFREY RANDOLPH HUNTSVILLE, TX 11 - 7 (5) 11 - 7 (5)
114 MIKE SOLIZ ORANGE, TX 11 - 7 (5) 11 - 7 (5)
114 DAVID MANSUE HEMPHILL, TX 11 - 7 (5) 11 - 7 (5)
114 ERIC PORTERFIELD FORT GIBSON, OK 11 - 7 (5) 11 - 7 (5)
118 JAKE ORMOND STERLINGTON, LA 11 - 6 (5) 11 - 6 (5)
118 ERIC FAUCETT MOORE, OK 11 - 6 (5) 11 - 6 (5)
118 ALFRED WILLIAMS JACKSON, MS 11 - 6 (5) 11 - 6 (5)
121 KIRK SMITH EDMOND, OK 11 - 5 (5) 11 - 5 (5)
121 WADE HUDGENS LONGVIEW, TX 11 - 5 (5) 11 - 5 (5)
123 CHRISTOPHER DIGINO DALLAS, TX 11 - 4 (5) 11 - 4 (5)
123 CODY KEMP DONALDSON, AR 11 - 4 (5) 11 - 4 (5)
123 COLBY MILLER ELMER, LA 11 - 4 (5) 11 - 4 (5)
126 BAILEY BOUTRIES DAPHNE, AL 11 - 3 (5) 11 - 3 (5)
126 CHARLEY SLATON VALLIANT, OK 11 - 3 (5) 11 - 3 (5)
126 MATTHEW MCARDLE HUMBLE, TX 11 - 3 (5) 11 - 3 (5)
126 CRAIG WORKMAN FORT WORTH, TX 11 - 3 (5) 11 - 3 (5)
130 FRED MARTIN NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR 11 - 2 (5) 11 - 2 (5)
131 CHRIS LEWIS LONGVIEW, TX 10 - 13 (5) 10 - 13 (5)
132 JORDAN OSBORNE LONGVIEW, TX 10 - 12 (5) 10 - 12 (5)
133 PHILLIP DAVIDSON GILMER, TX 10 - 11 (5) 10 - 11 (5)
133 JASON CONN ANNA, TX 10 - 11 (5) 10 - 11 (5)
135 CODY MORRISON WATAUGA, TX 10 - 9 (5) 10 - 9 (5)
136 STEPHEN BADLEY BROKEN ARROW, OK 10 - 8 (5) 10 - 8 (5)
137 RANDY DEARMAN ONALASKA, TX 10 - 7 (5) 10 - 7 (5)
137 TRACY MITCHELL SPRINGFIELD, MO 10 - 7 (5) 10 - 7 (5)
139 HARMON DAVIS MARLOW, OK 10 - 6 (5) 10 - 6 (5)
139 DARREL ROBERTSON JAY, OK 10 - 6 (5) 10 - 6 (5)
141 LINK LOWRANCE RANGER, TX 10 - 5 (5) 10 - 5 (5)
141 JAMES STRICKLIN JR FORT SMITH, AR 10 - 5 (5) 10 - 5 (5)
143 JEROD HAWKES SABINAL, TX 10 - 4 (5) 10 - 4 (5)
144 MARK RUSSELL YANTIS, TX 10 - 0 (5) 10 - 0 (5)
144 KELLY WOOD BIXBY, OK 10 - 0 (5) 10 - 0 (5)
146 CHARLIE APPERSON JAY, OK 9 - 15 (5) 9 - 15 (5)
147 BO KEITH HAUGHTON, LA 9 - 13 (5) 9 - 13 (5)
148 NICK ABER PIEDMONT, OK 9 - 12 (5) 9 - 12 (5)
148 JOHN SHORE OWASSO, OK 9 - 12 (5) 9 - 12 (5)
150 JACOB ROOT BROOKELAND, TX 9 - 11 (5) 9 - 11 (5)
150 JAMES MARTIN LONGVIEW, TX 9 - 11 (5) 9 - 11 (5)
152 BLAKE SCHROEDER WHITEHOUSE, TX 9 - 10 (5) 9 - 10 (5)
153 CURT WARREN ROSE, OK 9 - 9 (5) 9 - 9 (5)
154 STEVE SENNIKOFF FORNEY, TX 9 - 8 (5) 9 - 8 (5)
154 DANNY WEEMS COMO, TX 9 - 8 (5) 9 - 8 (5)
156 RANDY CISLER MESQUITE, TX 9 - 7 (5) 9 - 7 (5)
157 MATHEW WILLIAMSON GUTHRIE, OK 9 - 4 (5) 9 - 4 (5)
158 AARON BRITT YUBA CITY, CA 9 - 3 (5) 9 - 3 (5)
158 NICHOLAS ALBUS TRINITY, TX 9 - 3 (5) 9 - 3 (5)
158 JOE DON SETINA PITTSBURG, TX 9 - 3 (5) 9 - 3 (5)
158 RONNIE RECTOR WILLIS, TX 9 - 3 (4) 9 - 3 (4)
158 BOB VOTE KINGWOOD, TX 9 - 3 (5) 9 - 3 (5)
163 TROY O'ROURKE NATCHITOCHES, LA 9 - 1 (4) 9 - 1 (4)
164 TREVOR STEVENSON FRIDLEY, MN 9 - 0 (5) 9 - 0 (5)
164 EARL ATES LONGVIEW, TX 9 - 0 (5) 9 - 0 (5)
164 BRIAN HANES BERNICE, OK 9 - 0 (5) 9 - 0 (5)
167 CLINT ROYSE ATHENS, TX 8 - 14 (4) 8 - 14 (4)
167 BRIAN ANKRUM NATALIA, TX 8 - 14 (5) 8 - 14 (5)
169 JIM TUTT LONGVIEW, TX 8 - 12 (4) 8 - 12 (4)
170 TAYLOR RAMEY PURVIS, MS 8 - 10 (4) 8 - 10 (4)
171 KELLY OWENS CROWLEY, LA 8 - 7 (5) 8 - 7 (5)
171 TYE SMITH FORT GIBSON, OK 8 - 7 (5) 8 - 7 (5)
173 BRAD DRAKE PARIS, TX 8 - 6 (5) 8 - 6 (5)
174 PAUL HEAVENER TULSA, OK 8 - 5 (5) 8 - 5 (5)
175 AARON JOHNSON SHREVEPORT, LA 8 - 2 (4) 8 - 2 (4)
176 BLAINE COVINGTON FORT WORTH, TX 8 - 1 (4) 8 - 1 (4)
177 MIKE GILBREATH VIAN, OK 7 - 14 (3) 7 - 14 (3)
177 WAYNE HAUSER MOORESVILLE, NC 7 - 14 (4) 7 - 14 (4)
179 ALLEN RUDE PAULS VALLEY, OK 7 - 12 (4) 7 - 12 (4)
180 KEVIN LEDOUX CHOCTAW, OK 7 - 11 (4) 7 - 11 (4)
181 BRYANT ADAM MADISON, MS 7 - 10 (5) 7 - 10 (5)
182 ROY WHISENHUNT VALLIANT, OK 7 - 8 (4) 7 - 8 (4)
183 BRIAN MARTIN HEMPHILL, TX 7 - 7 (4) 7 - 7 (4)
184 JUSTIN GREEN CAMDEN, AR 7 - 6 (2) 7 - 6 (2)
185 DOUGLAS R. JOHNSON PONCA CITY, OK 7 - 5 (2) 7 - 5 (2)
186 FLOYD DRANNON STRATFORD, OK 7 - 4 (4) 7 - 4 (4)
187 JON LESSARD KATY, TX 7 - 2 (4) 7 - 2 (4)
188 DENNIS MATLOCK COLLINSVILLE, TX 7 - 0 (4) 7 - 0 (4)
189 MICHAEL HERRON PARIS, TX 6 - 15 (4) 6 - 15 (4)
190 SCOTT BONVILLAIN DEQUINCY, LA 6 - 14 (4) 6 - 14 (4)
191 RONALD RISENHOOVER LUFKIN, TX 6 - 13 (4) 6 - 13 (4)
192 JAMES E DAVIS JR FERRIDAY, LA 6 - 12 (4) 6 - 12 (4)
193 BRIAN MATHIS NORTHGLENN, CO 6 - 9 (2) 6 - 9 (2)
193 WALTER ANDRIES COWETA, OK 6 - 9 (3) 6 - 9 (3)
195 DANE COALE NORMAN, OK 6 - 7 (4) 6 - 7 (4)
196 EARL HOSKINS BURNS FLAT, OK 6 - 5 (3) 6 - 5 (3)
197 JAMES CALDEMEYER GILMER, TX 6 - 3 (3) 6 - 3 (3)
197 CHUCK NELSON ELMORE CITY, OK 6 - 3 (4) 6 - 3 (4)
199 BRYAN ROBBINS STEPHENVILLE, TX 6 - 2 (3) 6 - 2 (3)
200 B J MILLER ADAMS, NE 6 - 1 (3) 6 - 1 (3)
201 BRANDON VAUGHAN AZLE, TX 5 - 15 (3) 5 - 15 (3)
201 KYLE HALL RIO VISTA, TX 5 - 15 (3) 5 - 15 (3)
203 BILL TERVIN POCOLA, OK 5 - 10 (3) 5 - 10 (3)
204 JEDIDIAH HOLT FRIENDSWOOD, TX 5 - 9 (3) 5 - 9 (3)
205 BILLY HURT SPRING CREEK, TN 5 - 8 (2) 5 - 8 (2)
206 ROB MCPHERON MONTGOMERY, TX 5 - 7 (3) 5 - 7 (3)
207 WAYLON HARVEY HENDERSON, TX 5 - 5 (3) 5 - 5 (3)
207 NOAH HENSHAW BIXBY, OK 5 - 5 (2) 5 - 5 (2)
209 CHARLIE EASTMAN FORT WORTH, TX 5 - 3 (3) 5 - 3 (3)
210 JASON STANFILL HULBERT, OK 4 - 14 (2) 4 - 14 (2)
211 BRETT BRANDSTROM SHOREVIEW, MN 4 - 6 (2) 4 - 6 (2)
212 ROGER BACON NEWTON, TX 4 - 4 (3) 4 - 4 (3)
213 LANCE CRAWFORD BROKEN BOW, OK 4 - 1 (2) 4 - 1 (2)
214 STAR FIELDS MUSKOGEE, OK 3 - 10 (2) 3 - 10 (2)
215 THOMAS MARTENS JONESTOWN, TX 3 - 7 (1) 3 - 7 (1)
216 BLAKE EDWARDS BROKEN ARROW, OK 3 - 5 (2) 3 - 5 (2)
217 ED MELTON HOUSTON, TX 2 - 11 (1) 2 - 11 (1)
218 KRIS LEE COWETA, OK 2 - 5 (1) 2 - 5 (1)
219 JOE GERARD CONCORDIA, KS 1 - 12 (1) 1 - 12 (1)
219 ROBERTO NOVOA FRISCO, TX 1 - 12 (1) 1 - 12 (1)
219 HILTON JONES WESTFIELD, IL 1 - 12 (1) 1 - 12 (1)
222 CRAIG FRILOT BREAUX BRIDGE, LA 1 - 10 (1) 1 - 10 (1)
TERRY MCGLASSON VINITA, OK
WAYNE LONG CLAREMORE, OK
BOB KEELAND HUNTSVILLE, TX


University of Tennessee-Knoxville’s Scott Ellis Wins the Texas Lunker Challenge presented by Mossy Oak Elements with a 9.64lb Sam Rayburn Bass

Story Courtesy of ACA Tournament Series

The Texas Lunker Challenge presented by Mossy Oak Elements proved to be more than just a big bass event – this was also a battle against the elements. This past Sunday, February 11th, 200+ anglers descended upon Sam Rayburn Reservoir with temperatures in the low 40’s and one goal in mind – find the biggest bass and head to the scales. Scott Ellis of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville bass team did just that and ended up with his first college fishing career win. We sat down with Ellis to get some insight on how his day unfolded.

Tell us in your words what it felt like when you set the hook on your best fish and got it in the boat? 

“The morning started off quick, just above the 147 bridge. Within the first few casts my partner caught a fish. At approximately 7:20am I hooked into the 9.64-pound bass. When the fish hit, my rod doubled over instantly. Setting the hook, I initially wasn’t sure if I’d even hooked a fish. I held for a second with the rod still doubled over and felt the fish digging on the other end – I’ll never forget the sound of my line straining. The fish had buried itself in thick vegetation. Unable to torque it out, I immediately trolled over but kept constant tension on the fish. Just when I got almost directly over the top of where the fish was hung up it pulled free. It was completely covered in grass only a few cranks from the boat. I vividly remember seeing nothing but the size of the mouth and how big around the tail was. It was so covered in grass my partner said, “that’s a nice three pounder!” – he had no clue what was under the clump of grass. I didn’t want to get excited and make a mistake, so I didn’t even tell him how big I thought the fish was. Steadily cranking the bass to the side of the boat I bent down and lipped the giant. I didn’t even have a net in the boat so netting it wasn’t an option. Once I got it in the boat I was almost in shock at the size of the fish. After everything settled down, there were some high-fives and we started guessing the weight. We had a scale the whole time, but I didn’t want to weigh it. I wanted to see the weight for the first time on the official tournament scales. At that point the thought of winning never even crossed our minds.  The only talk was school of the year points and how much of a difference that fish would make for the team.”

What gear did you use in catching your fish?  

“I was using a 7’6″ heavy action rod paired with an Abu Garcia Orra SX. The reel had the same free spool of Sunline Fluorocarbon on it from the 2017 BoatUS National Championship – thanks, Sunline! The fish hit a 3/4-ounce Bill Lewis Knock-N-Trap in the Red Crawfish pattern.”

Give us a recap of how the trip to Sam Rayburn went for you and what it meant to win?

“The trip to Sam Rayburn was amazing. It was a 12-hour drive but worth every second. Winning the event means a lot to me but also to our University of Tennessee Bass Fishing Team. We earned valuable school of the year points and really made up some ground. Personally, winning this event was a huge break for me and I’m really thankful for the opportunity. The $3,000 in Cabela’s gift cards and awesome prizes will no doubt change the game for me.”

 

What are your plans for the rest of the college fishing season?

“I’m fishing every tournament I can this spring but I’m most excited about the Big Bass Bash. I love the format of the big fish tournaments and the great amount of prizes awarded.”

“I would like to say thank you to all of the sponsors who specifically support The University of Tennessee Bass Fishing Team. Traveling 12 hours and fishing one of the best lakes in the country wouldn’t be possible without the support of these great companies. A special thank you to Baitmate Fish Attractant, SteelShad Lures, Mckee Outdoors, Pure Poison Jigs, Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe, Mudd Butt Baits, Mystery Tackle Box, RyPro Fishing, Bobs Machine Shop, Costa Sunglasses, Berkley Fishing, Ledge Hog Fishing, Tommy Brewster Builders, Rice GMC, and The Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series.”


Simms Fishing Products Partners for Conservation Efforts with Non-Profit Mille Lacs Smallmouth Alliance

(Feb. 13, 2018) Isle, Minn. — The Mille Lacs Smallmouth Alliance is proud to announce a new partnership for the conservation efforts of the world-class trophy smallmouth bass on Mille Lacs with industry giant Simms Fishing Products. Proudly the choice of gear for professional guides and anglers everywhere, Simms has a storied history of encouraging conservation programs for fisheries and the work of this non-profit will benefit from their financial and in-kind contributions.

“We’re thrilled to have another industry partner step up in such a big way to help us with our message of catch and release and sound conservation management on Mille Lacs,” said Jim DaRosa, president of the MLSA. “Simms is a great organization, not only for their high-quality clothing and product line, but for their corporate commitment to conservation efforts.”

“MLSA is working to ensure future generations have the same experience on Mille Lacs that we are fortunate to have today. That is something we can get behind,” said Patterson Leeth, Lakes Community Leader at Simms. “Mille Lacs is such a special fishery and the surrounding communities rely on the health of this state treasure to prosper. We want to do our part to support that.”

Free the fighter is more than a slogan for the MLSA, it is the future of sustaining this world-class fishery as showcased the last two years at the year-end Angler of the Year Bassmaster Elite tournaments. Together, with Simms as the leading producer of high quality products to keep anglers dry, comfortable and protected from the elements, the synergy grows.

The in-kind product will be used at the MLSA’s fundraisers and the cash contributions all help share the message of catch and release and how important it is to manage the fishery for the health of the older (and larger) smallmouth bass population. Simms applauds the MLSA’s vocal efforts to speak up to sustain a fishery so that it can continue to be phenomenal for generations to come.

Donations for the MLSA’s Bronzeback Blowout fundraiser are welcome from other industry partners in support of this mission. The event will be held on Saturday, April 21 at the local resort Izatys on Mille Lacs. Interested organizations should email DaRosa at [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>.

About Simms Fishing Products: Established in 1980, Simms is the preeminent manufacturer of waders, outerwear and technical fishing apparel and accessories. Simms’ new 80,000 square foot facility in Bozeman is the country’s only manufacturing facility for fishing waders. The full line of Simms gear is available at specialty and large format retailers across North America as well as www.simmsfishing.com. For more information on Simms, please visit www.simmsfishing.com.


Registration Open for the 29th Annual Wolfson Childrens Hospital Bass Tournament

Wolfson Children's Hospital Bass Tournament

The 29th Annual Wolfson Children's Hospital Bass Tournament will be May 17-19, 2018 in Palatka, Florida, the "Bass Capital of the World"

In addition to being a successful fundraiser for the children's hospital, it's also a lot of fun for anglers, volunteers and spectators who come to participate in the activities surrounding the tournament.

The Wolfson Children's Hospital Bass Tournament is the second largest bass tournament in the nation. The tournament is growing every year and, thanks to generous sponsors and participants, we have contributed more than $4 million to Wolfson Children's Hospital. The Wolfson Children's Hospital Bass Tournament Endowment provides for the educational needs of patients and staff and supports equipment purchases for the hospital.

Please note: Boat numbers will be assigned and posted beginning March 15, 2018.

Register Here

 


Adjusting Your Humminbird for Changes in Water Level

We all know Lakes, rivers, and reservoirs water level changes all of the time, which can throw of your map contours. Within your Humminbird Electronics you have the ability to offset the water level to help key in on shaded areas of your map and completely change your perspective no matter what the water level is day in and day out. Check it out!

Video Courtesy of Humminbird Electronics YouTube Channel - at Humminbird TV!


AnglersChannel Insider Podcast Episode 2 With CBC Winner Bradford Beavers, ABT Dir. Kay Donaldson, TTT Winner Phil Marks & More!!!

AnglersChannel Insider Podcast Episode #2 is LIVE!!!
Listen as we speak with Alabama Bass Trail Program Director Kay Donaldson, Carolina Bass Challenge Winner Bradford Beavers, Ultimate Bass Radio Host Kent Brown & Strike King Lure Companies Phil Marks who won the recent Texas Team Trail event on Sam Rayburn with over 37 Pounds!


 AFTCO Joins the ACA and Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series as newest sponsor

February 14, 2018

The Association of Collegiate Anglers (ACA) is proud to announce AFTCO as the newest partner of the 2018 Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series. AFTCO also has been named as the title sponsor of the Collegiate Bass Fishing Open to be held on Lake Dardanelle in October.   As a new sponsor of the Series, AFTCO will support collegiate anglers in a variety of ways ranging from conservation programs, discount programs and more at each of the Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series events this season.

Family owned and operated by three generations of the Shedd family, the American Fishing Tackle Company is a market leader in shorts, performance shirts, technical woven shirts, outerwear, fleece, hats and big game fishing tackle. AFTCO created the world’s first ever pair of fishing shorts in 1989 when they introduced the legendary M01 Original Fishing Shorts, still the world’s most popular fishing short. In 2018, AFTCO officially enters the freshwater market bringing their award winning products and 10% Conservation pledge.  AFTCO contributes more than 10% of company profits to fishing conservation, for protecting our resources, and ensuring a sustainable fishery for future generations in their 10% pledge to protect and conserve.

“We are so excited to partner with ACA as we enter the freshwater market in 2018.  We feel our products are a great fit for young anglers and we have some very exciting conservation programs planned with them in 2018 at many of their successful events across the country,” Casey Shedd, Vice-President, AFTCO.

AFTCO’s conservation commitment and legacy will carry over into some exciting new programs for college anglers with ACA this season. In partnering with the ACA, AFTCO and the Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series will work together to create a conservation program that rewards collegiate anglers for their stewardship efforts. Details for the program will be released in the coming months.

“AFTCO has had a long history in supporting fishing and conservation efforts.  This support has been something that we’ve admired for some time and we’re excited to see AFTCO come on board to be our newest partner.   Personally I can’t wait to begin to roll out all the programs to support the growth of college fishing while also promoting e conservation,” said Wade Middleton, Director of the Association of Collegiate Anglers and President of CarecoTV.

The first of programs AFTCO will begin rolling out to support college fishing is a discount program that will offer  college anglers a 40% discount on all AFTCO clothing available on their website. For more information visit their discount page here.

For more information about the Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, please visit www.CollegiateBassChampionship.com.


Alabama Bass Trail North Opener on Pickwick Lake Postponed

The ABT has made the decision to postpone the February 17 ABT North Division Opener on Pickwick Lake. The rescheduled date is September 22, 2018.

For more information please visit AlabamaBasstrail.corg


FLW TOUR BRINGS WORLD’S TOP ANGLERS TO HARRIS CHAIN OF LAKES

Second stop of 2018 FLW Tour brings week of family-friendly events to Leesburg area, more than $930,000 in cash awards for anglers

LEESBURG, Fla. (Feb. 8, 2018) – The FLW Tour, the most lucrative tournament-circuit in professional bass fishing, returns to the water Feb. 22-25 for the FLW Tour at the Harris Chain of Lakes presented by Lowrance. The event, hosted by Lake County, Florida, will feature 372 of the world’s best bass-fishing professionals and co-anglers casting for top awards of up to $125,000 cash in the Pro Division and up to $25,000 cash in the Co-angler Division.

The FLW Tour last visited the Harris Chain of Lakes in March of 2017 when rookie Bradley Dortch of Atmore, Alabama, won with 73 pounds, 9 ounces, of Florida largemouth bass. This year, FLW Tour pro and 10-time Forrest Wood Cup qualifier J.T. Kenney of Palm Bay, Florida, said he thinks the fishing will be even better.

"The Harris Chain is fishing really strong right now,” said Kenney, who finished second at the 2017 FLW Tour event on the Harris Chain. “It’s taken 30 pounds to win day tournaments there for weeks now – it’s really on. Usually the spawn doesn’t really get going until late-February or early-March, but this year they’ve been spawning for the last month and a half.”

Kenney said with all of the migration, anglers will likely be seen targeting bass in all three phases of the spawn.

“You can sight-fish and do well, or you can fish for both pre- and post-spawners out in the grass beds and still be competitive,” said Kenney. “It’s truly going to be about figuring out what stage they’re in.”

Kenney said nearly all of the lakes in the chain will offer productive areas for anglers, citing Big and Little Harris, Dora, Griffin and Eustis specifically. He said typical Florida-ready baits will also be top choices for competitors in the field.

“Anytime you’re around the spawn in Florida, you reach for plastic worms,” said Kenney. “Rattle baits, spinnerbaits and swimbaits will all be good for pre- and post-spawn bass out around the grass beds.”

The Florida veteran went on to say that it will likely take more than 80 pounds over four days to win the tournament.

Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. EST each day from the Venetian Gardens boat ramp, located at 201 E. Lake Harris Drive in Leesburg. Thursday and Friday’s weigh-ins, Feb. 22-23, will be held at the Venetian Gardens beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins, Feb. 24-25, will also be held at the Venetian Gardens, but will begin at 4 p.m.

“Visit Lake County is excited to welcome back the FLW Tour, and the more than 180 professional bass anglers to the Harris Chain of Lakes and Lake County,” said Steven Clenney, sports development manager for Visit Lake County. “The economic impact of this event on Lake County is significant, and we cannot understate our appreciation for being selected to host a Tour stop for a second-consecutive year. We wish all of the competitors a great time on the lakes and we hope to showcase to the world why we are called ‘Lake Big Bass!’”

Television coverage of the FLW Tour at the Harris Chain of Lakes presented by Lowrance will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) April 11 from Noon-1 p.m. EST. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs on NBCSN, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide.

Prior to the weigh-ins Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 24-25, FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at the Venetian Gardens from noon to 4 p.m. each day. The Expo is the perfect opportunity 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 Venetian Gardens on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 9-11 a.m. The event is hosted by FLW Foundation pro Cody Kelley along with other FLW Tour anglers, and is free and open to youth (18 and under) and Special Olympics athletes (all ages). Rods and reels are available for use, but youth are encouraged to bring their own if they own one. The 1st and 2nd place anglers that catch the biggest fish will be recognized Saturday on the FLW Tour stage, just prior to the pros weighing in.

As part of the FLW Tour’s community outreach initiative, FLW Tour anglers will visit patients, guests and staff at Florida Hospital Waterman, located at 1000 Waterman Way in Tavares, Fla., on Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 9-10 a.m. to interact with guests, snap photos and sign autographs for patients, give away some goodie bags and share fishing stories.

In FLW Tour competition, pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day, with pros supplying the boat, controlling boat movement and competing against other pros. Co-anglers fish from the back deck against other co-anglers. The full field of 372 anglers competes in the two-day opening round. Co-angler competition concludes following Friday’s weigh-in, while the top 30 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continue competition Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.

Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2018 Forrest Wood Cup will be on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Aug. 10-12 and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.

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


American Bass Anglers TN/KY Triton 100% Plus Team Tour 02/18/2018 Event Rescheduled

Athens, Ala. – In the interest of the safety of our anglers, the Triton 100% Plus Team Tour 02/18/2018 event at Paris Landing had been rescheduled to 03/11/2018 at the Kentucky Dam Village.

The water level on Kentucky Lake is currently within two feet of flood stage, and the Corp of Engineers is expected to continue pulling water.  The water level is anticipated to increase as the forecast calls for up to an additional three inches of rain fall this week.  The water temperatures are in the low 40’s and coupled with the extreme danger of maneuvering in high speed current, we would rather error on the side of safety and not launch our anglers in these conditions.

For more information call Director Kelli Woods at 256-230-5633 or the ABA home office at 256-232-0406.

About American Bass Anglers: American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers, the ABA Open Series, the American Fishing Tour, the American Couples Serie and the Military Team Tournament visit www.americanbassanglers.com.


SAM RAYBURN RESERVOIR SET FOR COSTA FLW SERIES SOUTHWESTERN OPENER PRESENTED BY YETI

JASPER, Texas (Feb. 6, 2018) – More than 440 pros and co-anglers are set to open the Southwestern Division next week, Feb. 15-17, at the Costa FLW Series at Sam Rayburn Reservoir – the largest FLW Series event ever held on the fishery. The tournament, presented by YETI, is the first regular-season event scheduled in the FLW Series Southwestern Division. Hosted by the Jasper-Lake Sam Rayburn Area Chamber of Commerce, the event will feature anglers competing for a top award of up to $99,000, including a brand new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.

“The water is warming up, the weather has been mild and I’ve seen this before – the lake is setting up,” said FLW Tour pro Todd Castledine of Nacogdoches, Texas, who has 10 previous top-10 finishes – four wins – on Sam Rayburn in FLW competition. “We’re starting to see some big weights in the local events, and I think we could be hitting this tournament at just the right time. This is going to be a really fun event.

“I normally would never say this, but I don’t think that 20 pounds a day is going to cut it in this one,” Castledine continued. “There are so many big fish in Sam Rayburn that no lead is safe. A 33- or 34-pound limit is absolutely possible, especially the way the lake is setting up right now.”

Castledine predicted that this tournament would strictly be a prespawn event – no sight fishing or springtime patterns.

“You’re going to be able to catch them a lot of different ways,” he said. “The fish are staging all over the lake – in the grass and offshore. I don’t think you can win this tournament fishing just one way. I think you’re going to have to mix it up.

“The lake is getting better and better every year, and this year is no different,” Castledine went on to say. “The key will be finding an area or fish that you have to yourself, and then managing those fish over the three days of competition. We’re going to have to figure out how to catch some big ones – I think it will take 70 pounds to win this event.”

Anglers will take off and weigh-in at the Umphrey Family Pavilion, located at 5438 RR 255, in Brookeland. Takeoff will be held at 7 a.m. CST each day of competition and weigh-ins will start at 3 p.m. 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 Sam Rayburn pros will fish for a top prize of $99,000, including a brand new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard if Ranger Cup qualified. Co-anglers will cast for a brand new Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard, and $5,000 if Ranger Cup qualified.

The Costa FLW Series consists of five U.S. divisions – Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western – along with the International division. Each U.S. division consists of three regular-season tournaments with competitors vying for valuable points that could earn them the opportunity to compete in the season-ending Costa FLW Series Championship. The 2018 Costa FLW Series Championship is being held Nov. 1-3 on Lake Guntersville in Guntersville, Alabama, and is hosted by the Marshall County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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


B.A.S.S. Announces College, High School National Championship Locations

Feb. 13, 2018

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The national championship locations and dates for the 2018 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops and the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods have been released, B.A.S.S. announced today.

The Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops will be held on Lake Tenkiller out of Tahlequah, Okla., July 19-21. Tour Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation and Northeastern State University (NSU) will host the event.

“What an honor it is to have the city of Tahlequah chosen for the 2018 Bassmaster Collegiate Fishing Tournament,” said Aubrey Valdez, Tour Tahlequah assistant director. “We are gearing up for this event and are excited to show our Oklahoma hospitality to fishermen and spectators. We already have an enormous amount of support from Northeastern State University, Cherokee Nation, city officials and many others and know July will be here in a flash. We hope to make this a memorable occasion for everyone involved.”

In 2018, the College Series took on a new format, which enables college bass fishing teams to compete in a national tour comprising four tournaments (Eastern, Central, Western and Southern), providing higher payout incentives and more opportunities to qualify for the national championship.

In addition to the four events, the Bassmaster College Series partnered with the B.A.S.S. Nation to hold state-qualifying tournaments. Anglers are now able to compete for a berth in the national championship through their respective state’s event, as well. From the national championship, the Top 4 teams will compete in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket presented by Bass Pro Shops at a location to be later determined.

B.A.S.S. also signed a three-year contract with the Henry County Tourism Authority, Carroll County Chamber of Commerce and Bethel University for the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series National Championship presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods to be held on Kentucky Lake in Paris, Tenn., the company announced today.

The prestigious national championship for 2018 will take place Aug. 2-4.

Four regional High School Opens — Central, Midwestern, Western and Southern — qualify student anglers for the national championship. Top competitors from state high school championships and from sanctioned team trails also earn invitations to compete in the high school championship.

The high school championship’s full field will compete on the first two days, after which the field will be cut to the Top 10 on the final day.

The daily takeoffs and first two days’ weigh-ins will take place at Paris Landing State Park, with the final day weigh-in being held in downtown Paris.

“Henry County is excited to once again host the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series National Championship presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods out of Paris Landing on beautiful Kentucky Lake, ” said Henry County Tourism Authority CEO David Hamilton.

In addition, the Junior Bassmaster Championship will be held July 31-Aug. 1, on Carroll County’s 1,000 Acre Recreational Lake in nearby Huntingdon, Tenn.

“We are excited to once again host the Junior Bassmaster National Championship at the Carroll County Thousand Acre Recreational Lake,” said Brad Hurley, President, Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. “This event keeps growing and we are looking forward to the 2018 Bassmaster Junior National Championship Tournament being the best ever.“

That event will host students aged 7 to 13 representing state organizations within the B.A.S.S. Nation. The Junior Bassmasters qualify to fish the national championship through one of three regional fish-offs of the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan Outdoors.

Both the High School and Junior National Championships will kick off with an official welcome party for all contenders hosted by Bethel University on July 30.

“As the Executive Director of Northwest Tennessee Tourism, and head coach of the Bethel University bass fishing team, it is my honor to welcome each and every one of the anglers and their families to the great waters of Northwest Tennessee,” said Garry Mason. “We hope that you enjoy our wonderful hospitality, and we look forward to seeing you one and all.”

For more information on the national championship events, visit Bassmaster.com.

2018 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Carhartt

2018 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops

2018 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2018 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Premier Sponsors: Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, ABU Garcia, Berkley

2018 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Supporting Sponsors: Mossy Oak Fishing, Phoenix Boats, Livingston Lures, Lowrance

2018 Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series Title Sponsor: Mossy Oak Fishing

2018 Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series Presenting Sponsor: DICK’S Sporting Goods

2018 Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2018 Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series Premier Sponsors: ABU Garcia, Berkley, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha

2018 Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series Supporting Sponsors: Academy Sports + Outdoors, Carhartt, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats


Keller & Spencer Dominate Bass Champs South Region event on Falcon with nearly 32 pounds

By: Patty Lenderman
164 teams hit it hard on Lake Falcon for Bass Champs’ South Regions second event of the 2018 season. Hitting it hard after a weather delay, many teams found hungry big bass, resulting in phenomenal catches paired up with astounding paydays. Not only did the top five teams exceed the twenty pound mark for their total catch – winners Joshua Spencer and Kyle Keller brought in nearly 32 pounds to dominate the field.

The fog had rolled in like a heavy blanket the morning of the tournament. For safety reasons, the contenders were held at the starting line for three hours, waiting for the visibility to improve. Once released, these anglers raced to their targeted areas to grab the bites they needed for this 104% payback opportunity. There was only a short window of overcast skies once the fog lifted. The remainder of the day gave way to beautiful sunny conditions, making the afternoon hunt for biting bass that much more challenging.

Kyle Keller had done the homework for he and his partner Joshua Spencer prior to the tournament. “Kyle discovered a tree, out by itself, in 16’ of water,” Joshua explained. “During practice, he had caught a 12# and an 8-1/2# bass off of it. This tree was definitely holding the kind of bass we were looking for!” The morning of the tournament was delayed to begin the competition until 10am. “We were worried. The bass we were targeting had been feeding in the morning.” When they finally reached their destination, the bass were no longer at the tree. “We had to switch gears. We were banking on those bass.” Using their Helix 10 Mega Imaging Side Scanner, they located the group of bass on a nearby flat. “We changed the way we were planning on fishing. We had to slow down our presentation using Texas and Carolina rigged brush hogs.” Three hours it took to put a limit together, which included a ‘dink’ weighing about two pounds. “We moved to another area for a while, but didn’t catch anything, so we went back to our first spot.” Time was ticking, but they finally caught their sixth and final fish. “It was a six pounder, so we were able to make a four pound cull!” In the final rankings, that last fish made all the difference for them. They won 1st place with a total of 31.98 lbs, cashing in on the guaranteed $20,000 winning purse. Sure Life added another $200 to their winnings for using the product in their live well. “We run a Skeeter boat, so we are in good shape. Boerne Marine made us a great deal on our 2014 21-I powered by a Yamaha 250 SHO. It just missed qualifying for the Skeeter bonus, but we love our boat!” This was the teams first time to fish a tournament together, but definitely plan to compete again!

2nd place winners Rick Scheen and Mike Harman also reported having a good day. “The fog delay hurt, but when we got to our spot the bite was full on!” Hitting the mouth of a creek in 12’-15’ of water with Texas rigs and crank baits, they caught most of their fish in the first 45 minutes of fishing. “Mike caught our biggest, about 8-1/2 pounds. We managed to cull twice, but still had a three pounder we needed to cull.” Around 2:30, they moved to another spot and started flipping. “When the sun came out, it hurt the bite. We kept at it, but never could cull that last smallest fish. Other than that, everything went smooth and basically as planned. It was a lot of fun!” Bass Champs presented them a $3,500 check for 2nd place, then they won another $250 for qualifying for the Lowrance bonus. “We would both like to thank our wives first and foremost for allowing us to do this. We also appreciate Samaniego Custom Rods and Lews Reels for their support.”

3rd place was achieved by the father and son team of Ben and John Bossom. “We caught fish all day, in a place we found in practice,” John began. “The area was less than ten feet deep with lots of brush and mixed hardwoods.” Using a Texas rig, their first bite yielded them a six pounder. “The bite was really slow. After a while, there was a short flurry where they bit well, and after the first three hours we had a limit in the boat. We caught fish and culled all day, and we broke off several fish too.” As the day wore on, they got down to mere minutes left to fish. “We were watching the time pretty close. With 3 minutes left, we made our last cull, exchanging a four pounder for a two. Dad broke off on one right after that.” Their best five fish totaled 20.54 lbs for a 3rd place finish and a $2,000 check. “This is our third year fishing Bass Champs together, and this is our best finish yet!”

Rounding out the top five includes (4th) 20.36 lbs, Logan and Jerry McDonald taking home $1,700 and (5th) 20.07 lbs, Mitch Goodall and Foy Osborn winning $1,600.

Jacob Beck caught the biggest bass of the day, fishing with Brian Hall. “It was a tough day. We flipped trees all day looking for bass.” The morning bite eluded them, and they didn’t have a single fish in their live well until noon. “There was an area with a drain, and an old road bed running through it. We went up and down it flipping the trees in 6’ to 12’, over and over.” That’s where he got his big bite on a lizard. “She just hit it, and I set the hook. She got hung up in a tree while I was trying to reel her in, but thankfully the limb broke off and we netted her with part of the limb! That was their fifth keeper, and by then it was 3pm. Their big bass weighed in at 9.10 pounds, winning a $500 check. All total they netted 17.44 lbs for an 11th place finish and another $1,010. Abu Garcia awarded them two new reels for catching the biggest bass of the tournament on an Abu Garcia reel.

Skeeter boats awarded the 12th place winners William Fesler and William McGuffey $1,000, doubling their winnings, for being the highest finishing team in a qualified Skeeter boat. They also won the Sportsmans Auto bonus for an additional $5,000 value!

It took 13.81 lbs to win a check, and the 22nd place team winning the final $600 was Mike Cones and Ron Wade.

With two of four tournaments now in the books for the South Region, the Anglers of the Year race is underway. The team with the most accumulated points after all of the events in their region have been fished will achieve this prestigious status and have their entry fees waived in that region for the 2019 season. Top five rankings after two events are:
318 pts – Rick Scheen & Mike Harman
301 pts – Mike Cones & Ron Wade
298 pts – Kenneth Fairly & Tommy Law
298 pts – Logan McDonald and Jerry McDonald
296 pts – Mitch Goodall & Foy Osborn

The next South Region tournament will be held March 24th at Lake Amistad. Good luck teams!

 

Complete Results:


Doug Easton Wins ABA Open Series Lake Norman Event with over 15 pounds!

ATHENS, Ala. –  The chance for the highest payout available for the weekend angler at a $200 entry fee drew 114 anglers to lake Norman for the ABA Open Series North Carolina season opener. 59 Anglers fished for the Boater Division guaranteed $5,000 minimum. While, 56 Co-anglers competed for top prize of $1,600.  10.29 pounds and better took home a check for the boaters, and 5.17 pounds and better took a check for the co-anglers.  Paying out 11 places in both divisions it was a great day of fishing for 22 anglers.

Doug Easton of Concord, North Carolina won the American Bass Anglers Open Series North Carolina tournament held February 10, 2018 on Lake Norman. Running out of Pinnacle Landing in Mooresville North Carolina, Doug weighed in a five-bass limit that locked in the scales at 15.04 pounds. For the win Doug took home a check for $5000.00. Easton also Collected an additional $530.00 for weighing in the largest bassfor the boaters. His winning bass weighed 3.97 pounds. Also, for being a member of the Triton Gold program Easton qualified for an additional $500.00. For having his Triton equipped with a 2016 or newer Mercury Outboard Engine he qualified for an additional $500.00 from Mercury Bonus Bucks

“I think the fog that moved in helped me a lot. I sat down and fished in one creek all day instead of moving around a lot. I had 8 keepers that were caught shallow,” said Easton.

In second for the boaters Eric Moser of Concord, North Carolina landed a five-bass limit weighing 14.68 pounds. Eric took home $1000.00 for the effort.

“I caught 14 keepers today. All my fish were caught in 10 feet or less of water,” said Moser.

Derek Cummings of Denver, North Carolina took third for the boaters with a five-bass limit weighing 13.51 pounds. He earned $650.00

“I caught 10 fish today all in deep water on a crankbait.” said Cummings.

In fourth place for the boaters Brian Morgan of Newton, North Carolina weighed in a five-bass limit for 13.40 pounds. Rounding out the top five Jody Wright of Ellenboro, North Carolina weighed in a five-bass limit for 12.21 pounds.

In the Co-Angler Division Scott Plattenberger of Concord, North Carolina weighed in a three-bass limit weighing 7.98 pounds. He took home a check for $1600.00 for the win.

Plattenberger also collected an additional $255.00 for the largest bass caught by a co-angler. His bass weighed in at 3.95 pounds.

“I caught 5 bass today mid depth on a shaky head,” said Plattenberger.

Taking second for the co-anglers, Jesse Jodon of Windber, Pennsylvania brought in a three-bass co-angler limit weighing 7.23 pounds. He collected $600.00 for the effort.

“I Caught 4 keepers and lost one that may have given me the win. I caught my fish cranking shallow,” said Jodon.

Scott Flowe of Lexington, North Carolina placed third among the co-anglers with three bass weighing 6.81 pounds. He earned $450.00 for the effort.

“I Caught four keepers today. My fish were caught deep on a jerk bait,” said Flowe.

In fourth among the co-anglers William Hearn of Stanley, North Carolina weighed in 3 bass that weighed 6.14 pounds and rounding out the top five was John Orchard of Winston Salem, North Carolina with three bass weighing 6.10 pounds.

Slated for March 24, 2018 the next North Carolina tournament will be held on Lake Hickory out of the Wittenburg Wildlife access.

To register for this event please visit American Bass Anglers online or call 256-232-0406.
For more information on this tournament, call Rodney Michael tournament manager, at 256-497-0967 or ABA at 256-232-0406. Online at americanbassanglers.com

About American Bass Anglers: American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers, the Open Series, the American Fishing Tour. the American Couples Series, or the Military Team Tournament visit www.americanbassanglers.com.


GILMER HIGH SCHOOL WINS TBF/FLW HIGH SCHOOL FISHING GEORGIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP ON WEST POINT LAKE

 

LAGRANGE, Ga. (Feb. 12, 2018) – The Gilmer High School fishing club duo of Thomas Chastain and Carter Ott, both of Ellijay, Ga, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 15 pounds, 5 ounces to win the 2018 TBF/FLW High School Fishing Georgia State Championship on West Point Lake.

A field of 62 teams competed in the no-entry fee tournament, which launched from Highland Marina in LaGrange. In FLW/TBF High School Fishing competition, the top 10-percent of teams competing advance to the High School Fishing National Championship.

The top six teams on Lake Mitchell that advanced to the 2018 High School Fishing National Championship were:

1st:     Gilmer High School, Ellijay, Ga. – Thomas Chastain and Carter Ott, both of Ellijay, Ga., five bass, 15-5

2nd:    Troup County High School, LaGrange, Ga. – Drake Reeves and Trayton Gay, both of LaGrange, Ga., five bass, 14-15

3rd:     Jackson County Comprehensive High School, Jefferson, Ga. – Sam Holley and Jake Holley, both of Hoschton, Ga., five bass, 14-9

4th:     Harris County High School, Hamilton, Ga. – Cal Culpepper, Hamilton, Ga., and Mason Waddell, Waverly Hill, Ga., five bass, 14-0

5th:     Greenbrier High School, Evans, Ga. – Tanner Hadden and Cy Casey, both of Evans, Ga., five bass, 12-11

6th:      Mount Paran Christian School, Kennesaw, Ga. – Lee Rose Koza and Carter Koza, both of Marietta, Ga., five bass, 11-15

Rounding out the top 10 teams were:

7th:     Georgia High School Student Angler Federation – Karston Hopson and Cole Hopson, both of Cumming, Ga., five bass, 10-14

8th:     Greenbrier High School, Evans, Ga. – Jacob Blumling and Coleman Johnson, both of Evans, Ga., five bass, 10-7

9th:     North Forsyth High School, Cumming, Ga. – Maddux Walters, Canton, Ga., and Ryan Jackson, Cumming, Ga., five bass, 10-3

10th:   Heard County High School, Franklin, Ga. – Chris Carroll and Payton Caldwell, both of Franklin, Ga., five bass, 9-6

Complete results from the event can be found at HighSchoolFishing.org.

The 2018 TBF/FLW High School Fishing Georgia State Championship 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 High School Fishing National Championship on Pickwick Lake, in Florence, Alabama, June 26-29. The High School Fishing national champions will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice.

In addition to the High School Fishing National Championship, all High School Fishing anglers nationwide automatically qualify for the world’s largest high school bass tournament, the 2018 High School Fishing World Finals, held in conjunction with the National Championship on Pickwick Lake. At the 2017 World Finals more than $60,000 in scholarships and prizes were awarded.

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

Thomas Chastain & Carter Ott, of the Gilmer Fishing Club, made the best of the early spring conditions at West Point Lake this weekend in LaGrange, Georgia.  As outside temps climbed into the upper 60’s, water temps were still in the mid-winter numbers.  With recent rains in the area, water conditions were quite muddy and finding clear water to fish was a challenge.  However, Chastain & Ott managed to catch a limit of fish that weighed 15.05 pounds to win the SAF Georgia High School State Championship.

Second place and Big Bass honors went to Drake Reeves & Trayton Gay, from Troup High School.  Their limit weighed in at 14.15 pounds and their limit was anchored by the biggest bass of the tournament, a nice 6.03 lunker largemouth.  Rounding out the top three was the Holley Team of Sam & Jake from JCCHS Fishing Club.  Their bag of fish weighed 14.09 pounds.

Fourth thru sixth place honors went to the following.  Cal Culpepper and Mason Waddell, of Harris County High School with 14 pounds. Fifth place was Tanner Hadden & Cy Casey, from Greenbrier High School, with 12.11 pounds and sixth was the team of Lee Rose Koza & Carter Koza of Mount Paran Christian High School with 11.15 pounds.

Several anglers reported catching their fish on crawfish colored crankbaits, jigs, spinnerbaits and Rattletraps.  Most teams were fishing shallow along chunky rock banks, just chunking and winding. With a total of 62 teams in the field, the top 6 teams advanced and qualified for the upcoming SAF National Championship to be held June 27-30 at Pickwick Lake at McFarland Park in Florence, AL.  Congratulations to the Top 6 teams and Good Luck at Nationals.

 

 

 

 


OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY WINS YETI FLW COLLEGE FISHING TOURNAMENT AT LAKE HAVASU

LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. (Feb. 12, 2018) – The Oregon State University team of Eric Kennedy, of Woodland, California, and William Eschliman, of Eugene, Oregon, won the YETI FLW College Fishing event on Lake Havasu presented by Bass Pro Shops Saturday with four bass weighing 9 pounds, 9 ounces. The victory earned the Oregon State Bass Fishing Club $2,000 and a slot in the 2019 FLW College Fishing National Championship.

“This is the first time either of us had ever been to the lake – the first time I’d ever been to Arizona,” said Kennedy, a senior majoring in Agriculture Management. “We only caught three fish in the two days of practice, but we stuck to what we knew and it worked out for us on Saturday.”

The duo said that they ran up the river, past Castle Rock, and caught fish on reactions baits and finesse worms on drop-shot rigs. They targeted fish that were holding on natural structure such as rock and submerged wood.

Kennedy said one of the reaction baits they used was a chartreuse-colored Strike King KVD HC Shallow Squarebill 1.5 Crankbait. When the bait bounced off the submerged logs they would get bit.

According to Eschliman, a senior majoring in Fishery and Wildlife Science, the finesse worms they used were from their sponsor Western Fishing Operations. Because of the water clarity, the team focused on bright colors like neon shad and morning dawn, tipped with a chartreuse tail.

“We didn’t think we were going to win. We thought we only had around 7 pounds,” said Eschliman. “Our fish ended up weighing more than we anticipated.”

The top 10 teams from Lake Havasu that advanced to the 2019 College Fishing National Championship are:

1st:          Oregon State University – Eric Kennedy, Woodland, Calif., and William Eschliman, Eugene, Ore., four bass, 9-9, $2,000

2nd:         California Polytechnic State University – Sam Morita and Aren Abrahamian, both of Sebastopol, Calif., three bass, 8-12, $1,000

3rd:          California State University-Chico – Chad Sweitzer, Chico, Calif., and Tyler Firebaugh, Danville, Calif., three bass, 7-0, $900

4th:          New Mexico State University – Ty Faulconer, Las Cruces, N.M., and Daylon Smith, Frazier Park, Calif., two bass, 6-3, $500

5th:          Northern Arizona University – Levi Wittrock and Gunnar Stanton, both of Boulder City, Nev., three bass, 6-1, $700

6th:          Grand Canyon University – Joseph Dwyer, Scottsdale, Ariz., and Tommy Sendek, Tucson, Ariz., two bass, 5-11

7th:          Northern Arizona University – Jake Hartzler, Flagstaff, Ariz., and Jonah Simminger, Tempe, Ariz., one bass, 4-14

8th:          California Polytechnic State University – Clayton Lauchland, Lodi, Calif., and Christopher Leclair, Saugas, Calif., one bass, 3-10

9th:          Arizona State University – Adam White, Paradise Valley, Ariz., and Logan Mueller, Gilbert, Ariz., two bass, 3-3

10th:        California Polytechnic State University – Alec Pitts, Santa Rosa, Calif., and Hugh Cosculluela, The Woodlands, Texas, one bass, 2-15

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

This YETI FLW College Fishing Western Conference event on Lake Havasu was hosted by the Lake Havasu City Convention & Visitors Bureau, and was the first of three regular-season qualifying tournaments for Western Conference anglers in 2018. The next YETI FLW College Fishing event takes place Mar. 6, when the FLW College Fishing Open anglers take on Kentucky-Barkley Lakes in Gilbertsville, Kentucky.

YETI FLW College Fishing teams compete in three regular-season qualifying tournaments in one of five conferences – Central, Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Western. The top ten teams from each division’s three regular-season tournaments and the top 20 teams from the annual FLW College Fishing Open will advance to the 2019 FLW College Fishing National Championship. Additional teams will qualify for the National Championship if the field size in regular-season events exceeds 100 boats.

The 2018 FLW College Fishing National Championship will take place May 30-June 1 on the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana, and is hosted by the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission & Red River Waterway Commission.

YETI FLW College Fishing is free to enter. All participants must be registered, full-time students at a college, university or community college and members of a college fishing club that is recognized by their school.

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


BETHEL UNIVERSITY WINS YETI FLW COLLEGE FISHING EVENT ON LAKE SEMINOLE

BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (Feb. 12, 2017) – The Bethel University team of Cole Floyd of Leesburg, Ohio, and Carter McNeil of Abbeville, South Carolina, won the YETI FLW College Fishing event on Lake Seminole presented by Bass Pro Shops tournament Saturday with a five-bass limit weighing 28 pounds, 1 ounce – the third-largest five-bass limit ever weighed in the 10-year history of FLW College Fishing. The victory earned the Wildcats bass club $3,250 and a spot in the 2019 FLW College Fishing National Championship.

“Carter and I have fished quite a few events together, and we’ve had a couple of second place finishes, but it feels great to finally earn a win,” said Floyd, a junior majoring in business management. “We were targeting hydrilla in the deep ditches and we had a milk run of six different areas that we fished throughout the day.

“Our worst spot in practice actually turned out to be the best spot during the tournament,” Floyd continued. “It was a long ditch, with two lanes that the fish were using as a highway as they were coming in to spawn. We caught around 30 fish, and all of our limit that we weighed in on stage came out of there. We probably caught three 20-pound limits throughout the day, and we were throwing back 4½-pounders.”

“We were throwing Strike King Red Eye Shads – I was throwing a craw-colored and Cole was throwing a bone white-colored,” said McNeil, also a junior majoring in business management. “The area had a high population of fish and we’d make long casts and reel it back, then stop and let it sink. Most of the bites came on the fall.”

The top 10 teams that advanced to the 2019 College Fishing National Championship are:

1st:          Bethel University – Cole Floyd of Leesburg, Ohio, and Carter McNeil, Abbeville, S.C., five bass, 28-1, $3,250

2nd:         Bethel University – Kyler Chelminiak, McKenzie, Tenn., and Ricky Harris, Berea, Ky., five bass, 21-6, $1,410

3rd:         Kennesaw State University – Payton Morgan and Dexter Gordy, both of Woodstock, Ga., five bass, 19-11, $500

4th:         Daytona State College – Tyler Woolcott, and Devin Dellacava, both of Port Orange, Fla., four bass, 19-11, $700

5th:         University of North Alabama – Triston Crowder, Lawrenceburg, Tenn., and Lake Blasingame, Killen, Ala., five bass, 19-1, $500

6th:         Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College – Benjamin Chandler, Fort Gaines, Ga., and Richard Jordan, Concord, Ga., five bass, 18-2

7th:         University of Alabama – Caiden Sinclair and Hunter Gibson, both of Hoover, Ala., five bass, 18-1

8th:         Mississippi State University – Tucker Adams, Smithdale, Miss., and Cody Peak, Centreville, Miss., five bass, 17-11

9th:         Bethel University – Brad Ableman, McKenzie, Tenn., and Kristopher Queen, Catawba, N.C., five bass, 17-3

10th:       Calhoun Community College – Christopher Lupo, Huntsville, Ala., and Bradley Lynn, Athens, Ala., five bass, 17-1

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

This YETI FLW College Fishing Southeastern Conference opener on Lake Seminole was hosted by the Bainbridge Convention and Visitors Bureau, and was the first of three regular-season qualifying tournaments for Southeastern Conference anglers in 2018. The next YETI FLW College Fishing event takes place March 10, when Southeastern Conference anglers compete at the FLW College Fishing at Lake Guntersville presented by Berkley, in Guntersville, Alabama.

YETI FLW College Fishing teams compete in three regular-season qualifying tournaments in one of five conferences – Central, Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Western. The top ten teams from each division’s three regular-season tournaments and the top 20 teams from the annual FLW College Fishing Open will advance to the 2019 FLW College Fishing National Championship. Additional teams will qualify for the National Championship if the field size in regular-season events exceeds 100 boats.

The 2018 FLW College Fishing National Championship will take place May 30-June 1 on the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana, and is hosted by the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission & Red River Waterway Commission.

YETI FLW College Fishing is free to enter. All participants must be registered, full-time students at a college, university or community college and members of a college fishing club that is recognized by their school.

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


JAMEY RAMPEY WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL SOUTH CAROLINA DIVISION OPENER ON LAKE HARTWELL

Edgefield’s Carroll Earns Co-angler Title

ANDERSON, S.C. (Feb. 12, 2018) – Boater Jayme Rampey of Liberty, South Carolina, caught five bass weighing 18 pounds, 14 ounces, Saturday to win the 2018 T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) South Carolina Division opener on Lake Hartwell. Rampey pocketed $5,886 for his win.

Rampey said he utilized much of the lake, from the boat ramp down to the dam, to catch his fish. He said his goal was to stay mobile throwing his super-light 6-pound-test Hi-Seas 100% Fluorocarbon line.

“I pretty much fished ditches all day. We’ve had a lot of rain and new freshwater coming in, and the herring were in the ditches,” said Rampey, who earned his eighth career win in BFL competition – his fourth in the past year. “A lot of the lake was blown out so I looked for water that was just a little off-color. I stayed mobile - I didn’t get want to get hung up on anything.”

Rampey said his he employed a one-two punch of baits in the morning – a Buckeye Lures Su-Spin Blade with a white Zoom Super Fluke Jr. and a Buckeye Lures G-Man Finesse Swimbait Jighead with the same Zoom fluke as a trailer. He said he also worked in a jerkbait after the wind picked up later in the day.

“I caught about 10 keepers throughout the event, with two of my biggest coming on the finesse jighead,” said Rampey.

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          Jayme Rampey, Liberty, S.C., five bass, 18-14, $5,886

2nd:         Scott Allgood, Westminster, S.C., four bass, 16-10, $2,343

3rd:          Derek Lehtonen, Woodruff, S.C., five bass, 15-11, $1,562

4th:          Adam Beckum, Martinez, Ga., five bass, 15-2, $1,193

5th:          Joey Sabbagha, Prosperity, S.C., five bass, 14-0, $1,237

6th:          Ron Farrow, Rock Hill, S.C., five bass, 13-14, $859

7th:          Randy Childers, Anderson, S.C., five bass, 13-7, $781

8th:          Dustin Henson, Landrum, S.C., five bass, 12-10, $703

9th:          Bryce Matthews, Olanta, S.C., five bass, 12-8, $625

10th:        Greg Glouse, Liberty, S.C., five bass, 12-6, $547

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Coy Watts of Conway, South Carolina, caught a bass weighing 6 pounds, 1 ounce – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division – and earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $690.

Keith Carroll of Edgefield, South Carolina, won the Co-angler Division and $2,343 Saturday after catching a five-bass limit weighing 11 pounds, 1 ounce.

The top 10 co-anglers were:

1st:          Keith Carroll, Edgefield, S.C., five bass, 11-1, $2,343

2nd:         Wesley Lewis, Mooresville, N.C., five bass, 10-11, $1,172

3rd:          Michael Miller, Greenville, S.C., five bass, 10-4, $981

4th:          Neal Shade, Greenville, S.C., four bass, 10-3, $597

5th:          Sam Spencer, Hudson, N.C., four bass, 9-14, $469

6th:          Tracy Harrington, Bonnie, Ill., five bass, 9-6, $430

7th:          Joel Cerv, North Wilkesboro, N.C., four bass, 8-11, $391

8th:          Michael Smith, Piedmont, S.C., five bass, 8-8, $351

9th:          Sandon Wilson, Laurens, S.C., three bass, 8-7, $312

10th:        Bobby Henderson, Charlotte, N.C., five bass, 7-11, $259

10th:        Najee McClinton, Columbia, S.C., five bass, 7-11, $259

Jeremy Winn of Seneca, South Carolina, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – a 4-pound, 1-ounce fish. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $345.

The T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) South Carolina Division opener on Lake Hartwell was hosted by the Anderson Convention & Visitors Bureau.

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. 18-20 BFL Regional Championship on Lake Norman in Huntersville, North Carolina. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.

The 2018 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2018 BFL All-American will be held May 31-June 2 at Cross Lake in Shreveport, Louisiana, and is hosted by the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission. 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 FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube and Snapchat.

Complete Boater Results:

PLACE ANGLER CITY/STATE DAY 1
WT (Fish)
DAY 1&2
WT (Fish)
WINNINGS
1 JAYME RAMPEY LIBERTY, SC 18 - 14 (5) 18 - 14 (5) $5,886
2 SCOTT ALLGOOD WESTMINSTER, SC 16 - 10 (4) 16 - 10 (4) $2,343
3 DEREK LEHTONEN WOODRUFF, SC 15 - 11 (5) 15 - 11 (5) $1,562
4 ADAM BECKUM MARTINEZ, GA 15 - 2 (5) 15 - 2 (5) $1,193
5 JOEY SABBAGHA PROSPERITY, SC 14 - 0 (5) 14 - 0 (5) $1,237
6 RON FARROW ROCK HILL, SC 13 - 14 (5) 13 - 14 (5) $859
7 RANDY CHILDERS ANDERSON, SC 13 - 7 (5) 13 - 7 (5) $781
8 DUSTIN HENSON LANDRUM, SC 12 - 10 (5) 12 - 10 (5) $703
9 BRYCE MATTHEWS OLANTA, SC 12 - 8 (5) 12 - 8 (5) $625
10 GREG GLOUSE LIBERTY, SC 12 - 6 (5) 12 - 6 (5) $547
11 JOE ANDERS EASLEY, SC 12 - 5 (5) 12 - 5 (5) $492
12 GREG RIKARD LEESVILLE, SC 12 - 4 (5) 12 - 4 (5) $453
13 BRANDT TUMBERG MOORE, SC 12 - 3 (5) 12 - 3 (5) $437
14 JONATHAN FOSTER MAIDEN, NC 12 - 0 (5) 12 - 0 (5) $414
15 TRA DUMIT GREENVILLE, SC 11 - 13 (5) 11 - 13 (5) $391
16 TRAVIS GARRETT TOCCOA, GA 11 - 8 (5) 11 - 8 (5) $375
17 BUDDY BLACK LAWNDALE, NC 11 - 6 (4) 11 - 6 (4) $359
18 ROB DIGH DENVER, NC 11 - 5 (5) 11 - 5 (5) $344
19 JASON WILSON LINCOLNTON, NC 11 - 3 (5) 11 - 3 (5) $328
20 DAVID WILLIAMS MAIDEN, NC 11 - 0 (5) 11 - 0 (5) $312
21 MATTHEW JUSTICE FAIR PLAY, SC 10 - 14 (5) 10 - 14 (5) $305
22 NATHAN WEBBER LAKE WYLIE, SC 10 - 8 (5) 10 - 8 (5) $297
23 CARSON ORELLANA MOORESVILLE, NC 10 - 7 (5) 10 - 7 (5) $285
23 JOHN PARKER GAFFNEY, SC 10 - 7 (5) 10 - 7 (5) $285
25 COY WATTS CONWAY, SC 10 - 5 (3) 10 - 5 (3) $963
26 JOHN DUVALL MADISON, GA 10 - 4 (5) 10 - 4 (5) $262
26 SHANE LINEBERGER LINCOLNTON, NC 10 - 4 (5) 10 - 4 (5) $262
28 STEVE HARWOOD WEAVERVILLE, NC 10 - 3 (5) 10 - 3 (5)
29 ERIC JETER ASHEVILLE, NC 10 - 1 (5) 10 - 1 (5)
30 BRIAN KEY AIKEN, SC 9 - 15 (5) 9 - 15 (5)
31 JEREMIAH JENSEN COLUMBIA, SC 9 - 13 (5) 9 - 13 (5)
32 ROSS BURNS COLUMBIA, SC 9 - 12 (3) 9 - 12 (3)
33 ROB NOWLIN COLUMBIA, SC 9 - 8 (5) 9 - 8 (5)
33 STEVE WICKER POMARIA, SC 9 - 8 (5) 9 - 8 (5)
35 THOMAS GUTHKE ANDERSON, SC 9 - 6 (5) 9 - 6 (5)
36 JAMIE PIERCE HALLSBORO, NC 9 - 1 (5) 9 - 1 (5)
36 BRIAN JAMISON GREENSBORO, GA 9 - 1 (4) 9 - 1 (4)
38 WINSTON HUSBAND GILBERT, SC 9 - 0 (4) 9 - 0 (4)
38 MEL LONG HAMPTON, SC 9 - 0 (5) 9 - 0 (5)
40 JUSTIN GRIGG CLOVER, SC 8 - 14 (5) 8 - 14 (5)
40 MITCH AVANT JOHNSONVILLE, SC 8 - 14 (5) 8 - 14 (5)
42 DEREK SCHLOTTERBACK SIMPSONVILLE, SC 8 - 13 (4) 8 - 13 (4)
43 DYLAN FULK CONCORD, NC 8 - 12 (4) 8 - 12 (4)
44 HERMAN VINING GILBERT, SC 8 - 11 (5) 8 - 11 (5)
44 CHRISTOPHER CHAVIS RINCON, GA 8 - 11 (3) 8 - 11 (3)
46 CODY HOYLE RUTHERFORDTON, NC 8 - 8 (5) 8 - 8 (5)
47 JERRY PELFREY LAURENS, SC 8 - 5 (5) 8 - 5 (5)
47 BRYAN NEW BELMONT, NC 8 - 5 (5) 8 - 5 (5)
49 WES LEWIS SHERRILLS FORD, NC 8 - 4 (5) 8 - 4 (5)
50 JEFF BAILEY INMAN, SC 8 - 2 (5) 8 - 2 (5)
51 KYLE AUSTIN RIDGEVILLE, SC 8 - 1 (2) 8 - 1 (2)
51 CLINT PROUDFOOT BLOOMINGDALE, GA 8 - 1 (5) 8 - 1 (5)
51 SCOTT BROWNING FRANKLIN, NC 8 - 1 (4) 8 - 1 (4)
51 JAKE FRYE CHARLOTTE, NC 8 - 1 (3) 8 - 1 (3)
55 LARRY FLEEMAN SHELBY, NC 8 - 0 (4) 8 - 0 (4)
55 ARTIE PHILLIPS MONROE, NC 8 - 0 (5) 8 - 0 (5)
57 WILLIE MCMULLEN OXFORD, GA 7 - 15 (5) 7 - 15 (5)
57 KAMERON HARBIN ABBEVILLE, SC 7 - 15 (5) 7 - 15 (5)
59 AUSTIN JOHNSON CHESNEE , SC 7 - 14 (3) 7 - 14 (3)
60 JOHN HAAS MT PLEASANT, SC 7 - 13 (3) 7 - 13 (3)
61 BARRY THAMES BARNWELL, SC 7 - 11 (3) 7 - 11 (3)
62 ADAM WATERS DENVER, NC 7 - 9 (4) 7 - 9 (4)
63 PAUL SELLE LEXINGTON, SC 7 - 8 (4) 7 - 8 (4)
64 TROY MORROW EASTANOLLEE, GA 7 - 4 (5) 7 - 4 (5)
65 CHRIS DOVER BLACKSBURG, SC 7 - 2 (4) 7 - 2 (4)
66 SCOTT BEATTIE LINCOLNTON, NC 6 - 12 (5) 6 - 12 (5)
67 ROBBY RUSH GASTONIA, NC 6 - 10 (2) 6 - 10 (2)
68 FRED KAUFFMAN DENVER, NC 6 - 9 (5) 6 - 9 (5)
68 MICHAEL WEBSTER GASTONIA, NC 6 - 9 (3) 6 - 9 (3)
70 MICHAEL MURPHY LEXINGTON, SC 6 - 4 (3) 6 - 4 (3)
71 TOM RUBBO LEXINGTON, SC 6 - 3 (4) 6 - 3 (4)
72 RANDALL SPEARMAN ANDERSON, SC 5 - 15 (5) 5 - 15 (5)
73 STEVE THORNHILL PINEVILLE, SC 5 - 13 (4) 5 - 13 (4)
74 NORM ATTAWAY CLEARWATER, SC 5 - 11 (3) 5 - 11 (3)
74 KENNY SEAGLE SALISBURY, NC 5 - 11 (4) 5 - 11 (4)
76 MICHAEL MAXFIELD HANAHAN, SC 5 - 9 (3) 5 - 9 (3)
77 MATTHEW MOLLOHAN PROSPERITY, SC 5 - 7 (3) 5 - 7 (3)
78 JOSHUA SANCHEZ SUMMERVILLE, SC 5 - 5 (2) 5 - 5 (2)
78 STEVE GODFREY CANDLER, NC 5 - 5 (4) 5 - 5 (4)
80 MICHAEL FOX STATESVILLE, NC 5 - 4 (3) 5 - 4 (3)
80 TRAVIS YOUNG CHARLOTTE, NC 5 - 4 (2) 5 - 4 (2)
82 DREW MONTGOMERY MAIDEN, NC 5 - 2 (3) 5 - 2 (3)
83 CHARLES CURRY KINGS MOUNTAIN, NC 4 - 14 (2) 4 - 14 (2)
83 AARON JORDAN CHARLOTTE, NC 4 - 14 (3) 4 - 14 (3)
83 RONNIE MCCOY LAMAR, SC 4 - 14 (2) 4 - 14 (2)
86 JIMMY SMITH BLYTHEWOOD, SC 4 - 13 (3) 4 - 13 (3)
87 JEFF FLETCHER MOUNT AIRY, GA 4 - 9 (2) 4 - 9 (2)
88 SCOTT FAILE HARLEM, GA 4 - 4 (2) 4 - 4 (2)
88 WENDELL CAUSEY JR IRMO, SC 4 - 4 (2) 4 - 4 (2)
90 JAMES BUCHANAN MONROE, NC 4 - 1 (2) 4 - 1 (2)
91 JOHNATHAN CROSSLAND CHAPIN, SC 3 - 13 (4) 3 - 13 (4)
91 MICHAEL RECTOR PACOLET, SC 3 - 13 (2) 3 - 13 (2)
93 MICHAEL CAMPBELL PINEVILLE, SC 3 - 12 (3) 3 - 12 (3)
93 CARL WHITFIELD ANDERSON, SC 3 - 12 (2) 3 - 12 (2)
95 LARRY WHITTINGTON PURLEAR, NC 3 - 11 (2) 3 - 11 (2)
96 ROBERT HOLLAND COLUMBIA, SC 3 - 10 (2) 3 - 10 (2)
96 ROGER MEDLOCK MOUNT PLEASANT, SC 3 - 10 (2) 3 - 10 (2)
96 ZACK LAMB MARTINEZ, GA 3 - 10 (3) 3 - 10 (3)
96 TRAVIS WEATHERS SENECA, SC 3 - 10 (2) 3 - 10 (2)
100 WESLEY SANDIFER CHAPIN, SC 3 - 7 (2) 3 - 7 (2)
100 CHRIS CARNES YORK, SC 3 - 7 (1) 3 - 7 (1)
100 TONY EVERHART GAFFNEY, SC 3 - 7 (2) 3 - 7 (2)
103 JOSH PEAKE WEST COLUMBIA, SC 3 - 1 (2) 3 - 1 (2)
104 TODD SOSEBEE BESSEMER CITY, NC 2 - 14 (2) 2 - 14 (2)
104 CHRISTIAN SHODA FORT MILL, SC 2 - 14 (2) 2 - 14 (2)
106 EDDIE WHITEN JR PICKENS, SC 2 - 11 (1) 2 - 11 (1)
107 JOHN MCKENZIE HAMPTON, SC 2 - 10 (1) 2 - 10 (1)
108 ED MATTHEWS COLUMBIA, SC 2 - 7 (2) 2 - 7 (2)
109 WESLEY STORY CLARKS HILL, SC 2 - 6 (1) 2 - 6 (1)
110 MARK HETKOWSKI OXFORD, GA 2 - 0 (2) 2 - 0 (2)
111 RYAN WALLING GOOSE CREEK, SC 1 - 14 (1) 1 - 14 (1)
111 CALVIN JONES RAEFORD, NC 1 - 14 (1) 1 - 14 (1)
111 JEREMY BOULDIN KINGS MOUNTAIN, NC 1 - 14 (1) 1 - 14 (1)
114 BEN COX ANDREWS, SC 1 - 13 (1) 1 - 13 (1)
114 MICHAEL ECKARD KINGS MOUNTAIN, NC 1 - 13 (1) 1 - 13 (1)
116 JUSTIN RAINES EASLEY, SC 1 - 10 (1) 1 - 10 (1)
117 TIM KELLEY LUGOFF, SC 1 - 9 (1) 1 - 9 (1)
118 JAMES BOZIN CLOVER, SC 1 - 7 (1) 1 - 7 (1)
119 RYAN BELK LEXINGTON, SC 1 - 6 (1) 1 - 6 (1)
120 RICHARD PHILLIPS ASHEVILLE, NC 1 - 4 (1) 1 - 4 (1)
TRENT MCLAUGHLIN CASSATT, SC
LINDWOOD THORNHILL PINEVILLE, SC
ANDREW YOUNG CLARENDON, NC
DONALD BLACK FORT MILL, SC
JIMMY WILSON WAGENER, SC
JODY HUGHES BALDWIN, GA
DANIEL GRASSI POOLER, GA
KYLE RICKER GREENVILLE, SC
SHAYNE MCFARLIN MARTIN, GA
LANCEN HALBERT CHARLESTON, SC
JASON MCCOY HARTSVILLE, SC
WILLIAM FORDREE SIX MILE, SC
TONY HOLLIDAY PIEDMONT, SC
CHRIS MARSHALL FOREST CITY, NC
JOSH ALSBROOKS WILLISTON, SC
RANDY WOOD SPRINGFIELD, GA
CHAD SIMS LANCASTER, SC
TIM TEAGUE BELMONT, NC

RONNIE BUCK WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL GATOR DIVISION TOURNAMENT ON LAKE OKEECHOBEE PRESENTED BY NAVIONICS

Bartow’s Malys Takes Co-angler Title

CLEWISTON, Fla. (Feb. 12, 2018) – Boater Ronnie Buck of Miami, Florida, caught five bass weighing 26 pounds, 1 ounce, Saturday to win the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Gator Division event on Lake Okeechobee presented by Navionics. For his efforts, Buck took home $5,504.

Buck said he spent the tournament fishing a 200-yard stretch of water in the Dyess Ditch area of the lake. He said he followed a similar pattern to what FLW Tour pro Tim Frederick did to win the FLW Tour event on Lake Okeechobee in January.

“I was basically in the same area (as Frederick). I found the fish in practice on Friday and I was able to go back and execute,” said Buck, who earned his first career win in FLW competition. “There were isolated heads of grass with little stickups nearby, and the bigger ones were around the stickups.”

Buck said he used a Junebug-colored Gambler Fat Ace to catch four of five bass that he weighed, and a black and blue-colored Gambler Heavy Cover Southern Swim Jig with a Gambler Burner Craw trailer in the same color for his fifth. He said the first two hours of the day were spent with the swim jig, and the rest were spent using the Fat Ace.

“I’m not sure if they were bedding, or moving in and out. I was casting and pitching to them, and fishing as slow as I could,” said Buck.

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          Ronnie Buck, Miami, Fla., five bass, 26-1, $5,504

2nd:         Robert Crosnoe, Inverness, Fla., five bass, 23-11, $2,752

3rd:          Jared McMillan, Belle Glade, Fla., five bass, 23-0, $1,768

4th:          Chad Van Slyke, Cicero, N.Y., five bass, 22-4, $1,238

5th:          Jessie Mizell, Sarasota, Fla., five bass, 21-4, $1,061

6th:          Richard Teschendorf, Palm Harbor, Fla., five bass, 20-2, $972

7th:          Brianne McMillan, Belle Glade, Fla., five bass, 19-13, $840

7th:          Fred George, Okeechobee, Fla., five bass, 19-13, $840

9th:          Mike Jackson, San Mateo, Fla., five bass, 19-4, $707

10th:        Jeffery Swearingen, Albany, Ga., five bass, 18-13, $619

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Roger Crafton of Boca Grande, Florida, caught a giant largemouth weighing 9 pounds, 13 ounces – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division – and earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $835.

Brian Malys of Bartow, Florida, won the Co-angler Division and $3,084 Saturday after catching a five-bass limit weighing 25 pounds, 3 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers were:

1st:          Brian Malys, Bartow, Fla., five bass, 25-3, $3,084

2nd:         Robert Lauffer, Clermont, Fla., five bass, 20-5, $1,341

3rd:          James Tyler, Deltona, Fla., five bass, 18-14, $863

4th:          Andrew Pulliam, Spring Hill, Fla., five bass, 17-3, $603

5th:          Shaun Ireland, Lake Worth, Fla., five bass, 15-7, $516

6th:          Christian Greico, Tampa, Fla., five bass, 14-3, $473

7th:          John Cervenka, Windermere, Fla., four bass, 13-12, $430

8th:          Anthony Cilladi, Orlando, Fla., five bass, 13-9, $387

9th:          Cody Farnham, Port St. Lucie, Fla., five bass, 13-6, $344

10th:        Hunter Taylor, Ocoee, Fla., five bass, 13-5, $301

Malys also caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – a 10-pound, 5-ounce lunker. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $402.

The T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Gator Division event on Lake Okeechobee presented by Navionics 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. 11-13 BFL Regional Championship on the St. Johns River in Palatka, Florida. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.

The 2018 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2018 BFL All-American will be held May 31-June 2 at Cross Lake in Shreveport, Louisiana, and is hosted by the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission. 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 FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube and Snapchat.

 

Complete Boater Results:

PLACE ANGLER CITY/STATE DAY 1
WT (Fish)
DAY 1&2
WT (Fish)
WINNINGS
1 RONNIE BUCK MIAMI, FL 26 - 1 (5) 26 - 1 (5) $5,504
2 ROBERT CROSNOE INVERNESS, FL 23 - 11 (5) 23 - 11 (5) $2,752
3 JARED MCMILLAN BELLE GLADE, FL 23 - 0 (5) 23 - 0 (5) $1,768
4 CHAD VAN SLYKE CICERO, NY 22 - 4 (5) 22 - 4 (5) $1,238
5 JESSIE MIZELL SARASOTA, FL 21 - 4 (5) 21 - 4 (5) $1,061
6 RICHARD TESCHENDORF PALM HARBOR, FL 20 - 2 (5) 20 - 2 (5) $972
7 BRIANNE MCMILLAN BELLE GLADE, FL 19 - 13 (5) 19 - 13 (5) $840
7 FRED GEORGE OKEECHOBEE, FL 19 - 13 (5) 19 - 13 (5) $840
9 MIKE JACKSON SAN MATEO, FL 19 - 4 (5) 19 - 4 (5) $707
10 JEFFERY SWEARINGEN ALBANY, GA 18 - 13 (5) 18 - 13 (5) $619
11 LOUIS CHIEFFO PORT CHARLOTTE, FL 18 - 4 (5) 18 - 4 (5) $557
12 DONALD LOCKE LOXAHATCHEE, FL 17 - 9 (5) 17 - 9 (5) $513
13 BRYAN HONNERLAW MOORE HAVEN, FL 17 - 7 (5) 17 - 7 (5) $495
14 MATTHEW JERDAN CAPE CORAL, FL 16 - 0 (5) 16 - 0 (5) $455
14 GREG SCHULTZ NAPLES, FL 16 - 0 (5) 16 - 0 (5) $455
16 DONNY BASS NAPLES, FL 15 - 15 (5) 15 - 15 (5) $424
17 RODNEY MARKS TAVARES, FL 15 - 14 (5) 15 - 14 (5) $398
17 RICHARD MONGIOVI INDIAN LAKE ESTATES, FL 15 - 14 (5) 15 - 14 (5) $398
19 GREG HUGHES INVERNESS, FL 15 - 12 (4) 15 - 12 (4) $371
20 LEE FRYE BROOKSVILLE, FL 15 - 3 (5) 15 - 3 (5) $354
21 JAI HUNTER SR DELAND, FL 15 - 1 (5) 15 - 1 (5) $340
21 ROGER CRAFTON BOCA GRANDE, FL 15 - 1 (4) 15 - 1 (4) $1,175
23 JIM HURLOCK JR. WEST PALM BEACH, FL 14 - 14 (5) 14 - 14 (5) $327
24 MIKE LOTT WINTER GARDEN, FL 14 - 12 (5) 14 - 12 (5) $318
25 MATT KINNEY BUNNELL, FL 14 - 10 (5) 14 - 10 (5) $309
26 MIKE SURMAN BOCA RATON, FL 13 - 15 (5) 13 - 15 (5) $296
26 LARRY CAHAN EAST PALATKA, FL 13 - 15 (5) 13 - 15 (5) $296
28 JESUS VILLEGAS VIRGINIA GARDENS, FL 13 - 12 (5) 13 - 12 (5) $283
29 WILLIAM SCHMITT WEST PALM BEACH, FL 13 - 11 (5) 13 - 11 (5) $274
30 RONALD YENTZ FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 13 - 10 (5) 13 - 10 (5) $260
30 YOAN ALVAREZ MIAMI, FL 13 - 10 (5) 13 - 10 (5) $260
32 JOSHUA WELKES LAKE WORTH, FL 13 - 8 (5) 13 - 8 (5) $243
32 JESSEY RUDOLPH DELTONA, FL 13 - 8 (5) 13 - 8 (5) $243
34 REINALDO JR ROJAS CLEWISTON, FL 13 - 3 (4) 13 - 3 (4)
35 THOMAS OLTORIK DELAND, FL 13 - 1 (5) 13 - 1 (5)
35 FRED CHIVINGTON JR WELAKA, FL 13 - 1 (5) 13 - 1 (5)
35 CHARLIE EVANS BEREA, KY 13 - 1 (5) 13 - 1 (5)
35 STEVE BROUGHTON PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL 13 - 1 (4) 13 - 1 (4)
39 THADEUS RAGAN WEST PARK, FL 12 - 13 (5) 12 - 13 (5)
40 CHRIS CROW FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 12 - 12 (5) 12 - 12 (5)
40 FRANK JENKINS FORT MYERS, FL 12 - 12 (5) 12 - 12 (5)
42 JOHN BITTER MAITLAND, FL 12 - 10 (5) 12 - 10 (5)
43 ROBERT BEATTY CLERMONT, FL 12 - 8 (5) 12 - 8 (5)
43 GEORGE KAPITON INVERNESS, FL 12 - 8 (5) 12 - 8 (5)
45 JOHN KEENE SR FENELTON, PA 12 - 5 (5) 12 - 5 (5)
46 TONY BENNETT FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 12 - 3 (5) 12 - 3 (5)
47 JEFF MCMILLAN BELLE GLADE, FL 12 - 1 (5) 12 - 1 (5)
48 MARK LUNDGREN SAINT CLOUD, FL 11 - 14 (5) 11 - 14 (5)
49 ANTHONY FORD NEW SMYRNA, FL 11 - 11 (5) 11 - 11 (5)
50 RYLAN KOZINSKI CLEWISTON, FL 11 - 10 (5) 11 - 10 (5)
51 CHRIS KEITH GAINESVILLE, FL 11 - 9 (5) 11 - 9 (5)
52 MERLE WELLS JR HAMMOND, NY 11 - 7 (5) 11 - 7 (5)
52 JIM ANDERSON DAVIE, FL 11 - 7 (5) 11 - 7 (5)
54 KARLIS DIPAUL STURAT, FL 11 - 6 (5) 11 - 6 (5)
54 MARK BLEVINS PALATKA, FL 11 - 6 (5) 11 - 6 (5)
54 RANDY FORBES PLEASANT PLAIN, OH 11 - 6 (4) 11 - 6 (4)
57 JIM GESTWICKI MIAMI, FL 11 - 2 (5) 11 - 2 (5)
57 NEIL NIX OKEECHOBEE, FL 11 - 2 (5) 11 - 2 (5)
59 MATTHEW WIETEHA MIAMI, FL 10 - 13 (5) 10 - 13 (5)
60 DYLAN ETTINGER FLEMING ISLAND, FL 10 - 9 (5) 10 - 9 (5)
61 CARLOS SUCHE BOCA RATON, FL 10 - 7 (5) 10 - 7 (5)
62 BRANDON MEDLOCK LAKE PLACID, FL 10 - 6 (5) 10 - 6 (5)
63 BOB BOSTDORF APOPKA, FL 10 - 5 (5) 10 - 5 (5)
64 NICHOLAS HOINIG DELRAY BEACH, FL 10 - 4 (5) 10 - 4 (5)
65 KYLE GIELLA PARRISH, FL 10 - 2 (5) 10 - 2 (5)
66 JIMMY KOWALSKI LAKE PLACID, FL 10 - 1 (5) 10 - 1 (5)
66 GREG SMITH NAPLES, FL 10 - 1 (5) 10 - 1 (5)
68 ERIC JOHNSON MILLIS, MA 10 - 0 (5) 10 - 0 (5)
68 WILLIE MANNING WEST PALM BEACH, FL 10 - 0 (5) 10 - 0 (5)
68 NATHAN THOMAS WEIRSDALE, FL 10 - 0 (5) 10 - 0 (5)
71 BILLY CHARLAND CHULUOTA, FL 9 - 13 (5) 9 - 13 (5)
72 ROBERT DICE PERRY, FL 9 - 11 (5) 9 - 11 (5)
73 JAMES R. DAVIS MONTEREY, TN 9 - 8 (4) 9 - 8 (4)
73 JASON REED HOLLISTER, FL 9 - 8 (5) 9 - 8 (5)
73 RAYMOND GUERRA PORT SAINT LUCIE, FL 9 - 8 (5) 9 - 8 (5)
73 GREG HARP VERO BEACH, FL 9 - 8 (5) 9 - 8 (5)
77 DOUG WALKER LAKE WORTH, FL 9 - 7 (5) 9 - 7 (5)
77 BRIAN DIVITO SEMINOLE, FL 9 - 7 (5) 9 - 7 (5)
79 CHRIS MCBEATH BRADENTON, FL 9 - 6 (5) 9 - 6 (5)
79 DERERK SAVAGE PORT ST. LUCIE, FL 9 - 6 (5) 9 - 6 (5)
81 DOUG GARNER PORT ST. LUCIE, FL 9 - 5 (5) 9 - 5 (5)
81 JAMES BARNICK DAVIE, FL 9 - 5 (5) 9 - 5 (5)
83 JAMES LOTT JR CLERMONT, FL 8 - 15 (5) 8 - 15 (5)
84 BOBBY ADAMS OKEECHOBEE, FL 8 - 14 (5) 8 - 14 (5)
84 TY FOX PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL 8 - 14 (5) 8 - 14 (5)
86 DEREK PETRUZELLI SAINT CLOUD, FL 8 - 8 (5) 8 - 8 (5)
86 KYLE WALTERS GRANT VALKARIA, FL 8 - 8 (5) 8 - 8 (5)
88 EDWIN BARTLETT CASCO, ME 8 - 7 (5) 8 - 7 (5)
88 VAL OSINSKI FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 8 - 7 (4) 8 - 7 (4)
90 TRENT PARDUE TROY, NC 8 - 5 (5) 8 - 5 (5)
90 WAYNE BLACK SAN MATEO, FL 8 - 5 (5) 8 - 5 (5)
90 MIKEY KEYSO JR NORTH PORT, FL 8 - 5 (5) 8 - 5 (5)
93 BRADLEY MACQUEEN WEST PALM BEACH, FL 8 - 4 (5) 8 - 4 (5)
94 CURTIS LEWIS WEST PALM BEACH, FL 8 - 3 (5) 8 - 3 (5)
95 JIM JOSEPH OAKLAND PARK, FL 8 - 2 (5) 8 - 2 (5)
96 SCOTT PATTON PARIS, TN 8 - 0 (5) 8 - 0 (5)
96 JULIO RODRIGUEZ MIAMI, FL 8 - 0 (5) 8 - 0 (5)
98 CHUCK WEBB SARASOTA, FL 7 - 14 (5) 7 - 14 (5)
99 RUSTY LACY PLANTATION, FL 7 - 12 (5) 7 - 12 (5)
100 TERRY D. METZGER NAPLES, FL 7 - 11 (5) 7 - 11 (5)
101 BEN HARRIS HAINES CITY, FL 7 - 10 (5) 7 - 10 (5)
101 DUSTIN ROYER DAVIE, FL 7 - 10 (5) 7 - 10 (5)
103 PRESTON CLARK EAGLE LAKE, FL 7 - 6 (4) 7 - 6 (4)
103 DWIGHT WILLIS BELLE GLADE, FL 7 - 6 (3) 7 - 6 (3)
103 JASON JASTRZEMSKI WELLINGTON, FL 7 - 6 (5) 7 - 6 (5)
106 JONATHAN SEMENTO OKAHUMPKA, FL 7 - 5 (5) 7 - 5 (5)
106 DAVID BEAR WINTER HAVEN, FL 7 - 5 (5) 7 - 5 (5)
108 AUSTIN MURRAY DELAND, FL 7 - 3 (5) 7 - 3 (5)
108 ALEX TERESCENKO BOYNTON BEACH, FL 7 - 3 (2) 7 - 3 (2)
110 STANLEY HUNT JACKSONVILLE, FL 7 - 2 (5) 7 - 2 (5)
111 RUSTY FOX HOLLISTER, FL 7 - 1 (5) 7 - 1 (5)
112 THOMAS LITTICH CAPE CORAL, FL 7 - 0 (5) 7 - 0 (5)
113 BENNY TOWNEND BOYNTON BEACH, FL 6 - 15 (5) 6 - 15 (5)
113 LLOYD MEYERS JR JACKSONVILLE, FL 6 - 15 (5) 6 - 15 (5)
115 JOHN TAVANO SEBRING, FL 6 - 13 (4) 6 - 13 (4)
116 CARL BOUSQUET BOCA RATON, FL 6 - 11 (3) 6 - 11 (3)
116 ROLAND SMITH LAND O''LAKES, FL 6 - 11 (5) 6 - 11 (5)
118 BRIAN MOWATT PARRISH, FL 6 - 10 (5) 6 - 10 (5)
118 ED STIEFEL JR LAKE WORTH, FL 6 - 10 (5) 6 - 10 (5)
120 VAN SOLES HAINES CITY, FL 6 - 9 (5) 6 - 9 (5)
120 RUSS REYNOLDS BOCA RATON, FL 6 - 9 (5) 6 - 9 (5)
122 RICK MITCHELL NAPLES, FL 6 - 8 (4) 6 - 8 (4)
123 TIM CELESTI MARGATE, FL 6 - 6 (5) 6 - 6 (5)
123 SYLVESTER SMALLS CAPE CORAL, FL 6 - 6 (5) 6 - 6 (5)
125 JOSHUA MORFIS CAPE CORAL, FL 6 - 5 (3) 6 - 5 (3)
126 NEAL MEADORS VERO BEACH, FL 6 - 4 (4) 6 - 4 (4)
127 FRED HERRON PLANTATION, FL 6 - 2 (5) 6 - 2 (5)
127 TIM SWANGO LAKE WALES, FL 6 - 2 (5) 6 - 2 (5)
129 STEVEN THAMES HIGH SPRINGS, FL 5 - 14 (2) 5 - 14 (2)
130 MARK STATON PLANT CITY, FL 5 - 10 (3) 5 - 10 (3)
131 NORMAN PELLEGRINI WINDERMERE, FL 5 - 6 (5) 5 - 6 (5)
131 JERRY PHILYAW DELRAY BEACH, FL 5 - 6 (5) 5 - 6 (5)
133 PATRICK LAYHEW BRADENTON, FL 5 - 4 (4) 5 - 4 (4)
134 LARRY BROUGHTON OKEECHOBEE, FL 4 - 11 (3) 4 - 11 (3)
135 CLAY BATSON FERNANDINA BEACH, FL 4 - 10 (3) 4 - 10 (3)
136 JOSH GRUBER CLEWISTON , FL 4 - 2 (3) 4 - 2 (3)
136 WILLY HICKS CHESTER, VA 4 - 2 (3) 4 - 2 (3)
138 EDWIN RIVERA ORLANDO, FL 3 - 15 (3) 3 - 15 (3)
139 CHRIS HESTER FORT PAYNE, AL 3 - 8 (1) 3 - 8 (1)
140 BARRY BASS BRADENTON , FL 3 - 3 (1) 3 - 3 (1)
141 JIM CHIARENZA LAKE WORTH, FL 2 - 13 (2) 2 - 13 (2)
142 RAYMOND RUPP THE VILLAGES, FL 2 - 10 (2) 2 - 10 (2)
142 KENNETH HARRIS ZOLFO SPRINGS, FL 2 - 10 (2) 2 - 10 (2)
144 DAVE PATCHELL GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FL 2 - 0 (1) 2 - 0 (1)
LIONEL BOTHA MALABAR, FL
MIKE OTTMAN CORAL SPRINGS, FL
JUSTIN MORGAN OKEECHOBEE, FL
GARY SAPP NEW MARTINSVILLE, WV
JOEY ROBERTS JENSEN BEACH, FL
JUAN RUIZ LOXAHATCHEE, FL
WADE LIGHTSEY OKEECHOBEE , FL
ANDREW MARKHAM LAKE PLACID, FL
BRANDON ST PIERRE LEHIGH ACRES, FL
CHARLIE SANCHEZ SEBRING, FL
CHAD SCHROEDER ZEPHYRHILLS, FL
STEVEN HATALA ST. CLAIR SHORES, MI
DILLON MCMILLAN BELLE GLADE, FL
ALAN RETTER MARGATE, FL
JAMES WIESE BOYNTON BEACH, FL
TIM ZDRAZIL CRAWFORDVILLE, FL
KEN SHARPLESS LAKE WALES, FL
PAUL DUNN NEW PORT RICHEY, FL
RICHARD HELD LAKE WORTH, FL
BRODY CAMPBELL OXFORD, OH
DON DEMOTT BOCA RATON, FL
RANDY TERRELL SAINT LOUIS, MO
MIKE LAYHEW PALMETTO, FL

Shane Powell Wins ABA Georgia Opener on Eufaula with over 23 pounds - Pockets $12K for the W!

ATHENS, Ala. – This past weekend 143 anglers made their way to lake Eufaula for a chance at the highest payout available for the weekend angler.  97 of the anglers battled it out in the Boater Division, and 46 duked it out from the back deck in the Co-Angler Division. Over $19,000 was paid out, and it took 14.53 pounds to get into the money on the Boater side and 6.96 pounds for the Co-Anglers.

Shane Powell of Dothan, AL topped the field with 23.77 pounds.  He anchored his catch and sealed his victory with 6.30-pound kicker.  For his victory in the American Bass Open Series Georgia Division tournament, held February 10TH on Lake Eufaula, Shane took home a check for $5000.  Shane also qualified for an additional $7000 from Triton Gold.

“I started fishing the south end of the lake throwing a chatter-bait and caught two fish right away. Then I started fishing deeper and caught two more on back-to-back casts. It was over for me by 8:30am because I couldn’t cull up with better fish from what I already had. I probably caught around fifteen fish today.”   Powell said.

In second for the boaters, David Lowery of Phenix City, AL landed a five-bass tournament limit going 23.24 pounds. He collected $1760 for his catch.

“I caught my fish on the south end of the lake fishing a Big Bite Bait Swimming Craw. It’s a new bait and I was swimming it through the grass. I also put it on the back of a jig and flipped it too.” Lowery said.

John Holder of Brunswick, GA finished third for the boaters with five bass going 22.15 pounds. He earned $1170 for his catch.

“I stayed in Cowikee creek all day and I was fishing with a lizard and a white swimbait. “Holder said.

The largest bass of the tournament for the boaters was caught by Patrick Brown of Swainsboro, GA that weighed 8.18 pounds. Brown pocketed a check for $950 for his catch.

“I caught that fish on a on a big California style swimbait waking it over the grass around 11:30am. I lost another one just as big also on that swimbait. I was fishing the lower end of the lake. “Brown said.

Finishing fourth, Jason “Buddha” Smith of Dawson, GA landed a five-bass limit for 21.85 pounds. Rounding out the top five was Ryan Ingram of Phenix City, AL with a five-bass limit for 21.58 pounds.

In the Co-Angler Division, Keith Minnihan of Stockbridge, GA won with three bass going 9.54 pounds with a 4.96-pound kicker. He pocketed a check for $1400 for his win.

“I caught my fish on a Strike King Game Hawg and some Missile Baits Warlock heads. If it wasn’t for my boater, I wouldn’t have caught those fish. He pointed to them and I made the cast and caught them. I want to thank my boater, Keith Bardolf, for putting me on the fish.” Minnihan said.

Taking second for the co-anglers, Patrick Watson of Newnan, GA brought in a three-bass division limit weighing 9.43 pounds. He collected $500 for the effort.

“I was fishing the south end of the lake and I caught my fish on a square bill crankbait between docks and then on a jig. I only caught three fish today and that is what I weighed-in. “Watson said.

Donnie Dawson of Brunswick, GA placed third among the co-anglers with three bass going 8.42 pounds. He earned $350 for his catch.

“I caught my fish on a spinnerbait and a crankbait fishing the lower end of the lake.”  Dawson said.

The largest bass of the tournament for the co-anglers was caught by Joseph Chilcott of Crestview, FL that weighed 6.79 pounds. Chilcott pocketed a check for $225 for his catch.

“I caught that big bass on a square bill crankbait on the lower end if the lake near cypress trees in a ditch.” Chilcott said.

In fourth place among the co-anglers, Phillip Johnson of Griffin, GA brought in three bass for 8.14 pounds. Robert Enke of Phenix City, AL finished in fifth place with three bass at 8.05 pounds.

Slated for March 10TH , the next tournament will be held on Lake Seminole out of Reynolds Landing in Donalsonville, GA. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance the 2019 Ray Scott Championship to be held on Lake Eufaula in April 2019.

For more information on this tournament, call Billy Benedetti, tournament manager, at 256-230-5632 or ABA at 256-232-0406. On line, see www.abaopenseries.com .

About American Bass Anglers: American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers, the ABA Open Series, the American Fishing Tour, the American Couples Serie and the Military Team Tournamnet  visit www.americanbassanglers.com.


Takahiro Wins Elite Series Opener on Lake Martin

Takahiro Omori of Emory, Texas, won the 2018 Bassmaster Elite at Lake Martin presented by Econo Lodge out of Alexander City, Ala., with a four-day total weight of 59 pounds, 8 ounces.

Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. — Before this week, it had been more than 15 years since Takahiro Omori fished a major professional bass tournament on Lake Martin.

But history — both recent and distant — says he should find ways to come back as often as he can.

Omori went into Sunday’s final round of the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Martin presented by Econo Lodge with a 4-pound, 2-ounce lead. He managed a final-day catch of 14 pounds to claim the victory with a four-day total of 59-8.

It was Omori’s seventh career victory with B.A.S.S. and his second B.A.S.S. win in three years in the state of Alabama after a triumph on Wheeler Lake in 2016. He also won a FLW Tour event on Lake Martin in 2001.

“This time of year, I like to fish shallow — especially during the prespawn,” said Omori, who surpassed $2 million in B.A.S.S. career earnings with the $100,000 win. “Usually when we schedule a tournament for early February, it’s in Florida and the fish have already spawned. But schedule-wise, coming to this lake this time of year is very good for me.”

Omori didn’t exactly have a wealth of options for putting together good limits during the four-day event. During a mostly subpar practice, he identified one small area up the lake on Tuesday where current was flowing behind a small island.

“I caught two keepers and maybe one nonkeeper in back-to-back casts there in practice,” Omori said. “I never had anything big, so I didn’t really know what I had there.

“I was taking a chance because if I had gone up that far and then not caught anything, I would have been in trouble.”

The water on the outside of the island was so shallow that Omori had to trim up his outboard and churn mud off the bottom just to reach the right spot. Once he was in place, he dropped his Power-Pole shallow-water anchors and made repeated casts into the current with a 1.5 TO Craw Lucky Craft squarebill crankbait.

“I think not many people go up that far,” he said. “So, the fish are less pressured. There was also some current coming through there, which really helped.”

There were times the first three days when he seemed to be catching fish literally every other cast. But things got a little slower on the final day.

“The more current there was, the more the fish were ganged up,” he said. “Every day, there was less and less current. That made it tougher and tougher because the fish were more scattered out.

“Today, there was less current than any of the four days.”

Omori estimates he caught 50 keepers off the spot during the course of the tournament. But on Sunday, he only managed four and was forced to go looking elsewhere to fill out his limit.

Fortunately, one of his four fish from the area Sunday weighed over 4 pounds — his second biggest bass of the week — and his cushion over the rest of the field was enough to lift him to victory, even without a stellar final day.

Rookie angler Roy Hawk from Arizona caught 11-2 Sunday, his smallest limit of the week and finished with 52-8 — a full 7 pounds behind Omori. New Jersey angler Adrian Avena placed third with 50-13, California veteran Jared Lintner was fourth with 50-10 and Washington pro Luke Clausen was fifth with 50-7.

The tackle Omori used to fish the squarebills included a 7-foot Daiwa Tatula Takahiro Omori Signature Series rod and a Daiwa baitcasting reel spooled with 20-pound Sunline Shooter.

When asked if he’d like to come back to Lake Martin more often, Omori was coy.

“Every time is different,” he said. “So, you never know.”

Omori was awarded $1,000 for the leading the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year points race at the end of the event.

Hawk earned the Power-Pole Captain’s Cash Award of $1,000 for being the highest-placing angler who is registered and eligible and uses a client-approved product on his boat.

Cliff Prince was awarded $1,500 dollars as the winner of the Phoenix Boats Big Bass award. He had the largest bass of the tournament with a 6-11 on Day 1.

Hawk also won the Toyota Bonus Bucks Award of $3,000 for being the highest-placing eligible entrant in the program. The second-highest-placing eligible entrant, Avena, received $2,000.

The Alexander City Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event.

2018 Elite Series Lake Martin 2/8-2/11
Lake Martin, Alexander City  AL.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 4
Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$1.  Takahiro Omori         Emory, TX               20  59-08  110 $101,000.00
Day 1: 5   18-02     Day 2: 5   14-09     Day 3: 5   12-13     Day 4: 5   14-00
2.  Roy Hawk               Lk Havasu Cty, AZ       20  52-08  109  $26,000.00
Day 1: 5   11-11     Day 2: 5   17-01     Day 3: 5   12-10     Day 4: 5   11-02
3.  Adrian Avena           Vineland, NJ            20  50-13  108  $20,000.00
Day 1: 5   10-00     Day 2: 5   16-05     Day 3: 5   12-14     Day 4: 5   11-10
4.  Jared Lintner          Arroyo Grande, CA       20  50-10  107  $15,000.00
Day 1: 5   13-15     Day 2: 5   12-14     Day 3: 5   11-04     Day 4: 5   12-09
5.  Luke Clausen           Otis Orchards, WA       20  50-07  106  $14,000.00
Day 1: 5   12-12     Day 2: 5   15-04     Day 3: 5   13-03     Day 4: 5   09-04
6.  Justin Lucas           Guntersville, AL        20  50-05  105  $13,500.00
Day 1: 5   13-09     Day 2: 5   11-11     Day 3: 5   12-11     Day 4: 5   12-06
7.  Andy Montgomery        Blacksburg, SC          20  50-02  104  $13,000.00
Day 1: 5   11-12     Day 2: 5   14-09     Day 3: 5   13-11     Day 4: 5   10-02
8.  Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY             20  49-01  103  $12,500.00
Day 1: 5   17-09     Day 2: 5   07-01     Day 3: 5   13-04     Day 4: 5   11-03
9.  Jonathon VanDam        Gobles, MI              20  47-09  102  $12,000.00
Day 1: 5   13-08     Day 2: 5   10-10     Day 3: 5   11-12     Day 4: 5   11-11
10. Dean Rojas             Lake Havasu City, AZ    20  47-04  101  $11,500.00
Day 1: 5   13-10     Day 2: 5   11-15     Day 3: 5   10-04     Day 4: 5   11-07
11. Brett Hite             Phoenix, AZ             20  44-15  100  $11,000.00
Day 1: 5   10-12     Day 2: 5   13-00     Day 3: 5   11-14     Day 4: 5   09-05
12. Dustin Connell         Clanton, AL             20  44-14   99  $10,500.00
Day 1: 5   10-15     Day 2: 5   12-10     Day 3: 5   11-15     Day 4: 5   09-06
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Cliff Prince             Palatka, FL         06-11      $1,500.00

Marks & Reneau Drop 37 Pounds on the Scales to Dominate Texas Team Trail Event on Rayburn

By David A. Brown /  Texas Team Trail Communications
BROOKELAND, Texas (Feb. 10, 2018) - Nearly surgical precision and disciplined patience proved to be the winning formula for Phil Marks and Tim Reneau, who won the second event of the 2018 Texas Team Trail, presented by Cabela's, at a Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Sacking up a massive 5-fish limit of 37.04 pounds, the Texas duo won by nearly a 7-pound margin.
Working the lake's upper end, near the Highway 147 Bridge, the winners caught fish on two spots, which Reneau described as corners at the ends of ridges in 18-10 feet. Both anglers have decades of experience on Rayburn, but these particular areas were the ones Marks fished during a recent BFL win.
"They're hard bottom with isolated stumps on them," Marks said. "They have old spider stumps; you can see them on your down scan. I don't know that we caught any that weren't around stumps. I known the first 8-pounder I caught, my bait deflected off the stump and it locked up."
Marks said his experience has taught him that the spots that produced are especially productive on the low, stable water conditions that Rayburn is currently experiencing. Classic prespawn staging areas, these waypoints were inexplicably unique.
"Over the course of the last six weeks, I've checked hundreds of spots just like them, but I could only count on these two places," he said. "I don't really know why. I've gotten a bite here and a bite there, but there have been schools of big ones in these two places.
"I fished stuff that was identical; same bottom topography, same depth, wind orientation, the whole nine yards and, I don't know - they're just little glory holes, I guess."
With the day's cloudy, foggy, rainy conditions, Marks said he knew they could expect a solid crankbait bite. True to form, a Strike King 8xd in chartreuse/blue and Tennessee shad tempted the giants; but the winners also caught a couple of fish - including one of the ones they weighed on a 1-ounce Strike King Denny Brauer Structure Jig (blue craw peanut butter) with a Junebug Strike King Rage Bug trailer.
"If we went around a corner and actually saw a couple of fish on the graph that didn't eat the crankbait, we'd throw on top of them with a jig," Reneau said. "We caught four on the crankbait and three on the jig.
"Someday, they want you hopping the jig; somedays they want you dragging it; this was just dragging it."
Noting presentation specifics, Marks said that the angle at which he and Reneau approached the targets was critical. Random casts wouldn't cut it with these picky prespawners and success required exacting performance.
"They wanted the bait going kinda quarter from shallow to deep," Marks said. "If you went deep to shallow, you couldn't get bit. When you'd get the angle right, you could duplicate it.
"On one spot, I caught three big ones on five casts. I'd already fished through it in a different direction and I spun around and fished it from a different. Those fish, no doubt, had already seen my bait, but it was the right angle. I got one to bite and that kinda triggered the school."
Marks said he knew he and his partner weren't fishing for a lot of bites. In fact, they knew that targeting the big prespawners meant they had to make the perfect casts and capitalize on every opportunity.
"I'd circle these fish and I went 360 around the tip of this little point and fish four or five different angles and finally got one to bite," Marks said of a day-making flurry. "I caught three of our seven bites in five casts; one of those was a 6-pounder and one was an eight."
Marks said he and his partner fished their crankbaits on 14-pound Gamma fluorocarbon and used 20-pound fluoro for the jigs. The fish, he said, were not feeding aggressively. Most were barely hooked.
"We were fortunate that we didn't lose any because they were not hooked good," Marks said. "When you see the fish and he's hooked outside the mouth, you have to slow down and really take your time with him
For their efforts Marks and Reneau earned a Ranger Z518C with a 200-hp
Evinrude outboard. In addition, they claimed $3,180 of Anglers Advantage cash. Their total payday was $50,075.

Shook and Iles second

Rayburn holds a bunch of brush piles and the second-place team of Brian Shook and John Iles tried to hit as many as they could. Doing so led them to a hefty limit that weighed 30.07 pounds.
Starting uplake and working their way down to the midlake area, Shook and Iles targeted deep drop-offs with brush in 20-28 feet. They threw 6th Sense Cloud 9 C-20 and C-25 deep diving crankbaits in citrus shad, along with a Divine Structure Jig with a Strike King Rage Craw.
"We've been practicing and fishing some other trails recently and that's just a pattern where we've been getting bit," Shook said. "I think it's about water temperature. We've had colder weather, so we were thinking the fish would be deeper this time of year.
"There was some bait in these areas, but we were mainly just running as many brush piles as we could. We were trying to hit the brush pile with the crankbait."
Shook and Iles earned $9,957, which included $2,332 of Anglers Advantage cash.

Mansfield and Jones third

Targeting spots near the Highway 147 Bridge where they have significant history, Grover Mansfield and Dale Jones caught a limit that went 29.62 and earned them the third-place spot.
Mostly targeting open hard spots within the grass, the anglers caught their fish in 3-8 feet of water. Rat-L-traps in crawfish patterns produced all of their bites.
"Every day is different; you just have to figure out how they want to eat it," Mansfield said. "Today, it was just slow rolling it like a spinnerbait. They were just set up on this spot and feeding heavy.
"About 9 o'clock, the fish shut down. We had all out weight before 9."
Mansfield and Jones earned $7,045, which included $2,120 in Anglers Advantage cash.
McGaha-Wernecke fourth, Martin-Stevens fifth
Eric McGaha and Kris Wernecke weighed five bass worth 27.98 pounds, taking fourth place and earning $5,002. Behind them was James Martin and Terry Stevens with 26.11. For fifth place, they earned $4,052.50.
Rest of the best
Rounding out the top 10 teams at the 2018 Texas Team Trail event on Sam Rayburn:
Shaw and Hughes took home 1475 for Big Bass -10.23 lbs
6th: SHELBY SHAW AND LANCE HUGHES, 24.61
7th: MATTHEW MCARDLE AND JOSH BENSEMA, 23.54
8th: BJ CAROTHERS AND THOMAS WELLS, 23.13
9th: ANDRE ADAMS AND CHUCK NAOMI, 23.10
10th: TJ GOODWYN AND PHILIP CRELIA, 23.01

BAILEY WINS COSTA FLW SERIES WESTERN DIVISION OPENER ON LAKE HAVASU PRESENTED BY RANGER BOATS

Local Pro Tops Field at Costa FLW Series Event, Takes Home $40,200

LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. (Feb. 10, 2018) – Local angler Shaun Bailey of Lake Havasu City weighed five bass totaling 15 pounds, 6 ounces, Saturday to win the Costa FLW Series Western Division opener on Lake Havasu presented by Ranger Boats. Bailey’s three-day total of 15 bass weighing 49 pounds, 5 ounces, was enough to earn him top honors and $40,200.

“It feels great to finally win one of these. It’s been a long time coming,” said Bailey, who earned his first career win after three prior top-10 finishes in FLW competition. “It was definitely a strange tournament for me, though. Today I caught all of my fish in the morning, which was the complete opposite of what happened the first two days.”

Bailey primarily targeted prespawn largemouth in brush piles on the north end of the lake. He said his areas were 18 to 22 feet deep and were near the mouths of coves.

“On Day One (Thursday) I caught a fish on my very first cast and never got another bite until almost noon,” said Bailey. “There’s that old saying, ‘If you catch one on your first cast, its bad luck’. Well, it was true for me. Luckily, I pulled up on a spot and caught a couple fish to fill out my limit, so I was happy with that.”

Bailey said he used a few different baits this week, including Roboworm Straight Tail and Curly Tail Worms Carolina rigged. He said he also caught key fish on Olive Crawdad- and Fire Craw-colored Evergreen medium- and deep-diving crankbaits.

“On Friday I actually lost my first five fish,” said Bailey. “Finally, I pulled up to an area and my co-angler and I each caught one. After that, we went to another spot and both caught 17 pounds in about three hours.”

Bailey said his sweet spot had a lot of natural trees and scattered brush piles, and that the trees were large enough to hold a lot of fish.

“Today (Saturday) I used a deep-diving crankbait in the morning instead of a worm and caught a few that I ended up weighing in,” said Bailey. “I switched to the worm and caught two more before returning to my key spot from Day Two, but I never got another bite. I’m thankful I made the decision to start with the crankbait this morning.”

The top 10 pros on Lake Havasu finished:

1st:          Shaun Bailey, Lake Havasu, City, Ariz., 15 bass, 49-5, $40,200

2nd:         David Valdivia, Norwalk, Calif., 15 bass, 48-4  , $15,600

3rd:          Justin Kerr, Simi Valley, Calif., 15 bass, 48-0, $12,000

4th:          Chris Kinley, Lake Havasu, City, Ariz., 15 bass, 46-0, $10,000

5th:          Michael Caruso, Peoria, Ariz., 15 bass, 45-1, $9,000

6th:          Tom Leedom, Escondido, Calif., 15 bass, 44-2, $8,000

7th:          Sean Minderman, Greenacres, Wash., 15 bass, 43-13, $7,300

8th:          Joe Uribe Jr. Surprise, Ariz., 14 bass, 42-4, $6,000

9th:          Jason Milligan, Cottonwood, Calif., 14 bass, 40-15, $5,000

10th:        Jay Wright, Seal Beach, Calif., 11 bass, 34-7, $4,000

A complete list of results will be posted at FLWFishing.com.

Minderman caught a 6-pound, 14-ounce bass Friday– the biggest of the tournament in the Pro Division. For his catch, Minderman earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $300.

Jason Akins of Apple Valley, California, won the Co-angler Division and a Ranger Z175 with a 90-horsepower outboard motor. Akins earned his win with a three-day total catch of nine bass weighing 32 pounds, 14 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers on Lake Havasu finished:

1st:          Jason Akins, Apple Valley, Calif., nine bass, 32-14, Ranger Z175 with a 90-horsepower outboard motor

2nd:         Tony Zanotelli, Redding, Calif., 11 bass, 29-12, $5,250

3rd:          Joseph Cunningham, El Dorado Hills, Calif., seven bass, 24-9, $4,000

4th:          Dustin Remy, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., 11 bass, 24-9, $3,500

5th:          Levi Samz, Green River, Wyo., 12 bass, 24-5, $3,000

6th:          Matt Roach, Scottsdale, Ariz., seven bass, 20-6, $2,500

7th:          Jacob Traba, Pacifica, Calif., seven bass, 19-8, $2,000

8th:          Tom White, Costa Mesa, Calif., nine bass, 18-10, $1,750

9th:          Ralph Wells, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., eight bass, 15-11, $1,500

10th:        David Zavvar, West Hollywood, Calif., six bass, 14-13, $1,250

Zanotelli caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the Co-angler Division Thursday, a fish weighing 5 pounds, 10 ounces that earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $200.

The Costa FLW Series on Lake Havasu presented by Ranger Boats was hosted by the Lake Havasu City Convention & Visitors Bureau. It was the first FLW Series Western Division tournament of the 2018 season. The next Costa FLW Series tournament will be a Southwestern Division tournament, held Feb. 15-17 on Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Jasper, Texas. 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 2018 Costa FLW Series Championship is being held Nov. 1-3 on Lake Guntersville in Guntersville, Alabama, and is hosted by the Marshall County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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


Omori Uses Magic Spot To Hold Onto Lead At Lake Martin Elite Series Event

Takahiro Omori of Emory, Texas, maintains the lead on the third day of the 2018 Bassmaster Elite at Lake Martin presented by Econo Lodge out of Alexander City, Ala., with a three-day total weight of 45 pounds, 8 ounces.

Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 10, 2018

ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. — While fishing Saturday’s semifinal round of the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Martin presented by Econo Lodge, Takahiro Omori caught a bass that had two crankbaits in its mouth.

One was a chartreuse colored bait that Omori had lost on an underwater tree branch Friday, and the other was the red bait he fished with most of the day Saturday.

In 287 events with B.A.S.S., Omori said he’s never had anything like that happen before. But it’s been a charmed tournament for the Japanese-born angler turned Texas resident.

Omori utilized one tiny spot on Lake Martin for the third straight day Saturday, landing a five-bass limit that weighed 12 pounds, 13 ounces. He’ll now lead the field into Championship Sunday with a three-day weight of 45-8 and a chance to claim his seventh career victory.

“That crankbait is just a once-in-a-lifetime story,” Omori said. “I think maybe what happened is that it got hung up and the fish ate it before. Then it ate the other bait today.

“Maybe that’s a sign that everything is going right.”

Omori has been traveling up the lake each day to a small nondescript spot that can’t be easily accessed. He has to trim his outboard up to get through some extremely shallow water and then use his Power-Pole shallow-water anchors to hold his boat in place while making continuous casts to an area about twice as wide as a bass boat.

So far, it’s been worth the trouble.

Omori landed 18-2 during Thursday’s first round and followed that with 14-9 Friday. He’s left with the fish still biting each day, and he’s hoping the spot has one more good day left in it.

“We won’t know until tomorrow,” he said. “I just plan to work on my tackle tonight, get a good night’s sleep and go right back there in the morning.”

His lead is anything but rock solid, with four anglers within about 6 pounds of the lead.

Rookie Roy Hawk caught five bass that weighed 12-10 Saturday and pushed his second-place total to 41-6. He said he might be even closer to the leader if it hadn’t been for one missed opportunity.

“I lost a really nice fish, one that was probably over 3 pounds,” Hawk said. “That one really hurt because I had two little, tiny 12 1/2-inchers that I really needed to get rid of.”

He said the big fish caught him off guard.

“I just flipped a jig in a bush and it was hung,” he said. “I was shaking it, and the fish either grabbed it off the bush or I pulled it off the bush and he ate it. I just didn’t get a good hook in it.”

Though Lake Martin is known for its massive population of spotted bass, Hawk has been targeting largemouth most of the week. All five of the fish he weighed Saturday — and 12 of the 15 he’s weighed this week — have been largemouth.

He admitted he had to work harder for them Saturday.

“It was a tougher day overall,” he said. “I had to fish a little bit differently to get them to bite. I may expand on what I’m doing a little bit tomorrow to try and make up some ground, but I’m basically going to keep doing my deal.”

Behind Omori and Hawk, Washington pro Luke Clausen caught 13-3 and pushed his three-day total to 41-3. Like Hawk, he said fishing was much tougher Saturday — thanks mostly to the heavily overcast conditions.

“I’m fishing deep, clear water, and I just didn’t see that many fish,” Clausen said. “When I did see them, it was hard to get them to bite. I probably caught 20 keepers or more Friday, but I only caught 10 today because the fish were so spread out.”

If it hadn’t been for a 3-6 spotted bass near the end of the day, Clausen said his total would have been much lower.

“I just didn’t have any five- to seven-fish spurts like I had Friday,” he said. “There were times when I would catch one and I would see more down there. But by the time I’d get a bait back in the water, they were gone.”

The Top 12 remaining anglers will now advance to Championship Sunday with a chance to win the $100,000 first-place prize. Takeoff will be at 6:15 a.m. CT from Wind Creek State Park, with the weigh-in scheduled for 2:40 p.m. back at the park.

The Alexander City Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event.

2018 Elite Series Lake Martin 2/8-2/11
Lake Martin, Alexander City  AL.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Takahiro Omori         Emory, TX               15  45-08  110
Day 1: 5   18-02     Day 2: 5   14-09     Day 3: 5   12-13
2.  Roy Hawk               Lk Havasu Cty, AZ       15  41-06  109
Day 1: 5   11-11     Day 2: 5   17-01     Day 3: 5   12-10
3.  Luke Clausen           Otis Orchards, WA       15  41-03  108
Day 1: 5   12-12     Day 2: 5   15-04     Day 3: 5   13-03
4.  Andy Montgomery        Blacksburg, SC          15  40-00  107
Day 1: 5   11-12     Day 2: 5   14-09     Day 3: 5   13-11
5.  Adrian Avena           Vineland, NJ            15  39-03  106
Day 1: 5   10-00     Day 2: 5   16-05     Day 3: 5   12-14
6.  Jared Lintner          Arroyo Grande, CA       15  38-01  105
Day 1: 5   13-15     Day 2: 5   12-14     Day 3: 5   11-04
7.  Justin Lucas           Guntersville, AL        15  37-15  104
Day 1: 5   13-09     Day 2: 5   11-11     Day 3: 5   12-11
8.  Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY             15  37-14  103
Day 1: 5   17-09     Day 2: 5   07-01     Day 3: 5   13-04
9.  Jonathon VanDam        Gobles, MI              15  35-14  102
Day 1: 5   13-08     Day 2: 5   10-10     Day 3: 5   11-12
10. Dean Rojas             Lake Havasu City, AZ    15  35-13  101
Day 1: 5   13-10     Day 2: 5   11-15     Day 3: 5   10-04
11. Brett Hite             Phoenix, AZ             15  35-10  100
Day 1: 5   10-12     Day 2: 5   13-00     Day 3: 5   11-14
12. Dustin Connell         Clanton, AL             15  35-08   99
Day 1: 5   10-15     Day 2: 5   12-10     Day 3: 5   11-15
13. Ott DeFoe              Blaine, TN              15  35-07   98  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   09-10     Day 2: 5   14-00     Day 3: 5   11-13
14. Ray Hanselman Jr       Del Rio, TX             15  35-03   97  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   12-07     Day 2: 5   09-12     Day 3: 5   13-00
15. Casey Ashley           Donalds, SC             15  35-00   96  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   11-06     Day 2: 5   11-06     Day 3: 5   12-04
16. Cliff Pace             Petal, MS               15  34-13   95  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   10-04     Day 2: 5   11-08     Day 3: 5   13-01
17. James Elam             Tulsa, OK               15  34-13   94  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   12-06     Day 2: 5   11-14     Day 3: 5   10-09
18. Jesse Wiggins          Cullman, AL             15  34-09   93  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   15-05     Day 2: 5   11-11     Day 3: 5   07-09
19. Brent Chapman          Lake Quivira, KS        15  34-07   92  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   12-15     Day 2: 5   10-05     Day 3: 5   11-03
20. Josh Bertrand          San Tan Valley, AZ      15  34-06   91  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   08-12     Day 2: 5   13-04     Day 3: 5   12-06
21. Randy Howell           Guntersville, AL        15  34-05   90  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   10-06     Day 2: 5   13-05     Day 3: 5   10-10
22. Todd Faircloth         Jasper, TX              15  34-04   89  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   10-05     Day 2: 5   12-08     Day 3: 5   11-07
23. Alton Jones Jr.        Waco, TX                15  34-04   88  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   12-01     Day 2: 5   12-06     Day 3: 5   09-13
24. Mark Daniels Jr.       Tuskegee, AL            15  34-03   87  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   12-08     Day 2: 5   10-15     Day 3: 5   10-12
25. Bradley Roy            Lancaster, KY           15  34-01   86  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   10-04     Day 2: 5   12-10     Day 3: 5   11-03
26. Boyd Duckett           Guntersville, AL        15  33-08   85  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   09-13     Day 2: 5   12-02     Day 3: 5   11-09
27. Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA            15  33-05   84  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   10-07     Day 2: 5   12-07     Day 3: 5   10-07
28. Skylar Hamilton        Dandridge, TN           15  33-02   83  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   14-09     Day 2: 5   10-08     Day 3: 5   08-01
29. Michael Iaconelli      Pitts Grove, NJ         15  33-01   82  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   11-00     Day 2: 5   13-02     Day 3: 5   08-15
30. Russ Lane              Prattville, AL          15  33-00   81  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   14-08     Day 2: 5   08-15     Day 3: 5   09-09
31. Wesley Strader         Spring City, TN         15  32-14   80  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   10-12     Day 2: 5   12-06     Day 3: 5   09-12
32. Matt Lee               Guntersville, AL        15  32-14   79  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   11-03     Day 2: 5   11-07     Day 3: 5   10-04
33. Micah Frazier          Newnan, GA              15  32-13   78  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   12-03     Day 2: 5   10-04     Day 3: 5   10-06
34. Aaron Martens          Leeds, AL               15  32-12   77  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   11-04     Day 2: 5   11-07     Day 3: 5   10-01
35. Shin Fukae             Palestine TX JAPAN      15  32-10   76  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   10-06     Day 2: 5   12-00     Day 3: 5   10-04
36. Jason Christie         Park Hill, OK           15  32-10   75  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   11-03     Day 2: 5   11-07     Day 3: 5   10-00
37. Skeet Reese            Auburn, CA              15  32-08   74  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   14-13     Day 2: 5   06-13     Day 3: 5   10-14
38. Brent Ehrler           Redlands, CA            15  32-08   73  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   10-12     Day 2: 5   10-08     Day 3: 5   11-04
39. Cliff Crochet          Pierre Part, LA         15  32-06   72  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   14-01     Day 2: 5   06-11     Day 3: 5   11-10
40. Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT           15  32-04   71  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   11-13     Day 2: 5   09-13     Day 3: 5   10-10
41. Chad Pipkens           Lansing, MI             15  32-03   70  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   09-03     Day 2: 5   12-08     Day 3: 5   10-08
42. Jason Williamson       Wagener, SC             15  32-02   69  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   10-10     Day 2: 5   12-05     Day 3: 5   09-03
43. Terry Scroggins        San Mateo, FL           15  31-15   68  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   13-06     Day 2: 5   09-02     Day 3: 5   09-07
44. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN           15  31-13   67  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   10-11     Day 2: 5   11-05     Day 3: 5   09-13
45. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ              15  31-12   66  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   11-01     Day 2: 5   10-09     Day 3: 5   10-02
46. Brian Snowden          Reeds Spring, MO        15  31-08   65  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   09-01     Day 2: 5   12-06     Day 3: 5   10-01
47. David Walker           Sevierville, TN         15  31-00   64  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   14-05     Day 2: 5   07-05     Day 3: 5   09-06
48. Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL             13  30-09   63  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   19-13     Day 2: 3   04-05     Day 3: 5   06-07
49. Chris Lane             Guntersville, AL        13  29-05   62  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   09-14     Day 2: 5   12-03     Day 3: 3   07-04
50. Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN        15  28-13   61  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   11-12     Day 2: 5   10-09     Day 3: 5   06-08
51. Robbie Latuso          Gonzales, LA            12  27-10   60  $10,000.00
Day 1: 5   11-03     Day 2: 5   12-00     Day 3: 2   04-07   


Havasu Local Makes a Move Heading into Championship Saturday!

The fishing was tougher across the board on day two of the Costa FLW Series presented by Ranger on Lake Havasu, but the head of the pack has stayed pretty consistent. Moving from second to first, Chris Kinley of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., weighed 17 pounds, 6 ounces on day two to improve by 3 ounces on his day one weight and take the lead with a 34-9 total. In second, Shaun Bailey weighed 17-1 and is just 10 ounces back with 33-15.

Kinley started his day in the lower reaches of the Colorado River and boxed up three quality fish pretty quickly.

“About 11 o’clock I decided to completely change gears,” says Kinley. “I went to some areas in the lake that had been holding quite a bit of fish, but the fishing pressure has really had an impact. The fish have repositioned, they’re definitely holding on a different type of structure than they were on yesterday and they moved a little bit deeper today.”

In the end, Kinley scrapped together a limit with three river fish and two from the lake. Though the places he’s fishing look quite different, he says he’s taking a similar approach.

“The fish that I’m fishing for are in prespawn staging areas,” says Kinley. “Predominantly the areas I’m fishing hold smallies, but occasionally a largemouth will slide in there.”

Moving up from second to the lead, Kinley has some close competition and a good shot at his first win with FLW.

“I feel pretty confident about tomorrow,” says Kinley. “I lead this event in 2012 on day one and day two and Troy Lindner beat me by 2 ounces on the final day. I had this one slip through my fingers in 2012 and I really do not want that to happen again.”

 

Top 10 pros 

1. Chris Kinley – Lake Havasu City, Ariz. – 34-9 (10)

2. Shaun Bailey – Lake Havasu City, Ariz. – 33-15 (10)

3. Sean Minderman – Greenacres, Wash. – 33-14 (10)

4. David Valdivia – Norwalk, Calif. – 31-13 (10)

5. Jason Milligan – Cottonwood, Calif. – 30-11 (10)

6. Jay Wright – Seal Beach, Calif. – 30-10 (10)

7. Michael Caruso – Peoria, Ariz. – 29-15 (10)

8. Joe Uribe Jr. – Surprise, Ariz. – 29-14 (10)

9. Tom Leedom – Escondido, Calif. – 28-15(10)

10. Justin Kerr – Simi Valley, Calf. – 28-14 (10)

Complete results

 

Cunningham holds fast on the co-angler side

Joseph Cunningham started the day with a commanding lead thanks to his 18-2 bag on day one, and though he only weighed one 4-pounder on day two he’s still fairly in command. With a 22-3 total, Cunningham leads by more than 3 pounds over second place co-angler Dustin Remy.

Fishing finesse, Cunningham got three bites all day and converted on one big one.

“It seems like when I do get a bite it’s a good one, the problem is getting bites,” says Cunningham. “I knew it was slow out there, but my goal was to get 10 pounds. Going out tomorrow I’m going to try and get 10 pounds again, but man it’s tough. You just have to keep your head down and keep fishing.”

Complete results


Tak Takes the Lead on Martin in Elite Series Opener

Takahiro Omori of Emory, Texas, takes the lead on the second day of the 2018 Bassmaster Elite at Lake Martin presented by Econo Lodge out of Alexander City, Ala., with a two-day total weight of 32 pounds, 11 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 9, 2018

ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. — Since the Bassmaster Tournament Trail hasn’t visited Lake Martin for a major event in more than 15 years, the belief coming into this week’s Bassmaster Elite at Lake Martin presented by Econo Lodge was that veteran local anglers with recent experience on the fishery had a chance to dominate.

But after two days, the top of the leaderboard includes a guy from Japan, a rookie from Arizona and a longtime pro from Washington State.

So much for local domination.

Takahiro Omori, a Japanese angler who now lives Texas, caught 14 pounds, 9 ounces and jumped from second place into the lead with a two-day weight of 32-11. He’s followed by newcomer Roy Hawk of Arizona (28-12), who is fishing his first-ever Elite Series event, and Washington angler Luke Clausen, who joined the Elite Series last year after a long and successful career on the FLW Tour.

Omori said most of his fish came early — and from one magical spot.

“I don’t want to tell anybody about that spot because I’ve got to go back tomorrow,” Omori said. “It’s a really good spot, but it’s about all I have.”

In the interest of saving fish for the final two days of the tournament, Omori left his best area well before lunchtime and went looking for something else similar.

“After I left that spot, I started practicing,” Omori said. “I tried to find another place to fish, and I couldn’t find it.

“I still have to be open-minded because this time of the year, anything can happen.”

Despite heavy rains in the forecast for the next two days, Omori said he believes the spot will still be good.

“We had a pretty good rain Sunday night and then another one Wednesday night,” he said. “So, the spot should be okay.”

Omori’s lead over Hawk is nearly 4 pounds, but Hawk came on strong during Friday’s second round with a catch of 17-1. Unlike many anglers who weighed in mostly spotted bass, Hawk weighed in four largemouth and only one spot.

“I don’t know if what I did today is repeatable,” Hawk said. “But I think I can catch some fish, and I’m having a lot of fun doing it.

“I’m moving around a lot, and as I’m going along the bank, I’m kind of targeting different things. A lot of the key largemouth are coming on specific things, but I’m catching spots in between.”

Hawk’s catch was anchored by a largemouth that weighed 5-2, and he already had a 3 1/2-pounder in his livewell when that fish bit.

Clausen caught the bulk of his fish during the afternoon hours and jumped from 16th place on Day 1 into third with a Day 2 catch of 15-4.

“It’s been kind of slow for me in the mornings,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve had a limit before 10 o’clock either day. Then in the afternoons, it gets right. I’ve had some flurries in the afternoons when you catch them every cast for five to seven casts.”

Clausen has weighed all spotted bass the first two days — and since spots can be unpredictable in overcast conditions, the weather forecast has him wondering how things will go the rest of the way.

“That’s the scary thing about spots,” he said. “I have to say I would much rather have sun than I would overcast because spots have a tendency to roam a lot more in that. So, I don’t know if I’ll be able to target them as well.”

Second-year Elite Series pro Jesse Wiggins (fourth, 27-0) was the only Alabama angler in the Top 6. He was followed by veteran California pro Jared Lintner (fifth, 26-13) and New Jersey pro Adrian Avena (sixth, 26-5).

Only the Top 51 remaining anglers will take part in Saturday’s semifinal round, and only the Top 12 after Saturday will advance to Championship Sunday with a chance to win the $100,000 first-place prize.

Daily takeoffs will be held at 6:15 a.m. CT from Wind Creek State Park with weigh-ins scheduled back at the park for 2:40 p.m.

The Alexander City Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event.

2018 Bassmaster Elite At Lake Martin Presenting Sponsor: Econo Lodge

2018 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2018 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Abu Garcia, Berkley

2018 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, T-H Marine, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Carhartt

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

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

-30-

Media Contact: JamieDay Matthews, 205-313-0945, [email protected] or Dave Precht, 205-313-0931, [email protected]

Note: The 2018 B.A.S.S. Media Guide is now available on Bassmastermedia.com.
2018 Bassmaster Elite Series at Lake Martin presented by Econo Lodge 2/8-2/11
Lake Martin, Alexander City AL.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 10 32-11 110
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 14-09
2. Roy Hawk Lk Havasu Cty, AZ 10 28-12 109
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 17-01
3. Luke Clausen Otis Orchards, WA 10 28-00 108
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 15-04
4. Jesse Wiggins Cullman, AL 10 27-00 107
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 11-11
5. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 10 26-13 106
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 12-14
6. Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ 10 26-05 105
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 16-05
7. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 10 26-05 104
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 14-09
8. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 10 25-09 103
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 11-15
9. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 10 25-04 102
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 11-11
10. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 10 25-01 101
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 10-08
11. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 10 24-10 100
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 07-01
12. Alton Jones Jr. Waco, TX 10 24-07 99
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 12-06
13. James Elam Tulsa, OK 10 24-04 98
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 11-14
14. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 8 24-02 97
Day 1: 5 19-13 Day 2: 3 04-05
15. Jonathon VanDam Gobles, MI 10 24-02 96
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 10-10
16. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 10 24-02 95
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 13-02
17. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 10 23-12 94
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 13-00
18. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 10 23-11 93
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 13-05
19. Ott DeFoe Blaine, TN 10 23-10 92
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 14-00
20. Dustin Connell Clanton, AL 10 23-09 91
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 12-10
21. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 10 23-07 90
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 08-15
22. Mark Daniels Jr. Tuskegee, AL 10 23-07 89
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 10-15
23. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 10 23-04 88
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 10-05
24. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 10 23-03 87
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 12-00
25. Wesley Strader Spring City, TN 10 23-02 86
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 12-06
26. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 10 22-15 85
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 12-05
27. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 10 22-14 84
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 12-10
28. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 22-14 83
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 12-07
29. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 10 22-13 82
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 12-08
30. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 10 22-12 81
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 11-06
31. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 10 22-11 80
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 11-07
32. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 10 22-10 79
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 11-07
32. Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 10 22-10 79
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 11-07
34. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 10 22-08 77
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 09-02
35. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 10 22-07 76
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 10-04
36. Shin Fukae Palestine TX JAPAN 10 22-06 75
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 12-00
37. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 22-05 74
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 10-09
38. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 10 22-03 73
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 09-12
39. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 10 22-01 72
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 12-03
40. Josh Bertrand San Tan Valley, AZ 10 22-00 71
Day 1: 5 08-12 Day 2: 5 13-04
41. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 22-00 70
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 11-05
42. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 10 21-15 69
Day 1: 5 09-13 Day 2: 5 12-02
43. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 10 21-12 68
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 11-08
44. Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 10 21-11 67
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 5 12-08
45. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 10 21-10 66
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 06-13
46. David Walker Sevierville, TN 10 21-10 65
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 07-05
47. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 10 21-10 64
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 09-13
48. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 21-10 63
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 10-09
49. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 10 21-07 62
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 5 12-06
50. Brent Ehrler Redlands, CA 10 21-04 61
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 10-08
51. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 10 20-12 60
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 06-11
52. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 20-11 59
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 09-03
53. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 10 20-11 58
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 09-12
54. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 20-10 57
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 10-02
55. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 10 20-09 56
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 08-01
56. Mike McClelland Bentonville, AR 10 20-09 55
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 08-12
57. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 10 20-08 54
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 08-15
58. Gerald Spohrer Gonzales, LA 10 20-08 53
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 09-15
59. Fletcher Shryock Dennison, OH 10 20-07 52
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 11-00
60. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 9 20-06 51
Day 1: 4 05-15 Day 2: 5 14-07
61. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 10 20-05 50
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 08-07
62. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 10 20-04 49
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 09-08
63. Fred Roumbanis Russellville, AR 10 20-04 48
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 09-12
64. Chris Zaldain Laughlin, NV 10 20-03 47
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 10-00
65. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 10 20-00 46
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 10-06
66. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 9 19-14 45
Day 1: 4 05-12 Day 2: 5 14-02
67. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 10 19-13 44
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 5 10-07
68. Jordan Lee Grant, AL 10 19-11 43
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 5 11-02
69. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 10 19-08 42
Day 1: 5 08-11 Day 2: 5 10-13
70. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 10 19-07 41
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 08-01
71. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 10 19-05 40
Day 1: 5 08-01 Day 2: 5 11-04
72. Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID 10 19-05 39
Day 1: 5 08-05 Day 2: 5 11-00
73. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 10 19-05 38
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 09-14
74. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 10 19-00 37
Day 1: 5 07-04 Day 2: 5 11-12
75. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 10 19-00 36
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 07-15
76. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 10 19-00 35
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 09-00
77. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 9 18-14 34
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 4 08-15
78. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 10 18-11 33
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 08-11
79. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 18-11 32
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 5 08-15
80. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 10 18-09 31
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 09-09
81. Gary Klein Mingus, TX 10 18-08 30
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 5 09-00
82. Darrell Ocamica New Plymouth, ID 10 18-07 29
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 08-09
83. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 10 18-01 28
Day 1: 5 07-06 Day 2: 5 10-11
84. Dave Lefebre Erie, PA 10 18-00 27
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 08-09
85. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 8 17-14 26
Day 1: 4 10-04 Day 2: 4 07-10
86. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 10 17-13 25
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 07-01
87. Morizo Shimizu Suita, Osaka JAPAN 10 17-13 24
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 5 08-10
88. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 10 17-11 23
Day 1: 5 07-09 Day 2: 5 10-02
89. Brandon Card Knoxville, TN 10 17-11 22
Day 1: 5 07-14 Day 2: 5 09-13
90. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 10 17-11 21
Day 1: 5 07-15 Day 2: 5 09-12
91. Seth Feider Bloomington, MN 10 17-08 20
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 5 07-09
92. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 10 17-08 19
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 5 08-05
93. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 9 17-02 18
Day 1: 4 07-11 Day 2: 5 09-07
94. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 10 17-01 17
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 06-15
95. Jacob Wheeler Harrison, TN 10 17-00 16
Day 1: 5 07-11 Day 2: 5 09-05
96. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 10 16-09 15
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 06-08
97. John Murray Spring City, TN 10 16-03 14
Day 1: 5 08-03 Day 2: 5 08-00
98. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 10 15-14 13
Day 1: 5 08-10 Day 2: 5 07-04
99. David Fritts Lexington, NC 10 15-11 12
Day 1: 5 05-12 Day 2: 5 09-15
100. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 9 15-08 11
Day 1: 5 08-03 Day 2: 4 07-05
101. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 9 15-02 10
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 4 05-15
102. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 10 15-01 9
Day 1: 5 07-12 Day 2: 5 07-05
103. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 8 14-08 8
Day 1: 3 06-12 Day 2: 5 07-12
104. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 8 14-00 7
Day 1: 3 03-08 Day 2: 5 10-08
105. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 10 13-12 6
Day 1: 5 08-00 Day 2: 5 05-12
106. Kelly Jordon Flint, TX 7 13-08 5
Day 1: 2 04-05 Day 2: 5 09-03
107. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 8 10-08 4
Day 1: 4 05-01 Day 2: 4 05-07
108. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 4 10-04 3
Day 1: 3 08-13 Day 2: 1 01-07
109. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 4 08-14 2
Day 1: 2 03-13 Day 2: 2 05-01
110. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 6 07-10 1
Day 1: 5 06-10 Day 2: 1 01-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------


Byrne & Freeman Talk CBC, Costa, & What the Fish Like in the Low Country.

AnglersChannel's John Byrne and Sportsmans Warehouse Fishing Manager CJ Freeman talk about whats happening in and around the Low Country in today's Sportsmans Warehouse Special Report. Check it out!


New Technology Is Changing The Way Fans Follow The Bassmaster Classic

B.A.S.S. fans will be able to follow the action of the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods by watching Classic LIVE on Bassmaster.com. The show will feature six hours of in-depth coverage in real time.

Photo by Darren Jacobson/B.A.S.S.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 9, 2018

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In the three years since Classic LIVE debuted at the GEICO Bassmaster Classic in Greenville and Anderson, S.C., in February 2015, the innovative live-stream, on-the-water programming has changed the way fans follow competitive bass fishing.

No longer do they have to wait until a Classic or Bassmaster Elite Series event is aired on ESPN2 to see the anglers in action. Now, they can view every cast, catch and celebration as it happens, in real time.

“It seems like we’ve been doing Bassmaster LIVE for many years, but in fact, we’re just coming up on our third anniversary,” said Mike McKinnis, vice president of media content for JM Associates and producer of The Bassmasters TV show on ESPN2. “That’s a short amount of time to have truly changed the way B.A.S.S. fans enjoy the sport. With the technology continuing to get stronger every year, the coverage we’re bringing to ESPN3, Bassmaster.com and B.A.S.S. social media in 2018 is going to be the best we’ve ever seen.”

In the 2017 season, LIVE had 2.2 million video views, a 181 percent increase over the previous year, generating 65.5 million minutes of viewing, a growth of 156 percent over the prior year.

LIVE employs relatively new technology that enables streaming from the same high-definition cameras used to record video for The Bassmasters. Viewers can tune in through Bassmaster.com and the WatchESPN app for six hours per day all three competition days of the Classic.

They’ll see much more than fishing action on LIVE. Hosts Tommy Sanders, Mark Zona and recently retired Elite Series angler Davy Hite provide insightful commentary and analysis of the competition as well. The program will also include LIVE cut-ins with Dave Mercer, Classic and Elite Series emcee, along with guest anglers from the Classic Expo.

B.A.S.S. has long been streaming daily weigh-ins from the Classic, Elite Series events and other Bassmaster tournaments, and that program, too, has enjoyed substantial growth, increasing 31 percent in 2017 over 2016 with more than 800,000 video views.

“In addition to LIVE, this year we'll continue to enhance our digital coverage with more up-to-the-minute coverage, including more video from the water, bringing visitors straight to the action on Lake Hartwell,” said Jim Sexton, vice president/digital for B.A.S.S. “And we're digging deeper in the statistics for every angler, using their career statistics to give insights on the tournament. In BASSTrakk for instance, visitors will now be able to see more data on each angler's day.”

The extremely popular BASSTrakk uses cellphone apps in each competitor’s boat to relay the estimated weight of each bass caught, including those released and the fish placed in livewells. As B.A.S.S. has done since instituting catch and release in 1972, all bass are returned alive to the fishery from which they were caught.

Fans participating in Bassmaster’s Fantasy Fishing game especially keep up with the competition. In addition to prizes for the players picking the highest-scoring teams of anglers in each event, the overall winner will receive a Triton/Yamaha boat and motor package valued at $35,000.

Marshals assigned to each Classic competitor record and transmit the fish catch data for BASSTrakk in real time, and many also send in photos and comments on the action. Those are included in the live blog, which also are written by teams of reporters tracking the leaders on Lake Hartwell.

Beginning with the first programs on March 31 on ESPN2, B.A.S.S. will air 10 hours of coverage of the “Super Bowl of Bass Fishing.”

Of course, there’s no better way to enjoy the $1 million GEICO Bassmaster Classic than being there in person. Attendance at the 2015 championship in Greenville exceeded 103,000 and should go even higher this year.

In addition to daily weigh-ins in the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, fans will be able to check out the latest boats, motors, fishing tackle and lures at the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods in the TD Convention Center Friday through Sunday, March 16-18. Increasingly every year, manufacturers are choosing the Expo to introduce their newest products to the most avid of bass anglers.

Even the early morning takeoffs have become draws for spectators. On the first day of the 2015 Classic on Lake Hartwell, more than 2,000 spectators crowded the Green Pond Landing and Event Center at Anderson — on a morning when the temperature was 10 degrees. With the Classic being held a month later and with warmer weather expected, the crowds should be even larger.

“Our goal has long been to provide cutting-edge content about our Classic and other tournaments however, whenever and wherever fans want to consume it,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “The increasing popularity of all these programs prove that our fans are getting what they desire.”

To learn more about attending and following the 2018 Classic, visit Bassmaster.com now and throughout the event.

2018 Bassmaster Classic Title Sponsor: GEICO

2018 Bassmaster Classic Presenting Sponsor: DICK’S Sporting Goods

2018 Bassmaster Classic Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2018 Bassmaster Classic Premier Sponsors: Berkley, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Abu Garcia

2018 Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo Presenting Sponsor: DICK’S Sporting Goods

About the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods
The 48th world championship of bass fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods will host 52 of the world’s best bass anglers competing for more than $1 million, March 16-18 on Lake Hartwell, South Carolina. Competition and takeoff will begin each day at 7:30 a.m. ET at the Green Pond Landing in Anderson (470 Green Pond Road). Weigh-ins will be held daily March 16-18 at 3:15 p.m. in the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in downtown Greenville (650 N. Academy Street).

In conjunction, the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods will be open daily in Greenville at the TD Convention Center (1 Exposition Drive). Expo hours are Friday, March 16, noon – 8 p.m.; Saturday, March 17, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday, March 18, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. All events are free and open to the public.


Slim Margin Puts Carl Limbrick Jr. in Costa Western lead on Havasu!

Day one of the Costa FLW Series presented by Ranger on Lake Havasu featured great weather and very tight weights. Though no 20-pound bags hit the scale, 10 pros bested the 16-pound mark and Carl Limbrick Jr. of Bonita, Calif., weighed 17 pounds, 7 ounces to take the lead.

With weights as tight as they are and so many boats on the water most of the pros were pretty cagey about their patterns. For Limbrick, getting off to a hot start early was key.

“It started off good in the morning, I didn’t catch many fish, but I caught decent ones – 3- and 4-pounders,” says the California angler. “I’m not sure I can replicate it, I only got six fish today and that sixth one came later. I went a long time without a bite.”

Limbrick did divulge his methods and location to a degree – finesse fishing in the main basin. Weighing three smallmouths and two largemouths on the day, Limbrick says he isn’t particularly targeting either species, he’s just focusing on areas where both are present.

Prior to 2018, Limbrick has fished almost entirely as a co-angler, but he did end the 2017 season with an 18th-place finish from the front of the boat at Clear Lake. He’s got a great shot to follow that up with an even better finish if he can keep it rolling at Havasu.

 

Top 10 pros 

1. Carl Limbrick Jr. – Bonita, Calif. – 17-7 (5)

2. Ted Stewner – Winnipeg, Manitoba – 17-3 (5)

2. Chris Kinley – Lake Havasu City, Ariz. – 17-3 (5)

4. Cody Murray – Nampa, Idaho – 17-2 (5)

5. Shaun Bailey – Lake Havasu City, Ariz. – 16-14 (5)

6. Jason Borofka – Salinas, Calif. – 16-12 (5)

7. Michael Caruso – Peoria, Ariz. – 16-7 (5)

8. Joe Uribe Jr. – Surprise, Ariz. – 16-6 (5)

9. Mitch Southern – Yucaipa, Calif. – 16-4 (5)

10. Jason Milligan – Cottonwood, Calif. – 16-0 (5)

 

 

Cunningham blows past the co-angler field

Had he been fishing on the pro side, Joseph Cunningham would still be in the lead. The co-angler from El Dorado Hills, Calif., smashed 18-2 on day one and leads over Tony Zanotelli by nearly 4 pounds.

Fishing behind Gregg Brown, Cunningham says he simply got a little lucky.

“Believe it or not it was actually a really slow day,” says Cunningham. “We came in on a spot and I caught three good ones back-to-back and then we had a lull until the end of the day when I caught my last two keepers. It feels good, I just hope I can go out there and get five tomorrow and then do it again on Saturday. It’s an adrenaline rush every time you get a bite.”

Complete results

 

PLACE ANGLER CITY/STATE DAY 1
WT (Fish)
DAY 1&2
WT (Fish)
WINNINGS
1 CARL LIMBRICK JR BONITA, CA 17 - 7 (5) 17 - 7 (5)
2 TED STEWNER WINNIPEG, MB 17 - 3 (5) 17 - 3 (5)
2 CHRIS KINLEY LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ 17 - 3 (5) 17 - 3 (5)
4 CODY MURRAY NAMPA, ID 17 - 2 (5) 17 - 2 (5)
5 SHAUN BAILEY LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ 16 - 14 (5) 16 - 14 (5)
6 JASON BOROFKA SALINAS, CA 16 - 12 (5) 16 - 12 (5)
7 MICHAEL CARUSO PEORIA, AZ 16 - 7 (5) 16 - 7 (5)
8 JOE URIBE JR. SURPRISE, AZ 16 - 6 (5) 16 - 6 (5)
9 MITCH SOUTHERN YUCAIPA, CA 16 - 4 (5) 16 - 4 (5)
10 JASON MILLIGAN COTTONWOOD, CA 16 - 0 (5) 16 - 0 (5)
11 BRETT LEBER DIXON, CA 15 - 10 (5) 15 - 10 (5)
12 JACOB WALL JACKSONVILLE, OR 15 - 9 (5) 15 - 9 (5)
13 MARTY LAWRENCE MESA, AZ 15 - 8 (5) 15 - 8 (5)
14 PETE MARINO MORENO VALLEY, CA 15 - 4 (5) 15 - 4 (5)
15 TODD KLINE SAN CLEMENTE, CA 15 - 3 (5) 15 - 3 (5)
16 SHANE SPINNING CANYON LAKE, CA 15 - 1 (5) 15 - 1 (5)
17 DAVID VALDIVIA NORWALK, CA 14 - 12 (5) 14 - 12 (5)
18 JUSTIN KERR SIMI VALLEY, CA 14 - 6 (5) 14 - 6 (5)
18 JIMMY REESE WITTER SPRINGS, CA 14 - 6 (5) 14 - 6 (5)
20 KEVIN FINLEY PHOENIX, AZ 14 - 3 (5) 14 - 3 (5)
21 JON GRIFFITH MESA, AZ 14 - 0 (5) 14 - 0 (5)
22 TOM LEEDOM ESCONDIDO, CA 13 - 15 (5) 13 - 15 (5)
23 TED HOLVERSON EL CAJON, CA 13 - 14 (5) 13 - 14 (5)
24 JORDAN COLLOM TEMECULA, CA 13 - 12 (5) 13 - 12 (5)
25 NICK NOUROT BENICIA, CA 13 - 7 (5) 13 - 7 (5)
25 RONALD BRUGGEMAN POTTER VALLEY, CA 13 - 7 (5) 13 - 7 (5)
27 JASON CORDIALE ORINDA, CA 13 - 5 (5) 13 - 5 (5)
28 JASON SIDEBOTTOM SAN JACINTO, CA 13 - 3 (5) 13 - 3 (5)
29 JAY WRIGHT SEAL BEACH, CA 13 - 1 (5) 13 - 1 (5)
29 RAYMOND TAK LOS ANGELES, CA 13 - 1 (4) 13 - 1 (4)
31 JASON HICKEY WEISER, ID 13 - 0 (5) 13 - 0 (5)
32 PATRICK SPENCER MARANA, AZ 12 - 7 (5) 12 - 7 (5)
33 BLAKE DYER MORAGA, CA 12 - 3 (3) 12 - 3 (3) $300
34 MARK LASSAGNE SAN RAMON, CA 12 - 1 (5) 12 - 1 (5)
34 CORY SCHLEIDEN YUCAIPA, CA 12 - 1 (5) 12 - 1 (5)
36 JIM HAWKES APACHE JUNCTION, AZ 12 - 0 (5) 12 - 0 (5)
37 GREGG LEONARD ELK GROVE, CA 11 - 14 (5) 11 - 14 (5)
37 ANDY SCHOLZ RENO, NV 11 - 14 (4) 11 - 14 (4)
37 TAI AU GLENDALE, AZ 11 - 14 (5) 11 - 14 (5)
40 JIM VRETZOS FOLSOM, CA 11 - 13 (5) 11 - 13 (5)
40 RYAN LAMPRECHT PEORIA, AZ 11 - 13 (4) 11 - 13 (4)
40 MARK WILLIAMS LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ 11 - 13 (4) 11 - 13 (4)
43 PATRICK WHITAKER GILBERT, AZ 11 - 12 (5) 11 - 12 (5)
44 INDER LOPEZ SPRING VALLEY, CA 11 - 11 (5) 11 - 11 (5)
45 TIM RATH LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ 11 - 7 (4) 11 - 7 (4)
46 ROBERT LEE ANGELS CAMP, CA 11 - 3 (5) 11 - 3 (5)
47 KYLE GROVER TRABUCO CANYON, CA 11 - 2 (3) 11 - 2 (3)
47 JIM WAITS YUMA, AZ 11 - 2 (5) 11 - 2 (5)
49 TRAVIS HUCKABY MODESTO, CA 11 - 1 (5) 11 - 1 (5)
50 CHRIS COSTELLO GILROY, CA 10 - 13 (5) 10 - 13 (5)
51 SEAN MINDERMAN GREENACRES, WA 10 - 10 (5) 10 - 10 (5)
52 JEFF MICHELS LAKEHEAD, CA 10 - 9 (5) 10 - 9 (5)
53 ANDREW LOBERG ROCKLIN, CA 10 - 8 (5) 10 - 8 (5)
54 MANAS MALIKIAN HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 10 - 6 (4) 10 - 6 (4)
54 MIKE PHUA CHINO, CA 10 - 6 (5) 10 - 6 (5)
56 TONY LAIN MENIFEE, CA 10 - 3 (4) 10 - 3 (4)
57 RUSTY SALEWSKE ALPINE, CA 10 - 2 (5) 10 - 2 (5)
58 TERRENCE RATH LAKEWOOD, CA 10 - 0 (5) 10 - 0 (5)
59 GARRETT HOWARD RIVERSIDE, CA 9 - 9 (4) 9 - 9 (4)
59 MATT DAL PORTO SUTTER, CA 9 - 9 (3) 9 - 9 (3)
61 TOSHITADA SUZUKI TOKYO JAPAN 125-0061, 9 - 5 (5) 9 - 5 (5)
62 DANIEL LEUE COLUSA, CA 9 - 3 (4) 9 - 3 (4)
63 JIGGS BENN MYRTLE CREEK, OR 9 - 2 (5) 9 - 2 (5)
64 MIKE STAHLMAN BUCKLEY, WA 9 - 1 (3) 9 - 1 (3)
65 JON STRELIC EL CAJON, CA 8 - 12 (5) 8 - 12 (5)
66 LANE OLSON FOREST GROVE, OR 8 - 7 (3) 8 - 7 (3)
67 COLT ROBERTS BAYFIELD, CO 8 - 4 (4) 8 - 4 (4)
68 RICK FOERSTER VAIL, AZ 8 - 1 (3) 8 - 1 (3)
69 CLIFF KING HERALD, CA 8 - 0 (4) 8 - 0 (4)
70 VINCENT BERNAL LOS BANOS, CA 7 - 14 (5) 7 - 14 (5)
71 JEFF ALLEN FLAGSTAFF, AZ 7 - 12 (3) 7 - 12 (3)
72 BRIAN NOLLAR HOMER, AK 7 - 8 (2) 7 - 8 (2)
73 SCOTT HELLESEN BENICIA, CA 7 - 2 (2) 7 - 2 (2)
74 NATHAN BROMLEY ALBANY, OR 6 - 15 (3) 6 - 15 (3)
75 RUSS BARGER BOISE, ID 6 - 14 (2) 6 - 14 (2)
76 GREG HUEY MCMINNVILLE, OR 6 - 11 (3) 6 - 11 (3)
77 SHAWN O'CONNELL BREWSTER, WA 6 - 10 (3) 6 - 10 (3)
78 TRAVIS BOUNDS CHICO, CA 6 - 9 (2) 6 - 9 (2)
79 NICK YOUNG NYSSA, OR 6 - 8 (3) 6 - 8 (3)
80 JIM GIANCOLA SAN JUAN BAUTISTA, CA 6 - 5 (2) 6 - 5 (2)
80 TODD WOODS LOS ANGELES, CA 6 - 5 (2) 6 - 5 (2)
82 DAVID MAES SPARKS, NV 6 - 4 (3) 6 - 4 (3)
82 SHANE MEISEL RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA 6 - 4 (3) 6 - 4 (3)
84 MIKE NICHELINI NAPA, CA 6 - 2 (3) 6 - 2 (3)
85 SUNNY HAWK SALT LAKE CITY, UT 6 - 1 (2) 6 - 1 (2)
86 YUAN LIU HAYWARD, CA 5 - 15 (3) 5 - 15 (3)
87 VU AU TUCSON, AZ 5 - 12 (3) 5 - 12 (3)
87 TYLER ELLIS SPRINGFIELD, MO 5 - 12 (3) 5 - 12 (3)
89 CY FLOYD HENDERSON, NV 5 - 11 (3) 5 - 11 (3)
89 STEPHEN PRICE GLENDALE, AZ 5 - 11 (2) 5 - 11 (2)
89 RYAN GERMAN FAIRFIELD, CA 5 - 11 (2) 5 - 11 (2)
92 JOHNNY NGUYEN TUCSON, AZ 5 - 10 (3) 5 - 10 (3)
93 MATT SHURA GILBERT, AZ 5 - 9 (1) 5 - 9 (1)
94 JERRED JENNINGS STOCKTON, CA 5 - 5 (3) 5 - 5 (3)
95 JAMES SHAW COOLIDGE, AZ 5 - 4 (2) 5 - 4 (2)
95 LOGAN ERAUTT YUCAIPA, CA 5 - 4 (2) 5 - 4 (2)
97 HUNTER SCHLANDER MODESTO, CA 5 - 3 (2) 5 - 3 (2)
98 CLAYTON ESLICK GILROY, CA 5 - 2 (2) 5 - 2 (2)
99 ROBERT NAKATOMI SACRAMENTO, CA 5 - 1 (3) 5 - 1 (3)
100 WES WEZENBERG LACEY, WA 4 - 15 (2) 4 - 15 (2)
101 SERGIO ARGUELLO N. HOLLYWOOD, CA 4 - 13 (1) 4 - 13 (1)
101 JUSTIN PATTI PHOENIX, AZ 4 - 13 (3) 4 - 13 (3)
103 CAMERON KARBER SCOTTSDALE, AZ 4 - 9 (1) 4 - 9 (1)
103 KEVIN HUGO CANYON LAKE, CA 4 - 9 (3) 4 - 9 (3)
105 KEVIN JOHNSON WADDELL, AZ 4 - 8 (2) 4 - 8 (2)
106 ED ARLEDGE VALLEY CENTER, CA 4 - 7 (2) 4 - 7 (2)
107 MICHAEL TAFOYA LAPLATA, NM 4 - 6 (2) 4 - 6 (2)
108 MIKE POWELL MIDWAY, UT 4 - 5 (2) 4 - 5 (2)
109 PHILIP ROESENER LOGANDALE, NV 4 - 2 (2) 4 - 2 (2)
110 MIKE BRILLHART WADDELL, AZ 4 - 0 (3) 4 - 0 (3)
111 BENJAMIN BYRD MOAB, UT 3 - 15 (2) 3 - 15 (2)
112 HOBBY NELSON PEORIA, AZ 3 - 14 (1) 3 - 14 (1)
113 ROBERT GRITSKI PENDLETON, OR 3 - 9 (1) 3 - 9 (1)
114 JUSTIN CAMPBELL PASCO, WA 3 - 8 (1) 3 - 8 (1)
114 CHARLEY ALMASSEY OAKLEY, CA 3 - 8 (1) 3 - 8 (1)
116 LESTER HAWKINS PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO 3 - 3 (1) 3 - 3 (1)
116 ANDREW JANKE SCAPPOOSE, OR 3 - 3 (1) 3 - 3 (1)
118 JAKE BOOMER SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 3 - 2 (1) 3 - 2 (1)
119 DAVE PHILLIPS NAMPA, ID 3 - 0 (2) 3 - 0 (2)
120 ALLEN BRATTON CEDAR CITY, UT 2 - 14 (1) 2 - 14 (1)
121 GREGG BROWN HENDERSON, NV 2 - 11 (1) 2 - 11 (1)
121 JOSHUA IRELAND ST.CLOUD, FL 2 - 11 (1) 2 - 11 (1)
123 BRET GOUVEA REDDING, CA 2 - 9 (2) 2 - 9 (2)
124 KEITH DIFFEY ELK GROVE, CA 2 - 8 (1) 2 - 8 (1)
125 CHARLIE WEYER WEST HILLS, CA 2 - 7 (1) 2 - 7 (1)
125 BOBBY LANHAM CAVE CREEK, AZ 2 - 7 (1) 2 - 7 (1)
127 CHAD HULBERT GILROY, CA 2 - 6 (1) 2 - 6 (1)
128 TRAVIS JEWELL SANDY, UT 2 - 2 (1) 2 - 2 (1)
129 LAYTHE MOORE BANNING, CA 1 - 14 (1) 1 - 14 (1)
130 JIM HALLAUER ALPINE, CA 1 - 12 (1) 1 - 12 (1)
131 CARLOS GARCIA MURRIETA, CA 1 - 11 (1) 1 - 11 (1)
132 DAVID DAVIS BIG PINEY, WY 1 - 7 (1) 1 - 7 (1)
133 JIM LYON RENO, NV 1 - 5 (1) 1 - 5 (1)
NATHAN HARBISON CLOVIS, CA
NEIL FLORES SUN CITY, CA
MELVIN WILLIAMS CHULA VISTA, CA
GARY COLLINS UPPER LAKE, CA
DAVID KROMM KENNEWICK, WA
MAYNARD HEBERT EDMONTON, AB
VINCE HURTADO TURLOCK, CA
KIM PFAFF DEER LODGE, MT
KAZUKI KODAMA TORRANCE, CA
JOHNNY JOHNSON LAKESIDE, AZ
JUSTIN RALEIGH PASADENA, CA
KEVIN CARUSO GLENDALE, AZ
ROBERT RATZLAFF COLUMBIA, CA
GUY SAVIDAN NORCO, CA
JONAS PETTIT AUBURN, WA
JASON CAINE LAS VEGAS, NV
CLAYTON MEYER HENDERSON, NV
JEFF REID VANCOUVER, WA
JASON CHRISTY SCOTTSDALE, AZ
BRYANT SMITH CASTRO VALLEY, CA
CARL NELSON HANFORD, CA

Two Big Bass Lift Prince Into Lead At Bassmaster Elite Series Event On Lake Martin

Cliff Prince of Palatka, Fla., took the lead on the first day of the 2018 Bassmaster Elite at Lake Martin presented by Econo Lodge, bringing 19 pounds, 13 ounces to the scales on Thursday. 

Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
Feb. 8, 2018

ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. — Conventional wisdom says one big bass per day will give you a good shot at winning a tournament on Lake Martin.

So, when Florida angler Cliff Prince caught a pair of giants on back-to-back casts Thursday, he needed a quick breather to collect himself.

One weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces, the other weighed 6-3, and they propelled Prince to a leading first-day weight of 19-13 in the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Martin presented by Econo Lodge.

“Back-to-back casts — it was unbelievable,” Prince said. “I had to sit down for a minute because I definitely wasn’t expecting it.”

Like many of the competitors in this week’s 110-angler field, Prince has very little experience on Lake Martin — and the three official practice days prior to the tournament weren’t exactly kind to him.

But before 9 a.m. Thursday, he idled past a spot that he recognized as a potential big-fish haven.

“I didn’t fish that spot in practice,” said Prince, who was tightlipped about exactly where and how he caught his fish. “But I knew I had gotten bit on another stretch like that. I figured if I caught a big one, it would be down that stretch — and I caught two.”

Unlike Prince, who has fished just 85 tournaments with B.A.S.S. — and none on Lake Martin — the two anglers just behind him in the standings have extensive experience on the fishery.

Takahiro Omori, a Japanese angler who now resides in Texas, earned checks in Bassmaster Invitationals held on Martin in 2001 and 2002. He also won an FLW Tour event on Martin in 2001, earning a $100,000 first-place prize.

Omori caught 18-2 Thursday to land in second place.

“I never even pre-fished this time, so it’s been at least 15 years since I was here,” Omori said. “I didn’t fish any of the same stuff from back then.”

His Day 1 performance, Omori said, far outpaced his practice results.

“I just had a great day,” he said. “My practice was only like 7 or 8 pounds a day. But today, I had a 5 1/2-pounder and a 4-pounder and caught maybe 10 more keepers. I had bites all day long.”

Kentucky angler Mark Menendez, who is in third with 17-9, has three checks in four previous B.A.S.S. events — and unlike Omori, he said he benefited Thursday from knowledge gained more than 15 years ago.

“I’ve spent my fair share of time here, and nothing’s changed,” Menendez said. “It’s the same old, same old.

“If there’s an area that you think you’re going to catch one in, you’ll go over there and catch one. Now, whether it’ll be a big one or not, that’s a roll of the dice.”

Menendez struck paydirt on the big-fish front twice Thursday.

“I had a 6-pounder and another one that was almost 5 — and on this pond, that really helps,” he said. “Anytime you get those bites here on Lake Martin, you’ve got to get them in the boat. They’re critical.”

Second-year Alabama pro Jesse Wiggins was fourth with 15-5, and California veteran Skeet Reese was fifth with 14-13. But the weights could change drastically throughout the leaderboard with a weather change in the forecast.

While Thursday was cool and mostly clear, warmer weather is scheduled to move into central Alabama with rain and thunderstorms the next three days.

Prince said he has a backup plan — just in case.

“It probably will change things,” he said. “But I’m catching them two different ways.

“I don’t know if I can duplicate what I did today, but I can at least catch some fish.”

The tournament will continue Friday, with the field being trimmed to the Top 51 for Saturday’s semifinal round. Only the Top 12 will advance to Championship Sunday with a chance to win the $100,000 first-place prize.

Daily takeoffs will be held at 6:15 a.m. CT from Wind Creek State Park with weigh-ins scheduled back at the park for 2:40 p.m.

The Alexander City Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event.

2018 Bassmaster Elite Series at Lake Martin presented by Econo Lodge 2/8-2/11
Lake Martin, Alexander City  AL.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL              5  19-13  110
Day 1: 5   19-13
2.  Takahiro Omori         Emory, TX                5  18-02  109
Day 1: 5   18-02
3.  Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY              5  17-09  108
Day 1: 5   17-09
4.  Jesse Wiggins          Cullman, AL              5  15-05  107
Day 1: 5   15-05
5.  Skeet Reese            Auburn, CA               5  14-13  106
Day 1: 5   14-13
6.  Skylar Hamilton        Dandridge, TN            5  14-09  105
Day 1: 5   14-09
7.  Russ Lane              Prattville, AL           5  14-08  104
Day 1: 5   14-08
8.  David Walker           Sevierville, TN          5  14-05  103
Day 1: 5   14-05
9.  Cliff Crochet          Pierre Part, LA          5  14-01  102
Day 1: 5   14-01
10. Jared Lintner          Arroyo Grande, CA        5  13-15  101
Day 1: 5   13-15
11. Dean Rojas             Lake Havasu City, AZ     5  13-10  100
Day 1: 5   13-10
12. Justin Lucas           Guntersville, AL         5  13-09   99
Day 1: 5   13-09
13. Jonathon VanDam        Gobles, MI               5  13-08   98
Day 1: 5   13-08
14. Terry Scroggins        San Mateo, FL            5  13-06   97
Day 1: 5   13-06
15. Brent Chapman          Lake Quivira, KS         5  12-15   96
Day 1: 5   12-15
16. Luke Clausen           Otis Orchards, WA        5  12-12   95
Day 1: 5   12-12
17. Mark Daniels Jr.       Tuskegee, AL             5  12-08   94
Day 1: 5   12-08
17. Chris Groh             Spring Grove, IL         5  12-08   94
Day 1: 5   12-08
19. Ray Hanselman Jr       Del Rio, TX              5  12-07   92
Day 1: 5   12-07
20. James Elam             Tulsa, OK                5  12-06   91
Day 1: 5   12-06
21. Micah Frazier          Newnan, GA               5  12-03   90
Day 1: 5   12-03
22. Alton Jones Jr.        Waco, TX                 5  12-01   89
Day 1: 5   12-01
23. Edwin Evers            Talala, OK               5  11-14   88
Day 1: 5   11-14
24. Mike McClelland        Bentonville, AR          5  11-13   87
Day 1: 5   11-13
24. Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT            5  11-13   87
Day 1: 5   11-13
26. Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN         5  11-12   85
Day 1: 5   11-12
26. Andy Montgomery        Blacksburg, SC           5  11-12   85
Day 1: 5   11-12
28. Roy Hawk               Lk Havasu Cty, AZ        5  11-11   83
Day 1: 5   11-11
29. Hank Cherry Jr         Lincolnton, NC           5  11-09   82
Day 1: 5   11-09
30. Brock Mosley           Collinsville, MS         5  11-08   81
Day 1: 5   11-08
31. Casey Ashley           Donalds, SC              5  11-06   80
Day 1: 5   11-06
31. Gerald Swindle         Guntersville, AL         5  11-06   80
Day 1: 5   11-06
33. Aaron Martens          Leeds, AL                5  11-04   78
Day 1: 5   11-04
34. Jason Christie         Park Hill, OK            5  11-03   77
Day 1: 5   11-03
34. Robbie Latuso          Gonzales, LA             5  11-03   77
Day 1: 5   11-03
34. Matt Lee               Guntersville, AL         5  11-03   77
Day 1: 5   11-03
37. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ               5  11-01   74
Day 1: 5   11-01
37. Scott Rook             Little Rock, AR          5  11-01   74
Day 1: 5   11-01
39. Michael Iaconelli      Pitts Grove, NJ          5  11-00   72
Day 1: 5   11-00
40. Dustin Connell         Clanton, AL              5  10-15   71
Day 1: 5   10-15
40. Jamie Hartman          Newport, NY              5  10-15   71
Day 1: 5   10-15
42. Brandon Coulter        Knoxville, TN            5  10-12   69
Day 1: 5   10-12
42. Brent Ehrler           Redlands, CA             5  10-12   69
Day 1: 5   10-12
42. Brett Hite             Phoenix, AZ              5  10-12   69
Day 1: 5   10-12
42. Rick Morris            Lake Gaston, VA          5  10-12   69
Day 1: 5   10-12
42. Wesley Strader         Spring City, TN          5  10-12   69
Day 1: 5   10-12
47. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN            5  10-11   64
Day 1: 5   10-11
48. Jason Williamson       Wagener, SC              5  10-10   63
Day 1: 5   10-10
49. Gerald Spohrer         Gonzales, LA             5  10-09   62
Day 1: 5   10-09
50. Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL               5  10-08   61
Day 1: 5   10-08
50. Fred Roumbanis         Russellville, AR         5  10-08   61
Day 1: 5   10-08
52. Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA             5  10-07   59
Day 1: 5   10-07
53. Shin Fukae             Palestine TX JAPAN       5  10-06   58
Day 1: 5   10-06
53. Randy Howell           Guntersville, AL         5  10-06   58
Day 1: 5   10-06
55. Todd Faircloth         Jasper, TX               5  10-05   56
Day 1: 5   10-05
56. Cliff Pace             Petal, MS                5  10-04   55
Day 1: 5   10-04
56. Bradley Roy            Lancaster, KY            5  10-04   55
Day 1: 5   10-04
58. Caleb Sumrall          New Iberia, LA           4  10-04   53
Day 1: 4   10-04
59. Chris Zaldain          Laughlin, NV             5  10-03   52
Day 1: 5   10-03
60. Keith Poche            Pike Road, AL            5  10-02   51
Day 1: 5   10-02
61. Ish Monroe             Hughson, CA              5  10-01   50
Day 1: 5   10-01
62. Adrian Avena           Vineland, NJ             5  10-00   49
Day 1: 5   10-00
62. Jeff Kriet             Ardmore, OK              5  10-00   49
Day 1: 5   10-00
62. Kevin VanDam           Kalamazoo, MI            5  10-00   49
Day 1: 5   10-00
65. Seth Feider            Bloomington, MN          5  09-15   46
Day 1: 5   09-15
65. Tim Horton             Muscle Shoals, AL        5  09-15   46
Day 1: 5   09-15
67. Chris Lane             Guntersville, AL         5  09-14   44
Day 1: 5   09-14
67. Darrell Ocamica        New Plymouth, ID         5  09-14   44
Day 1: 5   09-14
69. Boyd Duckett           Guntersville, AL         5  09-13   42
Day 1: 5   09-13
70. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN           5  09-12   41
Day 1: 5   09-12
71. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA                5  09-10   40
Day 1: 5   09-10
71. Ott DeFoe              Blaine, TN               5  09-10   40
Day 1: 5   09-10
73. Gary Klein             Mingus, TX               5  09-08   38
Day 1: 5   09-08
74. Dave Lefebre           Erie, PA                 5  09-07   37
Day 1: 5   09-07
74. Fletcher Shryock       Dennison, OH             5  09-07   37
Day 1: 5   09-07
74. Randy Sullivan         Breckenridge, TX         5  09-07   37
Day 1: 5   09-07
77. Greg Vinson            Wetumpka, AL             5  09-06   34
Day 1: 5   09-06
78. Drew Benton            Panama City, FL          5  09-03   33
Day 1: 5   09-03
78. Alton Jones            Lorena, TX               5  09-03   33
Day 1: 5   09-03
78. Chad Pipkens           Lansing, MI              5  09-03   33
Day 1: 5   09-03
78. Morizo Shimizu         Suita, Osaka JAPAN       5  09-03   33
Day 1: 5   09-03
82. Brian Snowden          Reeds Spring, MO         5  09-01   29
Day 1: 5   09-01
83. Stephen Browning       Hot Springs, AR          5  09-00   28
Day 1: 5   09-00
84. Bill Weidler           Helena, AL               3  08-13   27
Day 1: 3   08-13
85. Josh Bertrand          San Tan Valley, AZ       5  08-12   26
Day 1: 5   08-12
86. Matt Herren            Ashville, AL             5  08-11   25
Day 1: 5   08-11
87. Keith Combs            Huntington, TX           5  08-10   24
Day 1: 5   08-10
88. Jordan Lee             Grant, AL                5  08-09   23
Day 1: 5   08-09
89. Brandon Palaniuk       Hayden, ID               5  08-05   22
Day 1: 5   08-05
90. Kelley Jaye            Dadeville, AL            5  08-03   21
Day 1: 5   08-03
90. John Murray            Spring City, TN          5  08-03   21
Day 1: 5   08-03
92. Hunter Shryock         Newcomerstown, OH        5  08-01   19
Day 1: 5   08-01
93. Mark Davis             Mount Ida, AR            5  08-00   18
Day 1: 5   08-00
94. Shaw Grigsby Jr.       Gainesville, FL          5  07-15   17
Day 1: 5   07-15
95. Brandon Card           Knoxville, TN            5  07-14   16
Day 1: 5   07-14
96. Randall Tharp          Port St. Joe, FL         5  07-12   15
Day 1: 5   07-12
97. Jacob Wheeler          Harrison, TN             5  07-11   14
Day 1: 5   07-11
98. Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR               4  07-11   13
Day 1: 4   07-11
99. Paul Elias             Laurel, MS               5  07-09   12
Day 1: 5   07-09
100. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville, FL          5  07-06   11
Day 1: 5   07-06
101. Jake Whitaker          Fairview, NC             5  07-04   10
Day 1: 5   07-04
102. Rick Clunn             Ava, MO                  3  06-12    9
Day 1: 3   06-12
103. Kyle Monti             Okeechobee, FL           5  06-10    8
Day 1: 5   06-10
104. Jacob Powroznik        North Prince George, VA  4  05-15    7
Day 1: 4   05-15
105. David Fritts           Lexington, NC            5  05-12    6
Day 1: 5   05-12
106. Bobby Lane Jr.         Lakeland, FL             4  05-12    5
Day 1: 4   05-12
107. Tommy Biffle           Wagoner, OK              4  05-01    4
Day 1: 4   05-01
108. Kelly Jordon           Flint, TX                2  04-05    3
Day 1: 2   04-05
109. Tyler Carriere         Youngsville, LA          2  03-13    2
Day 1: 2   03-13
110. Marty Robinson         Lyman, SC                3  03-08    1
Day 1: 3   03-08


Costa Countdown to Blast Off SE Report with AnglersChannel's John Byrne & Pro staffer Robbie Digh

AnglersChannel's John Byrne and Pro Staffer Robbie Digh recap some of the past weekends events and look ahead to whats coming up this weekend in the Costa Countdown to Blastoff for February 10 & 11.


Palaniuk Joins Molix Pro Staff

“I first heard about Molix back in 2009 from the Italian BASS Nation National Championship qualifier.” recalls Palaniuk. “I was immediately impressed by their quality products and attention to detail. Those qualities hold true today and I’m looking forward to helping expand their line of jigs and wire baits for years to come.”

Throughout the course of the 2018 Elite Series, the Molix USA Pro Staff anglers will be incorporating Molix brand tackle into their fishing repertoire. While competing, they will be testing, retooling and developing new products to add to the already extensive line of Italian brand baits.

“Brandon is an extraordinary angler, a real game changer, and we’ll do everything possible to help him stay on top”, says Molix CEO Stefano Sammarchi. “We are really happy to have the 2017 Angler of the Year on board with us and welcome him to the team. We can’t wait to start working with him on new and exciting projects. Brandon is the man!”

 ABOUT BRANDON PALANIUK:

The 30-year-old Idaho resident has had seven Bassmaster Classic appearances since 2011 and is a three-time Bassmaster Elite Champion. Most impressive may be the Toyota Bassmaster Anger of the Year title that he won in 2017. Palaniuk is sponsored by Huk, Skeeter Boats, RIGID, Yamaha Pro Fishing, Rapala, Alpha Angler, GoPro, Crossed Industries in addition to several others. www.bmpfishing.com

Follow Brandon on Facebook @brandonpalaniuk on Twitter @BrandonPalaniuk and on Instagram @brandonpalaniuk

ABOUT MOLIX BRAND BAITS:

Molix is an Italian brand of professional fishing products and accessories. Their high-quality products are thanks to the continuous research and innovative design, created to suit the changing needs of modern fishermen. With input from anglers around the world, Molix develops products with their innovative, characteristic Italian style of products. www.molix.com

Follow Molix on Facebook @Molix-Think.Feel.Fish, on Twitter @Molixfishing and on Instagram @molix_fishing

 ABOUT PROFESSIONAL EDGE FISHING:

Professional Edge Fishing, Inc. is a New Jersey based, full-service angler management, representation, and marketing company specializing in the outdoor sportfishing market.  Professional Edge Fishing represents several of the top professional anglers in the fishing world, which include Michael Iaconelli, John Crews, Ish Monroe, and Cliff Crochet.  Professional Edge Fishing also works with many product manufacturers by developing custom marketing campaigns designed to connect these companies directly with millions of grass roots fishing enthusiasts around the globe.  For more information, visit http://ProfessionalEdgeFishing.com, contact Becky Iaconelli at (571) 215-4366, or [email protected]