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.
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 Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube 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 Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube 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
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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 Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube 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 Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube 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 Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
Complete Boater Results:
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 Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
Complete Boater Results:
| PLACE | ANGLER | DAY 1&2 WT (Fish) |
WINNINGS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RONNIE BUCK | 26 - 1 (5) | $5,504 |
| 2 | ROBERT CROSNOE | 23 - 11 (5) | $2,752 |
| 3 | JARED MCMILLAN | 23 - 0 (5) | $1,768 |
| 4 | CHAD VAN SLYKE | 22 - 4 (5) | $1,238 |
| 5 | JESSIE MIZELL | 21 - 4 (5) | $1,061 |
| 6 | RICHARD TESCHENDORF | 20 - 2 (5) | $972 |
| 7 | BRIANNE MCMILLAN | 19 - 13 (5) | $840 |
| 7 | FRED GEORGE | 19 - 13 (5) | $840 |
| 9 | MIKE JACKSON | 19 - 4 (5) | $707 |
| 10 | JEFFERY SWEARINGEN | 18 - 13 (5) | $619 |
| 11 | LOUIS CHIEFFO | 18 - 4 (5) | $557 |
| 12 | DONALD LOCKE | 17 - 9 (5) | $513 |
| 13 | BRYAN HONNERLAW | 17 - 7 (5) | $495 |
| 14 | MATTHEW JERDAN | 16 - 0 (5) | $455 |
| 14 | GREG SCHULTZ | 16 - 0 (5) | $455 |
| 16 | DONNY BASS | 15 - 15 (5) | $424 |
| 17 | RODNEY MARKS | 15 - 14 (5) | $398 |
| 17 | RICHARD MONGIOVI | 15 - 14 (5) | $398 |
| 19 | GREG HUGHES | 15 - 12 (4) | $371 |
| 20 | LEE FRYE | 15 - 3 (5) | $354 |
| 21 | JAI HUNTER SR | 15 - 1 (5) | $340 |
| 21 | ROGER CRAFTON | 15 - 1 (4) | $1,175 |
| 23 | JIM HURLOCK JR. | 14 - 14 (5) | $327 |
| 24 | MIKE LOTT | 14 - 12 (5) | $318 |
| 25 | MATT KINNEY | 14 - 10 (5) | $309 |
| 26 | MIKE SURMAN | 13 - 15 (5) | $296 |
| 26 | LARRY CAHAN | 13 - 15 (5) | $296 |
| 28 | JESUS VILLEGAS | 13 - 12 (5) | $283 |
| 29 | WILLIAM SCHMITT | 13 - 11 (5) | $274 |
| 30 | RONALD YENTZ | 13 - 10 (5) | $260 |
| 30 | YOAN ALVAREZ | 13 - 10 (5) | $260 |
| 32 | JOSHUA WELKES | 13 - 8 (5) | $243 |
| 32 | JESSEY RUDOLPH | 13 - 8 (5) | $243 |
| 34 | REINALDO JR ROJAS | 13 - 3 (4) | |
| 35 | THOMAS OLTORIK | 13 - 1 (5) | |
| 35 | FRED CHIVINGTON JR | 13 - 1 (5) | |
| 35 | CHARLIE EVANS | 13 - 1 (5) | |
| 35 | STEVE BROUGHTON | 13 - 1 (4) | |
| 39 | THADEUS RAGAN | 12 - 13 (5) | |
| 40 | CHRIS CROW | 12 - 12 (5) | |
| 40 | FRANK JENKINS | 12 - 12 (5) | |
| 42 | JOHN BITTER | 12 - 10 (5) | |
| 43 | ROBERT BEATTY | 12 - 8 (5) | |
| 43 | GEORGE KAPITON | 12 - 8 (5) | |
| 45 | JOHN KEENE SR | 12 - 5 (5) | |
| 46 | TONY BENNETT | 12 - 3 (5) | |
| 47 | JEFF MCMILLAN | 12 - 1 (5) | |
| 48 | MARK LUNDGREN | 11 - 14 (5) | |
| 49 | ANTHONY FORD | 11 - 11 (5) | |
| 50 | RYLAN KOZINSKI | 11 - 10 (5) | |
| 51 | CHRIS KEITH | 11 - 9 (5) | |
| 52 | MERLE WELLS JR | 11 - 7 (5) | |
| 52 | JIM ANDERSON | 11 - 7 (5) | |
| 54 | KARLIS DIPAUL | 11 - 6 (5) | |
| 54 | MARK BLEVINS | 11 - 6 (5) | |
| 54 | RANDY FORBES | 11 - 6 (4) | |
| 57 | JIM GESTWICKI | 11 - 2 (5) | |
| 57 | NEIL NIX | 11 - 2 (5) | |
| 59 | MATTHEW WIETEHA | 10 - 13 (5) | |
| 60 | DYLAN ETTINGER | 10 - 9 (5) | |
| 61 | CARLOS SUCHE | 10 - 7 (5) | |
| 62 | BRANDON MEDLOCK | 10 - 6 (5) | |
| 63 | BOB BOSTDORF | 10 - 5 (5) | |
| 64 | NICHOLAS HOINIG | 10 - 4 (5) | |
| 65 | KYLE GIELLA | 10 - 2 (5) | |
| 66 | JIMMY KOWALSKI | 10 - 1 (5) | |
| 66 | GREG SMITH | 10 - 1 (5) | |
| 68 | ERIC JOHNSON | 10 - 0 (5) | |
| 68 | WILLIE MANNING | 10 - 0 (5) | |
| 68 | NATHAN THOMAS | 10 - 0 (5) | |
| 71 | BILLY CHARLAND | 9 - 13 (5) | |
| 72 | ROBERT DICE | 9 - 11 (5) | |
| 73 | JAMES R. DAVIS | 9 - 8 (4) | |
| 73 | JASON REED | 9 - 8 (5) | |
| 73 | RAYMOND GUERRA | 9 - 8 (5) | |
| 73 | GREG HARP | 9 - 8 (5) | |
| 77 | DOUG WALKER | 9 - 7 (5) | |
| 77 | BRIAN DIVITO | 9 - 7 (5) | |
| 79 | CHRIS MCBEATH | 9 - 6 (5) | |
| 79 | DERERK SAVAGE | 9 - 6 (5) | |
| 81 | DOUG GARNER | 9 - 5 (5) | |
| 81 | JAMES BARNICK | 9 - 5 (5) | |
| 83 | JAMES LOTT JR | 8 - 15 (5) | |
| 84 | BOBBY ADAMS | 8 - 14 (5) | |
| 84 | TY FOX | 8 - 14 (5) | |
| 86 | DEREK PETRUZELLI | 8 - 8 (5) | |
| 86 | KYLE WALTERS | 8 - 8 (5) | |
| 88 | EDWIN BARTLETT | 8 - 7 (5) | |
| 88 | VAL OSINSKI | 8 - 7 (4) | |
| 90 | TRENT PARDUE | 8 - 5 (5) | |
| 90 | WAYNE BLACK | 8 - 5 (5) | |
| 90 | MIKEY KEYSO JR | 8 - 5 (5) | |
| 93 | BRADLEY MACQUEEN | 8 - 4 (5) | |
| 94 | CURTIS LEWIS | 8 - 3 (5) | |
| 95 | JIM JOSEPH | 8 - 2 (5) | |
| 96 | SCOTT PATTON | 8 - 0 (5) | |
| 96 | JULIO RODRIGUEZ | 8 - 0 (5) | |
| 98 | CHUCK WEBB | 7 - 14 (5) | |
| 99 | RUSTY LACY | 7 - 12 (5) | |
| 100 | TERRY D. METZGER | 7 - 11 (5) | |
| 101 | BEN HARRIS | 7 - 10 (5) | |
| 101 | DUSTIN ROYER | 7 - 10 (5) | |
| 103 | PRESTON CLARK | 7 - 6 (4) | |
| 103 | DWIGHT WILLIS | 7 - 6 (3) | |
| 103 | JASON JASTRZEMSKI | 7 - 6 (5) | |
| 106 | JONATHAN SEMENTO | 7 - 5 (5) | |
| 106 | DAVID BEAR | 7 - 5 (5) | |
| 108 | AUSTIN MURRAY | 7 - 3 (5) | |
| 108 | ALEX TERESCENKO | 7 - 3 (2) | |
| 110 | STANLEY HUNT | 7 - 2 (5) | |
| 111 | RUSTY FOX | 7 - 1 (5) | |
| 112 | THOMAS LITTICH | 7 - 0 (5) | |
| 113 | BENNY TOWNEND | 6 - 15 (5) | |
| 113 | LLOYD MEYERS JR | 6 - 15 (5) | |
| 115 | JOHN TAVANO | 6 - 13 (4) | |
| 116 | CARL BOUSQUET | 6 - 11 (3) | |
| 116 | ROLAND SMITH | 6 - 11 (5) | |
| 118 | BRIAN MOWATT | 6 - 10 (5) | |
| 118 | ED STIEFEL JR | 6 - 10 (5) | |
| 120 | VAN SOLES | 6 - 9 (5) | |
| 120 | RUSS REYNOLDS | 6 - 9 (5) | |
| 122 | RICK MITCHELL | 6 - 8 (4) | |
| 123 | TIM CELESTI | 6 - 6 (5) | |
| 123 | SYLVESTER SMALLS | 6 - 6 (5) | |
| 125 | JOSHUA MORFIS | 6 - 5 (3) | |
| 126 | NEAL MEADORS | 6 - 4 (4) | |
| 127 | FRED HERRON | 6 - 2 (5) | |
| 127 | TIM SWANGO | 6 - 2 (5) | |
| 129 | STEVEN THAMES | 5 - 14 (2) | |
| 130 | MARK STATON | 5 - 10 (3) | |
| 131 | NORMAN PELLEGRINI | 5 - 6 (5) | |
| 131 | JERRY PHILYAW | 5 - 6 (5) | |
| 133 | PATRICK LAYHEW | 5 - 4 (4) | |
| 134 | LARRY BROUGHTON | 4 - 11 (3) | |
| 135 | CLAY BATSON | 4 - 10 (3) | |
| 136 | JOSH GRUBER | 4 - 2 (3) | |
| 136 | WILLY HICKS | 4 - 2 (3) | |
| 138 | EDWIN RIVERA | 3 - 15 (3) | |
| 139 | CHRIS HESTER | 3 - 8 (1) | |
| 140 | BARRY BASS | 3 - 3 (1) | |
| 141 | JIM CHIARENZA | 2 - 13 (2) | |
| 142 | RAYMOND RUPP | 2 - 10 (2) | |
| 142 | KENNETH HARRIS | 2 - 10 (2) | |
| 144 | DAVE PATCHELL | 2 - 0 (1) | |
| LIONEL BOTHA | |||
| MIKE OTTMAN | |||
| JUSTIN MORGAN | |||
| GARY SAPP | |||
| JOEY ROBERTS | |||
| JUAN RUIZ | |||
| WADE LIGHTSEY | |||
| ANDREW MARKHAM | |||
| BRANDON ST PIERRE | |||
| CHARLIE SANCHEZ | |||
| CHAD SCHROEDER | |||
| STEVEN HATALA | |||
| DILLON MCMILLAN | |||
| ALAN RETTER | |||
| JAMES WIESE | |||
| TIM ZDRAZIL | |||
| KEN SHARPLESS | |||
| PAUL DUNN | |||
| RICHARD HELD | |||
| BRODY CAMPBELL | |||
| DON DEMOTT | |||
| RANDY TERRELL | |||
| MIKE LAYHEW |
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
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Marks & Reneau Drop 37 Pounds on the Scales to Dominate Texas Team Trail Event on Rayburn
Shook and Iles second
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Mansfield and Jones third
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Shaw and Hughes took home 1475 for Big Bass -10.23 lbs |
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 Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
Omori Uses Magic Spot To Hold Onto Lead At Lake Martin Elite Series Event
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Havasu Local Makes a Move Heading into Championship Saturday!
February 10, 2018 by Jody White
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)
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.”
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.
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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
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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
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Slim Margin Puts Carl Limbrick Jr. in Costa Western lead on Havasu!
February 9, 2018 by Jody White
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.”
| PLACE | ANGLER | DAY 1&2 WT (Fish) |
WINNINGS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CARL LIMBRICK JR | 17 - 7 (5) | |
| 2 | TED STEWNER | 17 - 3 (5) | |
| 2 | CHRIS KINLEY | 17 - 3 (5) | |
| 4 | CODY MURRAY | 17 - 2 (5) | |
| 5 | SHAUN BAILEY | 16 - 14 (5) | |
| 6 | JASON BOROFKA | 16 - 12 (5) | |
| 7 | MICHAEL CARUSO | 16 - 7 (5) | |
| 8 | JOE URIBE JR. | 16 - 6 (5) | |
| 9 | MITCH SOUTHERN | 16 - 4 (5) | |
| 10 | JASON MILLIGAN | 16 - 0 (5) | |
| 11 | BRETT LEBER | 15 - 10 (5) | |
| 12 | JACOB WALL | 15 - 9 (5) | |
| 13 | MARTY LAWRENCE | 15 - 8 (5) | |
| 14 | PETE MARINO | 15 - 4 (5) | |
| 15 | TODD KLINE | 15 - 3 (5) | |
| 16 | SHANE SPINNING | 15 - 1 (5) | |
| 17 | DAVID VALDIVIA | 14 - 12 (5) | |
| 18 | JUSTIN KERR | 14 - 6 (5) | |
| 18 | JIMMY REESE | 14 - 6 (5) | |
| 20 | KEVIN FINLEY | 14 - 3 (5) | |
| 21 | JON GRIFFITH | 14 - 0 (5) | |
| 22 | TOM LEEDOM | 13 - 15 (5) | |
| 23 | TED HOLVERSON | 13 - 14 (5) | |
| 24 | JORDAN COLLOM | 13 - 12 (5) | |
| 25 | NICK NOUROT | 13 - 7 (5) | |
| 25 | RONALD BRUGGEMAN | 13 - 7 (5) | |
| 27 | JASON CORDIALE | 13 - 5 (5) | |
| 28 | JASON SIDEBOTTOM | 13 - 3 (5) | |
| 29 | JAY WRIGHT | 13 - 1 (5) | |
| 29 | RAYMOND TAK | 13 - 1 (4) | |
| 31 | JASON HICKEY | 13 - 0 (5) | |
| 32 | PATRICK SPENCER | 12 - 7 (5) | |
| 33 | BLAKE DYER | 12 - 3 (3) | $300 |
| 34 | MARK LASSAGNE | 12 - 1 (5) | |
| 34 | CORY SCHLEIDEN | 12 - 1 (5) | |
| 36 | JIM HAWKES | 12 - 0 (5) | |
| 37 | GREGG LEONARD | 11 - 14 (5) | |
| 37 | ANDY SCHOLZ | 11 - 14 (4) | |
| 37 | TAI AU | 11 - 14 (5) | |
| 40 | JIM VRETZOS | 11 - 13 (5) | |
| 40 | RYAN LAMPRECHT | 11 - 13 (4) | |
| 40 | MARK WILLIAMS | 11 - 13 (4) | |
| 43 | PATRICK WHITAKER | 11 - 12 (5) | |
| 44 | INDER LOPEZ | 11 - 11 (5) | |
| 45 | TIM RATH | 11 - 7 (4) | |
| 46 | ROBERT LEE | 11 - 3 (5) | |
| 47 | KYLE GROVER | 11 - 2 (3) | |
| 47 | JIM WAITS | 11 - 2 (5) | |
| 49 | TRAVIS HUCKABY | 11 - 1 (5) | |
| 50 | CHRIS COSTELLO | 10 - 13 (5) | |
| 51 | SEAN MINDERMAN | 10 - 10 (5) | |
| 52 | JEFF MICHELS | 10 - 9 (5) | |
| 53 | ANDREW LOBERG | 10 - 8 (5) | |
| 54 | MANAS MALIKIAN | 10 - 6 (4) | |
| 54 | MIKE PHUA | 10 - 6 (5) | |
| 56 | TONY LAIN | 10 - 3 (4) | |
| 57 | RUSTY SALEWSKE | 10 - 2 (5) | |
| 58 | TERRENCE RATH | 10 - 0 (5) | |
| 59 | GARRETT HOWARD | 9 - 9 (4) | |
| 59 | MATT DAL PORTO | 9 - 9 (3) | |
| 61 | TOSHITADA SUZUKI | 9 - 5 (5) | |
| 62 | DANIEL LEUE | 9 - 3 (4) | |
| 63 | JIGGS BENN | 9 - 2 (5) | |
| 64 | MIKE STAHLMAN | 9 - 1 (3) | |
| 65 | JON STRELIC | 8 - 12 (5) | |
| 66 | LANE OLSON | 8 - 7 (3) | |
| 67 | COLT ROBERTS | 8 - 4 (4) | |
| 68 | RICK FOERSTER | 8 - 1 (3) | |
| 69 | CLIFF KING | 8 - 0 (4) | |
| 70 | VINCENT BERNAL | 7 - 14 (5) | |
| 71 | JEFF ALLEN | 7 - 12 (3) | |
| 72 | BRIAN NOLLAR | 7 - 8 (2) | |
| 73 | SCOTT HELLESEN | 7 - 2 (2) | |
| 74 | NATHAN BROMLEY | 6 - 15 (3) | |
| 75 | RUSS BARGER | 6 - 14 (2) | |
| 76 | GREG HUEY | 6 - 11 (3) | |
| 77 | SHAWN O'CONNELL | 6 - 10 (3) | |
| 78 | TRAVIS BOUNDS | 6 - 9 (2) | |
| 79 | NICK YOUNG | 6 - 8 (3) | |
| 80 | JIM GIANCOLA | 6 - 5 (2) | |
| 80 | TODD WOODS | 6 - 5 (2) | |
| 82 | DAVID MAES | 6 - 4 (3) | |
| 82 | SHANE MEISEL | 6 - 4 (3) | |
| 84 | MIKE NICHELINI | 6 - 2 (3) | |
| 85 | SUNNY HAWK | 6 - 1 (2) | |
| 86 | YUAN LIU | 5 - 15 (3) | |
| 87 | VU AU | 5 - 12 (3) | |
| 87 | TYLER ELLIS | 5 - 12 (3) | |
| 89 | CY FLOYD | 5 - 11 (3) | |
| 89 | STEPHEN PRICE | 5 - 11 (2) | |
| 89 | RYAN GERMAN | 5 - 11 (2) | |
| 92 | JOHNNY NGUYEN | 5 - 10 (3) | |
| 93 | MATT SHURA | 5 - 9 (1) | |
| 94 | JERRED JENNINGS | 5 - 5 (3) | |
| 95 | JAMES SHAW | 5 - 4 (2) | |
| 95 | LOGAN ERAUTT | 5 - 4 (2) | |
| 97 | HUNTER SCHLANDER | 5 - 3 (2) | |
| 98 | CLAYTON ESLICK | 5 - 2 (2) | |
| 99 | ROBERT NAKATOMI | 5 - 1 (3) | |
| 100 | WES WEZENBERG | 4 - 15 (2) | |
| 101 | SERGIO ARGUELLO | 4 - 13 (1) | |
| 101 | JUSTIN PATTI | 4 - 13 (3) | |
| 103 | CAMERON KARBER | 4 - 9 (1) | |
| 103 | KEVIN HUGO | 4 - 9 (3) | |
| 105 | KEVIN JOHNSON | 4 - 8 (2) | |
| 106 | ED ARLEDGE | 4 - 7 (2) | |
| 107 | MICHAEL TAFOYA | 4 - 6 (2) | |
| 108 | MIKE POWELL | 4 - 5 (2) | |
| 109 | PHILIP ROESENER | 4 - 2 (2) | |
| 110 | MIKE BRILLHART | 4 - 0 (3) | |
| 111 | BENJAMIN BYRD | 3 - 15 (2) | |
| 112 | HOBBY NELSON | 3 - 14 (1) | |
| 113 | ROBERT GRITSKI | 3 - 9 (1) | |
| 114 | JUSTIN CAMPBELL | 3 - 8 (1) | |
| 114 | CHARLEY ALMASSEY | 3 - 8 (1) | |
| 116 | LESTER HAWKINS | 3 - 3 (1) | |
| 116 | ANDREW JANKE | 3 - 3 (1) | |
| 118 | JAKE BOOMER | 3 - 2 (1) | |
| 119 | DAVE PHILLIPS | 3 - 0 (2) | |
| 120 | ALLEN BRATTON | 2 - 14 (1) | |
| 121 | GREGG BROWN | 2 - 11 (1) | |
| 121 | JOSHUA IRELAND | 2 - 11 (1) | |
| 123 | BRET GOUVEA | 2 - 9 (2) | |
| 124 | KEITH DIFFEY | 2 - 8 (1) | |
| 125 | CHARLIE WEYER | 2 - 7 (1) | |
| 125 | BOBBY LANHAM | 2 - 7 (1) | |
| 127 | CHAD HULBERT | 2 - 6 (1) | |
| 128 | TRAVIS JEWELL | 2 - 2 (1) | |
| 129 | LAYTHE MOORE | 1 - 14 (1) | |
| 130 | JIM HALLAUER | 1 - 12 (1) | |
| 131 | CARLOS GARCIA | 1 - 11 (1) | |
| 132 | DAVID DAVIS | 1 - 7 (1) | |
| 133 | JIM LYON | 1 - 5 (1) | |
| NATHAN HARBISON | |||
| NEIL FLORES | |||
| MELVIN WILLIAMS | |||
| GARY COLLINS | |||
| DAVID KROMM | |||
| MAYNARD HEBERT | |||
| VINCE HURTADO | |||
| KIM PFAFF | |||
| KAZUKI KODAMA | |||
| JOHNNY JOHNSON | |||
| JUSTIN RALEIGH | |||
| KEVIN CARUSO | |||
| ROBERT RATZLAFF | |||
| GUY SAVIDAN | |||
| JONAS PETTIT | |||
| JASON CAINE | |||
| CLAYTON MEYER | |||
| JEFF REID | |||
| JASON CHRISTY | |||
| BRYANT SMITH | |||
| CARL NELSON |
Two Big Bass Lift Prince Into Lead At Bassmaster Elite Series Event On Lake Martin
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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]
Swindle and VanDam Preview First Bassmaster Elite Tournament of 2018 at Lake Martin
Story & Photo Courtesy of Alan Mcguckin / Dynamic Sponsorships
Gerald Swindle and Kevin VanDam share longtime sponsors Toyota and Quantum, as well as an amazing 9 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles between the two of them, and on the eve of the first Bassmaster Elite Series tournament of 2018, they were gracious enough to share their thoughts on Lake Martin, Alabama.
1.) It’s a brand new season, but what was your favorite part of the off-season this winter?
Swindle: Being in the tree with my wife LeAnn when she arrowed a great 130” whitetail buck in Illinois that I called in for her with a ‘snort wheeze’ and video taped the whole thing too.
VanDam: Christmas with all my family, and it was especially good because my nephew Steve got married immediately after Christmas, and that caused all the family to hang out even more together.
2.) Will all the rain that fell today, and is forecasted to fall throughout the weekend, make fishing better or worse on Lake Martin?
Swindle: I don’t think it will have much of an affect one way or the other, because I think the dirt and mud will settle faster than people might think.
VanDam: I think the rainy weather will make it better, because anytime you have a low pressure system fishing tends to improve, and besides that, it’s not a cold rain, it’s a fairly warm rain, dumping water into a lake that’s about 48 to 52 degrees.
3.) Name 3 lures fans can expect to see the pros use a bunch this week.
Swindle: Shad Rap, Rapala DT6 and a Damiki Rig.
VanDam: Medium diving crankbaits, finesse jig, and a Damiki Rig
4.) When Mike Terry won the B.A.S.S. event here in the early winter of 1994, he won by 14 pounds. Can anybody separate himself that far from the second place guy in this tournament?
Swindle: I don’t see that happening. In fact, I think you’re gonna see the tightest weights since the 2005 Bassmaster Classic in Pittsburgh.
VanDam: It’s possible – if a local like Matt Herren, Russ Lane, Greg Vinson, or Kelley Jaye gets on the motherload. Hey, it happened before here 24 years ago – so why couldn’t it happen again?
5.) How much weight will you need to average each day to make the Top 12 cut here on the final day?
Swindle: 12.5 for the Top 12, and 13 pounds a day could win.
VanDam: 12 pounds a day should do great this week.
The Econo Lodge Brand Returns as Presenting Sponsor of First Two Bassmaster Elite Tournaments for a Third Consecutive Year
Feb. 5, 2018
Sponsorship includes offering fans the chance to win a day of fishing with pro Justin Lucas
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. and ROCKVILLE, Md. — The Econo Lodge brand, part of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) is the presenting sponsor of two Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments in 2018, and is offering fans the chance to win a day of fishing with professional angler Justin Lucas, a two-time Bassmaster Elite Champion.
“The Econo Lodge guests are outdoor enthusiasts who love to hunt, hike and fish, and are willing to travel long distances to do so,” said Craig Mustard, head of domestic brand management for economy brands for Choice Hotels. “With more than 800 locations, Econo Lodge hotels provide great value and convenience across the United States, with many nearby lakes, rivers, mountains and streams.”
The Econo Lodge brand is the presenting sponsor of the first two 2018 Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments, including the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Martin, February 8 - 11, in Alexander City, Alabama, and the Bassmaster Elite at Sabine River, April 6 - 9 in Orange, Texas.
Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO, applauded the return of Econo Lodge as a presenting sponsor, stating, “Our research tells us that many of the 500,000 B.A.S.S. members across the country enjoy traveling to hot fishing destinations out of town and out of state. Whether competing in tournaments, attending tournaments or just fishing for fun, these avid bass anglers appreciate having a comfortable, reliable and affordable place to stay near their destination lakes.”
The two tournaments are part of the 11-event Bassmaster Elite Series, including nine regular-season tournaments and two postseason events: the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship on Lake Chatuge, Georgia, and the Bassmaster Classic Bracket at Carters Lake, Georgia.
A total of 110 professional anglers have qualified for the Elite Series, which begins its 13th season at Lake Martin. In 2017, the Econo Lodge brand sponsored Elite tournaments on Toledo Bend at Many, Louisiana, and Lake Dardanelle out of Russellville, Arkansas. In 2016, the brand sponsored the Elite tournament on the Potomac River in Charles County, Maryland.
Econo Lodge: Easy Stop on the Road
With the amenities you need, the price you want and a brand you trust, Econo Lodge hotels make traveling easy. The Econo Lodge brand is one of the most trusted and recognized in the economy segment with more than 800 hotels located around the United States. Every property provides the amenities guests need to feel refreshed, including free Wi-Fi, complimentary continental breakfast, in-room refrigerators, convenient device recharge throughout guest rooms and premium movie channels. For more information, visit EconoLodge.com.
About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the world's largest hotel companies. With over 6,500 hotels franchised in more than 40 countries and territories, Choice Hotels International represents more than 500,000 rooms around the globe. As of September 30, 2017, over 800 hotels were in our development pipeline. Our company's Ascend Hotel Collection®, Cambria® Hotels, Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Sleep Inn®, Quality®, Clarion®, MainStay Suites®, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel®, Econo Lodge®, Rodeway Inn®, and Vacation Rentals by Choice Hotels® brands provide a spectrum of lodging choices to meet guests' needs. With more than 33 million members, our Choice Privileges® rewards program enhances every trip a guest takes, with benefits ranging from instant, every day rewards to exceptional experiences, starting right when they join. All hotels and vacation rentals are independently owned and operated. Visit us at www.choicehotels.com for more information.
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 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
NAVICO AND GARMIN® RESOLVE PATENT DISPUTES
Egersund, Norway and Olathe, Kan. – Navico, parent company to the Lowrance®, Simrad® and B&G® brands and Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), announced today that they have ended a three-year-long legal dispute relating to sonar and auto guidance patents. The agreement includes a broad cross licensing of patents and other intellectual property, which will allow both companies to bring new innovations to the market faster and benefit all marine customers.
“Research and development of game-changing technologies like our DownScan Imaging is the lifeblood of our business and the marine electronics industry,” said Leif Ottosson, CEO, Navico. “We are very pleased with this resolution, which includes guidelines for the future cross licensing of technologies for the benefit of both of our customers.”
”This is an exciting time as new technology is bringing positive change to the marine market,” said Cliff Pemble, President and CEO, Garmin. “This resolution allows us to focus all of our energy to bring even more innovation to our marine customers.”
For more information on the Navico brands, please visit www.lowrance.com, www.simrad-yachting.com, pro.simrad-yachting.com and www.bandg.com, and to find out more about the Navico Group of companies, visit www.navico.com. For more information on Garmin, please visit www.garmin.com.
About Navico
A privately held, international corporation, Navico is a leading marine electronics company, and is the parent company to leading marine electronics brands: Lowrance, Simrad and B&G. Navico has approximately 1,500 employees globally and distribution in more than 100 countries worldwide. www.navico.com.
About Garmin International Inc.
Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin is a registered trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available
at http://www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Elite Update - Jordan Lee Still Looking for a 3-pounder at Lake Martin
Story & Photo Courtesy of Alan McGuckin / Dynamic Sponsorships
The only thing thicker than the humidity of the 61-degree air temps surrounding Lake Martin in the darkness of the final morning of practice for the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Martin presented by Econo Lodge, was the anxiousness of the world’s best bass pros to figure out how to catch a sizeable largemouth.
“Counting the time I spent here practicing last month before the lake went ‘off limits’ – this will be my 9th day on Lake Martin in the past couple months – and I still haven’t caught a 3-pounder,” says reigning Bassmaster Classic Champion Jordan Lee.
Despite not yet catching a fat largemouth, and fast approaching monsoon-like, lightening-laced rainstorms on his cell phone’s weather radar, the always easy-going and good-natured Lee was weather-ready in his Carhartt raingear, and taking it all in stride in the darkness of 6:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.
“The cool thing is, it’s kind of anybody’s ball game here on Martin, because it’s so tough to smash ‘em consistently for three or four days here,” says Lee. “You may see a guy jump out to the lead with a 16 or 17 pound limit on Day 1, but doing that consistently here is super tough. In fact, if you can average 13-pounds a day, you’ll be real tough.”
Consistent with his ‘it’s anybody’s ballgame’ theory, is the fact Lee says nobody in the 2018 Elite Series has a huge home lake advantage on this gorgeous 44,000 surface acre reservoir, even though several Alabama pros, including himself, are on the roster.
Lee graduated from Auburn, just a short 45 minute drive from Lake Martin, following his hugely successful time in the Carhartt Bassmaster College fishing ranks, but says he spent very little time fishing here during his time on the Tiger’s campus, choosing to instead hone his skills on fisheries where weightier limits awaited.
“I don’t mean this as a negative, but Martin is probably one of the lowest winning weight lakes in our state. There just aren’t a ton of largemouth here, and the spotted bass are typically 2-pounders,” explains Lee, whose new Ranger’s front deck was covered in 10 Quantum rod and reel combos.
Five of those reels were spinning, rigged with dropshots primarily for the plentiful spotted bass population, and five were Smoke baitcasters featuring a variety of orange/red crawfish colored crankbaits -- and a skirted pitching jig – just in case he encounters a piece of habitat where that 3-pounder or better that’s eluded him through nine days practice might be hiding.
Costa® Sunrise Silver Mirror Lens Now Available in 580G® Lightwave Glass
Daytona Beach, Fla. – February 7, 2018 – Serious anglers know that dusk and dawn are dynamite times to be on the water. To help them find and catch more fish during these low-light conditions, Costa Sunglasses developed a revolutionary Sunrise Silver Mirror 580P polycarbonate lens to boost optical contrast in dim light. The breakthrough lens earned Costa the “Best Eyewear” award in the 2017 ICAST New Product Showcase. Costa, the leader in world-class performance sunglasses, has now extended the polarized Sunrise Silver Mirror color into its scratch-resistant 580G glass lenses.
John Sanchez, Vice President of Product Development at Costa, explains “Whether you’re poling the flats at sunrise or sight fishing shallow bass in low light, overcast conditions, Sunrise Silver Mirror is your go-to lens – with 30 percent light transmission to deliver optimal contrast when the sun is either low or obscured by cloud cover. It’s so effective that anglers asked for it in our patented glass technology. And we listened.”
Costa’s 580G Lightwave Glass lenses provide the finest in visual clarity and scratch resistance. They feature encapsulated mirrors and a polarized film that are contained between crystal-clear glass layers that easily handle the rigors of fresh- and salt-water fishing. “With its innovative construction, 580G lenses are 20 percent thinner and 22 percent lighter than average polarized glass for all-day comfort,” Sanchez says.
Anglers who choose 580G Sunrise Silver Mirror lenses will appreciate Costa's patented color-enhancing technology that selectively filters out harsh yellow light for superior contrast and definition. In addition to reducing glare and eye fatigue, the technology also absorbs high-energy blue light to cut haze and enhance sharpness. Naturally, Costa's 580G lenses provide 100 percent UV ray protection while absorbing the HEV light known to cause macular degeneration, pterygium, cataracts and other eye diseases.
The new Sunrise Silver Mirror 580G lens is available in several popular frame styles, including: Blackfin, Bloke, Brine, Corbina, Fantail, Fisch, Jose, Montauk, Motu, Reefton, Slack Tide, Tuna Alley and Whitetip. For more information on the new lens and Costa’s full line of performance sunglasses, visit www.costadelmar.com.
Louisiana State University-Shreveport Takes the Lead in the Collegiate College Bass Fishing Rankings
Northwestern State University moves to 2nd and University of Louisiana-Monroe in 3rd
When school starts back up for the spring semester every year that means college bass fishing is about to hit its peak season. During almost any given weekend there is a major college fishing 
event scheduled, so it’s not uncommon for the Cabela’s School of Year presented by Abu Garcia race to see ranking change frequently. In recent weeks, there have been two major collegiate events in the state of Texas, so it is not unexpected to see many teams from that area of the nation ranked inside the top 20.
As it stands now, Louisiana State University-Shreveport has taken its place as the highest-ranking bass fishing team in the nation going into this weekend. The bass team from Northwestern State University jumps up into second place, followed by University of Louisiana-Monroe in third place. All top three teams are expected to compete at this weekend’s Texas Lunker Challenge presented by Mossy Oak Elements on Sam Rayburn Reservoir – as well as almost all of the top 20 teams in the nation – so a rankings shake up very well could be happening soon. And that will help shape the next few months of the School of Year race as teams attempt to get into position to claim this prestigious title.
The LSU-Shreveport bass team has been steadily gaining points throughout the season and finally took the top position with two solid performances at the FLW Southern event on Sam Rayburn Reservoir and the B.A.S.S. Central event on Toledo Bend recently. Moving from third place to first has been on the minds of the LSU-Shreveport bass team, and their focus has been consistency.
“It’s feels awesome to have taken the lead. We stumbled a little bit last weekend at the B.A.S.S event on Toledo Bend and were worried it would hurt us in a big way, and with the upcoming event on Sam Rayburn, we are going to have to work harder to make sure we don’t stumble again,” said JP Kimbrough, LSU-Shreveport Bass Team.
LSU-Shreveport had a great start to the season winning the FLW Southern event back in September and solid finishes at the B.A.S.S. Wildcard and Championship, which gave them the jump they needed to stay firmly in the top 5. LSU-Shreveport isn’t just about to give the top spot up that easily and have their sights set on the next event on the 2018 schedule – Texas Lunker Challenge presented by Mossy Oak Elements on Sam Rayburn, February 11th.
Kimbrough continued saying, “For the next couple of weeks, our strategy is going to remain the same – try to win every event we can.”
LSU-Shreveport wasn’t the only bass team from Louisiana to make moves in January. Northwestern State University moved up the standings from fifth to second place. The team of John Ledet and Logan Laprarie finished third overall at the FLW Southern to pick up 180 points, and then adding another 109 points with their 11th place finish at the B.A.S.S. Central.
Rounding out the top three is yet another Louisiana school – University of Louisiana-Monroe. ULM moved three spots up from sixth place to third place with the team of Tyler Craig and Spencer Lambert finishing second at the B.A.S.S. Central event on Toledo Bend, earning 190 points to go along with their 104 points from the FLW Southern event.
The Texas Lunker Challenge presented by Mossy Oak Elements will be the first event of the 2018 Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series schedule and will count towards Cabela’s School of the Year standings. The event is worth 500 points, as well as bass teams being able to earn points by their top two competing anglers, which will no doubt cause a shakeup in the Cabela’s School of the Year standings come next Monday. In addition to that event, there are several other major college events on the horizon that will surely change the rankings as college bass fishing season heads into the home stretch.
Here is a look at the current Top 20 in the Cabela’s School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia:
- Louisiana State University – Shreveport (Shreveport, LA)
- Northwestern State University (Natchitoches, LA)
- University of Louisiana – Monroe (Monroe, LA)
- Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, OK)
- Tarleton State (Stephenville, TX)
- Dallas Baptist University (Dallas, TX)
- Bethel University (McKenzie, TN)
- Arkansas Tech University (Russellville, AR)
- Sam Houston State (Huntsville, TX)
- East Texas Baptist University (Marshall, TX)
- Texas A&M University (College Station, TX)
- Adrian College (Adrian, MI)
- McKendree University (Lebanon, IL)
- West Virginia University (Morgantown, WV)
- University of North Alabama (Florence, AL)
- Kansas State University (Manhattan, KS)
- Bemidji State University (Bemidji, MN)
- Murray State University (Murray, KY)
- University of Wisconsin (Madison, WI)
- Rogers State University (Claremore, OK)
For more information about the Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, please visit www.CollegiateBassChampionship.com.
LAKE HAVASU SET TO HOST YETI FLW COLLEGE FISHING EVENT
LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. (Jan. 30, 2018) – YETI FLW College Fishing will continue the season with an event Feb. 10 on Lake Havasu. The tournament, hosted by the Lake Havasu City Convention & Visitors Bureau, is the first of three regular-season events for anglers in the Western 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.
“Moving baits will be key in this tournament,” said 2014 FLW Series Western Division Angler of the Year Kyle Grover, of Trabuco Canyon, California, who has two top-20 finishes on Lake Havasu in FLW competition. “Look to see guys winding umbrella rigs, crankbaits, and Rat-L-Traps.
“The water level is down, so some guys will pull good fish from the river but most fish will be caught in the lake,” Grover continued. “I think an 18-pound limit should be enough to get the win.”
Competitors will take off from Lake Havasu State Park, located at 699 London Bridge Road, in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, at 8 a.m. MST Saturday. Weigh-in will be held at the park beginning at 2:30 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 Havasu tournament include:
Arizona State University – Michael Jones, Tempe, Ariz., and Steven Latino, Chandler, Ariz.
California Polytechnic State University – Alec Pitts, Santa Rosa, Calif., and Hugh Cosculluela, The Woodlands, Texas
California State University-Chico – Chad Sweitzer, Chico, Calif., and Tyler Firebaugh, Danville, Calif.
Grand Canyon University – Joseph Dwyer, Scottsdale, Ariz., and Tommy Sendek, Tucson, Ariz.
Utah Valley University – Ben Levie, Salem, Utah, and Will Brown, Provo, Utah
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 Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
COSTA FLW SERIES HEADS TO LAKE HAVASU FOR WESTERN DIVISION OPENER PRESENTED BY RANGER BOATS
LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. (Jan. 30, 2018) – As many as 300 pros and co-anglers are set to compete Feb. 8-10 at the Costa FLW Series Wester Division opener at Lake Havasu presented by Ranger Boats. Hosted by the Lake Havasu City Convention & Visitors Bureau, the event will feature anglers competing for a top award of up to $85,000, including a brand new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.
“The fish are staging right now and getting ready to move into prespawn mode,” said Joe Uribe Jr., of Surprise, Arizona, who has won the last two consecutive Costa FLW Series events held on Lake Havasu in 2015 and 2017. “We’ve had a full moon this week and warm air temperatures during the day – in the low 80s. As the water temperatures continue to rise fish will really be triggered to make a move.”
Uribe said anglers will utilize the entire lake for this event, specifically the Colorado River and areas down south. He cited quick-moving smallmouth in river current and warmer water on the southern end as especially tempting for competitors.
“Most guys are going to be finesse fishing, which is fairly typical this time of year,” said Uribe. “Finesse tactics will be more of a player for smallmouth than for the largemouth, and will involve small hair jigs, drop-shot rigs and little swimbaits. Largemouth will be orientated out deep near man-made structure including cages and brush piles. Look for crankbaits, jigs and umbrella rigs to do well in those areas.”
Uribe went on to say that catching both smallmouth and largemouth bass will be crucial for success in the tournament.
“Guys are going to have trouble catching a limit solely made up of largemouth, so they’re going to have to mix it up a little bit. They may have to target largemouth in the morning, and then switch to those big smallmouth up shallow as the water warms up,” said Uribe. “I think 17 pounds a day over three days will be needed to win.”
Anglers will take off and weigh-in at Lake Havasu State Park, located at 699 London Bridge Road, in Lake Havasu City. Takeoff will be held at 7:30 a.m. MST each day of competition and weigh-ins will start at 3:30 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 Lake Havasu, pros will fish for a top prize of $85,000, 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 Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
About FLW
FLW is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money in 2018 across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, with offices in Minneapolis, FLW and their partners conduct 286 bass-fishing tournaments annually around the world, including the United States, Canada, China, Italy, South Korea, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa and Spain. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW" television show, broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, while FLW Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. For more information visit FLWFishing.com and follow FLW at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
Bradford & Dwight Beaver Drop 27 pound Limit on the Scales in CBC Season Opener on Murray!
Courtesy of Carolina's Bass Challenge
Bradford & Dwight Beaver weighed in 5 fat Lake Murray bass at 27.27 lbs to beat out the other 162 teams entered! They also took home the 1st Skeeter BONUS worth another $4,000.00 pushing their total winning to $14,000.00!
2nd went to Thomas Hardwick & Tommy Williams with another great bag of bass weighing 26.82 lbs and they also were fishing out of SKEETER which was good for a $3,000.00 BONUS! They took home a total of $7,950.00!
Travis Parrish & Rodney Tapp weighed in a limit at 24.98 lbs good enough for 3rd and they earned $3,400.00!
Barry Holloman & Joey Bramlett claimed 4th with 24.71lbs and theu collected the 3rd SKEETER BONUS which was $2,000.00! Joey and Barry received $4,300.00!
Mike Stephens & Bryan New weighed in 23.09 lbs and the BF of the day at 7.63 lbs for a total of $2,700.00!!
4th SKEETER BONUS went to Phillip Randolf & Ronald Moss with 21.40 lbs. They took home a total of $1,850.00!
LAKE SEMINOLE SET TO HOST YETI FLW COLLEGE FISHING EVENT
BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (Jan. 30, 2018) – YETI FLW College Fishing will continue the season with an event Feb. 10 on Lake Seminole presented by Bass Pro Shops. The tournament, hosted by the Bainbridge Convention and Visitors Bureau, is the first 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.
“This is going to be a great tournament,” said FLW Tour pro Buddy Gross of Chickamauga, Georgia, who won the Costa FLW Series event on Lake Seminole in 2017. “The bass are prespawn right now and there are a lot of fish fattened up. The lake is on fire – last weekend it took 32 pounds to win a local tournament – and they’re hitting it at just the right time. They’re going to be able to fish how they’d like and catch them in a lot of different ways.
“I think it’ll likely be a grass deal and the fish will be set up in a lot of pre-spawn areas,” Gross continued. “The bass on Seminole use sand to bed, so I’d be looking for grassy flats and humps near sandy bottoms. I think there will be a big Rat-L-Trap bite, and a flipping bite in the hydrilla. Senkos and swimbaits will produce as well. Teams are going to be able to spread out.”
Gross offered words of advice for college anglers who may be visiting the lake for the first time – be careful.
“Lake Seminole has a lot of standing timber, so it is important that the college anglers take their time and make sure that they are being cautious when driving around the lake,” Gross said. “Look for areas near Spring Creek – there are a lot of little arms and pockets where you can get back to little ponds that offer a lot of opportunity. I think we’ll likely see a winning limit in the mid-20s.”
Competitors will take off from the Bainbridge Earle May Boat Basin, located at 100 Boat Basin Circle in Bainbridge, Georgia, at 7:30 a.m. EST Saturday. Weigh-in will be held at the boat basin 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 Seminole tournament include:
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College – Gavin Hiers, Quitman, Ga., and Brennan Bledsoe, Cordele, Ga.
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College – David Froehlich III, Loxahatchee, Fla., and Hagen Masciale, Melrose, Fla.
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College – Quinn Brown, Willacoochee, Ga., and Morgan Anderson, Fitzgerald, Ga.
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College – Nicholas Hughes, Locust Grove, Ga., and Sam Brewton, McRae, Ga.
Auburn University – Anthony Vintson, Fort Gordon, Ga., and Julian Suero, Winter Springs, Ala.
Auburn University – Mitchell Jennings and Lauren Remolde, both of Auburn, Ala.
Augusta University – Joshua Rockefeller, Harlem, Ga., and Zachary Ramsey, Canton, Ga.
Bryan College – Preston Kendrick, Mount Olive, Ala., and Bennett Kudder, Dix Hills, N.Y.
Bryan College – Briana Tucker, Trinity, Ala., and Hollie Reagan, Seymour, Tenn.
Bryan College – Jake Mims, Douglasville, Ga., and Conner DiMauro, Longwood, Fla.
Bryan College – Dalton Price, Seymour, Tenn., and D.J. Barber, Gardendale, Ala.
Bryan College – Jacob Foutz, Charleston, Tenn., and Jake Lee, Knoxville, Tenn.
Bryan College – Tyler Price, Dayton, Tenn., and Mac Raughton, Tunnel Hill, Ga.
Clemson University – Liam West, Greenville, S.C., and Brady Waits, Clemson, S.C.
Clemson University – Joshua Hart, Simpsonville, S.C., and Ben Domingue, Central, S.C.
Clemson University – Levi Neave, Seneca, S.C., and Jacob Robbins, Edgemoor, S.C.
Clemson University – Matthew Bostic, Gilbert, S.C., and Allan Stack, Summerville, 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.
Coastal Carolina University – Jonathan Kelley, Middle River, Pa., and David Houchens, Bowie, Md.
Coastal Carolina University – Jeff Gary, Magnolia, Del., and Joseph Castelluccio, Andover, N.J.
Coastal Carolina University – John Duarte, Middle River, Md., and Taylor Jones, Johnsonville, S.C.
East Carolina University – Colton Harrell, Matthews, N.C., and Troy Moore, Kitty Hawk, N.C.
East Carolina University – Eric Olah, Greenville, N.C., and Michael Manning, La Grange, N.C.
Faulkner University – Breanna Wyatt and Joseph Lacy, both of Pell City, Ala.
Faulkner University – Tyler Pennington, Chicota, Ala., and Brady Bowden, Hope Hull, Ala.
Florida State University – Owen Kuhn and David Korson, both of Tallahassee, Fla.
Georgia College & State University – Robert Keene, Athens, Ga., and Phillip Green, Hoschton, Ga.
Itawamba Community College – Ross Sprouse, Blue Springs, Miss., and Fisher Young, Smithville, Miss.
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.
Lipscomb University – Scout Monteith, Nashville, Tenn., and Hunter Hanks, Hermitage, Tenn.
Mercer University – Bryce Grogan, Jackson, Ga., and Collin Vandemark, Sparks, Ga.
Mercer University – Eric Allen, Powder Springs, Ga., and Zachary Woods, Lizella, Ga.
Mississippi State University – Jack Stegall, Carriere, Miss., and Caleb Hebert, Poplarville, Miss.
North Carolina State University – Will Monti, Charlotte, N.C., and Mitchell Lance, Raleigh, N.C.
Newberry College – Daniel Cook, Pomaria, S.C., and Tucker Johnson, Irmo, S.C.
Polk State College – Trever Stephens, Auburndale, Fla., and Jerod Gadd, Bartow, Fla.
Polk State College – Kyle Stafford, Lakeland, Fla., and Austin Bell, Winter Haven, Fla.
Polk State College – Samuel Whitmire, Babson Park, Fla., and Trenton Rogers, Bartow, Fla.
Tennessee Technological University – Josh Bean and Caden Watson, both of Cleveland, Tenn.
University of Alabama – Andrew Deloney, Newton, Ala., and Jacob Daily, Mattoon, Ill.
University of Central Florida – Caleb Bundy, Lake City, Fla., and Christian Waters, Winter Haven, Fla.
University of Florida – Colby Eldridge and William Gibbs, both of Panama City, Fla.
University of Florida – Conner Young, Sorrenton, Fla., and Ryan Richardson, Gainesville, Fla.
University of Florida – Dylan Bucci, Ocala, Fla., and Abigail Askew, Gainesville, Fla.
University of Georgia – Garrett Stone, Sandy Springs, Ga., and Collin Chandler, Donalsonville, Ga.
University of Mississippi – Austin Savell, Brandon, Miss., and Luke Yaekel, Freeburg, Ill.
University of North Georgia – Tristan Thomas and Braxton Martin, both of Lula, Ga.
University of North Georgia – Drew Coker, Murrayville, Ga., and Clayton Childs, Bishop, Ga.
University of North Georgia – Patrick Harrington, Marietta, Ga., and Ethan Seitz, Hixson, Ga.
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., William Bond, Moncks Corner, S.C.
University of South Carolina – Zack Catoe, Lancaster, S.C., and Nick Schwarzenberg, Frederick, Md.
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.
Valdosta State University – Max Gresham, Milner, Ga., and Zachary Blake, Guyton, Ga.
Valdosta State University – Austin Rowell, Nicholls, Ga., and Zachary Loftus, Palm Coast, Ga.
Wake Forest University – Connor Walsh, Thompsonville, N.C., Noah Ezickson, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Winthrop University – Brett Blackwood, York, S.C., and Caleb Blackwood, Rock Hill, S.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 Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
UPDATE ON ANGLERS INVOLVED IN BOATING ACCIDENT AT FLW TOUR ON LAKE OKEECHOBEE
MINNEAPOLIS (Feb. 1, 2018) – Pro competitors Andy Young of Mound, Minnesota, and William Campbell of Middlesboro, Kentucky, were involved in a boat collision on opening day of the FLW Tour at Lake Okeechobee last week. The collision happened while both anglers were running the lake and met at the end of a boat lane near Moonshine Bay. Co-angler James Bianchi of Rush, New York, was in Young’s boat, while Lee Frye of Brooksville, Florida, was the co-angler in Campbell’s boat.
Young and Bianchi were ejected, but were able to return to their boat after Young’s mandatory ignition shutoff device disengaged the engine. While damaged, both boats returned under their own power to the launch site at the Clewiston Boat Basin.
Young sought medical attention upon his return to the ramp and was admitted to a local medical facility. He has since been released. Bianchi, Campbell and Frye declined medical attention.
The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission is currently investigating the accident.
Young’s catch was weighed and he finished the day with five bass weighing 10 pounds even. He was unable to compete on Day Two and finished the tournament in 179th place. Campbell and Frye were late in their return to check-in and they both withdrew from the tournament. Bianchi continued competition and finished in 22ndplace, weighing in 10 bass for 20 pounds, 15 ounces and earning $1,000.
Both Young and Campbell plan to return to the FLW Tour this season.
“It was an accident, plain and simple,” said Campbell, who was fishing in just his second career FLW Tour event. “I’ve been on the water and driving boats for more than 30 years, and I’d never had an accident like this. It’s very unfortunate that it occurred, but I’m extremely thankful that it wasn’t worse.
“This isn’t going to stop me from competing,” Campbell continued. “Becoming a pro bass angler has been a dream of mine since I was 15 years old. For this to happen, on the first day of my first full season, is very disappointing. I will not let this stop me.”
“I’m sore, but I’ll heal and I’m thankful that the accident wasn’t worse,” Young said. “The doctor said that I have a compression fracture in my L2 vertebra – no surgery, but I’ll be in a brace for a few weeks. I’m extremely upset that I’m going to have to miss the Harris Chain tournament and maybe even Lanier, but I’m recovering and you can bet that I will be back out competing on the Tour as soon as I am able.”
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the sport’s top anglers on the FLW Tour on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
Michael Smith Wins ABA Alabama South Open Event on Lake Eufaula with over 21 pounds!
ATHENS, Ala. – ABA Pro-Staffer Michael M Smith of Andalusia, AL won the American Bass Open Series Alabama South tournament, held February 3rd on Lake Eufaula. Running out of Lakepoint State Park in Eufaula, AL Michael caught five bass weighing 21.63 pounds anchored by a 5.76 -pound kicker. For the Boater Division victory, Michael took home a check for $5000 for his win and qualified for an additional $5000 for Triton Gold.
“I was fishing the lower end of the lake from the bridges down fishing a crankbait and flipping mid-depth channel swing banks, then later in the day I was fishing ditches and brush-piles,” said Smith.
In second for the boaters, Raymond “Bubba” Barlow of Albany, GA landed a five-bass tournament limit going 21.53 pounds. He collected $1575 for his catch.
“I caught all my fish on crankbaits and jigs. Those were my two main baits today. I was fishing mid-lake,” said Barlow.
Ken Greene of Lumpkin, GA finished third for the boaters with five bass going 20.29 pounds. He earned $1050 for his catch.
“I was fishing deep and slow, “ said Greene.
The largest bass of the tournament for the boaters was caught by Jason “Buddha” Smith of Dawson, GA it weighed 7.98 pounds. Smith pocketed a check for $760 for his catch.
“I caught that fish on a Swagger Swim Worm by Buddha Bait Company,” said Smith.
Finishing fourth, Terry Tucker of Gadsden, AL landed a five-bass limit for 18.47 pounds. Rounding out the top five was Frank Sine of Alabaster, AL with a five-bass limit for 17.93 pounds.
In the Co-Angler Division, William Thomas of Phenix City, AL won with three bass going 10.77 pounds with a 4.64-pound kicker. He pocketed a check for $1000 for his win.
“I caught my fish on a jig, trying to fish deeper than my boater. This is my first tournament win out of three tournaments I have ever fished and my first tournament with ABA. I’m just glad it warmed up today,” said Thomas.
Taking second for the co-anglers, Terry Taylor of Seale, AL brought in a three-bass division limit weighing 9.86 pounds. He collected $400 for the effort.
“I caught my fish on a crankbait early and then caught a few flipping grasses later in the day,” said Taylor.
David McMurphy of Wilsonville, AL placed third among the co-anglers with two bass going 8.54-pounds including a 5.60-pound kicker. He earned $300 for his catch and $165 for the big bass.
“I caught that big bass on a big worm, I lost the first fish on the day that would’ve pushed me over the top.” Said McMurphy.
In fourth place among the co-anglers, Sam Fish of Alexander City, AL brought in three bass for 7.89 pounds. Joseph Chilcott of Crestview, FL finished in fifth place with three bass at 7.49 pounds.
Slated for April 21st, the next tournament will be held on Lake Martin out of Wind Creek State Park in Alexander City, AL. 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 .
Judd Fuhrman Takes the Win and New Mercury Powered Nitro in the BIG BASS TOUR event on the Harris Chain!
2018 Harris Chain, FL
Leaders
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | JUDD FUHRMANN | 10.80 |
| 2 | BRANDON FRANKS | 10.60 |
| 3 | ANTONIO FERREIRA | 10.36 |
| 4 | MATT GEE | 9.30 |
| 5 | MIKE DAVIS | 9.26 |
| 6 | MICHAEL CATT | 9.02 |
| 7 | BRAD HAMMERICH | 9.01 |
| 8 | TONY WISNIEWSKI | 8.91 |
| 9 | JOHN BATCHELOR | 8.74 |
| 9 | TONY ROMAN | 8.74 |
Saturday 8-9
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TONY WISNIEWSKI | 8.91 |
| 2 | JAMIE LANIER | 7.11 |
| 3 | SEAN MILLER | 6.64 |
| 4 | KRISTOPHER CARVER | 6.63 |
| 5 | CHAD PELFREY | 6.29 |
| 6 | CARSON POWELL | 6.28 |
| 7 | JEFF FELLOWS | 6.18 |
| 8 | JEFF DAVIS | 5.48 |
| 9 | TIM ROSS | 4.33 |
| 10 | PAUL GEISEN | 4.14 |
Saturday 9-10
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ERIC LEWIS | 7.83 |
| 2 | KRISTOPHER CARVER | 7.56 |
| 3 | DAVID MAHON | 6.55 |
| 4 | JAMIE LANIER | 5.94 |
| 5 | JAKE HART | 5.54 |
| 6 | JAMES KELLEY | 5.49 |
| 7 | BERNARD INNELLA | 5.18 |
| 8 | ADAM CONIGLIO | 4.72 |
| 9 | DEAN MORRIS | 4.62 |
| 10 | RICHARD ANTHONY | 4.33 |
Saturday 10-11
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BRAD HAMMERICH | 9.01 |
| 2 | CHET FORD | 7.14 |
| 3 | JASON SMITH | 7.05 |
| 4 | ED WOLF | 6.83 |
| 5 | TERRY DIXON | 6.38 |
| 6 | ERIC DAVIS | 6.07 |
| 7 | EDDIE KNIGHT | 5.77 |
| 8 | CHRIS CASTEEL | 5.64 |
| 9 | MATT ALTER | 5.40 |
| 10 | DANIEL SMITH | 4.58 |
Saturday 11-12
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MICHAEL CATT | 9.02 |
| 2 | LARKIN NOBLES | 8.42 |
| 3 | RICHARD WEST | 8.37 |
| 4 | MICHAEL LAKE | 7.82 |
| 5 | TERRY BLOOM | 7.42 |
| 6 | RANDY MONTONEY | 7.27 |
| 7 | MICHAEL BRASHEAR | 6.88 |
| 8 | JEFF FELLOWS | 6.31 |
| 9 | CHUCK FOSTER | 6.11 |
| 10 | ANTHONY QUINTANA | 5.26 |
Saturday 12-1
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | JUDD FUHRMANN | 10.80 |
| 2 | ANTONIO FERREIRA | 10.36 |
| 3 | TERRY BLOOM | 6.60 |
| 4 | RONALD ROKISKY | 6.11 |
| 5 | KALEB HERRING | 5.81 |
| 6 | KYLE SCHOVILLE | 5.41 |
| 7 | TRAVIS WOLF | 5.32 |
| 8 | TIMMY FINLEY | 4.96 |
| 9 | BRANDON PROPHITT | 4.95 |
| 10 | JULIAN QUINTANA | 4.26 |
Saturday 1-2
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | JEFF CHASTAIN | 8.44 |
| 2 | CLAYTON WIGGINS | 8.01 |
| 3 | JERRY VANLUE | 7.47 |
| 4 | SHELBY CONCON | 7.41 |
| 5 | WALLY JOHNS | 7.24 |
| 6 | RICK DANNER | 6.61 |
| 7 | TIM DEEN | 6.21 |
| 8 | GEORGE COMPTON | 5.94 |
| 9 | BRIAN KILGORE | 5.66 |
| 10 | DONNIE CROUSE | 5.64 |
Saturday 2-3
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | JOHN BATCHELOR | 8.74 |
| 1 | TONY ROMAN | 8.74 |
| 3 | TODD EVANS | 7.77 |
| 4 | JASON HAYNES | 7.73 |
| 5 | LARRY PETTY | 7.49 |
| 6 | HARLIN BASS | 7.03 |
| 7 | KENNETH CAVUCCI | 6.41 |
| 8 | TYLER SUESS | 6.20 |
| 9 | LENNY CRISPINO | 6.13 |
| 10 | CLAYTON WIGGINS | 5.84 |
Sunday 8-9
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BRANDON FRANKS | 10.60 |
| 2 | DEAN MORRIS | 7.29 |
| 3 | SHELBY CONCON | 7.24 |
| 4 | KENNETH LANE | 6.57 |
| 5 | ADAM KING | 6.38 |
| 6 | ED SCHLEIN | 6.33 |
| 7 | JOSH ALSBROOKS | 5.73 |
| 8 | GARRETT DUFFINA | 5.35 |
| 9 | JOHN KATZELNIK | 4.90 |
| 10 | DARRYL GONZALEZ | 4.88 |
| 10 | AUSTIN BASKETTE | 4.88 |
Sunday 9-10
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BILLY CHARLAND | 8.46 |
| 2 | TERRY FREE | 8.45 |
| 3 | RON DOW | 8.38 |
| 4 | RICKY WEST | 7.85 |
| 5 | SHELBY CONCON | 7.83 |
| 6 | RYAN MABRY | 7.34 |
| 7 | MATT GEE | 6.12 |
| 8 | BILLY CARROLL | 5.78 |
| 9 | KENT SMART | 5.72 |
| 10 | RICK DANNER | 5.17 |
Sunday 10-11
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | JEFF CHASTAIN | 8.28 |
| 2 | RICKIE REMMINGTON | 7.69 |
| 3 | CHAD PELFREY | 7.08 |
| 4 | JAY FLOSITZ | 6.92 |
| 5 | RICK DANNER | 6.20 |
| 6 | EDWARD HAMRICK | 5.89 |
| 7 | ROBERT JACOBS | 5.70 |
| 8 | JASON BERRYMAN | 5.56 |
| 9 | RICK MILLER | 5.07 |
| 10 | JEFF FELLOWS | 4.97 |
Sunday 11-12
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MATT GEE | 9.30 |
| 2 | MIKE DAVIS | 9.26 |
| 3 | AARON FRATTIN | 6.97 |
| 4 | STEVE MCENTYRE | 6.18 |
| 5 | JOHN BAKER | 6.05 |
| 6 | RALPH JACKSON | 5.63 |
| 7 | JERRY HASELDEN | 5.27 |
| 8 | STAN EARY | 5.10 |
| 9 | TIMMY FINLEY | 5.01 |
| 10 | PAUL VANZANT | 4.71 |
Sunday 12-1
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | RICHARD WEST | 8.49 |
| 2 | JASON FISHER | 8.43 |
| 3 | MATT SPENCER | 7.20 |
| 4 | RICK OSTERHOLT | 6.46 |
| 5 | TERRY BLOOM | 6.43 |
| 6 | ERIC MESSER | 5.91 |
| 7 | GARY MUCHLER | 5.62 |
| 8 | TAYLOR WIGGINS | 5.53 |
| 9 | RANDY MONTONEY | 5.35 |
| 10 | JOE DALTON | 4.83 |
Sunday 1-2
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | JESSE WINDSOR | 8.12 |
| 2 | BRETT THOMAS | 7.84 |
| 3 | STAN EARY | 7.63 |
| 4 | HARLAN BASS | 7.46 |
| 5 | CHAD PELFREY | 7.38 |
| 6 | GRANT TRUAX | 6.65 |
| 7 | BILL BELL | 6.61 |
| 8 | MIKE DAVIS | 6.41 |
| 9 | RICK ALBRITTON | 5.94 |
| 10 | RICK WEST | 5.71 |
| 10 | JOE AGNOLI | 5.71 |
Sunday 2-3
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BRANDON BLACKMON | 7.13 |
| 2 | STEVEN GILBERT | 7.00 |
| 3 | RONALD ROKISKY | 6.67 |
| 4 | KURT MICHAUX | 6.57 |
| 5 | KALEB HERRING | 6.51 |
| 6 | JOE BAK | 6.16 |
| 7 | WALLY JOHNS | 6.12 |
| 8 | MARK TRUAX | 6.08 |
| 9 | TERRY FREE | 6.05 |
| 10 | BILLY HOGAN | 5.80 |
Randy Brewer Wins ABA Open Series Texas East Tournament on Cedar Creek with over 21 pounds!
ATHENS, Ala. – Randy Brewer of South Lake, TX won the American Bass Anglers Open Series Texas East Division, held February 3rd at Cedar Creek. Running out of Log Cabin, TX, the 67-boat field left at 0644 AM for the boaters, 13 places were paid out and it took 10.38 pounds to make the cut.
Brewer caught a five-fish limit weighing 21.57 lbs with a healthy 6.21-pound kicker. For the boater division victory, he took home a check for $5000.
“I was throwing a chatterbait and a brush hog. I spent a couple hours practicing yesterday and hit the same spots today, then tried to duplicate those areas with some time left. It started early for me, but I struggled throughout the day. I only had 5 keepers today so I was glad to get the bites I did.” Said Brewer.
In second for the boaters, Garrett Whitley of Quintan, TX landed a five-bass limit weighing 20.92 lbs held up by a 5.69 lb. kicker. He collected a check for $1250.
“It was a rough day for me. I started at the dam and nothing happened for us. I put a bit of a pattern together just running around and trying to figure them out. Later in the afternoon it came together with some better bites and I was able to get them in the boat to come in with what I had. It was a grind, but it worked out. I was just a little shy today.” Said Whitley
Russell Lee of Sachse, TX, last year’s defending champion on Cedar Creek took third for the boaters with a limit of five bass weighing 20.12 lbs and took home a check for $900.00
“I stayed shallow most of the day and caught most of them throwing a crankbait and on a chatterbait. I did catch a couple deep. I was able to cull quite a bit. I had 12 or 13 keepers today and the bite was pretty steady.” Said Lee.
In fourth, Trent Menees of Saginaw, TX had a solid bag for 15.57 lbs, and Terry peacock of Royse City, TX came in with a solid bag of 15.01 lbs to take the fifth-place honors.
In the Co-Angler Division, JoeFrank Thomas of Forney, TX blew past the field with a monster 3 fish limit at 13.05 lbs, anchored by his 5.44 lb. big bass. His performance filled his pocket with a check for $1500 for the win with an additional $250 for big bass.
“I caught some fish! It was all day for us. I culled throughout the day, but I have to give the credit to my boater. We caught them deep and shallow but mostly on a frog. What a day to be able to come in with 13 lbs. I had a blast. The weather turned a little sour on us this afternoon but that’s fishing. You just have to roll with what Mother Nature throws at you.” Said Thomas.
Taking second for the co-anglers, Aaron Uncapher of Tyler, TX came in weighing a 3-fish limit for 6.11 lbs. His placement earned him a check for $500. The gap from first to second place goes to show how tough the conditions were on Saturday.
“Dwain (Burns) and I had an interesting day. we were without use of the outboard after our initial run in the morning. It started working again as we were being towed in around 1:45. Dwain chose a good area as we were able to boat 7 keepers between the two of us. I feel that Dwain would have earned a check with the use of his motor. We wasted some time fishing unproductive water in between the better spots in addition to a 45 minute idle trying to make repairs. I think of the 7-bass boated, six different baits were used. Dwain had us in the right area. I missed one on a wacky senko. As soon as Dwain turned the boat around for another pass, I changed colors and was able to catch that bass 15 minutes later. My two better fish came off a Blk/Blu War Eagle football jig with a zoom craw trailer and a tex-rigged Yamamoto Kreature in green pumpkin. All my bass came shallow.” Stated Aaron.
David Hester of Frankston, TX placed third among the co-anglers. He had three fish weighing in at 5.91 lbs to earn a check for $400.
“My boater started off pretty good, but I didn’t catch any fish until the last 2 hours of the day. We stayed with the same pattern all day but found the right spot in the afternoon and slugged it out. We were up shallow, and they finally started biting.” Stated David.
In fourth place among the co-anglers, Jeremy Montgomery of Mansfield, TX brought in three bass for 5.80 lbs. Lat Nichols of Deport, TX finished in fifth place with three bass at 4.85 lbs even.
The biggest bass for the boaters was caught by Ryan Autry Richardson, TX weighing in at 7.19 lbs for $670. With only 3 fish, Ryan placed in the event taking home two checks from the weight of his big fish. Well done to all!
Slated for March 24th, the next divisional tournament will be held on Lake Palestine launching from the Villages Marina. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance to the 2018 Ray Scott Championship, slated for the first week of April 2019 on Lake Eufaula, AL.
For more information on this tournament, call Chris Wayand, tournament manager, at 256-230-5627 or ABA at 256-232-0406. On line, see http://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 Open Series, the American Fishing Tour or the American Couples Series, visit
Weimer and Wafford win Bass Champs Central Region Season Opener on Travis and $20,000
| By: Patty Lenderman |
| Bass Champs Central Region kicked off their 2018 season February 3rd on Lake Travis. Chilly and windy weather conditions set the scene for 193 teams to compete for a portion of this 106% payback event. Gary Weimer and Jeremiah Wafford reeled in the winnings taking 1st place and the guaranteed $20,000 purse.While the morning started out on the chilly side with some light drizzle, the temperatures continued to rise as the moist conditions dried by mid morning. These teams were prepared with their spots picked out, and several teams brought in sacks weighing over twenty pounds.
For the winners Gary Weimer and Jeremiah Wafford, their day could not have gone better. “We had about fifteen spots targeted after practicing for four days before the tournament,” Gary explained. “During practice, we averaged about 18 pounds per day. The Saturday before the tournament we even landed an 11.77# bass!” They targeted boat docks near deep water with jigs, and their first cast needed an 8.41 pounder – what a way to start the day. Two casts later, they caught another chunk about 7 ½ lbs. After that they moved to their next spot and put their third fish in the boat. “We weren’t catching a lot of fish, but the ones we did catch were good quality.” They wrapped up a limit in their third spot. “We had all of the fish we weighed by 10am. We broke off one big one, but never culled all day.” Their limit weighed in at 27.56 lbs, the top weight of the tournament. In their 18 years of fishing Bass Champs tournaments, they have cashed many checks. This was their first 1st place win, receiving the $20,000 purse. “We would like to thank the Good Lord for watching out for us and blessing us. We would also like to thank our wives, kids, family and friends for their encouragement.” Not too far behind in weight were the 2nd place winners Tony Ferdinando and Shane Logan, having 26.02 lbs. Tony explained “We ran to the lower end of the lake where we had probably twenty different spots picked out.” Using jigs, jigging spoons and Carolina rigs they targeted deep ledges. “The first five fish we had in the live well probably weighed about 16 pounds. We hit a few points with Alabama rigs and caught some, but ended up culling all of those. We just hit all of our spots, then started over and hit them again.” Tony landed their kicker, weighing in at 8.52 lbs and winning Big Bass of the day. They were awarded $4,500 for their 2nd place finish, $500 for Big Bass, then Amphibia added another $250 to their day for earning their bonus. 3rd place was taken by Lee Beuershausen and Randy Grounds. “We had a good morning bite,” Randy reported. They started out on a point with a ledge in 15’-25’ using a Carolina rigged Zoom lizard. They put a limit together, including their kicker weighing in at 7.46 lbs. “After that we went to another ten spots by docks, and culled a few times. We only caught about eight keepers throughout the day. Our last cull was at 2:30, gaining another half pound. They were awarded $3,500 for their 3rd place finish, then Skeeter Boats doubled those winnings for being the highest finishing team in a qualified Skeeter Boat. They also won the Sportsman’s Auto Bonus, plus they took home the Lowrance bonus money. Their day on the water paid off more than $10,000! Rounding out the top five includes (4th) 19.71 lbs, Weston Brown & David Doonan, winning $2,400 plus another $1,000 from the Sportsman’s Auto Bonus. (5th) 19.25 lbs, Byron Albrecht & Michael Johnson for $2,000. All total 26 teams earned checks, the final $600 went to Daniel & Adrian Barnes with 13.63 lbs. There’s never a dull moment at Bass Champs – next stop will be Lake Falcon as the South Region starts their season February 10. Remember – all regular season events are open to anyone who would like a chance to fish for BIG winnings! Whether you can fish one or fish them all, come join the fun! Remaining regular season team schedule: |
GEORGIA’S MCCAY WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL SAVANNAH RIVER DIVISION OPENER ON LAKE KEOWEE PRESENTED BY NAVIONICS
Williamston’s Lesley Earns Co-angler Title
SENECA, S.C. (Feb. 5, 2018) – Boater J.R. McCay of Helen, Georgia, caught five bass weighing 15 pounds, 7 ounces, Saturday to win the 2018 T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Savannah River Division opener on Lake Keowee presented by Navionics. For his efforts, McCay took home $4,004.
“I had a couple places where I was catching 10 or 11 pounds consistently during practice, but by 9 a.m. Saturday morning I didn’t have a bite from either,” said McCay, who earned his first career win in FLW competition. “I decided to head into the back of a creek on the north end that had stained water, laydowns, docks and stump flats. I threw a swimbait and only had one fish swirl on it, which told me they weren’t very active.”
McCay said he began flipping a ½-ounce brown Spot Sticker Casting Jig with a green-pumpkin-colored Strike King Rage Tail Craw trailer, and was able to put two 4-pounders and a 3-pounder in the boat. Around 2 p.m., he said that he left the area for a long flat with scattered rock on the main lake.
“I used the Spot Sticker and nabbed another 3-pounder,” said McCay. “I caught my last fish on the south end, in 70 feet of water, from a rock pile where fish typically school up. I guess I pulled up to the right place at the right time.”
McCay said he used a blueback-colored Tim Farley Custom Baits Pro X Swimbait to catch his last keeper.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: J.R. McCay, Helen, Ga., five bass, 15-7, $4,004
2nd: Jayme Rampey, Liberty, S.C., five bass, 13-11, $2,002
3rd: Brian Tidwell, Seneca, S.C., five bass, 13-8, $1,267
4th: Edward Humphreys, Alum Creek, W. Va., five bass, 12-8, $888
5th: Matthew Justice, Fair Play, S.C., five bass, 11-10, $761
6th: Daniel Atkins, Anderson, S.C., five bass, 11-9, $697
7th: Marcus Church, Seneca, S.C., five bass, 11-3, $634
8th: Chris Nelson, Social Circle, Ga., five bass, 11-1, $571
9th: Brian Callahan, Gainesville, Ga., five bass, 11-0, $507
10th: Jerry Morgan, Inman, S.C., five bass, 10-12, $444
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Joshua Popham of Central, South Carolina, nabbed a bass weighing 4 pounds, 13 ounces – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division – and earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $505.
Ryan Lesley of Williamston, South Carolina, won the Co-angler Division and $2,097 Saturday after catching a five-bass limit weighing 11 pounds, 4 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Ryan Lesley, Williamston, S.C., five bass, 11-4, $2,097
2nd: Tim Watson, Martin, Ga., five bass, 11-2, $999
3rd: Westley Denny, Westminster, S.C., five bass, 9-5, $633
4th: Keith Lewis, Franklin, N.C., five bass, 8-12, $443
5th: Kevin Landreth, Seneca, S.C., four bass, 8-8, $379
6th: Chris Nunziato, Elberton, Ga., five bass, 8-7, $348
7th: Vern Schmucker, Westminster, S.C., four bass, 8-4, $316
8th: Michael Senn, Anderson, S.C., five bass, 7-9, $285
9th: Gary Murphy, Homer, Ga., five bass, 7-8, $253
10th: Brandon Graham, Greer, S.C., three bass, 6-10, $221
Thomas Morris of Walhalla, South Carolina, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – a 4-pound, 4-ounce fish. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $247.
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 Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
Fife & Davis Win Arkansas Bass Trail Opener with over 24 Pounds!!
1st place Cody Davis & Flannigan Fife
2nd place Dustin Huggins & Cody Kemp
3rd place Mark McWha & Derek Toland
Eufaula, Alabama to Host the 2019 Ray Scott Championship
Athens, AL – January 31, 2018 – American Bass Anglers announced today that the Eufaula/Barbour County Chamber of Commerce will host the 2019 Ray Scott Championship at the Walter F. George Lake (Lake Eufaula) on April 1st-7th, 2019. Launch and weigh in for the 2019 Ray Scott Championship will take place at Lake Point Resort State Park.
This event is the culmination of anglers qualifying through the American Bass Anglers Open Series for one of the largest events for the weekend angler in the country. The winning boater will receive $50,000 cash plus a new 21TRX Triton boat equipped with a 250hp Mercury Pro XS motor. The winning co-angler will receive $25,000 in cash plus a new 19TRX Triton boat equipped with a 225hp Mercury Pro XS motor. If requirements are met, additional bonus incentives of $50,000 from Triton Boats, $1000 from Mercury Motors, $1000 from Garmin and $1250 from TH Marine are available.
“We are very excited to be hosting the 2019 Ray Scott Championship. The fishing on Lake Eufaula during April will be phenomenal, and the anglers will enjoy their time on the lake. The Eufaula Alabama community has a lot to offer anglers during their visit such as local shopping, great eateries, and multiple lodging options all with a great small-town feel.” said Jack Tibbs Mayor of Eufaula.
Lake Eufaula is a 45,000-acre lake located on the Chattahoochee River that extends across Alabama and Georgia. This beautiful lake is nationally known for being a great bass fishery and its beautiful scenery. Eufaula/Barbour County Chamber of Commerce has hosted numerous events for American Bass Anglers in which the anglers receive a warm welcome from the local community with its small home town charm.
“Lake Eufaula is the perfect location for this event, I know anglers look forward to coming to one of Alabama’s most talked about lakes and experiencing the hospitality of Eufaula.” said Morris Sheehan, President of American Bass Anglers. “Mayor Tibbs and all of Eufaula/Barbour County always rolls out the red carpet for our anglers, weigh-in will be at 3pm daily and the public is invited”
What is the ABA Open Series and how do you qualify for the Ray Scott Championship?
It is a Boater/Co-Angler series. This format pairs boaters and co-anglers together to fish from the same boat however, boaters are not competing with their co-angler partners. Boaters compete against boaters and co-anglers compete against the other co-anglers in the tournament. Boaters and Co-Anglers pay different entry fees and the boaters are competing for the prize money created for the boaters and co-anglers for the prize money created for the co-anglers.
Entry Fees remain the lowest in the industry for the weekend angler:
- Qualifying Events: Boater $200, Co-Angler $100
- Area Championships: Boater $300, Co-Angler $150
- Ray Scott Championship - No Entry Fee
The Open Series offers the best payout ever in a series of this format. Payouts are the largest in weekend angler tournament history!
- $5,000 1st place Boater guaranteed regardless of the number of entries
Divisions: Open Series will have 18 divisions of the Open Series. Each of these divisions will hold 4 one-day qualifying events. Each with a $5,000 first place guaranteed payout for boaters. At the end of each divisional season the anglers from each division will be invited to compete in a local Area Championship.
Area Championships: Each of the 9 Area Championships will have a first-place guaranteed purse of $10,000 for boaters and $5000 for co-anglers. Two divisions will make up an Area. An example of an Area would be Kentucky Division and Central Tennessee Division. (See Schedule). All anglers from each division who fish 3 events within their home division or 4 events in combination of divisions within their area will be invited to the Area Championship.
Each division will advance anglers to the Ray Scott Championship.
- The top ten (10) Boaters and top ten (10) Co-Anglers from each division by points after the Area Championship will advance.
- The top five (5) Boaters and top five (5) Co-Anglers at the Area Championship by place of finish, who do not advance by divisional points, will also advance.
| Area | Division 1 | Division 2 | Area Championship |
| 1 | Alabama North | Mississippi | Pickwick |
| 2 | Kentucky | Tennessee Central | Kentucky Lake |
| 3 | Georgia | South Alabama | Lake Eufaula |
| 4 | North Carolina | South Carolina | Lake Norman |
| 5 | Florida Central | Florida South | Kissimmee Chain |
| 6 | Texas Southeast | Texas South | Toledo Bend |
| 7 | Texas Central | Oklahoma | Texoma |
| 8 | Maryland | Virginia | Kerr Lake |
| 9 | New York | Ohio | Chautauqua |
The American Bass Anglers is sponsored by Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, TH Marine, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Garmin, SiriusXM Marine Radio, Power Pole, Maui Jim, Geico Insurance and Livingston Lures. For more information about ABA call 256-232-0406. On line, visit www.americanbassanglers.com.
