FLW Rookie Justin Atkins Wins the 2017 FLW CUP!!
“These fish must think about blueback herring like I think about strawberry shortcake." ~Scott Suggs
Herring, not shad were the key bait on Lake Murray this week. They swam along deep points that dropped from about 20 feet in depth to perhaps a hundred or more nearby.
“Usually the herring out over that 100 foot water this time of year,” said Brandon Cobb. The pattern carried the top pros so well this week doesn’t usually materialize until late September.
And Cobb worked it for nearly all it was worth. Nearly. “I only have 4 fish,” he revealed moments before taking the stage for the final weigh in of the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup in Columbia, SC.
That revelation set the stage for a suspenseful ending to the tourney because the 4 fish Cobb had were the right size – about 4 pounds apiece.
Anthony Gagliardi caught enough herring-eaters to make a run at a 2nd Cup title on his home lake. His effort fell short.
“I will not be the first repeat Forrest Wood Cup Champion this week,” said Gags. “I only have about 14 pounds. I caught everything that I will weigh-in during the last hour of the day.”
As the field of 10 was whittled down it became apparent that FLW Tour rookie Justin Atkins was the favorite. He faced fierce competition from Travis Fox.
Fox dropped 21 pounds, 11 ounces on the scale. He had one small fish in his bag. He was thankful even for it. “I just did catch 5 fish. This was the last one. Five fish weigh more than four do.”
Fox’s weight was impressive, but Atkins drew a roar from the packed house in the Colonial Life Arena when he weighed-in 22-1.
With a 3-day total weight of 59-4 Atkins was crowned champion.
Cobb lost a fish that may have put him over the top. He will never know. He’s not beating himself up over it. Such near misses are a part of the topwater game.
Fox further explained about missed fish, “It’s not like you get 6 bites to catch 6 fish. You may get 20 bites and catch 6 fish and not have done anything wrong. What do you do about it? You thank the Lord for chance and move on to the next one. I don’t feel bad about it. I did the best I could.”
Fox is right to be satisfied with a great effort and a runner-up finish.
For the technical details of how Atkins won, see our video on AnglersChannel.com. The short version is that he pulled quality bass to the surface with large topwater lures. “I stayed with the big plugs instead of using a fluke. I wanted to catch bigger fish even though I got fewer bites.”
https://youtu.be/hY0FHCuFdAE
His fish were relating to cane piles planted in deep, open water. The bass in Lake Murray suspend around the tops of the cane and ambush blueback herring.
A young pro, Atkins has already earned the respect of the fishing community.
“Justin will be a great champion,” said 2015 Cup Champ Brad Knight.
Bryan College Wins Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship
Jake Lee (left) and Jacob Foutz of Bryan College won the 2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops on Lake Bemidji out of Bemidji, Minn., with a three-day total weight of 49 pounds, 15 ounces.
Photo by Ronnie Moore/B.A.S.S.
August 12, 2017
BEMIDJI, Minn. — The Bryan College duo of Jacob Foutz and Jake Lee led the 2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops on Lake Bemidji wire-to-wire to take the title with a three-day total of 49 pounds, 15 ounces.
A big storyline of the week was the fishing pressure that Stump Lake was receiving from over 75 percent of the field. Most wondered if it would hold up over three days of competition, but Lee and Foutz didn’t test it, sticking to their game plan in Lake Irving just south of Lake Bemidji.
The Bryan College teammates had a two-prong approach to catch their winning weight as they threw a frog early in the morning and flipped a Texas rig for the remainder of the day. It didn’t seem to matter what type of cover they fished, but rather the bait they were flipping. They used a 4 1/2-inch black and blue Strike King Flipping Tube with a 3/8-ounce tungsten weight and a 5/0 Trokar hook.
“In the morning we had a frog bite going on and we caught a couple key fish every morning,” Foutz said. “As soon as the sun came up that bite faded and we would start flipping docks and shoreline cover.”
Today’s conditions were slightly different as the algae on Lake Irving began to die off and it produced a film on the top of the water.
“Today we managed to get a frog bite later in the day because of some overhanging trees and the shade they produced,” Lee said.
Throughout the week the duo executed to perfection as they hooked and landed all nine bass that contributed to their leading weight, but today they lost some important bites that stalled their progress on sealing this event. Saturday’s action reverted to how their Thursday went as it took all day to catch their final weight tally. Lee and Foutz didn’t cull a single fish the entire week of competition. The fish that went in their livewell stayed until 2 p.m. every day when they were weighed on the B.A.S.S. stage.
Both Lee and Foutz are products of high school fishing. Lee was in the inaugural Bassmaster High School All-American class and both anglers carried their high school experiences into their freshman year of college where they are now crowned the 2017 National Champions.
“This week was amazing, it showed us that we can come here and compete with the best college anglers in the country,” Foutz and Lee said. “The goal is to always win a national championship, but now our sights are focused on the bracket. Hopefully, we can carry this momentum there.”
Lee and Foutz outlasted a hard-charging Top 12 group of anglers as they had their toughest day of the week and brought 15-5 to the scales. It was enough to top second place Cole Floyd and Carter McNeil of Bethel University who weighed 45-4 over three days. With their Day 2 weight of 18-4, Lee and Foutz claimed the big bag of the event.
Floyd and McNeil’s weight got better every day as they went from 14-12 to 15-1 and settled out at 15-7 on Championship Saturday. As the week progressed their pattern and target location slowly developed, which is a key reason for their increase in weight each day.
The duo flipped grass and reeds in both Stump Lake and Lake Irving. Their best lure ended up being a 1/2-ounce Texas-rigged Berkley Havoc Pit Boss, which they pitched to both sparse and thick cover.
“We started the week fishing in Stump Lake where most of the field fished,” McNeil said. “We caught four and at the end of the day (and) stopped in Lake Irving and caught two key fish.”
That set the tone for the rest of their event as they dedicated Friday morning to Lake Irving before going to Stump Lake and then today they never left sight of the mouth of Irving as they camped out and managed 15-7.
“To increase our weight every day is hard to do, especially in a multiday event,” Floyd said. “I can’t complain with how it went this week.”
Tyler Firebaugh and Chad Sweitzer of Chico State University placed third overall and punched their ticket to the 2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket presented by Bass Pro Shops with a three-day weight of 40 pounds, 8 ounces. They focused their efforts in Stump Lake and fished extremely slow on Championship Saturday to catch their weight.
“I pitched a weightless Gary Yamamoto Flappin’ Hog and let it sit for as long as 60 seconds per cast today,” Sweitzer said.
Slower was better for the California duo because of the immense pressure on the Stump Lake region.
Brian Pahl and John Garrett of Bethel University managed to sneak into the fourth-place spot, claiming the final bracket positions as they edged out teammates Garrett Enders and Cody Huff by just 2 ounces.
The Top 4 teams will now split into eight individual anglers and compete in the College Classic Bracket where they will fish head-to-head starting on Monday, August 14, on Serpent Lake, Minnesota.
Lee and Foutz took home additional rewards along with their winning prize as they also won the Livingston Lures Day 2 Leader Award of $500 in merchandise. Logan Laprarie and Aaron Belgard of Northwestern State University won the big bass of the event because of their 6-6 largemouth on Thursday.
Bemidji State University and Visit Bemidji hosted the event.
2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Carhartt
2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Premier Sponsors: Yamaha, Berkley, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Huk, Skeeter Boats, Humminbird, Mercury, Shell Rotella, Triton Boats
2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Supporting Sponsors: Phoenix Boats, Livingston Lures, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Lowrance, Costa, Shimano, St. Croix Rods, ABU Garcia, Advance Auto Parts
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 more than 45 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, Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks 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]
Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops
8/10/2017 - 8/12/2017
Bemidji Chain of Lakes - Paul Bunyan Park - Bemidji, MN
STANDINGS BOATER DAY 3
Name # Fish # Live Lbs - Oz # Fish # Live Lbs - Oz
1 Jacob Foutz - Jake Lee Bryan College 5 5 15- 5 14 14 49-15
2 Cole Floyd - Carter McNeil Bethel University 5 5 15- 7 15 15 45- 4
3 Tyler Firebaugh - Chad Sweitzer Chico State 5 5 15- 3 14 14 40- 8
4 Brian Pahl - John Garrett Bethel University 5 5 15- 8 14 14 39- 7
5 Garrett Enders - Cody Huff Bethel University 5 5 13-13 15 15 39- 5
6 Josh Worth - Colorado Mesa University 4 4 13-13 13 12 38- 7
7 Hunter McCarty - Sloan Pennington U. of North Alabama 5 5 12- 2 15 14 36- 6
8 John Duarte - Chesley Alford Coastal Carolina University 5 5 12- 5 13 13 35- 9
9 Thor Swanson - Mitch Swanson Bemidji State University 2 2 5-14 12 12 33- 5
10 Patrick Walters - Tyler All University of South Carolina 3 3 5-13 13 13 29- 9
11 Sam Carris - John Berry Tennessee Tech University 3 3 6- 1 13 13 29- 3
12 Tyler Craig - Spencer Lambert University of Louisiana at Monroe 1 1 1- 8 10 10 23-15
13 Daniel Kennedy - Cody Stahl SCAD 6 6 22- 5
14 Nick Ratliff - Luke Patterson Campbellsville University 10 9 22- 4
15 Tyler Rivet - Cameron Naquin Nicholls State University 8 8 22- 4
16 Brody McWilliams - Tristan Gold Indiana University 8 8 21-13
17 Cole Sands - Nathan Bell Bryan College 9 9 21-13
18 Brady Bowden - Tyler Pennington Faulkner University 6 6 19- 6
19 Trent Newman - Zackery Hines Dallas Baptist University 9 9 19- 2
20 Stetson Overton - Cason Kelley Tarleton State University 9 9 17-13
21 Chase Chastain - Andrew Fisher Jacksonville State University 5 5 17- 4
22 Noah Pescitelli - Sean Hall SCAD 9 9 17- 2
23 Corey Neece - Nick Hatfield Tusculum College 4 4 15-10
24 Jake Dorony - Hunter Scharphorn Lake Superior State University 7 7 15- 3
25 Austin Handley - Caleb Wozniak Auburn University 7 7 15- 0
26 Sheldon Rogge - Travis Blenn Kansas State University 6 6 14- 9
27 Rick Couch Jr - John Kaufman U. of Central Florida 6 6 14- 8
28 J T Russell - Chase Grubbs University of Montevallo 5 5 14- 5
29 John Jay - Grant Pietsch Texas A&M University 7 7 14- 3
30 Justin Seeton - Dakota Ebare Tarleton State University 7 7 14- 0
31 TJ Tucker - Bennett Pierce Arkansas Tech University 5 5 13-14
32 JP Kimbrough - Jared Rascoe LSU Shreveport 5 5 13-12
33 Travis McGuire - Layne Bynum Texas Tech University 5 5 13- 7
34 Austin Carr - Justin Carr Heartland Community College 5 5 13- 6
35 Luke Gillund - Robby Troje Bemidji State University 6 6 13- 2
36 Justin St Onge - Ryan McLaughlin Haywood Community College 6 6 12-13
37 Anderson Aldag - Lee Mattox University of Alabama 3 3 12-10
38 Lawrence Kuznik - Dakota Moore University of Louisiana at LaFayette 3 3 12- 3
39 Hunter Ward - Stewart Ward Central Alabama Comm College 6 6 12- 3
40 Matt Brown - DJ Barber Bryan College 4 4 11-11
41 Keegan Russell - Lake Superior State University 5 5 11- 5
42 Collin Cropp - Louie Dazzo U. of Wisconsin Whitewater 4 4 10- 7
43 Tanner Ward - Kent State 5 5 10- 5
44 Nolan Minor - Casey Lanier West Virginia University 5 5 9-15
45 Aaron Belgard - Logan Laprarie Northwestern State University 2 2 9- 7
46 Ben Stone - Collin Smith Lander University 4 4 9- 4
47 Dawson Cranford - Charles Norris University of Louisiana at LaFayette 4 4 9- 4
48 Jacob Louis - JT Russell McKendree University 3 3 9- 2
49 Michael Rollert - Corbin Davis Texas A&M University 3 3 9- 2
50 Jacob Wall - University of Oregon 4 4 9- 1
51 Zane Loveday - Denver Satterlee Calhoun Community College 4 4 8- 3
52 Austin Mize - Parker Davis U. of North Alabama 3 3 7-11
53 Benjamin Hager - Noah Shaver UNC Charlotte 4 4 7-11
54 Andrew Warbington - Brant Lewis University of West Alabama 4 4 7- 7
55 Jonathan Kelley - Max McQuaide Coastal Carolina University 4 4 7- 4
56 John Moore - Clark Mannas Texas A&M University 4 4 7- 2
57 Jesse Erb - Gavin Oswalt University of Pittsburgh 3 2 6-10
58 Luke Parlow - Brad Burton Missouri State University 4 4 6- 8
59 Baylor Ronemus - Cole Tinsley Clemson University 2 2 6- 8
60 Jacob Harris - Tyler Smith Southeast Missouri State University 2 2 6- 7
61 Ryan Winchester - Tyler Black Bethel University 2 2 6- 6
62 Reed Foster - Colt Benedict Dallas Baptist University 5 5 6- 6
63 Dillon Harrell - Dustin Moreno Sam Houston State University 2 2 6- 6
64 Hunter Freeman - Thomas Soileau University of Louisiana at Monroe 5 5 6- 2
65 Nicholas Moore - Sean Solomon Southeast Missouri State University 2 2 6- 1
66 Joshua Butts - Reid Conner Wallace State Hanceville 2 2 6- 0
67 Brandon Black - Chase Christie University of West Georgia 1 1 5-14
68 Brandon Bland - Spencer DeFoor U. of South Alabama 2 2 5-10
69 Matthew Bowden - Barton Courtney Texas Tech University 2 2 5- 9
70 Brandon Simoneaux - Colby Ogden Lamar University 2 2 4-13
71 Lance Freeman - Cameron Brooks Murray State University 1 1 4- 4
72 Evan Owrey - KJ Queen Bethel University 2 2 4- 2
73 Max Gresham - Zack Blake Valdosta State University 2 2 3-15
74 Michael Fisher - Brandon Padilla Jacksonville State University 1 1 3-13
75 Dylan Kear - Dalton Price Bryan College 1 1 3-12
76 Connor Chapman - Jaron Deal Kennesaw State University 1 1 3-10
77 Chandler Robertson - Austin Culbertson University of Missouri 1 1 3- 7
78 Crosley Welch - Matt Fielder Missouri State University 2 2 3- 4
79 Gregory Green - Dustin Nash Northwestern State University 1 1 2-14
80 Tristan Thomas - Ty Johnston U. of North Georgia 2 2 2-11
81 Austin Butler - Will Gentry Murray State University 1 1 2-11
82 Paul Davis - Shane Parker Missouri State University 1 1 2-10
83 Dalton Childers - Auburn University 1 1 2- 7
84 Justin Guarnaccio - Michael Tesch University of Wisconsin Stout 2 2 2- 7
85 Zachary Ramsey - Joshua Rockefeller Augusta University 1 1 1-11
86 Gavyn Bridges - Dylan Anderson UT Chattanooga 0 0 0- 0
86 Qiurun Chen - Johns Hopkins University 0 0 0- 0
86 Hunter Louden - Cully Scroggins Bethel University 0 0 0- 0
86 Hunter Mills - Hunter McKinley Murray State University 0 0 0- 0
86 Brock Wilke - Brady Faust McKendree University 0 0 0- 0
BIG BASS
Day Name City,State Lbs-Oz
1 Aaron Belgard - Logan Laprarie Deville, LA 6- 6
2 Sheldon Rogge - Travis Blenn St George, KS 4-14
3 Tyler Craig - Spencer Lambert Frierson, LA 1- 8
Ranger Pro Brandon Cobb takes the Lead into Championship Sunday at the FLW Cup
Day 2 at the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup is usually a day change up and down the leader board. Indeed, there was movement today but the guys who climbed to the top yesterday are still there.
‘The top’ is usually defined by some number of places, such as ‘Top 5’ or ‘Top 10’. For this writer, this week the ‘top’ of the field is those who have separated themselves from the rest of the field. That would pretty much narrow it down to Justin Atkins, Anthony Gagliardi and Brandon Cobb.
The trio finished in that respective order on Day 1 and backed it up with strong efforts today.
Now the order is Cobb with 39 pounds, Atkins 1-13 behind and Gagliardi 2-15 behind.
After that, the field continues to spread out with at least a pound separating every one of the top 9 pros.
Travis Fox, in 4th with 35 pounds, is 4 pounds out. He can overcome that, but it would be a big story if he did.
Bryan Thrift, 5th with 33-13 admits, “I have a deep hole to climb out of.” He said he is also fishing deep but fishing more slowly than the guys who are tossing big plugs over deep structure. Unexpected tactic from the man known as ‘Smoke On the Water’.
The Cup is a 3-day shootout this year instead of the 4-day grind we usually see in August. How much difference does that extra day make? Scott Canterbury nearly closed the gap on Gagliardi when the Cup was last contested on Lake Murray. Gagliardi’s bite had all but played out before the end of Day 4.
But Gags rode the deep bite to a 1-ounce winning margin in 2014. Somebody will ride it to victory this year.
And the shallow bite hasn’t played role this year.
At least 4 pros shared with us back stage that the skinny water deal did not work out for them. “I caught them good in practice around the ends of the docks,” said Brandon McMillan. “But today my fish were up in extremely shallow water. It makes no sense. They have been dropping the water level for a month.”
McMillan did catch a 4-pounder from around a bream bed on a buzz bait after making an estimated 20 casts. “I hope it’s not my last fish of the year, but if it is, it was a good one to end with,” he said, alluding to the fact that he may not make the cut to fish in Sunday’s final round.
Terry Bolton said past experience pushed him shallow. “I’ve tried to fish deep on herring lakes before and I got killed. In 2008 I did well fishing shallow in August so I decided to stick with it this year. But most of the quality fish are out there.”
So what are the guys fishing out there?
With remarkable consistency, the top performers are throwing big top water lures, mostly pencil poppers, over sunken cane piles on short, steep main lake points in 10-to-15 feet of water, maybe as deep as 30.
What’s a cane pile? Take a bucket of cement and plant a bunch of tall bamboo canes in it so they stand up and reach toward the lake’s surface. It gives suspended bass something to hold in and relate to. From there, they can launch to the surface to pin baitfish. In the case of Lake Murray those baitfish would be blueback herring.
Fresh green piles produce better results according to a couple of the tournament front runners.
We’re told that with today’s sunshine, the bass actually loosened up and suspended further from the canes, instead of burying into it as many would expect them to do. Perhaps the algae rose through the water column as often happens under sunny skies (algae contains chlorophyll and will therefore seek out solar radiation). Pelagic baitfish such as herring often feed on algae. Since the bass are following the bait, they too roamed out from the cover.
The bass on the cane piles are fat and healthy. They don’t have to chase bait all over the lake. They just lie in wait and then eat the high-quality feed that swims by. Or a big pencil popper.
Cobb and Atkins are sharing a lot of waypoints. While spectators have been polite - not fished the spots and stayed way back while watching - the flotillas still disturb the spots after anglers blast off to fish the next one.
This happens a lot as the pros make just a few casts to very precise targets and then move on to the next. The bass are either biting or they’re not. There are often 20-to-30 bass in any given pile, but once one is reeled to the boat the rest pull up and off the cover with the hooked fish. They may take hours to reposition in the canes.
This is why rotation is so important. Cobb explains, “Yesterday I felt like I hit everything at the right time. Today it felt like somebody had fished in front of me on a lot of the spots.”
Cobb is competing with his good friend and roommate Atkins tomorrow for $300,000, a big trophy and a title that will last forever.
Bryan College Lions Extend Lead In Bassmaster College National Championship
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ALABAMA ROOKIE ATKINS GRABS LEAD AFTER DAY ONE OF PROFESSIONAL BASS FISHING’S FORREST WOOD CUP
Local Favorite Anthony Gagliardi just 4 Ounces Behind in Second Place
Link to HD video of Atkins Weighing in On-stage
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Aug. 11, 2017) – The world’s best bass anglers convened on Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina, Thursday to kick off the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The three-day event, which awards a $300,000 top prize to the victor, featured a full field of 53 anglers competing today and Saturday before being cut to the final 10 on championship Sunday.
FLW Tour rookie Justin Atkins of Florence, Alabama, secured the early lead after weighing in a five-bass limit totaling 21 pounds, 5 ounces – the largest limit ever weighed on Lake Murray in Forrest Wood Cup competition. Atkins’ limit was enough to edge local favorite Anthony Gagliardi of Prosperity, South Carolina, by just four ounces, who caught five bass weighing 21-1, good for second place.
“Today was really good,” said Atkins, who finished runner-up in the 2017 FLW Tour Rookie of the Year race. “I caught two real quick this morning, then finished out my limit by 7:40 (a.m.). Then I just started running areas from practice that looked like they would be productive and managed to catch a couple of good ones. Around 10:30 I caught a 5-pounder at a spot that I had saved, then I went to another place that I had found that was a little off of the wall and caught a 6-pounder on my first cast there.
“I didn’t want to burn through a bunch of 3½-pounders that could help me later, so I spent the afternoon graphing and looking for more areas, just getting ready for tomorrow.”
Atkins said that he fished just one bait throughout the entire day. Although he withheld specifics, he did say that it was a topwater bait and that he caught 20 to 25 fish throughout the day.
“I’m comfortable catching them on a worm or a few other baits here if I need to, but it was one bait all day, today,” Atkins said. “I’m fishing more of a pattern rather than certain areas or spots.
“I thought I’d catch around 17 pounds, which would have been a good Day One goal,” Atkins continued. “I definitely didn’t think I’d catch more than 20. The lake is fishing a lot better than it has in years past. I’m not planning on doing anything different tomorrow, I’m going to do the same thing and hopefully will have similar results.”
The top 20 pros after Day One on Lake Murray are:
1st: Justin Atkins, Florence, Ala., five bass, 21-5
2nd: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., five bass, 21-1
3rd: Brandon Cobb, Greenwood, S.C., five bass, 19-12
4th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., five bass, 19-4
5th: Travis Fox, Rogers, Ark., five bass, 18-3
6th: Yamamoto Baits pro Larry Nixon, Bee Branch, Ark., five bass, 17-13
7th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., five bass, 16-0
8th: Scott Martin, Clewiston, Fla., five bass, 15-14
9th: Aaron Britt, Yuba City, Calif., five bass, 15-9
10th: Shane LeHew, Catawba, N.C., five bass, 15-7
11th: Scott Suggs, Alexander, Ark., five bass, 14-13
12th: Allen Boyd, Salem, Ind., five bass, 14-6
12th: Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., five bass, 14-6
14th: Darrel Robertson, Jay, Okla., five bass, 13-5
15th: Jeff Sprague, Point, Texas, five bass, 12-13
16th: Quaker State pro Matt Arey, Shelby, N.C., five bass, 12-3
17th: Cody Bird, Granbury, Texas, five bass, 11-4
18th: Joel Richardson, Kernersville, N.C., five bass, 10-15
19th: Lowrance pro Austin Felix, Eden Prairie, Minn., five bass, 10-14
20th: Quaker State pro Scott Canterbury, Odenville, Ala., five bass, 10-9
20th: Mud Hole Custom Tackle pro John Cox, DeBary, Fla., five bass, 10-9
For a full list of results visit FLWFishing.com.
Anglers will take off from Dreher Island State Park located at 3677 State Park Road in Prosperity, at 7 a.m. EDT each morning at the Folger’s Morning Takeoff. Each day’s weigh-in will be held at the Colonial Life Arena located at 801 Lincoln St., in Columbia, beginning at 5 p.m. Backpacks and other large bags are prohibited at Colonial Life Arena, so fishing fans are encouraged to leave their belongings in their vehicle.
Fans will be treated to the FLW Expo at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center located at 1101 Lincoln St. in Columbia, each day from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. prior to the weigh-ins. The Expo includes games, activities and giveaways provided by more than 40 FLW sponsors, the opportunity to shop the latest tackle and outdoor gear from more than 100 exhibitors, Ranger boat simulators, a casting pond and a trout pond for children, as well as the opportunity to meet and interact with top professional anglers, including Hank Parker, Jimmy Houston and Byron Velvick. FLW’s namesake Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, will also be greeting fans.
On Saturday and Sunday the first 500 children 14 and under in attendance at the Expo each day who are accompanied by an adult will receive a voucher to redeem for a free Kid Caster’s no-tangle, rod-and-reel combo courtesy of WLTX 19 after the evening’s weigh-in. Also on Sunday one lucky fishing fan will win a brand new Ranger Z521C bass boat with a 250-horsepower Evinrude outboard motor courtesy of 97.5 WCOS radio. The Ranger Boat giveaway is free to enter but the winner must be present at the conclusion of Sunday’s final weigh-in to win.
Also on Saturday and Sunday, FLW fans will be treated to the Bass & BBQ Festival in conjunction with the FLW Expo. FLW and the South Carolina BBQ Association have partnered to feature award-winning BBQ teams offering delicious fare to visitors at the Forrest Wood Cup Expo. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to local South Carolina charities.
Country music superstar Easton Corbin will perform a free concert on the weigh-in stage at Colonial Life Arena on Sunday starting at 4 p.m., prior to the final weigh-in. The concert is presented by 97.5 WCOS radio. With two No. 1 singles, multiple awards and nominations, plus performances on some of the biggest stages in the world, Mercury Nashville’s Corbin has made a lasting impression on the country music landscape. He is lauded for his traditional country sound, authentic lyrics and mastery of understatement. American Songwriter says, "Easton Corbin has one of those rare, glorious voices that was made – just made – for singing country music.”
The Folger’s Morning Takeoff, FLW Expo, Bass & BBQ event, live concert and weigh-ins are all free and open to the public. The event is hosted by the Capital City Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board.
Television coverage of the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) Sept. 27 from Noon -1 p.m. EDT. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs on NBCSN, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world.
For a full schedule of events, complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
John Garrett Positioned to Repeat at Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship.
Story & Photo by Alan McGuckin / Dynamic Sponsorships
The goal of every student angler competing in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship on Lake Bemidji, is to win the one berth being offered to the 2018 Bassmaster Classic. And Bethel University’s John Garrett knows exactly how that feels.
Garrett, a 21-year-old business management major, won this event last year, and competed at the 2017 Bassmaster Classic five months ago on Lake Conroe near Houston.
However, prior to 1:00 p.m. during Day 1 of competition Thursday here on Lake Bemidji, things looked bleak for Garrett and partner Brian Pahl, before they finally caught 14 pounds late in the day, to keep chances very much alive for an appearance in the Bassmaster Classic.
As competition began Friday, they sit near the top of the leaderboard in 4th place.
“We’ve fished together for three years, and we don’t let our egos get in the way of each other. We have a lot of mutual respect for one another’s ideas. So with just one keeper in the livewell at lunchtime yesterday, we kept trying new patterns in the same area where we were struggling, and it paid off,” explains Pahl, a senior business management major at Bethel in West Tennessee.
Garrett knew fishing would be tough on Bemidji. Practice was super tough on the soft-spoken youngster known for his deep-water structure fishing abilities, but Bemidji is a shallow water game, where pitching soft plastics and topwater frogs often shine best this time of year.
“I feel a lot better going out today, than I did before the start of the tournament, but I’d still say it’s 50/50 on whether I can make it back to the Bassmaster Classic,” says Garrett in his typical humble fashion.
If he does win here, it will require beating his buddy Pawl in a rare bracket elimination format that eventually pits team anglers against one another for the final round of the event.
And as for the feelings a college kid can expect if he makes the Bassmaster Classic, well, the memories are still fresh for Garrett.
“Just being at the Classic is a big deal. Simply being in the presence of the best anglers in the world makes you better. And catching that first keeper on a tough Lake Conroe -- knowing I’d get to cross the stage at Minute Maid Park with a bass in my hands -- is still my greatest memory of the past year.”
A well used hat, and an old big bass
Story & Photo by Alan McGuckin / Dynamic Sponsorships
For a while Thursday at the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops on Lake Bemidji, MN, it looked as though the 5 pound 14 ounce green beast West Georgia University’s Chase Christie caught would win ‘big bass of the day’ honors.
However, eventually it was outpaced by 6 pound 6 ounce largemouth the team from Northwestern State University weighed-in.
Amazingly, it takes 12 to 14 years for a largemouth bass to grow to those proportions in Northern Minnesota according to B.A.S.S. Director of Conservation, Gene Gilliland. And a fast glance at the Carhartt hat Christie’s partner Brandon Black was wearing appeared to be at least that old as well.
“I actually got this hat in early March at the Southern Conference Regional tournament on Winyah Bay, SC, and I’ve worn it to work and fishing nearly every day since,” grinned Black, a senior geology major at West Georgia.
“That’s one of the reasons I love fishing these tournaments – Carhartt’s a big sponsor of college fishing, so we get to take advantage of the clothing and discounts they give us – which helps a ton in the landscape job I work hard at with my uncle,” says Black.
“In the summer, I work for ResLawn Landscaping about 50 hours a week, and during the school year, I work for them about 10 hours a week. We do everything from lawn mowing, to burying drainage pipes, and setting fences, and I’m wearing Carhartt for all of it. That’s why this hat is so sun-faded and worn-out,” Black proudly explains.
His partner Chase Christie isn’t afraid of hard work either. He may have wrangled the 5 pound 14 ounce beast today on 65-pound braided line Thursday, but during the summer, he’s wrestling hot asphalt back at his Uncle John’s business, Illinois Paving Company.
“I’m always wearing Carhartt because it’s tough, it doesn’t tear, and it holds up, no matter how hot or dirty the job is we’re doing in the paving business,” says Christie, a business management major at West Georgia.
These college anglers work hard in and out of the classroom, and they know how to catch big bass. Indeed, there’s a lot to love and admire about the breed of young men building lifelong friendships and taking their shot at a berth to the 2018 Bassmaster Classic while in Bimidji this week.
RANGER BOATS EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP WITH FLW
MINNEAPOLIS (Aug. 10, 2017) – Fishing League Worldwide (FLW), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, and Ranger Boats, America’s most iconic boat brand, announced Thursday that Ranger has signed an extension of its exclusive boat sponsorship of FLW and its premier tournament trails, highlighting a lengthy relationship that continues to emphasize the rewards of fishing while opening doors of opportunity for all anglers.
FLW and Ranger have enjoyed the longest-running boat sponsor relationship in the sport, with a history that dates back to FLW's formative years in the early 1980s as Operation Bass. Operation Bass was purchased in 1996 by Minneapolis businessman Irwin Jacobs and renamed FLW in honor of Ranger Boats founder Forrest L. Wood.
“FLW and Ranger Boats have been together since the beginning, and we have enjoyed growing together and building the sport of professional bass fishing into the exciting and marketable products they are today,” said Trish Blake, FLW President of Marketing. “They have been an extremely valued partner of FLW, and we look forward to building upon our past successes.
"Ranger Boats' innovations are the perfect vehicle for today's tournament anglers and offer unmatched safety and design features for recreational anglers, while being tough enough to stand up to the rigors of life on the FLW Tour," Blake added. "We are thrilled to announce that Ranger Boats has chosen to extend this partnership."
Per terms of the agreement, Ranger Boats will receive exposure at more than 258 FLW-sanctioned bass fishing tournaments and Expos, and through multiple FLW media channels, which include FLWFishing.com and FLW Bass Fishing magazine. Ranger Boats will continue its lucrative Ranger Cup program, offering Ranger owners valuable contingency awards in FLW tournaments. For detailed information regarding Ranger Cup contingency payouts in FLW competition, visit RangerCup.com.
"We are very excited to continue our partnership with FLW," said White River Marine Group President Les Crawford. "The Ranger name has long been synonymous with competitive fishing. We are very proud to be aligned with the competition, camaraderie and sportsmanship brought to the sport by FLW."
Ranger Boats is the exclusive boat sponsor across all of FLW's media platforms, including tournaments and Expos, websites, social media, FLW Bass Fishing magazine and the "FLW" television show. For more information about FLW, their tournaments and sponsors, visit FLWFishing.com. To learn more about Ranger Boats visit RangerBoats.com.
About FLW
FLW is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money in 2017 across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, with offices in Minneapolis, FLW conducts more than 258 bass-fishing tournaments annually across the United States and sanctions tournaments in Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW" television show, broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, while FLW Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. For more information visit FLWFishing.com and follow FLW at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
About Ranger Boats
Headquartered in Flippin, Ark., Ranger Boats is the nation's premier manufacturer of legendary fiberglass and aluminum fishing boats, with acclaimed models and series in the
Bryan College Lions Take Lead At Bassmaster College National Championship
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New for 2018: Ranger Z520L Comanche and Z521L Comanche
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High-performance combines with state-of-the-art fishing features
FLIPPIN, Ark. (Aug. 10, 2017) - For 50 years, Ranger has led the way for tournament fishing design and innovation. That legacy continues with the latest extension of the esteemed Z500 Comanche line. This tournament-proven line of boats now includes the L Series with the all-new Z520L Comanche and Z521L Comanche and is built upon a celebrated hull design that delivers unmatched quality and fishability. The boats are packed with fresh features and sport new style lines and trade dress to create the unmatched fit and finish Ranger owners have come to expect.
"Ranger consistently strives to improve, but on many levels, I didn't think that was possible with the current Z boat," said Hank Parker, legendary television host and tournament angler. "But the new L Series, from the console and style lines to the new seats and LED lighting, has unquestionably raised the bar. This is the absolute Cadillac of tournament fishing rigs."
Each boat retains Ranger's legendary running surface, providing an extremely smooth and dry ride. New and more distinctive molded style lines paired with an exclusive L.E.D. light package highlight the boats' sharp fit and finish. Enlarged, wrap-around SRS cockpit seating is covered in custom-fitted premium marine upholstery and, combined with molded-in footrests, give all-day comfort and protection for anglers in rough waters.
"The new wrap-around seats are going to be a big hit with both tournament anglers and weekend fishermen alike," said Ranger Design Engineer David Stoner. "With a wider seat and SRS suspension, the L Series gives a superior and more comfortable ride. Combine this wider space with the adjustable front-to-back seat track, both the cockpit and passenger seats will fit anglers of just about any size."
The Z520L officially measures 20 feet, 9 inches, with a 95-inch beam and comes standard with a Minn Kota Fortrex trolling motor. The Z521L measures 21 feet, 7 inches, with a 97-inch beam and is fitted with a Minn Kota Fortrex trolling motor as well. Both boats are rated for up to a 250 horsepower outboard.
The bow of each boat features a redesigned workstation, replete with tool holders, integrated drink holder and accepts electronics up to 12 inches. The expansive, padded front deck is easily large enough for multiple anglers to fish together. Underneath the casting deck, the patented Power Ventilation Rod Storage™ system keeps rods and gear dry. All storage compartments are gel-coated and lined with custom rubber mats for quicker drying times, while the rear deck offers additional storage and dual, aerated livewells with removable divider and automatic pump out.
 An all-new console accepts electronics up to 16 inches and is outfitted with redesigned digital switching keypads and keyless ignition. Both boats are offered in single- or dual-console configurations and come standard with Lowrance HDS electronics at the console and bow.
"Boating electronics continue to evolve with bigger and better equipment," said Ranger Design Engineer Brad Garringer. "We have worked hand-in-hand with our partner companies to build a boat that can accommodate these new products as soon as they come to market. We want to be on the forefront of innovation and you see that with the new L Series, from integrated 15- and 16-inch screens with engine data incorporation, to extra USB ports and automated light functionality to keep anglers Coast Guard compliant at night."
Ranger also differentiates itself in the market by focusing on the smaller details that make for a more enjoyable day on the water. Features such as a running rod rack with retractable straps, adjustable driver and passenger seats, integrated fish ruler, and recessed trolling motor pedal ease the stress of competition. The two new boats also come loaded with features Ranger owners demand out of their bass fishing rig: gas spring lid assists, lockable storage compartments, upright level flotation, integrated bow navigation lights, pultruded fiberglass transom and fiberglass stringer system.
The Z520L and Z521L are both paired with a new trailer design with updated fenders and wheels. The custom-built, tandem-axle Ranger Trail® trailer perfectly matches each individual boat for smooth, easy towing and maneuvering. The Ranger Trail trailer is also equipped with a Road Armor finish, L.E.D. lights, aluminum wheels and a COOL Hub® lubrication system as standard equipment. Further equipped with torsion axle suspension, swing away tongue, full-size spare and matching fiberglass fenders, the Ranger Trail trailer delivers remarkable peace of mind when trailering and complements the striking good looks of the boat.
2018 RANGER Z520L Comanche
Overall Hull Length: 20 feet, 9 inches
Beam: 95 inches
Maximum HP: 250
Inside Depth: 22 inches
Fuel Capacity: 53 gallons
Total Persons/Motor/Gear: 1,650 lbs.
Approx. Boat Weight: 1,850 lbs.
Trailer GVWR: CF5400
2018 RANGER Z521L Comanche
Overall Hull Length: 21 feet, 7 inches
Beam: 97 inches
Maximum HP: 250
Inside Depth: 21 inches
Fuel Capacity: 53 gallons
Total Persons/Motor/Gear: 1,700 lbs.
Approx. Boat Weight: 1,925 lbs.
Trailer GVWR: CF5400
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With Practice Done, a Few Anglers Share the Good & Bad
As the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup approaches and the official practice period draws to a close, one thing is certain – the pros are struggling to put together plans that will carry them through three days of competition during the slowest month of the year on a lake that has become stingy with its ample population of bass.
David Dudley has taken to social media to laugh at his feeble efforts. We’ve shared some of that with you on our AnglersChannel Instagram page.
Zack Birge seems less amused with his difficulty in locating fish. He says he found one little deal late today that may pan out during the tournament. That’s when you want to see results anyway – when it counts. And how many times have we heard a winner look back and talk about how poorly practice went for them?
Look out for Birge.
Jeff Sprague was upbeat. “I’m actually surprised about the weather. It’s a lot cooler here this year than it has been in previous years we have had the Cup, so I’m kind of wondering what that’s going to do to the fish, but that’s been the biggest factor so far.”
What’s Sprague’s target weight? “I think it’s going to take somewhere between 14 and 16 ½ pounds a day to win this tournament. It’s fishing a little better than it did last time we were here so I think we’re going to see a little bit heavier bags than we did in previous years.”
This year’s Cup is 3-day race, not a 4-day affair as in years past. How does this affect angler strategies?
Says Sprague, “I absolutely think it’s going to be a different strategy this year with the shorter time span of 3 days. In a 4-day tournament you can take a risk by holding out on your spots, but with 3 days, you just have to pull on everything that bites. It’s the Forrest Wood Cup. No one is going to be fishing safe.”
Sprague isn’t playing it safe with his answers either. He has already revealed a lure choice that he expects to be a big player for him this week. “Tattletail Worm by Gene Larew. For sure.”
A special thanks to The Pro Agency for help in compiling this report.
Soggy and Froggy at Lake Bemidji
Story & Photo from Alan McGuckin / Dynamic Sponsorships
As competition began Thursday morning at the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship, parents and girlfriends walked gently on wet sand where college anglers beached their bass boats prior to takeoff. Umbrellas went up. And puddles formed on the lawn surrounding sponsor exhibit tents at Paul Bunyan Park on the shores of Lake Bemidji.
After three tough days of practice, marked by light winds and mostly sunny skies, anglers grumbled about crowded fishing, an over abundance of northern pike, and the struggle to catch a 5-bass limit.
Change is good, so these best-of-the-best college anglers are welcoming the chilly 59-degree air, rain, and steady cool north wind.
Spencer Lambert, a junior majoring in agriculture business at the University of Louisiana Monroe. -- “I’m hoping the rain and clouds will make the topwater bite last a lot longer today. Our first day of practice was our best day of practice, but that area is really crowded, so we’re not going start there. Today is kind of a new day to try to figure things out.”
Hunter McKinley, a senior majoring in advertising at Murray State in Kentucky. –- “Yesterday was better with the cloud cover, so I’m really, really, hoping this change in weather is only going to make things better. As long as this north wind doesn’t blow too crazy, we might have a better day today.”
Luke Parlow, a junior majoring in economics at Missouri State. – “I’m kind of welcoming this rain and wind because our practice was so tough that I’m counting on this major weather change to hopefully makes things better.”
Tyler Rivet, a senior majoring in petroleum technology at Nicholls State in Louisiana. – “This rain and wind can’t hurt us because we never really figured things out in practice. But my three favorite lures are a frog, a frog, and a frog – and this is frog fishing kind of weather. If I ever make it to the Bassmaster Elite Series – it’ll be a frog that helps get me there.”
Rivet is right; frogs should feel at home on this soggy first day of competition. And hopefully the largemouth will be better energized by the wind and rainy skies too.
College Anglers Preview Lake Bemidji at Carhartt Bassmaster Championship
Story & Photo by Alan McGuckin / Dynamic Sponsorships
Ryan McLaughlin and Justin St. Onge of Haywood Community College in North Carolina, along with Tyler Rivet and Cameron Naquin of Nicholls State in Louisiana, took time to offer their opinions on what to expect at the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship that begins Thursday morning on Lake Bemidji in Northern Minnesota.
What will be the biggest challenge this week?
McLaughlin & St. Ogne: Trying to find a place to fish that’s not crowded with other anglers.
Rivet & Naquin: Dealing with fishing pressure from other college anglers in certain areas of the lake.
What’s your favorite thing about Bemidji?
McLaughlin & St. Ogne: The scenery and the diversity of fishable habitat.
Rivet & Naquin: The northern pike fishing is pretty awesome.
Name four lures you think will get used most by the tournament competitors?
McLaughlin & St. Ogne: A punch rig for thick vegetation, a frog, a spinnerbait, and a Senko.
Rivet & Naquin: A frog, a beaver-style punch bait, a topwater plug, and a jerkbait.
How much weight do you think it’ll take to make the Top 10 at the end of Thursday’s competition?
McLaughlin & St. Ogne: 13 ½ pounds
Rivet & Naquin: 12 ½ pounds
Carhartt Countdown to Blastoff - Carhartt Bassmaster College National Championship
Alan McGuckin speaks with Cody Huff and Garrett Enders with Bethel University as they finish up practice for the College National Championship on Bemidiji Lake in Minnesota.
Heart trumps fiberglass and horsepower at Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship
Story & photo by Alan McGuckin / Dynamic Sponsorships
Louie Dazzo doesn’t mind that the faded black mesh Carhartt hat he’s wearing at this week’s Bassmaster College Series National Championship shows a salty sweat ring -- or that his red boat is slower, and made of aluminum, instead of faster fiberglass.
“I’ve had this Carhartt hat for three years, I wear it almost everyday, and I always wear it when I’m fishing, I’m kinda superstitious about it,” grinned the communications major from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
And as for the red 17-foot aluminum Tracker boat with the 60-horse engine -- well, Louie loves it. As well he should. His grandma bought it for him when he turned 18, and its carried he and fishing partner Collin Crop, a hockey goalie and human resources manager, all the way to the biggest tournament in college bass fishing.
“I realize it’s one of the less fancy boats out here, but it was good enough for us to finish second at the Lake of the Ozarks regional, and I’ve got about eight Top 10 finishes in this boat,” says the good humored Dazzo, a native of Naperville, IL, who leaned on Spro Rock Crawler crankbaits, and a Vision 110 jerkbait at the regional competition.
Certainly, on a college kid’s budget, not all the vessels here on Lake Bimidji are fancy new fiberglass models. There are other aluminum boats like Louie’s, as well as fiberglass vessels that are twenty years old.
“I sort of see the versatility, toughness, and how high the front end of my boat sits out of the water as an advantage,” says Dazzo. “I can beat the heck out of it, run it up into a foot of water, and have a higher vantage point when looking for spawning beds, or smallmouth on shallow flats, than what I could in a bigger fiberglass boat.”
“It’s a great starter boat, that’s for sure, and ultimately, the success you have as a tournament angler is more about your ability to find and catch fish than what your boat is made of,” says Dazzo in humble fashion.
While most anglers complained of Lake Bemidji fishing super tough, and sporting a stronger than desired northern pike population, Dazzo and his hockey playing fishing partner had a solid practice day Tuesday.
"Our top end speed is only 30 mph with this little 60 horsepower engine, so it takes us one hour to get to our fish, but we caught a 12-pound limit yesterday, and one of those fish was a 3 ¾ pound largemouth,” says Dazzo.
With a red aluminum boat, and a heart made of passion, look for the guy in the sun-bleached black Carhartt hat to be one of the last anglers standing during Saturday’s final day of competition.
Alabama, Missouri State, and Tusculum College talk Carhartt Bassmaster National Championship
Story & Photo from Alan McGuckin / Dynamic Sponsorships
Teams representing 61 colleges and universities are at Lake Bemidji in Northern Minnesota this week for the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship.
Lee Mattox, a chemical engineering major from the University of Alabama, Nick Hatfield a business major from Tusculum in East Tennessee, and Shane Parker a media major from Missouri State, are just three of the dozens of college anglers dreaming of a chance to qualify for the 2018 Bassmaster Classic in South Carolina through a win in Minnesota this week.
All three anglers were gracious enough to share their thoughts on college fishing, as well as the specifics of this week.
Ten years from now, what will you remember most about your time spent as a college bass fishing competitor?
Mattox, University of Alabama: All the friendships I’ve made.
Hatfield, Tusculum College: Getting to travel from Tusculum in East Tennessee to this championship in Minnesota.
Parker, Missouri State: A combination of great times on the water, as well as getting to know all the guys on the team, and learning from one another.
What’s your favorite bass fishery anywhere in America?
Mattox: Lake Champlain, throwing a drop shot for Smallmouth.
Hatfield: Lake Guntersville, throwing a crankbait in June.
Parker: Lake of the Ozarks, pitching a jig in early summer.
What’s your favorite thing about Lake Bemidji so far?
Mattox: It’s got an abundance of Northern Pike.
Hatfield: The pike fishing is really good.
Parker: It’s got aquatic vegetation, and we don’t get to fish much of that in Missouri.
So the pike fishing is great, but you can’t weigh those in. Will this tournament be won with Smallmouth of Largemouth Bass?
Mattox: Largemouth
Hatfield: Largemouth
Parker: Largemouth
Alone or with a teammate, College fishing is deep in camaraderie
The Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship begins as a team format, before funneling down to a one-on-one elimination bracket that sends one skilled angler to compete in bass fishing’s biggest event – the Bassmaster Classic.
While 61 different colleges and universities have sent their most qualified ‘sticks’ to beautiful Bemidji, Minnesota this week, where most will fish as a team, a handful of students are forced to fish alone for a variety of reasons.
Some of the solo anglers simply qualified by fishing alone all year during the regular season. And heck, one guy is expecting the birth of a child, providing ample reason to stay home.
Josh Worth is one of those who will take a page from Henry David Thoreau’s literary classic “Walden” as the 23-year-old Environmental Science major from Colorado Mesa University will lean heavily on self-reliance while competing without a team partner on Lake Bemidji.
“The main reason I’m fishing alone is because none of my partners could make it to the Wild Card event at Lay Lake. One had a wedding, and the other wasn’t eligible for that event, so I had to qualify for this tournament alone,” explains Worth.
“It really doesn’t bother me that I’m competing by myself because Lake Bemidji offers plenty of shallow water patterns to exploit for a guy fishing alone,” he says.
“Now, if it was mostly an offshore pattern, at a place like Kentucky Lake, I’d probably be at a big disadvantage, because two guys can keep a deep water school fired up way better than a guy fishing solo can,” adds the upbeat Worth.
Asked to choose two lures for the rest of his life, Worth rattled off a shallow water pitching jig from Pepper’s Custom Lures in a color called “Delta Magic”, as well as a topwater frog, to fast reflect his confidence in the shallow water scene.
At least his long drive to Bemidji wasn’t a solo trip. His wife Brandy accompanied him on the 1,200-mile trek that took 18 hours to this lake he’s never fished before.
Brandy will spend the week hanging out with family they have in the area, and enjoying the many natural attractions in the region, while Josh tries to crack the code on Bemidji’s bass.
“I have an uncle that lives near here, and when I’d come to visit he’d take me to his cabin at Lake of the Woods, but I’ve never fished Bemidji until yesterday,” he admits.
“Whether you’re here with a teammate or fishing alone, there’s still a ton of camaraderie among all the students that are a part of Carhartt College fishing,” says Worth.
“There’s not the dislike or rivalry that you might find in other sports. Everybody here shares a common respect for one another, because we all have the same passion – and that’s bass fishing.”
GORRELL WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL NORTHEAST DIVISION EVENT ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN
New Jersey’s Tracy Earns Co-angler Title
TICONDEROGA, N.Y. (Aug. 7, 2017) – Dale Gorrell of Hatfield, Pennsylvania, caught a five-bass limit weighing 21 pounds, 4 ounces, Saturday to win the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Northeast Division tournament on Lake Champlain. Gorrell pocketed $6,852 for his catch.
Gorrell said he spent his day fishing a region of Lake Champlain known as The Narrows.
“I ran some patterns early in the day that I had found in practice, but couldn’t really get anything going,” said Gorrell, who earned his second-career victory in BFL competition. “I switched to a smaller lure in black and blue and really started catching them. The water was a bit muddier than it was in practice, so I think that was the key adjustment.”
Gorrell said he caught everything he brought to the weigh-in scale using a Black and Blue Flake-colored Z-Man Finesse T.R.D. on a Ned rig.
“I worked through a 200-yard stretch of backwater that had a cliff and a 10 to 12 foot hole,” said Gorrell. “There was also a grass flat between where I was fishing and the main-river channel. The bigger fish related to a couple trees that had fallen from the cliff into the water, while the smaller fish were up next to the cliff in chunk rock.”
Around 11 a.m., Gorrell said he caught the largest bass of the event – a 6-pound, 10-ouncer – as well as two 5-pounders on a single pass through the stretch.
“When the water is changing color, it was best to hit the brakes and slow down,” said Gorrell. “It’s hard to do sometimes, but it paid off for me.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Dale Gorrell, Hatfield, Pa., five bass, 21-4, $4,852 + $2,000 Ranger Cup Bonus
2nd: John Paul Pelletier, Nassau, N.Y., five bass, 19-8, $1,921
3rd: Michael Grabo, Burnt Hills, N.Y., five bass, 19-2, $1,282
4th: Bryan Labelle, Hinesburg, Vt., five bass, 18-13, $896
5th: Michael Marini, Slingerlands, N.Y., five bass, 17-13, $736
5th: Joe Labarbera, Montrose, Pa., five bass, 17-13, $736
7th: Tom Callahan, Moriah Center, N.Y., five bass, 17-9, $640
8th: Shaun Kucharski, Pittston, Pa., five bass, 17-7, $676
9th: Andrew Kartesz, Ludlow, Pa., five bass, 17-5, $480
9th: Anthony Lorefice, Johnson City, N.Y., five bass, 17-5, $480
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Gorrell’s 6-pound, 10-ounce bass also earned him the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $510.
Ronald Tracy of Marlton, New Jersey, caught a five-bass limit weighing 17 pounds, 4 ounces, to win the Co-angler Division and $2,083.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Ronald Tracy, Marlton, N.J., five bass, 17-4, $2,083
2nd: Nelson Hares, Millville, N.J., five bass, 16-13, $942
3rd: David Sokolowski, Brewerton, N.Y., five bass, 15-14, $627
4th: Sal Messina, Wolcott, Conn., five bass, 15-8, $439
5th: Steve Cram, Williamstown, N.J., five bass, 15-3, $377
6th: Travis Gilberti, La Grange, N.Y., five bass, 15-0, $345
7th: Mark Gebbia, Fair Lawn, N.J., five bass, 14-15, $314
8th: Jason Pierson, Gaithersburg, Md., five bass, 14-14, $282
9th: Neil Thomas, Scarborough, Maine, five bass, 14-8, $251
10th: Kenneth Martin Dixon, Newcastle, Del., five bass, 13-13, $459
10th: William Allie, Wynantskill, N.Y., five bass, 13-13, $209
Dixon caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – a fish weighing 5 pounds, 1 ounce – and earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $250.
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. 12-14 BFL Regional Championship on the James River in Williamsburg, Virginia. 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 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.
For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
TRESENRITER WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL MICHIGAN DIVISION TOURNAMENT ON LAKE ST. CLAIR PRESENTED BY NAVIONICS
Dearborn Height’s Sawyer Claims Co-angler Title
HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (Aug. 7, 2017) – Lance Tresenriter of Syracuse, Indiana, caught five bass weighing 23 pounds, 6 ounces, Saturday to win the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Michigan Division tournament on Lake St. Clair presented by Navionics. For his efforts, Tresenriter took home $5,505.
“I spent the majority of the day mid-lake in 16 to 18 feet of water,” said Tresenriter, who notched his first career-victory in FLW competition. “I probably drifted through a half-mile stretch five or six times. The stretch had a lot of grass and perch. If there was a bare spot, there weren’t any bites. The perch were key for me, though.”
Tresenriter said he used a Smoke Purple-colored LureCraft Original “D” Darter on a drop-shot rig, and a Yellow Perch-colored Rapala DT10 Crankbait to catch approximately 10 keepers at his first area.
“I eventually moved to the northern end of the lake to a stop in Anchor Bay,” said Tresenriter. “Again, there was a lot of grass, but not as many perch as far as I could tell. I used a Perch-colored (Rapala) DT6 Crankbait and made two good culls to finish out the day.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Lance Tresenriter, Syracuse, Ind., five bass, 23-6, $3,505 + $2,000 Ranger Cup Bonus
2nd: John Devries, Fishers, Ind., five bass, 22-14, $1,753
3rd: Jeffrey Kindy, Wyandotte, Mich., five bass, 22-2, $993
3rd: Rob Campbell, Trafalgar, Ind., five bass, 22-2, $1,193
5th: Matthew Malmquist, White Lake, Mich., five bass, 21-13, $772
5th: Kyle Greene, Ortonville, Mich., five bass, 21-13, $772
7th: Scott Dobson, Clarkston, Mich., five bass, 21-8, $584
8th: Dan Mittlestat, Woodhaven, Mich., five bass, 20-14, $526
9th: Jerry Arnett, Mexico, Ind., five bass, 20-11, $467
10th: Terry McWilliams, Greenfield, Ind., five bass, 20-3, $409
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Jonathon Dewey of Port Huron, Michigan, caught a bass weighing 6 pounds, 12 ounces – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division. The catch earned him the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $440.
Justin Sawyer of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, caught five bass weighing 20 pounds, 11 ounces, to win the Co-angler Division and $1,973.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Justin Sawyer, Dearborn Heights, Mich., five bass, 20-11, $1,973
2nd: Alex Newman, Wapakoneta, Ohio, five bass, 20-7, $876
3rd: Vickie Maisch-Rumer, Lima, Ohio, five bass, 19-15, $685
4th: Mike Raber, Wolcottville, Ind., five bass, 19-7, $409
5th: Curtis Hall II, Battle Creek, Mich., five bass, 18-8, $336
5th: Eric Polenz, Maybee, Mich., five bass, 18-8, $386
7th: J.J. Smith, Avon Lake, Ohio, five bass, 18-3, $292
8th: Olivia Sheely, Brooklyn, Mich., five bass, 18-2, $263
9th: Dewayne Eck, Angola, Ind., five bass, 18-0, $234
10th: Mark Saunders, Medina, Ohio, five bass, 17-12, $204
Sawyer also caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – a fish weighing 5 pounds, 6 ounces – and earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $220.
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. 12-14 BFL Regional Championship on the Barren River in Scottsville, Kentucky. 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 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.
For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
BISSONETT WINS T-H MARINE FLW BASS FISHING LEAGUE BUCKEYE DIVISION TOURNAMENT ON OHIO RIVER
MAYSVILLE, Ky. (Aug. 7, 2017) - Clint Bissonett of Beavercreek, Ohio, caught five bass weighing 8 pounds, 4 ounces, Saturday to win the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Buckeye Division tournament on the Ohio River. For his efforts, Bissonett took home $3,918.
"I stayed within four or five miles of the takeoff ramp to catch my fish," said Bissonett, who earned his second career-win in BFL competition - both on the Ohio River. "I bounced between two or three creeks that had gotten me bites in practice, and ended up fishing each three or four times during the tournament. If I caught anything during a pass, I'd let the area replenish."
Bissonett said his initial catches were shallow, in less than 2 feet of water, and that his key bait was a Texas-rigged dark-colored Zoom Z-Craw.
"The biggest factor for me was keeping track of the water level," said Bissonett. "Each time I rotated through the creeks, I noticed that the water was getting higher. After it was up more than 8 inches, I knew I would be able to fish a new spot - a place that was normally too shallow for me to get to. I ran to the area at about 2:30 (p.m.) and caught two 2-pounders with only minutes left to fish."
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1^st: Clint Bissonett, Beavercreek, Ohio, five bass, 8-4, $3,918
2^nd: Ron Hiles, Piketon, Ohio, five bass, 7-8, $1,548
2rd: Jim Vitaro, Wooster, Ohio, five bass, 7-8, $1,848
4^th: Bob Robinson, Lebanon, Ohio, five bass, 6-13, $805
4^th: Cody Seeger, Lewistown, Ohio, five bass, 6-13, $905
6^th: Keith Wheelock, Springboro, Ohio, five bass, 6-11, $682
7^th: David Spivey, Hamilton, Ohio, five bass, 6-10, $620
8^th: Kyle Weisenburger, Ottawa, Ohio, five bass, 6-8, $558
9^th: Mike Pickett, Brandenburg, Ky., four bass, 6-7, $496
10^th: Josh Smith, Hamilton, Ohio, five bass, 6-5, $434
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
John Wayne Cole of Hamersville, Ohio, caught a bass weighing 3 pounds, 7 ounces - the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division. The catch earned him the day's Boater Big Bass award of $485.
Jeremiah Sall of Wintersville, Ohio, caught four bass weighing 8 pounds even to win the Co-angler Division and $2,080.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1^st: Jeremiah Sall, Wintersville, Ohio, four bass, 8-0, $2,080
2^nd: Alfie Bricker, West Portsmouth, Ohio, five bass, 6-10, $1,120
3^rd: Kenny Mitchell, Franklin, Ohio, five bass, 6-6, $612
4^th: Brian Short, Oxford, Ohio, five bass, 6-1, $479
5^th: Colton Lindsey, Raymond, Ohio, four bass, 5-10, $368
6^th: Brent Jones, Okeana, Ohio, three bass, 4-15, $337
7^th: Tyler Waller, Coal Grove, Ohio, three bass, 4-12, $307
8^th: Gary Hoffman, Stoutsville, Ohio, three bass, 4-9, $276
9^th: Ryan Sykes, Hamilton, Ohio, three bass, 4-8, $245
10^th: Mark Wedan, Freetown, Ind., two bass, 4-4, $215
Sall also caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division - a fish weighing 4 pounds, 5 ounces - and earned the day's Co-angler Big Bass award of $240.
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. 12-14 BFL Regional Championship on the Barren River in Scottsville, Kentucky. 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 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing - the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.
For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
Questions Swirl as Cup Competition Nears, How will the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup be won?
Vance McCullough - Photo Courtesy of Jody White/FLW
The answer depends heavily upon which angler hoists the hardware after the final weigh in.
Lake Murray is a different animal from the one that smiled on Anthony Gagliardi in August of 2014 when he totaled 51 pounds, 2 ounces of bass by ripping a weighted Yamamoto D Shad around main lake points to win by an ounce over Scott Canterbury.
For one thing, there are more options in play this time around. Gagliardi himself noted how many more objects are in the water due to higher lake levels this year. “You can’t just go down the bank and burn it up. You’ll have to pick things apart more thoroughly.
“There’s also this weird grass growing out to about 15 feet. I’m not sure if the fish are using it – I imagine they are, but it’s kind of hard to get a lure through it cleanly. It’s soft and stringy.”
Michael Murphy, a top bass fishing guide on Murray with a fisheries biology background says the grass is called “fuzzy pond weed. Of course, it has a fancy Latin name, but we just call it fuzzy pond weed.”
Murphy says the fuzzy stuff could be a player this year. “The fish are definitely using it. Whether the guys can figure out how to fish it may be another story, but the fish are there.”
So the fuzzy pond weed is a wild card.
Also, upper reaches of the Saluda River are said to be filled with floating duck weed. Did anybody see that creek on Wheeler Lake last year where John Cox won the Cup? Yep. Covered in duck weed. He threw a frog. I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t do it again. And threaten to repeat as Cup Champion.
From submerged pond weed to floating duck weed and all the extra targets inundated along the shores, Lake Murray offers a lot more places for fish to hide this year.
AND the pros have one less day to find them once competition begins. The 2017 Cup will be a Friday, Saturday, Sunday affair instead of the 4-day deal the pros are used to.
This does, however, give them one more day to practice.
Gagliardi reflects back to his win and believes the 15-pounds-per-day that he maintained for the first 3 days of that event will serve as a reasonable expectation to set the winning pace this year. “I would guess 45 pounds will put a guy right where he needs to be. The lake may fish differently but it is still in great shape. That said, it is August in the South and fishing will be tough.”
Keep an eye on AnglersChannel.com and our Instagram and Facebook pages for all the latest news from Columbia, SC as we cover the Forrest Wood Cup this week, August 11-13!
Morris Mops On Up On Final Day To Win Bassmaster Nortern Open at James River
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Gluszek Will Lead Northern Open Field Into Saturday’s Championship Round On The James River
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KVD Talks SKL Suppa Fry & KVD 4.0
Kevin VanDam talks about the new Strike King Supra Fry with Open Pour Technology and the new KVD 4.0 Squarebill.
Fukae Leads Tight Race At Bassmaster Open On James River
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America’s Top Amateur Anglers To Converge In Northern Minnesota For College Championship
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How Matt Lee Chooses Drop Shot Weights
Story & Photo By Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
Former Carhartt Bassmaster College Bracket Champion Matt Lee racked up his very impressive third Top 12 finish of the Elite Series season at Lake Champlain. Lee’s fat limits were a blend of both smallmouth and largemouth, but his choice of lures centered on one primary technique – Drop Shotting.
As you might expect – the holder of an engineering degree from Auburn takes a slightly analytical approach to choosing weights for his drop shots, and it’s a strategy that makes great sense for getting snagged less, feeling more bites, and catching more bass.
“I use both tear drop and cylinder-shaped drop shot weights, but each is a tool best designed for a certain job, and the key is to know when to use each of the two styles,” says Lee.
Cylinders for weeds vs. Teardrops for rocks
“When you’re fishing thick vegetation like I faced a lot of on Champlain, you’ve got to use a skinny cylinder-shaped weight, or you’re going to constantly be snagged in weeds,” explains Lee. “If you try to drag teardrop-shaped weight through those weeds, it’s nearly impossible to keep it clean, and you’re going to get really frustrated.”
Conversely, Lee states that the rounder teardrop shaped weights tend to get through rocks a little better.
Tungsten vs. Lead
“The cylinder shaped weights I use in weeds are made of lead, and they’re much less expensive than tungsten, but when I’m fishing deeper where there’s no weed growth, and rocks typically come into play, I want the benefit of tungsten’s sensitivity to feel the rocks on the bottom – especially if I’m out there in 25 or 30-feet of water,” he explains.
How heavy?
Shape aside, anglers new to drop shotting often wonder how heavy their choice of weights should be, and Lee has a simple answer.
“Use the lightest weight you possibly can, and still be able feel your drop shot,” says Lee. “But as a rule of thumb, if you’re fishing less than 15-feet deep, try starting with a 1/4 –ounce weight, and if you’re fishing those deep zones like 25 or 30 feet, it’s probably best to use a 3/8-ounce in most situations.”
Rods, Reels, Line, Lure
Want to replicate Matt’s basic drop shot set-up? Try a 7’ 4” Quantum Tour KVD spinning rod, paired with a size 30 Quantum Speed Freak spinning reel that picks up an amazing 36” inches of line with every turn of the handle – which is especially helpful when fishing in deep water, or for catching up with torpedo-like Smallmouth when they bite. He spools up with 10-pound braid tied to an 8-pound leader made of Seaguar Tatsu fluorocarbon line.
As for lures, his favorite choice is Strike King Dream Shot rigged on a #1 size Owner circle hook. Lee says brown/purple is hard to beat for a worm color. And remember, teardrop weights made of tungsten for rocks, and lead cylinder-shaped weights for weeds. A mix of ¼ ounce and 3/8 ounce should cover most all your needs.
Jeff Hodges and John Michenfelder Win Cashion Rods PBC Jordan Lake Event with over 23 pounds!!
PBC CASHION FISHING RODS 'End of Year' TEAM BASS FISHING TRAIL RESULTS
Saturday July 29th, 2017 ~ Jordan Lake ~ Farrington Point Wildlife Ramp
Saturday was a great day at Jordan Lake! The weather was nice with air temps around 71 degrees in the am on up to
83 at the 2pm weighin. Water temps averaged about 80 degrees. Winds were what kept everything bearable and
cooler!! Very little breeze in the am and picking up to around 8 to 10 in the pm. The turnout was great with 50 teams
going for the top prize. There were a lot of bass weighed in today with many in the 4 to 7 lb. range. The bass looked
well fed and very healthy for this time of year! Jordan is still one of the best fisheries in the state!!
The team of Jeff Hodges and John Michenfelder won 1st Place, weighing in 5 bass at 23.50 lbs. and also won the 2nd
Place Big Fish Award (7.80 lbs.) and the 1st Place Tournament within a Tournament (TWT) for a total of $2,215 in
winnings. The team said most of their bass were caught off channel points in 10 to 15' or more of depth using
crankbaits & Carolina rigs.
Losing 1st place by only a 10th of a lb. was the veteran team of Mark Herndon & Jay Garrard with 5 fish weighing
23.40 lbs. & they also won 2nd Place TWT to pocket a total of $975. 3rd place team, Tony Woodard & Stewart
Adams, won $520 with 5 weighing 19.55 lbs. The big fish for the day weighed 7.86 lbs. and was caught by the 5th
Place Team of Rich Szczerbala & Todd Sumner bringing their total winnings for the day to $1,060 !!
137 fish were weighed in for a total of 427 pounds for an average of 3.12 lbs. each. Most of the larger fish were
caught on Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, Jig combos, slow rolling Spinnerbaits and Crankbaits in 10-15' of water off main
point dropoffs and creek channels.
I want to thank all the anglers that participated and all our sponsors that support this trail. The next Cashion Fishing
Rods 'End of Year' Tournament Trail Qualifier will be August 12th at Falls Lake. Go to this web page for the info on
the 'End of Year' Trail: http://piedmontbassclassics.com/2017CashionEOYTrailMainPage.html
All the information on our tournaments can be found http://piedmontbassclassics.com/
Now here are the full results:
1st Place: John Michenfelder & Jeff Hodges of Durham & Apex...5 bass...23.50 lbs...$1,040
2nd Place: Mark Herndon & Jay Garrard of Bahama & Durham...5 bass...23.40 lbs...$600
3rd Place: Tony Woodard & Stewart Adams of Four Oaks...5 bass...19.55 lbs...$520
4th Place: Roy & Tommy Blackwood of Pittsboro & Efland...5 bass...18.43 lbs...$440
5th Place: Todd Sumner & Rich Szczerbala of Southern Pines & Apex...5 bass...18.40 lbs...$360
6th Place: Brian Fritts & Bo Adams of Raleigh & Pittsboro...5 bass...18.26 lbs...$280
7th Place: Chuck Napier & Aaron Johnson of Garner & Dunn...5 bass...17.50 lbs...$240
8th Place: Jaime Fajardo & Josh Hooks of Fuquay Varina & Apex...5 bass...16.31 lbs...$200
9th Place: Jim Croce & Jeremy Pope of Cove City & Erwin...4 bass...16.00 lbs...$170
10th Place: Jason Godwin & Ronnie Williams of Kenly & Clayton...5 bass...15.50 lbs...$150
1st Place Big Fish..5th Place Team above...7.86 lbs...$700
2nd Place Big Fish..1st Place Team above...7.80 lbs...$300
1st Place TWT..1st Place Team above...23.50 lbs...$875
2nd Place TWT..2nd Place Team above...23.40 lbs...$375
Contact Information:
Phil McCarson...Tournament Director---922 Valetta Rd.---Durham, NC 27712
Home: 919-471-1571 Cell: 919-971-5042
email: [email protected] website: http://piedmontbassclassics.com/
Gallagher Claims Ohio ABA RAM Open Win on Indian Lake with over 11 pounds!
Darrell Gallagher of Maplewood, Ohio won the American Bass Anglers Ram Truck Open Series Ohio Division tournament held 07/29/2017. Running out of Moundwood State Park, Darrell weighed in a five-bass limit for 11.47 pounds. He anchored his catch with a bass that weighed 3.20 pounds. For the Boater Division victory, Gallagher took home a check for $5000.00.
“I Caught 7 fish today culling two times. I caught all of my fish off one log on a homemade jig.” Said Gallagher.
In second for the boaters, Mike Quinlin of Mooresville, Indiana weighed in a five-bass limit going 10.20 pounds. He anchored his limit with a bass that weighed in at 3.47 pounds. He collected $600.00 for the effort.
“I caught my first fish which was my biggest fish on a crankbait. I caught 7 keepers total and 2-3 short fish. Besides my first fish I caught the rest flipping wood and rocks.” Said Quinlin.
Richard Shaffer of Rockford, Ohio took third place with a five-bass limit weighing in at 9.91 pounds. He anchored his catch with a bass that weighed 3.49 pounds. Richard collected $475.00 for his catch. Also, for catching the largest bass for the boaters Richard took home an additional $400.00. Richard also had the largest bass of the tournament. He was awarded an ABU Garcia Revo Spinning reel valued at $160.00 for catching his bass using an ABU Garcia reel.
“I caught probably 6 fish today, I caught a couple on a spinnerbait, a couple on a frog and a couple on a worm.” Said Shaffer.
Finishing fourth, Jay Gillfillan from Ridgeway, Ohio weighed in four bass weighing 8.81 pounds and rounding out the top five Cody Seeger of Lewistown, Ohio weighed in four bass weighing 7.34 pounds.
In the Co-Angler Division, Tim Cukovecki from Dayton, Ohio won with two bass weighing 3.18 pounds. Cukovecki sealed his victory with a bass weighing 1.91 pounds.
Tim collected $600.00 for his catch. Also for catching the big bass for the co anglers Tim collected an additional $70.00.
“Besides the two keepers I weighed in, I caught a couple of short fish and I had a bigger fish come off at the boat. My fish came on plastics around rock and wood.” Said Cukovecki.
Taking second for the co-anglers, Bryan Hofstetter of Fort Jennings, Ohio weighed with one bass for 1.67 pounds. Hofstetter collected $300.00 for the effort.
“I missed a couple of fish today but the one I weighed in came off a spinnerbait mid-day,” said Hofstetter.
Taking third for the co anglers Dan Minor of Norwalk, Ohio weighed in one bass for 1.63 pounds. Minor collected $225.00 for the catch.
Finishing fourth was Chad Buzard of Delphos, Ohio who weighed in one bass for 1.54 pounds. Rounding out the top five was Paul Stamper of Urbana, Ohio who weighed in 1 bass for 1.05 pounds.
Slated for 09/02/2017 the next tournament for the Ohio Division will be the two-day regional on Lake Erie out of Erie PA. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance the 2018 Ray Scott Championship, slated for the Red River in Shreveport-Bossier Louisiana in April 2018.
For more information on this tournament, call Jeff Randall, tournament manager, at 256-777-6152 or ABA at 256-232-0406. On line, seewww.ramopenseries.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 Ram Truck Open Series, the American Fishing Tour or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com.
American Bass Anglers, Inc. is supported by Ram Trucks, Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, Carlisle Tires, GEICO, Berkley, Abu Garcia, T-H Marine, Livingston Lures, Best Western Hotels, Maui Jim, Power Pole, LiT Coolers, Simms, Garmin, and Divide-It. American Bass Anglers, Inc. can be contacted at (256) 232-0406 or by visiting americanbassanglers.com
ALBERTSON WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL HOOSIER DIVISION TOURNAMENT ON PATOKA LAKE
Greendale’s Burns Takes Co-angler Title
BIRDSEYE, Ind. (July 31, 2017) – Eighteen-year-old Blake Albertson of Bloomington, Indiana, caught five bass weighing 20 pounds, 11 ounces, Saturday to win the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Hoosier Division tournament on Patoka Lake. For his efforts, Albertson took home $6,126.
“This is only my fourth time fishing as a boater in the BFL, so to win is pretty crazy,” said Albertson, a former TBF/FLW High School Fishing angler that competed for Bloomington North/South High School. “It was just one of those days where everything went right.”
Albertson said he fished two areas to catch his limit – a main-lake point and the back of a cut in Lick Fork creek.
“I sat in 18 feet of water and threw into 12 feet on the point,” said Albertson. “There was one spot with a bunch of rock that was especially productive.”
Albertson said he caught four bass at the point – three on a Secret Lures J-Bend Tail Shaker Jig with a Motor Oil-colored Zoom Trick Worm, and one on a ½-ounce Secret Lures MVP Football Jig.
“The fourth was my largest of the day – a 5-pound, 7-ouncer,” said Albertson. “At 10 (a.m.) I caught my fifth in the cut out of some bushes and that’s what I brought in to the scale.”
Albertson’s fifth bass was caught using a Texas-rigged Green Pumpkin Magic-colored Yamamoto Senko.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Blake Albertson, Bloomington, Ind., five bass, 20-11, $4,126 + $2,000 Ranger Cup Bonus
2nd: Brian Funkhouser, Bloomington, Ind., five bass, 17-0, $1,963
3rd: Ray Philhower, Milford, Ohio, four bass, 15-12, $1,309
4th: Phil Hunt, Connersville, Ind., five bass, 13-11, $916
5th: Lee Mills, Columbus, Ind., five bass, 13-8, $785
6th: George Brown, Camby, Ind., four bass, 12-11, $720
7th: Sean Gillenwater, Bloomington, Ind., four bass, 12-6, $754
8th: John Schroering, Dubois, Ind., four bass, 11-11, $589
9th: Bryce Kalen, Indianapolis, Ind., four bass, 11-7, $523
10th: John Melton, Corydon, Ind., four bass, 10-14, $458
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Andrew Cibak of Chesterton, Indiana, caught a bass weighing 6 pounds, 7 ounces – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division. The catch earned him the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $530.
Albert Burns of Greendale, Indiana, caught three bass weighing 12 pounds, 11 ounces, to win the Co-angler Division and $2,051.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Albert Burns, Greendale, Ind., three bass, 12-11, $2,051
2nd: Jonathan Norris, Muncie, Ind., two bass, 9-15, $1,069
3rd: Andy Eaton, Washington, Ind., two bass, 9-13, $743
4th: Travis Edgar, North Webster, Ind., two bass, 7-10, $458
5th: Adrian Stafford, Bloomington, Ind., two bass, 7-7, $393
6th: Jeff Hale, New Castle, Ind., two bass, 6-1, $360
7th: Brad Ingram, Mesa, Ariz., two bass, 5-8, $327
8th: Michael Pelston, Seymour, Ind., two bass, 5-3, $478
8th: Dan Schlegel, Cincinnati, Ohio, two bass, 5-3, $278
10th: Cory Cook, Carrollton, Ky., two bass, 5-1, $267
10th: James McWhorter, Hamilton, Ohio, two bass, 5-1, $217
Norris caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – a fish weighing 5 pounds, 4 ounces – and earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $88.
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. 5-7 BFL Regional Championship on Kentucky Lake in Gilbertsville, Kentucky. 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 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.
For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
Wade Bourne, Shaw Grigsby, Bob Sealy, Louie Stout & Morris Sheehan to be inducted into Bass Fishing Hall of Fame
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BASS FISHING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 2017 INDUCTEES
- ENSHRINEMENT DINNER SET FOR NOVEMBER 9
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - For Immediate Release – 7/27/2017 – While all 62 current Bass Fishing Hall of Fame members have waited for a place where others could honor them, the class of 2017 Hall inductees are being afforded a special benefit. The five new members – including Wade Bourne, Shaw Grigsby, Bob Sealy, Morris Sheehan and Louie Stout, will be enshrined at the Hall’s new permanent home within Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, Mo. A special dinner and ceremony is planned for Thursday, November 9.
“This is a special milestone for the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. The goal since our founding in 2003 has always been to have a home to honor our inductees and their accomplishments in the sport of bass fishing,” said Donald Howell, BFHOF Board of Directors president. “We all look forward to sharing and celebrating a special night with Wade’s family, Shaw, Bob, Morris and Louie. And we are all anxious to showcase our past inductees in the Hall’s new home.”
A native of Clarksville, Tenn., Wade Bourne, who passed away in 2016, was a senior writer for Bassmaster for more than 40 years. A popular host of the In-Fisherman radio shows, he authored six books and more than 3,000 magazine articles in his career. His awards are too numerous to list here, but they include the Homer Circle Fishing Communicator Award presented by the American Sportfishing Association and the Professional Outdoor Media Association, and induction into the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame and the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. Bourne also received Southeastern Outdoor Press Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Shaw Grigsby fished his first national tournament in 1977 — 40 years ago this year. A former motorcycle racer, he becoming a full-time pro angler on the Bassmaster Tournament Trail in 1984, and since then has won nine Bassmaster tournaments, qualified for the Bassmaster Classic 16 times, and competed in four FLW championships. Known for his sight fishing expertise, in his fishing career with B.A.S.S. Grigsby has 60 Top 10 finishes and has won more than $2 million. To many of his fans, Shaw is the 20-year-plus host of One More Cast with Shaw Grigsby, airing on the Sportsman Channel.
Combining his love of fishing and his efforts to promote tourism and economic growth around Lake Sam Rayburn, Bob Sealy convinced Ray Scott to bring a Bassmaster event to the lake. From there, he worked his way into creating the world’s largest amateur bass tournament — the Big Bass Splash. Open only to amateurs, the Big Bass Splash events today have spread across the nation. During the past 33 years, Sealy’s idea to bring some competitive fun to bass fishing has paid out over $30 million dollars and raised over $2.3 million dollars to support Ronald McDonald House Charities and the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In 2015, he was into the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame.
Retiring from the U.S. Army after 20 years of service, Morris Sheehan purchased the Military Bass Anglers Association and quickly changed the name to American Bass Anglers. Through his leadership and foresight, ABA has become the largest tournament trail for weekend anglers, with more than 1,000 bass tournaments held annually. Sheehan’s efforts have given beginning anglers a place to hone their skills and the opportunity to gain the experience for competition in higher-level events. More than 35,000 anglers compete in ABA tournaments. His contributions to the bass fishing industry have elevated him to a position of respect by all those he has touched.
Starting his writing career in daily newspapers, Louie Stout sold his first article to Bassmaster in the early 1980s. He has been a full-time freelance writer specializing in bass fishing since 1987, and has covered every Bassmaster Classic since 1979. The co-author of three successful books about bass fishing with seven-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam, Stout was inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in 2005, and in 2013 was awarded the Homer Circle Fishing Communicator Award. He continues his senior writer/boating role for Bassmaster Magazine, his long-time outdoor column in the South Bend (Ind.) Tribune, and even though newspaper ink flows through his veins, Stout keeps anglers and hunters informed and entertained with his MichianaOutdoorNews.com web site.
Bass anglers worldwide are invited to join the Hall’s Board of Directors to honor these men in Springfield, Mo., on November 9. In addition to the formal induction ceremonies, the BFHOF annual dinner also includes an exceptional silent auction featuring bucket-list fishing trips, premium rods and reels, hunting gear and special fishing-celebrity memorabilia. For information on the induction dinner – visit BassFishingHOF.com or the BFHOF Facebook page for more details, or call 888/690-2277. For more information on the Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium, visit www.wondersofwildlife.org.
About The Hall of Fame -- The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization led by a 16 person volunteer Board, dedicated to all anglers, manufacturers, tackle and marine dealers, media and other related companies who further the sport of bass fishing. Just announced in July 2017, the Hall will soon have a permanent home for exhibits and collections honoring bass fishing’s legends as part of Johnny Morris’ (a 2002 BFHOF inductee) Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Mo., opening on September 21, 2017. Support the BFHOF by becoming a member. Visit BassFishingHOF.com for more details, or 888.690.2277 for more information.
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BECKER WINS COSTA FLW SERIES NORTHERN DIVISION TOURNAMENT ON 1000 ISLANDS
Finleyville Angler Tops 174-Boater Field, Takes Home $44,200
CLAYTON, N.Y. (July 29, 2017) – Boater Matt Becker of Finleyville, Pennsylvania, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 25 pounds, 2 ounces, Saturday to win the Costa FLW Series Northern Division tournament on 1000 Islands presented by Evinrude. Becker’s three-day total of 15 bass weighing 66 pounds, 4 ounces, was enough to earn the win and $44,200.
“Words can’t describe how I’m feeling right now,” said Becker, who earned his first career-victory in FLW competition. “I was just hoping to cash a check, so this is unbelievable.”
Becker said he spent the three-day tournament picking apart two primary stretches of water on Lake Ontario, near Galloo Island. He said he relied on one lure– a Yamamoto Shad Shape Worm on a drop-shot rig.
“Of the fish I weighed in this week, each of my areas produced about half of them,” said Becker. “Both locations were 25- to 30-feet deep and had rocky bottoms. Each had a drop that reached 50 to 60 feet of water, but the first spot was steep while the second sloped off more gradually.”
Becker said that each area had a 50- by 50-yard sweet spot that produced more notable catches. Every bass he weighed in was a smallmouth.
“After catching about 50 keepers on days one and two I only caught around 15 to 20 today, but they were a lot bigger,” said Becker. “The key for me was being able to see the fish on my Lowrance electronics during practice. Not every area that had rocks on the bottom had fish out there.”
The top 10 pros on 1000 Islands finished:
1st: Matt Becker, Finleyville, Pa., 15 bass, 66-4, $44,200
2nd: Joseph Fonzi, Gasport, N.Y., 15 bass, 65-11, $17,600
3rd: Chris Johnston, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, 15 bass, 65-9, $13,000
4th: Kurt Mitchell, Milford, Del., 15 bass, 64-14, $11,000
5th: Timmy Thompkins, Myrtle Beach, S.C., 15 bass, 63-8, $10,300
6th: Power-Pole pro Cory Johnston, Cavan, Ontario, Canada, 62-4, $8,500
7th: Casey Smith, Macedon, N.Y., 15 bass, 61-14, $7,400
8th: Chris O’Brien, Rochester, N.Y., 15 bass, 61-0, $6,400
9th: Ed Casey, Whiteford, Md., 14 bass, 53-5, $5,400
10th: Cal Climpson, Sharon, Ontario, Canada, 15 bass, 49-2, $4,200
A complete list of results will be posted at FLWFishing.com.
Aaron Stone of Rome, New York, caught a 6-pound, 8-ounce bass Friday – the heaviest of the tournament in the Pro Division. For his catch, Stone earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $300.
Gary Haraguchi of Redding, California, won the Co-angler Division and a new Ranger Z175 with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard motor, along with a $5,000 Ranger Cup Bonus. Haraguchi earned his win with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 53 pounds, 2 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers on 1000 Islands finished:
1st: Gary Haraguchi, Redding, Calif., 15 bass, 53-2, $27,700 + $5,000 Ranger Cup Bonus
2nd: Mark Goetsch, Gibralter, Mich., 15 bass, 52-13, $5,500
3rd: Mark Babcock, Warwick, N.Y., 15 bass, 49-12, $4,400
4th: Andy Dick, Wilmington, Del., 13 bass, 44-1, $3,700
5th: Bill Valberg, London, Ontario, Canada, 15 bass, 43-3, $3,200
6th: Mike Merill, Brockville, Ontario, Canada, 14 bass, 40-3, $2,750
7th: Andrew Owens, Dividing Creek, N.J., 12 bass, 38-11, $2,200
8th: Justin Hicks, Roanoke, Va., 13 bass, 32-15, $1,850
9th: Ed Bunnett, Belleville, Ontario, Canada, 10 bass, 31-4, $1,540
10th: Corey Burton, Canton, Ohio, 11 bass, 28-14, $1,290
Brett Scullion of Lakefield, Ontario, Canada, caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the Co-angler Division Friday, a fish weighing 6 pounds, 11 ounces that earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $200.
The Costa FLW Series Northern Division event on 1000 Islands presented by Evinrude was hosted by the Clayton Chamber of Commerce. It was the second Northern Division tournament of the 2017 season. The next Costa FLW Series tournament will also be a Northern Division tournament, held Aug. 24-26 on the Potomac River in Marbury, Maryland. For a complete schedule, visit FLWFishing.com.
The Costa FLW Series consists of five U.S. divisions – Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western. Each division consists of three tournaments with competitors vying for valuable points that could earn them the opportunity to fish in the Costa FLW Series Championship. The 2017 Costa FLW Series Championship is being held Nov. 2-4 on Kentucky Lake in Paris, Tennessee.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Costa FLW Series on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
Martens Monster Catch Vaults Him to Champlain Win!
Aaron Martens of Leeds, Ala., won the 2017 Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels held out of Plattsburgh, N.Y., Sunday, with a three-day total weight of 58 pounds, 12 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
July 30, 2017
Martens Masses Monster Catch And Climbs 19 Spots To Clinch Bassmaster Elite At Champlain
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — Nobody thought it was possible, Aaron Martens least of all. But on the final day of competition at the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Martens massed a 23-pound, 5-ounce sack of bass and stunned the crowd, and the field, who all thought such a feat was impossible. He edged second-place finisher Seth Feider of Bloomington, Minn., by a little less than a pound.
“I'm still in shock,” Martens said, surrounded by reporters behind the stage, trophy at rest beside him on a chair. “I can’t believe I won. It still hasn’t set in yet.”
Martens, originally from California but now a resident of Leeds, Ala., wasn’t sure how much his limit weighed — it’s difficult to judge weight at a tournament where winners can be decided by ounces. But his bag included a 6-2 largemouth that was second only to Seth Feider’s 6-4 bass, which won the Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award of $1,500 for the tournament.
“I didn't know how much I actually had,” Martens said. “The only time all day when I thought I had a shot to win was when I saw 23-5 on the scales. The BASSTrakk (unofficial leaderboard) said I had 20-11. I thought I maybe had 22. But I just didn’t know. I overestimated BASSTrakk the first day, so maybe I got a little gun-shy and underestimated today. I’m still really in shock.”
For Martens, each B.A.S.S. win is a redemption of sorts. He’s widely regarded as one of the best anglers to compete in the modern era of bass fishing, and this marks only his ninth B.A.S.S. win across almost two decades of competition. Alongside those nine wins sit 13 gut-wrenching second-place finishes — four of which were at the Bassmaster Classic and seven were at Elite events.
Martens’ last win came at the 2015 Bassmaster Elite at Chesapeake Bay.
Martens also set a unique B.A.S.S. mark today: He climbed 19 spots on the final day to win an Elite event — a feat made possible because this weather-shortened event spanned three days, instead of four, and the Top 51 anglers fished the final day, instead of the traditional Top 12.
His winning pattern involved drop shotting a 4-inch Roboworm in Aaron’s magic red color on massive weed flats. The largemouth and smallmouth were mixed together and he caught quality fish of both species, although it was the largemouth that ultimately propelled him to victory.
He fished predominantly deep (20 to 30 feet) the first two days, but moved shallow today into 12 to 21 feet. He made a critical tackle change and switched to a 6'11" medium-heavy rod that allowed him to move hooked fish through the grass and to the boat. He noted that areas with several different weed types were best.
Brandon Palaniuk of Hayden, Idaho, retained his lead in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race with one event remaining in the season. He was awarded $1,000 for leading at the end of the event.
“I don’t think about the race — I just think about catching them the next day,” Palaniuk said. “Every guy wants to win an Angler of the Year title, but I know for me, mentally, I fish a lot better not knowing where I am in the race. It’s not like I don’t care. It’s more like a racecar driver — if you’re worried about the guy behind you, you’re looking back and slowing down. I’m not going to do that. I’m going full speed ahead.”
Jacob Wheeler of Harrison, Tenn., won the Livingston Lures Day 2 Leader Award of $500 for leading the tournament on Saturday’s second day of competition.
Palaniuk was also awarded the Toyota Bonus Bucks Award of $3,000 for being the highest-placing eligible entrant in the program. The second-highest-placing eligible entrant, Adrian Avena of Vineland, N.J., received $2,000.
Alton Jones of Lorena, Texas, earned the Power-Pole Captain’s Cash Award of $1,000 for being the highest-placing angler who is registered and eligible and uses a client-approved product on his boat.
The Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau and the City of Plattsburgh hosted the event.
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Huk, Humminbird, Nitro Boats, Mercury, Minn Kota, Power-Pole, Shell Rotella, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Berkley
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Shimano, Advance Auto Parts, Livingston Lures, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Carhartt, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, T-H Marine
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 more than 45 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, Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks 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]
2017 Bassmaster Elite at Champlain presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels 7/27-7/30
Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh NY.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 15 58-12 110 $100,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 16-15 Day 3: 5 23-05
2. Seth Feider Isle, MN 15 57-14 109 $26,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 19-15 Day 3: 5 20-06
3. Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID 15 57-05 108 $21,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 18-13 Day 3: 5 20-07
4. Jacob Wheeler Harrison, TN 15 56-10 107 $15,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 20-12 Day 3: 5 18-02
5. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 15 56-09 106 $14,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 19-02 Day 3: 5 19-06
6. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 15 55-08 105 $13,500.00
Day 1: 5 19-15 Day 2: 5 17-08 Day 3: 5 18-01
7. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 15 55-07 104 $13,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 17-15 Day 3: 5 18-12
8. Jordan Lee Grant, AL 15 55-00 103 $12,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 20-08 Day 3: 5 17-11
9. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 15 54-14 102 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 18-11 Day 3: 5 19-03
10. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 15 54-14 101 $11,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 18-04 Day 3: 5 18-10
11. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 15 54-04 100 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-11 Day 2: 5 16-04 Day 3: 5 17-05
12. Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 15 54-04 99 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 18-07 Day 3: 5 16-13
13. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 15 54-03 98 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 17-13 Day 3: 5 17-07
14. David Walker Sevierville, TN 15 53-15 97 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 17-12 Day 3: 5 17-13
15. Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ 15 53-14 96 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 18-06 Day 3: 5 17-00
16. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 15 53-10 95 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-04 Day 2: 5 17-01 Day 3: 5 16-05
17. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 15 53-10 94 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 19-13 Day 3: 5 16-03
18. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 15 53-09 93 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-01 Day 2: 5 14-04 Day 3: 5 18-04
19. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 15 53-09 92 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 15-01 Day 3: 5 19-00
20. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 15 53-08 91 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 17-10 Day 3: 5 19-01
21. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 15 53-00 90 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 17-07 Day 3: 5 17-12
22. Dustin Connell Clanton, AL 15 52-14 89 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 16-06 Day 3: 5 18-07
23. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 15 52-09 88 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 15-04 Day 3: 5 18-08
24. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 15 52-02 87 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 17-08 Day 3: 5 17-06
25. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 15 52-01 86 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 19-06 Day 3: 5 16-09
26. Brent Ehrler Redlands, CA 15 51-06 85 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-04 Day 2: 5 17-09 Day 3: 5 15-09
27. Chris Zaldain Laughlin, NV 15 51-04 84 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 14-15 Day 3: 5 19-04
28. Gerald Spohrer Gonzales, LA 15 51-03 83 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 17-02 Day 3: 5 16-04
29. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 15 50-15 82 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 16-11 Day 3: 5 17-05
30. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 15 50-14 81 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 17-00 Day 3: 5 16-14
31. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 15 50-13 80 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 16-00 Day 3: 5 17-04
32. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 15 50-11 79 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 19-05 Day 3: 5 15-08
33. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 15 50-08 78 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 17-15 Day 3: 5 15-12
34. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 15 50-03 77 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 15-05 Day 3: 5 16-02
35. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 15 49-08 76 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 19-03 Day 3: 5 15-10
36. Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 15 49-08 75 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 16-08 Day 3: 5 14-13
37. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 15 49-00 74 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 17-06 Day 3: 5 14-08
38. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 15 48-05 73 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 16-15 Day 3: 5 15-02
39. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 15 48-01 72 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-03 Day 2: 5 13-14 Day 3: 5 15-00
40. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 15 48-00 71 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 14-09 Day 3: 5 15-08
41. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 15 47-15 70 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 5 16-04 Day 3: 5 14-15
42. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 15 47-14 69 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 14-09 Day 3: 5 14-15
43. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 15 47-11 68 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 17-01 Day 3: 5 12-10
44. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 15 47-05 67 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 14-09 Day 3: 5 14-06
45. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 15 47-01 66 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 18-00 Day 3: 5 13-01
46. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 15 47-00 65 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 18-13 Day 3: 5 14-01
47. Gary Klein Mingus, TX 15 46-15 64 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 18-09 Day 3: 5 13-10
48. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 15 46-12 63 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 16-05 Day 3: 5 14-09
49. Fred Roumbanis London, AR 15 46-06 62 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 16-06 Day 3: 5 14-00
50. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 15 45-15 61 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 16-03 Day 3: 5 11-15
51. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 15 42-15 60 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 17-15 Day 3: 5 10-13
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Seth Feider Isle, MN 06-04 $1,500.00
Jacob Wheeler Catches 20-12 And Vaults To Lead In Bassmaster Elite At Champlain
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Todd Faircloth Takes First Day Lead At Bassmaster Elite At Lake Champlain
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Bowling, Wonder Woman, and Dog Naps Occupy Elite Series Pros
The manner in which pros chose to occupy an unplanned day off, when Thursday’s competition at the Bassmaster Elite Series on Lake Champlain was cancelled due to high wind, was as wide-ranging as the waves that stirred the massive lake on the New York-Vermont border.
“I could have listed a lotta things I’d have rather done than go bowling, but when my fiancé, Abby said she wanted to go bowling, we rounded up Jesse Wiggins, David Mullins and their girlfriends and hit the lanes,” grinned former Carhartt College fishing champion Matt Lee, who has already notched two Top 12 cuts this season.
The group of six bowlers was actually more like a half-dozen All State athletes. Matt Lee was a State Champion second baseman. His fiancé, Abby was a 2-time State Champion basketball player. Jesse Wiggins was an All State Alabama small school football player. And David Mullins competed as a college golfer.
“I was within seven pins of beating Mullins yesterday, and couldn’t pull off the win,” says Lee. “Mullins is just good at everything, a straight-up athlete, who even puts spin on every ball he bowled yesterday.”
While the six co-ed bowlers from Alabama and Tennessee made memories together – highly likeable pro Shaw Grigsby found himself alone in a movie theater.
“Are you ready for this- you’ll never guess what movie I watched?” quizzed Grigsby beneath his signature mustache covered smile. “I went to see ‘Wonder Woman’ – and it actually wasn’t too bad.”
As for Lee and Grigsby’s Quantum teammate Gerald Swindle, well, he didn’t do much of anything. “Hey … when B.A.S.S. told me the competition day was cancelled – and that I could have the day off – I took them seriously – I took two naps – first with the big dog, Myric – then with the little dog, Bama – before finally taking Lulu to eat at the local brewing company.”
Cory Johnston Leads FLW Costa Event at 1,000 Islands
July 27, 2017
Cory Johnston was the first man to weigh in, and he set the bar high on day one of the Costa FLW Series presented by Evinrude on the 1000 Islands. Leading off with 23 pounds, 7 ounces of smallmouths plucked from Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, the FLW Tour pro leads by 9 ounces over fellow Tour pro Kurt Mitchell.
Top five patterns from day one
“It went a little better than I thought it would,” says Johnston of his effort on day one. “I wasn’t sure how big my deep fish were. I knew there were 4-pounders, but it turns out there were some 5-pounders mixed in.”
Johnston is as local as they come, and between he and his brother, Chris, the pair has hundreds of days on the water at the 1000 Islands. Because of that, the leader from Cavan, Ontario, had plenty of options.
“I started in the river and then made it out to the lake and caught most of my fish there,” says Cory, who hasn’t decided on a plan for Friday yet. “The wind is supposed to switch directions, and I have a lot of stuff that should be sheltered. But I might just go back to where I caught them today. I’m going to have to see what the wind does in the morning.”
Cory says he fished both shallow and deep, and landed 10 or 12 solid fish. He did lose a key 5-pounder late in the day. Fishing a deep spot in the river, the big smallmouth broke his line after surfacing near the boat.
Top 10 pros
1. Cory Johnston – Cavan, Ont. – 23-7 (5)
2. Kurt Mitchell – Milford, Del. – 22-14 (5)
3. Joseph Fonzi – Gasport, N.Y. – 22-8 (5)
4. Cal Climpson – Sharon, Ont. – 22-6 (5)
5. Jason Putman – Cicero, N.Y. – 21-11 (5)
6. Jason Bacon – Nutting Lake, Mass. – 21-6 (5)
7. Matt Becker – Finleyville, Penn. – 21-4 (5)
8. Ryan Smith – Galloway, N.J. – 21-1 (5)
9. Dylan Hays – Sheridan, Ark. – 21-0 (5)
10. Dean Meckes – Clayton, N.Y. – 20-14 (5)
Babcock paces co-anglers
Mark Babcock of Warwick, N.Y., got off to a great start with 20-12 on day one to lead the co-angler side. He’s nearly 4 pounds ahead of Joshua Mossey, who is in second with 17-1.
“It started off pretty slow, but when the sun came out they started biting,” says Babcock. “My boater had us on a real nice rock pile, and it was just basic smallmouth stuff – drop-shots and tubes.”
Fishing with Lee Black, Babcock had the hot hand, and says he caught about 15 bass in all.
Carhartt Countdown to Blast Off - Powroznik makes predictions about his beloved Lake Champlain
Story by Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorship
Quantum pro Jacob Powroznik loves Lake Champlain. In fact, even though he seems to succeed on nearly every lake in the country, he lists Champlain as his favorite, and on the eve of the Bassmaster Elite Series tournament presented by Dick Cepek Wheels & Tires, he was kind enough to share his thoughts on the massive body of water on the New York/Vermont border.
You’ve got a long and successful history on Lake Champlain, what is so special about this place to you?
The fact that this lake offers both smallmouth and largemouth, and there’s lots of each to be caught here.
Speaking of which, will this tournament be won with largemouth or smallmouth?
I’ll predict it will be won with a mixed bag of smallmouth and largemouth, but keep in mind, it only takes one really good largemouth a day to make a huge difference here.
Name three lures fans can expect to see the Elite Series pros use the most this week.
Drop shot, chatterbait, and a jerkbait.
How much weight will a pro have to average the first three days to make the final day’s Top 12 cut?
I’ll say 16 ½ pounds per day.
Have you seen “Champ” – America’s Loch Ness Monster that is rumored to live in Lake Champlain?
Nope – but I haven’t looked that deep yet.
Carhartt Countdown To Blast Off with Classic Champ Jordan Lee on Lake Champlain
Current Bassmaster Classic Champion Jordan Lee graciously took time in the super-refreshing 52-degree morning air on the final day of practice to preview the Bassmaster Elite at Champlain presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels.
Much of the first two days of practice were exceptionally cool and rainy, what’s been your biggest challenge so far?
I’d say catching anything bigger than 3-pounds has been the biggest challenge so far. I’m catching lots of fish, and a fairly equal mix of smallmouth and largemouth, but just no real big ones. The smallies I’m catching are averaging a little bigger than the largemouth.
What do you like the most so far about Lake Champlain?
This lake is just so full of fish, so you get to set the hook a bunch.
Last week, the Bassmaster Elite Series was held two hours west of Lake Champlain on the St. Lawrence River. It was a slugfest, with hundreds of 5-fish limits full of fat Smallmouth. How will this week on Lake Champlain compare to last week on the St. Lawrence River?
I don’t think the weights will be as high here, because the average smallmouth just isn’t as fat here as what they were on the St. Lawrence River. Those fish on the St. Lawrence have millions of gobies to eat and get really fat on, and that’s not the case here at Champlain.
Here at Champlain, talk always turns to how many competitors will make the long run south to the Ticonderoga area of this massive lake in search of fat largemouth. What percentage of the field do you estimate will make that roughly 80 mile run
I’d say about 20-percent. It’s like 80 miles from Plattsburgh down to that area, and there are just so many variables involved that can turn negative when you run that far, starting with massive waves, if the wind blows there.
Name five lures the fans can expect to see the Elite Series throw a lot of this week.
Drop Shot, jerkbaits, soft plastic punch baits like a Strike King Rodent on a heavy Texas rig, dragging a tube for smallmouth, and a swim jig.
TOP-5 ICAST STANDOUTS
Annual Industry Debut Offered Several Notable Items
By David A. Brown
“Kid in a candy store” does not even come close to describing the ICAST experience. No doubt, when the International Consortium of Allied Sporting Trades visited Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center this past week, the fishing world saw the debut of tackle, tools, gear and gadgets galore. Add in apparel, electronics and a few other odds and ends and it looked like Christmas morning for anyone fond of bending a rod.
Now, we weren’t allowed to take it all home, but we can look forward to this wave of innovation to hit the market in the coming months. We simply can’t cover everything in a Top-5 format, so no disrespect or disregard to the many other interesting introductions. That being said, here’s a rundown of the quintet that caught my eye.
13 FISHING CONCEPT Z REEL
Typically, reel companies boast the number and quality of a baitcaster’s ball bearings, but Florida-based 13 Fishing’s proud of the fact that their new Concept Z reel has none. As product engineer Matt Baldwin explains, the reel uses a high-tech CZB polymer bearings offers two major advantages: First, user won’t suffer performance loss over time — a common vexation of ball bearing reels.
The other advantage is exceptional castability, even with lighter baits. Tie on a topwater, crankbait or spinnerbait and the Concept Z will launch the lure considerable distances. But don’t swap the baitcaster for a spinning reel w
hen you need to throw a light worm — the Concept Z is built to offer the same accuracy and strength, even with smaller baits.
Like your other 13 Fishing reels, but intrigued by the no-ball bearings formula? Well, 13 Fishing will soon offer CZB polymer bearings to retrofit all of its existing baitcasters.
Available in right-hand models with 6.6:1, 7.3:1 and 8.1:1 and left-hand models with 7.3:1 gear ratios. ($200) http://www.13fishing.com/
COLUMBIA OMNISHADE SUN DEFLECTOR
Known for designing apparel that delivers performance with stylish flair, Columbia has elevated the concept of solar protection with its new line of OmniShade Sun Deflector shirts. Lightweight materials that won’t leave you feeling bulky on the bow are bolstered with spots of titanium dioxide, which act as little mirrors to deflect sunlight and leave you feeling cool and protected.
The line includes a hooded model that’ll serve well those sight-fishing efforts when blocking peripheral glare tops your priorities. ($70) http://www.columbia.com/home
FLAMBEAU “IKE” QUOTIENT UTILITY BOXES
Leave it to one of the sport’s most competitive anglers to come up with a way to combat tackle tray spacing issues. Each Flambeau Ike Quotient utility box comes with a customizable set of small internal boxes, which replace traditional storage tray dividers. This allows anglers to mix and match sizes and spacing to create the storage layout that best suits their needs. Remove the boxes and you have bulk storage for pliers, line spools, extra-large lures and bags of soft plastics.
A nice touch, the lids remained propped open at 100-degrees to keep the contents easily accessible and maximize your time. Each tray is built with Flambeau’s Zerust technology, which emits an odorless, harmless vapor, forming a protective layer around metal for long-lasting corrosion protection. Available in three sizes. ($10.34-$26.99) https://www.flambeauoutdoors.com/fishing/divider-systems/IKE-Quotient-IQ-Series
RAYMARINE AXIOM
Powered by a quad-core processor and running Raymarine’s proprietary Lighthouse software the Axiom and Axiom Pro (touchscreen) multifunction units combines downvision, sidevision, conventional sonar and RealVision 3D sonar into a single, wide-spectrum CHIRP transducer.
Bolstered with gyro-stabilization, RealVision 3D Sonar provides incredibly detailed views of bottom structure and key objects from laydowns to ledges to rock piles. The GPS Lock mode tracks the boat’s course over ground and speed over ground and creates an ultra-realistic, high-definition image that updates with every pass.
The ability to look at objects from various points of view proves invaluable in planning precise presentations. Standard wi-fi and bluetooth connectivity allows users to repeat and control the Axiom display on wireless devices. With a clean, customizable interface, Axiom displays feature high-definition, In-Plane Switching (IPS) display technology, maximizing viewing angles and reducing blackouts when wearing polarized glasses.
Available in 7-, 9- and 12-inch models starting at $649. http://www.raymarine.com/multifunction-displays/axiom/.
STORM ARASHI COVER POP
You sling a topwater bait under a dock, an overhanging tree, maybe a low bridge, or over a rock pile and within a few seconds it’s out of the strike zone. That’s typically how it goes for walkers, poppers, frogs and buzzbaits; all of which require forward motion to effect their fish-tempting ruse. Now, Storm’s new Arashi Cover Pop solves this dilemma with a bait that’ll create maximum disturbance, while remaining right in front of the fish.
An aft-weighted design gives the bait a tail-down posture, while a large, concave face with a higher-than-normal line tie means every downward rod snap makes the bait bloop the surface and then tilt back to its resting position.
I actually saw this one in prototype form last fall during a photo shoot with Bassmaster Elite Series pro Jacob Wheeler, who showed me how the Cover Pop allowed him to steadily work the cool shade beneath a tree limb with an enticing presentation. Mimicking a struggling prey, this 3 1/8-inch bait comes in nine colors. ($7.99) http://www.rapala.com/storm/hard-baits/arashi-series.
Of course, new products are only as good as they’re user, so no matter which new items you decide to try, enjoy your time on the water and pay close attention to the patterns of design and performance to establish cohesive patterns that you can replicate.
JACOBI WINS T-H MARINE FLW BASS FISHING LEAGUE SHENANDOAH DIVISION EVENT ON JAMES RIVER
Newport News’ Riveras Takes Co-angler Title
HENRICO, Va. (July 24, 2017) – Ben Jacobi of North Chesterfield, Virginia, brought five bass weighing 16 pounds, 10 ounces, to the scale Saturday to win the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Shenandoah Division tournament on the James River. For his win, Jacobi earned $3,426.
Jacobi said he started out the tournament fishing small feeder creeks near the mouth of the Chickahominy River.
“The water was lower than normal,” said Jacobi, who earned his first career-victory in FLW competition. “Around 7:15 (a.m.), I caught my second-largest bass on a ¼-ounce buzzbait.”
After his catch, Jacobi said he returned to the main river to fish wood and rock. He said he flipped a Texas-rigged green pumpkin-colored soft-plastic and was able to put a 5½ -pounder in the boat.
“I used the same bait the rest of the day and ran the tide back up to the takeoff ramp,” said Jacobi. “I worked through rock, wood and laydowns and had one nice cull in the last hour of competition that likely gave me the win.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Ben Jacobi, North Chesterfield, Va., five bass, 16-10, $3,426
2nd: Brian LaClair, Denton, Md., five bass, 15-11, $1,713
3rd: Andy Francis, Chester, Va., five bass, 15-1, $1,341
4th: Cavin Young, Prince George, Va., five bass, 14-4, $899
5th: Michael Martinez, Lanexa, Va., five bass, 13-14, $1,115
6th: Chris Dillow, Waynesboro, Va., five bass, 13-7, $928
7th: Keith Estes, Spring Grove, Va., five bass, 13-5, $571
8th: Stephen Miller, Mechanicsville, Va., five bass, 12-15, $514
9th: Curtis Talbott, Forest, Va., five bass, 12-11, $457
10th: Jason Holder, Powhatan, Va., five bass, 12-2, $400
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Martinez weighed an 8-pound, 6-ounce bass – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division. The catch earned him the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $430.
Victor Riveras of Newport News, Virginia, won the Co-angler Division and $1,913 Saturday after catching five bass weighing 12 pounds, 8 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Victor Riveras, Newport News, Va., five bass, 12-8, $1,913
2nd: Joshua Wright, Toano, Va., four bass, 9-5, $763
2nd: Jeff Lederman, Powhatan, Va., five bass, 9-5, $713
4th: Matt McCluskey, Ashburn, Va., three bass, 9-4, $400
5th: Danny Crickenberger, Charlottesville, Va., five bass, 8-15, $343
6th: John Poos, Manassas, Va., five bass, 8-14, $314
7th: Jerry Comperatore, Tarentum, Pa., four bass, 8-13, $271
7th: Al Berkley, Madison Heights, Va., five bass, 8-13, $271
9th: Corey Chatham, Ruther Glen, Va., five bass, 8-1, $228
10th: Matthew Harney, Manassas, Va., three bass, 7-15, $415
Harney caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – a fish weighing 5 pounds, 4 ounces – and earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $215.
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. 19-21 BFL Regional Championship on Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Georgia. 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 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.
For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
ADRIAN COLLEGE WINS YETI FLW COLLEGE FISHING TOURNAMENT AT LAKE CHAUTAUQUA
CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y. (July 24, 2017) – The Adrian College duo of Jarrett Martin and Zachary Graham, both of Gallipolis, Ohio, won the YETI FLW College Fishing Northern Conference tournament at Lake Chautauqua presented by Bass Pro Shops Saturday with a five-bass limit weighing 16 pounds, 3 ounces. The victory earned the Adrian bass club $2,000 and the team will now advance to compete at the 2018 FLW College Fishing National Championship.
“We were fishing on the north end of the lake,” said Graham, a sophomore, double majoring in environmental studies and geology. “We found a stretch of bank with no docks with a long rocky flat. About 40 yards off of the bank the rock would meet the grass, and we just worked the grassline all day long.”
“It was really one of the only green grassy areas that we were able to find,” said Martin, a senior majoring in business administration. “The lake has been sprayed recently, and there was quite a bit of brown, dead grass. But the fish were in the green stuff.”
“Jarrett was throwing a (Rebel) Pop-R off of the front all day and I was throwing a fluke off of the back,” Graham said. “We doubled up at least seven times.”
The duo estimated they caught around 20 keepers throughout the day – around 13 smallmouth and seven largemouth. Their five-bass limit that they brought to the weigh-in scale consisted of two smallmouth and three largemouth.
“I think the key for us was the cloud cover,” Martin said. “If it would have been sunny, the fish would have been hiding in the shade. But, the way the clouds were, the bass were in the mood to eat all day and were extremely active.”
“I think the Pop-R was the key,” Graham added. “We have a lot of confidence in that bait and it produced the two biggest fish of the day for us.”
The top 10 teams that advanced to the 2018 College Fishing National Championship are:
1st: Adrian College – Jarrett Martin and Zachary Graham, both of Gallipolis, Ohio, five bass, 16-3, $2,400
2nd: Lake Superior State University – Jake Dorony, South Lyon, Mich., and Hunter Scharphorn, Grand Haven, Mich., five bass, 15-6, $1,000
3rd: Adrian College – Nicholas Czajka, Brighton, Mich., and Jack Hippe III, Davison, Mich., five bass, 15-3, $700
4th: Youngstown State University – Jonathan Creed, Niles, Ohio, and Mike Soots, McDonald, Ohio, five bass, 14-13, $500
5th: James Madison University – Blake Miles, Chesterfield, Va., and Jack Goodwyn, Powhatan, Va., five bass, 14-12, $500
6th: Michigan State University – Tyler Andrews, Charlotte, Mich., and Danny Sprague, Hastings, Mich., five bass, 14-8
7th: Pennsylvania State University – Derek Horner, Port Matilda, Pa., and Maurice Hudson, Broomall, Pa., five bass, 14-4
8th: Kutztown University of Pennsylvania – Joe Tini, Archibald, Pa., and Corey Bechtel, Allentown, Pa., five bass, 14-1
9th: Pennsylvania State University – Chris Trianosky, Phoenixville, Pa., and Lou Mocniak, Washington, Pa., five bass, 13-14
10th: West Virginia University – Michael Shughart, Shippensburg, Pa., and Branden Newcome, Ellamore, W.Va., five bass, 13-4
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
This YETI FLW College Fishing Northern Conference event at Lake Chautauqua was the second regular-season qualifying tournament for Northern Conference anglers in 2017. The next YETI FLW College Fishing event will be the Northern Conference regular-season finale, scheduled for Sept. 9 on Lake Erie in Sandusky, Ohio.
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, along with an additional qualifier for every 10 teams over 100 that compete, along with the top 20 teams from the annual YETI FLW College Fishing Open advance to the 2018 FLW College Fishing National Championship.
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 regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow College Fishing on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing. Visit FLWFishing.com to sign up or to start a club at your school.
Mosley does differently for Elite Series Runner-up finish
Brock Mosley made a statement this week. He beat 107 Elite Series pros on the St Lawrence River with 82 ponds, 3 ounces of smallmouth bass.
Unfortunately for the 2nd year Elite Series angler from Mississippi, there were 108 other competitors, including Kevin VanDam who weighed-in 90 pounds, 3 ounces to claim his 24th career victory.
Still, it was a great week for Mosley.
“When you average better than 20 pounds a day and you still get beat by 8 pounds there’s not much you can hang your head about.
“I’ll be real honest, I thought I did just enough to hang onto 5th or 6th place. I didn’t have any idea those guys were struggling as bad as they were.”
Mosley’s performance looked different from the rest of the field, and so does his rod locker.
Mosley uses Spiralite Rods. I looked at their stuff during the recent ICAST show. I was drawn to them because of the guide design. The guides wrap around the blank instead of running straight up it. I questioned Mosley about this design feature ‘every rod builder I’ve ever talked with has stressed the importance of finding the spine of the blank and placing all guides right along it, so what’s up with these guides that spiral around the blank?’.
“This technology has been used in saltwater,” explained Mosley, “so it will hold up to the bass we catch.”
Charley Almassey of Spiralite further explains, “Only the 3 Transition guides are off the spine neareast the reel seat which happens to also be the strongest section of the blank making it a mute point. All of the Running guides in the top 3rd of the rod where tensile strength is most critical are perfectly aligned along the spine.”
Makes sense to me now!
And it makes even more sense when backed-up by the performance a of a young pro who almost took down the giantest giant in our sport!
“I used a couple of the Defiant Series and a couple of the Maverick Series rods by Spiralite this week,” said Mosley. “They are spinning rods.”
With those spinning rods Mosley further departed from his peers by tossing a Ned rig (1/5 oz.) with a 4-inch Senko until the final day when winds forced him to switch to a dropshot with a Net Baits Contour Worm. “The wind was blowing so hard I couldn’t keep contact with the bottom with the Ned rig.”
Mosley had an actual pattern going and he ran new water with it each day. “I caught three 4-pounders today on a spot I hadn’t fished all week.
“I was catching them on the shoals in a certain depth, 18-to23 or 24 feet – not much deeper than 25. So I used my Garmin electronics depth-shading feature to outline that contour and I just ran all over the river looking for this certain color that I put on my electronics and, usually, I would catch a fish at each one of them.”
The bites came slow, but they were quality fish. “I wasn’t getting many bites. I would sit there and fish it for 15-to-20 minutes if not longer to get them to bite but usually if I got a bite it was a good one.”
Again, Mosley was mostly alone in his efforts, even among the deep water crowd. “Most of the guys who were fishing deep were fishing faster current areas. I was fishing more slack water.”
Going his own way worked well for Brock Mosley. As you read this he is practicing for the next Elite Series event on Lake Champlain where he hopes to keep the momentum going.
“I’ve been to Champlain several times and I’ve had a little success there. I’ve got a Top 10 there before and I would love to get another Top 10 but to do it against this group of guys is not easy to do.”
DIEDRICH WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL ILLINI DIVISION EVENT ON OHIO RIVER
Bonnie’s Brookman Earns Co-angler Title
GOLCONDA, Ill. (July 24, 2017) – Chad Diedrich of Nashville, Illinois, won the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Illini Division tournament on the Ohio River Saturday after catching five bass weighing 15 pounds, 9 ounces. Diedrich earned $6,116 for his efforts.
“I decided to lock to the Cumberland River because I was having a hard time getting a bite on the Ohio River,” said Diedrich, who notched his first career-win in FLW competition. “I stopped at a bank about a mile from the Barkley Lake tailwaters and caught the first fish I weighed on a (Watermelon Red Flake-colored) Wave Worm Tiki Stick.”
As he worked his way closer to the Barkley Lake dam, Diedrich said he fished near the bank, where slackwater met the current.
“Other anglers seemed to be focused on the current breaks created by rocks out deep, but I couldn’t get that to work for me,” said Diedrich. “I put the bait in the slackwater. I popped it two or three times, let it sit and then popped it again so it could enter the current. I let it flow for a bit and then reeled in. I’d get as close as 100 yards to the dam before drifting back and starting all over again.”
Diedrich said he fished the Cumberland River until 12:45 p.m. before making his way back to the takeoff ramp. With 40 minutes left in his day, Diedrich said he used a spinnerbait to catch a 3-pounder near a laydown.
“The final 3-pounder likely put me over the top,” said Diedrich. “I don’t think I would’ve edged second place without that fish. “
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Chad Diedrich, Nashville, Ill., five bass, 15-9, $4,116 + $2,000 Ranger Cup Bonus
2nd: Marty Sisk, Evansville, Ind., five bass, 13-6, $2,020
3rd: Leroy McDuffie, McLeansboro, Ill., five bass, 10-9, $1,614
4th: Mike Barnes, Mackinaw, Ill., five bass, 10-4, $850
5th: Shane Haslett, Beecher City, Ill., four bass, 10-0, $728
6th: Travis Boley, Weldon, Ill., four bass, 9-12, $668
7th: William Walker, Mulkeytown, Ill., five bass, 9-11, $607
8th: Brandon Broadway, Golconda, Ill., four bass, 9-4, $546
9th: Shawn Panick, New Lenox, Ill., four bass, 9-3, $485
10th: Justin Berger, Murray, Ky., four bass, 9-2, $425
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Diedrich also caught a fish weighing 4 pounds, 14 ounces – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division. The catch earned him the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $475.
Adam Brookman of Bonnie, Illinois, won the Co-angler Division and $1,977 Saturday with a five-bass limit weighing 9 pounds, 5 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Adam Brookman, Bonnie, Ill., five bass, 9-5, $1,977
2nd: William Richno, Raymond, Ill., five bass, 8-13, $888
3rd: Matt Chumbler, Carbondale, Ill., five bass, 8-3, $642
4th: Aaron Arning, Walnut Hill, Ill., five bass, 8-2, $415
5th: Eric Thrasher, Decatur, Ill., five bass, 8-1, $355
6th: Ernie Richards, Dixon, Ill., three bass, 7-3, $326
7th: Edward Helf, Alto Pass, Ill., three bass, 6-7, $296
8th: Dale Renth, Mascoutah, Ill., three bass, 6-5, $267
9th: Jeff Kirby, Philo, Ill., two bass, 6-0, $237
10th: Obadiah Holsapple, Greenup, Ill., five bass, 5-11, $207
Carl Lingle of Dongola, Illinois, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – a fish weighing 4 pounds even – and earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $227.
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. 5-7 BFL Regional Championship on Kentucky Lake in Gilbertsville, Kentucky. 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 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.
For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
GANN WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL GREAT LAKES DIVISION TOURNAMENT ON MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Ettrick’s Anderson Earns Co-angler Title
LA CROSSE, Wis. (July 24, 2017) – Brandon Gann of Sparta, Wisconsin, caught three bass weighing 10 pounds, 14 ounces, Saturday to win the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Great Lakes Division tournament on the Mississippi River. For his win, Gann pocketed $5,401.
“I primarily fished backwaters off of the main-river channel – basically anywhere that I could find clean water,” said Gann, who logged his third career-win on the Mississippi River in BFL competition. “We had some severe weather roll through and it dirtied everything up, so I had to start from scratch. It was almost like pre-fishing the entire region again.”
Gann said he spent the event fishing Pool No. 8, and that his most productive bait was a Spro Dean Rojas Bronzeye Frog 65.
“I rotated between four or five different areas and worked the frog through lily pads mixed with duckweed,” said Gann. “It was tough out there – I think I only caught four keepers the entire day.”
One of Gann’s keepers – a 5-pound, 9-ounce bass – ended up being the largest of the event.
“I caught the big bass on the Bronzeye frog around 1 p.m., and it was definitely what won it for me,” said Gann. “I was very fortunate to get that bite.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Brandon Gann, Sparta, Wis., three bass, 10-14, $5,401
2nd: Todd Hancock, Rothschild, Wis., three bass, 10-13, $2,670
3rd: Mike Feldermann, Galena, Ill., three bass, 10-7, $1,514
4th: Bob Bungard, Holmen, Wis., three bass, 10-0, $1,060
5th: Fernando Lobato, Sparta, Wis., three bass, 9-15, $908
6th: Jason Skutt, Menomonie, Wis., three bass, 9-14, $833
7th: Tom Howland, Riceville, Iowa, three bass, 9-11, $757
8th: Yamamoto Baits pro Tom Monsoor, La Crosse, Wis., three bass, 9-9, $681
9th: Brent Schroeder, Caledonia, Minn., three bass, 9-5, $537
9th: Kyle Meyer, Blaine, Minn., three bass, 9-5, $537
9th: William Schultz, Viroqua, Wis., three bass, 9-5, $537
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Gann’s 5-pound, 9-ounce catch also earned him the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $660.
Kevin Anderson of Ettrick, Wisconsin, caught three bass weighing 10 pounds, 4 ounces, to win the Co-Angler Division and $2,435.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Kevin Anderson, Ettrick, Wis., three bass, 10-4, $2,435
2nd: Donald Roscovius, Tomah, Wis., three bass, 9-11, $1,235
3rd: Steve Ubersox, Cherry Valley, Ill., three bass, 9-6, $757
4th: Nick Gifford, Cameron, Wis., three bass, 9-2, $530
5th: Tong Lor, La Crosse, Wis., three bass, 8-13, $454
6th: Craig Fanning, Elwood, Ill., three bass, 8-10, $416
7th: Bill Gabel, Willowbrook, Ill., three bass, 8-8, $378
8th: Richard Conrad, Burnsville, Minn., three bass, 8-2, $341
9th: Tim Czesak, Bloomingdale, Ill., three bass, 8-0, $334
9th: Cody Hackett, Stoddard, Wis., three bass, 8-0, $334
Nicholas Leno of Chicago, Illinois, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – a fish weighing 3 pounds, 9 ounces – and earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $165.
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. 12-14 BFL Regional Championship on the Barren River in Scottsville, Kentucky. 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 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.
For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
T-H MARINE SPONSORS TITO'S REDFISH SERIES
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KVD Breaks Down his 24th BASS Win on the St Lawrence River
Special thanks to Alan McGuckin and Dynamic Sponsorships for this video.
KVD wins his 24th BASS Tournament! Goes wire-to-wire on St. Lawrence
Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., won the 2017 Huk Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River presented by Go RVing held out of Waddington, N.Y., Sunday, with a four-day total weight of 90 pounds, 3 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2017
Kevin VanDam Finishes Strong To Win St. Lawrence River Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament
WADDINGTON, N.Y. — By noon Sunday, Kevin VanDam was already working his way back to toward Whittaker Park, where the weigh-in would be held about three hours later.
He knew it was over — and so did most everyone else.
After leading the first three days, VanDam caught five bass today that weighed 23 pounds, 12 ounces to punctuate a dominant victory in the Huk Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River presented by Go RVing. His four-day total of 90-3 is one of the highest ever recorded by an Elite Series angler weighing in only smallmouth bass.
The closest angler to KVD was Mississippi pro Brock Mosley, who finished 8 pounds back with 82-3.
“I fished my very first B.A.S.S. tournament here on the St. Lawrence River in 1987,” said VanDam, who earned his B.A.S.S.-record 24th victory. “Someone told me today that this is my 300th tournament with B.A.S.S., and I had no idea. So, all of that makes this really special.”
VanDam earned $100,000 for first place and $1,500 more for landing the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the week — a monster 6-5 smallmouth that bit early Sunday morning. He also won the Livingston Lures Day 2 Leader Award of $500 for leading Friday’s second day of competition and the Power-Pole Captain’s Cash Award of $1,000 for being the highest-placing angler who is registered and eligible with a client-approved product on his boat.
The cash prizes pushed his career earnings with B.A.S.S. to more than $6.2 million.
“I’ve had a couple of chances to win already this year, and I kind of let those slip away,” VanDam said. “It is hard to win one of these blue trophies — and it’s something I never, ever take for granted. This one means as much as any tournament I’ve ever won.”
Regarded as one of the top smallmouth anglers in the history of the sport, VanDam put on an incredible show all four days of the event, rotating among a variety of lures.
During the early stages of the tournament, his primary technique was drop shotting with a chartreuse Strike King Dream Shot in strong current.
“I was fishing it just as fast as I could,” VanDam said. “I’d bomb it out there, let it hit the bottom, shake it once and one would just load up on it. That’s how I caught that 24 pounds the first day.
“But I had to mix it up every day.”
As the week progressed, VanDam also used several different jerkbaits and swimbaits and a wacky-rigged Strike King Ocho. He said a new wacky-rig hook that was unveiled by Mustad during the ICAST trade show in Orlando, Fla., earlier this month played a big role in his success.
On Sunday, he used an unspecified “spybait” when the winds were blowing and it was hard to fish a bait on the bottom.
“Smallmouth are very aggressive by nature, but you have to give them what they want for what mood they’re in,” said VanDam, who also recorded victories in B.A.S.S. events on the St. Lawrence River in 1995 and 1999. “Sometimes they’ll chase something 20 yards and eat it, and other times they’re just really timid.
“That spybait allowed me to show them something a little different, and I was able to make that pay off today.”
With the victory, VanDam moved into third place in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings. Idaho pro Brandon Palaniuk took the lead with 621 points and received a $1,000 contingency award from Toyota as the current leader. He is followed in the AOY standings by South Carolina pro Casey Ashley with 613 and VanDam with 604.
Palaniuk was awarded the Toyota Bonus Bucks award of $3,000 for being the highest-placing eligible entrant in the program. The second-highest-placing eligible entrant, Jonathon VanDam, received $2,000.
The Village of Waddington hosted the event.
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Berkley, Huk, Humminbird, Nitro Boats, Mercury, Minn Kota, Power-Pole, Shell Rotella
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, Shimano, T-H Marine, Advance Auto Parts, 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 more than 45 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, Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks 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]
2017 HUK Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence presented by Go RVing 7/20-7/23
St. Lawrence River, Waddington NY.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 4
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 20 90-03 110 $103,000.00
Day 1: 5 24-05 Day 2: 5 19-08 Day 3: 5 22-10 Day 4: 5 23-12
2. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 20 82-03 109 $25,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-08 Day 2: 5 21-08 Day 3: 5 20-01 Day 4: 5 20-02
3. Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID 20 82-00 108 $21,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 5 25-00 Day 3: 5 22-04 Day 4: 5 18-13
4. Brent Ehrler Redlands, CA 20 80-14 107 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 22-09 Day 2: 5 19-00 Day 3: 5 21-08 Day 4: 5 17-13
5. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 20 80-14 106 $14,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-09 Day 2: 5 21-15 Day 3: 5 21-08 Day 4: 5 16-14
6. James Elam Tulsa, OK 20 78-14 105 $13,500.00
Day 1: 5 21-12 Day 2: 5 18-01 Day 3: 5 20-11 Day 4: 5 18-06
7. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 20 78-12 104 $13,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 17-13 Day 3: 5 23-06 Day 4: 5 18-09
8. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 20 77-13 103 $12,500.00
Day 1: 5 21-14 Day 2: 5 20-14 Day 3: 5 19-05 Day 4: 5 15-12
9. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 20 77-09 102 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 22-08 Day 3: 5 18-10 Day 4: 5 16-13
10. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 20 76-08 101 $11,500.00
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 19-08 Day 3: 5 23-06 Day 4: 5 14-14
11. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 20 75-13 100 $11,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-06 Day 2: 5 18-00 Day 3: 5 21-09 Day 4: 5 15-14
12. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 20 70-09 99 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 21-12 Day 2: 5 19-12 Day 3: 5 19-09 Day 4: 5 09-08
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 06-05 $1,500.00
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