FLW ANNOUNCES 2018 FLW TOUR PRO ROSTER
MINNEAPOLIS (Dec. 12, 2017) – Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) announced today the complete professional angler roster for the upcoming 2018 FLW Tour season, the 23rd season of the FLW Tour. The 2018 FLW Tour features seven regular-season tournaments around the country with competition kicking off when FLW returns to Lake Okeechobee, Jan. 25-28 in Clewiston, Florida, and is headlined by the world championship of bass fishing, the Forrest Wood Cup at Lake Ouachita, Aug. 10-12 in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Demand for entry into the 2018 FLW Tour was unprecedented, with well over 200 pros registering last week. Per the FLW Tour qualifying process, 160 pros gained priority entry based on finishing the 2017 FLW Tour ranked in the top 100 pros or in the top 10 co-anglers, finishing a 2017 Costa FLW Series division ranked in the top 10 pros, or winning the TBF National Championship or the T-H Marine BFL All-American as a boater.
Additionally, there was record demand for sponsor entries, which do not count toward the maximum field size. To accommodate qualified anglers and sponsor entries, including those from loyal Ranger boat owners, the 2018 FLW Tour will feature 187 pros.
Due to the increased field size, 10 additional spots will be added to the pro payout at $10,000 each. In addition to the $125,000 paycheck that is awarded to FLW Tour winners, FLW will now pay out at least $10,000 to pros down to 60th place. The co-angler payout will be $700 for each additional co-angler entry over 160, so the co-angler payout for 51st to 76th place will be $700.
The 2018 FLW Tour pro roster is headlined by two-time reigning Angler of the Year (AOY) Bryan Thrift of Shelby, North Carolina, and 2017 Forrest Wood Cup champion Justin Atkins of Florence, Alabama. They’ll be joined by seven former FLW Tour AOY winners, seven former Forrest Wood Cup champions, and 25 Tour rookies in 2018.
“We couldn’t be more excited to kick off another fantastic FLW Tour season next month at Lake Okeechobee,” said Bill Taylor, Senior FLW Tournament Director. “The professional anglers on the FLW Tour are among the best in the world, and we look forward to showcasing them across eight of the finest fisheries in the United States. With our record-breaking demand for participation, we expect the 2018 season to be the most challenging, competitive season in the history of the FLW Tour.”
In FLW Tour competition anglers are vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing. The 2018 Forrest Wood Cup on Lake Ouachita and is hosted by Visit Hot Springs and the State of Arkansas.
For 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.
2018 FLW Tour Anglers
Jason Abram Piney Flats, Tenn.
Dean Alexander Georgetown, Texas
Matt Arey Shelby, N.C.
*Taylor Ashley Warrior, Ala.
Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, Okla.
Justin Atkins Florence, Ala.
Todd Auten Lake Wylie, S.C.
Evan Barnes Hot Springs, Ark.
Clayton Batts Macon, Ga.
*Matt Becker Finleyville, Pa.
Robert Behrle Hoover, Ala.
Zack Birge Blanchard, Okla.
Daryl Biron South Windsor, Conn.
Derrick Blake Rockwood, Tenn.
Randy Blaukat Joplin, Mo.
Greg Bohannan Bentonville, Ark.
Terry Bolton Paducah, Ky.
Allen Boyd Salem, Ind.
Christopher Brasher Longview, Texas
Aaron Britt Yuba City, Calif.
Chase Brooks Iraan, Texas
*Clint Brown Bainbridge, Ga.
Glenn Browne Ocala, Fla.
Keith Bryan Novato, Calif.
Grae Buck Harleysville, Pa.
*Tim Cales Sandstone, W. Va.
*William Campbell Middlesboro, Ky.
Scott Canterbury Odenville, Ala.
*Todd Castledine Nacogdoches, Texas
*Russell Cecil Willis, Texas
Ryan Chandler Hebron, Ind.
Glenn Chappelear Acworth, Ga.
Joey Cifuentes Clinton, Ark.
Brandon Cobb Greenwood, S.C.
*Sheldon Collings Grove, Okla.
Ramie Colson Jr. Cadiz, Ky.
Kyle Cortiana Broken Arrow, Okla.
John Cox DeBary, Fla.
Shirley Crain Fort Smith, Ark.
Alex Davis Albertville, Ala.
Clent Davis Montevallo, Ala.
Darrell Davis Dover, Fla.
Bill Day Frankfort, Ky.
John Devere Berea, Ky.
Jeff Dobson Bartlesville, Okla.
Scott Dobson Clarkston, Mich.
Bradley Dortch Atmore, Ala.
Josh Douglas Isle, Minn.
Kurt Dove Del Rio, Texas
David Dudley Lynchburg, Va.
Tony Dumitras Winston, Ga.
Luke Dunkin Lawrenceburg, Tenn.
Richie Eaves Nauvoo, Ill.
Charlie Evans Berea, Ky.
Austin Felix Eden Prairie, Minn.
Mark Fisher Wauconda, Ill.
Tim Frederick Leesburg, Fla.
Anthony Gagliardi Prosperity, S.C.
Nick Gainey Charleston, S.C.
*Matt Garner Seminole, Okla.
*Cameron Gautney Muscle Shoals, Ala.
Chris Gosselaar Fresno, Calif.
Matt Greenblatt Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, Minn.
Buddy Gross Chickamauga, Ga.
Jeff Gustafson Keewatin, Ontario, Canada
*Cody Hahner Wausau, Wis.
Bradley Hallman Norman, Okla.
*Steven Hatala St. Clair Shores, Mich.
Randy Haynes Counce, Tenn.
Dylan Hays Sheridan, Ark.
Billy Hines Vacaville, Calif.
Todd Hollowell Fishers, Ind.
Jamie Horton Centerville, Ala.
Jimmy Houston Cookson, Okla.
*Miles Howe San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
Rex Huff Corbin, Ky.
John Hunter Shelbyville, Ky.
*Freddy Hurley Somerset, Ky.
Bill Hutchison Bessemer, Ala.
Eric Jackson Walling, Tenn.
Carl Jocumsen Frisco, Texas
Jason Johnson Dawsonville, Ga.
Chris Johnston Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Cory Johnston Cavan, Ontario, Canada
Jim Jones Big Bend, Wis.
*Rob Jordan Flowery Branch, Ga.
Cody Kelley Conway, Ark.
Jay Kendrick Grant, Ala.
J.T. Kenney Palm Bay, Fla.
Rob Kilby Hot Springs, Ark.
Brad Knight Lancing, Tenn.
Koby Kreiger Bokeelia, Fla.
Jason Lambert Michie, Tenn.
*David Larson Mound, Minn.
Brian Latimer Belton, S.C.
Jeremy Lawyer Sarcoxie, Mo.
Shane Lehew Catawba, N.C.
Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, N.C.
Craig Livesay Johnson City, Tenn.
*Wes Logan Springville, Ala.
Richard Lowitzki Hampshire, Ill.
*Greg Mansfield Burnsville, Minn.
Scott Martin Clewiston, Fla.
Lendell Martin Jr. Nacogdoches, Texas
Billy McCaghren Mayflower, Ark.
Chris McCall Palmer, Texas
Johnny McCombs Morris, Ala.
Bill McDonald Greenwood, Ind.
Tim McDonald Prestonsburg, Ky.
Brandon McMillan Clewiston, Fla.
Jared McMillan Belle Glade, Fla.
Jason Meninger Saint Augustine, Fla.
Cody Meyer Auburn, Calif.
Kerry Milner Bono, Ark.
Kurt Mitchell Milford, Del.
Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, Texas
Tom Monsoor La Crosse, Wis.
Harry Moore Valley, Ala.
Andy Morgan Dayton, Tenn.
Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, Mo.
Bob Morin Seymour, Tenn.
Troy Morrow Eastanollee, Ga.
Brandon Mosley Choctaw, Okla.
Jim Moulton Merced, Calif.
Jim Moynagh Carver, Minn.
Shawn Murphy Nicholasville, Ky.
Britt Myers Clover, S.C.
Michael Neal Dayton, Tenn.
Chris Neau New Orleans, La.
*David Nichol Gainesville, Ga.
James Niggemeyer Van, Texas
Larry Nixon Bee Branch, Ark.
Robert Pearson Herndon, Va.
Pete Ponds Madison, Miss.
Brett Preuett Monroe, La.
Chad Randles Elkhorn, Neb.
Tom Redington Royse City, Texas
Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas
Clark Reehm Elm Grove, La.
Jimmy Reese Witter Springs, Calif.
Jason Reyes Huffman, Texas
Curtis Richardson Belleville, Ontario, Canada
Darrel Robertson Jay, Okla.
Mark Rose West Memphis, Ark.
Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas
*Craig Rozema Simpsonville, S.C.
Casey Scanlon Lake Ozark, Mo.
Bryan Schmitt Deale, Md.
Terry Segraves Kissimmee, Fla.
Braxton Setzer Montgomery, Ala.
William Shelton III La Crosse, Va.
Blake Smith Lakeland, Fla.
David Smith Edmond, Okla.
Jeff Sprague Point, Texas
Matthew Stefan Junction City, Wis.
*Tyler Stewart West Monroe, La.
Scott Suggs Alexander, Ark.
Mike Surman Boca Raton, Fla.
Peter Thliveros Saint Augustine, Fla.
Timmy Thompkins Myrtle Beach, S.C.
*Furman (Joe) Thompson Clayton, Ga.
Bryan Thrift Shelby, N.C.
Dennis Tietje Roanoke, La.
Rusty Trancygier Hahira, Ga.
J. Todd Tucker Moultrie, Ga.
Jim Tutt Longview, Texas
Andrew Upshaw Tulsa, Okla.
John Voyles Petersburg, Ind.
James Watson Lampe, Mo.
Joshua Weaver Macon, Ga.
Joseph Webster Winfield, Ala.
Kyle Weisenburger Ottawa, Ohio
Clark Wendlandt Leander, Texas
Chris Whitson Louisville, Tenn.
*Andy Wicker Pomaria, S.C.
Scott Wiley Bay Minette, Ala.
David Williams Maiden, N.C.
Barry Wilson Birmingham, Ala.
Matt Wittekiend Angleton, Texas
Kenneth Woods London, Ky.
Michael Wooley Collierville, Tenn.
*David Wootton Collierville, Tenn.
Gary Yamamoto Palestine, Texas
Jay Yelas Lincoln City, Ore.
Andy Young Mound, Minn.
*Ronald Young Lake Wales, Fla.
* denotes 2018 FLW Tour Rookie
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 274 bass-fishing tournaments annually across the United States and sanctions tournaments in Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Italy and Portugal. 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: @FLWFishing.
Bassmaster Elite Series Field Set For 2018
Dec. 12, 2017
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A star-studded field of 111 professional bass anglers — including a mix of rookies, legends and veterans from other tournament circuits — will make up the 2018 Bassmaster Elite Series field when competition gets underway on Lake Martin, Alabama, in February.
The lineup includes 99 anglers who competed in the Elite Series this year. They will be joined by 11 first-time Elite qualifiers and one Elite veteran, Rick Morris of Lake Gaston, Va., who is returning to the prestigious pro circuit after a three-year hiatus.
“The Elite field is getting stronger every year,” noted B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Trip Weldon. “Some of the anglers who achieved Elite status in the last few years — including Bassmaster Classic champion Jordan Lee — are already proving they belong in the top tier of this sport. I expect some of the pros qualifying from the Bassmaster Opens will become forces to be reckoned with right away, too.”
Weldon said that only three of the 15 qualifiers from the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens declined invitations to compete in the Elite Series.
Among those climbing in from the Opens is Hunter Shryock, brother of veteran Elite pro Fletcher Shryock, and at least two standouts from the FLW Tour. Shin Fukae and Wesley Strader have each won about $1.5 million in long careers with FLW. Because of their previous winnings, Fukae and Strader will not be eligible for Bassmaster Rookie of the Year honors next year.
Heading the list of anglers requalifying for the 11-event circuit are Brandon Palaniuk of Hayden, Idaho, the reigning Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year, and seven-time AOY winner Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich.
Also returning are 17 former Classic winners, including Lee. Three of those, Rick Clunn of Ava, Mo.; David Fritts of Lexington, N.C.; and Paul Elias of Laurel, Miss., narrowly missed requalifying this year but were given special “Legends” exemptions available to past Classic champions and AOY winners.
Requalifying through the Elites is based on Angler of the Year points earned the previous season. Newcomers also get a one-year grace period that guarantees them a second season. Should Opens anglers or others decline invitations, those spots are filled from a list based on average rankings in Angler of the Year points over the anglers’ careers.
Another nine Elite Series anglers failed to requalify this year and will have to climb back in through the Bassmaster Opens, said Weldon, who noted that they were offered priority entry into the 2018 Opens.
After the kickoff Elite tournament in February, the anglers will break for the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods on Lake Hartwell, South Carolina, March 16-18. Eight more regular-season Elites will be held between April and August. As in 2017, the Elite postseason will include the $1 million Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship (to be held next year on Lake Chatuge, Georgia, Sept. 20-23) and the wildly popular, live-streamed Bassmaster Classic Bracket Fish-Off (Oct. 23-26 on Carters Lake, Georgia).
2018 Bassmaster Elite Series Field
| Name | Hometown/State | Qualification Route | Rookie/Newcomer/Elite veteran |
| Casey Ashley | Donalds, S.C. | Elite Series | |
| Adrian Avena | Vineland, N.J. | Elite Series | |
| Drew Benton | Panama City, Fla. | Elite Series | |
| Josh Bertrand | San Tan Valley, Ariz. | Elite Series | |
| Tommy Biffle | Wagoner, Okla. | Elite Series | |
| Stetson Blaylock | Benton, Ark. | Elite Series | |
| Stephen Browning | Hot Springs, Ark. | Elite Series | |
| Brandon Card | Knoxville, Tenn. | Elite Series | |
| Tyler Carriere | Youngsville, La. | Elite Series | |
| Brent Chapman | Lake Quivira, Kan. | Elite Series | |
| Hank Cherry Jr. | Lincolnton, N.C. | Elite Series | |
| Jason Christie | Park Hill, Okla. | Elite Series | |
| Luke Clausen | Otis Orchards, Wash. | Elite Series | |
| Rick Clunn | Ava, Mo. | Legend | |
| Keith Combs | Huntington, Texas | Elite Series | |
| Dustin Connell | Clanton, Ala. | Elite Series | |
| Brandon Coulter | Knoxville, Tenn. | Elite Series | |
| John Crews Jr. | Salem, Va. | Elite Series | |
| Cliff Crochet | Pierre Part, La. | Elite Series | |
| Mark Daniels Jr. | Tuskegee, Ala. | Elite Series | |
| Mark Davis | Mount Ida, Ark. | Elite Series | |
| Ott DeFoe | Knoxville, Tenn. | Elite Series | |
| Boyd Duckett | Guntersville, Ala. | Elite Series | |
| Brent Ehrler | Redlands, Calif. | Elite Series | |
| James Elam | Tulsa, Okla. | Elite Series | |
| Paul Elias | Laurel, Miss. | Legend | |
| Edwin Evers | Talala, Okla. | Elite Series | |
| Todd Faircloth | Jasper, Texas | Elite Series | |
| Seth Feider | Bloomington, Minn. | Elite Series | |
| Micah Frazier | Newnan, Ga. | Elite Series | |
| David Fritts | Lexington, N.C. | Legend | |
| Shin Fukae | Palestine, Texas | Southern Opens | Newcomer |
| Shaw Grigsby Jr. | Gainesville, Fla. | Elite Series | |
| Chris Groh | Spring Grove, Ill. | Northern Opens | Rookie |
| Greg Hackney | Gonzales, La. | Elite Series | |
| Skylar Hamilton | Dandridge, Tenn. | Elite Series | |
| Ray Hanselman Jr. | Del Rio, Texas | Central Opens | Rookie |
| Jamie Hartman | Newport, N.Y. | Elite Series | |
| Roy Hawk | Lake Havasu, Ariz. | Central Opens | Rookie |
| Matt Herren | Ashville, Ala. | Elite Series | |
| Brett Hite | Phoenix, Ariz. | Elite Series | |
| Timmy Horton | Muscle Shoals, Ala. | Elite Series | |
| Randy Howell | Guntersville, Ala. | Elite Series | |
| Michael Iaconelli | Pittsgrove, N.J. | Elite Series | |
| Kelley Jaye | Dadeville, Ala. | Elite Series | |
| Alton Jones Jr. | Lorena, Texas | Elite Series | |
| Alton Jones | Lorena, Texas | Elite Series | |
| Kelly Jordon | Flint, Texas | Elite Series | |
| Steve Kennedy | Auburn, Ala. | Elite Series | |
| Gary Klein | Mingus, Texas | Elite Series | |
| Jeff Kriet | Ardmore, Okla. | Elite Series | |
| Chris Lane | Guntersville, Ala. | Elite Series | |
| Bobby Lane | Lakeland, Fla. | Elite Series | |
| Russ Lane | Prattville, Ala. | Elite Series | |
| Robbie Latuso | Gonzales, La. | Elite Series | |
| Jordan Lee | Guntersville, Ala. | Elite Series | |
| Matt Lee | Guntersville, Ala. | Elite Series | |
| Dave Lefebre | Erie, Pa. | Elite Series | |
| Brandon Lester | Fayetteville, Tenn. | Elite Series | |
| Jared Lintner | Arroyo Grande, Calif. | Elite Series | |
| Bill Lowen | Brookeville, Ind. | Elite Series | |
| Justin Lucas | Guntersville, Ala. | Elite Series | |
| Aaron Martens | Leeds, Ala. | Elite Series | |
| Mike McClelland | Bella Vista, Ark. | Elite Series | |
| Mark Menendez | Paducah, Ky. | Elite Series | |
| Ish Monroe | Hughson, Calif. | Elite Series | |
| Andy Montgomery | Blacksburg, S.C. | Elite Series | |
| Kyle Monti | Okeechobee, Fla. | Southern Opens | Rookie |
| Rick Morris | Lake Gaston, Va. | Southern Opens | Elite veteran |
| Brock Mosley | Collinsville, Miss. | Elite Series | |
| Paul Mueller | Naugatuck, Conn. | Elite Series | |
| David Mullins | Mt. Carmel, Tenn. | Elite Series | |
| John Murray | Spring City, Tenn. | Elite Series | |
| Darrell Ocamica | New Plymouth, Idaho | Elite Series | |
| Takahiro Omori | Emory, Texas | Elite Series | |
| Cliff Pace | Petal, Miss. | Elite Series | |
| Brandon Palaniuk | Hayden, Idaho | Elite Series | |
| Chad Pipkens | Lansing, Mich. | Northern Opens | Elite veteran |
| Clifford Pirch | Payson, Ariz. | Elite Series | |
| Keith Poche | Pike Road, Ala. | Elite Series | |
| Jacob Powroznik | N. Prince George, Va. | Elite Series | |
| Cliff Prince | Palatka, Fla. | Elite Series | |
| Skeet Reese | Auburn, Calif. | Elite Series | |
| Marty Robinson | Lyman, S.C. | Elite Series | |
| Dean Rojas | Lake Havasu City, Ariz. | Elite Series | |
| Scott Rook | Little Rock, Ark. | Elite Series | |
| Fred Roumbanis | Russellville, Ark. | Elite Series | |
| Bradley Roy | Lancaster, Ky. | Elite Series | |
| Bernie Schultz | Gainesville, Fla. | Elite Series | |
| Terry Scroggins | San Mateo, Fla. | Elite Series | |
| Morizo Shimizu | Osaka, Japan | Elite Series | |
| Fletcher Shryock | Dennison, Ohio | Elite Series | |
| Hunter Shryock | Newcomerstown, Ohio | Southern Opens | Rookie |
| Brian Snowden | Reeds Spring, Mo. | Elite Series | |
| Gerald Spohrer | Gonzales, La. | Elite Series | |
| Wesley Strader | Spring City, Tenn. | Northern Opens | Newcomer |
| Randy Sullivan | Breckenridge, Texas | Central Opens | Rookie |
| Caleb Sumrall | New Iberia, La. | B.A.S.S. Nation | Rookie |
| Gerald Swindle | Guntersville, Ala. | Elite Series | |
| Jesse Tacoronte | Orlando, Fla. | Elite Series | |
| Randall Tharp | Port St. Joe, Fla. | Elite Series | |
| Jonathon VanDam | Kalamazoo, Mich. | Elite Series | |
| Kevin VanDam | Kalamazoo, Mich. | Elite Series | |
| Greg Vinson | Wetumpka, Ala. | Elite Series | |
| David Walker | Sevierville, Tenn. | Elite Series | |
| Bill Weidler | Helena, Ala. | Southern Opens | Rookie |
| Jacob Wheeler | Harrison, Tenn. | Elite Series | |
| Jake Whitaker | Fairview, N.C. | Northern Opens | Rookie |
| Jesse Wiggins | Cullman, Ala. | Elite Series | |
| Jason Williamson | Wagener, S.C. | Elite Series | |
| Chris Zaldain | Laughlin, Nev. | Elite Series |
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Berkley, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Shell Rotella, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Academy Sports + Outdoors, Advance Auto Parts, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, Shimano, T-H Marine
Strike King Tip of the Week - Mark Zona and his "Running Back"
TV Host and Fishing Pro Mark Zona talks about the Strike King Structure Jig and why its the "Running Back" for his team. Check it out!
The American Couples Series National Championship Returns to Lake Hartwell in 2018
ATHENS, Ala. – The 2018 American Couples Series National Championship, presented by American Bass Anglers, will be hosted by the Anderson Convention & Visitors Bureau and will take place Sept. 16-21, 2018 at Green Pond Landing and Event Center on Lake Hartwell in Anderson, SC. The onsite registration and dinner will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018.
“We are so excited about the opportunity to have the ABA Couples Championship back in Anderson County, Green Pond Landing and Lake Hartwell after hosting them in October 2016. In hosting the Couples Championship, we found that the participants traveled to Anderson and made a significant economic impact to our community in addition to being able to enjoy our great facilities and our championship lake. With that, we wasted little time in wanting to bring them back to our community. Our community continues to be very supportive of fishing and with the commitment that Anderson County has made to improving Green Pond Landing, we expect to raise the bar on the service that our guests experience each time they visit Anderson County,” said Neil Paul, Executive Director of Visit Anderson.
This event will be open to couples that have competed in four, one day events. These couples will be competing for the first-place prize of $4000, and bragging rights for the year.
“Returning to Lake Hartwell is always a pleasure and our Couples love the fishing and the community support. Anderson County is the most angler friendly of any host community we have been associated with, their support for the fishermen is second to none.” said Morris Sheehan, President of American Bass Anglers.
Since opening in December 2014, Green Pond Landing has hosted the ABA Ray Scott Championship and the ABA American Fishing Tour National Championship. The Anderson community provides a multitude of excellent lodging and dining options close to Green Pond Landing for the competitors, as well as many activities for the families and participating anglers. The competitors will fish Lake Hartwell, the 56,000-acre reservoir along the Savannah and Tugaloo Rivers, which spans part of the South Carolina-Georgia border.
Since Lake Hartwell sits on the South Carolina-Georgia line, anglers can fish the lake with a license from either state. For Anderson County area information, call the Anderson County Convention & Visitors Bureau at (864) 716-3660 or visit www.andersoncountysc.org .
For more information on this tournament, call ABA at 256-232-0406 or see www.americanbassanglers.com.
American Bass Anglers commitment is to provide 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 and the American Fishing Tour, the Truck Open Series, the 100% Plus Team Tour, or the American Couples Series visit www.americanbassanglers.com.
Lakeside's Abby Montgomery & John Adams Gray Take First Place with 21.58 lb Limit in Alabama BASS Nation High School Qualifier on Guntersville
Lakeside's Abby Montgomery & John Adams Gray took first place with 21.58 lbs and Cullman takes the first place 6-Man Team Award.
1st -73rd place qualified for the state championship.
Full Results Below.
Butler Secures Final Spot In The Classic At Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Classic Fish-Off
Ryan Butler of the Joe Bass team trail wins the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off on Norfork Lake with 18 pounds, 11 ounces. This victory earns Butler a berth in the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, which will be held March 16-18 on South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell.
Photo by Ronnie Moore/B.A.S.S.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 9, 2017
MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. — Ryan Butler said on Friday that he was sore from casting so many times during that round of the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off.
And after all that work, he only had two bass to show for it.
On Saturday during the final day of the fish-off portion of the competition, Butler said he couldn’t guess how many hundreds of casts he made while feverishly working the shorelines of Norfork Lake here in the heart of the Ozark Mountains.
He still only had five keeper bites today, but he made every one of them count.
Butler, a 36-year-old resident of Blue Eye, Mo., caught a limit of five bass on Saturday that weighed 15 pounds, 1 ounce. Coupled with the two bass he caught on Friday (which weighed a total of 3-10), Butler finished with a two-day total of 18-11. That was enough to lead the six-angler field and earn the last remaining spot in the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods which will be held March 16-18 on Lake Hartwell at Greenville and Anderson, S.C.
Despite having only two bass on Friday, Butler eventually realized he still had a great chance to win the fish-off. Robert Dodson Sr., a 71-year-old angler from nearby Harrison, Ark., led Friday’s round, but he only had three bass for a 6-6 total today. Beau Govreau of St. Louis, Mo., was the only other angler who caught a bass on Friday; the three other competitors zeroed.
“I was disappointed coming in on Friday with only two bass,” Butler said. “I thought I had blown it. You only get so many chances at something like this. Then my partner in the team competition (Dustin Lippe) didn’t catch a fish. Another guy didn’t catch anything and another guy didn’t have anything. And with Dodson only having three bass, I said ‘Wait a minute. There’s still hope.’
“So when I got here today, I was fishing to win it,” Butler said.
Butler, who fishes with the Joe Bass team trail, was hot on Saturday morning despite temperatures that were in the mid-20s at launch. He boated a smallmouth that weighed nearly 3 pounds in the opening minutes of competition, and he had four bass in the livewell by 9 a.m. (including a 4-plus pound bass that anchored his bag). Butler went more than four hours without a fifth bite, however, but he finally got his limit about an hour before weigh-in.
Butler caught all his bass on a loon-colored Whopper Plopper topwater bait that he outfitted with Mustad triple grip hooks. He threw the bait on a 7-foot, 4-inch Denali worm and jig rod. He caught his bass in anywhere from 1 to 4 feet of water and said wind and shade were keys to his bites.
“(Dustin and I) knew that we could get better bites on that Whopper Plopper,” Butler said. “It’s a heavy bait, and you can throw it a long way. And that rod is just a good, long rod with a good tip on it. We use it with a lot of techniques. I did the same thing yesterday, but we didn’t have the wind to make it effective. Today, we did.”
Butler said it’s every bass angler’s dream to compete in the Bassmaster Classic, and he’s excited for the chance. But first, he needs rest.
“I’m physically exhausted,” he said. “It was hard out here this week. It was freezing cold, and we had to work for every bite. But more than anything, I’m emotionally exhausted. The mental part of this probably is harder than anything.
“This is a dream come true. You never know if you’re going to get your chance to do something like this.”
Butler was part of 162 two-person teams that competed in the team championship portion of the event on Wednesday and Thursday. He and Lippe, who lives in Lampe, Mo., finished second in the Team Championship and both got the chance to fish two more days for a spot in the Classic.
His win marked the second consecutive year an angler from the Joe Bass team trail won the Classic fish-off. It also marked back-to-back victories in the event by Missouri anglers. Scott Clift of Dadeville, Mo., won the 2016 fish-off and qualified for the 2017 Bassmaster Classic on Texas’ Lake Conroe in March.
Govreau finished second in the 2017 fish-off with a two-day total of 14-6. He caught a limit weighing 11-2 on Saturday, but couldn’t quite recapture the magic that helped him and his older brother Brett Govreau win the Team Championship on Thursday.
Dodson Sr. placed third with a two-day total of 13-4. His son and fishing partner, Robbie Dodson Jr., finished fourth with 12-1 overall. Brett Govreau was fifth with 9-2 and Lippe was sixth with 7-10.
The Mountain Home Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the tournament.
Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish Off
12/8/2018 - 12/9/2017
Norfork Lake - 101 Boat Dock - Mountain Home, AR
STANDINGS BOATER DAY 2
Name # Fish # Live Lbs-Oz # Fish # Live Lbs-Oz
1. Ryan Butler Joe Bass 5 5 5- 1 7 7 18-11
2. Beau Govreau US Anglers Choice 5 5 1- 2 6 6 14- 6
3. Robert Dodson Sr Joe Bass 3 3 6-14 6 6 13- 4
4. Robbie Dodson Jr Joe Bass 5 5 2- 1 5 5 12- 1
5. Brett Govreau US Anglers Choice 4 4 9- 2 4 4 9- 2
6. Dustin Lippe Joe Bass 3 3 7-10 3 3 7-10
71-Year-Old Angler Takes The Lead For Final Bassmaster Classic Berth
Robert Dodson Sr. of the Joe Bass team trail leads the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off with 6 pounds, 6 ounces heading into the final day.
Photo by Ronnie Moore/B.A.S.S.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 8, 2017
MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. — Given the 15-degree temperatures on Norfork Lake Friday morning, it sounds ridiculous that five of the six remaining anglers in the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship are pleading for more wind.
But those five anglers say a good, windy day is the only thing that could give them a shot at winning the Classic Fish-Off portion of this tournament.
Right now, the rest of the field is chasing Robert Dodson Sr., a 71-year-old angler from nearby Harrison, Ark., who caught only three bass totaling 6 pounds, 6 ounces on Friday. That’s not much in a typical Bassmaster tournament, but with the bass extremely tight-lipped on Norfork Lake, it was enough to give Dodson the lead after Day 1 of the Fish-Off.
The rest of the field could muster only three bass among them. Ryan Butler of Blue Eye, Mo., is in second place with two bass that weighed 3-10. Beau Govreau, a St. Louis, Mo., resident who teamed with his brother Brett to win the Team Championship on Thursday, caught the only other bass on Friday, but it was a good one. He’s in third place with a 3-4 keeper that he hooked with only 14 minutes of fishing time remaining.
Brett Govreau of St. Louis, Mo., Dustin Lippe of Lampe, Mo., and Robbie Dodson Jr. also of Harrison, Ark., all zeroed Friday. Along with Butler and the younger Govreau, they are the chorus of anglers who say wind is key to stirring the bass bite to life Saturday.
Dodson Sr., who fishes on the Joe Bass team trail, liked the calm conditions. When he saw the glass-like surface of Norfork Lake on Friday morning, he figured the technique he’s employing (and keeping a closely guarded secret) could result in a few quality bites despite the cold.
He boated a keeper bass within 10 minutes after takeoff, though he had to wait another three hours before he got his other two bass in the livewell in quick succession. His biggest bass weighed about 3 pounds.
“I think we should just call it off and go home right now,” Dodson said with a laugh. “It was tough out there.” Having been in many competitive tournaments, he said he doesn’t feel pressure with a berth in the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods on the line.
The man with the heaviest two-day total in the Fish-Off will be a part of the Classic field when the event is held March 16-18 on Lake Hartwell in South Carolina.
“It’s the only big tournament I’ve never fished,” Dodson said. “But I thought someone would have five (today). I had my chances. I lost two 3-pounders that really could have made a difference.”
Dodson, who once competed in the FLW Tour’s Forrest Wood Cup, said he’ll fish Saturday the same way he did Friday.
Friday’s competition was delayed two hours because of fog. When the anglers launched onto Norfork Lake, they found the going extremely tough. Butler said he absolutely would welcome wind Saturday morning for several reasons.
“When the wind quits blowing, it gets in your head and you start to scramble,” Butler said. “For me, it’s a confidence booster. I think most of these guys are fishing shallow. The water has good color, but nothing was working without the wind.”
If he doesn’t get the conditions he desires?
“We’ll still lay it all on the line,” Butler said. “It’s the Bassmaster Classic on the line here. You go big or you go home.”
Beau Govreau weighed the biggest bass of the day, though it was the only keeper he had. He said he was worried until the final minutes, but the quality bass reassured him he still could win the Fish-Off.
“Catch another one of those tomorrow and it’s all tied up,” he said.
More than 320 anglers from B.A.S.S.-affiliated team trails covering 33 states, Canada and Australia started in the team tournament Wednesday. The Top 3 two-person teams following Thursday’s weigh-in are now fishing individually for a Classic berth.
The final launch is scheduled for Saturday at 6:45 a.m. CT. The final weigh-in will begin at 2:45 p.m. The weigh-in will be streamed on Bassmaster.com.
The Mountain Home Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event.
Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish Off
12/8/2018 - 12/9/2017
Norfork Lake - 101 Boat Dock - Mountain Home, AR
STANDINGS BOATER DAY 1
Name # Fish # Live Lbs-Oz # Fish # Live Lbs-Oz
1. Robert Dodson Sr Joe Bass 3 3 6-6 3 3 6-6
2. Ryan Butler Joe Bass 2 2 3-10 2 2 3-10
3. Beau Govreau US Anglers Choice 1 1 3-4 1 1 3-4
4. Robbie Dodson Jr Joe Bass 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0
5. Brett Govreau US Anglers Choice 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0
6. Dustin Lippe Joe Bass 0 0 0-0 0 0 0-0
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Brett and Beau Govreau Win BASSmaster Team Championship in Lake Norfork. Top 3 Teams now vie for Classic Birth!
MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. – Freezing temperatures made catching bass extremely difficult Thursday during the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship.
But brothers Brett and Beau Govreau of St. Louis, Missouri stayed hot on the second and final day of team competition on Norfork Lake. Entering Day 2 in second place with a five-bass limit of 14 pounds, 5 ounces, they followed on Thursday with another limit that weighed 11-13.
That gave the Govreaus a two-day total of 26-2 and helped them win the tournament that attracted 162 of the finest tandems from team trails covering 33 states, as well as Canada and Australia.
The Govreaus fish on the US Anglers Choice Team Trail. Ryan Butler and Dustin Lippe of the Joe Bass Team Trail placed second overall in team competition with a two-day total of 24-12, and the father/son duo of Robbie Dodson Jr. and Robert Dodson Sr. finished third with 24-10.
With the win, the Govreau Brothers collected a Nitro Z20 and Mercury 225 Pro XS boat/motor package valued at $41,995, including a Minn Kota trolling motor and Lowrance electronics. The duo also will be honored at the annual Bassmaster Classic Night of Champions in March.
But besides merchandise and prestige, there’s an even bigger prize within reach for the top six anglers. The remaining sextet had their weights zeroed after Thursday’s weigh-in and now they’ll compete individually in another two-day competition. The angler with the heaviest total weight in that portion of the tournament will earn the final spot in the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods to be held on South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell in March.
It’s a lot to absorb, but the six men will have to do so quickly. Launch in the solo tournament is set for 6:45 a.m. CST on Friday.
The Govreaus decided to fish new water on Thursday, despite their success on Day 1. They were tight-lipped about how they caught their fish in the team competition, but did say it’s not a particular area that is producing.
“We ran a little bit of the same water we did on Wednesday, but didn’t get a bite there,” Brett Govreau, 38, said. “It’s the way we’re fishing, not an area. It’s a pattern.”
Beau Govreau, 36, said his older brother located the bass they caught the past two days, so he’ll run new water to find his own bass for the next two days. He certainly can be proficient (Beau won the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional presented by Magellan Outdoors in April on Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks.)
Whatever they have in mind for the next two days, both brothers hope the fishing is easier than it was on Thursday.
“It was really tough out there,” Beau Govreau said. “It was cold and we were battling the wind all day. It was not easy by any means.”
Still, the struggle was well worth the result.
“This is really neat,” Brett said.
Butler, of Blue Eye, Mo. and Lippe, who lives in Lampe, Mo., won $11,000 for the second-place finish. The Dodsons, both of Harrison Ark., won $8,000. Like the Govreaus, all four have a chance to fish their way into the Bassmaster Classic with a solid showing Friday and Saturday.
Flannagan Fife and Cody Davis of the Arkansas Bass Team won the inaugural Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship on Arkansas’ DeGray Lake in 2014. They finished fourth on Norfork Lake with a two-day total of 24-2.
David and Sean Mulkey, a father/son tandem from the Joe Basss Team Trail in Missouri, led after Day 1 of the team championship despite their boat breaking down just after launch. A friend loaned them a boat on Thursday, but that vessel also faltered and the Mulkeys dropped to fifth place with a 23-14 total.
The Big Bass of the Tournament went to the Dodsons who boated a 6-pounder bass on Thursday. Matthew Rittman had the big bass (5-0) on Day 1. Both awards come with a $500 prize.
Friday’s weigh-in will begin at 2:45 p.m. at the 101 Boat Dock.
The Mountain Home Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the tournament.
TOURNAMENT STANDINGS
| Place | Name | Day 1 Fish / Weight |
Day 2 Fish / Weight |
Total Fish / Weight |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brett Govreau - Beau Govreau | US Anglers Choice | 5 / 14- 5 | 5 / 11-13 | 10 / 26- 2 |
| 2 | Ryan Butler - Dustin Lippe | Joe Bass | 5 / 11- 6 | 5 / 13- 6 | 10 / 24-12 |
| 3 | Robbie Dodson Jr - Robert Dodson Sr | Joe Bass | 5 / 9- 8 | 5 / 15- 2 | 10 / 24-10 |
| 4 | Flannagan Fife - Cody Davis | Arkansas Bass Team | 5 / 11-11 | 5 / 12- 7 | 10 / 24- 2 |
| 5 | David Mulkey - Sean Mulkey | Joe Bass | 5 / 15- 3 | 5 / 8-11 | 10 / 23-14 |
| 6 | Doyle Epperson - Joshua Muse | NTBA | 5 / 12- 4 | 5 / 11- 8 | 10 / 23-12 |
| 7 | Richard Bowling - Mickey Ballard | NTBA | 5 / 11- 3 | 5 / 12- 8 | 10 / 23-11 |
| 8 | Rick Johnston - Connor Cunningham | Ozark Mountain TT | 5 / 9- 1 | 5 / 14- 5 | 10 / 23- 6 |
| 9 | Doug Brownridge - David Chong | Renegade Bass Team Trail | 5 / 10-12 | 5 / 12- 9 | 10 / 23- 5 |
| 10 | Barron Adams - Trevor Prince | Chattanooga Bass Association | 5 / 13- 2 | 5 / 9-12 | 10 / 22-14 |
| 11 | Teddy Bogard - Brandon Rhoden | Arkansas Bass Team | 5 / 12- 3 | 5 / 10- 9 | 10 / 22-12 |
| 12 | Wayne Dixon - Jared Allen | Arkansas Bass Team | 5 / 12- 0 | 5 / 10-12 | 10 / 22-12 |
| 13 | Keith Allen - Jeffery Montgomery | Angler Nation | 5 / 13- 1 | 5 / 9- 9 | 10 / 22-10 |
| 14 | Randy Brickell - Spencer Shuffield | Arkansas Bass Team | 5 / 9- 2 | 5 / 12-13 | 10 / 21-15 |
| 15 | Bryce Kalen - Bryan Kalen | IN BN Team Trail | 5 / 9- 7 | 5 / 12- 4 | 10 / 21-11 |
| 16 | Mark McDonnel - Quincy Houchin | Arkansas Bass Team | 5 / 10- 0 | 5 / 11- 7 | 10 / 21- 7 |
| 17 | Joe Wieberg - Walon Kleffner | Joe Bass | 5 / 9- 4 | 5 / 12- 2 | 10 / 21- 6 |
| 18 | Matt Green - Justin Nunley | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 / 9- 4 | 5 / 11-13 | 10 / 21- 1 |
| 19 | Kelly Power - Mark Wiese Jr | Ozark Mountain Team Trail | 5 / 9- 9 | 5 / 11- 3 | 10 / 20-12 |
| 20 | Ed Young - Joe Penzo | Joe Bass | 5 / 10- 5 | 5 / 10- 0 | 10 / 20- 5 |
| 21 | Roger Waters - Larry Brooks | Anglers In Action | 5 / 11- 5 | 5 / 8-10 | 10 / 19-15 |
| 22 | Shawn Freeman - Justin Hayden | Ozark Mountain | 5 / 11- 2 | 5 / 8-12 | 10 / 19-14 |
| 23 | Mark Cox - Brian Stacy | Morristown Marine | 5 / 8-13 | 5 / 10-14 | 10 / 19-11 |
| 24 | Lyle Armstrong - Mitchell Armstrong | Anglers in Action | 4 / 8- 8 | 5 / 10-15 | 9 / 19- 7 |
| 25 | Ashton Laird - Daniel Urbino | Upstate Angelrs | 4 / 8- 6 | 5 / 10- 4 | 9 / 18-10 |
| 26 | Jesse Riemersma - David Riemersma | West Michigan Bass | 5 / 10- 9 | 5 / 8- 0 | 10 / 18- 9 |
| 27 | Greg Bent - Brian Gottfried | Upstate Anglers | 3 / 7- 4 | 5 / 11- 1 | 8 / 18- 5 |
| 28 | Dave Frost - Nick Manfredo | FL BN Team Trail | 5 / 9-14 | 5 / 8- 7 | 10 / 18- 5 |
| 29 | Chuck Austin III - Frank Sinn | US Anglers Choice | 5 / 9-10 | 5 / 8-11 | 10 / 18- 5 |
| 30 | Dean Silvester - Mark Ferguson | Australia BASS Nation | 5 / 9- 9 | 5 / 8-10 | 10 / 18- 3 |
| 31 | Tim Garner - Martin Villa | Priority James River Series | 5 / 7-15 | 5 / 10- 3 | 10 / 18- 2 |
| 32 | Steve Barnett - Jack Levert | Renegade Bass | 3 / 4-13 | 5 / 12-12 | 8 / 17- 9 |
| 33 | Joey Nania - Zeke Gossett | Tracker Nitro Big Bucks Buddy Trail | 4 / 7- 4 | 5 / 10- 4 | 9 / 17- 8 |
| 34 | Jeffrey Woods - Dennis Phelps | Weekend Warrior Bass Series | 5 / 9- 4 | 3 / 8- 4 | 8 / 17- 8 |
| 35 | Ty Faber - John Gardner | Ultimate Bass Team Tour | 5 / 9- 3 | 4 / 8- 5 | 9 / 17- 8 |
| 36 | Brandon Hoppert - Lucas Knotts | Cheat Lake Anglers | 5 / 8-15 | 5 / 8- 8 | 10 / 17- 7 |
| 37 | Michael Slocki - John Hawley | Bassmania Team Trail | 4 / 6- 7 | 5 / 10-15 | 9 / 17- 6 |
| 38 | Allan Glasgow - George Crain | Fishers of Men | 4 / 8- 2 | 5 / 9- 1 | 9 / 17- 3 |
| 39 | Jason Vance - Roger Mikels | US Anglers Choice | 4 / 6-15 | 5 / 9-15 | 9 / 16-14 |
| 40 | William Samples - Tom Campagna | Anglers Choice | 5 / 8- 9 | 4 / 7-14 | 9 / 16- 7 |
| 41 | Marc Wagy - Joshua Wagy | VA Elite 70 | 4 / 8- 5 | 5 / 8- 1 | 9 / 16- 6 |
| 42 | William Pioch - JJ Dickens | WV BN Buddy Trail | 4 / 6-15 | 5 / 9- 5 | 9 / 16- 4 |
| 43 | Cory Steckler - Ronnie Kane | Ozark Mountain | 5 / 8- 2 | 5 / 8- 2 | 10 / 16- 4 |
| 44 | Matthew Farrabee - Mark Mounts | Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit | 4 / 6- 1 | 5 / 10- 2 | 9 / 16- 3 |
| 45 | Brian Thompson - Eric Hammond | Joe Bass | 2 / 3-10 | 5 / 12- 5 | 7 / 15-15 |
| 46 | Christopher Risner - Tim Eaton | West Michigan Bass | 3 / 5-15 | 5 / 10- 0 | 8 / 15-15 |
| 47 | Rickey Knight - Torrey Jones | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 / 8-13 | 3 / 7- 1 | 8 / 15-14 |
| 48 | Ryan Claypool - Kyle Claypool | Upstate Anglers | 5 / 8-14 | 5 / 6-11 | 10 / 15- 9 |
| 49 | Nick Deering - Conner Petropoulos | Maine BN - Man vs Bass | 5 / 9- 3 | 5 / 6- 1 | 10 / 15- 4 |
| 50 | Dustin Neat - Mark Wethington | NTBA | 4 / 7- 9 | 5 / 7-11 | 9 / 15- 4 |
| 51 | Marty Torrence - JC Warrington | Media Bass | 5 / 10-12 | 2 / 4- 2 | 7 / 14-14 |
| 52 | Joe Lee - Jimbo Harris | Tennesee Team Trail | 5 / 7- 1 | 5 / 7-13 | 10 / 14-14 |
| 53 | Matt McCoy - Terry McWilliams | IN BN Team Trail | 3 / 4- 2 | 5 / 10-11 | 8 / 14-13 |
| 54 | Jay Hulsey - Bob King | Joe Bass | 5 / 8-10 | 3 / 5-12 | 8 / 14- 6 |
| 55 | Rusty Darnell - Tim Newberry Sr | Joe Bass Team Trail | 5 / 10- 3 | 2 / 4- 2 | 7 / 14- 5 |
| 56 | Jonathan Spivey - Derick Livingston | Carolina Bass Challenge | 5 / 8- 8 | 5 / 5-13 | 10 / 14- 5 |
| 57 | Elisa Bernstein - Samuel Lauzon | Renegade Bass | 5 / 10-12 | 2 / 3- 8 | 7 / 14- 4 |
| 58 | Blake Riddle - John Wilson | Fishers of Men | 5 / 9-15 | 3 / 4- 4 | 8 / 14- 3 |
| 59 | Gale Brown - Darrell Brown | KS BN Team Trail | 4 / 6- 2 | 4 / 7-15 | 8 / 14- 1 |
| 60 | Cory Hartfield - Eddie Levin | Ohio BASS Nation Team Trail | 5 / 7-13 | 4 / 6- 4 | 9 / 14- 1 |
| 61 | Greg Blair - Robert Shackelford | Joe Bass | 4 / 6-15 | 4 / 7- 2 | 8 / 14- 1 |
| 62 | Hunter Hamilton - Kyle Smith | Morristown Marine Team Trail | 5 / 8- 5 | 4 / 5-10 | 9 / 13-15 |
| 63 | Marc Czachowski - Mike Purse | Joe Bass | 5 / 12-13 | 1 / 1- 1 | 6 / 13-14 |
| 64 | Kyle Welcher - Chris Haynes | Alabama Bass Trail | 1 / 2- 7 | 5 / 11- 7 | 6 / 13-14 |
| 65 | Jason Talbot - Dan Hattabaugh | Ultimate Bass Team Tour | 5 / 10-12 | 3 / 3- 2 | 8 / 13-14 |
| 66 | Erhardt Tulgestka Jr - Ted Prisbe | MI BN Team Trail | 5 / 9- 9 | 2 / 4- 5 | 7 / 13-14 |
| 67 | Broc Lindauer - Jakob Calkin | Ultimate Bass Team Tour | 3 / 6- 1 | 5 / 7-12 | 8 / 13-13 |
| 68 | Mike Brueggen - Jim Caulum | IA BN Team Trail | 5 / 9- 8 | 2 / 4- 4 | 7 / 13-12 |
| 69 | Mitch Mitchell - Candler McCollum | Alabama Bass Trail | 2 / 4- 8 | 5 / 9- 2 | 7 / 13-10 |
| 70 | Peter Owen - Mike Deal | NH BN Team Trail | 4 / 5- 9 | 5 / 7-13 | 9 / 13- 6 |
| 71 | Tad Dowker - Jeremiah Steffen | West Michigan Bass | 5 / 8- 8 | 3 / 4-13 | 8 / 13- 5 |
| 72 | Martin Elshout - Mark Price | Fishers of Men | 3 / 4- 9 | 5 / 8- 7 | 8 / 13- 0 |
| 73 | Tim Goad - Mark Williams | Anglers Choice | 2 / 3- 6 | 3 / 9- 9 | 5 / 12-15 |
| 74 | Cody George - Josh Prince | Morristown Marine | 4 / 7- 6 | 3 / 5- 4 | 7 / 12-10 |
| 75 | Mike McCullers - Jason Shockley | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 / 8-12 | 2 / 3-13 | 7 / 12- 9 |
| 76 | Matthew Rittman - Jason Daily | FL BN Team Trail | 3 / 12- 6 | - | 3 / 12- 6 |
| 77 | Todd Buckingham - Chris Beaudrie | KY BN Team Trail | 5 / 8-13 | 3 / 3- 7 | 8 / 12- 4 |
| 78 | Dennis Chavez - Donnie Coleman Jr | Ultimate Bass Team Trail | 3 / 4-13 | 3 / 7- 5 | 6 / 12- 2 |
| 79 | Marvin Olive - Melvin Thompson | Ozark Mountain | 3 / 4-12 | 4 / 7- 5 | 7 / 12- 1 |
| 80 | Jason Smith - Chaz McMahan | Alabama Bass Trail | 0 | 5 / 11-14 | 5 / 11-14 |
| 81 | Bobby Loyd - Jeff Moseley | Ozark Mountain | 3 / 5- 4 | 3 / 6- 7 | 6 / 11-11 |
| 82 | Forrest Brown - Chris Van Houten | BBT Bass R Us | 2 / 2- 3 | 5 / 9- 7 | 7 / 11-10 |
| 83 | Michael Hyrtle - Jack Morgan | Bassmania | 4 / 6- 3 | 4 / 5- 3 | 8 / 11- 6 |
| 84 | Matt Hicks - John Bomar | Anglers Choice | 5 / 9-14 | 1 / 1- 5 | 6 / 11- 3 |
| 85 | Carlton Newhouse - Cameron Newhouse | Anglers Choice | 5 / 5- 8 | 3 / 5-11 | 8 / 11- 3 |
| 86 | Scott Hinds - Aaron Watson | ME BN - Man vs Bass | 2 / 8-11 | 1 / 2- 4 | 3 / 10-15 |
| 87 | Sam Wooten - Jay Mitchell | Media Bass | 2 / 3- 3 | 4 / 7-10 | 6 / 10-13 |
| 88 | Austin Weaver - Pride Weaver | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 / 10-11 | - | 5 / 10-11 |
| 89 | Ben Jacobi - Curtis Callahan Jr | Priority James River Series | 3 / 4- 5 | 4 / 6- 2 | 7 / 10- 7 |
| 90 | Rick Camp - Jamie Hatcher | Chattanooga Bass Association | 3 / 4-13 | 3 / 5- 9 | 6 / 10- 6 |
| 91 | David Craft - Stoney Johnson | Chattanooga Bass Association | 4 / 7-10 | 1 / 2- 4 | 5 / 9-14 |
| 92 | Jason Lee - A-Jay Smith | Anglers Choice | 5 / 9- 8 | - | 5 / 9- 8 |
| 93 | Gregory Lewis - Stephen Dement | NTBA | 4 / 5-10 | 2 / 3-14 | 6 / 9- 8 |
| 94 | Ed Loughran III - Chris Morrison | Priority James River Series | 5 / 9- 7 | - | 5 / 9- 7 |
| 95 | Allen Williford - Austin Moore | IL BN Team Trail | 1 / 2- 5 | 4 / 6-15 | 5 / 9- 4 |
| 96 | Shannon Denson - Doug Perkins | Media Bass | 5 / 9- 1 | - | 5 / 9- 1 |
| 97 | Keith Mayfield - Daryl Adams | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 / 8-14 | - | 5 / 8-14 |
| 98 | Tim Hurst - Mark McCaig | Alabama Bass Trail | 4 / 8-13 | - | 4 / 8-13 |
| 99 | Mike Crowther - Allen Bratton | Ultimate Team Tour | 2 / 3-11 | 3 / 5- 2 | 5 / 8-13 |
| 100 | Jacob Coverdale - Bobby Smith | Delaware BN Team Trail | 3 / 6- 2 | 1 / 2- 2 | 4 / 8- 4 |
| 101 | Douglas Polasek - Ty Nguyen | West Michigan Bass | 1 / 1-15 | 3 / 6- 3 | 4 / 8- 2 |
| 102 | Raymond Trudeau - Fred George | FL BN Team Trail | 2 / 3- 2 | 2 / 4-12 | 4 / 7-14 |
| 103 | Rob Messenger Jr - John Levesque | New Hampshire BN Team Trail | 3 / 7-12 | - | 3 / 7-12 |
| 104 | Craig Powers - Edward Baker | Tennessee Team Trail | 5 / 7-10 | - | 5 / 7-10 |
| 105 | John Kleinoeder - John Collins | Great Lakes Largemouth Series | 4 / 4- 8 | 2 / 3- 2 | 6 / 7-10 |
| 106 | Scott Clift - Ashley Medley | Joe Bass TT | 5 / 7- 8 | - | 5 / 7- 8 |
| 107 | Alan Agnoli - Fred Boettjer | FL BN Team Trail | 1 / 2- 0 | 3 / 5- 8 | 4 / 7- 8 |
| 108 | Greg Ault - Huey Applegate | Arkansas Bass Team Trail | 4 / 7- 4 | - | 4 / 7- 4 |
| 108 | Thomas McMillan - Tom Stinson | Media Bass | 4 / 7- 4 | - | 4 / 7- 4 |
| 110 | Brian Shook - Randy Tolbert | Alabama Bass Trail | 4 / 7- 2 | - | 4 / 7- 2 |
| 111 | Tom Haynes - George Toalson | Angler Nation | 3 / 6- 9 | - | 3 / 6- 9 |
| 112 | Keith Carney - Christopher Beeson | Texas BN Team Trail | 1 / 1- 0 | 3 / 5- 9 | 4 / 6- 9 |
| 113 | Kelly Robinette - Billy Lane | Priority James River Series | 5 / 6- 7 | - | 5 / 6- 7 |
| 114 | Jeff Bonner - Steve Coggin | Media Bass | 2 / 3- 4 | 2 / 3- 3 | 4 / 6- 7 |
| 115 | Ryan Hubler - Ryan Fingleton | West Michigan Bass | 2 / 4- 6 | 1 / 1-13 | 3 / 6- 3 |
| 116 | Andrus Kung - Evan Kung | Bassmania | 3 / 6- 0 | - | 3 / 6- 0 |
| 117 | James Holencik - George Holencik | Western PA Team Bass Series | 0 | 2 / 5-14 | 2 / 5-14 |
| 118 | Curtis Talbott - Craig Wright | Anglers Choice | 3 / 5-11 | - | 3 / 5-11 |
| 119 | Clint Harrison II - Jessie Harrison | Morristown Marine Team Trail | 3 / 5- 9 | - | 3 / 5- 9 |
| 120 | Trent Bowles - Robert McDonald | Anglers Choice | 1 / 2- 1 | 2 / 3- 7 | 3 / 5- 8 |
| 121 | Trey McGuire - Jon Richardson | Fishers of Men | 3 / 5- 6 | - | 3 / 5- 6 |
| 122 | Roger Hughes - Waynes Hughes | Anglers in Action | 1 / 2-14 | 1 / 1-12 | 2 / 4-10 |
| 123 | Mark Thompson - Jim Smith | Joe Bass TT | 3 / 4- 9 | - | 3 / 4- 9 |
| 124 | Bryan Humphreys - Maurice Oakes | Fishers of Men | 2 / 4- 5 | - | 2 / 4- 5 |
| 125 | Danny Lavoie - Todd Mahoney | Alabama Bass Trail | 2 / 4- 1 | - | 2 / 4- 1 |
| 126 | John McCurdy - Jack McCurdy | Joe Bass | 1 / 1-14 | 1 / 2- 3 | 2 / 4- 1 |
| 127 | Bryan Baker - Darren Baker | Joe Bass | 0 | 2 / 3-15 | 2 / 3-15 |
| 128 | Leidy Clark - Rickey West | Priority James River Series | 2 / 3-12 | - | 2 / 3-12 |
| 129 | Matt Robertson - Wendell Anderson | Priority James River Series | 2 / 3- 9 | - | 2 / 3- 9 |
| 130 | Dylan Dew - Randy Fox | Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit | 1 / 2- 9 | 1 / 1- 0 | 2 / 3- 9 |
| 131 | Tim Carmouche - Cary Beard | Fishers of Men | 2 / 3- 8 | - | 2 / 3- 8 |
| 131 | Ryan Hovatter - Bryson Grimes | Cheat Lake Anglers | 2 / 3- 8 | - | 2 / 3- 8 |
| 133 | Joshua Hubbard - Tom Catlin | IL BN Team Trail | 0 | 2 / 3- 7 | 2 / 3- 7 |
| 134 | Jeff Gee - Steve Majewski | US Anglers Choice | 2 / 3- 4 | - | 2 / 3- 4 |
| 135 | David Perry - Randy Shirley | Ultimate Bass Team Tour | 2 / 3- 1 | - | 2 / 3- 1 |
| 135 | Travis Salo - Garret Seppala | NH BN Team Trail | 2 / 3- 1 | - | 2 / 3- 1 |
| 137 | Justin Harris - Dell Mettlen Jr | KS BN TT | 1 / 2-11 | - | 1 / 2-11 |
| 138 | Kyle Kempkers - Brett Haveman | BBT Bass R Us | 2 / 2- 9 | - | 2 / 2- 9 |
| 139 | Jason Hodge - Lonnie Bowlin | AC Tournament Trail | 1 / 2- 4 | - | 1 / 2- 4 |
| 139 | Kris Von Ahn - John Von Ahn | Joe Bass | 1 / 2- 4 | - | 1 / 2- 4 |
| 141 | Ken Walters - Jason Beasley | Alabama Bass Trail | 1 / 2- 3 | - | 1 / 2- 3 |
| 142 | William Goots - James Ward | Anglers Choice | 1 / 2- 1 | - | 1 / 2- 1 |
| 142 | Robert Paxton - Steven Caldwell | Media Bass | 1 / 2- 1 | - | 1 / 2- 1 |
| 142 | Shane Pope - Joel Lee | Dockside Marine Team Trail | 1 / 2- 1 | - | 1 / 2- 1 |
| 145 | Jason Walcott - Jimmy Vanden Berg Jr | BBT Bass R Us | 0 | 1 / 1-15 | 1 / 1-15 |
| 146 | Jack Womack - Kathy Womack | Alabama Bass Trail | 1 / 1-14 | - | 1 / 1-14 |
| 147 | Kelly Pratt - Charles Rackley | James River Priority | 1 / 1-13 | - | 1 / 1-13 |
| 148 | James Nuckols - Doug Plemons | Morristown Marine | 1 / 1-11 | - | 1 / 1-11 |
| 149 | Michael Mcknight - Brian Delf | IA BN Team Trail | 0 | 1 / 1- 8 | 1 / 1- 8 |
| 149 | Stephen Rogers - Jimmy Rogers | Alabama Bass Trail | 1 / 1- 8 | - | 1 / 1- 8 |
| 151 | Jason Smith - Sam Spruill | Fishers of Men | 1 / 1- 0 | - | 1 / 1- 0 |
| 152 | Ronald Cancilla - Leo Cancilla | Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit | 0 | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 152 | Aaron Davis - Matthew Sewell | Media Bass | 0 | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 152 | Ronald Foley - Dan Corbin | NTBA | 0 | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 152 | Brant Grimm - Bobby Drinnon | Morristown Marine | 0 | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 152 | Logan Johnson - Jeremy Christian | Alabama Bass Trail | 0 | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 152 | Matthew Klinker - Dusty Chaulk | MA BN Team Trail | 0 | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 152 | Jerry McCafferty - Josh Benford | Alabama Bass Trail | 0 | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 152 | Jack Miller - Curt Ferri | Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit | 0 | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 152 | Richard Schultz - Richard Schultz | Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit | 0 | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 152 | Eric Silverstrim - Joe Johnson | TN BN Team Trail | 0 | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 152 | Lee Sisson - Michael Nicknadarvich | Lakeland Bassmasters Team Trail | 0 | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
Cabela’s Announces 2018 Team Cabela’s Contingency Program
December 6, 2017
2018 Team Cabela’s Contingency Program
Cabela’s is once again stepping up their support of collegiate bass fishing with the continuation of the Team Cabela’s Collegiate Angler Contingency Program. Cabela’s has decided to again give collegiate anglers the opportunity to apply to join Team Cabela’s field staff and be a part of the legendary team that Cabela’s fields in the fishing, hunting and outdoors arena.
2017 Team Cabela’s
Last year, 30 teams represented Team Cabela’s at the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship and won big! This 2017 season alone, Cabela’s has given out $40,000 in gift cards, provided a discount to college anglers to purchase gear, as well as other on the water based incentives. This program is tied directly to anglers competing in the 2018 Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series events and is growing to award gear packages at all four ACA events throughout the season!
“This is a one of a kind opportunity for selected anglers while also providing prizes deep into the field during the upcoming season,” said Wade Middleton, Director of the Association of Collegiate Anglers and President of CarecoTV. “Cabela’s has been one of the largest supporters from day one of the Collegiate Bass Fishing Series. They are always looking for ways to give back to college anglers and this is another benefit in a long line of programs that Cabela’s provides for the anglers in this Series.”
2017 Team Cabela’s meeting before Day 1 of the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship
Team Cabela’s Collegiate Anglers – How to Qualify for Gear Packages
Collegiate anglers selected to represent Team Cabela’s will be provided with a Cabela’s hat to wear during Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series events and across the weigh-in stages. Team Cabela’s collegiate anglers must wear this hat to qualify for gear packages.
Team Cabela’s collegiate anglers must use #TeamCabelas across all their social media postings, via personal and/or team/club accounts, between February 1, 2018 through October 13, 2018. Team Cabela’s collegiate anglers must use the #TeamCabelas and post during an event to qualify for gear packages at that event.
Anglers not meeting these criteria will not qualify to win gear packages.
Gear Packages
At the four-major televised 2018 Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series tournaments, Team Cabela’s collegiate anglers qualifying for gear packages, may win the following based on their tournament finish:
- TOP 3 Championship Finish (up to $2,500 Cabela’s gear per team)
- Both anglers will receive full set of Guidewear Advance Outerwear, PFD and Rod, as well as be interviewed for a place on Team Cabela’s – Field Staff.
- TOP 10 Championship Finish (up to $1,000 Cabela’s gear per team)
- Both anglers will receive Cabela’s rod and PFD, as well as be interviewed for a place on Team Cabela’s – Field Staff.
- TOP 20 Championship Finish (up to $500 Cabela’s gear per team)
- Both anglers will receive Cabela’s rod.
UNA takes home the Top 3 Team Cabela’s Gear Package
* Anglers can only win one of Top 3, Top 10 or Top 20 gear packages at each event.
**Team Cabela’s Collegiate Anglers must also qualify to compete in the Championship; being accepted to Team Cabela’s does not automatically qualify a team to compete in the Championship.
How to Apply for Team Cabela’s Collegiate Angler Contingency Program
Anglers must RSVP interest to Team Cabela’s bass fishing contingency program via the link below:
RSVP HERE
This link to RSVP will be available till 12pm CST on Wednesday, December 13th, 2017.
RSVPs will be accepted until December 13th, and then 50 anglers will be selected for Team Cabela’s – be sure to RSVP early! Availability will fill up quickly!
2018 Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series Schedule
- Texas Lunker Challenge presented by Mossy Oak Elements on Sam Rayburn Reservoir, February 11, 2018. Registration for the event is open now – click here to register.
- Cabela’s Collegiate Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley on Kentucky Lake, March 10-11, 2018. Registration for the event is open now – click here to register.
- Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by BoatUS on Pickwick Lake, May 24-25, 2018. Must qualify to register; registration will open on December 11, 2017.
- Collegiate Bass Fishing Open on Lake Dardanelle, October 12-13, 2018. Registration open date to be announced.
Father & Son Team Lead Bassmaster Team Championship after Day 1 with over 15 pounds!
MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. – Some anglers like to run and gun, and others like to methodically work a spot looking for the right bites.
David and Sean Mulkey of the Joe Bass Team Trail in Missouri were forced to stay in one spot on Wednesday during Day 1 of the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship. Their boat broke down during the first hour of fishing and they had no other choice to remain where they were and hope for the best.
The father-son tandem found the bass they needed, and now they lead the two-day team championship taking place on Lake Norfork in northern Arkansas.
The Mulkeys, who reside in Ash Grove, Mo., boated a five-bass limit that weighed 15 pounds, 3 ounces. That total gave them an edge over brothers Brett and Beau Govreau of St. Louis, Mo. who are in second place with five bass totaling 14-5.
In all, 162 two-person teams (324 anglers) from 33 states and two foreign countries (Canada and Australia) are taking part in the team championship on 22,000-acre Lake Norfork. Each qualified for the event as one of the top performing teams on their local tournament trails this season.
The Mulkeys made the best of what could have been a frustrating day after their motor “blew up” while running in open water shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday.
“We started losing power,” David Mulkey said. “My son heard it blow. We started fishing right where we were. We couldn’t do much else.”
While the elder Mulkey was bent over the outboard assessing the damage, 21-year old Sean hooked a 4-pounder. Soon after, he added another 4-pounder to the live well and David followed with a 3-pounder of his own. Though their bite slowed from that point, they landed two more keepers later in the day to reach their limit.
The Mulkeys relied on their trolling motor to cover about a ½-mile radius of water all day long. Luckily for them, they broke down less than a mile from the launch and were able to easily navigate back to land in time for weigh-in.
“I had no idea we would be leading this tournament after having the motor blow up early in the morning like that,” David Mulkey said after the Day 1 weigh-in was complete. “It could have been bad. But the spot we fished, my son caught a 3-9 there in practice. We knew it had bass on it.”
Now, the issue is finding a boat to use for Day 2 of the team championship. The Mulkeys planned to spend the evening trying to secure another vessel or fix their busted motor in time for Thursday’s 6:45 a.m. launch.
The Govreau Brothers fish with U.S. Anglers Choice Team Trail and they located quality fish during practice. They found them again in the same spot on Wednesday despite a 40-degree temperature drop during the past 48 hours. The Govreaus said they will head to new water on Thursday, however, when the high temperature is expected to be 38 degrees in Mountain Home.
“Same technigue, but different area,” Brett Govreau said. “What we found is just as good if not better than what we were fishing. It’s hard to stay on one spot in what could be a four-day tournament.”
There’s a lot at stake in this championship. The winning duo will win a Nitro Z-20 and Mercury 225 Pro XS boat/motor package valued at $41,995 which also includes a Minn Kota trolling motor and Lowrance Electronics.
But the victors’ spoils bring much more than just prizes. There are bragging rights that go with being the top tournament trail team of the year, as well as the chance to rub elbows with the biggest names in professional bass fishing when all are feted at the annual Bassmaster Night of Champions.
The final spot in the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods is on the line too. The six anglers who compose the top three teams after the team portion of the tournament is complete Thursday will fish individually for a Classic berth. Each of that sextet of surviving anglers will have his weight zeroed after Thursday’s weigh-in, and the angler with the heaviest two-day total caught Friday and Saturday will head for the Classic on South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell in March.
Georgia’s Barron Adams and Trevor Prince of the Chattanooga Bass Association are in third place with 13-2. They finished third in last year’s team championship.
Keith Allen and Jeffery Montgomery of Angler Nation (OK) are fourth (13-1)and Marc Czachowski and Mike Purse of Joe Bass (Mo.) are fifth (12-13.)
Thursday’s launch will begin at 6:45 a.m. from the 101 Boat Dock and weigh-in will begin at 2:45 p.m from the same location.
The Mountain Home Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event.
TOURNAMENT STANDINGS
| Place | Name | Day 1 Fish / Weight |
Total Fish / Weight |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Mulkey - Sean Mulkey | Joe Bass | 5 / 15- 3 | 5 / 15- 3 |
| 2 | Brett Govreau - Beau Govreau | US Anglers Choice | 5 / 14- 5 | 5 / 14- 5 |
| 3 | Barron Adams - Trevor Prince | Chattanooga Bass Association | 5 / 13- 2 | 5 / 13- 2 |
| 4 | Keith Allen - Jeffery Montgomery | Angler Nation | 5 / 13- 1 | 5 / 13- 1 |
| 5 | Marc Czachowski - Mike Purse | Joe Bass | 5 / 12-13 | 5 / 12-13 |
| 6 | Matthew Rittman - Jason Daily | FL BN Team Trail | 3 / 12- 6 | 3 / 12- 6 |
| 7 | Doyle Epperson - Joshua Muse | NTBA | 5 / 12- 4 | 5 / 12- 4 |
| 8 | Teddy Bogard - Brandon Rhoden | Arkansas Bass Team | 5 / 12- 3 | 5 / 12- 3 |
| 9 | Wayne Dixon - Jared Allen | Arkansas Bass Team | 5 / 12- 0 | 5 / 12- 0 |
| 10 | Flannagan Fife - Cody Davis | Arkansas Bass Team | 5 / 11-11 | 5 / 11-11 |
| 11 | Ryan Butler - Dustin Lippe | Joe Bass | 5 / 11- 6 | 5 / 11- 6 |
| 12 | Roger Waters - Larry Brooks | Anglers In Action | 5 / 11- 5 | 5 / 11- 5 |
| 13 | Richard Bowling - Mickey Ballard | NTBA | 5 / 11- 3 | 5 / 11- 3 |
| 14 | Shawn Freeman - Justin Hayden | Ozark Mountain | 5 / 11- 2 | 5 / 11- 2 |
| 15 | Elisa Bernstein - Samuel Lauzon | Renegade Bass | 5 / 10-12 | 5 / 10-12 |
| 15 | Doug Brownridge - David Chong | Renegade Bass Team Trail | 5 / 10-12 | 5 / 10-12 |
| 15 | Jason Talbot - Dan Hattabaugh | Ultimate Bass Team Tour | 5 / 10-12 | 5 / 10-12 |
| 15 | Marty Torrence - JC Warrington | Media Bass | 5 / 10-12 | 5 / 10-12 |
| 19 | Austin Weaver - Pride Weaver | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 / 10-11 | 5 / 10-11 |
| 20 | Jesse Riemersma - David Riemersma | West Michigan Bass | 5 / 10- 9 | 5 / 10- 9 |
| 21 | Ed Young - Joe Penzo | Joe Bass | 5 / 10- 5 | 5 / 10- 5 |
| 22 | Rusty Darnell - Tim Newberry | Joe Bass Team Trail | 5 / 10- 3 | 5 / 10- 3 |
| 23 | Mark McDonnel - Quincy Houchin | Arkansas Bass Team | 5 / 10- 0 | 5 / 10- 0 |
| 24 | Blake Riddle - John Wilson | Fishers of Men | 5 / 9-15 | 5 / 9-15 |
| 25 | Dave Frost - Nick Manfredo | FL BN Team Trail | 5 / 9-14 | 5 / 9-14 |
| 25 | Matt Hicks - John Bomar | Anglers Choice | 5 / 9-14 | 5 / 9-14 |
| 27 | Chuck Austin - Frank Sinn | US Anglers Choice | 5 / 9-10 | 5 / 9-10 |
| 28 | Kelly Power - Mark Wiese Jr | Ozark Mountain Team Trail | 5 / 9- 9 | 5 / 9- 9 |
| 28 | Dean Silvester - Mark Ferguson | Australia BASS Nation | 5 / 9- 9 | 5 / 9- 9 |
| 28 | Erhardt Tulgestka Jr - Ted Prisbe | MI BN Team Trail | 5 / 9- 9 | 5 / 9- 9 |
| 31 | Mike Brueggen - Jim Caulum | IA BN Team Trail | 5 / 9- 8 | 5 / 9- 8 |
| 31 | Robbie Dodson Jr - Robert Dodson Sr | Joe Bass | 5 / 9- 8 | 5 / 9- 8 |
| 31 | Jason Lee - A-Jay Smith | Anglers Choice | 5 / 9- 8 | 5 / 9- 8 |
| 34 | Bryce Kalen - Bryan Kalen | IN BN Team Trail | 5 / 9- 7 | 5 / 9- 7 |
| 34 | Ed Loughran III - Chris Morrison | Priority James River Series | 5 / 9- 7 | 5 / 9- 7 |
| 36 | Matt Green - Justin Nunley | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 / 9- 4 | 5 / 9- 4 |
| 36 | Joe Wieberg - Walon Kleffner | Joe Bass | 5 / 9- 4 | 5 / 9- 4 |
| 36 | Jeffrey Woods - Dennis Phelps | Weekend Warrior Bass Series | 5 / 9- 4 | 5 / 9- 4 |
| 39 | Nick Deering - Conner Petropoulos | Maine BN - Man vs Bass | 5 / 9- 3 | 5 / 9- 3 |
| 39 | Ty Faber - John Gardner | Ultimate Bass Team Tour | 5 / 9- 3 | 5 / 9- 3 |
| 41 | Randy Brickell - Spencer Shuffield | Arkansas Bass Team | 5 / 9- 2 | 5 / 9- 2 |
| 42 | Shannon Denson - Doug Perkins | Media Bass | 5 / 9- 1 | 5 / 9- 1 |
| 42 | Rick Johnston - Connor Cunningham | Ozark Mountain TT | 5 / 9- 1 | 5 / 9- 1 |
| 44 | Brandon Hoppert - Lucas Knotts | Cheat Lake Anglers | 5 / 8-15 | 5 / 8-15 |
| 45 | Ryan Claypool - Kyle Claypool | Upstate Anglers | 5 / 8-14 | 5 / 8-14 |
| 45 | Keith Mayfield - Daryl Adams | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 / 8-14 | 5 / 8-14 |
| 47 | Todd Buckingham - Chris Beaudrie | KY BN Team Trail | 5 / 8-13 | 5 / 8-13 |
| 47 | Mark Cox - Brian Stacy | Morristown Marine | 5 / 8-13 | 5 / 8-13 |
| 47 | Rickie Knight - Torrey Jones | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 / 8-13 | 5 / 8-13 |
| 50 | Tim Hurst - Mark McCaig | Alabama Bass Trail | 4 / 8-13 | 4 / 8-13 |
| 51 | Mike McCullers - Jason Shockley | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 / 8-12 | 5 / 8-12 |
| 52 | Scott Hinds - Aaron Watson | ME BN - Man vs Bass | 2 / 8-11 | 2 / 8-11 |
| 53 | Jay Hulsey - Bob King | Joe Bass | 5 / 8-10 | 5 / 8-10 |
| 54 | William Samples - Tom Campagna | Anglers Choice | 5 / 8- 9 | 5 / 8- 9 |
| 55 | Jonathan Spivey - Derick Livingston | Carolina Bass Challenge | 5 / 8- 8 | 5 / 8- 8 |
| 56 | Tad Dowker - Jeremiah Steffen | West Michigan Bass | 5 / 8- 8 | 5 / 8- 8 |
| 57 | Lyle Armstrong - Mitchell Armstrong | Anglers in Action | 4 / 8- 8 | 4 / 8- 8 |
| 58 | Ashton Laird - Daniel Urbino | Upstate Angelrs | 4 / 8- 6 | 4 / 8- 6 |
| 59 | Hunter Hamilton - Kyle Smith | Morristown Marine Team Trail | 5 / 8- 5 | 5 / 8- 5 |
| 60 | Marc Wagy - Joshua Wagy | VA Elite 70 | 4 / 8- 5 | 4 / 8- 5 |
| 61 | Cory Steckler - Ronnie Kane | Ozark Mountain | 5 / 8- 2 | 5 / 8- 2 |
| 62 | Allan Glasgow - George Crain | Fishers of Men | 4 / 8- 2 | 4 / 8- 2 |
| 63 | Tim Garner - Martin Villa | Priority James River Series | 5 / 7-15 | 5 / 7-15 |
| 64 | Cory Hartfield - Eddie Levin | Ohio BASS Nation Team Trail | 5 / 7-13 | 5 / 7-13 |
| 65 | Rob Messenger Jr - John Levesque | New Hampshire BN Team Trail | 3 / 7-12 | 3 / 7-12 |
| 66 | Craig Powers - Edward Baker | Tennessee Team Trail | 5 / 7-10 | 5 / 7-10 |
| 67 | David Craft - Stoney Johnson | Chattanooga Bass Association | 4 / 7-10 | 4 / 7-10 |
| 68 | Dustin Neat - Mark Wethington | NTBA | 4 / 7- 9 | 4 / 7- 9 |
| 69 | Scott Clift - Ashley Medley | Joe Bass TT | 5 / 7- 8 | 5 / 7- 8 |
| 70 | Cody George - Josh Prince | Morristown Marine | 4 / 7- 6 | 4 / 7- 6 |
| 71 | Greg Ault - Huey Applegate | Arkansas Bass Team Trail | 4 / 7- 4 | 4 / 7- 4 |
| 71 | Thomas McMillan - Tom Stinson | Media Bass | 4 / 7- 4 | 4 / 7- 4 |
| 71 | Joey Nania - Zeke Gossett | Tracker Nitro Big Bucks Buddy Trail | 4 / 7- 4 | 4 / 7- 4 |
| 74 | Greg Bent - Brian Gottfried | Upstate Anglers | 3 / 7- 4 | 3 / 7- 4 |
| 75 | Brian Shook - Randy Tolbert | Alabama Bass Trail | 4 / 7- 2 | 4 / 7- 2 |
| 76 | Joe Lee - Jimbo Harris | Tennesee Team Trail | 5 / 7- 1 | 5 / 7- 1 |
| 77 | Greg Blair - Robert Shackelford | Joe Bass | 4 / 6-15 | 4 / 6-15 |
| 77 | William Pioch - JJ Dickens | WV BN Buddy Trail | 4 / 6-15 | 4 / 6-15 |
| 77 | Jason Vance - Roger Mikels | US Anglers Choice | 4 / 6-15 | 4 / 6-15 |
| 80 | Tom Haynes - George Toalson | Angler Nation | 3 / 6- 9 | 3 / 6- 9 |
| 81 | Kelly Robinette - Billy Lane | Priority James River Series | 5 / 6- 7 | 5 / 6- 7 |
| 82 | Michael Slocki - John Hawley | Bassmania Team Trail | 4 / 6- 7 | 4 / 6- 7 |
| 83 | Michael Hyrtle - Jack Morgan | Bassmania | 4 / 6- 3 | 4 / 6- 3 |
| 84 | Gale Brown - Darrell Brown | KS BN Team Trail | 4 / 6- 2 | 4 / 6- 2 |
| 85 | Jacob Coverdale - Bobby Smith | Delaware BN Team Trail | 3 / 6- 2 | 3 / 6- 2 |
| 86 | Matthew Farrabee - Mark Mounts | Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit | 4 / 6- 1 | 4 / 6- 1 |
| 87 | Broc Lindauer - Jakob Calkin | Ultimate Bass Team Tour | 3 / 6- 1 | 3 / 6- 1 |
| 88 | Andrus Kung - Evan Kung | Bassmania | 3 / 6- 0 | 3 / 6- 0 |
| 89 | Christopher Risner - Tim Eaton | West Michigan Bass | 3 / 5-15 | 3 / 5-15 |
| 90 | Curtis Talbott - Craig Wright | Anglers Choice | 3 / 5-11 | 3 / 5-11 |
| 91 | Gregory Lewis - Stephen Dement | NTBA | 4 / 5-10 | 4 / 5-10 |
| 92 | Peter Owen - Mike Deal | NH BN Team Trail | 4 / 5- 9 | 4 / 5- 9 |
| 93 | Clint Harrison II - Jessie Harrison | Morristown Marine Team Trail | 3 / 5- 9 | 3 / 5- 9 |
| 94 | Carlton Newhouse - Cameron Newhouse | Anglers Choice | 5 / 5- 8 | 5 / 5- 8 |
| 95 | Trey McGuire - Jon Richardson | Fishers of Men | 3 / 5- 6 | 3 / 5- 6 |
| 96 | Bobby Loyd - Jeff Moseley | Ozark Mountain | 3 / 5- 4 | 3 / 5- 4 |
| 97 | Steve Barnett - Jack Levert | Renegade Bass | 3 / 4-13 | 3 / 4-13 |
| 97 | Rick Camp - Jamie Hatcher | Chattanooga Bass Association | 3 / 4-13 | 3 / 4-13 |
| 97 | Dennis Chavez - Donnie Coleman Jr | Ultimate Bass Team Trail | 3 / 4-13 | 3 / 4-13 |
| 100 | Marvin Olive - Melvin Thompson | Ozark Mountain | 3 / 4-12 | 3 / 4-12 |
| 101 | Martin Elshout - Mark Price | Fishers of Men | 3 / 4- 9 | 3 / 4- 9 |
| 101 | Mark Thompson - Jim Smith | Joe Bass TT | 3 / 4- 9 | 3 / 4- 9 |
| 103 | John Kleinoeder - John Collins | Great Lakes Largemouth Series | 4 / 4- 8 | 4 / 4- 8 |
| 104 | Mitch Mitchell - Candler McCollum | Alabama Bass Trail | 2 / 4- 8 | 2 / 4- 8 |
| 105 | Ryan Hubler - Ryan Fingleton | West Michigan Bass | 2 / 4- 6 | 2 / 4- 6 |
| 106 | Ben Jacobi - Curtis Callahan Jr | Priority James River Series | 3 / 4- 5 | 3 / 4- 5 |
| 107 | Bryan Humphreys - Maurice Oakes | Fishers of Men | 2 / 4- 5 | 2 / 4- 5 |
| 108 | Matt McCoy - Terry McWilliams | IN BN Team Trail | 3 / 4- 2 | 3 / 4- 2 |
| 109 | Danny Lavoie - Todd Mahoney | Alabama Bass Trail | 2 / 4- 1 | 2 / 4- 1 |
| 110 | Leidy Clark - Rickey West | Priority James River Series | 2 / 3-12 | 2 / 3-12 |
| 111 | Mike Crowther - Allen Bratton | Ultimate Team Tour | 2 / 3-11 | 2 / 3-11 |
| 112 | Brian Thompson - Eric Hammond | Joe Bass | 2 / 3-10 | 2 / 3-10 |
| 113 | Matt Robertson - Wendell Anderson | Priority James River Series | 2 / 3- 9 | 2 / 3- 9 |
| 114 | Tim Carmouche - Cary Beard | Fishers of Men | 2 / 3- 8 | 2 / 3- 8 |
| 114 | Ryan Hovatter - Bryson Grimes | Cheat Lake Anglers | 2 / 3- 8 | 2 / 3- 8 |
| 116 | Tim Goad - Mark Williams | Anglers Choice | 2 / 3- 6 | 2 / 3- 6 |
| 117 | Jeff Bonner - Steve Coggin | Media Bass | 2 / 3- 4 | 2 / 3- 4 |
| 117 | Jeff Gee - Steve Majewski | US Anglers Choice | 2 / 3- 4 | 2 / 3- 4 |
| 119 | Sam Wooten - Jay Mitchell | Media Bass | 2 / 3- 3 | 2 / 3- 3 |
| 120 | Raymond Trudeau - Fred George | FL BN Team Trail | 2 / 3- 2 | 2 / 3- 2 |
| 121 | David Perry - Randy Shirley | Ultimate Bass Team Tour | 2 / 3- 1 | 2 / 3- 1 |
| 121 | Travis Salo - Garret Seppala | NH BN Team Trail | 2 / 3- 1 | 2 / 3- 1 |
| 123 | Roger Hughes - Waynes Hughes | Anglers in Action | 1 / 2-14 | 1 / 2-14 |
| 124 | Justin Harris - Dell Mettlen Jr | KS BN TT | 1 / 2-11 | 1 / 2-11 |
| 125 | Kyle Kempkers - Brett Haveman | BBT Bass R Us | 2 / 2- 9 | 2 / 2- 9 |
| 126 | Dylan Dew - Randy Fox | Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit | 1 / 2- 9 | 1 / 2- 9 |
| 127 | Kyle Welcher - Chris Haynes | Alabama Bass Trail | 1 / 2- 7 | 1 / 2- 7 |
| 128 | Allen Williford - Austin Moore | IL BN Team Trail | 1 / 2- 5 | 1 / 2- 5 |
| 129 | Jason Hodge - Lonnie Bowlin | AC Tournament Trail | 1 / 2- 4 | 1 / 2- 4 |
| 129 | Kris Von Ahn - John Von Ahn | Joe Bass | 1 / 2- 4 | 1 / 2- 4 |
| 131 | Forrest Brown - Chris Van Houten | BBT Bass R Us | 2 / 2- 3 | 2 / 2- 3 |
| 132 | Ken Walters - Jason Beasley | Alabama Bass Trail | 1 / 2- 3 | 1 / 2- 3 |
| 133 | Trent Bowles - Robert McDonald | Anglers Choice | 1 / 2- 1 | 1 / 2- 1 |
| 133 | William Goots - James Ward | Anglers Choice | 1 / 2- 1 | 1 / 2- 1 |
| 133 | Robert Paxton - Steven Caldwell | Media Bass | 1 / 2- 1 | 1 / 2- 1 |
| 133 | Shane Pope - Joel Lee | Dockside Marine Team Trail | 1 / 2- 1 | 1 / 2- 1 |
| 137 | Alan Agnoli - Fred Boettjer | FL BN Team Trail | 1 / 2- 0 | 1 / 2- 0 |
| 138 | Douglas Polasek - Ty Nguyen | West Michigan Bass | 1 / 1-15 | 1 / 1-15 |
| 139 | John McCurdy - Jack McCurdy | Joe Bass | 1 / 1-14 | 1 / 1-14 |
| 139 | Jack Womack - Kathy Womack | Alabama Bass Trail | 1 / 1-14 | 1 / 1-14 |
| 141 | Kelly Pratt - Charles Rackley | James River Priority | 1 / 1-13 | 1 / 1-13 |
| 142 | James Nuckols - Doug Plemons | Morristown Marine | 1 / 1-11 | 1 / 1-11 |
| 143 | Stephen Rogers - Jimmy Rogers | Alabama Bass Trail | 1 / 1- 8 | 1 / 1- 8 |
| 144 | Keith Carney - Christopher Beeson | Texas BN Team Trail | 1 / 1- 0 | 1 / 1- 0 |
| 144 | Jason Smith - Sam Spruill | Fishers of Men | 1 / 1- 0 | 1 / 1- 0 |
| 146 | Bryan Baker - Darren Baker | Joe Bass | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 146 | Ronald Cancilla - Leo Cancilla | Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 146 | Aaron Davis - Matthew Sewell | Media Bass | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 146 | Ronald Foley - Dan Corbin | NTBA | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 146 | Brant Grimm - Bobby Drinnon | Morristown Marine | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 146 | James Holencik - George Holencik | Western PA Team Bass Series | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 146 | Joshua Hubbard - Tom Catlin | IL BN Team Trail | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 146 | Logan Johnson - Jeremy Christian | Alabama Bass Trail | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 146 | Matthew Klinker - Dusty Chaulk | MA BN Team Trail | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 146 | Jerry McCafferty - Josh Benford | Alabama Bass Trail | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 146 | Michael Mcknight - Brian Delf | IA BN Team Trail | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 146 | Jack Miller - Curt Ferri | Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 146 | Richard Schultz - Richard Schultz | Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 146 | Eric Silverstrim - Joe Johnson | TN BN Team Trail | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 146 | Lee Sisson - Michael Nicknadarvich | Lakeland Bassmasters Team Trail | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 146 | Jason Smith - Chaz McMahan | Alabama Bass Trail | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
| 146 | Jason Walcott - Jimmy Vanden Berg Jr | BBT Bass R Us | - | 0 / 0- 0 |
Dear Santa...... Vance McCullough's 2017 Christmas Wishlist. What's on yours?
Vance McCullough - Dec. 4, 2018
Jesus is fixin’ to get another year older. Even though it’s His birthday, we get all the presents. Well, some of us do, anyway.
I’m probably on the ‘naughty list’ again but if I was getting anything – well, let me dream big for a minute:
Dear Santa,
I’d like a trip to Bienville Plantation near White Springs, Florida where they catch giant bass and lots of them year-round, including during December. I could also hunt and practice my shooting skills with top notch self-defense instructors. I could even sharpen my falconry skills – if you’d give me a flacon this year instead of the old ‘partridge in a pear tree’. The pears were alright, but the partridge tasted like burnt newspaper. On that note, Bienville offers world class dining and superb accommodations that can host groups or individuals. Knowledgeable guides will ensure that even I catch some big fish.
No matter where I fish, I could sure use a Team Lew’s HyperMag Speed Spool SLP Series reel! It’s a super low-profile reel that also happens to be the lightest in the Lew’s lineup. It comes with all the best Lew’s features, even Winn Grip handles. Eleven bearings, hard-anodized aluminum alloy gears and an aircraft grade Duralumin spool mean this baby will handle light line and lures better than bigger baitcasters but still have the power handle all other bass fishing techniques. Which is perfect because I have to be versatile when fishing in a place like Bienville with the variety of options it offers (hint, hint).
I’d like to put that HyperMag to the test by grinding a new Strike King KVD 8.0 Magnum Square Bill crankbait along the tops of bars and points in 4 feet of water when bass push shad up. The 8.0 would also play well for those pre-spawn that will show up soon in backwaters and position around stumps and laydowns. Can’t wait to get my hands on some of those Square Bills!
Of course, with a high-performance reel, I could polish my skipping game. For that, dear Santa, I would like the Strike King Tour Grade Skipping Jig designed by Andy Montgomery. It has unique head shape that helps it slide back into those tight nooks where nobody else can fish. Plus, Andy designed it so it will stay together during a day of skidding and ricocheting around boat docks.
We won’t get a white Christmas here in Florida, but we do get nasty cold fronts about every 3 or 4 days. When that happens, I need to be able to dig them out of the thick stuff. Santa, you take a break on this one, my buddy Trevor has me covered: Sensitivity and power are major factors to consider when flipping and pitching, and the new Fitzgerald Titan HD Series Flipping & Pitching Rods have both - in spades. Designed by professional bass angler, Trevor Fitzgerald, each rod is hand made in the USA and carries a limited lifetime warranty on the durable, high quality graphite blank.
A sturdy jacket from Carhartt will shed the cold wind and keep me out there when the weather turns challenging. You can’t catch them from the couch!
The post-frontal flippin’ game calls for a small lure to follow a big weight. The Gambler BB Cricket is perfect. This little craw is also an excellent sight fishing lure for those first warm, sunny days when the bass begin to bed.
. . . And since we’re on the subject of bedding bass, Santa, could you please throw in a pair of Costas so I can find those fish and the sunken cover they live in? Not to be picky but I favor the Blackfin frame with the NEW Sunrise Silver Mirror lens that will let me see the fish before those other guys do because it’s made for low light conditions.
Since my wife is certainly on the ‘nice list’ I’d like to get a pair of Costa’s new Titanium Aviators for her. They look great and provide all that eye protection Costa Del Mar is known for.
Of course, to get to some of my super-secret fishing holes I could use bigger tires on the old Bass Mobile. Nothing major, just thinking maybe some 35’s, which does necessitate a suspension lift. Good thing I have a Rhino Hitch on the truck. It’s bomb-proof and adjusts to various heights, or in this case, lows, to support all my hauling needs.
Speaking of hauling, I’m gonna haul . . . uh, I mean I’ll be leaving now – too close to the big day to be cussing. Like I said, I’m probably on the naughty list anyway.
Cody Meyer and his Strike King Half Shell - His Finesse Bait of Choice!
California Based FLW Pro Cody Meyer talks about when he needs to finish out a limit, he pulls out the Halfshell and Finesse's them into the boat. Check it out!
Danny Ashley Wins ABA American Fishing Trail D96 2018 Season Qualifier on Lake Greenwood with over 20 pounds!
AFT D-96 Tournament Results
Lake Greenwood – December 3, 2017
D-96 2018 Season Qualifier Tournament
Group photo from left to right: 1st place and ALX Rod Big Fish winner Danny Ashley of Donalds, SC / 2nd place Rhett Manus of Gilbert, SC / 3rd place Joey Miller of Waterloo, SC / 4th place Patrick Hobson of Greenwood, SC / 5thplace Gary McGlohorn of Batesburg, SC. / 6th place Eric Edmondson of Greenwood, SC. / 7th place Ben Stone of Donalds, SC / 8th place Gene Parker of Asheville, NC / Jonathan Botts of Iva, SC winner of the ALX IKOS Series Rod at the drawing. The day started out at 43 degrees and was at 64 degrees by the 3 pm weigh-in. Partly cloudy skies all day long with the wind out of the NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Lake Greenwood is at 3.25 feet below full pool with surface temp in the mid 50s. There were 41 anglers fishing this Division 96 1-day qualifier tournament out of Greenwood State Park near Ninety Six, SC. First place, Danny Ashley had 5 fish weighing 20.85 pounds that was anchored by the tournament ALX Rod Big Bass at 8.69 pounds. Danny caught his fish on blade runners and was fishing the middle part of the lake. The combined payback for first place and first place option pot and big fish pot earned Danny $1236. Rhett Manus was second with 5 fish weighing 16.52 pounds. He also caught his fish on a jig fishing the middle area of the lake. Rhett took home $668 for second place and second place option pot. Joey Miller took third place with 5 fish weighing 15.90 pounds which included a 4.45 pound kicker. Joey caught his fish on spoons on the middle and lower parts of the lake. He won a total of $246 for third place. Fourth place was Patrick Hobson with 5 fish weighing 14.84 pounds with a 4.32 pound kicker. Patrick took home $187 for his fourth place finish. Fifth place was Gary McGlorhorn with 5 fish weighing 14.23 pounds. Gary won $151. Eric Edmondson finished sixth with 5 fish weighing 13.96 pounds that included a 4.80 pound kicker. Eric caught his a little different by cranking on the upper part of the lake. Eric won $115 for sixth place. Ben Stone finished seventh with 5 fish at 13.84 pounds. Ben won an ALX Rod Hat and a $50 off coupon for the purchase of an ALX Rod. In eighth place was Gene Parker with 5 fish at 12.35 pounds. Gene won a Level Performance Rod Hat. The next D-96 tournament for the 2018 season is January 7, 2018 on Clarks Hill Lake out of the Dorn Boating Facility near McCormick, SC. Here’s how we finished:
Angler # Fish
Big Bass
Penalty
Total Wt.
Points
Payout
1
Danny Ashley 5
8.69
20.85
200
$1,236
2
Rhett Manus 5
16.52
199
$668
3
Joey Miller 5
4.45
15.9
198
$246
4
Patrick Hobson 5
4.32
14.84
197
$187
5
Gary McGlohorn 5
3.18
14.23
196
$151
6
Eric Edmondson 5
4.8
13.96
195
$115
7
Ben Stone 5
13.84
194
ALX Rod Hat &
$50 off ALX Coupon
8
Gene Parker 5
3.86
12.35
193
Level Rod Hat
9
Wayman Coleman 5
12.13
192
$0
10
Rodney Cromer 5
11.73
191
$0
11
Jerry A. Allen 5
0.5
11.41
190
$0
12
Jonathan Botts 5
11.23
189
ALX Rod Winner
13
James Satterwhite 5
11.05
188
$0
14
George Berry 5
10.29
187
$0
15
Paul Selle 5
10.27
186
$0
16
Brett Douglas 4
9.75
185
$0
17
Chase Stewart 3
8.6
184
$0
18
Jay Treon 5
8.52
183
$0
19
Kirk Fowler 4
8.42
182
$0
20
Roy Stewart 4
8.01
181
$0
21
Bill Pinion 3
7.3
180
$0
22
Chad Brounkowski 3
6.64
179
$0
23
Truett Hill 3
6.12
178
$0
24
Mike Williams 3
5.95
177
$0
25
Don Kneece 3
4.99
176
$0
26
Mike Dimatteo 3
1
4.93
175
$0
27
Michael Elston 1
4.75
4.75
$174
$0
28
Rodney Chastain 2
4.64
$173
$0
29
Paul Smith 2
4.1
172
$0
30
Robby Hipps 2
3.97
171
$0
31
Wesley Bray 2
3.93
170
$0
32
Quionne York 2
3.34
169
$0
33
Phil Morris 1
1.96
168
$0
34
Bill Cain 1
1.82
167
$0
35
Mark Richardson 1
1.76
166
$0
36
Jason Moyer 0
0
50
$0
36
Lee Foster 0
0
50
$0
36
Randy Ables 0
0
50
$0
36
Lancen Talbert 0
0
50
$0
36
Roger Farr 0
0
50
$0
36
Andy Lake 0
0
50
$0
D-96 Angler of the Year Leaders for 2018 Season:
George Berry – 788 points
Joey Miller – 788 points
Paul Selle – 762 points
J. Treon – 758 points
R. Cromer – 758 points
ALX Rod Big Fish Leader for 2018 Season:
Danny Ashley – 8.69 pounds Lake Greenwood, December 3, 2017
ALX Rods Big Fish Award for the 2018 Season (New ALX IKOS Series Rod for Season Big Fish Winner www.alxrods.com)
Jonathan Botts won an ALX IKOS Series Promise 7 Rod at the drawing on December 3rd Lake Greenwood weigh-in.
Level Performance Rods Big Sack Leader for 2018 Season:
Danny Ashley – 20.85 pounds Lake Greenwood, December 3, 2017
Andy Lake won a Level Rod at the drawing at the August 20th Murray weigh-in.
Local Sponsors:
Our local sponsors will be providing products or money for products for the anglers fishing Division 96 tournaments. Please give them your support by looking to them first when considering your purchases. They are supporting you!
Palmetto Electrical Systems serving Greenwood, SC. Residential & Commercial Services – 30 years experience – Quality Service – Reasonable Prices – Free Estimates – Locally owned and operated by Mark T. Abbott – 8117 Highway 246 S, Ninety Six, SC - 864-227-8500
Kneece Investigations, LLC Saluda, SC www.kneeceinvestigations.com (864-445-3713) (one stop for both your Investigative and Surveillance Equipment needs)
ALX Rods Aiken, SC www.alxrods.com (866-628-5052) Email: contact@alxrods.com (ALX Rods are available locally at Palmetto State Armory Fishing Outpost (Fernandina Road in Columbia, SC & also stores in Summerville & Mt. Pleasant, SC), Cabela’s (Augusta, Ga. Greenville and Fort Mill, SC) Wacky Riggers (Salisbury, NC), Calyx Outdoors (Piedmont, SC) Grady’s Great Outdoors (Anderson, SC), Number 1 Tackle (Clearwater, SC) and direct at www.alxrods.com ) 3 ALX IKOS Rods are to be awarded to D-96 anglers. 1 at a 1-day drawing – 1 at the 2-day drawing – 1 for the Big Fish of the Season
Antler Road On-Line Shopping – This is an on-line store with items your wives and female anglers will like with jewelry, bags and items for the home. www.antlerroad.com
Level Performance Rods: Rods designed and fished by FLW Pro Anthony Gagliardi of Prosperity, SC. See the complete line of these affordable rods at www.levelfishingrods.com (803-500-2354) Also Level Rods are at Palmetto State Armory Fishing Outpost Fernandina Road in Columbia, SC. 3 Level Rods are to be awarded to D-96 anglers. 1 at a 1-day drawing – 1 at the 2-day drawing – 1 for the Big Sack of the Season
Complete results and news on www.aba-sc.com and see your photos on ‘facebook’ at D-96 American Fishing Tour
Up Coming Tournaments:
D-26 Dec. 10, 2017 Clarks Hill Wildwood Park
D-25 Dec. 17, 2017 Clarks Hill Dorn Facility
D-96 Jan. 7, 2018 Clarks Hill Dorn Facility
Open Series Jan. 27, 2018 Keowee South Cove
D-26 Jan. 28, 2018 Clarks Hill Wildwood Park
Open Series Feb. 17, 2017 Murray Dreher Island
D-25 Feb. 18, 2018 Hartwell Green Pond
D-26 Feb. 18, 2018 Clarks Hill Wildwood Park
D-96 Feb. 25, 2018 Murray Dreher Island
SC Couples Mar. 3, 2018 Keowee South Cove
D-25 Mar. 11, 2018 Russell Hwy 72 Ramp
D-26 Mar. 11, 2018 Clarks Hill Wildwood Park
D-96 Mar. 18, 2018 Clarks Hill Dorn Facility
D-25 Mar. 25, 2018 Clarks Hill Dorn Facility
D-96 Apr. 8, 2018 Russell Hwy 72 Ramp
D-26 Apr. 14-15, 2018 Clarks Hill Wildwood Park
D-25 Apr. 22, 2018 Hartwell Green Pond
SC Couples Apr, 28, 2018 Hartwell Green Pond
D-96 May 12, 2018 Bring A Youth Greenwood State Park
SC Couples May 19, 2018 Russell Russell State Park
D-25 May 19-20, 2018 Russell Hwy 72 Ramp
D-96 May 20, 2018 Clarks Hill Dorn Facility
D-96 Jun. 2-3, 2018 Greenwood Greenwood State Park
SC Couples Jun. 9, 2018 Greenwood One Stop Marina
AFT 2018 National Championship was announced to be on Lake Hartwell, Anderson, SC out of the Green Pond Facility. October 21-26, 2018
New Costa Titanium Aviators! Take Care of that Special Lady in Your Life this Christmas!
Take Care of that Special Lady in Your Life with a new pair of Titanium Aviators!! Some cool new frames that will look awful good under the tree this Christmas! Shop Now!
Earn up to $50 in Carhartt Bucks! Be a 5-Star Gift Giver Christmas is just 24 Days Away!
Earn up to $50 in Carhartt Bucks! Be a 5-Star Gift Giver Christmas is just 24 Days Away! Shop now!
Anglers Compete For Classic Berth In Upcoming Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship
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Drew Benton Talks Costa Sunglasses and Which Frame and Lenses He Chooses
Elite Series Pro Fisherman Drew Benton believes in Costa Sunglasses and you should too. Listen as Drew talks about his favorite frames and which lenses he chooses for each condition. Check it out and find them here!
Mark Rose Talks About the New Strike King SpinHead on this Weeks Strike King Product Spotlight!
FLW Champ Mark Rose talks bout the New Strike King Spin Head anyhow he likes to rig it from deep to shallow and the trailers he uses to match the hatch!
2018 Ranger Boats 521L ICON Edition Celebrating Rangers 50th Anniversary
In celebration of Ranger Boats 50th Anniversary, They have introduced a limited number of the new 521L Series Ranger Bass Boats and termed them, The ICON Edition. One of the Sharpest Rigs on the road or on the water the ICON is sure to please. While they may not fit everyones budget, they are certainly sought after by Ranger collectors and Ranger Afficianado's across the Country. If your like us and love a good looking Ranger, You will surely like the new 50th Anniversary ICON Edition from Ranger. More Info is also available here.
Free YETI Ice with Purchase of a YETI Roadie, Tundra or Hopper!
Through Today, Receive a 1lb YETI ICE Free! Thats a $60.00 retail value! Shop Now!
CYBER Monday - Carhartt Free Wood Carrier with $125 Purchase!
Get your Free Wood Carrier from Carhartt with your purchase of $125 or more! Check it out! Shop Now!
Ranger Boats Ranger Wear Cyber Monday Deals Today!!!
CYBER MONDAY EXCLUSIVE: Use code CMSHIP for free shipping on orders $50 or more through 11.27.17. Exclusions apply. Shop Now
Classic Champ Joins Mossy Oak Fishing Team
WEST POINT, MS - Mossy Oak's Fishing Team is growing with the addition of Bassmaster's up-and-comer Jordan Lee.
Established this year in conjunction with the launch of Mossy Oak Elements, the Mossy Oak Fishing Team is growing with bassmasters KevinVanDam, Ott DeFoe and Gerald Swindle and saltwater fisherman Mark Davis already on board.
Lee caught the fishing bug at the age of ten and hasn't looked back since. He fished tournaments throughout high school, and later would fish for Auburn's University Team, which would in turn open up the doors to his future in fishing professionally. Lee will be fishing his fourth year in the Bassmaster Elite Series in 2018. With a Bassmaster Classic Win and three consecutive top-10 finishes in Angler of the Year points under his belt, at the astounding age of 26, Lee is quickly becoming one of the best on the water.
For more information on Jordan Lee, visit www.jordanleefishing.com or follow him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Jleefishing and Twitter at https://twitter.com/JLeefishing. To learn more about Mossy Oak's Elements pattern, visit www.mossyoak.com.
Haas Outdoors Inc. is headquartered in West Point, Miss., was established in 1986 and is home of Mossy Oak. For more than 30 years, Mossy Oak has been a leading outdoors lifestyle brand that specializes in developing and marketing modern camouflage designs for hunters and outdoors enthusiasts. The Mossy Oak Brand and patterns can be found on a multitude of products worldwide. Haas Outdoors Inc. is the parent company of Mossy Oak, BioLogic, Mossy Oak Productions,MOOSE Media, Nativ Nurseries, Nativ Living, GameKeepers, GameKeepers Kennels and Mossy Oak Properties.Mossy Oak is the official camouflage of theNational Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited,Quality Deer Management Association and Mack's Prairie Wings and the official pattern of B.A.S.S., Major League Fishing and Cabela's Collegiate Bass Fishing Series.
Follow Mossy Oak on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Pinterest and YouTube.
IT'S NOT A PASSION. IT'S AN OBSESSION.
Justin Lucas Talks Depth Lines on his Humminbird Mega Helix Units.
Elite Series Pro and New Father Justin Lucas gives us a little insight to some tricks within his Humminbird Mega Imaging Helix 12 units that help him not identify where the fish are but more closely find that certain depth and strike zone that helps him catch more fish. Check it out!
Registration is Now Open for the Cabela’s Collegiate Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley on Kentucky Lake
Starting November 14th, collegiate anglers nationwide will be able to register for the Cabela’s Collegiate Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley. The event, hosted by Henry County, will include a banquet in Paris, Tennessee the night before the event, as well as two days of fishing on Kentucky Lake. The launch and all weigh-in activities will take place at Paris Landing Tennessee on March 9th-11th. This event will also be televised on several national networks as part of the largest ever collegiate bass fishing television series.
This will be the second stop of the 2018 Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series. It’s also historically one of the biggest fields in college fishing with anglers from all over the nation choosing to spend spring break on Kentucky Lake. Last year, 519 anglers from 84 schools competed in what was the biggest field to-date since the birth of the event. The Cabela’s Collegiate Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley offers every competitor the chance to win numerous prizes, thanks to eight separate weigh-ins throughout the event. Each separate weigh-in will pay down to ten places, as well as a daily and overall big bass prize.
“This is one of the most enjoyable and biggest collegiate events of the season,” said the Director of the Collegiate Series and President of CarecoTV, Wade Middleton. “It’s open to all collegiate bass fishing clubs, counts double towards Cabela’s School of Year presented by Abu Garcia points and a single cast can win someone a prize! Last year, the amount of prizes awarded at this event exceeded $25,000 and it took a bass weighing over eight pounds to win at this event!”
2017 Cabela’s Collegiate Big Bass Bash Winner – Evan Owrey, Bethel University
To register today and find out more information on the 2018 Cabela’s Collegiate Big Bass Bash Presented by Berkley, click the link below and stay tuned for more information to follow!
Register Here
Angler Packet (Coming Soon)
Rules
Strike King Pro Todd Castledine Talks about the New Smaller Rage Tail Swimmer and some new Accessories...
FLW Touring Pro and Strike King Pro Staffer Todd Castledine talks about the New 2.75" Rage Swimmer and how he likes to rig it for late fall bites. Check it out!
Casey Ashley & Realtree Fishing Announce Partnership
Columbus, GA (Nov. 16, 2017) – Realtree Fishing, a natural extension of parent brand Realtree, the worldwide leader in camo for outdoor enthusiasts everywhere, announces a partnership with bass fishing professional Casey Ashley.
Realtree Fishing launched in 2016 to appeal to fishermen worldwide. Realtree Fishing patterns range from effectively muted to standout vivid, offering anglers everywhere the perfect camo for days on the water and everyday wear. Realtree Fishing products include items from shoes to sunglasses to clothes to boats and more – everything necessary to make fishing more effective and enjoyable.
"Casey Ashley is the perfect brand ambassador for Realtree Fishing," said Realtree Designer and President Bill Jordan. "He has won at the highest levels of bass angling, yet remains grounded in the outdoor lifestyle and his country music pursuits. In just a very short time on the professional circuit, he's become a household name, and people know they can count on him to make them better fishermen through the tactics he's perfected and the products he uses. We are very happy that he counts on Realtree Fishing patterns and products to compete with the best fishermen in the world."
"It's hard for me to believe that I'm truly living the dreams of my youth, but I am," said Ashley. "From my earliest tournaments to winning the Bassmaster Classic to using the best products available on a daily basis, I am so blessed. And to be able to help promote fishing, the lifestyle, and all the conservation efforts fishermen and outdoor companies support, it's all just very meaningful to me and to the people I influence."
Ashley's career highlights not only include the 2015 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Hartwell, the same lake he'll be defending that title in 2018, but also a win on the FLW Tour while qualifying for that league's championship, the FLW Cup. He is also a four-time winner on the Bassmaster Elite Series while qualifying for eight Classics.
Ashley will be promoting Realtree Fishing branded hats and pattern on Tour starting in 2018.
He is also an avid hunter, which adds to why Realtree is thrilled to be partnering with this all-around outdoorsman.
Realtree Fishing is a natural extension of parent brand Realtree, the world's leading camouflage designer, marketer and licensor. Realtree Fishing's growing partnerships in manufacturing, retail and conservation ensure that the brand's customers will enjoy the best fishing products, availability and natural resources access for generations to come. Find Realtree Fishing on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and at RealtreeFishing.com.
Elite Series Champ & Rookie of the Year Dustin Connell Talks 6th Sense Provoke Deep Diving Jerkbaits
Elite Series Rookie of the Year Dustin Connell loves to throw the Deeper Diving 6th Sense Provoke Jerkbait and today he tells us why.
Shaw Grigsby Talks Strike King Open Pour Technology!
BASS Elite Series Pro and now Professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame member Shaw Grigsby talks about Strike King's Open Pour Technology. Check it out!
Army Veteran Wins Sweepstakes And Chance To Fish With Classic Winner
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Humminbird® Introduces the New SOLIX™ 10
RACINE, Wis., November 14, 2017 – When Humminbird® introduced the SOLIX™ Series in January, it redefined sonar by integrating its most revolutionary technological features into a new line of powerful, easy-to-use fish finders. For 2018 Humminbird has expanded the series with the SOLIX 10. Its 10.1-inch screen makes it ideal for use at the bow or on more compact console settings. The SOLIX 10 helps anglers find and catch more fish with the most advanced sonar, image clarity and mapping capabilities in its class.
Crystal-clear images
The SOLIX 10 comes in two models: one featuring Humminbird’s exclusive MEGA Imaging™ with GPS and CHIRP Digital Sonar, and another with GPS and CHIRP Digital Sonar only. Humminbird’s ultra-clear MEGA Imaging™ is the first Down and Side Imaging technology to enter the megahertz range with performance that’s nearly three times greater than traditional 455 kHz frequencies. It results in the clearest, sharpest on-screen images ever seen.
B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year Brandon Palaniuk gives credit to MEGA Imaging for his 2017 victory at Sam Rayburn Reservoir, saying “I found brush piles that other guys drove right past with their sonar units. During practice I stacked up tons of waypoints on brush that held good fish, and during the tournament I was able to go back, see where the bass were on the piles, and smash them.”
Anglers can choose MEGA Side Imaging for an incredible view to the left and right of their boat, while MEGA Down Imaging gives crystal clear pictures of what is beneath the boat. Both carry a range that covers the most popular fishing depths.
“Fish, rocks and stumps almost look like photographs, while man-made structures like shipwrecks or sunken bridges offer up MEGA imagery down to individual beams,” explains Humminbird Brand Manager Ray Schaffart. “After people see it, they just can’t believe it.”
MEGA Imaging works in conjunction with CHIRP Digital Sonar, which fires more pulses than traditional transducers – and more pulses mean more information, improved target separation and superior image clarity at greater depths.
Customizable screen technology
The SOLIX 10 comes standard with Humminbird’s Cross Touch® Interface, which allows anglers to operate the fish finder via touchscreen or with the touchpad. Users can customize the screen with up to four independent viewing panes to simultaneously get the Down Imaging, Side Imaging and GPS mapping information they need – at a glance. Individual panes can be zoomed in/out, or moved to different screen locations based on an angler’s preference or the fishing situation.
Takes mapping to the next level
Standard on the SOLIX 10 is the new Humminbird Basemap, which helps anglers pinpoint fishing hot spots by showing freshwater depth contours in 10- and 20-foot increments for more than 10,000 American lakes, and precise coverage of the entire U.S. coastline thanks to NOAA-based charts, the most trusted source of coastal data. The Basemap also includes navigational aids, marker buoys, depths, points of interest and launch locations to improve the boating experience. In addition to the pre-loaded lakes with contour mapping, the Humminbird Basemap provides shoreline-only maps to hundreds of thousands of other lakes. It also displays highways, roads, railroads, bike paths, and streams, along with more than 200 icons.
Another standard SOLIX 10 feature is AUTOCHART® Live. This exclusive Humminbird technology maps and saves depth contours, bottom hardness and vegetation data on any body of water. Fish relate to depths, weed lines and transition points in bottom type – for example where a soft, muddy bottom transitions to firm sand or rock. By collecting all that data on an AUTOCHART Live map, Humminbird helps anglers find the “spot on the spot” like never before.
AUTOCHART Live is also compatible with i-Pilot® Link™ from Minn Kota® for the utmost in boat control and fishing success. With the fish finder and trolling motor communicating, an angler can tell his Minn Kota trolling motor to “follow” a specific AUTCHART Live contour at a set speed, and with the press of a button the boat will automatically follow the exact path. Without touching the trolling motor controls, anglers can stay on a weedline, depth or bottom hardness contour to keep their bait in active water at all times.
The new units are also fully compatible with Humminbird LakeMaster® charts, SmartStrike™ and Navionics® Gold/HotMaps™.
Bluetooth® connectivity
Bluetooth is built into every SOLIX 10, allowing anglers to sync their smartphones to the fish finder and view text messages, missed calls and signal strength right on the SOLIX display. It creates a flawless on-board network of electronics and connectivity.
For plug-and-fish networking, high-speed ethernet provides easy connections to Humminbird 360 Imaging, Minn Kota i-Pilot Link, Humminbird CHIRP Radar, and additional SOLIX or select HELIX units.
Anglers can mount the SOLIX 10 on the boat dash or at the bow on the included gimbal, or directly to an optional RAM Mount for multi-directional viewing if desired. For more information call Humminbird at 800-633-1468 or visit Humminbird.com/SOLIX.
About Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc.
Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson Outdoors and consists of the Humminbird®, Minn Kota® and Cannon® brands. Humminbird® is a leading global innovator and manufacturer of marine electronics products including fishfinders, multifunction displays, autopilots, ice flashers and premium cartography products. Minn Kota® is the world’s leading manufacturer of electric trolling motors, as well as a complete line of Talon® shallow-water anchors, battery chargers and marine accessories. Cannon® is the leader in controlled-depth fishing and includes a full line of downrigger products and accessories.
Grigsby Honored and Humbled by Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Induction
Photo Credit Courtesy Ronnie Moore - BASS
Shaw Grigsby was inducted to the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Thursday night. After decades as a touring bass pro with multiple wins to his credit and a his own long-running TV show, where does this accomplishment rank for Grigsby? “Probably the greatest accomplishment I have when it comes to fishing. That’s a huge honor.
“And then to go into the Wonders of Wildlife Museum and there’s a plaque there . . . it was just awesome. It was an incredible evening and an incredible honor and, you know, I’m kind of stunned by the whole deal.”
Asked to recount some favorite memories from the career that earned him HOF recognition, Grigsby said, “There are tons of them. Of course, every win was really, really special and the older you get the more cherished they are. The last win, at Harris Chain, was really exceptional. I remember individual fish. That’s what’s really cool about the sport – how it impresses little details on you that you’ll remember the rest of your life. Whether you’re fishing a tournament or fishing with your grandkids, you’re making memories that will stick with you.”
So what was it like when Grigsby learned he would be inducted? “Steve Bowman told me ‘they had the vote and you’re in’. I was like, ‘oh my gosh’! It was really cool.”
As for the new Wonders of Wildlife Museum? “Incredible,” giggled Grigsby. I bought tickets for my whole family and it was simply amazing. My grandson had a blast. I had a blast. You just have to see it.”
Grigsby was especially enamored of the wall which depicted all of the presidents who liked to fish. “I would pay to go back again tomorrow.”
Such a high caliber museum is an appropriate place to display a plaque that commemorates the career of an angler who has added so much history, so much goodness to our sport. Congratulations Shaw Grigsby.
Powers Wins TH Marine BFL Wildcard!!
November 12, 2017 by Jody White - FLW
The T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Wild Card is a last-chance shot at the All-American for BFL anglers that didn’t qualify for a Regional. It’s the official end of the season for FLW, and this year Kevin Powers of Unicoi, Tenn., earned the last win of the year. Weighing limits for 17 pounds, 14 ounces on day one and 14-11 on day two, Powers’ 32-9 total was plenty for the win and qualification for the 2018 All-American on Cross Lake. Because Powers entered the optional side pot, he took home $4,373 in addition to the winner’s trophy.
The fishing on Kentucky Lake has been uniformly tough this fall, culminating on the final day of last week’s Costa FLW Series Championship when Bradford Beavers was the only angler in the top 10 who managed a limit.
The Wild Card took off from Kentucky Dam Marina, so running over into Barkley for a change of pace was a reasonable proposition for the competitors.
“The last time I was here was probably 10 years ago. I fished a Regional here, and it was pretty tough back then, too,” says Powers, who practiced with his father for the tournament. “We came here Monday and stayed over by Eddyville on Barkley, and we started catching some on topwater until the lake muddied up. But, my dad is a slow fisherman, and he likes fishing out a little off the bank a little more than I do, and that was the key this week.”
Kevin Powers
Throwing a Lunker Lure Rattleback Jig matched with a Zoom Big Salty Chunk as well as a homemade 5/8-ounce spinnerbait, Powers totaled up 17 keepers over two days of fishing.
“I looked for deeper banks on the main channel that had some laydowns on them,” says Powers. “With the water being down right now, and me not knowing the lake, I was just looking for the same things we’d fish back home in east Tennessee.”
Kevin Powers
Powers fished a number of different banks, but he did a lot of his work with his jig on one magical laydown tree. Finishing out in about 13 feet of water at its end, the tree produced five keepers on day one (four that made it to weigh-in) and an astonishing seven keepers on day two.
“Me and dad were fishing up the bank above it in practice and I caught a 3-pounder, so I pulled up the trolling motor and idled by,” says Powers. “I hadn’t ever fished it before until yesterday [Friday]. I thought it looked good, but I never imagined that.”
Powers’ biggest fish of the week was a hefty smallmouth he caught on the spinnerbait on day one. Fishing the same types of woody banks he targeted with the jig, Powers tried to keep his blade as tight to the bottom as possible. In practice it produced a 6-pounder, but the jig was definitely the key to the week.
“It feels great; that’s what I keep fishing for,” says Powers of his second All-American qualification. “I didn’t have a very good year fishing regular BFL tournaments, so this is a great way to finish it off. This is my fifth win fishing FLW stuff. Hopefully it won’t be my last.”
Steve Ruff
Ruff runs south
Making a long run south of New Johnsonville each day, Steve Ruff caught steady limits for a total of 28-2 to lock up qualification for the All-American.
“I wound up finding my fish where there was a current break. It changed every day. The fish actually got deeper today [Saturday], and I wound up catching them on a Strike King Series 5 and an Alabama rig, and I hadn’t thrown an Alabama rig all week.”
Ruff says he caught all but one of his keepers off one spot, sitting his boat in the channel in about 20 feet of water and fishing up in 2 to 6 feet of water. On day one his primary baits were a Strike King Series 3 (sexy shad) and a 1/2-ounce Strike King Red Eye Shad (chrome sexy shad), with a shaky head mixed in. His biggest fish that day came on a topwater on a shallow bar that he hit on the way back from his limit hole. With the fish sitting a bit deeper on day two, Ruff turned to a Strike King Series 5 (sexy shad) and a three-wire bladeless umbrella rig with 1/8-ounce heads and 4.8-inch Keitech Swing Impact FAT swimbaits.
Ruff experienced some motor trouble on the ride down south on day two, and after getting his limit he cut the day short at only 10:45 a.m. Despite not getting to fish his good stuff the rest of the day, he still had more than enough to earn his second trip to the All-American.
Freddy Palmer
Day one does it for Palmer
Freddy Palmer led the whole deal with 19-10 on day one, but he failed to catch a keeper on day two and settled into third place for his first All-American qualification.
“Everything came out of the canal, and it burned me today [Saturday],” says Palmer, who fished the canal that connects Lake Barkley to Kentucky Lake on day one. “I had about a 50-yard stretch where I caught a couple in practice, and that’s where four of mine came from. Then I started venturing out a little farther away from that 50 yards, and I caught my biggest one about 100 yards away. Yesterday the current was coming out of Barkley and into Kentucky, which brought the color with it. Today it was crystal clear. The current was flowing from Kentucky into Barkley.”
Palmer’s primary bait was a Tennessee shad-colored Strike King 5XD, and he fished it in 8 to 12 feet of water along the riprap bank. Palmer actually caught five keeper smallmouths on day one, but later culled two of them out with largemouths.
On day two, Palmer fished the canal for two hours and then started to run, hitting spots in Jonathan Creek and Blood River with no success. Palmer has finished seventh in BFL Regionals twice, just one spot out of making the All-American, but one great day of fishing in the Wild Card was enough to send him on to Cross Lake this time around.
Top 10 boaters
1. Kevin Powers – Unicoi, Tenn. – 32-9 (10) – $4,373
2. Steve Ruff – St. Charles, Mo. – 28-2 (10) – $2,386
3. Freddy Palmer – Estill Springs, Tenn. – 19-10 (5) – $1,474
4. Danny Holloway – Corinth, Miss. – 18-6 (5) – $1,288
5. Billy Schroeder – Paducah, Ky. – 17-11 (5) – $932
6. Justin Royal – Vidor, Texas – 16-8 (7) – $808
7. Steve Hatfield – Ashland, Ohio – 15-6 (7) – $713
8. Mel Kennedy – Cumming, Ga. – 13-4 (5)
9. Taylor Ramey – Purvis, Miss. – 12-9 (4) – $665
10. Willie Rentmeister – Mount Pulaski, Ill. – 12-8 (7) – $618
Complete results
Scott Stallings
Stallings drags for co-angler win
Scott Stallings has been a fairly prolific co-angler over the years with FLW, but he’d never earned a win until the Wild Card. In addition to the $2,235 from the side pot, Stallings also locked up his first All-American qualification.
“I caught ’em on a Carolina rig,” says Stallings, whose three bass on day two keyed his win. “Yesterday [Friday] I caught my fish on a Senko. Today it was points and steeper banks back in the cuts, and most of them came in 8 to 12 feet.
“I’d been here a long time ago this time of year, maybe 2005. I did basically the same stuff then. Every time I come to Kentucky Lake I do basically the same thing,” relays Stallings. “I have some back problems, so after I do a lot of chunkin’ and windin’ I have to do something different. And the Carolina rig is something I can work slow and isn’t hard on me.”
Stallings caught one keeper with a Yamamoto Senko on day one, but the bulk of his weight ate a Carolina-rigged 8-inch Zoom Lizard in watermelon with the tail dyed chartreuse.
“I know a lot of guys that have fished these for years and years and have come close and never made it,” says Stallings of his All-American qualification. “This is just my second year fishing the BFLs, so I consider it an awesome thing.”
Top 10 co-anglers
1. Scott Stallings – Glencoe, Okla. – 11-12 (4) – $2,235
2. Dave Roberts – Indianapolis, Ind. – 8-2 (3) – $1,017
3. Robert Pillow – Campbellsville, Ky. – 7-14 (2)
4. Cory Miller – Blanchard, Okla. – 7-4 (2) – $684
5. Andrew Nickeson – Valdosta, Ga. – 6-10 (3) – $603
6. Carl Lingle – Dongola, Ill. – 6-7 (2) – $434
7. Sank Payton – Bay Springs, Miss. – 5-15 (2) – $376
8. Taylor Wisniewski – Lexington, Ky. – 5-10 (2) – $332
9. Chris O’Bryan – Harned, Ky. – 5-9 (3) – $310
10. W.K. Luckett Jr. – Ridgeland, Miss. – 4-12 (2) – $288
Complete results
Tournament details
The Wild Card on Kentucky Lake featured BFL anglers who paid an entry fee prior to each of the five tournaments in a division, fished at least two of them and did not qualify for a Regional in any division. The top six boaters and co-anglers qualified to compete in the 2018 T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League All-American, which is a televised event with a six-figure payday and a boater berth in the Forrest Wood Cup on the line.
FLW, TBF ANNOUNCE 2018 HIGH SCHOOL FISHING SCHEDULE
MINNEAPOLIS (Nov. 9, 2017) – Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) and The Bass Federation (TBF) announced Thursday the 2018 High School Fishing schedule, including 29 Student Angler Federation (SAF) High School Fishing State Championships, 24 Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Opens, seven state high school athletic association sanctioned tournaments and three SAF High School Fishing Challenge tournaments, plus the most anticipated events of the year, the High School Fishing National Championship and World Finals on Pickwick Lake in Florence, Alabama.
“High School Fishing is the perfect recruitment, retention and reactivation program,” said FLW President of Operations Kathy Fennel. “Since its introduction in 2010 with the inaugural High School Fishing World Finals, we’ve seen how effective it is at getting new anglers and lapsed anglers on the water while retaining existing anglers who often serve as mentors for school teams. You need to look no further than the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2016 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation that shows an 8 percent increase in fishing participation since 2011 to see the program’s effectiveness. While several factors undoubtedly play into this growth, High School Fishing is certainly a leading contributor. We are creating a whole new generation of anglers and providing them with a connection to their schools and the outdoors.”
The more than 20,000 anglers that participated in the TBF/FLW High School Fishing program this year will have 72 tournaments in which to compete in 2018.
“As the sport’s leading youth organization, we are proud to have FLW as our partner in providing more fishing opportunities for more high school students across North America than anyone else,” said TBF President Robert Cartlidge. “Together TBF and FLW are laying the foundation on which our sport will continue to build, and we look forward to another incredible season working with schools from New York to California and into Canada to provide unprecedented opportunities for students and their families.”
2018 High School Fishing World Finals/National Championship:
June 26-30 Pickwick Lake Florence, Ala.
2018 Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Opens:
Jan. 13 Lake Mitchell Open Clanton, Ala.
March 3 Columbus Pool Open Columbus, Miss.
March 10 Douglas Lake Open Kodak, Tenn.
March 17 Truman Lake Open Warsaw, Mo.
April 7 High Rock Lake Open Lexington, N.C.
May 5 Mississippi River Open (Wis.) La Crosse, Wis.
May 12 Lake O’ the Pines Open Jefferson, Texas
May 13 Clear Lake Open/Calif. State Championship Lakeport, Calif.
May 20 Smith Mountain Lake Open Huddleston, Va.
June 3 Whitefish Chain Open Crosslake, Minn.
June 9 Raisin River Open Monroe, Mich.
Sept. 8 Rend Lake Open Whittington, Ill.
Sept. 15 Kentucky Lake Open Gilbertsville, Ky.
Sept. 22 Raystown Lake Open Hesston, Pa.
Sept. 29 Wheeler Lake Open Decatur, Ala.
Oct. 6 Lake Monroe Open Bloomington, Ind.
Oct. 13 Lake Murray Open Prosperity, S.C.
Oct. 20 Grand Lake Open Grove, Okla.
Oct. 27 Mosquito Creek Lake Open Cortland, Ohio
Nov. 3 Dale Hollow Lake Open Burkesville, Ky.
Nov. 10 Ouachita River Open West Monroe, La.
Nov. 17 Lake Hamilton Open Hot Springs, Ark.
Dec. 8 Lake Seminole Open Bainbridge, Ga.
Dec. 15 Lake Okeechobee Open Clewiston, Fla.
2018 SAF High School Fishing State Championships:
Feb. 10 Georgia State Championship – West Point Lake LaGrange, Ga.
Feb. 24 Florida State Championship – St. John’s River Putnam County, Fla.
March 10 Texas State Championship – Lake Palestine Flint, Texas
March 24 Louisiana State Championship – Cross Lake Shreveport, La.
March 31 Kentucky State Championship – Lake Cumberland Somerset, Ky.
March 31 Kansas State Championship – Wilson Lake Russell, Kan.
April 7 Mississippi State Championship – Tenn. Tom Waterway Columbus, Miss.
April 8 Illinois State Championship – Clinton Lake Weldon, Ill.
April 14 Virginia and North Carolina State Championships – Kerr Lake Henderson, N.C.
April 28 New Hampshire State Championship – Lake Winnipesaukee Gilford, N.H.
April 29 South Carolina State Championship – Lake Murray Prosperity, S.C.
April 29 Tennessee State Championship – Kentucky Lake Birdsong, Tenn.
May 5 Idaho State Championship – C.J. Strike Reservoir Mountain Home, Idaho
May 6 Arkansas State Championship – Lake Dardanelle Russellville, Ark.
May 12 Ohio State Championship – Alum Creek Reservoir Columbus, Ohio
May 13 California State Championship/Clear Lake Open Lakeport, Calif.
May 19 Alabama State Championship – Lake Neely Henry Gadsden, Ala.
May 20 Iowa State Championship – Mississippi River Davenport, Iowa
May 27 Oklahoma State Championship – Fort Gibson Lake Wagoner, Okla.
June 2 Tri-State Championship (Conn., Mass., R.I.) – East Brimfield Lake Sturbridge, Mass.
June 2 Indiana State Championship – Brookville Lake Brookville, Ind.
June 17 Minnesota State Championship – Mille Lacs Lake Isle, Minn.
July 7 South Dakota State Championship – Lake Henry TBD
July 8 Quad State Championship (Pa., Del., Md., N.J.) – TBD TBD
July 21 Nebraska State Championship – Missouri River Niobrara, Neb.
July 28 Michigan State Championship – Gull Lake Kalamazoo, Mich.
Aug. 5 Wisconsin State Championship – Bay of Green Bay Oconto, Wis.
Sept. 16 New York State Championship – Great Sacandaga Lake TBD
2018 SAF High School Fishing Challenges:
Feb. 18 Lake Hartwell Early Bird Challenge Anderson, S.C.
June 24 New England Challenge – Lake Winnipesaukee Gilford, N.H.
Sept. 16 Minnesota Open Challenge (Walleye) – Lake Bemidji Bemidji, Minn.
2018 State Athletic Association Events:
March 17 GICAA Georgia State Championship – TBD TBD
May 20 IHSA Illinois State Championship – Carlyle Lake Carlyle, Ill.
April 21 KHSAA Kentucky Regional Championship – Lake Barkley Kuttawa, Ky.
April 21 KHSAA Kentucky Regional Championship – Lake Cumberland Somerset, Ky.
April 21 KHSAA Kentucky Regional Championship – Green River Lake Campbellsville, Ky.
April 21 KHSAA Kentucky Regional Championship – Cave Run Lake Morehead, Ky.
May 11-12 KHSAA Kentucky State Championship – Kentucky Lake Calvert City, Ky.
Additional SAF High School Fishing State Championships are being added. For the latest SAF High School Fishing State Championship and Challenge tournament schedule, visit HighSchoolFishing.org.
Complete rules are available at FLWFishing.com and HighSchoolFishing.org.
Registration for the 2018 season opens December 4, 2017, for the Lake Mitchell Open. Registration for all other events will begin Jan. 3, 2018. For SAF High School Fishing State Championships, each team must compete in the state in which their school is located. Teams from all states can compete in FLW High School Fishing Open tournaments and SAF High School Fishing Challenge events. Entries for State Championships and Challenge events should be made at HighSchoolFishing.org or by calling TBF at (580) 765-9031 and entries for Opens should be made at FLWFishing.com or by calling FLW at (270) 252-1000. There is no limit to the number of teams accepted into a tournament from each school or club.
All FLW and TBF High School Fishing tournaments are free to enter. The tournaments are two-person (team) events for students in grades 7-12 and open to any SAF-affiliated high school club. The top 10 percent of teams competing in each event held prior to June 10 will advance directly to the 2018 High School Fishing National Championship, held in conjunction with the pinnacle event in all of High School Fishing, the 2018 High School Fishing World Finals, June 26-30 on Pickwick Lake in Florence, Alabama. Qualifiers in tournaments held June 10 or later will advance to the 2019 High School Fishing National Championship. The High School Fishing National Championship awards the winning team a $10,000 scholarship ($5,000 per student).
All SAF High School Fishing members automatically qualify to compete in the industry’s most prestigious high school bass tournament, the 2018 High School Fishing World Finals. At the 2017 High School Fishing World Finals more than $170,000 in scholarships and prizes were offered to 332 teams from 33 states and Canada.
For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow High School Fishing on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and Facebook.com/HSfishing. Visit FLWFishing.com and HighSchoolFishing.org for more information on how to sign up or to start a club at your school.
James Watson Talks Fall Whopper Plopper Fishing in this Weeks Sportsman's Warehouse Product Spotlight
Ranger Mercury Pro James "WorldWide" Watson Talks today about the River2Sea Whopper Plopper and how he utilizes this bait as a confidence bait 5 months out of the year. Learn what JMFW Looks for as he's going down the bank.
NAVIONICS ADDS NEW MAPS & LAKES IN RECENT UPDATE
As part of Navionics ongoing product enhancement efforts, hundreds of new and updated lakes within the United States are now available.
Today they released new mapping through Daily Updates in the following states:
Texas: update lake maps, added #413 fish attractors to maps, covering 6 lakes.
South Carolina: updated lake maps, added #17 fish attractors to maps, covering 13 lakes. Kansas: updated lake maps, added #187 fish attractors to maps, covering 11 lakes.
The NEW lakes are in Nautical Charts only. If Sonar Charts exists it is from prior tracks, not new data.
List and locations include:
Kansas lakes include: LOVEWELL RESERVOIR, WACONDA LAKE, WILSON LAKE, McPherson County State Lake, MARION RESERVOIR, MARION COUNTY LAKE, CHASE COUNTY LAKE, MELVERN LAKE, LAKE GARNETT, LA CYGNES LAKE, LAKE LUISBURG MIDDLE CREEK, MILFORD LAKE, RIVER POND, POTTAWATOMIE STATE FISHING LAKE NUMBER TWO, POTTAWATOMIE CO SFL1, PERRY LAKE, NEW OLATHE LAKE, CHENEY RESERVOIR, LAKE CLYMER, EL DORADO LAKE, EUREKA CITY LAKE, LAKE FEGAN WOODSON, YATES CENTER RESERVOIR, WILSON COUNTY LAKE, BOURBON COUNTY STATE LAKE, LAKE CRAWFORD, ELK CITY LAKE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY STATE LAKE.
South Carolina lakes include: Lake Russell, Lake Robinson, Lake Rabon, Jonesville Reservoir, Lake Hartwell, Star Fort, Issaqueena Lake.
Texas lakes include: Lake Naconiche, lake Pat Cleburne, Possum Kingdom lake, Proctor lake, Sam Rayburn, City lake, Lake Stamford, Tradinghouse Creek, lake Waco, Welsh Reservoir, Amistad Reservoir, Aquilla Lake, carver lake, lake Arrowhead, Austin lake, Brandy Branch,Brazos, Lake Buchanan, Canyon lake, lake Cisco, lake Conroe, Cypress Springs, Lake Fork, Fort Parker lake, Fort Phantom Hill, lake Georgetown, Holbrook, Hords Creek Reservoir, Inks lakes, Lake O' the Pines, lake Livingston, Mill Creek, Nacogdoches, lake Brownwood, Buffalo Springs Lake, Lake Granbury, lake Nasworthy.
See the improvements now....
Compare your current charts on our Chart Viewer on our web site www.navionics.com
Boat Safer and Fish Smarter with the most detailed charts and SonarChartTM – our 1 ft HD bathymetry map! And always have the most up-to-date information with daily chart updates!
Try our mobile device app for FREE for 14 days. Get the same charts with our free Boating app, that provides a 2-week trial! If you already have any of our apps, keep your charts up to date with Menu > Update All. To learn more, go to www.navionics.com
Strike King Product Tip & Technique - How to Utilize the SKL Swing Head & Menace in your Arsenal
Strike King & Lew's Pro Mark Davis talks about the Strike King Swing Head, Hook Selection and the Strike King Menace in this weeks Strike King Pro Tip & Product Spotlight. See how easy Mark makes it look to catch bass in the fall of the year.
You can find both of these products here at Sportsman's Warehouse
REALTREE FISHING NAMED EXCLUSIVE CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN OF FLW
COLUMBUS, Ga. (Nov. 7, 2017) – Realtree, the worldwide leader in camouflage, recently released its new Realtree Fishing camouflage and brand, which are now teamed with Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) to further that organization’s wide-reaching work to ensure our outdoor heritage and fishing opportunities.
“I grew up not only in the woods but on the water,” said Realtree President and CEO Bill Jordan. “My family lived an outdoor lifestyle. It was core to everything we did. In fact, my father owned two boat businesses for many years, so that really put me in touch with fishing’s impact on not only the economy, but also its positive effect on people of all ages. With all of this in mind, it is a great pleasure for me to offer our new Realtree Fishing pattern and brand to fishing enthusiasts everywhere, and to work with FLW to ensure that people are free and able to fish for many years to come.”
Beyond being the world’s largest tournament fishing organization, FLW is a leader in conservation, fishing education, and habitat protection. FLW is also committed to maintaining industry-leading live-release rates at all of its tournaments.
As part of the agreement, the Realtree Fishing camouflage and brand will receive exclusive exposure across all of FLW’s media platforms including FLW Bass Fishing magazine, the internationally-broadcast “FLW” television show, social media channels, and on-site activation at FLW’s world-class tournaments and expos, including prominent display at the YETI FLW College Fishing and Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing series. The FLW College Fishing and High School Fishing circuits were launched in 2008 and 2011, respectively, to promote education and the love of nature and outdoors through fishing. Students are able to participate in the sport with little or no cost and given the opportunity to win tremendous prizes for their clubs and schools.
“We are proud to announce our partnership with Realtree, an industry leader that shares the same enthusiastic outdoors audience as FLW,” said Trish Blake, FLW President of Marketing. “Their camouflage has been a favorite among hunters and outdoorsmen for many years and we are excited to showcase the high-quality Realtree Fishing gear and apparel. This partnership is truly a win-win for our anglers, fans and the sport of professional bass fishing.”
About Realtree Fishing
Realtree Fishing is a natural extension of parent brand Realtree, the world’s leading camouflage designer, marketer and licensor. Realtree Fishing’s growing partnerships in manufacturing, retail and conservation ensure that the brand’s customers will enjoy the best fishing products, availability and natural resources access for generations to come. Find Realtree Fishing on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and at RealtreeFishing.com.
Win Randy Howell's 2017 Triton 21-TRX Elite and Benefit Kings Home
Registration for the Texas Lunker Challenge presented by Mossy Oak Elements Opens
Starting November 6th, collegiate anglers nationwide will be able to register for the first Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series event of the 2018 season – the Texas Lunker Challenge presented by Mossy Oak Elements – on Sam Rayburn Reservoir.
The Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series will kick off the 2018 season with a new exciting new format that is loaded with prizes. Every angler in the field will weigh only one bass to earn points towards the Cabela’s School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia award, as well as win a wide range of great prizes.
Sam Rayburn is without question one of the best bass fishing lakes in the nation. On any given cast, a double-digit fish can be caught – which could win this event and give the angler and college bass fishing team a large amount of points toward the Cabela’s School of Year title. We’re excited to roll out an all new format for this year’s event – and to award the top 40 anglers for that one cast!
For more information about the 2018 Texas Lunker Challenge presented by Mossy Oak Elements, click the link below and stay tuned for more to follow! The event will include an Angler Check-in and Pre-Tournament Meeting at Umphrey Pavilion, the evening before the event, as well as one day of fishing on Sam Rayburn Reservoir. The take-off and all weigh-in activities will take place at Umphrey Pavilion. Stay tuned for more details on this college bass fishing event!
REGISTER ONLINE
PEAK ROCK CAPITAL PORTFOLIO COMPANY, LEW’S, ACQUIRES STRIKE KING
Press Release Courtesy of Strike King Lure Company
Austin, Texas, November 6, 2017 – Lew’s Holdings Corporation (“Lew’s”), a portfolio company of Peak Rock Capital, a leading middle market private equity firm, announced today that it has acquired Strike King Lure Company (“Strike King”), a leading supplier of branded fishing lures, sunglasses, and other fishing accessories.
Founded in 1964, Strike King is an iconic brand in the fishing industry. The company’s innovative product portfolio includes wire baits, hard and soft plastic lures, terminal tackle, sunglasses, and related fishing accessories. Headquartered in Collierville, Tennessee, Strike King benefits from an exceptional team of employees, pro staff, and manufacturing partners.
Peter Leibman, Managing Director of Peak Rock Capital, said, “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to invest in the combination of the Lew’s and Strike King brands. The brands and product lines are highly complementary, and we’re excited to further support the rapid growth of the overall company, while seeking additional acquisitions. I’d like to personally thank Lynn Reeves, Chairman of Lew’s, for his help in introducing us to the Strike King management team.”
Gary Remensnyder, CEO of Lew’s commented, “Similar to Lew’s, Strike King has been tremendously successful because of its focus on product innovation, outstanding marketing, and exceptional service to its retail partners and consumers. Lew’s and Strike King share a common vision to provide cutting-edge products to anglers and best-in-class service to their retail partners. John Barns and Allan Ranson along with their dedicated employees, pro staff, and manufacturing partners have done a fantastic job driving growth at the company, and we are excited that John and Allan will remain involved with the company going forward.”
As part of the transaction, Ken Eubanks will become President of Lew’s while continuing in his current role as CEO of Hunters Specialties. Ken has almost 15 years of experience in outdoor related businesses, including, prior to Hunters Specialties, his role as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Americas for Pure Fishing. MidCap Financial provided financing for the transaction.
ABOUT STRIKE KING LURE COMPANY
Strike King is a Collierville, Tennessee based supplier of fishing lures, terminal tackle, sunglasses, and accessories. The company supplies a variety of wire, soft, and hard baits to the mass market, sporting goods, and specialty outdoor channels. For further information about Strike King, please visit www.strikeking.com.
ABOUT LEW’S HOLDINGS CORPORATION
Lew’s Holdings Corporation is a Springfield, Missouri based outdoor consumer products company with a portfolio of brands, including Lew’s, Strike King, Mr. Crappie, Hunters Specialties, and Buck Bomb. The company supplies branded fishing and hunting equipment and accessories through the mass market, sporting goods, and specialty outdoor channels.
ABOUT PEAK ROCK CAPITAL
Peak Rock Capital is a leading middle‐market private equity firm that makes equity and debt investments in companies in North America and Europe. Peak Rock focuses on investing in opportunities where it can support senior management in driving rapid growth and profit improvement through operational and strategic change. Peak Rock's principals have deep expertise in complex situations and cross‐border transactions, with the ability to provide tailored capital solutions and close transactions quickly where speed and certainty are priorities. For further information about Peak Rock Capital, please visit www.peakrockcapital.com.
SOUTH CAROLINA’S BEAVERS WINS COSTA FLW SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP ON KENTUCKY LAKE
PARIS, Tenn. (Nov. 4, 2017) – Boater Bradford Beavers of Ridgeville, South Carolina, caught five bass weighing 14 pounds, 15 ounces, Saturday – the only limit of the day – to win the Costa FLW Series Championship on Kentucky Lake with a three-day cumulative total of 15 bass weighing 45 pounds, 12 ounces. Beaver’s efforts earned him $50,200 and a slot in the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup - the world championship of professional bass fishing.
Tournament anglers faced incredibly difficult conditions on Kentucky Lake this week. Bites were scarce, and the weather wasn’t very cooperative. The final 10 anglers and co-anglers were met with a fog delay at Saturday morning’s takeoff that lasted nearly 2 hours. Despite the setbacks, Beavers was able to bring in consistent limits of around 15 pounds each day and vault to the top of the standings after the third and final day of competition.
“I’m speechless. I can’t believe I won one of these events,” said Beavers, who will return to the Forrest Wood Cup for the second-consecutive year after qualifying through the FLW Series Championship. “I’ve been in the top 10 in four of these, and my fish have always fallen off on the last day. It’s unbelievable.”
Beavers spent his week fishing shallow bars on the main lake, just north of New Johnsonville. He said he worked through three areas, with two producing the bulk of his weight.
“I wanted to fish down there because I saw it had more shallow water and that’s where the grass used to be, from what I’ve read,” said Beavers. “I think they were community holes because a lot of people were fishing them. I tried to slow down and get on stretches where people fished for like five minutes before moving on.
“The sweet spots were about 35 yards long and had deep water nearby,” continued Beavers. “I don’t think I caught a fish in more than 1½ to 2 feet of water all week. I had to run my trolling motor on 25 (slow) just to keep from spooking them. It’s hard to be that stealthy in shallow water, but I tried to take advantage of the wind and let it push me.”
Beavers said he caught 90-percent of his fish this week on one lure – a bone- and chrome-colored Heddon Zara Spook. He also caught some key fish on a River2Sea Whopper Plopper, a Cotton Cordell Red Fin and a Pearl White-colored Zoom Magnum Fluke.
“The ticket for me today was adding a treble hook to the fluke,” said Beavers. “I caught one and lost three, but after I attached the treble hook it was on.”
The top finishing boater from each of the six Costa FLW Series divisions that qualified for the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup were:
Southeastern
1st: Bradford Beavers, Ridgeville, S.C., 15 bass, 45-12, $50,200
Southwestern
6th: John Soukup, Agra, Okla., 11 bass, 31-5, $8,000
Central
2nd: Todd Hollowell, Fishers, Ind., 11 bass, 37-7, $25,000 + $5,000 Ranger Cup Bonus
Northern
10th: Bill Chapman, Salt Rock, W. Va., 10 bass, 26-13, $4,500
Western
14th: Brent Shores, Boise, Idaho, nine bass, 24-10, $4,000
International
9th: Michael Matthee, Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa, nine bass, 28-10, $5,000
Additionally, the overall top five finishers that were not already selected as the highest finisher in their division also qualify for the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup. Those five anglers were:
3rd: Larry Stoafer, Leavenworth, Kan., 11 bass, 34-13, $20,000 + $3,500 Ranger Cup Bonus
4th: Tim Fox, Meridian, Miss., 10 bass, 34-0, $15,100 + $2,000 Ranger Cup Bonus
5th: Chad Foster, Pequot Lakes, Minn., nine bass, 33-6, $10,000
8th: Jason Abram, Piney Flats, Tenn., 11 bass, 30-1, $6,000
11th: Sheldon Collings, Grove, Okla., nine bass, 26-0, $4,000
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
The 2018 Forrest Wood Cup will be held Aug. 10-12 on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Justin Hicks of Roanoke, Virginia, won the Co-angler Division and $30,000, including a Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard with a three-day total of eight bass weighing 30 pounds, 11 ounces. Gabriel Scott of Stanardsville, Virginia, finished in second place with 10 bass weighing 26 pounds, 3 ounces, good for $12,700.
The top 10 co-anglers finished:
1st: Justin Hicks, Roanoke, Va., eight bass, 30-11, $30,000
2nd: Gabriel Scott, Stanardsville, Va., 10 bass, 26-3, $12,700
3rd: Robbie Bartoszek , Hampshire, Tenn., nine bass, 22-6, $10,050
4th: Casey O'Donnell, Langston, Ala., seven bass, 20-1, $7,500
5th: Andy Greek, Joplin, Mo., six bass, 17-11, $5,000
6th: Chuck Laslie, Quincy, Fla., six bass, 16-5, $4,000
7th: Heath Gilmore, Meridian, Miss., five bass, 15-1, $3,500
8th: Austin Baskette, Leesburg, Fla., four bass, 14-10, $3,000
9th: Gary Haraguchi, Redding, Calif., five bass, 13-4, $2,500
10th: Michael Allbright, Athens, Texas, six bass, 12-7, $2,000
The Costa FLW Series Championship on Kentucky Lake was hosted by the Henry County Tourism Authority.
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.
About FLW
MINNESOTA’S FOSTER TAKES LEAD AFTER DAY TWO OF COSTA FLW SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP ON KENTUCKY LAKE
Virginia’s Hicks Retains Lead in Co-angler Division
PARIS, Tenn. (Nov. 3, 2017) – Boater Chad Foster of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, brought four bass weighing 13 pounds, 9 ounces, to the scale Friday to jump from third into the lead after Day Two of a very tough Costa FLW Series Championship on Kentucky Lake. Foster’s two-day total of nine bass weighing 33-6 gives him a slim 1-pound, 13-ounce, advantage over second-place boater Larry Stoafer of Leavenworth, Kansas, heading into the third and final day of competition. Reigning FLW Tour Angler of the Year Bryan Thrift, who led the event on Day One, weighed just two bass totaling 3-9 and fell to third place.
This week’s tournament features anglers from six countries casting for a $95,000 prize package in the Pro Division, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and automatic qualification to the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup – the world championship of professional bass fishing.
Foster was able to overcome the stingy conditions and follow up his 19-pound Day One limit with four solid keepers. Foster is fishing south, near New Johnsonville, and said he has multiple shallow areas with a lot of potential.
“There’s a bunch of fish in my area. I’m getting the bites, but they were biting weird today,” said Foster, who recently moved to Minnesota after qualifying for the championship through the FLW Series Southeastern Division. “There were five or six fish that didn’t eat really eat the bait. I feel fortunate to have four today.”
Foster said his areas range from 6 inches to 3 feet in depth and that the wind played a key role in his success today.
“I caught my two biggest fish in three casts as soon as the wind switched and started blowing,” said Foster. “It was slick calm this morning. I think the fish were getting too good of look at the bait.”
The top 10 boaters that will advance to the final day of competition on Kentucky Lake are:
1st: Chad Foster, Pequot Lakes, Minn., nine bass, 33-6
2nd: Larry Stoafer, Leavenworth, Kan., 10 bass, 31-9
3rd: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., seven bass, 31-1
4th: Bradford Beavers, Ridgeville, S.C., 10 bass, 30-13
5th: Tim Fox, Meridian, Miss., eight bass, 28-13
6th: Jason Abram, Piney Flats, Tenn., 10 bass, 28-8
7th: Todd Hollowell, Fishers, Ind., nine bass, 28-7
8th: John Soukup, Agra, Okla., 10 bass, 27-7
9th: Michael Matthee, Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa, eight bass, 27-1
10th: Bill Chapman, Salt Rock, W. Va., 10 bass, 26-13
A complete list of results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Competitors qualified for the Costa FLW Series Championship through five U.S. divisions – Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western – and an International division that features anglers from Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. The highest finishing pro from each U.S. division and the International division will qualify for the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup, along with the overall top five finishers not already selected as the highest finisher of a division. A total of 11 FLW Series boaters will advance to the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup.
The International, Southwestern and Northern division Cup qualifiers have now been decided after two days of competition, and the rest will be determined Saturday. The Day Two leaders from each division are:
Southeastern Division leader – Chad Foster, nine bass, 33-6, (1st)
Central Division leader – Larry Stoafer, Leavenworth, Kan., 10 bass, 31-9, (2nd)
*Southwestern Division qualifier – John Soukup, Agra, Okla., 10 bass, 27-7, (8th)
*Northern Division qualifier – Bill Chapman, Salt Rock, W. Va., 10 bass, 26-13, (10th)
Western Division leader – Brent Shores, Boise, Idaho, nine bass, 24-10, (14th)
*International Division qualifier – Michael Matthee, Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa, eight bass, 27-1, (9th)
Day One co-angler leader Justin Hicks of Roanoke, Virginia, held the lead on Day Two with a two-day total of seven bass weighing 27 pounds, 13 ounces, followed by Robbie Bartoszek of Hampshire, Tennessee, in second place with eight bass weighing 20-6.
The top 10 co-anglers that will advance to the final day of competition on Kentucky Lake are:
1st: Justin Hicks, Roanoke, Va., seven bass, 27-13
2nd: Robbie Bartoszek, Hampshire, Tenn., eight bass, 20-6
3rd: Casey O'Donnell, Langston, Ala., six bass, 18-0
4th: Gabriel Scott, Stanardsville, Va., seven bass, 17-7
5th: Chuck Laslie, Quincy, Fla., six bass, 16-5
6th: Heath Gilmore, Meridian, Miss., five bass, 15-1
7th: Andy Greek, Joplin, Mo., five bass, 14-1
8th: Gary Haraguchi, Redding, Calif., five bass, 13-4
9th: Austin Baskette, Leesburg, Fla., three bass, 13-3
10th: Michael Allbright, Athens, Texas, six bass, 12-7
Co-anglers are casting this week for a top award of a Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $5,000 if Ranger Cup guidelines are met.
The final 10 boaters and co-anglers will take off from Paris Landing State Park, located at 16055 Highway 79 N. in Buchanan, Tennessee, at 7:30 a.m. CDT Saturday. Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at the state park beginning at 3:30 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.
The Costa FLW Series Championship on Kentucky Lake is being hosted by the Henry County Tourism Authority.
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.
Thrift Cracks 27 pounds to Lead Costa Championship After Day 1
Story & Photos Courtesy of FLW
Virginia’s Hicks Leads Co-angler Division
PARIS, Tenn. (Nov. 2, 2017) – Pro Bryan Thrift of Shelby, North Carolina, caught a five-bass limit weighing 27 pounds, 8 ounces, Thursday to grab the early lead after Day One of the Costa FLW Series Championship on Kentucky Lake. Thrift will bring a sizable 7-pound, 1-ounce, advantage into Day Two of the three-day event, hosted by Henry County Tourism Authority, that features anglers from across the world casting for a $95,000 prize package in the Pro Division, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and automatic qualification to the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup – the world championship of bass fishing.
For most of the pro field, Kentucky Lake fished tough. Only 30 anglers were able to bring a five-bass limit to the scale, and only two breached the 20-pound mark. Thrift’s day didn’t start strong, but he eventually got the right bites to rally ahead of the pack.
“It went a whole lot better than I thought it was going to go. Twenty pounds better,” said Thrift, the reigning 2017 FLW Tour Angler of the Year who qualified for the event through the FLW Series Southeastern Division. “I finally started getting a few bites mid-morning. My catches were scattered – one here, one there. I feel like I may have figured a little something out. I’m not totally convinced yet, but I feel like I’m close.”
Thrift fished on the southern end of the lake from Paris to New Johnsonville, and said that he caught his keepers on two different baits.
“The fish I caught today were from stuff I hadn’t fished in practice,” said Thrift. “I caught one keeper from a place I’d fished in practice, and after that it was a grind. I was legitimately worried about catching keepers – it was that tough.”
The top 10 boaters after Day One of competition on Kentucky Lake are:
1st: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., five bass, 27-8
2nd: Cameron Gautney, Muscle Shoals, Ala., five bass, 20-7
3rd: Chad Foster, Saint Cloud, Fla., five bass, 19-13
4th: Sheldon Collings, Grove, Okla., five bass, 18-4
5th: Bradford Beavers, Ridgeville, S.C., five bass, 15-13
6th: Kurt Mitchell, Milford, Del., five bass, 15-8
7th: Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich., five bass, 15-7
8th: Dustin Smith, Grand Island, Fla., four bass, 15-3
9th: Todd Hollowell, Fishers, Ind., five bass, 15-2
10th: Jason Abram, Piney Flats, Tenn., five bass, 14-15
A complete list of results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Competitors qualified for the Costa FLW Series Championship through five U.S. divisions – Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western – and an International division that features anglers from Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. The highest finishing pro from each U.S. division and the International division will qualify for the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup, along with the overall top five finishers not already selected as the highest finisher of a division. A total of 11 FLW Series boaters will advance to the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup.
The day one leaders from each division are:
Southeastern Division – Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., five bass, 27-8, (1st)
Central Division – Cameron Gautney, Muscle Shoals, Ala., five bass, 20-7, (2nd)
Southwestern Division – Sheldon Collings, Grove, Okla., five bass, 18-4, (4th)
Northern Division – Kurt Mitchell, Milford, Del., five bass, 15-8, (6th)
Western Division – Brent Shores, Boise, Idaho, 13-13, (15th)
International Division – Michael Matthee, South Africa, 11-9, (26th)
Justin Hicks of Roanoke, Virginia, caught four bass weighing 16 pounds, 13 ounces, to lead the Co-angler Division, followed by Austin Baskette of Leesburg, Florida, in second place with three bass weighing 13-3.
The top 10 co-anglers on Kentucky Lake are:
1st: Justin Hicks, Roanoke, Va., four bass, 16-13
2nd: Austin Baskette, Leesburg, Fla., three bass, 13-3
3rd: Gabriel Scott, Stanardsville, Va., five bass, 11-7
4th: Gary Haraguchi, Redding, Calif., four bass, 11-5
5th: Keith Gunsauls, El Cajon, Calif., three bass, 11-5
6th: Ralph Wells, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., four bass, 10-13
7th: Casey O'Donnell, Langston, Ala., three bass, 10-7
8th: Frank Divis Sr., Farmington, Ark., four bass, 9-8
9th: Craig Dubois, Sprakers, N.Y., three bass, 9-4
10th: Jonathan Fulton, Ray, Ohio, four bass, 8-15
Co-anglers are casting this week for a top award of a Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $5,000 if Ranger Cup guidelines are met.
Anglers will take off from Paris Landing State Park, located at 16055 Highway 79 N. in Buchanan, Tennessee, at 7:30 a.m. CDT Friday and Saturday. Weigh-ins will be held at the state park beginning at 3:30 p.m. each day. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.
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.
Postseason Bassmaster Tournaments Scheduled For North Georgia Fisheries In 2018
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Sportsmans Warehouse Product Spotlight with FLW Angler of the Year - Bryan Thrift
Sportsmans Warehouse Product Spotlight - Bryan Thrift talks about the Damiki Anchovy Shad and how and why he keeps it rigged for fall fishing. Learn more about it here!
Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest To Be Held On Lake Travis In Central Texas
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RangerBoats.com Gets a Massive Upgrade!
FLIPPIN, Ark. – Boat buyers and enthusiasts of the legendary Ranger brand now have an all-new website with easy navigation of products, images, special offers, informative videos and a new build-and-price tool for customers to design their own personalized dream rig. The new website has been optimized for mobile devices with an efficient, intuitive design and interface.
"With more and more consumers visiting our website via a mobile device, we now offer a greater online experience with streamlined navigation and the addition of new features and upfront pricing," said Matt Raynor, director of Marketing. "The new site also brings all Ranger product segments into one easy-to-use platform, giving us the ability to reach fiberglass, aluminum and pontoon boat buyers with one URL. "
Highlighting the new site, a detailed and innovative build-and-price tool allows visitors to virtually craft their dream rig with a wide variety of options, outboards, color packages, accessories and upgrades to create a custom boat. When complete, users can easily submit the virtual build to their nearest dealer to have the boat outfitted to their specifications.
For buyers who already know which Ranger they want, the "find a dealer" feature allows them to locate the nearest Ranger dealer for a hands-on look at the latest offerings. Requests for a free catalog can also be made on the new website, along with access to information on Ranger's legendary heritage, warranty coverage, genuine parts and accessories and acclaimed Five Star Advantage.
Current Ranger owners will also find new, valuable content on a Ranger Cup-specific microsite, www.rangercup.com. As the official online home for Ranger Cup information, this microsite includes insight and reviews from pro anglers and their experiences with the industry-leading contingency program. Rangercup.com will also feature up-to-date rules and requirements, sign-up forms, tournament and payout listings, current standings and information about Ranger's collegiate contingency program, Ranger Cup University.
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 bass, multi-species, fish 'n play, saltwater, waterfowl utility and pontoon boat segments. Founded in 1968 by Forrest L. Wood, Ranger Boats continues its commitment to building the highest-quality, strongest-performing boats on the water. For more information, go to RangerBoats.com.
Editors Note: Press Release Provided
PRADCO Outdoor Brands Acquire War Eagle Custom Lures
FORT SMITH, Ark. – PRADCO Outdoor Brands, a leading manufacturer and marketer of fishing and hunting brands and products, has acquired War Eagle Custom Lures, formerly of Rogers, Arkansas.
War Eagle Custom Lures has operated in Rogers for the past 21 years. Keith Brashers started the company in his garage and built it into the No. 3 brand of spinnerbaits in the U.S., according to the 2016 Annual Anglers Trends Report by Southwick & Associates. Brashers will continue to be involved in the operation after selling to PRADCO.
War Eagle Custom Lures commanded 9.3 percent of U.S. market share in spinnerbaits in 2016, according to Southwick. Its best-selling model is the Screamin' Eagle, which is a weight-backward spinnerbait designed to be "burned" in clear-water situations to entice strikes from fish. War Eagle Custom Lures products have been credited with numerous top-level, national bass tournament victories and countless regional and local tournament wins. In addition to spinnerbaits, War Eagle offers a full line of jigs, buzz baits, jigging spoons and jig heads.
"Thanks to successful tournament anglers across the nation, 21 years ago, an idea and a passion for fishing left the garage and became War Eagle Custom Lures," Brashers said. "I am confident with the marketing and distribution resources PRADCO Outdoor Brands has to offer we can take War Eagle to the next level. As I look back, I want to give a big thanks to my friend Gene Vandever. Without his partnership and help at the beginning, War Eagle wouldn't be where it is today."
The War Eagle Custom Lures business will be operated from PRADCO's Fishing Division in Fort Smith. All product development, marketing, accounting, manufacturing and purchasing functions will be managed in Fort Smith. Brand Manager Chad Warner will have responsibility for War Eagle.
"Keith Brashers has built an amazing brand and an extremely loyal consumer following," said Bruce Stanton, Vice President and General Manager of PRADCO Fishing. "He looks at everything through the eyes of a fisherman. And he is an outstanding fisherman. He has always wanted to solve the problems he faces as an angler and has had the ability to provide solutions through his War Eagle Custom Lures creations. We are very proud to add this dominant spinnerbait brand to our portfolio."
As part of PRADCO Outdoor Brands, War Eagle Custom Lures will be shipped to customers along with POB's entire portfolio of brands from PRADCO's distribution center in Calera, Alabama.
"We have long admired the way Keith Brashers has grown War Eagle Custom Lures into a premium supplier of fishing lures for serious anglers – especially their hugely popular spinnerbaits and buzzbaits," said Robert Schoenvogel, PRADCO Outdoor Brands President. "When the opportunity arose to partner with Keith and bring War Eagle into the PRADCO family of brands, we absolutely jumped at the chance. We look forward to supporting War Eagle's continued growth through investments in design innovations, broad distribution and customer support."
PRADCO Fishing employs approximately 230 employees at its Fort Smith facility and features a three-shift, 24-hours-a-day manufacturing operation. The go-forward, production plan for War Eagle Custom Lures is to continue U.S. production through its current supplier base in Arkansas.
PRADCO Outdoor Brands is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. It operates hunting brands such as Moultrie, Summit, Code Blue and Knight & Hale and fishing brands such as Arbogast, Bandit, Bomber, BOOYAH, Cotton Cordell, Creek Chub, Heddon, Lindy, Norman, Rebel, Smithwick, Thill and YUM.