AnglersChannel

Lusby & Rainwater Win Media Bass Team event on Lake Chicot with over 17 pounds!

 

        2nd Place - Dakotah Pennington & Ben Bryan
3rd Place - Jonathon Brockwell & Steven Cash
Big Bass - 4.68 - Billy Burchfield & Tony Harris

 

Place Angler 1 Angler 2 # Bass Pounds Winnings Points
1 Calvin Lusby Joe Rainwater 5 17.42 $2,000.00 167.42
2 Dakotah Pennington Ben Bryan 5 16.54 $700.00 165.54
3 Jonathan Brockwell Steven Cash 5 15.43 $414.00 163.43
4 Jeff Marks Chris Watkins 5 15.21 $250.00 162.21
5 Josh Burroughs Derek Davis 5 15.16 $180.00 161.16
6 Chris Clement Greg Duke 5 14.94   159.94
7 JR Grubb * Frank Fulmer * 5 13.26   157.26
8 Jon Craven Josh Tittle 5 11.59   154.59
9 William Hatton Ronnie Atkins 4 11.36   153.36
10 Brandon Dixon Tyler Rhodes 4 10.64   151.64
11 Jeff Gregory Matt Jones 3 9.42   149.42
12 Timothy Powell Cole Cantrell 3 8.76   147.76
13 Caleb Lane Brandon Lyon 3 8.66   146.66
14 Scott Pennington Ken McDonald 4 8.51   145.51
15 Rob Bland Matt Shepherd 3 7.52   143.52
16 Mike Pirtle Ernie Heckford 3 7.33   142.33
17 Rusty Linares Patrick Chapman 2 5.66   139.66
18 Billy Burchfield Tony Harris 1 4.68   137.68
19 Jimmy Farrar Grady Rinehart 1 4.61   136.61
20 Robert Adkins David Cameron 2 4.45   135.45
21 John Tilbury Tanner Caldwell 1 4.15   134.15
22 Zachary Oden Trevor Rodgers 1 3.29   132.29
23 Daryl Stapp Jeff Patterson 1 2.04   130.04
24 Raymond Cheek Michael Coolman 0 0.00   63.50
24 Robert Rush Bruce Johnston 0 0.00   63.50
24 AJ Morgan Gary Roberts 0 0.00   63.50
24 Timothy Comans Ralph Comans ll 0 0.00   63.50
24 Raymond Mosley Jesse Mosley 0 0.00   63.50
24 Justin Young Beaver Smith 0 0.00   63.50
             
Place Big Bass     Pounds Winnings
1 Billy Burchfield Tony Harris   4.68 $250.00
2 Jimmy Farrar Grady Rinehart   4.61 $0.00

by AnglersChannel

Cold Front Could Have Major Impact On Bassmaster Eastern Open At Harris Chain

Courtesy of BASS

 

LEESBURG, Fla. — There’s a reason Florida-strain largemouth are stocked in major fisheries from Texas to California — their massive growth potential. But on the downside, these green monsters are a bit soft when it comes to cold weather, a truth that may impact the course of events during the Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open at Harris Chain of Lakes.

Competition days will be Thursday through Saturday, with daily takeoffs at 7 a.m. ET from Venetian Gardens and weigh-ins Thursday and Friday at Ski Beach Park at 3 p.m. Saturday’s weigh-in will take place at the Bass Pro Shops in Orlando at 4 p.m.

With more than 75,000 combined acres, the Harris Chain offers a diverse array of habitat from offshore grass, humps and holes to shallow hydrilla, cattails, docks, wood and bridges. Spawning areas are plentiful, but South Carolina pro Jason Williamson is not looking for a lot of bed-fishing opportunities. Reason being, a major cold front making its way through the Eastern United States could send Central Florida air temperatures to below freezing during its Sunday or Monday arrival.

“It’s going to be warm by tournament time, but it’s not going to be a warming trend leading up to the event; it’s actually going to be an event starting on the tail end of a cold front,” said Williamson, who is also a regular on the Bassmaster Elite Series. “My outlook is that there are going to be a lot of big fish caught — it’s Florida, it’s the Harris Chain — but I don’t know if it’s going to warm up quickly enough to bring sight fishing into play.”

The area is expected to quickly recover, with daytime highs reaching the upper 70s again by Wednesday. The key, however, will be how quickly water temperatures regain what the front steals.

If Florida bass don’t have at least upper 50s — preferably 60-plus — they won’t be spawning.

“I think it will be a prespawn tournament,” Williamson said. “I’m sure some of the fish have already spawned, but the guy who finds the prespawn females that are fattened up and ready to go is the guy that’s going to weigh in a 30-pound bag and that’s going to carry him all the way to the final day.

“A lot of guys are going to have (smaller bags), but in Florida, you gotta get a big bite. I love to sight fish there, but I just don’t think it’s going to warm up enough for a bunch of fish to make a major move.”

Ultimately, Williamson says he believes the event will be won offshore by focusing on deeper grass with bait schools present. Intentionally snagging and ripping crankbaits or bladed jigs through the vegetation usually triggers reaction bites from staging prespawn bass, while dragging a lizard or creature bait on a long-leader Carolina rig will also deliver.

“If the weather were to stay warm, I think it would allow all the guys to compete by fishing shallow,” he said. “But in my opinion, the cold front will give the locals a little bit of an advantage by knowing where the offshore shell beds and isolated clumps of hydrilla are.”

The Harris Chain’s sheer vastness can be overwhelming, but Elite Series angler Chad Pipkens of Michigan says he’ll approach his first visit with a strategy focused on time management. He’s fared well in past Elite Series events in Florida, so he’s bringing the same disciplined game plan to this tournament.

“Florida is all about finding an area,” Pipkens said. “Those fish move up and down so much throughout the day, it’s not a place where you run and gun. It’s a place where you need to find your area, mill around and change with the conditions.

“My plan is to see which areas can funnel fish in to spawn and then pay attention to the details in front of those areas — the offshore grass lines, points and humps. I don’t want to have to run from one lake to another to another, but I’d like to find an area or two with the right habitat.”

Pipkens expects a jerkbait and bladed jig to produce, but he’ll also keep a topwater bait handy in case the late-week warmup spurs a surface bite. Elsewhere, pitching a stickbait and swimming a worm will handle his shallower searches.

by AnglersChannel

Bass Champs Postpones East Region Sam Rayburn Event due to Flooding

*URGENT NOTICE**

January Amistad and Rayburn events have been rescheduled.
details below

1:   Due to expected high winds the 1/19 Amistad event has been rescheduled
to Saturday, June 1st on Lake Amistad, Diablo East ramp.

2: Due to extreme flooding the 1/26 Sam Rayburn event has been rescheduled
to Saturday, July 13th on Lake Sam Rayburn at the Umphrey Pavilion.

 

 

https://anglerschannel.com/tournaments/bass-champs-east-region-rayburn-january-26-2019/

 

by AnglersChannel

Hunter Freeman - "I'm Ready for Round 2..."

On the Inaugural episode of the AnglersChannel Rookie Podcast, Host Jason Duran talks with FLW Tour Rookie Hunter Freeman about his debut as a Professional Angler. They talk the good, the bad and the ugly as Hunter puts Rayburn behind him and puts his focus towards the Sunshine State and Lake Toho for Stop #2

by AnglersChannel

MLF BPT Anglers Competing for $100,000 Paycheck with no Entry Fees

Courtesy of Major League Fishing

By Mason Prince - January 17, 2019

TULSA, Okla.— When the first winner in MLF Bass Pro Tour history is decided Feb. 3 in Kissimmee, Florida at the league’s inaugural event, that angler will leave Toho Marina with both a first-of-its-kind trophy and a $100,000 payday.

Payout structure for the MLF Bass Pro Tour was approved by a majority vote of the league’s 80 anglers – a process that was historic in its own right. A handful of different payout structures were discussed, but the anglers ultimately decided on a pay schedule that awarded $100,000 to the winner of Bass Pro Tour events, and heavily weighted the Top 10 instead of distributing more money down below the Top 40.

“It’s special for that guy when he holds up a six-figure payday for winning,” said MLF veteran Ott DeFoe. “When you see the winner of the first event hold up a check for first place it’s going to be the same thing you see on other leagues. Major League Fishing was very open to hearing possible restructures of the payout.

“The way it was restructured, it really put the emphasis on the Bass Pro Tour where all 80 guys fish all season long. That’s what the majority of the guys wanted.”

Building around a no-entry system
One of the key factors in the payout structure was the elimination of entry fees. For the first time in 80 anglers’ careers, they didn’t have to pay a sizable entry fee to compete, something that MLF co-founder Gary Klein points to as a historical moment.

“Never in the history of this sport have any of us as professional anglers, been able to compete on a circuit without paying an entry fee,” Klein expressed. “(MLF) is still paying back $5.9 million to the anglers, with no entry fees. That just goes to show the power of the group, and that our league is angler-driven.”

Randy Howell – a 23-year pro – is a big fan of the new way the Bass Pro Tour payout is constructed.

“It’s revolutionary honestly,” Howell explained. “It’s never been done (before), and we’ve never had this opportunity in all of professional fishing. It’s always been the norm to hustle and scrape together $48,000 in entry fees to try and pay up front before you even made a cast.

“What’s so great about this set-up is that the anglers are kind of in control of their own destiny. We’re all working together for that common goal, which is to save each other money and to help us all make each other money.”

by AnglersChannel

Megaware KeelGuard Signs "Worldwide" Watson to MLF Angling Team

OGDEN, Utah (Jan. 17, 2019) - Megaware KeelGuard, a global leader in innovative boat protection products for more than 25 years, announces the signing of Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour angler James "Worldwide" Watson to its pro team.
The Missouri-based angler has been a quick-
Bass Pro Tour angler James "Worldwide" Watson

rising star in bass fishing circles since going pro in 2010. His fishing successes - including three FLW Cups, one Bassmaster Classic and three wins among B.A.S.S., FLW and MLF events - and his entertaining personality have made him well known and a crowd favorite everywhere tournaments take him.

"James is a highly likeable guy that is simply an angler's angler," said Megaware KeelGuard's Tori Reed. "People can really relate to him because he's fun to watch, tells it like it is and has the kind of do-it-yourself common sense approach to everything he does. That makes him a great fit for representing our company and our lineup of DIY products."

It was Megaware KeelGuard that in 1992 introduced the way for boat owners to buy a self-application keel guard to address one of boating's most common encounters - damage to the keel.

"You know, I don't think these guys picked me because I tear my boats up, but rather because I take care of them," Watson said. "I'm thrilled with the association since they are the innovators of so many great and practical products to keep boats looking good and on top of the water where you always want your boat to be. It's also cool that I'll get to rub elbows with the KeelGuard folks at MLF events; they're as good as they're products."

Megaware's keel protectors have earned their places on watercraft of all kinds and sizes, including Coast Guard fleets. They come in several different colors and sizes to fit a wide range of boat lengths, and custom sizes are also available.

In 2016, the company developed a similar protective product for pontoons to protect sides of their aluminum tubes against scrapes by docks and other obstacles.

SkegGuard and SkegPro are additional products in the lineup, but are designed to protect a motor's most vulnerable-to-underwater-hazards parts, the skeg, and can even repair or replace a broken skeg.

The FlexStep Pro, an adjustable trailer step, is one of Megaware's newest products. The lightweight and easy-to-install accessory makes it easier and safer for anglers to get in and out of a boat on its trailer.On Watson's boat is the original Hamby's keel protector. Hamby's is part of the Megaware family of brands and is a popular professionally-installed choice of many tournament bass anglers across the country.
 Megaware KeelGuard invented a way for boat owners to protect their watercraft against the  common problem of keel damage with a protective product that can be applied by marine dealers and do-it-your-selfers.  (Click to enlarge/download)

"I don't know if it's my Army training or the fact that I've always had a 'take care of my equipment' attitude, but I can assure you'll always find Megaware KeelGuard products on my boats whether sponsored or not because they're the best on the market at protecting my 'office,'" Watson said about his boat.

Megaware KeelGuard is also one of MLF's longest-running sponsors.

"We've always liked the MLF format and for us to be involved with them is good for our company and the many retailers who carry our products," said Megaware KeelGuard President David Shumway. "James will be a good guy for fans to root for during the new Bass Pro Tour events and we're pleased to have him flying our colors."

For more information on Megaware products, visit www.keelguard.com.

For more information on James Watson, follow him on Facebook and Instagram.

by AnglersChannel

Costa Sunglasses® Celebrated 35th Anniversary with 35 Beach Cleanups in 2018

Daytona Beach, Fla. – January 17, 2019 – In honor of its 35th Anniversary, Costa Sunglasses partnered with Surfrider Foundation to host beach cleanups in 35 locations throughout the U.S. The beach cleanups were a huge success thanks to everyone who participated and played a role in Costa's ongoing commitment to the health of our oceans and waterways.

The 35 beach cleanups took place between September 15 (International Coastal Cleanup Day) and December 22, 2018 with thousands of volunteers joining us to help Kick Plastic.

Here's a look at the impact of Costa's 35th Anniversary beach cleanup initiative:

  • Beaches: 35
  • Participants: 3,976
  • Pounds of trash removed: 7,698

For additional details or questions, visit CostaSunglasses.com
 
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to kicking plastic once and for all!

About Costa
As the leading manufacturer of the world's clearest polarized performance sunglasses, Costa offers superior lens technology and unparalleled fit and durability. Still handcrafted today in Florida, Costa has created the highest quality, best performing sunglasses and prescription sunglasses (Rx) for outdoor enthusiasts since 1983. Born on the water, Costa works hard to protect the waters it calls home. Through programs like its Kick Plastic campaign, where the brand seeks to raise awareness about the growing plastic pollution problem threatening oceans worldwide, to serving as a long-term partner to shark research organization OCEARCH, Costa encourages people to help protect the Earth’s natural resources in any way they can. Find out more on Costa’s website and join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at @CostaSunglasses.

by AnglersChannel

2 Wins in 2 Weeks for Strike King and Lew’s

Courtesy of Strike King/Lews

Collierville, Tenn. (Jan 17, 2019) – From the swollen shores of Lake Amistad to the near record high water levels at Sam Rayburn, Strike King pro Ray Hanselman and Lew’s pros Terry Bolton showed an unconventional way to victory, despite the high water. Both anglers stayed away from the flooded conditions and fished deep diving crankbaits on outside hydrilla lines for their victories. The age old theory that “bass rise with the rising water” wasn’t the case in the first two events of the season.

 

After years of guiding on Lake Amistad, Strike King pro Ray Hanselman proved he knew a thing or two about fluctuating water levels in route to a dominating win at the FLW Costa event held on Lake Amistad. Hanselman relied on a couple of techniques from drop shotting to deep cranking, with deep cranking being the main technique that earned him the win. Hanselman turned to a Strike King staple for his cranking efforts; the Strike King Pro Model 5XD. The 5XD dives about 15 foot deep on 10 pound line and that was exactly how Hanselman fished it. The top of the grass sat about 15 foot under the water and the 5XD would “tick” the top of the grass perfectly to entice a strike. Hanselman targeted isolated clumps of grass, instead of areas that had acres of submerged hydrilla like his competitors did. Beyond the technique, he also pointed out that color was key to his success. The 5XD comes in a wide variety of colors from Sexy Shad to Chili Craw, but Hanselman went with a subtler approach using the transparent color called Crystal Shad. He chose Crystal Shad because the water tends to be more clear at Amistad and the fish can see brighter colors from further away. The transparent color makes the fish react better when it comes by their face and is ripped out of the grass. Given the swollen water levels and the deep grass, Hanselman figured out that his best chance for a back-to-back win on Amistad would be fishing the deep hydrilla and he executed his game plan perfectly.

 

Known as one of the best deep water fishermen on the Tennessee River, National Lew’s pro Terry Bolton bested a field of some of the best pro’s in the country at the first FLW Tour event of the season on Sam Rayburn with a total weight of 91 pounds 3 ounces. Just like Hanselman at Amistad, Bolton scoured the inside and outside grass lines of Sam Rayburn with a deep diving crankbait. Sam Rayburn was nearing record high water levels throughout the event, leaving the majority of the lakes famed hydrilla much deeper than many had ever seen it. Typically, on Rayburn the outside hydrilla line is around 8-12 foot of water, but with the swollen lake levels the outside line ranged from 18-26 foot deep. Bolton believed that the best chance of the winning was fishing the hydrilla and figured out his two pronged approach early on in practice. Focusing on the Harvey Creek area of the lake, which is known to produce some of the biggest bass on Sam Rayburn, Bolton targeted the inside edge of the grass with a 10 ft range crankbait and 14 ft range crankbait in a red color. Beyond the crankbaits, Bolton relied heavily on his Team Lew’s Custom Pro Ledge Cranking Rod and paired it with a Lew’s BB1. When cranking grass in cold dirty water, slower always seems to work better. Bolton chose the BB1 for two reasons; 1: The casting distance on the BB1 is unmatched. In some cases, the BB1 can outcast competitor’s reels by 15 to 25 yards with a deep diving crankbait. 2: The BB1 comes in a 5.1:1 gear ratio, which allows you to slow your crankbait down to “snail’s pace” and helps you trigger bites from fish that aren’t really interested in eating. When fishing the outside hydrilla lines, Bolton used the same Lew’s rod and reel combo that he turned to for the medium running crankbaits but opted for a 16 ft range crankbait in chartreuse with a blue back. Bolton fished the deeper diving crankbait in sparse grass on the outside line and needed to make contact with the grass to trigger a strike.

 

Despite rising water levels and two totally different fisheries, Amistad and Rayburn fished quite similar. Has the age old question do “bass rise with rising water” been debunked? Regardless if it’s right or wrong, both Hanselman and Bolton proved that sometimes fish stay deeper with rising water than many would expect.

 

by AnglersChannel

MotorMate announces 2019 partnership with Timmy Horton Outdoors

January 17, 2019, FORT WAYNE, INDIANA - MotorMate is proud to announce another year of partnership with Timmy Horton Outdoors, one of the most popular outdoor programming shows on television.
MotorMate's 2019 partnership will include sponsor recognition in several episodes throughout the season, as well as several THO 365 spots. THO 365 spots are short clips of Tim highlighting fishing techniques, strategies and products to assist the audience in becoming better anglers. THO 365 spots are released weekly across YouTube, other social media sites and the Timmy Horton Outdoors website.
"Tim is one of the most recognized and respected anglers on the professional tournament series, and we are thrilled to be a part of THO again in 2019," said Jon Aichele of MotorMate. "His passion for and dedication to the sport inspires us to at MotorMate - and makes his program the perfect fit for us and our customers."
Since becoming the first angler to win both BASS Angler of the Year and Rookie of the Year in 2000, Tim has established himself as one of the most accomplished anglers on tour, qualifying for 11 BASSmaster Classics, a five-time BASSmaster champion, and current record holder of the Major League Fishing single day catch of 88 pounds 10 ounces.
Timmy Horton Outdoors began in 2013 and quickly became one of the highest-rated outdoor programming shows in the nation, a spot it has held to date. The show airs weekly Pursuit Channel, and World Fishing Network. To learn more, visit timmyhortonoutdoors.com.
MotorMate is made in the USA using marine-grade, high-quality stainless steel components and has high-impact nylon end caps. MotorMate has a lifetime warranty and is available online at MotorMateUSA.com or through its growing dealer and retail network, which now includes more than 250 locations throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Visit MotorMateUSA.com to view the entire MotorMate lineup, locate the nearest dealer, order online and determine which MotorMate product is the right fit for individual motors.
###

by AnglersChannel

Evinrude becomes MLF BPT Sponsor

TULSA, Okla. (Jan. 17, 2019) - Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today that legendary boat engine manufacturer Evinrude has signed on as a sponsor of the new 2019 MLF Bass Pro Tour, and will be the title sponsor of one of the series' Stages in 2019.
The partnership is especially fitting because it brings together an iconic name that originated 110 years ago with one of bass fishing's hottest engines today in MLF. The two share a focus on innovation that is mutually driven by the common desire to ensure the long-term health of the sport.
Evinrude's E-TEC G2 direct injection engines are turning props and anglers' heads with their super efficiency, greater torque and stylish good looks. The 110-year old engine manufacturer is also an MLF Bass Pro Tour sponsor for its debut 2019 tournament season. (Click to enlarge/download)
"There is great synergy in this teaming," said MLF President and CEO Jim Wilburn. "Despite the disparity in age, Evinrude and MLF are a lot alike in how we got our starts from forward-thinking individuals and how each has continued to evolve since. The last three or four years have been a blur as our respective companies have worked feverishly to further enhance the angler experience and bring more participants into the sport."
"We are very excited to partner with the MLF Bass Pro Tour for its first season," said Tracy Crocker, president of the BRP Marine Group and senior vice president and general manager of Evinrude. "Professional bass fishing tournaments are an exciting way to attract new boaters to our industry, which is why we sponsor so many Bass Pro Tour anglers and the tournament itself. In addition to attracting new boaters, we are excited for the chance to help current anglers improve their technique. That's why this year we will be launching the First Fish Moment during all MLF livestreams and shows."
The First Fish Moment will highlight the best moments during the Bass Pro Tour that show anglers properly landing a bass, even under less than ideal conditions. Anglers competing on the MLF circuit are all about protecting their catch and being aware of how to do so effectively is very important. Evinrude launched the First Fish Moment to echo its core values of protecting the environment for future boaters to enjoy. Team Evinrude anglers are all equipped with the cleanest burning outboard on the market - the Evinrude E-TEC G2.
Evinrude's sponsorship includes 30-second commercials and graphic billboards in Bass Pro Tour television programming, and a brand presence among the tour's in-show and on-site opportunities, and MLF NOW!, the free live stream program that will deliver seven hours of real-time coverage during each competition day on www.MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The 80-angler MLF Bass Pro Tour field includes Bassmaster Classic champions, FLW Forrest Wood Cup winners, Anglers of the Year and top tour performers from throughout the world of competitive bass fishing. The 2019 Bass Pro Tour season opens Jan. 29 in Kissimmee, Fla. The tour concludes with a championship event in August.
Each Bass Pro Tour event will result in a two-hour television show that will air on Discovery Channel in the fourth quarter of 2019, and then repeat on Sportsman Channel in first and second quarters 2020.
MLF also has programming on Outdoor Channel, World Fishing Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network and Discovery Channel, and all episodes are available on-demand on
MyOutdoorTV (MOTV).

by AnglersChannel

GRIGSBY EMPLOYS FUSION TECHNIQUE FOR TOUGH BITES

By David A. Brown

Football heads and swimbaits — both common bass tools, but they’re typically stated as separate techniques. However, for bass fishing legend Shaw Grigsby the two make one dynamite duo.

Specifically, the pro from Gainesville, Fla. pairs a Strike King Rage Swimmer swimbait with a Strike King Tour Grade Football Shaky Head. He may use an 1/8-, 1/4- or 3/8-ounce model depending on water depth; but regardless of the size needed for a given scenario, Grigsby knows he can count on a few key benefits.

“That football head allows you to fish your bait really slow, so you can get down in the bottom and dig up those shell bars, ticking the bottom and creating a commotion, but still have that swimming shad looking body,” Grigsby said. “But the football head design prevents your bait from rolling over. It holds your bait stable and keeps that hook upright so you pin almost every one of them in the top of the mouth — and it doesn’t get hung that much.”

Bottom line: Grigsby’s rig presents the ideal package for slow rolling a swimbait along the bottom with maximum contact and minimal snagging risk.

Another benefit: Line size diversity. No longer are you limited to stout line with swimbaits. So when shallow water, clear conditions or any tough-bite scenario calls for a lighter approach, Grigsby’s deal opens the door to opportunity.

“This is a great way to fish with an exposed hook on lighter line,”Grigsby said. “A lot of times, we want to use light line, yet the weighted hooks that we’d normally put in a swimbait are generally pretty heavy hooks; so you can’t really get a bigger hook to penetrate on lighter line.

“This a great way to use 10-, 12- or 15-pound line and be able to have great success.”

 

 

WHEN & WHERE

Spring prespawners feeding up for their upcoming reproductive session are prime targets for Grigsby’s football head/swimbait technique. Fall fish also dig this presentation, especially when their chasing shad in the backs of pockets. Come summertime, Grigsby’s definitely going to show this to fish lounging on the ledges and drops.

“This also excels greatly in smallmouth waters; they choke this thing,” he said. “They’re notorious for just slamming and running, but this gets them because of the exposed hook.

LOW AND SLOW

Now, if fishing swimbaits on football heads sounds novel, Grigsby points out that the bigger fish tend to come on slower swimbait presentations. His technique lines up well with a proven strategy — he just has a unique delivery method.

“It’s not (only) a speed thing; it’s an injured baitfish look,” Grigsby said. “That football head allows you to make some really slow presentations and catch some really big fish.”

 

TACKLE FOR THE TASK

Noting that he’ll try to match his swimbait size to local forage with Strike King’s 2.75-, 3.25-, 3.75-, or 4.75-inch Rage Swimmer, Grigsby said he likes a 7:1 reel for this presentation. And that’s not because he’s burning the bait; rather, it’s a more measured retrieve with occasional spurts for effect.

Grigsby typically spools with 12- or 15-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon. For shallower scenarios, he’d go with a one of the smaller heads, or bump up his line size for more resistance and slower fall.

In closing, Grisby advises against confusing this presentation with traditional football jigs and/or swimbait rigging. Blending these two worlds yields and incredibly productive presentation; but one requiring a different mindset.

“Don’t really horse them because the shaky head has a smaller hook and it penetrates really easy,” Grigsby said of the proper bite response. “I usually throw this bait on a long rod with a medium to medium-heavy action. I don’t want anything that’s too stiff; I just want a rod that can load up and then you just pull into them and take your time fighting them.”

by AnglersChannel

James Agerton wins ABA AFT D41 Event on the Tensaw River

Courtesy of ABA

 

January 12, 2019 - Mobile, AL.  Twenty anglers launched from the Causeway near Mobile, AL due but when the scales closed James Agerton from Saraland, AL took the victory with five-fish weighing in at 8.79-pounds.  For the win, Agerton took home $543 in prize money.

Second amongst the competitors was Dennis Prickett with five-fish that locked in the scales at 6.87-pounds. For his efforts, he took home $329 in prize money.

Third place was claimed by Michael Hardin with three-fish and a total weight of 6.00-pounds.  For his efforts, he took home $108.

The Biggest Bass of the tournament was caught by James Agerton.  His fish locked in the scales at 3.21-pounds earning him $100 in prize money.

The launch site was changed from Live Oak Landing near Stockton to the Causeway due to river flooding.  Flooding made the fishing conditions difficult.

Top five finishers:

1st James Agerton 8.79-lbs
2nd Dennis Prickett 6.87-Lbs
3rd Michael Hardin 6.00-lbs
4th Dennis Griffith 5.58-lbs
5th Craig Hamilton 4.85-lbs

The next tournament in this division will take place on February 23, 2019.

For more information on this event or division please contact local director Barry Woodward 251-423-0753 or visit www.americanbassanglers.com

The Bass Pro Shops Fishing Tour offers low cost, close to home bass tournaments that are designed for the weekend angler. All anglers fish for money and points. The points advance the angler to their divisional championship and the top 500 anglers in the US are invited to the Bass Pro Shops Fishing Tour National Championship for this fall on Lake Eufaula, AL.

by AnglersChannel

Stalnaker Takes ABA Win on Oconee

Courtesy of ABA

Brad Stalnaker of Eatonton, Ga took the win on January 12, 2019, for the Bass Pro Shops Fishing Tour  D72 tournament held on Lake Oconee.  Brad brought his five-fish limit totaling 19.13 pounds to the scale to take home $735 cash and a first place trophy.  He said he caught his fish flipping.  Brad anchored his sack with a 4.82 pounder.

Kip Carter of Mansfield, Ga was the only other angler of the 35 total fishermen to bring in a limit.  Kip took second place with a scale weight of 13.85 pounds to win cash of $461 and a trophy.  Kip likes to use a crankbait.

Danny Taylor of Buckhead, Ga was flipping a jig on a dock when he caught a lunker weighing 6.01 pounds!  Danny won the trophy for Big Bass, and $175 cash for the optional big bass pot.

The lake was very muddy from all the recent rain, and the water temperature was about 50 degrees. It was a cloudy day that started off cold in the 30's at blast off from Sugar Creek Marina, and only reached the low 40's by weigh-in at three o'clock. Conditions were tough for most of the 35 anglers, but everyone earned points, and all fish that were caught were released alive.

Congratulations to the Top Ten:

1st Brad Stalnaker 19.13-lbs
2nd Kip Carter 13.85-lbs
3rd Swinton Sikes 10.24-lbs
4th Sean Capes 9.63-lbs
5th David Lowery 9.31-lbs
6th Kim Carver 9.07-lbs
7th Lee Harrison 7.01-lbs
8th Chris Nelson 6.72-lbs
9th Danny Taylor 6.01-lbs
10th Derek Johnson 5.86-lbs

After the awarding of trophies and cash payouts, there were drawings for the anglers present.  A $50 Sugar Creek Marina gift card was won by Joshua Parrish, and two $50 bills were won by Anthony Widener and Joey Dobbs.  A T-H Marine trolling motor handle was won by Adam Wicks, and James Golden won an 8 ounce bottle of G-Juice. Thanks to Danny Taylor  for assisting with morning boat checks, and weighing fish  in the afternoon.

The next tournament for D72 will be January 26, 2019, on Lake Sinclair going out of Dennis Station DNR ramp .
Please contact Director Benny Howell at 770-365-4795 for more information.

by AnglersChannel

FLW Marshall Timmy Beight Wins $2500 in Rayburn Opener

Courtesy of FLWfishing.com

January 15, 2019

by Curtis Niedermier

 

The biggest tournament check Timmy Beight has ever earned didn’t require him to catch a bass or even make a cast.

Beight, an electrician from Katy, Texas, won $2,500 through the FLW Tour Marshal program at Sam Rayburn Reservoir last week because the combined weight of the pros he was paired with – Jordan Osborne on day one and Terry Bolton on day two – was highest among all marshals by a hefty margin of almost 18 pounds. Osborne’s day-one weight of 25 pounds, 1 ounce was impressive, but Beight got a big bump from Bolton’s 33-9 megabag on day two.

Watching Bolton put together the tournament’s best performance is something Beight (shown above with Bolton) will likely never forget.

“To be honest, when Terry caught that 10-pounder and he had 33 pounds, I had tears in my eyes,” Beight recalls. “He’s an awesome dude. He was about emotionless until he got up on the stage that last day. I think I had more emotions going than he did.”

 

As a local tournament anger, Beight says he’s been interested in marshaling for a major tournament for a while. He’s glad he finally got into the boat to enjoy the experience.

“I’ll tell you what, Jordan was fishing in one little spot the size of a picnic table, so we didn’t move. Then, when I got with Terry on the second day, he had his 33 pounds by noon, and he said, ‘Well, we’re gonna ride around and look for some new area.’ He taught me more in that three hours than I’ve probably learned in 10 years,” says Beight. “I loved everything about it, to be honest. I’m making plans to go to the one in Oklahoma [Grand Lake].”

Beight says winning money was the least of his concerns at Rayburn, but he’s certainly pleased with the paycheck. The marshal payout extended down to 10th place.

 

Marshal prizewinners

1. Timmy Beight – Katy, Texas – 58-10 – $2,500

2. Brandon Hefner – Flint, Texas – 40-13 – $1,000

3. Joseph Czekala – Homer Glen, Ill. – 40-3 – $750

4. Bryan Rennell – Montgomery, Texas – 37-12 – $500

5. Bryan Landers – College Station, Texas – 37-10 – $250

6. Ronnie Ray Jr. – McKinney, Texas – 37-5 – $100

7. Kent Abernathy – Gladewater, Texas – 36-11 – $100

8. Phil Smith – Orange, Texas – 36-8 – $100

9. Josh Rushing – Point Lookout, Mo. – 35-3 – $100

10. Jon Hawke – Lufkin, Texas – 34-15 – $100

 

Want to be a marshal?

FLW fielded a full roster of 170 marshals at Sam Rayburn. Thank you to all who participated. If you’d like to learn more about becoming a marshal, please call 270.252.1000, or visit flwfishing.com/marshals. Openings are available for the upcoming event at Lake Toho.

by AnglersChannel

Bass Champs Amistad event postponed due to forecasted in climate weather and high winds

From BASS Champs

 

**URGENT NOTICE**
Due to forecast of winds Up to 50 mph for this Saturday (1/19) the event on Amistad has been rescheduled to Saturday, June 1st on Lake Amistad, Diablo East ramp.

Our first event of the South region will now kick-off at Lake Falcon, February 23rd.
The Sam Rayburn event next weekend has not been changed as of today.
However, if there are any changes that need to be made, we will notify anglers
immediately via our eNewsletter, facebook, Texas Fishing Forum, & text subscribers.

by AnglersChannel

AC Insider Podcast - Breaking Down the Rayburn FLW Slugfest!

This week the Boys welcome in Ranger / Lew's Pro Terry Bolton to the show to breakdown his recent $125,000 win on a swollen Lake Sam Rayburn for his first ever FLW Tour Win. Terry also talks Humminbird & Minn Kota equipment and how it helped him catch over 91 pounds of fish in 4 days. We also talk News & Notes, Progressive Bass Wrap up and More!

by AnglersChannel

Nominations Now Open For 2019 Class Of Bassmaster High School All-Americans

Jan. 14, 2019

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. is seeking nominations for the best and brightest high school bass anglers in the country.

The Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team recognizes the 12 most outstanding high school anglers in the nation. The program is designed to reward young athletes for their performance in tournaments, leadership in their communities and involvement in conservation efforts.

Applications for the team, which is now in its fifth year, will be accepted today through Feb. 8.

To be considered, a student must be nominated by a parent, coach, teacher or other school official. Students currently enrolled in grades 10 through 12 with a current grade point average of 2.5 or higher are eligible.

Judges will select up to two student anglers in each state. These All-State Fishing Team members will become semifinalists in the selection of the 12-member All-American Team. Criteria include success in high school fishing tournaments and involvement in conservation efforts and other community service activities.

The anglers chosen will compete in a one-day Bassmaster High School All-American fishing event to be held in conjunction with the 2019 Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department — one of nine regular-season Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments being held this year. Elite Series anglers will serve as “coaches” for the student anglers in the one-day fishing event near Emory, Texas. The high school standouts and Elite Series coaches will be honored before the weigh-in crowd.

“The applicants for our High School All-American program continue to amaze me with their dedication to the sport, as well as academic excellence and community involvement,” said Hank Weldon, senior manager of the Bassmaster High School program. “We’re very proud to offer a platform that recognizes successful student athletes on their many accomplishments, and we can’t wait to see what this 2019 class of anglers has in store.”

All students who compete in high school fishing events are eligible, regardless of whether they are affiliated with B.A.S.S. or another fishing organization.

Notices have been sent to youth fishing directors of the B.A.S.S. Nation and other organizations, as well as leaders of state high school fishing programs. Adults can nominate students by filling out an online form at Bassmaster.com/allamerican. Nominations must be submitted before midnight on Feb. 8.

by AnglersChannel

Carhartt Winter Gear Sale!

by AnglersChannel

Cast your cold water crankbaits with spinning tackle

Courtesy of Alan McGuckin / Dynamic Sponsorships

Bass fishing’s funniest man, Gerald Swindle, said it best on the Classic weigh-in stage a couple years ago. “I’m headed for a hot shower. I’ve been standing in a cold wind all day casting a Rapala Shad Rap, which is about like trying to cast a potato chip in a hurricane.”

If you know Swindle, you know that a Shad Rap might very well be his favorite cold water lure. But if you’ve ever tried to throw the legendary balsa bait, or a suspending jerkbait, on baitcasting equipment, especially when the wind is more than a whisper, you may find yourself cussing under your breath, or heck, possibly even out loud.

I’ve been there and done that more than I’d like to admit, and amid a recent bout of maddening backlash based frustration I flashed-back to 25 years ago, when I first learned to throw suspending jerkbaits for cold water bass – on spinning tackle.

Yes, believe it or not, the best anglers in the Ozark Mountain region who helped make these wintertime baits famous, used spinning tackle in nearly equal proportion to baitcasting equipment. And then, for whatever reason, spinning sticks and ‘egg beater’ reels seem to fall out of winter fashion.

And that’s unfortunate; because spinning tackle truly offers a multitude of performance-based reasons to be paired with your favorite cold-water treble hook laden lures.

Basic physics favor spinning tackle for lighter lures

With lighter lures like a Shad Rap, it’s tough to generate enough momentum on a baitcasting reel’s spool to spin sufficiently. So in turn, the friction slows the lure’s launch through the air. And by the time the spool finally does get up to speed, the momentum in the lure is too low, and the result is often a backlash.

 

Longer casts, and fewer backlashes

 The positive result of pairing lighter balsa baits and jerkbaits with spinning tackle is simple, you’ll get far fewer backlashes, plus, much longer casts. And longer casts help increase your catching success, not only by allowing these diving lures to stay in the strike zone longer, but also to spook fish less in the clear cold waters where these visually oriented lures work best.

 

Upsize your spinning reels

 Size 25 and 30 are the most popular spinning reel sizes for bass anglers, but legendary pros like Kevin VanDam nearly always use a size 40 spinning reel.

Why? Back to that physics class we spoke of a minute ago.  Larger spools provide even less friction as the line leaves during the cast. Plus, you’re able to pick up more line with each turn of the handle during the retrieve while fighting that 5-pounder.

Fully capable of fighting big fish

Finally, speaking of 5-pounders, don’t ever believe you can’t fight big fish on spinning tackle. As proof, Bass Fishing Hall of Fame member Shaw Grigsby has lost count of the bass over 5-pounds he’s landed on spinning tackle, and the number of freight train tugging smallmouth caught on spinning tackle annually is staggering.

The key is to make sure you’re using a quality reel with the drag set just loose enough to allow big fish some tugging room. Pair it with a 6’ 10” to 7’ medium action rod with plenty of tip. A rod of this length and action will provide added launch momentum on the cast, and necessary amounts of forgiveness, so as not to tear hooks free from the mouths of big fish.

Lastly, take your time and be patient during the fight, but by all means, don’t be afraid of spinning tackle. Instead, embrace its advantages. Spool up a size 30 or 40 reel with 8 or 10 pound line, tie it to your favorite cold water crankbait, and let ‘er rip, Tater Chip. 

by AnglersChannel

Adrian College Anglers Win Ranger Cup University Team of the Year Challenge

Adrian College anglers Jack Hippe (left) and Nick Czajka (right) display their winning check from the Ranger Cup University Challenge at Fayette County Lake, Texas. 
 

Collegiate anglers take home $2,000 and other prizes in winner-take-all challenge

   

FLIPPIN, Ark. (January 14, 2019) - Jack Hippe and Nick Czajka, collegiate anglers from Adrian College, won the Ranger Cup University Team of the Year Challenge in a winner-take-all, made-for-TV event on Texas' Fayette County Reservoir, a power plant lake located in south central Texas. The tournament, which utilized a rules format where all legal fish are weighed and released from the boat, pitted the Adrian College anglers against a team from Bethel University - two of the biggest schools in the sport today.

Hippe and Czajka qualified for the expense-paid competition by being the highest placed Ranger Cup University qualified team in the FLW College Fishing National Championship. The duo topped Bethel University anglers Cole Floyd and Carter McNeil, who qualified for the event by winning the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Cabela's.

Both teams faced the challenge of landing as many legal fish (over 14 inches) as possible in a single day to take the title. The teams went into the event with only one hour of pre-fishing right before the start of the competition.
Coming from Michigan, where Adrian College is currently covered in ice and snow, the anglers had to quickly adjust to the warm weather and warm water conditions of the power plant lake.
"I have only fished a power plant lake once, and that was in July," said Hippe. "It was something that was totally different for us completely. Fishing in Texas and how the body of water played out. Near 80-degree water temperatures in January were something that neither of us were accustomed to by any means."
"We spent a lot of time looking at maps and planned spending a fair amount of time out deep," said Hippe. "We had one hour to go around and look at the lake and realized the water was a lot warmer than we had expected. We went to the bank and covered as much water as we could. We got lucky and found a few fish."
The team started their day just a few hundred yards from the launch, targeting the fish found during their previous hour on the lake.
"I started in the morning throwing a jig to the edges of the cattails while Nick threw a buzzbait," said Hippe. "There for a minute, I picked up a Chatterbait, which I caught four or five fish.
The team started fast by boating a key fish early in the morning - a 5-pound, 4-ounce, largemouth on a black buzzbait. With an early lead, Hippe and Czajka leaned heavily on flipping into the cattails to strengthen their lead.
"We were catching them up in cattails," said Hippe. "We can across a handful of beds but didn't see any locked on per se. Once it got high sun, they pulled in tight to those cattails."
Going shallow to pitch jigs in the cattails proved critical to taking the title, as the anglers from Bethel opted to fish deep early in the morning, which put them behind from the start. The Bethel anglers matched the Adrian anglers for most of the day, but the early deficit was too much to overcome. In all, Hippe and Czajka boated approximately 87 pounds to take the title of Ranger Cup University Team of the Year.
"We are super stoked," said Hippe. "We were so excited. To be able to win that event was fantastic and so cool for us."
As part of the competition, both teams fished from brand new, fully rigged Ranger Z519's powered by Yamaha 225 SHO outboards.
"Nick and I are both very aggressive anglers," said Hippe. "We both like to fish up front and we were able to comfortably fish next to each other all day. The storage is great too. It was awesome to have all that space to keep everything organized. We brought 35 rods and packed them all in there."
With this win, the team took home won $2,000 as well as bragging rights for their university. For competing in the challenge, both participating teams received a grand-prize package that included travel, lodging and meals.
The made-for-TV fish off will be televised nationally on future episodes of "Americana Outdoors" and the "Cabela's Collegiate Bass Fishing Series."
Modeled after Ranger Cup, the most lucrative contingency rewards in the industry, Ranger Cup University is the first program designed exclusively for collegiate anglers and is open to those fishing in either FLW- or BoatUS-affiliated competitions. Signup is free, regardless of which brand of boat the anglers own. To remain qualified in the program, anglers need only adhere to clothing and logo requirements. As part of the Ranger Cup University program, participants will be able to receive specially discounted tournament gear through Gemini Custom Apparel, with no artwork or set-up fees. Through this partnership, Ranger Cup University anglers can purchase fully customized tournament jerseys for as low as $48.
For complete program guidelines and details on Ranger Cup University, including payout, clothing requirements and informational videos, go online to www.rangercup.com.

by AnglersChannel

‘Big Bass. Big Stage. Big Dreams.’ 

Jan. 14, 2019

Courtesy of BASS Communications

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — It’s T-minus 24 days and counting to the launch of one of the most momentous seasons in the history of professional bass fishing. With the biggest bass on the biggest stage in the sport, the 2019 Bassmaster Elite Series is making dreams reality.

“I’m really excited,” said Elite angler Bill Lowen of Brookville, Ind. “I’ve been in the Elite Series for 12 years, and today I feel just like I did right before my very first season. I can only imagine how exciting this has to be for the new guys over what I feel is fixing to take place.”

What is “fixing” to take place is a 10-event series of tournaments on some of the best big-bass lakes in the nation. The trail features a smaller field, bigger payouts per angler, lower entry fees and more media coverage than ever in the 14-year history of the nation’s premier bass fishing circuit.

Elite No. 1 gets underway Thursday, Feb. 7, on the St. Johns River at Palatka, Fla. — a storied fishery where, three years ago, four-time Bassmaster Classic champion Rick Clunn won his 15th B.A.S.S. competition at age 69. Clunn’s tournament heroics included a five-bass limit weighing 31 pounds, 7 ounces. The St. Johns River is also where Florida-native Cliff Prince landed the largest bass in Elite Series competition since 2016, weighing 10 pounds, 8 ounces.

Monstrous catches like that are part of the reason B.A.S.S. and the Elite anglers have adopted the mantra, “Big Bass. Big Stage. Big Dreams.” to describe the Elite Series in 2019.

Big Bass

“We’re visiting some of the hottest fisheries at the best times this year to catch the biggest bass,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin.  “If you want to talk ‘Big Bass’, this is the tried-and-true tournament format that rewards anglers who have the skill to catch the heaviest five-bass limits each day. We can’t wait to see what our anglers bring to the scales from the waters of places like the St. Johns River, Lake Guntersville, Lake Fork and the St. Lawrence River.”

Big Stage

With more than 130,000 fans attending Elite events on average the past five years and the unparalleled media exposure for the Bassmaster Elite Series, B.A.S.S. continues, by far, to be the “Big Stage” in professional fishing. Bass fishing’s digital flagship, Bassmaster.com, averages 1.8 million page views on competition days, while Bassmaster LIVE in Elite events (excluding the Classic) reach more than 2.2 million fans. In addition, the 2019 Elite Series will include 214 hours of television coverage on ESPN networks and the Pursuit Channel, reach millions of readers of Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times magazines, and receive extensive coverage by independent media nationwide.

Elite angler Chris Zaldain said media coverage already has been remarkable. “I was averaging one major interview per day leading up to the Christmas break,” he said. “My social media following has been growing every single day. Fishing fans will have a lot to see and digest this year.”

Big Dreams

Part of the buzz is attributed to the new field size, with 75 anglers now competing on the Elite Series. The lineup includes 40 Elite anglers returning from the 2018 season joined by a mix of top-ranked Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens anglers, former Elite Series anglers and a handful of accomplished pros from other circuits. Five new international anglers from three continents also add a new element to the competition.

Akin added, “For many, if not all of them, this season fulfills a lifelong dream. At least six of the new Elite anglers worked their way up from our grass-roots program, the B.A.S.S. Nation, and 15 out of the 75 are former standouts on their college fishing teams who clawed their way to the pinnacle of professional fishing through the Bassmaster Opens.”

Elite angler Matt Herren says he’s pleased to see the “new blood” in the Elite Series.  “I’m really looking forward to it. I’m really excited about the year. There are a lot of fresh faces and fresh attitudes — positive attitudes — among the anglers. The fans are positive, too. I looked around Lake Lanier and the St. Johns River a couple of days before the cutoff, and the folks I ran into in both areas are really looking forward to us coming to their areas.”

A two-time tournament champion and four-time Classic qualifier, Zaldain is impressed with the newcomers’ fishing skills, as well.

“I’m waiting for that one tournament finish where someone says, ‘Oh, the competition is diluted,’” he said. “It’s not diluted. It’s just as fierce as it has been. Maybe we’ve never heard of some of these guys, but a quarter of the way through this season, the fishing community is going to know who these guys are. They’re no slouches, and there won’t be any ‘gimmes.’”

Adding to the thrill of the approaching season is the knowledge that 40 of the 75 Elite anglers will qualify for the 2020 Bassmaster Classic, the 50th edition of what is inarguably the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing.

Lowen, a nine-time Classic qualifier, said he is motivated to return to the world championship.

“As a kid growing up, all I wanted was to fish the Classic,” he said. “That’s where you want to be. It’s the biggest stage there is.”

For more information and to follow the 2019 Bassmaster Elite Series action, visit Bassmaster.com.

2019 Bassmaster Elite Series Schedule

Event                                                    Fishery                        City                              Dates
Elite No. 1                                             St. Johns River             Palatka, Fla.                Feb 7-10
Elite No. 2                                             Lake Lanier                  Gwinnett, Ga.             Feb 14-17
Elite No. 3                                             Lake Hartwell             Anderson, S.C.            April 4-7
Elite No. 4                                             Winyah Bay                 Georgetown, S.C.        April 11-14
Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest              Lake Fork                     Emory, Texas              May 2-6
Elite No.6                                              Fort Gibson Lake         Tahlequah, Okla.         May 16-19
Elite No. 7                                             Lake Guntersville        Scottsboro, Ala.          June 21-24
Elite No. 8                                             St. Lawrence River      Waddington, N.Y.       Aug. 15-18
Elite No. 9                                             Cayuga Lake                Union Springs, N.Y.     Aug 22-25
Toyota Bassmaster AOY Championship                                   TBA

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport. With more than 510,000 members internationally, B.A.S.S. is not only home to the nation’s premier fishing tournament trails, but it also boasts the most expansive and comprehensive media network in the fishing industry. Its media include The Bassmasters on the ESPN networks, more than 130 hours of tournament programming on the Pursuit Channel, 250 hours of on-the-water streaming coverage on Bassmaster LIVE and 1 million monthly visitors to the flagship website on bass fishing – Bassmaster.com. B.A.S.S. also provides more than 4.4 million readers with the best in bass fishing coverage through Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times, and its radio and social media programs and events reach hundreds of thousands each month.

by AnglersChannel

KENTUCKY’S BOLTON WINS FLW TOUR AT SAM RAYBURN RESERVOIR

Courtesy of FLW

 

23-Year FLW Tour Veteran Earns First FLW Tour Win of Career, Earns $125,000

BROOKELAND, Texas (Jan. 14, 2019) – After fishing the FLW Tour for 23 years, competing in his 168th career event, Rapala pro Terry Bolton of Benton, Kentucky, finally got it done. Bolton earned his first career victory in a dramatic final-day weigh-in Monday at the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Polaris after bringing a five-bass limit totaling 17 pounds, 6 ounces to the scale. Bolton’s four-day total of 20 bass weighing 91-3 earned him the victory by a 12-ounce margin over second-place pro Nick LeBrun of Bossier City, Louisiana, and the $125,000 first-place prize.

“This is pretty big for me,” said Bolton, a 13-time FLW Cup qualifier. “I was going to retire at the end of last year, but my wife talked me into coming back. I didn’t think that I’d ever see this moment and today, it finally happened. This is only 30 years in the making right here.”

Bolton caught most of his fish throughout the event – including his entire 33-pound, 9-ounce Day Two limit – in an area that he described as a drain or void in a grassline. He said the key for him was working his crankbaits at different depths around the grasslines.

“I threw a Rapala DT10 (demon), DT14 (demon) and DT16 (Caribbean shad) to make sure that I could hit the different depths,” Bolton said. “I had one drain that was really special that I found at 3:30 on the last day of practice. I idled across it and saw them all on the depth finder, made two casts and caught a 6-pounder and a 2½-pounder. I left right away and didn’t really know what was there.

“I caught 20 pounds, 10 ounces there the first day and left it at 12:30,” Bolton continued. “Then, I pulled in the next day and got up to 27-28 pounds and was going to leave but I was afraid that a local boat would get in there. I decided to stay and then, lo and behold, I catch the 9-8 and end up weighing in 33 pounds. I don’t know if you call it dumb luck or a good decision, but staying there Friday is what won me this tournament.”

Bolton said that he also mixed in a chartreuse and white-colored ¾-ounce Accent Lures spinnerbait with double-willow blades to catch a couple of keepers throughout the week. He credited his 7-foot, 11-inch Lew’s rod paired with a Lew’s BB1 Pro reel as being crucial to his success.

“That Lew’s crankbait rod and reel combo is truly the best on the planet,” Bolton said. “The key for me was definitely the crankbaits. I had to put the bait just above them in order to get bit.”

The top 10 pros on Sam Rayburn Reservoir finished:

1st:          Rapala pro Terry Bolton, Benton, Ky., 20 bass, 91-3

2nd:         Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., 20 bass, 90-7

3rd:         Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 15 bass, 88-13

4th:         Chad Warren, Sand Springs, Okla., 20 bass, 83-13

5th:         Evinrude pro Jim Tutt, Longview, Texas, 20 bass, 78-7

6th:         Colby Schrumpf, Highland, Ill., 20 bass, 70-7
7th:         Jordan Osborne, Longview, Texas, 20 bass, 67-10

8th:         Tom Redington, Royse City, Texas, 20 bass, 67-10
9th:         Sam George, Athens, Ala., 15 bass, 67-10

10th:       Charles Sim, Nepean, Ontario, Canada, 19 bass, 60-2

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

Overall there were 49 bass weighing 160 pounds, 6 ounces caught by pros Monday. Nine of the final 10 pros weighed in five-bass limits.

Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Polaris will premiere on the World Fishing Network (WFN) in 2019. The exact air-date will be announced soon. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs each Saturday night at 7 p.m. EST and is broadcast to more than 63 million cable, satellite and telecommunications households in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean on the WFN, the leading entertainment destination and digital resource for anglers throughout North America. FLW television is also distributed internationally to FLW partner countries, including Canada, China, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and South Africa.

The total purse for the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Polaris was more than $860,000, including $9,000 through 65thplace in the Pro Division. The tournament was hosted by the Jasper County Development District. The next event for FLW Tour anglers will be the FLW Tour at Lake Toho presented by Ranger Boats, in Kissimmee, Florida, Feb. 7-10. The tournament will be hosted Experience Kissimmee and the Kissimmee Sports Commission.

In FLW Tour competition, the full field of 170 pro anglers competed in the two-day opening round Thursday and Friday. The top 30 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advanced to fish on Saturday. Competition was postponed on Sunday due to inclement weather, so the top 10 pros continued the competition Monday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.

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

by AnglersChannel

Ford & Lynch win Texas Tournament Zone Opener with 16.93 limit on Lake Travis

by AnglersChannel

Zieska & Eddings Win Best Bass Opener on Lake McClure with over 14 pounds!

Courtesy of Best Bass Tournament Trails

https://youtu.be/RFT0t58Oxsk

 

Place Angler Angler Total Fish Big Fish Total Weight Winnings
1 Brent Zieska Jeff Eddings 5 5.19 14.29 $2,525.00
2 Kevin Nunes Scott Taylor 5 3.32 13.23 $1,380.00
3 Kirk R Marshall Will Wyman 5 2.71 11.75 $765.00
4 Richard A Hamilton Jacob A Vigna 5 0.00 11.61 $560.00
5 Bryan Coy Mike Brossard 5 2.79 11.01 $405.00
6 Brian S Burton Kari Burton 5 3.11 10.91 $245.00
7 Garrett Bradshaw Josh Gonzales 5 2.61 10.68 $210.00
8 Brian Orange Mike Martinez 5 3.79 10.67 $740.00
9 Reece Wells Orlindo F Diaz Jr 5 0.00 10.56 $180.00
10 Jeffrey R Horn Dave Sarginson 5 2.38 10.44 $0.00
11 Brian Herman Jeremy Nagy 5 2.48 9.72 $0.00
12 Pete A Rodriguez Manuel Martins 5 2.43 9.64 $0.00
13 Dennis E Papike Jeff W Barnes 5 2.66 9.60 $0.00
14 Randy S Whited Michael D Gaston 5 2.25 9.49 $0.00
15 Chris Peters Darryl Peters 5 3.03 9.37 $0.00
15 Carey Edwards Jeremy Edwards 5 2.24 9.37 $0.00
17 Jeff Amstutz Sara Amstutz 5 2.17 9.20 $0.00
18 Scott Parsons Doug Naruo 5 0.00 8.95 $0.00
19 Michael P Soriano Blanca Inez Soriano 5 2.57 8.83 $0.00
20 Jason Sanchez Joshua Sanchez 5 2.03 8.74 $100.00
21 Rick S Whited Chad M Whited 5 0.00 8.60 $0.00
22 Mike Van Guilder Justin Steelman 5 0.00 8.32 $0.00
23 Joey A Verna Jr Rodney Regert 5 2.50 8.27 $0.00
24 John J Whitacre John C Whitacre 5 2.63 8.14 $0.00
25 Marlan D Huebert Tim J Penner 5 1.93 8.09 $0.00
26 Dale Mchaley Carrie Mchaley 5 0.00 8.07 $0.00
27 Al Karam Art Romero 5 0.00 7.99 $0.00
28 Angel Nava Moises C Martinez 5 0.00 7.98 $0.00
29 Lee Miller Jim Miller 5 2.39 7.97 $0.00
29 Bill Alves Jr Mark Lucas 5 0.00 7.97 $0.00
31 Douglas B Goodman Shawn A Carmo 5 0.00 7.87 $0.00
32 Billy Davis Claudio M Silva Jr 5 2.44 7.69 $0.00
33 David A Oneal Derek Gray 5 0.00 7.61 $0.00
34 Don Bays Darren Urban 5 2.05 7.56 $0.00
35 Steve D Miller Sr Jaydee Watson 5 0.00 7.52 $0.00
36 Dustin Robinson Ali Robinson 5 0.00 7.50 $0.00
37 Garth Jantz Derek Jantz 5 2.24 7.40 $0.00
38 Lori C Hollister Mark C Scribner 5 0.00 7.38 $0.00
38 Shad E Sullivan Troy Thomas 5 0.00 7.38 $0.00
40 Mike Hummel Randy Wallis 5 0.00 7.37 $0.00
41 James Miller Jamie Miller 5 1.76 7.35 $0.00
42 Ray Keenom Joanne Keenom 5 1.88 7.31 $0.00
43 Jacob D Souza Ryan W Malm 5 0.00 7.04 $0.00
44 Travis N Schaefer Daniel Contreras 5 1.86 7.02 $0.00
45 Danny Peluso Sean D Donges 5 0.00 6.86 $0.00
46 Kenny Warnock Kolby Warnock 5 1.92 6.82 $0.00
47 Brian J Ortiz Frank Castillo 5 0.00 6.49 $0.00
48 Mike Ludwig Eric Peterson 3 0.00 4.50 $0.00
49 Mark Fishburn Tom Fishburn 3 0.00 3.31 $0.00
50 Todd K Rocha Jordan Rocha 0 0.00 0.00 $0.00
50 Jerrod M Voight Steven Larussa Jr 0 0.00 0.00 $0.00

by AnglersChannel

Panzironi Wins $5600 in ABA Florida Central Season Opener with over 26 pounds!

Courtesy of American Bass Anglers

ATHENS, Ala. –   Eric Panzironi of Longwood, FL won the Bass Pro Shops Open Series Florida Central tournament, held January 12th on the Lake Toho.  Running out of Kissimmee Lakefront Park in Kissimmee, FL Eric caught five-bass weighing 26.67-pounds. For the Boater Division victory, Panzironi took home a check for $5600 for his win.

“I stayed on Toho all day. I found a big school of fish last weekend, and they stayed in the same area. I pulled up to that spot and was done by 9:30 am. Last week they were smaller, but the bigger fish moved up to that area. It feels great to start the season with a win,” Panzironi said.

In second for the boaters, Russ Osborne of Orlando, FL landed a five-bass tournament limit going 22.84-pounds. He collected $1500 for the effort.

“I caught my fish flipping heavy cover. I lost one fish about three pounds, but it would not have helped me,” Osborne said.

Ted Sullivan of St. Cloud, FL took third for the boaters with five bass going 22.44-pounds. He earned $1100 and qualified to receive an additional $500 Triton Gold contingency money for his finish.

“I caught my fish today on a jig around grass. It seemed like the fish were reacting to the jig hitting the grass. It was a slow bite, but when I got bit, it was a good fish,” Sullivan said.

Finishing fourth, Dustin Smith of Grand Island, FL landed a five-bass limit for 18.99-pounds.  Ronnie Green of St. Petersburg, FL rounded out the top five boaters with five-bass at 17.94-pounds.

The biggest bass for the boaters was caught by James Stephens III of Osprey, FL that weighed 8.38-pounds. James pocketed $1040 for his big fish.

“I caught that fish on a swim jig around 11:30 am on the south end of the lake real shallow,” Stephens said.

In the Co-Angler Division, Keith Farrell of Tampa, FL won with three-bass going 13.25-pounds. He pocketed a check for $2000 for his win.

“We stayed in Toho all day. I caught all my keepers before 9:30 am this morning flipping grass and throwing a chatter bait around hydrilla. My first win, I’m very excited,” Farrell said.

Taking second for the co-anglers, Jesus “Buck” Gutierrez of Haines City, FL brought in a three-bass division limit weighing 10.97-pounds that included a 6.74-pound big bass. He collected $950 for the finish and an additional $500 for the big bass award.

“We were fishing on Toho all day. I caught that big bass flipping a senko in the lily-pads. I lost a big fish early and missed several fish today. It was tough,” Gutierrez said. “

Richard “Jamey” Nash of Chiefland, FL placed third among the co-anglers with three-bass going 10.49-pounds. He earned $750 for his catch.

“We also stayed on Toho today. I was fishing a trap on the south end of the lake. I lost one about four pounds, and I had a dead fish penalty that really hurt me today,” Nash said.

In fourth place among the co-anglers, Chad Schroeder of Zephyrhills, FL brought in three-bass for 9.32-pounds. Uby Rossell of Davenport, FL finished in fifth place with three-bass at 8.75-pounds.

Slated for February 23rd, the next tournament will be held on the Kissimmee Chain out of Camp Mack in Lake Wales, FL. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance the 2020 Ray Scott Championship to be held at Lake Hartwell in April 2020.

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

by AnglersChannel

Remmers & Niapas win Wild West Cali Team event on Shasta with over 27 pounds!

 

FINAL RESULTS Courtesy of WIldWestBassTrail.com
PLACE BOATER NON-BOATER BIG FISH #FISH WEIGHT WINNINGS BIG FISH PAYOUT
1 Jason Remmers Alex Niapas 8 7 27.27 $9,000 $1,160 $10,660
2 Jason Castaneda Kyle Gray 3.85 7 20.5 $6,000 $6,500
3 Bryant Smith Dustin Tacker 3.72 7 19.9 $4,000 $4,500
4 Mark Crutcher Jason Kincanon 4.02 7 19.02 $3,000 $3,000
5 Tory Mihalenko Gary Collins 4.17 7 18.63 $2,500 $1,160 $3,660
6 David Homen Gerry Johnson 7 17.51 $1,900 $1,900
7 Dale Shirley Dave Tencati 3.75 7 17.2 $1,700 $1,700
8 Scott Bern Gary Haraguchi 7 16.95 $1,500 $1,500
9 Randy Pierson Glenn Pierson 2.87 7 16.74 $1,300 $1,300
10 Joe Pereira William Mclaughlin 7 16.62 $1,200 $1,200
11 Gerard Flanigan Nick Flanigan 3.83 7 16.59 $1,100 $1,100
12 Shawn Mock Jay Williams 7 16.52 $1,100 $1,100
13 Ron Tobey Frank Harris 7 16.39 $1,100 $1,100
14 Steve Mellow Steve Burroughs 7 16.33 $1,100 $1,100
15 Jr Wright Cody Meyer 7 16.28 $1,100 $1,100
16 Mike Carney Patrick Cardoza 4.69 7 16.26 $1,000 $1,160 $2,160
17 Jody Jordan Dan Sweat 7 16.19 $1,000 $1,000
18 Wayne Breazeale Mike Menne 2.96 7 16.17 $1,000 $1,000
19 Travis Huckaby Roy Desmangles 3.41 7 16.13 $1,000 $1,000
20 Jim Riley Bob Benson 7 15.96 $1,000 $900
21 Cliff King Colby King 7 15.96 $800 $900
22 Mike Saso Larry Vignolo 3 7 15.88 $800 $800
23 Jimmy Sweeney Ryan Contos 3.54 7 15.78 $800 $800
24 Christopher Gosselaar Paul Lucich 7 15.74 $800 $800
25 Jason Milligan Jake Boomer 7 15.7 $800 $800
26 Paul Buccola Ron Berg 7 15.69 $800 $800
27 Dallas Chadwick Michael Chadwick 7 15.66 $800 $800
28 Justin Farrington Dave Church 7 15.59 $800 $800
29 Mark Mello Pat Leiser 7 15.58 $800 $800
30 Cameron Ewing Clint Groenewold 4.15 7 15.55 $600 $1,160 $1,760
31 Beau Joudrey Josh Reublin 7 15.53 $600 $600
32 Ryan Cool Ryan Duchi Duchi 4.27 7 15.49 $600 $1,160 $1,760
33 Chris Fancelli Arnold Fancelli 7 15.48 $600 $600
34 Patrick Kearney Steve Tosh Jr 7 15.46 $600 $600
35 Mike Mccartney Chuck Mccartney 7 15.39 $600 $600
36 Clayton Eslick Brian Eslick 7 15.37 $600 $600
37 Mark Borges Anthony Borges 3.09 7 15.36 $600 $600
38 Jason Sherman Jerry Johnson 7 15.35 $600 $600
39 Vince Hurtado Jarod Ballerdo 7 15.21 $600 $600
40 Ron Howe Kevin Cornwell 7 15.16 $600 $600
41 Willie Church K.c. Harris 7 15.1 $600 $600
42 Joseph Orozco Beau Allen 7 15.08 $600 $600
43 Drew Gosselaar Jordan Brendel 7 15.02 $600 $600
44 Robert Nakatomi Larry Noss 7 15.02 $600 $600
45 Alex Klein Steve Klein 7 14.98 $600 $600
46 Dennis Chartier Jest Syvirathphan 7 14.87 $600 $600
47 John Pearl Ronald Bruggeman Jr 7 14.86
48 Nick Fasiano Zack Thurman 7 14.84
49 Matt Cicisly Alex Tran 7 14.79
50 Tony Franceschi Nick Welton 7 14.71
51 Cheng Xiong Steve Her 7 14.62
52 Dale Green Chris Mccabe 7 14.62
53 John Fernandes Eric Fernandes 7 14.6
54 Scott Burke Garrett Maddex 7 14.57
55 Greg Gutierrez Ryan Brewer 7 14.57
56 Nathan Bromley Peter Gobel 7 14.57
57 Joe Karlowsky Bryan Trudau 7 14.57
58 Jodie White Mark Lassagne 7 14.56
59 Brent Shores Nick Young 7 14.54
60 Troy Gray Mike White 7 14.53
61 Mathew Saavedra Bill Townsend 7 14.52
62 Jeff Michels Tony Zanotelli 7 14.51
63 Yevgeniy Savitskiy Joshua Lerche 7 14.5
64 Chris Martin Doug Jones 7 14.49
65 Anthony Pimentel Norval Pimentel 7 14.49
66 Joe Gatie Dustin Plummer 7 14.45
67 Justin Gordon Nick Wood 7 14.41
68 Bob Boyd Mike Haroutunian 7 14.4
69 Brian Cogburn Justin Crain 7 14.37
70 Sean Wayman Michael Tremont 7 14.32
71 Mike Frederick Chad Dibble 7 14.31
72 Chris Carpenter Travis Starnes 7 14.31
73 Luke Wilson Dustin Maraviov 3.44 7 14.3
74 Brad Bonino Kim Bonino 7 14.3
75 Ryan Pearson Jaramy Riddle 7 14.3
76 Jay Bradshaw Brandon Cook 7 14.28
77 Steve Ericksen Jarrod Page 7 14.28
78 Jesse Slaton Kevin Bigby 7 14.27
79 Jared Walker Jesse Martin 7 14.25
80 Kyle Porter Bud Porter 7 14.23
81 Jonathan Kenyon Drew Forrister 7 14.2
82 Thomas Vue Thomas Vang 7 14.19
83 Rod Cree Matt Silveira 7 14.18
84 Anthony Prophet Sam West 7 14.1
85 William Hume Mike Kuhlman 7 14.1
86 Brian Fesler Ernie Haro 2.27 7 14.09
87 Howard Hughes Jim Lyon 7 14.06
88 Ryan White John Maes 7 14.06
89 Adam Belmont Stephan Magill 7 14.05
90 Jay Culver Aubrey Halloway 7 14.04
91 Richard Alcantar Eric Castro 7 14.03
92 Scott Chappell Jimmy Wade 7 14.03
93 George Rosales Ray Grammer 7 14.02
94 Lane Olson Clint Messner 7 14.01
95 Luke Johns Bailey Hurst 7 13.99
96 Stuart Minugh Scott Green 7 13.96
97 Jacob Mcclellan Ryan Mcintosh 7 13.95
98 Ed Christo Mark Casey 7 13.94
99 Chuck Mann Jr Chuck Mann Sr 7 13.94
100 Phillip Leazer John Kidder 7 13.94
101 Chao Vang Mong Lee 7 13.94
102 Matt Lindsey Mike Sanders 7 13.87
103 Cesar Laguna David Poteras 7 13.86
104 Tanner Spohn Michael Bryant 7 13.81
105 Mike Malinao Michael Pair 7 13.78
106 Kelly O’ward Mark Young 7 13.7
107 Matthew Plymouth Mat Clark 7 13.68
108 Rick Kraft Michael Kraft 7 13.68
109 Luke Lipanovich Joe Mariani 7 13.67
110 Chris Dalporto Jeffrey Klinstiver 7 13.65
111 Ryan Habenicht Tyler Firebaugh 7 13.61
112 Terry Snyder Bill Ponting 7 13.58
113 Alvin Borba Jaime Caratachera 7 13.56
114 Joe Hinkle Glen Lockhart 7 13.56
115 Travis Archer Eric Urstad 7 13.56
116 Josh Mchone Jacob Jimmerson 7 13.55
117 Vijay Malhotra Glyne Johnson 7 13.55
118 Kevin Turner Thaddeus Vinson 2.51 7 13.54
119 Jimmy Johnson Dante Ray 7 13.54
120 Garrett Charter Ron Lorenzo 7 13.54
121 Craig Main Jason Shy 7 13.51
122 Daniel Wilder Daryn Avalos 7 13.48
123 Edward Lynch Gary Pepperdine 7 13.47
124 John Mcclellan Matt Mckenzie 7 13.43
125 Mason Lewis Joseph Durling 7 13.42
126 Luke Diener Jeb Bunker 7 13.38
127 Joe Bitker Mike Gordon 7 13.38
128 Ryan German Nick Nurot 7 13.37
129 Oscar Sarnecki Eric Parra 7 13.28
130 Jerry Fournier Cris Vanclef 3.56 7 13.22
131 Richard Dobyns James Avalos 7 13.18
132 David Raper Rick Hawley 7 13.17
133 Matthew Frazier Josh Paris 7 13.15
134 Terry Devincenzi Seth Bowman 7 13.13
135 Ryan Tripp Blake Alexander 7 13.05
136 Mario Gardea Dave Romar 7 13.05
137 Ron Diacon Damon Witt 7 13.04
138 John Morla Clarence Morla 7 13.04
139 Austin Padgett Owen Nolan 7 13.03
140 Frank Ono Mark Mariani 7 13.02
141 Edward Zinda Jr. Brian Conder 7 13.01
142 Emmett Lovelace Jj Cascarina 7 13.01
143 Jim Elliott Vern Richard 7 13
144 Ryan Scott Aaron Scott 7 12.99
145 Devin Brown Keith Kadell 7 12.97
146 Firuz Gizatullin Logan Huntze 7 12.94
147 Earl Dalton Iii Christopher Gambol 7 12.87
148 James Thurber David Shafer 7 12.84
149 Jared Stone Marc Brown 7 12.84
150 Carl Keller Ryan Lauwers 7 12.84
151 Brent Cline Paul Foor 7 12.81
152 Stephen Penrod Stanley Penrod 7 12.81
153 Eric Kennedy Shon Mckinney 7 12.78
154 Jamie Clifton Dave Cole 7 12.77
155 Mark Gomez Juan Acosta 7 12.72
156 Gary Souza Mike Klemm 7 12.72
157 Angelo Alorro Jp Gano 7 12.71
158 Chuck Kavros Brett Leber 7 12.68
159 Robby Chikasawa Neil Lum 7 12.66
160 Kevin Brown Anthony Sierra 7 12.61
161 Dennis Sisto Timothy Rhyme 7 12.59
162 Fidel Campos Elias Yadao 7 12.57
163 Miles Hanson Brett Hanson 7 12.55
164 Thomas Cilluffo Doug Slaton 7 12.54
165 Paul Tillery Bam Miller 7 12.53
166 Travis Bounds John Bounds 7 12.5
167 Edison Hicks Paul Howard 7 12.47
168 Martin O'neal Kerry Harris 7 12.44
169 Doug Hutchison Blake Dyer 7 12.43
170 Dj Von Bima Jered Brendel 7 12.41
171 Gregory Troughton Carter Troughton 7 12.39
172 Paul Arias Art Nubaryan 7 12.38
173 Frankie Mendes Richard Rodriguez 7 12.36
174 Paul Dunlap Robert Tibbetts 7 12.34
175 Jason Webb Elliott Turner 7 12.25
176 Jeff Boom Jared Boom 7 12.24
177 Terry Odom Dennis Wainwright 7 12.22
178 Robert Couts Bobby Couts 7 12.22
179 Steven Scates Jason Fookes 7 12.17
180 Matt Atkins Josh Peard 7 12.15
181 Stacy Gee Bob Flink 7 12.14
182 Bill O'shinn Steve Consalvi 7 12.1
183 Daniel Eckhart Orrin Turold 7 12.08
184 Antonio Gold Terry Bennett 7 12.06
185 Jeremy Mckay Mike Boyd 7 12.06
186 Rico Flores Robert Litton 7 12.04
187 Nathan Johnston Michael Konidakis 7 12.03
188 Jacob Vanpool Randall Doyle 7 12.03
189 Kenneth Phillips Chris Delamain 7 12
190 Robert Cloutier Richard Benzler 7 11.99
191 Nathan Sellers Jordan Kunde 7 11.97
192 Derik Dalton Thomas Dodd 7 11.96
193 Brian Ruthman Matt Hudson 7 11.9
194 Ryan Petersen Toa Her 7 11.9
195 Hayden Lee Dennis Lee 7 11.89
196 Craig Groves Tim Domingues 7 11.88
197 John Garrett Tony Vaughn 7 11.88
198 Khu Yang Kong Chang 7 11.86
199 Donald Adams Darin Adams 7 11.8
200 Nicholas Hough Nathan Ghilotti 7 11.78
201 Scott Farley Mike Kotur 7 11.76
202 Jason Austin Ken Mah 7 11.72
203 Bob Dettling Matthew Dettling 7 11.7
204 Deric Benefield Robert Balderaz 7 11.61
205 Mike Sperbeck George Seefken 7 11.52
206 Patrick Friedman Philip Friedman 7 11.46
207 Wyatt Woolery Austin Taff 7 11.44
208 Justin Kraft Steve Bierman 2.49 7 11.32
209 Manuel Nevarez Manny Nevarez Ii 7 11.31
210 Dave Mercado James Snyder 7 11.28
211 Jerry Lee Vince Reiser 7 11.24
212 Vince Vella James Vella 7 11.24
213 Joseph Reekers Travis Averill 7 11.21
214 John Bell Logan Bell 7 11.13
215 Tom Beaty Paul Buccellato 7 11.06
216 Stephen Adams Blaine Christiansen 7 11.04
217 Mike Birch Kenny Cassettari 7 10.91
218 Mike Goncalves Brandon Silvey 7 10.85
219 Daniel Shelton Matthew Ross 7 10.62
220 Sean Hayes Thomas Featherston 6 10.59
221 Nick Tourville Jackson Brasisco 7 10.39
222 Chris Ashby Ron Skibinski 7 10.05
223 Allen Todd Louis Ferrante 6 9.87
224 Ron Six Luke Vannorman 6 9.79
225 Ryan Wong Scott Caven 7 9.45
226 Trever Hagedon Lonny Hagedon 7 9.42
227 Stephen Gatewood Ron Rushing 7 9.06
228 Travis Gifford Burke "blain" Perkins 6 8.46
229 Jason Brown Josh Whitman 4 6.91
230 Jim Vretzos Ryan Mcginnis 0.01
231 Oscar Friend Clint Isbell 0.01
232 Shane Peirson Tom Peirson 0.01

 

by AnglersChannel

Mark & Kaden Mueck Win Anglers Quest on Rayburn with over 28 Pound Limit!!

Write up courtesy of Barbara Long - Anglers Quest Facebook Page

Twenty-one boats that showed up to fish in the flooded waters of Big Sam Rayburn this morning.
With the lake way over its banks at almost ten feet above normal pool, it made the fishing hard for some, but not the father and son team of Mark Mueck & Kaden Mueck. They brought in 5 awesome bass that weighed a total of 28.83 lbs. and won $1,590.00 for their day on the water. Mark reported that they fished out of their Phoenix / Merc Boat / motor with Strike King Lures on Carolina Rigs in 12 to 14 feet of water. Mark said that Kaden caught their biggest fish of the day a nice 7.94 lb’er. Way to go Kaden !!!

The team of Luke Reed & Zack Gagnard brought five fish to the scales that weighed 18.61 lbs. and that was good enough to take the second place check for $790.00. Luke reported that they fished out of a Skeeter / Yamaha rig dragging big worms in 12 to 14 feet of water and would like to thank; Lowrance, Power Pole, Minn Kota, Jakked Baits, Pennington Plumbing, K9 Fishing, Haviz Safety, Rattletrap, and Phoenix Boats.

Third place was won by Roy Wade. He fished out of a Hawk boat with a Mercury motor on the north end of the lake with Crank Baits in 12 to 14 feet of water. He took home $475.00 for his day on the water.

Skeeter Fowler hooked a GIANT, it just wasn’t a fish. It was his Partner Ben South. He got him in the left ear with a spinner bait… That had to hurt, but they were laughing about it at the weigh-in so I guess big Ben didn’t hold it against him……LOL….. Skeeter and Ben brought in 5 fish for fourth place that weighed 16.10 lbs out of a Ranger boat with a Mercury motor. They reported catching probably 60 or more fish on the North end of the lake mostly on Carolina rigs and that was enough to take the last place check of $320.00. They would like to thank mostly the good Lord and also, M J Pipeline, Sixth Sense Lures, K9’s for Cops, and the Brian Robinson Reel ‘em in Foundation.

Jesse Sherlock and his son Seth Sherlock brought in one fish to the scales that weighed 8.24 lbs. That was the biggest bass of the tournament and they took home the $200.00 big bass money for that one bite. Jesse reported catching it DEEP on a jig out of his Champion boat powered by a Yamaha motor and would like to thank the good Lord for all his Blessings!

I want to thank all the Fishermen & Women who fish with and support Anglers Quest. I also want to thank the AQ Sponsors; Crawford Technical Services Inc. owner Mr. Greg Crawford a long time friend of Anglers Quest, Superior Paint Works owned by Mr. Wayne Miller another long time friend, Larry the Lizard Baits, Lake Houston Marina, Cunningham’s Kickapoo Bait & Tackle, LakeView Motel RV and Grocery, Stowaway Marina, Fishingworld.com, DENALI Rods and The LakeCaster Magazine.

Barbara Long
Anglers Quest
Owner / Tournament Director

by AnglersChannel

DAY FOUR OF FLW TOUR AT SAM RAYBURN RESERVOIR POSTPONED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER

Courtesy of FLW 

BROOKELAND, Texas (Jan. 13, 2019) – Sunday’s Day Four of the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented Polarishas been postponed due to inclement weather. The top 10 anglers scheduled to fish the final day of competition will now compete Monday to close out the season-opening tournament.

Strong winds moved into the area Saturday afternoon and continued throughout the night, creating rough conditions on Rayburn and forcing FLW officials to make the decision to push back the final day.

“After speaking with the entire team, including our pro anglers, we all feel that the best decision to be made for this event is to go ahead and cancel today and finish it up tomorrow,” says FLW Tour Tournament Director Bill Taylor. “The weather conditions are much more favorable for it tomorrow.”

The final 10-angler field will launch at a delayed start time of 8 a.m. CST on Monday in order to give Tour pros better visibility on the water. The added time will also allow for winds to subside and Rayburn’s waters to calm before takeoff. Anglers will still check in at 3:30 p.m., as originally planned. Weigh-in and takeoff will be held at the Umphrey Family Pavilion, located at 5438 Sam Rayburn Parkway, in Brookeland.

Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Polaris will premiere in 2019. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs each Saturday night at 7 p.m. EST and is broadcast to more than 63 million cable, satellite and telecommunications households in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean on the World Fishing Network (WFN), the leading entertainment destination and digital resource for anglers throughout North America. FLW television is also distributed internationally to FLW partner countries, including Canada, China, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and South Africa.

The popular FLW Live on-the-water program will now air Monday, featuring live action from the boats of the tournament’s top pros each day. Travis Moran will be joined by veteran FLW Tour pro Todd Hollowell to break down the extended action from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. On-the-water broadcasts will be live streamed on FLWFishing.com, the FLW YouTube channel and the FLW Facebook page.

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

by AnglersChannel

Wade & Spriggs Win CAST Toledo Bend Event with the help of 10.84 Big Fish!!

Outlaw Outdoors Owners Clint Wade and Stacy Spriggs won the Toledo Bend CAST Association Couples Tournament on Toledo Bend with over 22 pounds thanks to the help of Clint’s new Personal Best 10.84 Big Fish!

More Results to come!

by AnglersChannel

Terry Bolton Maintains Lead Heiding Into Final Day on Rayburn

Courtesy of FLW

 

23-Year FLW Tour Veteran Closes In on First Win in Texas Shoot-Out

BROOKELAND, Texas (Jan. 12, 2019) – It was more of the same Saturday on Day Three of the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented Polaris – big limits, big bass and big smiles from tournament leader Rapala pro Terry Bolton of Benton, Kentucky. Bolton weighed a solid five-bass limit totaling 19 pounds, 10 ounces to maintain his lead heading into Championship Sunday in the tournament which features 170 of the world’s best bass-fishing professionals competing for a top prize of up to $125,000.

The field is now trimmed to the final 10 pros for Sunday, and Bolton (15 bass, 73-13) will start with a 4-pound, 12-ounce lead over second-place pro Nick LeBrun of Bossier City, Louisiana, (15 bass, 69-1) who led the first day of competition. Also in contention for the win in third place is the angler considered by many to be the best in the world, Bryan Thrift of Shelby, North Carolina, (15 bass, 68-14). Bolton and LeBrun are both seeking their first career Tour win – Lebrun in his first career Tour event – while Thrift has six career wins and surpassed Andy Morgan Saturday for the most career top-10 finishes in FLW Tour competition with 40.

“I’ve had a blast this week,” said Bolton, who is fishing in his 168th career FLW Tour event – tied for 5th most all-time. “This lake is fishing phenomenal. I mainly fished the same areas that I have been all week today, but I also tried some new ones. I caught some keepers, but nothing that would really help me. I probably didn’t catch quite as many today, but the wind was a factor.”

Bolton estimated that he caught around 40 fish Saturday, throwing the Rapala DT14 and DT16 crankbaits that used to bring 33 pounds to the scale Friday but also mixing in a ¾-ounce Accent spinnerbait.

“I weighed in one bass on it today,” Bolton said about the spinnerbait. “I caught them with it on the first day, but not the second. I throw it when it’s sunny, to see if I can get quality.”

Bolton has been in this position before, leading an FLW Tour event going into the final day. He has two second-place Tour finishes, two third-place Tour finishes, and four fifth-place Tour finishes. But, the victory has eluded him. His 168 career events without a victory is the most among active FLW Tour pros. Bolton, however, said that he’s not feeling the pressure and just enjoying the moment and going fishing.

“One thing that I’ve learned out here on the Tour is that when it’s your time, it’s your time – you can’t stop it. And if it’s not your time, there’s nothing that you can do about it. So I might as well enjoy it. I’m going to get to fish the final day, on a great fishery. Would I love to win? Sure, it’d be very big for me. But is it the end all, be all, stomp my feet and go home mad if I don’t win? No.

“I’ve been very fortunate this week and I’ve had a lot of fun. We’re going to do the same thing tomorrow.”

The top 10 pros advancing to the final day of competition on Sam Rayburn Reservoir are:

1st:          Rapala pro Terry Bolton, Benton, Ky., 15 bass, 73-13

2nd:         Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., 15 bass, 69-1

3rd:         Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 15 bass, 68-14

4th:         Evinrude pro Jim Tutt, Longview, Texas, 15 bass, 62-13

5th:         Chad Warren, Sand Springs, Okla., 15 bass, 60-11

6th:         Jordan Osborne, Longview, Texas, 15 bass, 56-12

7th:         Tom Redington, Royse City, Texas, 15 bass, 54-13
8th:         Sam George, Athens, Ala., 15 bass, 54-3

9th:         Colby Schrumpf, Highland, Ill., 15 bass, 52-9
10th:       Charles Sim, Nepean, Ontario, Canada, 15 bass, 52-3

Finishing in 11th through 30th are:

 

11th:       Yamamoto Baits pro Tom Monsoor, La Crosse, Va., 15 bass, 51-9, $12,000
12th:       Miles Burghoff, Hixson, Tenn., 15 bass, 51-8, $12,000

13th:       Polaris pro David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., 15 bass, 50-6, $12,000

14th:       Bass Pro Shops pro Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 15 bass, 50-4, $12,000
15th:       Kyle Cortiana, Coweta, Okla., 15 bass, 50-1, $12,000
16th:       Timmy Thompkins, Myrtle Beach, S.C., 15 bass, 49-9, $11,500
17th:       Joseph Webster, Winfield, Ala., 15 bass, 49-3, $11,500
18th:       Troy Morrow, Eastanollee, Ga., 15 bass, 49-3, $11,500

19th:       Bryan Schmitt, Deale, Md., 15 bass, 49-1, $11,500
20th:       Kurt Mitchell, Milford, Del., 15 bass, 48-15, $11,500
21st:        Scott Martin, Clewiston, Fla., 15 bass, 48-0, $10,500

22nd:       Andy Wicker, Pomaria, S.C., 15 bass, 47-14, $10,500

23rd:       Derek Fulps, Broken Arrow, Okla., 15 bass, 47-10, $10,500
24th:       Billy Shelton III, La Crosse, Va., 13 bass, 46-11, $10,500

25th:       Darrel Robertson, Jay, Okla., 15 bass, 44-15, $10,500
26th:       Strike King pro Andrew Upshaw, Tulsa, Okla., 15 bass, 44-4, $10,500
27th:       Casey Scanlon, Lake Ozark, Mo., 15 bass, 44-3, $10,500
28th:       Christopher Brasher, Longview, Texas, 15 bass, 44-2, $10,500

29th:       Jon Englund, Farwell, Minn., 15 bass, 43-14, $10,500
30th:       Billy McCaghren, Mayflower, Ark., 15 bass, 42-10, $10,500

 

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

Overall there were 148 bass weighing 443 pounds, 11 ounces caught by pros Saturday, Twenty-nine of the final 30 pros were able to bring a five-bass limit to the scale.

In FLW Tour competition, the full field of 170 pro anglers competed in the two-day opening round Thursday and Friday. The top 30 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advanced to fish on Saturday. Now, only the top 10 pros continue competition Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.

The total purse for the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Polaris is more than $860,000, including $9,000 through 65th place in the Pro Division. The tournament is hosted by the Jasper County Development District.

Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2019 FLW Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2019 FLW Cup will be on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Aug. 9-11, and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.

Anglers will take off for the final day of competition at 7 a.m. CST Sunday from the Umphrey Family Pavilion, located at 5438 Sam Rayburn Parkway, in Brookeland. Sunday’s championship weigh-in will also be held at the pavilion, beginning at 4 p.m.

Prior to the weigh-in Sunday FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at the Umphrey Family Pavilion from 2 to 6 p.m. The Expo is a chance for fishing fans to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities.

Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Polaris will premiere in 2019. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs each Saturday night at 7 p.m. EST and is broadcast to more than 63 million cable, satellite and telecommunications households in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean on the World Fishing Network (WFN), the leading entertainment destination and digital resource for anglers throughout North America. FLW television is also distributed internationally to FLW partner countries, including Canada, China, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and South Africa.

The popular FLW Live on-the-water program will air Sunday, featuring live action from the boats of the tournament’s top pros each day. Travis Moran will be joined by veteran FLW Tour pro Todd Hollowell to break down the extended action from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. On-the-water broadcasts will be live streamed on FLWFishing.com, the FLW YouTube channel and the FLW Facebook page.

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

by AnglersChannel

Todd Woods Wins Inaugural WON Bass AZ Open

Courtesy WON BASS

Todd Woods rocked the inaugural WON BASS Arizona Open Pro Division, going wire to wire and piling up a 3-day total of 61.95 pounds to win. Woods cleaned up, claiming a Bass Cat Sabre FTD outfitted with a Mercury Pro XS 175 and more than $11,000 in cash.

ARIZONA OPEN at Lake Havasu

Final Pro Division Standings

January 11, 2019

Place Name Hometown Fish Weight Penalty Big Fish Total Points
1 Todd Woods Los Angeles CA 15/15 61.95 5.22 61.95
2 Joe Uribe, Jr. Surprise AZ 15/15 56.90 4.89 56.90
3 Ted Stewner Canada 15/15 51.81 4.24 51.81
4 Justin Kerr Simi Valley CA 15/15 50.97 5.97 * 50.97
5 Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City AZ 15/15 50.78 4.62 50.78
6 Shannon Abbott Oceanside CA 14/14 46.14 4.76 46.14
7 Mike Williams Mesa AZ 15/15 43.86 43.86
8 Terrence Rath Lake Havasu City AZ 15/15 42.69 4.42 42.69
9 Mark Williams Lake Havasu City AZ 14/14 38.21 38.21
10 Matt Shura Gilbert AZ 12/12 37.34 5.02 37.34
11 Mike Powell Lake Havasu City AZ 11/11 35.92 4.98 35.92
12 Paul Tassie Lake Havasu City AZ 15/15 35.77 35.77
13 Roy Hawk Lake Havasu City AZ 13/13 35.71 4.28 35.71
14 Michael Nichelini Napa CA 14/14 35.26 4.44 35.26
15 Johnny Johnson Lakeside AZ 15/15 33.64 4.09 33.64
16 Jeffrey Scott Allen Flagstaff AZ 10/10 33.02 4.32 33.02
17 Louis Fernandes Santa Maria CA 15/15 31.23 31.23
18 Carl Limbrick, Jr. Bonita CA 9/9 29.98 4.42 29.98
19 Shaun Bailey Lake Havasu City AZ 15/15 28.92 28.92
20 Scott Stewart Garden Grove CA 11/11 28.23 3.72 28.23
21 Ricky Shabazz La Mesa CA 15/15 28.05 28.05
22 Chris Kinley Lake Havasu City AZ 12/12 27.98 4.11 27.98
23 Kevin Short Mayflower AR 10/10 26.80 4.18 26.80
24 Jason Marquez Lake Havasu City AZ 10/10 26.45 26.45
25 Ted Romero Lakewood CA 10/10 24.16 24.16
26 Vernon Shedd Lake Havasu AZ 10/10 23.45 23.45
27 Andrew Napoleon Mesa AZ 7/7 22.56 4.55 22.56
28 Troy Lindner Los Angeles CA 12/12 22.28 22.28
29 Kenny Webb Irvine CA 13/13 22.11 3.97 22.11
30 Ron Janke Lake Havasu City AZ 8/8 21.84 21.84
31 Jeff Rutt Winchester CA 9/9 21.80 3.38 21.80
32 Jason Cloke Alpine CA 6/6 21.05 5.91 21.05
33 Patrick Spencer Tucsan AZ 11/11 21.01 21.01
34 Mike Crothers Chandler AZ 11/11 20.92 3.96 20.92
35 Carlos Garcia Murrieta CA 10/10 19.91 19.91
36 Mike Brillhart Waddell AZ 7/7 19.11 5.26 19.11
37 Michael Phua Chino CA 8/8 18.63 3.57 18.63
38 Bill Brown Grand Junction CO 7/7 18.04 18.04
39 Jay Wright Seal Beach CA 8/8 17.78 17.78
40 Paul Hodges Glendale AZ 10/10 17.62 3.27 17.62
41 Sunny Hawk Midvale UT 7/7 17.49 4.14 17.49
42 Danny Clark San Tan Valley AZ 8/8 17.34 3.99 17.34
43 Clifford Pirch Payson AZ 7/7 16.43 16.43
44 Dung Van Vu Paramount CA 6/6 15.93 15.93
45 Anthony Tejeda Santee CA 8/8 14.58 2.99 14.58
46 Brian Nollar Homer AK 4/4 14.29 14.29
47 Dave Davis Mesa AZ 6/6 14.17 14.17
48 Matthew Luna Santee CA 6/6 13.54 13.54
49 Robert Ostercamp Chandler AZ 4/4 13.47 13.47
50 Marvin Finley Peoria AZ 4/4 13.27 4.19 13.27
50 Tony Lain Lake Havasu City AZ 6/6 13.27 5.29 13.27
52 Scooter Griffith Mesa AZ 4/4 12.71 4.19 12.71
53 Todd Holverson San Diego CA 6/6 12.60 3.29 12.60
54 Steve Jenkins Mesa AZ 4/4 12.29 12.29
55 Patrick Whitaker Gilbert AZ 4/4 11.08 11.08
56 Rod Wynn Inglewood CA 5/5 10.78 10.78
57 Josh Bertrand San Tan Valley AZ 5/5 10.13 10.13
58 Jamie Shaw Coolidge AZ 5/5 10.09 10.09
59 Shawn Lee Arroyo Grande CA 5/5 10.02 10.02
60 Michael Crowther Page AZ 3/3 9.94 9.94
61 Tom Nokes Riverton UT 4/4 9.78 4.90 9.78
62 Ron Hammett La Mesa CA 4/4 9.72 4.40 9.72
63 Philip Roesener Logandale NV 3/3 8.54 8.54
64 Jason Caine Las Vegas NV 4/4 7.90 2.73 7.90
65 Eric Flannery Surprise AZ 3/3 7.89 7.89
66 Melvin Williams Chula Vista CA 5/5 7.79 7.79
67 Bob Francola North Hollywood CA 4/4 7.04 7.04
68 Max Hernandez Queen Creek AZ 3/3 6.95 2.91 6.95
69 Hobby Nelson Peoria AZ 3/3 6.82 6.82
70 Dwight Shephard Lake Havasu AZ 3/3 6.40 6.40
71 Ron Ratlief Lake Havasu City AZ 4/4 5.89 5.89
72 Stanley Hendrix San Diego CA 2/2 5.37 3.79 5.37
73 Jordon Erekson Apache Junction AZ 1/1 2.87 2.87
74 Keith Diffey Elk Grove CA 1/1 2.10 2.10
75 Onelio J. Silva Las Vegas NV 1/1 1.94 1.94
76 Carson Sims Boerne TX 1/1 1.24 1.24
77 Trace Myers Santaquin CA 0/0 0.00 0.00
77 Filler Pro 0/0 0.00 0.00

by AnglersChannel

Ranger Pro Terry Bolton drops 33 Pounds on the scale to lead FLW Rayburn by 5 pounds!

Courtesy of FLW Fishing

23-Year FLW Tour Veteran Catches 33-pound Limit on Rapala Crankbait

BROOKELAND, Texas (Jan. 11, 2019) – Rapala pro Terry Bolton of Benton, Kentucky, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Friday weighing 33 pounds, 9 ounces, to vault to the top of the leaderboard on Day Two of the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented Polaris after starting the day in 10th place. Bolton’s two day total of 10 bass weighing 54-3 will give him a 5-pound, 15-ounce advantage over second place angler Nick LeBrun of Bossier City, Louisiana, (48-4) who led the competition after Day One. The field of 170 anglers is now cut to just the top 30 as the world’s best bass fishing professionals continue their competition for the top award of up to $125,000.

“I think I caught more fish today than I caught all last year on Tour,” joked Bolton, a 13-time FLW Cup qualifier. “It was a really special day. I had a pretty good day yesterday and this was the same place that I caught my big ones. There is bigger fish there and it’s just a timing deal.

“I actually found the place in practice by pure luck,” Bolton continued. “I was idling along – I’m a Kentucky Lake ledge fisherman and I always watch my depth finder – and I happened to idle over the needle in the haystack. I thought there was some big ones there when I saw them, and I caught a 6-pounder and a keeper and left. Now that I’ve gotten to fish it for two days, I’m starting to figure it out.”

Bolton said that the fish are suspended, and he estimated that he caught more than 50 bass from the area on both Thursday and Friday. His baits of choice has been Rapala DT14 and Rapala DT16 crankbaits, in Demon and Caribbean Shad colors.

“It’s just something that happens here – early in the year those fish stage over the hydrilla,” Bolton said. “I’ve done it here in the past, and I know tournaments have been won here that way. When I got up around 26 to 27 pounds I started to leave. I thought, no, I’ll stay here just a little longer. Then I caught the 9-8 and I realized I was throwing back fish that were 5 pounds so I knew it was time to go.

“Tomorrow I’m going to do the exact same thing that I’ve done the last two days and just go fishing and enjoy myself. That’s what this year is all about – me having fun,” Bolton went on to say. “Last year, I had no fun. I thought about retiring. So this year I decided I’m going to come back and get back to just having fun. Now, of course, catching 33 pounds helps to have fun. But, regardless, the secret to doing well is enjoying yourself. Don’t let the highs get you too high – and this is definitely a high. But there will be lows, and you can’t let the lows get you too low.

“I may have to start over, tomorrow. But, I’m prepared for that and if so I’m going to enjoy myself.”

The top 30 pros that made the cut and will fish Saturday on Sam Rayburn Reservoir are:

1st:          Rapala pro Terry Bolton, Benton, Ky., 10 bass, 54-3

2nd:         Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., 10 bass, 48-4

3rd:         Evinrude pro Jim Tutt, Longview, Texas, 10 bass, 45-4

4th:         Chad Warren, Sand Springs, Okla., 10 bass, 44-6

5th:         Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 10 bass, 43-15

6th:         Miles Burghoff, Hixson, Tenn., 10 bass, 42-8

7th:         Billy Shelton III, La Crosse, Va., 10 bass, 42-1
8th:         Jordan Osborne, Longview, Texas, 10 bass, 41-9

9th:         Sam George, Athens, Ala., 10 bass, 39-9

10th:       Andy Wicker, Pomaria, S.C., 10 bass, 38-14
11th:       Charles Sim, Nepean, Ontario, Canada, 10 bass, 38-7
12th:       Colby Schrumpf, Highland, Ill., 10 bass, 37-6
13th:       Kyle Cortiana, Coweta, Okla., 10 bass, 36-10
14th:       Bass Pro Shops pro Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 10 bass, 36-8
15th:       Tom Redington, Royse City, Texas, 10 bass, 35-14
16th:       Joseph Webster, Winfield, Ala., 10 bass, 35-2
17th:       Yamamoto Baits pro Tom Monsoor, La Crosse, Va., 10 bass, 34-5
18th:       Bryan Schmitt, Deale, Md., 10 bass, 34-0
19th:       Scott Martin, Clewiston, Fla., 10 bass, 33-11

20th:       Kurt Mitchell, Milford, Del., 10 bass, 33-6
21st:        Polaris pro David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., 10 bass, 33-4

22nd:       Jon Englund, Farwell, Minn., 10 bass, 32-9
23rd:       Derek Fulps, Broken Arrow, Okla., 10 bass, 32-8
24th:       Strike King pro Andrew Upshaw, Tulsa, Okla., 10 bass, 32-5
25th:       Timmy Thompkins, Myrtle Beach, S.C., 10 bass, 32-0
26th:       Casey Scanlon, Lake Ozark, Mo., 10 bass, 31-11
27th:       Darrel Robertson, Jay, Okla., 10 bass, 31-10
28th:       Billy McCaghren, Mayflower, Ark., 10 bass, 31-7
29th:       Troy Morrow, Eastanollee, Ga., 10 bass, 31-6

30th:       Christopher Brasher, Longview, Texas, 10 bass, 31-5

 

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

Wicker earned Friday’s $500 Big Bass award in the pro division thanks to an 11-pound, 2-ounce largemouth. The fish was the 9th largest Big Bass Award winner in FLW Tour history.

Overall there were 750 bass weighing 1,902 pounds, 8 ounces caught by 164 pros Friday. The catch included 136 five-bass limits.

In FLW Tour competition, the full field of 170 pro anglers competed in the two-day opening round Thursday and Friday. The top 30 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight now advance to fish on Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continue competition Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.

The total purse for the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Polaris is more than $860,000, including $9,000 through 65th place in the Pro Division. The tournament is hosted by the Jasper County Development District.

Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2019 FLW Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2019 FLW Cup will be on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Aug. 9-11, and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.

Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. CST each day from the Umphrey Family Pavilion, located at 5438 Sam Rayburn Parkway, in Brookeland. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins will also be held at the pavilion, beginning at 4 p.m.

Prior to the weigh-ins FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at the Umphrey Family Pavilion from 2 to 6 p.m. each day. The Expo is a chance for fishing fans to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities.

Also for youth, the FLW Foundation’s Unified Fishing Derby will be held at the pavilion on Saturday from Noon-2 p.m. The event is hosted by FLW Foundation pro Cody Kelley along with other FLW Tour anglers, and is free and open to anyone under the age of 18 and Special Olympics athletes. Rods and reels are available for use, but youth are encouraged to bring their own if they own one. The 1st and 2nd place anglers that catch the biggest fish will be recognized Saturday on the FLW Tour stage, just prior to the pros weighing in.

Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Polaris will premiere in 2019. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs each Saturday night at 7 p.m. EST and is broadcast to more than 63 million cable, satellite and telecommunications households in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean on the World Fishing Network (WFN), the leading entertainment destination and digital resource for anglers throughout North America. FLW television is also distributed internationally to FLW partner countries, including Canada, China, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and South Africa.

The popular FLW Live on-the-water program will air Saturday and Sunday, featuring live action from the boats of the tournament’s top pros each day. New for 2019, host Travis Moran will be joined by veteran FLW Tour pro Todd Hollowell to break down the extended action each day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. On-the-water broadcasts will be live streamed on FLWFishing.com, the FLW YouTube channel and the FLW Facebook page.

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

by AnglersChannel

Woods Maintains Lead in WON Bass Arizona Open!

Results and Photo Courtesy of WON BASS

 

 

ARIZONA OPEN PRO DIVISION Day 2

Jan 10, 2019

Place Name Hometown Fish Weight Penalty Big Fish Total Points
1 Todd Woods Los Angeles CA 10/10 40.82 4.36 40.82
2 Justin Kerr Simi Valley CA 10/10 37.44 5.97 * 37.44
3 Joe Uribe, Jr. Surprise AZ 10/10 35.40 4.82 35.40
4 Ted Stewner Canada 10/10 33.36 4.19 33.36
5 Jeffrey Scott Allen Flagstaff AZ 10/10 33.02 4.32 33.02
6 Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City AZ 10/10 32.28 4.62 32.28
7 Shannon Abbott Oceanside CA 10/10 30.71 4.76 30.71
8 Mike Powell Lake Havasu City AZ 9/9 29.05 4.98 29.05
9 Matt Shura Gilbert AZ 9/9 27.97 3.99 27.97
10 Terrence Rath Lake Havasu City AZ 10/10 27.33 4.42 27.33
11 Mike Williams Mesa AZ 10/10 26.10 26.10
12 Mark Williams Lake Havasu City AZ 9/9 24.87 24.87
13 Paul Tassie Lake Havasu City AZ 10/10 23.45 23.45
14 Roy Hawk Lake Havasu City AZ 8/8 22.75 4.28 22.75
15 Kevin Short Mayflower AR 8/8 22.70 4.18 22.70
16 Ron Janke Lake Havasu City AZ 8/8 21.84 21.84
17 Johnny Johnson Lakeside AZ 10/10 21.56 4.09 21.56
18 Louis Fernandes Santa Maria CA 10/10 21.09 21.09
19 Chris Kinley Lake Havasu City AZ 8/8 19.80 4.11 19.80
20 Scott Stewart Garden Grove CA 8/8 19.52 3.72 19.52
21 Michael Nichelini Napa CA 9/9 19.05 3.41 19.05
22 Carl Limbrick, Jr. Bonita CA 6/6 18.88 2.86 18.88
23 Jason Cloke Alpine CA 5/5 18.18 5.91 18.18
24 Bill Brown Grand Junction CO 7/7 18.04 18.04
25 Ricky Shabazz La Mesa CA 10/10 17.66 17.66
26 Andrew Napoleon Mesa AZ 6/6 17.64 4.55 17.64
27 Kenny Webb Irvine CA 10/10 15.91 3.97 15.91
28 Shaun Bailey Lake Havasu City AZ 10/10 14.67 14.67
29 Jeff Rutt Winchester CA 6/6 14.62 3.38 14.62
30 Brian Nollar Homer AK 4/4 14.29 14.29
31 Paul Hodges Glendale AZ 8/8 14.14 3.27 14.14
32 Patrick Spencer Tucsan AZ 6/6 13.72 13.72
33 Jay Wright Seal Beach CA 6/6 13.47 13.47
34 Dung Van Vu Paramount CA 4/4 12.60 12.60
35 Mike Brillhart Waddell AZ 5/5 12.56 4.04 12.56
36 Jason Marquez Lake Havasu City AZ 5/5 12.37 12.37
37 Matthew Luna Santee CA 5/5 12.35 12.35
38 Steve Jenkins Mesa AZ 4/4 12.29 12.29
39 Dave Davis Mesa AZ 5/5 12.10 12.10
40 Troy Lindner Los Angeles CA 7/7 11.84 11.84
41 Anthony Tejeda Santee CA 6/6 11.81 2.99 11.81
42 Sunny Hawk Midvale UT 5/5 11.73 11.73
43 Marvin Finley Peoria AZ 3/3 11.66 4.19 11.66
44 Mike Crothers Chandler AZ 6/6 11.62 3.96 11.62
45 Carlos Garcia Murrieta CA 6/6 11.54 11.54
46 Ted Romero Lakewood CA 5/5 11.07 11.07
47 Danny Clark San Tan Valley AZ 5/5 10.94 3.99 10.94
48 Vernon Shedd Lake Havasu AZ 5/5 10.83 10.83
49 Tony Lain Lake Havasu City AZ 4/4 10.40 5.29 10.40
50 Scooter Griffith Mesa AZ 3/3 10.19 4.19 10.19
51 Josh Bertrand San Tan Valley AZ 5/5 10.13 10.13
52 Robert Ostercamp Chandler AZ 3/3 10.01 10.01
53 Michael Crowther Page AZ 3/3 9.94 9.94
54 Patrick Whitaker Gilbert AZ 3/3 8.70 8.70
55 Rod Wynn Inglewood CA 4/4 8.69 8.69
56 Shawn Lee Arroyo Grande CA 4/4 8.11 8.11
57 Tom Nokes Riverton UT 3/3 7.97 4.90 7.97
58 Melvin Williams Chula Vista CA 5/5 7.79 7.79
59 Jamie Shaw Coolidge AZ 4/4 7.43 7.43
60 Michael Phua Chino CA 4/4 7.31 1.50 7.31
61 Eric Flannery Surprise AZ 2/2 6.18 6.18
62 Philip Roesener Logandale NV 2/2 6.10 6.10
63 Ron Ratlief Lake Havasu City AZ 4/4 5.89 5.89
64 Jason Caine Las Vegas NV 3/3 5.65 2.73 5.65
65 Bob Francola North Hollywood CA 3/3 5.31 5.31
66 Hobby Nelson Peoria AZ 2/2 4.75 4.75
67 Clifford Pirch Payson AZ 2/2 4.20 4.20
68 Dwight Shephard Lake Havasu AZ 1/1 2.42 2.42
69 Ron Hammett La Mesa CA 1/1 2.15 2.15
70 Keith Diffey Elk Grove CA 1/1 2.10 2.10
71 Todd Holverson San Diego CA 1/1 1.40 1.40
72 Carson Sims Boerne TX 1/1 1.24 1.24
73 Jordon Erekson Apache Junction AZ 0/0 0.00 0.00
73 Stanley Hendrix San Diego CA 0/0 0.00 0.00
73 Max Hernandez Queen Creek AZ 0/0 0.00 0.00
73 Trace Myers Santaquin CA 0/0 0.00 0.00
73 Filler Pro 0/0 0.00 0.00
73 Onelio J. Silva Las Vegas NV 0/0 0.00 0.00

ARIZONA OPEN at Lake Havasu - AAA DIVISION

Day 2 of 3 - Jan 10, 2019

Place Name Hometown Fish Weight Penalty Big Fish Total Points
1 Joe Bolen Pardise CA 10/10 35.30 35.30
2 Justin Taylor Bolen Paradise CA 10/10 30.79 3.91 30.79
3 Paul Herber Riverside CA 10/10 30.63 30.63
4 Carol Martens West Hills CA 10/10 29.98 29.98
5 James Wiegand Redding CA 8/8 27.37 5.78 27.37
6 Pete Marino Moreno Valley CA 10/10 27.30 27.30
7 Charlie Schmidt Golden Valley CA 10/10 26.52 3.54 26.52
8 Hunter Miller Oak Hills CA 10/10 24.19 24.19
9 Bobby Tidd Mesa AZ 8/8 23.92 23.92
10 Kelly Burns Avondale AZ 5/5 23.70 7.74 * 23.70
11 Grant Lee Cooper Forest Lakes AZ 6/6 23.50 23.50
11 Jeff Corbett Las Vegas NV 8/8 23.50 23.50
13 John Schramer Phoenix AZ 10/10 23.38 2.63 23.38
14 Ed Cox Butte Valley CA 9/9 23.28 23.28
15 Dan Zehring Gilbert AZ 10/10 22.72 22.72
16 Len Scinto Valencia CA 7/7 22.69 4.01 22.69
17 Ken Whalen Lompoc CA 7/7 21.82 4.46 21.82
18 John Browning Surprise AZ 8/8 20.95 3.63 20.95
19 Nick Teschler Phoenix AZ 6/6 19.18 3.23 19.18
20 David Crunden Las Vegas NV 7/7 17.90 5.38 17.90
21 Joe Uribe, Sr. Lake Havasu City AZ 6/6 17.63 5.18 17.63
22 Skyler Hawk Midvale UT 5/5 17.50 5.67 17.50
23 Jack Roorda Beaumont CA 6/6 17.25 17.25
24 William McAninch CARSON CA 8/8 17.15 2.77 17.15
25 Kenneth Helms Newman CA 7/7 16.67 3.67 16.67
26 Tom Karavites Payson AZ 5/5 16.56 16.56
27 Nathan Foreman Queen Creek AZ 5/5 16.26 3.86 16.26
28 Martin Keppeler Lake Havasu City AZ 7/7 16.23 3.06 16.23
28 Austin Rojas Lake Havasu City AZ 6/6 16.23 3.21 16.23
30 Clint L. Goodwin Lake Havasu City AZ 10/10 15.93 15.93
31 James Ochs Scottsdale AZ 6/6 15.78 15.78
32 Keith Bridges Mission Viejo CA 8/8 15.13 15.13
33 Shane Meisel Alta Loma CA 5/5 14.75 14.75
34 Derrek Stewart Venice CA 7/7 14.74 14.74
35 Ed Shaver Lake Havasu City AZ 5/5 14.67 14.67
36 Chris Morris Kingman AZ 6/6 14.58 3.53 14.58
37 Todd Anderson Surprise AZ 5/5 14.45 14.45
38 Adam Day Alta Loma CA 7/7 14.28 2.94 14.28
39 Chad Roorda Beaumont CA 5/5 14.15 14.15
40 Tracy Smart Lake Havasu City AZ 5/5 13.97 13.97
41 Austin Melville Gilbert AZ 7/7 13.90 13.90
42 Randy Bruno Huntington Beach CA 6/6 13.75 13.75
43 Geoff Pierce El Cajon CA 5/5 13.27 3.34 13.27
44 Rich Henson Redding CA 5/5 12.75 4.66 12.75
45 Brian Ravelo Las Vegas NV 7/7 12.70 12.70
46 Liz Jones Conoga Park CA 4/4 11.85 11.85
47 Andy Sanchez Antioch CA 6/6 11.42 11.42
48 James Denny Apache Junction AZ 5/5 10.93 10.93
49 John Bitting Westminster CA 4/4 10.69 10.69
50 Mark Snitow Lake Havasu City AZ 5/5 10.57 10.57
51 Darring Sinclair Lake Havasu City AZ 4/4 10.42 3.24 10.42
52 Jon Elms Chandler AZ 5/5 9.79 2.52 9.79
53 Chad Walton Fort Mohave AZ 5/5 9.66 2.63 9.66
54 Bryan Kuhn Lake Havasu City AZ 6/6 9.38 9.38
55 Michael Nugent Peoria AZ 4/4 8.93 2.68 8.93
56 Mark Hall Temecula CA 3/3 8.83 8.83
57 Vince Gennaro Henderson NV 4/4 8.54 8.54
58 Mandy Myers Santaquin UT 4/4 8.23 8.23
59 Ralph Wells Lake Havasu City AZ 3/3 7.48 7.48
60 Steve Rametta Glendora CA 3/3 7.25 7.25
61 Gabriel Diaz Nuevo CA 3/3 7.24 3.48 7.24
62 Aaron Bartelt Grand Junction CO 3/3 7.08 7.08
63 Jeff Purinton Heber AZ 2/2 7.02 2.83 7.02
64 Marc Weiting San Tan Valley AZ 4/4 5.91 5.91
65 Shawn Carnahan Gilbert AZ 3/3 5.65 5.65
66 Rick Melead Yorba Linda CA 2/2 4.78 4.78
66 Michael Pryor Yucaipa CA 1/1 4.78 4.78 4.78
68 Clifford Rubin Lake Havasu City AZ 2/2 4.75 4.75
69 Joseph Weber Albuquerque NM 2/2 4.17 4.17
70 Don Whitmer Phoenix AZ 1/1 3.91 3.91
71 Kevin A. Smith Phoenix AZ 2/2 3.61 3.61
72 Jennifer Kirchhoer Benicia CA 2/2 3.34 3.34
73 Geoff Peterson Huntington Beach CA 1/1 3.20 3.20
74 Craig Hammett Eagle ID 2/2 2.28 2.28
75 Tom Kruse San Juan Capistrano CA 1/1 2.11 2.11
76 Filler AAA 0/0 0.00 0.00
76 Josh Kimmel Colorado Springs CO 5/5 0.00 0.00
76 Dale Roesener Lav Vegas NV 0/0 0.00 0.00
Costa SunglassesDaiwaSeaguarYo ZuriSt Croix Rods <Planosavage gearRich Tauber

by AnglersChannel

ROOKIE LEBRUN CATCHES 29-POUND LIMIT, LEADS DAY ONE OF FLW TOUR AT SAM RAYBURN

Courtesy of FLW

 

Reigning BFL All-American Champion Smacks 29-2 in First Career FLW Tour Event

 

BROOKELAND, Texas (Jan. 10, 2019) – Louisiana pro Nick LeBrun – fishing in his first career regular-season FLW Tour event – brought a massive 29-pound, 2-ounce five-bass limit to the scale Thursday to vault to the top of the leaderboard after Day One of the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented Polaris. Fellow rookie Sam George of Athens, Alabama, sits in second place with five bass weighing 28-5. The season-opening FLW Tour event features a field of 170 of the world’s best bass-fishing professionals casting for a top award of up to $125,000.

The fishing at flooded Sam Rayburn was excellent Thursday, with plenty of five-bass limits, multiple 8- and 9-pounders, and 10 anglers weighing limits that topped 20 pounds. LeBrun estimated that he caught around 20 fish throughout the day, but lacked the giant kicker that multiple anglers brought to the scale. His smallest fish was around 5 pounds, and his largest just 6½.

“We all have those days when we can’t do anything wrong, and today was one of those days for me,” said LeBrun, who qualified for the FLW Tour after winning the BFL All-American Championship in 2018. “I had 23 to 24 pounds by 10 a.m. I decided to run new water that I hadn’t looked at and the Good Lord blessed me with two more big bites. It’s just unbelievable.”

LeBrun said that all of his fish that he caught Thursday came off of one type of pattern. Although he remained tight-lipped about exactly what he was doing, he did share that the Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap has been the biggest player for him.

“The Trap is my confidence bait,” LeBrun said. “It’s how I found them in practice and it is my search bait. It’s nothing secret – a ½-ounce Rayburn Red or Red Crawfish color. But I’ve got a few other things that I evolved throughout practice that I’m doing as well.

“I’m going to do the same thing tomorrow,” LeBrun went on to say. “I’ve got some other spots where I think big ones live and I can try to get that big bite. I’m kind of jealous of the guys catching the 8- and 9-pounders. I never had a real giant bite today, so hopefully I can get that tomorrow. If I can get a few solid ones and maybe another big one or two, I’ll be right where I need to be.”

The top 10 pros after day one on Sam Rayburn Reservoir are:

1st:          Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., five bass, 29-2

2nd:         Sam George, Athens, Ala., five bass, 28-5

3rd:         Chad Warren, Sand Springs, Okla., five bass, 25-7

4th:         Jordan Osborne, Longview, Texas, five bass, 25-1

5th:         Polaris pro David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., five bass, 24-3

6th:         Jim Tutt, Longview, Texas, five bass, 23-9

7th:         Troy Morrow, Eastanollee, Ga., five bass, 22-12

8th:         Scott Martin, Clewiston, Fla., five bass, 22-2

9th:         Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., five bass, 20-15

10th:       Terry Bolton, Benton, Ky., five bass, 20-10

For a full list of results visit FLWFishing.com.

Osborne and Martin split the day's $500 Big Bass award in the pro division after each weighed in a largemouth totaling 9-pounds, 12-ounces.

Overall there were 724 bass weighing 1,869 pounds, 3 ounces caught by 165 pros Thursday. The catch included 126 five-bass limits.

In FLW Tour competition, the full field of 170 pro anglers compete in the two-day opening round Thursday and Friday. The top 30 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continue competition Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.

The total purse for the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Polaris is more than $860,000, including $9,000 through 65th place in the Pro Division. The tournament is hosted by the Jasper County Development District.

Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2019 FLW Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2019 FLW Cup will be on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Aug. 9-11 and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.

Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. CST each day from the Umphrey Family Pavilion, located at 5438 Sam Rayburn Parkway, in Brookeland. Friday’s weigh-in will be held at the pavilion beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins, Jan. 12-13, will also be held at the pavilion, but will begin at 4 p.m.

Prior to the weigh-ins FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at the Umphrey Family Pavilion from 2 to 6 p.m. each day. The Expo is a chance for fishing fans to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities.

Also for youth, the FLW Foundation’s Unified Fishing Derby will be held at the pavilion on Saturday, Jan. 12 from Noon-2 p.m. The event is hosted by FLW Foundation pro Cody Kelley along with other FLW Tour anglers, and is free and open to anyone under the age of 18 and Special Olympics athletes. Rods and reels are available for use, but youth are encouraged to bring their own if they own one. The 1st and 2nd place anglers that catch the biggest fish will be recognized Saturday on the FLW Tour stage, just prior to the pros weighing in.

Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Polaris will premiere in 2019. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs each Saturday night at 7 p.m. EST and is broadcast to more than 63 million cable, satellite and telecommunications households in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean on the World Fishing Network (WFN), the leading entertainment destination and digital resource for anglers throughout North America. FLW television is also distributed internationally to FLW partner countries, including Canada, China, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and South Africa.

The popular FLW Live on-the-water program will air on Saturday and Sunday, featuring live action from the boats of the tournament’s top pros each day. New for 2019, host Travis Moran will be joined by veteran FLW Tour pro Todd Hollowell to break down the extended action each day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. On-the-water broadcasts will be live streamed on FLWFishing.com, the FLW YouTube channel and the FLW Facebook page.

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

by AnglersChannel

Mercury Marine Celebrates 80 Years in Business

Courtesy of the Fishing Wire

Mercury Marine will celebrate its 80th anniversary throughout 2019, reflecting on its strong heritage of innovation and leadership in the marine industry.

On January 22, 1939, E. Carl Kiekhaefer purchased a bankrupt engine manufacturing plant in Cedarburg, Wis. Now, 80 years later, the business that emerged from those modest beginnings, Mercury Marine, is a company with 7,000 global employees that is heralded as the world’s leading manufacturer of marine propulsion systems, as well as marine parts and accessories.

“80 years ago, Carl Kiekhaefer had a vision for Mercury and that was based around product innovation and technology – and it’s that vision that built the foundation for us to continue to innovate today, said John Pfeifer, Mercury Marine president. “Mercury has come a long way over the past eight decades because of the hard work and dedication of everyone who has been a part of our journey. While the past 80 years have been fantastic, we are looking forward to continued growth over the next 80 years and celebrating throughout 2019 with everyone that has made our success possible.”

Mercury, a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), has invested more than $1 billion globally since 2008 into the expansion of research, development and manufacturing capabilities. In 2018, Mercury successfully launched its largest engine platform in its 80-year history with 19 new four-stroke outboard engines covering the 175-300hp range in both V6 and V8. The global launches of this engine platform, both in February and May, we heralded in the marine industry and featured in national publications around the world.

Mercury will celebrate its 80th anniversary throughout the year and showcase some of its strong heritage during the 2019 boat show season.

“We have a lot to be thankful for and a lot to celebrate,” said Pfeifer. “I’m looking forward to sharing those celebrations around the world. 2019 will be yet another exciting year with more innovations to introduce.”

by AnglersChannel

Texas Toyota ShareLunker Program Turns out 486 Lunkers in 2018

Courtesy of Texas Share Lunker

AUSTIN – At the beginning of 2018, the Toyota ShareLunker program debuted a new year-long season for anglers to enter their 8 pound and larger bass for prizes, recognition, and to help the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department promote and enhance bass fishing in Texas. On Dec. 31, staff wrapped up the first year of the revamped program with a total of 380 anglers entering 486 “lunker” bass from 89 lakes across the state.

“2018 was a big year for the Toyota ShareLunker program,” said Kyle Brookshear, Toyota ShareLunker Program Coordinator. “Not only was it the first time we’ve had a year-long season since the program launched in 1986 – we also opened up the categories of entries to include bass 8 pounds or larger and launched a brand-new logo and look. We are excited to send off 2018 with such great participation and we hope to see even more anglers partner with us to help make bass fishing bigger and better in Texas in 2019.”

Anglers entered largemouth bass 8 pounds or larger into four categories in the Toyota ShareLunker program, including six “Legacy Class” bass 13 pounds or heavier that were entered during the spawning window Jan.1 through March 31 and loaned to TPWD for the selective breeding and stocking program. The total number of entries in other categories who provided citizen science data included: 5 "Lunker Legend" bass 13 pounds or heavier caught outside the Jan.1 through March 31 spawning window or not loaned for spawning, 107 "Lunker Elite" bass weighing 10 to 12.99 pounds, and 368 "Lunker" bass at least 24 inches or weighing between 8 and 9.99 pounds.

The top five ShareLunker producing lakes in 2018 included Lake Fork near Quitman with 73 entries, Lake Conroe near Houston with 41 entries, Lake Athens in Athens with 28 entries, Sam Rayburn Reservoir near Jasper with 21 entries, and O.H. Ivie Lake near San Angelo with 17 entries.

Lake Fork was also the top producer of 13 pound or larger “Legacy Class” bass last year with three entries, including a 13.06 pound bass caught March 11, a 13.00 pound basscaught March 8, and a 15.48 pound bass caught March 2. Other lakes producing 13 pound or larger “Legacy Class” bass last year included Sam Rayburn Reservoir, which produced a 13.06 pound bassMarch 31; Kurth Reservoir, which produced a 13.34 pound bass March 25; and Twin Buttes Reservoir, which produced a 13.40 pound bass March 14.

“The anglers who loaned their ‘Legacy Class’ bass to us last year for our selective breeding program made a generous and valuable contribution towards the future of bass fishing in Texas,” Brookshear said. “In addition to stocking their offspring back into the lakes where they were caught, we are incorporating offspring from the pure Florida largemouth bass ‘Legacy Class’ ShareLunkers into our hatchery broodstock so that in coming years we can stock millions of these selectively-bred big bass offspring statewide.”

Last year, four of the ‘Legacy Class’ fish spawned successfully at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens and thousands of those Toyota ShareLunker offspring were stocked in Twin Buttes Reservoir, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Kurth Reservoir, and Lake Fork. Because the Kurth Reservoir fish was a pure Florida largemouth bass, hatchery staff were able to retain 18,000 fingerlings for the state’s largemouth bass ShareLunker broodstock development.

In return for loaning their fish to TPWD for selective breeding and stocking, anglers who enter “Legacy Class” Toyota ShareLunker bass over 13 pounds receive a catch kit, a 13lb+ Legacy decal, VIP access to awards programming at the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest, a replica of their fish, and an entry into both the “Legacy Class” and year-end ShareLunker Prize Drawing to win a $5,000 Bass Pro Shops shopping spree and an annual fishing license. The 2018 “Legacy Class” drawing winner was angler Michael Terrebonne of Cut Off, Louisiana, who caught ShareLunker 572 from Lake Fork March 8.

Anglers who enter a Toyota ShareLunker in every other category through Dec. 31 also receive great prizes, including a catch kit filled with merchandise and a drawing entry for a year-end $5,000 Bass Pro Shops shopping spree and annual fishing license. The year-end $5,000 Bass Pro Shops shopping spree and annual fishing license winner for 2018 will be announced in a Facebook Live broadcast at noon on Jan. 11 on the Toyota ShareLunker Facebook page.

With the 2019 season underway as of Jan. 1, anglers can enter their big bass catches in all categories on the Toyota ShareLunker app – available for free download from the Apple App Store and Google Play – or on the Toyota ShareLunker website, https://texassharelunker.com. The mobile app and website entry forms also include simple instructions for anglers who would like to provide a sample of fish scales from their lunker bass to TPWD researchers for genetic analysis.

Anglers who catch a 13 pound or larger “Legacy Class” bass through March 31 can enter by calling the program directly – any time of day – at (903) 681-0550.

For updates on the Toyota ShareLunker program visit https://www.facebook.com/ShareLunkerprogram and https://texassharelunker.com/.

by AnglersChannel

Hayabusa Adds 7 to its Promotional Staff for 2019 Tour Season

Courtesy of Hayabusa USA

January 10, 2019

Hayabusa U.S.A., Inc., the Headquarter Hayabusa Co., Ltd. (“Hayabusa”) in Japan, is excited to announce additional members to their U.S.A. Pro Staff.  Hayabusa U.S.A. has signed agreements with FLW Tour Pro Bass Anglers, Bradley Hallman, Matt Reed, Bill McDonald, Nick LeBrun, Miles ‘Sonar’ Burghoff, Jay Brainard and Tyler Woolcott.

These anglers will join current Hayabusa FLW Tour Pro Bass Anglers, Casey Scanlon, Bryan Schmitt, Pete Ponds, Blake Smith and Grae Buck.

Hayabusa is the #1 selling bass fishing hook in Japan and is also known for their popular saltwater line, including the world renown SABIKItrademark" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_4">product.

“As we continue to grow our brand in the USA and expand with retailers in all parts of the country it is critical for us to market utilizing some of the best anglers in the bass fishing industry.” said Hayabusa General Manager, Kurt Dove. “We have a great mix of anglers competing on the FLW Tour, from a FLW Champions and angling veterans to young up and comers and FLW Tour Rookies.  We feel that this is our appeal to consumers as well, a little something of the best for everyone.”

2-Time FLW Tour Champion, Bradley Hallman stated, “Hayabusa fishing hooks are the absolute best I have ever used.  The attention to detail and different style of technique specific hook applications give me an edge that improves my chances of catching every fish that bites.  Hayabusa will soon be clearly recognized as a big player in the bass fishing market.  I am happy to get an opportunity to work closely with them early on in their brand growth.”

Yumi Shida is President of Hayabusa U.S.A., Inc. and the company is based in Denton, Texas.

 

Press Contact:

Kurt Dove, General Manager; [email protected]

by AnglersChannel

Clean up and Cash in - Navionics Trade in Program!

Clean up and cash in!

Get up to $ 75 USD back when you buy a new Navionics or Garmin card and trade in an old one.

The choice is yours

Switch to Navionics or Garmin. You can participate to the program even if you own a card from C-MAP, Fishing Hot Spots, LakeMaster, Lowrance Insight, Magellan or TrakMaps. Check GPS plotter compatibility.

Rebate is based on the product you purchase.

Rebate Amount Navionics Garmin
$ 75 Navionics+
Platinum+
HotMaps Platinum		 BlueChart®
BlueChart® Vision
LakeVü
LakeVü Ultra
$ 50 Navionics+ Regions

 

 

 

 

 

Note: Navionics accessory cards will NOT work in Garmin devices

How to obtain the rebate

BUY A NEW CARD​

Visit your favorite authorized dealer and purchase a new Navionics or Garmin card.

COMPLETE YOUR REBATE FORM​

Fill out the rebate envelope from your dealer or download and print it now.

RETURN YOUR OLD CARD​

Be sure to include all the necessary documentation.

TRADE IN AN ELIGIBLE CARD FROM THIS LIST:

Navionics cards: Navionics+, Navionics+ Regions, Navionics Updates, HotMaps Platinum, Platinum+, Gold, Silver, HotMaps Premium, Marine & Lakes USA. Note: Navionics accessory cards will NOT work in Garmin devices.
Garmin cards: BlueChart® g2 HD, BlueChart® g2 Vision HD, LakeVü HD, LakeVü HD Ultra on SD/MSD.

Cards from other manufacturers: C-MAP: BDS, Essential, 4D, 4D Local, 4D Wide, 4D MAX, 4D MAX+, MAX N, MAX N+, MAX-N Bathy, MAX NT and MAX NT+ on SD/MSD; Fishing Hot Spots on SD, MSD and MMC; LakeMaster for Humminbird, LakeMaster ProMap for Lowrance and LakeMaster for Lowrance (newer versions); Lowrance Insight and Lowrance Insight HD on SD/MSD, Lowrance NauticPath on MMC; Magellan BlueNAV XL3; TrakMaps for Garmin on SD/MSD including the Demo Cards, TrakMaps for Lowrance.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

This trade-in rebate is redeemable only by residents of the U.S. and Canada and may not be combined with any other offer directly from Garmin. Garmin is not responsible for incomplete requests, loss in mail, postage due or c.o.d. receipts, or any consequential or incidental damages. Garmin reserves the right to rescind or change this offer. Rebate is paid in U.S. dollars. Recipient is responsible for any applicable taxes. Limit one trade-in rebate per purchase. All cards returned to Garmin will be verified; any found to be counterfeit will not be eligible for a rebate. Requests for multiple rebates from dealers, groups, clubs or organizations will not be honored. Purchases made through online auctions, excluding direct purchases from authorized dealers, are not eligible. eBay® purchases only valid if purchase is made from an authorized Garmin dealer. We do not accept PayPal® receipts. The product must be purchased in factory-new condition from a Garmin Authorized Dealer. Refurbished or newly overhauled products do not qualify for the rebate. Void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law. Updates may be more economical if downloaded conveniently from the Navionics website, www.navionics.com. Garmin recommends making a copy of your receipt and completed rebate coupon for your records. Please allow 6-10 weeks to process your rebate request.

by AnglersChannel

Todd Woods Leads Day 1 of the WON Bass Arizona Open on Lake Havasu

ARIZONA OPEN - Pro Div Day 1

Jan 9, 2019

Place Name Hometown Fish Weight Penalty Big Fish Total Points
1 Todd Woods Los Angeles CA 5/5 23.70 4.36 23.70
2 Ted Stewner Canada 5/5 18.61 4.19 18.61
3 Jason Cloke Alpine CA 5/5 18.18 5.91 * 18.18
4 Jeffrey Scott Allen Flagstaff AZ 5/5 16.27 4.32 16.27
5 Shannon Abbott Oceanside CA 5/5 16.26 4.76 16.26
6 Justin Kerr Simi Valley CA 5/5 16.10 16.10
7 Andrew Napoleon Mesa AZ 5/5 15.48 4.55 15.48
8 Joe Uribe, Jr. Surprise AZ 5/5 15.28 4.01 15.28
9 Shaun Bailey Lake Havasu City AZ 5/5 14.67 14.67
10 Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City AZ 5/5 14.47 4.45 14.47
11 Mike Powell Lake Havasu City AZ 5/5 14.42 14.42
12 Ron Janke Lake Havasu City AZ 5/5 14.33 14.33
13 Terrence Rath Lake Havasu City AZ 5/5 13.36 4.42 13.36
14 Mike Williams Mesa AZ 5/5 13.29 13.29
15 Paul Tassie Lake Havasu City AZ 5/5 13.27 13.27
16 Scott Stewart Garden Grove CA 5/5 12.96 3.72 12.96
17 Mark Williams Lake Havasu City AZ 5/5 12.82 12.82
18 Michael Nichelini Napa CA 5/5 11.93 3.41 11.93
19 Chris Kinley Lake Havasu City AZ 3/3 11.58 4.11 11.58
20 Dung Van Vu Paramount CA 3/3 10.78 10.78
21 Ricky Shabazz La Mesa CA 5/5 10.55 10.55
22 Matt Shura Gilbert AZ 4/4 10.47 3.99 10.47
23 Brian Nollar Homer AK 3/3 10.38 10.38
24 Sunny Hawk Midvale UT 4/4 10.11 10.11
25 Carlos Garcia Murrieta CA 5/5 9.64 9.64
26 Louis Fernandes Santa Maria CA 5/5 9.52 9.52
27 Mike Brillhart Waddell AZ 3/3 9.38 4.04 9.38
28 Kenny Webb Irvine CA 5/5 9.29 3.97 9.29
29 Jason Marquez Lake Havasu City AZ 4/4 9.17 9.17
30 Troy Lindner Los Angeles CA 5/5 9.14 9.14
31 Danny Clark San Tan Valley AZ 4/4 8.83 3.99 8.83
32 Josh Bertrand San Tan Valley AZ 4/4 8.54 8.54
33 Johnny Johnson Lakeside AZ 5/5 8.27 8.27
34 Paul Hodges Glendale AZ 4/4 8.23 3.27 8.23
35 Melvin Williams Chula Vista CA 5/5 7.79 7.79
36 Bill Brown Grand Junction CO 3/3 7.62 7.62
37 Carl Limbrick, Jr. Bonita CA 3/3 7.48 7.48
38 Marvin Finley Peoria AZ 2/2 7.47 7.47
39 Jamie Shaw Coolidge AZ 4/4 7.43 7.43
40 Patrick Spencer Tucsan AZ 3/3 7.25 7.25
41 Roy Hawk Lake Havasu City AZ 3/3 7.19 7.19
42 Dave Davis Mesa AZ 3/3 6.96 6.96
43 Kevin Short Mayflower AR 3/3 6.91 3.83 6.91
44 Tom Nokes Riverton UT 2/2 6.65 4.90 6.65
45 Philip Roesener Logandale NV 2/2 6.10 6.10
46 Michael Phua Chino CA 3/3 5.81 5.81
47 Jason Caine Las Vegas NV 3/3 5.65 2.73 5.65
48 Patrick Whitaker Gilbert AZ 2/2 5.58 5.58
49 Michael Crowther Page AZ 2/2 5.16 5.16
50 Steve Jenkins Mesa AZ 2/2 5.08 5.08
51 Hobby Nelson Peoria AZ 2/2 4.75 4.75
52 Matthew Luna Santee CA 2/2 4.69 4.69
53 Scooter Griffith Mesa AZ 1/1 4.19 4.19 4.19
54 Mike Crothers Chandler AZ 1/1 3.96 3.96 3.96
55 Rod Wynn Inglewood CA 2/2 3.91 3.91
56 Ron Ratlief Lake Havasu City AZ 2/2 3.61 3.61
57 Jeff Rutt Winchester CA 1/1 3.38 3.38 3.38
58 Shawn Lee Arroyo Grande CA 1/1 2.83 2.83
59 Jay Wright Seal Beach CA 1/1 2.10 2.10
60 Clifford Pirch Payson AZ 1/1 2.02 2.02
60 Anthony Tejeda Santee CA 1/1 2.02 2.02
62 Tony Lain Lake Havasu City AZ 1/1 1.37 1.37
63 Carson Sims Boerne TX 1/1 1.24 1.24
64 Keith Diffey Elk Grove CA 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Jordon Erekson Apache Junction AZ 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Eric Flannery Surprise AZ 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Bob Francola North Hollywood CA 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Ron Hammett La Mesa CA 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Stanley Hendrix San Diego CA 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Max Hernandez Queen Creek AZ 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Todd Holverson San Diego CA 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Trace Myers Santaquin CA 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Robert Ostercamp Chandler AZ 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Filler Pro 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Ted Romero Lakewood CA 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Vernon Shedd Lake Havasu AZ 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Dwight Shephard Lake Havasu AZ 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Onelio J. Silva Las Vegas NV 0/0 0.00 0.00

 

ARIZONA OPEN Day 1, AAA Div

Jan 9, 2019

Place Name Hometown Fish Weight Penalty Big Fish Total Points
1 Kelly Burns Avondale AZ 5/5 23.70 7.74 * 23.70
2 Bobby Tidd Mesa AZ 5/5 18.61 18.61
3 Joe Bolen Pardise CA 5/5 18.18 18.18
4 John Schramer Phoenix AZ 5/5 16.27 2.63 16.27
5 Nathan Foreman Queen Creek AZ 5/5 16.26 3.86 16.26
6 Dan Zehring Gilbert AZ 5/5 16.10 16.10
7 Len Scinto Valencia CA 5/5 15.48 15.48
8 Charlie Schmidt Golden Valley CA 5/5 15.28 3.54 15.28
9 Ed Shaver Lake Havasu City AZ 5/5 14.67 14.67
10 Jeff Corbett Las Vegas NV 5/5 14.47 14.47
11 Carol Martens West Hills CA 5/5 14.42 14.42
12 Austin Rojas Lake Havasu City AZ 5/5 14.33 3.21 14.33
13 James Ochs Scottsdale AZ 5/5 13.36 13.36
14 Justin Taylor Bolen Paradise CA 5/5 13.29 13.29
15 Geoff Pierce El Cajon CA 5/5 13.27 3.34 13.27
16 Chris Morris Kingman AZ 5/5 12.96 3.53 12.96
17 Hunter Miller Oak Hills CA 5/5 12.82 12.82
18 Randy Bruno Huntington Beach CA 5/5 11.93 11.93
19 James Wiegand Redding CA 3/3 11.58 5.78 11.58
20 David Crunden Las Vegas NV 3/3 10.78 5.38 10.78
21 Pete Marino Moreno Valley CA 5/5 10.55 10.55
22 Ed Cox Butte Valley CA 4/4 10.47 10.47
23 Tom Karavites Payson AZ 3/3 10.38 10.38
24 Kenneth Helms Newman CA 4/4 10.11 10.11
25 William McAninch CARSON CA 5/5 9.64 9.64
26 Brian Ravelo Las Vegas NV 5/5 9.52 9.52
27 John Browning Surprise AZ 3/3 9.38 3.63 9.38
28 Paul Herber Riverside CA 5/5 9.29 9.29
29 Mark Snitow Lake Havasu City AZ 4/4 9.17 9.17
30 Adam Day Alta Loma CA 5/5 9.14 2.94 9.14
31 James Denny Apache Junction AZ 4/4 8.83 8.83
32 Vince Gennaro Henderson NV 4/4 8.54 8.54
33 Clint L. Goodwin Lake Havasu City AZ 5/5 8.27 8.27
34 Mandy Myers Santaquin UT 4/4 8.23 8.23
35 Bryan Kuhn Lake Havasu City AZ 5/5 7.79 7.79
36 Joe Uribe, Sr. Lake Havasu City AZ 3/3 7.62 3.10 7.62
37 Ralph Wells Lake Havasu City AZ 3/3 7.48 7.48
38 Rich Henson Redding CA 2/2 7.47 4.66 7.47
39 Austin Melville Gilbert AZ 4/4 7.43 7.43
40 Steve Rametta Glendora CA 3/3 7.25 7.25
41 Ken Whalen Lompoc CA 3/3 7.19 7.19
42 Chad Walton Fort Mohave AZ 3/3 6.96 2.63 6.96
43 Keith Bridges Mission Viejo CA 3/3 6.91 6.91
44 Mark Hall Temecula CA 2/2 6.65 6.65
45 Skyler Hawk Midvale UT 2/2 6.10 6.10
46 Michael Nugent Peoria AZ 3/3 5.81 2.68 5.81
47 Shawn Carnahan Gilbert AZ 3/3 5.65 5.65
48 Aaron Bartelt Grand Junction CO 2/2 5.58 5.58
49 Martin Keppeler Lake Havasu City AZ 2/2 5.16 5.16
50 Gabriel Diaz Nuevo CA 2/2 5.08 3.48 5.08
51 Clifford Rubin Lake Havasu City AZ 2/2 4.75 4.75
52 John Bitting Westminster CA 2/2 4.69 4.69
53 Liz Jones Conoga Park CA 1/1 4.19 4.19
54 Jack Roorda Beaumont CA 1/1 3.96 3.96
55 Derrek Stewart Venice CA 2/2 3.91 3.91
56 Kevin A. Smith Phoenix AZ 2/2 3.61 3.61
57 Grant Lee Cooper Forest Lakes AZ 1/1 3.38 3.38
58 Jeff Purinton Heber AZ 1/1 2.83 2.83 2.83
59 Chad Roorda Beaumont CA 1/1 2.10 2.10
60 Jennifer Kirchhoer Benicia CA 1/1 2.02 2.02
60 Joseph Weber Albuquerque NM 1/1 2.02 2.02
62 Nick Teschler Phoenix AZ 1/1 1.37 1.37
63 Andy Sanchez Antioch CA 1/1 1.24 1.24
64 Filler AAA 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Todd Anderson Surprise AZ 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Jon Elms Chandler AZ 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Craig Hammett Eagle ID 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Josh Kimmel Colorado Springs CO 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Tom Kruse San Juan Capistrano CA 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Shane Meisel Alta Loma CA 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Rick Melead Yorba Linda CA 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Geoff Peterson Huntington Beach CA 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Michael Pryor Yucaipa CA 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Dale Roesener Lav Vegas NV 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Darring Sinclair Lake Havasu City AZ 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Tracy Smart Lake Havasu City AZ 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Marc Weiting San Tan Valley AZ 0/0 0.00 0.00
64 Don Whitmer Phoenix AZ 0/0 0.00 0.00
Costa SunglassesDaiwaSeaguarYo ZuriSt Croix Rods <Planosavage gearRich Tauber

by AnglersChannel

AC Insider Podcast - Tournament Time is Here! Finally!

On this weeks episode Chris and Jason talk to Strike King Pro Ray Hanselman and get the 411 on his recent Costa Win on Lake Amistad.The boys also welcome in Clint & Stacy from Outlaw Outdoors to preview the Rayburn FLW this week and of course the show wouldnt be the show without News & Notes, Costa Countdown to Blastoff and more!

by AnglersChannel

THLIVEROS, HOLLOWELL AND PANGRAC TO JOIN “FLW LIVE” AS ANALYSTS FOR 2019 FLW TOUR SEASON

Courtesy of FLW Communications

MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 8, 2019) – Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) the world’s largest tournament organization, announced today three additions to the “FLW Live” coverage team for the 2019 FLW Tour season – veteran FLW Tour pros Peter Thliveros and Todd Hollowell, as well as internet talk show personality Matt Pangrac. Thliveros and Hollowell will step off the front of the boat and into the FLW Live broadcast studio as the primary color commentators for six of the seven regular-season FLW Tour events, while Pangrac, a familiar face to fans as co-host of the popular internet show “Bass Talk Live”, stepping in for the Grand Lake event. The three personalities will share the “FLW Live” desk with host Travis Moran, who has been a mainstay on the show since its inception in early 2017.

“We wanted to bring in pros with extensive knowledge of what it’s like to be competitive on the FLW Tour. Peter T. is a legendary angler who is loved by fans, and Todd Hollowell has had many successful years on the Tour and continues to fish,” said Peyote Perryman, Executive Producer of “FLW Live” and the Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show. “Matt Pangrac is a younger guy who reports on the industry and competes at the Costa FLW Series level. All of our additions have some sort of experience to share with our audience.”

Known as ‘Peter T.’ among friends and fans, Thliveros first joined the FLW Tour in 1996, winning the coveted FLW Tour Angler of the Year (AOY) title the same year. Thliveros went on to enjoy a 16-year run on the FLW Tour, and celebrated a victory at Michigan’s Lake St. Clair in 1999. The Florida pro also racked up six FLW Cup appearances and nearly $620,000 in career earnings during his tenure.

“I’m looking forward to the whole experience. With the amount of water I’ve fished over the years, I’m familiar with the terminology and have gained enough knowledge about the places the anglers are going to compete at,” said Thliveros. “For 35 years I was the one occasionally getting interviewed. Now I’m going to be on the other end of it, and to me it’s just as exciting.”

Hollowell first fished the FLW Tour as a co-angler in 2009 before joining as a full-time professional in 2012. Since, Hollowell has earned two FLW Cup appearances, two top-10 finishes in Tour competition and more than $250,000 in career earnings.

“I think FLW is on the cutting-edge of bringing the fans what they want to see through FLW Live,” said Hollowell. “As an angler who has been competing on the Tour for seven years, it’s an awesome opportunity to sit in the studio and get an inside look at how some of the best anglers in the world break down these lakes. I also believe I’ll be able to help communicate some of the thoughts and feelings some of these anglers are experiencing. I’m very thankful to be a part of it.”

The 2019 season of “FLW Live” kicks off this weekend with live, on-the-water coverage on Saturday, Jan. 12 and Sunday, Jan. 13 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. CST at the FLW Tour at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Polaris. The live on-the-water broadcast will air on days three and four of all FLW Tour regular-season events from the boats of the tournaments’ top pros, as well as all three days of the FLW Cup.  For additional coverage details, visit FLWFishing.com.

 

SAM RAYBURN FLW LIVE SCHEDULE

Thursday, Jan. 10

3 p.m. CT – Live weigh-in show (until weigh-in concludes)

 

Friday, Jan. 11

3 p.m. CT – Live weigh-in show (until weigh-in concludes)

 

Saturday, Jan. 12

8 a.m. - 2 p.m. CT – Live on-the-water coverage

4 p.m. CT – Live weigh-in show (until weigh-in concludes)

 

Sunday, Jan. 13

8 a.m. – 2 p.m. CT – Live on-the-water coverage

4 p.m. CT – Live weigh-in show (until weigh-in concludes)

 

More about FLW Live

The newly enhanced FLW Live show debuted at 2017 FLW Tour stop No. 2 at Lake Travis. The show now includes video feeds streamed live from the top five anglers’ boats on the final two days of FLW Tour events. It is hosted by popular internet fishing personality Travis Moran, FLW Tour pros Todd Hollowell and Peter Thliveros, and internet personality Matt Pangrac. FLW also continues its live broadcast of FLW Tour weigh-ins, which have been streamed online for more than a decade.

 

by AnglersChannel

Major League Fishing reveals on-air talent for MLF NOW! -

The new Major League Fishing MLF NOW! live stream broadcast team consists of (left to right): Rob Newell, JT Kenney, Marty Stone, Natalie Dillon and Chad McKee. The program will provide five hours of live streaming coverage during each competition day of MLF Bass Pro Tour series' events.
The Bass Pro Tour program will feature five hours of daily live stream coverage

TULSA, Okla. (Jan. 8, 2019) - Major League Fishing (MLF) today announced its five-person MLF NOW! talent lineup that will be calling the action during the program's five hours of live-streaming broadcast on each competition day of the new MLF Bass Pro Tour that kicks off Jan. 29 in Kissimmee, Fla.

For the play-by-play coverage, MLF veteran announcer Marty Stone will team with former pro angler JT Kenney, outdoors communicator Rob Newell, college sports announcer Chad McKee and social media personality Natalie Dillon.
"I really like the dynamics of this group we've assembled," said Randy White, MLF vice president for broadcast production. "We wanted people who had different strengths and perspectives, and to that effect we have a great mix of personalities and knowledge with Marty, JT, Rob, Chad and Natalie. With each of them having their own style, it will no doubt add to the entire on-the-water viewing experience for our livestream audience."

Stone is a color analyst for General Tire Major League Fishing Cup events that air on the Outdoor Channel and CBS Sports, and has been since the television show's debut in 2011. During his previous pro angling career, he garnered two wins among 20 Top 10s in B.A.S.S. and FLW events.

Kenney is a former MLF Select pro who earned 45 Top 10 finishes and more than $1.5 million throughout a 17-year career along the FLW tournament trail. He elected to join the MLF NOW! team instead of competing in the Bass Pro Tour series.

McKee is a veteran college basketball and football announcer for ESPNU, where he also hosted the network's "This Week in the Big 12" studio show. He additionally hosts football programming on the University of Oklahoma's Sooner Sports TV.

Newell is an outdoors communicator whose articles and photos have appeared in FLW and Bassmaster media outlets for years, and he was a regular on FLW Live. He's also covered MLF events since the beginning and therefore has one of the most thorough understandings of the league's format, rules, anglers and tournament-fishing strategies.

Dillon is a social media personality with a following for her "Nattie Up North" postings on YouTube and Instagram. She developed her passion for fishing and the outdoors at an early age in her home state of Minnesota.

MLF NOW! features 10 cameras/cameramen shooting on board competitors' boats throughout all six rounds of each Bass Pro Tour event. MLF opted for the five-person talent crew instead of going with the smaller lineup used at Major League Fishing Cup and MLF Select events because of the extended real-time coverage.

"At first we looked at just a three person set, but quickly realized that five live hours a day is a lot of time for a host, analyst and reporter to cover," White said. "It made perfect sense to have a bigger team for MLF NOW! in order to capture the full excitement and keep things moving."

The organization's inaugural 80-angler event on Florida's Kissimmee Chain of Lakes is Jan. 29 - Feb. 3. Each of the eight Bass Pro Tour events will produce roughly 40 hours of live-streamed content that can be followed on MajorLeagueFishing.com.

All Bass Pro Tour venues have been qualified during the site selection process to satisfy MLF's stringent connectivity requirements because MLF NOW! live stream and SCORETRACKER™ are critical parts throughout the competition days at every event.

Every Bass Pro Tour stop will also become a 2-hour television show to air on Discovery Channel in the fourth quarter of 2019, and then repeat on Sportsman Channel in first and second quarters 2020.

MLF also runs on Outdoor Channel, World Fishing Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network and Discovery Channel, and all episodes are available on-demand on My Outdoor TV (MOTV).
For more information about MLF and its anglers, rules and sponsors, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

by AnglersChannel

Scholarships Awarded By Alabama Power/B.A.S.S. To Two Alabama Students

Jan. 8, 2018

 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Two Alabama students were each awarded a $5,000 scholarship from B.A.S.S. and Alabama Power, the companies announced today.

“We are proud to partner with Alabama Power to support students who want to further their education in a trade,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “And, we’re even more pleased to provide additional scholarship opportunities for students.”

Brenton Godwin of Stapleton and Grey Terry of Tuscaloosa are the recipients.

Godwin is currently a senior at Baldwin County High School (BCHS) in Bay Minette, Ala., and plans to attend Coastal Alabama Community College.

“I plan on starting my college career at Coastal Alabama Community College, then transferring to Auburn University to obtain my Bachelor’s Degree in Poultry Science Production,” said Godwin. “While in college, I aspire to fish at Auburn on the collegiate level.”

He has been an active member of the Baldwin County Fishing Team for the past three seasons, as well as several activities at school and in his community. He participates in Key Club, French Club, Technology Student Association, Future Farmers of America, National Honor Society and the BCHS Varsity baseball team.

“It means so much to me to have been chosen for this scholarship,” said Godwin. “I’ve always loved the sport of bass fishing, and the fact that I’m able to pay for college through this sport is something I never would have imagined 5 years ago.”

Terry, a senior at Northridge High School, has been a student in the welding program at Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy and Shelton State Community College’s Dual Enrollment Welding class.

“My goal is to complete an Associate’s Degree at Shelton State and pursue a career in welding,” Terry said. “Since I began taking these courses, I have learned so much about the importance of skilled trades.”

“Congratulations to Brenton and Grey for this acknowledgement of their environmental stewardship and hard work in the classroom,” said Zeke Smith, Alabama Power executive vice president of External Affairs. “These scholarships continue to help students develop the high-demand skills needed for a career in the future workforce of Alabama, and we are proud to partner with BASS to make it happen.”

Applications were open to students currently attending, or planning to attend, a technical school in the state of Alabama.

The scholarship recipients are able to apply the award toward tuition, textbooks or living expenses.

Applications for the 2019-2020 school year will open early this year. Visit Bassmaster.com for details.

About Alabama Power Company
Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), provides affordable, reliable electricity to more than 1.4 million customers across the state. Learn more at www.alabamapower.com.

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

by AnglersChannel

B.A.S.S. announces angler-motivated rules changes

Courtesy of BASS Communications

The original plan for the 2019 Bassmaster Elite Series was to fish the first two days of every tournament with a full field of 75 pros before cutting to 20 during the semifinal round and 10 for the final round.

But the anglers asked for a change — and their request has been granted.

Instead of having only 20 anglers take part in the semifinal round, that day’s field will now be expanded to 35, giving more competitors a chance to improve their position in the standings — and perhaps even more importantly, allowing them to maximize the benefits of traveling to tournament venues.

“We’re there to fish,” said 2018 Elite Series Rookie of the Year Jake Whitaker. “A lot of movement happens in the standings on that third day — and we’ve all already made the trip there anyway. There’s no reason to limit it to 20 that day.”

Whitaker raised the issue in December during a meeting of the 2019 Elite Series field in Birmingham, Ala. The change was quickly given the go-ahead by B.A.S.S. officials, including CEO Bruce Akin.

“If that’s what the anglers want, we’re all for it,” Akin said. “We want to do whatever we can to help our competitors get the most out of the Elite Series tournament experience.”

In addition, a change in the format of the inaugural tournament of the season was made by B.A.S.S. after consultation with the Elite anglers.

In the past, the official practice days for a tournament that lasts Thursday through Sunday have been Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with Wednesday’s practice cut short for the pre-tournament meeting. But the anglers voted overwhelmingly to have three days of practice in the future, followed by an off day prior to the start of the event whenever it’s practical.

Because of that change, instead of holding the annual preseason tournament meeting on Sunday, Feb. 3, as originally planned, the meeting has now been moved to Wednesday, Feb. 6 — the day before the opening round of the Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River in Palatka, Fla.

“It’s easy to see why having that day off before the tournament is important,” said B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Trip Weldon. “Instead of going out, fishing all day, then going to a meeting and having to go sort through tackle, now they can be a little more relaxed the day before the competition starts.

“That should make things easier on everyone.”

Weldon said no decisions have been made regarding inserting a Wednesday break into future Elite events.

“It’s tricky to do with only seven days in the week, and especially with six of our tournaments scheduled back-to-back. Steve Bowman, our angler relations manager, and I will discuss this further with the pros at Palatka,” he said.

by AnglersChannel

Eric & Dustin Blevins win Joe Bass team Trail Bull Shoals event with over 24 pounds!

Courtesy of Joebassteamtrail.com

 

37 teams launched from beautiful Buck Creek Marina in search of the first victory of 2019 and qualifying points for the Joe Bass Team Trails Championship at Truman Lake in October.

Lapping the field was Eric and Dustin Blevins.  On what both described as a tough day with the change of weather, their five fish limit pushed the scales to 24.45 pounds!  Topping off their stringer was the Ozark Chevrolet Big Bass of the event, a staunch 6.14 kicker.  Dustin smiled as he said their Sport Boats USA Key to Success centered on crankbaits and A-rigs on a mix of shallow and deep spots.  Their bites were sporadic which kept their Bass Cat on the run all day.  The big fish fell to a crankbait in a stretch of dirty water to seal the victory.

The runner up position went to Gene Crisenberry and Keith Hannaford.  Gene also smiled as he said there was no reason to lie about what they did, which to lean on the rig and a jigging spoon all day.  Bringing 15.64 pounds to the weigh-in reflects a great day on the lake.  However, Gene cautioned they only had one fish in the box at 12:30.  Nonetheless, they maintained their slow approach on bluff banks in 35-45 feet of water to take second place on a tough day.

Rounding out the top three was Jim Martin and Ted Borchers.  They also fished a-rigs both shallow and deep.  Mixing in a jerkbait helped them boat 15.19 pounds of Bull Shoals bass.  They explained they too experienced a tough bite, as they had to “grind” away to get 7 keepers on the day.  Jim and Ted added to their paycheck by taking the Sport Boats USA Skeeter Bonus as they fished from their 2016 ZX225.

The next event in the Bull Shoals Division is January 26th at 7:00 am, Buck Creek Marina.

 

Results

Place Team Members Fish B/F TotWgt Pts Payout
1 Dustin Blevins – Eric Blevins 5 6.14 24.45 110 $2,040.00 1BB
2 Gene Crisenbery – Keith Hannaford 5 4.08 15.64 109 $1,090.00
3 Jim Martin – Ted Borchers 5 3.8 15.19 108 $890.00 Top Skeeter
4 Roger Harp – Kevin Hyde 5 3.24 14.1 107 $580.00
5 Don Parkin – Rodney Shockey 5 4.27 14.06 106 $390.00
6 Jeff Epley – Kelly Greer 5 12.6 105 $180.00
7 Buck Comstock – Greg Blair 5 12.17 104 $160.00
8 *fished aalone – Tommy Skinner 5 2.77 12.03 103
9 Matt Layman – Randy Colter 5 11.77 102
10 Arthur Fortin – Donald Bovat 5 11.06 101
11 Ed Young – Joey Penzo 5 10.86 100
13 Drew Sagely – Taylor Surly 5 2.35 9.62 98
14 David Rogers – *Laryme Campbell 4 9.22 97
15 Roger Morris – Gregg Sapp 4 9.17 96
16 Drew Tabor – Brock Tabor 4 2.6 9.14 95
17 Kevin Jackson – Bryan Jackson 5 3.18 8.89 94
18 *John Williams – Bob Capps 4 8.22 93
19 Tom Mason – Chris Reese 4 2.66 7.14 92
20 Gary Daniel – Jay Oliver 4 6.67 91
21 Larry Hurtt – Chris Adams 4 6.52 90
22 Wyatt Reed – Zach Pitney 3 5.86 89
23 Chad Stallcup – Jayce Mitchusson 4 4.81 88
24 Mark Thompson – Jim Smith 2 4.5 87
25 Corey Clayton – Seth Reed 1 3.75 3.75 86
26 Casey Brotherton – Mike White 0 10
26 Jason Davidson – Darren Tilley 0 10
26 Jacob Garrett – Kem Wallace 0 10
26 Aaron Hodge – James Bailey 0 10
26 Richie Huebner – Brandon Lowry 0 10
26 Rick Jones – Jeremy Gilbert 0 10
26 Kelly Jones – Roger Satterfield 0 10
26 Bruce Klatt – Ron Beard 0 10
26 Jim Phillips – Cody Combs 0 10
26 Mark Sanders – *Blake Hart 0 10
26 Landon Snelson – Ricky Jones 0 10
26 *Brock Knapp – Donald Wray 0 10
26 Bradley Walker – Ethan Grubaugh 0 10  

 

by AnglersChannel

EVINRUDE EXTENDS FLW SPONSORSHIP, NAMED PRESENTING SPONSOR FOR FIVE FLW EVENTS IN 2019

Courtesy of FLW Communications

MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 8, 2018) – Fishing League Worldwide (FLW), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced today a sponsorship renewal with Evinrude for the 2019 season, marking the 18th year the brands have aligned. The agreement ensures that Evinrude and its premier lineup of outboard engines will be showcased across all FLW tournament circuits and through exclusive digital content as well as remaining the official outboard sponsor of FLW.

“FLW is extremely pleased to announce our continued partnership with Evinrude,” said Trish Blake, President of FLW Marketing Division. “2019 marks 18 years of our longstanding relationship, which reinforces the commitment both companies have toward one another and the sport of professional bass fishing. Our fans and anglers have shown tremendous loyalty to our sponsors’ products and our tournaments offer the perfect showcase to display the efficient, reliable Evinrude outboards.”

Evinrude will be prominent at all FLW-sanctioned tournaments and outdoor expos with an Evinrude booth with featured products for fans to visit and experience. The Sturtevant, Wisconsin-based company will also be seen across the FLW’s various media platforms including FLWFishing.com, “FLW Live”, the FLW social media channels, FLW Bass Fishing magazine, and the Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show. Evinrude is slated to be the presenting sponsor for five events during the 2019 tournament season.

“We are very excited to continue our relationship with FLW,” said Tracy Crocker, president of the BRP Marine Group and senior vice president and general manager of Evinrude. “FLW events offer an ideal platform to demonstrate the industry-leading power, performance and value of our Evinrude E-TEC G2 outboards. We look forward to the results from this year’s tournament circuit and helping FLW, competing anglers and fans have a successful 2019 season.”

As part of the sponsorship agreement, Evinrude will continue to offer a contingency awards program for boaters competing in the T-H Marine Bass Fishing League (BFL). To participate, an angler must be the owner of a 2016 or newer 90- to 250-hp Evinrude E-TEC or G2 outboard engine. All contingency payouts will be administered by FLW, allowing for immediate payouts at each tournament.

Prizes are as follows:

  • $300 to the highest participating finisher in each qualifying tournament
  • $1,000 to the highest participating finisher in each of the six Regional events
  • $5,000 to the highest participating finisher at the BFL All-American; $1,500 to the second-highest participating finisher at the BFL All-American; $1,000 to the third-highest participating finisher at the BFL All-American; $500 to the fourth-highest participating finisher at the BFL All-American

Updated details and terms of the program will be posted at FLWFishing.com.

BRP's Evinrude engine line-up from 3.5 to 300 horsepower offers anglers superior value across a wide range of applications. Outboard engines are available at authorized Evinrude dealerships worldwide. For more details or to find a dealership near you, visit Evinrude.com. Follow Evinrude on social media at Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and YouTube.

About FLW

FLW is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money in 2019 across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, with offices in Minneapolis, FLW and their partners conduct more than 290 bass-fishing tournaments annually around the world, including the United States, Canada, China, Italy, South Korea, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa and Spain. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW" television show while FLW Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. For more information visit FLWFishing.com and follow FLW at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.

by AnglersChannel

Domby & Price Win Bass Junkyz Lake Martinez event with 17.45 Limit!

2nd Place Murry White and Taj White

 

3rd Place Matt Shura and Lon Armel

 

Photos Courtesy of Rick Barushok (ShokerActionAz)

by AnglersChannel

No ‘I’ in Team

The Team Tournament Blog by Luke Estel is brought to you courtesy of Strike King Lure Company

 

 

As tournament fishermen, we all have big dreams of making it big. Or do we?

There was a time that I thought that I would bust into the Elites and make it big. Not anymore.

In fact, right now in my life, that is the furthest thing from my mind. Let’s face it, would you leave your job, your family, your lifestyle, to go out and fish with the big boys? I am sure several of you would say yes, but the reality of it is there is no way. Why do I say this? Because it’s true.

Think about it for a minute. I mean really think hard. There are roughly 350 “Professional” fishermen in this country. There are tens of thousands of regular hard working weekend warriors out there. The chances are slim but they are possible. In my case here is what would most likely happen. I would leave my stable job from which I get paid every two weeks, drive all over the country spending countless nights in a hotel, rack up major credit cards, miss the real important things in life like my kids growing up and raising a family, and for what? A fraction of a chance to make it big. Not happening.

Now, before some of my professional fishing buddies get mad at me for saying this, let me say something to all of them, you are our role models, our heroes, and we look up to you. You all are able to balance fishing and family to make it work and I applaud you for it. For the rest of us, we do what we can just to be able to fish on the weekends. Let’s take this a step further. I fish two team circuits. One is USA Bassin and the other is Anglers Choice. There is a total of 1105 tournaments in one and 210 in the other. They are in multiple states and their classics pay out handsomely. If I had to guess on how many team tournaments there are across the country, the number would have to be 25,000 to 50,000. That’s a lot of team events.

What’s the point? The point is that team events are becoming the next big thing and I believe that major companies better take note of this wave that is happening. Some events are now televised, others give away a new boat in every event, payouts are getting bigger, and competition is getting stronger. Why leave all that when you and your partner can have fun and possibly have a chance to make some money doing it.

Let’s look at some numbers and I will use myself as an example. Let’s say I fish the Bassmaster Opens (which I have in the past and I love them). Entries are $1500.00 apiece, $1000.00 minimum a piece for expenses, and four weeks off from work using my vacation time. That’s $10,000.00 just to fish four events.  Now for my team events.

For seventeen team tournaments it will cost me $1000.00 total in entries, and maybe $1000.00 total in expenses. No vacation time used. On top of that I am fishing lakes that I normally fish. So I can save $8000.00 and fish thirteen more events. No brainer for me.

Team tournaments are fun. There is nothing better than hanging out with your partner in a boat for eight hours trying to win the tournament. It also helps because you now do not have to make all of the decisions and with two in the boat, it makes it a little easier. The other advantage is the stress level is way down. It’s nice to come home after a tournament where you spent $100.00 and you won $300.00 versus, I was gone from work for a week, spent $2500.00 and I missed a check by three pounds.

Team tournaments are the future. If you and your partner have the time and money, start looking at other circuits in neighboring states. It will surprise you how many good paying team tournaments are out There. Good luck and have a great 2019 season.

 

 

Strike King Pro Luke Estel from Carbondale Illinois Fishes the BASS Opens, USA Bassin, AnglersChoice and other Team Tournaments across the midwest & SR. Luke and his partner are AnglersChoice Classic Champions and he's an all around great guy and fisherman as well as an accomplished writer.

by AnglersChannel

Howell takes ABA Win on Lake Seminole with over 27 pounds

Courtesy of American Bass Anglers

David Howell from Bainbridge, Ga. is one step closer to the Bass Pro Shops American Fishing Tour National Championship with a first place win in the Seminole Division 114 bass tournament held on Lake Seminole January 6, 2019. David’s limit weighed in at 27.85-pounds.  Big Bass was awarded to Andrew Whitaker for catching a 7.71-lb largemouth.

These anglers are acquiring valuable points to ensure their birth into the Bass Pro Shops American Fishing Tour National Championship. Their points are also being used to determine the divisional angler of the year. The top angler by points earned in this division will represent the division in the Angler of the Year final round.

The top six anglers were:

1st David Howell 27.85-lbs
2nd Andrew Whitaker 24.37-lbs
3rd Doug Davis 20.67-lbs
4th Rick Tyindell 20.58-lbs
5th Steve Phillips 20.30-lbs
6th Nic Jeter 17.22-lbs

Conditions: Clear Bluebird skies with mild temp day! Waters temperatures were in the low 60's.  Water was muddy.

Winning Strategy: David's pattern was fishing a Carolina rig in deep trees!

Next Divisional Tournament: This division’s next tournament will be February 3, 2019, on Lake Seminole at Seminole Lodge. For more information on this or any future event in this division contact Mitch Oldnettle 850-376-2628 or Len Lindahl 850-272-5305.

About the American Bass Anglers - American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler while offering an upward path for individual angler progression.  For more information about American Bass Anglers and all their bass tournament trails visit www.americanbassanglers.com.

by AnglersChannel

Prym1 Camo's Lance Walker with a Pickwick Stud!

Mississippi's Lance Walker has well been known as a big fish guru on Mississippi waters and his latest catch only solidifies this title. Here is Lance's take on his recent double digit bass from Pickwick Lake.

 

"With the amount of rain we had been having, Pickwick had rose about 4 feet and current was rolling thru and out the dam into Kentucky lake. I decided with the pretty weather (finally) after church to take spend a few hours with a friend on the water.

Noticing the water temp was back over 50 degrees (around 53) and some color in the water the thought was the fish that wanted to bite may move a little shallower especially later in the day as the water warmed. We found a stretch on the river with hydrilla in about 8 foot of water. We really could not believe that the current had not washed it away but it was good and green.

Fish number 1 was a 3 pound largemouth then a 3.5 pd smallmouth and then her. She bit a Shaker Z by Profound Outdoors and was landed on a 7’6 mh hammer rod and 12 pound test vicious flourocarbon. I knew she was over 12 when landing her but my scales were in Cole's (my son) boat so we started quickly looking for boats to find a scale.  Luckily the second guys we stopped on were from Russellville and they had a scale we could use and they helped us weigh her and take pictures.

Immediately after, we took her right back to her grass bed for release. From now thru March is the time to catch giants on the TN river and it’s condition oriented. The 3 largest fish I’ve caught have been a 15.48, 13.30 and 12.7 and now this 12.24 have all came from Jan - March time frame."

by AnglersChannel

Ken Lawhon & Tim Garrison win with 11.35 lbs on Robinson

Big Total
13 Teams Fish Weight Winnings Points
Ken Lawhon/Tim Garrison 3.59 11.35 $681.00 110
Todd Butler/Chad Gainey 0 10.13 $200.00 109
Ryan West/Randy Crowley 0 9.27 108
Freddie Gibbs/Clark Gibbs 0 9.17 107
Mike Byrd/Clint Byrd 2.21 9.03 106
Thad Driggers 0 8.41 105
Calvin Griggs/Jimmy McFarlen 2.74 8.39 104
Don Hall/Shon Fales 3.48 7.71 $39.00 103
Scott McLamb/Miles Hair 0 7.38 102
Shawn Hicken/Jody Sykes 0 7.09 101
Tony Amerson/Hillary Pratt 0 5.65 100
James Bond/Allen Varner 0 5.25 99
Gene Winburn/Jason Murdock 0 3.82 98
Total Entrys $1,040.00
BONUS $ $200.00
Total Paid At Ramp $920.00
Robinson 2018 Fall Final Fund $310.00
2019 CATT Championship Fund $10.00
2018 Robinson Fall Final Fund Total $560.00
2019  CATT Championship Fund Total $2,450.00

by AnglersChannel

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