FLW and The BASS FEDERATION Expand Partnership
FLW to Debut 24-event High School Fishing Open Series
MINNEAPOLIS (Dec. 14, 2016) – Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) and The Bass Federation (TBF) today announced a multi-year extension to their strategic partnership, bolstering the relationship between the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization and the nation’s oldest broad-based grassroots fishing, youth and conservation organization. Terms of the agreement were not released.
As part of the extended partnership FLW will undertake the largest expansion of the co-managed High School Fishing program since launching the state-championship series of High School Fishing events in partnership with TBF in 2011. The expansion includes facilitating a new series of 24 High School Fishing Open tournaments to complement the existing State Championships and High School Fishing World Finals coordinated by TBF. TBF will also debut two High School Fishing Challenge events to meet growing demand from the more than 15,000 young anglers that participated in the program in 2016. All told, students will now have 76 FLW and TBF High School Fishing events in which to compete in 2017.
“High School Fishing is the foundation on which our sport will continue to grow,” said FLW President of Operations Kathy Fennel. “With the continued erosion of traditional pathways into fishing, the industry is taking note of High School Fishing’s recruitment, retention and reactivation potential. All it takes is one visit to a High School Fishing tournament to see that FLW and TBF have tapped into something special that unites generations in a way our sport has never seen before.”
No changes will be made to the existing program for adult TBF anglers. Fourteen TBF anglers (seven boaters and seven co-anglers) will advance to the BFL All-American from the TBF National Championship. The TBF National Champion boater will also advance to the Forrest Wood Cup and continue to receive the life-changing “Living the Dream” package to fish the entire season as an FLW Tour pro using a TBF-wrapped Ranger boat and tow vehicle without paying a single entry fee. TBF members will also continue to receive priority entry into all FLW tournaments.
“TBF is proud to partner with FLW in providing the nation’s most extensive network of grass-roots fishing opportunities from our TBF junior program through high school and college to the TBF National Semi-Final Series for adult anglers and ultimately our ‘Living the Dream’ package on the FLW Tour,” said TBF President Robert Cartlidge. “No two organizations work more closely to provide more fishing opportunities for more anglers nationwide than FLW and TBF. We are proud of that tradition and what it means for future generations.”
Veteran Bass Fishing League (BFL) tournament director Dave Maxfield has been tapped to lead the new series of High School Fishing Opens as FLW High School Fishing tournament director. Working closely alongside Maxfield will be Scott Ellison, who has been promoted to FLW Youth Director and Promotion’s Manager.
Going forward, High School Fishing will operate on a school calendar with the National Championship being held in the summer in conjunction with the High School Fishing World Finals. The top 10 percent of teams in each State Championship, Challenge and Open will advance directly to the High School Fishing National Championship. The High School Fishing national champions will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice.
All participants must be Student Angler Federation (SAF) members to participate. SAF membership includes both TBF and FLW membership plus a digital subscription to FLW Bass Fishingmagazine, online training courses and more.
SAF members never pay an entry fee to participate in FLW or TBF High School Fishing tournaments and all clubs are covered by SAF insurance, which means there is no added expense for schools with sanctioned High School Fishing clubs.
2017 High School Fishing Open & Challenge Schedule:
Jan. 15 Lake Okeechobee Challenge Lake Okeechobee
Feb. 19 Lake Hartwell Early Bird Challenge Lake Hartwell
March 4 South Carolina Open Lake Murray
March 11 Mississippi Open Columbus Pool
March 25 Arkansas Open Lake Hamilton
April 1 Texas Open Lake of the Pines
April 22 Alabama Open Logan Martin Lake
April 29 North Carolina Open High Rock Lake
May 6 Wisconsin Open & Iowa State Championship Mississippi River @ La Crosse
May 13 Missouri Open Truman Lake
May 14 California Open & State Championship California Delta
May 20 Virginia Open & State Championship Claytor Lake
June 3 Minnesota Open Mississippi River
June 10 Michigan Open & State Championship Detroit River
Sept. 9 Louisiana Open Ouachita River
Sept. 16 Maryland Open Potomac River
Sept. 23 Pennsylvania Open Raystown Lake
Sept. 30 Indiana Open Lake Monroe
Oct. 7 Illinois Open Lake Springfield
Oct.14 New York Open Oneida Lake
Oct. 21 Oklahoma Open Grand Lake
Oct. 28 Ohio Open Caesar Creek
Nov. 4 Kentucky Open Lake Cumberland
Nov. 18 Tennessee Open Norris Lake
Dec. 2 Georgia Open Lake Lanier
Dec. 9 Florida Open St. Johns River
2017 High School Fishing State Championship Schedule:
Jan. 29 Texas State Championship Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Feb. 11 Georgia State Championship West Point Lake
Feb. 26 Florida State Championship St. Johns River
March 25 Louisiana State Championship Cross Lake
April 1 Kentucky State Championship Lake Cumberland
April 1 Mississippi State Championship Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway
April 2 Illinois State Championship Clinton Lake
April 9 North Carolina State Championship Kerr Lake
April 9 Missouri State Championship Table Rock Lake
April 29 South Carolina State Championship Lake Murray
May 6 Ohio State Championship Alum Creek Reservoir
May 7 Arkansas State Championship Lake Dardanelle
May 7 Idaho State Championship C.J. Strike Reservoir
May 7 Tennessee State Championship Norris Lake
May 20 Arizona State Championship Lake Pleasant
May 21 Alabama State Championship Lake Neely Henry
June 3 Indiana State Championship Brookville Lake
June 3 Massachusetts, Rhode Island & Connecticut
Tri State Championship Mashapaug Pond
June 11 Colorado & New Mexico Dual State Championship Lake Pueblo
July 8 Wisconsin State Championship Lake Winnebago
July 9 Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland & New Jersey
Quad State Championship Chesapeake Bay
July 15 New York State Championship Mohawk River
July 15 South Dakota State Championship Lake Cochran
July 16 Minnesota State Championship Mille Lacs Lake
July 16 Ontario Province Championship Georgian Bay
July 22 Nebraska State Championship Lake Merritt
Aug. 13 Washington State Championship Potholes Reservoir
High School Fishing World Finals and National Championships:
June 3, 2017 National Championship Wheeler Lake
(2016 qualifiers)
June 27-July 1, 2017 2017 World Finals/National Championship Pickwick Lake
(qualifiers from events held Jan. 1 - June 10, 2017)
June 26-30, 2018 2018 World Finals/National Championship TBA
(qualifiers from events held June 11, 2017 to June 9, 2018)
Complete rules can be found online at FLWFishing.com and Highschoolfishing.org.
For State Championships, each team must compete in the state in which their school is located. Teams from all states can participate in Open tournaments and Challenge events. Entries for State Championships and Challenge events should be made at Highschoolfishing.org or by calling TBF at (580)-765-9031. Entries for Opens should be made at FLWfishing.com or by calling FLW at (270)-252-1000. Entries for all events will be accepted beginning January 3. There is no limit to the number of teams accepted into a tournament from each school or club.
Full schedules, including additional state championships, and latest announcements will be available on Highschoolfishing.org and FLWFishing.com.
About The Bass Federation
The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is a member of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. TBF is owned by those we serve and dedicated to the sport of fishing. The Federation is the largest and oldest, organized grassroots fishing, youth and conservation organization there is. TBF, our affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 events each year and have provided a foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for more than 45 years. TBF founded the Student Angler Federation and the National High School Fishing program in 2008 to promote clean family fun and education through fishing. Visit bassfederation.com or highschoolfishing.org and “LIKE US” on Facebook.
About FLW
FLW is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money in 2017 across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, with offices in Minneapolis, FLW conducts more than 235 bass-fishing tournaments annually across the United States and sanctions tournaments in Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW" television show, broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, while FLW Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. For more information visit FLWFishing.com and follow FLW at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTubeand Snapchat: @FLWFishing.
How much tech is TOO much tech?
How much technology is too much tech?
It’s a personal thing. I used the Internet to order some frogs and when they arrived I went to the lake and caught some fish on them. For me, that’s the perfect marriage of technology and the outdoor world.
Polarized sunglasses are my favorite fish-finders. GPS is awesome. I love satellite maps. Otherwise, I have little interest in the digital world when I am on the water.
I do a lot of wade fishing and I use a kayak quite a bit. And I catch more fish than most guys in motorboats.
Even if you have a $70,000 rig and all the latest electronics, I’m guessing the AguaDrone is too much tech for you, as a bass fisherman. The waterproof, remote-controlled aircraft can deliver a lure to a distant spot, but hey, so can the 10-foot rods that B.A.S.S. recently approved for tournament competition.
Billed as “the world’s first fishing-optimized drone” the AguaDrone has a depth-finder. It takes video. It has more accessories than Barbie.
It remains unclear as to whether the drone will make a pulled pork sandwich and deliver it to you on the water, but it could keep you busy for hours doing something other than fishing. No thanks. I have a wife for that.
There are applications for a waterproof drone that could benefit anglers and anybody who likes to fish, but I watched a video of the AguaDrone and when they used it to actually present a lure to fish they totally lost me. Lure placement is part of our sport.
Therein lies the basis of most backlash against technology – when mechanization replaces human performance we lose the very essence of art, of sport, of anything that sets an individual apart and gives him a platform on which to live out his potential, to show us what we might become, to add his mark on that sport, on that art form, on the world, in the short while that any of us has to live in it.
To the extent that technology helps an individual find better ways to perform his craft, that is true genius. As soon as it crosses the line and say, eats said pulled pork sandwich for you, it is no longer an aid to human performance, but a crutch that breeds dependence and insulates people from the types of challenges needed to develop skills.
The AguaDrone has a KickStarter.com page, which means it is not readily available for sale yet. You can help fund the dream and then get in line to buy one. Go check it out. I’ll just be over here with a flippin’ stick and that technological marvel known as a baitcasting reel.
Murray State, Auburn University and University of North Alabama Hold Top Three Spots in the Cabela’s School of the Year Race
The Murray State University Bass team has long been a contender since the beginning of the school of the year standings and by all accounts have always had their eye on winning Cabela’s School of the Year title.
Ryan Lancaster, President of the Murray State bass team, said, “Leading the Cabela’s School of the Year points race this early in the year is surreal. Typically, we find ourselves somewhere between 15th and 25th in the race going into Christmas break. However, this fall we have been extremely fortunate and managed to put together some really high finishes. The Murray State Bass Anglers, as a whole, have fished extremely well this fall. We have been fortunate enough to win the last four sanctioned school-run tournaments that we have entered, including two on the same weekend. Now we move into Christmas break with momentum and high hopes to continue our winning streak into the spring season.”
When it comes to their successful season thus far, Lancaster attributes that to the growth of the team saying, “With our recent success in the past few Cabela’s School of the Year races, we have attracted high caliber anglers to our team. Last year, our team had approximately 47 members, however this year we are currently up to approximately 60 members. Our increase in membership has also brought a higher interest in traveling to fish collegiate tournaments. This enables us to send multiple boats to many different tournaments throughout the season, even if there are multiple tournaments scheduled on the same day. Also, being located next to Kentucky Lake has helped us become very versatile anglers, as you can be successful fishing multiple patterns on Kentucky Lake. We wouldn’t be near as competitive fishing collegiately if it weren’t for this lake that we still believe to be one of the best bass fishing lakes in the country.”
Murray State University Bass team knows that they still have a lot of work to put in the Spring, but they are focused and have only one goal in mind. “Our team goal year in and year out is to win Cabela’s School of the Year title. Although we have never been fortunate enough to win, our team has been close the past four years with two 4thplace finishes, a 2nd place finish, and a 3rd place finish. It would mean the world to us to be able to finally win SOY. Our plan is to fish as many tournaments as we can in the spring season and continue our fall success into the spring. We are all extremely excited to see what the spring holds for our team and where we end up after the race ends June 30,” Lancaster said.
Sitting in second are the winners of this past year’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship, the University of Auburn, and in third is two-time Cabela’s School of year winners, University of North Alabama. Both of these teams know how to win and have placed emphasis on winning the title.
Darrel High, coach of the Auburn University Bass Sports Club, reveals, “Our club is very excited and determined to get to the top of the points. Winning the Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing National Championship has really sparked this Auburn University Bass Team to improve as well as continue the tradition since we formed back in 2006, as one of the Nation’s Top Programs.” With 20+ more events come this spring, Auburn University knows they still have a lot of work to put in. “So many outstanding college teams throughout the country, so our focus and determination will be to stay on top, to be respected for achievements, and show our respect to the other great collegiate teams,” High said.
As many teams, have found out over the years, in order to be competitive in the Cabela’s School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia race, teams must work together and share the same mind set in order to accomplish their goals. With well over 20+ events remaining in this season’s race, it’s going to be an exciting ride to the end of the season for all the teams vying for the title, but also to end the season ranked in the top 20 in the nation.
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1 |
Murray State University (Murray, KY) |
317 |
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2 |
Auburn University (Auburn, AL) |
316 |
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3 |
University of North Alabama (Florence, AL) |
304 |
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4 |
Bethel University (McKenzie, TN) |
285 |
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5 |
University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC) |
271 |
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6 |
McKendree University (Lebanon, IL) |
260 |
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7 |
University of North Georgia (Dahlonega, GA) |
257 |
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Bryan College (Dayton, TN) |
257 |
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9 |
University of North Carolina - Charlotte (Charlotte, NC) |
250 |
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- |
University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL) |
250 |
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11 |
Georgia College (Milledgeville, GA) |
243 |
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12 |
Jacksonville State University (Jacksonville, AL) |
242 |
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13 |
University of Tennessee - Chattanooga (Chattanooga, TN) |
224 |
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14 |
University of Tennessee (Knoxville, TN) |
220 |
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15 |
Middle Tennessee State (Murfreesboro, TN) |
219 |
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16 |
Mississippi State (Starkville, MS) |
217 |
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17 |
Western Carolina University (Cullowhee, NC) |
214 |
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18 |
Dallas Baptist University (Dallas, TX) |
213 |
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19 |
University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL) |
212 |
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20 |
University of Tennessee - Martin (Martin, TN) |
207 |
To see a list of complete School of the Year Rankings, click here: 2016-2017 Cabela’s School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia Standings
To see additional coverage on our Facebook, click here: https://www.facebook.com/CollegiateBassChampionship
Also, follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @CollegiateBass
About the ACA
The Association of Collegiate Anglers, a division of Careco TV, is a sanctioning body developed to facilitate growth, development, and structure within competitive collegiate bass fishing. The ACA provides support to dozens of school operated regional events nationwide and owns the Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, the largest participatory collegiate tournament circuit in the country. With dedicated collegiate fishing programming on several television networks, three nationally televised collegiate bass fishing events, and thousands of members, the ACA is the leader in competitive collegiate bass fishing. For more information on the ACA, or the Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, visit www.CollegiateBassChampionship.com. For more information on Cabela’s visit Cabelas.com, for more information on CarecoTV, visit www.carecotv.com.
FLW Veteran Pro Bill McDonald Partners with Bob’s Machine Shop
TAMPA, Fla.— FLW veteran Bill McDonald has partnered with Bob’s Machine Shop to get an edge on the upcoming Walmart FLW Tour season. McDonald will take to FLW’s premier tournament trail this year with a custom, carbon fiber-coated Bob’s Machine Shop jack plate onboard his Ranger.
“It’s going to allow me to get up in shallower water and get on plane a whole lot quicker this year,” says McDonald, a 20-year tournament fisherman and 18-time FLW Top 10 finisher. “Our first tournament is at Lake Guntersville, and the entire circuit this year has a lot of shallow water. Being primarily a shallow water guy, I’m going to have an advantage at every event.”
For Bob’s, the addition of Pelini bolsters an expanding pro staff presence that’s making renewed inroads in the bass fishing world after growing their name as one of the top brands in racing.
“Bob’s Machine is growing our bass fishing presence,” adds Bob’s Machine Shop V.P. of Sales Steve Pelini. “Bill’s reputation for supporting quality products and friendly outreach throughout FLW make him a great asset to our team!”
“We are extremely happy to add Bill McDonald to our pro staff lineup,” adds Pelini. “Bill will be running a 6” carbon fiber-coated Action Series Jack Plate, holding his 250HP Evinrude G2. He’s also adding our new Deck Plugs in carbon fiber and the new Bob’s ‘Big D’ trolling motor handle.”
The Action Series Jack Plate allows anglers to adjust trim under power—even at full speed—enabling quick adjustments to boat dynamics for varying water levels or water conditions. McDonald says he’s excited both about the performance of the new products, but also the ability to customize the look of each to match his carbon fiber pattern boat wrap.
He also notes the partnership with Bob’s Machine is the perfect compliment to his existing work with Lucas Oil. “Everything we test, we test through the racing world,” McDonald says. “You can guarantee that if it works there, it’s going to work for me. Bob’s Machine Shop has an excellent reputation in racing. They make a quality product, right here in the U.S.A. It’s an outstanding jack plate to say the least.”
McDonald returns to Bob’s Machine after starting his pro fishing career behind the helm of a Ranger fitted with the Tampa-based company’s jack plate in the early 1990s. “My first plate was with them,” he says. “And I’m really excited to be back with them.”
Bill MacDonald is a 9-year FLW veteran who has competed at virtually every level of professional bass fishing, look for him on the Walmart FLW Tour this season. Bob’s Machine Shop has been building custom jack plates in Tampa, Florida since 1978. For more information, visit BobsMachine.com.
Live Target lands FLW Pro Anthony Gagliardi
LIVETARGET announces that it has enhanced its Pro Staff team with the addition of FLW Tour pro and exceptional angler Anthony Gagliardi to a promotional sponsorship agreement.
Gary Abernethy, Marketing Manager at LIVETARGET commented on the addition of Anthony Gaglairdi to the LIVETARGET team: “Anthony is a highly proven angler with 17 years of experience at the pro level and both an FLW Angler of the Year and Forrest Wood Cup titles to his credit. We’ve talked to Anthony over the years, and with our ongoing growth at LIVETARGET, it was the right time to add Anthony onto our team.”
Abernethy continued, “Anthony gives LIVETARGET another marquee, veteran Pro Staff angler who is adept at many techniques and fisheries, and thus is a great match for LIVETARGET and our over 750+ lure models. Anthony really excels at Swimbait techniques and we look for him to become a leader in techniques and tips for using the new Swimbait Series of lures introduced this past July at ICAST. We also like the fact that he is involved with the selling side of the tackle industry via his rod brand Level that he operates. Gagliardi will be able to effectively coach anglers on what rod actions and types work best with specific techniques and applications for all the LIVETARGET lure products.”
Gagliaridi commented on what he likes about the LIVETARGET brand; “I’ve been looking at LIVETARGET for a good while and as a Tour angler we face conditions that require a full portfolio of lure products to match the forage types and fisheries we visit in a season and LIVETARGET definitely has that depth of product line. I’m so impressed with their degree of detail in lures and unique offerings that I look forward to using them for the over the full fishing season. The new Swimbait Series has some very unique and appealing designs.”
In addition to Gagliardi, the current roster of LIVETARGET Pro Staff includes: Dave Mercer host of Facts of Fishing; Patrick Campeau, Canadian journalist and author; Henry Waszczuk host of Fishing the Flats; Scott Martin host of Scott Martin Challenge, Jason South host of Florida Adventure Quest, Chip Leer of Fishing the Wildside, two Bassmaster Elite Pros, Stephen Browning and David Walker, and fellow FLW Tour Pros Todd Auten, Scott Martin, and Jeremy Lawyer. See ProStaff content online at: http://www.livetargetlures.com/livetarget-pros
Sportsmans Warehouse Product Spotlight - Cody Meyer talks SKL Rage Swimmer
On this weeks Sportsman's Warehouse Product Spotlight, FLW Tour pro Cody Meyer talks about the new Strike King Rage Swimmer and how he likes it compared to other swimbaits and why this needs to be in your arsenal this winter! Check them out here and more at Sportsmanswarehouse.com!
SPOTTED BASS SOLUTIONS - Jimmy Mason Shares A Solid Game Plan for Late-Fall and Winter
By David A. Brown
Late fall through winter — this can be one of the best times to catch a bunch of spotted bass — often a couple chunks, to boot. But the year’s conclusion will also bring challenges, complications, vexations. Yes, we’re talking about cold fronts and the resulting meteorological mayhem, which inevitably ensues.
Changing skies, falling temperatures, rising barometers; it’s enough to put any fish in a foul mood, but Jimmy Mason offers this hope: You can catch spotted bass throughout the fall-winter transition — even on the bad-hair days.
“The cooler months can be some of the most fun fishing of the year,” Mason begins. “It’s not quite as good as it is in the spring when the fish are just getting on the beds, or just coming off the beds; however, you can expect a good number of bites. So it’s the time of year I really enjoy fishing Smith Lake and other deep water, spotted bass lakes.”
Notwithstanding the fairly mild conditions of the this year and last, normal late-fall through early-winter patterns typically bring meteorological and atmospheric fluctuations that can significantly affect the fish.
“The fronts are probably the biggest challenge,” Mason said. “The immediate pre-front, when you have a south or southwest wind and a falling barometer, there’s generally a really good feeding period.
“Then as the front passes, you transition to that north or northeast wind, a rising barometer with bluebird skies. Especially that second day after a front, a lot of times, that’s the toughest day. That becomes more of a finesse fishing day where you’re fishing slower and tighter to cover; trying to force them to bite.”
PLAN OF ATTACK
No doubt, late-fall through winter can be a moody period, but the potential for rod-bending revelry more than justifies a diligent effort. You simply need to equip yourself with an arsenal of baits that’ll adeptly address
Here’s how Mason approaches this season.
Big Topwater — The introduction of blueback herring has altered the dynamics of several southern lakes with a mix of positives and negatives. A plus — the hardy baits thrive in cold water, so they often extend the surface action well into the winter season. On the challenging side, these fast-movers often keep the spots running, so it may be tough to reach breaking fish before they’re gone.
Mason addresses this with a 6-inch Cotton Cordell Pencil Popper — a hefty bait, but one that enables him to reach distant fish with a profile that serves direct and indirect advantages. For one thing, hungry spots have no problem choking down thick-bodied bluebacks.
Mason points out this additional benefit: “A lot of times, when a spot comes up to the surface, he’s chasing on individual herring. What you’re initially trying to do with that big plug is knock that one baitfish out of the way so the fish will eat your bait.”
Mason looks for surface activities at the mouths of short pockets with well-defined drains and expects a good morning flurry from spots that overnight in the backs of these areas. He’ll monitor his sonar for bait pods and watch mapping chart for sharply sloping points with flat tops where spots will likely feed — often in groups.
“The spots will use those points to corral the herring, it’s like running them into a wall so they can’t get away,” Mason said. “Those spots will definitely work together to push the bait.”
Wakebait — When the topwater bite dwindles, Mason remains in those early schooling areas, but switches to a Bomber Long A or a Cotton Cordell Redfin. The waking presentation, he said, tempts hesitant fish that may linger near the surface.
“The wakebait gives the slow appearance of a crippled herring or a cold-stunned baitfish,” Mason said. “Just being an inch below the surface sometimes will make a huge difference.
“It’s not that aggressive side-to-side walking the dog, it’s just that very slow V-wake. When that water temperature gets in the 50’s you can smoke some really big spotted bass.
Crankbait — Once the surface and near surface deal is done, it’s time to hit the 45-degree banks, especially those chunk rock banks that break into flat points. Often, Mason won’t have to leave his topwater areas, he simply adjusts the targeting.
“A lot of those flat points where you were catching them on topwater, you can crank the sides of those as well,” he said. “You can catch those fish that are suspended over that deeper water right there on that break on the crankbait.”
Favoring a Norman Deep Little N and a DD22, Mason recalls faring well in an Alabama Bass Trail event on Smith Lake by targeting the sides of a long, flat point. Sitting in 90 feet and casting a crankbait to 10 feet, he and his partner brought their baits off the sides and found several fish that were looking up to that drop-off point.
Lavender Shad is Mason’s go-to color but into winter he’ll switch to red to match the dominant crawfish forage.
Light Jig — For probing bluffs, stair step banks, piers, etc. Mason puts a lot of faith in a shaky head worm with a YUM Mighty Worm or the new Genie Worm. In moderate clarity, he likes green pumpkin purple flake, while translucent colors like watermelon red get the call in higher clarity.
When he comes across any wood on those bluffs or steps, Mason likes to pick it apart with a 1/2-ounce Booyah Finance Jig with a green pumpkin/purple YUM Christie Craw.
Jerkbait — As the season wears on, and the water temperature becomes too cold for spots to hit a topwater bait or even a wakebait, Mason shows them an easier target with a deeper, vulnerable baitfish profile. Blustery days make great jerkbait opportunities and on deeper canyon lakes, Mason intentionally targets the high windward banks with as much wave crashing as he can find. This is where baitfish will be driven and disoriented, so expect opportunistic spots to be watching.
Mason likes foxy shad and foxy lady colors for his 4 1/2-inch Smithwick Suspending Pro Rogue, but he keeps a blueback chrome/orange belly jerkbait handy for sunny times. Whatever he throws, Mason uses longer pauses, up to 10 seconds, with downward adjustments as dictated by fish response.
If the spots are more aggressive, if they’re spitting up big herring, or if the day’s exceptionally windy; Mason may switch to a 5 1/2-inch Rogue. With either, he’ll add three Suspend Dot
In closing, Mason offers this tip for maximum spotted bass efficiency: Change crankbait hooks to Mustad KVD Triple Grips to keep those hyper dudes buttoned up. For topwaters and jerkbaits, he goes with round bend trebles for better hook ups with the slashing bites common in cold weather.
Hill wins ABA AFT D114 Event on Lake Seminole
Trent Hill of Sneads, Florida is one step closer to the Ram AFT National Championship with a first place win in the Seminole D114 event held on Lake Seminole December 4th, 2016. Trent’s limit weighed in at 25.52 pounds. Trent's pattern was fishing a lipless CB on grass lines.
Big Bass was awarded to Bill Payton for catching a 6.62 pound largemouth.
Top Five Anglers:
1. Trent Hill 25.52 lbs
2. Brad Enfinger 24.49 lbs
3. Nicholas Brown 19.35 lbs
4. Bill Payton 19.34 lbs
5. Steve Bushmore 19.12 lbs
Cloudy skies with strong wind for most of the day. Waters temperatures were in the low 60's. Water was stained to clear.
These anglers are earning valuable points toward the divisional angler of the year title. The points champion from each division will compete in the annual Ram American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of the Year Final Round at the Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship.
The Ram American Fishing Tour offers low cost, close to home bass tournaments that are designed for the weekend angler. All ABA 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 Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship. For more information on American Bass Anglers please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256)232-0406.
Anderson wins ABA AFT D96 on Lake Russell with 11.59 pound Bag
Phillip Anderson of Saluda, South Carolina won the Ram AFT South Carolina D96 1-day qualifier event held December 4, 2016 on Lake Russell, running out of the Hwy 72 Ramp near Calhoun Falls, South Carolina. Phillip caught five fish weighing 11.59 pounds. He caught his fish with a jig fishing rocks and a spinnerbait on the upper part of the lake. Phillip won first place and first place option for a total of $466.
Jonathan Botts was second with five fish weighing 10.15 pounds. His fish came on a drop shot rig in the mid lake area in 20 to 30 feet of water. Jonathan took home $232 for second place and second place option.
Phil Morris took the big fish pot with a 4.29 pound spotted bass. He won $60 for Big Fish.
The most productive lures for this one were spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jigs, shakey heads, spoons and drop shot rigs. The big fish was taken on a spinnerbait.
This day was one of those raw miserable days with rain all day and temps not getting out of the mid 40s. The wind started out at 10 mph from the NE and by mid morning was at 20 mph out of the N. The temperature started at 42 degrees and was at 44 degrees for the 3pm weigh-in. The lake was clear and full. Twelve anglers fished despite the weather.
Top 5 finishers:
1. Phillip Anderson 11.59 lbs
2. Jonathan Botts 10.15 lbs
3. John Wilson 9.89 lbs
4. B.J. Ballard 9.55 lbs
5. Don Kneece 8.15 lbs
The next D96 tournament qualifier for Division 96 (2017 Season) will be January 8, 2017 on Lake Greenwood out of Greenwood State Park near Ninety Six, SC.
For more information contact D96 Director, Phil Morris, at (864)993-0346; email [email protected], or call ABA at (256) 232-0406. On-line, see www.americanbassanglers.com or www.aba-sc.com for complete results. Also check out our facebook page at D96 American Fishing Tour.
These anglers are earning valuable points toward the divisional angler of the year title. The points champion from each division will compete in the annual Ram American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of the Year Final Round at the Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship.
Scott Clift Punches Final Ticket To Bassmaster Classic Through Team Championship
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Missouri's Scott Clift Charges into Lead in the BASS National Team Championship fish off for a Classic berth with over 17 pound limit.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 2, 2016
PARIS, Tenn. — Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase, “It’s not how you start, but how you finish that really counts.”
That may be true, but boy, oh boy, did Scott Clift have a fantastic start to the Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off today on Kentucky Lake.
The 39-year old Dadeville, Mo., resident boated a five-bass limit that weighed 17 pounds, 8 ounces, which put him well ahead in the six-man field with one day of competition remaining.
Now, Clift’s hoping he can match the catch on Saturday and finish the job that will earn the winner of this contest a berth in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic next March.
As he sat in his boat at Paris Landing State Park waiting to weigh-in, Clift estimated he had about 15 pounds in his bag — maybe less.
“Sometimes your eyes get big out there,” Clift said. “I may even have only 14 pounds or so. But I’m hoping for as heavy as possible.”
Turns out the haul was significantly heavier than his guess. That was a pleasant surprise to him, and surely a letdown to the other five men chasing him.
Clift caught the only limit on Friday. He is followed by Barron Adams (four bass, 9-2); Ty Faber (two, 8-7); Ashley Medley (three, 6-2); Trevor Prince (two, 4-12); and John Gardner (0 fish weighed).
After 186 two-person teams competed in the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship on Wednesday and Thursday, the field was whittled to the Top 3 teams. Those tandems were separated and the six surviving anglers had their weights zeroed. They began a two-day fish-off on Friday, and the individual with the heaviest total after Saturday’s weigh-in will earn the last available spot in the Bassmaster Classic on Texas’ Lake Conroe March 24-26.
The anglers were met by a morning frost here in the northwestern corner of the Volunteer State. But the sun broke through and warmed Kentucky Lake a bit soon after daybreak.
That’s when Clift took advantage. He had five bass in his livewell by 9:15 a.m., and didn’t upgrade from that point. He did miss a big fish — “in the 5-pound class,” he estimated — and another fish he didn’t see. He had about 10 bites today, and with each keeper of his limit in the 3 1/2-pound range, that was more than enough to stake a sizable lead.
Like most anglers in the team championship, Clift started the week fishing rocks and underwater structure in about 10 feet of water. Colder conditions scattered the bass, however, and Clift appears to be the only remaining angler who has squarely located them.
Still, he was nervous as could be on Friday morning, especially when he lost his first three bites.
“I told my marshal my hands were really shaky,” Clift said. “But then I got my first bite, and it kind of went well from there. The fish changed, too. Everything early today was kind of lipped (hooked only in the lip), but they really went to chewing on it for about an hour. That’s when I caught them, then it pretty much shut down.”
Clift and Medley, his team championship partner who both fish on the Joe Bass Team Trail, flipped a coin to see who would have first choice of their best spots from the first two days of the tournament.
“Both of our spots were about the same the first two days,” Clift said. “After the start, (all water) was fair game.”
Adams, who hails from Blue Ridge, Ga., and fishes with the Chattanooga Bass Association, said it took him all day to boat his four bass. He’s making a long run on the sprawling 160,000-acre lake, and plans to do so again on Saturday. He had a big bass on his line in the final minutes of angling time, but it dropped off.
“It looked like it was about 5 or 6 pounds,” Adams said. “That fish would have made it interesting.”
Faber and Gardner won the team championship on Thursday, but both men struggled on Friday. Faber weighed the biggest bass today, a 6-3 lunker he caught early in the morning. His bites have produced quality fish, but he failed to boat a limit for the third consecutive day.
“I’m just not getting the bites I need, and I only had five bites today,” Faber said. “But whatever we’ve found, they’ve been big ones.”
With fish that heavy biting in December, the half dozen remaining anglers know they all technically remain in the hunt for that spot in the Bassmaster Classic.
But Clift certainly is in the pole position. He plans to fish the same area on Saturday and hope he can, as the saying goes, finish what he started.
“I just have to go hit ’em, and hit ’em hard,” Clift said.
Launch for the final day of the Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off will begin at 6:30 a.m. CT at Paris Landing State Park. Weigh-in is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT.
The tournament is presented by the Henry County Alliance.
2016 Bassmaster Team Championship Title Sponsor: Toyota Bonus Bucks
2016 Bassmaster Team Championship Premier Sponsors: Mercury, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha, Huk, Humminbird, Minn Kota, GoPro
2016 Bassmaster Team Championship Supporting Sponsors: Livingston Lures, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Carhartt, Phoenix Boats, Rapala, Shimano, Shell Rotella
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), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic.
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Media Contact: JamieDay Matthews, 205-313-0945, [email protected] or Dave Precht, 205-313-0931, [email protected].
Toyota Bonus Bucks Team Championship Classic Fish Off
12/2/2016 - 12/3/2016
Kentucky Lake - Paris Landing State Park - Paris, TN
STANDINGS BOATER DAY 1
Today's Activity
# Fish Lbs - Oz
Accumulative
Name # Live # Fish # Live Lbs - Oz
1 Scott Clift - Joe Bass TT 5 5 17- 8 5 5 17- 8
2 Barron Adams - Chattanooga Bass Association 4 4 9- 2 4 4 9- 2
3 Ty Faber - Ultimate Bass TT 2 2 8- 7 2 2 8- 7
4 Ashley Medley - Joe Bass TT 3 3 6- 2 3 3 6- 2
5 Trevor Prince - Chattanooga Bass Association 2 2 4-12 2 2 4-12
6 John Gardner - Ultimate Bass TT 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
Name City,State Lbs-Oz
BIG BASS
Day
1 Pagosa Springs, CO 6- 3
Day # Live Lbs-Oz # Limits
TOTALS
# Fish
1 16 16 45-15 1
2 0 0 0- 0 0
Colorado Team wins BASS National Team Championship on Kentucky Lake - Top 3 teams move on to compete for Classic Berth
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Jamey Caldwell talks Cuda Brand tools - The last pair of shears you'll ever need.
BASS Opens Pro Angler Jamey Caldwell talks about Cuda Brand Shears that he uses in his boat and why these are the last pair of shears he will ever own.
Anglers Choice Marine Team leads BASS Team Championship on Kentucky Lake
Andrew Canulette
PARIS, Tenn. — When soaking rains and cold temperatures moved across western Tennessee earlier this week, people wondered how the changing weather would affect fishing in the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship on Kentucky Lake.
On Wednesday at Paris Landing State Park, Ken Thompson and Brad Weese provided the answer.
Though the duo has only fished together less than a year, they looked like lifelong partners. The team from the Angler’s Choice Team Trail boated a five-bass limit that totaled 24 pounds, 10 ounces and gave them a solid lead after the opening round of the national team championship.
Weese, who is from Petersburg, W.Va., caught the two biggest bass of their creel; each weighed approximately 6 1/2 pounds. Thompson, of Raysburg, Pa., provided the rest of the weight with a 4-pounder and two 3 1/2-pound bass. They didn’t catch many fish in practice rounds when the weather was extremely disagreeable, but found three spots today that lit up after they ditched their initial fishing area earlier in the morning.
“We complement each other in that we both like fishing the same style,” Thompson said. “If I’m doing something, I know he can do it. And if he has something working, I can fish the same way. We’ll hit those same spots tomorrow. There are fish out there.”
Thompson and Weese comprised one of only four two-person teams weighing-in more than 20 pounds of bass on Wednesday. Mark McCaig and Tim Hurst of the Sylacauga Big Bucks Buddy Trail in Alabama are in second place with a limit of 22-8. They are closely followed by Ty Faber and John Gardner of the Ultimate Bass Team Trail in Colorado, third with 22-0, and Derrick and Dustin Compton of the (South) Carolina Bass Challenge Team are fourth with 20-3.
Twenty-five teams are within 10 pounds of Thompson’s and Weese’s lead. In all, 159 of the 186 teams registered in the Bassmaster Team Championship caught at least one bass today, and 58 of them had limits.
Surprisingly, Faber and Gardner, who currently are in third place, were without a limit. They caught four bass on all day, two of which came among their first casts of the day. One of the throws boated a 6-10 lunker to boost the bag.
“This is our first time here, so we don’t know the lake at all,” Gardner said. “So this was good fishing for us today. There were a lot of fish (on our spot,) and we literally stayed on it all day.”
With 160,000 acres to explore, Kentucky Lake offers plenty of territory for anglers to cover. But Faber and Gardner may have found what some pundits said would be the key to success in this tournament — a spot that replenishes itself throughout the day.
“When you don’t have another spot to go to, you stay where you are,” Faber joked.
“So we’ll start in the same spot again tomorrow, for sure,” Gardner said.
McCaig and Hurst had the big bass of the day — an 8-3 lunker that Hurst said was caught on a crankbait following the shad bite on Kentucky Lake. Both men said they didn’t catch much in practice, but felt like it would take at least 20 pounds a day to make the cut after Thursday’s action.
“This is the Tennessee River, so you know it’s going to take a good weight to win,” McCaig said. “The first place we started today, we caught an 8-pounder, then a 4-pounder. So why leave?”
“We had three spots in mind, we hit one, and it produced,” Hurst said. “Hopefully we can do it again tomorrow.”
Rain Monday and Tuesday gave way to partly cloudy skies, 50 degree air temperatures, and slack winds on Wednesday. Conditions are supposed to be significantly colder for Thursday’s fishing, after which the team champions will be crowned.
The Top 3 teams will qualify for the Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off to be held on Friday and Saturday, also on Kentucky Lake. In that event, each angler fishes individually, teammate against teammate. The competitor who brings in the heaviest daily catches will earn the final available space in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic when it is held in March on Lake Conroe outside of Houston, Texas.
This week’s event marks the third year B.A.S.S. has held a team championship. The tournament is composed of winning pairs from team trails throughout the U.S. that are sanctioned by B.A.S.S.
In all, 194 teams from 31 states and one Canadian province are represented.
The Day 2 launch will begin at 6:30 a.m. CT at Paris Landing State Park, and weigh-in will follow at 2:30 p.m.
The Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship is hosted by the Henry County Alliance.
TOURNAMENT STANDINGS
Place Name Day 1
Fish / Weight Total
Fish / Weight
1
Ken Thompson - Brad Weese
Anglers Choice
5 / 24-10 5 / 24-10
2
Mark McCaig - Tim Hurst
Big Bucks Buddy Trail
5 / 22- 8 5 / 22- 8
3
Ty Faber - John Gardner
Ultimate Bass TT
4 / 22- 0 4 / 22- 0
4
Derrick Compton - Dustin Compton
Carolina Bass Challenge
5 / 20- 3 5 / 20- 3
5
Tim Grein - Richard Cooper
Anglers Choice
5 / 19- 3 5 / 19- 3
6
Kris Colley - Adam Bain
Airport Marine
5 / 18-15 5 / 18-15
7
David Caylor - Robbie Pelt
Alabama Bass Trail
5 / 18- 6 5 / 18- 6
8
Seth Davis - Brent Butler
Chattanooga Bass Association
5 / 18- 1 5 / 18- 1
9
Dustin Bishop - Kyle Lear
Fishers of Men
5 / 17-14 5 / 17-14
10
Kyle Kempkers - Brett Haveman
BBT Bass R Us
5 / 17- 8 5 / 17- 8
11
Dylan Hays - Jimmy Mize
Arkansas Bass Team Trail
5 / 17- 2 5 / 17- 2
12
Josh Greer - Robert Greer
Anglers In Action
4 / 16-13 4 / 16-13
13
Dustin Neat - Mark Wethington
NTBA
5 / 16- 1 5 / 16- 1
14
Josh Busby - Timothy Taylor
Ozark Mountain TT
5 / 15-14 5 / 15-14
15
Cole Hyder - Joel Saunders
PBC TT
5 / 15-11 5 / 15-11
16
Jake Beem - Cade Alsbury
Anglers In Action
5 / 15- 5 5 / 15- 5
17
Steve Drinnon - Paul Vaccaro
Fishers of Men
4 / 15- 2 4 / 15- 2
18
Timothy Dube - Kevin Miller
NH BN TT
5 / 15- 1 5 / 15- 1
18
Jeremy Gordon - Philip Gordon
Morristown Marine
5 / 15- 1 5 / 15- 1
20
Josh Wray - Donald Wray
Ozark Mountain TT
5 / 14- 9 5 / 14- 9
21
Jay Hulsey - Kyle Hulsey
Ozark Mountain Team Trail
5 / 14- 4 5 / 14- 4
22
Jason Walcott - Jimmy Vanden Berg Jr
West Michigan Bass
4 / 14- 2 4 / 14- 2
23
Larry Bullock - Roger Caldwell
Alabama Bass Trail
5 / 14- 1 5 / 14- 1
23
Shawn Skobel - Logan Crayton
Fishers of Men
5 / 14- 1 5 / 14- 1
25
Stacey Poynter - Rodney Lucas
Fishers of Men
5 / 13-14 5 / 13-14
26
Rick Imler - Robert Newlon
Great Lakes Largemouth Series
5 / 13-13 5 / 13-13
27
Truett Hill Jr - Chris Coleman
FOM
5 / 13-11 5 / 13-11
28
Jason McFarland - Michael Carter
NTBA
5 / 13- 9 5 / 13- 9
29
Vaughn Capasso - Chris Capasso
IL BN TT
4 / 13- 7 4 / 13- 7
30
Rex Chambers - Brent Crow
Alabama Bass Trail
4 / 13- 5 4 / 13- 5
31
Keith McDeerman - Von Dilbeck
Morristown Marine
3 / 13- 0 3 / 13- 0
32
Chad Schroeder - Chase Schroeder
McNider Marine
5 / 12-15 5 / 12-15
33
Lee Bishop - Mike Miller
Fishers of Men
4 / 12-15 4 / 12-15
34
Scott Jones - Dustin Cauthon
Arkansas Bass Team Trail
5 / 12-13 5 / 12-13
35
Jeff Gee - Steve Majewski
AC Tournament Trail
5 / 12-10 5 / 12-10
36
Kelly Jones - Roger Satterfield
Ozark Mountain TT
5 / 12- 9 5 / 12- 9
37
Chris Darby - Danny Gwinn
Arkansas Bass Team Trail
5 / 12- 7 5 / 12- 7
37
Ben King - Tim Hickson
Anglers In Action
5 / 12- 7 5 / 12- 7
37
Jarrod Sherwood - Jeff Yorks
MI - Team Bass
5 / 12- 7 5 / 12- 7
37
Jesse Wiggins - Jordan Wiggins
Alabama Bass Trail
5 / 12- 7 5 / 12- 7
41
Brian Funkhouser - Kenneth Reed
IN BN TT
5 / 12- 6 5 / 12- 6
42
Mark O'Brien - Ryne Sanders
AC Tournament Trail
5 / 12- 4 5 / 12- 4
43
Fred Ingalls II - Mark Allen
Upstate Anglers
5 / 12- 2 5 / 12- 2
44
Steve Singleton - A.L. Needham Jr
Fishers of Men
5 / 12- 1 5 / 12- 1
45
James Ward - Sam Musicck
Anglers Choice
5 / 12- 0 5 / 12- 0
46
Nathan Burgess - Brent Riley
Carolina Bass Challenge
3 / 11-14 3 / 11-14
47
Dell Mettlen Jr - Justin Harris
KS BN TT
5 / 11-13 5 / 11-13
48
Joe Magnatta - Dennis Carter
Lakeland Bassmasters TT
4 / 11- 9 4 / 11- 9
49
Ron Fabiszak Jr - Ron Nelson
D&R Sports Team Trail
4 / 11- 8 4 / 11- 8
50
Derrell Potter - Bill Benford
Fishers of Men
5 / 11- 3 5 / 11- 3
51
Robert Grike - Eric Nelson
James River Priority
5 / 11- 2 5 / 11- 2
51
Wayne Vaughan Jr - Mitch Blankenship
James River Priority
5 / 11- 2 5 / 11- 2
53
Don Ingram - Ronnie Grant
NTBA
4 / 11- 2 4 / 11- 2
54
Christopher Risner - Timothy Eaton
2015 Champ - D&R Sports Team Trail
5 / 11- 1 5 / 11- 1
55
Lance Walker - Brad Wilemon
Fishers of Men
4 / 11- 0 4 / 11- 0
56
Dillon Tucker - Greg Tucker
Alabama Bass Trail
4 / 10-12 4 / 10-12
57
Rogne Brown Jr - Cary Dotson
Chattanooga Bass Association
4 / 10- 8 4 / 10- 8
58
Eric Kiliszewski - Edwin Ammerman
West Michigan Bass
5 / 10- 7 5 / 10- 7
59
Bret Hoeksema - Shawn Martinie
BBT Bass R Us
4 / 10- 3 4 / 10- 3
59
Timmy Poe - Jeremiah Kindy
Arkansas Bass Team Trail
4 / 10- 3 4 / 10- 3
61
Bryan Baker - Darren Baker
Joe Bass TT
3 / 10- 3 3 / 10- 3
61
Dan Parker - Mark Sexton
IA BN TT
3 / 10- 3 3 / 10- 3
63
Dalton Bobo - Lonnie O'Neal
Alabama Bass Trail
3 / 10- 2 3 / 10- 2
64
Chuck James - Brad James
Chattanooga Bass Association
3 / 10- 1 3 / 10- 1
65
Dale Duncan Jr - Donny Woody
Carolina Bass Challenge
4 / 9-12 4 / 9-12
66
Luke Jarman - Bobby Morgan
Joe Bass TT
3 / 9-12 3 / 9-12
67
Buster Lilly Jr - Travis Lilly
White Pine Marine Tournament Trail
3 / 9- 4 3 / 9- 4
68
Rick Johnston - Joe Brantley
Ozark Mountain TT
2 / 9- 4 2 / 9- 4
69
Mickey Anderson - Bo Boltz Jr
James River Priority
3 / 9- 0 3 / 9- 0
70
Marty Giddens - Joshua Stracner
Big Bucks Buddy Trail
4 / 8-14 4 / 8-14
71
Darrin King - Mark Mahaffey
Joe Bass TT
3 / 8-14 3 / 8-14
72
Tyler Moberly - Christopher Howard
Morristown Marine
3 / 8-11 3 / 8-11
73
Nicholas Bodsford - Richard Owen
James River Priority
4 / 8- 5 4 / 8- 5
74
Martin Elshout - Mark Price
Fishers of Men
4 / 8- 3 4 / 8- 3
75
Bo Chappell - Wayne King
Carolina Bass Challenge
4 / 8- 1 4 / 8- 1
76
Brad Hickinbottom - Brian McCay
Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit
3 / 8- 1 3 / 8- 1
77
Mickey Lewis - Duane Ritter
TN BN TT
3 / 7-15 3 / 7-15
78
Jake Deeds - Stacey Burson
Media Bass
3 / 7-14 3 / 7-14
79
Skyler Schultz - Richard Schultz
Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit
4 / 7-12 4 / 7-12
80
Bryant Copley - Steve West
Anglers Choice
3 / 7- 7 3 / 7- 7
81
Matthew Dyer - Ross TenHarmsel
West Michigan Bass
3 / 7- 4 3 / 7- 4
82
Tim Coffey - Mitch Lewis
NTBA
3 / 7- 1 3 / 7- 1
83
Wesley Cashwell - Shane Doughtie
Carolina Bass Challenge
3 / 6-15 3 / 6-15
84
Michael Milton - Paul Sharp
Morristown Marine
2 / 6-14 2 / 6-14
85
Sean Hoernke - Curt McCauley
TX BN TT
3 / 6-10 3 / 6-10
86
Chris Glover - Chris Alexander
AC Tournament Trail
2 / 6-10 2 / 6-10
86
Matt McCoy - Dennis Davis
IN BN Team Trail
2 / 6-10 2 / 6-10
88
Joe Raftery - Tom Martin
NV BN TT
3 / 6- 8 3 / 6- 8
89
Jeston Anderson - Robbie Robinson
Alabama Bass Trail
2 / 6- 7 2 / 6- 7
90
Jonathan Spivey - Derick Livingston
Carolina Bass Challenge
3 / 6- 0 3 / 6- 0
91
Tony McCraw - Penny McCraw
Fishers of Men
2 / 5-13 2 / 5-13
92
Mack Cook - Patrick Cook
Carolina Bass Challenge
2 / 5-12 2 / 5-12
93
Douglas Polasek - Dan Hatchew
West Michigan Bass
2 / 5- 9 2 / 5- 9
94
Samuel Fish - Justin Hamner
Alabama Bass Trail
1 / 5- 9 1 / 5- 9
95
Don Heiser - James Sells
Joe Bass TT
2 / 5- 8 2 / 5- 8
96
Mitch Miles - Scott Sawyers
Anglers Choice
2 / 5- 6 2 / 5- 6
97
Harold Black - Lacy Burnette
Anglers Choice
2 / 5- 5 2 / 5- 5
97
Brian Thompson - Eric Hammond
Anglers In Action
2 / 5- 5 2 / 5- 5
99
Brad Nappier - Brian Nappier
Fishers of Men
2 / 5- 4 2 / 5- 4
100
Joel Lee - Steve Hadley
Dockside Marine
2 / 5- 1 2 / 5- 1
101
Chris Dover - Robert Fowler
Carolina Bass Challenge
2 / 4-14 2 / 4-14
102
Mike Williams - Duane Jacobs
Bassmania Team Trail
1 / 4-13 1 / 4-13
103
Jess Caraballo - Mark Condron
CT BN Team Trail
2 / 4-12 2 / 4-12
103
David Crumpton - Tim Trahan
Arkansas Bass Team Trail
2 / 4-12 2 / 4-12
105
Nick Vitullo - Jarrett Knize
AC Tournament Trail
1 / 4-11 1 / 4-11
106
Vince Loschiavo - Brandon Blystone
Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit
2 / 4- 9 2 / 4- 9
107
Jake Boomer - Jason Bryan
Northwest Bass
2 / 4- 5 2 / 4- 5
108
Jeff Seamans - Terry Algier
DE BN Team Trail
1 / 4- 2 1 / 4- 2
109
Casey Warren - Wesley Carroll
Carolina Anglers Tournament Trail
2 / 4- 0 2 / 4- 0
110
Ryan Butler - Dustin Lippe
Anglers In Action
1 / 4- 0 1 / 4- 0
110
Shawn Lolley - Davy Lolley
Alabama Bass Trail
1 / 4- 0 1 / 4- 0
112
Scott Henley - Neil McDonald
Carolina Bass Challenge
1 / 3-15 1 / 3-15
113
Brian McCarter - Jason Fowler
NTBA
1 / 3- 9 1 / 3- 9
114
Wayne Moyher - Craig Powers
Morristown Marine
2 / 3- 7 2 / 3- 7
115
Curtis Richardson - Brad Arnott
Renegade Bass
1 / 3- 7 1 / 3- 7
116
Duane Poole - Mike Merz
Upstate Anglers
1 / 3- 6 1 / 3- 6
117
Gus Kneidinger - Jason Kneidinger
Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit
1 / 2-15 1 / 2-15
118
Brett McLean - Mac McLean
Carolina Bass Challenge
1 / 2-12 1 / 2-12
119
Todd Sosebee - Steve Postell
Carolina Bass Challenge
1 / 2-11 1 / 2-11
120
Russ Padgett Jr - Meredith Havird
Carolina Bass Challenge
1 / 2- 2 1 / 2- 2
121
Juddie Revels III - David Oxendine
Carolina Bass Challenge
1 / 2- 0 1 / 2- 0
122
Jay Cranney - Travis Jewell
Ultimate Bass Team Trail
1 / 1-15
2017 BASS Elite Series Field set.
BASS Communications Newsletter
Nov. 30, 2016
Rookies Join Bass Fishing Legends In 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Field
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series roster has been set at 111 and will include at least 13 newcomers to the prestigious bass fishing circuit, B.A.S.S. announced today. The new tournament year, which begins in February, also marks the return of legendary angler David Fritts of Lexington, N.C., to B.A.S.S. competition.
“We have seen less attrition among the current Elite anglers and a higher rate of acceptance from Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens qualifiers than ever before,” said Trip Weldon, B.A.S.S. tournament director.
B.A.S.S. guidelines permit up to 15 top Opens competitors — five each from the three divisions — to join the Elite Series each year. This year, 13 of the 15 accepted invitations, compared to 12 in 2015.
In addition to the two declines from the Opens, two Elite Series anglers dropped out after the 2016 season’s end. Former GEICO Bassmaster Classic champion and Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Davy Hite is retiring to become a commentator on Bassmaster TV and “LIVE” programs, and rookie Fabian Rodriguez chose not to return.
Those spots were filled from the current Elite Series roster based on final Angler of the Year points standings.
According to B.A.S.S. tournament rules, the Top 70 in AOY points automatically requalify for the following season. They are joined by up to 15 from the Opens and one qualifier from the B.A.S.S. Nation. Newcomers to the Elites are given a “grace season” should they fail to requalify after the first year. The remaining spots needed to achieve a full field of 108 are awarded based on AOY rankings for each year of an angler’s career, after dropping the lowest score.
“Unfortunately, demand for berths in the Elite Series is greater than the number of spots available, so nine of our Elite anglers were unable to requalify,” Weldon said. “The anglers were offered priority entry into 2017 Bassmaster Opens, in the event they wished to try to qualify for the Elites again.”
Special exemptions added three to the field, bringing the total to 111. One Elite angler, Nate Wellman, is returning from a medical exemption, and two former Classic winners — Paul Elias and Fritts — are taking advantage of a new “Legend Exemption” offered to icons of the sport. Elias, the 1982 Classic winner, has fished the Elite Series since its inception in 2006. Fritts left B.A.S.S. competition in 2005 but expressed elation at being able to return next year.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back to B.A.S.S. and fishing the Elites,” Fritts said. “I used to fish the Top 100s, but when they started the Elites I, ‘semiretired.’ Now, every time I attend the Classic, it brings back memories. It’s a way of life for me, and something I’ve missed out on.”
After winning the Bassmaster Classic in 1993, Fritts, who will be 60 when the 2017 series gets under way, was Bassmaster Angler of the Year in 1994. He also won the Forrest Wood Cup in 1997.
In addition to the legends and veterans, 11 rookies will compete on the 11-event Elite Series trail, including 10 from the Opens and one, Darrell Ocamica of Fruitland, Idaho, who accepted the invitation offered to one of the three top finishers in the 2016 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan.
Two of the Opens qualifiers, Stetson Blaylock of Benton, Ark., and Jacob Wheeler of Indianapolis, Ind., were highly successful competitors on the FLW circuit and are considered “newcomers” instead of rookies. Another non-rookie, Chad Pipkens of Holt, Mich., requalified for the Elites as one of the Top 5 in performance points on the Northern Opens circuit.
The 2017 Elite Series kicks off with the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Cherokee in Knoxville and Jefferson County, Tenn., Feb. 9-12. Anglers will compete again two weeks later at Lake Okeechobee, Florida, and then take a break for the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic in Houston, Texas, March 24-26. The Classic and two other marquee tournaments in the Series — Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship — each offers a purse of at least $1 million.
Following are the anglers registered to compete in the 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series:
2017 Elite Series Anglers
| Angler | Hometown/State | Qualification Route |
| Casey Ashley | Donalds, SC | Elite Series |
| Adrian Avena | Vineland, NJ | Elite Series |
| Drew Benton | Panama City, FL | Elite Series |
| Josh Bertrand | Gilbert, AZ | Elite Series |
| Tommy Biffle | Wagoner, OK | Elite Series |
| Stetson Blaylock | Benton, AR | Southern Opens |
| Jay Brainard | Enid, OK | Elite Series |
| Stephen Browning | Hot Springs, AR | Elite Series |
| Brandon Card | Caryville, TN | Elite Series |
| Tyler Carriere* | Youngsville, LA | Central Opens |
| Brent Chapman | Lake Quivira, KS | Elite Series |
| Hank Cherry Jr. | Maiden, NC | Elite Series |
| Jason Christie | Park Hill, OK | Elite Series |
| Luke Clausen | Spokane, WA | Elite Series |
| Rick Clunn | Ava, MO | Elite Series |
| Keith Combs | Huntington, TX | Elite Series |
| Dustin Connell* | Clanton, AL | Southern Opens |
| Brandon Coulter | Knoxville, TN | Elite Series |
| John Crews Jr. | Salem, VA | Elite Series |
| Cliff Crochet | Pierre Part, LA | Elite Series |
| Mark Daniels Jr.* | Tuskegee, AL | Southern Opens |
| Clent Davis | Montevallo, AL | Elite Series |
| Mark Davis | Mount Ida, AR | Elite Series |
| Ott DeFoe | Knoxville, TN | Elite Series |
| Boyd Duckett | Guntersville, AL | Elite Series |
| Brent Ehrler | Newport Beach, CA | Elite Series |
| James Elam | Tulsa, OK | Elite Series |
| Paul Elias | Laurel, MS | Legend |
| Edwin Evers | Talala, OK | Elite Series |
| Todd Faircloth | Jasper, TX | Elite Series |
| Seth Feider | Bloomington, MN | Elite Series |
| Micah Frazier | Newnan, GA | Elite Series |
| David Fritts | Lexington, NC | Legend |
| Chad Grigsby | Maple Grove, MN | Elite Series |
| Shaw Grigsby Jr. | Gainesville, FL | Elite Series |
| Greg Hackney | Gonzales, LA | Elite Series |
| Skylar Hamilton* | Dandridge, TN | Central Opens |
| Jamie Hartman* | Newport, NY | Northern Opens |
| Matt Herren | Ashville, AL | Elite Series |
| Brett Hite | Phoenix, AZ | Elite Series |
| Tim Horton | Muscle Shoals, AL | Elite Series |
| Randy Howell | Guntersville, AL | Elite Series |
| John Hunter | Shelbyville, KY | Elite Series |
| Michael Iaconelli | Pittsgrove, NJ | Elite Series |
| Kelley Jaye | Dadeville, AL | Elite Series |
| Alton Jones Jr.* | Lorena, TX | Central Opens |
| Alton Jones Sr. | Lorena, TX | Elite Series |
| Kelly Jordon | Flint, TX | Elite Series |
| Steve Kennedy | Auburn, AL | Elite Series |
| Gary Klein | Weatherford, TX | Elite Series |
| Koby Kreiger | Bokeelia, FL | Elite Series |
| Jeff Kriet | Ardmore, OK | Elite Series |
| Bobby Lane | Lakeland, FL | Elite Series |
| Chris Lane | Guntersville, AL | Elite Series |
| Russ Lane | Prattville, AL | Elite Series |
| Robbie Latuso* | Gonzales, LA | Central Opens |
| Jordan Lee | Vinemont, AL | Elite Series |
| Matt Lee | Guntersville, AL | Elite Series |
| Dave Lefebre | Erie, PA | Elite Series |
| Brandon Lester | Fayetteville, TN | Elite Series |
| Shane Lineberger | Lincolnton, NC | Elite Series |
| Jared Lintner | Arroyo Grande, CA | Elite Series |
| Bill Lowen | Brookville, IN | Elite Series |
| Justin Lucas | Guntersville, AL | Elite Series |
| Aaron Martens | Leeds, AL | Elite Series |
| Mike McClelland | Bella Vista, AR | Elite Series |
| Mark Menendez | Paducah, KY | Elite Series |
| Ish Monroe | Hughson, CA | Elite Series |
| Andy Montgomery | Blacksburg, SC | Elite Series |
| Chad Morgenthaler | Reeds Spring, MO | Elite Series |
| Brock Mosley | Collinsville, MS | Elite Series |
| Paul Mueller | Naugatuck, CT | Elite Series |
| David Mullins | Mount Carmel, TN | Elite Series |
| John Murray | Phoenix, AZ | Elite Series |
| Britt Myers | Lake Wylie, SC | Elite Series |
| James Niggemeyer | Van, TX | Elite Series |
| Darrell Ocamica* | Fruitland, ID | B.A.S.S. Nation |
| Takahiro Omori | Emory, TX | Elite Series |
| Cliff Pace | Petal, MS | Elite Series |
| Brandon Palaniuk | Hayden, ID | Elite Series |
| Chad Pipkens | Holt, MI | Northern Opens |
| Clifford Pirch | Payson, AZ | Elite Series |
| Keith Poche | Pike Road, AL | Elite Series |
| Jacob Powroznik | Port Haywood, VA | Elite Series |
| Brett Preuett | Monroe, LA | Elite Series |
| Cliff Prince | Palatka, FL | Elite Series |
| Skeet Reese | Auburn, CA | Elite Series |
| Marty Robinson | Lyman, SC | Elite Series |
| Dean Rojas | Lake Havasu City, AZ | Elite Series |
| Scott Rook | Little Rock, AR | Elite Series |
| Fred Roumbanis | Russellville, AR | Elite Series |
| Bradley Roy | Lancaster, KY | Elite Series |
| Bernie Schultz | Gainesville, FL | Elite Series |
| Terry Scroggins | San Mateo, FL | Elite Series |
| Morizo Shimizu | Osaka, Japan | Elite Series |
| Fletcher Shryock | New Philadelphia, OH | Elite Series |
| Brian Snowden | Reeds Spring, MO | Elite Series |
| Gerald Spohrer* | Gonzales, LA | Central Opens |
| Gerald Swindle | Guntersville, AL | Elite Series |
| Jesse Tacoronte* | Orlando, FL | Northern Opens |
| Randall Tharp | Port St. Joe, FL | Elite Series |
| Jonathon VanDam | Kalamazoo, MI | Elite Series |
| Kevin VanDam | Kalamazoo, MI | Elite Series |
| Greg Vinson | Wetumpka, AL | Elite Series |
| David Walker | Sevierville, TN | Elite Series |
| Nate Wellman | Newaygo, MI | Elite Series |
| Jacob Wheeler | Indianapolis, IN | Northern Opens |
| Jesse Wiggins* | Cullman, AL | Southern Opens |
| David Williams | Newton, NC | Elite Series |
| Jason Williamson | Wagener, SC | Elite Series |
| Chris Zaldain | San Jose, CA | Elite Series |
(*—denotes Elite Series rookie)
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Power-Pole, Yamaha, Berkley, Huk
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: T-H Marine, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, Rapala, Shell Rotella, Shimano, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures
Crossover products are as helpful on the water is in the woods
Fishing wise, take advantage of the topwater bite as shad should be up in the creeks, bluegills around the banks and bass close behind - or out ahead, lying in ambush. The shiners in our local pond are bigger than my foot. it takes a big bass to eat such bait. We've got 'em.
As for our deer herd, Florida is not known for producing trophy bucks. There are a few nice specimens in North Florida. They are seldom seen during daylight hours, except at the peak of the rut.
Strike King Lure Company partners with Jackson Kayaks and Orion Coolers
Press release furnished by Strike King Lure Company
Collierville, Tenn. (Dec. 1, 2016) – Three iconic brands have joined forces, as partners in marketing, across their respective industries. Strike King, a staple name among anglers for over 50 years is excited to announce that they are teaming up with Orion Coolers and their parent company, Jackson Kayaks. This partnership will include sponsorship of Jackson’s namesake, Eric Jackson as he competes on the FLW Tour. Eric is the godfather of kayaking and has worked very hard to bring kayak fishing to the forefront of the fishing industry.
“We recognize the growth in kayak fishing. It is arguably the fastest growing segment of our market and just like Jackson and Orion, we intend for Strike King to be the brand of choice among kayak anglers” says Doug Minor, VP of Sales and Marketing for Strike King. “We are excited to partner with Eric and his brands as he competes professionally and we strive to fulfill the needs of our customers. The combination of our knowledge and skill sets should translate into some pretty exciting future projects”, Minor adds.
“Teaming up with Strike King was a no-brainer. On a personal level, their products are all that I use and need in FLW competition. In regards to Jackson Kayak and Orion Coolers, it will be an awesome avenue to educate consumers on our brands and products through sponsoring Pro Team Journal and Fish Hard” affirms world-renowned kayaker and professional Angler, Eric Jackson. “We believe that the same customers who purchase Strike King products for their quality and value will benefit from understanding the same principles are at the core of our brands as well.”
Look for more from Strike King, Jackson Kayaks and Orion Coolers as new episodes of Pro Team Journal by Strike King and Strike King’s Fish Hard beginning airing during the first quarter of 2017.
More information, please go to www.strikeking.com, www.jacksonkayak.com, and www.orioncoolers.com.
Hold Tight to Today
Written by: Chris Brown
"I said Grandpa what's this picture here....."
Like many of us, some of our earliest memories involved a Grandparent, for me it was my Grandfather.
"If it looks like we were scared to death......"
For the 40 years I have been alive and for the 53 before that, Wallace Collie never met a stranger and never backed down from a challenge. A homebuilder by trade and a handyman by night, I never saw anything he couldn't do or couldn't fix. He was a WWII Vet, a Husband, a Father, A Grandfather and a man of God. Every Sunday you could find him on the end of the 3rd pew of Ringgold Baptist Church while his wife sang in the choir and his daughter played the piano.
My outdoors life, when I was back home in Virginia, consisted of my Grandfather and my Uncle. My Dad has always been hands on and extremely supportive, but my Grandfather and uncle taught me how to fish, how to run a boat and many of the outdoor activities I enjoy with my kids today.
On our annual family vacations to White Lake, NC, he helped teach me to waterski behind his Thunderbird Ski boat and in the evenings he and my Uncle took us boys across the lake to the fishing hole after supper. As a young boy, I learned quick to watch and listen.......and learn.
One of my fondest memories of my Grandfather, were those annual vacations to White lake. Each year, up until he was in his early 80's, he and I would water ski together behind my Uncles Ranger. We may not have stayed out long but he was always there, right beside me, smiling and laughing, and skiing.
When I was 21 years old I bought my first bass boat. A 1997 Ranger Sport R70. He and my Grandmother were in town visiting us and I couldn't wait to show him. We fished and caught a bunch of fish out of that boat and those were the trips I will never forget.
"A pictures worth a thousand words...."
In 2002 when I accepted a position with Strike King Lure Company, He was the first person I called. He thought about the news and the position for a minute and gave me this advice, "Son, The fishing business is seasonal work, will there be enough work to get you through the off-season and beyond? Can you make a good living in this industry?" He asked. Not sure he fully understood the scope of work, but you hardly ever saw him without that Strike King hat I gave him soon after I started. He was proud.
"This one is my favorite one.
This is me and grandma in the summer sun....."
The lady sitting next to him in the picture above. That's My Grandmother.
72 years they were married.
SEVEN-TWO....
I had to repeat that to a friend the other day when talking over the phone. Hardly seems possible doesn't it.
In his 93 years of life, his 72 years of marriage, he never let work get in the way of his family or his faith. Yes, He worked his ever-loving a$$ off, but it never interfered. His son Larry, (My Uncle), one of the best dudes you could ever have the pleasure of knowing. His daughter Wanda (My Mom), Well what can you say about your Mom? She's the deal.
Insert 4 Grand boys and it never slowed him down. Not one second.
He built over 50 homes in and around the small community of Ringgold, Virginia making sure everyones dreams came true. He helped me and my Brother and my Dad build storage sheds, decks, furniture, you name it. He taught me more about life without ever saying a word. He was my Grandfather.
"You Should have seen it in color....."
2 years ago. That was the last time I saw my Grandfather alive and doing well.
654 miles separated us........ A little over 8-1/2 hours of driving time.
Life gets busy, life gets hard, things get crazy, family, friends, holidays, work, travel, more work. Everything seemed to get in the way.
It always does. doesn't it?
Of all the people I have had the pleasure to know and to have spent time with in a boat, my Grandfather was my most favorite one. If I could have one more day with him in that little ole' Ranger I would drop everything I was doing and make sure I was there early.
As my wife and I drove the 8-1/2 hours home last night back to Alabama, I caught myself seeing things on the road, landmarks, lakes, rivers, places we have been, things we have done and they all involved my grandfather. I regret not being there more in the last few years of his life, I regret not spending more time with him when I was there. But as a my friend Don Barone wrote once in one of his columns,
"Yesterday, Yesterday Never comes back. Hold Tight to Today."
Hold your friends close and family closer, make sure those you love know it on a daily basis and always hold tight today.
Save me a fishing spot on the bank Grandaddy, I will see you again one day in Heaven.
God Bless,
CB
"In Color" - Written by Jamey Johnson, James otto and Lee Miller
Theis wins American Bass Anglers AFT D15 on Tar River
Jason Theis of Hubert, North Carolina won the AFT D15 event held on November 19, 2016 that ran out of Tranters Creek in Washington, North Carolina. Jason caught five bass weighing 12.72 pounds and says he caught his fish using a little bit of everything. Jason took home a check for $543 for first place.
In second among the competitors, Monte Morgan of Ayden, North Carolina caught five bass weighing 11.05 pounds. Monte pocketed a check for $329.
Taking third place, Steve Bishop of Goldsboro, North Carolina caught five bass weighing 9.60 pounds. Steve received a check for $108.
Top Five Finishers:
1. Jason Theis 12.72
2. Monte Morgan 11.05
3. Steve Bishop 9.60
4. Michael Colbert 9.01
5. Rollin Willmon 8.60
The next divisional event will be held December 3, 2016 on Neuse River in New Bern, North Carolina. For more information on this or any future event in this division contact Chad Conwell at (252)717-8602 or by email at [email protected].
I would like to thank our local sponsors for supporting us throughout 2015 and in to 2016.
• Deep Creek Lures
• Captain Gary’s Marine Care Products
• E-Z Bait and Tackle
• BJ and Son Tackle & Custom Rods
These anglers are earning valuable points toward the divisional angler of the year title. The points champion from each division will compete in the annual Ram American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of the Year Final Round at the Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship.
The Ram American Fishing Tour offers low cost, close to home bass tournaments that are designed for the weekend angler. All ABA 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 Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship. For more information on American Bass Anglers please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256)232-0406.
INDIAN SUMMER EXTENDS OPPORTUNITIES
By David A. Brown
Calendars and thermometers aren’t always on the same page and when fall seems reluctant to relinquish summer’s residuals, the ensuing weather patterns bring a bounty of opportunity balanced by strategic considerations. It’s called an Indian Summer, a weather phenomenon technically described as a late-season warmup with mostly sunny, clear conditions and above average temperatures, an Indian Summer can arrive as early as late September, but October-November is more the norm.
Technically, these conditions occur after the first frost in northern latitudes, but regardless of timing, Bassmaster Elite pro Kevin VanDam knows the Indian Summer phenomenon proves profound because it overlaps a seasonal constant — shortening daylight periods. Notwithstanding the impacts we’ll look at next, the fish will always defer to their instinctual course.
“Their movement as they transition into their fall pattern and then into their winter pattern is not based on water temperature, it’s more based on the time of the year,” he said of typical bass behavior. “Instead of going all the way to the backs of the creeks, you have to think about where that next seasonal pattern is going to be, so they’re going to be closer to their wintering areas.
“They may be shallow, but they’re going to be closer to deep water, closer to a channel swing, or the mouth of a creek.”
DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES
As VanDam points out, Indian Summers extend seasonal patterns that leave fish vulnerable to observant anglers.
“Later in the year, when you have above normal water temperatures and weather conditions and you have things warming in the afternoon; you’ll see spikes in activity levels,” VanDam said. “Late in the fall, you’ll see a lot of shad activity and bass in the shallow — things you normally shouldn’t see this time of year.
“You’ll really see that in the afternoon when the sun gets up. So you have windows of high activity by both the bait and the bass.”
And don’t miss the “after party.” VanDam notes that a true Indian Summer is a relatively brief period that eventually gives way to late Autumn’s inevitable cold fronts. However, pockets of similar opportunity often arise between the frosty stuff.
“If you get a warming trend once the weather has gotten cold, the same thing can happen again,” VanDam said. “It’s really about watching the weather patterns and seeing those abnormal spikes in temperature.
“When you get a mild system that hangs around for a week, in the afternoons, you can get some high activity level. The reason the bass are active is their forage is active.”
Conversely, sudden temperature declines impart a gathering effect. As VanDam explains, a cold front that concludes Indian Summer conditions will pull all the bass off a shallow feeding flat and park them them on the closest channel swing stretch where they’ll hold on the steeper contour until the weather warms up, or conditions signal winter’s official onset.
BEST BAITS
Acknowledging the overall benefits of an Indian Summer, Elite pro Greg Hackney notes a balancing point: “With these warmer-than-normal temperatures we’re having, it cuts back on my opportunities to power fish and go back to big lures like you’d use in the summer. It’s still a great time to fish and you can get a lot of bites, but I feel like I need to downsize.
“What happens with these warmer temperatures is this year’s baitfish hatch still seems to be moving, but the bigger baitfish haven’t moved yet. So, by downsizing a little bit, you’re basically using the same presentations, just smaller. You’re still going to have good results during a weird seasonal (occurrence).”
Hackney summarized his downsized selections: “Rather than flipping a big Strike King Rodent or a jig, I’ll downsize to a Strike King Tube. I’ll also downsize my (flipping) weight. Rather than using a 3/8- or a 1/2-ounce, I’m using a 3/16- or a 1/4-ounce. For my reaction baits, I’ll throw a 1/8-ounce buzzbait, a 1/4- to 3/8-ounce spinnerbait, or a Strike King 1/0 squarebill rather than a 1.5.”
VanDam’s a big fan of topwaters like a Strike King Sexy Dog walking bait, a Strike King Redeye Shad and a buzzbait for flat terrain, or a jerkbait for deeper highland reservoirs — all good choices for covering water to find fish that often continue the shallow roaming of earlier weeks.
“Indian Summer conditions can scatter the fish,” VanDam said. “Instead of being on one steep, rocky bank, they can be down a big flat or a grass line. So baits that allow you to be more efficient and cover the top end of the water column can be really good.”
BEAR IN MIND
While an Indian Summers can stimulate bass beyond normal fall behavior, Hackney said the daytime weather can be kinda bland. Not the worst thing in the world, but certainly something to consider.
“It’s still pretty warm, we don’t get a lot of wind and there’s a lot of dead conditions — slick, no leaf movement; it’s a funky period,” he said. “Because of this, I try to stay off of the areas I’m fishing. This is a time of year when those fish get extremely shallow.
“When you don’t have bad weather, you have to be easy on your boat presentation. You don’t want to leave much ‘footprint’; you don’t want to disturb everything around you.”
That’s an important point, Hackney said, because of inherent fall positioning. By drought or drawdown, a lot of the nation’s lakes have been lowered, so fish pushing back into creeks and pockets end up feeding super shallow.
“This time of year, those fish are in flat water,” Hackney said. “It’s not like those fish are sitting off a drop and you’re casting up shallow. The bait is transitioning and the fish are going wherever the bait is.”
If fish could talk....... Q&A with Greg Hackney
Its the Million Dollar Question....
If you caught a fish that could talk, what question would you ask him before you had to release him?
We asked several BASS & FLW Pro's this question, Greg Hackney is up first, check it out!
Big Bass Tour 2017 - "One Bite Could Win it All!"
As you grab your 2017 Calendar and start to plan your tournaments for next year, make sure the Big Bass Tour is part of your plans. Great lakes and locations at the right time of year and as they say, "One Bite Could Win it All!" What do you have to lose? Get registered today!
Mark Ellis Wins ABA AFT D42 event on Arkansas River
Mark Ellis of Malvern, Arkansas won the first event of the ABA American Fishing Tour D42 held on November 19th and contested on the Arkansas River in the Pine Bluff Pool. Mark topped the field with five fish for a total weight of 13.99 pounds. Mark threw a crankbait and Caroline-rig to catch his fish. Mark earned $500 for his efforts.
Rob Stone sacked up five fish for a total weight of 13.00 pounds even. Rob relied on a crankbait and jerkbait to fill his livewell. Rob also caught the Big Bass of the event weighing 3.99 pounds which earned him a total of $378.
Rounding out the top three was John Simonof who used a homemade vibrating jig, poured on an OWNER hook, with a V&M Baits Swamp Hog Jr. trailer thrown on a Temple Fork Outfitters rod, Lew’s Speed Spool and 20# Hi-Seas Quattro fluorocarbon line to catch five fish for a total weight of 12.79 pounds.
18 anglers came out on a chilly morning with blue bird skies after the recent cold front moved through and were also greeted with a muddy river and lower waters levels and little flow. Despite being mid-November, the water temperature was still in the low to mid 60s. The fishing was good with ten 5-fish limits crossing the scales. Overall, 65 fish were caught for a total weight of 136.11 pounds with a 100% live release rate.
Top Five Anglers:
1. Mark Ellis 13.99 lbs
2. Rob Stone 13.00 lbs
3. John Simonof 12.79 lbs
4. Jamie Black 12.63 lbs
5. Blake Wilson 12.52 lbs
The next tournament in this division is on the Arkansas River/Maumelle Pool on 8 April 2017 launching out of Maumelle Park. For more information on this or any future event in this division contact John Simonof at (501)772-4938 or by email at [email protected].
I’d like to thank our local sponsors who provide great support throughout the year.
Fish N’ Stuff
H2O Sportz & Marine
I-40 Transmission
NIFE Marine
Temple Fork Outfitters
Window World of Little Rock
Zimmerman’s Sports Center/Exxon
These anglers are earning valuable points toward the divisional angler of the year title. The points champion from each division will compete in the annual Ram American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of the Year Final Round at the Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship.
The Ram American Fishing Tour offers low cost, close to home bass tournaments that are designed for the weekend angler. All ABA 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 Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship. For more information on American Bass Anglers please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256)232-0406.
American Bass Anglers Announces the Ouachita River as the Destination for the 2016 Ram American Fishing Tour Championship - October 15-17, 2017
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Athens, AL. The top 500 Ram American Fishing Tour anglers for the 2016-2017 season will be invited to attend the 2017 Ram Trucks American Fishing Tour National Championship at the Ouachita River in Monroe, LA on October 15-20, 2017. Event launch and weigh-in will take place at Forsyth Park, located at 2101 Riverside Drive; Monroe, LA 71201. The Championship will be hosted by the Monroe-West Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau. More info on the local Monroe, LA area is available at this link. “We are excited to be hosting the 2017 Championship, and look forward to welcoming the anglers to Louisiana in anticipation of a great week of fishing on the Ouachita River. We are proud to be a partner with ABA and look forward to showing all of their competitors a warm welcome to Monroe-West Monroe, LA”, said Scott Bruscato, Monroe-West Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This will be the first time that American Bass Anglers has held a championship on the Ouachita River. Many anglers have asked over the past couple of years to visit a body of water that has not hosted a Championship in the past and there has also been several requests that we visit a river fishery. This makes the Ouachita River a great destination. We look forward to working with the Monroe-West Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau to make this a great event,” said Morris Sheehan, ABA President. The Ouachita River (wah-shi-tah). The river is named for the Ouachita tribe, one of several historic tribes who lived along it. Others included the Caddo, Osage Nation, Tensa, Chickasaw, and Choctaw. Washita is an Indian word meaning "good hunting grounds" and "sparkling silver water." The river has held some large championships in the past. The most notable was the Albert Collins B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship win in 2015 with 44 pounds, 15 ounces over three days. In an interview with Bassmaster Collins said there was a lot of backwater, stumps and a good channel and reported he caught most of his bigger fish on white/chartreuse spinnerbait with silver and gold willow blades. The Ram Trucks American Fishing Tour offers low cost, close to home bass tournaments that are designed for the weekend angler. All ABA 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 Ram Trucks American Fishing Tour National Championship. For more information on the Ram Trucks American Fishing Tour visit this link. About: American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers, the Ram Truck Open Series, the Ram American Fishing Tour, the American Couples Series, the Military Team Bass Tournament, or the Ram 100% Plus Team Tour visit www.americanbassanglers.com. American Bass Anglers, Inc. is supported by Ram Trucks, Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, Carlisle Tires, GEICO, T-H Marine, Hydrowave, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Livingston Lures, Best Western Hotels, Simms, Garmin, Maui Jim, Power Pole, Dr Dan's, and LiT Coolers. American Bass Anglers, Inc. can be contacted at (256) 232-0406 or visit AmericanBassAnglers.com. 2017 Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship Registration Begins July 31, 2017 Launch and Weigh-In Site: Forsyth Park: 2101 Riverside Drive, Monroe, LA 71201 Official Practice: Safelight on Sunday October 15, 2017 until 3:00 pm on Tuesday October 17, 2017. Onsite Safety and Pairing Meeting: Tuesday October 17 6pm Monroe Civic Center Tournament Days: Wednesday October 18th, Thursday October 19th and Friday October 20th. Locking will be allowed. Host Hotels: Best Western West Monroe Inn: 405 Thomas Rd, West Monroe, LA 71292 (318) 322-9922 Best Western Airport Inn: 1475 Garrett Rd, Monroe, LA 71202 (318) 345-4000 |
Ryan Lavigne Of Louisiana Wins B.A.S.S. Nation Championship On Conroe
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Ryan Lavigne Of Louisiana Leads B.A.S.S. Nation Championship On Lake Conroe
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Let the Cranking Begin! St. Croix's new Legend Glass Rods now available!
St. Croix’s highly anticipated Legend Glass now available; let the cranking begin
Park Falls, WI (November 18, 2016) – Cast. Crank. Hook. Set…. Shake, rattle and roll…and then the story can go one of two ways. One ends in utter disappointment. The other plays like the highlight reel of a Super Bowl win. In slow motion, the crowd cheers, you are the champion and lift your flopping trophy from the landing net!
What made the difference? The rod…or so we’re told. But can a rod make that much difference? It can and does. Hardcore bass fishing often puts you in situations where you’re fighting fish in timber and submerged vegetation. And these lunkers don’t come in easy, almost always guaranteeing a rumble.
The scene of a bass busting through the water is exciting, but it is the moment when everything can change, throwing the hook, leaving you with a big splash, a limp line and a pit in your stomach. St. Croix Rod’s Legend Glass aims to lessen the pain—actually, prevent the pangs altogether.
And…drumroll please… Legend Glass rods are now available through the St. Croix dealer network.
We went to Jason Brunner, St. Croix Rod’s Director of Engineering, to explain what makes Legend Glass the magical wand it is.
Q: What is it about Legend Glass’s design and action that helps land more fish?
A: Legend Glass rods utilize blanks that are made from 100-percent linear S-Glass material. This material combined with a strategic taper design and Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) technology are what make Legend Glass so unique. All models have a parabolic (arching) action to some degree, some more than others. I prefer to call these slower action rods, meaning a higher percentage of the deflection under load transfers towards the butt section of the rod. Basically, it takes less power or force to get them to bend back towards the handle.
Q: Does the design of the tip section really make that much difference in a fish eating the bait?
A: The slower action of Legend Glass combined with a softer tip section acts as a great shock absorber. When a fish hits a crankbait, you don't want it to feel the opposite force from the rod above water right away. You want the fish to feel like he scored dinner and get the whole meal in his mouth. If a fish feels tension too soon (as from a rod that does not have a good shock-absorbing tip), there is a higher chance that it will spit the crankbait before you get a good hookset.
Q: What role do the moderate actions of the
S-Glass fibers play in the hookset?
A: The moderate action allows for a more controlled hookset, graduating the force to ensure the crankbait stays in contact. Legend Glass rods are unique in that they have very light and very sensitive tips that transfer into a larger diameter (powerful) butt section while maintaining a moderate action. Often, moderate action crankbait rods lack power in the bottom end which fails to give the user any casting distance or hookset completeness. Not so with Legend Glass.
Q: What makes Legend Glass so comfortable to fish?
A: The split-grip design in combination with the proper handle length allows for Legend Glass rods to be perfectly balanced. When using any of the four models, they feel like they are floating in your hands. Using the proper materials, taper and diameters allowed St. Croix to fine tune the ultimate crankbait rod.
St. Croix Rod Legend Glass was awarded the ICAST 2016 Best Freshwater Rod Title and is available in four models:
LGC610MM: Ideal for shorter, pinpoint accurate casts. Made for fishing smaller crankbaits and small-to medium bladed jigs.
LGC72MM: Designed to handle small-to-medium crankbaits including square bills and similar size bladed jigs. Works really well with mid-range, standard lip crankbaits that dive to depths of 16 feet. A versatile model that excels in open water.
LGC74MHM: Perhaps the most versatile model in the series, it’s designed to handle medium-to-large crankbaits and bladed jigs at various water depths up to 20 feet. Ideal for fishing large, lipless crankbaits and large profile square bills.
LGC711HM: A unique model built to fish big, deep-diving crankbaits at 20 foot depths and more. This model features Fuji’s palming reel seat for added comfort and reduced hand fatigue.
FEATURES:
- Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) tooling technology.
- Super premium, 100% linear S-glass.
- Fuji® K Series Concept Tangle Free guides with Alconite rings and polished frames. Ideal for super braid, mono and fluorocarbon lines, the sloped frame and ring shed tangles before they become a problem.
- Fuji® ECS reel seat with frosted silver hood on most models. Fuji® PSS-SD palming reel seat with frosted silver hood on LGC711HM.
- Split-grip/super-grade cork handle.
- Kigan hook-keeper.
- 15-year transferable warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service.
- Designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, U.S.A.
Kentucky’s Michael Boggs Takes First Round Lead In B.A.S.S. Nation Championship
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Costa Sunglasses Pro Casey Ashley talks Rod length and Gear Ratios
Costa Sunglasses Pro and Classic Champ talks about his three favorite rod and reel combos and gear ratios he prefers uses on a daily basis.
Check it out and check out www.sportsmanswarehouse.com for all your rod and reel needs.
Mud Hole Tackle adds Dual Threat Capt. Blake Smith to its Pro Staff
From Mud Hole Tackle:
Mud Hole and MHX are pleased to announce a title sponsor partnership for FLW and Redfish Tour Pro Blake Smith! Want to know more about Blake and our partnership?
Born and raised in Lakeland, Florida, Blake Smith grew up fly fishing with his father. Although Blake enjoyed playing ice hockey, football, and soccer, it was his proximity to great fishing locations and his father’s profession that made fishing his first love.
With his father working as a fishing guide, Blake jokes he never had much choice in the matter and quickly fell in love with the adrenaline of the next big catch. “We used to eat everything,” Smith laughs, “my favorite is snook, which is funny because of its soap fish nickname, but when its filleted correctly there’s a nice chunk of white meat that tastes really great.”
Dual Professional Fisherman, Blake Smith
Despite snook as his favorite fish dish, Blake admits redfish is a close second. This comes as no surprise considering he finished second in 2014’s AOY standings of the Inshore Fishing Associations Redfish Tour. But Blake’s career in fishing didn’t stop there, since then he has joined FLW to become the industry’s only dual professional fisherman in both salt and freshwater.
Smith explains, “the only real difference is the work it takes to prepare, other than that most of the techniques are virtually the same.” Finesse, Blake points out, is a huge part of saltwater fishing that carries over into freshwater. Whether discussing his accuracy casting around docks or flippin’ through waterways like a true Floridian, Blake Smith feels nothing but confidence in his fishing abilities.
Blake Smith wraps the first guide on his new MHX custom fishing rod.
Faith, Family and Fishing
Blake Smith exudes confidence, not in the arrogant sense, but rather in the sense that his grasp of life and his faith are unwavering. Blake and his wife, Meagan are currently raising three young daughters, but that’s not all. As devout members of the Idols Aside Ministries, an organization that works closely with at-risk youth, Blake and Meagan help mentor youth who have suffered serious losses.
Together with Idols Aside, Blake regularly participates in talks with high school and college students across the nation throughout the FLW Tour. Offering his wisdom and his support, Smith uses his platform as a professional fisherman to ensure youth have the right kind of role model. So far this year, he has made 42 stops across 32,000 miles to speak with and support troubled youth as he competes on the FLW Tour.
Blake admits it can get tough at times, “32,000 miles of everyone’s problems in between fishing can way heavy on my mind,” but also says, “it’s hearing and helping those problems that keep me grounded and focused on the bigger picture.”
What Blake loves most are his family and his faith, so if he can have those and be a professional fisherman too then he’s happy. Blake knows his success comes from preparation, focus, and faith, and for him, that will never change. Acknowledging he would like to win just like everybody else, what makes him so different and special is his understanding of winning. Blake Smith’s beliefs are as steadfast as his fishing skills, “the second it becomes only about winning and money, I’m done.”
Rod Building Partnership
More and more professional fisherman are realizing that building your own custom rods allow you to really dial into your fishing application and technique; ultimately catching more fish. Mud Hole and MHX are excited about this new partnership, and look forward to working with Blake – who will help evangelize the benefits of building your own custom fishing rod.
As Blake has learned, there is nothing like catching a fish on a rod that your built with your own two hands!
Meet Skylar Hamilton
Just a few years back Brandon Palaniuk used the exposure from the Bassmaster Classic as a springboard to launch a brilliant career. Now another charismatic young pro, Skylar Hamilton aims to do the same.
The 21-year-old from Dandridge, Tennessee punched his ticket to the Classic when he won the Bassmaster Central Open on the Arkansas River earlier this year, winning by an ounce with a total weight of 45 pounds, 6 ounces.
Another great catch for Hamilton is his new 21-foot Xpress Bass Boat that he will fish from at the Classic on Lake Conroe near Houston, Texas.
Clay Connor, Marketing Director for Xpress Boats, feels that Hamilton is quite a catch for the company as well.
Hamilton looks forward to fishing the Classic. He figures the bite may play to his strengths.
"With few exceptions, if I have to fish deeper than 10 feet I'm out of my comfort zone," says Hamilton. "I believe the Classic will be won from somewhere between 8 foot of water up to the bank."
Likewise, Hamilton says aluminum boats fit his style of fishing, while adding some value that anyone can appreciate. For starters, the durability of aluminum is unmatched. "It is nice to not worry so much about hitting a stump or a rock when I go to move."
Of course, there are other advantages. "The biggest thing people worry about with an aluminum boat is how it rides,” says Hamilton. "I rode in a 19-foot Xpress and it was fine, but when I drove the 21-footer, it was on another level. That extra bit of length really levels out the ride. It changes how the boat sits in the water. That makes a big difference because that's another concern everybody has with aluminum - the way the wind pushes them around but that's mostly due to the fact that the nose sits up out of the water so high. I've run an inferior 17-foot aluminum boat with a 70 horse on the back and, if I packed my weight right, it sat fairly level. This 21-footer from Xpress already sits in the water better and, of course, it runs smoother too."
Another benefit of a bigger boat is the bigger motor that it can tote. Not only does the extra length help, but Xpress is the only aluminum boat maker to offer a pad hull design. And that is the key difference, according to Connor. “That pad hull design is what allows our boats to get up and run like a glass boat. It is what separates an Xpress from all other aluminum manufacturers. Nobody else offers a pad hull. You can hang a Yamaha 250 SHO on our 21-footer.”
Hamilton said his Xpress boat runs better than at least a couple of brands of fiberglass boats he has fished before.
Regardless of the physical advantages of aluminum - lighter weight, durability, speed - it may be the fiscal rewards afforded by a quality welded boat that seal the deal for most anglers. Hamilton notes, "College fishing and high school fishing is a big deal now. We've got all these young anglers coming along and I don't want them to think they have to have a $70,000 fiberglass rig in order to compete. I will be fishing the Classic and the Elite Series in a 21-foot Xpress."
Aside from the sticker savings, lighter rigs burn less gas, both on the lake and while being towed over the road.
"And with the money you save by buying an Xpress, you can afford to add a lot of nice features such as Power-Poles, an upgraded trolling motor and really nice electronics.”
Speaking of electronics, Hamilton says his Raymarine unit was instrumental in his win on the Arkansas River. That was a shallow water affair. The upcoming Classic should be as well.
By the way, given John Cox’s recent Forrest Wood Cup victory, from an aluminum boat, Hamilton has a chance to make it a clean sweep for metal craft in championship events. Let’s see if this young pro can make a splash on bass fishing’s biggest stage.
New Humminbird® Technologies Deliver Clearest Imaging Ever and Bring Fish-Hiding Structure to Life Like Never Before
RACINE, Wis., November 15, 2016 – When the Humminbird® HELIX® 10 took home the 2016 ICAST award for “Best Electronics,” few were surprised. After all, Humminbird has raised that trophy for six consecutive years. For 2017, the now iconic HELIX units offer more industry-leading technologies with exclusive new Humminbird innovations designed to deliver better, more usable information about what lies below the surface.
MEGA Imaging™ with CHIRP digital sonar delivers unprecedented detail
With a sonar frequency nearly 3-times greater than traditional 455 kHz frequencies, Humminbird is the first to take fish-finding sonar to the megahertz range, resulting in the clearest, sharpest underwater views. The quantum leap to megahertz frequency provides vastly improved MEGA Side Imaging™ and MEGA Down Imaging™, giving anglers a clear choice when it comes to underwater sonar.
According to Mark Gibson, Humminbird Director of R&D, “Our team has dedicated itself to developing the best imaging technology on the water, and the result is unreal screen detail and never-before-seen clarity. It truly needs to be seen to be believed.”
AUTOCHART® Live expands with vegetation and bottom density mapping
When Humminbird first introduced AUTOCHART Live in 2015, it allowed anglers to map the depth of their favorite body of water, revealing some of the best hiding places for fish. No longer constrained by outdated paper maps or tribal knowledge, it was a step forward for fishermen everywhere. Now, Humminbird has expanded this technology even further.
In addition to mapping depth, AUTOCHART Live now gives anglers the ability to map aquatic vegetation and changing bottom hardness. This is regarded as the “trifecta” in essential information, since fish relate so specifically to depth, weed lines and transition points in bottom type – for example where a soft bottom meets hard sand or rocky structure.
The AUTOCHART Live enhancements have BASS Elite pros like Brent Ehrler very excited. “AUTOCHART Live puts the power in our hands to map uncharted waters and surgically study structure contours. Adding vegetation and bottom hardness mapping to the mix is just awesome, because that’s where the fish are – whether it’s the inside turn of a grass line, a little funnel, or spots where mud transitions to rock. You’re now talking about being able to laser in on spots that used to take us hours and hours to find,” he said.
Bluetooth® connects everything
Select new HELIX units for 2017 also feature built-in Bluetooth, which allows users to sync their smartphones and other devices, delivering text messages, missed calls, signal strength and battery life right on the Humminbird display. It creates a flawless on-board network of electronics and connectivity.
Ray Schaffart, Humminbird Brand Manager, explains further how the new Humminbird HELIX technology helps anglers catch more fish, especially used in concert with new technology from Minn Kota®. “Depth, vegetation and bottom hardness contours are like super-highways for many fish species. With Minn Kota trolling motors that have i-Pilot® Link™, you can tell your trolling motor to follow a specific depth, weed line or bottom density contour, then choose your desired speed and the boat will follow that path with the press of a button. That’s automated hands-free fishing with exact boat control, with your bait always in the strike zone.”
Since anglers and boaters have different on-the-water needs, Humminbird offers these new innovations on select second generation HELIX models.
The HELIX second generation networking (G2N) family consists of four screen sizes (7-inch, 9-inch, 10-inch and 12-inch), with each size offering three CHIRPing sonar model options – GPS 2D sonar, GPS 2D sonar/Down Imaging®, and GPS 2D sonar/Side Imaging®. Regardless of the model selected, all three sonar elements CHIRP. Exclusive to the G2N models, each one includes AUTOCHART Live vegetation/bottom hardness and Bluetooth capability. MEGA Side Imaging and MEGA Down Imaging can only be found on the GPS 2D sonar/Side Imaging HELIX 9, 10 and 12 G2N models.
The HELIX second generation (G2) family consists of two screen sizes (5-inch and 7-inch), each one offering the same CHIRPing sonar model options as the G2N. The G2 units are now equipped with AUTOCHART Live, an update over the first generation HELIX models. For the value-conscious angler, three select G2 units have an upgraded user-interface-only.
The G2 family models are not networkable and do not include the new MEGA imaging or Bluetooth technologies, however all models allow registered users to receive software updates when available. The new units are also compatible with Humminbird LakeMaster® charts, SmartStrike™ (internal GPS units only) and Navionics® Gold/HotMaps™.
All units feature an updated operating system and allow for gimbal mounting, or in-dash mounting with an optional kit. International models support 200/50kHz. Optional 50 kHz transducers are available for extreme deep-water use.
For more information call Humminbird at 800-633-1468 or visit Humminbird.com.
FLW Tour Champ Anthony Gagliardi talks about fall baits in this weeks Sportsman's Warehouse Product Spotlight
FLW Tour Champ Anthony Gagliardi talks about fall baits in this weeks Sportsman's Warehouse Product Spotlight. From Buzzbaits to jigs to Spoons, Gags gives us some detail on what he looks for in the fall.
Jeff Knight of TN wins FLW BFL Wild Card Event on Lake of the Ozarks
Jeff Knight of Cleveland, Tennessee, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 17 pounds, 12 ounces, Saturday to win the FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Wild Card event on Lake of the Ozarks, with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 38 pounds, 12 ounces. For his win, Knight earned $4,475 and a berth into the 2017 BFL All-American Championship.
Knight said he spent the event targeting boat docks, specifically in areas between Galena Point and Lynch Hollow.
“All of my fish came from the back of the boat slips,” said Knight, who earned his fourth win in FLW competition. “I focused on docks with big boulder rocks behind them. That was the key. I flipped over cables and under the walkways - the big ones were just lying there.”
Knight said he used one lure throughout the event - a ½-ounce green-pumpkin-colored custom jig with a green-pumpkin Strike King Rage Craw trailer.
“I flipped it into 8 to 12 feet of water while I sat in about 10 to 12 feet,” said Knight. “I hit around 30 docks per day. Once I discovered the pattern, I didn’t need anything else.”
While his pattern did not produce many fish, Knight said it was the size of the fish that helped him get the win.
“After catching 10 keepers on Friday, I only put five in the boat on Saturday,” said Knight. “Luckily, those five fell into place for me.”
The top six boaters that qualified for the 2017 BFL All-American were:
1st: Jeff Knight, Cleveland, Tenn., 10 bass, 38-12, $4,475
2nd: Dylan Duncan, Kansas, Okla., 10 bass, 36-15, $2,683
3rd: Bennie Mutter, Glasgow, Ky., 10 bass, 34-0, $1,510
4th: Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 10 bass, 33-1, $1,316
5th: Brent Anderson, Kingston Springs, Tenn., nine bass, 31-5, $953
6th: Adam Ohms, Edwardsville, Ill., 10 bass, 29-7
Rounding out the top-10 boaters were:
7th: Jeremy Medina, Camdenton, Mo., 10 bass, 29-2, $827
8th: Nalon Jones, Marshfield, Mo., 10 bass, 29-1
9th: Josh Busby, Rogersville, Mo., 10 bass, 29-1, $730
10th: David McCormick, Lees Summit, Mo., 10 bass, 28-1, $681
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
James Dill of Laurie, Missouri, caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the Boater Division Friday, a fish weighing 7 pounds, 1 ounce, which earned him the day’s Big Bass Award of $245.
Craig Rose of Olathe, Kansas, won the co-angler division and $2,016 with a two-day cumulative catch of eight bass weighing 22 pounds, 6 ounces.
The top six co-anglers that qualified for the 2017 BFL All-American were:
1st: Craig Rose, Olathe, Kan., eight bass, 22-6, $2,016
2nd: Richard Hooter, Natchitoches, La., 10 bass, 21-1, $1,008
3rd: Mike Youngblood, St. Louis, Mo., nine bass, 20-15, $679
4th: Dale Renth, Mascoutah, Ill., nine bass, 17-8, $548
5th: Stefan Marginean, Glenview, Ill., nine bass, 16-7
6th: Rob Melendez, Frankfort, Ill., six bass, 16-4, $200
Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers were:
7th: Morgan McLain, Lenexa, Kan., five bass, 16-2, $535
8th: Scott McCleery, Winchester, Ill., four bass, 13-3, $372
9th: Brian Liming, Dilsboro, Ind., four bass, 11-6, $329
10th: Scott Stallings, Glencoe, Okla., four bass, 11-2, $357
Morgan McLain of Lenexa, Kansas, caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the Co-angler Division Friday, a fish weighing 6 pounds, 9 ounces, which earned him the day’s Big Bass Award of $106.
The 2016 BFL Wild Card on Lake of the Ozarks was hosted by the Tri-County Lodging Association and Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 120 tournaments throughout the season, five in each division. The top 50 boaters and co-anglers from each division qualify for a regional tournament and are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2017 BFL All-American will be held May 31-June 3 on Pickwick Lake in Florence, Alabama. Top winners in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the Walmart FLW Tour.
For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
Bill Cain and Tricia Wood Win ABA South Carolina Couples D11 event on Clarks Hill
A chilly fall morning led to a comfortable afternoon for South Carolina Couples on Clarks Hill. The November 5th event was well attended with 31 teams participating. 130 fish were brought to the scales. 13 new couples joined the division.
Tricia Wood of Greenwood, South Carolina and Bill Cain of Greenwood, South Carolina took first place honors for the South Carolina D11 Couples event held on November 5th at Clarks Hill. Tricia and Bill came in with a five-fish sack weighing 12 pounds. Their winning bag was caught flipping laydowns and brush in less than 5 feet of water toward the back of creeks.
Julie and Jim Collins were a close second with a five-fish limit weighing 11.70 pounds. Their fish came on crankbaits and an “underspin”. This was Julie and Jim’s first time fishing with the South Carolina Couples. Jim noted that their participation “was Julie’s idea.” And, it turned out to be sound advice!
Jenny and Dave Drummond got third place with 11.60 pounds. They fished yet another effective pattern with a buzz-bait and a “Whopper Plopper.” Their largest two fish were caught schooling late in the day. This must have been a gift for Jenny in that this was her birthday! This was also the Drummond’s first couple’s tournament.
Missy and Tom Bancroft claimed fourth place with five fish weighing 11.13 pounds. Their fish came pitching Ol’ Monster worms to docks in stained water.
Scotty Bartley and his daughter Morgan had great success with an 11.06 pound sack snatching a paycheck at fifth place. Both Morgan and Scotty caught fish approaching 4 pounds each.
Tammy and J.B. Wicker took sixth place with 11.0 pounds. A crankbait and Carolina rig delivered their nice five-fish limit. In this sack was J.B.’s Men’s Big Bass at 4.25 pounds.
Martha Goodfellow took Ladies and Tournament Big Bass with her 4.30 pound largemouth. Her hefty fish came with an Ol’ Monster worm pitched to a laydown in 3 feet of stained water. Martha credits the sensitivity of her Kissel Krafts Custom Rod and her nice Lews reel for helping catch this bass.
Tom and Susan Beavers got recognition for the “longest drive.” They traveled from Centre, Alabama for their fishing weekend. The weather cooperated nicely for their practice and tournament days.
There was a pre-tournament Friday evening dinner at Hickory Knob State Park. The social was thoroughly enjoyed by 7 of the teams.
We’d like to welcome all of the new teams that fished with us.
- Julie and Jim Collins
- Jenny and Dave Drummond
- Samantha and Travis Parrish
- Kimberly Michelle Bryant and Joey Madden
- Sherry Farrow and Sean Hall
- Ashley and Ben Sutton
- Carol and Michael Tidwell
- Amanda Godfrey and Clifton Bradley
- Paige Middleton and Zachary Hudson
- Jennifer and Alex Dziengielewski
- Amy and Marcus Allen
- Amie Faulkner and Mike Broome
- Deborah and Boyce Boswell
Brooke Mattison and David Chapman also returned after a year off.
Local sponsors got some special recognition. Jennifer and Alex Dziengielewski contributed a baitcast rod. This will be awarded for Men’s or Lady’s Big Bass of the year after the 2017 June tournament on Lake Greenwood. Their ALX rod line will soon be carried by local Cabelas stores. Kissel Krafts Custom Rods is also contributing two custom rods to be awarded as prizes for the 2017 season.
Jennifer Dziengielewski won stylish Maui Jim’s sunglasses in the drawing. The “shades” were contributed by local Jervey Eye Group. A Jervey lens cleaner kit was again available as a drawing prize. We’ve gotten some great feedback on how effective the cleaner and cloth are on both glasses and marine electronics screens.
The Greenville Bonefish Grill contributed $25 coupons. Both of the teams drawing these prizes were delighted. Michelle Bryant said, “It’s my favorite restaurant!” as she picked up a coupon.
Clifton Bradley was quick to pick up the proven lure pack from Scotty Bartley’s Weeble Lure business. Yeti has contributed prizes for each of the 2017 tournaments. A tackle bag from fishing friend Diana Uebelhack was quick to go in the drawing. Other 2016 sponsors were thanked for their contributions for drawing prizes: Strickland Marine, Greenville Cabelas, Lews, Yo-Zuri, Costa and Simpsonville Starbucks. Sponsor generosity offers far more teams the chance to go home as “winners.”
About American Bass Anglers: American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers, the Ram Truck Open Series, the American Fishing Tour or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com.
Derek Sandlin wins ABA AFT D47 Event on Lake Ouachita with over 18 pounds.
Derek Sandlin of Mount Ida, Arkansas won the second event of the AFT D47 2017 season that was held on November 5th and contested on Lake Ouachita. 35 anglers came out and were greeted with unseasonably warm air and water temperatures. Bass have not moved into their typical fall patterns in central Arkansas. 126 limits crossed the scales and 111 fish were caught for a total weight of 200.11 pounds, less than a 2 pound average.
Derek Sandlin topped the field with five fish for a total weight of 18.41 pounds. Derek threw a swimbait to catch his fish. He also won Big Fish for the event with a weight of 3.98 pounds earning him a total of $900 for his efforts.
Allen Fullbright sacked up five fish for a total weight of 12.52 pounds. Allen relied on a horny toad to fill his livewell. Allen took home $461 for second place.
Rounding out the top three was Blake Wilson who threw a spinnerbait on a 7’ 3” medium-heavy Fitzgerald Stunner rod to catch five fish for a total weight of 12.24 pounds.
Top Five Finishers:
1. Derek Sandlin 18.41 lbs
2. Allen Fullbright 12.52 lbs
3. Blake Wilson 12.24 lbs
4. Brian Bean 11.97 lbs
5. Doug Thompson 11.26 lbs
The next tournament in this division is on Lake Maumelle on December 17, 2016 launching out of Jolly Rogers Marina.
The next tournament in the D42 division is on the Arkansas River/Pine Bluff November 19, 2016 launching out of Regional Park.
For more information on this or any future event in this division contact John Simonof at (501)772-4938 or by email at [email protected].
I’d like to thank our local sponsors who provide great support throughout the year.
Fish N’ Stuff
H2O Sportz & Marine
I-40 Transmission
NIFE Marine
Temple Fork Outfitters
Window World of Little Rock
Zimmerman’s Sports Center/Exxon
These anglers are earning valuable points toward the divisional angler of the year title. The points champion from each division will compete in the annual Ram American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of the Year Final Round at the Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship.
The Ram American Fishing Tour offers low cost, close to home bass tournaments that are designed for the weekend angler. All ABA 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 Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship. For more information on American Bass Anglers please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256)232-0406.
Sean Anderson wins ABA AFT D-96 Event on Lake Greenwood
Group picture from left to right; 1st place Sean Anderson of Leesville, SC / 2nd place Phillip Anderson of Saluda, SC. / 3rd place Andy Lake of Batesburg, SC / 4th place Steve Gilstrap of Greer, SC / 5th place Jay Treon of Greenwood, SC. / 6th place George Berry of Saluda, SC
AFT D-96 Tournament Results
Lake Greenwood– November 6, 2016
First place, Sean Anderson caught 5 fish weighing 12.94 pounds all on spinerbaits. Sean was fishing the middle part of the lake. Sean won first place and first place option for a total of $770.
Phillip Anderson was second with 5 fish weighing 12.57 pounds. He fished the upper part of the lake and caught his fish flipping docks with soft plastics. Phillip took home $475 for second place and second place option.
Third place was Andy Lake with 5 fish weighing 12.24 pounds. Andy was fishing on the middle and lower parts of the lake and caught all his fish on spinnerbaits. Andy took home $130 for third place.
George Berry took the big fish pot with a 4.56 pound largemouth. He won $125 for Big Fish.
Our day started out foggy and 44 degrees. Winds were light and variable all day. Mostly sunny skies and we were at 66 degrees at the 3 pm weigh-in. Water temps were in the high 60’s to low 70’s. The lake was clear but stained in the creeks and up the rivers and the level has dropped to three feet below full pool.
This year Greenwood has been tough to get a limit. We were here in August and only 12 of the 32 anglers weighed fish with no 5 fish limits. Today we had 5 limits but it is still a struggle to find 14 inch bass. The weights are way down as compared to years past. I mention this because today one of our anglers discovered a fish basket with fish in it. His topwater bait snagged the rope that was tied to it. He contacted me and the SCDNR. The fish were released and the metal basket was crushed and destroyed. There are many tournaments on Lake Greenwood this time of year. Hopefully this wasn’t done by one of our anglers but obviously, there are some who would try to win by breaking rules as well as the law.
Here’s how we finished:
Angler # Fish Big Bass Penalty Total Wt. Points Payout 1
Sean Anderson 5
12.94
200
$770
2
Phillip Anderson 5
3.8
12.57
199
$475
3
Andy Lake 5
12.24
198
$130
4
Steve Gilstrap 5
2.52
10.2
197
$101
5
Jay Treon 5
9.18
196
ALX Hat 6
George Berry 3
4.56
7.7
195
Parker Bait $130 7
Joey Miller 5
7.38
194
8
Jason Moyer 4
6.96
193
9
Beau Dixon 2
5.58
192
10
Rodney Cromer 3
5.49
191
11
Wesley Bray 3
5.19
190
12
Eric Edmondson 2
4.47
189
13
Brett Douglas 1
4.07
4.07
188
14
Paul Selle 2
3.9
187
15
Matt Mollohan 2
3.05
186
16
Phil Morris 1
2.92
185
17
Don Kneece 1
2.9
184
18
Josh Peake 1
1.93
183
19
Randy Ables 1
1.68
182
20
David Griswold 1
1
0.86
181
21
Gene Parker 0
0
50
21
Robbie Smith 0
0
50
21
Ed Matthews 0
0
50
21
Jeremy Sessions 0
0
50
21
Troy Lytle 0
0
50
Money
Sean Anderson– 1st place plaque $620 / 1st place option $150 Total - $770
Phillip Anderson – 2nd place plaque $375 / 2nd place option $100 Total - $475
Andy Lake – 3rd place plaque - $130
Steve Gilstrap – 4th place – $101
Jay Treon – 5th place - $ALX Hat
George Berry – 6th place – Big Fish plaque - $125 - Parker Spinnerbait
ALX Rod Big Fish Leader for 2017
Evan Weaver – 6.43 lbs. Lake Murray, July 10, 2016
Lake Conroe To Host World’s Top Amateur Anglers
From BASS Communications
Nov. 10, 2016
CONROE, Texas — The best 113 amateur anglers from all over the world will converge on Texas’ Lake Conroe, Nov. 17-19, for the 2016 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan.
Forty-seven states are sending representatives, as are nine countries (Australia, Portugal, Namibia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the province of Ontario, Canada). A boater and a nonboater from each will join last year’s defending champion, Albert Collins of Texas, and the Paralyzed Veterans of America Tour’s Angler of the Year, Kurt Glass of Georgia.
Competitors qualified through a rigorous schedule of local, state and then regional tournaments.
The Top 3 out of the 113-angler field will earn a coveted spot in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro, March 24-26, 2017, also on Lake Conroe.
“It’s going to be really competitive,” said Jon Stewart, director of the B.A.S.S. Nation. “By the end, it will be the absolute best in the B.A.S.S. Nation who advance to the Classic.”
Lake Conroe has the potential to produce 20-plus-pound bags per day for the leaders. The 21,000-acre reservoir is full of sunken brushpiles, standing timber and boat docks where competitors could find sizable largemouth bass. Anglers can bring in bass that are 16 inches or longer.
The standing record for Lake Conroe is a 15.93-pound largemouth caught in January 2009.
“It will be a great tournament,” said Stewart. “We can’t wait to see what the competitors catch while we’re there.”
All the qualifiers will compete on the first two days, but the final day will include a cut. The only remaining anglers on Nov. 19 will be the Top 10 boaters, the nonboater champion (the top nonboater at the end of Day 2) and the best two boaters from each of the three regions (Eastern, Central and Western) if they have not already qualified as part of the Top 10.
“The cut for Day 3 will make it even more challenging for the competitors,” Stewart added. “They’ll have to bring their A game on the first two days to even have a shot.”
The winner, runner-up and third-place finisher will earn a berth in the 2017 Classic, paid entry into the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens series of their choice, and the B.A.S.S. Nation’s Best prize package, which is the use of a Toyota Tundra truck and a fully rigged, tournament-ready Phoenix boat for one year. A 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series berth is on the line, too.
The nonboater champion will also win paid entry into the Opens division of choice, a boat and a spot as a marshal in the 2017 Bassmaster Classic.
“The payout is huge, and the new B.A.S.S. Nation’s Best prize package is going to be great. The three anglers who win the package get to drive around in that truck and fish out of that boat for the next year, really easing the burden for someone who’s trying to be competitive on the trail.”
The event will kick off when anglers register at La Torretta Resort and Spa, 600 La Torretta Boulevard, in Montgomery, Texas, Nov. 15, at 4:30 p.m.
Competitors will get one official day of practice, Nov. 16. Competition begins the following day.
Anglers will take off from Lakeview Marina, 880 Beach Walk Boulevard, in Conroe each day, Nov. 17-19, at 6:45 a.m. CT. Weigh-ins will take place, also at Lakeview Marina, each day beginning at 3 p.m.
The tournament is hosted by the Conroe Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Get a full list of competitors and keep up with the championship at Bassmaster.com/Nation.
2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Title Sponsor: Academy Sports + Outdoors
2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Presenting Sponsor: Magellan
2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Premier Sponsors: Toyota, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Berkley, GoPro, Huk, Humminbird
2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Supporting Sponsors: Lowrance, Nationwide, Power-Pole, Rapala, Shell Rotella, Shimano, A.R.E. Truck Caps, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures
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), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
"The best new Drop Shot bait on the planet....." Mark Zona on Strike King's new Halfshell
TV Show Host and smallmouth fishing freak Mark "Z-Train" Zona talks to you about the new Strike King Halfshell Drop Shot bait. Learn the how, when, where and why you NEED this bait in your arsenal!
FLW Tour Pro Bill McDonald talks Lucas Oil Marine Oil and your outboards warranty
FLW Touring and Lucas Oil Pro Bill McDonald talks about the Lucas Oil Marine Oil and why it WILL NOT Void your warranty on your new high powered Bass Buggy with your new high powered outboard motor. Take a look, and see why Lucas Oil will keep you on the water longer!
Davy Hite announces retirement from BASS Elite Series, will do color commentary for BASS Live and more.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 7, 2016
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Davy Hite, the 1999 Bassmaster Classic champion and two-time Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year, won’t be competing on the Elite Series in 2017, but his fans will be seeing him more than ever. Hite has accepted a position as color commentator for “Bassmaster LIVE,” “The Bassmasters” television show on ESPN2 and all other B.A.S.S. programming, the company announced today.
“I view this more as a transition, rather than a retirement,” Hite said. “In a perfect world, I wish I could keep competing for a few more years. But this was a golden opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.
“This is a way for me to continue to have a positive impact and stay involved with the sport of bass fishing, which has meant everything to me.”
Hite, 51, has won more than $2 million in his 23-year career, which includes a Forrest Wood Cup title in 1998, in addition to the ’99 Classic crown and Angler of the Year titles in 1997 and 2002. His B.A.S.S. career includes eight first-place finishes, 14 Bassmaster Classic appearances, and 45 Top 10 finishes. The Ninety Six, S.C., resident has finished in the money 140 times in 254 total tournaments.
“At the age of 27, I quit a full-time job to become a tournament bass fisherman, which had been my dream since I was 12 years old,” Hite said. “It was a leap of faith. Some of my friends thought I was crazy. This is different, but at the same time it’s a leap of faith, as well.”
Jerry McKinnis, one of B.A.S.S.’s principal owners, as well as a pioneer in outdoor television programming, is pleased to have Hite as a full-time addition to the B.A.S.S. team.
“I’ve known for a long time that Davy would be a great on-air talent,” said McKinnis, who praised Hite’s work on the “First Look” segments of Bassmaster.com tournament coverage. “I realized very quickly how comfortable Davy was in doing this. He’s good at asking the right questions. But it’s not an interview with him, it’s more like a conversation, and that’s important.”
Over the past three years, Hite has worked increasingly with the “Bassmaster LIVE” hosts Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona and Elite Series emcee Dave Mercer.
“I’ve enjoyed working with all the folks at B.A.S.S., both on-camera and behind-the-scenes,” Hite said. “But I never had a clue it could turn into something like this. Again, this was too good an opportunity to pass up.
“I think I’m still competitive enough to win the first tournament on the Elite Series next year. But at the same time, I knew in my heart that I didn’t want to fish another 20 years.
“You never know if you’ll get a second chance to make a transition like this one, and stay involved in the sport you love. It was reassuring when I presented this to my sponsors, and they all agreed with my decision.”
Hite finished 56th in the final 2016 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings. He’s had at least one Top 10 finish in each of the last three Elite Series seasons.
“We’re really excited about Davy Hite joining our team,” said Mike McKinnis, vice president of media communications for JM Associates, which produces B.A.S.S. television and Internet content. “He brings some inside knowledge to the broadcast. He knows what the pros are doing and why they’re doing it, which is really important in our ‘Bassmaster LIVE’ coverage.”
Tommy Sanders echoed those thoughts, saying, “Davy has got one-of-a-kind perspective on tournament bass fishing. Just as importantly, he’s got a great ability to discern when what seems to be a small story is just as important as a big one. Plus, I just like the guy.”
Hite’s first appearance under the new arrangement will be at the Bassmaster Elite at Cherokee Lake, Tennessee, Feb. 9-12, 2017, and he’ll be an integral part of the programming for the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro in Houston March 24-26.
His current sponsors include: Phoenix Boats, Evinrude, Gopher Industrial, Costa, Bass Pro Shops, Humminbird, Rapala, Storm Lures, Minn Kota, Advance Land and Timber, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, VMC and Buckeye Lures.
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), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
No Regrets
BASS Opens Pro - Luke Estel
I went into the 2016 B.A.S.S. Central Opens with high hopes. My obvious goal was to make the Bassmaster Classic. That did not happen but I was pleased with my performance. Here is a little run down of each event and how it unfolded.
Arkansas River- My practice was sub-par until the final day when I located some fish in Spaniard Creek. After the third nice keeper I caught, I decided to cut the hook off of my Strike King Swim Jig. They were crushing it. I had more than a dozen vicious strikes in less than an hour. I started there on day one and filled my limit by noon and quit fishing by one. Day 2 I went back to the same area and only boated two keepers. My co angler caught a six pound fish behind me so I knew all I needed was another twelve pound limit to make the final day. I only lost one fish and boat traffic definitely hurt the area but I would not have changed what I was doing. I just didn’t get the bites. I ended the event in 66th place. Three more bites and I make the cut.
Red River- Practice again was very tough with a bite here and there. I found the “ Gator Hole” where to my surprise no one was fishing. I milked the area for all that it was worth catching two four pound fish and a three pound fish in there. Every fish came off a Strike King Rage Bug I only lost one fish that did not affect the outcome. Again, I wouldn’t have done it any different. I ended up in 6th place which is my best finish ever in a B.A.S.S. event in which I am very proud of.
Atchafalaya Basin- Practice was ok with a day here and there going well. The bite was tough but I knew I could catch 10 to 14 pounds. I started in my best area in Flat Lake and fished all eight of my spots throughout the day only to yield five small keepers that weighed six pounds. Day two I went to my back up area where I punched a one ounce Tour Grad Tungsten weight using a watermelon-red Strike King Rage Bug and caught twelve pounds. Again, I wouldn’t have changed my decision making. They just didn’t bite for me on day one. I ended the event in 60th place.
Overall I finished 20th out of the entire division. A lot of great things have happened throughout these three events. First, my wife got to watch me weigh in on day three at the Red River. Probably top five coolest moments in my life, I purchased a new boat, I met a lot of great people and drew out with great co anglers. I helped my day two co angler on the Atchafalaya Basin make the day three cut. He finished third. I got more exposure on bassmaster.com than I ever have thanks to photographers Ronnie Moore and James Overstreet. I traveled to and from each event with three different guys, all of whom are great friends.
In all, it was a great year. I am looking forward to next year fishing the Southern Opens and high hopes in winning my first ever B.A.S.S. event and going to the Bassmaster Classic.
Thanks to all of the great people and companies that have stood beside me. Strike King Lure Company, Natural Gear, Vicious Fishing, Ardent, Mustad, Tony Chacheres, PLP Battery, and Cycle Connection.
Tim Penhollow & KC Choosakul Win Cashion Rods Team Trail Championship on Falls Lake
Out of the 34 teams that qualified, 32 showed up to try and win the Cashion FishingRods 'End of Year' Team
Tournament Bass Fishing Trail Championship at Falls Lake. The weather was great! The winds were light to 8
mph, the air temps ranged from 44 to 72 and the water level was about 254' . Surface water temps averaged 64
degrees! It was absolutely a beautiful day and the water was in the bushes which our anglers love!! All except 2
teams weighed fish and afterwards were treated to Decky's famous BBQ sandwiches and drinks!! It's been a
great year for Piedmont Bass Classics and we look forward to 2017. Thanks to all our anglers and sponsors.
Without you it wouldn't work!!!
The team of Tim Penhollow & KC Choosakul took the Championship Title with 5 bass weighing 24.21 lbs. along
with winning the 1st Place TWT, 2nd Place Big Fish (7.34 lbs.) and 2 Professional Cashion Fishing Rods and
took home a total of $3,166 in cash and prizes!
1st Place Team
Penhollow on left and Choosakul on right.
The 2nd Place team of Jason Kopp & Daniel Jenkins checked in 5 bass weighing 17.38 lbs. to take home a total
of $920. The 3rd Place Team Keith Deal & Ricky Kenworthy netted 5 bass weighing 16.95 lbs. and along with
2nd Place TWT won a total of $777.
The 4th place team of Tim Emory & Randy Fisher weighed in 5 bass at 
15.89 lbs and along with winning the 1st place Big Fish (8.84 lbs.), the 'End of Year' Points Championship and 2
Professional Cashion Rods, walked away with $2,239 in cash & prizes!! Tim dedicated his win to his former EOY
partner, Clay 'Newley' Livingston that passed away August 11th this year.
Emory on left & Fisher on right.
113 bass were brought to the scales for a total of 290 pounds averaging 2.56 lbs. each. Most were caught on
Senkos, Carolina worm rigs, spinnerbaits & jig combos in mostly water in the bushes.
I want to thank Cashion Fishing Rods and all the anglers that participated. Our next tournament will be the 2017
Cashion Fishing Rods Spring Team Tournament Bass Fishing Trail Qualifier #1, Saturday February 25th at
Shearon Harris out of Cross Point Wildlife Ramp. All the information on our tournaments can be found
http://piedmontbassclassics.com/
Now here are the full results:
1st Place: KC Choosakul & Tim Penhollow of Sanford & Mebane...5 bass...24.21 lbs...$1,970
2nd Place: Jason Kopp & Daniel Jenkins of Greensboro & Burlington...5 bass...17.38lbs...$920
3rd Place: Keith Deal & Ricky Kenworthy of Holly Springs & Cary...5 bass...16.95lbs...$537
4th Place: Tim Emory & Randy Fisher of Creedmoor & Hillsborough...5 bass...15.89 lbs...$385
5th Place: William Small & Lee Williams of Wake Forest & Durham...5 bass...15.21lbs...$282
6th Place: Jeremy Martin & Charley Vaughan of Rougemont...5 bass...14.16 lbs...$231
7th Place: Todd Massey & Tim Parker of Chapel Hill & New Hill...5 bass...12.41lbs...$205
1st Place Big Fish: 4th Place Team above...8.84 lbs...$434
2nd Place Big Fish: 1st Place Team above...7.34 lbs...$186
1st Place TWT: 1st Place Team above: 24.21 lbs...$560
2nd Place TWT: 3rd Place Team above: 16.95 lbs...$240
Let us help grow your business!
If you would like to sponsor or help sponsor any of our tournaments give me a call.
Contact Information:
Phil McCarson...Tournament Director---922 Valetta Rd.---Durham, NC 27712
Home: 919-471-1571 Cell: 919-971-5042
email: [email protected] website:http://piedmontbassclassics.com/
Pat Fisher Wins the FLW Costa Series Championship on Table Rock Lake, Punches ticket to 2017 FLW Cup
BRANSON, Mo. (Nov. 5, 2016) – Pat Fisher of Colbert, Georgia, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 15 pounds even Saturday to win the Costa FLW Series Championship on Table Rock Lake, which featured 192 of the top semi-pro boaters and co-anglers from across the globe. Fisher’s three-day total of 15 bass weighing 40 pounds, 4 ounces, earned him $50,200 and a coveted spot in the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing.
“I haven’t fished at this level in years, so this tournament was like a family reunion,” said Fisher, who spent eight years on the FLW Tour before stepping away in 2008. “I’ve always been very competitive, so it feels great to win.
“I came into this event after having the worst practice I’ve ever had,” Fisher continued. “On Day One, I went to a 200-yard stretch of bank way up the James River that I had a little success on. I sat in about 4 feet of water, throwing to bass that were shallower – maybe about a foot down. It was cloudy, so I threw a ¼-ounce white and blue-colored Boogerman Buzzbait and was able to catch nine keepers including a decent kicker.”
On Day Two, competitors were held at the marina for two hours due to excessive fog. Although the delay cut a large chunk out of Fisher’s day, he said he was still able to salvage a solid limit.
“I ran back up to the James River area and arrived at 11 a.m.,” said Fisher. “It was bright and slick so I knew they wouldn’t eat the buzzbait. I picked up a custom shaky-head rigged with a green pumpkin-colored Zoom Trick Worm and threw it around for a while. The largest piece of laydown in the area – a tree – produced around 30 fish for me. It was my magic tree.”
Fisher said he capped off the event by returning to his main stretch on Day Three, but this time, he was able to cover water more efficiently.
“I left two really big fish up there, so I narrowed my area to a 75-yard stretch,” said Fisher. “I threw to any cover I could. After the sun came out, I went back to my magic tree and caught six or seven big ones on the buzzbait. I guess it took me some more time during the tournament to figure them out.”
The top finishing boater from each of the six Costa FLW Series divisions that qualified for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup were:
Southeastern
1st: Pat Fisher, Colbert, Ga., 15 bass, 40-4, $50,200
Southwestern
2nd: Cody Bird, Granbury, Texas, 15 bass, 38-11, $25,000
Central
4th: Old Spice pro Greg Bohannan, Bentonville, Ark., 15 bass, 33-1, $15,000 + $2,000 Ranger Cup bonus
Northern
11th: Joel Richardson, Kernersville, N.C., 10 bass, 19-14, $4,000
Western
29th: Roy Hawk, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., six bass, 15-10, $2,500
International
51st: Hyo chul Kim, South Korea, six bass, 11-15
Additionally, the overall top five finishers that were not already selected as the highest finisher in their division qualify for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup. Those five anglers were:
3rd: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 15 bass, 36-14, $20,000
5th: Christopher Jones, Bokoshe, Okla., 14 bass, 31-7, $10,100
6th: Travis Fox, Rogers, Ark., 12 bass, 28-3, $8,000
7th: Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 14 bass, 28-0, $7,000
8th: Bradford Beavers, Ridgeville, S.C., 14 bass, 27-14, $6,000
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
The 2017 Forrest Wood Cup will be held Aug. 11-13 at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina.
Tyler Sheppard of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, won the co-angler division and $30,100, including a Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard with a three-day total of 10 bass weighing 23 pounds, 10 ounces. Michael Black of Toledo, Illinois, finished in second place with 10 bass weighing 22 pounds, 1 ounce, worth $12,500.
The top 10 co-anglers finished:
1st: Tyler Sheppard, Hermitage, Pa., 10 bass, 23-10, $30,100
2nd: Michael Black, Toledo, Ill., 10 bass, 22-1, $12,500
3rd: Richard Jordan, Muncy Valley, Pa., eight bass, 16-5, $10,000
4th: Robert Myers, Broken Arrow, Okla., seven bass, 13-8, $7,550
5th: David Hudson, Jasper, Ala., five bass, 11-2, $5,000
6th: Raymond Tak, Los Angeles, Calif., five bass, 10-14, $4,000
7th: Benjamin Tawney, Slippery Rock, Pa., five bass, 10-8, $3,500
8th: Joe Lane, Republic, Mo., five bass, 9-5, $3,000
9th: Jonathan Shockey, Fort Smith, Ark., three bass, 8-7, $2,500
10th: Rob Bueltmann, Osage Beach, Mo., four bass, 8-6, $2,000
The Costa FLW Series Championship at Table Rock Lake was hosted by ExploreBranson.com.
In Costa FLW Series regular-season competition, each division competes in three tournaments, with competitors vying for valuable points to earn their way into the top 40 and the opportunity to fish in the Costa FLW Series Championship.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Costa FLW Series on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
About FLW
Zack Birge takes the Lead in the FLW Costa Series Championship Heading into Day 3
FLW Official Press Release - Day 2 Costa Series Championship
BRANSON, Mo. (Nov. 4, 2016) – Costa FLW Series competitors awoke Friday to a thick blanket of fog covering Table Rock Lake near Table Rock State Park in Branson. After a near two-hour delay, anglers were allowed to start day two of the Costa FLW Series Championship on Table Rock Lake.
The 2015 FLW Tour Rookie of the Year Zack Birge of Blanchard, Oklahoma, who started the day in 13th place, vaulted to the top of the leaderboard after bringing a five-bass limit to the scales weighing 13 pounds, 13 ounces. Birge’s two-day total of 10 bass totaling 26 pounds, 5 ounces gives him a slim 6-ounce advantage over Cody Bird of Granbury, Texas, heading into the third and final day of competition. The tournament featured 192 boaters and co-anglers from across the globe, but is now cut to 10 with anglers casting for a top cash award of $95,000, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard, and an automatic qualification to the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing.
“I went to a new area today and caught around 15 fish,” said Birge, who won the 2014 FLW Series Championship at Wheeler Lake to jumpstart his professional career. “I didn’t see another boat around me and I think it is because I am so far up the river. Yesterday I only caught five all day so I knew I had to try something else and this new spot worked out.”
Birge said he ran 50 to 60 miles up the James River and caught all of his fish off of one bait – a 6th Sense Lure that he was not yet ready to divulge.
“I think a lot of the other places where guys have been at are just running out of fish,” Birge said. “Getting in to that new area was definitely the key for me today.”
Winning the 2014 Championship at Wheeler Lake seems to have prepared the Oklahoma pro for the pressures of leading a major tournament. He said he was much more nervous two years ago.
“It’s weird, but I’m not even really nervous at this point,” Birge said. “I really don’t know what to expect tomorrow. I’m just going to make that same run up the river tomorrow morning and hope for the best. I think there are more fish there, but I’m not really sure what to expect. I’m just going to go fishing and we’ll see how it ends up.”
The top 10 boaters that will advance to the final day of competition on Table Rock Lake are:
1st: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 10 bass, 26-5
2nd: Cody Bird, Granbury, Texas, 10 bass, 25-15
3rd: Pat Fisher, Colbert, Ga., 10 bass, 25-4
4th: Brad Cook, Afton, Okla., nine bass, 24-12
5th: Bradford Beavers, Ridgeville, S.C., eight bass, 22-8
6th: Christopher Jones, Bokoshe, Okla., nine bass, 22-4
7th: Travis Fox, Rogers, Ark., nine bass, 21-11
8th: Old Spice pro Greg Bohannan, Bentonville, Ark., 10 bass, 21-11
9th: Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 10 bass, 21-6
10th: Brent Algeo, Ozark, Mo., eight bass, 20-15
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
The Costa FLW Series consists of five U.S. divisions – Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western – along with an International division that features anglers from Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. The highest finishing pro from each U.S. division and the new International division based on their finish qualify for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, along with the overall top five finishers not already selected as the highest finisher of a division. A total of 11 FLW Series boaters will advance to the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina.
Day One co-angler leader Tyler Sheppard of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, retained his lead on Day Two with a two-day total of seven bass weighing 16 pounds, 3 ounces, followed by Michael Black of Toledo, Illinois, in second place with five bass weighing 12-11.
The top 10 co-anglers that advance to the final day of competition on Table Rock Lake are:
1st: Tyler Sheppard, Hermitage, Pa., seven bass, 16-3
2nd: Michael Black, Toledo, Ill., five bass, 12-11
3rd: Richard Jordan, Muncy Valley, Pa., six bass, 11-11
4th: Raymond Tak, Los Angeles, Calif., five bass, 10-14
5th: David Hudson, Jasper, Ala., four bass, 9-4
6th: Robert Myers, Broken Arrow, Okla., five bass, 9-1
7th: Jonathan Shockey, Fort Smith, Ark., three bass, 8-7
8th: Rob Bueltmann, Osage Beach, Mo., four bass, 8-6
9th: Benjamin Tawney, Slippery Rock, Pa., four bass, 7-12
10th: Joe Lane, Republic, Mo., four bass, 7-11
Co-anglers are casting this week for a top award of a Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $5,000 if Ranger Cup guidelines are met.
The final 10 boaters and co-anglers will take off from the Table Rock State Park Marina, located at 380 State Park Marina Road in Branson, at 7 a.m. CDT Saturday. Saturday’s final weigh-in will take place at the Branson Landing located at 100 Branson Landing in Branson, at 4 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.
The Costa FLW Series Championship at Table Rock Lake is being hosted by ExploreBranson.com.
In Costa FLW Series regular-season competition, each division competes in three tournaments, with competitors vying for valuable points to earn their way into the top 40 and the opportunity to fish in the Costa FLW Series Championship.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Costa FLW Series on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
Fisher leads Day 1 of Costa FLW Series Championship on Table Rock Lake
FLW Press Release - Day 1 Costa Championship
BRANSON, Mo. (Nov. 3, 2016) – Pat Fisher of Colbert, Georgia, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Thursday weighing 15 pounds, 3 ounces to grab the lead after day one of the Costa FLW Series Championship on Table Rock Lake. Fisher now holds a slim 6-ounce lead heading in to day two of the three-day event, hosted by ExploreBranson.com, that features 192 anglers from across the globe casting for a top cash award of $95,000, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard, and an automatic qualification to the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing.
“Today was a surprise. A very good surprise,” said Fisher, a former FLW Tour pro who has three career Forrest Wood Cup appearances. “I made a long run, a lot of fish got beat up in there in practice, up where I was. But, I was the only one in there today, and I just stuck with it.”
Though Fisher weighed landed nine keepers, a big kicker bass really keyed his day.
“That big fish was my third fish,” says Fisher. “There was a little stretch there when they were feeding, and that really set the tone for the day. I haven’t seen a fish that big all week.”
Well away from the ramp and way in the back of a creek, Fisher adapted perfectly to the calm and overcast conditions that loomed over the field all morning.
“I’d been catching them on a shaky-head rig in the bright sun and the clear water,” said Fisher. “But, this morning with the overcast they came up and ate topwater baits. I had a pretty consistent day, just catching them all day long on a topwater. When I wanted to catch one, I picked up the shaky-head, but they weren’t the size I was looking for.”
Though the area he’s fishing isn’t huge, Fisher seems fairly confident that it has enough fish for at least another day. He doesn’t think he leaned on them too hard, and he says that he only saw one other boat back in that general area today.
The top 10 boaters after Day One on Table Rock Lake are:
1st: Pat Fisher, Colbert, Ga., five bass, 15-3
2nd: Bradford Beavers, Ridgeville, S.C., five bass, 14-13
3rd: Christopher Jones, Bokoshe, Okla., five bass, 14-9
4th: Cody Bird, Granbury, Texas, five bass, 14-5
4th: Brad Cook, Afton, Okla., five bass, 14-5
6th: Tim Reneau, Del Rio, Texas, five bass, 14-4
7th: Travis Fox, Rogers, Ark., five bass, 13-12
8th: Mark Tucker, Kirkwood, Mo., five bass, 13-9
9th: Rick Taylor, West Olive, Mich., five bass, 13-6
10th: Terry Tucker, Gadsden, Ala., five bass, 13-5
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
The Costa FLW Series consists of five U.S. divisions – Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western – along with an International division that features anglers from Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. The highest finishing pro from each U.S. division and the new International division based on their finish qualify for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, along with the overall top five finishers not already selected as the highest finisher of a division. A total of 11 FLW Series boaters will advance to the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina.
Tyler Sheppard of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, leads the co-angler division with five bass weighing 12 pounds, 10 ounces followed by Robert Myers of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, with five bass weighing 9-1.
The top 10 co-anglers after day one on Table Rock Lake are:
1st: Tyler Sheppard, Hermitage, Pa., five bass, 12-10
2nd: Robert Myers, Broken Arrow, Okla., five bass, 9-1
3rd: Raymond Tak, Los Angeles, Calif., four bass, 8-12
3rd: Michael Black, Toledo, Ill., four bass, 8-12
5th: Jonathan Shockey, Fort Smith, Ark., three bass, 8-7
6th: Rob Bueltmann, Osage Beach, Mo., four bass, 8-6
7th: Kelly Taylor, Beebe, Ark., four bass, 7-10
8th: David Hudson, Jasper, Ala., three bass, 7-3
9th: Jim Austin, Lithonia, Ga., three bass, 7-0
9th: Richard Jordan, Muncy Valley, Pa., four bass, 7-0
9th: Mike Mueller, Berryville, Va., four bass, 7-0
Co-anglers are casting this week for a top award of a Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $5,000 if Ranger Cup guidelines are met.
Anglers will take off from the Table Rock State Park Marina, located at 380 State Park Marina Road in Branson, at 7 a.m. CDT each day. Weigh-in on Friday will be held at the marina beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will take place at the Branson Landing located at 100 Branson Landing in Branson, at 4 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.
In Costa FLW Series regular-season competition, each division competes in three tournaments, with competitors vying for valuable points to earn their way into the top 40 and the opportunity to fish in the Costa FLW Series Championship.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Costa FLW Series on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
to photo of Day One leader Pat Fisher
BRANSON, Mo. (Nov. 3, 2016) – Pat Fisher of Colbert, Georgia, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Thursday weighing 15 pounds, 3 ounces to grab the lead after day one of the Costa FLW Series Championship on Table Rock Lake. Fisher now holds a slim 6-ounce lead heading in to day two of the three-day event, hosted by ExploreBranson.com, that features 192 anglers from across the globe casting for a top cash award of $95,000, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard, and an automatic qualification to the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing.
“Today was a surprise. A very good surprise,” said Fisher, a former FLW Tour pro who has three career Forrest Wood Cup appearances. “I made a long run, a lot of fish got beat up in there in practice, up where I was. But, I was the only one in there today, and I just stuck with it.”
Though Fisher weighed landed nine keepers, a big kicker bass really keyed his day.
“That big fish was my third fish,” says Fisher. “There was a little stretch there when they were feeding, and that really set the tone for the day. I haven’t seen a fish that big all week.”
Well away from the ramp and way in the back of a creek, Fisher adapted perfectly to the calm and overcast conditions that loomed over the field all morning.
“I’d been catching them on a shaky-head rig in the bright sun and the clear water,” said Fisher. “But, this morning with the overcast they came up and ate topwater baits. I had a pretty consistent day, just catching them all day long on a topwater. When I wanted to catch one, I picked up the shaky-head, but they weren’t the size I was looking for.”
Though the area he’s fishing isn’t huge, Fisher seems fairly confident that it has enough fish for at least another day. He doesn’t think he leaned on them too hard, and he says that he only saw one other boat back in that general area today.
The top 10 boaters after Day One on Table Rock Lake are:
1st: Pat Fisher, Colbert, Ga., five bass, 15-3
2nd: Bradford Beavers, Ridgeville, S.C., five bass, 14-13
3rd: Christopher Jones, Bokoshe, Okla., five bass, 14-9
4th: Cody Bird, Granbury, Texas, five bass, 14-5
4th: Brad Cook, Afton, Okla., five bass, 14-5
6th: Tim Reneau, Del Rio, Texas, five bass, 14-4
7th: Travis Fox, Rogers, Ark., five bass, 13-12
8th: Mark Tucker, Kirkwood, Mo., five bass, 13-9
9th: Rick Taylor, West Olive, Mich., five bass, 13-6
10th: Terry Tucker, Gadsden, Ala., five bass, 13-5
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
The Costa FLW Series consists of five U.S. divisions – Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western – along with an International division that features anglers from Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. The highest finishing pro from each U.S. division and the new International division based on their finish qualify for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, along with the overall top five finishers not already selected as the highest finisher of a division. A total of 11 FLW Series boaters will advance to the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina.
Tyler Sheppard of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, leads the co-angler division with five bass weighing 12 pounds, 10 ounces followed by Robert Myers of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, with five bass weighing 9-1.
The top 10 co-anglers after day one on Table Rock Lake are:
1st: Tyler Sheppard, Hermitage, Pa., five bass, 12-10
2nd: Robert Myers, Broken Arrow, Okla., five bass, 9-1
3rd: Raymond Tak, Los Angeles, Calif., four bass, 8-12
3rd: Michael Black, Toledo, Ill., four bass, 8-12
5th: Jonathan Shockey, Fort Smith, Ark., three bass, 8-7
6th: Rob Bueltmann, Osage Beach, Mo., four bass, 8-6
7th: Kelly Taylor, Beebe, Ark., four bass, 7-10
8th: David Hudson, Jasper, Ala., three bass, 7-3
9th: Jim Austin, Lithonia, Ga., three bass, 7-0
9th: Richard Jordan, Muncy Valley, Pa., four bass, 7-0
9th: Mike Mueller, Berryville, Va., four bass, 7-0
Co-anglers are casting this week for a top award of a Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $5,000 if Ranger Cup guidelines are met.
Anglers will take off from the Table Rock State Park Marina, located at 380 State Park Marina Road in Branson, at 7 a.m. CDT each day. Weigh-in on Friday will be held at the marina beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will take place at the Branson Landing located at 100 Branson Landing in Branson, at 4 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.
In Costa FLW Series regular-season competition, each division competes in three tournaments, with competitors vying for valuable points to earn their way into the top 40 and the opportunity to fish in the Costa FLW Series Championship.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Costa FLW Series on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
BASS CAT ADDS “TIGER” STEVE KENNEDY TO PRO STAFF
MOUNTAIN HOME, AR (November 3, 2016) – Today Bass Cat announced the addition of Elite Series pro angler, Steve Kennedy, to the company’s Pro Staff. The Auburn, Alabama veteran angler will compete in his eighth Bassmaster Classic in March and plans to run a Bass Cat Eyra on tour in 2017.
In addition to his Bassmaster Classic qualifications, Kennedy has fished in the Forrest Wood Cup five times and has won twice in each major tour, including the Professional Anglers Association Circuit. Between B.A.S.S. and FLW, he has over $2 million in career winnings.
Kennedy first became aware of Bass Cat’s family atmosphere during a tournament prior to the start of his tour-level career when he chipped a tooth. Bass Cat’s matriarch Jan Pierce immediately dropped everything to find him a dentist, despite having never met him. “That really made an impression on me,” Kennedy said.
Equally important to him in making this decision was the company’s total commitment to quality. Kennedy added, “For most of my Elite experience I’ve had one of the slowest boats out there, but I won’t anymore. Now I’m expecting to be one of the fastest! I’m excited to be in a new boat and I’m going to have fun with it.”
Bass Cat’s President Rick Pierce stated, “Steve, Julia, and their kids have been like family to us for years. Along the way we’ve watched him approach fishing in his own individual way, similar to the way we’ve always done business here at Bass Cat.”
Bass Cat’s Tour Team Manager, Kevin Short, is a longtime friend of the Kennedys and has spent countless hours with Steve, both on and off the water. “I’ve always felt that Steve was the best angler at the tour level,” Short said. “I don’t know anybody out there who understands how to find and catch fish as naturally as Steve. He’s extremely guarded and doesn’t easily forge relationships, so we are thrilled that he chose to join the Bass Cat family.”
Tearing out the Rivets.
An old saying I have heard for years, “We are going to tear the rivets out of it and build it back piece by piece!”
Well, when you logged on to Anglerschannel.com this morning you may have noticed something different.
A few things out of place, a few new things and a few newer things you may have never noticed before.
Basically we tore the rivets out of it and put it back together. Bigger. Badder. Better than Ever.
Some have asked why we updated the site. Well, It’s pretty simple, it was time.
Time to get more responsive and deliver the content YOU want, the way YOU want it, WHERE YOU Want it. Simple as that.
Desktop, laptop, iPhone, Android, iPad, you name it. It's ready for it.
Some highlights of the new and improved, million-watt astro blaster Anglerschannel.com are:
*New Featured Content – The latest, greatest, most relevant stories, results, tournaments, videos and blogs to keep you in the know.
*New Results Section –ALL the weekends results from across the country in one place, easy to find and right there, front and center, to make your time on the site more enjoyable.
*New Tournament Tracker and Calendar – Search by month, date, trail or lake. Easier to find, more info, and an easy way to plan your tournaments, no matter where you fish.
*Industry News and Gear Reviews – All the latest industry news, new product news, product spotlight videos and more in the easy to find, easier to read product section.
*Videos – New video player and layout with the top videos on the homepage
*New Lakes and Lake Guide – Thanks to our friends at Navionics, We have updated the Lakes and Lake guides within our system to give you ALL the information you need, no matter if you are fishing your home lake or traveling out of state.
The new maps offer not only Navionics Topographic maps of the lakes, but also Hybrid and Terrain maps as well as Google Earth map,s all with the click of a button! No need to pull up multiple websites, we have it ALL in one spot!
At Anglerschannel.com we are working hard to make sure you get all the Bass Tournament information you want in one place. Pro Tips, Technical stuff, New Products, Tournament results and more! We want to be your home for tournament bass fishing!
Thanks for reading and thanks for checking out the site. We look forward to hearing your feedback. If you like it share it with your friends, if you don’t, send me an email at the address below, I would love to hear from you.
Thanks and God Bless!
Chris Brown
President, AnglersChannel.com
PS. BIG Thanks to guys at Metal Potato for putting all of this together. They were a blast to work with and put out great products. First class folks, check them out.
Missouri, California And Maryland To Host 2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Regionals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 2, 2016
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Three lakes in very different parts of the country — Lake of the Ozarks, Lake Shasta and Upper Chesapeake Bay — will host B.A.S.S. Nation Regionals in 2017.
“You can’t get more West, Central and East than our regionals,” said Jon Stewart, director of the B.A.S.S. Nation. “We’re proud of the diversity of this schedule.”
Top performers in each of the three regionals will advance to the 2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan.
Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Mo., will host the first regional of the year, April 5-7. Teams from Texas to Ohio will be invited to compete in the B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional.
“Lake of the Ozarks is a very popular tourist attraction,” Stewart said, “but it’s also a great fishery, especially that time of year. It should really fish well.”
The 2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional presented by Magellan will be the final event in a trifecta on the 54,000-acre reservoir. The Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Central Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops will take place March 29-31, followed by the Costa Bassmaster High School Midwest Open presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods, April 2.
“B.A.S.S. will be at Lake of the Ozarks for nearly two weeks, and we’re looking forward to it,” Stewart said. “It’s a beautiful place.”
The Ozarks Tri-County Lodging Association and the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau (funlake.com) are the local hosts for the event.
For the Western Regional, two weeks after the Central has concluded, B.A.S.S. heads almost as far west in the United States as possible, to Lake Shasta in Redding, Calif. The 2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional presented by Magellan will take place April 19-21, in conjunction with the 2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Western Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops.
Anglers from New Mexico to Washington will make up the competitors in the Western Regional.
“Lake Shasta will be another great event,” Stewart said. “It’s a good spotted bass fishery with the potential for some big spotted bass.”
California’s largest reservoir at 30,000 acres, Lake Shasta is nestled inside the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and looks up to the magnificent Mount Shasta.
“We’re excited to go to Redding, and they’re excited to have us,” Stewart added.
The Redding Convention and Visitors Bureau will host the tournament.
The final B.A.S.S. Nation Regional of the season will be held 2,800 miles away on the opposite coast. Upper Chesapeake Bay in North East, Md., will be the site of the 2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Regional, June 14-16. Cecil County Maryland will serve as the event’s host.
Teams from Maine to Florida will compete in the Eastern Regional.
“We’ve been to the Upper Chesapeake Bay a few times for regionals, and we just had a Bassmaster Elite Series event there in 2015,” Stewart said. “It’s a great community, and it’s very supportive of B.A.S.S.”
The fishing for the Eastern Regional should be good, too. In August 2015, Bassmaster Elite Series pro Aaron Martens won the four-day Elite Series tournament with 70 pounds, 2 ounces.
States send teams of 20 to each regional. The top boater and nonboater from each state in each regional will qualify for the 2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, which will be held in fall 2017 at a location to be announced.
2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan Schedule
Event Lake City Date
Central Regional Lake of the Ozarks Osage Beach, Mo. April 5-7
Western Regional Lake Shasta Redding, Calif. April 19-21
Eastern Regional Upper Chesapeake Bay North East, Md. June 14-16
2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Title Sponsor: Academy Sports + Outdoors
2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Presenting Sponsor: Magellan
2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Premier Sponsors: Toyota, Berkley, GoPro, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Power-Pole
2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Supporting Sponsors: A.R.E. Truck Caps, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Nationwide, Rapala, Shell Rotella, Shimano, T-H Marine, Phoenix Boats
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), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
The Wonder of being the Underdog...
Vance McCullough
5 AM.
We’re on the road to the hunting woods.
I‘m surprised to see 3 other vehicles during our 10 minute drive – a veritable traffic jam under the circumstances. We park, walk the dark half-mile to our trees. As my boy, Hunter, inches up a pine into the scattered stars, we again assume the role of underdog.
It’s a role we’ve been playing for the past couple of months on the football field. I coach and my boy plays at the smallest middle school in the county. Weekly, we take on schools with double or triple our enrollment. It’s gone as you might expect. I can handle the lopsided scores. I can handle our record. I can’t stand the running clock that, by rule, is implemented when the score gets away from one team (we’ve been on the good end and the bad end of that deal over the years). I really can’t stand when the refs call a game with 2 minutes left on the clock because it is out of reach. Some of us aren’t just trying to score points. Some of us are trying to teach football. Some of us are trying to teach perseverance.
In this increasingly soft society, the football field is one of the last bastions of manhood in America. It’s our treehouse, a place where we can spit, cuss and ‘scratch where it itches’. There are life lessons to be learned. Many of these lasting lessons can also be learned in the outdoors.
For instance, I don’t have the time or money to drive up into Georgia or South Carolina and join a club where we can sit over a feeder and take our pick from among dozens of animals. I’ve got no problem with folks doing that, but I’m more into it for the pure adventure anyway. Hunter and I put in hours scouting our local woods, placing and checking trail cameras and then on ‘game day’ we climb up, sit tight and hope for the best. Regulations are strict on public land and the advantage always favors the critters. ‘In the field or ‘on the field, we are the underdogs.
But there’s a special magic that happens when an underdog steals a win. It’s a feeling you won’t know until you’ve done something bigger than your resources or abilities should have allowed.
When I fish a tournament as a co-angler and a bit of luck shows its head, and I whack it on the head, I feel what my boy felt last spring when a gobbler showed up in the woods behind our house and Hunter stalked to within 20 yards, waited until the bird poked its head from behind a tree and put a 20-gague slug through its neck.
When I press the advantage as a coach and call a blitz or a stunt that results in a sack, I feel what Hunter felt when he charged into a thick bay head and hammered a razorback hog at close range.
As tournament organizations release next season’s schedules, make a plan to get in the game. There are plenty of trails that need co-anglers and boaters alike at all different levels of competition and expense. You may not have the latest equipment, but you can have the greatest experience. Join us, the 
underdogs, and remember, what you get may not be as important as how you got it.
By the way, before my boy climbed back down that pine tree the other day, he had shot his first buck. It was a 6-pointer, a beautiful specimen for these parts.
Now if we can just beat that team from across town next week . . .
ALABAMA’S NIXON WINS FLW BFL REGIONAL TOURNAMENT ON LAKE HARTWELL PRESENTED BY GOPRO
Hester wins co-angler title
SENECA, S.C. (Oct. 31, 2016) – Jason Nixon of Wetumpka, Alabama, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 13 pounds, 5 ounces, Saturday to win the FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Regional event on Lake Hartwell presented by GoPro, with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 31 pounds, 2 ounces. Nixon earned $65,000 for his victory, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard, and a berth into the 2017 BFL All-American Championship.
“I found areas in the back of three different creeks during practice that had stained water, which is what I was looking for,” said Nixon, who earned his third win in FLW competition. “But, on the first day of the tournament the water in my first stop wasn’t stained any longer. It was clear, and I didn’t catch a single fish on it. I went to my second area and caught four fish, and then two more at my third.”
Nixon said he was fishing shallow, in 1 to 3 feet of water, and targeting visible brush tops.
“On Day Two, I rotated between the two areas that had produced the day before,” said Nixon. “One area was in the middle of the lake, and the other one was in the lower end. I moved depending on how the fish were biting. I’d work one area over pretty good, and then move on to the second.”
Nixon said the majority of his fish came on a Rainforest Black-colored Spro Bronzeye Poppin’ Frog. He said he boated 17 keepers over the course of the event.
“I fished the frog fast in the morning and slow in the afternoon,” said Nixon. “Some fish would just swirl at it [the frog] but not touch it. But the ones that bit, they hit it hard and just about swallowed it.”
The top six boaters that qualified for the 2017 BFL All-American were:
1st: Jason Nixon, Wetumpka, Ala., 15 bass, 31-2, $65,000
2nd: Jason Wilson, Lincolnton, N.C., 15 bass, 28-12, $10,200
3rd: Conrad Bolt, Seneca, S.C., 15 bass, 28-9, $5,100
4th: Barry Hooper, Monticello, Ga., 15 bass, 28-2, $3,000
5th: Brad Fowler, Townville, S.C., 15 bass, 28-0, $2,000
6th: Todd Harris, Clemmons, N.C., 14 bass, 27-7, $1,800
Rounding out the top-10 boaters were:
7th: Joseph Marks, Duncan, S.C., 15 bass, 26-15, $2,600
8th: Clabion Johns, Covington, Ga., eight bass, 25-9, $1,400
9th: Randy Gillespie, Sanford, N.C., 15 bass, 25-6, $1,200
10th: Michael Anders, Anderson, S.C., 15 bass, 24-8, $1,000
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Alex Hester of Crossville, Tennessee, won the co-angler division and a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard with a three-day cumulative catch of 14 bass weighing 19 pounds, 12 ounces.
The top six co-anglers that qualified for the 2017 BFL All-American were:
1st: Alex Hester, Crossville, Tenn., 14 bass, 19-12, $45,000
2nd: Clarence Raney, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 12 bass, 19-9, $5,000
3rd: Pat Kendrick, Bumpass, Va., 15 bass, 19-4, $2,500
4th: Richard Young, Ellenboro, N.C., 13 bass, 18-12, $1,500
5th: Jeff Scism, Shelby, N.C., 11 bass, 17-8, $1,100
6th: Greg Ravitsky, Ashburn, Va., 11 bass, 17-5, $950
Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers were:
7th: Marvin Godard, Charlotte, N.C., 11 bass, 17-1, $800
8th: Nicholas Ireland, Raleigh, N.C., 12 bass, 16-12, $700
9th: Radney Atchison, Prattville, Ala., 11 bass, 15-11, $600
10th: Keith Lynch, River Falls, Ala., 11 bass, 14-14, $500
The BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 120 tournaments throughout the season, five in each division. The top 50 boaters and co-anglers from each division qualify for a regional tournament and are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2017 BFL All-American will be held May 31-June 3 on Pickwick Lake in Florence, Alabama. Top winners in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the Walmart FLW Tour.
