MOUNT VERNON’S MULLINS WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL ILLINI DIVISION FINALE ON REND LAKE

Paris’ Eslinger Grabs Co-angler Title

WHITTINGTON, Ill. (Sept. 18, 2017) – Greg Mullins of Mount Vernon, Illinois, won the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Illini Division tournament on Rend Lake Sunday with a two-day cumulative catch of 10 bass weighing 28 pounds, 10 ounces. Mullins was awarded $4,869 for his win.

Mullins said he spent the event fishing four stretches – each 200 to 300 yards long – on the north end of the lake. He said he targeted bass on banks that had a combination of riprap and wood, and was able to catch 13 keepers.

“There weren’t as many bites up there compared to the main lake, but they were good-sized fish,” said Mullins, who logged his first career win as a boater in BFL competition. “I think the fish were up against those hard banks to feed because there were a lot of shad. They weren’t schooling up yet, though.”

Mullins said he used a 3/8-ounce chartreuse and white-colored Z-Man ChatterBait with a green-pumpkin-colored Zoom Super Chunk to catch the majority of his fish. He added that his largest bass Saturday came on a green-pumpkin Zoom Ultravibe Speed Worm.

“I threw the ChatterBait any time I came to a good piece of wood, then flipped the worm to it,” said Mullins. “Most of the fish were in 6 inches of water, while I sat in anywhere from 6 inches to 2½ feet of water. My Crestliner was really key in helping me navigate the shallows.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          Greg Mullins, Mount Vernon, Ill., 10 bass, 28-10, $4,869

2nd:         Neil McCord, West Frankfort, Ill., 10 bass, 25-9, $3,219

3rd:          Dan Morehead, Paducah, Ky., 10 bass, 24-0, $1,623

4th:          Timothy Rivest, Champaign, Ill., eight bass, 21-7, $1,136

5th:          Brian Futch, Vienna, Ill., 10 bass, 21-1, $1,074

6th:          Marty Sisk, Evansville, Ind., nine bass, 19-15, $893

7th:          Mike Barnes, Mackinaw, Ill., 10 bass, 19-9, $1,111

8th:          Mike McGill, Findlay, Ill., nine bass, 19-5, $730

9th:          Toby Corn, Calvert City, Ky., 10 bass, 19-4, $649

10th:        Jerry Walker, Zeigler, Ill., seven bass, 19-3, $568

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

McCord caught a bass weighing 6 pounds, 3 ounces – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division. The catch earned him the Boater Big Bass award of $585.

Archie Eslinger of Paris, Illinois, caught a two-day total of nine bass weighing 19 pounds, 11 ounces, to win the Co-angler Division and $2,372.

The top 10 co-anglers were:

1st:          Archie Eslinger, Paris, Illinois, nine bass, 19-11, $2,372

2nd:         Jim Brown, Coulterville, Ill., six bass, 11-10, $1,186

3rd:          Jacob Bovara, Wadsworth, Ill., five bass, 10-14, $1,077

4th:          Jeffrey Lee, Olney, Ill., five bass, 10-10, $553

5th:          Aaron Arning, Walnut Hill, Ill., four bass, 9-12, $674

6th:          Scott Strausbaugh, Hillsboro, Ill., five bass, 9-8, $435

7th:          Steve Kehrer, Woodlawn, Ill., five bass, 9-4, $395

8th:          Ryan Fancher, Olney, Ill., four bass, 9-3, $406

9th:          Phil Santefort, Roberts, Ill., four bass, 8-8, $316

10th:        Adam Brookman, Bonnie, Ill., four bass, 8-5, $277

Bovara caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – a fish weighing 3 pounds, 14 ounces – and earned the Co-angler Big Bass award of $285.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 5-7 BFL Regional Championship on Kentucky Lake in Gilbertsville, Kentucky. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.

The 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.


JAYME RAMPEY WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL SAVANNAH RIVER DIVISION FINALE ON LAKE HARTWELL

Missouri’s Govreau Nabs Co-angler Title

ANDERSON, S.C. (Sept. 18, 2017) – Jayme Rampey of Liberty, South Carolina, won the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Savannah River Division tournament on Lake Hartwell Sunday with a two-day cumulative catch of 10 bass weighing 26 pounds, 6 ounces. For his win, Rampey pocketed $7,112.

“I caught them from the clear main-lake water to all the way up the Tugaloo River,” said Rampey, who logged his sixth career-win in BFL competition. “I fished fast and shallow along a 30-mile stretch and threw to whatever looked good.”

Rampey said he focused on stumps, wood and docks. He said he ended up weighing eight keepers from a white Zoom Horny Toad, and two from a Buckeye Lures jig with a green-pumpkin-colored Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Craw trailer.

“There wasn’t really any rhyme or reason to what I was doing,” said Rampey. “The wind and rain from the outskirts of Hurricane Irma had the fish spread out. I don’t think they were adjusted back to normal weather conditions yet.”

Rampey’s two-day total was highlighted by a 6-pound, 4-ouncer, which he caught Saturday on the Horny Toad near a laydown.

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          Jayme Rampey, Liberty, S.C., 10 bass, 26-6, $7,112

2nd:         Rob Jordan, Flowery Branch, Ga., 10 bass, 25-6, $3,121

3rd:          Brad Fowler, Townville, S.C., 10 bass, 23-12, $2,282

4th:          Kerry Partain, Elberton, Ga., 10 bass, 23-11, $1,456

5th:          Brad Benfield, Cornelia, Ga., 10 bass, 22-14, $1,248

6th:          Joey Nichols, Cumming, Ga., 10 bass, 22-13, $1,444

7th:          Franklin Ramey III, Abbeville, S.C., 10 bass, 22-7, $1,140

8th:          Taylor Ashley, Warrior, Ala., 10 bass, 22-2, $936

9th:          Troy Morrow, Eastanollee, Ga., 10 bass, 21-14, $832

10th:        Todd Goade, Suwanee, Ga., 10 bass, 21-1, $728

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Rampey’s 6-pound, 4-ounce bass was the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division and earned him the Big Bass award of $870.

Beau Govreau of Cedar Hill, Missouri, caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 20 pounds, 9 ounces, to win the Co-angler Division and $3,121.

The top 10 co-anglers were:

1st:          Beau Govreau, Cedar Hill, Mo., 10 bass, 20-9, $3,121

2nd:         Darren Jeter, Marshall, N.C., 10 bass, 20-5, $1,660

3rd:          Jimmi Leuthner, Tamassee, S.C., 10 bass, 19-8, $1,092

4th:          Donnie Davis, Greer, S.C., 10 bass, 19-6, $728

5th:          Brandon Brock, Honea Path, S.C., 10 bass, 19-6, $624

6th:          Michael Miller, Greenville, S.C., 10 bass, 18-10, $572

7th:          Keith Lewis, Franklin, N.C., eight bass, 18-9, $955

8th:          Tim Watson, Martin, Ga., eight bass, 17-6, $468

9th:          Kevin Landreth, Seneca, S.C., nine bass, 17-6, $416

10th:        Mark Denney, Bonaire, Ga., 10 bass, 17-6, $364

Lewis caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – a fish weighing 4 pounds, 8 ounces – and earned the Co-angler Big Bass award of $435.

The T-H Marine FLW BFL Savannah River Division tournament on Lake Hartwell was hosted by the Anderson Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 19-21 BFL Regional Championship on Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Georgia. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.

The 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.


SYKORA WINS T-H MARINE FLW BBFL OZARK DIVISION FINALE ON LAKE OF THE OZARKS

Camdenton’s Strohkirch Takes Co-angler Title

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (Sept. 18, 2017) – Local angler Marcus Sykora of Osage Beach, won the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Ozark Division tournament on Lake of the Ozarks Sunday with a two-day cumulative catch of 10 bass weighing 37 pounds, 14 ounces. For his victory, Sykora earned $7,071.

According to post-tournament reports, Sykora caught his fish in 14 feet of water near mid-lake brush piles using an unnamed crankbait and a Zoom Brush Hog.

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          Marcus Sykora, Osage Beach, Mo., 10 bass, 37-14, $7,071

2nd:         Roger Cook, Lebanon, Mo., 10 bass, 36-8, $3,436

3rd:          Adam Boehle, Warrenton, Mo., 10 bass, 35-9, $2,796

4th:          Greg Glandt, Fenton, Mo., 10 bass, 35-1, $1,603

5th:          Dennis Berhorst, Holts Summit, Mo., 10 bass, 34-1, $1,374

6th:          David McCormick, Lee’s Summit, Mo., 10 bass, 32-15, $1,360

7th:          Roger Fitzpatrick, Eldon, Mo., 10 bass, 32-5, $1,145

8th:          Mark Tucker, Kirkwood, Mo., 10 bass, 32-2, $1,031

9th:          Andy Newcomb, Camdenton, Mo., 10 bass, 32-2, $916

10th:        Bob Bueltmann, Osage Beach, Mo., 10 bass, 31-9, $802

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Boehle caught a bass weighing 5 pounds, 15 ounces – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division. The catch earned him the Boater Big Bass award of $506.

Aaron Strohkirch of Camdenton, Missouri, caught a two-day total of eight bass weighing 28 pounds, 1 ounce, to win the Co-angler Division and $3,436.

The top 10 co-anglers were:

1st:          Aaron Strohkirch, Camdenton, Mo., eight bass, 28-1, $3,436

2nd:         Reid Kesel, Bonnots Mill, Mo., 10 bass, 27-1, $1,918

3rd:          Ray Larson, Springfield, Ill., 10 bass, 23-1, $1,195

4th:          Nathan Portell, Festus, Mo., nine bass, 22-11, $802

5th:          Charles Frick, Saint Louis, Mo., eight bass, 19-2, $687

6th:          Jordan Williams, Oak Grove, Mo., eight bass, 19-1, $630

7th:          Stephen  Delgado, Lee’s Summit, Mo., eight bass, 18-13, $573

8th:          Brandon Hecker, Camdenton, Mo., six bass, 17-15, $515

9th:          Ernie Wooten, New London, Mo., eight bass, 17-12, $458

10th:        Taylor Harris, Paola, Kan., seven bass, 17-0, $401

Bob Keeth of Dixon, Missouri, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – a fish weighing 6 pounds, 6 ounces – and earned the Co-angler Big Bass award of $506.

The T-H Marine FLW BFL Ozark Division tournament on Lake of the Ozarks was hosted by the Tri-County Lodging Association/Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 5-7 BFL Regional Championship on Kentucky Lake in Gilbertsville, Kentucky. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.

The 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.


Dustin Connell Talks Rookie Year on the Elites & Winning ROY

 

Vance McCullough

“Coming in, Hartman had, like a 29-point lead on me,” explains Dustin Connell. With only 50 boats in the Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship tournament it’s hard to make up 29 points. “I knew I had to have a great tournament and he had to stumble; leave the door open for me. That’s exactly what happened.”

With a great finish to his first season on the Elite Series, Connell took Rookie of the Year honors.

“It feels really good to close the season on a strong note,” said Connell.

The rookie from Alabama said the highlight of the tourney on Mille Lacs – and the whole northern swing of the Elite Series – was getting to catch a bunch of big smallmouth. “I don’t get to fish for smallmouth a whole bunch, but I love to catch spotted bass and I just used what I have learned from chasing Coosa River spots and I took it north with me and I caught big smallmouth with it.”

As for go-to techniques, Connell relied on dropshots and jerkbaits.

Connell credits the diversity of Alabama’s lakes for his well-rounded bassing abilities. “We have grass lakes so if I go to a grass lake anywhere in the country I can catch them. We also have deep clear lakes so any time I can throw a dropshot or a jerkbait, that’s a good deal for me.”

He’s thrilled about earning entry into the 2018 Bassmaster Classic. “Every Elite Series Angler has the goal of making the Classic. That’s huge.”

Through 9 Elite Series tourneys Connell was a human ATM, cashing checks in 7 events. He says the toughest part of this season was keeping his head up after those low finishes.

“I could have gotten down after those, but I stayed positive and made it happen.”

Connell’s biggest advantage this year boiled down to time spent on the water. “I pre-fished every lake we went to. I would go spend 3 or 4 days before cutoff and learn the lakes, learn where the structure was.”

This approached helped more at some fisheries than at others. “It made a big difference at Cherokee.”

With the increased sponsor demands that accompany success in the angling game, will Connell have time to pre-fish to the same extent next year? “There is a business side to this sport, but those high finishes on the water are important to me.”

Connell looks forward to next year’s Elite Series starting point – in Alabama. “Lake Martin is right down the road from me. I’m looking to start the season off with a strong showing.”

A solid start could lend some momentum heading into the Classic on Lake Hartwell. Connell could be a dangerous man in 2018.


MONSOOR WINS T-H MARINE FLW BASS FISHING LEAGUE GREAT LAKES DIVISION FINALE ON MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Minnesota’s Conrad Claims Co-angler Title

LA CROSSE, Wis. (Sept. 18, 2017) – Yamamoto Baits pro Tom Monsoor of La Crosse, won the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Great Lakes Division tournament on the Mississippi River Sunday with a two-day cumulative catch of 10 bass weighing 36 pounds, 10 ounces. For his efforts, Monsoor took home $8,175.

“I fished weeds that were 5 feet down and near the current, but not in it. I think the fish like having the food brought right by them,” said Monsoor, who earned his sixth career BFL win on the Mississippi River. “I had 15 areas, but only worked through six of them each day. I also had some deeper spots in the 20-foot range that produced good fish for me.”

Monsoor said he threw his signature Humdinger Swim Jig Saturday, paired with a white 3½-inch Yamamoto Swim Senko trailer. Sunday he switched to a black and blue swim jig and swapped out the Swim Senko for a 3¾-inch Yamamoto Flappin’ Hog.

“The wind really picked up and muddied the water Sunday, so I went with darker colors,” said Monsoor. “The bite slowed down, too. There weren’t any big flurries. On Saturday, the water was clearer and you could catch 20 fish in a spot, but Sunday you’d only have one or two every so often.”

Monsoor said he trimmed off all but the tail from the Flappin’ Hog. He said it was the same setup he used to win the four-day FLW Tour event on the Potomac River in June.

“When you only throw one lure, that’s when you’re doing the best,” said Monsoor. “Give me a swimming jig around weeds and I’m in Heaven.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          Yamamoto Baits pro Tom Monsoor, La Crosse, Wis., 10 bass, 36-10, $6,175 + $2,000 Ranger Cup Bonus

2nd:         Dan Mohn, Lansing, Iowa, 10 bass, 34-12, $3,088

3rd:          Cade Laufenberg, Winona, Minn., 10 bass, 33-11, $3,107

4th:          Jeff Benson, Holmen, Wis., 10 bass, 31-13, $1,441

5th:          Luke Ledvina, Tomah, Wis., 10 bass, 31-12, $1,235

6th:          Glenn Walker, Savage, Minn., 10 bass, 31-2, $1,132

7th:          Terry Fitzpatrick, Waukon, Iowa, 10 bass, 31-1, $1,029

8th:          Mark Myers, Cedar Falls, Iowa, 10 bass, 30-14, $1,026

9th:          Robby Tufte, Fountain City, Wis., 10 bass, 30-9, $823

10th:        Nick O’Keefe, La Crosse, Wis., 10 bass, 30-5, $720

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Laufenberg caught a bass weighing 4 pounds, 12 ounces – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division. The catch earned him the Boater Big Bass award of $847.

Richard Conrad of Burnsville, Minnesota, caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 27 pounds, 11 ounces, to win the Co-angler Division and $3,088.

The top 10 co-anglers were:

1st:          Richard Conrad, Burnsville, Minn., 10 bass, 27-11, $3,088

2nd:         Ronald Syverson, Holmen, Wis., 10 bass, 26-15, $1,544

3rd:          Tony Seiler, River Falls, Wis., 10 bass, 25-14, $1,030

4th:          Greg Oppegard, West Saint Paul, Minn., 10 bass, 25-3, $820

5th:          Kevin Andera, Calmar, Iowa, nine bass, 25-1, $618

6th:          Jake Schultz, Rochester, Minn., 10 bass, 24-10, $616

7th:          Brad Juen, La Crosse, Wis., 10 bass, 24-10, $515

8th:          Mike Kochanski, Bolingbrook, Ill., 10 bass, 24-4, $463

9th:          Josh Mohn, Lansing, Iowa, 10 bass, 24-4, $412

10th:        Tong Lor, La Crosse, Wis., 10 bass, 24-3, $360

Steve Esser of Dubuque, Iowa, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – a fish weighing 4 pounds, 11 ounces – and earned the Co-angler Big Bass award of $424.

The T-H Marine FLW BFL Great Lakes Division tournament on the Mississippi River was hosted by the La Crosse County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 12-14 BFL Regional Championship on the Barren River in Scottsville, Kentucky. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.

The 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.


Mustang Survival Continues Support of the ACA as Sponsor of the Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series

The Association of Collegiate Anglers is pleased to announce the continued support received from Mustang Survival for the 2018 Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series.  This nationally televised series consists of the Texas Lunker Challenge presented by Mossy Oak Elements, Cabela’s Collegiate Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley, Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Open, and the season-ending BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship.

Anglers throughout the world have come to know Mustang Survival as the premier Personal Flotation Device (PFD) brand for active bass fishermen.  Mustang Survival PFDs are designed to integrate seamlessly into the fishing lifestyle while delivering comfort, function, and most importantly, safety.

“Safety is a large priority in the Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series. The products made by Mustang Survival are what I personally wear and they are designed with the angler in mind. They are lightweight, easy to use, and easy to maintain. We look forward to promoting their line of recreational products during the upcoming Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series and through our various others means at the ACA,” said Wade Middleton, President of CarecoTV and Director of the ACA.

 

“We are excited to continue our great relationship with the ACA and the Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series,” comments Shannon Ward, Director of Business Development & Marketing at Mustang Survival. “As the future of our industry, these anglers inspire us to continually evolve and strengthen our product line so we can equip them with the confidence to fish all day in any environment.”

For more information on Mustang Survival, visit www.mustangsurvival.com

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.

About Mustang Survival

Established in 1967, Mustang Survival has been designing and manufacturing lifesaving solutions for more than 45 years. Through constant innovation and application of new technologies, Mustang Survival is the leading supplier of quality flotation and personal protective equipment to the most demanding maritime and aviation customers including the Coast Guard, Law Enforcement, Water Rescue Teams, Fighter Pilots, Commercial Mariners and Recreational Boaters.  Mustang Survival is part of The Safariland Group family of brands.  For more information, please visit www.mustangsurvival.com.

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, four nationally televised collegiate bass fishing events, and thousands of members, the ACA is the leader in competitive collegiate bass fishing.


Palaniuk’s Longtime Loyalty to Toyota Paid Off

Story & Photo Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships

The 2017 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title that Brandon Palaniuk won Sunday at Lake Mille Lacs started with a dream when he was an 8-year-old boy growing up in Idaho. Then it caught speed in 2010 when he purchased his first Tundra, and began to cash-in on Toyota Bonus Bucks.

“I was running heavy equipment and cutting down trees for a living to try and save enough money to launch a pro career. And there were times when my buddy and I were down to our last dollars, and thought we’d have to wash dishes on our way back from tournaments to make it home to Idaho.”

“Then in 2010 I won $20,000 as a co-angler, and bought my first Tundra,” Palaniuk remembers vividly. “That year became magical, I won the B.A.S.S. Nation National Championship which qualified me for the Elites and the 2011 Classic, and the Toyota Bonus Bucks I won helped give me the money I needed to survive the first year of the Elites.”

At times during his rookie year on the Elite Series – it was just that – “surviving.” He often slept in the back of his Toyota in what he famously termed the “Tundra Suites” to save from paying for a hotel room.

Over the past six years, Brandon’s loyalty to Toyota has continued to pay him Bonus Bucks, and the days of wondering if he might have to wash dishes or cut down trees in the Idaho lumberjack woods have long since faded in the rearview mirror.

His brand new title of 2017 AOY Champion pays him $100,000, and his continued participation in the Bonus Bucks program is sure to pay dividends for years to come.

However you don’t have to be a full time pro, a Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year, or even win your local tournament to cash-in on Bonus Bucks. You just have to be a registered participant in any of the dozens of tournaments sanctioned by Bonus Bucks, and be the highest-placing participant.

 

To learn more and get signed-up, please visit http://www.toyotatrucksbonusbucks.com/ or phone (918) 742-6424, and ask for Jessica or Kendell and they can also help you get signed-up.


COSTA FLW SERIES SOUTHWESTERN DIVISION TOURNEY PRESENTED BY FRABILL SET FOR LAKE TEXOMA

DENISON, Texas (Sept. 12, 2017) – As many as 400 pros and co-anglers are set to compete in the Costa FLW Series Southwestern Division event at Lake Texoma, Sept. 21-23. The tournament, which is presented by Frabill, is the third and final regular-season event scheduled in the FLW Series Southwestern Division. Hosted by the Denison Area Chamber of Commerce, anglers will be competing for a top award of up to $40,000 in cash and a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.

“Lake Texoma should be fishing pretty good for a late September tournament,” said FLW Tour pro Andrew Upshaw, who finished in 11th place when the FLW Series last visited Lake Texoma in 2015. “We didn’t get too much of the nasty weather from the hurricanes, so the lake levels will be normal and we’re going to have a fun tournament.

“You’re going to see the typical fall patterns in this one,” Upshaw continued. “It will be junk fishing 101. A lot of guys will be fishing docks or throwing topwater baits, fishing in the backs of creeks. The fish don’t replenish great this time of year, so covering a lot of water and having a lot of different patterns going on will be the key.”

Upshaw said that he expects his key baits will be a Bill Lewis StutterStep 4.0 and a Rat-L-Trap.

“Rat-L-Traps are always great in the fall,” Upshaw said. “I downsize to ¼-ounce and throw a chrome and black if it’s sunny or a white one if it’s cloudy.

“I think to make the top-10 cut and fish the final day it’s going to take 22 to 24 pounds,” Upshaw went on to say. “I think the winner will likely have a three-day total of 45 to 47 pounds.”

Anglers will take off from the Highport Marina, located at 120 Texoma Harbor Drive, in Pottsboro, at 7 a.m. CDT each day. Weigh-ins will be held at the marina each day beginning at 3 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public. The event is hosted by the Denison Area Chamber of Commerce.

In Costa FLW Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event. At Lake Texoma pros will fish for as much as $40,000 and a Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard if Ranger Cup qualified. Co-anglers will cast for a Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard, and an additional $5,000 if Ranger Cup qualified.

The Costa FLW Series consists of five U.S. divisions – Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western. Each division consists of three tournaments with competitors vying for valuable points that could earn them the opportunity to fish in the Costa FLW Series Championship. The 2017 Costa FLW Series Championship is being held Nov. 2-4 on Kentucky Lake in Paris, Tennessee.

For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Costa FLW Series on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.


Palaniuk Caps Magical Season With Toyota Bassmaster Angler Of The Year Title

Brandon Palaniuk of Hayden, Idaho, won the 2017 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title at Mille Lacs Lake held out of Onamia, Minn., Sunday.

Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
Sept. 17, 2017ONAMIA, Minn. — As the 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series season progressed, Brandon Palaniuk always had a sense that he was in contention for the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year crown.

But he never let himself look at the standings. He never even allowed himself to think about the race.

Now, he may never stop thinking about it.

The 29-year-old pro from Hayden, Idaho, caught 62 pounds, 3 ounces of bass to finish in 20th place at this week’s Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship on Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota. That allowed him to finish 14 points ahead of Oklahoma pro Jason Christie and secure his first career AOY title.

“I didn’t know if it would ever happen,” said Palaniuk, who topped Christie by a final margin of 902 to 888 in the AOY standings. “This has been a dream of mine since I was 8 years old. I decided 21 years ago that this is what I was going to do.

“I just made up my mind that I wanted to fish for a living — and every decision I’ve made for 21 years has led to this point.”

Hoisting the AOY trophy was the culmination of a phenomenal season that saw Palaniuk record six Top 12 finishes, including a victory on Sam Rayburn Reservoir. The only time he finished outside the Top 30 in 10 Elite Series events was a disastrous 105th-place showing in the second event of the year on Florida’s Lake Okeechobee.

Palaniuk said he feared that finish might haunt him for the rest of the career — until he worked some late magic during Friday’s second round.

With only six minutes left before check-in, Palaniuk landed a 6-pound Mille Lacs smallmouth that proved to be his biggest fish of the event. He put the bass in his livewell and made it back to the weigh-in with only 40 seconds to spare.

“That’s when I really got the feeling that this was meant to be, and I think that’s why I was so calm today,” Palaniuk said. “When that happened, it gave me a completely different mental outlook on the whole week.

“It was like some light switch went off in my head. I think that’s why I went to bed and woke up this morning feeling like it was going to happen.”

Palaniuk spent the majority of the tournament using a drop-shot rig with a Zoom Super Fluke in the purple smoke color pattern with a 2/0 straight-shank hook and a 3/8-ounce drop-shot weight. He threw the rig on a 6-foot-10 Alpha Angler DSR rod and a Daiwa Exist 2500 reel spooled with 15-pound Seaguar Smackdown braid and an 8-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon leader.

But afterward, tackle and techniques seemed far secondary to his career accomplishment. The $100,000 he claimed with the AOY title pushed his career earnings past $1 million with B.A.S.S.

“When I first started fishing, I was running heavy equipment, cutting trees down and fishing local tournaments,” he said. “I would stash away as much money as I could during the summer from fishing local club tournaments. Then I just had one incredible year in 2010 when I qualified for the Elites when it seemed like everywhere I went in the country I caught fish.

“That’s when it all started happening for me — and that’s what helped me get here today.”

While most of the attention this week was heaped on the battle between Palaniuk, Christie and eventual third-place finisher Jacob Wheeler, the Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race was also decided.

Alabama pro Dustin Connell claimed that title by finishing 24th this week with 60-13. Connell’s closest competition — New York pro Jamie Hartman — had a tough week, finishing in 48th place with 41-7. That allowed Connell to win the ROY race by the thinnest of margins, 765-764.

“I set three goals this year,” Connell said. “I wanted to make the Classic, make the AOY Championship and win Rookie of the Year. Then, I also won a tournament (at Ross Barnett in Mississippi), so this has just been an awesome year.”

Unlike the first three years of the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship, a trophy and prize money was awarded this year to the angler with the heaviest weight for the week. The title of Toyota Mille Lacs Champion and the $25,000 bonus that came with it went to veteran Texas pro Keith Combs, who bested the field with 72-5.

“I’m a Texas guy, and that means I’m a long way from home up here this week,” Combs said. “So, to get to come up here and jack these big smallmouth with a big bait and a big stick was just an awesome experience for me.” The “big bait” was a 1-ounce Strike King jig in green pumpkin with a Rage Craw trailer in the Alabama craw color, which exactly matched the color of crawfish bass had been spitting up in his livewell.

Combs won the Livingston Lures Day 2 Leader Award of $500 for leading the tournament on Friday’s second day of competition. He also won the Toyota Bonus Bucks Award of $3,000 for being the highest-placing eligible entrant in the program.

Each qualifier went home with at least $11,000. Payouts from the $1 million purse were based on the anglers’ final standings in the AOY points race.

The second-highest-placing eligible entrant, James Elam of Tulsa, Okla., received $2,000.

Aaron Martens of Leeds, Ala., claimed the $1,500 Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award for a 6-pound, 1-ounce smallmouth he caught during Thursday’s opening round.

Grand Casino Mille Lacs hosted the championship.

 

2017 Points Report
PROFESSIONAL ELITE SERIES
as of 17-Sept-2017
Angler                                          Points      Lbs-Oz
1 Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID                   902         365- 1
2 Jason Christie Park Hill, OK                  888         356- 4
3 Jacob Wheeler Harrison, TN                    885         374-11
4 Jordan Lee Grant, AL                          823         356- 1
5 Edwin Evers Talala, OK                        817         338- 5
6 Casey Ashley Donalds, SC                      814         336-14
7 Ott DeFoe Blaine, TN                          810         348-14
8 Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA                     794         343- 0
9 Keith Combs Huntington, TX                    771         349- 1
10 Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI                   769         344- 6
11 Brent Ehrler Redlands, CA                    766         343- 5
12 Dustin Connell Clanton, AL                   765         348- 4
13 Jamie Hartman Newport, NY                    764         329- 4
14 Seth Feider Isle, MN                         750         340- 6
15 Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL              735         334- 1
16 Aaron Martens Leeds, AL                      733         324- 9
17 Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL                  731         328-12
18 Mark Daniels Jr. Tuskegee, AL                723         337- 3
19 Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ                    722         331-14
20 Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX                    720         329-10
21 Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR                     717         343-14
22 Russ Lane Prattville, AL                     710         341-12
23 Luke Clausen Otis Orchards, WA               700         311- 0
24 Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN                698         333- 5
25 Matt Lee Guntersville, AL                    698         323- 9
26 Cliff Pace Petal, MS                         694         334- 2
27 James Elam Tulsa, OK                         685         337- 1
28 Randy Howell Guntersville, AL                680         331-13
29 Josh Bertrand San Tan Valley, AZ             674         329-15
30 Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC                673         316-13
31 Micah Frazier Newnan, GA                     672         330-11
32 Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY                    672         321- 9
33 Skeet Reese Auburn, CA                       672         319- 4
34 John Crews Jr Salem, VA                      672         311- 9
35 David Walker Sevierville, TN                 668         305- 4
36 Alton Jones Lorena, TX                       663         310- 2
37 Jesse Wiggins Cullman, AL                    657         330- 0
38 Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN              657         309- 3
39 Jason Williamson Wagener, SC                 648         318-14
40 Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL                     644         312-13
41 Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ            642         324- 4
42 Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI                638         323-12
43 Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL                    637         315- 7
44 Dave Lefebre Erie, PA                        634         318-11
45 Ish Monroe Hughson, CA                       634         299- 7
46 Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ                    627         321-10
47 Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA      623         298-15
48 Mike McClelland Bentonville, AR              616         315- 6
49 Bill Lowen Brookville, IN                    610         305- 6
50 Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS                609         292- 02017 Rookie of the Year
as of 17-Sept-2017
Angler                                          Points      Lbs-Oz
1 Dustin Connell Clanton, AL                    765         348- 4
2 Jamie Hartman Newport, NY                     764         329- 4
3 Mark Daniels Jr. Tuskegee, AL                 723         337- 3
4 Jesse Wiggins Cullman, AL                     657         330- 0
5 Alton Jones Jr. Lorena, TX                    454         238- 6
6 Gerald Spohrer Gonzales, LA                   378         224- 0
7 Jesse Tacoronte Orlando, FL                   373         234-13
8 Darrell Ocamica New Plymouth, ID              247         196- 4
9 Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA                    225         164-10
10 Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA               210         197- 0
11 Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN                208         186- 9

Last Minute Big Fish Helps Palanuik Hold On To Lead In AOY Race At Mille Lacs

With one day of competition left in the 2017 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship held on Mille Lacs Lake out of Onamia, Minn., Brandon Palaniuk of Hayden, Idaho, holds on to first place in AOY points.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.

September 15, 2017

ONAMIA, Minn. — After two days of the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship, Brandon Palaniuk is still clinging to his lead in the race for the AOY season title.

But it’s been anything but easy.

The noted smallmouth specialist from Hayden, Idaho, caught just 10 smallies from Mille Lacs Lake Friday — and if hadn’t been for a 6-pounder that bit extremely late, he might have actually fallen out of the AOY lead.

“I just struggled to get bit,” Palaniuk said. “I was just catching one here, one there — and I wasn’t really catching any big ones. But then at 3:14 (p.m.), I made one final drop and caught a 6-pounder.”

That fish helped Palaniuk weigh in 21 pounds 1 ounce, which was good for 20th place in the daily standings and enough to keep him in the AOY lead. With 902 total points, Palaniuk leads Jason Christie (890) and Jacob Wheeler (885) by margins that can still be made up if things go wild in the final round.

Palaniuk’s big fish came so late Friday that he barely made it back to the check-in on time.

“I caught the fish at 3:14, check-in was 3:20 and I was 3 miles away,” Palaniuk said. “On top of that, I still had to cull.

“I ended up making it back with 40 seconds to spare. But that fish was a 3-pound cull. Without it, who knows where I would be?”

Since Palaniuk came into this event with a 15-point lead in the AOY standings, the ideal situation would have been for him to pile up the weight while his closest competitors — Christie and Wheeler — struggled.

That hasn’t happened.

After catching 20-8 Thursday, Christie caught 22-9 Friday and jumped from 26th place to 17th. That helped him move to within 12 points of Palaniuk in the standings, meaning another fantastic day — coupled with a tough day for Palaniuk — could land Christie his first career AOY title.

Christie said Thursday that he hoped for a weather change that might mess up other people’s patterns — presumably Palaniuk’s and Wheeler’s — and he regretted it today. “I got what I wanted,” he said, “but it just made those fish bite for them.

“Today, at 8 o’clock, I was kind of wishing I hadn’t said that.”

The higher winds and larger waves made it hard for Christie to keep his trolling motor in the water and to see the fish on the Garmin Panoptix unit he relies on. He said most of his bass came out of one school he felt fortunate to find.

“Luckily, I came across one group and I caught 22 pounds in probably 10 to 15 minutes,” he said. “The rest of the day, I caught one here and one there, but I never caught a big one.”

While Palaniuk and Christie had it tough, Wheeler said “fun would be an understatement” to describe the day he had on Mille Lacs. The first-year pro from Tennessee caught 24-5 and moved into fourth place in the daily standings.

He still trails Christie by five points and Palaniuk by 17 in the AOY race.

“It was flat-out awesome,” Wheeler said. “It was probably one of the best days of smallmouth fishing I’ve ever had. I probably caught 30-plus smallmouth — and there were a lot of times when I would be disappointed to realize it was ‘just another 4-pounder’ when I set the hook.”

New York angler Jamie Hartman, whose stated goal was to win the Bassmaster Rookie of the Year award when the season began, took the lead in that race by weighing in 23-10 Friday and jumping from 48th to 36th place in the daily standings. That gives him a 776 to 770 lead over Alabamian Dustin Connell in the ROY race.

Texas angler Keith Combs is threatening to run away with the daily standings after landing 24-15 for the second straight day. His two-day mark of 49-14 is more than 2 pounds better than that of second-place angler James Elam (47-4).

Combs stands to win $25,000 if he retains the lead through the end of competition, but the rest of the $1 million purse will go to him and the rest of the field based on their final standings in AOY points.

The full field will fish again Sunday to determine the AOY Championship and the event winner. Takeoff will be at 6:50 a.m. CT from Eddy's Resort, and the final weigh-in will be held at 3:45 p.m. at Grand Casino Mille Lacs.

The field will take a break Saturday for Bassmaster University. Anglers will be conducting seminars and greeting fans near the weigh-in stand at Grand Casino Mille Lacs in conjunction with the Bassmaster Elite Series Outdoors Expo. Companies such as Toyota, Huk, Power-Pole and Berkley will be onsite featuring their latest products. Fans will be able to enjoy free boat and motor demo rides from Skeeter, Yamaha, Nitro, Triton and Mercury. There will also be arts and crafts and food vendors and activities for kids.

All venues are free and open to the public. The expo will begin at 11 a.m. CT. For more information and a full list of activities, visit Bassmaster.com/news/attend-toyota-bassmaster-angler-year-championship.

The championship is hosted by Grand Casino Mille Lacs.

PROFESSIONAL
ELITE SERIES
as of 15-Sept-2017
Angler Points Lbs-Oz
1 Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID 902 345- 3
2 Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 890 337- 2
3 Jacob Wheeler Harrison, TN 885 352- 4
4 Jordan Lee Grant, AL 825 335- 1
5 Edwin Evers Talala, OK 819 318-15
6 Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 815 327-15
7 Ott DeFoe Blaine, TN 805 333- 5
8 Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 789 326- 1
9 Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 776 324-12
10 Keith Combs Huntington, TX 771 326-10
11 Dustin Connell Clanton, AL 770 330- 0
12 Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 763 322- 5
13 Brent Ehrler Redlands, CA 758 320- 6
14 Seth Feider Isle, MN 751 319- 9
15 Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 741 306- 8
16 Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 739 316-11
17 Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 726 311- 3
18 Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 726 307- 7
19 Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 723 317- 0
20 Mark Daniels Jr. Tuskegee, AL 722 315- 8
21 Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 721 315-12
22 Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 713 322- 9
23 Russ Lane Prattville, AL 706 318-10
24 Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 697 314- 8
25 Luke Clausen Otis Orchards, WA 696 287-14
26 Cliff Pace Petal, MS 695 314-12
27 James Elam Tulsa, OK 685 313-10
28 Alton Jones Lorena, TX 678 300- 4
29 Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 676 316- 9
30 John Crews Jr Salem, VA 675 303- 1
31 Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 671 310-15
32 Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 669 306- 5
33 Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 669 304- 6
34 Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 667 295- 2
35 David Walker Sevierville, TN 666 295- 0
36 Josh Bertrand San Tan Valley, AZ 662 305- 1
37 Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 660 300- 9
38 Jesse Wiggins Cullman, AL 652 308- 2
39 Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 652 303-10
40 Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 641 303- 9
41 Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 641 302- 8
42 Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 639 302- 0
43 Dave Lefebre Erie, PA 633 299- 0
44 Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 633 288-15
45 Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 631 299- 8
46 Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ 626 300-12
47 Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 617 284- 4
48 Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 615 292-12
49 Mike McClelland Bentonville, AR 612 298- 1
50 Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 612 289- 6

2017 Rookie of the Year
as of 15-Sept-2017
Angler Points Lbs-Oz
1 Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 776 324-12
2 Dustin Connell Clanton, AL 770 330- 0
3 Mark Daniels Jr. Tuskegee, AL 722 315- 8
4 Jesse Wiggins Cullman, AL 652 308- 2
5 Alton Jones Jr. Lorena, TX 454 238- 6
6 Gerald Spohrer Gonzales, LA 378 224- 0
7 Jesse Tacoronte Orlando, FL 373 234-13
8 Darrell Ocamica New Plymouth, ID 247 196- 4
9 Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 225 164-10
10 Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 210 197- 0
11 Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 208 186- 9


VanDam’s 18 pounds of disappointment

Story & Photo Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships

 

Be honest, if a genie in a bottle offered you an 18-pound limit of bass every time you went fishing, you’d jump on it like a 5-pound smallmouth on a soft shell crawdad.

So would I.

But for the greatest bass angler of all time, bringing an 18-pound limit of smallmouth to the scales on Day 1 of the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship on Lake Mille Lacs felt like Christmas without presents. Or, maybe a good old fashioned kick in the fishin’ shorts.

“Yea, absolutely I’d call it disappointing,” said Kevin VanDam in the predawn light just before heading out in search of a bigger sack of bronze bombers on Day 2.

“I actually caught more bass than I expected to yesterday, but so many of my bites yesterday were 2 or 2 ½ pound fish. I just never got a real big bite,” he explained.

Ironically, even though 29 of the 50 competitors caught at least a 20-pound limit on Day 1, nearly all of them still insist that Mille Lacs is fishing stingy.

“You look at that leaderboard, and you’re thinking we just went out there and blasted ‘em yesterday – but trust me, that ain’t the deal. It’s a grind. Even a lot of the guys who caught ‘em really good yesterday only got seven or eight bites all day long,” explains the career long Quantum pro.

“In my opinion, the population structure here is different than most northern smallmouth fisheries we compete on,” says VanDam. “Instead of tons of three and four pounders like you might see at a place like St. Clair or the St. Lawrence River, it seems like there are fewer fish here, but there’s some really old fish here that grow to be giants – there’s just not tons of them.”

But today is a brand new day. And boy is it different. Instead of calm winds and bright sunny skies, clouds are heavy grey and the winds are blowing steady out of the North-Northeast at 10 mph.

“You watch the leaderboard today,” warns VanDam. “This weather change is gonna shake things up big time. All that finesse fishing guys were doing yesterday, is going to be tougher to do today.”

Faster moving lures like jerkbaits, crankbaits and spinnerbaits will be much bigger players. And if VanDam had a genie in a bottle – that’s exactly what he’d wish for.

So keep an eye on the leaderboard. And don’t be shocked if the 7-time Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year makes a jump toward the top like a 5-pound smallie.

 


Palaniuk Remains On Top Of Season Points Race After First Round Of AOY Championship

Brandon Palaniuk of Hayden, Idaho, holds on to first place in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race on the first day of the 2017 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship held on Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota, with 903 points.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.

September 14, 2017

ONAMIA, Minn. — It’s rare for an angler to finish 19th in the first round of a major tournament and end up totally setting the buzz for the event.

It’s rarer still for that angler to seem totally satisfied with his performance.

But after catching 21 pounds, 4 ounces of smallmouth bass and placing 19th Thursday, Brandon Palaniuk seemed to sense he was closing in on the goal he set before this week’s Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship — and that was to win his first career AOY title.

His 19th-place finish on Mille Lacs Lake — combined with a 26th-place finish by his closest AOY competitor Jason Christie (20-8) and a ninth-place showing by Tennessee pro Jacob Wheeler (22-10) — kept Palaniuk in the AOY lead by a margin of 22 points.

The three-time B.A.S.S. winner from Hayden, Idaho, is now just two more solid days away from the biggest accomplishment of his pro-fishing career.

“I was hoping to catch 23 pounds a day,” Palaniuk said. “I figured that would be enough to give me a chance to win the actual event this week — and if I win, the AOY will take care of itself. So now, I just have to go out and catch 25 (Friday) to even it out.”

Palaniuk started near the launch site at Eddy's Resort, but he rarely stayed in one spot long as he culled his way up to 21-4.

“I ran a lot,” he said. “I just hopped from place to place to place. I’m trying to fish the highest-percentage areas I can, and I haven’t found any one place where I felt confident there was a big school where I could go in and catch them like I did the last time we were here.”

Though there was some talk during practice that the fishing at Mille Lacs had slowed down a little since it burst onto the national scene during last year’s AOY Championship, the lake showed out again Thursday. It was ranked No. 1 in the nation on Bassmaster Magazine’s 100 Best Bass Lakes list this year.

The Top 29 anglers — more than half of the 50-man field — caught at least 20-4, and only four anglers failed to break 15-0.

Christie, who came into the day trailing Palaniuk by 15 points in the AOY Standings (811-796) caught 20-8 and finished 26th in the daily standings. He actually lost ground in the AOY race and is now trailing Palaniuk by 22 points, 903-881.

“Compared to the practice I had, I really had an okay day here today,” Christie said. “I just didn’t catch any of those great big ones — that 5 1/2-pounder or 5 1/4 that you really need to make up a lot of ground here.”

Christie said he weighed in five fish that were in the 4 1/2-pound range — and he was glad to have them.

“I was a little bit worried about even catching one,” he said. “In the position I’m in this week, if you get out there and start worrying about not catching one, you start moving around a lot. Catching a few early kind of settled me down.”

Wheeler’s ninth-place finish left him 23 points back of Palaniuk, but it moved him to within one point of Christie (881-880) in the race for second place.

“This is exactly what I needed,” Wheeler said. “A lot of people have been saying this is a two-man race between Brandon and Jason. But realistically, if you have one bad day on this lake, you’re in 40th place.

“So, this was exactly what I needed. I just need to go out and do it a couple of more times.”

Alabama angler Dustin Connell finished 24th Thursday with 20-9 and took the lead in the Toyota Bassmaster Rookie of the Year standings with 765 total points. New York pro Jamie Hartman fell to second, and despite finishing in 48th place on the first day of competition is only one point behind with 764 for ROY.

Unlike the last two years, there will be prize money and a trophy awarded to the angler who has the best three-day weight during the AOY Championship.

Texas angler Keith Combs grabbed the early lead in that race Thursday with a bag of 24-15. Michigan angler Jonathon VanDam was second with 24-2, and Pennsylvania angler Dave Lefebre was third with 23-7.

The full field will fish again Friday and Sunday to determine the AOY Championship and the event winner. Daily takeoffs will be held each day at 6:50 a.m. CT from Eddy's Resort, and daily weigh-ins will be held at 3:45 p.m. at Grand Casino Mille Lacs.

The field will take a break Saturday for Bassmaster University. Anglers will be conducting seminars and greeting fans near the weigh-in stand at Grand Casino Mille Lacs in conjunction with the Bassmaster Elite Series Outdoors Expo. Companies such as Toyota, Huk, Power-Pole and Berkley will be onsite featuring their latest products. Fans will be able to enjoy free boat and motor demo rides from Skeeter, Yamaha, Nitro, Triton and Mercury. There will also be arts and crafts and food vendors and activities for kids.

All venues are free and open to the public. The expo will begin at 11 a.m. CT. For more information and a full list of activities, visit Bassmaster.com/news/attend-toyota-bassmaster-angler-year-championship.

The championship is hosted by Grand Casino Mille Lacs.

 

Angler Points Lbs-Oz
1 Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID 903 324- 2
2 Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 881 314- 9
3 Jacob Wheeler Harrison, TN 880 327-15
4 Jordan Lee Grant, AL 825 312- 3
5 Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 815 310- 2
6 Edwin Evers Talala, OK 804 295- 8
7 Ott DeFoe Blaine, TN 803 314-10
8 Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 787 306-14
9 Keith Combs Huntington, TX 771 301-11
10 Dustin Connell Clanton, AL 765 308- 0
11 Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 764 301- 2
12 Brent Ehrler Redlands, CA 760 301- 0
13 Seth Feider Isle, MN 753 297- 8
14 Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 750 300- 0
15 Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 744 285- 4
16 Mark Daniels Jr. Tuskegee, AL 729 294- 1
17 Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 726 297-13
18 Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 724 294-10
19 Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 723 293- 5
20 Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 722 287-10
21 Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 717 286- 4
22 Russ Lane Prattville, AL 708 296- 7
23 Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 701 301- 5
24 Cliff Pace Petal, MS 700 294- 4
25 John Crews Jr Salem, VA 698 290- 3
26 Luke Clausen Otis Orchards, WA 693 264-15
27 Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 684 290- 2
28 Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 682 291-15
29 James Elam Tulsa, OK 682 289-11
30 Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 680 298- 8
31 Alton Jones Lorena, TX 679 279- 0
32 Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 673 289- 6
33 David Walker Sevierville, TN 672 279- 1
34 Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 669 285-14
35 Jesse Wiggins Cullman, AL 664 290-10
36 Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 660 271- 0
37 Josh Bertrand San Tan Valley, AZ 658 284- 9
38 Dave Lefebre Erie, PA 658 282-15
39 Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 657 282- 6
40 Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 649 284- 0
41 Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 646 285- 1
42 Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 646 284- 2
43 Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 644 280-12
44 Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 634 272-14
45 Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 633 271-14
46 Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 627 278- 9
47 Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 625 275- 1
48 Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ 621 278- 0
49 Mike McClelland Bentonville, AR 616 279- 9
50 Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 610 267-14


Michael Nutter Wins Area 8 American Bass Anglers Ram Truck Open Series Championship on the Potomac

Michael Nutter of LaPlata, Maryland won the Ram Truck Open Series Area 8 championship held Sept. 9th 10th, 2017 on the Potomac River. Running out of Smallwood State Park, on Day 1 Michael weighed in the largest five fish limit of the tournament at 19.73 pounds. This also included a bass that weighed 5.67 pounds.  On day 2 Michael weighed in another five-bass limit weighing 10.91 pounds for a two day total of 30.64 pounds securing his victory. Michael took home a check for $10,000.00 for his win.

“I fished a 300 yard stretch in Belmont Bay both days,” said Nutter. “I caught most of my fish on either a green pumpkin or white chatter bait, I also caught some on a buzz bait and a key fish on a popper.”

In second for the boaters, Brian Calloway of Danville, Virginia weighed in a five-bass limit day 1 with a weight of 14.54 pounds and a five bass limit day 2 that weighed 11.61 pounds giving him a two day total weight of 26.15 pounds. Calloway took home a check for $1050.00 for the effort.

“My best fish came each day on a buzz bait” said Calloway. “I would catch two or three a day on that and the rest of my fish came on a 3/8 ounce jig flipping boat docks.”

Taking third place for the boaters was Barton Wines of Marshall, Virginia. Barton weighed in a five-bass limit day 1 weighing 13.15 pounds and a five bass limit day 2 with a weight of 12.39 pounds giving him a two day total weight of 25.54 pounds. Wines took home $800.00 for his catch.

“I caught all of my fish on a top water popper” said Wines. “The bite was early morning for less than two hours and then it was over.”

Finishing fourth, Mike Moran of Ruffs Dale, Pa. weighed in a five bass limit both days with a total weight of 25.20 pounds. Rounding out the top five was Craig Carnes of Noblesville, IN. who weighed in two five bass limits with a total weight of 23.25 pounds.

Danny Moffat Sr. of Waldorf MD. took home the big bass honors with a fish that weighed 6.02 pounds. Danny collected $620.00 and for having the biggest bass of the tournament, he also took home an ABU Garcia reel valued at $160.00.

In the Co-Angler Division, Travis Garrett of Charlottesville, Virginia took top honors by catching two co angler limits weighing a total of 15.15 pounds. Travis took home $5000.00 for the win.

“I caught 3 fish on day one with a senko and three fish on day two. I caught two on a worm and one on a frog. It was a slow bite and I was done around 10:00.” Said Garrett.

Randy Ruffin of Norfolk, Virginia with the help of a big day two weight of 11.41 pounds and a bass that weighed 4.57 pounds went all the way to second place with a two day weight of 13.36 pounds. Randy took home $350.00 for the effort.

Taking third for the co anglers Randy Walsh of Stafford, Virginia weighed in two co angler limits for a total weight of 13.28 pounds. Randy took home 250.00 for his catch.

Finishing fourth with a two day total weight of 13.18 pounds was Andy Strickler of York, PA and rounding out the top five was Anthony Kashiwsky of Catonsville, MD with a two day total weight of 12.93 pounds.

The co angler big bass honors went to Andrew Myers of Arbutus, MD with a bass that weighed 5.28 pounds. Andrew took home a total of $400.00.

The next tournament will be the Ray Scott championship. The best anglers from across the nation advance the 2018 Ray Scott Championship, slated for the Red River in Shreveport-Bossier Louisiana in April 2018.

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.


Eric Silverstrim wins Area 1 American Bass Anglers Championship on Chickamauga

Eric Silverstrim of Indian Mound, TN won the American Bass Anglers, RAM Truck Open Series Area 1 two-day Championship, held on September 9th-10th 2017 on Lake Chickamauga. Running out Dayton Boat Dock in Dayton, TN Eric brought back a five-fish limit that locked in the scales at 13.26 lbs.  On day two he stayed consistent and brought in another five-fish limit that went for 17.51 lbs. giving him a two- day total weight of 30.77 lbs.  Eric took home a check for $10,000 for his first-place finish.

“I caught all my fish on a Fishing 45 football head jig in Texas Craw. I was just flipping that’s how I caught all my fish this weekend.  That Fishing 45 Jig with the Trokar hooks just kept them hooked up, and that little bit of chartreuse just drew them out of that scattered brush.”  Said Silverstrim.  “My Mercury Pro XS got a good work out this week, and I can’t thank Mercury Marine enough.  That Pro XS is by far the best motor on the market and it really showed it this week.  I also want to thank C&O Marine, and Fishing 45, with those Trokar hooks and their swim bait lines there’s just nothing any better out there. I want to thank the ABA for the tournament series they put on and I feel grateful, it’s a lot of hard work and it just worked out this weekend.”

Taking Second was Wayne Boyd of Rome, Ga.  On day one Wayne brought back 5 keepers that locked in at 16.75 lbs.  Day, he landed 5 more to add 11.55 lbs. to his total weight, giving him a two-day total of 28.30 lbs.  Wayne took home $1100 dollars for his efforts.

“I Fished clean for two days, I didn’t lose any fish at all. I caught all my fish on a white chatter bait in scattered grass.  It was a grind out there.”  Said Boyd.

Third place was claimed by Matt Stanley of Alexandria, TN.  Matt brought back a 5-fish limit both days for a two-day total weight of 27.69 lbs.  Matt pocketed $900 for his placement.

“I was flipping grass, wood, and rock banks. I just kept moving and trying to find the fish.”  Said Stanley.

Fourth was taken by Steve Barnes of Harrison, TN.  Steve landed a limit both days for a total weight of 23.07 lbs.

Brad Harmon rounded out the top 5 with 8 fish over two days for a total weight of 22.06 lbs.
Douglas Webster of Pinson, AL took big fish honors with a gorgeous 7.60 lb. largemouth.  Douglas took home $700 for that fish.

Taking First for the Co-Anglers was Joseph Casey of Trenton, GA.  Joseph managed to bring in 5 fish over the two days for a total weight of 16.15 lbs.  He anchored his catch with a 4.40 lb. kicker sealing his victory.  He took home a check for $5000 for his victory.

“I caught all my key fish deep on edge breaks where the grass would stop, on a strike king cutter worm Texas rigged.  I fished the river and Hiwassee both days.  I caught all my bigger fish in the first 15-20 minutes both days.  I want to thank my wife, my family, and my friend from work Harley.”  Said Casey.

Second amongst the Co-Anglers was Herbert Hall of Harrison, TN. Herbert brought in 4 fish during the tournament for a total weight of 12.03 lbs.  He Anchored his catch with a beautiful 6.96 lb. largemouth, which also took Co-Angler Big Bass.  Herbert took home a $350 for his placement and an additional $240 for his Big Bass.

“I was using a white Cho Cho custom jig, but I got hung up and lost it.  I couldn’t find another one, but I had the same jig in a different color. I tied it on and that’s what I caught the big one on. I thought I was hung up again, until it started moving back, it was a fun fish to catch.”  Said Hall.

Taking third for the Co-Anglers was Kevin Shrader of Valley Head, AL.  He brought in a total of 5 fish, they locked in the scales for a two-total weight of 11.92 lbs.  Kevin took home a check for $250 for his efforts.

“I caught every one of my fish on square bill crank bait.  I was jerking it through the grass like a rattle trap.  I probably caught 35 fish total, just not a lot of big ones.” Said Shrader.

Fourth place was claimed by Robert Henze of Lavergne, TN. He brought in a 3-fish limit both days for a total weight of 11.03 lbs.

Rounding out the top 5 was Jake Cross of Byrdstown, TN with a two-day total weight of 10.24 lbs.

The next tournament will be the Ray Scott Championship. The best anglers from across the nation advance the 2018 Ray Scott Championship, slated for the Red River in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana in April 2018.

For more information on this tournament, call Kristin Malott, tournament manager, at 256-771-3709 or ABA at 256-232-0406. On line, see www.ramopenseries.com .

About American Bass Anglers: American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers, the Ram Truck Open Series, the American Fishing Tour or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com.


Oh Deer, Swindle a Bit Distracted as AOY Championship Begins

Story & Photo Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships

 

One year ago, the pressure Gerald and LeAnn Swindle felt during Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship week on Mille Lacs was on par with a Crimson Tide pass rush.

The couple persevered, they prayed, they leaned on each other, and they limped out of the pocket to score Gerald’s second career Toyota Angler of the Year title.

This week on Mille Lacs, the pressure is gone. So much so that LeAnn had to step through a line of fans and media at Day 1 launch to jokingly remind Gerald of their rule: “No talk of deer hunting on tournament day.”

Now don’t get the wrong idea, “Lulu” loves to hunt. But as she kindly explains, “He gets distracted easily, especially when deer season gets close to tournament season, so sometimes I have to step in and remind him of our rule, especially when I see him showing-off trail camera pictures five minutes before tournament blast-off.”

The couple has shared 13 great years of marriage, and time in the deer woods together is a treasured part of their matrimony. In fact, they stopped at the 200-acre hunting property they lease in Illinois as they traveled from home in Alabama to Mille Lacs.

“Yep, I spent all last Thursday afternoon, and all day Friday, planting ‘green fields’ with my son-in-law Zach to get us ready for deer season, before we came on up to Mille Lacs,” says Swindle with a joyful grin.

“I was telling Dan Quinn from Rapala this morning not to get too concerned about not seeing a lot of deer on trail cameras right now in September, because this time of year they’re still eating natural food sources, and they don’t come to food you put out in front of a camera near as much as they will later in the fall. They’re like smallmouth on a sonar screen. Sometimes they hug the bottom so close you can’t see ‘em – but that don’t mean they aren’t there,” explains the Quantum pro.

A couple weeks from now Swindle will kick off the hunting season with a Montana elk hunting trip, followed by time in a treestand for Illinois whitetail.

“The thing I’m looking forward to most this year in hunting season is not walking with a bad limp. I feel healthy. Heck, last year I had to kill a 140” buck with one crutch under my arm,” says Swindle.

But first, there is a bass tournament taking place in Central Minnesota. And this year, it’s a tournament the Swindles are enjoying far more.

“This week last year was the single most stressful week of our married life,” admits LeAnn. “There were tears, there were prayers, and there was stress like we’d never experienced.”

But this week the Swindles are relaxed, just jockeying for a few more Angler of the Year points, sharing life off the water with their old buddy Skeet Reese, and showing-off big buck pictures on a cell phone – well, at least until “Lulu” reminded “G” of their rule.


Jordan Lee and Casey Ashley Preview AOY Championship

Story & Photo Courtesy of Alan McGuckin ~ Dynamic Sponsorships

Jordan Lee and Casey Ashley both sit inside the Top 10 of the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year points race, and the two Quantum pros graciously offered their input on everything from fried catfish to sturgeon, and of course smallmouth bass, on the eve of competition at Lake Mille Lacs.

Last year was a slugfest here at Mille Lacs. How do conditions compare this year?
Jordan Lee: The weather is a lot warmer. Last year we were wearing Carhartt beanies on our heads to stay warm, and the lake does seem to be fishing tougher.
Casey Ashley: It’s so much tougher this year. It’s like these fish got a good education between last year and now. There aren’t any dumb ones left swimming here now.

The Northern U.S. is rich with a wide variety of freshwater fish species. What’s your most noteworthy catch amid all the Elite Series events you’ve fished ‘up north’ this summer?
Jordan Lee: Oh, for sure the 60-pound sturgeon I fought for 71 minutes on Zona Live at Lake St. Clair!
Casey Ashley: I hooked a northern pike so big that I wasn’t about to wrestle him for my jerkbait. I just let him take it with him.

Speaking of lures, name three lures that pros will use most this week on Mille Lacs:
Jordan Lee: Jerkbait, drop shot, and a tube.
Casey Ashley: A crankbait that will run 10 to 12-feet deep, a jerkbait, and a drop shot.

How much weight will you have to average each day to finish in the Top 12 here?
Jordan Lee: 20 pounds
Casey Ashley: 20 pounds

People in this part of the country love to eat walleye, yellow perch and crappie – what is your favorite fish to eat?
Jordan Lee: I like walleye. And I like grouper. But my go-to standard is grilled catfish at the Cracker Barrel.
Casey Ashley: Fried flathead catfish caught near home in South Carolina.


B.A.S.S. To Conduct Telethon To Benefit Hurricane Victims In Fish And Wildlife Agencies

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission employees rescue Florida flood victims in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Some of the state employees also suffered tremendous losses in the storm.

Photo courtesy of Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida
September 13, 2017

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Game wardens, fisheries biologists and other personnel in the fish and game departments of Texas and Florida were among the first responders in the back-to-back catastrophic hurricanes that slammed those two states.

After those heroes worked tirelessly to rescue people from flooded and storm-ravaged homes, many of them returned from duty to find their own homes severely damaged or destroyed.

In response to their losses and in recognition of their sacrifices, B.A.S.S. is launching a fundraising campaign through its innovative Bassmaster LIVE broadcasts from the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship this week at Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota.

The first-ever Bassmaster LIVE “telethon” will take place during coverage of the year-end championship, which will crown the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year and determine berths in the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.

More than 100,000 fishing fans will tune in for the LIVE shows, which are streamed on Bassmaster.com this week and WatchESPN from 8-11 a.m. and 12:30-3:30 p.m. ET Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

“In the aftermath of hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the needs are so great they’re mind-boggling,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “We want to do whatever we can to help, and we also want to be confident that these funds go directly to the people who need it most. That’s why we’re proud to partner with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida to directly benefit the men and women of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.”

The two foundations are non-profit organizations dedicated to providing private funding to help their respective conservation agencies protect and improve fish and wildlife resources.

“Knowing that things like this would happen, we set up a fund sometime back to provide emergency relief for our fish and wildlife workers,” said Andy Walker, president and CEO of the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida. “That fund was exhausted in the first 48 hours.”

Because of the nature of their jobs, a disproportionate number of Florida fish and wildlife employees live and work in coastal areas — especially the Florida Keys — that received the brunt of Irma’s fury, he said.

Anne Brown, executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, added that numerous parks and wildlife employees also reside in coastal areas hardest hit by Hurricane Harvey, and more than 100 have been displaced due to damage or loss of their homes. The foundation has raised and distributed about $250,000 for the relief effort so far.

During the LIVE broadcasts, hosts Tommy Sanders and Davy Hite will interview Elite anglers and B.A.S.S. Nation members from Texas and Florida, including some who used their own boats to rescue people stranded in the floods. Officials in both states have commended fishermen and hunters for their quick response and credited them for saving numerous lives.

Walker noted that 150 wildlife and fisheries workers from Florida worked “around the clock” in Texas to help rescue people there, and more than 350 Texas Parks and Wildlife employees reciprocated by converging on Florida this week to help in the wake of Hurricane Irma.

Akin also pointed out that a number of B.A.S.S. sponsors have been active in relief efforts. Yamaha and G3 provided boats to be used in the Houston rescue operation, as did Tracker dealers in the area.

And Toyota is working with the St. Bernard Project (SBP) — an initiative launched in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana — with a long-term view of recovery.

“In this spirit, we spent $1 million to establish our long-time partner, the St Bernard Project, in southeast Texas,” said Mike Goss, president of Toyota USA Foundation. “They are helping people mitigate mold and avoid contractor fraud, and they help the uninsured navigate government funding. Eventually, SBP will rebuild homes for residents who cannot afford it on their own.

“Often this entire process takes many years in the wake of a huge disaster, so Toyota wants to help make full recovery go faster.”

Fans who tune in to the Bassmaster LIVE shows beginning Thursday will be given directions on how they can donate to the relief efforts.

Those who want to help fish and wildlife personnel in Florida can contribute to a fund set up by the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida: https://www.fishwildlifeflorida.org/irma/.

The Texas foundation has set up two funds: the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Employee Relief Fund (www.tpwf.org/employee-harvey-relief) and the Restoration of Natural Resources Fund (www.tpwf.org/resources-harvey-relief).


Swindle talks AOY, knees, guitars, and Mille Lacs

Story & Photo Courtesy Alan McGuckin ~ Dynamic Sponsorships

 

One year ago in mid-September, Gerald Swindle became only the 11th professional bass angler in history to win more than one Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title when he hauled home the coveted trophy to Alabama from Lake Mille Lacs, Minnesota.

He’s back at Mille Lacs this week for the same event, and he sits solidly near the top of the year-end points race in 14th place. He graciously took time at the end of a long practice day, on a mosquito laden boat ramp, to reflect on memories of Mille Lacs last year, as well as the challenges and triumphs he’s experienced since.

 

When you reflect back on Mille Lacs a year ago, what do you remember most?

“There are a couple things that stand out. First, was just physically touching that trophy, and all the emotion tied to finally knowing it was mine, but also how much pressure “Lulu” and I dealt with that week, and the toll it took on her and me,” he reflects. “I think she wore out two pair of blue jeans that week praying. There was definitely a serious feeling of relief when that week was finally over.”

 

Soon after winning the AOY title, and being at the sport’s pinnacle, you found yourself in a hospital bed facing deeply concerning and unexpected complications from what was expected to be a fairly routine knee surgery – how are your knees doing now?

“They’re pretty good. I’d say they’re at 85% compared to about 40% and a whole lot of Advil this time last year,” grinned the Quantum pro.

 

What’s the coolest thing that’s happened to your life as a direct result of being the reigning Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year?

 “No huge changes, really. The big things have never really jumped out at me – it’s the smaller but hugely meaningful things that go a long way with me, like kids writing me letters, or the custom guitar made for me by Duane Calkins’ woodshop class that I love the most,” says Swindle.

 

You’ve had another awesome season this year, what’s been the biggest key to keeping you atop your game?

“I think we’ve focused even more on fishing this year. I mean, we’ve worked hard for our sponsors off the water, but we’ve tried even harder to keep our eye on the ball, and focused on the game itself,” says the Lake Guntersville resident.

 

Let’s talk about this week. Give us the unfiltered “G-Man” pregame analysis of what fans can expect this week on Mille Lacs.

“I think you’ll see a lot of decent weights again. But like an Alabama football score, just because the numbers on the scoreboard indicate a big win, doesn’t mean the game itself won’t be a grind,” says Swindle. “You’ll see a few 25-pound bags, but not as many as last year. There seems to be an algae bloom that’s making the water a bit cloudier, and with smallmouth being such sight-oriented feeders, I think it’s slowed the bite down just a little. I think a 23-pound per day average can win this week.”

 

Knee health to algae blooms. Custom guitars to college football. Life’s always in proper perspective for Gerald Swindle.


Carhartt Countdown to Blast Off with Alan McGuckin and Strike King Pro Matt Lee

Dynamic Sponsorships Alan McGuckin talks to Strike King Pro Matt Lee as he prepares for the final day of practice in the BASS Angler of the Year Championship on Lake Mille Lacs.


2018 Carhartt Bassmaster College, High School Series Schedules Announced With Exciting Changes

September 12, 2017

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops and the Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods schedules were announced today with intriguing updates for 2018.

The High School Series has been expanded to four Opens in 2018, and the Bassmaster College Series will showcase a new format enabling college bass fishing teams to compete in a national tour comprising four tournaments and the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops.

Through this year, a college team could only compete in the event within their regional “conference,” plus a wild card qualifier that gave anglers a second chance to reach the national championship. The 2018 college tour will consist of Central, Eastern, Western and Southern events — providing higher-payout incentives and more opportunities to qualify for the 2018 College Series National Championship.

The College Series tour will begin Jan. 25-27 at the Central qualifier on Toledo Bend Reservoir, Louisiana, which was recently ranked fourth in the Central Division of Bassmaster Magazine’s 100 Best Bass Lakes for 2017.

“Toledo Bend Lake Country/Sabine Parish Tourist Commission/Sabine River Authority are looking forward to hosting the Bassmaster High School and the Bassmaster College Series on Toledo Bend during the 2018 season,” said Linda Curtis-Sparks, director, Sabine Parish Tourist Commission. “We are excited about having these young anglers to our area. We feel that they represent the future in the fishing industry, plus they will be here during a prespawn period for our lake, so the weights could be record setting. It is going to be fun!”

From there, college anglers will travel to the Southern event hosted by the Florence/Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau on Pickwick Lake, Alabama, April 19-21.

“We are super excited to be hosting the 2018 Bassmaster College Series in Florence, Ala.,” said Suzie Shoemaker, manager, sport/event sales at the Florence/Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. “College anglers bring fantastic economic impact to our community, and we look forward to having them back!”

Cherokee Lake, Tennessee, will be the third fishery on tour at the Eastern event on May 10-12 — the Economic Development Alliance of Jefferson County, Tenn. will be the host. And finally, anglers will head west to Clear Lake, California, May 23-25, where the tournament is hosted by the Konocti Vista Resort & Marina.

In addition to the four tour events, the Bassmaster College Series will also partner with the B.A.S.S. Nation to hold state-qualifying tournaments. Anglers will now be able to compete for a berth in the national championship through their respective state’s event — formats will vary.

All tour events will be open to any college or university interested in participating. Teams can attend all four Opens and the state qualifier if they chose to do so.

Also new this year, anglers will vie for the opportunity to become the 2018 Bassmaster College Series Team of the Year. Each of the tour’s three-day events will feature point system scoring, based on field size, allowing anglers to compete for the title, cash and prizes.

The goal for the restructure is to allow anglers five opportunities — the four tour events and a state-qualifying event — to compete for a berth in the national championship and a shot at becoming the Bassmaster College Series Team of the Year.

“The college demographic continues to change and evolve,” said B.A.S.S. College and High School Series Senior Manager Hank Weldon. “We want to continue to offer a series that accommodates all college anglers, whether that be a team who can compete in a multievent tour or anglers who can only travel to a state-run event. The 2017-18 competition year should be really exciting to watch.”

Much like the College Series, the 2018 Bassmaster High School Series will now feature four Opens events — Central, Southern, Eastern and the new Western Open.

The High School Opens will continue to be one-day tournaments with a briefing and sponsor greeting held the night before competition. However, also new this year for the High School Series are up-to-the-minute competition updates.

“The one thing we hear from parents and fans watching the coverage on Bassmaster.com is that they would like to know where their teams stand throughout the competition,” Weldon noted. “In 2018, we are launching BASSTrakk on each team’s boat for all High School tournaments — fans will be able to follow their teams closely on the water at each event.”

The kickoff event will be Jan. 28 at the High School Series Central Open on Toledo Bend Reservoir, just one day after the first College tournament. Toledo Bend Lake Country will be the host for this event, as well.

From there, teams will travel to Lay Lake, Alabama, for the Southern Open on March 24 hosted by Visit Shelby County, Ala.

Visit Anderson, S.C., will host the Eastern Open and third stop for the High School Series on April 14 on Lake Hartwell, which is also the fishery for the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods slated for March 16-18. The final regular-season stop will be the Western Open at Clear Lake, California, on May 2 also hosted by the Konocti Vista Resort & Marina.

High school teams in each of the four Opens will be competing for berths in the Bassmaster High School Championship presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. The dates and location of that event will be later announced.

To view registration dates for both college and high school tournaments, and for more information on the Bassmaster College Series state-qualifying events, visit Bassmaster.com.

2018 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops

Event Title                             Lake                                       City                                     Date            
Central Tour Event                 Toledo Bend Reservoir           Many, La.                             Jan. 25-27
Southern Tour Event               Pickwick Lake                        Florence, Ala.                      April 19-21
Eastern Tour Event                 Cherokee Lake                        Jefferson City, Tenn.            May 10-12
Western Tour Event                Clear Lake                               Lakeport, Calif.                    May 23-25

2018 Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods

Event Title                             Lake                                       City                                   Date             
Central Open                          Toledo Bend Reservoir           Many, La.                          Jan. 28
Southern Open                        Lay Lake                                 Shelby County, Ala.         March 24
Eastern Open                          Lake Hartwell                         Anderson, S.C.                 April 14
Western Open                         Clear Lake                               Lakeport, Calif.                May 26


PBC CASHION FISHING RODS 'End of Year' TEAM BASS FISHING TRAIL September 9th, 2017 ~ Falls Lake

Hunting season arrived and the qualifier #5 of PBC Cashion Fishing Rods 'End of Year' Trail at Falls Lake took a hit

with only 30 teams showing up and the weights took a hit too! Air temps ranged from 54 degrees in the am on up to
70 at the 3pm weighin. Water temps averaged about 74 degrees. Winds were nonexistent in the am up to about 10
mph in the afternoon. The bite was good but it was tough to get 5 good fish...most were small.

The veteran team of Todd Massey & Tim Parker won 1st Place weighing in 5 bass at 19.04 lbs., 1st Place Big Fish
(7.33 lbs.)and also won the 1st Place Tournament within a Tournament (TWT) for a total of $1,707 in winnings. The
team said most of their bass were caught off channel points & dropoffs in 3 to 10' of water with crankbaits & worm
rigs.


Jaime Fajardo & Josh Hooks came in 2nd place with 5 fish weighing 15.32 lbs. & also won 2nd Place TWT to pocket
a total of $705. 3rd place team Bobby Houser & Matt Dean won $350 with 5 weighing 14.85 lbs. The 2nd Place Big
Fish weighed 6.14 lbs. and was caught by David Bullock & Jimmy Henderson netting them $168 in prize money!!

Only 63 fish were weighed in for a total of 171 pounds for an average of 2.71 lbs. each. Most of the fish were caught
on Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, Jig combos and Crankbaits in 3 to 10' of water off main point dropoffs and creek
channels.

I want to thank all the anglers that participated and all our sponsors that support this trail. The next Cashion Fishing
Rods 'End of Year' Tournament Trail Qualifier will be September 23rd at Kerr Lake. Go to this webpage for the info
on the 'End of Year' Trail: http://piedmontbassclassics.com/2017CashionEOYTrailMainPage.html
All the information on our tournaments can be found http://piedmontbassclassics.com/

Now here are the full results:

1st Place: Todd Massey & Tim Parker of Chapel Hill & New Hill...5 bass...19.04 lbs...$860
2nd Place: Jaime Fajardo & Josh Hooks of Fuquay Varina & Apex...5 bass...15.32 lbs...$510
3rd Place: Bobby Houser & Matt Dean of Raleigh & Clayton...5 bass...14.85 lbs...$350
4th Place: Doug Stallings & Seth Ellis of Durham & Charlotte...5 bass...14.77 lbs...$270
5th Place: Tony & Chase Stanley of Four Oaks...5 bass...114.20 lbs...$220
6th Place: Tony Woodard & Stewart Adams of Four Oaks...5 bass...14.06 lbs...$190

1st Place Big Fish..1st Place Team above...7.33 lbs...$392
2nd Place Big Fish..David Bullock & Jimmy Henderson of Durham & Wake Forest...6.14 lbs...$168

         1st Place TWT..1st Place Team above...19.04 lbs...$455

         2nd Place TWT..2nd Place Team above...15.32 lbs...$195


Power-Pole Continues Support of Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series

As the 2017-2018 college fishing season gets underway, Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series and the Association of College Anglers announced that Power-Pole ® shallow water anchors will continue their support of the series and will offer a rebate to all collegiate anglers.

“We’re proud to continue our support of the Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series. These young anglers represent the future of the sport and through our Power-Pole rebate program we offer to help them gain the competitive edge that will allow them to grow their careers,” said Curt Hill, Advertising Manager for Power-Pole shallow water anchors, which is based in Tampa, Florida.

As Power-Pole remains committed to the Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, many anglers will continue to rely on their shallow water anchors and are able to display exceptional boat control with the addition of single or dual Power-Pole anchors.

“Power-Pole has been a sponsor of our Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series since the very first year and as go into our thirteenth year of collegiate bass fishing, we’re excited and proud to continue this relationship that dates back to the beginning of college bass fishing,” said Wade Middleton, President of CarecoTV and Director of the Association of Collegiate Anglers.

The 2018 Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series will consist of four nationally televised Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing tournaments, including the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship, which are scheduled for the following dates:

Texas Lunker Challenge – Sam Rayburn Reservoir – February 11, 2018

Cabela’s Collegiate Big Bass Bash Presented by Berkley – Kentucky Lake – March 10-11, 2018

BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship – Pickwick Lake – May 23-25, 2018

Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Open – Lake Dardanelle – October 10-12, 2018

More information on other discount and contingency programs for collegiate anglers can be found at: http://www.collegiatebasschampionship.com/discounts-incentives.html

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 Association of Collegiate Anglers
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 CarecoTV, visit www.carecotv.com.


TRAVIS MANSON WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL NORTHEAST DIVISION FINALE ON 1000 ISLANDS

Hudson’s Tiano Claims Co-angler Title

CLAYTON, N.Y. (Sept. 11, 2017) – Travis Manson of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, won the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Northeast Division tournament on 1000 Islands Sunday with a two-day cumulative catch of 10 bass weighing 44 pounds, 2 ounces. Manson pocketed $6,437 for his win.

Manson said he spent both days of the tournament targeting fish on Lake Ontario.

“On Saturday I worked on a ledge where fish were congregating in anywhere from 18 to 40 feet of water,” said Manson, who notched his first career-win in FLW competition. “They were all in one 50-yard area, and I caught more than 20 keepers over 4 pounds.”

Manson said every fish he weighed in came on a 4-inch Smoke Purple and Blue Highlight-colored Gajo Baits Spirit Shad on a drop-shot rig.

“On Sunday, I returned to the area and within 30 minutes I knew it wasn’t going to pan out,” said Manson. “I ended up burning about 47 gallons of fuel to hit 15 spots and come up with my weight. They were mostly isolated rock clumps, but were areas I’ve had history on. When you lose a school of fish, you just have to run what you know.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          Travis Manson, Conshohocken, Pa., 10 bass, 44-2, $6,437

2nd:         Robert Reesey, Newfoundland, Pa., 10 bass, 43-5, $2,759

3rd:          Dale Gorrell, Hatfield, Pa., 10 bass, 42-13, $2,239

4th:          A.J. Slegona, Pine Bush, N.Y., 10 bass, 42-11, $1,287

5th:          Chris Panetta, West Simsbury, Conn., 10 bass, 41-5, $1,103

6th:          Ronald Penders Jr., Rochester, N.Y., 10 bass, 40-14, $1,012

7th:          Matt Stasiak, Pittsburgh, Pa., 10 bass, 40-0, $920

8th:          Patrick Hildenbrand, Germantown, N.Y., 10 bass, 38-7, $828

9th:          Brian Bylotas, Scott Township, Pa., 10 bass, 37-10, $736

10th:        Casey Smith, Macedon, N.Y., 10 bass, 36-8, $644

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Manson also caught a bass weighing 6 pounds, 6 ounces Saturday – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division. The catch earned him the Boater Big Bass award of $720.

Drew Tiano of Hudson, New York, caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 40 pounds, 13 ounces, to win the Co-angler Division and $2,752.

The top 10 co-anglers were:

1st:          Drew Tiano, Hudson, N.Y., 10 bass, 40-13, $2,752

2nd:         Christy Tiano, Hudson, N.Y., 10 bass, 36-15, $1,476

3rd:          Kyle Esterly, Drexel Hill, Pa., eight bass, 33-1, $968

4th:          Bill Baldwinn, Chittenango, N.Y., 10 bass, 32-2, $642

5th:          Jim Buehler, Montoursville, Pa., nine bass, 31-15, $550

6th:          Brandon Humbertson, Walkersville, Md., nine bass, 31-11, $505

7th:          Griffen Hurt, Bound Brook, N.J., 10 bass, 31-7, $459

8th           Glenn Kingree-Key, Reading, Pa., 10 bass, 30-2, $413

9th:          Andrew Heivly, Malvern, Pa., 10 bass, 29-8, $367

10th:        Craig Dubois, Sprakers, N.Y., nine bass, 29-1, $321

Sky Friend of Ridgewood, New Jersey, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – a fish weighing 5 pounds, 12 ounces – and earned the Co-angler Big Bass award of $352.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 12-14 BFL Regional Championship on the James River in Williamsburg, Virginia. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.

The 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.


CLYDE MCNARON WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL HOOSIER DIVISION FINALE ON OHIO RIVER

North Vernon’s Krider Claims Co-angler Title

LAWRENCEBURG, Ind. (Sept. 11, 2017) – Clyde McNaron of Trenton, Ohio, won the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Hoosier Division tournament on the Ohio River Sunday with a two-day cumulative catch of 10 bass weighing 18 pounds even. For his efforts, McNaron took home $8,143.

“I started out Saturday flipping a (Zoom) Brush Hog and (Mizmo) Tube in Tanner’s Creek and caught three keepers,” said McNaron, who earned his second career-win on the Ohio River in BFL competition. “The water was low, so I fished laydowns off the bank and started catching them off the ends. They fish were pretty close to the channel.

“As the day went on, the water got clearer and I started fishing flats,” continued McNaron. “I casted a topwater bait to some laydowns and stumps and put a 4-pounder in the boat.”

McNaron said the water got muddier as he progressed down the creek, so he switched back to flipping and caught a 3-pound bass.

“I culled my last fish in Hogan’s Creek and that’s what I had for the day,” said McNaron.

On Sunday, McNaron said he began his day in Tanner’s Creek throwing a topwater, but couldn’t get any bites. He said he switched to flipping the Brush Hog and was able to catch three within 90 minutes.

“I flipped bushier trees and caught them off the ends again,” said McNaron. “I moved to a small creek mouth within Tanner’s Creek and picked up one on a spinnerbait, and then another one from the same area a while later around 10:15 (a.m.) After that I couldn’t get anything else to cull, so I brought in what I had.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          Clyde McNaron, Trenton, Ohio, 10 bass, 18-0, $6,143 + $2,000 Ranger Cup Bonus

2nd:         Doug Ruster, New Palestine, Ind., 10 bass, 15-7, $2,723

3rd:          Bryce Kalen, Indianapolis, Ind., 10 bass, 15-1, $2,016

4th:          Chris Wilkinson, Farmersburg, Ind., 10 bass, 14-11, $1,271

5th:          Lucas McDaniel, Fishers, Ind., nine bass, 14-0, $1,389

6th:          Michael Powell Jr., Greendale, Ind., 10 bass,   13-12, $1,098

7th:          Mark Dove, North Vernon, Ind., 10 bass, 12-13, $908

8th:          Daniel Langton, Haubstadt, Ind., eight bass, 12-10, $817

9th:          Frank McClain, Scottsburg, Ind., eight bass, 10-9, $726

10th:        Brandon Houston, Burlington, Ky. seven bass, 9-7, $635

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

McNaron’s 4-pound, 1-ounce bass was the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division. The catch earned him the Boater Big Bass award of $697.

Jim Krider of North Vernon, Indiana, caught a two-day total of five bass weighing 11 pounds, 2 ounces, to win the Co-angler Division and $3,005.

The top 10 co-anglers were:

1st:          Jim Krider, North Vernon, Ind., five bass, 11-2, $3,005

2nd:         Benjamin Barker,  Loveland, Ohio, seven bass, 7-9, $1,332

3rd:          Nicole Foor, Greens Fork, Ind., six bass, 7-6,   $1,089

4th:          Ryan Sykes, Hamilton, Ohio, six bass, 7-3, $672

5th:          Travis Edgar, North Webster, Ind., six bass, 7-2, $533

6th:          Brandon Knapmeyer, Union, Ky., five bass, 5-14, $488

7th:          Kenny Smith, Austin, Ind., three bass, 5-11, $444

8th:          Scottie Davis, Martinsville, Ind., five bass, 5-0, $400

9th:          Brian Liming, Dilsboro, Ind., three bass, 4-11, $355

10th:        Kevin Spivey, Hamilton, Ohio, five bass, 4-9, $311

Krider caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – a fish weighing 4 pounds, 11 ounces – and earned the Co-angler Big Bass award of $341.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 5-7 BFL Regional Championship on Kentucky Lake in Gilbertsville, Kentucky. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.

The 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.


COLE FLOYD WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL LBL DIVISION FINALE ON KENTUCKY/BARKLEY LAKES

Brandenburg’s Dowell Takes Co-angler Title

GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. (Sept. 11, 2017) – Cole Floyd of Leesburg, Ohio, won the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) LBL Division tournament on Kentucky and Barkley lakes Sunday with a two-day cumulative catch of 10 bass weighing 40 pounds, 10 ounces. For his efforts, Floyd took home $5,504.

“I fished near Paris and worked through 15 different areas with bars and flats,” said Floyd, who earned his first career-victory in FLW competition. “Some of them had stumps and wood mixed in, and I got a couple of bites at each. When I got bit, they were the right kind of fish.”

Floyd said he caught 90 to 95 percent of his fish throwing a Bone-colored Evergreen SB 125 Topwater Plug. He said he put 15 keepers in the boat each day, and that they came from 1 to 2 feet of water.

“I feel like a lot of the field did the same thing out there,” said Floyd. “They fished flats and big bass areas, but didn’t know where their next bite would come from. I put down my Power Poles and fished small stretches – some were even as small as 20 by 20 feet. If I didn’t get a bite, I moved on and could usually get something going. I didn’t waste much time looking for them.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 10 bass, 40-10, $5,504

2nd:         Drew Boggs, Lebanon, Tenn., 10 bass, 32-1, $2,752

3rd:          Terry Bolton, Paducah, Ky., 10 bass, 31-2, $3,040

4th:          Brandon Hunter, Benton, Ky., six bass, 22-9, $1,384

5th:          Dwight Fox, Gainesboro, Tenn., seven bass, 21-4, $1,101

6th:          Dustin Vaal, Hardin, Ky., five bass, 20-15, $1,009

7th:          John Hopkins, Hendersonville, Tenn., six bass, 20-1, $917

8th:          Craig Hipsher, Benton, Ky., seven bass, 20-0, $826

9th:          David Carroll, Manitou, Ky., seven bass, 19-12, $734

10th:        Jim Eakin, Clarksville, Tenn., seven bass, 19-0, $642

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Bolton caught a bass weighing 5 pounds, 11 ounces – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division. The catch earned him the Boater Big Bass award of $705.

Ryan Dowell of Brandenburg, Kentucky, caught a two-day total of eight bass weighing 22 pounds, 12 ounces, to win the Co-angler Division and $2,752.

The top 10 co-anglers were:

1st:          Ryan Dowell, Brandenburg, Ky., eight bass, 22-12, $2,752

2nd:         Jeff Johnston, Nashville, Tenn., six bass, 16-10, $1,576

3rd:          Ray Arning Jr, Walnut Hill, Ill., four bass, 12-8, $968

4th:          Chris Brunt, Elkhart, Ind., four bass, 12-7, $642

5th:          Trey Shearer, Nicholasville, Ky., five bass, 12-4, $550

6th:          Wesley Dunn, Paducah, Ky., three bass, 11-10, $857

7th:          Chuck Rounds, Benton, Ky., four bass, 9-2, $459

8th:          Rick Lemar, Saint Louis, Mo., four bass, 8-6, $413

9th:          Kerry Conkle, Bartlett, Tenn., two bass, 8-6, $367

10th:        Danny Robinson, Fairland, Ind., three bass, 8-3, $321

Dunn caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – a fish weighing 6 pounds, 6 ounces – and earned the Co-angler Big Bass award of $352.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 12-14 BFL Regional Championship on the Barren River in Scottsville, Kentucky. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.

The 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.


ROBERT WALSER WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION FINALE ON LAKE NORMAN

Raleigh’s Lawson Grabs Co-angler Title

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Sept. 11, 2017) – Robert Walser of Lexington, North Carolina, won the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) North Carolina Division tournament on Lake Norman Sunday with a two-day cumulative catch of 10 bass weighing 25 pounds, 6 ounces. For his efforts, Walser pocketed $6,014.

“On Saturday I focused on fish on the north end of the lake,” said Walser, who earned his 10th career-victory in FLW competition. “I caught them early on points using a white buzzbait, and then switched to a (Zoom) Finesse Worm for bass near isolated wood.”

Walser said he had a limit of fish heading into Saturday afternoon, but eventually hit a lull. Around 2 p.m., he said he decided to work through a stretch of docks above the Highway 150 bridge that he had fished during practice. He said he switched to a Zoom Baby Brush Hog and was able to put a 6-pound, 2-ounce bass in the boat.

“On Sunday I switched things up and headed down south,” said Walser. “I used the buzzbait and was culling by 8:30 (a.m.) I had all of my weight by 10 (a.m.), but wasn’t sure I had enough to win. There are a lot of talented anglers around Lake Norman, and they know how to make the right adjustments. Luckily everything worked out.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          Robert Walser, Lexington, N.C., 10 bass, 25-6, $6,014

2nd:         John Allen, Concord, N.C., 10 bass, 23-13, $2,539

3rd:          Rob Digh, Denver, N.C., 10 bass, 23-7, $1,894

4th:          Artie Phillips, Monroe, N.C., 10 bass, 23-6, $1,185

5th:          John Parker, Gaffney, S.C., 10 bass, 23-0, $1,015

6th:          Shane LeHew, Catawba, N.C., 10 bass, 22-9, $1,031

7th:          Shane Lineberger, Lincolnton, N.C., 10 bass, 21-13, $846

8th:          Bryan New, Belmont, N.C., 10 bass, 21-9, $762

9th:          Dylan Fulk, Concord, N.C., 10 bass, 21-0, $677

10th:        Cody Hoyle, Rutherfordton, N.C., 10 bass, 20-4, $592

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Walser’s 6-pound, 2-ouncer was the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division. The catch earned him the Boater Big Bass award of $637.

Tobey Lawson of Raleigh, North Carolina, caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 18 pounds, 10 ounces, to win the Co-angler Division and $2,739.

The top 10 co-anglers were:

1st:          Tobey Lawson, Raleigh, N.C., 10 bass, 18-10, $2,739

2nd:         Kevin Jones, Hope Mills, N.C., nine bass, 18-2, $1,269

3rd:          Brian Transon, Sherrills Ford, N.C., 10 bass, 16-15, $846

4th:          Adam Lockler, Charlotte, N.C., nine bass, 15-13, $642

5th:          Phillip Rogers, Cornelius, N.C., seven bass, 14-12, $508

6th:          Hunter Harwell, Hickory, N.C., nine bass, 13-8, $465

7th:          Tyler Ward, Grover, N.C., seven bass, 13-7, $423

8th:          Paul Foley, Mooresville, N.C., seven bass, 12-15, $381

9th:          Steven Spivey, Whiteville, N.C., seven bass, 12-6, $339

10th:        Thomas McDermott, Madison, N.C., six bass, 11-14, $296

Nathan Grose of Summersville, West Virginia, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – a fish weighing 3 pounds, 11 ounces – and earned the Co-angler Big Bass award of $319.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 12-14 BFL Regional Championship on the James River in Williamsburg, Virginia. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.

The 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.


BRAD WILEY WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL BULLDOG DIVISION FINALE ON LAKE LANIER

Warner Robins’ Sato Takes Co-angler Title

GAINESVILLE, Ga. (Sept. 11, 2017) – Brad Wiley of Alto, Georgia, won the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Bulldog Division tournament on Lake Lanier Sunday with a two-day cumulative catch of 10 bass weighing 28 pounds, 2 ounces. For his efforts, Wiley took home $5,942.

Wiley said he spent his weekend fishing on the south end of the lake, near the dam. He said he targeted schooling fish and rotated through five areas throughout the tournament.

“I concentrated on a hump, a ridge, a channel swing and some standing timber,” said Wiley, who earned his first career-win in FLW competition. “The wind made the tournament difficult. On Saturday, there were gusts up to 20 mph, and on Sunday they reached 40 mph. I couldn’t get anything going in the creeks, so there wasn’t much shelter.”

Wiley said he used a white Fish Head Spin Underspin with a White Pearl-colored Zoom Super Fluke to catch the majority of his fish.

“With the strong winds there weren’t many options for lures, especially yesterday (Sunday),” said Wiley. “The Underspin worked well because it handled the gusts and got down into those 40-foot depths where fish were suspended in the trees. Standing timber ended up being the most productive cover for me.”

Wiley said he also caught key fish using a Megabass Ito Vision 110 jerkbait.

“I used the jerkbait in the morning until the wind picked up,” said Wiley. “I actually caught my heaviest fish on it, including one Sunday that came early on my third or fourth cast.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          Brad Wiley. Alto, Ga., 10 bass, 28-2, $5,942

2nd:         Kip Carter, Social Circle, Ga., 10 bass, 26-15, $2,971

3rd:          Brock Turner, Jasper, Ga., 10 bass, 25-2, $1,983

4th:          Rob Jordan, Flowery Branch, Ga., 10 bass, 24-9, $1,386

5th:          Phil Johnson, Alpharetta, Ga., 10 bass, 23-8, $1,188

6th:          John Duvall, Madison, Ga., 10 bass, 21-14, $1,289

7th:          Patrick Bone, Cleveland, Ga., eight bass, 21-8, $990

8th:          Chris Baxter, Winder, Ga., 10 bass, 20-15, $1,191

9th:          Trent Palmer, Alpharetta, Ga., 10 bass, 20- 8, $792

10th:        Heath Pack, Ellijay, Ga., nine bass, 19-12, $693

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Kim Carver of Milledgeville, Georgia, caught a bass weighing 3 pounds, 14 ounces – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division. The catch earned him the Boater Big Bass award of $802.

Spencer Sato of Warner Robins, Georgia, weighed a two-day cumulative total of nine bass totaling 22 pounds, 4 ounces, to win the Co-angler Division and $2,971.

The top 10 co-anglers were:

1st:          Spencer Sato, Warner Robins, Ga.,  nine bass, 22-4, $2,971

2nd:         Mark Denney, Bonaire, Ga., eight bass, 18-12, $1,586

3rd:          Ben Brisbois, Gainesville, Ga., eight bass, 18-9, $989

4th:          James Akins, Cumming, Ga., nine bass, 18-4, $693

5th:          Sam Naib, Atlanta, Ga., nine bass, 17-1, $594

6th:          Drew Harbin, Winder, Ga.,  eight bass, 16-5, $595

7th:          Tony DiMauro, Watkinsville, Ga., eight bass, 16-2, $495

8th:          Harold Grizzle, Gainesville, Ga., seven bass, 15-0, $446

9th:          Randy Smith, Fayetteville, Ga., seven bass, 14-0, $396

10th:        Undre Montgomery, Cumming, Ga., seven bass, 12-12, $347

Kevin Haggarty of Flowery Branch, Georgia, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – a fish weighing 4 pounds, 1 ounce – and earned the Co-angler Big Bass award of $401.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 12-14 BFL Regional Championship on Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Alabama. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.

The 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.


CURT WARREN WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL OKIE DIVISION FINALE ON GRAND LAKE

Ada’s Hill Takes Co-angler Title

GROVE, Okla. (Sept. 11, 2017) – Curt Warren of Rose, Oklahoma, won the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Okie Division tournament on Grand Lake Sunday with a two-day cumulative catch of 10 bass weighing 31 pounds, 15 ounces. For his win, Warren earned $6,534.

“The bite was funny this weekend,” said Warren, who logged his first career-win in BFL competition. “It wasn’t as bad Saturday, but Sunday I missed several bites. I don’t know if it was weather or what, but they were finicky. Thankfully my 7-foot Falcon (Cara T7) rod helped me feel the bites, or else I may have missed more.

“I was mainly junk-fishing – just beating the banks,” continued Warren. “I was on the north end of the lake, not too far from takeoff. I fished docks and shallow wood cover. I probably had 50 different stops. All my fish came from less than 10 feet of water.”

Warren said everything he weighed in came on a ½-ounce Bass-X football-head jig with an unnamed green pumpkin-colored trailer. He said he caught six keepers each day of the event.

“If I pulled up to an area and there weren’t any shad, I usually kept moving,” said Warren. “They were really close to the surface.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          Curt Warren, Rose, Okla., 10 bass, 31-15, $6,534

2nd:         Paul Smith, Copan, Okla., eight bass, 29-8, $3,467

3rd:          Cade Alsbury, Springdale, Ark., 10 bass, 28-11, $2,276

4th:          Benjamin King, Garnett, Kan., 10 bass, 26-6, $1,525

5th:          Tim Hickson, Cleveland, Okla., 10 bass, 26-4, $1,307

6th:          Dylan Duncan, Kansas, Okla., 10 bass, 26-2, $1,198

7th:          Sheldon Collings, Grove, Okla., seven bass, 25-13, $1,089

8th:          Thomas Canady, Collinsville, Okla., 10 bass, 23-14, $980

9th:          Chris Torkleson, Sand Springs, Okla., eight bass, 23-4, $871

10th:        Tye Smith, Fort Gibson, Okla., eight bass, 22-5, $762

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Mark Teply of Midwest City, Oklahoma, caught a bass weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division. The catch earned him the Boater Big Bass award of $937.

Alan Hill of Ada, Oklahoma, caught a two-day total of eight bass weighing 22 pounds, 9 ounces, to win the Co-angler Division and $3,267.

The top 10 co-anglers were:

1st:          Alan Hill, Ada, Okla., eight bass, 22-9, $3,267

2nd:         Patrick Weir, Broken Arrow, Okla., seven bass, 18-15, $1,633

3rd:          Keltyn Hendrix, Goldsby, Okla., eight bass, 16-2, $1,091

4th:          Jason Buckley, Canute, Okla., six bass, 15-14, $762

5th:          Jacob Sloan, Paola, Kan., seven bass, 15-13, $853

6th:          Nolan Wright, Blanchard, Okla., six bass, 14-10, $599

7th:          Josh Sloan, Paola, Kan., four bass, 14-4, $544

8th:          Sam Bremmerkamp, Joplin, Mo., four bass, 14-4, $540

9th:          Rick Blosser, Tulsa, Okla., six bass, 14-3, $436

10th:        Nathan Colwell, Pryor, Okla., seven bass, 13-12, $381

Tom Verdine of Yukon, Oklahoma, caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – a fish weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces – and earned the Co-angler Big Bass award of $469.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 19-21 BFL Regional Championship on the Red River in Bossier City, Louisiana. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.

The 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.


Quantum and The Lee Brothers Hosting High School and College Tournament

Two of the most accomplished young anglers in bass fishing are teaming with cutting-edge rod and reel brand Quantum to host the 1st Annual “Next Generation High School & College Open” on Sunday October 22nd at Grand Lake, OK.

This is a No Entry Fee event, and is open to all high school and college teams to participate.

Roughly $30,000 in product and prizes is up for grabs, along with free food and seminars at the mandatory 5:00 p.m. angler meeting on Saturday evening October 21st at the Grove Civic Center on South Main Street in Grove, OK.

This is an Association of Collegiate Angler Cabela’s School of the Year points eligible event.

To register for this unique tournament please visit https://www.qflseries.com/quantum-next-gen-open or call Joe Davis at Quantum at (918) 831-6970.

 

https://anglerschannel.com/tournaments/quantum-fishing-lee-brothers-high-school-college-open/


ADRIAN COLLEGE WINS YETI FLW COLLEGE FISHING TOURNAMENT AT LAKE ERIE

SANDUSKY, Ohio (Sept. 11, 2017) – The Adrian College duo of Chase Serafin of Highland, Michigan, and Cody Batterson, of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, won the YETI FLW College Fishing Northern Conference tournament at Lake Erie presented by Bass Pro Shops Saturday with a five-bass limit weighing 17 pounds, 2 ounces. The victory earned the Adrian bass club $2,000 and the team will now advance to compete at the 2018 FLW College Fishing National Championship, scheduled for May 30-June 2 on the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana.

It was the second-straight Northern Conference victory for the Adrian College bass club teammates Jarrett Martin and Zachary Graham earned a win on Lake Chautauqua in New York in July.

“It felt great to get the win,” said Serafin, a junior, majoring in business marketing. “We’ve got a lot of experience on Erie, and we had caught some good fish in practice. But, there was a small-craft advisory on the lake Saturday, so we were restricted to fish just in Sandusky Bay.

“We scrambled to look at our maps and we found two marinas that looked promising,” Serafin continued. “The first one we pulled into, another team from Adrian College was already in there. So we went to our second one and we started smashing them, right in the mouth of the marina. We drifted into the marina. There were only eight docks, but we caught at least 50 largemouth there.”

Serafin said that they caught their first limit on an Ike’s Old School-colored Rapala DT6 crankbait, then Serafin switched to a custom jig – homemade by teammate Conner Goff – with a Bugsy Baits USA Sick Craw trailer, while Batterson switched to a Smack Daddy Tube.

“You had to be snapping or cracking the jig and tube,” Serafin said. “You’d snap it two or three times and they’d crush it on the fall.

“I think the key for us was just finding that marina,” Serafin went on to say. “I think the fish were trying to leave and go to the main lake, but the wind just grouped them up back into the marina. It was an awesome day of fishing.”

The top 10 teams that advanced to the 2018 College Fishing National Championship are:

1st: Adrian College – Chase Serafin, Highland, Mich., and Cody Batterson, Pleasant Hill, Iowa, five bass, 17-2, $2,400

2nd: University of Michigan-Dearborn – Vincenzo Puleo, Wyandotte, Mich., and Austin Klotz, Westland, Mich., five bass, 16-12, $1,000

3rd: Slippery Rock University – Ryan Kozlowski, Cranberry Township, Pa., and Nathan Quince, Imperial, Pa., five bass, 15-2, $700

4th: Adrian College – Jarrett Martin and Zachary Graham, both of Gallipolis, Ohio, five bass, 14-12, $500

5th: Hocking College – Ross Holbrook, Somerset, Ohio, and Kyle Waller, Thornhill, Ohio, five bass, 14-3, $500

6th: Bowling Green State University – Corey Miller, Perrysburg, Ohio, and Jason Bailey, Port Clinton, Ohio, five bass, 14-1

7th: Adrian College – Zach Manneback, Howell, Mich., and Gunner Wilson, Fenton, Mich., five bass, 14-0

8th: University of Pittsburgh – Michael Dunn and Henry Colberg, both of Pittsburgh, Pa., five bass, 12-13

9th: Ohio State University – Jacob Jesionek, Hudson, Ohio, and Mason Dejarnette, Marysville, Ohio, five bass, 12-9

10th: Ramapo College – Alex Johnson, Milltown, N.J., and Zachary Orsino, Westville, N.J., five bass, 12-0

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

This YETI FLW College Fishing Northern Conference event at Lake Erie was the third and final regular-season qualifying tournament for Northern Conference anglers in 2017. The next YETI FLW College Fishing event will be a Southern Conference tournament, scheduled for Sept. 23 on the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana.

YETI FLW College Fishing teams compete in three regular-season qualifying tournaments in one of five conferences – Central, Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Western. The top ten teams from each division’s three regular-season tournaments, along with an additional qualifier for every 10 teams over 100 that compete, along with the top 20 teams from the annual YETI FLW College Fishing Open advance to the 2018 FLW College Fishing National Championship.

College Fishing is free to enter. All participants must be registered, full-time students at a college, university or community college and members of a college fishing club that is recognized by their school.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow College Fishing on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing. Visit FLWFishing.com to sign up or to start a club at your school.


Nick Salvucci Wins Wild West Bass Trail Lucas Oil Western Classic on Lake Mead!

Photo & Results Courtesy of Wild West Bass Trail FB Page.

 

 


Registration Open for American Bass Anglers 2018 Ram 100% Team Tour

September 8, 2017, Athens, AL – Registration for the 2018 Ram 100% Team Tour will open Monday morning at 8 am CST by phone for package registrations. A package registration is when teams pay in full or deposit for all five of their division’s events.

All Ram Truck and Triton Owners registering as a package September 11-15, 2017 will receive exclusive saving and additional savings and incentives. All package registrations will also be offered savings and incentives.

Registration can be placed by phone at (256)232-0406 starting September 11-15, 2017 starting 8 am CST. After September 15, 2017, registrations may be placed online at any time or by phone during normal business hours (8 am – 5 pm CST)

Advantages for registering early: 

•    Package registrations will receive special incentives September 11-15, 2017
•    Teams registering prior to December 1, 2017, may pay a $500 deposit to secure your slot for all events of the season. Each event balance ($150) is to be paid by Wednesday the week of the event online or by phone. (This is considered a package registration)
•    Teams may register and pay in full $1,250 for the season through Wednesday prior to the first event (This is considered a package registration).
•    All package registrations receive personalized event results and points updates after each event.
•    Special Draw Prizes at Team Tour registration meetings for Package Registered Teams

Phone Number to register Monday (256)232-0406

 

American Bass Anglers announced the 2018 Ram 100% Plus Team Tour season details today. The Ram 100% Plus Team Tour provides team tournament competition that includes a Triton/Mercury boat package for first place at each divisional event. The year-end championship will offer two (2) Triton/Mercury boat package to the winning team and a combined payout of up to $80,000 in cash, prizes and bonuses based on a full field.

Registration for the 2018 season: September 11-15, 2017 starting 8am

-    Ram Truck Owners
(Package Special Plus Special Incentive)
-    Triton Boat Owners
(Package Special Plus Special Incentive)
-    All Package Registrations
(Special Incentives)

(Teams must call in registration to receive special incentive packages September 11-15, 2017)

September 18, 2017 – December 1

-    All Entries (Special Incentives)

The 2018 season will offer two divisions, each holding four one-day Sunday divisional events. One located in Northern Alabama and the other in the Kentucky Lake/Central Tennessee area. Teams who fish three divisional events in one division will be invited to the two-day championship.

North Alabama Division 
2/11/2018 - Guntersville - Goosepond
(Scottsboro, AL)
3/4/2018 - Neely Henry - Coosa Landing
(Gadsden, AL)
5/20/2018 - Wheeler - Ingalls Harbor
(Decatur, AL)
7/1/2018 - Weiss - Leesburg Landing
(Leesburg, AL)

Tennessee/Kentucky Division
2/18/2018 - Kentucky - Paris Landing State Park
(Paris, TN)
4/22/2018 - Kentucky - Paris Landing State Park
(Paris, TN)
5/13/2018 - Old Hickor - Sanders Ferry
(Hendersonville, AL)
9/23/2018 - Kentucky - Paris Landing State Park
(Paris, TN)

Team Championship
11/3-4/2018    - Pickwick Lake - McFarland Park
(Florence, AL)

Divisional team winners will receive a Triton/Mercury boat packages loaded with sponsor products from companies like Garmin, T-H Marine, Carlisle Tire and Wheel, and MotorGuide and the top 20% of the field will receive a check.

The Championship winners will receive two (2) Triton/Mercury boat packages loaded with sponsor products. Based on a full field there will be up to $80,000 in total payout including cash, prizes, and bonuses.

The Ram 100% Plus Team Tour is part of the Triton Gold program offering anglers who own a Triton Boat up to $7,000 in contingency payout at each event.

There are contingency programs that offer rewards for each of these events, here are ABA Sponsor programs: Triton Gold, Mercury Marine, MotorGuide, T-H Marine Atlas Rewards, Power Pole Captain's Cash, Abu Garcia Revo Big Bass Bonus.

What is the 100% Plus Team Tour

The 100% Plus Team Tour is for bass anglers who want a shot at larger payouts in a Team format. The tour offers two divisions, one in North Alabama and in Central Tennessee up to Kentucky Lake. Each division offers 4 qualifying events each offering more than 100% plus payback. First place at all events is a 2018 Triton 17TX with a Mercury four stroke 60hp outboard. The retail value fully rigged is estimated at $20,000.

In 2018, the Alabama North Division will fish 4 different lakes. Guntersville, Neely Henry, Wheeler Lake and Wiess Lake. The Tennessee division will fish 2 different lakes Kentucky and Old Hickory Lakes.

At the end of the season, in the fall of 2018, the two divisions will send their best team to Pickwick Lake where the teams will fish for cash and awards. The Championship team will be award two Triton 17TX Boats with a Mercury four stroke 60hp outboards. The retail value fully rigged is estimated at $40,000.

•    No other trail offers bigger payouts for a $250 entry fee for the pure weekend bass angler.
•    100% Plus Payout
•    There are no late fees
•    Register through Wednesday prior to the event
•    Pay a deposit ($500) the season and pay each event balance ($150) by Wednesday the week of each event.
•    Draw Prizes at all Team Tour registration meetings
•    ABA Polygraphs all Team Tour Events
•    No Pros are allowed (Bass Elite or FLW Tour anglers allowed)
•    No Off-limits (except the team championship)
•    Team Meeting Exemption Pass (EZ Pass) available for the 2018 season ($50)
•    You can get your entire season entry fees paid for through the ABA Alliance Program
•    Contingency programs available through Triton, Mercury, MotorGuide, T-H Marine, Garmin, Power Pole and others.
•    The top 20% at all events get a check. Example 200 boats – 40 places, 250 boats – 50 places

Advantages for registering early: 

•    Package registrations will receive special incentives September 11-15, 2017
•    Teams registering prior to December 1, 2017 may pay a $500 deposit to secure your slot for all events of the season. Each event balance ($150) is to be paid by Wednesday the week of the event online or by phone. (This is considered a package registration)
•    Teams may register and pay in full $1,250 for the season through Wednesday prior to the first event (This is considered a package registration).
•    All package registrations receive personalized event results and points updates after each event.
•    Special Draw Prizes at Team Tour registration meetings for Package Registered Teams

Package Registration: A package registration is when a team registers for all events for a season within a division.

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 Ram Truck American Fishing Tour, the American Couples Series, Military Team Bass Tournament and the Ram Truck 100% Plus Team Tour. To learn more about ABA visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406.

American Bass Anglers, Inc. is supported by Ram Trucks, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Carlstar, T-H Marine, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Hydrowave, Livingston Lures, Best Western Hotels, Simms, SiriusXM® Radio, SiriusXM® Marine Weather, Garmin, Maui Jim, LiT Coolers, Power Pole, GEICO, and DivideIT.

Website: www.teamtrail.com

Follow the team trail on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ABATeamTrail/


Defoe Goes Wire-to-Wire to Win BASS Open on Douglas

Ott DeFoe of Knoxville, Tenn., wins the 2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open No. 3 held on Douglas Lake out of Dandridge, Tenn., with a three-day total weight of 50 pounds, 3 ounces.
Photo by Ronnie Moore/B.A.S.S.

Courtesy BASS Communications

September 9, 2017

DANDRIDGE, Tenn. — Bassmaster Elite Series pro Ott DeFoe sealed the deal today with a Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open victory on Douglas Lake.

The Knoxville, Tenn., pro went wire-to-wire to win on his home lake — his second career Opens victory on the fishery — and received the top prize of a Triton 19 TrX/Mercury 200 Pro XS rig valued at $45,000, along with $5,291 in cash. He weighed in a 15-pound, 9-ounce limit to finish with 50-3. His previous victory on Douglas came in May 2014.

DeFoe ran up the French Broad River again with his Tracker tunnel hull aluminum boat that produced 17-5 limits the first two days. He struggled early Saturday and caught only five keepers all day, but it was enough to clinch the victory.

“The water has not been stable all week,” DeFoe said. “I was thinking today could be really, really good just because the French Broad had been falling. But there was some extra flow in the Pigeon River this morning, and it seemed to kind of throw the fishing off a little.”

The local favorite caught his first fish of the day on a bladed jig and his second flipping a black-and-blue 1/2-ounce Terminator Pro Jig with a Bass Pro Shops Elite Chunk. Switching to a Texas-rigged Bass Pro Shops Bull Hog, DeFoe caught his next two keepers and still had three hours to catch his fifth bass. He went to a bank where he had caught big fish in the past and boated a 4 1/2-pounder on the Terminator Jig that clinched the victory.

All of his fish throughout the tournament came from 1 to 3 feet of water.

Newcomerstown, Ohio, pro Hunter Shryock camped on his best spot Saturday, and it produced a 9-14 limit to move him into second place.

“I fished the way that I like to fish — junk fishing — and I kind of learned something as the tournament was going on,” said Shryock, who finished with 39-13. Shryock learned he could catch bass as shallow as 6 inches on isolated wood cover either swimming a 1/4-ounce swim jig with a Berkley Chigger Craw trailer or flipping a Texas-rigged Berkley Chigger Craw.

Other Top 5 finishers were Brian Latimer of Belton, S.C., who was third with 39-11, David Williams of Newton, N.C., who was fourth with 36-1 and Alex Wetherell of Middletown, Conn., who placed fifth with 33-4.

Using a spinnerbait, he bought last night at the Bass Pro Shops in Kodak, Tenn., Barry Brandt Jr. caught a three-bass limit weighing 7-13 to win the nonboater division. The 27-year-old commercial fisherman from Newport News, Va., finished the tournament with 18-4 and took home a $30,000 Nitro Z18/Mercury 150 Pro XS package.

The $750 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award on the pro side went to Chad Pipkens of Lansing, Mich., with a 5-11 largemouth. Chancey Hatfield of Mayking, Ky., weighed in a 4-13 largemouth to earn the $250 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award on the co-angler side.

DeFoe also received the Livingston Lures Leader Award of $250 for finishing as the top pro on Day 2. Finishing as the Day 2 leader on the co-angler side, Jon Abbott of Versailles, Ky., received a Livingston Lures gift pack worth $250.

Williams earned the Power-Pole Captain’s Cash Award of $500 on the pro side for being the highest-placing angler who is registered and eligible and uses a client-approved product on his boat.

The event was hosted by the Economic Development Alliance of Jefferson County, Tenn.

2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops

2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Berkley, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Power-Pole, Shell Rotella, Minn Kota

2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, Shimano, T-H Marine, Advance Auto Parts, Carhartt

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan Outdoors, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
-30-

Media Contact: JamieDay Matthews, 205-313-0945, jmatthews@bassmaster.com or Dave Precht, 205-313-0931, dprecht@bassmaster.com

2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open Douglas Lake 9/7-9/9
Douglas Lake, Dandridge TN.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 15 50-03 200 $50,541.00
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 17-05 Day 3: 5 15-09
2. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 15 39-13 199 $12,565.00
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 15-11 Day 3: 5 09-14
3. Brian Latimer Belton, SC 15 39-11 198 $9,424.00
Day 1: 5 14-14 Day 2: 5 14-01 Day 3: 5 10-12
4. David Williams Newton, NC 15 36-01 197 $8,932.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 14-11 Day 3: 5 06-15
5. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 15 33-04 196 $7,357.00
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 13-11 Day 3: 5 08-13
6. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 11 32-12 195 $6,283.00
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 16-14 Day 3: 1 01-05
7. Toshinari Namiki Tokyo JAPAN 14 31-12 194 $5,291.00
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 12-10 Day 3: 4 06-09
8. Wil Hardy Harlem, GA 13 31-06 193 $4,216.00
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 09-04 Day 3: 3 06-11
9. Brad Burkhart Speedwell, TN 15 29-03 192 $3,141.00
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 10-14 Day 3: 5 07-02
10. Allen Brooks Canton, GA 11 27-08 191 $2,893.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 4 10-13 Day 3: 2 03-09
11. Al Farace Jr Hunt Valley, MD 15 27-05 190 $2,645.00
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 11-01 Day 3: 5 05-03
12. Mike Huff Corbin, KY 12 25-11 189 $2,480.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 10-14 Day 3: 2 01-11
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 05-11 $750.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 50 422 807-12
2 47 410 780-11
3 7 47 84-01
----------------------------------
104 879 1672-08

2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open Douglas Lake 9/7-9/9
Douglas Lake, Dandridge TN.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 3

Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$

1. Barry Brandt Jr. Newport News, VA 8 18-04 200 $30,000.00
Day 1: 2 05-01 Day 2: 3 05-06 Day 3: 3 07-13
2. Bobby Drinnon Rogersville, TN 6 18-00 199 $4,051.00
Day 1: 3 10-08 Day 2: 0 00-00 Day 3: 3 07-08
3. Jon Abbott Versailles, KY 7 17-00 198 $3,059.00
Day 1: 3 08-07 Day 2: 1 04-10 Day 3: 3 03-15
4. Hermilo Salgado Artemus, KY 9 16-09 197 $2,067.00
Day 1: 3 05-10 Day 2: 3 05-05 Day 3: 3 05-10
5. Chad Smith Minnetonka, MN 9 15-07 196 $1,901.00
Day 1: 3 04-04 Day 2: 3 06-00 Day 3: 3 05-03
6. Charles Fochtman Moneta, VA 8 14-11 195 $1,819.00
Day 1: 3 06-08 Day 2: 3 04-05 Day 3: 2 03-14
7. George Beville Jr Apex, NC 8 14-09 194 $1,736.00
Day 1: 2 02-12 Day 2: 3 06-09 Day 3: 3 05-04
8. Don Bible II Knoxville, TN 7 12-09 193 $1,653.00
Day 1: 2 03-10 Day 2: 3 06-06 Day 3: 2 02-09
9. Frank Meyer Marianna, FL 7 12-07 192 $1,571.00
Day 1: 3 06-04 Day 2: 3 04-14 Day 3: 1 01-05
10. Scott Peters Knoxville, TN 6 12-06 191 $1,405.00
Day 1: 3 08-06 Day 2: 2 02-15 Day 3: 1 01-01
11. Kenneth Lodwick Dandridge, TN 4 10-14 190 $1,240.00
Day 1: 3 09-04 Day 2: 1 01-10 Day 3: 0 00-00
12. Tim Leonard Greeneville, TN 4 10-07 189 $1,157.00
Day 1: 3 09-07 Day 2: 0 00-00 Day 3: 1 01-00
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Chancey Hatfield Mayking, KY 04-13 $250.00


FLW ANNOUNCES 2018 BFL ALL-AMERICAN AND COLLEGE FISHING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

             

Two championship events to be held at Bass Pro Shops in Shreveport-Bossier City

MINNEAPOLIS (Sept. 8, 2017) – FLW announced today the dates and location for the 2018 T-H Marine Bass Fishing League (BFL) All-American and the 2018 YETI FLW College Fishing National Championship. The 35th annual BFL All-American will be held May 31-June 2 on Cross Lake in Shreveport, Louisiana, while the College Fishing National Championship will take place on the Red River on May 30-June 2, also in Shreveport.

The two fisheries have played host to multiple FLW championship events over the years, including the 2002 and 2011 BFL All-American (Cross Lake), the 2002 Forrest Wood Cup (Cross Lake) and the 2013 Forrest Wood Cup (Red River). Both the All-American and the College Fishing National Championship are being hosted by the Shreveport-Bossier City Sports Commission and the Red River Waterway Commission.

“The Shreveport-Bossier City area and north Louisiana are known as the Sportsman’s Paradise,” said Kelly Wells, Executive Director of the Shreveport-Bossier City Sports Commission. “The Red River and Cross Lake are two of the crown jewels of our region and we are excited to partner with FLW on these two prestigious championships next June. While the anglers are competing on the water, families will have plenty to do on shore. Dozens of museums, shopping and family attractions, hundreds of restaurants, and of course the casinos will ensure everyone in the family has something to enjoy during their stay with us in Shreveport-Bossier City.”

The BFL All-American weigh-ins and the final two days of competition of the College Fishing National Championship will be showcased to bass-fishing fans at the Bass Pro Shops in Bossier City, Louisiana.

“We have hosted some of the biggest bass-fishing tournaments in the country here on the Red River,” said Eric Gilmore, Marketing Director for the Red River Waterway Commission. “We believe the return of the BFL All-American and hosting the FLW College Fishing National Championship are great indicators that the Red River is among the top fisheries in the nation. There are a lot of moving parts in landing tournaments of this stature, and it takes a coordinated effort from all involved. We are pleased to be working with the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission and others for these great events.”

2018 T-H Marine FLW BFL All-American

  • May 31- June 2                    Cross Lake                           Shreveport, La.

 

2018 YETI FLW College Fishing National Championship

  • May 30-June 1                     Red River                             Shreveport, La.
  • June 2 – Fish-Off                Undisclosed Fishery            Shreveport, La.

 

Both events will be internationally televised on the Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show. “FLW” airs on the NBC Sports Network (NBCSN), the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world.

Anglers competing in the BFL All-American on Cross Lake will cast for a cash prize of up to $120,000 in the Boater Division and $60,000 in the Co-angler Division. In addition to the six-figure payday, the top boater will also receive an invitation to compete for bass fishing’s most coveted prize – the Forrest Wood Cup – held Aug. 10-12 on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

The 2018 FLW College Fishing National Championship awards the top team a $30,000 prize package, including a Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower outboard engine and an entry into the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup. The winning team will compete against each other on June 2 on a yet to be disclosed location to determine which team member will compete as a professional at the Forrest Wood Cup.

The complete schedule and rules for the 2018 BFL and FLW College Fishing season will be announced soon. The full schedule and rules for both circuits will be posted online at FLWFishing.com.

For a full schedule of events, complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.


Ott DeFoe Continues Lead In Bassmaster Open On Douglas Lake

Ott DeFoe of Knoxville, Tenn., maintains the lead on the second day of the 2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open No. 3 held on Douglas Lake out of Dandridge, Tenn., with a two-day total weight of 34 pounds, 10 ounces.

Photo by Chris Mitchell/B.A.S.S.
September 8, 2017

From BASS Publications

DANDRIDGE, Tenn. — Bassmaster Elite Series pro Ott DeFoe has been the model of consistency as he retained his lead at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open No. 3 on Douglas Lake.

After catching a 17-pound, 5-ounce limit to take the lead in the opening round on Thursday, the Knoxville Tenn., pro followed up today with another 17-5 limit to stay in first place.

“My bites were more solid today,” DeFoe said. “I had four bass that were 3-pounders and then I had a big one of 4-13. Yesterday I had one fish that was probably 4, another good one, a 3 1/2 and a couple more that were over 2 pounds.” DeFoe caught the 4-13 at about 10 o’clock today, which allowed him to cull out a 13-incher.

DeFoe once again navigated the river with his Tracker tunnel hull aluminum boat, which he ran over shoals as shallow as 8 to 10 inches to reach the same areas he fished Thursday. “One section that was good to me yesterday was good to me again today,” he said. “The river is falling. It was really high this morning and then it fell really hard. It should fall steadily tomorrow and that is what I would like for it to do.”

The three-time B.A.S.S. winner caught all of his bass on one lure today. Thursday he relied on three lures to complete his limit. He declined to identify any of them.

With runner-up Drew Benton of Panama City, Fla., fishing some of the same spots, DeFoe is considering running farther up the river tomorrow. “I could go all the way up river to North Carolina if I wanted to,” DeFoe said. “I just don’t see the need.”

Benton moved into second place with 31-7 after catching a 16-14 limit today. “It was tougher today, actually,” he said. “It was a grind because I got only six keeper bites all day.”

The Bassmaster Elite Series pro said he thought his area has gotten “beat up” the past two days with some other competitors — including DeFoe — also fishing the same river section. “I am going to have to make some adjustments,” he said.

The rest of the Top 5 anglers include Hunter Shryock, Newcomerstown, Ohio, third, 29-15; David Williams, Newton, N.C., fourth, 29-2; Brian Latimer, Belton, S.C., fifth, 28-15.

Versailles, Ky., angler Jon Abbott caught only one keeper today, but his 4-10 bass moved him into first place in the co-angler division with 13-1. The 36-year-old retired police officer grew up fishing Douglas Lake, but had not fished the lake in several years. He relied on a finesse fishing tactic to catch his lone keeper today.

Chad Pipkens of Lansing Mich., continues to lead in the pro division of the Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award with a 5-11 largemouth. The leader in the co-angler division of the Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award is still Chancey Hatfield of Mayking, Ky., with a 4-13 largemouth.

Saturday’s launch will be held at 7 a.m. ET at the Dandridge Public Boat Dock, 100 Public Drive in Dandridge. The final weigh-in will move to the Bass Pro Shops at 3629 Outdoor Sportsman Place in Kodak, Tenn., and begin at 4 p.m.

The event is hosted by the Economic Development Alliance of Jefferson County, Tenn.

2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops

2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Berkley, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Power-Pole, Shell Rotella

2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, Shimano, T-H Marine, Advance Auto Parts

2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open Douglas Lake 9/7-9/9
Douglas Lake, Dandridge  TN.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Ott DeFoe              Knoxville, TN           10  34-10  200     $250.00
Day 1: 5   17-05     Day 2: 5   17-05
2.  Drew Benton            Panama City, FL         10  31-07  199
Day 1: 5   14-09     Day 2: 5   16-14
3.  Hunter Shryock         Newcomerstown, OH       10  29-15  198
Day 1: 5   14-04     Day 2: 5   15-11
4.  David Williams         Newton, NC              10  29-02  197
Day 1: 5   14-07     Day 2: 5   14-11
5.  Brian Latimer          Belton, SC              10  28-15  196
Day 1: 5   14-14     Day 2: 5   14-01
6.  Toshinari Namiki       Tokyo JAPAN             10  25-03  195
Day 1: 5   12-09     Day 2: 5   12-10
7.  Wil Hardy              Harlem, GA              10  24-11  194
Day 1: 5   15-07     Day 2: 5   09-04
8.  Alex Wetherell         Middletown, CT          10  24-07  193
Day 1: 5   10-12     Day 2: 5   13-11
9.  Mike Huff              Corbin, KY              10  24-00  192
Day 1: 5   13-02     Day 2: 5   10-14
10. Allen Brooks           Canton, GA               9  23-15  191
Day 1: 5   13-02     Day 2: 4   10-13
11. Al Farace Jr           Hunt Valley, MD         10  22-02  190
Day 1: 5   11-01     Day 2: 5   11-01
12. Brad Burkhart          Speedwell, TN           10  22-01  189
Day 1: 5   11-03     Day 2: 5   10-14
13. David Dudley           Lynchburg, VA           10  21-15  188   $2,067.00
Day 1: 5   11-13     Day 2: 5   10-02
14. Jake Whitaker          Fairview, NC             9  21-11  187   $2,067.00
Day 1: 5   10-08     Day 2: 4   11-03
15. Bryant Ailor           Knoxville, TN            8  21-04  186   $2,067.00
Day 1: 5   13-11     Day 2: 3   07-09
16. Frank Poirier          North Prince George, VA 10  21-04  185   $2,067.00
Day 1: 5   08-06     Day 2: 5   12-14
17. Craig Nelson           Mather, PA              10  21-02  184   $2,067.00
Day 1: 5   08-13     Day 2: 5   12-05
18. Mack Hicks             London, KY              10  20-11  183   $2,067.00
Day 1: 5   08-04     Day 2: 5   12-07
19. Steve York             Bronson, MI             10  20-04  182   $2,067.00
Day 1: 5   10-00     Day 2: 5   10-04
20. Kurt Dove              Del Rio, TX              9  19-14  181   $2,067.00
Day 1: 5   09-10     Day 2: 4   10-04
21. Mike Lavallee          Sandy, UT               10  19-12  180   $2,067.00
Day 1: 5   11-07     Day 2: 5   08-05
22. Wesley Strader         Spring City, TN          9  19-12  179   $2,067.00
Day 1: 4   09-09     Day 2: 5   10-03
23. Shane Lineberger       Lincolnton, NC          10  18-13  178   $2,067.00
Day 1: 5   12-09     Day 2: 5   06-04
24. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN            9  18-11  177   $2,067.00
Day 1: 5   07-03     Day 2: 4   11-08
25. Steven Redmond         Waynesville, NC          7  18-08  176   $2,067.00
Day 1: 4   13-06     Day 2: 3   05-02
26. Rick Hawkins           Roanoke, VA              9  18-07  175   $1,819.00
Day 1: 5   08-01     Day 2: 4   10-06
27. Skylar Hamilton        Dandridge, TN            7  18-00  174   $1,819.00
Day 1: 2   04-10     Day 2: 5   13-06
28. Derek Cummings         Denver, NC              10  17-15  173   $1,819.00
Day 1: 5   08-02     Day 2: 5   09-13
29. Derek Hudnall          Baton Rouge, LA         10  17-09  172   $1,819.00
Day 1: 5   11-03     Day 2: 5   06-06
30. Chris Groh             Spring Grove, IL         7  17-07  171   $1,819.00
Day 1: 2   04-07     Day 2: 5   13-00
31. Scott Bonvillain       Dequincy, LA            10  17-04  170   $1,571.00
Day 1: 5   05-13     Day 2: 5   11-07
32. Matthew Sphar          North Java, NY          10  17-00  169   $1,571.00
Day 1: 5   09-01     Day 2: 5   07-15
33. Michael Murphy         Lexington, SC           10  16-12  168   $1,571.00
Day 1: 5   09-07     Day 2: 5   07-05
34. David Walker           Sevierville, TN         10  16-12  167   $1,571.00
Day 1: 5   08-09     Day 2: 5   08-03
35. Jeff Lugar             Cross Junction, VA      10  16-11  166   $1,571.00
Day 1: 5   08-00     Day 2: 5   08-11
36. Michael Delvisco       Dandridge, TN            9  16-10  165   $1,323.00
Day 1: 4   06-01     Day 2: 5   10-09
37. Mike Watson            Bluff City, TN           5  16-09  164   $1,323.00
Day 1: 5   16-09     Day 2: 0   00-00
38. Cole Blythe            Charlotte, NC           10  16-08  163   $1,323.00
Day 1: 5   08-13     Day 2: 5   07-11
39. Ken Iyobe              Tokoname-Shi JAPAN       9  16-03  162   $1,323.00
Day 1: 5   10-01     Day 2: 4   06-02
40. David Perdue           Wirtz, VA               10  16-02  161   $1,323.00
Day 1: 5   08-06     Day 2: 5   07-12
41. Greg Dipalma           Millville, NJ            9  15-08  160
Day 1: 5   10-05     Day 2: 4   05-03
42. Ben Nielsen            Lowell, MI               8  15-08  159
Day 1: 3   07-01     Day 2: 5   08-07
43. Charlie Ingram         Centerville, TN          7  14-13  158
Day 1: 5   08-12     Day 2: 2   06-01
44. Chris Ferguson         Wittensville, KY         9  14-12  157
Day 1: 4   06-10     Day 2: 5   08-02
45. Chad Pipkens           Lansing, MI              6  14-10  156
Day 1: 2   07-00     Day 2: 4   07-10
46. Jim Dillard            West Monroe, LA          8  14-10  155
Day 1: 4   07-03     Day 2: 4   07-07
47. Charlie Hartley        Grove City, OH           7  14-05  154
Day 1: 5   10-08     Day 2: 2   03-13
48. Nick Ray               Ingleside, IL            9  14-05  153
Day 1: 5   09-07     Day 2: 4   04-14
49. David Gaston           Sylacauga, AL            8  14-03  152
Day 1: 5   07-09     Day 2: 3   06-10
50. Jeff Hippert           Hamburg, NY              9  14-02  151
Day 1: 4   05-15     Day 2: 5   08-03
51. Gary Clouse            La Vergne, TN           10  14-00  150
Day 1: 5   07-02     Day 2: 5   06-14
52. Pete Gluszek           Mount Laurel, NJ         9  13-13  149
Day 1: 5   08-04     Day 2: 4   05-09
53. Patrick Walters        Summerville, SC          8  13-13  148
Day 1: 5   06-09     Day 2: 3   07-04
54. Mark Ownby             Sevierville, TN          6  13-10  147
Day 1: 1   02-15     Day 2: 5   10-11
55. Eddie Ball             Newport, TN             10  13-07  146
Day 1: 5   09-05     Day 2: 5   04-02
56. Tyler Berger           Worthington, OH          6  12-14  145
Day 1: 5   09-00     Day 2: 1   03-14
57. Shayne Berlo           Mclean, VA               9  12-14  144
Day 1: 5   07-13     Day 2: 4   05-01
58. Ed Loughran III        Mechanicsville, VA       8  12-13  143
Day 1: 4   08-08     Day 2: 4   04-05
59. John Hunter Jr         Shelbyville, KY          6  12-06  142
Day 1: 4   09-05     Day 2: 2   03-01
60. Troy Morrow            Eastanollee, GA          8  12-05  141
Day 1: 3   04-05     Day 2: 5   08-00
61. Carl Jocumsen          Queensland TX AUSTRALIA  8  12-03  140
Day 1: 4   06-06     Day 2: 4   05-13
62. Richard Cooper         Clayton, NC              8  12-02  139
Day 1: 3   04-07     Day 2: 5   07-11
63. Destin DeMarion        Grove City, PA           7  11-14  138
Day 1: 2   03-06     Day 2: 5   08-08
64. Darryl Halbert         Enoree, SC               8  11-12  137
Day 1: 3   04-11     Day 2: 5   07-01
65. James Niggemeyer       Van, TX                  6  11-12  136
Day 1: 4   06-14     Day 2: 2   04-14
66. Scott Patton           Paris, TN                5  11-09  135
Day 1: 3   05-10     Day 2: 2   05-15
67. Jamey Caldwell         Carthage, NC             7  11-08  134
Day 1: 2   04-07     Day 2: 5   07-01
68. Jason Sturgill         Big Stone Gap, VA        8  11-08  133
Day 1: 4   06-08     Day 2: 4   05-00
69. Chris Liobis           Branchburg, NJ           7  11-07  132
Day 1: 2   03-15     Day 2: 5   07-08
70. Kyle Kempkers          Hamilton, MI             6  11-07  131
Day 1: 3   04-02     Day 2: 3   07-05
71. Cody Detweiler         Orlando, FL              7  11-02  130
Day 1: 4   05-14     Day 2: 3   05-04
72. Timothy Macknair       Rices Landing, PA        7  11-00  129
Day 1: 4   07-01     Day 2: 3   03-15
73. Matt Madlener          Lake Villa, IL           8  10-12  128
Day 1: 3   04-05     Day 2: 5   06-07
74. Woo Daves              Spring Grove, VA         7  10-11  127
Day 1: 4   04-04     Day 2: 3   06-07
75. Mark Hicks             Glouster, OH             6  10-09  126
Day 1: 5   09-07     Day 2: 1   01-02
76. Frankie Appaluccio     Franklin, NJ             7  10-09  125
Day 1: 5   08-13     Day 2: 2   01-12
77. Josh Douglas           Mound, MN                9  10-08  124
Day 1: 5   05-13     Day 2: 4   04-11
78. Kenneth Vicchio        Bluff City, TN           5  10-04  123
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 5   10-04
79. Garrett Paquette       Canton, MI               6  10-04  122
Day 1: 5   09-00     Day 2: 1   01-04
80. Frank Ramsey           Spring Grove, IL         4  10-00  121
Day 1: 2   03-06     Day 2: 2   06-10
81. Rick Shannon           Woodlawn, TN             7  09-13  120
Day 1: 3   03-04     Day 2: 4   06-09
82. Travis Dehart          Greenville, SC           6  09-12  119
Day 1: 4   06-12     Day 2: 2   03-00
83. Vince Troiano          Chesterfield, NJ         4  09-11  118
Day 1: 3   06-04     Day 2: 1   03-07
84. Stephen Mui            Bartlett, IL             4  09-06  117
Day 1: 1   01-13     Day 2: 3   07-09
85. Daniel Martin          Elmhurst, IL             8  09-06  116
Day 1: 4   04-14     Day 2: 4   04-08
86. Tom Huynh              Moorehead, MN            5  09-04  115
Day 1: 2   03-08     Day 2: 3   05-12
87. Randy Elliott          Severn, MD               5  09-04  114
Day 1: 2   04-06     Day 2: 3   04-14
88. John McKelvey III      Sicklerville, NJ         4  09-01  113
Day 1: 2   05-02     Day 2: 2   03-15
89. Jon Englund            Farwell, MN              5  08-15  112
Day 1: 2   05-01     Day 2: 3   03-14
90. Ron Johnson            Chandler, AZ             6  08-12  111
Day 1: 1   00-13     Day 2: 5   07-15
91. Chris Dillow           Waynesboro, VA           5  08-09  110
Day 1: 2   03-05     Day 2: 3   05-04
92. Cameron Smith          Mashpee, MA              7  08-05  109
Day 1: 3   03-01     Day 2: 4   05-04
93. Seiji Kato             Shiga JAPAN              7  08-03  108
Day 1: 3   02-11     Day 2: 4   05-08
94. Jonathan Carter        Glenburn, ME             4  08-02  107
Day 1: 4   08-02     Day 2: 0   00-00
95. Guy Fairweather        Hayes, VA                7  08-02  106
Day 1: 4   04-05     Day 2: 3   03-13
96. Chris Hart             Bozeman, MT              4  07-15  105
Day 1: 1   02-02     Day 2: 3   05-13
97. Brandon Johnson        Owingsville, KY          5  07-13  104
Day 1: 4   06-12     Day 2: 1   01-01
98. Scott Siller           Milwaukee, WI            6  07-09  103
Day 1: 2   02-05     Day 2: 4   05-04
99. John Garrett           Union City, TN           6  06-15  102
Day 1: 1   00-14     Day 2: 5   06-01
100. Brent Shores           Boise, ID                3  06-13  101
Day 1: 1   02-04     Day 2: 2   04-09
101. Michael Dove           Brownsburg, IN           4  06-05  100
Day 1: 1   01-03     Day 2: 3   05-02
102. Stanley Sypeck Jr      Sugarloaf, PA            3  06-03   99
Day 1: 1   01-11     Day 2: 2   04-08
103. Sam George             Athens, AL               4  06-03   98
Day 1: 3   04-05     Day 2: 1   01-14
104. Tom  Graziano          Chester, NY              4  05-07   97
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 4   05-07
105. Bill Hutchison Jr.     Bessemer, AL             4  05-05   96
Day 1: 2   02-10     Day 2: 2   02-11
106. Rick Morris            Lake Gaston, VA          3  05-01   95
Day 1: 3   05-01     Day 2: 0   00-00
107. Trait Zaldain          Fort Worth, TX           4  04-11   94
Day 1: 4   04-11     Day 2: 0   00-00
108. Chris Gerrein          Villa Hills, KY          2  04-03   93
Day 1: 2   04-03     Day 2: 0   00-00
109. Jeremiah Carr          Surgoinsville, TN        3  04-02   92
Day 1: 3   04-02     Day 2: 0   00-00
110. Jason Dudek            Excelsior, MN            2  03-10   91
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   03-10
111. Gary Isgrigg           Mt Washington, KY        3  03-08   90
Day 1: 3   03-08     Day 2: 0   00-00
112. Tommy Little           Chester, VA              3  03-01   89
Day 1: 3   03-01     Day 2: 0   00-00
113. Lucas Bogosian         Harrington Park, NJ      2  02-13   88
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   02-13
114. Tyler Ferris           Webberville, MI          1  02-10   87
Day 1: 1   02-10     Day 2: 0   00-00
115. Scott Pellegrin        Chippewa Falls, WI       2  02-08   86
Day 1: 1   01-07     Day 2: 1   01-01
116. Stephen Morella        Whitehall , PA           2  02-07   85
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   02-07
117. Shawn Hawks            Vinton, OH               2  01-15   84
Day 1: 1   00-14     Day 2: 1   01-01
118. Jeremy Strotheide      Grand Rapids, MI         1  01-09   83
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   01-09
119. Shin Fukae             Palestine TX JAPAN       1  01-08   82
Day 1: 1   01-08     Day 2: 0   00-00
120. John Murray            Spring City, TN          1  01-06   81
Day 1: 1   01-06     Day 2: 0   00-00
121. Eddie Levin            Westerville, OH          1  01-00   80
Day 1: 1   01-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
122. Rob Clowers            Sweetwater, TN           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
122. Edward Naydihor Jr     Kenosha, WI              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
122. Ross Rhodes            Paw Paw, MI              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        50       422       807-12
2        47       410       780-11
----------------------------------
97       832      1588-07

2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open Douglas Lake 9/7-9/9
Douglas Lake, Dandridge  TN.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 2

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Jon Abbott             Versailles, KY           4  13-01  200
Day 1: 3   08-07     Day 2: 1   04-10
2.  Scott Peters           Knoxville, TN            5  11-05  199
Day 1: 3   08-06     Day 2: 2   02-15
3.  Frank Meyer            Marianna, FL             6  11-02  198
Day 1: 3   06-04     Day 2: 3   04-14
4.  Hermilo Salgado        Artemus, KY              6  10-15  197
Day 1: 3   05-10     Day 2: 3   05-05
5.  Kenneth Lodwick        Dandridge, TN            4  10-14  196
Day 1: 3   09-04     Day 2: 1   01-10
6.  Charles Fochtman       Moneta, VA               6  10-13  195
Day 1: 3   06-08     Day 2: 3   04-05
7.  Bobby Drinnon          Rogersville, TN          3  10-08  194
Day 1: 3   10-08     Day 2: 0   00-00
8.  Barry Brandt Jr.       Newport News, VA         5  10-07  193
Day 1: 2   05-01     Day 2: 3   05-06
9.  Chad Smith             Minnetonka, MN           6  10-04  192
Day 1: 3   04-04     Day 2: 3   06-00
10. Don Bible II           Knoxville, TN            5  10-00  191
Day 1: 2   03-10     Day 2: 3   06-06
11. Tim Leonard            Greeneville, TN          3  09-07  190
Day 1: 3   09-07     Day 2: 0   00-00
12. George Beville Jr      Apex, NC                 5  09-05  189
Day 1: 2   02-12     Day 2: 3   06-09
13. Anthony Bell           Beavercreek, OH          5  09-03  188     $992.00
Day 1: 2   02-12     Day 2: 3   06-07
14. Mark Westrick          Hastings, PA             5  08-14  187     $909.00
Day 1: 2   03-02     Day 2: 3   05-12
15. Jimmy Crum             Afton, TN                5  08-13  186     $827.00
Day 1: 2   02-01     Day 2: 3   06-12
16. Marc Frazier           Newnan, GA               6  08-11  185     $744.00
Day 1: 3   05-14     Day 2: 3   02-13
17. Josh Jernigan          Rocky Top, TN            6  08-08  184     $579.00
Day 1: 3   05-05     Day 2: 3   03-03
18. Thomas Sutton          Bidwell, OH              4  08-07  183     $496.00
Day 1: 2   05-04     Day 2: 2   03-03
19. Christian Latimer      Knoxville, TN            6  08-04  182     $496.00
Day 1: 3   03-04     Day 2: 3   05-00
20. Daniel Corkern         Florence, MS             5  07-13  181     $413.00
Day 1: 2   02-13     Day 2: 3   05-00
21. Mike Toney             Blacksburg, VA           6  07-13  180     $351.00
Day 1: 3   04-10     Day 2: 3   03-03
22. Kent Biggs             Morristown, TN           6  07-11  179     $351.00
Day 1: 3   03-03     Day 2: 3   04-08
23. Ricky Congero          Windermere, FL           3  07-09  178     $351.00
Day 1: 3   07-09     Day 2: 0   00-00
24. Ike Taylor             Westerville, OH          5  07-07  177     $351.00
Day 1: 2   02-11     Day 2: 3   04-12
25. Jack Dice              Lynchburg, VA            5  07-05  176     $351.00
Day 1: 3   04-14     Day 2: 2   02-07
26. Travis Benes           Freeport, OH             3  07-02  175     $351.00
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   07-02
27. Jason Hannah           Dingress, WV             4  07-00  174     $351.00
Day 1: 1   01-02     Day 2: 3   05-14
28. Bryan Forsee           Statesville, NC          4  07-00  173     $351.00
Day 1: 1   01-03     Day 2: 3   05-13
29. Rusty Barnette         Landrum, SC              6  06-13  172     $351.00
Day 1: 3   03-02     Day 2: 3   03-11
30. Dave Ramey             Kingsport, TN            4  06-10  171     $351.00
Day 1: 2   04-04     Day 2: 2   02-06
31. Jason Williams         Holt, MI                 4  06-03  170     $351.00
Day 1: 1   01-02     Day 2: 3   05-01
32. Wesley Watson          Huntington, WV           3  06-02  169     $351.00
Day 1: 3   06-02     Day 2: 0   00-00
33. Chancey Hatfield       Mayking, KY              2  05-14  168     $351.00
Day 1: 1   04-13     Day 2: 1   01-01
34. William Gaston         Sylacauga, AL            3  05-13  167     $351.00
Day 1: 3   05-13     Day 2: 0   00-00
35. Andy Simm              Piney Flats, TN          4  05-13  166     $351.00
Day 1: 2   02-12     Day 2: 2   03-01
36. Gus Kneidinger         Prospect, PA             4  05-12  165     $351.00
Day 1: 1   00-15     Day 2: 3   04-13
37. Chad Ullery            Dandridge, TN            4  05-12  164     $351.00
Day 1: 3   03-08     Day 2: 1   02-04
38. Chuck Hennessey        Knoxville, TN            4  05-10  163     $351.00
Day 1: 1   00-11     Day 2: 3   04-15
39. James Maupin           Stanardsville, VA        3  05-09  162     $351.00
Day 1: 3   05-09     Day 2: 0   00-00
40. Gregory Bottomley      Middle Island, NY        4  05-09  161     $351.00
Day 1: 1   01-01     Day 2: 3   04-08
41. Cody Bertrand          Dyer, IN                 3  05-05  160
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   05-05
41. Steven Kellam          Dry Ridge, KY            3  05-05  160
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   05-05
43. Russ Cannici           Elkton, VA               4  05-05  158
Day 1: 3   04-04     Day 2: 1   01-01
44. Gary Shaft             Candler, NC              3  05-02  157
Day 1: 1   01-01     Day 2: 2   04-01
45. Jeffrey Ozmon          Rock Hill, SC            2  05-01  156
Day 1: 1   01-13     Day 2: 1   03-04
46. Tim White              Vicksburg, MI            3  04-15  155
Day 1: 1   01-15     Day 2: 2   03-00
47. John Watts Jr          Flushing, MI             3  04-08  154
Day 1: 1   01-01     Day 2: 2   03-07
48. Wesley Tuttle          Arthur, TN               3  04-07  153
Day 1: 3   04-07     Day 2: 0   00-00
49. Joseph Zapf            Whippany, NJ             4  04-07  152
Day 1: 1   01-03     Day 2: 3   03-04
50. Rodney Tapp            Inman, SC                3  04-07  151
Day 1: 1   02-03     Day 2: 2   02-04
51. Daniel Beebe Jr        Niota, TN                3  04-05  150
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   04-05
52. Rick Jerman            Springfield, VA          3  04-04  149
Day 1: 2   03-01     Day 2: 1   01-03
53. Herschel Brady         Morristown, TN           3  04-00  148
Day 1: 3   04-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
54. Keith Renaud           Pleasant Prairie, WI     2  03-15  147
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   03-15
55. Bob Payne Jr           Dandridge, TN            1  03-15  146
Day 1: 1   03-15     Day 2: 0   00-00
56. Peter Barello          Staten Island, NY        3  03-15  145
Day 1: 2   02-09     Day 2: 1   01-06
57. Mark Bartosch          Clarksville, TN          3  03-15  144
Day 1: 2   02-07     Day 2: 1   01-08
58. Jon Gardner            Rogersville, TN          3  03-14  143
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   03-14
59. Gary Hall              Delbarton, WV            2  03-14  142
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   03-14
60. Jeff Hitt              Grottoes, VA             3  03-13  141
Day 1: 2   02-14     Day 2: 1   00-15
61. Carl Hunter            Snellville, GA           3  03-13  140
Day 1: 2   02-02     Day 2: 1   01-11
62. Justin Mcgaha          Knoxville, TN            1  03-12  139
Day 1: 1   03-12     Day 2: 0   00-00
63. Jon Jezierski          Troy, MI                 2  03-11  138
Day 1: 2   03-11     Day 2: 0   00-00
64. Stephen Davis          Blacksburg, VA           2  03-09  137
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   03-09
65. Christopher Lemon      Mooresville, IN          2  03-08  136
Day 1: 1   02-01     Day 2: 1   01-07
66. Trevor Prichard        Knoxville, TN            3  03-05  135
Day 1: 2   02-01     Day 2: 1   01-04
67. Shane Love             Crooksville, OH          2  03-05  134
Day 1: 1   01-12     Day 2: 1   01-09
68. Randal Ferris          Fowlerville, MI          3  03-03  133
Day 1: 2   02-04     Day 2: 1   00-15
69. Benjamin Burdett       Ft Wayne, IN             1  03-02  132
Day 1: 1   03-02     Day 2: 0   00-00
70. Josh Stephens          Robbinsville, NC         2  03-02  131
Day 1: 1   01-15     Day 2: 1   01-03
71. Larry Beauboeuf        Bossier City, LA         2  02-15  130
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   02-15
72. Bryan Morton           Knoxville, TN            3  02-11  129
Day 1: 1   00-13     Day 2: 2   01-14
73. Joey D'andrea          Knoxville, TN            2  02-04  128
Day 1: 1   01-07     Day 2: 1   00-13
74. Alan Blondino          Rustburg, VA             2  02-02  127
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   02-02
74. David Gillenwater      Church Hill, TN          2  02-02  127
Day 1: 2   02-02     Day 2: 0   00-00
76. Bob Bauer              China Grove, NC          2  02-01  125
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   02-01
77. Dennis Oxendine        Morristown, TN           2  02-00  124
Day 1: 2   02-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
77. Braydon Wallace        Mendenhall, MS           2  02-00  124
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   02-00
79. Todd Walters           Summerville, SC          2  02-00  122
Day 1: 1   00-15     Day 2: 1   01-01
80. John Barnes            Richmond, VA             1  01-13  121
Day 1: 1   01-13     Day 2: 0   00-00
81. Curtis Hall II         Battle Creek, MI         1  01-11  120
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   01-11
82. Ian Madere             Baton Rouge, LA          2  01-10  119
Day 1: 2   01-10     Day 2: 0   00-00
82. Kate Owczarzak         Buffalo, NY              2  01-10  119
Day 1: 2   01-10     Day 2: 0   00-00
84. Gunter Odell           Dandridge, TN            1  01-10  117
Day 1: 1   01-10     Day 2: 0   00-00
84. Bradley Sargent        Concord, NH              1  01-10  117
Day 1: 1   01-10     Day 2: 0   00-00
86. Milo Salgado Jr.       Artemus, KY              1  01-09  115
Day 1: 1   01-09     Day 2: 0   00-00
87. Jonathan Hankins       North Tazewell, VA       1  01-03  114
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   01-03
88. Duke Bevins Jr         Aylett, VA               1  01-00  113
Day 1: 1   01-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
89. Mike Barker II         Haslett, MI              1  00-15  112
Day 1: 1   00-15     Day 2: 0   00-00
89. Roger Holtsclaw        Johnson City, TN         1  00-15  112
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   00-15
89. Phillip Keene          Pounding Mill, VA        1  00-15  112
Day 1: 1   00-15     Day 2: 0   00-00
92. David Booth            Erin, TN                 1  00-14  109
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   00-14
92. James Miller           Pittsboro, IN            1  00-14  109
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   00-14
92. Brian Setlock          Lancaster, PA            1  00-14  109
Day 1: 1   00-14     Day 2: 0   00-00
92. Greg Smith             Lawrenceburg, KY         1  00-14  109
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   00-14
96. Donnie Bowman          Quinton, VA              1  00-13  105
Day 1: 1   00-13     Day 2: 0   00-00
96. Steven Hatala          St Clair Shores, MI      1  00-13  105
Day 1: 1   00-13     Day 2: 0   00-00
96. Mark Snitow            Lake Havasu City, AZ     1  00-13  105
Day 1: 1   00-13     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Ricky Allen            Brilliant, OH            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Bart Angradi           Dandridge, TN            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Ben Ballou             Lafayette, TN            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Tyler Bellow           Ville Platte, LA         0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Jerry Britt            Barhamsville, VA         0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Robert Bruguiere       Mechanicsville, VA       0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Kevin Crabtree         Sellersburg, IN          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Johnnie Garrett        Union City, TN           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Troy Goodlow           Clarksburg, NJ           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Casey Gut              Chichester, NH           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Mac Haga               Rogersville, TN          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Ron Horton             Dover, DE                0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Jk Kutil               Nashville, TN            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Jp Lopez Jr            Brooklyn, NY             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Greg Mauldin           Archdale, NC             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Terry Proctor          Pensacola, FL            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Bobby Ramsey           Potsdam, NY              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Warren Ray             Greensboro, NC           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Ron Strickland         Stafford, VA             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Taylor Stumbo          Prestonsburg, KY         0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Rick Surguine          Mount Juliet, TN         0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Jimmy Taylor           Andersville, TN          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Chuck Thurlow          Auburn, AL               0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Ralph Wells            Lk Havasu Cty, AZ        0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Bill Wiley III         Joppa, MD                0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
99. Phil Zavracky          Stow, OH                 0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00


Ott DeFoe Takes Charge In First Round Of Bassmaster Open On Douglas Lake

Ott DeFoe of Knoxville, Tenn., takes the lead on the first day of the 2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open No. 3 held on Douglas Lake out of Dandridge, Tenn., with 17 pounds, 5 ounces.

Photo by Ronnie Moore/B.A.S.S.
DANDRIDGE, Tenn. — Bassmaster Elite Series pro Ott DeFoe proved there is no place like home on the first day of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open No. 3 at Douglas Lake.

DeFoe won the May 2014 Northern Open on his home waters of Douglas Lake. Today, he set himself up for another win by catching a 17-pound, 5-ounce five-bass limit to take over the lead in this year’s Douglas Lake Open.

“It was kind of a struggle in some ways today,” DeFoe said. “This time of year this lake is so tough. It is an amazing lake about 10 months of the year, but a couple of months of the year the fishing just gets harder.”

When the fishing gets tough in the fall, DeFoe heads upriver and runs his jet-driven aluminum bass boat over the shallow shoals.

The Knoxville, Tenn., pro relied on his extensive knowledge of his home lake rather than practice for the Open. “I went last Friday to kind of boat ride and look around,” he said. He also wanted to test drive his boat to see if he could run the shoals. DeFoe discovered he could run as shallow as 7 to 8 inches to reach some of the same waters he fished when he won the Open in 2014.

The three-time B.A.S.S. winner noticed three other competitors in the same section of the river he was fishing. He said conditions are changing rapidly in the river with clear and dirty water mixing and the water level falling. “I am okay with that because it will make me readjust. I feel like that’s the best way for us not to ‘beat up’ the fish. If the conditions were very stable, the fish would stay right there, but with the water changing it makes them move around.”

Custom boat builder Mike Watson relied on one of his own custom-built jet-drive aluminum boats to navigate the shallows of the river and take over second place with a 16-9 five-bass limit. “I just got real fortunate when I got on one hole, caught my fish and then bailed out of there by 11:30,” said the 51-year-old Watson. “I was concerned this morning because the flow had doubled from yesterday to today.”

The Bluff City, Tenn., angler left his spot after catching his limit and idled downriver to prevent running into any shoals. "I felt like in this tournament, if you catch 15 pounds, you need to get out of a spot,” Watson said. “It was a long day after I left there.”

Others in the Top 5 include Wil Hardy, Harlem, Ga., third, 15-7; Brian Latimer, Belton, S.C., fourth, 14-14; Drew Benton, Panama City, Fla., fifth, 14-9.

Taking over the lead in the co-angler division is Bobby Drinnon with three bass weighing 10-8. The 37-year-old machinist from Rogersville, Tenn., said he caught his limit within an hour after he and his partner, Bassmaster Elite Series pro Drew Benton, reached their first spot.

Chad Pipkens of Lansing, Mich., leads the pro division for the Phoenix Big Bass Award after the first day of competition with a 5-11 largemouth. Leading the nonboater division for the Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award is Chancey Hatfield of Mayking, Ky., with a 4-13 largemouth.

Friday’s takeoff and weigh-in, along with the final-day takeoff, will be held at the Dandridge Public Boat Dock, 100 Public Drive in Dandridge. Spectators will need to take a shuttle from First Baptist Church, 951 TN 92 S in Dandridge. Morning shuttles will run 5 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and afternoon shuttles will run 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The final-day weigh-in will move to the nearby Bass Pro Shops, 3629 Outdoor Sportsman Place in Kodak, Tenn.

The event is hosted by the Economic Development Alliance of Jefferson County, Tenn.

2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open Douglas Lake 9/7-9/9
Douglas Lake, Dandridge  TN.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$1.  Ott DeFoe              Knoxville, TN               5  17-05  200
Day 1: 5   17-05
2.  Mike Watson            Bluff City, TN           5  16-09  199
Day 1: 5   16-09
3.  Wil Hardy              Harlem, GA               5  15-07  198
Day 1: 5   15-07
4.  Brian Latimer          Belton, SC               5  14-14  197
Day 1: 5   14-14
5.  Drew Benton            Panama City, FL          5  14-09  196
Day 1: 5   14-09
6.  David Williams         Newton, NC               5  14-07  195
Day 1: 5   14-07
7.  Hunter Shryock         Newcomerstown, OH        5  14-04  194
Day 1: 5   14-04
8.  Bryant Ailor           Knoxville, TN            5  13-11  193
Day 1: 5   13-11
9.  Steven Redmond         Waynesville, NC          4  13-06  192
Day 1: 4   13-06
10. Allen Brooks           Canton, GA               5  13-02    0
Day 1: 5   13-02
10. Mike Huff              Corbin, KY               5  13-02  190
Day 1: 5   13-02
12. Shane Lineberger       Lincolnton, NC           5  12-09  189
Day 1: 5   12-09
12. Toshinari Namiki       Tokyo JAPAN              5  12-09  189
Day 1: 5   12-09
14. David Dudley           Lynchburg, VA            5  11-13  187
Day 1: 5   11-13
15. Mike Lavallee          Sandy, UT                5  11-07  186
Day 1: 5   11-07
16. Brad Burkhart          Speedwell, TN            5  11-03  185
Day 1: 5   11-03
16. Derek Hudnall          Baton Rouge, LA          5  11-03  185
Day 1: 5   11-03
18. Al Farace Jr           Hunt Valley, MD          5  11-01  183
Day 1: 5   11-01
19. Alex Wetherell         Middletown, CT           5  10-12  182
Day 1: 5   10-12
20. Charlie Hartley        Grove City, OH           5  10-08  181
Day 1: 5   10-08
20. Jake Whitaker          Fairview, NC             5  10-08  181
Day 1: 5   10-08
22. Greg Dipalma           Millville, NJ            5  10-05  179
Day 1: 5   10-05
23. Ken Iyobe              Tokoname-Shi JAPAN       5  10-01  178
Day 1: 5   10-01
24. Steve York             Bronson, MI              5  10-00  177
Day 1: 5   10-00
25. Kurt Dove              Del Rio, TX              5  09-10  176
Day 1: 5   09-10
26. Wesley Strader         Spring City, TN          4  09-09  175
Day 1: 4   09-09
27. Mark Hicks             Glouster, OH             5  09-07  174
Day 1: 5   09-07
27. Michael Murphy         Lexington, SC            5  09-07  174
Day 1: 5   09-07
27. Nick Ray               Ingleside, IL            5  09-07  174
Day 1: 5   09-07
30. Eddie Ball             Newport, TN              5  09-05  171
Day 1: 5   09-05
31. John Hunter Jr         Shelbyville, KY          4  09-05  170
Day 1: 4   09-05
32. Matthew Sphar          North Java, NY           5  09-01  169
Day 1: 5   09-01
33. Tyler Berger           Worthington, OH          5  09-00  168
Day 1: 5   09-00
33. Garrett Paquette       Canton, MI               5  09-00  168
Day 1: 5   09-00
35. Frankie Appaluccio     Franklin, NJ             5  08-13  166
Day 1: 5   08-13
35. Cole Blythe            Charlotte, NC            5  08-13  166
Day 1: 5   08-13
35. Craig Nelson           Mather, PA               5  08-13  166
Day 1: 5   08-13
38. Charlie Ingram         Centerville, TN          5  08-12  163
Day 1: 5   08-12
39. David Walker           Sevierville, TN          5  08-09  162
Day 1: 5   08-09
40. Ed Loughran III        Mechanicsville, VA       4  08-08  161
Day 1: 4   08-08
41. David Perdue           Wirtz, VA                5  08-06  160
Day 1: 5   08-06
41. Frank Poirier          North Prince George, VA  5  08-06  160
Day 1: 5   08-06
43. Pete Gluszek           Mount Laurel, NJ         5  08-04  158
Day 1: 5   08-04
44. Mack Hicks             London, KY               5  08-04  157
Day 1: 5   08-04
45. Derek Cummings         Denver, NC               5  08-02  156
Day 1: 5   08-02
46. Jonathan Carter        Glenburn, ME             4  08-02  155
Day 1: 4   08-02
47. Rick Hawkins           Roanoke, VA              5  08-01  154
Day 1: 5   08-01
48. Jeff Lugar             Cross Junction, VA       5  08-00  153
Day 1: 5   08-00
49. Shayne Berlo           Mclean, VA               5  07-13  152
Day 1: 5   07-13
50. David Gaston           Sylacauga, AL            5  07-09  151
Day 1: 5   07-09
51. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN            5  07-03  150
Day 1: 5   07-03
52. Jim Dillard            West Monroe, LA          4  07-03  149
Day 1: 4   07-03
53. Gary Clouse            La Vergne, TN            5  07-02  148
Day 1: 5   07-02
54. Timothy Macknair       Rices Landing, PA        4  07-01  147
Day 1: 4   07-01
55. Ben Nielsen            Lowell, MI               3  07-01  146
Day 1: 3   07-01
56. Chad Pipkens           Lansing, MI              2  07-00  145
Day 1: 2   07-00
57. James Niggemeyer       Van, TX                  4  06-14  144
Day 1: 4   06-14
58. Brandon Johnson        Owingsville, KY          4  06-12  143
Day 1: 4   06-12
59. Travis Dehart          Greenville, SC           4  06-12  142
Day 1: 4   06-12
60. Chris Ferguson         Wittensville, KY         4  06-10  141
Day 1: 4   06-10
61. Patrick Walters        Summerville, SC          5  06-09  140
Day 1: 5   06-09
62. Jason Sturgill         Big Stone Gap, VA        4  06-08  139
Day 1: 4   06-08
63. Carl Jocumsen          Queensland TX AUSTRALIA  4  06-06  138
Day 1: 4   06-06
64. Vince Troiano          Chesterfield, NJ         3  06-04  137
Day 1: 3   06-04
65. Michael Delvisco       Dandridge, TN            4  06-01  136
Day 1: 4   06-01
66. Jeff Hippert           Hamburg, NY              4  05-15  135
Day 1: 4   05-15
67. Cody Detweiler         Orlando, FL              4  05-14  134
Day 1: 4   05-14
68. Scott Bonvillain       Dequincy, LA             5  05-13  133
Day 1: 5   05-13
68. Josh Douglas           Mound, MN                5  05-13  133
Day 1: 5   05-13
70. Scott Patton           Paris, TN                3  05-10  131
Day 1: 3   05-10
71. John McKelvey III      Sicklerville, NJ         2  05-02  130
Day 1: 2   05-02
72. Rick Morris            Lake Gaston, VA          3  05-01  129
Day 1: 3   05-01
73. Jon Englund            Farwell, MN              2  05-01  128
Day 1: 2   05-01
74. Daniel Martin          Elmhurst, IL             4  04-14  127
Day 1: 4   04-14
75. Trait Zaldain          Fort Worth, TX           4  04-11  126
Day 1: 4   04-11
76. Darryl Halbert         Enoree, SC               3  04-11  125
Day 1: 3   04-11
77. Skylar Hamilton        Dandridge, TN            2  04-10  124
Day 1: 2   04-10
78. Richard Cooper         Clayton, NC              3  04-07  123
Day 1: 3   04-07
79. Jamey Caldwell         Carthage, NC             2  04-07  122
Day 1: 2   04-07
79. Chris Groh             Spring Grove, IL         2  04-07  122
Day 1: 2   04-07
81. Randy Elliott          Severn, MD               2  04-06  120
Day 1: 2   04-06
82. Guy Fairweather        Hayes, VA                4  04-05  119
Day 1: 4   04-05
83. Sam George             Athens, AL               3  04-05  118
Day 1: 3   04-05
83. Matt Madlener          Lake Villa, IL           3  04-05  118
Day 1: 3   04-05
83. Troy Morrow            Eastanollee, GA          3  04-05  118
Day 1: 3   04-05
86. Woo Daves              Spring Grove, VA         4  04-04  115
Day 1: 4   04-04
87. Chris Gerrein          Villa Hills, KY          2  04-03  114
Day 1: 2   04-03
88. Jeremiah Carr          Surgoinsville, TN        3  04-02  113
Day 1: 3   04-02
88. Kyle Kempkers          Hamilton, MI             3  04-02  113
Day 1: 3   04-02
90. Chris Liobis           Branchburg, NJ           2  03-15  111
Day 1: 2   03-15
91. Gary Isgrigg           Mt Washington, KY        3  03-08  110
Day 1: 3   03-08
92. Tom Huynh              Moorehead, MN            2  03-08  109
Day 1: 2   03-08
93. Destin DeMarion        Grove City, PA           2  03-06  108
Day 1: 2   03-06
93. Frank Ramsey           Spring Grove, IL         2  03-06  108
Day 1: 2   03-06
95. Chris Dillow           Waynesboro, VA           2  03-05  106
Day 1: 2   03-05
96. Rick Shannon           Woodlawn, TN             3  03-04  105
Day 1: 3   03-04
97. Tommy Little           Chester, VA              3  03-01  104
Day 1: 3   03-01
97. Cameron Smith          Mashpee, MA              3  03-01  104
Day 1: 3   03-01
99. Mark Ownby             Sevierville, TN          1  02-15  102
Day 1: 1   02-15
100. Seiji Kato             Shiga JAPAN              3  02-11  101
Day 1: 3   02-11
101. Bill Hutchison Jr.     Bessemer, AL             2  02-10  100
Day 1: 2   02-10
102. Tyler Ferris           Webberville, MI          1  02-10   99
Day 1: 1   02-10
103. Scott Siller           Milwaukee, WI            2  02-05   98
Day 1: 2   02-05
104. Brent Shores           Boise, ID                1  02-04   97
Day 1: 1   02-04
105. Chris Hart             Bozeman, MT              1  02-02   96
Day 1: 1   02-02
106. Stephen Mui            Bartlett, IL             1  01-13   95
Day 1: 1   01-13
107. Stanley Sypeck Jr      Sugarloaf, PA            1  01-11   94
Day 1: 1   01-11
108. Shin Fukae             Palestine TX JAPAN       1  01-08   93
Day 1: 1   01-08
109. Scott Pellegrin        Chippewa Falls, WI       1  01-07   92
Day 1: 1   01-07
110. John Murray            Spring City, TN          1  01-06   91
Day 1: 1   01-06
111. Michael Dove           Brownsburg, IN           1  01-03   90
Day 1: 1   01-03
112. Eddie Levin            Westerville, OH          1  01-00   89
Day 1: 1   01-00
113. John Garrett           Union City, TN           1  00-14   88
Day 1: 1   00-14
113. Shawn Hawks            Vinton, OH               1  00-14   88
Day 1: 1   00-14
115. Ron Johnson            Chandler, AZ             1  00-13   86
Day 1: 1   00-13
116. Lucas Bogosian         Harrington Park, NJ      0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
116. Rob Clowers            Sweetwater, TN           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
116. Jason Dudek            Excelsior, MN            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
116. Tom  Graziano          Chester, NY              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
116. Stephen Morella        Whitehall , PA           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
116. Edward Naydihor Jr     Kenosha, WI              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
116. Ross Rhodes            Paw Paw, MI              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
116. Jeremy Strotheide      Grand Rapids, MI         0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
116. Kenneth Vicchio        Bluff City, TN           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        50       422       807-12
----------------------------------
50       422       807-12

2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open Douglas Lake 9/7-9/9
Douglas Lake, Dandridge  TN.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Bobby Drinnon          Rogersville, TN          3  10-08  200
Day 1: 3   10-08
2.  Tim Leonard            Greeneville, TN          3  09-07  199
Day 1: 3   09-07
3.  Kenneth Lodwick        Dandridge, TN            3  09-04  198
Day 1: 3   09-04
4.  Jon Abbott             Versailles, KY           3  08-07  197
Day 1: 3   08-07
5.  Scott Peters           Knoxville, TN            3  08-06  196
Day 1: 3   08-06
6.  Ricky Congero          Windermere, FL           3  07-09  195
Day 1: 3   07-09
7.  Charles Fochtman       Moneta, VA               3  06-08  194
Day 1: 3   06-08
8.  Frank Meyer            Marianna, FL             3  06-04  193
Day 1: 3   06-04
9.  Wesley Watson          Huntington, WV           3  06-02  192
Day 1: 3   06-02
10. Marc Frazier           Newnan, GA               3  05-14  191
Day 1: 3   05-14
11. William Gaston         Sylacauga, AL            3  05-13  190
Day 1: 3   05-13
12. Hermilo Salgado        Artemus, KY              3  05-10  189
Day 1: 3   05-10
13. James Maupin           Stanardsville, VA        3  05-09  188
Day 1: 3   05-09
14. Josh Jernigan          Rocky Top, TN            3  05-05  187
Day 1: 3   05-05
15. Thomas Sutton          Bidwell, OH              2  05-04  186
Day 1: 2   05-04
16. Barry Brandt Jr.       Newport News, VA         2  05-01  185
Day 1: 2   05-01
17. Jack Dice              Lynchburg, VA            3  04-14  184
Day 1: 3   04-14
18. Chancey Hatfield       Mayking, KY              1  04-13  183
Day 1: 1   04-13
19. Mike Toney             Blacksburg, VA           3  04-10  182
Day 1: 3   04-10
20. Wesley Tuttle          Arthur, TN               3  04-07  181
Day 1: 3   04-07
21. Russ Cannici           Elkton, VA               3  04-04  180
Day 1: 3   04-04
21. Chad Smith             Minnetonka, MN           3  04-04  180
Day 1: 3   04-04
23. Dave Ramey             Kingsport, TN            2  04-04  178
Day 1: 2   04-04
24. Herschel Brady         Morristown, TN           3  04-00  177
Day 1: 3   04-00
25. Bob Payne Jr           Dandridge, TN            1  03-15  176
Day 1: 1   03-15
26. Justin Mcgaha          Knoxville, TN            1  03-12  175
Day 1: 1   03-12
27. Jon Jezierski          Troy, MI                 2  03-11  174
Day 1: 2   03-11
28. Don Bible II           Knoxville, TN            2  03-10  173
Day 1: 2   03-10
29. Chad Ullery            Dandridge, TN            3  03-08  172
Day 1: 3   03-08
30. Christian Latimer      Knoxville, TN            3  03-04  171
Day 1: 3   03-04
31. Kent Biggs             Morristown, TN           3  03-03  170
Day 1: 3   03-03
32. Rusty Barnette         Landrum, SC              3  03-02  169
Day 1: 3   03-02
33. Mark Westrick          Hastings, PA             2  03-02  168
Day 1: 2   03-02
34. Benjamin Burdett       Ft Wayne, IN             1  03-02  167
Day 1: 1   03-02
35. Rick Jerman            Springfield, VA          2  03-01  166
Day 1: 2   03-01
36. Jeff Hitt              Grottoes, VA             2  02-14  165
Day 1: 2   02-14
37. Daniel Corkern         Florence, MS             2  02-13  164
Day 1: 2   02-13
38. George Beville Jr      Apex, NC                 2  02-12  163
Day 1: 2   02-12
38. Andy Simm              Piney Flats, TN          2  02-12  163
Day 1: 2   02-12
40. Anthony Bell           Beavercreek, OH          2  02-12  161
Day 1: 2   02-12
41. Ike Taylor             Westerville, OH          2  02-11  160
Day 1: 2   02-11
42. Peter Barello          Staten Island, NY        2  02-09  159
Day 1: 2   02-09
43. Mark Bartosch          Clarksville, TN          2  02-07  158
Day 1: 2   02-07
44. Randal Ferris          Fowlerville, MI          2  02-04  157
Day 1: 2   02-04
45. Rodney Tapp            Inman, SC                1  02-03  156
Day 1: 1   02-03
46. David Gillenwater      Church Hill, TN          2  02-02  155
Day 1: 2   02-02
46. Carl Hunter            Snellville, GA           2  02-02  155
Day 1: 2   02-02
48. Jimmy Crum             Afton, TN                2  02-01  153
Day 1: 2   02-01
48. Trevor Prichard        Knoxville, TN            2  02-01  153
Day 1: 2   02-01
50. Christopher Lemon      Mooresville, IN          1  02-01  151
Day 1: 1   02-01
51. Dennis Oxendine        Morristown, TN           2  02-00  150
Day 1: 2   02-00
52. Josh Stephens          Robbinsville, NC         1  01-15  149
Day 1: 1   01-15
52. Tim White              Vicksburg, MI            1  01-15  149
Day 1: 1   01-15
54. John Barnes            Richmond, VA             1  01-13  147
Day 1: 1   01-13
54. Jeffrey Ozmon          Rock Hill, SC            1  01-13  147
Day 1: 1   01-13
56. Shane Love             Crooksville, OH          1  01-12  145
Day 1: 1   01-12
57. Ian Madere             Baton Rouge, LA          2  01-10  144
Day 1: 2   01-10
57. Kate Owczarzak         Buffalo, NY              2  01-10  144
Day 1: 2   01-10
59. Gunter Odell           Dandridge, TN            1  01-10  142
Day 1: 1   01-10
59. Bradley Sargent        Concord, NH              1  01-10  142
Day 1: 1   01-10
61. Milo Salgado Jr.       Artemus, KY              1  01-09  140
Day 1: 1   01-09
62. Joey D'andrea          Knoxville, TN            1  01-07  139
Day 1: 1   01-07
63. Bryan Forsee           Statesville, NC          1  01-03  138
Day 1: 1   01-03
63. Joseph Zapf            Whippany, NJ             1  01-03  138
Day 1: 1   01-03
65. Jason Hannah           Dingress, WV             1  01-02  136
Day 1: 1   01-02
65. Jason Williams         Holt, MI                 1  01-02  136
Day 1: 1   01-02
67. Gregory Bottomley      Middle Island, NY        1  01-01  134
Day 1: 1   01-01
67. Gary Shaft             Candler, NC              1  01-01  134
Day 1: 1   01-01
67. John Watts Jr          Flushing, MI             1  01-01  134
Day 1: 1   01-01
70. Duke Bevins Jr         Aylett, VA               1  01-00  131
Day 1: 1   01-00
71. Mike Barker II         Haslett, MI              1  00-15  130
Day 1: 1   00-15
71. Phillip Keene          Pounding Mill, VA        1  00-15  130
Day 1: 1   00-15
71. Gus Kneidinger         Prospect, PA             1  00-15  130
Day 1: 1   00-15
71. Todd Walters           Summerville, SC          1  00-15  130
Day 1: 1   00-15
75. Brian Setlock          Lancaster, PA            1  00-14  126
Day 1: 1   00-14
76. Donnie Bowman          Quinton, VA              1  00-13  125
Day 1: 1   00-13
76. Steven Hatala          St Clair Shores, MI      1  00-13  125
Day 1: 1   00-13
76. Bryan Morton           Knoxville, TN            1  00-13  125
Day 1: 1   00-13
76. Mark Snitow            Lake Havasu City, AZ     1  00-13  125
Day 1: 1   00-13
80. Chuck Hennessey        Knoxville, TN            1  00-11  121
Day 1: 1   00-11
81. Ricky Allen            Brilliant, OH            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Bart Angradi           Dandridge, TN            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Ben Ballou             Lafayette, TN            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Bob Bauer              China Grove, NC          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Larry Beauboeuf        Bossier City, LA         0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Daniel Beebe Jr        Niota, TN                0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Tyler Bellow           Ville Platte, LA         0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Travis Benes           Freeport, OH             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Cody Bertrand          Dyer, IN                 0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Alan Blondino          Rustburg, VA             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. David Booth            Erin, TN                 0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Jerry Britt            Barhamsville, VA         0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Robert Bruguiere       Mechanicsville, VA       0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Kevin Crabtree         Sellersburg, IN          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Stephen Davis          Blacksburg, VA           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Jon Gardner            Rogersville, TN          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Johnnie Garrett        Union City, TN           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Troy Goodlow           Clarksburg, NJ           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Casey Gut              Chichester, NH           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Mac Haga               Rogersville, TN          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Curtis Hall II         Battle Creek, MI         0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Gary Hall              Delbarton, WV            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Jonathan Hankins       North Tazewell, VA       0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Roger Holtsclaw        Johnson City, TN         0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Ron Horton             Dover, DE                0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Steven Kellam          Dry Ridge, KY            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Jk Kutil               Nashville, TN            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Jp Lopez Jr            Brooklyn, NY             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Greg Mauldin           Archdale, NC             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. James Miller           Pittsboro, IN            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Terry Proctor          Pensacola, FL            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Bobby Ramsey           Potsdam, NY              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Warren Ray             Greensboro, NC           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Keith Renaud           Pleasant Prairie, WI     0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Greg Smith             Lawrenceburg, KY         0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Ron Strickland         Stafford, VA             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Taylor Stumbo          Prestonsburg, KY         0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Rick Surguine          Mount Juliet, TN         0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Jimmy Taylor           Andersville, TN          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Chuck Thurlow          Auburn, AL               0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Tony Wallace           Mendenhall, MS           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Ralph Wells            Lk Havasu Cty, AZ        0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Bill Wiley III         Joppa, MD                0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
81. Phil Zavracky          Stow, OH                 0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00


Bassmaster Elite Series Season Will Culminate In AOY Championship At Mille Lacs

The nation’s top bass anglers will compete for more than $1 million in payouts and berths in the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods during the 2017 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship, Sept. 14-17, on Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota. Bassmaster Elite Series pro Brandon Palaniuk is currently leading the race with 811 points.

Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
September 7, 2017
ONAMIA, Minn. — Referring to the $1 million Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship as simply a “fishing tournament” almost seems a little shortsighted.

It is, of course, a tournament with anglers fishing each day for the five biggest bass they can catch. But it’s about so much more than pounds and ounces caught during a three-day event.

The AOY Championship, which is scheduled for Sept. 14-17 on the smallmouth paradise of Mille Lacs Lake, is the culmination of the Bassmaster Elite Series season. A new Angler of the Year will be crowned, berths will be earned and solidified for the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods and someone will likely leave brokenhearted after falling out of Classic contention.

The storylines will be plentiful, beginning with AOY points leader Brandon Palaniuk.

“I’ve been that middle-of-the-pack guy the past couple of years,” Palaniuk said. “In a way, it’s really a great spot to be in because you know if you just catch one 12-inch smallmouth, you’re going to the Classic.

“It’s great, but I wouldn’t trade it for the spot I’m in now.”

After a stellar season with six Top 12 finishes, including a victory at the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Palaniuk is in position to win his first career AOY title with a good showing at Mille Lacs.

He leads Oklahoma angler Jason Christie by just 15 AOY points (811 to 796) — the tightest race in AOY Championship history. So, unlike those who may be fishing for one fish to guarantee their spot in the Classic, Palaniuk will be fishing as hard as he would in any other event.

“I’m hoping to catch 23 pounds a day,” he said. “If I can catch that much, I think I’ll have a chance to win the tournament — and if I win, everything else will take care of itself.”

Christie, who is fresh off a victory in the final regular season Elite, the Advance Auto Parts Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair, wasn’t as specific about what he’s hoping to catch each day. But he said he feels a sense of calm going into the event.

“I’m looking for whatever it takes to help me finish 15 places ahead of Brandon Palaniuk,” Christie said. “That may not be possible, depending on what he does — and in a way, that keeps me from feeling any real pressure.

“Of course, I want to win. But no matter what happens, I know I’m in the Classic — and nothing bad can really come of it.”

The tournament is likely to be an eye-popping event for fans who enjoy seeing lots of giant smallmouth.

Mille Lacs, which has long been known as one of the finest walleye fisheries in the United States, burst onto the bass-fishing scene during last year’s AOY Championship. Minnesota angler Seth Feider had the biggest three-day catch during that event with daily five-bass limits weighing 25-8, 24-11 and 26-2 and totaling 76-5.

In July, Mille Lacs was named the No. 1 bass fishing lake in the country by Bassmaster Magazine.

“If it had been a four-day event, I think Seth Feider would have broken 100 pounds last year,” Palaniuk said. “That’s the kind of lake it is.”

Christie agreed.

“I went out and caught 21 pounds a day last year and finished in 18th place,” Christie said. “It’s just one of those places where you never know how much weight you’re going to need.”

The list of anglers on the Classic bubble include some of the biggest names in fishing — like California pros Ish Monroe and Skeet Reese and New Jersey superstar Michael Iaconelli.

Some of those who fail to make the Classic will have another chance the following week (Sept. 19-22) in the Bassmaster Classic Bracket on Pokegama Lake at Grand Rapids, Minn. That event will feature the first eight anglers in the AOY standings who failed to make the Classic in a one-on-one bracket-style competition, with the winner earning a Classic berth.

Takeoffs for the AOY Championship will be at 6:50 a.m. CT each day from Eddy's Resort. Weigh-ins will take place at 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Sunday at Grand Casino Mille Lacs.

On Saturday, all 50 anglers will take a break from tournament competition to participate in a special expo and conduct seminars for Bassmaster University.

The championship will be hosted by Grand Casino Mille Lacs.

2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Yamaha, Berkley, Huk, Humminbird, Nitro Boats, Mercury, Minn Kota, Power-Pole, Shell Rotella, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats

2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, T-H Marine, Shimano, Advance Auto Parts, Livingston Lures, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels


Tackle for Texas - Bid on Fishing trips with Hackney, Zona & Palaniuk

Provided by Mafia Outdoors

Russellville, Ar. (Sept 1, 2017) – One of the driving tenants of the Mafia Outdoors brand has always been “family”. From the employees, to the pro staff to the customers, family values have always been at the forefront, and always will be. One thing family does is come together to help each other in times of trials and needs. It is this value system that has birthed an idea to help our fellow countrymen and family in the Houston, Texas area. Their homes and lives may have been ravaged by Hurricane Harvey, but if we come together as family, and each do our part, we can help to restore and rebuild the area and its people. Mafia Outdoors, in conjunction with some of our pros and industry partners, will host an event called “Tackle for Texas”.

“We want to use our platform in the fishing industry to support our fellow anglers and Americans that have been affected by the hurricane. Greg Hackney, Mark Zona and Brandon Palaniuk and possibly a few other top-level touring anglers will auction off a fishing trip with each angler and 100% of the proceeds will go towards the relief efforts in South Texas”, says Mafia Outdoors CEO Bart Langley. “We have been hard at work lining up anglers, and other industry partners to make this a unique, one-in-a-lifetime event that will be worth a lot of money to serious fans of bass fishing. The more the trips bring, the more we can affect change for our brothers and sisters who need our help”.

“We are providing lodging, Bass Mafia product and hosting an exclusive private cookout for the high bidders. We have commitments from popular brands within the fishing industry, such as Strike King and several others, to partner with us and provide product and help with this event”, adds Jeremy Starks, VP of Sales and Marketing at Mafia Outdoors. “The fishing community is a pretty tight-knit fraternity when it comes to making things happen for the right reasons. If we all pool our resources, we can impact the lives of our family and neighbors who are dealing with this catastrophe” Starks concludes.

Keep an eye on Bass Mafia’s Facebook page for more information, updated happenings and to bid, or donate on “Tackle for Texas”. This is a rapidly evolving event and information will be posted as soon as it is available.


Matt Lee’s Jumbo Sized Drop Shot Lure

Story & Photos Courtesy Alan McGuckin ~ Dynamic Sponsorships

 

Matt Lee loves to fish a drop shot, but his decision to drop shot a 5” Strike King Z-Too on a straight shank hook for Lake St. Clair smallmouth, was the equivalent of his fiancé Abby choosing to serve 20-ounce rib eye steaks as a bridal shower appetizer. Essentially, Lee turned one of bass fishing’s dainty finesse techniques into a full-fledged food fest en route to yet another Top 12 finish on the Bassmaster Elite Series tour.

 

“I’m a drop shot fanatic. I threw it on spawning beds at Okeechobee, at stumps on Ross Barnett, and at St. Clair for smallmouth. I pretty much never leave the dock without one tied on, it’s just a matter of tweaking the components a little to meet the conditions,” explains Lee.

“My decision to use such a big bait on my drop shot at St. Clair was two-fold. First, the water was a little dingy, and I thought the bigger bait would be more visible. And secondly, I noticed that the smallmouth I hooked in practice were spitting-up 4” to 8” perch,” observed the Auburn grad.

 

Lure and Lure Color choice

If Lee knew the smallmouth were feeding on yellow and green colored perch, then why did he opt for a white, ice-colored, Z-Too?

“I’m pretty certain they were feeding on alewife as well as the perch. And the thing is, I was never on a big school of smallmouth. I felt like I was hunting big, single fish that seemed super aggressive – so that bait was visible and offered a big meal to those lone wolves,” says Lee.

“That Z-Too was too big for pesky perch to eat, and because it’s made of ElaZtech, it floats and never tears up. Plus, that particular lure almost shimmies like a swimbait.”

 

Experimental hooks

As much as Lee uses a drop shot, he’d never used such a big lure. So he experimented between a 1/0 and a 2/0 straight shank hook, as well as an occasional circle hook that’s more standard on a drop shot.

“I was actually super-gluing the Z-Too on the hooks, and the one thing I figured-out, was that no matter what hook I used, by giving them an extra second to eat it, rather than set the hook too fast, was more critical than the exact hook I rigged with,” says Lee.

 

Speed Freak

While gear ratios get a lot of attention among baitcasting reels, their mechanical importance in spinning reels is too often overlooked, but not by top pros like Matt Lee and Jacob Powroznik.

“Smallmouth move so quick that it’s critical to use a reel that can pick up a ton of slack line in a hurry, especially in one of those moments during the fight when they switch from going away from the boat, and run right at you, and you gotta get down on it like Kool & The Gang,” says Lee. “That’s why I love the Quantum Speed Freak. It picks up 3-feet of line with every turn of the handle, plus it’s got an awesome drag system for fighting those beasts.”

 

Brotherly Love

Matt shared his findings of the big lure’s success with younger brother Jordan, who was quick to heed Matt’s advice. Jordan had been fishing a smaller Strike King Dream Shot, but on Day 3 of the tournament, switched to the big Z-Too. His first fish of the day was a mammoth 6 pound 13 ounce bronze beast.

The Lee Brothers eventually finished 4th and 5th and won a combined $30,500. Everybody went home happy, and ate well along the way, including St. Clair’s super-sized smallmouth.

 


Douglas Lake Drawdown Will Be A Factor In Bassmaster Northern Open Finale

Elite Series pro David Mullins of Mt. Carmel, Tenn., will be one of the many anglers competing in the final Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open on Douglas Lake out of Dandridge, Tenn., Sept. 7-9. At stake are cash and prizes and also a berth in the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods.

Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
From BASS CommunicationsDANDRIDGE, Tenn. — Dropping water levels will make it difficult to pattern Douglas Lake bass in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open season finale.

“The lake is actually still high for this time of year,” Bassmaster Elite Series pro David Mullins said of his home waters.

Mullins notes the lake has already started its drawdown for winter, which has an effect on the bass fishing.

“The bass move a lot this time of the year, especially the shallow fish,” Mullins said. “So you just have to kind of go fishing each day. It’s hard to be consistent.

“This is going to be a tough, grinder tournament. It is always that way in September until the water starts cooling off.”

The Mt. Carmel, Tenn., angler describes the lake’s water clarity as “pretty clear” with water temperatures remaining in the 80 degree range.

“It seems like every year the water gets a little bit clearer,” Mullins said. “We used to catch bass a lot better in the fall than we do now because the water had some color to it, but now it is really clear.”

Mullins thinks keeping an open mind will be the key to success in the Open because the competitors will have to rotate through a variety of lures and techniques to consistently catch bass.

“You will be able to fish both ways, shallow and offshore,” he said. “I believe it will be won shallow, but there will be some fish caught offshore.”

The lake’s headwaters up the French Broad River should produce the best fishing during the Open, Mullins predicts. Fellow Elite Series pro Ott DeFoe won the 2014 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open fishing the same section of the river.

The mud flats and brushpiles along the bank in the riverine section of the lake will be key targets.

“Any cover in the water is going to have some fish on it this time of year,” Mullins said. He predicted bass in the shallows will be “inches to a couple of feet” deep. The best tactics for catching river bass will be throwing buzzbaits or Zara Spooks, flipping to shallow cover or cranking squarebill crankbaits.

Offshore bass will be more difficult to pinpoint because the fish will be at depths ranging from 10 to 40 feet deep.

“You can catch them down to 40 or 50 feet sometimes,” Mullins said. “The deep bite is going to be a little bit tougher because those deep fish tend to suspend a lot more this time of year. You can see the shad start to come up and get more active so there are a lot of bass that roam and suspend. The schools of bass that were out there in early summer have already broken up and are starting to roam after shad.”

The best tactics for catching offshore bass at Douglas include dragging Carolina rigs or football jigs and cranking deep-diving crankbaits.

Current from the drawdown will help the fishing early in the tournament. However, dam authorities stop releasing water on the weekends, which means competitors on Championship Saturday might have to change their strategies.

“If the fish are relating to current and you get that good bite on Thursday and Friday, when Saturday rolls around it will be totally different,” Mullins said.

Fishing pressure will also play a factor in the Open because many competitors will likely be sharing the same spots.

“There is a big population of bass in the lake, but there are only certain sections that have a lot of fish,” Mullins said.

He predicts the winning weight for this Open will be 45 pounds, and it will take 26 to 27 pounds to make the Top 12 cut.

A berth for the 2018 Bassmaster Classic and Bassmaster Elite Series invitations for the Top 5 finishers in the Northern Open point standings are at stake in this season finale. Currently holding the Top 5 spots in the point standings are Wesley Strader, JT Kenney, Frank Poirier, Chad Pipkens and Shin Fukae.

The winning pro angler will receive a Triton 19 TrX powered by a Mercury 200 Pro XS. The co-angler will win a Nitro Z18 and Mercury 150 Pro XS.

Takeoff will begin each day at 7 a.m. ET from the Dandridge Public Boat Dock, 100 Public Drive in Dandridge, Tenn. Weigh-ins the first two days will begin at 3 p.m. back at the park.

Spectators on Thursday and Friday for takeoffs and weigh-ins will need to take a shuttle from First Baptist Church, 951 TN 92 S in Dandridge, Tenn. Morning shuttles will run 5 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and afternoon shuttles will run 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The final weigh-in will begin at 4 p.m. at the nearby Bass Pro Shops, 3629 Outdoor Sportsman Place in Kodak, Tenn.


LAKE ERIE SET FOR YETI FLW COLLEGE FISHING NORTHERN CONFERENCE FINALE

Courtesy of FLW Outdoors

SANDUSKY, Ohio (Aug. 29, 2017) – YETI FLW College Fishing is heading to Lake Erie on Sept. 9 for the third and final regular-season stop in the Northern Conference. A full field of college fishing clubs will be competing for the top award of a $2,000 club scholarship and a berth into the 2018 College Fishing National Championship.

“Fishing on Lake Erie in September can be pretty tough, but we can still expect to see some nice limits in this tournament,” said bass-fishing columnist and owner of Millennium Promotions Joe Balog, who has 14 top-10 finishes on Lake Erie in Costa FLW Series and T-H Marine Bass Fishing League competition. “The deep-structure smallmouth can be fickle and it can be tough to catch a limit. If a team made the decision to target largemouth, it could be a good idea.”

Balog said that the smallmouth would be found on the traditional deep-structure – reefs and points in 20- to 35-feet of water – and that anglers fishing deep would all be using drop-shot rigs.

“It’s the end of summer on Lake Erie – it will be a 100-percent drop-shot tournament out deep,” Balog said. “A Jackall Crosstail Shad, Yamamoto Shad Shape worm or a Berkley Gulp! Jerk Shad will all be good choices.

“If you catch a smallmouth weighing more than 3½ pounds, it’s not an accident,” Balog continued. “Chances are there are more there – you’ll rarely see one smallmouth alone. If you get one, I’d recommend spending a serious amount of time there.”

For teams that choose to target largemouth, Balog said that anglers would be targeting the heavy vegetation in Sandusky Bay and the adjacent harbors, or the shallow shoals on the main lake.

“You can definitely catch a 15 to 18 pound limit of largemouth,” he said. “Those teams will be frogging and flipping in the vegetation or throwing jigs and Carolina rigs in the shallow shoals.

“I think the winning team will likely need 19 pounds,” Balog went on to say.

Anglers will take off from the Shelby Street Public Boat Launch, located at 101 Shelby St., in Sandusky, at 7 a.m. EDT Saturday. Weigh-in will be held at the boat launch beginning at 3 p.m. Takeoff and weigh-in are free and open to the public.

Schools are allowed to register up until the morning of the tournament. Entries may be made either by phone or at CollegeFishing.com.

Schools registered to compete in the Lake Erie tournament, which is hosted by the City of Sandusky, include:

Bowling Green State University – Corey Miller, Perrysburg, Ohio, and Jason Bailey, Port Clinton, Ohio

Fairmont State University – Corey Straight, Barrackville, W.Va., and Jacob Smith, Martinsburg, W.Va.

Kent State University – Zachary Asher, Sunbury, Ohio, and Christian Hylton, Deerfield, Ohio

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania – Jason Heyer, Towanda, Pa., and Kyle Zindell, Jermyn, Pa.

Pennsylvania State University – David Contrael, Kittanning, Pa., and Lance Brosious, Sunbury, Pa.

Pennsylvania State University – Stephen Jesso, Plymouth, Pa., and Tom Oranzi, West Grove, Pa.

Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg – Ethan Urey, Mechanicsburg, Pa., and George Gendler, Mountaintop, Pa.

Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg – Chad Burkholder, Palmyra, Pa., and Ryan Fox, Thornhurst, Pa.

Rochester Institute of Technology – Tom Saile and Mark Saile, both of Williamson, N.Y.

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania – Kyle Brown, Wexford, Pa., and Cody Neal, Evans City, Pa.

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania – Nathan Quince, Pittsburgh, Pa., and Garrett Godlewski, Imperial, Pa.

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania – Ryan Kozlowski and Jason Frontino, both of Cranberry Township, Pa.

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania – Logan Pollman, Slippery Rock, Pa., and Cale Updegrave, Reno, Pa.

University of Delaware – Brennan Chuprinko, Flanders, N.J., and Michael Imbierowicz, Bel Air, Md.

University of Michigan-Dearborn – Austin Klotz and Vincenzo Puleo, both of Westland, Mich.

University of Pittsburgh – Tyler Sheppard, Hermitage, Pa., and Dominic Vitale, Shickshinny, Pa.

University of Pittsburgh – Michael Dunn and Henry Colberg, both of Pittsburgh, Pa.

Youngstown State University – Stan Miketa, New Middletown, Ohio, and Mario Chance, Youngstown, Ohio

FLW College Fishing teams compete in three regular-season qualifying tournaments in one of five conferences – Central, Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Western. The top ten teams from each division’s three regular-season tournaments and the top 20 teams from the annual FLW College Fishing Open will advance to the 2018 FLW College Fishing National Championship. Additional teams will qualify for the National Championship if the field size in regular-season events exceeds 100 boats.

College Fishing is free to enter. All participants must be registered, full-time students at a college, university or community college and members of a college fishing club that is recognized by their school.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow College Fishing on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing. Visit FLWFishing.com to sign up or to start a club at your school.


New Format and New Championship Highlights 2018 BASS Opens Schedule

The 2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series features eight tournaments plus a national championship.
Photo by B.A.S.S.
From BASS Communications

August 31, 2017

National Championship Highlights 2018 Bassmaster Opens Series Tournament Lineup

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The 2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series will again include nine tournaments on prime bass fishing waters, but the series format will be markedly different from recent seasons, B.A.S.S. announced today.

“We are excited about the new Opens format,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “It’s designed to provide opportunities for the best bass fishermen to prove their fishing skills on a variety of waters as they earn their way into the Bassmaster Classic and Elite Series.”

Instead of three divisions of three tournaments each, B.A.S.S. will conduct two divisions — Central and East — comprising four tournaments each. As was last done in 2005, a season finale Opens Championship will be held. It will determine qualifiers for the 2019 Bassmaster Elite Series and for the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.

The Opens Championship winner and the Top 5 in performance points from each division — determined by an angler’s finish in all four divisional tournaments and the Championship —will be invited to the Elites. The winner of the Championship and the Top 3 anglers in points from each division following the Championship will be invited to the Classic.

In addition, fisheries in the two new divisions are more geographically diverse, requiring a greater commitment from Opens pros who want to qualify for the championship. The Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Eastern Opens Division, for example, includes one tournament in central Florida and another in Upstate New York.

“These changes to our Opens Series are bound to qualify a very diverse and versatile group of anglers for the Elite Series and the Classic,” said Chris Bowes, Opens tournament director. “They will have to prove their abilities on a variety of fisheries and at different seasons. And, to get to the Classic, they will have to perform throughout the season, not just in one event.”

Akin expects the Opens Championship to become a marquee event for aspiring pros and other tournament anglers.

“The Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Championship will be a no-entry-fee tournament pitting some of the nation’s best bass anglers against one another,” Akin said. “The smaller, more elite field of championship qualifiers can be expected to create more excitement, attract a bigger fan base and generate more media coverage than ever before in Opens competition.”

The championship is tentatively scheduled to be held Oct. 18-20. The location will be announced later. The field will include the four winners of Opens tournaments as well as the Top 10 in points standings, not including the winners, from each division, for a total of 28. In addition, the four winning co-anglers from each division tournament and the Top 10 in points standings, not including winners, will compete alongside the pros for a share of their own prize fund.

Thanks to the “win-and-you’re-in” provision of the Opens, pros and co-anglers will have a shot at making the Championship even if they’re not at the top of the points standings toward the end of the season, Bowes noted.

The lineup includes some of the most popular and productive fisheries in the nation, including several that have hosted the Bassmaster Classic in past years. Following are details about each of the events in the 2018 Opens Series.

Eastern Opens Division

Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Kissimmee, Fla. — Feb. 1-3, 2018
Total B.A.S.S. events hosted: 22, including 1977 and 2006 Classics
Most recent B.A.S.S. winner: Chad Morgenthaler (52-7), 2015 Bassmaster Southern Open, Jan. 15-17, 2015
Bassmaster 100 Best Bass Lakes Rank: 11th, Southeastern Division, in 2017

Lake Norman, Cornelius, N.C. — May 10-12, 2018
Total B.A.S.S. events hosted: 11
Most recent B.A.S.S. winner: 2014 Southern Open, Andy Montgomery (37-10), Oct. 2-4, 2014
Bassmaster 100 Best Bass Lakes Rank: 91st in 2013

Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh, N.Y — Aug. 2-4, 2018
Total B.A.S.S. events hosted: 20
Most recent B.A.S.S. winner: 2017 Bassmaster Elite, Aaron Martens (58-12), July 27-30, 2017
Bassmaster 100 Best Bass Lakes Rank: 5th, Northeastern Division, in 2017

Douglas Lake, Dandridge, Tenn. — Sept. 13-15, 2018
Total B.A.S.S. events hosted: 12
Most recent B.A.S.S. winner:  2016 Bassmaster Southern Open, David Mullins (62-12), May 19-21, 2016
Bassmaster 100 Best Bass Lakes Rank:  56th in 2013

Central Opens Division

Ross Barnett Reservoir, Ridgeland, Miss. — March 1-3, 2018
Total B.A.S.S. events hosted: 18, including 1978 Classic
Most recent B.A.S.S. winner: 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series, Dustin Connell (64-13), April 27-30, 2017
Bassmaster 100 Best Bass Lakes Rank: 9th, Southeastern Division, in 2016

Arkansas River, Muskogee, Okla. — April 19-21, 2018
Total B.A.S.S. events hosted: 14
Most recent B.A.S.S. winner: 2016 Bassmaster Central Open, Skylar Hamilton (45-6), June 2-4, 2016

Red River, Shreveport, La. — June 14-16, 2018
Total B.A.S.S. events hosted: 21, including 2009 and 2012 Classics
Most recent B.A.S.S. winner: 2016 Bassmaster Central Open, Alton Jones Jr. (35-14), Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2016
Bassmaster 100 Best Bass Lakes Rank: 77th in 2015

Logan Martin, Pell City, Ala. — Sept. 6-8, 2018
Total B.A.S.S. events hosted: 7, including 1992, 1993 and 1997 Classics
Most recent B.A.S.S. winner: 2013 Bassmaster Southern Open, David Kilgore (46-8), May 16-18, 2013
Bassmaster 100 Best Bass Lakes Rank: 23rd, Southeastern Division, in 2017

(NOTE: Entries for the 2018 Opens will be accepted beginning Oct. 31, 2017. See Bassmaster.com for a full schedule of registration dates, deadlines and payouts. Entry fees are $1,500 per event for pros and $425 per event for co-anglers. Payouts are based on a full field of 200 pros and 200 co-anglers.)

2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops

2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Triton Boats, Yamaha, Berkley, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Power-Pole, Shell Rotella, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats

2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, Shimano, T-H Marine, Advance Auto Parts, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures


Tube Jigs, a Tractor, and Two Bonuses for Christie

Story & Photo from Alan McGuckin ~ Dynamic Sponsorships

 

An hour after Jason Christie was done towing a green pumpkin tube around in 19-feet of water to win the $100,000 Advanced Auto Parts Bassmaster Elite Series on Lake St. Clair, he stood next to his boat and truck at the Metropark boat ramp and talked about towing a tractor around back home in Eastern Oklahoma.

“I drive a Toyota Tundra for two reasons; for a chance to win the Bonus Bucks as a tournament fisherman, and because of their towing power,” stated Christie. “In fact, I kept the older Tundra that I used to tow my Ranger with after I bought this newer one -- and now I use the older truck to hunt with, and to tow my Mahindra tractor.”

As a result of being the highest finishing registered participant, the Lake Tenkiller, Oklahoma resident got paid $3,000 from Toyota’s Bonus Bucks Program.

Christie is also loyal to Leer Truck Caps, and both his Tundras not only have a Leer truck cap, but also a Leer Locker ceiling mounted storage system. “I use the Leer Locker in my tournament truck to carry hats, fishing tackle and the trusty little fan that I’ve gotta have to sleep. In my hunting truck I carry my bow, and the kids’ hunting rifles,” says the 5-time B.A.S.S. tournament winner, and former college basketball player.

In addition to the Toyota Bonus Bucks, Christie also won a $500 bonus from the Leer Cover Cash program.

You don’t have to be a full-time pro, or even win a tournament to win the “Cover Cash” or “Bonus Bucks” – you just have to be a registered participant in any of the dozens of tournaments sanctioned by both contingency programs and be the highest-placing participant. To get signed-up, please visit http://www.toyotatrucksbonusbucks.com/ and  http://leercovercash.com/ or phone Jessica or Kendell at (918) 742-6424, and they can also help you get signed-up for either program.


Boggs Wins ABA Ram Trucks Open on Kentucky Lake with over 15 pounds!

Drew Boggs of Lebanon, TN won the American Bass Anglers, RAM Truck Open Series Kentucky Division tournament held 8/26/2017 on Kentucky Lake.  Running out of Paris Landing State Park near Buchanan, TN, Drew brought back a five-fish limit, that locked in on the scales at 15.83 pounds.  He anchored his bag and sealed his victory with a 5.06 lb.  kicker.  Drews catch gave him first place in the boater division, and his efforts were rewarded with a check for $5000.

“I stayed close, I didn’t go any further than 15 minutes away.  I caught the 3 pounder on a football jig out deep.  I caught the rest of my fish shallow flipping a jig, apart from my big fish.  I was throwing a lipless jig between cover, and I got hung up on a stump, when I was trying to shake it loose a 5 pounder came and hit it.”  Said Boggs.

Second place was taken by Eric Silverstsrim of Indian Mound, TN.  Eric brought back a limit of fish that went 15.71 pounds on the scale, he anchored his catch with a 4.40 lb. kicker.  Eric took home $300 for his second-place finish.

“I lost 2 fish that would have gave me the win, but that just the way it goes sometimes.  I caught everything on a Fishing45 ¾ oz. football head jig in Texas Craw.  I fished the drops from Hwy 79 down to Birdsong, and the Trokar Hook on the Fishing45 Jig kept them hemmed up and made all the difference.”  Said Silverstrim.

Third place was claimed by Matt Robertson of Kuttawa, KY.  Matt came to the scales with a 5-fish limit that locked in on the scales at 15.03 lbs. he anchored his bag with a 4.68 lb. largemouth for a kicker.  Matt took home $200 for his efforts.

“I caught all my fish on a 7-inch power worm, whenever its tough out here I can still always catch fish on them.  So, I just threw it all day long.”  Said Robertson.

Fourth place was Mickey Beck of Lebanon, TN with 5 fish limit that weighed 13.71 lbs. he took home $100 for fourth place finish.  Rounding out the top five was Rob Bryant of Danville, KY with a 5-fish limit weighing 12.88 lbs. he earned $100 for his efforts.

David Seaton of Buchanan, TN landed the biggest bass for the boater division.  David brought in a beautiful bass that locked in on the scales at 5.95 lbs. he took a $280 check home for that fish.

First place amongst the co-anglers was taken by Mike Blumer of Louisville, KY.  Mike brought in a 3-fish limit that locked in on the scales at 10.64 lbs. he sealed his placement with a 6.30 lb. kicker.  Mike took home a check for $900 for his efforts.  Mike also caught the big bass for the co-angler division using his ABU Garcia reel, and for that he will take home a brand-new ABU Garcia Spinning Reel.

“We fished south of here, flipping brush we could see.  I caught everything on plastic worms and things like that.  We mainly stayed on the flats all day, and I caught my biggest one around 6:30 this morning.  I had all 3 of my fish by 8:30 this morning.”  Said Blumer.

Second place for the co-anglers goes to Roby Ervin of Lavergne, TN with a 3-fish limit that weighed in at 7.96 lbs.  He anchored his bag with a bass that locked in at 2.53 lb.  Roby took home a check for $400 for his day of fishing.

“I caught everything fishing top water, with a Whopper Plopper.  We stayed close to the Paris Area only going north and south a couple miles.  I lost one that felt pretty good but never did get to see it, it just pulled off, but it feels good to up on the stage for once getting a check.”  Said Ervin.

Third place for the co-anglers was claimed by Daniel Crockett of Old Hickory, TN.  Crockett only landed 2 fish but they locked in at 7.48 lbs. and that was enough for a third-place finish. Crockett took home a check for $300 for his placement.

“I caught one this morning, one midday, and 1 broke off after that.  If I would have landed that one it probably would have gave me the win.” Said Crockett.

Finishing fourth was Todd House of Hawesville, KY with 7.33 lbs. Rounding out the top five co-anglers was JoJo Walsh with 6.43 lbs.

This was the final one-day tournament For the Kentucky Division.  The next event will be the 2-day area championship on Lake Pickwick Oct.7th-8th 2017.  At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance the 2018 Ray Scott Championship, slated for the Red River in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana in April 2018.  For more information on this division visit www.ramopenseries.com or contact Kristin Malott Tournament Manager at 256-771-3709 or ABA at 256-232-0406.

About American Bass Anglers: American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers, the Ram Truck Open Series, the American Fishing Tour or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com.

American Bass Anglers, Inc. is supported by Ram Trucks, Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, Carlisle Tires, GEICO, Berkley, Abu Garcia, T-H Marine, Livingston Lures, Best Western Hotels, Maui Jim, Power Pole, LiT Coolers, Simms, Garmin, Divide-It, and SiriusXM Marine Weather. American Bass Anglers, Inc. can be contacted at (256) 232-0406 or by visiting americanbassanglers.com


Hart & Woodell drop over 19 pounds on the scales to win PBC Fashion Rods End of Year Tournament on Jordan Lake

PBC CASHION FISHING RODS 'End of Year' TEAM BASS FISHING TRAIL RESULTS

Saturday August 26th, 2017 ~ Jordan Lake ~ Farrington Point Wildlife Ramp

The team of Ronnie Hart & Danny Woodell won 1st Place, weighing in 5 bass at 19.70 lbs. and also won the 1st Place
Big Fish Award (8.08 lbs.) for a total of $1,688 in winnings. The team said most of their bass were caught off channel
points in 10 to 12' or more of depth using mostly crankbaits.

1st Place

Close behind, the veteran team of Tommy & Roy Blackwood took 2nd with 5 fish weighing 19.60 lbs. & they also
won 2nd Place Big Fish (7.71) to pocket a total of $872. The 3rd place team, Jaime Fajardo & Josh Hooks, caught 5
weighing 19.55 lbs. and also won the 1st Place TWT for a grand total of $1,560 in winnings!!!

143 fish were weighed in for a total of 413 pounds for an average of 2.89 lbs. each. Most of the larger fish were
caught on Carolina rigs, Jerk Baits and Crankbaits in 10-12' of water off main point dropoffs and creek channels.

I want to thank all the anglers that participated and all our sponsors that support this trail. The next Cashion Fishing
Rods 'End of Year' Tournament Trail Qualifier will be September 9th at Falls Lake. Go to this web page for the info
on the 'End of Year' Trail: http://piedmontbassclassics.com/2017CashionEOYTrailMainPage.html
All the information on our tournaments can be found http://piedmontbassclassics.com/

Now here are the full results:

1st Place: Ronnie Hart & Danny Woodell of Bunn Level & Erwin...5 bass...19.70 lbs...$1,030
2nd Place: Roy & Tommy Blackwood of Pittsboro & Efland...5 bass...19.60 lbs...$590
3rd Place: Jaime Fajardo & Josh Hooks of Fuquay Varina & Apex...5 bass...19.25 lbs...$510
4th Place: Chip Baty & Alan Parker of Linden...5 bass...18.59 lbs...$430
5th Place: Todd Sumner & Rich Szczerbala of Southern Pines & Apex...5 bass...18.33 lbs...$350
6th Place: Mark Herndon & Jay Garrard of Bahama & Durham...5 bass...17.89 lbs...$270
7th Place: Brian Fritts & Bo Adams of Raleigh & Pittsboro...5 bass...17.59 lbs...$230
8th Place: Chad Emory & Stephen of Bahama & Durham...5 bass...17.12 lbs...$200
9th Place: Doug Stallings & Seth Ellis of Stem & Durham....5 bass...16.95 lbs...$150

1st Place Big Fish..1st Place Team above...8.08 lbs...$658
2nd Place Big Fish..2nd Place Team above...7.71 lbs...$3282

         1st Place TWT..3rd Place Team above...19.25 lbs...$1,050
2nd Place TWT..4th Place Team above...18.59 lbs...$450


HENSLEY WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL HOOSIER DIVISION EVENT ON OHIO RIVER

HENSLEY WINS T-H MARINE FLW BASS FISHING LEAGUE HOOSIER DIVISION EVENT ON OHIO RIVER

Kentucky’s Napier Takes Co-angler Title

CANNELTON, Ind. (Aug. 28, 2017) – Todd Hensley of New Albany, Indiana, won the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Hoosier Division tournament on the Ohio River Saturday after catching five bass weighing 7 pounds, 4 ounces. For his efforts, Hensley pocketed $3,842.

Hensley said he spent the event flipping stumps along a 200- to 300-yard stretch in the back of a creek on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River.

“The corps (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) had the water level low Saturday morning, so there were a lot of visible stumps,” said Hensley, who notched his third career-victory in BFL competition. “They were 2 feet down and right off of the bank. The key was the shady areas. The fish were relating to stumps that were under bushes, trees or some grass.”

Hensley said he used two lures to catch his fish – a 7-inch Blue Fleck-colored Berkley Power Worm, and a Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Craw of the same color.

“I had 10 bites all day long, but I lost five of them,” said Hensley. “The five that I did get in the boat were the five that I weighed in.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          Todd Hensley, New Albany, Ind., five bass, 7-4, $3,842

2nd:         Jimmy Shepherd, Indianapolis, Ind., three bass, 6-9, $2,431

3rd:          David Spivey, Hamilton, Ohio, five bass, 6-5, $1,582

4th:          Travis Spivey, Trenton, Ohio, five bass, 6-4, $896

5th:          Brian Funkhouser, Bloomington, Ind., five bass, 5-15, $768

6th:          Dick Shaffer, Rockford, Ohio, five bass, 5-14, $704

7th:          Mark Dove, North Vernon, Ind., three bass, 5-11, $640

8th:          Chris Wilkinson, Farmersburg, Ind., five bass, 5-7, $576

9th:          Larry Sisk, Evansville, Ind., three bass, 4-14, $512

10th:        Jim Pickett, Trafalgar, Ind., three bass, 4-10, $425

10th:        Mark Heidt, Versailles, Ind., three bass, 4-10, $425

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Shepherd caught a 4-pound, 10-ounce bass – the heaviest of the tournament in the Boater Division – and earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $510.

Kevin Napier of Lewisport, Kentucky, caught three bass weighing 4 pounds, 4 ounces, to win the Co-angler Division and $1,921.

The top 10 co-anglers were:

1st:          Kevin Napier, Lewisport, Ky., three bass, 4-4, $1,921

2nd:         Travis Edgar, North Webster, Ind., four bass, 4-1, $960

3rd:          Tyler Buell, Lafayette, Ind., one bass, 3-9, $799

3rd:          Bo Bivins, Evansville, Ind., three bass, 3-9, $544

5th:          Jeremy Caudill, Nineveh, Ind., two bass, 3-8, $384

6th:          Jason Thornton, Corydon, Ind., two bass, 3-3, $352

7th:          Griffin Fernandes, McCordsville, Ind., two bass, 2-11, $320

8th:          Dan Schlegel, Cincinnati, Ohio, one bass, 2-10, $288

9th:          Bobby Revalee, Connersville, Ind., two bass, 2-7, $227

9th:          Matt Knox, Metamora, Ill., two bass, 2-7, $227

9th:          Larry Kitchel, Logansport, Ind., one bass, 2-7, $227

Buell caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division – a fish weighing 3 pounds, 9 ounces – and earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $255.

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 5-7 BFL Regional Championship on Kentucky Lake in Gilbertsville, Kentucky. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.

The 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.


Cabela's Renews Partnership with the Cabela's Collegiate Bass Fishing Series for the Thirteenth Straight Year

SAN ANTONIO, TX (August 25, 2017) — Already known as one of the largest and longest supporters of competitive collegiate bass fishing, Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter® of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is once again boosting their support and long-standing partnership of the Collegiate Bass Fishing Series and the Association of Collegiate Anglers.

As part of the continued sponsor commitment, Cabela’s will remain the title sponsor and official retailer of the series. Additionally, the company will continue in its position as the title sponsor of the Cabela’s Collegiate Big Bass Bash Presented by Berkley and Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Open events.

Cabela’s will also serve as the title sponsor of the most prestigious title in college fishing, the Cabela’s School of the Year Program, a culmination of finishes at national college fishing events throughout the year. As part of the Cabela’s School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia Program, Cabela’s and the Association of Collegiate Anglers will support a growing number of school-run sanctioned events across the nation in 2018 as well as more events at the national level.

 

“The Collegiate Bass Fishing Series and the Association of Collegiate Anglers are outstanding programs that share our passion for supporting young anglers and growing the sport of fishing,” said Jeremy Wonch, Cabela’s Brand Partnership Manager. “Cabela’s is thrilled to continue our support of these programs and the opportunities they provide collegiate anglers across the nation.”

Wade Middleton, President of CarecoTV and Director of the Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series stated that, “Cabela’s has been behind college fishing since the very first event.  It goes without saying that their support has been one of the major keys to the growth we’ve seen in college fishing programs nationwide.   Every year Cabela’s has stepped up to do more and more with discount programs, gift cards, contingency programs as well as other programs all designed to ensure that these young men and women can pursue their passions and dreams of representing their college at the highest levels of competition.”

The 2018 Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series consists of four nationally televised Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing tournaments, including the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship, which are scheduled for the following dates:

  • Texas Lunker Challenge – Sam Rayburn Reservoir – February 11, 2018
  • Cabela’s Collegiate Big Bass Bash Presented by Berkley – Kentucky Lake – March 10-11, 2018
  • BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship – Pickwick Lake – May 23-25, 2018
  • Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Open – Lake Dardanelle – October 12-13, 2018

For more information on The Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series and all the assets associated with it, please visit www.collegiatebasschampionship.com.

About Cabela’s Incorporated
Cabela’s Incorporated, headquartered in Sidney, Nebraska, is the world’s largest direct marketer, and a leading specialty retailer, of hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor merchandise. Since the Company’s founding in 1961, Cabela’s® has grown to become one of the most well-known outdoor recreation brands in the world, and has long been recognized as the World’s Foremost Outfitter®. Through Cabela’s well-established direct business and its growing number of destination retail stores, it offers a wide and distinctive selection of high-quality outdoor products at competitive prices while providing superior customer service. Cabela’s also issues the Cabela’s Club® VISA credit card, which serves as its primary customer-loyalty rewards program.

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, four 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 


VIRGINIA’S HICKS WINS COSTA FLW SERIES NORTHERN DIVISION FINALE ON POTOMAC RIVER PRESENTED BY PLANO

Goochland Angler Outlasts 159 Boaters in Three-Day Tournament, Pockets $42,200

MARBURY, Md. (Aug. 26, 2017) – Boater Mike Hicks of Goochland, Virginia, weighed five bass totaling 16 pounds, 14 ounces, Saturday to win the Costa FLW Series Northern Division finale on the Potomac River presented by Plano. Hick’s three-day total of 15 bass weighing 48 pounds, 10 ounces, was enough to earn the win and $42,200.

“I’ve had a lot of top-10 finishes in past FLW events on the Potomac River, but never a win,” said Hicks, who earned his first career-victory as a boater in FLW Series competition. “I told my wife that I didn’t want to make the top 10 again – I wanted to win. I went out there, swung for the fences and it paid off.”

Hicks said he spent his mornings in Aquia Creek, picking apart grass beds with offshore milfoil clumps. He said he worked through a couple of community holes each day before moving on to different areas.

“I don’t normally fish community holes, but they produced a couple of good bites for me this week,” said Hicks. “The bigger fish were relating to the outermost clumps, and I weighed in three on Day One using a black Lobina Rio Rico topwater bait. I then ran to some wood and lily pads in Aquia and Potomac Creeks and filled out my limit.”

On Day Two, Hicks said he managed to catch another three keepers from the milfoil clumps on the Rio Rico, but wasn’t able to fill out a limit at his secondary areas. He said he decided to make a run to an area 25 miles north, near Pohick Bay, around 1:30 p.m. There, Hicks said he used a Team Daiwa TD Pencil topwater bait to complete his limit.

“I caught three in the back of a grass flat where the wind had blown out sediment and created a ditch,” said Hicks. “The sandy bottom was key. I think it was a good place for fish to ambush food.”

On Day Three, Hicks once again worked through his milfoil clumps, but couldn’t get anything to bite his Rio Rico.

“I noticed other anglers were catching them on swim jigs, so I picked up a 3/8-ounce bluegill-colored (Lil’ Hustler) swim jig with a Dirty Sanchez-colored (Reaction Innovations) Skinny Dipper and caught two of my biggest of the day,” said Hicks.

Hicks capitalized on his big bites and caught another three using the TD Pencil. He noted that his later catches on Day Three came from clearer water.

“When the water clears up, I think the Rio Rico is too big and makes too much noise,” said Hicks. “I’d call the TD Pencil more of a finesse-style topwater bait. I caught my last fish around 1:30 (p.m.) and that’s what I brought in.”

The top 10 pros on the Potomac River finished:

1st:          Mike Hicks, Goochland, Va., 15 bass, 48-10, $42,200

2nd:         Gregory  Wilder, Millersville, Md., 15 bass, 45-1, $16,500

3rd:          Travis Manson, Conshohocken, Pa., 15 bass, 43-1, $12,600

4th:          Bradley Staley, Pleasant Garden, N.C., 15 bass, 37-13, $10,500

5th:          Ed Casey, Whiteford, Md., 14 bass, 37-2, $9,500

6th:          Mike Blake, Carrollton, Ohio, 15 bass, 36-6, $8,250

7th:          Charlie Reed Jr., Gloucester, Va., 15 bass, 36-2, $7,200

8th:          Joseph Wood, Westport, Mass., 15 bass, 35-10, $6,200

9th:          William Kramer, Montgomery Village, Md., 15 bass, 35-7, $5,200

10th:        Jason Kervin, Auburn, Maine, 10 bass, 28-14, $4,100

A complete list of results is available at FLWFishing.com.

Tim Dube of Nashua, New Hampshire, caught a 5-pound, 15-ounce bass Thursday – the heaviest of the tournament in the Pro Division. For his catch, Dube earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $300.

Richard Perez of Naples, Florida, won the Co-angler Division and a new Ranger Z175 with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard motor with a three-day total of 12 bass weighing 28 pounds, 3 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers on the Potomac River finished:

1st:          Richard Perez, Naples, Fla., 12 bass, 28-3, $27,350

2nd:         Gary McClain, Chesapeake, Va., 11 bass, 27-3, $5,300

3rd:          Randy Bassler, Westminster, Md., 11 bass, 24-4, $4,200

4th:          Michael John Barton, Endicott, N.Y., 11 bass, 24-3, $3,600

5th:          Brandt Tumberg, Moore, S.C., 10 bass, 23-14, $3,100

6th:          John Shultz, Trucksville, Pa., 11 bass, 23-13, $2,600

7th:          Rodney Michael, Eagle Springs, N.C., 11 bass, 22-0, $2,100

8th:          Cort Gardner, Jessup, Md., 11 bass, 21-10, $1,800

9th:          Terry Stevens, Sterling, Va., 10 bass, 19-8, $1,520

10th:        Tom Yi, Vienna, Va., six bass, 17-4, $1,270

Darrin Wells of Stafford, Virginia, caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the Co-angler Division Thursday, a fish weighing 5 pounds, 7 ounces that earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $200.

The Costa FLW Series Northern Division finale on the Potomac River presented by Plano was hosted by the Charles County Board of Commissioners. It was the third and final Northern Division tournament of the 2017 season. The next Costa FLW Series tournament will be a Southwestern Division tournament, held Sept. 21-23 on Lake Texoma in Denison, Texas. For a complete schedule, visit FLWFishing.com.

The Costa FLW Series consists of five U.S. divisions – Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western. Each division consists of three tournaments with competitors vying for valuable points that could earn them the opportunity to fish in the Costa FLW Series Championship. The 2017 Costa FLW Series Championship is being held Nov. 2-4 on Kentucky Lake in Paris, Tennessee.

For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Costa FLW Series on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.