DENVER’S HAMRICK WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL EVENT ON LAKE WYLIE
Salisbury’s Kraft tops Co-angler field
ROCK HILL, S.C. (April 3, 2017) – Scott Hamrick of Denver, North Carolina, brought a five-bass limit totaling 16 pounds, 15 ounces, to the scale Saturday to win the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) North Carolina Division event on Lake Wylie. For his win, Hamrick pocketed $4,594.
“I targeted suspended fish under docks from all the way up the river to down near the dam,” said Hamrick, who earned his third career-victory in BFL competition. “I used a Shooter Lures Jig with a Zoom Super Chunk trailer to catch everything I weighed in.
“The fish were coming off of the beds and suspending under docks to feed on crappie,” continued Hamrick. “Most people target those bass when the shad are spawning, but that won’t happen for a week or two. The rest of the field was fishing in pockets and going after bedding fish, but I ended up doing something different.”
Hamrick said he put 25 to 30 keepers in the boat throughout the event.
“The bite was strongest in the morning, but I caught them all day,” said Hamrick. “I didn’t do anything too fancy with the jig. If they were in there under those docks, they would eat it.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st” Scott Hamrick, Denver, N.C., five bass, 16-15, $4,594
2nd: Chris Dover, Blacksburg, S.C., five bass, 15-12, $1,940
3rd: Carson Orellana, Mooresville, N.C., five bass, 15-6, $1,393
4th: Israel Gibson. Spruce Pine, N.C., five bass, 14-12, $905
5th: Rob Digh, Denver, N.C., five bass, 14-9, $776
6th: Cole Blythe, Charlotte, N.C., five bass, 13-15, $711
7th: Bryan New, Belmont, N.C., five bass, 13-11, $647
8th: Jeff Queen, Catawba, N.C., five bass, 13-7, $582
9th: Ryan Deal, Indian Trail, N.C., five bass, 13-2, $517
10th: Michael Stephens, Gastonia, N.C., five bass, 13-0, $453
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Hamrick also caught a bass weighing 5 pounds, 2 ounces – the largest of the event in the boater division – which earned him the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $515.
Louis Kraft of Salisbury, North Carolina, weighed in four bass totaling 12 pounds even Saturday to win the Co-angler division and the top prize of $2,140.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Louis Kraft, Salisbury, N.C., four bass, 12-0, $2,140
2nd: Paul Conti, Concord, N.C., five bass, 11-2, $970
3rd: Adam Edwards, Cana, Va., five bass, 10-13, $696
4th: Brent Kukowski, Fort Mill, S.C., five bass, 10-12, $453
5th: Hunter Harwell, Hickory, N.C., five bass, 10-11, $388
6th: Michael Thomas, York, S.C., five bass, 10-3, $356
7th: Jeffery Wingler, Wilkesboro, N.C., four bass, 9-14, $323
8th: Brian Mann, Ballard, W. Va., five bass, 8-14, $291
9th: Marvin Godard, Charlotte, N.C., four bass, 8-10, $259
10th: Caleb Lynch, Mount Holly, N.C., two bass, 8-1, $483
Lynch weighed the biggest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing 6 pounds, 7 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $257.
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.
Watts wins ABA RAM Trucks Open eventon Pickwick Lake
Charles Watts of Corinth, Mississippi won the American Bass Anglers Ram Truck Open Series Mississippi tournament, held April 1st on Lake Pickwick.
Running out of JP Coleman State Park near Iuka, Mississippi, Charles caught a five fish limit weighing 20.75 pounds on a bright sunny day. For the Boater Division victory, Watts took home a check for $5,000.
“It’s been a great day! I caught a good limit of fish early, culled several times, but couldn’t improve on my overall weight. I knew I needed around 20 pounds to place, but thought I only had around 16. I’m glad that what I had was enough to take it home.” Watts said.
In second for the boaters, Mike Jones of Brandon, Mississippi landed a five-bass limit going 16.90 pounds. He collected $700 for the effort.
“It turned out to be a great day. I caught my fish using a specific jig, and it worked well for me. I won’t tell you what color I used, but it did the trick!” Mike said.
Mark Clark of Crawford, Mississippi took third for the boaters with four bass weighing 16.56 pounds anchored with a monster 9.56 big bass to earn $500.
“I caught the big one so early this morning, maybe on my fifth cast around 06:20.” said Mark. “I probably checked on her 20-30 times throughout the day to make sure she was OK.She was FULL of eggs and I’m happy to know she made it back to the lake safely. I was only able to catch 3 more keepers and came in one short of my limit but starting out with a kicker like that is a great wat to get the day going.”
In fourth, Jason Hall came in with a solid bag of 16.11 pounds. Finishing 5th was Brandon Bolton with 16.07 pounds.
The biggest bass for the boaters was caught by Mark Clark of Crawford, Mississippi that weighed 9.56 pounds. Clark pocketed another $440 for his fish.
In the Co-Angler Division, Ricky Rorie of New Albany, Mississippi won with three bass going 9.36 pounds. His victory allowed him to walk away with a check for $850.
“My boater took me to the right spots today, and I didn’t have to cull many times. The lake handled well, and I was able to catch the fish I needed.“ said Rorie.
Taking second for the co-anglers, Marian Hall coming in from Hattiesburg, Mississippi came in weighing a 3-fish bag at 9.25 pounds. Her catch was held down by a 5.46 pound kicker. Her placement earned her a check for $250.
“I’m so excited to be standing here after such a good day! I only culled twice today, but that was all I needed. The lake was beautiful and it was just a great day to be out here fishing. This has been a blast and I’m glad I was able to be here!“ Marian stated.
Valerie Harrelson of Glen, Mississippi placed third among the co-anglers. She had three fish weighing in at 9.15 pounds to earn $200.
“It was just a beautiful day to fish. I didn’t catch that many, and I only had to cull a couple of times. The fish I needed were there, and it was just enough." explained Harrelson.
In fourth place among the co-anglers, Daniel Corkern of Florence, Mississippi brought in three bass for 9.11 pounds. Keith Whipple, local to the lake from Iuka, Mississippi finished in fifth place with three bass at 9.08 pounds.
The biggest bass for the co-anglers was caught by Marian Hall at 5.46 pounds. Marian took home another check for $120 for her fish.
Slated for May 13th, the next divisional tournament will be held on Columbus Pool from Columbus Marina, near Columbus, MS. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance to the 2018 Ray Scott Championship, slated for the Red River in Shreveport & Bossier City, LA.
For more information on this tournament, call Chris Wayand, tournament manager, at 256-230-5627 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.
RAMPEY WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL EVENT ON LAKE HARTWELL
Gaffney’s Everhart earns Co-angler title
ANDERSON, S.C. (April 3, 2017) – Jayme Rampey of Liberty, South Carolina, brought a five-bass limit weighing 22 pounds even to the scale Saturday to win the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Savannah River Division event on Lake Hartwell. For his win, Rampey took home $5,148.
Rampey said he focused on the herring spawn to catch his limit. He said he worked through a 3- to 4-mile stretch on the main lake and was able to catch 60 fish throughout the day.
“It’s a little early for the herring to spawn, but the weather has been warm so I capitalized on bass that were heading out to points to feed on them,” said Rampey, who earned his fifth career-win in BFL competition. “I ran through about 15 points and didn’t even burn seven gallons of fuel.”
Rampey said he used a white Zoom Super Fluke to catch fish in the morning. After 10 a.m. he said he began mixing in a Hitch-colored Zoom Swimmer Paddle Tail Swimbait with a Buckeye Lures J-Will head.
“I caught a couple of my bigger fish with a Buckeye Lures jig rigged with a Zoom Creepy Crawler as well,” said Rampey. “My most productive baits were the Super Fluke and the swimbait, but it was steady all day.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Jayme Rampey, Liberty, S.C., five bass, 22-0, $5,148
2nd: Heath Pack, Ellijay, Ga., five bass, 18-6, $2,474
3rd: Troy Morrow, Eastanollee, Ga., five bass, 18-0, $1,649
4th: Hunter Smith, Seneca, S.C., five bass, 17-4, $1,155
5th: William Shipes, Williston, S.C., five bass, 16-7, $1,090
6th: Nick Rubio, Greer, S.C., five bass, 16-2, $907
7th: Franklin Ramey III, Abbeville, S.C., five bass, 15-14, $1,580
8th: William Fordree, Six Mile, S.C., five bass, 15-13, $742
9th: Derek Lehtonen, Woodruff, S.C., five bass, 15-6, $660
10th: Scott Chatham, Kingston, Ga., five bass, 15-4, $577
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Ramey caught a bass weighing 6 pounds, 1 ounce – the largest of the event in the Boater Division – which earned him the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $755.
Tony Everhart of Gaffney, South Carolina, won the Co-angler Division title and $2,674 Saturday after weighing in five bass totaling 13 pounds, 13 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Tony Everhart, Gaffney, S.C., five bass, 13-13, $2,674
2nd: Tim Whitaker, Fairview, N.C., five bass, 13-3, $1,237
3rd: Wayne Smelser, Rural Retreat, Va., five bass, 12-8, $750
3rd: Rusty Smith, Six Mile, S.C., five bass, 12-8, $700
5th: Scott Roberts, Asheville, N.C., five bass, 12-4, $474
5th: Jason Whitfield, Anderson, S.C., five bass, 12-4, $474
7th: Brian Nappier, Huntersville, N.C., five bass, 12-2, $391
7th: Harold Grizzle, Gainesville, Ga., five bass, 12-2, $391
9th: Evan Benton, Davidson, N.C., five bass, 12-0, $309
9th: Jimmi Leuthner, Tamassee, S.C., five bass, 12-0, $309
Tim Holbrooks of Franklin, North Carolina, caught the biggest bass among the Co-anglers, a fish weighing 5 pounds, 9 ounces. The catch earned Holbrooks the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $377.
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.
Harrell wins RAM Trucks ABA on Lake Gaston with over 20 pounds!
Ryan Harrell of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina won the American Bass Anglers Ram Truck Open Series Virginia division tournament held 4/01/2017 on Lake Gaston.
Running out of Americamps in Bracey Virginia, Ryan caught five bass weighing 20.94 pounds including a big bass that weighed 6.87 pounds. For the Boater Division victory, Harrell took home a check for $5,000 for the win and an additional $650 for the boater big bass. Also for having the biggest bass of the tournament Harrell walked away with a new Abu Garcia Revo SX spinning reel valued at $160.
"I caught my fish off of docks with a jig," said Harrell.
In second for the boaters, Brian Calloway of Danville, Virginia landed a five bass tournament limit going 17.91 pounds. He collected $1,250 for the effort.
"I caught my fish today off of docks with a jig," said Calloway.
JT Palmore of Blackstone, Virginia took third for the boaters with five bass weighing 16.54 pounds. His limit earned him $900.
"I caught my fish today on a spinnerbait," said Palmore.
Finishing fourth, Ray Griffin of Greensboro, North Carolina landed a five bass limit for 16.07 pounds.
Bo Grosvenor of Forest, Virginia rounded out the top five with five bass weighing 15.54 pounds.
In the Co-Angler division, Derek Sewell of Forest, Virginia won with three bass weighing 10.69 pounds. He sealed his victory with a 4.08 pound kicker to pocket a check for $850.
"It was a pretty slow day. I had five bites but they were the right ones. My fish came off a jig," said Sewell.
Taking second for the co-anglers, Robert Green from Sedalia, North Carolina brought in a three-bass division limit weighing 7.24 pounds. Robert anchored his catch with a 4.12 pound bass. He collected $250 and an additional $105 for the co-angler big bass.
"I caught my fish today off a black and blue jig," said Green.
Greg Dawson of Rustburg, Virginia placed third among the co-anglers with three bass weighing 6.32 pounds. He earned $200 for his catch.
"I caught my fish today on a shakey head with a green pumpkin trick worm around docks," said Dawson.
In fourth place among the co-anglers, Tim Gardner of Greensboro, North Carolina weighed in three bass weighing 5.74 pounds.
Randy Ruffin of Norfolk, Virginia finished in fifth place with three bass at 4.78 pounds.
Slated for 4/22/2017 the next divisional tournament will be held on Kerr Lake out of Nutbush Park near Henderson North Carolina. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance the 2018 Ray Scott Championship, slated for the Red River in Shreveport-Bossier Louisiana in April 2018.
For more information on this tournament, call Rodney Michael, tournament manager, at (256)497-0967 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.
Tight Weights in Bass Champs on Ray Roberts – Rome & McBride take the win and $20,000
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| Bass Champs’ North Region teams competed in their second event of the 2017 season on Ray Roberts April 1st. There was no fooling around, as top weights were only separated by ounces. 237 teams were vying for a portion of this 101% payback tournament, with the top 33 teams cashing in. Joe Rome and Joel McBride topped them all with over 24 pounds to win the coveted $20,000 prize.
March winds were on deck adding to everyone’s challenge of not only finding fish, but the right fish to beat this massive field of contenders. As water temperatures continue to rise, chasing down big spawning bass on the move was a big challenge. Eight teams brought in sacks over the 20-pound mark, and several teams had huge kickers in their bag. Weights were tight all the way down the pay line. There were only nine pounds separating 1st – 33rd! It was a slow, worrisome morning for Joe Rome and Joel McBride. “We went to our starting spot, and didn’t catch anything,” McBride recalled. “We made a move to another area of the lake, throwing Texas rigged green pumpkin lizards.” The bite was slow. At 11:30 they only had one fish in the livewell. “We stayed in the same area, but moved to the windblown side.” There was some flooded timber in the area, and Joel casted at one of the stick-ups. “I caught a nice one off of it, so we started targeting the wood.” Before long, they boated three nice fish, along with three other keepers. Their day was turning around for the better. “We kept moving in that area, and tried the calmer side a few times but the bigger fish just weren’t there.” Their best five weighed just over twenty pounds at that point and the day was winding to a close. “We moved again closer to the weigh in. We didn’t have much longer until we had to pack it up.” Switching to a soft plastic jerk-bait, with only 15 minutes to go, they caught a four pounder, bumping their weight up by another three pounds. Putting their final limit on the scales, their weight tallied 24.05 pounds, taking 1st place and winning the guaranteed $20,000 check. “Timber was the key for us today. That last cull made all the difference for us!” 2nd place was won by Lee Livesay and Warren Sprague with 23.32 lbs. They garnered a check for $5,000 plus the Lowrance Gen3 Bonus for an additional $250. Just ounces apart in the standings, brothers Steve and Ronnie Sims finished 3rd with a 22.97 lb. limit. “We had a good day, everything went well,” Steve reported. Starting out their day they felt like there were still some big fish in pre-spawn mode. “We had found some fish in practice, and even though we drew a high boat number, there was no one in our spot yet when we got there.” It was a windblown bank that lead to a spawning flat. “The bite was really slow at first, then we had a good flurry between 9-10:00. (The bite) shut down again until around 1:00.” They were using a Mississippi rig and dragging it on bottom really slow. “We stayed in the same area all day, about a 100 yard stretch.” They positioned their boat in 5-6’ of water and threw their baits in shallow 1-2’. “They were holding on sticks. We had seen some of the other boats fishing the calm side and we tried it a few times, but we really needed the windy side for our fish.” All total they caught nine keepers and were able to cull one time before the end of the day. Ronnie boated their kicker, a nice 9 lb’r to anchor their win. Bass Champs presented them a check for $4,000. “We’d like to thank Bass Champs for putting on awesome tournaments for all of us to fish,” Steve continued. “There’s no riffraff, just good family fun. I encourage everyone to come on out and fish! I’d also like to thank every member of the Bass Champs team. You guys do a great job.” Rounding out the top 10: There were so many nice kickers brought to the scales, but again the biggest was a double digit 10.22 lb. sow. Willie Bensley caught the brute fishing with partner Randy Hulsey. “Our day started out really slow. We managed to put one fish in the livewell, then made a few moves trying other areas.” They went into a small pocket just off the main lake with timber and bushes. “I threw my bait out, and my line just started twitching. Then it was moving as the fish just started swimming out. I never felt anything.” He set the hook and the fight was on. “She made one jump, right at the boat, right into the net!” That was their second fish of the day at 10:45, and the biggest fish he has caught yet - what a time to do it! Bass Champs paid $1,000 for the biggest fish of the day plus it anchored their 10th place overall finish for another $1,300 check. Several teams qualified for even more in sponsor bonuses! Two down, two events to go, and the points are racking up in the Anglers of the Year race. So far the top five teams are: All total, Bass Champs and their sponsors paid back a whopping $70,580 in cash and prizes in this tournament. Before the 2017 season is over, anglers will receive more than $2.5 MILLION in cash and prizes! It’s not too late – you can still catch a portion of it:
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HOUCHIN GOES WIRE-TO-WIRE, WINS COSTA FLW SERIES CENTRAL DIVISION OPENER ON LAKE DARDANELLE PRESENTED BY T-H MARINE
Mabelvale Angler Bests 203-boat Field to Earn Fourth Career Victory, $50,200
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. (April 1, 2017) – Arkansas angler Quincy Houchin of Mabelvale, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 11 pounds, 7 ounces Saturday to lead wire-to-wire and win the Costa FLW Series Central Division opener on Lake Dardanelle presented by T-H Marine. Houchin’s three-day total of 15 bass weighing 45 pounds, 4 ounces, was enough to earn him the win by an 11-ounce margin and a check for $50,200.
“I was really nervous today when I was only bringing 11 pounds to the scale, but I knew that it was pretty tough out there for everybody,” said Houchin, a 10-year Bass Fishing League (BFL) veteran who was fishing in his first career FLW Series event. “Midday I lost a 5-pounder right at the boat and I thought that I had just lost $50,000. To get the win, today, in my first Costa event – I am blessed.”
Houchin said that he caught his fish this week fishing a backwater area in the mid- to upper-end of the lake. He said it was a ¾-mile long stretch full of wood and timber that was 4 to 8 feet at its deepest point, but he fished it as shallow as 2 feet.
“I was catching 8 to 10 keepers a day out of there,” Houchin said. “There wasn’t a lot of fish, but the ones that I was catching there were quality.”
Houchin said that of the 15 bass that he weighed in throughout the week, one came on a natural-green-colored Spro Bronzeye frog, two came on a black moss-colored Lucky Craft 2.5 crankbait and the rest came flipping a Texas-rigged green-pumpkin and red-colored Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver.
“The key for me was finding that backwater where no one else was fishing,” Houchin said. “There is a huge sandbar you have to cross to get back there, and most of the time you can’t. But, I checked it in practice and the water was ankle deep, so I was able to work my way back in there. I don’t know if anyone else had tried, but I was the only boat in there all week.”
The top 10 pros on Lake Dardanelle were:
1st: Quincy Houchin, Mabelvale, Ark., 15 bass, 45-4, $50,200
2nd: Tom Silber, Labadie, Mo., 15 bass, 44-9, $20,600
3rd: Joey Cifuentes, Clinton, Ark., 15 bass, 43-13, $14,500
4th: Josh Ray, Alexander, Ark., 15 bass, 43-8, $12,500
5th: Zach King, Clarksville, Ark., 15 bass, 42-1, $11,500
6th: Evan Barnes, Hot Springs, Ark., 15 bass, 40-8, $9,250
7th: Garrett Paquette, Canton, Mich., 14 bass, 39-1, $8,000
8th: Shannon Pierce, Pine Bluff, Ark., 15 bass, 38-15, $7,000
9th: Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 15 bass, 38-15, $6,000
10th: Brandon Lee, Ratcliff, Ark., 10 bass, 31-4, $4,500
A complete list of results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Michael Stetich of Ankeny, Iowa, caught a bass weighing 6 pounds, 8 ounces Thursday – the biggest of the tournament in the Pro Division. For his catch, Stetich earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $300.
Robert Bartoszek of Hampshire, Tennessee, won the Co-angler Division and a new Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard motor. Bartoszek earned his win with a three-day total catch of 14 bass weighing 37 pounds, 2 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers on Lake Dardanelle were:
1st: Robert Bartoszek, Hampshire, Tenn., 14 bass, 37-2, $28,350
2nd: Mark Howard, Mesquite, Texas, 13 bass, 31-13, $6,300
3rd: Alan Hults, Gautier, Miss., 12 bass, 29-13, $5,000
4th: Bud Pruitt, Houston, Texas, 15 bass, 29-1, $4,000
5th: James Ingram, Quitman, Ark., 12 bass, 28-5, $3,500
6th: Buddy Rudolph, Hot Springs, Ark., nine bass, 27-5, $3,000
7th: Max Wilson, Everton, Mo., 13 bass, 26-4, $2,500
8th: Mark Shelton, Fayetteville, Ark., eight bass, 23-3, $2,200
9th: Scott Blaesi, North Platte, Neb., seven bass, 20-0, $1,600
10th: Christopher Lemon, Mooresville, Ind., seven bass, 19-7, $1,350
Shelton caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the Co-angler Division Thursday, a largemouth weighing 6 pounds, 12 ounces, and earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $200.
The Costa FLW Series on Lake Dardanelle was hosted by Russellville Advertising and Promotions. It was the first Central Division tournament of 2017. The next Costa FLW Series tournament will be a Southwestern Division event, held April 20-22, on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma. 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.
Rutland Wins ABA Ram Trucks Open on Lake Mitchell with over 18 pounds!
Chris Rutland Wetumpka, Alabama won the American Bass Anglers Ram Truck Open Series Alabama South tournament, held April 1st on the Lake Mitchell.
Running out of Higgins Ferry Park in Clanton, Alabama, Chris caught five bass weighing 18.06 pounds. For the Boater Division victory, took home a check for $5,000 for his win.
“They pulled water all day today out of Lay Lake dam so I fished current spots all day. I stayed out on the main lake and fished those current places all day. I probably caught twenty-five bass and I was fortunate to catch the right five. I caught a lot of spotted bass today concentrating on rocks, bluffs, rock piles, just mainly hard places. I caught fish on a spinnerbait, a zara spook, a shakey-head and a swim-bait. I caught my two bigger fish within the first thirty minutes of the day and my last big fish in the last thirty minutes of the day.” Rutland said.
In second for the boaters, Foster “Chip” Bradley of Bessemer, Alabama landed a five-bass tournament limit going 17.28 pounds. He collected $800 for his catch.
“I fish pretty clean today. I caught one on a swim-jig early and three on a senko and one off the bed. I was fishing mid lake grass and sea-walls.” Bradley said.
Stephen Rogers of Prattville, Alabama placed third for the boaters with five bass going 15.74 pounds. He earned $600 for his catch.
“I caught my fish on a swim-jig and a swim-bait and a deep diving crankbait. I was fishing the upper part of the lake targeting rocks with current. The morning bite was real good for me and I didn’t catch any fish after 10:00 am today.” Rogers said.
In fourth place among the boaters, Thomas Sommers of Deatsville, Alabama brought in five bass for 15.59 pounds.
Anthony Goggins of Clanton, Alabama finished in fifth place with five bass at 15.24 pounds.
The biggest bass for the boaters was caught by David Parsons of Dothan, Alabama that weighed 5.53 pounds and pocketed $500.
“I caught that big bass on a white swim-jig on a laydown on the South end of the lake. “ Parsons said.
In the Co-Angler Division, Jason Jones of Ozark, Alabama won with three bass going 10.54 pounds with a 4.32-pound kicker. He pocketed a check for $900 for his win and $135 for the big bass.
“I was fishing the South end of the lake throwing a white swim-jig and a 3/8 ounce green pumpkin jig. I caught my big bass on a white swim-jig on main lake grass. It feels great to finally win one. I want to give my boater, Tyler Crouch, a big thanks for putting me on the fish today.” Jones said.
Taking second for the co-anglers, Donathan Jacks of Clanton, Alabama brought in a three-bass division limit weighing 9.07 pounds. He collected $400 for the effort.
“I was fishing up river in the current with a swim-bait targeting main river rock,” Jacks said.
Justin Girdner of Wetumpka, Alabama placed third among the co-anglers with three bass going 8.82 pounds. He earned $300 for his catch.
“I was fishing up around Lay Lake dam with a shakey-head and a jig.” Girdner said.
In fourth place among the co-anglers, Donnie Perkins of Eufaula, Alabama brought in three bass for 8.52 pounds. Sam Fish of Alexander City, Alabama finished in fifth place with three bass at 8.40 pounds.
Slated for May 6th , the next tournament will be held on Lake Jordan out of Bonners Point Park in Clanton, AL. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance the 2018 Ray Scott Championship to be held on the Red River near Shreveport, Louisiana.
For more information on this tournament, call Billy Benedetti, tournament manager, at 256-230-5632 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.
Hudkins & Huinker win Arkansas Bass Team Trail event on Greers Ferry with over 17 pounds!
From ABTT Staffer:
A cloudy,breezy morning turning into a sunny breezy afternoon on one of the prettiest lakes in Arkansas. Greers Ferry Lake has been thru a pretty bad lull the past few years,,,that's over ! The lake is on a strong rebound according to the results that we seen.David Hudkins & Chris Huinker catch the winning bag,weighing in at 17.50,winning them a check for $10,000 !!! Billy Holt Jr. & Billy Holt Sr.just missed the win by a little,with 16.93 the Holt's take second place.Eric & Clark Johnson take third place with 16.33 & BB with a Greers Ferry pig weighing 5.90. Congratulations Guys !!! With 143 teams participating,there were 530 fish weighed in & released back into the lake.There was a total of 989.73 #sweighed in for an average of 6.87#s per team. We at ABTT are extremely proud of the participation at Greers Ferry,we would like to congratulate all of the winners & say a special THANK YOU to everyone competed !!!!!
Champion drills deep on winning Seaguar line choices - Special from Seaguar Line
Perseverance pays big dividends for Bassmaster Classic victor Jordan Lee
New York, NY (March 17, 2017) – Pulling away from the docks on the first day of the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods, Seaguar pro Jordan Lee couldn’t have imagined the roller-coaster path of conditions and emotions that he would navigate over the next three days.
The former Carhartt College Bassmaster champion would demonstrate extreme perseverance in the face of a very slow Friday start to eventually deliver a dominating bag of bass to the weigh-in stage on Sunday evening. As the smoke rose and applause filled Houston’s Minute Maid field, Jordan Lee hoisted the hardware over his head, besting bass fishing’s elite, and named the 2017 Bassmaster Classic Champion.
“Stuck with it” are three words that Jordan Lee repeated several times in describing his path to the winner’s circle. Indeed, Lee had to stick with it after weighing only 8 lbs. 6 oz. on Friday, followed by a barren Saturday morning that found his livewell still empty at noon.
Lesser anglers may have given up, but not this Seaguar pro as he battled back, pitching to shallow cover with a combination of jigs, crankbaits and soft plastics; each of Lee’s presentations were secured with Seaguar fluorocarbon. Reflecting on his crankbait-specific line selection, Lee noted that he, “cranked with both Seaguar InvizX and a Seaguar AbrazX, but when fishing hard bottoms, I rely more on AbrazX. When I was digging that crankbait down into the bottom cast after cast, it never once broke off.”
Lee’s second day ended with four fat Texas largemouth weighing a phenomenal 21 pounds, anchored by a 7-pound-7-ounce bruiser. On this day, “stuck with it,” meant turning a morning zero into an afternoon hero by hauling the heaviest bag of bass to the scales among the 52 seasoned bass veterans plying the waters of Lake Conroe.
With the field cut in half for championship Sunday, Jordan Lee “stuck with” his productive Saturday pattern, probing a shallow point with a football jig and soft plastic in search of oversized post-spawn bass.
In preparing for the final day of competition, Lee spooled with AbrazX – 17 lb. for jigs and shaky heads and 12 lb. for cranking – because of the premium fluorocarbon’s strength, abrasion resistance and thin diameter for long casts.
“Seaguar AbrazX definitely boosts my confidence when I’m dragging baits on hard offshore cover because I get far fewer frays in my line,” Lee asserted.
As bass fishing fans around the world witnessed from extensive live video and real-time web coverage, Lee’s sweet spot was loaded with big bass, about which he said, “I never once worried about breaking fish off with my AbrazX, even with the big bass I was catching. I know that once I get a hook in them, it’s pretty much over.”
Despite the pressure of starting the day in 15th place and engine troubles that limited him to fishing only one spot, Lee was able to deliver a full limit of bass, weighing an astonishing 27 pounds, 7 ounces to the scales on Sunday afternoon. Lee’s dominating performance on the Classic’s final day not only provided him with the largest bag of fish for the entire event, but also the title of 2017 Bassmaster Classic Champion with a total weight of 56 lbs.10 oz.
Pitching baits to unforgiving seawalls and docks, as well as Lake Conroe’s abundant natural cover and productive hard-bottom areas, puts tackle to the test. Champion Jordan Lee, as well as many of the other Seaguar pros competing in the 2017 Bassmaster Classic, relied on Seaguar 100% fluorocarbon lines to ensure that hooked bass had an opportunity to spend a relaxing day in an aerated livewell.
Seaguar AbrazX—which boasts double the abrasion resistance of other fluorocarbon lines—played an integral role in Lee’s pinnacle performance, as well as the success of many of the Seaguar pros. When flat winds and high skies made long casts across Lake Conroe a necessity, Seaguar InvizX—an exceptionally soft, supple 100% fluorocarbon line—delivered baits to wary bass, and flopping fish to eager Classic anglers.
Seaguar is proud to support Jordan Lee, the 2017 Bassmaster Classic Champion, as well as 8 other Seaguar Pros that competed at Lake Conroe, including James Elam (4th place in just his second Bassmaster Classic), Drew Benton (the 2016 Elite Series Rookie of the Year, who finished 18th), Cliff Crochet (19th), Clifford Pirch (20th), Chris Zaldain (23rd), Keith Combs (35th), Shaw Grigsby (48th), and Brandon Palaniuk (49th).
Well done to all, and we look forward to seeing you back on the stage soon, as you compete and win with Seaguar—Always The Best!
Mark and Shane Abbott win the Carolina's Bass Challenge on Lake Greenwood with over 21 pounds!
Mark & Shane Abbott took 1st at Greenwood with 21.95 lbs! They also claimed the 1st SKEETER BONUS and took home $13,500.00.
Barry Holloman/Joey Bramlett were 2nd with 21.43 lbs and earned $4,000.00 followed by Alton Rockett/Robert Kale in 3rd with 18.51 lbs. Alton & Robert took home $2,500.00.
Andrew Allen & Chase Stewart finished 4th with 5 bass weighing 16.88 lbs. Add in the 2nd SKEETER BONUS and they collected $4,800.00!
Brett Douglas & William Addis weighed in 15.53 lbs for 5th and they had a 7.12 lb toad which was the BF of the day! They received $2,200.00!
Terry Thomas & David Kneece weighed in 15.323 lbs good enough for 6th and the 3rd SKEETER BONUS. They earned $2,900.00!
Tim Slice and Mark Richard took 9th along with the
Full Results Here
Fluorescent Red Spinnerbait Blades for Springtime Bass
Alan McGuckin - Special to Anglerschannel.com
Scorched fields lined the highway to the lake, as the sounds of Sturgill Simpson bounced between the walls of the Tundra’s cab with boat in tow.
The smell of smoke still lingered in the sunrise air from prairie fires. Some of them intentional burns set by ranchers. Others accidental. In either case, a unique sign of early spring on the Southern Plains.
But amid the blackened acreage came a fishing tip. Beautiful pink-colored Redbud trees in blossom, signal not only new growth in the wake of fire, but also the perfect time of year to tie on a spinnerbait with a fluorescent red front ‘kicker’ blade.
No Longer a Secret
“The red/orange front blade was pretty much a secret around Oklahoma and Arkansas in the early 1990s when I started throwing it at Grand Lake,” says top regional spinnerbait assaultant Ron Shaw of Moore, Oklahoma.
Shaw shared the secret with his mentor, Ken Cook, and soon the 1991 Bassmaster Classic Champion made it a major part of the offerings from his sponsor Hart Tackle Company.
“Ken always said it was an all or nothing lure; either they’d hardly hit the red/orange kicker blade, or you’d wear ‘em out on it. I agree with him, but when the water temps are in the low 50s, I lean on it hard. It’s always a go-to bait for me in stained to dirty water in early spring,” says Shaw, a retired firefighter, who has qualified for numerous BFL Regional tournaments.
Why it Works
Honestly, there’s no proven theory on why the uniquely colored front blade seems to get more bites in the stained to dirty waters of early spring.
But top pro Mike McClelland who has eight B.A.S.S. wins to his credit offers a qualified opinion.
“I feel like in off colored water, the fluorescent red blade gives the fish a target to eat once they feel the vibration of the bait,” says McClelland.
Fisheries biologist, avid angler and B.A.S.S. Director of Conservation, Gene Gilliland supports McClelland’s theory.
“There’s been a lot of talk over the years about bass eating red crawfish in the springtime, and hence the reason they eat red-colored lures -- but I don’t buy that theory,” says Gilliland. “The water is way too cold for an abundance of crawfish to be active. I think red works well in dingy water, simply because it’s more visible than standard blade colors like nickel or gold.”
McClelland Knows It Works Nationwide
As a native of the very region where the red kicker blade was popularized, you might think this spinnerbait trick is only fashionable for anglers in a three or four state region surrounding The Ozarks, but the trustworthy pro knows better.
“It’s definitely most popular in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri, but I’ll promise you it works anytime you have stained to dirty water in the early part of spring,” confirms McClelland.
Not Easy to Find
No longer a secret, and popular among many pros, you would think this blade offering would be easier to buy at retail, but it’s not.
Hart Tackle Company was originally Oklahoma-based, and by all accounts deserves credit for being the first to build a spinnerbait with the fluorescent red blade. Hart now calls Arkansas home, and their website still shows the red kicker blade to be available.
War Eagle, a popular brand among top pros, builds perhaps the most readily available bait with a fluorescent red blade, thanks largely to McClelland realizing its fish catching merits.
And nearly 25 years after Hart Tackle Company made limited numbers of the red kicker models, several 2016 Bassmaster Classic competitors used one on Grand Lake, including eventual winner Edwin Evers who leaned heavily on War Eagle’s version.
What About the Other Blade?
While many anglers agree on the goodness of the uniquely colored front blade, you might ask what rear blade best compliments it.
Truly, this is comes down to personal preference and confidence, but a gold Indiana is tough to beat.
However, as the prairie fire smoke lingered and the redbuds bloomed, my fishing buddy Beau caught just as many from the back deck of my boat with a gold willow behind his red kicker, as I did with the Indiana.
If the water is slightly cleaner but still cold, I’ll put a nickel Oklahoma blade once made by Terminator, behind my red kicker.
It’s Cold. Use a Slower Gear Ratio.
I learned this one the hard way. With the popularity of high-speed reels now being offered in the 7.0:1 to 9.0:1 range, it’s easy to reach for one of those burners to speed your favorite spinnerbait along.
Don’t do that. Take your time. Water temps are still in the high 40s to upper 50s – and I once got my butt kicked by a comrade on the back deck of my boat because he matched his spinnerbait to a much slower geared reel than me.
I love a Quantum Smoke with a 6.1:1 gear ratio for early spring spinnerbaiting. It gives me plenty of winching power to get fish from the woody or weedy habitat where I’m typically fishing a spinnerbait – and mostly, it forces me to move the lure a little slower in the cold dingy waters of early spring.
Redbuds and red blades
In conclusion, as sure as redbud trees bloom despite wildfires, and Sturgill Simpson pens lyrics far deeper than the waters where a spinnerbait shines best -- when early spring’s waters are dingy and cool, there are very few lures that will outshine a spinnerbait featuring this uniquely colored kicker blade.
Kelly's 5.69 Largemouth leads Big Bass Tour on Table Rock
Jared Kelly's 5.89 Largemouth is the current leader after day 1 of the Big Bass Tour KVD event on Table Rock Lake. Over 800 fisherman are trying their hand to win hourly prizes and the grand prize of a Nitro Z19 and Mercury Motor. Final day tomorrow. Stay tuned!
Classic 47 in Pictures! Our editors favorites from last weeks event.
From Media Day to Champions Toast, AnglersChannel.com was there to cover the 47th Bassmasters Classic in style. We had videographers on the water, writers in the expo and photo and video coverage of the launch and weigh-ins. If you missed any of it, Search "Classic" in our search box and you'll find all the info you need. Below is a compiled list of our favorite images from last weeks Classic. Enjoy!
All images are copyright of AnglersChannel.com/Chris Brown
#FBF - Closing the door on the 47th Classic
Vance McCullough
Each instalment of the Bassmaster Classic brings us lively stories, peopled by the characters who fish it. And by those who do not. The 47th edition will be remembered as one of the most unique incarnations of bass fishing’s most major event.
Some of the most important players had a profound, but invisible, influence. At least one of them wasn’t even a person.
The influence of man has made its mark on Lake Conroe. The lower two-thirds of the lake is wall-to-wall seawalls and docks. There is no grass or other nursery habitat to hide young-of-the-year fingerlings. Mature bass gorge on the easy pickings and grow big. But survival rates suffer and the overall population is relatively small.
Ott Defoe addressed that issue, “The thing is, on the south end there ain’t a whole lot of spawning habitat to begin with. I think that’s a large part of why this place doesn’t have a lot of recruitment because, on the south end, there ain’t a whole of places for them to spawn and once they do, that fry gets ate up quick. I think that, combined with all the pressure, and so few parts of the lake being productive – it just doesn’t add up very well.”
Somewhere above the Hwy 1097 bridge the urban sprawl of a major city ends and Houston’s watery playground reverts to its wild ways. There’s even a huge flat called ‘The Jungle’.
But even in the wooded reaches of the small lake man’s influence can be felt in the form of fishing pressure. The Ghost of Anglers Past is a major character in the story of the 2017 Classic.
Brent Ehrler led the first two rounds of the Classic. He thinks fishing pressure caught up to him on the final day.
“I only got a limit on 2 of the practice days and that’s fishing 12 hours a day. This place has just been getting pounded lately. The Big Bass Tour was here. They had 800 anglers in the tournament. There’s a Tuesday-nighter, a Wednesday-nighter every week. Normally, when you go to a lake, and you hear about these little tournaments, it’s not a big deal because they have 10 boats, but every night they have 40-to-50 boats fishing these tournaments so that’s a lot of pressure and this is a small lake. It’s a really small lake. It just fishes tough.”
Mike Iaconelli put himself in contention to make a run at another Classic title. He laments the heavy hand of nonstop tournament activity on Lake Conroe.
“This lake is notorious for (producing) very few bites anyway, but I think a lot of the pressure leading up this event took its toll this week. I was keeping tabs on it and it was like, every week, there was a Saturday tournament, Sunday tournament, a Tuesday-nighter, a Wednesday-nighter I mean, what the heck, at some point those fish get real conditioned. And I think there was extra excitement leading up to this tournament so there were more derbies than normal so this lake received a tremendous amount of pressure. And I think that caught up with us this week.”
James Elam was surprised at how slowly keeper bites would come. “It took me until the 3rd or 4th day of practice to figure out that this is not a numbers lake and they have to be 16 inches anyway so you just don’t catch a lot of keepers. I only had the limit one day.”
Steve Kennedy, by contrast, came into practice prepared for a tough bite to start with. “We knew coming in that we were fishing for 7 or 8 keeper bites a day.”
Defoe’s experience reflected the norm. “The first day I caught 8 keepers; lost a couple. The 2nd day I caught 5. The 3rd day I caught 5.”
Fishing pressure wasn’t the only reason 3 of the top 5 finishers didn’t even catch a limit all 3 days.
“We had 30-mile-an-hour winds the first day and then we turned around and had a post-frontal bluebird day, which is always my Achilles heel, and I came in with 4 fish,” said Kennedy. “The weather played a big part in that.”
Elam noted that the weather had been influencing the fish long before the anglers arrived. “They didn’t have a cold winter. They probably got fished all winter and they were probably up shallow all winter, getting thrown at all winter so that doesn’t help.”
Big fish were the key to success.
As Defoe admits, so was a bit of luck. He caught 9-pound, 9-ounce anchor during the final round. “I caught it on a Cover Pop. It’s a new lure from Storm that’s coming out at ICAST. It’s a big popper style bait that walks, basically, in place. I threw it up there to what I thought was a bed and I worked it aways. I actually started to reel it in and the fish chased it out to the brush and followed to the outside and ate it.”
Kennedy’s biggest bass was likely his most memorable. “I had a 6-10 the first day that I caught on a green pumpkin jig with a Zoom Super Speed Craw. I pitched it into some brush, didn’t get bit. Started reeling it in and she smoked it on top – probably the only reason I got her in.”
Ehrler caught a 9-12 and a bunch of other fish using an overlooked technique. “I caught a good percentage of my fish this week pitching a Yamamoto D Shad. I was fishing it weightless. There’s something about that bait, the way it falls. I was fishing it like a Senko. It falls differently than a Senko.
“The first day of the tournament is when I got clued in on that. I caught my big fish on it. I was able to go right behind guys – they’d be right in front of me and I would watch them and they wouldn’t catch anything and I’d go through there and catch 4 or 5. That was a key bait for me this week and it caught the big fish as well.”
Elam caught fish, including his biggest at 7 pounds, 14 ounces, on a lightly weighted Senko. He too caught ‘em behind competitors who struck out in front of him. “I was fan casting, blind. All those bigger ones came out deeper where you couldn’t have seen them if they were on a bed. A lot of people were fishing around the bushes. I was fishing out in front of that, like, in the 3-foot zone.”
If you can believe it, Elam has a back-up bait for the Senko, which is generally thought to be the ultimate back-up bait of all time. “There’s a few fish I’d miss on the Senko and I’d flip a Jackall Chunk Craw in and get those.”
Iaconelli caught all of his biggest bass, including that chunk y’all saw on BASS Live the final morning, on a Carolina rig with a 6-inch lizard, or a shaky head.
As did Elam, Ike credited location more so than lure for his big bites. “They came out deeper in about 8-to-12 feet on little high spots, little hard areas. They were mostly post-spawn fish.”
Fifty-one of the fifty-two competitors would like a do-over here or there. Mistakes ran the gamut from not tightening a reel’s drag to not re-tying often enough to lure choices and spending too much time in unproductive water.
Their biggest undoing was probably that they carved an already small pie into even skimpier slices while Jordan Lee only needed one full day on a loaded point to take the trophy.
Picking the right spot was the ticket. That the concept of pattern fishing is a lost art is debatable. But there was no place for it at this year’s Classic. The lake was too small for that.
“I told everybody, going into this tournament, I had one spot,” said Lee. “It had some big ones there.”
Lee found his spot just above the mid-lake bridge. The flat point looked like so many others that squat at the mouths of coves on Lake Conroe. Lee could not make similar spots produce, hence, no pattern fishing. Everything hinged on the one spot. The hard bottom was 5-to-6-feet deep and only dropped a foot or so in depth.
High winds and cloud cover rendered the spot worthless on the first day.
On Day 2 Lee returned to the point with an empty livewell at noon. He would grind a Strike King 5 XD crankbait across it. When a fish would latch on, many more followed it to Lee’s boat. “I caught a 7-7 and a school of 5-to-6-pounders followed it. It was like the water just turned black.”
Lee caught 21 pounds that afternoon.
That night Lee was in 15th place, seemingly out of contention. But he shared a glimmer of hope as he spoke with AnglersChannel.com. “If the sun will stay out tomorrow and I can hit the spot 3 times and let it rest for an hour in between, I can probably catch 5 off it.”
Lee spent the entirety of the final round parked on the point. He mined it with a football jig and a Strike King Rage Craw trailer to catch 8 bass and cull to the heaviest sack of the tournament at 27-4. He ran his total weight to 56-10 which gave him a winning margin of 1 pound, 9 ounces over Kennedy.
Ehrler was disappointed to drop the lead when it counted most. “Obviously, it sucks. I’ve been in this position before. I’ve been up there and not won. I’ve come from behind and won as well. It stings the most when you’re that close.”
Conroe fished so tough that even Lee, who, ironically lives in Grant, AL (civil war buffs will catch that one) felt he had been defeated. “There was not a thought in my mind all day that I had a chance. Being that far behind this group of anglers . . . it was just my day.”
Houchin leads FLW Costa Event with 19.12 pound limit
March 30, 2017 by Marshall Ford
Only 6 ounces separate first and third place after the first round of the Costa FLW Series Central Division opener presented by T-H Marine at Lake Dardanelle, and Quincy Houchin of Mabelvale, Ark., leads that group after catching five bass that weighed 19 pounds, 12 ounces.
Brandon Lee of Ratcliff, Ark., trails Houchin by 3 ounces (19-9), and Michael Stetich of Arkeny, Iowa, trails by 6 ounces (19-6). Weights tailed off gradually all the way down the board, with only 3-1 separating a tied ninth and 10th places from first.
While Houchin was guarded about specifics, he says the key to his success was finding a spot that he could have to himself. It was in the mid-river section that was protected somewhat from a relentless wind that chilled 406 competitors to the bone Thursday.
“I don't think anybody else has found it, and I think that's the deal,” Houchin says.
Fortunately, Houchin got all of his tough fishing out of the way during practice. He says he got a few bites on a frog during practice, but that went cold in short order.
On Thursday, however, the fish turned on, and Houchin caught them flippin' a jig.
“I fished a little bit slower than my normal,” Houchin says. “I'm known for running and gunning, but I had to slow down and pick my water apart.”
The water Houchin fished was very dirty, as it is in most of the lake right now. The bites were subtle, so each cast required undivided attention.
“They [the bites] were soft,” Houchin says. “I never knew they were there.”
He says his pattern should continue to produce Friday, but not as well as it did Thursday.
“It's definitely going to change with the weather, but the way I'm fishing I should definitely catch some, but probably not 20 pounds. I just hope I get some wind.”
SHELTON LEADS CO-ANGLERS
Mark Shelton of Fayetteville, Ark., leads the co-angler division by having caught five fish that weighed 18-6, giving him a 3-13 cushion over Alan Hults (14-9) of Gautier, Miss.
Shelton's pro, Brent Greek, fished fast, so Shelton fished slow by flippin' a tube to offshore structure. Bites were sparse for both anglers, Shelton says, and he caught his last fish in the final 16 minutes. His 6-12 anchor is also the heaviest fish of the tournament so far.
Like pro leader Houchin, Shelton says the bites were subtle.
“All the fish I caught basically swam off with it,” Shelton says. “I never felt them bite, even the [nearly] 7-pounder.”
Shelton and Greek fished in the Strip Pits, which is renowned for big largemouths. The water there was heavily stained, but it was not muddy. Surprisingly, it wasn’t crowded – just 15 to 20 boats.
The fish were not on the banks in that area, Shelton says, but he thinks they probably will be Friday if the sun comes out, as forecast.
South East Carhartt Countdown to Blastoff
Sportmans Warehouse Columbia, SC Fishing Manager CJ Freeman talks to us about whats happening around the South East this weekend and what they just might be biting on.
Bearcats Jump Into Early Lead At Bassmaster College Series Midwest Regional
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Carhartt Countdown to Blastoff - 3.30.17 -
Anglerschannel.comPro Staffer Robbie Digh talks to us about his recent experience at the lake Seminole Costa event and looks ahead at whats on the schedule.
41 year old Illinois state record crappie has been broken!
Luke Estel - Special to Anglerschannel.com
It’s Official! I just got off the phone with the IDNR and the 41 year old Illinois state record crappie has been broken!
Strike King Regional Crappie Pro Staff josh Jackson and his good friend Ryan Povolish headed out to Kinkaid Lake in Murphysboro, IL. to crappie and bass fish. They pulled up on the first brush pile and immediately caught two nice crappie. Another boat stopped by and asked them how they were catching them so Josh graciously gave the other boat his spot and moved down the bank. Ryan picked up a bass rod rigged with a Bluegill color Strike King Pure Poison tipped with a Rage Craw and casted it toward the grass edge. At first he thought he hung into a nice bass but when the fish surfaced Josh knew he had a monster Crappie. After boating the fish Josh suspected Ryan had caught the state record. Josh got on the phone and called me and asked for a scale. I met them at the boat ramp where I weighed it at 4 pounds 9 ounces. We called the fishery biologist, Shawn Hirst and he met us at the ramp with a certified scale. Also present were the Southern Illinois University fishery students. Shawn weighed the fish and the scales settled on 4.55 pounds which equals to 4 pounds, 8.8 ounces. The 41 year old record had been broken by .8 ounces. Ryan stood in disbelief as Shawn handed him the paperwork to fill out for registering the fish as a state record. Shawn also took quick measurements and placed it back in the livewell. Josh and Ryan took it back to Josh’s house to place the fish in a holding tank that Josh had built out of an old deep freeze. Currently the fish is still alive and in good shape. We received a permit from IDNR to transport the fish to Bass Pro Shops if they choose to take the fish. This Black Crappie is 7 ounces form the world record. Truly the fish of a lifetime.
Jordan Lee Gets a Toyota Bonus - Are you signed up?
Special to Anglerschannel.com - Alan McGuckin
Jordan Lee’s numbers on the final day of the Bassmaster Classic left an iconic mark on the event’s history. His monstrous 27-pound limit leveraged the biggest comeback in 47 years, and put a first-place check for $300,000 in the pocket of his Carhartt shorts.
Now, add an extra $7,500 to the equation as a result of his loyalty to Toyota and their Bonus Bucks contingency program.
“The thing is, you don’t have to win the Classic, or even your local tournament, to win Bonus Bucks – you just have to be registered for free in the program, and be the highest eligible finisher in any of the tournaments Bonus Bucks is affiliated with,” explains Lee, a two-year member of the Toyota Bonus Bucks Program.
Speaking of numbers, add 38 to the mix.
“To be honest, there’s a lot of things I could tell you I love about my Toyota Tundra, including comfort and dependability – but the thing I’m digging most these days is the new 38 gallon gas tank,” says the new Classic champ.
“It’s almost like Toyota added it to the Tundra last year with tournament anglers in mind, because now I can tow for a longtime without having to pull over and fill up as often,” adds Lee.
Jordan is right about the new oversized fuel tank, and the rules of eligibility for Bonus Bucks - you don’t have to win a tournament to win the “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. In fact, some Bonus Bucks affiliated tournaments also pay the second highest eligible participant.
To get signed-up, please visit http://www.toyotatrucksbonusbucks.com/ or phone (918) 742-6424, and ask for Kendell or Jessica, and they can also help you get signed-up.
KENTUCKY LAKE READIES FOR THIRD-ANNUAL YETI FLW COLLEGE FISHING OPEN
GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. (March 28, 2017) – FLW College Fishing is headed to Kentucky Lake April 7-8 for the third annual YETI FLW College Fishing Open. The no-entry fee tournament, hosted by Moors Resort and Marina and the Kentucky Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau, will allow registration from any eligible college team from across the United States, regardless of division. Anglers who finish within the top 20, along with one additional team for every 10 teams over 200 competing, will automatically qualify for the 2018 YETI FLW College Fishing National Championship, and the champions will take home a Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard.
The first FLW College Fishing Open in 2015 drew a massive field of 194 college teams from around the country, shattering the record to become the largest collegiate fishing tournament ever held. The record was broken again in 2016 when the field grew to 203. Although a new record was set at an FLW College Fishing event on Lake Guntersville last month, event organizers still expect to again draw more than 200 boats, likely the largest field in FLW College Fishing Open history.
“This one is shaping up to be a good tournament,” said FLW Tour pro Dan Morehead of Paducah, Kentucky, a 15-time Forrest Wood Cup qualifier. “The fishing could be lights out, on fire, if the fish are shallow and the bite is on. Barring some nasty weather, I think it could take 46 to 47 pounds over two days to win this event.”
Morehead said that simple spring-time baits would likely be heavily utilized by competitors – spinnerbaits, ChatterBaits and vibrating jigs and crankbaits. Soft plastics like a Zoom Brush Hog or a Yamamoto Senko could also play a role.
“There isn’t much flipping water yet – we’re still a couple of feet away from that – but the tournament is going to be hitting close to the spawn.
“If this was my first time to the lake, I’d launch, point my boat south on Kentucky and run an hour to start fishing,” Morehead said. “That’s where the tournament will be won and where they’ll catch the big 25-pound limits. I would be down fishing around Birdsong or New Johnsonville. There is a larger population of fish there, and they’re bigger. Down south is going to be the deal on Kentucky Lake.”
Schools are allowed to register up until the morning of the tournament. Entries may be made either by phone or at FLWFishing.com.
Schools currently registered to compete in the FLW College Fishing Open on Kentucky Lake include:
Adrian College – Nickolas Marsh, Commerce Township, Mich., and Caleb Taylor, Zionsville, Ind.
Adrian College – Dalton Breckel, Onsted, Mich., and Alex Henderson, Mooresville, Mich.
Adrian College – John Franco, Clare, Mich., and Austin Fralick, Adrian, Mich.
Adrian College – Nicholas Czajka, Brighton, Mich., and Jack Hippe, Davison, Mich.
Arkansas Technical University – Philip Gottsponer, Morrilton, Ark., and Ethan Stokes, Lee’s Summit, Mo.
Bellarmine University – Trevor Hulsey and Eric Shinkle, both of Louisville, Ky.
Bemidji State University – Austin Mau and Isaac Johnson, both of Bemidji, Minn.
Bemidji State University – Ross Kellermeier, Edina, Minn., and Chad Ziegler, Coon Rapids, Minn.
Bemidji State University – Thor Swanson and Mitchell Swanson, both of Blaine, Minn.
Bowling Green State University – Corey Miller, Perrysburg, Ohio, and Jason Bailey, Port Clinton, Ohio
Bryan College – Conner Fogg and Chandler Fogg, both of Kelso, Tenn.
Bryan College – Dylan Pritchett, Dayton, Tenn., and Conner Thompson, Fort Payne, Ala.
Bryan College – Matt Brown, Corbin, Ky., and D.J. Barber, Gardendale, Ala.
Bryan College – Dalton Price, Seymour, Tenn., and Francisco Colin, Dayton, Tenn.
Bryan College – Jonathan Peck, Louisville, Ky., and Hunter Thrasher, Kelso, Tenn.
Bryan College – Jacob Foutz, Cleveland, Tenn., and Jake Lee, Knoxville, Tenn.
Bryan College – Braden Marshall, Hixson, Tenn., and Jalen Smith, Dayton, Tenn.
Bryan College – Nathan Bell, Riceville, Tenn., and Cole Sands, Dayton, Tenn.
Eastern Kentucky University – Lucas Powell, Lily, Ky., and Seth Johnson, Winchester, Ky.
Faulkner University – Joseph Lacy and Breanna Wyatt, both of Pell City, Ala.
Faulkner University – Stewart Lucas and Brandon Acker, both of Wetumpka, Ala.
Indiana University – Jordan Mullis and Joe Long, both of Bloomington, Ind.
Iowa State University – Zachariah Beek, Bloomington, Minn., and Zachary Hartley, Minneapolis, Minn.
Manchester University – Austin LeClere, Cannelton, Ind., and Brady Forman, Hastings, Ind.
Middle Tennessee State University – Justin Lloyd and Anthony Jordan, both of Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Missouri State University – Matt Fielder, Springfield, Mo., and Hayden Lee, Jefferson City, Mo.
Murray State University – Austin Butler, Cary, Ill., and Will Gentry, Owensboro, Ky.
Murray State University – Lance Freeman, Eddyville, Ky., and Cameron Brooks, Greenville, Ky.
Northwest Missouri State University – Landon Paul, Fairmont, W. Va., and Krete Bullington, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Ohio State University – Jacob Miller, Thornville, Ohio, and Jaycen Newsome, Fairborn, Ohio
Polk State College – Trever Stephens, Auburndale, Fla., and Hunter Gadd, Bartow, Fla.
Polk State College – Austin Bell, Winter Haven, Fla., and Jerod Gadd, Bartow, Fla.
Purdue University – Drake Wuttke, Indianapolis, Ind., and Ivan France, Hillsdale, Ind.
Savannah College of Art & Design – Cody Stahl, Griffin, Ga., and Daniel Kennedy, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville – Justin Lowry, Moro, Ill., and Brendan Magruder, Edwardsville, Ill.
Saint Ambrose University – Cole Atkinson and Tanner Atkinson, both of Camanche, Iowa
Tennessee Tech University – Wilson Tanksley, Crossville, Tenn., and Travis Turner, Cookeville, Tenn.
University of Notre Dame – William Brauer, Edina, Minn., and Josh Anderson, Los Angeles, Calif.
University of South Carolina – Patrick Walters, Summerville, S.C., and Tyler All, Dorchester, S.C.
University of South Carolina – Will Miller, High Point, N.C., and Ethan Ingle, West Columbia, S.C.
University of Tennessee-Martin – Dalton Bradford, Fairview, Tenn., and Dylan Fuller, Waverly, Tenn.
Vincennes University – Tanner Cheeseman, Bloomington, Ind., and Kurtis Bowsher, Delphi, Ind.
Vincennes University – Zachary Bauer, Martinsville, Ind., and Konnor Freese, Vincennes, Ind.
The registration meeting for the Open will take place Thursday, April 6, from 3-5 p.m. at Moors Resort and Marina located at 570 Moors Road in Gilbertsville, with a pre-tournament meeting following registration at 5:15 p.m. The entire field of competitors will compete both days of the tournament. Teams must provide their own boat in order to compete.
Anglers will take off from Moors Resort and Marina at 6:30 a.m. CDT each day. Weigh-in will be held lakeside each day beginning at 2:30 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.
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.
About FLW
FLW is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money in 2017 across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, with offices in Minneapolis, FLW conducts more than 274 bass-fishing tournaments annually across the United States and sanctions tournaments in Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW" television show, broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, while FLW Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. For more information visit FLWFishing.com and follow FLW at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
GENERAL TIRE RENEWS OFFICIAL TIRE SPONSORSHIP OF FLW
MINNEAPOLIS (March 29, 2017) – Fishing League Worldwide (FLW), the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced today a sponsorship renewal with Continental AG to continue to showcase and promote the General Tire brand, the exclusive tire of FLW. 2017 will mark the second season the two organizations have partnered. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
General Tire will receive exposure across all of FLW’s media platforms including FLW Bass Fishing magazine and FLWFishing.com, social media outlets, on-site activation at all FLW tournaments and the Emmy-nominated “FLW” television program, which airs on NBC Sports Network, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network, as well as internationally to more than 564 million households.
In addition, General Tire will be represented in FLW competition by 18-year FLW Tour veteran Mark Rose of West Memphis, Arkansas. Rose, a 10-time Forrest Wood Cup qualifier, has 47 career top-10 finishes, eight career wins and more than $2.2 million dollars in career earnings with FLW. Mark kicked off his new partnership with General Tire with historic back-to-back victories, winning the first two events of the 2017 FLW Tour season on Lake Guntersville in Alabama and Lake Travis in Texas. It was the first time in FLW Tour history that an angler has ever won back-to-back events.
FLW will also showcase General Tire at the National Fishing and Boating expos being held at select Walmart stores around the country in conjunction with National Fishing and Boating Week, June 3-11. FLW and its partners will present a two-hour expo at local Walmart stores that will be packed with games, giveaways and fishing tips to help families make the most of their time on the water. A complete list of Walmart stores hosting National Fishing and Boating Week expos will be posted in May.
“FLW is excited to announce our continued partnership with General Tire,” said FLW President of Marketing Trish Blake. “Their return for another season exemplifies their commitment to our sport, anglers and fans. General Tire continues to be a valued partner and a great fit with FLW.”
“We are very pleased to continue our partnership with FLW,” said Travis Roffler, director of marketing for General Tire. “We started building a great foundation with the avid bass fishing fans last year and look forward to strengthening that this season. We want to be the tire of choice for getting anglers of all levels to the boat ramp worry-free so they can thoroughly enjoy their fishing experience.”
For more information about FLW, their tournaments and sponsors, visit FLWFishing.com. For learn more about General Tire visit GeneralTire.com.
About FLW
FLW is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money in 2017 across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, with offices in Minneapolis, FLW conducts more than 274 bass-fishing tournaments annually across the United States and sanctions tournaments in Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW" television show, broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, while FLW Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. For more information visit FLWFishing.com and follow FLW at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
About General Tire
For over 100 years General Tire has offered a complete quality line of ultra-high performance, passenger, light truck, off-road and commercial tires to meet all your needs. General Tire is a proud supporter of the Automobile Club of America (ARCA), Best in the Desert Racing Association (BITD), Major League Fishing (MLF), Fishing League Worldwide (FLW), King of the Cage, Lucas Oil – Off Road Racing Series, Late Model Dirt Series, Pro Pulling League, Modified Series, Drag Boat Racing Series and ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series; Expedition Overland, FreestyleMx.com Tour; Zero One Odyssey, and JeepSpeed. Team GT includes: CJ Hutchins, Jim Beaver, Jeff Proctor, Doug Fortin, Eric Fitch, Jim Riley, Lee Banning Sr., Jerett Brooks, Camburg Racing, Chase Motorsports, Stan Shelton, Skeet Reese, Edwin Evers, John Crews, Britt Myers and Bill McDonald.
About Continental AG
Continental develops intelligent technologies for transporting people and their goods. As a reliable partner, the international automotive supplier, tire manufacturer, and industrial partner provides sustainable, safe, comfortable, individual, and affordable solutions. In 2016, the corporation generated sales of around €40.5 billion with its five divisions, Chassis & Safety, Interior, Powertrain, Tire, and ContiTech. Continental currently employs more than 220,000 people in 56 countries.
SKL Product Spotlight - Matt & Jordan Lee talk a couple of new baits from Strike King
Before he became the newly crowned Bassmasters Classic Champ, We spent some time with Jordan and Matt Lee and asked them to talk about a couple of new baits from Strike King that got them fired up. Check it out!
Heineman and Bates take the win at Bass Champs on Falcon with over 28 pounds
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| Falcon Lake held big weights for top teams in Bass Champs South region tournament March 25, 2017. Paying back 112% to the top teams, anglers were on the hunt for big bass and big sacks. It was a fantastic show at the scales as so many huge catches were brought in. Tye Heineman and Mike Bates had the biggest sack of them all winning over $20,000!
Spring has sprung, and the temperatures are on the rise. Contenders found Falcon’s water level low, making for skinny water for teams to share. The big fish were biting, and several kickers over eight pounds were caught. It was quite a show at the scales until the final weights were tallied! Winners Tye Heineman and Mike Bates had started their day drawing boat #117. “We weren’t thrilled about drawing such a late number. Falcon is low, and there are only so many points to fish.” Regaining their composure, they decided to relax and just go fishing. “We made a run to the dam, fishing the chunk rock in 10’-15’ of water,” Tye explained. “We knew a lot of the guys were going to be fishing shallow, but we were figuring on going for the bass that were transitioning.” They decided on jigs as their bait of choice. “At first we were going to use 1 oz jigs, but decided that was probably too big, so we downsized to a ¾ oz.” They chose a tilapia color, then they customized their baits. “We trimmed the weed guard to almost nothing, then tipped our jigs with a variety of trailers.” Within about 15 casts, they had a three and a four pounder in the boat. By 10:30 they had a limit but their smallest fish weighed around 1 ½ pounds and they were desperately trying to cull it with a bigger fish. “Finally, around 1:00 we caught one a little bigger, about two pounds. Then the bite just absolutely died. We moved to another cove, but there were two boats already in it. We waited a little, then all of a sudden both of them buckled up and took off in a hurry, filling the cove with backwash.” They decided to try the spot anyway, and within two casts boated their kicker – a 7 ½ pounder! “At that point we figured we had around 26 pounds, and tried a few more spots but didn’t get to cull anymore. All in all we had a good day.” When it was all said and done, the scales locked in at 28.09 lbs for a 1st place win! Bass Champs presented them the guaranteed 1st place $20,000 check, and they enjoyed additional winnings from Lowrance, PowerPole and SureLife. “We’d like to thank God for the opportunity and ability to do this, he really blessed us today.” This is their third Bass Champs win, and their second on Falcon. “It’s going to come down to the wire for the Angler of the Year race in our last tournament on Amistad! We’d like to thank our sponsors and all of our family and friends for their encouragement and support.” Lee Leonard and Scott Bronder were excited when they drew boat #38 for their take-off order. “With the lake this low, pretty much everyone will be fishing the same spots. We were really happy to get an early draw and be able to get to our starting point before some of the others.” They started off on a point using both Carolina rigs and crank baits. “We caught a good fish at our first area with the crank bait, then moved on trying to find more. It was their third area that Lee hooked their big one. “I was still using a crank bait, and I lucked into our big bass – 9.43 lbs!” They were on a roll, and Scott was putting fish in the livewell with his Carolina rig as well. “We caught and culled fish all day. It just went like clockwork for us!” Their kicker won the $500 Big Bass bonus, and their total weight was 26.46 lbs to win the 2nd place $2,500 check. Lee would like to thank his wife Jamie and daughter Abbie for their encouragement and support while Scott would also like to thank his wife Amanda. “We would also like to thank Wood Covers, the Tire Factory Outlet and the San Marcos Police Officer Association.” Rounding out the top 10 teams: Congratulations to Chans and Sterling Martin who were the highest finishing team in a qualified Skeeter Boat, doubling their winnings to a $2,040 payday plus the Sportsmans Auto Network for Free Entries for 12 months (up to $5000 value)! The points race took quite a shuffle. The South Region teams have one more tournament to go that will determine Anglers of the Year. Here are the top five teams after three events: Be sure and catch every opportunity to fish with Bass Champs! Mark your calendars to fish in these upcoming tournaments for your chance to win like a pro: For more information, click to www.BassChamps.com or call 817-439-3274
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Cromer Wins ABA Ram Trucks South Carolina Open on Clarks Hill Lake
Rodney “Krowbar” Cromer of Pomaria, South Carolina won the Ram AFT, presented by American Bass Anglers, South Carolina Division 96 1-day qualifier tournament held March 19, 2017, on Clarks Hill Lake running out the Dorn Boating Facility near McCormick, South Carolina.
First place, Rodney “Krowbar” Cromer had a five fish limit weighing 17.21 pounds that was anchored with the 6.82 pound tournament big fish. Krowbar was fishing the middle part of the lake and caught some of his fish on a crankbait but all the fish he weighed in were taken on a Shooter Jig. He fished docks and brush piles. The big fish was caught in 21 feet of water but some were caught in as little as 3 feet. Krowbar took home a total of $722 for first place, first place option and big fish.
Eddie Temples of Saluda, South Carolina was second with five fish weighing 16.03 pounds. Eddie was fishing rocky points in the mid lake area and caught his fish on crankbaits. He won $373 for second place and second place option.
The most productive lures for this one were jigs and crankbaits.
This day started out at cold 40 degrees and was at 61 degrees by the 3 pm weigh-in. Sunny skies with the wind out of the WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Clarks Hill was down 10 feet with surface temp in the low to mid 50s. There were 19 anglers fishing this tournament out of the Dorn Boating Facility near McCormick, SC.
Top Five finishers:
1. Rodney Cromer 17.21 lbs
2. Eddie Temples 16.03 lbs
3. Bobby Stanfill 13.57 lbs
4. Don Kneece 8.36 lbs
5. David Griswold 7.78 lbs
These anglers are qualifying to compete in the 2017 Ram AFT National Championship on the Ouachita River, Monroe, LA in October 2017.
The next Division 96 tournament qualifier for Division 96 will be Aril 9, 2017 on Lake Wateree out of Clear Water Cove near Camden, SC.
For more information, contact D-96 Director Phil Morris at 864-993-0346; email [email protected] or call ABA at (256) 232-0406. On-line, see www.americanbassanglers.com or www.aba-sc.com for complete results. Also check out our facebook page at D-96 American Fishing Tour.
These anglers are earning valuable points toward the divisional angler of the year title. The points champion from each division will compete in the annual Ram American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of the Year Final Round at the Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship.
The Ram American Fishing Tour offers low cost, close to home bass tournaments that are designed for the weekend angler. All ABA anglers fish for money and points. The points advance the angler to their divisional championship and the top 500 anglers in the US are invited to the Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship. For more information on American Bass Anglers please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256)232-0406.
Hugh wins ABA Ram Trucks Open on Potomac River
Jesepth Hughes of King George, Virginia won the American Bass Anglers Ram Truck Open Series Northern Division tournament, held March 25th on the Potomac River.
Running out of Smallwood State park near Marbury, Maryland, Jesepth caught five bass weighing 22.19 pounds. He anchored his bag with a 5.09 pound kicker. For the boater division victory, Hughes took home a check for $5,000.
“I ran down south and caught them all on a black and blue jig in 6-8 feet of water,” Hughes said.
In second on the boater side, Michael Roselle of Laplata, Maryland landed a five-bass tournament limit weighing 21.09 pounds with a 7.37-pound kicker. He collected $1,760 for second place. Roselle also had the big fish for the Boater Big Bass and collected an additional $950. This being the big fish of the tournament Roselle also receives an Abu Garcia Revo reel valued at $159.
“I caught everything on red and brown crankbaits in about six feet of water,” Rozelle said.
Matthew Caffi of Fairfax, Virginia took third on the boater side with five bass weighing 20.38 pounds. He anchored his catch with a 4.86-pound kicker to earn $1,170. “I caught them on a little bit of everything, moving and slow baits, and ran all over the river,” Caffi said.
Finishing fourth, Anthony P. Ebel of Davisonville, Maryland landed a five-bass limit weighing 18.00 pounds.
Marc Leone of Rohrersville, Maryland rounded out the top five boaters with five bass at 17.95 pounds topped by a 5.36-pound kicker.
In the co-angler division, Maurice Hudson of State College, Pennsylvania won with three bass weighing 13.73 pounds. He sealed his victory with a 5.42-pound kicker to pocket a check for $2,000. He also collected $350 for the co-angler big bass.
“We fished slow with moving type baits in various colors,” Hudson said.
Taking second for the co-anglers, David Wilt of Lititz, Pennsylvania brought in a three-bass division limit weighing 11.71 pounds. He collected $700 for the effort.
Brian Coots of Lexington Park, Maryland placed third among the co-anglers with three bass going 11.45 pounds. He anchored his catch with a 4.54-pound kicker to earn $425. “I went all over the place throwing a Chatterbait and crankbait in brown and root beer colors, real slow,” Coots said.
In fourth place among the co-anglers, Dennis Kroft of Frederick, Maryland brought in three bass for 11.04 pounds including a 4.40-pound kicker.
Michael Messick of Mechanicsville, Maryland finished in fifth place with three bass at 10.86 pounds topped by a 3.85-pound kicker.
Slated for April 22nd, the next divisional tournament will be held on Chesapeake Bay out of Anchor Boats Marina near North East Maryland. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance to the 2018 Ray Scott Championship, to be held on the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana.
For more information on this tournament, call Jeff Randall, tournament manager, at 256-777-6152 or ABA at 256-232-0406. On line, see www.ramopenseries.com.
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.
Bulter and Tate Come Out Victorious at ABA Ram 100% Team Tour event on Guntersville
The team of Josh Butler of Hayden, Alabama and Jeb Tate of Dora, Alabama won the season opener of the Ram 100% Plus Team Tour event on March 25, 2017 at Lake Guntersville. Butler and Tate brought in the winning limit weighing 24.31 pounds to win a new 2017 Triton Boats 17TX with a Mercury 60hp four stroke outboard, Garmin Echomap units, Motorguide trolling motor, and a host of T-H Marine products valued at $20,000.
“We caught our fish today in shallow water mostly fishing grass. We were throwing a chatterbait, swimbaits, and rattletraps. We used a little bit of everything to catch them. It was a great day, we caught around twenty fish. Most of them came in the morning. We were able to cull up a few times after lunch and after that it got pretty slow,” states Butler.
Jack Dunaway and Mike Bowers finished second with 23.94 pounds and anchoring their bag with a 6.57-pound bass to take home a check for $2,450. “Today was a tough day with the wind. We threw spinner baits and jerkbaits all day long. We were able to cull up a few times,” Dunaway stated.
In third place was Tony Butts and Ricky Butts. They brought in a 22 pound bag and took home $1,500 for their efforts. “We threw a Rapala DT 6 all day. It was a good day, caught a lot of fish as was able to cull a few times,” said Butts.
Fourth place was James Smith & Benny Medlen with a total weight of 21.18 pounds and a 7.18 pound big bass.
Fifth place was Bryon Luman & Keith Miller with a total weight of 21.39 pounds and a 7.08 pound big bass.
The Big Bass of the tournament was caught by the team of Jimmy Atchley and Larry Laney. The bass weighed 8.02 pounds earning them $630 for their efforts. They caught the big fish throwing a Rapala DT 6 in 10 feet of water.
American Bass Anglers, Inc. is supported by Ram Trucks, Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, Carlisle Tires, GEICO, Berkley, Abu Garcia, T-H Marine, Hydrowave, Livingston Lures, Best Western Hotels, Maui Jim, Power Pole, Garmin, Simms, LIT Coolers. American Bass Anglers, Inc. can be contacted at (256) 232-0406 or by visiting americanbassanglers.com.
BOURBON’S HULSEY WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL OZARK DIVISION TOURNAMENT ON LAKE OF THE OZARKS
Lee’s Summit’s Huntley tops Co-angler field
OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (March 27, 2017) – Kyle Hulsey of Bourbon, Missouri, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 25 pounds, 5 ounces, Saturday to win the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Ozark Division event on Lake of the Ozarks. For his win, Hulsey took home $5,551.
“Lake of the Ozarks is fishing incredibly well right now,” said Hulsey, who earned his first career-win in FLW competition. “I fished through 25 to 30 areas and caught nearly 20 keepers.”
Hulsey said he targeted mid-lake channel swings where bass were moving in shallow to spawn. He said he rotated between three lures – an umbrella rig with Bass Pro Speed Shad swimbaits, a 7/16-ounce Jewel Bait Finesse Jig and a ½-ounce War Eagle spinnerbait.
“In the morning I threw the umbrella rig, but mixed in the spinnerbait a handful times when the breeze picked up,” said Hulsey. “I reeled them off of a 6- to 8-foot-deep ledge. That’s where the bass were suspended and feeding. As the day went on, the weather got pretty slick. They weren’t aggressive enough to come up and eat the spinnerbait, so the umbrella rig would clean up well.”
Hulsey said the jig came in handy when bass were extra finicky and refused to bite both the umbrella rig and the spinnerbait.
“I caught bass just about everywhere I went,” said Hulsey. “It was the kind of day you want to have, but doesn’t come around very often.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Kyle Hulsey, Bourbon, Mo., five bass, 25-5, $5,551
2nd: Caleb Spinks, Springfield, Mo., five bass, 24-10, $2,975
3rd: Shawn Kowal, Linn Creek, Mo., five bass, 23-9, $1,946
4th: Rick Johnston, Webb City, Mo., five bass, 23-1, $1,595
5th: Bill Edwards, Nixa, Mo., five bass, 22-12, $1,110
6th: Marcus Sykora, Osage Beach, Mo., five bass, 22-1, $1,018
7th: Brian Hansen, Fenton, Mo., five bass, 20-13, $925
8th: Craig Torkleson, Sand Springs, Okla., five bass, 20-6, $833
9th: Kyle Alsop, Overland Park, Kan., five bass, 20-0, $740
10th: Wes Endicott, Joplin, Mo., five bass, 19-15, $648
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Tyler Ellis of Springfield, Missouri, caught a bass weighing 7 pounds, 10 ounces – the largest of the event – which earned him the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $890.
Eric Huntley of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, weighed in five bass totaling 19 pounds, 13 ounces, Saturday to win the Co-angler Division and the top prize of $2,775.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Eric Huntley, Lee’s Summit, Mo., five bass, 19-13, $2,775
2nd: Jesse Moore, Saint Robert, Mo., five bass, 18-6, $1,156
2nd: Matt Wertheimer, Arnold, Mo., five bass, 18-6, $1,156
4th: Brannan Austin, Wentzville, Mo., five bass, 18-0, $648
5th: Jacques Fleischmann, Lampe, Mo., five bass, 16-7, $555
6th: Charles Frick, St. Louis, Mo., five bass, 16-6, $509
7th: Alex Torkleson, Sand Springs, Okla., four bass, 16-3, $463
8th: Trey Schroeder, Crestwood, Mo., five bass, 15-14, $616
9th: John Payne, Ozark, Mo., four bass, 15-0, $420
10th: Quinton Booth, Ozark, Mo., five bass, 14-15, $324
James Beussink of Bridgeton, Missouri, caught the biggest bass among Co-angler Division anglers, a fish weighing 6 pounds, 13 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $445.
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.
SARASOTA’S MIZELL WINS T-H MARINE FLW BASS FISHING LEAGUE GATOR DIVISION EVENT ON LAKE OKEECHOBEE
Fort Lauderdale’s Bartlett tops Co-angler field
CLEWISTON, Fla. (March 27, 2017) – Jessie Mizell of Sarasota, Florida, won the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Gator Division event on Lake Okeechobee Saturday with a five-bass limit totaling 23-pounds even. For his victory, Mizell pocketed $4,915.
“I began the day fishing near Bird Island, but the wind picked up and muddied the water,” said Mizell, who earned his second career-win on Lake Okeechobee in BFL competition. “I stayed there for a while and caught a couple of small ones. By 1 p.m., I knew I needed to change things up.
“I went to a little cove by the North Shore that was out of the wind and fished really slow in the calm water,” continued Mizell. “I focused on some small lilypads. I went back and forth along a 100-yard stretch and caught my limit by 3:30 p.m.”
Mizell said he used a Red Ear-colored Spro Dean Rojas Bronzeye Poppin' Frog 60 on a 7-foot, 11-inch medium-heavy 13 Fishing rod to craft his limit.
“I could see a slight wake under the frog that most people wouldn’t notice,” said Mizell. “I paused and let the bait sit for about 10 or 15 seconds. When I moved it, they’d eat it.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Jessie Mizell, Sarasota, Fla., five bass, 23-0, $4,915
2nd: Brianne McMillan, Belle Glade, Fla., five bass, 22-4, $2,658
3rd: Jim Hurlock Jr., West Palm Beach, Fla., five bass, 19-9, $1,640
4th: Cody Davis, Deerfield Beach, Fla., five bass, 18-9, $1,147
5th: Nicholas Hoinig, Delray Beach, Fla., five bass, 18-8, $1,083
6th: Mike Surman, Boca Raton, Fla., five bass, 18-6, $1,201
7th: Dustin Royer, Davie, Fla., five bass, 18-5, $819
8th: Jesus Villegas, Virginia Gardens, Fla., five bass, 16-12, $737
9th: Frank Mackin, New Port Richey, Fla., five bass, 16-9, $1,405
10th: Kyle Monti, Okeechobee, Fla., five bass, 16-4, $573
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Mackin caught the heaviest bass of the tournament, a fish weighing 8 pounds, 4 ounces, which earned him the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $750.
Brandon Bartlett of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, weighed in five bass totaling 19 pounds, 9 ounces, Saturday to win the Co-angler Division and the top prize of $2,833.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Brandon Bartlett, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., five bass, 19-9, $2,833
2nd: Matthew Wolfe Jr., Orlando, Fla., five bass, 15-7, $1,429
3rd: Fernando Rosa, Plantation, Fla., five bass, 13-9, $817
4th: Richard Mongiovi, Indian Lake Estates, Fla., five bass, 12-10, $573
5th: Garrett Carter, Middleburg, Fla., five bass, 12-8, $471
5th: John Hendry, Crystal River, Fla., five bass, 12-8, $471
7th: Michael Carter, Bokeelia, Fla., five bass, 12-2, $460
8th: Andrew Pulliam, Spring Hill, Fla., five bass, 11-13, $369
9th: Robert Alton, Fort Pierce, Fla., five bass, 11-11, $328
10th: Hayden Scharf, De Leon Springs, Fla., five bass, 11-10, $287
Bartlett also caught the biggest bass among Co-angler Division anglers, a fish weighing 7 pounds, 9 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $375.
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.
NEW LONDON’S CHANDLER WINS T-H MARINE FLW BFL PIEDMONT DIVISION ON KERR LAKE PRESENTED BY NAVIONICS
Virginia’s Freeman tops Co-angler field
HENDERSON, N.C. (March 27, 2017) – Kevin Chandler of New London, North Carolina, weighed a 20-pound, 14-ounce, limit Saturday to win the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Piedmont Division opener on Kerr Lake presented by Navionics. For his win, Chandler earned $8,211.
Chandler said he split his day between fishing rocks in Grassy Creek, and docks and laydowns in the main-river channel. He said every fish he weighed in came on a ½-ounce green-pumpkin-colored Shooter Lures Jig.
“I flipped and made little underhand pitches with the jig because the fish were so shallow,” said Chandler, who logged his fifth career-win in BFL competition. “Every bite came in 1 to 4 feet of water. My medium-heavy Level rod was a big part of my success. It’s got the perfect tip for flipping. I could make soft presentations under everything I targeted.”
Chandler said he spent a lot of his day running, including making 30 to 40 stops in the afternoon.
“I didn’t catch very many fish in one spot,” said Chandler. “My biggest bass - a 6-pound, 4-ouncer – came out of the rocks early on, but I got more bites in the afternoon. The water warmed up a couple of degrees when the sun came up, which helped.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Kevin Chandler, New London, N.C., five bass, 20-14, $6,211 + $2,000 Ranger Cup Bonus
2nd: Ray Griffin, Greensboro, N.C., five bass, 20-2, $4,001
3rd: Mike Miller, Trinity, N.C., five bass, 20-0, $2,101
4th: Todd Harris, Clemmons, N.C., five bass, 18-7, $1,403
5th: Rodney Bell, Salisbury, N.C., five bass, 17-12, $1,202
6th: Chris Daves, Spring Grove, Va., five bass, 16-11, $1,102
7th: George Lambeth, Thomasville, N.C., five bass, 16-9, $1,302
8th: Keith Roberts, Hurt, Va., five bass, 16-1, $902
9th: David Wright, Lexington, N.C., five bass, 16-0, $802
10th: Scooter Lilley, Williamston, N.C., five bass, 15-13, $666
10th: Chris Baldwin, Lexington, N.C., five bass, 15-13, $666
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Griffin caught a bass weighing 6 pounds, 11 ounces – the largest of the event – which earned him the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $995.
Larry Freeman Jr. of La Crosse, Virginia, weighed in five bass totaling 14 pounds, 11 ounces Saturday to win the Co-angler Division and the top prize of $3,006.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Larry Freeman Jr., La Crosse, Va., five bass, 14-11, $3,006
2nd: Derek Sewell, Forest, Va., four bass, 14-8, $1,503
3rd: Graham Burke, Clemmons, N.C., four bass, 13-0, $1,008
4th: Randy Ruffin, Norfolk, Va., four bass, 12-9, $1,198
5th: Bailey Hollingsworth, Lexington, N.C., five bass, 12-1, $601
6th: Jake Rowe, Selma, N.C., five bass, 11-11, $551
7th: Francis Andrews, Matoaca, Va., five bass, 11-8, $501
8th: Mark Whitman, Elon, N.C., five bass, 11-4, $651
9th: Scott Anderson, China Grove, N.C., five bass, 11-2, $401
10th: Chris Tucker, Albemarle, N.C., three bass, 10-12, $351
Ruffin caught the biggest bass among Co-angler Division anglers, a fish weighing 5 pounds, 5 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $497.
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.
How Lee Topped the Leaderboard & Lake Conroe
Special From Strike King Lure Company - Photo Credit Garrick Dixon
Houston, TX. (Mar. 26, 2017) – When the dust cleared at Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston, Texas, Strike King and BASS Elite Series Pro Jordan Lee had been crowned the champion of the 47th Bassmaster Classic. After a stellar final day in which the 3rd year Elite Series pro caught 5 bass weighing 27 lbs. 4 oz. to cap off a three-day winning total of 56 lbs. 10 oz., Lee bested the second-place finisher, Steve Kennedy, by a pound and a half. He mounted a comeback of epic proportions and catapulted from 37th place after day one to win the World Championship of bass 
fishing on the strength of a select few Strike King lures.
“Day one was tough for me as the results showed. I only weighed 3 fish. My day two was the turning point though. I put four of the bites that I was looking for in the boat. I caught a couple big ones on an 8” plum Bull Worm. Then I caught a 7.7 pounder on a Citrus Shad 5XD that anchored my bag” said Lee, who was competing in his third Classic. “On day three, I caught every fish that I weighed on a ½ oz. football jig that I paired with two Rage Tail baits as trailers. The Rage Craw is my go-to, favorite jig trailer and I used it in the Summer Craw color to catch two of my five on the final day. The other three came on the same jig with a Green Pumpkin Space Monkey on the back. That’s a deal that we do at home on 
Guntersville. The big shape and profile on the back of a jig adds a lot more bulk and that seems to attract bigger bites,” Jordan added.
“This is a dream come true for me. To come back and win after a tough start kind of makes it even sweeter. I just kept telling myself that I had the right tools and I was around the right kind of fish. I just had to do my part. And this time, it all worked out.”
For more information on these or other Strike King products, please visit www.strikeking.com or your preferred fishing tackle retailer.
Panzironi wins ABA Ram Trucks Open on Harris Chain
Eric Panzironi Casselberry, Florida won the American Bass Anglers Ram Truck Open Series Florida Central Division tournament, held March 25th on the Harris Chain.
Running out of Hickory Point Recreation Facility in Tavares, Florida, Eric caught five bass weighing 23.29 pounds including a big bass that weighed 8.01-pounds. For the Boater division victory, Eric took home a check for $5,000 for his win and an additional $660 for the big bass. Panzironi also walked away with a new Abu Garcia Revo SX spinning reel for the big bass.
“I ran over to Dora first thing this morning and started fishing some eel grass and it wasn’t working out for me at first so I ran around and found one section that was loaded. I was done by 9:00am. I didn’t catch another fish the rest of the day. The big bass was my second fish this morning and I caught her around 7:45am this morning.” Panzironi said.
In second for the Boaters, Keith Carson of Palm Harbor, Florida landed a five-bass tournament limit going 19.57 pounds. He collected $1,250 for his catch. “I also ran to Dora and I had some fish marked out on the bed. Most of them pulled off, I lost an 8-pounder and lost a 5-pounder. At 1:00pm I didn’t have any fish. So I ran to an area that I haven’t fished before and I caught all my fish in about one hour.” Carson said.
John Kremer of Sanford, Florida landed five bass going 16.46 pounds. He collected $900 for his catch. “I thought I was on some fantastic fish and at 12:00 pm, I only had three little ones. So I just went fishing. I was flipping a craw around Kissimmee grass.” Kremer said.
In fourth place among the Boaters, Neil Davis of Clermont, Florida brought in five bass for 15.66 pounds.
Scott Wilbanks of Groveland, Florida finished in fifth place with five bass at 15.15 pounds.
In the Co-Angler Division, Wes Whitfield of Davenport, Florida won with three bass going 10.25 pounds with a 4.23-pound kicker. He pocketed a check for $1,800 for his win.
“I caught about eight fish today and I was able to cull up a few times. We stayed on little Lake Harris and big Lake Harris. My boater, Sam Carroll, was a great guy and we just threw a hollow-body frog most of the day. We tried a trap but couldn’t get anything going so went back to the frog. I ran out of frogs so I picked up a Gambler Big EZ and was going over some lily pads and that’s when I caught that 4-pounder.” Whitfield said.
Taking second for the Co-Anglers, Bryan Jones of Zephyrhills, Florida brought in a three-bass division limit weighing 9.43 pounds anchored by a 4.18-pound kicker and collected $650 for his catch. “I caught all my fish today on a worm in the hydrilla fishing it slow. We stayed on Lake Harris today.” Jones said.
Jesus “Buck” Gutierrez of Haines City, Florida placed third among the Co-Anglers with three bass going 9.39 pounds. He earned $450 for his catch. “I also stayed on Lake Harris and I caught my fish on a hollow-body frog.” Gutierrez said.
In fourth place among the co-anglers, Adam Sangster of Lake Mary, FL brought in three bass for 9.12 pounds.
Jeff Chastain of Tavares, FL finished in fifth place with three bass at 8.17 pounds.
The biggest bass for the co-anglers was caught by Brian Carman of Mascotte, FL that weighed 5.09 pounds and pocketed $335 for the big bass award.
“I was fishing little Lake Harris and caught that fish on a lipless crank-bait. I caught her about noon today.” Carman said.
Slated for May 20th, the next tournament will be held on Lake Toho out of Kissimmee Lakefront Park in Kissimmee, FL. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance the 2018 Ray Scott Championship, to be held on the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana.
For more information on this tournament, call Billy Benedetti, tournament manager, at 256-230-5632 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.
HAYDEN’S WISSINGER WINS T-H MARINE FLW BASS FISHING LEAGUE BAMA DIVISION EVENT ON LAKE MITCHELL
Lake View’s Parker tops Co-angler field
CLANTON, Ala. (March 27, 2017) – Josh Wissinger of Hayden, Alabama, brought a five-bass limit totaling 18 pounds, 12 ounces, to the scale Saturday to win the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Bama Division event on Lake Mitchell. For his win, Wissinger took home $3,586.
“I started out fishing isolated grass patches on the main lake with a Dirty Jigs No-Jack Swim Jig with a Zoom Super Ultra Vibe Speed Craw,” said Wissinger, who earned his first career-win in FLW competition. “I picked up one or two keepers, but there were a lot of boats around. Lake Mitchell is small, so I knew there would be a lot of pressure.”
As the morning continued, Wissinger said he worked his way up the Coosa River looking for spawning bass.
“I hit seawalls and caught two spotted bass, including a 4-pounder, using a Z-Man ChatterBait,” said Wissinger. “The 5- to 6-foot depths are ideal spawning areas. It’s the first shallow water they come to when they get out of the main-river current.
“I eventually got up to the dam, and fished some flats near concrete walls,” continued Wissinger. “There is a lot of food for the fish up there, as well as holes and big boulders they get around and use to spawn. They offer the bass some protection.”
Wissinger said he used a ¼-ounce Buckeye Lures Spot Remover Shaky-Head Jig with a Reaction Innovations Flirt Worm to round out his limit.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Josh Wissinger, Hayden, Ala., five bass, 18-12, $3,586
2nd: Erick Sommers, Deatsville, Ala., five bass, 17-1, $1,411
2nd: Tim Hurst, Oxford, Ala., five bass, 17-1, $1,836
4th: Brandon McGinnis, Pell City, Ala., five bass, 16-1, $790
5th: James Baber, Ozark, Ala., five bass, 15-8, $777
6th: Jimmy Bahakel, Birmingham, Ala., five bass, 14-12, $621
7th: David Milsaps, Ranger, Ga., five bass, 14-10, $564
8th: Daniel White, Clanton, Ala., five bass, 14-7, $508
9th: Mark McCaig, Oxford, Ala., five bass, 14-2, $451
10th: M.J. Vihnanek, Walnut Hill, Fla., five bass, 14-1, $395
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Hurst caught a bass weighing 5 pounds, 4 ounces – the largest of the event in the Pro Division – which earned him the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $425.
Taylor Parker of Lake View, Alabama, weighed in five bass totaling 12 pounds, 13 ounces Saturday to win the Co-angler Division and the top prize of $1,693.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Taylor Parker, Lake View, Ala., five bass, 12-13, $1,693
2nd: Timmy Ward, Sylacauga, Ala., five bass, 12-10, $846
3rd: Harold Grizzle, Gainesville, Ga., five bass, 12-8, $764
4th: Jeff Morgan, Kennesaw, Ga., five bass, 12-4, $445
5th: Lew Moore, Roanoke, Ala., five bass, 11-5, $339
6th: Larry Purdie, Columbus, Ga., five bass, 11-0, $310
7th: Ross Duncan, Newnan, Ga., five bass, 10-15, $282
8th: Tyler Fields, Kingsport, Tenn., five bass, 10-3, $254
9th: Daniel Douglas, Meridianville, Ala., five bass, 10-1, $226
10th: Tanner Ellison, Clanton, Ala., five bass, 10-0, $198
Mason Powell of Odenville, Alabama, caught the biggest bass among Co-angler Division anglers, a fish weighing 5 pounds, 12 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $212.
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.
MURRAY STATE KEEPS THEIR LEAD TO WIN 2017 CABELA’S COLLEGIATE BASS FISHING OPEN
San Antonio (March 27, 2017) - Day two of the Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Open on Lake Dardanelle was full of changes - not only with the weather but also on the leaderboard. Though Murray State University dominated 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places going into day two, they knew they would have other strong teams challenging their positions.
As they were all looking to finish strong – in this event as well as in hopes of making a big move in the Cabela’s School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia race - the Murray State team of Hunter Mills, Hunter McKinley, Mike Lowry, and Brian Koch brought a very solid 21.21 pound bag to the scales to move up from their 2nd place position to 1st place for the win! With a two-day overall weight of 47.92 pounds, fishing shoreline grass proved to be successful in bringing the pounds they needed on day two into their live well.
As all the teams set out on day two of the Open, they noticed the strong north wind was gone and there were no clouds in the sky. Although the temperatures were starting off cooler than on day one, the anglers expected to see the thermometer climb into the 70’s by noon.
The other huge factor that was going to be missing on day two was the current the anglers had seen on day one. During the entire first day of the event, anglers saw over 39,000cfs being released downstream on the Arkansas River. During day two they only had two hours over 10,000cfs and had six hours with zero water being discharged. With the lack of current alone the anglers knew they would have to work even harder to bring a limit to the stage.
Coming in at 2nd place with the largest bag on day two with 22.00 pounds, and an overall total of 42.92 pounds, was the team of Matt Glad, Owen Richard, Dakota Sparks and Levi Sharp from Louisiana State University. This team entered day two in 5th place with a day one weight of 20.92 pounds, and moved up the leaderboard by being only the second team to bring in over 20 pounds each day.
Tennessee Tech University’s two-man team of Jesse Garren and Daniel Holt moved up the leaderboard the most, climbing from 12th place on day one to a final 3rd place finish with 38.88 pounds total. In this event format, having a partner boat is a great advantage on being able to work together and be able to call and get help from your sister team if you are not on the fish. Jesse and Daniel did not have that advantage as they were the only boat representing Tennessee Tech University, yet they still brought in nearly 20 pounds each day.
Rounding out the Top 10 places at the 2017 Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Open on Lake Dardanelle, Russellville, Arkansas were:
To see the complete results from the 2017 Collegiate Bass Fishing Open Presented by Cabela’s, click here: Final Results.
Jordan Lee wins the 2017 Bassmasters Classic!
3, 4, 5 . . . Jordan Lee is #1. He won the 47th Bassmaster Classic with only 12 of a possible 15 fish. He caught 3 the 1st day, 4 the 2nd, a finally managed a 5-fish limit on the final day.
It was just enough to lift Lee over a hard-charging Steve Kennedy by 1 pound, 9 ounces.
With a 16-inch size limit this week, any keeper bass would weigh more than a pound and nine ounces, so every of those 12 catches was critical for Lee.
Kennedy was a fish short of a limit. In fact, 3 of the top 5 finishers did not have 15 keeper bass in this tournament.
Brent Ehrler did. He led for 2 days. He and Dave Lefebre caught more than 20 pounds each day. Today, Ehrler’s fish shrunk to half the size he had been catching. Lefebre caught just 1 and it was an ounce shy of 2 pounds.
“No way did I ever think I would win today,” said Lee. “If I had 35 pounds, I would have thought I had a shot. But Ehrler Evers, Lefebre those guys caught 20 pound a day.
“I mean, you would surely think somebody would catch . . . something.” When the comment drew laughter in the press conference, Lee clarified, “I’m giving them a compliment. That shows how good they are. That just really surprised me. That shows you too, how tough the lake is fishing.”
Lee found one spot where he could catch quality fish. It was 10-yard-square hard bottom point that only tapered off about a foot in depth – from 5 feet to 6.
High winds on the first day made it difficult for Lee to keep his trolling motor in the water, let alone catch fish on the exposed stretch of water. He scrambled to catch a little more than 8 pounds.
Day 2 didn’t look any better for the first few hours. “At noon yesterday I had 8 pounds.” Now he has the biggest trophy in the sport.
Lee caught 3 key fish from the point on the afternoon of Day 2. He caught another on the way back to the ramp.
On the eve of the final day Lee told AnglersChannel.com, “I spent the last day of practice looking for ‘that one spot’. I found it. I think if it’s sunny all day tomorrow and I can hit it a couple of times – I only got to fish it once today – tomorrow if I can let it rest for an hour here, an hour there, I feel like I can probably pick 5 off.”
His plan came together today and Lee sacked 27 pounds 4 ounces, the biggest bag of the tournament.
“I probably caught 8 today,” said Lee “And that’s casting all day. I never ran. I never picked up the trolling motor.”
Lee compiled a total weight of 56-10 with 3 primary lures. Lee survived Day 1 by fishing soft plastics. On Day 2 Lee used a Strike King 5XD in the Citrus Shad color and also caught 2 fish on a Strike King Bull Worm on a half-ounce shaky head. Today he tipped a football jig with a Rage Craw trailer and rode that combo to victory.
“The fish wanted it slow,” said Lee. “A lot of the bites, my lure was just sitting there and my line would move off. That was the slowest I’ve ever fished. And I’ve never fished one spot all day.”
Championship Sunday - News and Notes Video
the 2017 Bassmasters Classic Championship Sunday is underway, Take a listen to how a few of the top guys plan to catch them.
Bassmaster Classic - Day 2 Notes & Quotes
The 2017 Bassmaster Classic is a flipin’ fest. That’s how the top guys are doing it this week. In fact, that’s been one of the few constants on a rapidly-changing Lake Conroe fishery.
Some are catching fish early by winding a lure. Cliff Crochet is having a blast throwing a frog. But flipping is the deal for the other 7 hours of the day.
Noted finesse tactician, Brent Ehrler has turned to beefy gear and a delicate presentation to pull the right 10 fish out of flooded willows and buck brush on a flat that grew thick with the cover during years when the water was low. Scores of spectators watched him deftly place a lure in cover without leaving a ripple.
Some even tried to help catch the fish in the area.
Mike Iaconelli, no stranger to controversy, had words with one such local fisherman yesterday. “For 3 days, they can’t lay off the fish?” questioned Ike as he spoke to reporters in the press room this evening.
A huge number of well-behaved onlookers enjoyed watching Ike and several other pros pile into the area where Ehrler caught his 20-pound, 1-ounce sack today. Steve Kennedy is among the pros who started there on Day 1 and hope to finish out a strong tournament effort on the big flat.
Kennedy wasn’t as excited to see Ike as the fans were. “I’m sharing water with the leader and now with 6th place (Ike’s spot in the standings).
Fishless at noon, Ike climbed to that rank entirely on the strength of the fish he caught after literally crossing paths with Kennedy. We saw Bobby Lane, Skeet Reese and Cliff Crochet on the flat as well. Lane and Crochet made the cut and will fish tomorrow. Drew Benton is fishing nearby. He’s in 10th.
The north end has been good to the anglers this week. The big question is whether it’s been beaten too hard by the tournament anglers, spectator traffic and the plastic navy of kayakers who were out fishing in droves on the extreme upper end of the lake today.
“Being on the backside of the full moon, these fish aren’t likely to move up in great numbers this weekend,” said Bobby Lane. “What’s there is there they won’t replenish. Next full moon would be a great time to be here. These are my Florida bass in this lake. I know how they act.”
Kennedy pointed out, “I don’t feel like we’ve got a new group of fish coming in there. That’s what hurts more than anything.”
Then again, the areas that have been hammered are popular places to fish and, as such, they normally get picked-over yet still produce fish. “That place was getting hammered before we got here. It’s probably been getting hammered for 2 or 3 month,” said Kennedy. “There’s still some big fish in there.”
Dave Lefebre is only using 2 rods. Each has a jig tied on. And he’s in 2nd. That’s 3 reasons he’s the most dangerous man in the field. “I made 10 bass famous on one jig. We’re gonna go for 15 on it.
“I’m fishing a bulky, but light jig in 2 feet of water – fishing super shallow.”
Brent Ehrler may have saved enough fish to fend off Lefebre and the rest of the field. After a fast start he didn’t catch many more. “I tried to lay off a little bit.”
Edwin Evers is in good shape as he occupies 3rd place. He would be higher if he could get one of those Conroe giants to bite. “I’m surprised I haven’t caught a big one. I’m shocked. Maybe I’m saving it for tomorrow.”
The Top 5 looks like this:
Brent Ehrler – 43-4
Dave Lefebre – 41-1
Edwin Evers – 39-0
James Elam 37-13
Bradley Roy – 37-10
Chris Zaldain is the last man to make the cut, in 25th with 21-11.
Notes and Quotes - Day 2 Launch Video!
Hear what Cliff Crochet, Bradley Roy and GMan Gerald Swindle have to say about the start of Day 2
Bassmaster Classic - Day 1 Notes & Quotes
The pros all said that winning the 47th Bassmaster Classic would be a matter of finding a few big bites. On Day 1 Brent Ehrler found the biggest, a 9-pound, 12-ounce bass that pushed his weight total to 23-3.
Brent Ehrler - Leader with 23.3 Pounds
“I really wasn’t expecting to get that bite,” said Ehrler. “I caught it in shallow water. It was a serious battle to get that fish in, especially in shallow water. I was very fortunate to land it; very fortunate to have the day go this way and to be leading the tournament.”
Bradley Roy is currently in 2nd place.
“My day went really well. I couldn’t ask for more than 22 pounds.” Roy did catch more than 22 pounds – one ounce more. He is a pound and two ounces off Ehrler’s lead.
“My day went slow, but it was very productive,” said Roy. “I’ve got a little milk run and it takes me a long time to get bites, but when I get those bites, they’re quality.”
Roy was surprised at how rough the lake had gotten when it was time to run back to the ramp. That means he was tucked way up a creek.
A lot of guys are going up creeks. There are tons of big bass up shallow but a methodical approach is often required to get them to bite.
Cliff Crochet is 3rd with 21-8.
“I caught a good fish early on. That really settled me down, gave me the confidence to know that my pattern would work.” He caught fish throughout the day, and said he is not necessarily keying on the shad spawn, although the early bite was helpful.
Mike Iaconelli is 4th with 21-2.
Clifford Pirch is 5th with 20-11.
James Elam is 7th with 20 pounds and an ounce.
And he did that with only 4 fish. “After 11 o’clock I still didn’t have a keeper. I stuck around in that area of the lake and caught a couple of big ones.”
Elam’s ‘big ones’ both weighed over 7 pounds, a major reason he was able to score so much weight without a limit. “I got two lucky bites. I wasn’t really on them that well. I just went to a couple of spawning cuts where I got bites (in practice).” He described the tactic as ‘blind bed-fishing’, dragging Texas-rigged soft plastics where he suspects fish are spawning.
Action resumes tomorrow as we begin Day 2.
Carhartt Countdown to Blastoff - Day 1 Launch - The Big Show is underway!
We talk with Skeet Reese, Randy Howell, Classic Rookie and College Champ John Garrett and Greg Hackney with Bobby Lane to get a feel for how the guys feel about kicking this thing off!
Which bait is your first pick on Day 1 of the Classic?
We ask BASS Classic Competitors what their first bait choice will be when they arrive at their first stop on Lake Conroe this morning to start the Bassmasters Classic.
Which one would you choose?
If Not You, Who?
We asked several of the 2017 Bassmaster Classic Competitors, If they Can't Win it, Who would they pick?
Might be time to check your Fantasy Fishing Teams....... Just Sayin'
Classic Preview - “I can’t go out and force it.”
As the 2017 Bassmaster Classic gets underway in the morning, here is what we’ve learned so far:
There is definitely a strong shad spawn in progress which makes the first hour of the day critical for those anglers who plan to key on that bite in order to get some early momentum going.
And, as Alton Jones Jr. pointed out, shad spawn aside, that early momentum can be important to an angler’s mental state the rest of the day. “Mentally, that first hour is going to be super crucial. There’s going to be a lot of butterflies in the morning. I’ll be nervous, but getting that first fish in the boat will make it feel like ‘business as usual’ and let me settle down a little bit.”
A few anglers hinted at the shad spawn by saying they planned to begin the day throwing spinnerbaits, white swim jigs, and the like. Others flat out stated that the shad spawn was a big part of their game plan.
Then again, Randall Tharp noted that “Every second of every day in this tournament is important.”
Consensus among the pros is that this will be a most interesting event, from a fan’s perspective.
That seems to be the only thing they agree on. For instance, there is much debate as to which stage of the spawn most fish seem to be in. While everyone understands that all 3 phases – prespawn, bedding and postspawn – are occurring to varying degrees, some pros are convinced the spawn is basically done, others say there are waves of fish that have yet to move up.
Some are keeping an open mind, “I’m just going to look at the water in front of me and figure out what to throw,” said Tharp.
“This is probably the most rods I’ve ever had rigged in my boat,” said Brandon Palaniuk. And in Palaniuk’s case, that’s saying something. “The fish are just in so many different stages right now.”
Another point most agree on is that Gerald Swindle gave a great speech last night at the Night of Champions. The reigning angler of the Year shared that he accomplished the feat by playing ‘small ball’ – a baseball analogy for doing the little things right on a consistent basis instead of pulling off heroics on occasion.
Swindle plans to bunt his way through the Classic as well. “You can’t just go all in on Day 1 and get yourself put out of it. You’ve got to have a strong start. I haven’t had that practice where it was over the top and I knew ‘this is the honey hole’. I’ve got a couple of areas to fish and a couple of thoughts in my mind but I’m gonna have to let some of it come to me.
“I can’t go out and force it.”
Swindle does know exactly how he will begin the tournament. “A 9/16 oz. hand-tied jig, black and blue with a big #1 Zoom Salty Chunk – black and blue all the way down, Twenty-pound line and a 7’6” rod. Then if he bites it you’ll hear the hookset right here at Minute Maid Stadium because I’m bringing the house down.”
Minute Maid. Honey Bunches of Oats
VanDam’s Team Partner, Ashley’s Love of Minute Maid,
and Jordan Lee’s Cereal
On the eve of the 2017 Bassmaster Classic, two Classic champions, and the sport’s greatest young talent talk about who’d they choose as a team fishing partner, as well as their predictions for a winning weight, lures that will be used, and even the best food they’ve eaten since arriving in Houston to compete on Lake Conroe.
1.) What will surprise fans most about this Classic?
Lee: The numbers of guys that don’t catch a limit because of the 16” minimum length limit here.
VanDam: Big fluctuations in the leader board with the chance of a come-from-behind winner on Sunday.
Ashley: That weigh-in at Minute Maid Park. I can’t believe we get to weigh our fish on a stage inside a Major League Baseball stadium. That’s awesome!
2.) If the Bassmaster Classic was a team event, held on a mystery lake, who would you choose as your partner?
Lee: No doubt – VanDam. He’d dang sure guide us to them – and I’d even be his net man.
VanDam: Todd Faircloth. We’re both a part of Team Strike King, and I think his methodical approach would compliment my wide-open style.
Ashley: I’d pick Greg Hackney. I’d love to fish with him just to see how his mind works. We fish a lot the same, but he just catches ‘em better.
3.) Best meal you’ve had since arriving at Lake Conroe/Houston?
Lee: Me and Jesse Wiggins roomed together in practice and lived on Honey Bunches of Oats cereal.
VanDam: A friend cooked us rib eyes and Australian lobster tails.
Ashley: Blackened red snapper over a bed of creamy mashed taters.
4.) If you can’t win … who would you most like to see win this Classic?
Lee: Aaron Martens. He’s finished 2nd so many times. I can’t imagine how that feels. I feel for him.
VanDam: Shaw Grigsby. He’s been a friend a long time. He’s an awesome angler, and an equally great guy. He’s earned the right to be a champion for sure. And he’d be a great ambassador.
Ashley: Charlie Hartley. There’s not a man on this earth that loves to catch a bass more than him.
5.) Name 4 lures we’ll see used a bunch on Lake Conroe:
Lee: Texas-rigged creature bait, medium depth crankbait, ChatterBait, and a wacky worm.
VanDam: Jig, spinnerbait, a crankbait that’ll cover that 10 to 18’ deep zone, and a ChatterBait.
Ashley: Jig, spinnerbait, medium range crankbait, and Texas rigged soft plastic.
6.) Predict the 3-day 2017 Bassmaster Classic winning weight.
Lee: 65 pounds
VanDam: 59 pounds
Ashley: 63 pounds
Carhartt Countdown to Blastoff with KVD!!!
Our buddy Alan McGuckin with Dynamic Sponsorships talks with the man, KVD on the final practice day of the 2017 Bassmasters Classic!
Iaconelli: “I Need This Day!”
Alan McGuckin - Special to AnglersChannel.com
Mike Iaconelli notched three Top 10 finishes on Lake Conroe during three Toyota Texas Bass Classic events in recent years. Still, he was a bit of a stressed-out mess amid a 1-hour fog delay on the final official practice day for the 2017 Bassmaster Classic, on the Southeast Texas reservoir he knows so well.
“I need this day!” Iaconelli confided in me as I walked past him on the wooden pier he and 51 of the best anglers in the world had their boats tied-up to.
“It’s springtime, things are changing every day, and I don’t feel like I’ve totally figured out the puzzle yet,” says the passionate New Jersey pro.
His nervousness isn’t a reflection of his lack of effort or preparedness. He visited Conroe in December on a solo scouting mission, and then, like all 52 Classic qualifiers, had three long days of official practice this past Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
“Things have changed since Sunday, we’ve had cooler nights, fish are in all phases of the spawn here, they’re constantly moving between shallow and deep water, and nothing I accomplished here in those three Toyota Texas Bass Classic events really matters at all – zero actually – this is spring time – those were autumn events,” Iaconelli insists.
Don’t believe him? Then chew on the fact he has no GPS waypoints saved from those previous top finishes on Conroe.
“I don’t save waypoints from old events. You gotta start fresh, especially when the seasons are so different,” says Iaconelli.
More mind-boggling, is the fact he caught a bass bigger than 8-pounds during every single day of each of those three previous tournaments – yet still, no waypoints.
And that’s the mentality that separates weekend warriors from world champions. Amateurs fish history. Returning to ‘spots’ where they caught ‘em before – despite the season or conditions.
Pros like Iaconelli are driven to fish in the moment – even despite incredible past success.
“The only things I can take from my past experiences here, are things like lure color and maybe a general area of the lake – but specific spots where I caught ‘em in the past have zero to do with this week,” emphasizes the 2003 Bassmaster Classic Champion.
“I break the life cycle of a bass into four seasons – winter, spring, summer and fall,” he says. “This is spring, and there’s no greater time of change for a bass each day than right now – that’s why I have eight casting reels and four spinning reels on the deck. I’m trying it all,” illustrated Iaconelli.
“I’ve got a lot to figure out today,” he says.
By 8:00 a.m., much to “Ike’s” appreciation, tournament director Trip Weldon announced the fog was clearing, and conditions were becoming safe enough to begin the final official practice day of the 2017 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Conroe.
3 Qualifiers Identify 3 Classic Surprises For Fans
Alan McGuckin - Special to Anglerschannel.com
After three official days of practice, young Carhartt College Champ John Garrett, along with veteran pros Mike Iaconelli and Shaw Grigsby were asked what three things about this Bassmaster Classic might surprise fans the most.
John Garrett
-- It’s difficult to get a lot of bites here, but when you get a bite, it can be a big one.
-- The lake is gonna fish really small. They’ll be a lot of us in the same area.
-- How rough the water is, because of all the bass boat and pleasure boat traffic, and the sea walls along the shoreline don’t allow the waves to ever break, they just wash back and forth.
Mike Iaconelli
-- How few bites per day most guys will get.
-- You’ll actually see spotted bass weighed-in, even though the legal minimum length is 16 inches.
-- Even though it’s spring, and you think of bass being shallow this time of year – they’ll be a lot of fish caught out deep too.
Shaw Grigsby
-- That the 16” length is gonna be a game changer. I know it’s Texas, and everything is bigger – but it’s still not easy to catch a limit of bass over 16” – so you could see guys take a ‘zero’ at the Classic.
-- How rough this lake is because of the boat traffic and breaker walls. The waves were so big, I never went more than 25 mph in practice.
-- If we get hungry, there’s everything from McDonald’s to sushi we can pull up to and eat. (Note: That’s a joke, anglers aren’t allowed out of their boats during competition unless there’s an emergency – but there are a ton of boat-friendly eateries along Conroe’s shoreline.)
B.A.S.S. Names Students To 2017 Bassmaster High School All-State Team
March 20, 2017
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Sixty-nine outstanding high school anglers from across the country have been named to the 2017 class of Bassmaster High School All-State Fishing Team presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
The students were selected for the honor based on their success in bass tournament competition, academic achievement and leadership in conservation and community service.
“From the very beginning, a guiding principle of B.A.S.S. has been to introduce youngsters to the sport of fishing, and the resumes of the young people nominated for All-State and All-American honors proves that these efforts are paying off,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “High School fishing programs are great incentives for getting students and their parents out of doors and on the water.”
To be considered for the All-State Fishing Team, a student must have been nominated by a parent, coach, teacher or other school official. Students currently enrolled in grades 10-12 with a current-year grade point average of 2.5 or higher are eligible.
B.A.S.S. received more than 380 nominations from across the nation, a 75 percent increase over the number nominated in the first two years of the program. From these, judges selected 69 student anglers from 40 states to make the All-State Fishing Teams.
“Our All-State team is such a strong group of young anglers who have tremendous fishing accomplishments, as well as extensive community service and academic achievements,” said Hank Weldon, senior manager of the B.A.S.S. High School program. “We are extremely proud to recognize these student anglers, and we congratulate them on their success on and off the water.”
A second panel of judges will review nominations of the 69 All-State team members and select the 12 members of the 2017 Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. As in all-state judging, criteria include success in high school fishing tournaments, involvement in conservation efforts and other community service activities.
The 12 finalists will compete in a one-day Bassmaster All-American High School Bass Tournament held during the 2017 Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department event, a fan-favorite festival that will be held May 17-21 on Sam Rayburn Reservoir out of Lufkin, Texas.
Elite Series anglers will serve as teammates and “coaches” of the student anglers in the tournament. The high school standouts will be honored on the main Texas Fest stage at the weigh-in. All will be profiled in Bassmaster Magazine, read monthly by 4.4 million people, as well as on Bassmaster.com.
“Because of the tremendous increase in nominations this year, and because the All-State anglers in many states were decided by razor-thin margins, B.A.S.S. decided to recognize an additional group of outstanding students with honorable mention awards,” said Helen White, High School All-American program manager. “These student anglers illustrated strong tournament success rates as well as solid community service and academic achievement.”
Below is the list of the 69 All-State anglers, in order by state:
Alabama
Logan Parks, Auburn
Briana Tucker, Moulton
Lucas Lindsay, Auburn — Honorable Mention
Ryan Sweeney, Springville — Honorable Mention
Arizona
Steven Mack, Queen Creek
Taj White, Glendale
Tommy Sendek, Tucson — Honorable Mention
Arkansas
Reese Jones, Rogers
Bryer Pennington, Prescott
California
Luke Johns, Folsom
Brian Lopez, Yuba City
Colorado
Eric “Jordan” Evans, Colorado Springs
Connecticut
Noah Winslow, Naugatuck
Delaware
Jackson Staib, Wilmington
Florida
Colin Blanton, Winter Springs
Cole Thompson, St. Cloud
Jacob Eaton, Fort Myers — Honorable Mention
Parker Klump, North Fort Myers — Honorable Mention
Georgia
Jake Blumling, Evans
Cy Casey, Evans
Taylor Cox, Carrollton — Honorable Mention
Cal Culpepper, Hamilton — Honorable Mention
Garrett Hayes, Chatsworth — Honorable Mention
Emil Wagner, Marietta — Honorable Mention
Illinois
Tyler Lubbat, Wheeling
Alex Wojtowicz, Shorewood
Nathan Doty, Decatur — Honorable Mention
Adam Hingson, Atwood — Honorable Mention
Indiana
Blake Albertson, Bloomington
Beau Ashcraft, Lafayette
Adam Puckett, Bloomington — Honorable Mention
Iowa
Sam Louw, Story City
Kaleb Tweite, Riceville
Kyler Bauer, Riceville — Honorable Mention
Isaiah Minton, Marion — Honorable Mention
Kansas
Hunter French, Buhler
Zach Vielhauer, Shawnee
Brock Bila, Overland Park — Honorable Mention
Thomas Heinen, Topeka — Honorable Mention
Kentucky
Dustin Jones, Stanford
Kyle Roy, Jamestown
Morgan Miracle, Lancaster — Honorable Mention
Louisiana
Cade Fortenberry, Prairieville
Colby Miller, Elmer
Annabelle Guins, Lake Charles — Honorable Mention
Wes Rollo, Natchitoches — Honorable Mention
Maine
Reid Lavigne, Biddeford
Maryland
Jospeh McClosky, Swanton
Tyler Wallace, New Market
Massachusetts
Evan Bramhill, Northborough
Teddy Peznola, Leominster
Michigan
Keegan Findley, Grand Haven
Gunner Wilson, Fenton
Matthew Davis, Coloma — Honorable Mention
Minnesota
Reid Saarela, Lakeville
Matt Stearns, Lakeville
Solomon Glenn, Lakeville — Honorable Mention
Mississippi
Russell Brown, Hattiesburg
James Willoughby, Gulfport
Missouri
Dalton Combs, Ozark
Tristin Williams, Grain Valley
Grant Nisbet, St. Louis — Honorable Mention
Nebraska
Draven Ray, Plattsmouth
New Hampshire
Jeremy Bates, Chichester
Craig Beucler, Sandown
New Jersey
Joe Buthusiem, Collingswood
Vincent Pustizzi, Pittsgrove
New Mexico
Alex Rigg, Las Cruces
New York
Matthew Arndt, North Syracuse
Perry Marvin, Peru
Brandon Biby, New York City — Honorable Mention
North Carolina
Christopher Guest, Shelby
Alden Patterson, Mebane
Titus Ward, Statesville — Honorable Mention
Ohio
Colten Didion, Westerville
Connor Aten, Macedonia
Oklahoma
Taylor Hamburger, Tulsa
Garrett McCrackin, Jennings
Kaden Knoch, Harrah — Honorable Mention
Pennsylvania
Austin Gaab, Montoursville
Rhode Island
Tyler Conde, Chepachet
Jordon Leahy, Lincoln
South Carolina
Caleb Blackwood, Rock Hill
Oakley Connor, Travelers Rest
Drake Boyd, Abbeville — Honorable Mention
Andrew Mitchell, Donalds — Honorable Mention
Tennessee
Kyle Ingleburger, Winchester
Kyle Palmer, Estill Springs
Hunter Conatser, Jamestown — Honorable Mention
Landry Cooper, Vonore — Honorable Mention
Cameron Kirkland, Knoxville — Honorable Mention
Samuel Vandagriff, McMinnville — Honorable Mention
Texas
Jared Gobel, Lumberton
Trace O'Dell, Buna
Hunter Martindale, Jasper — Honorable Mention
Hunter Muncrief, Pineland — Honorable Mention
Virginia
Trent Carr, Rhoadesville
Gavin Haley Locust Grove
Hylton Scott, Stuart — Honorable Mention
Travis Walker, Stuart — Honorable Mention
West Virginia
Grace Caldwell, Berkeley Springs
Landon Harrington, Berkeley Springs
Wisconsin
Bailey Bleser, Burlington
Bradley Gumtow, Neenah
Colton Haney, Baldwin — Honorable Mention
2017 Costa Bassmaster High School Title Sponsor: Costa
2017 Costa Bassmaster High School Presenting Sponsor: DICK’S Sporting Goods
2017 Costa Bassmaster High School Premier Sponsors: Power-Pole, Minn Kota, Toyota, Berkley, Yamaha, Triton Boats, Humminbird, Huk, Shell Rotella, Mercury, Nitro Boats
2017 Costa Bassmaster High School Supporting Sponsors: Carhartt, Lowrance, ABU Garcia, St. Croix Rods, Phoenix Boats, Shimano, Academy Sports + Outdoors
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
Swindle: Conroe Will Be a Texas-Sized Test
Alan McGuckin - Special to AnglersChannel.com
Amid a Facebook Live post Monday night, reigning Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Gerald Swindle contemplated aloud, “If everything’s bigger in Texas, then maybe the shrimp here could be the size of squirrels.”
Squirrel-sized shrimp – the outcome of Swindle’s famous humor, blended with his sometimes-bizarre creative thinking.
But while all the talk leading into this 2017 Bassmaster Classic has been about records being broken – Swindle’s not sure the 23-pounds per day that VanDam averaged to win in New Orleans in 2011, is truly in jeopardy here.
Fishing Pressure – “The boat traffic here is as intense as anywhere we’ve ever competed,” says Swindle.
While he’s competed on Conroe in four previous Toyota Texas Bass Classics, those were autumn events, when fishing pressure was far less.
A “Big Bass” tournament already had 900 people fishing on Conroe earlier this month. And while this lake is hugely popular for bass fishing, add-in all the pleasure boat traffic between its seawalls, and it’s understandable the largemouth are likely to be a bit more fickle in March than October.
“It took 27 pounds to win a team event here the other day, but I’ve got a feeling some of those fish may have come from spawning beds, and honestly there’s just not much clear water here to focus on catching spawning fish for three days,” says Swindle.
Fat Singles Versus Big Schools – While Swindle says there are bass in all three phases of the spawn right now; the likelihood of finding an offshore mega-school is a long shot.
“This lake has never been a place with numerous schools of big fish – it’s got some giant bass in it – but it’s not like the Tennessee River where several guys can locate a school that might have a giant limit of fish in it,” he explains.
Worth noting is the 16” minimum length limit on Conroe which not only increases the challenge of catching a keeper-sized bass, but obviously increases the average weight of a 5-bass limit compared to most reservoirs B.A.S.S. visits where a 14” minimum length limit is more common.
5 Lures for 5 Fish Each Day – When asked to name five lures fans could expect to see most of the 52 competitors using this week, Swindle promptly rattled off the following as though you had asked for his phone number: ChatterBait, Spinnerbait, Jigs, Strike King Series 5 crankbaits, and a weightless Senko.
Finally, We’re Not Freezing – For years the Bassmaster Classic was a summertime event, but in 2006, it was moved to the February-March timeframe, and that’s brought frostbite threatening temperatures to venues like Tulsa, Oklahoma and Greenville, South Carolina.
It’s also brought a run of less than optimal performances for Swindle in the late winter derbies.
"I’ve qualified for 9 of the 11 Classics they’ve had in the winter, and if we’d have been dove hunting, I wouldn’t have cut a feather,” he says with self-depreciating humor.
“I’ve laid down a whole string of 26 and 27th place finishes, but finally I’ve got a Classic where I can feel comfortable enough to move around and make something happen,” he says.
“When it’s 15-degrees outside, and you’ve got hand warmers taped to the handles of your Quantum spinning rods, you’re just waiting on something good to happen,” says Swindle. “But when it’s 80-degrees outside, a guy like me feels like he can run around and make something good happen – and that’s a really big deal.”
“Nope, not gonna complain about the weather – that’s for sure,” says Swindle. “For the first time in years, you’ll actually be able to see who my sponsors are, because I won’t be dressed in long johns and covered up like an Eskimo.”
What Will it Take to Win? – “I’m gonna say if you average 20-pounds per day you could win,” says Swindle. Which is significantly less than what VanDam won with in New Orleans six years ago.
“There may be a 30-pound limit weighed-in here, and it just might be me – but you’re not gonna see those giant limits caught everyday.”
“I know this, I’m boat #1 at morning takeoff – and that counts for a lot here too,” grinned Swindle, who earned that top position as reigning Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year.
A shot at a 30-pound limit, shrimp the size of squirrels, and tall thermometers with high temps in the 80s – maybe everything is just a little bit bigger in Texas.
