Zack Birge talks about his day 2 strategy on Sam Rayburn in the FLW Costa Series
After Day 1 of the FLW Costa Series SW Event on Sam Rayburn Tour Pro Zack Birge Sits in 9th place heading into todays second day and Cut Day. Listen as Zack talks about his day 2 strategy to improve on his 20 pound first day.
Adjusting and Expansion with Ike - Day 2 on lake Okeechobee
Alan McGuckin with Dynamic Sponsorships talks to Toyota Team Pro Mike Iaconelli on his plans for day 2 of the BASS Elite Series event on Lake Okeechobee
Andrew Upshaw cracks 27 pounds and change for the day 1 lead in the Sam Rayburn Costa Series event
February 23, 2017 by David A. Brown
Everyone knew that Sam Rayburn could churn out 20- to 30-pound bags this week at the Costa FLW Series Southwestern Division event presented by YETI, and Oklahoma pro Andrew Upshaw set his “sights” on the upper end of that scale en route to topping the field on day one. Upshaw jumped in front with a limit that weighed 27 pounds, 1 ounce.
He came into the event planning to sight-fish, and that plan held up today. Upshaw, who had his final weight by about noon, took an ambitious approach to sizing up his opportunities.
“I didn’t stop if a fish was under 4 pounds. I just kept going,” he says. “I knew if I found them I could catch them.”
Upshaw caught all of his fish on a Texas-rigged Gene Larew Biffle Bug with a 5/16-ounce weight. He says the bait presents maximum agitation in the nest.
“That Biffle Bug is the best sight-fishing bait out there,” Upshaw says. “When you’re shaking it on the bottom, the legs are constantly kicking upward. Also, it has a tube-style body, so it floats. Unlike other creature-style baits, the Biffle Bug actually stands up off the bottom, instead of lying on the bottom. That gives the fish something to grab when they’re down there.”
Also important to his success was polarized eyewear. His choice: the new Costa Sunrise with silver mirror lenses.
“That’s really a big deal, especially when you’re sight-fishing early in the morning,” Upshaw says. “Those lenses allow you to sight-fish throughout the whole day and not just certain times.”
Although he focused on main creeks, Upshaw’s success hinged more on mobility. He covered a lot of water with the trolling motor on high and only stopped when he found a fish of the right quality. His first big bite came in the first 30 minutes, and from there, Upshaw says he caught fish throughout the rest of the day.
This style of fishing yielded only six keepers, but Upshaw believes the quality he found reflects a healthy lake that’s living up to its reputation.
“The lake is fishing probably five times better than I’ve seen it fish in the last 10 years. There’s a ton of grass, a lot of fat fish. You can pretty much do whatever you want to do to catch fish.”
To that point, Upshaw says he’s optimistic about day two.
“I had some really good prespawn stuff left that I didn’t have to touch today,” he says. “I’m really excited because I didn’t have to burn any of those fish.”
Top 10 Pros
1. Andrew Upshaw – Tulsa, Okla. – 27-1 (5)
2. Jason Bonds – Lufkin, Texas – 26-8 (5)
3. Charley Slaton – Valliant, Okla. – 25-3 (5)
4. Billy Billeaud – Lafayette, La. – 23-15 (5)
5. Kris Wilson – Montgomery, Texas – 23-0 (5)
6. Russell Cecil – Willis, Texas – 21-10 (5)
7. Trevor Stevenson – Fridley, Minn. – 21-5 (5)
8. Jeff Reynolds – Calera, Okla. – 21-4 (5)
9. Zack Birge – Blanchard, Okla. – 20-15 (5)
10. Todd Castledine – Nacogdoches, Texas – 20-3 (5)
Root takes co-angler lead
Marching to the beat of a different drum proved to be a wise strategy for hometown co-angler Jacob Root, who took the early lead with a four-fish bag that weighed 20 pounds.
“I only caught four keepers. It was a long day, but they were the right keepers,” he says. “I fished for big bites and got four of them.”
Root caught his fish on a mix of topwaters and jigs. He chose his baits to vary his presentations from whatever his pro partner, Billy Cline, was doing.
Targeting prespawners, Root fished in a range of depths from 2 to 8 feet. He got the ball rolling fairly quickly and then knocked off the rest of his catch throughout the day.
“I caught my biggest fish [a 7-pounder] at 8:30. I caught a 5 at 9 and a 5 1/2 at 11,” he says. “I was happy at 11. The key was just fishing slowly.”
Top 10 co-anglers
1. Jacob Root – Brookeland, Texas – 20-0 (4)
2. David Kayda – Huffman, Texas – 18-14 (5)
3. Andrew Brandstrom – White Bear Lake, Minn. – 18-4 (5)
4. Johnny Babb – Holdenville, Okla. – 18-2 (5)
5. Colby Miller – Elmer, La. – 17-9 (5)
6. Chad McClendon – Grapevine, Texas – 17-7 (5)
7. Michael D. Greer Jr. – Deridder, La. – 17-0 (5)
8. Mat Downey – Kountze, Texas – 16-8 (5)
9. Craig Strickland – Lumberton, Texas – 16-7 (5)
10. Daren Scott – Aledo, Texas – 16-3 (5)
Shaw Grigsby talks about sight fishing and hooking a "Big Ole Girl" outside of the mouth.
Elite Series Pro talks about the challenge when sight fishing and you hook a bedding fish on the outside of the mouth. Here was his dilemma today, Day 1 of the Lake Okeechobee Elite Series event.
Defoe drops 31 pounds on the scale to lead day 1 of Okeechobee Elite!
Photo by Seigo Saito/Bassmaster
Feb. 23, 2017
OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — Florida’s famous big-bass factory showed off during the first day of the A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee, as Tennessee native Ott DeFoe caught a huge five-bass limit that weighed 31 pounds, 3 ounces.
DeFoe’s impressive catch put him more than 4 pounds ahead of Stephen Browning of Hot Springs, Ark., who is currently in second place after weighing 26-13.
Anchoring his limit with two giant bass that weighed 8-6 each, the 31-year-old DeFoe knew he had located quality fish during practice on the lake, but he didn’t realize just how good they were.
“I had a lot of bites during practice, but I wasn’t catching very many fish over 2 1/2 to 3 pounds,” DeFoe said. “But, a few of those fish were in one area that seemed to have all the right ingredients to justify a return trip once the tournament began.”
DeFoe caught one of his big bass at his first stop early in the day, but decided to move after only having a few other bites.
“I stayed on that spot until after 9 a.m., and it was after 10 when I caught my next one,” said DeFoe, a six-time qualifier for the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. “At that point, the rest of my limit was small, but I was happy to have them because I had the one big fish.”
He managed to upgrade into the early afternoon on one spot that was also consistent for him during practice. DeFoe also said his pattern developed as the day went on, and he’s confident Friday will produce similar results.
“Today was a special day,” he said. “But it’s Okeechobee, 30-pound-plus limits can happen every day on this lake, and if I play my cards right tomorrow I believe I can hang onto the lead.”
While on stage with emcee Dave Mercer, DeFoe compared his twin 8-pound, 6-ounce bass to his twin children.
“When my twins were born, they both weighed several pounds less than those two big bass today,” he said with a laugh.
Weighing five-bass limits that exceed the 25 or 30 pounds is a rarity in this sport, and Browning agrees with DeFoe that today was indeed special.
“I don’t know if the quality of fish I caught today will still be available tomorrow, but it was sure a lot of fun,” Browning said. “I didn’t have a very good practice, so today I just went fishing and learned a lot. I really want to believe that I can catch another 25 pounds of fish tomorrow, but I won’t know if the pattern will hold until things get started in the morning.”
Many anglers commented on how water temperatures had dropped several degrees in recent days, and while cold fronts typically cause Florida-strain largemouth bass to become sluggish, the cold front that brought significant rain Wednesday afternoon seemed to have invigorated Okeechobee’s bass population.
“I’m going to hunker down and give it my best shot tomorrow — that’s all you can do when you’re learning as you go,” Browning said. “I’m sharing water with several other boats, and the improving weather should improve the bite. I’m doing something a little bit different, and I bet the pattern holds for another couple of days.”
Confidence is a key component to successful tournament angling, and like Browning, Tim Horton of Muscle Shoals, Ala., who weighed 25-15 for third, was surprised by his Day 1 weight.
“At this point, I just can’t be sure tomorrow will be as productive as today,” Horton said. “I got off to a great start, but the fishing was pretty slow as the day went on. I got the right bites, but not that many of them. To have a shot in a tournament on a lake like Okeechobee, you’ve got to have at least one day in the 25-pound range.”
Like DeFoe and Browning, Horton knows what Lake Okeechobee is capable of. Horton has an impressive history on Okeechobee, including a couple of Top 10s and a win.
“If I’m not going to be catching a lot of fish and hope to have a shot at the title, it’s critical that I’m effective and execute on each opportunity,” he said.
Rounding out the Top 10 were Brett Hite (23-3), Bobby Lane (21-15), Cliff Prince (21-11), Paul Mueller (21-9), Andy Montgomery (20-13), Skylar Hamilton (20-3) and Greg Hackney (20-2).
The frontrunner for the Phoenix Boats Big Bass award is Tyler Carriere of Youngsville, La., with a 9-pound, 5-ounce largemouth.
Competition will resume Friday with takeoff at 6:45 a.m. at C. Scott Driver Park, and weigh-in will begin at 3:15 p.m. in the same location.
The event is hosted by the Okeechobee County Tourism.
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Power-Pole, Yamaha, Berkley, Huk, Shell Rotella, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota
2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, T-H Marine, Lowrance, 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.
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Media Contact: JamieDay Matthews, 205-313-0945, [email protected] or Dave Precht, 205-313-0931, [email protected]
2017 A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee 2/23-2/26
Lake Okeechobee, Okeechobee, FL.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 5 31-03 110
Day 1: 5 31-03
2. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 26-13 109
Day 1: 5 26-13
3. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 5 25-15 108
Day 1: 5 25-15
4. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 5 23-03 107
Day 1: 5 23-03
5. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 5 21-15 106
Day 1: 5 21-15
6. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 21-11 105
Day 1: 5 21-11
7. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 21-09 104
Day 1: 5 21-09
8. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 5 20-13 103
Day 1: 5 20-13
9. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 5 20-03 102
Day 1: 5 20-03
10. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 20-02 101
Day 1: 5 20-02
11. Brandon Card Knoxville, TN 5 19-10 100
Day 1: 5 19-10
12. Brent Ehrler Newport Beach, CA 5 19-09 99
Day 1: 5 19-09
12. Chad Pipkens Lansing, MI 5 19-09 99
Day 1: 5 19-09
14. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 5 19-08 97
Day 1: 5 19-08
15. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 5 19-00 96
Day 1: 5 19-00
16. Dustin Connell Clanton, AL 5 18-08 95
Day 1: 5 18-08
17. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 18-07 94
Day 1: 5 18-07
18. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 5 18-03 93
Day 1: 5 18-03
19. Randy Howell Guntersville, AL 5 17-15 92
Day 1: 5 17-15
19. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 17-15 92
Day 1: 5 17-15
21. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 5 17-13 90
Day 1: 5 17-13
22. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 17-11 89
Day 1: 5 17-11
23. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 5 17-09 88
Day 1: 5 17-09
24. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 5 17-03 87
Day 1: 5 17-03
24. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 5 17-03 87
Day 1: 5 17-03
26. Jordan Lee Grant, AL 5 17-02 85
Day 1: 5 17-02
26. Cliff Pace Petal, MS 5 17-02 85
Day 1: 5 17-02
28. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 5 17-00 83
Day 1: 5 17-00
29. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 5 16-14 82
Day 1: 5 16-14
29. Matt Lee Guntersville, AL 5 16-14 82
Day 1: 5 16-14
31. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 5 16-11 80
Day 1: 5 16-11
32. Josh Bertrand Gilbert, AZ 5 16-10 79
Day 1: 5 16-10
33. David Fritts Lexington, NC 5 16-06 78
Day 1: 5 16-06
34. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 5 16-04 77
Day 1: 5 16-04
35. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 5 16-03 76
Day 1: 5 16-03
36. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 5 16-00 75
Day 1: 5 16-00
37. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 15-15 74
Day 1: 5 15-15
38. Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, MN 5 15-12 73
Day 1: 5 15-12
39. Mark Daniels Jr. Tuskegee, AL 5 15-11 72
Day 1: 5 15-11
40. James Elam Tulsa, OK 5 15-10 71
Day 1: 5 15-10
41. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 5 15-03 70
Day 1: 5 15-03
42. Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ 5 15-02 69
Day 1: 5 15-02
43. David Walker Sevierville, TN 5 14-15 68
Day 1: 5 14-15
44. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 14-11 67
Day 1: 5 14-11
45. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 5 14-08 66
Day 1: 5 14-08
46. John Murray Spring City, TN 5 14-07 65
Day 1: 5 14-07
47. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 14-04 64
Day 1: 5 14-04
47. Gerald Spohrer Gonzales, LA 5 14-04 64
Day 1: 5 14-04
49. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 5 13-13 62
Day 1: 5 13-13
50. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 5 13-10 61
Day 1: 5 13-10
50. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 13-10 61
Day 1: 5 13-10
52. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 5 13-08 59
Day 1: 5 13-08
52. Koby Kreiger Bokeelia, FL 5 13-08 59
Day 1: 5 13-08
54. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 13-04 57
Day 1: 5 13-04
55. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 12-15 56
Day 1: 5 12-15
56. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 5 12-13 55
Day 1: 5 12-13
56. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 12-13 55
Day 1: 5 12-13
58. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 12-10 53
Day 1: 5 12-10
59. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 5 12-07 52
Day 1: 5 12-07
60. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 5 12-06 51
Day 1: 5 12-06
61. David Williams Newton, NC 5 12-03 50
Day 1: 5 12-03
62. Alton Jones Jr. Lorena, TX 5 12-01 49
Day 1: 5 12-01
63. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 5 11-13 48
Day 1: 5 11-13
64. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 5 11-12 47
Day 1: 5 11-12
64. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 5 11-12 47
Day 1: 5 11-12
66. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 5 11-10 45
Day 1: 5 11-10
66. Jesse Wiggins Cullman, AL 5 11-10 45
Day 1: 5 11-10
68. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 11-07 43
Day 1: 5 11-07
69. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 5 11-04 42
Day 1: 5 11-04
70. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 5 11-03 41
Day 1: 5 11-03
71. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 5 11-02 40
Day 1: 5 11-02
72. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 5 11-00 39
Day 1: 5 11-00
73. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 5 10-15 38
Day 1: 5 10-15
73. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 10-15 38
Day 1: 5 10-15
75. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 5 10-14 36
Day 1: 5 10-14
75. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 5 10-14 36
Day 1: 5 10-14
77. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 5 10-13 34
Day 1: 5 10-13
78. Jesse Tacoronte Orlando, FL 5 10-12 33
Day 1: 5 10-12
79. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 5 10-11 32
Day 1: 5 10-11
80. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 10-10 31
Day 1: 5 10-10
81. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 5 10-05 30
Day 1: 5 10-05
81. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 10-05 30
Day 1: 5 10-05
83. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 5 10-03 28
Day 1: 5 10-03
83. Chris Zaldain Laughlin, NV 5 10-03 28
Day 1: 5 10-03
85. Kelly Jordon Flint, TX 5 09-11 26
Day 1: 5 09-11
86. Fred Roumbanis London, AR 5 09-10 25
Day 1: 5 09-10
87. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 5 09-09 24
Day 1: 5 09-09
87. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 09-09 24
Day 1: 5 09-09
89. Luke Clausen Otis Orchards, WA 5 09-08 22
Day 1: 5 09-08
90. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 09-05 21
Day 1: 5 09-05
90. Morizo Shimizu Suita, Osaka JAPAN 5 09-05 21
Day 1: 5 09-05
92. Jacob Powroznik Port Haywood, VA 5 09-02 19
Day 1: 5 09-02
92. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 5 09-02 19
Day 1: 5 09-02
94. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 5 08-12 17
Day 1: 5 08-12
95. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 5 08-10 16
Day 1: 5 08-10
96. Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID 5 08-04 15
Day 1: 5 08-04
97. Seth Feider Bloomington, MN 5 07-15 14
Day 1: 5 07-15
98. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 5 07-14 13
Day 1: 5 07-14
98. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 5 07-14 13
Day 1: 5 07-14
100. Dave Lefebre Erie, PA 5 07-07 11
Day 1: 5 07-07
101. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 5 07-02 10
Day 1: 5 07-02
102. Jacob Wheeler Indianapolis, IN 5 07-00 9
Day 1: 5 07-00
103. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 5 06-05 8
Day 1: 5 06-05
104. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 3 06-05 7
Day 1: 3 06-05
105. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 3 05-12 6
Day 1: 3 05-12
106. John Hunter Jr Shelbyville, KY 3 05-07 5
Day 1: 3 05-07
107. Darrell Ocamica New Plymouth, ID 3 05-02 4
Day 1: 3 05-02
108. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 3 04-06 3
Day 1: 3 04-06
109. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 2 03-14 2
Day 1: 2 03-14
110. Jay Brainard Enid, OK 2 02-15 1
Day 1: 2 02-15
FLW & Columbia Sportswear launch extensive partnership
FLW AND COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR LAUNCH EXTENSIVE PARTNERSHIP
MINNEAPOLIS (Feb. 22, 2017) – The world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, Fishing League Worldwide (FLW), announced today a groundbreaking partnership with Columbia Sportswear, a brand known for their innovative apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. Columbia is now the official apparel outfitter of FLW, and anglers will have full access to Columbia’s technical line of Performance Fishing Gear (PFG), including the collection of award-winning OutDry™ Extreme Rainwear.
“FLW is excited to partner with an industry leader like Columbia Sportswear and showcase their PFG apparel to our fans and anglers, who share the same passion and enthusiasm that is synonymous with their brand,” said FLW President of Marketing Trish Blake. “We’ve always considered our core FLW audience to be among the most loyal and passionate consumers in the country, and we are proud to partner with Columbia to help advance the sport of bass fishing.”
As an FLW sponsor, Columbia Sportswear will be featured in a variety of media formats, including the “FLW” television program on NBC Sports Network, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network, as well as internationally to more than 564 million households worldwide. Columbia will also appear in prominent advertisements in FLW Bass Fishing Magazine and on FLWFishing.com.
“Columbia’s products are rooted in technology and innovation,” said Joe Boyle, Senior VP of Merchandising and Design at Columbia. “As the original performance fishing apparel brand, we are thrilled about the partnership with the FLW and the opportunity it provides tournament anglers to compete in the best gear for all weather conditions.”
Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Columbia Sportswear has been making technical outdoor gear to help anglers enjoy the outdoors for more than 75 years. The company has grown into a global sportswear brand that is today – still based in Portland and still making no-nonsense apparel and footwear that keeps anglers WARM, DRY, COOL and PROTECTED, no matter what the elements.
For more information about FLW, their tournaments and sponsors, visit FLWFishing.com. To learn more about the Columbia Sportswear company visit Columbia.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: @FLWFishing.
About Columbia
Columbia, the flagship brand of Portland, Oregon-based Columbia Sportswear Company, has been creating innovative apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment for outdoor enthusiasts since 1938. Columbia has become a leading global brand by channeling the company's passion for the outdoors into technologies and performance products that keep people warm, dry, cool and protected year-round. To learn more, please visit the company's website at www.columbia.com.
New Eyeglasses from Costa, Now you can REALLY see what's out there!
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 23, 2017) – Since 1983, Costa has built the best performing polarized sunglasses for anglers who demand the best tools available for a great day on the water. Now anglers can have the eyewear brand they trust on the water for their indoor and evening pursuits.
The inaugural collection available through Costa’s authorized optical dealers, features the brand’s signature performance attributes including high quality construction and durable materials along with stylish designs at a variety of price points to meet every patients’ needs. Featuring exquisite detail and craftsmanship, the collection is available in lightweight titanium, Bio-Resin nylon with tri-fused colors and handcrafted acetate. Hydrolite™ technology on the nose and temple pads not only help keep the frames in place, but also feature a 3D topographic pattern that speaks to the brand’s love of the ocean. Meticulously refined hypoallergenic surface materials provide carefree comfort and reduce wearer fatigue. The wire core temples allow adjustability for a perfect fit, and the custom-engineered hinges provide a relaxed and comfortable fit.
The initial collection of Costa Optical will feature 36 SKU’s, in five distinct collections, built for everyday activities and adventures. The collections were named for renowned underwater, oceanic formations in keeping with Costa’s water heritage:
Bimini Road includes classic sporty styles featuring full rim and semi-rimless titanium with nickel-free integrated spring hinges. These durable, lightweight titanium frames are hypoallergenic, corrosion-resistant and are a reliable choice for the consumer who lives for adventure.
Also in titanium, the Seamount collection is comprised of minimalistic rimless styles, as well as a full rim option. These styles feature a sleek, sport fit with spring hinges and non-slip Hydrolite™ rubber temple sleeves.
The Ocean Ridge collection features Costa’s proven tri-fusion frame technology and has colorful, lightweight and great-fitting sport nylon frames. These styles feature a nearly indestructible bio-based resin nylon material, which ensures the frames hold their shape even in extreme hot and cold weather.
Pacific Rise offers classic designs combining lightweight titanium and Costa’s proprietary bio-based nylon resin fused with Hydrolite rubber on the temples to provide an incredibly comfortable wear.
The Mariana Trench offers a variety of colors and on-trend styles in lightweight, handcrafted acetate. These frames include a wire core to easily adjust the temples and mechanical pin hinge construction to provide Costa’s signature carefree fit to the most discerning patients.“People who love adventure and live for life outdoors in their Costa sunglasses will be thrilled to know they can now sport the brand both indoors and outdoors,” says Holly Rush, CEO of Costa. “Our new optical collection is a natural extension of our very successful premium sunglass range and marks a significant commitment to our dedicated angling community and their optical needs throughout each day.”
Styles in Costa’s new optical collection offer a two-year manufacturer’s warranty against defects and retail prices range from $150 to $260.
About Costa™
As the leading manufacturer of the world’s clearest polarized performance sunglasses, Costa offers superior sunglass lens technology and unparalleled fit and durability. Still handcrafted today in Florida, Costa has created the highest quality, best performing sunglasses and prescription sunglasses (Rx) for outdoor enthusiasts since 1983.
Born on the water, Costa works hard to protect the ocean it calls home. Through programs like its Kick Plastic campaign, where the brand seeks to raise awareness about the growing plastic pollution problem threatening oceans worldwide, to serving as a long-term partner to shark research organizations like OCEARCH, Costa encourages people to help protect the Earth’s aquatic resources in any way they can.
For more information, contact 1-800-447-3700 or visit the company’s website. Join the conversation on Facebook, on Instagram, or on Twitter.
Countdown to Blastoff Day 1 at Okeechobee with Matt Lee - Avoiding the Crowds
Elite Angler Matt Lee talks with Alan McGuckin about his day 1 strategy as the second event of the year kicks off on Lake Okeechobee
Lews Introduces Mark Rose series of Ledge Rods
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - While Lew's has been busy getting production started on the new Mark Rose "Ledge" rods after months of developing the unique series, Rose has been feverishly putting a stamp of approval on his signature models with back-to-back wins along the FLW Tour.
Rose kicked off February and his 2017 tournament season with a $125,000 first place check for his prowess at fishing shallow grass lines and wood and rock relevant to pre-spawn staging areas on Alabama's Lake Guntersville.
He followed that victory with another February big payday by relying on his well-known offshore structure fishing skills to catch bass as deep as 50 feet for the win on Lake Travis in Texas.
The contrasting winning styles showcase Rose's versatility and validate the logic behind his Ledge series that became possible when his relationship with Lew's was expanded a few months back to include rods as well as reels.
The Rose selection features six casting models and one spinning, with his namesake Ledge lineup becoming part of Lew's top-of-the-line Team Lew's Custom Pro rod series.
"I've relied on Lew's reels for years, but I can assure you there's been nothing on the market like these rods until now," said Rose, who has long been recognized as one of the best open-water anglers in the country.
"Targeting ledges and other offshore structure require different rod blank and tip actions for certain baits ... it's all about lure control and the feel of what's happening down there.
"Lew's allowed me the opportunity to get these rods exactly the way I wanted for these types of applications. The resulting seven models represent my countless hours spent fine-tuning blank diameters, lengths, actions and number of guides to get everything about each rod just right."
Rose's casting rods range in length from 7 feet, 2 inches, to 9 feet, with actions varying from medium to heavy. Each model is named according to its intended purpose: Jig & Worm, Swimbait, Small Crankbaits, Big Crankbaits, Magnum Crankbaits and Long-Range Crankbaits.
The 9-footer is designed for long distance casting with big baits, and is collapsible for storage convenience.
The Rose series spinning option is a 6 feet, 10 inch all-purpose ledge rod.
"For examples of lure sizes in mind for the small, medium and magnum crankbait rod actions, think Strike King's 1.5, 6XD and 10XD. And the spinning action is ideal for bigger shaky head offerings, Ned Rig-type baits and such," added Rose.
Like all Team Lew's Custom Pro rods, Rose's models are manufactured using Lew's exclusive Nano technology. The process features an internal multi-layering of resins and graphite to deliver a lightweight blank with superior strength and maximum sensitivity, made possible by an outer core of 85-modulus graphite.
The new Rose casting rods are easily distinguishable from other Team Lew's series by having full-grip handles instead of split grips.
All grips are constructed from A-Grade cork with EVA and Duracork inlays. Rod guides are Tangle Free stainless frames with zirconium inserts to afford smooth line flow for long-distance casting. Reel seats are Lew's exclusive SoftTouch graphite skeletal seats.
"I've been involved in the design of thousands of rods throughout my career and I agree with Mark that these are unique models for their intended applications," said Bob Brown, Lew's rod development specialist.
"His actions were developed especially with fishing the ledges of the Tennessee River system in mind, but we knew even before his Lake Travis win that they had much broader application. Mark's models were rigorously tested on a number of well-known open-water bass fishing venues, including Rayburn, Toledo Bend, Falcon, Table Rock, Bull Shoals, Grand, Okeechobee and Lake of the Ozarks. Their performance is unsurpassed."
Rose's 20-year professional fishing career includes participation in FLW, B.A.S.S. and Major League Fishing events. His recent FLW win was his eighth, and the first time that any angler has recorded back-to-back FLW major tournament wins. Rose now has 47 Top 10 finishes and more than $2 million in winnings to his credit.
The Lew's Mark Rose Ledge rods will be sold through a variety of fishing tackle retail outlets, with MSRPs ranging from $209 - $249, depending on model. The anticipated availability for retail purchase is early May.
For more information on Team Lew's Custom Pro Rods and all Lew's products, visit
www.lews.com.
Swindle and Ike Talk Okeechobee Elite
Two of pro bass fishing’s biggest names say dirty water at Okeechobee will make things tougher, but you’d better catch big limits if you want to make the Top 12 cut.
What’s the biggest bass you’ve had your hands on in practice?
Swindle: I’ll say it might have weighed just short of 4-pounds.
Iaconelli: A 10-pounder.
Percentage of fish that anglers will catch from spawning beds?
Swindle: That they can actually see on a bed? – I’ll say 4%.
Iaconelli: They may not be able to see them on a bed, but 60% of the fish weighed in this week will be around a bed when they’re caught.
Biggest surprise after three days of practice?
Swindle: It’s fishin real small. This is the only freshwater lake in America that’s so big you can see it from the moon, yet everybody wants to crowd into the same 200 acres of water.
Iaconelli: The biggest surprise is how off-colored or dirty the water is.
Name 4 lures we’ll see used the most this week:
Swindle: Swim jig, Texas rigged flippin craw, ChatterBait, Skinny Dipper
Iaconelli: A 1-ounce punch bait, Texas rigged worm, Swim jig, Topwater Prop Bait.
Amount of weight you’ll need to average the first three days to make the Top 12 cut.
Swindle: 19 pounds a day
Iaconelli: 18 pounds a day
Father & Son take the win at Bass Champs on Cedar Creek with over 23 pounds!
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Four Lures Scroggins Says Every Florida Bass Angler Should Have
Terry “Big Show” Scroggins won his first bass tournament in Florida at the age of 12. And he’s since won $2 Million dollars as one of the most decorated anglers in the history of the largemouth-rich Sunshine State.
Amazingly, he doesn’t have a lure sponsor. So Scroggins’ willingness to choose four lures that no bass angler should be without in Florida, comes with a measure of credibility as heavy as the limits of bass that fill his livewells.
Big Jig – All things pertaining to bass fishing in Florida are a little bigger, and jigs are no exception. Scroggins reaches for either a ¾ or 1-ounce flippin style jig when dissecting reeds, cattails, and lily pads. For Florida’s abundant thick vegetation, he’s always sure to use a jig built with a double weedguard, like the one that Joe Medlock invented, and still builds today.
No surprise his two favorite colors are green pumpkin or black/blue, and he uses a Zoom Big Salty Chunk for a trailer.
You can’t tow a 21’ Triton with a Volkswagen Bug, and likewise a man-sized jig requires stout fishing line. “Big Show” likes 65-pound Hi-Seas braid.
ChatterBait – “This is my search bait,” says Scroggins. “It’s hard to beat a ChatterBait when you’re trying to cover lots of water.”
The Palatka area pro loves a ½ ounce ChatterBait for making long casts over expansive fields of submerged hydrilla at places like Toho, Rodman, and Okeechobee, but says a ChatterBait is also a great tool for “hopping” and swimming along river bottom shell beds in 4 to 8 feet of water on his home waters of the St. Johns River.
He trims the Chatterbait with a Zoom Super Fluke Jr. as a trailer, and casts it on 15-pound fluorocarbon.
Smithwick Devil’s Horse (a.k.a. “The Donkey”) – This wooden topwater lure has gained a legendary reputation among Southern bass anglers, and there are few places where it shines brighter than Florida. Propellers at each end create plenty of fish-attracting commotion; while at the same time restrict the lure from moving too far forward too fast. Which in turn allows it to stay in one spot, and tease big bass to bite it.
“That lure has been around longer than me, and it’s still catching ‘em. We call it “The Donkey” because it works slow and steady,” says Scroggins, age 48. “A lot of times, you’ll see big bass swirl right under it for a second or two before they decide to smash it – which makes it one of the most exciting lures you’ll ever tie on.”
Like a lot of topwater lures, it draws most strikes during low light conditions, but there are times when they’ll eat it all day. Scroggins’ favorite Devil’s Horse is the 3/8 ounce size and features chrome sides, a black back, and orange belly. He emphasizes using 15-pound monofilament, not braid.
Senko – Gary Yamamoto invented it, and in Terry Scroggins’ opinion, the 5” version of this revolutionary soft plastic bait is still the best one to buy.
“There’s probably not a soft plastic lure in the world that will get you a few critical bites when you need ‘em most than a 5” Senko,” says Scroggins. “Just make sure you give the fish a couple good seconds to eat it before you set the hook, or you’ll miss a lot of bites.”
It’s also a versatile lure. Some choose to Texas rig it with light 1/16 to 5/16 ounce weights77777857856478885]. Others rig it ‘wacky’ style with no weight at all, while some choose to insert a nail weight into the least pointy end of the ballpoint pen-shaped lure.
Scroggins throws his Senkos on 12-pound Hi-Seas fluorocarbon, and says you can’t go wrong with various shades of green pumpkin in clear to slightly stained water, but opts for junebug or black-blue if the water is off-colored.
20 pound limit wins Mike Jones the ABA RAM Trucks Florida Open on Okeechobee
Mike Jones of Canal Point, Florida won his second American Bass Anglers Ram Truck Open Series Florida South tournament, held February 18th on Lake Okeechobee.
Running out of Scott Driver Park in Okeechobee, Florida, Mike caught five bass weighing 20.80 pounds. For the Boater division victory, Jones took home a check for $6,000 for his win.
“I’ve been fishing tournaments for 25 years and this is the first time I have won two tournaments back to back. I did the same thing I did last month. I threw a white & gold Zipper Dipper from Charlies, it’s a swimbait, and I threw a SPRO popping frog. I have never fished a tournament trail where I’ve won $6000 at one event. I can’t wait until next month!” Jones said.
In second for the Boaters, Brianne McMillan of Belle Glade, Florida landed a five-bass tournament limit weighing 20.67 pounds. She collected $1,800 for the effort. “I caught my fish on a swim-jig with a Bass Addiction trailer. I missed a couple that I could’ve culled up from. I was fishing the south end of the lake and on my fifth cast I caught my second good one but it took me until 2:00 pm to scrape up a limit.” McMillan said.
Tony Bennett of Fort Lauderdale, Florida took third for the Boaters with five bass weighing 19.55 pounds including the Boater Big Bass at 8.81 pounds. He earned $1,200 for his catch and $1,020 for the Big Bass.
“I ran to the shoal and then ran south and caught three fish early and then went to the west wall and scraped up a limit. Around 2:00 pm, I fired a chatter-bait in a little pocket and that was when I caught that big bass.” Bennett said.
Finishing fourth, John Ochs of Inglewood, Florida landed a five-bass limit weighing 19.45 pounds.
Nathan Thomas of Weirsdale, Florida rounded out the top five Boaters with five bass at 19.30 pounds.
In the Co-Angler division, Jim Finley of Coconut Creek, Florida won with three bass going 13.48 pounds. He pocketed a check for $2,000 for his win.
“I drew Norris Newhouse as my Boater today. Usually I fish as a boater but I am in-between boats right now, should be here next week. We had a fantastic day out there. I had no confidence in a chatter-bait, but I tied on a chatter-bait with a Gambler EZ Swimmer, and a burner worm. We caught fish all day but the better fish came later in the day. I’m just thrilled to be out fishing, it’s been a long year.” Finley said.
Taking second for the Co-Anglers, David Bozeman of Ocala, Florida brought in a three-bass division limit weighing 13.06 pounds with a 6.83-pound kicker. He collected $700 for the effort and $345 for the Big Bass.
“I was throwing top-water today. I threw a frog, a speed worm, and a spook. I only caught four fish all day. I caught that big bass in the last 10 minutes of the day.” Bozeman said.
Loren Johnson of Dothan, Alabama placed third among the Co-Anglers with three bass going 11.93 pounds. He earned $425 for his catch. “First of all my Boater, Maurice Cobb, was amazing. He had us around fish all day. I kept it real simple today with a swim-jig and swimbaits. I’m a big believer of swimbaits since we use them a lot in Alabama. I was swimming them through the grass today.” Johnson said.
In fourth place among the Co-Anglers, Daniel Torres of Davenport, Florida brought in three bass weighing 10.25 pounds.
Christopher Kelley of Port St. Lucie, Florida finished in fifth place with three bass weighing 9.80 pounds.
Slated for March 18th, the next tournament will be held on Lake Okeechobee out of Scott Driver Park in Okeechobee, Florida. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance the 2018 Ray Scott Championship, Location to be announced.
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.
Plano Tackle - Organization Yields Confidence and Efficiency - KVD's Secret to Success.
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Plano Tackle Press Release Plano, IL (February 20, 2017) – “I changed every single treble hook on every single bait.” Kevin VanDam was focused. I could hear it in his voice. “I’ve never been more organized. I know everything that’s in my boat.” While he rebounded well last season, hammering out multiple wins in classic KVD fashion and placing high in the 2016 Angler of the Year points race, one could sense a lingering sting in the angler’s voice. Long heralded as the greatest competitive fisherman of all time, VanDam stumbled a bit during the 2015 Bassmaster Elite Series season, missing the year-end championship. It seemed clear that was still trying to put it all behind him, and his champion’s work ethic would be the key. Kevin VanDam’s attention to tackle detail and organization translates to positive time management on the water, and is critical to his success. Within many circles, VanDam is regarded as a bass fishing phenom, operating at a level beyond other anglers – including the world’s best. His all-time record for national tournament wins is proof positive of an ability never before seen in the competitive bass realm. VanDam’s long-time secret is his capacity to quickly master nearly any technique to catch bass. He’s never been a specialist when it comes to fishing methods; in contrast, VanDam’s strength lies in his versatility. Given massive advancements in modern bass fishing, it’s necessary for the versatile VanDam to own and utilize tremendous amounts of tackle, whether on the road or at home in his Michigan test facility. Cataloging his significant gear and keeping it organized is one way VanDam focuses on the job at hand, and he never tires of the process. VanDam’s attention to tackle detail and organization translates to positive time management on the water, and is critical to his success. Confidence in his ability to operate at maximum efficiency means never having to second-guessing his decisions. VanDam’s aforementioned obsession with treble hooks is a case in point. “My truck is an extension of my boat, and my garage is an extension of my truck,” says VanDam, who catalogs and stows organized tackle for each Bassmaster Elite Series event inside sturdy Plano Marine Trunks (Large, Medium and Small). After changing 1,500 or more hooks in his shop, VanDam neatly organized each newly adorned lure into Plano waterproof Stowaways, certain they would protect his investment. “I spent that much time changing all those hooks,” VanDam mentioned, “so I made sure they got placed into a box that never pops open, never lets in water and can handle rough boat rides.” The meticulous system lends confidence to the angler’s efficiency, which seems to ease his mind. Soft plastic baits are a source of tackle confusion within the boats of many bass fishermen. VanDam ensures he’s not overwhelmed: “I carry plastics by category in Plano Speedbags,” he said, explaining that flipping baits are separated from those used for Carolina rigging or dropshotting. “I only carry a few colors of each, and enough to last one day on the water.” From there, VanDam simply restocks each evening from the mobile system aboard his Toyota tow vehicle. During the off-season, VanDam tests and masters techniques that need sharpening. “This year, it was nail-weight rigs,” he explained. VanDam meticulously reviews all aspects of such a system including hooks, lines, weights and lures, and then tests fall rates and actions of each combination in a swimming pool at home. From there, he moves to a custom-built pond on his property - complete with various forms of structure and cover – as well as bass – and reviews real-world results. VanDam relies on Plano Waterproof StowAway boxes to keep organized lures protected and dry. Throughout his detailed testing procedures, VanDam constantly refines his lure selection for each body of water he will encounter on the Bassmaster Elite Series over the coming year. Part of his planning and mental focus involves packing a series of tackle boxes for each fishery. From there, VanDam’s gear is cataloged and stowed inside his vehicle in Plano Marine Trunks, allowing him to stack gear and maximize cargo space while remaining incredibly organized. As the year progresses, he simply adds or removes trunks based on the fisheries he will be visiting. Like everything VanDam, it’s a sequence of constant change, refinement and motion. Test. Refine. Tinker. Repeat. Lures at VanDam’s home shop are kept on hanging pegboards, much like a retail store for maximum visibility and ease of inventory. Large tubs and boxes are kept on Plano shelving units. “My truck is an extension of my boat, and my garage is an extension of my truck,” VanDam summarized. Kevin VanDam’s life is a search for perfection in every detail of bass fishing’s overwhelming methodology. Like a chemist with a laboratory full of potions, the sheer number of choices at VanDam’s fingertips staggers the ordinary angler’s imagination. To succeed at this level, he must remain confident, which requires fastidious organization. It was this confidence that I could hear in VanDam’s voice. As the 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series kicks off this month, his competitors will be hearing it too. The volume of tackle at VanDam’s fingertips staggers the ordinary angler’s imagination. To succeed at the highest level, he must remain confident, which requires fastidious organization. SEE COMPLETE LINE OF KVD SERIES SOFT BAGS #PlanoFishing |
Indiana native Tim Wilson wins the TH Marine BFL Choo Choo division opener on Guntersville
Virginia’s Bryant tops co-angler field
SCOTTSBORO, Ala. (Feb. 20, 2017) – Tim Wilson of Gas City, Indiana, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 23 pounds, 10 ounces, Saturday to win the first T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Choo Choo Division tournament of 2017 on Lake Guntersville. For his win, Wilson took home $5,133.
“Although I live in Indiana, I also own a small house in Scottsboro just minutes from the ramp,” said Wilson, who earned his second career win in BFL competition – both on Lake Guntersville. “Most of the time I rent it out to other fisherman, but every now and then I get to sneak down and fish on Guntersville. I hadn’t been on the lake since my last win in 2015. I fish the Costa FLW Series, and I was on my way down for the Seminole event, so I figured I’d stop in and check on the house and fish the BFL event.
“I’m an off-the-wall guy,” Wilson continued. “I like to fish where other people aren’t fishing. So, I ended up fishing a mile-and-a-half stretch of bluff down the lake, towards Guntersville. I was sitting in 40 feet of water and throwing up to 12.”
Wilson said that he only had two rods on the deck of his boat the entire day, and both were rigged with downsized umbrella rigs.
“I figured that I would have to catch 13 to 14 pounds to get a check,” Wilson said. “On my first pass down the bluff, I had 12 pounds of Kentucky bass. I ended up catching a nice 7-pound kicker largemouth and weighed in three largemouth and two Kentucky bass.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Tim WIlson, Gas City, Ind., five bass, 23-10, $5,133
2nd: Nathan Hand, Madison, Ala., five bass, 21-7, $2,766
3rd: Jerry Perkins, Cullman, Ala.., five bass, 19-11, $1,710
4th: Chris Webb, Decatur, Ala.., five bass, 18-14, $1,198
5th: Daniel Whitaker, Phil Campbell, Ala., five bass, 17-11, $1,027
6th: Freddy Palmer, Estill Springs, Tenn., five bass, 17-9, $941
7th: Zach Lemmond, Hillsboro, Ala., five bass, 17-1, $855
8th: Jacob Gibbs, Baileyton, Ala., five bass, 16-9, $770
9th: Bryan Gregory, Fort Payne, Ala., five bass, 16-8, $684
10th: J.K. Guin, Carbon Hill, Ala., five bass, 16-7, $599
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Currey Holley of Pulaski, Tennessee, caught an 8-pound, 5-ounce bass – the largest of the event – which earned him the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $800.
David Bryant of Covington, Virginia, weighed in three bass totaling 17 pounds, 1 ounce Saturday to win the co-angler division and earn $2,566.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: David Bryant, Covington, Va., three bass, 17-1, $2,566
2nd: Zach Britton, Hazel Green, Ala., five bass, 15-14, $1,383
3rd: John Cook, Scottsboro, Ala., five bass, 14-9, $855
4th: Dan Basham, Taylorsville, Ky., four bass, 14-1, $606
4th: Heath Frizzell, Dunlap, Tenn., four bass, 14-1, $556
6th: Frelon Moore, Albertville, Ala., four bass, 14-0, $471
7th: Alex Spires, Chickamauga, Ga., three bass, 12-10, $428
8th: Matthew Blackwood, New Hope, Ala., five bass, 12-3, $385
9th: Jerry Armstrong, Shelbyville, Tenn., five bass, 11-15, $342
10th: Donald Groves, Rocky Face, Ga., five bass, 11-0, $299
Jacob Coil of Huntsville, Alabama caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the co-angler division, a fish weighing 8 pounds, 5 ounces, and earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $400.
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.
Morgan wins TH Marine BFL Bulldog opener on Lanier with almost 17 pounds!
Gainesville’s Grizzle tops co-angler field
GAINESVILLE, Ga. (Feb. 20, 2017) – Tyler Morgan of Columbus, Georgia, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 16 pounds,15 ounces, Saturday to win the first T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Bulldog Division tournament of 2017 on Lake Lanier. For his win, Morgan took home $5,214.
“I’m not extremely familiar with Lanier, but I was fishing up the river,” said Morgan, who earned his first career victory as a boater after three prior wins as a co-angler in BFL competition. “Most of the other anglers were fishing the main-lake and they would fish around the points, but they weren’t fishing in the pockets. I was going to the very back of pockets and catching fish extremely shallow.”
Morgan said that he caught 16 or 17 keepers throughout the day throwing a Special Red Craw-colored Berkley Pit Bull crankbait and a black and blue-colored Z-Man ChatterBait with a black Keitech FAT Swing Impact 4.3 swimbait.
“I was cranking bluff walls up the river and put together a quick 9-pound limit of spotted bass by 9 a.m.,” Morgan said. “Then I went running the back of pockets looking to upgrade with largemouth. I was upgrading by ounces all day long, and ended up weighing in one spot and four largemouth.
“Coming back to the weigh-in I thought that I had a shot to finish in the top-10, but I never expected to win. It was a pleasant surprise.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Tyler Morgan, Columbus, Ga., five bass, 16-15, $5,214
2nd: Johnathan Akins, Lula, Ga., five bass, 16-12, $2,507
3rd: Rob Jordan, Flowery Branch, Ga., five bass, 16-9, $1,420
3rd: Steve Foster, Jasper, Ga., five bass, 16-9, $1,420
5th: Chris Baxter, Winder, Ga., five bass, 16-8, $1,403
6th: Brock Turner, Jasper, Ga., five bass, 16-6, $919
7th: Tristan Thomas, Lula, Ga., five bass, 16-0, $836
8th: Mike Shepard, Dawsonville, Ga., five bass, 15-11, $752
9th: Kip Carter, Social Circle, Ga., five bass, 15-3, $668
10th: Jason Densmore, Dawsonville, Ga., five bass, 15-1, $555
10th: Doug Workman, Cleveland, Ga., five bass, 15-1, $555
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Willie McMullen of Oxford, Georgia, caught a 6-pound, 12-ounce bass – the largest of the event – which earned him the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $765.
Harold Grizzle of Gainesville, Georgia, weighed in five bass totaling 16 pounds, 3 ounces Saturday to win the co-angler division and earn $2,707.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Harold Grizzle, Gainesville, Ga., five bass, 16-3, $2,707
2nd: Chris Davies, Griffin, Ga., five bass, 14-15, $1,635
3rd: Stanley Smith, Greensboro, Ga., five bass, 14-6, $837
4th: Brent Thomas, Cleveland, Ga., five bass, 13-8, $585
5th: Ronald Harris, Jefferson, Ga., five bass, 13-5, $501
6th: Chance Hebert, Norcross, Ga., five bass, 12-11, $460
7th: Adam Thomas, Cleveland, Ga., five bass, 12-2, $468
8th: Matthew O’Connell, Brooks, Ga., four bass, 12-1, $376
9th: Brian Benedit, Canton, Ga., five bass, 11-11, $334
10th: Robert Barker, Monticello, Ga., five bass, 11-10, $292
Davies caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the co-angler division, a fish weighing 6 pounds, 1 ounce, and earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $382.
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 T-H Marine BFL event at Lake Lanier was hosted by the Gainesville Convention & Visitors Bureau.
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.
Woods wins TH Marine BFL Arkie opener on Dardanelle
Fulton’s Crider tops co-angler field
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. (Feb. 20, 2017) – Matt Wood of Jessieville, Arkansas, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 21 pounds, 2 ounces, Saturday to win the first T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Arkie Division tournament of 2017 on Lake Dardanelle. For his win, Wood took home $4,046.
“I was entered in this event as a co-angler, and I decided to switch over and compete as a boater on Friday morning, the day before the event,” said Wood, who had previously fished one season as a co-angler in BFL competition. “I knew that there were more co-anglers on the waiting list, and I had a pretty good practice so I figured I’d take a shot. I still can’t believe I won.”
Wood said that he fished the entire day at just one spot – a dock which had some brush and cover nearby.
“The bass were after baitfish, and the wind was blowing perfectly to pin the bait against the dock and brush,” Wood said. “There were a ton of bass – I must have caught around 20 to 25 keepers.”
Wood said he caught his fish on just two baits – a Strike King Red Eye Shad crankbait and a white Strike King Pure Poison swimjig with a white Yum Swim’n Dinger.
“The Red Eye Shad was what I caught my bigger fish on,” Wood went on to say. “The key was fishing it super-fast and triggering a reaction bite.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Matt Wood, Jessieville, Ark., five bass, 21-2, $4,046
2nd: Cody Burke, Bryant, Ark., five bass, 20-4, $2,023
3rd: Zach King, Clarksville, Ark., five bass, 18-15, $1,348
4th: Steve Howard, Conway, Ark., five bass, 18-4, $944
5th: Zack Freeman, Russellville, Ark., five bass, 17-7, $1,009
6th: Rick Ellis, Cabot, Ark., five bass, 16-1, $842
7th: Jeremiah Jordan, Dover, Ark., five bass, 15-14, $674
8th: Israel Mills, Donaldson, Ark., five bass, 15-9, $607
9th: Jonathan Dotson, Dover, Ark., four bass, 14-12, $539
10th: Daniel Standridge, Sheridan, Ark., five bass, 14-4, $472
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Randall Clark of Little Rock, Arkansas, caught a 7-pound, 1-ounce bass – the largest of the event – which earned him the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $555.
Johnny Crider of Fulton, Arkansas, weighed in four bass totaling 16 pounds, 10 ounces Saturday to win the co-angler division and earn $2,300.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Johnny Crider, Fulton, Ark., four bass, 16-10, $2,300
2nd: Jason Wedel, Lowell, Ark., five bass, 11-9, $1,011
3rd: Brian Choat, Conway, Ark., five bass, 11-0, $874
4th: Kevin Clark, Malvern, Ark., five bass, 10-9, $488
4th: Jim Cummings, Murfreesboro, Ark., three bass, 10-9, $438
6th: Herbert Kimbrough, North Little Rock, Ark., four bass, 10-5, $371
7th: Steve Standridge, Conway, Ark., three bass, 10-4, $337
8th: Michael Lucas, Forrest City, Ark., four bass, 9-8, $303
9th: Buddy Rudolph, Hot Springs, Ark., four bass, 8-9, $253
9th: Bryan Branson, Hensley, Ark., three bass, 8-9, $253
Crider also caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the co-angler division, a fish weighing 6 pounds, 11 ounces, and earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $277.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 19-21 BFL Regional Championship on the Red River in Bossier City, Louisiana. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.
The T-H Marine BFL event at Lake Dardanelle presented by Geared was hosted by Russellville Advertising & Promotions.
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.
11.55 Big Fish anchors 39 pound bag to win Chattanooga Bass Association derby on Chickamauga!
CHATTANOOGA (WRCB) - The team of Haden Lamb and Trevor Porter caught a 5 bass limit weighing a record breaking weight of 39.63 pounds crushing the field of 184 anglers to win first place and $2,000.00 in the D.J Electronics February C.B.A. Bass Tournament. This tournament was held Saturday, February 18th out of Chester Frost Boat Ramp.
Haden said “We caught them in about a 20 min. time span and that was wild and crazy, we actually lost 2 more super giant fish in that area and continued looking for fish the rest of the day but it was over at 10:30 a.m. This is our third C.B.A. win and it will make some special memories forever”. Lamb said "He caught his fish on rattle baits, but he also talked a lot about the new Strike king Mega square bill and it ability to catch big fish." The mega bait is available at Soddy Custom Tackle in Soddy TN.
Haden Lamb and Trevor Porter had big bass of this event weighing 11.55 pounds.
Ron Willerson and Eric Cabrera had 2nd big bass weighing in at 11.03 pounds.
Shane Frazier said “Special thanks D.J Electronics to for their sponsorship of this event”.
All fish caught in this event were released back into Lake Chickamauga.
The top 8 money winners are as follows:
- Haden Lamb and Trevor Porter, 39.63 lbs., $2000.00
- Tony Townsend and Galen James , 24.67 lbs., $950.00
- Kevin Drake and Cory Vetten, 22.84lbs., $800.00
- Phillip Morgan and Danny Baker, 22.17 lbs., $750.00
- Josh Wofford and Bruce Wofford 19.98 lbs., $650.00
- Chuck James and Brad James, 18.62 lbs., $550.00
- Zach Crider and Nick Cripps, 18.56 lbs., $450.00
- Benny Roberts and Billy Joe Wheat, 18.23 lbs., $400
SKL Countdown to Blast Off - Guck and the Big Show - Elites on the Big O!
Good friend Alan McGuckin of Dynamic Sponsorships and Florida Pro Terry "BIG Show" Scroggins talk about Florida fishing and what its going to take to get the big check this weekend during the BASS Elite Series event on Okeechobee.
Progressive Bass Wrap Up Video - Alabama Bass Trail - Southern Opener - Lake Jordan
ABT Program Director Kay Donaldson and emcee Robbie Floyd speak to the winners and wrap-up the 2017 South Opener on Lake Jordan.
Taylor wins ABA RAM Trucks Open SC Division on Murray with over 25 pounds!!!
Brock Taylor the Pendleton, South Carolina won the American Bass Anglers Ram Truck Open Series South Carolina division tournament held February 18th on Lake Murray.
Running out of Dreher Island State Park near Prosperity South Carolina, Brock caught five bass weighing 25.94 pounds. He anchored his bag with a 6.80 pound kicker. For the Boater division victory, Taylor took home a check for $5,000.
"I caught my fish early Taylor said. Most of my fish came before 10:00 am. I caught them in 30 feet of water fishing a jig on rocks." stated Taylor
In second for the Boaters, Chris Marshall of Forest City, North Carolina landed a five bass tournament limit weighing 18.16 pounds with a 5.71 pound kicker. He collected $1,250 for the effort. "I caught my fish on a jig Marshall said. I caught them throughout the day." said Marshall.
Sean Skey of Sumter South, Carolina took third for the Boaters with four bass weighing 17.55 pounds He anchored his catch with a 6.48 pound kicker fish to earn $900. "I found some cruising fish during practice said Skey. I decided to go against the norm and it paid off. I caught all of my good fish on a buzzbait." Skey said.
Finishing fourth, Andy Wicker of Pomaria, South Carolina landed a five bass limit weighing 16.19 pounds.
Matt Mollohan from Prosperity, South Carolina rounded out the top five Boaters with five bass weighing 15.62 pounds.
The biggest bass for the Boaters was caught by Josh Peake of West Columbia, South Carolina who collected $650 for a bass weighing in at 6.51 pounds.
In the Co-Angler Division, Damon Phillips of Anderson, South Carolina won with three bass going 8.38 pounds. He sealed his victory with a 3.71 pound kicker to pocket a check for $1200.
"I had a good partner Phillips said. He put me on the fish and I was able to catch them on a worm. The fish were shallow and I caught them throughout the day." Phillips stated.
Taking second for the Co-Anglers, H. Dean Chapman of Leesville, South Carolina brought in a three-bass division limit weighing 7.98 pounds. He collected $400 for the effort. "I caught my fish around shallow floating docks with a hard rocky bottom Chapman said. I caught them on a shakeyhead using a green pumpkin green worm." said Chapman
Donny Stouffer of Rock Hill, South Carolina placed third among the Co-Anglers with three bass weighing 7.23 pounds. He anchored his catch with a 3.50 kicker to earn $300. "I caught my fish today on a shakeyhead using a green pumpkin worm and a squarebill crankbait Stouffer said. We were fishing around rock and riprap." said Stouffer.
In fourth place among the Co-Anglers, Lonnie Drusch of Sumter, South Carolina weighed in three bass weighing 6.78 pounds.
Ray Pettit of Pacolet, South Carolina finished in fifth place with three bass at 6.74 pounds.
The biggest bass for the Co-Anglers was caught by Michael Norris of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina that weighed 5.71 pounds. Norris collected $215.
Slated for 3/25/2017 the next divisional tournament will be held on Clark’s Hill out of the Dorn Facility near West McCormick South Carolina. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance the 2017 Ray Scott Championship, slated for Old Hickory Lake in Hendersonville, TN in April of 2017.
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.
Randy Montoney wins Big Bass Tour kick-off on the Harris Chain with 10.11 lb Largemouth!
2017 Harris Chain, FL
Leaders
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | RANDY MONTONEY | 10.11 |
| 2 | LIAM KNOWLES | 10.01 |
| 3 | MARK ORRANGE | 9.92 |
| 4 | ERIC MESSER | 9.69 |
| 5 | MATT KLECKNER | 9.58 |
| 6 | DUSTY MCDEVITT | 9.44 |
| 7 | DAN HELMER | 9.34 |
| 8 | BRANDON BRINKMAN | 8.92 |
| 9 | MICHAEL KARAGINES | 8.48 |
| 10 | A.J. HERRERA | 8.28 |
Saturday 8-9
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DUSTY MCDEVITT | 9.44 |
| 2 | JAMES WEGMANN | 6.26 |
| 3 | JOEY SCHULTE | 5.81 |
| 4 | JOHN CHIUMENTO | 5.52 |
| 5 | MICKEY MCGUIRE | 5.46 |
| 6 | TOM PEACE | 5.14 |
| 6 | CHAD SCHROEDER | 5.14 |
| 8 | KENNY HUGHES | 4.87 |
| 9 | JOE JUSTICE | 4.77 |
| 10 | JOE RIGGS | 4.67 |
Saturday 9-10
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ERIC MESSER | 9.69 |
| 2 | TERRY DIXON | 7.73 |
| 3 | CHRIS CASTEEL | 6.99 |
| 4 | CURT NAVARROW | 5.61 |
| 4 | JASON BLOUNT | 5.61 |
| 6 | JASON FISHER | 5.54 |
| 7 | GREG FURLONG | 5.34 |
| 8 | TONY URBAN | 5.21 |
| 9 | PAUL POTFORA | 5.03 |
| 10 | MATT WYBIRAL | 5.01 |
Saturday 10-11
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | KYLE ANDERSON | 7.35 |
| 2 | CHAD LOVEJOY | 7.20 |
| 3 | JASON HAYNES | 6.72 |
| 4 | KINSEY TEETER | 5.99 |
| 5 | CHRIS CASTEEL | 5.89 |
| 6 | JOE COLLINS | 5.22 |
| 7 | DEVIN ANGELS | 5.02 |
| 8 | BRANDON BLACKMON | 4.98 |
| 9 | TOM DYSON | 4.64 |
| 10 | RICK ZOLLARS | 4.40 |
Saturday 11-12
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DENIS HERNANDEZ | 7.56 |
| 2 | LARRY PETTY | 7.55 |
| 3 | NICK BOWDEN | 7.13 |
| 4 | STEVE RUST | 6.15 |
| 5 | KEVIN CLARK | 6.01 |
| 6 | MATT KLECKNER | 5.47 |
| 7 | EDWARD HAMRICK | 5.36 |
| 8 | JERRY ROOD | 5.30 |
| 9 | GRANT BERGERON | 4.61 |
| 10 | GREG JOHNSON | 4.52 |
Saturday 12-1
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | RANDY MONTONEY | 10.11 |
| 2 | GEORGE COMPTON | 7.09 |
| 3 | MIKE MORSE | 6.94 |
| 4 | KENNIE STEVERSON | 6.62 |
| 5 | RICHARD YARBROUGH | 6.35 |
| 6 | STAN EARY | 5.88 |
| 7 | KEN CROSS | 5.85 |
| 8 | KERRY STALEY | 5.67 |
| 9 | DOUG SARVER | 5.39 |
| 10 | BOB BADER | 5.35 |
Saturday 1-2
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BJ HAMMETT | 7.19 |
| 2 | RICK SCRUGGS | 6.74 |
| 3 | RICHARD HARTLEY | 6.67 |
| 4 | CHRIS MCBEATH | 6.59 |
| 5 | STAN EARY | 6.36 |
| 6 | JOHN STAHL | 6.16 |
| 7 | WAYLON SAPP | 6.09 |
| 8 | PAT TOMPKINS | 5.95 |
| 9 | RICHARD GREENE | 5.87 |
| 10 | TRAVIS KRAMER | 5.73 |
Saturday 2-3
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LIAM KNOWLES | 10.01 |
| 2 | PAUL WATERS | 7.46 |
| 3 | KEITH SIKES JR | 7.23 |
| 4 | BRIAN REED | 6.57 |
| 5 | JOE JUSTICE | 6.49 |
| 6 | STAN LIPPIAN | 6.04 |
| 7 | JUDD FUHRMANN | 5.89 |
| 8 | DAVID FRITZ | 5.64 |
| 9 | JAY FLOSITZ | 5.58 |
| 10 | TOBY YOUNG | 5.56 |
Sunday 8-9
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MIKE BOGGS | 6.96 |
| 2 | SCOTT WILBANKS | 6.15 |
| 3 | TREY HART | 6.01 |
| 4 | CALEB HERRING | 5.99 |
| 5 | TOM TOTH | 5.84 |
| 6 | SCOTT PRITT | 5.58 |
| 7 | RENE OLA | 5.44 |
| 8 | JOE RIGGS | 5.30 |
| 9 | CHRIS CASTEEL | 5.25 |
| 10 | SHANNON GLISSON | 5.24 |
Sunday 9-10
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MICHAEL KARAGINES | 8.48 |
| 2 | KYLE WORKMAN | 6.65 |
| 3 | RYAN MABRY | 6.59 |
| 4 | CHACE CROWE | 5.95 |
| 5 | SCOTT WILBANKS | 5.70 |
| 6 | TERRY DIXON | 5.65 |
| 7 | JEFF POWELL | 4.97 |
| 8 | PHILLIP LEE | 4.84 |
| 9 | JOHN DARLEY | 4.77 |
| 10 | DERRICK POWELL | 4.72 |
Sunday 10-11
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BRANDON BRINKMAN | 8.92 |
| 2 | DENNIS MCNABB | 6.67 |
| 3 | SHELBY CONCON | 5.80 |
| 4 | GRANT HATFIELD | 5.53 |
| 5 | LARRY PETTY | 5.37 |
| 6 | KEN LANE | 5.23 |
| 7 | GARY HIGHSMITH | 4.71 |
| 8 | GREG SESSOMS | 4.69 |
| 9 | SETH TAYLOR | 4.67 |
| 10 | DONALD CHRISTOFF JR | 4.65 |
Sunday 11-12
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MATT KLECKNER | 9.58 |
| 2 | A.J. HERRERA | 8.28 |
| 3 | BRIAN DAVIS | 7.72 |
| 4 | BRETT HOBSON | 6.93 |
| 5 | DENNIS MCNABB | 6.29 |
| 6 | SCOTT PRITT | 5.72 |
| 7 | MICHAEL BARRETT JR | 5.34 |
| 8 | BRIDGET DESANTIS | 4.98 |
| 9 | LARRY PETTY | 4.97 |
| 10 | CHRIS COVILLE | 4.79 |
Sunday 12-1
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MARK ORRANGE | 9.92 |
| 2 | CHRIS KINGREE | 7.10 |
| 3 | SETH TAYLOR | 7.09 |
| 4 | PHIL TURWITT | 6.58 |
| 5 | SCOTT MAY | 6.28 |
| 6 | JEFF COCHRAN | 6.23 |
| 7 | TIM VAN DALEN JR | 5.43 |
| 8 | MIKE PHILLIPS | 5.32 |
| 9 | TOM HAZER | 5.02 |
| 10 | JEFF CHASTAIN | 4.96 |
Sunday 1-2
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DAN HELMER | 9.34 |
| 2 | JESSEY RUDOLPH | 8.05 |
| 3 | KURT MICHAUX | 7.14 |
| 4 | RANDY MONTONEY | 6.85 |
| 5 | ROY MCCALL | 6.75 |
| 6 | KYLE SARNO | 6.13 |
| 7 | ASHLEY BOWDEN | 6.06 |
| 8 | GLENN WELBORN | 5.67 |
| 9 | KIM MULLIS | 5.51 |
| 10 | JESSE WINDSOR | 5.39 |
Sunday 2-3
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ROBBIE DENTON | 7.43 |
| 2 | BILLY TAYLOR | 7.14 |
| 3 | SHAWN HIXENBAUGH | 6.84 |
| 4 | TRAVIS KREMER | 6.48 |
| 5 | MICHAEL DOLAN | 6.08 |
| 6 | CHAD PELFREY | 5.94 |
| 7 | JAMES DARBY | 5.76 |
| 7 | RICHARD YARBROUGH | 5.76 |
| 7 | STEVE BURROUGHS | 5.76 |
| 10 | BILLY WRIGHT | 5.63 |
T-H Marine - Hydrowave H2 KVD Model now available!
Huntsville, AL – February 20, 2017 -- T-H Marine Supplies, Inc., of Huntsville, Ala announced today that the Hydrowave H2 KVD model is in stock and available for shipment.
T-H Marine’s president, Jeff Huntley, stated, "T-H Marine is excited about the KVD edition of our Hydrowave H2. This model has an additional nine sound patterns that were designed by Kevin Van Dam himself for a number of fishing situations. It is like having KVD in the boat with you to tell you which sound pattern to use no matter how you are fishing.”
Kevin Van Dam, added, “My new KVD Hydrowave has all my favorite and most realistic sound pattern loops to fire up the fish. No matter what season or water conditions that I face, I know that I have the right sounds to be successful on the water.”
The Hydrowave H2 KVD model has all 16 sound patterns on the standard H2 Bass model, plus an additional 9 sound patterns designed by Kevin Van Dam. These patterns are:
*Shallow Power
*Shallow Finesse
*Vegetation
*Top Water Schooling
*Off Shore Structure
*Off Shore Schooling
*Off Shore Finesse
*Marina/Docks
*Crawfish
The T-H Marine Hydrowave H2 KVD model is available at marine dealers and fishing tackle retailers.
T-H Marine is celebrating its 42th Anniversary of business and has grown to be one of the largest manufacturers of boating and fishing accessories in the U.S. T-H Marine provides parts to every boat manufacturer in the country and distributes them thru virtually every major distributor and retailer of boating and fishing products. To learn more about T-H Marine, please visit www.thmarine.com .
Sommers & Pegues crack 24 pounds to win Alabama Bass Trail South Opener on Lake Jordan
February 18, 2017 – Wetumpka, Ala – For the second time in the history of the Alabama Bass Trail, Lake Jordan, the Coosa River impoundment located in Wetumpka, Ala. has served as the venue for the kickoff of the Southern Division’s season. In 2017, that kickoff event featured a record, full field of 225 boats.
With what may be the smallest fishery on the entire Alabama Bass Trail schedule, Jordan was experiencing an amount of fishing pressure the lake had likely never seen. Couple the pressure, and unseasonably warm temperatures that gave way to a cold front, and the fishing on the lake was not expected to be stellar
The team of Erick Sommers and Tommy Pegues managed to prove those assumptions wrong.
The pair of anglers from nearby Deatsville, and Montgomery, Ala. managed to produce an incredible mixed bag, 24.95-pound limit of Lake Jordan bass that earned them their first ABT victory that came with the $10,000 first prize as well as a $7,000 Phoenix Boats First Flight bonus prize.
The pair said that they had the bulk of their limit early by fishing an area upriver. “I found the spot in practice, and caught a nearly 7-pound spotted bass on it,” said Sommers. “There were more fish stacked on it, and we decided to give it a go. If they bit, we had a good shot, if not, we fall flat.” They did not fall flat, their winning margin was more than five pounds.
While they did not think it weighed that much at the time, they reported catching a 22 to 23-pound limit by 10:00 in the morning. “We used a variety lures to catch our first limit,” they said. “We used jigs, jerkbaits and a big spinnerbait to catch that limit.” They reported throwing a 3/8-ounce Pond Scum War Eagle jig with a Yamamoto Craw Trailer, a Chartreuse Shad Slender Pointer 112 Lucky Craft jerkbait and a 1-ounce spinnerbait for their first limit.
After analyzing their creel, they felt that they needed one more big bite to make sure they had a chance to win, the pair stowed their whole arsenal, and picked up a pair of Green Pumpkin Big Bite Baits Yo Momma creature baits and 1-ounce Flippin’ Weights with a Punch Skirt, and ran down lake into the pockets. At 1:45 to 2-o’clock, the move paid off when Sommers boated a 5.22-pound largemouth that culled a 4-pound spotted bass. “We felt like we had put the nail in the coffin at that point,” they said. “We can’t believe that we’ve won here against a field of anglers that the ABT fields, it’s a great feeling.”
Echoing the sentiments of the winners were the runner up team of Stan Hallman and Steve Thrash. “We are thrilled with how this turned out because we didn’t think we could produce this much weight after our practice,” said the Autaugaville and Prattville, Ala. residents. “We thought we could catch 12 or 13 pounds, so to end up here right now is an incredible feeling – we are absolutely thrilled.”
The pair used a trio of jigheads and worms to produce a 19.76-pound limit that narrowly earned them a second place finish and a $5,000 payday. They reported using a 3/16-ounce Davis Baits HBT Shaky Head and green pumpkin / red flake Big Bite Baits Cane Stick, a homemade 3/16-ounce shaky head worm as well as a 1/2-ounce head with a watermelon colored Zoom Magnum Trick Worm on the backside of main lake points.
Following the top two teams were the team of Brad Edwards and Austin Nelson, who weighed 19.75 pounds to claim the third spot and a $4,000 prize. Foster Bradley and Clint Ellis nabbed fourth place and $3,000 with 19.28pounds and the team of Thad Hull and David Talley rounded out the top five with 18.96 pounds,
The team of Kyle Welcher and Chris Haynes produced the big bass of the tournament; a 6.21-pound largemouth bass that earned them the $500 Big Bass heavyweight bonus.
The top 10 standings are below, for complete standings go to http://www.alabamabasstrail.org/tournament-series/lj-results/
Place ANGLERS WT BIG FISH WINNINGS
1 Erick Sommers & Tommy Pegues 24.95 5.22 $10,000 $17,000 ABT Payout + $7,000 Phoenix First Flight
2 Stan Hallman & Steve Thrash 19.76 $5,000
3 Brad Edwards & Austin Nelson 19.75 5.65 $4,000
4 Foster Bradley & Clint Ellis 19.28 $3,000
5 Thad Hull & David Talley 18.96 $2,000
6 Matt Green & Justin Nunley 18.94 $1,500
7 Gentry Gordy & Chad Smith 18.77 5.27 $1,100
8 Joe Wikoff & Shawn Wikoff 18.64 $1,100
9 Ken Walters & Jason Beasley 18.31 $1,100
10 Matt Chambliss & Michael Findley 18.25 $1,100
SKL Pro Mark Rose goes back-to-back!!!
February 19, 2017 by Rob Newell
In the 20-year history of the FLW Tour, there has never been a back-to-back winner in a single season. There have been pros who have won multiple events in a season. And there have been pros who have won on the same lake in back-to-back seasons. But never has an FLW Tour pro won two consecutive events in a season.
That all changed Sunday when Mark Rose, fresh off his Tour win at Guntersville, raised the winner’s trophy at the FLW Tour presented by Quaker State on Lake Travis. The historic win made Rose the first back-to-back winner in FLW Tour history.
Complete results
However, Rose had to earn that record the hard way. For the second time in three weeks, Rose fought off a hard charge from Bryan Thrift in what has become an ongoing heavyweight bout between two of the Tour’s most decorated stars.
On the final day at Guntersville, Thrift entered the day in second place, and methodically tracked Rose all day, closing in on him by the hour. And just when it looked like Thrift had Rose down for the count, Rose thwarted Thrift’s victory charge with a last-minute 6-pounder to win by just 15 ounces.
Sunday, the roles were reversed. Rose entered the day in second place by just a pound and was the one who had to close in on Thrift. And right when it looked like Rose had Thrift in his sights, Thrift tried to give Rose a taste of his own medicine by catching a 5-pounder in the last hour in an attempt to hold off Rose.
In the end, however, Thrift’s final push was once again just a little light, this time just 12 ounces short of victory.
“I’m blown away right now,” Rose said after accepting the trophy. “I’m speechless. I consider Bryan to be the best angler on the planet. He is what pushes me every day to be a better angler. This kind of competition at the top of the game is what this sport is all about. I don’t even know what to say right now except that God is good.”
With his back-to-back wins, Rose has also broken his reputation of being a Tennessee Valley-only winner. All of his previous Tour wins have been along the Tennessee River. This one, however, marks his first win away from his favorite river basin, proving he is a far more diverse angler than just being a summertime “ledgemaster.”
Mark Rose
But in order to pull off this win, Rose did have to resort to his comfort zone – offshore structure in depths ranging from 18 to 50 feet.
Ironically, Rose started the event far up the Colorado River, cranking shallow river banks to the tune of 11 pounds, 9 ounces. He had practiced offshore but couldn’t get anything going, so he resorted to the river.
“I had some good bites up that river in practice, so that’s where I went the first day,” Rose says. “I spent most of the day up there and didn’t do very well. Late in the day I was running back down the lake, stopped on an offshore place and caught a 4-pounder and that right there told me what I needed to be doing the rest of the tournament.”
On day two, Rose returned to his offshore wheelhouse.
Mark Rose
“I started doing what I should have been doing the first day – fishing out – way out,” Rose says. “I started fishing those big flat points on the lower end. At first I was trying to fish up on top of them, dragging a jig across the tops in about 18 feet of water. I caught a few that way, but every time I eased up there to cast up on the points, I could see big arches on my graph on those 25-to-45-foot breaks. So I backed out some more and started dragging that Strike King Tour Grade Football Jig down those deeper breaks – what I called stair-step ledges – that fall off those points. I caught some fish as deep as 50 feet here this week. I even dropped down from 17 to 15-pound Seagaur Tatsu to decrease the line resistance at those extreme depths.”
One of his key spots ended up being the giant point and boat ramp at Mansfield Park near the dam. The huge ramp runs far down into the lake ending at a big break grown up with trees.
With his commitment to offshore stair-step breaks on day two, Rose got traction and began climbing the leaderboard with a 17-3 catch that jumped him up to fifth place.
On the morning of day three, Rose tied on a big 6-inch swimbait fastened to a 1-ounce Strike King Squadron Head to see if he could entice those suspended bass by winding the big swimmer over the top of them. His first cast with the swimbait produced a 6-pounder.
“I never got a bite on it the rest of the day,” Rose says. “But that one bite told me those suspended fish were feeding on bait first thing in the morning.”
Rose’s day three catch of 15-13 put him in second, within one pound of catching Thrift.
Mark Rose
Rose started the final day with the swimbait and fooled three quality bass on it before the swimbait window closed, but the three fish got his day off to a good start.
On days three and four, Rose also pitched a few docks in the afternoons with a Strike King Rage Bug to make a few small culls that ended up being huge in the end. On Sunday, two of those culls may have given him the precious ounces he needed to hold off Thrift with a 14-pound, 9-ounce catch, for a four-day total of 59 pounds, 2 ounces.
“All I’ve ever wanted to do is fish for a living,” Rose says. “So it’s a huge honor to be the first pro in FLW Tour history to win back-to-back. The Guntersville and Travis trophies will always be side-by-side at home for that special reason.”
Top 10 pros
1. Mark Rose – West Memphis, Ark. – 59-2 (20) – $125,000
2. Bryan Thrift – Shelby, N.C. – 58-6 (20) – $30,200
3. Dylan Hays – Sheridan, Ark. – 54-0 (20) – $25,100
4. Clark Reehm – Huntington, Texas – 53-3 (19) – $20,000
5. Clark Wendlandt – Leander, Texas – 52-12 (20) – $19,500
6. Anthony Gagliardi – Prosperity, S.C. – 51-12 (20) – $18,000
7. Clayton Batts – Macon, Ga. – 48-1 (20) – $17,000
8. Troy Morrow – Eastanollee, Ga. – 47-9 (20) – $16,000
9. Jeremy Lawyer – Sarcoxie, Mo. – 40-14 (16) – $15,000
10. Stephen Patek – Garland, Texas – 39-0 (15) – $14,000
Complete results
312 TTT Teams + Toledo Bend = 30 pound limit for the win!!!
Mike Gibbs and Dennis Rutherford finished second with a five-bass limit weighing 27.97 pounds. The two started the day fishing shallow before making the adjustment to head deep and drag a football jig. Making a 5-mile run, the two focused their efforts on the mid-lake region.
Thrift takes back the lead heading into the final day of FLW event on Lake Travis
North Carolina Pro Brings 1-pound Lead into Final Day
JONESTOWN, Texas (Feb. 18, 2017) – Bryan Thrift of Shelby, North Carolina, brought a five-bass limit weighing 11 pounds, 7 ounces to the scale Saturday to reclaim the lead after day three of the FLW Tour at Lake Travis presented by Quaker State. Thrift’s three-day total of 45-9 makes him the No. 1 seed on championship Sunday as the field is now cut to the final 10 anglers in the event that featured 164 of the top bass anglers in the world casting for a top cash award of up to $125,000.
In second place is General Tire pro Mark Rose of West Memphis, Arkansas, with a three-day catch weighing 44-9. Hometown favorite Clark Wendlandt of Leander, Texas, brought a five-bass limit to the scale weighing 12-2 to move into third place with a three-day total of 41-12.
“I caught around 40 bass today between four areas,” said Thrift, who finished in second place when the Tour last visited Lake Travis in 2007. “Some areas were deep, and others were shallow. The whole key today was going for a big bite.
“I caught three that I weighed in off of a secondary point, and the rest were scattered here and there,” continued Thrift. “The point had bare spots within the trees and bushes – that’s what I caught a lot of bass out of today, but they were too short.”
Thrift said his primary bait Saturday was a crawfish-type soft-plastic.
“The other two fish in my limit came off of a jig,” said Thrift. “I ran down the bank and threw to everything in front of me. I needed to get a big bite and got two.”
The North Carolina pro said he plans on fishing both deep and shallow again on the final day.
“I don’t know what the weather is going to do to the fish that are up shallow tomorrow,” said Thrift. “I’d love for it to be sunny and calm like it was today, then I’d feel like I have a strong chance to do well.”
The top 10 pros advancing to the final day of competition on Lake Travis are:
1st: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 15 bass, 45-9
2nd: General Tire pro Mark Rose, West Memphis, Ark., 15 bass, 44-9
3rd: Clark Wendlandt, Leander, Texas, 15 bass, 41-12
4th: Costa del Mar pro Dylan Hays, Sheridan, Ark., 15 bass, 41-0
5th: Stephen Patek, Garland, Texas, 15 bass, 39-0
6th: Clark Reehm, Huntington, Texas, 14 bass, 37-6
7th: Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 14 bass, 37-4
8th: Troy Morrow, Eastanollee, Ga., 15 bass, 37-1
9th: Clayton Batts, Macon, Ga., 15 bass, 36-5
10th: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., 15 bass, 35-3
Finishing 11th through 20th are:
11th: Tim McDonald, Prestonsburg, Ky., 13 bass, 31-11, $12,000
12th: Scott Suggs, Alexander, Ark., 13 bass, 31-5, $12,000
13th: Jeff Gustafson, Keewatin, Ontario, Canada, 12 bass, 30-13, $12,000
14th: Bill Smith Jr., Burlington, Ky., 12 bass, 29-15, $12,000
15th: Quaker State pro Scott Canterbury, Springville, Ala., 13 bass, 29-4, $12,000
16th: Jamie Horton, Centerville, Ala., 12 bass, 29-3, $12,000
17th: Christopher Brasher, Longview, Texas, 12 bass, 29-0, $12,000
18th: Bradley Hallman, Norman, Okla., 10 bass, 28-15, $12,000
19th: Casey Scanlon, Lenexa, Kan., 12 bass, 27-12, $12,000
20th: Brad Knight, Lancing, Tenn., 10 bass, 26-15, $12,000
For a full list of results visit FLWFishing.com.
Overall there were 72 bass weighing 149 pounds, 6 ounces caught by 19 pros Saturday. The catch included nine five-bass limits.
Pro Stephen Patek, who started the day in first place, received a 4-pound penalty Saturday for violation of FLW Tour rule No. 16 regarding check-in times. The rule states that anglers who are not at the check-in area at the appointed time will be penalized 1 pound per minute. Patek also weighed in a deceased fish and received an additional 4-ounce penalty. Pro Dylan Hays, who started the day in seventh place, was also in violation of rule No. 16, but only received a 1-pound penalty.
David Larson of Mound, Minnesota, won the Co-Angler Division and $20,350 Friday with a two-day total of six bass weighing 21 pounds, 10 ounces, followed by Thomas Martens of Jonestown, Texas, who finished in second place with 10 bass weighing 20 pounds, 11 ounces worth $7,550.
In FLW Tour competition, pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day, with pros supplying the boat, controlling boat movement and competing against other pros. Co-anglers fish from the back deck against other co-anglers. The full field of anglers competes in the two-day opening round. Co-angler competition concludes following Friday’s weigh-in, while the top 20 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continue competition Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.
Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2017 Forrest Wood Cup will be on Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina, Aug. 11-13.
The final 10 anglers will take off at 7 a.m. CST Sunday from Jones Brothers Park, located at 10301 Lakeside Drive, in Jonestown. Sunday’s championship weigh-in will be held at Jones Brothers Park beginning at 4 p.m.
Prior to the weigh-in Sunday, FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at Jones Brothers Park from noon to 4 p.m. The Expo is a chance for fishing fans to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities.
The FLW Tour at Lake Travis is hosted by the City of Jonestown and the Austin Sports Commission.
Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Lake Travis presented by Quaker State will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) April 12 from 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. EST. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs on NBCSN, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
Brad Knight wraps up day 2 on the water at Lake Travis
Strike King Lure Company Pro Brad Knight currently sits in 8th place, moving 5 spots from 13th heading into day 3 of the second tour stop of the FLW Tour on Lake travis in Austin, TX. Here is Brads Recap of his day and his plans to continue climbing up the leaderboard
Stephen Patek takes over the lead after Day 2 of FLW event on Lake Travis
Minnesota’s Larson Wins Co-Angler Title, $20,350
JONESTOWN, Texas (Feb. 17, 2017) – Pro Stephen Patek of Garland, Texas, brought a five-bass limit weighing 14 pounds, 1 ounce, to the scale Friday to take the lead after day two of the FLW Tour at Lake Travis presented by Quaker State with a two-day catch of 10 bass totaling 34-6. Patek will bring a slim 4-ounce lead over Bryan Thrift of Shelby, North Carolina, into day three of the four-day event that features 164 of the top bass-fishing anglers in the world competing for a top cash award of up to $125,000.
Patek said he’s working through the mouth of a main-lake pocket to catch his bass. He said he’s primarily focusing on a hump that has trees around the edges and rocks over the top.
“The mouth isn’t very big, but there’s a lot of bass in there,” said Patek, who is fishing his third season as a professional on the FLW Tour. “Its deepest section is 18 feet down. I think it’s a staging area for bass to spawn, and it seems to be reloading every night.”
Patek said his bait of choice is a Carolina-rigged 3-inch soft-plastic craw.
“They seem to like the smaller profile,” said Patek. “I caught my bass on it this morning, left the hump and didn’t return.”
Patek said that he split the remainder of his day between two areas, including a main-river point that produced for him on day one.
“I caught my biggest bass there on Thursday, but I only could get a small keeper there today,” said Patek. “After those were in the boat, I ran banks and threw a 6-inch swimbait. I got a decent keeper yesterday doing that, but it didn’t give me anything today.”
The Texas pro said he plans to run a similar route on Saturday.
“I plan on spending more time on the hump and the point tomorrow,” said Patek. “I think the mouth will kick out some more bass, so I’m looking forward to getting back out there.”
The top 20 pros that made the Buck Knives Cut after day two and will fish Saturday on Lake Travis are:
1st: Stephen Patek, Garland, Texas, 10 bass, 34-6
2nd: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 10 bass, 34-2
3rd: Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 10 bass, 31-11
4th: Clark Wendlandt, Leander, Texas, 10 bass, 29-10
5th: General Tire pro Mark Rose, West Memphis, Ark., 10 bass, 28-12
6th: Clark Reehm, Huntington, Texas, nine bass, 28-8
7th: Costa del Mar pro Dylan Hays, Sheridan, Ark., 10 bass, 28-6
8th: Brad Knight, Lancing, Tenn., 10 bass, 26-15
9th: Scott Suggs, Alexander, Ark., 10 bass, 26-10
10th: Christopher Brasher, Longview, Texas, 10 bass, 26-4
11th: Troy Morrow, Eastanollee, Ga., 10 bass, 26-3
12th: Bradley Hallman, Norman, Okla., eight bass, 25-12
13th: Jeff Gustafson, Keewatin, Ontario, Canada, 10 bass, 25-10
14th: Bill Smith Jr., Burlington, Ky., nine bass, 25-8
15th: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., 10 bass, 25-1
16th: Quaker State pro Scott Canterbury, Springville, Ala., 10 bass, 24-14
17th: Clayton Batts, Macon, Ga., 10 bass, 23-6
18th: Jamie Horton, Centerville, Ala., 10 bass, 23-3
19th: Tim McDonald, Prestonsburg, Ky., 10 bass, 23-0
20th: Casey Scanlon, Lenexa, Kan., nine bass, 22-11
For a full list of results visit FLWFishing.com.
Wendlandt earned the day's $500 Big Bass award in the Pro Division after catching an 8-pound, 6-ounce largemouth.
Overall there were 546 bass weighing 1,109 pounds, 4 ounces caught by 154 pros Friday. The catch included 62 five-bass limits.
David Larson of Mound, Minnesota, won the Co-Angler Division and $20,350 Friday with a two-day total of six bass weighing 21 pounds, 10 ounces, followed by Thomas Martens of Jonestown, Texas, who finished in second place with 10 bass weighing 20 pounds, 11 ounces worth $7,550.
The top 10 co-anglers finished:
1st: David Larson, Mound, Minn., six bass, 21-10, $20,350
2nd: Thomas Martens, Jonestown, Texas, 10 bass, 20-11, $7,550
3rd: Benjie Seaborn, Guin, Ala., 10 bass, 20-3, $5,000
4th: Gary Haraguchi, Redding, Calif., nine bass, 20-3, $4,000
5th: Keith Honeycutt, Temple, Texas, 10 bass, 17-2, $3,000
6th: Tim Beale, Hernando, Miss., eight bass, 16-11, $2,500
7th: Josh Perrymon, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 16-8, $2,000
8th: Wataru Iwahori, Palestine, Texas, nine bass, 16-7, $1,800
9th: Kevin Carter, Spring, Texas, seven bass, 15-11, $1,700
10th: Jason Smith, Forney, Texas, eight bass, 15-2, $1,600
David Wootton of Collierville, Tennessee, earned $250 for the Big Bass award in the Co-Angler Division with a 6-pound, 7-ounce largemouth.
Overall there were 268 bass weighing 478 pounds, 9 ounces caught by 119 co-anglers Friday. The catch included 11 five-bass limits.
In FLW Tour competition, pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day, with pros supplying the boat, controlling boat movement and competing against other pros. Co-anglers fish from the back deck against other co-anglers. The full field of anglers competes in the two-day opening round. Co-angler competition concludes following Friday’s weigh-in, while the top 20 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continue competition Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.
Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2017 Forrest Wood Cup will be on Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina, Aug. 11-13.
The total purse for the FLW Tour at Lake Travis presented by Quaker State is more than $800,000, including $10,000 through 50th place in the Pro Division.
Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. CST each day from Jones Brothers Park, located at 10301 Lakeside Drive, in Jonestown. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins will be held at Jones Brothers Park beginning at 4 p.m.
Prior to the weigh-ins Saturday and Sunday, FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at Jones Brothers Park from noon to 4 p.m. The Expo is a chance for fishing fans to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities.
Also for youth, the FLW Foundation’s Unified Fishing Derby will be held at Jones Brothers Park on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 9-11 a.m. The event is hosted by FLW Foundation pro Cody Kelley along with other FLW Tour anglers, and is free and open to area youth 15 years of age and younger and Special Olympics athletes. Rods and reels are available for use, but youth are encouraged to bring their own if they own one.
The FLW Tour at Lake Travis is hosted by the City of Jonestown and the Austin Sports Commission.
Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Lake Travis presented by Quaker State will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) April 12 from 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. EST. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs on NBCSN, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
TH Marine's new "Mr. Crappie" HydroWave H2
Huntsville, AL – February 16, 2017 -- T-H Marine Supplies, Inc., of Huntsville, Alabama announced today that the Mr. Crappie HydroWave H2 model is in stock and available for shipment.
T-H Marine's president, Jeff Huntley, stated, "Working with Wally Marshall, aka Mr. Crappie, has been an awesome experience for T-H Marine. From our first meeting, it was clear that crappie fisherman needed different sound patterns than the bass fisherman. Wally was there from recording the sounds on the water to designing the loops in a sound booth. The eight sound patterns on the Mr. Crappie HydroWave H2 are truly amazing for the crappie fisherman."
Wally Marshall added, “Catch more crappie with the all new Mr. Crappie HydroWave H2 that is loaded with natural crappie strikes and baitfish sounds. My HydroWave keeps baitfish under my boat when slow trolling or vertically fishing brushpiles. It makes brushpiles come alive when it is running over them.”
The Mr. Crappie HydroWave H2 model has 8 sound patterns specifically designed for crappie fishing. These patterns are:
* Brushpile Majic
* Spider Rigging-Frenzy
* Tight Line – Finesse
* Bait Balls
* Busting Shad
* Finesse
* Power Trolling Frenzy
* Vertical Structure
The T-H Marine Mr. Crappie HydroWave H2 model is available at fishing tackle and marine dealers now.
# # # # #
T-H Marine is celebrating its 42nd anniversary of business and has grown to be one of the largest manufacturers of boating and fishing accessories in the U.S. T-H Marine provides parts to every boat manufacturer in the country and distributes them through virtually every major distributor and retailer of boating and fishing products. To learn more about T-H Marine, please visit http://thmarine.com/about-us.
Friday Flashback - Kevin VanDam - 2016 Elite Series Season
Prior to Kevin VanDam winning the BASS Elite Series event on Toledo Bend last season, many fans had their doubts that he would ever win again. After his win many people said "KVD's Back!" To Kevin, he never went anywhere and to prove that he won two more Elite events in 2016. Take a listen to his thoughts on the subject.
Sportsmans Warehouse Pro Bryan Thrift leads day 1 of Lake Travis FLW Event
Minnesota’s Larson Leads Co-Anglers
JONESTOWN, Texas (Feb. 16, 2017) – Pro Bryan Thrift of Shelby, North Carolina, brought a five-bass limit weighing 24 pounds, 12 ounces to the scale Thursday to take the early lead at the FLW Tour at Lake Travis presented by Quaker State. Thrift will bring a 4-pound, 7-ounce lead into day two of the four-day event that features 164 of the top bass-fishing anglers in the world competing for a top cash award of up to $125,000.
“I’m at a complete loss for words right now,” said Thrift, who has amassed nearly $2 million in FLW competition. “In three days of practice I couldn’t catch a third of the weight that I caught today. Each fish was truly a gift from God.”
Thrift said he spent the majority of his day working through an area with a 6½-inch Watermelon Candy-colored Damiki Finesse Miki worm rigged on a shaky-head jig.
“It was a big area, probably 2 to 3 acres long,” said Thrift. “There were some bushes, rocks and points. I caught four fish there, including a 6-pounder. I picked it apart for nearly five hours. There were some other boats nearby, so I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to catch as many bass as I possibly could.”
After 2:30 p.m., Thrift said he made a couple more stops and capped off his limit with another 6-pounder.
“I caught it on a jig in an area that I went to on a whim,” said Thrift. “It was mind-blowing.”
The top 10 pros after day one on Lake Travis are:
1st: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., five bass, 24-12
2nd: Stephen Patek, Garland, Texas, five bass, 20-5
3rd: Bradley Hallman, Norman, Okla., five bass, 19-4
4th: Scott Suggs, Alexander, Ark., five bass, 17-3
5th: Christopher Brasher, Longview, Texas, five bass, 16-8
6th: Justin Atkins, Florence, Ala., five bass, 16-0
7th: Dean Alexander, Georgetown, Texas, five bass, 15-0
8th: Dylan Hays, Sheridan, Ark., five bass, 14-15
9th: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., five bass, 14-13
10th: Grae Buck, Harleysville, Pa., five bass, 14-12
For a full list of results visit FLWFishing.com.
Joseph Webster of Fulton, Mississippi, earned the day's $500 Big Bass award in the Pro Division thanks to a 7-pound, 14-ounce largemouth.
Overall there were 641 bass weighing 1,405 pounds, 7 ounces caught by 158 pros Thursday. The catch included 85 five-bass limits.
David Larson of Mound, Minnesota, leads the Co-Angler Division with four bass weighing 16 pounds, 11 ounces, followed by Benjie Seaborn of Guin, Alabama, in second place with four bass totaling 13 pounds, 15 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers after day one on Lake Travis are:
1st: David Larson, Mound, Minn., four bass, 16-11
2nd: Benjie Seaborn, Guin, Ala., five bass, 13-15
3rd: Thomas Martens, Jonestown, Texas, five bass, 12-3
4th: Ronald Young, Lake Wales, Fla., five bass, 11-6
5th: Sterling Martin, Beeville, Texas, five bass, 10-11
6th: Jason Smith, Forney, Texas, five bass, 10-8
7th: Wayne Hauser, Mooresville, N.C., five bass, 10-1
8th: Tim Beale, Hernando, Miss., five bass, 9-10
9th: Anthony Ferdinando, Spicewood, Texas, five bass, 9-7
10th: Mike Casanova, Frisco, Texas, four bass, 8-13
Larson also earned $250 for the Big Bass award in the Co-Angler Division with an 8-pound, 5-ounce largemouth.
Overall there were 323 bass weighing 597 pounds, 13 ounces caught by 127 co-anglers Thursday. The catch included 18 five-bass limits.
In FLW Tour competition, pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day, with pros supplying the boat, controlling boat movement and competing against other pros. Co-anglers fish from the back deck against other co-anglers. The full field of 330 anglers competes in the two-day opening round. Co-angler competition concludes following Friday’s weigh-in, while the top 20 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continue competition Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.
Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2017 Forrest Wood Cup will be on Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina, Aug. 11-13.
The total purse for the FLW Tour at Lake Travis presented by Quaker State is more than $800,000, including $10,000 through 50th place in the Pro Division.
Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. CST each day from Jones Brothers Park, located at 10301 Lakeside Drive, in Jonestown. Friday’s weigh-in will be held at Jones Brothers Park beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins, Feb. 18-19, will also be held at Jones Brothers Park but will begin at 4 p.m.
Prior to the weigh-ins Saturday and Sunday, FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at Jones Brothers Park from noon to 4 p.m. The Expo is a chance for fishing fans to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities.
Also for youth, the FLW Foundation’s Unified Fishing Derby will be held at Jones Brothers Park on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 9-11 a.m. The event is hosted by FLW Foundation pro Cody Kelley along with other FLW Tour anglers, and is free and open to area youth 15 years of age and younger and Special Olympics athletes. Rods and reels are available for use, but youth are encouraged to bring their own if they own one.
The FLW Tour at Lake Travis is hosted by the City of Jonestown and the Austin Sports Commission.
Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Lake Travis presented by Quaker State will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) April 12 from 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. EST. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs on NBCSN, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world.
Brad Knight - Day 1 Recap - FLW on Lake Travis
Strike King Pro Brad Knight is currently sitting in 13th place heading into day 2 of the FLW Lake Travis event in Austin, TX Check out how he caught his fish and what his game plan tomorrow is.
TH Marine PRO-Files with Elite Series Pro Shaw Grigsby
Alan McGuckin from Dynamic Sponsorships sits down with Elite Series Legend Shaw Grigsby and they talk Faith, Family and Fishing in this weeks TH Marine "PRO-File"
SKL Countdown to Blastoff - Cup Champ - Brad Knight on Lake Travis
2015 FLW Cup Champ Brad Knight gives us a rundown of his practice and what he's looking forward to as the second FLW Tour stop kicks off tomorrow on Lake Travis in this weeks Strike King Lure Company Countdown to Blastoff
Raymarine introduces AXIOM Touch-Screen Electronics
| Introducing Axiom™ Multifunction Displays
with RealVision 3D™ Sonar & Lighthouse 3 Raymarine launches quad-core touch-screen MFD with 3D viewing and real CHIRP functionality at the 2017 Miami International Boat Show WILSONVILLE, OR (February 15, 2017) – We are pleased to announce an all-new family of Raymarine MFDs called Axiom, game-changers poised to shake up the marine electronics industry. Consider the Merriam-Webster definition of “axiom”: “a statement accepted as true as the basis for argument or inference” or “an established rule or principle or a self-evident truth.” The word is derived from the Greek axios and Latin axioma meaning “something worth Indeed, ‘AXIOM’ is the perfect name for Raymarine’s powerful new multifunction navigation system. With available built-in RealVision 3D™ sonar, the all new LightHouse 3 operating system, and blazing quad-core performance, AXIOM represents an entirely new paradigm of navigational and fish-finding performance. The Raymarine Axiom MFD family features lifelike imagery via Raymarine’s exclusive RealVision 3D for superior underwater fish and structure identification. The new rugged, all-glass touch screens are available in 7-, 9-, and 12.1-inch display sizes and come pre-installed with Raymarine’s new LightHouse 3 operating system. Combined with Axiom’s fast quad core processor, LightHouse 3 delivers an intuitive and powerful navigation experience through a redesigned interface that is quick to learn and easy to personalize.
NEW RealVision 3D Sonar RealVision 3D Sonar represents technology anglers have been asking for since day one – the ability to see what’s below, behind, and to the sides of the boat, all at once and in three-dimensions. With blazing quad-core processor performance, RealVision 3D displays the entire underwater world—including structure, cover, fish and forage—in stunning detail. The user can readily pan, tilt and zoom the 3D image to examine from any angle, even from unique POVs like standing on the lake bottom and looking up to the bottom of the boat. See a piece of cover you want to explore? Or perhaps a large group of bottom-hugging fish or roaming pelagics? A simple tap on the point-of-interest anywhere in the three-dimensional space allows easy waypointing that appears immediately in chart view. Yes, via Axiom, Raymarine brings anglers a whole new way of looking at underwater data and endless customization to meet individual needs, all from one all-inclusive transducer, no black box required. RealVision 3D transducers combine CHIRP DownVision, CHIRP SideVision, High Frequency CHIRP, and RealVision 3D into a single transducer housing. Additionally, Raymarine’s gyro-stabilized sonar technology compensates for boat movement, delivering life-like 3D sonar imagery. With settings up to 300 feet left and right and up to 300 feet deep, surveying entire water bodies has never been easier and faster. Second only to draining a lake, RealVision 3D finally gives anglers, divers, search and rescue teams, and boaters a true, easy-to-understand view of bottom topography, debris, and fish. The missing link between sonar, chartplotting, and side- and down-looking technologies has arrived, providing users with a comprehensive and true representation of what’s below. State-of-the-art OS and Hardware Raymarine engineers listened to customers who asked for a more powerful and intuitive user experience. The result? LightHouse 3, a fast, fluid, and easy-to-use interface that puts you in complete command with just a few touches. LightHouse LiveView Menu Controls allow users to easily customize the chart and see the navigation display change in real time. The addition of Smart Context Windows and New Chart Modes provide uncluttered menus with quick access to Simple, Detailed, and Fishing chart modes. One feature of marine electronics often overlooked is the processor, which dictates the speed and ease when running numerous features at once. At the heart of each Axiom unit is an integral piece of hardware: a quad-core CPU. This allows the user to boot up quickly, as well run numerous screen views simultaneously with multiple windows, databoxes, real-time adjustments, all while Axiom is running numerous background tasks. Prices for the Raymarine Axiom MFD Series range from $649.99 to $3349.99.
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About FLIR Systems FLIR Systems, Inc. is a world leader in the design, manufacture, and marketing of sensor systems that enhance perception and awareness. FLIR's advanced systems and components are used for a wide variety of thermal imaging, situational awareness, and security applications, including airborne and ground-based surveillance, condition monitoring, navigation, recreation, research and development, manufacturing process control, search and rescue, drug interdiction, transportation safety, border and maritime patrol, environmental monitoring, and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) threat detection. For more information, visit FLIR’s web site at www.FLIR.com.
About Raymarine: Raymarine, a world leader in marine electronics, develops and manufactures the most comprehensive range of electronic equipment for the recreational boating and light commercial marine markets. Designed for high performance and ease of use, the award-winning products are available through a global network of dealers and distributors. The Raymarine product lines include radar, autopilots, GPS, instruments, fishfinders, communications, and integrated systems. Raymarine is a division of FLIR Systems, a world leader in thermal imaging. For more information about Raymarine please go to www.raymarine.com.
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Lake Hartwell - Greenville - to Host 2018 Bassmasters Classic - March 16-18, 2018
Feb. 15, 2017
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Some lakes are known for how deep they are.
Some are known for the type of structure and baitfish they have.
Others are known for serving as the sites of some of the greatest moments in professional bass fishing history — and one of those from that latter column has been chosen as the home of next year’s GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
The 48th annual world championship of professional bass fishing will be held March 16-18, 2018, in Greenville and on Lake Hartwell at Anderson, S.C., it was announced today in a news conference in Greenville’s Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which will be the site of daily weigh-in ceremonies.
“The opportunity to host the Bassmaster Classic for the second time in four years solidifies the Upstate of South Carolina as a destination, nationally, for bass fishing,” said Neil Paul, executive director, Visit Anderson. “Lake Hartwell is a tremendous natural resource and continues to gain national attention as a championship fishery, and we welcome anglers from all levels to enjoy its greatness. Our Anderson County team, our partnership with Greenville, support from our regional partners and the state of South Carolina have proven vital to our overall success where we continue to experience returns in residual tourism from hosting the 2015 Bassmaster Classic.”
“GEICO is proud to continue its successful partnership with the Bassmaster Classic,” said Ted Ward, vice president of marketing for GEICO, title sponsor of the event. “The Classic offers a great platform for us to engage and connect with a growing bass fishing audience, who are some of the most passionate and loyal fans in all of sports.”
The event will mark the third time the “Super Bowl of Bass Fishing” will have been held here. As in previous visits in 2008 and 2015, fishing competition will take place on Lake Hartwell, a 56,000-acre impoundment on the Savannah, Tugaloo and Seneca rivers along the South Carolina/Georgia border.
Takeoffs will be from Green Pond Landing and Event Center, a modern, $3.1 million launch facility in Anderson, S.C., that was completed just in time for the 2015 Classic and was built to accommodate that and similarly large bass tournaments.
“Nothing says ‘I love you’ more than a repeat customer,” said Chris Stone, President and CEO of VisitGreenvilleSC. “Seeing the wild enthusiasm outdoorsmen have for the Bassmaster Classic has made this a must-attend road trip for area anglers. The entire upstate will have its collective arms wide open to welcome back our friends in March 2018.”
The fan-favorite Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods will again be held in the 250,000-square-foot TD Convention Center in Greenville March 16-18.
“Bringing the Bassmaster Classic back to the Upcountry of South Carolina was an easy decision,” said Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S., which conducts the event. “Despite record-cold temperatures when we were there in February 2015, fishing fans turned out in force. Our attendance of 103,000 those three days marked a 40 percent increase over the 2008 Classic and was one of our biggest turnouts ever.
“We expect next year’s Classic to be even bigger and better — and warmer,” Akin added, noting that the fishing competition will take place almost a month later in 2018 than during 2015.
Perhaps no Classic in history has shown the strength of a fishery like that 2015 event, when temperatures made such a monumental dip. It was just 9 degrees for the opening morning of the tournament — a morning that featured the National Anthem being performed by South Carolina angler Casey Ashley — and competition was delayed with the anglers’ safety in mind.
Despite the conditions, there were still multiple five-bass limits of 20 pounds or more brought across the scales at the Bon Secours Wellness Center Arena, and Ashley needed an average of more than 16.6 pounds per day to win.
Casey’s winning catch of 20 pounds, 3 ounces, was just a little heavier than the 49-7 needed by Texas pro Alton Jones to win here in 2008.
“It was really just an amazing thing to watch,” said Trip Weldon, B.A.S.S. tournament director. “The conditions were tough — some of the toughest we’ve seen for a B.A.S.S. event, especially a Classic — and the lake still produced so many good fish. It’s a credit to the fishery and to the quality of our anglers — and it shouldn’t surprise anyone that we’ve decided to go back.”
After that 2015 Classic, which was held Feb. 20-22, B.A.S.S. elected to back up the date for the 2016 event on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees to March 4-6. This year’s Classic, which is scheduled for March 24-26 on Lake Conroe near Houston, Texas, should also be warmer.
The economic impact of the Classic on host communities each of the last few years has averaged more than $24 million, according to independent research by local hosts, and coverage of the event by more than 250 registered media representatives will continue to focus attention on Lake Hartwell, Anderson, Greenville and other Upcountry destinations.
For more information about the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, go to Bassmaster.com; visitgreenvillesc.com; scprt.com and visitanderson.com.
About Greenville, SC
Nestled into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville, South Carolina has combined traditional southern charm, stunning natural beauty and an unexpected contemporary cool to create one of America's hottest emerging destinations and fastest growing cities. From a revitalized downtown ranked among "America's Ten Best" by ForbesMagazine to downtown Greenville's one-of-a-kind Liberty Bridge, quaint shops, boutiques, and fabulous restaurants to a world-class collection of museums, galleries, and theaters to some of the most beautiful lakes, rivers and mountains in the world, Greenville, South Carolina is everything they say it is and more. Check us out and see for yourself why we're not just any Greenville - we're THAT Greenville.
About VisitGreenvilleSC
VisitGreenvilleSC is a non-profit, economic development organization that is responsible for promoting the greater Greenville area as an attractive destination for meetings, conventions, tradeshows, sporting events, and leisure travelers. As the official sales and marketing organization of the City and County of Greenville, the goal of VisitGreenvilleSC is to increase visitor-generated revenue from local, regional and national markets, thereby strengthening Greenville’s economy.
About Visit Anderson
From its early beginnings at the frontier of the U.S. to its textile heyday and beyond, Anderson has been a bright part of the upcountry of South Carolina. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and on the shores of Lake Hartwell, nearly 200,000 people call Anderson County their home. Find a perfect home away from home, with all the variety that Anderson has to offer, we are sure you will find exactly what you are looking for. While you are here, enjoy the genuine hospitality that is pure Anderson.
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.
ABA RAM Trucks Open Lake Norman Winner Jason Wilson talks about his win and more
ABA RAM Trucks Open Pro Jason Wilson talks about his recent win on Lake Norman and how with Contingency Money, he turned 5K into 14K!!!
$150 in Crappie Lures Nets Scroggins $10K at Cherokee Lake Elite
Alan McGuckin
As the first event of a brand new Bassmaster Elite Series season began, it was no secret the favored lure of choice by top local anglers for Cherokee Lake’s finicky smallmouth was a 3-inch Damiki Armor Shad rigged on a lead “Erie” head.
“People use the Damiki Shad because it has almost no action, and those fish at Cherokee are so lure shy, they seem to like that subtle presentation,” says Scroggins. “But they weren’t liking it for me, so my roommate Britt Myers and I had to call an audible after Day 1 of practice.”
The struggle forced Myers and Scroggins to lean on a lesson straight out of Bass Fishing 101 – when you can’t get a bite using a lure you think they should eat – try downsizing.
“I started thinking about lures that were even smaller than a 3” Damiki, and the next thing you know, I’ve spent $150 in the crappie fishing section at the Knoxville Bass Pro Shops,” grins Scroggins.
“I had everything in my bag from tiny little 1/8 ounce marabou jigs to curly tail grubs, and all shapes and weights of jig heads,” says Scroggins.
The buck-fifty wager worked in the end, but brutally strong North winds on Day 1 of competition nearly caused the panfishing strategy to backfire. Wild winds simply wouldn’t allow the Florida pro to feel the bite with a big unwanted bow in his 4-pound line.
“Trying to tightline a tiny 1/8 ounce marabou jig or grub in a 20 mph wind is next to impossible. I should have gone to the shoreline and thrown crankbaits or jerkbaits to save my day,” he admits.
Scroggins failed to catch a limit on Day 1, and found himself in a very concerning 86th place. But when the winds calmed on Day 2 and Day 3, he knew he had a chance to catch Cherokee smallmouth about the same way he catches crappie on Rodman Reservoir and Crescent Lake back home.
And catch ‘em he did.
His 16-pound limit on Day 2 vaulted him from 86th place to 50th – good enough for a guaranteed paycheck and a chance to compete on Day 3 when he caught a 15-pound limit – leading “Big Show” to a 32nd place finish, and a $10,000 check in the pocket of his Carhartt jeans.
Scroggins’ Equipment Notes:
Rod: Scroggins offered his mixed bag of crappie lures on a 7-foot medium light spinning rod, stressing the importance of a very forgiving light action when using such light fishing line.
Line: 4-pound Hi-Seas Copolymer Select in clear
Minn Kota Spot-Lock: The GPS driven technology kept Scroggins electronically ‘anchored’ directly over the school, or single fish, he was trying to catch. “When I’d drop that Damiki Shad, I could watch the bass swim up to it on my Humminbird and swim away. But when I’d drop a crappie bait on them, I could watch them hang around my lure, and eventually they’d eat it.”
FLWFISHING.COM LAUNCHES ‘FLW LIVE’ STUDIO SHOW, ANNOUNCES 2017 TELEVISION SCHEDULE
Byron Velvick and Travis Moran to Host In-Studio Live Broadcast During Remaining 2017 FLW Tour Events
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Feb. 14, 2017) – Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) announced today the launch of an expanded “FLW Live” broadcast, which will showcase an online in-studio show, hosted by Byron Velvick and Travis Moran, that will feature live on-the-water footage from each of the 2017 FLW Tour events. The footage will be livestreamed from the top five anglers on competition Days 3 and 4.
The free “FLW Live” broadcast will air from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at FLWFishing.com, in the time zone where each tournament is being held, on the Saturday and Sunday of all FLW Tour events. The first broadcast will debut this week with the FLW Tour at Lake Travis presented by Quaker State, Feb. 18-19 in Jonestown, Texas.
“FLW Live” will be broadcast from FLW’s world headquarters in Benton, Kentucky. The show is hosted by former professional angler Byron Velvick and television host Travis Moran. Velvick, a 12-year veteran, has earned nearly a half million dollars competing on the water. Velvick is known as a master of the swimbait and was the star of ABC’s hit television show The Bachelor, season six. He has 11 career top-10 finishes and three victories competing against the top anglers in the world. Moran has gained notoriety for his instructional fishing YouTube channel and as the spokesman for Lucky Tackle Box, a subscription-based monthly bait box company.
"The new ‘FLW Live’ broadcast is going to transform the way that fans follow along with FLW Tour events," said Patterson Leeth, vice president of marketing for FLW. "This live access has been years in the making for our fans. We’re extremely proud and excited to roll out our newest digital feature and look forward to providing our fans with a great experience.”
Like the “FLW” television show that airs on NBC Sports Network, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network, the “FLW Live” broadcast will be produced by Digital P Media in collaboration with the FLW media staff. The North Carolina-based production service will integrate the “FLW Live” footage into the “FLW” television show, expediting the production process and making the television airings timelier for FLW fans.
“We are thrilled to launch live streaming of our FLW Tour events beginning this season,” said Peyote Perryman, creative director of Digital P Media. “It will mean that fans from around the world can watch FLW anglers compete on-the-water live online as the tournament unfolds. We’ll be able to see each dramatic fish catch, the adversity and obstacles that anglers face, the thrill of landing a kicker and the agony of losing a giant – as it happens. It’s going to make incredible television.”
“FLW” Television Show Premiere Dates on NBC Sports Network
- March 22, 4 p.m. EST – FLW Tour at Lake Guntersville presented by Lowrance
- April 12, 12:30 p.m. EST – FLW Tour at Lake Travis presented by Quaker State
- May 3, 12:30 p.m. EST – FLW Tour at Harris Chain of Lakes presented by Ranger Boats
- May 24, 12:30 p.m. EST – FLW Tour at Lake Cumberland presented by T-H Marine
- June 18, 6 a.m. EST – FLW Tour at Beaver Lake presented by General Tire
- August 2, 12 p.m. EST – FLW Tour at the Mississippi River presented by Evinrude
- Sept. 20, 12 p.m. EST – FLW Tour at the Potomac River presented by Costa del Mar
- Sept. 27, 12 p.m. EST – Forrest Wood Cup at Lake Murray
- Oct. 4, 12 p.m. EST – YETI FLW College Fishing National Championship at Wilson Lake
- Oct. 11, 12 p.m. EST – T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) All-American at Pickwick Lake
The full television broadcast schedule and expected patterns/details for each FLW Tour event can be found at FLWFishing.com.
For details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
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: @FLWFishing.
Marshall weighs 22.9 on Murray to claims first TH Marine FLW BFL Win.
Kenny tops co-angler field
PROSPERITY, S.C. (Feb. 13, 2017) – Chris Marshall of Forest City, North Carolina, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 22 pounds, 9 ounces, Saturday to win the first T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) South Carolina Division tournament of 2017 on Lake Murray. For his win, Marshall took home $6,237.
Marshall said he spent his day fishing docks near spawning areas. He said he used one bait to catch his limit – a Chris Crawl-colored Katch-Her Lures Flipping Jig.
“My day got off to a slow start,” said Marshall, who logged his third career win in BFL competition. “I didn’t catch a bass until 1 p.m. I knew the warm temperatures would drive them up shallow at some point, but it took almost all day.”
Marshall said he caught everything he weighed in between 1 and 2 p.m.
“I probably hit around 150 docks throughout the event,” said Marshall. “I ran around and just kept skipping the jig. My key catches came right below the mid-lake line.”
Even though Marshall was expecting the bass to be a bit shallower, he said he was glad he stayed committed to the jig bite.
“I only had seven bites and probably burned 35 gallons of fuel, but it eventually paid off,” said Marshall.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Chris Marshall, Forest City, N.C., five bass, 22-9, $4,237 + $2,000 Ranger Cup Bonus
2nd: Brad Fowler, Townville, S.C., five bass, 20-8, $2,019
3rd: David Kneece, Gilbert, S.C., five bass, 20-5, $1,345
4th: Bradford Beavers, Ridgeville, S.C., five bass, 20-0, $942
5th: Herman Vining, Gilbert, S.C., five bass, 19-2, $907
6th: Joey Sabbagha, Prosperity, S.C., five bass, 18-3, $1,040
7th: Carson Orellana, Mooresville, N.C., five bass, 17-3, $673
8th: Matthew Mollohan, Prosperity, S.C., five bass, 15-12, $606
9th: Adam Beckum, Martinez, Ga., five bass, 15-11, $538
10th: Chris Epting, Chapin, S.C., five bass, 15-10, $471
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
James Buchanan of Monroe, North Carolina, caught a 6-pound, 5-ounce bass – the largest of the event – which earned him the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $545.
Pete Kenny of Ashburn, Virginia, weighed in four bass totaling 18 pounds, 3 ounces Saturday to win the co-angler division and earn $2,306.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Pete Kenny, Ashburn, Va., four bass, 18-3, $2,306
2nd: Rodney Tapp, North Augusta, S.C., three bass, 15-3, $1,022
3rd: Ryan Edwards, Stuart, Fla., three bass, 13-0, $649
4th: Tim Chadwick, Elloree, S.C., five bass, 11-9, $454
5th: Lee Inman, Inman, S.C., four bass, 11-3, $389
6th: James Meadows, Goose Creek, S.C., three bass, 9-2, $356
7th: James Atkinson, Ridgeway, S.C., four bass, 9-1, $324
8th: Lorne Debord, Warrenville, S.C., two bass, 8-10, $292
9th: Dalton Dowdy, Chapin, S.C., four bass, 8-2, $259
10th: Ryan Frisch, Eatonton, Ga., four bass, 7-13, $227
Kenny also caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the co-angler division, a fish weighing 7 pounds, 3 ounces, and earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $262.
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.
Honnerlaw wins TH Marine FLW BFL Gator Division Event on Okeechobee with 21.5 pounds
Gentry tops co-angler field
OKEECHOBEE, Fla. (Feb. 13, 2017) – Bryan Honnerlaw of Moore Haven, Florida, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 21 pounds, 5 ounces, Saturday to win the second T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Gator Division tournament on Lake Okeechobee presented by Navionics. For his efforts, Honnerlaw earned the top award of $5,612.
“I saw some bass in practice that were chasing shad, so that told me what I needed to be focusing on for the tournament,” said Honnerlaw, who notched his first career win in BFL competition. “We fished the North Shore, specifically a hole in the grass with a shell bed.”
Honnerlaw said he used a variety of baits during the event, but relied heavily on a 3/8-ounce green-pumpkin-colored ChatterBait to catch his fish.
“I pulled up to the area and on my second cast I caught one,” said Honnerlaw. “I fished the ChatterBait with a slow retrieve. We just came off of a cold front, so they didn’t want to chase anything faster than that.”
Honnerlaw said he caught around 60 bass throughout his day.
“There weren’t a lot of big ones, but I did catch one close to 6 pounds,” said Honnerlaw. “I’m just glad that the bass I found in practice stayed put for more than a day.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Bryan Honnerlaw, Moore Haven, Fla., five bass, 21-5, $5,612
2nd: Anthony Ford, New Smyrna, Fla., five bass, 19-15, $2,706
3rd: Nathan Thomas, Weirsdale, Fla., five bass, 19-10, $1,899
4th: Mikey Keyso Jr., North Port, Fla., five bass, 19-1, $1,263
5th: Richard Sasina, Port Saint Lucie, Fla., five bass, 18-0, $1,082
6th: Kyle Monti, Okeechobee, Fla., five bass, 17-15, $992
7th: Greg Schultz, Naples, Fla., five bass, 17-10, $1,202
8th: Norman Pellegrini, Windermere, Fla., five bass, 17-9, $1,672
9th: Fred George, Okeechobee, Fla., five bass, 17-5, $722
10th: Kyle Walters, Grant-Valkaria, Fla., five bass, 17-4, $599
10th: Bradley MacQueen, West Palm Beach, Fla., five bass, 17-4, $599
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Pellegrini caught an 8-pound, 13-ounce largemouth – the largest of the event – which earned him the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $860.
Roy Gentry of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, weighed in five bass totaling 22 pounds, 9 ounces Saturday to win the co-angler division and earn $3,136.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Roy Gentry, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., five bass, 22-9, $3,136
2nd: Bill Wight, Punta Gorda, Fla., five bass, 17-13, $1,353
3rd: Junior Iriban, Lantana, Fla., five bass, 17-8, $905
4th: Steve Smith, Jacksonville, Fla., five bass, 17-6, $631
5th: Anthony Valachovic, Coral Springs, Fla., five bass, 15-3, $741
6th: Adam Hernandez, Miami, Fla., five bass, 14-7, $496
7th: Chris Baker, Wesley Chapel, Fla., five bass, 14-0, $501
8th: Jai Hunter Jr., Deland, Fla., five bass, 13-12, $406
9th: Nik Kayler, Apopka, Fla., five bass, 13-6, $361
10th: Kenneth Guy, Miramar, Fla., five bass, 13-5, $316
Gentry also caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the co-angler division, a fish weighing 7 pounds, 11 ounces, and earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $430.
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.
Mackey wins TH Marine FLW BFL Cowboy event on Rayburn
BRYAN’S MACKEY WINS T-H MARINE FLW BASS FISHING LEAGUE COWBOY DIVISION EVENT ON SAM RAYBURN RESERVOIR
Sims claims co-angler title
BROOKELAND, Texas (Feb. 13, 2017) – Tommy Mackey of Bryan, Texas, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 26 pounds, 11 ounces, Saturday to win the second T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Cowboy Division tournament on Sam Rayburn Reservoir. For his win, Mackey took home $8,000.
“Most of the bass I caught during the event came from two areas near the Highway 147 bridge,” said Mackey, who earned his first career win in FLW competition. “The first stop had submerged trees where fish were staging to move into a spawning pocket. Fishing around 15 feet of water, I used a green-pumpkin-colored Zoom Brush Hog on a Carolina rig and caught 12 to 15 bass.
“The second area was an outside grass line about five miles south of the bridge,” continued Mackey. “The fish were getting ready to spawn, similar to the bass in the trees. I only caught six on the Brush Hog, but they were a lot of heavier than what I was averaging.”
Mackey said he mixed a third area into his day – a drain leading into a spawning pocket – but only weighed a single bass from it.
“I caught a 5-pounder on a blue chartreuse-colored Norman DD22 Crankbait,” said Mackey. “I was casting into 12 to 14 feet of water. It was a solid catch that anchored my limit.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Tommy Mackey, Bryan, Texas, five bass, 26-11, $6,000 + $2,000 Ranger Cup Bonus
2nd: Shane Howell, Franklin, Texas, five bass, 23-2, $3,000
3rd: Stephen Johnston, Hemphill, Texas, five bass, 21-7, $2,200
4th: Blake Schroeder, Whitehouse, Texas, five bass, 20-5, $1,500
5th: Kevin Lasyone, Dry Prong, La., five bass, 20-2, $1,200
6th: Eason Dowden, Many, La., five bass, 20-1, $1,100
7th: David Mansue, Hemphill, Texas, five bass, 19-14, $1,000
8th: Dillon Harrell, New Caney, Texas, five bass, 19-1, $900
9th: Phil Addison, Baytown, Texas, five bass, 18-3, $800
10th: Clay Phillips, Huntington, Texas, five bass, 18-2, $700
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Terry Cole of Houston, Texas, caught an 8-pound, 1-ounce bass – the largest of the event – which earned him the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $1000.
Chris Sims of Houston, Texas, weighed in five bass totaling 16 pounds, 11 ounces Saturday to win the co-angler division and earn $2,991.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Chris Sims, Houston, Texas, five bass, 16-11, $2,991
2nd: David Kayda, Huffman, Texas, five bass, 15-15, $1,595
3rd: Robert Laird Sr., Livingston, Texas, five bass, 15-5, $998
4th: Michael Vining, Little Elm, Texas, five bass, 15-3, $698
5th: Justin Seeton, Midlothian, Texas, five bass, 15-1, $598
6th: Brian Murphy, Sulphur, La., five bass, 14-12, $548
7th: Steven Fisher, Lufkin, Texas, 14-6, $498
8th: Clay Sammons, Whitesboro, Texas, 13-15, $449
9th: Nathan Wharton, Sulphur, La., five bass, 13-11, $399
10th: Hugh Cosculluela, The Woodlands, Texas, five bass, 13-8, $331
10th: Tommy Henley, Gonzales, La., five bass, 13-8, $331
Antwon Harris of Deridder, Louisiana, caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the co-angler division, a fish weighing 6 pounds, 12 ounces, and earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $495.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 19-21 BFL Regional Championship on the Red River in Bossier City, Louisiana. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard.
The 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.
For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
Martin wins ABA RAM Trucks Open on Guntersville with 21 pounds!
Casey Martin of New Hope, Alabama won the American Bass Anglers Ram Truck Open Series Alabama North tournament, held February 11, 2017 at Lake Guntersville. Running out of Goose Pond in Scottsboro, Alabama, Martin caught five bass weighing 21 pounds. He took home $6,300 for his efforts.
“Everything I caught came on a custom painted ½ oz. Rat-L-Trap. I was a grind all day, I was able to catch eight fish. I caught one fish using a jig fishing some rocky terrain,” stated Martin.
In second for the Boaters, Tim Hurst of Oxford, Alabama landed a five-bass tournament limit weighing 20.83 pounds. He collected $1,850 for the effort. “I caught my fish today on a rattletrap fishing spawning flats. I threw this bait all day long and it paid off,” Hurst said.
Greg Lamb of Birchwood, Tennessee took third for the Boaters with five bass weighing 19.58 pounds. He anchored his catch with a 7.52-pound kicker earning $1,250 for his efforts. “I threw a Chatterbait all day. We were fishing shallow milfoil in a creek channel. We had a good little hotspot so we kept going across it. It was a slow go, but we had good bites,” stated Lamb.
Finishing fourth, Benny Medlen of Scottsboro, Alabama landed a five-bass limit for 19.34 pounds including a 6.86-pound kicker.
Damien Willis of Jacksonville, Alabama rounded out the top five Boaters with five bass at 18.90 pounds.
The biggest bass for the Boaters was caught by Greg Lamb that weighed 7.52 pounds and pocketed $1,000.
In the Co-Angler Division, Jeffery Sanford of Decatur, Alabama won with three bass weighing 12.28 pounds. He sealed his victory with a 5.55-pound kicker to pocket a check for $2,420.
“I caught my biggest bass using a Watermelon Jig with a red Strike King Chunk. My other fish was caught using a Royal Shad Rattle Trap. I caught all of my fish by throwing into 13 ft. of water and bringing it back to 8-9 ft. f water.” Sanford said.
Taking second for the Co-Anglers, Jeff Bradford of Chattanooga, Tennessee brought in a three-bass division limit weighing 11.06 pounds including a 4.43-pound kicker. He collected $750 for the effort. “We sat on a ledge and threw crankbaits all day. I caught two in the morning and then about 1:30 I caught my third one. I used a crawdad color XD 3 Crankbait,” said Bradford.
Mark Pirkle of Cleveland, Tennessee placed third among the Co-Anglers with two bass weighing 10.79 pounds. He anchored his catch with a 7.02-pound kicker to earn $500. “I caught my fish today using a Chatterbait and I caught the other bass using a Shad Rap. I had the third bass on, but it was not quite big enough to weigh in,” states Pirkle.
In fourth place among the Co-Anglers, Lester Baker Jr. of Adairsville, Georgia brought in three bass weighing 10.12 pounds including a 4.79-pound kicker.
Ken Draskovic of Scottsboro, Alabama finished in fifth place with three bass weighing 10.01 pounds topped by a 3.67-pound kicker.
The biggest bass for the Co-Anglers was caught by Mark Pirkle that weighed 7.02 and pocketed an additional $375.
Slated for March 5, 2017 the next divisional tournament will be held on Lake Guntersville out of Goose Pond in Scottsboro, Alabama. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance the 2018 Ray Scott Championship.
For more information on this tournament, call Kristin Malott, tournament manager, at (256)771-3709 or ABA at (256)232-0406. On line, see www.ramopenseries.com.
About American Bass Anglers: American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers, the Ram Truck Open Series, the American Fishing Tour or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com.
Wilson wins ABA RAM Trucks Open Series on Norman with over 15 pounds!
Jason Wilson of Lincolnton, North Carolina won the American Bass Anglers Ram Truck Open Series North Carolina tournament, held 02/11/17 on Lake Norman.
Running out of Blythe Landing, Jason caught five bass weighing 15.52 pounds. He anchored his bag with a 4.21 pound kicker. For the Boater division victory, Wilson took home a check for $5,000. Also, being a Triton Gold member, Wilson pocketed an extra $7,000 from Triton Boats and another $1,000 from Mercury Marine making his total earnings $13,000.
"I started out early catching schooling fish and I had my limit in about 15 minutes" said Wilson. "After my Co-Angler caught his limit of fish I moved on to fishing docks. The first dock I stopped on I caught a 4-pounder. We moved on a bit farther and I caught two fish off the same dock. All my fish I caught were good fish."
In second for the Boaters, Richard Henley of Randleman, North Carolina landed a five-bass tournament limit weighing 15.37 pounds. He collected $1,250 for the effort. "I caught all my fish on a crankbait. The bite was good early but it slowed down. I caught one more good keeper around 1:00 pm. Over all it was a good day."
Reid McGinn of Fort Mill, South Carolina took third for the Boaters with five bass going 14.91 pounds earning him $900 for the effort. "I had a bad practice so I had to change my game plan. I caught all of my bass around docks with a Tru-South custom jig. I caught probably 15 or so fish." said McGinn.
Finishing fourth, Eric Moser of Concord, North Carolina landed a five-bass limit weighing 14.47 pounds.
Brian Morgan of Newton, North Carolina rounded out the top five Boaters with five bass weighing 14.30 pounds.
The biggest bass for the Boaters was caught by Reid McGinn of Fort Mill, South Carolina and weighed 4.91 pounds. McGinn pocketed $640 for his big bass.
In the Co-Angler Division, Kevin Jones of Hope Mills, North Carolina weighed in a three bass limit weighing 8.18 pounds. He collected $1,700 for the win.
"We started out up the lake catching schooling fish. We were fishing anywhere from 2-8 feet deep. I caught probably 10-15 fish throughout the day. I caught fish on a variety of baits but all of my better fish came on a green pumpkin trickworm on a shakeyhead," stated Jones.
Taking second for the Co-Anglers, John Harris of Lexington, North Carolina brought in a three-bass division limit weighing 8.14 pounds. He collected $550 for the effort. "I had a good partner and the key was to pay attention to his casts. I probably caught 8 or so mostly on windy docks. I was using a shakeyhead, a swimbait and a jerkbait," Harris said.
Ed Douthit of Mooresville, North Carolina placed third among the Co-Anglers with three bass weighing 7.71 pounds. He pocketed $400 for the effort. "I caught four fish today but they were the right ones. I caught three on a red speed trap and one on a shakeyhead," stated Douthit.
In fourth place among the Co-Anglers, James Webb of Mooresville, North Carolina weighed in three bass weighing 7.68 pounds.
Charles Wood of Newton, North Carolina finished in fifth place with three bass weighing 7.15 pounds.
The biggest bass for the Co-Anglers was caught by John Harris of Mooresville, North Carolina that weighed 4.04 pounds. John pocketed $295.
Slated for 3/18/17, the next divisional tournament will be held on Badin Lake out of the Alcoa Landing near Albemarle, North Carolina. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance the 2017 Ray Scott Championship slated for Old Hickory Lake in Hendersonville, TN in April of 2017.
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.
Toledo Bend Shallow Water bite expected to be a big player in Texas Team Trail event this Saturday
Welcher wins big in ABA RAM Trucks Open on lake Eufaula
Kyle Welcher of Opelika, Alabama won the American Bass Anglers Ram Truck Open Series Georgia Division tournament, held February 11th on Lake Eufaula.
Running out of Lakepoint State Park in Eufaula, Alabama Kyle caught five bass weighing 25.01 pounds. For the Boater division victory, Kyle took home a check for $5,000 for his win.
“I didn’t lose any fish today and that makes a big difference. When I was throwing crankbaits, I was around rip-rap and I caught a few in the grass. I caught a few off a dock, one dock in particular. I caught one off a tree. It didn’t matter what I did today. Someone was looking out for me today. Everything I picked up I caught them on. There was no skill involved, everything just worked out. This is my first year fishing these tournaments and I plan on fishing all of them.” Welcher said.
In second for the Boaters, Bryan Brown of Cataula, Georgia landed a five-bass tournament limit weighing 19.11 pounds. He collected $1,575 for his catch. “I caught one big one this morning on a chatter-bait. I found a creek channel ledge yesterday from an old waypoint I had and I caught two on a crankbait. I only caught six keepers today, it wasn’t easy.” Brown said.
Michael Conley of Bainbridge, Georiga caught five bass going 18.12 pounds. He collected $1,050 for his catch. “I had not been on Lake Eufaula since the two-day event last fall. I caught twenty nine fish today. I don’t know how many three pounders I went through but I never could get a big bite. It didn’t matter what I threw at them, if it came by them they would eat it. I caught all my fish in a foot of water or less.” Conley said.
Finishing fourth, William Sheffield of Hawkinsville, Georiga landed a five-bass limit weighing 17.55 pounds.
Jason “Buddha” Smith of Dawson, Georiga rounded out the top five Boaters with five bass weighing 17.49 pounds.
The biggest bass for the Boaters was caught by Anthony Gary of Panama City, Florida that weighed 7.78 pounds and pocketed $830.
“It was about 10:30am and we were out on a point. I threw a Strike King 10XD basically dragging the bottom and my rod loaded up. I thought it was a hybrid because they had been feeding there.” Gary said.
In the Co-Angler division, Robert Enke of Columbus, Georiga repeated his win from last week with three bass weighing 10.33 pounds. He pocketed a check for $1,200 for his win.
“I caught my fish just like I did last week. I was flipping a Big Bite Baits Fighting Frog mid-lake and I lucked up and caught a good fish within the last thirty minutes on a swim-jig. Everything’s been going my way.” Enke said.
Taking second for the Co-Anglers, Rob Scarborough of Canton, Georgia brought in a three-bass division limit weighing 9.33 pounds. He collected $400 for the effort. “I got lucky actually. My boater caught a ton of fish and I caught some fish early on a jig and literally five minutes before we headed in, I caught two good fish on a rubber worm. We fished the pads early in the morning and hit some bushes later in the day.” Scarborough said.
Jack Uselton of McDonough, Georiga placed third among the Co-Anglers with three bass weighing 8.01 pounds. He earned $300 for his catch. “We started up the river on a ledge and culled those fish later by sight-fishing. My boater didn’t have much so he positioned the back of the boat and let me catch those fish.” Uselton said.
In fourth place among the Co-Anglers, Ray Holloway of Eatonton, Georiga brought in three bass weighing 7.64 pounds.
Earl McQuaig of Tifton, Georiga finished in fifth place with three bass weighing 7.32 pounds.
The biggest bass for the Co-Anglers was caught by Lee Gissendaner of Eufaula, Alabama that weighed 4.19 pounds and pocketed $210.
“I caught that fish on a DD16 in a hole on the south end of the lake on my second cast this morning." Gissendaner said.
Slated for March 11th, the next tournament will be held on West Point out of Pyne Road Park in LaGrange, Georgia. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance the 2018 Ray Scott Championship, Location to be announced.
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.
How Bernie Schultz missed cut; made BIG Day 2 rebound at Elite tourney on Cherokee
“There was no mechanical failure,” said Bernie Schultz, discussing the reason he zeroed on Day 1 of the recent Bassmaster Elite Series tournament on Cherokee Lake.
“I made a lure change,” said Schultz explaining how he weighed-in over 17 pounds on Day 2.
That weight would have put him in the Top 5 on the first day. After a dismal practice and fruitless first round, Schultz made the right adjustment. It was a classic case of ‘too little, too late’ as he still missed the cut.
“I caught more weight that one day than I did in three days of practice, combined. And I was sticking everything I could in practice so I could gauge their size.”
It was some limited success early in the practice process that lead Schultz down the wrong path, as far as lure selection was concerned. Cherokee’s rock strewn drop-offs and jade depths suggested a jerkbait. “You couldn’t build a better-looking jerkbait fishery. The structure was beautiful. I really like the lake; the way it lays out, the way it looks. I caught two 4-pounders really quickly on a jerkbait the first day of practice. That and a swimbait were the only deal I had going. I tried to force that on them the first day of the tournament and I believe I was fishing below the fish.”
While many top finishers caught smallmouth in depths of 20-to-30 feet, Schultz says there was also a strong shallow bite. His fish were positioned on the bank, therefore, he was actually fishing too deep with the jerkbait and swimbait.
During his productive 2nd round Schultz turned to a lure that has produced for him from coast to coast across the seasons. “I tied-on a Rapala DT6 crankbait. I caught them in about that depth – 6 feet – but that bait will actually run deeper.” Schultz used the ‘Disco Shad’ color. “It’s one of Ike’s Custom Ink colors.”
Randall Tharp and Ott DeFoe were among those who ran up the river to fish the shallow pattern. Schultz did so right down by the dam. The pattern was solid from end to end along the lake so Schultz opted to work it where others did not. “It was well-known that the bite was ‘on’ up the river so I decided to go shallow but to do so down-lake just because there were far fewer boats fishing that way down there.”
It was a solid game plan. When he put it all together it worked. Could he have gone the distance with a better start? “I don’t know. It wasn’t a huge, heroic thing, I tell you. I just ground-out 6 bites on the 2nd day and the fish in that lake tend to weigh about 3 pounds apiece. Cherokee is full of healthy fish.”
Schultz looks forward to the next Elite event on Okeechobee in a couple of weeks. It will be the polar opposite of what we just saw in so many ways.
But on Cherokee, Schultz can take pride in having made a good call on Day 2.
Uribe wins COSTA Event on Havasu!
February 11, 2017 by David A. Brown
Some say lightning never strikes the same place twice, but any such notion about Joe Uribe Jr. just vaporized, as the Arizona pro weighed the biggest bag of the tournament to the win in the Costa FLW Series Western Division event presented by Ranger on Lake Havasu. The win was the second in as many trips to Havasu and his third FLW Series win in the last three years.
Earning $36,038 plus a Ranger Z518 with a 200-hp Evinrude outboard, Uribe marched his way to the winner’s circle with a path of steady progression. He began his campaign on day one by placing seventh with a limit that weighed 15-1 and then improved to fourth on day two with 14-11. In the final round, Uribe surged across the finish line by sacking up the event’s heaviest catch — 22-1.
Notably, Uribe’s upward course paralleled the movement of bass this week. Smallmouth spawn first on Havasu and Uribe said it was his attention to the seasonal prespawn movement that put him in position to capitalize.
Weather prompted the change, as the early part of the week saw the onset of a warming trend that pushed water temperatures into the mid to upper 50’s. Day one was sunny and calm, day two brought moderate winds and partly cloudy skies, while day three saw cloudy skies, light rain and mostly flat conditions. Despite the daily fluctuations, the warmth and the advance of calendar kept the big fishing moving shallow.
“It just set up right for me today; the conditions, the water temperature,” he says. “The fish were moving up and I was watching them. That was the key — staying on top of them. I only caught seven fish, I caught eight the second day and today I probably caught 10, so a lot better day today.
“It set up for me the same way in 2015. The fish had posted up earlier that year, but today was the day they made the move up.”
Uribe says his own observations on the water combined with the second day’s overall weigh-in results help crystalize his mental picture. Day two not only saw more fish caught, but also more quality fish.
“Yesterday is what really gave me the confidence to go out there and work today,” Uribe says. “Yesterday, I didn't’ catch any big fish; but after watching the co-anglers and some of the pros — the size of fish they were catching, I knew what I had to do today.
“I fished up here a couple of times in pre-practice, but I knew this tournament was going to change, I knew the fish were going to move up. I started fishing out deep like most anglers were and I followed those fish up.”
Uribe says caught most of his fish by working tule edges with a 7-inch soft body swimbait with a 1/2-ounce head and a skirt. On day two, he also caught some key fish on a rock shoal rising out of 15-20 feet of water. There, he used a Ned rig with a 3/16-ounce mushroom head jig and a 4-inch Yamamoto Senko cut down to 3 inches.
Notably, that swimbait was the same setup Uribe used during his 2015 victory. Returning two years later, he had a good read on how to approach Havasu, but he took nothing for granted.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” Uribe says. “Coming into this tournament, I felt confident, but very humbled. I just went out there and executed and that was the key to winning these events.
“I didn’t have any hiccups at all. I fished very clean and I didn’t miss any fish.”
Top 10 pros
1. Joe Uribe Jr. – Surprise, Ariz. – 51-13 (15) – $80,838
2. Mike Nichelini – Napa, Calif. – 46-0 (13) – $13,810
3. Jason Hickey – Weiser, Idaho – 45-14 (15) – $10,692
4. Roy Hawk – Lake Havasu City, Ariz. – 45-9 (14) – $9,010
5. Marty Lawrence – Mesa, Ariz. – 45-2 (14) – $8,019
6. Gary Collins – Upper Lake, Calif. – 42-7 (14) – $7,128
7. Justin Kerr – Simi Valley, Calif. – 42-5 (15) – $6,237
8. Robert Lee – Angels Camp, Calif. – 42-3 (15) – $5,346
9. Mark Williams – Blythe, Calif. – 41-5 (12) – $4,455
10. Johnny Johnson – Lakeside, Ariz. – 37-13 (13) – $3,564
