Colorado Team wins BASS National Team Championship on Kentucky Lake - Top 3 teams move on to compete for Classic Berth

Dec. 1, 2016

PARIS, Tenn. — Ty Faber and John Gardner expected to be deer hunting in Wisconsin by Friday.

There’s been a change of plans.

The Colorado anglers won the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship on Thursday at Paris Landing State Park here in the northwestern corner of the Volunteer State. They boated a two-day total of 37 pounds, 10 ounces on Kentucky Lake, which not only clinched the team title, but gave each angler a 1-in-6 chance of fishing in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic next March.

Not long after they hoisted the team championship trophies over their heads, it was time for a reality check.

“This hasn’t sunk in just yet,” Gardner said. “I’m still trying to process it. I have no idea what we’re going to do tomorrow.”

Thursday provided the highlight so far in a whirlwind week. Faber and Gardner drove from Colorado to Kentucky Lake and suffered through a dreary practice session that was accompanied by wind, rain and falling temperatures. They only caught one fish between them during practice, and figured they’d be able to keep their road trip of America alive by heading for Wisconsin Thursday evening after the second day of fishing in the team tournament was complete.

But the duo lit into the bass on Day 1 with a four-fish haul that weighed 22 pounds. They followed up with four more bass on Thursday that weighed 15-10. Though they only landed eight of a possible 10 bass, their total still was enough to hold of the Missouri tandem of Ashley Medley and Scott Clift, who finished second with 37-3. Barron Adams and Trevor Prince of Blue Ridge, Ga., placed third with 36-13.

The Top 3 duos now will be split, and the six individual anglers will fish for two more days with the final berth in the $1 million Bassmaster Classic on Texas’ Lake Conroe on the line.

But first things first, and that involves savoring the team championship.

Faber, 31, and Gardner, 58, won a Nitro Z30 and Mercury 225 Pro XS boat and motor package valued at $41,995. The rig also is outfitted with a Minn Kota trolling motor, Lowrance electronics, and more. Faber also collected a $500 check for landing the big bass on Thursday (a 7-7 lunker he hooked midmorning.)

When anglers win a tournament, they almost always disclose the techniques they used on the path to victory. But with two more days of fishing ahead, Faber was as tight-lipped as a bass on ice. Appropriate, perhaps, given the icy conditions Thursday morning on Kentucky Lake

“Jigs,” he said, cracking a wry smile, when asked what lure attracted the biggest bass.

The 7-7 monster carried the bag, but it was a 1 1/2-pound squeaker they caught with 10 minutes of fishing time remaining that provided the winning edge. They lose that fish, and they’re deer hunting by midday Friday.

“We’d have been excited before this tournament if you had told us we’d have caught eight fish,” Faber said.

As Gardner said, neither he nor Faber have a plan for Friday’s competition. After all, they consider themselves lucky to be fishing another day anyway.

“We ran out of fish,” Gardner said. “We really don’t have a plan. We’re just going to go fish and see what happens.”

But first, they’ll have to ask some friends they’re staying with in the Paris, Tenn., area if it’s okay to hang around a few more days.

“Hopefully, they’ll keep cooking us dinner,” Faber joked.

Faber is a plumber by trade, and Gardner a taxidermist. They’ve fished together on the Ultimate Bass Team Trail in Colorado for six years. But for the next two days, they’ll be competitors.

“I came here for him,” Gardner said, throwing his support behind Faber. “No way had I thought I’d be standing here talking to you about a chance to fish in the Bassmaster Classic. We’ll have to figure out what we’re going to do. We may share a spot. It’s OK. We’ll just share it.”

And win or lose, come Saturday they’ll be heading to Wisconsin to hunt deer. For now though, they’re hunting a bigger prize — the final spot in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic.

In all, 186 two-person squads from 31 states and Canada were represented in the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship. The next 36 teams behind Faber and Gardner won cash prizes, including $7,000 each for Medley and Clift (who fish on the Joe Bass Team Trail,) and $5,000 each for Adams and Prince (who are part of the Chattanooga Bass Association.)

Alabama’s Mark McCaig and Tim Hurst caught the Carhartt Big Bass of the tournament. That 8-3 lunker boated on Wednesday netted $1,000 in cash awards. Nearly $116,000 in cash and merchandise was awarded in the team championship.

The six anglers competing in the Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off will launch from Paris Landing State Park at 6:30 a.m. CT on both Friday and Saturday. Weigh-in is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT both days. All weights were zeroed after Thursday’s weigh-in, so each individual angler has equal opportunity to earn a Classic berth.

2016 Bassmaster Team Championship Title Sponsor: Toyota Bonus Bucks

2016 Bassmaster Team Championship Premier Sponsors: Humminbird, Minn Kota, GoPro, Mercury, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha, Huk

2016 Bassmaster Team Championship Supporting Sponsors: Phoenix Boats, Rapala, Shimano, Shell Rotella, Livingston Lures, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Carhartt

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

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

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Media Contact: JamieDay Matthews, 205-313-0945, [email protected] or Dave Precht, 205-313-0931, [email protected].
Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship
11/30/2016 - 12/1/2016
Kentucky Lake - Paris Landing State Park - Paris, TN
STANDINGS BOATER DAY 2
Name # Live # Fish # Live Lbs - Oz
1 Ty Faber - John Gardner Ultimate Bass TT 4 4 15-10 8 8 37-10
2 Ashley Medley - Scott Clift Joe Bass TT 5 5 20- 8 10 10 37- 3
3 Barron Adams - Trevor Prince Chattanooga Bass Association 5 5 17- 5 10 10 36-13
4 Josh Greer - Robert Greer Anglers In Action 5 5 19-12 9 9 36- 9
5 Larry Bullock - Roger Caldwell Alabama Bass Trail 5 5 19-11 10 10 33-12
6 Lane McGaha - Chase McCullin Fishers of Men 5 5 17-10 9 9 33-11
7 Robert Jones - Cody Woods Media Bass 5 5 16- 5 10 10 33-10
8 Dustin Bishop - Kyle Lear Fishers of Men 5 5 14-13 10 10 32-11
9 Ben King - Tim Hickson Anglers In Action 5 5 20- 2 10 10 32- 9
10 David Caylor - Robbie Pelt Alabama Bass Trail 5 5 14- 3 10 10 32- 9
11 Ken Thompson - Brad Weese Anglers Choice 3 3 6-15 8 8 31- 9
12 Dustin Neat - Mark Wethington NTBA 5 4 15- 2 10 9 31- 3
13 Kyle Kempkers - Brett Haveman BBT Bass R Us 5 5 13-10 10 10 31- 2
14 Kelly Jones - Roger Satterfield Ozark Mountain TT 5 5 18- 5 10 10 30-14
15 Ray Hogge - Kevin Whitehurst James River Priority 5 5 17- 1 10 10 30- 8
16 Jesse Wiggins - Jordan Wiggins Alabama Bass Trail 5 5 17-15 10 10 30- 6
17 Chris Darby - Danny Gwinn Arkansas Bass Team Trail 5 5 17-11 10 10 30- 2
18 Stacey Poynter - Rodney Lucas Fishers of Men 5 5 16- 3 10 10 30- 1
19 Derrick Compton - Dustin Compton Carolina Bass Challenge 3 3 9-12 8 8 29-15
20 Ben Verhoef - Robert Bueltmann Anglers In Action 5 5 15- 1 10 10 29- 6
21 Cole Hyder - Joel Saunders PBC TT 4 4 13- 9 9 9 29- 4
22 Brent Algeo - Jim Copeland Ozark Mtn Team Trail 5 5 16- 3 10 10 28-15
23 Mark McCaig - Tim Hurst Big Bucks Buddy Trail 2 2 6- 4 7 7 28-12
24 Kris Colley - Adam Bain Airport Marine 3 3 9- 0 8 8 27-15
25 Jake Beem - Cade Alsbury Anglers In Action 5 5 12- 8 10 10 27-13
26 Eric Kiliszewski - Edwin Ammerman West Michigan Bass 5 5 17- 1 10 10 27- 8
27 Jason Walcott - Jimmy Vanden Berg Jr West Michigan Bass 5 5 13- 6 9 9 27- 8
28 Truett Hill Jr - Chris Coleman FOM 5 5 13-11 10 10 27- 6
29 Brian Funkhouser - Kenneth Reed IN BN TT 5 5 14-14 10 10 27- 4
30 Steve Drinnon - Paul Vaccaro Fishers of Men 3 3 12- 1 7 7 27- 3
31 Michael Fornelli - Jim Davidson Joe Bass TT 5 5 11- 0 10 10 27- 1
32 Scott Jones - Dustin Cauthon Arkansas Bass Team Trail 5 5 14- 3 10 10 27- 0
33 Brian Hensley - Ken Tucker AC Tournament Trail 5 5 16-12 9 9 26-10
34 Neil Vandebiezen - Ken Plencner D&R Sports Team Trail 4 4 10-11 9 9 26-10
35 Joe Magnatta - Dennis Carter Lakeland Bassmasters TT 5 5 14- 6 9 9 25-15
36 Tim Grein - Richard Cooper Anglers Choice 2 2 6-11 7 7 25-14
37 Wayne Vaughan Jr - Mitch Blankenship James River Priority 5 5 14- 5 10 10 25- 7
38 Shawn Skobel - Logan Crayton Fishers of Men 5 5 11- 5 10 10 25- 6
39 Jake Deeds - Stacey Burson Media Bass 5 5 17- 4 8 8 25- 2
40 Vaughn Capasso - Chris Capasso IL BN TT 5 5 11- 9 9 9 25- 0
41 Don Ingram - Ronnie Grant NTBA 4 4 13-11 8 8 24-13
42 Rex Chambers - Brent Crow Alabama Bass Trail 5 5 11- 1 9 9 24- 6
43 Dillon Tucker - Greg Tucker Alabama Bass Trail 5 5 13- 8 9 9 24- 4
44 Christopher Risner - Timothy Eaton 2015 Champ - D&R Sports Team Trail 5 5 13-0 10 10 24-1
45 Rickey Knight - Randall Carter McNider Marine 4 4 10- 9 7 7 24- 0
46 Rick Imler - Robert Newlon Great Lakes Largemouth Series 5 5 10- 1 10 10 23-14
47 Nathan Burgess - Brent Riley Carolina Bass Challenge 4 4 11- 4 7 7 23- 2
48 Timothy Dube - Kevin Miller NH BN TT 3 3 8- 0 8 8 23- 1
49 Brad Hickinbottom - Brian McCay Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit 5 5 15- 0 8 8 23- 1
50 Daniel Vyverberg - Dan Patane Upstate Anglers 5 5 14- 8 8 8 22-14
51 Robert Grike - Eric Nelson James River Priority 5 5 11-10 10 10 22-12
52 Dylan Hays - Jimmy Mize Arkansas Bass Team Trail 3 3 5- 8 8 8 22-10
53 Chad Schroeder - Chase Schroeder McNider Marine 4 4 9- 5 9 9 22- 4
54 Jerry Shawver - Daniel Irish FL BN TT 5 5 16- 5 7 7 22- 0
55 Chris Pitts - Jesse Draime Media Bass 5 5 12- 5 8 8 21-14
56 Chris Glover - Chris Alexander AC Tournament Trail 5 5 15- 1 7 7 21-11
57 Matthew Dyer - Ross TenHarmsel West Michigan Bass 5 5 14- 4 8 8 21- 8
58 Josh Wray - Donald Wray Ozark Mountain TT 3 3 6-10 8 8 21- 3
59 James Ward - Sam Musicck Anglers Choice 3 3 9- 3 8 8 21- 3
60 Matt McCoy - Dennis Davis IN BN Team Trail 5 5 14- 7 7 7 21- 1
61 Paul Davis - Josh Chapple Airport Marine 5 5 14- 3 8 8 20-13
62 Bryant Copley - Steve West Anglers Choice 5 5 13- 3 8 8 20-10
63 Mickey Lewis - Duane Ritter TN BN TT 4 4 12-11 7 7 20-10
64 Jay Hulsey - Kyle Hulsey Ozark Mountain Team Trail 3 3 6- 2 8 8 20- 6
65 Tim Coffey - Mitch Lewis NTBA 4 4 12-15 7 7 20- 0
66 Tyler Moberly - Christopher Howard Morristown Marine 3 3 11- 1 6 6 19-12
67 Terry Reich - Dustin Hill TX BN TT 3 3 8- 6 7 7 19- 9
68 Timmy Poe Jr - Jeremiah Kindy Arkansas Bass Team Trail 3 3 9- 4 7 7 19- 7
69 Shawn Lolley - Davy Lolley Alabama Bass Trail 5 5 15- 5 6 6 19- 5
70 Nick Giamei - John Lansdowne 2 2 4-12 7 7 19- 5
71 Damien Willis - Mark Steward Alabama Bass Trail 3 3 6- 6 8 8 19- 4
72 Nicholas Bodsford - Richard Owen James River Priority 3 3 10- 8 7 7 18-13
73 Troy Bigelow - Kent Lodari TN Valley 4 4 7- 6 9 9 18-10
74 Josh Busby - Timothy Taylor Ozark Mountain TT 1 1 2- 5 6 6 18- 3
75 Paul Ferguson Jr - Eric Thompson Fishers of Men 3 3 6- 5 8 8 18- 3
76 Seth Davis - Brent Butler Chattanooga Bass Association 0 0 0- 0 5 5 18- 1
77 Jonathan Spivey - Derick Livingston Carolina Bass Challenge 5 4 11-11 8 7 17-11
78 Jeremy Gordon - Philip Gordon Morristown Marine 1 1 1-12 6 6 16-13
79 Charley Thomas - Chris Thomas Joe Bass TT 5 5 15-11 5 5 15-11
80 Dell Mettlen Jr - Justin Harris KS BN TT 2 2 3-14 7 7 15-11
81 Darrin King - Mark Mahaffey Joe Bass TT 2 2 6-12 5 5 15-10
82 Fred Ingalls II - Mark Allen Upstate Anglers 1 1 3- 6 6 6 15- 8
83 Mark Mounts - Matthew Farrabee Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit 4 4 10- 2 6 6 15- 7
84 Lee Bishop - Mike Miller Fishers of Men 1 1 2- 5 5 5 15- 4
85 Kevin King Jr - Brandon Hill James River Priority 5 5 13- 0 6 6 15- 1
86 Brent Ellens - Nick Compagner BBT Bass R Us 0 0 0- 0 5 5 14-13
87 Wesley Cashwell - Shane Doughtie Carolina Bass Challenge 3 3 7- 6 6 6 14- 5
88 Steve Singleton - A.L. Needham Jr Fishers of Men 1 1 2- 3 6 6 14- 4
89 Justin Spraske - Joshua Stone NH BN TT 5 5 12- 3 6 6 14- 3
90 Skyler Schultz - Richard Schultz Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit 3 3 6- 6 7 7 14- 2
91 Marcus Sykora - Bill Davenport Anglers In Action 1 1 0- 0 6 6 13-14
92 Jason McFarland - Michael Carter NTBA 0 0 0- 0 5 5 13- 9
93 Rob Messenger Jr - John Levesque New Hampshire BN Team Trail 4 4 9- 1 5 5 13- 6
94 Bryan Baker - Darren Baker Joe Bass TT 1 1 3- 2 4 4 13- 5
95 Derrell Potter - Bill Benford Fishers of Men 1 1 1-15 6 6 13- 2
96 Doug Brownridge - David Chong Renegade Bass Team Trail 3 3 8- 8 5 5 13- 1
97 Keith McDeerman - Von Dilbeck Morristown Marine 0 0 0- 0 3 3 13- 0
98 Jeff Gee - Steve Majewski AC Tournament Trail 0 0 0- 0 5 5 12-10
99 Jarrod Sherwood - Jeff Yorks MI - Team Bass 0 0 0- 0 5 5 12- 7
100 Jess Caraballo - Mark Condron CT BN Team Trail 3 3 7-11 5 5 12- 7
101 Bret Hoeksema - Shawn Martinie BBT Bass R Us 1 1 2- 2 5 5 12- 5
102 Mark O'Brien - Ryne Sanders AC Tournament Trail 0 0 0- 0 5 5 12- 4
103 William Shipes - Doug Wooldridge Fishers of Men 2 2 4- 6 5 5 12- 4
104 Mike Williams - Duane Jacobs Bassmania Team Trail 3 3 7- 3 4 4 12- 0
105 Joel Lee - Steve Hadley Dockside Marine 3 3 6-12 5 5 11-13
106 Ron Fabiszak Jr - Ron Nelson D&R Sports Team Trail 0 0 0- 0 4 4 11- 8
107 Lance Walker - Brad Wilemon Fishers of Men 0 0 0- 0 4 4 11- 0
108 Steve Miracle - Mike Wolfenbarger TN Valley 0 0 0- 0 5 5 10-15
109 Travis Tenwadle - Keith Stewart OH BN TT 3 3 10-15 3 3 10-15
110 Tim Goff - Larry Witt Anglers Choice 0 0 0- 0 4 4 10-12
111 Juddie Revels III - David Oxendine Carolina Bass Challenge 2 2 8- 9 3 3 10- 9
112 Mitch Miles Jr - Scott Sawyers Anglers Choice 3 3 5- 3 5 5 10- 9
113 Rogne Brown Jr - Cary Dotson Chattanooga Bass Association 0 0 0- 0 4 4 10- 8
114 Dan Parker - Mark Sexton IA BN TT 0 0 0- 0 3 3 10- 3
115 Dalton Bobo - Lonnie O'Neal Alabama Bass Trail 0 0 0- 0 3 3 10- 2
116 Chuck James - Brad James Chattanooga Bass Association 0 0 0- 0 3 3 10- 1
117 Dale Duncan Jr - Donny Woody Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 4 4 9-12
118 Chris Dennis - Jay Lewis Arkansas Bass Team Trail 0 0 0- 0 3 3 9-12
118 Luke Jarman - Bobby Morgan Joe Bass TT 0 0 0- 0 3 3 9-12
120 Jamie Smith - Michael Rains Alabama Bass Trail 0 0 0- 0 4 4 9-11
121 Rusty Darnell - Tim Newberry Joe Bass Team Trail 3 3 9-11 3 3 9-11
122 Mark Thompson - Jim Smith Joe Bass TT 2 2 5- 6 3 3 9- 5
123 Buster Lilly Jr - Travis Lilly White Pine Marine Tournament Trail 0 0 0- 0 3 3 9- 4
124 Rick Johnston - Joe Brantley Ozark Mountain TT 0 0 0- 0 2 2 9- 4
125 Brad Nappier - Brian Nappier Fishers of Men 2 2 3-15 4 4 9- 3
126 Ricky Powell - James Johnson James River Priority 3 3 9- 1 3 3 9- 1
127 Mickey Anderson - Bo Boltz Jr James River Priority 0 0 0- 0 3 3 9- 0
128 Marty Giddens - Joshua Stracner Big Bucks Buddy Trail 0 0 0- 0 4 4 8-14
129 Todd Choate - Kent Whitaker Joe Bass TT 0 0 0- 0 3 3 8- 5
130 Martin Elshout - Mark Price Fishers of Men 0 0 0- 0 4 4 8- 3
131 Bo Chappell - Wayne King Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 4 4 8- 1
132 Dan Miguel - Bryan Low Bassmania Team Trail 4 4 7- 9 4 4 7- 9
133 Ron Brown - Bobby Brown Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 2 2 7- 7
134 Nick Vitullo - Jarrett Knize AC Tournament Trail 1 1 2- 9 2 2 7- 4
135 Michael Milton - Paul Sharp Morristown Marine 0 0 0- 0 2 2 6-14
136 James Maisenbacher - Scott Bree IL BN TT 3 3 6-13 3 3 6-13
137 Vince Loschiavo - Brandon Blystone Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit 1 1 2- 2 3 3 6-11
138 Sean Hoernke - Curt McCauley TX BN TT 0 0 0- 0 3 3 6-10
139 Joe Raftery - Tom Martin NV BN TT 0 0 0- 0 3 3 6- 8
140 Jeston Anderson - Robbie Robinson Alabama Bass Trail 0 0 0- 0 2 2 6- 7
141 Gus Kneidinger - Jason Kneidinger Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit 1 1 3- 6 2 2 6- 5
142 Jay Cranney - Travis Jewell Ultimate Bass Team Trail 2 2 3-15 3 3 5-14
143 Tony McCraw - Penny McCraw Fishers of Men 0 0 0- 0 2 2 5-13
144 Mack Cook - Patrick Cook Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 2 2 5-12
145 Douglas Polasek - Dan Hatchew West Michigan Bass 0 0 0- 0 2 2 5- 9
146 Samuel Fish - Justin Hamner Alabama Bass Trail 0 0 0- 0 1 1 5- 9
147 Don Heiser - James Sells Joe Bass TT 0 0 0- 0 2 2 5- 8
148 Harold Black - Lacy Burnette Anglers Choice 0 0 0- 0 2 2 5- 5
148 Brian Thompson - Eric Hammond Anglers In Action 0 0 0- 0 2 2 5- 5
150 Chris Dover - Robert Fowler Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 2 2 4-14
151 David Crumpton - Tim Trahan Arkansas Bass Team Trail 0 0 0- 0 2 2 4-12
152 Joel Price - Dustin Snelson FL BN TT 0 0 0- 0 2 2 4-11
153 Jake Boomer - Jason Bryan Northwest Bass 0 0 0- 0 2 2 4- 5
154 Jeff Seamans - Terry Algier DE BN Team Trail 0 0 0- 0 1 1 4- 2
155 Casey Warren - Wesley Carroll Carolina Anglers Tournament Trail 0 0 0- 0 2 2 4- 0
156 Ryan Butler - Dustin Lippe Anglers In Action 0 0 0- 0 1 1 4- 0
157 Scott Henley - Neil McDonald Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 1 1 3-15
158 Jeremi Beatty - Clint Benbow Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 1 1 3- 9
158 Brian McCarter - Jason Fowler NTBA 0 0 0- 0 1 1 3- 9
160 Wayne Moyher - Craig Powers Morristown Marine 0 0 0- 0 2 2 3- 7
161 Curtis Richardson - Brad Arnott Renegade Bass 0 0 0- 0 1 1 3- 7
162 Duane Poole - Mike Merz Upstate Anglers 0 0 0- 0 1 1 3- 6
163 Brett McLean - Mac McLean Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 1 1 2-12
164 Todd Sosebee - Steve Postell Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 1 1 2-11
165 David Riemersma - Jesse Riemersma West Michigan Bass 1 1 2- 7 1 1 2- 7
166 Russ Padgett Jr - Meredith Havird Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 1 1 2- 2
167 Keith Baird - Michael Thompson IN BN Team Trail 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Dwain Bever - Michael Brogan Anglers Choice 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Jeff Bonner - Steve Coggin Media Bass 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Wayne Burchett - David Whited VA BN TT 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Edward Dyer - Roger Riemersma West Michigan Bass 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Shane Gray - Coleton Gray Media Bass Teams 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Michael Hicks - Tom Hicks James River Priority 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Jason Hodge - Lonnie Bowlin AC Tournament Trail 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Joe LaFountain - Dan LaFountain D&R Sports Team Trail 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Wayne Marlow - Scott Peavy Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Shannon McCaleb - James McCaleb Media Bass 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Jim Moorey - Jack Moorey MA BA TEAM TRAIL 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Kenneth Owens - Kenny Botts Morristown Marine 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Brandon Rummel - Ron Rummel Ozark Mountain TT 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Brett Sall - Jim Sprague MI BN TT 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Robert Stumpe - Dustin Hall FL BN TT 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Corey Sullivan - Media Bass Teams 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 John Valdez - Nate Cowan NJ BN TT 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Roger Waters - Kevin Johnston Anglers In Action 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 John Williams IV - Jim Williams Joe Bass Team Trail 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Wes Woodard - Jeff Oppenneer West Michigan Bass 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0

BIG BASS
Day Name City, State Lbs-Oz
1 Mark McCaig - Tim Hurst Oxford, AL 8- 3
2 Ty Faber - John Gardner Pagosa Springs, CO 7- 7

TOTALS
Day # Fish # Live Lbs-Oz # Limits
1 551 551 1608- 6 58
2 413 411 1185- 5 50

CARHARTT BIG BASS of TOURNAMENT
Day Name City,State Lbs-Oz
1 Mark McCaig - Tim Hurst Oxford, AL 8- 3

B.A.S.S. Bonus Awards
Name Cash Mdse
BIG BASS DAY 1 Mark McCaig $250.00 $0.00

by AnglersChannel

Jamey Caldwell talks Cuda Brand tools - The last pair of shears you'll ever need.

BASS Opens Pro Angler Jamey Caldwell talks about Cuda Brand Shears that he uses in his boat and why these are the last pair of shears he will ever own.

by AnglersChannel

Anglers Choice Marine Team leads BASS Team Championship on Kentucky Lake

Andrew Canulette
PARIS, Tenn. — When soaking rains and cold temperatures moved across western Tennessee earlier this week, people wondered how the changing weather would affect fishing in the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship on Kentucky Lake.

On Wednesday at Paris Landing State Park, Ken Thompson and Brad Weese provided the answer.

Though the duo has only fished together less than a year, they looked like lifelong partners. The team from the Angler’s Choice Team Trail boated a five-bass limit that totaled 24 pounds, 10 ounces and gave them a solid lead after the opening round of the national team championship.

Weese, who is from Petersburg, W.Va., caught the two biggest bass of their creel; each weighed approximately 6 1/2 pounds. Thompson, of Raysburg, Pa., provided the rest of the weight with a 4-pounder and two 3 1/2-pound bass. They didn’t catch many fish in practice rounds when the weather was extremely disagreeable, but found three spots today that lit up after they ditched their initial fishing area earlier in the morning.

“We complement each other in that we both like fishing the same style,” Thompson said. “If I’m doing something, I know he can do it. And if he has something working, I can fish the same way. We’ll hit those same spots tomorrow. There are fish out there.”

Thompson and Weese comprised one of only four two-person teams weighing-in more than 20 pounds of bass on Wednesday. Mark McCaig and Tim Hurst of the Sylacauga Big Bucks Buddy Trail in Alabama are in second place with a limit of 22-8. They are closely followed by Ty Faber and John Gardner of the Ultimate Bass Team Trail in Colorado, third with 22-0, and Derrick and Dustin Compton of the (South) Carolina Bass Challenge Team are fourth with 20-3.

Twenty-five teams are within 10 pounds of Thompson’s and Weese’s lead. In all, 159 of the 186 teams registered in the Bassmaster Team Championship caught at least one bass today, and 58 of them had limits.

Surprisingly, Faber and Gardner, who currently are in third place, were without a limit. They caught four bass on all day, two of which came among their first casts of the day. One of the throws boated a 6-10 lunker to boost the bag.

“This is our first time here, so we don’t know the lake at all,” Gardner said. “So this was good fishing for us today. There were a lot of fish (on our spot,) and we literally stayed on it all day.”

With 160,000 acres to explore, Kentucky Lake offers plenty of territory for anglers to cover. But Faber and Gardner may have found what some pundits said would be the key to success in this tournament — a spot that replenishes itself throughout the day.

“When you don’t have another spot to go to, you stay where you are,” Faber joked.

“So we’ll start in the same spot again tomorrow, for sure,” Gardner said.

McCaig and Hurst had the big bass of the day — an 8-3 lunker that Hurst said was caught on a crankbait following the shad bite on Kentucky Lake. Both men said they didn’t catch much in practice, but felt like it would take at least 20 pounds a day to make the cut after Thursday’s action.

“This is the Tennessee River, so you know it’s going to take a good weight to win,” McCaig said. “The first place we started today, we caught an 8-pounder, then a 4-pounder. So why leave?”

“We had three spots in mind, we hit one, and it produced,” Hurst said. “Hopefully we can do it again tomorrow.”

Rain Monday and Tuesday gave way to partly cloudy skies, 50 degree air temperatures, and slack winds on Wednesday. Conditions are supposed to be significantly colder for Thursday’s fishing, after which the team champions will be crowned.

The Top 3 teams will qualify for the Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off to be held on Friday and Saturday, also on Kentucky Lake. In that event, each angler fishes individually, teammate against teammate. The competitor who brings in the heaviest daily catches will earn the final available space in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic when it is held in March on Lake Conroe outside of Houston, Texas.

This week’s event marks the third year B.A.S.S. has held a team championship. The tournament is composed of winning pairs from team trails throughout the U.S. that are sanctioned by B.A.S.S.

In all, 194 teams from 31 states and one Canadian province are represented.

The Day 2 launch will begin at 6:30 a.m. CT at Paris Landing State Park, and weigh-in will follow at 2:30 p.m.

The Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship is hosted by the Henry County Alliance.

TOURNAMENT STANDINGS
Place Name Day 1
Fish / Weight Total
Fish / Weight
1
Ken Thompson - Brad Weese
Anglers Choice
5 / 24-10 5 / 24-10
2
Mark McCaig - Tim Hurst
Big Bucks Buddy Trail
5 / 22- 8 5 / 22- 8
3
Ty Faber - John Gardner
Ultimate Bass TT
4 / 22- 0 4 / 22- 0
4
Derrick Compton - Dustin Compton
Carolina Bass Challenge
5 / 20- 3 5 / 20- 3
5
Tim Grein - Richard Cooper
Anglers Choice
5 / 19- 3 5 / 19- 3
6
Kris Colley - Adam Bain
Airport Marine
5 / 18-15 5 / 18-15
7
David Caylor - Robbie Pelt
Alabama Bass Trail
5 / 18- 6 5 / 18- 6
8
Seth Davis - Brent Butler
Chattanooga Bass Association
5 / 18- 1 5 / 18- 1
9
Dustin Bishop - Kyle Lear
Fishers of Men
5 / 17-14 5 / 17-14
10
Kyle Kempkers - Brett Haveman
BBT Bass R Us
5 / 17- 8 5 / 17- 8
11
Dylan Hays - Jimmy Mize
Arkansas Bass Team Trail
5 / 17- 2 5 / 17- 2
12
Josh Greer - Robert Greer
Anglers In Action
4 / 16-13 4 / 16-13
13
Dustin Neat - Mark Wethington
NTBA
5 / 16- 1 5 / 16- 1
14
Josh Busby - Timothy Taylor
Ozark Mountain TT
5 / 15-14 5 / 15-14
15
Cole Hyder - Joel Saunders
PBC TT
5 / 15-11 5 / 15-11
16
Jake Beem - Cade Alsbury
Anglers In Action
5 / 15- 5 5 / 15- 5
17
Steve Drinnon - Paul Vaccaro
Fishers of Men
4 / 15- 2 4 / 15- 2
18
Timothy Dube - Kevin Miller
NH BN TT
5 / 15- 1 5 / 15- 1
18
Jeremy Gordon - Philip Gordon
Morristown Marine
5 / 15- 1 5 / 15- 1
20
Josh Wray - Donald Wray
Ozark Mountain TT
5 / 14- 9 5 / 14- 9
21
Jay Hulsey - Kyle Hulsey
Ozark Mountain Team Trail
5 / 14- 4 5 / 14- 4
22
Jason Walcott - Jimmy Vanden Berg Jr
West Michigan Bass
4 / 14- 2 4 / 14- 2
23
Larry Bullock - Roger Caldwell
Alabama Bass Trail
5 / 14- 1 5 / 14- 1
23
Shawn Skobel - Logan Crayton
Fishers of Men
5 / 14- 1 5 / 14- 1
25
Stacey Poynter - Rodney Lucas
Fishers of Men
5 / 13-14 5 / 13-14
26
Rick Imler - Robert Newlon
Great Lakes Largemouth Series
5 / 13-13 5 / 13-13
27
Truett Hill Jr - Chris Coleman
FOM
5 / 13-11 5 / 13-11
28
Jason McFarland - Michael Carter
NTBA
5 / 13- 9 5 / 13- 9
29
Vaughn Capasso - Chris Capasso
IL BN TT
4 / 13- 7 4 / 13- 7
30
Rex Chambers - Brent Crow
Alabama Bass Trail
4 / 13- 5 4 / 13- 5
31
Keith McDeerman - Von Dilbeck
Morristown Marine
3 / 13- 0 3 / 13- 0
32
Chad Schroeder - Chase Schroeder
McNider Marine
5 / 12-15 5 / 12-15
33
Lee Bishop - Mike Miller
Fishers of Men
4 / 12-15 4 / 12-15
34
Scott Jones - Dustin Cauthon
Arkansas Bass Team Trail
5 / 12-13 5 / 12-13
35
Jeff Gee - Steve Majewski
AC Tournament Trail
5 / 12-10 5 / 12-10
36
Kelly Jones - Roger Satterfield
Ozark Mountain TT
5 / 12- 9 5 / 12- 9
37
Chris Darby - Danny Gwinn
Arkansas Bass Team Trail
5 / 12- 7 5 / 12- 7
37
Ben King - Tim Hickson
Anglers In Action
5 / 12- 7 5 / 12- 7
37
Jarrod Sherwood - Jeff Yorks
MI - Team Bass
5 / 12- 7 5 / 12- 7
37
Jesse Wiggins - Jordan Wiggins
Alabama Bass Trail
5 / 12- 7 5 / 12- 7
41
Brian Funkhouser - Kenneth Reed
IN BN TT
5 / 12- 6 5 / 12- 6
42
Mark O'Brien - Ryne Sanders
AC Tournament Trail
5 / 12- 4 5 / 12- 4
43
Fred Ingalls II - Mark Allen
Upstate Anglers
5 / 12- 2 5 / 12- 2
44
Steve Singleton - A.L. Needham Jr
Fishers of Men
5 / 12- 1 5 / 12- 1
45
James Ward - Sam Musicck
Anglers Choice
5 / 12- 0 5 / 12- 0
46
Nathan Burgess - Brent Riley
Carolina Bass Challenge
3 / 11-14 3 / 11-14
47
Dell Mettlen Jr - Justin Harris
KS BN TT
5 / 11-13 5 / 11-13
48
Joe Magnatta - Dennis Carter
Lakeland Bassmasters TT
4 / 11- 9 4 / 11- 9
49
Ron Fabiszak Jr - Ron Nelson
D&R Sports Team Trail
4 / 11- 8 4 / 11- 8
50
Derrell Potter - Bill Benford
Fishers of Men
5 / 11- 3 5 / 11- 3
51
Robert Grike - Eric Nelson
James River Priority
5 / 11- 2 5 / 11- 2
51
Wayne Vaughan Jr - Mitch Blankenship
James River Priority
5 / 11- 2 5 / 11- 2
53
Don Ingram - Ronnie Grant
NTBA
4 / 11- 2 4 / 11- 2
54
Christopher Risner - Timothy Eaton
2015 Champ - D&R Sports Team Trail
5 / 11- 1 5 / 11- 1
55
Lance Walker - Brad Wilemon
Fishers of Men
4 / 11- 0 4 / 11- 0
56
Dillon Tucker - Greg Tucker
Alabama Bass Trail
4 / 10-12 4 / 10-12
57
Rogne Brown Jr - Cary Dotson
Chattanooga Bass Association
4 / 10- 8 4 / 10- 8
58
Eric Kiliszewski - Edwin Ammerman
West Michigan Bass
5 / 10- 7 5 / 10- 7
59
Bret Hoeksema - Shawn Martinie
BBT Bass R Us
4 / 10- 3 4 / 10- 3
59
Timmy Poe - Jeremiah Kindy
Arkansas Bass Team Trail
4 / 10- 3 4 / 10- 3
61
Bryan Baker - Darren Baker
Joe Bass TT
3 / 10- 3 3 / 10- 3
61
Dan Parker - Mark Sexton
IA BN TT
3 / 10- 3 3 / 10- 3
63
Dalton Bobo - Lonnie O'Neal
Alabama Bass Trail
3 / 10- 2 3 / 10- 2
64
Chuck James - Brad James
Chattanooga Bass Association
3 / 10- 1 3 / 10- 1
65
Dale Duncan Jr - Donny Woody
Carolina Bass Challenge
4 / 9-12 4 / 9-12
66
Luke Jarman - Bobby Morgan
Joe Bass TT
3 / 9-12 3 / 9-12
67
Buster Lilly Jr - Travis Lilly
White Pine Marine Tournament Trail
3 / 9- 4 3 / 9- 4
68
Rick Johnston - Joe Brantley
Ozark Mountain TT
2 / 9- 4 2 / 9- 4
69
Mickey Anderson - Bo Boltz Jr
James River Priority
3 / 9- 0 3 / 9- 0
70
Marty Giddens - Joshua Stracner
Big Bucks Buddy Trail
4 / 8-14 4 / 8-14
71
Darrin King - Mark Mahaffey
Joe Bass TT
3 / 8-14 3 / 8-14
72
Tyler Moberly - Christopher Howard
Morristown Marine
3 / 8-11 3 / 8-11
73
Nicholas Bodsford - Richard Owen
James River Priority
4 / 8- 5 4 / 8- 5
74
Martin Elshout - Mark Price
Fishers of Men
4 / 8- 3 4 / 8- 3
75
Bo Chappell - Wayne King
Carolina Bass Challenge
4 / 8- 1 4 / 8- 1
76
Brad Hickinbottom - Brian McCay
Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit
3 / 8- 1 3 / 8- 1
77
Mickey Lewis - Duane Ritter
TN BN TT
3 / 7-15 3 / 7-15
78
Jake Deeds - Stacey Burson
Media Bass
3 / 7-14 3 / 7-14
79
Skyler Schultz - Richard Schultz
Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit
4 / 7-12 4 / 7-12
80
Bryant Copley - Steve West
Anglers Choice
3 / 7- 7 3 / 7- 7
81
Matthew Dyer - Ross TenHarmsel
West Michigan Bass
3 / 7- 4 3 / 7- 4
82
Tim Coffey - Mitch Lewis
NTBA
3 / 7- 1 3 / 7- 1
83
Wesley Cashwell - Shane Doughtie
Carolina Bass Challenge
3 / 6-15 3 / 6-15
84
Michael Milton - Paul Sharp
Morristown Marine
2 / 6-14 2 / 6-14
85
Sean Hoernke - Curt McCauley
TX BN TT
3 / 6-10 3 / 6-10
86
Chris Glover - Chris Alexander
AC Tournament Trail
2 / 6-10 2 / 6-10
86
Matt McCoy - Dennis Davis
IN BN Team Trail
2 / 6-10 2 / 6-10
88
Joe Raftery - Tom Martin
NV BN TT
3 / 6- 8 3 / 6- 8
89
Jeston Anderson - Robbie Robinson
Alabama Bass Trail
2 / 6- 7 2 / 6- 7
90
Jonathan Spivey - Derick Livingston
Carolina Bass Challenge
3 / 6- 0 3 / 6- 0
91
Tony McCraw - Penny McCraw
Fishers of Men
2 / 5-13 2 / 5-13
92
Mack Cook - Patrick Cook
Carolina Bass Challenge
2 / 5-12 2 / 5-12
93
Douglas Polasek - Dan Hatchew
West Michigan Bass
2 / 5- 9 2 / 5- 9
94
Samuel Fish - Justin Hamner
Alabama Bass Trail
1 / 5- 9 1 / 5- 9
95
Don Heiser - James Sells
Joe Bass TT
2 / 5- 8 2 / 5- 8
96
Mitch Miles - Scott Sawyers
Anglers Choice
2 / 5- 6 2 / 5- 6
97
Harold Black - Lacy Burnette
Anglers Choice
2 / 5- 5 2 / 5- 5
97
Brian Thompson - Eric Hammond
Anglers In Action
2 / 5- 5 2 / 5- 5
99
Brad Nappier - Brian Nappier
Fishers of Men
2 / 5- 4 2 / 5- 4
100
Joel Lee - Steve Hadley
Dockside Marine
2 / 5- 1 2 / 5- 1
101
Chris Dover - Robert Fowler
Carolina Bass Challenge
2 / 4-14 2 / 4-14
102
Mike Williams - Duane Jacobs
Bassmania Team Trail
1 / 4-13 1 / 4-13
103
Jess Caraballo - Mark Condron
CT BN Team Trail
2 / 4-12 2 / 4-12
103
David Crumpton - Tim Trahan
Arkansas Bass Team Trail
2 / 4-12 2 / 4-12
105
Nick Vitullo - Jarrett Knize
AC Tournament Trail
1 / 4-11 1 / 4-11
106
Vince Loschiavo - Brandon Blystone
Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit
2 / 4- 9 2 / 4- 9
107
Jake Boomer - Jason Bryan
Northwest Bass
2 / 4- 5 2 / 4- 5
108
Jeff Seamans - Terry Algier
DE BN Team Trail
1 / 4- 2 1 / 4- 2
109
Casey Warren - Wesley Carroll
Carolina Anglers Tournament Trail
2 / 4- 0 2 / 4- 0
110
Ryan Butler - Dustin Lippe
Anglers In Action
1 / 4- 0 1 / 4- 0
110
Shawn Lolley - Davy Lolley
Alabama Bass Trail
1 / 4- 0 1 / 4- 0
112
Scott Henley - Neil McDonald
Carolina Bass Challenge
1 / 3-15 1 / 3-15
113
Brian McCarter - Jason Fowler
NTBA
1 / 3- 9 1 / 3- 9
114
Wayne Moyher - Craig Powers
Morristown Marine
2 / 3- 7 2 / 3- 7
115
Curtis Richardson - Brad Arnott
Renegade Bass
1 / 3- 7 1 / 3- 7
116
Duane Poole - Mike Merz
Upstate Anglers
1 / 3- 6 1 / 3- 6
117
Gus Kneidinger - Jason Kneidinger
Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit
1 / 2-15 1 / 2-15
118
Brett McLean - Mac McLean
Carolina Bass Challenge
1 / 2-12 1 / 2-12
119
Todd Sosebee - Steve Postell
Carolina Bass Challenge
1 / 2-11 1 / 2-11
120
Russ Padgett Jr - Meredith Havird
Carolina Bass Challenge
1 / 2- 2 1 / 2- 2
121
Juddie Revels III - David Oxendine
Carolina Bass Challenge
1 / 2- 0 1 / 2- 0
122
Jay Cranney - Travis Jewell
Ultimate Bass Team Trail
1 / 1-15

by AnglersChannel

2017 BASS Elite Series Field set.

BASS Communications Newsletter

Nov. 30, 2016

Rookies Join Bass Fishing Legends In 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Field

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series roster has been set at 111 and will include at least 13 newcomers to the prestigious bass fishing circuit, B.A.S.S. announced today. The new tournament year, which begins in February, also marks the return of legendary angler David Fritts of Lexington, N.C., to B.A.S.S. competition.

“We have seen less attrition among the current Elite anglers and a higher rate of acceptance from Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens qualifiers than ever before,” said Trip Weldon, B.A.S.S. tournament director.

B.A.S.S. guidelines permit up to 15 top Opens competitors — five each from the three divisions — to join the Elite Series each year. This year, 13 of the 15 accepted invitations, compared to 12 in 2015.

In addition to the two declines from the Opens, two Elite Series anglers dropped out after the 2016 season’s end. Former GEICO Bassmaster Classic champion and Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Davy Hite is retiring to become a commentator on Bassmaster TV and “LIVE” programs, and rookie Fabian Rodriguez chose not to return.

Those spots were filled from the current Elite Series roster based on final Angler of the Year points standings.

According to B.A.S.S. tournament rules, the Top 70 in AOY points automatically requalify for the following season. They are joined by up to 15 from the Opens and one qualifier from the B.A.S.S. Nation. Newcomers to the Elites are given a “grace season” should they fail to requalify after the first year. The remaining spots needed to achieve a full field of 108 are awarded based on AOY rankings for each year of an angler’s career, after dropping the lowest score.

“Unfortunately, demand for berths in the Elite Series is greater than the number of spots available, so nine of our Elite anglers were unable to requalify,” Weldon said. “The anglers were offered priority entry into 2017 Bassmaster Opens, in the event they wished to try to qualify for the Elites again.”

Special exemptions added three to the field, bringing the total to 111. One Elite angler, Nate Wellman, is returning from a medical exemption, and two former Classic winners — Paul Elias and Fritts — are taking advantage of a new “Legend Exemption” offered to icons of the sport. Elias, the 1982 Classic winner, has fished the Elite Series since its inception in 2006. Fritts left B.A.S.S. competition in 2005 but expressed elation at being able to return next year.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back to B.A.S.S. and fishing the Elites,” Fritts said. “I used to fish the Top 100s, but when they started the Elites I, ‘semiretired.’ Now, every time I attend the Classic, it brings back memories. It’s a way of life for me, and something I’ve missed out on.”

After winning the Bassmaster Classic in 1993, Fritts, who will be 60 when the 2017 series gets under way, was Bassmaster Angler of the Year in 1994. He also won the Forrest Wood Cup in 1997.

In addition to the legends and veterans, 11 rookies will compete on the 11-event Elite Series trail, including 10 from the Opens and one, Darrell Ocamica of Fruitland, Idaho, who accepted the invitation offered to one of the three top finishers in the 2016 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan.

Two of the Opens qualifiers, Stetson Blaylock of Benton, Ark., and Jacob Wheeler of Indianapolis, Ind., were highly successful competitors on the FLW circuit and are considered “newcomers” instead of rookies. Another non-rookie, Chad Pipkens of Holt, Mich., requalified for the Elites as one of the Top 5 in performance points on the Northern Opens circuit.

The 2017 Elite Series kicks off with the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Cherokee in Knoxville and Jefferson County, Tenn., Feb. 9-12. Anglers will compete again two weeks later at Lake Okeechobee, Florida, and then take a break for the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic in Houston, Texas, March 24-26. The Classic and two other marquee tournaments in the Series — Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship — each offers a purse of at least $1 million.

Following are the anglers registered to compete in the 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series:

2017 Elite Series Anglers

Angler Hometown/State Qualification Route
Casey Ashley Donalds, SC Elite Series
Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ Elite Series
Drew Benton Panama City, FL Elite Series
Josh Bertrand Gilbert, AZ Elite Series
Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK Elite Series
Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR Southern Opens
Jay Brainard Enid, OK Elite Series
Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR Elite Series
Brandon Card Caryville, TN Elite Series
Tyler Carriere* Youngsville, LA Central Opens
Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS Elite Series
Hank Cherry Jr. Maiden, NC Elite Series
Jason Christie Park Hill, OK Elite Series
Luke Clausen Spokane, WA Elite Series
Rick Clunn Ava, MO Elite Series
Keith Combs Huntington, TX Elite Series
Dustin Connell* Clanton, AL Southern Opens
Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN Elite Series
John Crews Jr. Salem, VA Elite Series
Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA Elite Series
Mark Daniels Jr.* Tuskegee, AL Southern Opens
Clent Davis Montevallo, AL Elite Series
Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR Elite Series
Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN Elite Series
Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL Elite Series
Brent Ehrler Newport Beach, CA Elite Series
James Elam Tulsa, OK Elite Series
Paul Elias Laurel, MS Legend
Edwin Evers Talala, OK Elite Series
Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX Elite Series
Seth Feider Bloomington, MN Elite Series
Micah Frazier Newnan, GA Elite Series
David Fritts Lexington, NC Legend
Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, MN Elite Series
Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL Elite Series
Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA Elite Series
Skylar Hamilton* Dandridge, TN Central Opens
Jamie Hartman* Newport, NY Northern Opens
Matt Herren Ashville, AL Elite Series
Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ Elite Series
Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL Elite Series
Randy Howell Guntersville, AL Elite Series
John Hunter Shelbyville, KY Elite Series
Michael Iaconelli Pittsgrove, NJ Elite Series
Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL Elite Series
Alton Jones Jr.* Lorena, TX Central Opens
Alton Jones Sr. Lorena, TX Elite Series
Kelly Jordon Flint, TX Elite Series
Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL Elite Series
Gary Klein Weatherford, TX Elite Series
Koby Kreiger Bokeelia, FL Elite Series
Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK Elite Series
Bobby Lane Lakeland, FL Elite Series
Chris Lane Guntersville, AL Elite Series
Russ Lane Prattville, AL Elite Series
Robbie Latuso* Gonzales, LA Central Opens
Jordan Lee Vinemont, AL Elite Series
Matt Lee Guntersville, AL Elite Series
Dave Lefebre Erie, PA Elite Series
Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN Elite Series
Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC Elite Series
Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA Elite Series
Bill Lowen Brookville, IN Elite Series
Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL Elite Series
Aaron Martens Leeds, AL Elite Series
Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR Elite Series
Mark Menendez Paducah, KY Elite Series
Ish Monroe Hughson, CA Elite Series
Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC Elite Series
Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO Elite Series
Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS Elite Series
Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT Elite Series
David Mullins Mount Carmel, TN Elite Series
John Murray Phoenix, AZ Elite Series
Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC Elite Series
James Niggemeyer Van, TX Elite Series
Darrell Ocamica* Fruitland, ID B.A.S.S. Nation
Takahiro Omori Emory, TX Elite Series
Cliff Pace Petal, MS Elite Series
Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID Elite Series
Chad Pipkens Holt, MI Northern Opens
Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ Elite Series
Keith Poche Pike Road, AL Elite Series
Jacob Powroznik Port Haywood, VA Elite Series
Brett Preuett Monroe, LA Elite Series
Cliff Prince Palatka, FL Elite Series
Skeet Reese Auburn, CA Elite Series
Marty Robinson Lyman, SC Elite Series
Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ Elite Series
Scott Rook Little Rock, AR Elite Series
Fred Roumbanis Russellville, AR Elite Series
Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY Elite Series
Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL Elite Series
Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL Elite Series
Morizo Shimizu Osaka, Japan Elite Series
Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH Elite Series
Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO Elite Series
Gerald Spohrer* Gonzales, LA Central Opens
Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL Elite Series
Jesse Tacoronte* Orlando, FL Northern Opens
Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL Elite Series
Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI Elite Series
Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI Elite Series
Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL Elite Series
David Walker Sevierville, TN Elite Series
Nate Wellman Newaygo, MI Elite Series
Jacob Wheeler Indianapolis, IN Northern Opens
Jesse Wiggins* Cullman, AL Southern Opens
David Williams Newton, NC Elite Series
Jason Williamson Wagener, SC Elite Series
Chris Zaldain San Jose, CA Elite Series

(*—denotes Elite Series rookie)

2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

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

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

by AnglersChannel

Crossover products are as helpful on the water is in the woods

Thanksgiving has passed, so even for many hardcore tournament anglers, now is the time to get in the woods as well as on the waters.
It also means that 'shopping season' is here again. Be sure and  get something nice for your wife and kids, your parents, the mailman, et al, but treat yourself right too. Big savings can be had on some cool gear. Some items provide utility far beyond the hunting woods or the fishing hole.

Fishing wise, take advantage of the topwater bite as shad should be up in the creeks, bluegills around the banks and bass close behind - or out ahead, lying in ambush. The shiners in our local pond are bigger than my foot. it takes a big bass to eat such bait. We've got 'em.

photo by Vance McCullough
photo by Vance McCullough

As for our deer herd, Florida is not known for producing trophy bucks. There are a few nice specimens in North Florida. They are seldom seen during daylight hours, except at the peak of the rut.

photo by Vance McCullough
photo by Vance McCullough
The wilds of the Deep South include boot-sucking swamps and expansive palmetto flats studded with thick thorn vines and guarded by venomous snakes and clouds of incessant mosquitoes. Hunting here guarantees the opportunity to fail miserably, and to be miserable while failing.
For this reason, a couple of items have become indispensable in my mind. The Thermacell is an outstanding invention for mosquito control. It flat out works. I recommend it for the boat or the tree stand. Who needs to be swatting mosquitoes when a big flippin' fish bites beneath a mat? And you won't see many animals in the woods if your arm is waving like a windshield wiper.
Indeed, there is a lot of crossover between products that help hunters and fishermen alike. While mosquitoes are bad news, snakes can be downright dangerous and, on rare occasions, deadly. My boy and I wear snake-proof boots and chaps in the woods. The cordura clothing also sheds briars like they aren't even there. Such duds are well suited for wading through backwater areas where we often fish on foot, though they seldom find their way onto a boat.
One item found in many a boat or backpack is a revolver with rat shot or, my favorite, the Taurus Judge with bird shot. The Judge is one of those pistols that can chamber .45 caliber ammo or .410 shotgun shells. I have been fishing with my dad when a cottonmouth nearly 6 feet in length came directly to the boat. It had a head as big as my fist and no amount of commotion or paddle-slapping could deter it from approaching us. When Dad cranked the outboard the snake finally retreated back into the tall flooded grass from whence it had come. What if the motor didn't crank? What if we didn't have one? The Judge would have had to adjudicate.
On another trip it was a pair of vermin that walk about on two legs who approached as Dad prepared to launch a boat in a remote location. They found out quick they had picked a hard target to rob.
In any case, it's best to be prepared and Florida law provides for the carry of personal protection when hunting or fishing. Whether you carry a Judge in a holster in the wilds or need to conceal a .380 for everyday business, I have been using and can now recommend Nexbelt.
Nexbelt is infinitely adjustable and incredibly sturdy. Both of these attributes made it handy after I gorged myself at Thanksgiving dinner with the family the other day. And I've gotten so many compliments - from ladies, none the less - on my belt's rugged handsomeness.
The rep at Nexbelt was hesitant to say that it would hold up the more-than-two-pound package that is a fully loaded Taurus Judge, but I can say that I have had no worries even when I carried the judge tucked inside the belt without a holster. It is now my everyday belt. I've even worn it to church.
If you carry fishing accessories, multi-tools, or tools of any kind, Nexbelt provides a sturdy hold. By the way, I clip the aforementioned Thermacell on mine too. My son and I use mountain bikes to access remote areas and the belt has held everything nice and tight.
Whether you enjoy hunting, fishing, or if you're just into bird-watching, if you go outside in the South a Thermacell and a Nexbelt will improve your experience. Be your own Santa and reward yourself. You've been good this year, right?

by AnglersChannel

Strike King Lure Company partners with Jackson Kayaks and Orion Coolers

Press release furnished by Strike King Lure Company

Collierville, Tenn. (Dec. 1, 2016) – Three iconic brands have joined forces, as partners in marketing, across their respective industries. Strike King, a staple name among anglers for over 50 years is excited to announce that they are teaming up with Orion Coolers and their parent company, Jackson Kayaks. This partnership will include sponsorship of Jackson’s namesake, Eric Jackson as he competes on the FLW Tour. Eric is the godfather of kayaking and has worked very hard to bring kayak fishing to the forefront of the fishing industry.

 

“We recognize the growth in kayak fishing. It is arguably the fastest growing segment of our market and just like Jackson and Orion, we intend for Strike King to be the brand of choice among kayak anglers” says Doug Minor, VP of Sales and Marketing for Strike King. “We are excited to partner with Eric and his brands as he competes professionally and we strive to fulfill the needs of our customers. The combination of our knowledge and skill sets should translate into some pretty exciting future projects”, Minor adds.

 

“Teaming up with Strike King was a no-brainer. On a personal level, their products are all that I use and need in FLW competition.  In regards to Jackson Kayak and Orion Coolers, it will be an awesome avenue to educate consumers on our brands and products through sponsoring Pro Team Journal and Fish Hard” affirms world-renowned kayaker and professional Angler, Eric Jackson. “We believe that the same customers who purchase Strike King products for their quality and value will benefit from understanding the same principles are at the core of our brands as well.”

 

Look for more from Strike King, Jackson Kayaks and Orion Coolers as new episodes of Pro Team Journal by Strike King and Strike King’s Fish Hard beginning airing during the first quarter of 2017.

 

More information, please go to www.strikeking.com, www.jacksonkayak.com, and www.orioncoolers.com.

by AnglersChannel

Hold Tight to Today

Written by: Chris Brown

"I said Grandpa what's this picture here....."

Like many of us, some of our earliest memories involved a Grandparent, for me it was my Grandfather.

"If it looks like we were scared to death......"

For the 40 years I have been alive and for the 53 before that, Wallace Collie never met a stranger and never backed down from a challenge.  A homebuilder by trade and a handyman by night, I never saw anything he couldn't do or couldn't fix. He was a WWII Vet, a Husband, a Father, A Grandfather and a man of God. Every Sunday you could find him on the end of the 3rd pew of Ringgold Baptist Church while his wife sang in the choir and his daughter played the piano.

 My outdoors life, when I was back home in Virginia, consisted of my Grandfather and my Uncle. My Dad has always been hands on and extremely supportive, but my Grandfather and uncle taught me how to fish, how to run a boat and many of the outdoor activities I enjoy with my kids today.

On our annual family vacations to White Lake, NC,  he helped teach me to waterski behind his Thunderbird Ski boat and in the evenings he and my Uncle took us boys across the lake to the fishing hole after supper. As a young boy, I  learned quick to watch and listen.......and learn.

One of my fondest memories of my Grandfather, were those annual vacations to White lake. Each year, up until he was in his early 80's, he and I would water ski together behind my Uncles Ranger. We may not have stayed out long but he was always there, right beside me, smiling and laughing, and skiing.

When I was 21 years old I bought my first bass boat. A 1997 Ranger Sport R70. He and my Grandmother were in town visiting us and I couldn't wait to show him. We fished and caught a bunch of fish out of that boat and those were the trips I will never forget.

"A pictures worth a thousand words...."

In 2002 when I accepted a position with Strike King Lure Company, He was the first person I called. He thought about the news and the position for a minute and gave me this advice, "Son, The fishing business is seasonal work, will there be enough work to get you through the off-season and beyond? Can you make a good living in this industry?" He asked. Not sure he fully understood the scope of work, but you hardly ever saw him without that Strike King hat I gave him soon after I started. He was proud.

"This one is my favorite one. 
This is me and grandma in the summer sun....."

img_4604

The lady sitting next to him in the picture above. That's My Grandmother.

72 years they were married.

SEVEN-TWO....

I had to repeat that to a friend the other day when talking over the phone. Hardly seems possible doesn't it.

In his 93 years of life, his 72 years of marriage, he never let work get in the way of his family or his faith. Yes, He worked his ever-loving a$$ off, but it never interfered. His son Larry, (My Uncle), one of the best dudes you could ever have the pleasure of knowing. His daughter Wanda (My Mom), Well what can you say about your Mom? She's the deal.

Insert 4 Grand boys and it never slowed him down. Not one second.

He built over 50 homes in and around the small community of Ringgold, Virginia making sure everyones dreams came true. He helped me and my Brother and my Dad build storage sheds, decks, furniture, you name it. He taught me more about life without ever saying a word. He was my Grandfather.

"You Should have seen it in color....."

2 years ago. That was the last time I saw my Grandfather alive and doing well.

654 miles separated us........ A little over 8-1/2 hours of driving time.

Life gets busy, life gets hard, things get crazy, family, friends, holidays, work, travel, more work.  Everything seemed to get in the way.

It always does. doesn't it?

Of all the people I have had the pleasure to know and to have spent time with in a boat, my Grandfather was my most favorite one. If I could have one more day with him in that little ole' Ranger I would drop everything I was doing and make sure I was there early.

As my wife and I drove the 8-1/2 hours home last night back to Alabama, I caught myself seeing things on the road, landmarks, lakes, rivers, places we have been, things we have done and they all involved my grandfather. I regret not being there more in the last few years of his life, I regret not spending more time with him when I was there. But as a my friend Don Barone wrote once in one of his columns,

"Yesterday, Yesterday Never comes back. Hold Tight to Today."

Hold your friends close and family closer, make sure those you love know it on a daily basis and always hold tight today.

Save me a fishing spot on the bank Grandaddy, I will see you again one day in Heaven.

God Bless,

CB

 

 

"In Color" -  Written by Jamey Johnson, James otto and Lee Miller

by AnglersChannel

Theis wins American Bass Anglers AFT D15 on Tar River

 

 

Jason Theis of Hubert, North Carolina won the AFT D15 event held on November 19, 2016 that ran out of Tranters Creek in Washington, North Carolina. Jason caught five bass weighing 12.72 pounds and says he caught his fish using a little bit of everything. Jason took home a check for $543 for first place.

In second among the competitors, Monte Morgan of Ayden, North Carolina caught five bass weighing 11.05 pounds. Monte pocketed a check for $329.

Taking third place, Steve Bishop of Goldsboro, North Carolina caught five bass weighing 9.60 pounds. Steve received a check for $108.

Top Five Finishers:
1. Jason Theis           12.72
2. Monte Morgan        11.05
3. Steve Bishop          9.60
4. Michael Colbert       9.01
5. Rollin Willmon         8.60

The next divisional event will be held December 3, 2016 on Neuse River in New Bern, North Carolina. For more information on this or any future event in this division contact Chad Conwell at (252)717-8602 or by email at [email protected].

I would like to thank our local sponsors for supporting us throughout 2015 and in to 2016.
• Deep Creek Lures
• Captain Gary’s Marine Care Products
• E-Z Bait and Tackle
• BJ and Son Tackle & Custom Rods

These anglers are earning valuable points toward the divisional angler of the year title. The points champion from each division will compete in the annual Ram American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of the Year Final Round at the Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship.

The Ram American Fishing Tour offers low cost, close to home bass tournaments that are designed for the weekend angler. All ABA anglers fish for money and points. The points advance the angler to their divisional championship and the top 500 anglers in the US are invited to the Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship. For more information on American Bass Anglers please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256)232-0406.

by AnglersChannel

INDIAN SUMMER EXTENDS OPPORTUNITIES

By David A. Brown

Calendars and thermometers aren’t always on the same page and when fall seems reluctant to relinquish summer’s residuals, the ensuing weather patterns bring a bounty of opportunity balanced by strategic considerations. It’s called an Indian Summer, a weather phenomenon technically described as a late-season warmup with mostly sunny, clear conditions and above average temperatures, an Indian Summer can arrive as early as late September, but October-November is more the norm.

Technically, these conditions occur after the first frost in northern latitudes, but regardless of timing, Bassmaster Elite pro Kevin VanDam knows the Indian Summer phenomenon proves profound because it overlaps a seasonal constant — shortening daylight periods. Notwithstanding the impacts we’ll look at next, the fish will always defer to their instinctual course.

“Their movement as they transition into their fall pattern and then into their winter pattern is not based on water temperature, it’s more based on the time of the year,” he said of typical bass behavior. “Instead of going all the way to the backs of the creeks, you have to think about where that next seasonal pattern is going to be, so they’re going to be closer to their wintering areas.

“They may be shallow, but they’re going to be closer to deep water, closer to a channel swing, or the mouth of a creek.”

 

DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES

As VanDam points out, Indian Summers extend seasonal patterns that leave fish vulnerable to observant anglers.

“Later in the year, when you have above normal water temperatures and weather conditions and you have things warming in the afternoon; you’ll see spikes in activity levels,” VanDam said. “Late in the fall, you’ll see a lot of shad activity and bass in the shallow — things you normally shouldn’t see this time of year.

indian-summer-01“You’ll really see that in the afternoon when the sun gets up. So you have windows of high activity by both the bait and the bass.”

And don’t miss the “after party.” VanDam notes that a true Indian Summer is a relatively brief period that eventually gives way to late Autumn’s inevitable cold fronts. However, pockets of similar opportunity often arise between the frosty stuff.

“If you get a warming trend once the weather has gotten cold, the same thing can happen again,” VanDam said. “It’s really about watching the weather patterns and seeing those abnormal spikes in temperature.

“When you get a mild system that hangs around for a week, in the afternoons, you can get some high activity level. The reason the bass are active is their forage is active.”

Conversely, sudden temperature declines impart a gathering effect. As VanDam explains, a cold front that concludes Indian Summer conditions will pull all the bass off a shallow feeding flat and park them them on the closest channel swing stretch where they’ll hold on the steeper contour until the weather warms up, or conditions signal winter’s official onset.

 

BEST BAITS

indian-summer-05Acknowledging the overall benefits of an Indian Summer, Elite pro Greg Hackney notes a balancing point: “With these warmer-than-normal temperatures we’re having, it cuts back on my opportunities to power fish and go back to big lures like you’d use in the summer. It’s still a great time to fish and you can get a lot of bites, but I feel like I need to downsize.

“What happens with these warmer temperatures is this year’s baitfish hatch still seems to be moving, but the bigger baitfish haven’t moved yet. So, by downsizing a little bit, you’re basically using the same presentations, just smaller. You’re still going to have good results during a weird seasonal (occurrence).”

Hackney summarized his downsized selections: “Rather than flipping a big Strike King Rodent or a jig, I’ll downsize to a Strike King Tube. I’ll also downsize my (flipping) weight. Rather than using a 3/8- or a 1/2-ounce, I’m using a 3/16- or a 1/4-ounce. For my reaction baits, I’ll throw a 1/8-ounce buzzbait, a 1/4- to 3/8-ounce spinnerbait, or a Strike King 1/0 squarebill rather than a 1.5.”

VanDam’s a big fan of topwaters like a Strike King Sexy Dog walking bait, a Strike King Redeye Shad and a buzzbait for flat terrain, or a jerkbait for deeper highland reservoirs — all good choices for covering water to find fish that often continue the shallow roaming of earlier weeks.

“Indian Summer conditions can scatter the fish,” VanDam said. “Instead of being on one steep, rocky bank, they can be down a big flat or a grass line. So baits that allow you to be more efficient and cover the top end of the water column can be really good.”

 

BEAR IN MIND

While an Indian Summers can stimulate bass beyond normal fall behavior, Hackney said the daytime weather can be kinda bland. Not the worst thing in the world, but certainly something to consider.

“It’s still pretty warm, we don’t get a lot of wind and there’s a lot of dead conditions — slick, no leaf movement; it’s a funky period,” he said. “Because of this, I try to stay off of the areas I’m fishing. This is a time of year when those fish get extremely shallow.

“When you don’t have bad weather, you have to be easy on your boat presentation. You don’t want to leave much ‘footprint’; you don’t want to disturb everything around you.”

That’s an important point, Hackney said, because of inherent fall positioning. By drought or drawdown, a lot of the nation’s lakes have been lowered, so fish pushing back into creeks and pockets end up feeding super shallow.

“This time of year, those fish are in flat water,” Hackney said. “It’s not like those fish are sitting off a drop and you’re casting up shallow. The bait is transitioning and the fish are going wherever the bait is.”

by AnglersChannel

If fish could talk....... Q&A with Greg Hackney

Its the Million Dollar Question....

If you caught a fish that could talk, what question would you ask him before you had to release him?

We asked several BASS & FLW Pro's this question, Greg Hackney is up first, check it out!

by AnglersChannel

Big Bass Tour 2017 - "One Bite Could Win it All!"

As you grab your 2017 Calendar and start to plan your tournaments for next year, make sure the Big Bass Tour is part of your plans. Great lakes and locations at the right time of year and as they say, "One Bite Could Win it All!" What do you have to lose? Get registered today!

by AnglersChannel

Mark Ellis Wins ABA AFT D42 event on Arkansas River

 

 

Mark Ellis of Malvern, Arkansas won the first event of the ABA American Fishing Tour D42 held on November 19th and contested on the Arkansas River in the Pine Bluff Pool. Mark topped the field with five fish for a total weight of 13.99 pounds. Mark threw a crankbait and Caroline-rig to catch his fish. Mark earned $500 for his efforts.

Rob Stone sacked up five fish for a total weight of 13.00 pounds even. Rob relied on a crankbait and jerkbait to fill his livewell. Rob also caught the Big Bass of the event weighing 3.99 pounds which earned him a total of $378.

Rounding out the top three was John Simonof who used a homemade vibrating jig, poured on an OWNER hook, with a V&M Baits Swamp Hog Jr. trailer thrown on a Temple Fork Outfitters rod, Lew’s Speed Spool and 20# Hi-Seas Quattro fluorocarbon line to catch five fish for a total weight of 12.79 pounds.

18 anglers came out on a chilly morning with blue bird skies after the recent cold front moved through and were also greeted with a muddy river and lower waters levels and little flow. Despite being mid-November, the water temperature was still in the low to mid 60s. The fishing was good with ten 5-fish limits crossing the scales. Overall, 65 fish were caught for a total weight of 136.11 pounds with a 100% live release rate.

Top Five Anglers:
1. Mark Ellis              13.99 lbs
2. Rob Stone            13.00 lbs
3. John Simonof        12.79 lbs
4. Jamie Black           12.63 lbs
5. Blake Wilson         12.52 lbs

The next tournament in this division is on the Arkansas River/Maumelle Pool on 8 April 2017 launching out of Maumelle Park. For more information on this or any future event in this division contact John Simonof at (501)772-4938 or by email at [email protected].

I’d like to thank our local sponsors who provide great support throughout the year.

Fish N’ Stuff
H2O Sportz & Marine
I-40 Transmission
NIFE Marine
Temple Fork Outfitters
Window World of Little Rock
Zimmerman’s Sports Center/Exxon

These anglers are earning valuable points toward the divisional angler of the year title. The points champion from each division will compete in the annual Ram American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of the Year Final Round at the Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship.

The Ram American Fishing Tour offers low cost, close to home bass tournaments that are designed for the weekend angler. All ABA anglers fish for money and points. The points advance the angler to their divisional championship and the top 500 anglers in the US are invited to the Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship. For more information on American Bass Anglers please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256)232-0406.

by AnglersChannel

American Bass Anglers Announces the Ouachita River as the Destination for the 2016 Ram American Fishing Tour Championship - October 15-17, 2017

 

Athens, AL. The top 500 Ram American Fishing Tour anglers for the 2016-2017 season will be invited to attend the 2017 Ram Trucks American Fishing Tour National Championship at the Ouachita River in Monroe, LA on October 15-20, 2017. Event launch and weigh-in will take place at Forsyth Park, located at 2101 Riverside Drive; Monroe, LA 71201. The Championship will be hosted by the Monroe-West Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau. More info on the local Monroe, LA area is available at this link.

“We are excited to be hosting the 2017 Championship, and look forward to welcoming the anglers to Louisiana in anticipation of a great week of fishing on the Ouachita River.  We are proud to be a partner with ABA and look forward to showing all of their competitors a warm welcome to Monroe-West Monroe, LA”, said Scott Bruscato, Monroe-West Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“This will be the first time that American Bass Anglers  has held a championship on the Ouachita River.  Many anglers have asked over the past couple of years to visit a body of water that has not hosted a Championship in the past and there has also been several requests that we visit a river fishery. This makes the Ouachita River a great destination. We look forward to working with the Monroe-West Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau to make this a great event,” said Morris Sheehan, ABA President.

The Ouachita River (wah-shi-tah). The river is named for the Ouachita tribe, one of several historic tribes who lived along it. Others included the Caddo, Osage Nation, Tensa, Chickasaw, and Choctaw. Washita is an Indian word meaning "good hunting grounds" and "sparkling silver water."

The river has held some large championships in the past. The most notable was the Albert Collins B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship win in 2015 with 44 pounds, 15 ounces over three days. In an interview with Bassmaster Collins said there was a lot of backwater, stumps and a good channel and reported he caught most of his bigger fish on white/chartreuse spinnerbait with silver and gold willow blades.

The Ram Trucks American Fishing Tour offers low cost, close to home bass tournaments that are designed for the weekend angler. All ABA anglers fish for money and points. The points advance the angler to their divisional championship and the top 500 anglers in the US are invited to the Ram Trucks American Fishing Tour National Championship. For more information on the Ram Trucks American Fishing Tour visit this link.

About: American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers, the Ram Truck Open Series, the Ram American Fishing Tour, the American Couples Series, the Military Team Bass Tournament, or the Ram 100% Plus Team Tour visit www.americanbassanglers.com.

American Bass Anglers, Inc. is supported by Ram Trucks, Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, Carlisle Tires, GEICO, T-H Marine, Hydrowave, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Livingston Lures, Best Western Hotels, Simms, Garmin, Maui Jim, Power Pole, Dr Dan's, and LiT Coolers.  American Bass Anglers, Inc. can be contacted at (256) 232-0406 or visit AmericanBassAnglers.com.

2017 Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship
Ouachita River - Monroe, LA
October 15-20, 2017

Registration Begins July 31, 2017

Launch and Weigh-In Site: Forsyth Park:  2101 Riverside Drive, Monroe, LA 71201

Official Practice: Safelight on Sunday October 15, 2017 until 3:00 pm on Tuesday October 17, 2017.

Onsite Safety and Pairing Meeting: Tuesday October 17 6pm Monroe Civic Center

Tournament Days: Wednesday October 18th, Thursday October 19th and Friday October 20th.

Locking will be allowed.

Host Hotels:

Best Western West Monroe Inn:  405 Thomas Rd, West Monroe, LA 71292  (318) 322-9922

Best Western Airport Inn:  1475 Garrett Rd, Monroe, LA 71202  (318) 345-4000

2016 Ram American Fishing Tour Championhip Photo Gallery

2016 Ram American Fishing Tour Final Results

by AnglersChannel

Ryan Lavigne Of Louisiana Wins B.A.S.S. Nation Championship On Conroe

 From BASS

CONROE, Texas — Ryan Lavigne of Gonzales, La., pulled off a major upset at the 2016 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan Sunday on Lake Conroe.

Lavigne won the tournament as an unlikely candidate — a nonboater — and won it by an enormous margin, 16 1/2 pounds.

The Ascension Area Anglers bass club member bested the field with 58 pounds, 3 ounces over three days of competition.

As part of his win, he earned a berth in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro, March 24-26, along with his two closest competitors, Darrell Ocamica of Idaho and Timothy Klinger of Nevada.

“Making the Classic is a dream come true,” Lavigne said. “It’s something I’ve thought about since I started fishing. My dad took me fishing when I was a kid, and it’s just a passion I’ve never let go. And making it to the Classic is one of the biggest goals of my life.”

Lavigne bolted into the overall lead on the second day of competition, winning the title of Nonboater Champion, and opening up a 6 1/2-pound gap between him and the top boater, Klinger.

He made the margin even bigger in the first two hours of Sunday’s competition, putting 18 pounds of bass into the boat before 8 a.m.

“I prepared for any boater I could draw,” said Lavigne, who spent his time practicing for any scenario he thought he might encounter with his boaters, which are drawn at random.

Lavigne qualified as a nonboater because of the way the Louisiana B.A.S.S. Nation assembled its state team. The Top 10 anglers in the qualifying tournament were assigned boater spots on the state team; the anglers who placed 11th through 20th were assigned nonboater spots.

Competing as a nonboater in the B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional on Alabama’s Lake Guntersville, he won his division. Then he did it again here on Conroe, and when he was mixed in with the boaters (an honor only the Nonboater Champion earned), he beat them, too.

“Every nonboater out there should see this and realize it’s worth their while,” Lavigne said. “If you’ve been thinking about competing as a nonboater, come out and do it. I just did something nobody thought could happen.”

The boater in the championship has ultimate control of where the boat goes, but the nonboater can offer suggestions. Lavigne had a plan for anywhere his boaters may take him, but he also had waypoints marked that he suggested, and his boaters listened.

“I had decided that I could do really well flipping boat docks or cranking offshore,” Lavigne explained.

When he was on boat docks, which he mostly was the first two days of competition, he flipped a Stand-Up Jighead with a Trick Worm or Missile Baits Tomahawk Worm. In offshore areas, he cranked a Strike King 5XD.

His final day, when Lavigne was in control of the boat, he chose a small hard, hump in the main lake. He was sitting over 13 feet of water, but the top of the hump was 6 feet. In practice, he had found this spot and caught a 16-inch bass on it. He knew it was a place he could go back to if he needed.

“I went there this morning and caught a limit using a Missile Baits Twin Turbo [a twin-tail grub] in green pumpkin,” Lavigne said. Then he left the area alone until noon, when he came back and culled three of the bass he had already caught there in the morning.

For his double win, Lavigne earned two prize packages worth a combined $131,820. As the Nonboater Champion, he won paid entry into the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens division of his choice, a Skeeter/Yamaha boat package with a Minn Kota trolling motor and Humminbird electronics, and a spot as a marshal in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.

As one of the Top 3 anglers, he earned the B.A.S.S. Nation’s Best prize package, which is the use of a Toyota Tundra truck and a fully rigged, tournament-ready Phoenix boat for one year, as well as paid entry into the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens series of the angler’s choice, and a berth in the 2017 Classic. As the overall winner, he was invited to compete on the 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series with part of his entry fees paid.

Darrell Ocamica and Timothy Klinger will join him here on Conroe in March for the 2017 Classic.

Ocamica caught 41 pounds, 12 ounces for second place, and Klinger caught 37 pounds, 11 ounces for third.

The biggest bass of the tournament was 7 pounds, 3 ounces. On the boater side, Jason Vaughn of Delaware caught a 7-3, and on the nonboater side, Michael Lebsack of Minnesota caught one of the same size. Both won $500.

Klinger received the Livingston Lures Leader Award of $250 for leading the boater division on Day 2. Finishing as the Day 2 leader on the nonboater side, Lavigne also received $250.

Follow Lavigne, Ocamica and Klinger at Bassmaster.com/Nation as they prepare for the 2017 Bassmaster Classic. All three will be competing in their first Classic.

The B.A.S.S. Nation Championship was hosted by the Conroe Convention and Visitors Bureau.

2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Title Sponsor: Academy Sports + Outdoors

2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Presenting Sponsor: Magellan

2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Premier Sponsors: Toyota, Mercury, Yamaha, Berkley, GoPro, Huk, Humminbird, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats

2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Supporting Sponsors: Power-Pole, Rapala, Shell Rotella, Lowrance, Nationwide, Shimano, A.R.E. Truck Caps, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures

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

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

-30-

Media Contact: JamieDay Matthews, 205-313-0945, [email protected] or Dave Precht, 205-313-0931, [email protected].

 
2016 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan 11/17-11/19
Lake Conroe, Conroe  TX.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3

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

1.  Ryan Lavigne           Gonzales, LA            14  58-03    0  $45,585.00
  Day 1: 4   11-14     Day 2: 5   22-05     Day 3: 5   24-00   
2.  Darrell Ocamica        Fruitland, ID           14  41-12    0
  Day 1: 5   13-06     Day 2: 4   11-11     Day 3: 5   16-11   
3.  Timothy Klinger        Boulder City, NV        11  37-11    0
  Day 1: 5   13-07     Day 2: 3   14-04     Day 3: 3   10-00   
4.  Michael Boggs II       Portsmouth, OH          11  35-04    0
  Day 1: 5   20-10     Day 2: 1   02-13     Day 3: 5   11-13   
5.  Brent Long             Iron Station, NC        11  33-01    0
  Day 1: 5   14-07     Day 2: 2   07-08     Day 3: 4   11-02   
6.  Andrew Sams            Easton, MD              11  33-00    0
  Day 1: 3   08-10     Day 2: 5   13-00     Day 3: 3   11-06   
7.  JJ Dickens             Beaver, WV               9  28-09    0
  Day 1: 3   08-03     Day 2: 5   16-14     Day 3: 1   03-08   
8.  Mike Wolfenden         Warwick, RI              8  26-13    0
  Day 1: 5   14-12     Day 2: 2   05-03     Day 3: 1   06-14   
9.  Jason Vaughn           Laurel, DE               7  26-11    0
  Day 1: 2   10-03     Day 2: 5   16-08     Day 3: 0   00-00   
10. Danny Grantham         Mobile, AL               8  25-00    0
  Day 1: 4   11-12     Day 2: 3   10-11     Day 3: 1   02-09   
BIG BASS OF TOURN
     Jason Vaughn             Laurel, DE          07-03          $0.00

by AnglersChannel

Ryan Lavigne Of Louisiana Leads B.A.S.S. Nation Championship On Lake Conroe

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 18, 2016
CONROE, Texas — As a nonboater, Ryan Lavigne of Gonzales, La., was not expecting to be leading the entire tournament at the end of the second day at the 2016 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan on Lake Conroe. But when he brought in a 22-pound, 5-ounce five-bass limit on Friday, that’s exactly what happened.

Lavigne also won the title of Nonboater Champion, by being the top nonboater at the end of Day 2.

He will win paid entry into the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens division of his choice, a Skeeter/Yamaha boat package with a Minn Kota trolling motor and Humminbird electronics, and a spot as a marshal in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.

However, he won’t be able to serve as a marshal if he is in the Top 3 at the end of Saturday because he’ll be in his own boat as a competitor in the Classic. That honor goes to the best three competitors in the Nation Championship.

“I’ve wanted to go to the Classic since my old man took me fishing when I was 6 years old,” said Lavigne, a member of Louisiana’s Ascension Area Anglers. “I’m going out tomorrow to make the Classic and that’s it.”

Lavigne brought in the biggest limit of the tournament so far, almost double the weight of his Day 1 bag (11-14). He won the nonboater division by 13 pounds; his closest competitor was the Day 1 nonboater leader, Rick Hamer of West Virginia.

Lavigne worked with his boater partner, Naoaki Ishikawa of Japan, to come up with the best places to fish.

“I offered areas, and he decided to try them,” said Lavigne. Ishikawa, however, came in fishless.

The top angler on the boater side is Timothy Klinger of Boulder City, Nev., who has 27 pounds, 11 ounces to his credit. Just behind him is Jason Vaughn of Laurel, Del., who has 26-11.

Klinger’s ambitions are similar to Lavigne’s: He wants that Classic berth.

“This lake is fun,” Klinger said. “I would sure like to be here in March!”

The Classic is scheduled for this same body of water, Lake Conroe, March 24-26, 2017.

Klinger brought in 14-4 on Day 2, including the big bass in the boater division, a 6-pound, 13-ounce bass.
On the nonboater side, Michael Lebsack of Duluth, Minn., caught the biggest bass of the day, a 7-3, which tied the biggest bass from Thursday.

Lavigne said he’s not sure what he’s going to do on Saturday on Lake Conroe. On Thursday, he stuck to fishing hard cover in 2 to 6 feet of water. On Friday, he continued doing that, but he also added in some rocks and docks. And he was all over the lake.

“I fished everywhere, from the top of the lake to the bottom,” said Lavigne.

Several anglers tried that tactic today, whereas others stuck to places they had tried to fish in Thursday but hadn’t had success because of the wind. Still, 27 anglers had zeroes on Friday, compared to 41 on Thursday. Many have not had a hard time catching bass; their difficulty is in catching ones that are at least 16 inches, the legal minimum.

The weather on Friday was much calmer in the morning than it was on the first day. However, around noon, a cold front blew in, knocked the temperature down, produced some rain and cloud cover and picked up the wind again.

Saturday will present new challenges. The high is forecast to be 63 degrees, down nearly 20 degrees from Friday, and the skies will be clear.

Only the Top 10 boaters will join the top nonboater, Lavigne, on Saturday. The Top 10 are Timothy Klinger of Nevada; Jason Vaughn, Delaware; JJ Dickens, West Virginia; Darrell Ocamica, Idaho; Michael Boggs II, Kentucky; Danny Grantham, Alabama; Brent Long, South Carolina; Andrew Sams, Maryland; Josh Ray, Arkansas; and Mike Wolfenden, Rhode Island.

The Top 3 at the end of Saturday will earn berths in the 2017 Classic, as well as paid entry into the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens series of their choice, and the B.A.S.S. Nation’s Best prize package, which is the use of a Toyota Tundra truck and a fully rigged, tournament-ready Phoenix boat for one year. A 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series berth is on the line, too.

Competition resumes Saturday from Lakeview Marina, 880 Beach Boulevard, in Conroe at 6:45 a.m. CT when the anglers take off for the final day. The weigh-in will begin at 3 p.m. CT at the same place. All events are free and open to the public.

The tournament is hosted by the Conroe Convention and Visitors Bureau.

2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Title Sponsor: Academy Sports + Outdoors

2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Presenting Sponsor: Magellan

2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Premier Sponsors: Toyota, Mercury, Yamaha, Berkley, GoPro, Huk, Humminbird, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats

2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Supporting Sponsors: Power-Pole, Rapala, Shell Rotella, Lowrance, Nationwide, Shimano, A.R.E. Truck Caps, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures

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

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

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Media Contact: JamieDay Matthews, 205-313-0945, [email protected] or Dave Precht, 205-313-0931, [email protected].

 
2016 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan 11/17-11/19
Lake Conroe, Conroe  TX.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2

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

1.  Timothy Klinger        Boulder City, NV         8  27-11    0
  Day 1: 5   13-07     Day 2: 3   14-04   
2.  Jason Vaughn           Laurel, DE               7  26-11    0
  Day 1: 2   10-03     Day 2: 5   16-08   
3.  JJ Dickens             Beaver, WV               8  25-01    0
  Day 1: 3   08-03     Day 2: 5   16-14   
4.  Darrell Ocamica        Fruitland, ID            9  25-01    0
  Day 1: 5   13-06     Day 2: 4   11-11   
5.  Michael Boggs II       Portsmouth, OH           6  23-07    0
  Day 1: 5   20-10     Day 2: 1   02-13   
6.  Danny Grantham         Mobile, AL               7  22-07    0
  Day 1: 4   11-12     Day 2: 3   10-11   
7.  Brent Long             Iron Station, NC         7  21-15    0
  Day 1: 5   14-07     Day 2: 2   07-08   
8.  Andrew Sams            Easton, MD               8  21-10    0
  Day 1: 3   08-10     Day 2: 5   13-00   
9.  Josh Ray               Alexander, AR            7  20-06    0
  Day 1: 3   10-12     Day 2: 4   09-10   
10. Mike Wolfenden         Warwick, RI              7  19-15    0
  Day 1: 5   14-12     Day 2: 2   05-03   
11. Nate Caldwell          Ft Collins, CO           7  19-10    0
  Day 1: 3   07-15     Day 2: 4   11-11   
12. Greg Vance             Dubuque, IA              6  18-09    0
  Day 1: 5   15-11     Day 2: 1   02-14   
13. Ivan Morris            Virginia Beach, VA       6  18-05    0
  Day 1: 5   12-07     Day 2: 1   05-14   
14. Jay Evans              Corvallis, MT            6  18-03    0
  Day 1: 1   03-02     Day 2: 5   15-01   
15. Arnie Lane             Lakeland, FL             6  17-03    0
  Day 1: 2   07-10     Day 2: 4   09-09   
16. Rob Digh               Denver, NC               6  16-15    0
  Day 1: 2   08-01     Day 2: 4   08-14   
17. Nicholas Papotto       Meriden , CT             6  16-05    0
  Day 1: 4   11-06     Day 2: 2   04-15   
18. David Cavell           Prairieville, LA         4  15-13    0
  Day 1: 1   02-05     Day 2: 3   13-08   
19. Matt Pangrac           Norman , OK              5  15-03    0
  Day 1: 3   09-14     Day 2: 2   05-05   
20. Brian Brooks           Mt Epraim, NJ            6  14-12    0
  Day 1: 3   07-14     Day 2: 3   06-14   
21. Dave McCoy             Plattsmouth, NE          4  13-09    0
  Day 1: 3   10-15     Day 2: 1   02-10   
22. Mark Lodge             Alfred, ME               4  11-08    0
  Day 1: 2   05-14     Day 2: 2   05-10   
23. William Lortz II       Rochester, NY            3  11-04    0
  Day 1: 1   03-08     Day 2: 2   07-12   
24. Kalib Lund             Glendale, AZ             4  10-03    0
  Day 1: 2   05-04     Day 2: 2   04-15   
25. Ron Mace               Kennewick, WA            4  10-02    0
  Day 1: 3   07-02     Day 2: 1   03-00   
26. Bubba O'Neill          Evanston, WY             4  09-10    0
  Day 1: 3   07-02     Day 2: 1   02-08   
27. Danny Carter           Hernando, MS             2  09-02    0
  Day 1: 1   03-07     Day 2: 1   05-11   
28. David Mays             Portland, OR             4  09-02    0
  Day 1: 2   04-14     Day 2: 2   04-04   
29. Jon Harshbarger        Kaufman, TX              3  08-14    0
  Day 1: 2   06-03     Day 2: 1   02-11   
30. Brett Logue            Lincoln, NE              3  07-12    0
  Day 1: 2   05-15     Day 2: 1   01-13   
31. Brian Mailot           Columbus, OH             2  07-07    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   07-07   
32. Kurt Glass             Grovetown, GA            2  07-06    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   07-06   
33. Grayson Smith          Clarksville, TN          3  07-05    0
  Day 1: 2   04-13     Day 2: 1   02-08   
34. Joe Burchill           Brighton , MA            2  07-01    0
  Day 1: 1   04-02     Day 2: 1   02-15   
35. Ryan Buttermore        Leetsdale, PA            3  06-13    0
  Day 1: 2   04-14     Day 2: 1   01-15   
36. Luca Salvato           Curtarolo ITALY          2  06-04    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   06-04   
37. Edgar Romero           Leon MEXICO              3  06-03    0
  Day 1: 2   04-05     Day 2: 1   01-14   
38. Strati Orphanides      Marondera ZIMBABWE       2  05-09    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   05-09   
39. Chris Brimager         Andover, KS              2  05-08    0
  Day 1: 1   02-13     Day 2: 1   02-11   
40. Bill Brown             Grand Junction, CO       2  05-05    0
  Day 1: 1   02-04     Day 2: 1   03-01   
41. Mark Lassagne          San Ramon, CA            2  05-02    0
  Day 1: 1   03-03     Day 2: 1   01-15   
42. Randy Campbell         Sandia Park, NM          2  05-01    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   05-01   
43. Albert Collins         Nacogdoches, TX          2  05-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   05-00   
44. Mark Cavanaugh         Port Perry ONTARIO CANA  2  04-13    0
  Day 1: 2   04-13     Day 2: 0   00-00   
45. Tom Kiefer             Fowlerville, MI          1  04-12    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   04-12   
46. Josh Nelson            Saint Bonifacius, MN     2  04-09    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   04-09   
46. Mark Nies              Cannelton, IN            2  04-09    0
  Day 1: 2   04-09     Day 2: 0   00-00   
48. Adrian Luff            George Western Cape SOU  2  04-07    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   04-07   
49. Ted Heitschmidt        Tomahawk, WI             1  03-14    0
  Day 1: 1   03-14     Day 2: 0   00-00   
50. John Plumlee           Branson, MO              1  03-10    0
  Day 1: 1   03-10     Day 2: 0   00-00   
51. Tony Beck              Social Circle, GA        1  02-14    0
  Day 1: 1   02-14     Day 2: 0   00-00   
52. Michael Kazmierczak    Lemont, IL               1  02-09    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-09   
53. Filipe Almeida         Coimbra PORTUGAL         0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
53. Mitchell Cone          Willow Tree New South W  0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
53. Mark Dimarzio          Franconia, NH            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
53. Neil Engelbrecht       Windhoek Khomas NAMIBIA  0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
53. Scott Green            Waterbury Center, VT     0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
53. Naoaki Ishikawa        Akiruno Tokyo JAPAN      0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
 1         7       107       318-13
 2         4       102       303-08
----------------------------------
          11       209       622-05

2016 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan 11/17-11/19
Lake Conroe, Conroe  TX.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 2

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

1.  Ryan Lavigne           Gonzales, LA             9  34-03    0  $45,585.00
  Day 1: 4   11-14     Day 2: 5   22-05   
2.  Rick Hamer             Charleston, WV           8  21-04    0   $1,500.00
  Day 1: 5   14-07     Day 2: 3   06-13   
3.  Justin Barnes          MONROEVILLE, AL          5  18-06    0   $1,000.00
  Day 1: 2   09-03     Day 2: 3   09-03   
4.  Mike Coleman           Pinoeer, CA              4  16-00    0     $500.00
  Day 1: 2   08-12     Day 2: 2   07-04   
5.  Dan Carrigan           Citrus Springs, FL       5  15-14    0     $500.00
  Day 1: 2   06-15     Day 2: 3   08-15   
6.  Jonathan Robla         Norawood, NY             4  12-05    0     $250.00
  Day 1: 2   05-15     Day 2: 2   06-06   
7.  Jarrod Sherwood        Vassar, MI               3  12-04    0     $250.00
  Day 1: 1   05-05     Day 2: 2   06-15   
8.  Brock Enmeier          Enid, OK                 4  12-01    0     $250.00
  Day 1: 3   09-11     Day 2: 1   02-06   
9.  Josh Cotier            Clinton, MA              4  11-13    0     $250.00
  Day 1: 2   04-05     Day 2: 2   07-08   
10. Michael Lebsack        Duluth, MN               2  10-15    0     $750.00
  Day 1: 1   03-12     Day 2: 1   07-03   
11. Shane Stiehl           Winner, SD               4  10-08    0     $250.00
  Day 1: 3   08-05     Day 2: 1   02-03   
12. Bradley Rilling        Brooks, GA               4  09-08    0     $250.00
  Day 1: 2   04-11     Day 2: 2   04-13   
13. Lee Wubbels            Lincoln, NE              3  08-12    0
  Day 1: 1   03-04     Day 2: 2   05-08   
14. Tim Frohlich Jr        Independence, KY         2  08-09    0
  Day 1: 2   08-09     Day 2: 0   00-00   
15. Stefan Adamchick       Monterrey MEXICO         3  08-09    0
  Day 1: 1   03-13     Day 2: 2   04-12   
16. Michael Duarte         Middle River, MD         3  08-05    0
  Day 1: 2   04-10     Day 2: 1   03-11   
17. Andre Fidalgo          Parreira PORTUGAL        2  07-14    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   07-14   
18. Dave Frost             Apopka, FL               2  07-12    0
  Day 1: 1   03-14     Day 2: 1   03-14   
19. Jake Weaver            Columbia Falls, MT       2  07-03    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   07-03   
20. David Porter           Rockwall, TX             2  07-02    0
  Day 1: 1   03-07     Day 2: 1   03-11   
21. Jody Adkins            Navarre, OH              2  06-13    0
  Day 1: 1   02-12     Day 2: 1   04-01   
22. Ron Hanhart            Harare Mashonaland ZIMB  1  06-09    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   06-09   
23. Chris Brewer           Jay, ME                  1  06-08    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   06-08   
24. Amos Dixon             Camden, DE               2  05-08    0
  Day 1: 1   02-12     Day 2: 1   02-12   
25. Scott Hausman          Las Vegas, NV            2  05-03    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   05-03   
25. Kevin Noel             Burlington, CT           2  05-03    0
  Day 1: 2   05-03     Day 2: 0   00-00   
27. Daniel Elsner          Green Bay, WI            1  05-03    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   05-03   
28. Kyle Coffman           Minbun, IA               2  04-11    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   04-11   
29. Curt Hughes            Greenwood, IN            2  04-09    0
  Day 1: 1   02-09     Day 2: 1   02-00   
30. Jeremy Arnold          Concord, NH              1  03-02    0
  Day 1: 1   03-02     Day 2: 0   00-00   
31. Riley Hansen           Sandy , UT               1  03-01    0
  Day 1: 1   03-01     Day 2: 0   00-00   
32. Zackery Shaff          Untion, KY               1  02-15    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-15   
33. Justin Harris          McPherson, KS            1  02-14    0
  Day 1: 1   02-14     Day 2: 0   00-00   
33. Bob Wetzler            Rutland, VT              1  02-14    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-14   
35. Steven Conde           Chepachet, RI            1  02-09    0
  Day 1: 1   02-09     Day 2: 0   00-00   
35. Jon Hickey             Weiser, ID               1  02-09    0
  Day 1: 1   02-09     Day 2: 0   00-00   
37. Becca Golightly        Preston, ID              1  02-08    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-08   
37. Jeff Hager             Alexis, NC               1  02-08    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-08   
39. Creighton Sawyer       Houston, AR              1  02-05    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-05   
40. Bert Cooper            Huntsville, TN           1  02-04    0
  Day 1: 1   02-04     Day 2: 0   00-00   
41. John Bernard           McKees Rocks, PA         1  02-03    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-03   
42. Chris Barrett          Vaughan ONTARIO CANADA   1  02-02    0
  Day 1: 1   02-02     Day 2: 0   00-00   
43. Danny Fourr            Waterflow, NM            1  02-01    0
  Day 1: 1   02-01     Day 2: 0   00-00   
43. John Santos            Penrose, CO              1  02-01    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-01   
45. Loren Bryant           Phoenix, AZ              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
45. Addam Gross            Cove, OR                 0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
45. Garry Harman           Adare Queensland AUSTRA  0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
45. Edward Owens           Hemingway, SC            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
45. Mauro Salvato          Curtarolo ITALY          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
45. Christopher Selsor Jr  Sparta, MO               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
45. Michael Valentine      Laurel , MS              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
45. Kevin Voss             Bensenville, IL          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
45. Yuya Wakebe            Odawara Kanagawa JAPAN   0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
45. Alec Williams          Windhoek NAMIBIA         0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
45. Larry Witt             Forest, VA               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00

by AnglersChannel

Let the Cranking Begin! St. Croix's new Legend Glass Rods now available!

 

St. Croix’s highly anticipated Legend Glass now available; let the cranking begin

Park Falls, WI (November 18, 2016) – Cast. Crank. Hook. Set…. Shake, rattle and roll…and then the story can go one of two ways. One ends in utter disappointment. The other plays like the highlight reel of a Super Bowl win. In slow motion, the crowd cheers, you are the champion and lift your flopping trophy from the landing net!

What made the difference? The rod…or so we’re told. But can a rod make that much difference? It can and does. Hardcore bass fishing often puts you in situations where you’re fighting fish in timber and submerged vegetation. And these lunkers don’t come in easy, almost always guaranteeing a rumble.

The scene of a bass busting through the water is exciting, but it is the moment when everything can change, throwing the hook, leaving you with a big splash, a limp line and a pit in your stomach. St. Croix Rod’s Legend Glass aims to lessen the pain—actually, prevent the pangs altogether.

And…drumroll please… Legend Glass rods are now available through the St. Croix dealer network.

We went to Jason Brunner, St. Croix Rod’s Director of Engineering, to explain what makes Legend Glass the magical wand it is.

Q: What is it about Legend Glass’s design and action that helps land more fish?

A: Legend Glass rods utilize blanks that are made from 100-percent linear S-Glass material. This material combined with a strategic taper design and Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) technology are what make Legend Glass so unique. All models have a parabolic (arching) action to some degree, some more than others. I prefer to call these slower action rods, meaning a higher percentage of the deflection under load transfers towards the butt section of the rod. Basically, it takes less power or force to get them to bend back towards the handle.

Q: Does the design of the tip section really make that much difference in a fish eating the bait?

A: The slower action of Legend Glass combined with a softer tip section acts as a great shock absorber. When a fish hits a crankbait, you don't want it to feel the opposite force from the rod above water right away. You want the fish to feel like he scored dinner and get the whole meal in his mouth.  If a fish feels tension too soon (as from a rod that does not have a good shock-absorbing tip), there is a higher chance that it will spit the crankbait before you get a good hookset.

Q: What role do the moderate actions of the

S-Glass fibers play in the hookset?

A: The moderate action allows for a more controlled hookset, graduating the force to ensure the crankbait stays in contact. Legend Glass rods are unique in that they have very light and very sensitive tips that transfer into a larger diameter (powerful) butt section while maintaining a moderate action. Often, moderate action crankbait rods lack power in the bottom end which fails to give the user any casting distance or hookset completeness. Not so with Legend Glass.

Q: What makes Legend Glass so comfortable to fish?

A: The split-grip design in combination with the proper handle length allows for Legend Glass rods to be perfectly balanced. When using any of the four models, they feel like they are floating in your hands.  Using the proper materials, taper and diameters allowed St. Croix to fine tune the ultimate crankbait rod.

 

St. Croix Rod Legend Glass was awarded the ICAST 2016 Best Freshwater Rod Title and is available in four models:

LGC610MM: Ideal for shorter, pinpoint accurate casts. Made for fishing smaller crankbaits and small-to medium bladed jigs.

LGC72MM: Designed to handle small-to-medium crankbaits including square bills and similar size bladed jigs. Works really well with mid-range, standard lip crankbaits that dive to depths of 16 feet. A versatile model that excels in open water.

LGC74MHM: Perhaps the most versatile model in the series, it’s designed to handle medium-to-large crankbaits and bladed jigs at various water depths up to 20 feet. Ideal for fishing large, lipless crankbaits and large profile square bills.

LGC711HM: A unique model built to fish big, deep-diving crankbaits at 20 foot depths and more. This model features Fuji’s palming reel seat for added comfort and reduced hand fatigue.

 

 

 

FEATURES:

  • Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) tooling technology.
  • Super premium, 100% linear S-glass.
  • Fuji® K Series Concept Tangle Free guides with Alconite rings and polished frames. Ideal for super braid, mono and fluorocarbon lines, the sloped frame and ring shed tangles before they become a problem.
  • Fuji® ECS reel seat with frosted silver hood on most models. Fuji® PSS-SD palming reel seat with frosted silver hood on LGC711HM.
  • Split-grip/super-grade cork handle.
  • Kigan hook-keeper.
  • 15-year transferable warranty backed by St. Croix Superstar Service.
  • Designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, U.S.A.

by AnglersChannel

Kentucky’s Michael Boggs Takes First Round Lead In B.A.S.S. Nation Championship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 17, 2016
CONROE, Texas — Michael Boggs II of Kentucky surprised everyone at the 2016 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan with his 20-pound, 10-ounce limit of bass, heaviest of the day.

It was a surprise because it was near the end of the first-day weigh-in on Texas’ Lake Conroe, and no one else had even come close.

“I’m tickled to death,” said Boggs, who is representing Kentucky but lives in Portsmouth, Ohio.

“I’ve been feeling pretty good all week,” Boggs added. “I caught some 5- and 6-pounders in practice, so I knew they were there. But today was a tough day, and I really had to work for it. And I worked all day long!”

He means that sincerely. In the last hour-and-a-half, he and his nonboater partner, Bradley Rilling of Georgia, caught at least 20 fish. Boggs was still culling 20 minutes before he checked in at Lakeview Marina.

Boggs was one of only eight anglers out of 113 to bring in a limit of five bass. The minimum length limit on Lake Conroe is 16 inches, which proved difficult for many competitors, who measured multiple 15 1/2-inch fish. Forty-one anglers failed to weigh in a single bass, many of them citing the length — not the quantity caught — as the reason.

“If someone would come up with a fish stretcher of some sort, they’d make a million dollars,” said Scott Green of Vermont, one of the competitors who zeroed.

Boggs’ closest competitor was Greg Vance of Iowa, who weighed in 15 pounds, 11 ounces, nearly 5 pounds behind Boggs.

“I thought I could get 15 pounds, but I didn’t think it would put me near the top,” Vance said. “I thought it would just keep me in the Top 15.”

Several anglers said the wind kept them on the move; it was hard for them to hold still on one spot for long. Boggs had the same experience.

“The wind made it tough,” he said. “But I fished a lot of spots today, and I still have a lot left for tomorrow.”

Boggs credits baits from Power Team Lures for his Day 1 lead, although he’s keeping the type and color of lures a secret for now. Other anglers said jigs were key and that crankbaits were moderately successful. But most are staying tight-lipped, hoping to divulge their perfect bait after the final-day weigh-in on Saturday, while holding the trophy.

The trophy comes with a special prize — a berth in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro, in March 2017 on this same body of water.

“I’ve dreamed of going to the Classic since I was 8 years old,” Boggs said through tears, with his son, Nicholas, tearing up next to him.
To do that, though, Boggs has to keep up the hard work for the next two days.

“I’ve got to do it again tomorrow,” he said. “Hopefully, it will hold up.”

On the nonboater side, Rick Hamer took the lead with 14 pounds, 7 ounces. He was the only nonboater to catch a limit of five bass.

“I was matching the hatch,” said Hamer, referring to matching the color of the forage with his soft plastics, which were made by a new lure company, FYAO.

Hamer and his boater partner, Andrew Sams of Maryland, spent lots of time on Thursday moving around, dodging the wind.

“We were getting crushed by the wind,” Hamer said. “We just kept going places to keep out of the wind.”

Despite the relatively low weights outside of the Top 10, Jon Harshbarger of Kaufman, Texas, said he knows the lake and the quality of bass it holds.

“Conroe produces one-day limits of 18, 21 and 24 pounds sometimes,” he said. “It’s got ’em; they’re not eating.”

Maybe the bass will eat on Friday, which will be the last day of competition for most anglers. The only remaining competitors for the final day will be the Top 10 boaters, the nonboater champion (the top nonboater at the end of Day 2) and the best two boaters from each of the three regions (Eastern, Central and Western) if they have not already qualified as part of the Top 10.

The Top 3 at the end of Saturday will earn berths in the 2017 Classic, as well as paid entry into the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens series of their choice, and the B.A.S.S. Nation’s Best prize package, which is the use of a Toyota Tundra truck and a fully rigged, tournament-ready Phoenix boat for one year. A 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series berth is on the line, too.

The nonboater champion will also win paid entry into the Opens division of choice, a boat and a spot as a marshal in the 2017 Bassmaster Classic.

Two bright spots in the first day of competition were a few big bass brought in that lit up the crowd.

Jason Vaughn of Delaware caught the biggest of the day, a 7-pound, 3-ounce bass. The biggest on the nonboater side was a 6-pound, 14-ounce bass by Justin Barnes of Alabama.

Competition resumes Friday from Lakeview Marina, 880 Beach Boulevard, in Conroe at 6:45 a.m. CT when the anglers take off for Day 2. The weigh-in will begin at 3 p.m. CT at the same place. All events are free and open to the public.

The tournament is hosted by the Conroe Convention and Visitors Bureau.

2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Title Sponsor: Academy Sports + Outdoors

2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Presenting Sponsor: Magellan

2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Premier Sponsors: Toyota, Mercury, Minn Kota, Berkley, GoPro, Huk, Humminbird, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha

2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Supporting Sponsors: Lowrance, Nationwide, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, Power-Pole, Rapala, Shell Rotella, Shimano, A.R.E. Truck Caps

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

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

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Media Contact: JamieDay Matthews, 205-313-0945, [email protected] or Dave Precht, 205-313-0931, [email protected].

 
2016 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan 11/17-11/19
Lake Conroe, Conroe  TX.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

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

1.  Michael Boggs II       Portsmouth, OH           5  20-10    0
  Day 1: 5   20-10   
2.  Greg Vance             Dubuque, IA              5  15-11    0
  Day 1: 5   15-11   
3.  Mike Wolfenden         Warwick, RI              5  14-12    0
  Day 1: 5   14-12   
4.  Brent Long             Iron Station, NC         5  14-07    0
  Day 1: 5   14-07   
5.  Timothy Klinger        Boulder City, NV         5  13-07    0
  Day 1: 5   13-07   
6.  Darrell Ocamica        Fruitland, ID            5  13-06    0
  Day 1: 5   13-06   
7.  Ivan Morris            Virginia Beach, VA       5  12-07    0
  Day 1: 5   12-07   
8.  Danny Grantham         Mobile, AL               4  11-12    0
  Day 1: 4   11-12   
9.  Nicholas Papotto       Meriden , CT             4  11-06    0
  Day 1: 4   11-06   
10. Dave McCoy             Plattsmouth, NE          3  10-15    0
  Day 1: 3   10-15   
11. Josh Ray               Alexander, AR            3  10-12    0
  Day 1: 3   10-12   
12. Jason Vaughn           Laurel, DE               2  10-03    0
  Day 1: 2   10-03   
13. Matt Pangrac           Norman , OK              3  09-14    0
  Day 1: 3   09-14   
14. Andrew Sams            Easton, MD               3  08-10    0
  Day 1: 3   08-10   
15. JJ Dickens             Beaver, WV               3  08-03    0
  Day 1: 3   08-03   
16. Rob Digh               Denver, NC               2  08-01    0
  Day 1: 2   08-01   
17. Nate Caldwell          Ft Collins, CO           3  07-15    0
  Day 1: 3   07-15   
18. Brian Brooks           Mt Epraim, NJ            3  07-14    0
  Day 1: 3   07-14   
19. Arnie Lane             Lakeland, FL             2  07-10    0
  Day 1: 2   07-10   
20. Ron Mace               Kennewick, WA            3  07-02    0
  Day 1: 3   07-02   
20. Bubba O'Neill          Evanston, WY             3  07-02    0
  Day 1: 3   07-02   
22. Jon Harshbarger        Kaufman, TX              2  06-03    0
  Day 1: 2   06-03   
23. Brett Logue            Lincoln, NE              2  05-15    0
  Day 1: 2   05-15   
24. Mark Lodge             Alfred, ME               2  05-14    0
  Day 1: 2   05-14   
25. Kalib Lund             Glendale, AZ             2  05-04    0
  Day 1: 2   05-04   
26. Ryan Buttermore        Leetsdale, PA            2  04-14    0
  Day 1: 2   04-14   
26. David Mays             Portland, OR             2  04-14    0
  Day 1: 2   04-14   
28. Mark Cavanaugh         Port Perry ONTARIO CANA  2  04-13    0
  Day 1: 2   04-13   
28. Grayson Smith          Clarksville, TN          2  04-13    0
  Day 1: 2   04-13   
30. Mark Nies              Cannelton, IN            2  04-09    0
  Day 1: 2   04-09   
31. Edgar Romero           Leon MEXICO              2  04-05    0
  Day 1: 2   04-05   
32. Joe Burchill           Brighton , MA            1  04-02    0
  Day 1: 1   04-02   
33. Ted Heitschmidt        Tomahawk, WI             1  03-14    0
  Day 1: 1   03-14   
34. John Plumlee           Branson, MO              1  03-10    0
  Day 1: 1   03-10   
35. William Lortz II       Rochester, NY            1  03-08    0
  Day 1: 1   03-08   
36. Danny Carter           Hernando, MS             1  03-07    0
  Day 1: 1   03-07   
37. Mark Lassagne          San Ramon, CA            1  03-03    0
  Day 1: 1   03-03   
38. Jay Evans              Corvallis, MT            1  03-02    0
  Day 1: 1   03-02   
39. Tony Beck              Social Circle, GA        1  02-14    0
  Day 1: 1   02-14   
40. Chris Brimager         Andover, KS              1  02-13    0
  Day 1: 1   02-13   
41. David Cavell           Prairieville, LA         1  02-05    0
  Day 1: 1   02-05   
42. Bill Brown             Grand Junction, CO       1  02-04    0
  Day 1: 1   02-04   
43. Filipe Almeida         Coimbra PORTUGAL         0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
43. Randy Campbell         Sandia Park, NM          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
43. Albert Collins         Nacogdoches, TX          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
43. Mitchell Cone          Willow Tree New South W  0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
43. Mark Dimarzio          Franconia, NH            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
43. Neil Engelbrecht       Windhoek Khomas NAMIBIA  0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
43. Kurt Glass             Grovetown, GA            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
43. Scott Green            Waterbury Center, VT     0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
43. Naoaki Ishikawa        Akiruno Tokyo JAPAN      0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
43. Michael Kazmierczak    Lemont, IL               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
43. Tom Kiefer             Fowlerville, MI          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
43. Adrian Luff            George Western Cape SOU  0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
43. Brian Mailot           Columbus, OH             0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
43. Josh Nelson            Saint Bonifacius, MN     0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
43. Strati Orphanides      Marondera ZIMBABWE       0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
43. Luca Salvato           Curtarolo ITALY          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
 1         7       107       318-13
----------------------------------
           7       107       318-13

2016 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan 11/17-11/19
Lake Conroe, Conroe  TX.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1

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

1.  Rick Hamer             Charleston, WV           5  14-07    0
  Day 1: 5   14-07   
2.  Ryan Lavigne           Gonzales, LA             4  11-14    0
  Day 1: 4   11-14   
3.  Brock Enmeier          Enid, OK                 3  09-11    0
  Day 1: 3   09-11   
4.  Justin Barnes          MONROEVILLE, AL          2  09-03    0
  Day 1: 2   09-03   
5.  Mike Coleman           Pinoeer, CA              2  08-12    0
  Day 1: 2   08-12   
6.  Tim Frohlich Jr        Independence, KY         2  08-09    0
  Day 1: 2   08-09   
7.  Shane Stiehl           Winner, SD               3  08-05    0
  Day 1: 3   08-05   
8.  Dan Carrigan           Citrus Springs, FL       2  06-15    0
  Day 1: 2   06-15   
9.  Jonathan Robla         Norawood, NY             2  05-15    0
  Day 1: 2   05-15   
10. Jarrod Sherwood        Vassar, MI               1  05-05    0
  Day 1: 1   05-05   
11. Kevin Noel             Burlington, CT           2  05-03    0
  Day 1: 2   05-03   
12. Bradley Rilling        Brooks, GA               2  04-11    0
  Day 1: 2   04-11   
13. Michael Duarte         Middle River, MD         2  04-10    0
  Day 1: 2   04-10   
14. Josh Cotier            Clinton, MA              2  04-05    0
  Day 1: 2   04-05   
15. Dave Frost             Apopka, FL               1  03-14    0
  Day 1: 1   03-14   
16. Stefan Adamchick       Monterrey MEXICO         1  03-13    0
  Day 1: 1   03-13   
17. Michael Lebsack        Duluth, MN               1  03-12    0
  Day 1: 1   03-12   
18. David Porter           Rockwall, TX             1  03-07    0
  Day 1: 1   03-07   
19. Lee Wubbels            Lincoln, NE              1  03-04    0
  Day 1: 1   03-04   
20. Jeremy Arnold          Concord, NH              1  03-02    0
  Day 1: 1   03-02   
21. Riley Hansen           Sandy , UT               1  03-01    0
  Day 1: 1   03-01   
22. Justin Harris          McPherson, KS            1  02-14    0
  Day 1: 1   02-14   
23. Jody Adkins            Navarre, OH              1  02-12    0
  Day 1: 1   02-12   
23. Amos Dixon             Camden, DE               1  02-12    0
  Day 1: 1   02-12   
25. Steven Conde           Chepachet, RI            1  02-09    0
  Day 1: 1   02-09   
25. Jon Hickey             Weiser, ID               1  02-09    0
  Day 1: 1   02-09   
25. Curt Hughes            Greenwood, IN            1  02-09    0
  Day 1: 1   02-09   
28. Bert Cooper            Huntsville, TN           1  02-04    0
  Day 1: 1   02-04   
29. Chris Barrett          Vaughan ONTARIO CANADA   1  02-02    0
  Day 1: 1   02-02   
30. Danny Fourr            Waterflow, NM            1  02-01    0
  Day 1: 1   02-01   
31. John Bernard           McKees Rocks, PA         0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Chris Brewer           Jay, ME                  0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Loren Bryant           Phoenix, AZ              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Kyle Coffman           Minbun, IA               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Daniel Elsner          Green Bay, WI            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Andre Fidalgo          Parreira PORTUGAL        0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Becca Golightly        Preston, ID              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Addam Gross            Cove, OR                 0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Jeff Hager             Alexis, NC               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Ron Hanhart            Harare Mashonaland ZIMB  0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Garry Harman           Adare Queensland AUSTRA  0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Scott Hausman          Las Vegas, NV            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Edward Owens           Hemingway, SC            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Mauro Salvato          Curtarolo ITALY          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. John Santos            Penrose, CO              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Creighton Sawyer       Houston, AR              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Christopher Selsor Jr  Sparta, MO               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Zackery Shaff          Untion, KY               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Michael Valentine      Laurel , MS              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Kevin Voss             Bensenville, IL          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Yuya Wakebe            Odawara Kanagawa JAPAN   0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Jake Weaver            Columbia Falls, MT       0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Bob Wetzler            Rutland, VT              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Alec Williams          Windhoek NAMIBIA         0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
31. Larry Witt             Forest, VA               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00

by AnglersChannel

Costa Sunglasses Pro Casey Ashley talks Rod length and Gear Ratios

Costa Sunglasses Pro and Classic Champ talks about his three favorite rod and reel combos and gear ratios he prefers uses on a daily basis.

Check it out and check out www.sportsmanswarehouse.com for all your rod and reel needs.

by AnglersChannel

Mud Hole Tackle adds Dual Threat Capt. Blake Smith to its Pro Staff

From Mud Hole Tackle:

Mud Hole and MHX are pleased to announce a title sponsor partnership for FLW and Redfish Tour Pro Blake Smith!  Want to know more about Blake and our partnership?

Born and raised in Lakeland, Florida, Blake Smith grew up fly fishing with his father. Although Blake enjoyed playing ice hockey, football, and soccer, it was his proximity to great fishing locations and his father’s profession that made fishing his first love.

With his father working as a fishing guide, Blake jokes he never had much choice in the matter and quickly fell in love with the adrenaline of the next big catch. “We used to eat everything,” Smith laughs, “my favorite is snook, which is funny because of its soap fish nickname, but when its filleted correctly there’s a nice chunk of white meat that tastes really great.”

Dual Professional Fisherman, Blake Smith

Despite snook as his favorite fish dish, Blake admits redfish is a close second. This comes as no surprise considering he finished second in 2014’s AOY standings of the Inshore Fishing Associations Redfish Tour. But Blake’s career in fishing didn’t stop there, since then he has joined FLW to become the industry’s only dual professional fisherman in both salt and freshwater.

Smith explains, “the only real difference is the work it takes to prepare, other than that most of the techniques are virtually the same.” Finesse, Blake points out, is a huge part of saltwater fishing that carries over into freshwater. Whether discussing his accuracy casting around docks or flippin’ through waterways like a true Floridian, Blake Smith feels nothing but confidence in his fishing abilities.

Blake Smith wraps the first guide on his new MHX custom fishing rod.

Blake Smith wraps the first guide on his new MHX custom fishing rod.

Faith, Family and Fishing

Blake Smith exudes confidence, not in the arrogant sense, but rather in the sense that his grasp of life and his faith are unwavering. Blake and his wife, Meagan are currently raising three young daughters, but that’s not all. As devout members of the Idols Aside Ministries, an organization that works closely with at-risk youth, Blake and Meagan help mentor youth who have suffered serious losses.

Together with Idols Aside, Blake regularly participates in talks with high school and college students across the nation throughout the FLW Tour. Offering his wisdom and his support, Smith uses his platform as a professional fisherman to ensure youth have the right kind of role model. So far this year, he has made 42 stops across 32,000 miles to speak with and support troubled youth as he competes on the FLW Tour.

Blake admits it can get tough at times, “32,000 miles of everyone’s problems in between fishing can way heavy on my mind,” but also says, “it’s hearing and helping those problems that keep me grounded and focused on the bigger picture.”

What Blake loves most are his family and his faith, so if he can have those and be a professional fisherman too then he’s happy. Blake knows his success comes from preparation, focus, and faith, and for him, that will never change. Acknowledging he would like to win just like everybody else, what makes him so different and special is his understanding of winning. Blake Smith’s beliefs are as steadfast as his fishing skills, “the second it becomes only about winning and money, I’m done.”

Rod Building Partnership

More and more professional fisherman are realizing that building your own custom rods allow you to really dial into your fishing application and technique; ultimately catching more fish.  Mud Hole and MHX are excited about this new partnership, and look forward to working with Blake – who will help evangelize the benefits of building your own custom fishing rod.

As Blake has learned, there is nothing like catching a fish on a rod that your built with your own two hands!

by AnglersChannel

Meet Skylar Hamilton

Just a few years back Brandon Palaniuk used the exposure from the Bassmaster Classic as a springboard to launch a brilliant career. Now another charismatic young pro, Skylar Hamilton aims to do the same.

The 21-year-old from Dandridge, Tennessee punched his ticket to the Classic when he won the Bassmaster Central Open on the Arkansas River earlier this year, winning by an ounce with a total weight of 45 pounds, 6 ounces.

Another great catch for Hamilton is his new 21-foot Xpress Bass Boat that he will fish from at the Classic on Lake Conroe near Houston, Texas.

Clay Connor, Marketing Director for Xpress Boats, feels that Hamilton is quite a catch for the company as well.

Hamilton looks forward to fishing the Classic. He figures the bite may play to his strengths.

"With few exceptions, if I have to fish deeper than 10 feet I'm out of my comfort zone," says Hamilton. "I believe the Classic will be won from somewhere between 8 foot of water up to the bank."

Likewise, Hamilton says aluminum boats fit his style of fishing, while adding some value that anyone can appreciate. For starters, the durability of aluminum is unmatched. "It is nice to not worry so much about hitting a stump or a rock when I go to move."

Of course, there are other advantages. "The biggest thing people worry about with an aluminum boat is how it rides,” says Hamilton. "I rode in a 19-foot Xpress and it was fine, but when I drove the 21-footer, it was on another level. That extra bit of length really levels out the ride. It changes how the boat sits in the water. That makes a big difference because that's another concern everybody has with aluminum - the way the wind pushes them around but that's mostly due to the fact that the nose sits up out of the water so high. I've run an inferior 17-foot aluminum boat with a 70 horse on the back and, if I packed my weight right, it sat fairly level. This 21-footer from Xpress already sits in the water better and, of course, it runs smoother too."

Another benefit of a bigger boat is the bigger motor that it can tote. Not only does the extra length help, but Xpress is the only aluminum boat maker to offer a pad hull design. And that is the key difference, according to Connor. “That pad hull design is what allows our boats to get up and run like a glass boat. It is what separates an Xpress from all other aluminum manufacturers. Nobody else offers a pad hull. You can hang a Yamaha 250 SHO on our 21-footer.”

skylarHamilton said his Xpress boat runs better than at least a couple of brands of fiberglass boats he has fished before.

Regardless of the physical advantages of aluminum - lighter weight, durability, speed - it may be the fiscal rewards afforded by a quality welded boat that seal the deal for most anglers. Hamilton notes, "College fishing and high school fishing is a big deal now. We've got all these young anglers coming along and I don't want them to think they have to have a $70,000 fiberglass rig in order to compete. I will be fishing the Classic and the Elite Series in a 21-foot Xpress."
Aside from the sticker savings, lighter rigs burn less gas, both on the lake and while being towed over the road.

"And with the money you save by buying an Xpress, you can afford to add a lot of nice features such as Power-Poles, an upgraded trolling motor and really nice electronics.”

Speaking of electronics, Hamilton says his Raymarine unit was instrumental in his win on the Arkansas River. That was a shallow water affair. The upcoming Classic should be as well.

By the way, given John Cox’s recent Forrest Wood Cup victory, from an aluminum boat, Hamilton has a chance to make it a clean sweep for metal craft in championship events. Let’s see if this young pro can make a splash on bass fishing’s biggest stage.

by AnglersChannel

New Humminbird® Technologies Deliver Clearest Imaging Ever and Bring Fish-Hiding Structure to Life Like Never Before

Next generation HELIX® products feature MEGA Imaging™ with CHIRP digital sonar, AUTOCHART® Live vegetation and bottom hardness mapping, and Bluetooth® connectivity

RACINE, Wis., November 15, 2016 – When the Humminbird® HELIX® 10 took home the 2016 ICAST award for “Best Electronics,” few were surprised. After all, Humminbird has raised that trophy for six consecutive years. For 2017, the now iconic HELIX units offer more industry-leading technologies with exclusive new Humminbird innovations designed to deliver better, more usable information about what lies below the surface.

MEGA Imaging™ with CHIRP digital sonar delivers unprecedented detail
With a sonar frequency nearly 3-times greater than traditional 455 kHz frequencies, Humminbird is the first to take fish-finding sonar to the megahertz range, resulting in the clearest, sharpest underwater views. The quantum leap to megahertz frequency provides vastly improved MEGA Side Imaging™ and MEGA Down Imaging™, giving anglers a clear choice when it comes to underwater sonar.

According to Mark Gibson, Humminbird Director of R&D, “Our team has dedicated itself to developing the best imaging technology on the water, and the result is unreal screen detail and never-before-seen clarity. It truly needs to be seen to be believed.”

AUTOCHART® Live expands with vegetation and bottom density mapping
When Humminbird first introduced AUTOCHART Live in 2015, it allowed anglers to map the depth of their favorite body of water, revealing some of the best hiding places for fish. No longer constrained by outdated paper maps or tribal knowledge, it was a step forward for fishermen everywhere. Now, Humminbird has expanded this technology even further.

In addition to mapping depth, AUTOCHART Live now gives anglers the ability to map aquatic vegetation and changing bottom hardness. This is regarded as the “trifecta” in essential information, since fish relate so specifically to depth, weed lines and transition points in bottom type – for example where a soft bottom meets hard sand or rocky structure.

The AUTOCHART Live enhancements have BASS Elite pros like Brent Ehrler very excited. “AUTOCHART Live puts the power in our hands to map uncharted waters and surgically study structure contours. Adding vegetation and bottom hardness mapping to the mix is just awesome, because that’s where the fish are – whether it’s the inside turn of a grass line, a little funnel, or spots where mud transitions to rock. You’re now talking about being able to laser in on spots that used to take us hours and hours to find,” he said.

Bluetooth® connects everything 
Select new HELIX units for 2017 also feature built-in Bluetooth, which allows users to sync their smartphones and other devices, delivering text messages, missed calls, signal strength and battery life right on the Humminbird display. It creates a flawless on-board network of electronics and connectivity.

Ray Schaffart, Humminbird Brand Manager, explains further how the new Humminbird HELIX technology helps anglers catch more fish, especially used in concert with new technology from Minn Kota®. “Depth, vegetation and bottom hardness contours are like super-highways for many fish species. With Minn Kota trolling motors that have i-Pilot® Link™, you can tell your trolling motor to follow a specific depth, weed line or bottom density contour, then choose your desired speed and the boat will follow that path with the press of a button. That’s automated hands-free fishing with exact boat control, with your bait always in the strike zone.”

Since anglers and boaters have different on-the-water needs, Humminbird offers these new innovations on select second generation HELIX models.

The HELIX second generation networking (G2N) family consists of four screen sizes (7-inch, 9-inch, 10-inch and 12-inch), with each size offering three CHIRPing sonar model options – GPS 2D sonar, GPS 2D sonar/Down Imaging®, and GPS 2D sonar/Side Imaging®. Regardless of the model selected, all three sonar elements CHIRP. Exclusive to the G2N models, each one includes AUTOCHART Live vegetation/bottom hardness and Bluetooth capability. MEGA Side Imaging and MEGA Down Imaging can only be found on the GPS 2D sonar/Side Imaging HELIX 9, 10 and 12 G2N models.

The HELIX second generation (G2) family consists of two screen sizes (5-inch and 7-inch), each one offering the same CHIRPing sonar model options as the G2N. The G2 units are now equipped with AUTOCHART Live, an update over the first generation HELIX models. For the value-conscious angler, three select G2 units have an upgraded user-interface-only.

The G2 family models are not networkable and do not include the new MEGA imaging or Bluetooth technologies, however all models allow registered users to receive software updates when available. The new units are also compatible with Humminbird LakeMaster® charts, SmartStrike™ (internal GPS units only) and Navionics® Gold/HotMaps™.

All units feature an updated operating system and allow for gimbal mounting, or in-dash mounting with an optional kit. International models support 200/50kHz. Optional 50 kHz transducers are available for extreme deep-water use.

For more information call Humminbird at 800-633-1468 or visit Humminbird.com.

by AnglersChannel

FLW Tour Champ Anthony Gagliardi talks about fall baits in this weeks Sportsman's Warehouse Product Spotlight

FLW Tour Champ Anthony Gagliardi talks about fall baits in this weeks Sportsman's Warehouse Product Spotlight.  From Buzzbaits to jigs to Spoons, Gags gives us some detail on what he looks for in the fall.

by AnglersChannel

Jeff Knight of TN wins FLW BFL Wild Card Event on Lake of the Ozarks

Jeff Knight of Cleveland, Tennessee, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 17 pounds, 12 ounces, Saturday to win the FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Wild Card event on Lake of the Ozarks, with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 38 pounds, 12 ounces. For his win, Knight earned $4,475 and a berth into the 2017 BFL All-American Championship.

Knight said he spent the event targeting boat docks, specifically in areas between Galena Point and Lynch Hollow.

“All of my fish came from the back of the boat slips,” said Knight, who earned his fourth win in FLW competition. “I focused on docks with big boulder rocks behind them. That was the key. I flipped over cables and under the walkways - the big ones were just lying there.”

Knight said he used one lure throughout the event - a ½-ounce green-pumpkin-colored custom jig with a green-pumpkin Strike King Rage Craw trailer.

“I flipped it into 8 to 12 feet of water while I sat in about 10 to 12 feet,” said Knight. “I hit around 30 docks per day. Once I discovered the pattern, I didn’t need anything else.”

While his pattern did not produce many fish, Knight said it was the size of the fish that helped him get the win.

“After catching 10 keepers on Friday, I only put five in the boat on Saturday,” said Knight. “Luckily, those five fell into place for me.”

The top six boaters that qualified for the 2017 BFL All-American were:

1st:          Jeff Knight, Cleveland, Tenn., 10 bass, 38-12, $4,475

2nd:         Dylan Duncan, Kansas, Okla., 10 bass, 36-15, $2,683

3rd:          Bennie Mutter, Glasgow, Ky., 10 bass, 34-0, $1,510

4th:          Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 10 bass, 33-1, $1,316

5th:          Brent Anderson, Kingston Springs, Tenn., nine bass, 31-5, $953

6th:          Adam Ohms, Edwardsville, Ill., 10 bass, 29-7

Rounding out the top-10 boaters were:

7th:          Jeremy Medina, Camdenton, Mo., 10 bass, 29-2, $827

8th:          Nalon Jones, Marshfield, Mo., 10 bass, 29-1

9th:          Josh Busby, Rogersville, Mo., 10 bass, 29-1, $730

10th:        David McCormick, Lees Summit, Mo., 10 bass, 28-1, $681

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

James Dill of Laurie, Missouri, caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the Boater Division Friday, a fish weighing 7 pounds, 1 ounce, which earned him the day’s Big Bass Award of $245.

Craig Rose of Olathe, Kansas, won the co-angler division and $2,016 with a two-day cumulative catch of eight bass weighing 22 pounds, 6 ounces.

The top six co-anglers that qualified for the 2017 BFL All-American were:

1st:          Craig Rose, Olathe, Kan., eight bass, 22-6, $2,016

2nd:         Richard Hooter, Natchitoches, La., 10 bass, 21-1, $1,008

3rd:          Mike Youngblood, St. Louis, Mo., nine bass, 20-15, $679

4th:          Dale Renth, Mascoutah, Ill., nine bass, 17-8, $548

5th:          Stefan Marginean, Glenview, Ill., nine bass, 16-7

6th:          Rob Melendez, Frankfort, Ill., six bass, 16-4, $200

Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers were:

7th:          Morgan McLain, Lenexa, Kan., five bass, 16-2, $535

8th:          Scott McCleery, Winchester, Ill., four bass, 13-3, $372

9th:          Brian Liming, Dilsboro, Ind., four bass, 11-6, $329

10th:        Scott Stallings, Glencoe, Okla., four bass, 11-2, $357

Morgan McLain of Lenexa, Kansas, caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the Co-angler Division Friday, a fish weighing 6 pounds, 9 ounces, which earned him the day’s Big Bass Award of $106.

The 2016 BFL Wild Card on Lake of the Ozarks was hosted by the Tri-County Lodging Association and Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 120 tournaments throughout the season, five in each division. The top 50 boaters and co-anglers from each division qualify for a regional tournament and are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2017 BFL All-American will be held May 31-June 3 on Pickwick Lake in Florence, Alabama. Top winners in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the Walmart FLW Tour.

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

by AnglersChannel

Bill Cain and Tricia Wood Win ABA South Carolina Couples D11 event on Clarks Hill

A chilly fall morning led to a comfortable afternoon for South Carolina Couples on Clarks Hill. The November 5th event was well attended with 31 teams participating. 130 fish were brought to the scales. 13 new couples joined the division.

Tricia Wood of Greenwood, South Carolina and Bill Cain of Greenwood, South Carolina took first place honors for the South Carolina D11 Couples event held on November 5th at Clarks Hill. Tricia and Bill came in with a five-fish sack weighing 12 pounds. Their winning bag was caught flipping laydowns and brush in less than 5 feet of water toward the back of creeks.

Julie and Jim Collins were a close second with a five-fish limit weighing 11.70 pounds. Their fish came on crankbaits and an “underspin”. This was Julie and Jim’s first time fishing with the South Carolina Couples.  Jim noted that their participation “was Julie’s idea.” And, it turned out to be sound advice!

Jenny and Dave Drummond got third place with 11.60 pounds. They fished yet another effective pattern with a buzz-bait and a “Whopper Plopper.” Their largest two fish were caught schooling late in the day. This must have been a gift for Jenny in that this was her birthday! This was also the Drummond’s first couple’s tournament.

Missy and Tom Bancroft claimed fourth place with five fish weighing 11.13 pounds. Their fish came pitching Ol’ Monster worms to docks in stained water.

Scotty Bartley and his daughter Morgan had great success with an 11.06 pound sack snatching a paycheck at fifth place. Both Morgan and Scotty caught fish approaching 4 pounds each.

Tammy and J.B. Wicker took sixth place with 11.0 pounds. A crankbait and Carolina rig delivered their nice five-fish limit. In this sack was J.B.’s Men’s Big Bass at 4.25 pounds.

Martha Goodfellow took Ladies and Tournament Big Bass with her 4.30 pound largemouth. Her hefty fish came with an Ol’ Monster worm pitched to a laydown in 3 feet of stained water. Martha credits the sensitivity of her Kissel Krafts Custom Rod and her nice Lews reel for helping catch this bass.

Tom and Susan Beavers got recognition for the “longest drive.” They traveled from Centre, Alabama for their fishing weekend. The weather cooperated nicely for their practice and tournament days.

There was a pre-tournament Friday evening dinner at Hickory Knob State Park. The social was thoroughly enjoyed by 7 of the teams.

We’d like to welcome all of the new teams that fished with us.
- Julie and Jim Collins
- Jenny and Dave Drummond
- Samantha and Travis Parrish
- Kimberly Michelle Bryant and Joey Madden
- Sherry Farrow and Sean Hall
- Ashley and Ben Sutton
- Carol and Michael Tidwell
- Amanda Godfrey and Clifton Bradley
- Paige Middleton and Zachary Hudson
- Jennifer and Alex Dziengielewski
- Amy and Marcus Allen
- Amie Faulkner and Mike Broome
- Deborah and Boyce Boswell

Brooke Mattison and David Chapman also returned after a year off.

Local sponsors got some special recognition. Jennifer and Alex Dziengielewski contributed a baitcast rod.  This will be awarded for Men’s or Lady’s Big Bass of the year after the 2017 June tournament on Lake Greenwood. Their ALX rod line will soon be carried by local Cabelas stores. Kissel Krafts Custom Rods is also contributing two custom rods to be awarded as prizes for the 2017 season.

Jennifer Dziengielewski won stylish Maui Jim’s sunglasses in the drawing. The “shades” were contributed by local Jervey Eye Group. A Jervey lens cleaner kit was again available as a drawing prize. We’ve gotten some great feedback on how effective the cleaner and cloth are on both glasses and marine electronics screens.

The Greenville Bonefish Grill contributed $25 coupons. Both of the teams drawing these prizes were delighted.  Michelle Bryant said, “It’s my favorite restaurant!” as she picked up a coupon.

Clifton Bradley was quick to pick up the proven lure pack from Scotty Bartley’s Weeble Lure business.  Yeti has contributed prizes for each of the 2017 tournaments.  A tackle bag from fishing friend Diana Uebelhack was quick to go in the drawing.  Other 2016 sponsors were thanked for their contributions for drawing prizes: Strickland Marine, Greenville Cabelas, Lews, Yo-Zuri, Costa and Simpsonville Starbucks.  Sponsor generosity offers far more teams the chance to go home as “winners.”

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

by AnglersChannel

Derek Sandlin wins ABA AFT D47 Event on Lake Ouachita with over 18 pounds.

Derek Sandlin of Mount Ida, Arkansas won the second event of the AFT D47 2017 season that was held on November 5th and contested on Lake Ouachita. 35 anglers came out and were greeted with unseasonably warm air and water temperatures. Bass have not moved into their typical fall patterns in central Arkansas. 126 limits crossed the scales and 111 fish were caught for a total weight of 200.11 pounds, less than a 2 pound average.

Derek Sandlin topped the field with five fish for a total weight of 18.41 pounds. Derek threw a swimbait to catch his fish. He also won Big Fish for the event with a weight of 3.98 pounds earning him a total of $900 for his efforts.

Allen Fullbright sacked up five fish for a total weight of 12.52 pounds. Allen relied on a horny toad to fill his livewell. Allen took home $461 for second place.

Rounding out the top three was Blake Wilson who threw a spinnerbait on a 7’ 3” medium-heavy Fitzgerald Stunner rod to catch five fish for a total weight of 12.24 pounds.

Top Five Finishers:
1. Derek Sandlin       18.41 lbs
2. Allen Fullbright      12.52 lbs
3. Blake Wilson         12.24 lbs
4. Brian Bean            11.97 lbs
5. Doug Thompson    11.26 lbs

The next tournament in this division is on Lake Maumelle on December 17, 2016 launching out of Jolly Rogers Marina.

The next tournament in the D42 division is on the Arkansas River/Pine Bluff November 19, 2016 launching out of Regional Park.

For more information on this or any future event in this division contact John Simonof at (501)772-4938 or by email at [email protected].

I’d like to thank our local sponsors who provide great support throughout the year.

Fish N’ Stuff
H2O Sportz & Marine
I-40 Transmission
NIFE Marine
Temple Fork Outfitters
Window World of Little Rock
Zimmerman’s Sports Center/Exxon

These anglers are earning valuable points toward the divisional angler of the year title. The points champion from each division will compete in the annual Ram American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of the Year Final Round at the Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship.

The Ram American Fishing Tour offers low cost, close to home bass tournaments that are designed for the weekend angler. All ABA anglers fish for money and points. The points advance the angler to their divisional championship and the top 500 anglers in the US are invited to the Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship. For more information on American Bass Anglers please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256)232-0406.

by AnglersChannel

Sean Anderson wins ABA AFT D-96 Event on Lake Greenwood

Group picture from left to right; 1st place Sean Anderson of Leesville, SC / 2nd place Phillip Anderson of Saluda, SC. / 3rd place Andy Lake of Batesburg, SC / 4th place Steve Gilstrap of Greer, SC / 5th place Jay Treon of Greenwood, SC. / 6th place George Berry of Saluda, SC

AFT D-96 Tournament Results 

Lake Greenwood– November 6, 2016

First place, Sean Anderson caught 5 fish weighing 12.94 pounds all on spinerbaits. Sean was fishing the middle part of the lake. Sean won first place and first place option for a total of $770.

Phillip Anderson was second with 5 fish weighing 12.57 pounds. He fished the upper part of the lake and caught his fish flipping docks with soft plastics. Phillip took home $475 for second place and second place option.

Third place was Andy Lake with 5 fish weighing 12.24 pounds. Andy was fishing on the middle and lower parts of the lake and caught all his fish on spinnerbaits. Andy took home $130 for third place.

George Berry took the big fish pot with a 4.56 pound largemouth. He won $125 for Big Fish.

100_4997

Our day started out foggy and 44 degrees. Winds were light and variable all day. Mostly sunny skies and we were at 66 degrees at the 3 pm weigh-in. Water temps were in the high 60’s to low 70’s. The lake was clear but stained in the creeks and up the rivers and the level has dropped to three feet below full pool.

This year Greenwood has been tough to get a limit. We were here in August and only 12 of the 32 anglers weighed fish with no 5 fish limits. Today we had 5 limits but it is still a struggle to find 14 inch bass. The weights are way down as compared to years past. I mention this because today one of our anglers discovered a fish basket with fish in it. His topwater bait snagged the rope that was tied to it. He contacted me and the SCDNR. The fish were released and the metal basket was crushed and destroyed. There are many tournaments on Lake Greenwood this time of year. Hopefully this wasn’t done by one of our anglers but obviously, there are some who would try to win by breaking rules as well as the law.

Here’s how we finished:

Angler # Fish Big Bass Penalty Total Wt. Points Payout

1

 Sean Anderson

5

  

12.94

200

$770 

2

 Phillip Anderson

5

3.8

  

12.57

199

$475 

3

 Andy Lake

5

    

12.24

198

$130 

4

 Steve Gilstrap

5

2.52

10.2

197

$101 

5

 Jay Treon

5

  

9.18

196

 ALX Hat

6

 George Berry

3

4.56

  

7.7

195

 Parker Bait $130

7

 Joey Miller

5

7.38

194

  

8

 Jason Moyer

4

    

6.96

193

9

 Beau Dixon

2

  

5.58

192

10

 Rodney Cromer

3

  

5.49

191

11

 Wesley Bray

3

5.19

190

12

 Eric Edmondson

2

    

4.47

189

13

 Brett Douglas

1

4.07

  

4.07

188

14

 Paul Selle

2

3.9

187

15

 Matt Mollohan

2

  

3.05

186

16

 Phil Morris

1

  

2.92

185

17

 Don Kneece

1

  

2.9

184

18

 Josh Peake

1

1.93

183

19

 Randy Ables

1

1.68

182

20

 David Griswold

1

1

0.86

181

21

 Gene Parker

0

0

50

21

 Robbie Smith

0

0

50

21

 Ed Matthews

0

0

50

21

 Jeremy Sessions

0

0

50

21

 Troy Lytle

0

0

50

  

 

Money

Sean Anderson– 1st place plaque $620 / 1st place option $150 Total - $770

Phillip Anderson – 2nd place plaque $375 / 2nd place option $100 Total - $475

Andy Lake – 3rd place plaque - $130

Steve Gilstrap – 4th place – $101

Jay Treon – 5th place - $ALX Hat

George Berry – 6th place – Big Fish plaque - $125 - Parker Spinnerbait

 

ALX Rod Big Fish Leader for 2017 

Evan Weaver – 6.43 lbs. Lake Murray, July 10, 2016

by AnglersChannel

Lake Conroe To Host World’s Top Amateur Anglers

From BASS Communications

Nov. 10, 2016

CONROE, Texas — The best 113 amateur anglers from all over the world will converge on Texas’ Lake Conroe, Nov. 17-19, for the 2016 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan.

Forty-seven states are sending representatives, as are nine countries (Australia, Portugal, Namibia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the province of Ontario, Canada). A boater and a nonboater from each will join last year’s defending champion, Albert Collins of Texas, and the Paralyzed Veterans of America Tour’s Angler of the Year, Kurt Glass of Georgia.

Competitors qualified through a rigorous schedule of local, state and then regional tournaments.
The Top 3 out of the 113-angler field will earn a coveted spot in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro, March 24-26, 2017, also on Lake Conroe.

“It’s going to be really competitive,” said Jon Stewart, director of the B.A.S.S. Nation. “By the end, it will be the absolute best in the B.A.S.S. Nation who advance to the Classic.”

Lake Conroe has the potential to produce 20-plus-pound bags per day for the leaders. The 21,000-acre reservoir is full of sunken brushpiles, standing timber and boat docks where competitors could find sizable largemouth bass. Anglers can bring in bass that are 16 inches or longer.

The standing record for Lake Conroe is a 15.93-pound largemouth caught in January 2009.
“It will be a great tournament,” said Stewart. “We can’t wait to see what the competitors catch while we’re there.”

All the qualifiers will compete on the first two days, but the final day will include a cut. The only remaining anglers on Nov. 19 will be the Top 10 boaters, the nonboater champion (the top nonboater at the end of Day 2) and the best two boaters from each of the three regions (Eastern, Central and Western) if they have not already qualified as part of the Top 10.

“The cut for Day 3 will make it even more challenging for the competitors,” Stewart added. “They’ll have to bring their A game on the first two days to even have a shot.”

The winner, runner-up and third-place finisher will earn a berth in the 2017 Classic, paid entry into the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens series of their choice, and the B.A.S.S. Nation’s Best prize package, which is the use of a Toyota Tundra truck and a fully rigged, tournament-ready Phoenix boat for one year. A 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series berth is on the line, too.

The nonboater champion will also win paid entry into the Opens division of choice, a boat and a spot as a marshal in the 2017 Bassmaster Classic.

“The payout is huge, and the new B.A.S.S. Nation’s Best prize package is going to be great. The three anglers who win the package get to drive around in that truck and fish out of that boat for the next year, really easing the burden for someone who’s trying to be competitive on the trail.”

The event will kick off when anglers register at La Torretta Resort and Spa, 600 La Torretta Boulevard, in Montgomery, Texas, Nov. 15, at 4:30 p.m.

Competitors will get one official day of practice, Nov. 16. Competition begins the following day.

Anglers will take off from Lakeview Marina, 880 Beach Walk Boulevard, in Conroe each day, Nov. 17-19, at 6:45 a.m. CT. Weigh-ins will take place, also at Lakeview Marina, each day beginning at 3 p.m.

The tournament is hosted by the Conroe Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Get a full list of competitors and keep up with the championship at Bassmaster.com/Nation.

2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Title Sponsor: Academy Sports + Outdoors

2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Presenting Sponsor: Magellan

2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Premier Sponsors: Toyota, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Berkley, GoPro, Huk, Humminbird

2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Supporting Sponsors: Lowrance, Nationwide, Power-Pole, Rapala, Shell Rotella, Shimano, A.R.E. Truck Caps, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures

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

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

by AnglersChannel

"The best new Drop Shot bait on the planet....." Mark Zona on Strike King's new Halfshell

TV Show Host and smallmouth fishing freak Mark "Z-Train" Zona talks to you about the new Strike King Halfshell Drop Shot bait. Learn the how, when, where and why you NEED this bait in your arsenal!

by AnglersChannel

FLW Tour Pro Bill McDonald talks Lucas Oil Marine Oil and your outboards warranty

FLW Touring and Lucas Oil Pro Bill McDonald talks about the Lucas Oil Marine Oil and why it WILL NOT Void your warranty on your new high powered Bass Buggy with your new high powered outboard motor. Take a look, and see why Lucas Oil will keep you on the water longer!

 

 

by AnglersChannel

Davy Hite announces retirement from BASS Elite Series, will do color commentary for BASS Live and more.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nov. 7, 2016

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Davy Hite, the 1999 Bassmaster Classic champion and two-time Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year, won’t be competing on the Elite Series in 2017, but his fans will be seeing him more than ever. Hite has accepted a position as color commentator for “Bassmaster LIVE,” “The Bassmasters” television show on ESPN2 and all other B.A.S.S. programming, the company announced today.

“I view this more as a transition, rather than a retirement,” Hite said. “In a perfect world, I wish I could keep competing for a few more years. But this was a golden opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.

“This is a way for me to continue to have a positive impact and stay involved with the sport of bass fishing, which has meant everything to me.”

Hite, 51, has won more than $2 million in his 23-year career, which includes a Forrest Wood Cup title in 1998, in addition to the ’99 Classic crown and Angler of the Year titles in 1997 and 2002. His B.A.S.S. career includes eight first-place finishes, 14 Bassmaster Classic appearances, and 45 Top 10 finishes. The Ninety Six, S.C., resident has finished in the money 140 times in 254 total tournaments.

“At the age of 27, I quit a full-time job to become a tournament bass fisherman, which had been my dream since I was 12 years old,” Hite said. “It was a leap of faith. Some of my friends thought I was crazy. This is different, but at the same time it’s a leap of faith, as well.”

Jerry McKinnis, one of B.A.S.S.’s principal owners, as well as a pioneer in outdoor television programming, is pleased to have Hite as a full-time addition to the B.A.S.S. team.

“I’ve known for a long time that Davy would be a great on-air talent,” said McKinnis, who praised Hite’s work on the “First Look” segments of Bassmaster.com tournament coverage. “I realized very quickly how comfortable Davy was in doing this. He’s good at asking the right questions. But it’s not an interview with him, it’s more like a conversation, and that’s important.”

Over the past three years, Hite has worked increasingly with the “Bassmaster LIVE” hosts Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona and Elite Series emcee Dave Mercer.

“I’ve enjoyed working with all the folks at B.A.S.S., both on-camera and behind-the-scenes,” Hite said. “But I never had a clue it could turn into something like this. Again, this was too good an opportunity to pass up.

“I think I’m still competitive enough to win the first tournament on the Elite Series next year. But at the same time, I knew in my heart that I didn’t want to fish another 20 years.

“You never know if you’ll get a second chance to make a transition like this one, and stay involved in the sport you love. It was reassuring when I presented this to my sponsors, and they all agreed with my decision.”

Hite finished 56th in the final 2016 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings. He’s had at least one Top 10 finish in each of the last three Elite Series seasons.

“We’re really excited about Davy Hite joining our team,” said Mike McKinnis, vice president of media communications for JM Associates, which produces B.A.S.S. television and Internet content. “He brings some inside knowledge to the broadcast. He knows what the pros are doing and why they’re doing it, which is really important in our ‘Bassmaster LIVE’ coverage.”

Tommy Sanders echoed those thoughts, saying, “Davy has got one-of-a-kind perspective on tournament bass fishing. Just as importantly, he’s got a great ability to discern when what seems to be a small story is just as important as a big one. Plus, I just like the guy.”

Hite’s first appearance under the new arrangement will be at the Bassmaster Elite at Cherokee Lake, Tennessee, Feb. 9-12, 2017, and he’ll be an integral part of the programming for the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro in Houston March 24-26.

His current sponsors include: Phoenix Boats, Evinrude, Gopher Industrial, Costa, Bass Pro Shops, Humminbird, Rapala, Storm Lures, Minn Kota, Advance Land and Timber, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, VMC and Buckeye Lures.

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

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

by AnglersChannel

No Regrets

 

BASS Opens Pro - Luke Estel

I went into the 2016 B.A.S.S. Central Opens with high hopes. My obvious goal was to make the Bassmaster Classic. That did not happen but I was pleased with my performance. Here is a little run down of each event and how it unfolded.

Arkansas River- My practice was sub-par until the final day when I located some fish in Spaniard Creek. After the third nice keeper I caught, I decided to cut the hook off of my Strike King Swim Jig. They were crushing it. I had more than a dozen vicious strikes in less than an hour. I started there on day one and filled my limit by noon and quit fishing by one. Day 2 I went back to the same area and only boated two keepers. My co angler caught a six pound fish behind me so I knew all I needed was another twelve pound limit to make the final day. I only lost one fish and boat traffic definitely hurt the area but I would not have changed what I was doing. I just didn’t get the bites. I ended the event in 66th place. Three more bites and I make the cut.

Red River- Practice again was very tough with a bite here and there. I found the “ Gator Hole” where to my surprise no one was fishing. I milked the area for all that it was worth catching two four pound fish and a three pound fish in there. Every fish came off a Strike King Rage Bug I only lost one fish that did not affect the outcome. Again, I wouldn’t have done it any different. I ended up in 6th place which is my best finish ever in a B.A.S.S. event in which I am very proud of.

Atchafalaya Basin- Practice was ok with a day here and there going well. The bite was tough but I knew I could catch 10 to 14 pounds. I started in my best area in Flat Lake and fished all eight of my spots throughout the day only to yield five small keepers that weighed six pounds. Day two I went to my back up area where I punched a one ounce Tour Grad Tungsten weight using a watermelon-red Strike King Rage Bug and caught twelve pounds. Again, I wouldn’t have changed my decision making. They just didn’t bite for me on day one. I ended the event in 60th place.

Overall I finished 20th out of the entire division. A lot of great things have happened throughout these three events. First, my wife got to watch me weigh in on day three at the Red River. Probably top five coolest moments in my life, I purchased a new boat, I met a lot of great people and drew out with great co anglers. I helped my day two co angler on the Atchafalaya Basin make the day three cut. He finished third. I got more exposure on bassmaster.com than I ever have thanks to photographers Ronnie Moore and James Overstreet. I traveled to and from each event with three different guys, all of whom are great friends.

In all, it was a great year. I am looking forward to next year fishing the Southern Opens and high hopes in winning my first ever B.A.S.S. event and going to the Bassmaster Classic.

Thanks to all of the great people and companies that have stood beside me. Strike King Lure Company, Natural Gear, Vicious Fishing, Ardent, Mustad, Tony Chacheres, PLP Battery, and Cycle Connection.

by AnglersChannel

Tim Penhollow & KC Choosakul Win Cashion Rods Team Trail Championship on Falls Lake


Out of the 34 teams that qualified, 32 showed up to try and win the Cashion FishingRods 'End of Year' Team
Tournament Bass Fishing Trail Championship at Falls Lake. The weather was great! The winds were light to 8
mph, the air temps ranged from 44 to 72 and the water level was about 254' . Surface water temps averaged 64
degrees! It was absolutely a beautiful day and the water was in the bushes which our anglers love!! All except 2
teams weighed fish and afterwards were treated to Decky's famous BBQ sandwiches and drinks!! It's been a
great year for Piedmont Bass Classics and we look forward to 2017. Thanks to all our anglers and sponsors.
Without you it wouldn't work!!!


The team of Tim Penhollow & KC Choosakul took the Championship Title with 5 bass weighing 24.21 lbs. along
with winning the 1st Place TWT, 2nd Place Big Fish (7.34 lbs.) and 2 Professional Cashion Fishing Rods and
took home a total of $3,166 in cash and prizes!

1st Place Team

Penhollow on left and Choosakul on right.

The 2nd Place team of Jason Kopp & Daniel Jenkins checked in 5 bass weighing 17.38 lbs. to take home a total
of $920. The 3rd Place Team Keith Deal & Ricky Kenworthy netted 5 bass weighing 16.95 lbs. and along with
2nd Place TWT won a total of $777. 

The 4th place team of Tim Emory & Randy Fisher weighed in 5 bass at 1029-15pointschampions-600x450
15.89 lbs and along with winning the 1st place Big Fish (8.84 lbs.), the 'End of Year' Points Championship and 2
Professional Cashion Rods, walked away with $2,239 in cash & prizes!! Tim dedicated his win to his former EOY
partner, Clay 'Newley' Livingston that passed away August 11th this year.

Emory on left & Fisher on right.


113 bass were brought to the scales for a total of 290 pounds averaging 2.56 lbs. each. Most were caught on
Senkos, Carolina worm rigs, spinnerbaits & jig combos in mostly water in the bushes.

 

 

 

I want to thank Cashion Fishing Rods and all the anglers that participated. Our next tournament will be the 2017
Cashion Fishing Rods Spring Team Tournament Bass Fishing Trail Qualifier #1, Saturday February 25th at
Shearon Harris out of Cross Point Wildlife Ramp. All the information on our tournaments can be found  

http://piedmontbassclassics.com/

Now here are the full results:
1st Place: KC Choosakul & Tim Penhollow of Sanford & Mebane...5 bass...24.21 lbs...$1,970
2nd Place: Jason Kopp & Daniel Jenkins of Greensboro & Burlington...5 bass...17.38lbs...$920
3rd Place: Keith Deal & Ricky Kenworthy of Holly Springs & Cary...5 bass...16.95lbs...$537
4th Place: Tim Emory & Randy Fisher of Creedmoor & Hillsborough...5 bass...15.89 lbs...$385
5th Place: William Small & Lee Williams of Wake Forest & Durham...5 bass...15.21lbs...$282
6th Place: Jeremy Martin & Charley Vaughan of Rougemont...5 bass...14.16 lbs...$231
7th Place: Todd Massey & Tim Parker of Chapel Hill & New Hill...5 bass...12.41lbs...$205

1st Place Big Fish: 4th Place Team above...8.84 lbs...$434
2nd Place Big Fish: 1st Place Team above...7.34 lbs...$186

1st Place TWT: 1st Place Team above: 24.21 lbs...$560
2nd Place TWT: 3rd Place Team above: 16.95 lbs...$240

Let us help grow your business!
If you would like to sponsor or help sponsor any of our tournaments give me a call.
Contact Information:
Phil McCarson...Tournament Director---922 Valetta Rd.---Durham, NC   27712
Home: 919-471-1571     Cell: 919-971-5042
email: [email protected]            website:http://piedmontbassclassics.com/

by AnglersChannel

Pat Fisher Wins the FLW Costa Series Championship on Table Rock Lake, Punches ticket to 2017 FLW Cup

 

BRANSON, Mo. (Nov. 5, 2016) – Pat Fisher of Colbert, Georgia, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 15 pounds even Saturday to win the Costa FLW Series Championship on Table Rock Lake, which featured 192 of the top semi-pro boaters and co-anglers from across the globe. Fisher’s three-day total of 15 bass weighing 40 pounds, 4 ounces, earned him $50,200 and a coveted spot in the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing.

“I haven’t fished at this level in years, so this tournament was like a family reunion,” said Fisher, who spent eight years on the FLW Tour before stepping away in 2008. “I’ve always been very competitive, so it feels great to win.

“I came into this event after having the worst practice I’ve ever had,” Fisher continued. “On Day One, I went to a 200-yard stretch of bank way up the James River that I had a little success on. I sat in about 4 feet of water, throwing to bass that were shallower – maybe about a foot down. It was cloudy, so I threw a ¼-ounce white and blue-colored Boogerman Buzzbait and was able to catch nine keepers including a decent kicker.”

On Day Two, competitors were held at the marina for two hours due to excessive fog. Although the delay cut a large chunk out of Fisher’s day, he said he was still able to salvage a solid limit.

“I ran back up to the James River area and arrived at 11 a.m.,” said Fisher. “It was bright and slick so I knew they wouldn’t eat the buzzbait. I picked up a custom shaky-head rigged with a green pumpkin-colored Zoom Trick Worm and threw it around for a while. The largest piece of laydown in the area – a tree – produced around 30 fish for me. It was my magic tree.”

Fisher said he capped off the event by returning to his main stretch on Day Three, but this time, he was able to cover water more efficiently.

“I left two really big fish up there, so I narrowed my area to a 75-yard stretch,” said Fisher. “I threw to any cover I could. After the sun came out, I went back to my magic tree and caught six or seven big ones on the buzzbait. I guess it took me some more time during the tournament to figure them out.”

The top finishing boater from each of the six Costa FLW Series divisions that qualified for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup were:

Southeastern

1st:          Pat Fisher, Colbert, Ga., 15 bass, 40-4, $50,200

Southwestern

2nd:         Cody Bird, Granbury, Texas, 15 bass, 38-11, $25,000

Central

4th:          Old Spice pro Greg Bohannan, Bentonville, Ark., 15 bass, 33-1, $15,000 + $2,000 Ranger Cup bonus

Northern

11th:        Joel Richardson, Kernersville, N.C., 10 bass, 19-14, $4,000

Western

29th:        Roy Hawk, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., six bass, 15-10, $2,500

International

51st:        Hyo chul Kim, South Korea, six bass, 11-15

Additionally, the overall top five finishers that were not already selected as the highest finisher in their division qualify for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup. Those five anglers were:

3rd:          Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 15 bass, 36-14, $20,000

5th:          Christopher Jones, Bokoshe, Okla., 14 bass, 31-7, $10,100

6th:          Travis Fox, Rogers, Ark., 12 bass, 28-3, $8,000

7th:          Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 14 bass, 28-0, $7,000

8th:          Bradford Beavers, Ridgeville, S.C., 14 bass, 27-14, $6,000

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

The 2017 Forrest Wood Cup will be held Aug. 11-13 at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina.

Tyler Sheppard of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, won the co-angler division and $30,100, including a Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard with a three-day total of 10 bass weighing 23 pounds, 10 ounces. Michael Black of Toledo, Illinois, finished in second place with 10 bass weighing 22 pounds, 1 ounce, worth $12,500.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:          Tyler Sheppard, Hermitage, Pa., 10 bass, 23-10, $30,100

2nd:         Michael Black, Toledo, Ill., 10 bass, 22-1, $12,500

3rd:          Richard Jordan, Muncy Valley, Pa., eight bass, 16-5, $10,000

4th:          Robert Myers, Broken Arrow, Okla., seven bass, 13-8, $7,550

5th:          David Hudson, Jasper, Ala., five bass, 11-2, $5,000

6th:          Raymond Tak, Los Angeles, Calif., five bass, 10-14, $4,000

7th:          Benjamin Tawney, Slippery Rock, Pa., five bass, 10-8, $3,500

8th:          Joe Lane, Republic, Mo., five bass, 9-5, $3,000

9th:          Jonathan Shockey, Fort Smith, Ark., three bass, 8-7, $2,500

10th:        Rob Bueltmann, Osage Beach, Mo., four bass, 8-6, $2,000

The Costa FLW Series Championship at Table Rock Lake was hosted by ExploreBranson.com.

In Costa FLW Series regular-season competition, each division competes in three tournaments, with competitors vying for valuable points to earn their way into the top 40 and the opportunity to fish in the Costa FLW Series Championship.

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

About FLW

by AnglersChannel

Zack Birge takes the Lead in the FLW Costa Series Championship Heading into Day 3

 

FLW Official Press Release - Day 2 Costa Series Championship

BRANSON, Mo. (Nov. 4, 2016) – Costa FLW Series competitors awoke Friday to a thick blanket of fog covering Table Rock Lake near Table Rock State Park in Branson. After a near two-hour delay, anglers were allowed to start day two of the Costa FLW Series Championship on Table Rock Lake.

The 2015 FLW Tour Rookie of the Year Zack Birge of Blanchard, Oklahoma, who started the day in 13th place, vaulted to the top of the leaderboard after bringing a five-bass limit to the scales weighing 13 pounds, 13 ounces. Birge’s two-day total of 10 bass totaling 26 pounds, 5 ounces gives him a slim 6-ounce advantage over Cody Bird of Granbury, Texas, heading into the third and final day of competition. The tournament featured 192 boaters and co-anglers from across the globe, but is now cut to 10 with anglers casting for a top cash award of $95,000, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard, and an automatic qualification to the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing.

“I went to a new area today and caught around 15 fish,” said Birge, who won the 2014 FLW Series Championship at Wheeler Lake to jumpstart his professional career. “I didn’t see another boat around me and I think it is because I am so far up the river. Yesterday I only caught five all day so I knew I had to try something else and this new spot worked out.”

Birge said he ran 50 to 60 miles up the James River and caught all of his fish off of one bait – a 6th Sense Lure that he was not yet ready to divulge.

“I think a lot of the other places where guys have been at are just running out of fish,” Birge said. “Getting in to that new area was definitely the key for me today.”

Winning the 2014 Championship at Wheeler Lake seems to have prepared the Oklahoma pro for the pressures of leading a major tournament. He said he was much more nervous two years ago.

“It’s weird, but I’m not even really nervous at this point,” Birge said. “I really don’t know what to expect tomorrow. I’m just going to make that same run up the river tomorrow morning and hope for the best. I think there are more fish there, but I’m not really sure what to expect. I’m just going to go fishing and we’ll see how it ends up.”

The top 10 boaters that will advance to the final day of competition on Table Rock Lake are:

1st:          Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 10 bass, 26-5

2nd:         Cody Bird, Granbury, Texas, 10 bass, 25-15

3rd:         Pat Fisher, Colbert, Ga., 10 bass, 25-4

4th:         Brad Cook, Afton, Okla., nine bass, 24-12

5th:         Bradford Beavers, Ridgeville, S.C., eight bass, 22-8

6th:         Christopher Jones, Bokoshe, Okla., nine bass, 22-4

7th:         Travis Fox, Rogers, Ark., nine bass, 21-11

8th:         Old Spice pro Greg Bohannan, Bentonville, Ark., 10 bass, 21-11

9th:         Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 10 bass, 21-6

10th:       Brent Algeo, Ozark, Mo., eight bass, 20-15

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

The Costa FLW Series consists of five U.S. divisions – Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western – along with an International division that features anglers from Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. The highest finishing pro from each U.S. division and the new International division based on their finish qualify for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, along with the overall top five finishers not already selected as the highest finisher of a division. A total of 11 FLW Series boaters will advance to the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina.

Day One co-angler leader Tyler Sheppard of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, retained his lead on Day Two with a two-day total of seven bass weighing 16 pounds, 3 ounces, followed by Michael Black of Toledo, Illinois, in second place with five bass weighing 12-11.

The top 10 co-anglers that advance to the final day of competition on Table Rock Lake are:

1st:          Tyler Sheppard, Hermitage, Pa., seven bass, 16-3

2nd:         Michael Black, Toledo, Ill., five bass, 12-11

3rd:         Richard Jordan, Muncy Valley, Pa., six bass, 11-11

4th:         Raymond Tak, Los Angeles, Calif., five bass, 10-14

5th:         David Hudson, Jasper, Ala., four bass, 9-4

6th:         Robert Myers, Broken Arrow, Okla., five bass, 9-1

7th:         Jonathan Shockey, Fort Smith, Ark., three bass, 8-7

8th:         Rob Bueltmann, Osage Beach, Mo., four bass, 8-6

9th:         Benjamin Tawney, Slippery Rock, Pa., four bass, 7-12

10th:       Joe Lane, Republic, Mo., four bass, 7-11

Co-anglers are casting this week for a top award of a Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $5,000 if Ranger Cup guidelines are met.

The final 10 boaters and co-anglers will take off from the Table Rock State Park Marina, located at 380 State Park Marina Road in Branson, at 7 a.m. CDT Saturday. Saturday’s final weigh-in will take place at the Branson Landing located at 100 Branson Landing in Branson, at 4 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.

The Costa FLW Series Championship at Table Rock Lake is being hosted by ExploreBranson.com.

In Costa FLW Series regular-season competition, each division competes in three tournaments, with competitors vying for valuable points to earn their way into the top 40 and the opportunity to fish in the Costa FLW Series Championship.

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

by AnglersChannel

Fisher leads Day 1 of Costa FLW Series Championship on Table Rock Lake

 

 

FLW Press Release - Day 1 Costa Championship

BRANSON, Mo. (Nov. 3, 2016) – Pat Fisher of Colbert, Georgia, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Thursday weighing 15 pounds, 3 ounces to grab the lead after day one of the Costa FLW Series Championship on Table Rock Lake. Fisher now holds a slim 6-ounce lead heading in to day two of the three-day event, hosted by ExploreBranson.com, that features 192 anglers from across the globe casting for a top cash award of $95,000, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard, and an automatic qualification to the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing.

“Today was a surprise. A very good surprise,” said Fisher, a former FLW Tour pro who has three career Forrest Wood Cup appearances. “I made a long run, a lot of fish got beat up in there in practice, up where I was. But, I was the only one in there today, and I just stuck with it.”

Though Fisher weighed landed nine keepers, a big kicker bass really keyed his day.

“That big fish was my third fish,” says Fisher. “There was a little stretch there when they were feeding, and that really set the tone for the day. I haven’t seen a fish that big all week.”

Well away from the ramp and way in the back of a creek, Fisher adapted perfectly to the calm and overcast conditions that loomed over the field all morning.

“I’d been catching them on a shaky-head rig in the bright sun and the clear water,” said Fisher. “But, this morning with the overcast they came up and ate topwater baits. I had a pretty consistent day, just catching them all day long on a topwater. When I wanted to catch one, I picked up the shaky-head, but they weren’t the size I was looking for.”

Though the area he’s fishing isn’t huge, Fisher seems fairly confident that it has enough fish for at least another day. He doesn’t think he leaned on them too hard, and he says that he only saw one other boat back in that general area today.

The top 10 boaters after Day One on Table Rock Lake are:

1st:           Pat Fisher, Colbert, Ga., five bass, 15-3

2nd:          Bradford Beavers, Ridgeville, S.C., five bass, 14-13

3rd:          Christopher Jones, Bokoshe, Okla., five bass, 14-9

4th:           Cody Bird, Granbury, Texas, five bass, 14-5

4th:           Brad Cook, Afton, Okla., five bass, 14-5

6th:           Tim Reneau, Del Rio, Texas, five bass, 14-4

7th:           Travis Fox, Rogers, Ark., five bass, 13-12

8th:           Mark Tucker, Kirkwood, Mo., five bass, 13-9

9th:           Rick Taylor, West Olive, Mich., five bass, 13-6

10th:        Terry Tucker, Gadsden, Ala., five bass, 13-5

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

The Costa FLW Series consists of five U.S. divisions – Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western – along with an International division that features anglers from Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. The highest finishing pro from each U.S. division and the new International division based on their finish qualify for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, along with the overall top five finishers not already selected as the highest finisher of a division. A total of 11 FLW Series boaters will advance to the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina.

Tyler Sheppard of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, leads the co-angler division with five bass weighing 12 pounds, 10 ounces followed by Robert Myers of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, with five bass weighing 9-1.

The top 10 co-anglers after day one on Table Rock Lake are:

1st:           Tyler Sheppard, Hermitage, Pa., five bass, 12-10

2nd:          Robert Myers, Broken Arrow, Okla., five bass, 9-1

3rd:          Raymond Tak, Los Angeles, Calif., four bass, 8-12

3rd:          Michael Black, Toledo, Ill., four bass, 8-12

5th:           Jonathan Shockey, Fort Smith, Ark., three bass, 8-7

6th:           Rob Bueltmann, Osage Beach, Mo., four bass, 8-6

7th:           Kelly Taylor, Beebe, Ark., four bass, 7-10

8th:           David Hudson, Jasper, Ala., three bass, 7-3

9th:           Jim Austin, Lithonia, Ga., three bass, 7-0

9th:           Richard Jordan, Muncy Valley, Pa., four bass, 7-0

9th:           Mike Mueller, Berryville, Va., four bass, 7-0

Co-anglers are casting this week for a top award of a Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $5,000 if Ranger Cup guidelines are met.

Anglers will take off from the Table Rock State Park Marina, located at 380 State Park Marina Road in Branson, at 7 a.m. CDT each day. Weigh-in on Friday will be held at the marina beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will take place at the Branson Landing located at 100 Branson Landing in Branson, at 4 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.

In Costa FLW Series regular-season competition, each division competes in three tournaments, with competitors vying for valuable points to earn their way into the top 40 and the opportunity to fish in the Costa FLW Series Championship.

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

to photo of Day One leader Pat Fisher

BRANSON, Mo. (Nov. 3, 2016) – Pat Fisher of Colbert, Georgia, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Thursday weighing 15 pounds, 3 ounces to grab the lead after day one of the Costa FLW Series Championship on Table Rock Lake. Fisher now holds a slim 6-ounce lead heading in to day two of the three-day event, hosted by ExploreBranson.com, that features 192 anglers from across the globe casting for a top cash award of $95,000, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard, and an automatic qualification to the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing.

“Today was a surprise. A very good surprise,” said Fisher, a former FLW Tour pro who has three career Forrest Wood Cup appearances. “I made a long run, a lot of fish got beat up in there in practice, up where I was. But, I was the only one in there today, and I just stuck with it.”

Though Fisher weighed landed nine keepers, a big kicker bass really keyed his day.

“That big fish was my third fish,” says Fisher. “There was a little stretch there when they were feeding, and that really set the tone for the day. I haven’t seen a fish that big all week.”

Well away from the ramp and way in the back of a creek, Fisher adapted perfectly to the calm and overcast conditions that loomed over the field all morning.

“I’d been catching them on a shaky-head rig in the bright sun and the clear water,” said Fisher. “But, this morning with the overcast they came up and ate topwater baits. I had a pretty consistent day, just catching them all day long on a topwater. When I wanted to catch one, I picked up the shaky-head, but they weren’t the size I was looking for.”

Though the area he’s fishing isn’t huge, Fisher seems fairly confident that it has enough fish for at least another day. He doesn’t think he leaned on them too hard, and he says that he only saw one other boat back in that general area today.

The top 10 boaters after Day One on Table Rock Lake are:
1st: Pat Fisher, Colbert, Ga., five bass, 15-3
2nd: Bradford Beavers, Ridgeville, S.C., five bass, 14-13
3rd: Christopher Jones, Bokoshe, Okla., five bass, 14-9
4th: Cody Bird, Granbury, Texas, five bass, 14-5
4th: Brad Cook, Afton, Okla., five bass, 14-5
6th: Tim Reneau, Del Rio, Texas, five bass, 14-4
7th: Travis Fox, Rogers, Ark., five bass, 13-12
8th: Mark Tucker, Kirkwood, Mo., five bass, 13-9
9th: Rick Taylor, West Olive, Mich., five bass, 13-6
10th: Terry Tucker, Gadsden, Ala., five bass, 13-5

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

The Costa FLW Series consists of five U.S. divisions – Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western – along with an International division that features anglers from Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. The highest finishing pro from each U.S. division and the new International division based on their finish qualify for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, along with the overall top five finishers not already selected as the highest finisher of a division. A total of 11 FLW Series boaters will advance to the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina.

Tyler Sheppard of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, leads the co-angler division with five bass weighing 12 pounds, 10 ounces followed by Robert Myers of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, with five bass weighing 9-1.

The top 10 co-anglers after day one on Table Rock Lake are:
1st: Tyler Sheppard, Hermitage, Pa., five bass, 12-10
2nd: Robert Myers, Broken Arrow, Okla., five bass, 9-1
3rd: Raymond Tak, Los Angeles, Calif., four bass, 8-12
3rd: Michael Black, Toledo, Ill., four bass, 8-12
5th: Jonathan Shockey, Fort Smith, Ark., three bass, 8-7
6th: Rob Bueltmann, Osage Beach, Mo., four bass, 8-6
7th: Kelly Taylor, Beebe, Ark., four bass, 7-10
8th: David Hudson, Jasper, Ala., three bass, 7-3
9th: Jim Austin, Lithonia, Ga., three bass, 7-0
9th: Richard Jordan, Muncy Valley, Pa., four bass, 7-0
9th: Mike Mueller, Berryville, Va., four bass, 7-0

Co-anglers are casting this week for a top award of a Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $5,000 if Ranger Cup guidelines are met.

Anglers will take off from the Table Rock State Park Marina, located at 380 State Park Marina Road in Branson, at 7 a.m. CDT each day. Weigh-in on Friday will be held at the marina beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will take place at the Branson Landing located at 100 Branson Landing in Branson, at 4 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.
In Costa FLW Series regular-season competition, each division competes in three tournaments, with competitors vying for valuable points to earn their way into the top 40 and the opportunity to fish in the Costa FLW Series Championship.

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

by AnglersChannel

BASS CAT ADDS “TIGER” STEVE KENNEDY TO PRO STAFF

 

MOUNTAIN HOME, AR (November 3, 2016) – Today Bass Cat announced the addition of Elite Series pro angler, Steve Kennedy, to the company’s Pro Staff. The Auburn, Alabama veteran angler will compete in his eighth Bassmaster Classic in March and plans to run a Bass Cat Eyra on tour in 2017.

In addition to his Bassmaster Classic qualifications, Kennedy has fished in the Forrest Wood Cup five times and has won twice in each major tour, including the Professional Anglers Association Circuit. Between B.A.S.S. and FLW, he has over $2 million in career winnings.

Kennedy first became aware of Bass Cat’s family atmosphere during a tournament prior to the start of his tour-level career when he chipped a tooth. Bass Cat’s matriarch Jan Pierce immediately dropped everything to find him a dentist, despite having never met him. “That really made an impression on me,” Kennedy said.

Equally important to him in making this decision was the company’s total commitment to quality. Kennedy added, “For most of my Elite experience I’ve had one of the slowest boats out there, but I won’t anymore. Now I’m expecting to be one of the fastest! I’m excited to be in a new boat and I’m going to have fun with it.”

Bass Cat’s President Rick Pierce stated, “Steve, Julia, and their kids have been like family to us for years. Along the way we’ve watched him approach fishing in his own individual way, similar to the way we’ve always done business here at Bass Cat.”

Bass Cat’s Tour Team Manager, Kevin Short, is a longtime friend of the Kennedys and has spent countless hours with Steve, both on and off the water. “I’ve always felt that Steve was the best angler at the tour level,” Short said. “I don’t know anybody out there who understands how to find and catch fish as naturally as Steve. He’s extremely guarded and doesn’t easily forge relationships, so we are thrilled that he chose to join the Bass Cat family.”

by AnglersChannel

Tearing out the Rivets.

 

An old saying I have heard for years, “We are going to tear the rivets out of it and build it back piece by piece!”

Well, when you logged on to Anglerschannel.com this morning you may have noticed something different.

A few things out of place, a few new things and a few newer things you may have never noticed before.

Basically we tore the rivets out of it and put it back together.  Bigger. Badder. Better than Ever. 

 

Some have asked why we updated the site.  Well, It’s pretty simple, it was time.

Time to get more responsive and deliver the content YOU want, the way YOU want it, WHERE YOU Want it. Simple as that.

Desktop, laptop, iPhone, Android, iPad, you name it. It's ready for it.

 

Some highlights of the new and improved, million-watt astro blaster Anglerschannel.com are:

*New Featured Content – The latest, greatest, most relevant stories, results, tournaments, videos and blogs to keep you in the know.

*New Results Section –ALL the weekends results from across the country in one place, easy to find and right there, front and center, to make your time on the site more enjoyable.

results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*New Tournament Tracker and Calendar – Search by month, date, trail or lake. Easier to find, more info, and an easy way to plan your tournaments, no matter where you fish.

tourney

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Industry News and Gear Reviews – All the latest industry news, new product news, product spotlight videos and more in the easy to find, easier to read product section.

*Videos – New video player and layout with the top videos on the homepage

*New Lakes and Lake Guide – Thanks to our friends at Navionics, We have updated the Lakes and Lake guides within our system to give you ALL the information you need, no matter if you are fishing your home lake or traveling out of state.

The new maps offer not only Navionics Topographic maps of the lakes, but also Hybrid and Terrain maps as well as Google Earth map,s all with the click of a button! No need to pull up multiple websites, we have it ALL in one spot!

guntersville-topoterrain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

googlemap

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At Anglerschannel.com we are working hard to make sure you get all the Bass Tournament information you want in one place. Pro Tips, Technical stuff, New Products, Tournament results and more! We want to be your home for tournament bass fishing!

Thanks for reading and thanks for checking out the site. We look forward to hearing your feedback.  If you like it share it with your friends, if you don’t, send me an email at the address below, I would love to hear from you.

Thanks and God Bless!

Chris Brown

President, AnglersChannel.com

[email protected]

 

PS. BIG Thanks to guys at Metal Potato for putting all of this together. They were a blast to work with and put out great products. First class folks, check them out.

by AnglersChannel

Missouri, California And Maryland To Host 2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Regionals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nov. 2, 2016

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Three lakes in very different parts of the country — Lake of the Ozarks, Lake Shasta and Upper Chesapeake Bay — will host B.A.S.S. Nation Regionals in 2017.

“You can’t get more West, Central and East than our regionals,” said Jon Stewart, director of the B.A.S.S. Nation. “We’re proud of the diversity of this schedule.”

Top performers in each of the three regionals will advance to the 2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan.

Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Mo., will host the first regional of the year, April 5-7. Teams from Texas to Ohio will be invited to compete in the B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional.

“Lake of the Ozarks is a very popular tourist attraction,” Stewart said, “but it’s also a great fishery, especially that time of year. It should really fish well.”

The 2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional presented by Magellan will be the final event in a trifecta on the 54,000-acre reservoir. The Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Central Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops will take place March 29-31, followed by the Costa Bassmaster High School Midwest Open presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods, April 2.

“B.A.S.S. will be at Lake of the Ozarks for nearly two weeks, and we’re looking forward to it,” Stewart said. “It’s a beautiful place.”

The Ozarks Tri-County Lodging Association and the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau (funlake.com) are the local hosts for the event.

For the Western Regional, two weeks after the Central has concluded, B.A.S.S. heads almost as far west in the United States as possible, to Lake Shasta in Redding, Calif. The 2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional presented by Magellan will take place April 19-21, in conjunction with the 2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Western Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops.

Anglers from New Mexico to Washington will make up the competitors in the Western Regional.

“Lake Shasta will be another great event,” Stewart said. “It’s a good spotted bass fishery with the potential for some big spotted bass.”

California’s largest reservoir at 30,000 acres, Lake Shasta is nestled inside the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and looks up to the magnificent Mount Shasta.

“We’re excited to go to Redding, and they’re excited to have us,” Stewart added.

The Redding Convention and Visitors Bureau will host the tournament.

The final B.A.S.S. Nation Regional of the season will be held 2,800 miles away on the opposite coast. Upper Chesapeake Bay in North East, Md., will be the site of the 2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Regional, June 14-16. Cecil County Maryland will serve as the event’s host.

Teams from Maine to Florida will compete in the Eastern Regional.

“We’ve been to the Upper Chesapeake Bay a few times for regionals, and we just had a Bassmaster Elite Series event there in 2015,” Stewart said. “It’s a great community, and it’s very supportive of B.A.S.S.”

The fishing for the Eastern Regional should be good, too. In August 2015, Bassmaster Elite Series pro Aaron Martens won the four-day Elite Series tournament with 70 pounds, 2 ounces.

States send teams of 20 to each regional. The top boater and nonboater from each state in each regional will qualify for the 2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, which will be held in fall 2017 at a location to be announced.

2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan Schedule

Event                                  Lake                                     City                             Date
Central Regional                 Lake of the Ozarks               Osage Beach, Mo.       April 5-7
Western Regional                Lake Shasta                          Redding, Calif.            April 19-21
Eastern Regional                 Upper Chesapeake Bay        North East, Md.           June 14-16

2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Title Sponsor: Academy Sports + Outdoors

2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Presenting Sponsor: Magellan

2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Premier Sponsors: Toyota, Berkley, GoPro, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Power-Pole

2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Supporting Sponsors: A.R.E. Truck Caps, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Nationwide, Rapala, Shell Rotella, Shimano, T-H Marine, Phoenix Boats

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

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

by AnglersChannel

The Wonder of being the Underdog...

Vance McCullough

 

5 AM.

We’re on the road to the hunting woods.

14706788_10206668832472110_3500114976047370434_o I‘m surprised to see 3 other vehicles during our 10 minute drive – a veritable traffic jam under the circumstances. We park, walk the dark half-mile to our trees. As my boy, Hunter, inches up a pine into the scattered stars, we again assume the role of underdog.

It’s a role we’ve been playing for the past couple of months on the football field. I coach and my boy plays at the smallest middle school in the county. Weekly, we take on schools with double or triple our enrollment. It’s gone as you might expect. I can handle the lopsided scores. I can handle our record. I can’t stand the running clock that, by rule, is implemented when the score gets away from one team (we’ve been on the good end and the bad end of that deal over the years). I really can’t stand when the refs call a game with 2 minutes left on the clock because it is out of reach. Some of us aren’t just trying to score points. Some of us are trying to teach football. Some of us are trying to teach perseverance.

In this increasingly soft society, the football field is one of the last bastions of manhood in America. It’s our treehouse, a place where we can spit, cuss and ‘scratch where it itches’. There are life lessons to be learned. Many of these lasting lessons can also be learned in the outdoors.

For instance, I don’t have the time or money to drive up into Georgia or South Carolina and join a club where we can sit over a feeder and take our pick from among dozens of animals. I’ve got no problem with folks doing that, but I’m more into it for the pure adventure anyway. Hunter and I put in hours scouting our local woods, placing and checking trail cameras and then on ‘game day’ we climb up, sit tight and hope for the best. Regulations are strict on public land and the advantage always favors the critters. ‘In the field or ‘on the field, we are the underdogs.

But there’s a special magic that happens when an underdog steals a win. It’s a feeling you won’t know until you’ve done something bigger than your resources or abilities should have allowed.

When I fish a tournament as a co-angler and a bit of luck shows its head, and I whack it on the head, I feel what my boy felt last spring when a gobbler showed up in the woods behind our house and Hunter stalked to within 20 yards, waited until the bird poked its head from behind a tree and put a 20-gague slug through its neck.

When I press the advantage as a coach and call a blitz or a stunt that results in a sack, I feel what Hunter felt when he charged into a thick bay head and hammered a razorback hog at close range.

As tournament organizations release next season’s schedules, make a plan to get in the game. There are plenty of trails that need co-anglers and boaters alike at all different levels of competition and expense. You may not have the latest equipment, but you can have the greatest experience. Join us, the 14853289_1190914370968127_4136196720812987588_ounderdogs, and remember, what you get may not be as important as how you got it.

By the way, before my boy climbed back down that pine tree the other day, he had shot his first buck. It was a 6-pointer, a beautiful specimen for these parts.

 

 

Now if we can just beat that team from across town next week . . .

by AnglersChannel

ALABAMA’S NIXON WINS FLW BFL REGIONAL TOURNAMENT ON LAKE HARTWELL PRESENTED BY GOPRO

 

Hester wins co-angler title

SENECA, S.C. (Oct. 31, 2016) – Jason Nixon of Wetumpka, Alabama, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 13 pounds, 5 ounces, Saturday to win the FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Regional event on Lake Hartwell presented by GoPro, with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 31 pounds, 2 ounces. Nixon earned $65,000 for his victory, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard, and a berth into the 2017 BFL All-American Championship.

“I found areas in the back of three different creeks during practice that had stained water, which is what I was looking for,” said Nixon, who earned his third win in FLW competition. “But, on the first day of the tournament the water in my first stop wasn’t stained any longer. It was clear, and I didn’t catch a single fish on it. I went to my second area and caught four fish, and then two more at my third.”

Nixon said he was fishing shallow, in 1 to 3 feet of water, and targeting visible brush tops.

“On Day Two, I rotated between the two areas that had produced the day before,” said Nixon. “One area was in the middle of the lake, and the other one was in the lower end. I moved depending on how the fish were biting. I’d work one area over pretty good, and then move on to the second.”

Nixon said the majority of his fish came on a Rainforest Black-colored Spro Bronzeye Poppin’ Frog. He said he boated 17 keepers over the course of the event.

“I fished the frog fast in the morning and slow in the afternoon,” said Nixon. “Some fish would just swirl at it [the frog] but not touch it. But the ones that bit, they hit it hard and just about swallowed it.”

The top six boaters that qualified for the 2017 BFL All-American were:

1st:          Jason Nixon, Wetumpka, Ala., 15 bass, 31-2, $65,000

2nd:         Jason Wilson, Lincolnton, N.C., 15 bass, 28-12, $10,200

3rd:          Conrad Bolt, Seneca, S.C., 15 bass, 28-9, $5,100

4th:          Barry Hooper, Monticello, Ga., 15 bass, 28-2, $3,000

5th:          Brad Fowler, Townville, S.C., 15 bass, 28-0, $2,000

6th:          Todd Harris, Clemmons, N.C., 14 bass, 27-7, $1,800

Rounding out the top-10 boaters were:

7th:          Joseph Marks, Duncan, S.C., 15 bass, 26-15, $2,600

8th:          Clabion Johns, Covington, Ga., eight bass, 25-9, $1,400

9th:          Randy Gillespie, Sanford, N.C., 15 bass, 25-6, $1,200

10th:        Michael Anders, Anderson, S.C., 15 bass, 24-8, $1,000

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Alex Hester of Crossville, Tennessee, won the co-angler division and a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard with a three-day cumulative catch of 14 bass weighing 19 pounds, 12 ounces.

The top six co-anglers that qualified for the 2017 BFL All-American were:

1st:          Alex Hester, Crossville, Tenn., 14 bass, 19-12, $45,000

2nd:         Clarence Raney, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 12 bass, 19-9, $5,000

3rd:          Pat Kendrick, Bumpass, Va., 15 bass, 19-4, $2,500

4th:          Richard Young, Ellenboro, N.C., 13 bass, 18-12, $1,500

5th:          Jeff Scism, Shelby, N.C., 11 bass, 17-8, $1,100

6th:          Greg Ravitsky, Ashburn, Va., 11 bass, 17-5, $950

Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers were:

7th:          Marvin Godard, Charlotte, N.C., 11 bass, 17-1, $800

8th:          Nicholas Ireland, Raleigh, N.C., 12 bass, 16-12, $700

9th:          Radney Atchison, Prattville, Ala., 11 bass, 15-11, $600

10th:        Keith Lynch, River Falls, Ala., 11 bass, 14-14, $500

The BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 120 tournaments throughout the season, five in each division. The top 50 boaters and co-anglers from each division qualify for a regional tournament and are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2017 BFL All-American will be held May 31-June 3 on Pickwick Lake in Florence, Alabama. Top winners in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the Walmart FLW Tour.

by AnglersChannel

OKLAHOMA’S COLLINGS WINS FLW BFL REGIONAL TOURNAMENT ON LAKE DARDANELLE PRESENTED BY RANGER BOATS

 

Montgomery wins co-angler title

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. (Oct. 31, 2016) – Eighteen-year-old Sheldon Collings of Grove, Oklahoma, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 16 pounds even Saturday to win the FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Regional event on Lake Dardanelle presented by Ranger Boats, with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 47 pounds, 4 ounces. For his win, Collings earned $65,000, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard, and a berth into the 2017 BFL All-American Championship.

Collings said he spent the first two days of the event at a creek mouth in an Arkansas River tailwater, below the Dardanelle Lock & Dam.

“The mouth had a point protruding from it,” said Collings, who earned his first win in FLW competition. “The shad were in the slack water behind it, along a shelf. The shelf was shallow, and ran across the entire mouth. The first bass I caught was a 6-pounder on a finesse jig.”

On Day Two, Collings said he switched to a chartreuse and black-colored Strike King KVD 2.5 square-bill crankbait.

“I caught six keepers there on Friday,” said Collings. “Casting into the current was key. You had to position the boat straight into it, cast the lure forward and then reel it back in.”

Collings said he focused on wing dams on the final day of the competition.

“I made a milk run and fished the dams that had the most current,” said Collings. “I caught seven keepers including a 6-pounder on the crankbait before heading in. I didn't catch a lot of fish in this tournament, but I definitely got some big ones. I've never done this well here before.”

The top six boaters that qualified for the 2017 BFL All-American were:

1st:          Sheldon Collings, Grove, Okla., 15 bass, 47-4, $65,000

2nd:         Melvin Dunn, Orange, Texas, 12 bass, 41-13, $10,000

3rd:          Justin Atkins, Florence, Ala., 14 bass, 38-13, $5,000

4th:          Jeffrey Smith, Knob Noster, Mo., 12 bass, 37-15, $3,000

5th:          Roger Fitzpatrick, Eldon, Mo., 13 bass, 36-10, $2,200

6th:          Lane McGaha, Dubach, La., 15 bass, 35-0, $1,900

Rounding out the top-10 boaters were:

7th:          Ryan Wilbanks, Wagoner, Okla., 14 bass, 34-4, $1,600

8th:          Jimmy Washam, Covington, Tenn., 11 bass, 31-10, $1,400

9th:          Austin Lowrey, Webb City, Mo., 15 bass, 31-2, $1,200

10th:        Dicky Newberry, Houston, Texas, 12 bass, 27-2, $1,000

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Michael Montgomery of Cuba, Missouri, won the co-angler division and a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard with a three-day cumulative catch of 14 bass weighing 25 pounds even.000228675_original_650x650

The top six co-anglers that qualified for the 2017 BFL All-American were:

1st:          Michael  Montgomery, Cuba, Mo., 14 bass, 25-0, $45,000

2nd:         Ronald Smith Jr.,  Kansas City, Kan., seven bass, 16-4, $5,000

3rd:          Damon Duncan, Kansas, Okla., five bass, 16-1, $2,500

4th:          David Lansford, Muskogee, Okla., five bass, 14-14, $1,500

5th:          Dennis Meyer, Ballwin, Mo., five bass, 13-14, $1,100

6th:          Justin Newell, Muskogee, Okla., six bass, 13-11, $950

Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers were:

7th:          Heath Gilmore, Meridian, Miss., six bass, 13-9, $800

8th:          Stephen Brown, Arlington, Tenn., five bass, 13-7, $700

9th:          Sam Bremmerkamp, Joplin, Mo., six bass, 12-15, $600

10th:        Steven Fisher, Lufkin, Texas, six bass, 12-3, $500

The BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 120 tournaments throughout the season, five in each division. The top 50 boaters and co-anglers from each division qualify for a regional tournament and are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2017 BFL All-American will be held May 31-June 3 on Pickwick Lake in Florence, Alabama. Top winners in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the Walmart FLW Tour.

by AnglersChannel

Crochet Claims First B.A.S.S. Victory On Home Waters!

Oct. 29, 2016
MORGAN CITY, La. — Bassmaster Elite Series pro Cliff Crochet cashed in on his home-waters advantage Saturday to claim his first B.A.S.S. victory at the Atchafalaya Basin in Louisiana.

Sitting in seventh place after the second day of competition Friday, Crochet rallied today with an 18-pound, 4-ounce limit to win the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open and earn the grand prize of a $45,000 Skeeter ZX200/Yamaha VF200LA rig and $6,741 in cash. The Pierre Part, La., angler finished with a three-day total of 46-06 to earn his first Bassmaster victory and a berth in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.

Crochet described today’s fishing as “slow and steady.” Mixing in some small keepers with some kicker bass, Crochet steadily caught fish throughout the day. He finished his limit by about 11 a.m., and then caught his biggest fish of the day — a 5-12 largemouth — at about 1:45 p.m.

Since he knew the waters so well, Crochet decided to “fish history” during his practice to either confirm or rule out fishing spots. “I practiced really hard,” he said. “(Eliminating water) made for some long, boring practices.”

The strategy paid off, though, as Crochet was able to narrow the vast waters of the basin down to three areas for the tournament. “But two of them didn’t shine, so that just nailed me down to one area,” he said.

His key bait for the whole tournament was a Luck-E-Strike Ringmaster creature bait that he punched through mats with a 1 1/2-ounce weight.

Another local favorite, Greg Hackney of Gonzales, La., retained second place with 42-4. Each day he caught fish early but lost a big one this morning that he said “kind of hurt my feelings.”

His two key lures were a black/chartreuse Strike King 1.5 Square Bill crankbait and a black-and-blue Strike King Hack Attack Jig and a Strike King Rage Craw.

“I basically caught everything off of cypress trees” he said. “The area I fished had a lot of logs and big stumps, but I didn’t catch any fish off of those. Every fish came off a green tree.” Most of the bass he caught were 1 to 5 feet deep.

Other anglers finishing in the top five of the pro division were Cody Bird, Granbury, Texas, third place, 42-2; David Cavell, Prairieville, La., fourth, 39-15; and Toby Hartsell, Afton, Okla., fifth, 39-14.

Co-angler Blake Naquin of Thibodaux, La., went wire-to-wire to win the first-place prize of a $30,000 Nitro Z18/Mercury 150 Pro XS package with a total of 23-9. “I caught fish mostly flipping a trick worm with a 3/16-ounce tungsten weight in the morning and then in the afternoon I would follow it up with a June bug Zoom Super Hawg with a 3/4-ounce weight,” he said.

The Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award of $750 went to Hunter Parra of Houma, La., with a 7-12 largemouth. Vince Todaro of Luling, La., weighed in a 4-5 largemouth to earn the Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award on the co-angler side worth $250.

Fred Roumbanis of London, Ark., received the Livingston Lures Leader Award of $250 for finishing as the top pro on Day 2. Finishing as the Day 2 leader on the co-angler side, Naquin received a Livingston Lures gift pack worth $250.

Crochet also earned the A.R.E. Top Angler Award of $500 for being the highest-finishing angler using A.R.E. products.

2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops

2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Berkley, GoPro, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats

2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: Shell Rotella, Shimano, A.R.E. Truck Caps, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Power-Pole, Rapala

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 outdoors, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.

-30-

Media Contact: JamieDay Matthews, 205-313-0945, [email protected] or Dave Precht, 205-313-0931, [email protected].

 
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster  Central Open Atchafalaya Basin 10/27-10/29
Atchafalaya Basin, Morgan City  LA
(BOATER) Standings Day 3

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

1.  Cliff Crochet          Pierre Part, LA         15  46-06  200  $52,241.00
  Day 1: 5   11-14     Day 2: 5   16-04     Day 3: 5   18-04   
2.  Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA            15  42-04  199  $16,011.00
  Day 1: 5   17-06     Day 2: 5   12-04     Day 3: 5   12-10   
3.  Cody Bird              Granbury, TX            15  42-02  198  $12,008.00
  Day 1: 5   15-14     Day 2: 5   13-02     Day 3: 5   13-02   
4.  David Cavell           Prairieville, LA        15  39-15  197  $10,744.00
  Day 1: 5   14-05     Day 2: 5   14-09     Day 3: 5   11-01   
5.  Toby Hartsell          Afton, OK               15  39-14  196   $9,375.00
  Day 1: 5   14-00     Day 2: 5   13-13     Day 3: 5   12-01   
6.  Derek Hudnall          Baton Rouge, LA         15  39-09  195   $8,005.00
  Day 1: 5   16-02     Day 2: 5   12-15     Day 3: 5   10-08   
7.  Fred Roumbanis         London, AR              12  39-07  194   $6,991.00
  Day 1: 5   19-09     Day 2: 5   16-06     Day 3: 2   03-08   
8.  Travis Kelehan         Broussard, LA           15  37-04  193   $5,372.00
  Day 1: 5   12-12     Day 2: 5   11-12     Day 3: 5   12-12   
9.  Billy Billeaud         Lafayette, LA           15  37-01  192   $4,003.00
  Day 1: 5   14-02     Day 2: 5   12-00     Day 3: 5   10-15   
10. Brandon Lee            Ratcliff, AR            15  35-15  191   $3,687.00
  Day 1: 5   12-08     Day 2: 5   11-14     Day 3: 5   11-09   
11. Chris Babin            Raceland, LA            14  34-02  190   $3,371.00
  Day 1: 5   14-03     Day 2: 5   12-03     Day 3: 4   07-12   
12. Cliff Pace             Petal, MS               13  32-15  189   $3,160.00
  Day 1: 5   13-10     Day 2: 5   14-08     Day 3: 3   04-13   
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
     Hunter Parra             Houma, LA           07-12        $750.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
 1       114       699      1323-08
 2       105       644      1180-11
 3         9        54       128-15
----------------------------------
         228      1397      2633-02

2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open Atchafalaya Basin 10/27-10/29
Atchafalaya Basin, Morgan City  LA
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 3

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

1.  Blake Naquin           Thibodaux, LA            9  23-09  200  $30,000.00
  Day 1: 3   11-08     Day 2: 3   05-06     Day 3: 3   06-11   
2.  Dakota Sparks          Denham Springs, LA       9  19-08  199   $5,161.00
  Day 1: 3   04-06     Day 2: 3   06-14     Day 3: 3   08-04   
3.  Brian Murphy           Sulphur, LA              9  17-14  198   $3,897.00
  Day 1: 3   05-12     Day 2: 3   06-06     Day 3: 3   05-12   
4.  Charles Poland         Denham Springs, LA       8  16-15  197   $2,633.00
  Day 1: 3   05-15     Day 2: 3   07-07     Day 3: 2   03-09   
5.  Domonick Poullard      Houston, TX              9  16-08  196   $2,423.00
  Day 1: 3   04-15     Day 2: 3   07-15     Day 3: 3   03-10   
6.  Austin Abadie          St. Amant, LA            9  16-05  195   $2,317.00
  Day 1: 3   07-07     Day 2: 3   05-12     Day 3: 3   03-02   
7.  Kevin Swiber           Morgan City, LA          8  16-00  194   $2,212.00
  Day 1: 3   05-04     Day 2: 3   08-01     Day 3: 2   02-11   
8.  Jeff Wallace           West Monroe, LA          8  15-03  193   $2,107.00
  Day 1: 2   03-04     Day 2: 3   08-00     Day 3: 3   03-15   
9.  Guadalupe Nieto        Houston, TX              7  14-03  192   $2,001.00
  Day 1: 3   06-06     Day 2: 3   05-11     Day 3: 1   02-02   
10. Larry Beauboeuf        Bossier City, LA         6  13-05  191   $1,791.00
  Day 1: 3   06-05     Day 2: 3   07-00     Day 3: 0   00-00   
11. Gary Sullivan          Breckenridge, TX         7  13-02  190   $1,580.00
  Day 1: 3   05-08     Day 2: 3   05-14     Day 3: 1   01-12   
12. Joe Lee                Grand Prairie, TX        6  12-04  189   $1,475.00
  Day 1: 3   04-10     Day 2: 3   07-10     Day 3: 0   00-00   
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
     Vincent Todaro           Luling, LA          04-05        $250.00

by AnglersChannel

Bassmaster High School, College Series 2017 Schedules Announced

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 28, 2016

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — High school and college anglers will be competing during prime fishing times on some of the premier bass fisheries in the country during the 2017 Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods and Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops tournaments.

Both high school and college schedules feature bass fisheries that have hosted various Bassmaster tournaments throughout the years, according to Hank Weldon, B.A.S.S. College and High School Series senior tournament manager.

“One of the cool things we are doing with some high school tournaments is going to locations like Toledo Bend that have hosted Bassmaster events for multiple years,” Weldon said. “We are also going to Chickamauga Lake in Tennessee and will partner with Fish Dayton, which is familiar with big events. We expect a very, very large field there with the High School Southern Open again.”

The college schedule includes a reservoir (Sam Rayburn, Texas) that has hosted Bassmaster Elite Series in the past and a new lake (Cherokee, Tennessee) on the 2017 Elite Series slate.

“These are great fisheries at the prime time of year when our College Series will be competing,” Weldon said. “So we expect some large weights and consider this schedule really strategic in terms of picking the right locations at the right time.”

Both schedules will be linked for the first time to the same location when Lake of the Ozarks hosts the College Series Midwest Conference Regional March 29-31 and the High School Midwest Open April 2, followed by the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan outdoors Central Regional the next week.

Hosting the B.A.S.S. events in Missouri will be the Lake of the Ozarks Tri-County Lodging Association and the Convention & Visitor Bureau — Funlake.com.

“The Tri-County Lodging Association (TCLA) Board of Directors is thrilled that Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks has been named the host site for the B.A.S.S. three-tournament package,” TCLA Administrator Jim Divincen said. “We’re also very thankful that the TCLA Group Sales Director, Lagina Fitzpatrick, was able to work with the B.A.S.S. planning team to secure this tremendously valued and prestigious three-tournament event for Lake of the Ozarks, voted the Best Recreational Lake in the Nation by USA Today readers.”

“We are thrilled and honored to be the first destination to host a three-tournament package with B.A.S.S.,” Fitzpatrick said. “The entire B.A.S.S. team is a pleasure to work with, and we are very appreciative of our partnership. Tri-County Lodging Association and the Convention & Visitor Bureau along with the entire lake area look forward to hosting a successful three-tournament event here at the best fishery in the nation.”

The High School Series begins March 11 with the Central Open at Toledo Bend Reservoir hosted by Toledo Bend Lake Country. Next is the Midwest Open at Lake of the Ozarks April 2, and Fish Dayton will host the popular Southern Open at Lake Chickamauga April 29.

“We are so excited to partner with B.A.S.S. to bring one of the largest high school events in the nation here to Fish Dayton,” said Dennis Tumlin, executive director of Fish Dayton. “By investing into high school fishing, we’re investing into the future of the sport. An April event on Chickamauga Lake will give a young person an above average chance at catching a 10-plus pounder or possibly even a new state record!”

The Southern Open annually draws the largest field among the High School Series, according to Weldon. This year’s Southern Open at Lake Guntersville featured 322 two-angler teams.

The high school teams in each of the three Opens will be competing for berths in the Costa Bassmaster High School Championship presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods, of which dates and locations will be later announced.

The College Series begins Jan. 26-28 when the Lufkin Convention and Visitors Bureau hosts the Central Conference Regional at Sam Rayburn Reservoir. During March 2-4, Georgetown, S.C., will welcome the Southern Conference Regional at Winyah Bay.

Following the Midwest Regional at Lake of the Ozarks, college competitors will clash at California’s Lake Shasta April 19-21 for the Western Conference Regional hosted by the Redding Convention and Visitors Bureau. The final regular-season event is the Eastern Conference Regional May 11-13 at Tennessee’s Lake Cherokee with the Jefferson County Economic Development Alliance as the host.

“Cherokee Lake will prove its reputation as an outstanding bass lake in terms of both size and numbers of fish,” said Adele Sensing, Jefferson County EDA’s director of tourism. “The smallmouth are good and plentiful. We have a lot of support from Carson Newman University, and our local community is excited to host the Bassmaster anglers.”

The top anglers from each regional qualify for the 2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops, but the college anglers who do not qualify for the championship will get another chance during a Wild Card tournament set for June 8-10 at Lay Lake. The local hosts will be Shelby County, Ala., and the University of Montevallo.

“Shelby County is excited to showcase one of the country’s most outstanding fisheries in Lay Lake, which has hosted numerous regional and national fishing tournaments, including four Bassmaster Classics,” said Alex Dudchock, Shelby County manager. “Along with our partner, the University of Montevallo, these top collegiate anglers will have the opportunity to visit one of Alabama’s top public liberal arts colleges.”

Registration for all of the college and high school tournaments will be announced at a later date.

2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops Schedule

Event Title                                        Lake                                  City                               Date        
Central Conference Regional            Sam Rayburn Reservoir    Lufkin, TX                     Jan. 26-28
Southern Conference Regional         Winyah Bay                       Georgetown, SC            March 2-4
Midwest Conference Regional          Lake of the Ozarks            Osage Beach, MO         March 29-31
Western Conference Regional           Lake Shasta                        Redding, CA                 April 19-21
Eastern Conference Regional            Lake Cherokee                   Dandridge, TN              May 11-13
Wildcard                                            Lay Lake                            Shelby County, AL        June 8-10

2017 Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods Schedule

Event Title                                     Lake                                    City                            Date        
Central Open                                  Toledo Bend Reservoir        Many, LA                   March 11
Midwest Open                                Lake of the Ozarks              Osage Beach, MO      April 2
Southern Open                                Lake Chickamauga             Dayton, TN                April 29

2016 Costa Bassmaster High School Title Sponsor: Costa

2016 Costa Bassmaster High School Premier Sponsors: Toyota, Berkley, Yamaha, Triton Boats, Humminbird, Minn Kota, Huk, GoPro

2016 Costa Bassmaster High School Supporting Sponsors: Carhartt, Lowrance, ABU Garcia, Phoenix Boats, Rapala, Power-Pole, Shimano, Shell Rotella, Academy Sports + Outdoors

2016 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Carhartt

2016 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops

2016 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2016 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Premier Sponsors: Triton Boats, GoPro, Huk, Humminbird, Skeeter Boats, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Yamaha, Berkley

2016 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Supporting Sponsors: Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Costa, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Power-Pole, Rapala, Shell Rotella, Shimano, ABU Garcia, A.R.E. Truck Caps

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 outdoors, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.

by AnglersChannel

Roumbanis Rambles Into Lead in Bassmaster Open At The Atchafalaya Basin
Oct. 27, 2016

MORGAN CITY, La. — Bites were few and far between for Fred Roumbanis, but fortunately for him, he got the right ones today at Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin.

The Bassmaster Elite Series pro took the lead in the pro division of the Bass Pros Shops Bassmaster Central Open finale by catching a five-bass limit weighing 19 pounds, 9 ounces. Some key bites in practice helped Roumbanis locate the big fish he caught today.

“I didn’t stick (hook) many fish in practice, so I went right to where I got the bites and caught them today,” Roumbanis said. When the London, Ark., angler did set the hook on some bass during practice, he caught a couple of 4- and 5-pounders.

His hot spots produced six bass in the opening round. His best five included three 5-pound largemouth.

“I’m not getting a lot of bites,” he said. “It is an absolute grind.”

After catching his fish, Roumbanis left his area to save it for Friday’s second round. He thinks the bass he found are still in a summertime mode.

“I don’t think they have quite made their fall deal yet,” he said. “They are still back on their summer stuff (isolated objects), and they are pretty predictable once you figure it out. I’ve got two patterns going so I think I can just go fishing and do all right.”

Former Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Greg Hackney cashed in on his home waters advantage to take over second place with a 17-6 limit. The Gonzales, La., pro had a good practice a couple of weeks ago, but he noticed the fishing has slowed down after a cold front last week dropped the water temperature 13 degrees.

Hackney experienced his best action early and late on the first competition day.

“The middle of the day was just a grind; I would catch one every now and then,” he said. “I would also catch a lot of little ones. When the water was warmer, (prior to the front), everything I caught was 2 pounds or better.”

Other pro division anglers in the Top 5 include Derek Hudnall, Baton Rouge, La., third place, 16-2; Cody Bird, Granbury, Texas, fourth, 15-14; and Hunter Parra, Houma, La., fifth, 14-13.

Competing in his first Open, 31-year-old Blake Naquin from Thibodaux, La., took over the lead in the co-angler division with three bass weighing 11-8. Even though the oil and gas service company employee was fishing his home waters, Naquin said he learned a lot more about the basin while paired with pro angler Billy Billeaud of Lafayette, La.

Leading the pro division for the Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award after the first day is Parra with a 7-12 largemouth. Naquin leads on the co-angler side of the big bass pot with a 4-4 bass.

The Cajun Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau (www.cajuncoast.com) is hosting this event.

Friday’s launch, weigh-in and the final-day takeoff will be held at the Jesse Fontenot Memorial Boat Landing, 700 River Road in Berwick. The final-day weigh-in on Saturday will move to the Bass Pro Shops at 175 Bass Pro Blvd., in Denham Springs.

2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops

2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Berkley, GoPro, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury

2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: Power-Pole, Rapala, Shell Rotella, Shimano, A.R.E. Truck Caps, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, Lowrance

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 outdoors, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.

-30-

Media Contact: JamieDay Matthews, 205-313-0945, [email protected] or Dave Precht, 205-313-0931, [email protected].

 
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster  Central Open Atchafalaya Basin 10/27-10/29
Atchafalaya Basin, Morgan City  LA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

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

1.  Fred Roumbanis         London, AR               5  19-09  200
  Day 1: 5   19-09   
2.  Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA             5  17-06  199
  Day 1: 5   17-06   
3.  Derek Hudnall          Baton Rouge, LA          5  16-02  198
  Day 1: 5   16-02   
4.  Cody Bird              Granbury, TX             5  15-14  197
  Day 1: 5   15-14   
5.  Hunter Parra           Houma, LA                5  14-13  196
  Day 1: 5   14-13   
6.  Kenta Kimura           Afton, OK                5  14-06  195
  Day 1: 5   14-06   
7.  David Cavell           Prairieville, LA         5  14-05  194
  Day 1: 5   14-05   
7.  Curry Schaubhut Jr     Gramercy, LA             5  14-05  194
  Day 1: 5   14-05   
9.  Chris Babin            Raceland, LA             5  14-03  192
  Day 1: 5   14-03   
10. Billy Billeaud         Lafayette, LA            5  14-02  191
  Day 1: 5   14-02   
11. Toby Hartsell          Afton, OK                5  14-00  190
  Day 1: 5   14-00   
12. Cliff Pace             Petal, MS                5  13-10  189
  Day 1: 5   13-10   
13. Mike McClelland        Bella Vista, AR          5  13-06  188
  Day 1: 5   13-06   
14. Drew Sloan             Scurry, TX               5  13-03  187
  Day 1: 5   13-03   
15. Daniel Rodriquez       New Braunfels, TX        5  12-15  186
  Day 1: 5   12-15   
15. Bruce Whitmire         Channelview, TX          5  12-15  186
  Day 1: 5   12-15   
17. Gary Clouse            La Vergne, TN            5  12-12  184
  Day 1: 5   12-12   
17. Travis Kelehan         Broussard, LA            5  12-12  184
  Day 1: 5   12-12   
17. Todd Murray            Prairieville, LA         5  12-12  184
  Day 1: 5   12-12   
20. Jamie Laiche           Gonzales, LA             5  12-10  181
  Day 1: 5   12-10   
20. Masayuki Matsushita    Tokoname JAPAN           5  12-10  181
  Day 1: 5   12-10   
22. Brandon Lee            Ratcliff, AR             5  12-08  179
  Day 1: 5   12-08   
23. Caleb Sumrall          New Iberia, LA           5  12-06  178
  Day 1: 5   12-06   
24. Brent Bonadona         Port Allen, LA           5  12-03  177
  Day 1: 5   12-03   
25. Sam George             Athens, AL               5  12-02  176
  Day 1: 5   12-02   
26. Brock Mosley           Collinsville, MS         5  12-01  175
  Day 1: 5   12-01   
27. Cliff Crochet          Pierre Part, LA          5  11-14  174
  Day 1: 5   11-14   
28. Jimmy Charbonnet       Saint Amant, LA          5  11-12  173
  Day 1: 5   11-12   
28. Justin Margraves       Diana, TX                5  11-12  173
  Day 1: 5   11-12   
28. Chase Martinez         White Castle, LA         5  11-12  173
  Day 1: 5   11-12   
31. Tyler Rivet            Raceland, LA             5  11-08  170
  Day 1: 5   11-08   
32. B.J. Usie              Houma, LA                5  11-06  169
  Day 1: 5   11-06   
33. Miles Burghoff         Santa Cruz, CA           5  11-05  168
  Day 1: 5   11-05   
33. Matthew Loetscher      Many, LA                 5  11-05  168
  Day 1: 5   11-05   
35. Blake Betz             Baton Rouge, LA          5  11-04  166
  Day 1: 5   11-04   
36. Malcolm Rachal         Alexandria, LA           5  11-01  165
  Day 1: 5   11-01   
37. Ray Hanselman Jr       Del Rio, TX              5  11-00  164
  Day 1: 5   11-00   
37. Dale Hightower         Mannford, OK             5  11-00  164
  Day 1: 5   11-00   
37. Chad Wiley             Pineville, LA            5  11-00  164
  Day 1: 5   11-00   
40. Jerod Hawkes           Eagle Pass, TX           5  10-11  161
  Day 1: 5   10-11   
41. Darrell Lyons          Hemphill, TX             5  10-10  160
  Day 1: 5   10-10   
41. Cody Salzmann          White Hall, AR           5  10-10  160
  Day 1: 5   10-10   
43. Chad Murray            Vidalia, LA              5  10-07  158
  Day 1: 5   10-07   
43. Randy Sullivan         Breckenridge, TX         5  10-07  158
  Day 1: 5   10-07   
45. Logan Latuso           Gonzales, LA             5  10-06  156
  Day 1: 5   10-06   
46. Tracy Gautreaux        Raceland, LA             5  10-01  155
  Day 1: 5   10-01   
46. Marshall Hughes        Port Neches, TX          5  10-01  155
  Day 1: 5   10-01   
46. Keith Poche            Pike Road, AL            5  10-01  155
  Day 1: 5   10-01   
49. Brett Bellard          Duson, LA                5  10-00  152
  Day 1: 5   10-00   
50. Wes Bennett            Crosby, TX               5  09-15  151
  Day 1: 5   09-15   
51. Vu Au                  Tucson, AZ               5  09-14  150
  Day 1: 5   09-14   
51. Jeffery Lemoine Jr     Des Allemands, LA        5  09-14  150
  Day 1: 5   09-14   
53. Johnny Grice           Frisco, TX               5  09-13  148
  Day 1: 5   09-13   
54. Lucas Ragusa           Gonzales, LA             5  09-11  147
  Day 1: 5   09-11   
55. Luke Palmer            Coalgate, OK             5  09-09  146
  Day 1: 5   09-09   
56. Robbie Latuso          Gonzales, LA             5  09-06  145
  Day 1: 5   09-06   
57. Jay Brainard           Enid, OK                 5  09-05  144
  Day 1: 5   09-05   
58. Brian Clark            Haltom City, TX          5  09-04  143
  Day 1: 5   09-04   
58. A.J. Menssen           Bloomington, IL          5  09-04  143
  Day 1: 5   09-04   
60. Tyler Carriere         Youngsville, LA          5  09-03  141
  Day 1: 5   09-03   
60. Charles Glorioso       Thibodaux, LA            5  09-03  141
  Day 1: 5   09-03   
60. Conrad Picou           Houma, LA                5  09-03  141
  Day 1: 5   09-03   
63. Brooks Forsyth         Hester, LA               5  09-02  138
  Day 1: 5   09-02   
63. Allan Nail             Sand Springs, OK         5  09-02  138
  Day 1: 5   09-02   
63. Clark Reehm            Huntgington, TX          5  09-02  138
  Day 1: 5   09-02   
66. Cody Ryan Greaney      Manchaca, TX             4  09-02  135
  Day 1: 4   09-02   
67. Barry Fallon Jr        Slidell, LA              5  09-01  134
  Day 1: 5   09-01   
67. Kenyon Hill            Norman, OK               5  09-01  134
  Day 1: 5   09-01   
67. Jay Holland            Waco, TX                 5  09-01  134
  Day 1: 5   09-01   
67. Steven Nieto           Houston, TX              5  09-01  134
  Day 1: 5   09-01   
71. Duane Pittman          Prairieville, LA         5  08-12  130
  Day 1: 5   08-12   
72. Chuck Dufour           Gonzales, LA             4  08-12  129
  Day 1: 4   08-12   
73. Sandy Gaudet           Belle Rose, LA           5  08-11  128
  Day 1: 5   08-11   
73. David Gillham          Heath, TX                5  08-11  128
  Day 1: 5   08-11   
75. Nick Diberardino       Onalaska, TX             5  08-10  126
  Day 1: 5   08-10   
76. Kylie Sparks           Denham Spgs, LA          5  08-09  125
  Day 1: 5   08-09   
77. Carl Cavalier          Avondale, LA             5  08-08  124
  Day 1: 5   08-08   
77. Eric Gilchrist         Plaquemine, LA           5  08-08  124
  Day 1: 5   08-08   
77. Greg West              Richardson, TX           5  08-08  124
  Day 1: 5   08-08   
80. Matthew Delaney        Pollock, LA              5  08-06  121
  Day 1: 5   08-06   
81. Brad Whatley           Bivins, TX               4  08-05  120
  Day 1: 4   08-05   
82. Doug Vahrenberg        Higginsville, MO         5  08-03  119
  Day 1: 5   08-03   
83. Charlie Hartley        Grove City, OH           5  08-00  118
  Day 1: 5   08-00   
84. Jason Gallas           Bulverde, TX             5  07-15  117
  Day 1: 5   07-15   
84. Skylar Hamilton        Dandridge, TN            5  07-15  117
  Day 1: 5   07-15   
84. Eddie Norris           Mannford, OK             5  07-15  117
  Day 1: 5   07-15   
87. Chad Cohoon            Baton Rouge, LA          5  07-14  114
  Day 1: 5   07-14   
88. Alton Jones Jr.        Lorena, TX               4  07-14  113
  Day 1: 4   07-14   
89. Billy McCaghren Jr     Mayflower, AR            5  07-13  112
  Day 1: 5   07-13   
90. Brent Homan            Graham, TX               5  07-12  111
  Day 1: 5   07-12   
91. T-Roy Broussard        Beaumont, TX             5  07-11  110
  Day 1: 5   07-11   
91. Sam Canoe              Georgetown, LA           5  07-11  110
  Day 1: 5   07-11   
93. John Ledet             Natchitoches, LA         5  07-10  108
  Day 1: 5   07-10   
94. Chris Berry            Houston, TX              5  07-09  107
  Day 1: 5   07-09   
94. Jared Knuth            Lincoln, NE              5  07-09  107
  Day 1: 5   07-09   
96. Ron Wells              Claremore, OK            5  07-08  105
  Day 1: 5   07-08   
97. Eddy May               Valley Center, KS        5  07-07  104
  Day 1: 5   07-07   
97. Terry Peacock          Royse City, TX           5  07-07  104
  Day 1: 5   07-07   
97. Larry Puckett          Decatur, TX              5  07-07  104
  Day 1: 5   07-07   
100. Jon Englund            Farwell, MN              5  07-06  101
  Day 1: 5   07-06   
100. Ricky Mabile           Pierre Part, LA          5  07-06  101
  Day 1: 5   07-06   
100. Wayne Murray           Baton Rouge, LA          5  07-06  101
  Day 1: 5   07-06   
103. Vic Segura             New Iberia, LA           5  07-05   98
  Day 1: 5   07-05   
104. Josh Tidenberg         Texico, NM               4  07-04   97
  Day 1: 4   07-04   
105. Jeff Jerome            Mcpherson, KS            5  07-03   96
  Day 1: 5   07-03   
105. James Niggemeyer       Van, TX                  5  07-03   96
  Day 1: 5   07-03   
107. David Sherrer          Elm Grove, LA            5  07-02   94
  Day 1: 5   07-02   
107. Jamie Thibodaux        Thibodaux, LA            5  07-02   94
  Day 1: 5   07-02   
109. Homer Humphreys Jr.    Minden, LA               5  07-01   92
  Day 1: 5   07-01   
110. Tommy Martin           Hemphill, TX             4  07-01   91
  Day 1: 4   07-01   
111. Stephen Browning       Hot Springs, AR          4  07-00   90
  Day 1: 4   07-00   
112. Billy Smith Sr         Tomball, TX              3  06-15   89
  Day 1: 3   06-15   
113. Ken Iyobe              Tokoname  Aichi JAPAN    5  06-13   88
  Day 1: 5   06-13   
114. Dale Jackson           Van, TX                  4  06-13   87
  Day 1: 4   06-13   
115. Joel Mayfield          Perkinston, MS           5  06-10   86
  Day 1: 5   06-10   
116. Steve Sennikoff        Forney, TX               5  06-07   85
  Day 1: 5   06-07   
117. Gerald Spohrer         Gonzales, LA             3  06-07   84
  Day 1: 3   06-07   
118. Gary Yamamoto          Palestine, TX            4  06-04   83
  Day 1: 4   06-04   
119. Luke Estel             Murphysboro, IL          5  06-01   82
  Day 1: 5   06-01   
119. Marvin Ettredge        Shreveport, LA           5  06-01   82
  Day 1: 5   06-01   
119. Dewayne French         Mammoth Spring, AR       5  06-01   82
  Day 1: 5   06-01   
122. David Dove             Steens, MS               5  05-15   79
  Day 1: 5   05-15   
123. Teb Jones              Hattiesburg, MS          4  05-13   78
  Day 1: 4   05-13   
124. Randy Allen            Shreveport, LA           4  05-09   77
  Day 1: 4   05-09   
124. Justin McClelland      Rogers, AR               4  05-09   77
  Day 1: 4   05-09   
124. Mason Spencer          Broken Bow, OK           4  05-09   77
  Day 1: 4   05-09   
127. Brett Preuett          Monroe, LA               5  05-08   74
  Day 1: 5   05-08   
128. Mike Rasco             Bettendorf, IA           4  05-08   73
  Day 1: 4   05-08   
129. Gary Vining            Morgan City, LA          5  05-05   72
  Day 1: 5   05-05   
130. Larry Giamanco         Pierre Part, LA          4  05-03   71
  Day 1: 4   05-03   
131. Wade Leblanc           Gonzales, LA             4  04-10   70
  Day 1: 4   04-10   
132. Darold Gleason         Leesville, LA            4  04-09   69
  Day 1: 4   04-09   
132. Bert Worrell Jr        Longview, TX             4  04-09   69
  Day 1: 4   04-09   
134. Matt McMillan          Fort Worth, TX           3  04-08   67
  Day 1: 3   04-08   
135. Gary Riffle            Paris, TX                2  04-08   66
  Day 1: 2   04-08   
136. Gene Bishop Jr         Ridgeland, MS            3  04-03   65
  Day 1: 3   04-03   
137. Dustin Reneau          Mckinney, TX             3  04-01   64
  Day 1: 3   04-01   
138. Granger Samaha         Denham Springs, LA       3  03-15   63
  Day 1: 3   03-15   
139. Lonnie Boudreaux       Baton Rouge, LA          3  03-14   62
  Day 1: 3   03-14   
139. Bill Mcnutt            Henry, IL                3  03-14   62
  Day 1: 3   03-14   
139. Yoshikazu Sato         Tokyo JAPAN              3  03-14   62
  Day 1: 3   03-14   
142. Yusuke Miyazaki        Forney, TX               3  03-12   59
  Day 1: 3   03-12   
143. Cody Compton           Palisade, CO             2  03-07   58
  Day 1: 2   03-07   
143. Trait Crist            Fort Worth, TX           2  03-07   58
  Day 1: 2   03-07   
145. Tommy Murray           Bedford, TX              3  03-05   56
  Day 1: 3   03-05   
146. Dustin Wrona           Tulsa, OK                3  03-03   55
  Day 1: 3   03-03   
147. Mark Jenkins           Ville Platte, LA         2  03-02   54
  Day 1: 2   03-02   
148. Jim Dillard            West Monroe, LA          5  02-12   53
  Day 1: 5   02-12   
149. Mark Goines            Shady Point, OK          2  02-12   52
  Day 1: 2   02-12   
150. Jean-Christophe David  Bordeaux LA Bodeaux FRA  2  02-08   51
  Day 1: 2   02-08   
151. Justin Kerr            Lk Havasu Cty, AZ        2  02-05   50
  Day 1: 2   02-05   
152. David Heffel           Hays, KS                 2  02-02   49
  Day 1: 2   02-02   
153. Albert Earl White      Crosby, TX               1  01-09   48
  Day 1: 1   01-09   
154. Tony Owen              Carthage, MS             1  00-14   47
  Day 1: 1   00-14   
155. Trevor Lo              Maplewood, MN            3  00-00   46
  Day 1: 3   00-00   
156. Gib Coats              Fort Worth, TX           0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
156. Lee Livesay            Longview, TX             0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
156. Darrell Newman         Bruceville, TX           0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
 1       114       699      1323-08
----------------------------------
         114       699      1323-08
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster  Central Open Atchafalaya Basin 10/27-10/29
Atchafalaya Basin, Morgan City  LA.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1

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

1.  Blake Naquin           Thibodaux, LA            3  11-08  200
  Day 1: 3   11-08   
2.  Kevin Smith            Dayton, TX               3  09-00  199
  Day 1: 3   09-00   
3.  Todd Childs            Waxahachie, TX           3  07-13  198
  Day 1: 3   07-13   
4.  Austin Abadie          St. Amant, LA            3  07-07  197
  Day 1: 3   07-07   
5.  Chuck Major            Morganza, LA             3  07-06  196
  Day 1: 3   07-06   
6.  Marvin Alleman         Morgan City, LA          3  07-05  195
  Day 1: 3   07-05   
7.  Wayne Achord           West, MS                 3  07-03  194
  Day 1: 3   07-03   
8.  Brad Guidry            Morgan City, LA          3  06-15  193
  Day 1: 3   06-15   
9.  Andre' Chapman         Church Point, LA         3  06-11  192
  Day 1: 3   06-11   
9.  Cody Naquin            Thibodaux, LA            3  06-11  192
  Day 1: 3   06-11   
11. Sam Chapman            Norman, OK               2  06-11  190
  Day 1: 2   06-11   
12. Chuck Halbert Jr       West Helena, AR          3  06-10  189
  Day 1: 3   06-10   
13. Dustin Champagne       Graysville, LA           3  06-09  188
  Day 1: 3   06-09   
14. Rudy Rudisill          Bossier City, LA         3  06-07  187
  Day 1: 3   06-07   
14. Michael Scalise        Port Allen, LA           3  06-07  187
  Day 1: 3   06-07   
16. Guadalupe Nieto        Houston, TX              3  06-06  185
  Day 1: 3   06-06   
17. Larry Beauboeuf        Bossier City, LA         3  06-05  184
  Day 1: 3   06-05   
17. Justin Estay           Larose, LA               3  06-05  184
  Day 1: 3   06-05   
19. Justin Cooper          Pelican, LA              3  06-00  182
  Day 1: 3   06-00   
20. Charles Poland         Denham Springs, LA       3  05-15  181
  Day 1: 3   05-15   
21. Daniel Basgall         Hays, KS                 3  05-14  180
  Day 1: 3   05-14   
21. Conrad Demecs          Scottsdale, AZ           3  05-14  180
  Day 1: 3   05-14   
23. Brian Murphy           Sulphur, LA              3  05-12  178
  Day 1: 3   05-12   
23. Trenton Pittman        Covington, LA            3  05-12  178
  Day 1: 3   05-12   
25. Will Major             Port Allen, LA           3  05-11  176
  Day 1: 3   05-11   
25. Edward Young, Jr.      Walker, LA               3  05-11  176
  Day 1: 3   05-11   
27. Cody Smith             Denham Springs, LA       3  05-09  174
  Day 1: 3   05-09   
28. Gary Sullivan          Breckenridge, TX         3  05-08  173
  Day 1: 3   05-08   
29. Robert Fortner         Conway, AR               3  05-06  172
  Day 1: 3   05-06   
29. Randy Hicks            Lumberton, TX            3  05-06  172
  Day 1: 3   05-06   
31. Jerry Coutee           Montgomery, LA           3  05-05  170
  Day 1: 3   05-05   
31. Jake Dooty             Muldrow, OK              3  05-05  170
  Day 1: 3   05-05   
31. Brandon Thomas         Forney , TX              3  05-05  170
  Day 1: 3   05-05   
34. Kevin Swiber           Morgan City, LA          3  05-04  167
  Day 1: 3   05-04   
35. Michael Page           Shreveport, LA           3  05-03  166
  Day 1: 3   05-03   
36. Roy Laborde Jr         La Place, LA             3  05-02  165
  Day 1: 3   05-02   
37. Leonard Martinez       Foss, OK                 3  05-01  164
  Day 1: 3   05-01   
38. Albert Hudson          Austin, TX               3  05-00  163
  Day 1: 3   05-00   
38. Jerry Riddle Jr        Summit, MS               3  05-00  163
  Day 1: 3   05-00   
40. Richard Earle          Youngsville, LA          3  04-15  161
  Day 1: 3   04-15   
40. Domonick Poullard      Houston, TX              3  04-15  161
  Day 1: 3   04-15   
40. Todd Rabalais          Gonzales, LA             3  04-15  161
  Day 1: 3   04-15   
43. Jeffrey Betz           Baton Rouge, LA          3  04-14  158
  Day 1: 3   04-14   
43. Rusty Cappo            Prairieville, LA         3  04-14  158
  Day 1: 3   04-14   
43. Anthony Plescia        Pearl River, LA          3  04-14  158
  Day 1: 3   04-14   
46. Dwayne Luby            Cypress, TX              3  04-13  155
  Day 1: 3   04-13   
46. Bill McCarty           Morgan City, LA          3  04-13  155
  Day 1: 3   04-13   
46. Tommy Simoneaux        Zachary, LA              3  04-13  155
  Day 1: 3   04-13   
49. Justin Lane            Houma, LA                3  04-12  152
  Day 1: 3   04-12   
49. Mark Sabbides          Pineville, LA            3  04-12  152
  Day 1: 3   04-12   
51. Joby Hogan             Des Allemands, LA        3  04-11  150
  Day 1: 3   04-11   
52. Joe Lee                Grand Prairie, TX        3  04-10  149
  Day 1: 3   04-10   
53. Vernon Silver          Boutte, LA               3  04-09  148
  Day 1: 3   04-09   
53. Jeremy Williams        Rockwall, TX             3  04-09  148
  Day 1: 3   04-09   
55. Ian Madere             Baton Rouge, LA          3  04-07  146
  Day 1: 3   04-07   
56. Dakota Sparks          Denham Springs, LA       3  04-06  145
  Day 1: 3   04-06   
57. Richard Cunningham     Ragley, LA               3  04-03  144
  Day 1: 3   04-03   
57. Brad Friloux           Luling, LA               3  04-03  144
  Day 1: 3   04-03   
57. Payton Plank           Muldrow, OK              3  04-03  144
  Day 1: 3   04-03   
60.  Herbie Way Jr.        Alexandria, LA           3  04-02  141
  Day 1: 3   04-02   
61. Kenneth Robinson       Deridder, LA             3  04-01  140
  Day 1: 3   04-01   
62. Blake Canella          Plaquemine, LA           2  04-01  139
  Day 1: 2   04-01   
63. Andrew Mcadams         Lorena, TX               3  03-15  138
  Day 1: 3   03-15   
63. Mark Mowdy             Mc Call Creek, MS        3  03-15  138
  Day 1: 3   03-15   
63. Michael Nantz          Ben Wheeler, TX          3  03-15  138
  Day 1: 3   03-15   
66. Danielle Mcrae         Shreveport, LA           2  03-15  135
  Day 1: 2   03-15   
66. Blaine Sparks          Zachary, LA              2  03-15  135
  Day 1: 2   03-15   
68. Quentin Cappo          Prairieville, LA         3  03-13  133
  Day 1: 3   03-13   
68. Matthew Mcardle        Houston, TX              3  03-13  133
  Day 1: 3   03-13   
70. Ben Blankenbeker       Linn Creek, MO           3  03-12  131
  Day 1: 3   03-12   
71. Noel Allen Jr          Brandon, MS              3  03-11  130
  Day 1: 3   03-11   
72. Jacoby Kaiama          Leesville, LA            1  03-11  129
  Day 1: 1   03-11   
73. Seth Leblanc           Sorrento, LA             3  03-10  128
  Day 1: 3   03-10   
73. Yusuke Nomura          Anjo-Shi JAPAN           3  03-10  128
  Day 1: 3   03-10   
75. Joe Lane               Republic, MO             3  03-09  126
  Day 1: 3   03-09   
75. Richard Lowe           Soldiers Grove, WI       3  03-09  126
  Day 1: 3   03-09   
77. Christopher Thornton   Morgan City, LA          3  03-08  124
  Day 1: 3   03-08   
78. Joshua Manuel          Burleson, TX             3  03-07  123
  Day 1: 3   03-07   
78. Rick Parker            Kaufman, TX              3  03-07  123
  Day 1: 3   03-07   
80. Bill Bonner            Wetumpka, AL             2  03-07  121
  Day 1: 2   03-07   
80. Denny Swartz           Broussard, LA            2  03-07  121
  Day 1: 2   03-07   
82. Raymond Loupe          Baton Rouge, LA          3  03-06  119
  Day 1: 3   03-06   
82. Joe Nance              Pearland, TX             3  03-06  119
  Day 1: 3   03-06   
84. Dane LeCoq             Morganza, LA             3  03-05  117
  Day 1: 3   03-05   
84. Douglas Schysm         Ragley, LA               3  03-05  117
  Day 1: 3   03-05   
86. Dale Thayne            Seguin, TX               2  03-05  115
  Day 1: 2   03-05   
87. John Connell           Marion, IL               2  03-04  114
  Day 1: 2   03-04   
87. Darrell Henson Jr.     Greenwill Springs, LA    2  03-04  114
  Day 1: 2   03-04   
87. Jeff Wallace           West Monroe, LA          2  03-04  114
  Day 1: 2   03-04   
90. Ricky Cruz             Natchez, LA              2  03-03  111
  Day 1: 2   03-03   
91. Kevin Deshane          Midlothian, TX           2  03-01  110
  Day 1: 2   03-01   
91. Scott Morber           Ava, IL                  2  03-01  110
  Day 1: 2   03-01   
93. Brian Steerman         Aurora, CO               3  03-00  108
  Day 1: 3   03-00   
94. Ron Knight             San Angelo, TX           1  03-00  107
  Day 1: 1   03-00   
95. Kenny Osborne          Vinton, LA               3  02-15  106
  Day 1: 3   02-15   
96. Carey Goldberg         Colorado Springs, CO     3  02-14  105
  Day 1: 3   02-14   
97. Joe Gammell            Broken Arrow, OK         2  02-14  104
  Day 1: 2   02-14   
98. Mark Cowart            Kearney, MO              2  02-13  103
  Day 1: 2   02-13   
98. Bill McCoun            Amarillo, TX             2  02-13  103
  Day 1: 2   02-13   
98. Keegan Stroud          Fredericksburg, TX       2  02-13  103
  Day 1: 2   02-13   
101. Calvin Balch           Porter, TX               2  02-12  100
  Day 1: 2   02-12   
101. Dalton Mears-Tomplait  Port Arthur, TX          2  02-12  100
  Day 1: 2   02-12   
101. Lamar Spade            La Plata, MD             2  02-12  100
  Day 1: 2   02-12   
104. John Hammersmith       Branson, MO              2  02-11   97
  Day 1: 2   02-11   
104. Kenneth Moore          Red Oak, TX              2  02-11   97
  Day 1: 2   02-11   
106. Shawn Andreasen        Camdenton, MO            2  02-10   95
  Day 1: 2   02-10   
106. Daniel Snyder          Layton, UT               2  02-10   95
  Day 1: 2   02-10   
108. Aubrey Herlocker       Winfield, KS             1  02-10   93
  Day 1: 1   02-10   
109. Brian Schuler          New Orleans, LA          2  02-09   92
  Day 1: 2   02-09   
110. Adam Boyd              Humble, TX               2  02-08   91
  Day 1: 2   02-08   
110. Kevin Maxwell          Laneville, TX            2  02-08   91
  Day 1: 2   02-08   
112. Steven Gilliam         Blanchard, OK            1  02-08   89
  Day 1: 1   02-08   
113. Steve Byrd             Coalgate, OK             3  02-07   88
  Day 1: 3   02-07   
114. Brent Shimanek         Fort Worth, TX           2  02-04   87
  Day 1: 2   02-04   
115. Charlie Hewitt         Prairieville, LA         1  02-04   86
  Day 1: 1   02-04   
116. Dylan Lyons            Hemphill, TX             1  02-02   85
  Day 1: 1   02-02   
117. Dylan Friloux          Lafayette, LA            2  02-01   84
  Day 1: 2   02-01   
118. Britt Cavalier         Houma, LA                1  02-00   83
  Day 1: 1   02-00   
119. Michael Blanchard      Baton Rouge, LA          2  01-15   82
  Day 1: 2   01-15   
119. Jean Trahan            Lafayette, LA            2  01-15   82
  Day 1: 2   01-15   
121. Vincent Todaro         Luling, LA               2  01-14   80
  Day 1: 2   01-14   
122. Britt Holden           Denham Springs, LA       2  01-12   79
  Day 1: 2   01-12   
123. Craig Duvall           Denham Springs, LA       1  01-12   78
  Day 1: 1   01-12   
123. John Hayes             Sherwood Park ALBERTA C  1  01-12   78
  Day 1: 1   01-12   
125. Billy Bergeron         Rockledge, FL            1  01-10   76
  Day 1: 1   01-10   
125. RJ Chandler Jr.        Lake Charles, LA         1  01-10   76
  Day 1: 1   01-10   
127. John Price             La Grange, TX            1  01-06   74
  Day 1: 1   01-06   
128. Jeremy Hippler         Many, LA                 1  01-05   73
  Day 1: 1   01-05   
129. Chuck Boso             Oklahoma City, OK        1  01-04   72
  Day 1: 1   01-04   
130. David Cortinas         Keller, TX               1  01-03   71
  Day 1: 1   01-03   
131. Tyler Garretson        Conway, AR               1  01-02   70
  Day 1: 1   01-02   
131. Rodney Martel          Nome, TX                 1  01-02   70
  Day 1: 1   01-02   
131. Matt Michel            Gonzales, LA             1  01-02   70
  Day 1: 1   01-02   
131. John Moon              Brookeland, TX           1  01-02   70
  Day 1: 1   01-02   
135. Tobe Prescott          Crosby, TX               1  01-01   66
  Day 1: 1   01-01   
135. John Roberson          Shreveport, LA           1  01-01   66
  Day 1: 1   01-01   
137. Dustin Duvall          Denham Springs, LA       1  01-00   64
  Day 1: 1   01-00   
137. Kyle Jenkins           Groton, CT               1  01-00   64
  Day 1: 1   01-00   
139. Jon Birdwell           Moore, OK                1  00-14   62
  Day 1: 1   00-14   
139. Stephen Parnell        Jackson, MS              1  00-14   62
  Day 1: 1   00-14   
139. Barry Shipp            Benton, MS               1  00-14   62
  Day 1: 1   00-14   
142. Joe Eidson             Many, LA                 1  00-00   59
  Day 1: 1   00-00   
143. Mark Alexander         Rowlett, TX              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
143. Bailey Boutries        Daphne, AL               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
143. Jacob Brazda           Rose Hill, KS            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
143. Joseph Czekala         Homer Glen, IL           0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
143. Lance Deal             Arlington, TX            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
143. Stanley Grice          Kentwood, LA             0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
143. Mark Guhne             Hixson, TN               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
143. Bob Howard             Colorado Springs, CO     0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
143. Justin Hymel           Norco, LA                0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
143. Gilbert Martinez       Amarillo, TX             0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
143. Jon Maslonka           Richland, WA             0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
143. Mike McCormick         Adair, OK                0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
143. William Mcnutt         Bossier City, LA         0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
143. Chris Nail             Tulsa, OK                0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
143. Gary Robicheaux        Centerville, LA          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00   
143. Brent Rome Jr          Destrehan, LA            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00

by AnglersChannel

Alabama Pro Jimmy Mason Talks TH Marine Atlas Jackplates

Professional Fisherman Jimmy Mason talks about the TH Marine Atlas Jackplate he runs on his boat and why its one of the most important tools he uses day in and day out while on the water!

by AnglersChannel

Chris Lynch Stays Consistent To Win Aba Aft National Championship On Lake Eufaula

 

 

ATHENS, Ala. – Chris Lynch of Panama City, FL wins 2016 Ram Trucks American Fishing Tour National Champion with a three-day total of 54.75 pounds on Lake Eufaula Alabama.  He secured the victory with a 5-fish limit on the final day that weighed 17.58 pounds giving him 10-pound margin of victory over second place.

“I wasn’t sure if my fish would hold up for three days but they did and it couldn’t have been better.  The wind, wow, it was brutal today and blowing like it was I knew it was going to be rough but I still made my run to the south end of the lake.  I was able to catch my fish and knowing how rough it was going to be, I left the area and gave myself 3 hours to get back.  I had these fish on a frog pattern and they stayed true all week.  The area I was in was somewhat protected from the wind, it was just getting to them today and getting back that had me worried.  I stayed in some grass areas all 3 days and tried my best to manage the fish and not catch too many each day.  It is a location I have known about from a previous tournament here last year and the fish were there.  My big bass was a 5.95 today and to my surprise it was big bass of the day so that was nice.

For his victory Chris takes home a new Triton 21TRX fully rigged with a Mercury Outboard, MotorGuide trolling motor, GARMIN electronics, and TH Marine products. Chris also received $2,660 for the day three big bass.

Jumping through up the ladder from 8th place on day two all the way up to 2nd with a five-fish limit for 19.11 and a three-day total of 44.72 pounds to win the AOY Title is Robert “Matt” Baty of Bainbridge, GA.

My fish were on the south end of the lake too but man, they were in the wide open water.  I took off this morning and was able to get a little way down the lake and by the time I got to White Oak my boat was flying completely out of the water.  I shut down and said “nope…  not today.”  I decided to go to another spot up lake and something told me to stop on a ledge I had fished before and they were in there.  I ended up catching 8 keepers in there and number 6 and 7 were on the same cast. I had all my keepers by 9 AM.  I left it after a while and went to a few other spots and didn’t have any luck so I came back but by then the fish had moved on.  I didn’t catch another fish after that but I was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time.

Matt takes home a new Triton 21TRX fully rigged with a Mercury Outboard, MotorGuide trolling motor, GARMIN electronics, and TH Marine products.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tony Tidwell of Horton, AL finished in third place. “I wasn’t able to get to my fish today because of the wind.  I fished some other areas where I thought I could muster up a limit but man, it’s funny how mother nature can play such a key role in what happens out there on the water.  I wasn’t able to bring anything to the scales today but I’m happy I could stay up in the standings to finish 3rd.  It was a great week but I wish things could have played out a little better for me on the last day.

 

 

Jeff Tibbits of Shrewsbury MA was the highest finishing Non-Boater division of the Championship

“I am so thrilled, I am having a hard time speaking.  I wanted so much to come down here and put myself in positions to win a Triton Boat.  A couple weeks before the tournament I blew the motor but I wasn’t going to let it get me down, so I came down and fished as a non-boater.  I was just so lucky because today I didn’t bring any fish to the scales but I had enough weight from the first two days to hold out for the win.  I found these fish during practice with some of the guys I came down here with.  Luckily the fish I found were also where my boater ended up going on the first day.  I was using a spinnerbait but the way I fished it was triggering the bites from the larger fish.  I didn’t know if I had won the boat or not but what a shock.

This is a great organization I have a tremendous director and wonderful support from the anglers in my division.  What a great week this has been.

For his efforts, Jeff will take home a new Triton 19TRX fully rigged with a Mercury Outboard, MotorGuide trolling motor, GARMIN electronics, and TH Marine products.

Final Results Ram American Fishing Tour Championship

Host - Eufaula-Barbour Chamber of Commerce
333 East Broad Street
Eufaula, AL 36027
(334) 687-6664
www.eufaulachamber.com

Host Ram Truck Dealer - Opelika Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM
801 Columbus PkwyOpelika, AL 36801
Web Link - (855) 913-7323

Host Triton Boat Dealer - Boyd's Marine - Dothan
2481 Hwy 431, Dothan AL 36303 Phone:
Web Link - (334) 794.2598

Weigh in site each day - Lakepoint Resort State Park
104 Old Hwy 165, Eufaula, AL 36027 (334) 687-8011

About American Bass Anglers: American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression.  For more information about American Bass Anglers, the Ram Truck Open Series, the Ram American Fishing Tour, the American Couples Series, the Military Team Bass Tournament and the Ram 100% Plus Team Tour visit www.americanbassanglers.com.

by AnglersChannel

Adam Waters & Dylan Fulk Win The 2016 Carolina Bass Challenge Classic!

Place Team Name Team # Fish       Weighed Net             Weight Big Fish Winnings
1 Adam Waters - Dylan Fulk 70 10 25.490 0.000 $50,000
2 Steve Sink - Tony Foster 171 10 25.190 0.000 $10,000
3 Roger Hoover - Scott Hamrick 15 10 24.520 3.350 $5,000
4 Wesley Cashwell - Shane Doughtie 21 10 24.490 0.000 $3,000
5 Ronnie McCoy - Jason McCoy 27 10 24.210 4.500 $2,500
6 Graham Rushing - Artie Phillips 65 10 24.050 3.940 $2,000
7 Donald Poteat - Johnny Allen 125 10 23.960 0.000 $1,700
8 Joshua Queen - Mike Queen 38 10 23.770 4.560 $1,600
9 Jason Quinn - Tony Colacurcio 71 10 23.650 0.000 $1,500
10 Michael Smith - Roger Pope 201 10 23.400 3.690 $1,400
11 David Wright - Jeff Coble 25 10 23.310 3.910 $1,300
12 Ronald Farrow - Roger Farrow 41 10 23.250 0.000 $1,200
13 Steve Addington - Matt Stout 60 10 22.710 0.000 $1,000
14 Brent Long - Brock Taylor 28 10 22.080 2.990 $900
15 Chad Cook - tony cook 47 10 21.980 3.790 $850
16 Greg Osborne - Wyatt Blevins 37 10 21.660 0.000 $800
17 Chuck Camp - Rob Digh 152 10 21.610 0.000 $725
18 Brent White - cody andrews 51 10 21.600 0.000 $700
19 Jason Wilson - Kelly Logan 204 10 21.310 4.590 $675
20 Sonny Beam - Eric Weir 126 10 21.210 0.000 $650
21 Patrick Tierney - Moe Freeze 13 10 21.100 0.000 $600
22 Alfred Keisling, Sr - Chad Poteat 166 10 21.020 3.920 $575
23 Eric Moser - Travis O'Quinn 22 10 20.890 0.000 $550
24 Chris Graham - Ricky Byrd 108 10 20.830 4.090 $500
25 Eddie Smith - Michael Carson 219 10 20.800 0.000 $475
26 Sean Anderson - George Berry 197 10 20.790 4.430 $450
27 Mike Stephens - cody young 153 10 20.650 0.000 $425
28 Dale Duncan - Donnie Woody 68 10 20.610 0.000 $400
29 Adam Fillmore - Chris Carnes 89 10 20.450 0.000 $375
30 Kevin Chandler - Bradley Chandler 210 10 20.400 3.710 $350
31 Louie Hull - Chuck Montgomery 63 10 20.330 3.570 $325
32 Scott Griffin - Jerry Goble 213 10 20.020 0.000 $300
33 Brian Travis - Ashley Brotherton 162 10 19.890 0.000 $275
34 Milton Yancey - Larry Yancey 32 10 19.800 0.000 $250
35 Dan Funderburk - Rod Cozart 158 10 19.620 0.000 $230
36 Nathan Webber - Hunter Harwell 196 10 19.610 0.000 $220
37 Wayne Skipworth - Don Sprinkle 5 10 19.600 0.000 $200
38 Johnny Guffey - Wesley Bell 147 10 19.510 0.000
39 Daryl Watson - Ken McFarland 6 10 19.420 0.000
40 Scott Plattenberger - Bryan plattenberger 54 10 19.350 0.000
41 Marcus Leech - Tim Chapman 20 10 19.330 0.000
42 Robert Ross - Lee Morris 184 10 19.000 0.000
43 Scott Martin - Cole Winn 69 10 18.910 0.000
44 Butch Zadlo - Bryan Lewis 151 10 18.730 0.000
45 Derek Cummings - Victor Lynch 163 10 18.680 0.000
46 Keith Berry - Jarrad Poarch 205 10 18.570 0.000
47 Tim Gaines - Mike Bryant 208 10 18.540 0.000
48 Jordan Wright - Chris Casey 81 10 18.520 0.000
49 Jerry Craig - Bobby Latuch 160 10 18.500 0.000
50 Brian Tyler - Frederick Clements 200 10 18.500 0.000
51 Danny Mason - Lionel Mason 4 7 18.350 3.340
52 Nathan Burgess - Brent Riley 148 8 18.350 0.000
53 Thomas Vickers - Brian Huskins 59 10 18.340 0.000
54 Tyler Beam - Eric Self 179 10 18.340 0.000
55 Ronnie Britt - Jim Britt 29 10 18.220 0.000
56 Craig Chambers - Keith Ogden 157 10 18.160 0.000
57 Steve Dyer - Derek Lilley 61 10 17.880 0.000
58 Chris Dover - Robert Fowler 134 10 17.780 0.000
59 Trip Emerson - Kevin Hyler 146 9 17.780 0.000
60 Alton Rockett - Randy Huffman 129 10 17.770 0.000
61 Mack Cook - Patrick Cook 150 10 17.750 0.000
62 Drew Stankwytch - Brandon Childress 167 10 17.680 0.000
63 Allen Snyder - Darren Gay 40 10 17.280 0.000
64 Dennis Reedy - Jeffrey Thomas 31 10 17.270 0.000
65 Travus Lovell - James Roten 216 8 17.270 0.000
66 grady allen - Calvin Hewitt 2 10 17.210 0.000
67 billy bledsoe - Brian McDonald 76 9 17.160 0.000
68 Nolan Eller - Josh Huffman 124 10 17.100 0.000
69 Israel Gibson - Grant McPeters 159 10 16.960 0.000
70 William Blanton - David Blanton 101 8 16.920 0.000
71 Jacob Moore - Thomas Moore 178 10 16.890 0.000
72 Robert Mixon - Robert Lambert 44 10 16.850 0.000
73 Harold Turner - Justin Cromer 19 10 16.650 0.000
74 John Sturkie - Blake Strickland 67 8 16.620 4.330
75 Brendon Schneider - Kyle James 173 8 16.590 0.000
76 Michael Murphy - Kevin Sanders 17 9 16.490 0.000
77 Darrell Parks - Thomas Johnson 52 10 16.410 0.000
78 Mark Lamb - Robert Griswold 214 10 16.340 0.000
79 bobby snyder - Bernie Davis 12 9 16.020 0.000
80 Jason Lowman - Cody Lail 207 9 16.000 0.000
81 Mitch Burgin - Larry Houser 97 10 15.960 0.000
82 Derick Livingston - Jonathan Spivey 120 10 15.880 0.000
83 Tim Hollar - Bob Killian 10 10 15.840 0.000
84 Travis Ruff - Kelly Ruff 127 9 15.750 0.000
85 Daniel Cook - Carl Smith 181 8 15.740 3.820
86 Ron Brown - Bobby Brown 193 10 15.630 0.000
87 Jeff Queen - Carroll Queen 104 9 15.550 0.000
88 Doug Punch - Rocky Franklin 142 9 15.410 0.000
89 Nick Beaver - Roger Beaver 86 8 15.330 0.000
90 Greg Bragg - Christopher Terry 168 8 15.290 0.000
91 Jonathan strickland - Dustin Compton 90 8 15.210 0.000
92 Chris Ellis - Mathew Frazier 43 8 15.080 4.160
93 James Ball - Kyle Whisnant 217 7 14.890 0.000
94 Dale Surrett - Lee Endicott 145 8 14.810 0.000
95 Robin Collins - Ronnie White 7 9 14.750 0.000
96 Brian Tidwell - Michael Tidwell 165 7 14.690 3.950
97 Ross Burns - Jeremiah Jensen 83 10 14.600 0.000
98 Robert Wood - John Lundeen 131 8 14.490 0.000
99 James Wall - Jimmy Wall 72 7 14.470 0.000
100 Dempsey Carter - Ted Mobley 9 8 14.030 0.000
101 Reggie Guffey - Tommy Chapman 94 9 14.030 0.000
102 Larry Denton - Chris Guest 75 8 14.020 0.000
103 Michael Cribb - Roger Cribb 34 8 13.910 0.000
104 Mack Altman - Randall Miller 91 9 13.780 0.000
105 Derrick Compton 26 7 13.710 0.000
106 Darren Sigmon - Brian Huffman 154 6 13.660 2.050
107 Tyler Hoopaugh - Chris Hoopaugh 30 7 13.650 3.920
108 Chris Corriher - Randy Christy 199 9 13.610 0.000
109 Nathan Royal - David Brookshire 115 8 13.520 0.000
110 Aric Dwyer - Robert Anderson 190 8 13.500 0.000
111 Randy Weddington - Ronnie Smith 169 7 12.950 0.000
112 Charles Sipe - Kelly Johnson 170 9 12.900 0.000
113 Thomas King - Clayton King 49 7 12.830 0.000
114 Dale Luckey - John Brown 99 8 12.790 0.000
115 Clint Benbow - Jeremi Beatty 98 7 12.640 0.000
116 Chad Sinclair - Caleb Conner 82 9 12.590 0.000
117 Kiel Kelly - Chuck Whittaker 195 8 12.530 0.000
118 Dwight Dellinger - Doug Dellinger 62 6 12.390 0.000
119 George Hirapetian - ARAM HIRAPETIAN 133 7 12.290 0.000
120 byron brush - Byron Brush Sr. 149 8 12.160 0.000
121 Jeff Hager - darrel hager 106 7 12.130 0.000
122 Fred Kauffman - Sam Gladden 130 8 12.030 0.000
123 Bryan Welch - Mark Inman 46 7 11.890 0.000
124 Chris Wagner - Chase Deal 85 5 11.470 0.000
125 Mikey Bowlby 137 6 11.100 0.000
126 Stephen Griggs - Rodney Sorrell 92 5 10.770 0.000
127 Brandon Williams - Christian Shoda 198 5 10.680 0.000
128 Keith Speece - Wendell Ireland 87 5 10.340 0.000
129 Chris Martin - Mike Greene 140 7 10.310 0.000
130 Gene Sparks - Shannon Stowe 220 5 10.180 0.000
131 Thomas Hardwick - Tommy Williams 128 8 10.120 0.000
132 Phillip Frady - Dirk Porter 8 5 9.560 0.000
133 Mason Boyd - Rick Falls 78 5 9.500 0.000
134 Rusty Bullard - Eric Martin 118 5 9.450 0.000
135 Steven Austin - Roger Wood 175 5 9.200 0.000
136 Wayne Ingram - Chris Brown 186 5 9.120 0.000
137 David Winters - Russell Winters 55 5 8.960 0.000
138 James Clements - Rick Carson 191 5 8.900 0.000
139 Greg Davis - dennis parks 95 5 8.660 0.000
140 Kevin Toler - Rodney Lambert 121 4 8.520 0.000
141 Carl Williams - Eddie Williams 79 4 8.450 0.000
142 Dennis Cable - Tim Harrison 93 4 8.400 0.000
143 todd sosebee - steve postell 174 10 8.290 0.000
144 Rodney Bell - Tommy Jones 100 5 8.250 0.000
145 Johnathan Crossland 39 5 8.110 0.000
146 Bill Grier - Robby Byrum 192 4 7.980 0.000
147 Adam Greer - Shae jones 132 5 7.940 0.000
148 Thomas Gavin - Mike Sprouse 187 5 7.860 0.000
149 Scott Sellers - Randy Childers 177 5 7.840 0.000
150 Larry Moss - Michelle McLain 122 5 7.770 0.000
151 Sammie Grier - David Strickland 202 5 7.710 0.000
152 CJ Johnston - Matt Stanley 3 5 7.680 0.000
153 Doug Easton - Pete Bejte 218 5 7.670 0.000
154 Shawn Crosby - robert brooks 14 5 7.650 0.000
155 Dennis Hensley - Steve Yoder 74 5 7.390 0.000
156 Tanner Stirewalt - Logan Phillips 136 5 7.290 0.000
157 Billy Scoggins - Eddie Parker 57 5 7.220 0.000
158 Adam Ridings - Michael Ridings 103 5 7.220 0.000
159 Vince Parker - Mark Parker 48 4 7.070 0.000
160 Gregg Kessler - Gregg Kessler II 112 5 7.020 0.000
161 Brad Petway - Jeff Douglas 155 5 6.930 0.000
162 Tom McCombs - curtis lail 50 5 6.870 0.000
163 Dan English - David Gibson 96 4 6.830 0.000
164 Greg Sims - Michael Huffman 206 4 6.820 0.000
165 Larry LeHew - Greg Deal 66 3 6.680 0.000
166 austin petty - Mark Swink 188 4 6.660 0.000
167 Reginald Pickett - Larry Kirk 211 5 6.580 0.000
168 Ryan Bentley - greg berst 113 4 6.460 0.000
169 Marvin Godard - Robert Adams 109 5 6.450 0.000
170 Matt Markland - Tracy Markland 114 4 6.370 0.000
171 Richard Greene - Jimmy Holland 180 4 6.360 0.000
172 Wayne Marlow - Scott Peavy 42 4 6.290 0.000
173 Winkey Watford - scotty mixon 116 4 6.280 0.000
174 Mike Seawright - John parker 23 3 6.250 0.000
175 Larry Parker - Glenn Altman 209 3 6.230 0.000
176 James Martin 56 4 6.200 0.000
177 Johnny Houser - Ben Lee 164 4 6.070 0.000
178 Terry Herman - thomas wike 215 4 5.850 0.000
179 Paul Guthrie - Robert Church 111 3 5.460 0.000
180 Allen Eaker - Jason Eaker 33 3 5.400 0.000
181 Jimmy Cummings - Dean Collins 45 3 5.350 0.000
182 Brent Berry - Steve Shaw 161 2 5.220 0.000
183 Chris McDuffie - Greg Creech 36 3 4.800 0.000
184 Sandy Oliver 105 3 4.790 0.000
185 William Gainey 212 3 4.560 0.000
186 Robert Walser - Mack Lowe 141 3 4.540 0.000
187 Darrell Fisher - William Gregory 203 3 4.350 0.000
188 Robert Bauguess - Rodney Morrow 1 3 4.230 0.000
189 Eric Jeter - Darren Jeter 88 3 3.760 0.000
190 Roger Adams - Josh Adams 172 2 3.640 0.000
191 Wayne Hauser - Sheldon Hipps 144 2 3.530 0.000
192 Bo Chappell 176 2 3.470 0.000
193 Brandon Sykes - Jeff McQuaige 73 2 3.320 0.000
194 Phil Hennessee - Jon Digh 138 2 3.080 0.000
195 Tim Hawley - Joe Hamilton 135 2 2.900 0.000
196 Clint Proudfoot - Eric Bozeman 110 1 2.330 2.330
197 Duke Denison 24 1 1.750 1.750
198 Robin Parker - brandon gibson 64 1 1.710 1.710
199 Mike Ray - Orlando Giles 58 1 1.260 1.260
200 Phillip Hedrick - Jack Vanderford 11 0 0.000 0.000
201 Jason Dew - Thomas Elliott 16 0 0.000 0.000
202 Randall Wallace - Andrew Wallace 18 0 0.000 0.000
203 David Clanton - Brent Sanders 35 0 0.000 0.000
204 Scott Henley - Neil McDonald 53 0 0.000 0.000
205 Ricky Self - Ben Stanton 77 0 0.000 0.000
206 Scott Wyatt - Andy Brode 80 0 0.000 0.000
207 kevin driggers - Jamie Ethridge 84 0 0.000 0.000
208 Gary Rose - Jerry Collins 102 0 0.000 0.000
209 Todd Garner - Shane Hartman 107 0 0.000 0.000
210 Terry Trivet - Derek Tolley 117 0 0.000 0.000
211 Thomas Richmond 119 0 0.000 0.000
212 Chuck Morton 123 0 0.000 0.000
213 Tony Davis - Tim Bowman 139 0 0.000 0.000
214 Perry Wycuff - Josh Wycuff 143 0 0.000 0.000
215 william patterson - Chris Tinsley 156 0 0.000 0.000
216 Allen Robbins - Jerry Robbins 182 0 0.000 0.000
217 Nick Miller 183 0 0.000 0.000
218 Joe Floyd - Phil Brown 185 0 0.000 0.000
219 Dusty Taylor - Keaton Hawks 189 0 0.000 0.000
220 Greg Whittington - Danny Hucks 194 0 0.000 0.000

by AnglersChannel

Adam Waters & Dylan Fulk Win The 2016 Carolina Bass Challenge Classic!

Place Team Name Team # Fish       Weighed Net             Weight Big Fish Winnings
1 Adam Waters - Dylan Fulk 70 10 25.490 0.000 $50,000
2 Steve Sink - Tony Foster 171 10 25.190 0.000 $10,000
3 Roger Hoover - Scott Hamrick 15 10 24.520 3.350 $5,000
4 Wesley Cashwell - Shane Doughtie 21 10 24.490 0.000 $3,000
5 Ronnie McCoy - Jason McCoy 27 10 24.210 4.500 $2,500
6 Graham Rushing - Artie Phillips 65 10 24.050 3.940 $2,000
7 Donald Poteat - Johnny Allen 125 10 23.960 0.000 $1,700
8 Joshua Queen - Mike Queen 38 10 23.770 4.560 $1,600
9 Jason Quinn - Tony Colacurcio 71 10 23.650 0.000 $1,500
10 Michael Smith - Roger Pope 201 10 23.400 3.690 $1,400
11 David Wright - Jeff Coble 25 10 23.310 3.910 $1,300
12 Ronald Farrow - Roger Farrow 41 10 23.250 0.000 $1,200
13 Steve Addington - Matt Stout 60 10 22.710 0.000 $1,000
14 Brent Long - Brock Taylor 28 10 22.080 2.990 $900
15 Chad Cook - tony cook 47 10 21.980 3.790 $850
16 Greg Osborne - Wyatt Blevins 37 10 21.660 0.000 $800
17 Chuck Camp - Rob Digh 152 10 21.610 0.000 $725
18 Brent White - cody andrews 51 10 21.600 0.000 $700
19 Jason Wilson - Kelly Logan 204 10 21.310 4.590 $675
20 Sonny Beam - Eric Weir 126 10 21.210 0.000 $650
21 Patrick Tierney - Moe Freeze 13 10 21.100 0.000 $600
22 Alfred Keisling, Sr - Chad Poteat 166 10 21.020 3.920 $575
23 Eric Moser - Travis O'Quinn 22 10 20.890 0.000 $550
24 Chris Graham - Ricky Byrd 108 10 20.830 4.090 $500
25 Eddie Smith - Michael Carson 219 10 20.800 0.000 $475
26 Sean Anderson - George Berry 197 10 20.790 4.430 $450
27 Mike Stephens - cody young 153 10 20.650 0.000 $425
28 Dale Duncan - Donnie Woody 68 10 20.610 0.000 $400
29 Adam Fillmore - Chris Carnes 89 10 20.450 0.000 $375
30 Kevin Chandler - Bradley Chandler 210 10 20.400 3.710 $350
31 Louie Hull - Chuck Montgomery 63 10 20.330 3.570 $325
32 Scott Griffin - Jerry Goble 213 10 20.020 0.000 $300
33 Brian Travis - Ashley Brotherton 162 10 19.890 0.000 $275
34 Milton Yancey - Larry Yancey 32 10 19.800 0.000 $250
35 Dan Funderburk - Rod Cozart 158 10 19.620 0.000 $230
36 Nathan Webber - Hunter Harwell 196 10 19.610 0.000 $220
37 Wayne Skipworth - Don Sprinkle 5 10 19.600 0.000 $200
38 Johnny Guffey - Wesley Bell 147 10 19.510 0.000
39 Daryl Watson - Ken McFarland 6 10 19.420 0.000
40 Scott Plattenberger - Bryan plattenberger 54 10 19.350 0.000
41 Marcus Leech - Tim Chapman 20 10 19.330 0.000
42 Robert Ross - Lee Morris 184 10 19.000 0.000
43 Scott Martin - Cole Winn 69 10 18.910 0.000
44 Butch Zadlo - Bryan Lewis 151 10 18.730 0.000
45 Derek Cummings - Victor Lynch 163 10 18.680 0.000
46 Keith Berry - Jarrad Poarch 205 10 18.570 0.000
47 Tim Gaines - Mike Bryant 208 10 18.540 0.000
48 Jordan Wright - Chris Casey 81 10 18.520 0.000
49 Jerry Craig - Bobby Latuch 160 10 18.500 0.000
50 Brian Tyler - Frederick Clements 200 10 18.500 0.000
51 Danny Mason - Lionel Mason 4 7 18.350 3.340
52 Nathan Burgess - Brent Riley 148 8 18.350 0.000
53 Thomas Vickers - Brian Huskins 59 10 18.340 0.000
54 Tyler Beam - Eric Self 179 10 18.340 0.000
55 Ronnie Britt - Jim Britt 29 10 18.220 0.000
56 Craig Chambers - Keith Ogden 157 10 18.160 0.000
57 Steve Dyer - Derek Lilley 61 10 17.880 0.000
58 Chris Dover - Robert Fowler 134 10 17.780 0.000
59 Trip Emerson - Kevin Hyler 146 9 17.780 0.000
60 Alton Rockett - Randy Huffman 129 10 17.770 0.000
61 Mack Cook - Patrick Cook 150 10 17.750 0.000
62 Drew Stankwytch - Brandon Childress 167 10 17.680 0.000
63 Allen Snyder - Darren Gay 40 10 17.280 0.000
64 Dennis Reedy - Jeffrey Thomas 31 10 17.270 0.000
65 Travus Lovell - James Roten 216 8 17.270 0.000
66 grady allen - Calvin Hewitt 2 10 17.210 0.000
67 billy bledsoe - Brian McDonald 76 9 17.160 0.000
68 Nolan Eller - Josh Huffman 124 10 17.100 0.000
69 Israel Gibson - Grant McPeters 159 10 16.960 0.000
70 William Blanton - David Blanton 101 8 16.920 0.000
71 Jacob Moore - Thomas Moore 178 10 16.890 0.000
72 Robert Mixon - Robert Lambert 44 10 16.850 0.000
73 Harold Turner - Justin Cromer 19 10 16.650 0.000
74 John Sturkie - Blake Strickland 67 8 16.620 4.330
75 Brendon Schneider - Kyle James 173 8 16.590 0.000
76 Michael Murphy - Kevin Sanders 17 9 16.490 0.000
77 Darrell Parks - Thomas Johnson 52 10 16.410 0.000
78 Mark Lamb - Robert Griswold 214 10 16.340 0.000
79 bobby snyder - Bernie Davis 12 9 16.020 0.000
80 Jason Lowman - Cody Lail 207 9 16.000 0.000
81 Mitch Burgin - Larry Houser 97 10 15.960 0.000
82 Derick Livingston - Jonathan Spivey 120 10 15.880 0.000
83 Tim Hollar - Bob Killian 10 10 15.840 0.000
84 Travis Ruff - Kelly Ruff 127 9 15.750 0.000
85 Daniel Cook - Carl Smith 181 8 15.740 3.820
86 Ron Brown - Bobby Brown 193 10 15.630 0.000
87 Jeff Queen - Carroll Queen 104 9 15.550 0.000
88 Doug Punch - Rocky Franklin 142 9 15.410 0.000
89 Nick Beaver - Roger Beaver 86 8 15.330 0.000
90 Greg Bragg - Christopher Terry 168 8 15.290 0.000
91 Jonathan strickland - Dustin Compton 90 8 15.210 0.000
92 Chris Ellis - Mathew Frazier 43 8 15.080 4.160
93 James Ball - Kyle Whisnant 217 7 14.890 0.000
94 Dale Surrett - Lee Endicott 145 8 14.810 0.000
95 Robin Collins - Ronnie White 7 9 14.750 0.000
96 Brian Tidwell - Michael Tidwell 165 7 14.690 3.950
97 Ross Burns - Jeremiah Jensen 83 10 14.600 0.000
98 Robert Wood - John Lundeen 131 8 14.490 0.000
99 James Wall - Jimmy Wall 72 7 14.470 0.000
100 Dempsey Carter - Ted Mobley 9 8 14.030 0.000
101 Reggie Guffey - Tommy Chapman 94 9 14.030 0.000
102 Larry Denton - Chris Guest 75 8 14.020 0.000
103 Michael Cribb - Roger Cribb 34 8 13.910 0.000
104 Mack Altman - Randall Miller 91 9 13.780 0.000
105 Derrick Compton 26 7 13.710 0.000
106 Darren Sigmon - Brian Huffman 154 6 13.660 2.050
107 Tyler Hoopaugh - Chris Hoopaugh 30 7 13.650 3.920
108 Chris Corriher - Randy Christy 199 9 13.610 0.000
109 Nathan Royal - David Brookshire 115 8 13.520 0.000
110 Aric Dwyer - Robert Anderson 190 8 13.500 0.000
111 Randy Weddington - Ronnie Smith 169 7 12.950 0.000
112 Charles Sipe - Kelly Johnson 170 9 12.900 0.000
113 Thomas King - Clayton King 49 7 12.830 0.000
114 Dale Luckey - John Brown 99 8 12.790 0.000
115 Clint Benbow - Jeremi Beatty 98 7 12.640 0.000
116 Chad Sinclair - Caleb Conner 82 9 12.590 0.000
117 Kiel Kelly - Chuck Whittaker 195 8 12.530 0.000
118 Dwight Dellinger - Doug Dellinger 62 6 12.390 0.000
119 George Hirapetian - ARAM HIRAPETIAN 133 7 12.290 0.000
120 byron brush - Byron Brush Sr. 149 8 12.160 0.000
121 Jeff Hager - darrel hager 106 7 12.130 0.000
122 Fred Kauffman - Sam Gladden 130 8 12.030 0.000
123 Bryan Welch - Mark Inman 46 7 11.890 0.000
124 Chris Wagner - Chase Deal 85 5 11.470 0.000
125 Mikey Bowlby 137 6 11.100 0.000
126 Stephen Griggs - Rodney Sorrell 92 5 10.770 0.000
127 Brandon Williams - Christian Shoda 198 5 10.680 0.000
128 Keith Speece - Wendell Ireland 87 5 10.340 0.000
129 Chris Martin - Mike Greene 140 7 10.310 0.000
130 Gene Sparks - Shannon Stowe 220 5 10.180 0.000
131 Thomas Hardwick - Tommy Williams 128 8 10.120 0.000
132 Phillip Frady - Dirk Porter 8 5 9.560 0.000
133 Mason Boyd - Rick Falls 78 5 9.500 0.000
134 Rusty Bullard - Eric Martin 118 5 9.450 0.000
135 Steven Austin - Roger Wood 175 5 9.200 0.000
136 Wayne Ingram - Chris Brown 186 5 9.120 0.000
137 David Winters - Russell Winters 55 5 8.960 0.000
138 James Clements - Rick Carson 191 5 8.900 0.000
139 Greg Davis - dennis parks 95 5 8.660 0.000
140 Kevin Toler - Rodney Lambert 121 4 8.520 0.000
141 Carl Williams - Eddie Williams 79 4 8.450 0.000
142 Dennis Cable - Tim Harrison 93 4 8.400 0.000
143 todd sosebee - steve postell 174 10 8.290 0.000
144 Rodney Bell - Tommy Jones 100 5 8.250 0.000
145 Johnathan Crossland 39 5 8.110 0.000
146 Bill Grier - Robby Byrum 192 4 7.980 0.000
147 Adam Greer - Shae jones 132 5 7.940 0.000
148 Thomas Gavin - Mike Sprouse 187 5 7.860 0.000
149 Scott Sellers - Randy Childers 177 5 7.840 0.000
150 Larry Moss - Michelle McLain 122 5 7.770 0.000
151 Sammie Grier - David Strickland 202 5 7.710 0.000
152 CJ Johnston - Matt Stanley 3 5 7.680 0.000
153 Doug Easton - Pete Bejte 218 5 7.670 0.000
154 Shawn Crosby - robert brooks 14 5 7.650 0.000
155 Dennis Hensley - Steve Yoder 74 5 7.390 0.000
156 Tanner Stirewalt - Logan Phillips 136 5 7.290 0.000
157 Billy Scoggins - Eddie Parker 57 5 7.220 0.000
158 Adam Ridings - Michael Ridings 103 5 7.220 0.000
159 Vince Parker - Mark Parker 48 4 7.070 0.000
160 Gregg Kessler - Gregg Kessler II 112 5 7.020 0.000
161 Brad Petway - Jeff Douglas 155 5 6.930 0.000
162 Tom McCombs - curtis lail 50 5 6.870 0.000
163 Dan English - David Gibson 96 4 6.830 0.000
164 Greg Sims - Michael Huffman 206 4 6.820 0.000
165 Larry LeHew - Greg Deal 66 3 6.680 0.000
166 austin petty - Mark Swink 188 4 6.660 0.000
167 Reginald Pickett - Larry Kirk 211 5 6.580 0.000
168 Ryan Bentley - greg berst 113 4 6.460 0.000
169 Marvin Godard - Robert Adams 109 5 6.450 0.000
170 Matt Markland - Tracy Markland 114 4 6.370 0.000
171 Richard Greene - Jimmy Holland 180 4 6.360 0.000
172 Wayne Marlow - Scott Peavy 42 4 6.290 0.000
173 Winkey Watford - scotty mixon 116 4 6.280 0.000
174 Mike Seawright - John parker 23 3 6.250 0.000
175 Larry Parker - Glenn Altman 209 3 6.230 0.000
176 James Martin 56 4 6.200 0.000
177 Johnny Houser - Ben Lee 164 4 6.070 0.000
178 Terry Herman - thomas wike 215 4 5.850 0.000
179 Paul Guthrie - Robert Church 111 3 5.460 0.000
180 Allen Eaker - Jason Eaker 33 3 5.400 0.000
181 Jimmy Cummings - Dean Collins 45 3 5.350 0.000
182 Brent Berry - Steve Shaw 161 2 5.220 0.000
183 Chris McDuffie - Greg Creech 36 3 4.800 0.000
184 Sandy Oliver 105 3 4.790 0.000
185 William Gainey 212 3 4.560 0.000
186 Robert Walser - Mack Lowe 141 3 4.540 0.000
187 Darrell Fisher - William Gregory 203 3 4.350 0.000
188 Robert Bauguess - Rodney Morrow 1 3 4.230 0.000
189 Eric Jeter - Darren Jeter 88 3 3.760 0.000
190 Roger Adams - Josh Adams 172 2 3.640 0.000
191 Wayne Hauser - Sheldon Hipps 144 2 3.530 0.000
192 Bo Chappell 176 2 3.470 0.000
193 Brandon Sykes - Jeff McQuaige 73 2 3.320 0.000
194 Phil Hennessee - Jon Digh 138 2 3.080 0.000
195 Tim Hawley - Joe Hamilton 135 2 2.900 0.000
196 Clint Proudfoot - Eric Bozeman 110 1 2.330 2.330
197 Duke Denison 24 1 1.750 1.750
198 Robin Parker - brandon gibson 64 1 1.710 1.710
199 Mike Ray - Orlando Giles 58 1 1.260 1.260
200 Phillip Hedrick - Jack Vanderford 11 0 0.000 0.000
201 Jason Dew - Thomas Elliott 16 0 0.000 0.000
202 Randall Wallace - Andrew Wallace 18 0 0.000 0.000
203 David Clanton - Brent Sanders 35 0 0.000 0.000
204 Scott Henley - Neil McDonald 53 0 0.000 0.000
205 Ricky Self - Ben Stanton 77 0 0.000 0.000
206 Scott Wyatt - Andy Brode 80 0 0.000 0.000
207 kevin driggers - Jamie Ethridge 84 0 0.000 0.000
208 Gary Rose - Jerry Collins 102 0 0.000 0.000
209 Todd Garner - Shane Hartman 107 0 0.000 0.000
210 Terry Trivet - Derek Tolley 117 0 0.000 0.000
211 Thomas Richmond 119 0 0.000 0.000
212 Chuck Morton 123 0 0.000 0.000
213 Tony Davis - Tim Bowman 139 0 0.000 0.000
214 Perry Wycuff - Josh Wycuff 143 0 0.000 0.000
215 william patterson - Chris Tinsley 156 0 0.000 0.000
216 Allen Robbins - Jerry Robbins 182 0 0.000 0.000
217 Nick Miller 183 0 0.000 0.000
218 Joe Floyd - Phil Brown 185 0 0.000 0.000
219 Dusty Taylor - Keaton Hawks 189 0 0.000 0.000
220 Greg Whittington - Danny Hucks 194 0 0.000 0.000

by AnglersChannel

Costa Introduces New Boundless Collection of Rimless Sunglasses

Daytona Beach, Fla. – Oct.18, 2016 – For adventure lovers and experience seekers alike, the world knows no bounds. For these people, Costa introduces its new line of rimless sunglasses, the Boundless collection. Built for living life outside the limits, each of the eight rimless styles are incredibly lightweight, with a comfortable “forget-they’re-on” fit for all day wear.

Costa’s Boundless line includes four new styles, West Bay, Seagrove, Gulf Shore and Oyster Bay, as well as four existing rimless options, Ballast, Cayan, Galveston and Rockport. Six of the eight rimless sunglasses (excluding Rockport and Cayan) will be available for the first time with a green mirror lens option, as well as gray, copper, and blue mirror, in Costa’s patented color enhancing polarized 580™ lenses.

The brand’s 580 lens technology selectively filters out harsh yellow and harmful high-energy ultraviolet blue light. Filtering yellow light enhances reds, blues and greens, and produces better contrast and definition while reducing glare and eye fatigue. Absorbing high-energy blue light cuts haze, producing greater visual clarity and sharpness.

Costa’s 580™ lenses, the clearest lenses on the planet, are available in all of the rimless styles in impact resistant, lightweight polycarbonate material. Each rimless style is also available in customized prescription lenses, handcrafted in Costa’s in-house optical lab.

Costa’s new West Bay style, named for the long inlet alongside Galveston Island in Texas, is a medium sport aviator, blending a classic shape with performance features such as durable integral hinge technology and hypoallergenic rubberized nose pads and temple tips for superior fit. Frame color choices include shiny black and shiny tortoise.

The Seagrove style offers a square-shaped rimless lens, accommodating a variety of face shapes with its large and relaxed fit. Also available in shiny black and tortoise frame choices, rubberized temple tips keep the sunglasses comfortably in place all day.

Named after the iconic beachfront town along the Gulf Coast, Costa’s new Gulf Shore style features an extra-large rectangular-shaped lens shape, built from a nearly indestructible bio-based resin nylon material, which ensures the frames hold their shape even in extreme hot and cold weather. Bio-based resins reduce Costa's manufacturing process emissions, and cuts the company's overall carbon footprint significantly, a key part of the brand’s sustainability promise.

Costa’s Oyster Bay style also offers a rectangular frame shape, in a medium fit, featuring rubberized nose pads and temple tips, sturdy integral hinge technology and bio-based resin frame construction.

“Our Boundless collection of rimless sunglass styles feature a variety of shape and fit options, all being extremely lightweight and comfortable,” said John Sanchez, vice president of product development for Costa. “Combined with Costa’s superior 580 lens technology and new green mirror lens option, these sunglasses will easily take you from sunrise to sunset.”

Costa’s rimless styles range in retail price from $159 to $189. The styles are available now at www.costadelmar.com, and at authorized participating Costa retail partners.

About Costa™
As the leading manufacturer of the world’s clearest polarized performance sunglasses, Costa offers superior lens technology and unparalleled fit and durability. Still handcrafted today in Florida, Costa has created the highest quality, best performing sunglasses and prescription sunglasses (Rx) for outdoor enthusiasts since 1983.
For Costa, conservation is all about sustainable fishing. Many fisheries that should be vibrant and healthy are all but devoid of native fish because they have fallen victim to poor fishing practices, unregulated development, lack of watershed protection or all of the above. Costa works with partners around the world to help increase awareness and influence policy so that both the fish and fishermen of tomorrow will have healthy waters to enjoy. Costa encourages others to help in any way they can.
For more information, contact 1-800-447-3700 or visit the company’s web site at www.costadelmar.com. Join the conversation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/costasunglasses or on Twitter @CostaSunglasses.

by AnglersChannel

Registration Now Open For The 2017 Texas Team Trail

 

Texas Team Trail offers premier tournament experience

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 17, 2016) - The Texas Team Trail (TXTT) presented by Cabela's recently began taking registrations for the upcoming 2017 season, which includes stops at some of the most popular tournament bass lakes in Texas.

The regular season will kick off Jan. 28, 2017, at Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Last year's Sam Rayburn tournament set an all-time record for registered teams at a TXTT event. The following month, the TXTT will return to Toledo Bend, which produced a 35-pound winning bag at the 2016 TXTT event on the lake.
After a three-year hiatus, the TXTT will return to central Texas' Belton Lake in March. The regular season will wrap up at Lake Texoma in April, a favorite among Texas and Oklahoma anglers alike.
Participants can register online at texasteamtrail.com, request entry forms by calling the TXTT directly at 210-788-4143 or participants can print the registration form & mail/fax it in following the instructions online. Registration is open until 6 p.m. the Friday before each event. Membership, registration fee, and the Anglers Advantage for each event must be paid in full prior to the conclusion of on-site registration the evening before the event.
All TXTT events feature 100 percent guaranteed payback, complete with a fully rigged 18-foot boat, motor, trailer package guaranteed for first place. Anglers have the ability to take home even more thanks to the most lucrative contingency programs in the industry.
The Texas Team Trail also includes unprecedented television and media coverage, airing on the Pursuit Channel, Fox Sports Net, NBC Sports, Time Warner Sportsnet and the World Fishing Network.
2017 TXTT scheduled events:
January 28 - Sam Rayburn Reservoir
February 18 - Toledo Bend
April 1 - Belton Lake
April 29 - Lake Texoma
Championship
June 3-4 - Livingston Lake
Texas Team Trail events are made possible through the sponsorship and continued support of these well-respected brands: Cabela's, Ranger Boats, Lucas Oil, Evinrude, RAM, Mercury, Minn Kota, Triton Boats, Power-Pole, Amphibia, Arctic Ice, Stratos Boats, Lowrance, Navionics, Protect the Harvest, BoatU.S., General Tire, SuperClean, Garmin, Valley Fashions, T-H Marine, Atlas, G-Juice, Powertex Group.

by AnglersChannel

Tennessee's Deakins Wins Flw Bfl Regional Tournament On Lake Seminole

Rudolph wins co-angler title

BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (Oct. 17, 2016) – Marshall Deakins of Dunlap, Tennessee, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 17 pounds, 13 ounces, Saturday to take top honors at the FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Regional event on Lake Seminole presented by Mercury, with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 50 pounds, 1 ounce. For his win, Deakins took home $66,000, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard, and a berth into the 2017 BFL All-American Championship.

Deakins said he spent his entire tournament targeting suspended fish near standing timber in the Spring Creek area of Lake Seminole. For the first two days, he said he threw an electric shiner-colored Zoom Z Craw rigged with a 1/8-ounce weight.

“My practice partner actually figured out how to get them biting initially,” said Deakins, who notched his fifth win in FLW competition. “He let the lure slowly fall down the trunks of the timber, and the fish would eat it on the way down. That worked for two days, but eventually I had to change it up.”

After catching nearly 30 keepers in two days, Deakins said strong winds forced him to adjust his pattern on Day Three.

“I had a tougher time because the light sinker was hard to control in the wind,” said Deakins. “I switched things up around 10:30 a.m. and went with an umbrella rig to get bites.”

Deakins said he rigged his umbrella rig with two dummy baits and three ¼-ounce heads paired with 4-inch natural light-colored Scottsboro Tackle Company Swimbaits. He said he targeted a group of fish that he had located during the first two days of the event.

“That’s the first place I went to, and they were deep,” said Deakins. “I caught some keepers almost immediately. I’m really glad I threw to them.”

The top six boaters that qualified for the 2017 BFL All-American were:

1st:          Marshall Deakins, Dunlap, Tenn., 15 bass, 50-1, $66,000

2nd:         Steve Phillips, Douglas, Ga., 15 bass, 47-5, $10,200

3rd:          Mike Keyso Jr., North Port, Fla., 14 bass, 42-14, $5,000

4th:          Robert Crosnoe, Inverness, Fla., 14 bass, 42-9, $3,100

5th:          Chris Kirksey, Fairmount, Ga., 14 bass, 41-12, $2,000

6th:          Tyler Morgan, Columbus, Ga., 15 bass, 41-7, $1,800

Rounding out the top-10 boaters were:

7th:          Rodger Beaver, Dawson, Ga., 12 bass, 40-12, $1,600

8th:          Clabion Johns, Covington, Ga., 14 bass, 38-7, $1,400

9th:          Dustin Royer, Davie, Fla., 13 bass, 33-7, $1,200

10th:        Nathan Thomas, Weirsdale, Fla., 13 bass, 32-6, $1,000

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

Jessey Rudolph of Deltona, Florida, won the co-angler division and a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard with a three-day cumulative catch of 15 bass weighing 36 pounds, 2 ounces.

The top six co-anglers that qualified for the 2017 BFL All-American were:

1st:          Jessey Rudolph, Deltona, Fla., 15 bass, 36-2, $45,200

2nd:         John Trudel, Lighthouse Point, Fla., 12 bass, 31-4, $5,000

3rd:          David Bozeman, Ocala, Fla., nine bass, 26-4, $2,500

4th:          Randy Paquette, Sarasota, Fla., 15 bass, 25-5, $1,500

5th:          Tony Dimauro, Watkinsville, Ga., eight bass, 22-13, $1,050

6th:          Stanley Shaw, Dunnellon, Fla., seven bass, 20-5, $900

Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers were:

7th:          Christopher Wilder, Macon, Ga., seven bass, 20-4, $800

8th:          Richard Mongiovi, Indian Lake Estates, Fla., seven bass, 19-15, $700

9th:          Johnny Pittman, Albertville, Ala., eight bass, 19-15, $600

10th:        Isaac Clemmons, Fitzgerald, Ga., eight bass, 17-9, $500

The BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 120 tournaments throughout the season, five in each division. The top 50 boaters and co-anglers from each division qualify for a regional tournament and are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2017 BFL All-American will be held May 31-June 3 on Pickwick Lake in Florence, Alabama. Top winners in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the Walmart FLW Tour.

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

by AnglersChannel