Robert & Woodruff Win 5Th Annual Rat-L-Trap Guntersville Open With An Over 21 Lb. Limit!!!

Rat-L-Trap President Wes Higgins along with Elite Series Pro Boyd Duckett & FLW Tour Pro Mark Daniels Jr Interview the winners of the 2016 Rat-L-Trap open on Lake Guntersville.

by AnglersChannel

New Site, Contingense.com To Help You Find More Cash In Bass Tournaments!

February 8, 2016 – Mansfield, AR – Contingense.com recently launched their new website late last week. The site focuses on supporting the need for outdoor enthusiasts to seek, and enroll in contingency programs from one central website, rather than searching the web, and learning through various other methods, which are all time consuming.

The main function of the website creates a listing directory for the programs, which all URL’s point back to their original website. Site visitors will be able to either search or browse contingency categories, give their individual review, and enroll in the programs which best fit their passion.

Jason Baggett, Contingense Developer, stated, “The idea started on the show floor at the 2014 Bassmasters Classic, in Alabama. After learning that nothing existed, I went to work. Our goal is that consumers use it as a tool. Our hope is that we’re given an opportunity to close gaps with the current, and potential contingency programs to create a more unified approach. It will be a Win-Win for everyone involved.”

Contingense acts as a play on words utilizing “Contingency” and “Sense” which companies who utilize these programs see increased sales, exposure, and create a loyal brand army.

Baggett added, “Once we get past the initial launch, we’re gong to work on phase two which incorporates programs on a wider focus. Some of that framework already exists on the site. We’re already in development of a sister site that will parallel Contingense.com”

For more information, please visit the company’s website:

www.contingense.com

by AnglersChannel

Hallman Closes Out Flw Tour Win With Only 2 Fish On Okeechobee!

Teaser image:

Hallman hoists the hardware! photo courtesy of FLW Outdoors

 

Not to be anti-climactic, but Bradley Hallman could have just slept in today, joined the weigh in show with an empty bag and still enjoyed a 6-figure payday and the huge championship trophy to top off his first FLW Tour tournament.

Such was the nature of Hallman’s commanding performance over the course of 4 difficult days that featured changing weather and very few big fish. Bunches of small bass paraded across stage, unseen and uncelebrated, packed tightly with a few of their friends in weigh in bags as angler after angler settled for mediocrity.

Not Hallman. “I came down here from the jump knowing this was going to be a flippin’ tournament, as far as making the Top 10. It might be won some other way, but 5 out of the top 10 guys are going to be flippin’.”

Indeed, there are always other ways to catch fish. None of them bear mentioning this week.

With that mindset the former Bassmaster Elite Series Pro scoured the big lake, which he admitted he did not know very well, during practice. “I had never seen Harney Pond, never seen the Monkey Box. I stopped at some place called S&D or something that was supposed to have some fish (perhaps he meant ‘J&S’?). Finally, I ended up in South Bay and flipped into a bush – wait, I know, they’re called reed heads down here,” chuckled the Oklahoman, showing a bit of his flippin’ roots which are planted firmly in the soiled waters of his home state.

He found what he liked on the south end of the inland ocean. He stuck with his area as winds changed the water color and eventually pushed another foot or so of water beneath the mats from which Hallman pulled his fish. Throughout practice and the entire tournament Hallman simply swung the big weight on short line and long rod in his ‘bushes’ on the south end.

His single-minded tenacity was rewarded with the 2 biggest sacks of the derby during the first 2 rounds. He built a lead that lasted through today’s final weigh in during which the ‘Hot Seat’ on stage stayed empty. After Alex Davis weighed-in, Hallman still had an 8-pound lead with nobody left to challenge it.

Hallman totaled 71 pounds, 2 ounces over four days. His numbers day-by-day:  25-0 on Day 1, followed by 25-7, then 14-3 and a final weight of 6-8 on only two fish today.

His 6-2 effort today was heavier than some 5-fish limits other pros brought in.

Shin Fukae had five that weighed 5-1. The likeable pro from Japan-by-way-of-Texas joked that Hallman had an unfair advantage – he’s too tall. Fukae admitted that he likes to use small worms on a dropshot rig but this week he had to flip with a 7’11” rod. A stick that size would have the leverage on Fukae, not the other way around as works for Hallman who stands way north of the 6-foot mark.

Davis had five fish that at 5 pounds, 3 ounces also weighed less than Hallman’s pair. He was happy to have them since at 1 o’clock his livewell was empty. He had 10 bites during the last hour. They were just small. He wondered where the 4-pounders live in Okeechobee. He noted that the fish this week were either a foot long or as long as long as your arm.

Davis points out that Guntersville Lake is full of 4-pounders. And he knows where they live. Call him when you want to catch some. He made 30-grand this week in South Florida but his bread is mostly buttered by guide’s fees. And Guntersville should get hot soon!

Here’s how the Top 10 shook out today:

1        BRADLEY HALLMAN, NORMAN, OK  71 - 2 (16)      $100,000

2        ALEX DAVIS, ALBERTVILLE, AL  56 - 4 (20) $30,000

3        CHRIS JOHNSTON, PETERBOROUGH, ON   56 - 3 (19)       $25,000

4        MICHAEL NEAL, DAYTON, TN  55 - 15 (20)     $20,000

5        SHINICHI FUKAE, PALESTINE, TX  52 - 9 (20)          $19,000

6        BRANDON MCMILLAN, CLEWISTON, FL  51 - 4 (20)         $18,000

7        JOSHUA WEAVER, MACON, GA   50 - 5 (20)    $17,000

8        CLARK REEHM, HUNTINGTON, TX   48 - 8 (20)       $16,000

9        CHARLIE WEYER, WEST HILLS, CA   47 - 11 (18)     $15,000

10      BILLY SHELTON III, LA CROSSE,   44 - 6 (17) $14,500

by AnglersChannel

Wayne Ingram And Chris Brown Win The Cbc On Wylie-Full Post Win Interview Right Here!

Tremendous win on Wylie at the CBC NC Div for Wayne Ingram and partner Chris Brown as they hauled in just over 19 Lbs on what was really a very challenging day on the water. Wylie has always been known for cranking, and thats exactly what these anglers did in hauling in $14,000 this afternoon-click to here to see the full story!!

by AnglersChannel

Clark Reehm in 10th place has no where to go but up.

Clark Reehm of Huntington, TX shows off one of his bigger culls of the day: Photo Courtesy of FLW Outdoors

 

Slow and Steady wins the race…..

Or in the case of FLW Tour Pro Clark Reehm, a top 10 at the least, a top 5 if he plays his cards right.

“Of all the guys fishing tomorrow, I probably have the most confidence in being able to catch 13 pounds.”

Reehm of Huntington, TX has been one of the more consistent anglers during the competition days of the FLW Tour Opener on Lake Okeechobee this week in Florida.

Lets Recap:

Day 1: 13-9 for a three way tie of 29th

Day 2: 13-12 to move up into 13th place and make the top 20 cut.

Day 3: 12-11 for a total of 40.00 pounds even to fish Championship Sunday in 10th.

“Of all the guys fishing tomorrow, I probably have the most confidence in being able to catch 13 pounds. But if I catch a big one, look out, it could get ugly.” Reehm tells us after the day 3 weigh-in. “I’m doing something a lot different than the rest of the field and its paying off.” “I’m not catching the little pound and half rats that most people have been weighing in this week, I haven’t weighed one under 2-3/4 pounds but I’ve also not weighed in one over 3-1/2 to 4 pounds either.” When asked if he was due a big fish Reehm was quick to tell us this was his secondary spot. “My Primary stuff got wrecked from all the wind this week. I made one pass through there on day 1 and abandoned it for this spot where I have weighed all my fish. I might make a pass through there tomorrow as a last ditch effort for a bigger bite, but not until I have my 13 pounds from the Pipe hole.”

“All fish want to do 11 months out of the year is eat.”

The Pipe hole Reehm is referring to, is a discharge pipe Reehm found in practice. “Growing up I got to know former Tour Level Pro David Wharton really well before he passed away in 2009.” “Something David taught me, and something I teach in my Elite Angler Academy, is all fish want to do 11 months out of the year is eat.” Reehm took that heart this week and went looking for the “watering-holes.”

“I went out in practice looking for those primary feeding areas. You know the African watering holes, everything comes there to eat and drink. Lions, cheetahs, gazelles, everything comes there to eat, or in some cases be eaten and that’s what I found with this discharge pipe.” “When the water is running these fish sit in the blowout hole and then move up to the rim to feed. I’m throwing a Megabass jerkbait across that rim on 17lb line and ripping the snot out of it. When they hit, they thump the crap out it. Problem is it could be a 2-1/2 pound bass or it could be a grinnel.”   

Reehm says the high water this week on Okeechobee has made the area very accessible but still not very well known. “My Marshall today sent the camera boat driver a waypoint of where we were, 2 hours later he showed up. Said he has lived here all of his life and has never seen this place.”

When asked if the bite was consistent Reehm was quick to point out, “When you catch one off the rim, you’ve caught every fish that is up at that time. You have to back off a little and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes and then throw up there again. When you make that next cast its almost automatic, those fish are there to eat.”  â€œI’ll start with the jerk bait and then follow it up with a speed craw which I am swimming across the rim.”

The weather for day 4 is still calling for windy condistion, 20-25mph worth. Reehm says other than the ride to get to his spot, the wind doesn’t effect him at all. “I’m in 10th place going in to tomorrow and every spot is $1,000 more dollars. I’ve got no where to go but up and that’s what I plan to do. I will go get my 13 pounds and then when they shut the pipe off at 12:30, like they have been doing the last couple of days, I will move out and try some other stuff looking for that kicker.” We asked Clark what he thought he needed to make a run at the top 5 and he told us, “If I catch 15 pounds tomorrow I will be a player for a top 5 spot. I feel confident I can catch 13 (pounds) tomorrow pretty easily.

To learn more about Clark and his Elite Angler Academy, Click the link here. Make sure and follow Clark on Social Media and follow along Sunday, the final day of the FLW Tour Opener on Lake Okeechobee on FLWOutdoors.com

by AnglersChannel

Hellman Heads Into Final Day Looking For Wire-To-Wire Victory

Bradley Hallman Maintains his lead going into final day!: Photo Courtesy of FLW Outdoors

The third day of Walmart FLW Tour events always seem to be the stingiest days. Whether it’s due to condition changes or fishing pressure or both, day three is the seam where anglers’ primary locations and patterns from the first two days begin to fray. As a result, anglers fishing in the top-20 round on day three are faced with some difficult decisions that boil down to staying committed to their primary gig or switching up their game to try something else for a new window that might be opening.

This week at the Walmart FLW Tour event presented by Ranger Boats on Lake Okeedhobee, tournament leader Bradley Hallman, who has sacked up about 25 pounds per day the last two days, says his day-three decision was pretty easy: stay committed to flipping and punching matted reed heads.

That decision resulted in being one fish shy of a limit on day three. But one of his four bass weighed 8 pounds, 10 ounces, pushing Hallman’s catch to 14 pounds, 3 ounces to give him a three-day total of 64-10. His lead over second-place angler Alex Davis is now 13 1/2 pounds going into the fourth and final day in this event that is hosted by Roland and Mary Ann Martin's Marina and Resort and the Hendry County Tourism and Development Council.

“That 8-pounder is why I flip,” Hallman says. “Tomorrow I’m going to flip until the cows come home. I’m not going to get out in the grass and pads and cast a worm around for 7 pounds because while I’m doing that, I could miss the opportunity to catch one of those.

“Last year, Ray Hanselman [winner of four Costa FLW Series events in a row] told me: You don’t have to worry about five fish if they’re the right size,” Hallman continues. “I took that to heart today and kept the big stick in my hand.”

Hallman says it’s not that he didn’t get the bites today that kept him from catching a limit. Rather, the fish just wouldn’t hold on. Hallman committed to the fish, but they would not commit to him.

“I don’t know why that is other than the water temperature dropped 2 1/2 degrees, and with the cloud cover, it did not warm back up much,” he says. “It’s just moody Florida bass I guess.”

Hallman will have to earn his win tomorrow as the forecast now calls for more high winds out of the north to 25 mph and another significant air temperature drop in the wake of a front moving through this evening.

“There is still plenty of clear water in my primary area, and I still think there are plenty of fish there,” he adds. “I’ve got about a dozen reed heads that are key to me; they have produced fish each day. I do try some new ones from time to time, but those dozen or so are what I have relied on, and I am counting on them again tomorrow.”

 

Read the Day 2 Headline Story: Hallman Way in Front

Read the Day 1 Headline Story: Hallman Takes the Lead with 25

 

Top 10 Pros

1. Bradley Hallman – Norman, Okla. – 64-10 (14)

2. Alex Davis – Albertville, Ala. – 51-01 (15)

3. Shinichi Fukae – Palestine, Texas – 47-08 (15)

4. Chris Johnston – Peterborough, Ontario – 45-11 (14)

5. Michael Neal – Dayton, Tenn. – 45-02 (15)

6. Brandon McMillan – Clewiston, Fla. – 44-03 (15)

7. Charlie Weyer – West Hills, Calif. – 43-07 (15)

8. William(Billy) Shelton III – La Crosse, Va. – 41-11 (15)

9. Joshua Weaver – Macon, Ga. – 40-05 (15)

10. Clark Reehm – Huntington, Texas – 40-00 (15)

 

 

Tournament Details

Presenting sponsor: Ranger Boats

Hosts: Roland and Mary Ann Martin's Marina and Resort and Hendry County Tourism and Development Council

Format: Walmart FLW Tour tournaments are four-day events. Co-anglers are randomly paired with pros and fish for two days, with the winner determined by heaviest cumulative two-day weight. All boaters fish the first two days as well, but only the top 20 after two days based on cumulative weight advanced to the third day. After three days, the top 10 anglers based on cumulative weight advance to the fourth and final day. The champion is determined by heaviest four-day total weight.

Takeoff Time: 7:30 a.m.

Takeoff Location:

Days 1 and 2: Roland and Mary Ann Martin’s Marina and Resort, 920 East Del Monte Avenue, Clewiston, FL

Days 3 and 4: Clewiston Boat Basin & Launch, 709 Hoover Dike Road, Clewiston, FL

Weigh-In Time: Days 1 and 2 at 3 p.m.; Day 3 at 4 p.m.

Weigh-In Location:

Days 1 and 2: Roland and Mary Ann Martin’s Marina and Resort, 920 East Del Monte Avenue, Clewiston, FL

Days 3 and 4: Walmart 2484, 1005 W Sugarland Hwy, Clewiston, FL

by AnglersChannel

Hallman Maintains Lead Heading Into Day 3 Of Flw Tour Opener On Lake Okeechobee

Bradley Hallman of Norman OK. Opens up his lead over Alex Davis of Alabama heading into day 3 of the FLW Tour Lake Okeechobee event. : Photo Courtesy of FLW Outdoors

How tough did the bite become as the cold front moved across Lake Okeechobee? Well, it only took 25 pounds, 9 ounces for Jim Tutt to make theTop 20 cut and continue fishing Saturday.

If he hopes to fish in Sunday’s final round, Tutt needs to pick up the pace only slightly, as Greg Bohannan currently occupies the 10th spot with 29-8.

Then there’s Bradley Hallman. Hallman actually improved on his 25-pound first day weight with a sack that went 25-7 today (two ounces less than Tutt’s two-day total). He enjoys an eight-and-a-half-pound lead at the midway point of 2016’s first FLW Tour event.

Billy Shelton had the big bass of the day on the pro side at 7 pounds, 11 ounces.

The top 20 pros that made the Buck Knives Cut and will fish Saturday on Lake Okeechobee are:

               1st:          Bradley Hallman, Norman, Okla., 10 bass, 50-7

               2nd:         Alex Davis, Albertville, Ala., 10 bass, 41-15

               3rd:          Charlie Weyer, West Hills, Calif., 10 bass, 34-6

               4th:          Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 10 bass, 32-6

               5th:          Shinichi Fukae, Palestine, Texas, 10 bass, 32-5

               6th:          Brandon McMillan, Clewiston, Fla., 10 bass, 32-1

               7th:          Joshua Weaver, Macon, Ga., 10 bass, 31-0

               8th:          Ryan Chandler, Hebron, Ind., 10 bass, 30-7

               9th:          Billy Shelton, La Crosse, Va., 10 bass, 30-4

               10th:        Greg Bohannan, Bentonville, Ark., 10 bass, 29-8

               11th:        Matthew Stefan, Junction City, Wis., 10 bass, 28-6

               12th:      Chris Johnston, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, nine bass, 27-12

               13th:        Clark Reehm, Huntington, Texas, 10 bass, 27-5

               14th:        Kevin Johnson, Surprise, Ariz., 10 bass, 27-4

               15th:        John Cox, Debary, Fla., 10 bass, 26-9

               16th:        John Devere, Berea Ky., 10 bass, 26-7

               17th:        Keystone Light pro Jeff Sprague, Point, Texas, 10 bass, 26-3

               18th:        Andy Young, Mound, Minn., 10 bass, 26-2

               19th:        Jamie Horton, Centerville, Ala., 10 bass, 25-12

               20th:        Jim Tutt, Longview, Texas, 10 bass, 25-9

Hallman said he started out flipping the same stuff that produced yesterday but got no bites. “The water clarity was different due to the strong north wind, so I only focused on those spots for about 15 minutes apiece and then moved on. Half of the cover I ended up hitting today was new.”

Hallman gave away an invaluable fishing tip for anyone who wants to become a better flipper - turn your back to the breeze: “In this kind if wind, you have to put your back to it in order to get a better presentation. The bait is so much more efficient and has a lot more action when you throw it.

“I caught a mix of spawning and post-spawn bass, which is good,” said Hallman, noting that he only caught 6 keeper bass today. “The weather tomorrow is supposed to be similar to today but with less wind from the north. As long as it doesn’t get too cold, I can live with it.”

From the back deck:

Tim Cales of Sandstone, West Virginia, won the co-angler division and $20,000 Friday with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 30 pounds, 11 ounces, followed by Gary Haraguchi of Redding, California, who finished in second place with 10 bass weighing 27 pounds, 5 ounces worth $7,500.

“I got laid off from my job a month ago, so this has really been a blessing for me,” said Cales, who is fishing his second season as a co-angler on the FLW Tour. “I caught most of my fish this week on a Deep Creek Lures Lizard and a Vertical Lures Creature X.”

For the 2nd srtraight day a co-angler caught the biggest bass of the day. In fact, Greg Manfield’s 8-2 is the biggest bass of the whole derby so far. The angler form Minnesota won $250 for the feat.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

               1st:          Tim Cales, Sandstone, W. Va., 10 bass, 30-11 $20,000

               2nd:         Gary Haraguchi, Redding, Calif., 10 bass, 27-5, $7,500

               3rd:          Greg Mansfield, Burnsville, Minn., 10 bass, 26-5, $5,250

               4th:          Maurice Cobb, Kuttawa, Ky., 10 bass, 25-4, $4,000

               5th:          Vincent Yonemitsu, Thornhill, Ontario, Canada, 10 bass, 25-3, $3,000

               6th:          Spiro Agouros, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, eight bass, 25-0, $2,500

               7th:          Frank Divis Sr., Farmington, Ark., 10 bass, 23-9, $2,000

               8th:          Todd Lee, Jasper, Ala., 10 bass, 22-1, $1,800

               9th:          Larry Mullikin, Lauderhill, Fla., nine bass, 21-12, $1,700

               10th:        Logan Thomas, Gilbertsville, Ky., 10 bass, 21-12, $1,600

by AnglersChannel

Day 1 Details From Flw Tour On Okeechobee

CLEWISTON, Fla. (Feb. 4, 2016) – Oklahoma pro Bradley Hallman, brought a five-bass limit to the scale weighing 25 pounds even Thursday to grab the early lead after day one of the Walmart FLW Tour at Lake Okeechobee presented by Ranger Boats. Right behind him in second place is renowned Okeechobee angler Brandon McMillan of Clewiston, who weighed in five bass totaling 22-8. Hallman now brings a 2½-pound lead into day two of the four-day tournament that features 169 of the top bass-fishing anglers in the world competing for a top cash award of up to $125,000.

“It is very enjoyable to lead the first day, but it is Okeechobee,” said Hallman, who is fishing in the first Walmart FLW Tour event of his career after a stellar 2015 season in the semi-pro Costa FLW Series. “How many times have we seen guys come down here and catch them and lead one day, then come back with four pounds the next day. I had a great day today and I’m happy to be in the position that I’m in.”

Hallman said that he fished mainly in one key area on the south end of the lake, but was covering a lot of water and had his trolling motor on high for most of the day.

“I caught 20 to 25 fish today, but not all of them were big,” Hallman said. “I’m flipping and throwing a winding bait, and I’m catching fish on both.”

The Norman, Oklahoma native said that he had very little experience on Okeechobee, having fished just one FLW Series tournament on the lake more than eight years ago. In preparation for this tournament, Hallman said that he studied old episodes of the “FLW” television show to help find the big fish.

“I spent a lot of time watching videos and old TV shows and year after year after year I was seeing the big fish coming out of the same vegetation. So, I looked for that and what I’m fishing looks like the same stuff.”

With local meteorologists predicting a cold front and a strong north wind tomorrow, most anglers expect day two to fish drastically different than the first which saw sunny 80-degree temperatures and a slight breeze from the south.

“Tomorrow will be survival day,” said Hallman. “I don’t have the experience on this lake, so I don’t know what areas are going to be protected from the wind and what’s not. I’m going to go check the area that I fished today in the morning and if it doesn’t look good I’ll get back in the canal and head to the north end.”

The top 10 pros after day one on Lake Okeechobee are:

1st:          Bradley Hallman, Norman, Okla., five bass, 25-0

2nd:         Brandon McMillan, Clewiston, Fla., five bass, 22-8

3rd:          Alex Davis, Albertville, Ala., five bass, 21-0

4th:          Joshua Weaver, Macon, Ga., five bass, 20-12

5th:          Ryan Chandler, Hebron, Ind., five bass, 20-6

6th:          Shinichi Fukae, Palestine, Texas, five bass, 20-3

7th:          Darrel Robertson, Jay, Okla., five bass, 18-11

8th:          Jim Tutt, Longview, Texas, five bass, 18-7

9th:          John Devere, Berea Ky., five bass, 18-6

10th:        FLW Foundation pro Cody Kelley, Conway, Ark., five bass, 17-0

For a full list of results visit FLWFishing.com.

Tommy Dickerson of Orange, Texas, earned the Big Bass Award on the pro side Thursday, weighing a 7-pound, 2-ounce largemouth to win the $500 prize.

Overall there were 780 bass weighing 1,729 pounds, 6 ounces caught by 168 pros Thursday. The catch included 139 five-bass limits.

Vincent Yonemitsu of Thornhill, Ontario, Canada, leads the co-angler division with five bass weighing 18 pounds, 11 ounces, followed by Michel Purvis of Canton, Georgia, in second place with five bass weighing 18 pounds even.

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

1st:           Vincent Yonemitsu, Thornhill, Ontario, five bass, 18-11

2nd:         Michel Purvis, Canton, Ga., five bass, 18-0

3rd:          William Roberts, Fairfax, Va., five bass, 16-14

4th:          Tyler Meredith, Oliver Springs, Tenn., five bass, 15-15

5th:          Spiro Agouros, Oshawa, Ontario, five bass, 15-10

6th:          Joey Cifuentes, Clinton, Ark., five bass, 15-9

6th:          Matt Surman, Boca Raton, Fla., five bass, 15-9

8th:          Gary Haraguchi, Redding, Calif., five bass, 15-8

9th:          Maurice Cobb, Kuttawa, Ky., five bass, 15-7

10th:        Todd Lee, Jasper, Ala., five bass, 14-5

Surman earned the Bridgford Big Bass Award on the co-angler side Thursday with a largemouth totaling 7 pounds, 15 ounces to win the $250 prize.

Overall there were 636 bass weighing 1,218 pounds, 11 ounces caught by 161 co-anglers Thursday. The catch included 97 five-bass limits.

In addition to casting for top awards of up to $125,000 cash in the pro division and up to $25,000 cash in the co-angler division, anglers are also competing for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2016 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing. The 2016 Forrest Wood Cup will be in Huntsville, Alabama, Aug. 4-7 on Wheeler Lake.

Anglers will take off from Roland & Mary Ann Martin’s Marina & Resort located at 920 E. Del Monte, Ave., in Clewiston at 7:30 a.m. each day. Friday’s weigh-ins will be held at the marina beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s final weigh-ins will be held at Walmart, located at 1005 W. Sugarland Highway., in Clewiston beginning at 4 p.m.

Fans will also be treated to the FLW Expo on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. at Walmart prior to the final weigh-ins. The Expo includes a 100-yard Lew’s Casting Lane, the opportunity to interact with professional anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities. All activities are free and open to the public.

Also for youth, the FLW Foundation’s Unified Fishing Derby will be held at Roland & Mary Ann Martin’s Marina on Saturday, Feb. 6 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. The event is hosted by FLW Foundation pro Cody Kelley along with other FLW Tour anglers, and is free and open to area youth 15 years of age and younger and Special Olympics athletes. Rods and reels are available for use, but youth are encouraged to bring their own if they own one. All bait is provided by the DMF Bait Company.

Coverage of the Lake Okeechobee tournament will be broadcast in high-definition (HD) this fall. The Emmy-nominated "FLW" television show airs on NBCSN, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network as well as FLWFishing.com and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world.

The tournament is hosted by Roland & Mary Ann Martin’s Marina & Resort and the Hendry County Tourism Development Council.

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

by AnglersChannel

Hallman Leads Day 1 As Flw Tour Kicks Off On Okeechobee

The 2016 FLW Tour got started today on Lake Okeechobee. There were the usual freak show bags – Bradley Hallman leads with 25 pounds and the top 6 anglers all had better than 20 pounds.

But then, an even 17-pound sack put Cody Kelley in the top 10.

And, typically, the first day produces the heaviest weights.

Here are the top 10 pros and their weights:

1        BRADLEY HALLMAN  25 - 0 (5)                        

2        BRANDON MCMILLAN         22 - 8 (5)                        

3        ALEX DAVIS       21 - 0 (5)                        

4        JOSHUA WEAVER        20 - 12 (5)            

5        RYAN CHANDLER       20 - 6 (5)                        

6        SHINICHI FUKAE         20 - 3 (5)                        

7        DARREL ROBERTSON 18 - 11 (5)                      

8        JIM TUTT   18 - 7 (5)              

9        JOHN DEVERE    18 - 6 (5)              

10      CODY KELLEY   17 - 0 (5)              

There were plenty of bass to go around. Even the co-anglers caught them pretty well. The average co-angler bag had 3 fish that weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces. The figure was 4 fish at 10 pounds, 4 ounces for the guys in the front of the boat. There were 97 limits in the co-angler field of 169 competitors.

Co-angler Matt Surman caught the biggest single bass in either division with his 7 pound, 15 ounce specimen.

Tommy Dickerson had the big bass on the pro side with a 7-2.

Vincent Yonemitsu leads the co-angler division with 18 pounds, 11 ounces, followed closely by Michael Purvis who has 18-even.

With so many small-to-medium-size fish to be found, success belonged to those who could catch a couple of big girls.

That has always been the case in Florida except for those rare times when it takes limits of 7-pounders to top the field. The lake is healthy and fishing fine, but the water is up, the weather is less than perfect and we don’t appear to be in for such an extremely high weight tournament.

Still, 25 pounds of Okeechobee bass say that Hallman is the man today. According to our friends at FLW Outdoors, “Hallman experienced steady, impressive action all day and says he sorted through 20 or 30 fish en route to piecing together his limit. The 2015 Grand Lake Costa FLW Series champion seems confident about his chances of having another big day tomorrow, despite a forecast 180-degree wind shift and 20-degree difference in the projected high temperature.”

McMillan, always a threat to win on his home lake, got off to the right kind of start as well. He has 4 days to build on hid opening effort of 22-8.

AnglersChannel.com will share more as we learn the details throughout this evening and the next 3 days. Stick around!

 

by AnglersChannel

Sportsmans Warehouse Tackle Preview - Weekend Of Feb. 6 & 7Th.

Sportsmans Warehouse Fishing Dept. Manager Craig Beard talks to us about whats hot across the South East in this weeks Sportsmans Warehouse Tackle Preview. Check it out and make sure you have what you need to be successful this weekend on the water!

by AnglersChannel

Looking Forward To Flw Tour Kick Off On Okeechobee!

AnglersChannel.com Insider Vance McCullough looks ahead to the FLW Tour season-opener which kicks off hours from now on one of the nation's most famous fisheries - Lake Okeechobee!

by AnglersChannel

2016 Cbc Lake Wylie Preivew With Director Brett Collins!

CBC Tournament Director Brett Collins will have his hands full this Sat on Lake Wylie with over 200 boats expected to kick off this years trail....his full preview of the Lake and what it will take to win the $8000 Guaranteed 1st place prize is right here!

by AnglersChannel

FLW Practice Report - Lake Okeechobee

Interesting, crazy, uneventful, boring, fickle

The consensus regarding Lake Okeechobee from the anglers we spoke to today, the off-limits rest day for the 169 Professional Anglers and Co-Anglers fishing the opener for the 2016 FLW Tour was broad. Words like Interesting, crazy, uneventful, boring and fickle were used among some others we would rather not print.

To say this tournament will be different from the Costa Series opener three weeks ago would be an understatement. The water on the Big O is 2 to 3 feet higher than it was and the clearer, cleaner water is harder to find for most guys. One description we overheard from one angler was, “its going to be close fishing and hand to hand combat.” Unclear if he meant with the fish or other Pro’s but when they blast off tomorrow morning it will be anybody’s game for sure.

Photo Courtesy of Rogue Outdoor Media

Stetson Blaylock in his 7th year on tour told us he expected Okeechobee to be fickle. “Its fickle when the fish are biting good but its particularly fickle when they’re not.” “The guy who wins this event has no clue he’s going to win it, he’s gonna run across them in a small area where they might be bedding or getting ready to spawn or he will just find a clump of them and lean on them until the end.”  When asked if he thought this would be a sight fishing event, Blaylock was quick to say “no.” “I think we are still dealing with Pre-spawn fish because of the water clarity being what it is and the fact that where we used to catch them here in 3 to 4 foot of water, its now 5 to 7 feet and that cleaner water that these fish like is just not as prominent as it has been.”

“I think the guy that can out finesse the rest of the field will pull this thing off this week.”

Blaylock has a couple of patterns that he figured out in practice, but feels one key bait might be the player here this week. “I feel like the Senko will make its way back to the rods of a number of the top guys this week. That bait has just the right finesse action and could be the ticket.” “These fish have seen a lot of pressure these past few weeks from the BFL guys to the Costa series guys and now us. I think the guy that can out finesse the rest of the field will pull this thing off this week.” When asked about his strategy as he kicks off his 2016 FLW Campaign, Blaylock said, “I’m going to fish expecting what’s to come. Practice is over and you can’t fish practice here, you have to look at the bigger picture and fish what’s ahead of you. I’m ready."

 

Photo Courtesy of FLW Outdoors

Photo Courtesy of FLW Outdoors

From Finesse fishing to fishing his strengths, newly appointed Bass Cat Pro Andrew Upshaw has a different approach this week. “I’ve come here many times in the past and had phenomenal practices and then sucked it up in the tournament. I came in with a different approach this week and I hope it pays off for me.” Upshaw, a native of Oklahoma said his practice was satisfactory to not very pleasurable. “I came in looking for 5 or 6 key areas and I found those. I would get a few bites and leave and then not get bit for the rest of the day. That makes for a long day. But I accomplished my goals for practice and now I am ready for the tournament to start."

 

“I have more rods in my Puma FTD with fluorocarbon on them than braid."

 

Like Blaylock who is fishing his strengths, Upshaw plans to do the same. “I love to fish a Rat-l-Trap around grass.” Says Upshaw, “I have more rods in my Puma FTD with fluorocarbon on them than braid” which is unusual for Florida fishing this time of year. “I feel though that I can put together a good limit with my Rat-l-Trap and then take my new Gene Larew Punch Out Craw and go look for a big kicker fish late in the day when the sun is high and pushing those bigger fish up.”

Look for Blaylock and Upshaw tomorrow as the FLW Tour kicks off out of Roland Martin Marina on Lake Okeechobee. Follow along FLW’s Twitter feed for daily updates and tune in to FLW Live Thursday at 3:00pm EST to watch the weigh in live.

by AnglersChannel

Plano Tackle Says "better Days Are Coming" With Their New Weekend Series Tackle Bags!

Plano, IL (January 29, 2017) – The epic rock tune from the 80’s said it well, but probably should have incorporated at least one full verse about fishing: Yeah, we’re working for the weekend… and when it gets here we’re hitting the lake.  And while we’re rewriting the song, let’s leave out that part about a new romance… although it does kind of rhyme with a few more bass.

 

Well, the point is that serious anglers who work for the weekends need serious gear to help maximize their enjoyment once those precious days roll around. Thankfully, Plano’s all-new Weekend Series includes 11 different tackle cases and bags, providing working anglers with visually exciting and highly practical tackle storage options that are true to the Plano name. And courtesy of super affordable prices, when the weekend does get here, we’ll have plenty of extra money left over for a few new baits to add to the bag.

Plano Weekend Series Tackle Bag (Model No. 413700: 3700 / Red)

The new Weekend Series Tackle Bags are the largest in the Weekend Series and provide the greatest storage capacity and organizational capability. Available in staple 3600 and 3700 sizes, both bags incorporate a top-flap lid design that covers the main zippered compartment and bag front, providing ultra clean looks. The easy-opening buckles securing the flap are user friendly for any size hands, and provide quick access to the Weekend Series Tackle Bags’ accommodating main compartments.

Inside, anglers will find ample room for up to four aptly sized Plano StowAway Utility Boxes – enough capacity for a load of favorite lures. Two additional large, zippered pockets exist on each end of these bags, while two more are protected beneath the flap on the front – perfect for stashing copious bags of soft plastics, spare spools and other essential gear. An extra measure of welcomed storage for pliers, sunglasses and such comes courtesy of three mesh utility pockets – one on each end and one along the back. A reinforced top-carry handle ensures reliable transport, while a padded shoulder strap is also provided for longer hauls to and from the truck or garage.

An affordable tackle bag doesn’t have to be an ugly bag. Both 3600 and 3700 size Weekend Series Tackle Bags are available in attractive red, blue or green color schemes with contrasting accent panels and trims that match other product offerings in the Weekend Series.

 

Plano Weekend Series Tackle Bag (Model No. 413710: 3700 / Green) 

 

 

 

 

Plano Weekend Series Tackle Bags

  • Durable construction
  • Easy-opening buckles for large hands
  • Available in Blue, Red or Green color schemes
  • Available in 3600 or 3700 sizes
  • Includes two StowAway Utility Boxes in corresponding size
  • Holds four StowAway Utility Boxes in corresponding size
  • Four exterior zippered pockets plus three mesh pockets
  • Padded shoulder strap and reinforced top carry handle for easy and reliable transport

 

 

Model Numbers, Colors, Exterior Dimensions & MSRPs

Model No. 413620: 3600 / Blue (16.5”x9”x8.75”) / MSRP $29.99

Model No. 413600: 3600 / Red

Model No. 413610: 3600 / Green

Model No. 413720: 3700 / Blue (19.5”x9.5”x10”) / MSRP $34.99

Model No. 413700: 3700 / Red

Model No. 413710: 3700 / Green

 

 

Plano’s new Weekend Series Tackle Bags provide enhanced access tackle storage, exceptional durability and great looks at affordable prices – hallmarks of Plano’s all-new Weekend Series, which includes multiple sizes and colors of Tackle Bags, Softsider Tackle Bags, Tackle Cases, Speed Bags, and Worm Speed Bags, allowing anglers to build an overall customized tackle storage system for their specific needs. Learn more at www.planomolding.com.

 

Don’t wait. Saturday’s almost here.

 

 

Plano Weekend Series Tackle Bag (Model No. 413720: 3700 / Blue)

 

 

 

 

 

#PlanoFishing

by AnglersChannel

Team Of Keith & Scott Addis Win Fishers Of Men Event On Lake Keowee!

Team of Keith & Scott Addis win Fishers of Men event on Lake Keowee!    

96 teams were represented at the Friday night meeting. We were blessed to see 2 men pray to receive Christ and another 12 recommit their lives to Jesus and remember that He is Lord. I had the privilege of speaking and it proves that God can change the lives of anyone of us, if we will hear HIS voice and SURRENDER to HIS call. Because frankly guys my life has been as jacked up as they come.

Thanks to Mill Church and Bryan Holder for hosting us tonight. These guys went way out of the way with the crowd coming in at about 20 boats more than we planned for and that is awesome. We are now planning for 120 boats at the Greenwood event so please reach out to your friends that fished the BFL remind them they can fish with their buddy for less than half the entry and win the same amounts of money fishing with us.

IF YOU MAKE THE EFFORT AND BRING 4 NEW TEAMS TO FISH WITH US AT GREENWOOD FOM WILL PAY YOUR ENTRY. At the Keowee event Sammy Moody and Hank O’shields brought 6 and fished for free, even took home a check.

Our FIRST place team, Keith and Scott Addis killed it today with a 16 lb sack, and a 4.98lb kicker. They took home a total of $7,120 today, which included their Bonus Bucks pot and a $1,000 BONUS from Palmetto Boat Center (boat purchased from the RIGHT place!!!). SADLY THE ADDIS BOYS LEFT ANOTHER $3500 IN REEL MONEY / CAPTAINS MONEY WITH POWER POLE AND SKEETER ON THE TABLE. Don’t worry guys you can get it at Greenwood. Remember to register your rigs guys with all the applicable bonus money programs that are out their. When every thing was added up the payout came out to be right at 100% with moneys still going to points championship pot, regionals as well as the national championship pot.

Fishers of Men would like to thank all of our fine sponsors; BassCat Boats, Mercury, Stren, Pflueger,

Strike King Lure Company, Farm to Feet, Marshall’s Marine, Kings Home, Power-Pole, Raymarine,Duckett Fishing, Buckeye Lures, T&H Maine, Gator Guards, Solar Bat, Kistler Rods, HydroWave, Enigma,Jacobs Glass, Rayjus Sportswear and Rejuvenade.

Once again thanks so much to all of our sponsors and our SC Upstate sponsors as well that include : Palmetto Marine Center, CandL Services, Rainbow Baits, Rhodes blade runners, Anderson county parks and recreation, Lowrance, Enigma Fishing, and ARCpoint Labs.

The Arcpoint labs 24/7 health care program is still available to all who are intrested feel free to see the bottom of this email.

Below are the TX results, and will be posted with points later this weekend.

Please be patient with us as we get all out NEW teams entered in the database.

1_;_Keith Addis_&_Scott Addis__16lbs_;_7120

2_;_Joe Anders_&_Greg Glouse__14.36_;_1500

3_;_Patrick Martin_&_Stacy Lowe__13.19_;_1375

4_;_Sammy Moody_&_Hank Oshields__12.2_;_809

5_;_Robby Hipps_&_Jim Crider__11.72_;_433

5_;_Brian Anthony_&_Gage Anthony__11.72_;_433

6_;_Shawn Gray_&_Keith Gray__11.38_;_391

7_;_Jerry Kotal_&_Daryl McClellon__11.19_;_363

8_;_Jason Maxwell_&_Chip Pearson__10.94_;_307

9_;_Kevin Ramey_&_David Saxon__10.81_;_280

10_;_Michael Anders_&_Jon Anders__10.81_;_280

11_;_Randy Cody_&_David Kuykendall__10.54_;_252

12_;_Andrew Allen_&_Andrew Fowler__10.48_;_224

13_;_Chris Rhodes_&_Reggie Luper__10.4_;_224

14_;_Ronny Gillespie_&_Jay Driggers__10.27_;_224

15_;_Kevin Allman_&_David Hicks__10.19_;_196

16_;_David Vaughn_&_Rick Steckelberg__10.12_;_196

17_;_Paul Gettys_&_Russell Clark__9.73_;_196

18_;_Brian Tidwell_&_Mike Tidwell__9.54_;_154

19_;_Derrick Bridges_&_Greg Bridges__9.41_;_

20_;_Tommy Stacy_&_Sam Storey__9.34_;_

21_;_Jake Hendricks_&_Brad Rowland__9.13_;_

22_;_Mack Robbins_&_Greg Stewart__9.11_;_

23_;_Butch Pitts_&_Rusty Savage__9_;_

24_;_Bryan Holder_&_Evan Silver__8.99_;_

25_;_Brian Cothran_&_Sam Osburn__8.81_;_

26_;_Buster Nix_&_Danny Klein__8.67_;_

27_;_Michael Lusk_&_Brent Quarles__8.63_;_

28_;_Barton Aiken_&_Jeff Rohaley__8.61_;_

29_;_Gary McCall_&_Brandon Black__8.6_;_

30_;_Dave Rosenburg_&_Chase Simmemon__8.56_;_

31_;_Bryan Waddell_&_Zachary Waddell__8.48_;_

32_;_Chris Coleman_&_Truett Hill__8.4_;_

33_;_Tyler Bartram_&_Chuck Bartram__7.96_;_

34_;_Dan Morrow_&_Tony Richardson__7.9_;_

35_;_Tom Cloer_&_Michael Brewer__7.8_;_

36_;_Kim Neal_&_Adam Neal__7.74_;_

37_;_Bobbi Jo Gibert_&_Caston Gibert__7.65_;_

38_;_Jimmy Turner_&_Mark Weaver__7.4_;_

39_;_Carl Whitfield_&_Bo Hill__7.32_;_

40_;_Jerry Hart_&_Wendal Asley__7.16_;_

41_;_Dennis Tench_&_Bill Styles__7.15_;_

42_;_Jerry Mullinax_&_Jeff Massey__6.78_;_

43_;_Jody Hughes_&_Rob Hicks__6.69_;_

44_;_Justin Rowland_&_Shawn Lusk__6.66_;_

45_;_Truman Murphy_&_Spencer Merck__6.43_;_

46_;_Jim Sanders_&_Josh Walden__6.13_;_

47_;_Shane Abbott_&_Brian Jones__6_;_

48_;_Neal Shade_&_Michael Miller__5.99_;_

49_;_Kurt Brooks_&_Steven James__5.95_;_

50_;_David Brown_&_Brandon Brown__5.87_;_

51_;_Brad Burdette_&_Joey Taylor__5.77_;_

52_;_Jonathan Botts_&_Wayne Botts__5.76_;_

53_;_Donnie Mattison_&_Russell O'Quinn__5.3_;_

54_;_David Arnold_&_Scott Strickland__5.12_;_

55_;_Clark Richardson_&_Mark Vaughn__4.95_;_

56_;_Julious Lively_&_John Long__4.8_;_

57_;_Michael Baumgardner_&_Steven Kimling__4.63_;_

58_;_Jason McClendon_&_Chad Griffin__4.5_;_

59_;_David Few_&_Shane Enlow__3.88_;_

60_;_John Norris_&_Danny Joiner__3.52_;_

61_;_Joe Richardson_&_Ron D Carson__3.47_;_

62_;_Chuck Tinsley_&_Austin Taylor__3.41_;_

63_;_Jamie Jeffcoat_&_Randall Davis__3.33_;_

64_;_Eddie Landreth_&_Tony Holliday__3.2_;_

65_;_Jimmy Hendricks_&_Wade Hendricks__3.18_;_

66_;_Greg Richetson_&_Cory McGaha__3.17_;_

67_;_Joey Tucker_&_Terry Perry__3.01_;_

68_;_Terry Smith_&_Kevin Fulmer__2.97_;_

69_;_Brandon Seffrin_&_Tyler Swaney__2.91_;_

70_;_Otis Weir_&_Thomas Lawson__2.9_;_

71_;_Jason Moyer_&_Andy Hunter__2.62_;_

72_;_Al Smallwood_&_Tony Tinsley__2.37_;_

73_;_Wesley Moore_&_Daniel Moore__2.03_;_

74_;_Derek Lehtonen_&_Roger hughes__1.99_;_

75_;_Bobby Davis_&_Randy Hunnicut__1.76_;_

76_;_Robert Stewart_&_Kiefer Smith__0_;_

76_;_Bobby Thornton_&_Brent Thornton__0_;_

76_;_Chad Watson_&_Jake Watson__0_;_

76_;_Chris Wells_&_Robbie Sox__0_;_

76_;_Jeff Wood_&_Cliff Tilley__0_;_

76_;_Justin Baskins_&_Tyler Coker__0_;_

76_;_Josh Chamberlain_&_Shane Powell__0_;_

76_;_Randy Morrison_&_Brant Turner__0_;_

76_;_Brad Nappier_&_Brian Nappier__0_;_

76_;_Zack Hicks_&_Mark Hicks__0_;_

76_;_Rodney Chastain_&_Jayson Snyder__0_;_

76_;_Robert Stancell_&_Marcus Church__0_;_

76_;_Joseph Marks_&_Anthony Marks__0_;_

76_;_Keith Mock_&_Ben Franklin__0_;_

76_;_Terry Moore_&_Mike Cole__0_;_

76_;_Jimmy Raper_&_Jason Childs__0_;_

76_;_Clyde Norris_&_Mike Maloy__0_;_

76_;_Charles Murphy_&_John McCall__0_;_

76_;_Tyler Thompson_&_Billy Holcomble__0_;_

76_;_Jimmy McColllin_&_Mike Thrift__0_;_

76_;_Joey Smith_&_Brian Epps__0_;_

76_;_Jason Burroughs_&_Charles L. Harrison__0_;_

76_;_Michael Cox_&_Michael Holland__0_;_

by AnglersChannel

2016 Blastoff Is Here! Flw-Cbc-Rat-L-Trap Open All On Deck For This Sat!

AC Pro Staffer Rob Digh joins us to kick off what promises to be another great 2016 Tournament season....we dive into how good is the big O right now? What will happen on Guntersville this Sat as well as the CBC on Wylie! Click here for the whole story!

by AnglersChannel

Mckamey, Oliver Of Ucf Win Flw College Fishing Southeastern Conference Opener On Crescent Lake

BUNNELL, Fla. (Jan. 30, 2016) – The University of Central Florida team of Hunter McKamey of Geneva, Tennessee, and Kyle Oliver of Winter Garden, Florida, won the FLW College Fishing Southeastern Conference opener on Crescent Lake Saturday with five bass weighing 22 pounds, 3 ounces. The victory earned the club $2,000 and advanced the team to the 2017 FLW College Fishing National Championship.

“It feels great to win this tournament and bring some prize money back to campus,” said McKamey, a junior majoring in marketing. “We felt confident coming into today and everything seemed to work out the way we wanted.”

“It’s Hunter and I’s last season together, so to qualify for the College Fishing National Championship is really exciting,” said Oliver, a junior majoring in business management. “Our college fishing career has been quite a run, but I think we’ve got some more left in us.”

The duo said they primarily flipped Cypress trees in Dunn’s Creek just north of Crescent Lake. They said they used one bait – a Backatya-colored Gambler Why Not – to put together their winning stringer.

“We hit a 300-yard stretch of water about six or seven times,” said McKamey. “We also focused on steeper banks, especially ones that were dropping off into 18 to 20-foot depths.”

The team said they caught 11 of 12 keepers along the stretch, with their kicker coming with just 30 minutes left in the event, from an isolated grass mat near the takeoff ramp.

“We used a ½-ounce weight on the Why Not which seemed to trigger a better reaction from the bass compared to the smaller weights that we heard other teams were throwing,” said Oliver. “The water was a little cold for this time of year, but the fish were still aggressive. Luckily the bigger ones pulled up for us.”

The top 10 teams that advanced to the 2017 College Fishing National Championship are:

1st:          University of Central Florida – Hunter McKamey, Geneva, Tenn., and Kyle Oliver, Winter Garden, Fla., five bass, 22-3, $2,000 Club Scholarship

2nd:         Florida Gulf Coast University – Beau Clymer and Hunter Bozeman, both of Ocala, Fla., five bass, 15-3, $1,000 Club Scholarship

3rd:          East Carolina University – Austin Warmus and Michael Corbishley, both of Raleigh, N.C., five bass, 14-1, $500 Club Scholarship

4th:          University of South Carolina – William Miller, High Point, N.C., and Ethan Ingle, West Columbia, S.C., five bass, 13-14, $500 Club Scholarship

5th:          University of South Alabama – M.J. Vihnanek, Walnut Hill, Fla., and William Knapp, Birmingham, Ala., four bass, 13-12, $500 Club Scholarship

6th:          Daytona State College – James Oltorik and Thomas Oltorik, both of DeLand, Fla., five bass, 13-10

7th:          Appalachian State University – Matthew Reid, Clayton, N.C., and Kelly Johnson, Sherrill’s Ford, N.C., five bass, 13-2

8th:          University of Central Florida - John Larsen, Oviedo, Fla., and Justin Brown, Margate, Fla., five bass, 12-14

9th:          Georgia College & State University – Zachary Bennett, Loganville, Ga., and Chase Williams, Milledgeville, Ga., three bass, 12-14

10th:        Southwest Mississippi Community College – Logan Morel and Cole Nunnery, both of Smithdale, Miss., four bass, 12-10

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

This FLW College Fishing Southeastern Conference event was the first regular-season qualifying tournament in the Southeastern conference. The next event for Southeastern Conference anglers is a tournament scheduled for May 21 on Lake Guntersville in Guntersville, Alabama.

FLW College Fishing teams compete in regular-season qualifying tournaments in one of five conferences – Central, Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Western. The top ten teams from each division’s three regular-season tournaments and the top 15 teams from the annual FLW College Fishing Open will advance to the 2017 FLW College Fishing National Championship.

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

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

by AnglersChannel

College Team Of Schroeder & Heigley Take 350 Boat Texas Team Trail Competitors To School!

Schroeder & Heigley win TTT Opener!!Schroeder & Heigley win TTT Opener!!
JASPER, Texas - Sam Rayburn is known as one of the premier big-bass factories in the Lone Star State.
However, during the prespawn, it can be fickle as the hefty largemouths often school up in tight, mid-depth locales. While the search process is laborious, once a staging spot is found, the fishing can be lights out. College anglers Blake Schroeder and Easton Heigley did their homework, put in extra practice time and located a handful of sweet spots with their electronics. While they knew these areas had potential, they had no idea they would produce 27 pounds, more than enough weight to win the 2016 season opening Texas Team Trail event, presented by Cabela's.
 
While Schroeder and Heigley are young in terms of age, they possess ample Sam Rayburn experience. Both anglers are students at Stephen F. Austin, a powerhouse college fishing team, located just north of Rayburn. Furthermore, Heigley grew up in Brookeland, Texas, and has been fishing Rayburn for most of his life.
 
"We had some areas where fish normally hold this time of year," said Schroeder. "We've been on them for a couple weeks and we just continued to check on them. These are classic prespawn areas. Last year, we kind of fell behind the curve and were too late to adjust. This year we stayed on top of what the fish were doing."
 
Schroeder and Heigley's main areas were located in water 15 to 20 feet deep. They did catch one of their five weigh fish up shallow. 
 
"It was a rotation of about five spots," added Schroeder. "We just stuck to it and ran our stuff."
 
Within the first five minutes of the tournament, Schroeder and Heigley caught a solid keeper, which ended up being the smallest one they weighed. Then they caught a big one weighing about 5 or 6 pounds and left that first area with three in the box. They then moved to their next area and filled out a five-bass limit. 
 
"We went back to our primary area and caught another decent fish. Then we caught another 5- or 6-pounder. We left again, and went to another spot. Our third cast there produced about a 7-pounder, our biggest fish of the day."
 
The young duo then went shallow, thinking there could be a few quality fish up as Rayburn's water level remains above full pool.
 
"We fished the bushes for a bit and caught another 4-pounder and that was pretty much it. We caught everything we had by about 12:30 p.m. We thought we had about 23 or 24 pounds, but they were fat and full of eggs."
 
The offshore pattern was Carolina rigging a Strike King Game Hawg. When they flipped the bushes, they used a black-and-blue Beaver. They described their staging areas as bare and almost void of structure. 
 
"They're just flats basically - places they live in the prespawn and postspawn. Some are timing orientated, some are just resident fish. We caught about 20 fish throughout the day. We fished really cleaned and capitalized on everything that bit." 
 
At ages 20 and 19, Schroeder, a finance major, and Heigley, a marketing major, aren't even old enough to legally enjoy a celebratory alcoholic beverage. But they will return to college having won a new boat and motor package - a Triton 189TRX with a 150-horsepower Mercury outboard and $3,525 of Anglers Advantage cash.
 
"It's an honor to beat those guys. We've seen a lot of them on TV growing up. We knew we had the talent to compete, but we had to execute. It feel greats to be No. 1 in a 350-boat field.
 
"It's funny. Last Sunday morning my alarm went off for another day of practice. I was debating do I get up early or not. I decided I would do it for the $30,000. I guess that paid off."
 
Wilson and Bebber second
 
Kris Wilson of Montgomery, Texas, and Charles Bebber of Willis, Texas, finished second with a five-bass limit weighing 24.68 pounds. The two started out shallow - throwing spinnerbaits and crankbaits in and around the bushes.
 
"We caught three early," said Wilson. "Then we moved another 10 miles up the lake. We caught one more up shallow there. Then we went deep and fished small, pinpoint structures - running all over place. We caught a limit and then culled one here, one there. We probably caught more deep, but three of the five that rode to weigh-in came from up shallow."
 
When Wilson and Bebber were offshore, they used a combination of Carolina rigs, football jigs and big crankbaits.
 
"Overall, we fished clean. We're happy with second place. We never did feel like we had enough to win. We knew it would take at least one more big fish. It usually takes a lot more weight than that."
 
Wilson and Bebber earned a total paycheck of $11,301.
 
Rowe and Pate third
 
Kyle Rowe and Ted Pate took third with a 22.63-pound stringer, earning $7,615.
 
"We had a really good practice," said Rowe. "We found them sitting in about 10 or 12 feet of water going into the mouths of creeks. Once we figured out that depth, we basically ran a pattern and had about 10 different places."
 
Rowe and Pate caught their fish on a Carolina rig with either a Brush Hog or a Lizard and a DD-22 crankbait.
 
"We started off with the Carolina rig. Later in the day the fish came off the bottom a bit and we switched to the crankbait. The water temperature was really warming up and really making the fish move. 
 
"We caught a lot of bass - probably 10 limits of keeper fish. We had a good sack. We just had a couple of 3-pounders we couldn't get rid of."
 
Brower-Blankenship fourth, Campise-Vice fifth
 
In fourth place with 21.29 pounds was Jamin Brower and Ricky Blakenship. Behind them was James Campise and Bobby Vice with 21.18 pounds. Both teams brought five-bass limits to the scale. Campise and Vice caught their fish cranking on main-lake points in 12 to 15 feet of water.
 
11.31lb Big Fish of the tournament Michael Roger & Josh Williams
Rest of the best
 
Rounding out the top 10 teams at the 2016 Texas Team Trail event on Sam Rayburn:
 
6th: Craig May and Johnny Franks, 20.95
7th: Matthew McArdle and Josh Bensema, 20.80
8th: Rusty Harvey and Chris Harvey, 20.50
9th: Phil Marks and Tim Reneau, 20.44
10th: Stephen Johnston and John Iles, 20.39
 
Up next
 
The second qualifier of the 2016 Texas Team Trail season is slated for Feb. 20 on Toledo Bend.   Get registered online!
For Full Results Click Here!

by AnglersChannel

Strader Hangs On For Southern Open Win And Berth In 2017 Bassmasters Classic!

Wesley Strader of TN celebrates a narrow 2 ounce win over Cody Detweiler

 Photo Courtesy of BASS

Story by John Neporadny / BASS

KISSIMMEE, Fla.—A slim 2 ounces separated winner Wesley Strader and his closest challenger, Cody Detweiler, in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open #1 at the Kissimmee Chain.

Strader finished with a winning weight of 50 pounds, 5 ounces to punch his ticket to the 2017 Bassmaster Classic if he competes in the next two Southern Opens. Detweiler weighed in a three-day total of 50-3 to finish as the Open runner-up in the pro division.

Despite a tough practice, Strader bounced back with solid limits each day, including a 13-1 bag in the final round.  “I hadn’t caught a fish over 2 1/2 pounds in all of practice,” said Strader, who won the pro division grand prize of  a $45,000 Nitro Z20 bass boat with a Mercury Pro XS  225-horsepower outboard engine.

The Spring City, Tenn., angler credited the copper rose lenses of his Typhoon Optics sunglasses for helping him locate spawning fish in practice.  When he didn’t have a bite by 11:15 the first morning, Strader ran to the spot where he saw the spawning fish the day before. “I don’t know what happened over night but those big girls showed up ... and I caught them,” he said.

Throughout the week, Strader caught most of his fish on a Zoom Fluke or Speed Craw and an Old School Twin Spin topwater bait.   “Yesterday I got on a little deal in some hydrilla and caught some on a (homemade) chatterbait, so this morning I decided to start there,” he said. “So when I pulled up on that hydrilla bed they were biting like crazy.”

Despite fishing in 58-degree water, Strader was able to coax bass into slamming the topwater bait.   “Those fish came up and smoked it so I caught every fish on that Twin Spin in about 20 minutes”

Detweiler relied on a variety of lures to catch his bass throughout the week.  He threw a Chatterbait in the rain the whole first day of competition and when the weather tuned sunny the next day he threw a Humdinger swim jig and flipped a Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver with a 1 1/2-ounce weight to isolated mats. He also relied on the swim jig and flipped the Sweet Beaver to mats the final day to catch a 15-8 limit.

Other Top 5 finishers in the pro division were Mark Rose, West Memphis, Ark., third place, 50-1; Eric Panzironi, Longwood, Fla., fourth, 48-2; and Chad Morgenthaler, Reeds Spring, Mo., fifth, 45-4.

Virginia Beach, Va., angler Chaz Carrington flipped a Big Bite Baits Yo Daddy to catch a three-fish 9-10 limit in the final round and win the non-boater division. His three-day total of 25-9 earned him the top prize of a Nitro bass boat/Mercury outboard rig valued at $30,000.

Brad Knight, Lancing, Tenn., and James Bailey, Warrenton, Va., tied for the $750 Big Bass Award on the pro side as both anglers  caught  9-6 largemouths. Nathan Bloom, Winter Springs, Fla., weighed in an  8-14-pound largemouth to earn the $250  Big Bass Award on the co-angler side.

 Strader 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,  Rob Walker of Deland, Fla., received a Livingston Lures gift pack worth $250.

by AnglersChannel

Strader Moves Into Lead Heading Into Final Day Of Bass Pro Shops Southern Open Stop #1

Wesley Strader moves into the lead heading into Final day:

 Photo Courtesy of Bassmaster.com

KISSIMMEE, Fla.—Wesley Strader has moved into first place in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open #1 with a game plan that seems to change by the hour.

“I just have been kind of winging it the whole time,” said Strader, who leads the pro division with 37 pounds, 4 ounces. “I seem to do better when I can wing it, just go fishing and not have any preconceived notions of what I am going to do.”

Thursday, Strader went to a spot where he expected to catch just keeper-size bass to complete his limit but the spot produced heavyweight bass for him.  Friday, the Spring City, Tenn., angler caught about a 10-pound limit from that spot and since he knew he had enough weight to make the Top 12 cut, Strader decided to try another place he found in practice.

After arriving at the new spot, Strader noticed his partner threw a “Hail Mary” out into the middle of the lake and caught a quality bass.  “So I threw out there and caught a big one,” he said.  “Then I threw out there and caught another big one.”  Strader thanked his partner for putting him on those couple of bites that helped him complete a 15-11 limit.

“I kind of figured something out there at the end of the day so maybe it will pay off tomorrow,” he said.  “It seems like the later in the day it gets the better the bite because Florida bass like it hot. So I could see as the water temperature got up to that 62 to 64 degrees the fish started getting a little more aggressive. “

Winter Springs Bassmasters club member Eric Panzironi celebrated his son Landen’s seventh birthday today by catching a 16-13 limit that moved him into second place with 34-4.  “It just all came together,” said the 36-year old swimming pool maintenance man.  “I found a spot that was holding fish and I caught a limit early and then got a couple of big bites."

“I went to the same exact spot (as yesterday) and I made about 10 casts and caught a decent one,” Panzironi said. “From there on I got a couple more. Then I caught a big one and that was pretty much it. I didn’t cull too much, maybe once or twice, but that was it.”

The Longwood, Fla., angler admits he had a terrible practice this week, but he has turned it around during the tournament. “I barely caught a limit on Monday and Tuesday,” he said.  His bite has been early as he has caught his limit by about 9:30 each morning.

The rest of the Top 5 in the pro division includes Cody Detweiler, Orlando, Fla.,  third place, 34-11; Chad Morgenthaler, Reeds Spring, Mo., fourth, 34-4; and Jason Williamson, Wagner, S.C., fifth, 33-5.

Deland, Fla., boat mechanic Rob Walker leads the non-boater division with 17-14.  He fishes the Kissimmee Chain often and is relying on a tactic that usually produces well for him this time of year.

Visit Kissimmee and the Central Florida Sports Commission are hosting this open.  Saturday's launch will be held at the Lakefront Park/Big Toho Marina in Kissimmee. The weigh-in will move to the Bass Pro Shops in Orlando and will begin at 4 p.m. EDT.

WEIGHT LEADER

Wesley A Strader
Spring City, TN
Weight: 37- 4

BASS PRO SHOPS BIG BASS LEADER (DAILY)

James Bailey
Warrenton, VA
Weight: 9- 6

Place Name Day 1 Day 2 Total Fish Total Weight
Fish Weight Fish Weight
1 Wesley A Strader 5 21- 9 5 15-11 10 37- 4
2 Eric Panzironi 5 17-15 5 16-13 10 34-12
3 Cody Detweiler 5 14- 7 5 20- 4 10 34-11
4 Chad Morgenthaler 5 19-10 5 14-10 10 34- 4
5 Jason Williamson 5 18- 8 5 14-13 10 33- 5
6 Stetson Blaylock 5 17- 0 5 15-15 10 32-15
7 Kazuki Kitajima 4 12- 3 5 20- 3 9 32- 6
8 Mark Rose 5 14- 5 5 17-13 10 32- 2
9 Terry Scroggins 5 13-13 5 17-12 10 31- 9
10 Ish Monroe 5 16- 1 5 15- 6 10 31- 7
11 Brad Knight 5 22-11 5 7-10 10 30- 5
12 Bobby Lane 5 11- 0 5 17-15 10 28-15
13 David Kilgore 5 15- 3 5 13- 6 10 28- 9
14 Greg Pugh 5 16- 2 5 12- 5 10 28- 7
15 Mark Daniels 5 15-13 5 12- 6 10 28- 3
16 Jordan Card 5 16-10 5 11- 0 10 27-10
17 Clayton Batts 5 11- 6 5 15-12 10 27- 2
18 Sven Hilland 5 11- 6 5 15- 4 10 26-10
19 Dustin Connell 5 11-15 5 14- 3 10 26- 2
20 Jared Dial 5 14- 3 5 11-13 10 26- 0
21 Arnie Lane 5 12- 3 5 13-11 10 25-14
22 Derek Hudnall 5 15- 2 5 10-10 10 25-12
23 Jade Keeton 5 20- 0 3 5-10 8 25-10
24 Britt Myers 5 13- 2 5 12- 8 10 25-10
25 Hunter Shryock 5 13- 6 5 12- 3 10 25- 9
26 Sam George 5 17- 8 4 7-13 9 25- 5
27 Randall Tharp 5 10- 7 5 14-13 10 25- 4
28 Todd Auten 5 12-13 4 12- 5 9 25- 2
29 Brandon Cobb 5 11- 4 5 13-13 10 25- 1
30 Guy Eaker 5 12- 3 5 12-13 10 25- 0
31 Jeremy Prouty 5 10- 7 5 14- 6 10 24-13
32 Chris Groh 4 11- 5 5 13- 7 9 24-12
33 Jason Quinn 5 12-12 5 12- 0 10 24-12
34 Gerald Swindle 5 15- 4 5 9- 7 10 24-11
35 Jacob Wheeler 5 14-15 5 9-11 10 24-10
36 Jesse Wiggins 5 15- 6 4 8-14 9 24- 4
37 Al Farace 5 8-11 5 15- 8 10 24- 3
38 Matt Lee 5 10-10 5 13- 6 10 24- 0
39 Jon Englund 5 10- 4 4 13- 9 9 23-13
40 Patrick Bone 5 14- 5 5 9- 7 10 23-12
41 John Cox 5 10- 4 5 13- 7 10 23-11
42 Kyle Fox 4 13- 4 5 10- 6 9 23-10
43 Rex Huff 5 16- 4 3 7- 1 8 23- 5
44 Roland Martin 5 9- 0 5 13-11 10 22-11
45 Doug Workman 5 11- 1 5 11- 6 10 22- 7
46 Daniel Lanier 5 8-10 5 13- 5 10 21-15
47 Hank Cherry 5 13- 0 5 8-14 10 21-14
48 James Bailey 5 6- 9 5 15- 4 10 21-13
49 Scott Canterbury 5 13-10 5 8- 2 10 21-12
50 Chris Lane 5 8- 7 5 13- 4 10 21-11
51 Steven Crafton 5 11- 1 5 10-10 10 21-11
52 Destin Demarion 5 14- 8 5 7- 2 10 21-10
53 Austin Felix 5 9- 2 5 12- 6 10 21- 8
54 John Brazzell 4 6- 1 5 15- 5 9 21- 6
55 Scott Luster 4 12- 4 5 9- 1 9 21- 5
56 Marty Robinson 5 14-15 5 6- 5 10 21- 4
57 Richard Howes 5 14- 0 5 7- 3 10 21- 3
58 Clabion Johns 3 9- 4 5 11-14 8 21- 2
59 Dale Hightower 5 10-15 5 10- 3 10 21- 2
60 Brandon Lester 5 13-14 5 7- 3 10 21- 1
61 Ott DeFoe 5 12- 1 5 9- 0 10 21- 1
62 Michael Neal 5 10-15 5 10- 0 10 20-15
63 Jim Johnson 5 12- 2 5 8-11 10 20-13
64 Mike Jackson 5 10- 3 5 10- 9 10 20-12
65 Matt Stefan 5 10- 6 5 10- 6 10 20-12
66 Samuel Fish 5 9-14 5 10-11 10 20- 9
67 Andrew Iversen 5 14-15 3 5- 6 8 20- 5
68 Kazunori Okuma 5 10-11 5 9- 6 10 20- 1
69 Jesse Tacoronte 5 8-12 5 11- 3 10 19-15
70 Joey Nania 5 10-11 5 9- 0 10 19-11
71 James Tomsovic 3 4- 1 5 15- 6 8 19- 7
72 Jeff Kriet 5 9-10 5 9- 8 10 19- 2
73 David Perdue 5 10-12 5 8- 5 10 19- 1
74 Toby Lillard 5 8- 9 5 10- 7 10 19- 0
75 Anthony Gagliardi 5 10- 9 5 8- 6 10 18-15
76 Bill Day 5 8- 7 5 10- 7 10 18-14
77 Justin Lucas 5 8-10 3 10- 3 8 18-13
78 Bradley Dortch 5 9- 3 3 9- 9 8 18-12
79 Jonathan Canada 5 8-11 5 10- 0 10 18-11
80 Kyle Walters 5 8-12 5 9-15 10 18-11
81 Garrett Rocamora 5 11-13 2 6-13 7 18-10
82 Jeff Barth 4 5- 0 5 13- 9 9 18- 9
83 Matt Fair 3 8- 5 5 9-14 8 18- 3
84 Ronnie Glasgow 5 9- 0 5 9- 3 10 18- 3
85 Shinichi Fukae 5 8-10 2 9- 8 7 18- 2
86 Ronald Green 5 12- 7 5 5- 9 10 18- 0
87 Ray Hashimoto 4 8-12 3 9- 4 7 18- 0
88 Darrell Pons 4 7- 2 5 10-13 9 17-15
89 Brandon Palaniuk 3 9- 1 4 8-14 7 17-15
90 Dylan Fulk 5 8- 6 5 9- 7 10 17-13
91 George Owens 4 10- 1 3 7-10 7 17-11
92 William Shipes 4 5-11 5 11-11 9 17- 6
93 Randy Elliott 5 6- 8 5 10-13 10 17- 5
94 J T Kenney 5 10- 8 4 6-10 9 17- 2
95 Shane Lineberger 3 4- 9 5 12- 8 8 17- 1
96 Frederick Palmer 5 9-10 5 7- 7 10 17- 1
97 Derek Remitz 5 14- 5 2 2-11 7 17- 0
98 William Weidler 2 6- 3 5 10-13 7 17- 0
99 Kyle Schutta 4 6-13 5 10- 3 9 17- 0
100 Patrick Pierce 5 9- 4 4 7-11 9 16-15
101 A J Slegona 3 5- 6 5 11- 7 8 16-13
102 Shane Powell 5 10- 5 5 6- 7 10 16-12
103 Danny Lavoie 5 7- 1 5 9-10 10 16-11
104 Alton Jones 4 6-14 4 9-12 8 16-10
105 Charlie Evans 5 11- 5 2 5- 4 7 16- 9
106 Charlie Hartley 4 9- 9 5 7- 0 9 16- 9
107 James Christian 4 11- 5 3 5- 3 7 16- 8
108 Shaw Grigsby 5 10- 1 4 6- 6 9 16- 7
109 Woo Daves 5 13- 3 2 3- 0 7 16- 3
110 Joseph Yasinski 5 8-15 5 7- 4 10 16- 3
111 Paul Pagnato 4 7- 6 5 8-11 9 16- 1
112 Michael Johnson 2 3-12 5 12- 4 7 16- 0
113 Jeff Shelton 5 9- 5 3 6-10 8 15-15
114 Steve York 1 1-13 5 14- 1 6 15-14
115 Jamey Caldwell 5 8- 6 5 7- 7 10 15-13
116 Michael Murphy 2 8- 1 5 7- 9 7 15-10
117 Ryan Davidson 3 3-10 3 11-15 6 15- 9
118 Jordan Lee 2 4- 1 5 11- 5 7 15- 6
119 Brian Elder 5 13- 5 2 1-12 7 15- 1
120 Charles Pippin 3 3-11 5 11- 4 8 14-15
121 Ronald Young 5 7-14 3 7- 1 8 14-15
122 Kendal Beaty 5 12- 7 1 2- 5 6 14-12
123 Cecil Douberly 5 11-11 2 2-15 7 14-10
124 Richard Shannon 3 3-12 5 10-13 8 14- 9
125 Mitchell Liss 5 6-13 5 7- 9 10 14- 6
126 Ed Loughran 2 5- 8 5 8-12 7 14- 4
127 Christiana Bradley 5 8- 1 4 6- 2 9 14- 3
128 Kotaro Kiriyama 3 5-12 5 8- 6 8 14- 2
129 Chris Heath 5 8-12 5 5- 5 10 14- 1
130 Gary Clouse 5 8- 4 4 5-11 9 13-15
131 Rick Morris 2 5-11 3 8- 4 5 13-15
132 Eric Silverstrim 3 6- 5 4 7- 9 7 13-14
133 Greg Mansfield 3 4-15 3 8-14 6 13-13
134 Skylar Hamilton 5 8- 4 3 5- 6 8 13-10
135 Timothy Arnold 5 10-15 2 2- 1 7 13- 0
136 Chris Moody 3 5- 7 3 7- 8 6 12-15
137 Grayson Smith 5 7-13 5 5- 1 10 12-14
138 John Dial 5 10- 8 2 2- 5 7 12-13
139 Kendall Newson 5 10-10 2 2- 1 7 12-11
140 Robert Morin 4 7- 2 4 5- 9 8 12-11
141 Rex Chambers 5 12- 8 5 12- 8
142 Eric Jackson 5 9-13 2 2- 9 7 12- 6
143 Wil Hardy 3 4- 2 5 8- 4 8 12- 6
144 Lionel Botha 5 9-11 5 2- 9 10 12- 4
145 Chris Hensley 5 5-12 4 6- 8 9 12- 4
146 Chris Adams 5 8-12 2 3- 6 7 12- 2
147 Fletcher Shryock 2 4- 7 5 7-10 7 12- 1
148 Tyler Carriere 5 7- 7 4 4-10 9 12- 1
149 Greg Buie 3 6- 7 3 5- 1 6 11- 8
150 Joshua Douglas 5 6-13 4 4- 9 9 11- 6
151 Seth Feider 4 5- 5 2 6- 1 6 11- 6
152 Terry Segraves 2 3- 1 5 8- 4 7 11- 5
153 Jimmy Mason 1 2- 6 4 8-12 5 11- 2
154 Trait Crist 5 7-11 2 3- 6 7 11- 1
155 Preston Johnson 3 4- 5 5 6-12 8 11- 1
156 Dow Cox 2 2- 2 5 8- 9 7 10-11
157 Hunter Eubanks 3 4-13 4 5-12 7 10- 9
158 Chris Neau 3 4-15 3 5- 8 6 10- 7
159 Ryan Hoover 3 8- 9 1 1- 6 4 9-15
160 Christopher Murphy 4 7- 9 2 2- 4 6 9-13
161 Bigworm Ludwig 2 2-14 4 6-13 6 9-11
162 Cliff Prince 5 9- 8 5 9- 8
163 Jason Rice 4 8-15 4 8-15
164 Thomas Huynh 1 1-10 3 7- 4 4 8-14
165 Brian Mathis 0 0- 0 5 8-13 5 8-13
166 Brent Crow 5 8- 9 5 8- 9
167 Shawn Carnahan 2 4- 1 3 4- 4 5 8- 5
168 Randy Haynes 5 8- 0 5 8- 0
169 Kyle Worsham 2 2-15 2 4-12 4 7-11
170 Koby Kreiger 5 7- 6 5 7- 6
171 Ricky Shepherd 3 4- 2 2 3- 1 5 7- 3
172 Jeffrey Brooks 0 0- 0 4 6-11 4 6-11
173 Matthew Brown 2 2- 6 1 4- 0 3 6- 6
174 Brad Webb 2 2-14 3 3- 8 5 6- 6
175 Ernest Morris 0 0- 0 4 6- 2 4 6- 2
176 William Briere 0 0- 0 2 6- 0 2 6- 0
177 Clay Dyer 1 1-13 3 4- 2 4 5-15
178 Simon Borja 1 1- 2 3 4-11 4 5-13
179 Carroll Blevins 1 1-10 2 4- 0 3 5-10
180 David Sampson 4 5- 3 4 5- 3
181 Bradley Sears 3 4-13 3 4-13
182 Allen Brooks 3 4-12 3 4-12
183 Larry Gaines 1 0-15 2 2-14 3 3-13
184 Rick Pierce 3 3-11 3 3-11
185 Jeffery Cox 2 3-11 2 3-11
186 David Gaston 3 3- 8 3 3- 8
187 Gerald Sensabaugh 2 3- 7 2 3- 7
188 Christopher Cline 1 2- 9 1 0-12 2 3- 5
189 Trevor Lo 2 2- 3 2 2- 3
190 David Smith 2 2- 1 2 2- 1
191 Donald Herwick 1 1-11 1 1-11
192 William Hensley 1 1- 6 1 1- 6
192 Che Johnson 0 0- 0 1 1- 6 1 1- 6
194 Dustin Neat 1 1- 4 1 1- 4
195 Daron Patrick 1 1- 2 1 1- 2
196 Parker Cann 0 0- 0 1 1- 1 1 1- 1
196 Travis Dehart 0 0- 0 1 1- 1 1 1- 1
198 William Hicks 0 0- 0 0 0- 0
198 James Jacobus 0 0- 0 0 0- 0
198 Matt Lowe 0 0- 0 0 0- 0

by AnglersChannel

Knight Ready To Do Battle On Day 2

Knight had shot at Big Bag on Day 1, focused and ready for Day 2. 

When the last fish crossed the scales on Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open on the Kissimmee Chain of lakes. Reigning FLW Cup Champ Brad Knight of Lancing, TN held a small lead over fellow team tournament partner and good friend Wesley Strader.  “I should have blown the door wide open on this deal today but I just couldn’t capitalize.” said Knight, after weighing in a 22.11-pound limit to take the early lead.

“I started the day on Toho trying to avoid the lock traffic early and get a few fish on the board,” explains Knight, who when he finally locked down to Lake Kissimmee at 10:00, had 2 small keepers and one just over 8 pounds in the live-well. Once in Lake Kissimmee Knight said he checked several areas and “bounced around” quite a bit.

“The fish just weren’t taking the bait good like they do when the sun is out. Those bigger females like to float up in the water column to sun and get warm before they spawn and the cloud cover and rain hurt that today.”

Late in the day Knight explains he made a move to an area he found in practice that he knew held some better quality fish. “I had about an hour and a half to locate these fish and I started on the inside of this little deal and worked my way around.” “I am keying on areas that hold a mixture of flat pads, larger lily pads and Kissimmee grass.”

Knight explains that within that last little bit of time on day 1, he caught the larger 9.06lb fish that is currently the Big Bass of the tournament, but lost a few key fish as well.

“I caught that big fish but then proceeded to lose two or three more that were as big or bigger than she was.” Knight explains.

“You become real religious when the only thing between you and a 9-pounder is 20 feet of string and a ton a Kissimmee grass and pad stems.”

On how he plans to approach day 2, Knight stated, “I know where they live, the forecast is calling for some sun today and that will help the bite but it’s a little windy. I’ll keep throwing my frog and flipping that Strike King Rodent and make adjustments as needed until I can get them all in the boat, and I’ll probably pray a lot more today too.” he said laughing.

Follow along the Bassmaster Blog on www.bassmaster.com and the love weigh-ins today at 3:00pm EST.

by AnglersChannel

Basscat Adds Osborne And Upshaw To Their 2016 Pro Team

MOUNTAIN HOME, AR (January 28, 2016) – Bass Cat announced the addition of Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) professional anglers Andrew Upshaw and Jordan Osborne to their event team roster. In their quest for berths in the 2016 Forrest Wood Cup, Upshaw will run a 2016 Puma FTD, while Osborne runs a 2016 Cougar FTD.

 

Bass Cat’s Tour Team Manager, Kevin Short stated, “We are excited to support these up and coming anglers as they make their way in the professional ranks. Andrew and Jordan are great team players and strong supporters of both our product and our way of doing business.”

 

Upshaw, a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma first appeared on the scene competing in collegiate bass tournaments. He has since worked his way up the collegiate ranks and then through the Rayovac Series to qualify for the FLW Tour in 2012.

 

Hailing from Longview, Texas, Osborne also worked his way up the FLW tournament ladder by fishing the Rayovac Series. As a co-angler on the FLW Tour last year, Osborne finished seventh in 2015 standings, securing his spot in the front of the boat for the 2016 FLW Tour.

 

“This is an exciting time of growth for Bass Cat,” said company President Rick Pierce. “We are actively looking to find ways to leverage our brand’s strength and adding these two outstanding young anglers is just the beginning,” added Pierce.

 

Bass Cat, owned by Correct Craft, manufactures the industry’s premier bass fishing boats from its headquarters in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Family operated since it’s founding in 1971, Bass Cat is the longest continuously operating tournament bass boat company in the USA.

 

by AnglersChannel

Knight Has Solid Day To Begin 2016 Opens Season On Kissimmee Chain

Kissimmee, Fla. — Team tournament partners Brad Knight and Wesley Strader got one big fish on the Kissimmee Chain and are neck and neck in the pro division after the first round of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open Thursday.

Knight holds the lead with a 22-pound, 11-ounce limit that included a 9-6 bass, while Strader is in second place with 21-9.

“Wesley is a great friend of mine,” said Knight. “We have fished team tournaments together.”

Both anglers found big bass either nesting or moving up to spawn. “I had a terrible execution day because I had a chance at four or five other fish that were of that (9-6) caliber or more,” said Knight, the reigning Forrest Wood Cup champion from Lancing, Tenn. Knight noted he lost most of his bass when they burrowed into the vegetation.

“I would have liked to have had another hour today, but I just didn’t put it all together,” he said. “My fish kind of moved around and things are changing pretty rapidly for me out there. I am looking forward to going back out there tomorrow because I know where they are living. I figured out a few things this afternoon and hopefully I can put together another good bag. Some of the fish are prespawn, but they have really made a move the last day or two to spawn.”

Knight knew he was around big fish when he had a decent day of practice on Tuesday. The Tennessee angler verified that point when he caught his 9-pounder and another bass that probably weighed around 8 pounds today.

Strader found his fish in practice when he visited an area where he did well in last year’s Southern Open.

“It is just a place where they come to spawn, and I knew these fish are dying to spawn but the weather conditions haven’t been right for them to do it,” Strader said.

The Spring City, Tenn., angler tried other spots in the morning because he believed the place he found in practice was just loaded with 2-pounders. However when he didn’t have a fish in the livewell by 11:15, he decided to make a move to the keeper-size bass.

“I just went to that area where I knew there were some smaller fish up spawning,” he said. “Those 2-pounders turned into great big ones, so I am pleased with that.”

Rounding out the Top 5 in the pro division are Jade Keeton, Killen, Ala., third, 20-0; Chad Morgenthaler, Reeds Spring, Mo., fourth, 19-10; and Jason Williamson, Wagener, S.C., fifth, 18-8.

Winter Springs, Fla., angler Nate Bloom celebrates his 40th birthday tomorrow, but he received an early birthday present when he got to fish with Koby Krieger, who was his partner when Bloom won the 2003 Southern Open at Lake Okeechobee.

Krieger turned into a good luck charm again for Bloom who caught a three-fish limit weighing 11-10 to take the lead in the non-boater division.

“My first day fishing with Koby Krieger and I am in first place,” Bloom said. “It is just meant to be.”

Hosting this event are Visit Kissimmee and the Central Florida Sports Commission. Tomorrow’s launch, weigh-in and the final day launch will be held at the Lakefront Park/Big Toho Marina. The final day weigh-in will shift to the Bass Pro Shops in Orlando.
2016 2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster  Southern Open Kissimmee Chain of Lakes 1/28-1/30
Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Kissimmee  FL.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts

1.  Brad Knight            Lancing, TN              5  22-11  200
Day 1: 5   22-11
2.  Wesley Strader         Spring City, TN          5  21-09  199
Day 1: 5   21-09
3.  Jade Keeton            Killen, AL               5  20-00  198
Day 1: 5   20-00
4.  Chad Morgenthaler      Reeds Spring, MO         5  19-10  197
Day 1: 5   19-10
5.  Jason Williamson       Wagener, SC              5  18-08  196
Day 1: 5   18-08
6.  Eric Panzironi         Longwood, FL             5  17-15  195
Day 1: 5   17-15
7.  Sam George             Athens, AL               5  17-08  194
Day 1: 5   17-08
8.  Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR               5  17-00  193
Day 1: 5   17-00
9.  Jordan Card            Knoxville, TN            5  16-10  192
Day 1: 5   16-10
10. Mike Huff              Corbin, KY               5  16-04  191
Day 1: 5   16-04
11. Greg Pugh              Cullman, AL              5  16-02  190
Day 1: 5   16-02
12. Ish Monroe             Hughson, CA              5  16-01  189
Day 1: 5   16-01
13. Mark Daniels Jr.       Tuskegee, AL             5  15-13  188
Day 1: 5   15-13
14. Jesse Wiggins          Cullman, AL              5  15-06  187
Day 1: 5   15-06
15. Gerald Swindle         Warrior, AL              5  15-04  186
Day 1: 5   15-04
16. David Kilgore          Jasper, AL               5  15-03  185
Day 1: 5   15-03
17. Derek Hudnall          Baton Rouge, LA          5  15-02  184
Day 1: 5   15-02
18. Andrew Iversen         Maple Plain, MN          5  14-15  183
Day 1: 5   14-15
18. Marty Robinson         Lyman, SC                5  14-15  183
Day 1: 5   14-15
18. Jacob Wheeler          Indianapolis, IN         5  14-15  183
Day 1: 5   14-15
21. Destin DeMarion        Grove City, PA           5  14-08  180
Day 1: 5   14-08
22. Cody Detweiler         Orlando, FL              5  14-07  179
Day 1: 5   14-07
23. Patrick Bone           Cleveland, GA            5  14-05  178
Day 1: 5   14-05
23. Derek Remitz           Grant, AL                5  14-05  178
Day 1: 5   14-05
23. Mark Rose              West Memphis, AR         5  14-05  178
Day 1: 5   14-05
26. Jared Dial             Winter Haven, FL         5  14-03  175
Day 1: 5   14-03
27. Rich Howes             Oviedo, FL               5  14-00  174
Day 1: 5   14-00
28. Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN         5  13-14  173
Day 1: 5   13-14
29. Terry Scroggins        San Mateo, FL            5  13-13  172
Day 1: 5   13-13
30. Scott Canterbury       Springville, AL          5  13-10  171
Day 1: 5   13-10
31. Hunter Shryock         Newcomerstown, OH        5  13-06  170
Day 1: 5   13-06
32. Brian Elder            Locust Grove, GA         5  13-05  169
Day 1: 5   13-05
33. Kyle Fox               Lakeland, FL             4  13-04  168
Day 1: 4   13-04
34. Woo Daves              Spring Grove, VA         5  13-03  167
Day 1: 5   13-03
35. Britt Myers            Lake Wylie, SC           5  13-02  166
Day 1: 5   13-02
36. Hank Cherry Jr         Maiden, NC               5  13-00  165
Day 1: 5   13-00
37. Todd Auten             Lake Wylie, SC           5  12-13  164
Day 1: 5   12-13
38. Jason Quinn            Rock Hill, SC            5  12-12  163
Day 1: 5   12-12
39. Rex Chambers           Baileyton, AL            5  12-08  162
Day 1: 5   12-08
40. Kendal Beaty           Spring City, TN          5  12-07  161
Day 1: 5   12-07
40. Ronnie Green           Sebring, FL              5  12-07  161
Day 1: 5   12-07
42. Scott Luster           Prattville, AL           4  12-04  159
Day 1: 4   12-04
43. Guy Eaker Sr.          Cherryville, NC          5  12-03  158
Day 1: 5   12-03
43. Arnie Lane             Lakeland, FL             5  12-03  158
Day 1: 5   12-03
45. Kazuki Kitajima        Orlando, FL              4  12-03  156
Day 1: 4   12-03
46. Jimmy Johnson          La Crosse, WI            5  12-02  155
Day 1: 5   12-02
47. Ott DeFoe              Knoxville, TN            5  12-01  154
Day 1: 5   12-01
48. Dustin Connell         Clanton, AL              5  11-15  153
Day 1: 5   11-15
49. Garrett Rocamora       Lithia, FL               5  11-13  152
Day 1: 5   11-13
50. Cecil Douberly         Lakeland, FL             5  11-11  151
Day 1: 5   11-11
51. Clayton Batts          Warner Robins, GA        5  11-06  150
Day 1: 5   11-06
51. Sven Hilland           Cape Town SOUTH AFRICA   5  11-06  150
Day 1: 5   11-06
53. Charlie Evans          Berea, KY                5  11-05  148
Day 1: 5   11-05
54. James Christian        Dickson, TN              4  11-05  147
Day 1: 4   11-05
54. Chris Groh             Spring Grove, IL         4  11-05  147
Day 1: 4   11-05
56. Brandon Cobb           Greenwood, SC            5  11-04  145
Day 1: 5   11-04
57. Steven Crafton         Clarksville, TN          5  11-01  144
Day 1: 5   11-01
57. Douglas Workman        Cleveland, GA            5  11-01  144
Day 1: 5   11-01
59. Bobby Lane Jr.         Lakeland, FL             5  11-00  142
Day 1: 5   11-00
60. Tim Arnold             Cullman, AL              5  10-15  141
Day 1: 5   10-15
60. Dale Hightower         Mannford, OK             5  10-15  141
Day 1: 5   10-15
60. Michael Neal           Dayton, TN               5  10-15  141
Day 1: 5   10-15
63. David Perdue           Wirtz, VA                5  10-12  138
Day 1: 5   10-12
64. Joey Nania             Cropwell, AL             5  10-11  137
Day 1: 5   10-11
64. Kazunori Okuma         Moriyama-Shi Shiga JAPA  5  10-11  137
Day 1: 5   10-11
66. Matt Lee               Guntersville, AL         5  10-10  135
Day 1: 5   10-10
66. Kendall Newson         Lagrange, GA             5  10-10  135
Day 1: 5   10-10
68. Anthony Gagliardi      Prosperity, SC           5  10-09  133
Day 1: 5   10-09
69. John Dial              Winter Haven, FL         5  10-08  132
Day 1: 5   10-08
69. JT Kenney              Palm Bay, FL             5  10-08  132
Day 1: 5   10-08
71. Jp Prouty              Satellite Beach, FL      5  10-07  130
Day 1: 5   10-07
71. Randall Tharp          Port St. Joe, FL         5  10-07  130
Day 1: 5   10-07
73. Matt Stefan            Junction City, WI        5  10-06  128
Day 1: 5   10-06
74. Shane Powell           Midland City, AL         5  10-05  127
Day 1: 5   10-05
75. John Cox               Debary, FL               5  10-04  126
Day 1: 5   10-04
75. Jon Englund            Farwell, MN              5  10-04  126
Day 1: 5   10-04
77. Mike Jackson           San Mateo, FL            5  10-03  124
Day 1: 5   10-03
78. Shaw Grigsby Jr.       Gainesville, FL          5  10-01  123
Day 1: 5   10-01
79. Aaron Owens            Birmingham, AL           4  10-01  122
Day 1: 4   10-01
80. Samuel Fish            Calera, AL               5  09-14  121
Day 1: 5   09-14
81. Eric Jackson           Walling, TN              5  09-13  120
Day 1: 5   09-13
82. Lionel Botha           Palm Bay, FL             5  09-11  119
Day 1: 5   09-11
83. Jeff Kriet             Ardmore, OK              5  09-10  118
Day 1: 5   09-10
83. Freddy  Palmer         Estill Springs, TN       5  09-10  118
Day 1: 5   09-10
85. Charlie Hartley        Grove City, OH           4  09-09  116
Day 1: 4   09-09
86. Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL              5  09-08  115
Day 1: 5   09-08
87. Jeff Shelton           Hanceville, AL           5  09-05  114
Day 1: 5   09-05
88. Patrick Pierce         Jacksonville, FL         5  09-04  113
Day 1: 5   09-04
89. Clabion Johns Jr       Covington, GA            3  09-04  112
Day 1: 3   09-04
90. Bradley Dortch         Windemere, FL            5  09-03  111
Day 1: 5   09-03
91. Austin Felix           Eden Prairie, MN         5  09-02  110
Day 1: 5   09-02
92. Brandon Palaniuk       Rathdrum, ID             3  09-01  109
Day 1: 3   09-01
93. Kyle Glasgow Jr        Guin, AL                 5  09-00  108
Day 1: 5   09-00
93. Roland Martin          Naples, FL               5  09-00  108
Day 1: 5   09-00
95. Derek Yasinski         Senoia, GA               5  08-15  106
Day 1: 5   08-15
96. Jason Rice             Swannanoa, NC            4  08-15  105
Day 1: 4   08-15
97. Chris Adams            Oviedo, FL               5  08-12  104
Day 1: 5   08-12
97. Chris Heath            North Augusta, SC        5  08-12  104
Day 1: 5   08-12
97. Jesse Tacoronte        Orlando, FL              5  08-12  104
Day 1: 5   08-12
97. Kyle Walters           Grant Valkaria, FL       5  08-12  104
Day 1: 5   08-12
101. Ray Hashimoto          San Francisco, CA        4  08-12  100
Day 1: 4   08-12
102. Jon Canada             Pelham, AL               5  08-11   99
Day 1: 5   08-11
102. Al Farace              Cockeysville, MD         5  08-11   99
Day 1: 5   08-11
104. Shin Fukae             Palestine, TX            5  08-10   97
Day 1: 5   08-10
104. Daniel Lanier Jr.      Winter Springs, FL       5  08-10   97
Day 1: 5   08-10
104. Justin Lucas           Guntersville, AL         5  08-10   97
Day 1: 5   08-10
107. Brent Crow             Hartselle, AL            5  08-09   94
Day 1: 5   08-09
107. Toby Lillard           Clarksville, TN          5  08-09   94
Day 1: 5   08-09
109. Ryan Hoover            Valrico, FL              3  08-09   92
Day 1: 3   08-09
110. Bill Day II            Frankfort, KY            5  08-07   91
Day 1: 5   08-07
110. Chris Lane             Guntersville, AL         5  08-07   91
Day 1: 5   08-07
112. Jamey Caldwell         Carthage, NC             5  08-06   89
Day 1: 5   08-06
112. Dylan Fulk             Concord, NC              5  08-06   89
Day 1: 5   08-06
114. Matt Fair              Ocoee, FL                3  08-05   87
Day 1: 3   08-05
115. Gary Clouse            La Vergne, TN            5  08-04   86
Day 1: 5   08-04
115. Skylar Hamilton        Dandridge, TN            5  08-04   86
Day 1: 5   08-04
117. Christiana Bradley     Goldvein, VA             5  08-01   84
Day 1: 5   08-01
118. Michael Murphy         Lexington, SC            2  08-01   83
Day 1: 2   08-01
119. Randy Haynes           Counce, TN               5  08-00   82
Day 1: 5   08-00
120. Ronald Young           Round Rock, TX           5  07-14   81
Day 1: 5   07-14
121. Grayson Smith          Clarksville, TN          5  07-13   80
Day 1: 5   07-13
122. Trait Crist            Fort Worth, TX           5  07-11   79
Day 1: 5   07-11
123. Christopher Murphy     Warrenton, VA            4  07-09   78
Day 1: 4   07-09
124. Tyler Carriere         Youngsville, LA          5  07-07   77
Day 1: 5   07-07
125. Koby Kreiger           Bokeelia, FL             5  07-06   76
Day 1: 5   07-06
126. Paul Pagnato           Reston, VA               4  07-06   75
Day 1: 4   07-06
127. Bob Morin              Seymour, TN              4  07-02   74
Day 1: 4   07-02
127. Darrell Pons           Gainesville, FL          4  07-02   74
Day 1: 4   07-02
129. Danny Lavoie           Franklin, GA             5  07-01   72
Day 1: 5   07-01
130. Alton Jones Jr.        Lorena, TX               4  06-14   71
Day 1: 4   06-14
131. Josh Douglas           Mound, MN                5  06-13   70
Day 1: 5   06-13
131. Mitch Liss             Saint Cloud, FL          5  06-13   70
Day 1: 5   06-13
133. Kyle Schutta           Forest Lake, MN          4  06-13   68
Day 1: 4   06-13
134. James Bailey           Warrenton, VA            5  06-09   67
Day 1: 5   06-09
135. Randy Elliott          Bowie, MD                5  06-08   66
Day 1: 5   06-08
136. Greg Buie              Athens, AL               3  06-07   65
Day 1: 3   06-07
137. Eric Silverstrim       Indian Mound, TN         3  06-05   64
Day 1: 3   06-05
138. Bill Weidler           Bessemer, AL             2  06-03   63
Day 1: 2   06-03
139. John Brazzell          Winter Garden, FL        4  06-01   62
Day 1: 4   06-01
140. Chris Hensley          Marbury, AL              5  05-12   61
Day 1: 5   05-12
141. Kotaro Kiriyama        Moody, AL                3  05-12   60
Day 1: 3   05-12
142. William Shipes         Williston, SC            4  05-11   59
Day 1: 4   05-11
143. Rick Morris            Lake Gaston, VA          2  05-11   58
Day 1: 2   05-11
144. Ed Loughran III        Mechanicsville, VA       2  05-08   57
Day 1: 2   05-08
145. Chris Moody            Brooks, GA               3  05-07   56
Day 1: 3   05-07
146. AJ Slegona Jr          Walker Valley, NY        3  05-06   55
Day 1: 3   05-06
147. Seth Feider            Bloomington, MN          4  05-05   54
Day 1: 4   05-05
148. Dave Sampson           Miramar, FL              4  05-03   53
Day 1: 4   05-03
149. Jeff Barth             Marshfield, WI           4  05-00   52
Day 1: 4   05-00
150. Greg Mansfield         Olathe, KS               3  04-15   51
Day 1: 3   04-15
150. Chris Neau             Gretna, LA               3  04-15   51
Day 1: 3   04-15
152. Hunter Eubanks         Inman, SC                3  04-13   49
Day 1: 3   04-13
152. Bradley Sears          Covington, GA            3  04-13   49
Day 1: 3   04-13
154. Allen Brooks           Canton, GA               3  04-12   47
Day 1: 3   04-12
155. Shane Lineberger       Lincolnton, NC           3  04-09   46
Day 1: 3   04-09
156. Fletcher Shryock       New Philadelphia, OH     2  04-07   45
Day 1: 2   04-07
157. Preston Johnson        Rice Lake, WI            3  04-05   44
Day 1: 3   04-05
158. Wil Hardy II           Harlem, GA               3  04-02   43
Day 1: 3   04-02
158. Ricky Shepherd         Mosheim, TN              3  04-02   43
Day 1: 3   04-02
160. Jim Tomsovic           Sparta, WI               3  04-01   41
Day 1: 3   04-01
161. Shawn Carnahan         Gilbert, AZ              2  04-01   40
Day 1: 2   04-01
161. Jordan Lee             Grant, AL                2  04-01   40
Day 1: 2   04-01
163. Rick Shannon           Woodlawn, TN             3  03-12   38
Day 1: 3   03-12
164. Michael Johnson        Talking Rock, GA         2  03-12   37
Day 1: 2   03-12
165. Rick Pierce            Mountain Home, AR        3  03-11   36
Day 1: 3   03-11
165. Chuck Pippin Jr        Gotha, FL                3  03-11   36
Day 1: 3   03-11
167. Jeff Cox               Saline, MI               2  03-11   34
Day 1: 2   03-11
168. Ryan Davidson          Branchland, WV           3  03-10   33
Day 1: 3   03-10
169. David Gaston           Sylacauga, AL            3  03-08   32
Day 1: 3   03-08
170. Gerald Sensabaugh      Kingsport, TN            2  03-07   31
Day 1: 2   03-07
171. Terry Segraves         Kissimmee, FL            2  03-01   30
Day 1: 2   03-01
172. Kyle Worsham           Cherokee, AL             2  02-15   29
Day 1: 2   02-15
173. Russell Ludwig IV      Auburn, GA               2  02-14   28
Day 1: 2   02-14
173. Brad Webb              Hampton, VA              2  02-14   28
Day 1: 2   02-14
175. Chris Cline            Stafford, VA             1  02-09   26
Day 1: 1   02-09
176. Matt Brown             Corbin, KY               2  02-06   25
Day 1: 2   02-06
177. Jimmy Mason            Rogersville, AL          1  02-06   24
Day 1: 1   02-06
178. Trevor Lo              Maplewood, MN            2  02-03   23
Day 1: 2   02-03
179. Dow Cox                Jonesborough, TN         2  02-02   22
Day 1: 2   02-02
180. David Smith            Del City, OK             2  02-01   21
Day 1: 2   02-01
181. Clay Dyer              Fayetteville, TN         1  01-13   20
Day 1: 1   01-13
181. Steve York             Bronson, MI              1  01-13   20
Day 1: 1   01-13
183. Donald Herwick III     Springboro, OH           1  01-11   18
Day 1: 1   01-11
184. Carroll Blevins        Jonesboro, GA            1  01-10   17
Day 1: 1   01-10
184. Tom Huynh              Moorehead, MN            1  01-10   17
Day 1: 1   01-10
186. William Hensley        Chattaroy, WV            1  01-06   15
Day 1: 1   01-06
187. Dustin Neat            Dunnville, KY            1  01-04   14
Day 1: 1   01-04
188. Mccoy Borja            Johnson City, TN         1  01-02   13
Day 1: 1   01-02
188. Deron Patrick          Cullman, AL              1  01-02   13
Day 1: 1   01-02
190. Larry Gaines           Valparaiso, FL           1  00-15   11
Day 1: 1   00-15
191. Billy Briere           Mooresville, IN          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
191. Jeffrey Brooks         Boca Raton, FL           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
191. Parker Cann            Abbeville, SC            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
191. Travis Dehart          Greenville, SC           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
191. Willy Hicks            Chester, VA              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
191. Jamie Jacobus          Johnstown, OH            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
191. Che Johnson            Rochester, MN            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
191. Matt Lowe              Walhalla, SC             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
191. Brian Mathis           Cornelius, NC            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
191. Ernest Morris          Seneca, SC               0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

BIG
Day
1   Brad Knight              Lancing, TN         09-06          $0.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1       116       780      1720-01
----------------------------------
116       780      1720-01

2016 2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster  Southern Open Kissimmee Chain of Lakes 1/28-1/30
Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Kissimmee  FL.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts

1.  Nathan Bloom           Winter Springs, FL       3  11-10  200
Day 1: 3   11-10
2.  Chaz Carrington        Virginia Beach, VA       3  10-08  199
Day 1: 3   10-08
3.  Thomas Miller          Fort Pierce, FL          3  10-05  198
Day 1: 3   10-05
4.  Douglas Lubs           Indianapolis, IN         3  10-04  197
Day 1: 3   10-04
5.  Eric Davis             Athens, AL               3  09-12  196
Day 1: 3   09-12
6.  Tom Balachvili         Brooklyn, NY             3  09-10  195
Day 1: 3   09-10
7.  Greg Mauldin           Archdale, NC             3  09-05  194
Day 1: 3   09-05
8.  Matt Justice           Fair Play, SC            3  09-03  193
Day 1: 3   09-03
8.  Kenny Sammons          Pinetta, FL              3  09-03  193
Day 1: 3   09-03
10. Rob Walker             Deland, FL               3  08-15  191
Day 1: 3   08-15
11. Chip Dover             Longwood, FL             3  08-11  190
Day 1: 3   08-11
12. Joey Aderhold          Birmingham, AL           3  08-09  189
Day 1: 3   08-09
13. Chadd Eriksen          Wake Forest, NC          3  08-08  188
Day 1: 3   08-08
14. General Johnson II     Fort Myers, FL           1  08-05  187
Day 1: 1   08-05
15. Steve Jarrett          Valrico, FL              3  08-04  186
Day 1: 3   08-04
16. Brian Colson           Lake Mary, FL            3  07-15  185
Day 1: 3   07-15
17. Jeffrey Worth          Longwood, FL             3  07-14  184
Day 1: 3   07-14
18. Teb Jones              Hattiesburg, MS          3  07-08  183
Day 1: 3   07-08
19. Bailey Boutries        Daphne, AL               3  07-05  182
Day 1: 3   07-05
20. Alan Agnoli            Chiefland, FL            3  07-04  181
Day 1: 3   07-04
21. Tom Stark              Angola, IN               3  07-00  180
Day 1: 3   07-00
22. Clint Harrison II      Georgetown, TN           3  06-14  179
Day 1: 3   06-14
22. Linda Robinson         Palmetto Bay, FL         3  06-14  179
Day 1: 3   06-14
24. Daniel Beebe Jr        Niota, TN                3  06-13  177
Day 1: 3   06-13
24. Chris Harris           Groveland, FL            3  06-13  177
Day 1: 3   06-13
26. Yusuke Nomura          Anjo-Shi,Aichi JAPAN     2  06-13  175
Day 1: 2   06-13
27. Nicolas Kayler         Apopka, FL               3  06-12  174
Day 1: 3   06-12
28. Gator Morris Jr        Charlotte, NC            3  06-11  173
Day 1: 3   06-11
29. Johnny Bigger II       Spring Hill, FL          3  06-10  172
Day 1: 3   06-10
29. Logan Murphy           Saint Cloud, FL          3  06-10  172
Day 1: 3   06-10
31. Joshua Bauer           Random Lake, WI          3  06-09  170
Day 1: 3   06-09
31. David Dimauro          Longwood, FL             3  06-09  170
Day 1: 3   06-09
33. Shane Byrom            Newnan, GA               3  06-08  168
Day 1: 3   06-08
33. Gregory O'Neal         Winchester, TN           3  06-08  168
Day 1: 3   06-08
33. Benny Widerman         Deltona, FL              3  06-08  168
Day 1: 3   06-08
36. Leslie Swann III       Lake Placid, FL          3  06-07  165
Day 1: 3   06-07
37. Craig Cullen           Vero Beach, FL           3  06-06  164
Day 1: 3   06-06
37. Geoffrey Wells         Virginia Beach, VA       3  06-06  164
Day 1: 3   06-06
39. Anthony Santoriello    Saint Cloud, FL          3  06-05  162
Day 1: 3   06-05
40. Rick Harris Jr         San Angelo, TX           3  06-01  161
Day 1: 3   06-01
41. Luke Koch              Campbellsport, WI        3  05-15  160
Day 1: 3   05-15
41. James Tapp             Inman, SC                3  05-15  160
Day 1: 3   05-15
43. Barry Hughes           Plant City, FL           3  05-14  158
Day 1: 3   05-14
43. Larry Mullikin         Lauderhill, FL           3  05-14  158
Day 1: 3   05-14
45. Tomas Gomez            Kissimmee, FL            3  05-13  156
Day 1: 3   05-13
45. Jeremy Goodwyn         Bowling Green, FL        3  05-13  156
Day 1: 3   05-13
45. Mike Spears            Jasper, AL               3  05-13  156
Day 1: 3   05-13
48. Radney Atchison        Prattville, AL           3  05-12  153
Day 1: 3   05-12
48. Scott Crews            Wetumpka, AL             3  05-12  153
Day 1: 3   05-12
48. Justin Lockee          Valdese, NC              3  05-12  153
Day 1: 3   05-12
48. Adam Sumner            Mount Dora, FL           3  05-12  153
Day 1: 3   05-12
52. Tony Sears             Dahlonega, GA            2  05-12  149
Day 1: 2   05-12
53. Ryan Crowley           Jacksonville, FL         3  05-10  148
Day 1: 3   05-10
54. Gus Kneidinger         Prospect, PA             2  05-10  147
Day 1: 2   05-10
55. Keith Honeycutt        Temple, TX               3  05-08  146
Day 1: 3   05-08
55. Don Lewis Jr           Jacksonville, FL         3  05-08  146
Day 1: 3   05-08
57. Jason Kneidinger       Grove City, PA           3  05-07  144
Day 1: 3   05-07
57. Joe Moore              Kissimmee, FL            3  05-07  144
Day 1: 3   05-07
59. Robbie Anderson        Crystal River, FL        2  05-07  142
Day 1: 2   05-07
60. Jimmy Hayes            Fayetteville, NC         3  05-06  141
Day 1: 3   05-06
61. Carlton Tipp Jr        Grand Bay, AL            2  05-06  140
Day 1: 2   05-06
62. Sam Fish               Alexander City, AL       3  05-05  139
Day 1: 3   05-05
63. William Beekman        Diamond Point, NY        3  05-04  138
Day 1: 3   05-04
64. Denny Omullane         Ellettsville, IN         1  05-01  137
Day 1: 1   05-01
65. Paul Palmer            Madisonville, TN         3  05-00  136
Day 1: 3   05-00
65. Ronald Twardowski      Marshfield, WI           3  05-00  136
Day 1: 3   05-00
67. Andrew Mcclintock      Wellford, SC             2  05-00  134
Day 1: 2   05-00
68. Matt Mattingly         Gravel Switch, KY        3  04-14  133
Day 1: 3   04-14
68. Nick Spantgos          Topeka, KS               3  04-14  133
Day 1: 3   04-14
70. Mark Moretz            Chesapeake, VA           2  04-13  131
Day 1: 2   04-13
71. Josh Gaffney           Crab Orchard, KY         3  04-11  130
Day 1: 3   04-11
71. Ron Horton             Dover, DE                3  04-11  130
Day 1: 3   04-11
73. Skeeter Miller         Whittier, NC             3  04-10  128
Day 1: 3   04-10
73. Darrin Simmons         Oviedo, FL               3  04-10  128
Day 1: 3   04-10
75. Don Ramsey             Orlando, FL              3  04-09  126
Day 1: 3   04-09
75. Henry Reynolds         Callands, VA             3  04-09  126
Day 1: 3   04-09
77. Mike White             St Augustine, FL         2  04-09  124
Day 1: 2   04-09
78. Clayton Stoering       Waterville, MN           1  04-09  123
Day 1: 1   04-09
79. Steven Kellam          Dry Ridge, KY            2  04-08  122
Day 1: 2   04-08
80. Craig Cavanna          Spring Hill, FL          3  04-07  121
Day 1: 3   04-07
80. Casey O'Donnell        Scottsboro, AL           3  04-07  121
Day 1: 3   04-07
80. Aaron Richardson       Destin, FL               3  04-07  121
Day 1: 3   04-07
80. Scott Wise             Clermont, FL             3  04-07  121
Day 1: 3   04-07
84. Randy Futch            Dunnellon, FL            3  04-06  117
Day 1: 3   04-06
84. Kenneth Underwood      Columbus, MS             3  04-06  117
Day 1: 3   04-06
86. Christian Bellomo      Winter Park, FL          3  04-05  115
Day 1: 3   04-05
87. Robert Branagh         Palm Bay, FL             3  04-03  114
Day 1: 3   04-03
87. Scap Cicero            Wetumpka, AL             3  04-03  114
Day 1: 3   04-03
87. Wayne Hauser           Mooresville, NC          3  04-03  114
Day 1: 3   04-03
87. Marty Spears           Tallahassee, FL          3  04-03  114
Day 1: 3   04-03
87. James Topmiller III    Orlando, FL              3  04-03  114
Day 1: 3   04-03
92. JR Clark               Milton, DE               2  04-03  109
Day 1: 2   04-03
93. Taylor Wisniewski      Lexington, KY            2  04-02  108
Day 1: 2   04-02
94. Alan Blondino          Rustburg, VA             3  04-01  107
Day 1: 3   04-01
94. Jenny Sander           Byron, GA                3  04-01  107
Day 1: 3   04-01
94. Jody White             Gilbertsville, KY        3  04-01  107
Day 1: 3   04-01
97. Riley Crawford         High Springs, FL         2  04-01  104
Day 1: 2   04-01
97. Pete Patterson         Kingsport, TN            2  04-01  104
Day 1: 2   04-01
99. John Lynch Jr          Cape Coral, FL           3  04-00  102
Day 1: 3   04-00
99. Fred Rigdon            Belleview, FL            3  04-00  102
Day 1: 3   04-00
99. Marvin Stith Jr.       Piscataway, NJ           3  04-00  102
Day 1: 3   04-00
99. Chuck Thurlow          Auburn, AL               3  04-00  102
Day 1: 3   04-00
103. Russell Sapp III       Lincoln, AL              2  03-15   98
Day 1: 2   03-15
104. Michael McCoy          Mentor On The Lake, OH   2  03-13   97
Day 1: 2   03-13
104. Christian Thompson     Lake City, FL            2  03-13   97
Day 1: 2   03-13
106. Grant Bennett          Athens, AL               3  03-12   95
Day 1: 3   03-12
106. Eulon Lee Jr.          Eclectic, AL             3  03-12   95
Day 1: 3   03-12
108. Sawyer Adams           Seymour, TN              2  03-11   93
Day 1: 2   03-11
109. Kent Biggs             Morristown, TN           3  03-09   92
Day 1: 3   03-09
110. Brian Leitch           Knoxville, TN            2  03-08   91
Day 1: 2   03-08
111. Josh Goodwyn           Zolfo Springs, FL        2  03-06   90
Day 1: 2   03-06
112. Miriam Donohoo         San Mateo, FL            3  03-05   89
Day 1: 3   03-05
113. Jarrod Anderson        Delcambre, LA            2  03-05   88
Day 1: 2   03-05
113. Ken Sharkey            Spring Lake, MI          2  03-05   88
Day 1: 2   03-05
115. Zach George            Hastings, MI             3  03-04   86
Day 1: 3   03-04
115. Todd Lee               Jasper, AL               3  03-04   86
Day 1: 3   03-04
117. Don Harvey             Franklin, TN             2  03-04   84
Day 1: 2   03-04
117. Justin Hazen           Ocala, FL                2  03-04   84
Day 1: 2   03-04
119. Tyler Moore            Walterboro, SC           2  03-03   82
Day 1: 2   03-03
120. Charles Fochtman       Moneta, VA               3  03-01   81
Day 1: 3   03-01
121. Robert Taylor Jr       Saint Cloud, FL          2  03-01   80
Day 1: 2   03-01
122. Larry Maring           Minneola, FL             1  03-00   79
Day 1: 1   03-00
123. Timothy Hibbs          Bradenton, FL            2  02-15   78
Day 1: 2   02-15
123. Jeff Keever            Decatur, GA              2  02-15   78
Day 1: 2   02-15
125. Craig Goff             St Augustine, FL         2  02-14   76
Day 1: 2   02-14
125. Marshall Hughes        Port Neches, TX          2  02-14   76
Day 1: 2   02-14
127. Joe Koch               Kewaskum, WI             1  02-14   74
Day 1: 1   02-14
127. Steven Roosen          Charlotte, NC            1  02-14   74
Day 1: 1   02-14
127. David Rushing          Orlando, FL              1  02-14   74
Day 1: 1   02-14
130. Lee Terrill            Estill Springs, TN       1  02-13   71
Day 1: 1   02-13
131. Brandon Bolton         West Point, MS           2  02-12   70
Day 1: 2   02-12
132. Charles Anderson       Rocky Face, GA           2  02-08   69
Day 1: 2   02-08
132. Jeffrey Purves         Roanoke, VA              2  02-08   69
Day 1: 2   02-08
134. Hillary Hughes         Hughson, CA              2  02-07   67
Day 1: 2   02-07
135. Bill Parenti           Evans City, PA           2  02-06   66
Day 1: 2   02-06
135. Jason Patterson        Bluffton, IN             2  02-06   66
Day 1: 2   02-06
137. Shawn Mccoy            High Springs, FL         1  02-05   64
Day 1: 1   02-05
137. Jake Oglesby           Crestview, FL            1  02-05   64
Day 1: 1   02-05
137. Timothy Swango         Winter Haven, FL         1  02-05   64
Day 1: 1   02-05
140. Linda Higginbotham     Palm Coast, FL           2  02-04   61
Day 1: 2   02-04
141. Gary Cooper II         Midleburg, FL            1  02-03   60
Day 1: 1   02-03
141. Zac Roberts            Jasper, AL               1  02-03   60
Day 1: 1   02-03
143. Barry Woodward         Mobile, AL               2  02-02   58
Day 1: 2   02-02
144. Mark Wethington        Liberty, KY              1  02-02   57
Day 1: 1   02-02
145. Jonathan Tubbs         Irondale, AL             2  02-01   56
Day 1: 2   02-01
146. George Saliba          Lakefield Ontario CANAD  1  02-01   55
Day 1: 1   02-01
147. William Wood           Sylacauga, AL            2  02-00   54
Day 1: 2   02-00
148. Bill Mandikas          Tampa, FL                1  01-15   53
Day 1: 1   01-15
148. Ike Taylor             Westerville, OH          1  01-15   53
Day 1: 1   01-15
150. Mike Joint             Kissimmee, FL            1  01-13   51
Day 1: 1   01-13
151. Steve Horvath          Oldsmar, FL              1  01-12   50
Day 1: 1   01-12
152. Scott Fairchild        New Windsor, NY          1  01-11   49
Day 1: 1   01-11
152. Keith Jones            Newport News, VA         1  01-11   49
Day 1: 1   01-11
154. Darrell Pons II        Gainesville, FL          1  01-10   47
Day 1: 1   01-10
154. Taylor Schneider       Matthews, NC             1  01-10   47
Day 1: 1   01-10
156. Josh Olson             Chippewa Falls, WI       1  01-09   45
Day 1: 1   01-09
157. Jim Vines Jr           Palm Bay, FL             1  01-07   44
Day 1: 1   01-07
158. Mark Bartosch          Clarksville, TN          1  01-06   43
Day 1: 1   01-06
158. Rodney Rice            Narrows, VA              1  01-06   43
Day 1: 1   01-06
160. Bill Bruce             Hendersonville, TN       1  01-05   41
Day 1: 1   01-05
161. Michael Bradford       Scottsboro, AL           1  01-04   40
Day 1: 1   01-04
161. James Mattingly        Gravel Switch, KY        1  01-04   40
Day 1: 1   01-04
163. Jason Foss             Oviedo, FL               1  01-03   38
Day 1: 1   01-03
163. Daniel Kendrick        Chatsworth, GA           1  01-03   38
Day 1: 1   01-03
165. Kevin Steele           Kissimmee, FL            1  01-02   36
Day 1: 1   01-02
166. Marlon Crowder         Tampa, FL                1  01-01   35
Day 1: 1   01-01
166. Brandon Stooksbury     Locust Grove, GA         1  01-01   35
Day 1: 1   01-01
166. Scott Wiley Jr         Bay Minette, AL          1  01-01   35
Day 1: 1   01-01
169. Jkj Brindley           Dennison, OH             1  01-00   32
Day 1: 1   01-00
169. Jon Maslonka           Richland, WA             1  01-00   32
Day 1: 1   01-00
171. Dallas Johnson         Tallahassee, FL          1  00-15   30
Day 1: 1   00-15
172. Russell Nixon          Rustburg, VA             1  00-00   29
Day 1: 1   00-00
173. Jason Abrain           Seffner, FL              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Richard Arnold         Owens Cross Roads, AL    0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Jonathan Barnette      Jasper, AL               0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Eamon Bolten           Temple Terrace, FL       0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Justin Braswell        Winter Haven, FL         0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Barry Brunges          Gainesville, FL          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Bill Capps             Auburn, AL               0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Steven Culler          Butler, IN               0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Stephen Davis          Blacksburg, VA           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Bob Duff               Winter Springs, FL       0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Charlie Ginda          Edison, NJ               0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Hollywood Hobson       Clermont, FL             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Kenneth Hoffman        Cambridge, NY            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Eddie Johns            Anniston, AL             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Chris Kingree          Inverness, FL            0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Christopher Lemon      Mooresville, IN          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Jacques Lheureux       Tampa, FL                0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Vern Moss Jr           Niles, MI                0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Reed Peyton            Orlando, FL              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Daniel Phillips        Lawrenceville, GA        0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. JJ Polak               Oxford, GA               0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Fredrick Requarth      Dayton, OH               0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. John Riddling          Melrose, FL              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Paul Spellman          Fredericksburg, VA       0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Bradley Sterner        Manchester, PA           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Walter Swafford        Winter Garden, FL        0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Luke Vierkant          Sauk Rapids, MN          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
173. Scott Walker           Morristown, IN           0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

BIG
Day
1   Nathan Bloom             Winter Springs, FL  08-14          $0.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        93       397       776-10
----------------------------------
93       397       776-10

by AnglersChannel

Evinrude Extends Partnership With Texas Team Trail

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. (January 28, 2016) - Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), makers of Evinrude E-TEC outboards, has re-joined the Texas Team Trail (TXTT) as official sponsor for the 2016 season. The announcement comes as the TXTT prepares to kick-off the season this weekend on Sam Rayburn.

As part of the agreement, Evinrude will continue to reward anglers who power their boats with an Evinrude E-TEC outboard engine. A winning Evinrude angler at any one of the four regular-season events will receive an engine upgrade from the standard 150 hp option to a 225 hp model. Additional payout extends through 50th place, with second through 30th receiving a $250 cash bonus and 31st through 50th receiving $125.

"Evinrude has been an exceptional partner for us over the years," said TXTT Tournament Director Mike Hastings. "They've been a part of our organization from the beginning and the contingency program has played a major role in helping us offer the biggest team payouts in the state. We're proud of our partnership and excited to have their support again in 2016."

BRP is a global leader in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of powersports vehicles and propulsion systems. Its portfolio includes Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft, Can-Am all-terrain and side-by-side vehicles, Can-Am Spyder roadsters, Evinrude and Rotax marine propulsion systems as well as Rotax engines for karts, motorcycles and recreational aircraft.

BRP's Evinrude engine line-up from 3.5 to 300 horsepower offers customers superior value across a full range of applications. The Evinrude E-TEC G2 outboard delivers unrivaled performance with best-in-class torque and fuel efficiency and lowest total emissions.

"Texas Team Trail events provide the perfect platform to showcase the unrivaled performance, bold breakthrough design and unmatched lifetime value of the new Evinrude E-TEC G2," said Evinrude Director of Marketing and Strategic Planning Chris Berg. "We're proud of our long-standing relationship with the TXTT and all the loyal Evinrude-powered anglers who compete. We look forward to a great 2016 season."

The Texas Team Trail presented by Cabela's consists of four regular-season events and a year-end championship. The championship is a two-day tournament open to teams who have fished all four regular-season events.

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.

Registration for the 2016 season is underway. Anglers with questions or anyone interested in more details are encouraged to visit www.texasteamtrail.com or call 210-788-4143.

2016 TXTT scheduled events:

January 30 - Sam Rayburn Reservoir
February 20 - Toledo Bend
March 19 - Richland Chambers Reservoir
April 16 - Lake Texoma

Championship

May 14-15 - Ray Roberts 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

Targeting pre-spawn fish key in FLW College Fishing Tournament on Crescent Lake

The cold snap of the last couple of weeks has the fish in Crescent Lake, a part of the St. John's River system, a little behind what they were last year this time, said Patrick Walters, a member of the University of South Carolina Fishing Team which will field seven teams in the FLW College Fishing Southeastern Division opener Saturday.

“Last year, right at the beginning of January, they were already moving up to bed. We had some warm weather, but now we've had this cold weather and that is starting to slow them down. We are about two weeks behind last year, even though this tournament is two weeks later.”

Walters, who has had a chance to keep tabs on the fish for several days since fishing a tournament three earlier this month, said it appears the fish are finally starting to stage up and are in the pre-spawn phase.

“There will be some random spawning fish, but it will be slim pickings to find those spawning fish. My strategy will be to look strictly for pre-spawn fish. The pre-spawn fish are always the heavier fish,” he said.

Walters, who will team with Gettys Brannon, his teammate when the pair won the FLW College Fishing Championship on Lake Murray last April, said the fish will be moving close to aquatic grass.

“They will be pushing up in the grass in the main river channel. They will be moving up in Crescent Lake and Lake George, like always, but they will be up in the grass and on cypress trees in the main river,” he said.

“My main goal is to catch them flipping. I love to flip. It's my favorite way to fish and if a cold front comes through it is about the only way you can catch the big ones. If we can't catch them flipping we will try to find a casting bite. We’ll back off the grass and try to find a staging area where you can cast and catch bass on a Texas rig or maybe topwater and spinnerbaits.”

Walters and Brannon split up their team last year after winning the national championship in order to fish with other members of the USC bass fishing club and share their experience, but they are back together this year, he said.

“We did not repeat for the FLW Championship so we figured we'd fish the FLW College tournaments again this year and see if we can get something going again.”

But, he noted that does not mean the South Carolina college team depends just on him and Brannon.

“We've got these other teams and they are in all different stages of experience. Some are good now and some are in the beginning stages and learning. That is what is really good. We've got guys fishing their first tournament and they will be able to progress through the years. They are the ones who will eventually take over the club.”

FLW College Fishing teams compete in regular-season qualifying tournaments in one of five conferences – Central, Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Western. The top ten teams from each division’s three regular-season tournaments and the top 15 teams from the annual FLW College Fishing Open will advance to the 2017 FLW College Fishing National Championship.

 

FLW College Fishing Series Southeastern Conference

Sat, Jan 30, 2016

Crescent Lake

Bull Creek Fish Camp

www.flwfishing.com

 

by AnglersChannel

Big Entry, Big Bags Expected For Texas Team Trail Opener On Sam Rayburn

The Texas Team Trail is poised to kick off the 2016 tournament season at Sam Rayburn with a big bang Saturday, said TXTT Tournament Director Mike Hastings.

“We are expecting a full field of 225 boats and everybody is expecting it's going to take at least 30 pounds to win,” Hastings said. “We are excited to get the season started.”

“Due to the mild winter we've had we think there will be more fish than normal to be caught shallow and we also think there are going to be more fish than normal set up in kind of classic pre-spawn locations. With that in mind, however, there will still be some fish caught out deep.”

Hastings said that typically this time of year lipless crankbaits, Chatterbaits, swim jigs and sometimes spinnerbaits can play a big role, especially when fishing the areas that have good vegetation – hydrilla, specifically.

Payout for the tournaments is like it has been in the past, he said, with some new continegency programs added this year.

“First place is guaranteed a fully-rigged, tournament-ready bass boat package – boat, motor, trailer, electronics and trolling motor.”

Based on a 200-boat field, the package is valued at more than $26,000. But anglers can win even more through the Anglers Advantage Program.

The Texas Team Trail Anglers Advantage Program allows each team, for an additional $100 entry, to compete in a higher payout bracket.  The optional $100 entry fee is in addition to the standard $250 tournament entry and may be paid when a team registers for an event, or is otherwise due by the close of on-site registration prior to the tournament. 

The Anglers Advantage entry fee will be paid out at 100 percent to those participating and is based on a 200-boat field. If a winning team opts for the Anglers Advantage Program, they stand to win an additional $3,000. A tournament second place pays $5,000, but Anglers Advantage would boost that total to $7,200.

The kind of boat a team fishes out of also can mean a bigger payday with manufacturers' contingency programs. The Ranger bonus would provide an upgrade to a Z519 for first place, Stratos to a 201 XLE, Triton to a 19TRX and Mercury and Evinrude would upgrade to a 250 hp. All four programs pay an adduitional $250 for 2nd through 30th place and $125 for 31st through 50th place.

“We also have some new contingency programs from BoatUS and Lucas Oil in addition to the other programs already in place,” Hasting said.

After the Rayburn tournament the series, which is designed exclusively for team competition, moves to Toledo Bend Feb. 20, then to Richland Chambers Reservoir March 19, and to Lake Texoma April 16, with the year-end championship on Ray Roberts Lake, May 14–15. Anglers can sign up by visiting www.texasteamtrail.com or by calling 210-788-4143.

 

Texas Team Trail

Sat, Jan 30, 2016

Sam Rayburn Reservoir

Umphrey Family Pavilion

Call (210) 788-4143

www.texasteamtrail.com

 

by AnglersChannel

Fishing pressure to be major factor for Savannah River BFL opener on Lake Keowee

Although he lives a half hour or less from the shores of Lake Keowee, tournament angler Bo Price of Westminster, S.C., has not done any pre-fishing on the lake before the Savannah Division BFL season opener there this Saturday – for two reasons. First, the fish already know what time of year it is and second, no use giving away potential fish producing spots.

“The photo period is overlooked by a lot of anglers,” said Price, who has 16 top 10 finishes in less than 70 FLW Fishing Tournaments, including four 1st places. “Last year this BFL tournament was held on Feb. 7 and the year before it was on Feb. 10. The photo period is the only way for the fish to keep up with what time of year it is. They know what to do, regardless of the weather, pretty much.”

Cabin fever will play a major role after the recent spate of wintry weather, he added.

“Everybody is ready to get on the lake, so fishing pressure is going to be the biggest factor in the tournament. There have been a lot of boats on the lake and the few places I do have I don't want to gte seen on them, so I am leaving them alone until the tournament.

Price noted that the weather was unseasonably warm until recently, but the cold snap has had an effect on the fish.

“It was really warm in December, record-breaking warm. I feel like there were a lot of fish up shallow, but with the sleet and snow and temperatures down in the 20s and teens at night, I am sure that pushed a lot of those fish deeper,” he said.

The weather pendulum is expected to swing back the other way this week, Price noted, with a high of 60 degrees during the day Saturday and the low that morning around 40 degrees.

“Saturday is supposed to be the first nice day we've had in 2 ½ weeks. It won't be early enough to pull the fish back up, but it will be nice for the fishermen,” he noted. “Somebody might catch them shallow, but whoever wins is going to have to fish deep, fish slow and pick up a decent keeper here and there.”

And, he added, fishing pressure is going to be heavy on the lake Saturday.

“The Fishers of Men is going to have 100 boats, BFL will have 150 boats and with that many boats on the lake all the community holes will be beat up during the tournament. You will have to find a back door approach, maybe not the best holes on the lake, but decent holes,” Price said. “If you have a place to catch a 2 ½-pounder, you'd better go get him because of all the boat traffic.”

 

Walmart BFL Savannah River Division

Sat, Jan 30, 2016

Lake Keowee

South Cove County Park

www.flwfishing.com

 

by AnglersChannel

Flw Cup Champ Brad Knight Talks Bass Southern Open #1

If you watched our own Vance McCullough preview the first BASS Southern Open on the Kissimmee Chain that kicks off today, you heard him mention the statement, some will be lucky and some will be good. With the weather in Florida being colder than normal and now starting a slow warming trend, one would think the fishing should be getting better. For some it is but for others it’s still a guessing game.

The forecast for today, Day 1 of the event is calling for 90% chance of rain. So how does an angler factor in being on the backside of a full moon, a slight warming trend in Florida, but now rain, rain and more rain to kick off day 1 of the first major BASS event of the year?  Well, we asked FLW Cup Champ Brad Knight for his take on practice and what his plan of attack will be as Day 1 blasts off this morning.

“My practice has been hot and cold, literally. It started off cold and it got warmer each day, both the bite and the weather.” Said Knight.  Looking to find fish in concentrated areas Knight told us he “found a few key areas where the bigger females are living, its just a matter of getting them to bite.”

Knights bait selection this week is pretty simple, “With the water warming up and when the sun is out I am relying on a one two punch of a Strike King Swim Jig and then also a Strike King Rage Toad. Those fish are moving in and out from under those mats and the moving baits are really triggering some bigger bites.”

With the conditions rainy and cloudy for day 1, Knights approach is back to what he used to start the year off with a top 35 finish in the Costa Series event two weeks ago on Okeechobee, “I’ve got my Strike King Rodent set up on my Lew’s Flipping stick and and I’ll punch til’ I can make em’ bite.”

As Vance mentioned in his video, its going to come down to the wire in this one, and with an early season Bassmaster Classic berth on the line,

“If you ain’t first…. you’re last.”

 

Stay tuned for more coverage throughout the day on the BASS Southern Open on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. Check out Bassmaster.com for the Live weigh-in at 3pm EST.

 

Photo Credit: Brad Knight Fishing Facebook Page

by AnglersChannel

Bassmaster Southern Open Preview - Kissimmee Chain Of Lakes

We're excited about the Bassmaster Southern Open on the Kissimmee Chain which starts tomorrow! AnglersChannel.com Insider Vance McCullough shares a little insight and makes a couple of predictions as far as what to expect from the lakes and the big field of talented anglers who will fish them this week.

by AnglersChannel

Patrick Dennis & Dicky Newberry Win The Rat-L-Trap Open On Sam Rayburn!!!

 

Patrick Dennis, and Rat-L-Trap Pro-Staff Member, Dicky Newberry (Above) show off a couple of nice fish from their 26.58 lb limit of largemouth from the Rat-L-Trap Open on Sam Rayburn this past weekend. Dennis and Newberry bested 143 teams in the first Rat-L-Trap event of 2016.

 

Big Fish honors go to the Team of Clint Wade and Stacy Spriggs (Pictured above) with an 8.02 Largemouth which also helped them to a second place finish.

Complete Results are below.

The next Rat-L-Trap Open event will be Februaty 7th on Lake Guntersville!! Make sure and get registered today as it is sure to be a great event! Click the link below for more info and the registration forms.

http://www.rat-l-trap.com/images/pdf/Guntersville-RegistrationRules2016.pdf

 

RAT-L-TRAP Sam Rayburn January 24, 2016
Place Anglers Fish weight Big Bass Winnings Big Bass
1 DICKY NEWBERRY-PATRICK DENNIS  5/5 26.58 6.19 $3,500.00
2 CLINT WADE-STACY SPRIGGS  5/5 22.60 8.02 $1,750.00 $1,120.00
3 CRAIG STERLING-ASHTON HUNTER  5/5 21.64 7.17 $1,000.00
4 RANDY TURNER-BRIG LUCE  5/5 20.19 5.72 $700.00
5 DAVID DRISKELL-BOBBY DRISKELL  5/5 19.60 7.10 $700.00
6 MATTHEW MCCARDLE-JOSH BENSEMA  5/5 18.44 $500.00
7 ALAN GRISSOM-CORTLAND WESTON  5/5 17.45 $500.00
8 DWIGHT ABSHIRE-BYRON SMITH  5/5 16.67 * 8.88 $500.00 $1,700.00
9 MIKE ATCHLEY-BRENDA ATCHLEY  5/5 15.71 $300.00
10 HERB LUTZ-RONNIE RALEY  5/5 15.63 4.86 $300.00
11 JERRELL PRINGLE-  4/4 15.05 $300.00
12 PETE SHIVERS-ALLAN SHIVERS  5/5 15.02 4.93 $300.00
13 JORDAN DOWNS-CARLOS ALEMAN  5/5 14.57 3.68 $300.00
14 RON SLAWSON-MARK MOORE  5/5 14.45 $300.00
15 ERIC MCGAHA-DAVE HAGER  5/5 14.42 $300.00
16 BRIAN MERIWETHER-DELTA WOOD  5/5 14.32 3.82 $250.00
17 BUBBA FRAZIER-TOMMY HILL  5/5 14.18 $250.00
18 COLBY POTTER-J.R. WEBSTER  5/5 13.92 $250.00
19 MICHAEL LAFIEUR-CODY SIRMONS  5/5 13.25 $250.00
20 BRENNUM CONWAY-BRANDON JOHNS  5/5 13.11 $250.00
21 MARK LEGER-  5/5 12.78 5.17 $250.00
22 GREG BATEY-ASHLEY BATEY  5/5 12.50 $250.00
23 OSCAR LANGELE-CODY PUGH  5/5 12.48 $250.00
24 RUSTY LACHNEY-DALTON TOMPLAIT  4/4 12.26 4.85 $250.00
25 CRAIG STRICKLAND-MAT DOWNEY  5/5 12.23 $200.00
26 OSCAR SHACKELFORD-TIM MOORE  5/5 12.17 $200.00
27 CHRISTOPHE MOORE-DUSTIN MOORE  5/5 12.10 $200.00
28 JOEL COVINGTON-JACOB HUDSPETH  5/5 11.86 $200.00
29 KURT ESTES-JAMES H MARTIN JR  5/5 11.75 3.31
30 KEVIN LASYONE-RANDY DESPINO  5/5 11.64
31 BOB BRUMBLE-JEREMIAH BRUMBLE  5/5 11.60
32 BOBBY DICE-ROB DEAR  4/4 11.36 4.13
33 JASON STANLEY-CHAD HOUGHTON  5/5 11.35
34 JERRY WILLIAMS II-DAVID GORE  5/5 10.55
35 ROBERT LEWIS-MIKE MITCHELL  5/5 9.96
36 TRAVIS PATTILLO-WILLIAM CRANE  4/4 9.91
37 COLT DEAR-JUSTIN EDGERTON  5/5 9.61
38 BRANDON MCKEE-DAVID STERHENS  4/4 9.32
39 DARRELL PROFFITT-ANDREW GOLDEN  5/5 9.25
40 KARL WILLIS-DENNIS CRAFT  5/5 9.14
41 GEORGE KIMBALL-KADE KIMBALL  5/5 9.05
42 JOHN FRAZIER-JAMES CARLTON  3/3 8.67
43 FELIPE EDGERTON-CARSEN EDGERTON  3/3 7.29 3.52
44 JOHN GOEBEL-PHILIP JARDELL  2/2 7.22 5.45
45 BUTCH RHYMES-BOBBY TATON  3/3 6.97 3.33
46 SELVIN CARTWRIGHT-MICHAEL GARDNER  3/3 5.98
47 GHARLES HENDRICKS-PATRICK HENDRICKS  3/3 5.91
48 CLAYTON TANTON-TRENT DRAKE  3/3 5.24
49 BILLY HALL-KEVIN CHOATE  2/2 4.66
50 KIPP FINDLEY-BILLY MANLEY  3/3 4.52
51 JOSH DAVIS-BRANDON LEE  2/2 3.86
52 DARRELL TOMPKINS-JESSI TOMPKINS  1/1 2.58
53 CODY CLARK-ANDREW TAYLOR  1/1 2.25
54 DENNIS W ADKINS-BRYAN LANDERS  0/0 0.00
54 JON ALANIZ-CHRIS MELTON  0/0 0.00
54 CHRIS BAGGETT-*MIKE MOORE  0/0 0.00
54 JASON BALL-RYAN BABINEAUX  0/0 0.00
54 CHRIS BERRY-DOMENICK POLLARD  0/0 0.00
54 KEVIN BISKAMP-JASON GRIFIN  0/0 0.00
54 BRANDON BOOTH-PRESTON SEPULVADO  0/0 0.00
54 DARRYL BOULET-TIM WOODARD  0/0 0.00
54 CLAYTON BOULWARE-PHIL ADDISON  0/0 0.00
54 DAVID BROWN-JIMMY LEWIS  0/0 0.00
54 TERRY BURGHART-JEFF HOLDER  0/0 0.00
54 SHAWN BUTLER-RICKY HILL  0/0 0.00
54 TROY CARRELL-STEPHEN THOMAS  0/0 0.00
54 JERRY CARTER-RANDELL CAGLE  0/0 0.00
54 JOSEPH CHILDERS-DARREN YOUNGBLOOD  0/0 0.00
54 CHRIS CLEMENS-DALLAS COLE  0/0 0.00
54 ALBERT COLLINS-EVAN BOUTWELL  0/0 0.00
54 JOEY COOLEY-CONNAN CLINE  0/0 0.00
54 AARON CRIPPER-KEVIN DESHANE  0/0 0.00
54 BYRON DAL-MICHAEL MILLER  0/0 0.00
54 JAMES DAVIS JR-MELVIN DUNN  0/0 0.00
54 JASON DEVILLIER-GEORGETTE NORRIS  0/0 0.00
54 BRANDT DILLON-LISA DILLON  0/0 0.00
54 ROBERT A DIXON-BRADLEY A DIXON  0/0 0.00
54 JOSH DUNAWAY-JAMES SPELL  0/0 0.00
54 NASH EDDINGS-GARY CRUMPTON  0/0 0.00
54 HENRY ENGLISH III-THOMAS ZEAGLER  0/0 0.00
54 CASS FAZZIO-JOHN BEVENS  0/0 0.00
54 RICK FINDLEY-JOHNNY WALTERS  0/0 0.00
54 LARRY FORD-SHANNON CARROLL  0/0 0.00
54 SONNA GLASCO-JAY CHILDS  0/0 0.00
54 JOSEPH GOODRUM-JASON SQUIRE  0/0 0.00
54 DALE GORE-  0/0 0.00
54 FRANK GORE-MELVIN GORE  0/0 0.00
54 KENT GRAHAM-MARK GUSTIN  0/0 0.00
54 MATTHEW GRANGER-JOSH BOWMAN  0/0 0.00
54 ROGER GRIFFIN-MIKE FULLERTON  0/0 0.00
54 BRIAN E GUTHRIE-BRIAN C GUTHRIE  0/0 0.00
54 LINDY HADLEY-RAY BECK  0/0 0.00
54 BUDDY HARDIN-MASON MCGILL  0/0 0.00
54 BUTCH HARPER-GARY FRICK  0/0 0.00
54 NORA HENDERSON-JARED PHILLIPS  0/0 0.00
54 JASON HENSARLING-LYLE RAINEY  0/0 0.00
54 CHIP HERRIAGE-BEN PEPPER  0/0 0.00
54 SHANE HILL-JEFF PRYOR  0/0 0.00
54 RONNIE HOWARD-BRANDON ROYE  0/0 0.00
54 GEORGE JEANE-TATER REYNOLDS  0/0 0.00
54 MIKE KENT-GLENN SMITH  0/0 0.00
54 JERRY KIBODEAUX-LYDIA MANSFIELD  0/0 0.00
54 GLEN KIMBLE-  0/0 0.00
54 BLAKE KING-TERRY MORGAN  0/0 0.00
54 JOE KIRBOW-PAUL MALONE  0/0 0.00
54 MICHAEL KOTZ-ANDY ANDERSON  0/0 0.00
54 CHARLES LAMBERTH-TRAVIS MATTHEWS  0/0 0.00
54 SHAWN LEFIER-RANDY LEFIER  0/0 0.00
54 RYAN LOHR-BRYAN LOHR  0/0 0.00
54 RAY LOWERY-DWAYNE HOLLIEFIELD  0/0 0.00
54 BRENT MAYO-PATRICK FANT  0/0 0.00
54 DAVID MORTON-SCOTT MOREHEAD  0/0 0.00
54 JAMES C NATIONS-CHARLES LAROCCA  0/0 0.00
54 KELLY NEELY-RANDALL DELAHAUSSAYE  0/0 0.00
54 CLINT O'NEAL-RYAN O'NEAL  0/0 0.00
54 PRUITT H PERKINS-SAMMY L STRONG  0/0 0.00
54 ROBERT PHILLIPS-JAMES WALKER  0/0 0.00
54 PAUL PROCTOR-RANDY FOY  0/0 0.00
54 MARK RICHARD-KEVIN SHIVERS  0/0 0.00
54 CODY RICHMOND-KLINT MYERS  0/0 0.00
54 TROY RODER-JOEL THAMES  0/0 0.00
54 KIRK ROHWEDDER-BOB WASHENFELDER  0/0 0.00
54 CLINT RUTLEDGE-MIKE RUTLEDGE  0/0 0.00
54 JEROME SCHROER-MIKE JOURDAN  0/0 0.00
54 DUSTIN SHILLINGS-CRAIG WILLIAMS  0/0 0.00
54 ROGER SIMMONS-KEITH FORSYTHE  0/0 0.00
54 PAUL SMITH-DON HUTTO  0/0 0.00
54 JUSTIN SOWELL-BILLY WALLDROP  0/0 0.00
54 DEAN STEVENS-CHRIS STEVENS  0/0 0.00
54 MIKE STEWART-CHRIS DUNCAN  0/0 0.00
54 NICHOLAS SWANIS-CRAIG DISHON  0/0 0.00
54 AL TAYLOR-RIDLEY MCKINLEY  0/0 0.00
54 DARREN TAYLOR-MICHAEL WEEMS  0/0 0.00
54 MICHAEL WAGHORN-JESSE FLOYD  0/0 0.00
54 RICHARD WAGNOR-LUKE MULHOLLAND  0/0 0.00
54 MATTHEW WARDEN-CHRISTY WARDEN  0/0 0.00
54 BRUCE WHITMIRE-JAMES HARPER  0/0 0.00
54 JOSH WINFREE-TIMBO SESSUM  0/0 0.00
54 BILLY WOLCOTT-BROOKE WOLCOTT  0/0 0.00
54 DEAN WOOD-RAMON RAINES  0/0 0.00
54 DAVIS WOODS-NATHAN HARPER  0/0 0.00
54 W T WRIGHT-JUSTIN BURNS  0/0 0.00
54 ANDREW Y'BARBO-WILLIAM FLOURNOY  0/0 0.00

 

 

by AnglersChannel

Rodriguez & Harrington Teams Up To Win $20,000, Catching Over 30 Pounds!

Bass Champs South Region kicks off on Lake Falcon

Skeeter Bass Champs blasted off the South Region kick-off event January 23rd on Lake Falcon with 160 teams vying for a portion of the nearly $50,000 purse to be paid out to the top 21 teams. The payback was a whopping 107%! Jose Rodriguez and Ryan Harrington, both of Rio Grande City, TX triumphed the event, winning by a six pound margin, taking home the guaranteed 1st place prize of $20,000.

It was a cold morning at take-off with temperatures just under the freezing mark at 36 degrees. Falcon is a border lake between Texas and Mexico, and is known for its big bass.

Winners Jose “Martin” Rodriguez and Ryan Harrington had bet all of their marbles on one spot Jose had found during practice. "It was a long, cold boat ride getting there," Ryan reported. "No one else was around us. We had the whole spot to ourselves." It was a shallow but heavily wooded area. The first few hours of fishing, they didn’t catch a single fish. "The area just looked good. We had faith in it." Using spinnerbaits and Texas rigs, they kept at it. Gradually, the sun warmed the water and the area enough and the fish started biting. "When they started biting, they were quality fish." Their best five totaled 32.63 lbs, anchored by a 9.12 lb kicker that Rodriguez caught. It was more than enough to champion the event, winning by more than a six pound margin! Bass Champs presented the team with a $20,000 1st place check. “This is our first year fishing with Bass Champs. We were very blessed today. I’d like to thank my partner Martin, and God for keeping us safe. Thanks also to everyone at Bass Champs for putting these events on for us to fish!

The 2nd place winners caught a lot of fish throughout their day, and one of them was huge. Randell Brown and Richard Reynolds chose two spots to catch their creel near the dam. "They were flats, between five and ten feet deep," Richard explained. Using a watermelon red Texas rigged rage craw exclusively, they estimate catching 40 fish throughout the day. "At first we were just catching small fish, but between 12-1:00 after it warmed up, the bigger ones started biting." They caught their three biggest fish during that hour. Randell caught the biggest one, setting a new personal best record with it. "He knew it was a big one as soon as she bit. He set the hook, and we got a look at her tail. I scrambled to put my pole down and grab the net. As he was trying to get her in, she wrapped around the base of a tree. We had to troll over to her and get her out of it. We were so excited!" Weighing that fish first at the scales, she weighed 11.78 lbs, winning Big Bass of the tournament. Adding their other four, they had a 26.59 lb sack to win 2nd place overall. Bass Champs awarded them $3,250 for their 2nd place win, and another $500 for Big Bass. Their winnings didnÂ’t stop there, with several sponsor bonuses kicking in. They won the Chevron Delo bonus, Abu Garcia, BioBor, Lowrance, Costa Del Mar and UnderArmor bonuses too!

3rd place was won by Jerry Delafuente and Raymond Benoit. "Our day went really well," Jerry surmised. "We targeted two areas, they both had trees and held nice fish. We had to wait until the water warmed up before they started biting." They used Rat-L-Traps to locate their fish, then switched to spinnerbaits and square bills to trigger the bite. "We caught our first five fish in our first spot, which was a submerged island near deep water. After that we went to our second area, and the water was warmer. We slowed our fishing way down, using the square bills to try to mop up the area." In their second spot, they caught 15 keepers, all bigger than the ones from their first spot. All total they weighed in 22.63 pounds, anchored by a 6.27 lb kicker to win 3rd place and $2,250. They doubled their winnings being the highest finishing team in a qualified Skeeter boat to a $4,500 day! “I wish we had caught one bigger fish, but we were fortunate to catch what we did. We had a great day, it was great weather, and we had a great time!” Jerry has been fishing Bass Champs since 2009, and this is the first year with his new partner Ray. “I really enjoyed fishing this tournament with my new partner. We had a really good time.” Jerry and his dad were partners in Bass Champs in years prior. “I’d really like to thank my dad for teaching me how to fish and for passing this sport to me. I hope to continue passing it on. In the meantime, we’ll keep fishing Bass Champs as long as they keep the tournaments coming!”

All total 21 teams received checks, and it took 15.45 pounds to be in the money. Brian Hall and Jacob Beck received the 21st place check.

The next event for the South Region will be held February 20 on Amistad. In the meantime, Bass Champs will be heading to Lake LBJ to kick off the Central Region on February 6. Remember – all Bass Champs tournaments are open to anyone who would like to fish. Don’t miss out on your chance to win BIG!

For more information click to www.BassChamps.com or call 817-439-3274

by AnglersChannel

Pro Tackle Insider with Elite Series Pro Justin Lucas

BASS Elite Series Pro Justin Lucas takes us through his conversion to Bass Mafia Tackle boxes for the 2016 Season and why he chose to color code each and every box in his arsenal.

by AnglersChannel

Details on Lambert's Costa FLW Series win on Okeechobee

Jason Lambert boxes another bass enroute to winning his first Costa FLW Series tournament. photo courtesy of FLW Outdoors

Following the conclusion of the Costa FLW Series tournament on Okeechobee we were able to describe how most of the top finishers had fished. Here are more details about winner Jason Lambert, his tactics, location and lures:

The recent Costa FLW Series tournament on Lake Okeechobee was featured a cold front during practice which lingered into the first competition day and was followed by a nonstop torrent and high winds on Day 2. Day 3 didn’t produce anything near Peter Cherkas’ opening round effort of 20 pounds. It was a tight finish.

Such conditions favor the flippers. Indeed, most of the finalists employed the long rod and short line for much, if not all of their weight.

Jason Lambert took a different approach.

The pro from Tennessee is noted for his prowess on offshore ledges. He said he really loves to fish grass, though, and enjoyed having the opportunity to visit Florida and do so. While the terrain was different from say, Lake Pickwick, Lambert simply power-fished just as he does back home.

“I’m just more comfortable throwing a moving bait,” says Lambert. “I’m a power fisherman. That’s what I do out on the ledges and that’s what I love to do around grass. I just feel like when I can get bit on a moving bait I’ll eventually connect with a big bite.

“I found an area that had some good grass in it where it seemed like the fish were staging to go spawn. I could get at least 12 to 15 keepers a day but only one big bite. The weather definitely didn’t help things this week.”

Tour veteran and Florida ace Glenn Browne actually counted on the weather to position fish tight into flippable cover. He conjured 43 pounds, 4 ounces, but Lambert’s horizontal techniques put him over the top with 44-12.

A 500-yard stretch along North Shore held hydrilla which kept the water clean. That, along with a little extra depth made Lambert’s spot a winning location.

“I wanted to find deeper hydrilla where it didn’t come all the way to the surface,” Lambert explains. “Once I found that I was able to use the new Garmin side imaging transducer on my trolling motor which reads at speeds down to .1 mile per hour. That way I could see the grass line on my Garmin and stay off the edge without disturbing it. It’s a pretty cool deal.”

As for lures Lambert used a Zoom Ultravibe Speed Worm, a spinnerbait, and a Strike King bladed jig with a Strike King Swimming Caffeine Shad trailer.

Lambert fished all three lures on the same set up:  a 7-foot, 3-inch medium-heavy Duckett Micro Magic rod, a 6.3:1 gear ratio Duckett RB360 reel and 20-pound Vicious fluorocarbon line.

by AnglersChannel

Ott Defoe Gets Connected With Connectscale!!

Ott DeFoe has a fish scale that can help you catch more fish

Blountville, TN - When introduced to new technology a fisherman will immediately ask one important question – Will it help me catch more fish?

In the world of fish scales the answer has always been a simple NO.  Scales simply provide a reading of how much a fish weighs and that’s it.  But now with the new Bluetooth 4.0 technology-enabled ConnectScale and its free app it is now a YES.

So the next question is – How will it help me catch more fish?

The answer lies in the new technology that gives ConnectScale the ability to perform a host of tasks that were all manual previously.  Most fishermen love new gear and new technology and ConnectScale is on the cutting edge of it with its scale and app.  To ensure the technology was relevant, functional, and accurate (translating to fishermen catching more fish) the company turned to their fellow Tennessee resident and professional angler Ott DeFoe for help.  Fishing fans know DeFoe from the Bassmaster Elite Series®, The Bass Pros® television show, and Major League Fishing®.

“There are benefits to the ConnectScale that will appeal to a wide variety of people,” said DeFoe.  “It is very helpful for most fishermen honestly.  Personally, I love the speed at which the scale and app work together to capture key factors and track my catches.  That’s a huge time-saver for me.”

DeFoe said of the ConnectScale process, “Upon weighing a fish the app captures the fish’s weight, time of day, air temp, and GPS location automatically over Bluetooth.  Right then or later I can then enter the species, length (using a tape stored in the scale) bait/lure, fishing technique, and water temp.  I can also include a photo and any relevant notes I want to make about the catch.”

“Using this data I track my fish catches and key in on patterns and trends that the data shows me,” said DeFoe.  “This data helps me establish patterns for future trips and catch more fish.”

“The Tournament feature is a great tool for competitive anglers like me who are culling fish during the day.  The app makes calculations and prompts me which fish to cull,” commented DeFoe.  “I also know the exact weight I have for the day and know which fish in my livewell is the smallest and next to be culled based on the color of its cull tag.”

“I’ve fished several tournaments with the ConnectScale and we continued to make improvements and tweak the tournament feature.  We have it dialed in now and it is a big help during the day.  It’s very simple to learn and use too,” said the 2011 Bassmaster Rookie of the Year.

Ben Arnold, the Owner/Founder ConnectScale, LLC, had this to say.  “I’ve enjoyed working with Ott and greatly appreciate his help with this project.  He has provided invaluable feedback on the scale and made some great suggestions during the development process of the new Tournament Culling Feature.   Ott is the ultimate professional, both as an angler and as a business partner.  We are very excited about this long term relationship with Ott and look forward to continuing to leverage his world-class fishing experience and knowledge as we continue to grow and develop new products.”

 

About ConnectScale:

ConnectScale is an innovative fishing tool that combines a digital fishing scale with Bluetooth 4.0 technology to transmit data to the ConnectScale Mobile app.  Using ConnectScale, anglers are able to weigh their catch using a 55-pound limit, water-resistant scale which automatically transmits the weight and air temperature data to the mobile app.  The data is then combined with the date, time, air temp, and GPS location of the catch through the app which creates an entry in a catch log in which anglers can add lure type used, species caught, photo of the catch and other critical catch data.

Cloud-based storage lets users access their ConnectScale data from any iOS and Android device, allowing anglers to identify patterns and share stories and photos on social media through Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.  The new Tournament culling feature that was recently launched in December helps anglers capture and analyze catch data when fishing in tournaments. The feature allows anglers to easily track and manage their catches and sends push notifications on which catches should be kept, culled, or released.

Founded in 2015, ConnectScale, LLC is a Tennessee-based, fishing analytics and product development company dedicated to providing tools for recreational and tournament anglers to make fishing experiences more efficient and enjoyable. To find out more about ConnectScale, visit their website www.connectscale.com, Facebook page, or email [email protected].

by AnglersChannel

State Record Spotted Bass Caught In Texas!!

Using a LiveTarget Suspending Jerkbait, Josh Helmstetler caught the Texas State Record Spotted Bass on Lake Alan Henry near Lubbock, TX

On January 9, 2016 Texas angler Josh Helmstetler fishing on 2,880 acre Lake Alan Henry near Lubbock, TX caught what has been certified by Texas Parks & Wildlife as a new TX State Record Spotted Bass with a 5.98 pound fish.   This fish also became the lake record Spotted Bass for Lake Alan Henry.

The record catch came on a LIVETARGET BaitBall Glass Minnow jerkbait, model GFB120S in color 950 which is a Silver/Natural color pattern in the BaitBall design.

Helmstetler, who fishes the lake about six to ten times a year, almost didn’t go on that day. “Yeah, it was supposed to be very cold, about 37 for a high, so my buddy had to talk me into going” described Helmstetler.  “We fished for about an hour and caught about 10 fish, then the bite died.   We moved out over some flooded timber in a creek channel that had been productive for me in the past, and that is where the big one struck.  I thought it was going to be a double-digit largemouth it pulled so hard.”    Right away Helmstetler identified it as a Spotted Bass via inspection of the tongue, which was later confirmed by TPWD.  The Texas angler was fishing a small local bass tournament which he was able to also win with his total creel, and his partner finished in second place.

Helmstetler reported being a big fan of the LIVETARGET BaitBall lures, even before this record catch; “I’ve used the crankbaits, the rattlebaits, and other versions of the jerkbait successfully in the past, so I use LIVETARGET lures quite a bit.   We had caught some fish on rattlebaits earlier in the day, and I had just switched to this natural color jerkbait when we went out over the deep timber creek channel when the record fish bit.   These lures just seem to excel where there is clear water.

With certificates from TPWD already presented for the record catch, Josh Helmstetler has gotten the new fishing season off to a great start, and a cold weather morning that he’ll never forget from Lake Alan Henry.

by AnglersChannel

Hefty Bags Expected For Rat-L-Trap Open On Sam Rayburn Sunday

If the fishing is as good on Sam Rayburn Lake for the Rat-L-Trap Open this Sunday as it was Saturday for the 2016 Bass Champs East Region Division opener, there will be some eye-popping bags brought to the weigh-in.

“They had over 300 boats and they had some big bags at the weigh-in,” said David Haas, weigh-master for the Rat-L-Trap Open. “You had to have over 15 pounds just to get a check in that tournament Saturday.”

In fact, Louisianans Dean and Joshua Sikes won the Bass Champs with a whopping five-fish limit that weighed 25.8 pounds. Eleven teams weighed more than 20 pounds and Bass Champs paid 42 places. It took 15.76 pounds just to get a check.

East Texas, like the rest of the South, has experienced heavier than normal rainfall this winter and as a result, Haas said, “all the lakes down here are full. They are at capacity.”

“That means,” he said, “There should be some really good fishing in the shallows. We are expecting good weather for the weekend and I think the water temperature is still up there pretty good, too.”

Haas said he is expecting a very good turnout for the tournament, which kicks off the 2016 Rat-L-Trap Open series. The Rayburn tournament grew by a solid 15 percent in 2015 over the 170 boats entered in 2014.

“Last year we had over 200 boats and we are expecting that many, if not more, this year,” Haas said. “It's a 100 percent payback again this year.”

The entry fee is $100 a boat with an optional big bass pot for $20.

Haas said only Rat-L-Trap baits can be used in the tournament, including the new Echo 1.75 square-bill crankbait. However, the Slap-Stik is no longer allowed and no umbrella rigs are allowed.

Anglers may custom paint their lures and change the hooks, but modifying the internal shot load and attaching plastic baits to the lure are not allowed.

 

Rat-L-Trap Open

Sun, Jan 24, 2016

Sam Rayburn

Umphrey Pavilion

www.rat-l-trap.com

Call 318-487-0352 for information

 

by AnglersChannel

Texas Team Trail To Open Season Jan. 30Th On Sam Rayburn Reservoir

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. (January 15, 2016) - The Texas Team Trail (TXTT) presented by Cabela's will host its first regular-season event of the 2016 tournament season on Saturday, Jan. 30, at Sam Rayburn Reservoir. The iconic Texas fishery is situated between Beaumont and Longview and remains one of the most popular destinations in the world for competitive bass fishermen.

Registration for the event is already underway - anglers can secure an opportunity to pre-fish Friday, Jan. 29, by completing their registration online or via phone prior to midnight on Thursday, Jan. 28. Additionally, all anglers that pre-register online at www.texasteamtrail.com will be entered into a drawing for a $100 Cabela's gift card.
The Sam Rayburn event is the first regular-season event of four 2016 qualifying events that guarantee a fully rigged, 18-foot boat, motor, trailer package as first-place prize. The winning anglers at Sam Rayburn will walk away with a brand-new Triton 189TRX with a 150HP Mercury valued at $28,495.
In addition to the payout, the event offers anglers an unprecedented opportunity in terms of sponsor bonuses and television coverage. The budget-friendly $250 entry fee, plus multiple contingency programs and a guaranteed, over-100% payback at every event provides tremendous value to the weekend angler.
On-site registration is set for Friday, Jan. 29, from 3-6 p.m. at Umphrey Pavilion (5438 RR 255 West, Sam Rayburn, TX 75951). At least one team member must attend, as boat numbers will be assigned during this time. The tournament will launch Saturday, Jan. 30, at safe light from Umphrey Pavilion and weigh-in will begin at the same location at 3 p.m.
Anglers with questions or anyone interested in more details on the event are encouraged to visit www.texasteamtrail.com or call 210-281-1752 or 210-788-4143.
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, Mustang Survival, Garmin, Valley Fashions, T-H Marine, Atlas, G-Juice, Powertex Group.
2016 TXTT scheduled events:
January 30 - Sam Rayburn Reservoir
February 20 - Toledo Bend
March 19 - Richland Chambers Reservoir
April 16 - Lake Texoma
Championship - May 14-15 - Ray Roberts Lake

by AnglersChannel

Record Setting Day At Skeeter Bass Champs Season Kick-Off!!

Skeeter Bass Champs blasted off their 2016 season on Sam Rayburn, with a near record field. $87,750 was awarded to the top 42 teams January 16 at the Umphrey Pavilion. Eleven sacks over 20 pounds were weighed in, and the big bass of the day weighed over ten pounds!

It was a cold, blustery morning as 319 teams were released in flights after the National Anthem was played. A guaranteed 1st place purse of $20,000 was on the line and these teams were ready to catch it. "Because we had so many teams, we offered a conservation bonus for this event," stated Chad Potts, Bass Champs President. "To decrease the number of bass going through the stress of the weigh in process we offered the contestants a $500 bonus to be drawn from the pool of teams who elected not to weigh in their catch if they did not think they had enough weight to win a check." In a field of this size, the top 42 teams were awarded checks and ultimately it took over 15 pounds to win. Temperatures started out in the 30’s and only rose to the mid 50’s as a high. Afternoon rain was on the way, and for many, the fish were biting!

Big weights were being registered at the scales as soon as teams began bringing in their catch. Martin Elshout and Mark Price were the first to break the 20 pound mark with their sack weighing 20.27 pounds. Andy and Malcolm Williams nudged into the lead temporarily with their 21.28 pound limit, then the father and son team of Joshua and Dean Sikes from central Louisiana took a commanding lead that held for the win at 25.80 pounds.

"We found all of our fish in one spot," Joshua Sikes explained. "I had found this location in practice a week ago, catching one good fish there." It was a ledge about 15’ to 20’ deep with no particularly special characteristics about it. "We caught fish on a lot of different things – Carolina rig, Alabama rig, football jig, crank bait and shaky heads. All total we caught about 15 fish." They were awarded the guaranteed 1st place purse of $20,000 plus the $200 Sure Life bonus for using the product in their livewell.

Kris Wilson and Charles Bebber won 2nd place with 23.73 pounds. "We jumped around a lot today and fished a lot of places with a lot of different baits. We started out fishing shallow, but the bite was pretty random. We caught fish on everything from Texas rigs to lipless crank baits." Their diversity paid off with a 2nd place check for $7,000.

3rd place was awarded to Clifford McCarty and Garrett Hilton for their limit weighing in at 22.43 lbs. "We had two spots that we worked all day, going back and forth between them. Most of our fish came off of a Carolina rig, but one of the ones we weighed was caught on an Alabama rig." Bass Champs presented them a $5,000 check for their finish.

Allen Shelton and Strider Browning finished in 4th place with a 21.47 pound sack, winning a $4,000 check. They doubled their winnings to $8,000 being the highest finishing team in a qualified Skeeter Boat!

Rounding out the top 10:
5th $3,000 21.43 lbs John Iles & Brian Shook
6th $2,500+ 21.28 lbs Malcolm Williams & Andy Williams
7th $2,000 21.05 lbs Justin Buchholz & Cory Tucker
8th $1,800 20.45 lbs Jason Horton & Chad York
9th $1,700 20.27 lbs Martin Elshout & Mark Price
10th $1,600+ 20.23 lbs Jerry Mason & Aaron Sammons
and last in the money:
Two teams tied for 42nd place with 15.76 pounds, winning $300 each. Floyd Page & Dana Mansfield and Kevin Walker Jr & Jeff Bridges.

The Big Bass of the day was caught by Aaron Sammons. This big beauty tipped the scales at 10.08 pounds, anchoring the teams’ tenth place finish. Aaron caught the big one on a 6th Sense 300 DD crank bait. "It was nerve racking! She jumped about 2’ out of the water while I was reeling her in!" They received a $1,000 check for that single catch, plus cashed in on several sponsor incentive bonuses, including $200 Chevron Delo, $200 Costa Del Mar, $200 Under Armor. Their total winnings for the day was $3,200.

The Lowrance Bonus Cash of $250 was awarded to Malcolm and Andy Williams.

Fish Fishburne and his crew filmed all of the action, and the new Bass Champs television shows will air on Fox Sports and the WFN channel beginning in April.

Each region will have a series of four events leading up to the championship, which will be at a new location this year. The East Region will converge on Toledo bend next, on February 13 at Cypress Bend. In the meantime, Bass Champs will be heading to Lake Falcon to kick off the South region January 23.

"This is a great start to our 2016 season, and we’d like to congratulate all of the winners in this first event," stated Chad Potts. “There is a lot of money to be won at all of our events, and they are open to anyone who would like to fish with us. Happy New Year everyone – we’ll be looking forward to seeing you at the tournaments!”

Also – don’t forget to sign up for this years’ Mega Bass event on Lake Fork March 20. It is the world’s richest one day event, paying back $20,000 Cash every hour. The person who catches the biggest bass of the day will receive $15,000 check plus a Skeeter boat! Check out the details at www.basschamps.com or call 817-439-3274.

by AnglersChannel

Lambert follows through, wins Costa FLW Series on Okeechobee

Jason Lambert maintains his lead, wins Costa FLW Series on Lake Okeechobee. photo courtesy of FLW Outdoors

Tennessee pro Jason Lambert took the lead during what could surely be described as a “Power-Pole Day” in Friday’s round of the Costa FLW Series tournament on Lake Okeechobee.

As Lambert stepped to the scale to conclude Saturday’s final weigh in the winds had long since laid. His competition was now a man. Fellow FLW Tour pro Glenn Browne had given a characteristically strong performance on a familiar fishery. Lambert would need 11 pounds, 4 ounces to take the trophy, the cash and a fully-rigged Ranger boat package.

Normally, 11-4 would be a poor showing on Okeechobee but the week featured a cold front and drastically different conditions each day of the event.

A spent Lambert was ready to find out his fate, “I’m tired. I’ve been out here for 8 days and I don’t flip like these guys – I throw moving baits.”

Lambert’s moving baits produced a 3rd consecutive 5-fish limit that clocked-in at 12 pounds, 12 ounces, featured one big kicker fish, and made him a champion.

“When you only catch 12 pounds on the last day you’re not supposed to win, but when it’s your time to win, it’s your time to win,” said Lambert who finished with a total of 44-12.

Lambert worked one large area that contained a few sweet spots with 3 different lures. We’ll learn more about that as he divulges the details, bearing in mind that he may play it close to the vest considering he has his eye on a repeat performance at the FLW Tour event on Okeechobee that begins February 4th out of Roland Martin’s Marina in Clewiston.

Browne piled-up 43 pounds 4 ounces of Okeechobee bass by doing what he usually does. He flipped.

“That’s all I did,” said Browne, adding that he did so with an ounce-and-a-half Reins Punch Shot which gives anglers the option to add a punch skirt, a popular addition on Okeechobee. A Warrior Quiver Bug followed the tungsten weight, its black/blue color combo perfect for the dark conditions under mats where big bass live.

Browne hauled bass out of those mats with a Lew’s 7’11” rod and Lew’s new Speed Line – 65lb braid.

Of his practice time and resulting game plan, Browne said “I messed around down on the south end and counted on the weather to put the fish where I wanted them.”

Considering those long runs to the south end, Browne was especially happy with the performance of his Evinrude G2, including the money he saved on oil. “If you haven’t experienced the G2, go to Toho Marine and take a test ride.”

Joe Kremer is a highly respected local who had a solid tournament. He placed 3rd with 40-14.

“I flipped so much I wore the skin off my thumb,” said Kremer. He used a Bitters Bait Muskrat in a blue and silver color pattern. “I couldn’t get bit on anything else.”

How slow was the bite this week? Four of today’s Top 10 contestants did not have 15 fish to show for their efforts over 3 days. Numbers like that indicate how important it is to get a couple of those big bites each day.

At least half of today’s field was on a strict flippin’ regiment this week. Among those who defected are, of course Lambert, and local Justin Morgan who rotated 3 colors of a Spro Poppin’ Frog along one favorite stretch of a canal.

Pete Cherkas lead after Day 1 before settling into 6th place today. He whacked a 20-pound sack by about 10 AM on that first morning with a rattling crankbait made by Sebile. By today he had slowed his roll to the point that he was tossing a Senko.

When Steve ‘Boogie’ Brown wasn’t using lures made by Tightlines UV he was winding a Strike King Swinging Swim Jig.

Jimmy Brewer admitted that he wanted to buck the flippin’ trend but . . . “I didn’t want to flip. I had to. Nine pounds wouldn’t help you here.”

Here’s how they finished:

1        JASON LAMBERT         32-0 (10)     12-12 (5)     44-12 (15)  

2        GLENN BROWNE         30-15 (10)   12-5 (5)       43-4 (15)     1-8

3        JOSEPH KREMER          28-1 (10)     12-13 (5)     40-14 (15)   3-14

4        BRYAN HONNERLAW 29-14 (10)   9-2 (5)         39-0 (15)     5-12

5        JUSTIN MORGAN         26-11 (7)     10-5 (4)       37-0 (11)     7-12

6        PETER CHERKAS          27-2 (10)     9-1 (5)         36-3 (15)     8-9

7        JIMMY BREWER 26-13 (10)   8-12 (5)       35-9 (15)     9-3

8        STEVE BOOGIE BROWN       29-7 (10)     5-0 (3)         34-7 (13)          10-5

9        PAT FISHER        27-8 (10)     3-12 (3)       31-4 (13)     13-8

10      COLE BAILEY     26-11 (8)     4-1 (2)         30-12 (10)   14-0

by AnglersChannel

Costa Series Rookie Brandon Johnson explains his day 2 roller coaster ride on Lake Okeechobee.

When we caught up with Rookie Brandon Johnson after Day 2 of the Costa Del Mar FLW Series event on Lake Okeechobee he halfway grinned and said “I guess the Trying to Survive title of your blog today was the truth, I was literally trying to not get myself killed.”

Being boat 215 out of 250 you have to be cautious of those around you on even a perfect weather day. Add to that torrential rain, 30mph sustained winds during blast off alone and the “pucker factor” is greatly intensified.

“I learned a lesson today, that’s for sure,” Said Johnson. “On my way to my first spot my co-angler and I had a close call with another boater. I don’t think he ever knew I was there, he passed directly in front of me so close that the nose of my trolling motor hit his Power Pole and the rooster tail of his motor filled my Ranger full of water. My Co-Angler was as white as a ghost and all I could think was if it had beem a ½ second earlier, this story would be a lot different.”

When a close call like that occurs its often hard to get back in the driver’s seat. “It shook me up pretty good,” said Johnson. “We got to our first spot and started to fish, but its hard to get your mind right after something like that occurs.” Adding insult to injury Johnson explains the weather was probably the worst he had ever seen let alone fished in in his life.

“We had 60 mph winds, sustained 30 mph winds, a tornado/waterspout on the south end of the lake and with a place like Okeechobee when the winds blow it pushes water from one side to other. All of my mats were scattered or gone, the water was up an inch or more, everything was blown out and it was just really hard to get my mind right to settle in and fish.”

2015 FLW Cup Champ Brad Knight told AnglersChannel, “I’ve fished all over the country in about every possible weather condition you could have, today was the absolute worst. At one point in the day I was on my knees casting and fishing as the winds were in excess of 70mph. I was afraid I was going to be blown into the lake, it was a scary day and something I have never experienced in my life.”

Unable to shake the mornings close call as well as the weather threat, Johnson chose to check in earlier than his allotted time and chalk this one up to a lesson learned. “My Co-angler was nervous all day and rightfully so, honestly I was too. We were both ready to get the day over with and get home safely to our families,” said Johnson. “Life is little more important than catching 5 green fish and today showed me that.”

When asked what he would take from his first Pro level event Johnson said, “How to lose I guess?... Honestly I don’t know. My mind is still spinning from today. I guess it’s the learning experience of how fast things can change on the water, the close call, the weather, the situation, I’m still shook up, I’m pissed off, I’m a lot of things right now. I was one big bite away from a check and a couple of big bites from the cut. I know I was on some quality fish but I will be ready for Santee Cooper in March, no doubt about that!”

For more information, daily updates and the live weigh-in today of the top 10 check www.FLWoutdoors.com and follow along on the AnglersChannel Social media pages for daily updates. Make sure and like our Facebook page as well as our Rookie Insider, Brandon Johnson, to follow along all year on his Pro Debut on the Costa FLW Series.

 

Photo Courtesy of FLW Outdoors

 

by AnglersChannel

Lambert leads Costa FLW Series after wet, windy Day 2 on Okeechobee

Jason Lambert leads as anglers head into final round of first Costa FLW Series tourney of 2016. photo courtesy of FLW Outdoors

Windy and wet was the order of the day on Okeechobee as anglers fought the weather, the fish and each other during the first Costa FLW Series tournament of 2016.

Jason Lambert of Pickwick Dam, Tenn. captured the lead with one day of competition left to go. Consistency has been the formula for success. Lambert brought-in another mid-teens bag today to run his total weight to 32 pounds-even.

In many past FLW events 32 pounds would be considered just a good single-day weight on the ‘Big O’. This year it’s enough to put Lambert more than a pound ahead of Florida standout and Tour veteran Glenn Browne.

It took 26-11to make the cut, a position held by local stick Justin Morgan. Morgan needed his local knowledge as he did not get to practice (he was on the waiting list until Tuesday). Add to that the fact that his trolling motor batteries died at 10:30 AM on Day 1 and he should be stoked just to have a crack at this thing going into the last day.

Heck, even Morgan - in 10th place - is only an Okeechobee kicker fish away from the top of the leaderboard.

The top 10 pros will compete in tomorrow’s finale. The rest of the field has been eliminated. Here is the Top 10:

1        JASON LAMBERT         PICKWICK DAM, TN    16 - 9 (5)     15 - 7 (5)     32 - 0 (10)             32 - 0 (10)  

2        GLENN BROWNE         OCALA, FL          16 - 4 (5)     14 - 11 (5)   30 - 15 (10)                30 - 15 (10)          

3        BRYAN HONNERLAW           MOORE HAVEN, FL     16 - 2 (5)     13 - 12 (5)        29 - 14 (10)                     29 - 14 (10)          

4        STEVE BOOGIE BROWN       ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL   13 - 12 (5)     15 - 11 (5)   29 - 7 (10)             29 - 7 (10)  

5        JOSEPH KREMER          OSTEEN, FL         17 - 3 (5)     10 - 14 (5)   28 - 1 (10)                  28 - 1 (10)  

6        PAT FISHER        COLBERT, GA     11 - 6 (5)     16 - 2 (5)     27 - 8 (10)             27 - 8 (10)  

7        PETER CHERKAS          DES MOINES, IA           20 - 0 (5)     7 - 2 (5)           27 - 2 (10)             27 - 2 (10)  

8        JIMMY BREWER           MARSHALL, TX 9 - 4 (5)       17 - 9 (5)     26 - 13 (10)                26 - 13 (10)          

9        COLE BAILEY     THAMESFORD, ON      5 - 11 (3)     21 - 0 (5)     26 - 11 (8)                  26 - 11 (8)  

10      JUSTIN MORGAN         OKEECHOBEE, FL        18 - 4 (5)     8 - 7 (2)           26 - 11 (7)             26 - 11 (7)

Here are the top co-anglers who will also fish tomorrow:

1                  ADAM TRIESCHMANN                   WELLINGTON, FL                  5 - 11 (3)               18 - 9 (5)               24 - 4 (8)                         24 - 4 (8)              

2                  MARK HOWARD                    MESQUITE, TX             12 - 14 (5)               10 - 7 (5)               23 - 5 (10)                       23 - 5 (10)            

3                  NIK KAYLER                 APOPKA, FL                  7 - 6 (5)                 11 - 10 (5)             19 - 0 (10)                       19 - 0 (10)            

4                  MICHAEL BLACK                   TOLEDO, IL                   14 - 3 (5)               4 - 5 (3)                 18 - 8 (8)                         18 - 8 (8)              

5                  DEAN HARCOURT                 SEBASTIAN, FL            14 - 0 (5)               4 - 2 (4)                 18 - 2 (9)                         18 - 2 (9)              

6                  SCOTT DOBSON           CLARKSTON, MI          2 - 4 (1)                 15 - 11 (5)             17 - 15 (6)                       17 - 15 (6)            

7                  STEVEN CHRISTIE                 GRAY COURT, SC                  8 - 2 (5)            9 - 11 (5)               17 - 13 (10)                     17 - 13 (10)          

8                  JOSEPH SOLENSKI                 WEST PALM BEACH, FL                 9 - 6 (5)                 8 - 0 (5)                 17 - 6 (10)                       17 - 6 (10)            

9                  TY SOLIS             ALBANY, GA                10 - 2 (5)               6 - 12 (3)          16 - 14 (8)                       16 - 14 (8)            

10                BILLY CHARLAND                CHULUOTA, FL            6 - 8 (5)                    10 - 2 (5)               16 - 10 (10)                     16 - 10 (10)          

Weather will change yet again for Saturday’s final fishing round. Conditions should include clam winds and a bit cloud cover but almost no chance of rain.   

Of course, there will be a variety of lures in play as some guys cast and wind over shallow grass with everything from speed worms to Gambler Big EZ swimbaits, but flipping is always a top tactic on the big lake as well.

Regardless of technique, this tournament may well be won by the angler who executes the best. Most guys have spoken of lost opportunities. When the weather is off, these Florida bass bite very lightly. Mental focus will be a huge factor.

by AnglersChannel

Brandon Johnson, Costa Series Rookie explains his day 1 on Lake Okeechobee and his game plan for day 2

Any Rookie who steps into the professional fishing game has this goal in mind when opening day of the tournament season comes across the calendar. “I’m just trying to survive,” was the statement left on my voicemail as Costa Series Rookie Brandon Johnson of Kentucky was finishing up rigging his tackle after day 1 of the Lake Okeechobee season Opener.

“Anytime you are in Florida in January, it’s a wild card. One big bite means the world here and it only takes that big bite to change your luck and outcome.” According to Johnson, he caught a large number of fish, around 20 to be exact on day 1 of his pro career, the problem? The 5 he weighed accumulated just over 7 pounds. Leaving him mid-pack and a few pounds shy of check range after day 1.

“I’m fishing matted hydrilla around some of the boat lanes, the hydrilla has been chopped up some and there are long stretches of it. I’ve got two rods on the deck and that’s all I will have on the deck when I set out for day two.” said Johnson.

Flipping a Gambler BB Cricket on a 1-1/2 ounce Tungsten weight, Johnson is punching what he calls “chopped” hydrilla as he feels it holds a little more heat than other, thicker, hydrilla. “The fish seem to be using this hydrilla more and more and its evident by the number of fish I caught. I know I am in the right area and bigger fish live here. Hopefully I can get them to play and make them famous on Day 2.” Johnson is also using a Speedworm to follow up on missed bites or when a moving bait comes into play. Both setups are on Team 13 Fishing rod and reel outfits.

Johnson will have a longer day 2 as he leaves the dock boat 215. The forecasted weather is not looking favorable for the competitors today, Johnson included. 30mph winds, thunderstorms and hail are forecasted. According to Johnson, “Its going to be an interesting day, my goal is to catch a limit early, stay safe and just try and survive out there, the rest of the schedule is very favorable to me and if I can get out of Florida without digging myself into too deep of a hole I should be okay.”

For more information, daily updates and the live weigh-in today at 3:00pm CST check www.FLWoutdoors.com and follow along on the AnglersChannel Social media pages for daily updates and more from our Costa Rookie Insider Brandon Johnson.

Photo Credit: Mikey Balzz

by AnglersChannel

Cherkas leads tough Day 1 at Costa FLW Series on Okeechobee

Peter Cherkas of Des Moines, IA leads the Costa FLW Series on Lake Okeechobee. photo courtesy of FLW Outdoors

Here are the Top 10 pros and their weights after the first day of fishing in the Costa FLW Series on Lake Okeechobee:

1        PETER CHERKAS          20-0 (5)                          

2        ZACH CRIDER     19-4 (5)                          

3        JUSTIN MORGAN         18-4 (5)                

4        LAVOYD LEMMOND   17-14 (5)                        

5        JUAN RUIZ          17-11 (5)                 

6        WAYNE CHRISTOPHER        17-8 (5)                

7        JOSEPH KREMER          17-3 (5)                

8        CHRIS JOHNSTON        16-14 (5)              

9        JASON LAMBERT         16-9 (5)                

10      BRADFORD BEAVERS   16-4 (5)      

Weights are off a bit compared to what most folks expected from such a famous fishery. Weather is to blame for much of that. A recent cold front slowed the bite. Water temps are in the low 60’s.

Peter Cherkas clings to a fragile lead of less than a pound as tomorrow promises to bring change in the form of rain and a strong southerly wind.

Today there were 152 limits and 14 zeroes.

Bryan Newberry caught the biggest bass of the day at 8 pounds, 11 ounces.

The average success rate for pros was 4 fish worth 9 pounds, 3 ounces.

Many pros fished moving baits. Those who chose to flip seemed to be catching the bigger bass, if smaller numbers of them.

Cherkas, however, used a moving lure to sein one area. He caught most of his weight before 11 AM.

On the co-angler side Michael Black holds the lead with 14-3. Dean Harcourt follows closely with 14-even.

Richie Riddle had the big bass at 7-11.

The Top 10 co-anglers:

1        MICHAEL BLACK         14-3 (5)                

2        DEAN HARCOURT       14-0 (5)                

3        MARK HOWARD          12-14 (5)              

4        AUSTIN BASKETTE     12-7 (5)                

5        RICHIE RIDDLE  12-6 (4)                

6        LINDA ROBINSON       11-15 (5)    

7        MIKE MUELLER 11-12 (5)              

8        CAPTAIN DON LEWIS 11-9 (5)      

9        STEPHEN KOCELL       11-1 (5)      

10      GREG MIELE       11-1 (4)      

 

by AnglersChannel

Digh Looking For Bigger Bass In Costa Flw Series Southeastern Division Tournament

The Lake Okeechobee bass are biting, which is good news for anglers in the Costa FLW Series Southeastern Division tournament Thursday through Saturday. The bad news, however, said veteran pro Rob Digh of Denver, N.C., the bass he is catching are not the right size.

“I've been catching a lot of fish in practice, just not big fish,” said Digh. “Some of my buddies are catching big fish, but I've just not found them yet.”

The big fish are there and, as of last weekend, they were eager, but a cold front this week has things out of whack for some anglers.

This past weekend George Kapiton of Inverness, Fla., won the first FLW Bass Fishing League event of the season on Okeechobee with a massive 31-pound limit, while Okeechobee veteran Mike Surman came in second with just shy of 29 pounds. Five other limits topped 20 pounds.

“There are a lot of beds – and a lot of buck bass,” Digh said. “I think the first wave of females has come up and what is left on the beds is mostly bucks. The other females are out on the outside edge of the grass and kind of wandering around.”

Before the cold front, Digh said the fish were biting “pretty much everything – a lot of plastic and swim baits. We were catching some on a frog and a Bang-O-Lure, but the cold front killed the topwater bite today. They have not hit a lot of moving baits since the front came in.”

All of the fish he is catching are pretty shallow, he said, and they are buried in the heavy vegetation.

“Most of the fish I've caught have been by flipping and you've got to have a really stiff rod to get them out, even the 2- to 3-pounders that I have been catching. You need 55-pound braid line and a stiff 7 ½-foot rod. They just take you to lunch when you hook one.”

A full roster of 250 pros and as many co-anglers is ready to get the season rolling. The field of 250 boats will tie the record set last season for the largest FLW Series field of all-time. All anglers in the field will fish the first two days on Thursday and Friday, with the top 10 pros and co-anglers advancing to Saturday’s final round. Heaviest cumulative three-day weight wins.

The Costa FLW Series – formerly the Rayovac Series – consists of five divisions: Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western. Each division consists of three tournaments with competitors vying for valuable points that could earn them the opportunity to fish in the Costa FLW Series Championship. The 2016 Costa FLW Series Championship will be held Nov. 3-5 on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Mo.

 

Costa FLW Series – Southeastern Division

Jan 14-16, 2016

Lake Okeechobee

C Scott Driver Park

www.flwfishing.com

 

by AnglersChannel

Lsu-Shreveport Team Finding Bass Shallow In Somerville Lake For Flw College Tournament

The Louisiana State University-Shreveport fishing team of Jared Roscoe and Christian Brown spent their first day of practice Wednesday on Somerville Lake near Brenham, Texas, for the FLW College Fishing Southern Division 2016 opener on the lake Saturday.

After one day of practice on the lake they were still looking for a pattern that could consistently put fish in the boat.

“We spent half the day trying to find something out deep, but we could never put anything together out there,” said Rascoe of Stonewall, La., a junior majoring in secondary education. “We did catch a couple of keepers up shallow, so we are moving around to see if we can find a pattern shallow.”

Rascoe said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers impoundment on Yegua Creek in the Brazos River basin is “a pretty open lake. There is really no timber or anything like that. Just reeds along the shore. We have not found any grass.”

He said he and Brown, a junior petroleum engineering major from Pelican, La., plan to spend Thursday and Friday fishing both deep and shallow in hopes of developing a productive pattern.

“We'll probably spend a little bit of time on the west end of the lake to see what is going on there and then we'll spend some more time out deep to see if we can find something worth fishing out there. But right now it looks like the majority of our fishing will be up shallow,” he said.

Rascoe and Brown are teamed up for only their second tournament together. Last year Rascoe teamed with J.P Kimbrough for a pretty successful collegiate fishing year.

“We placed 7th at the Bassmaster Wild Card and we were 11th at the Carhartt Bassmaster National Championship on Lake DuBay out of Stevens Point, Wis. Our lowest finish for the year was 19th so we had a really good year.”

The tournament Saturday on Somerville Lake is the first of three regular season stops in the Southern Conference. A full field of college teams will be competing for a top award of $2,000 and a berth into the 2017 College Fishing National Championship.

 

FLW College Fishing – Southern Division

Sat, Jan 16, 2016

Somerville Lake

Lake Somerville Marina

www.flwfishing.com

 

by AnglersChannel

Costa Flw Series Rookie Pro Brandon Johnson Previews The Lake Okeechobee Season Opener

Costa FLW Series Rookie Pro Brandon Johnson from Kentucky gives us an Exclusive Preview of the season opener for the Costa Series on Lake Okeechobee that starts today in Florida.

by AnglersChannel

Toyota Texas Bass Classic Announces New Dates And Locations For 10Th Anniversary Event

 FRISCO, TX – Today, officials announced the 2016 Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a debut in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex on Lake Ray Roberts.  The three-day festival is scheduled for May 20-22, 2016, with the fishing competition taking place on Lake Ray Roberts (Denton, TX) and Toyota Stadium (Frisco, TX) hosting activities for the whole family. Proceeds from TTBC will continue to benefit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) youth and urban outreach programs.

“Toyota has been a proud supporter of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department since 2002, and Toyota is excited to spotlight another great fishery in the state of Texas through the TTBC,” said Katie Scallan, executive director of the Texas Bass Classic Foundation. “Toyota’s roots have been firmly planted in the great state of Texas since 1969 with the founding of independent distributor Gulf States Toyota, and for more than a decade with Toyota’s manufacturing facility in San Antonio where Tundras and Tacomas are now built. Toyota’s roots have deepened since announcing the relocation of its North American headquarters to Plano, and Toyota looks forward to continuing to promote and support the great resources Texas has to offer for many years to come.”

 

As host venue, Toyota Stadium will feature a wide array of family-friendly activities held in conjunction with the event. Fans can expect the return of the annual three-day, star-studded lineup of country music concerts, a large outdoor consumer expo and numerous outdoor family activities—all held in addition to the fishing action taking place at Lake Ray Roberts.

 

“We are looking forward to celebrating TTBC’s 10th Anniversary in the city of Frisco at Toyota Stadium,” said Lenny Francoeur, TTBC’s tournament director. “This world-class facility was built to host large scale events and will provide an amazing venue for TTBC fans and partners.”

Over the past nine years of the event’s history, the partnership between TTBC and TPWD has showcased some of the best fisheries that Texas has to offer while raising awareness of conservation efforts, and funding the department’s youth and urban outreach programs. To date, TTBC has donated $2.25 million to the TPWD and will continue its support in 2016.

 

“TTBC has been key to TPWD’s efforts to increase fishing opportunities in urban areas through our Neighborhood Fishin’ Program,” said Dave Terre, chief of research and management for TPWD’s Inland Fisheries Division. “About 100,000 people a year benefit from this program and about 50,000 of those are new to fishing. TTBC also supports a number of other conservation and outreach efforts aimed at involving more people in the outdoors.”

 

2015 TTBC Champion Brent Ehrler will join the 2016 TTBC field, alongside the top 15 in 2015 Angler of the Year points from each of the FLW Tour and Bassmaster Elite Series, and five chosen exemptions. The 36 anglers will compete on Lake Ray Roberts over three days, with the field being reduced to the top-10 for the final round on Sunday, May 22.

 

“I love competing in Texas because their lakes are some of the healthiest and most productive in the country, thanks in large part to the efforts of TPWD,” said 2015 TTBC Champion Brent Ehrler. “I am excited to return to Lone Star State and defend my TTBC title on Lake Ray Roberts in 2016.”

 

Ticket and concert information will be available in early 2016. For more information and event news, visit www.toyotatexasbassclassic.com.

 

RESOURCES:

Facebook.com/ToyotaTexasBassClassic

Twitter@TxBassClassic

 

CONTACTS:

Shannon McLain, Tournament Coordinator

(713) 580-3610 or [email protected]

 

Lenny Francoeur, Tournament Director

(704) 746-4754 or [email protected]

 

About the Tournament: The Toyota Texas Bass Classic is a world-class bass fishing tournament, featuring the top 36 bass anglers in the world along with a festival to include exceptional entertainment and a variety of family and industry activities. This three-day event will take place May 20-22, 2016 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX and Lake Ray Roberts in Denton, TX.

 

Events/Entertainment: Extraordinary live music and events that will appeal to the whole family. This will include a variety of games and activities at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Adventures Area, incredible food and a fishing and outdoor industry expo, featuring seminars and the latest in equipment, gear and accessories.

 

Charity: Proceeds benefit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. For more information click here to visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s website: www.tpwd.state.tx.us

 

Current sponsors: Toyota, GEICO.

 

For additional information, visit ToyotaTexasBassClassic.com or call 1-866-907-0143. Make sure to “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for tournament news, updates, and more!

by AnglersChannel

Garmin Renews Partnership Of Texas Team Trail

 

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. (January 13, 2016) - The Texas Team Trail presented by Cabela's (TXTT) will once again partner with Garmin for the 2016 season. The marine electronics company will showcase its popular line of sonar and GPS devices designed specifically for freshwater anglers. In addition, Garmin will offer a $1,000 "Grand Giveaway" bonus to any team that wins a TXTT event in 2016 fishing from a boat equipped with fix-mounted Garmin electronics.

"We're lucky to work with a brand like Garmin," said Texas Team Trail tournament director Mike Hastings. "They've been a tremendous partner for us and the addition of the Grand Giveaway program has been huge bonus for TXTT anglers. We're excited to have them back on board for 2016 and look forward to a big year ahead."

 

Garmin's marine business segment is a leading provider of navigation and communication equipment to retail and OEM customers. Garmin's portfolio includes the industry's most sophisticated array of chartplotters and touchscreen multifunction displays, sonar, high-definition radar, autopilot, high-resolution mapping, sailing instrumentation and other products and services that are known for innovation, reliability, and ease-of-use.

 

Garmin's marine lineup features its exclusive DownVü™ and SideVü™ scanning sonar, which provide a near picture quality representation of objects, structure and fish that are found both underneath the boat and also to the sides. These true-to-life images give an angler a better idea of the most ideal spots and underwater structure for fishing, and provide the clearest sonar picture of fish returns available on the market today.

 

"When it comes to freshwater fishing, Garmin has long been a leader in technology and equipment designed specifically for anglers," said Ted Gartner, Garmin's director of corporate communications. "Our partnership with the Texas Team Trail is a great opportunity to build on that legacy. We're excited to work with them again this year and showcase our most advanced product lineup to date."

 

The tournament circuit, designed exclusively for team competition, will begin the 2016 season Jan. 30 on Sam Rayburn Reservoir. The schedule includes four qualifying events, plus a year-end championship on Ray Roberts Lake, May 14-15.

 

Registration for the 2016 season is already under way. Anglers can sign up by visiting www.texasteamtrail.com or by calling 210-788-4143.

 

2016 TXTT scheduled events:

 

January 30 - Sam Rayburn Reservoir

February 20 - Toledo Bend

March 19 - Richland Chambers Reservoir

April 16 - Lake Texoma

Championship - May 14-15 - Ray Roberts Lake

 

About Texas Team Trail

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, Mustang Survival, Garmin, Valley Fashions, T-H Marine, Atlas, G-Juice, Powertex Group.

 

by AnglersChannel

Costa Flw Series To Kick Off On Okeechobee!

AnglersChannel.com Insider Vance McCullough previews the Costa FLW Series event which will usher-in the 2016 Series on Lake Okeechobee starting Thursday. He also has a hunch as to what might be the winning technique.

by AnglersChannel

FLW gives details on Kapiton's MASSIVE 31-pound Okeechobee bag!

Teaser image:

https://anglerschannel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/000183309_original_650x650.jpg

Kapiton is all smiles. Photo courtesy of FLW Outdoors

 

OKEECHOBEE, Fla. (Jan. 11, 2016) – Professional angler George Kapiton of Inverness, Florida, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 31 pounds even Saturday to win the first FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Gator Division tournament of 2016 on Lake Okeechobee, presented by Navionics. For his victory, Kapiton earned $9,000.

“I couldn’t establish a stable pattern in practice so I went out there and just fished the conditions,” said Kapiton, a veteran of the Walmart FLW Tour who has earned more than $190,000 in FLW competition. “It was really an interesting day of fishing.

“I caught a small limit of staging fish early in the morning using a perch-colored Rapala X-Rap prop bait,” continued Kapiton. “After the sun came out, I went looking for more males in Harney Pond. I was able to dial in on staging fish that were coming in from the lake to spawn and basically intercepted them before they reached the bedding area.”

Kapiton said he used a Texas-rigged penetration-colored Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver and a black and blue-colored Medlock Double Weedguard Flipping Jig rigged with the Sweet Beaver to flip mats and reeds.

The Florida pro said he caught a 6½- and an 8-pounder on the Sweet Beaver, as well as a 6½-pound fish on the Medlock Jig in one area of the pond between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Kapiton stopped at an area near the boat ramp with 30 minutes left to fish and used the Medlock Jig to catch an 8-pound, 2-ounce behemoth to cap off his winning stringer.

“I credit my Halo Daylite Series rod with helping me get the win,” said Kapiton. “The rod is lightweight, but durable enough to catch the big ones on Lake Okeechobee. It performed very well.”

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

1st:          George Kapiton, Inverness, Fla., five bass, 31-0, $6,000 + $2,000 Ranger Cup Bonus + $1,000 Mercury Bonus

2nd:         Mike Surman, Boca Raton, Fla., five bass, 28-15, $3,000 + $300 Evinrude Bonus

3rd:          Jim Hurlock Jr., Lake Worth, Fla., five bass, 24-8, $2,000

4th:          Robert Crosnoe, Inverness, Fla., five bass, 22-14, $1,400

5th:          Jai Hunter Sr., Deland, Fla., five bass, 22-6, $1,200

6th:          Juan Ruiz, West Palm Beach, Fla., five bass, 21-9, $1,100

7th:          John O' Farrell, Lakeland, Fla., five bass, 21-0, $1,000

8th:          David Oliveira, Homestead, Fla., five bass, 19-15, $900

9th:          Kyle Giella, Ruskin, Fla., five bass, 19-13, $800

10th:        Sandy Melvin, Boca Grande, Fla., five bass, 19-12, $700     

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.  

Crosnoe caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the pro division, a monster weighing 10 pounds, 6 ounces and earned the day’s Big Bass award of $1,000.

Alex Mut of Miami, Florida, weighed in five bass totaling 17 pounds, 12 ounces Saturday to earn the $3,000 win in the co-angler division.

The top 10 co-anglers were:

1st:          Alex Mut, Miami, Fla., five bass, 17-12, $3,000

2nd:         Charles Cenko, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., five bass, 17-9, $1,500

3rd:          John Davis, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., five bass, 16-15, $1,000

4th:          Raymond Guerra, Port Saint Lucie, Fla., five bass, 15-10, $700

5th:          Kirk Kastner, Margate, Fla., five bass, 15-9, $600

6th:          Michael Gilliard, Tallahassee, Fla., five bass, 15-8, $550

7th:          Junior Iriban, Lantana, Fla., five bass, 15-5, $475

7th:          Israel Panozzo, Palm Springs, Fla., five bass, 15-5, $475

9th:          Thomas Helton, Charleston, Tenn., five bass, 15-1, $400

10th:        Kyle Stafford, Lakeland, Fla., five bass, 14-15, $350

Shannon Pitts of Vero Beach, Florida, caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the co-angler division and earned the day’s Big Bass award of $500.

The top 50 boaters and 50 co-anglers based on point standings will qualify for the Oct. 13-15 Regional Championship on Lake Seminole in Bainbridge, Georgia. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard.

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. 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

B.a.s.s. Reschedules First Central Open Because Of Heavy Rains, Flooding

Because of heavy rains, major flooding and unsafe navigational waters in the Atchafalaya Basin, B.A.S.S. — working with local officials — has elected to reschedule the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open to fall 2016.

The recent rains in Southern Louisiana have been unseasonable and excessive, especially for this time of year. The city will not be able to host the Open tournament in February because conditions have been deemed unsafe and there will be no-wake zones throughout the Atchafalaya Basin.

“After discussion with local authorities on the magnitude of this weather event, anglers’ safety and empathy for those affected by these flood waters were the primary factors in B.A.S.S.’s decision to move the event,” said Chris Bowes, B.A.S.S. Senior Tournament Manager.

The event has been rescheduled for Oct. 27-29, 2016, and will become the final Central Open for 2016. Official practice will run Oct. 24-26, 2016.

“Due to the high water and the safety concerns, it is in the best interest to reschedule the event to October,” said Carrie Stansbury, executive director of the Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau. “Everyone involved is very disappointed, but we look forward to rolling out the red carpet in October. The weather should be beautiful that time of year.”

“We are grateful for our partnership with the Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau,” said Michael Mulone, B.A.S.S. director of event and tourism partnerships. “They notified us of the conditions and worked with us on a solution.”

Understanding that this may affect the ability for some anglers to compete, B.A.S.S. will offer a full refund of this event or the entire Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Division.

The Atchafalaya Basin is also the host of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Central Regional, Feb. 25-27. At the moment, this event is still on schedule. Officials in Houma, La., are monitoring the situation daily.

by AnglersChannel