AnglersChannel

Registration For The 2016 Anglers Choice Tournament Trail Is Now Open!!!

Registration Form are available on the website. If you have any questions,

please contact Anglers Choice at 272-632-5600 or 800-632-4665

www.anglerschoicemarine.com/tournament-forms

2016 TOURNAMENT INFO

A Few Announcements for 2016:

• Entry fee will be $120 plus $20 for lunker
• Payback 1 place for every 7 boats registered in tournament
• We will not invert the field for the Classic
• Over $150,000 in cash and prizes
• Chance to qualify for BASS Masters Classic

The Angler's Choice Team Tournament Trail 2016 Schedule

by AnglersChannel

Business Stable, New Boat, Townend Ready To Get Fishing In Gator Division

It seemed that he was off to the races with time finally available to practice for Gator Division tournaments. The previous year was cut short when his ice business in Boynton Beach, Fla., had to deal with a huge order and he was forced to work seven days a week to keep up with his business. That left little time to fish.

Townend thought he had finally stabilized his business last year, but he was swamped again, able to fish only though the third Gator Division tournament. Then he sold his boat, so he was unable to get on the water. Now he has a new – and bigger and faster – boat and he said he thinks he can deal with his business issues and still have time to fish this year.

But, he noted, fishing on Okeechobee is turning out to be a lot different than it was last January when he boated that monster bass.

“We've had sunny conditions and southeastern winds and the last few weeks the outside grass line bite has been pretty solid. But Saturday things started shifting and a lot of the stuff we've been fishing is getting a little dirty,” he said.

“The fish are not setting up like they did last year. We have not had any winter down here so the fish are in a true fall pattern. We usually have a summer pattern and then a winter pattern, but this year we've pretty much had a fall pattern with the fish schooling on the outside grass lines.”

That said, some nice stringers of fish have been caught recently which bodes well for the Gator Division opener Saturday. It took right at 25 pounds to win a local tournament on the upper end of Okeechobee Saturday and Townend said a bunch of anglers have been posting pictures of big fish recently.

“I don't know if the fish up there are spawning a little quicker or if they've just found a big group of fish,” he said. “It's been taking around 23 to 25 ponds to win a tournament so it will probably take about 25 pounds to win Saturday.”

Townend said the water temperature has been hovering around the high 70s to the low 80s, but a cold front is coming through which should lower the water temperature down into the lower 70s.

“That should make the fish more active and maybe bring in that wave of big females we've been looking for,” he said.

Townend is itching for the season to get started. He had been fishing out of an 18 ½-foot bass boat, but the boat he bought is a 20-footer.

“I ended up getting twice the boat for not much more money. I am not limited on what I want to do now,” he said.

And, hopefully, not by his business either.

“Last year was super busy. Hopefully, this year will be super busy, too, but now I've got some help,” he said.

Walmart Bass Fishing League – Gator Division

Sat, Jan 9, 2016

Lake Okeechobee

C. Scott Driver Park

www.flwfishing.com

by AnglersChannel

Cold Front Could Push Harris Chain Bass Up Shallow In Time For Aft Division 20 Tournament

“Fishing should be good, better than 80- to 90-degree weather, but it's supposed to warm back up this week, too. Hopefully, they will stay moved up and won't go back out,” said Sean Wilt, Division 20 tournament director.

Wilt said it's been taking limits in the high teens to win on the Harris Chain, but if the fish have moved up shallow it probably will take more than 20 pounds to win Saturday.

“They will be in the canal fronts on grass lines, lily pads, eel grass, stuff like that,” Wilt said. I do a lot of flipping and throw some lipless crankbaits most of the year and most of the guys probably will be doing that Saturday.”

The Harris Chain is comprised of a series of lakes – notably Lake Apopka, Lake Carlton, Lake Dora, Lake Eustis, Little Lake Harris, Big Lake Harris, Griffin Lake and some others, many unreachable by boat because of roadways, Wilt said.

“It's a big fishery and it's a popular destination. The Elite Series has been here a couple of times and they just filmed the elimination round of Major League Fishing here on the Harris Chain.”

After Saturday, the rest of the Division 20 season runs Feb. 13, March 12, April 9, May 14 and June 11-12. Anglers pay a one-time membership fee of $25 and the entry fee is $70 per tournament.

“You can register at the ramp and if it's your first tournament we will waive the late fee,” Wilt said.

Wilt said he averaged five or six core anglers per tournament last year – his first as tournament director – but this year entries have doubled.

“I am drawing more guys from out of the area than in the area,” he noted. “Guys are driving a couple of hours from Jacksonville, Tampa and Deltona to fish with us.”

The group of regulars is almost like a fishing club, Wilt said.

“We all know each other. We do it for fun and you win all the money. There seems to be a group of guys who commit to a whole year and we've all become friends. We help each other out and we are not overly competitive – but we are competitive,” he said.

“Come see us.”

Ram American Fishing Tour – Harris Chain

Sat, Jan 9, 2016

Harris Chain

Buzzard Beach

Call Sean Wilt at (352) 653-0299

http://www.americanbassanglers.com/districts2016.php?Division=20

by AnglersChannel

Anglers Will Be Fishing The Mud In Aft Division 96 Tournament On Lake Greenwood

And 2015 is expected to go out with a huge splash as steady rains this week have brought rivers and streams to flood stage while dams along the way have floodgates open as lakes have filled to capacity. That's the situation facing anglers in the Ram American fishing Tour Greenwood division tournament on Lake Greenwood Sunday, said tournament director Phil Morris.

“The water in the lake is really high and muddy. It looks like it's going to be a challenge to catch a fish,” Morris said. On Monday, he said, the mud was down to Greenwood State Park and by Tuesday the entire lake was rolling red.

The National Weather Service reported another 1 ½ inches of rain was expected to fall through early New Year's Eve, bringing the total for the week to around 5 inches. Adding to the challenge for anglers is the prediction that with the skies clearing temperatures will drop. After a week of record high temperatures for late December, highs will be in the mid-50s through next week with nighttime temperatures approaching freezing.

Despite the unusual rainy season this fall, Morris said the tournament series has gone well since it kicked off at Lake Murray in July. Following tournaments at Lake Greenwood in August and Clarks Hill in September, the Oct. 4 tournament at Lake Murray was canceled due to the torrential rains that fell that weekend, flooding homes and washing out roads and bridges.

The schedule picked back up with a tournament on Clarks Hill in November and another on Lake Russell in December. The season continues Sunday, Jan. 3, with the tournament on Lake Greenwood, followed by tournaments Feb. 28 on Lake Murray, March 20 on Clarks Hill, April 10 on Lake Murray, May 1 on Lake Greenwood, with the two-day final May 21-22 on Clarks Hill.

Anglers can register on-line or at the ramp. American Bass Anglers charges a $5 late fee to sign up at the ramp, but a lot of anglers take that route anyway for convenience, Morris said. There is no late fee for an angler who is active military, a lifetime ABA member, or if an angler fishes 15 ABA tournametns a year.

“There is no off-limits for the qualifying tournaments,” he said. “They can pre-fish the day before the tournament and then fish the tournament.”

All of the information on the AFT in the western part of South Carolina can be found at www.aba-sc.com, Morris said.

“It has information on Division 25, Division 26 and Division 96 on it, along with the results of our tournaments and pictures and descriptions of who won and what happened in the tournaments,” he said. “You can also 'like us' on Facebook at D-96 American Fishing Tour.”

Ram American Fishing Tour – SC Greenwood Division

Sun, Jan 3, 2016

Lake Greenwood

Greenwood State Park

Call Phil Morris at (864) 993-0346

http://www.drawtrail.com/2016DivPage.php?Division=96

by AnglersChannel

Davy Hite Finds Time For Hunting, Fun Fishing And Family, Plus Sponsors During Off-Season

But, for pros like Hite the off-season is not all about play. Although the competition season is on hiatus there is still plenty of work to be done.

“Recently, I was in Texas for a week with one of my sponsors, then I went to Minneapolis to the Rapala Headquarters. I will go back to Rapala in January, too. Then there are the outdoors shows starting in January just about every weekend. I occasionally have to work for my sponsors,” Hite said with a chuckle,” adding, “but that's a good thing.”

When he is not working for sponsors, Hite said he sneaks in some hunting, mostly for deer and some for ducks.

“One of the cool things about traveling all over the country fishing I get to meet a lot of people who don't necessarily like to fish, but they like to hunt. And I enjoy hunting.”

Earlier this fall Hite hunted with a fellow who was his marshal in a tournament last year. Later, he drove to Louisiana – where he won the Bassmaster Classic in 1999 – to do some deer hunting and duck hunting with one of those people he has made friends with.

“It seems like there are a lot of good people in the hunting and fishing community who invite you to go on their land, stay in their hunt cabin – or even in their home – and enjoy the outdoors with them,” Hite said.

Hite himself is one of those friendly outdoors people who invites friends to his hunt cabin and hunts with them on his land along the Salud River near his home in South Carolina.

“I had Casey Ashley over to my river cabin a while back and I got him to get out his guitar and play it. I like doing fun stuff like that – hunting and fishing in the off-season, sitting around the campfire, enjoying good food. That's all part of it and the guitar playing made it even more enjoyable.”

This has been an especially enjoyable off-season for Hite because he got to have some quality time with both of his boys.

“I did not leave for Louisiana until I was able to spend some time with both boys at home,” Hite said. “Peyton is at Newberry College and Parker was home after finishing Ranger School at Fort Benning, Ga. I was not going to leave until Parker was ready to leave.”

Parker, the oldest son, played football at Newberry College until he got an appointment to West Point. On Nov. 6, Hite was a proud Ranger Dad, pinning the tab on Parker at Fort Benning.

“I am proud of both boys, proud of how good both of them have done in school and Parker is now in the military. I am really proud of him,” Hite said.

Hite is a two-time B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year, won the 1999 Classic and was the first winner of the FLW Championship. He has won nine national tournaments and qualified for the Classic an impressive 14 seasons.

In a Bassmaster Elite season a pro angler may travel from Florida to the Great Lakes to California to Texas and back to the East Coast in a period of seven months, logging hours, days and weeks on the road and 12-hour-plus days on the water practicing for tournaments. There is no time for hunting or recreational fishing – and little time for family.

So, when that opportunity arises during the off-season Hite tries to make the most of it.

by AnglersChannel

Fishing Should Be Excellent For Aft Alabama North Division Tournament On Guntersville

“With Christmas on Friday by Saturday everybody will be going back to the stores to return gifts and swap things, so it will be a good time for the men to get away and relax on the water,” said Garlen, who has been an AFT tournament director for 15 years.

If they enter the tournament, he said, they will probably experience some outstanding fishing Saturday.

“We have a chance of rain every day this week and every day is going to get a little warmer. By the weekend it's supposed to me in the mi-70s,” Garlen said. “With the water warming up the fish should be really active. At least, that's what I am hoping for – I'm fishing it myself.”

Garlen said the fish are hitting spinnerbaits, Chatterbaits and swimbaits.

“It's unreal what they are feeding on right now. It will probably take 25 to 28 pounds to win Saturday.”

Garlen said that despite competition with numerous other tournament trails that have sprung up, participation in the Alabama North Division is actually up slightly this year. And he noted, he and all the other AFT tournament directors are volunteers.

“Most of us have real jobs and we do this on weekends. We are just there for the fishermen.”

The remaining Alabama North Division schedule includes: Dec. 26, Jan. 9, Feb. 6, March 19, April 23, May 21, June 25, July 23, and August 6-7, all on Lake Guntersville out of Goose pond except for the April 23 tournament which will be held on Wheeler Lake out of Ingalls Harbor.

Entry fee for the tournaments is $70, with $5 for Big Fish. Anglers can register at DrawTrail.com or at the ramp the morning of the tournament.

American Bass Anglers charges a $5 late fee to sign up at the ramp, but there is no late fee for an angler who is active military, a lifetime ABA member, or if an angler fishes 15 ABA tournaments a year.

The top 500 Ram American Fishing Tour anglers in national points standings for the 2016 season will be invited to fish the 2016 Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship at Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, AL on October 16-21.

Ram American Fishing Tour - Alabama North Division

Sat, Dec 26, 2015

Lake Guntersville

Goosepond

Call Michael Garlen at (256) 998-0171

http://www.americanbassanglers.com/districts2016.php?Division=29

by AnglersChannel

Pro Brandon Cobb Chasing Birds, Bass On Lake Greenwood In December

First, there are the ducks. Duck hunting provides a welcome break from the rigors of tournament fishing as the pro circuits pretty much go idle until well after Christmas.

“I like to duck hunt on the lakes around here, on public lands and a few swamps I know about,” said Cobb, who finished 2015 ranked 17^th in points in his sophomore season on the FLW Tour. He also fished his way to third place in the Forrest Wood Cup on Lake Ouachita in Arkansas in August.

“I mostly fish the lakes, though. I hunt wood ducks until the mallards and teal migrate down later in the fall,” Cobb said. “Actually, there are a lot more duck hunters than there area ducks, but it's fun and it's something to do for a couple of months.”

And then there are the seagulls. Time to lay down the shotgun and pick up a fishing rod again, Cobb said.

In December as the temperatures begin to go down the gulls migrate in from the coast to look for easy pickings when the water temperatures in South Carolina's lakes get low enough to cause threadfin shad and other baitfish to start dying off.

“Once the water temperature gets down into the 50s in Lake Greenwood the bass will gang up on brushpiles and channel drops. If you see sea gulls feeding I like to throw a jigging spoon. You will catch perch, catfish, crappie and largemouths mixed in with them,” said Cobb who honed his fishing skills while a student as a member of the Clemson University fishing team.

“The seagulls make it easy to find the fish in Lake Greenwood. When the birds are actively diving and feeding, the fish are more than likely pushing bait to the top. A small ½-ounce or .6-ounce Berry's Spoon is my favorite for this. Drop the spoon to the bottom and use short hops, bumping the bottom each time.”

Fish can be caught this way on points with sharp drop-offs and around channel swings in 20 to 30 feet of water, he said.

“With the jigging spoon for the most part you are catching perch, white bass, crappie, everything,” Cobb said. “That is what makes it so much fun. You are occupied all day catching fish and you can catch some big bass, too.”

When the bird activity gets really concentrated, Cobb said he likes to throw the Alabama Rig into the pods.

“When the birds are diving like that the fish have pushed the bait up to the top and the gulls see it. Throw the Alabama Rig into where the birds are diving and you can usually catch a big largemouth – or a striper.”

While most of the activity is out over open water in depths of 20 to 30 feet, Cobb said there should still be some shallow bass to be caught this time of year.

“Some bass will still remain shallow and can be targeted with small crankbaits along rocky banks. These fish are easiest to catch on warm sunny days when they move up to feed,” he said.

Cobb said he will enjoy bass fishing for fun on Lake Greenwood until the middle of January when the pro season cranks up.

“The first tournament I have is the third or fourth week of January, the B.A.S.S. Southern Open on Toho, and then I drive south to Okeechobee for the first FLW Tour tournament.”

Meantime, he will spend his time around Christmas and New Years working that jigging spoon magic on the Greenwood bass and playing Santa Claus angler to people who don't get to fish very much.

“I like taking those people fishing and I especially like taking kids out. You can take that Berry's Spoon and catch all the fish you want – all species,” he said. “It's a simple thing. Anybody can do it.”

by AnglersChannel

Good Weights Expected For Aft Alabama Central Tournament On Lake Martin Saturday

“A lot of big fish are caught on Lake Martin this time of year. One time I was fishing from the back of the boat and took first place while my partner finished second,” Storm said. “We were coming around a corner towards a point and I turned the reel handle one time and 'Boom!' I had a 3 ½-pound largemouth. I threw back and 'Boom!', another 3 ½-pounder.”

Storm said they fished that bank until noon and the fishing began to lay off, so they went to another spot. They came back later and started fishing deeper, catching largemouths. His biggest for the day was 4 pounds.

“Later in January I was fishing out of my boat and caught a 5-pound largemouth close to that same spot,” he said.

“You can catch fish on crankbaits and Shakey Heads this time of year. I like small crankbaits during cold weather and reel them really slow. My favorite is a Deep Baby N and the color I use most is a kind of a green back with white sides and a flash of red on the throat.”

Storm said he had 13 entries in the Nov. 21 tournament on Lake Mitchell, up some from previous tournaments.

“I expect that many, maybe more, Saturday. People want to get out of the house this time of year and fish.”

Entry fee for the tournaments is $70, with $5 for Big Fish. Anglers can register at DrawTrail.com or at the ramp the morning of the tournament.

The top 500 Ram American Fishing Tour anglers in national points standings for the 2016 season will be invited to fish the 2016 Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship at Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, AL on October 16-21.

The remaining Alabama Central Division schedule includes: Dec. 19, Lake Martin; Jan. 23, Lake Martin; Feb. 20, Lake Jordan; March 26, Alabama River; April 23, Lake Mitchell; May 21, Lake Jordan; and June 18-19, Alabama River.

Ram American Fishing Tour - Alabama Central Division

Sat, Dec 19, 2015

Lake Martin

Wind Creek State Park

Call Tom Storm at (334) 567-0351

http://www.americanbassanglers.com/districts2016.php?Division=24

by AnglersChannel

Spotted Bass Will Be Winning Catch In Sc Greenwood Division Tournament On Lake Greenwood

“The spotted bass are prevalent in December anyway, so most of the anglers will be trying to target them because they are the most aggressive,” said Morris, who added that spotted bass don't have a lot of weight.

“We always have a lot of anglers who come in with less than 10 pounds for a sack, but then there are always one or two that come in with the right fish to win it,” he said. “It usually takes 15 to 16 pounds to win this time of year on Russell.”

Morris said the key tactic will likely be a drop-shot in 30 to 40 feet of water.

“That is how it is usually won this time of year,” he said. “I don't know how cold it will get this week, but if it comes on strong and the temperature drops, that deep water bite will win it.”

Morris said the season has gone well since it kicked off with a tournament on Lake Murray in July. That was followed by a tournament on Lake Greenwood in August and then on to Clarks Hill in September. The Oct. 4 tournament on Lake Murray was canceled due to the torrential rains that swept across South Carolina that weekend, flooding homes and washing out roads and bridges, with the last tournament back on Clarks Hill in November. The schedule continues Sunday with the tournament on Lake Russell, followed by tournaments Jan. 3 on Lake Greenwood, Feb. 28 on Lake Murray, March 20 on Clarks Hill, April 10 on Lake Murray, May 1 on Lake Greenwood, with the two-day final May 21-22 on Clarks Hill.

“I've had 40 anglers fishing so far and we usually end up with at least 75 by the end of the season,”Morris said. “We are always looking for new anglers. We have several that come from North Carolina up around the Asheville area, some from down in Georgia and some from both the upstate and lower state in South Carolina.”

Anglers can register on-line or at the ramp. American Bass Anglers charges a $5 late fee to sign up at the ramp, but a lot of anglers take that route anyway for convenience, Morris said. There is no late fee for an angler who is active military, a lifetime ABA member, or if an angler fishes 15 ABA tournametns a year.

“There is no off-limits for the qualifying tournaments,” he said. “They can pre-fish the day before the tournament and then fish the tournament.”

American Fishing Tour - SC Greenwood Division

Sun, Dec 6, 2015

Lake Russell

Hwy 72 Ramp

Call Phil Morris at (864) 993-0346

http://www.americanbassanglers.com/districts2016.php?Division=96

by AnglersChannel

Cold Front Could Help Fishing For Florida West Division Tournament On Toho

“We are looking for a front to come through Thursday and Friday that is going to drop the air temperature down into the mid-70s,” said tournament director Frank Marylander. “It's not going to be a big cold front, but it may affect the fish.”

Toho is not fishing as well as it should be this time of year, Derylak said.

“We're catching a few of the bigger bass, but for some odd reason they are just not biting like they should be. I don't know if it's because Florida Wildlife is killing too much of the grass which is moving the fish out or if we are just not finding them,” he said.

Or, perhaps the fish have moved into staging areas to get ready for spawning, he said.

“They should be getting to the pockets, getting ready to spawn. That's what normally happens in December and January. I do expect that with this cooler weather that will probably happen pretty soon and fishing will pick up.”

Right now the bass are still not responding to reaction baits, he said, because the water is still too warm.

“Usually this time of year they start hitting crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps and jerkbaits more, but that has not happened yet. We are primarily catching them on worms and jigs, slow-moving baits.”

Derylak, who won the November tournament, is currently leading the points, but that will change as the season goes on, he said, because certain anglers fish better during different seasons of the year. So far the division has held three tournaments; Craig Maxwell won the other two.

“We have to fish four of the one-day tournaments and the two-day tournament to qualify for the top 500 in the nation in order to fish the national championship, which will be held on Lake Eufaula in Alabama next October,” Derylak said.

The Florida West Division opened with a tournament Sept. 12, followed by tournaments Oct. 3 and Nov. 7. The schedule includes: Dec. 5, Jan. 9, Feb. 6, March 5, April 2, May 14, June 4, July 9, Aug. 6-7, all out of Southport on Toho.

American Fishing Tour - Florida West Division

Sat, Dec 5, 2015

Lake Toho

Southport Park

Call Frank Derylak at (407) 709-1632

http://www.americanbassanglers.com/districts2016.php?Division=21

by AnglersChannel

Clarks Hill Toys For Tots Anglers Noted For Having Big Hearts, Open Pocketbooks

The Clarks Hill Fish for Life Foundation, which supports programs that positively influence the lives of children in the Central Savannah River Area through fishing tournaments and other events, will mark its fourth year of administering the Toys for Tots tournament. The foundation took over the tournament when Bill Harley, who ran Southern Anglers Challenge and held the Toys for Tots Tournament for years, began having health problems since it fit right in with the foundation's mission.

“One of the things that always impresses me is how a lot of the local anglers who have fished the tournament for years and years – even though the entry fee includes two $10 toys – will bring five or six bicycles and donate them,” said Jay Jennings with the Fish for Life Foundation. “And we have a number of anglers who, instead of giving toys, will drop $100, some even $200, into the pot for the kids. Hosting the Toys for Tots Tournament is a really heartwarming thing for us to do.”

And, Jennings said, it's not just the anglers who open their pocketbooks for the kids.

“A lot of companies in the CSRA donate to the tournament and a lot of other businesses have their own Toys for Tots effort. There are a number of organizations that do Toys for Tots this time of year – we just happen to do the fishing side.”

Jennings said Bobby Jones Ford, which is a Fish for Life sponsor, has also come on board as a supporter of the Toys for Tots Tournament.

“We are holding our pre-registration at Bobby Jones Ford on Wrightsboro Road, Tuesday, Nov. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m.,” he said. Entry fee for the tournament is $100 plus $5 for the Big Fish Pot and two new toys valued at $10 or more each. First place is guaranteed $5,000 with a 100-boat field, plus one place will be paid for every 10 boats.

Not only is the tournament a heartwarming experience for the organizers and for the fishermen, Jennings said the fishing is expected to be very good for the tournament also.

“Paula Alexander, who supports most of our Fish for Life events, won the Saturday Morning Open Team Tournament last weekend with over 20 pounds and her big fish was about 6 ½ pounds,” Jennings said. “It's going to take some weight to win the Toys for Tots Tournament. My guess is it will take at least 20 to 21 pounds.”

34th Annual Toys for Tots Tournament

Sat, Nov 28, 2015

Clarks Hill Lake

Wildwood Park

Call Jay Jennings at 706-373-7677

www.chfishforlife.org

by AnglersChannel

Bass Should Be Feeding Up For Virginia Western Divisional On Smith Mountain Lake

“The smallmouth bite should be pretty good and the largemouth bite is probably going to be decent,” Jennings said. “The fish should be on their fall feed and some may be starting their winter patterns.”

Most of the fish will probably come 12 to 20 feet deep over rock piles and other structure, he said.

“Fishing jigs is normally good this time of year up there, along with Shakey Heads and drop-shots. And if you can get on some schooling fish, topwater will come into play, although you might have to weed through the stripers. Depending on the weather, there could be a good crankbait bite, too.”

Jennings said the forecast calls for a chance of rain on Friday and a slight chance of rain on Saturday, with temperatures in the upper 50s to low 60s.

“If it does do that I hope there will also be a slight breeze to get the surface churned up just a little bit,” he said.

Jennings said he anticipates anywhere from 15 to 25 anglers for the tournament, possibly even 30. In a five-fish limit two bass can be at least 12 inches long and the other three have to be 14 inches or better, according to Virginia fishing regulations, he said.

Entry fee for the tournaments is $70, with $5 for Big Fish. Anglers can register at DrawTrail.com or at the ramp the morning of the tournament.

The top 500 Ram American Fishing Tour anglers in national points standings for the 2016 season will be invited to fish the 2016 Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship at Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, AL on October 16-21. Jennings said anglers must also fish four one-day tournaments and the two-day championship to qualify.

The remaining schedule for the Virginia Western Division includes: Nov. 21, Smith Mountain Lake; Dec. 5, Kerr Lake; March 26, Smith Mountain Lake; April 23, Philpott Lake; May 28, Kerr Lake; and June 25-26, Kerr Lake.

Ram American Fishing Tour – Virginia Western Division

Sat, Nov 21, 2015

Smith Mountain Lake

Parkway Marina

www.drawtrail.com/2016DivPage.php?Division=102

by AnglersChannel

Lake Mitchell Has Big Bass Potential For Alabama Central Division Tournament

“I set the hook and it bent my big, old stiff broom-handle rod and then he pulled off,” said Storm. “I threw back in there and another one hit it – and he did the same thing, pulled off in the grass. I was fishing Spiderwire at the time and he was so strong he just pulled off.”

Storm threw back and this time he landed a 4-pounder.

“That's the kind of stuff you get in Mitchell,” he said. “You can get in one spot and you are liable to catch a boatload.”

The entire Coosa River Chain of lakes is like that, Storm said.

“Mitchell is an excellent fishery. It's got a lot of rocky shoreline and that is where you find the spots in deep water with a Carolina rig. And it's got a lot of grass, especially back in the creeks. You can fish the grass with a spinnerbait, pig and jig and you can even throw a worm in some of the holes in the grass like a pig and jig.”

Lake Mitchell will be the site Saturday for the second tournament of the 8-tournament regular season schedule for the Ram American Fishing Tour Alabama Central Division.

Storm, who is director for the division, said entries these days are not like they were a few years ago before the economy went downhill.

“When we started several years ago we were having 45 to 50 anglers come out to the tournaments. Since the economy went down we are lucky to have seven,” he said. “The anglers who are not fishing just don't have the money. Some are like me, retired.”

Entry fee for the tournaments is $70, with $5 for Big Fish. Anglers can register at DrawTrail.com or at the ramp the morning of the tournament.

The top 500 Ram American Fishing Tour anglers in national points standings for the 2016 season will be invited to fish the 2016 Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship at Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, AL on October 16-21.

The remaining Alabama Central Division schedule includes: Nov. 21, Lake Mitchell; Dec. 19, Lake Martin; Jan. 23, Lake Martin; Feb. 20, Lake Jordan; March 26, Alabama River; April 23, Lake Mitchell; May 21, Lake Jordan; and June 18-19, Alabama River.

Ram American Fishing Tour – Alabama Central Division

Sat, Nov 21, 2015

Lake Mitchell

Higgins Ferry

www.drawtrail.com/2016DivPage.php?Division=24

by AnglersChannel

Mr. Lake Murray Partners With The Marines' Toys For Tots Campaign

“It seems like we have been pushed further back each year in scheduling the tournament because the ramps at Lake Murray are so busy,” said Rich Gerken, TBF-SC president. “We are now so close to December that we decided to do something like this for Christmas. We are looking forward to doing something good for them.”

Gerken said the tournament is an “open tournament.” Anglers do not have to be a TBF member to fish.

“We try to use the tournament as a kind of membership drive,” he said. “We are hoping to get some people into TBF. This year we also brought in the Toys for Tots campaign to make the tournament as beneficial to as many people as possible.”

Gerken said some Marines will participate in the tournament and there will be some at the weigh-in to collect what the tournament has raised for Toys for Tots. Anglers are asked to bring a new unwrapped toy valued at $20 or more or make a cash donation of $20 or more to the program. The toys and donations will be collected at registration the morning of the tournament.

“We hope this will be a big success for Toys for Tots,” Gerken said. “It feels good to do something worthwhile for other folks.”

Entry fee is $140 per boat, cash only at the ramp. Registration at the Dreher Island ramp will begin at 5:30 and boat numbers will be assigned by order of entry.

First place prize will be $2,500, based on a field of at least 50 boats, plus there will be a Big Bass award.

If the fishing success following the early October storms and flooding is any indication, fishing should be good this weekend following the heavy rains over the weekend and Monday, Gerken said.

“The water temperatures have cooled down and that usually gets them going, feeding up for the winter. Generally, this is a topwater time of year and that is always a good pattern to go after, but there are always some locals who know their brushpiles and other structure, and that produces, too.”

Gerken said it usually takes 20 pounds or more to win the Lake Murray tournament this time of year.

Mr. Lake Murray Bass Tournament

Sat, Nov 14, 2015

Lake Murray

Dreher Island State Park

Call Rich Gerken at (201) 772-6401

www.tbfofsc.com

by AnglersChannel

Uncc Sigma Tau Gamma Benefit Tournament To Benefit Children's And Ovarian Cancer Initiatives

College fraternities often get a lot of bad press – most of it self-inflicted – but it's also newsworthy when a frat does something good, like the Sigma Tau Gamma Chapter at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. The chapter is holding a fishing tournament on Lake Norman Sunday to raise money for the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation which works to increase awareness and secure funding for childhood and ovarian cancer initiatives.

The Sigma Tau Gamma tournametn will be held out of Pinnacle Landing with an entry fee of $60, which also covers the entry in the Big Fish contest. First place will pay $500, second $100 and 3rd $50, with a Big Fish prize of $200, based on at least 20 boats. Each winner will also receive a No. 78 camo baseball cap, autographed by NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr.

“We have a goal for fund-raising each year and normally we raise money for the Special Olympics, but we partnered with the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation for this tournament,” said tournament organizer Ben Hagar, who is also a member of the UNCC Bass Fishing Club. “Once all the prizes are paid out we will give the rest to the Foundation.”

Hagar said that almost all the money raised in entry fees will go to the Truex Foundation as the $500 first prize and the $200 Big Fish prize are sponsored by local businesses. 

The company of the father of one of the Sigma Tau Gamma brothers, Wastequip, LLC, based in Charlotte, is sponsoring the First Place prize. Wastequip is the leading North American manufacturer of waste and recycling equipment, offering a full line of steel and plastic products to collect, handle and transport waste and recyclables.

WIX Filters of Gastonia, N.C., which produces the No. 1 filter in motorsports, along with filters for automotive, diesel, agricultural and other industrial applications, is sponsoring the Big Fish cash prize. WIX Racing Products have been track tested and proven in all levels of stock car, dirt track, off-road and drag racing.

Truex Jr. and longtime girlfriend Sherry Pollex, who was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer in August 2014. announced a goal to raise $500,000 to support research of childhood and ovarian cancers during September and continuing through The Chase. Truex Jr. launched his foundation in 2007 to help children. Over the years, Truex Jr. and Pollex have become more passionate about helping children with cancer. 
To donate, please visit www.martintruexjrfoundation.org. To learn more about ovarian cancer, please visit: www.OCNA.org. To learn more about childhood cancer, visit: www.CAC2.org.

With an 8th place finish in the AAA Texas 500 Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway, Truex Jr. is in 4th place in the Chase and hopes to hold or improve on that position in the final race of the Eliminator Round at at Phoenix International Raceway Sunday. The final four in the Chase will compete for the 2015 NASCAR Championship in the final races on the schedule.

UNCC Sigma Tau Gamma Benefit Tournament

Sun, Nov 15, 2015

Lake Norman

Pinnacle Access

Call Ben Hagar 704-999-4494

by AnglersChannel

Heavy Rains Could Impact Aba Division 12 Tournament On Lake Eufaula

“It's been raining a lot in Georgia and the water stacks up going down the Chattahoochee,” Collins said. “I fished West Point last weekend and it filled the lake up, so we are assuming Eufaula is getting that water in there, too.”

Otherwise, he said, the fish should be on a fall pattern and the weather is supposed to be good Saturday, with highs in the upper 60s to 70 degrees.

“It was really hard fishing in the tournament two weeks ago. They were still shallow and some were on brushpiles. They were not in the backs of the creeks then, but with this weather coming I look for the baitfish to start moving back in the creeks,” Collins said.

Collins said the Eufaula Division usually has 40 to 45 anglers competing in a draw tournament. Entry fee is $70, with $10 for Big Fish. Registration is held for an hour and a half to two hours at the marina until about 30 minutes before safe light, he said.

“Then we do a safety briefing, hold the partner draw, and the boats go out when we can see the buoys out across from the marina,” he said, adding that other anglers are welcome to come fish.

“If anybody wants to go fishing in Lake Eufaula, come on down. We will welcome them. And we have color in our water,” he said.

After Saturday the remainder of the Division 12 schedule will include : Dec. 19 this year and then Feb. 20,March 20, April 2, May 7, June 4, July 9 and Aug. 9-10, 2016.

After three tournaments Collins of Tyrone, Ga., is leading the points in Division 12.

American Bass Anglers Eufaula Division

Sat, Nov 14, 2015

Lake Eufaula

Lakepoint Marina

Call Deacon Collins at (404) 862-4233

www.americanbassanglers.com

by AnglersChannel

Some 'really Good Fishermen' In Bfl Wild Card On Lake Hartwell

There are some really good fishermen in the Wild Card who did not qualify for various reasons during the year, said tournament director Dave Maxfield.

“The thing about BFLs is that most of the guys who fish it work for a living and they fish when they can,” Maxfield said. These anglers have jobs and families that can interfere with hopes for qualifying for the All American, he added.

“A lot of things come into play with work. I have guys call me and say, 'I work for the power company and we've had a big storm. I have to work.' So they are not able to fish all the tournaments.”

Maxfield said an angler who fished at least two tournaments in a division, but paid for five tournaments, is eligible to fish the Wild Card.

“These were guys who did not finish in the top 50 and did not qualify for a regional, so this is their last chance. It's kind of like being in The Chase in NASCAR. One bad tournament will do you in and you won't make a regional. There are a lot of different scenarios for these guys to be in the Wild Card.”

He noted that these anglers have the option of fishing as a boater or a non-boater, no matter which they fished as during the year.

“You can fish all year as a boater and then when you get to the Wild Card you can fish as a non-boater, or vice versa. It comes down to what you prefer, what you think gives you the best chance of making the All American.”

A lot of good fishermen fail to qualify for the All American through the normal routes, but the Wild Card gives them a launching pad to have a successful ending to their year, he said.

For instance, last year Billy Schroeder of Paducah, Ky., finished 2^nd in the Wild Card to advance to the All American on Kentucky Lake this year where he finished 2^nd. Bobby D. Padgett of LaGrange, Ga., only fished three tournaments in the Bulldog Division, but he was 3^rd in the Wild Card and moved on to the All American this year where he finished 7^th.

Both Padgett and Schroeder will be among the 130 or so boaters fishing in the Wild Card on Lake Hartwell next week, Maxfield said.

“They are some really good fishermen. There are some really good sticks in this Wild Card.”

Walmart Bass Fishing League Wild Card

Nov 13-14, 2015

Lake Hartwell

Clemson Marina

www.flwfishing.com

by AnglersChannel

Proctor Hoping Smaller Aluminum Boat Key To Success In B.a.s.s. Nation Championship

“Being the last boat in the field is kind of a good thing,” Proctor said with a chuckle. “I won't have to be looking over my shoulder.”

The reason is that while 55 of the competitors will be driving modern bass boats, Proctor and three others will be fishing out of smaller aluminum boats pushed by outboards with much less horsepower.

“The reason I brought an aluminum boat is that I found some shallow, stumpy water in practice,” Proctor said. While he normally fishes out of a Triton, Proctor bought a 16-foot War Eagle 648 with a 60-horsepower Mercury 4-stroke outboard.

“We built a deck on it and put on a new trolling motor. I like fishing out of it and I can get anywhere in it. Some of the places here are really hard to get in,” Proctor said.

He's not the only one who decided to go small for a better shot at winning big. Former Elite Series angler Jami Fralick will also be fishing out of an aluminum boat – a 16-foot Bass Tracker with a 40-horsepower outboard.

An accountant at a bank, Proctor is a member of the Conway, S.C. Bassmasters. He earned a berth on the South Carolina Team that fished in the B.A.S.S. Nation Southern Divisional in April on the Pee Dee River Basin. Proctor was the overall tournament winner and also won the State of South Carolina team title to advance to the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.

The field of 59 anglers represents 47 states and one Canadian province, plus Japan, South Africa, Italy, Portugal, Mexico, Spain, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Australia. In addition, Jack Barber will represent the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA). The PVA sends its Angler of the Year to the BNC each year, and this is Barber’s first year to qualify.
The overall winner of the championship will earn a berth in the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic on Oklahoma's Grand Lake. Joining the champ at the Classic will be the top contender from each of the other five divisions. Six divisions make up the B.A.S.S. Nation: Western, Central, Northern, Southern, Eastern and Mid-Atlantic.

The payout extends to the top 30 anglers, with the winner getting a Skeeter ZX200 with a Yamaha VF200LA boat and motor package.

2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship

Nov 5-7, 2015

Ouachita River

Forsythe Park Boat Launch

www.bassmaster.com

by AnglersChannel

Kizziahs Hope The Frog Is The Charm In Chattanooga Bass Association Classic On Chickamauga

“We have done it so long that it's not one of those things where we bump heads,” said Tom III. “We are so used to fishing together we complement each other. If I have a bad day I know he is going to catch them and if he is not catching them he knows I will.”

The Kizziahs, from Chickamauga, Ga., have basically fished the same patterns on Lake Chickamauga over the years with just slight variations.

“Years ago we threw spinnerbaits on the hydrilla mats. Now that the mats have got bigger we throw a frog around the grass. We fish the same way we have over the years. We also throw a spinnerbait, a chatterbait and sometimes a Spook,” Kizziah III said. “That's what we have always done from the end of September though October and November.”

The rains, however, could affect the frog bite this weekend, he said.

“We had a bunch of rain and the lake was dropped. They started to bring it down to winter pool. You never know what the weather is going to do. I thought we were going to get lucky, but it started raining again and now it's supposed to rain Thursday,” he said.

Kizziah III said he had a good day of practice on the lake Saturday, landing about 21 pounds in just four hours of fishing, but he does not know if that fishing will hold up in the Classic.

“I think the fishing is going to be tough with these fronts coming through. It's going to hurt the guys like us who frog fish.”

If the fish bite as good this weekend as they did last weekend, Kizziah III said it could take 42 to 45 pounds for two days to win the $10,000 first prize.

“But this is the same weather pattern we had last year. It took 13 pounds a day to get a check and 31 pounds to win it,” he said. “Wednesday is the last day to practice before the lake goes off limits for Thursday and Friday. I'm going to try to go Wednesday and maybe find something to add to what I found last weekend.”

Up to 70 boat are expected to fish in the Classic which is now called the Tow Boat U.S. Classic Championship. The field will include the top 50 in points who will pay only the $20 big fish fee. Also fishing for just the $20 big fish fee are the highest finishing Youth and Senior teams outside the top 50, plus teams that fished all seven tournaments and won at least one of them. Other teams that fished all seven tournaments without a first place can also fish by paying the full $240 entry fee, $120 for Youth teams, and $180 for College and Senior Division teams.

Kizziah III and Kizziah Jr. finished 22^nd in the standings.

“Overall, we had a decent year,” Kizziah III said. “We were pretty consistent all year. We caught a five-fish limit every time.”

Chattanooga Bass Association Classic

Nov 7-8, 2015

Chickamauga Lake

Chester Frost Park

Call 423-593-3343

www.cbatournament.com

by AnglersChannel

Lake Eufaula To Host 2016 Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship

Lake Eufaula to Host 2016 Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship

The top 500 Ram American Fishing Tour anglers in national points standings for the 2016 season will be invited to  attend the 2016 Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship at Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, AL on October 16-21, 2016. Event launch and weigh-in will take place at Lakepoint Resort State Park. The 2016 Championship is hosted by the Eufaula-Barbour Chamber Restricted Tourism Committee.

Eufaula Mayor, Jack Tibbs, was on hand at the 2015 Ram AFT National Championship awards banquet at Lake Hartwell to make the announcement of the 2016 event location. "It is my pleasure to let the AFT anglers know that the 2016 Ram AFT National Championship will be at Lake Eufaula. We've hosted several ABA events over the past few years and we are looking forward to another great ABA event for 2016. This is a great event for Eufaula, as this event will include anglers from across the country that will get to experience the excellent fishing on Lake Eufaula and all that the Eufaula, AL area has to offer the anglers and their families during their visit," said Tibbs.

"Lake Eufaula has always been a great place to hold a large scale event. The Eufaula area has everything needed to make a great event, including great restaurants, hotels, and excellent fishing. ABA is excited to be working with the Eufaula-Barbour Chamber Restricted Tourism Committee and Mayor Tibbs in effort to make the 2016  Ram AFT National Championship the our best one yet," said Morris Sheehan, ABA President.

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

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

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

by AnglersChannel