Pat Fisher Wins the FLW Costa Series Championship on Table Rock Lake, Punches ticket to 2017 FLW Cup
BRANSON, Mo. (Nov. 5, 2016) – Pat Fisher of Colbert, Georgia, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 15 pounds even Saturday to win the Costa FLW Series Championship on Table Rock Lake, which featured 192 of the top semi-pro boaters and co-anglers from across the globe. Fisher’s three-day total of 15 bass weighing 40 pounds, 4 ounces, earned him $50,200 and a coveted spot in the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing.
“I haven’t fished at this level in years, so this tournament was like a family reunion,” said Fisher, who spent eight years on the FLW Tour before stepping away in 2008. “I’ve always been very competitive, so it feels great to win.
“I came into this event after having the worst practice I’ve ever had,” Fisher continued. “On Day One, I went to a 200-yard stretch of bank way up the James River that I had a little success on. I sat in about 4 feet of water, throwing to bass that were shallower – maybe about a foot down. It was cloudy, so I threw a ¼-ounce white and blue-colored Boogerman Buzzbait and was able to catch nine keepers including a decent kicker.”
On Day Two, competitors were held at the marina for two hours due to excessive fog. Although the delay cut a large chunk out of Fisher’s day, he said he was still able to salvage a solid limit.
“I ran back up to the James River area and arrived at 11 a.m.,” said Fisher. “It was bright and slick so I knew they wouldn’t eat the buzzbait. I picked up a custom shaky-head rigged with a green pumpkin-colored Zoom Trick Worm and threw it around for a while. The largest piece of laydown in the area – a tree – produced around 30 fish for me. It was my magic tree.”
Fisher said he capped off the event by returning to his main stretch on Day Three, but this time, he was able to cover water more efficiently.
“I left two really big fish up there, so I narrowed my area to a 75-yard stretch,” said Fisher. “I threw to any cover I could. After the sun came out, I went back to my magic tree and caught six or seven big ones on the buzzbait. I guess it took me some more time during the tournament to figure them out.”
The top finishing boater from each of the six Costa FLW Series divisions that qualified for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup were:
Southeastern
1st: Pat Fisher, Colbert, Ga., 15 bass, 40-4, $50,200
Southwestern
2nd: Cody Bird, Granbury, Texas, 15 bass, 38-11, $25,000
Central
4th: Old Spice pro Greg Bohannan, Bentonville, Ark., 15 bass, 33-1, $15,000 + $2,000 Ranger Cup bonus
Northern
11th: Joel Richardson, Kernersville, N.C., 10 bass, 19-14, $4,000
Western
29th: Roy Hawk, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., six bass, 15-10, $2,500
International
51st: Hyo chul Kim, South Korea, six bass, 11-15
Additionally, the overall top five finishers that were not already selected as the highest finisher in their division qualify for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup. Those five anglers were:
3rd: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 15 bass, 36-14, $20,000
5th: Christopher Jones, Bokoshe, Okla., 14 bass, 31-7, $10,100
6th: Travis Fox, Rogers, Ark., 12 bass, 28-3, $8,000
7th: Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 14 bass, 28-0, $7,000
8th: Bradford Beavers, Ridgeville, S.C., 14 bass, 27-14, $6,000
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
The 2017 Forrest Wood Cup will be held Aug. 11-13 at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina.
Tyler Sheppard of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, won the co-angler division and $30,100, including a Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard with a three-day total of 10 bass weighing 23 pounds, 10 ounces. Michael Black of Toledo, Illinois, finished in second place with 10 bass weighing 22 pounds, 1 ounce, worth $12,500.
The top 10 co-anglers finished:
1st: Tyler Sheppard, Hermitage, Pa., 10 bass, 23-10, $30,100
2nd: Michael Black, Toledo, Ill., 10 bass, 22-1, $12,500
3rd: Richard Jordan, Muncy Valley, Pa., eight bass, 16-5, $10,000
4th: Robert Myers, Broken Arrow, Okla., seven bass, 13-8, $7,550
5th: David Hudson, Jasper, Ala., five bass, 11-2, $5,000
6th: Raymond Tak, Los Angeles, Calif., five bass, 10-14, $4,000
7th: Benjamin Tawney, Slippery Rock, Pa., five bass, 10-8, $3,500
8th: Joe Lane, Republic, Mo., five bass, 9-5, $3,000
9th: Jonathan Shockey, Fort Smith, Ark., three bass, 8-7, $2,500
10th: Rob Bueltmann, Osage Beach, Mo., four bass, 8-6, $2,000
The Costa FLW Series Championship at Table Rock Lake was hosted by ExploreBranson.com.
In Costa FLW Series regular-season competition, each division competes in three tournaments, with competitors vying for valuable points to earn their way into the top 40 and the opportunity to fish in the Costa FLW Series Championship.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Costa FLW Series on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
About FLW
Zack Birge takes the Lead in the FLW Costa Series Championship Heading into Day 3
FLW Official Press Release - Day 2 Costa Series Championship
BRANSON, Mo. (Nov. 4, 2016) – Costa FLW Series competitors awoke Friday to a thick blanket of fog covering Table Rock Lake near Table Rock State Park in Branson. After a near two-hour delay, anglers were allowed to start day two of the Costa FLW Series Championship on Table Rock Lake.
The 2015 FLW Tour Rookie of the Year Zack Birge of Blanchard, Oklahoma, who started the day in 13th place, vaulted to the top of the leaderboard after bringing a five-bass limit to the scales weighing 13 pounds, 13 ounces. Birge’s two-day total of 10 bass totaling 26 pounds, 5 ounces gives him a slim 6-ounce advantage over Cody Bird of Granbury, Texas, heading into the third and final day of competition. The tournament featured 192 boaters and co-anglers from across the globe, but is now cut to 10 with anglers casting for a top cash award of $95,000, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard, and an automatic qualification to the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing.
“I went to a new area today and caught around 15 fish,” said Birge, who won the 2014 FLW Series Championship at Wheeler Lake to jumpstart his professional career. “I didn’t see another boat around me and I think it is because I am so far up the river. Yesterday I only caught five all day so I knew I had to try something else and this new spot worked out.”
Birge said he ran 50 to 60 miles up the James River and caught all of his fish off of one bait – a 6th Sense Lure that he was not yet ready to divulge.
“I think a lot of the other places where guys have been at are just running out of fish,” Birge said. “Getting in to that new area was definitely the key for me today.”
Winning the 2014 Championship at Wheeler Lake seems to have prepared the Oklahoma pro for the pressures of leading a major tournament. He said he was much more nervous two years ago.
“It’s weird, but I’m not even really nervous at this point,” Birge said. “I really don’t know what to expect tomorrow. I’m just going to make that same run up the river tomorrow morning and hope for the best. I think there are more fish there, but I’m not really sure what to expect. I’m just going to go fishing and we’ll see how it ends up.”
The top 10 boaters that will advance to the final day of competition on Table Rock Lake are:
1st: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 10 bass, 26-5
2nd: Cody Bird, Granbury, Texas, 10 bass, 25-15
3rd: Pat Fisher, Colbert, Ga., 10 bass, 25-4
4th: Brad Cook, Afton, Okla., nine bass, 24-12
5th: Bradford Beavers, Ridgeville, S.C., eight bass, 22-8
6th: Christopher Jones, Bokoshe, Okla., nine bass, 22-4
7th: Travis Fox, Rogers, Ark., nine bass, 21-11
8th: Old Spice pro Greg Bohannan, Bentonville, Ark., 10 bass, 21-11
9th: Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 10 bass, 21-6
10th: Brent Algeo, Ozark, Mo., eight bass, 20-15
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
The Costa FLW Series consists of five U.S. divisions – Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western – along with an International division that features anglers from Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. The highest finishing pro from each U.S. division and the new International division based on their finish qualify for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, along with the overall top five finishers not already selected as the highest finisher of a division. A total of 11 FLW Series boaters will advance to the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina.
Day One co-angler leader Tyler Sheppard of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, retained his lead on Day Two with a two-day total of seven bass weighing 16 pounds, 3 ounces, followed by Michael Black of Toledo, Illinois, in second place with five bass weighing 12-11.
The top 10 co-anglers that advance to the final day of competition on Table Rock Lake are:
1st: Tyler Sheppard, Hermitage, Pa., seven bass, 16-3
2nd: Michael Black, Toledo, Ill., five bass, 12-11
3rd: Richard Jordan, Muncy Valley, Pa., six bass, 11-11
4th: Raymond Tak, Los Angeles, Calif., five bass, 10-14
5th: David Hudson, Jasper, Ala., four bass, 9-4
6th: Robert Myers, Broken Arrow, Okla., five bass, 9-1
7th: Jonathan Shockey, Fort Smith, Ark., three bass, 8-7
8th: Rob Bueltmann, Osage Beach, Mo., four bass, 8-6
9th: Benjamin Tawney, Slippery Rock, Pa., four bass, 7-12
10th: Joe Lane, Republic, Mo., four bass, 7-11
Co-anglers are casting this week for a top award of a Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $5,000 if Ranger Cup guidelines are met.
The final 10 boaters and co-anglers will take off from the Table Rock State Park Marina, located at 380 State Park Marina Road in Branson, at 7 a.m. CDT Saturday. Saturday’s final weigh-in will take place at the Branson Landing located at 100 Branson Landing in Branson, at 4 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.
The Costa FLW Series Championship at Table Rock Lake is being hosted by ExploreBranson.com.
In Costa FLW Series regular-season competition, each division competes in three tournaments, with competitors vying for valuable points to earn their way into the top 40 and the opportunity to fish in the Costa FLW Series Championship.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Costa FLW Series on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
Fisher leads Day 1 of Costa FLW Series Championship on Table Rock Lake
FLW Press Release - Day 1 Costa Championship
BRANSON, Mo. (Nov. 3, 2016) – Pat Fisher of Colbert, Georgia, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Thursday weighing 15 pounds, 3 ounces to grab the lead after day one of the Costa FLW Series Championship on Table Rock Lake. Fisher now holds a slim 6-ounce lead heading in to day two of the three-day event, hosted by ExploreBranson.com, that features 192 anglers from across the globe casting for a top cash award of $95,000, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard, and an automatic qualification to the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing.
“Today was a surprise. A very good surprise,” said Fisher, a former FLW Tour pro who has three career Forrest Wood Cup appearances. “I made a long run, a lot of fish got beat up in there in practice, up where I was. But, I was the only one in there today, and I just stuck with it.”
Though Fisher weighed landed nine keepers, a big kicker bass really keyed his day.
“That big fish was my third fish,” says Fisher. “There was a little stretch there when they were feeding, and that really set the tone for the day. I haven’t seen a fish that big all week.”
Well away from the ramp and way in the back of a creek, Fisher adapted perfectly to the calm and overcast conditions that loomed over the field all morning.
“I’d been catching them on a shaky-head rig in the bright sun and the clear water,” said Fisher. “But, this morning with the overcast they came up and ate topwater baits. I had a pretty consistent day, just catching them all day long on a topwater. When I wanted to catch one, I picked up the shaky-head, but they weren’t the size I was looking for.”
Though the area he’s fishing isn’t huge, Fisher seems fairly confident that it has enough fish for at least another day. He doesn’t think he leaned on them too hard, and he says that he only saw one other boat back in that general area today.
The top 10 boaters after Day One on Table Rock Lake are:
1st: Pat Fisher, Colbert, Ga., five bass, 15-3
2nd: Bradford Beavers, Ridgeville, S.C., five bass, 14-13
3rd: Christopher Jones, Bokoshe, Okla., five bass, 14-9
4th: Cody Bird, Granbury, Texas, five bass, 14-5
4th: Brad Cook, Afton, Okla., five bass, 14-5
6th: Tim Reneau, Del Rio, Texas, five bass, 14-4
7th: Travis Fox, Rogers, Ark., five bass, 13-12
8th: Mark Tucker, Kirkwood, Mo., five bass, 13-9
9th: Rick Taylor, West Olive, Mich., five bass, 13-6
10th: Terry Tucker, Gadsden, Ala., five bass, 13-5
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
The Costa FLW Series consists of five U.S. divisions – Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western – along with an International division that features anglers from Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. The highest finishing pro from each U.S. division and the new International division based on their finish qualify for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, along with the overall top five finishers not already selected as the highest finisher of a division. A total of 11 FLW Series boaters will advance to the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina.
Tyler Sheppard of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, leads the co-angler division with five bass weighing 12 pounds, 10 ounces followed by Robert Myers of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, with five bass weighing 9-1.
The top 10 co-anglers after day one on Table Rock Lake are:
1st: Tyler Sheppard, Hermitage, Pa., five bass, 12-10
2nd: Robert Myers, Broken Arrow, Okla., five bass, 9-1
3rd: Raymond Tak, Los Angeles, Calif., four bass, 8-12
3rd: Michael Black, Toledo, Ill., four bass, 8-12
5th: Jonathan Shockey, Fort Smith, Ark., three bass, 8-7
6th: Rob Bueltmann, Osage Beach, Mo., four bass, 8-6
7th: Kelly Taylor, Beebe, Ark., four bass, 7-10
8th: David Hudson, Jasper, Ala., three bass, 7-3
9th: Jim Austin, Lithonia, Ga., three bass, 7-0
9th: Richard Jordan, Muncy Valley, Pa., four bass, 7-0
9th: Mike Mueller, Berryville, Va., four bass, 7-0
Co-anglers are casting this week for a top award of a Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $5,000 if Ranger Cup guidelines are met.
Anglers will take off from the Table Rock State Park Marina, located at 380 State Park Marina Road in Branson, at 7 a.m. CDT each day. Weigh-in on Friday will be held at the marina beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will take place at the Branson Landing located at 100 Branson Landing in Branson, at 4 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.
In Costa FLW Series regular-season competition, each division competes in three tournaments, with competitors vying for valuable points to earn their way into the top 40 and the opportunity to fish in the Costa FLW Series Championship.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Costa FLW Series on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
to photo of Day One leader Pat Fisher
BRANSON, Mo. (Nov. 3, 2016) – Pat Fisher of Colbert, Georgia, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Thursday weighing 15 pounds, 3 ounces to grab the lead after day one of the Costa FLW Series Championship on Table Rock Lake. Fisher now holds a slim 6-ounce lead heading in to day two of the three-day event, hosted by ExploreBranson.com, that features 192 anglers from across the globe casting for a top cash award of $95,000, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard, and an automatic qualification to the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing.
“Today was a surprise. A very good surprise,” said Fisher, a former FLW Tour pro who has three career Forrest Wood Cup appearances. “I made a long run, a lot of fish got beat up in there in practice, up where I was. But, I was the only one in there today, and I just stuck with it.”
Though Fisher weighed landed nine keepers, a big kicker bass really keyed his day.
“That big fish was my third fish,” says Fisher. “There was a little stretch there when they were feeding, and that really set the tone for the day. I haven’t seen a fish that big all week.”
Well away from the ramp and way in the back of a creek, Fisher adapted perfectly to the calm and overcast conditions that loomed over the field all morning.
“I’d been catching them on a shaky-head rig in the bright sun and the clear water,” said Fisher. “But, this morning with the overcast they came up and ate topwater baits. I had a pretty consistent day, just catching them all day long on a topwater. When I wanted to catch one, I picked up the shaky-head, but they weren’t the size I was looking for.”
Though the area he’s fishing isn’t huge, Fisher seems fairly confident that it has enough fish for at least another day. He doesn’t think he leaned on them too hard, and he says that he only saw one other boat back in that general area today.
The top 10 boaters after Day One on Table Rock Lake are:
1st: Pat Fisher, Colbert, Ga., five bass, 15-3
2nd: Bradford Beavers, Ridgeville, S.C., five bass, 14-13
3rd: Christopher Jones, Bokoshe, Okla., five bass, 14-9
4th: Cody Bird, Granbury, Texas, five bass, 14-5
4th: Brad Cook, Afton, Okla., five bass, 14-5
6th: Tim Reneau, Del Rio, Texas, five bass, 14-4
7th: Travis Fox, Rogers, Ark., five bass, 13-12
8th: Mark Tucker, Kirkwood, Mo., five bass, 13-9
9th: Rick Taylor, West Olive, Mich., five bass, 13-6
10th: Terry Tucker, Gadsden, Ala., five bass, 13-5
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
The Costa FLW Series consists of five U.S. divisions – Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western – along with an International division that features anglers from Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. The highest finishing pro from each U.S. division and the new International division based on their finish qualify for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, along with the overall top five finishers not already selected as the highest finisher of a division. A total of 11 FLW Series boaters will advance to the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina.
Tyler Sheppard of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, leads the co-angler division with five bass weighing 12 pounds, 10 ounces followed by Robert Myers of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, with five bass weighing 9-1.
The top 10 co-anglers after day one on Table Rock Lake are:
1st: Tyler Sheppard, Hermitage, Pa., five bass, 12-10
2nd: Robert Myers, Broken Arrow, Okla., five bass, 9-1
3rd: Raymond Tak, Los Angeles, Calif., four bass, 8-12
3rd: Michael Black, Toledo, Ill., four bass, 8-12
5th: Jonathan Shockey, Fort Smith, Ark., three bass, 8-7
6th: Rob Bueltmann, Osage Beach, Mo., four bass, 8-6
7th: Kelly Taylor, Beebe, Ark., four bass, 7-10
8th: David Hudson, Jasper, Ala., three bass, 7-3
9th: Jim Austin, Lithonia, Ga., three bass, 7-0
9th: Richard Jordan, Muncy Valley, Pa., four bass, 7-0
9th: Mike Mueller, Berryville, Va., four bass, 7-0
Co-anglers are casting this week for a top award of a Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard and $5,000 if Ranger Cup guidelines are met.
Anglers will take off from the Table Rock State Park Marina, located at 380 State Park Marina Road in Branson, at 7 a.m. CDT each day. Weigh-in on Friday will be held at the marina beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will take place at the Branson Landing located at 100 Branson Landing in Branson, at 4 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.
In Costa FLW Series regular-season competition, each division competes in three tournaments, with competitors vying for valuable points to earn their way into the top 40 and the opportunity to fish in the Costa FLW Series Championship.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Costa FLW Series on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
BASS CAT ADDS “TIGER” STEVE KENNEDY TO PRO STAFF
MOUNTAIN HOME, AR (November 3, 2016) – Today Bass Cat announced the addition of Elite Series pro angler, Steve Kennedy, to the company’s Pro Staff. The Auburn, Alabama veteran angler will compete in his eighth Bassmaster Classic in March and plans to run a Bass Cat Eyra on tour in 2017.
In addition to his Bassmaster Classic qualifications, Kennedy has fished in the Forrest Wood Cup five times and has won twice in each major tour, including the Professional Anglers Association Circuit. Between B.A.S.S. and FLW, he has over $2 million in career winnings.
Kennedy first became aware of Bass Cat’s family atmosphere during a tournament prior to the start of his tour-level career when he chipped a tooth. Bass Cat’s matriarch Jan Pierce immediately dropped everything to find him a dentist, despite having never met him. “That really made an impression on me,” Kennedy said.
Equally important to him in making this decision was the company’s total commitment to quality. Kennedy added, “For most of my Elite experience I’ve had one of the slowest boats out there, but I won’t anymore. Now I’m expecting to be one of the fastest! I’m excited to be in a new boat and I’m going to have fun with it.”
Bass Cat’s President Rick Pierce stated, “Steve, Julia, and their kids have been like family to us for years. Along the way we’ve watched him approach fishing in his own individual way, similar to the way we’ve always done business here at Bass Cat.”
Bass Cat’s Tour Team Manager, Kevin Short, is a longtime friend of the Kennedys and has spent countless hours with Steve, both on and off the water. “I’ve always felt that Steve was the best angler at the tour level,” Short said. “I don’t know anybody out there who understands how to find and catch fish as naturally as Steve. He’s extremely guarded and doesn’t easily forge relationships, so we are thrilled that he chose to join the Bass Cat family.”
Tearing out the Rivets.
An old saying I have heard for years, “We are going to tear the rivets out of it and build it back piece by piece!”
Well, when you logged on to Anglerschannel.com this morning you may have noticed something different.
A few things out of place, a few new things and a few newer things you may have never noticed before.
Basically we tore the rivets out of it and put it back together. Bigger. Badder. Better than Ever.
Some have asked why we updated the site. Well, It’s pretty simple, it was time.
Time to get more responsive and deliver the content YOU want, the way YOU want it, WHERE YOU Want it. Simple as that.
Desktop, laptop, iPhone, Android, iPad, you name it. It's ready for it.
Some highlights of the new and improved, million-watt astro blaster Anglerschannel.com are:
*New Featured Content – The latest, greatest, most relevant stories, results, tournaments, videos and blogs to keep you in the know.
*New Results Section –ALL the weekends results from across the country in one place, easy to find and right there, front and center, to make your time on the site more enjoyable.
*New Tournament Tracker and Calendar – Search by month, date, trail or lake. Easier to find, more info, and an easy way to plan your tournaments, no matter where you fish.
*Industry News and Gear Reviews – All the latest industry news, new product news, product spotlight videos and more in the easy to find, easier to read product section.
*Videos – New video player and layout with the top videos on the homepage
*New Lakes and Lake Guide – Thanks to our friends at Navionics, We have updated the Lakes and Lake guides within our system to give you ALL the information you need, no matter if you are fishing your home lake or traveling out of state.
The new maps offer not only Navionics Topographic maps of the lakes, but also Hybrid and Terrain maps as well as Google Earth map,s all with the click of a button! No need to pull up multiple websites, we have it ALL in one spot!
At Anglerschannel.com we are working hard to make sure you get all the Bass Tournament information you want in one place. Pro Tips, Technical stuff, New Products, Tournament results and more! We want to be your home for tournament bass fishing!
Thanks for reading and thanks for checking out the site. We look forward to hearing your feedback. If you like it share it with your friends, if you don’t, send me an email at the address below, I would love to hear from you.
Thanks and God Bless!
Chris Brown
President, AnglersChannel.com
PS. BIG Thanks to guys at Metal Potato for putting all of this together. They were a blast to work with and put out great products. First class folks, check them out.
Missouri, California And Maryland To Host 2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Regionals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 2, 2016
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Three lakes in very different parts of the country — Lake of the Ozarks, Lake Shasta and Upper Chesapeake Bay — will host B.A.S.S. Nation Regionals in 2017.
“You can’t get more West, Central and East than our regionals,” said Jon Stewart, director of the B.A.S.S. Nation. “We’re proud of the diversity of this schedule.”
Top performers in each of the three regionals will advance to the 2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan.
Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Mo., will host the first regional of the year, April 5-7. Teams from Texas to Ohio will be invited to compete in the B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional.
“Lake of the Ozarks is a very popular tourist attraction,” Stewart said, “but it’s also a great fishery, especially that time of year. It should really fish well.”
The 2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional presented by Magellan will be the final event in a trifecta on the 54,000-acre reservoir. The Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Central Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops will take place March 29-31, followed by the Costa Bassmaster High School Midwest Open presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods, April 2.
“B.A.S.S. will be at Lake of the Ozarks for nearly two weeks, and we’re looking forward to it,” Stewart said. “It’s a beautiful place.”
The Ozarks Tri-County Lodging Association and the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau (funlake.com) are the local hosts for the event.
For the Western Regional, two weeks after the Central has concluded, B.A.S.S. heads almost as far west in the United States as possible, to Lake Shasta in Redding, Calif. The 2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional presented by Magellan will take place April 19-21, in conjunction with the 2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Western Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops.
Anglers from New Mexico to Washington will make up the competitors in the Western Regional.
“Lake Shasta will be another great event,” Stewart said. “It’s a good spotted bass fishery with the potential for some big spotted bass.”
California’s largest reservoir at 30,000 acres, Lake Shasta is nestled inside the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and looks up to the magnificent Mount Shasta.
“We’re excited to go to Redding, and they’re excited to have us,” Stewart added.
The Redding Convention and Visitors Bureau will host the tournament.
The final B.A.S.S. Nation Regional of the season will be held 2,800 miles away on the opposite coast. Upper Chesapeake Bay in North East, Md., will be the site of the 2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Regional, June 14-16. Cecil County Maryland will serve as the event’s host.
Teams from Maine to Florida will compete in the Eastern Regional.
“We’ve been to the Upper Chesapeake Bay a few times for regionals, and we just had a Bassmaster Elite Series event there in 2015,” Stewart said. “It’s a great community, and it’s very supportive of B.A.S.S.”
The fishing for the Eastern Regional should be good, too. In August 2015, Bassmaster Elite Series pro Aaron Martens won the four-day Elite Series tournament with 70 pounds, 2 ounces.
States send teams of 20 to each regional. The top boater and nonboater from each state in each regional will qualify for the 2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, which will be held in fall 2017 at a location to be announced.
2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan Schedule
Event Lake City Date
Central Regional Lake of the Ozarks Osage Beach, Mo. April 5-7
Western Regional Lake Shasta Redding, Calif. April 19-21
Eastern Regional Upper Chesapeake Bay North East, Md. June 14-16
2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Title Sponsor: Academy Sports + Outdoors
2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Presenting Sponsor: Magellan
2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Premier Sponsors: Toyota, Berkley, GoPro, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Power-Pole
2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Supporting Sponsors: A.R.E. Truck Caps, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Nationwide, Rapala, Shell Rotella, Shimano, T-H Marine, Phoenix Boats
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
The Wonder of being the Underdog...
Vance McCullough
5 AM.
We’re on the road to the hunting woods.
I‘m surprised to see 3 other vehicles during our 10 minute drive – a veritable traffic jam under the circumstances. We park, walk the dark half-mile to our trees. As my boy, Hunter, inches up a pine into the scattered stars, we again assume the role of underdog.
It’s a role we’ve been playing for the past couple of months on the football field. I coach and my boy plays at the smallest middle school in the county. Weekly, we take on schools with double or triple our enrollment. It’s gone as you might expect. I can handle the lopsided scores. I can handle our record. I can’t stand the running clock that, by rule, is implemented when the score gets away from one team (we’ve been on the good end and the bad end of that deal over the years). I really can’t stand when the refs call a game with 2 minutes left on the clock because it is out of reach. Some of us aren’t just trying to score points. Some of us are trying to teach football. Some of us are trying to teach perseverance.
In this increasingly soft society, the football field is one of the last bastions of manhood in America. It’s our treehouse, a place where we can spit, cuss and ‘scratch where it itches’. There are life lessons to be learned. Many of these lasting lessons can also be learned in the outdoors.
For instance, I don’t have the time or money to drive up into Georgia or South Carolina and join a club where we can sit over a feeder and take our pick from among dozens of animals. I’ve got no problem with folks doing that, but I’m more into it for the pure adventure anyway. Hunter and I put in hours scouting our local woods, placing and checking trail cameras and then on ‘game day’ we climb up, sit tight and hope for the best. Regulations are strict on public land and the advantage always favors the critters. ‘In the field or ‘on the field, we are the underdogs.
But there’s a special magic that happens when an underdog steals a win. It’s a feeling you won’t know until you’ve done something bigger than your resources or abilities should have allowed.
When I fish a tournament as a co-angler and a bit of luck shows its head, and I whack it on the head, I feel what my boy felt last spring when a gobbler showed up in the woods behind our house and Hunter stalked to within 20 yards, waited until the bird poked its head from behind a tree and put a 20-gague slug through its neck.
When I press the advantage as a coach and call a blitz or a stunt that results in a sack, I feel what Hunter felt when he charged into a thick bay head and hammered a razorback hog at close range.
As tournament organizations release next season’s schedules, make a plan to get in the game. There are plenty of trails that need co-anglers and boaters alike at all different levels of competition and expense. You may not have the latest equipment, but you can have the greatest experience. Join us, the 
underdogs, and remember, what you get may not be as important as how you got it.
By the way, before my boy climbed back down that pine tree the other day, he had shot his first buck. It was a 6-pointer, a beautiful specimen for these parts.
Now if we can just beat that team from across town next week . . .
ALABAMA’S NIXON WINS FLW BFL REGIONAL TOURNAMENT ON LAKE HARTWELL PRESENTED BY GOPRO
Hester wins co-angler title
SENECA, S.C. (Oct. 31, 2016) – Jason Nixon of Wetumpka, Alabama, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 13 pounds, 5 ounces, Saturday to win the FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Regional event on Lake Hartwell presented by GoPro, with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 31 pounds, 2 ounces. Nixon earned $65,000 for his victory, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard, and a berth into the 2017 BFL All-American Championship.
“I found areas in the back of three different creeks during practice that had stained water, which is what I was looking for,” said Nixon, who earned his third win in FLW competition. “But, on the first day of the tournament the water in my first stop wasn’t stained any longer. It was clear, and I didn’t catch a single fish on it. I went to my second area and caught four fish, and then two more at my third.”
Nixon said he was fishing shallow, in 1 to 3 feet of water, and targeting visible brush tops.
“On Day Two, I rotated between the two areas that had produced the day before,” said Nixon. “One area was in the middle of the lake, and the other one was in the lower end. I moved depending on how the fish were biting. I’d work one area over pretty good, and then move on to the second.”
Nixon said the majority of his fish came on a Rainforest Black-colored Spro Bronzeye Poppin’ Frog. He said he boated 17 keepers over the course of the event.
“I fished the frog fast in the morning and slow in the afternoon,” said Nixon. “Some fish would just swirl at it [the frog] but not touch it. But the ones that bit, they hit it hard and just about swallowed it.”
The top six boaters that qualified for the 2017 BFL All-American were:
1st: Jason Nixon, Wetumpka, Ala., 15 bass, 31-2, $65,000
2nd: Jason Wilson, Lincolnton, N.C., 15 bass, 28-12, $10,200
3rd: Conrad Bolt, Seneca, S.C., 15 bass, 28-9, $5,100
4th: Barry Hooper, Monticello, Ga., 15 bass, 28-2, $3,000
5th: Brad Fowler, Townville, S.C., 15 bass, 28-0, $2,000
6th: Todd Harris, Clemmons, N.C., 14 bass, 27-7, $1,800
Rounding out the top-10 boaters were:
7th: Joseph Marks, Duncan, S.C., 15 bass, 26-15, $2,600
8th: Clabion Johns, Covington, Ga., eight bass, 25-9, $1,400
9th: Randy Gillespie, Sanford, N.C., 15 bass, 25-6, $1,200
10th: Michael Anders, Anderson, S.C., 15 bass, 24-8, $1,000
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Alex Hester of Crossville, Tennessee, won the co-angler division and a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard with a three-day cumulative catch of 14 bass weighing 19 pounds, 12 ounces.
The top six co-anglers that qualified for the 2017 BFL All-American were:
1st: Alex Hester, Crossville, Tenn., 14 bass, 19-12, $45,000
2nd: Clarence Raney, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 12 bass, 19-9, $5,000
3rd: Pat Kendrick, Bumpass, Va., 15 bass, 19-4, $2,500
4th: Richard Young, Ellenboro, N.C., 13 bass, 18-12, $1,500
5th: Jeff Scism, Shelby, N.C., 11 bass, 17-8, $1,100
6th: Greg Ravitsky, Ashburn, Va., 11 bass, 17-5, $950
Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers were:
7th: Marvin Godard, Charlotte, N.C., 11 bass, 17-1, $800
8th: Nicholas Ireland, Raleigh, N.C., 12 bass, 16-12, $700
9th: Radney Atchison, Prattville, Ala., 11 bass, 15-11, $600
10th: Keith Lynch, River Falls, Ala., 11 bass, 14-14, $500
The BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 120 tournaments throughout the season, five in each division. The top 50 boaters and co-anglers from each division qualify for a regional tournament and are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2017 BFL All-American will be held May 31-June 3 on Pickwick Lake in Florence, Alabama. Top winners in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the Walmart FLW Tour.
OKLAHOMA’S COLLINGS WINS FLW BFL REGIONAL TOURNAMENT ON LAKE DARDANELLE PRESENTED BY RANGER BOATS
Montgomery wins co-angler title
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. (Oct. 31, 2016) – Eighteen-year-old Sheldon Collings of Grove, Oklahoma, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 16 pounds even Saturday to win the FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Regional event on Lake Dardanelle presented by Ranger Boats, with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 47 pounds, 4 ounces. For his win, Collings earned $65,000, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard, and a berth into the 2017 BFL All-American Championship.
Collings said he spent the first two days of the event at a creek mouth in an Arkansas River tailwater, below the Dardanelle Lock & Dam.
“The mouth had a point protruding from it,” said Collings, who earned his first win in FLW competition. “The shad were in the slack water behind it, along a shelf. The shelf was shallow, and ran across the entire mouth. The first bass I caught was a 6-pounder on a finesse jig.”
On Day Two, Collings said he switched to a chartreuse and black-colored Strike King KVD 2.5 square-bill crankbait.
“I caught six keepers there on Friday,” said Collings. “Casting into the current was key. You had to position the boat straight into it, cast the lure forward and then reel it back in.”
Collings said he focused on wing dams on the final day of the competition.
“I made a milk run and fished the dams that had the most current,” said Collings. “I caught seven keepers including a 6-pounder on the crankbait before heading in. I didn't catch a lot of fish in this tournament, but I definitely got some big ones. I've never done this well here before.”
The top six boaters that qualified for the 2017 BFL All-American were:
1st: Sheldon Collings, Grove, Okla., 15 bass, 47-4, $65,000
2nd: Melvin Dunn, Orange, Texas, 12 bass, 41-13, $10,000
3rd: Justin Atkins, Florence, Ala., 14 bass, 38-13, $5,000
4th: Jeffrey Smith, Knob Noster, Mo., 12 bass, 37-15, $3,000
5th: Roger Fitzpatrick, Eldon, Mo., 13 bass, 36-10, $2,200
6th: Lane McGaha, Dubach, La., 15 bass, 35-0, $1,900
Rounding out the top-10 boaters were:
7th: Ryan Wilbanks, Wagoner, Okla., 14 bass, 34-4, $1,600
8th: Jimmy Washam, Covington, Tenn., 11 bass, 31-10, $1,400
9th: Austin Lowrey, Webb City, Mo., 15 bass, 31-2, $1,200
10th: Dicky Newberry, Houston, Texas, 12 bass, 27-2, $1,000
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Michael Montgomery of Cuba, Missouri, won the co-angler division and a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard with a three-day cumulative catch of 14 bass weighing 25 pounds even.
The top six co-anglers that qualified for the 2017 BFL All-American were:
1st: Michael Montgomery, Cuba, Mo., 14 bass, 25-0, $45,000
2nd: Ronald Smith Jr., Kansas City, Kan., seven bass, 16-4, $5,000
3rd: Damon Duncan, Kansas, Okla., five bass, 16-1, $2,500
4th: David Lansford, Muskogee, Okla., five bass, 14-14, $1,500
5th: Dennis Meyer, Ballwin, Mo., five bass, 13-14, $1,100
6th: Justin Newell, Muskogee, Okla., six bass, 13-11, $950
Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers were:
7th: Heath Gilmore, Meridian, Miss., six bass, 13-9, $800
8th: Stephen Brown, Arlington, Tenn., five bass, 13-7, $700
9th: Sam Bremmerkamp, Joplin, Mo., six bass, 12-15, $600
10th: Steven Fisher, Lufkin, Texas, six bass, 12-3, $500
The BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 120 tournaments throughout the season, five in each division. The top 50 boaters and co-anglers from each division qualify for a regional tournament and are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2017 BFL All-American will be held May 31-June 3 on Pickwick Lake in Florence, Alabama. Top winners in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the Walmart FLW Tour.
Crochet Claims First B.A.S.S. Victory On Home Waters!
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Bassmaster High School, College Series 2017 Schedules Announced
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 28, 2016
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — High school and college anglers will be competing during prime fishing times on some of the premier bass fisheries in the country during the 2017 Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods and Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops tournaments.
Both high school and college schedules feature bass fisheries that have hosted various Bassmaster tournaments throughout the years, according to Hank Weldon, B.A.S.S. College and High School Series senior tournament manager.
“One of the cool things we are doing with some high school tournaments is going to locations like Toledo Bend that have hosted Bassmaster events for multiple years,” Weldon said. “We are also going to Chickamauga Lake in Tennessee and will partner with Fish Dayton, which is familiar with big events. We expect a very, very large field there with the High School Southern Open again.”
The college schedule includes a reservoir (Sam Rayburn, Texas) that has hosted Bassmaster Elite Series in the past and a new lake (Cherokee, Tennessee) on the 2017 Elite Series slate.
“These are great fisheries at the prime time of year when our College Series will be competing,” Weldon said. “So we expect some large weights and consider this schedule really strategic in terms of picking the right locations at the right time.”
Both schedules will be linked for the first time to the same location when Lake of the Ozarks hosts the College Series Midwest Conference Regional March 29-31 and the High School Midwest Open April 2, followed by the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan outdoors Central Regional the next week.
Hosting the B.A.S.S. events in Missouri will be the Lake of the Ozarks Tri-County Lodging Association and the Convention & Visitor Bureau — Funlake.com.
“The Tri-County Lodging Association (TCLA) Board of Directors is thrilled that Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks has been named the host site for the B.A.S.S. three-tournament package,” TCLA Administrator Jim Divincen said. “We’re also very thankful that the TCLA Group Sales Director, Lagina Fitzpatrick, was able to work with the B.A.S.S. planning team to secure this tremendously valued and prestigious three-tournament event for Lake of the Ozarks, voted the Best Recreational Lake in the Nation by USA Today readers.”
“We are thrilled and honored to be the first destination to host a three-tournament package with B.A.S.S.,” Fitzpatrick said. “The entire B.A.S.S. team is a pleasure to work with, and we are very appreciative of our partnership. Tri-County Lodging Association and the Convention & Visitor Bureau along with the entire lake area look forward to hosting a successful three-tournament event here at the best fishery in the nation.”
The High School Series begins March 11 with the Central Open at Toledo Bend Reservoir hosted by Toledo Bend Lake Country. Next is the Midwest Open at Lake of the Ozarks April 2, and Fish Dayton will host the popular Southern Open at Lake Chickamauga April 29.
“We are so excited to partner with B.A.S.S. to bring one of the largest high school events in the nation here to Fish Dayton,” said Dennis Tumlin, executive director of Fish Dayton. “By investing into high school fishing, we’re investing into the future of the sport. An April event on Chickamauga Lake will give a young person an above average chance at catching a 10-plus pounder or possibly even a new state record!”
The Southern Open annually draws the largest field among the High School Series, according to Weldon. This year’s Southern Open at Lake Guntersville featured 322 two-angler teams.
The high school teams in each of the three Opens will be competing for berths in the Costa Bassmaster High School Championship presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods, of which dates and locations will be later announced.
The College Series begins Jan. 26-28 when the Lufkin Convention and Visitors Bureau hosts the Central Conference Regional at Sam Rayburn Reservoir. During March 2-4, Georgetown, S.C., will welcome the Southern Conference Regional at Winyah Bay.
Following the Midwest Regional at Lake of the Ozarks, college competitors will clash at California’s Lake Shasta April 19-21 for the Western Conference Regional hosted by the Redding Convention and Visitors Bureau. The final regular-season event is the Eastern Conference Regional May 11-13 at Tennessee’s Lake Cherokee with the Jefferson County Economic Development Alliance as the host.
“Cherokee Lake will prove its reputation as an outstanding bass lake in terms of both size and numbers of fish,” said Adele Sensing, Jefferson County EDA’s director of tourism. “The smallmouth are good and plentiful. We have a lot of support from Carson Newman University, and our local community is excited to host the Bassmaster anglers.”
The top anglers from each regional qualify for the 2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops, but the college anglers who do not qualify for the championship will get another chance during a Wild Card tournament set for June 8-10 at Lay Lake. The local hosts will be Shelby County, Ala., and the University of Montevallo.
“Shelby County is excited to showcase one of the country’s most outstanding fisheries in Lay Lake, which has hosted numerous regional and national fishing tournaments, including four Bassmaster Classics,” said Alex Dudchock, Shelby County manager. “Along with our partner, the University of Montevallo, these top collegiate anglers will have the opportunity to visit one of Alabama’s top public liberal arts colleges.”
Registration for all of the college and high school tournaments will be announced at a later date.
2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops Schedule
Event Title Lake City Date
Central Conference Regional Sam Rayburn Reservoir Lufkin, TX Jan. 26-28
Southern Conference Regional Winyah Bay Georgetown, SC March 2-4
Midwest Conference Regional Lake of the Ozarks Osage Beach, MO March 29-31
Western Conference Regional Lake Shasta Redding, CA April 19-21
Eastern Conference Regional Lake Cherokee Dandridge, TN May 11-13
Wildcard Lay Lake Shelby County, AL June 8-10
2017 Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods Schedule
Event Title Lake City Date
Central Open Toledo Bend Reservoir Many, LA March 11
Midwest Open Lake of the Ozarks Osage Beach, MO April 2
Southern Open Lake Chickamauga Dayton, TN April 29
2016 Costa Bassmaster High School Title Sponsor: Costa
2016 Costa Bassmaster High School Premier Sponsors: Toyota, Berkley, Yamaha, Triton Boats, Humminbird, Minn Kota, Huk, GoPro
2016 Costa Bassmaster High School Supporting Sponsors: Carhartt, Lowrance, ABU Garcia, Phoenix Boats, Rapala, Power-Pole, Shimano, Shell Rotella, Academy Sports + Outdoors
2016 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Carhartt
2016 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2016 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2016 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Premier Sponsors: Triton Boats, GoPro, Huk, Humminbird, Skeeter Boats, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Yamaha, Berkley
2016 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Supporting Sponsors: Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Costa, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Power-Pole, Rapala, Shell Rotella, Shimano, ABU Garcia, A.R.E. Truck Caps
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan outdoors, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Roumbanis Rambles Into Lead in Bassmaster Open At The Atchafalaya Basin
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Alabama Pro Jimmy Mason Talks TH Marine Atlas Jackplates
Professional Fisherman Jimmy Mason talks about the TH Marine Atlas Jackplate he runs on his boat and why its one of the most important tools he uses day in and day out while on the water!
Chris Lynch Stays Consistent To Win Aba Aft National Championship On Lake Eufaula
ATHENS, Ala. – Chris Lynch of Panama City, FL wins 2016 Ram Trucks American Fishing Tour National Champion with a three-day total of 54.75 pounds on Lake Eufaula Alabama. He secured the victory with a 5-fish limit on the final day that weighed 17.58 pounds giving him 10-pound margin of victory over second place.
“I wasn’t sure if my fish would hold up for three days but they did and it couldn’t have been better. The wind, wow, it was brutal today and blowing like it was I knew it was going to be rough but I still made my run to the south end of the lake. I was able to catch my fish and knowing how rough it was going to be, I left the area and gave myself 3 hours to get back. I had these fish on a frog pattern and they stayed true all week. The area I was in was somewhat protected from the wind, it was just getting to them today and getting back that had me worried. I stayed in some grass areas all 3 days and tried my best to manage the fish and not catch too many each day. It is a location I have known about from a previous tournament here last year and the fish were there. My big bass was a 5.95 today and to my surprise it was big bass of the day so that was nice.
For his victory Chris takes home a new Triton 21TRX fully rigged with a Mercury Outboard, MotorGuide trolling motor, GARMIN electronics, and TH Marine products. Chris also received $2,660 for the day three big bass.
Jumping through up the ladder from 8th place on day two all the way up to 2nd with a five-fish limit for 19.11 and a three-day total of 44.72 pounds to win the AOY Title is Robert “Matt” Baty of Bainbridge, GA.
My fish were on the south end of the lake too but man, they were in the wide open water. I took off this morning and was able to get a little way down the lake and by the time I got to White Oak my boat was flying completely out of the water. I shut down and said “nope… not today.” I decided to go to another spot up lake and something told me to stop on a ledge I had fished before and they were in there. I ended up catching 8 keepers in there and number 6 and 7 were on the same cast. I had all my keepers by 9 AM. I left it after a while and went to a few other spots and didn’t have any luck so I came back but by then the fish had moved on. I didn’t catch another fish after that but I was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time.
Matt takes home a new Triton 21TRX fully rigged with a Mercury Outboard, MotorGuide trolling motor, GARMIN electronics, and TH Marine products.
Tony Tidwell of Horton, AL finished in third place. “I wasn’t able to get to my fish today because of the wind. I fished some other areas where I thought I could muster up a limit but man, it’s funny how mother nature can play such a key role in what happens out there on the water. I wasn’t able to bring anything to the scales today but I’m happy I could stay up in the standings to finish 3rd. It was a great week but I wish things could have played out a little better for me on the last day.
Jeff Tibbits of Shrewsbury MA was the highest finishing Non-Boater division of the Championship
“I am so thrilled, I am having a hard time speaking. I wanted so much to come down here and put myself in positions to win a Triton Boat. A couple weeks before the tournament I blew the motor but I wasn’t going to let it get me down, so I came down and fished as a non-boater. I was just so lucky because today I didn’t bring any fish to the scales but I had enough weight from the first two days to hold out for the win. I found these fish during practice with some of the guys I came down here with. Luckily the fish I found were also where my boater ended up going on the first day. I was using a spinnerbait but the way I fished it was triggering the bites from the larger fish. I didn’t know if I had won the boat or not but what a shock.
This is a great organization I have a tremendous director and wonderful support from the anglers in my division. What a great week this has been.
For his efforts, Jeff will take home a new Triton 19TRX fully rigged with a Mercury Outboard, MotorGuide trolling motor, GARMIN electronics, and TH Marine products.
Final Results Ram American Fishing Tour Championship
Host - Eufaula-Barbour Chamber of Commerce
333 East Broad Street
Eufaula, AL 36027
(334) 687-6664
www.eufaulachamber.com
Host Ram Truck Dealer - Opelika Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM
801 Columbus PkwyOpelika, AL 36801
Web Link - (855) 913-7323
Host Triton Boat Dealer - Boyd's Marine - Dothan
2481 Hwy 431, Dothan AL 36303 Phone:
Web Link - (334) 794.2598
Weigh in site each day - Lakepoint Resort State Park
104 Old Hwy 165, Eufaula, AL 36027 (334) 687-8011
About American Bass Anglers: American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers, the Ram Truck Open Series, the Ram American Fishing Tour, the American Couples Series, the Military Team Bass Tournament and the Ram 100% Plus Team Tour visit www.americanbassanglers.com.
Adam Waters & Dylan Fulk Win The 2016 Carolina Bass Challenge Classic!
| Place | Team Name | Team # | Fish Weighed | Net Weight | Big Fish | Winnings |
| 1 | Adam Waters - Dylan Fulk | 70 | 10 | 25.490 | 0.000 | $50,000 |
| 2 | Steve Sink - Tony Foster | 171 | 10 | 25.190 | 0.000 | $10,000 |
| 3 | Roger Hoover - Scott Hamrick | 15 | 10 | 24.520 | 3.350 | $5,000 |
| 4 | Wesley Cashwell - Shane Doughtie | 21 | 10 | 24.490 | 0.000 | $3,000 |
| 5 | Ronnie McCoy - Jason McCoy | 27 | 10 | 24.210 | 4.500 | $2,500 |
| 6 | Graham Rushing - Artie Phillips | 65 | 10 | 24.050 | 3.940 | $2,000 |
| 7 | Donald Poteat - Johnny Allen | 125 | 10 | 23.960 | 0.000 | $1,700 |
| 8 | Joshua Queen - Mike Queen | 38 | 10 | 23.770 | 4.560 | $1,600 |
| 9 | Jason Quinn - Tony Colacurcio | 71 | 10 | 23.650 | 0.000 | $1,500 |
| 10 | Michael Smith - Roger Pope | 201 | 10 | 23.400 | 3.690 | $1,400 |
| 11 | David Wright - Jeff Coble | 25 | 10 | 23.310 | 3.910 | $1,300 |
| 12 | Ronald Farrow - Roger Farrow | 41 | 10 | 23.250 | 0.000 | $1,200 |
| 13 | Steve Addington - Matt Stout | 60 | 10 | 22.710 | 0.000 | $1,000 |
| 14 | Brent Long - Brock Taylor | 28 | 10 | 22.080 | 2.990 | $900 |
| 15 | Chad Cook - tony cook | 47 | 10 | 21.980 | 3.790 | $850 |
| 16 | Greg Osborne - Wyatt Blevins | 37 | 10 | 21.660 | 0.000 | $800 |
| 17 | Chuck Camp - Rob Digh | 152 | 10 | 21.610 | 0.000 | $725 |
| 18 | Brent White - cody andrews | 51 | 10 | 21.600 | 0.000 | $700 |
| 19 | Jason Wilson - Kelly Logan | 204 | 10 | 21.310 | 4.590 | $675 |
| 20 | Sonny Beam - Eric Weir | 126 | 10 | 21.210 | 0.000 | $650 |
| 21 | Patrick Tierney - Moe Freeze | 13 | 10 | 21.100 | 0.000 | $600 |
| 22 | Alfred Keisling, Sr - Chad Poteat | 166 | 10 | 21.020 | 3.920 | $575 |
| 23 | Eric Moser - Travis O'Quinn | 22 | 10 | 20.890 | 0.000 | $550 |
| 24 | Chris Graham - Ricky Byrd | 108 | 10 | 20.830 | 4.090 | $500 |
| 25 | Eddie Smith - Michael Carson | 219 | 10 | 20.800 | 0.000 | $475 |
| 26 | Sean Anderson - George Berry | 197 | 10 | 20.790 | 4.430 | $450 |
| 27 | Mike Stephens - cody young | 153 | 10 | 20.650 | 0.000 | $425 |
| 28 | Dale Duncan - Donnie Woody | 68 | 10 | 20.610 | 0.000 | $400 |
| 29 | Adam Fillmore - Chris Carnes | 89 | 10 | 20.450 | 0.000 | $375 |
| 30 | Kevin Chandler - Bradley Chandler | 210 | 10 | 20.400 | 3.710 | $350 |
| 31 | Louie Hull - Chuck Montgomery | 63 | 10 | 20.330 | 3.570 | $325 |
| 32 | Scott Griffin - Jerry Goble | 213 | 10 | 20.020 | 0.000 | $300 |
| 33 | Brian Travis - Ashley Brotherton | 162 | 10 | 19.890 | 0.000 | $275 |
| 34 | Milton Yancey - Larry Yancey | 32 | 10 | 19.800 | 0.000 | $250 |
| 35 | Dan Funderburk - Rod Cozart | 158 | 10 | 19.620 | 0.000 | $230 |
| 36 | Nathan Webber - Hunter Harwell | 196 | 10 | 19.610 | 0.000 | $220 |
| 37 | Wayne Skipworth - Don Sprinkle | 5 | 10 | 19.600 | 0.000 | $200 |
| 38 | Johnny Guffey - Wesley Bell | 147 | 10 | 19.510 | 0.000 | |
| 39 | Daryl Watson - Ken McFarland | 6 | 10 | 19.420 | 0.000 | |
| 40 | Scott Plattenberger - Bryan plattenberger | 54 | 10 | 19.350 | 0.000 | |
| 41 | Marcus Leech - Tim Chapman | 20 | 10 | 19.330 | 0.000 | |
| 42 | Robert Ross - Lee Morris | 184 | 10 | 19.000 | 0.000 | |
| 43 | Scott Martin - Cole Winn | 69 | 10 | 18.910 | 0.000 | |
| 44 | Butch Zadlo - Bryan Lewis | 151 | 10 | 18.730 | 0.000 | |
| 45 | Derek Cummings - Victor Lynch | 163 | 10 | 18.680 | 0.000 | |
| 46 | Keith Berry - Jarrad Poarch | 205 | 10 | 18.570 | 0.000 | |
| 47 | Tim Gaines - Mike Bryant | 208 | 10 | 18.540 | 0.000 | |
| 48 | Jordan Wright - Chris Casey | 81 | 10 | 18.520 | 0.000 | |
| 49 | Jerry Craig - Bobby Latuch | 160 | 10 | 18.500 | 0.000 | |
| 50 | Brian Tyler - Frederick Clements | 200 | 10 | 18.500 | 0.000 | |
| 51 | Danny Mason - Lionel Mason | 4 | 7 | 18.350 | 3.340 | |
| 52 | Nathan Burgess - Brent Riley | 148 | 8 | 18.350 | 0.000 | |
| 53 | Thomas Vickers - Brian Huskins | 59 | 10 | 18.340 | 0.000 | |
| 54 | Tyler Beam - Eric Self | 179 | 10 | 18.340 | 0.000 | |
| 55 | Ronnie Britt - Jim Britt | 29 | 10 | 18.220 | 0.000 | |
| 56 | Craig Chambers - Keith Ogden | 157 | 10 | 18.160 | 0.000 | |
| 57 | Steve Dyer - Derek Lilley | 61 | 10 | 17.880 | 0.000 | |
| 58 | Chris Dover - Robert Fowler | 134 | 10 | 17.780 | 0.000 | |
| 59 | Trip Emerson - Kevin Hyler | 146 | 9 | 17.780 | 0.000 | |
| 60 | Alton Rockett - Randy Huffman | 129 | 10 | 17.770 | 0.000 | |
| 61 | Mack Cook - Patrick Cook | 150 | 10 | 17.750 | 0.000 | |
| 62 | Drew Stankwytch - Brandon Childress | 167 | 10 | 17.680 | 0.000 | |
| 63 | Allen Snyder - Darren Gay | 40 | 10 | 17.280 | 0.000 | |
| 64 | Dennis Reedy - Jeffrey Thomas | 31 | 10 | 17.270 | 0.000 | |
| 65 | Travus Lovell - James Roten | 216 | 8 | 17.270 | 0.000 | |
| 66 | grady allen - Calvin Hewitt | 2 | 10 | 17.210 | 0.000 | |
| 67 | billy bledsoe - Brian McDonald | 76 | 9 | 17.160 | 0.000 | |
| 68 | Nolan Eller - Josh Huffman | 124 | 10 | 17.100 | 0.000 | |
| 69 | Israel Gibson - Grant McPeters | 159 | 10 | 16.960 | 0.000 | |
| 70 | William Blanton - David Blanton | 101 | 8 | 16.920 | 0.000 | |
| 71 | Jacob Moore - Thomas Moore | 178 | 10 | 16.890 | 0.000 | |
| 72 | Robert Mixon - Robert Lambert | 44 | 10 | 16.850 | 0.000 | |
| 73 | Harold Turner - Justin Cromer | 19 | 10 | 16.650 | 0.000 | |
| 74 | John Sturkie - Blake Strickland | 67 | 8 | 16.620 | 4.330 | |
| 75 | Brendon Schneider - Kyle James | 173 | 8 | 16.590 | 0.000 | |
| 76 | Michael Murphy - Kevin Sanders | 17 | 9 | 16.490 | 0.000 | |
| 77 | Darrell Parks - Thomas Johnson | 52 | 10 | 16.410 | 0.000 | |
| 78 | Mark Lamb - Robert Griswold | 214 | 10 | 16.340 | 0.000 | |
| 79 | bobby snyder - Bernie Davis | 12 | 9 | 16.020 | 0.000 | |
| 80 | Jason Lowman - Cody Lail | 207 | 9 | 16.000 | 0.000 | |
| 81 | Mitch Burgin - Larry Houser | 97 | 10 | 15.960 | 0.000 | |
| 82 | Derick Livingston - Jonathan Spivey | 120 | 10 | 15.880 | 0.000 | |
| 83 | Tim Hollar - Bob Killian | 10 | 10 | 15.840 | 0.000 | |
| 84 | Travis Ruff - Kelly Ruff | 127 | 9 | 15.750 | 0.000 | |
| 85 | Daniel Cook - Carl Smith | 181 | 8 | 15.740 | 3.820 | |
| 86 | Ron Brown - Bobby Brown | 193 | 10 | 15.630 | 0.000 | |
| 87 | Jeff Queen - Carroll Queen | 104 | 9 | 15.550 | 0.000 | |
| 88 | Doug Punch - Rocky Franklin | 142 | 9 | 15.410 | 0.000 | |
| 89 | Nick Beaver - Roger Beaver | 86 | 8 | 15.330 | 0.000 | |
| 90 | Greg Bragg - Christopher Terry | 168 | 8 | 15.290 | 0.000 | |
| 91 | Jonathan strickland - Dustin Compton | 90 | 8 | 15.210 | 0.000 | |
| 92 | Chris Ellis - Mathew Frazier | 43 | 8 | 15.080 | 4.160 | |
| 93 | James Ball - Kyle Whisnant | 217 | 7 | 14.890 | 0.000 | |
| 94 | Dale Surrett - Lee Endicott | 145 | 8 | 14.810 | 0.000 | |
| 95 | Robin Collins - Ronnie White | 7 | 9 | 14.750 | 0.000 | |
| 96 | Brian Tidwell - Michael Tidwell | 165 | 7 | 14.690 | 3.950 | |
| 97 | Ross Burns - Jeremiah Jensen | 83 | 10 | 14.600 | 0.000 | |
| 98 | Robert Wood - John Lundeen | 131 | 8 | 14.490 | 0.000 | |
| 99 | James Wall - Jimmy Wall | 72 | 7 | 14.470 | 0.000 | |
| 100 | Dempsey Carter - Ted Mobley | 9 | 8 | 14.030 | 0.000 | |
| 101 | Reggie Guffey - Tommy Chapman | 94 | 9 | 14.030 | 0.000 | |
| 102 | Larry Denton - Chris Guest | 75 | 8 | 14.020 | 0.000 | |
| 103 | Michael Cribb - Roger Cribb | 34 | 8 | 13.910 | 0.000 | |
| 104 | Mack Altman - Randall Miller | 91 | 9 | 13.780 | 0.000 | |
| 105 | Derrick Compton | 26 | 7 | 13.710 | 0.000 | |
| 106 | Darren Sigmon - Brian Huffman | 154 | 6 | 13.660 | 2.050 | |
| 107 | Tyler Hoopaugh - Chris Hoopaugh | 30 | 7 | 13.650 | 3.920 | |
| 108 | Chris Corriher - Randy Christy | 199 | 9 | 13.610 | 0.000 | |
| 109 | Nathan Royal - David Brookshire | 115 | 8 | 13.520 | 0.000 | |
| 110 | Aric Dwyer - Robert Anderson | 190 | 8 | 13.500 | 0.000 | |
| 111 | Randy Weddington - Ronnie Smith | 169 | 7 | 12.950 | 0.000 | |
| 112 | Charles Sipe - Kelly Johnson | 170 | 9 | 12.900 | 0.000 | |
| 113 | Thomas King - Clayton King | 49 | 7 | 12.830 | 0.000 | |
| 114 | Dale Luckey - John Brown | 99 | 8 | 12.790 | 0.000 | |
| 115 | Clint Benbow - Jeremi Beatty | 98 | 7 | 12.640 | 0.000 | |
| 116 | Chad Sinclair - Caleb Conner | 82 | 9 | 12.590 | 0.000 | |
| 117 | Kiel Kelly - Chuck Whittaker | 195 | 8 | 12.530 | 0.000 | |
| 118 | Dwight Dellinger - Doug Dellinger | 62 | 6 | 12.390 | 0.000 | |
| 119 | George Hirapetian - ARAM HIRAPETIAN | 133 | 7 | 12.290 | 0.000 | |
| 120 | byron brush - Byron Brush Sr. | 149 | 8 | 12.160 | 0.000 | |
| 121 | Jeff Hager - darrel hager | 106 | 7 | 12.130 | 0.000 | |
| 122 | Fred Kauffman - Sam Gladden | 130 | 8 | 12.030 | 0.000 | |
| 123 | Bryan Welch - Mark Inman | 46 | 7 | 11.890 | 0.000 | |
| 124 | Chris Wagner - Chase Deal | 85 | 5 | 11.470 | 0.000 | |
| 125 | Mikey Bowlby | 137 | 6 | 11.100 | 0.000 | |
| 126 | Stephen Griggs - Rodney Sorrell | 92 | 5 | 10.770 | 0.000 | |
| 127 | Brandon Williams - Christian Shoda | 198 | 5 | 10.680 | 0.000 | |
| 128 | Keith Speece - Wendell Ireland | 87 | 5 | 10.340 | 0.000 | |
| 129 | Chris Martin - Mike Greene | 140 | 7 | 10.310 | 0.000 | |
| 130 | Gene Sparks - Shannon Stowe | 220 | 5 | 10.180 | 0.000 | |
| 131 | Thomas Hardwick - Tommy Williams | 128 | 8 | 10.120 | 0.000 | |
| 132 | Phillip Frady - Dirk Porter | 8 | 5 | 9.560 | 0.000 | |
| 133 | Mason Boyd - Rick Falls | 78 | 5 | 9.500 | 0.000 | |
| 134 | Rusty Bullard - Eric Martin | 118 | 5 | 9.450 | 0.000 | |
| 135 | Steven Austin - Roger Wood | 175 | 5 | 9.200 | 0.000 | |
| 136 | Wayne Ingram - Chris Brown | 186 | 5 | 9.120 | 0.000 | |
| 137 | David Winters - Russell Winters | 55 | 5 | 8.960 | 0.000 | |
| 138 | James Clements - Rick Carson | 191 | 5 | 8.900 | 0.000 | |
| 139 | Greg Davis - dennis parks | 95 | 5 | 8.660 | 0.000 | |
| 140 | Kevin Toler - Rodney Lambert | 121 | 4 | 8.520 | 0.000 | |
| 141 | Carl Williams - Eddie Williams | 79 | 4 | 8.450 | 0.000 | |
| 142 | Dennis Cable - Tim Harrison | 93 | 4 | 8.400 | 0.000 | |
| 143 | todd sosebee - steve postell | 174 | 10 | 8.290 | 0.000 | |
| 144 | Rodney Bell - Tommy Jones | 100 | 5 | 8.250 | 0.000 | |
| 145 | Johnathan Crossland | 39 | 5 | 8.110 | 0.000 | |
| 146 | Bill Grier - Robby Byrum | 192 | 4 | 7.980 | 0.000 | |
| 147 | Adam Greer - Shae jones | 132 | 5 | 7.940 | 0.000 | |
| 148 | Thomas Gavin - Mike Sprouse | 187 | 5 | 7.860 | 0.000 | |
| 149 | Scott Sellers - Randy Childers | 177 | 5 | 7.840 | 0.000 | |
| 150 | Larry Moss - Michelle McLain | 122 | 5 | 7.770 | 0.000 | |
| 151 | Sammie Grier - David Strickland | 202 | 5 | 7.710 | 0.000 | |
| 152 | CJ Johnston - Matt Stanley | 3 | 5 | 7.680 | 0.000 | |
| 153 | Doug Easton - Pete Bejte | 218 | 5 | 7.670 | 0.000 | |
| 154 | Shawn Crosby - robert brooks | 14 | 5 | 7.650 | 0.000 | |
| 155 | Dennis Hensley - Steve Yoder | 74 | 5 | 7.390 | 0.000 | |
| 156 | Tanner Stirewalt - Logan Phillips | 136 | 5 | 7.290 | 0.000 | |
| 157 | Billy Scoggins - Eddie Parker | 57 | 5 | 7.220 | 0.000 | |
| 158 | Adam Ridings - Michael Ridings | 103 | 5 | 7.220 | 0.000 | |
| 159 | Vince Parker - Mark Parker | 48 | 4 | 7.070 | 0.000 | |
| 160 | Gregg Kessler - Gregg Kessler II | 112 | 5 | 7.020 | 0.000 | |
| 161 | Brad Petway - Jeff Douglas | 155 | 5 | 6.930 | 0.000 | |
| 162 | Tom McCombs - curtis lail | 50 | 5 | 6.870 | 0.000 | |
| 163 | Dan English - David Gibson | 96 | 4 | 6.830 | 0.000 | |
| 164 | Greg Sims - Michael Huffman | 206 | 4 | 6.820 | 0.000 | |
| 165 | Larry LeHew - Greg Deal | 66 | 3 | 6.680 | 0.000 | |
| 166 | austin petty - Mark Swink | 188 | 4 | 6.660 | 0.000 | |
| 167 | Reginald Pickett - Larry Kirk | 211 | 5 | 6.580 | 0.000 | |
| 168 | Ryan Bentley - greg berst | 113 | 4 | 6.460 | 0.000 | |
| 169 | Marvin Godard - Robert Adams | 109 | 5 | 6.450 | 0.000 | |
| 170 | Matt Markland - Tracy Markland | 114 | 4 | 6.370 | 0.000 | |
| 171 | Richard Greene - Jimmy Holland | 180 | 4 | 6.360 | 0.000 | |
| 172 | Wayne Marlow - Scott Peavy | 42 | 4 | 6.290 | 0.000 | |
| 173 | Winkey Watford - scotty mixon | 116 | 4 | 6.280 | 0.000 | |
| 174 | Mike Seawright - John parker | 23 | 3 | 6.250 | 0.000 | |
| 175 | Larry Parker - Glenn Altman | 209 | 3 | 6.230 | 0.000 | |
| 176 | James Martin | 56 | 4 | 6.200 | 0.000 | |
| 177 | Johnny Houser - Ben Lee | 164 | 4 | 6.070 | 0.000 | |
| 178 | Terry Herman - thomas wike | 215 | 4 | 5.850 | 0.000 | |
| 179 | Paul Guthrie - Robert Church | 111 | 3 | 5.460 | 0.000 | |
| 180 | Allen Eaker - Jason Eaker | 33 | 3 | 5.400 | 0.000 | |
| 181 | Jimmy Cummings - Dean Collins | 45 | 3 | 5.350 | 0.000 | |
| 182 | Brent Berry - Steve Shaw | 161 | 2 | 5.220 | 0.000 | |
| 183 | Chris McDuffie - Greg Creech | 36 | 3 | 4.800 | 0.000 | |
| 184 | Sandy Oliver | 105 | 3 | 4.790 | 0.000 | |
| 185 | William Gainey | 212 | 3 | 4.560 | 0.000 | |
| 186 | Robert Walser - Mack Lowe | 141 | 3 | 4.540 | 0.000 | |
| 187 | Darrell Fisher - William Gregory | 203 | 3 | 4.350 | 0.000 | |
| 188 | Robert Bauguess - Rodney Morrow | 1 | 3 | 4.230 | 0.000 | |
| 189 | Eric Jeter - Darren Jeter | 88 | 3 | 3.760 | 0.000 | |
| 190 | Roger Adams - Josh Adams | 172 | 2 | 3.640 | 0.000 | |
| 191 | Wayne Hauser - Sheldon Hipps | 144 | 2 | 3.530 | 0.000 | |
| 192 | Bo Chappell | 176 | 2 | 3.470 | 0.000 | |
| 193 | Brandon Sykes - Jeff McQuaige | 73 | 2 | 3.320 | 0.000 | |
| 194 | Phil Hennessee - Jon Digh | 138 | 2 | 3.080 | 0.000 | |
| 195 | Tim Hawley - Joe Hamilton | 135 | 2 | 2.900 | 0.000 | |
| 196 | Clint Proudfoot - Eric Bozeman | 110 | 1 | 2.330 | 2.330 | |
| 197 | Duke Denison | 24 | 1 | 1.750 | 1.750 | |
| 198 | Robin Parker - brandon gibson | 64 | 1 | 1.710 | 1.710 | |
| 199 | Mike Ray - Orlando Giles | 58 | 1 | 1.260 | 1.260 | |
| 200 | Phillip Hedrick - Jack Vanderford | 11 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 201 | Jason Dew - Thomas Elliott | 16 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 202 | Randall Wallace - Andrew Wallace | 18 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 203 | David Clanton - Brent Sanders | 35 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 204 | Scott Henley - Neil McDonald | 53 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 205 | Ricky Self - Ben Stanton | 77 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 206 | Scott Wyatt - Andy Brode | 80 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 207 | kevin driggers - Jamie Ethridge | 84 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 208 | Gary Rose - Jerry Collins | 102 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 209 | Todd Garner - Shane Hartman | 107 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 210 | Terry Trivet - Derek Tolley | 117 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 211 | Thomas Richmond | 119 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 212 | Chuck Morton | 123 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 213 | Tony Davis - Tim Bowman | 139 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 214 | Perry Wycuff - Josh Wycuff | 143 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 215 | william patterson - Chris Tinsley | 156 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 216 | Allen Robbins - Jerry Robbins | 182 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 217 | Nick Miller | 183 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 218 | Joe Floyd - Phil Brown | 185 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 219 | Dusty Taylor - Keaton Hawks | 189 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 220 | Greg Whittington - Danny Hucks | 194 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
Adam Waters & Dylan Fulk Win The 2016 Carolina Bass Challenge Classic!
| Place | Team Name | Team # | Fish Weighed | Net Weight | Big Fish | Winnings |
| 1 | Adam Waters - Dylan Fulk | 70 | 10 | 25.490 | 0.000 | $50,000 |
| 2 | Steve Sink - Tony Foster | 171 | 10 | 25.190 | 0.000 | $10,000 |
| 3 | Roger Hoover - Scott Hamrick | 15 | 10 | 24.520 | 3.350 | $5,000 |
| 4 | Wesley Cashwell - Shane Doughtie | 21 | 10 | 24.490 | 0.000 | $3,000 |
| 5 | Ronnie McCoy - Jason McCoy | 27 | 10 | 24.210 | 4.500 | $2,500 |
| 6 | Graham Rushing - Artie Phillips | 65 | 10 | 24.050 | 3.940 | $2,000 |
| 7 | Donald Poteat - Johnny Allen | 125 | 10 | 23.960 | 0.000 | $1,700 |
| 8 | Joshua Queen - Mike Queen | 38 | 10 | 23.770 | 4.560 | $1,600 |
| 9 | Jason Quinn - Tony Colacurcio | 71 | 10 | 23.650 | 0.000 | $1,500 |
| 10 | Michael Smith - Roger Pope | 201 | 10 | 23.400 | 3.690 | $1,400 |
| 11 | David Wright - Jeff Coble | 25 | 10 | 23.310 | 3.910 | $1,300 |
| 12 | Ronald Farrow - Roger Farrow | 41 | 10 | 23.250 | 0.000 | $1,200 |
| 13 | Steve Addington - Matt Stout | 60 | 10 | 22.710 | 0.000 | $1,000 |
| 14 | Brent Long - Brock Taylor | 28 | 10 | 22.080 | 2.990 | $900 |
| 15 | Chad Cook - tony cook | 47 | 10 | 21.980 | 3.790 | $850 |
| 16 | Greg Osborne - Wyatt Blevins | 37 | 10 | 21.660 | 0.000 | $800 |
| 17 | Chuck Camp - Rob Digh | 152 | 10 | 21.610 | 0.000 | $725 |
| 18 | Brent White - cody andrews | 51 | 10 | 21.600 | 0.000 | $700 |
| 19 | Jason Wilson - Kelly Logan | 204 | 10 | 21.310 | 4.590 | $675 |
| 20 | Sonny Beam - Eric Weir | 126 | 10 | 21.210 | 0.000 | $650 |
| 21 | Patrick Tierney - Moe Freeze | 13 | 10 | 21.100 | 0.000 | $600 |
| 22 | Alfred Keisling, Sr - Chad Poteat | 166 | 10 | 21.020 | 3.920 | $575 |
| 23 | Eric Moser - Travis O'Quinn | 22 | 10 | 20.890 | 0.000 | $550 |
| 24 | Chris Graham - Ricky Byrd | 108 | 10 | 20.830 | 4.090 | $500 |
| 25 | Eddie Smith - Michael Carson | 219 | 10 | 20.800 | 0.000 | $475 |
| 26 | Sean Anderson - George Berry | 197 | 10 | 20.790 | 4.430 | $450 |
| 27 | Mike Stephens - cody young | 153 | 10 | 20.650 | 0.000 | $425 |
| 28 | Dale Duncan - Donnie Woody | 68 | 10 | 20.610 | 0.000 | $400 |
| 29 | Adam Fillmore - Chris Carnes | 89 | 10 | 20.450 | 0.000 | $375 |
| 30 | Kevin Chandler - Bradley Chandler | 210 | 10 | 20.400 | 3.710 | $350 |
| 31 | Louie Hull - Chuck Montgomery | 63 | 10 | 20.330 | 3.570 | $325 |
| 32 | Scott Griffin - Jerry Goble | 213 | 10 | 20.020 | 0.000 | $300 |
| 33 | Brian Travis - Ashley Brotherton | 162 | 10 | 19.890 | 0.000 | $275 |
| 34 | Milton Yancey - Larry Yancey | 32 | 10 | 19.800 | 0.000 | $250 |
| 35 | Dan Funderburk - Rod Cozart | 158 | 10 | 19.620 | 0.000 | $230 |
| 36 | Nathan Webber - Hunter Harwell | 196 | 10 | 19.610 | 0.000 | $220 |
| 37 | Wayne Skipworth - Don Sprinkle | 5 | 10 | 19.600 | 0.000 | $200 |
| 38 | Johnny Guffey - Wesley Bell | 147 | 10 | 19.510 | 0.000 | |
| 39 | Daryl Watson - Ken McFarland | 6 | 10 | 19.420 | 0.000 | |
| 40 | Scott Plattenberger - Bryan plattenberger | 54 | 10 | 19.350 | 0.000 | |
| 41 | Marcus Leech - Tim Chapman | 20 | 10 | 19.330 | 0.000 | |
| 42 | Robert Ross - Lee Morris | 184 | 10 | 19.000 | 0.000 | |
| 43 | Scott Martin - Cole Winn | 69 | 10 | 18.910 | 0.000 | |
| 44 | Butch Zadlo - Bryan Lewis | 151 | 10 | 18.730 | 0.000 | |
| 45 | Derek Cummings - Victor Lynch | 163 | 10 | 18.680 | 0.000 | |
| 46 | Keith Berry - Jarrad Poarch | 205 | 10 | 18.570 | 0.000 | |
| 47 | Tim Gaines - Mike Bryant | 208 | 10 | 18.540 | 0.000 | |
| 48 | Jordan Wright - Chris Casey | 81 | 10 | 18.520 | 0.000 | |
| 49 | Jerry Craig - Bobby Latuch | 160 | 10 | 18.500 | 0.000 | |
| 50 | Brian Tyler - Frederick Clements | 200 | 10 | 18.500 | 0.000 | |
| 51 | Danny Mason - Lionel Mason | 4 | 7 | 18.350 | 3.340 | |
| 52 | Nathan Burgess - Brent Riley | 148 | 8 | 18.350 | 0.000 | |
| 53 | Thomas Vickers - Brian Huskins | 59 | 10 | 18.340 | 0.000 | |
| 54 | Tyler Beam - Eric Self | 179 | 10 | 18.340 | 0.000 | |
| 55 | Ronnie Britt - Jim Britt | 29 | 10 | 18.220 | 0.000 | |
| 56 | Craig Chambers - Keith Ogden | 157 | 10 | 18.160 | 0.000 | |
| 57 | Steve Dyer - Derek Lilley | 61 | 10 | 17.880 | 0.000 | |
| 58 | Chris Dover - Robert Fowler | 134 | 10 | 17.780 | 0.000 | |
| 59 | Trip Emerson - Kevin Hyler | 146 | 9 | 17.780 | 0.000 | |
| 60 | Alton Rockett - Randy Huffman | 129 | 10 | 17.770 | 0.000 | |
| 61 | Mack Cook - Patrick Cook | 150 | 10 | 17.750 | 0.000 | |
| 62 | Drew Stankwytch - Brandon Childress | 167 | 10 | 17.680 | 0.000 | |
| 63 | Allen Snyder - Darren Gay | 40 | 10 | 17.280 | 0.000 | |
| 64 | Dennis Reedy - Jeffrey Thomas | 31 | 10 | 17.270 | 0.000 | |
| 65 | Travus Lovell - James Roten | 216 | 8 | 17.270 | 0.000 | |
| 66 | grady allen - Calvin Hewitt | 2 | 10 | 17.210 | 0.000 | |
| 67 | billy bledsoe - Brian McDonald | 76 | 9 | 17.160 | 0.000 | |
| 68 | Nolan Eller - Josh Huffman | 124 | 10 | 17.100 | 0.000 | |
| 69 | Israel Gibson - Grant McPeters | 159 | 10 | 16.960 | 0.000 | |
| 70 | William Blanton - David Blanton | 101 | 8 | 16.920 | 0.000 | |
| 71 | Jacob Moore - Thomas Moore | 178 | 10 | 16.890 | 0.000 | |
| 72 | Robert Mixon - Robert Lambert | 44 | 10 | 16.850 | 0.000 | |
| 73 | Harold Turner - Justin Cromer | 19 | 10 | 16.650 | 0.000 | |
| 74 | John Sturkie - Blake Strickland | 67 | 8 | 16.620 | 4.330 | |
| 75 | Brendon Schneider - Kyle James | 173 | 8 | 16.590 | 0.000 | |
| 76 | Michael Murphy - Kevin Sanders | 17 | 9 | 16.490 | 0.000 | |
| 77 | Darrell Parks - Thomas Johnson | 52 | 10 | 16.410 | 0.000 | |
| 78 | Mark Lamb - Robert Griswold | 214 | 10 | 16.340 | 0.000 | |
| 79 | bobby snyder - Bernie Davis | 12 | 9 | 16.020 | 0.000 | |
| 80 | Jason Lowman - Cody Lail | 207 | 9 | 16.000 | 0.000 | |
| 81 | Mitch Burgin - Larry Houser | 97 | 10 | 15.960 | 0.000 | |
| 82 | Derick Livingston - Jonathan Spivey | 120 | 10 | 15.880 | 0.000 | |
| 83 | Tim Hollar - Bob Killian | 10 | 10 | 15.840 | 0.000 | |
| 84 | Travis Ruff - Kelly Ruff | 127 | 9 | 15.750 | 0.000 | |
| 85 | Daniel Cook - Carl Smith | 181 | 8 | 15.740 | 3.820 | |
| 86 | Ron Brown - Bobby Brown | 193 | 10 | 15.630 | 0.000 | |
| 87 | Jeff Queen - Carroll Queen | 104 | 9 | 15.550 | 0.000 | |
| 88 | Doug Punch - Rocky Franklin | 142 | 9 | 15.410 | 0.000 | |
| 89 | Nick Beaver - Roger Beaver | 86 | 8 | 15.330 | 0.000 | |
| 90 | Greg Bragg - Christopher Terry | 168 | 8 | 15.290 | 0.000 | |
| 91 | Jonathan strickland - Dustin Compton | 90 | 8 | 15.210 | 0.000 | |
| 92 | Chris Ellis - Mathew Frazier | 43 | 8 | 15.080 | 4.160 | |
| 93 | James Ball - Kyle Whisnant | 217 | 7 | 14.890 | 0.000 | |
| 94 | Dale Surrett - Lee Endicott | 145 | 8 | 14.810 | 0.000 | |
| 95 | Robin Collins - Ronnie White | 7 | 9 | 14.750 | 0.000 | |
| 96 | Brian Tidwell - Michael Tidwell | 165 | 7 | 14.690 | 3.950 | |
| 97 | Ross Burns - Jeremiah Jensen | 83 | 10 | 14.600 | 0.000 | |
| 98 | Robert Wood - John Lundeen | 131 | 8 | 14.490 | 0.000 | |
| 99 | James Wall - Jimmy Wall | 72 | 7 | 14.470 | 0.000 | |
| 100 | Dempsey Carter - Ted Mobley | 9 | 8 | 14.030 | 0.000 | |
| 101 | Reggie Guffey - Tommy Chapman | 94 | 9 | 14.030 | 0.000 | |
| 102 | Larry Denton - Chris Guest | 75 | 8 | 14.020 | 0.000 | |
| 103 | Michael Cribb - Roger Cribb | 34 | 8 | 13.910 | 0.000 | |
| 104 | Mack Altman - Randall Miller | 91 | 9 | 13.780 | 0.000 | |
| 105 | Derrick Compton | 26 | 7 | 13.710 | 0.000 | |
| 106 | Darren Sigmon - Brian Huffman | 154 | 6 | 13.660 | 2.050 | |
| 107 | Tyler Hoopaugh - Chris Hoopaugh | 30 | 7 | 13.650 | 3.920 | |
| 108 | Chris Corriher - Randy Christy | 199 | 9 | 13.610 | 0.000 | |
| 109 | Nathan Royal - David Brookshire | 115 | 8 | 13.520 | 0.000 | |
| 110 | Aric Dwyer - Robert Anderson | 190 | 8 | 13.500 | 0.000 | |
| 111 | Randy Weddington - Ronnie Smith | 169 | 7 | 12.950 | 0.000 | |
| 112 | Charles Sipe - Kelly Johnson | 170 | 9 | 12.900 | 0.000 | |
| 113 | Thomas King - Clayton King | 49 | 7 | 12.830 | 0.000 | |
| 114 | Dale Luckey - John Brown | 99 | 8 | 12.790 | 0.000 | |
| 115 | Clint Benbow - Jeremi Beatty | 98 | 7 | 12.640 | 0.000 | |
| 116 | Chad Sinclair - Caleb Conner | 82 | 9 | 12.590 | 0.000 | |
| 117 | Kiel Kelly - Chuck Whittaker | 195 | 8 | 12.530 | 0.000 | |
| 118 | Dwight Dellinger - Doug Dellinger | 62 | 6 | 12.390 | 0.000 | |
| 119 | George Hirapetian - ARAM HIRAPETIAN | 133 | 7 | 12.290 | 0.000 | |
| 120 | byron brush - Byron Brush Sr. | 149 | 8 | 12.160 | 0.000 | |
| 121 | Jeff Hager - darrel hager | 106 | 7 | 12.130 | 0.000 | |
| 122 | Fred Kauffman - Sam Gladden | 130 | 8 | 12.030 | 0.000 | |
| 123 | Bryan Welch - Mark Inman | 46 | 7 | 11.890 | 0.000 | |
| 124 | Chris Wagner - Chase Deal | 85 | 5 | 11.470 | 0.000 | |
| 125 | Mikey Bowlby | 137 | 6 | 11.100 | 0.000 | |
| 126 | Stephen Griggs - Rodney Sorrell | 92 | 5 | 10.770 | 0.000 | |
| 127 | Brandon Williams - Christian Shoda | 198 | 5 | 10.680 | 0.000 | |
| 128 | Keith Speece - Wendell Ireland | 87 | 5 | 10.340 | 0.000 | |
| 129 | Chris Martin - Mike Greene | 140 | 7 | 10.310 | 0.000 | |
| 130 | Gene Sparks - Shannon Stowe | 220 | 5 | 10.180 | 0.000 | |
| 131 | Thomas Hardwick - Tommy Williams | 128 | 8 | 10.120 | 0.000 | |
| 132 | Phillip Frady - Dirk Porter | 8 | 5 | 9.560 | 0.000 | |
| 133 | Mason Boyd - Rick Falls | 78 | 5 | 9.500 | 0.000 | |
| 134 | Rusty Bullard - Eric Martin | 118 | 5 | 9.450 | 0.000 | |
| 135 | Steven Austin - Roger Wood | 175 | 5 | 9.200 | 0.000 | |
| 136 | Wayne Ingram - Chris Brown | 186 | 5 | 9.120 | 0.000 | |
| 137 | David Winters - Russell Winters | 55 | 5 | 8.960 | 0.000 | |
| 138 | James Clements - Rick Carson | 191 | 5 | 8.900 | 0.000 | |
| 139 | Greg Davis - dennis parks | 95 | 5 | 8.660 | 0.000 | |
| 140 | Kevin Toler - Rodney Lambert | 121 | 4 | 8.520 | 0.000 | |
| 141 | Carl Williams - Eddie Williams | 79 | 4 | 8.450 | 0.000 | |
| 142 | Dennis Cable - Tim Harrison | 93 | 4 | 8.400 | 0.000 | |
| 143 | todd sosebee - steve postell | 174 | 10 | 8.290 | 0.000 | |
| 144 | Rodney Bell - Tommy Jones | 100 | 5 | 8.250 | 0.000 | |
| 145 | Johnathan Crossland | 39 | 5 | 8.110 | 0.000 | |
| 146 | Bill Grier - Robby Byrum | 192 | 4 | 7.980 | 0.000 | |
| 147 | Adam Greer - Shae jones | 132 | 5 | 7.940 | 0.000 | |
| 148 | Thomas Gavin - Mike Sprouse | 187 | 5 | 7.860 | 0.000 | |
| 149 | Scott Sellers - Randy Childers | 177 | 5 | 7.840 | 0.000 | |
| 150 | Larry Moss - Michelle McLain | 122 | 5 | 7.770 | 0.000 | |
| 151 | Sammie Grier - David Strickland | 202 | 5 | 7.710 | 0.000 | |
| 152 | CJ Johnston - Matt Stanley | 3 | 5 | 7.680 | 0.000 | |
| 153 | Doug Easton - Pete Bejte | 218 | 5 | 7.670 | 0.000 | |
| 154 | Shawn Crosby - robert brooks | 14 | 5 | 7.650 | 0.000 | |
| 155 | Dennis Hensley - Steve Yoder | 74 | 5 | 7.390 | 0.000 | |
| 156 | Tanner Stirewalt - Logan Phillips | 136 | 5 | 7.290 | 0.000 | |
| 157 | Billy Scoggins - Eddie Parker | 57 | 5 | 7.220 | 0.000 | |
| 158 | Adam Ridings - Michael Ridings | 103 | 5 | 7.220 | 0.000 | |
| 159 | Vince Parker - Mark Parker | 48 | 4 | 7.070 | 0.000 | |
| 160 | Gregg Kessler - Gregg Kessler II | 112 | 5 | 7.020 | 0.000 | |
| 161 | Brad Petway - Jeff Douglas | 155 | 5 | 6.930 | 0.000 | |
| 162 | Tom McCombs - curtis lail | 50 | 5 | 6.870 | 0.000 | |
| 163 | Dan English - David Gibson | 96 | 4 | 6.830 | 0.000 | |
| 164 | Greg Sims - Michael Huffman | 206 | 4 | 6.820 | 0.000 | |
| 165 | Larry LeHew - Greg Deal | 66 | 3 | 6.680 | 0.000 | |
| 166 | austin petty - Mark Swink | 188 | 4 | 6.660 | 0.000 | |
| 167 | Reginald Pickett - Larry Kirk | 211 | 5 | 6.580 | 0.000 | |
| 168 | Ryan Bentley - greg berst | 113 | 4 | 6.460 | 0.000 | |
| 169 | Marvin Godard - Robert Adams | 109 | 5 | 6.450 | 0.000 | |
| 170 | Matt Markland - Tracy Markland | 114 | 4 | 6.370 | 0.000 | |
| 171 | Richard Greene - Jimmy Holland | 180 | 4 | 6.360 | 0.000 | |
| 172 | Wayne Marlow - Scott Peavy | 42 | 4 | 6.290 | 0.000 | |
| 173 | Winkey Watford - scotty mixon | 116 | 4 | 6.280 | 0.000 | |
| 174 | Mike Seawright - John parker | 23 | 3 | 6.250 | 0.000 | |
| 175 | Larry Parker - Glenn Altman | 209 | 3 | 6.230 | 0.000 | |
| 176 | James Martin | 56 | 4 | 6.200 | 0.000 | |
| 177 | Johnny Houser - Ben Lee | 164 | 4 | 6.070 | 0.000 | |
| 178 | Terry Herman - thomas wike | 215 | 4 | 5.850 | 0.000 | |
| 179 | Paul Guthrie - Robert Church | 111 | 3 | 5.460 | 0.000 | |
| 180 | Allen Eaker - Jason Eaker | 33 | 3 | 5.400 | 0.000 | |
| 181 | Jimmy Cummings - Dean Collins | 45 | 3 | 5.350 | 0.000 | |
| 182 | Brent Berry - Steve Shaw | 161 | 2 | 5.220 | 0.000 | |
| 183 | Chris McDuffie - Greg Creech | 36 | 3 | 4.800 | 0.000 | |
| 184 | Sandy Oliver | 105 | 3 | 4.790 | 0.000 | |
| 185 | William Gainey | 212 | 3 | 4.560 | 0.000 | |
| 186 | Robert Walser - Mack Lowe | 141 | 3 | 4.540 | 0.000 | |
| 187 | Darrell Fisher - William Gregory | 203 | 3 | 4.350 | 0.000 | |
| 188 | Robert Bauguess - Rodney Morrow | 1 | 3 | 4.230 | 0.000 | |
| 189 | Eric Jeter - Darren Jeter | 88 | 3 | 3.760 | 0.000 | |
| 190 | Roger Adams - Josh Adams | 172 | 2 | 3.640 | 0.000 | |
| 191 | Wayne Hauser - Sheldon Hipps | 144 | 2 | 3.530 | 0.000 | |
| 192 | Bo Chappell | 176 | 2 | 3.470 | 0.000 | |
| 193 | Brandon Sykes - Jeff McQuaige | 73 | 2 | 3.320 | 0.000 | |
| 194 | Phil Hennessee - Jon Digh | 138 | 2 | 3.080 | 0.000 | |
| 195 | Tim Hawley - Joe Hamilton | 135 | 2 | 2.900 | 0.000 | |
| 196 | Clint Proudfoot - Eric Bozeman | 110 | 1 | 2.330 | 2.330 | |
| 197 | Duke Denison | 24 | 1 | 1.750 | 1.750 | |
| 198 | Robin Parker - brandon gibson | 64 | 1 | 1.710 | 1.710 | |
| 199 | Mike Ray - Orlando Giles | 58 | 1 | 1.260 | 1.260 | |
| 200 | Phillip Hedrick - Jack Vanderford | 11 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 201 | Jason Dew - Thomas Elliott | 16 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 202 | Randall Wallace - Andrew Wallace | 18 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 203 | David Clanton - Brent Sanders | 35 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 204 | Scott Henley - Neil McDonald | 53 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 205 | Ricky Self - Ben Stanton | 77 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 206 | Scott Wyatt - Andy Brode | 80 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 207 | kevin driggers - Jamie Ethridge | 84 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 208 | Gary Rose - Jerry Collins | 102 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 209 | Todd Garner - Shane Hartman | 107 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 210 | Terry Trivet - Derek Tolley | 117 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 211 | Thomas Richmond | 119 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 212 | Chuck Morton | 123 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 213 | Tony Davis - Tim Bowman | 139 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 214 | Perry Wycuff - Josh Wycuff | 143 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 215 | william patterson - Chris Tinsley | 156 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 216 | Allen Robbins - Jerry Robbins | 182 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 217 | Nick Miller | 183 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 218 | Joe Floyd - Phil Brown | 185 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 219 | Dusty Taylor - Keaton Hawks | 189 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 220 | Greg Whittington - Danny Hucks | 194 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
Costa Introduces New Boundless Collection of Rimless Sunglasses
Daytona Beach, Fla. – Oct.18, 2016 – For adventure lovers and experience seekers alike, the world knows no bounds. For these people, Costa introduces its new line of rimless sunglasses, the Boundless collection. Built for living life outside the limits, each of the eight rimless styles are incredibly lightweight, with a comfortable “forget-they’re-on” fit for all day wear.
Costa’s Boundless line includes four new styles, West Bay, Seagrove, Gulf Shore and Oyster Bay, as well as four existing rimless options, Ballast, Cayan, Galveston and Rockport. Six of the eight rimless sunglasses (excluding Rockport and Cayan) will be available for the first time with a green mirror lens option, as well as gray, copper, and blue mirror, in Costa’s patented color enhancing polarized 580™ lenses.
The brand’s 580 lens technology selectively filters out harsh yellow and harmful high-energy ultraviolet blue light. Filtering yellow light enhances reds, blues and greens, and produces better contrast and definition while reducing glare and eye fatigue. Absorbing high-energy blue light cuts haze, producing greater visual clarity and sharpness.
Costa’s 580™ lenses, the clearest lenses on the planet, are available in all of the rimless styles in impact resistant, lightweight polycarbonate material. Each rimless style is also available in customized prescription lenses, handcrafted in Costa’s in-house optical lab.
Costa’s new West Bay style, named for the long inlet alongside Galveston Island in Texas, is a medium sport aviator, blending a classic shape with performance features such as durable integral hinge technology and hypoallergenic rubberized nose pads and temple tips for superior fit. Frame color choices include shiny black and shiny tortoise.
The Seagrove style offers a square-shaped rimless lens, accommodating a variety of face shapes with its large and relaxed fit. Also available in shiny black and tortoise frame choices, rubberized temple tips keep the sunglasses comfortably in place all day.
Named after the iconic beachfront town along the Gulf Coast, Costa’s new Gulf Shore style features an extra-large rectangular-shaped lens shape, built from a nearly indestructible bio-based resin nylon material, which ensures the frames hold their shape even in extreme hot and cold weather. Bio-based resins reduce Costa's manufacturing process emissions, and cuts the company's overall carbon footprint significantly, a key part of the brand’s sustainability promise.
Costa’s Oyster Bay style also offers a rectangular frame shape, in a medium fit, featuring rubberized nose pads and temple tips, sturdy integral hinge technology and bio-based resin frame construction.
“Our Boundless collection of rimless sunglass styles feature a variety of shape and fit options, all being extremely lightweight and comfortable,” said John Sanchez, vice president of product development for Costa. “Combined with Costa’s superior 580 lens technology and new green mirror lens option, these sunglasses will easily take you from sunrise to sunset.”
Costa’s rimless styles range in retail price from $159 to $189. The styles are available now at www.costadelmar.com, and at authorized participating Costa retail partners.
Registration Now Open For The 2017 Texas Team Trail
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Texas Team Trail offers premier tournament experience
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NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 17, 2016) - The Texas Team Trail (TXTT) presented by Cabela's recently began taking registrations for the upcoming 2017 season, which includes stops at some of the most popular tournament bass lakes in Texas. The regular season will kick off Jan. 28, 2017, at Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Last year's Sam Rayburn tournament set an all-time record for registered teams at a TXTT event. The following month, the TXTT will return to Toledo Bend, which produced a 35-pound winning bag at the 2016 TXTT event on the lake.
After a three-year hiatus, the TXTT will return to central Texas' Belton Lake in March. The regular season will wrap up at Lake Texoma in April, a favorite among Texas and Oklahoma anglers alike.
Participants can register online at texasteamtrail.com, request entry forms by calling the TXTT directly at 210-788-4143 or participants can print the registration form & mail/fax it in following the instructions online. Registration is open until 6 p.m. the Friday before each event. Membership, registration fee, and the Anglers Advantage for each event must be paid in full prior to the conclusion of on-site registration the evening before the event.
All TXTT events feature 100 percent guaranteed payback, complete with a fully rigged 18-foot boat, motor, trailer package guaranteed for first place. Anglers have the ability to take home even more thanks to the most lucrative contingency programs in the industry.
The Texas Team Trail also includes unprecedented television and media coverage, airing on the Pursuit Channel, Fox Sports Net, NBC Sports, Time Warner Sportsnet and the World Fishing Network.
2017 TXTT scheduled events:
January 28 - Sam Rayburn Reservoir
February 18 - Toledo Bend
April 1 - Belton Lake
April 29 - Lake Texoma
Championship
June 3-4 - Livingston Lake
Texas Team Trail events are made possible through the sponsorship and continued support of these well-respected brands: Cabela's, Ranger Boats, Lucas Oil, Evinrude, RAM, Mercury, Minn Kota, Triton Boats, Power-Pole, Amphibia, Arctic Ice, Stratos Boats, Lowrance, Navionics, Protect the Harvest, BoatU.S., General Tire, SuperClean, Garmin, Valley Fashions, T-H Marine, Atlas, G-Juice, Powertex Group.
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Tennessee's Deakins Wins Flw Bfl Regional Tournament On Lake Seminole
Rudolph wins co-angler title
BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (Oct. 17, 2016) – Marshall Deakins of Dunlap, Tennessee, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 17 pounds, 13 ounces, Saturday to take top honors at the FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Regional event on Lake Seminole presented by Mercury, with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 50 pounds, 1 ounce. For his win, Deakins took home $66,000, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard, and a berth into the 2017 BFL All-American Championship.
Deakins said he spent his entire tournament targeting suspended fish near standing timber in the Spring Creek area of Lake Seminole. For the first two days, he said he threw an electric shiner-colored Zoom Z Craw rigged with a 1/8-ounce weight.
“My practice partner actually figured out how to get them biting initially,” said Deakins, who notched his fifth win in FLW competition. “He let the lure slowly fall down the trunks of the timber, and the fish would eat it on the way down. That worked for two days, but eventually I had to change it up.”
After catching nearly 30 keepers in two days, Deakins said strong winds forced him to adjust his pattern on Day Three.
“I had a tougher time because the light sinker was hard to control in the wind,” said Deakins. “I switched things up around 10:30 a.m. and went with an umbrella rig to get bites.”
Deakins said he rigged his umbrella rig with two dummy baits and three ¼-ounce heads paired with 4-inch natural light-colored Scottsboro Tackle Company Swimbaits. He said he targeted a group of fish that he had located during the first two days of the event.
“That’s the first place I went to, and they were deep,” said Deakins. “I caught some keepers almost immediately. I’m really glad I threw to them.”
The top six boaters that qualified for the 2017 BFL All-American were:
1st: Marshall Deakins, Dunlap, Tenn., 15 bass, 50-1, $66,000
2nd: Steve Phillips, Douglas, Ga., 15 bass, 47-5, $10,200
3rd: Mike Keyso Jr., North Port, Fla., 14 bass, 42-14, $5,000
4th: Robert Crosnoe, Inverness, Fla., 14 bass, 42-9, $3,100
5th: Chris Kirksey, Fairmount, Ga., 14 bass, 41-12, $2,000
6th: Tyler Morgan, Columbus, Ga., 15 bass, 41-7, $1,800
Rounding out the top-10 boaters were:
7th: Rodger Beaver, Dawson, Ga., 12 bass, 40-12, $1,600
8th: Clabion Johns, Covington, Ga., 14 bass, 38-7, $1,400
9th: Dustin Royer, Davie, Fla., 13 bass, 33-7, $1,200
10th: Nathan Thomas, Weirsdale, Fla., 13 bass, 32-6, $1,000
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Jessey Rudolph of Deltona, Florida, won the co-angler division and a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard with a three-day cumulative catch of 15 bass weighing 36 pounds, 2 ounces.
The top six co-anglers that qualified for the 2017 BFL All-American were:
1st: Jessey Rudolph, Deltona, Fla., 15 bass, 36-2, $45,200
2nd: John Trudel, Lighthouse Point, Fla., 12 bass, 31-4, $5,000
3rd: David Bozeman, Ocala, Fla., nine bass, 26-4, $2,500
4th: Randy Paquette, Sarasota, Fla., 15 bass, 25-5, $1,500
5th: Tony Dimauro, Watkinsville, Ga., eight bass, 22-13, $1,050
6th: Stanley Shaw, Dunnellon, Fla., seven bass, 20-5, $900
Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers were:
7th: Christopher Wilder, Macon, Ga., seven bass, 20-4, $800
8th: Richard Mongiovi, Indian Lake Estates, Fla., seven bass, 19-15, $700
9th: Johnny Pittman, Albertville, Ala., eight bass, 19-15, $600
10th: Isaac Clemmons, Fitzgerald, Ga., eight bass, 17-9, $500
The BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 120 tournaments throughout the season, five in each division. The top 50 boaters and co-anglers from each division qualify for a regional tournament and are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2017 BFL All-American will be held May 31-June 3 on Pickwick Lake in Florence, Alabama. Top winners in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the Walmart FLW Tour.
For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
Iowa's Aswegan Wins Flw Bfl Regional On Kentucky Lake
Budde wins co-angler title
GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. (Oct. 17, 2016) – Chris Aswegan of Tiffin, Iowa, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 14 pounds even Saturday to win the FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Regional event on Kentucky and Barkley lakes presented by Mercury, with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 47 pounds, 4 ounces. For his win, Aswegan earned $65,200, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard, and a berth into the 2017 BFL All-American Championship.
Aswegan said he spent the tournament on a shallow flat about 50 miles south of the takeoff ramp. He said the flat was marked by a 100-yard drop-off that reached from 8 to 18 inches down. He said there were visible schools of bait along it.
“It seemed like an area where a lot of worthwhile bass would be – it had a lot of good contours in it,” said Aswegan, who earned his first win in FLW competition. “I started out on Day One fishing a buzzbait, but couldn’t get anything going, so I left the area alone. When I returned a couple of hours later, I picked up a shad-colored Heddon Zara Spook and was able to catch six keepers, including a 5-pounder in the afternoon.”
On Day Two, Aswegan said he returned to his stretch, but fished a different section of it. He said he was able to put 12 keepers in the boat.
“A south wind had pushed clean water into the area, so I skipped the buzzbait and went straight for the Spook,” said Aswegan. “In my opinion, it looks better than a buzzbait in clear water.”
On the final day of the event, Aswegan said he moved through his first two sections from earlier in the tournament, but had to wait until his third stop – a 20-yard stretch of the depression – to find success.
“I caught a couple of fish from there the day before, so I had a lot of confidence in it,” said Aswegan. “I used the Spook and it produced all of the fish I weighed in. Being able to find those sweet spots was a crucial part of my win.”
The top six boaters that qualified for the 2017 BFL All-American were:
1st: Chris Aswegan, Tiffin, Iowa, 15 bass, 47-4, $65,200
2nd: Mike Brueggen, La Crosse, Wis., 15 bass, 46-9, $10,000
3rd: Lloyd Pickett Jr., Bartlett, Tenn., 15 bass, 45-1, $5,000
4th: Clayton Reitz, Morton, Ill., 14 bass, 40-9, $3,000
5th: Ronald Nutter, Newark, Ohio, 14 bass, 39-10, $2,100
6th: Bradley Leifermann, Andover, Minn., 14 bass, 38-12, $1,800
Rounding out the top-10 boaters were:
7th: Scott Cooke, Marengo, Ohio, 12 bass, 38-2, $2,600
8th: Marty Sisk, Evansville, Ind., 11 bass, 37-8, $1,400
9th: John Devries, Fishers, Ind., 10 bass, 37-6, $1,200
10th: David Spivey, Hamilton, Ohio, 13 bass, 36-11, $1,000
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Jim Budde of Waterloo, Illinois, won the co-angler division and a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard with a three-day cumulative catch of 11 bass weighing 30 pounds, 4 ounces.
The top six co-anglers that qualified for the 2017 BFL All-American were:
1st: Jim Budde, Waterloo, Ill., 11 bass, 30-4, $45,200
2nd: Jim Stone, Greenwood, Ind., 11 bass, 29-13, $5,050
3rd: Randy Westerfield, Constantine, Mich., 11 bass, 28-12, $2,500
4th: Tim Gilliland, Wellston, Ohio, nine bass, 28-9, $1,500
5th: Carl Lingle, Dongola, Ill., 11 bass, 27-12, $1,000
6th: Mike Raber, Wolcottville, Ind., 11 bass, 26-9, $900
Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers were:
7th: Eddie Dean, Ashton, W. Va., 10 bass, 22-15, $800
8th: Mark Miller, Baltic, Ohio, seven bass, 21-8, $700
9th: Jarred Metje, Woodlawn, Ill., seven bass, 21-6, $600
10th: Roy Lester, Hamilton, Ohio, eight bass, 20-14, $500
The BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 120 tournaments throughout the season, five in each division. The top 50 boaters and co-anglers from each division qualify for a regional tournament and are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2017 BFL All-American will be held May 31-June 3 on Pickwick Lake in Florence, Alabama. Top winners in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the Walmart FLW Tour.
For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
Power-Pole Becomes Premier-Level Sponsor Of Bass
Oct. 17, 2016
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — JL Marine Systems Inc., maker of the popular Power-Pole shallow water anchoring system, has signed on to become a premier-level sponsor for all Bassmaster tournament circuits, B.A.S.S. announced today.
The sponsorship includes the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro, the Bassmaster Elite Series, all Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens, all Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation events presented by Magellan outdoors, the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship, the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops and the Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by Dick's Sporting Goods.
The two-year contract will begin with the Southern Open on Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes, Jan. 19-21, 2017, and continue through the end of the 2018 season.
“Power-Pole anchors are a big part of the strategies that many anglers use on all of our tournament circuits,” said Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S. “They have changed the sport of fishing in a relatively short amount of time, and we’re very glad to have Power-Pole onboard as a premier sponsor.”
The idea for the first Power-Pole anchor came to Florida resident and lifelong angler John Oliverio during a saltwater fishing trip for snook in 1997.
While idling his 20-foot flats boat through a narrow channel, Oliverio noticed several big snook on a sandy flat. But using a traditional anchor to hold his boat in place near the fish proved problematic due to windy conditions and the skittish nature of snook.
Believing there had to be a better way, Oliverio built a model of the first Power-Pole out of LEGOs. Then with the help of his friend Len Mriscin, he eventually constructed a working prototype that he used during a saltwater fishing tournament in 2000.
He sold the first Power-Pole hydraulic anchor shortly after the event, and that led to the formation of JL Marine Systems, which now occupies a 38,000-square-foot facility in Tampa, Fla. Power-Pole has become a world-famous brand, and the shallow water anchors have become especially popular among serious bass anglers. The company’s pro staff now features Elite Series superstars like Chris Lane and Dean Rojas.
“It’s been amazing to watch the Power-Pole shallow water anchors spread across the bass fishing industry over the past several years, and B.A.S.S. has been a great partner," said Robert Shamblin, vice president of JL Marine Systems, Inc. “We are thrilled to take our sponsorship to the premier level in 2017. We have a lot of exciting times ahead and we look forward to sharing them with the world!”
The new premier-level sponsorship entitles Power-Pole to prime exhibition space during all 2017 and 2018 B.A.S.S. events, including the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro scheduled for March 24-26 in Houston, Texas — an event that many are expecting to be the biggest Classic ever.
The Power-Pole Captain's Cash Rewards Club program will also provide a $1,000 contingency award to a qualified angler at each Elite Series event and an award of $500 to a Rewards Club member at each Open. Those contingencies will total $13,500 for the 2017 season.
About JL Marine Systems, Inc.
JL Marine Systems, Inc. is the Tampa, Florida-based manufacturer of Power-Pole shallow water anchors. With a complete line of hydraulic plus the all-electric Micro, Power-Pole anchors are perfect for all small skiffs, bass boats, flats boats, bay boats, kayaks and more. Power-Pole anchors are available at more than 2,000 dealerships and retailers worldwide. Visit www.power-pole.com to find a local dealer.
Registration Dates Set For 2017 Bassmaster Opens
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 14, 2016
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Bass anglers hoping for a spot in the 2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens tournaments will soon be able to apply, B.A.S.S. announced today. Registration opens for members of the B.A.S.S. Nation and Lifetime members of B.A.S.S. beginning on November 8.
New this year in registration for the Opens is the ability of pro anglers to “link” with co-anglers during online signup. Like other pro-am events, Opens participation is limited to an equal number of anglers and co-anglers. By “linking” or ensuring the participation of a co-angler, anglers can improve their odds of getting into the tournaments.
“This new registration linking option will allow B.A.S.S. to better serve the anglers and allow interested competitors to secure coveted spots into the 2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens earlier,” said Chris Bowes, Opens tournament director. “With this improvement to our system, anglers can register, confirm entry and plan their tournament schedules.”
Anglers not linking with co-anglers will be permitted to register at later dates. (See the schedule below.)
The Opens Series consists of nine events, including three in each of three divisions: Southern, Central and Northern. Opens are the primary pathways into the prestigious Bassmaster Elite Series. Invitations are extended to the Top 5 anglers in each division, based on performance points through the season, who are not already qualified for the Elites.
In addition, the winner of any Open tournament earns a berth in the next year’s GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro, provided he or she competes in all three tournaments of that division.
The tournaments include fields of 150 to 200 pros and the same number of co-anglers trying to catch the heaviest limits of bass — five for the pros and three for the co-anglers — for two days. The field is cut to the Top 12 in each division for the final day, with weigh-ins usually held at a nearby Bass Pro Shops.
Following are registration times for eligible anglers. Early entries are available only for those submitting deposits for all three events in one or more divisions. Online and call-in registration begins at 9 a.m. CT on these dates. Check http://www.bassmaster.com/file/497426/download?token=rEHW6V2H for more information.
Linking B.A.S.S. Nation and Lifetime Members (online) — Nov. 8, 2016
Linking B.A.S.S. Members (online) — Nov. 10, 2016
B.A.S.S. Nation and Lifetime members (online) — Nov. 15, 2016
B.A.S.S. Nation and Lifetime members (call-in) — Nov. 17, 2016
B.A.S.S. Members (online) — Nov. 29, 2016
B.A.S.S. Members (call-in) — Dec. 1, 2016
Single Event (online) — Dec. 6, 2016
Single Event (call-in) — Dec. 8, 2016
2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Schedule
Southern Opens
Jan. 19-21, 2017 Harris Chain of Lakes, Leesburg, Fla.
Apr. 20-22, 2017 Lake Chickamauga, Dayton, Tenn.
Sept. 28-30, 2017 Smith Lake, Jasper, Ala.
Central Opens
March 2-4, 2017 Table Rock Lake, Branson, Mo.
June 15-17, 2017 Sabine River, Orange, Texas
Oct. 5-7, 2017 Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, Grove, Okla.
Northern Opens
June 29-July 1, 2017 Oneida Lake, Syracuse, N.Y.
Aug. 3-5, 2017 James River, Richmond, Va.
Sept. 7-9, 2017 Douglas Lake, Dandridge, Tenn.
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Berkley, GoPro, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: Shell Rotella, Shimano, A.R.E. Truck Caps, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Power-Pole, Rapala
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, B.A.S.S. Nation, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Bass Rookie Of The Year Drew Benton Talks About Balsa Cranks Vs. Plastic Cranks
BASS Rookie of the Year Drew Benton talks about Balsa Cranks vs. Plastic Cranks and the how, when, where and why he uses what he uses to catch more fish!
Check them out at Sportsman's Warehouse!
Kastking® Introduces New Carbon Construction Fishing Reel
KastKing® Assassin Low Profile Baitcaster weighing only 5.7 ounces expands lineup of solid carbon reels.
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(For Immediate Release - Garden City, Long Island NY - October 12, 2016) KastKing®, a division of Eposeidon, Inc. (www.eposeidon.com) in Garden City, Long Island NY, has introduced another new innovative low profile baitcasting fishing reel, the KastKing® Assassin, made with carbon matrix construction body, side plates, and carbon fiber handle for extreme weight savings, corrosion resistance, and added rigidity.
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"The KastKing® Assassin once again represents our commitment to make high technology, yet affordable, fishing tackle products available to anglers around the world," says Tom Gahan, Marketing Director at Eposeidon.Inc. "At 5.7 ounces it covers the light-weight demand, and offers an even lighter alternative to our KastKing® Stealth. The all carbon construction Assassin, that includes optimum features at a price point below $60, is set to be another best-seller for KastKing®.
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"Don't confuse the Assassin's sub-six ounce weight with being under-powered or its low price reflecting an inferior reel," says KastKing® Angler Consultant Darcy Hill in Charleston, SC. "We proved that during development work and testing on the Stealth. It cranked in one good fish after another and survived the tasks with zero maintenance. The same manufacturing practices were used, and improved on, to create the Assassin. KastKing® developed the Assassin to meet the needs of anglers who want a powerful light-weight reel to reduce fishing fatigue and have superior saltwater durability. KastKing® Assassin is a killer."
T-H Marine Signs Supporting Sponsorship Deal With Bass
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 13, 2016
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — T-H Marine Supplies Inc., a leading manufacturer of high-performance boat products since 1975, has signed a multiyear deal to become a supporting level sponsor of select Bassmaster tournament circuits.
Under the agreement with B.A.S.S., T-H Marine will sponsor the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation events and Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship through the 2019 season. The sponsorship will begin with the Southern Open on Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes, Jan. 19-21, 2017.
In more than four decades, T-H Marine has been responsible for game-changing boat products like the original HOT FOOT throttle, ATLAS hydraulic jackplates and manual jackplates like the Z-LOCK and HI-JACKER. The family-owned company, which is located in Huntsville, Ala., makes thousands of products found in recreational boats everywhere.
“If you go to any bass tournament on any lake in the country, you’re going to find boats equipped with products from T-H Marine,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “Obviously, that makes them a perfect fit as a sponsor for our own tournament trails, and we’re happy to welcome them to our family of sponsors.
“Our goal is to grow the sport of bass fishing, and that’s something T-H Marine has been dedicated to doing for more than 40 years.”
T-H Marine was an activation partner with B.A.S.S. during the 2016 season, when it exhibited at select Bassmaster Elite Series events and Opens.
The new supporting sponsorship entitles T-H Marine to exhibition space at the Classic Outdoor Expo to be held in conjunction with the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro in Houston March 24-26, as well as expos at Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments and other B.A.S.S. events.
“We are very excited to continue our partnership with B.A.S.S. and to grow it substantially by becoming a supporting sponsor,” said T-H Marine President and CEO Jeff Huntley. “Just as aspiring bass fishermen the world over dream of competing in Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments, small businesses in our industry hope to be successful enough to become a B.A.S.S. Sponsor!”
Huntley said fishing fans won’t have to look hard to find T-H Marine products at the highest level of the sport.
“Our ATLAS hydraulic jackplates and HydroWave feeding stimulators are used by over 90 percent of pros because they demand the best equipment,” Huntley said. “This awesome support of the many Elite, Open, Nation and Team Championship fishermen who chose T-H Marine products has allowed us to grow to realize this dream.
“We are proud to help support the B.A.S.S. tournaments that provide so many fishing opportunities for our customers and anglers at every skill level.”
About T-H Marine Supplies, Inc.
T-H Marine Supplies, Inc. has been serving the marine industry since 1975. We are a family-owned and operated corporation that takes pride in every product that leaves our factory. We are boaters and fishermen who design products for boaters and fishermen. We are a leading manufacturer of boat parts and boat accessories. Our products include boat performance items such as the original HOT FOOT™ throttle, and the best outboard jackplates in the market, including our ATLAS™ hydraulic jackplates, Z-LOCK™ manual jackplates and HI-JACKER™ manual jackplates. T-H Marine produces thousands of products in many categories, including outboard motor mounts, outboard tilt and trim, access hatches, deck plates, lid locks, deck hardware, livewell aeration, plumbing fittings, battery trays, fishing rod holders, boat lights, rigging accessories, trolling motor accessories, pontoon boat parts, and general boat accessories. Our boat products are found on virtually every recreational boat built in the United States. You can find our products in retail outlets throughout the world.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, B.A.S.S. Nation, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Humminbird® Launches Helix™ 5 G2 With Chirp And Autochart® Live
RACINE, Wis., October 13, 2016 – Humminbird® is pleased to announce the HELIX™ 5 G2 units, the second generation of the Humminbird HELIX 5, bringing anglers new features and a compelling value. The GPS units in the family all come pre-loaded with AutoChart® Live and are compatible with all Humminbird LakeMaster® charts, including SmartStrike™. In addition, the new units include digital sonar, Side Imaging and Down Imaging capabilities that have been enhanced through the use of CHIRP operating frequencies.
All units feature the original HELIX 5’s best-in-class, ultra-bright 5-inch diagonal HD widescreen color display and professional features, but also include a new updated user interface.
“Easy viewing and operation are now only part of the story,” says Humminbird Brand Manager, Ray Schaffart. “With the new HELIX 5 G2 we decided to deliver flagship Humminbird fish-finding technologies like CHIRP digital sonar, AutoChart® Live and Smart Strike™ at an accessible price point, giving more anglers state-of-the-art capabilities. Now, fishermen are not limited to what they can do because of screen size.”
MEET THE G2 FAMILY
The HELIX 5 G2 family consists of five models to meet the individual needs of anglers and boaters. All units feature an updated operating system, 800H x 480V 5-inch 256-color TFT display, and allow for gimbal mounting, or in-dash mounting with an optional kit. International models support 200/50kHz. Optional 50 kHz transducers are available for extreme deep-water use. All models in the HELIX 5 G2 family are upgradeable, allowing users to receive software updates when they are available.
Three new units have GPS capabilities built-in - the HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2, HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G2, and HELIX 5 CHIRP SI GPS G2. The new GPS units feature a Micro SD card slot for use with advanced cartography or to save screenshots, sonar recordings or waypoints.
All three GPS-enabled units have the following features:
- CHIRP digital sonar and GPS chartplotting with internal GPS receiver for 2,500 waypoints, 45 routes, 50 tracks and 20,000 waypoints.
- Pre-loaded with AutoChart Live, giving users the ability to map the depth of any body of water; includes space for 8-hours of mapping on the hard drive with additional storage available on an optional AutoChart Zero Line map card.
- Compatible with all Humminbird LakeMaster charts, including Smart Strike.
- SmartStrike identifies the best places to fish based on species, time of year/day, weather, bottom contours, and more.
- Navionics® Gold/HotMaps™ compatible.
- Water surface temperature gauge built into transducer for finding fish-holding locations.
- GPS speed included.
- 1,500 feet depth capability.
The HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G2 includes CHIRP Down Imaging, with 600 feet depth-capable sonar and 350 feet Down Imaging® capability. The HELIX 5 SI CHIRP GPS is the flagship unit of the family and includes CHIRP Down Imaging and CHIRP Side Imaging® with 1,500 feet depth-capable sonar, 350 feet Down Imaging capability and 100 feet Side Imaging capability on both left and right sides.
In addition, there is a portable model, HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2 PT (Portable), which includes Humminbird shuttle, soft-sided carrying case, suction cup transducer, 7aH battery and charger, and the same capabilities as the HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2.
Designed for anglers who do not require GPS, the HELIX 5 SONAR G2 and HELIX 5 DI G2 bring HELIX 5 users a new, more intuitive and streamlined user interface and operating system.
The HELIX 5 SONAR G2 and HELIX 5 DI G2 include:
- Sonar capabilities designed for the angler/boater who requires DualBeam PLUS Sonar, allowing users to select a narrow, high-detailed beam, and/or a wide beam for a larger search area.
- Water surface temperature gauge built into transducer for finding fish-holding locations.
- 1,500 feet depth capability.
- Optional paddlewheel speed sensor to gauge speed on the water.
The HELIX 5 DI G2 is designed for the angler who requires Down Imaging® and DualBeam PLUS Sonar. It delivers 600 feet depth-capable sonar and 350 feet Down Imaging capabilities.
The HELIX 5 SONAR G2 is also available in a portable model, HELIX 5 SONAR G2 PT (Portable), which includes Humminbird shuttle, soft-sided carrying case, suction cup transducer, 7aH battery and charger.
For more information visit humminbird.com, contact Humminbird, 678 Humminbird Lane, Eufaula, AL 36027, or call 800-633-1468.
About Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc.
Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson Outdoors and consists of the Humminbird®, Minn Kota® and Cannon® brands. Humminbird® is a leading global innovator and manufacturer of marine electronics products including fishfinders, multifunction displays, autopilots, ice flashers, and premium cartography products. Minn Kota® is the world’s leading manufacturer of electric trolling motors, as well as offers a complete line of shallow water anchors, battery chargers and marine accessories. Cannon® is the leader in controlled-depth fishing and includes a full line of downrigger products and accessories.
Askew's Claim Top Prize At Aba Couples National Tournament On Lake Hartwell
Bruce and Diane Askew of Lawrenceville, Georgia took home the title of Couples National Champion at the 2016 Couples National held at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina. Running out of Green Pond Landing, the Askews brought in a five fish limit on both days of the tournament. On day one, their weight was 10.36 pounds and on day two their weight was 14.27 pounds giving them a two-day total of 24.63 pounds. They took home $4,000 for their efforts. This win secured the Angler of the Year title for the team as well. For this, they took home a TH Marine prize pack, a Doctor Dans supply box, and two Abu Garcia Revo XS.
“We have been out on the main lake both days fighting the wind. Bruce is like Hoover, he just sucked up every fish around and we had a glorious two days. We caught a lot of fish and were able to cull a lot. Lots of things went wrong but we were able to just keep plowing through. He was wonderful and we had a great trip,” Diane said. “I have to give credit to my partner here. She was so good with the net. She caught fish that were coming of and even some in midair. I got caught up a few times and she was there to get in the boat for us. She gets the credit for all of this. It was definitely team work,” said Bruce.
Coming in second was Jimmy and Samantha Langley of Monroe, Georgia. They brought in a five fish limit on both days of the tournament that weighed 10.77 pounds on day one and 12.66 pounds on day two giving them a total weight of 23.43 pounds. Samantha Langley secured their day two weight with a 4.75-pound kicker earning her women’s Big Bass. The Langleys took home $800 for their effort as well $650 for the big bass.
“We fished up in Tugaloo yesterday above Tugaloo State Park and stayed there until lunch time. Samantha caught a 3.90 pounder yesterday on a spinner bait. We were throwing worms, spinner baits, and jigs. Today, we decided not to go back to Tugaloo and just dropped the trolling motor in the creek close to here and started fishing. We had our limit before 9 o’clock and she caught the 4.94 pounds on a spinner bait,” said the Langleys.
Placing third was Bob and Debbie Brown of Seneca, South Carolina. The team brought in a five fish limit of both days of the tournament that weighed 12.13 pounds on day one and 10.87 pounds on day two giving them a total weight of 23.00 pounds. They anchored their third place finish with a 4.22-pound kicker. They took home $600 for their efforts.
“We were able to practice a few days before the event. We thought we were going to have a good buzz bait pattern for the tournament. On Thursday we basically went junk fishing and caught them on a little bit of everything. Today we were able to use a buzz bait. Today we started out a 4.5 pounder and thought wow we are going to have a good day but then it got tough but we managed to get four more in the boat,” stated the Browns.
Brad and Ana Rutherford of West Columbia, South Carolina placed fourth in the Couples National event. The Rutherfords brought in a five fish limit both days the weighed 11.45 pounds on day one and 10.48 pounds on day two giving them an overall weight of 21.93 pounds. They took home $400 for their efforts.
“We pre fished a little on Wednesday and that was the only day we got to fish. On the first day, we caught some of our fish shallow and some of them deep. We were just throwing a jig around and fished with some on top water baits. We changed up a bit today. We caught some of our fish on top water and the rest came will sing a drop shot,” said Brad.
In fifth was Gary and April Michaud of Chesnee, South Carolina. They brought in a five fish limit both days that weighed 11.08 pounds on day one and 9.02 pounds on day two giving them a total weight of 20.10 pounds. The took home $300 for their efforts.
“Both days, we threw a crankbait in the morning and threw a jig in the afternoon. We make our own jigs. It was a 3/8 brown jig with a little bit of red in it. We did not pre fish any so we went out on luck,” stated Gary.
Don and Martha Goodfellow of Simpsonville, South Carolina took home Men’s big fish with a weight of 4.98 pounds. He took home $650 for their efforts.
“We only caught one decent fish throughout the tournament. I have to give Martha a lot of credit here because there was not a lot of lip left on the hook. I got it off of a dock in a creek in about 18 inches of water. I pitched a monster worm in there and I set the hook and next thing I know she was handing me the net,” Goodfellow said.
About American Bass Anglers: American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers, the Ram Truck Open Series, the American Fishing Tour or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com.
T-H Marine Re-Signs With Flw, Becomes Title Sponsor Of Bass Fishing League
MINNEAPOLIS (Oct. 11, 2016) – FLW, the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced today that they have reached a sponsorship renewal with T-H Marine, an industry-leading manufacturer of thousands of boat parts and accessories. Effective immediately, T-H Marine will assume title sponsorship of the Bass Fishing League (BFL), which recently announced an impressive schedule of fisheries for 2017. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
In addition to their title sponsorship, T-H Marine will also receive exposure across all FLW platforms, including more than 235 tournaments and Expos, website, social media outlets, FLW Bass Fishing magazine and the Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show which is broadcast in high-definition (HD) to more than 564 million households worldwide.
“T-H Marine is a natural fit as the title sponsor of the FLW Bass Fishing League,” said Patterson Leeth, FLW vice president of marketing. “They provide many essential supplies and accessories that are already found in the majority of our BFL angler’s boats. We recognize T-H Marine’s long-term commitment to FLW and the BFL as an important confirmation of their support to our anglers and their enthusiasm and passion for the outdoors.”
The 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the Walmart FLW Tour.
"T-H Marine is very happy that we are renewing and growing our sponsorship of FLW,” said T-H Marine CEO Jeff Huntley. “FLW anglers cover the entire spectrum from recreational weekend fishermen to elite professionals. We are very proud to be plugged into the foundation of bass fishing as the new title sponsor of the T-H Marine Bass Fishing League. With our T-H Marine G-Juice Live Well Treatment as the official live well additive and our ATLAS™ being the official jack plate of FLW, we are honored to showcase our products with these great responsibilities.”
The 2017 T-H Marine BFL will kick off on Jan. 14 at Lake Okeechobee in Clewiston, Florida.
About FLW
FLW is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money in 2016 across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, with offices in Minneapolis, FLW conducts more than 235 bass-fishing tournaments annually across the United States and sanctions tournaments in Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW" television show, broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, while FLW Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. For more information visit FLWFishing.com and follow FLW at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTubeand Snapchat: @FLWFishing.
About T-H Marine
T-H Marine Supplies, Inc. has been serving the marine industry since 1975. They are a family owned and operated corporation that takes pride in every product that leaves their factory. They are boaters and fishermen who design products for boaters and fishermen. Their boat products are found on virtually every recreational boat built in the United States: including bass boats, pontoon boats, runabouts, ski boats, deck boats, offshore fishing boats, flats boats, aluminum fishing boats, and center console boats. You can find their products in retail outlets throughout the world.
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Mess With The Bull Worm, Get The Horns
There are times when you need a small lure. There are times when you need a big one. Then, there are the times when you need something right in the middle. That is how the all-new 8” Bull Worm came to be. Born out of necessity, the 8” Bull Worm is sure to be a winner!
“Have you ever heard the saying “less is more”? that’s exactly how I feel about the new 8” Bull Worm,” says 5-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier Keith Combs. “I can fish this slightly smaller worm to get more bites, but it’s still bulky enough to attract the quality of fish that I’m looking for. This bait is terror on offshore fish as well as for fishing brushpiles. If I had to choose one finesse-style worm to carry in my boat, this would be it” Combs added.
The 8-inch Bull Worm comes in 15 proven colors, including a few that utilize our new Open Pour Technology (OPT). They can be found alongside their big brother at better fishing tackle retailers everywhere.
Lexington’S Wright Wins Flw Bass Fishing League Regional Tournament On Kerr Lake
LEXINGTON’S WRIGHT WINS FLW BASS FISHING LEAGUE REGIONAL TOURNAMENT ON KERR LAKE PRESENTED BY EVINRUDE
Balishin wins co-angler title
HENDERSON, N.C. (Oct. 10, 2016) – David Wright of Lexington, North Carolina, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 13 pounds, 6 ounces, Saturday to win the FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Regional event on Kerr Lake presented by Evinrude, with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 43 pounds, 9 ounces. For his win, Wright earned $65,000, including a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard, and a berth into the 2017 BFL All-American Championship.
Wright said he spent the majority of the tournament concentrating on flats with stumps and brush, or drops with rocks along a 10-mile stretch in Nutbush Creek.
“I started Thursday fishing a shaky-head jig with a Zoom Trick Worm because that’s what I had caught most of my fish on in practice,” said Wright, who logged his eleventh career win in FLW competition. “At my first area - a rock in a channel - I noticed two bass were following it as I was winding in. When I noticed that, I told myself I ought to be throwing a crankbait. So I picked one up and never threw anything else.”
Wright said he rotated between Hot Mustard-colored Rapala DT10 and DT16 crankbaits, and a Bluegill-colored DT14, depending on how deep he was fishing.
“Around 11:30 a.m. I only had three fish for six pounds,” said Wright. “Around 1 p.m., I worked in a WEC Lures Crankbait and caught a 6-pounder. That’s the biggest fish I’ve caught in those waters in 20 years.”
On Day Two, Wright said he returned to his key areas and boated 15 keepers. He cited the DT14 as his most productive bait.
Wright said he continued rotating through his crankbaits on the final day of the event, and was able to piece together his limit on a fairly consistent basis.
“I went to a stump and caught two keepers in the morning,” said Wright. “From there, they got bigger. I caught a few more before lining up with two trees that I knew well. There, I caught a 4-pounder that I’m almost certain I had lost earlier in the event. I was feeling pretty good by then. I brought in what I had thinking I only had about 12 pounds, but ended up weighing more than 13 pounds.”
The top six boaters that qualified for the 2017 BFL All-American were:
1st: David Wright, Lexington, N.C., 15 bass, 43-9, $65,000
2nd: Brandon Gray, Bullock, N.C., 15 bass, 35-5, $10,000
3rd: Richard Phillips, Asheville, N.C., 11 bass, 34-7, $5,200
4th: Cavin Young, Prince George, Va., 13 bass, 34-2, $3,100
5th: Derrick Snavely, Johnson City, Tenn., 13 bass, 32-14, $2,000
6th: Chris Daves, Spring Grove, Va., 13 bass, 31-8, $1,800
Rounding out the top-10 boaters were:
7th: Scott Browning, Franklin, N.C., 13 bass, 29-6, $1,600
8th: Kenny Beale Jr., Blairs, Va., 11 bass, 29-0, $1,400
9th: Randy Childers, Anderson, S.C., 12 bass, 28-8, $1,200
10th: Tony Woodard, Four Oaks, N.C., 11 bass, 27-9, $1,000
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Peter Balishin of Sharps Chapel, Tennessee, won the co-angler division and a new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard with a three-day cumulative catch of 11 bass weighing 24 pounds even.
The top six co-anglers that qualified for the 2017 BFL All-American were:
1st: Peter Balishin, Sharps Chapel, Tenn., 11 bass, 24-0, $45,000
2nd: David Winters, Rock Hill, S.C., eight bass, 21-3, $5,200
3rd: David Primavera, Winder, Ga., 11 bass, 20-15, $2,500
4th: Donnie Davis, Greer, S.C., eight bass, 20-13, $1,550
5th: Greg Ravitsky, Ashburn, Va., eight bass, 20-8, $1,000
6th: Timothy Wacker, Knoxville, Tenn., eight bass, 20-4, $900
Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers were:
7th: Henry McKee, Haddon Heights, N.J., nine bass, 20-3, $800
8th: Don Bible, Knoxville, Tenn., eight bass, 18-12, $700
9th: Tony Toombs, Drakes Branch, Va., eight bass, 18-12, $600
10th: Tim Manning, Whitesburg, Tenn., six bass, 16-3, $500
The BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 120 tournaments throughout the season, five in each division. The top 50 boaters and co-anglers from each division qualify for a regional tournament and are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. The 2017 BFL All-American will be held May 31-June 3 on Pickwick Lake in Florence, Alabama. Top winners in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the Walmart FLW Tour.
For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
About FLW
Illinois’ Jenkel Wins Costa Flw Series Central Division Finale On Lake Of The Ozarks
OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (Oct. 8, 2016) – Derek Jenkel of Pinckneyville, Illinois, weighed in five bass totaling 18 pounds, 3 ounces, Saturday to win the Costa FLW Series Central Division finale on Lake of the Ozarks presented by Evinrude with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 52 pounds, 5 ounces. For his win, Jenkel took home $35,815.
“I spent the event fishing three areas near Hurricane Deck Bridge,” said Jenkel. “I flipped between six to eight docks at each area, and moved on when I had a limit.”
Jenkel said he used a green-pumpkin and blue-colored Gambler Lures Tube and a Cumberland Craw-colored Lunker Lures Limit Series Jig to catch eight keepers on Day One.
“On Day Two, I worked a Watermelon Candy-colored Zoom Magnum Trick Worm into the mix,” said Jenkel. “The bite was getting tough with my other two baits, so I went with a more finesse-style presentation. I was able to get seven keepers into the boat on Friday.”
On the final day of the event, Jenkel said he focused on one key stretch of docks. He said that particular area produced the majority of the bass he brought to the scale.
“I’m not sure why, but there was a great population of fish in that location,” said Jenkel. “I had three different rods on the deck, and flipped until my arm hurt – and then I flipped some more.”
Jenkel said his decision to switch to the finesse bait was what helped him edge out the rest of the field.
“When I switched to the Zoom Worm, I started getting bites,” said Jenkel. “It was a very crucial part of my tournament. I didn’t get a lot of bites, but when I did, they were nice ones.”
The top 10 pros on Lake of the Ozarks were:
1st: Derek Jenkel, Pinckneyville, Ill., 15 bass, 52-5, $35,815
2nd: Mark Tucker, Kirkwood, Mo., 15 bass, 51-4, $14,078
3rd: Dion Hibdon, Sunrise Beach, Mo., 15 bass, 51-1, $10,745
4th: Dustin Evans, Eads, Tenn., 15 bass, 48-13, $9,054
5th: Marcus Sykora, Osage Beach, Mo., 15 bass, 48-6, $8,058
6th: Brian Maloney, Osage Beach, Mo., 14 bass, 47-2, $7,163
7th: Cory Steckler, Rocky Mount, Mo., 13 bass, 45-1, $6,268
8th: Shawn Kowal, Linn Creek, Mo., 15 bass, 44-9, $5,372
9th: Jim Young, House Springs, Mo., 15 bass, 44-1, $4,729
10th: Dustin Blevins, Harrison, Ark., 14 bass, 42-7, $3,582
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Peter Wenners of Galena, Missouri, caught a bass weighing 6 pounds, 10 ounces Thursday – the biggest bass of the tournament in the pro division – that earned him the day’s Big Bass award of $252.
Brad Hostetler Jr., of Franklin, Indiana, won the co-angler division and a Ranger Z175 with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard motor. Hostetler earned his win with a three-day total catch of 14 bass weighing 37 pounds, 10 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers on Lake of the Ozarks were:
1st: Brad Hostetler, Franklin, Ind., 14 bass, 37-10, $27,200 + $5,000 Ranger Cup Bonus
2nd: Scott Parsons, Rogers, Ark., 14 bass, 37-10, $4,500
3rd: John Bach, Salem, Mo., 12 bass, 31-2, $3,600
4th: Arnold Payne Jr., Kokomo, Ind., 12 bass, 29-10, $3,150
5th: Jacques Fleischmann, Lampe, Mo., nine bass, 27-12, $2,784
6th: Michael Carter, Raytown, Mo., 11 bass, 26-8, $2,250
7th: Brian Futch, Vienna, Ill., 12 bass, 25-14, $1,800
8th: Derrick Wright, Carl Junction, Mo., nine bass, 24-14, $1,743
9th: James Ingram, Quitman, Ark., 13 bass, 23-15, $1,450
10th: Chris Dunlap, Foristell, Mo., eight bass, 23-7, $1,125
Gerald Andrews of Benton, Kentucky, caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the co-angler division Thursday, a bass weighing 5 pounds, 8 ounces that earned him a share of the day’s $168 Big Bass award.
The Costa FLW 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 is being held Nov. 3-5 on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri.
The Costa FLW Series on Lake of the Ozarks presented by Evinrude was the third and final stop of 2016 in the Central Division. The next Costa FLW Series tournament will be the 2016 Costa FLW Series Championship. For a complete schedule, visit FLWFishing.com.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Costa FLW Series on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
Strike King Pro Luke Estel Talks About His 6Th Place Finish In The "gator Hole"
BASS Opens Pro Luke Estel.
Last weekend I competed in the second B.A.S.S. Central Open on the Red River. I made the top twelve cut and finished the event in 6th place.
Here is how the event played out.
My best friend and fishing partner, Josh Jackson (Chopper) and I headed down to Texas the Friday before to pick up my new Skeeter from Gerald Brown. We loaded all of my equipment into the boat and headed to the Red early Saturday morning.
The recent floods had much of the back waters silted in and it was hard navigating back in them. We managed to catch a couple of keepers on a Strike King KVD spinnerbait and a 1.5 crankbait. Sunday was about the same and we started putting together a little pattern around the rock Jetties on the main river. I knew I needed more if I was to have a shot. Monday came and we push poled back into a small backwater pond which ended up being too shallow to fish so we abandoned that area. Tuesday we continued to look at Google Earth when we found a small backwater pond right off of the river. We went for it. Once we got back into the area we found that there was seven feet of water in it and the water clarity was the best we had seen. Chopper noticed what he thought was a beaver swimming across the pond. I told him that it was no beaver and that it was a big alligator. Excited because he had never seen one fishing before we trolled near him to take some video and some pictures. Chopper then said to me that this was the winning spot before we ever took a cast. After watching the gator for several minutes we decided to start fishing and immediately Chopper caught a chunky 2 ¾ pound fish on a spinnerbait. He told me to get out of there but I needed more reassurance and that didn’t take long as I caught another nice keeper. We push poled out of there and fished the big slough that adjoined it watching boaters troll into the mouth of the creek, get stuck, and troll out. Based on what we saw I thought I might have a small chance that I would have the area to myself and would be able to pick it apart.
The first day of the tournament rolled around and I was boat 75. I prayed as I boated down the river that no one would be in there. I push poled my way in and I was right. All by myself. My co angler, Bill Bonner and I went straight to the stumps and started casting. I caught one small keeper quick but the bite shut off. Around 10 o’clock I trolled over to the two big lay downs on the other side of the pond. I put on a Strike King Rage Bug and it was first flip. A 3 pounder! I went to the other side of the tree when I got my next vicious strike. A 4 pounder smoked it and I wrestled him through the limbs and boat flipped him. I looked at Bill and told him to flip to the next tree and I put my bait down the side of the tree. Keeper number four came flying in. I spun the boat back around to the first tree and finished my limit out with number 5. I sat down thinking what my next move would be. Bill looked at me and told me that I better get out of there and I couldn’t have agreed more. By the time I push poled out of there it was 11 o’clock. We fished several more areas on the main river before heading to weigh in. I knew I had a decent bag but wasn’t expecting great things until the tournament director, Chris Bowes said, “ new leader” as the five fish limit hit the scales for 11 pounds, 2 ounces! I finished third for the day and was anxious to get back to the “Gator Hole” for one more day.
I was boat 105 and I knew there was no way I would have the pond to myself again, but sure enough I was. BASS photographer Ronnie Moore followed me into the pond and waited patiently for something to happen. As I was trolling over to the lay downs I flipped onto a stump on my right side and immediately was rewarded with my first keeper. The lay downs were dead as I power poled down and fished them methodically. So much for that as I went straight to the stump ridden flat. I pitched the “bug” right beside a small stump and the water exploded as I fought the 4 plus pound bass to the boat. Number 2! By now I was in a groove and feeling it. Five minutes later I caught keeper number three. I just kept telling myself, it’s just fishing. Two more bites and I will make the top twelve. Within a half hour I put a nice 2 pounder in the box. I looked at the time and it was 10:30. I had I had five hours to catch one more bass. At 1:30 I felt what I thought was a bite, set the hook and the four pounder danced on top of the water and fell off. I was mad for about 5 minutes and then I settled down and continued to pitch to the stumps. There was no way I was going to leave without a limit. Around 2:30 I got another soft bite and put number 5 in the box. Finally!!!
At the weigh in my limit weighed 10 pounds, 7 ounces! Good enough to hang on to third place for the final day. I had made it. It took everything I had to grind it out, because I knew there was no guarantee for day three.
That night Chopper took care of everything for me and let me focus on getting re rigged and my boat in order. “Five bites and you are going to the Classic” He said. I knew it to. I had put myself into position to win and that’s all I could ask for.
The final day arrived and I told myself that I wasn’t going to leave the “Gator Hole.” It was do or die and I knew there was big enough fish to win swimming in there. As I trolled to the opening I found it even harder to get in and it took me several more minutes than I expected. Once I was in I settled down and went to work. Within an hour I had two small keepers. Both of them hit the bait like a Bluegill and not like the previous day and a half. Photographer Ronnie more came into the pond around 10 o’clock and just like the day before I put my biggest fish in the boat. Number three! I knew now that I was two bites away from my dream. I buckled down and picked the stump field and the laydowns apart. I crept ever so slowly deploying my Power Poles every ten to fifteen feet and making fifty plus pitches to my surrounding targets. I got only one more bite and put him in the box before it was time to go.
As we sat in the marina parking lot waiting on the BASS officials to check our fish, I smiled. I was happy. I stuck to my game plan and no matter what the outcome would be, I gave it my all.
My wife and her three friends drove all night just to come and watch me weigh in. My phone was blowing up. The hometown support from my family and friends was overwhelming. A tear rolled down my sunburnt face. As Chopper drove my Tundra to the weigh in stage all I could think about was seeing my wife and just having her there meant everything to me.
I finished 6th place as Alton Jones Jr. punched his ticket the Bassmaster Classic. Well done.
I cannot thank all of the people and companies that have stood beside me for so long, enough. First is my wife Heidi and my two beautiful girls. They have always been there for me. My best friend Chopper. I think he should be a Positive Mental Bass Fishing Coach. He is a true friend indeed. Strike King Lure Company. Simply the best bait company in the world. They are like family to me. Vicious Fishing Line. I pitched 20# Vicious Fluorocarbon all week and never broke a fish off. Mustad Hooks. I used a 4/0 Grip Pin hook. I caught every fish on that one hook and never tied another one on. Ardent Rods and Reels. I pitched with an Ardent Denny Brauer Swimbait Rod and an Ardent Apex reel. Natural Gear, their new fishing shirts kept me cool all week long. Power Pole. What else is there to say about them? They were instrumental in my stealth like approach. PLP Battery Supply, Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning, and E & D Concrete.
I was close but now I want it more than ever. Lucky for me I have one more to go. The Atchafalaya Basin in Morgan City, Louisiana. I just might pull it off. Might as well shoot for the stars. I am going to win!!!
Oklahoma’S Fulps Wins Costa Flw Series Southwestern Division Finale On Fort Gibson Lake
WAGONER, Okla. (Oct. 1, 2016) – Derek Fulps of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, weighed in three bass totaling 11 pounds, 12 ounces, Saturday to win the Costa FLW Series Southwestern Division finale on Fort Gibson Lake presented by Lowrance with a three-day total of 13 bass weighing 45 pounds, 5 ounces. For his win, Fulps took home $78,500, including a new Ranger Z518 with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard.
“On Thursday I started in the back of a feeder creek on the upper end of the lake and caught four keepers,” said Fulps, who earned his first career win in FLW competition. “I pitched and flipped a green-pumpkin-candy Gene Larew Hoodaddy to isolated wood and stumps, and casted a Hoodaddy Jr. that was the same color.
“Around 11 a.m., I headed to my sweet spot that I had found in practice,” Fulps continued. “It was a large submerged log that I came across after backing off the bank in the flat side of the river. I used the smaller lure – the Hoodaddy Jr. Downsizing my bait was the most important adjustment of the tournament for me.”
Fulps said he returned to the hole on Day Two and was able to piece together a limit fairly quick with the Hoodaddy Jr.
“I caught seven keepers and then left the area alone,” said Fulps. “Letting the fish replenish was crucial. It helped me get the win.”
On the final day of the event, Fulps said the morning bite was tough at his honey hole, so he returned to the feeder creek from Thursday. After a while he decided to give his sweet spot one more chance.
“I went back to the log and caught one that was nearly 6 pounds on the Hoodaddy Jr.,” said Fulps. “It was the biggest bass I caught all week. Without it, I wouldn’t have won.”
The top 10 pros on Fort Gibson Lake were:
1st: Derek Fulps, Broken Arrow, Okla., 13 bass, 45-5, $78,500
2nd: Kyle Cortiana, Broken Arrow, Okla., 15 bass, 43-4, $13,004
3rd: Brandon Mosley, Choctaw, Okla., 15 bass, 42-1, $9,990
4th: Jim Tutt, Longview, Texas, 15 bass, 41-10, $8,325
5th: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 15 bass, 41-3, $7,716
6th: Brett Brumnett, Wagoner, Okla., 13 bass, 40-15, $6,660
7th: Brian Potter, Claremore, Okla., 15 bass, 37-14, $5,827
8th: Keystone Light pro Jeff Sprague, Point, Texas, 12 bass, 34-11, $4,995
9th: Chad Warren, Sand Springs, Okla., 12 bass, 30-9, $4,162
10th: Jeff Dobson, Ponca City, Okla., 11 bass, 30-1, $3,330
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Birge caught a bass weighing 5 pounds, 12 ounces Thursday – the biggest bass of the tournament in the pro division – that earned him the day’s Big Bass award of $224.
Tate Brumnett of Wagoner, Oklahoma, won the co-angler division and a Ranger Z175 with a 90-horsepower Mercury or Evinrude outboard motor. Brumnett earned his win with a three-day total catch of 11 bass weighing 38 pounds, 7 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers on Fort Gibson Lake were:
1st: Tate Brumnett, Wagoner, Okla., 11 bass, 38-7, $27,000
2nd: Branson Phillips, Broken Arrow, Okla., 12 bass, 31-13, $4,400
3rd: Lonnie Miller, Broken Arrow, Okla., 10 bass, 25-15, $3,410
4th: Leroy Green, Alvin, Texas, eight bass, 24-10, $2,940
5th: David Underwood , Waco, Texas, eight bass, 22-6, $2,520
6th: Steve Baskins, Owasso, Okla., eight bass, 20-10, $2,100
7th: Todd Brown, Little Rock, Ark., eight bass, 19-5, $1,680
8th: Wade Goins, Salina, Okla., seven bass, 17-14, $1,470
9th: Scott Pickett, Chandler, Texas, eight bass, 17-11, $1,260
10th: Nick Muzljakovich, Wagoner, Okla., five bass, 14-2, $1,199
Scott Stallings of Glencoe, Oklahoma, caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the co-angler division Thursday, a bass weighing 6 pounds, 5 ounces that earned him the day’s Big Bass award of $149.
The Costa FLW 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 is being held Nov. 3-5 on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri.
The Costa FLW Series on Fort Gibson Lake presented by Lowrance was the third and final stop of 2016 in the Southwestern Division. The next Costa FLW Series tournament will be a Central Division event, held Oct. 6-8, on Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri. For a complete schedule, visit FLWFishing.com.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Costa FLW Series on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
Alton Jones Jr. Wins Bass Central Open On The Red River!
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From The Front Deck - Don't Be #3
Sept. 30, 2016
What a rough weekend last weekend was.
They say “bad” things happen in 3’s.
#1, The golfing world lost Arnold Palmer, 87 Years old, a golfing pioneer, a great person and a heck of a golfer.
#2, The baseball world lost 24 year old, Jose Fernandez. a Pitcher for the Miami Marlins in just his third year in the Bigs.
24 freaking years old.
Wasn’t Cancer, wasn’t sickness, wasn’t drugs or anything of that nature. Fernandez died in a boating accident……
By now I am sure you have read about this tragic loss of life. You already know it wasn’t a fresh water boating accident and so most of you immediaitely dismissed it I’m sure.
I did for a second, I admit it. Until I read more about where and when it happened.
In a former life, I sold LED Lighting within the Marine Industry to both Fresh and Salt Water baot manufacturers. I have been on several boats in and out of that same port in Miami where the Fernandez Boat wreck occurred. Done it during the day, done it at night. It’s not a fun place to be when the sun falls into the ocean I assure you. Experienced or not.
So why do I bring up a salt water boating accident in a freshwater bass fishing opinion blog? Because I can and because I am concerned.
Now, I don’t know any more details than any of you. I know the wreck happened at night, I know there were NO drugs or alcohol involved in the crash, but I do know there was a high-rate of speed involved in the crash. I also know no-one on board was found wearing a life jacket.
This time of year when the weather and the water starts to cool off, we find ourselves back on the water enjoying that early morning fog and topwater action. As the days start getting shorter, we find ourselves still out there still as the sun starts to goes down.
Sure, there is a lot less boat traffic this time of year as the pleasure boaters and skiers are most likely done for for the season, and that smooth open water allows us to “Trim it up and push our foot to the floor just a little harder than we have been lately…..”
That smooth, open water also allows us to possibly be a little more careless as well, paying more attention to our electronics, birds in the air or making sure we get that selfie with the rooster tail behind us…..
Why am I preaching this morning? Because accidents happen. Bad Accidents.
Now I’m not trying to be your mother, but I have witnessed a ton of boats in the past few weeks getting too close to other boats while running, cutting points too close, too many boaters not wearing their PFD’s and you know the rest, no kill switches.
All across Social Media we see daily, videos of our buddies catching big fish on their GoPro Cameras and then screaming across the lake with their hair on fire and no life jacket. Winter time drawdowns make areas of the lake we are used to running too dangerous to navigate but we don’t care, we do it anyway on a wing a prayer.
Do me a favor. Put the life jacket on, and hook up your kill switch.
Now , none of these things listed above would have saved Jose Fernandez or either of his buddies. They were running at night, at a high rate of speed and my speculation is the driver that night forgot which bouys or marker lights he was looking for and then it was too late. Carelessness and a tragic loss of life.
Do me a bigger favor… Pay attention please, watch where you are going, watch out of other idiots on the water, watch out for those last remaining pleasure boaters and just stay safe.
In other words, Don’t be #3.
Thanks for reading and God Bless, Rest in Peace Jose, you will be missed by many.
CB
Bonadona Leads Day 1 Of The Bass Central Open On A Stingy Red River
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Flw Announces The 2017 College Fishing Schedule, Rules And All Pertinent Info
FLW ANNOUNCES 2017 FLW COLLEGE FISHING SCHEDULE, RULES, ENTRY DATES
MINNEAPOLIS (Sept. 29, 2016) – FLW announced Thursday the schedule, rules and entry dates for the 2017 FLW College Fishing season, highlighted by the 2017 College Fishing National Championship on Wheeler Lake in Rogersville, Alabama and the third annual FLW College Fishing Open on Kentucky Lake.
Among the changes for 2017 is the addition of one extra qualification into the 2018 FLW College Fishing National Championship for every 10 boats competing over 100 boats in regular-season qualifying Events and an extra qualifier for every 10 boats over 200 boats in the FLW College Fishing Open. FLW College Fishing has no limit on the number of teams your club can enter into each tournament and no off-limits period prior to the regular-season qualifiers or the FLW College Fishing Open.
“The growth and success of our college fishing program over the past eight seasons has been tremendous,” said Kevin Hunt, FLW College Fishing tournament director. “Due to the record number of participants that have been competing in our college tournaments we have made the decision to add the additional National Championship qualifiers to tournaments that surpass 100 boats in the regular-season and 200 boats in the College Fishing Open. We are excited for 2017, and I am confident it will be our biggest and best College Fishing season yet.”
2017 FLW College Fishing Schedule:
FLW College Fishing OPEN
April 7-8 Kentucky Lake Gilbertsville, Ky.
Central Conference
April 1 Lake of the Ozarks Osage Beach, Mo.
May 20 Kentucky/Barkley lakes Gilbertsville, Ky.
Oct. 7 Mississippi River Prairie du Chien, Wis.
Northern Conference
April 29 Smith Mountain Lake Huddleston, Va.
July 22 Chautauqua Lake Bemus Point, N.Y.
Sept. 9 Lake Erie Sandusky, Ohio
Southeastern Conference
Jan. 14 Lake Seminole Bainbridge, Ga.
Feb. 25 Lake Guntersville Guntersville, Ala.
March 18 Lake Hartwell Hartwell, Ga.
Southern Conference
Feb. 4 Sam Rayburn Reservoir Zavalla, Texas
May 6 Fort Gibson Lake Wagoner, Okla.
Sept. 23 Red River Bossier City, La.
Western Conference
Feb. 11 Lake Havasu Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
May 13 California Delta Bethel Island, Calif.
Sept. 30 Clear Lake Lakeport, Calif.
FLW College Fishing National Championship
May 31-June 2 Wheeler Lake Rogersville, Ala.
June 3 – FISH-OFF Wilson Lake Florence, Ala.
Complete rules can be found online at FLWFishing.com.
Registration for the 2017 season opens Dec. 12, 2016, for teams from clubs represented in the 2016 FLW College Fishing National Championship. All other teams may register beginning Dec. 13, 2016. You can register at FLWFishing.com or by calling 270.252.1000.
College Fishing is free to enter. All participants must be registered, full-time students at a college, university or community college and members of a college fishing club that is recognized by their school.
For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow College Fishing on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing. Visit CollegeFishing.com to sign up or to start a club at your school.
About FLW
FLW is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money in 2016 across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, with offices in Minneapolis, FLW conducts more than 235 bass-fishing tournaments annually across the United States and sanctions tournaments in Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW" television show, broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, while FLW Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. For more information visit FLWFishing.com and follow FLW at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat: @FLWFishing.
Flw Announces 2017 Bass Fishing League Schedule & Rules
MINNEAPOLIS (Sept. 28, 2017) – FLW announced Wednesday the schedule, rules and payouts for the 2017 Bass Fishing League, which includes 128 tournaments in 24 divisions offering nearly $8 million in awards, including as much as $120,000 to the winning boater and $60,000 to the winning co-angler in the nationally-televised BFL All-American, plus advancement to the Forrest Wood Cup for a shot at winning the world championship of bass fishing.
Among the key changes for 2017 is the new “Win and You are In” format that automatically qualifies the winners of each of the 96 one-day qualifying tournaments to one of six no-entry-fee regional championships along with the top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division based on point standings.
“With the new format, you are never out of the running to qualify for a regional championship if you enter all five tournaments in a division,” said Daniel Fennel, director of BFL operations. “The most consistent anglers in each division are still rewarded with advancement based on points, but now you can have a bad tournament or two and still qualify with a late-season win.”
Each regional championship features a guaranteed payout that includes $20,000 and a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower outboard for the winning boater and a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower outboard for the winning co-angler. Regional payouts include $10,000 for second and $5,000 for third on the boater side and $5,000 for second and $2,500 for third on the co-angler side.
"FLW was founded upon providing first-class tournaments for the weekend bass angler," said Kathy Fennel, FLW president of operations. "We have always considered our BFL anglers as being the heart and soul of FLW. We take great pride in continuing to grow the sport of bass fishing by providing these opportunities for weekend anglers as well as a clear pathway for advancement to the sport's highest levels for boaters and co-anglers who qualify for the Costa FLW Series and ultimately the Walmart FLW Tour."
Entry fees will remain the same as 2016 – $230 per qualifier for boaters and $115 per qualifier for co-anglers. Two-day Super Tournament entry fees will also remain the same – $345 for boaters and $175 for co-anglers.
For the complete 2017 BFL schedule, rules and payouts, visit FLWFishing.com.
The BFL is the nation’s largest and most popular weekend bass-fishing circuit. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division and the winners of each qualifying tournament and super tournament receive priority entry into the 2018 Costa FLW Series while All-American champions may advance directly to the Walmart FLW Tour, the world’s top professional bass-fishing circuit.
Anglers can register for the 2017 season at FLWFishing.com or by calling 270.252.1000 on the dates listed below:
- November 14, 2016 – Hoosier, Michigan, Music City and Volunteer
- November 15, 2016 – Bulldog, Cowboy, Great Lakes, Illini and Mississippi
- November 16, 2016 – Bama, Buckeye, Choo Choo, Mountain and Ozark
- November 17, 2016 – Arkie, LBL, North Carolina, Northeast and Okie
- November 18, 2016 – Gator, Piedmont, Savannah River, Shenandoah and South Carolina
For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
About FLW
FLW is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money in 2016 across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, with offices in Minneapolis, FLW conducts more than 235 bass-fishing tournaments annually across the United States and sanctions tournaments in Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW" television show, broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, while FLW Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. For more information visit FLWFishing.com and follow FLW at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat: @FLWFishing.
Bass Raises Maximum Rod Length To 10 Feet In 2017
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The 40-year-old rule that has limited Bassmaster tournament competitors to rods that were 8 feet or shorter will be changed for 2017, allowing competitors to use rods as long as 10 feet.
The new rule will apply to all B.A.S.S. trails, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens and all B.A.S.S. Nation and youth events.
“This is something that the anglers wanted,” said B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Trip Weldon. “After discussing it during our annual rules committee meeting, we saw no reason not to expand to 10 feet.”
The rule in question is tournament rule C8, which currently reads in part: “Only one casting, spin casting or spinning rod (8-foot maximum length from butt of handle to rod tip) and reel may be used at any one time.”
Bassmaster Elite Series angler Skeet Reese of California said during the ICAST trade show in Orlando, Fla., in July that he planned to suggest a change to the rule, believing it would help the sport grow. The change was formally proposed and discussed during last month’s Elite Advisory Board meeting in Waldorf, Md.
“You can fish a 16-inch swimbait with a 400-pound-test leader if you wanted,” Reese said. “There are no reel-speed restrictions. Having the length limit makes no sense. It’s antiquated.”
Some rod makers agreed with Reese about the rule change’s impact on the industry.
“St. Croix is excited about the change B.A.S.S. is making to increase rod lengths,” said Jesse Simpkins, marketing director for St. Croix Rod. “It grows the market and broadens product lines. It will be interesting to see what this opportunity does in the hands on the world’s best bass anglers. Ultimately — as it has always been — it will be the anglers who drive the development process.”
Restrictions on rod length began in the West, and they were the catalyst for the development of the popular and effective “flippin’” technique. Dee Thomas of California, the “Father of Flippin’,” began winning tournaments in that state by “dipping” jigs in stands of tules with a 14-foot surf casting rod. When competitors complained, Thomas developed the flipping presentation, which delivered the lures to the same spots with a 7 1/2-foot rod.
The 8-foot maximum was added to B.A.S.S. rules by B.A.S.S. founder Ray Scott and Tournament Director Harold Sharp in 1976. Back then, competitors were paired by random draw and took turns controlling the boat. There were no pro anglers and co-anglers; everyone was fishing for the same prize, two to a boat.
Scott and Sharp believed a rod longer than 8 feet gave the angler operating the boat a distinct advantage over the other.
Today’s Elite Series events pair one angler with a marshal or cameraman who is not fishing. Opens tournaments involve a pro angler or “boater” who is fishing for a larger prize and a co-angler or “non-boater” who is restricted to the back of the boat.
With the format changes, anglers like Reese have long wished for a change to the rule.
“It has bothered me for years,” he said. “I’ve never understood it. I’ve always wanted an 8 1/2-foot spinning rod for fighting smallmouth in open water. With a longer crankbait rod, we could cast a lure longer distances and get the rod down further to help it dive. Think of what you could do with a longer punching rod — that kind of leverage over the fish would be amazing.
“I don’t see any disadvantage, and it would give the industry new products and new techniques.”
An article in the September 2016 B.A.S.S. Times Magazine — written well before the rule change was formally proposed — noted that some tournament circuits in the Western United States began allowing longer rods years ago to accommodate the growing popularity of large, heavy swimbaits. Elite Series anglers also like longer fishing rods for smallmouth bass techniques, including the float-and-fly method, which is impractical with a rod shorter than 9 or 10 feet.
The float-and-fly technique involves using a 1/8- or 1/16-ounce jig suspended 10 or more feet beneath a plastic bobber on line as light as 4-pound test, and it is particularly popular on smallmouth fisheries during the cold winter months. That means it could come into play early, as the Bassmaster Elite Series begins its 2017 regular season on Tennessee’s Cherokee Lake, Feb. 9-12.
Weldon said he is pleased with the rules committee’s decision regarding rod length.
“We always listen when anglers make suggestions or express concerns,” he said. “Obviously, we can’t accommodate all of the requests. But this was one that made sense, and we think it’s a good change.”
Quest Pro Challenge Making Waves In Professional Bass Fishing
The Quest Pro Challenge will be held on Lake Murray, South Carolina, Friday, October 21st and Saturday, October 22nd with twenty-eight invitation only, professional anglers; as well as the top two anglers, from the Quest Qualifier held on Sunday, October 16th, participating.
The Quest is not your typical tournament…… In fact, nothing about The Quest is typical and that why it is becoming the most talked about, new event to come along in many years.
Schedule of events
October 21st & 22nd FORMAT: Single boater, with a marshal using Connect Scale and Fat Sack Outdoors. This will enable for live scoring over several social media platforms, for immediate release.
Day One (October 21st): Thirty anglers compete on a known lake, but, unknown zones.
Day Two (October 22nd): Top ten anglers advance to a new zone; with rotating hole course format, limited electronics, and various strategies required. All weights and awards will be broadcast over social media and recorded for future video release.
October 23rd: (7am-1pm) Big Bass Challenge Pro/Am pairing professional anglers with Local First Responders, benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Anglers and First Responders will weigh big fish in front of festival and concert crowd.
(2pm-4pm) Family Festival at Lexington County Baseball Stadium, the Blowfish Stadium. There will be activities and games for the kids, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources will be on hand with activities, local and national Quest event sponsors will be showing products and goods, and much more.
(4pm-8pm) FREE concert provided by Quest and WCOS!! Come listen to LOCASH, Grainger Smith and Eric Paslay.
HOW CAN A NON-PROFESSIONAL ANGLER GAIN A POSITION IN THE QUEST PRO CHALLENGE?
On Sunday, October 16th, the QUEST SOLO Qualifier will give non-professional anglers the opportunity to qualify for the Quest Pro Challenge on Lake Murray, South Carolina. The top two anglers will secure two places in the Quest Pro Challenge. Register to fish this exciting event, the QUEST SOLO Qualifier, by visiting www.questprochallenge.com.
Big Bass, Live Music, and Giving Back!
Quest is already moving the Professional Bass Fishing world in a whole new direction. The name “Quest” is not only for the angler and their quest towards glory, but is our quest to make Pro Bass Fishing become a true “PRO” event for every angler who fishes in it.
We are incorporating a festival and concert at each Quest Pro Challenge, anglers and sponsors can interact with the public.
The Quest Pro Challenge will also be giving back with activities benefitting Local First Responders and Quest will donate a portion of the proceeds to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Professional Anglers competing: Bryan Thrift, Anthony Gagliardi, Brandon Cobb, Shane Lehew, Brett Preuett, Jayme Rampey, Rick Morris, Shane Lineberger, Ryan Davidson, Marty Robinson and many more.
If you are interested in future QUEST events please contact Tim Harmon 803-735-6558 to be added to the mailing list.
About Quest Pro Challenge
Owned and operated by Tim Harmon and Brad Burdette of Lexington SC.
Tim Harmon: Owner of Treeshaker Tackle- www.treeshakertackle.com
Brad Burdette: Owner of Palm Coast Outdoors, LLC and North American director of Cinnetic Fishing- www.cinnetic-us.com
Visit Quest at www.Questprochallenge.com or email Quest@Questprochallenge.com or Facebook/Instagram @questprochallenge
Flw Drops Invitational Thoughts For 2017 In Lieu Of Additional Tour Event, Releases Rule And Entry Dates For 2017
MINNEAPOLIS (Sept. 26, 2016) – FLW announced Monday its rules and entry dates for the 2017 Walmart FLW Tour. The season will consist of a 160-boat field competing in seven-regular season events and culminating with the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing, to be held on Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina.
“We are riding the momentum of a fantastic 2016 FLW Tour season and look forward to carrying that over into 2017,” said Kathy Fennel, FLW President of Operations. “As previously announced, we added another qualifying tournament to the schedule for a total of seven regular-season events plus the Forrest Wood Cup next year. We’ve also made some minor adjustments to the rules and eliminated the Invitationals in favor of the extra regular-season tournament. Our FLW Tour pros are among the best in the world, and we look forward to showcasing them next season on some of the finest fisheries in the United States.”
Pro anglers will compete for up to $125,000 and co-anglers will be vying for up to $25,000 in each tournament including Ranger Cup contingency bonuses. With a full field, the paybacks will be $10,000 through 50th place on the pro side and $1,000 on the co-angler side. Entry fees are unchanged for 2017 at $4,500 per tournament for pros and $800 per tournament for co-anglers. Pros must commit to fishing all seven qualifiers while co-anglers can fish individual tournaments.
Registration is now open for the top 100 pros and the top 10 co-anglers from the 2016 FLW Tour, the top 10 pros from each division of the 2016 FLW Series, the 2016 TBF National Champion from the boater division and the boater champion from the 2016 BFL All-American. These anglers have until Dec. 5, 2016 to secure their priority entry. Entries from Ranger boat owners and FLW Tour sponsors will be accepted beginning Dec. 6, 2016 followed by TBF members Dec. 7, 2016. All other entries will be accepted beginning Dec. 8, 2016. Qualified anglers can register by calling 270.252.1000 or online at FLWFishing.com.
The top 35 pros from the 2017 FLW Tour will qualify for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, which will consist of 53 professional anglers. In addition to the top 35 pros from the Tour, qualifiers will also include the winning pro from each of the two 2016 FLW Tour Invitationals, the highest finishing pro from each of five U.S. divisions and the International division at the 2016 Costa FLW Series Championship plus the top five pros not already selected as the highest finisher in a division at the 2016 FLW Series Championship, the 2017 BFL All-American boater champion, the 2017 TBF boater champion, the 2017 FLW College Fishing champion, the 2016 Forrest Wood Cup champion and the 2016 FLW Tour Angler of the Year.
Complete rules for the 2017 Walmart FLW Tour can be found at FLWFishing.com.
2017 Payouts:
FLW Tour Qualifiers:
Place Pro Ranger Cup Co-angler Ranger Cup
1 $100,000 $25,000 $20,000 $5,000
2 30,000 7,500
3 25,000 5,000
4 20,000 4,000
5 19,000 3,000
6 18,000 2,500
7 17,000 2,000
8 16,000 1,800
9 15,000 1,700
10 14,000 1,600
11-20 12,000 1,500
21-50 10,000 1,000
Big Bass – Day 1 500 250
Big Bass – Day 2 500 250
Angler of the Year:
$100,000 + 2018 Forrest Wood Cup entry
Co-angler of the Year:
Place
1 Ranger Z518C with 200 HP outboard
2 $10,000
3 9,000
4 8,000
5 7,000
6 6,000
7 5,500
8 5,000
9 4,500
10 4,000
Forrest Wood Cup:
Place Pro
1 $300,000 + 2018 Forrest Wood Cup entry
2 60,000
3 50,000
4 37,500
5 30,000
6 24,000
7 23,000
8 22,000
9 21,000
10 20,000
11-20 15,000
21-53 10,000
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.
Tarasoff Wins Bfl Northeast Division Super Tournament With Two-Day Total Of 44.4 Pounds On 1000 Islands
CLAYTON, N.Y. (Sept. 26, 2016) – Tom Tarasoff of Kingston, Ontario, Canada, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 19 pounds, 1 ounce, Sunday to win the FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Northeast Division Super Tournament on 1000 Islands, with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 44 pounds, 4 ounces. Tarasoff took home $6,367 for his win.
According to post-tournament reports, Tarasoff targeted humps, flats and drops with tubes fishing near Wolfe Island.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Tom Tarasoff, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, 10 bass, 44-4, $6,367
2nd: Kraig Kettelkamp, Clifton Springs, N.Y., 10 bass, 43-12, $2,816
3rd: Jamie Hartman, Bridgeport, N.Y., 10 bass, 43-9, $2,077
4th: Curtis Richardson, Belleville, Ontario, Canada, 10 bass, 42-0, $1,614
5th: Dane Anderson, Copake, N.Y., 10 bass, 39-12, $1,126
6th: Chris Blanc, Riverside, Conn., 10 bass, 39-5, $1,033
7th: Kyle Metzger, Baldwinsville, N.Y., 10 bass, 39-4, $939
8th: Joseph Fonzi, Gasport, N.Y., 10 bass, 38-13, $845
9th: Scott Dobson, Clarkston, Mich., 10 bass, 35-4, $751
10th: Frank Guarascio, Marcy, N.Y., 10 bass, 33-9, $657
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Tarasoff also caught a bass weighing 6 pounds, 11 ounces – the biggest of the tournament in the pro division – and earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $735.
Eric Ashley of Little Falls, New York, won the co-angler division and earned $2,816 with a two-day cumulative catch of 10 bass weighing 34 pounds, 15 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Eric Ashley, Little Falls, N.Y., 10 bass, 34-15, $2,816
2nd: Graydon Bonser, Keyser, W. Va., nine bass, 34-14, $1,408
3rd: Henry McKee, Haddon Heights, N.J., 10 bass, 32-11, $941
4th: Chad Dorney, Macungie, Pa., eight bass, 28-14, $657
5th: Brandon Esterly, Forest, Va., 10 bass, 28-13, $1,030
6th: Conner Petropoulos, Portland, Maine, 10 bass, 28-2, $566
7th: Christy Tiano, Hudson, N.Y., eight bass, 26-2, $469
8th: Andrew Bechard, Champlain, N.Y., 10 bass, 25-0, $422
9th: Terry Beck, Lock Haven, Pa., nine bass, 24-15, $375
10th: Bryan Cumbo, West Wyoming, Pa., eight bass, 24-10, $329
Esterly caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the co-angler division, a fish weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces, and earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $367.
The top 50 boaters and 50 co-anglers based on point standings will qualify for the Oct. 6-8 Regional Championship on Kerr Lake in Henderson, North Carolina. 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.
Tom Rubbo Catches 24.14 Over Two Days To Win The Bfl Sc Division Super Tourney On Lake Wylie
LAKE WYLIE, S.C. (Sept. 26, 2016) – Tom Rubbo of Lexington, South Carolina, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 13 pounds, 6 ounces, Sunday to win the FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) South Carolina Division Super Tournament on Lake Wylie, with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 24 pounds, 14 ounces. Rubbo pocketed $4,531 for his win.
“The lake was challenging, but I was able to get on a shallow-water pattern,” said Rubbo, who logged his first win in FLW competition. “There was a lot of baitfish in the creeks, so I targeted them.”
Rubbo said he fished the lower end of the lake and rotated between six different creeks.
“I caught one keeper on a small Luck-E-Strike Rick Clunn Crankbait on Day One,” said Rubbo. “I fished toward the backs of the creeks and ended up catching around 10 keepers with a few different lures.
“On Sunday, I rotated between three of the creeks,” Rubbo continued. “I caught a limit and culled three or four bass by 10:30 a.m. After that, I realized the fish in my school were all similar-sized, so I spent the remainder of the day looking for a bigger catch.”
Rubbo said he used the Lucky-E-Strike crankbait the entire day Sunday and was able to put eight keepers in the boat.
“I really fished clean – I only lost one bass all weekend,” said Rubbo. “I was able to keep the trolling motor down and maximize my fishing time.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Tom Rubbo, Lexington, S.C., 10 bass, 24-14, $4,531
2nd: Jason Wilson, Lincolnton, N.C., eight bass, 19-8, $2,4653rd: Bryan New, Belmont, N.C., eight bass, 18-8, $1,611
4th: Willie McMullen, Oxford, Ga., eight bass, 16-8, $1,057
5th: Maurice Freeze, Concord, N.C., seven bass, 15-14, $1,206
6th: Parks Jones Jr., Lake Wylie, S.C., six bass, 13-6, $831
7th: Joey Sabbagha, Prosperity, S.C., five bass, 13-4, $1,272
8th: Ronnie McCoy, Lamar, S.C., seven bass, 12-12, $680
9th: Johnathan Crossland, Chapin, S.C., six bass, 12-10, $604
10th: Winston Husband, Gilbert, S.C., six bass, 11-12, $529
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Sabbagha caught a bass weighing 5 pounds even – the biggest of the tournament in the pro division – and earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $517.
Calvin Sharp of Round O, South Carolina, won the co-angler division and earned $2,200 with a two-day cumulative catch of six bass weighing 11 pounds, 13 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Calvin Sharp, Round O, S.C., six bass, 11-13, $2,200
2nd: Khris Williams, Mount Holly, N.C., five bass, 9-12, $1,300
3rd: David Hutcherson, Campobello, S.C., four bass, 9-6, $734
4th: Donald Black, Fort Mill, S.C., four bass, 8-4, $513
5th: Lee Inman, Inman, S.C., four bass, 7-13, $490
6th: Rodney Tapp, North Augusta, S.C., three bass, 6-8, $403
7th: Travis Ruff, Connelly Springs, N.C., two bass, 5-7, $618
8th: Adam Fincher, Roebuck, S.C., two bass, 5-7, $330
9th: Randy Brown, Lugoff, S.C., two bass, 4-11, $293
10th: Mark Wingate, Gaston, S.C., three bass, 4-1, $257
Ruff caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the co-angler division, a fish weighing 4 pounds, 1 ounce, and earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $251.
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, Gerogia. 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.
Young Wins Flw Ozark Division Two-Day Bfl Event On Lake Of The Ozarks With 37.13
OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (Sept. 26, 2016) – Ed Young of Harrison, Arkansas, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 20 pounds, 12 ounces, Sunday to win the FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Ozark Division Super Tournament on Lake of the Ozarks presented by Minn Kota, with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 37 pounds, 13 ounces. For his victory, Young earned $6,586.
“On Saturday I started close to the takeoff ramp and was throwing a River2Sea Whopper Plopper,” said Young, who notched his first win in BFL competition. “I hit some main-lake points with black rock and caught some keepers fairly quick. After that, I worked my way up to the 55-mile marker of the lake.”
Young said he spent the majority of the event fishing shallow flats in main-lake pockets.
“There was a perch spawn going on, and I’d catch fish wherever they were present,” said Young. “I was flipping the shallow side of docks using a Red Bug-colored Zoom Magnum Trick Worm and Ribbontail Worm – both rigged on shaky-head jigs.”
Young said all of his bass came from less than 4 feet of water each day, and that a slow and steady presentation was a crucial part of his success.
“I caught around nine keepers on Day One, and another eight on Day Two – all on Lew’s rods and reels,” said Young.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Ed Young, Harrison, Ark., 10 bass, 37-13, $6,586
2nd: Jeffrey Smith, Knob Noster, Mo., 10 bass, 37-5, $3,293
3rd: Charlie Bogard, O’Fallon, Mo., 10 bass, 37-3, $2,195
4th: Andy Newcomb, Camdenton, Mo., 10 bass, 36-5, $1,537
5th: Dion Hibdon, Sunrise Beach, Mo., 10 bass, 34-6, $1,617
6th: Bob Renken, Linn Creek, Mo., 10 bass, 34-1, $1,207
7th: Dennis Berhorst, Holts Summit, Mo., 10 bass, 32-2, $1,098
8th: Roger Cook, Lebanon, Mo., nine bass, 31-12, $988
9th: Jeremy Medina, Camdenton, Mo., 10 bass, 31-4, $878
10th: John Sapper, De Soto, Mo., 10 bass, 31-4, $768
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Craig Berkshire of Rogers, Arkansas, caught a bass weighing 6 pounds even – the biggest of the tournament in the pro division – and earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $945.
Stephen Delgado of Lees Summit, Missouri, won the co-angler division and earned $3,293 with a two-day cumulative catch of nine bass weighing 25 pounds, 13 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st: Stephen Delgado, Lees Summit, Mo., nine bass, 25-13, $3,293
2nd: Dennis Spell, Bonne Terre, Mo., 10 bass, 24-12, $1,646
3rd: Ryan Jordan, Lake Ozark, Mo., eight bass, 20-4, $1,098
4th: Jamie Eynard, Holts Summit, Mo., 10 bass, 19-10, $768
5th: Sam Bremmerkamp, Joplin, Mo., seven bass, 19-0, $859
6th: Aaron Strohkirch, Camdenton, Mo., seven bass, 18-13, $604
7th: Brandon Hecker, Camdenton, Mo., six bass, 17-15, $549
8th: Kevin Manion, Park Hills, Mo., five bass, 17-6, $494
9th: John Bell, Lake Saint Louis, Mo., eight bass, 16-6, $439
10th: Rich Purington, Platsmouth, Neb., five bass, 15-13, $906
Purington caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the co-angler division, a fish weighing 5 pounds, 3 ounces, and earned the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $472.
The top 50 boaters and 50 co-anglers based on point standings will qualify for the Oct. 27-29 Regional Championship on Lake Dardanelle in Russellville, Arkansas. 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.
Gil Summerlin Wins Bfl Choo Choo Division Two-Day Derby On Guntersville With Over 38 Pounds
GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. (Sept. 26, 2016) – Local angler Gil Summerlin of Guntersville, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 17 pounds, 4 ounces, Sunday to win the FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Choo Choo Division Super Tournament on Lake Guntersville, with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 38 pounds, 14 ounces. For his victory, Summerlin earned $8,234.
“I was on the lower end of the lake targeting two different shell beds that had a little depression in them,” said Summerlin, who earned his first win in FLW competition. “The areas were about five miles apart, but identical in terms of structure. The fish were set up on the bottom between 12 to 14 feet down.
“In the morning on Day One I used a Sexy Shad-colored Strike King 6XD crankbait and boated the largest bass of the event before 7 a.m.,” Summerlin continued. “After a while, I switched to a Mean Mouth Football-Head Jig rigged with a green-pumpkin Reaction Innovations soft-plastic. I dragged it slow, and then let it sit a minute. I caught seven keepers by 8 a.m. and was done.”
On Sunday, Summerlin said the lack of wind made for a tougher bite. He said he used the same lures as the day before to cap off the event.
“I rotated between the two beds and had a limit by 10 a.m.,” said Summerlin. “I caught nine keepers, but spent most of the day going for a bigger bite.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Gil Summerlin, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 38-14, $8,234
2nd: Cody Harrison, Florence, Ala., 10 bass, 35-11, $3,375
3rd: Alex Davis, Albertville, Ala., 10 bass, 32-2, $2,217
4th: Curtis Merriman, Cullman, Ala., nine bass, 31-13, $1,481
5th: Josh Butler, Hayden, Ala., 10 bass, 31-0, $1,270
6th: Tracy Robinson, Gadsden, Ala., 10 bass, 30-8, $1,164
7th: Matt Lee, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 29-4, $1,058
8th: Casey Martin, New Hope, Ala., 10 bass, 29-4, $1,252
9th: Freddy Palmer, Estill Springs, Tenn., 10 bass, 29-3, $847
10th: Clayton Joyce, Chapel Hill, Tenn., 10 bass, 28-14, $741
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Summerlin’s 6-pound, 10-ounce catch on Saturday earned him the Boater Big Bass award of $885.
Randy Hill of Athens, Alabama, won the co-angler division and earned $3,260 with a two-day cumulative catch of eight bass weighing 23 pounds, 13 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers were:
1st” Randy Hill, Athens, Ala., eight bass, 23-13, $3,260
2nd: Danny Moss, Glencoe, Ala., nine bass, 22-12, $1,530
3rd: Scott Bussey, Hayden, Ala., seven bass, 21-1, $1,020
4th: Collin Bruce, Florence, Ala., eight bass, 18-2, $764
5th: Josh Perrymon, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 16-6, $612
6th: Derek Holly, Johnson City, Tenn., six bass, 15-7, $561
7th: Brandon Skinner, DeArmanville, Ala., six bass, 15-5, $510
8th: Jody Moore, Hixson, Tenn., five bass, 12-2, $459
9th: Trent Hoover, Huntsville, Ala., three bass, 11-6, $828
10th: Jared Murphree, Athens, Ala., five bass, 11-2, $357
Hoover caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the co-angler division, a fish weighing 7 pounds, 1 ounces, and earned the Co-angler Big Bass award of $420.
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/FLWFishingand on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.
Bryan Schmitt Wins Bass Northern Open On Champlain
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BASS Communications
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From The Front Deck - My Take On Gerald Swindle And His Angler Of The Year Win
2016 BASS Angler of the Year - Gerald Swindle - One of the best in the business.
From the Front Deck - Opinon Blog - Chris Brown
While sitting in my home office last August, A few miles from Lake Guntersville. I received a text from a good friend asking what I was up to.
"Working" I replied back.
The little "bubble thingies" rose on my phone indicating he was responding.
"Let's go Fishing. Meet me at Waterfront at Noon."
In my experience, when an FLW or Elite Series Pro says, "lets go fishing" you take them up on the offer, especially when its Alabama Pro Gerald Swindle.
I have spent alot of time around Gerald, but never on the water. Boat yards, media events, early morning take-offs, and the occasional after tournament dinner and from that I can generally get a feel for how his day is going and if and when its appropriate to ask for an interview or a picture. Most days its cool, some mornings you just leave them all alone and let them go to work. When its a day on the water with them however, you just want to go have a good time.
When I pulled up to the ramp at Waterfront that day there was one trailer in the parking lot, and it was Geralds.
Rumor had it, that day would be the hottest day of the year in Alabama.
It was.
With 100% humidity, temps pushing 110 degrees and little to no wind, Gerald and I set out to try and coax a few ledge fish from the depths of Lake Guntersville. We fished and talked about his career, his future, sponsors, people, other fisherman, you name it, we talked about it. We both took a swim in the river as the wind died and the sun was absolutely brutal.
The silver lining to the heat though..... we caught them. Caught the absolute crap out of them and my sides hurt not from the hooksets, but from laughing so hard all day at Gerald.
Gerald and his wife Leanne, often referred to as "Lulu," are some of the best people in this industry. Sure, Gerald is one of the funniest guys on tour and one you cannot wait to cross the weigh-in stage because of his comedic interviews with emcee Dave Mercer, but there is a serious side to Gerald as well and it centers around his family and friends.
That "give you the shirt off his back" mentality is not just a persona, its a reality. Both Gerald and Lulu care not only for each other, other anglers and thier families, but also the industry as well.
On our little fishing trip that day we talked about a number of things and the health of the Bass Fishing Industry was one of them. If you dont think a guy like Gerald keeps his finger on the pulse of that stuff, you are mistaken. He's a saavy dude both on and off the water.
So whats my take on our newly crowned BASS Angler of the Year?
I could'nt be more excited!
Not only because Gerlad is a friend, but because I know he will represent the BASS, the industry and his peers well over the next year.
When he won Sunday night, my wife and I both were trying to figure out how to get a ticket to next years Classic Banquet just so we could hear Gerald's speech, simply because we know it will be epic.
Congratulations G, from myself, my family and from all of us at AnglersChannel.com, Congrats.
We are Proud of you for perservering and never giving up throughout the year and for bringing that trophy home!
Lets go fishing! but on a cooler day next time........
Thanks and God Bless,
CB
Bryan Schmitt Takes A 7 Ounce Lead Into The Final Day Of The Bass Northern Open On Lake Champlain
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The Classic Bass Fishing Hook Redefined Thanks To Trapper Tackle
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Tidewater Bassin' - To Run The Tides, Or To Camp?
For instance, when the water rises many, though not all, fish go with it to take advantage of fresh feeding opportunities. Likewise, as the tide goes out and the water falls, fish concentrate along the deepest edges of whatever cover they are using, whether that is a laydown log, a big grass bed or one of those hundred-yard-long docks we find on the shallower banks of the St Johns.
Hank Parker figured it out decades ago and that simple understanding of how fish move during tidal fluctuations allowed him to follow them with a spinnerbait and win a big Bassmaster tourney on the big river.
Some guys consult tide charts and run miles to get on an area during a particular stage. Generally, the last 2 hours of outgoing through the first hour of incoming is considered best because bait and bass are concentrated in the last available deep water, thus creating a fairly predictable scenario.
As the Bassmaster tournament trails visit various tidewater fisheries this summer, an age-old question comes to mind: “Do I have to run miles of river and keep pace with a particular tide stage, or can I win by camping in an area, maybe on one great spot, and riding out the tidal fluctuations?”.
At the Bassmaster Open on the James River last week most successful anglers followed the low end of the tide as they cast to any hard cover that might break the current, which needed to be moving in order to produce bites.
The main constant for winner, Charley Hartley was a lure, not a location. Hartley used a ribbon-tailed worm on a 3/16 oz. sinker and hit as many as 500 pilings, logs, barges, etc. each day.
Runner-up Cody Pike relied on a single deep spot (“deep” meaning 5-to-10 feet) to catch his limit before looking for difference-making kicker fish, but even in the honey hole tide stage was a factor. It had to be low and moving.
David Dudley placed 3rd by “tidal junk fishing” – running the low end of the tide phase and fishing any available hard cover.
Jason Christie rode up shallow and back out as tides moved across the grass flat where he caught his fish on the Potomac. photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
But when the Elite Series fished the Potomac recently, the top finishers, including winner, Justin Lucas, all camped. Lucas stayed on the same area for 4 days and used different tactics to keep with the changing tides.
Jason Christie stayed with a big grass bed. He rode the water up as it rose into the shallows. He had better action when it dropped and he focused his efforts on the outside edges where the bass congregated at low tide.
Brent Ehrler fished a big ditch that ran through a big flat. He rotated through three different lures to get the job done.
So there are 2 approaches to tidewater success. Which camp are you in – the camping camp, or the tide-running camp?
Brent Erhler scored well on the Potomac by cycling through a variety of lures rather than trying to keep pace with the tides by running to numerous spots. photo by Garrick Dixon/B.A.S.S.
Elite Series Pro Randall Tharp Talks Zoom Z-Craw And Z-Craw Jr
Elite Series Pro Randall Tharp spent s few minutes with us this spring talking about the Zoom Z-Craw which he uses in a number of different ways as well as he introduces us to the Zoom Z-Craw Junior for finesse or low profile situations. Check them both out here at Sportsmans Warehouse!