AnglersChannel

Unfamiliar Waters No Problem For Elite Series Rookie Of The Year Challenger David Williams

“It's my first trip to Kentucky Lake so it's going to be an experience like all the rest of them have been,” said the Maiden, N.C., pro who, while a rookie on the Elite circuit, has a lot of experience in FLW Outdoors tournaments. “Most of the BFL All Americans that I made were on lake where it was my first time there.”

In those All American championships Williams finished in the top 20 all four times, with two top 5s – 5th in 2013 and 3rd in 2012. He has fared nearly as well on the bigger stage this year in the Elite Series and at midway of the season finds himself ranked 3rd in the Rookie of the Year standings.

He won the Bassmaster Southern Open Series standings in 2014 to qualify to fish the Elite Series this year. And, although a rookie on the Elite circuit, he won the Bassmaster Weekend Series Championship in 2008 to qualify for the 2009 Bassmaster Classic.

Although April was not a very good month with finishes well down in the standings at Guntersville and on the Sacramento River in California, Williams finished 16th at Lake Tohopekaliga in March to start the Elite season and then surprised everyone – including himself – with a 5th place finish at Lake Havasu in Arizona in early May.

“The season has gone pretty well,” Williams said. “I have had two good events where I have been in contention. If not for one bad day in Texas with a mechanical issue on my boat, I probably would have had a shot to win there. And I was just one or two bites away at Havasu.”

Ironically, he said, his best practices were at the two sites where he did not do well in the tournaments.

“On the California Delta I was on so many big fish it was unbelievable. I could not wait for the tournament, but when it started my fish went South. I could not figure out how to catch them.”

Havasu was where everyone sat up and took notice, however.

“Havasu scared me to death. It has no history at all, nobody knows anything about it. You could literally see fish swimming 15 to 20 feet deep. Initially I thought the tournament would probably be won by a drop shot or finesse fishing.”

But in practice, he discovered the fish were just like bass back home. They would hide under any cover they could find.

“They would bite, too. They were not shy at all, like you would expect in clear water,” said Williams, who weighed four daily limits for a total of 62.14 pounds to take 5th place and move into 3rd in the ROY standings.

So, while he has never been on Kentucky Lake, the mystery of the fish there does not faze him, he said.

“Anytime I go somewhere that I don't have any history I do my best,” he said.

That could play into his favor for the Kentucky Lake Elite, but the familiarity he gains in practicing for and fishing the Elite tournament next week could set him up with just enough experience to do well in the 2015 All American which is scheduled just two weeks after the Elite tournament.

“Hopefully I can find them pretty good next week during the Elite tournament and have some fish to go back to in the All American,” he said.

Bassmaster Elite Series

Jun 3-7, 2015

Kentucky-Barkley Lakes

www.bassmaster.com

by AnglersChannel

Herring Bite Key To Winning Carolinas Bass Challenge Sc Division Tournament On Hartwell

“Fishing has been great at Hartwell lately, with winning weights coming in well over 20 pounds,” Collins said. “The teams that capitalize on the early morning bite will come out on top this time of year at Hartwell. Big spots and largemouth bass will make up the creel.”

Going into the tournament Wayne Frierson and Ronnie Mueller are leading the SC Division points, just ahead of Chris Marshall and Josh Gardner. Although Marshall and Gardner won the season opener on Lake Murray, Frierson and Mueller have turned in steady performances in all three tournaments to secure the lead, with two top 20 finishes.

“This deep into the schedule a lot of the teams have qualified, but we still expect a good crowd Saturday,” Collins said.

The Carolinas Bass Challenge is experiencing a banner year, he said, with numbers up over previous years and a lot of new teams joining. A big reason is the money involved, with the opportunity for a major payday at every tournament, he added.

“Multiple teams have won over $10,000 and the Skeeter Bonus Dollars the CBC offers on top of the Skeeter Real Money has been a huge addition,” Collins said. “This year we have been paying back the $5,000 at each event in three places – $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000.”

Collins also thanked the fishermen for their support, noting their participation in the tournaments is the key to the success of the CBC.

“We will also send another big number of teams to the Bassmaster Team Championship on Lake Guntersville later this year. Last year we sent 22 teams and it looks to be about the same this year,” he said.

Collins also said he will try to have the 2016 schedule out late this summer so anglers can start making their plans for next year.

Carolinas Bass Challenge - South Carolina Division

Sat, May 30, 2015

Lake Hartwell

Portman Shoals Marina

Call Brett Collins 803-413-7521

www.carolinasbasschallenge.com

by AnglersChannel

How The Usc Anglers Won The College National Championship On Lake Murray

When the FLW College Fishing National Championship began on Lake Murray April 16, Anthony Gagliardi, who won the Forrest Wood Cup on the lake last August, texted a message to Roger Metz, host of the Woods and Water S.C. radio show in Greenville who was on a spectator boat:

“Tell those guys don't cut it as close as I did.”

The University of South Carolina team of Gettys Brannon of Gaffney, S.C., and Patrick Walters of Summerville, S.C., did not disappoint Gagliardi, who ironically is a graduate of Clemson University, the Gamecocks' bitter rival in most sports competitions.

In the August FLW championship Gagliardi, who lives a few miles from Lake Murray in Prosperity, S.C., beat Scott Canterbury of Springville, Ala., by just 1 ounce. Brannon and Walters won the college national championship over the Liberty University of Lynchburg, Va., team of Travis Rulle and Caleb Eppler, who led the tournament the first two days, by a solid 1 pound, 5 ounces.

The FLW Tour pro's win in August mirrored the USC Anglers' drive to the championship in April. Gagliardi started in 7^th place on the first and second days, improved to 3^rd on the third day and won it on the fourth and final day. Brannon and Walters started in 6^th place the first day, improved to 2^nd place on the second day and then won it on the third day. Their win completed the trifecta of bass fishing championships in the past year – Gagliardi's win in the Forrest Wood Cup on Murray in August; Casey Ashley, who hails from Donalds, S.C., won the Bassmaster Classic on Lake Hartwell in February; and the USC team claimed the college fishing championship on Lake Murray in April.

Patrick Walters fights a largemouth to the boat. Photo by Pat RobertsonBrannon and Walters formed a team two years ago when Walters was a freshman and Brannon a sophomore. They are alike in many respects, but often very different in their approach to fishing – a combination that seems to be ideal for team fishing.

“Patrick is a big shallow water fisherman and I like to fish out deep,” Brannon said. “So, instead of having just one option on the boat during a tournament we always have something to fall back on. What we have discovered is that we just click when it's tournament time because we make good decisions together.”

For Walters it is the common drive to succeed that makes them click as a team.

“We want to achieve the same goal. We want to win and we are going to do whatever it takes to win. We know somebody on the boat is up to the job and we talk about everything.”

While both have spent countless hours and days on Lake Murray and felt they knew the lake pretty well, they sought out the advice of local bass fishing guru Doug Lown of Newberry who has chronicled the species and fishing for bass on the lake for many years. The best advice Lown offered, Brannon said, was to keep their minds right.

“He gave us a lot of intel about the fish, but just being mentally prepared and talking with someone who has that much knowledge about the lake definitely gave us an edge,” Brannon said. “But we had a lot of good help around the lake. Getting close to the locals and making good friends of all of them was a good move on our part,”

Following Lown's advice, the Gamecock team concentrated on bass chasing blueback herring, which were beginning to spawn.

“His best advice was on decision making, not where to go,” Brannon said. “We knew the bite was going to turn off each day around 9 o'clock and we had better have a limit by then. We did that and then we went after roaming fish. We knew if we could cull four or five times by the end of the day we would have close to 18 pounds.”

The main lure for Brannon and Walters was a Zoom Fluke to imitate the herring. They also threw a square-billed Lucky Craft and a square-billed Rick Clunn crankbait, plus a Smasher, a Sebille-type bait. When the wind died they drug a Zoom Trick worm on a Carolina rig with a half-ounce bullet weight and the also used a Shakey Head with a Greenfish Crawbait at times. Some of their bigger bass came on a Megabass 110 jerkbait, Brannon said.

“Our game plan was to hit as many points as we could since the herring spawn was starting,” Walters said. “We knew if we could get 17 to 20 pounds a day we'd be right where we wanted to be.”

The USC anglers beamed with confidence throughout the tournament, apparently unconcerned by not being in the lead the first two days. Their main concern was maintaining consistency, Walters said.

“I did not want to be sitting in first place during the tournament. Going into the second day I did not want to be in the top 5 and we were in 6^th place,” Walters said. “On the final day we had jumped up to 2nd place so we went out to catch as many fish as we could and try to cull up.”

But the day did not go exactly as planned. The pattern the first two days was to work the fluke early and then go with the Carolina rig once the wind laid. On the final day the wind was not blowing early and they only caught one little 12-inch bass on the first three points they hit with the fluke.

“We were a little worried that we had hit three of our best spots and did not have a fish yet,” Walters said. “We caught a 4-pounder on the Carolina rig and then the wind came up and the fish started coming up schooling. Once they started hitting the fluke we ran as many points as we could.”

They weighed a limit at 17 pounds, 1 ounce, to take the lead and the championship to the cheers of a bipartisan crowd of Gamecock fans, many of whom came out of Carolina Stadium at the conclusion of the USC-Vanderbilt baseball game to watch the weigh-in.

“Everybody who knows me knows I always have something to say,” said Brannon, “but when Forrest Wood gave us the jacket and our bids to the Forrest Wood Cup I could not find the right words to describe it.”

“Being there with all your family and your friends on your home lake is what you dream about,” Walters said. “You could not have written a script any better.”

by AnglersChannel

Thinking Big Is Key To Winning Toyota Texas Bass Classic On Lake Fork

“The water is about 4 feet higher than it was last year when I was here,” Arey said. “The fish are a lot more scattered and I feel like there are a few more up shallow, but I think the tournament will be won out deep.”

Arey said it took almost 50 pounds total the first two days to make the cut for the final day in 2014, but, with the field reduced from 50 anglers in 2014 to just 35 in 2015, it might take another 10 pounds to make the cut.

“I hate to say it, but I think it will take 30 pounds a day. That's what I am fishing for,” he said.

And to get that sized bag each day, he added, anglers will have to wade through the tons of white bass mixed in with the largemouths.

“You have to figure out a bait that you are not going to catch 10,000 white bass on,” he said, “so that means big baits – big spoons, big swim baits, big crankbaits.”

Winner of the Forrest Wood Cup as a co-angler in 2006, the Shelby, N.C. angler made the switch to the front of the boat the following year and has steadily improved his game every year. He is currently ranked 24th on the FLW Tour with two top 15s, including a win on Beaver Lake in April.

Arey owns and operates a guide business (http://www.rackandreeloutfitters.com) on Lakes Wylie and Norman with Bassmaster Elite Pro Andy Montgomery. In the off-season he enjoys bowhunting for whitetails and spending time with his wife Emily and daughter Reese.

The 2015 final field is made up of the top 15 anglers in 2014 Angler of the Year points from both the FLW and Bassmaster Elite Series. Other notable anglers include 2014 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year, Greg Hackney, 2013 recipient and 2014 runner-up Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Aaron Martens, and Andy Morgan, 2014 and 2013 FLW Tour Angler of the Year.

Along with the coveted title of TTBC Champion, the anglers will be battling it out for two additional awards: the Toyota Tundra Big Bass Award and the LEER Heavy Weight Award. The Toyota Tundra Big Bass Award is new to the 2015 event. The angler who catches the single heaviest fish from any of the three days of the competition will win a 2015 Toyota Tundra. The LEER Heavy Weight Award is awarded to the angler with the heaviest total weight of fish from any of the three days of the tournament will win a LEER truck cap.

Toyota Texas Bass Classic

May 23-25, 2015

Lake Fork

Sabine River Authority

www.toyotatexasbassclassic.com

by AnglersChannel

Southeast Rayovac Points Leader Living His Dream Of Being A Pro Angler

Mark Daniels Jr

Mark Daniels Jr. is sitting on top of the points in the Rayovac Series Southeast Division heading into the tournament on Lake Seminole, which starts Thursday, and he was spending Wednesday trying to figure out how to hold onto his slim 2-point lead over Trevor Fitzgerald of Belleview, Fla.

“I've had a really tough practice so far,” Daniels said late Tuesday evening. “I am not familiar with the lake; it's my first time here, so I am trying to figure it all out.”

Daniels, a transplanted Californian now living in Tuskegee, Ala., said the shallow water bite – fishing grass lines, throwing topwater and flipping shallow cover – was not panning out for him “like I would like it to. So, he planned to move deep Wednesday in search of some offshore fish.

Daniels, who won the TBF National Championship in 2013, is now “Living the Dream” of professional bass fishing. That win included the use of a wrapped Chevy Silverado and Ranger Boat, as well as entry fees into the 2014 FLW Tour season. 

He finished well down in the standings in 2014, but this year he already has a top 10 finish on the tour and he has two top 10s in Rayovac competition, finishing 4^th at Lake Okeechobee in January and 8^th at Lake Guntersville in March.

Once he had the opportunity become a pro angler, he jumped at it, leaving his job as a full-time Agriculture Biologist for Soloano County in California and moving to Tuskegee to try to earn a living fishing.

“I am now full-time fishing, living in Tuskegee, Ala., and getting adjusted to doing it full time,” Daniels said. “I was born and raised in the Bay Area and spent my entire life there except for five years going to school in Tuskegee.”

Daniels explained that his older sister, who now lives in Birmingham, graduated from Tuskegee University and convinced him to come there for college – a good choice, he said.

“I was not thinking about going to college at first, but she talked me into coming to Tuskegee. I was interested in environmental science and she just helped me along the way.”

Besides a college degree, which led to a good job, Daniels said he found something else very valuable in Tuskegee – his fiance.

“She lives in Tuskegee and knowing I would be on the road so much, it was just easier for her to have some family support while I was fishing,” he said. “Pro fishing is different, tough at times, being away from family. But it is an absolute dream for me, something I have been striving for as a child.”

Pros will fish for a top award of $40,000 plus a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard if Ranger Cup guidelines are met. Co-anglers will cast for a top award consisting of a Ranger Z117 with 90-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard and $5,000 if Ranger Cup guidelines are met.

The Rayovac FLW Series consists of five divisions – Central, Northern, Southeast, Texas and Western. Each division consists of three tournaments and competitors will be vying for valuable points in each division that could earn them the opportunity to fish in the Rayovac FLW Series Championship. The 2015 Rayovac FLW Series Championship will be held Oct. 29-31 on the Ohio River in Paducah, Ky.

FLW Rayovac Series – Southeast #3

May 21-23, 2015

Lake Seminole

Bainbridge Boat Basin

www.flwoutdoors.com

by AnglersChannel

'ride The Tide' Key For Wolfson Hospital Tournament On St. John's River

“Just follow the moving water,” McCullough said. “The direction of the tide matters less than the fact that it is moving.”

And, he noted, “They are catching them a variety of ways right now.”

A good game plan, he said, would be to fish the eel grass with soft plastics like a Senko, a toad or a trick worm on points on the outgoing tide, adding that there should also be a good topwater bite over the eel grass. McCullough said the Strike Cane Rage Toad, the Gambler Cane Toad and the Storm Horny Toad are producing good limits of bass right now.

“We've got a new moon on Sunday so the water is going to move a lot. Once it starts going out on a nearly new moon it is really going to move,” he said. That, he added means numbers of fish will be caught on Saturday.

“Fishing is going to be good and a lot of fish are going to be caught,” McCullough said. “We've had a long, cold spring, but all of a sudden the last three or four days have been in the high 90s here. I think the fish will kick into a post spawn mode, if they have not already.”

Anglers can head north or south out of the Palatka City Docks and expect to catch good numbers of quality bass, he said.

“Both ends are on fire. You just need to stay with the moving tide.”

McCullough said the tournament annually draws more than 450 boats and the goal this year is to top 500 boats.

Billed as the second largest bass tournament in the nation, Wolfson Children's Hospital Bass Tournament has raised more than $2 million for the children's hospital. The Wolfson Children's Hospital Bass Tournament Endowment provides for the educational needs of patients and staff and supports equipment purchases for the hospital.

Wolfson Children’s Hospital Charity Bass Tournament

Sat, May 16, 2015

St Johns River

Palatka City Docks

(904) 360-4531

http://foundation.baptistjax.com/basstournament

by AnglersChannel

Find The Bluegills, Find The Bass In The Chattanooga Bass Association Tournament On Chickamauga Lake

“The post-spawn pattern for the bluegill is where the bass are right now,” Ferguson said. “They are just making a meal out of bluegills.”

Ferguson said several anglers in a tournament on the lake last weekend had bluegills in their live wells that had been regurgitated by bass they brought to the weigh-in.

“The Chickamauga is in several different phases right now. There is still a little bit of pre-spawn activity, we've got the spawn and post-spawn and we have some fish that have already migrated to the deep water areas. The deep water pattern is not necessarily the greatest right now, but there are still fish to be caught there.”

With all the patterns available and the bluegill pattern red hot right now, fishing should be really good for the tournament Saturday, Ferguson said. The only possible fly in the ointment is the weather, which may not cooperate, he noted.

“We are looking at some strong thunderstorms that are supposed to move through on Saturday, but we will just have to see how that comes out.”

No matter, the weather, he added, there will be some heavy bags of bass brought to the scales Saturday.

“There will be some people who will have fish and there will be some who struggle, but it will take 30 pounds to win the tournament,” Ferguson predicted.

Under the new CBA rules for 2015, the Alabama/Tennessee Rig is banned. No umbrella-type rigging, harness of other device designed to hold more than one lure at a time – with or without hooks – is allowed.

The CBA's 2015 schedule includes: May 16, June 6 (Night), June 27 (Day). July 11 (Day), July 25 (Night), Aug. 15 (Day), Aug. 29 (Night), Sept. 19 and Oct. 10, with the Classic Nov. 7-8.

Chattanooga Bass Association

Sat, May 16, 2015

Chickamauga Lake

Chester Frost Park

Call 423-593-3343

www.cbatournament.com

by AnglersChannel

Evers Sacks 20 Pounds, Leads Elites On Havasu

LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. – The wind was blowing hard across Lake Havasu before daylight Thursday, and it only got worse throughout the day as it sometimes pushed 30 miles per hour.

But big gusts and even bigger waves weren’t enough to keep the scenic fishery on the California-Arizona border from showing just how far it’s come.

Oklahoma pro Edwin Evers caught five bass that weighed 20 pounds, 7 ounces to take the Day 1 lead in the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Havasu presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels. He was one of 20 anglers to bring at least 16-0 to the scales on a day when many elected to fish close to the launch site instead of making rough journeys along the Colorado River.

Phoenix, Ariz., pro John Murray was second with 19-8. He was followed by Matthew Herren of Ashville, Ala., with 18-9; Randall Tharp of Port St. Joe, Fla., with 18-3; and Mike Kernan of Wylie, Texas, with 18-2.

“It was a great day, but I wasn’t really doing anything special,” Evers said. “It’s not like I’ve got one area I can go into and find a big school of fish. I’m going to have to fish new water all week, and hopefully find more fish like I caught today. The fish are out there, but it’s going to be a week of adjustments, for sure.”

A 20-pound bag was once considered virtually impossible on Havasu, but anglers raved Thursday about the lake’s metamorphosis. Murray, who has been fishing Havasu for three decades, said he once enjoyed fishing tournaments on the lake because he knew it wouldn’t take much to win.

He said things are different now.

“I’m fishing techniques I don’t normally fish, actually a technique that I used to win a tournament on this lake 23 years ago,” Murray said. “I’ve been fishing this lake since 1985. Back then, it took about 10 pounds to win here. I’m fishing the same spots now and just catching bigger fish.”

Murray said he believes the size of the bass on Havasu began improving when quagga mussels appeared during the early 1990s.

Quaggas are an invasive Ukrainian species that most believe were accidentally introduced into the lake. The mussels often settle in massive colonies that can block water intakes and affect municipal water supplies, causing billions of dollars in damage.

But Murray said the quaggas actually jumpstarted Havasu’s fish growth.

“Quagga mussels kicked the food chain into high gear,” Murray said. “Divers say the crawdads are all over the bottom, and the redear (sunfish) are growing to world-record size now. Before the quaggas showed up, fish this size just weren’t here.”

While some anglers were bothered by the high winds Thursday, others, like Murray, said it actually helped their cause on a lake as clear as Havasu.

“The wind is why they bite,” Murray said. “If we didn’t have the wind today, it would have been a battle – at least for my stuff. I saw the weather forecast, and I geared my tackle for the wind.”

If the forecast is correct and the wind is much lighter for Friday’s second round, Murray said he might have to use some new tricks to further his success. Tharp and other pros said it isn’t likely to have much effect on their tactics either way.

“I really only saw one other angler doing what I’m doing,” said Tharp, who needed the good day after finishing 61st, 84th and 98th in the first three Elite Series events of the season. “I caught my fish early and then spent most of the day running new water, looking for something I could use the rest of the week. I actually got three bites this afternoon and didn’t set the hook.

“I know it does for some, but I honestly don’t believe the wind makes any difference for what I’m doing.”

The tournament will resume with take-off at 6:15 a.m. Friday from Lake Havasu State Park. Weigh-in is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. back at the park, with only the Top 52 anglers advancing to Saturday.
2015 Bassmaster Elite at Lake Havasu presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels 5/7-5/10
Lake Havasu, Lake Havasu City  AZ.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1

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

1.  Edwin Evers            Talala, OK               5  20-07  100
Day 1: 5   20-07
2.  John Murray            Phoenix, AZ              5  19-08   99
Day 1: 5   19-08
3.  Matt Herren            Ashville, AL             5  18-09   98
Day 1: 5   18-09
4.  Randall Tharp          Port St. Joe, FL         5  18-03   97
Day 1: 5   18-03
5.  Mike Kernan            Wylie, TX                5  18-02   96
Day 1: 5   18-02
6.  Shaw Grigsby Jr.       Gainesville, FL          5  17-15   95
Day 1: 5   17-15
7.  Bobby Lane Jr.         Lakeland, FL             5  17-13   94
Day 1: 5   17-13
8.  Kelly Jordon           Flint, TX                5  17-12   93
Day 1: 5   17-12
9.  Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ               5  17-08   92
Day 1: 5   17-08
10. Kevin VanDam           Kalamazoo, MI            5  17-06   91
Day 1: 5   17-06
11. Stephen Browning       Hot Springs, AR          5  16-11   90
Day 1: 5   16-11
11. Alton Jones            Lorena, TX               5  16-11   90
Day 1: 5   16-11
11. Greg Vinson            Wetumpka, AL             5  16-11   90
Day 1: 5   16-11
14. David Williams         Maiden, NC               5  16-08   87
Day 1: 5   16-08
15. Casey Scanlon          Lanexa, KS               5  16-07   86
Day 1: 5   16-07
16. Jacob Powroznik        Port Haywood, VA         5  16-05   85
Day 1: 5   16-05
17. Kevin Hawk             Guntersville, AL         5  16-04   84
Day 1: 5   16-04
18. Josh Bertrand          Gilbert, AZ              5  16-03   83
Day 1: 5   16-03
18. Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL              5  16-03   83
Day 1: 5   16-03
20. James Niggemeyer       Van, TX                  5  16-00   81
Day 1: 5   16-00
21. Justin Lucas           Guntersville, AL         5  15-15   80
Day 1: 5   15-15
22. Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT            5  15-14   79
Day 1: 5   15-14
23. Billy McCaghren        Mayflower, AR            5  15-12   78
Day 1: 5   15-12
23. Brian Snowden          Reeds Spring, MO         5  15-12   78
Day 1: 5   15-12
25. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN            5  15-10   76
Day 1: 5   15-10
26. Micah Frazier          Newnan, GA               5  15-09   75
Day 1: 5   15-09
26. Zell Rowland           Montgomery, TX           5  15-09   75
Day 1: 5   15-09
28. Randy Howell           Springville, AL          5  15-07   73
Day 1: 5   15-07
29. Casey Ashley           Donalds, SC              5  15-06   72
Day 1: 5   15-06
30. Brandon Card           Caryville, TN            5  15-05   71
Day 1: 5   15-05
30. Chris Lane             Guntersville, AL         5  15-05   71
Day 1: 5   15-05
30. Fred Roumbanis         Bixby, OK                5  15-05   71
Day 1: 5   15-05
33. Aaron Martens          Leeds, AL                5  15-04   68
Day 1: 5   15-04
33. Takahiro Omori         Emory, TX                5  15-04   68
Day 1: 5   15-04
35. Davy Hite              Ninety Six, SC           5  15-02   66
Day 1: 5   15-02
35. Jared Lintner          Arroyo Grande, CA        5  15-02   66
Day 1: 5   15-02
37. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville, FL          5  15-01   64
Day 1: 5   15-01
38. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN           5  14-12   63
Day 1: 5   14-12
38. David Walker           Sevierville, TN          5  14-12   63
Day 1: 5   14-12
40. Mark Davis             Mount Ida, AR            5  14-11   61
Day 1: 5   14-11
41. Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL               5  14-09   60
Day 1: 5   14-09
41. Jeff Kriet             Ardmore, OK              5  14-09   60
Day 1: 5   14-09
43. Terry Scroggins        San Mateo, FL            5  14-08   58
Day 1: 5   14-08
44. Yusuke Miyazaki        Forney, TX               5  14-07   57
Day 1: 5   14-07
45. Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA             5  14-07   56
Day 1: 5   14-07
46. Seth Feider            Bloomington, MN          5  14-06   55
Day 1: 5   14-06
46. Britt Myers            Lake Wylie, SC           5  14-06   55
Day 1: 5   14-06
46. David Smith            Del City, OK             5  14-06   55
Day 1: 5   14-06
49. Brandon Palaniuk       Rathdrum, ID             5  14-06   52
Day 1: 5   14-06
50. Chad Pipkens           Holt, MI                 5  14-05   51
Day 1: 5   14-05
50. Scott Rook             Little Rock, AR          5  14-05   51
Day 1: 5   14-05
52. Dean Rojas             Lake Havasu City, AZ     5  14-01   49
Day 1: 5   14-01
53. Russ Lane              Prattville, AL           5  13-15   48
Day 1: 5   13-15
54. Ott DeFoe              Knoxville, TN            5  13-14   47
Day 1: 5   13-14
54. Brent Ehrler           Newport Beach, CA        5  13-14   47
Day 1: 5   13-14
56. Chad Morgenthaler      Coulterville, IL         5  13-11   45
Day 1: 5   13-11
57. Jason Christie         Park Hill, OK            5  13-10   44
Day 1: 5   13-10
57. Gary Klein             Weatherford, TX          5  13-10   44
Day 1: 5   13-10
59. Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY              5  13-09   42
Day 1: 5   13-09
60. Michael Iaconelli      Pitts Grove, NJ          5  13-08   41
Day 1: 5   13-08
61. Kurt Dove              Del Rio, TX              5  13-07   40
Day 1: 5   13-07
61. Jared Miller           Norman, OK               5  13-07   40
Day 1: 5   13-07
63. Randy Allen            Shreveport, LA           5  13-05   38
Day 1: 5   13-05
64. Todd Faircloth         Jasper, TX               5  13-03   37
Day 1: 5   13-03
65. Gerald Swindle         Warrior, AL              5  12-15   36
Day 1: 5   12-15
66. Koby Kreiger           Bokeelia, FL             5  12-15   35
Day 1: 5   12-15
67. Brent Chapman          Lake Quivira, KS         5  12-14   34
Day 1: 5   12-14
68. Tommy Biffle           Wagoner, OK              5  12-12   33
Day 1: 5   12-12
68. Dennis Tietje          Roanoke, LA              5  12-12   33
Day 1: 5   12-12
70. Jordan Lee             Vinemont, AL             5  12-09   31
Day 1: 5   12-09
70. Bradley Roy            Lancaster, KY            5  12-09   31
Day 1: 5   12-09
72. Rick Clunn             Ava, MO                  5  12-08   29
Day 1: 5   12-08
73. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA                5  12-07   28
Day 1: 5   12-07
74. Ish Monroe             Hughson, CA              5  12-06   27
Day 1: 5   12-06
74. Cliff Pace             Petal, MS                5  12-06   27
Day 1: 5   12-06
76. Keith Poche            Pike Road, AL            5  12-03   25
Day 1: 5   12-03
77. Kenyon Hill            Norman, OK               5  12-02   24
Day 1: 5   12-02
77. Ken Iyobe              Tokoname  Aichi JAPAN    5  12-02   24
Day 1: 5   12-02
77. Kevin Short            Mayflower, AR            5  12-02   24
Day 1: 5   12-02
80. Matt Reed              Madisonville, TX         5  12-00   21
Day 1: 5   12-00
81. Jonathon VanDam        Kalamazoo, MI            5  11-15   20
Day 1: 5   11-15
82. Carl Jocumsen          Queensland TX AUSTRALIA  5  11-09   19
Day 1: 5   11-09
82. Marty Robinson         Lyman, SC                5  11-09   19
Day 1: 5   11-09
84. Andy Montgomery        Blacksburg, SC           5  11-05   17
Day 1: 5   11-05
85. Morizo Shimizu         Suita, Osaka JAPAN       4  11-03   16
Day 1: 4   11-03
86. Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN         5  11-02   15
Day 1: 5   11-02
87. Scott Ashmore          Broken Arrow, OK         5  10-15   14
Day 1: 5   10-15
87. Kelley Jaye            Dadeville, AL            5  10-15   14
Day 1: 5   10-15
89. Nate Wellman           Newaygo, MI              5  10-10   12
Day 1: 5   10-10
90. Cliff Crochet          Pierre Part, LA          5  10-05   11
Day 1: 5   10-05
91. Kevin Ledoux           Choctaw, OK              4  10-05   10
Day 1: 4   10-05
92. Mike McClelland        Bella Vista, AR          5  10-02    9
Day 1: 5   10-02
93. Boyd Duckett           Guntersville, AL         4  10-01    8
Day 1: 4   10-01
94. Charlie Hartley        Grove City, OH           5  09-09    7
Day 1: 5   09-09
95. Brett Hite             Phoenix, AZ              4  09-08    6
Day 1: 4   09-08
96. Chris Zaldain          San Jose, CA             4  08-14    5
Day 1: 4   08-14
97. Hank Cherry Jr         Maiden, NC               4  08-06    4
Day 1: 4   08-06
98. Keith Combs            Huntington, TX           5  08-04    3
Day 1: 5   08-04
98. Fletcher Shryock       New Philadelphia, OH     5  08-04    3
Day 1: 5   08-04
100. Jason Williamson       Wagener, SC              3  07-05    1
Day 1: 3   07-05
101. Derek Remitz           Grant, AL                3  07-04    0
Day 1: 3   07-04
102. James Elam             Tulsa, OK                3  07-01    0
Day 1: 3   07-01
103. Matt Lee               Auburn , AL              3  06-10    0
Day 1: 3   06-10
104. Byron Velvick          Boenre, TX               3  06-05    0
Day 1: 3   06-05
105. Skeet Reese            Auburn, CA               3  06-00    0
Day 1: 3   06-00
106. Brandon Coulter        Knoxville, TN            3  05-11    0
Day 1: 3   05-11
107. Joseph Sancho          New Windsor, NY          3  05-08    0
Day 1: 3   05-08
108. J Todd Tucker          Moultrie, GA             2  05-07    0
Day 1: 2   05-07
109. Tim Horton             Muscle Shoals, AL        3  04-11    0
Day 1: 3   04-11
110. Kotaro Kiriyama        Moody, AL                2  04-02    0
Day 1: 2   04-02
111. Stephen Longobardi     Northford, CT            2  03-15    0
Day 1: 2   03-15
112. Paul Elias             Laurel, MS               2  03-03    0
Day 1: 2   03-03
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        93       524      1457-04
----------------------------------
93       524      1457-04

by AnglersChannel

Warriors On The Water Tournament Going Strong, Will Celebrate 10Th Anniversary On Jordan Lake

Abshire replied: “We are going to make it bigger and better.”

When he told his fellow organizers, they reminded him: “We don't have any money.”

But Abshire said he thought about the line in the movie, Field of Dreams – “If you build it, they will come....” – and figured if they held the tournament, everybody would come again. And they did, and have every year for the first nine years.

The 10^th anniversary tournament will be held Friday, May 15, on Jordan Lake. Abshire has made sure it was bigger and better every year amd everything is lining up to make sure the 10^th Wounded Warrior Tournament is a truly memorable one.

The celebration of military men and women begins on Tuesday with a special event, Abshire said. “It's something that has never been done before. Nine of our participants, including some of the fishermen and sponsors, will do a tandem parachute jump with the Golden Knights from Fort Bragg. Celebrity jumpers will include bass pro Mark Rogers and Champion race car driver Ronnie Proctor of Proctor Racing. In addition to Rogers, another pro angler, Jeff Coble, also will take a military serviceman fishing on Friday.

On Wednesday three of the volunteer anglers who team with the military fishermen in the tournament will participate in the annual Little Heroes Program. They will take their boats and equipment to some of the Fort Bragg area schools and tell the kids about tournament fishing.

Thursday is VIP Day when the sponsors, volunteers, fishermen and others visit Fort Bragg, Pope Field and Simmons Army Air Field to observe military men and women carrying out their daily jobs and missions.

“On Friday we let the military folks see how the fishermen prepare for their battles,” Abshire said. “There will be 150 boats in the tournament so we will have three flights going out – the red, white and blue flights. Each boat will have one troop on board with the fishermen – from the Army, Navy, Air Force or the Marines. All the services will be out there and there is always a neat little rivalry to see which service wins.”

The Big Bass Award has always been named in memory of a fallen military member, but this year it will be named in honor of Mark Rogers' father, Roger Rogers, a veteran of World War II, who was a B-17 bombardier. It will be called the Roger Rogers award.

“We've got tremendous support from our sponsors,” Abshire said. “Allan Ranson, CEO of Strike King Lures, has always provided lures, hats and other products for our military fishermen. Gary Remensnyder, President of Lew's Limited, is giving a Lew's Rod and Reel to each military fisherman.”

In addition, two-time Bassmaster Classic Champion Hank Parker and his son, Ben Parker, who fishes the FLW Rayovac Series, will film a segment for Parker's television show, Hank Parker Outdoors.

Abshire said the Warriors on the Water Tournament will go on, but without him at the helm.

“I’ve been doing it for 10 years now and I gave my retirement speech. I said I just want to fish next year.”

Warriors on the Water® is a non-profit organization, founded by three combat veterans, as a way in which to show continued appreciation to the men and women who serve today.

10th Annual Warriors On The Water Bass Tournament

Fri, May 15, 2015

Jordan Lake - NC

New Hope Ramp

Call Hal Abshire 910-783-9233

www.warriorsonthewater.com

by AnglersChannel

Colley, Bain Hope Home-Lake Advantage Helps Them Move Up In Alabama Bass Trail Points On Logan Martin

“The water is coming up and I think there will be a lot of fish caught. I'm guessing it will take 21-22 pounds to win it and there will be quite a few weights in the 15- to 16-pound range.”

Whoever wins Saturday will probably have a sack of all largemouths, Colley said, although spotted bass likely will dominate the weigh-in.

“There will be mostly spots weighed in and it's not uncommon to catch 3 1/2-pound spots, but I think whoever wins probably will have all largemouths. You can throw a Carolina rig or a Shakey Head off the points and catch all the spots you want, but it will be a matter of finding those 3 1/2- to 4-pound spots to have a chance.”

Some anglers will go up to the headwaters of the lake and some will go down towards the dam, and both should find plenty of fish, he said.

“The way Logan Martin fishes you are liable to catch them anywhere. There are really no certain places better than the others. It's a great fishing lake and the tournament can be won off the bottom end or off the top end of the lake.”

While there are plenty of spotted bass and largemouths holding off the points, Colley said he and teammate Adam Bain of nearby Talladega will fish a largemouth pattern, concentrating on grass and docks. He said most of the bass have spawned, although there may be a few up shallow guarding fry. But, with the water coming up he expects the largemouths to move up with it.

He and Bain hope to improve greatly on the 9 1/2 pounds they weigh in at last year's Logan Martin tournament. They are ranked 10^th in the points this year after an up and down year so far. The finished 69^th to start the season on Guntersville in February, but rebounded strongly with a 9^th place finish on Neely Henry in late March and followed that with 34^th place finish on Lewis Smith Lake three weeks ago.

“If we are going to make a move on the points race, I think Logan Martin is the place to do it,” Colley said.

Alabama Bass Trail - North Division

Sat, May 9, 2015

Logan Martin Lake

Lakeside Landing

Call Kay Donaldson 855-934-7425

www.alabamabasstrail.org

by AnglersChannel

Heavy Bags Expected At Weigh-In For Carolinas Bass Challenge Nc Division Tournament On Lake Hickory

When the North Carolina Division of the Carolina Bass Challenge came to Lake Hickory last year the winners weighed in more than 19 pounds for a five-fish limit and tournament director Brett Collins said it probably will take that much or more in the CBC tournament on Hickory Saturday.

“Lately, it's been taking 25 pounds to win night tournaments on Lake Hickory,” Collins said. “If the water is stained, it will help the fishing Saturday. Hickory can be clear and difficult at times, but add some color and the fishing will pick up.”

Collins said some bass may still be bedding, but the majority should be in post-spawn.

“Look for topwater baits to be working, along with flipping the many docks on the lake,” he said.

The popularity of the challenge series on lakes across the Carolinas continues to grow, Collins said, with anglers not only coming from within the Carolinas, but from other states as well, including Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Ohio. Several times in the past two years tournaments have drawn 200 or more boats.

“We had 156 teams on Hickory last year and we look to have the same number or more for Saturday’s tournament.”

A major reason the tournaments are so popular is the payout at every tournament, he noted.

“First place usually takes home $10,000, plus $1,000 goes to Big Fish. We pay back $5,000 total in Skeeter Bonus, with $2,500 to the highest finishing Skeeter/Yamaha owner, $1,500 to the second highest and $1,000 to third highest. Plus there is Skeeter Real Money in play and that's on top of the Skeeter Bonus.”

Collins said the N.C. Division points race is beginning to heat up, with Thomas Hardwick and Tommy Williams leading the points.

“They will be the team to contend with on Hickory,” he said.

Carolinas Bass Challenge - North Carolina Division

Sat, May 9, 2015

Lake Hickory

Whittenburg Access

Call Brett Collins 803-413-7521

www.carolinasbasschallenge.com

by AnglersChannel