Hite Widens Gap, But Tharp Threatens at FLW Tour on Lake Okeechobee
VICIOUS VISION RIDES WITH KILGORE INTO THE CLASSIC
Vicious Vision adds a fourth 2014 Bassmaster Classic contender to their roster with the signing of David Kilgore. Kilgore qualified for the event by winning the B.A.S.S. Southern Open on Logan Martin last May. David is a perennial contender in the Southern Opens and has been invited to join the B.A.S.S. Elite Series Tour three times. Living about an hour from the lake, he brings a wealth of knowledge for the Guntersville-based Classic to be held February 21-23, 2014. Kilgore will be running a Vicious Vision wrapped boat in that event.
"When I talked to the guys at Vicious about their new line of sunglasses, I was immediately intrigued. After trying them, I knew I wanted to be a part of the team. In a game of ounces, these glasses could make the difference between seeing that one extra piece of cover or a slightly deeper weed line than some of the guys not using the Xperio UV technology. Everyone in this field can fish and is capable of winning this event, so you have to grab every advantage you can. I think these glasses are a true advantage and I can’t wait to get out there and prove it!” stated Kilgore.
“David has been fishing for the guys at Vicious Fishing for years, so when they brought David to me I was already confident in his ability. He is a known threat in that area -- especially on Guntersville. Every year he proves himself in the Southern Opens and we don’t expect him to do any less in 2014. Plus, we are very excited to have a boat wrapped in our brand going to the biggest stage in fishing, the Bassmaster Classic ,” boasted Dr. Doug Jordan, owner.
Allen Leads Frigid Bassmaster Open On Amistad
Randy Allen of Shreveport, La., takes the Day 1 lead in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open presented by Allstate on Lake Amistad in Del Rio, Texas.
DEL RIO, Texas — Former Bassmaster Elite Series pro Randy Allen went into scramble mode to overcome a slow start and take the lead at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open presented by Allstate at Lake Amistad.
The Shreveport, La., angler has a comfortable lead in the pro division after catching an 18-pound limit that included a 10-pound, 1-ounce largemouth.
“I knew that we could catch a big fish, but it is just luck of the draw on those big ones,” he said. “I knew that I was around some fish. I just had to keep throwing and hope for the best.”
Morning temperatures were so cold, ice developed in Allen’s rod guides, and he worried that his line might break.
“It kind of scared me this morning with the ice on my guides, especially when that big one got on,” he said. “My biggest fear was that the ice on the guides would cut the line. My hook was bent out, and my drag was frozen.”
He was finally able to steer the fish to his landing net. “The good Lord was with us so it worked out,” he said.
Everything worked out well for Allen, despite two days of practice in which he never got a bite. Through previous scouting trips, Allen had planned out a series of stops where he believed he would find bass.
“Today was just going on a milk run where I knew these fish were and trying to catch them,” said Allen, who didn’t catch a fish until after 10 a.m. “It was a nightmare trying to figure them out. It was just one here and one there. I would catch a couple and then not catch anything for an hour and half. Then I would catch two or three. I just had to hit 10 or 12 spots to get my limit.”
Fellow Louisiana angler Brent Bonadona also got off to a slow start but recovered to catch four keepers weighing 15-6 to move into second place. After fishing shallow until about noon and not catching a bass, Bonadona decided to work a jig 35 feet deep, and that paid off.
“I was actually hoping to go out and just catch a couple of keepers because it has been a rough practice,” he said. “The day went really well, and I exceeded everything I went out to do this morning.”
Rounding out the Top 5 in the pro division were Oklahoma angler Chris Jones in third place with 15-4; Cody Ryan Greaney of Texas, fourth, 15-3; and Troy Broussard of Texas, fifth, 12-13.
Union Pacific Railroad worker Drake Wehrs moved into first in the co-angler division with a three-fish limit weighing 10-10. The 23-year-old New Mexico angler said he would reveal what he caught his fish on at the Friday weigh-in.
“This is the first time I have ever done this (technique),” he said. “It wasn’t anything my partner showed me out there. I just picked it up and started doing it and caught the three keepers I had.”
Hosting the season-opening Central Open is the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce. Anglers will take off Friday and Saturday at 7:30 a.m. local time from Diablo East Marina, U.S. 90 West, Del Rio, Texas 78840. Weigh-ins will be held each day at the same location beginning at 3:30 p.m.
McMillan Latest Pro DQ'd by Revised FLW Rule #5
Brandon McMillan will miss the FLW Tour season-opener on his home water, Lake Okeechobee. Anthony Galiardi and Frank Clark were disqualified under the same revised rule (#5) that stung an unsuspecting McMillan. That brings the total to 3 DQ's under the rule - before the season has even begun.
FLW Tour pro Brandon McMillan and FLW Tour co-angler, Rayovac Series pro Cal Clark have practiced together for a couple of years
So neither man had any reservations about doing so for this week's seaon-opener on Okeechobee. After all, they were on the official roster, right? Both thought so.
It turns out that Clark was not officially entered, according to FLW officials. Hence, the disqualification of McMillan who, unwittingly, fished with an inelligible partner.
McMillan is trhe 3rd pro to be DQ'd from this week's tourney due to revisions FLW made to Rule #5. The pertinent text reads: "Thirty days prior to the first practice day pros are only permitted on tournament waters alone or accompanied by a contestant in the tournament, a member of their immediate family (mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter, grandparent, grandchild or spouse), approved sponsor representatives, approved youth age 18 or younger or approved media representatives. With prior approval from the tournament director, pros may participate in FLW, B.A.S.S. Elite Series, B.A.S.S. Opens, PAA and other pro/am tournaments featuring random partner draws within the 30-day window."
Apparently, Clark had not paid his entire entry fee. But McMillan is paying a huge price. Which leads to the obvious question, 'is there something the FLW organization can do, or should do, to prevent such unfortunate situations from arizing in the future?'
These recent developments will certainly lead some pros to stop practicing with anybody. That causes access problems for co-anglers who want to get out and see how the lake is fishing. Also, having a practice partner can help a pro cut dowm on expenses if expenses are shared between the two anglers.
Any solution will come too late to help McMillan and other anglers affected by the rule change.
Our friends at BassFan.com wrote an in-depth article on this situation - read it here: http://bassfan.com/news_article.asp?ID=4776#.UvO9LrQl9vQ
Lowrance wraps-up Ish Monroe
Along with his promotional responsibilities, Monroe will once again be fishing two tours in 2014.
The work starts today, and as he slides his Ranger Z520c / Yamaha 250 SHO into the waters of Lake Okeechobee today for the first day of competition for the 2014 FLW Tour opener, it will be emblazoned in the colors of Lowrance.
Monroe will be running two boats again this season, and Lowrance and their Insight Genesis mapping products have partnered with Monroe as his title sponsor for the 2014 FLW Tour.
Lowrance has been a large part of Monroe's career successes, and he has always been known as one of the first anglers to utilize every technological advantage when it comes to research of the water; so it was a perfect fit to combine Lowrance and Insight Genesis as his FLW Tour branding.
"I wouldn't have been as effective as an angler without Lowrance Electronics on my boats all these years," said Monroe. "Being able to see the smallest changes in bottom depth or composition has been very improtant to me as a shallow water specialist, and my Lowrance HDS and HDS Touch Fishing Systems have always given me that ability.
He said it has helped him win on tour. "When I won the Bassmaster event on Lake Okeechobee in 2012, I found deeper water in the areas I was fishing," he said. "My Lowrance Fishing Systems picked up the depth and I was able to see that they were abandoned tilapia beds that the bass were using; that was a huge part of my win.
"I am truly honored to be representing Lowrance with my jersey, boat and truck this year on the FLW Tour," he said. "They (Lowrance) have been a major part of my career, they are true partners and I'm proud to be representing them in this way."
Frigid Conditions On Lake Guntersville Could Pose Problems For Bfl Choo Choo Division Anglers
Johnny Patterson won the first 2013 Walmart Bass Fishing League Choo Choo Division Tournament on Lake Guntersville last February, launching his drive to claiming the points championship for the division by season's end.
In notching the first win of the season Patterson weighed in five bass at 31 pounds, 12 ounces, his top personal weight in BFL competition.
However, Patterson, who lives five minutes from the lake, said things are a lot different on Guntersville one year later. And, he acknowledged, the season is not set up nearly as friendly for him this year as it was last year.
In 2013 all the tournaments were on Guntersville, where he was able to stay on top of the fish through the entire season, finishing the year with two 1st places, two more top 10s and one 11th-place finish. This year, two of the five tournaments are on Pickwick Lake, more than 100 miles and nearly a two-hour drive west of Grant, Ala., where Patterson lives, so he will have little opportunity for scouting and practicing before those tournaments.
Then, there is this first tournament on Guntersville which is a lot different lake than it was a year ago this weekend.
“The weather has been a lot colder, so things are completely different, for me anyway,” Patterson said. “The lake has some of the coldest temperatures I have seen in a long, long time. The water is stained, with a lot more color in the water than it was last year.”
On Feb. 9 last year, Patterson caught most of the fish in that monster string of bass fishing deep ledges with an Alabama Rig and a swim bait. He bolstered that pattern, throwing a Rat-L-Trap in the shallow water, which he said is traditionally a strong early spring pattern on Guntersville.
The dominant pattern this Saturday most likely will be in shallow water, Patterson said.
“I think they will probably be in the 4- to 6-foot range. There is a lot of grass left over from last year and I think they will be holding in that grass,” he said. “When the water gets that cold, it gets a little warmer up shallow during the day and those fish head to the shallow water to take advantage of the warmer temperature.”
Patterson said he will probably rely mostly on a Rat-L-Trap and swim bait around the shallow grass Saturday. But he won't use the kind of tactics most anglers rely on when the weather is this cold.
“Guntersville has always been a little backwards from everything you read about fishing,” he said. “On Guntersville, the colder the water is the faster you need to retrieve your bait, which is exactly the opposite of everything you ever read about fishing in colder temperatures.”
Following the Choo Choo Division opener Saturday, the series moves to Pickwick lake out of McFarland Park at Florence, Ala., March 8, then back to Guntersville, out of The Bait, Tackle & Grill at Goose Pond, April 12, back to Pickwick out of McFarland Park at Florence, Ala., June 21, and then wraps up with the two-day final Sept. 20-21 on Lake Guntersille, out of The Bait, Tackle & Grill at Goose Pond, Ala.
Walmart BFL Choo Choo Division
Sat, Feb 8, 2014
Lake Guntersville
The Bait & Tackle Grill at Goose Pond
No Practice, No Problem For Dill In Alabama South Division Opener On Lake Martin
Chris Dill of Hueytown, Ala., says a colder, wetter winter means fishing on Lake Martin is going be a little different this Saturday from a year ago when he weighed in a five-bass limit at 18.21 pounds to win the 2013 Weekend Bass Series Alabama South Division 2 season opener.
“I think it's going to be a little tougher than last year, but the largemouth bite should be good. They should be moving up. If we get a couple of days of warm weather, it would be even better,” said Dill.
“It should be good for spots, too, depending on the water temperature and water color. The largemouths bite better when the water is stained. When the water gets muddy it tends to turn the spots off, but turn the largemouths on.”
Because of his job Dill will not get to practice for the opener on Lake Martin, but that's fine with him. He did not get to practice prior to winning last February either.
“I didn't practice last year and I think that helped me,” he said. “I know where I'm going and I know what I am going to do.”
That means he is going to head for the upper part of the lake Saturday and look for some stained water between Elkahatchie Creek and the upper end of the lake.
“I am going after them with a crankbait and a spinnerbait, and flipping in the trees. If the water is clear enough I will throw a jerkbait some and if it's warm enough, say close to 50 degrees, I'll throw a Rat-L-Trap,” he said. “They really like a Rat-L-trap up there this time of year if the water temperature gets in the 50-degree range. If not, I'll throw a ShadRap, and if it gets above 50s degrees and not real stained, I'll throw a jerkbait a lot and a flat-sided crankbait.”
If the water is really muddy, he said, he will throw a spinnerbait and flip around trees and logjams, and throw the crankbait around rocky points close to spawning areas.
Dill said he will fish the pockets for the largemouths and if the water is running because of all the rain, he will fish along the main points for spotted bass.
“I'll throw a crankbait around the timber and then ease up and flip the timber, he said. Sometimes they don't want to chase a crankbait but if you drop something in front of them they will bite, so I'll be flipping a jig in any treetop I come to.”
The flat-sided crankbait was his go-to bait last year and he repaints the lures with a special color pattern for Lake Martin.
“They don't make that color anymore, but I am in the paint business and I used to be an automobile painter, so I buy the baits in white color and paint them the color I've been using. They like red up there this time of year, so I paint them kind of reddish-orange, with some black and a little chartreuse on the bottom.”
Dill is sponsored by Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards and Airport Marine.
Registration for the tournament begins at 4 p.m. Friday at the Betty Carol Graham Technology Center, on the Central Alabama Community College campus, 1675 Cherokee Road (Highway 63) in Alexander City. Ala.
Alabama South Division schedule: Feb. 8, Lake Martin, Wind Creek State Park; March 15, Lay Lake, Beeswax Creek; May 17, Lake Eufaula, Lakepoint Resort State Park; June 14, Logan Martin Lake, Lakeside Park; with the two-day final Sept. 27-28, Lake Euafaula, Lakepoint Resort State Park.
Anglers in the Boater Division pay a $200 entry fee, with co-anglers paying $100. ABA members no longer have to have dual membership to fish the Weekend Bass Series and liability insurance requirements have been reduced to an acceptable level for weekend anglers. The payback has been increased at divisional levels from 20 percent of the field to 25 percent of the field.
At the end of the season, the best WBS anglers from across the nation will fish the 2014 Ray Scott Championship, slated for Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Ala., from Nov. 15-18. The champion boater will receive $100,000 and possibly up to $50,000 in Triton Gold Bonus money. The co-angler champion will win $50,000 and possibly up to $25,000 in Triton Gold Bonus money.
As a special Ray Scott Championship bonus, the Boater Division and Co-Angler Division champions will each receive entry fees and sponsorship into the one of two professional bass fishing series of the angler’s choice. The sponsorship includes entry fees into three professional events and sponsorship support. This sponsorship will put the champion within striking distance of one of two professional bass fishing championships.
Weekend Bass Series – Alabama South Division
Sat, Feb 8, 2014
Lake Martin
Wind Creek State Park
Call 256-232-0406
TEXAS TEAM TRAIL PRESENTED BY CABELA’S KICKS OFF SEASON AT SAM RAYBURN LAKE
TEXAS TEAM TRAIL PRESENTED BY CABELA’S KICKS OFF SEASON AT SAM RAYBURN LAKE
Record payouts, exceptional fishing expected for first TXTT event of 2014
NORMAN, Okla. (February 4, 2014) – The Texas Team Trail presented by Cabela’s will host its first event of the 2014 tournament season on Feb. 15 at Sam Rayburn Lake. The iconic Texas fishery is situated between Beaumont and Longview and remains one of the most popular destinations in the world for competitive bass fishermen.
Registration for the event is already underway – anglers can secure an opportunity to pre-fish Friday, Feb. 14, by completing their registration online or via phone prior to midnight on Thursday, February 13. All anglers that pre-register will also be entered into a drawing for a Power-Pole Shallow Water Anchor. In addition, anglers that opt to register online at www.texasteamtrail.com will be entered into a drawing for a bonus $100 Cabela’s gift card.
The Sam Rayburn event is the first of four 2014 qualifying events that guarantee a fully rigged, 18-foot boat, motor, trailer package as first-place prize. The winning anglers at Rayburn will walk away with a brand-new Triton 18XS powered by an Evinrude 150 HO.
In addition to the payout, the event offers anglers an unprecedented opportunity in terms of sponsor bonuses and television coverage. The budget-friendly $250 entry fee, plus multiple contingency programs and a guaranteed, over-100% payback at every event provides tremendous value to the weekend angler.
On-site registration is set for Friday, Feb. 14, from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at Umphrey Pavilion (5438 RR 255 West, Sam Rayburn, TX 75951). At least one team member must attend, as boat numbers will be assigned during this time. The tournament will launch Saturday, Feb.15, at safe light from Umphrey Pavilion and weigh-in will begin at the same location at 3 p.m.
Anglers with questions or anyone interested in more details on the event are encouraged to visit www.texasteamtrail.com or call 210-281-1752 or 210-788-4143.
Along with title-sponsor Cabela’s, Texas Team Trail has also welcomed Lucas Oil®, Ranger Boats, Stratos Boats, Triton Boats, Evinrude®, Minn Kota®, Talon, RAM Trucks, Lowrance, Power-Pole, Amphibia, iON, Garmin, General Tire, Super Clean, Valley Fashion, Mustang Survival, Artic Ice and Protect the Harvest as official partners.
2014 TXTT scheduled events:
Feb. 15 – Sam Rayburn Lake
March 15 – Lake Ray Roberts
April 12 – Lake Texoma
May 3 – Lake Livingston
Championship – June 7-8 – Toledo Bend Lake
Evinrude Pro Denny Brauer Expects Tough Fishing For Bassmaster Open On Amistad
This week 200 anglers will take to the border lake with as many co-anglers on their back decks. Elite Series Pro Kurt Dove made an shockingly low winning weight prediction based on the water level and recent cold weather.
What follows is the press release from Bassmaster regarding the upcoming Open on Amistad:
DEL RIO, Texas — Competitors preparing for the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open presented by Allstate are finding out a quick rise in the water level and unusually cold weather are putting a double whammy on the bass fishing at Lake Amistad. The tournament is scheduled for Feb. 6-8.
The 67,000-acre reservoir got down to a low of 61 feet at the end of May and early June of last year due to dry weather and rose about 26 feet throughout the fall and winter.
“We had some decent rains through October, and the lake came up 15 feet in a fairly short time frame. That appears to have had a crazy effect on the fishing,” said Kurt Dove, a Bassmaster Elite Series pro who also guides on the lake. “It has been very tough over the last three or four months since we had that influx of water.”
Retired Elite Series pro Denny Brauer describes the fishing on his home waters as “absolutely horrible” and predicts the majority of the Central Open field will struggle.
“The bite has been off for more than six months,” Brauer said. “It has really gotten extremely tough over the last few weeks. I have never seen anything even comparable to this.”
The cold weather has caused the water temperature to dip into the upper 40s some mornings, but Dove noted the temperature most days has remained steady at 50 to 52 degrees.
“Just like most of the country, it has been a little bit chillier down here,” Dove said. “Generally this time of year we really start to see some prespawn movement, but I feel like the fish are still fairly deep and in their winter patterns.”
Brauer said Amistad still has the potential to produce some heavyweight bags despite the wintry conditions the anglers are encountering this week.
“Normally this lake has excellent fishing in the wintertime even in the nasty weather, but for some reason it is not happening very well right now,” he said.
The former Bassmaster Classic champ noted it usually takes 50 to 55 pounds to win a three-day tournament at Amistad this time of the year.
“This lake has a lot of big fish in it and if you pull up on the right spot and hit a school that halfway turns on for a little bit, you can get real healed in a hurry,” he said. “However, you can just as easily not get a bite all day long.”
With Amistad bass still holding in deep water, Dove foresees more slow fishing during the Open. He predicts the winning weight for this event will be around 36 to 38 pounds.
“I think it will be a very tough week, and catching keepers is going to be at a premium,” he said. “We will see a couple of fairly high teen sacks. Someone is going to catch a 16- , 17-, or 18-pound sack, but I think it is going to be hard to duplicate just because it is very hard to find groupings of fish. However, when you put 200 of the best regional anglers with several national pros on the lake, someone is going to find them, and they are going to be holding them up on stage.”
Anglers will take off each day at 7:30 a.m. local time from Diablo East Marina, U.S. 90 West, Del Rio, Texas 78840. Weigh-ins will be held each day at the same location beginning at 3:30 p.m. The host organization for the tournament is Bass pro Shops.
Rhinehart Wins Walmart Bass Fishing League Savannah River Division Event On Lake Keowee
2014 BFCS Seasonal Points Competition Enhanced
$5000 Added To Overall Seasonal Points Competition Payout
Collins Inc. and Ranger Boats have partnered to fund an additional $5000 purse among anglers that choose to compete in the optional Seasonal Points Competition. New for 2014, the creation of this optional Seasonal Points Competition was established to reward the anglers and teams that regularly support the Collins Inc. – Bass For Cash Series by attending most, if not all, of the season’s events. Anglers can choose to enter into this optional points competition by paying an additional $20 per team / per event. During each event, teams will be rewarded points based on their end of the day standings. After the six (6) qualifying events (March through August events) have completed, the team with the most accumulated points will be crowned as champions among their division and will receive a cash payout for their seasonal efforts. Additional payouts (2nd, 3rd, etc.) will be rewarded based on the number of teams that enter the Seasonal Points Competition.
For complete details & rules regarding the Collins Inc. – Bass For Cash Series optional Seasonal Points Competition click here.
Alabama Bass Trail Lake Guntersville 4Th Place Team Of Keith Vann And Lee Pitts
We grab the 4th place team Keith Vann and Lee Pitts just after weighing in their 26+ Lbs Sat on Lake Guntersville.........these guys had a heck of a day and don't mind telling us what they had to do on this fantastic fishery-
Alabama Bass Trail Lake Guntersville Champions Jerry Wright And Brandon Staggs At Weigh-In!
Brandon Staggs and Jerry Wright win the 1st Ever Alabama Bass Trail Event on Lake Guntersville and take home $10,000 for their massive 32.02 Lb Sack! Listen to how they did it right here-
Alabama Bass Trail kicks off on Guntersville Sat-Wright and Staggs take home $10,000
Wright and Staggs win inaugural Alabama Bass Trail tournament
LAKE GUNTERSVILLE — Jerry Wright and Brandon Staggs overcame a trolling motor breakdown to win the inaugural Alabama Bass Trail tournament Saturday.
The five largemouth bass weighing 32.02 pounds Wright and Staggs caught earned them $10,000.
Wright and Staggs hold up their 32.02 Lb Winning Stringer!: And take home $10,000!
Jamie Smith and Michael Rains finished second with 29.92 pounds, Michael Stevens Jr.and Paul Arnold were third with 27.13 pounds. Keith Vann and Lee Pitts with 26.59 pounds and Rahn Hogland and Allen Guyse with 25.65 pounds rounded out the Top 5.
4th Place team of Keith Vann and Lee Pitts with their 26.59 Lbs!!
When their trolling motor quit working around 8 a.m., Wright and Staggs thought any chance of winning was gone.
“My heart broke,” said Wright, of Waterloo, AL. “I had a high speed come-apart when that happened. We had a limit, including two big fish when it broke, but knew we would need some bigger fish to have any hope to win.”
Wright began checking all the electrical connections and worked on the motor for about 2 hours before a swift kick to the trolling motor switch caused it to begin working again.
“It was a huge relief when when it started working again,” said Staggs of Summertown, TN.
He and Wright caught their fish, using a variety of baits. They declined to reveal where they were fishing, other than to say it was downriver from Lake Guntersville State Park.
“They bit rattle baits, swim baits and spinner baits, but they would not bite a jig, which is normally our bread-and-butter,” Staggs said,
Smith and Rains caught most of their fish on rattle baits is 6 to 8 feet of water. They were surprised to catch almost 30 pounds of bass from the 40-degree water.
“We had a terrible practice,” Rains said. “We knew there were some good fish in the areas where we were fishing, but were expecting only around 23 or 24 pounds,”
Stevens and Arnold worked 1/2-ounce Rat-L-Traps very slowly to catch their fish.
“We were moving it about like you would work a jig,” Stevens said. “That’s the only way we could get them to bite.”
Arnold said most of their bites came late in the day after the sun came out and warmed the water temperature 3 degrees,
Vann and Pitts caught most of their bass with Gene Larew jigs and craws. Pitts said a key to their bite was working the jig over milfoil and hyrdrilla beds where some live grass remained.
“If we were pulling up a little green grass, we could catch them. If we were pulling up only dead grass, they wouldn’t bite there,” Pitts said.
Hogeland said most the bass he and Guyse weighed-in, were caught 2-to-4-feet deep on a Rat-L-Trap.
The Wiggins caught the big bass on a Rat-L-Trap.
“It barely bit, I was working it along a grass line when the line started moving sideways a little,” Jesse Wiggins said.
Rounding out the top-10 were Jimmy Mason and Lance Walker, Scot Giddens and Paul Watson, Steven Wisdom and John Bryant, Mike Raney and Michael Pharr, Marty Lykos and Michael Carter.
The next tournament for the Alabama Bass Trail tournament series is March 1 when its South Division visits the Mobile-Tensaw Delta.
The next tournament for the North Division is March 22 on Pickwick Lake in Florence.
Cobb Anxious To Get Flw Tour Rookie Season Underway On Lake Okeechobee
The scenario on Florida's famed Lake Okeechobee could not be better Feb. 6-9 for the opening FLW Tour Major of 2014 as Brandon Cobb of Greenwood, S.C., begins his rookie season on the tour.
Cobb qualified to move up to the FLW Tour Majors this year after finishing third in the BFL Regional on Lake Lanier having qualified through the Savannah River Division, and second in the BFL Regional on Lake Hartwell having qualified through the Bulldog Division last October .
“There will definitely be a good many fish on the beds,” the former Clemson University Fishing Team member said. “Normally, bedding would be in full swing by now, but bedding is running late because of the cold weather down there. But it looks like the weather is going to be more stable than since back in December so it shakes out to be a pretty good tournament next week.”
So good, in fact, that veteran anglers are predicting weights approaching the records set in 2011 when weather conditions created a perfect storm of big females migrating to the banks to spawn. Estimates have ranged from a low of 70 pounds for a four-day total – if the warmer weather is slow in coming – to 100 pounds or more if the warming trend continues and the water temperature warms up to more than 60 degrees.
“There have been a bunch of cold nights, but it looks like this is going to be the first week with very few, if any, cold nights,” Cobb said.
While there practicing recently, Cobb looked at areas that he believes will be the most productive if the fish are up shallow as expected.
When he practices just before the tournament this coming week, he said he will concentrate on small areas that hold big concentrations of female bass.
“It's a massive lake, much larger than any I have fished before, so I will have to break it down to have a chance,” said Cobb who leaves Saturday to launch his pro career on the Big-O.
“I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to compete in the FLW tour this year. I feel like the BFL tournaments I have fished through the years have prepared me to compete on the big stage. They have given me the opportunity to fish lakes outside my local lakes. Especially through the regionals,” said Cobb.
“I had never fished any of the Bulldog division lakes in the past before last year and was able to be successful with limited practice. Double qualifying for the 2014 All American has also given me the confidence to compete.”
The Okeechobee tournament, which kicks off the 19th season of the Tour, will feature 180 pros and 180 co-anglers casting for top awards of up to $125,000 cash in the pro division and up to $25,000 cash in the co-angler division.
Anglers also will be vying for points in hopes of qualifying for the 2014 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing, which will be held on Lake Murray near Columbia, S.C., Aug. 14-17. Anglers competing in the Cub could win as much as $500,000 – the sport’s biggest award.
As part of the FLW Tour’s community outreach initiative, FLW will be working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County to host a Youth Bass Fishing Experience presented by Guy Harvey on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Many FLW Tour pros will offer a fun tutorial for more than 60 youngsters at C.B. Smith Park. The youths will learn the importance of teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship as they get to bass fish alongside the pros.
Walmart FLW Tour Major
Feb 6-9, 2014
Lake Okeechobee
Roland Martin Marina
Following Successful Off-Season, Chapman Ready To Go In Bass Central Open On Amistad
After a very satisfying and productive off-season, Brent Chapman is toned up and tuned in for his 20th full season on the Bassmaster Tour, and eager to get started with the first Bass Pro Shops Central open tournament Feb. 5-8 on Lake Amistad.
Amistad is Spanish for “friendly,” but Chapman said he is hearing the fish may not be in a very friendly mode in the lake that is noted for heavy stringers.
“All I've heard is bad reports,” the Lake Quivira, KS, pro said. “Fishing has been really tough and that is hard to comprehend because Amistad used to be such a super fishery. Taking just 12 to 14 pounds to win a tournament there is hard to believe.”
But that does not deter Chapman from having a positive attitude about Amistad and the season.
“I've got my rod box full of rods. There are a lot of different options there, so I've just got to get a day on the water,” he said. “If there are any shallow fish that would be my preference, but if I can't find fish shallow I know they catch a lot of fish out deep there, so we will just have to wait and see.”
Other than a victory in the Bassmaster Classic next month, nothing would suit him better than a win on Amistad, he said.
“In 2012 I won that first Open tournament. Hopefully, I can do that again this year.”
Now, about that off-season. It was satisfying because Chapman got to do a lot of deer hunting and because he was able to renegotiate sponsorships. It was productive because he spent a lot of time honoring those sponsorship commitments.
“On Nov. 1, I shot a really nice buck. My two buddies, whom I own the land with, also shot nice bucks. Then my son, Mason, shot his first buck ever at 10 years old. I took my niece and she shot a really nice buck and then one of my other buddies closed the season with a nice buck. It normally doesn't happen like this, but we had a really good hunting season,” Chapman said.
“II know I make it sound like I just took off and did a lot of deer hunting, but there was a lot of business involved since my last tournament in August. It was a busy fall, for sure.”
And, when he was not stalking big bucks in the field and in business offices, Chapman was working to be prepared for this fishing season.
“I've been working out hard, really getting in shape,” he said. “This is when it all comes together.”
Following the Central Open opener on Lake Amistad, Chapman will move on to Lake Guntersville for the 2014 Bassmaster Classic Feb. 21-23.
“I am ready to win one of these Classics. That is what I am ready for,” Chapman said.
Following the Lake Amistad tournament, the Central Open series moves to the Red River at Shreveport, La., April 24-26, then finishes up on the Arkansas River at Muskogee, Okla.. Sept. 11-13.
Bass Pro Shops Central Open #1
Feb 6-8, 2014
Lake Amistad
Del Rio, TX
Cox is in for 2014 FLW Tour, Including Season Opener on Okeechobee
John Cox, a fixture on the FLW Tour and a two-time participant in the Forrest Wood Cup, had (apparently) missed his chance to fish the 2014 FLW Tour. He had not paid his entry fees and the field was set. In stone (apparently).
And then came word this week about the disqualification of two anglers from the upcoming FLW Tour opener on Okeechonbee. One was 2006 FLW Tour Angler of the Year Anthony Gagliardi of South Carolina who now has a steep hill to climb if he hopes to qualify for the Cup which will be held on Lake Murray, near his home.
The other angler was FLW Tour sophomore-to-be, Frank Clark. Clark decided not to fish the Tour at all in the wake of the disqualification. And that opened the door for Cox who was the first guy on the waiting list.
"I'm in! Thank you God, Billy Taylor, Bill Day, Adam Osteen, John Kremer, FLW staff and all my Facebook friends for getting me in." said Cox via his Facebook page.
To read the story on FLWOutdoors.com click: http://www.flwoutdoors.com/fishing-articles/155569/cox-added-to-walmart-flw-tour-field/#.UusHq_ldXxQ
Flw Announces Disqualifications Of Two Flw Tour Anglers
Here, in its entirety, is Rule #5 as referenced in the FLW press release:
5. Restricted access, off-limits, practice and competition
Thirty days prior to the first practice day pros are only permitted on tournament waters alone or accompanied by a contestant in the tournament, a member of their immediate family (mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter, grandparent, grandchild or spouse), approved sponsor representatives, approved youth age 18 or younger or approved media representatives. With prior approval from the tournament director, pros may participate in FLW, B.A.S.S. Elite Series, B.A.S.S. Opens, PAA and other pro/am tournaments featuring random partner draws within the 30-day window.
Tournament waters will go off-limits to all contestants 13 days prior to the first practice day in all tournaments. Contestants, including pros and co-anglers on the waiting list, may not enter tournament waters to fish, test equipment, sightsee, or for any reason without FLW permission, during the off-limits period.
During the off-limits period, practice and competition days, pros may not solicit and/or receive information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters from anyone except pros confirmed in the tournament and through publicly available sources (quasi-public websites, blogs and/or social media pages set up for the specific purpose of sharing information with individuals or a small group of individuals are NOT publicly available sources). Beginning with practice and extending through competition, pros may not obtain information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters from co-anglers or information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters from noncontestants or follow a noncontestant’s boat or participate in the placing of markers by noncontestants or the practice of “hole sitting†by anyone. Anglers eliminated after each round of competition are considered noncontestants. Pros in the top-20 cut after the close of weigh-in on day 2 may not solicit or receive information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters from anyone except other top-20 pros. Pros in the top-10 cut after the close of weigh-in on day 3 may not solicit or receive information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters from anyone except other top-10 pros. Co-angler contestants who share information about locating or catching fish on tournament waters with pro or co-angler contestants will be disqualified from the entire tournament along with the pro or co-angler requesting and/or using the information.
Tournament waters will reopen for practice three days (Sunday, Monday and Tuesday) prior to registration day (Wednesday). Pros and co-anglers may practice alone, with another contestant or with a member of their immediate family (mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter, grandparent, grandchild or spouse), approved sponsor representatives or an approved youth age 18 or younger, provided the practice companion has also observed the off-limits period and procedures. Pros and co-anglers may also practice with an approved media representative. Flights over tournament waters are not permitted beginning with the start of the off-limits period, extending through practice and competition days. Tournament waters will be closed to all contestants on registration day (Wednesday).
Flw, Fishidy Ink Sponsorship Deal
Fishidy allows members to connect with other anglers and log catches and spot information at various levels of privacy. Fishidy features free access to detailed fishing maps on thousands of lakes and coastal saltwater areas nationwide. Users can view information from Fishidy’s pro anglers, their own information, and friends, as well as follow specific bodies of water. Fishidy also boasts apps for Android and iOS that let anglers access waterway maps and add catches on the go or on the water. A Premium Membership is also available that unlocks even more data, from proven Fishing Hot Spots® to customizable printable maps and an hour-by-hour fishing forecaster.
Tom Jackson Public Boat Ramp Closed For 2014 Bassmaster Classic
GUNTERSVILLLE, Ala. — The Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries has granted permission to B.A.S.S. to close the Tom Jackson Public Boat Ramp on Lake Guntersville during the week of the 2014 GEICO Bassmaster Classic competition.
The ramp and associated parking areas will be closed from Monday, Feb. 17, at 12:01 a.m. through Monday, Feb. 24, at 11:59 p.m. for the Classic. The Tom Jackson ramp is located at Civitan Park, Guntersville, AL 35976.
Alternate ramps are available for the public to launch boats on Lake Guntersville. They include the following:
Browns Creek Public Access (2 miles)
Guntersville, AL 36976
Guntersville State Park (10 miles)
Guntersville, AL 36976
Claysville Public Access (4 miles)
Guntersville, AL 35976
Seibold Creek Public Access (9 miles)
Guntersville, AL 35976
Steel Ford Access (2 miles)
Guntersville, AL 36976
Val Monte Road Public Access (4 miles)
Guntersville, AL 36976
Beech Creek Public Access (6 miles)
Guntersville, AL 36976
Honeycomb Creek Public Access (10 miles)
Grant, AL 35747
Ranger Cup University Challenge On Americana Outdoors January 27Th
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (January 27, 2014) -
Americana Outdoors® Presented by Garmin is proud to present the Ranger Cup University Challenge premiering on NBC Sports Network and Pursuit Channel.
The tournament, which occurred September 22, 2013 on a private Oklahoma lake owned by Ranger Pro and professional bass fishing legend Jimmy Houston, pitted the two highest-qualifying teams from the FLW College Fishing Championship and the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing National Championship in a winner-take-all, made-for-TV event.
The schools represented in this year's challenge are University of Louisiana- Monroe and Tennessee Tech. Paul Clark and Brett Preuett will be representing the University of Louisiana- Monroe, while Joe Slagle and Cliff Dye are the anglers competing from Tennessee Tech.
Modeled after the most lucrative contingency program in the industry, the Ranger Cup, Ranger Cup University is open to collegiate anglers fishing in either FLW- or BoatUS- affiliated competitions.
With up to $2,000 in prizes on the line, this fishing competition is more intense than ever. Make sure to watch the University of Louisiana- Monroe and Tennessee Tech battle it out for the right to be dubbed Ranger Cup Challenge winners. You can watch all of the action on:
NBC Sports Network
January 28th @ 3:30pm
January 31st @ 3:00pm
Pursuit Channel
January 27th @ 6:30pm
January 29th @ 4:00pm
February 2nd @ 2:30pm
To sign-up for Ranger Cup University, which is free and exclusively for collegiate anglers, regardless of which brand of boat they own, visit www.RangerBoats.com. To remain qualified in the program, anglers need only adhere to clothing and decal requirements. The program also allows anglers to reap the rewards of a professionally run contingency program regardless of tournament results. As part of the Ranger Cup University program, participants will be able to receive discounts on already-discounted tournament apparel through Gemini Custom Apparel, with no artwork or set-up fees. Through Gemini, anglers can purchase fully customized jerseys for as low as $48.
Good Turnout at FOM Event on Keowee
Well we are off to an awesome start to 2014 with Fishers of Men SC Upstate. I am amazed that we were able to get 39 teams out to fish Keowee with a 19 degree day and a breezy 20 to 30 mph wind. We did finally get to about somewhere around 40 but the wind blew.
We started the weekend at Marathon Pickens Church. Fishers of men’s dear friend Bryan Holder pastor of Marathon allowed us to actually come back a second year in a row. The people of Marathon Pickens were such great hosts feeding around 90 men and women. Chris Wells chaplain for the BASS Elite 50 came and brought a message about going deep in your relationship with Christ. In fact the most important thing of the weekend was when Chris had the privilege of helping 5 men make a decision to follow Christ. Many more decided to go deeper as well.
Well now for the fishing facts. Brian and Mike Tidwell really had the magic going today bringing a 7.76 lb kicker to the scales that anchored a 17.18 lb bag mix of largemouth and spotted bass. The fish allowed the Tidwell’s to take home a total of $2432.50. That is a killer check for a 39 boat tournament. Second place went to the team of Jimmy Turner and Mark Weaver. These two also had a big largemouth kicker of 6.65 lbs. and a total bag weight 16.22 lbs. They took home $651.00 for their effort. Full event standings will be up as soon as possible.
Fishers of Men wants to thank everyone who attended as well as welcome assoc. director Jeff Newsome to the FOM SC upstate staff. You guys are the best. We are off to Lake Greenwood next. I assure you that someone is going to bring a big bag to the scales there. They always do. Please remember to tell your friends to join us on Greenwood Saturday the 22nd of Feb.. I pray we have a little more cooperative weather as well. Remember to have your entries postmarked 8 days prior to the tournament.
LASTLY REMEMBER THAT IF YOUR IN A BOAT PURCHASED FROM PALMETTO BOAT CENTER YOU NEED TO LET ME KNOW AS NO ONE CLAIMED THE $150.OO BONUS FOR THE TOP FINISHER IN A PALMETTO BOAT CENTER BOAT. TO WIN IN ONE CLAIMS A BONUS OF $500.00.
We'd like to take this opportunity to Thank all of our fine sponsors including our local sponsors PALMETTO BOAT CENTER, DR. BRENT MCLAURIN / Sonya Mclaurin AND ANDERSON HEART,DR. BARTON AIKEN AND DEDICATED DENTISTRY, LEWALLAN AUTOMATION, DESTROYER BAIT COMPANY, BIGLEWERS. Let us not forget the national sponsors: Skeeter Boats, Yamaha, Stren, Pflueger, Strike King Lure Company, Nester Hosiery, Marshall’s Marine, Kings Home, New Tech Global, Power-Pole, Lowrance, Duckett Fishing, Buckeye Lures, Keelshield, Solar Bat, Kistler Rods, Jacobs Glass, HydroWave, Rejuvenade, Berkley, and Rayjus Sportswear.
Randy Morrison- PreCise Health
Specialty Pharmacy Services / Genetic Testing
864 630 6724 <°)/////><
Montgomery Signs with Farm to Feet
Farm to Feet gets 100% behind Bass Fisherman Andy Montgomery
Farm to Feet makers of 100% made in America socks sponsors Andy Montgomery for the 2014 season. Montgomery will be showcasing his new wrap at the first Bassmaster Elite Series event on lake Seminole, March 13, 2014.
“As an outdoorsman, Andy understands the importance of good footwear, which start with the perfect pair of socks," Marty Nester CEO of Nester Hosiery and avid fisherman. "Andy is a talented fisherman and we're proud to have him on our team."
“Bass fishing is as American as apple pie and we're excited to share our 100% American story with the bass fishing community," said David Petri, Farm to Feet VP of Marketing.
Montgomery had this to say. "I'm honored to be apart of a company that believes in America and the American worker. After visiting the plant I was blown away by the detail that goes into making a Farm to Feet sock. From the Midwest to the East coast they continue to support two of the core industries that made our country great, farming and manufacturing."
"I always thought a sock was a sock until my wife and I were given the Farm toFeet product to try. They kept our feet warm and dry as well as providing the support in ways I didn't know was possible. Whether it was her 12hour hospital shifts or my 12 hours on the water we both were confortable and less fatigued at the end of the day. I look forward to many more confortable days on the water helping spread the word about this great company."
New Approach For A New Season
I proved something to myself last year. While practicing for the BFL Regional at Lake Guntersville, I was able to locate the correct quality and quantity of fish to really have a shot at performing well in the event. Some poor execution on my side prevented me from doing better then what my finish displayed what I found.
What that event did for me was give me a huge boost of confidence. I proved to myself that I could find the right fish against a very competitive crowd. I was able to spend three days practicing for the event, the most time I have ever spent practicing for any one event.
In the years past, my approach to preparing for events was to fish as many events in a year in hopes to stay on the fish. I would spend only one day practicing for a particular event. With that thought process, I have only cashed one check in the past two years. Some would say that I have been on a great donation program for the winners. I plan to change that this year.
This year I will be fishing fewer events while spending more time in preparing for those events. I plan to fish the entire weekend before each one of my events as well as the Friday before the start of the event. I also plan to fish the Rayovac series at Santee Cooper as a co-angler as it is the weekend before the BFL. I pray that I draw out with a few guys that are on some fish and may be able to show me some new ways to get around the infamous Santee Cooper.
I also plan to be a little more consistent with my blogs and post-tournament reports. I will also try to put together a quick GoPro video recap from each event on things I figured out.
Check back on my blog here as well as my website to see how the new approach works for me this year. I hope that I will be a little more on the positive side of the tournament winnings this year.
Cliff Pace Injured In Hunting Accident, Will Not Fish The 2014 Bassmaster Classic
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Cliff Pace, the 2013 Classic champion, won’t be fishing in the 2014 GEICO Bassmaster Classic because of a deer stand accident that happened Friday afternoon.
Pace broke his left leg in two places while bow hunting for deer near his home in Petal, Miss. “I was actually done with my hunt and climbing down from the stand when the accident happened,” said Pace. “It was a cold day, even here in southern Mississippi, and I had cotton gloves on. Part-way down my hand slipped out of the glove, and that’s when I fell.”
Pace tried to push away from the tree so he wouldn’t land on his back or head. He was successful on that front, landing on his feet. But his left foot landed in a hole and jarred his leg enough to break it in two places, once above the knee and once below it. And in the process, he also tore the ACL in his left knee.
Pace, who was hunting by himself, tried to walk out but quickly realized he was dealing with a serious injury. “I called a friend to come get me, and the whole 45 minutes I was waiting for him to come I was thinking about Guntersville,” said Pace.
Of course he’s referring to the 2014 Classic. It’s particularly meaningful to Pace because he is the defending champion, having won the 2013 Classic in Tulsa. “Guntersville is one of those Classics where records will likely be set. It’s disheartening not to be able to compete,” he said.
Pace had surgery on Saturday at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, Miss. There’s no timetable yet for when he’ll get out of the hospital. His doctor did say it will be at least 10 to 12 weeks before he can put weight on the leg. The doctor told him it will be longer before he can get back in a boat, which means Pace may not be fishing the 2014 Elite Series season. He’ll know more about that in the coming weeks.
B.A.S.S. officials quickly decided to defer Pace’s Classic qualification until the 2015 Classic. “Because of Cliff’s injuries, he is clearly not able to defend his Classic title this year,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “Based on these unprecedented, special circumstances, we are deferring that opportunity to the 2015 Bassmaster Classic in Greenville, S.C. We wish Cliff a speedy and complete recovery.”
Akin said the 2015 Classic field will be increased by one. This will ensure that no one who qualifies for the Classic during the 2014 season will be denied a berth in the championship.
Pace was very appreciative of those decisions. “I can’t tell you how good it feels to know I’ll be fishing in the 2015 Classic. I’m very thankful to B.A.S.S. for that.”
He and other Classic contenders will fish Lake Hartwell, S.C., in the 45th Bassmaster Classic to be held Feb. 20-22, 2015. When the Classic previously visited Hartwell in February 2008, Pace finished second behind Alton Jones.
The Elite Series veteran is also thankful the accident wasn’t any worse. “There was a stump right next to where I landed. If I’d hit that, things could have been a lot worse,” he said. “These are the cards I was dealt. We’ll just work with it.”
Pace acknowledged there is one silver lining to the forced time off. He and his wife, Brana, had their first child just seven weeks ago, a girl named Jordan Baylee Pace. Now he’ll be able to spend a little more time with her.
Mccall Wins Rayovac Flw Series Texas Division Event On Sam Rayburn
Chaconas: Silver Buddy Expands Lure Line Up
Followers of this report acknowledge my go-to winter bait is the Silver Buddy. The lure has been around for decades and there aren't really any reliable knock offs. In the past few years, only the half-ounce silver bait has been on the market. That's fine with me as this version is the most versatile. Well, reports on my single bait preference reached lure maker, Buddy Banks. Buddy called to inform me of other versions he has reintroduced into the lure marketplace. The popular ¼-ounce is perfect for very tough conditions or expanding species targets, including Crappie. The ¾-ounce provides a bigger target and does well in warmer conditions. Buddy also revealed a 1-ounce version for bigger fish! Musky and some saltwater species will fall prey to this heavy metal vibrating lure. Just as significant are the color options. The stainless steel version has been a mainstay, but nickel and gold plated baits are back. Availability is still limited but the website is the best place to start, silverbuddy.com.
Captain Steve Chaconas gives the most in-depth reports you will find on the World-Wide Web. To follow him or to catch his latest Potomac fishing report, click: http://www.nationalbass.com/
Soles Wins Bassmaster Open On Toho
Van Soles brought in the 2nd-heaviest sack of the tournament (and the only the 2nd one to exceed 20 pounds) to close out the win with over 50 pounds on three tough fishing days at the Bassmaster Southern Open on Florida's Kissimmee Chain of Lakes.
Cloud Moves Into Lead At Bassmaster Southern Open On Kissimmee Chain
We knew the lake held 10-pound bass, and then some, but most wondered wheather any of the pros fishing the Bassmaster Southern Open would catch any of the big bass for which the Kissimmee Chain is known.
On a day when many anglers didn't weigh-in 10 pounds total, Van Soles of Haines City, Fla. laid one on the scale that went 10 pounds, 7 ounces. The big fish anchored his 17-4 limit that put him in the top 12 cut. Without it he might not have gotten a paycheck at all out of this event. That's the difference a big fish makes.
Then again, there's a lot to be said for consistency. And Jeff Cloud of Lubbock, Tex. was consistent with an 18-6 limit that, combined with his day 1 weight of 16-6, ran his total to 34-12, good enough for the lead as we head into Saturday's final round.
For those planning to attend, the final weigh in will take place 3 P.M. at Bass Pro Shop in Orlando.
Jacksonville's Phil Curry sits in 2nd with a total weight of 32-4.
Veteran Florida angler John Brazzell is 3rd with 31-6, while professional rookie Garrett Rocamora hung in the top 12, currently 4th, with a total weight of 30-3.
David Williams is 5th with 29-13.
The afforementioned Soles is 6th. He caught the big bass by flipping a beaver into heavy vegetation.
Joe Ventrello holds the 12th spot with 27-10 and will fish tomorrow along with the 11 guys ahead of him.
Several among the Top 12 were back in the pack on the first day but strong, if unspectacular, follow up efforts catapulted them into the cut on a day that saw no bags weighed that exceeded 20 pounds.
Day 1 leader Todd Auten was among the 42 pros (21% of the field) who did not weigh a fish today. He slid to 28th place where he will, at least, collect a paycheck on the strength of his 22 pound, 10 ounce first day sack that was 1 fish shy of the 5-fish limit but still stands as the heaviest of the tournament after 200 pros pounded the lakes for 2 days.
Auten caught his fish yesterday on an Xcalibur Xr 75 lipless crankbait. According to the words of some contestants, the rattlebait bite, and the offshore bite in general, died off today. Flippin' continued to produce but bass also continued to simply peck at the lures and not give anglers much opportunity for a solid hook set.
Hank Cherry was last in line to cut a check with 20-3. That's what it took to place 40th over two dissapointing days on an outstanding bass fishery. Cold fronts. Florida bass. Need we say more?
Winter Storm Cancels Day Two Of Rayovac Flw Series At Sam Rayburn
Auten Dominates tough Day 1 on Kissimmee Chain with 4 fish that weigh 22-10
Flippin' seems to be the deal right now in the Bassmaster Southern Open on the Kissimmee Chain. Not sure how leader Todd Auten managed 22 pounds, 10 ounces (on only 4 fish!) but others spoke of not only a flippin' bite, but a s-l-o-w bite.
Darrell Pons, in the Top 10 with 16-3, said he yo-yoed his lure in the mat 10-to-20 times in order to tempt each light bite from a cold Florida bass.
Others weren't as forthcoming with details but enough of them made reference to 'mats' and 'flippin'' that the picture has developed quite clearly.
Of course, there's always more than one way to skin a cat and one angler did mention that he caught his fish on a Strike King Shadalicious swimbait.
Winds will make sightfishing tough, even if fish will sit tight to beds in water temps that have dipped into the 50's.
But the lakes, including Toho, are full of big bass and any of the guys who didn't totally shoot themselves in the foot today have a real chance tomorrow.
If the weather man is right, winds will continue from the north and increase slightly as temperatures continue to drop a tad more tomorrow ahed of a mild warm up and west winds during Saturday's final round when the top 12 pros and co-anglers will weigh-in at Bass Pro Shop's Orlando location.
Your top 5 pros are:
Todd Auten - 22-10
Kotaro Kiriyama - 19-2
Garrett Rocamora - 18-11
John Kremer - 17-14
Matthew Henry - 17-12
The top 5 co-anglers (3-fish limit):
Bryan Jones - 16-8
Marlon Crowder - 13-2
Frank Kruk - 11-4
Fred Rigdon - 10-5
Timothy Burton - 9-13
New Amateur Series, Alabama Bass Trail, Launches Feb. 1 On Guntersville
Alabama, where professional bass fishing was born with the advent of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society in 1968, has launched a new tournament series for amateur anglers that is expected to pump millions of dollars into the state's economy.
“The Alabama Bass Trail is excited to announce this new tournament for amateur anglers,” said Alabama Bass Trail Program Director Kay Donaldson. “Since the launch of the Alabama Bass Trail in 2012, we have received numerous requests for the development of a tournament series. We are challenged with creating more fishing opportunities in the State of Alabama, and we believe this gives anglers in the southeast an opportunity to fish a highly competitive trail on the best lakes in Alabama,”
Donaldson said the Alabama Bass Trail was the brainchild of Gov. Robert Bentley.
“He decided he wanted to go into the tournament business and generate economic impact with fishing. We started out and the sponsors came on board and angler response was incredible. We filled up the Northern Division in 72 days.”
The Northern Division has 200 boats registered, with 400 anglers ready to kick off the tournament trail Saturday, Feb. 1, on Lake Guntersville. Competing in the Northern Division will be anglers from seven states: Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, Ohio, and Missouri.
So far, Donaldson said, some 230 anglers have signed up for the South Division, but the goal is to reach at least 150 to 200 boats. Registration is available online at www.alabamabasstrail.org.
The entry fee per tournament is $250 per team.
The schedule includes: North Division – Feb. 1, Lake Guntersville; March 22, Pickwick Lake; April 5, Neely Henry Lake; May 31, Wheeler Lake; June 21, Logan Martin Lake. South Division – March 1, Mobile-Tensaw River Delta; March 15, Lake Eufaula; April 19, Lake Jordan; May 10, Alabama River (Millers Ferry); June 7, Lay Lake.
Donaldson said the schedule was created to place the tournaments at the optimum time on the various fishing waters.
A few select tournaments, including the February 1 launch tournament, will be filmed and aired at a later broadcast on Anglers Channel, reaching a viewership of over 10 million households.
According to Donaldson, each tournament is expected to pump an estimated $500,000 into the local economy of the host city. “Anglers typically pre-fish, or scout a location, three or four days prior to a tournament, and during this time, they patronize restaurants, gas stations, and tackle shops. During a tournament, approximately $300 is spent each day on accommodations, gasoline, food and other supplies,” she said.
Each tournament has a guaranteed first prize of $10,000, plus $23,000 to the top 20 places and $500 to big fish. There are also numerous bonus packages available to winning and placing anglers.
The Top 50 teams for both the Northern and Southern Divisions will advance to the 2014 ABT Team Championship Oct. 10-11 at Smith Lake in Jasper. Plus, the top 25 student boats overall will be in the final event. To be eligible for the championship, teams must enter all five qualifying events in their respective division.
The grand prize for the no-entry fee championship is a fully-rigged Phoenix 619 Pro Bass Boat with a 150-horsepower Mercury Outboard, valued at $40,000. Adding to that excitement level is an opportunity to advance to the Bassmasters Team Championship and possibly earn a berth in the Bassmaster Classic.
“We are looking at an estimated $420,000 total in prizes for the series,” Donaldson said. “We think the anglers are going to really enjoy it because they will have the opportunity to advance to our championship and from there the opportunity to go to the BASS Team Championship.”
Alabama Bass Trail Tournament sponsors include Bill Penney Toyota; the Alabama Tourism Department; Phoenix Bass Boats, Inc.; McDonalds of Alabama; Pradco-FISHING, representing BOOYAH and YUM; Dobyns Rods; Randy Jones Agency – Nationwide; T & H Marine Supplies, Inc.; Alabama Power Company; Buffalo Rock, Inc.; Jet-Pep, Inc.; Tennessee Valley Authority; Rigid Industries, Inc.; Frogg Toggs, Inc.; Go Pro; and Gander Mountain. Fishlife will be the official tournament directors and Elite Outdoors Media will be the live-streaming company.
Alabama Bass Trail North Division
Sat, Feb 1, 2014
Lake Guntersville
Lake Guntersville State Park
Call Kay Donaldson, Program Director, at 1-855-934-7425
Cherry Ready 'to Get It On' With Southern Open On Lake Tohopekaliga
The 2014 Bass Anglers Sportsman Society kicks off the 2014 season this week with the Bass Pro Shops Southern Open No. 1 on Lake Tohopekaliga, and Hank Cherry is “ready to get it on.”
Cherry, who was a BASS Elite Series rookie last year, has burned up the BASS tournament schedule since coming on as a Southern Open competitor in 2011. Since then he has fished 18 tournaments, won two of them, placed in the money 11 times, in the Top 5 five times and qualified for the Bassmasters Classic in 2013 and 2014.
Oh, and in that 2013 Classic at Grand Lake O' the Cherokees in Oklahoma last February, he finished third and took home a check for $40,000.
His two tournament wins were the Southern Open on Smith Lake in October 2012 and the 2013 Elite Series Toyota All-Star Week and Evan Williams Bourbon Championship on Muskegon and White Lakes in Michigan last September.
In his first Elite Series win, Cherry won the final day, four-angler shootout by 2 pounds, 10 ounces, beating local favorite and veteran Elite Series pro Kevin VanDam in the process. Cherry was the second rookie to ever win a Bassmaster Elite Series post-season tournament.
But he is no typical tournament rookie. He competed in various pro circuits before moving up to the Southern Opens three years ago.
“I am fishing the Opens and the Elites this year and I am ready to go,” Cherry said. “First and foremost, just to make the Classic again. If you keep doing that every year you are doing something right.”
It does not hurt, either, that the 2015 Bassmaster Classic will be held on South Carolina's Lake Hartwell, just a two-hour drive down Interstate 85 from Maiden, N.C.
But, first there is the tournament on Toho this week, where Cherry has found the fish biting in practice.
“I think there will be some pretty good weights,” he said. The fish are a little bit of everywhere, so I don't think there is one particular thing that will dominate. The guys flipping will catch them, the guys with a crankbait will catch them and the guys with a Chatterbait will catch them.”
The winter weather could have some affect on the outcome, however, he said.
A cold front moved through, then it warmed up the first part of the week. But another cold front is poised to come through in mid-week.
“The fish were spawning and trying to spawn, and then the cold front came through and shut them down. I think it will be a timing thing in this tournament. It will be who gets to the right spot at the right time.”
Whatever the case, Cherry said he is anxious to get the season underway.
“I'm ready to get out there and get this year on the road.”
Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #1
Jan 23-25, 2014
Lake Tohopekaliga
Big Toho Marina
Lehew's 'blades Of Glory' Dominates Denver Marine Winter Trail On Lake Norman
Shane Lehew doesn't have a shot at the Denver Marine Monster Bass Invitational Winter Trail points title anymore – he's been too busy preparing for the FLW Tour which cranks up on Okeechobee in two weeks – but he probably will have a hand in whoever does win it.
“I missed the last two tournaments. I was in Florida practicing and I will be fishing the FLW Tour tournament the same time as the Denver Marine Championship,” said Lehew who was in contntion for the points title until he took time off to go to Okeechobee to check on the fishing there.
“My dad and my grandfather are leading the points and they caught all their fish all year long on the Blades of Glory. They have not been throwing anything but the Blades of Glory.”
The Blades of Glory is Lehew's version of the Alabama Rig, which he and his dad are marketing through their company, Shane's Baits (www.shanesbaits.com). The Blades of Glory is a 9-arm rig, which us usually rigged with 3-inch swimbaits, Lehew said. A smaller version, the Min-Blades of Glory is a five-arm rig.
“As far as I am concerned it is the best lure you can use to catch suspended fish – and with it being so cold they are going to be suspended in Lake Norman this weekend,” Lehew said. “You just cast it out and count it down to where you think the fish are and then slow roll it back to the boat really, really slow.”
Lehew, who has fished 56 FLW Outdoors events since 2006, has 16 top 10 finishes, including four tournament wins. He also placed second in the 2013 College Fishing National Championship last April, and then, with teammate Eric Self of Lawn dale, N.C., won the FLW College Fishing Southeastern Conference Invitational on Wheeler Lake last May. That qualified him for the FLW College Fishing National Championship on South Carolina's Lake Keowee in March.
Lehew, a senior at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, majoring in criminal justice, took this semester off to fish the FLW Tour, but plans to finish his degree this fall.
“Then I am going to try to be a fisherman,” he said. “I'd much rather do that.”
Even with such a busy schedule, Lehew plans to fish the final Denver Marine qualifying tournament Saturday.
“I may get to practice Friday,” he said. “I won't fish that much in practice, just graph a lot and try to find as many baitballs as I can. The fish will be deep and suspended around the bait.”
The Monster Bass program includes the Silver membership for $50, with more incentives offered for the Gold Monster Bass at $150 and Platinum Monster Bass at $200. Besides discounts and priority for service, the program also pays cash rewards for members who place in the Denver Marine Monster Bass tournaments. The Championship will be held Feb. 1 on Lake Norman.
Denver Marine Monster Bass Invitational Winter Trail
Sat, Jan 25, 2014
Lake Norman
Midway Marina
Call Anthony or Thad at 704-483-2628
www.denverrecreationalmarine.com
Aaron Martens Heads Into Bassmaster Classic At Top Of His Game
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Four times a Bassmaster Classic bridesmaid means only that the odds are with Aaron Martens to finally be the bride.
That’s how Martens regards his legendary four near misses to be the world champion. It’s a positive spin on what could be heavy baggage heading into the Feb. 21-23 GEICO Bassmaster Classic on Lake Guntersville and in Birmingham, Ala., Martens’ home base.
“I feel very fortunate to have come that close four times. It makes me feel like I can win. You’re that close in a short period of time; the odds are with you; it’s going to happen,” said Martens, who is looking for his first Classic crown.
Martens has more than the odds going for him this time around. He has momentum after wrapping up his 2013 Bassmaster Elite Series season by adding another Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title to his first AOY title from 2005.
He has a solid track record in Classic competitions. He’s competed in 14 Classics since 1999, missing only in 2003 after an uncharacteristic off year. In nine of the 14, he scored a Top 12 finish. In only three of those 14 did he fail to advance to the third-day finals.
In his Bassmaster career, he’s won six times (and placed second a dozen times). One of those wins was in the Bassmaster Elite Series on Lake Guntersville in May 2009.
And now the world championship is coming to a lake he’s not only won on, but competed on eight times since 2002. Not to mention that the Classic is where he lives. His home in Leeds, Ala. — just east of Birmingham — is 78 miles from Lake Guntersville.
Martens has been doing his Classic homework. One priority has been keeping himself in top physical condition.
“I’ve been training so I can try to spank everybody. If I can get into phenomenally good shape, maybe it will help that much,” he said.
Martens is a runner — a marathoner. For him a 10-mile run is a warm-up. Unless he’s laid up in bed sick, he’s out running every day.
In the same dedicated way, he cares for his tackle, boat, clothing and any other gear and tools he relies on.
“I work on it all the time. I put in eight hours a day in the offseason, sometimes more,” he said. “I’m getting ready for the Classic and for the whole season. I start over every year and go through everything to make sure it’s perfect.”
Martens’ Classic homework also included about six days on Lake Guntersville over a two-week period. Other commitments kept his Classic pre-fishing time relatively short for someone who lives nearby. But he said six days was enough to bring him up-to-date on the big fishery and enough time to know there are many things about Guntersville he doesn’t know.
Overall, he liked what he saw.
“The lake’s healthy and the grass was tremendous, even in December,” he said. “With the grass as thick as it is, the bass are averaging pretty good size. For all the fishing pressure Guntersville gets, the fishing still holds up. That’s what’s so amazing about Guntersville.
“And I like Guntersville’s layout — long, with a lot of creeks on it, and good main-river stuff.”
He compared the lake now to how it was in 2009, when he won the Elite event.
“In ’09, you could catch 20 or 30 5-pounders a day. I don’t see that now,” he said. “But you can catch four or five of the big ones a day.”
He said his Guntersville goal is to bring in at least 25 pounds a day.
“I don’t know if I’ll do it, but if I can, my chances (of winning) are good,” he said.
If conditions are perfect, he said, he expects to see some 30-pound bags.
“I’m pretty sure the record will fall,” he said, referring to the Classic weight record for five fish over three days set at 69 pounds, 10 ounces in 2011 by Kevin VanDam on the Louisiana Delta.
Martens, of course, hopes to be the one who busts the record — to be the bride this time.
“Once fishing starts, it’s all business for me. I might give someone a smile, but I’m going to be serious the entire time. You have to keep your focus sharp on the task ahead of you.”
If this works . . . the LYNX Hand Tool will change the way you attach a leader to your main line.
I got a look at this a couple of years ago at ICAST. Stronger than a knot, stronger than a crimp. Get all of the strength your line has to offer. That's the concept behind the LYNX hand tool, 5 years in development. Make a true splice. Downsize your line when the bite gets tough. Heck, downsize so the bite doesn't get tough in the first place. I see tremendous value in the LYNX, if it works on the water the way it is supposed to. Can't wait to find out.
By the way, LYNX is hosting an exclusive event to demonstrate the tool and its full capabilities in Amsterdam, Netherlands in March. We at AnglersChannel.com will probably be in Palatka, Fla. at that time but we'll keep an ear out for any news or reviews.
Shaw Grigsby Predicts Big Catches In Bassmaster Open On Toho
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The weather in Kissimmee was sublime last weekend with bluebird skies and balmy temperatures. Bassmaster Elite Series pro Shaw Grigsby even broke a sweat while practice fishing on Lake Tohopekaliga for the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open presented by Allstate, Jan. 23-25.
“If the weather stays like it is now, it would be amazing fishing,” said Grigsby, who hails from Gainesville, Fla. “With these conditions, we could see a tournament like when Dean Rojas won quite a few years back.”
It was in January 2001 that Rojas won in Kissimmee with 108 pounds, 12 ounces, an impressive victory that Grigsby believes can be duplicated. With that win, Rojas also secured the all-time one-day catch record for a five-bass-limit tournament with 45-pounds, 2 ounces.
“This is a great lake — one of the best lakes in the state of Florida because it has the big fish,” Grigsby said. “You have the potential to catch a 13-pounder with every flip, every pitch, every cast.
“The last few weeks, everyone has been saying it’s really tough fishing here, and the weights are down. But that’s not going to happen in this tournament. You’ll see normal stringers in the 12- to 14-pound range. Then you’ll see guys with over 20, and one guy who really gets on it and has a 30-pound stringer.”
Grigsby predicts that the cold weather, which may be a factor, will really only hinder the sight fishing. He anticipates the first morning of the tournament to be in the 36-degree temperature range, which will push the bass off the beds but not off the bite.
“I’m excited about it and looking forward to it,” Grigsby said. “The cool thing about this time of year is that you can catch fish doing it all. If you like cranking and doing that stuff, fine. If you like flipping and pitching, you’re good to go.”
Grigsby, who hosts his own television show, One More Cast, sometimes will film on Lake Toho and tries to visit the fishery at least once a year for the opportunity to bring in a monster bass.
“I like to sight fish in February when you can find 12-, 13- or even 14-pounders,” Grigsby said. “This is always a great place to fish.”
Boats will take off daily at 7 a.m. local time from Big Toho Marina, 101 Lakeshore Blvd., Kissimmee, FL 34741. Weigh-ins on Day 1 and Day 2 will be held at the same location. On Saturday, the final weigh-in will be held at Bass Pro Shops, 5156 International Dr., Orlando, FL 32819.
To follow the action, visit Bassmaster.com.
Brackin Wins Walmart Bass Fishing League Gator Division On Lake Okeechobee
FLW Fantasy Fishing - Game-Changer!
Catt Opens 2014 Sc Upstate Division On Lake Russell Saturday
Derrick Bridges (pictured) and Bo Hill won the 1st CATT SC Upstate tournament last year on Keowee
“This is the second year for the South Carolina Upstate Division,” said Carolina Angler's Team Trail owner and tournament director Brett Collins, “and we've added Lake Russell to the schedule this year.”
The first tournament for the revamped Upstate Division schedule will be held on Lake Russell Saturday and Collins said he expects good fishing for the first tournament.
“Lake Russell is a good cold water lake and the deep bite can be very good this time of year,” he said. “Spots will dominate on Russell, but the guys will catch a mixed bag when we fish Lake Hartwell.”
Collins said he expects to average about 25 boats per tournament as word of the CATT Trail spreads in the area.
“We've had several Georgia guys fish our tournaments at Lake Hartwell so we are going to try and get a few more of those guys involved,” he said.
“The second qualifier is Feb 15th on Lake Hartwell out of Broyles, The third is at Russell and it is a CATT GOLD event which features a $120 entry fee and the payout increases a bunch!” Collins said,. “The fourth tournament will be back on Hartwell at Twin Lakes April 12, with the final May 24 on Hartwell.”
Collins said that in a regular qualifier with the normal $80 entry fee, first place pays $550 for a 25-boat field, but in a Gold Qualifier with 25 boats, first place will pay $1,100. For a 30-boat field first place will be $1,250 and for 40 boats the winners will take home $1,500.
“The selected qualifiers are marked with a Gold Star and in gold print on the 2014 CATT Spring schedule page. We've had a big positive response and look for an increase in participation,” Collins said.
This coming year CATT will not hold a two-day Classic, but will hold state championships instead.
“We will hold a CATT North Carolina Championship in June on Kerr Reservoir and a South Carolina Championship on a lake yet to be determined in S.C.,” he said. “Both will feature a First Place guarantee of $5,000 but that will increase as the number of teams entering moves up.”
CATT SC Upstate Division
Sat, Jan 18, 2014
Lake Russell
72 Landing
Another Cold Front, But Full Moon Should Boost Bfl Gator Division On Okeechobee
The weather continues to affect the early 2014 FLW Outdoors tournaments in Florida, but somebody always catches fish and wins.
“We just finished up a Rayovac FLW Series tournament this past weekend on Lake Okeechobee and the weights were down a little bit because of the cold front that came through. Now we are going to have another cold front coming through before the Gator Division tournament, too,” said Leroy Hensley.
“I'm not sure what that is going to do to us, but we are having a full moon, so that should increase the weights some. In our first tournament week before last it took a litlte over 24 pounds to win and we had the same thing happen with the weather. A cold front came though and shut the bite down, but we still caught 3,500 pounds of fish in one day, just not the quality,” he said. “Last year it took 32 pounds to win that tournament and this year it took 24 pounds, but I think it will take a little more than that this weekend. I'm thinking about 27-28 pounds.”
Mike Keyso Jr. of North Port, Fla., weighed a five-bass totaling 24 pounds, 14 ounces Saturday to win the first Walmart Bass Fishing League Gator Division tournament Jan. 4 on Lake Okeechobee. Keith Fels of Ocala, Fla., won the Rayovac Series tournament last weekend with a three-day total of 54 pounds, 15 ounces. Keyso used a big weight to punch a Gambler BB Cricket down through the hyacinths and Fels caught his fish pitching a Gambler 1-1/4-ounce Jigzilla, trailed with a Gambler Megadaddy trailer (both black/blue), into holes in hydrilla in several feet of water.
The second Gator Division tournament falls at the end of the full moon, which means the fish should be shallow and spawning all over the lake.
“We have a full field of 200 boats and we are going out of Scott Driver Park on the north end of the lake this time,” Hensley said. “I”d like to give a big shout out to Okeechobee City. They appreciate us coming down for these tournaments and they are great hosts.”
Hensley said he anticipates full participation in the Gator Division this year because the regional will be fished at St. John's.
“That is probably as good as it can get for the Gator Division, to go to St. Johns. We are looking for a good turnout and a big field for every tournament.”
The Gator Division schedule includes: March 1, Lake Okeechobee; and May 17, Lake Toho; with the two-day final Sept. 20-21 on Lake Okeechobee.
Walmart BFL Gator Division
Sat, Jan 18, 2014
Lake Okeechobee
C Scott Driver Park
Camp Lester Series Is A 'good, Old-Fashioned Fish Camp Tournament'
The Camp Lester Team Tournament, which kicks off the 2014 schedule Sunday on Kissimmee is “just a good, old-fashioned fish camp tournament,” said Leo Cosce at Camp Lester. “We pay 1st, 2nd and 3rd and those guys get all the money.”
The series will be fished out of Camp Lester on the third Sunday of each month until the final in May which will be held on Saturday and Sunday, Cosce said.
“Right now we are looking at 30-plus boats for the first tournament. The weigh-in will be provided by John and Wendy Taylor with the Tampa Pro Bass Series. They will conduct the weigh-in and do the payout.”
Cosce said the entry fee is $70 per team, which includes big bass. The payback is 100 percent, 50-30-20. Anglers can weigh in up to five bass, 14 inches or longer and only one per contestant can be over 22 inches, he said.
“We had a small club tournament out of the camp on Sunday and it took a 3-pound average, almost 16 pounds, to win with five fish. We had water temperature at 61 degrees, so that is promising for this coming weekend.”
However, he noted there is another cold front coming this week with temperatures down in the 40s early in the week, then a gradual warming until the weekend.
“Hopefully by Sunday it will be back in the mid-60s and the anglers will find some shallow water bass,” he said. “Most of the fish will be caught on plastics. I think a lot of fish are begin caught on trick worms and swimbaits. Spinnerbaits would be good if it's windy and topwater might be good on a calm morning.”
Camp Lester Team Tournament
Sun, Jan 19, 2014
Kissimmee Chain
Camp Lester
Call Leo Cosce (863) 696-1123 or John Taylor (727) 403-6862
Bassmaster Classic Coming To Carolina In 2015! Greenville/lake Hartwell To Host.
GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Bassmaster Classic is going “Upcountry” in 2015.
Greenville and Lake Hartwell, located in the upstate region of South Carolina popularly known as The Upcountry, have been selected as the sites for the 2015 Bassmaster Classic.
B.A.S.S. and South Carolina officials, including Gov. Nikki R. Haley, made the announcement today in Greenville.
Feb. 20-22 will be the competition dates for the field of anglers who qualify for the world championship through various Bassmaster competitions throughout 2014.
A new, multi-million-dollar launch facility, Green Pond, has been constructed near Anderson, S.C., for the anglers’ daily takeoffs. They’ll bring their catches to Greenville for weigh-ins at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, recognized by the entertainment industry as one of the Top 50 venues in the world. The Bassmaster Classic Expo, the consumer show held concurrently with the competition days, will be at the 280,000-square-foot TD Convention Center in Greenville.
“We are thrilled that the Bassmaster Classic has chosen to return to South Carolina and selected Greenville for their 2015 location,” said Haley. “It’s truly a great a day in South Carolina, and now millions of people will get to see why our beautiful state continues to attract topnotch sporting events.”
“B.A.S.S. is delighted to be returning to Lake Hartwell and Greenville,” said Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S. “We will be working closely with our South Carolina partners over the next year to be sure Classic 2015 will be the first-class sporting event B.A.S.S. members and fishing fans worldwide have come to expect.”
B.A.S.S last brought the Classic to Greenville and Lake Hartwell in February 2008. The lake produced what was then the third-largest winning weight for a Classic: 49 pounds, 7 ounces. Bassmaster Elite Series pro Alton Jones of Texas was the author of that mark. Jones bested the 44-5 posted by Cliff Pace, then a 25-year-old, up-and-coming Elite pro from Mississippi. Pace went on to become a Classic champ himself in 2013.
Besides Gov. Haley, South Carolina officials on hand for Thursday’s announcement were representatives from South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism (SCPRT); VisitGreenvilleSC; VisitAnderson; the City of Greenville, Greenville County; and Anderson County.
“We are thrilled that the Bassmaster Classic has chosen to return in 2015. The world championship of bass fishing recognizes the great combination of Lake Hartwell and facilities in Anderson and Greenville,” said Chris Stone, president of VisitGreenvilleSC.
Stone noted that in 2008, more than 75,000 people attended the Classic in Greenville over three days.
“We look forward to an even larger event in 2015, which will have tremendous impact on the local economy, with a projected impact of more than $17 million in revenue to the Upstate,” Stone said.
Said Duane Parrish, SCPRT director: “SCPRT is very proud that Greenville has been chosen as the host site for the Bassmaster Classic in 2015. This accomplishment is a testament to the hard work and efforts of VisitGreenvilleSC and VisitAnderson working together with the City of Greenville, Greenville County and Anderson County to once again host this premiere event, and is further proof of South Carolina's growing reputation as a top destination for sports tourism."
As one of the largest lakes in the Southeast, Hartwell attracts millions of visitors every year, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the lake. Bordering Georgia and South Carolina on the Savannah, Tugaloo and Seneca rivers, the impoundment stretches 49 miles up the Tugaloo and 45 miles up the Seneca at normal pool elevation. Hartwell comprises nearly 56,000 acres of water with a shoreline of 962 miles, making it an ideal challenge for Classic anglers. Largemouth bass are abundant; the lake also holds spotted bass.
“There couldn’t be a better location than Lake Hartwell for the 2015 Bassmaster Classic,” said Jennifer Norman, executive director of VisitAnderson. “With Green Pond, our new $2.6 million mega-ramp facility, our convenient location and our amazing bass fishing, the Bassmaster Classic will showcase all that our lake has to offer.”
For more information about the Classic 2015 location, go to http://www.visitgreenvillesc.com; http://www.scprt.com;http://www.visitgreenvillesc.com; and http://visitanderson.com.
Registration Underway For Cabela's Collegiate Bass Fishing Open On Lake Chickamauga
In a new twist, this year the Collegiate Bass Fishing Open has been moved up on the schedule to be the first event of the season. This new date and lake gives college anglers a chance to visit Dayton, TN and fish on one of the nation's hottest bass fishing lakes, Lake Chickamauga. Competition takes place March 14th and 15th, with the onsite registration, dinner, and activities to be held Thursday March 13th.
The event is open to all collegiate fishing teams recognized by their university, and there is no entry fee to participate. Registration is officially open and can be found at:http://www.collegiatebasschampionship.com/tournament-registrations.html.
Register / Angler Packet / Rules
This unique event features a true team format that allows teammates to share information and work together to amass the largest amount of weight possible over two days of competition. The winning team will be determined by the combined weight of each team's top two boats each day.
"Our unique format in the Collegiate Bass Fishing Open has proven to be a popular concept in collegiate fishing," said Wade Middleton, of the Association of Collegiate Anglers. "Between the team aspect of competition, and a first-class fishery like Lake Chickamauga, which has been producing some giant stringers of bass, we expect this event to really be one that shines both for the anglers and in the subsequent television coverage."
Dennis Tumlin, Executive Director of the Rhea Economic Development & Tourism Council, in Dayton, TN added, "We are excited about hosting the Collegiate Bass Fishing Open here in Dayton, TN on beautiful Lake Chickamauga - America's hottest bass lake. We are looking forward to hosting collegiate anglers from all over the nation and showing them why Dayton is the best host city in America. We expect more than one ten pounder to cross the scales during this event and possibly the next state record largemouth."
Daily weigh-ins will be held at Dayton Boat Docks starting at 3:00PM. Collegiate fishing fans, family members, and friends of competitors can follow the action visiting CollegiateBassChampionship.com and
www.Facebook.com/CollegiateBassChampionship. Televised coverage will be seen later this year on several national networks including NBC Sports Outdoors, and Pursuit Network.
RAYOVAC SERIES TEXAS DIVISION OPENS AT SAM RAYBURN RESERVOIR
Get Out Reaction Baits For Rayovac Opener On Okeechobee Following Frigid 'polar Vortex'
The “Polar Vortex” that swept down out of the Arctic bringing sub-freezing temperatures all the way to Florida this week probably means that anglers in the Rayovac Southeast FLW Series opener on Lake Okeechobee will have to entice the bass with reaction baits, said veteran tournament pro JT Kenney of nearby Palm Bay, Fla.
Actually, Kenney said, had the massive cold front moved across the Southeast a little sooner it probably would have helped the fishing.
“We've not had any cold fronts so far this year until this one. Eventually, it will make the fishing better because the cold aftermath is what triggers the schools of bass that live out in the open lake,” said Kenney, who has won two FLW Tour events and a BASS Open on Okeechobee. “The back side of a cold front is what triggers the big schools of fish to come into the grass to spawn – but I don't think it is going to happen by this tournament.”
It usually takes four or five days after a cold front for the bass to rebound, he noted, but this front was just too close to tournament time.
The blast of frigid air was hustled along by strong winds and that will also have an effect on the fish this weekend, Kenney said.
“The wind started about 3 o'clock Monday and was still blowing 25 to 30 miles per hour 24 hours later. When you get a wind that blows that hard it moves the grass and there is a lot of sediment in the grass so it dirties the water. These bass do not like dirty water, so they literally shut down.”
Kenney said that although the hydrilla in Okeechobee is rooted to the bottom the hyacinths and other vegetation gets blown all over the lake.
“The guys who found some productive stretches of mats flipping, a lot of those fish will not be there anymore,” said Kenney, a 12-year FLW pro who has won $1.275 million in FLW and BASS tournaments.
“After a cold front these fish don't feed. Weightless worms and soft jerkbaits usually dominate in a good weather pattern. That is a feeding bite, but they are not feeding, so the best strategy will be to try to get reaction bites with a Rat-L-trap or spinnerbait shooting by their heads or a big heavy weight falling down through the mats by them.”
Abut 300 pros an co-anglers are expected to fish the Southeast Division Rayovac FLW Series tournament this weekend, which also kicks off the national Rayovac season, which features five divisions – the Southeast Central, Northern, Texas and Western divisions. Each division consists of three tournaments where competitors vie for points to earn a ticket to the 2014 Rayovac FLW Series Championship Oct. 30-Nov. 1 on Wheeler Lake in Rogersville, Ala.
Pros will fish for a $40,000 plus a Ranger Z518C with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard if Ranger Cup guidelines are met. Co-anglers will fish for a top prize of a Ranger Z117 with 90-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard and $5,000 if Ranger Cup guidelines are met.
Following the Okeechobee tournament, the Southeast Division moves to Santee Cooper March 13-15 for the second tournament, then finishes division competition April 24-26 on Lake Guntersville.
Rayovac FLW Series – Southeast
Jan. 9-11, 2014
Lake Okeechobee
C. Scott Driver Park
Variables A Big Part Of Strategy For Aba-Sc Season Opener On Lake Murray
A lot of factors are in play for the ABA Weekend Bass Series South Carolina Division opening season tournament on lake Murray next weekend, said tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria.
“Under normal circumstances, I could probably narrow it down to two or three tactics, but now it is wide open,” said Wicker, who cut his tournament teeth as a member of the Clemson University Fishing Team before graduating a year ago.
Those circumstances include the rapid rise of lake levels following a scheduled winter drawdown, a return to warmer temperatures following a winter freeze brought by a blast of frigid air pushed from the Arctic down across the Southeast by what the weatherman called a “Polar Vortex,” and winter rains that have muddied some areas of the lake.
“If the tournament had been last week, I would say it would be won from Billy Dreher Island up the lake. But there are some bigger fish in the lower end of the lake and with it being warm, if they turn on that really opens it up.”
Wicker noted that when the water level was down during the last several months there were a lot of fish in deep holes for the winter. But SCE&G, the utility that manages the lake, brought the lake back up while winter rains speeded the process – and helped muddy the water.
“When the water gets color on Lake Murray the bass go to the banks. If it warms up and the lake stabilizes next week I think that will bring a lot of them to the bank.”
With all the variables having an effect, Wicker said he will spend time before the tournament on the lower lake and in the upper lake.
“If they are biting on the lower end I will fish down there, but they can be finicky down there. Sometimes they bite and sometimes they don't. If they are finicky, I’ll fish the upper end of the lake.”
He hopes the ABA opener will continue the recent roll he has been on in tournaments on Lake Murray, he said.
“My dad and I have done pretty good on the lake in the past couple of months. We've been catching some pretty good fish and hopefully we can keep that rolling next week. I had my best year ever on Lake Murray in 2013,” said Wicker who plans to fish the South Carolina Division of the ABA Weekend Series and the BFL tournaments.
“We are fishing a Carolina Angler Team Trail tournament this weekend on Lake Murray and we will fish a few of the CATTS in between the ABAs and BFLs,” he said.
The ABA-SC schedule includes: March 22, Lake Russell; April 26, Santee Cooper; June 21, Lake Greenwood; and Sept. 6-7, Lake Hartwell, with the Southeast Division Regional Championship on Oct. 17-18 on Lake Tohopekaliga in Florida.
ABA Weekend Bass Series - South Carolina Division
Sat, Jan 18, 2014
Lake Murray
Dreher Island State Park
http://www.americanbassanglers.com/BWS/BWS_Division2014.php?DivisionNumberOnly=9
Fels Leads First Day of Rayovac Series with Only 20-pound Sack on Stingy Okeechobee
As the Jet Stream stalled and left the door to America's weather propped open, the Polar Vortex swept down and caused record-setting low temperatures throughout North America. Sunny South Florida felt the effects. No snow, but cold weather is just that, and Florida bass are notorious for their aversion to cold temperatures.
So when 226 anglers blasted off across Lake Okeechobee this morning, most were ignored by the lake's bountiful bass population.
After the first day of the first tournament of the newly re-named FLW Rayovac Series (formerly the EverStart Series) only one pro topped the 20-pound mark.
Keith Fels leads with 20-9. A couple of weeks ago that weight wouldn't put anybody anywhere near the top of the leader baord, but as it is now, Fels enjoys a margin of more than a pound over Thomas Helton (19-8). Only 3 competitors are within 4 pounds of Fels.
But it's a 3-day event.
How bad was it today? 17 pros zeroed. A whole slough of others had only a small fish or two to show for their efforts on the sleepy giant of a fish factory.
Temperatures will reach into the 80's as winds switch to the south over the next 2 days. That should help.
25+ Lbs wins the 2 of US Couples Trail on Toledo Bend-Full Results here!
The 2 of Us Couples Trail had it’s first tournament Sunday the 5th on Toledo Bend Lake going out and having weigh in at Fin & Feather Resort. The tournament was held as a success by the couples, considering the weather!!!
We had 2 real good stringers of bass and a 10.32 lb.bass took the big fish honors. Clint Wade and Stacy Spriggs had first place with 25.08 lbs and Clint also had the big bass of the tournament. Scott & Lacey Gill were in second with 23.54 lbs. of bass and their big fish was a very nice 6.92 bass. Third Place went to Derek & Tammy Mong with 16.56 lbs. The Ladies Big Bass went to Paula Hilton with a very nice 3.44 lb. bass.
.img_assist_custom-481x640.JPG "Half of the 2nd Place Team of Scott and Lacy Gill: Holding up part of their 23.54 LB Sack!")
Half of the 2nd Place Team of Scott and Lacy Gill: Holding up part of their 23.54 LB Sack!
.img_assist_custom-481x640.JPG "Ladies BB Winner Paula Hilton with her 3.44 BF!")
Ladies BB Winner Paula Hilton with her 3.44 BF!
The Southeast Region had 20 couples fish this first tournament and welcome couples interested in being a part of this trail to join them next month on Lake Sam Rayburn on February 23. The tournament will be going out of Cassell Boykin Marina so give Derek or Tammy a call at 985-519-5724 or 318-315-1269 for more information.
1. Clint Wade & Stacy Spriggs
25.08
2. Scott & Lacey Gill
23.54
3. Derek & Tammy Mong
16.56
4. David & Molly Atwell
13.59
5. Hugh & Christie Desormeaux
13.15
6. Donnie & Juanita Robinson
12.79
7. Ernie Provasek & Tommie Domingue
11.97
8. Ty & Kim Hutchins
11.75
9. Thomas & Paula Hilton
9.41
10. Donnie Boudreaux & Megan Legg
8.33
11. Johnny & Jolyne George
7.14
12. David & Tina Bozarth
2.41
13. Mike & Linda Greer
1.83
14. Luke & Linda Sims
14. Rick & Debbie Barns
14. George & Doris Mahaffey
14. Mark & Donna Mauldin
14. Curtis & Kalen Sheppard
14. Yari & Macie Schreibvolel
14. Melvin & Jane Dowers
Men's Big Bass Clint Wade 10.32 lbs
Ladies Big Bass Paula Hilton 3.44 lbs
February 23, 2014
Sam Rayburn
Cassell Boykin
March 16,2014
Lake Livingston
Kickapoo Bait & Tackle
April 13,2014
Toledo Bend
Pendleton Marina
May 25,2014
Sam Rayburn
Mill Creek (registration at Store)
June 15,2014
Lake Livingston
Kickapoo Bait & Tackle
The Texas Elite Couples Championship
October 3,4,5 2014
Lake Palestine
Post-Freeze Warm-Up Should Have Fishing Back To Normal For Toho Marine Elite One Man Tour
Although a massive winter cold front this week sent temperatures plunging below freezing even down into Florida, things should warm up enough to have fishing back to normal by the launch Saturday of the 2014 Toho Marine Elite One Man Tour tournament on Lake Tohopekaliga, said tournament director Bob McDaniel.
“We had a really cold day yesterday, but it is 53 degrees today and it's supposed to get up into the 70s tomorrow and Friday,” McDaniel said. “The water got a little colder, but I think things will pick up by Saturday.”
The bass in Toho are still in transition, he said.
“They are pretty much in pre-spawn mode and you can find them both in the open water or in the shallows but anytime now they will probably switch over the the spawning mode. The open water fishermen and the flippers are doing equally well.”
This is the second year Toho Marine has sponsored the Elite One Man Tour, McDaniel said.
“We did really well last year. I think we averaged 25 to 30 boats a tournament and everybody we talked to was very pleased with the trail. It looks like we are getting a lot of the same anglers back and hopefully some additional ones. We've picked up a couple of new sponsors this year, too.”
The entry fee for the tournaments is $100, with a 100 percent payback based on the number of entries, plus two big fish spots, McDaniel said. The points champion will win free entries to the monthly tournaments for the following year. Each angler also pays a one-time $25 membership fee.
“Anglers can sign up by mail to Toho Marine, if it gets in on time, or they can pay cash at the ramp. It's too late to mail an entry in for this tournament Saturday, so anyone who has not sent an entry in yet will have to pay at the ramp.”
McDaniel said the entry fee for the two-day Classic at the end of the season is $200, with a 100 percent payback based on the number of entries.
“There will also be a lot of bonus prizes and giveaways provided by the sponsors, rods and reels, that sort of thing,” he added.
On the tournament website McDaniel and co-director Jimmy Murphy listed the following four reasons for anglers to fish the Toho Marine Elite One Man Tour:
1. You need to land your own fish since you won’t have a partner to net it for you.
2. You make all the decisions on what spots to fish, how long to fish that spot and when it is time to move on to a new spot.
3. You can’t blame your partner if your day doesn’t turn out as planned.
4. You get to keep all the prize money.
The series kicks off the 2014 season Saturday our of Red's Fish Camp, followed by tournaments Feb 8, Lake Okeechobee/Scott Driver; March 22, Lake Harris/Buzzard Beach; April 19, Lake Kissimmee/Camp Mack; May 24, Lake Istokpoga/Hwy 98 Ramp; June 21, Lake Harris/Buzzard Beach; July 19, Lake Kissimmee/Camp Mack; and Aug. 23, Lake Okeechobee/Scott Driver; with the Classic, Nov. 7-8, Lake Toho/Red’s Fish Camp.
Toho Marine Elite One Man Tour
Sat, Jan 11, 2014
Lake Toho
Red’s Fish Camp
http://www.tohomarine.com/index.php/tournaments/toho-elite-one-man.html
Campbell Wins Gator BFL on Okeechobee with Snag Proof Frogs, Fitzgerald Rod
The 2014 Walmart Bass Fishing League (BFL) got started Saturday on Lake Okeechobee. Mike Keyso, Jr. of North Port, Fla. topped a field of 201 boaters with what he thought was a lackluster limit - 24 pounds, 14 ounces.
Indeed, anglers including Keyso had been busting 30-to-35-pound sacks in practice but high winds on Friday scattered the cover many fishermen had planned to visit. Add the plain old nasty effects of a cold front on Florida bass and the resulting low weights are understandable.
When action slowed, so did Keyso. He downsized his weight, from 2 ounces to 1.5, and switched from a Gambler Craw to a Gambler B.B. Cricket. He also yo-yoed his lure in likely spots for extended lengths of time. He said other boats in his area were moving far too fast.
Keyso identified the exact type of cover he needed to work - a major reason he was able slow down and concetrate his efforts in the right type of spots. Specifically, Keyso looked for seams between green hyacinths and dead, brown ones.
Luke Campbell of Fort Lauderdale bested all co-anglers with 21-3. He enjoyed a solid 1 pound margin over Orlando's Derek Petruzelli and more than a 5-pound cushion over the rest of the big field.
In contrast to most angler, who flipped, Campbell enjoyed the most exciting type of action known to fishing - topwater bites. He used a Snag Proof, American-made, Frog. The Fitzgerald rod Campbell used is also built in America - in Ocala, Fla.
So strong was Campbell's weight that only 3 boaters beat it - Keyso, Richard Held (22-5) and Timothy Feller (21-9).
Campbell also mixed-in a Gambler Big EZ and outscored Val Osinski who owns the Florida-based Gambler company and enjoyed a top 10 finish in the boater division with 18-12.
