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.
Chris Lane Looks Forward To 2014 Bassmaster Classic With Great Expectations
Chris Lane of Guntersville, Ala., is ready to fish his home territory during the GEICO Bassmaster Classic, which will be held Feb. 21-23 on Lake Guntersville. According to Lane, the big bass are there and could result in 30-plus-pound bags at weigh-ins. P
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Chris Lane’s dream of winning the 2014 GEICO Bassmaster Classic is different than the dreams of the other 55 anglers in the game.
Sure, every qualifier hopes to win the world championship of professional bass fishing. A win molds a pro career and changes your life, and not just because of the $300,000 first prize.
As the 2012 Classic champ, Lane knows that to be true. Yet this time around would be different. In 2014 — his fourth Classic — he’s not only a competitor, he’s the hometown entry.
Florida-born, Lane now lives on Lake Guntersville, the famed Alabama fishery where the Classic field will compete Feb. 21-23, with weigh-ins in Birmingham at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.
Friends, neighbors and fans in his adopted hometown of Guntersville are looking to Lane to take a second Classic title — this time for them. Fans everywhere assume he has a home-water advantage and expect more of him.
“There’s added pressure when it comes to fulfilling the expectations people have of you because you’re fishing at home,” Lane said. “I think my biggest challenge will be time management, using my time each evening preparing for the next day’s competition. It’s hard to put everything else aside when you’re at home.”
Recognizing what’s ahead of him, Lane set to work as soon as he nailed a Classic qualification by winning the final Bassmaster Elite Series event of the 2013 season. His mission: Sew up a gaping hole in his lake knowledge.
“In the five years I’ve lived here, I haven’t fished the lake much from December to March because I’ve had other things scheduled,” he said. “I knew I needed to learn a lot to give myself a chance to do well.”
A Lake Guntersville crash course was made easier because he could go to school at home.
“I could just takeoff from my own dock, get back for lunch with my kids and be home every night,” he said. “I was able to put in a lot of time on the water right up until cutoff on Dec. 31.”
Lake Guntersville has been off limits to Classic anglers since that date. Lane drives over the lake bridge to take his kids to school, but those teasing glimpses are as close as he can get to the water until the official practice period begins in February.
Then, he said, get ready for a slugfest.
“The lake has a lot of big fish,” Lane said. “The 30-plus-pound bags are here.”
By February, the lake’s bass will have been feeding to get in shape for the spawn, and they’ll be as fat as they’ll get all year, Lane said. That means a limit of five big bass a day will be needed to top the leaderboard, he said, and the game could easily change from one day to the next.
“Anyone could come from behind with a huge sack and take over,” Lane said. “This will be a Classic that’s a nail-biter to the very end.”
He predicts the winning weight will be about 83 pounds. That would easily break the Classic record of 69 pounds, 11 ounces set in 2011 on the Louisiana Delta.
Lane made his predictions with a disclaimer: “Weather permitting. Water clarity will be a big factor in the weights.”
Only one angler has won a Classic in his home state. Interestingly, the state was Alabama, and Boyd Duckett triumphed in the 2007 Classic on Lay Lake, 120 miles from his Demopolis home. But no angler has won a Classic in his home town.
Lane wants to be that angler: “It was so sweet to win a first Classic. Winning this one would be just as sweet, being at home.”
Rojas Joins Duckett Fishing Pro Staff
A little news from the 'business' side of our sport:
GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. - Dean Rojas, one of the country’s top competitive anglers and arguably the industry’s No. 1 “frog fisherman,” has joined Duckett Fishing’s professional staff.
Duckett Fishing president and CEO Boyd Duckett announced today that Rojas will work on the design of at least three signature rods: heavy-action and standard-action frog rods, as well as a cranking rod.
Rojas will also serve as a consultant on the development of Duckett Fishing reels, which could be introduced as early as this spring.
“We are tremendously happy to bring Dean Rojas on board at Duckett Fishing. As a competitive angler, his amazing records speaks for itself. But even more important to us, Dean embodies the highest level of integrity,” said Duckett.
“Dean has a tremendous dedication to our industry. While everyone recognizes him as one of the best anglers in the world, we’re actually more interested in his off-the-water abilities and his character," Duckett said. "Dean will work hand-in-hand with us in the development of new projects. And if you know Dean, you know that he’ll help us create a perfect frog rod.”
Rojas, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, has earned four Bassmaster event titles and finished in the Top 10 on 34 occasions. Rojas has also eight FLW tour Top 10 finishes and competes on Major League Fishing.
“What is really exciting for us is that Dean had an opportunity to go anywhere he wanted, and he chose to work with us because he believes in what we're doing,” Duckett said.
Rojas said that Duckett Fishing’s "desire for perfection” is what attracted him to the company.
“I’m very happy to be part of Duckett Fishing, because it’s a company that is aggressive and does things the right way,” Rojas said.
“People throughout our industry understand that Boyd is a leader and an innovator," Rojas said. "And what really attracted me to Duckett Fishing is knowing that Boyd is going to work and work to perfect whatever the company is developing. And Duckett Fishing won't put a product out there until it's right. That's what I was looking for."
Nixon to Run a Ranger for 2014
Larry Nixon has rejoined Ranger Boats. It brings his legendary career full circle in some respects. Nixon shares:
"Dad bought one of the first Rangers.I think it was the 26th boat that came out of the plant. I used that boat when I started guiding on Greers Ferry Lake when I was 16. I liked it so much that after a while I paid for it and he had to go buy another one."
Nixon isn't the only pro to leave Stratos Boats for Ranger this season. Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Skeet Reese has also decided to run a Ranger in 2014.
To read more about Nixon's latest deal, check out the story on FLWOutdoors.com: http://www.flwoutdoors.com/fishing-articles/155486/nixon-partners-with-ranger-boats/#.Usw7sPRDvxQ
Alabama's Gipson & Hurst Talk About Recent Tourney, Collegiate Fishing Experience
Jake Gipson and Charlie Hurst, fishing for the University of Alabama, placed 2nd among 130 boats in this weekend's Carhartt College Southern B.A.S.S. Regional. Gipson has been there before. In fact, he's been better. He and former partner Matt Wercinsky founded the University of Florida club and won a pair of national titles for the fishing Gators when Gipson was an undergrad - and half of the most dynamic duo to ever compete in collegiate fishing. Now a grad student, Gipson has taken his winning ways to an established collegiate angling program. He compares the experiences at the two schools and he and Hurst share their thoughts on college bass fishing, in general.
Ucf's Oliver And Mckamey Win 2014 Carhartt College Southern B.a.s.s. Regional
Alabama's Jake Gipson and Charlie Hurst had taken the lead with a 24 pound, 15 ounce sack of Okeechobee bass but Kyle Oliver and Hunter McKamey from the University of Central Florida stepped to the scale with more than 20 pounds of their own to run their 2-day total to 39-12 and win the Carhartt College Southern B.A.S.S. Regional! See them do it, hear them tell how.
Points Race Getting Tight In Last Month Of Denver Marine Monster Bass Invitational Winter Trail
There are just four tournaments left in the Denver Marine Monster Bass Invitational Winter Trail on Lake Norman and Saturday's tournament is a double-point event which makes for an interesting situation with the top 10 places all within about 40 points of each other.
“It's a really close race. Larry Lehew, Shane Lehew and David Cook are at the top of the points,” said Thad Campbell, tournament director. “In the last tournament Larry Lehew weighed in five fish at 18.05 pounds. When he came in and showed us what he had, that changed the whole program.”
The reason, Campbell said, was because Lehew caught his fish on the version of the Alabama Rig designed and made by his grandson, Shane Lehew, a 24-year-old tournament angler from Charlotte, N.C. Shane Lehew and his father have started a small bait company called Shane's Baits
“The anglers out there are telling me the fishing is good on Lake Norman,” Campbell said. “They are catching bass in deep water on the Alabama Rigs. People are starting to get on them (Shane's Baits) and they had better get them before they are sold out.”
Campbell said all the bonus packages are in place and Denver Marine is getting all kinds of incentives they are passing along to the anglers in the Monster Bass Trail.
“They get a free Bojangles breakfast at the tournaments and certificates for up to $1,500 on boats,” he noted.
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.
“Anglers from other tournaments are showing up at our tournaments to fish our series because we have such extraordinary payouts,” Campbell said. “We are getting them in and we hope they will be with us for the next trail. We tell them what the rules are and we are sticking to the rules 100 percent. That way everybody has the same opportunity. The inconsistency of some of the other trails is what the anglers don't like.”
With just four tournaments left in the winter trail, including the one coming up Saturday, there is still time to make the championship, Campbell said.
“Even at this late date, an angler can pay his entry fee and still make the championship,” he said. The top five will get free entries in the championship and an opportunity to win that boat.”
Remaining tournaments include Jan. 4, Jan. 11, Jan. 18 and Jan,. 25, with the championship Feb. 1, all on Lake Norman.
Denver Marine Monster Bass Invitational Winter Trail
Sat, Jan 4, 2014
Lake Norman
Midway Marina
Call Thad Campbell, 704-483-2628
http://denverrecreationalmarine.com/tournaments,schedule
Big Weights Expected For Bfl Gator Division Opener On Okeechobee Saturday
The Walmart BFL Gator Division will kick off the FLW Bass Fishing League year Saturday on Lake Okeechobee with a full field of 200 boats and predictions of a 6-pound or better average to take first place.
“I'm not down there yet,” said Larry Hensley, who was experiencing very cold weather back in Kentucky early in the week, “but, from what I have heard so far fishing is very good on Lake Okeechobee right now.”
So good, in fact, that Hensley said it is taking 26-27 pounds to win a tournament on the Big-O right now.
“I think it will take more than that Saturday,” he said. “Last year it took 32 pounds to win and I fully expect a 30-pound sack to win it this year.”
Not only does the Gator Division tournament kick off the national BFL season Saturday, it kicks off a three weekend run for FLW tournaments on Okeechobee.
“We've got the first Gator Division tournament on Saturday and the following weekend EverStart will kick off the first tournament of that series on the north end of Okeechobee. Then the next weekend we will hold the second BFL Gator Division tournament on the lake. We are going to be quite busy down there the first three weeks of January.”
Hensley said he anticipates full participation in the Gator Division this year.
“One of the reasons it is going to be a good year in the Gator Division is that 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.”
With good weather expected for Saturday, anglers will likely find the bass very cooperative and big limits are expected to be brought to the scales. Techniques expected to produce for tournament anglers include sight-fishing, flipping plastics and jigs in mats and reeds and throwing moving baits like the Gambler Big EZ and Z-Man ChatterBait in the grass.
If a cold front moves in, the competitors will face a tougher challenge and punching big weights into thick cover will likely produce the winning weight.
The Gator Division schedule includes: Jan. 18, Lake Okeechobee; March 1, Lake Okeechobee; and May 17, Lake Toho; with the two-day final Sept. 20-21 on Lake Okeechobee.
Walmart BFL Gator Division
Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014
Lake Okeechobee
Roland & Mary Ann Martin’s Marina
Clewiston, Fla.
Fishing Slow For Aba Tournament On Lake Istokpoga, But Should Get Hot Soon
Fishing has been pretty tough on Lake Istokpoga in advance of the American Bass Anglers South Division 28 tournament Saturday, but that's probably par for the course this time of year, and if history is any indication it won't take long for things to heat up in the famous Florida bass waters.
“It was a little slow in January last year and then in February it picked up and again in March and April after that,” said tournament director Doug Green, who noted that last January it took a little over 13 pounds for three fish for first place.
Now, a 4-pound average is nothing to sniff at in any tournament, but Green said that was not a good average when you consider it took an average of more than 5 pounds per fish in most of the other 2013 tournaments – and there were three tournaments where a 7-pound average was the winning mark.
“We had three tournaments where it took over 20 pounds for first place with three fish and one of those tournaments it took 20 pounds just for second place,” he said.
“But, that's pretty normal. For the most part we don't fish October, November and December. January is pretty much a trial month, just getting things back in gear, and then in March and April it takes off, especially with the spawn.”
Green, who is taking over as tournament director this year after fishing the trail for the first time in 2013, actually was the points leader in 2013 after winning three out of the six tournaments, but did not fish the two-day final so he missed out on being points champion.
The series began Dec. 7 and will continue with tournaments Saturday, Feb. 1, March 1, April 5 and May 3-4.
The entry fee for one of the division qualifying tournaments is $70, which includes big fish. Entry fee for the divisional championship is $140.
First place, with 100 entries, pays $1,000 for a divisional qualifier and $2,000 for a divisional championship. The series is is certified for the Triton Gold bonus program.
ABA membership is $25 for one year, $40 for two years, $60 for three years. The Platinum AFT membership is $50 and a life membership is $450.
American Bass Anglers Istokpoga South- Division #28
Sat, Jan 4, 2014
Lake Istokpoga
Hwy 98 Ramp
Call Director: Doug Green at (941) 518 2523
http://www.americanbassanglers.com/districts2014.php?Division=28
Windy Okeechobee Proves Tough Test For Collegiate Anglers On Day 1 Of The Carhartt College Southern B.a.s.s. Regional
"Anybody who was out there today has to love this sport because common sense tells you it's not a good idea," said Jacob Nummy, half of the Auburn Universty Montgomery team that won the Southern Regional last season.
Today Nummy fished with new partner Corey Pierce and the duo, beat up by the wind, just kept flippin'.
AUM's 17 pound, 8 ounce effort landed them in 6th place among 130 teams. This puts them in contention for a repeat victory if they can duplicate their success during Saturday's final competition round.
They have their work cut out. AUM looks up the leaderboard and sees:
| 1 | Kyle Oliver - Hunter McKamey | University of Central Florida | 5 | 18-15 | ||
| 2 | Charles Conger - Demetrius Thomas | Abraham Baldwin Ag College | 5 | 18-13 | ||
| 3 | Bo Larkins - Brian Rosso | University of Georgia | 5 | 18-10 | ||
| 4 | Jacob Roberson - Evan Horne | University of North Alabama | 5 | 18- 7 | ||
| 5 | John Larsen - Nick Peet | University of Central Florida | 5 | 17-10 |
Oliver says the Knights, in 1st place, will go with the "same game plan" tomorrow. Teammate McKamey elaborates, "we left our spot pretty early in the day." indicating that they expect to pick up where they left off when fishing resumes in the morning.
Oliver and McKamey are a pound and 5 ounces ahead of their UCF club mates Larsen and Peet who also occupy one of the top 5 spots.
A lot of folks are looking forward to tomorrow - if only for the fact that air temperatures are forecast to rise about 15 degrees.
Today's wind pinned down some anglers while others spoke of wet and wild trips across the rolling lake. Neal Combs of Seminole State College says he and partner Kevin Lucas should have run south - something he talked Lucas out of
Lucas says they'll make the run tomorrow and try to overcome their 58th-place start. "We're going to go swing for a big bag tomorrow. It's all we can do with 8 pounds, 13 ounces today."
The expected warm up probably won't impact patterns and techniques much. Today the deal was clearly the flippin' bite along Okeechobee's somewhat sheltered, though very crowded North Shore region. Bassmaster.com's Shaye Baker counted 31 boats in an area that produced for anglers in last month's Bassmaster Classic Wildcard tourney. Winds should lay, but waters will still be chilly and fish should be tight beneath the mats.
Champion College Angler Eager To Get Bassmaster College Series Underway On Okeechobee
Florida's Lake Okeechobee has a reputation as a bass factory, but it can be fickle like this time of year when cold fronts moving through can give the largemouths lockjaw.
“Okeechobee doesn’t care who you are,” said Jacob Nummy, who teamed with fellow Auburn University at Montgomery student Tom Frink to win the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship on Chatuge Reservoir at Young Harris, Ga., in August. “It will shut down on you in a heartbeat. It's a different fishery, but it's fun and it can be rewarding.”
Frink has graduated, but Nummy will team with his childhood friend and fellow UAM student, Corey Pierce, for the 2014 Carhartt Bassmaster College Southern B.A.S.S. Regional Jan. 3-4 to kick off the college series for the coming year.
College teams from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and west Tennessee will be competing in the Southern Regional, which kicks off the series of regional college tournaments across the United States. Covering five geographic regions and some of the best bass waters in the country, the College Series will crown a new national champion in 2014 and send a talented young angler to the 2015 Bassmaster Classic.
“Corey and I finished third out of 181 boats in the only college tournament I have fished with him, the BOAT-US National Championship in either 2010 or 2011. We've fished together a lot in other tournaments and he and I have both had top five finishes in college bass tournaments,” Nummy said.
He grew up fishing Florida strain bass and he has experience on Lake Okeechobee and other Florida waters. This past January he and Frink finished 6th in a college bass tournament on the Harris Chain, then followed that a week later with a third place in the FLW College Fishing tournament on Okeechobee.
“It's lining up to be the same type conditions this year,” Nummy said. After fairly warm conditions, a cold front is expected a few days before the tournament.
“Florida strain largemouths will shut down in cold water, 55 degrees or less, but if we get a warming trend we can catch some fish,” he said.
“There will be 129 teams in the tournament, so even though Okeechobee is a giant lake it fishes really small. Take an area like the Monkey Box, it will be fished so hard I don't even know if I will go in there.”
Nummy left the day after Christmas to spend as much time checking out the Okeechobee bass as possible before the tournament.
“It’s the best way to finish off the Christmas break,” Nummy said. “I love Okeechobee this time of year, and it’s nice to get on the spring bite. I’ve been watching the weather, and we’re going to have a new moon when I’m down there. One thing I know about Okeechobee is that the tournament is going to be won on a flipping bite.
“There may be some sight fishing during practice, but I wouldn’t count on it during the tournament. I think the fish are going to be so spooky from practice that the option to sight fish may be there, but I wouldn’t recommend it as a pattern,” he said
“Okeechobee can be overwhelming, but I don't see why Corey and I can't be successful,” Nummy said.
2014 Carhartt Bassmaster College Southern B.A.S.S. Regional
Jan. 3-4, 2014
Lake Okeechobee
C Scott Driver Park
Veteran Angler Says January Is A Great Time For Quality Bass Fishing On Lake Wateree
South Carolina's Lake Wateree is noted for excellent bass fishing, but it can also produce some really big bass, especially in January – and often numbers of bass – according to veteran tournament angler and guide Dearal Rodgers who grew up near the lake.
There are three keys to catching Wateree bass in January, Rodgers said: “Rocks, access to deep water and the cleanest water you can find.”
Water clarity is essential this time of year, he said.
“The water color in January is normally as clear as it will be all year and I have found that you need relatively clear water to get bites in cold 45-55 degree water. By clear, I mean that if I drop my lure in the water, I can see it down to at least 2 feet. If I can't see my lure that deep I move further down the lake.”
Most of the time the clearer water will be from the dam up to Beaver Creek, Rodgers said. The other two essential pieces of the puzzle are access to deep water and rocks.
“I like to fish main lake rock that is protected from the wind and gets a lot of daytime sun. Usually, this means a northern bank.”
Put clear water, deep water access and rocks together and you have almost all the elements necessary to catch some quality largemouths – and also at times numbers of bass.
“Once I find these important variables, I begin checking my graph for baitfish. They are often found balled up in schools in the 12-to 18-foot range. The bass are living on the main lake, near deep water. They don’t want to have to travel very far to eat and they have to eat to survive,” he said.
Lures of choice include a No. 4 Strike King crankbait in a shad pattern, a spinnerbait with a white skirt and silver willow leaf blades and a No. 5, or No. 7 Rapala Shad Rap in a shad, or crawfish (brown) pattern.
“That bait is a little tough to throw on a bait caster, so I typically use a spinning rod spooled with 6- to 8-pound P-Line fluorocarbon. The key to the Shad Rap is the tight wobbling action the bait puts off. It's deadly on cold Wateree bass,” he said.
“My next 'go-to' bait, and one I like for really big fish, is a ¾-ounce Buckeye Lures single-blade spinnerbait with a silver No. 5 willow-leaf blade and the Buckeye Lures Blue Glimmer skirt.”
Speed, or a lack of it, is also a must, he said.
“This is also the only time of year that I fish sitting down. It helps me slow down and this time of year, that helps put more fish in the boat,” he said. “ I always carry a net because you do get some big bites in January.”
Fishing on the occasional warm days is also key this time of year, he said.
“If we get three or four days of warm weather in a row, the fish will move shallow and bite really good.”
Frontal conditions are also really important in January, Rodgers said, observing that the fish bite really well during low pressure – when it’s cloudy, raining, or even snowing.
“I’ve had some of my best days there when it is cold and rainy. The bright, high pressure, bluebird sky days are when it can really be tough. If I had to choose a day to fish this month, it would be a warm, cloudy one,” Rodgers said.
“Bass really tend to gang up on Wateree in January, so keep in mind that if you catch one, others are also there,” he noted. “I always watch my electronics and ride over a spot after I catch a fish. That way, I can see what type of structure, or cover the fish are using, find out if there is any bait present, and I can often see if there is a school of bass there.”
If he sees more bass on his sonar, Rodgers said he will try a 3/16-ounce Buckeye Spot Remover jighead with a Zoom Trick worm before leaving the area.
“If bass are there, they'll bite it,” he said “Also, keep in mind that sometimes it takes multiple casts to the same area in January to trigger a bite. Be patient and keep trying.”
Rodgers said the bass at Wateree this time of year will suspend around the first break to deep water in these areas, then move shallow once or twice a day to feed.
“I like to target these fish with slow moving Shad Raps and suspending jerkbaits like the Lucky Craft Pointer. Shad patterns do the trick and don't underestimate the Buckeye Lures DR Edition 3/4-ounce spinnerbait slow rolled around the 10-foot zone.”
Rodgers said if you find a productive point, or bank it will typically produce through the winter into the early spring.
Besides catching quality bass, one other factor makes bass fishing on Lake Wateree in January an enjoyable experience, Rodgers said.
“This month finds very little boat traffic at Lake Wateree which makes for some very enjoyable days if you have nice weather,” said Rodgers who noted there is an added bonus to bass fishing this time of year. “The bite in January is strongest in the afternoon, so don't be afraid to sleep in a little The fish usually bite best starting around 11 o'clock in the morning.”
Rodgers, who won the FLW Tour Co-Angler of the Year Award in 2009 and the FLW Tour's Forrest Wood Cup as a Co-Angler in 2010 will fish the FLW Tour as a co-angler in 2014. He is also available for guided bass fishing trips on Lake Wateree and other lakes in South Carolina. For information on the tournament fishing career of Dearal Rodgers or to inquire about a guided bass fishing trip on Lake Wateree or other South Carolina lakes, check out his website: www.dearalrodgers.com.
Sportsman's Warehouse Holiday Shopping Showcase #3
Sportsman's Warhouse Store manager Randy Hodge continues to show us some great, great last minute shopping idea's for this Holiday......click here to watch!!
Collegiate Anglers Prepare For 2014 Carhartt Bassmaster College Southern B.a.s.s. Regional On Okeechobee
OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — A record-setting field will take to the water Jan. 3-4 for the 2014 Carhartt Bassmaster College Southern B.A.S.S. Regional on Florida’s massive Lake Okeechobee. For the year’s first competition, 129 two-angler teams representing 42 schools throughout the South will vie for prizes and the chance to advance to the National Championship competition to win the title for their college.
“Having a field of this size in the first tournament of 2014 indicates just how quickly our college program is expanding,” said Hank Weldon, college tournament manager. “It’s very rewarding to see more colleges adding fishing teams to their sports’ rosters and giving more young people opportunities to pursue competitive bass fishing. We expect to see continued growth as the year progresses.”
Among the competitors readying for the January tournament are teams from Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) — the defending National Champions — and teams from eight different Florida schools, including the University of Florida, Florida State University and the University of Central Florida.
College anglers compete for the National Championship title and for cash prizes and contingency prizes from Carhartt, Bass Pro Shops, Power-Pole, Nitro/Tracker and Triton Gold. One major incentive is a shot at a spot in the 2015 world championship of bass fishing.
“These college anglers have a chance to win a berth in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic, the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing,” Weldon said. “It’s the goal of all competitive bass anglers to test their skills against the world’s best in the annual Classic competition. In 2013, Auburn University’s Jordan Lee won the chance to fish in the 2014 Classic coming up in February in Birmingham. That’s a dream come true for a college angler.”
For the biggest field in the history of the Carhartt College program, it’s only fitting that the anglers are fishing one of the largest and best bass fisheries in the country. Lake Okeechobee covers more than 470,000 surface acres and is a legendary tournament destination. In December, it was the site of the Bassmaster Wild Card presented by Star Tron, which was won by Chad Morgenthaler. In 2012, Ish Monroe won an Elite Series event on the lake, topping 100 pounds in just four days.
While much of the rest of the country struggles to stay warm this winter, Lake Okeechobee should be balmy, and the fishing will likely be hot.
Jacob Nummy, who with Tom Frink won the National Championship for Auburn University at Montgomery in 2013, is looking forward to starting the year in competition on a fishery like Okeechobee. Nummy will be in Florida for the tournament from Dec. 26 through Jan. 5 and starts the 2014 school year on Jan. 6.
“It’s the best way to finish off the Christmas break,” Nummy said. “I love Okeechobee this time of year, and it’s nice to get on the spring bite. I’ve been watching the weather, and we’re going to have a new moon when I’m down there. One thing I know about Okeechobee is that the tournament is going to be won on a flipping bite.
“There may be some sight fishing during practice, but I wouldn’t count on it during the tournament. I think the fish are going to be so spooky from practice that the option to sight fish may be there, but I wouldn’t recommend it as a pattern.”
The Carhartt College record weight for a two-day event is 54 pounds, 12 ounces, and it could certainly fall at Okeechobee, where 7- and 8-pound bass abound and 30-pound limits are almost commonplace when the weather cooperates. Less likely to be eclipsed is the College record for big bass, which currently stands at 11-11. Okeechobee produces lots of lunkers, but bass in the 12-pound class are rare.
Montgomery Planning Tough Dual Schedule In 2014, But Enjoying Rabbit Hunting Until The Pro Season Starts
Once the grind of the bass tournament season is over, what does a pro angler do with his time? For Blacksburg, S.C., pro Andy Montgomery it's time to go – rabbit hunting.
“We killed six this morning and we had races going all morning,” said Montgomery when reached by cell phone as he and his fellow hunters were winding up a day of chasing cottontails near Blacksburg.
“We had a good morning of rabbit hunting. We were hearing the dogs holler the whole morning and I walked about 27 miles, which should put me in good physical shape to fish this next year. Rabbit hunting is good exercise, especially when you are in the briars and you have to pick your feet up to walk,” he said.
After finishing third in the Ryan Newman Foundation Annual Charity Fishing Tournament on North Carolina's Lake Norman Saturday, Montgomery has been on an outdoorsman's holiday this week – fishing and hunting.
“We were striper fishing yesterday on Lake Murray and I've been doing some deer hunting”, Montgomery said. “I used to do a little crappie fishing this time of year, but have not got to do any this year. I've also had to appear at a couple of grand openings which takes up a lot of time.”
Montgomery grew up in upper South Carolina where small game hunting, like rabbit hunting, was the traditional pursuit of youngsters for many years before whitetail deer repopulated their historic habitat and big game hunting became the primary fall and winter pursuit.
But, Montgomery did not start rabbit hunting as a youngster. He began hunting cottontails when he was about 20 years old and already a civil engineering student at Clemson University.
“My South Carolina history teacher in high school, George Wilkins, invited me to go hunting with him and his son, Mark, who was also at Clemson,” Montgomery said. So, for the last decade or so, when he has a chance he hits the woods with the Wilkins and their pack of beagles during rabbit season.
But, unlike another well-known old-time pro angler who has his own pack of beagles – 2000 Bassmaster Classic Champion Woo Daves of Spring Grove, Va., – Montgomery doesn't own any rabbit dogs.
“No way, as much as I travel,'” he said. “but George knows all his dogs by name – he feeds them every day.”
Wilkins hunts rabbits about twice a week during the season, Montgomery said, and he joins the group when his schedule allows.
“The actual killing of the rabbits is not a big deal. I like to shoot at one, but for me the hunt is all about the dogs and the fellowship.”
But, he added, he does like to eat them.
“Probably my favorite way to cook them is slow in a crockpot with onions, potatoes and carrots,” he said.
Montgomery said he is enjoying his time off as much as possible because he has a hard year ahead of him.
“I'll be fishing both the FLW Tour and the BASS Tour. It's gong to be a grueling schedule, but it's something I need to do,” he said. “I think one stretch I've got six tournaments in a row, so I need to be in good physical shape.”
Tromping through the briars in pursuit of cottontails should help with that.
Catt Adding Gold Qualifiers With More First Place Money For 2014
The highly successful Carolina Anglers Team Trail is returning in 2014 with a new schedule that includes one tournament in each trail that is sure to be a big hit with anglers because of the huge increase in prize money.
“We are going to introduce the CATT Gold Qualifiers,” said tournament director Brett Collins. “Select qualifiers of each trail will have a $120 entry fee which will increase the payout at the selected qualifier.”
For example, Collins said, 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 is expanding again in 2014, Collins said, in both states.
“We are adding Lake James in North Carolina where it's common in the spring to win with a limit of smallmouth weighing over 20 pounds. That schedule is up on the website and we will be launching out of Big Bear,” he said.
“We are also adding a Spring Trail on Lake Norman. The Gaston TOM CATT is going to expand and include Lake Gaston, Kerr, Pembroke and the Chowan River. There's a slight chance we may also run CATT on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia.”
In South Carolina, Collins is adding CATT Trails on Clarks Hill and Lake Russell.
Collins said 2014 will build on the great success CATT enjoyed in 2013.
“We paid back over $40,000 on the Yadkin River Chain in only the second year. Wateree, Murray, Wylie, the Waccmaw River and Santee saw good crowds. The Old North Trail had over 100 teams join up, and this was the first year for CATT on Gaston and it did well,” he said.
“We expect to see a huge increase in participation in our North Carolina trails. New sponsors are coming on board so keep checking the CATT website.”
Details on CATT Trails and schedules are available at www.catttrail.com.
Jocassee Famous For Trout, Harbors Four Species Of Bass, Including Some Giant Largemouths
When bass guide Rob McComas starts out to catch a trophy bass he heads for a reservoir known more for trout fishing than bass – Lake Jocassee in the South Carolina mountains.
Jocassee does, in fact, hold the records for the largest trout caught in South Carolina – a 17-pound, 9.5-ounce brown caught by Larry Edwards of Pickens in 1987 and an 11-pound, 5-ounce rainbow caught by Scott Coggins of Travelers Rest in 1993.
But it also holds three black bass records – a 9-pound, 7-ounce smallmouth caught by Terry Dodson of Rosman, N.C., an 8-pound, 5-ounce spotted bass caught by David Preston of Tryon, N.C., and a 5-pound, 2.5-ounce redeye, or coosa, bass caught by Randy Dickson of Westminster, S.C. – all in one great record year, 2001.
And the deep, clear lake also harbors some monster largemouths, said McComas, who has first-hand experience.
“I've caught two largemouths over 11 pounds, one in November and the other, I'm pretty sure, was caught in January,” said McComas, who lives in Mill Spring, N.C. “Both were caught on big swim baits, 8- to 12-inch swim baits.”
Those were the two biggest, but McComas has made a record for himself for boating some really big bass in Lake Jocassee.
“I had a six-fish stringer one time that weighed almost 43 pounds. Five of those fish would have gone a little over 35 pounds.”
In addition to guiding for bass on Lake Jocassee, McComas actually is a multi-species guide on Lake Lure near his home, taking families and children fishing for everything from bass to crappie to perch. But when he is looking for a challenge, there is only one lake that can scratch that itch – Jocassee – where he knows there is a chance of catching a really big one during the winter months.
“I am trying to catch that one giant largemouth in three or four trips to Jocassee this time of year,” he said.
Bass fishing on Jocassee is tough during the hot summer months, he said, so he concentrates his efforts from late August through February, but sometimes will fish on through April and May. The largemouth bite seems to be best from late summer through November and then the best bite is for smallmouth and spotted bass, with the occasional redeye for good measure.
“When fishing for largemouths I generally like to fish the upper water column area with larger baits – big swim baits, big topwaters, and then when I am smallmouth and spotted bass fishing I usually fish deeper in the water column with smaller baits like hair jigs or a finesse 2 1/2-inch shad imitation jerkbait like a fluke on a float fly rig. You can also fish that same jig without a float and tight-line for smallmouth and spotted bass.”
Fishing for smallmouth and spotted bass in Jocassee, depending on the weather and the location of the baitfish, might mean fishing that hair jig or 1/8-ounce jig with a jerkbait anywhere from 20 feet deep down to as much as 85 feet, McComas said.
Good numbers of smallmouth, spotted bass and redeye bass can also be caught on live medium minnows drifting in the creeks, he noted.
“With four different species of black bass, Jocassee is just a unique fishery,” McComas said.”When I was a teenager I went down there with a friend from high school and his dad bass fishing and I was mesmerized, blown away by that lake – how it set up with that ultra-deep, clear water. I just fell in love with it.”
McComas fishes Lake Jocassee mostly from September through April-May. He can be reached at (828) 674-5041 or by email at: [email protected]. You can check out his website at: http://www.robsguideservice.org/.
Attention Team Tournament Anglers: Want To Fish The 2015 Bassmaster Classic?
With the introduction of the Toyota Bassmaster Team Championship, America’s most successful fishing teams will soon be able to prove their skills against competition from throughout the nation.
“Not only will we crown the national championship team, but we will also provide an opportunity for one outstanding grass-roots fisherman to qualify for the 2015 Bassmaster Classic,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin.
The championship will be held in late fall of 2014 at a date and location to be announced later. Teams from across the country will compete for the Team Championship crown. Following the team portion of the event, the Top 3 pairs of fishermen will be split up and will compete individually, from separate boats, for a berth in the Classic, Akin explained. The format is similar to the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series championship, which has qualified a collegiate angler for the Classic for the past three years.
“A key focus at B.A.S.S. is providing an opportunity for anglers of all ages and skill levels to fish competitively,” said Jon Stewart, B.A.S.S. Nation director and manager of the Team Championship program. “Recent additions include the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series and the High School Championship, and now we’re excited to offer an avenue for team tournament anglers to reach a national stage.”
As many as 200 fishing teams will compete in the championship. To qualify, they will have to finish as the top teams in a participating team tournament trail. Sanctioned Bassmaster Team Championship tournament trails will enroll their anglers as B.A.S.S. Team Members. Collectively, the charter trails that have already signed on span the country from coast to coast and represent more than 7,500 participants.
“Team tournaments are incredibly popular among grass-roots fishermen,” said B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Trip Weldon, who competes in weekend team competitions when he’s not running a Bassmaster Elite Series event. “The angler who wins a berth in the Classic will have to outfish some incredibly talented fishermen along the way.”
As evidence of that popularity, after the Alabama Bass Trail (ABT) launched its new Team Tournament Series in October, the northern division quickly reached a full field of 200 teams, and the southern division was filling rapidly, said Kay Donaldson, ABT program director.
The ABT Team Tournament Series, which includes two divisions of five events each, as well as a championship, was the first team trail to join the Bassmaster Team Championship program.
“We are excited to be the first charter trail sanctioned by B.A.S.S. because it gave us one more huge bonus for anglers to fish with us,” Donaldson said. “In tournament angling, payouts are always No. 1, but then to offer a chance at a lifetime goal of fishing the Bassmaster Classic — that is like the sprinkles on the icing.
“Team trails like the ABT are great for anglers because they allow buddies to fish alongside each other in their home state. It limits their out-of-pocket expenses but still affords the teams a highly competitive field,” she added.
Additional charter team tournament trails include : AC Tournament Trail, U.S. Angler’s Choice Tournament Trail/West Coast, Allstar Bass Fishing Tournaments, Carolina’s Bass Challenge, Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail, Joe Bass Team Trail, Illinois B.A.S.S. Nation, McNider Marine Iron Man Tournament Trail, Morristown Marine Team Trail Invitational, New Hampshire B.A.S.S. Nation, Ozark Mountain Team Trail, Priority Automotive James River Team Series, Sylacauga Marine and ATV Nitro/Tracker Big Bucks Buddy Trail, Tom’s Marine Team Trail and The Top Stick Tournament Series.
For more information, visit Bassmaster.com or contact Jon Stewart at [email protected].
EVINRUDE E-TEC “EXPERIENCE EVEN MORE BOAT SHOW SALES EVENT” is on NOW!
During the promotion, which runs through March 31, 2014, U.S. consumers who purchase and take delivery of eligible loose or package Evinrude engines from a participating Evinrude dealer will be eligible for one of the following program options:
Package Offer: All new boat package buyers receive 6-year B.E.S.T. engine and rigging components warranty on Evinrude E-TEC engines 15 H.O. and above.
Loose Engine Repower Offer: Repower buyers choose between 6-year B.E.S.T. engine and rigging components warranty on Evinrude E-TEC engines 15 H.O. and above or 3.9 percent financing. Plus free rigging on Evinrude E-TEC engines 75 HP and above.
“We’re celebrating the start of another exciting boating season by providing consumers with incredible offers on our industry-leading outboard engines,” said Christopher Berg, director of marketing and strategic planning for Evinrude. “The Evinrude E-TEC ‘Experience Even More Boat Show Sales Event’ is the perfect time to for consumers to take advantage of these offers and choose Evinrude E-TEC engines to power their season and beyond.”
For full details and conditions about this promotion, consumers should visit an authorized, participating Evinrude dealer. For full promotional details and conditions, or to find a local Evinrude dealer, visit www.evinrude.com.
BRP's Evinrude engine line-up from 3.5- to 300 horsepower offers customers superior value across a full range of applications. Engines are available at authorized Evinrude dealerships worldwide. Become part of the online Evinrude community at www.evinrudenation.com and follow us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/brpevinrude.
Allstate Signs As Presenting Sponsor Of Bassmaster Opens
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. LLC, the recognized authority on bass fishing, today announced Allstate Insurance Company as the presenting sponsor of one of B.A.S.S.’s most popular competitive fishing circuits. The Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series presented by Allstate is a three-division package of high-stakes tournaments.
The Opens Series offers qualified event winners an entry in the annual world championship of bass fishing, the Bassmaster Classic, in addition to cash and prizes. The Opens Series is a stepping stone for aspiring pros to advance to the highest level of competition, the Bassmaster Elite Series.
“Our involvement with the Bassmaster Opens Series gives Allstate the opportunity to connect fishing enthusiasts with Allstate agents in each of the local event markets to talk about their boat insurance and other insurance protection needs,” said David Foster, director, Allstate marketing.
Allstate’s sponsorship includes nine Opens events scheduled for 2014 on famed lakes such as Champlain and Norman, and on bass-rich rivers such as the Red and Arkansas. The 2014 season will kick off on Lake Tohopekaliga in Kissimmee, Fla., with the Jan. 23-25 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open presented by Allstate. In addition to the Opens, Allstate will have a presence at the 2014 Bassmaster Classic Outdoor Expo, Feb. 21-23, with competition on Lake Guntersville, Ala. Classic weigh-ins, the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo and other activities will be in Birmingham, the home base of B.A.S.S.
“We are proud to join forces with the Allstate organization,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “B.A.S.S. is a new road for Allstate, one that we feel will lead to potential customers through our powerful digital, print and TV media platforms; event marketing; and other methods of enhancing Allstate’s existing relationship with Bass Pro Shops.”
“With pro and co-angler divisions in each event, anglers of all skill levels can participate in the Opens,” said Chris Bowes, B.A.S.S. senior tournament manager and Opens Series director. “We are eager to welcome Allstate on site as they connect not only with all those Opens anglers, but also with the growing number of fans who turn out to each event.”
Shoaf Wins Big CATT Yadkin Fall Final
Mark your calendars! April 26, 2014 Lake Wateree, SC CATT and Vengeance Tackle are teaming up and bringing you the 2014 CATAWBA CLASH! Raffles, Gift Packs, BONUS $, Calcutta plus a cook out at the Vengeance Tackle store. Top 10 places will be GUARANTEED! More detail coming in the next few weeks
Check out the 2014 CATT GOLD Qualifiers! Increased paybacks! Check out the 2014 schedule page for more info!
Guys we appreciate the support we’ve had this past year with the Yadkin CATT! The total payback over the 2012 season was just over $27,000.00…at the conclusion of the Yadkin Fall Final Saturday on High Rock the 2013 total payback for the Yadkin CATT was over $40,500.00! The 2014 Yadkin Spring schedule is posted and we’ll have the Fall schedule posted soon. Thanks for fishing and tell your fishing buds and lets break the $50,000.00 mark in 2014!
Todd Shoaf had a banner day on High Rock this past Saturday fishing the Yadkin CATT Fall Final On a tough day of fishing Todd brought in a limit weighing 13.21 lbs taking 1st Place and took home the BONUS $ money as well. Todd weighed a 4.35 lb bass which was the 1st BF pushing his total winnings up to $3.081.00
Jeremy Talbert and Tod Haynes finished 2nd with another limit weighing 13.11 lbs and took home $1,000.00.
3rd went to David Wright and Chris Brown with a total weight of 12.95 lbs and they earned $250.00.
The 2nd BF went to Gerald Beck worth $39.00 with a 4.15 lbs bass.
Thanks for fishing and we’ll see you next Spring on the Yadkin River Chain!
Brett Collins
Carolina Anglers Team Trail LLC
BoatUS ANGLER Announces New Promo for Collegiate Bass Fishing Anglers
For more information please visitwww.CollegiateBassChampionship.com and click the "Discount and Incentives" tab. Official rules andregistration dates for the 2014 Cabela's Collegiate Bass Fishing Series can also be seen atwww.CollegiateBassChampionship.com.
Shad And Largemouths Key To Winning Ryan Newman Tournament On Lake Norman
There are two keys to fishing success in the 8th Annual Ryan Newman Foundation Annual Charity Fishing Tournament on North Carolina's Lake Norman Saturday, according to pro angler and guide Andy Montgomery of Blacksburg, S.C.
No. 1 – Most of the fish will be caught on lures that imitate shad.
“Most of the fish will be caught on jerkbaits, grubs, swimbait and Alabama Rigs,” said Montgomery who will fish the tournament. “There probably will be some fish caught on a jig but I anticipate most of the fish will be caught around bait.”
No. 2 – Spotted bass are plentiful, but the winner will probably need a good largemouth or two.
“There will be a lot of spots caught Saturday, but to win you have got to catch a couple of good largemouth bass – and you catch them both the same way. The thing about Lake Norman is that it can be won from one end of the lake to the other. No one area is better.”
Montgomery said anglers will need to locate groups of baitfish, either on depth finder or by watching shad flipping around on the surface.
Entry fee for the tournament is $200, with an additional $50 to enter the big fish contest. The tournament is capped at 175 boats and on-line entries have closed. If any spots are available anglers can register at Bass pro Shops Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. No entries will be accepted the morning of the tournament.
The grand prize for the 2013 tournament is a 2013 Nitro Z9SC, with a 2013 Mercury 250 Optimax pro XS and a tandem axle 1-brake trailer. Accessories include a Spare Kit 205/75R14, CVR, BOAT, Z9SC, 36v Motorguide FB DIG 45"36V, Trim Lever, Guest 30A, 10/10/10 Charger and Retractable Transom Tie Downs.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Ryan Newman and his wife, Krissie, established the Ryan Newman Foundation in 2005 to educate and encourage people to spay/neuter their pets and to adopt dogs and cats from animal shelters; to educate children and adults about the importance of conservation so the beauty of the great outdoors can be appreciated by future generations; and to provide college scholarship funding through the Rich Vogler Scholarship program to students interested in auto racing careers. The foundation is a part of the NASCAR Foundation family of charities.
2013 Ryan Newman Foundation Tournament
Sat, Dec 14, 2013
Lake Norman
Pinnacle Access
http://www.ryannewmanfoundation.org/fishing-tournament
Weather Could Affect Success In Aba Division 20 Tournament On Harris Chain
This time of year the weather always plays a role in fishing success and it could be a major factor for the American Bass Anglers Division 20 tournament on the Harris Chain Saturday, according to tournament director Chester Wagner.
“Fishing has been decent in the first couple of tournaments,” Wagner said. “It's been taking between 15 and 20 pounds to win.”
But, he added, fishing has got tough in the last week or so.
“We had a two-day end of the year club tournament this past weekend and I did not do well. Fishing was tough,” Wagner said.
“I don't know if it was because they are dropping the water or just the weather. One day in the morning the water temperature is 66 degrees and later that afternoon it is up to 70-71 degrees. A temperature change like that can affect the fish a bunch.”
But, he noted, “Somebody always finds some fish that are wanting to bite.”
The ABA Division 20 has already held two tournaments – Oct. 13 and Nov. 11 – of its nine-tournament schedule, which includes tournaments once a month through June 2014. The rest of the schedule includes tournaments this Saturday, followed by tournaments Jan. 11, Feb. 8, March 9, April 12 and May 10, finishing with the two-day final June 14-15.
The two-day tournament will determine the division Angler of the Year, Wagner said.
“He can then go to the national tournament and try to win a boat. The national will be held in October next year on Old Hickory Lake in Tennessee.”
Anglers pay a one-time $25 ABA membership fee and then pay a $70 entry fee per tournament which includes big bass. First place usually pays between $200 and $300, depending on the total entry for the tournament, Wagner said.
“This is a draw trail and non-boaters are welcome to fish. The nice thing is if you bring your boat you can use your boat, but the non-boaters, who ride in the back of the boat, also get the opportunity to fish areas that they choose. It's not like other draw trails where the non-boater does not get a say-so on choosing spots.”
Anglers can pre-register with ABA National or directly with Wagner, or they can register at the ramp the morning of the tournament, Wagner said.
“It's cash only at the ramp, plus a $5 late fee,” he said.
American Bass Anglers – Harris Chain – Division #20
Sat, Dec 14, 2013
Harris Chain
Buzzard Beach
www.americanbassanglers.com/districts2014.php?Division=20
Call Chester Wagner at (352)551-6326
2013 Ryan Newman Preview With Ac Pro Staffer And Lake Norman Pro Rob Digh
AC Pro Staffer Rob Digh helps preview this upcoming Ryan Newman Tournament on Lake Norman this Sat--Wx will be a factor, but the winning weights may surprise you-Click here to hear why Rob thinks 18+ will be needed to win the boat-motor-trailer pkg!
Bobby Lane Cup Saturday Attracting Student Anglers From Across The Southeast
The first Bobby Lane Cup on the Kissimmee Chain in 2011 drew about 40 high school anglers, mostly from the state of Florida; the second in 2012 drew 80 anglers from Florida, plus Georgia and Kentucky; the third annual Bobby Lane Cup already has more than 120 angles registered from those states, along with Alabama and South Carolina.
“That's five states now with anglers registered after just three years with the Bobby Lane Cup. It has grown into a Southeastern tournament, not just a Florida tournament,” said Derek Boswell, Bartow High School Jackets tournament director.
The Bobby Lane Cup, hosted by the Bartow High School Jackets Bass Fishing Team, is an annual tournament open only to high school and middle school anglers. Anglers must be members of the Student Angler Federation. Non-members may join SAF by calling the TBF National Office at 580-765-9031or visit www.highschoolfishing.org. The membership fee is $25 per student.
The Bobby Lane Cup began two years ago as a collaboration between Boswell and Kellie Jo Snyder, Bobby Lane's sister who teaches at Bartow High and is an ambassador for the Bartow High School Jackets Bass Fishing Team.
“I said, 'Kellie, what do you think about your brother hosting a tournament before Christmas and we will call it the Bobby Lane Cup?' We asked Bobby and he did not hesitate. He said, 'Let's do this'.”
That got the ball rolling and Boswell said there are improvements on the horizon.
The students fish as two-angler teams and both members of the winning team get a trophy that is a replica of the one given to the champion in the Forrest Wood Cup. This year a Middle School division called the Junior Cup was added and the winning team in that division also will get the same trophies.
“In the future there will also be scholarships awarded and my goal is to have the school board acknowledge this program as well. Look for that next year or by the fifth year,” Boswell said.
The tournament already attracts some high profile young anglers, too, he noted, including the offspring of some of the top pro anglers. Among the notables fishing this weekend are Louie Echols, an ambassador of bass fishing who was featured on the cover of Florida Fish and Wildlife magazine; Cal Lane of Alabama, son of pro angler Chris Lane, Bobby's brother; Austin Murray, the reigning high school champion for Team Sport Fishing; Florida State Champions Cole Schmucker and Kaitlyn Boswell, the first girl to win a Florida high school state championship in fishing; and Jacob and Reed Martin, pro angler Scott Martin's sons and Roland Martin's grandsons.
In addition, the reigning champions of the Bobby Lane Cup, Matt Bedenbaugh and Kyle Stafford, will be defending their title in Saturday's tournament.
Boswell said Ronald Pritchard, the principal of Bartow High School, who is retiring Dec. 31, will be honored at the weigh-in with a plaque and a special letter signed by all the members of the Jacket Fishing Team.
“Three years ago Mr. Pritchard was the first to say 'Yes' to a high school fishing program in Florida,” Boswell said. “When we formed the Barstow High Team he went to the school board and got us recognized.”
Members of the school board are expected to attend Saturday's weigh-in also, Boswell said.
“When you have the school board coming to a fishing tournament that tells you a lot,” he added.
Registration and the pre-tournament meeting with free hot dogs and drinks will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday at D.B. Bait & Tackle, 640 S. Orange Ave Bartow, Fla. For details, contact Derek Boswell, BHS Jackets Tournament Director, at 863-513-8877 or e-mail [email protected].
Sponsors of the third annual tournament include : Camp Mack's River Resort, D.B. Bait & Tackle, LB3 Outdoors in Auburndale, Fla., and McBroom's Awards in Bartow, Fla. The tournament sponsors and Bobby Lane's sponsors will provide tackle and other prizes for all the anglers, Boswell said.
The fishing is expected to be outstanding also for the tournament, Boswell said.
“These fish have been turned on recently. Bobby went out Sunday and caught a 12-pounder. He caught an 11-pounder the week before in a tournament, but was taken out by another angler who had a 13-pounder. We've had some really good fishing reports – and we have a lot of kids getting ready for Saturday.”
3rd Annual Bobby Lane Cup
Sat, Dec 14, 2013
Kissimmee Chain
Camp Mack’s
http://www.ihigh.com/bhsjacketsfishingclub/index.html
Contact Derek Boswell, BHS Jackets Tournament Director, 863-513-8877
Bassmaster Wildcard Notes: Big Lake Fishes Small, Heavy Tungsten Produces Heavy Stringers
‘Small’ was the word at Lake Okeechobee this during the Bassmaster Classic Wildcard tourney presented by Star Tron.
The lake was big as ever. Big bass crossed the stage daily. Of course, there was a very big prize at stake – the final berth into the 2014 Bassmaster Classic.
But enormous Okeechobee fished small.
“Half the Top 12 were within a half-mile of each other,” noted Shaye Baker who led for two days before his hyacinth mats played out to a smallish conclusion (12 pounds, 10 ounces) after a groaning first day sack stuffed with 29 pounds, 8 ounces of Okeechobee bass.
Baker would have finished 2nd if he had not put six bass in the livewell. That cost him two pounds in penalty weight. Thus, his official tally for Day 3 was 10-10 and Jesse Tacoronte of Orlando jumped into 2nd at the final weigh in.
Nobody wanted to finish 2nd. There was only one seat left in the 2014 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Guntersville and when the music stopped Chad Morgethaler was sitting in it.
The Elite Series pro closed out the tournament with 20-12 for a 3-day total weight of 63-13.
Morgethaler, Baker Tacoronte, Russ Lane – heck, everybody who made the top 12 cut to fish the final day was doing the same thing. Punching. With long rods, short line and heavy tungsten weights. ‘Heavy’ has a new meaning: Two. Point. Five. Ounces.
“You wouldn’t think that extra ounce would make much difference,” noted Russ Lane, “but it will wear you out.”
It will also wear the bass out. At times, the only way to trigger strikes is with that extra fast fall. Plus, many bass live in dense cover and the only way to get through to them is with super heavy weights.
Tacoronte grinned as he shared stories from the day, “They (bass) weren’t playing around today. I pitched that heavy weight in and it never hit bottom. One time, the line just took off ten feet back into the stuff. That extra bit of weight zipping past their nose, just that much faster, will get them to bite when they otherwise wouldn’t have.”
So in a way, maybe ‘BIG’ is still the best word to describe the Wildcard tourney on Okeechobee. Big weights catch big bass.
Weigh In Highlights & Pattern Details From Bassmaster Classic Wildcard On Okeechobee!
It was winner-take-all at the Bassmaster Wildcard presented by Star Tron on Lake Okeechobee. Shaye Baker led for 2 days. Jesse Tacoronte made a late charge. But Elite Series pro Chad Morgenthaler gained the 56th, and final, berth into the 2014 Bassmaster Classic with a 3-day total of 63 pounds, 13 ounces. See them weigh in and hear how they did it!
Baker Pulls Away As Weights Drop On Day 2 At Bassmaster Classic Wildcard Tourney
Alabama’s Shaye Baker brought 19 pounds, 6 ounces to the scale today. It was more than 10 pounds off the blistering pace he set on Day 1, but as the day’s 4th biggest bag, it was enough to actually expand his lead heading into the final day of the Bassmaster Classic Wildcard tournament presented by Star Tron on Lake Okeechobee.
Baker now has a total weight of 48-14.
Chad Morgenthaler moved into 2nd with a limit that weighed 18-13. With a total of 43-1 he trails Baker by 5-13.
Bassmaster Open angler Jesse Tacoronte of Orlando, FL followed up a solid Day 1 start (20-6) with 19-9 today. His consistency has landed him in 3rd place with 39-15.
Russ Lane fell from 2nd to 4th with 14-6 today. His 25-pound sack on Day 1 keeps him within 10 pounds of Baker (39-6 total).
Most agree that anyone more than 10 pounds off the lead with one day left to fish is, well, very much ‘behind the 8-ball’, as they say in the billiards hall.
But don’t tell that to the rest of the top 12 who get to fish tomorrow for a chance to win the final spot in the 2014 Bassmaster Classic to take place on Lake Guntersville in February.
Flipping, pitching, and punching through dense matted vegetation has been the deal this week. Sight fishermen didn’t fare well. Shaw Grigsby had 3 big ones located for Day 1 but they were all gone yesterday. That put him in a bad position with less than 8 pounds. Today he did 10-11 and finished out of the money at 36th.
Roland Martin also said he had banked on some bedding fish. There are acres of them on the big lake right now. Apparently, they’re all small.
Waves of bass are, reportedly, making a big push into spawning areas. Some anglers intercepted them along the broken reed lines and clumps of bulrush by pitching jigs.
Jeff Holland, Opens pro from Central Florida, nearly made the leap into the 12 cut. With 17-4 today (29-1 total) he placed 14th. He used bedding bass to his advantage, not by catching them necessarily, but by gauging an area's potential based on spawning activity. He then hunted for big girls nearby.
"As the tournament went on the wind died and it got sunny," explains Holland on his Facebook page. "That raised the water temp up to 72-74, the prefect temp to get them spawning!
"Today I went in shallow until I found beds and then flipped everything around. I also used speed worms and caught over 40 two-pound bass. It was an amazing day."
The biggest bass seem to prefer some form of overhead cover right now. Baker mentioned hyacinth as a major player in his game plan.
As usual, the 470,000 acre lake is fishing small as a farm pond. A lot of the top guys are sharing water. And Baker had even more company today, including guides and tournament anglers. He said he stayed around to guard the hyacinth patch where he plans to start tomorrow.
Watch the live weigh in on Bassmaster.com Saturday at 3:00 P.M. Eastern.
Your 12 final anglers shooting for a spot in the 2014 Classic:
1 Shaye Baker 5 29- 8 5 19- 6 10 48-14
2 Chad Morgenthaler 5 24- 4 5 18-13 10 43- 1
3 Jesse Tacoronte 5 20- 6 5 19- 9 10 39-15
4 Russ Lane 5 25- 0 5 14- 6 10 39- 6
5 Gary Clouse 5 17-15 5 18- 9 10 36- 8
6 Jeff Kriet 5 18-10 5 17-13 10 36- 7
7 Greg Hackney 5 21-15 5 14- 7 10 36- 6
8 Derek Remitz 5 12- 1 5 23- 8 10 35- 9
9 Arnie Lane 5 14-11 5 20-10 10 35- 5
10 Keith Poche 5 16-15 5 17-11 10 34-10
11 Drew Benton 5 14- 5 5 16- 7 10 30-12
12 Cliff Prince 5 17- 0 5 13- 7 10 30- 7
Monster Bass Caught On Snagproof Frog Video
This is really good..........check out the guys expression after he hauls it in. Has to be 10+ LBS!! Caught on a Snag Proof Ish Phatty!
Alabama's Shaye Baker Leads Day 1 At Bassmaster Classic Wildcard
OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — Alabama’s Shaye Baker picked a good day to catch the biggest bass and biggest five-bass limit of his life. The young pro’s catch totaled 29 pounds, 8 ounces, and his best largemouth weighed 9-1 to give him a 4 1/2-pound lead over fellow Alabaman and Bassmaster Elite Series pro Russ Lane at the Bassmaster Classic Wild Card presented by Star Tron.
The winner of the event will earn a trophy, cash and — most importantly — the 56th and final berth in the 2014 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Guntersville, Ala., Feb. 21-23.
In an informal poll of competitors at tournament registration on Wednesday, Baker guessed that the eventual winner would weigh in more than 72 pounds of bass over three days. It was one of the heaviest predictions, and today it became obvious why he was so optimistic.
“I knew I was around some good fish,” Baker said, “and I tried hard not to catch them during practice.” His 9-1 lunker stands as the Carhartt Big Bass of the tournament so far.
Baker was predictably closemouthed about his methods and location today, but he did acknowledge that his catch came from pitching and flipping to aquatic vegetation in less than 5 feet of water. Though he wasn’t sight fishing, he couldn’t be sure that some of his fish weren’t in the spawning process.
As for location, Baker said that he was “in or around the Monkey Box,” a legendary fishing area on the west side of giant Lake Okeechobee.
While Baker wasn’t so bold as to say that he would repeat his big catch tomorrow, he did say that he felt he could get enough bites to do well. “I could have 30 pounds, or I could have zero,” he noted.
Just one good bass back is Elite pro Lane of Alabama with 25-0. He was more forthcoming about his methods, saying he was “pitching and punching a Big Bite Baits Real Deal Craw” a soft plastic lure in the “hematoma” color. Lane targeted heavy, matted vegetation for his limit, which included a lunker that weighed 8-6.
“I used a 2- or 2 1/2-ounce sinker to penetrate the heavy weeds,” he said. “I had action all day long and caught about 40 keepers.”
Chad Morgenthaler of Illinois ranks third with 24-4. Greg Hackney of Louisiana is fourth with 21-15. And Ohio’s Fletcher Shryock rounds out the Top 5 with 20-13.
Four of the Top 5 and nine of the Top 13 spots are held by anglers from the Bassmaster Elite Series. Despite the fact that there are 13 Floridians in the field, none are in the Top 5, and only three are in the Top 10. Jesse Tacoronte of Orlando leads the pack in sixth. Half a dozen anglers topped 20 pounds on Day 1, and six are within 10 pounds of the leader.
The full complement of 49 anglers will compete again on Friday, after which the field will be cut to the 12 with the heaviest two-day catches for the final round on Saturday. Cash prizes will be awarded to the Top 30 anglers, but only the winner will earn a berth in the 2014 Bassmaster Classic.
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