Alabama Bass Trail Announces New Tournament Trail And 2014 Schedule
Decatur, Ala. (September 30, 2013) – The Alabama Bass Trail is excited to announce the launch of a new tournament series beginning in February, 2014. The 10 lake team-style tournament series will be held on ten of the lakes of the Alabama Bass Trail with the championship tournament taking place on the 11th lake. Attracting amateur anglers from across the southeastern United States, each tournament is expected to generate an approximate $500,000 economic impact for host cities.
“Alabama is a great state for fishing,” Governor Robert Bentley said. “We have professional tournaments here on a regular basis. The goal of this amateur tournament is simple. We want to encourage more people to fish where the pros fish. The Alabama Bass Trail was established to help us share our lakes and rivers with more people. When more people come to our lakes and rivers that increases tourism. And when tourism increases, that benefits our local and state economies.”
Sanctioned by BASS (Bass Anglers Sportsman Society), the Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series gets underway February 1, 2014. The tournament trail will feature two divisions: Northern and Southern. Each division is made up of five tournaments on five different lakes. Each tournament will have a $10,000 guaranteed first place prize and will pay 20 places. Maximum number of boats is 200.
Northern Division:
Lake Guntersville February 1, 2014 hosted by Marshall County CVB
Pickwick Lake March 22, 2014 hosted by Florence-Lauderdale Tourism
Neely Henry Lake April 5, 2014 hosted by City of Gadsden Parks & Recreation
Wheeler Lake May 31, 2014 hosted by Decatur-Morgan County CVB
Logan Martin Lake June 21, 2014
Southern Division:
Mobile-Tensaw Delta March 1, 2014 hosted by North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce
Lake Eufaula March 15, 2014 hosted by Eufaula-Barbour County Chamber of Commerce
Lake Jordan April 19, 2014 hosted by Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce
Alabama River (Millers Ferry) May 10, 2014 hosted by Wilcox County Chamber and the City of Monroeville
Lay Lake June 7 hosted by Shelby County Commission
The championship is a 125 boat, two-day event. The 125 boats are comprised of the top 50 teams in points from both divisions that fished all five events in their respective divisions, along with the top 25 student boats collectively from both divisions that fished all five events in their respective division. Hosted by Chamber of Commerce of Walker County, the championship tournament is set for October 10-11, 2014 on Lewis Smith Lake.
The championship is a no entry tournament and the first place prize is a fully-rigged 2015 Phoenix 619 Pro with a Mercury 150, trolling motor and electronics valued at $37,495 with an additional $40,000 in cash and prizes. The official bass boat of the Alabama Bass Trail, Phoenix Bass boats will also offer the tier one First Flight incentive plan to tournament winners in a qualifying Phoenix boat.
“The Alabama Bass Trail is excited to announce this new tournament for amateur anglers. 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,” said Alabama Bass Trail Program Director Kay Donaldson.
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.
“We are all grateful for Governor Bentley’s vision and will work together to make the Tournament Series a success,” said Lee Sentell, director of the Alabama Tourism Department. Just two years ago, Sentell, Governor Bentley, and the staff of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association began laying the groundwork for the Alabama Bass Trail. After its launch in the spring of 2012, its popularity quickly grew and Donaldson look for another opportunity to reach out to anglers.
Alabama Bass Trail Tournament sponsors include Bill Penney Toyota, the Alabama Tourism Department, Phoenix Bass Boats, Inc., McDonalds of Alabama, and 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., and 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.
Registration will be available online beginning at noon on September 30th at www.alabamabasstrail.org. Entry fee per tournament is $250 per team or from September 30-October 30 2013, teams can register for all five tournaments for $1150.
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,” stated Donaldson.
For more information, call Donaldson at 855.934.7425 or visit www.alabamabasstrail.org.
About Alabama Bass Trail
The Alabama Bass Trail is a program of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association. Its mission is to promote Alabama as a year round fishing destination, to preserve natural resources for generations to come, and to educate high school and college aged students to be good stewards of natural resources. The 11 bass fishing lakes consist of Lake Guntersville, Wheeler Lake, Pickwick Lake, Lewis Smith Lake, Neely Henry Lake, Lay Lake, Logan Martin Lake, Lake Jordan, Alabama River (Millers Ferry), Lake Eufaula, and the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta. For more information, visit www.alabamabasstrail.org.
Jordan Lee Wins College Tourney; Qualifies For 2014 Bassmaster Classic!
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Hank Cherry Wraps Up Bassmaster All-Star Win After ‘perfect Day’
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Jason Williamson/oakley Big Bass Classic Lake Murray Weigh-In Highlights
If you haven't been to or seen how an hourly format Tournament works, here is a quick clip of this weekends Jason Williamson Big Bass Classic and how this anger won a quick $1000!!
Oakley Big Bass Tour Mc Scott Gordon
Oakley Big Bass Tournament MC Scott Gordon gets us caught up to speed quickly as to why this format is so successful and how easy it is to win each and every hour!!
One on One with JW at the Jason Williamson Big Bass Classic on Lake Murray
Bass Master Elite Series Pro Jason Williamson stops by the Oakley Big Bass Lake Murray event this Sunday to talk about the incredible success that this tournament and format are seeing in such short time--he also chides in on what it will take to win the $30,000 Boat-Motor-Trailer pkg later this afternoon!
Reigning Bassmaster Classic Champ Cliff Pace Takes Lead In All-Star Event
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Young Pro Wants To Use Everstart Texas Division Final At Sam Rayburn As A Learning Experience
In June 2000, 9-year-old Austin Terry of San Angelo, Texas, was fishing in Lake O.H. Ivie when something ate his Carolina-rigged worm. When he finally wrestled it in, he took it to the scales where a local tournament was being weighed in and found himself the hero of the day with an 11-pound largemouth.
Seven years later, Austin won the Texas State Junior Bassmasters Championship at Amistad Reservoir, arriving there after driving with his dad all night from Amarillo, where he played in a football game for San Angelo’s Central High School. In 2008 he finished 10th at the World Junior Bass Masters at Syracuse, N.Y.
An avid fisherman since he was 4 or 5 years old, Terry, now 22, notched an incredible series of finishes in 2012, including a 6th-, 8th-, and 9th-place in the Texas EverStart Division. This was his best season to date and it gave him the confidence to move up to the next level of FLW fishing. Last October he qualified for the FLW Tour and he raised a great deal of the money he needed to fish the trail this year by winning the first tournament of the Texas EverStart Division's year in January on Lake Amistad, earning a $35,000 paycheck. His best finishes on the Tour this year was 11th place on Beaver Lake in April and 14th place a month earlier on Lewis Smith Lake.
Terry slipped to 83rd in EverStart competition at Toledo Bend in February, but bounced back to a 22nd place finish at Texoma in April and he is ranked 16th in the standings heading into the Texas Division Final next week on Sam Rayburn Reservoir.
“I've only fished one other tournament at San Rayburn, but I got an 8th place there last year,” said Terry who also sandwiches in some time as a student at Angelo State University where he is majoring in marketing. “Last year I was mostly fishing structure and I had a couple of key spots where I caught some good fish.”
Terry said he will check out the deep structure again when he starts practice at Sam Rayburn this weekend because he believes the tournament will be won deep.
“I want to find out where several schools with some good fish are and focus on fishing for big fish,” he said. “I really want to have a deep structure tournament to gain some experience for what is coming up next year. I like fishing that way, but I've never really had a tournament where I found them good enough and had the confidence to stay on the deep schools all day.”
He will also check out some key shallow water areas because the deep fish may be too elusive, he said.
“From what I've heard it sounds like the schools that people are winning off of are on needle-in-the-haystack spots. They are hard to find right now.”
As soon as tournament fishing slacks off Terry will jump right into his other love, guiding deer hunts until the FLW season cranks up again.
“This will be my third full year of guiding,” he said. “The last two years I was in school full time so I did not get to guide as much as I wanted to.”
This year he is taking fewer courses, mostly on-line, so he can spend as much time as possible fishing and hunting.
At Sam Rayburn next week pros will fish for a top award of $40,000 plus a Ranger Z518 with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard if Ranger Cup guidelines are met. Co-anglers will cast for a top award consisting of a Ranger Z117 with 90-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard and $5,000 if Ranger Cup guidelines are met.
The EverStart Series consists of five divisions – Central, Northern, Southeast, Texas and Western. Each division consists of four tournaments and competitors are fishing for valuable points in each division that could earn them the Strike King Angler of the Year title, which allows them to fish the 2014 Forrest Wood Cup.
FLW EverStart Series Texas Division
Oct 3-5, 2013
Sam Rayburn Reservoir
The Umphrey Family Pavilion
Cobb Hoping To Make Second Bfl Regional This Year In Savannah River Division Final On Clarks Hill
Brandon Cobb has made it into one Walmart Bass Fishing league regional championship, now he's trying to fish his way into a second one.
Cobb, of Greenwood, S.C., finished 4th in the BFL Bulldog Division points standings to qualify for the
Regional Championship on Lake Hartwell Oct. 17-19. He is hoping to at least hold on to his 5th place in the Savannah River Division standings in the two-day final on Clarks Hill this weekend to qualify for the Regional championship next month on Lake Lanier.
“It would be a long shot for me to win the points,” said Cobb. “Even if I got a top five at Clarks Hill some of the other guys would have to slip for me to win it.”
But don't count him out of it. The points in the two-day final count and Cobb has done well on Clarks Hill in the past. He finished second in a BFL tournament on the lake in 2010, seventh in 2011 and second again this year.
In the past six years he has notched 18 top 10s in BFL competition, including first place in the Savannah River Division tournament on Lake Hartwell earlier this year, and he has wins in other series, too, all while attending Clemson University where he was a member of the Clemson University Fishing Team until he graduated last December. He also won the ABA Division 96 Championship on Lake Greenwood in August 2012.
Since 2008 he has finished no lower than 12th in the points in the Savannah River Division, with three top fives including first place in 2010. Balancing tournaments and school, Cobb has won $34,000 in BFL competition.
He expects fishing to be tough at Clarks Hill this weekend, although the cooler weather this week should get the fish more active and fishing should really pick up over the next couple of weeks, he said.
“All the high water has provided a lot of shallow cover and there is a lot of vegetation, so the fish have plenty of places to hide. The fish are shallow and there should also be some schooling activity in the lower end of the lake, judging from years past,” he said.
Cobb said that normally he would target wood cover in the shallow water this time of year, but with all the vegetation he plans to use reaction baits in those areas to locate and catch fish.
“If I can't find any shallow fish because of the high water, I will probably look for schooling fish on the points and humps,” he said. “Generally, this time of year the fish set up on the sides of the humps and off the ends of the points in 15 to 40 feet of water, waiting on the herring to come by. I'll throw a fluke and a topwater lure for those fish.”
Already in the Lake Hartwell regional through the Bulldog Division, Cobb hopes to fish his way at Clarks Hill to the Lake Lanier Regional with an eye on next year.
“I'm waiting to see how I do in those regionals. I'm debating fishing the FLW Tour next year, but if nothing else I will fish the BFLs again.”
The top 40 boaters and co-anglers from each division qualify for a regional tournament and compete to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Walmart BFL All-American presented by Chevy. Top winners in the BFL can move up to the EverStart Series or even the Walmart FLW Tour.
Walmart Bass Fishing League (BFL) - Savannah River Division Final
Sep 28-29, 2013
Clarks Hill Lake
Wildwood Park
Poinits Leader Says Fishing 'tough' For Choo Choo Division Bfl Final On Guntersville
This year all the Walmart BFL Choo Choo Division tournaments were held on Lake Guntersville which set up perfectly for Johnny Patterson of Grant, Ala., since he can be on the lake in five minutes from his house – and he takes full advantage of that prime location.
This year he has dominated the Choo Choo Division, winning the first tournament of the season in February and the last tournament before this weekend's two-day final in June, and sandwiching a 5th and 11th place finish in between.
So, it's no wonder he is champing at the bit to catch some fish this weekend and hold onto his first place ranking for the division. But, he admits, it's going to be tough.
“I've been on the water every weekend for the past four weeks and fishing has been tough, extremely tough. All the reports I am getting from most people is that weights are down,” he said. “But this weekend, with that many guys fishing on a lake as good as Guntersville, somebody will catch them.”
While he thinks the winning weight will be about 43 pounds for the two days, Patterson said the weights will drop off sharply from a few good limits at the top.
Patterson won the June tournament by almost three pounds, fishing a deep-water ledge for five bass that weighed 28 pounds, 14 ounces, but this tournament will probably be won shallow, he said.
“If somebody gets on some deep ledge fish they could dominate the tournament, but the question is, can they do it two days in a row? That fishing is very unpredictable this time of year.”
He said the dominant pattern this weekend probably will be typical September fishing at Guntersville – fishing heavy grass mats, either punching the mats and flipping or throwing a frog on top of the mats.
“Some guys will also catch some fish off the scattered grass, but normally the dominant pattern this time of year is flipping and frogging,” he said.
Conditions are pretty stable for the tournament, he said, with rain in the middle of the week and highs in the 80s with lows in the 60s.
“It has cooled off quite a bit with the water temperature starting to cool down. The bite has been tough, but it's going to get better and better real soon.”
The top 40 boaters and co-anglers from each division qualify for a regional tournament and compete to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Walmart BFL All-American presented by Chevy. Top winners in the BFL can move up to the EverStart Series or even the Walmart FLW Tour.
Walmart Bass Fishing League (BFL) - Choo Choo Division Final
Sep 28-29, 2013
Lake Guntersville
Goose Pond
Hill Wins Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing, Upgrades From Canoe To Bass Boat
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CBC SC Regional Champs Chris Wagner and Chase Deal walk home with $30k Boat/Motor/Trailer Pkg
126 teams competed for over $60,000.00 in cash and prizes Saturday on Lake Wyle and as in a lot of cases the weather decided to change on Friday night. Early AM Saturday we were greeted with wind and with a much cooler air temp as the teams gathered at Ebenezer park but these teams have seen rain and plenty of snow this year so they are accustomed to it. We want to thank York County with their help in bring the 2013 CBC North Carolina Championship to Lake Wylie and the people at Ebenezer Park. We served SKEETER Beans along with pork chops to the teams when they were off the water. The food alone is a good reason to enter a CBC event!
Chris Wagner and Chase Deal had a special day on Lake Wylie bringing in 5 bass weighing 15.20 lbs anchored by a nice 5.33 bass. Chris and Chase took 1st place which was a 2014 SKEETER TZX190/Yamaha 175 HPDI and they were our SKEETER BONUS winners which earned them another $5,000.00. Add in another $1,000.00 they earned under the SKEETER REAL MONEY Program and their total winning in cash and prizes was pushing $40,000.00!
We paid back 22 places and the top 6 teams looked like this:
2nd went to Louie Hull and Chuck Montgomery with 5 bass weighing 14.57 lbs and they received $9,400.00.
Tim Chapman also had a great day fishing solo. Tim brought in 14.63 lbs and collected $4,000.00 for his 3rd place finish.
Jeff and KJ Queen took 4th with 5 bass weighing 14.56 lbs and they took home $2,500.00.
Charlie and Jeffrey Hanshaw traveled all the way from West Virginia to fish with us and they weighed in 5 bass at 13.92lbs and claimed 5th. They received $1,700.00.
Jason and Keith Barnes were our 6th Place team with 5 bass weighing up at 13.88 lbs and they took home $1,150.00.
Robert Branch took a demo ride in a SKEETER and that earned him $500. We will also be having SKEETER demo rides out of Portman Shores on Lake Hartwell Thursday Sept 19 and Friday Sept 20. Take a ride and you may take home $500 at the conclusion of the Hartwell weigh in.
We will award the North Carolina Division points money at the Oct 26-27 2013 CBC Classic on Lake Murray. Our Top 3 teams in the points were:
1-David & Gerald Williams
2-Steve Sink & Tony Foster
3-Nathan Webber & Paul Rigsbee
All 126 teams that entered the CBC North Division Championship this past Saturday are qualified to enter the Oct 26-27 CBC Classic on Lake Murray. Remember if you are planning on fishing the Classic on Murray your entry fee MUST be to me by mail or on line by Wed Oct 23. Any entry received by mail or on line after Oct 23rd will not be accepted. Thanks for fishing and we will see you at Lake Murray!
Below are the complete results from the 2013 Carolinas Bass Challenge NC Championsip on Lake Wylie:
| Place | Team Name | Team # | Fish Weighed | Net Weight | Big Fish | Winnings |
| 1 | Chris Wagner - Chase Deal | 14 | 5 | 15.200 | 5.330 | Skeeter TZX190 |
| * Plus $5,000 Top Finishing Skeeter/Yamaha - Plus Additional $1,000 in Skeeter REAL MONEY!! |
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| 2 | Louie Hull - Chuck Montgomery | 15 | 5 | 14.870 | 4.050 | $9,400 |
| 3 | Tim Chapman | 69 | 5 | 14.630 | 0.000 | $4,000 |
| 4 | Jeff Queen - KJ Queen | 52 | 5 | 14.560 | 0.000 | $2,500 |
| 5 | Charlie Hanshaw - Jeffrey Hanshaw | 3 | 5 | 13.920 | 0.000 | $1,700 |
| 6 | JASON BARNES - Keith Barnes | 2 | 5 | 13.880 | 4.170 | $1,150 |
| 7 | William Blanton | 25 | 5 | 13.880 | 3.360 | $825 |
| 8 | Patrick Tierney - Moe Freeze | 109 | 5 | 13.200 | 3.650 | $600 |
| 9 | Kevin Toler - rodney lambert | 51 | 5 | 13.160 | 0.000 | $550 |
| 10 | todd walters - jason threadgill | 36 | 5 | 12.930 | 0.000 | $500 |
| 11 | John Davis - Mark Swink | 119 | 5 | 12.670 | 0.000 | $460 |
| 12 | Paul Rigsbee - Nathan Webber | 21 | 5 | 12.470 | 0.000 | $440 |
| 13 | Ronald Farrow - Mike Brehm | 19 | 5 | 12.290 | 3.940 | $425 |
| 14 | Milton Yancey | 91 | 5 | 12.240 | 0.000 | $390 |
| 15 | Stacey Richards - Brian Triplett | 46 | 5 | 12.120 | 0.000 | $370 |
| 16 | Steve Shaw - Ken Fender | 23 | 5 | 12.050 | 0.000 | $340 |
| 17 | Allen Eaker - Jason Eaker | 62 | 5 | 11.940 | 0.000 | $320 |
| 18 | Nathan White - Chris Guest | 27 | 5 | 11.930 | 0.000 | $300 |
| 19 | roger hoover - Scott Hamrick | 44 | 5 | 11.920 | 0.000 | $270 |
| 20 | Brandon Williams - Reid Mcginn | 98 | 5 | 11.750 | 0.000 | $240 |
| 21 | Larry LeHew - Shane LeHew | 96 | 5 | 11.740 | 0.000 | $220 |
| 22 | Rob Digh - Robert Stiltner | 5 | 5 | 11.350 | 4.070 | $200 |
| 23 | Hunter Hicks - Mike Stephens | 89 | 5 | 11.200 | 0.000 | |
| 24 | Ronnie Britt - Jim Britt | 35 | 5 | 10.820 | 0.000 | |
| 25 | Joshua Queen - Mike Queen | 67 | 5 | 10.490 | 0.000 | |
| 26 | Rusty White - Gray Bennett | 111 | 4 | 10.490 | 4.540 | |
| 27 | Jeff Coble - David Wright | 105 | 4 | 10.480 | 0.000 | |
| 28 | Chris Baldwin - James Blankenship | 79 | 5 | 10.470 | 0.000 | |
| 29 | Duke Denison - Jamie Denison | 22 | 5 | 10.340 | 0.000 | |
| 30 | mike mcdonald - dave farrington | 40 | 5 | 10.300 | 3.610 | |
| 31 | Robert Walser - Mack Lowe | 84 | 5 | 10.060 | 0.000 | |
| 32 | Reginald Pickett - Larry Kirk | 61 | 5 | 10.000 | 0.000 | |
| 33 | shane lineberger - jerry lineberger | 64 | 5 | 9.780 | 0.000 | |
| 34 | Rick Dunstan - Cliff Kirby | 59 | 5 | 9.620 | 0.000 | |
| 35 | morris ruff - Kelly Ruff | 80 | 4 | 9.430 | 0.000 | |
| 36 | Kelly Logan - Jason Wilson | 56 | 3 | 9.250 | 5.490 | $1.000 |
| * Winners of the $1,000 Big Fish Award | ||||||
| 37 | Darren Sigmon - Brian Huffman | 73 | 5 | 9.250 | 0.000 | |
| 38 | Eric Jeter - Darron Jeter | 43 | 5 | 9.220 | 0.000 | |
| 39 | Eric Self - Ricky Self | 54 | 5 | 9.080 | 0.000 | |
| 40 | jason dew - randall soles | 118 | 5 | 9.070 | 0.000 | |
| 41 | Drew Montgomery - Kenny Seagle | 93 | 5 | 9.040 | 0.000 | |
| 42 | Steve Sink - Tony Foster | 37 | 5 | 9.000 | 0.000 | |
| 43 | Mark Inman - Larry Inman | 100 | 5 | 8.990 | 0.000 | |
| 44 | Bryan LeFever - Wayne Sharpe | 1 | 5 | 8.880 | 0.000 | |
| 45 | Robin Collins - Ronnie White | 41 | 5 | 8.810 | 0.000 | |
| 46 | Todd Moss - John Schohn | 12 | 4 | 8.720 | 3.500 | |
| 47 | steve harwood - steve godfrey | 50 | 5 | 8.690 | 0.000 | |
| 48 | John English - Victoria English | 86 | 4 | 8.630 | 0.000 | |
| 49 | Darrell Fisher - WILLIAM GREGORY | 60 | 5 | 8.540 | 0.000 | |
| 50 | Jason Costner | 24 | 5 | 8.510 | 0.000 | |
| 51 | David Williams - Gerald Williams | 49 | 5 | 8.450 | 0.000 | |
| 52 | Billy Bledsoe - Brian McDonald | 72 | 5 | 8.340 | 0.000 | |
| 53 | Dempsey Carter - Ted Mobley | 39 | 5 | 8.250 | 0.000 | |
| 54 | Randy Weddington - Ronnie Smith | 107 | 5 | 8.250 | 0.000 | |
| 55 | Paul Guthrie - Danny Hucks | 122 | 4 | 8.060 | 0.000 | |
| 56 | Jimmy Drumm - Ben Parker | 55 | 5 | 8.040 | 0.000 | |
| 57 | Wilbert Thornton - Jimmy Holland | 124 | 3 | 7.060 | 0.000 | |
| 58 | Dwight Dellinger - doug dellinger | 10 | 4 | 6.910 | 0.000 | |
| 59 | Jimmy Cummings - Jesse Smith | 76 | 3 | 6.530 | 0.000 | |
| 60 | Matthew McBee | 53 | 3 | 5.490 | 0.000 | |
| 61 | Scott Mooneyham - Skeet Bennett | 82 | 2 | 4.790 | 0.000 | |
| 62 | Steve Kocell | 26 | 2 | 4.340 | 0.000 | |
| 63 | Michael Riggs - Doug Stallings | 4 | 2 | 4.270 | 0.000 | |
| 64 | Wayne Skipworth - Don Sprinkle | 63 | 1 | 3.420 | 3.420 | |
| 65 | casey johnson - Cody Shuffler | 9 | 2 | 2.670 | 0.000 | |
| 66 | Jimmy Stein | 6 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 67 | Jimmy Carswell - Donald Carswell | 7 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 68 | Terry Wien - sue wien | 8 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 69 | robert mabrey - kyle whisnant | 11 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 70 | Rory Saliger - Ivan Honeycutt | 13 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 71 | Joe Giampa - Derek Wynkoop | 16 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 72 | CHAD POTEAT | 17 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 73 | Brian Stowe - Shannon Stowe | 18 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 74 | Greg Creech - Chris McDuffie | 20 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 75 | Steven Austin - Roger Wood | 28 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 76 | Matt Stout - Mike Branch | 29 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 77 | Robert Branch, Jr - Gene Parker | 30 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 78 | Kyle Westerman - jim davis | 31 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 79 | Shawn Crosby | 32 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 80 | Corey Patton - Joshua Sanders | 33 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 81 | Bob Furstenberg - Chadd Eriksen | 34 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 82 | clay williams - david redman | 38 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 83 | Donald Poteat - John Allen | 42 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 84 | Andy Greene | 45 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 85 | Gordon Smith - Mike Smith | 47 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 86 | Thomas Vickers - Brian Huskins | 48 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 87 | Bill Grier - Robby Byrum | 57 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 88 | Mark Lamb - Rob Griswold | 58 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 89 | Brian Morgan | 65 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 90 | Billy Medlin - Rustie Davis | 66 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 91 | Rodney Bell | 68 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 92 | Nick Miller - Brandon Brickweg | 70 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 93 | Buster Seabolt - Ronnie Hatem | 71 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 94 | Mark Whitman | 74 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 95 | Brad Petway | 75 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 96 | Kevin Foster - Robert Hammonds | 77 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 97 | roger pope - michael smith | 78 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 98 | Chuck Morton - lonnie fox | 81 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 99 | Rob Johnson - Matt Johnson | 83 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 100 | Mike Scott - Chris Johnson | 85 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 101 | Chris Ellis - Kyle Shropshire | 87 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 102 | TODD GARNER - JEFF RABY | 88 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 103 | Steve Addington - Scott Beattie | 90 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 104 | Ernest Stephens - Richard Greene | 92 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 105 | Jerry Goble | 94 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 106 | Jerry Craig - Bobby Latuch | 95 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 107 | Barry Bost - Will Petty | 97 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 108 | Matt Deese - William White | 99 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 109 | Todd Smith - Eric Schell | 101 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 110 | Rod Poole - Heath Fesperman | 102 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 111 | Wyatt Blevins - Greg Osborne | 103 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 112 | John Drew - Howard Bean | 104 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 113 | Jerry Pruitt | 106 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 114 | Eddie Morton - Gerald Ritchie | 108 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 115 | Dennis Reedy - Jeffrey Thomas | 110 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 116 | Mark Beck - bill goodrich | 112 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 117 | Doug easton - Pete Bejte | 113 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 118 | Daniel Hill - Parks Jones | 114 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 119 | Ray Harris - James Blackstock | 115 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 120 | Drew Adkins - Allen Wellman | 116 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 121 | Larry Hipps - Jeff Hodges | 117 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 122 | Todd Sumner - Robert Parrish | 120 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 123 | dennis allen - travis allen | 121 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 124 | Tony Lambert - Dean Talbert | 123 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 125 | Glenn Sparrow - steven sparrow | 125 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
| 126 | Andy Nix - justin goodyear | 126 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |
Jones Win Open on Arkansas River
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Mueller Rides Largemouth Bite To Victory On Lake Sebago At B.a.s.s. Nation Divisonal
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Bass Schooling On Lake Hartwell For Carolinas Bass Challenge Sc Division Championship
By the time the weigh-in is completed and prizes have been awarded in the Carolinas Bass Challenge South Carolina Division Championship on Lake Hartwell Saturday anglers will have earned well over $250,000 in the S.C. Division this year, said Brett Collins, tournament director.
With $8,000 guaranteed for first place, the average total payback at each S.C. qualifier was well over $39,000. First place averaged over $10,000 at each event, he said.
And that will not be the end of potential earnings for S.C. Division anglers this year, he added.
The full field at Lake Hartwell will qualify for the 2013 CBC Classic on Oct. 26-27 at Lake Murray, along with the teams that qualified for the North Carolina Division Championship Sept. 21 at Lake Wylie.
“First place at the CBC Classic on Lake Murray will take home a 2013 Skeeter ZX200/200YamahaSHO valued at $50,000,” said Collins. “With the teams from the North Carolina Division, we are going to have well over 200 teams for the CBC Championship at Lake Murray.”
At Lake Wylie last weekend, 126 teams competed for more than $60,000 in cash and prizes, he noted.
“Chris Wagner and Chase Deal had a special day on Lake Wylie bringing in five bass weighing 15.20 pounds, anchored by a nice 5.33 bass, to win first place which was a 2014 Skeeter TZX190/Yamaha 175 HPDI.”
They also were the Skeeter Bonus winners, taking home an additional $5,000, plus another $1,000 they earned under the Skeeter Real Money Program.
First place at Lake Hartwell will also be a 2014 Skeeter TZX190/Yamaha 175 HPDI boat package valued at more than $30,000, Collins said.
“Fishing has been picking up at Lake Hartwell, with bass starting to school. The trick is to find the schools with the largemouth bass. Spotted bass will help, but the team with some hefty largemouths will take the boat home,” Collins said.
“Flukes, Spooks and Pencil Poppers will all work on the schools. I look for 17 to 19 pounds to take first place – and there will be a lot of limits weighed in.”
Collins said Dwight and Bradford Beavers earned $1,000 as the South Carolina Division points champions, despite only one top 10 finish all season. They were 31st at Lake Murray Feb. 9, moved up to 11th at Lake Wylie March 2, then went down to 23rd at Santee Cooper March 10 and 32nd at Lake Wateree April 13. But they scored a 3rd place finish at Clarks Hill May 4 to end the season and grab the points title.
Ronnie Mueller and Wayne Frierson finished second and won $500 while Clay and Clayton Lowder earned $250 for third place in the points.
“South Carolina was our largest division, with over 380 teams fishing at least one S.C. event this past spring and we averaged 168 boats per qualifier,” Collins said. “Next year looks great for the CBC in South Carolina and we are attracting a lot of Georgia anglers to the division.”
Carolinas Bass Challenge - South Carolina Division Final
Sat, Sep 21, 2013
Lake Hartwell
Call Brett Collins 803-413-7521
www.carolinasbasschallenge.com
Hightower Leads Bassmaster Central Open On Home Waters
Dale Hightower of Mannford, Okla., takes the lead on Day 1 of the B.A.S.S. Nation Central Divisional on the Arkansas River.. Photo by James Overstreet/Bassmaster
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Paul Mueller Takes Over At Bassmaster Nation Divisional On Sebago
CASCO, Maine — A Connecticut B.A.S.S. Nation team member leads the 2013 B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Divisional after Thursday’s competition. This time, it’s Connecticut’s Paul Mueller, who overtook the top spot from his teammate, Al Gambardella, on Maine’s Sebago Lake.
Mueller, a guide on Candlewood Lake, brought in 10 pounds, 6 ounces on Day 1 to land in second place. On Day 2, he added 11-7.
“Yesterday, all my bass were cookie cutters,” said Mueller, referring to his Wednesday limit of 2-pounders. “Today, I had a 4-pounder.”
A 5-7 bass helped Gambardella on Day 1, but he brought in a limit of small fish on Day 2. Gambardella is only 4 ounces behind Mueller, though, so it’s still anyone’s game.
“I need to slow down, grind it out and see what happens,” said Gambardella.
Mueller agrees that it will be a grind, but he’s looking for that one big fish to keep him at the top.
“On this lake, one 6- or 7-pounder will seal the deal,” said Mueller.
That weight seemed unbelievable at the beginning of the Day 2 weigh-in. Jimmy Lowe, the tournament director for the Maine B.A.S.S. Nation and the weighmaster for this event, said he expected to see a 6-pounder brought to the scales. The crowd laughed. When asked to vote if a 6-pounder would cross the stage on Day 2, only three people raised their hands.
Lowe was right. Lewis Mendall of Rhode Island hoisted a 6-1 beauty near the end of the weigh-in. He’s currently in the lead for Carhartt Big Bass honors. The angler who catches the biggest bass of the tournament will take home $500.
So when Mueller says a 6- or 7-pounder is what he’s looking for on the final day, he might be right.
“The potential is there,” he said. Mueller wanted to catch smallmouth, but he hasn’t been able to find the right ones. “If the wind blows tomorrow, I can put smallmouth in the equation. It takes wind to get them to position right.
“The fish are on the move in a weird transition. They’re suspended — not on a bank and not schooled. They’re kind of isolated and very spooky.
“I’m just going to fish the conditions, the way I’ve been doing,” continued Mueller. “The fish are repositioning every day. It’s a grind.”
As tournament leader, Mueller is also tops on his state team. If Mueller’s lead in Connecticut holds up, he’ll join his colleagues from other states at the 2013 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on Lake Dardanelle in Russellville, Ark., Oct. 24-26. Other state leaders at the end of Day 2 are Lawrence Hogue, Maine; Randy Phillips, Massachusetts; John Wright, New Hampshire; Randy Lamanche, New York; Larry MacPhail, Ontario; Leo Bevelaqua, Rhode Island; Eric Corbella Salvia, Spain; and Skip Sjobeck, Vermont.
Connecticut fell from first place on Day 1 to the host state, Maine, which now leads the state competition with 116 pounds, 9 ounces. Connecticut is still in the race with 110-13, and New York is in third with 81-4.
As leader on Day 2, Mueller wins the $250 Livingston Lures Leader Award. Point Sebago Resort awards $300 to the angler with the biggest bag each day. For Day 2, that prize went to John Wright of New Hampshire, who brought in 11 pounds, 12 ounces.
Tune in Friday for the final day of competition on Bassmaster.com. The adults will be joined on stage by competitors in the one-day Junior Bassmaster tournament. Launch takes place at 6:15 a.m. ET at Point Sebago Resort in Casco, Maine, and the weigh-in will be in the same place at 2:15 p.m. ET.
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Carolina's Bass Challenge Sc Div Championship Preview With Director Brett Collins!
CBC Tournament Director Brett Collins joins us to previw the SC Div Regional on Lake Hartwell this coming Sat..with lake levels stable and conditions good, look for some solid weights to come in with one team going home with a $30,000 Boat/Motor/Trailer pkg! Brett previews the big day.....................
Jason Williamson Big Bass Classic On Lake Murray Kicks Off Oakley Big Bass Tour's Fall Schedule
The first annual Jason Williamson Big Bass Classic on Lake Murray drew 290 anglers in September 2012 and the second annual hourly payout event on on the lake Sept. 28-29 is expected to draw well over 300, said Mark Jones with the Oakley Big Bass Tour.
“We had increased entries in every event we held in the spring and early entries are up for all four of our fall tournaments, including the Jason Williamson Big Bass tournament, so we expect quite a bigger field at Lake Murray this year,” Jones said.
Lake Murray is the first stop on the fall swing for the Oakley Big Bass Tour, he noted.
“After Lake Murray, we are off for a week and then we have them back-to-back-to-back, with the Gerald Swindle Big Bass Tournament on Lake Guntersville, followed by the Rusty Wallace Big Bass Tournament on Douglas Lake, and then the next week after that we head to Fort Gibson Lake in Oklahoma for the Quantum Big Bass Event.”
The format provides hourly payouts for weigh-ins during the 8-9 a.m., 9-10 a.m., 10-11 a.m., 11 a.m.-12 noon, 12-1 p.m., 1-2 p.m., and 2-3 p.m. time periods both days of the tournament. Jones noted that prizes were increased across the board for 2013, with the top weight each hour worth $1,000, up from $500 last year, followed by $500 for 2nd, $300 for 3rd, $200 for 4th and $150 for 5th.
The top prize, given for the biggest bass weighed over the weekend is a 2013 Nitro Z7 powered by Mercury 150, with Tandem Trailer and Dual Console Upgrades, valued at $30,000. Luke Barton weighed in a 7.93-pound largemouth at the Lake Murray Big Bass Classic last September to claim the Nitro Z7 boat package.
Registration for the Lake Murray tournament will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at the Carolina Ale House, 708 Lady street, Columbia, S.C.. Registration on Friday, Sept. 27, will be held from 12 noon to 7 p.m. at Spinners Resort and Marina, 101 Sandalwood Rd., Leesville, S.C.
Entry fee is $100 for one day or $150 for both days. The tournament will be held out of Dreher Island State Park Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 28-29.
The annual Lake Murray event carries the name of Jason Williamson, a Bassmaster Elite Series angler from Aiken. In just five years on the Elite circuit, Williamson has won more than $766000, finishing in the money 57 times, with two championships in 13 Top 10 finishes, and has qualified for the Bassmaster Classic.
The Oakley Big Bass Tour is a premier big bass tournament series open to all amateur anglers. The tour provides anglers of all skill levels with an exciting tournament format and event experience on some of the nation's best bass fisheries. Since it was established in 2007 the tour has focused on the promotion of bass fishing and bass conservation at the grass roots level.
Oakley produces an array of market-leading products including premium sunglasses, goggles, prescription eyewear, apparel, footwear and accessories.
“We are really excited and looking forward to getting started on our fall run of tournaments at Lake Murray,” Jones said.
Oakley Jason Williamson Big Bass Classic
Sat & Sun, Sep 28 & 29, 2013
Lake Murray
Call Mark Jones 214-605-4600
Browning Excited To Be River Fishing For Second Bassmaster Central Open Tournament
Stephen Browning is tickled to death that two out of three Bassmaster Central Opens this year are behind held on rivers. He has won one Central Open river tournament already and is looking forward to the second one this week on the Arkansas River.
“I'm excited about it,” the Hot Springs, Ark., pro said. “Any time I can go to a river, any river, and fish a tournament, I have a lot more confidence than when I am fishing those big impoundments. I feel right at home on the river.”
Although his Elite Series production has left much to be desired this year, Browning is already assured a berth in the 2014 Bassmaster Classic at Lake Guntersville next February, his ninth appearance in the traditional bass fishing championship.
Having won the first 2013 Bass pro Shops Central Open Tournament in April on the Red River, Browning leads the Central Open points race. Now he only needs to participate in the Arkansas River tournament this week and the final Central Open of the year in October on Ross Barnett Reservoir in Mississippi to assure his Classic invitation. Open tournament winners are invited to fish the Classic, but they have to fish all three Opens in their division.
“I don't even have to check in but I do have to check out the next couple of days, so I am definitely going to be there,” he said.
“I did not have the best Elite Series of my career this year, but I've done pretty well in a couple of these Opens, so they are kind of my life blood right now,” Browning said. “They kind of make up for a bad year in the Elites, but I can't complain. I still have a host of good sponsors and I'm still able to run u p and down the highways chasing these fish.”
Although he finished 82nd in the Elite Series Angler of the Year points race this year, in 19 years as a B.A.S.S. pro Browning has 27 top 10 finishes, including two first places, and has won just under $1 million in prize money.
He has done well on the Arkansas River in the past, too. He finished third in the Central Open tournament on the Arkansas in 2011.
Fishing this week will be typical Arkansas river muddy water fishing, Browning said.
“Most of the time with river fishing it's shallow water fishing and most of the fish I have found are in the shallow backwater areas, so I think it will be won there.”
The fish likely will be relating to wood, grass or rock and the key to success will be figuring out each day which type of structure to concentrate on, he said.
“I've caught fish in all three kinds of cover, so it's going to be one of those deals where if you can figure out whether the grass bite is on, the wood cover bite is on or the rock bite is on, the quicker you can do that in the morning the better off you will be,” he said.
Bassmaster Central Open
Sep 19-21, 2013
Arkansas River
Gambardella Leads With Largemouth At Bassmaster Nation Divisional On Sebago
CASCO, Maine — Al Gambardella is receiving multiple good-luck texts and phone calls from home, especially from his wife and 3-year-old daughter Sophia. The Day 1 leader of the B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Divisional hasn’t seen them for two weeks — since he left his home in North Haven, Conn., to pre-fish Sebago Lake.
It paid off, though, when he took the Day 1 lead with 12 pounds, 3 ounces.
Gambardella’s weight is nearly 2 pounds ahead of his closest competitor, Paul Mueller, another member of the Connecticut B.A.S.S. Nation state team. It helped that Gambardella’s limit was anchored by a 5-pound, 7-ounce largemouth. In fact, his whole bag was made up of largemouth. Most of the contenders brought in smallmouth only or mixed bags of the two species.
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2014 Bassmaster Opens Schedule
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The 2014 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series has something for everyone — whether they’re a top professional angler, an aspiring pro or simply a fan of the sport.
Nine events in nine states covering three geographic regions will send winners to the 2015 Bassmaster Classic, top performers to the Bassmaster Elite Series and thousands of fans to weigh-ins where they can catch the action.
The Opens Series consists of nine events — three tournaments each in Southern, Central and Northern divisions — covering rivers, natural lakes and man-made reservoirs and running from January to October.
For the fourth season in a row, Opens tournament winners who compete in all three events in a single division will earn a berth in the Super Bowl of bass fishing, the 2015 Bassmaster Classic.
And for those anglers hoping to take the next step in their careers, the Opens are the way to reach the most prestigious professional fishing circuit in the world, the Bassmaster Elite Series. Opens competitors earn performance points at each tournament, and at the end of the season the Top 5 ranked anglers in each division who aren’t already qualified for the Elites will be invited to join the premier tour. In recent years, Ott DeFoe, Hank Cherry and Jason Christie followed this path and have made their marks as Elite pros.
At seven of the nine Opens, the full field of anglers will weigh their fish at the lake on Thursday and Friday of each tournament week, but on Saturday, when the field is cut to the Top 12 anglers, weigh-ins will take place before large crowds of fans at nearby Bass Pro Shops stores. At the other two venues, lakes Amistad and Champlain, weigh-ins will be held lakeside all three competition days.
Entry fees remain unchanged from 2013. The cost for pros to participate in each event is $1,500. The cost for co-anglers is $425. For more details, visit Bassmaster.com.
Southern Opens
No. 1 — Lake Tohopekaliga at Kissimmee, Fla., Jan. 23-25
“Toho” has hosted 17 B.A.S.S. events, including Bassmaster Classics in 1977 and 2006. In 2001, Dean Rojas set a B.A.S.S. record that still stands with five fish that weighed a whopping 45 pounds, 2 ounces. The 2013 Open was won by Rich Howes in a fish-off, after the regulation three days of competition ended in a tie. The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes was ranked No. 22 on Bassmaster Magazine’s “100 Best Bass Lakes” list in 2013.
No. 2 — Smith Lake at Jasper, Ala., March 6-8
Six previous B.A.S.S. events have been held on Smith, beginning in 1967 with the second tournament ever conducted by founder Ray Scott. More recently, the 2012 Open was won by Hank Cherry (newly crowned Elite Series Rookie of the Year), qualifying him for the 2013 Bassmaster Classic, in which he finished third.
No. 3 — Lake Norman at Charlotte, N.C., Oct. 2-4
Norman was the site of Southern Opens in 2011 and 2012, as well as five previous B.A.S.S. events beginning in 1992. The 2012 Open was won by North Carolina’s Tracy Adams.
Central Opens
No. 1 — Lake Amistad at Del Rio, Texas, Feb. 6-8
The inaugural Bassmaster Elite Series tournament was held in 2006 on this big-bass factory that straddles the U.S.-Mexico border. “Amistad” is Spanish for “friendship.” The fishery was ranked No. 23 among the nation’s “100 Best Bass Lakes” list in 2013. The 2010 Open was won by Texan Craig Schuff.
No. 2 — Red River at Shreveport, La., April 24-26
Two of the best-attended Classics in history were held on the Red in 2009 and 2012, when Skeet Reese and Chris Lane, respectively, prevailed. Elite angler Stephen Browning won the 2013 Open there.
No. 3 — Arkansas River at Muskogee, Okla., Sept. 11-13
The Opens series returns to Muskogee and the Arkansas River, which are hosting the final Central Open of 2013 this week. A total of nine previous B.A.S.S. events have taken place on the Arkansas, although only two were held in Oklahoma. The others were out of Arkansas and included Bassmaster Classics in 1984 and 1985. The 2011 Open out of Muskogee was won by Oklahoman Tommy Biffle.
Northern Opens
No. 1 — Douglas Lake at Dandridge, Tenn., May 29-June 1
The “long-lining” method of crankbait fishing came to prominence here during a 2012 Elite Series tournament, when bass were holding too deep for conventional crankbait presentations to reach them. Douglas has hosted three other B.A.S.S. events since 2001. The 2013 Open was won by Patrick Bone. Douglas ranks No. 56 on the “100 Best Bass Lakes” list.
No. 2 — Lake Champlain at Plattsburgh, N.Y., July 31-Aug. 2
Anglers should be on the lookout for “Champ,” the mythical lake monster with more than 300 reported sightings. At more than 400 feet deep in places, Champlain offers plenty of room for Nessie’s cousin to hide. The fishery, ranked No. 16 on Bassmaster’s “100 Best Bass Lakes,” has hosted eight Bassmaster tournaments beginning in 1997. The 2010 Open, which had a field of 200 boats, was won by Dave Wolak.
No. 3 — Lake St. Clair at Detroit, Mich., Sept. 4-6
Elite Series anglers caught bass in a transitional stage during the recent Plano Championship Chase, when St. Clair failed to live up to its billing as No. 1 on Bassmaster Magazine’s 100 Best Bass Lakes list. Chris Lane won that event, but he had to go to Lake Huron to find the winning strings. The lake should be much better next September, when anglers in the Northern Opens wrap up their division. With a Detroit launch site, several lakes and a seemingly endless amount of water will be available to the competitors.
Registration
B.A.S.S. Nation and Life members can register online beginning Nov. 5 at 9 a.m. CT and for call-in on Nov. 7 beginning at 9 a.m. CT at 877-227-7872. B.A.S.S. members who want to fish all three tournaments in a division may register online beginning Nov. 12 at 9 a.m. CT and may call in Nov. 14 beginning at 9 a.m. CT.
Anglers interested in fishing only one or two events may register online beginning Nov. 19 at 9 a.m. CT and may call in beginning Nov. 21 at 9 a.m. CT.
The cost for pros to participate in each event is $1,500. The cost for co-anglers is $425. For more details, visitBassmaster.com.
More Details About Ike's Winning Ways at Erie Open
If Ike didn't win the recent Bassmaster Northern Open on Lake Erie, he would not qualify for a 15th-consecutive Bassmaster Classic, the Super Bowl of bass fishing. So, he went big, upsizing his baits and hooks and targeting bigger fish.
The bold move yielded a big payoff - Ike won the tournament with 48.8 pounds of smallmouth bass, almost four pounds more than the runner-up.
“I focused on catching bigger quality fish, not necessarily numbers,” Ike says. “It's important to develop a pattern to catch bigger fish. I can't tell you how important that was for me, winning the Lake Erie tournament.”
Ike's big-fish pattern was part of a “one-two punch” that accounted for his winning weight. To target bigger, “kicker” fish, he cranked a Smash-pattern Rapala DT-14 over the tops of humps, shoals and ridges near islands about 30 miles from the tournament's launch site in Sandusky, OH.
“The DT-14 caught less fish, but the ones it caught were the real important fish for me,” Ike says. “Three of the big fish that I weighed during this event came on that DT 14. You take those three big fish away, I probably wouldn't have won the event. It became a really important tool for me in the tournament.”
While pre-fishing for the tournament, Ike noticed that the bigger smallmouths he was catching were coming from the shallower tops of humps - rather than the deep edges - and that they were feeding on yellow perch, rather than the gobies the Great Lakes are known for. That's why he tied on the Smash-pattern Rapala DT-14 in the tournament.
“It's a really great perch imitation - especially of the perch that live on Lake Erie and the Great Lakes,” Ike explains. “It's got a lot of green in it. And the real key - it's got a pale, orange throat. Those big fish, they don't eat a lot, but when they eat, they want a big meal and that DT-14 was perfect for doing it.”
While the DT-14 was the haymaker in Ike's winning “one-two punch” combination, the drop-shot was his jab. Around the deep edges of the humps, shoals and ridges, he dropshotted a soft-plastic stickbait on a 1/0 VMC Wacky Hook over a 1/2 to 3/8 oz. VMC Tungsten Drop Shot Cylinder Weight.
That 1/0 Wacky Hook is a bit bigger than what most anglers use for dropshotting, Ike says. “It helped me get those fish in the boat and it compensated for that little bit bigger soft stickbait,” he explains. “So that was key. Over the course of two days, I landed 99 percent of my fish on the dropshot. That's a really big testament to that hook.”
Ike used a cylindrical, “pencil style,” VMC Tungsten dropshot weight to avoid hang-ups on Erie's rocky bottom. Less time freeing hang-ups or re-rigging break-offs makes for more time fishing,
“A lot of guys were out there fishing lead which wasn't as sensitive,” Ike explains. “And a lot were fishing a ball weight, which was tending to get hung up a lot. But that tungsten, pencil-style weight really comes through that scattered rock better. And that was key for me, because I had to be able to pop it out of the rock and out of the little crevices. And that pencil style made a big difference.”
By winning the Sept. 12-14 tournament, Ike qualified to compete in a 15th-consecutive Bassmaster Classic. Fishing in the Classic is the goal of most bass pros, owing to the event's prestige and its $500,000 purse. Because Ike did not finish high enough in the Bassmaster Elite Series' Angler of the Year race to qualify for the Classic, winning Erie Northern Open his last best chance to make the Classic.
“It was a lot of pressure,” Ike says. “I definitely felt it. But it was a great opportunity.”
Details From Rapala Pro Rusty Brown On His 2013 Us Open Championship
Brown credits much of his success to a Rapala Skitter Walk topwater bait and a Storm Arashi Silent Square 3 crankbait. Brown worked both baits slowly and thoroughly in his best spots in Gregg Basin, where the water was stained and about 81-84 degrees. He targeted isolated sticks and brush, gravel-strewn clay banks and flats covered with submergent and emergent vegetation.
“Isolated sticks were the key with the Skitter Walk,” he says. “I threw it around those sticks that had little secondary cuts or small little sand points that went out to the main lake - any piece of structure that I figured there'd be a fish sitting by.”
The bone-color Skitter Walk matched the hatch perfectly, he says.
“It's not really long, but it's not really small and it has a fat body,” Brown explains. “I was trying to mimic the size of the bluegill that were swimming out of the grass and around the sticks and I was also mimicking the shad.”
Some of his Skitter Walk strikes came within four or five feet of the bank, right around the isolated sticks. Others came off deeper structure, including submerged brush or bushes.
Brown's Hot Blue Shad-pattern Arashi was “key” around pebble-strewn clay banks near isolated wood, he says. “I could bang the lip right into the stick and get that reaction strike from those fish.”
He threw the Arashi over submergent vegetation too, ripping it free from any strands of grass the hooks grabbed.
“There were some strikes that I was getting over the tops of grass pockets that were in maybe one or two feet of water and the grass beds were sitting in eight or nine feet of water,” Brown explains. “I would take my rod tip and kind of guide it through a little track, like guys do when they frog fish. And if I got it caught in the grass, I'd just rip the grass off it and get the bait back out there again.”
Brown says he had dreamed of being a U.S. Open Champion and was humbled by the accomplishment. In 11 previous U.S. Opens, his best finish was 16th.
“I can't believe I'm standing here with my name on the same list of the guys I've watched win this tournament for so many years," he said following the tournament. “I've got great sponsors who have stood behind me in working at this for many years and it's really great to be one of the guys who have won this tournament.”
A Tustin, CA, resident, Brown works as a fishing guide on several Southern California bass fisheries. Book a guide trip with him by visiting his website.
Powers and Baker win the Tom's Marine TT on Cherokee Sat-Full Results here!
Craig Powers and Eddie Baker Win Toms Marine Cherokee Event
On September 14 Toms Marine Team Trail blasted off 91 boats for it's 6th tournament of the 2013 season. Summer time patters were in full effect with larger fish hard to come by. The team of Craig Powers and Eddie Baker overcame the conditions to bring the winning 14.63-pound stringer to the scales and win the $2500 first place.
Craig Powers and Eddie Baker after their big win on Cherokee
Second place and $1100 went to Jack Wade and Tim Irwin with a 13.78-pound limit. David Morgan and AJ Frost were a close third with 13.72-pounds and won $700 for their effort. Randy Brown and Greg Burrell won $550 for their 13.37-pound limit. Rounding out the top 5 was Kent Smith and Perry Dewees with 13.19-pounds. Complete results and points are now posted. Toms Marine would like to invite everyone out for our next event October 5 on Douglas Lake at Shady Grove. For complete results and more phots visit the Toms Marine web site at www.tomsmarinetn.com
Ike Wins Northern Open, Qualifies for 2014 Classic
SANDUSKY, Ohio — In his last best chance at qualifying for the 2014 Bassmaster Classic, Elite Series pro Mike Iaconelli capitalized in a big way as he sacked 24-9 today on Lake Erie, giving him a two-day total of 48-8, nearly four pounds better than runner-up and Erie ringer Joe Balog.
“It’s not real, man. It’s not real,” Iaconelli said in disbelief of his first Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open win. “When these moments happen, it’s magical. I remember all my wins from club tournaments to this one, and they’re all special.
“It’s been a weird year. I had a bad year on the Elite trail, and I had a lot of downs, and I just kept my head in it and kept working, and it turned around finally.”
This win punctuates six weeks that the New Jersey pro has been on the road and signifies the removal of a giant weight from his shoulders.
“There was so much pressure coming in here, and more than once I had a feeling like I should give up because so much wasn’t going right. It really wears on you when you’re out here by yourself and not doing good, and there were moments where I wanted to turn back and go home,” Iaconelli said. “That’s the thing about fishing and life in general; you just keep pushing, and these things happen when you least expect them to. They’re magical things.
During the two-day tournament, shortened by a weather cancellation Friday, Iaconelli relied on a one-two punch for Erie’s smallmouth. Eighty percent of his fish fell for a drop shot rig comprised of a 3/8-ounce VMC pencil drop shot weight below a 1/0 VMC wacky rig hook of his own design holding a Berkley Havoc Flat Dawg, also of his own creation.
“That bait is designed to be a shallow water stickbait, but in practice I found it’s a killer drop shot bait,” he said. His best color was watermelon silver/red. When the fish weren’t eating the drop shot, he threw a Rapala DT-14 crankbait, especially when the lake was flat. He targeted the tops of the humps when the fish moved higher in the water column. The color he used was smash.
Besides the Bassmaster Classic berth, Iaconelli won a new Triton 19XS with a 200-horsepower Mercury Optimax ProXS outboard and roughly $5,000 cash.
With this win, Iaconelli has seen success at every level of B.A.S.S. competition from the B.A.S.S. Nation to the Elite Series and Classic, as well as a Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year win. “This trophy is going right next to my AOY and Classic trophies; it means just as much,” he said.
Behind Iaconelli was Joe Balog of Michigan, who caught 23-4 on Day 2, which gave him a two-day total of 44-10. CJ Shaver of Ohio and Dave Lefebre of Pennsylvania tied for third with 44-2 each. In fifth place was Hunter Shryock of Ohio with 43-8.
On the co-angler side, Paul Marchaza of Ohio caught an astounding 15-0 from this three-fish limit, giving him a two-day total of 28-9. Marchaza was nearly at a loss for words following his win.
“This is unbelievable. I never, ever dreamed this could happen,” the 30 year old said. “I put in a lot of hard work and studying; I’ve never even dragged a tube on Lake Erie. Jamie Caldwell took me out the first day and settled my nerves and showed me what to do, and that settled me down for today. I didn’t catch a fish for the first four hours of the day today, then we went out deep, and I caught them all drop shotting.”
For his win, he took home a new Triton boat with a 115-horsepower Yamaha outboard.
In second place on the co-angler side is Mike Fedio of Michigan with 27-7; in third is Gary Walker of Massachusetts with 25-7; in fourth is Nick Habuda of Canada with 25-3; and in fifth place is John Terry of Ohio with 25-0.
The Carhartt Big Bass award for $500 for the largest single bass caught at the tournament was awarded to Jams McMullen of Pennsylvania for his 6-6 on the pro side, while Ohio’s Terry won the award on the co-angler side for his 6-8.
The Luck-E-Strike Heavyweight was awarded to Iaconelli on the pro side and Marchaza on the co-angler side for catching the biggest bag in their respective divisions. Each received a $250 Bass Pro Shops gift card.
The Livingston Lures Leader award of $250 was presented to Iaconelli, the pro angler in the lead on Day 2. Marchaza, the leader on the Day 2 co-angler side, received a Livingston Lures gift pack valued at $250.
2013 BPS Bassmaster Northern Open Lake Erie - Sandusky 9/12-9/14
Lake Erie, Sandusky, Ohio
(BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 10 48-08 123 $45,748.00
Day 1: 5 23-15 Day 2: 5 24-09
2. Joe Balog Harrison Township, MI 10 44-10 122 $12,464.00
Day 1: 5 21-06 Day 2: 5 23-04
3. Cj Shaver Westerville, OH 10 44-02 121 $9,348.00
Day 1: 5 21-06 Day 2: 5 22-12
4. David Lefebre Erie, PA 10 44-02 120 $8,364.00
Day 1: 5 22-03 Day 2: 5 21-15
5. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 10 43-08 119 $7,298.00
Day 1: 5 22-10 Day 2: 5 20-14
6. Ray Brazier Lawrenceburg, TN 10 43-01 118 $6,232.00
Day 1: 5 20-03 Day 2: 5 22-14
7. Wayne Hauser Mooresville, NC 10 42-05 117 $5,248.00
Day 1: 5 21-03 Day 2: 5 21-02
8. Kyle Kempkers Hamilton, MI 10 42-01 116 $4,182.00
Day 1: 5 22-08 Day 2: 5 19-09
9. Jacob Powroznik Prince Grove, VA 10 41-06 115 $3,116.00
Day 1: 5 20-03 Day 2: 5 21-03
10. James Jacobus Johnstown, OH 10 40-11 114 $2,870.00
Day 1: 5 20-07 Day 2: 5 20-04
11. Al Farace Cockeysville, MD 10 40-10 113 $2,624.00
Day 1: 5 20-01 Day 2: 5 20-09
12. Chad Pipkens Holt, MI 10 40-05 112 $2,460.00
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 22-05
13. Jason Root Fostoria, OH 10 40-04 111 $2,050.00
Day 1: 5 18-11 Day 2: 5 21-09
14. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 10 40-01 110 $2,050.00
Day 1: 5 22-06 Day 2: 5 17-11
15. Gary Greenwood Irwin, PA 10 39-07 109 $2,050.00
Day 1: 5 21-01 Day 2: 5 18-06
16. Stephen Mui Bartlett, IL 10 39-03 108 $2,050.00
Day 1: 5 20-14 Day 2: 5 18-05
17. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 10 39-00 107 $2,050.00
Day 1: 5 19-09 Day 2: 5 19-07
18. Kevin Hawk Guntersville, AL 10 38-12 106 $2,050.00
Day 1: 5 19-01 Day 2: 5 19-11
19. Steve York Bronson, MI 10 38-09 105 $2,050.00
Day 1: 5 20-04 Day 2: 5 18-05
20. Kurt Dove Del Rio, TX 10 38-09 104 $2,050.00
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 19-09
21. Steve Tosh Turlock, CA 10 37-13 103 $2,050.00
Day 1: 5 18-10 Day 2: 5 19-03
22. Scott Siller Milwaukee, WI 10 37-12 102 $2,050.00
Day 1: 5 18-04 Day 2: 5 19-08
23. Chris Daves Hopewell, VA 10 37-08 101 $2,050.00
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 18-11
24. Whitney Stephens Waverly, OH 10 37-07 100 $2,050.00
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 20-10
25. Randy Howell Springville, AL 10 37-07 99 $2,050.00
Day 1: 5 20-04 Day 2: 5 17-03
26. Tom Stark Angola, IN 10 36-11 98 $1,804.00
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 18-03
27. Joseph Sancho New Windsor, NY 10 36-08 97 $1,804.00
Day 1: 5 21-15 Day 2: 5 14-09
28. Matt Vermilyea Perrysburg, OH 10 36-07 96 $1,804.00
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 19-04
29. Chip Porche Bixby, OK 10 36-07 95 $1,804.00
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 17-09
30. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 10 36-06 94 $1,804.00
Day 1: 5 20-00 Day 2: 5 16-06
31. Patrick Pierce Jacksonville, FL 10 36-06 93 $1,558.00
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 19-03
32. Rob Thivener Delaware, OH 10 36-05 92 $1,558.00
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 19-05
33. Sean D Caswell Highland, NY 10 36-04 91 $1,558.00
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 18-03
34. Jeff Hippert Hamburg, NY 10 36-02 90 $1,558.00
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 18-08
35. Kip Bodkin Berlin Heights, OH 10 36-01 89 $1,558.00
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 18-01
36. Boo Woods Oneida, KY 10 35-14 88 $1,312.00
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 18-11
37. John Figi Bloomington, MN 10 35-13 87 $1,312.00
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 18-13
38. Brian Schram Waterford, MI 10 35-10 86 $1,312.00
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 5 18-09
39. Philip Holwerda Ada, MI 10 35-07 85 $1,312.00
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 16-10
40. Timothy Laizer South Hadley, MA 10 35-06 84 $1,312.00
Day 1: 5 18-09 Day 2: 5 16-13
41. Chris Zaldain San Jose, CA 10 34-14 83
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 17-09
42. Jeff Barth Marshfield, WI 10 34-08 82
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 18-12
43. Tom Kemos Oconomowoc, WI 10 34-03 81
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 18-12
44. Rocky Rhodes Grampian, PA 10 34-01 80
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 17-02
45. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 10 34-00 79
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 5 14-10
46. Joe Nicholson Cleveland, OH 10 33-15 78
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 15-02
47. Charlie Evans Gilbertsville, KY 10 33-14 77
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 18-05
48. Jonathan Carter South Portland, ME 10 33-11 76
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 19-14
49. Eddie Levin Westerville, OH 10 33-11 75
Day 1: 5 19-11 Day 2: 5 14-00
50. Greg Pugh Cullman, AL 10 33-10 74
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 18-03
51. Gregory Dipalma Millville, NJ 10 33-03 73
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 17-06
52. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 9 33-01 72
Day 1: 5 21-09 Day 2: 4 11-08
53. Ken Golubjatnikov Pittsford, NY 10 32-14 71
Day 1: 5 17-08 Day 2: 5 15-06
54. William Pioch Beckley, WV 10 32-13 70
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 15-00
55. John Pelletier Castleton, NY 10 32-07 69
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 15-14
56. David Smith Del City, OK 10 31-15 68
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 18-10
57. Paul A Molan Chardon, OH 10 31-14 67
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 16-00
58. Danny Jones North East, PA 8 31-12 66
Day 1: 5 20-12 Day 2: 3 11-00
59. Paul Pagnato Reston, VA 10 31-05 65
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 17-04
60. Luke Clausen Otis Orchards, WA 9 31-03 64
Day 1: 4 12-10 Day 2: 5 18-09
61. Mike Elsea Mooresville, IN 7 31-02 63
Day 1: 2 09-13 Day 2: 5 21-05
62. RC Cooper Nashua, NH 10 31-01 62
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 14-12
63. Tracy Adams Wilkesboro, NC 10 30-14 61
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 14-01
64. Rob Collins Morrow, OH 10 30-12 60
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 17-04
65. Seth Feider Bloomington, MN 9 30-05 59
Day 1: 4 13-05 Day 2: 5 17-00
66. Kyle A. Fox Lakeland, FL 10 30-05 58
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 16-00
67. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 9 30-03 57
Day 1: 4 12-03 Day 2: 5 18-00
68. Mark Hicks Glouster, OH 9 29-04 56
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 4 14-09
69. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 8 29-00 55
Day 1: 3 09-13 Day 2: 5 19-03
70. Art Ferguson III Saint Clair Shores, MI 10 28-15 54
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 14-03
71. Scott Canterbury Springville, AL 9 28-13 53
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 4 13-09
72. Chris Noffsinger Interlochen, MI 9 28-02 52
Day 1: 4 15-01 Day 2: 5 13-01
73. Jacob Wheeler Indianapolis, IN 9 27-15 51
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 4 12-03
74. Chris King South Amherst, OH 8 27-13 50
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 3 09-08
75. Chris Mcreynolds Louisville, TN 8 27-11 49
Day 1: 5 19-15 Day 2: 3 07-12
76. Josh Douglas Chattanooga, TN 8 27-03 48
Day 1: 3 07-10 Day 2: 5 19-09
77. Stephen Longobardi Northford, CT 9 26-12 47
Day 1: 4 10-13 Day 2: 5 15-15
78. Paul Mazzitelli Pittston, PA 7 26-07 46
Day 1: 5 19-15 Day 2: 2 06-08
79. Brian Metry Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 9 26-03 45
Day 1: 4 11-04 Day 2: 5 14-15
80. William M Schwartz Sheffield Village, OH 9 25-12 44
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 4 11-13
81. David Gonzales Dennison, OH 9 25-10 43
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 4 13-13
82. Masahiro Yanase Knoxville TN JAPAN 8 24-15 42
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 3 08-12
83. Rick Taylor West Olive, MI 7 24-03 41
Day 1: 5 16-08 Day 2: 2 07-11
84. Zachary Maisch Lima, OH 7 23-13 40
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 2 05-10
85. David Cooke Mooresville, NC 6 23-12 39
Day 1: 5 20-12 Day 2: 1 03-00
86. Jamey Caldwell Carthage, NC 7 23-10 38
Day 1: 3 09-09 Day 2: 4 14-01
87. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, CA 10 23-03 37
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 11-04
88. Jesse Schultz New Albany, IN 7 23-01 36
Day 1: 2 06-11 Day 2: 5 16-06
89. Larry Freeman Waynesburg, PA 7 22-15 35
Day 1: 5 17-08 Day 2: 2 05-07
90. Blaine Bucy Weirton, WV 7 22-08 34
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 2 04-03
91. Don Warren Chesterfield, VA 7 22-07 33
Day 1: 2 05-08 Day 2: 5 16-15
92. David Dudley Dublin, OH 7 22-01 32
Day 1: 4 11-01 Day 2: 3 11-00
93. William Kemp Scotland Neck, NC 9 21-14 31
Day 1: 4 10-01 Day 2: 5 11-13
94. Timothy Macknair Rices Landing, PA 6 21-13 30
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 1 04-06
95. Jeff Salmon Chester, VA 10 21-08 29
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 10-01
96. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 6 21-00 28
Day 1: 3 11-04 Day 2: 3 09-12
97. Steven C Schmidt Madison, NE 7 20-13 27
Day 1: 3 10-08 Day 2: 4 10-05
98. Jeff Kuhar Bridgeport, OH 7 20-11 26
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 2 07-04
99. Randy Elliott Bowie, MD 6 20-03 25
Day 1: 1 04-02 Day 2: 5 16-01
100. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 6 20-00 24
Day 1: 3 10-07 Day 2: 3 09-09
101. Emery L Peine Newton, NJ 7 18-15 23
Day 1: 3 08-03 Day 2: 4 10-12
102. John Malzahn Sparrow Bush, NY 5 15-15 22
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
103. James Mcmullen Quakertown, PA 4 15-09 21
Day 1: 3 09-03 Day 2: 1 06-06
104. Larry Draughn Fairborn, OH 6 14-05 20
Day 1: 4 08-05 Day 2: 2 06-00
105. Bill Chapman Salt Rock, WV 5 14-02 19
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
106. Matt Greenblatt Port St Lucie, FL 5 13-15 18
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
106. James Plessinger Williamsburg, VA 5 13-15 18
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
108. Skip Johnson Wales, MI 4 13-03 16
Day 1: 4 13-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
109. Kelly Pratt Williamsburg, VA 4 12-06 15
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 4 12-06
110. Gary Krammes Pottsville, PA 4 12-01 14
Day 1: 4 12-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
111. Todd Sterner Mechanicsburg, PA 4 12-00 13
Day 1: 3 09-05 Day 2: 1 02-11
112. Wil Hardy II Harlem, GA 4 11-12 12
Day 1: 4 11-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
113. Adam Thiede Ashland, OH 4 10-11 11
Day 1: 1 04-07 Day 2: 3 06-04
114. Darin Doll Jacobus, PA 1 04-12 10
Day 1: 1 04-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
115. Israel Mills Lester, WV 1 03-14 9
Day 1: 1 03-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
116. William Lortz Rochester, NY 1 03-11 8
Day 1: 1 03-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
117. Wade Curtiss Meadow Vista, CA 1 02-06 7
Day 1: 1 02-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
118. Trait L Crist Fort Worth, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
118. Jason Dudek Excelsior, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
118. Pete Gluszek Mount Laurel, NJ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
118. Joe Lucarelli Center Harbor, NH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
118. Steve Schubert Rayland, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
118. Michael Simonton Fremont, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 86 517 1799-13
2 77 467 1639-13
----------------------------------
163 984 3439-10
2013 BPS Bassmaster Northern Open Lake Erie - Sandusky 9/12-9/14
Lake Erie, Sandusky, Ohio
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Paul Marchaza Mentor, OH 6 28-09 123 $25,250.00
Day 1: 3 13-09 Day 2: 3 15-00
2. Mike Fedio Fenton, MI 6 27-07 122 $3,985.00
Day 1: 3 13-04 Day 2: 3 14-03
3. Gary Walker Amesbury, MA 6 25-07 121 $3,009.00
Day 1: 3 10-10 Day 2: 3 14-13
4. Nick Habuda Belle River CANADA 6 25-03 120 $2,033.00
Day 1: 3 12-05 Day 2: 3 12-14
5. John Terry Lexington, OH 6 25-00 119 $2,371.00
Day 1: 3 12-01 Day 2: 3 12-15
6. Destin Demarion Grove City, PA 6 24-13 118 $1,789.00
Day 1: 3 12-07 Day 2: 3 12-06
7. Andrew J Lemle Whitehouse, OH 6 24-09 117 $1,708.00
Day 1: 3 10-14 Day 2: 3 13-11
8. Mike Kiester Davisburg, MI 6 24-08 116 $1,627.00
Day 1: 3 13-12 Day 2: 3 10-12
9. Gary J Sterkel Cleveland, OH 6 24-08 115 $1,545.00
Day 1: 3 11-05 Day 2: 3 13-03
10. Chris Van Vliet Cleveland, OH 6 24-06 114 $1,383.00
Day 1: 3 11-11 Day 2: 3 12-11
11. Ashley Bishop Chesapeake, VA 6 24-05 113 $1,220.00
Day 1: 3 10-15 Day 2: 3 13-06
12. Keith Nelski Muskegon, MI 6 24-04 112 $1,139.00
Day 1: 3 11-13 Day 2: 3 12-07
13. Cory Krawczyk Angola, NY 6 24-02 111 $976.00
Day 1: 3 12-12 Day 2: 3 11-06
14. Josh Hoshour Ephrata, PA 6 24-02 110 $895.00
Day 1: 3 11-07 Day 2: 3 12-11
15. Russell Chargualaf Mc Cordsville, IN 6 23-12 109 $813.00
Day 1: 3 11-04 Day 2: 3 12-08
16. Erik Jacques Harrison Township, MI 6 23-12 108 $732.00
Day 1: 3 11-10 Day 2: 3 12-02
17. Mike Johnson Athens, AL 6 23-11 107 $569.00
Day 1: 3 12-15 Day 2: 3 10-12
18. Jonathan Shoemaker Elyria, OH 6 23-08 106 $488.00
Day 1: 3 11-00 Day 2: 3 12-08
19. Jeff Cutler Minersville, PA 6 23-05 105 $488.00
Day 1: 3 14-09 Day 2: 3 08-12
20. Mark Babcock Warwick, NY 6 23-03 104 $407.00
Day 1: 3 12-06 Day 2: 3 10-13
21. Mike Sopocy Glenview, IL 6 23-01 103 $346.00
Day 1: 3 10-08 Day 2: 3 12-09
22. Melvin Mcmullen South Charleston, OH 6 23-00 102 $346.00
Day 1: 3 11-11 Day 2: 3 11-05
23. Larry Thomas Lambertville, MI 6 22-15 101 $346.00
Day 1: 3 14-02 Day 2: 3 08-13
24. Roy Moon Gloucester, VA 6 22-12 100 $346.00
Day 1: 3 09-01 Day 2: 3 13-11
25. Dave Davenport Milford, OH 6 22-11 99 $346.00
Day 1: 3 10-01 Day 2: 3 12-10
26. Steve L Haley Columbus, OH 6 22-09 98 $346.00
Day 1: 3 10-11 Day 2: 3 11-14
27. Martin D Lamb Clinton, IA 6 22-07 97 $346.00
Day 1: 3 09-00 Day 2: 3 13-07
28. Don Roberts Bellville, OH 6 22-07 96 $346.00
Day 1: 3 12-09 Day 2: 3 09-14
29. Stephen Schneider Selden, NY 6 22-06 95 $346.00
Day 1: 3 11-03 Day 2: 3 11-03
30. Joshua Barr Copley, OH 6 22-05 94 $346.00
Day 1: 3 11-11 Day 2: 3 10-10
31. Beau Bickford Findlay, OH 6 22-04 93 $346.00
Day 1: 3 11-12 Day 2: 3 10-08
32. Clay Powers Portsmouth, VA 6 22-04 92 $346.00
Day 1: 3 11-03 Day 2: 3 11-01
33. Joe Bedra Lake Orion, MI 6 22-03 91 $346.00
Day 1: 3 11-11 Day 2: 3 10-08
33. Dirk Hayward Huntington, IN 6 22-03 91 $346.00
Day 1: 3 10-08 Day 2: 3 11-11
35. Jay Clingenpeel Washington, PA 6 22-00 89 $346.00
Day 1: 3 09-15 Day 2: 3 12-01
36. Jerry Britt Barhamsville, VA 6 21-15 88 $346.00
Day 1: 3 12-09 Day 2: 3 09-06
37. Brian Kich Berea, OH 6 21-15 87 $346.00
Day 1: 3 09-07 Day 2: 3 12-08
38. Barry Brandt Jr. Yorktown, VA 6 21-13 86 $346.00
Day 1: 3 08-15 Day 2: 3 12-14
39. Jason Wilkins Weston, OH 6 21-13 85 $346.00
Day 1: 3 10-06 Day 2: 3 11-07
40. Michael McCoy Mentor On The Lake, OH 6 21-12 84 $346.00
Day 1: 3 11-00 Day 2: 3 10-12
41. Olin Jensen Del Rio, TX 6 21-09 83
Day 1: 3 12-06 Day 2: 3 09-03
42. Dan Minor Norwalk, OH 6 21-09 82
Day 1: 3 11-09 Day 2: 3 10-00
43. Tim White Vicksburg, MI 6 21-06 81
Day 1: 3 11-03 Day 2: 3 10-03
44. John Walker Sidney, OH 6 20-13 80
Day 1: 3 09-06 Day 2: 3 11-07
45. Andrew Sokolowski Brechin CANADA 5 20-12 79
Day 1: 3 14-00 Day 2: 2 06-12
46. Bob Schinker Galena, OH 6 20-07 78
Day 1: 3 10-13 Day 2: 3 09-10
47. Jason Conrad Stoutsville, OH 5 20-06 77
Day 1: 3 13-04 Day 2: 2 07-02
48. Gary Hall Delbarton, WV 6 20-05 76
Day 1: 3 08-05 Day 2: 3 12-00
49. Joshua Winter Nevis, MN 6 20-04 75
Day 1: 3 10-07 Day 2: 3 09-13
50. John Watts Flushing, MI 6 20-03 74
Day 1: 3 11-06 Day 2: 3 08-13
51. David Adams Schererville, IN 6 20-00 73
Day 1: 3 11-04 Day 2: 3 08-12
52. Dave Wedertz Kenton, OH 5 19-15 72
Day 1: 2 08-05 Day 2: 3 11-10
53. Christopher Herzog Liberty TWP, OH 6 19-15 71
Day 1: 3 08-10 Day 2: 3 11-05
54. William Beal Lenox, MI 6 19-15 70
Day 1: 3 10-05 Day 2: 3 09-10
55. Jeff Jerome Mcpherson, KS 5 19-12 69
Day 1: 2 08-03 Day 2: 3 11-09
56. Gary Haraguchi Redding, CA 5 19-08 68
Day 1: 3 13-00 Day 2: 2 06-08
57. Mark Wilfong Ann Arbor, MI 6 19-07 67
Day 1: 3 10-05 Day 2: 3 09-02
58. David Kercher Cleveland, OH 5 19-05 66
Day 1: 2 07-06 Day 2: 3 11-15
59. Brook Pauley Morgantown, WV 6 19-05 65
Day 1: 3 10-04 Day 2: 3 09-01
60. Kyle Labarge Tupper Lake, NY 5 19-04 64
Day 1: 2 05-06 Day 2: 3 13-14
61. Rob Grabow Clarksburg, WV 6 19-04 63
Day 1: 3 09-14 Day 2: 3 09-06
62. Mark Saunders Wellington, OH 6 19-03 62
Day 1: 3 09-13 Day 2: 3 09-06
63. Robert Rieder West Milford, NJ 6 19-00 61
Day 1: 3 07-09 Day 2: 3 11-07
64. Jarvis Ellis Albany, GA 5 18-14 60
Day 1: 2 06-14 Day 2: 3 12-00
65. Cody Andrews Elkin, NC 5 18-12 59
Day 1: 3 11-11 Day 2: 2 07-01
66. George Fiorille Moravia, NY 5 18-05 58
Day 1: 2 06-10 Day 2: 3 11-11
67. Owen M Atchison Findlay, OH 6 18-05 57
Day 1: 3 07-06 Day 2: 3 10-15
68. Chainsaw Hudgins Warren, MI 5 18-04 56
Day 1: 2 04-15 Day 2: 3 13-05
69. Robert Scaggs Waverly, OH 5 17-15 55
Day 1: 2 07-01 Day 2: 3 10-14
70. Carroll Blevins Jonesboro, GA 5 17-10 54
Day 1: 2 04-07 Day 2: 3 13-03
71. James Fleming Warsaw, IN 6 17-10 53
Day 1: 3 10-01 Day 2: 3 07-09
72. Gregory Raudenbush Pottsville, PA 6 17-07 52
Day 1: 3 11-08 Day 2: 3 05-15
73. Del Smith Castalia, OH 5 17-06 51
Day 1: 3 11-12 Day 2: 2 05-10
74. Vince Denina Willis, TX 6 17-03 50
Day 1: 3 06-13 Day 2: 3 10-06
75. Peter Barello Staten Island, NY 6 17-02 49
Day 1: 3 10-02 Day 2: 3 07-00
76. Joe Burchill Boston, MA 4 17-00 48
Day 1: 1 04-08 Day 2: 3 12-08
77. Scott Walker Morristown, IN 5 17-00 47
Day 1: 2 04-12 Day 2: 3 12-04
78. Brian Mailot Columbus, OH 5 16-15 46
Day 1: 3 10-10 Day 2: 2 06-05
79. George A Guerra South Holland, IL 5 16-15 45
Day 1: 2 06-11 Day 2: 3 10-04
80. Marcus Barr Hillsboro, OH 5 16-14 44
Day 1: 3 09-13 Day 2: 2 07-01
81. Charles L Gabbeart Plymouth, MI 4 16-00 43
Day 1: 1 04-00 Day 2: 3 12-00
82. Aaron Anders Guelph Ontario CANADA 5 15-07 42
Day 1: 3 08-13 Day 2: 2 06-10
83. Rick Scherer Sheboygan Falls, WI 4 14-15 41
Day 1: 3 12-00 Day 2: 1 02-15
84. Chris Buttigieg Fort Erie CANADA 5 14-15 40
Day 1: 3 10-12 Day 2: 2 04-03
85. Jeff Brady Lagrange, KY 4 14-01 39
Day 1: 1 03-02 Day 2: 3 10-15
86. Mike Hauer Niagara Falls CANADA 5 14-01 38
Day 1: 2 04-07 Day 2: 3 09-10
87. Greg Mansfield Savage, MN 4 13-13 37
Day 1: 3 11-00 Day 2: 1 02-13
88. Jon Zera Newington, CT 4 13-12 36
Day 1: 3 11-01 Day 2: 1 02-11
89. Robert Pelletier NASSAU, NY 4 13-10 35
Day 1: 3 11-11 Day 2: 1 01-15
90. Sody Soderquist South Haven, MI 4 13-07 34
Day 1: 2 06-00 Day 2: 2 07-07
91. Bob Snyder Marion, IN 4 13-05 33
Day 1: 2 06-05 Day 2: 2 07-00
92. Ryan Wiedle Bellevue, OH 6 13-04 32
Day 1: 3 07-11 Day 2: 3 05-09
93. Dirk Daniel Rutledge, TN 4 13-00 31
Day 1: 2 06-11 Day 2: 2 06-05
94. Curtis Hall Lenore, WV 4 12-06 30
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 3 10-15
95. Ron Norris Portage, MI 3 12-02 29
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 12-02
96. Miles Bracali Waterford, MI 5 12-00 28
Day 1: 2 06-06 Day 2: 3 05-10
97. Nick Leonard Cincinnati, OH 4 11-12 27
Day 1: 3 10-03 Day 2: 1 01-09
98. Scott Deitrich Berrysburg, PA 3 11-11 26
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 11-11
99. Billy Dehart Burlingame, CA 3 11-10 25
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 11-10
100. Doug Caldwell Kane, PA 3 10-13 24
Day 1: 3 10-13
100. Jeff Domonkos Middlebrg Hts, OH 3 10-13 24
Day 1: 3 10-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
102. Tina Chang Milwaukee, WI 3 10-04 22
Day 1: 3 10-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
102. Jason Hickman Orient, OH 3 10-04 22
Day 1: 3 10-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
104. Marvin Stith Piscataway, NJ 3 09-15 20
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 09-15
105. Jon Witt Kalamazoo, MI 3 09-09 19
Day 1: 3 09-09
106. Jack T Dale Wayland, MI 3 09-04 18
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 09-04
107. Todd Adamitis Glen Carbon, IL 3 09-01 17
Day 1: 1 04-04 Day 2: 2 04-13
108. James F Brown Chase City, VA 3 07-12 16
Day 1: 1 03-00 Day 2: 2 04-12
109. Kevin Imer M
Carolinas Bass Challenge Rolling Into North Carolina Championship With Big Payout
The Carolinas Bass Challenge keeps running at a high level of competition, with 153 teams qualified for the North Carolina Division Championship Saturday on Lake Wylie and even bigger tournament turnouts could be on the horizon in the future, said tournament director Brett Collins.
Noting that there was a big jump in numbers from the first season in 2012 to 2013, Collins said he looks for the CBC to grow even more.
“There has been a huge amount of interest in the 2014 season,” he said.
And, no wonder. The reward for winning or even placing in a CBC tournament is substantial.
“We've averaged 140 teams and the first place winners averaged taking home over $10,000 at the CBC NC events,” Collins said. “The father-son team of David and Gerald Williams won the NC points championship worth $1,000 – and they also won the tournament at Falls which was another $8,000.”
Tony Foster and Steve Sink placed second in the points and won $500, while Nathan Webber and Paul Rigsbee were third and took home $250.
Collins pointed out that it is even richer for the championship.
“First place at Wylie Saturday is a 2013 TZX190/Yamaha150hpdi valued at $30,000. The rest of the field in the money will take home 100 percent of the entry fee plus $1,000 for Big Fish. And the top finishing Skeeter owner will take home a $5,000 Skeeter BONUS.”
Another bonus for all the fishermen who made it to the Wylie final is a home-cooked Lowcountry pork chop dinner Saturday after the weigh-in, Collins said.
The full field at Wylie will qualify for the 2013 CBC Classic on Oct. 26-27 at Lake Murray, along with the teams that qualify for the South Carolina Division Championship Sept. 21 at Lake Hartwell.
“First place at the CBC Classic on Lake Murray will take home a 2013 Skeeter ZX200/200YamahaSHO valued at $50,000,” said Collins.
Collins said fishing on Wylie is pretty tough right now and he anticipates the top weight Saturday will be 16 pounds or less.
“The forecast calls for cooler weather so the bass should move a little shallower and be easier to pick off, but the deep bite at Wylie can be really good this time of year also. With the lack of rain the last few days the water should be clear, but you should find some stained water up the rivers and the bass would be shallow in those conditions,” he said.
Carolinas Bass Challenge - North Carolina Division
Sat, Sep 14, 2013
Lake Wylie
Call Brett Collins 803-413-7521
www.carolinasbasschallenge.com
Hoskins And Mullins Hope To Lock Up Points Title In Tom's Marine Tournament On Cherokee
The Tom's Marine Tournament Trail has been on a little hiatus the last month or so, but it swings back into full action Saturday on Cherokee Lake with the team leading the points race looking to lock up their second straight title in the last two qualifying tournaments.
“I hope everybody had a good summer break and are ready to get back fishing,” said tournament director Richard McMaster.”We've got two more regular season tournaments beginning with this one Saturday on Cherokee Lake and David Mullins and Brent Hoskins have a really good lead in the points race.”
Hoskins and Mullins have a 54-point lead over Steve Miracle and Mike Wolfenbarger with a couple more teams nipping at second place, so Saturday's tournament is critical to the outcome of the points race. Both teams have won tournaments during the season.
“It's basically theirs to lose,” McMaster said of Hoskins and Mullins.
“They are calling for some cooler weather this weekend, so maybe that will stir things up with the fish,” McMaster said. “Fishing has been kind of tough on Cherokee.”
The primary bite will probably be shallow, he said, because all the summer rains and cooler than normal days kept water temperatures down during late summer.
“We never really got into a deep summer hot period this year. Temperatures never got above 85 degrees when normally it would have been 90-92 degrees. The bass, especially the largemouths, have stayed shallow.”
McMaster said topwater lures such as frogs and Zara Spooks are catching fish, especially on cloudy mornings.
“Since the lake is still almost full because of all the rain, there is also a good flipping bite in the buck bushes and other shallow stuff. There is a crankbait bite, too, bot not real deep, on the main channels. The fish are staying really close to shallow water.”
McMaster said the tournaments have been averaging about 120 boats and he is looking for at least 100 entries for Saturday's tournament
“A lot of guys are trying to get in enough tournaments to get in the November championship. We take the top 100 and those who have fished at least six of the seven scheduled tournaments get in automatically.”
McMaster said he has been very pleased with the participation this year.
“There are other bigger tournament trails, but we have been tickled with how things have gone this year. We just had fun and that is what I wanted to do. We gave away a lot of money and we are looking forward to giving away a new $44,000 Ranger Bass Boat with a Mercury motor on it at the championship,” he said.
“Something new this year at the championship is that Ranger is bringing in a big cooker to do barbecue and all the fixings for everybody at our championship banquet.”
The Tom's Marine Team Trail is a seven-tournament series, culminating with a two-day championship, Nov. 2 on Cherokee Lake and Nov. 3 on Douglas Lake. Entry fee for the Tom's Marine tournaments is $110, which includes a $10 lunker fee. First place is guaranteed $2,500, with the payout at least 90 percent of entry fees, paid one for every six entries, at the ramp.
The trail offers most major boat bonus programs, including the Ranger Cup, Triton Gold, Stratos 2X, Skeeter Real Money, Phoenix First Flight, plus other incentives including the Bass Pro Shops Tournament Rewards, Motor Mate and the PAA Pay Day Program.
In addition, anglers who own a 2010 or newer truck bought new from Ramey Ford will get a $500 bonus for winning a regular season tournament.
Tom's Marine Team Trail
Sat, Sep 14, 2013
Cherokee Lake
25 E Bridge Access
http://tomsmarinetn.com/index.php?section=trail
Chattanooga Bass Tournament On Chickamauga Could Settle Points Race Saturday
Rogne Brown is poised to claim his third Chattanooga Bass Association points title in five years in the last two CBA tournaments before the championship, but he has to finish well in Saturday's tournament on Chickamauga Lake to hold on, said tournament director Justin Medley.
“This is our second to last qualifier and the points race is really heating up with just two tournaments left,” Medley said. “Rogne Brown is doing well, but the guys right behind him are looking for him to stumble in the next tournament or two.”
Medley reported that Brown has had some health issues recently, so everyone is waiting to see if he will fish Saturday's tournament – or if he does if he will be in top form.
Adam Dysart and Jamie Copenhaver are actually leading the overall points standings, but anglers are allowed to drop their two lowest scores and currently that would put Brown in the lead. However, if he can't fish Saturday or has a bad tournament, his lower scores could change and shake up the points race again.
“Rogne has to do well to clinch it, so at this point it's really anybody's game,” Medley said. “But, if he does what he is expected to do he should win it handily.”
Brown won the points championship in 2008 and 2009 and missed a third title by just one point in 2012.
Fishing in Cherokee should be very good this weekend, Medley said.
“The lake is still fishing good and it has all year. The grass is a little behind what it has been this time in years past, but I am starting to hear reports of some catches on frogs and other grass techniques,” Medley said. “I do expect to see the weights down a little bit because of the warm dry weather we've had lately, but I do expect to see an 8-pounder or bigger fish brought to the weigh-in.”
Although it has been a very good year for the trail, Medley said participation dropped off slightly, but that had more to do with the excellent fishing than anything else.
“We were down on average half a dozen to 10 less per tournament than last year. A lot of guys feel they can't compete with the 40-pound weights that were coming in back in the spring.”
One controversial issue has commanded a lot of the conversation this year, Medley said.
“There has been a lot of pressure to ban the Alabama Rig. But on TVA lakes only a three-wire rig is allowed. It will continue to be allowed through this season, but who knows about next year? We'll have new officer nominations are the conclusion of this tournament Saturday and then vote in the new officers at the October event.”
Medley added that Saturday's tournament is sponsored by Chattanooga Fish-N-Fun, which will have a display of Ranger Boats at the weigh-in.
“We'll be giving $2,000 to first place and there will be plenty of other cash and prizes,” he said.
After Saturday's tournament the remaining tournament on the schedule will be Oct. 12 before the Classic Nov. 2-3.
Chattanooga Bass Association
Sat, Sep 14, 2013
Chickamauga Lake
Chester Frost Park
Call Justin Medley 423-667-5054
Kitchens and Tagliarini Win Working Man Classic with 19.09 Pounds
For 12 years Lee Kitchens of Green Cove Springs, Fla. has partnered with David Tagliarini to fish the Workin’ Man’s Bass Tournament series out of Whitey’s Fish Camp every Thursday evening from April until September.
The series draws some 40-to-50 boats each week to the fish camp and restaurant on Doctor’s Lake, a backwater off the St. Johns River in Northeast Florida’s Clay County.
The river doesn’t really play to the duo’s strengths early in the season, but they manage, says Kitchens. “We start the first week in April and the fish are still spawning on the north end of the river at that time. David and I don’t really do a lot of bed-fishing, but we have a couple of areas that we spend a little time in - just enough to get a limit and keep us high enough in the points so that when bedding season is over we’re not too far down.”
“As soon as bedding season was over we started running little creeks including Moccasin, McCullough, Deep Creek, the grass in Toccoi, and Clark’s Creek depending on the tide and which one would have the most water in it.
“This year was, overall, our best year fishing (out of) Whitey’s. As far as the quality of fish in the river and what we have done throughout the year it has been pretty amazing up on the north end of the river.”
Team Kitchens/Tagliarini finished 1st in 2 of the Thursday night tournaments, 2nd in 3 of them and placed 3rd twice. They also won the big fish pot 3or 4 times, which Kitchens says was important to their success. “That’s been a big key to it. We’ve been fortunate enough to get that big bite, that 6-or-7-pound fish which, in June or July is a big fish.”
Having qualified to fish the Workin’ Man’s Classic, they won the day-long event on Saturday by running farther than time allows during the three-and-a-half-hour Thursday evening events.
“The day before the classic we pulled the boat down to Palatka and put in and ran some stuff in Crescent Lake – fished some grass and wood in there, came back and fished some stuff in Dunn’s Creek, came out of there and just hit a bunch of community holes form Devil’s Elbow back to the Palatka Bridge. It just seemed like, once we got that far away from our competitors, the community holes weren’t so ‘community’. There weren’t so many people sitting there all day, running to them from as far away as we are (in Clay County). It allowed us to pick and choose our spots.”
Some of the spots they picked were outstanding. “When we got into Dunn’s Creek, there were 3 or 4 spots that have always produced; just the quality of fish isn’t always there. When it is there it’s dynamite. You can go in there and catch 26 or 27 pounds no problem.
“Friday (during practice) we went in there and first cast I set the hook on one and it was 5 pounds. I told my partner ‘don’t even throw out there.’ We immediately left and went to the next spot. We both threw out at the same time, looked at each other and both said ‘I’ve got one’ at the same time. We were both trying to shake them off and neither one of them would let go so we both set up on them. Mine was four pounds; his was four-and-a-half. I said ‘alright put the rods down. We’re just going fun fishing now. This is what we’re going to run on Saturday’.”
On Saturday morning the team boated a couple of small bass on topwater plugs before heading to the honey holes in Dunn’s Creek. As soon as they went to their primary fishing spot, the game was on. “I didn’t even have all my rods out yet and Dave said ‘hey I think I’m going to need your help – get the net!’ About 25 yards out the fish was jumping out of the water, doing summersaults and it was wearing on him pretty good. It was a good fish and it was caught in that current. It ended up weighing 5.8 pounds. It was our big fish of the day.”
That first stop rewarded them with two more keepers. Then Kitchens and Tagliarini went to another hole where they caught an estimated 15 fish, the smallest of which was about 3 pounds. Sounds like fun but Kitchens said, “All these fish are starting to look alike and I thought there could be some bigger fish down there and we’ve just to figure out something else they’re going to eat so I picked up a Bomber 7A. I hooked one that was 5 pounds.”
Everything was going great at that point. And then, “As soon as I got it in the boat I threw back out there and had one on that probably weighed over six. It jumped out of the water and had the crankbait sideways in its mouth with not even a hook in it. When it hit the water it knocked the crankbait out of its mouth. I threw right back up there and one even bigger than that ate it. It came within 15 feet of the boat and when it came up, same thing – crankbait was sideways in its mouth and it just spit it out.
“We looked at each other and I said ‘I hope we don’t lose by a couple of pounds’.”
They needn’t have worried. And they didn’t. When the tide stopped moving in Dunn’s Creek at about noon, the anglers went to Toccoi Creek and “ate peanut and butter sandwiches with a manatee under a shade tree, laughing and cutting up – we do a lot of that, David and I do.”
“We knew we had a good bag but we didn’t know if we were going to have enough. We had the potential to have 25 pounds with the fish we lost. We were both thinking the same thing - I’d rather finish 3rd or 4th than finish 2nd and lose by 2 pounds,” said Kitchens.
It didn’t help that friends decided to play head games with them, “We got a text message that another competitor, Chris Cercy, had caught a 9-pounder. He’s a friend of ours. He was trying gloat a little, rub it in and black us out a little bit. But he didn’t realize what we already had so we sent him a message back and told him ‘you better have a limit’. Then Frank Streeter pulled under the Doctor’s Lake Bridge and asked us ‘did you lucky squirrels find enough acorns? I’ve got about 18 pounds.’ I told him ‘you better keep fishing. I think we can beat that’.”
Kitchens and Tagliarini were first to weigh-in. They took a lead they would not lose.
Kitchens noted that Jeff at Isle of Palms takes great care of his Skeeter.
The winners caught bass on Carolina-rigged Bass Assassin Tap Out worms, a Rico popper, and a 7A Bomber crankbait. “I even caught fish on an Alabama Rig in one particular spot in Dunn’s Creek, but none of those fish weighed. But the Alabama Rig is a pretty significant tool for locating fish and I think everybody should have one.”
B.a.s.s. Cancels Day 2 Of Erie Open
SANDUSKY, Ohio — Strong winds predicted for Lake Erie Friday forced B.A.S.S. officials to cancel the second day of competition for the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open out of Sandusky, Ohio.
In a statement Thursday night, Chris Bowes, B.A.S.S. tournament director, notified the field of competitors and said, “Due to a daybreak forecast of north winds of 15 to 25 mph and wave heights of 5 to 7 feet, Day 2 of the Northern Open is canceled. These conditions are unsafe for Lake Erie.”
The champion will be crowned Saturday after two days of competition rather than the usual three days. Instead of holding the Saturday weigh-in at Bass Pro Shops as planned, anglers will bring their catches to the scales at 3 p.m. ET at Shelby Street Boat Launch at 101 Shelby St., Sandusky, OH, 44870. Take off will be held at 7 a.m. ET at the same location.
Mike Iaconelli Grabs Lead In Lake Erie Open
SANDUSKY, Ohio — Mike Iaconelli admittedly had a terrible season on the Bassmaster Elite Series. He finished 44th in Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year points, well outside of qualifying for the 2014 Bassmaster Classic. Making it to the Classic is the gauge by which all Elite Series pros measure their season — if you’re within the Top 32 or so positions, you’ve done your job. Anything else is subpar.
Going into this third and final Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open on Lake Erie, Iaconelli saw his best shot at a Classic berth given his experience and prowess on Northern fisheries. The New Jersey pro made the most of his last best chance Thursday by sacking a 23-pound, 15-ounce limit of smallmouth to jump into the lead. His bag was anchored by a 5-12 brute.
“This tournament is a double whammy for me. I’ve had success at almost every level of the sport, but a win at this level is something I’ve never gotten,” Iaconelli said on stage. “It’s special to me because I cut my teeth at this level, and the second part of it is that Classic berth. I’ve had a pretty miserable Elite Series season, but you’ve just got to keep your head up and keep fishing, and you can usually get yourself out of a bad run. Hopefully, this is the end of my bad streak.”
Iaconelli made a long run into Lake Erie during Thursday’s opening round. There, he battled high winds and waves all day. However, there’s a good chance that Friday’s competition day will be cancelled due to weather, shortening the tournament by a day. If the field does fish in rough weather Friday, Iaconelli will have to alter his plan because his spot is very vulnerable to north winds.
“This is a tough position to be in, since I’m not currently in the Classic. I’ve had two good Northern Opens already, so it’d be great to come out here and get that berth, but also to win the tournament. That’s just as important,” he said. “Winning an Open is something I want to do before I’m done with my career. It’s very important to me, whether it’s a three-day tournament or a shortened one. A win is a win.”
Iaconelli said he had an OK practice, and today’s weight was a welcome surprise.
“I think I figured out a couple of key baits and spots, and I’m just trying to run that,” he said. “The hardest thing out here for everyone is the waves and weather. When you get around them, they’ll bite. It’s getting to them and getting back that can be the hardest part.”
Behind Iaconelli is Hunter Shryock of Newcomerstown, Ohio, brother of Elite Series pro Fletcher Shryock. Despite being a novice, Hunter has proved to be a quick study. Last year, he bought Fletcher’s Ranger boat and began fishing tournaments, meaning he has a little more than a year’s worth of competition experience. He caught 22-10 today.
“I got in an area, and I thought I had 17 or 18 pounds, so it really surprised me when I put ’em on the scales,” Shryock said. “I haven’t seen it this good all week, so I doubt I’ll go back and it be on fire again, but I’ll definitely be there.”
Tactically, Shryock credited standard Lake Erie techniques — a drop shot rig and tube — for his catch.
In third place is Kyle Kempkers of Hamilton, Mich., with 22-8. In fourth is Elite Series pro Derek Remitz of Grant, Ala., with 22-6, and in fifth place is Dave Lefebre of Erie, Pa., with 22-3.
Leading the co-angler division is Jeff Cutler of Minersville, Pa., who amassed an impressive 14-9 in his three-fish limit. His pro partner Joe Sancho of New Windsor, N.Y., is in sixth place with 21-15.
“Basically, it was typical Erie stuff. I was drop shotting a Poor Boys Bait Co. Erie Darter, and I didn’t get a lot of bites, but they were the right ones,” Cutler said. “You’ve got to land every one that bites, and I managed to fish pretty clean today.”
Behind Cutler is Larry Thomas of Michigan with 14-2, and in third place is Andre Sokolowski of Canada with 14-0. In fourth place is Mike Kiester of Michigan with 13-12. Rounding out the Top 5 is Paul Marchaza of Ohio with 13-9.
Leading the Carhartt Big Bass competition is co-angler Cory Krawczyh of Angola, N.Y., with a true trophy smallmouth that weighed 6-8.
2013 BPS Bassmaster Northern Open Lake Erie/Sandusky 9/12-9/14
Lake Erie, Sandusky, Ohio
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts
1. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 5 23-15 123
Day 1: 5 23-15
2. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 5 22-10 122
Day 1: 5 22-10
3. Kyle Kempkers Hamilton, MI 5 22-08 121
Day 1: 5 22-08
4. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 5 22-06 120
Day 1: 5 22-06
5. David Lefebre Erie, PA 5 22-03 119
Day 1: 5 22-03
6. Joseph Sancho New Windsor, NY 5 21-15 118
Day 1: 5 21-15
7. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 21-09 117
Day 1: 5 21-09
8. Joe Balog Harrison Township, MI 5 21-06 116
Day 1: 5 21-06
8. Cj Shaver Westerville, OH 5 21-06 116
Day 1: 5 21-06
10. Wayne Hauser Mooresville, NC 5 21-03 114
Day 1: 5 21-03
11. Gary Greenwood Irwin, PA 5 21-01 113
Day 1: 5 21-01
12. Stephen Mui Bartlett, IL 5 20-14 112
Day 1: 5 20-14
13. David Cooke Mooresville, NC 5 20-12 111
Day 1: 5 20-12
13. Danny Jones North East, PA 5 20-12 111
Day 1: 5 20-12
15. James Jacobus Johnstown, OH 5 20-07 109
Day 1: 5 20-07
16. Randy Howell Springville, AL 5 20-04 108
Day 1: 5 20-04
16. Steve York Bronson, MI 5 20-04 108
Day 1: 5 20-04
18. Ray Brazier Lawrenceburg, TN 5 20-03 106
Day 1: 5 20-03
18. Jacob Powroznik Prince Grove, VA 5 20-03 106
Day 1: 5 20-03
20. Al Farace Cockeysville, MD 5 20-01 104
Day 1: 5 20-01
21. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 5 20-00 103
Day 1: 5 20-00
22. Chris Mcreynolds Louisville, TN 5 19-15 102
Day 1: 5 19-15
23. Paul Mazzitelli Pittston, PA 5 19-15 101
Day 1: 5 19-15
24. Eddie Levin Westerville, OH 5 19-11 100
Day 1: 5 19-11
25. Timmy Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 5 19-09 99
Day 1: 5 19-09
26. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 5 19-06 98
Day 1: 5 19-06
27. Kevin Hawk Guntersville, AL 5 19-01 97
Day 1: 5 19-01
28. Kurt Dove Del Rio, TX 5 19-00 96
Day 1: 5 19-00
29. Chip Porche Bixby, OK 5 18-14 95
Day 1: 5 18-14
30. Chris Daves Hopewell, VA 5 18-13 94
Day 1: 5 18-13
30. Philip Holwerda Ada, MI 5 18-13 94
Day 1: 5 18-13
30. Joe Nicholson Cleveland, OH 5 18-13 94
Day 1: 5 18-13
33. Jason Root Fostoria, OH 5 18-11 91
Day 1: 5 18-11
34. Steve Tosh Turlock, CA 5 18-10 90
Day 1: 5 18-10
35. Timothy Laizer South Hadley, MA 5 18-09 89
Day 1: 5 18-09
36. Tom Stark Angola, IN 5 18-08 88
Day 1: 5 18-08
37. Blaine Bucy Weirton, WV 5 18-05 87
Day 1: 5 18-05
37. Chris King South Amherst, OH 5 18-05 87
Day 1: 5 18-05
39. Scott Siller Milwaukee, WI 5 18-04 85
Day 1: 5 18-04
40. Zachary Maisch Lima, OH 5 18-03 84
Day 1: 5 18-03
41. Sean D Caswell Highland, NY 5 18-01 83
Day 1: 5 18-01
42. Kip Bodkin Berlin Heights, OH 5 18-00 82
Day 1: 5 18-00
42. Chad Pipkens Holt, MI 5 18-00 82
Day 1: 5 18-00
44. William Pioch Beckley, WV 5 17-13 80
Day 1: 5 17-13
45. Jeff Hippert Hamburg, NY 5 17-10 79
Day 1: 5 17-10
46. Ken Golubjatnikov Pittsford, NY 5 17-08 78
Day 1: 5 17-08
47. Larry Freeman Waynesburg, PA 5 17-08 77
Day 1: 5 17-08
48. Timothy Macknair Rices Landing, PA 5 17-07 76
Day 1: 5 17-07
49. Chris Zaldain San Jose, CA 5 17-05 75
Day 1: 5 17-05
50. Patrick Pierce Jacksonville, FL 5 17-03 74
Day 1: 5 17-03
50. Matt Vermilyea Perrysburg, OH 5 17-03 74
Day 1: 5 17-03
50. Boo Woods Oneida, KY 5 17-03 74
Day 1: 5 17-03
53. Brian Schram Saint Clair Shores, MI 5 17-01 71
Day 1: 5 17-01
54. John Figi Bloomington, MN 5 17-00 70
Day 1: 5 17-00
54. Rob Thivener Delaware, OH 5 17-00 70
Day 1: 5 17-00
56. Rocky Rhodes Grampian, PA 5 16-15 68
Day 1: 5 16-15
57. Tracy Adams Wilkesboro, NC 5 16-13 67
Day 1: 5 16-13
57. Whitney Stephens Waverly, OH 5 16-13 67
Day 1: 5 16-13
59. John Pelletier Castleton, NY 5 16-09 65
Day 1: 5 16-09
60. Rick Taylor West Olive, MI 5 16-08 64
Day 1: 5 16-08
61. RC Cooper Nashua, NH 5 16-05 63
Day 1: 5 16-05
62. Masahiro Yanase Knoxville TN JAPAN 5 16-03 62
Day 1: 5 16-03
63. John Malzahn Sparrow Bush, NY 5 15-15 61
Day 1: 5 15-15
64. Paul A Molan Chardon, OH 5 15-14 60
Day 1: 5 15-14
65. Gregory Dipalma Millville, NJ 5 15-13 59
Day 1: 5 15-13
66. Jeff Barth Marshfield, WI 5 15-12 58
Day 1: 5 15-12
66. Jacob Wheeler Indianapolis, IN 5 15-12 58
Day 1: 5 15-12
68. Charlie Evans Gilbertsville, KY 5 15-09 56
Day 1: 5 15-09
69. Tom Kemos Oconomowoc, WI 5 15-07 55
Day 1: 5 15-07
69. Greg Pugh Cullman, AL 5 15-07 55
Day 1: 5 15-07
71. Scott Canterbury Springville, AL 5 15-04 53
Day 1: 5 15-04
72. Chris Noffsinger Interlochen, MI 4 15-01 52
Day 1: 4 15-01
73. Art Ferguson III Saint Clair Shores, MI 5 14-12 51
Day 1: 5 14-12
74. Mark Hicks Glouster, OH 5 14-11 50
Day 1: 5 14-11
75. Kyle A. Fox Lakeland, FL 5 14-05 49
Day 1: 5 14-05
76. Bill Chapman Salt Rock, WV 5 14-02 48
Day 1: 5 14-02
77. Paul Pagnato Reston, VA 5 14-01 47
Day 1: 5 14-01
78. William M Schwartz Sheffield Village, OH 5 13-15 46
Day 1: 5 13-15
79. Matt Greenblatt Port St Lucie, FL 5 13-15 45
Day 1: 5 13-15
79. James Plessinger Williamsburg, VA 5 13-15 45
Day 1: 5 13-15
81. Jonathan Carter South Portland, ME 5 13-13 43
Day 1: 5 13-13
82. Rob Collins Morrow, OH 5 13-08 42
Day 1: 5 13-08
83. Jeff Kuhar Bridgeport, OH 5 13-07 41
Day 1: 5 13-07
84. David Smith Del City, OK 5 13-05 40
Day 1: 5 13-05
85. Seth Feider Bloomington, MN 4 13-05 39
Day 1: 4 13-05
86. Skip Johnson Wales, MI 4 13-03 38
Day 1: 4 13-03
87. Luke Clausen Otis Orchards, WA 4 12-10 37
Day 1: 4 12-10
88. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 4 12-03 36
Day 1: 4 12-03
89. Gary Krammes Pottsville, PA 4 12-01 35
Day 1: 4 12-01
90. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, CA 5 11-15 34
Day 1: 5 11-15
91. David Gonzales Dennison, OH 5 11-13 33
Day 1: 5 11-13
92. Wil Hardy II Harlem, GA 4 11-12 32
Day 1: 4 11-12
93. Jeff Salmon Chester, VA 5 11-07 31
Day 1: 5 11-07
94. Brian Metry Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 4 11-04 30
Day 1: 4 11-04
95. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 3 11-04 29
Day 1: 3 11-04
96. David Dudley Dublin, OH 4 11-01 28
Day 1: 4 11-01
97. Stephen Longobardi Northford, CT 4 10-13 27
Day 1: 4 10-13
98. Steven C Schmidt Madison, NE 3 10-08 26
Day 1: 3 10-08
99. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 3 10-07 25
Day 1: 3 10-07
100. William Kemp Scotland Neck, NC 4 10-01 24
Day 1: 4 10-01
101. Boyd Duckett Demopolis, AL 3 09-13 23
Day 1: 3 09-13
102. Mike Elsea Mooresville, IN 2 09-13 22
Day 1: 2 09-13
103. Jamey Caldwell Carthage, NC 3 09-09 21
Day 1: 3 09-09
104. Todd Sterner Mechanicsburg, PA 3 09-05 20
Day 1: 3 09-05
105. James Mcmullen Quakertown, PA 3 09-03 19
Day 1: 3 09-03
106. Larry Draughn Fairborn, OH 4 08-05 18
Day 1: 4 08-05
107. Emery L Peine Newton, NJ 3 08-03 17
Day 1: 3 08-03
108. Josh Douglas Chattanooga, TN 3 07-10 16
Day 1: 3 07-10
109. Jesse Schultz New Albany, IN 2 06-11 15
Day 1: 2 06-11
110. Don Warren Chesterfield, VA 2 05-08 14
Day 1: 2 05-08
111. Darin Doll Jacobus, PA 1 04-12 13
Day 1: 1 04-12
112. Adam Thiede Ashland, OH 1 04-07 12
Day 1: 1 04-07
113. Randy Elliott Bowie, MD 1 04-02 11
Day 1: 1 04-02
114. Israel Mills Lester, WV 1 03-14 10
Day 1: 1 03-14
115. William Lortz Rochester, NY 1 03-11 9
Day 1: 1 03-11
116. Wade Curtiss Meadow Vista, CA 1 02-06 8
Day 1: 1 02-06
117. Trait L Crist Fort Worth, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Jason Dudek Excelsior, MN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Pete Gluszek Mount Laurel, NJ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Joe Lucarelli Center Harbor, NH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Kelly Pratt Williamsburg, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Steve Schubert Rayland, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Michael Simonton Fremont, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 86 517 1799-13
----------------------------------
86 517 1799-13
2013 BPS Bassmaster Northern Open Lake Erie/Sandusky 9/12-9/14
Lake Erie, Sandusky, Ohio
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts
1. Jeff Cutler Minersville, PA 3 14-09 123
Day 1: 3 14-09
2. Larry Thomas Lambertville, MI 3 14-02 122
Day 1: 3 14-02
3. Andrew Sokolowski Brechin CANADA 3 14-00 121
Day 1: 3 14-00
4. Mike Kiester Davisburg, MI 3 13-12 120
Day 1: 3 13-12
5. Paul Marchaza Mentor, OH 3 13-09 119
Day 1: 3 13-09
6. Jason Conrad Stoutsville, OH 3 13-04 118
Day 1: 3 13-04
6. Mike Fedio Fenton, MI 3 13-04 118
Day 1: 3 13-04
8. Gary Haraguchi Redding, CA 3 13-00 116
Day 1: 3 13-00
9. Mike Johnson Athens, AL 3 12-15 115
Day 1: 3 12-15
10. Cory Krawczyk Angola, NY 3 12-12 114
Day 1: 3 12-12
11. Jerry Britt Barhamsville, VA 3 12-09 113
Day 1: 3 12-09
11. Don Roberts Bellville, OH 3 12-09 113
Day 1: 3 12-09
13. Destin Demarion Grove City, PA 3 12-07 111
Day 1: 3 12-07
14. Mark Babcock Warwick, NY 3 12-06 110
Day 1: 3 12-06
15. Olin Jensen Del Rio, TX 3 12-06 109
Day 1: 3 12-06
16. Nick Habuda Belle River CANADA 3 12-05 108
Day 1: 3 12-05
17. John Terry Lexington, OH 3 12-01 107
Day 1: 3 12-01
18. Rick Scherer Sheboygan Falls, WI 3 12-00 106
Day 1: 3 12-00
19. Keith Nelski Muskegon, MI 3 11-13 105
Day 1: 3 11-13
20. Beau Bickford Findlay, OH 3 11-12 104
Day 1: 3 11-12
21. Del Smith Castalia, OH 3 11-12 103
Day 1: 3 11-12
22. Cody Andrews Elkin, NC 3 11-11 102
Day 1: 3 11-11
22. Joshua Barr Copley, OH 3 11-11 102
Day 1: 3 11-11
22. Joe Bedra Lake Orion, MI 3 11-11 102
Day 1: 3 11-11
22. Melvin Mcmullen South Charleston, OH 3 11-11 102
Day 1: 3 11-11
22. Robert Pelletier NASSAU, NY 3 11-11 102
Day 1: 3 11-11
22. Chris Van Vliet Cleveland, OH 3 11-11 102
Day 1: 3 11-11
28. Erik Jacques Harrison Township, MI 3 11-10 96
Day 1: 3 11-10
29. Dan Minor Norwalk, OH 3 11-09 95
Day 1: 3 11-09
30. Gregory Raudenbush Pottsville, PA 3 11-08 94
Day 1: 3 11-08
31. Josh Hoshour Ephrata, PA 3 11-07 93
Day 1: 3 11-07
32. John Watts Flushing, MI 3 11-06 92
Day 1: 3 11-06
33. Gary J Sterkel Cleveland, OH 3 11-05 91
Day 1: 3 11-05
34. David Adams Schererville, IN 3 11-04 90
Day 1: 3 11-04
34. Russell Chargualaf Mc Cordsville, IN 3 11-04 90
Day 1: 3 11-04
36. Clay Powers Portsmouth, VA 3 11-03 88
Day 1: 3 11-03
36. Stephen Schneider Selden, NY 3 11-03 88
Day 1: 3 11-03
36. Tim White Vicksburg, MI 3 11-03 88
Day 1: 3 11-03
39. Jon Zera Newington, CT 3 11-01 85
Day 1: 3 11-01
40. Michael McCoy Mentor On The Lake, OH 3 11-00 84
Day 1: 3 11-00
40. Jonathan Shoemaker Elyria, OH 3 11-00 84
Day 1: 3 11-00
42. Greg Mansfield Savage, MN 3 11-00 82
Day 1: 3 11-00
43. Ashley Bishop Chesapeake, VA 3 10-15 81
Day 1: 3 10-15
44. Andrew J Lemle Whitehouse, OH 3 10-14 80
Day 1: 3 10-14
45. Doug Caldwell Kane, PA 3 10-13 79
Day 1: 3 10-13
45. Jeff Domonkos Middlebrg Hts, OH 3 10-13 79
Day 1: 3 10-13
47. Bob Schinker Galena, OH 3 10-13 77
Day 1: 3 10-13
48. Chris Buttigieg Fort Erie CANADA 3 10-12 76
Day 1: 3 10-12
49. Steve L Haley Columbus, OH 3 10-11 75
Day 1: 3 10-11
50. Brian Mailot Columbus, OH 3 10-10 74
Day 1: 3 10-10
51. Gary Walker Amesbury, MA 3 10-10 73
Day 1: 3 10-10
52. Dirk Hayward Huntington, IN 3 10-08 72
Day 1: 3 10-08
52. Mike Sopocy Glenview, IL 3 10-08 72
Day 1: 3 10-08
54. Joshua Winter Nevis, MN 3 10-07 70
Day 1: 3 10-07
55. Jason Wilkins Weston, OH 3 10-06 69
Day 1: 3 10-06
56. William Beal Lenox, MI 3 10-05 68
Day 1: 3 10-05
56. Mark Wilfong Ann Arbor, MI 3 10-05 68
Day 1: 3 10-05
58. Tina Chang Milwaukee, WI 3 10-04 66
Day 1: 3 10-04
58. Jason Hickman Orient, OH 3 10-04 66
Day 1: 3 10-04
58. Brook Pauley Morgantown, WV 3 10-04 66
Day 1: 3 10-04
61. Nick Leonard Cincinnati, OH 3 10-03 63
Day 1: 3 10-03
62. Peter Barello Staten Island, NY 3 10-02 62
Day 1: 3 10-02
63. Dave Davenport Milford, OH 3 10-01 61
Day 1: 3 10-01
63. James Fleming Warsaw, IN 3 10-01 61
Day 1: 3 10-01
65. Jay Clingenpeel Washington, PA 3 09-15 59
Day 1: 3 09-15
66. Rob Grabow Clarksburg, WV 3 09-14 58
Day 1: 3 09-14
67. Marcus Barr Hillsboro, OH 3 09-13 57
Day 1: 3 09-13
67. Mark Saunders Wellington, OH 3 09-13 57
Day 1: 3 09-13
69. Jon Witt Kalamazoo, MI 3 09-09 55
Day 1: 3 09-09
70. Brian Kich Berea, OH 3 09-07 54
Day 1: 3 09-07
71. John Walker Sidney, OH 3 09-06 53
Day 1: 3 09-06
72. Roy Moon Gloucester, VA 3 09-01 52
Day 1: 3 09-01
73. Martin D Lamb Clinton, IA 3 09-00 51
Day 1: 3 09-00
74. Barry Brandt Jr. Yorktown, VA 3 08-15 50
Day 1: 3 08-15
75. Aaron Anders Guelph Ontario CANADA 3 08-13 49
Day 1: 3 08-13
76. Christopher Herzog Liberty TWP, OH 3 08-10 48
Day 1: 3 08-10
77. Gary Hall Delbarton, WV 3 08-05 47
Day 1: 3 08-05
78. Dave Wedertz Kenton, OH 2 08-05 46
Day 1: 2 08-05
79. Jeff Jerome Mcpherson, KS 2 08-03 45
Day 1: 2 08-03
80. Ryan Wiedle Bellevue, OH 3 07-11 44
Day 1: 3 07-11
81. Robert Rieder West Milford, NJ 3 07-09 43
Day 1: 3 07-09
82. Owen M Atchison Findlay, OH 3 07-06 42
Day 1: 3 07-06
83. David Kercher Cleveland, OH 2 07-06 41
Day 1: 2 07-06
84. Jayson Saliba Windsor CANADA 2 07-02 40
Day 1: 2 07-02
85. Robert Scaggs Waverly, OH 2 07-01 39
Day 1: 2 07-01
86. Rocky Koehn Lofts Plainwell, MI 3 06-14 38
Day 1: 3 06-14
87. Jarvis Ellis Albany, GA 2 06-14 37
Day 1: 2 06-14
88. Vince Denina Willis, TX 3 06-13 36
Day 1: 3 06-13
89. Dirk Daniel Rutledge, TN 2 06-11 35
Day 1: 2 06-11
89. George A Guerra South Holland, IL 2 06-11 35
Day 1: 2 06-11
91. George Fiorille Moravia, NY 2 06-10 33
Day 1: 2 06-10
92. Miles Bracali Waterford, MI 2 06-06 32
Day 1: 2 06-06
93. Bob Snyder Marion, IN 2 06-05 31
Day 1: 2 06-05
94. Sody Soderquist South Haven, MI 2 06-00 30
Day 1: 2 06-00
95. Kyle Labarge Tupper Lake, NY 2 05-06 29
Day 1: 2 05-06
96. Chainsaw Hudgins Warren, MI 2 04-15 28
Day 1: 2 04-15
97. Scott Walker Morristown, IN 2 04-12 27
Day 1: 2 04-12
98. Joe Stois Fairview Park, OH 2 04-11 26
Day 1: 2 04-11
99. Jerry Adamski Chicago, IL 2 04-10 25
Day 1: 2 04-10
100. Joe Burchill Boston, MA 1 04-08 24
Day 1: 1 04-08
101. Carroll Blevins Jonesboro, GA 2 04-07 23
Day 1: 2 04-07
101. Mike Hauer Niagara Falls CANADA 2 04-07 23
Day 1: 2 04-07
103. Kevin Imer Sunbury, OH 1 04-05 21
Day 1: 1 04-05
104. Todd Adamitis Glen Carbon, IL 1 04-04 20
Day 1: 1 04-04
105. Charles L Gabbeart Plymouth, MI 1 04-00 19
Day 1: 1 04-00
106. Jeff Brady Lagrange, KY 1 03-02 18
Day 1: 1 03-02
107. James F Brown Chase City, VA 1 03-00 17
Day 1: 1 03-00
108. Daniel Guerra Madison, WI 1 02-02 16
Day 1: 1 02-02
109. Jj Earhart Green Springs, OH 1 01-15 15
Day 1: 1 01-15
110. Curtis Hall Lenore, WV 1 01-07 14
Day 1: 1 01-07
111. Jack T Dale Wayland, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Billy Dehart Burlingame, CA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Scott Deitrich Berrysburg, PA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Scott Johnson Nashville, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Marc Letourneau Brome CANADA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Paul Long Sunbury, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Tony Mitchell Plainwell, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Ron Norris Portage, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Dusty Shepherd Angola, IN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Todd Shiers Conway, NH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Marvin Stith Piscataway, NJ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
111. Phil Thalheimer Raleigh, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 82 293 1041-04
----------------------------------
82 293 1041-04
Fowler Wins Walmart Bass Fishing League Regional On Lake Hartwell
FLIPPIN, Ark. (September 12, 2013) - Anglers from the University of Louisiana-Monroe and Tennessee Tech University will participate in an all-expense-paid competition at a private lake owned by legendary Ranger Boats Pro Jimmy Houston on September 21st, made possible by their participation in the Ranger Cup University program. The collegiate anglers will fish from brand-new, fully rigged Ranger RT 188C aluminum boats during the made-for-TV competition, which will air nationally on NBC Sports Network's Americana Outdoors. The grand prize package includes over $2,000 in cash and prizes awarded to the winning team.
Paul Clark and Brett Preuett, both collegiate anglers from the University of Louisiana-Monroe qualified for the event by being the highest-finishing Ranger Cup University participants in the FLW College Fishing National Championship. Joe Slagle and Cliff Dye, collegiate anglers from Tennessee Tech University, claimed the highest place of finish for a Ranger Cup University-qualified team at the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship which is the season ending event of the
Cabela's Collegiate Bass Fishing Series.
Modeled after the most lucrative contingency rewards in the industry, Ranger Cup, Ranger Cup University is the first program of its kind exclusively for collegiate anglers and is open to those fishing in either FLW- or Cabela's Collegiate Series-affiliated competitions. Signup is free, regardless of which brand of boat they own. To remain qualified in the program, anglers need only adhere to clothing and logo requirements. And as part of the Ranger Cup University program, participants will be able to receive specially discounted tournament gear through Gemini Custom Apparel, with no artwork or set-up fees. Ranger Cup University anglers can purchase fully customized tournament jerseys for as low as $48.
Collegiate anglers must register each year to remain eligible in the program. 2014 registration will be online and available soon. For more information on Ranger Cup University, including details on program guidelines and benefits, go online to RangerBoats.com (www.rangerboats.com)
Rusty Brown wins 2013 U.S. Open on Lake Mead
Rusty Brown - the 2013 WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open Champion - photo by Dan O'SullivanLas Vegas, Nev. - September 11, 2013 - The rule for the week at the 31st Anniversary WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open had been consistency. The anglers that seemed to fare the best had been those who had managed to put together steady limits, avoiding the wild swings that can happen in a event on Lake Mead.
Rusty Brown proved that one more time on the final day, and claimed the title of U.S. Open Champion.
The Tustin, Calif. pro posted his third consecutive limit weighing in excess of 10 pounds to claim his first U.S. Open victory. His final day limit of 10.81 pounds pushed his three day total to 31.25 pounds and help him eclipse a hard charging Clifford Pirch; a two-time U.S. Open Champion who bagged a 15.48-pound bag to give him his second consecutive runner up finish with a total weight of 30.32 pounds. Day two leader Brett Hite stumbled slightly in his quest for three consecutive 10 pound limits, and brought 9.03 pounds to the Callville Bay Marina scales and slipped to third place with 30.09 pounds.
Brown credited three lures, and his ability to slow down and fish his areas thoroughly with the win. "I knew there were quality fish in the Gregg Basin area, so I just had to slow down and fish back and forth around grass beds to try and trigger the big fish into biting," I caught my fish on a Rapala Skitter Walk and a few on a Vixen, a shad colored Pro Line spinnerbait with smaller sized willowleaf blades and a size 3 Storm Arashi Squarebill crankbait."
 |
| Rusty Brown's Crowning Moment - photo by Dan O'Sullivan |
He said he used erratic retrieves around grass beds trying to contact the grass without bogging the baits down. he also said that he tried to focus on grinding out the right kinds of bites. "I fished really hard for three days, after a good practice, and knew that if I just kept fishing without getting in a hurry, I would get the right bites," he said. "Everything went great this week, and I couldn't be happier with the result."
He also said he has dreamed of being a U.S. Open Champion, and humbled by the accomplishment. "I can't believe I'm standing here with my name on the same list of the guys I've watched win this tournament for so many years," he said. "I've got great sponsors who have stood behind me in working at this for many years and it's really great to be one of the guys who have won this tournament."
Merlin Nunes of Vacaville, Calif. fished with Pirch on the final day, and his participation in the 15.47-pound limit brought his three day total weight to 31.78 pounds to claim the AAA Division championship. He was followed by Robert Jeannotte, who finished with 30.55 pounds to finish in second place for the third consecutive day. Day two AAA leader Scott Palumbo finished in third place with 28.95 pounds.
Complete Standings are below.
The WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury Marine U.S. Open Live Webcast was by presented by Costa Sunglasses, the event was also brought to you by Nitro Boats, Mercury Outboards, Costa Sunglasses, Bass Pro Shops, Adoption Awareness, Big Hammer, Bridgford Foods, Cousins Tackle, Daiwa, Frog Toggs, Fuji, Global Fish Mounts, Lobina Lures, Lowrance, Mustang Survival, Optimum Baits, Plano Molding, Pro Boats, Pro Mar, Seaguar, Snug Top, SPRO, St.Croix Rods, Star Tron, YoZuri and Zip Baits
2013 WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open
Day Three Pro Standings
| Place | Name | Hometown | Weight | Penalty | Big Fish | Total |
| 1 | Rusty Brown | Tustin CA | 31.25 | 3.92 | 31.25 | |
| 2 | Clifford Pirch | Payson AZ | 30.72 | 0.4 | 5.2 | 30.32 |
| 3 | Brett Hite | Phoenix AZ | 30.09 | 3.04 | 30.09 | |
| 4 | Justin Hanold | Poway CA | 29.66 | 3.49 | 29.66 | |
| 5 | Tommy Jonovich | Phoenix AZ | 29.82 | 0.2 | 29.62 | |
| 6 | Gary Dobyns | Yuba City CA | 28.89 | 2.52 | 28.89 | |
| 7 | Joe Uribe, Jr. | Lake Forest CA | 28.56 | 0.2 | 3.47 | 28.36 |
| 8 | Chris Bozarth | Henderson NV | 27.26 | 2.82 | 27.26 | |
| 9 | Morizo Shimizu | Osaka JP | 26.85 | 3.16 | 26.85 | |
| 10 | Jamie Cyphers | Cedar City UT | 26.77 | 3.14 | 26.77 | |
| 11 | Todd Herman | Gilbert AZ | 26.07 | 4.49 | 26.07 | |
| 12 | Aaron Leon | Henderson NV | 26.44 | 0.4 | 2.8 | 26.04 |
| 13 | Ben Byrd | Moab UT | 25.72 | 25.72 | ||
| 14 | Bill Brown | Grand Junction CO | 25.64 | 25.64 | ||
| 15 | Todd Woods | San Dimas CA | 25.42 | 2.59 | 25.42 | |
| 16 | John Perkins | Lake Havasu City AZ | 25.35 | 2.91 | 25.35 | |
| 17 | Shaun Bailey | Lake Havasu City AZ | 25.59 | 0.4 | 3.73 | 25.19 |
| 18 | Paul Hodges | Glendale AZ | 24.96 | 24.96 | ||
| 19 | Randy Blaukat | Joplin MO | 24.88 | 4.11 | 24.88 | |
| 20 | Ray Arbesu | Henderson NV | 25.22 | 0.4 | 3.1 | 24.82 |
| 21 | Garrett Howard | Riverside CA | 24.75 | 0.4 | 3.3 | 24.35 |
| 22 | Johnny Johnson | Lakeside AZ | 24.17 | 24.17 | ||
| 23 | Randy Estrada, M.D. | Corona CA | 24.04 | 24.04 | ||
| 24 | Klayton Belden | El Cajon CA | 23.95 | 23.95 | ||
| 25 | Kenichi Tanaka | Minamikawachigun | 23.89 | 2.7 | 23.89 | |
| 26 | Patrick Whitaker | Gilbert AZ | 23.87 | 23.87 | ||
| 27 | Dorne Soto | Henderson NV | 23.62 | 0.2 | 23.42 | |
| 28 | Brett Allen Leber | Dixon CA | 23.35 | 23.35 | ||
| 29 | John Murray | Phoenix AZ | 23.22 | 3.32 | 23.22 | |
| 30 | Josh Rhodes | Lakeside CA | 23.08 | 3.87 | 23.08 | |
| 31 | Gary Pinholster | Lake Havasu City AZ | 23.19 | 0.2 | 22.99 | |
| 32 | Steve Gibson | Las Vegas NV | 22.73 | 3.06 | 22.73 | |
| 32 | Claude Sims | Boerne TX | 22.93 | 0.2 | 22.73 | |
| 34 | Sean Stafford | Fairfield CA | 22.83 | 0.2 | 22.63 | |
| 35 | Andy Manahl | Mesa AZ | 22.77 | 0.2 | 22.57 | |
| 36 | Roy Hawk | Lake Havasu City AZ | 22.47 | 3.23 | 22.47 | |
| 37 | Kyle Grover | Trabuco Canyon CA | 22.36 | 0.2 | 22.16 | |
| 38 | Phillip Dutra | Antioch CA | 21.96 | 3.15 | 21.96 | |
| 39 | Rich Tauber | Camarillo CA | 21.85 | 3.99 | 21.85 | |
| 40 | Aaron Martens | Leeds AL | 21.78 | 21.78 | ||
| 41 | Kevin Norling | San Diego CA | 21.77 | 21.77 | ||
| 42 | Gabe Bolivar | Ramona CA | 21.72 | 3.45 | 21.72 | |
| 43 | Matt Shura | Gilbert AZ | 21.62 | 21.62 | ||
| 44 | Justin Kerr | Lake Havasu City AZ | 21.51 | 2.88 | 21.51 | |
| 45 | Derek Yamamoto | Boulder City CO | 21.49 | 21.49 | ||
| 46 | David Valdivia | Norwalk CA | 21.66 | 0.2 | 21.46 | |
| 47 | Shawn Lee | Arroyo Grande CA | 21.55 | 0.2 | 3.32 | 21.35 |
| 48 | Clayton Meyer | Henderson NV | 21.32 | 3.12 | 21.32 | |
| 49 | Ken Whalen | Lompoc CA | 21.25 | 0.2 | 21.05 | |
| 50 | Byron Velvick | Del Rio TX | 21.02 | 21.02 | ||
| 51 | Raymond Archer | Greeley CO | 21 | 21 | ||
| 52 | Bobby Lanham | Cave Creek AZ | 20.78 | 20.78 | ||
| 53 | Stephen Pike | Las Vegas NV | 20.71 | 20.71 | ||
| 54 | Dick Watson | Alta Loma CA | 20.7 | 0.4 | 20.3 | |
| 55 | Kevin Wiggins | Las Vegas NV | 20.27 | 20.27 | ||
| 56 | John Weisfuss | Oxnard CA | 20.45 | 0.2 | 20.25 | |
| 57 | Vu Au | Tucson AZ | 20.37 | 0.2 | 20.17 | |
| 58 | Marco Valdez | Mesa AZ | 20.14 | 20.14 | ||
| 59 | Rick Mason | Glendale AZ | 19.99 | 2.3 | 19.99 | |
| 60 | Garrett Lorenzen | Escondido CA | 19.89 | 2.7 | 19.89 | |
| 61 | Kevin Caruso | Glendale AZ | 19.87 | 3.2 | 19.87 | |
| 62 | Jamie Shaw | Coolidge AZ | 19.82 | 19.82 | ||
| 63 | Devin McDonald | Las Vegas NV | 19.65 | 3.04 | 19.65 | |
| 64 | Dave Wendrich | Elko NV | 19.59 | 19.59 | ||
| 65 | Ricky Shabazz | Rialto CA | 19.56 | 19.56 | ||
| 66 | Bill O'Shinn | Granite Bay CA | 19.48 | 2.83 | 19.48 | |
| 67 | Neil Flores | Menifee CA | 19.45 | 19.45 | ||
| 68 | Matt Massey | Golden CO | 19.33 | 19.33 | ||
| 69 | Ed Arledge | Valley Center CA | 19.23 | 19.23 | ||
| 70 | Jiggs Benn | Myrtle Creek OR | 19.17 | 2.67 | 19.17 | |
| 71 | Rick Clunn | Ava MO | 18.99 | 18.99 | ||
| 72 | John Mackey | Boulder City NV | 18.95 | 18.95 | ||
| 73 | Mark Poe | Coolidge AZ | 18.87 | 2.94 | 18.87 | |
| 74 | Randy Cnota | Tucson AZ | 18.98 | 0.2 | 18.78 | |
| 75 | John Morrow | Brea CA | 18.38 | 18.38 | ||
| 76 | Craig Miller | Las Vegas NV | 18.33 | 18.33 | ||
| 77 | Keith Beever | Aliso Viejo CA | 18.47 | 0.2 | 18.27 | |
| 78 | Ken Phillips | Antioch CA | 18.09 | 18.09 | ||
| 79 | Neil Campbell | Fallbrook CA | 17.44 | 17.44 | ||
| 79 | Jay Wright | Pasadena CA | 17.44 | 2.75 | 17.44 | |
| 81 | Gary Freeman | Las Vegas NV | 17.41 | 17.41 | ||
| 82 | Ernie Stumpf | Carrollton TX | 17.6 | 0.2 | 2.77 | 17.4 |
| 83 | Michael Caruso | Peoria AZ | 17.32 | 5.08 | 17.32 | |
| 84 | Jonathan D. Demonet | Downey CA | 17.2 | 17.2 | ||
| 85 | Vern Ridgway | Chandler AZ | 17.12 | 17.12 | ||
| 85 | Ed Shaver | Lake Havasu City AZ | 17.12 | 17.12 | ||
| 87 | Mike Brillhart | Waddell AZ | 16 | 16 | ||
| 88 | Nick Young | Ontario OR | 15.93 | 15.93 | ||
| 89 | Gary Boyd | Reseda CA | 15.75 | 2.42 | 15.75 | |
| 90 | Mike Folkestad | Villa Park CA | 15.84 | 0.2 | 2.27 | 15.64 |
| 91 | Guy Savidan | Yorba Linda CA | 15.58 | 2.68 | 15.58 | |
| 92 | William Ruehle | Peoria AZ | 15.41 | 15.41 | ||
| 93 | Shane Moline | Kingman AZ | 15.16 | 15.16 | ||
| 94 | Stephen Patek | Chula Vista CA | 14.84 | 2.62 | 14.84 | |
| 95 | David Peltier | Acton CA | 14.82 | 14.82 | ||
| 96 | Gerald Kimzey | Willcox AZ | 14.69 | 2.83 | 14.69 | |
| 97 | Scott Wingo | San Diego CA | 14.57 | 3.35 | 14.57 | |
| 98 | Jason Burchfield | Las Vegas NV | 14.91 | 0.4 | 14.51 | |
| 98 | Thomas Wennerlund | Gilbert AZ | 14.51 | 14.51 | ||
| 100 | Clyde Evans | Las Vegas NV | 14.4 | 14.4 | ||
| 101 | Marvin Barellano | Monterey Park CA | 14.27 | 14.27 | ||
| 102 | George Kramer | Lake Elsinore CA | 14.45 | 0.2 | 14.25 | |
| 103 | Michael Phua | Chino CA | 14.16 | 14.16 | ||
| 103 | Joseph Raftery | Las Vegas NV | 14.16 | 14.16 | ||
| 105 | Steve Molinari | W |
Hite Leads as Final Day of 31st US Open Gets Underway
Las Vegas, Nev. - September 10, 2013 - When it comes to winning bass fishing tournaments, having a level of consistency is recommended. To win a WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open; consistency is almost mandatory.
In an event that is frequently billed as one of the toughest bass fishing events in the world, the angler who is able to produce consistent limits full of two-pound bass is one who will be rewarded. That game plan stands in contradiction to those anglers who throw caution to the wind and look for one big fish then try to fill in around it; especially on Lake Mead in the summer.
Such was the case on day two of the U.S. Open of Bass Fishing on Lake Mead, as a group of anglers began to separate themselves from the field by producing steady limits.
Carrying the mantle of consistency the most was Phoenix, Ariz. pro Brett Hite; a veteran of many U.S. Opens and an FLW Tour Champion, produced a 10.25-pound limit today to bring his total weight to 21.06 pounds to take the lead on day two. In search of his first WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury
 |
| Rusty Brown, shown here with Day Two AAA Andrew Martin, is in Second place - photo by Dan O'Sullivan |
U.S. Open title, Hite holds a .62-pound lead over Tustin, Calif. pro Rusty Brown who produced a limit weighing 10.17 pounds today to bring his total to 20.44 pounds, and second place.
Joe Uribe Jr., of Lake Forest, Calif. was the exception to the consistency rule today. He upgraded his day one weight by nearly three pounds with an 11.46-pound limit that brought him from 18th place to third with a total of 20.39 pounds. Their efforts, along with the close proximity of weights throughout the rest in the top five and beyond set up what is sure to be an exciting final day tomorrow.
Hite said that he strategized himself for consistency. "You really have to try and produce limits that are going to give you the chance to win a tournament here at Lake Mead, and those are consistent limits," said Hite. "I try to get a couple of those better bites in the morning and then fill it in with keepers as the days go on. I had three fish today that were excellent quality and two that were solid keepers."
Hite also said that he feels like he can continue his search for consistency, and hopes to have a little increase tomorrow. "I feel like I am doing something that will help me catch fish behind others, and I'm getting the right bites," said Hite. "That being said, I'd love to catch 12 pounds tomorrow and feel great about my chances."
Brown also planned on trying to be steady. "I felt like if I could catch 10 pounds a day I would be in position to win," he said. "I was able to move around a little bit more yesterday, but had to slow down and work the areas a little slower today, and feel like if I stay with my strengths tomorrow I'll have a good chance."
Uribe said that he figured out something that helped him increase his position on day two. "I really
 |
| Joe Uribe Jr. Moved into Third place by catching the Day's Heaviest Stringer - photo by Dan O'Sullivan |
slowed down today and fished on the bottom," he said. "I practiced with a reaction bait, but the fish haven't moved up in these cloudy conditions, so I put a spinning rod in my hands and stayed with that all day; in fact, I need to go to the tackle store and buy some more worms because I'm running really low after today."
The AAA leader Scott Palumbo, also from Phoenix, Ariz. proved that the consistency game worked by taking part in producing a 10.17-pound limit today to move from sixth place to the lead with 20.98 pounds. He holds a scant half-pound lead over Robert Jeannotte from Henderson, Nev. who upped his total to 20.47 pounds, and finished in second place for the second day in a row.
The full fields of both the Pro and the AAA anglers will compete on Wednesday for the chance to be crowned the 2013 WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open Champion.
Complete Standings are below.
The WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open takeoff will continue tomorrow at Callville Bay Marina beginning at 5:45AM, with weigh-in starting at 2:00PM. Following the event's conclusion tomorrow, a champion will be crowned at Boulder Station Casino the final evening of the event.
The WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury Marine U.S. Open See What's Out There Live Webcasts presented by Costa Sunglasses will continue following tournament take off with hourly updates at 8:00AM, 9:00AM, 10:00AM and 11:00AM each day, followed by weigh-in coverage beginning at 2:00PM and finally a 6:30PM post game show; all show times are Pacific Standard Time. .
The WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury Marine U.S. Open presented by Costa Sunglasses Webcasts can be accessed by visiting www.wonbass.com, or directly at the event page of the 2013 The WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury Marine U.S. Open See What's Out There page presented by Costa Sunglasses
The WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury Marine U.S. Open Live Webcast is presented by Costa Sunglasses, the event is also brought to you by Nitro Boats, Mercury Outboards, Costa Sunglasses, Bass Pro Shops, Adoption Awareness, Big Hammer, Bridgford Foods, Cousins Tackle, Daiwa, Frog Toggs, Fuji, Global Fish Mounts, Lobina Lures, Lowrance, Mustang Survival, Optimum Baits, Plano Molding, Pro Boats, Pro Mar, Seaguar, Snug Top, SPRO, St.Croix Rods, Star Tron, YoZuri and Zip Baits
2013 WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open
Day Two Pro Standings
| Place | Name | Hometown | Weight | Penalty | Big Fish | Total |
| 1 | Brett Hite | Phoenix AZ | 21.06 | 3.04 | 21.06 | |
| 2 | Rusty Brown | Tustin CA | 20.44 | 3.92 | 20.44 | |
| 3 | Joe Uribe, Jr. | Lake Forest CA | 20.59 | 0.2 | 3.47 | 20.39 |
| 4 | Tommy Jonovich | Phoenix AZ | 20.38 | 0.2 | 20.18 | |
| 5 | Todd Herman | Gilbert AZ | 19.42 | 4.49 | 19.42 | |
| 6 | Jamie Cyphers | Cedar City UT | 19.12 | 3.14 | 19.12 | |
| 7 | Gary Dobyns | Yuba City CA | 18.61 | 2.52 | 18.61 | |
| 8 | John Murray | Phoenix AZ | 18.51 | 3.32 | 18.51 | |
| 9 | Chris Bozarth | Henderson NV | 18.27 | 2.82 | 18.27 | |
| 10 | Devin McDonald | Las Vegas NV | 18.13 | 3.04 | 18.13 | |
| 11 | Randy Blaukat | Joplin MO | 18.11 | 4.11 | 18.11 | |
| 12 | Morizo Shimizu | Osaka JP | 17.7 | 3.16 | 17.7 | |
| 13 | Ben Byrd | Moab UT | 17.66 | 17.66 | ||
| 14 | Aaron Leon | Henderson NV | 17.57 | 0.4 | 17.17 | |
| 15 | Patrick Whitaker | Gilbert AZ | 17.16 | 17.16 | ||
| 16 | Ray Arbesu | Henderson NV | 17.27 | 0.2 | 3.1 | 17.07 |
| 17 | Paul Hodges | Glendale AZ | 16.84 | 16.84 | ||
| 18 | Aaron Martens | Leeds AL | 16.62 | 16.62 | ||
| 19 | Shaun Bailey | Lake Havasu City AZ | 16.74 | 0.2 | 3.73 | 16.54 |
| 20 | Claude Sims | Boerne TX | 16.74 | 0.2 | 16.54 | |
| 21 | Todd Woods | San Dimas CA | 16.54 | 2.59 | 16.54 | |
| 22 | Johnny Johnson | Lakeside AZ | 16.52 | 16.52 | ||
| 23 | Phillip Dutra | Antioch CA | 16.29 | 3.15 | 16.29 | |
| 24 | Bill Brown | Grand Junction CO | 16.19 | 16.19 | ||
| 25 | Randy Cnota | Tucson AZ | 16.27 | 0.2 | 16.07 | |
| 26 | Justin Hanold | Poway CA | 15.97 | 15.97 | ||
| 27 | Matt Shura | Gilbert AZ | 15.9 | 15.9 | ||
| 28 | Randy Estrada, M.D. | Corona CA | 15.89 | 15.89 | ||
| 29 | Kenichi Tanaka | Minamikawachigun | 15.87 | 2.7 | 15.87 | |
| 30 | Shawn Lee | Arroyo Grande CA | 15.83 | 3.32 | 15.83 | |
| 31 | Josh Rhodes | Lakeside CA | 15.64 | 3.87 | 15.64 | |
| 32 | Gary Pinholster | Lake Havasu City AZ | 15.79 | 0.2 | 15.59 | |
| 33 | John Mackey | Boulder City NV | 15.58 | 15.58 | ||
| 34 | Kyle Grover | Trabuco Canyon CA | 15.77 | 0.2 | 15.57 | |
| 35 | Gary Freeman | Las Vegas NV | 15.35 | 15.35 | ||
| 36 | Rick Mason | Glendale AZ | 15.23 | 2.3 | 15.23 | |
| 37 | Dorne Soto | Henderson NV | 15.18 | 15.18 | ||
| 38 | Kevin Norling | San Diego CA | 15.1 | 15.1 | ||
| 39 | Ed Arledge | Valley Center CA | 15.09 | 15.09 | ||
| 40 | Byron Velvick | Del Rio TX | 15.07 | 15.07 | ||
| 41 | Brett Allen Leber | Dixon CA | 15.01 | 15.01 | ||
| 42 | John Perkins | Lake Havasu City AZ | 14.94 | 2.91 | 14.94 | |
| 43 | Clifford Pirch | Payson AZ | 15.24 | 0.4 | 14.84 | |
| 44 | Garrett Howard | Riverside CA | 15.03 | 0.4 | 14.63 | |
| 45 | Steve Gibson | Las Vegas NV | 14.54 | 3.06 | 14.54 | |
| 46 | Sean Stafford | Fairfield CA | 14.57 | 0.2 | 14.37 | |
| 47 | Dave Wendrich | Elko NV | 14.36 | 14.36 | ||
| 48 | Derek Yamamoto | Boulder City CO | 14.35 | 14.35 | ||
| 49 | David Valdivia | Norwalk CA | 14.55 | 0.2 | 14.35 | |
| 50 | Gary Boyd | Reseda CA | 14.23 | 2.42 | 14.23 | |
| 51 | Michael Phua | Chino CA | 14.16 | 14.16 | ||
| 52 | Vu Au | Tucson AZ | 14.34 | 0.2 | 14.14 | |
| 53 | Michael Caruso | Peoria AZ | 14.13 | 5.08 | 14.13 | |
| 54 | Jamie Shaw | Coolidge AZ | 14.1 | 14.1 | ||
| 55 | Roy Hawk | Lake Havasu City AZ | 14.09 | 3.23 | 14.09 | |
| 56 | Justin Kerr | Lake Havasu City AZ | 14.03 | 2.88 | 14.03 | |
| 57 | Andy Manahl | Mesa AZ | 14.01 | 14.01 | ||
| 58 | Ken Whalen | Lompoc CA | 14.01 | 14.01 | ||
| 59 | Marco Valdez | Mesa AZ | 13.91 | 13.91 | ||
| 60 | Klayton Belden | El Cajon CA | 13.87 | 13.87 | ||
| 61 | Ken Phillips | Antioch CA | 13.87 | 13.87 | ||
| 62 | Ricky Shabazz | Rialto CA | 13.86 | 13.86 | ||
| 63 | Neil Flores | Menifee CA | 13.84 | 13.84 | ||
| 64 | Kevin Wiggins | Las Vegas NV | 13.63 | 13.63 | ||
| 65 | Stephen Pike | Las Vegas NV | 13.5 | 13.5 | ||
| 66 | Matt Massey | Golden CO | 13.42 | 13.42 | ||
| 67 | John Weisfuss | Oxnard CA | 13.39 | 13.39 | ||
| 68 | Raymond Archer | Greeley CO | 13.32 | 13.32 | ||
| 69 | Garrett Lorenzen | Escondido CA | 13.26 | 2.7 | 13.26 | |
| 70 | Bobby Lanham | Cave Creek AZ | 13.24 | 13.24 | ||
| 71 | Clayton Meyer | Henderson NV | 13.05 | 3.12 | 13.05 | |
| 72 | Rich Tauber | Camarillo CA | 12.88 | 12.88 | ||
| 73 | Trey Campbell | Gardena CA | 12.84 | 12.84 | ||
| 74 | David Peltier | Acton CA | 12.81 | 12.81 | ||
| 75 | John Morrow | Brea CA | 12.64 | 12.64 | ||
| 76 | Ed Shaver | Lake Havasu City AZ | 12.5 | 12.5 | ||
| 77 | Craig Miller | Las Vegas NV | 12.35 | 12.35 | ||
| 78 | Joseph Raftery | Las Vegas NV | 12.27 | 12.27 | ||
| 79 | Guy Savidan | Yorba Linda CA | 12.15 | 2.68 | 12.15 | |
| 80 | Gerald Kimzey | Willcox AZ | 12.13 | 2.83 | 12.13 | |
| 81 | Scott Wingo | San Diego CA | 12.12 | 3.35 | 12.12 | |
| 82 | Kevin Caruso | Glendale AZ | 11.9 | 3.2 | 11.9 | |
| 83 | Keith Beever | Aliso Viejo CA | 11.77 | 11.77 | ||
| 84 | Jiggs Benn | Myrtle Creek OR | 11.66 | 11.66 | ||
| 85 | Melvin Williams | Chula Vista CA | 11.63 | 11.63 | ||
| 86 | Max Bauer | La Mesa CA | 11.38 | 11.38 | ||
| 87 | Trevor Young | Fontana CA | 11.13 | 11.13 | ||
| 88 | Dick Watson | Alta Loma CA | 11.3 | 0.2 | 11.1 | |
| 89 | Gabe Bolivar | Ramona CA | 11 | 11 | ||
| 90 | Gary Robbins | Burbank CA | 10.91 | 10.91 | ||
| 91 | Vern Ridgway | Chandler AZ | 10.88 | 10.88 | ||
| 92 | Vince Gennaro | Henderson NV | 10.87 | 10.87 | ||
| 93 | Mike Folkestad | Villa Park CA | 10.85 | 2.27 | 10.85 | |
| 94 | William Ruehle | Peoria AZ | 10.68 | 10.68 | ||
| 95 | Robert Schoessler | Henderson NV | 10.59 | 10.59 | ||
| 96 | Wade Strelic | El Cajon CA | 10.56 | 10.56 | ||
| 97 | Mike Lavallee | Sandy UT | 10.51 | 10.51 | ||
| 98 | Mike Brillhart | Waddell AZ | 10.36 | 10.36 | ||
| 99 | Jason Borofka | Salinas CA | 10.18 | 3.22 | 10.18 | |
| 100 | Stephen Patek | Chula Vista CA | 10.05 | 2.62 | 10.05 | |
| 101 | Shane Moline | Kingman AZ |
Fans Have Selected Final 4 Pros To Round Out Field Of 14 At Bassmaster Toyota All Star Week
The fans have spoken. Bassmaster’s Toyota All Star Week will feature 8 Elite series pros who qualified through on-water exploits, along with 4 more selected by voters. Brandon Palaniuk led all Elite Series pros in fan votes.
Mike Iaconelli, Gerald Swindle and Skeet Reese were also voted-in by the Bassmaster fan base.
They join Cliff Pace of Petal, Miss., who earned a postseason spot as the 2013 Bassmaster Classic champ, and Hank Cherry of Maiden, N.C., who, as the 2013 Rookie of the Year, also qualified.
The other anglers in the field are the pros who ranked as the Top 8 in Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year points: Aaron Martens of Leeds, Ala.; Edwin Evers of Talala, Okla.; Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich.; Bobby Lane of Lakeland, Fla.; Keith Combs of Huntington, Texas; Alton Jones of Lorena, Texas; John Crews of Salem, Va.; and Chris Zaldain of San Jose, Calif.
Teams Vie For Title Of 2014 Cabela's School Of The Year
San Antonio, Texas (September 10, 2013) - As summer winds down and students settle into their annual academic routine, a race is underway. The 2014 Cabela's School of the Year program runs July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014. Although full 2014 schedules aren't available yet, several of the major events have been identified and listed onCollegiateBassChampionship.com. With an FLW Central College Fishing Invitational and the 2013 Carhartt College Series National Championship already in the books, Kansas State has jumped out to an early lead with respectable finishes in both tournaments. Ultimately over 25 ACA sanctioned events will determine who is the best of the best in collegiate bass fishing.
According to Program Director, Danny Blandford, "The Cabela's School of the Year program has been a great success and anglers are already thinking about how their club can claim a victory in 2014. We wanted to get some of the key events outlined so that anglers can start making plans. As the leagues release final schedules and provide dates, we'll update our program accordingly. We also look forward to expanding the program and including more regional events in 2014."
The current list includes major events from the three national collegiate leagues: the Association of Collegiate Anglers' Cabela's Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, College B.A.S.S., and FLW College Fishing. In addition, select student/school-run events with a history of quality and good participation have also been named in advance, with more to come.
The ACA Cabela's School of the Year program was the first program of its kind to rank teams across all leagues and provide the first national collegiate fishing rankings. The program illustrates the continued growth in collegiate bass fishing, with over 200 teams earning points in 2013.
Wade Middleton, Director of the Cabela's Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, added, "The Cabela's School of the Year program is something I've wanted to see since we formed the ACA and we are proud of its growth. To see how important it has become to these young anglers is a testament to the competitiveness in college bass fishing."
Middleton added, "In the first two years we've had two great winners with Arkansas Tech (2012) and the University of Louisiana Monroe (2013). You don't hear a lot about their sports programs through mainstream media, but when it comes to fishing, their programs are some of the best in the country. We're looking forward to highlighting programs such as these onAmericana Outdoors. Both on and off the water these students work their tails off, and I think stories such as theirs are great for our sport. It's our pleasure to bring them, and the other top schools, the recognition they deserve."
The remaining FLW College Fishing Invitationals and select regional student events will help to set the pace heading into 2014, but it will be anyone's game right up until the end. With the race and points based on the number of teams beat in competition, it's the larger national events that shape the final outcome.
According to ACA School of the Year Program Director, Danny Blandford, "We recognize all the leagues so that the ultimate winner has earned their title of Cabela's School of the Year. The national events hosted by the ACA and the other leagues provide a great even playing field for teams across the country. With the additional student events worked in to supplement some regions, we feel like we have a good representative system."
Blandford went on to add, "The BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship is a great example. As the largest collegiate fishing event in the nation, a school can pick up close to four hundred points by having two teams do well, but that doesn't guarantee the Cabela's School of the Year title. That was proven by both the 2012 and 2013 seasons. These events generate great point opportunities to those that compete, and it'd be tough to win without solid performance here, but the system awards points across a wide range of events and a full season. "
The 2014 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Championship will be returning to Florence, Alabama, once again May 19-23. Full event details are forthcoming, so students should be planning on visiting Pickwick again at the end of the school year.
For complete details on the 2014 Cabela's School of the Year
Program, please visit:
More In-Depth Coverage of US Open Day 1 from Lake Mead, Nevada
While the weather remained calm throughout the day, the fishing was reportedly tough for much of the field. However, someone is always bound to figure out the pieces to the puzzle to stand ahead of the pack. Today was no different, as Todd Herman, a second time U.S. Open pro, took a strong position atop the leaderboard with 13.22 pounds that included the second largest bass of the day on the pro side.
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| Michael Caruso - U.S. open Day One Second place - photo by Brad Schweit / WON Bass |
Standing only a pound and a half behind Herman is young Peoria, Ariz. pro Michael Caruso, who proved his ability to produce big bites on Lake Mead in last year's event; and did so once again today with a 5.08 pounder that was the biggest bass of the day on both sides of the field. his big fish anchored an 11.77-pound limit that puts him in good position to contend for the win.
Looming closely in third place is past U.S. Open Champion Gary Dobyns of Yuba City, Calif. who proved why he is one of the best professional anglers in the business with a solid 11.36-pound limit of bass that included a pair of solid kickers; one a 2.52 pounder caught by Dobyns, and a 3.79 produced by his AAA partner Michael Bidak.
Herman said that he has found one particular pattern that was able to produce for him in a variety of locations. "I caught all of my fish on one lure in four different areas today," the Gilbert, Ariz. pro said. "I was the last boat out today, so when I got to what I had hoped would be my starting spot, there were several boats there, so I went to my backup plan, and had it all to myself."
Herman also said that he has been on the same pattern for the past eight days during practice, and as a result, he feels comfortable; as comfortable as he can be. "I feel like I can catch fish in clean water, or behind other boats with what I'm doing," he said. "So, I feel like I can do well tomorrow; especially being the first boat out, but we'll just have to see what happens from here."
Caruso said that today was a grind, but he was able to use the same lure he used to catch one of the
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| Gary Dobyns and Michael Bidak - U.S. Open Day One Third Place - photo by Brad Schweit / WON Bass |
biggest event at last year's event, to catch his big one today. "I really had a difficult day today; it wasn't a good day for me," he said. "I covered a lot of water, burned 31 gallons of fuel, scraped up some keepers and managed to get the one big bite. Hopefully I can put things together tomorrow, and this lake really allows you to do many different things, we'll just have to see what happens."
Dobyns said that he had to adjust from what he was doing in practice. "I had two good days, and two horrible days, and then the bite changed today again," he said. "I really picked up baits that I really like to fish and junk fished my way to a good limit today; it's nice to be in a position to make a run at this event again."
Mike Hyland, a AAA from Lompoc, Calif. was paired with Herman for the day, and took the day one lead on the AAA side with 13.22 pounds. Second place on the AAA side is Robert Jeannotte with 11.77, and Bidak is third with 11.36 pounds. The big bass for the day on the AAA side was caught by Kevin Gross of Claremont, Calif. his 4.46 punder earned him big bass money on the first day of the event.
Complete Standings are below.
The WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open takeoff will continue tomorrow at Callville Bay Marina on Monday, beginning at 5:45AM, with weigh-in starting at 2:00PM. Following the event's conclusion on Wednesday, a champion will be crowned at Boulder Station Casino the final evening of the event.
The WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury Marine U.S. Open See What's Out There Live Webcasts presented by Costa Sunglasses will begin with a pregame show from the Boulder Station Casino after the Sponsor Showcase and mandatory partner pairing meeting; the live pregame show will begin Sunday Night at 5:30PM.
Daily event coverage will begin following tournament take off with hourly updates at 8:00AM, 9:00AM, 10:00AM and 11:00AM each day, followed by weigh-in coverage beginning at 2:00PM and finally a 6:30PM post game show; all show times are Pacific Standard Time. .
The WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury Marine U.S. Open presented by Costa Sunglasses Webcasts can be accessed by visiting www.wonbass.com, or directly at the event page of the 2013 The WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury Marine U.S. Open See What's Out There page presented by Costa Sunglasses
The WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury Marine U.S. Open Live Webcast is presented by Costa Sunglasses, the event is also brought to you by Nitro Boats, Mercury Outboards, Costa Sunglasses, Bass Pro Shops, Adoption Awareness, Big Hammer, Bridgford Foods, Cousins Tackle, Daiwa, Frog Toggs, Fuji, Global Fish Mounts, Lobina Lures, Lowrance, Mustang Survival, Optimum Baits, Plano Molding, Pro Boats, Pro Mar, Seaguar, Snug Top, SPRO, St.Croix Rods, Star Tron, YoZuri and Zip Baits
2013 WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open
Day One Pro Standings
| Place | Angler | Hometown | Weight | Penalty | Big Fish | Total |
| 1 | Todd Herman | Gilbert AZ | 13.22 | 4.49 | 13.22 | |
| 2 | Michael Caruso | Peoria AZ | 11.77 | 5.08 | 11.77 | |
| 3 | Gary Dobyns | Yuba City CA | 11.36 | 2.52 | 11.36 | |
| 4 | Tommy Jonovich | Phoenix AZ | 11.29 | 0.2 | 11.09 | |
| 5 | Gary Robbins | Burbank CA | 10.91 | 10.91 | ||
| 6 | Brett Hite | Phoenix AZ | 10.81 | 3.04 | 10.81 | |
| 7 | Chris Bozarth | Henderson NV | 10.54 | 2.82 | 10.54 | |
| 8 | Phillip Dutra | Antioch CA | 10.5 | 3.15 | 10.5 | |
| 9 | Rusty Brown | Tustin CA | 10.27 | 10.27 | ||
| 10 | Morizo Shimizu | Osaka JP | 10.26 | 3.16 | 10.26 | |
| 11 | Shaun Bailey | Lake Havasu City AZ | 10.13 | 0.2 | 9.93 | |
| 12 | Jamie Cyphers | Cedar City UT | 9.79 | 3.14 | 9.79 | |
| 13 | Devin McDonald | Las Vegas NV | 9.78 | 3.04 | 9.78 | |
| 14 | Roy Hawk | Lake Havasu City AZ | 9.5 | 3.23 | 9.5 | |
| 15 | David Peltier | Acton CA | 9.34 | 9.34 | ||
| 16 | Josh Rhodes | Lakeside CA | 9.12 | 3.87 | 9.12 | |
| 17 | Todd Woods | San Dimas CA | 9.09 | 2.59 | 9.09 | |
| 18 | Joe Uribe, Jr. | Lake Forest CA | 8.93 | 0.2 | 3.47 | 8.73 |
| 19 | John Murray | Phoenix AZ | 8.67 | 8.67 | ||
| 20 | Aaron Leon | Henderson NV | 8.54 | 8.54 | ||
| 21 | Paul Hodges | Glendale AZ | 8.53 | 8.53 | ||
| 22 | Gary Freeman | Las Vegas NV | 8.49 | 8.49 | ||
| 23 | Robert Schoessler | Henderson NV | 8.46 | 8.46 | ||
| 24 | Bobby Lanham | Cave Creek AZ | 8.44 | 8.44 | ||
| 25 | Bill Brown | Grand Junction CO | 8.34 | 8.34 | ||
| 26 | Randy Estrada, M.D. | Corona CA | 8.31 | 8.31 | ||
| 27 | Kevin Caruso | Glendale AZ | 8.24 | 3.2 | 8.24 | |
| 28 | Ernie Stumpf | Carrollton TX | 8.36 | 0.2 | 8.16 | |
| 29 | Ray Arbesu | Henderson NV | 8.33 | 0.2 | 3.1 | 8.13 |
| 30 | Randy Cnota | Tucson AZ | 8 | 8 | ||
| 31 | Klayton Belden | El Cajon CA | 7.92 | 7.92 | ||
| 32 | Dorne Soto | Henderson NV | 7.9 | 7.9 | ||
| 33 | Kevin Wiggins | Las Vegas NV | 7.88 | 7.88 | ||
| 34 | Kyle Grover | Trabuco Canyon CA | 8.05 | 0.2 | 7.85 | |
| 35 | Michael Phua | Chino CA | 7.81 | 7.81 | ||
| 36 | Neil Flores | Menifee CA | 7.75 | 7.75 | ||
| 37 | Bill O'Shinn | Granite Bay CA | 7.72 | 2.83 | 7.72 | |
| 38 | John Perkins | Lake Havasu City AZ | 7.67 | 7.67 | ||
| 39 | Claude Sims | Boerne TX | 7.64 | 7.64 | ||
| 40 | Justin Hanold | Poway CA | 7.59 | 7.59 | ||
| 41 | Garrett Howard | Riverside CA | 7.78 | 0.2 | 7.58 | |
| 42 | Matt Shura | Gilbert AZ | 7.58 | 7.58 | ||
| 43 | Ken Whalen | Lompoc CA | 7.56 | 7.56 | ||
| 44 | Gary Boyd | Reseda CA | 7.54 | 7.54 | ||
| 45 | Randy Blaukat | Joplin MO | 7.51 | 7.51 | ||
| 46 | Jamie Shaw | Coolidge AZ | 7.51 | 7.51 | ||
| 47 | Ben Byrd | Moab UT | 7.49 | 7.49 | ||
| 48 | Dave Wendrich | Elko NV | 7.45 | 7.45 | ||
| 49 | David Kemper | Tempe AZ | 7.58 | 0.2 | 7.38 | |
| 50 | Patrick Whitaker | Gilbert AZ | 7.32 | 7.32 | ||
| 51 | David Valdivia | Norwalk CA | 7.45 | 0.2 | 7.25 | |
| 52 | Vince Gennaro | Henderson NV | 7.23 | 7.23 | ||
| 53 | John Morrow | Brea CA | 7.2 | 7.2 | ||
| 54 | Gary Pinholster | Lake Havasu City AZ | 7.38 | 0.2 | 7.18 | |
| 55 | Philip Roesener | Parowan UT | 7.09 | 2.13 | 7.09 | |
| 56 | Matt Massey | Golden CO | 7.04 | 7.04 | ||
| 57 | Aaron Martens | Leeds AL | 7.01 | 7.01 | ||
| 58 | Byron Velvick | Del Rio TX | 6.98 | 6.98 | ||
| 59 | Rick Mason | Glendale AZ | 6.94 | 6.94 | ||
| 60 | Neil Campbell | Fallbrook CA | 6.83 | 6.83 | ||
| 61 | Shawn Lee | Arroyo Grande CA | 6.81 | 6.81 | ||
| 62 | Ricky Shabazz | Rialto CA | 6.64 | 6.64 | ||
| 63 | Marvin Barellano | Monterey Park CA | 6.6 | 6.6 | ||
| 64 | Gabe Bolivar | Ramona CA | 6.56 | 6.56 | ||
| 65 | William Ruehle | Peoria AZ | 6.52 | 6.52 | ||
| 66 | Ed Arledge | Valley Center CA | 6.49 | 6.49 | ||
| 67 | Craig Miller | Las Vegas NV | 6.46 | 6.46 | ||
| 68 | Brett Allen Leber | Dixon CA | 6.44 | 6.44 | ||
| 69 | Kenichi Tanaka | Minamikawachigun | 6.44 | 6.44 | ||
| 70 | Mike Folkestad | Villa Park CA | 6.43 | 6.43 | ||
| 71 | Clayton Meyer | Henderson NV | 6.43 | 3.12 | 6.43 | |
| 72 | Ken Phillips | Antioch CA | 6.38 | 6.38 | ||
| 73 | Johnny Johnson | Lakeside AZ | 6.29 | 6.29 | ||
| 74 | Ed Shaver | Lake Havasu City AZ | 6.29 | 6.29 | ||
| 75 | Trevor Young | Fontana CA | 6.14 | 6.14 | ||
| 76 | Sean Stafford | Fairfield CA | 6.33 | 0.2 | 6.13 | |
| 77 | John Mackey | Boulder City NV | 6.1 | 6.1 | ||
| 78 | Kevin Norling | San Diego CA | 6.1 | 6.1 | ||
| 79 | Stephen Patek | Chula Vista CA | 6.06 | 6.06 | ||
| 80 | Garrett Lorenzen | Escondido CA | 5.89 | 2.7 | 5.89 | |
| 81 | Derek Yamamoto | Boulder City CO | 5.88 | 5.88 | ||
| 82 | Rich Tauber | Camarillo CA | 5.83 | 5.83 | ||
| 83 | Nick Young | Ontario OR | 5.83 | 5.83 | ||
| 84 | Jiggs Benn | Myrtle Creek OR | 5.76 | 5.76 | ||
| 85 | Gerald Kimzey | Willcox AZ | 5.74 | 2.83 | 5.74 | |
| 86 | Marco Valdez | Mesa AZ | 5.73 | 5.73 | ||
| 87 | Justin Kerr | Lake Havasu City AZ | 5.68 | 5.68 | ||
| 88 | Andy Manahl | Mesa AZ | 5.62 | 5.62 | ||
| 89 | John Weisfuss | Oxnard CA | 5.61 | 5.61 | ||
| 90 | Clifford Pirch | Payson AZ | 5.99 | 0.4 | 5.59 | |
| 91 | Joseph Raftery | Las Vegas NV | 5.53 | 5.53 | ||
| 92 | Jason Borofka | Salinas CA | 5.44 | 3.22 | 5.44 | |
| 93 | Melvin Williams | Chula Vista CA | 5.44 | 5.44 | ||
| 94 | Vu Au | Tucson AZ | 5.64 | 0.2 | 5.44 | |
| 95 | Stephen Pike | Las Vegas NV | 5.4 | 5.4 | ||
| 96 | Christopher Dixon | Granada Hills CA | 5.33 | 5.33 | ||
| 97 | Ron Hammett | La Mesa CA | 5.19 | 5.19 | ||
| 98 | George Kramer | Lake Elsinore CA | 5.18 | 5.18 | ||
| 99 | Steve Molinari | Waddell AZ | 5.18 | 5.18 | ||
| 100 | Steve Gibson | Las Vegas NV | 4.99 | 4.99 | ||
| 101 | Trey Campbell | Gardena CA | 4.9 | 4.9 | ||
| 102 | Robert Jenks | Diamond Bar CA | 4.76 | 4.76 | ||
| 103 | Raymond Archer | Greeley CO | 4.64 | 4.64 | ||
| 104 |
2013 US Open Day 1 Notes
The 31st US Open bass tournament is underway on Lake Mead where hard rains hammered the weigh in site - in the desert - just outside Las Vegas.
Todd Herman of Gilbert AZ leads the pack with 13.22 pounds.
Michael Caruso of Peoria, AZ is in 2nd with 11.77.
Western angling legend Gary Dobyns of Yuba City, CA is currently 3rd with 11.36.
Tommy Jonovich from Phoenix, AZ is 4th with a net weight of 11.09 after a dead fish penalty cost him .20 pounds of his 11.29-pound original limit.
Gary Robbins, Burbank, CA is 5th with 10.91 pounds of Lake Mead bass.
The US Open is always a test of toughness as much as it is a bass fishing derby. Typically held in the heat of July, but contested in Spetember the last couple of years, the Open is the only major tournament that allows competitors to leave the boat - they may jump into Lake Mead to cool themselves and prevent heat stroke.
Among the top 5 guys, only one had a single dead fish. All had limits.
Herman has what amounts to a huge lead on stingy Mead. Herman is one of the few to have fished the Open as a AAA (co-angler) and as a pro. His 4.4-pounder gave him a great head start on the competition. He has quality company in his rear view mirror. He did not fish his best spot today, as he was boat #132 to launch.
Herman has his fish dialed-in. "Basically there's about 3 rods. That's about it. Iended up catching about 10 keepers today. We finally got a limit about 10:30."
Herman is targeting wolf packs of bass in little cuts around the lake.
In contrast to the leader, Dobyns said he junk fished. With a solid sack, he did not need a lone big bass to propel him up the standings. But he had that bite - "I could have pushed that 13-pound limit today. My partner had a big fish."
Dobyns had an outstanding practice on Saturday, including a bass that Mike Folkstad claimed would weigh 8 pounds. Dobyns said that was "a little far-fetched" though he did have nearly 18 pounds.
A couple of his other practice days were "beyond horrible".
Dobyns hasn't had as much time to fish due to the success of his rod company - Dobyns Rods. He also has a bad back but he said that did not hamper him today.
Tournament Director Billy Eagan had to disqualify a couple of anglers and co-anglers over fishing license violations due to the fact that Lake Mead straddles two states, Nevada and Arizona.
As the Open is a 'shared weight' tournament, the co-anglers fishing with pros who were DQ'd also had their weights disqualified.
And as a shared weight event, the leading co-angler is the one who fished with Herman - Mike Hyland of Lompoc, CA who is credited with 13.22 pounds, the weight compiled in Herman's boat.
Blankenship Wins Walmart Bass Fishing League North Carolina Division On High Rock Lake
Piedmont Bass Classics 'End of Year' Bass Trail Qualifier Results - Sep 7, 2013 - Jordan
Jay Garrard & Mark Herndon of Durham & Bahama...5 bass...18.65 lbs
24 teams showed up for the 5th qualifying tournament of the 2013 Piedmont Bass Classics 'End of Year' Team Tournament Bass Fishing Trail. The weather was great! 61 degrees in the morning with no winds and getting up to about 81 in the pm with light winds.
Jay Garrard and Mark Herndon took 1st place honors with 5 bass weighing 18.65 lbs.along with winning the TWT and took home $1,160. Ted Boyette & John Parrish won 2nd place (18.23 lbs.), 2nd place TWT and 1st Place Big Fish (6.54 lbs.) and took home $926!!
69 fish were weighed in for a total weight of 192 pounds. Big fish for the day was 6.54 lbs. with a 6.27 close behind. The quality fish were caught from 6 to 20 feet of water on a variety of baits including crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs and c-rigs for the most part. Water temps were around 82 degrees. I want to thank all the anglers that participated and that support this trail.
Our next tournament will be the 2013 Piedmont Bass Classics 'End of Year' Team Tournament Bass Fishing Trail
Qualifier #6, September 21st at Mayo Reservoir out of Triple Springs Wildlife Ramp.
All the information on our tournaments can be found at: www.piedmontbassclassics.com
Now here are the full results:
2nd Place: Ted Boyette & John Parrish of Kenly...5 bass...18.23 lbs1st Place: Jay Garrard & Mark Herndon of Durham & Bahama...5 bass...18.65 lbs...$810
2nd Place: Ted Boyette & John Parrish of Kenly...5 bass...18.23 lbs...$440
3rd Place: Tony Woodard & Scott Smith of Four Oaks & Apex...5 bass...17.80 lbs...$300
4th Place: Tony Fofi & Dave Murdock of Spring Lake & Sanford...5 bass...14.70 lbs...$220
5th Place: Tommy Marrow & Dennis Reedy of Oxford & Siler City...5 bass...14.67 lbs...$150
1st Place Big Fish..2nd Place Team above...6.54 lbs...$336
2nd Place Big Fish..3rd Place Team above...6.27 lbs...$144
1st Place TWT..1st Place Team above...18.65 lbs...$350
2nd Place TWT..2nd Place Team above: 18.23 lbs...$150
Contact Information:
Phil McCarson...Tournament Director
922 Valetta Rd.
Durham, NC 27712
Home: 919-471-1571 Cell: 919-971-5042
email: [email protected]
website: www.piedmontbassclassics.com
More On Carruth, George And Their $5,000 Pay Day At Toyota Bonus Bucks Tourney!
DECATUR, Ala. — It was a twist of fate that brought the winning team of the Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament to the stage at Alabama’s Wheeler Lake on Sunday. Jimmy Carruth of Athens, Ala., was supposed to compete in the event with his friend and fishing partner, Greg Buie.
But due to a twisted back, Buie gave his spot on Carruth’s boat to one of his friends, Sam George, and Carruth and George — strangers until a week ago — were the anglers holding a $5,000 winning check on the Bassmaster stage.
“I hope his back stays messed up,” said Carruth in jest, “because he’s never fishing with Sam again.”
George got the credit for all 18 pounds, 10 ounces weighed in Sunday.
“The first place we went, I caught a small fish on a worm,” said Carruth of a 1 1/2-pounder he boated early this morning. “But for the rest of the day, I basically played net man. And I was very proud to hold the net.”
The pair hit several spots, all of them downriver on ledges. They found success when they were fishing deep, down to 35 feet.
“Finding fish that were active and feeding on big balls of bait was key,” said George, 18, a student at Calhoun Community College. “We saw other anglers fishing deep, but we were fishing deeper.”
The balls of baitfish were a blob the size of the screen on their Lowrance unit, explained Carruth, a senior instructor at the local nuclear plant. “And you could just see the bass streaking through the balls.”
The fish most of the competitors brought in were no match for the 3- and 4-pounders Carruth and George caught. The average bass that came across the stage was 1 3/4 pounds. And one of them may have even set a record for the smallest weight ever recorded on the Bassmaster stage — a 7-ouncer caught by Troy Mims of Georgia.
More than one-third of the field caught limits, so catching wasn’t really the problem. “We caught a bunch of fish,” said Shane Jewell of Tennessee. “It was just hard to get any big ones.” Jewell’s sentiments were echoed at the dock and across the stage by multiple competitors.
George and Carruth, on the other hand, only got seven bites. “The fishing was so tough, we could only fish reaction baits,” said George, who relied on a Strike King 10XD crankbait and a large swimbait.
“I used a really quick stop-start retrieve,” said George. “My arms hurt. I feel like I threw 300 pitches today.” George launched his baits 60 to 70 yards on each cast. Both he and Carruth used 7 1/2- to 8-foot rods to get the distance and 8-pound-test fluorocarbon to help get the lure deeper.
George fished an iRod Fred’s Crank Launcher rod with an Abu Garcia Revo Wrench reel. His teammate used a Dobyns Champions rod with a Shimano Core reel.
Other competitors had success with jigs, shaky heads and frogs.
Behind George and Carruth was the father-son team of Brian and Roger Parker of Mississippi. They rotated four times to six spots to catch 17-15 and take second place.
The Bass Pro Shops Big Bass prize of $1,000 went to Paul Ham and Sean Alvarez of South Carolina. The pair brought in a 5-pound, 1-ounce beauty that fell to a shaky head.
Several Bassmaster Elite Series pros were on hand to meet with the competitors in the Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament.
“This is the coolest thing ever,” said Terry Scroggins, a veteran on tour. “I wish I could have done this before I turned pro.”
“I’ve been fishing tournaments since I was 14,” said four-time Bassmaster Classic champ Kevin VanDam, “and I’ve never been asked to compete in a tournament without having to pay an entry fee and then had the red carpet rolled out for me. This is a great event, and Toyota is a great product. It’s awesome to get to be here and watch these guys go across this stage.”
This tournament is the second annual event of its kind, and several of the competitors fished last year. Even more said they’d be back next year. The no-entry-fee tournament was open to all anglers who are members of the Toyota Bonus Bucks program and who own or lease a 2009 or newer Toyota Tundra, Tacoma, Sequoia, 4Runner or FJ Cruiser.
Winners Jimmy Carruth and Sam George took home a check for $5,000, and the payout went down to 30th place. Carruth said he’s on his eighth Toyota. “It’s a great vehicle, and I’ve got all the confidence in the world in it.”
See more coverage of the event here. Learn more about the Toyota Bonus Bucks program here.
Top Flw Pro Hoping Foray Into B.a.s.s. Northern Opens Results In Classic Berth
Dave Lefebre has had an outstanding career in FLW Outdoors competition over the past 11 years – 46 top 10s, including five wins, and earning just shy of $1.6 million – but when he saw B.A.S.S. was going to finish the 2013 Northern Open schedule on Lake Erie, he had to cast a line in Bassmaster waters, too.
“You have to fish all three tournaments,” he said, “but if you win the Sandusky tournament you make the Bassmaster Classic.”
Lake Erie is Lefebre's favorite fishing water and since the Great Lake is in his backyard at Erie, Pa., the Bassmaster Northern Open Series was “just something I could not pass up.”
Anglers can qualify for the Bassmaster Classic out of the Open Tournament series by winning one of the three tournaments in each division, but they have to fish all three. So far this year he has finished 29th on Oneida lake and 70th on the James River for 26th place in the standings.
“I am incredibly happy with FLW and I have no plans to leave,” Lefebre said. “I will retire from FLW someday, hopefully. But we don't get many tournaments this close to home for me.”
Having qualified for the Forrest Wood Cup all 11 years of his FLW career, the longest streak on the FLW Tour, Lefebre would love nothing better than to add a Bassmaster Classic to his resume. He has three top 10s in the Forrest Wood Cup including a second place finish in 2008.
Lefebre is eager to fish the Northern Open on Lake Erie even though the tournament is being held out of Sandusky, Ohio, more than 160 miles southwest of his home in Erie, Pa., because he has a very good tournament record on the lake.
Al;though he finished 23rd in the Bassmaster Northern Open on the lake in 2011, he notched a 4th place in the EverStart Series tournament there in 2006, the year he was the Northern EverStart points champion, and he finished 5th on the lake in the 2005 Northern EverStart tournament.
Experience on the lake will play a major role, he believes, because the weather can mess up a fishing strategy very easily.
“The biggest concern this time of year is the weather Right now it looks good for the tournament,” he said. “But it takes a different animal to be comfortable out there. I don't see it being calm this time of year.”
On a normal day the waves may kick up 3 or 4 feet, he noted, but on a windy day they could be 8 or 9 feet.
“You can always run somewhere else if the wind kicks up when you are fishing on a river, but on Lake Erie if you make a bad call you might not be able to navigate. It might take you hours to get somewhere, so you’ve got to prepare yourself for that and don't take anything for granted.”
The mental part of it is a major factor in fishing the wide open waters, he said.
“We've had some time off since the Forrest Wood Cup (last month on the Red River at Shreveport, La.) so I've been trying to get into that mode. Lake Erie is a completely different style of fishing.”
And he has also spent that time preparing his equipment.
“I've been getting my electronics tuned in and getting all the nuts and bolts tightened down because of the beating you take out there.”
If everything goes to plan, he said, the fishing should be good. The tournament will probably be won in deep water, 20 feet deep and deeper, with drop-shots and other deep baits over humps, rockpiles, shipwrecks and other structure.
But in the end it will likely be familiarity, experience and mental and physical toughness that decide a winner.
Bassmaster Northern Open
Sep 12-14, 2013
Lake Erie
Gainey Gearing Up For Northern Everstart And For Next Year On The Flw Tour
Nick Gainey has not been fishing since the middle of July in the Northern EverStart tournament on Lake Champlain. But that's all right.
He admittedly has not had a good year – only one check in seven tournaments on the Southeastern and Northern EverStart series. But that's all right, too.
Gainey said he has been busy the last year or two concentrating on his investor business. But now he is ready to go fishing – now and next year, too.
First up: the Northern EverStart tournament on the Upper Chesapeake Bay next week.
“I've never been there,” he said. “I had to look on MapQuest to see how to get there.”
But he is excited about fishing an area that is totally new to him.
“I have a little insight from a friend on the Eastern Shore of Maryland who is going to fish the tournament as a co-angler. He tells me it fishes a lot like the Potomac River, with lots of grass and flats. He says the tournament will be won on the flats with a topwater bite, maybe a frog, and even a flipping bite in the grass if the weather cools down a little bit.”
Gainey's friend also told him he will be shocked at the weights, predicting a 20-pound-per-day average to win it.
“He said there are a lot of 3- and 4-pound fish in there. I did not expect that.”
After a pretty good year in 2012 – he made two top 10s and came within 6 ounces of winning the Kerr tournament – the Charleston, S.C., angler has not fared well in 2013. He is anxious to do well on the Chesapeake Bay and then gear up for 2014.
“I'm sweeping it all under the rug,” he said. “The 2014 FLW Tour schedule and EverStart schedules have come out and I plan to fish the Tour and the EverStarts. I've been on every lake on the 2014 FLW Tour at least once.”
Gainey said when he told his wife he planned to spend their grandchildren's inheritance fishing next year, she told him to go for it. “You aren't getting any younger,” she said.
“I know the day will come when I won't physically be able to do this,” Gainey said, “but I am getting back into it hot and heavy next year. If I can get a check or two in the first three (of the FLW Tour) I will fish the next three.
“And, if I get enough points I can be on Lake Murray in August again. I fished the Forrest Wood Cup on Murray in 2008, so having the Cup come back is an added benefit. I'm going to give my best shot to try to make it on the FLW Tour.”
FLW EverStart Series
Sep 12-14, 2013
Upper Chesapeake Bay
Anchor Marina
Long on Top at Table Rock PAA Event
The third stop of the 2013 Bass Pro Shops PAA Tournament Series got underway on beautiful, balmy Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri today. The field of 65 pros and their co-anglers had mixed results with 34 out of 65 pros bringing 5-fish limits to the scales today. Overall, fish were scattered with some fish shallow on the banks, some deep, some schooling on the surface at times, while many others were bunched up and suspended from 10 to 20+ feet down in the water column near docks, brushpiles or other underwater structure.
For many anglers, plenty of fish were showing up on their advanced electronics although coaxing them to bite proved challenging. Quite a few fell short of Table Rock’s 15” keeper limit for black, brown and spotted bass, and immediately released.
Shane Long
A feared local angler hero took his place atop the leaderboard. Thirty-eight year old Shane Long of Willard, Missouri leads Day 1 with a 17.53 pound five bass limit anchored by a 6.20 hog. Long won the Bass Prop Shops PAA Series event on Table Rock Lake in October 2010. So he’s in a familiar place here – first place.
“It was a good day,” said a satisfied Long. “I got lucky and had a six-pounder bite. The others were just nice quality keepers; all good 16- to 17-inch fish, and then I had one big’un which made the difference.”
Long said he’s just hunting and pecking away at them. “I’ve got a lot of brushpiles and I catch a good quality bite out of one every once in a while. I’m just making the rounds and cycling through them all. I’m going to do the same thing tomorrow. I think I’ve got what I’m doing pegged down, but the king-maker is that one big bite that’s just so elusive. Hopefully I’ll get lucky and maybe I’ll get that big bite again tomorrow. We’ll see what happens,” said Shane Long.
James Watson
In second with 15.98 pounds, James Watson from Waynesville, Missouri had a great day today. Watson credited his success to having good batteries because he put his trolling motor on nearly full blast to run as much water as possible, running and gunning all day.
Watson felt good to have gotten a big bag under his belt today. He hopes tomorrow he can catch at least 11 or 12 pounds and stay in the hunt.
“I’m going to run all new water tomorrow. My fish are few and far between. What I’m doing requires that I’ve got to run vast amounts of new water every day,” said Watson.
Fred Roumbanis
In third place with 14.55 pounds, Fred Roumbanis of Bixby Oklahoma said, “I got lucky and hit a school of smallmouth this morning that I was able to limit out on. After that, I was able to relax and slow down. I just kept running around and caught fish here and there for the duration. It was the best day I have ever had on Table Rock.”
“Can I go back out tomorrow and back it up? I’m not sure,” admitted Fred. “I’m reading a certain style of bank and I’m just running around looking for more of that same thing. I feel good about it, but then again, I could only catch 10 pounds tomorrow.”
Stacey King
Stacey King of Reed Springs, Missouri is in fourth place. His 14.53 pound limit included a 5.30 beauty.
“Fishing was pretty hard actually, and I really wouldn’t have had such a good stringer if I hadn’t caught that one big one, but that’s the way it works out. I got lucky and got him,” said a thankful King.
“I’m fishing fairly close (to the launch site) and I’m fishing deep structure primarily. I’m trying to catch shallow fish early in the morning, and then I’m fishing deep structure the rest of the day. I caught six keepers today, and I think I can get some bites tomorrow. We’ll just have to go out and see what happens. I’m going to change a few areas. I’ve got a lot more places I’m going to fish. I’ve fished here all my life, so I know the lake very well and I’m going to change up on some areas but other than that I’ll fish the same way as today. The lures and technique will be the same,” explained King.
Jeff Hager
In fifth with 13.64 on Day 1, Jeff Hager of Alexis, NC said, “I got a lot of bites today, probably about 8-9 keeper bites (and I also missed 4-5 keepers) plus I probably caught 15 to 18 short fish. I caught a lot of fish today and had a lot of fun. I was pretty much flipping and swimming a jig all day.”
The full field fishes Days 1 & 2 while just the top 15 fish the final Day 3. The top 15 in the PAA Tournament Series Angler of Year standings at end of this event qualify for the 2013 Toyota Texas Bass Classic world championship on Lake Conroe in Conroe, TX in October 2013.
The top 15 at the end of Day 1 are:
| First Name |
Last Name |
Hometown |
State |
Big Bass | Day 1 Total Weight |
Deficit |
|
| 1 | Shane | Long | Willard | MO | 6.20 | 17.53 | |
| 2 | James | Watson | Waynesville | MO | 15.98 | -1.55 | |
| 3 | Fred | Roumbanis | Bixby | OK | 14.55 | -2.98 | |
| 4 | Stacey | King | Reeds Spring | MO | 5.30 | 14.53 | -3.00 |
| 5 | Jeff | Hager | Alexis | NC | 13.64 | -3.89 | |
| 6 | Jim | Dillard | Houston | AR | 13.56 | -3.97 | |
| 7 | Kevin | Jackson | Monett | MO | 13.30 | -4.23 | |
| 8 | Whitney | Stephens | Waverly | OH | 5.62 | 13.29 | -4.24 |
| 9 | Brian | Snowden | Reeds Spring | MO | 13.18 | -4.35 | |
| 10 | Shinichi | Fukae | Palestine | TX | 12.81 | -4.72 | |
| 11 | Doc | Seger | Kimberling City | MO | 6.71 | 12.77 | -4.76 |
| 12 | Casey | Scanlon | Lenexa | KS | 12.68 | -4.85 | |
| 13 | Russ | Lane | Prattville | AL | 12.60 | -4.93 | |
| 14 | Mike | Williamson | Fort Smith | AR | 12.53 | -5.00 | |
| 15 | Greg | Ryan | Nixa | MO | 12.42 | -5.11 |
In 11th, pro Doc Seger of Kimberling City, MO had the biggest bass of Day 1, weighing 6.71 lbs. He’s in the running to win a Humminbird 898 c SI unit (valued at $1,500) which will be awarded to the pro who weighs the overall biggest bass of the event.
For a full list of pro results visit www.FishPAA.com
Co-Angler Results
Wataru Iwahori of Palestine, TX leads the co-angler competition with 3 fish weighing 8.36 lbs. Iwahori credited Game & Fish/Sportsman Magazine pro Tim Carini with putting the pair on good fish all day. Iwahori said he used a relatively new 6-3/4” Gary Yamamoto Pro Senko on a shakey jig to coax tight-lipped suspended bass into the boat. He’s followed by Brandon Durr of Republic, MO in second place with 2 fish weighing 6.74 lbs.
Durr also earned the Daily Big Bass award of $250 for weighing the biggest bass (4.72 lbs) on the co-angler side.
For a full list of co-angler results visit www.FishPAA.com
Day 2 & Final Day 3 Activities
Come see the pros and co-anglers take off Friday and Saturday mornings at 6:30 am at the State Park Marina, 380 State Park Drive, Branson (near the dam).
Stop by to watch the pros weigh-in at the State Park Marina on Friday at 3:00 pm.
Co-angler competition concludes and co-angler awards will be bestowed at the State Park Marina after the Day 2 weigh-in.
Just the top 15 pros fish on Saturday and the final weigh-in and awards will be at the Bass Pro Shops at Branson Landing by the fountain on Saturday at 4:30 pm.
Also on Saturday from 12:30-3:30 pm, stop by to meet and greet the pros prior to final weigh-in at Bass Pro Shops at Branson Landing.
Some More Good Intel On Chesapeake From A Semi-Local Guide!
Shortly after I posted the FLW press release on the College Fishing event set to take place on Chesapeake Bay, I got this bit of info from Michael Hall who will fish the EverStart tourney on the same water next week. Michael was my pro partner at a Bassmaster Open on Toho a couple of years ago. We had a great day and caught some nice fish.
I won a chunk of change in that tourney and I owe Mr. Hall credit for an assist in that endevour.
By the way. if you need a fishing guide in the Potomac River/Lake Anna region of Virginia, Michael Hall is your man. Find him on Facebook
He had this to say about the Chesapeake:
Vance I hope you and the family are doing well. Going up to Northeast MD. To fish Chesapeake Everstart 12-14 September. Interesting place never seen such a variety of habitat. Keep writing those great articles and catching those big bass. Joshua 1:9
Thanks Michael - and good luck!
FLW College Fishing Action on Chesapeake Should Produce Solid Weights
Arey Expects Paa Qualifier On Table Rock Lake To Be A 'grind' Tournament
The PAA tournament on Missouri's Table Rock Lake Labor Day week is going to be a “grind,” according to pro angler Matt Arey of Shelby, N.C.
“I am sure it's going to be a tough one. The water has been up, but I just checked and for the past couple of days it has been falling. I was kind of hoping for high water so there would be a bush bite. That's how guys caught them in the PAA on Table Rock a few years ago.”
He expects there will be a shallow-water bite for largemouths next week and a deep-water bite for spotted bass and smallmouth, although the smallmouth probably will not be much of a factor.
“You might catch one accidentally, but they are not something to target because they move so much. They are here one day and gone the next,” he said.
Arey also predicted it will not be a heavy-weigh tournament.
“I think if you can catch 10 to 15 pounds a day it will be a big factor. It's a phenomenal fishing lake and they weigh in 20-pound bags out there, but it's fishing a lot tougher right now. We'll be there for the worst week of the year, but that's typical for Labor Day about anywhere you go in the country.
“And it's the same for everybody. That's what I love about competitive fishing – figuring them out.”
Arey is coming off a good, if not spectacular year on the FLW Tour – finishing 22nd in the points standings and 18th in the Forrest Wood cup on Louisiana's Red River two weeks ago – is hoping to hold his own in the PAA standings at Table Rock. He is ranked No. 5 going into the Table Rock tournament after finishing 9th in the PAA Series tournament on Douglas Lake in March and 12th in the PAA tournament on Fort Loudon-Tellico in May.
“My goal is to stay in the top five in the points so I don't have to worry about going to Grand Lake,” he said.
Since anglers are allowed to drop their lowest placing tournament, Arey is already qualified for the Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) to be held October 4-6, 2013 at Lake Conroe in Conroe, Texas, but this is a split year on the PAA circuit with double-qualifying set up for anglers to fish the 2014 TTBS next May at Lake Fork in Alba, Texas.
If he manages to stay in the top 5 in points through the Table Rock tournament he will also qualify for the 2014 TTBA. However, if he slips, he would have to travel to Grand Lake at Grove, Okla., Nov. 8-10, to fish the final qualifier for 2014.
The TTBC takes the top 15 anglers from PAA, B.A.S.S. and FLW for a shootout of the best of the best each year.
Arey said he is already feeling some excitement for another major championship – the 2014 Forrest Wood Cup, which will be held on Lake Murray near Columbia, S.C., next Aug. 14-17 – because it will be just a short two-hour drive from his home in Shelby.
But he is not allowing that excitement to get him too worked up at this point, he said.
“I've never fished Lake Murray past April before, just pre-spawn and spawn, so I've never been down on the lake in the summertime. The last time the Forrest Wood cup was held on Lake Murray was in 2008 and I only fished half the FLW season that year so I did not have an opportunity to fish it,” Arey said.
“I'm extremely excited, but I told my wife when we left Louisiana (after the Forrest Wood Cup on the Red River) that I don't even want to talk about it until after June next year. The last Tour event next year is the last week of June so I will basically have a whole month to fish Lake Murray.”
Professional Anglers Association (PAA )
Sept 5-7, 2013
Table Rock Lake
Call 270-527-2030
Anglers Signing Up For Toyota No Entry Fee Bonus Bucks Team Tournament On Wheeler Lake
The first Toyota No Entry Fee Bonus Bucks Team Tournament last year on North Carolina's Lake Norman was such a tremendous success and a big hit with the fishermen that Toyota is doing it again this year, this time on Wheeler Lake in Alabama Sept. 8.
The fishermen love it because Toyota treats them royally, the top 30 teams are guaranteed a paycheck and the winner takes home $5,000 in cash. They also like the opportunity to fish some of the finest bass lakes in the country.
“Things are shaping up very well for the tournament,” said Alan McGuckin of Dynamic Sponsorships in Tulsa, Okla., which manages promotional events for Toyota. “We've got a lot of anglers already registered and with Wheeler being in the Geo-center of all things bass fishing we will continue to get registrations right up to the cut-off.”
McGuckin said pre-registration will end Sept. 2, Labor Day, so organizers will know how many angling teams to prepare for and how much food to order.
“A big part of this event is the fellowship and a big part of fellowship is food,” he said. “We will feed all the participants on Saturday night before the tournament with a sit-down dinner at Ingall's Pavilion and then we'll feed them a big barbecue lunch on Sunday, too.”
The tournament will be held out of Ingalls Harbor at Decatur, Ala.
McGuckin said that Toyota, which became a major player in the professional bass fishing field in 2006, recognizes that bass fishermen are a key part of their target audience because they tow boats “and it takes a full-sized truck to tow a bass boat.”
“Bass fishermen have responded with great allegiance and loyalty,” McGuckin said. “ They have purchased a lot of Toyota Trucks, especially the Tundra, and this is a way to say 'thanks' and provide a little fellowship among all those guys who have been so loyal.”
McGuckin explained that at least one member of a two-man team must be registered in the Toyota Bonus Bucks Program. To join Toyota Bonus Bucks, an angler must own or lease a 2009 or newer Toyota Tundra, Sequoia, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser or Tacoma, then register online at www.ToyotaFishing.com, or call Kendell at 918-742-6424. A registered angler who is the highest finishing eligible participant in a FLW or B.A.S.S. affiliated tournament wins the Bonus Bucks. Toyota launched the Bonus Bucks Program in 2008.
However, full-time professional anglers are not eligible to fish the No Entry Fee Bonus Bucks Team Tournament, McGuckin said. Other currently registered Bonus Bucks participants are eligible for the tournament.
Another bonus of the now annual tournament for Bonus Bucks anglers is the opportunity to meet and talk with some of the top professional anglers who drive Toyota Trucks. Expected at the Saturday registration and dinner are Kevin VanDam, Terry Scroggins, Gerald Swindle, David Walker and Randy Howell.
McGuckin said Wheeler was chosen this year because Toyota wants to take the tournament to as many different geographic areas as possible to give more angles an opportunity to fish in it.
“We realize the guys fishing with us are working men who don't have a lot of free time. So we plan to take the tournament to different parts of the country to give more anglers the chance to sample it.”
Fishing is expected to be good on Wheeler for the tournament, he added.
“I can't say right now how fishing is on Wheeler or what it will be like for the tournament, but it is on the Tennessee River which has a legendary reputation in bass fishing circles,” McGuckin said. “Wheeler has a lot of fish. It's not a heavyweight lake, but there should be a lot of bass caught.”
He noted that VanDam believes a lipless crankbait will play a major role.
Second Annual Toyota No Entry Fee Bonus Bucks Team Tournament
Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013
Lake Wheeler
Decatur, Ala.
Details: Kendell, 918-742-6424
More on Elite Series Rookie of the Year Hank Cherry
Hank Cherry of Maiden, N.C., took home the Bassmaster Rookie of the Year title at the final regular seasonBassmaster Elite Series tournament of the year, the Plano Championship Chase. Photo by Seigo Saito/Bassmaster
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Nobody touches Hank Cherry’s favorite hat. It’s old and ragged — frayed and fragrant with odors of fish, dog slobber and sweat — but it’s always, always in the North Carolina pro’s blue and black Livingston Lures-wrapped Skeeter.
That good luck touchstone seems to be working for Cherry, who wrapped up his first Bassmaster Elite Series season with the 2013 Rookie of the Year award. Accumulating 507 points for the season put Cherry in 14th place in the Toyota Angler of the Year race. He secured a berth in the 2014 Bassmaster Classic and finished 40 points ahead of his closest rookie competitor, Clifford Pirch of Payson, Ariz., who finished 30th in AOY points.
“We both had really good years,” Cherry said. “If it had been the other way around, I would have been happy for him.”
Despite the well wishes he has for Pirch, Cherry has had his eye on the ROY trophy, and more, for some time.
“My goal at the beginning of the year was to win Rookie of the Year,” Cherry said. “All of those guys in the rookie class are big names, and I felt like I needed to win to help boost my resume.”
That resume drew the attention of at least one new major sponsor, Evan Williams Bourbon, which was attracted to him after his impressive third place in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic, followed by fourth in the Bassmaster Elite Series West Point Lake Battle. Overall during his Rookie year, Cherry placed in the money in six of the eight events on the Elite Series tour for 2013, a noteworthy feat even for a seasoned Elite pro.
“Rubbing elbows with the talented pros fishing the Elite Series has been surreal in many ways,” Cherry said. He’s been grateful for time spent with fellow Elite pros and friends like Gerald Swindle, Terry Scroggins and Britt Myers.
“There are lots of places we go where I have zero experience, so I’m lucky I can talk fishing with them,” Cherry said. “Being part of the Elite Series is real humbling. Special is a lackluster word. It’s been everything I imagined. I’ve watched most of these guys on TV, and I’m going to dinner with them and talking fishing with them — it’s pretty unreal.”
According to Cherry, this has been his “road to redemption” year. A third place at the Classic was not his objective. In addition to the Rookie of the Year title, he planned to win Angler of the Year and the Bassmaster Classic in 2013.
“I feel like I let myself and a lot of people down when I didn’t win the Classic,” Cherry said. “This year, it’s a different lake, but it’s still a three-day tournament, cold water, clear water and there may be a jerkbait bite going on. If all those come together in a perfect storm, I’m going to be tough to beat, I’m just excited to get back.”
While weather factors and the bass bite can’t be predicted, one thing is certain. Cherry will have the lucky hat with him on Lake Guntersville because, “It never leaves the boat.”
When he’s home, Cherry enjoys taking his 3 1/2-year-old son, Christian, fishing, a sport he learned from his great grandmother and his father.
“When I got old enough to cast, I took a lot of trips to Lake Wiley,” Cherry said. “One day, I caught two 7-pounders on back-to-back casts, and I was hooked after that.”
That early start led to tournament fishing , in which he excelled.
“One day, I sat down with my wife to talk about fishing (Bassmaster) Opens,” said Cherry, who was working as a liquor brand manager for a distributing company. “We looked at the schedules, and they were decent and not too expensive. I said, ‘Let’s give it a couple of years and see what happens.’”
After two years of fishing the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Opens Series, Cherry prepared for the October 2012 Smith Lake Opens tournament, the third and final event of his second season.
“When I left for Smith Lake, I said, ‘If I qualify, this is it. If not, I come home.’ Then I won by 1 ounce,” Cherry said.
Not only did he earn enough points to qualify for the Elite Series, but the win also ensured a berth in the Classic.
He’s open about his faith, which tells him he’s chosen the right path, not only for himself but for his wife, Jaclyn, his baby daughter, Bella Grace, and his son.
“It wasn’t too long ago that I was baptized,” Cherry said. “It put me at peace. I’ve learned there’s a time and place for everything, and everything is possible in God’s time. I’m true to my family and true to my faith. You choose your own path. God gives us all the groundwork. It’s up to us to make sure we walk the right path and choose the right direction.”
With his designation as ROY, Cherry earned an instant-in for Toyota All-Star Week and Evan Williams Bourbon Championship. The competition, which will showcase the talents of 14 Elite anglers, will take place Sept. 27-29 on Michigan’s Muskegon Lake.
The postseason is one last Bassmaster tournament for the year, but for Cherry, his leap of faith in becoming a bass fishing pro is always on his mind.
“Every day, I wake and tell myself, it’s happening,” Cherry said. “I’m doing it.”
Sportsman's Warehouse Labor Day Weekend Report and Preview!
With Labor Day weekend coming up this weekend, we take a look at some hot baits to throw RIGHT NOW with SW Fishing Manager Craig Baird. Open all day this Monday as well as online 24/7 at Sportsman's Warehouse.com!
