South Carolina BFL Lake Wylie Weigh-in Highlights with Rob Digh and Michael Murphy
AC Pro Staffer Rob Digh as well as FLW Tour Pro Michael Murphy drop by after weighing in 11 Lbs each at Saturdays BFL on Lake Wylie. As you will hear each angler say, catching fish is not the problem on Wylie at all, just getting that quality bite to get over the top is the key!
Howell Hangs On to Win Open on James River
Along the way, he did his best to keep the local economy rolling. The nearby gas stations were certainly happy, as he drove his boat 40-plus miles to the top of the distant Chickahominy River tributary each day, as did many others. Once there, he caught 80 percent of his bass on a wacky rigged Yamamoto Senko soft stickworm. Unfortunately, he ran out of the lures mid-event and had to spend $100 at a local tackle store to restock.
Ultimately, though, it paid off when he weighed in three consecutive limits of more than 15 pounds, totaling 47-11 and beating runner-up Mike Hicks by 6 pounds, 1 ounce. Most significantly, as long as Howell fishes the remaining two Northern Opens scheduled for this year, he will have clinched a spot in next February’s Bassmaster Classic at Lake Guntersville, in his adopted home state of Alabama.
Howell also won a prize package that included cash and a Nitro Z9 powered by a Mercury 225 Pro XS outboard, packaged with a tandem axle trailer, Minn Kota Maxxum 80 trolling motor and Lowrance HDS-7 electronics.
While Howell receives his mail in Alabama, this week he proved that you can go home again. He won within approximately a hundred miles of where he grew up, fishing familiar waters, in front of many members of his family. Indeed, even though the crowd for the final weigh-in at the Ashland, Va., Bass Pro Shops was large, it seemed that just about every other one of them was somehow related to the champ.
He caught most of his bass close to the Walker Dam, separating the upper end of the Chickahominy River from Chickahominy Lake.
“That first day, my partner was throwing a Senko wacky style and I was throwing one on a drop shot,” Howell said. “When he caught a nice one behind me, I changed to a wacky rig, and that’s when I started catching better fish. Over the next couple of days, I fine-tuned my presentation, cut my weight down, and when I caught two 5-pounders back to back, I figured out the spot had the potential to win the tournament.”
This marks Howell’s first Bassmaster victory since April 2004, when he won a reduced-field Elite 50 tournament on Lake Dardanelle in Arkansas. Since then, there have been several times that he’s led after a day or two of competition, but he’s never been able to close the deal. Last year, he led an Elite Series tournament at New York’s Oneida Lake after two days, but only weighed in four fish the last day and fell to Boyd Duckett by 6 ounces. Today, he had two fish over 4 pounds early in the morning, but when the bite slowed, he trusted his instincts in a way he had not at Oneida and it paid off.
“At Oneida I had a gut feeling at 12 o’clock and I talked myself out of it,” he said. “I finally went there with 45 minutes left to go and caught some fish, but it was too late. I feel like if I had gone there when I first thought about it, I’d have won. Today I felt like I had to run back to a spot within a mile or two of the ramp, so I did it, and I culled two times. In the end, I didn’t need it, but I feel good about it and hope that momentum will stay with me the rest of the year.”
After Thursday’s storms and Friday’s windy conditions, today there were bluebird skies and barely a lick of wind. That shut down the fishing for many of the remaining anglers. After multiple 16-pound bags were weighed in on Friday, no one other than Howell had more than 12-9 today.
Former tour-level pro Mike Hicks started the day in second place and held that position at the end of the day, although Howell’s big catch widened their gap. He weighed in three limits of Chickahominy River bass that totaled 41-10 to start off the Northern Opens in grand style.
He fished several creeks in the middle section of the Chickahominy, primarily with a black-and-blue Lil’ Hustler Swim Jig and a black Lobina Lures Rico. The key was his local understanding of the tides.
“This is my old stomping grounds, and I know that the low tide concentrates the fish,” he said. “When the tide would get low, I’d fish up around channel swings up against the bank. The bigger fish were up against wood.”
He certainly wanted to qualify for the Classic, as his father did years ago, but claimed he was satisfied with his result.
“To get beat by Randy Howell, the most professional pro on the Elite Series circuit, it’s hard to have bad sentiment about that,” he stated.
Mike Iaconelli, who finished in the Top 12 here in 2011, once again demonstrated his exceptional understanding of tidal water, finishing third with 41-4. He claimed that he lost one or two fish each day that would have made a difference.
“I fished at 90 percent each day,” he said. “At this level, you can’t do that. That’s the game.”
Local Kelly Pratt, who won here in 2011 and finished fourth last year, once again finished fourth. The biggest final day move came from New Jersey’s Pete Gluszek, who jumped from 12th to 6th on the strength of his 12-9 limit.
Nick Leonard of Cincinnati, Ohio, brought in a three-bass limit that weighed 5-13 to climb from second into first in the co-angler division. He credited pro partners Gluszek, Fletcher Shryock and Brandon Palaniuk, as well as an ability to adapt to the conditions, for his victory.
“I just tried to stay consistent,” he said. “I didn’t miss any fish all week, and I used different baits each day. I caught them on a topwater the first day, flipping the second day, and today I just went junk fishing. I caught most of them today on a Senko.”
Leonard will take home a Triton 17 Pro, powered by a Yamaha F115LA and equipped with a single axle trailer, MotorGuide trolling motor, Lowrance HDS-5 Gen 2 electronics and a Tempest propeller.
The Carhartt Big Bass award of $500 for the largest single bass caught at the tournament was awarded to Tracy Adams of North Carolina on the pro side for the 6-13 largemouth he caught on Day 2. Phillip Adams of Virginia won the award on the co-angler side with a 6-1 bass, also caught on Day 2.
The Luck-E-Strike Heavyweight Award on the pro side, consisting of a $250 Bass Pro Shops gift card, will be split among Howell, Hicks and Greg Cooper, each of whom caught a limit that weighed 16-12 on Day 2. On the co-angler side, Kelly Robinette will have the gift card all to himself. He caught three fish that weighed 10-3 on the first day of competition, and that held up as the biggest co-angler bag over the next two days.
The Livingston Lures Leader award of $250 was presented to Randy Howell for leading the pro side after Day 2 of competition. Cody Andrews of North Carolina won the corresponding honor on the co-angler side and received a Livingston Lures gift pack valued at $250.
Standings:
1. Randy Howell Springville, AL 15 47-11 170 $47,586.00
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 16-12 Day 3: 5 15-04
2. Mike Hicks Goochland, VA 15 41-10 169 $17,310.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 16-12 Day 3: 5 10-07
3. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 15 41-04 168 $12,920.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 14-10 Day 3: 5 12-03
4. Kelly Pratt Williamsburg, VA 15 40-04 167 $11,560.00
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 13-01 Day 3: 5 11-12
5. Wayne Vaughan Chester, VA 15 39-01 166 $10,087.00
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 5 13-11 Day 3: 5 09-05
6. Pete Gluszek Mount Laurel, NJ 15 38-12 165 $8,613.00
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 15-03 Day 3: 5 12-09
7. Jim Dillard West Monroe, LA 15 38-00 164 $7,253.00
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 15-07 Day 3: 5 09-10
8. Tracy Adams Wilkesboro, NC 15 36-15 163 $6,280.00
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 15-13 Day 3: 5 08-14
9. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 15 36-04 162 $4,307.00
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 15-13 Day 3: 5 08-14
10. Steven Colgin Lanexa, VA 15 35-13 161 $3,967.00
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 15-00 Day 3: 5 08-04
11. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 15 35-09 160 $3,627.00
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 13-08 Day 3: 5 08-14
12. Greg Cooper Yorktown, VA 13 31-04 159 $3,483.00
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 16-12 Day 3: 3 03-14
CARHARTT BIG BASS
Tracy Adams Wilkesboro, NC 06-13 $500.00
HEAVYWEIGHT OF TOURN
Mike Hicks Goochland, VA 16-12 $83.33
Randy Howell Springville, AL 16-12 $83.33
Greg Cooper Yorktown, VA 16-12 $83.33
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Nick Leonard Cincinnati, OH 9 22-12 170 $25,000.00
Day 1: 3 09-00 Day 2: 3 07-15 Day 3: 3 05-13
2. Cody Andrews Elkin, NC 9 21-10 169 $5,553.00
Day 1: 3 09-01 Day 2: 3 09-02 Day 3: 3 03-07
3. Kelly Robinette South Chesterfield, VA 9 20-13 168 $4,443.00
Day 1: 3 10-03 Day 2: 3 06-01 Day 3: 3 04-09
4. Clay Lewis Sandston, VA 9 20-04 167 $2,833.00
Day 1: 3 08-04 Day 2: 3 07-00 Day 3: 3 05-00
5. Jason Skipworth Rising Sun, IN 8 19-06 166 $2,607.00
Day 1: 3 07-07 Day 2: 3 09-05 Day 3: 2 02-10
6. Billy Dehart Burlingame, CA 9 19-02 165 $2,493.00
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 3 07-14 Day 3: 3 05-07
7. Dave Davenport Milford, OH 9 18-09 164 $2,380.00
Day 1: 3 07-10 Day 2: 3 05-07 Day 3: 3 05-08
8. Donnie Bowman Quinton, VA 9 18-05 163 $2,267.00
Day 1: 3 04-00 Day 2: 3 09-08 Day 3: 3 04-13
9. David Chamberlain Trenton, NJ 7 16-05 162 $2,153.00
Day 1: 3 06-15 Day 2: 3 07-12 Day 3: 1 01-10
10. Christopher Cline Stafford, VA 7 15-15 161 $1,927.00
Day 1: 3 04-13 Day 2: 3 10-01 Day 3: 1 01-01
11. Brandon Hill Mechanicsville, VA 8 15-13 160 $1,700.00
Day 1: 3 06-10 Day 2: 3 06-07 Day 3: 2 02-12
12. Mark Brannock Chester, VA 7 15-01 159 $1,587.00
Day 1: 3 06-09 Day 2: 3 06-08 Day 3: 1 02-00
CARHARTT BIG BASS
Phillip Adams Chesterfield, VA 06-01 $500.00
HEAVYWEIGHT OF TOURN
Kelly Robinette South Chesterfield, VA10-03 $250.00
Leading Points, Clemson Student Seeks Win In Sc Bfl On Lake Wylie
Derrick Compton of Columbus, N.C., won the May 11 South Carolina Division event on Clarks Hill Lake with 17 pounds, 12 ounces
Ross Burns would love to be helping his teammates on the Clemson University Fishing Team win some tournaments, but he just doesn't have the time because he is tearing up some other tournament trails on his own.
The mechanical engineering major is leading the points in the Walmart BFL South Carolina Division heading into the fourth tournament of the series Saturday on Lake Wylie, ahead of veterans Greg Rikard of Leesville by 16 points and 2011 points champion Eddie Herlong of Prosperity by 27 points.
He sits atop the standings thanks to three top 10 finishes – 2nd at lake Murray March 2, 9th at Santee Cooper April 13 and 3rd at Clarks Hill May 11.
“At Lake Murray, I lived on the lake my entire life, so my local knowledge helped me. I had caught fish on the same points for five weeks straight in multiple tournaments. They just kept replenishing,” he said.
“At Santee I could not blast off with the field because I had to wait on my co-angler. I had found fish in the lower lake on Thursday and when I went back on Friday there were guys in several jonboats were catching fish there and putting them in their coolers. I went back on Saturday anyway and some new fish had moved up.”
Burns said he had fished the Carolina Bass Challenge tournament on Clarks Hill the week before the BFL with a friend who showed him some points holding quality fish.
“I caught all my fish on the third point I stopped on, almost on back-to-back casts,” he said.
Burns said he had not had time to pre-fish Lake Wylie but he anticipates the bass will be on bream beds.
“It will be a classic shallow vs. deep bite on Lake Wylie,” he said. “The bream will be spawning and the bass will be chasing bream on the beds. If the fish are not there I will pull out on the ledges and catch them on deep diving crankbaits and spoons.”
Burns is optimistic about his chances, even though he has not finished well on Lake Wylie in BFL tournaments in the past.
“Two years ago my co-angler knocked two 4-pounders off with the net. I'd like to win one. I've been a bridesmaid a few times.”
Walmart BFL - South Carolina Division
Sat, Jun 15, 2013
Lake Wylie
Buster Boyd Access Area
Registration Underway For Bienville Plantation's Big Bass Blast!!!
America’s #1 private largemouth bass fishing resort, Bienville Plantation, is proud to announce its inaugural Big Bass Blast team tournament series.
With a total payout of $235,000* this points-based series will feature 6 separate tournaments, with payouts up to $24,000* apiece, and culminate with the Bienville Classic that boasts a total payout up to $63,000* with a guaranteed minimum of $25,000.00.
At conclusion of the regular season, the top 20 teams qualify for the Bienville Classic. Up to 10 wild card teams will also fish the Classic – 5 teams via the Wildcard Fish Off and 5 more via the loyalty incentive drawing.
We’ve expanded Lake Bienville to include 3 more of our premier lakes for a total of over 1,000 acres and more than 1,100 miles of fishable shoreline! We want you to get to know this dynamic new fishery so we have included, for the first time ever, one pre-fish day per tournament free with your entry fee. That’s an extra day of fishing in a very special place, free of charge.
The entry fee, $450 per team, per tournament, includes Big Fish and 2nd Big Fish side pots, as well as all resident and out of state fishing licenses.
Tournament registration begins on June 6, 2013. Teams that pre-pay for all 6 tournaments in advance will receive a 10% ($270) savings. Boat numbers will be assigned based on order of registration.
After the 6th tournament, teams ranked 21st through 50th will be invited to fish the Wildcard Fish Off. The top 5 finishers will earn a berth into the Classic.
AND . . . any teams that enter all 6 tournaments will be entered into the loyalty incentive drawing, whereby 5 teams will be invited to fish the Bienville Classic!
Want the ultimate bass fishing experience? Ask about Tournament Package deals which include lodging, boat storage and all meals plus exclusive access to pre-fish Lake Bienville on Friday prior to the tournament. Availability is limited to 25 teams so call now to take advantage of Tournament Package deals.
Tournaments will be held the final Saturday of each month, so the first event is on Saturday June 29th.
email [email protected] or call 386-397-1989
*based on full fields of 120 boats
Funeral Details For Aaron Hall
AnglersChannel.com reported yesterday about the passing of FLW's Aaron Hall. Following are the funeral arrangements:
Visitation for Aaron Hall will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 14 at the Kirby & Family Funeral Home Chapel in Bull Shoals, AR. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 15 at 11 a.m. at the Bull Shoals-White River State Park Lake Pavilion in Lakeview, AR. Burial will be at the Fairview Cemetery in Fairview, AR.
Aaron passed away June 11 in Gassville, AR at the age of 66. He is survived by his two sons, Kenneth Hall and Aaron Hall; fiancée, Kathy Holland; brother, Ron Hall; and three grandchildren, Shelton Rosner, Owen Hall and Eli Hall.
Memorials in Aaron’s honor may be made to the American Cancer Society.
An obituary and guestbook will be posted at www.kirbyandfamily.com.
Thank you for keeping Aaron’s family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Kathy Fennel
President, Operations
Trish Blake
President, Marketing
'old Warhorse' Will Take On A Muddy James River In Bassmaster Northern Open
Former Bassmaster Classic Champion Woo Daves
Woo Daves of Spring Grove, Va., has achieved true “old warhorse” status in the annals of competitive bass fishing. A “warhorse,” by definition is “a veteran, as a soldier or politician, of many struggles and conflicts.”
And Daves has been there from the earliest days of professional bass fishing to the present. His entry in the Bassmaster Northern Open this week on the James River, just a few miles from his home, marks the 40th year Daves has been a regular in B.A.S.S. tournaments.
It was exactly four decades ago that he fished his first major Bassmaster event, the 1973 B.A.S.S. Chapter Championship on Pickwick Lake, June 13-14-15, the same dates as the 2013 Bassmaster Northern Open this week. He finished 13th with 15.9 pounds in the 1973 championship.
Daves is one of the few anglers from the early days of B.A.S.S. still fishing Bassmaster events. His career includes 34 top 10 finishes, with five major wins, 17 Bassmaster Classic appearances, and the Classic Championship on Lake Michigan in 2002.
He owns an outstanding record on the James, just in B.A.S.S. events – top 5s in five major Bassmaster tournaments. His record includes: 1983 Virginia Invitational, 5th place; 1988 Bassmaster Classic, 2nd; 1989 Bassmaster Classic, 5th; 1990 Bassmaster Classic, 4th; and he finished 3rd in the Bass Pro Shops Northern Open on the James in June of last year.
Daves said he was looking forward to a return to his home water where he has an outstanding tournament record, but the rains spawned by Tropical Storm Andrea that blew up the East Coast earlier this week has flooded the James River and its tributaries.
“There has been a lot of flooding, so I don't know what to expect,” he said. “Every place I fished last year is really muddy and I don't have the experience on the river that I had 15-20 years ago when I fished it a lot.”
“When you fish bass tournaments a lot, you don't ever get to fish at home, and I do a lot of saltwater fishing and a lot of rabbit hunting when I am here,” he said.
The muddy water is unfortunate, because the river had the potential to produce record weights for the tournament, Daves said.
“The river has made a great comeback, but with this weather I don't think it's going to show itself like it could. The tournament weights this year have been better than they have ever been since I've been here. A lot of 7-pound and 8-pound bass have been weighed in and that's almost unheard of. In the past you might bring in one 7-pounder in a tournament, but they have been bringing in four and five 7-pounders in a tournament. So the fish are out there.”
Daves said in the last five or six tournaments it took an average of 25 pounds or more for a five-fish limit to win.
“I know of two tournaments that had four over 7 pounds weighed in. So there are a lot of quality fish out there and I was really looking forward to fishing it,” he said.
While Daves believes the catch will be less than hoped for because of the flooding and muddy water, he also expects some of the anglers to find quality bass.
“Whoever finds a little clear water will do good,” he said. “Somebody will catch fish.”
In 2002 high winds on Lake Michigan kept most of the anglers in the Bassmaster Classic away from their prime fishing locations, so they either battled winds and waves to try to fish spots in Lake Michigan where they had located fish, or retreated to the calmer backwaters where industrial pollution had heavily impacted the bass populations.
But Daves did neither. He merely idled his bass boat out to the seawall that protected the marina near downtown Chicago and caught the fish he needed to win without ever putting his boat on plane.
When you are an “old warhorse” experience counts. And Daves has the experience to find fish in all conditions.
Bassmaster Northern Open
Jun 13-15, 2013
James River
Clough, Corkran Retire, Stewart To Lead B.a.s.s. Nation
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Two leaders of B.A.S.S.’s grass-roots membership and conservation programs today announced plans to retire from their positions.
Noreen Clough of Clermont, Fla., a former Southeast regional director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will retire from her position as B.A.S.S. national conservation director on Aug. 9. She has held the post for seven years.
Don Corkran, a 20-year employee of B.A.S.S. who served most of that time as national director of the B.A.S.S. Nation, will retire July 8.
Corkran will be replaced by Jon Stewart, currently senior manager of the B.A.S.S. Nation. Stewart, who oversees tournament operations for the B.A.S.S. Nation team, is a past president of the Kansas B.A.S.S. Nation. A search is under way for Clough’s successor.
Clough has spent more than 36 years in natural resource conservation, including chief of natural resources for the National Wildlife Refuge System and deputy assistant director for fisheries in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as well as that agency’s southeast regional director.
“My best years have been those at B.A.S.S. as conservation director,” she said in a statement. “It’s been rewarding to see the B.A.S.S. Nation Conservation program grow and deliver amazing on-the-ground conservation and angler benefits.” In addition to coordinating the efforts of B.A.S.S. Nation conservation volunteers in 47 states, Clough has served on numerous national boards involved in fisheries conservation. She will remain a board member of Friends of Fisheries, a volunteer organization supporting the USFWS Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation program.
Corkran, a Vietnam War veteran with 22 years of service as a Command Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army, joined the B.A.S.S. tournament staff shortly after retiring from active duty. He served more than 17 years as B.A.S.S. Nation director. During that time, he led the grass-roots organization in its largest growth cycle, when it nearly doubled in size. He has also been involved in the expansion of competitive fishing programs for high school students and other youngsters as well as the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series.
“I’m proud to have served as director during these efforts,” Corkran said, “and I’m confident that the B.A.S.S. Nation — although not as large as it was a decade ago — is stronger now than at any time in its history.”
“Our organization and the sport of bass fishing will miss the leadership of Noreen and Don,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “We are grateful not only for their innumerable accomplishments on behalf of bass fishing, but also for their service to our nation during their previous careers. We wish them well in their retirement.”
Abernethy; Nc Federation Team Runners-Up At Southern Divisional
The North Carolina Team turned in a strong performance at the recent Southern Division TBF event on Kentucky/Barkley Lakes, eventually finishing 2nd to the state team from Alabama after leading Day 1 of the 2-day tourney.
A big AnglersChannel thanks to Gary Abernethy for his report following the tournament. Gary caught his fish flippin’ in the Tennessee portion of Lake Barkley. He made long runs and fished for big bass – that’s two gutsy decisions that made the difference and got Gary qualified as a boater to the TBF Nationals (site & date TBD).
“I lead the event on Day 1 and Day 2, and I had big bag and big fish on Day 1 with 15.0 on Day 1 and 15.5 on Day 2. I caught a limit on day 3 for 10.7, but ended up coming in second by about 12 oz.,” said Gary.
He continued, “I never got anything going in practice cranking. In the event, I caught every single fish on one bait, a 1/2 oz. jig that I fished in and around flooded bushes. I was catching 20-35 fish a day, but getting the 15" minimum size was difficult for most anglers. I got fortunate a caught a 4. 13 oz. fish each of the first two tournament days which obviously helped a lot.”
About his long boat ride, “I was going about 110 miles round trip on the boat each day to the fishing spots, so that part was pretty bad. Check out the engine cowl after 300+ miles of bugs!”
The gamble and the burnt gas paid off for Gary as he nearly led the NC team to a title. Good job guys!
Justin Wood And Danny Jimmerson Win The Lee King Memorial On Eufaula-Full Results Here!
2013 Lee King Champs Dustin Wood and Danny Jimmerson hold up their 21.43 Lb Winning Stringer
| Place | Team | Boat# | #Fish | #Alive | Gross Wgt. | Penalty | Big Fish | Total Wgt. |
| 1 | Dustin Wood - Danny Jimmerson | 92 | 5 | 5 | 21.43 | 4.96 | 21.43 | |
| 2 | Scott Montgomery - Billy Darby | 61 | 5 | 5 | 19.93 | 19.93 | ||
| 3 | Paul Aul - Jeff Aul | 93 | 5 | 5 | 19.42 | 19.42 | ||
| 4 | Jason Smith - Rodger Beaver | 134 | 5 | 5 | 19.23 | 5.32 | 19.23 | |
| 5 | Randy Snipes - Pam Snipes | 97 | 5 | 5 | 18.75 | 5.12 | 18.75 | |
| 6 | Ronnie Ray - Alton Stillwell | 67 | 5 | 5 | 18.39 | 4.55 | 18.39 | |
| 7 | David Buchanan - Joseph Buchanan | 129 | 5 | 4 | 18.38 | 0.2 | 6.73 | 18.18 |
| 8 | Floyd Mitchell - Buster Slocumb | 104 | 5 | 5 | 18.05 | 18.05 | ||
| 9 | John Lee - Mark Stillwell | 116 | 5 | 5 | 18.01 | 18.01 | ||
| 10 | Tom Pierce - Mike Pierce | 89 | 5 | 5 | 17.38 | 17.38 | ||
| 11 | Steve Graziano - Rich Warren | 102 | 5 | 5 | 16.98 | 16.98 | ||
| 12 | Mike Cavendar - Jeff Cook | 107 | 5 | 5 | 16.16 | 4.9 | 16.16 | |
| 13 | Jeff Lee - Duane Mock | 91 | 5 | 5 | 16.16 | 16.16 | ||
| 14 | Michael Kierce - Mike Kierce | 105 | 5 | 4 | 15.95 | 0.2 | 15.75 | |
| 15 | Gary Everett - Jason Beasley | 37 | 5 | 5 | 15.38 | 15.38 | ||
| 16 | David Thrasher - Tanner Little | 8 | 5 | 5 | 15.30 | 5.69 | 15.30 | |
| 17 | Ken Blalock - Grant Black | 106 | 5 | 5 | 14.38 | 14.38 | ||
| 18 | Robert Stewart - John Adams | 125 | 5 | 5 | 14.26 | 14.26 | ||
| 19 | Charlie Stevenson - Phil King | 58 | 5 | 5 | 13.96 | 13.96 | ||
| 20 | Ed Wilkerson - Charles Hollister | 31 | 5 | 5 | 13.79 | 13.79 | ||
| 21 | Bryan Brown - Ken Bush | 38 | 5 | 5 | 13.65 | 13.65 | ||
| 22 | Tim Williams - Wes Williams | 95 | 5 | 5 | 12.53 | 12.53 | ||
| 23 | Jay Grogan - William Futch | 126 | 5 | 5 | 12.30 | 12.30 | ||
| 24 | Vince Culpepper - | 3 | 5 | 5 | 12.27 | 12.27 | ||
| 25 | Jimmy Wood - Ken Jones | 43 | 4 | 4 | 12.11 | 12.11 | ||
| 26 | Russ Hazelton - | 94 | 5 | 5 | 11.99 | 11.99 | ||
| 27 | Adam Byrd - Tyler Morgan | 136 | 5 | 5 | 11.75 | 11.75 | ||
| 28 | John Wayne Robinson - | 29 | 5 | 4 | 11.81 | 0.2 | 11.61 | |
| 29 | Jeff Morgan - Bill Cook | 137 | 5 | 5 | 11.19 | 11.19 | ||
| 30 | Bo Talley - Wade Siek | 7 | 5 | 5 | 10.93 | 10.93 | ||
| 31 | Jason Jones - Slade Jones | 108 | 4 | 4 | 10.80 | 10.80 | ||
| 32 | Russ Mott - David Vowell | 52 | 5 | 1 | 11.57 | 0.8 | 10.77 | |
| 33 | Scott Oliver - Scotty Sanders | 113 | 5 | 5 | 10.72 | 10.72 | ||
| 34 | Mike Brown - Mark Jones | 47 | 5 | 4 | 10.90 | 0.2 | 10.70 | |
| 35 | Michael McDowell - Gene McDowell | 100 | 3 | 2 | 10.68 | 0.2 | 10.48 | |
| 36 | Rob Haynie - Tom Wierzbicki | 127 | 5 | 5 | 10.24 | 10.24 | ||
| 37 | Kevin Revay - Darrell Ballard | 70 | 3 | 3 | 10.12 | 5.95 | 10.12 | |
| 38 | Dale Mask - Rick Carlton | 57 | 5 | 5 | 9.78 | 9.78 | ||
| 39 | Larry McDonald - Donnie Ammons | 26 | 4 | 4 | 9.72 | 9.72 | ||
| 40 | Les Bratcher - Stan Simms | 32 | 4 | 4 | 9.28 | 9.28 | ||
| 41 | Pate Flournoy - Cody Flournoy | 109 | 4 | 4 | 9.18 | 9.18 | ||
| 42 | Raymond George - Tarry Knowles | 55 | 4 | 4 | 8.80 | 8.80 | ||
| 43 | Heath Greene - Ethan Greene | 111 | 3 | 1 | 9.16 | 0.4 | 8.76 | |
| 44 | Steven Pry - Danny Pry | 28 | 3 | 2 | 8.94 | 0.2 | 8.74 | |
| 45 | Ken Greene - | 12 | 4 | 4 | 8.61 | 8.61 | ||
| 46 | Jason Waddell - Stephen McCord | 139 | 5 | 5 | 8.59 | 8.59 | ||
| 47 | Jeremy Davis - Brooks Davis | 75 | 3 | 3 | 8.47 | 8.47 | ||
| 48 | Todd Culpepper - | 4 | 5 | 5 | 8.40 | 8.40 | ||
| 48 | Jeremy Hall - J.C. Hall | 51 | 4 | 3 | 8.60 | 0.2 | 8.40 | |
| 50 | Johnny Holloway - Rodney Hollow | 19 | 2 | 2 | 8.22 | 5.85 | 8.22 | |
| 51 | Shane Durrance - Phillip Durran | 124 | 5 | 4 | 8.33 | 0.2 | 8.13 | |
| 52 | Mike Crawford - Ryan Crawford | 23 | 3 | 3 | 8.00 | 8.00 | ||
| 53 | Travis Pugh - Dylan Pugh | 78 | 4 | 4 | 7.75 | 7.75 | ||
| 54 | Scott Boutwell - Ronnie Boutwel | 90 | 3 | 3 | 7.74 | 7.74 | ||
| 55 | Dick Evans - | 9 | 3 | 3 | 7.73 | 7.73 | ||
| 56 | Sean Holland - Ethan Holland | 65 | 4 | 4 | 7.30 | 7.30 | ||
| 57 | Ken Stanfield - Leslie Stanfiel | 40 | 3 | 3 | 7.28 | 4.27 | 7.28 | |
| 58 | Dan Christ - | 110 | 3 | 3 | 7.09 | 7.09 | ||
| 59 | Joey Richardson - Brian Criswel | 101 | 4 | 3 | 7.10 | 0.2 | 6.90 | |
| 60 | Austin Lang - Bobby Lang | 44 | 2 | 2 | 6.23 | 6.23 | ||
| 61 | Gerry Klein - George Johnson | 121 | 2 | 2 | 6.13 | 6.13 | ||
| 62 | Ed Bulala - Armando Ortiz | 74 | 4 | 4 | 6.10 | 6.10 | ||
| 63 | Rufus Jordan - Steve Webb | 16 | 4 | 4 | 5.57 | 5.57 | ||
| 64 | Weston Culpepper - Chris Herrin | 72 | 2 | 2 | 5.44 | 5.44 | ||
| 65 | Rusty Champion - Darden Kirby | 22 | 3 | 3 | 5.27 | 5.27 | ||
| 66 | Mike Thigpen - Buck Thigpen | 36 | 4 | 4 | 5.16 | 5.16 | ||
| 67 | Harry Ligon - Luke Henson | 30 | 3 | 3 | 4.76 | 4.76 | ||
| 68 | Jim Brown - Kelly Brown | 128 | 4 | 4 | 3.57 | 3.57 | ||
| 69 | Clay Williams - Tray Mullis | 112 | 2 | 2 | 3.08 | 3.08 | ||
| 70 | Allan Wells - Ryan Wells | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Jack Tibbs - Skip Jackson | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | David Inman - Greg Tucker | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Rodney Ross - Douglas Chappel | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Greg Suggs - Norman Beach | 69 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Calvin Greene - Rusty Taylor | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Rufus Conine - Brad Kimbrough | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Mark Cameron - Jerry Lee Savage | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | David Morris - Bill Cobb | 46 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Oscar Graf - Heidi Graf | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Jason Ninas - Matt Shoemaker | 48 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Larry Turney - | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Jonathan Halbert - Jason Byrd | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | James Jones - | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Tom Newberry - Alan Spurlock | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Justin Marsh - Jeremy Hagler | 39 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Bobby Patterson - Jason Taylor | 41 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Durwood Henderson - Breny Jorda | 45 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Landon Jackson - Logan Hagler | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Sherman Gilmore - David Grant | 53 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Michael White - Eric White | 56 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Doyle Campbell - Justin Campbel | 59 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Darrell Kennington - Richard Ke | 60 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Bruce Donaldson - John Mc Crumm | 62 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Brandon Melton - Jeremy Johnson | 63 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Eddie Torres - David Herd | 64 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Steve Polk - Josh Walker | 66 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Steve Lipham - Milner Mitch | 68 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Jackie Hammond - Jim Heathcock | 71 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Marty Everson - Jeff Morey | 73 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Alton Shiver - Gary Niles | 76 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Scott Hollinhead - Tim English | 77 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Bill Vance - Jamie Fincher | 79 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Brian Provence - Bill Smith | 80 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Larry Blankenship - Taylor Blan | 81 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Eric Nichel - Joshua Cormier | 83 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Sam Kennedy - Ken Kraft | 84 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Joel Hughes - Dean Robertson | 85 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Don Reeves - Wayne Griffin | 86 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Chad Roberts - Jimmy Allred | 87 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Carlton Freeman - Caleb Freeman | 96 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Eric Bryan - Jimmy Nichols | 82 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Ryan Kizziah - Anthony Green | 88 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Broughton Jones - Jeremiah Fort | 98 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Frank Daniel - Robert Miggins | 99 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Don Thomas - Todd Sims | 103 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Dave Hall - Jason Sanders | 114 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Whit McCurly - Chris Wiley | 115 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Chris Jones - J.P. Champion | 117 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Brad Shiver - Richard Hurias | 118 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | David Parsons - Brian Woodham | 119 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Larry Bettison - Kszyminski Han | 120 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Steven Stewart - Johnny Creel | 122 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Terrell Kelley - Willaim Faison | 123 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Scott Flournoy - Gene Flournoy | 130 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Allen Lindsey - Robert Edmonson | 131 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | John Clegs - Greg Day | 132 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Shane Thrash - Taylor Terry | 133 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Lane Wright - Chris Clark | 135 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 70 | Jeff Hale - Lance Kirkland | 138 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Mcintosh & Mclean Win Wateree Catt With 25.54 Lbs!
Lake Wateree continues to churn out winning sacks at 25 lbs or better. This is the 10th tournament this year I think? In the past Wateree has been known to produce high double digit winning bags all year long and this year is shaping up to be one of those years.
Billy McIntosh and Rick McLean brought in 5 bass weighing 25.54 lbs and took place along with the BONUS $ at Wateree Saturday. They took home $950.00!
Chad Rabon and Walt Almond claimed 2nd place with another limit weighing 22.90 lbs. They received $350.00.
Steve and Cody Phillips finished 3rd with 5 bass weighing 22.23 lbs and had the 2nd BF at 6.59 lbs. They took home $306.00.
Donald Hinson and Peanut Hinson claimed 4th with another limit weighing 17.33 lbs. They collected $125.00.
Last money place of $100.00 went to Jimmy McFarland and Calvin Griggs with 5 bass weighing 16.12 lbs.
1st BF went to Bradford Beavers with a 6.61 lb bass good enough for $189.00.
Next Wateree CATT is June 22nd at Clearwater Cove Marina.
Brett Collins
Carolina Anglers Team Trail LLC
Christie Still In Control At Flw Tour On Grand Lake
photo courtesy Gary Mortenson/FLWOutdoors.com
As tournaments wear on, successful anglers refine their patterns and narrow the selection of rods on their boat deck. Yesterday Jason Christie said he had 3 productive patterns going. This evening he revealed that he is pretty much just going flipping up the lake tomorrow, as that has been the money deal anyway this week.
The Rayovac team pro from Park Hill, OK has now led all 3 days of the FLW Tour stop #5 on his home water, Grand Lake. With 17 pounds, 10 ounces today his sack was, once again, lighter than the previous day’s haul but enough to, yet again, widen his lead. With a 3-day total weight of 58-04 Christie now holds a three-and-a-half-pound lead over Barry Wilson of Birmingham, Ala.
Christie said he ran down lake and threw a crankbait today simply to get it out of his system so that he can concentrate solely on flipping bushes during Sunday’s final round.
Andy Morgan jumped into 3rd place. The likeable legend, Jimmy Houston climbed a notch into 4th. And Robbie Dodson is 5th.
Bryan Thrift, Jay Yelas, Zell Rowland, Stetson Blaylock and JT Kenney will start tomorrow in 6th-through-10th. 137 other pros have been eliminated.
All of the co-anglers are done. Keith Honeycutt of Temple, Texas took top honors with a total weight of 45-13.
Christie Continues To Lead Flw Tour On Grand Lake
photo by Gary Mortenson, courtesy of FLWOutdoors.com
Well after prompting the usual pre-tournament sandbagging from pros and possibly some actual placement of sandbags around the property of homeowners along the shores of Grand Lake, the waters have stabilized and begun to fall slightly. Some portions of the lake are very clear now. This calls for adaptability on the part of contestants in the FLW Tour tourney on the big Oklahoma impoundment this week.
Rayovac Pro Jason Christie is adaptable. He has ridden 3 entirely different patterns in 3 entirely different sections of the lake to build a lead on Day 1 and then expand that lead to nearly 3 pounds today midway through the 4-day event.
Christie has a total weight of 40 pounds, 10 ounces and said that he is mostly flipping but also throwing a spinnerbait. Also of note is the fact that he has strong spot off the bank where he is catching some key fish. As waters continue to recede that could be important this weekend.
His nearest competitor is Robbie Dodson of Arkansas who has a total weight of 37-14. Dodson is fishing shallow because his practice rounds turned up nothing special out deep. He’s burning a lot of gas and said that his bite count diminished from about 30 on Day 1 to 6 today.
Angling legend Zell Roland jumped from 9th to 3rd today. The Texan has a total weight of 36-6.
Carolina pro Todd Auten slipped a notch to 4th today but he’s happy with the way this event is unfolding. Auten is flipping at times and then mixing in a variety of moving lures to show the bass something different each time he passes a key stretch of water.
And talk about legends of the sport, Chevy Pro Jimmy Houston hung in the Top 5 with a 15-14 effort today. Coupled with his 20-pound sack on Day 1, Houston’s total now stands at 36-10.
While he’s throwing the usual Jimmy Houston lure lineup – spinnerbaits, jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and spinnerbaits, Houston noted that he caught a remarkable 7 keepers from one small bush today.
He caught many more, but none that approached that 5-pound mark anglers need in order to separate themselves at Grand this week.
Darrell Davis of Dover, Fla. found such a fish. His lunker weighed 6-3 and took big fish honors today.
Keith Honeycutt of Temple, Texas holds the co-angler lead with 30 pounds, 8 ounces heading into what will be the final day for those fishing from the back deck.
Great Video Of Bobbie Barrick And The Snag Proof Ish's Poppin Phattie!
Snag Proof has long been the leader in topwater Frog action, and this video does nothing to dispel that notion............Check it out and see WHY Snag Proof has been the leader for 50+ years!! Click the link below to see all the action!
After Saturday Lee King Tournament Will Become The Alabama Children's Classic Bass Tournament
2012 Lee King Benefit Buddy Tournament Champions - Jeff and Paul Aul
After a highly-successful 13-year run as the Lee King Benefit Tournament, which raised thousands of dollars to help fund research on Niemann-Pick disease, the popular tournament on Lake Eufaula has a new goal and will undergo a name change after Saturday's tournament.
After fighting an heroic battle with Niemann-Pick disease, a rare terminal degenerative disease for which there is no cure, Lee King, the young man who lent his name to the Lee King Buddy Benefit Tournament on Lake Eufaula, died in 2011 at the age of 20. Niemann-Pick is a genetic, cholesterol storage disorder that primarily strikes children, with death usually occurring before or during adolescence.
“From now on the tournament will be known as the Alabama Children's Classic Bass Tournament,” said Sam Williams, a local fishing guide who founded the Lee King Tournament. “The King Family wanted me to stop the tournament last year, but I told them the fishermen wanted to make it a memorial tournament.”
Williams said the King Family wanted Lee's name taken off the tournament while they were grieving. He asked them to give him a year to make the change.
“We researched many options and prayed a lot,” he said. “We have finalized a partnership with Children's of Alabama Hospital, which is the only free standing hospital in Alabama dedicated solely to caring for children.”
Children's of Alabama Hospital, located in Birmingham, treats all children, regardless of their family's ability to pay. In 2012, the hospital received more than 650,000 patient visits at its clinics and admitted nearly 14,000 for treatment.
To jump start the change to Children's of Alabama, Williams, who operates a tax-exempt organization to accept donations, is holding a raffle for a bull red inshore fishing trip in Destin, Fla., for three people. The winner of the drawing, plus two guests, will receive an expense-paid bay fishing trip with Capt. Daniel Pike, a television fishing show personality who operates the Inshore Angler® Fishing Guide Service in Destin. The trip includes a free two-night stay at Pelican Beach Resorts in Destin.
With the final Lee King tournament coming up Saturday, Williams said he has over 100 boats registered by mid-week, but a lot of local fishermen usually hold off until the last minute to enter.
“We know we will be over the 140-150 mark, but we are hoping to get 200 boats,” he said, adding that competitors should catch a lot of fish Saturday.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if it did not take between 18 and 24 pounds to win Saturday,” he said. “We had a benefit tournament for high school kids last weekend. It took 13 pounds to win and the fish were way off.”
The bite has been back and forth, he said, because the weather keeps changing and the water temperature is fluctuating
“We got out there one morning and the water temperature was 72-73 degrees. We got back to those same places in the afternoon and it was 82 to 84 degrees,” he said.
“The topwater bite is good early in the morning The guys who are working deep water will be catching them on heavy spinnerbaits, Ledgebusters, deep running crankbaits and Carolina rigs. Jig fishing is on fire right now. The crawfish are in the red stage and guys are finding them in their live wells and weigh-in sacks,” he said. “And the guys who know where the trash piles are will bring in some decent fish, too.”
Lee King Benefit Tournament
Sat, Jun 8, 2013
Lake Eufaula
Lakepoint Resort State Park
CALL POLLY WILLIAMS 334-687-6266
5-Pound-Plus Average May Be Needed To Win Chattanooga Bass Tournament Saturday
Bass fishing is so good on Chickamauga Lake right now that Justin Medley, tournament director for the Chattanooga Bass Association, said it will take 25 pounds, possibly more, to win the fifth CBA tournament of the year Saturday.
“It could take 30 pounds. We've seen several of those this year,” Medley said.
Although there is a topwater bite early in the morning, most of the recent tournaments have been won deep, he said.
“Most guys wait on the generators to get going and then fish deep in the afternoon,” Medley said.
“I expect Chris Coffey and Nick Pratt to have a good showing, but with that deep bite it could be anybody's game.”
Coffey and Pratt won the last CBA tournament and just won another tournament on the lake this past weekend, so they are on a roll right now, he noted.
“It's too early to pick out anybody as favorites in the points race, but Alan Dysart and Jamie Copenhaver have been fishing really consistent this spring,” Medley said. “If they can maintain the top five finishes they have been getting they will have a good shot at the title. They are really good fishermen – but so are a lot of other guys in this field.”
After four tournaments, Dysart and Copenhaver lead the second place team of Greg Lamb and Mark Heatherly by 35 points. Rick Camp and Jamie Hatcher are tied with Rogne Brown for third, just two points behind Lamb and Heatherly.
Things could change soon in the lake, which would give some of the other teams a summertime edge, he noted.
“The grass has just started growing and if it comes along like it should some of the grass fishing guys could move up and shake up the points race.”
First place in the CBA tournaments pays $2,000. Fishermen must fish seven of the regular season events to qualify for the classic at the end of the year. At the classic first place is guaranteed $10,000 guaranteed by TowBoatUS. Last year more than $60,000 in cash and prizes was awarded at the classic, Medley said.
The tournaments are family-friendly, he noted, with special divisions for adult-youth teams and new teams.
“Both the new and youth teams will compete against other new and youth teams. The youths in youth teams get to fish at half the entry fee and the highest finishing youth team in an event wins free entry into the following tournament The same applies to the new teams. The highest finishing new teams get free entry into the next event.”
The Chattanooga Bass Association requires a one-time $50 process feet for each participant who wants to receive points towards entry into the year-end classic and receive year-end prizes and new team prizes. The entry fee is $120 per boat for each tournament, $60 for a youth division team.
A youth division team must have one participant who is 16 years or younger at the time he purchases his process number. A new team is one that did not compete in more than one CBA open event during the 2012 season.
The Chattanooga Bass Association is a non-profit community service organization founded by community leaders in 1976. It was designed to offer a top quality open fishing circuit to Chattanooga and surrounding areas; while enhancing Chattanooga’s economic growth and recreational potential.
After Saturday's tournament the schedule includes June 22 (night), July 13, July 27 (night), August 10, August 24 (night), September 14 and October 12, with the Classic Nov. 2- 3.
Chattanooga Bass Association
Sat, Jun 8, 2013
Chickamauga Lake
Chester Frost Park
Call Justin Medley 423-667-5054
Floods Cause Cancellation Of Oakley Big Bass Quantum Big Bass Classic On Fort Gibson Lake
Heavy flooding has caused the cancellation of the Oakley Big Bass Quantum Big Bass Classic on Oklahoma's Fort Gibson Lake this weekend.
“The lake is 14 to 15 feet high and there are no ramps available at that water level,” said Mark Jones, who coordinates the Oakley Big Bass tournaments across the country. Jones said the flooding, caused by the recent severe weather across the Midwest, had caused Fort Gibson Lake to swell from it's normal 19,900 acres to 51,000 acres.
“All the parks and the boat ramps around the lake are underwater. We could not get on the lake if we wanted to,” he said.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which built the dam and controls the lake, reported the pool elevation at 569.70 feet and still rising on Wednesday. The Corps estimates the lake will rise to at least 571-572 feet by the weekend.
“We've already got a new date for the tournament and rescheduled it for Oct 26-27,” Jones said. “We've moved all the entrants forward and already notified everybody of the change in schedule.”
On the Oakley Big Bass website, Jones asked that anglers email and not call so a response can be made in writing.
“For those of you who qualified to received a free rod (anyone who registered on or before May 5th) you may still come to Bass Pro Shops Friday in Broken Arrow and pick up your rod.” the notice said. “We will be at the store from 12 to 7 p.m. If you can’t make it to the store you can pick up your rod prior to the event in October.
The new dates for Fort Gibson Lake will fall one month after the next tournament on the Oakley Big Bass schedule for this year, the Jason Williamson Big Bass Classic on South Carolina's Lake Murray Sept. 28-29.
OAKLEY BIG BASS TOUR - QUANTUM BIG BASS CLASSIC
Jun 8-9, 2013
Fort Gibson Lake
Call Mark Jones 214-605-4600
Christie Has A Lot Of Success On Grand Lake, Site Of Flw Tour Major
Jason Christie holds up a 6-pound, 8-ounce Beaver Lake largemouth. Photo by Brett Carlson / FLW Outdoors
Pro angler Jason Christie lives about 45 minutes from Grand Lake in Oklahoma, site of the FLW Tour Major June 6-9. and he has had excellent success on the lake in the past. Most recently Christie finished 7th in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic Feb. 22-24, weighing in 43.4 pounds to win $21,500.
But his history on the lake goes back a long way.
“I've spent a lot of time on the lake,” he said, “although I've not spent a lot of time recently on the lake other than the Classic earlier this year, and that was the last time I was on Grand Lake.”
That, he said, was the most time he had spent on Grand Lake in the last four or five years due to the constraints on his time, fishing both the FLW Tour Majors and the Bassmaster Elite Series. Over the years, however, he has fished a lot of tournaments on the lake.
“Back when I was fishing team tournaments Grand Lake had the most money to offer, so the was where I spent most of my time fishing.”
And, when he began fishing nationally organized tournament series, he forged a solid reputation on the lake, capturing 14 top 10s in BFL competition, including five first place finishes between 1999 and 2010.
In six years of fishing B.A.S.S. tournaments Christie has one win in Elite Series competition and two B.A.S.S. Open wins. In six years of fishing FLW competition, he has 10 top 10s in FLW Tour Majors, including two first place finishes, and one win in the Central EverStart Division.
“The only thing I have never done on Grand Lake this time of year, however, is fish a multi-day event. I've fished a lot of one-day events and done good, but never fished a 4-day event where you have to manage fish,” he said.
The FLW Tour Major next week should be a lot of fun to fish, he said, because the fish are in various stages.
“It sounds crazy, but there are some fish spawning. There will still be some fish out deep and there are going to be a lot of fish up shallow, so that's going to open it up to where you can do whatever you want to do.”
Christie said he will use his three practice days next week basically fine-tuning his shallow water strategy and then looking for some deep fish.
“I'll probably spend the first three-four or five hours each day trying to figure out how to catch them shallow and then later in the day try to find some places where the fish might be out deep,” he said. “I'm primarily a shallow-water fisherman, flipping and stuff like that, but I feel I am also pretty versatile. I've won tournaments the last three or four years doing just about everything,” he said.
“The lake is full of fish, one of the best in the country so it will be fun. Even though it is a big lake, it's a deep lake so it's going to fish small. You will see a lot of people fishing, but the good thing about it is there will still be a lot of fish.”
FLW Tour Major
Jun 6-9, 2013
Grand Lake
Wolf Creek Park
Boats Unlimited Nc Team Tournament Bass Trail Results - June 1, 2013 - Falls Lake
1st Place: Thomas Sheffer & Ken McNeill of Cary & Raleigh...5 bass...27.52 lbs
67 teams showed up for the 7th & final qualifying tournament of the 2013 Boats Unlimited NC Team Tournament Bass Trail. What a beautiful day we had and the the bite was on fire again at Falls! 67 degrees in the morning and about 87 in the afternoon with SSE 5-10 mph winds for most of the day.
Ken McNeill & Thomas Sheffer had the best of the eleven 20+ lb. bags taking 1st place honors with 5 bass weighing 27.52 lbs. They won the 1st place money and the BOATS UNLIMITED NC 1st place $1,000 bonus along with 2nd place Big Fish for a grand total of $2,681.
Scott Dunn & Stewart Adams won 2nd place (25.98 lbs.) pocketing $804. The team of David Hall & Dane Sallinger racked up some good pocket change with 4th place money of $482, 1st Place Big Fish & 1st Place TWT for a grand total of $2,491.
268 fish were weighed in for a whopping total weight of 875 pounds. At least 4 weighed over 7 lbs! Numerous bass weighing 5 to 6 lbs. were also weighed in and the fish were healthy! Most fish were caught from 2 to 20 feet of water on a variety of baits including crankbaits, top water, vertical jigs and plastics for the most part. Water temps averaged 84 degrees.
I want to thank all the anglers that participated and that support this trail.
Our next tournament will be the 2013 CBS QUALITY CARS TEAM BASS MINI TRAIL CHAMPIONSHIP,
June 8th at Shearon Harris out of Holleman's Crossing Wildlife Ramp.
All the information on our tournaments can be found at: www.piedmontbassclassics.com
Now here are the full results:
1st Place: Thomas Sheffer & Ken McNeill of Cary & Raleigh...5 bass...27.52 lbs...$2,285
2nd Place: Scott Dunn & Stewart Adams of Four Oaks...5 bass...25.98 lbs...$804
3rd Place: Williams Small & Lee Williams of Wake Forest & Durham...5 bass...24.98 lbs...$536
4th Place: David Hall & Dane Sallinger of Raleigh & Wake Forest...5 bass...24.80 lbs...$482
5th Place: Jaime Fajardo & Josh Hooks of Fuquay Varina & Apex...5 bass...24.73 lbs...$429
6th Place: Hal Abshire & Ethan Cox of Cameron & West End...5 bass...24.46 lbs...$375
7th Place: Mike Hodge & Tim Wall of Clayton...5 bass...21.89 lbs...$322
8th Place: Barry Spell & Bob Rogers of Durham...5 bass...21.36 lbs...$268
9th Place: Keith & Alden Patterson of Mebane...5 bass...20.73 lbs...$215
10th Place: Chuck Bolton & Steve Gardner of Seven Lakes & West End...5 bass...20.40 lbs...$215
11th Place: Dan Glosson & Phillips Eakes of Rougemont & Bahama...5 bass...20.13 lbs...$161
12 Place: Chase & Gary Johnson of Four Oakes...5 bass...19.38 lbs...$161
13th Place: Greg Riggs & George Pearce of Durham...5 bass...19.22 lbs...$107
2nd Place: Scott Dunn & Stewart Adams of Four Oaks...5 bass...25.98 lbs1st Place Big Fish..4th Place Team above...7.96 lbs...$924
2nd Place Big Fish..1st Place Team above...7.57 lbs...$396
1st Place TWT..4th Place Team above...24.80 lbs...$1,085
2nd Place TWT..5th Place Team above: 24.73 lbs...$465
For all our tournament information:
Phil McCarson ... Tournament Director
919-471-1571 or 919-971-5042
email: [email protected]
web: www.piedmontbassclassics.com
Sportsman's Warehouse June Report From Columbia, Sc!
Sportsman's Warehouse fishing manager CRAIG BAIRD joins us to talk TOPWATER ACTION, and lots of it around the region as lakes are as full or more full than ever! Click here to see all the top topwater baits that are flying off the shelf............
Sallee Combed Ledges With Strike King Crank Baits To Win Bfl On Kentucky/barkley Lakes
Spencer Wins Walmart Bfl Mountain Division On Barren River, May Wins Co-Angler Title
Jackie Reilly And Butch Drew Win The Ccb On High Rock With 18.3 Lbs And Take Home $10,000
Huge win for Jackie Reilly and Butch Drew Sat afternoon on the Rock.........they beat out 173 other teams for the hottly contested $10,000. THis ciircuit is simply on fire..........winners picture below and full results are attached
Tom Hebb And Ron Butler Win The Ac Marine Tt On Smith Mtn-Full Results Here!
Tom Hebb and Ron Butler hold on in a very tight tournament and pull out the win with just over 15 Lbs on Smith Mtn. THis is the time of year Smith Mtn has heavy weekend boat traffic as well as a deeper bite which brings the weights down somewhat. CLick on the attachment for full results and congrats to the champs!
Fishing Good On Eufaula Right Now Heading Into Lee King
Water Level 188.90 msl
Water Clarity Clear
Water Temperature 78early to 84 degrees afternoon
Bass Early top water bite is exciting, frog's and spinner baits are working. The shallow cover is producing fish at sunrise, better if shad are working. The pressure from the tournaments over the past month make working different baits and colors a must. Deep fish are being caught in 18 feet or less. Any type of cover or trash pile are holding a few fish per location. The fish are still scattered in this transition period. As the day's heat up, they will stack up more. Cranks, Jig and Ledgebuster spinner baits are the trick. Carolina Rigs do not need to be overlooked.
Bream are eating crickets and worms around the banks, near shore cover. May fly's are beginning to show up, this will start a feeding frenzy near the limbs hanging over the water where the may fly's are. The bream feeding on the fly's will attract the bass, making a hot spot for bream and bass fishermen.
Crappie are still biting minnows, more on the drops on creek and river ledges now. Some night fishermen are still catching fish around the bridge pilings and causeway.
Catfish are very active. Jug fishing had gotten very good. Cut bait is the deal. It is especially fun if you want to keep youngsters active on the water. Rig a hook on a bream buster, flatten the barb and lift the jugs with the pole. It is like fighting the fish on a regular pole and you will not lose as many as you do when hand lining.
The days get hat really quick on the water. Be sure and keep plenty of water and sun screen with you. Re apply the sun screen as you sweat during the day. Enjoy the time on the water, it is especially good for building family memories.
We are one week away from the Lee King Benefit Tournament. Visit www.leekingbenefit.org for details. Please join us for the fun, it's all for a good cause. You can also find out about our newest promotion, a six hour Bull Red fishing trip in Destin, Fla for three people plus a two night stay at Pelican Beach Resort in September. Almost $1200.00 value for a $5.00 chance.
God Bless & Good Fishn'
Capt. Sam
Capt. Sam Williams
www.hawksfishingguideservice.com
skype # sam.williams184
Hawkadvocare.com
334 355 5057
Pray for our heroic military and our nation
Milwaukee School Of Engineering Team Wins Carhartt Bassmaster College Tournament In Iowa
FORT MADISON, Iowa — Marshall Sandretto and Eric Logisz of the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) climbed from fourth place to claim the top prize in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Midwestern Regional Championship Thursday on Iowa’s Lake Sugema.
The teammates won on the strength of consistent daily limits weighing 8 pounds, 3 ounces on Wednesday and 9 pounds, 8 ounces Thursday for a two-day total of 17-11.
The Midwestern Regional was plagued by rough weather from the beginning, and the final weigh-in was delayed because of inclement weather. Changes began on the eve of the final practice day when, in the interest of angler safety, B.A.S.S. officials elected to move the event from the flooded Mississippi River to nearby Lake Sugema.
Another challenge to the collegiate anglers was a slot limit on the lake’s bass that prevents keeping fish between 12 and 18 inches. The young fishermen caught plenty of tiny, 10- to 12-inch bass, which they could weigh in, and lots of 12- to 18-inchers, which they could not. The rare 18-plus-inch fish, which they called “overs,” were game changers.
“We had two ‘overs’ each day,” said Logisz. “But those ‘unders’ put us up about a pound and a half or so.”
Anglers fought this slot all week, with many teams catching a limit of “slot fish” that would have added 10 to 12 pounds to their scores, but instead were able only to weigh in limits of five fish for 2 or 3 pounds. Some anglers tried to target only overs, but never reached a limit. Others tried to catch anything they could but fell short of qualifying without a quality bite.
It was MSOE’s Sandretto and Logisz who figured out the right combination of quantity and quality. Without their overs or unders they would have been unable to win the regional.
“Yesterday, we started off doing a bunch of stuff,” said Logisz. “We flipped and pitched a little bit, threw a spinnerbait and tried to get some reaction bites, but we couldn’t get anything going.”
The pair finally found cooperative fish when they began flipping green pumpkin beaver creature baits around real shallow trees on windy banks.
Day 2 was more of the same for the team from Milwaukee, with one exception. After only getting a few bites early, they decided the increased cloud cover called for a change in bait color.
“Marshall switched to a black-and-blue Texas rigged beaver, and that’s what we caught our big fish on,” said Logisz.
Catching numbers of fish wasn’t a problem for most anglers on Sugema this week, and it was no different for MSOE.
“We just went through a lot of fish,” said Sandretto. “We would catch shorts, then we’d catch fish in the slot, and then we would eventually catch a bigger one. It was just kind of random where the large ones were.”
MSOE sampled a few other baits and techniques but relied heavily on the flipping game with one common theme throughout their pattern: wind. With winds out of the south, the MSOE team members focused their efforts on the north shore of the lake, where they caught all of their fish this week.
In addition to their win, Sandretto and Logisz qualified for the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship, which will be held on Lake Chatuge, Aug. 1-3. They will be joined by second-place finishers, Jackson Grabeel and Joseph Reilly of Western Illinois University, along with the remainder of the Top 10 finishers from Lake Sugema.
Nick Carter and Leo Dedering of the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, brought in the Carhartt Big Bass Friday. It weighed 6-7 and earned the team a $500 Carhartt gift card.
Winning the tournament’s Livingston Lures Leader award of $500 in product for being in the lead on Day 2 were Marshall Sandretto and Eric Logisz of the Milwaukee School of Engineering
For a complete list of the final results, please click here.
Post Memorial Weekend Tournament Preview With Ac Pro Staffer Rob Digh
AC Pro Staffer Rob Digh breaks down the long line of BIG TOURNAMENTS coming your way in the next 2 to 3 weekends.........Payouts and weights will be BIG-as are Rob's insights as to what you should be looking for-Click here to watch!
K State Takes Lead In Bassmaster College Tourney
The size restriction, imposed to prevent overharvest of medium-size bass, confounded the anglers. Many reported catching plenty of bass within the slot, and it pained them to have to let the fish go. Most had to settle for small, 10- to 12-inch “keeper” bass, and the ones who boated more “overs,” or bass larger than 18 inches, dominated the top of the leader board.
On a day when one fish of that size outweighed a typical five-fish limit of “unders,” Ben Zuk and Ethan Dhuyvetter of Kansas State University brought in three “overs” and two smaller bass for an total of 11 pounds, 15 ounces and claimed the Day 1 lead. The Kansas State duo also weighed one of the larger fish of the day. Unfortunately, their excitement over the catch of a 5-pounder caused them to violate tournament rules prohibiting more than five bass in the boat at one time.
With five bass already in the live well, “We threw that big one in there, made a few casts — and then realized what we’d done,” Zuk said.
He and his partner called Bassmaster College Series Tournament Manager Hank Weldon to report the error. In accordance with the rules, Weldon docked the team 2 pounds and allowed them to release the smallest bass in the livewell. Their pre-penalty weight of the day would have been 13-15 — about 3 pounds more than the second-place team of Travis Wilson and Brian Lafferty of Western Illinois University, who had 10-12.
The story of the day, however, was the slot. Every team crossing the weigh-in stage mentioned catching numerous bass between 12 and 18 inches. Those unable to boat a fish longer than 18 inches had to settle for five-bass limits weighing between 2 and 3 pounds.
Even the leaders joined the chorus.
“We had two 17 3/4-inch bass that were pretty chunky,” Zuk said. “They would have looked good in the livewell.”
The team caught a total of 20 fish Wednesday, including seven in the 10- to 12-inch range. Two of those smaller bass filled their limit. A good day on Day 1 is no guarantee of what will happen Thursday.
“We could catch 20 pounds tomorrow, or we could blank,” said Zuk.
Another cumulative half inch today and Kansas State could have had 20 pounds. But three fewer casts and they would have had one of the five-fish limits for 2-8 that many other teams brought to the scales. The Kansas State anglers aren’t ready to disclose all of their secrets, but hard work was the key.
“We weren’t having much luck this morning,” said Dhuyvetter. “We found an area that looked good, got a few 18-inch bites, and that’s where we’re at.”
“We just put our heads down and went fishing,” said Zuk.
The top team members admitted to having figured out something that helped them get a few quality bites. Without disclosing details, they said their fishing method was more important than the lures they used.
The second-place finishers Wednesday were Western Illinois University team members Wilson and Lafferty, who hope for an even stronger Day 2.
“We probably caught 30 fish today with two over 18,” said Lafferty.
The two anglers caught numerous fish just on the bubble, though only two fell to the right side of the 18-inch mark.
“We were on better fish, catching 16- to 17-inch fish all day long,” said Lafferty.
The weather seemed to help WIU, and that’s something the team hopes doesn’t change with an approaching weather front.
“I prefer for the sun to be out because it puts the fish right in the cover, and that helps us,” said Lafferty.
Only a few of the anglers this week have any experience on Sugema. Lafferty and Wilson are among those, albeit in an unconventional manner.
“My partner, Travis, and I have been fishing together forever,” said Lafferty. “We fished this lake one time when we were 12 and 13 years old [with Travis’s uncle]. We haven’t been back since then, but we had a blast then. I’m 20, and he’s 21, so it’s been a while.”
Levi Warner and Konner Kearney of the University of Wisconsin brought in the day’s Carhartt Big Bass, which weighed 5-14. They clenched the third-place spot with a limit weighing 8-5 going into Thursday's final round.
For live coverage of all the action on the water, fans can follow the live blog on Bassmaster.com, which also features on-the-water photo galleries, BassCam video reports and the live weigh-in at 3:45 p.m. CT.
Plano To Sponsor Elite Series Finale
Tackle storage giant Plano Molding Co. has obtained the title sponsorship to the final event of the 2013 Bassmaster Elite Series season.
The Plano Championship Chase on Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River will take place Aug. 22-25 out of Detroit, Mich.
“We are proud that Plano decided to play a central role in our Elite Series season finale,” said Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S., which owns and produces the Elite Series. “The B.A.S.S.-Plano relationship goes back many years. This, our newest endeavor together, enriches that valued partnership.”
Plano, based in Plano, Ill., wanted to partner with B.A.S.S. to be the title sponsor for several very good reasons, said Jesse Simpkins, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing for Plano. One reason: The Plano Championship Chase will feature the crowning of the 2013 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year.
“Top pros, including our own Kevin VanDam, will be driving toward the goal of being the Angler of the Year, a title that rivals the Bassmaster Classic as the most coveted title in all of bass fishing,” Simpkins said.
VanDam, the famed seven-time Angler of the Year and a member of Plano’s pro team, is in contention for an eighth title this year. After five of eight Elite events, VanDam is in third place. Ahead of him in the race are two more of the sport’s greats, Edwin Evers and Skeet Reese, a setup that strongly hints at a fierce fight for the title at the Plano Championship Chase.
Another reason Plano chose to sponsor the finale: Lake St. Clair — and the Detroit River, which connects St. Clair to Lake Erie — are great fisheries.
“Lake St. Clair is No. 1 on Bassmaster Magazine’s ‘100 Best Bass Lakes’ list for good reason. There are hordes of hungry smallmouth and pockets full of hefty largemouth,” Simpkins said.
Not to mention that Bassmaster Elite Series events are proven fan favorites. For the Elite Series, Lake St. Clair will be a new stop, and first-time Elite venues draw fans.
“B.A.S.S. has demonstrated its ability to pull the crowds in, then give those fans an unbelievable tournament experience,” Simpkins said.
As title sponsor, Plano will have top billing in The Bassmasters TV show that features the Plano Championship Chase. On ESPN2, the show will air Saturday, Aug. 31, from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. ET, and again on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. ET.
Fans also can catch the Plano Championship Chase show on ESPN Classic on Saturday, Aug. 31, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET, and on Sunday, Sept. 15, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. ET.
Almost every angler knows the Plano brand. Owning a Plano tacklebox has become a tradition that has endured for more than half a century. In 1952, Plano introduced the first molded plastic tacklebox, and since has found its way into the hearts and hands of four generations. Today, there’s a four-in-five chance that if you own a tacklebox, it was made by Plano.
Fans can check out Plano’s extensive line of tackle storage solutions at the Bassmaster Elite Series Expo held concurrently with the Chase. Among the 61-year-old company’s many popular items are the Elite Tackle Systems, Guide Series Tackle Systems and the new Flex ’N Go Satchels. For a full review of the hundreds of Plano items, go to www.PlanoMolding.com.
During the Plano Championship Chase, fans can follow the action live on Bassmaster.com, which includes extensive coverage of the event.
Zack Parker And Matthew Roberts Of Bethel University Take 2013 Boatus Collegiate Bass Fishing Title
The team rallied from sixth place to overtake fellow Bethel University teammates Cody Ross and Dewey Swims, who began day two as the leaders. Parker and Roberts did it with the heaviest catch of the event, 25.88 pounds. Their two day total was 46.76 pounds, a new BoatUS Collegiate Bass Championship record.
The duo did it by plying deep shell beds of Lake Pickwick with Strike King swimbaits. According to Zack, the key to success was their research with electronics. "We spent nearly all of our practice idling and scanning structure. When we did find a school, we'd just make enough casts and catches to figure out the size of fish that were holding there." Apparently the strategy was very successful. Partner Matthew Roberts added, "We ended up with about four or five different schools and we just kept rotating through them. We felt like they were always biting somewhere, so we'd hit a spot for 15 or 20 minutes. If they weren't firing at that time, we'd move on to the next one until we hit on the right fish at the right time."
Their timing and persistence was good enough for the tournament's largest bag of fish and the day's largest bass at 7.87 pounds, both of which were also ACA records. Their haul netted them a $5,000 first place prize, a new Hydrowave, the Daily Berkley/Abu Garcia Big Bass Award, as well as the Costa Overall Big Bass Award.
For the second year in a row, Joe Slagle of Tennessee Tech University was the second place boater. This year he did it with a new partner, Cliff Dye. The two were able to top last year's performance by over three pounds, weighing in a total of 44.27 pounds. When asked about finishing as the runner-up two consecutive years, Joe said, "It stings a bit, but I'm pumped. We locked up to Wilson and fished the Wheeler tailraces again and had a great event. Really everything worked out perfect. We executed well and didn't lose anything that would have made a difference, so I'm satisfied. We just needed one more big bite and it just didn't come for us." Cliff echoed Joe's sentiment, "We really wanted to win, especially for Joe after he was so close last year. In the end we made the right decisions and fished really well together, it just didn't work out quite right."
Despite finishing second, the teammates netted more than first place money. Thanks to the ACA and their sponsors, Slagle and Dye loaded up on contingency prizes and bonuses. They took home $2,500 in second place prize money, a $500 ACA contingency bonus, a $1,000 BoatUS Weigh to Win bonus, a $1,000 Cabela's Angler Cash gift card bonus, a $1,000 Yamaha bonus, a $1,000 Ranger Cup University bonus, a $250 Berkley bonus, as well as a new Hydrowave. Collectively their catch was worth over $7,500 in cash and prizes.
The rest of the Top 5 included:
3rd Place: Bethel University - Cody Ross and Dewey Swims - 43.85 lbs.
4th Place: Tennessee Chattanooga - Trent Huie and Cody Frazier - 42.90 lbs.
5th Place: North Carolina State - Paul Owens and Tyler Faggart - 41.19 lbs
Evinrude Pro Helped Certifiy Handicapped Rail System For Bass Boats-Video Is Amazing!
At the 2013 Bassmaster Classic, Evinrude and Ranger Boats teamed up with the Wounded Warrior Project to help get disabled veterans on the water for a few hours to fish with the pros. Wounded Warrior Jeff Thompson not only participated in running the event, but he also helped design the first and only certified handicapped rail system on fishing boats. In the video, Thompson discusses how this new design helps him remain stable while moving around the boat and also gives hope to other veterans who want to get back on the water for the upcoming fishing season. This is a fantastic video and is a great weekend to check it out-happy Memorial Day weekend everyone
Memorial Day To Bring Topwater Excitement!
AnglersChannel Insider Vance McCullough shares a one-two punch that will keep you on top of the topwater action all Memorial Day Weekend no matter how crowded it gets on the water!
Good Finish In Paa On Ft. Loudon/tellico Would Help Double Arey's Chance Of Return To Ttbc
Matt Arey enjoyed the experience so much at the Texas Toyota Bass Classic on Lake Conroe last October that he has doubled his chances of qualifying again this year.
“The whole reason I fished the PAA series this year was because of the TTBC,” said the Shelby, N.C., pro angler. “I got the opportunity to fish the Classic last year and it was the most exciting, well run event I ever fished. Those people down in Texas live and breathe hunting and fishing and they treat the anglers likes kings.”
Arey qualified for the TTBC by being one of the top 15 anglers in the FLW Tour Majors last year, finishing 9th in the points. Only 45 pros are invited to the TTBC – the top15 from the FLW Tour, the top15 from the Bassmaster Elite Series and the top 15 from the Professional Anglers Association (PAA) Tour.
“Toyota sponsored the event and they dropped some big bucks on it. There was a concert every night, they take you to a big prime rib dinner. It is just an unbelievable experience so I would love to get back to it,” said Arey who is fishing both the FLW Tour and the PAA this year.
“That gives me a double chance to qualify,” he said.
He took a giant step towards another trip to Texas with a 9th place finish in the first PAA event of 2013 at Douglas Lake at the end of March, giving him a top 10 stake in the points with two tournaments to go – for the 2013 TTBC.
Because of a change in scheduling he could also qualify this year for the 2014 TTBC which is moving to an annual spring-time event next May. The top 15 anglers after the regularly scheduled three tournaments this year – Douglas Lake in March, Ft. Loudon/Tellico in May and Table Rock Lake in September – will go to the 2013 TTBC Oct. 4-6 on Lake Conroe.
However, those same three tournaments, plus a late add-on tournament – Grand Lake in Grove, Okla., Nov. 4-6, after the 2013 TTBC – will be used to qualify for the 2014 TTBC. Anglers can use points from all four tournaments to qualify for the 2014 TTBC, with the ability to drop their lowest finish of the four.
Adding the fourth tournament has caused some grumbling among the anglers, Arey said.
“A lot of the guys are upset. My problem with it is that when you start a season and it's already underway, you can't change or add tournaments, but that is what they have done.”
Meantime, Arey and the other anglers are hoping the tournament this week on Ft. Loudon/Tellico will cement their place in the standings for the 2013 TTBC.
“I am getting plenty of bites,” said Arey who is pretty confident of holding his own this week. “I am staying with Brandon Coulter, who does really well on this lake, and he has clued me in on a little deal. I'm getting plenty of good bites and one or two big bites each day, so if I can capitalize on those big bites I Should do well.”
Anglers have a number of fishing strategy options, Arey said, because the fish are in transition, with most in post-spawn. But there are still fish in pre-spawn and some still on the beds.
“There are also some fish on the shad spawn, but the problem is the shad are all over the lake, so it's kind of a crap shoot, but when you do find the fish on the shad you can get well in a hurry.”
A wild card is the deep bite, he said.
“It's hit or miss. The fish are really hard to find. There are no big schools ganged up out deep yet, but some guys have found deep fish and those are the guy you will have to look out for, especially with any kind of warm weather,” he said.
“Another wild card is the smallmouth population. They have to be at least 18 inches. There are a lot of 4- and 5-pound smallmouths in this lake, but after they spawn they become ghosts. But somebody will catch some of them and those fish will really push their bags.”
Arey said he plans to fish shallow on three different patterns – spawning fish, fry-guarders and bream fish. There are also some bass left over from the early morning shad spawn that are feeding on bream and crawfish,” he said.
“The majority of the fish I am catching are the bream eaters and the ones guarding their fry,” said Arey.
PAA Fort Loudon/Tellico Tournament
May 23-25, 2013
Fort Loudon/Tellico Lakes
Late Spring May Help Fishing In Anglers Choice Tournament On Smith Mountain Lake
The late spring could provide several benefits to the anglers fishing the Anglers Choice Virginia Division tournament on Smith Mountain Lake this Saturday, according to tournament director Chris Lucas.
“The weather up here has been all over the place and the water has not heated up like it normally has by this time of year, so I would not be surprised if there is not a fish or two still on the bed,” Lucas said.
Added to that, the weather has been unsettled with sporadic rains all week, but it is supposed to be sunny by tournament time and that should help fishing, too, he said.
“It's Memorial Day Weekend, so we probably should not have scheduled a tournament for this Saturday, but the water is still so cold there might not be as much boat traffic as usual for this weekend, so I don't think it will be that bad,” he added.
Lucas noted that Russell and Mark Saunders are leading the Virginia Division points standings after four tournaments, but Kenny and Brandon Reynolds are hot on their heels. The Saunders team finished 4th in the first Smith Mountain tournament March 2, but dropped to 33rd in the second Smith Mountain tournament April 6.
The Reynolds team was third in the first Smith Mountain tournament and 12th in the second tournament at Smith Mountain. They entered the 2012 championship at Smith Mountain Lake last October tied for first place in the points for the second year in a row and finished 12th in the championship. They also won the 2012 Jiffy Automotive Big Bag of the Year award for a five-fish limit caught in the first tournament of the year at Smith Mountain Lake that weighed 23.31 pounds.
“The Saunders guys are good fishermen so it's going to come down to the wire,” Lucas said. “I am sure they will do well at Smith Mountain this weekend.”
Lucas said the season has progressed very well this year, even better than anticipated after the trail was split into divisions – Virginia and North Carolina.
“We are really pleased with the Carolina side. We set it up in hopes it would take some of the pressure off the Virginia side, but the Virginia numbers have been as good as always,” he said.
He noted that after the Smith Mountain Lake the Virginia Division will have only one more regular season tournament – at Kerr Reservoir June 29. The North Carolina Division has two more tournaments – at High Rock Lake June 22 and at Kerr June 30. The two-day Classic for both divisions will be held
Oct. 12-13 at Kerr Lake.
“We've been very pleased with the numbers of entries this year. It's been like business as usual as far as that goes. However, we expect the numbers will go down a little bit toward the end of the year as everybody gets qualified for the championship,” Lucas said.
Anglers Choice Marine Team Trail
Sat, May 25, 2013
Smith Mountain Lake
Parkway Marina
Call Chris Lucas 276-358-0844
Dyer Aiming For Another Title As Nc Bassmaster Weekend Series Goes To Kerr
Stephen Dyer of Mt. Pleasant, N.C., should be brimming with confidence heading into the second tournament of the Bassmaster Weekend Series North Carolina Division this Saturday on Kerr Reservoir.
Dyer is coming off a solid win in the first tournament of the North Carolina Division on High Rock Lake and he has done extremely well on Kerr in the past.
Dyer won the High Rock tournament April 6 with a limit of five bass that weighed 19.57 pounds, including the fourth biggest bass of the tournament at 6.14 pounds, giving him a solid start towards a second straight division points title. The division points champion receives an automatic slot in the Championship, regardless of his finish in the regional qualifier, is invited to a special awards dinner at the 2013 Championship and will receive a special ODYSSEY Battery award.
Dyer ended the 2012 NC Division BWS with all top 15 finishes, including two second places – one on High Rock and the other on Kerr. His second place finish at High Rock last August boosted him into a tie for the 2012 N.C. Division points championship.
And he'd love noting more than to better that 2012 second place on Kerr with a win Saturday like he did at High Rock in April. He came close last June 2, weighing in a limit at 12.19 pounds, just .40 behind the winner, Joshua R. Sanders of Morganton, N.C.
That tournament was just two weeks later than the 2013 tournament, but it has been a late spring so the fish could in about the same phase. However, recent heavy rains across the East Coast have water levels relatively high at 305 feet, but the Corps of Engineers is expected to be pulling water to bring the lake level back down some. Floating debris is a concern for the anglers this weekend, with muddy water rolling down the rivers. The Nutbush arm is somewhat clearer, according to reports.
The high water, however, can be a boon to anglers, flooding a lot of bushes and timber to create good fishing locations. Online reports indicate there has been a good bite recently on plastics in the flooded bushes.
After Saturday the North Carolina Division will have two regular season tournaments remaining – out of Midway Marina on Lake Norman June 29 and out of Ebenezer Park on Lake Wylie July 27. The division championship will be held out of Tamarac Marina on High Rock Lake Sept. 14-15.
“Anglers are competing for a spot in the Northeast Regional at the James/Chickahominy Rivers in October and then a chance to compete in the National Championship at Tennessee’s Lake Hickory in November,” said Gary Conner, East Coast Tournament Manager for The Bassmaster Weekend Series.
Bassmaster Weekend Series - North Carolina Division
Sat, May 25, 2013
Kerr / Buggs Island Lake
Nutbush Access - Kerr Lake State Recreation
Call Gary Conner 256-230-5627
Cbs Quality Cars Team Bass Results - Shearon Harris - May 18, 2013
28 teams showed up for the 5th and final qualifying tournament of the 2013 CBS Quality Cars NC Triangle Area Team Bass Spring Mini Trail. The weather was absolutely beautiful with temps 60 in the am and around 80 in the afternoon with light winds.
Jaime Fajardo & Scott Woodson won 1st place honors with 5 bass weighing 20.18 lbs. They won 1st place money of $756 and $332.50 for 1st place TWT for a grand total of $1,088.50 and upon verification, they will also receive a Stratos 2X bonus. Tim Goad & Butch Williams (15.58 lbs.) won 2nd place, 2nd place TWT & 1st place big fish for a total of $800.50. Their big fish weighed in at 7.12 lbs. and the team of Jerry Woodard and Tommy Dailey took 2nd place big fish with a nice 6.97 lb. hawg.
Only 60 fish were weighed in (because of the slot limit) for a total weight of 147 pounds. Most fish were caught any where from 1 to 15 feet of water. Fish were caught on Spro Frogs & other top water baits, plastic worms, crankbaits and jerk baits just to name a few. Some bass are still on the beds and others are looking a meal! Water temps ranged from 77 to 80 degrees. The bass that were weighed in looked healthy! I want to thank all the anglers that participated and that support this trail.
Our next trail tournament will be the Boats Unlimited NC Team Tournament Bass Trail Final Qualifier #7 at Falls Lake, Saturday June 1st, out of Ledge Rock Wildlife Ramp. This is also an Open tournament for those that just want to fish. This will be the final Boats Unlimited NC qualifier, so teams that have fished only 3 qualifiers as a team, need to fish this last one to be eligible to fish the Championship at Falls Lake, June 22nd. See the rules on the website.
Tim Goad & Butch Williams took 2nd Place with 3 bass that weighed 15.58 lbsAll the information on our tournaments can be found at: www.piedmontbassclassics.com
Now here are the full results:
1st Place: Jaime Fajardo & Scott Woodson of Fuquay Varina...5 bass...20.18 lbs...$756
2nd Place: Tim Goad & Butch Williams of Pittsboro...3 bass...15.58 lbs...$462
3rd Place: Bryce McClenney & Michael Christie of Raleigh & Fuquay Varina...5 bass...12.55 lbs...$336
4th Place: Mike Eggers & Mark Willis of Garner...5 bass...11.99 lbs...$252
5th Place: Hal Abshire & Ethan Cox of Cameron & West End...4 bass...11.65 lbs...$189
6th Place: Calvin McCaskill & Aharon Faircloth of Thomasville...5 bass...11.21 lbs...$105
1st Place Big Fish..1st Place Team above: 7.12 lbs...$196
2nd Place Big Fish..Jerry Woodard & Tommy Dailey of Pikeville & Seven Springs...6.97 lbs...$84
1st Place TWT..1st Place Team above: 20.18 lbs...$332.50
2nd Place TWT..2nd Place Team above: 15.58 lbs...$142.50
For all our tournaments information:
Phil McCarson ... Tournament Director
919-471-1571 or 919-971-5042
email: [email protected]
web: www.piedmontbassclassics.com
Stewart And Creel Win The 2013 Fom National Championship On Clarks Hill-Win Over $100K In Prizes
Steve Stewart and Johnny Creel pull out the victory
By: Frank Evans
Saturday May 18, 2013, Augusta, Georgia… The 2012/2013 FOM National Championship, Presented by Stren, came to a close today as Georgia South partners Steve Stewart and Johnny Creel
hauled in a 20.61 lbs bag of fish. For their 3-day tournament-winning 48.02 lbs, the new FOM National Champions, Steve and Johnny won tournament plaques, a share of Bonus Bucks, a $500.00 Power-Pole certificate, and finally, a brand new Skeeter FX 21/ 250hp SHO VMAX package valued at $72,000.00.
Johnny and Steve conceded most of their fish came by anchoring off one particular point and tossing carolina-rigged, grn/pumpkin, Big Bite creature baits to a shallow water point that gradually sloped off into 5 to 8 feet of water, up on Georgia’s Little River, just above the Hwy 47 Bridge.
Day 1 and 2 leaders, Steve Strickland and Stephen McCord encountered problems with their boat today and want to thank FOM and John Snincak for the tow in and Jeff Camp for selflessly giving his own boat so they could finish the day. The two Georgia South boys boated 27.18 lbs on Day-1 and 16.19 Friday by working several places each day all over the lake. They fished the Parksville area and all the way up to Bobby Brown State Park near the confluence of the Broad River. These phenomenal anglers also fished Mistletoe and Cherokee Creek up on the Little River arm. Steve stated that they cast small #5 Alabama rigs adorned with 2 1/2 inch Berkley shad-colored swimbaits and a few bass attacked a large, spook-type walking bait. Today, Steve and Stephen weighed one fish, at 2.37, for a tournament total of 11 coming in at 45.74 lbs and 2nd place where they were awarded the beautiful 2013 Skeeter ZX 190/150 Yamaha VMAX package, valued at $32,000.00.
Finishing 3rd are Louisiana North Central’s Martin Elshout and Mark Price. Martin and Mark boated 12.90, 13.18, and today’s 17.34 for a 43.42 lbs finish. The very competitive anglers said that they milk-runned 10 to 12 places, however, most of their catch came from only 4 to 5 spots. A few fish were netted while casting Alabama rigs, and a mustard colored Bandit crankbait in shallow water. However, by Day 3 it became evident that watermelon/ pepper, wacky-rigged, senkos were the key to larger fish in 2 to 4 feet.
Moving up from 8th and taking 4th overall were the Tennessee West team of Jason Martindale and Josh Alexander. Josh and Jason netted their fish around the Wildwood Park lake points with Strike King blue glimmer, Baby Burner Spinner Baits in and around the inundated grassy weeds in shallow water. Jason stated that the Strike King 5XD Ghost Minnow crankbait was also very effective in 7 to 12 feet of water near points.
With 43.06 lbs Fifth place finishers, Tom Belinda and Daniel Peterman, Pennsylvania Central, used Reaction Baits, Skinny Dippers, along with Zoom Swimming Fluke Juniors to catch 17.36, 15.90, and 7.85 today. They concentrated on the windy sides of points using the Alabama rig and carolina-rigged plastics and the Strike King KVD Sexy Dog.
The Day 3, $420.00, Big Fish Award went to Cody Davis and Tim Marshall for their 6.44 lbs bucketmouth. Tim caught it up near the 47 bridge using Bass Trix Paddle Tails and Reaction Innovations Little Dippers.
South Carolina Upstate anglers, David Vaughn and Dan Marrow won today’s no fee Second Chance “redemption” Tournament with 5 fish weighing in at 14.79 lbs.
I will edit this story after I get some sleep. For higher resolution copies of you pics, send me an email to: [email protected] Thanks to everyone.
We want to thank Stren as the Presenting Sponsor, and Barry Smith, Rebecca Lutz, and Shelly Blackburn from the Columbia County Convention & Visitors Bureau for hosting this event and providing a fine meal at the impressive Patriots Park Complex during the Wednesday evening pre-tournament meeting, also, Jeb Bell with the Columbia County Recreation Department as well as Wildwood Park, Darren Sigmon and Henry Thomason of Skeeter Boats and Marshall’s Marine who provided some fine tasting “Skeeter Beans” to everyone all day on Thursday, and our Host hotel: Comfort Inn & Suites, 4071 Jimmie Dyess Parkway, Augusta, GA.
We especially want to thank Elite Series Pro and 2008 BASS Classic winner, Alton Jones as the special guest speaker for the Wednesday night pre-tournament meeting. Alton has an exceptional gift that is used very effectively.
We also want to take this opportunity to thank all the fine companies that make Fishers of Men possible; Skeeter Boats, Yamaha, Stren, Pflueger, Strike King, Nester Socks, Power-Pole, Marshall’s Marine, Lowrance, Keelshield, Buckeye Lures, Jacob’s Glass, Solar Bat, Duckett Fishing, Berkley, Fibro Tex, Hydrowave, Kistler Custom Rods, RAYJUS Sports, and Outdoor Specialty Products (Rejuvenade).
For higher resolution copies shoot me an email at [email protected]
Johnny and Steve conceded most of their fish came by anchoring off one particular point and tossing carolina-rigged, grn/pumpkin, Big Bite creature baits to a shallow water point that gradually sloped off into 5 to 8 feet of water, up on Georgia’s Little River, just above the Hwy 47 Bridge.
Day 1 and 2 leaders, Steve Strickland and Stephen McCord encountered problems with their boat today and want to thank FOM and John Snincak for the tow in and Jeff Camp for selflessly giving his own boat so they could finish the day. The two Georgia South boys boated 27.18 lbs on Day-1 and 16.19 Friday by working several places each day all over the lake. They fished the Parksville area and all the way up to Bobby Brown State Park near the confluence of the Broad River. These phenomenal anglers also fished Mistletoe and Cherokee Creek up on the Little River arm. Steve stated that they cast small #5 Alabama rigs adorned with 2 1/2 inch Berkley shad-colored swimbaits and a few bass attacked a large, spook-type walking bait. Today, Steve and Stephen weighed one fish, at 2.37, for a tournament total of 11 coming in at 45.74 lbs and 2nd place where they were awarded the beautiful 2013 Skeeter ZX 190/150 Yamaha VMAX package, valued at $32,000.00.
Finishing 3rd are Louisiana North Central’s Martin Elshout and Mark Price. Martin and Mark boated 12.90, 13.18, and today’s 17.34 for a 43.42 lbs finish. The very competitive anglers said that they milk-runned 10 to 12 places, however, most of their catch came from only 4 to 5 spots. A few fish were netted while casting Alabama rigs, and a mustard colored Bandit crankbait in shallow water. However, by Day 3 it became evident that watermelon/ pepper, wacky-rigged, senkos were the key to larger fish in 2 to 4 feet.
Moving up from 8th and taking 4th overall were the Tennessee West team of Jason Martindale and Josh Alexander. Josh and Jason netted their fish around the Wildwood Park lake points with Strike King blue glimmer, Baby Burner Spinner Baits in and around the inundated grassy weeds in shallow water. Jason stated that the Strike King 5XD Ghost Minnow crankbait was also very effective in 7 to 12 feet of water near points.
With 43.06 lbs Fifth place finishers, Tom Belinda and Daniel Peterman, Pennsylvania Central, used Reaction Baits, Skinny Dippers, along with Zoom Swimming Fluke Juniors to catch 17.36, 15.90, and 7.85 today. They concentrated on the windy sides of points using the Alabama rig and carolina-rigged plastics and the Strike King KVD Sexy Dog.
The Day 3, $420.00, Big Fish Award went to Cody Davis and Tim Marshall for their 6.44 lbs bucketmouth. Tim caught it up near the 47 bridge using Bass Trix Paddle Tails and Reaction Innovations Little Dippers.
South Carolina Upstate anglers, David Vaughn and Dan Marrow won today’s no fee Second Chance “redemption” Tournament with 5 fish weighing in at 14.79 lbs.
I will edit this story after I get some sleep. For higher resolution copies of you pics, send me an email to: [email protected] Thanks to everyone.
We want to thank Stren as the Presenting Sponsor, and Barry Smith, Rebecca Lutz, and Shelly Blackburn from the Columbia County Convention & Visitors Bureau for hosting this event and providing a fine meal at the impressive Patriots Park Complex during the Wednesday evening pre-tournament meeting, also, Jeb Bell with the Columbia County Recreation Department as well as Wildwood Park, Darren Sigmon and Henry Thomason of Skeeter Boats and Marshall’s Marine who provided some fine tasting “Skeeter Beans” to everyone all day on Thursday, and our Host hotel: Comfort Inn & Suites, 4071 Jimmie Dyess Parkway, Augusta, GA.
We especially want to thank Elite Series Pro and 2008 BASS Classic winner, Alton Jones as the special guest speaker for the Wednesday night pre-tournament meeting. Alton has an exceptional gift that is used very effectively.
We also want to take this opportunity to thank all the fine companies that make Fishers of Men possible; Skeeter Boats, Yamaha, Stren, Pflueger, Strike King, Nester Socks, Power-Pole, Marshall’s Marine, Lowrance, Keelshield, Buckeye Lures, Jacob’s Glass, Solar Bat, Duckett Fishing, Berkley, Fibro Tex, Hydrowave, Kistler Custom Rods, RAYJUS Sports, and Outdoor Specialty Products (Rejuvenade).
For higher resolution copies shoot me an email at [email protected]
Catt Classic Up On Kerr Day 1 Results With $10,000 Cash On The Line!
Tony Woodard and Scott Smith pace the 115 team field on Day 1 at the CATT Classic with 16.61 for a very slim lead.............if anyone can land a 5 LB fish to fill our a limit on Day 2 up here, there could be some gigantic changes in the final standings this afternoon. Here are the Day 1 results:
| Carolina Anglers Team Trail LLC Kerr CATT Classic May 18-19, 2013 | |||||
| Day 1 | |||||
| Big | Total | ||||
| Place | Team | Fish | Weight | ||
| 1 | Tony Woodard - Scott Smith | 4.70 | 16.61 | ||
| 2 | Jason Dew - Randall Soles | 4.47 | 16.52 | ||
| 3 | Scooter Lilley - Mike Layton | 4.25 | 16.45 | ||
| 4 | William Blanton - Steve Belch | 4.80 | 15.90 | ||
| 5 | Josh Queen - Mike Queen | 4.07 | 15.09 | ||
| 6 | Bryan Welch - Jessica Welch | 4.26 | 14.69 | ||
| 7 | Mike Hodge - Tim Wall | 4.25 | 14.58 | ||
| 8 | Scott Dupree - Richard Buchanan | 4.62 | 14.51 | ||
| 9 | Pat Tierney - Maurice Freese | 14.48 | |||
| 10 | Jeff Milligen - Jeremy Jacobs | 14.36 | |||
| 11 | Cory Byrum - Corey Leonard | 14.30 | |||
| 12 | Michael Chlomoudis - Powell Kemp | 14.26 | |||
| 13 | Paul Shuey - Clint Daniels | 14.00 | |||
| 14 | Tony Brewer - Scott Faulkner | 13.79 | |||
| 15 | Robert Walser - Mack Lowe | 13.56 | |||
| 16 | Will Howard - Bryce McLenney | 13.51 | |||
| 17 | Michael Garner - Charles Grigg | 13.34 | |||
| 18 | Tommy Marrow - Stan McDuffie | 13.31 | |||
| 19 | James Blankinship - Chris Baldwin | 13.31 | |||
| 20 | Steve Sink - Tony Foster | 13.25 | |||
| 21 | Mark Inman - Larry Inman | 13.23 | |||
| 22 | Ryan Rigsbee - Paul Rigsbee | 13.19 | |||
| 23 | Larry Hipps - Jamie Olive | 4.53 | 13.11 | ||
| 24 | Robin Collins - Ronnie White | 13.10 | |||
| 25 | Ken McFarland - Darryl Watson | 4.18 | 13.09 | ||
| 26 | Neil Roberson - Scott Griffin | 13.06 | |||
| 27 | Dennis Allen - Travis Allen | 12.95 | |||
| 28 | Kenny Beale - Jay Rigney | 12.92 | |||
| 29 | Jeremy Sullivan - Jamie Pierce | 12.88 | |||
| 30 | Stephen Strickland - David Moore | 4.19 | 12.87 | ||
| 31 | Greg Creech - Chris McDuffie | 4.67 | 12.87 | ||
| 32 | Steve Carlisle - Doug Young | 12.85 | |||
| 33 | Ronnie Hatem - Brian West | 4.01 | 12.79 | ||
| 34 | Michael Riggs - Doug Stallings | 12.55 | |||
| 35 | Dennis Reedy - Jeffery Thomas | 12.42 | |||
| 36 | Todd Walters - Jason Threadgill | 12.25 | |||
| 37 | Todd Gibson | 12.19 | |||
| 38 | Chuck Todd - Ray Thornton | 12.18 | |||
| 39 | Denny Gilbert - Russel Nicewarmer | 11.99 | |||
| 40 | Ben Cannon - Chad Craven | 11.98 | |||
| 41 | Rich Szczerbala - James Pourrier | 11.93 | |||
| 42 | Eric Schell - Todd Smith | 11.93 | |||
| 43 | Chad Poteat - Mike Miller | 11.88 | |||
| 44 | Adam Richardson - Gene Richardson | 3.40 | 11.78 | ||
| 45 | Chuck Murray - Randy Groves | 11.77 | |||
| 46 | Wayne Skipworth - Don Sprinkle | 11.75 | |||
| 47 | Scott Gatton - Jamie Baynard | 11.75 | |||
| 48 | Jay Garrard - Mark Hearndon | 11.75 | |||
| 49 | Ryan Harrell - Billy Patrick | 11.74 | |||
| 50 | Brad Mclaurin - Mike Marchant | 11.73 | |||
| 51 | Ray Griffin - Brent Boney | 11.71 | |||
| 52 | Billy Wright - Grant McPeters | 11.66 | |||
| 53 | Chip Baty - Alan Parker | 11.61 | |||
| 54 | Randy Boughman - Ryan Boughman | 11.55 | |||
| 55 | Chris Brown - David Wright | 11.53 | |||
| 56 | Nathan Webber - Brandon Gray | 11.52 | |||
| 57 | Derrick Bridges - James Hill | 4.07 | 11.46 | ||
| 58 | Brian Grady - Larry Steven | 11.44 | |||
| 59 | Randy Brown - Josh Brown | 11.43 | |||
| 60 | Chuck Morton - Lonnie Fox | 11.41 | |||
| 61 | Scott Dunn - Stewart Adams | 11.32 | |||
| 62 | Vernon Flemming - Glenn Long | 3.19 | 11.30 | ||
| 63 | Howard Bohannon - Justin Bohannon | 11.25 | |||
| 64 | Jerry Chriswell - Gordon Griffin | 11.23 | |||
| 65 | Bill Burton - Eddie Glascock | 11.15 | |||
| 66 | Andrew Smith - Lee Wiggins | 11.13 | |||
| 67 | Brandon Sykes - Jeff McQuaige | 11.00 | |||
| 68 | Doug Easton - Pete Bejte | 10.96 | |||
| 69 | Wesley Cashwell - Shane Doughtie | 10.93 | |||
| 70 | Troy Short - Jimmy Metcalf | 10.92 | |||
| 71 | Tim Emory - Tony Barham | 10.79 | |||
| 72 | Jason Suggs - Calton Hall | 10.71 | |||
| 73 | Shane Floyd - Donnie Floyd | 10.69 | |||
| 74 | Billy Bledsoe - Brian McDonald | 10.52 | |||
| 75 | Charlie Gunter - Reggie Norfleett | 10.47 | |||
| 76 | David Blanton - David Blanton Jr | 10.39 | |||
| 77 | Stump Bledsoe - Glenn Elliott | 10.27 | |||
| 78 | Buster Seabolt - Barry Klinefelter | 10.27 | |||
| 79 | Doug Parker - Joey Sugg | 3.53 | 10.24 | ||
| 80 | Grady Lee - Jimmy Murphy | 2.66 | 10.17 | ||
| 81 | Vinston Nettles - Jimmie Spencer | 10.16 | |||
| 82 | Mike King - Mike Traynum | 3.81 | 10.14 | ||
| 83 | David Williams - Gerald Williams | 10.14 | |||
| 84 | Bob Weaver - Scott Floyd | 10.13 | |||
| 85 | Tim Askew - Tracy King | 10.04 | |||
| 86 | Jamie Way - Jeff Little | 9.87 | |||
| 87 | Danny Smith - Scott Golden | 9.71 | |||
| 88 | Walt Bowen - Tyler Purcell | 9.71 | |||
| 89 | Thomas Vickers - Brian Huskins | 9.25 | |||
| 90 | Brandon McLeod - Dylon McLeod | 8.95 | |||
| 91 | Johnny Wilder - Mike Harris | 8.76 | |||
| 92 | Jerry Marshburn - Rick Olsen | 7.94 | |||
| 93 | Lawrence Gunn - Hal Caldwall | 7.76 | |||
| 94 | Todd Thornlow - Greg Johnson | 7.75 | |||
| 95 | Mark Beck - Bill Goodrich | 7.36 | |||
| 96 | Mike Carden - Mike Cox | 7.26 | |||
| 97 | Chuck Bolton - Steve Gardner | 4.11 | 7.20 | ||
| 98 | Tom Peele - Chris Peele | 6.99 | |||
| 99 | Richard Cooper - Allen White | 6.79 | |||
| 100 | Dan Treadaway - Flash Butts | 6.16 | |||
| 101 | Steve Upchurch - Rick Sossman | 2.74 | 5.44 | ||
| 102 | Jody Sykes - Shawn Hicken | 4.98 | |||
| 103 | Rick Dunstan - Ivan Honeycutt | 4.04 | |||
| 104 | David Bullock - Jimmy Henderson | 3.84 | |||
| 105 | Jerry Davis - Gerald Beck | 3.29 | |||
| 106 | Bubba Gay - Billy Daniels | 3.17 | |||
| 107 | Duke Denison | 2.96 | |||
| 108 | Chris Ritchie - George Bost | 2.92 | |||
| 109 | Johnny Howard - Jamie Howard | 1.68 | 1.68 | ||
| 110 | Everette Rigsbee - Curt Leonard | 1.65 | |||
| 111 | Wilbert Thornton - Jimmy Holland | 0.00 | |||
| 112 | Noah Steere - Tim Spencer | 0.00 | |||
| 113 | Howard Bean - John Drew | 0.00 | |||
| 114 | Richard Greene - Ernest Stephens | 0.00 | |||
| 115 | Bubba Haywood - Steve Goodwin | 0.00 | |||
Trevor Fitzgerald And Danny Thompson Take 2Nd Place With Impressive 22.68 Lbs!
2nd place is hard to come by, but these anglers have had back to back 2nd place finishes at the Wolfson Childrens Hospital Event the past 2 years. Their 22.68 LB sack was more than impressive and they share what worked on the River Sat afternoon-
Glen And David Barnes Win 24Th Annual Wolfson Tourney!
Glen and David Barnes win Saturday's huge Tournament on the St John's River with 23.6 LBs that included two 8 Lb kickers!! They take home the Guaranteed $10,000 as they beat out 442 other teams! We grab Glenn just after he weighed in right here-
Glen And David Barnes Win 24Th Annual Wolfson Tourney!
Glen and David Barnes outfished 441 other teams on the St Johns River to win the 24th annual Wolfson Children's Hospital benefit bass tournament. The duo ran to Lake George and brought 23.60 pounds of bass back to Palatka. They caught all of their fish from spawning beds. After a dead fish penalty, their adjusted weight was 23.35.
Sight fishing produced a number of the biggest bass today. Many nmore fell for the old Devil's Horse topwater plug.
Here are the top 10:
1 *GLEN BARNES-*DAVID BARNES 23.35
2 *TREVOR FITZGERALD-*DANNY THOMPSON 22.68
2 *BRYAN MEYERS-*BRENT MEYERS 22.68
4 *JOHN SOBIK III-*JOHN OLIVA 22.22
5 *GARY BRADFORD-*CRAIG MAXWELL 21.76
6 *SCOTT KING-*JEFF WINKLEMAN 21.75
7 *TOMMY BOSTON-*DENNIS REDD 21.70
8 *JOHNNY KEY-*JUSTIN BENNETT 20.88
9 *CHUCK FOSTER-*NICK FOSTER 19.45
10 *MATT FIELD-*JOHN MOBLEY 19.36
Fitzgerald and Thompson
Big bass were common at the Wolfson Tourney.
A Little Cold Weather Might Actually Help Fishing In Wolfson Children's Hospital Tournament
A record cold spell across north Florida early in the week could provide the impetus for some super fishing in the 24th Wolfson Children's Hospital Charity Tournament this Saturday, according to tournament spokesman Vance McCullough.
While a chill-down often hurts fishing, the drop to 40 degrees Monday night could actually help the fishing, McCullough said.
“Temperature that low is unheard of in May and it might put the fish in more of a springtime pattern rather than a summer pattern,” McCullough said. “And that introduces a wild card factor, if the weather stays fair and sunny – the possibility of sight fishing. There are still some bedding fish around.”
The tournament could be won in a variety of places and in a variety of ways, he noted.
“It could be won on the north part of the river or somebody could get on bedding fish down in Lake George, or they could go to Rodman and fish the way they want to. It's going to be interesting.”
Rodman, he noted, is back to full pool this year after last year's draw-down
“It did not get back up in time for the Wolfson last year, but this year it is full and fishing is outstanding over there.”
Out on the river, he said, if the fish are out where they should be this time of year anglers could find some post-spawn schooling and catch the fish on the moving tide on the sandbars, throwing a Bomber in fire tiger colors or a Carolina rig..
“And you can never discount somebody like Preston Clark just junk fishing, putting together a little piecemeal pattern, a milk run, and winning it that way,” he said.
McCullough said almost 500 boats have entered the tournament which has a guaranteed purse of $45,000 in cash and prizes. First place pays $10,000, with a $4,000 for second and $3,000 for third, with places paid all the way down to 21st through 40th place at $150 each.
The entry fee of $100 per boat also includes big fish,which pays $3,000 for first big fish and $1,000 for second big fish, plus $1,000 for Dash for Cash.
“We also have the Lads and Lassies Tournament on Thursday with an $80 entry fee and the VIP Tournament on Friday,” McCullough said. The 15th annual Lads and Lassies Tournament, open only to male-female teams, will pay $1,000 for first place and $1,000 for big bass.
Proceeds from the tournament, which is the largest single-day bass tournament in Florida, help fund programs at the Wolfson Children's Hospital. The tournament was begun when the director of Plant Facilities Department of Baptist Medical Center Downtown, along with several outside contractors, wanted to play a major role in funding capital improvements and technological advancements for the Children's Hospital.
They created this tournament with the goal of making it the largest in the state raising money for kids. The tournament beneficiary, Wolfson Children's Hospital, provides specialty care for sick and injured infants and children.
Wolfson Children's Hospital Charity Tournament
Sat, May 18, 2013
St. Johns River
Palatka City Docks
http://www.wolfsonchildrens.org/ways-to-give/bass/Pages/default.aspx
Gagliardi Has Eye On Another Fw Cup If He Can Make Headway Or At Least Tread Water On Eufaula
Anthony Gagliardi is hoping the FLW Tour Major on Eufaula this week will bring him one step closer to the Forrest Wood Cup
For FLW Tour pro Anthony Gagliardi, the FLW Tour Major on Lake Eufaula this week is not so much about winning – although he'd love to notch his fifth Tour win on the Alabama lake – as it is about moving up in the rankings or at least holding place.
Gagliardi started the Majors schedule off about as low as you can go, finishing 165th on Lake Okeechobee in February, but he has dug out of that deep hole with two top 10s in the last two tournaments, finishing 9th on Lewis Smith Lake in March and 3rd on Beaver Lake in April.
So far this year he has picked up $44,000 in checks and is ranked 42nd in the Angler of the Year standings. The pro from Prosperity, S.C., was the FLW AOY in 2006 and he has qualified for the Forrest Wood Cup nine of the 13 previous seasons, with two top 5 finishes in the championship.
“I'd like to have that one (Okeechobee) back, of course,” said Gagliardi, who is both hopeful and confident about the rest of the season.
“I've never been to Grand Lake (June 6-9), but the next two tournaments are going to be offshore tournaments and I feel very comfortable fishing like that. It is one of my strengths,” he said. “If I get by this one, then after that first tournament, I feel pretty good about making the cut.”
Gagliardi said he believes it will take 15 to 18 pounds a day to win at Eufaula this week, but it will not be easy.
“Fishing is a little tough. I've talked to some of the guys and we all agree that it is hard to get a bite up in the day. There is a decent morning bite; everybody is catching them first thing in the morning, and then it is pretty much a grind for the rest of the day.”
Gagliardi said the fish are in transition, with some still up on the bank and some moving out to deeper water.
“There will be some guys fishing up on the bank and some out on the deep ledges,” he said. “There will be a little bit of everything going on.”
At this point, although deep structure fishing is one of his strengths, Gagliardi said he has not found anything consistent out deep that he feels comfortable committing to.
“I am catching some early up shallow and after that I am probably going sight fishing,” he said. “It's not an ideal time to do that. There are not a lot of new fish coming in now with the fish on the downward side of the spawning cycle, but I can pick up one here and there.”
While Gagliardi has fished Lake Eufaula in the past and picked up a check in several of the tournaments, it has not been one of his strongest lakes. However, he is pretty confident the pattern he has found will give him a decent finish this week.
“I dug myself a pretty big hole and it put me on the bubble. At least if I can leave here treading water, I can go to the last two tournaments and make the cut for the Forrest Wood Cup.”
FLW Tour Major
May 16-19, 2013
Lake Eufaula
Lakepoint Resort State Park
Lineberger Hoping For Solid Finish In Bassmaster Southern Open To Step Up To Elite Series
Shane Lineberger hopes to figure out Logan Martin Lake for the Bassmaster Southern Open this week. Photo courtesy B.A.S.S./James Overstreet
After his first day of practice on his first trip to Lake Logan Martin, Shane Lineberger of Lincolnton, N. C., was not only baffled by the bass in the Alabama lake, he was barely cautiously optimistic of his chances to stay in the hunt for a chance to move up from the Bassmaster Southern Opens to the Elite Series.
But, after several days on the water, Lineberger felt much better about his chances.
After practice on Monday Lineberger admitted he had found fishing “tough.” Not that he was not catching fish, just that he was not catching any quality fish – and the only thing he was catching was on a Shakey Head, a technique he is not particularly fond of.
“My first full day on the lake I caught 12 to 15 keepers, but had only 10 to 12 pounds,” he said.
But, he added, he hoped the fishing would get better as the weather warmed up.
By Wednesday, he was in much better spirits.
“I think I have figured out what I need to do to catch a limit anyway,” he said with a laugh. “It's still kind of tough for me, but it's definitely better and I have found some fishing a little more my style”
That style, he added, is throwing a spinnerbait and a jig.
“I caught some on a spinnerbait today and it's supposed to be cloudy tomorrow,” he said. “They are also going to be pulling water tomorrow morning so I am a little more excited than I was the other day.”
The problem he had for the first day or two with the Logan Martin bass, Lineberger said, was figuring out the spotted bass in the lake.
“It took me longer than normal to figure out the deal with these spotted bass. These spots here don't act like the largemouths. They don't want anything to do with docks or the bank, not like the spots back home on Lake Norman.”
In his third year on the Southern Open trail, Lineberger has his sights set on moving up to the Bassmaster Elite Series, hopefully sooner than later.
“I did okay the last couple of years. I finished 22nd in the points my first year and 11th last year. I need to move up one more spot at least,” said Lineberger who currently is ranked 6th in the standings after finishing 30th in the first Open in late January-early February on Lake Tohopekaliga and 17th in the second Open on Douglas Lake in April.
“I've had some excitement and some disappointment this year. I led the first day at Douglas and then bombed the second day,” he said. “I think I need to have a top 20 here to make the Elites, so we will see how it goes.”
Bassmaster Southern Open
May 16-18, 2013
Logan Martin Lake
Water Receding Slowly At Kerr-Should Be Good For Collins Bass For Cash This Weekend
Collins Inc – Bass For Cash Series Event #3 Will Continue As Planned.
As predicted, the high waters on Kerr Lake finally crested on Monday and have been slowly dropping ever since. The level is down roughly 5 inches since I posted an alert on Monday regarding the high water conditions. Based on the current conditions and predictions of continued water release through the Kerr dam our event will move forward as scheduled on Saturday May 18th at the Flemingtown location. We thank you for your support and look forward to seeing everyone at this event.
The attached photo was taken Monday morning at the Flemingtown ramp location. The top of the ramp elevation is 305.27’. The current water level (5/15/13 @ 12:00 Noon) was 305.76’. Therefore we only need another reduction of 6 inches to get the water back below the top of the ramp. Here is a pic:
Boats Unlimited Nc Team Tournament Trail Results - May 11, 2013 - Jordan Lake
47 teams showed up for the 6th qualifying tournament of the 2013 Boats Unlimited NC Team Tournament Bass Trail. Weather was pretty good except for the 20 mph sustained winds we had all day! 57 degrees in the morning, getting up to about 75 in the pm.Randy Fisher & Donnie Lowe, seasoned veterans of the Piedmont Bass Classics, took 1st place honors with 5 bass weighing 16.52 lbs. They won the 1st place money and the BOATS UNLIMITED NC 1st place $1,000 bonus for a grand total of $2,030.
Billy Bledsoe & Brian MacDonald won 2nd place (15.83 lbs.) plus 1st place TWT and 1st Place Big Fish (6.00 lbs.) taking home $1,850 !!
Only 63 fish were weighed in for a total weight of 192 pounds. Big fish for the day was 6.00 lbs. Most fish were caught from 2 to 8 feet of water on a variety of baits including crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs and plastics for the most part. Water temps were around 70 degrees. The fish really looked healthy but the bite was slow!
Those fishing the tournament mentioned that there were shad everywhere and that might have had something to do with the slow bite. I want to thank all the anglers that participated and that support this trail.
Our next tournament will be the CBS QUALITY CARS Final Qualifier #5, May 18th at Shearon Harris out of Hollaman's Crossing Wildlife Ramp.
All the information on our tournaments can be found at: www.piedmontbassclassics.com
Now here are the full results:
1st Place: Randy Fisher & Donnie Lowe of Hillsborough & Mebane...5 bass...16.52 lbs...$2,030
2nd Place: Billy Bledsoe & Brian MacDonald of Fayetteville...4 bass...15.83 lbs...$590
3rd Place: Curtis & Charles Vaughn of Rougemont & Timberlake...5 bass...14.75 lbs...$510
4th Place: Bubba Haywood & Steve Goodwin of Roxboro & Durham...3 bass...12.05 lbs...$430
5th Place: William Small & Lee Williams of Wake Forest & Durham...4 bass...11.52 lbs...$350
6th Place: Mark Herndon & Jay Garrard of Bahama & Durham...4 bass...10.19 lbs...$250 (Tie)
6th Place: Mike Miller & Vladimir Tirado of Pittsboro & Raleigh...3 fish...10.19 lbs...$250 (Tie)
8th Place: Vinston Nettles & Jimmie Spencer of Pittsboro & Asheboro...5 bass...9.99 lbs...$200
9th Place: Ean Davis & Matt Czerepak of Southern Pines...5 bass...9.96 lbs...$150
1st Place Big Fish..2nd Place Team above...6.00 lbs...$630
2nd Place Big Fish..Bobby Matthews & David Overcash of Durham...5.24 lbs...$270
1st Place TWT..2nd Place Team above...15.83 lbs...$630
2nd Place TWT..3rd Place Team above: 14.75 lbs...$270
2nd Place team Billy Bledsoe & Brian MacDonald came to the scales with 4 bass that weighed 15.83 lbsFor all our Tournament Information:
Phil McCarson ... Tournament Director
919-471-1571 or 919-971-5042
email: [email protected]
web: www.piedmontbassclassics.com
Collins Bass For Cash Series Update For Kerr Lake
High Water Levels At Kerr Lake Close Some Ramps And Campsites.
As posted at the North Carolina State Parks web site: (5-10-13) Kerr Lake has risen over 3.5 feet since Monday, May 5th because of heavy rainfall in the Roanoke River Basin. The lake level at Kerr Lake is currently about 305.7’ msl. Current predictions indicate that it should crest at about 306’ on Sunday, May 12th or Monday, May 13th . It is predicted to then fall slowly to about 305’ on Friday, May 17th.
At this time the Flemingtown boating landing is inaccessible due to the high water conditions. The current water level at the time of this notice was 306.10’ which is roughly one foot above the top of the Flemingtown ramps. We are monitoring conditions and information from the Corps Of Engineers and are working with NC Wildlife to obtain an additional permit for another, suitable ramp site for our May 18th event if the water levels do not fall enough to use the Flemingtown location. Unfortunately relocating to an alternate ramp site with a higher elevation is not as simple as one would think. There is a process for obtaining permits for such tournament events and we must follow the rules set forth by the Corps Of Engineers and NC Wildlife for use of these public access points.
Obviously the sudden rise in water level was unexpected and is out of our control, but we will continue to work closely with officials to hold our event as scheduled. Please check back for daily updates as we will post any new information that we receive.
Visit the Collins Inc. - Bass For Cash Series site by clicking on the icon below.
Vicchio And Mcdavid Win The Tom's Marine Tt On Cherokee With 16.42 Lbs-Full Results Here!
Vicchio and McDavid Win
A rainy May 11 saw 121 teams participating in the fourth Toms Marine Team Trail event of 2013 and the team of Ken Vicchio and Greg McDavid took the $2500 top place with a 16.42-pound limit. Ken and Greg also won $100 in Motermate bonus money and will also receive the Ranger Cup payout as a registered member of Ranger Cup. Second through fourth place was about as tight as it get's with the three teams only be seperated by 0.03 pounds. Finishing second fromt hat group and winning $1500 was Steve Miracle and Mike Wolfenbarger. At 15.94-pounds Brent and Chuck Hoskins won the $1200 third prize while Wayne Copage and Darby Dye finished fourth with 15.93-pounds, which included the lunker smallmouth and paid a total of $1240. Steve Bean and Earl Bolin rounded out the top 5 with a 15.5-pound limit and won $520. Complete results, points and many pictures are now posted on the Toms Marine web site at http://www.tomsmarinetn.com . Toms Marine would like to invite everyone out for our next event June 15 on Douglas Lake at the Dandridge Public Ramp. A great pic of the Champs below:
Ken Vicchio and Greg McDavid net $2500 for their big win Sat on Cherokee!
Tom's Marine's 2012 Points Champions Lead 2013 Points Heading For Cherokee Lake
David Mullins and Brent Hoskins won on Douglas by nearly 4 pounds with their 22.44-pound limit
With three tournaments in the books, the points champions from 2012 have served notice on the rest of the field in the Tom's Marine Team Trail they intend to make it two in a row for 2013.
“David Mullins and Brent Hoskins won at Douglas Lake with 22.44 pounds and they have another good lead in the points this year,” said tournament director Richard McMaster.
With the win April 27 in the third tournament of the season, Mullins and Hoskins staked a 22-point lead on their nearest competitors, Bobby Ferguson and Charles McConnell. Steve Miracle and Mike Wolfenbarger are also in contention, just two points behind Ferguson and McConnell.
“The season is going great,” McMaster said. “We are averaging right around 115 to 120 boats per tournament and we've only had an 11-boat drop-off since the beginning of the year We are expecting a good turnout for the May 11 tournament on Cherokee Lake. If everybody shows up that fished the three tournaments so far, we could have between 100 and 125 boats.”
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. McMaster reminded anglers that they must fish six of the seven tournaments to qualify for the championship, so if they have fished two of the first three they will need to fish all four of the remaining tournaments.
“We will launch the May 11 tournament on Cherokee at the 25 E Bridge Access, not at the dam,” McMaster noted.
“The fish are starting to come off the beds. Some are just getting done spawning and some are still spawning, but most of the fish have finished spawning. They are looking kind of thin so weights could be down a little. I think it will take about 18 pounds to win the tournament.”
McMaster said the smallmouth spawn has been over for a while, so this could be a good smallmouth tournament.
“The smallmouth have been off the beds for a couple of weeks, so some good smallmouth could show up in the bags. The largemouths just got done, so they are not biting as well yet,” he said.
“The fish are being caught on a variety of stuff. Carolina rigs are doing well. They are still catching a few on the Alabama Rig, but that is slowing down as the water starts to warm up. The topwater bite is starting to take off a little bit, too.”
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, May 11, 2013
Cherokee Lake
25 E Bridge Access
Call Richard McMaster 423-748-3240
Horton Ready To Cash In On Excellent Spotted Bass Bite In Elite Tournament On Alabama River
Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Jamie Horton
Jamie Horton can't wait to get to the Alabama River for the 5th Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament of the year Thursday-Sunday. He only lives about an hour away from the fishery in Centreville, Ala., and he has had great success on the river in the past.
On top of that, all reports are the fishing are biting like crazy.
And that would be welcome news for Horton who, admittedly, is not having a great year so far.
“I'm struggling right now, worse than I ever have in my life. But I am trying to stay positive going into that tournament next week,” he said while competing in the Elite tournament on West Point Lake.
Horton hopes his struggles end on water he is very familiar with.
“I fished it about 10 years ago and then did not fish it four about five years, and then three or four years ago I started fishing it again. I have had a fair amount of success down there,” he said.
In fact, he has won two B.A.S.S. tournaments on the Alabama River and finished in the top 10 in another. He won the Bassmaster Tour tournament, fished out of Montgomery, in late May 2003, and the Bassmaster Tiger 4 – Selma BO in September 2006. And he finished 7th in the Bassmaster Series South Alabama BO in September 2003.
The Bassmaster Elite Series Alabama River Charge will be held out of Montgomery next week, which, said Horton, gives anglers a good 180 miles of fishable waters to spread out in.
“The Tallapoosa River comes out of Lake Martin, the Coosa River comes out of Lake Jordan and the Canal comes out of the new lake. All three run together to start the river about 30 miles above Montgomery,” he said. “So, we will be able to go up the Tallapoosa, the Coosa and the Canal. There is no limit. We can go all the way in the Canal to the dam. The Coosa and Tallapoosa are really shallow with rocks and shoals, so unless the water is high we won't be able to go all the way to the dams on those two.”
Downriver, he noted, there is about a 50-mile run to Jones Bluff Dam.
“If we are able to lock through, from Jones Bluff there is another 80 miles or so to Millers Ferry Dam. There are also a few major creeks we can fish up and down the river.”
While all the recent rains across the southeast have caused flooding on many lake and muddied the water, it is a boon to the Elite anglers on the river, Horton said.
“We are hitting it at a good time. We've not had a lot of rain all at one time – it's been spread out, so that has kept the river flowing good all year. There has been a lot of current this year and the fish have been biting good down there,” he said.
The increased current has really spiked the spotted bass bite, Horton said.
“There has been the best spotted bass fishing down there this year than I ever heard of. In February and March it took more to win with a stringer of spots that I had ever seen.”
The spotted bass population is at least equal to, if not bigger than the largemouth bass, Horton said. And spotted bass seem to have dominated weigh-ins recently.
“I am leaning towards spots being the majority of fish caught in the Elite Tournament. The fishery has big spots – 3-to-4-pounders, so you can win with spots on that water.”
Horton is anxious to get down on the river and catch some of those big spots in hopes of revitalizing his year on the Elite circuit.
Bassmaster Elite Series Alabama River Charge
May 9-12, 2013
Alabama River
Riverfront Park - Montgomery, AL
31St Clark Hill Memorial Open Team Tournament To Benefit Local Charities
The 31st Annual Clark Hill Memorial Open Team Bass Tournament – the longest-running charity tournament on the lake – will be held Saturday out of Wildwood Park with anywhere from 125 to 180 boats expected, according to Larry Gilpin, president of the Mr. Clark Hill Committee.
The Mr. Clark Hill Committee, which was founded in 1973 and includes 22 local bass clubs, conducts six major bass tournaments on the lake, with proceeds benefiting local charities.
“We have five main sponsors for all our Clark Hill tournaments,” Gilpin said. “They include CB Brown Plastics, Fairway Ford, Augusta Marine, Budweiser and Columbia County, which is our largest sponsor.
Gilpin said the committee raises $12,000 to $14,000 each year and funnels the money to charities such as Toys for Tots, Easter Seals and local student fishing teams.
“The Clark Hill Memorial Open Team Bass Tournament was originally started to support Easter Seals,” he said. “We give to several other charities also and we've got behind these kids' fishing teams now and we have three of those around Augusta that we are supporting – the North Augusta Fishing Team, the Harlem Fishing Team and the Augusta State Fishing Team.”
Registration for the Memorial Open Bass Tournament will be held at Fairway Ford in Evans, Ga., from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, with the drawing for boats at 7 p.m. The entry fee is $100, plus there is a $10 Big Fish Pot, with two Big Fish Pots available. If neither team member is a member of the Clark Hill committee there is also an additional $50 fee.
Late registration will be held at the ramp, staring at 5 a.m. Saturday. Entrants must be checked in no later than 6:30 a.m. For more information, call Larry Gilpin at (706) 738-7663 or (706) 836-3535, or Barry Frazier at (706) 829-3850.
31st Annual Clark Hill Open Team Tournament
Sat, May 11, 2013
Clarks Hill Lake
Wildwood Park
Call Larry Gilpin 706-738-7663 or Barry Frasier 706-829-3850
Launch Site Changed For Elite Series Tourney On Alabama River
High water on the Alabama River. photo by Eric Lopez/Bassmaster
If you noticed Elite Series pro Brandon Palaniuk's photo, which we shared on the AnglersChannel.com Facebook page, you saw how high the waters were on the Alabama River during the practice rounds for this week's tourney - stop #5 of 8 for the Bassmaster Elite Series.
The river is 10-to-11 feet higher than normal. Daily launches were scheduled to take place at the historic Montgomery Riverfront on Coosa Street in Montgomery, Ala. But the takeoff point has been moved.
Tournament Director Tripp Weldon explains, “From a safety standpoint, we moved the take-off point to Cooter’s Pond in Prattville,” Weldon explained. “We appreciate the consolidated efforts of Mayor Todd Strange of Montgomery and Mayor Bill Gillespie of Prattville in helping us to make this possible.”
Weldon expects he’ll be busy as ever handling fish on the weigh in stage. “Fishing is definitely going to be good. It has been a very wet spring, and with the water being high, the fishing has been excellent. Our anglers are going to catch a lot of spotted bass.”
Be sure to catch the live weigh in on Bassmaster.com Thursday through Sunday.
