AnglersChannel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wolfson Children’s Hospital Charity Bass Tournament

Sat, May 16, 2015

St Johns River

Palatka City Docks

(904) 360-4531

http://foundation.baptistjax.com/basstournament

by AnglersChannel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chattanooga Bass Association

Sat, May 16, 2015

Chickamauga Lake

Chester Frost Park

Call 423-593-3343

www.cbatournament.com

by AnglersChannel

Evers Sacks 20 Pounds, Leads Elites On Havasu

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

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

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

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

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

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

He said things are different now.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by AnglersChannel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10th Annual Warriors On The Water Bass Tournament

Fri, May 15, 2015

Jordan Lake - NC

New Hope Ramp

Call Hal Abshire 910-783-9233

www.warriorsonthewater.com

by AnglersChannel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alabama Bass Trail - North Division

Sat, May 9, 2015

Logan Martin Lake

Lakeside Landing

Call Kay Donaldson 855-934-7425

www.alabamabasstrail.org

by AnglersChannel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Carolinas Bass Challenge - North Carolina Division

Sat, May 9, 2015

Lake Hickory

Whittenburg Access

Call Brett Collins 803-413-7521

www.carolinasbasschallenge.com

by AnglersChannel

Martens Takes Slim Lead Over Fellow Elites On Cal Delta

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The West Coast dominance continued during Friday’s second round of the Sacramento Bassmaster Elite at Sacramento River, with four native Californians taking over the top of the standings.

Aaron Martens, who grew up in California and now lives in Alabama, caught five bass Friday that weighed 26 pounds, 9 ounces and took the lead with a two-day mark of 51-4.

The total was just enough to push him past Chris Zaldain, who is 6 ounces back in second with 50-14. After catching 30-7 Thursday, Zaldain added 20-7 Friday to stay within good striking distance of his second career win with B.A.S.S.

Justin Lucas – another California native who now resides in Alabama – is in third with 47-11, and California resident Ish Monroe is fourth with 45-4.

Most anglers near the top of the leaderboard are targeting shallow spawning fish 80 to 100 miles downriver in the California Delta, and they said some are easier to catch than others.

“I caught a 6-pounder right before I left to come back, and I made it back with two minutes to spare,” said Martens. Had he been late, he would have been penalized 1 pound per minute. “Some of these fish aren’t really spawning or even guarding fry; they’re just kind of there. The mornings are tough, because it’s been cold.

“It’s hard to find a big one that’s catchable.”

Martens said the tournament may hinge on deciding quickly which fish can be caught and which ones can’t.

“You’ve got to pick and choose which ones you’re going to spend an hour on,” Martens said. “That’s going to be the key to it. I’m making a long run, and I just don’t have much time to waste on a fish that’s never going to bite.”

Zaldain, whose Thursday catch was anchored by a 12-pound lunker, turned in a respectable effort Friday with five fish that averaged more than 4 pounds apiece. But the lack of a true giant allowed Martens to slip past him.

The San Jose native fished new areas Friday, trying to avoid the ever-increasing boat traffic in the Delta.

“Where I caught the 12-pounder yesterday, I just went right past it today,” Zaldain said. “There were a lot of boats in there, and I know there’s a tournament coming up tomorrow. So I went to a new area, just a discreet main-river bank.”

With less pressure from boat traffic, Zaldain caught a 5-pounder and a 6-pounder off a single bed in one of the new areas he fished Friday. But his technique options were limited compared to what he experienced Thursday.

“The three patterns that worked yesterday shriveled down to only one that worked today,” Zaldain said. “But that could be a different story tomorrow. Today, it was slick, calm and hot, and it seemed like every fish in my area wanted to go to the banks to spawn.”

Zaldain said he hopes to keep making the right decisions as conditions change in the Delta.
“I’m just being reactionary,” he said. “If something changes — like the weather or the tide — I just want to react to it. I’m not going to go and lock into one certain thing or one certain area.”

After catching 21-13 Thursday, Lucas began Friday’s round just hoping to catch enough fish to make the Top 52 cut. But his day evolved in a way that pleased the large contingent of friends, family and fans he had in the crowd.

“My goal this morning was to go out and get 10 pounds to make sure that I was going to make the cut and get a $10,000 check,” Lucas said. “I got a huge bonus fish – a 6-10 that I didn’t expect to catch – and a couple of 3-pounders.”

From there, Lucas decided to rely on his past knowledge of the California Delta to upgrade a five-fish limit that weighed about 16 pounds. He said he went to areas he hadn’t fished in 10 years and found they were still productive.

“I made a long run just trying to find new fish,” Lucas said. “I wanted some stuff that guys haven’t seen and haven’t been through yet. Bedding fish generally use the same hard banks, and they were right in the same places I used to find them.”

Some of the 52 remaining anglers who will fish Saturday were concerned about possible heavy boat traffic this weekend. The Delta will host the Coors Light “Silver Bullet” Delta Championship on Saturday and Sunday, and the California Bass Federation event on Sunday.

Monroe said other tournaments won’t be an issue for him as he begins Saturday in fourth place.

“The Coors Light tournament is a 60-boat tournament, and that’ll basically be the 60 boats we’re going to lose (from the Elite field) today,” Monroe said. “The 60-boat tournament on Saturday will be cut down to 20 for Sunday, and the Federation tournament on Sunday will only have 40 boats.

“Some people are blowing that out of proportion. There’s plenty of fish out there for everybody.”
The tournament will resume Saturday with a 6:15 a.m. PT take-off from Discovery Park in Sacramento. The weigh-in will be held at the park at 3:15 p.m., with only the Top 12 anglers advancing to Sunday’s final round.
2015 Bassmaster Elite Series Sacramento River 4/30-5/3
Sacramento River, Sacramento  CA.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2

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

1.  Aaron Martens          Leeds, AL               10  51-04  100     $500.00
Day 1: 5   24-11     Day 2: 5   26-09
2.  Chris Zaldain          San Jose, CA            10  50-14   99
Day 1: 5   30-07     Day 2: 5   20-07
3.  Justin Lucas           Guntersville, AL        10  47-11   98
Day 1: 5   21-13     Day 2: 5   25-14
4.  Ish Monroe             Hughson, CA             10  45-04   97
Day 1: 5   22-02     Day 2: 5   23-02
5.  Keith Combs            Huntington, TX          10  44-04   96
Day 1: 5   24-13     Day 2: 5   19-07
6.  Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ              10  43-14   95
Day 1: 5   24-00     Day 2: 5   19-14
7.  Ken Iyobe              Tokoname  Aichi JAPAN   10  43-01   94
Day 1: 5   21-12     Day 2: 5   21-05
8.  Bobby Lane Jr.         Lakeland, FL            10  38-15   93
Day 1: 5   21-02     Day 2: 5   17-13
9.  Chris Lane             Guntersville, AL        10  38-11   92
Day 1: 5   20-10     Day 2: 5   18-01
10. Dean Rojas             Lake Havasu City, AZ    10  38-06   91
Day 1: 5   16-12     Day 2: 5   21-10
11. Kevin VanDam           Kalamazoo, MI           10  37-09   90
Day 1: 5   22-05     Day 2: 5   15-04
12. Tim Horton             Muscle Shoals, AL       10  37-07   89
Day 1: 5   19-07     Day 2: 5   18-00
13. Randy Allen            Shreveport, LA          10  37-00   88
Day 1: 5   19-12     Day 2: 5   17-04
14. Skeet Reese            Auburn, CA              10  36-14   87
Day 1: 5   25-08     Day 2: 5   11-06
15. Jason Christie         Park Hill, OK           10  36-02   86
Day 1: 5   20-06     Day 2: 5   15-12
16. Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA            10  35-03   85
Day 1: 5   19-02     Day 2: 5   16-01
17. Gary Klein             Weatherford, TX         10  34-13   84
Day 1: 5   18-07     Day 2: 5   16-06
18. Koby Kreiger           Bokeelia, FL            10  34-04   83
Day 1: 5   21-00     Day 2: 5   13-04
19. David Walker           Sevierville, TN         10  34-03   82
Day 1: 5   19-01     Day 2: 5   15-02
20. James Elam             Tulsa, OK               10  33-13   81
Day 1: 5   18-15     Day 2: 5   14-14
21. Billy McCaghren        Mayflower, AR           10  33-04   80
Day 1: 5   15-06     Day 2: 5   17-14
22. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville, FL         10  33-00   79
Day 1: 5   21-13     Day 2: 5   11-03
23. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN          10  32-15   78
Day 1: 5   14-08     Day 2: 5   18-07
24. Kelley Jaye            Dadeville, AL           10  32-13   77
Day 1: 5   13-15     Day 2: 5   18-14
24. Brian Snowden          Reeds Spring, MO        10  32-13   77
Day 1: 5   13-15     Day 2: 5   18-14
26. Jordan Lee             Vinemont, AL            10  32-12   75
Day 1: 5   12-01     Day 2: 5   20-11
27. Greg Vinson            Wetumpka, AL            10  32-08   74
Day 1: 5   11-15     Day 2: 5   20-09
28. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA               10  32-07   73
Day 1: 5   11-13     Day 2: 5   20-10
29. John Murray            Phoenix, AZ              8  32-01   72
Day 1: 3   08-13     Day 2: 5   23-04
30. Russ Lane              Prattville, AL          10  31-13   71
Day 1: 5   16-10     Day 2: 5   15-03
31. Brent Ehrler           Newport Beach, CA       10  31-12   70
Day 1: 5   15-02     Day 2: 5   16-10
32. Dennis Tietje          Roanoke, LA             10  31-09   69
Day 1: 5   18-01     Day 2: 5   13-08
33. Terry Scroggins        San Mateo, FL           10  31-01   68
Day 1: 5   17-09     Day 2: 5   13-08
34. Britt Myers            Lake Wylie, SC          10  31-00   67
Day 1: 5   17-11     Day 2: 5   13-05
35. Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL             10  30-13   66
Day 1: 5   20-07     Day 2: 5   10-06
36. James Niggemeyer       Van, TX                 10  30-08   65
Day 1: 5   17-04     Day 2: 5   13-04
37. Ott DeFoe              Knoxville, TN           10  30-07   64
Day 1: 5   17-11     Day 2: 5   12-12
38. Keith Poche            Pike Road, AL           10  30-06   63
Day 1: 5   16-11     Day 2: 5   13-11
39. Tommy Biffle           Wagoner, OK             10  30-05   62
Day 1: 5   20-13     Day 2: 5   09-08
40. Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL              10  30-04   61
Day 1: 5   20-07     Day 2: 5   09-13
41. Chad Pipkens           Holt, MI                10  30-04   60
Day 1: 5   12-06     Day 2: 5   17-14
42. Kelly Jordon           Flint, TX               10  30-00   59
Day 1: 5   17-09     Day 2: 5   12-07
43. Boyd Duckett           Guntersville, AL        10  30-00   58
Day 1: 5   14-03     Day 2: 5   15-13
44. Brandon Coulter        Knoxville, TN           10  29-14   57
Day 1: 5   15-13     Day 2: 5   14-01
45. Randy Howell           Springville, AL         10  29-11   56
Day 1: 5   13-02     Day 2: 5   16-09
46. Jacob Powroznik        Port Haywood, VA        10  29-08   55
Day 1: 5   18-04     Day 2: 5   11-04
47. Seth Feider            Bloomington, MN         10  29-07   54
Day 1: 5   12-02     Day 2: 5   17-05
48. Brent Chapman          Lake Quivira, KS        10  29-01   53
Day 1: 5   14-05     Day 2: 5   14-12
49. Brandon Palaniuk       Rathdrum, ID             9  29-00   52
Day 1: 4   11-13     Day 2: 5   17-03
50. Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY             10  28-03   51
Day 1: 5   16-00     Day 2: 5   12-03
51. Kenyon Hill            Norman, OK              10  28-03   50
Day 1: 5   12-06     Day 2: 5   15-13
52. Kevin Short            Mayflower, AR           10  28-03   49
Day 1: 5   15-02     Day 2: 5   13-01
53. Cliff Crochet          Pierre Part, LA         10  28-02   48
Day 1: 5   15-10     Day 2: 5   12-08
54. Alton Jones            Lorena, TX              10  28-01   47
Day 1: 5   15-12     Day 2: 5   12-05
55. Edwin Evers            Talala, OK              10  27-15   46
Day 1: 5   11-08     Day 2: 5   16-07
56. Jason Williamson       Wagener, SC             10  27-15   45
Day 1: 5   15-11     Day 2: 5   12-04
57. Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN        10  27-15   44
Day 1: 5   12-15     Day 2: 5   15-00
58. Fletcher Shryock       New Philadelphia, OH    10  27-12   43
Day 1: 5   09-13     Day 2: 5   17-15
59. Hank Cherry Jr         Maiden, NC              10  27-11   42
Day 1: 5   19-07     Day 2: 5   08-04
60. Mark Davis             Mount Ida, AR           10  27-11   41
Day 1: 5   12-02     Day 2: 5   15-09
61. Brett Hite             Phoenix, AZ             10  27-10   40
Day 1: 5   10-09     Day 2: 5   17-01
62. J Todd Tucker          Moultrie, GA            10  26-15   39
Day 1: 5   18-14     Day 2: 5   08-01
63. Kurt Dove              Del Rio, TX             10  26-14   38
Day 1: 5   14-03     Day 2: 5   12-11
64. Kevin Hawk             Guntersville, AL        10  26-13   37
Day 1: 5   12-12     Day 2: 5   14-01
65. Chad Morgenthaler      Coulterville, IL        10  26-13   36
Day 1: 5   13-09     Day 2: 5   13-04
66. Shaw Grigsby Jr.       Gainesville, FL         10  26-09   35
Day 1: 5   13-08     Day 2: 5   13-01
67. Bradley Roy            Lancaster, KY           10  26-04   34
Day 1: 5   14-05     Day 2: 5   11-15
68. Michael Iaconelli      Pitts Grove, NJ         10  26-03   33
Day 1: 5   13-08     Day 2: 5   12-11
69. Marty Robinson         Lyman, SC               10  26-02   32
Day 1: 5   15-07     Day 2: 5   10-11
70. Jared Lintner          Arroyo Grande, CA       10  26-00   31
Day 1: 5   13-09     Day 2: 5   12-07
71. Jeff Kriet             Ardmore, OK             10  25-12   30
Day 1: 5   14-09     Day 2: 5   11-03
72. Davy Hite              Ninety Six, SC          10  25-09   29
Day 1: 5   11-10     Day 2: 5   13-15
73. Yusuke Miyazaki        Forney, TX              10  25-03   28
Day 1: 5   15-08     Day 2: 5   09-11
74. Gerald Swindle         Warrior, AL             10  25-02   27
Day 1: 5   13-06     Day 2: 5   11-12
75. Kotaro Kiriyama        Moody, AL               10  25-00   26
Day 1: 5   15-05     Day 2: 5   09-11
76. Nate Wellman           Newaygo, MI             10  24-13   25
Day 1: 5   13-10     Day 2: 5   11-03
77. Matt Lee               Auburn , AL             10  24-09   24
Day 1: 5   09-14     Day 2: 5   14-11
78. Micah Frazier          Newnan, GA              10  24-02   23
Day 1: 5   15-03     Day 2: 5   08-15
79. Mike McClelland        Bella Vista, AR         10  24-00   22
Day 1: 5   08-08     Day 2: 5   15-08
80. Cliff Pace             Petal, MS               10  23-15   21
Day 1: 5   16-05     Day 2: 5   07-10
81. David Williams         Maiden, NC              10  23-15   20
Day 1: 5   09-11     Day 2: 5   14-04
82. Paul Elias             Laurel, MS               9  23-09   19
Day 1: 4   10-09     Day 2: 5   13-00
83. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN           10  23-09   18
Day 1: 5   11-14     Day 2: 5   11-11
84. Todd Faircloth         Jasper, TX              10  23-06   17
Day 1: 5   15-03     Day 2: 5   08-03
85. Stephen Browning       Hot Springs, AR         10  23-06   16
Day 1: 5   09-06     Day 2: 5   14-00
86. Scott Rook             Little Rock, AR         10  23-02   15
Day 1: 5   11-12     Day 2: 5   11-06
87. Charlie Hartley        Grove City, OH          10  22-15   14
Day 1: 5   10-12     Day 2: 5   12-03
88. Andy Montgomery        Blacksburg, SC          10  22-14   13
Day 1: 5   12-00     Day 2: 5   10-14
89. Stephen Longobardi     Northford, CT           10  22-06   12
Day 1: 5   11-14     Day 2: 5   10-08
90. Rick Clunn             Ava, MO                 10  22-04   11
Day 1: 5   15-06     Day 2: 5   06-14
91. Josh Bertrand          Gilbert, AZ             10  22-03   10
Day 1: 5   13-08     Day 2: 5   08-11
92. Casey Ashley           Donalds, SC             10  22-02    9
Day 1: 5   11-03     Day 2: 5   10-15
93. Jared Miller           Norman, OK              10  22-00    8
Day 1: 5   10-06     Day 2: 5   11-10
94. Joseph Sancho          New Windsor, NY         10  21-13    7
Day 1: 5   10-00     Day 2: 5   11-13
95. Fred Roumbanis         Bixby, OK               10  21-10    6
Day 1: 5   14-01     Day 2: 5   07-09
96. Morizo Shimizu         Suita, Osaka JAPAN      10  20-06    5
Day 1: 5   11-08     Day 2: 5   08-14
97. Casey Scanlon          Lanexa, KS               9  19-15    4
Day 1: 4   07-03     Day 2: 5   12-12
98. Randall Tharp          Port St. Joe, FL        10  18-13    3
Day 1: 5   10-11     Day 2: 5   08-02
99. Kevin Ledoux           Choctaw, OK              6  18-10    2
Day 1: 1   01-04     Day 2: 5   17-06
100. Zell Rowland           Montgomery, TX          10  18-10    1
Day 1: 5   09-01     Day 2: 5   09-09
101. Mike Kernan            Wylie, TX               10  18-04    0
Day 1: 5   11-08     Day 2: 5   06-12
102. Jonathon VanDam        Kalamazoo, MI            6  17-00    0
Day 1: 2   06-03     Day 2: 4   10-13
103. Carl Jocumsen          Queensland TX AUSTRALIA 10  16-06    0
Day 1: 5   10-13     Day 2: 5   05-09
104. Byron Velvick          Boenre, TX               8  16-05    0
Day 1: 3   09-05     Day 2: 5   07-00
105. Brandon Card           Caryville, TN            9  15-04    0
Day 1: 4   05-07     Day 2: 5   09-13
106. Derek Remitz           Grant, AL               10  14-06    0
Day 1: 5   07-00     Day 2: 5   07-06
107. Takahiro Omori         Emory, TX                8  12-09    0
Day 1: 3   04-15     Day 2: 5   07-10
108. Matt Reed              Madisonville, TX         5  11-05    0
Day 1: 2   07-04     Day 2: 3   04-01
109. Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT           10  10-02    0
Day 1: 5   03-10     Day 2: 5   06-08
110. David Smith            Del City, OK            10  09-13    0
Day 1: 5   02-05     Day 2: 5   07-08
111. Scott Ashmore          Broken Arrow, OK         4  09-04    0
Day 1: 3   06-14     Day 2: 1   02-06
112. Matt Herren            Ashville, AL             5  08-13    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 5   08-13
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1       100       533      1607-03
2       109       553      1512-07
----------------------------------
209      1086      3119-10

by AnglersChannel

Justin Lucas Looks Forward To Elite Series Western Swing

A Western Homecoming

By: Tyler Brinks

The Bassmaster Elite Series is headed west and it will be a homecoming for many anglers. California native and current Alabama resident Justin Lucas is one of the many who are eager to compete in their home region. He grew up in Sacramento and calls the nearby California Delta one of his home waters, a place where he has fond memories and past tournament success.  With his experience at the next two venues, he expects two excellent events at the Sacramento River and Lake Havasu.=

APR 30 - MAY 3

Sacramento Bassmaster Elite at Sacramento River

Sacramento River, Sacramento, California

“I am really excited about this event because it is really where I learned about tournament bass fishing. All of my friends and family will be there as well as all of the guys who I used to compete against, it will be great to be in front of the hometown crowd,” adds Lucas. He has a long history on this venue and it includes winning tournaments, including one as a co-angler in an FLW Series Western Division event where he caught a 13lb 9oz bass on the last cast of one of the competition days.

While the tournament will take place out of the Sacramento River, the vast majority of the field will make the long run to the famed California Delta in search of winning bags. Lucas feels there is virtually no chance that the winning bag will come from the Sacramento River itself. Instead, he believes the winning angler will travel ninety minutes or more each way to fish the Delta. “The river has bass in it, but it is basically just miles of riprap and just doesn’t hold the same population of big bass like the Delta does. It doesn’t have the grass and all of the great things that makes the Delta so good,” states Lucas.

He predicts that the winning strategy could be a number of techniques including flippin’ and punchin’ as well as reaction baits like crankbaits, topwater and vibrating jigs. When asked for the predicted winning weight for the event, Lucas stated that it should take a daily average of 21-22lbs to take the win.

Punchin’ heavy grass mats will be a top producer during this event and Lucas plans to utilize a strategy he has learned over the years, alternating between different sizes of tungsten weights to find the right size to penetrate the grass. “If I know I am punching, I will have three identical 8’ heavy Abu Garcia Villain rods rigged up with Abu Garcia Revo Rocket reels. Each of them will have a different size Eco Pro Tungsten weight, a 1 oz, 1.5oz and a 2oz so I can fish thicker and thinner mats without have to re-tie or worry about it not getting through the grass,” shares Lucas. Having three different weight sizes allows him to fish more effectively and he believes the Berkley Havoc Pit Boss Jr. is the perfect punching bait to round out the presentation. “It is the right size bait for getting through the mats without hanging up. I will rig it on a 4/0 straight shank hook and fish it on 65lb Berkley Trilene Professional Grade Braid,” says Lucas.

MAY 7-10

Bassmaster Elite at Lake Havasu presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels

Lake Havasu, Lake Havasu City, Arizona

While just one state over from his previous home, Lucas has relatively limited experience fishing on Havasu. “I have fished a few tournaments there and most of them were as a co-angler, but I am familiar with it to a degree. I still have more experience there than most of the field, so that should help me in this event,” states Lucas.

Lucas predicts the winning bags to be largemouth, but says smallmouth will definitely play a factor. “The thing about fishing these desert lakes is it is all about fish management, knowing how many to catch each day and how many to save. The desert lakes are unlike anything else we encounter because the areas just don’t replenish as easily as other places and the general population of bass is also smaller on these lakes,” adds Lucas.

His predictions for top patterns are across the board and each angler should be able to do what suits them best. “Drop-shotting, flipping, topwater, spinnerbaits, jigs, crankbaits and swimbaits should all do well here. It will really come down to fishing whatever you like to do,” acknowledges Lucas. This wide spectrum of possibility also includes fishing locations. “The cool thing about how Havasu sets up is you will have plenty of guys fishing up the river and just as many fishing the lake. I think it will really split everyone up and guys can really spread out and cover water,” predicts the Alabama pro. At Havasu, Lucas predicts a winning weight with a daily average of 18 pounds per day.

When asked about his plan for the event, Lucas said that the drop-shot will play a big role in his arsenal. “Anytime you are fishing super clear water like Havasu has, the drop-shot will be a factor. It works well on Havasu and I have found that those natural colors and hues like oxblood and green pumpkin outperform everything else,” adds Lucas. He fishes his drop-shot on a 7’ medium action Abu Garcia Veracity rod with a Revo MGX spinning reel with 8lb Berkley Nanofil line and an 6 to 8lb Berkley Trilene 100% fluorocarbon leader. Another key is the weight size and shape. “I’ll use a 3/16 oz Eco Pro Tungsten Full Contact drop-shot weight the majority of the time but will go up or down in sizes based on how deep I am fishing,” says Lucas.

The Bassmaster Elite Series events on the Sacramento River and Lake Havasu should prove to be excellent tournaments both in terms of numbers of fish caught and total weight. Pros with Western origins like Justin Lucas are expecting to do well and also show the rest of the country what the West Coast has to offer bass fishermen.

by AnglersChannel

Nefar Tourney Produces Huge Number Of St Johns River Bass!

Quick – name the best fishery in America for numbers of bass. Name one where you can catch the fish of a lifetime. Same fishery? Not likely, but Florida’s St Johns River is offering the best of both worlds right now.

“I’ve been doing this for over 25 years,” said tournament director Mike Oglesbee. “Usually you can figure that a third of your boats are going to weigh fish. Today we had 151 boats. 126 of them weighed fish, and most of them had a limit. That’s well over ¾ of the field.”

Actually, that’s better than 80% of the field that weighed fish. Even when averaged with the zeroes, it equals a catch rate of 4.817 bass per boat in the 2015 NEFAR bass tournament to benefit Haven Hospice.

How do we know about these numbers? Oglesbee, who runs the OGS Tournament Trail, pays prize money to, not only the top finishers, but also what’s known as the ‘Average Joes’ – those whose catch most closely matches the statistical average for the day.

It’s a fun tournament. It pays well. It supports a truly worthy cause.

The NEFAR also served as a double-qualifier. Those who fish the Xtreme Bass Series or OGS Trails were allowed to count this event toward their points for the season. Xtreme Director Mike Blocher was on hand to help with the paperwork for the NEFAR tourney and to witness many of his anglers with many big bass.

“OGS Tournament Trails and Team Fishing Series has joined with the well-known Xtreme Bass Series to create a very powerful tournament Trail,” said Oglesbee of the collaboration. “All parties, Gene Crossway, Mike Blocker and yours truly, bring a little something to the table.  With a combined tournament experience approaching 50 years, we have agreed to work together to improve tournament fishing as a whole.”

The combined efforts of the tournament organizations helped to improve an already outstanding charitable event.

NEFAR stands for Northeast Florida Association of Realtors. The group has hosted a tournament each spring for 12 years now, In the process they’ve donated $250,000 to Haven Hospice in Palatka, Fla.

And NEFAR holds their tourney at a peak time on the St Johns. The whole river is on fire with everything from bedding bass to topwater fish and offshore bass.

Wayne Martin caught the biggest bass of the day at 8.84 pounds by slow-rolling a spinnerbait past a channel marker. How’s that for an offshore bite?

Lots of bass busted toads that flapped over endless eelgrass flats which sprawl from Lake George north until brackish water extinguishes them in Clay County.

And spawning bass were caught as far south as Astor, possibly beyond.

Yes, this is the same St Johns that intimidates Elite Series anglers with its tidal fluctuations and strange habits.

As with any other woman, your relationship with the river will depend greatly upon timing more so than on any particular thing you do.

She loves us in April. The honey moon is not over in May. With the huge Wolfson tournament coming up in mid-May, you need to make plans to visit and fish. It’s going to be a good spring on the big river.

Again, you can catch them numerous ways, but topwater is the most fun and offers the best shot at a trophy most days. Bring a big bag of Strike King Rage toads or similar and stay on the outside edges of eelgrass points. And stay in moving water.

If the tide isn’t moving, you need to.

As for results of the big NEFAR tourney (put this on next year’s calendar and join the fun!):

 Larry Cahan and his dad, David Cahan won $3,000 with 21.57 pounds.

The Cahans used a variety of lures in a variety of spots. Their advice, “Follow the moving water. That’s the most important thing. Better not be in the dead tide; you’ll be in trouble.

“We caught our 2 biggest fish right here in sight of Palatka and from there we burned all the gas out of the boat, running as far as the north end of Lake George,” said Larry, noting that David caught the biggest on a Devil’s Horse plug.

After the topwater action slowed, the Cahans rounded out their catch with soft plastics fished a number of ways from Carolina rigs to weightless trick worms.

Allen Hopper and Kerry Davis placed 2^nd with 20.83 pounds.

Kriss Kadlek and Matt Rittman were 3^rd with 20.58 pounds.

Scott Bullard and Tracy Hurst placed 4^th with 19.37 pounds.

Tony Haymon and Jeffery Smith round out the Top 5 with 18.23.

Look for video coverage on AnglersChannel.com and the Progressive Bass Wrap Up TV Show.

by AnglersChannel

Better Be A Good Poker Player To Win In Oakley Big Bass Tournament On Smith Mountain Lake

“It's like playing poker. You never know when to play your hand in that thing,” said Lucas, who plans to fish the Oakley big Bass Blue Ridge Classic this weekend on Smith Mountain Lake. “I've seen some hours when a 3-pound fish would win you $100 or $200 and then I've seen some hours when a 4-pounder would win you nothing.”

Lucas, who has fished the Oakley tournament on Smith Mountain Lake the past few years and collected some hourly money, described the set-up where anglers have to guess which hour to weigh their fish as a “crap shoot.”

“You have to figure out when to weigh your fish – if you have one – unless it is a real stud. They pay seven hours each day, with a total of $1,000 paid out per hour. That's a pretty good chunk of change.”

The Blue Ridge classic is coming to Smith Mountain Lake at just the right time, Lucas said.

“I am not much of a bed fishermen but I think the fish are going to be on the bed this weekend. There will be a lot of guys who will try to see what they catch.”

But that won't be the only game on the lake, he added. The winners of a recent tournament on the lake caught their fish on boat docks with a jig.

“So it's going to be probably the whole gamut of fishing this weekend – a topwater bite, some bed fishing and I am sure you should really be able to catch them on whatever you want to do.”

The Oakley Big Bass Tour has four major contingency programs. It is the anglers' responsibility to register for each program and notify the Oakley staff of his entry. Programs include : Nitro BPS: www.tournament-rewards.com; Optima: https://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/experience/optima-true-blue; Talon Rewards: www.talonrewards.com; and Toyota Bonus Bucks: www.toyotafishing.com.

The Oakley Big Bass Tournament has a guaranteed purse of $36,750 with hourly paybacks. The heaviest bass each hour wins $1,000, 2^nd $500, 3^rd $300, 4^th $250, 5^th $200, 6^th $150, 7^th $125 and 8^th $100. Weigh-in times at Parkway Marina are 8-9 a.m., 9-10 a.m., 10-11 a.m., 11 a.m.-12 p.m., 12-1 p.m., 1-2 p.m., and 2-3 p.m.

Whoever catches the biggest bass of the tournament will trailer home a 2015 Nitro Z7 with a Mercury 150Hp ProXS motor, valued at $30,000.

Oakley Big Bass Tournament Trail

Apr 25 & 26, 2015

Smith Mountain Lake

Parkway Marina

Call Mark Jones 214-605-4600

www.oakleyfishing.com

by AnglersChannel

19Th Kyle Page Tournament Saturday On Lake Murray Still Helping Families

Over the past 18 years, the tournament has provided financial assistance to local families to the tune of about $600,000.

The first “Kyle Page Open Team Bass Tournament” was held in 1997 to benefit the Page family, which faced mounting medical bills after Kyle was born with spina bifida, a birth defect of the spine. The tournament was a huge success raising over $10,000 for Kyle's family.

After seeing the success of the tournament and the outpouring of the community, Kyle's dad, the late Joel Page, a local bass tournament fisherman, asked to continue the tournament to raise money for other families in need of assistance to care for children with special medical needs. For nearly two decades the tournament has been a staple of the springtime tournament scene at Lake Murray.

Meantime, Kyle Page has grown up and is now a senior at Chapin High School. The 18-year-old was experiencing some major medical issues, undergoing five surgeries, including major back surgery, between the 2013 and 2014 tournaments.

“Last year was pretty rough, but I seem to be on the right path now,” Kyle said.

The entry fee is $150 per boat, with a guaranteed first place prize of $5,000. The total payout is based on the number of boats entered, but usually it runs about 15 places, Kyle said.

“We pay two big fish. The first big fish is $300 and the second big fish is $200.”

Historically, the tournament draws 150 to nearly 200 boats. As of the first of the week more than 40 teams had already registered. Brett Collins, Owner/Director of the Carolina Anglers Team Trail, LLC, will serve as weighmaster.

Drop boxes for registration forms are located at Wilson's II in Little Mountain and The Station at Dreher Island.

While the anglers are fishing, the state park takes on a family atmosphere. The Part-Timers Band with Bryan Stockman will provide music from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities for children include the DNR's new Boat Simulator. There will be T-shirts and insulated cups for sale, along with raffle tickets for prizes. Hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries and drinks will be available also.

MSKP Kyle Page Charity Bass Tournament

Sat, Apr 25, 2015

Lake Murray

Dreher Island State Park

Call Beth Frick at 803-945-7879 or Shelly Page at 803-345-3468

by AnglersChannel