Carolina's Bass Challenge Nc Div Champion James Blankenship And His $30,000 Win!!
Some good quality fish on display Sat afternoon at High Rock, with the winning angler taking home a $30,000 Boat/Trailer Pkg, and a wrap up with Matt Farris from Foothills Marine!
Carolina's Bass Challenge Nc Div Championship Highlights And Wrap Up From High Rock!
Some good quality fish on display Sat afternoon at High Rock, with the winning angler taking home a $30,000 Boat/Trailer Pkg, and a wrap up with Matt Farris from Foothills Marine!
Montgomery Hoping To Stay In Classic Competition With Good Finish In Elite Series On Toledo Bend
Toledo Bend Reservoir has been good to Andy Montgomery in the two previous major tournaments he has fished there and he is hoping the pattern holds true for the fifth Bassmaster Elite Series tournament of the year next week.
A lot is at stake, more than just making a check in the 2012 Elite Series Toledo Bend Battle, the Blacksburg, S.C., angler said. He has a second straight Bassmaster Classic invite in sight and a good finish at Toledo Bend would go a long way to securing that spot in the BASS Championship.
Ironically, he finished 36th in the 2011 Bassmaster Classic on the Louisiana Delta this past February and he is ranked 36th in the Angler of the Year points at this stage of the season, having collected a check in all but one of the Elite tournaments so far.
“I am on the bubble right now since they probably will take 36, so I have to at least maintain at Toledo Bend,” he said. “I need a pretty good finish.”
So far he's had two better than “pretty good” finishes on the giant reservoir on the Sabine River between Texas and Louisiana. With 185,000 acres, Toledo Bend is the largest man-made body of water in or partially in Texas, the largest in the South, and the fifth largest in surface acreage in the United States.
“There are so many things you can do on that lake, so many different ways you can catch them, and it is so big is kind of spreads the field out a little bit. You can flip grass shallow, you can fish the deep grass, and you can fish the deep ledges. There are all kinds of things you can do,” Montgomery said. “It's a good place to hold a tournament, but the only downfall is that it can get really rough. There is a lot of standing timber and that can be aggravating to be around if the wind gets up.”
In two previous trips to the lake, Montgomery finished second in a Professional Anglers Association tournament about three years ago and he notched a sixth place finish in the 2011 Elite Series Trokar Battle on the Bayou there in April 2011.
“Both times I could catch fish shallow and I guess that was the reason I did pretty well in those tournaments,” said Montgomery who leaves Saturday to practice on the lake before the tournament begins. “But, I don't know about this time with us going in June. I expect it is going to be more of a deep water tournament.”
That said, Montgomery said there will still be some fish shallow and he hopes to capitalize on those fish before looking for more bass out deep.
“When I get there I'll probably start out fishing shallow and hopefully put something together shallow so I will know I can catch some fish doing that. Then I will try to find some fish out deep, try to find a big school of fish where you can catch a lot in one place.”
Bassmaster Elite Series
Jun 7-10, 2012
Toledo Bend Reservoir
Cypress Bend Park
Skeeter/yamaha Package On Line For Nc Carolina Bass Challenge Final On High Rock
Todd Walters and Jason Threadgill won 1st Place on Lake Hickory with 27.50 lbs.
The Carolinas Bass Challenge launched in February like a rocket going to the moon and has picked up steam every tournament held since, with the two-state championship on Kerr Lake in October expected to be one of the richest and most competitive tournaments in the history of bass fishing in the Carolinas.
It has already paid huge dividends for anglers who have scored along the way, said tournament director Brett Collins just before the North Carolina Division Final this Saturday on High Rock Lake.
“Over four North Carolina qualifiers so far we have averaged paying back $10,250 to first place and the total payback after High Rock will be over $130,000 – just on the North Carolina side.”
The Carolinas Bass Challenge is a two-division series promoted by Skeeter Boat dealers Marshall's Marine in Lake City, S.C., Foothills Marine in Morganton, N.C., and Palmetto Marine in Greenville, S.C. The South Carolina Divisional Final will be held June 23 on Lake Wateree out of Clearwater Cove.
Teams had to fish three of four four qualifiers in a state division or a combination of three qualifiers across divisions to make the Divisional Final and Championship. Each team member paid a $35 membership fee and the team entry fee per tournament is $200. While first place was guaranteed at $5,000 for each event, that was surpassed and often doubled or more at each tournament.
The winning team at both the South Carolina Division Final and the North Carolina Division Final will win a Skeeter TZX190/150 with a Yamaha 150HPDI. The winning team in the Championship on Kerr Lake in October will win a Skeeter ZX200/200 Yamaha SHO.
“We will start taking entries to the Kerr Championship Monday June 25th after the South Carolina Wateree Final,” Collins said. “The 2012 Kerr Championship meeting will be held Friday, October 26. At least one team member must be present.”
He also announced that Cashion Rods has been added as a 2012 sponsor. The 2012 CBC Championship winning team and the North Carolina and South Carolina Final winning teams will receive two Cashion rods valued at $200 each.
“More than 125 teams have qualified to enter the North Carolina final at High Rock,” said Collins.
Steve Sink and Robert Mixon won $1,000 for the North Carolina Division points title. Sink fished with Tony Foster to place fourth in the Lake Hickory qualifier May 19 to cinch the points championship. Maurice Freeze and Pat Tierny won $500 for second in the points and Ken Fender and Matt Haywood collected $250 for third place in the points.
Fishing has been tough on High Rock, Collins said, but reports are it has been improving slightly recently.
“I heard the fishing was better this past weekend. But the lake is muddy and after all the rain the region received it probably will be muddy Saturday,” Collins said.
Fishing probably will be most productive, he said, fishing docks and offshore, which is the norm this time of year on High Rock.
And, Collins added, you usually have to have a pretty good kicker in the bag.
“Whoever has that will win,” he said.
Carolinas Bass Challenge - North Carolina Division Final
Sat, Jun 2, 2012
High Rock Lake
Tamarac Marina
Call Brett Collins 803-413-7521
www.carolinasbasschallenge.com
Herlong Would Love To See The Sun Shine Bright For Saturday's Sc Bfl On Lake Wateree
While forecasters are predicting a long, hot summer, it would suit Eddie Herlong if it gets started this Saturday.
A good, sunny and hot day would be the ticket for the way Herlong wants to fish in the Walmart Bass Fishing League South Carolina Division tournament on Lake Wateree Saturday.
“Typically, after the spawn, the hotter the weather the better the fish bite. A good, hot, sunny – or even partly cloudy – day they will try to get in the shade somewhere, under docks or whatever. That just makes it easier to find the fish for someone who likes to fish shallow,” said Herlong.
“Sunshine puts them in the shade and when they find shade I can find shade,” said the Prosperity, S.C., angler who is a co-leader in the S.C. Division points race with Hank Cherry of Maiden, N.C. “It puts them in the brush, under docks, and that that makes it easier to pinpoint them. When it is a cloudy day they sort of roam around, they don't get under the docks or relate to structure as well.”
That wisdom holds true for the shallow fish, said Herlong who has been a force in local South Carolina tournaments for decades.
“It may not affect the deep fish as bad, but I normally don't fish deep,” he said.
Cherry and Herlong are ranked 1 and 2, in a tie for the points lead in the South Carolina Division with 572 points each. Cherry has won $3,723 this year so far to Herlong's $1,653.
They have similar records in the three tournaments held to date. Cherry finished second in the Lake Murray tournament Feb. 25 while Herlong, who lives near the lake, finished 18th. On March 17 Cherry finished 6th and Herlong 7th on Lake Wylie. Then at Santee Cooper April 14 Herlong was 6th while Cherry finished 23rd.
Herlong has practiced on Lake Wateree several times over the last week or two with mixed success. His best day came last week when he boated a 5-pounder, two 4-pounders and a 3-pounder.
“I am going Friday to see what is happening. It is supposed to be cloudy and that is a minus for me, but I hope the clouds are gone and the sun is shining on Saturday,” said Herlong who predicted it will take about 18 pounds to win Saturday's BFL on Wateree.
“If somebody gets on some good deep fish it might take more than that,” he added.
As for the weather, he has plenty of experience over the years dealing with whatever Mother Nature throws at him in a tournament, so he is prepared to adjust.
“You can't control the weather. It's going to do what it wants so you just have to try to fish around it,” he said.
Walmart Bass Fishing League (BFL) - South Carolina Division
Sat, Jun 2, 2012
Lake Wateree
Clearwater Cove Marina
Carolina Anglers Team Trail Results - Kerr Lake - May 26, 2012
Johnny Wilder and Mike Harris took home $3.117.00 by bringing in 5 Kerr Lake bass weighing up at 15.19 lbs which secured them a 1st Place finish at the Final… and they also weighed in a 4.67 lb bass which was the 2nd Place BF. They also received a “Winners Bucket” from Deep Creek Lures and Captain Garys Boat Products, www.captiangarysproducts.com. They also received $50 gift certificates provided by Outhouse Tackle, www.outhousetackle.com.
Jeremy Sabo and Dale Campo took 2nd Place with 14.09 lbs and they weighed in a 5.27 lb bass which was the BF of the tournament. All total they collected $1,773.00.
Merle Knott and Roger Clary earned $1,490.00 for their 3rd Place finish with 14.02 lbs. They also collected the 1st Place BONUS $.
Brad McLaurin and Mike Marchant took 4th and the 2nd Place BONUS $ with 5 bass weighing 12.71 lbs. All total they received $710.00.
Calton Hall and Jason Suggs claimed $250.00 and 5th Place with 5 bass weighing 12.46.bs.
Billy Bledsoe and James Baxley weighed in 12.45 lbs and took home $200.00 for their 6th Place finish.
7th Place went to Tim Askew and Tracy King with a limit weighing 12.19 lbs and they earned $155.00.
Brett Collins
CATT LLC
Dziwulski, Cox Win Boat Us National Title For Nc State!!!
Florence, Alabama - May 25, 2012 - Ben Dziwulski and Ethan Cox are the 2012 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Champions. Over the course of two days they managed to haul 45.60 pounds of bass, both largemouth and smallmouth from Lake Pickwick. For the first time in its seven year history, the traveling trophy is making a repeat visit, heading back to Raleigh, North Carolina and the campus of North Carolina State.
Ethan and Ben were the last NC State team from the Basspack to be confirmed from the waiting list. Despite having a great network of contacts in the area, their late confirmation prevented them from doing anything but online research prior to making the trip to Florence, but fortunately for the duo, they got off to a great start on the first practice day, plying one particular deep spot on Lake Pickwick with Strike King 5 and 6 XD crankbaits.
According to Ben, "We found an amazingly good deep spot early on Monday, which allowed us to get dialed in pretty quickly and make the most of our time during the official practice period. We made a few casts and had two four pounders and we knew we were set."
Regarding competition days, Ethan added, "We had our limit within the first hour on Thursday and we knew they were the right fish to win, so once we were comfortable with our first day weight, we backed off and just watched our spot for several hours. I'm glad we finally got to unload on them on Friday."
The pair was ecstatic and thanked their parents for their continued support, including making the trip to Florence as part of the "support crew", they also thanked NC State for the continued support of the Basspack.
As Ethan put it, "We have an amazing bass fishing program at school and actually bass fishing is the reason I picked a four year school and NC State in particular."
Their magic spot was good enough for the tournament's largest bag of fish, 25.67 pounds, and the day's largest bass at 6.56 pounds. Their haul netted them a $5,000 first place prize, $1,000 ACA contingency bonus, a $1,000 BoatUS Weigh to Win bonus, the Daily Berkley Big Bass Award, as well as the Cabela's Angler Cash bonus.
The spot was so good in fact; they plan to stick around an extra day or two and fish it again, just to see what else swims there.
The Top 5 included:
Tennessee Tech University
Joe Slagle & Matt Clay - 41.00 lbs.
Auburn University - Montgomery
Jacob Nummy & Corey Pierce - 36.91 lbs.
University of Tennessee - Chattanooga
Parker Bacon & Taylor Bolton - 36.59 lbs.
Northwest Shoals Community College
David Allen and Micha Crunk - 35.66 lbs.
More coverage can be found atCollegiateBassChampionship.com
Couch Hoping Fish Turn On In Time For Berry's Team Tournament Trail Classic
When the Berry's Team Tournament Trail Classic gets underway on Georgia's Lakes Sinclair and Oconee the first weekend in June, Tony Couch will be looking at one undisclosed area on one of the lakes to produce a winning bag of bass.
The problem is, he said, although he caught several nice bags of fish in tournaments off the area last year it has not produced all year long this tournament season.
“It's been like a dead sea so far this year,” said the Buckhead, Ga., angler, who has been a force in local tournaments for decades.
“Last week they started biting there a little bit,” said Couch. “This morning I got just one bite in one narrow little strip there, but they are still dead in the best stretch.”
Couch said he plans to keep checking the area until the tournament.
“I know the fish are going to be there and they have to start biting sometime. They can't be dead forever,” he said. “I know it is going to get better. I just hope it gets better by next week.”
He said it will probably take 31 to 33 pounds to win the championship which will start Saturday, June 2, on Lake Oconee and finish Sunday, June 3, on Lake Sinclair.
“My opinion right now is that the biggest sack of fish will come from Oconee and the smaller sack will come from Sinclair,” he said. “Somebody who does pretty good on both lakes will probably win it.”
Couch said he believes most of the fish will be caught shallow, although there are some fish being caught deep on both lakes.
“I think the ones who do best will catch a few fish on topwater early and the spend the rest of the day flipping docks or dragging points with a Carolina rig.”
Couch teamed with George Goodman of Monticello, Ga., to win the Berry's Team Trail points championship in 2011. They were leading the 2012 points going into the final tournament last weekend on Lake Oconee, but slipped to second place when they weighed in 14 pounds and Matt Henry and Justin Kimmel weighed in a 20-plus pound limit to fish to claim the championship.
He fished a number of FLW Outdoors tournaments, winning more than $441,000, from the mid-90s until a few years ago when he went back to fishing local tournaments only.
“Sponsorship money ran slim when times got hard in this economy and I could not afford to fish without it,” he said.
The Berry’s Tournament Trail is somewhat unique in that all eight of the tournaments, plus the season-ending classic, are held on Oconee and Sinclair. Four regular season tournaments are held on Oconee and four are held on Sinclair, with anglers having to fish at least five tournaments to qualify for the classic, which means they have to fish both lakes at least once.
Berry's Team Tournament Trail Classic
Jun 2-3, 2012
Lake Oconee (Sugar Creek Marina)
Lake Sinclair (Little River Park)
Phone: 770-787-6179
Memorial Day Weekend Update From Ac Pro Staffer Rob Digh
AC Pro Staffer Rob Digh says there are a few area lakes that are very HOT right now and this will be a good weekend to just go out and have some fun..........If you see a VET this weekend, be sure to say "Thanks", as without them, we wouldn't have Memorial Day or the Freedom we so much enjoy!
St. Jude Bass Classic Poised To Break Single-Year Fund-Raising Total For Hospital
Fishermen are turning out in droves for the St. Jude Bass Classic on Mississippi's Sardis Lake Sunday. The tournament is set to raise the most money it ever has in its 40-year history. The prize package for the winners is outstanding. And the weather for Sunday is going to be beautiful, with clear skies and temperatures in the low 90s.
The only fly in the ointment, said tournament director Rick Lesley, is low water levels in the 98,000-acre Corps of Engineers reservoir an hour south of Memphis, Tenn.
“That's got everybody wondering where they are going to fish. But there have been some small tournaments down there in the last few weeks where some 6- and 7-pound fish were caught, so the fish are still there. The low water just makes it a little tougher on everybody.”
For that reason, Lesley said, the tournament probably will be won fishing deep.
“I imagine a lot of people will be fishing points and ledges. It's a flood control reservoir and when they flooded it they blew up some old silos so there will be some deep water structure fishing going on.”
And, while that may limit some fishermen it is not a game-breaker, Lesley said.
“We had the same situation a couple of years ago and the winning team still caught over 25 pounds with a five-fish limit. Their fish came off a deep water island.”
Although Lesley has been involved with the St. Jude Bass Classic for about 20 years, this is his first time as tournament director.
“It is quite an honor,” he said. “You are raising money for the children of St. Jude's. This is probably the longest-running charity tournament there is and over the past 40 years we have raised more than $2 and a half million.”
The best year of the tournament it brought in $135,000 for the children's hospital, but Lesley said this year will exceed that.
“With a field of 250-plus we are hoping to top $150.000 this year. We are trying to expand the tournament to get more people involved. We want to include the whole family, not just Dad out there fishing,” he said.
With that goal in mind, tournament organizers have brought in some heavy hitters. Bass tournament legend and television show host Bill Dance will be a special guest at the awards ceremony. Bass pro Mark Rose, who has won more than $1.5 million in Bassmaster and FLW events, will emcee the weigh-in and awards. And Troy Landry, who appears on the History Channel's “Swamp People” show, will participate in the pre-tournament registration event on Saturday.
But the fishermen are the stars of the tournament, with teams coming from more than half a dozen states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky and Missouri.
“We have probably 30 guys who travel up here from Louisiana every year. They come up and spend the whole week and fish the tournament. They have been doing that for probably the last 15 years,” Lesley said.
The St. Jude Bass Classic, which was started in 1971 by a group of volunteers from the Memphis Bass Club, is held each Memorial Day weekend to raise funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which this year is celebrating 50 years of finding cures and saving children.
First place in the tournament takes a hefty prize home: $1,500 Cash and two War Eagle boats, two outboard motors and two trailers. There will also be a drawing from the entered anglers and the winner will take home a new Nissan Frontier pickup truck and a War Eagle boat, Lesley said.
“There is still time to register,” he said. “Call me or go to the website and register. We will also have on-site registration the morning of the tournament.”
40th Annual St. Jude Bass Classic
Sun, May 27, 2012
Sardis Lake
Engineer Point Public Use Area
Call Rick Lesley at (901) 412-7683
2012 Wolfson Children's Hospital Tournament Champions Sam Grant And Zach Crabtree Take Home $10,000!!
AC Pro Staffer Vance McCullough grabs the 2012 Wolfson Children's Hospital Champions Sam Grant and Zach Crabtree after their 23.97 LB haul on the St. Johns River.....they beat our 462 other boaters to take home the Guaranteed 1st Place prize of $10,000, and the Strike King Spinnerbait that keyed their win!
2012 Wolfson Children's Hospital Amazing Weigh-In Highlights!!
This is what happens when you have 450+ boats show up for a bass tournament...........lots and lots of BIG FISH! AC Pro Staffer and Insider Vance McCullough showcases some of this years best bags!
2012 Wolfson Children's Hospital Tournament Morning Blastoff
AC Pro Staffer and Insider Vance McCullough on the dock with 450+ boats behind him at Blastoff for the 2012 Wolfson Children's Hospital Bass Tournament!
Collegiate Anglers Enjoy Big Week At Nationals On Pickwick!
However, this isn't just a tournament - it's an event to be reckoned with.
These students will be treated like kings - and queens, since there are more than a few female competitors - from the time they arrive in Florence, Alabama for the festivities. In fact, the largesse will begin before they even leave campus. It's a no-entry fee event, with lots of sponsor goodies, and even a hundred dollar travel stipend. On top of that, there's over $120,000 in combined prizes available in the form of cash, services and merchandise.
The actual competition days won't begin until Thursday May 24th, but once these young men and women arrive they'll be treated as if they'd qualified for any other prestigious fishing championship. Tuesday the 22nd will be Yamaha Angler Appreciation Night at McFarland Park. Students will be treated to dinner, mingle with pros including Ish Monroe and Takahiro Omori, and have time to take Ranger/Yamaha demo rides and get help from the respective service crews.
On Wednesday, registration will begin with a sponsor reception hosted by 20 very involved corporate entities. Dinner will be provided by NBC Sports Outdoors, the ACA television partner, and will feature a keynote address by reigning Forrest Wood Cup champion Scott Martin.
On the two competition days, the anglers will be provided with breakfast and lunch, courtesy of the ACA. At the end of the day on Thursday there will be a cookout donated by Costa Del Mar, as well as a guest appearance by Costa Pro, Casey Ashley. Friday's dinner will come from the ACA. If anyone goes hungry next week, they have no excuse.
In addition to the pros listed above, many other national touring pros will be on hand to offer advice and encouragement, including Jeff Kriet, Mike McClelland, Brandon Card, Clark Wendlandt and Jeff Reynolds.
2012 Sportsman's Warehouse June Product Showcase With Barry Sowers!
THe back-stretch of big team trails and charity tournaments is on us now, as well as big time NIGHT TOURNAMENTS! Sportsman's Warehouse Tournament Angler Barry Sowers takes us through some big-time key baits he says are a must for this time of the year!
2012 Sportsman's Warehouse Post Memorial Day Product Showcase With Barry Sowers!
Now that Memorial Day Weekend is past, the back stretch of Tournament Bass season is underway and that means warmer water temps and a much deeper bite. Sportsman's Warehouse Angler Barry Sowers breaks down a few key deeper water baits that you will need to have ready at blastoff!
2012 Sportsman's Warehouse Pre Memorial Day Product Showcase With Barry Sowers!
With Memorial Day Weekend just days away, we thought grabbing Barry Sowers from Sportsmans Warehouse in Columbia, SC to talk about maybe the last weekend of this spring to find a shallow bite and what he would recommend you have on the boat!
Steven Porter Wins The Kevin Van Dam Big Bass Classic On Table Rock
Results: Kevin VanDam Big Bass Classic
Overall
| Rank | Angler | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steven Porter | 6.60 |
| 2 | Jason Baxter | 6.42 |
| 3 | Daniel Potter | 6.00 |
| 4 | Aaron Hodge | 5.78 |
| 5 | Lewis Ray | 5.42 |
| 6 | Jeff Hunt | 5.34 |
| 7 | Kelly Jones | 5.26 |
| 8 | Tom Statler | 5.18 |
| 9 | Randolph Lyman | 5.17 |
| 10 | Kelly Greer | 5.16 |
| 11 | Les Brandenburg | 5.10 |
| 12 | Thomas Heischmidt | 5.06 |
| 13 | Gary Groeteke | 4.95 |
| 14 | Gary Groete | 4.94 |
| 15 | Chris Taul | 4.93 |
| 15 | Ron Hedgpeth | 4.93 |
| 16 | Gary Copeland | 4.92 |
| 17 | Roger Hackman | 4.79 |
| 18 | Tate Womack | 4.75 |
| 19 | Greg Declue | 4.72 |
| 20 | Scott Ford | 4.70 |
| 21 | Adam Nacke | 4.69 |
| 22 | Bob Lowell | 4.65 |
| 23 | Wayne Youngblood | 4.61 |
| 23 | James Roberts | 4.61 |
| 24 | Justin Nave | 4.59 |
| 25 | Dale Reed | 4.54 |
| 26 | Doug Fulkerson | 4.52 |
| 27 | Bobby Albert | 4.50 |
| 28 | Bruce Parsons | 4.48 |
| 29 | Michael Qualls | 4.45 |
| 30 | Brian Blakey | 4.42 |
| 31 | Scott Bailey | 4.32 |
| 32 | Brady Meredith | 4.31 |
| 33 | Jeffrey Compton | 4.27 |
| 34 | James Barnett | 4.23 |
| 35 | Gary Johnson | 4.22 |
| 35 | Ryan Butler | 4.22 |
| 36 | Mikel Wheeler | 4.21 |
| 37 | Randy Baker | 4.20 |
| 38 | Nathan Aukamp | 4.19 |
| 38 | Scott Kepko | 4.19 |
| 39 | Danny Loveland | 4.18 |
| 40 | Johnny Ash | 4.17 |
| 41 | Donnie Case | 4.11 |
| 42 | Gordon Luechtefeld | 4.03 |
| 43 | Timmy Peaka | 4.00 |
| 43 | Jared Gobel | 4.00 |
| 44 | Daniel Cornelison | 3.99 |
| 45 | Eric Snow | 3.97 |
| 46 | Robert Swearngin | 3.89 |
| 47 | Bryan Eiland | 3.80 |
| 48 | Darryl White | 3.78 |
| 49 | Mark Irwin | 3.72 |
| 50 | Tyler Zimmerman | 3.68 |
| 51 | Benjamin Woodruff | 3.66 |
| 52 | Kirk Sims | 3.62 |
| 53 | Lance Fausett |
Accent Marine Team Trail Results - May 20, 2012 - Kissimmee Chain
Accent Marine held their 5th tournament of 2012 on the Kissimmee Chain May 20, 2012. James Pearson and Jeff Crandon took home the 1st Place Prize of $590.00 after catching 28.20 lbs!
The 2nd Place team was James Watkins and Wayne Yohn. They caught 24.99 lbs and won $492.00. 3rd Place was won by Jeremy Cannon and Brett Cannon with 23.30 lbs, good for $393.00.
Chuck Pons and Casey Gonzalez took 4th Place with 22.70 lbs and $294.00. 5th Place was won by Derick Maschmeier and Michael Thacker. They caught 22.35lbs, good for $196.00.
The Big Bass of the day was caught by the team of Jeremy Cannon and Brett Cannon, a nice 10.29 lb bass that won them $500.00!
Jeremy Cannon with the Big Fish of the tournament
Piedmont Bass Classics Results - Jordan Lake - May 19, 2012
Jerry Marshburn & William Burns finally got a 1st place finish after numerous 2nd & 3rd place endings! 46
teams showed up at Jordan for the 6th qualifying tournament of the Boats Unlimited~Piedmont Bass Classics
2012 Spring Bass Tournament Trail.
The weather was nice with 57 degrees in the morning with 3 mile an hour winds and 79 degrees in the pm with 10 to 15 mph winds gusting to 20 and the water level was about a 6 inches above normal. We had a great weighin and I want to thank everyone that participated!
181 fish were weighed in for a nice total weight of 462 pounds and all the bass looked fairly healthy. Most fish
were caught early morning in 1 to 2 feet of water on a variety of baits including spinnerbaits, plastic worms,
crankbaits, buzzbaits and Rat-L-Traps for the most part. The hot baits for the day reported to be plastics and
topwater! Some bass were reported caught in 17 feet of water on Rat-L-Traps Water temps were around 75
degrees. I want to thank all the anglers that participated and that support this trail. Also, we have the greatest
sponsors supporting our trail!
Our next and final qualifying 'Boats Unlimited $10,000 Spring Bass Trail' event will be Saturday, June 9th, at
Falls Lake. the Championship is scheduled at Jordan Lake on Saturday June 23rd.
Our next 'Special Open' Tournament will be the 'Overton's of Raleigh Open' at Shearon Harris Lake Saturday,
June 2nd.
All the information on our tournaments can be found at: www.piedmontbassclassics.com
Now here are the full results:
1st Place: Williams Burns & Jerry Marshburn of Sanford...5 bass...21.44 lbs...$1,000
2nd Place: Hal Abshire & Ethan Cox of Cameron & West End...5 bass...21.21 lbs...$590
3rd Place: Ken Wall & Ben Cannon of Asheboro & Apex...5 bass...20.49 lbs...$515
4th Place: Bubba Haywood & Steve Goodwin of Roxboro & Durham...5 bass...19.97 lbs...$405
5th Place: Steve & Horton Upchurch of Raleigh & Pittsboro...5 bass...18.47 lbs...$335
6th Place: Randy Fisher & Donnie Lowe of Hillsborough & Mebane...5 bass...18.16 lbs...$260
7th Place: Jay Garrard & Mark Herndon of Durham & Bahama...5 bass...17.81 lbs...$225
8th Place: Scott Gatton & Chad Miller of Cary...5 bass...16.67 lbs...$195
9th Place: Drew Smith & Lee Williams of Durham...5 bass...16.56 lbs...$155
1st Place Big Fish..3rd Place Team above...7.92 lbs...$630
2nd Place Big Fish..Adam & Kenneth Spell of Sanford...7.81 lbs...$270
1st Place TWT..1st Place Team above...21.44 lbs...$525
2nd Place TWT..3rd Place Team above...20.49 lbs...$225
Phil McCarson~Tournament Director 919-471-1571.......919-971-5042
www.piedmontbassclassics.com or email me at: [email protected]
Thanks for all your help....Phil
Hal Abshire & Ethan Cox finished in 2nd Place with 21.21 lbs
Gaston And Lilly Take The Greene Boat And Motor Tt On Hickory Sat With 18.48!
Erwin Gaston and Derek Lilly win the Greene Boat and Motor TT Event on Hickory with 5 fish for 18.48.........full results are below and Season to date Pts totals are attached:
| Greenes Tournament Results May 19th | ||||||
| BIG FISH | # DEAD | TOTAL | ||||
| Place | Team | # FISH | WEIGHT | FISH | WEIGHT | |
| 1 | Erwin Gaston/Derek Lilly | 5 | 5.22 | 18.48 | 100 | |
| 2 | Matt Queen/Brian Holmes | 5 | 3.32 | 14.44 | 99 | |
| 3 | Keith Hargett/George Hargett | 5 | 4.49 | 2 | 14.31 | 98 |
| 4 | John Allan/Andrew Young | 5 | 4.64 | 1 | 13.62 | 97 |
| 5 | Jim Davis/Terry Rosell | 5 | 4.10 | 13.47 | 96 | |
| 6 | Ron Farrow/Mike Allman | 5 | 2.78 | 11.41 | 95 | |
| 7 | Thomas Richmond/Artie Phillips | 5 | 2.74 | 11.09 | 94 | |
| 8 | Jody Wright/James Dyer | 5 | 3.25 | 9.92 | 93 | |
| 9 | Mike Stone/Roger Farrow | 3 | 3.61 | 9.00 | 92 | |
| 10 | Mike Brehm/Tracy Shift | 2 | 4.69 | 7.27 | 91 | |
| 11 | Robert Price/Earl Duckett | 2 | 4.66 | 6.47 | 90 | |
| 12 | Jerry Dean/Tony Sanders | 2 | 1.91 | 3.34 | 89 | |
| 13 | Clyde Whiteside/Clint Whiteside | 10 | ||||
| 14 | Brian Huskins/David Winters | 10 | ||||
| 15 | Glen Sparrow/Steven Sparrow | 10 | ||||
| 16 | Todd Garner/Shane Hartman | 10 | ||||
| 17 | David Gunderman/Daniel Gunderman | 10 | ||||
| 18 | Greg Sigmon | 10 |
Smiley And Gibson Take Tom's Marine Tourney On Cherokee With 17.43-Full Results Here!
Tim Smiley and Steve Gibson : All smiles after their big win on Cherokee!
Thanks to all those that came out and fished with us and we invite everyone to join us for our next event which will be held on June 16th on Douglas Lake.
Scott Martin Tops Otherwise Packed Leader Board At Flw Tour On Potomac River
With grass more scarce than normal and the Potomac fishing small, they said anglers would share turf on the water and on the leader board. They were right. There are numerous ties in the standings at the season's 4th FLW Tour Major. How about a 7-way tie for 65th place. A couple of 5-way ties, for 51st and 60th.
Scott Martin stands apart. With 22 pounds, 10 ounces today he enjoys a lead of 4 pounds, 6 ounces over Chris Baumgardner of Gastonia, NC and Strike King pro Mark Rose of West Memphis, AR who are - you guessed it - tied with 18-04 apiece.
The rest of the 145 boat field is separated by mere ounces. And, as mentioned, many aren't separated at all, but lumped in with others who share the same weight total.
Martin created a gap in the standings by boating 3 fish that weighed better than 5 pounds. Sounds like he is running the tides. He caught the big girls in 3 different areas.
Most of the top anglers today also had company on the water, though not too much. Crowding will be a factor this week. If a guy can make it through tomorrow he'll have more room once cuts are made.
It's still anybody's game at this point. Less than 3 pounds separate 2nd place from 32nd. And 3-pounders are prevalent on the Potomac.
More Reason Than Bass For Volunteers Behind Wolfson Children’s Hospital Tournament
Preston and Katrina Clark won the 2011 tournament
Although he holds the record for the second biggest bass ever caught in the history of the Wolfson Children’s Hospital Benefit Bass Tournament, Brian Seay admittedly is not much of a bass fisherman. He has a more personal reason for serving as tournament director for the 23rd annual tournament Saturday on the St. John's River.
“My son was in that hospital and he passed away after a couple of years, so I have my own attachment. We spent a lot of time in that hospital in his short life and the care we received was astronomical,” said Seay.
Seay said a strange turn of events highlighted by that big bass led him to become involved as a volunteer with the tournament.
“I am no bass fishing expert, but I went out with a guy who was pretty good and we were fishing in Rodman. He said drop your line there and I did. That fish weighed 11-pounds-plus,” he recalled, adding that it also caused him to catch some grief from his co-workers.
“All of the guys at work live and breathe this stuff and when I told them about it, they said, 'You went out there and did what?' I got a little plaque and I put it in my office. Sometimes I will take it out and show it to those guys,” he said with a chuckle.
“But my drive and my motivation for this tournament is not so much for the bass fishing as it is raising money for those kids,” Seay said. “I consider it a big honor to be involved.”
The tournament began more than two decades ago when the director of the Plant Facilities Department of Baptist Medical Center Downtown in Jacksonville, 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 the tournament with the goal of making it the largest in the state raising money for kids.
In 2010 the tournament drew 422 boats and last year the count was over 460 boats. Bob McNally, outdoors writer for The Florida Times Union in Jacksonville, calls it the largest single-day bass tournament in Florida.
“Actually,” said Seay, “we don't know of a bigger tournament in the Southeast.”
The tournament is actually three events over three days, starting with 14th annual the Lads and Lassies Tournament Thursday. Entry fee for Thursday competition is $70 a boat with an optional $10 entry for the Big Bass Pot.
Prizes for Lads and Lassies range from $1,000 for first place down to $100 for 10th place, with first Big Bass earning $1,000 and second Big Bass worth $500.
The VIP Tournament on Friday is strictly for show to allow sponsors and other dignitaries a chance to get on the water and go fishing.
Entry fee for the 23nd annual Wolfson Children's Hospital Benefit Bass Tournament Saturday is $90 per boat with an additional $10 per boat for the big bass competition. The tournament has a guaranteed purse of $37,000 in cash and prizes, including $10,000 for first place, $4,000 for second and $3,000 for third, on down to $100 for anglers who finish 51st-55th..
There is also a $5,000 prize for the largest bass weighed in and $1,000 each for second and third big bass of the tournament. Bringing in the exact weight listed in a sealed envelope will earn a huge bonus.
The tournament buys an insurance policy and places a pre-determined weight in the envelope. If an angler weighs in the big bass at the exact weight in the envelope he receives an additional $15,000. If the second big bass matches the weight in another envelop that angler gets $10,000.
In addition to all the potential prize money, somebody will go home with a brand new bass boat. Tickets are being sold for a drawing following Saturday's weigh-in for a new fully rigged 2012 Bullet 21XD Bass Boat with a Mercury 225 Pro XS OptiMax Motor, courtesy of Bullet boats and Mercury Marine.
“We raised right at $150,000 last year,” said Seay. “After the tournament we hold a big dinner in Jacksonville for the hospital and present them with the money.”
The volunteers who put on the tournament all have full-time jobs, Seay noted, but they all feel it is worth it just to help the children in the hospital.
“It has been very rewarding to me,” he said. “It's just a huge way to give something back to the hospital.”
Wolfson Children’s Hospital Benefit Bass Tournament
Sat, May 19, 2011
St. Johns River
Palatka City Docks
www.wolfsonchildrens.org/ways-to-give/bass/Pages/tourney.aspx
Gagliardi Settling On Strategy For Flw Tour Major On Potomac River
With practice over, Anthony Gagliardi was waiting to learn his flight number before determining a set strategy for the first day of fishing Thursday on the Potomac River in the fourth FLW Tour Major of the year.
“I have probably three or four primary ares that I know hold fish. I may decide to fish one for an entire day or I may run up the river and fish back down with the tide,” said the 10-year FLW pro from Prosperity, S.C. “I know there are four possible places I will be fishing in the tournament – I just have to determine which order I will go to them in.”
Gagliardi, the 2006 FLW Tour Angler of the Year, is currently ranked 11th and on track to qualify for the Forrest Wood Cup to be held Aug. 9-12 on Georgia's Lake Lanier. He has made the world championship of bass fishing all 10 years of his career, scoring four top 10 finishes: 3rd in 2004, 5th in 2005, 10th in 2006 and 9th in 2007.
In regular tournaments he has 17 top 10 finishes, including four first places and his career prize winnings top $1.2 million.
Although he did not have a good practice earlier this week, Gagliardi said he has some confidence fishing the Potomac where he has placed in the money in two out of the three tournaments he has fished there. Other than one tournament on the James River some years ago, those three tournaments are his only experience fishing tidal waters for bass.
“I have a little bit of confidence fishing here and I like fishing here,” he said. “It's a great fishery and I usually get a ton of bites when I fish here, but I did not get as many in practice as I normally would.”
Gagliardi said the fish apparently are in several different stages, with some still spawning, some that have spawned and moved out and some that are still on the way up shallow.
“Where I am fishing the water is not clear enough to fish for spawning fish,” he said. “I will fish four different things, but mainly I will be fishing soft plastic. I've had a couple of frog bites to I'll probably fish a frog and I'll go back and forth between those two. I may also throw a swim bait and a Chatterbait.
“If I had to pin it down to just one technique I'd spend most of my time flipping. After that I'd throw the Chatterbait, then the frog and then the swim bait.”
FLW Tour Major
May 17-20, 2012
Potomac River
National Harbor Marina
Big Boost In Entries Expected For Angler's Choice Team Trail Tournament At Smith Mountain
Chris Lucas, tournament director for the Anglers Choice Marine Team Trail, is looking for 200 or more boats for Saturday's tournament on Smith Mountain Lake!!
“We had 223 boats in the first tournament (on Smith Mountain), 224 in the second tournament (on Kerr Reservoir) and it dropped to to 167 in the third tournament (also on Kerr), which is typical because we split the state in half. We go to one half three times in the East and stay in the western part three times during the season,” Lucas said.
In order for anglers to get in the four required tournaments, he explained, they go to the first one in the West and the first one in the East and then pick their other three tournaments on waters closest to them.
“Early indications for this tournament look like we are going back to 200 boats again. We had 130 boats pre-registered as of Tuesday morning, so this should be another big tournament. I don't know but some people say we are the second largest amateur trail in the country on average.”
Lucas said there is still plenty of time to register for the tournament. Anglers can register at Anglers Choice in Martinsville, Va., until 12 noon Friday and Lucas will have open registration at the dock from 5 a.m. to about 6:45 a.m. on Saturday.
With half the tournaments already fished, there is a group of teams sitting atop the points standings, but Lucas warned that with three tournaments left the points championship is still anybody's game
“We award 300 points per tournament, so the top guys don't have anything concrete with three tournaments to go. Those guys who are middle ways back could easily have a good day and the top guys could have a bad tournament and then it doesn’t take long to catch up in the points.”
At the midpoint of the season, Travis and Daniel Towe are atop the points standings, but four other teams are close behind. Randy Redden and Gary Payne are second, Ryan and Wayne Mace are third and two teams are tied for fourth: Mark Cooper and Steve Roberts and Tyler and Zach Meadows, both only 42 points behind the leaders.
Lucas said anglers should have no trouble catching fish Saturday about any way they want to fish.
“A lot of the fish have gone to biting at night, but there are still a lot of fish being caught during the day, too. There are reports of some fish still spawning, so there are fish up shallow and some out deeper,” he said.
“There should be a topwater bite early and then anglers can get out and fish the docks and off the points. Some fish will move back on the deep brushpiles, so there will be a variety of ways to catch fish.”
The weather likely will also play a major role, he added. Saturday is supposed to be sunny with temperatures running 79 to 80 degrees.
“But we got hammered Monday night and the night before with rain so the lake will be up and there is a lot of flooding on Smith Mountain Lake right now. There will be colored water in the creeks and tributaries and clear water down the lake, so there will be every possible gamut you will want to fish. It should be a good tournament,” said Lucas who predicted it will take a five-fish limit at 18 to 20 pounds to win Saturday.
An added wrinkle to the tournament Saturday, he added, is the appearance of NAPA Auto Parts. The company will have a big display tent and give away product.
Anglers Choice Marine Team Trail
Sat, May 19, 2012
Smith Mountain Lake
Parkway Marina
Call Chris Lucas 276-358-0844
Airport Marine Tt Logan Martin Lake Champions John And Johnathon Hodges Win With 16.81!!
John and Johnathon Hodges beat out 60 other teams on Logan Martin last weekend and take home $2000 on what turned out to be a very challenging day on Logan Martin!
Airport Marine Tt Logan Martin Lake Highlights
AC Pro Staffer Reed Montgomery shoots some good weigh-in footage from the Airport Marine TT Tournament on Logan Martin the 1st Sat in May...............
Shootout Anticipated On Wateree In Final Sc Division Carolina Bass Challenge Qualifier
Saturday's final Carolina Bass Challenge South Carolina Division qualifier of 2012 on Lake Wateree is shaping up to be a shootout for the points title which carries a $1,000 cash prize, said CBC director Brett Collins.
“Jason Barrett and Ken Ellis lead Nelson Walker and Chris Brunson by 1 point and Brent Riley and Nathan Burgess are 15 points behind in third, but Saturday is a double points tournament so it's going to be close.”
Barret and Ellis won the opening tournament Feb. 11 on the Cooper River, weighing in a limit at 20.39 pounds, including the Big Fish at 8.63 pounds to win a total of $7,575. They fell to 44th at Lake Murray March 31, finishing out of the money with five fish that weighed 13.54 pounds, but rebounded to ninth at Santee Cooper April 28 when Ellis partnered with Chuck Howard to catch five bass that weighed 21.41 pounds and win $500.
Walker and Brunson have not been spectacular in any of the three qualifiers, but they have been consistent, finishing 18th on the Cooper River, 19th at Lake Murray and 18th at Santee Cooper.
Meanwhile. Burgess and Riley dug a deep hole to start out, finishing 57th on the Cooper River, but have climbed back out with a 10th place finish at Lake Murray and then finishing second at Santee Cooper where they weighed in five fish at 26.71 pounds and took home $4,000.
“The pre-paid list is close to 100,” Collins said at mid-week, “so it looks like we are going to have at least 125 teams for the tournament Saturday at Lake Wateree.”
Fishing at Wateree has been tough recently, Collins said, but the mid-week rains could change that quickly.
“Last week it took only 15 pounds to win a tournament on Lake Wateree, but we expect more weight this week,” he said. “The shad should be spawning in the grass and that will make the topwater bite turn on. With the mild winter and early spring we've had some fish are already out deep and docks always come into play at Lake Wateree.”
Collins said the South Carolina Division is up to 190 teams and he anticipates the number of teams that join up will expand to more than 200 after the tournament Saturday on Lake Wateree.
“It looks like the number of teams that will qualify for the South Carolina Divisional Final on Lake Wateree June 23 will be between 125 and 150,” he said. “First place at the Divisional Final will take home a Skeeter TX190 equipped with a 150 Yamaha HPDI. The point winning teams of each division will receive $1,000.”
Collins said all the teams from the SC Divisional and all the teams who enter the NC Divisional Final will be eligible to enter the Carolina Bass Challenge Championship on Kerr Lake (Buggs Island) October 27. The first place team at the championship will receive a Skeeter ZX200 equipped with a 200 Yamaha SHO.
The Carolinas Bass Challenge is a two-division series promoted by Skeeter Boat dealers Marshall's Marine in Lake City, S.C., Foothills Marine in Morganton, N.C., and Palmetto Marine in Greenville, S.C.
Carolinas Bass Challenge - South Carolina Division
Sat, May 12, 2012
Lake Wateree
Clearwater Cove Marina
Call Brett Collins 803-413-7521
www.carolinasbasschallenge.com
Sportsman's Warehouse Report Week 6 With Barry Sowers From Columbia, Sc!
Coming to you from Sportsman's Warehosue in Columbia, SC, we grab Barry Sowers in the fishing dept to take a look at some deep cranking patterns that you will need to use as we move into Memorial Day and beyond-
Sportsman's Warehouse Report Week 5 With Barry Sowers From Columbia, Sc!
We team up with Barry Sowers from Sportsman's Warehouse once again to take an up close look at these razor sharp Trokar Hooks and why so many anglers are gravitating to them!
Riley And Burgess Take The 2 Day Catt Cashion Rod Classic Tournament On Santee With 57.64 And Take Home $12,155!!
The 2012 Cashion Rod CATT Classic is a wrap and what a good time we had this past weekend! We kicked off the weekend Friday afternoon with plenty of catfish stew provided by the good folks at Marshalls Marine in Lake City, SC. The pre tournament meeting was held at John C. Land and what a great venue! Many thanks go out to Cashion Rods for being the title sponsor! If you’re looking for a great rod made in the Carolinas then look no longer. Use the rod FLW Pro Anthony Gagliardi puts his trust in…CASHION! A BIG thank you also goes out the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce for helping CATT bring the 2012 CATT Classic to the Santee Cooper Lakes. At the conclusion of the Classic we just shy of $24,000.00 in total payback cash and prizes!
A total of 84 teams entered the 2-day event and most were keeping quiet with this much money on the line but some let their fishing do the talking. Brent Riley of Ridgeville, SC and Nathan Burgess of Summervile, SC brought in a 2 day catch weighing up at 57.64 lbs and ran away with the win. They came close to weighing the identical weight each day with their 1st day weight at 28.97 lbs and their 2nd day weight of 28.67 lbs. They brought in a BF weighing 8.03 lbs the 1st day and a 7.14 lb BF the 2nd day. Along with $11,225.00 in cash which included the 1st Place BONUS $ they also received 2 Cashion Rods and 2 pair of Oakley Sunglasses plus 2
River Valley Crankbaits! All total in cash and prizes Brent and Nathan took home $12,155.00 in cash and prizes!
2nd went to Wade Grooms of Bonneau, SC and Wayne Clifton of Monks Corner, SC took the lead the 1st day with 5 bass weighing 32.77 lb and followed it up with a limit weighing 9.88 lb. Wade and Wayne had boat trouble minutes after blast off and no doubt affected their 2nd day strategy. Their 2 day total weight added up to 42.65 lbs and they also took home the 1st Day BF award of $500.00 with an 8.53 lb bass. Wade and Wayne also collected the 2nd Place BONUS $ pushing their total winnings up to $4,025.00!
Danny Lowery of Gable, SC and Perry Holloway of Sumter, SC took 3rd with another solid 2 day weight of 39.92 lbs. They received $2,000.00.
Henry McFadden of Georgetown, SC and Jeff Cantey of Greeleyville, SC finished up in 4th with a 2 day total of 36.26 lbs and they claimed $1,235.00.
Ken Ellis of Bowman, SC and Chuck Howard of Elloree, SC earned $700.00 with their 5th Place finish with a 2-Day total of 36.10 lbs.
6th Randall Driggers – Josh McGregor 34.02 lbs $500.00
7th Darryl Watson – Ken McFarland 33.68 lbs $475.00
8th Nelson Walker - Chris Brunson 32.70 lbs $450.00
9th Cecil Wolfe – David Malin 2nd Day BF- 8.13 31.51 lbs $900.00
10th Wayne King – Jimmy Bass 29.52 lbs $375.00
11th Mickey Barnes – Hal Cercopely 28.69 lbs $350.00
12th Chris Jones – Ed Owens 28.05 lbs $325.00
13th Billy McIntosh – Gene Dubose 27.71 lbs $300.00
14th Ronnie McCoy – Lin Langston 27.33 lbs $275.00
15th William Davis – Robert Ross 26.90 lbs $250.00
16th Tracy Raines – Elvis Peegler 25.64 lbs $225.00
Thanks to everyone who participated and next year we will head somewhere in North Carolina and hold the 2013 Cashion CATT Classic.
Brett Collins
CATT LLC
Brent Riley and Nathan Burgess with their HAUL!: 57.64 over 2 Days at SANTEE!
Wade Grooms and Wayne Clifton: Holding up $4000 plus worth of BASS!
Tough Fishing Means Time To Bear Down For Aoy Auten In Paa Tournament On Old Hickory
Finding fish has been tough in practice on Old Hickory Lake for PAA Angler of the Year Todd Auten, but that might not necessarily be a bad thing.
Auten, who won the third ever PAA AOY title last August on Alabama's Neely Henry Lake, is noted for poor practices followed by good tournaments, as evidenced by his 16th place finish in the FLW Tour Open tournament on Lake Okeechobee in February.
“I had a tough practice, so I had to change up and then I caught some good fish that helped me through the tournament,” he said following practice for the first regular PAA tournament of the year this week on Old Hickory Lake near Nashville, Tenn. After Old Hickory the PAA will move on to Neely Henry Lake in Gadsden, Ala., July 23-28, and will wrap up Sept. 13-15 on the Arkansas River in Muskogee, Okla.
“I'm hoping that is going to happen here because Old Hickory has been fishing pretty tough this week,” said the Lake Wylie, S.C., pro angler. “Sometimes when you start bearing down on the fish during the tournament the outcome will surprise you.”
That said, he admitted that finding quality fish during practice this week has not been easy.
“They were biting a little bit, but now everything is getting kind of beat up before the tournament. You can catch fish about anyway you want to fish, but it is just hard getting keepers,” Auten said. “I've caught two quality fish since I've been practicing and they were doing two totally different things.”
Auten said he has located some schools of fish, but they were all small fish.
“I think the fish are mostly still in transition. It's like you can catch fish shallow here and there, but it is spotty. And it is the same for the deep fish,” he said. “There are some deep fish out there, but it is real hard to find a school of them,. You might pull up on a place and catch one but it is hard to find schools with quality fish.”
Auten said the Angler of the Year title has not translated into a sponsorship boon for him.
“Right now sponsors are hard to come by in this economy. You think the economy might be picking up a little bit but a lot of people are still not spending money. It seems like now that you have to look outside the fishing industry for a good sponsorship and if you do that you just about have to know somebody to have a way in with them.”
Auten and his close friend Marcos Malucelli of Fort Mill, S.C., finished 18th in the PAA Tour Team Challenge Jan. 23-28 on Florida's Lake Toho. He is currently ranked 35th in Angler of the Year points.
In FLW competition he is ranked 16th in the FLW Tour Open Division and 40th in the FLW Tour Majors.
“I had a couple of pretty good tournaments and then the last one at Beaver Lake I finished 92nd, my worst finish in a long time. I need to get that turned around and start making some cuts,” he said.
It's time to bear down and fish hard at Old Hickory.
Bass Pro Shops PAA Tournament Series
May 7-12, 2012
Old Hickory Lake
Sanders Ferry Park
http://fishpaa.com/2012-old-hickory-lake-tournament-info
Baldwin Will Leave Turkey Hunting Long Enough To Fish Bfl On High Rock Lake
This is the time of year Chris Baldwin is torn between two loves – bass fishing and turkey hunting.
“I go turkey hunting in the morning and then practice for a tournament in the afternoon,” said the Lexington, N.C., angler who is currently ranked 3rd in the standings for the WalMart BFL's Piedmont Division. “Then I don't find enough fish and run out before the tournament is over,” he added with a laugh.
Not always.
He bagged a nice bird on a combo turkey hunting-practice day before the Lake Gaston tournament in April and then weighed in five bass at 16 pounds, 9 ounces to finish 6th in the tournament.
He spent Wednesday morning in the turkey woods, but did not get a shot.
“We had one out in the field and he was hung up on us. I think a hen got to him, but he should have been a dead bird. We just knew we had him, but then he faded away.,” Baldwin said. “But I can't complain. I've had a pretty good turkey season which was surprising as quick as it warmed up this spring.”
That early spring also affected the fish, he noted.
“Fishing started kind of slow this year. I usually don't start catching them good until they get on the beds and then when they pull off the beds, but March was brutal on me this year.”
Baldwin said there will be a lot of different scenarios for the anglers in the BFL on High Rock this Saturday.
“It has warmed up so quick a lot of the fish have already spawned. Normally, the shallow bite goes to the second week of June on High Rock, but the lake is down by three free. There is usually a good brush bite going on this time of year, but with the water down that brush bite likely is gone.”
There could be a good shad bite, he noted.
“I am sure the shad are spawning after the full moon and it has been real warm the last couple of weeks,” he said. “It's a little early for a crankbait, so a small Carolina rig might be good, along with a jig on the points. I still don't think there will be a 15-foot bite going on. I think it will be from 10 feet up to the bank.”
Baldwin missed practice Wednesday after turkey hunting because of heavy rains, but he will hit the lake Thursday and Friday and try to nail down some areas to fish.
“I'll fish from the bank out, just stand on the trolling motor and see what happens. It won't take very long to figure out if they are on the banks or out deep, but I think they are gong to be everywhere – scattered.”
Then, that just plays into his style of fishing.
“I love junk fishing with at least 12 rods on the deck. I am not a pattern fisherman. Other guys will have two rods on the deck with the same thing on both in case they break one off,” he said. “But I will have everything tied on, from a floating bait to a DD22.”
Walmart Bass Fishing League (BFL) - Piedmont Division
Sat, May 12, 2012
High Rock Lake
Tamarac Marina
North Carolina Bass Trail Results - May 5 - Tillery
The North Carolina Bass Trail held its fourth tournament of the year on Lake Tillery May 5. The team of Will Blanton and Billy Zumwalt took 1st Place with 16.25 lbs!
Mike Justice and Mark Weaver finished in 2nd Place with 12.15 lbs.
The final tournament will be at High Rock Lake on May 26th. This will be an open tournament. We will be blasting off from Tamarac Wildlife at safe light and weigh in will be at 3:00pm. If you would like to fish or need more information, call Mark Weaver at 336-984-8600.
Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Britt Myers Joins Us After His 2Nd Place Finish At Douglas Lake!
We are fortunate to grab Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Britt Myers after his big finish at Douglas Lake.......he talks about the one key pattern he learned at the Open Tournament last year and how it almost got him in the winners circle on Saturday afternoon-
Sportsman's Warehouse Fisherman's Dream Tournament Results - Chickamauga Lake - May 5, 2012
The 6th Annual Sportsman's Warehouse Fisherman's Dream Tournament was held May 5, 2012 on Chickamauga Lake. There was close to $8,000 in cash and prizes on the line and proceeds from the tournament will be used to benefit the Silverdale Baptist Academy Athletic Department.
The team of James Milling and Buddy Gross won the tournament with a nice sack of fish weighing 25.62 lbs, good for $1,500! Chuck James and Brad James finished in a close 2nd Place with 25.25 lbs, including a nice 7.05 lb bass that won them the overall Big Fish Pot. 2nd Place was worth $1,000 and the Big Fish Pot was worth $500! The team of Steve Kite and Daniel Lewis came in 3rd Place with 24.99 lbs, good for $750, and Rogie Brown and Alan Brown took 4th Place with 24.03 lbs and won $675.
There was also an hourly Big Fish Prize that added $250 to the winners' wallets. Robert Anderson won Hour 1 with 6.62 lbs, Chris Coleman and Jim Cross won Hour 2 with 6.66 lbs, Steve Norris and Marc Pratt won Hour 3 with 6.55 lbs, and Steve Kite and Daniel Lewis won Hour 4 with 6.35 lbs.
Here's a list of all the winners from the tournament Saturday:
| Place | Name | Weight | Payout |
| 1 | James Milling/Buddy Gross | 25.62 | $1,500.00 |
| 2 | Chuck James/Brad James | 25.25 | $1,000.00 |
| 3 | Steve Kite/Daniel Lewis | 24.99 | $750.00 |
| 4 | Rogie Brown/Alan Brown | 24.03 | $675.00 |
| 5 | Chris Coleman/Jim Cross | 23.78 | $600.00 |
| 6 | Matt Wendorf/Jim Cofer | 23.05 | $500.00 |
| 7 | Allen Lewis/Bob Anthony | 22.55 | $425.00 |
| 8 | Ron Willerson/Scotty Gilley | 22.29 | $350.00 |
| 9 | Wes Hardin/Jason Cook | 21.87 | $300.00 |
| 10 | Steve Norris/Marc Pratt | 21.64 | $250.00 |
| Big Fish Pot | Chuck James/Brad James | 7.05 | $500.00 |
| Big Fish Hour 1 | Robert Anderson | 6.62 | $250.00 |
| Big Fish Hour 2 | Chris Coleman/Jim Cross | 6.66 | $250.00 |
| Big Fish Hour 3 | Steve Norris/Marc Pratt | 6.55 | $250.00 |
| Big Fish Hour 4 | Steve Kite/Daniel Lewis | 6.35 | $250.00 |
| Total Payout | $7,850.00 |
Piedmont Bass Classics Results - Falls Lake - May 5, 2012
22 teams showed up for the 4th in a series of Spring Open Tournaments. The weather was great! 59 degrees in the am and 80 or so at weighin with light winds & threatening storms.
77 fish were weighed in for a good total weight of 240 pounds. Most fish were caught very shallow on a variety of baits including plastic worms, jig combos, spinnerbaits & buzzbaits for the most part. Water temps were around the 86 degree area. The bass are showing signs of post spawn routines with bucks everywhere and females resting & recouping. All in all, the bite was real good! Rick Sossaman of Oak Ridge & Randy Johnson of Hillsborough, won the event and collected $800 for 1st, $245 for 1st place TWT & 2 G-Loomis rods, compliments of Overton's in Raleigh, worth $550 at retail, for a total of $1,595 in cash and prizes!
I really want to thank Kevin Paramore and the crew at OVERTON'S in Raleigh for sponsoring this tournament. Please visit their store located off the I-440 Beltline at Exit 10 in Raleigh inside the Holly Park Shopping Center. That's 3062 Wake Forest Road! 919-850-9754 Overton's carries so much I can't even begin to tell you what they stock! Everything from Tackle to Wake Boards!
Our next 'Spring Open' will be at Kerr Lake, Saturday May 12th, and will be sponsored by SPRINGHILL OUTFITTERS in Selma!
Our next, 'Boats Unlimited $10,000 Spring Bass Trail' qualifying event will be Saturday, May 19th, at Jordan Lake!
All the information on our tournaments can be found at: www.piedmontbassclassics.com
Now here are the full 'OVERTON'S of RALEIGH OPEN' results:
1st Place: Rick Sossaman & Randy Johnson of Oak Ridge & Hillsborough...5 bass...19.92 lbs...$1,350
2nd Place: Johnny Wilder & Mike Harris of Butner & Oxford...5 bass...19.36 lbs...$460
3rd Place: Dan Glosson & Phillip Eakes of Rougemont & Bahama...5 bass...17.92 lbs...$300
4th Place: Chris & David Huffine of Raleigh & Wake Forest...5 bass...16.85 lbs...$200
1st Place Big Fish..David Hall & Dane Sallinger of Raleigh & Wake Forest...6.18 lbs...$308
2nd Place Big Fish..3rd Place Team above: 5.80 lbs...$132
1st Place TWT..1st Place Team above: 19.92 lbs...$245
2nd Place TWT..3rd Place Team above: 119.92 lbs...$105
I want to thank all of you that support our tournaments!
Phil McCarson~Tournament Director 919-471-1571.......919-971-5042 www.piedmontbassclassics.com or email me at: [email protected]
Johnny Wilder & Mike Harris finished in 2nd Place with 5 bass that weighed 19.36 lbs
Myers Whacks 24 Pounds; Leads By Nearly 4 At Douglas!
Britt Myers has good reason to smile at Douglas Lake
"It was a crazy day out there. I didn't get many bites but I got the big ones," said an elated Britt Myers. Myers, of Lake Wylie, SC leads the Bassmaster Elite Series stop on Douglas Lake in the foothills of Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains.
Myers weighed-in 24 pounds and an ounce today. Together with his day effort of 21-1, he carries a total of 45-2 and a lead of 3 pounds, 14 ounces over day 1 leader Aaron Martens.
Myers and Martens are not only neighbors on the leader board, but on the water as well - fishing many of the same spots. Martens admitted that Myers got to a couple of the spots first. The weights reflect the result.
Martens "slipped a little" weighing 17-6 today. With a total of 41-4 he is still in great shape heading into day 3 of the 4-day event.
The lake is changing though. Martens noted that he caught more small fish today than yesterday. And he said the offshore schools that anglers have been taking turns on are starting to break up. On day 2 fish had expanded their areas to 10 times the size of their territories from day 1.
Offshore schools are the target this week on Douglas. Getting them to bite is the challenge. Timing is very important. Lure selection seems to play a big role in many cases. For most guys that means a big, deep-diving crankbait. Martens is using the old 'kneel-and-reel' technique popularized by Paul Elias to get that lure down deeper.
Jeremy Starks is 3rd with 39-2. He had a big bag (23-1) and made a big jump today.
Dean Rojas did likewise, with 22-even today. His total stands at 38-7 - good for 4th at the moment.
Andy Montgomery of Blacksburg, SC is 5th with 33-15. He fell off of his day 1 pace with 12-14 today. The same reason Montgomery's weight is down would be the same reason Starks did so well today. They caught the bulk of their better bags from the same spot. Yesterday Starks bailed out early and Montgomery fished the spot later in the day (timing is going to be a big factor). Today Starks got there first and camped on the spot. Who will fish it tomorrow?
This is turning into a most interesting tournament.
The biggest surprise of this tournament season has to be the big weights we are seeing at Douglas. Angler after angler sang praises to the lake.
There is a little topwater bite going. Fred Roumbanis and Steve Kennedy mentioned buzzbaits. Rick Clunn has relied heavily on a Rico popper.
The hook-in-the-hand pattern that worked for Brandon Palaniuk last month seems to have given byron Velvick an edge as well. After letting an estimated 5-pounder stab him with a treble, Velvick had a solid afternoon and brought in the biggest bass of the tourney so far at 6 pounds, 10 ounces.
Also of note - the local trio are fishing well:
Ott Defoe jumped to 7th with 33-11.
Brandon Card moved into 8th with 33-1.
And David Walker delighted the hometown crowd with 16-4 today which, combined with his day 1 weight of 10-1, put him in the cut at 31st place.
"I knew I was fishing the right places the right way," said Walker. "Yesterday I just couldn't make it work out."
Piedmont Bass Classic Spring Trail Qualifier Results - Falls Lake - Apr 28, 2012
Congratulations to Vinston Nettles & Jimmie Spencer for finally getting the win they have been dreaming of!
54 teams showed up at Falls for the 5th qualifying tournament of the Boats Unlimited~Piedmont Bass Classics
2012 Spring Bass Tournament Trail.
The weather was weird! 57 degrees in the morning with 3 mile an hour
winds, and still 57 degrees in the pm with 10 to 15 mph winds and the water level was about a foot above
normal. We had a great weighin and I want to thank everyone that participated!
168 fish were weighed in for a nice total weight of 522 pounds and all the bass looked very healthy. Most fish
were caught in 1 to 2 feet of water on a variety of baits including jerk baits,spinnerbaits, plastic worms,
crankbaits, buzzbaits and Rat-L-Traps for the most part. The hot baits for the day reported to be plastics and
spinner baits! Water temps were around 68 degrees. I want to thank all the anglers that participated and that
support this trail. Also, we have the greatest sponsors supporting our trail!
Our next 'Boats Unlimited $10,000 Spring Bass Trail' event will be Saturday, May 19th, at Jordan Lake.
Our next 'Special Open' Tournament will be the 'Overton's of Raleigh Open' at Falls Lake Saturday, May 5th.
All the information on our tournaments can be found at: www.piedmontbassclassics.com
Now here are the full results:
1st Place: Vinston Nettles & Jimmie Spencer of Pittsboro & Asheboro...5 bass...23.71 lbs...$1,075
2nd Place: Rick Sossaman & Randy Johnson of Oak Ridge & Hillsborough...5 bass...20.53 lbs...$615
3rd Place: Jesse Wise & Chadd Eriksen of Erwin & Raleigh...5 bass...19.13 lbs...$535
4th Place: Merle Knott & Roger Clary of Durham & Butner...5 bass...18.83 lbs...$455
5th Place: Joe Smith & Reaford Faircloth of Clinton...5 bass...17.60 lbs...$375
6th Place: Mike Salguero & Steve Foster of Durham...5 bass...17.52 lbs...$295
7th Place: Johnny Wilder & Mike Harris of Butner & Oxford...5 bass...17.41 lbs...$255
8th Place: Todd & Jeff Sumner of Southern Pines...5 bass...17.38 lbs...$215
9th Place: William Blanton & Billy Zumwalt of Fayetteville...5 bass...16.92 lbs...$175
10th Place: Jeff Jones & Sammy Creech of Chesapeake, VA & Kenly...5 bass...16.89...$175
11th Place: Dale Bolick & Billy West of Wendell & Raleigh...5 bass...16.26 lbs...$150
1st Place Big Fish..Sammy & Junior McLeod of Bear Creek & Sanford...7.46 lbs...$714
2nd Place Big Fish..2nd Place Team above:...6.67 lbs...$306
1st Place TWT..1st Place Team above:...23.71 lbs...$700
2nd Place TWT..3rd Place Team above:...19.13 lbs...$300
Phil McCarson~Tournament Director 919-471-1571.......919-971-5042
www.piedmontbassclassics.com or email me at: [email protected]
Sammy McLeod holding his teams winning big fish..a 7.46 pounder along with a 6.36 pounder!
Virginia Tech Anglers Qualify For Team-Of-Year Finals Through Ranger Cup University Program
As the highest-finishing Ranger Cup University-qualified team with a total weight of 39 pounds, 9 ounces during the three-day event on South Carolina’s Lake Murray, the duo will receive an expense-paid trip to Texas’ famed Choke Canyon Reservoir later this year where they will compete for over $2,000 in cash and prizes.
Rejzer and Blevins will be matched against the qualified team with the highest place of finish in the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship taking place May 24-25. Both teams will receive an expense-paid, grand-prize package, which includes travel, lodging and meals, as well as the opportunity to compete from fully rigged Ranger boats. The made-for-TV event will be televised nationally on the Americana Outdoors show seen on the NBC Sports network, representing a unique opportunity for the collegiate anglers – complete with over $2,000 in cash and prizes awarded to the winner.
“After three years, I finally made the finals of the national championship, so I’m happy about that. Making the Top 5 was a win in my book,” Rejzer said. “And the realization that this was my last event combined with winning the trip to Choke Canyon through the Ranger Cup University program – it’s just an amazing way to go out.”
Modeled after the most lucrative contingency rewards in the industry, Ranger Cup, Ranger Cup University is the first program of its kind exclusively for collegiate anglers and is open to those fishing in either FLW- or BoatUS-affiliated competitions. Signup is free, regardless of which brand of boat they own. To remain qualified in the program, anglers need only adhere to clothing and logo requirements. And as part of the Ranger Cup University program, participants will be able to receive specially discounted tournament gear through Angler Skins and Gemini Custom Apparel, with no artwork or set-up fees. Through these vendors, Ranger Cup University anglers can purchase fully customized tournament jerseys for as low as $48.
For more information on Ranger Cup University, to register and read all about the program guidelines and payout opportunities, go online to RangerBoats.com.
About Ranger Boats
Headquartered in Flippin, Ark., Ranger Boats is the nation’s largest manufacturer of premium fiberglass fishing boats, which include series of bass, multi-species, fish 'n play and saltwater boats. Founded in 1968 by Forrest L. Wood, Ranger Boats continues its commitment to building the highest-quality, strongest-performing boats on the water. For more information, go to RangerBoats.com.
Key Tactic For Elite Series Tournament On Douglas Lake Will Be Offshore And Deep
One of Capt. David Berry's very happy clients!
If the Elite Series anglers competing in the Douglas Lake Challenge, the fourth tournament in the 8-tournament series for 2012, have not already figured it out in practice this week, they probably should heed the advice of a knowledgeable local fishing guide.
In short, Capt. David Berry of Mascot, Tenn., says it's time to break out the deep water tackle and get offshore.
“There are still some fish trying to spawn,” said Berry who grew up fishing Douglas Lake, “but a lot of the bigger fish have already spawned and have pulled back out in the post spawn. They are not quite in the summer pattern, but they are headed that way. Some are suspended and some are out on offshore structure like breaks and drops, stuff like that.”
Berry, who operates his East Tennessee Angling Adventures guide service on Douglas and nearby Cherokee and Norris lakes, said the tournament probably will be won on swim baits, deep-diving crankbaits, maybe a Carolina rig or football jig.
“The lake has not come all the way up so it is not up in the bushes yet. There is not a lot of flipping and pitching going on, so I don't think the tournament will be in the favor of those who fish that way.”
Although Berry no longer fishes tournaments full time, he joined his local BASS Federation club at a young age and fished a dozen or more federation tournaments a year, along with competing in large local tournaments and was active in the old Red Man Tournament Series for a while, earning numerous wins in tournaments across the South.
“I've been guiding here locally for 25 years, doing customized guiding trips,” he said. Berry and his U.S. Coast Guard Certified guides specialize in largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing, crappie fishing and trout fishing and also offer family trips on the lakes and local rivers for bluegills.
While Douglas is not as well known as some of the other lakes in East Tennessee, Berry said, it produces good weights to win tournaments.
“Douglas is known more for producing numbers of fish in the 1- to 2-pound range,” he said. “In the last three weeks it was taking 21 to 23 pounds to win a tournament on Douglas Lake, but the weights have fallen off some lately. I think there will be a lot of tournament fish caught this week, 1- to 3-pounders, and it will probably take 17 pounds or so a day to win.”
But those good fish more than likely will come offshore, he said.
“Actually, there are a lot of good fish to be caught if you know the techniques and how to fish for them. Mainly that is offshore after the spawn. This tournament will line up good with guys who are good with swim baits and crankbaits, and possibly vertical jigs. This will fall right into their laps.”
Berry is sponsored primarily by Johnson Outdoor Products, Skeeter Boats and Lowrance. You can check out his guide service at: www.smokiesangling.com. To contact him, call 865-933-3140 or 865-661-5107, or e-mail: [email protected].
The Elite Series has never stopped at Douglas, a 30,400-acre impoundment formed from the French Broad River and its tributaries of the Nolichucky and Pigeon Rivers, so the fishery will be new for many of the Elite pros. With just three tournaments in the books this year, a number of top pros are stuck far down in the standings, so they will need to win one of the final five tournaments to qualify for the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.
Fans are invited to come out and see how the pros fare in their quest to win $100,000 and an instant-in for the Bassmaster Classic. The daily takeoffs and weigh-ins will be held at The Point Marina, 122 Boatdock Drive, Dandridge, Tenn.
Bush Hawg, a band that performed at the 2012 Bassmaster Classic, will perform after the May 5 weigh-in as part of the free Evan Williams Bourbon Concert Series. All fan activities are free and open to the public.
ESPN2 will present the Douglas Challenge, 8-9 a.m. ET, May 13 on The Bassmasters. The show will air again the same day on ESPN Classic, 10-11 a.m. ET.
Bassmaster Elite Series Douglas Lake Challenge
May 3-6, 2012
Douglas Lake
The Point Marina
Beaver Lake Flw Tour #3
I am back home from fishing the Beaver Lake FLW Tour event and had a really tough time. Beaver Lake is one of those fisheries that I really struggle with. Not only do you have to figure out how to catch a bass in what seems to be a dead sea, but you have to target big, small ones. Let me explain. 99% of th fish at Beaver are below the size of a normal bass, but largemouth have to be 15", smallmouth have to be 15", and spots have to be 12"s. So you have to fish clear water, catch a bass that's a keeper and make those big, small ones be bigger than anyone elses. My friend, I just don't have the secret to that. Everyone said that practice was extremely tough, "tougher than they'd ever seen it", they said. Well, I managed a limit on day one with 2 largemouth and 3 spots and was in 83rd place. That's rough. The wind blew really hard at Beaver as well, in practice and during the tournament. I really stuggle at trying to find fish on these lakes when you can hardly even drive around. I am unhappy with the 95th place result of this event, but I am surprised my finish wasn't worse and I'm happy to move on to the next one.
Thanks again to sportsmanswarehouse.com for getting me all the baits I need, right on time. Ya'll keep fishing and I'll keep my head up. Take care,
Dearal Rodgers, www.dearalrodgers.com
Weather May Play A Role In Sportsman's Warehouse Fisherman's Dream Tournament
Last year the winners in the fifth annual Sportsman's Warehouse Fisherman's Dream Tournament on Chickamauga Lake weighed in a whopping 27-plus pounds to win $1,850.
With the unusual weather experienced so far this past winter and spring, tournament officials say they don't know if that feat can be matched in this year's tournament Saturday or not. The tournament will launch out of Chester Frost State Park on Lake Chickamauga, but anglers can also fish Nickajack and Watts Bar lakes.
“The weather has been extremely unusual here in Chattanooga,” said Coach Chris Neighbors, director of Capital Campaigns and Fund-Raising for Silverdale Baptist Academy which uses the money raised by the annual fishing tournament to support the school's athletic programs. In its five-year history the tournament has raised more than $34,000 for Silverdale's athletic programs.
“We had the hottest March on record for the past 140 years and then it got cool in April. Last Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, the temperature struggled to reach 60 degrees. Now it is in the mid to upper 80s,” Neighbors said Monday.
“Last year we had one of our better weigh-ins with several teams bringing in limits from 24 to 27 pounds. We just hope it will be that good this year.”
Neighbors said 20 boats had registered for the tournament by Monday, but he expects a lot more by the weekend.
“That's about par. We've had as few as 10 going into the last week and wound up with 90 boats that year. We had 85 boats last year and we average about 75 to 80 boats each year.”
Entry fee for the tournament is $150 per two-man team with an additional $10 to enter the Big Fish pot, one of two big fish contests in the tournament.
“So far every boat has entered the Big Fish pot, and the prize money is distributed for first and second big fish determined by the number of entries. So, if we have 75 boats in the Big Fish pot, that is $750 in prize money and the pot would be split with $500 for the biggest fish and $250 for the second biggest fish,” Neighbors said.
There is also an hourly big fish contest with no entry fee. Neighbors explained that there will be four big fish hours during the morning of the tournament. The biggest fish weighed in from 8 to 9 a.m., 9-10 a.m., 10-11 a.m. and 11-12 a.m. will each earn $250.
Anglers entered in the tournament will also be automatically entered in a drawing at the weigh-in for a two-man, 8-foot Pelican Raider bass boat, Neighbors said.
“At this point we have $8,000 in cash and prizes to award at the tournament, with first place on down determined by the number of entries, but first place typically pays between $1,500 and $2,000.”
There will be a mandatory meeting for tournament anglers from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday at Sportsman's Warehouse.
Sportsman’s Warehouse Fisherman’s Dream Tournament
Sat, May 5, 2012
Chickamauga Lake
Chester Frost Park
Call Brent Brady at (423) 718-0326 or Coach Chris Neighbors (423) 322-0311
https://anglerschannel.com/sites/default/files/2012-Sportsmans-FishermansDream.pdf
Tim Irwin Food City Tournament Nearing $800,000 Mark For Boys & Girls Clubs Of Tennessee
Pre-tournament entries are running right on schedule for the 24th annual Tim Irwin Food City Bass Tournament Saturday on Tennessee's Loudon, Tellico and Watts Bar Lakes.
“We have about 90 boats registered already,” Irwin said Monday, “which is about normal for the week of the tournament. We expect to have between 150 and 200 boats. A bunch will sign up on site Saturday. Some of the anglers like to get in the last flight going out because they get to fish longer.”
In the 23-year history of the tournament almost $800,000 has been raised for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tennessee and the tournament is a labor of love for Irwin, himself a product of the local Boys & Girls Club.
“My brothers and I were kids in our local Boys and Girls Club and it was very important to our family and to us in the development of our lives. And it continues to do great work for the local children,” said Irwin, former University of Tennessee football player and NFL veteran, who now serves as Knox County Juvenile Court Judge..
“My family also had a great love of fishing and I am a tournament fisherman myself. I wanted to have a quality tournament where the fishermen got paid back the money they pledge, so we work off sponsors and raise $15,000 to $16,000 that way.”
Irwin explained that all of the money donated by sponsors goes straight to the fund for the Boys & Girls Clubs. Due to his efforts Irwin was inducted into the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Alumni Hall of Fame May 14, 2009, in Atlanta, Ga.
Entry fee for the tournament is $225 per boat, with a late fee of $10 assessed after 5 p.m. May 3. First place pays $10,000 guaranteed.
“We usually pay at least 30 places. The fishermen get back all their money by helping participate and raise money for the Boys & Girls Clubs.”
Details on the tournament are available at three different websites, according to Patrice Staley who works for Irwin. The websites are for the Boys & Girls Clubs and a Facebook entry for the Tim Irwin Bass Tournament. They include : http://www.bgctnv.org/site/PageServer;
http://www.facebook.com/timirwinbasstourn; and
http://www.bgctnv.org/site/DocServer/Bass_Tournament_Form_2012.pdf?docID=1121.
“The Facebook page is new to the tournament and we are trying to gain exposure for it,” Staley said.
Irwin said historically it has taken around 20 pounds to win the tournament which starts at safe light out of Tellico Canal Ramp at Lenoir City, Tenn.
“Anglers can actually fish three lakes – they can fish Loudon or Tellico or, if they want to take the time to lock through, they can fish Watts Bar,” he said.
Although there are a few fish still spawning, the heaviest bags most likely will come fishing deep this weekend, he said.
“I think the majority of the fish will be caught off the banks, particularly up in the main part of the lake. They might find some fish on topwater early in the morning, but I think the big stringers will come a little farther off the bank than usual,” said Irwin.
“We had a very warm spring, the lake has been filling up and there is a moon coming this weekend, but by the time the guys get done practicing and messing with the fish on the beds I think the bigger stringers will come from those who find fish out in the deeper water.”
Tim Irwin Food City Bass Tournament
Sat, May 5, 2012
Fort Loudoun-Tellico Lakes
Tellico Canal Ramp
Call Patrice Staley, 865-215-6475
Accent Marine/camp Mack Appreciation Tournament Results - Kissimmee - Apr 28-29, 2012
Accent Marine hosted the Accent Marine/Camp Mack Appreciation Tournament on April 28th and 29th 2012. The weather was beautiful, maybe a little windy, but temperature was perfect.
We had 115 teams who competed for a check. One hundred and seven teams weighed in something. Four fish over 9 lbs and two over 10 lbs. Several
8 lbs plus. Congratulations to all the teams.
Accent Marine/Camp Mack Appreciation Tournament
April 28th and April 29, 2012
1st Place Bobby Wooten & Chad Stewart 59.38 lbs $2700.00
2nd Place Jeff Crandon & James Pearson 52.27 lbs $2250.00
3rd Place Tim Burton & Chris Rand 48.63 lbs $1800.00
4th Place William Hendren & Richie Upchurch 46.94 lbs $1350.00
5th Place Scott Perry & Richard Anthony 45.24 lbs $ 900.00
6th Place Dan Smith & Jeremy Smith 45.10 lbs $ 750.00
7th Place Larry West & Kenny Trimble 42.19 lbs $ 625.00
8th Place Brian Wical & Matt Hinman 42.12 lbs $ 500.00
9th Place Bill Gosselin & Joe Elbana 41.76 lbs $ 375.00
10th Place Eric Conant & Monte Goodman 41.32 lbs $ 250.00
Big Bass Day 1 Tim “Doc” Swango & Brian Malys 9.51 lbs $1150.00
Big Bass Day 2 Rich Howes & Kyle Walters 10.09 lbs $1150.00
 Tim “Doc” Swango & Brian Malys caught the Big Bass on Day 1 - 9.51 lbs!! |
 Bill Gosselin & Joe Elbana finished in 9th Place with 41.76 lbs. |
Carolinas Bass Challenge Santee Cooper Re-Cap With Director Brett Collins
CBC Tournament Director Brett Collins joins us after weighing-in one of biggest fields he has seen in a long, long time. When 20th place is 19+ Lbs, you've had more than a busy afternoon................he talks about the incredible Quality down at Santee right now as well as whats coming up for the CBC-
Carolinas Bass Challenge Santee Cooper Champs Celebrate With $9100!!
Mitchell Jackson and Kenny Clark take the CBC Santee Cooper Qualifier with 5 fish for 28.07 worth a whopping $9100!! We go one on one with them and they talk about that 8 LB kicker that set the tone on their record setting day!
Carolina Bass Challenge Santee Cooper Weigh-In Highlights!!
This is the Weigh-in Highlight Reel you've been waiting for.............multiple 20 plus LB sacks with a 28+ LB winning stringer-the question is, can you find it? This is off the charts for QUALITY and congrats to all of the 121 teams/anglers that came out to SLAY EM'on Santee Sat!!
2012 Warriors On The Water Champions One On One
For the 1st time in the history of this great tournament, co-founder Greg Lahr and Philip Henderson win with a 5 fish limit for 18.14! We go one on one with both of them as they came off the big stage-
Warriors On The Water Champions On Stage
To get the feel of this great event, just check out the energy on stage Friday when the Champions for this 7th annual event were announced........Congrats again to Greg Lahr and Philip Henderson!
