Kilgore Takes Lead, Auten Off To Another Solid Start In Bassmaster Southern Open On Smith Lake
David Kilgore of Jasper, Ala., takes the lead on Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open presented by Allstate. Kilgore brought 19 pounds, 15 ounces of Smith Lake bass to the scales at Thursday's weigh-in. Photo by James Overstreet/Bassmaster
David Kilgore of Jasper, Ala., was just hoping to survive the cold, rainy first day of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open presented by Allstate at Smith Lake. With a limit that weighed 1 ounce shy of 20 pounds, he did more than merely survive — he claimed the lead.
“I caught them really well in practice last Sunday when it was sunny,” Kilgore said.
However, the following practice days were cold and cloudy, and Kilgore struggled to get bites. He also had an early flight today, which made for an early weigh-in and a short fishing day. Despite these handicaps, Kilgore boated 12 largemouth and spotted bass, culling to the best five as the day progressed.
“Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and warmer, and I have a late flight,” Kilgore said. “That will give me two more hours of fishing when the sun is out.”
Kilgore mentioned that the areas he fished today had plenty of pressure from other competitors. However, he saved some of his best water and is excited about his prospects for Day 2 of the Smith Lake Open.
Should Kilgore hang on and win, he will take home a check for $6,741, a Nitro Z9 powered by a Mercury 225 Pro XS and an invitation to fish the 2015 Bassmaster Classic if he fishes all three tournaments in the Southern Opens series. Kilgore qualified for the 2014 Bassmaster Classic presented by Diet Mountain Dew and GoPro by winning a Bassmaster Southern Open at Logan Martin Lake last year.
A half-ounce Strike King Pure Poison chattering jig dressed with a white Strike King Rage Tail Craw anchored Kilgore’s win at Logan Martin. It’s possible he may be fishing the same lure at Smith.
Kilgore isn’t saying, nor is his friend Todd Auten of Lake Wylie, S.C., who sits in second place with 18 pounds, 5 ounces of spotted bass. It was the heaviest limit of spots Auten has ever caught. His biggest today was a chub that weighed 5 pounds, 4 ounces.
Auten and Kilgore are sharing information, but their No. 1 techniques are nothing alike, Auten says. During practice, Auten would leave an area after getting a single bite there. When he went back today, he was happy to find that those places held several bass.
“I pulled up to my first spot at 7 o’clock this morning,” Auten said. “I had my limit by 7:05.”
In third place with 17 pounds, 15 ounces is Bassmaster Elite Series pro Brandon Lester of Fayetteville, Tenn. Lester feels fortunate that he sacked a heavy catch under the challenging conditions.
“The sun came out for 20 to 30 minutes this morning,” Lester said. “That’s when I caught my two biggest bass.”
Lester’s limit included three largemouth and two spotted bass. Although he is catching spotted bass, he is targeting largemouth. Unlike Kilgore, Lester has his fishing area to himself.
“I haven’t seen anyone else doing what I’m doing,” he said. “I saw some big largemouth where I’m fishing in practice. Tomorrow’s sun should help me catch them.”
Connecticut’s Stephen Longobardi and South Carolina’s Reid McGinn are locked in a tie for first place in the co-angler division with identical three-bass limits that weighed 9 pounds, 7 ounces. They will be casting for all they’re worth tomorrow, along with the other non-boaters, to claim the Skeeter TZX170 sporting a Yamaha F115LA outboard that goes to the victor.
Anglers will take off each day at 6 a.m. CT from Lewis Smith Lake Dam, 640 Powerhouse Rd., Jasper, AL 35504. On Friday, they will weigh in at 2 p.m. CT at the same location. The Saturday weigh-in will be held at 3:30 p.m. CT at Bass Pro Shops, 5000 Bass Pro Blvd., Leeds, AL 35094.
Smith Lake, Jasper, Ala.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts
1. David Kilgore Jasper, AL 5 19-15 200
Day 1: 5 19-15
2. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 5 18-05 199
Day 1: 5 18-05
3. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 17-15 198
Day 1: 5 17-15
4. Clifton Coffey Cypress, TX 5 17-06 197
Day 1: 5 17-06
4. John Figi Bloomington, MN 5 17-06 197
Day 1: 5 17-06
6. Warren Barnes Dallas, GA 5 17-03 195
Day 1: 5 17-03
7. Derek Cummings Clayton, NC 5 16-02 194
Day 1: 5 16-02
8. Jesse Wiggins Cullman, AL 5 15-10 193
Day 1: 5 15-10
9. Greg Pugh Cullman, AL 5 15-04 192
Day 1: 5 15-04
10. Michael Murphy Lexington, SC 5 15-03 191
Day 1: 5 15-03
11. Sam George Athens, AL 5 15-01 190
Day 1: 5 15-01
12. Craig Daniel Cullman, AL 5 14-15 189
Day 1: 5 14-15
13. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 5 14-10 188
Day 1: 5 14-10
14. Jordan Wiggins Cullman, AL 5 14-08 187
Day 1: 5 14-08
15. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 5 14-06 186
Day 1: 5 14-06
16. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 5 14-05 185
Day 1: 5 14-05
17. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 14-04 184
Day 1: 5 14-04
18. David Hudson Jasper, AL 5 13-13 183
Day 1: 5 13-13
19. Ray Brazier Lawrenceburg, TN 5 13-09 182
Day 1: 5 13-09
19. Roland Martin Naples, FL 5 13-09 182
Day 1: 5 13-09
21. Robin Erb Crane Hill, AL 5 13-08 180
Day 1: 5 13-08
22. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 5 13-06 179
Day 1: 5 13-06
23. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 5 13-05 178
Day 1: 5 13-05
23. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 5 13-05 178
Day 1: 5 13-05
25. Ken Iyobe Tokoname Aichi JAPAN 5 13-04 176
Day 1: 5 13-04
26. Bobby Lane Lakeland, FL 5 13-03 175
Day 1: 5 13-03
27. Keith Pace Monticello, AR 5 13-02 174
Day 1: 5 13-02
28. Jon Englund Farwell, MN 5 13-01 173
Day 1: 5 13-01
28. Cody Green Philadelphia, TN 5 13-01 173
Day 1: 5 13-01
30. Josh Bragg Jacksonville, AL 5 12-14 171
Day 1: 5 12-14
30. Eric Conant Lakeland, FL 5 12-14 171
Day 1: 5 12-14
30. Tim Hawley Linwood, NC 5 12-14 171
Day 1: 5 12-14
33. Rodney Marks Jr Tavares, FL 5 12-11 168
Day 1: 5 12-11
34. Kyle Fox Lakeland, FL 5 12-10 167
Day 1: 5 12-10
35. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 12-06 166
Day 1: 5 12-06
35. Steven Priest New Lexington, OH 5 12-06 166
Day 1: 5 12-06
37. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 5 12-03 164
Day 1: 5 12-03
38. Marty Nester Mount Airy, NC 5 12-01 163
Day 1: 5 12-01
38. Paul Pagnato Reston, VA 5 12-01 163
Day 1: 5 12-01
40. Greg Mansfield Burnsville, MN 5 11-14 161
Day 1: 5 11-14
40. Billy Shelton La Crosse, VA 5 11-14 161
Day 1: 5 11-14
42. Jeff Holland Winter Springs, FL 5 11-09 159
Day 1: 5 11-09
42. Chad Morgenthaler Coulterville, IL 5 11-09 159
Day 1: 5 11-09
42. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 5 11-09 159
Day 1: 5 11-09
45. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 5 11-07 156
Day 1: 5 11-07
46. David Williams Maiden, NC 5 11-06 155
Day 1: 5 11-06
47. Joe Clements Saint Cloud, FL 5 11-04 154
Day 1: 5 11-04
48. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 5 11-03 153
Day 1: 5 11-03
48. Ernest Morris Seneca, SC 5 11-03 153
Day 1: 5 11-03
50. Matt Henry Milledgeville, GA 5 11-01 151
Day 1: 5 11-01
50. Chuck Pippin Winter Garden, FL 5 11-01 151
Day 1: 5 11-01
52. Rich Howes Oviedo, FL 5 11-00 149
Day 1: 5 11-00
52. Brian Morris Cullman, AL 5 11-00 149
Day 1: 5 11-00
52. Waine Pittman Villa Rica, GA 5 11-00 149
Day 1: 5 11-00
55. Woo Daves Spring Grove, VA 5 10-15 146
Day 1: 5 10-15
55. Jordan Lee Vinemont, AL 5 10-15 146
Day 1: 5 10-15
57. Rusty Camp New Albany, MS 5 10-12 144
Day 1: 5 10-12
58. Stephen Longobardi Northford, CT 5 10-11 143
Day 1: 5 10-11
59. Danny White Milledgeville, GA 5 10-09 142
Day 1: 5 10-09
60. Patrick Pierce Jacksonville, FL 5 10-08 141
Day 1: 5 10-08
61. Sonar Burghoff Guntersville, AL 5 10-07 140
Day 1: 5 10-07
62. Randy Elliott Bowie, MD 5 10-04 139
Day 1: 5 10-04
62. Joe Lee Knoxville, TN 5 10-04 139
Day 1: 5 10-04
62. Matt Lee Auburn , AL 5 10-04 139
Day 1: 5 10-04
65. Larry Garner Cottondale, AL 5 10-03 136
Day 1: 5 10-03
65. Gary Isgrigg Mt Washington, KY 5 10-03 136
Day 1: 5 10-03
65. Darrell Pons Gainesville, FL 5 10-03 136
Day 1: 5 10-03
68. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 5 10-01 133
Day 1: 5 10-01
69. Seth Feider Bloomington, MN 5 10-00 132
Day 1: 5 10-00
70. Smash The Giant Gallelli Firenze ITALY 5 09-15 131
Day 1: 5 09-15
71. David Cooke Mooresville, NC 3 09-14 130
Day 1: 3 09-14
72. Jamey Caldwell Carthage, NC 5 09-13 129
Day 1: 5 09-13
72. David Walker Sevierville, TN 5 09-13 129
Day 1: 5 09-13
74. Sean Alvarez Seneca, SC 5 09-12 127
Day 1: 5 09-12
74. Wesley Sams Cullman, AL 5 09-12 127
Day 1: 5 09-12
76. Bruce Holcombe Cullman, AL 5 09-11 125
Day 1: 5 09-11
77. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 5 09-09 124
Day 1: 5 09-09
78. Michael Reid Perry, GA 5 09-08 123
Day 1: 5 09-08
79. Arnie Lane Lakeland, FL 5 09-06 122
Day 1: 5 09-06
80. Patrick Currie Millry , AL 5 09-05 121
Day 1: 5 09-05
81. Gene Eisenmann Frisco, TX 5 09-04 120
Day 1: 5 09-04
82. Carl Whitfield Anderson, SC 3 09-04 119
Day 1: 3 09-04
83. Josh Herren Pinson, AL 5 09-01 118
Day 1: 5 09-01
84. Rick Nishio Southside, AL 5 08-15 117
Day 1: 5 08-15
84. Jason Patterson Bluffton, IN 5 08-15 117
Day 1: 5 08-15
86. Kyle Worsham Cherokee, AL 5 08-14 115
Day 1: 5 08-14
87. Kyle Glasgow Jr Guin, AL 5 08-13 114
Day 1: 5 08-13
88. James Castillo Grandview, WA 5 08-12 113
Day 1: 5 08-12
88. Kazuki Kitajima Orlando, FL 5 08-12 113
Day 1: 5 08-12
88. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 08-12 113
Day 1: 5 08-12
91. Hank Cherry Jr Maiden, NC 5 08-11 110
Day 1: 5 08-11
92. Kazunori Okuma Moriyama-Shi Shiga JAPA 5 08-10 109
Day 1: 5 08-10
93. Stanley Gunter Saluda, SC 4 08-09 108
Day 1: 4 08-09
94. Colby Flinn Bradenton, FL 5 08-07 107
Day 1: 5 08-07
94. Tim Frederick Leesburg, FL 5 08-07 107
Day 1: 5 08-07
96. Shaye Baker Tallassee, AL 5 08-05 105
Day 1: 5 08-05
96. Sambo Fish Hoover, AL 5 08-05 105
Day 1: 5 08-05
96. Eric Silverstrim Indian Mound, TN 5 08-05 105
Day 1: 5 08-05
99. Tommy Brown Louisville, TN 5 08-04 102
Day 1: 5 08-04
99. Drew Sanford Northport, AL 5 08-04 102
Day 1: 5 08-04
101. Alvin Shaw Roaring Gap, NC 5 08-03 100
Day 1: 5 08-03
101. Jesse Tacoronte Orlando, FL 5 08-03 100
Day 1: 5 08-03
103. Christiana Bradley Bealeton, VA 4 08-03 98
Day 1: 4 08-03
104. Wil Hardy II Harlem, GA 5 08-02 97
Day 1: 5 08-02
105. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 5 08-00 96
Day 1: 5 08-00
106. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 5 07-14 95
Day 1: 5 07-14
107. Matt Lowe Walhalla, SC 4 07-14 94
Day 1: 4 07-14
108. Bigworm Ludwig IV Auburn, GA 5 07-12 93
Day 1: 5 07-12
109. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 5 07-11 92
Day 1: 5 07-11
110. Casey Majni Knoxville, TN 5 07-10 91
Day 1: 5 07-10
111. Van Soles Haines City, FL 4 07-09 90
Day 1: 4 07-09
112. John Brazzell Ocoee, FL 5 07-08 89
Day 1: 5 07-08
113. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 07-07 88
Day 1: 5 07-07
114. Chris Cline Stafford, VA 5 07-04 87
Day 1: 5 07-04
115. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 5 07-01 86
Day 1: 5 07-01
116. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 3 07-01 85
Day 1: 3 07-01
117. Jeff Cloud Lubbock, TX 4 06-12 84
Day 1: 4 06-12
117. Michael Johnson Talking Rock, GA 4 06-12 84
Day 1: 4 06-12
119. Allen Brooks Canton, GA 2 06-12 82
Day 1: 2 06-12
120. Craig Chambers Charlotte, NC 5 06-11 81
Day 1: 5 06-11
121. George Lambeth Thomasville, NC 3 06-11 80
Day 1: 3 06-11
122. David Perdue Wirtz, VA 3 06-08 79
Day 1: 3 06-08
123. Rodney Jones Athens, GA 5 06-03 78
Day 1: 5 06-03
124. James Bailey Warrenton, VA 4 06-00 77
Day 1: 4 06-00
125. Landon Lomax Owens Cross Roads, AL 3 05-15 76
Day 1: 3 05-15
126. Ron Wolfarth Oakboro, NC 3 05-14 75
Day 1: 3 05-14
127. Adam Hock Independence, KY 4 05-10 74
Day 1: 4 05-10
128. Kyle Kempkers Hamilton, MI 3 05-09 73
Day 1: 3 05-09
129. Chris Adams Jacksonville, FL 4 05-06 72
Day 1: 4 05-06
129. Jordan Card Knoxville, TN 4 05-06 72
Day 1: 4 05-06
129. Rex Chambers Baileyton, AL 4 05-06 72
Day 1: 4 05-06
132. Kendall Newson Decatur, GA 3 05-06 69
Day 1: 3 05-06
133. Red Flowers Deland, FL 3 05-01 68
Day 1: 3 05-01
134. Kameron Harbin Abbeville, SC 2 05-00 67
Day 1: 2 05-00
135. Gary Clouse La Vergne, TN 3 04-12 66
Day 1: 3 04-12
136. Josh Douglas Shakopee, MN 2 04-12 65
Day 1: 2 04-12
136. Tim Ezell Key West, FL 2 04-12 65
Day 1: 2 04-12
138. Wayne Murray Baton Rouge, LA 2 03-14 63
Day 1: 2 03-14
139. Dustin Neat Dunnville, KY 2 03-13 62
Day 1: 2 03-13
140. Jim Garrett Tyrone, GA 2 03-10 61
Day 1: 2 03-10
141. Hunter Eubanks Inman, SC 1 03-10 60
Day 1: 1 03-10
142. Scott Mcgehee Madison, MS 2 03-02 59
Day 1: 2 03-02
143. Jimmy Mason Rogersville, AL 2 02-15 58
Day 1: 2 02-15
144. Jimbo Harris Lenoir City, TN 2 02-12 57
Day 1: 2 02-12
145. Kevin Clark Leesburg, FL 2 02-11 56
Day 1: 2 02-11
146. Tony Tidwell Horton, AL 2 02-08 55
Day 1: 2 02-08
147. David Sheffield Davie, FL 2 02-07 54
Day 1: 2 02-07
148. Garrett Rocamora Lithia, FL 1 02-03 53
Day 1: 1 02-03
149. Richard Rhodes Calvert City, KY 2 02-02 52
Day 1: 2 02-02
150. Gerald Sensabaugh Gray, TN 1 01-12 51
Day 1: 1 01-12
151. Earnie Jones Blythewood, SC 1 01-11 50
Day 1: 1 01-11
152. Jared Dial Winter Haven, FL 1 01-08 49
Day 1: 1 01-08
153. Scott Hayes Newnan, GA 1 01-04 48
Day 1: 1 01-04
154. James Bader Fruitland Park, FL 1 01-01 47
Day 1: 1 01-01
155. Hojin Chang Windermere, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Mark Costa Andover, ME 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. Clay Dyer Fayetteville, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
155. James Robinson Jackson, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 111 667 1451-01
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111 667 1451-01
2014 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open Smith Lake Presented by Allstate 3/6-3/8
Smith Lake, Jasper, Ala.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts
1. Stephen Longobardi Northford, CT 3 09-07 200
Day 1: 3 09-07
1. Reid Mcginn Fort Mill, SC 3 09-07 200
Day 1: 3 09-07
3. Dave Davenport Milford, OH 3 09-03 198
Day 1: 3 09-03
4. George Hirapetian Charlotte, NC 3 08-15 197
Day 1: 3 08-15
5. Tony Holliday Piedmont, SC 3 08-12 196
Day 1: 3 08-12
6. Dustin Seaborn Guin, AL 3 08-11 195
Day 1: 3 08-11
7. Matt Fair Ocoee, FL 3 08-06 194
Day 1: 3 08-06
8. Jamie Butler Jasper, AL 3 08-03 193
Day 1: 3 08-03
8. Ben Humphries Jasper, AL 3 08-03 193
Day 1: 3 08-03
8. Ted Pearce Jr Florence, MS 3 08-03 193
Day 1: 3 08-03
11. Joshua Price Clarksville, TN 3 07-15 190
Day 1: 3 07-15
11. Kevin Roland Mulberry, TN 3 07-15 190
Day 1: 3 07-15
13. String Bean Mc Calla, AL 3 07-05 188
Day 1: 3 07-05
14. Joshua Kolodzaike Toledo, OH 3 07-03 187
Day 1: 3 07-03
15. Brad Gandee Mcdonough, GA 3 07-01 186
Day 1: 3 07-01
15. Kenneth Shumate Elkin, NC 3 07-01 186
Day 1: 3 07-01
17. Tyler Hicks Jasper, AL 3 07-00 184
Day 1: 3 07-00
18. Michael Perry Brownsville, TN 3 06-15 183
Day 1: 3 06-15
18. Mark Wethington Liberty, KY 3 06-15 183
Day 1: 3 06-15
20. Dennis Kempkers Hamilton, MI 3 06-14 181
Day 1: 3 06-14
20. Mike Spears Jasper, AL 3 06-14 181
Day 1: 3 06-14
22. Shannon Cleghorn Cullman, AL 3 06-11 179
Day 1: 3 06-11
23. Travis Dehart Greenville, SC 3 06-08 178
Day 1: 3 06-08
23. Kyle Elliott Ashland, MS 3 06-08 178
Day 1: 3 06-08
25. Barry Maner Trinity, AL 3 06-07 176
Day 1: 3 06-07
26. Jason Rice Swannanoa, NC 3 06-06 175
Day 1: 3 06-06
27. Chad Alexander Addison, AL 3 06-04 174
Day 1: 3 06-04
27. Carlton Tipp Grand Bay, AL 3 06-04 174
Day 1: 3 06-04
29. Kent Biggs Morristown, TN 3 06-03 172
Day 1: 3 06-03
30. Tim Arnold Cullman, AL 3 06-02 171
Day 1: 3 06-02
31. Blaine Freeman Dadeville, AL 2 05-15 170
Day 1: 2 05-15
32. Doug Hasting Athens, AL 3 05-14 169
Day 1: 3 05-14
33. Bud Morin Jr Saint Cloud, FL 2 05-14 168
Day 1: 2 05-14
34. Kelly Townson Hartselle, AL 3 05-11 167
Day 1: 3 05-11
35. JP Kimbrough Bossier City, LA 3 05-10 166
Day 1: 3 05-10
36. Brad Burkhart II Speedwell, TN 3 05-09 165
Day 1: 3 05-09
37. Dan Taylor Olean, NY 3 05-08 164
Day 1: 3 05-08
38. Barry Brandt Jr. Newport News, VA 3 05-06 163
Day 1: 3 05-06
39. Scott Fairchild New Windsor, NY 3 05-05 162
Day 1: 3 05-05
40. Jeff Cox Saline, MI 3 05-04 161
Day 1: 3 05-04
40. Satoshi Obata Moriyama-Shi JAPAN 3 05-04 161
Day 1: 3 05-04
42. Keith Broyles Jackson, TN 2 05-03 159
Day 1: 2 05-03
43. Grady Maynard Leesburg, FL 3 05-02 158
Day 1: 3 05-02
43. Gerald Williams Maiden, NC 3 05-02 158
Day 1: 3 05-02
45. JR Sapp Cullman, AL 3 05-00 156
Day 1: 3 05-00
46. Jay Fagan Mableton, GA 2 05-00 155
Day 1: 2 05-00
46. Toby Lillard Clarksville, TN 2 05-00 155
Day 1: 2 05-00
48. Destin Demarion Grove City, PA 3 04-15 153
Day 1: 3 04-15
49. Bill Capps Auburn, AL 3 04-14 152
Day 1: 3 04-14
50. Aaron Batson Oxford, GA 2 04-14 151
Day 1: 2 04-14
51. Darien Craig Hayden, AL 3 04-12 150
Day 1: 3 04-12
52. Matthew Hodgkinson Navarre, FL 2 04-11 149
Day 1: 2 04-11
52. Bradley Sears Covington, GA 2 04-11 149
Day 1: 2 04-11
54. Red Berry Crane Hill, AL 3 04-10 147
Day 1: 3 04-10
54. Andrew Mcclintock Wellford, SC 3 04-10 147
Day 1: 3 04-10
56. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 3 04-09 145
Day 1: 3 04-09
56. Matthew Smith Jasper, AL 3 04-09 145
Day 1: 3 04-09
58. Wayne Prater Jacksboro, TN 2 04-09 143
Day 1: 2 04-09
59. Brad Henderson Bremen, AL 3 04-07 142
Day 1: 3 04-07
60. Andy Kearns High Point, NC 3 04-06 141
Day 1: 3 04-06
61. Sam Fish Alexander, AL 2 04-05 140
Day 1: 2 04-05
61. Justin Mcclusky Jasper, AL 2 04-05 140
Day 1: 2 04-05
63. Gary Holcombe Cullman, AL 2 04-04 138
Day 1: 2 04-04
64. Miriam Donohoo San Mateo, FL 1 04-04 137
Day 1: 1 04-04
65. Will Rigsby Enterprise, AL 3 04-00 136
Day 1: 3 04-00
66. Beth Atkins Lenox, GA 2 04-00 135
Day 1: 2 04-00
67. Brandon Bolton West Point, MS 3 03-15 134
Day 1: 3 03-15
67. Lee Mcclendon Trussville, AL 3 03-15 134
Day 1: 3 03-15
69. Austin Littrell Moulton, AL 2 03-14 132
Day 1: 2 03-14
70. John Keith Remlap, AL 2 03-13 131
Day 1: 2 03-13
71. Kenneth Hoffman Cambridge, NY 2 03-12 130
Day 1: 2 03-12
72. Mark Moretz Chesapeake, VA 1 03-12 129
Day 1: 1 03-12
73. Daniel Parks Greer, SC 3 03-11 128
Day 1: 3 03-11
74. Jonathan Morrison Harrogate, TN 2 03-11 127
Day 1: 2 03-11
75. Tim Lollar Cullman, AL 3 03-10 126
Day 1: 3 03-10
76. Jason Woodard Arley, AL 2 03-10 125
Day 1: 2 03-10
77. Jerry Allen Jasper, AL 2 03-09 124
Day 1: 2 03-09
78. Timothy Swango Winter Haven, FL 3 03-08 123
Day 1: 3 03-08
79. Drew Dupre Clinton, CT 1 03-08 122
Day 1: 1 03-08
80. Ross Highsmith Wimauma, FL 2 03-07 121
Day 1: 2 03-07
81. Jonathan Collins Vinemont, AL 3 03-06 120
Day 1: 3 03-06
81. Phil Thalheimer Raleigh, NC 3 03-06 120
Day 1: 3 03-06
83. Matt Ramsey Piney Flats, TN 2 03-06 118
Day 1: 2 03-06
84. Tim Guider Lenoir City, TN 1 03-06 117
Day 1: 1 03-06
85. William Beekman Diamond Point, NY 1 03-05 116
Day 1: 1 03-05
86. Tony Beck Social Circle, GA 2 03-02 115
Day 1: 2 03-02
87. Jonathan Phillips Pittsboro, NC 2 03-00 114
Day 1: 2 03-00
88. Curt Huff Saint Cloud, FL 1 03-00 113
Day 1: 1 03-00
89. Tommy Menefee Ashville, AL 2 02-15 112
Day 1: 2 02-15
90. Deron Donohoo Sumter, SC 3 02-12 111
Day 1: 3 02-12
91. Rowland Liverett Dora, AL 2 02-12 110
Day 1: 2 02-12
91. Keith Ogden Concord, NC 2 02-12 110
Day 1: 2 02-12
93. Tommy Edwards Fort Myers, FL 2 02-11 108
Day 1: 2 02-11
93. Jarrad Nickolite Shakopee, MN 2 02-11 108
Day 1: 2 02-11
95. Lane Wright Loganville, GA 1 02-11 106
Day 1: 1 02-11
96. Jimmy Hayes Fayetteville, NC 2 02-10 105
Day 1: 2 02-10
97. Stanton Harris State Road, NC 2 02-07 104
Day 1: 2 02-07
98. Lyn Melton Florence, AL 1 02-06 103
Day 1: 1 02-06
99. Donald Thompson Marmet, WV 1 02-03 102
Day 1: 1 02-03
100. Paul Garrison Natural Bridge, AL 1 02-00 101
Day 1: 1 02-00
101. Preston Harris State Road, NC 1 01-13 100
Day 1: 1 01-13
102. John Dial Winter Haven, FL 1 01-12 99
Day 1: 1 01-12
102. Bryon Medeiros Fort Lauderdale, FL 1 01-12 99
Day 1: 1 01-12
104. Richard Madison Oakman, AL 1 01-10 97
Day 1: 1 01-10
105. George Beville Jr Apex, NC 1 01-08 96
Day 1: 1 01-08
106. Hank Miller Hamilton, AL 1 01-07 95
Day 1: 1 01-07
106. Bryan Talmadge Moody, AL 1 01-07 95
Day 1: 1 01-07
108. Randy Dance Newport, TN 1 01-05 93
Day 1: 1 01-05
108. Roy Hurst Birmingham, AL 1 01-05 93
Day 1: 1 01-05
108. Daren McDermott Saint Cloud, FL 1 01-05 93
Day 1: 1 01-05
108. Jenny Sander Byron, GA 1 01-05 93
Day 1: 1 01-05
112. Bill Bonner Wetumpka, AL 1 01-04 89
Day 1: 1 01-04
112. Russell Chargualaf Mc Cordsville, IN 1 01-04 89
Day 1: 1 01-04
112. Larry Elrod Cullman, AL 1 01-04 89
Day 1: 1 01-04
112. Brad Voegele Hamilton, AL 1 01-04 89
Day 1: 1 01-04
116. Jonathan Barnette Jasper, AL 1 01-02 85
Day 1: 1 01-02
117. AJ Jones Land O Lakes, FL 1 00-15 84
Day 1: 1 00-15
117. Roy Kelly Petal, MS 1 00-15 84
Day 1: 1 00-15
119. Jason Abrain Seffner, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Bryant Adam Madison, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Paul Benson Emerson, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Tom Bever Boulder, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Barry Brunges Gainesville, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Eric Carroll Leesburg, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Joe Curry Hayden, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Marty Denton Huntsville, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Kirkland Desmond Knoxville, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Mike Drisko Leesburg, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Clay Ellis II Ozark, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Robert Gorman Murphy, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Bruce Griffin Jasper, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Eric Gumbrecht Oakhurst, NJ 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Joe Hamilton Liberty, IN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Linda Higginbotham Palm Coast, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Mark Hollifield Walhalla, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. John Jeter Birmingham, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Teb Jones Hattiesburg, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Francesco Marchioro Cormano ITALY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Greg Mauldin Archdale, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Steve Mcdaniel Prattville, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Bryon McNiel Baileyton, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Nathan Mills Ocklawaha, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. John Minor Caryville, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Kyle Parks Albany , GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Phillip Pendley Townley, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Harold Pickett Moncks Corner, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. JJ Polak Covington, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Robert Prebeck Norwood, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Jody Purnell Birmingham, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Marty Rodda Pell City, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Steven Roosen Charlotte, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Grant Shively Westland, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Miles Smith Birmingham, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. William Smith Jr Cullman, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Jason Stodder Wiscasset, ME 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Ty Story Prattville, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Kenneth Underwood Columbus, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
119. Jay West Canton, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 60 268 534-04
----------------------------------
60 268 534-04
|
|
|
|
Wintry Blast Holding Fish Back Before Southern Open No. 2 On Smith Lake
In late January Todd Auten of Lake Wylie, S.C., led the first day of the Bassmaster Southern Open on Florida's Lake Tohopekaliga, but he zeroed the second day and finished 28th. He had a winning pattern figured out on Toho until a cold wind blew out of the North and his fish acquired a sudden case of lockjaw.
“Everybody thought I was sight fishing, but I was actually fishing offshore grass beds. But when that wind blew the second day I never caught a bass,” said Auten. “I finished 28th on one day's fish so I still had a payday.”
He had a winning pattern at Toho, but it's a completely different story for the second Southren Open on Smith Lake at Jasper, Ala., this week. Frigid winter weather is making another late season push into the South and it has taken the bass out of their plans to move shallow for pre-spawn, Auten said.
“Before it got cold I thought fishing would be pretty good, but this cold front has set them back. I'm still getting a few bites, but it's not nearly as good as it was when it was 70 degrees.”
There is a good possibility fishing could get better during the tournament, however, Auten said.
“The first day of the tournament it is supposed to be in the 50s with a chance of rain in the morning, but it is not supposed to get super cold like it did Monday night. Then it is supposed to warm up Friday and Saturday, so I think the fish will start biting again.”
However, there is another problem, he said.
“There are only so many fish here and everybody is here practicing so they are getting beat up. Somebody who finds something deep is probably going to be a lot better off – unless it warms up good. If we get 3 or 4 days of warm weather in a row the fish will start moving.”
As it stands, Auten said, there are probably five major patterns that will produce this week at some level.
“I am sure somebody is going to find them deep on Shakey Heads and drop-shotting There will be some throwing Alabama Rigs. There will be some crankbait fish caught and a jerkbait is always good this time of year.”
Auten is hoping one more day of practice will give him the edge he needs for the Smith Lake Open.
“I don't know if what I have so far is enough to win, but with one more day you never know what you might find,” he said.
Auten is fishing the Bassmaster Southern Opens and Northern Opens, and the FLW Rayovac Southern Series tournaments.
“I am also thinking about doing the Northern Rayovac Series, but one of those tournaments conflicts some with the Texas Toyota Classic on Lake Fork in May. I'd have to leave the Potomac after the Rayovac tournament and drive all the way to Lake Fork to start practice for the Toyota Classic the next day – and I don't know if I have that in me anymore. I'm not as young as I used to be.”
Bass Pro Shops Southern Open #2
Mar 6-8, 2014
Smith Lake
Lewis Smith Lake Dam
Despite Lingering Winter Weather, Fishing Could Be Good For Jim Ledbetter Memorial Tournament
Shane Lineberger and Hank Cherry won the tournament in 2010
Anglers from many states around the Southeast love to fish the Jim Ledbetter Memorial Team Bass Tournament on so much that the annual event on Lake Norman is closing in on the Million Dollar mark for cancer research.
“It's called the 'Cancer Tournament',” said Allen Eaker of Cherryville, N.C., who has fished the tournament for years. “Most of the money raised, if not all of it, goes to the Jimmy V Foundation.”
The tournament, the longest running fishing tournament in North Carolina, is named for Jim Ledbetter, a legendary television fishing show host and professional angler from the Catawba County, N.C., area who died of cancer in 2002.
Presented by the Balls Creek Bassmasters, it is the largest charity bass tournament in the state and has raised over $800,000 cumulatively to benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research, named in honor of the late Jim Valvano, the well-known basketball coach who led N.C. State University’s men’s basketball team to a national championship in 1983. Coach “Jimmy V,” as he was nicknamed, formed the Foundation after being diagnosed with cancer in 1992.
“I don't think there is probably any other disease that affects all families more than cancer,” Eaker said. “It touches everyone in some way and that is the main reason I want to support it. Most of the fishermen who come to the tournament obviously want to to fish, but they also come because it's for such a good purpose.”
Eaker added, “It's just been crazy over the years how many boats enter that tournament.”
And, he noted, although winter has found a way to stick around well into March, fishing could be pretty good for Saturday's tournament.
“We've had some really weird weather with it being cold one day and warm the next, but I think the days getting longer is pushing those fish up shallow. With more daylight the fish know it is almost time for the spawn.”
With freezing temperatures at mid-week and mild weather predicted by the weekend, Eaker said the fish are in about all stages right now, which means anglers should be able to catch fish just about anyway they want to fish.
“The weather is holding them back a little bit, but it seems to me that they are getting into that pattern of coming up,” he said. “So, I really think that is going to make for a good tournament. There is going to be a bunch of different ways to catch fish. They are not going to be locked into one pattern, so I think you will probably be able to catch them about any way you want to.”
Seeing Ledbetter's name attached to the tournament brings back a lot of memories, Eaker said.
“Jim did a lot of fishing in this area and he used to come to the Cherryville Bassmasters and speak to our club. It's great that the tournament took on his name, and it's great that the tradition keeps carrying on and it seems like it is getting bigger and bigger every year.”
Jim Ledbetter Memorial Bass Tournament
Sat, Mar 8, 2014
Lake Norman
Queen's Landing
Call Call 704-483-2628
Oregon State Team Will Bring West Coast Tactics To Flw College Championship On S.c.'s Lake Keowee
Ryan Sparks and Zack McDonald of Oregon State
Ryan Sparks and Zack McDonald of the Oregon State University Fishing Team will have one day of practice before the FLW College Fishing National Championship to figure out if South Carolina's Lake Keowee is the same kind of deep, clearwater lake they are used to fishing in Northern California.
“We don't know much about Lake Keowee,” Sparks said during a telephone call from the Houston Airport en route to Greenville, S.C., to fish the championship. “We know it's a spotted bass lake with some largemouths in it. There are some blueback herring, but mostly shad for baitfish. So, we are going into it pretty much blind.”
Hopefully, Sparks said, he and McDonald will be able to figure some things out during that one day of practice before the tournament begins Thursday.
“We fish Northern California lakes, like Lake Shasta and Lake Oroville. Both of those lakes are deep and clear. We have a lot of experience on lakes like that,” he said. “We have fished Lake Havasu. All those lakes are pretty deep. We spent a lot of time fishing points and ledges that go from zero down to 40 feet and deeper pretty fast, and we are used to fishing for spotted bass and smallmouth. From what I have heard we match up with Lake Keowee pretty good.”
This will be the first venture into South Carolina for both college anglers, although they have come close to the Palmetto State before.
“We fished lake Chatuge for the Bassmasters College World Series last August and it's half in North Carolina and half in Georgia.”
The OSU team placed 16th in that College World Series, but they got to the national tournament by winning the Bassmaster College Series Western Regional last April on Clear Lake. They also won the FLW College Qualifier Western Conference on Roosevelt Lake in Arizona in February 2013 before placing 22nd in the FLW College National Championship on Arkansas Beaver Lake in April. They placed 6th in the FLW College Qualifying Western Conference tournament on Clear Lake last October to qualify for the College Championship this week on Lake Keowee.
Both Sparks, a junior from Gearhart, Ore., and McDonald, a sophomore from Willis, Calif., are majoring in Fisheries and Wildlife at Oregon State.
“I will probably work for a year or so after college and then try bass fishing,” said Sparks, president of the OSU Fishing Club. “And if that does not work out, I will have my degree in fisheries and wildlife to fall back on.”
Meantime, he and McDonald are concentrating on figuring out the bass in South Carolina's Lake Keowee which is situated in the mountains in the northwest corner of the state .
“We brought a few things with us that we do on the West Coast,” he said. “We tried them out at Chatuge and they worked pretty good so I think they will work out good on Keowee, too.”
FLW College Fishing National Championship
Mar 6-8, 2014
Lake Keowee
South Cove County Park
Fitzgerald Rods At 2014 Bassmaster Classic Expo!
Trevor Fitzgerald shows us one of his best selling rods on the floor of the 2014 Bassmaster Classic Expo in Birmingham, Ala. Rich Howes, who qualified for the Classic via his win on Florida's Kissimmee Chain, was out on Lake Guntersville using his Fitzgerald rods as we filmed this clip.
Xpress Boats signs marketing agreement with Onyx Outdoors
Industry leader Xpress Boats of Hot Springs, Arkansas has announced a marketing agreement with Onyx Outdoors, makers of the Onyx Deluxe Automatic/Manual Inflatable Life Jacket. Onyx products are comprised of a complete line of rainwear, inflatable life jackets (PFD’s), fishing and hunting life jackets, pet vests and paddling life vests. Also in the Onyx lineup is cold weather apparel and accessories for hunting and ice fishing including the ArcticShield heat retention technology as well as base layers, gloves, beanies and balaclavas featuring X-System odor control Technology.
Piedmont Bass Classics Spring Mini Trail Qualifier #2 Results - Jordan Lake - Mar 1, 2014
Our January 15th Qualifier #1 was rescheduled to Sunday, March 16th at Shearon Harris because of the snow storm and we almost thought this one was going to be postponed, but the rain and sleet never showed up and we got it done sending 21 teams to the frigid waters on Jordan!
It was very cold that morning at 31 degrees and it didn't warm up until after noon and then got up to about 49
degrees. The wind never got up at all which did our angler some good. Water temps averaged from 47 to 50.
The prespawn bass seemed to be in fairly shallow 4-6 foot water and about to bust with roe. You had to find the
warmer water and spray it with Shad Raps, Jigs & Spinnerbaits to get a hit. All the lakes around here are
getting ready to explode...we just need more warm weather to get it going!
Keith Deal & Ricky Kenworthy caught 5 beautiful bass weighing a total of 27.80 lbs taking 1st Place. They also
won 1st Place TWT for a total of $804 in winnings. Their kicker was a big 9.37 lb. bass, not bad, but they got
beat out of 1st place Big Fish by the team of Jesse Wise and Dennis Alexander (subbing for Terry Hobbs) with
a Piedmont Bass Classics record bass of 11.32 lbs. which earned them $210! 2nd Place Team went to the
Father/Son team of Tim and Tyler Goss with 4 bass weighing 17.70 lbs. They also won the 2nd Place TWT and
took home a total of $449.
35 bass were weighed in for a total of 157 pounds. This averaged over 4 lbs. a fish and they were nice and
healthy looking. Jordan is doing just fine!
I want to thank all the anglers that participated and all our sponsors that support these trails. Our next tournament will be the 2014 Boats Unlimited Team Tournament Bass Trail Qualifier #2, Saturday, Mar. 8th at Jordan Lake out of Farrington Point Wildlife Ramp (Right Side). Coming up Saturday March 15th will be the Hyco Lake Open and Sunday March 16th will be the make-up Mini Trail Qualifier #1 at Shearon Harris.
All the information on our tournaments can be found at yahoo and bing search or
http://piedmontbassclassics.com/
Now here are the full results:
1st Place: Keith Deal & Ricky Kenworth of Holly Springs & Cary...5 bass...27.80 lbs...$615
2nd Place: Tim & Tyler Goss of Franklinton...4 bass...17.70 lbs...$368
3rd Place: Scott Smith & Tony Woodard of Apex & Four Oaks...5 bass...17.22 lbs...$232
4th Place: Randy Fisher & Donnie Lowe of Hillsborough & Mebane...4 bass...15.38 lbs...$150
1st Place Big Fish: Jesse Wise & Dennis Alexander of Erwin...11.32 lbs...$210
1st Place TWT: 1st Place Team above: 27.80 lbs...$189
2nd Place TWT: 2nd Place Team above: 17.70 lbs...$81
Tow Boats US Award: Tim Goss of Franklinton: $50
Jesse Wise & Dennis Alexander caught the Big Fish - 11.32 lbs!!
Contact Information:
Phil McCarson...Tournament Director---922 Valetta Rd.---Durham, NC 27712
Home: 919-471-1571 Cell: 919-971-5042
email: [email protected] website: www.piedmontbassclassics.com
Texas Team Trail Returns To Lake Lay Roberts
Registration for the event is already underway – anglers can secure an opportunity to pre-fish Friday, March 14, by completing their registration online or via phone prior to midnight on Thursday, March 13. All anglers that pre-register will also be entered into a drawing for a Minn Kota Talon Shallow Water Anchor. In addition, anglers that opt to register online at www.texasteamtrail.com will be entered into a drawing for a Mustang Survival inflatable PFD.
The Ray Roberts event is the second of four 2014 qualifying events that guarantee a fully rigged, 18-foot boat, motor, trailer package as first-place prize. The winning anglers at Ray Roberts will walk away with a brand-new Stratos 189VLO powered by an Evinrude 150 HO, valued at $30,000.
In addition to the payout, the event offers anglers an unprecedented opportunity in terms of sponsor bonuses and television coverage. The budget-friendly $250 entry fee, plus multiple contingency programs and a guaranteed, over-100% payback at every event provides tremendous value to the weekend angler.
On-site registration is set for Friday, March 14, from 4-7 p.m. at Elk’s Lodge (1601 Marina Circle, Sanger, TX 76266). At least one team member must attend, as boat numbers will be assigned during this time. The tournament will launch Saturday, March 15, at safe light from Lake Ray Roberts Marina and weigh-in will begin at the same location at 3 p.m.
Anglers with questions or anyone interested in more details on the event are encouraged to visit www.texasteamtrail.com or call 210-281-1752 or 210-788-4143.
Along with title-sponsor Cabela’s, Texas Team Trail has also welcomed Lucas Oil®, Ranger Boats, Stratos Boats, Triton Boats, Evinrude®, Minn Kota®, Talon, RAM Trucks, Lowrance, Power-Pole, Amphibia, iON, Garmin, General Tire, SuperClean, Valley Fashion, Mustang Survival, Artic Ice and Protect the Harvest as official partners.
2014 TXTT scheduled events:
March 15 – Lake Ray Roberts
April 12 – Lake Texoma
May 3 – Lake Livingston
Championship – June 7-8 – Toledo Bend Lake
Brad Henry shows NEW 12 foot Talon - DEEPEST shallow water anchor on the market
From the floor of the 2014 Bassmaster Classic Expo Brad Henry shows us the NEW 12-foot Talon and a couple of unique - and handy - features.
Mueller Throws Chatterbait Elite; Nets Largest Bag In Bassmaster Classic History
Connecticut native, B.A.S.S. Nation qualifier, and fourth-year FLW Tour co-angler Paul Mueller made good on Browning’s hunch when, following a slow 47th place Day One, he switched to a ChatterBait Elite that produced a massive 32 lb., 3 oz. second-day bag and ultimately catapulted him to a second-place finish in one of professional bass fishing’s most coveted tournaments.
Following a lackluster start that centered around lipless crakbaiting, Mueller began fishing a Sexy Shad-colored ChatterBait Elite around depth irregularities in close proximity to eelgrass, popping it free from the grass to trigger reaction strikes.
"They'd sit on the upside of the point and I'd throw that ChatterBait and slow roll it and they'd react to that,” recalled Mueller. “The difference when you'd throw the lipless crankbait in the grass is if you reeled it slow, it would get buried in the grass. With the ChatterBait, you can slow roll it. I was just creeping it through there.”
"The ChatterBait could get through the eelgrass no matter how you retrieved it,” Mueller continued. “If you went too slow, it would get buried and you'd have to pop it. I'd work it slow enough to where it would get hung up a little bit and then I'd give it a short pop and a lot of times on that short pop, boom, they'd hit it."
From the angler who anticipated the ChatterBait would play a key role in the tournament’s outcome to another whose previous five-fish, single-day Classic record weight Mueller eclipsed, both Stephen Browning and fellow Z-Man pro, Luke Clausen, weighed in on the B.A.S.S. Nation angler’s success.
“The only good that came out of the Classic for me, unfortunately, was my prediction of the importance the ChatterBait would play in its outcome,” commented Browning. “It is truly a big-fish bait that has a ton of applications. My congratulations go out to Paul for utilizing the ChatterBait (Elite) to locate the right water—and area—on Guntersville.”
Past Bassmaster Classic and Forrest Wood Cup champion, Clausen echoed Browning’s sentiments. “The Classic record I set back in 2006 (29 lbs., 6 oz.) was broken this year on the best big-fish bait I know. Relying on the ChatterBait as much as I do, Paul’s success with it doesn’t surprise me at all.”
Introduced at the ICAST show in July 2012, the ChatterBait Elite boasts several improvements and upgrades over The Original ChatterBait and has quickly become a favorite of tournament anglers nationwide. Built upon Z-Man’s patented bladed swim jig design and hex-shaped ChatterBlade®, it sports a 5/0 Gamakatsu® hook, low profile EZ Skirt® jig skirt, molded-in trailer keeper and improved head-to-blade connection.
In fact, Mueller selected the ChatterBait Elite due to its beefed-up hook and other components, and construction. "If I hooked a big one, I didn't want any flex," he said.
Just two months into 2014, the ChatterBait Elite has played a crucial role not only in the Classic, but also in Brett Hite’s season-opening win at the first FLW Tour event at Lake Okeechobee last month. Along with Mueller’s impressive 32 lb., 3 oz. second-day bag at Guntersville, Hite’s day one catch of 34 lb., 14 oz. at Okeechobee are examples of the potential to produce a monster bag of fish with the ChatterBait.
According to Hite, the reason for the ChatterBait’s prowess as a big fish enticer is clear. “It’s a reaction-bite bait, which is deadly on big bass . . . Something suddenly snaps or flashes in front of a fish’s face and that fish’s gut reaction is to just inhale it. A ChatterBait snapping out of the grass, deflecting off a piling or ping-ponging off rock triggers the same thing.”
The ChatterBait Elite is available in 3/8 and ½ oz. sizes and is offered in eight different color patterns designed to match a variety of fishing scenarios.
Nathan Webber and Paul Rigsbee win the CBC on Wylie with 20.85 and take home $10,000!
Great Day for165 teams and the Carolina's Bass Challenge on Lake Wylie Sat. AC Pro Staffer Rob Digh said last Wed that it would take 19+ to win, and sure enough, the champs below hauled in 20.85 lbs! Congrats to Paul and Nathan on their $10,000 payday and all the other great anglers who brought in limit after limit!! Click the attachment for full results or scroll down past these pictures:
Below are the complete results from the CBC SC Divisional Qualifier #2 on Lake Wylie:
| Place | Team Name | Team # | Fish Weighed | Net Weight | Big Fish | Points | Winnings |
| 1 | Nathan Webber - Paul Rigsbee | 103 | 5 | 20.850 | 0.000 | 310 | $10,000 |
| 2 | Tommy Williams - Thomas Hardwic | 91 | 5 | 18.420 | 0.000 | 309 | $5,000 |
| 3 | Thomas Richmond - Artie Phillip | 105 | 5 | 18.350 | 0.000 | 308 | $3,500 |
| 4 | Keith Porter - Jason Threatt * | 118 | 5 | 18.280 | 4.970 | 307 | $7,300* |
| * Includes $5,000 Skeeter Bonus!! | |||||||
| 5 | Marcus Leech - Tim Chapman | 36 | 5 | 18.250 | 0.000 | 306 | $1,700 |
| 6 | Scott Hamrick - Craig Chambers | 77 | 5 | 17.470 | 0.000 | 305 | $1,200 |
| 7 | Bill Grier - Robby Byrum | 11 | 5 | 16.650 | 5.420 | 304 | $1,000 |
| 8 | Eric Grigg - Marc Grigg | 156 | 5 | 16.620 | 0.000 | 303 | $900 |
| 9 | Roger Medlock - Todd Lawrence | 9 | 5 | 16.420 | 0.000 | 302 | $800 |
| 10 | Charlie Sansbury - Kevin Banks | 56 | 5 | 16.300 | 0.000 | 301 | $750 |
| 11 | Rob Digh - Chuck Camp | 72 | 5 | 16.240 | 0.000 | 300 | $600 |
| 12 | Jason Eaker - Allen Eaker | 75 | 5 | 16.140 | 6.140 | 299 | $525 |
| 13 | Milton Yancey - Larry Yancey | 78 | 5 | 16.100 | 4.310 | 298 | $500 |
| 14 | Michael Smith - Roger Pope | 120 | 5 | 15.970 | 0.000 | 297 | $450 |
| 15 | Robby Hipps - Rodney Chastain | 162 | 5 | 15.930 | 0.000 | 296 | $430 |
| 16 | Hunter Hicks - Mike Stephens | 34 | 5 | 15.920 | 0.000 | 295 | $400 |
| 17 | Ron Carson - Johnny Johnson | 165 | 5 | 15.540 | 0.000 | 294 | $335 |
| 18 | Ken McFarland - Darryl Watson | 107 | 5 | 15.140 | 0.000 | 293 | $300 |
| 19 | Adam Fillmore - Jeremy Cabe | 15 | 5 | 15.120 | 0.000 | 292 | $320 |
| 20 | Daniel Jordan - Lyn Langston | 87 | 5 | 15.090 | 0.000 | 291 | $300 |
| 21 | Ronald Farrow - Roger Farrow | 112 | 5 | 15.050 | 0.000 | 290 | $280 |
| 22 | Tracy Schiff - David Few | 50 | 5 | 14.570 | 0.000 | 289 | $260 |
| 23 | Rick McLean - Robert Ross | 128 | 5 | 14.460 | 0.000 | 288 | $240 |
| 24 | Larry LeHew - Adam Waters | 39 | 5 | 14.340 | 0.000 | 287 | $230 |
| 25 | Rankin Chapman - Jayson Curtis | 14 | 5 | 14.260 | 0.000 | 286 | $220 |
| 26 | Grady Oliver - Mike Jennings | 121 | 5 | 14.140 | 0.000 | 285 | $210 |
| 27 | Wayne King - Max Terry | 67 | 5 | 14.000 | 0.000 | 284 | $200 |
| 28 | David Kneece - Tim Harmon | 110 | 5 | 13.910 | 0.000 | 283 | |
| 29 | Shane Suddeth - Fred Moore | 74 | 5 | 13.840 | 0.000 | 282 | |
| 30 | Steve Addington - Scott Beattie | 32 | 5 | 13.810 | 4.750 | 281 | |
| 31 | Jeremi Beatty - Bryan LeFever | 138 | 5 | 13.800 | 0.000 | 280 | |
| 32 | David Wiggins - Alex Zipperian | 17 | 5 | 13.760 | 0.000 | 279 | |
| 32 | Chuck Howard - Ken Ellis | 161 | 5 | 13.760 | 0.000 | 279 | |
| 34 | Eric Self - Ricky Self | 45 | 5 | 13.720 | 5.230 | 277 | |
| 35 | Ronald Moss - Justin Harvey * | 123 | 4 | 13.710 | 7.270 | 276 | $1,000 * |
| * $1,000 Big Fish Bonus Winner!! | |||||||
| 36 | Chad Sinclair - Caleb Conner | 115 | 5 | 13.690 | 0.000 | 275 | |
| 37 | Mike Allman - Mike Allman | 6 | 5 | 13.650 | 0.000 | 274 | |
| 38 | Brian Stowe - Shannon Stowe | 55 | 5 | 13.600 | 5.100 | 273 | |
| 39 | Wayne Frierson - Ronnie Mueller | 122 | 5 | 13.460 | 4.840 | 272 | |
| 40 | Timmy Osteen - Chris Marshall | 37 | 5 | 13.410 | 0.000 | 271 | |
| 41 | Ronnie McCoy - Jason McCoy | 150 | 5 | 13.240 | 0.000 | 270 | |
| 42 | Bryan New - | 100 | 5 | 13.200 | 0.000 | 269 | |
| 43 | Corey Stone - Mike Stone | 12 | 5 | 13.090 | 0.000 | 268 | |
| 44 | Jason Wilson - Kelly Logan | 60 | 5 | 13.030 | 0.000 | 267 | |
| 45 | Chris Ellis - Justin Shropshire | 13 | 5 | 12.960 | 0.000 | 266 | |
| 46 | Kiel Kelly - Chuck Whittaker | 18 | 5 | 12.850 | 0.000 | 265 | |
| 47 | Jay Keith - Donald Hinson | 152 | 5 | 12.280 | 0.000 | 264 | |
| 48 | Phillip Frady - Dirk Porter | 66 | 5 | 12.190 | 0.000 | 263 | |
| 49 | William Young Jr. - James Mize | 47 | 5 | 11.980 | 0.000 | 262 | |
| 49 | Tom Hucks - Chris Boehme | 62 | 5 | 11.980 | 0.000 | 262 | |
| 51 | Glenn Gentry - Tommy Purvis | 41 | 5 | 11.960 | 0.000 | 260 | |
| 52 | Jay Adams - Bobby Carroll | 143 | 5 | 11.830 | 0.000 | 259 | |
| 53 | Dwight Dellinger - Doug Delling | 65 | 5 | 11.820 | 0.000 | 258 | |
| 54 | Daniel Hill - James Bond | 127 | 5 | 11.810 | 0.000 | 257 | |
| 55 | Paul Gettys - Brandon Temples | 1 | 5 | 11.670 | 4.960 | 256 | |
| 56 | Kevin Fulmer - Mark Richardson | 109 | 3 | 11.600 | 0.000 | 255 | |
| 57 | Gene Webster - Mike Seawright | 131 | 4 | 11.530 | 0.000 | 254 | |
| 58 | Ferris Jennings - Larry Michale | 108 | 5 | 11.440 | 5.000 | 253 | |
| 59 | Brad Nappier - Nathan Luke | 49 | 5 | 11.400 | 0.000 | 252 | |
| 60 | Joe Marks - Anthony Marks | 85 | 5 | 11.330 | 0.000 | 251 | |
| 61 | Shawn Gray - Keith Gray | 125 | 5 | 11.320 | 0.000 | 250 | |
| 62 | Earl Purcell - Ed Matthews | 5 | 5 | 11.280 | 0.000 | 249 | |
| 63 | Johnny Player - Robert Hall | 44 | 5 | 11.200 | 0.000 | 248 | |
| 64 | John Hammett - Chuck Grant | 113 | 5 | 11.090 | 0.000 | 247 | |
| 65 | Derek Lilley - David Clanton | 106 | 5 | 11.030 | 0.000 | 246 | |
| 66 | Gordon Smith - Jared Kimak | 70 | 5 | 11.020 | 0.000 | 245 | |
| 66 | Kenny Brice - Horace Morris | 88 | 5 | 11.020 | 0.000 | 245 | |
| 68 | Todd Walters - Patrick Walters | 84 | 5 | 10.950 | 3.920 | 243 | |
| 69 | Eddie Herlong - Rick Lamountain | 146 | 5 | 10.840 | 0.000 | 242 | |
| 70 | Conrad Bolt - George Parker | 16 | 5 | 10.700 | 0.000 | 241 | |
| 71 | Chris Morris - Brian Upton | 126 | 5 | 10.690 | 0.000 | 240 | |
| 72 | Lee Sawyer - Cole Winn | 92 | 5 | 10.600 | 0.000 | 239 | |
| 73 | Paul Guthrie - Danny Hucks | 35 | 5 | 10.510 | 0.000 | 238 | |
| 74 | Rick Carson - Jason Turner | 51 | 5 | 10.460 | 0.000 | 237 | |
| 75 | Ross Burns - Dane Odom | 58 | 5 | 10.400 | 0.000 | 236 | |
| 76 | Randy Mathis - Jody Jones | 25 | 5 | 10.210 | 0.000 | 235 | |
| 77 | Bernie Dreher - Les Westberry | 114 | 5 | 10.180 | 0.000 | 234 | |
| 78 | Dusty Rhoad - Frederick Clement | 154 | 4 | 9.910 | 0.000 | 233 | |
| 79 | Jimmy Stroud - Kirk Crump | 95 | 5 | 9.890 | 0.000 | 232 | |
| 80 | Rob Thames - Daniel O'Brien | 147 | 5 | 9.850 | 0.000 | 231 | |
| 81 | Billy Rochester - Grady Melton | 102 | 5 | 9.600 | 0.000 | 230 | |
| 81 | David Wright - Chris Brown | 133 | 5 | 9.600 | 0.000 | 230 | |
| 83 | David Winters - Russell Winters | 7 | 5 | 9.120 | 0.000 | 228 | |
| 84 | Matt Queen - Jeff Raby | 153 | 5 | 9.110 | 0.000 | 227 | |
| 85 | Chris Hawkins - Davey Thomas | 42 | 4 | 9.050 | 0.000 | 226 | |
| 85 | Jeremy Johnson - Harry Johnson | 163 | 3 | 9.050 | 0.000 | 226 | |
| 87 | Ray Dowey - Joey Outlaw | 79 | 4 | 8.800 | 0.000 | 224 | |
| 88 | Wesley Cashwell - Shane Doughti | 52 | 4 | 8.660 | 0.000 | 223 | |
| 88 | Randy Hall - David Wray | 158 | 5 | 8.660 | 0.000 | 223 | |
| 90 | John Branstetter - Troy Buffing | 40 | 4 | 8.610 | 2.390 | 221 | |
| 91 | Chuck Hensley - Larry Christoph | 81 | 4 | 8.410 | 0.000 | 220 | |
| 92 | Donald Poteat - Johnny Allen | 61 | 5 | 8.330 | 0.000 | 219 | |
| 93 | Jason Carleton - Jerry Uhrich | 38 | 4 | 8.150 | 0.000 | 218 | |
| 94 | Jeff Horton - Eddie Belcher | 64 | 5 | 7.990 | 0.000 | 217 | |
| 95 | Dwight Beavers - Brian Scott | 30 | 4 | 7.110 | 0.000 | 216 | |
| 96 | Amin Jaber - Brian Nichols | 73 | 4 | 7.090 | 0.000 | 215 | |
| 97 | Philip Burns - Todd Burns | 148 | 3 | 6.800 | 0.000 | 214 | |
| 98 | Jimmy Drumm - Ben Parker | 134 | 3 | 6.680 | 0.000 | 213 | |
| 99 | Mack Cook - Patrick Cook | 10 | 4 | 6.500 | 0.000 | 212 | |
| 100 | Billy Martin - Brian Scruggs | 57 | 4 | 6.380 | 0.000 | 211 | |
| 101 | Juddie Revels - David Oxendine | 130 | 3 | 5.870 | 0.000 | 210 | |
| 102 | John Gutierrez - Rodney Tapp | 164 | 2 | 5.230 | 0.000 | 209 | |
| 103 | Kevin Ashley - Keith Ashley | 149 | 2 | 5.200 | 0.000 | 208 | |
| 104 | Will Dickens - Audie Epps | 2 | 2 | 5.130 | 0.000 | 207 | |
| 105 | Jerry Buice - Billy Buice | 28 | 2 | 4.940 | 0.000 | 206 | |
| 106 | Ron Brown - Bobby Brown | 76 | 3 | 4.900 | 0.000 | 205 | |
| 107 | Clay Riddle - Eddie Bundrick | 63 | 2 | 4.600 | 0.000 | 204 | |
| 108 | Kevin Rake - Terry Morris | 139 | 2 | 4.570 | 0.000 | 203 | |
| 109 | Coy Watts - David Hutcherson | 71 | 2 | 4.310 | 0.000 | 202 | |
| 110 | John Sturkie - Calvin Hewitt | 116 | 2 | 4.290 | 0.000 | 201 | |
| 111 | David Williams - Gerald William | 157 | 2 | 3.890 | 0.000 | 200 | |
| 112 | Clint Proudfoot - Eric Bozeman | 141 | 2 | 3.610 | 0.000 | 199 | |
| 113 | Gene Parker - Stanley Harkins | 101 | 2 | 3.560 | 0.000 | 198 | |
| 113 | Tony Jackson - Clint Jackson | 117 | 2 | 3.560 | 0.000 | 198 | |
| 115 | Kevin Callahan - Cory Mahaffey | 96 | 2 | 3.510 | 0.000 | 196 | |
| 116 | Russ Padgett - Meredith Havird | 21 | 1 | 3.260 | 0.000 | 195 | |
| 117 | Todd Gambrell - Eddy Morgan | 97 | 1 | 2.780 | 0.000 | 194 | |
| 118 | Reggie OBrien - Pat O'Brien | 151 | 1 | 2.200 | 0.000 | 193 | |
| 119 | Austin Johnson - Andrew McClint | 137 | 1 | 1.710 | 0.000 | 192 | |
| 120 | David Teel - Chris Ramsey | 24 | 1 | 1.540 | 0.000 | 191 | |
| 120 | Joseph Toth - Daniel Grassi | 159 | 1 | 1.540 | 0.000 | 191 | |
| 122 | Toby Keisler - Joel Watts | 3 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 123 | Matthew McBee - Cliff Kirby | 4 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 124 | Thomas Vickers - Brian Huskins | 8 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 125 | Nathan White - Chris Guest | 19 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 126 | Robert Fowler - John Parker | 20 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 127 | Brent Waynick - Rodney Jordan | 22 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 128 | John McKenzie - Christian McKen | 23 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 129 | Gary Michaud - Doc McDaniel | 26 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 130 | Wyatt Gwyn - Ryan Bear | 27 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 131 | Steve Shaw - Ken Fender | 29 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 132 | Mike Smith - Luke Britz | 31 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 133 | Danny Mason - Lionel Mason | 33 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 134 | Lewis Thomasson - Matt Haywood | 43 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 135 | Glenn Altman - Larry Parker | 46 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 136 | Robert Braxton - Joe Braxton | 48 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 137 | John English - Victoria English | 53 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 138 | John Ellender - Tina Ellender | 54 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 139 | Chris Langley - Greg Sigmon | 59 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 140 | Rodney Cromer - | 68 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 141 | Brian Hall - Doug Stallings | 69 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 142 | Billy Morris - Gary Angel | 80 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 143 | Eddie Smith - Michael Carson | 82 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 144 | John Pelinski - Michael Richard | 83 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 145 | James Rose - Marty Quesada | 86 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 146 | Robin Cairco - Michael Bushue | 89 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 147 | Paul Selle - Parker Miller | 90 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 148 | Sean Anderson - George Berry | 93 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 149 | Ray Walsh - Marc Deschenes | 94 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 150 | Ryan Sprayberry - Wendell Cause | 98 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 151 | Perry Wycuff - Dan Lowe | 99 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 152 | Eddie Davis - Rob Fitch | 104 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 153 | Robert Bauguess - Rodney Morrow | 111 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 154 | Louie Hull - Chuck Montgomery | 119 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 155 | John Paul George - Eric Weir | 124 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 156 | Darron Jeter - Eric Jeter | 129 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 157 | Shawn Jordan - Shannon Jordan | 132 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 158 | O'Neal Johnston - Richard Brads | 135 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 159 | Greg Whittington - Robert Churc | 136 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 160 | Shane Lineberger - Anthony John | 140 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 161 | Robert Guest - David Heatherly | 142 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 162 | Chris Wagner - Chase Deal | 144 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 163 | Buddy Walden - Troy Lytle | 145 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 164 | Chris Dover - Chad Lail | 155 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
| 165 | Todd Garner - Shane Hartman | 160 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 189 | |
Mitchell Breaks 32lb Mark Santee Cooper CATT
The 1st 2014 CATT Santee Cooper Qualifier saw 32 teams spread out over Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie chasing the magic 5. If you’ve fished Santee Cooper before this is the beginning of some of the best fishing in the South East and it’s going to get better in the next few weeks!
Brett Mitchell, Alx Rods Pro Staffer evidently found the right 5 as he weighed in a limit of Santee Hawgs at 32.40 lbs! His BF weighed 7.63 lbs and was the 2nd BF of the tourney plus Brett took home the BONUS $. All total he earned $1,176.00!
Brian Cook and Steve Harmon finished 2nd with another great limit at 23.95lbs and took home $375.00!
3rd went to Wayne Clifton and Kyle Welch with 5 bass weighing 23.37 lbs and they received $275.00.
Coming in 4th were Clay Lowder and Jon Smoak with 5 bass weighing 23.18 lbs and they took home $150.00.
Also coming in 5th Zach Peavy and Paul Geddings with another good limit of Santee bass weighing 22.39 lbs and they claimed $150.00.
Michael Earnhardt and Bruce Peavy finished 6th with 21.44 lbs and also weighed the 1st BF at 8.53 lbs. All total they took home $339.00! Remember guys the 1st BF winner at the Santee Final will take home a Lew’s Baitcast Reel!
Henry McFadden and Jeff Cantey were the 7th Place team and took $100.00 with 5 bass weighing 21.37 lbs.
Next up is March 8th at Alex Harvin Landing!
The week of the Final we will have a get together with some food and hold a Calcutta! Keep checking back for info!
Brett Collins
Carolina Anglers Team Trail LLC
Olsen & Burns Win CATT Shearon Harris
We held the 1st Old North CATT GOLD Qualifier on Shearon Harris with 31 teams entering. Teams had been asking for a larger payback and we’re going to give it em! We hope to have some large crowds at the future Old North CATT Gold events and we can really show you the money! Last year we had a few qualifiers with over 50 teams entered and if we can do that again you’re looking at a 1st place prize of $1,725.00 with 50 boats. If we can reach 75 teams 1st place will be $2,000.00. The next Old North Qualifier is March 15th at Lake Jordan which will be the normal CATT Qualifier. The Next Old North CATT GOLD Qualifier is March 22 at Kerr…make plans to be there and cash in!
Remember guys you have to enter 3 Old North Qualifiers as a team to be eligible to enter the Old North Final May 24th at Kerr…and by only entering 1 NC CATT event you will be eligible to enter the 2014 CATT NC Championship on Kerr June 21. Last year we had 115 teams enter the Kerr event so make plans to come out. 1st Place last year at Kerr took home over $13,500.00!
Rick Olsen and Shane Burns took 1st Place at Shearon Harris this past Saturday with 5 bass weighing 17.85 lbs and they also took home the 1st Place BONUS $. All total they collected $1,815.00.
2nd went to Jeremy Sabo and Dale Campo with a total weight 17.01 lbs and the 2nd BONUS $ plus 2nd BF at 7.85 lbs…they took home $943.00.
Jamie Fajardo and Josh Hooks claimed 3rd with 13.81 lbs and received $360.00.
Thomas Sheffler and David Walton weighed in 11.61 lbs good enough for 4th and also had the 1st BF at 7.95 lbs. All total they took home $457.00.
Mark Glende and Seth Ellis finished in 5th place with 11.35 lbs and earned $180.00.
The last money paying place went to Stump Bledsoe and Glenn Elliott with 9.65 lbs. They took home $125.00.
Anderson Wins Walmart Bass Fishing League Lbl Division Event On Kentucky/Barkley Lakes
Anderson picked up his third BFL win by making an 85-mile run on a day he described as “eerily calm” to the New Johnsonville area of Kentucky Lake.
Ranger Cup University For College Anglers
The Association of Collegiate Anglers wants to remind college anglers that Ranger Boats will continue its support of the 2014 Cabela's Collegiate Bass Fishing Series and that college anglers have a unique opportunity to be a part of the one of a kind Ranger Cup University program.
Modeled after the most lucrative contingency rewards in the industry, the Ranger Cup University is the only program of its kind exclusively for collegiate anglers and is open to those competing in Cabela's Collegiate Bass Fishing Series events throughout 2014. Regardless of which boat brand they own, sign-up is free, and anglers in compliance with the guidelines can earn merchandise prizes and a once in a lifetime fishing opportunity.
The highest finishing Ranger Cup University team in the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Cabela's, will compete in a head to head competition with the highest finishing team from the FLW College Fishing Championship. This unique battle includes a trip with paid expenses, fully rigged Ranger Boats for their use during the event and over $2,000 in cash and prizes. As well as nationally televised coverage on Americana Outdoors presented by Garmin, one of the nation's longest running outdoor programs. Additional televised coverage of the event will also be provided on the Cabela's Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Television Series. Both programs are broadcast on numerous television networks as part of the largest dedicated coverage of college fishing in the nation.
"Without a doubt, the world of collegiate fishing is one of the most exciting opportunities we have as a company," said Ranger Boats Vice President of Marketing, Bart Schad. "We get the chance to connect with anglers and build relationships with guys that are just getting started in competitive fishing. Their enthusiasm for the sport is contagious and we make a lot of friends in the process - hopefully some lifelong customers as well."
"Ranger Boats support of bass fishing in general is legendary and they are one of only a handful of companies that were involved in the early growth of college bass fishing and they have been there ever since," said Wade Middleton, President of CarecoTV, and Director of the Cabela's Collegiate Bass Fishing series. "It continues to be an honor to call them our partners in this series of events."
For more information on Ranger Cup University, including program guidelines, go online to For more information and to sign up for the Ranger Cup University Program vist RangerBoats.com.
NEW FOR 2014: RANGER VS1780 ALUMINUM DEEP V
New design brings Ranger quality and aluminum accessibility to multi-species anglers nationwide
FLIPPIN, Ark. (March 3, 2014) – Ranger’s acclaimed roster of aluminum bass, crappie and multipurpose boats continue to be one of the industry’s best-selling product lines as the brand’s strong heritage, quality construction and innovative design resonates with boat buyers. This year, Ranger Boats is poised to introduce another category to the most sought-after aluminum boats on the water, the all-new Ranger Aluminum Deep V Series.
With more models planned for introduction in the coming year, the new Ranger Aluminum Deep V Series will deliver feature-laden boats complete with a solid, all-welded aluminum hull constructed without the use of any wood components. Upright, level foam flotation adds even more confidence, stability, and security to this ultra-quiet design, as proven with the new VS1780.
“We’ve incorporated so many key elements we’ve learned and developed in our years of building the most popular and best-performing multispecies fiberglass boats into the new Ranger Aluminum Deep V Series,” said Ranger Boats President Randy Hopper. “The 1780, in particular, features a solid, one-piece feel and the peace of mind that comes with quality construction and attention to detail – all starting at under $20,000 in some configurations.”
Measuring 17 feet, 8 inches with a 96-inch beam, the Ranger Aluminum VS1780 is rated for outboards ranging in horsepower from 90-135. Equipped with a 24-gallon fuel tank, the boat offers plenty of fishing space on its expansive front deck as well as the ability to accommodate kicker motors.
Built with an inside depth of 23.5 inches for added peace of mind while motoring across big waters or trolling through choppy conditions, the new VS1780 features a custom-designed fiberglass console to accommodate walk-through windshields, a full complement of gauges and space for flush mounting large-screened electronics. With custom-fitted marine upholstery throughout the boat, the VS1780 is equipped with adjustable driver and front passenger seats as well as an additional matching fishing seat, which can be utilized in a variety of configurations within the cockpit or on the three fishing positions available on the front deck.
In addition, the new VS1780 features enhanced aesthetics with metallic paint on the hulls, Ranger’s proprietary Rawhide floor covering and available snap-in carpet throughout the cockpit area. Loaded with a variety of lockable storage options throughout the vessel, the VS1780 includes center rod storage under the front deck as well as additional rod storage in the portside gunnel; a livewell/baitwell forward of the cockpit plus an additional livewell at the stern.
Available with a wide range of factory-rigged outboards, the VS1780 comes paired with a RangerTrail® trailer, designed with a custom-fit specifically for easier launching, towing and maneuvering. Featuring solid, channel beam steel, the NMMA-certified RangerTrail trailer delivers exceptional strength and is equipped with a center swing jack, locking swing-away tongue, integrated load guides, waterproof lights and patented, super tough Road Armor finish. The new VS1780 also comes standard with a Minn Kota 45PD trolling motor, Lowrance X4 Pro electronics mounted at the console and an on-board 6x1 battery charger.
2014 RANGER VS1780
Overall Hull Length: 17 feet, 8 inches
Beam: 96 inches
HP Range: 990-135
Engine Shaft Length: 25 inches
Inside Depth: 23.5 inches
Fuel Capacity: (1) 24-gallon tank
Approx. Boat Weight: 1,300 lbs.
Trailer GVWR: SM2995
About Ranger Boats
Headquartered in Flippin, Ark., Ranger Boats is the nation's premier manufacturer of legendary fiberglass and aluminum fishing boats, which include series of bass, multi-species, fish 'n play, waterfowl utility 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.
Thornton and Ross win the Alabama Bass Trail in Mobile-full results here!
€“ Matt Thorton and Adam Ross rode a rollercoaster of emotion Saturday en route to victory in the inaugural tournament for the Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series’ South Division.
The tournament was held out of the newly renovated Live Oak Landing Park.
Thornton and Ross thought their chances of winning the tournament were over when they lost a largemouth bass, they estimated to weigh about 4.5 pounds.
“I couldn’t believe we lost it right at the boat. It just made us sick,” Thorton said.
Thorton and Ross quickly found a way to overcome that sick feeling, They caught more bass.
“We were lucky,” Thornton said. “They kept biting and we didn’t lose any more.
Thonrton and Ross, both of Tibbie, Ala. weighed in five largemouth bass that tipped the scales at 15.24 pounds to clinch the $10,000 first prize.
Thorton and Ross caught their fish on the Tombigbee River.
They used a variety of baits, including square-billed crankbaits, plastic lizards and jigs.
“We did a lot of running and ripping,” Ross said.
Duke Miller and Jeffrey Russell, both of Saraland, Ala., finished second with four bass that weighed 15.10 pounds.
Miller and Russell also lost a fish, which they estimated to weigh around 5 pounds.
“We knew losing that one was going to hurt us,” Russell said “We tried and tried to catch another fish, even a small one, to have a limit.”
Miller and Russell, who were fishing on the Alabama River, won $5,000.
John Wiggins of Daphne, Ala., and Barry McLain Bay Minette were third with 14.83 pounds. They won $4,000
Tommy Parker of Saraland and Joey Smith of Millry, Ala., finished fouth with 14.53 pounds. Jason Kyser of Saraland and Kevin Carpenter of Madison, Miss. Finished fifth with 13.59 pounds.
4th Place Team of Tommy Parker and Joey Smith hold up their 14.53 Lbs!
Justin Hamner of Harpersville, Ala., and Chris Payne of West Blocton, Ala., had the big fish for the tournament, a 5.40-pounds largemouth. They won $500.
The anglers in the tournament weighed-in 379 bass, which weighed 656.21 pounds for an average weight of 1.73 pounds. Of the 160 teams in the tournament, 123 weighed-in fish.
All of the fish weighed in were returned to water alive. Both of the Alabama Bass Trail tournaments held so far have had a 100 percent survival rate.
The next stop on the Alabama Bass Trail South Division is Saturday, March 15 on Lake Eufaula.
The next stop on the Bass Trail’s North Division is March 22 on Pickwick Lake.
Snag Proof At 2014 Bassmaster Classic!
Connie Ehlers Fuller from Snag Proof shows us the newest American-Made fish-getters. She also covers the 2014 Snag Proof tournament schedule which offers excitment and excellent payouts from coast to coast.
What Makes Classic Champion Howell Tick - Off the Water?
We've learned a lot about Randy Howell's on-water exploits at the recent 2014 Bassmaster Classic. But what makes Howell tick when he's at home serving his community? Hear Howell talk about his title sponsor and what the kids of King's Home mean to him and his family.
Lifelong Dream For Randy Howell Comes True At 2014 Bassmaster Classic
Randy Howell - 2014 Bassmaster Classic Champion!!
After two decades of dreaming about being the Bassmaster Classic Champion, Randy Howell won bass fishing's world championship Sunday on Alabama's famed Lake Guntersville, and by mid-week he was still riding high on Cloud Nine.
“It feels like a dream,” said Howell after a day filled with interviews from magazines to newspapers to television to radio and even fishing websites. “I wake up and I still think, 'Oh God, please don't let this just be a dream'.”
The Springville, Ala., pro has qualified for 12 Classics in his career and his best finish prior to Sunday was last February when he finished 10th in the Classic held on Grand Lake O' The Cherokees at Tulsa, Okla., and won $20,000. He had a much heftier payday at Guntersville, claiming a $300,000 paycheck for first place, plus a $7,500 Toyota Bonus Bucks award, boosting his career win money to well over $1.5 million.
And he did it in championship fashion, vaulting from 11th place on Saturday into the top spot on Sunday when he had what observers termed a “charmed day,” one during which he caught so many big bass that he was culling 4- and 5-pounders before weighing in five at 29 pounds, 2 ounces, with his biggest bass a hefty 7 pounds, 3 ounces.
That boosted his three-day total to 67 pounds, 8 ounces, exactly one pound ahead of B.A.S,.S Nation angler Paul Mueller of Naugatuck, Conn., and 1 pound, 13 ounces ahead of Elite Pro Edwin Evers of Talala, Okla., who was the leader going into the final day of competition.
“It was the best day I’ve ever had in 21 years of professional bass fishing, a day of a lifetime,” Howell said.
“I caught my first one on my second or third cast,” he said. “I caught one almost every cast or two and had a limit in the first 10 or 15 minutes. It was quick. It would have been quicker if I hadn’t had to stop and retie every time because of the rocks.”
The rocks were the riprap up against a causeway bridge on Spring Creek. That early flurry included releasing eight 4-pounders, he said. Howell worked the riprap and a grassy area farther back in the creek with a Livingston Lures model being developed within the Pro Series – a medium diver in a crawfish color. He also used a Rapala DT6 crankbait in the “demon” crawfish color and a Yamamoto bladed jig.
Although he entered the final day of fishing believing he could win and had a fantastic day of fishing on the water, Howell said he did not know for sure he'd captured bass fishing's top prize until Mueller weighed in.
“Davy Hite told me in the hallway that Mueller had a chance to beat me, but he needed 25 pounds, 11 ounces, and he only had 24 pounds, 11 ounces. I bent over and almost started crying when I saw his weight.”
Winning the Classic, Howell said, is the culmination of more than 20 years of paying his dues and only winning two B.A.S.S. titles along the way. “I don't win tournaments very often,” said the 43-year-old pro who claimed his third win with the Classic title Sunday.
“I dreamed about it my whole life. I did a lot of praying and planning and I try every year to get better and learn more. I had a lot of talks with the Good Lord about what I had to do to make it happen. Then all of a sudden here it comes and it is a dream come true.”
Financially, Howell said, the prize money will be a major boost for his investments, college fund for his children and retirement.
“But, family-wise it is even better,” he said. “My wife and I do everything together. Our boys travel with us and my wife home-schools them, so we think of our family as Team Howell.”
Howell said he hopes his success and that of Team Howell will be a greater influence now on other families looking for direction in life.
“Everybody who knows me knows I wear my faith on my sleeve. The biggest thing about this is that it gives me a larger platform to reach out to more people and help more people. It opens up my ministry, so more people can hear what I have to say,” Howell said.
“Hopefully, we can revitalize fishing to where it is all about family, fishing for fun, and get more people into it like it was in the good old days,” he said. “I am living proof to the younger generation, college kids and high school kids fishing. If you have a dream chase it, but put God first and treat people right and it will all come to you eventually.”
For Team Howell, the dream lives on, beyond the celebrity of a Bassmaster Classic title.
Flw Announces Release Of Chris Jones Soundboard App
You've heard him on stage. You've heard him on TV. Now hear FLW's Chris Jones on your phone. The word from FLW Outdoors:
Dickson County High School Wins Tennessee State High School Fishing Open On Lake Barkley
Thanks To Clay Connor, Friend Of Anglerschannel.com, For Taking Us Out In His Xpress Boat At The Bassmaster Classic!
Take a peek at some of the footage that will be shown on the Progressive Bass Wrap Up TV Show. We were able to bring you this on-water excitement because our friend, Clay Connor was kind enough to ride us around in his Xpress Bass Boat. And yes, it's aluminum. Tough. Light. Smooth on the waves and quiet on the flats. Check out http://www.xpressboats.com/
AC Pro Staffer Rob Digh " It will take at least 19+ Lbs to win the CBC on Wylie this Sat"
AC Pro Staffer Rob Digh says although fishing conditions are still tough, the fish are biting and for anyone to think it will take less than 19+ on Wylie or any of the regional fisheries this weekend is in for a big surprise...
Anglers Choice Ready To Start 2014 Season On Smith Mountain If Weather Cooperates
Weather permitting, the Anglers Choice Marine Team Trail Virginia Division kicks off the 2014 season Saturday, March 8, on Smith Mountain Lake with several changes that are sure to please the anglers.
“No. 1 is the invitation to be a part of B.A.S.S.,” said tournament director Chris Lucas. “One of the things we had to change this year is that we are going to have one points champion. We had to figure out a way to determine which team would go to the Toyota Tundra Team Championship, sponsored by B.A.S.S. So we are going to count six of the eight qualifiers for the points. Teams that fish all eight tournaments can have two drops.”
The overall points champions will earn a bonus of $1,250, plus a paid entry into the Toyota Tundra Team Championship, Lucas said.
Beginning last year the Anglers Choice Team series was split into two divisions, one for Virginia and one for North Carolina, with four qualifiers in each division.
“What's unique is that you can get four qualifiers in two weekends on Buggs Island,” Lucas said. “Make two trips and you have two qualifiers to fish for a boat. Then through the course of the season fish two more and qualify for the whole shooting match. You can fish six of the eight qualifiers in just four weekends the way the schedule is set up.”
The double qualifier weekends are April 5 and 6 and June 7 and 8, with anglers able to fish the Virginia Division qualifier on Saturday and the North Carolina Division qualifier on Sunday both weekends.
“Our anglers really like this opportunity because it helps cut down on expenses for the fishermen,” Lucas said.
“The other aspect of out trail this year is that we are going to have two separate Classics, with a Ranger Boat for the winners on the Virginia side and a Triton for the winners on the North Carolina side. So, with the opportunity to fish both Classics, guys have two chances to win a boat.”
The Virginia Division schedule runs March 8, Smith Mountain Lake; April 5, Kerr Reservoir; May 10, Smith Mountain Lake; June 7, Kerr Reservoir; with the Virginia Classic Oct. 4-5 on Smith Mountain Lake. The North Carolina Division runs March 23 on Falls Lake, April 6 on Kerr Reservoir; May 24 on High Rock; June 8 on Kerr Reservoir; with the North Carolina Classic Oct. 25-26 on High Rock.
Although the region has been under some severe winter weather in recent weeks, the fish are biting in Smith Mountain Lake, Lucas said.
“Guys are catching fish and they are catching them about any way they want to. The only problem is the fish may be a foot deep to 45 feet deep. You just don't know where they are going to be.”
But locating the fish is a minor problem compared to the weather situation, Lucas said.
“Between now and the tournament we have about five different weather systems coming at us. They don't know what any of them are going to do so we don't know what we might have to do.” He said. “The guys on Smith Mountain Lake don't mind fishing in the cold. That doesn't bother them. But the problem is travel. Safety will be out priority.”
Lucas said he will monitor the weather and make a decision on the tournament by Thursday, March 6, in time to notify anglers who would be traveling to the lake on Friday, March 7.
“We will post it on the website, so if the guys will keep a check on the website they can find information on the tournament up to the last minute,” he said. “They should definitely check the website before getting on the road.”
Anglers Choice Marine Team Trail VA Division
Sat, Mar 8, 2014
Smith Mountain Lake
Parkway Marina
Call Chris Lucas 276-358-0844
Weather Stabilizing, Fishing Should Be Good For Carolina Bass Challenge On Wylie
Thomas Hardwick and Tommy William caught 23.67 lbs on Lake Murray to win the 1st NC Division event of 2014
Fishing should be good for the Carolina Bass Challenge South Carolina Division tournament on Lake Wylie this Saturday, according to Reid McGuinn of nearby Fort Mill.
“There is a little bit of everything going on and the fish have been biting pretty much everything,” said McGuinn, who honed his tourmaline skills as a member of the Clemson Fishing Team before graduating three years ago. “The weather has finally stabilized and the water temperature is finally stable, too. It's not going up and down from all the cold snaps.”
McGuinn said the fish are in all stages, but with the weather calming somewhat since the ice/snow storm two weeks ago that forced postponement of the first North Carolina Division CBC tournament on Wylie, some fish have already moved up on the banks with spawning on their minds.
“They are catching them on ShadRaps and crankbaits on points about halfway back in the creeks,” he said. “There are still a lot of fish out deep and they are catching those fish on the Alabama Rig, which has been the main thing, and on jerkbaits off main lake points and in the big creek mouths.”
In fact, McGuinn said, the tournament Saturday could well be won on the Alabama Rig, which has been the dominant pattern in recent weeks.
McGuinn is fishing some of the CBC tournaments “close to the house”, as well as the North Carolina Division BFLs and as a co-angler in the B.A.S.S. Southern Opens.
There are five qualifying tournaments in the CBC South Carolina Division and five in the CBC North Carolina Division. The first South Carolina Division tournament was held Feb. 8 on Lake Murray with Thomas Hardwick and Tommy William weighing a limit at 23.67 pounds to win first place and a check for $10,000.
The 2014 CBC schedule includes: North Carolina Division: Lake Wylie, Feb. 15; Lake Norman, March 22; High Rock, April 12; Lake Hickory, May 17; Falls Lake, June 7. South Carolina Division: Lake Murray, Feb. 8; Lake Wylie, March 1; Lake Wateree, March 29; Santee Cooper, April 19; and Lake Hartwell, May 10.
“As in the past, we take all the teams from the South Carolina and North Carolina Championships to the two-day Classic,” said CBC Coordinator Brett Collins. “The dates and locations for the Championships and Classic will be announced very soon.”
Top prize at both the North Carolina and South Carolina championships is a Skeeter TZX190/150 with a Yamaha 150. First prize in the 2014 CBC Classic will be a Skeeter ZX200/200 Yamaha SHO.
There have been some changes in requirements for the anglers, he noted.
“We now have a single-file blast-off to reduce the tricky situations that can arise at a blast-off with a large number of boats. And we no longer take entry fees at the ramp. All teams must be paid by the Wednesday before each event.”
Collins suggested anglers check out the CBC website (www.carolinasbasschallenge.com) where the requirements and payouts are posted. Each angler must pay an annual $50 membership and teams pay a $200 entry for each tournament. The guaranteed purse for each tournament is $8,000 with an additional $5,000 to the top finishing Skeeter/Yamaha owner who participates in all 2014 CBC events.
Carolinas Bass Challenge - South Carolina Division
Sat, Mar 1, 2014
Lake Wylie
Buster Boyd Access Area
Call Brett Collins 803-413-7521
www.carolinasbasschallenge.com
Rapala's Role In 2014 Bassmaster Classic
Three of the top five finishers in the 2014 Bassmaster Classic caught many of their fish on Rapala DT-6 crankbaits, including winner Randy Howell.
“This is what I caught a good bit on this week,” Howell said, holding up a Demon-pattern DT-6 covered with teeth marks. “I’m not sponsored by Rapala, but that’s a great cold-water bait.”
Howell’s comments came as he recapped his final-day action during a live webcast interview with Rapala pro Davy Hite, the 1999 Classic winner, moments after Howell came off of Alabama’s Lake Guntersville and hours before he weighed in and was crowned champion.
Success with a DT-6 did not surprise Hite.
“On Friday, I said that would absolutely, 100 percent, be a bait that I’d be throwing a lot here,” Hite said of the DT-6.
And although Hite did not qualify to fish this year’s Classic, his instincts were spot on. Not only did the Classic winner catch numerous bass on a DT-6, so did two other anglers with a chance to win – Rapala-Terminator-VMC pro Ott DeFoe and VMC-Trigger X® pro Randall Tharp, who finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
“Every big fish that I weighed in – and all five of the fish I got today – came on this bait,” DeFoe said, showing Hite a DT-6.
“I had a 7-1/2 [pounder] the second day and I had one over five [pounds] on the first day that came on this,” DeFoe said, also in a pre-weigh-in interview with Hite . “Man, it’s been really key.”
A longtime Alabama resident who launched his professional fishing career by cashing checks in tournaments on Lake Guntersville, Tharp came into the Classic heavily favored to win. He led after Day 1, having caught a 27-pound, 8-ounce limit of five bass. Throughout the tournament, he caught many of his fish on a Bluegill-pattern DT-6.
“He said a lot of his big fish came on this crankbait right here,” Bassmaster TV co-host Mark Zona said of Tharp, holding up a DT-6 to the camera live-streaming bassmaster.com’s instant-analysis “War Room” webcast. “A ton of guys in this tournament are using that bait,” Zona said. “[It has a] very tight wiggle – it’s not a very wide-wobbling crankbait. It’s got a tight profile. Great cold-water crankbait.”
Brandon Palaniuk, a Rapala, Storm, Terminator and VMC pro, finished in 15th place. On the tournament’s final day, he caught most of his bass on the Red Craw-pattern Storm Rattling Arashi™ Square 3, a new crankbait unveiled last Friday at the Classic. Released along with the Square 3 was a Square 5. The numbers indicate the baits’ diving depths.
In the first two days of Classic competition, Palaniuk threw a Electric Blue 3/8 ounce. Terminator Pro Series Jig. Storm, VMC and Terminator are three of the many respected names in the Rapala family of brands.
DeFoe Predicted DT Bite
Before the Classic even launched, DeFoe predicted that a Rapala DT bait would be a player. “Everything from shallow-running stuff like a DT Flat-3, down to maybe a DT-10 or DT-16 even,” he said in a pre-tournament interview. Conditions dictated that the DT-6 would be most effective. DT stands for “Dives-To,” indicating the baits’ diving depths.
Fellow Rapala and VMC pro Michael “Ike” Iaconelli also predicted a DT bite. And although Ike, the 2003 Classic winner, didn’t find the fish he needed to be a contender in this year’s Classic, he described well why DTs are go-to pre-spawn baits.
“When the water’s cold, [bass’s] forage is cold and doesn’t really move quick,” Ike explained. And because DTs are made of balsa wood, he said, they float up very slowly when paused. “The bait kind of just hovers there, rising ever so slowly. That often in itself, in the pre-spawn period, is the trigger of the bite.”
Bites generally come on a pause following what Ike called a “secondary movement,” such as hitting a rock, laydown or strand of vegetation. Some of DeFoe’s bites in the Classic came in grass, but most came off riprap rock on causeways and around bridges.
“DeFoe methodically fishes the riprap,” outdoor writer Mark Hicks wrote in a bassmaster.com live-blog post on Day 3 of the Classic. “He's casting parallel and tight to the rocks and slowly grinding the bait over the riprap. And I mean grinding. He pauses frequently to let the crankbait float off snags as he's often snagging the rocks.”
Due to abuse from the rocks, DeFoe stopped frequently to re-rig his DT-6 with fresh VMC treble hooks. He uses VMC short-shank trebles, “same as what comes on there,” out of the package.
“It’s been a heck of a week for me,” he said.
Not to mention a heck of a young career. Since winning Bassmaster Rookie of the Year in 2011, DeFoe has not only qualified for three consecutive Bassmaster Classics – no small feat, in and of itself – he finished in the Classic’s Super Six twice (5th, 11th, 4th, in that order).
“He’s one of the best shallow crankers in the game,” Tharp said of DeFoe, whom he competed against previously on the FLW Tour, professional bass fishing’s other top-level tournament circuit.
But Tharp is one of the best in the game too. Last year, before qualifying for this year’s Classic by winning a Bassmaster Open, he won the Forrest Wood Cup, the FLW’s equivalent of the Classic.
“I had a chance today [to win], that’s all you can ask for,” Tharp said, offering a respectful “hats off” to Howell, DeFoe and the two other anglers that finished ahead of him, runner-up Paul Mueller and third-place finisher Edwin Evers. “They whooped me pretty good on my home lake.”
DT Feature Series
Rapala’s DT crankbaits are designed to dive fast to a pre-set depth and stay in the strike zone longer than any than other crankbait on the market. Made from the top 7 percent of balsa wood, this consistently perfect wood combined with carefully placed internal weights, a tapered fuselage and a thin tail design creates the ultimate crankbait action. An ultra-thin polycarbonate lip digs the bait down quickly to desired depth.
Swimming with a side-to-side action only balsa crankbaits can achieve, DTs pull with ease when cranked. Perfectly weighted to rest in a “quick-dive,” nose-down position allowing for immediate descent to desired depth, DTs can be easily cast up to 150 feet.
The farther your cast, the longer your bait stays in the strike zone.
DTs feature an internal baritone rattle tuned for optimal bite-triggering sound. They come in 27 color patterns, including eight “Ike’s Custom Ink” patterns designed personally by Iaconelli, exclusively for Rapala. All come with premium VMC hooks. Each is hand-tuned and tank-tested to swim perfectly right out of the box.
Classic Champ Howell Talks Lure Choices
Classic Champion Randy Howell talks about the lures that helped him win the 2014 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Guntersville.
Howell Tells How Instincts Lead Him to Greatest Classic Comeback Ever
Newly crowned Classic Champ Randy Howell talks about decision making - good and bad - and how he honed his ability to make the right call. The result: he came back from 11th place to make up the most ground ever for a Bassmaster Classic winner.
Boats Unlimited NC Trail Qualifier #1 Results - Shearon Harris - Feb 22
The Boats Unlimited NC Team Tournament Bass Trail set a new attendance record with 94 boats showing
up for the 1st qualifier of the 2014 fishing season! We finally had a beautiful day to work with. It was about 34
degrees that morning and around 70 that afternoon with very light winds. Water temps ranged from 50 to 57
depending on the area fished and water was muddy in certain areas after the storm Friday. Clear warm water
was the secret to finding the bass but it was a challenge to get them to bite with all the shad around. Secret
lures for the day...no one is telling!
Todd Massey and Brandon Gray had the patience to catch 5 weighing 27.07 lbs. and it was just one of two
limits of 5 caught for the day. Massey & Gray won $1,485 for 1st, TWT 1st place of $1,610 and the Boats
Unlimited NC 1st Place Bonus of $750 for a grand total of $3,845.
Stephen Lasher took 2nd with 3 bass weighing 13.19 lbs winning $875 & 2nd TWT worth $690 for a total of
$1,565. Big fish for the day was a nice 8.34 caught by the team of Stewart Adams and Scott Dunn worth $1,260
and 2nd place big fish was a tie going to the teams of Kevin Woodall and William Tobias along with Scott
Woodson & Josh Hooks. Each team had a nice 8.13 lb. bass and took home $270 each.
Only 56 fish were weighed in for a total of 232 pounds. The slot limit on bass at Harris again took it's toll on
guys that caught fish but were not able to weigh them in. This slot limit is not fair to anglers that practice and
spend time and money to fish and get better. People that control the rules should at least give waivers to
tournament trails that practice 'Catch and Release'. That's just my 2 cents. We had numerous fish over 5 lbs.
and all the fish looked healthy.
I want to thank all the anglers that participated and all our sponsors that support this trail. Our next
tournament will be the 2014 Piedmont Bass Classics Team Bass Mini Trail Qualifier #2, Mar. 1st at Jordan
Lake out of Farrington Point Landing Wildlife Ramp (Right Side). The next Boats Unlimited NC Team
Tournament Bass Trail tournament will be at Jordan Lake on Mar. 8th, same ramp location.
All the information on our tournaments can be found at yahoo and bing search:
www.piedmontbassclassics.com
Now here are the full results:
1st Place: Todd Massey & Brandon Gray of Chapel Hill & Bullock...5 bass...27.07 lbs...$1,485
2nd Place: Stephen Lasher of Durham...3 bass...13.19 lbs...$875
3rd Place: Roy & Tommy Blackwood of Pittsboro & Efland...2 bass...11.82 lbs...$695
4th Place: Seth Ellis & Chuck Byrd of Lillington & Sanford...5 bass...11.72 lbs...$622
5th Place: Mike Eggers & Randy Carr of Garner & Raleigh...2 bass...11.70 lbs...$550
6th Place: Trevor Holman & Kenny Crespo of Durham...2 bass...10.30 lbs...$478
7th Place: Scott Dunn & Stewart Adams of Four Oaks...2 bass...10.20 lbs...$406
8th Place: Drew Johnson & Gill Young of Clayton & Wendell...2 bass...9.37 lbs...$340
9th Place: Tim Goss & Jeff Vincent of Franklinton & Durham...2 bass...9.30 lbs...$298
10th Place: Tony Stanley & Travis Parker of Four Oaks & Benson...2 bass...8.80 lbs...$262
11th Place: Todd & Jeff Sumner of Southern Pines...2 bass...8.69 lbs...$226
12th Place: Tie...Kevin Woodall & William Tobias of Angier...1 bass...8.13 lbs...$226
12th Place: Tie...Scott Woodson & Josh Hooks of Fuquay Varina & Apex...1 bass...8.13 lbs...$226
14th Place: Joe & Dwight Sholar of Wallace...1 bass...6.62 lbs...$160
15th Place: Stump Bledsoe & Glenn Elliott of Hope Mills & Fayetteville...2 bass...6.59...$160
16th Place: Billy Bledsoe & Brian McDonald of Fayetteville & Hope Mills...1 bass...6.41 lbs...$160
17th Place: Patrick Curran & Jason King of Fuquay Varina & Holly Springs...1 bass...6.35 lbs...$120
18th Place: Randy Fisher & Donnie Lowe of Hillsborough & Mebane...1 bass...5.84 lbs...$120
19th Place: Richard Cooper & Allen White of Clayton...1 bass...5.82 lbs...$111
1st Place Big Fish..7th Place Team above...8.34 lbs...$1,260
2nd Place Big Fish Tie:..12th & 13th Place Teams above...8.13 lbs...$270 each.
1st Place TWT..1st Place Team above...27.07 lbs...$1,610
2nd Place TWT..2nd Place Team above: 13.19 lbs...$690
Boats Unlimited Skeeter Boat Owner Bonus: Todd Sumner of Southern Pines...$250
Contact Information:
Phil McCarson...Tournament Director---922 Valetta Rd.---Durham, NC 27712
Home: 919-471-1571 Cell: 919-971-5042
email: [email protected] website: www.piedmontbassclassics.com
How the Classic was won
To win the Bassmaster Classic an angler must make the right adjustments. We were told, repeatedly, at Media Day on Thursday that Sunday’s champion would be the man who figured things out during the course of competition, not the guy who had the best practice or the sharpest game plan coming into the event.
Kevin VanDam told us he was more prepared than ever to fish the Classic. He was the first man outside the cut and ended up working the floor of the expo for his sponsors instead of fishing on Sunday.
VanDam has won 4 Classic titles. His strength has been his ability to make adjustments on the fly and to do so before others do.
He later mentioned that he did not make the right moves when a heavy storm blew through Alabama at midnight before Day 1 of the 2014 Bassmaster Classic. Many anglers expected the storm to have little effect on fishing, but it changed everything.
One adjustment many pros say they now wish they had made sooner is to go shallow. Bass in the grass went to the inside edge – 0-to-3 feet deep. A lot of guys expected the fish do the opposite.
Eventual winner Randy Howell found bass as deep as 8 feet on the final competition day. But he was not fishing grass. He looked at his electronics and saw “noodles” – streaking fish at the base of rip rap along the highway 431 causeway over Spring Creek. They choked on crankbaits. Howell used a Rapala DT 6 and later switched to a new Livingston Lures model that as yet doesn’t have a name, not even a catalogue number. The Livingston crank vibrated his rod tip and Howell says bass could find it in the off-color water.
Howell did not credit a technical decision for his win. He said it was, instead, a bit of guidance from above. When his name was called at morning’s launch he had every intention of going to a particular bridge. “And then I heard a little voice say ‘do you want to be good, or do you want to be great?’. It’s the eeriest thing. I had a peace about it and I made a right turn and went to spring creek.”
Howell was immediately rewarded with a limit that weighed about 25 pounds.
Word spread and a crowd gathered on the water behind him. For nearly a half mile along Hwy 431 cars were parked and a crowd had gathered to cheer every 4-pound fish that Howell caught . . . and then released. How do you cull when your livewell is stuffed with 5 pounders? Howell had the answer. “I ran to the back the creek. Spring Creek has hardly any grass. Fish are on the rip, the creek channel or maybe the docks. But there’s a little grass way in the back. I went back there and caught a six-and-a-half-pounder. I won this tournament by a pound.”
Do the math: Howell’s late big fish gave him his winning margin.
He was asked why he decided to pick up and leave such a productive spot and run to the back of the creek just to catch one, albeit very meaningful, fish. “I had another one of those moments. I heard the voice again.” Divine inspiration? “If people hear me talk about how I believe, well they might think I’m crazy.” Most would say it would be crazy not to follow such a clear calling.
In his book, Shaw Grigsby points out, “At the highest levels of the sport bass fishing enters the realm of the mystical.”
Rick Clunn has often spoken of the need to follow your gut, your intuition, whatever somebody wants to call it. I have asked Clunn where that voice comes from. Last night, in a quiet moment, I asked the same of Howell. “I know where mine comes from,” smiled the Classic Champ and follower of Jesus Christ.
Mueller makes record one-day Classic catch; jumps to 5th place
Paul Mueller of Naugatuck, CT talks about record-breaking catch - 32 pounds, 3 ounces is new heaviest single day haul in Bassmaster Classic history. Also, Randall Tharp becomes an improptu interviewer and Jason Christie makes a wish.
2014 Bassmaster Classic Day 1 Notes
Sitting here in the Bassmaster Classic war room, getting an earful from FLW Tour pro JP Prouty “I told you Tharp was going to win this thing! – Money in the bank.” Prouty’s prediction is 1/3 of the way true at this point. Smart money is on the Floridian-by-way-of-Alabama. Tharp gets his mail in the Sunshine State now, but he cut his angling teeth on Lake Guntersville, site of this year’s Bassmaster Classic.
Tharp brought in 27 pounds, 8 ounces to take a firm lead on a day that saw many anglers’ plans muddied along with the rising water from “last night’s torrential downpour” – there goes JP again.
It is big fun to predict who will win in this star-studded field. As the weather caused everyone to scramble, some guys adjusted better than others. 13 of them weighed better than 20 pounds today. But even Tharp had to adjust. “I fished about two-dozen spots today and 6 of them were blown-out.”
Tharp also expects things to get better for everybody. “As the water clears up and the weather warms up weights will get better each day.”
As for the much talked-about spectator interference, Tharp’s fish are positioned so that he is not worried. Could that mean he’s fishing a tad deeper than most?
Hang on folks, it’s gonna be a slugfest!
Spectator Boats a Problem? You Decide!
While filming Chris Lane on Lake Guntersville today Vance McCullough went surfing, courtesy of an uncourteous spectatir boat who really really REALLY wanted to keep up with Lane as he moved all of 100 yards. While it's comical now, such behavior is dangerous and y'all need to place nice out there! Also, it should be noted that the vast majority of onlookers were great citizens today.
Rich Howes Shares Thoughts on First Classic Experience
Florida's Rich Howes qualified for the classic via his win 13 months ago in the Bassmaster Southern Open on Lake Toho. He tells us about his experience this past year and this past week as he makes final tackle adjustments in his boat durind Classic Media Day.
2014 Bassmaster Classic Preivew From Sportsman's Warehouse In Columbia, Sc!
Sportsman's Warehouse Fishing Manager Craig Baird joins us for a good preview on not only the Classic this weekend, but all the baits that you have to have coming out of this COLD winter!
Warm February Could Make For 'interesting' Oakley Big Bass Tournament On Harris Chain
Fishing in the Oakley Big Bass Tournament Trail season opener March 1-2 on the Harris Chain of Lakes could be “kind of interesting,” according to bass guide Steven Boyd of Clermont, Fla.
“This has been one of the warmest Februaries we have had. There was winter north of Florida, but south of Georgia we've been having a big high pressure system over the state of Florida, blowing warm air across the region and keeping the cold front from coming down,” said Boyd, who operates Florida Bass Adventures.
“February is normally our coldest month, but it has been very, very warm. Water temperatures have been running 63 to 71 degrees, which is 10 to 15 degrees higher than normal for this time of year. The fish are still spawning, but they are not spawning where they typically would be.”
Boyd said the bass tried to spawn in the grass several weeks ago, but they have moved out.
“There is a chance of people catching fish in one part of the chain sight fishing and somebody in the other part catching fish on a spinnerbait, a Rat-l-Trap or flipping the grass,” Boyd said. “If the weather cooperates where you can fish some open water you can catch a big fish out there, but it gets pretty windy and treacherous out there,” he said.
The Oakley Big Bass series is open to amateur anglers only. Professional anglers and guides on the tournament waters who have guided professionally for a fee in the last 12 months are not eligible.
Entry fees are $100 for a one-day entry, $150 for both days. The winner with the overall big bass of the tournament will take home a 2014 Nitro Z7 with Mercury 150HP Pro XS, valued at $30,000.
Hourly payouts have been increased this year with a total two-day hourly purse of $35,000. Hourly payouts will go to seven places each hour: 1st $1000, 2nd $500, 3rd $300, 4th $250, 5th $200, 6th $150, 7th $100 (based on 400 total entries). Weigh in Times: 8-9 a.m., 9-10am, 10-11 a.m., 11-12 a.m., 12-1 p.m., 1-2 p.m., and 2-3 p.m.
The schedule for the Oakley Big Bass Tournament series this year includes: March 1-2, Harris Chain of Lakes, Fla.; March 8-9, Lake Conroe, Texas; March 29-20, Clarks Hill, Ga.; April 26-27, Smith Mountain Lake, Va.; May 3-4, Lake Norman, N.C.; May 17-18, Table Rock Lake, Mo.; June 14-15, Grand Lake, Okla.; Sept. 27-28, Lake Murray, S.C.; Oct. 4-5, Lake Douglas, Tenn.; Oct. 18-19, Lake Guntersville, Ala.; and Oct. 25-26, St. John's River, Fla.
Check out Steven Boyd's Florida Bass Adventures at: www.floridabassadventures.com. To book a bass fishing trip, call him at 352-603-5467.
Oakley Big Bass Tournament Trail
Mar 1-2, 2014
Harris Chain of Lakes
Hickory Point Rec Facility
Call Mark Jones 214-605-4600
Brandon Palaniuk Reveals Classic Lure Choices
Brandon Palaniuk shows and tells about his lures of choice at this week's Bassmaster Classic on Lake Guntersville.
Warming Trend Should Put Bass On The Move Just In Time For Nc Bfl On Lake Norman
David Williams of Maiden, NC
What a difference a week makes!
A week ago the area around North Carolina's Lake Norman was covered in snow and ice with nighttime temperatures well below freezing. This week, the skies are sunny, the snow is gone and nighttime temps are a lot more comfortable.
“We are getting a little warming trend. The next couple of nights the temperatures will be in the upper 40s to low 50s and that is a huge deal because it gets the fish on the move,” said David Williams of nearby Maiden, N.C., who has a pretty solid record on Lake Norman this time of year.
Last year on Feb. 23 he finished 14th, but the year before he finished 5th in the BFL on Norman on the first Saturday in March, and in 2011 he won the N.C. Division points title after starting the year with a win on Lake Norman the last Saturday in February. Williams finished 3rd in the N.C. Division points last year, but he was 29th in 2012 because he only fished three of the scheduled tournaments – finishing 5th on Norman and 10th and 15th on High Rock in two tournaments.
He has not fished too shabbily in bigger tournaments, either, finishing 5th in the BFL All American last year in June on Tennessee's Lake Nickajack and 3rd in the All American the previous year on the Potomac River in mid-May. So far, Williams has earned almost $230,000 in FLW Outdoors tournaments, with 25 top 10 finishes including three first places.
“I have not been on Lake Norman all year, but I am going out for a little bit on Friday to see if I can put something together,” he said. “From what I've heard they have been catching some good bags, mostly on jerkbaits and Alabama rigs.”
When he gets on the lake Friday, Williams said he will probably just ride along and look for bait to help him key in on areas to fish.
“I'll concentrate on anything that warms up pretty quick – stumps, rocks an stuff like that,” he said. “Most of the time when you find bait it is out in the deeper water, but what I will look for is where they either run the bait up on a shallow point or into a shallow pocket.”
Williams said he will target largemouths to begin with, but if that does not work out he feels he can go out in the deeper water and bring in a limit of spotted bass.
“You can definitely see some water getting 5 to 10 degrees warmer by Saturday morning. We are almost into March so they are going to get on the move and start feeding up before the spawn,” he said.
“Saturday it's going to be whoever can find them the quickest. More than likely whatever you found last week is not going to do you any good this week.”
Walmart BFL North Carolina Division
Sat, Feb 22, 2014
Lake Norman
Midway Marina
Conditions Slowly Improving For Georgia Division Wbs Tournament On Lake Sinclair
Cold, muddy water is not the ideal situation for bass fishing, but that is the condition of Georgia's Lake Sinclair, just a couple of days before the American Bass Anglers Weekend Bass Series Georgia Division tournament.
“Fishing has been tough,” said Georgia Division tournament manager Billy Benedetti, who lives near the lake and fishes it every chance he gets. “The water is extremely stained, even down to the lower lake. It's stained pretty bad there, too.”
Water temperatures have been in the mid-40s, not conducive to tempting a bass to eat, but that is gradually getting better, Benedetti said.
“Last Sunday the surface temperature was 45 degrees and it got up to 48 by afternoon. With sunny skies and warm afternoons, the temperature will come up a little bit by Saturday. The weather this weekend should be pretty mice wit temperatures around 70 degrees.”
Although he has been catching his fish jigging in deep water, Benedetti said he figures most of the bites will come Saturday on small crankbaits and Chatterbaits cast around docks.
“Typically, that's a muddy water pattern,” he said.
Registration will be held at Little River Park from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Benedetti said, with the meeting at 7 p.m.
Anglers in the Boater Division pay a $200 entry fee, with co-anglers paying $100. ABA members no longer have to have dual membership to fish the Weekend Bass Series and liability insurance requirements have been reduced to an acceptable level for weekend anglers. The payback has been increased at divisional levels from 20 percent of the field to 25 percent of the field.
At the end of the season, the best WBS anglers from across the nation will fish the 2014 Ray Scott Championship, slated for Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Ala., from Nov. 15-18. The champion boater will receive $100,000 and possibly up to $50,000 in Triton Gold Bonus money. The co-angler champion will win $50,000 and possibly up to $25,000 in Triton Gold Bonus money.
As a special Ray Scott Championship bonus, the Boater Division and Co-Angler Division champions will each receive entry fees and sponsorship into the one of two professional bass fishing series of the angler’s choice. The sponsorship includes entry fees into three professional events and sponsorship support. This sponsorship will put the champion within striking distance of one of two professional bass fishing championships.
American Bass Anglers Weekend Bass Series Georgia Division
Sat, Feb 22, 2014
Lake Sinclair
Little River Park
Call 256-232-0406
2014 Classic Will Be Won Shallow
Thanks to Clay Connor of Xpress Boats I got out on Guntersville today to follow the contestants as they finished the practice round. Of the dozen we saw, nearly all were casting lipless crankbaits in shallows back in creeks and bays – typical prespawn spots.
Water temps ranged from 44 degrees in the main channel on the lower end of the lake to 55 in shallow backwaters.
Shallow water holds grass, warm water and bass. That’s where this Classic will be won.
As for lure choice, it looks like everyone is throwing a trap of some type.
I saw keeper bass caught from 3 foot depths where the grass dissolved into bare bottom. But keepers won’t do much good this week if Lake G lives up to its reputation. With a shallow trap bite going, I believe it will do just that.
FLW on Hartwell needs some Volunteers!
Volunteers Needed to Help with FLW tournament on Hartwell on below dates and times.
If you can help please contact Ken Sloan ASAP
Ken Sloan, TMP
President & CEO
Mountain Lakes CVB
105 West South Broad Street
Walhalla, SC 29691
864-380-3976
www.SCMountainLakes.com
Thu, 3/6, 5:00 AM - 7:30 AM - (5) volunteers for traffic control
Thu, 3/6, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - (5) volunteers for traffic control
Fri, 3/7, 5:00 AM - 7:30 AM - (5) volunteers for traffic control
Fri, 3/7, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - (5) volunteers for traffic control
(4) Volunteers on standby
GREG HACKNEY TO RUN XPRESS BAY BOAT
Who Will Win The Bassmaster Classic?
It's always hard to pick a winner from among the strongest field of the season - that which shows up for the Bassmaster Classic each February - but this year it's even harder. For starters, there are 10 Alabamians in the field. That said, Kevin VanDam has said that he is, for the first time ever, showing up to the Classic in a state of complete preparedness including tackle prep and the mental game. He’s already won 4 of these things in a lesser state of preparedness.
And what about Skeet Reese? He loves to wind a lure. This Classic is likely to be won on a lipless crankbait. He knows how to win and has a Classic title to prove it. He has solid history on TVA lakes.
Aaron Martens lives near the lake. He has finished near the top of the Classic leaderboard more times than he cares to remember. If anything puts Guntersville bass in a funk this week, Martens becomes a frontrunner to finesse his way to a win.
Aaron Martens is searching for that elusive title. photo courtesy B.A.S.S.
Chris Lane moved to Lake G and has become an ambassador for the fish factory. He has won a Classic before. He could very well win another this week.
Former Classic Champ Chris Lane can catch 'em. And he lives on the lake. photo by Vance McCullough
Bobby Lane is always a threat. He would love to join brother, Chris in the exclusive club of Classic champs.
Bobby Lane will compete on his brother's home turf. photo by Vance McCullough
Speaking of guys who are always a threat, Brandon Palaniuk will almost certainly scrap his way toward a spot in Sunday’s Super Six as the drama heightens at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center.
Palaniuk is a high-energy guy and this could come down to a matter of which angler makes the most casts to quality bass.
Gary Klein is beyond due for a Classic win. This is his 30th appearance in the big derby. He is the sentimental favorite. And a very capable angler.
Randall Tharp now gets his mail in Florida but he is still an Alabama homer this week. With experience on Guntersville the current Forrest Wood Cup Champion is fishing well enough lately to ‘unify the crown’ and take the title on the B.A.S.S. side of things as well.
Then there’s tenacious Hank Cherry, witty, wily Gerald Swindle and Big Show Terry Scroggins.
And there’s always going to be a surprise from one or more of the B.A.S.S. Nation guys, an Open winner or our collegiate angler, Jordan Lee who will represent Auburn University, just down the road a piece.
Indeed, this one is hard to handicap. When the chips are down, always bet on KVD . . . or Randall Tharp. Or maybe Skeet Reese, possibly AMart. Can’t ignore Palaniuk. Oops, don’t forget Chris Lane.
Oh forget it. Just enjoy the show!
Ish Monroe To Run River2Sea Wrap In 2014 Bassmaster Classic And Elite Series
Monroe, who will once again compete on both tours in 2014, ran a River2Sea wrap on his FLW Tour boat in 2013, but the company took the opportunity to become his main partner for the Elite Series.
The graphics package will feature a custom River2Sea R2S logo designed to match Monroe's black and sky blue color patterns, as well as the Ish Monroe signature series that have been so successful on and off the water.
Monroe said that having the opportunity to create a stronger partnership with River2Sea was a true draw to the promotion. "River2Sea and I have really developed a great working relationship and friendship since I joined the team in 2011," said Monroe. "Being able to do a little more to represent the brand and the products we have worked together to build is something I am very proud of. I look forward to flying these colors on the Bassmaster Classic stage and into the Elite Series this year."
Simon Chan, president of River2Sea said that the partnership made sense for a lot of reasons. "Ish has totally invested himself into being a part of the team here," said Chan. "He works very hard on his fishing, on his products and on the business and having him feature the R2S logo this way is a great value because we know how much it means to us in a promotional sense. Ish is one of the hardest workers out there and we are glad he is a part of the team and the River2Sea family."
Monroe's River2Sea wrap can be seen beginning this week as the Bassmaster Classic kicks off on Lake Guntersville February 21 - 23, 2014 along with daily weigh-ins occurring at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center. Also visit River2Sea at the Bassmaster Classic Expo in booth 5015, also at the BJCC all three days of the show.
LAMAR UNIVERSITY WINS FLW COLLEGE FISHING SOUTHERN CONFERENCE EVENT ON TOLEDO BEND
Winter Storm Will Affect Fishing For Sc Bfl Opener On Lake Murray Saturday
Having almost recovered from the mid-January winter storm that brought freezing temperatures and several inches of snow to the South Carolina Midlands, Lake Murray was on the cusp of breaking wide open with the bass moving up to spawn.
The winning team in the Carolina Bass Challenge Team Tournament last Saturday weighed in a limit at just under 24 pounds and the top seven teams had more than 20 pounds. The 8th place team of Lake Murray veterans Greg Rikard and Eddie Herlong just missed that mark with a limit that weighed 19.78 pounds.
“The fish have been biting and there was a lot of good quality fish weighed in,” said Rikard. “But I don't see that happening this weekend.”
The opening tournament of the 2014 season for the South Carolina Division of the Walmart Bass Fishing League is scheduled for Lake Murray this Saturday, but the winter weather is expected to put a chill on the bite Rikard said.
The Palmetto State is in the midst of three days of sub-freezing temperatures with up to 6 inches of snow, sleet and freezing rain falling across the region. The combination of winter precipitation is so bad that Gov. Nikki Haley has declared a state of emergency and law enforcement agencies are warning residents to stay home and off the icy roads.
The storm is expected to pass by Friday, with sunshine and warmer temperatures returning, but that probably won't be enough to restore the pre-spawn bite to last week's level by Saturday, Rikard said.
“The water temperature ranged from 48 to 51 degrees last weekend, but this weather system is bound to cool the water down,” he said. “The fish are wanting to come up and there are some fish that are up. There are a lot of fish in between and people are still catching some deep. They are in all aspects of the pre-spawn as far as staging.”
Rikard said that when the bass do decide to commit to the shallow water they usually stay shallow, but he doesn't think the ones that were moving shallow had reached that point.
“They are in the vicinity, but not committed. I think this weather will push those fish back,” he said
“As far as the weights go, this is still Lake Murray, so I believe it will take 21 pounds to win Saturday. But I don't think those weights will hold up very deep in the field. If the weather had remained stable like it was last weekend, I think the weights would be outstanding.”
In the 13 years he has fished the South Carolina Division, Rikard has nine Top 10 finishes in the points, including 1st in 2011. He finished second in the points in the South Carolina Division in 2013 and finished second in the Regional championship last year on Lake Guntersville. He also qualified for the All-American for the fifth time. His best finish in the All-American was 4th in 2008 on Lake Hamilton in Arkansas.
“I look forward to making another run at the division title,” he said, noting it all starts Saturday on Lake Murray.
“Lake Murray is my home lake, but this time of year how you do is all weather related,” he said. “You can't win the points on the first tournament, but you sure can lose it by not doing well. You have to have your A-Game all year long.”
Walmart BFL South Carolina Division
Sat, Feb 15, 2014
Lake Murray
Dreher Island State Park
Ac Pro Staffer Rob Digh Weighs In On This Winters Effects On Tournaments And Baits You Have To Throw!
AC Pro Staffer Rob Digh gives us some great winter weather baits plus his take on the Classic and the CXL of the CBC on Lake Wylie this weekend!!
Weather Getting Right Just In Time For Texas Team Trail Opener On Rayburn Saturday
Winter weather that brought snow and ice to Southeast Texas has played havoc with recent bass tournaments on Sam Rayburn Lake, but that could change for the better for the Texas Team Tournament series opener there this Saturday.
In late January the second day of competition in the Rayovac FLW Series Texas Division was canceled due to unsafe weather conditions. For the Walmart Bass Fishing League Cowboy Division tournament last Saturday the water temperature was down to 45 degrees – the coldest it has been in years. Anglers in both tournaments had one word for the fishing – “tough.”
“The weights in the Rayovac tournament were way down from what you would typically expect this time of year,” said Mike Hastings, Texas Team Trail Tournament Director, who noted that more sleet and snow were being dumped on the lake this week.
But that might not be the tournament killer it could be this time of year, Hastings said.
“What has us encouraged going into our event is that we are going to have a two-day warming trend,” he said. “Thursday and Friday are going to be warm and the weather stable, and that is going to continue through our tournament on Saturday.”
That means, Hastings said, some big catches are expected in the Texas Team opener Saturday.
“It's pre-spawn and historically on Rayburn that is usually a lipless crankbait, Chatterbait and Slim Jig type bite. A lot of the anglers will be targeting submerged vegetation.”
Hastings said he expects a lot of anglers to spend a good part of their fishing time casting lipless crankbaits and in the tournament last year about this time Slim Jigs and vibrating lures like the Chatterbait play a big role.
“This is our third season and we are expecting a full field of 225 teams,” he said.
A major attraction for the anglers is the fact that all the tournaments are nationally televised, with the programs also airing on a lot of local networks, so there is a tremendous amount of exposure.
“It's all made possible by the sponsors and you can go to the website to see the complete list,” he said. “They are all important to us. Cabers is our title sponsor and we also have tremendous support from Ranger, Triton and Stratos. Evinrude is also a major sponsor.”
To fish the series each angler must pay a $30 membership fee, then each team pays a $250 entry fee to fish each tournament. The Texas Team Trail Anglers Advantage Program also allows each team, for an additional $100 entry, to compete in an additional payout bracket, with a $100 percent payback.
“A fully-rigged boat is guaranteed for first place at every tournament,” Hastings said. “That is a boat, motor, trailer and electronics, ready to fish. At the championship, two fully-rigged boats are guaranteed, one for first place and one for second place.”
Anglers who pre-register online get an additional bonus – practice time. If they are registered online before midnight Thursday they are allowed to pre-fish on Friday.
The complete schedule for the 2014 season includes: February 15, Sam Rayburn Lake, Registration 3-7 p.m. on Friday, Umphrey Pavilion, Hwy 255, Brookeland, TX (http://www.visitlakesamrayburn.com/umphreypavilion.html); March 15, Ray Roberts Lake, Registration 4-7 p.m. on Friday, March 14, Elks Lodge, 1601 Marina Circle, Sanger, TX
(http://www.elks.org/lodges/contactus.cfm?LodgeNumber=2862); April 12, Lake Texoma, Registration 4-7 p.m. Friday, April 11, Highpoint Marina, 120 Texoma Harbor Dr, Pottsboro, TX, (http://www.highport.com); May 3, Lake Livingston, Registration 4-7 p.m. on Friday, May 2, Waterfront Lodge, 371 Navaho Trail, Onalaska, TX (http://www.thewaterfrontlodge.com); and the Championship, June 7-8, Toledo Bend Reservoir, Registration 4-7 p.m. on Friday, June 6, Big Bass Marina, 363 Big Bass Lane, Many, LA, (http://www.bigbassmarina.com).
Texas Team Trail
Sat, Feb 15, 2014
Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Umphrey Family Pavilion
Call 210-788-4143
Cody Meyer Places 5th in FLW Tour on Okeechobee; Reveals HOT Flippin' Technique!
FLW Tour pro Cody Meyer placed 5th in the recent FLW Tour season-opener on Lake Okeechobee and he did so on the strength of the sasuteki rig. Meyer used a Zappu Sasuteki Weight on the bottom - that's right, the bottom - of a Jackall Sasuteki Craw to get into thick mats with a lighter lure package. Hear him tell how he did it. While not exactly brand new, this technique hasn't quite caught on. But it will. Be the first among your bassin' buddies to pick up the sasuteki rig.
Chilled Water From Winter Storm Could Help Lucky Team In Cbc-Nc Opener On Wylie
Hunter Hicks and Mike Stephens won the SC Division tourney last year on Wylie
The second winter storm in two weeks is expected to dump a half-foot of snow and ice on the Lake Wylie, S.C, area Tuesday and Wednesday, which is likely to make water temperatures plunge by the launch of the Carolina Bass Challenge North Carolina Division opener Saturday – but that might be a good thing for a few lucky anglers.
“Fishing is expected to be tough Saturday, with all the snow we've had,” said CBC Coordinator Brett Collins. “Water temperatures more than likely will fall, but that also tends to group the bass up and if one of our teams finds the right group it will pay off in a huge way.”
Collins noted that there have been two bass over 8 pounds weighed in at local tournaments in the past couple of weeks.
“We can expect to see some fish at least in the 5-pound range. Most would say 18 pounds would win the tournament and that's about right for early February,” he said.
“The Alabama Rig is still catching fish and small crankbaits such as a ShadRap are productive. 'Bumping,' or hopping a spoon will find the groups of bass in deeper water,” Collins said.
“This is our first NC CBC Division qualifier. We will launch out of Ebenezer Park,” Collins said. “We expect over 175 teams as Wylie usually has a high turnout”
He added that the famous Skeeter Beans will be served to the anglers at weigh-in.
“We have five North Carolina Qualifiers scheduled and to make the NC Championship a team has to enter three of the NC Qualifiers. As in the past, we take all the teams from the South Carolina and North Carolina Championships to the two-day Classic. The dates and locations for the Championships and Classic will be announced very soon.”
There have been some changes in requirements for the anglers, he noted.
“We now have a single-file blast-off to reduce the tricky situations that can arise at a blast-off with a large number of boats. And we no longer take entry fees at the ramp. All teams must be paid by the Wednesday before each event.”
Collins suggested anglers check out the CBC website (www.carolinasbasschallenge.com) where the requirements and payouts are posted. Each angler must pay an annual $50 membership and teams pay a $200 entry for each tournament. The guaranteed purse for each tournament is $8,000 with an additional $5,000 to the top finishing Skeeter/Yamaha owner who participates in all 2014 CBC events.
Top prize at both the North Carolina and South Carolina championships is a Skeeter TZX190/150 with a Yamaha 150. First prize in the 2014 CBC Classic will be a Skeeter ZX200/200 Yamaha SHO.
The 2014 CBC schedule includes: North Carolina Division: Lake Wylie, Feb. 15; Lake Norman, March 22; High Rock, April 12; Lake Hickory, May 17; Falls Lake, June 7. South Carolina Division: Lake Murray, Feb. 8; Lake Wylie, March 1; Lake Wateree, March 29; Santee Cooper, April 19; and Lake Hartwell, May 10.
For more information, contact Al Odom of Chapin, S.C., Administrator, 803-429-1784, [email protected], or Brett Collins of Ridgeway, S.C., Coordinator, 803-413-7521, [email protected].
Carolinas Bass Challenge - North Carolina Division
Sat, Feb 15, 2014
Lake Wylie
Buster Boyd Access Area
Call Brett Collins 803-413-7521
www.carolinasbasschallenge.com
