Bassmaster Classic On-Water High Lights with Fred Roumbanis!!!
Watch as Fred Roumbanis takes to the water on Day 1 of the 2012 Bassmaster Classic! Jump in the boat and ride along!!!
Brauer Calls it His Worst Classic Practice Ever
1998 Bassmaster Classic Champ, Denny Brauer hopes to add another huge trophy to his mantle this week. So far, he doesn't think he's found the area that can produce.
Palaniuk Shares Plans for 2012 Classic
Not since Bryan Kerchal have we seen a Federation Nation angler rock the Classic as Brandon Palaniuk did last year. Now, having qualified as an Elite Series pro, he hopes to draw on limited experience and unlimited resourcefulness to challenge again for the top title in the angling world.
Bassmaster Classic Preview with Keith Combs
Keith Combs shares his thoughts on the 2012 Classic after some tough practicr rounds on Louisiana's Red River.
Vinson Taps Power of the Baby Pattern!
Newborn babies have been good luck for Elite Series pros in recent years. All kidding aside, Greg Vinson talks about the 2012 Bassmaster Classic which begins tomorrow!
Hite Talks Strategy, says First Stop is Critical
With a Bassmaster Classic title to his credit already, Davy Hite says the first day is always key to winning. Decisions, decisions.
Bobby Lane Plans to Punch Mats in 2012 Classic
Bobby Lane talks about his gameplan for fishing the Bassmaster Classic!
Classic Rookie Shryock Speaks
Fletcher Shryock qualified for the Classic by winning the Bassmaster Open on Lake Norman. Here he speaks with us about fishing his first Bassmaster Classic.
2012 High School Fishing World Finals Returns To Lake Dardanelle
Online Registration Opens March 1
Ponca City, Okla. – Feb. 17, 2012 High School anglers near and far will unite in Russellville, Arkansas and Lake Dardanelle State Park, July 15-21, 2012 for the pinnacle event of high school bass fishing, the 2012 High School Fishing World Finals. Registration opens online at highschoolfishing.org on March 1.
Last year, over 600 attendees made up of high school anglers, family members and sponsors enjoyed the opening ceremonies to kick off a week-long family vacation with tens of thousands of dollars in scholarship prizes on the line.
“Russellville is extremely excited to host this tournament for the third year, and looking forward to another group of young people that love to fish,” Russellville Tourism Director, Christie Graham, stated.
“Russellville hosts many tournaments each year, but enjoys getting to invest in young people’s lives that have a passion for the outdoor world of fishing. We are excited to see what growth this year will bring.”
High school teams are made up of any two high school anglers who have graduated the 8thgrade but have not yet started college and who have a 2.0 GPA. All anglers must be Student Angler Federation members or join at the time of registration for only $25 a year. SAF membership comes with a full list of benefits, including no entry fees to any SAF event all year. Any high school team meeting these requirements may register and attend, even if they are home schooled. Teams bring their own boats and their own coaches/boat captains. Teams are required to have an adult coach/boat captain in their boat with them at all times. The coach who provides the boat must be a resident of the team’s home state/province or country, an immediate family member, or in very limited situations, a volunteer boat captain/coach may be provided by TBF*. (when/where available and only with advance arrangement) Anglers are not allowed to “hire” or “choose” a local coach and the tournament waters are off-limits, when designated, to all anglers
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and coaches so everyone starts fishing at the same time no matter where they live.
Events are scheduled all week starting with the first official practice day Sunday, July 15. Tuesday evening is the coaches/boat captain’s appreciation jackpot on a neighboring body of water for the coaches to get their fishing “fix” as well! Wednesday, July 18 is the official registration and opening ceremonies. Thursday, July 19 will bring the first official tournament day, with weigh-ins at Lake Dardanelle State Park, as teams from across North America will start their journey to become champions. All weigh-ins will be taped for television and be streamed live on the internet. All high school anglers will compete for the first two days. Then, the field will be cut on Saturday. The final day of competition not only will see the top teams go head to head with complete run of the lake, but also the rest of the field will be invited to fish a one of a kind consolation round event. There is no entry fee and the complete payout structure is in the form of prizes and scholarships! The 2012 High School Fishing World Championship team will each walk away with the grand prize of a four year, $5,000 per year, renewable scholarship to Bethel University in McKenzie Tenn., in addition to other prizes and some serious hardware!
“The High School Fishing World Finals is the largest tournament of its kind; it’s a low cost, family fun vacation with a full week of activities,” TBF National Youth Director, Mark Gintert, said. “We’re excited to return to Russellville and Lake Dardanelle State Park, which provide a perfect setting for this event. It’s centrally located right off I-40, a great fishery, and the cooperation we receive from our local partners is tremendous,” Gintert added.
“This event is more than just a tournament, it’s a great way to promote education through fishing,” TBF President, Robert Cartlidge, stated. “Our Student Anglers are required to have a 2.0 GPA and take a free test on angler ethics, boater safety and invasive species to participate. This highlights the importance of education and being good stewards of our waterways, habits TBF want to instill in the future of our sport,” Cartlidge continued. “Our Student Angler Federation is growing in record numbers with teams forming all across the country, and this event offers everyone a chance to fish in a world class event in a fun, family atmosphere."
The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is the oldest and largest grassroots fishing organization in America. TBF is owned by those it serves and is dedicated to the sport of fishing. TBF annually conducts over 20,000 fishing, youth, and conservation events and has provided the foundation for the bass fishing industry for over 40 years.
For more information about The Bass Federation, visit bassfederation.com or call 580-765-9031.
For full details and more information about the Student Angler Federation and this year’s High School World Finals, visit highschoolfishing.org or call 580-765-9031.
2012 Anglers Choice Marine Team Trail Preivew With Director Chris Lucas
Anglers Choice Marine Team Trail Director Chris Lucas joins us at their 2012 Open House in Martinsville, Va to talk about the incredible momentum the trail had last year and how more records look to be broken this year....he also lets us in on a special 2 day event coming up this fall that should be a "Cant Miss Event"!!
2012 Caroina's Bass Challenge Lake Noraman Wrap Up With Director Brett Collins!
Carolina's Bass Challenge Tournament Director Brett Collins and Foothills Marine Owner Matt Farris join us to re-cap one incredible 1st tournament for the NC Division with 141 boats as well as payouts not seen in many, many years on Lake Norman!
2012 Carolina's Bass Challenge Lake Norman Champs Take Home $11,000!!!
Larry and Shane Lehew win the 1st Carolina's Bass Challenge NC Event on Lake Norman with 5 fish for 17.18 including a 6.61 BF that netted them a whopping $11,000!!!! And the Alabama Rig was the key-
For Hite, Other Pros, Bassmaster Classic Is 'all Or Nothing' Kind Of Tournament
Davy Hite will be back in Louisiana looking for his second Bassmaster Classic next week. Photo courtesy bassmaster.com
Pro angler Davy Hite will spend his four-day practice period starting on Friday, deciding how he will fish the Red River in the 2012 Bassmaster Classic next Friday-Sunday.
“The big thing here on the Red River is that you have a lot of river you can fish. You can commit to lock or not lock or even to lock twice, but then you are basically committed. That's just the nature of the beast for the type of place we are going to be fishing.,” said Hite who won the 1999 Bassmaster Classic on the Louisiana Delta.
“You just have to make that choice. If you don't lock through you have a lot more fishing time, but you are limited to an area you can fish. If you lock through twice, however, you have a lot less fishing pressure, but a lot less fishing time.”
Add the effect of weather to equation and you have a situation where the wrong guess can either make you a champion or leave you at the bottom of the pack.
For most anglers the ideal conditions would be a continuation of the recent weather patterns and river conditions – moderate air and water temperatures and steady water levels with a moderate flow.
But the Red River comes by its name naturally. It can turn wild and run red with mud on a whim of weather. A hard rain can muddy the river channel in the wink of an eye and flooding from upriver storms can push that stained water into the normally clear and productive backwaters. If that happens, the fishable areas shrink considerably.
“You have to pack for spring, summer and winter because you never know what the weather will be. It could be 20 degrees like it was a couple of years ago or it could be 80 degrees,” said Hite who has won eight Bassmaster tournaments and qualified for 13 Bassmaster Classics in less than 20 years on the circuit. His tournament winnings just on the Bassmaster circuits total almost $1.74 million.
“I came out here and pre-fished in mid-December before the off-limits started and the water was low then, but they have had some rain since then and the river is up some, which should be really good for fishing,” the Ninety Six, S.C., pro said. “I think it will be a pre-spawn/spawn type of tournament because their winter has been really mild, just like ours.”
The Classic will be held out of Red River South Marina & Resort near Bossier City, La., an area Hite is familiar with thanks to several previous Bassmaster tournaments on the river, including one of his eight BASS wins in November 2001.
“But this is a spring tournament and when I won was in the fall,” Hite said. However, he added, the river really fishes to his strength which is power fishing.
“I think power fishing is the way to win – crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, flipping lizards and worms, that sort of thing,” he said, “and that is the way I have won most of my money as a pro.”
The Classic has added significance, he said, because it is not only a chance for sponsors to showcase the pros on their teams and advertise their products, ultimately it is all about winning first place.
“If there was ever a tournament where it is all or nothing, it is the Bassmaster Classic. Not many remember all the times I did not win a Classic, but a lot remember the time I did win it,” he said. “Plus, first place pays $500,000 and second is about $45,000. That makes you make it an all or nothing kind of tournament.”
2012 Bassmaster Classic
Feb. 24-26, 2012
Red River, Louisiana
Red River South Marina & Resort
Angler Carries Passion For Fishing Into Nc Division Carolina's Bass Challenge Tournament On Lake Norman
Greg Sims has a passion for fishing that he hopes will translate into success fishing tournaments full time this year.
“I have fished all my life and I think all fishermen who really love fishing know – you may not be able to put into words – but they have a passion,” said the China Grove, NC, angler who plans to fish the BASS Southern Opens, some of the FLW EverStart schedule, some WalMart BFL tournaments and the new Carolinas Bass Challenge series this year, along with some other local tournaments. “When you go fishing you find something in a day, even if you don't catch a fish, that makes it worth the effort to get out there.”
And Sims knows that perhaps a lot better than most.
Diagnosed with rectal cancer in 2007, he has undergone successful treatment and has been cancer free for 4 ½ years.
“I've had my demons since then,” he confessed, “but I will reach the five-year mark this June 19 – and when you go cancer free for five years you are considered cured.”
Although he still suffers from side effects of the treatment, Sims said he has never been without the support of his family or lost his passion for fishing.
“Sometimes you need just that little extra something that pushes you and sometimes when I need a push that passion pushes me,” he said.
At the beginning of the year Sims made a wish list of the tournaments he really wants to fish. He started out with the BASS Southern Open on Florida's Harris Chain of Lakes last month but the No. 1 wish on his list is to fish the FLW EverStart tournament on Lake Guntersville the first week in May.
“I'll be fishing what I can afford to do, so we will see how it goes,” Sims said. “But starting this weekend, I will be fishing almost every weekend this year. When they call Boat. No. 17 Saturday morning my season will be underway.”
On Saturday the first tournament in the North Carolina Division of the new Carolina's Bass Challenge series will be held on Lake Norman and the opener could prove to be an exciting one, according to tournament director Brett Collins.
“Fishing has been excellent the past few weeks and word is the state record spot, almost 7 pounds, was caught this past week,” Collins said. The spotted bass, which weighed 6.97 pounds, was caught Sunday and weighed on state certified scales at The General Store of Denver. The fish fell for a mustard-colored Rapala DT6 crankbait fished over a boat ramp.
North Carolina fish biologists plan to take DNA samples to determine if the fish is a true spotted bass or a hybrid. If it is a hybrid it would not qualify for inclusion in the state record listings. But, if it is a true spotted bass, it would eclipse the record of 6 pounds, 5 ounces, set by guide and tournament angler Eric Weir of Belmont, N.C., the day after Christmas in 2003. Weir caught his record spotted bass on a Zoom Finesse Worm.
After an unseasonably warm winter, a recent cold snap has Lake Norman almost back to normal for this time of year, Sims said.
“Before this latest cold snap I had not seen the water temperature down in the 40s yet. In the afternoons you could find 55-degree water and before the cutoff last week I saw bass up trying to make beds. But now the lake is about where it should be.”
The problem facing anglers, Sims said, is that the bass are relating to shad almost totally, which can be a boon if you happen to get on the fish because they will be concentrated.
“But, you can go one day and catch 16 pounds, then go back the next day and not see a fish because the bait has moved. I think whoever finds the bait has a real chance of knocking a good sack of fish,” he said.
“I'd almost guarantee a 15- to 20-pound sack for first place and it could be even better than that, even with the weather change. The weights have been up in recent tournaments, from what I have heard. I heard there was a 20-pound sack brought in that was caught on a jerkbait, but the next week the weight was down to 13 or 14 pounds.”
Although The Alabama Rig® has caught fire on Lake Norman and surrounding waters, Dims said he believes the winning weight Saturday will come on a jerkbait.
“Jerkbaits seem to be the predominant producer for the better fish and they always have been this time of year for me,” he said.
Sims will be fishing to win Saturday, but if he does not bring in the heaviest sack of fish, he will consider the day a tremendous success, just like he did when he finished well down in the standing in the Southern Open on the Harris Chain.
“When you are as passionate about fishing as I am and you are standing there the first day of the Southern Open, your hat over your heart listening to the National Anthem, and Roland Martin is standing directly across from you in his boat – not a lot of people can say they have experienced that in their lifetime. So, I am ready to go fishing.”
The Carolinas Bass Challenge is a two-division series promoted by Skeeter Boat dealers Marshall's Marine in Lake City, S.C., Foothills Marine in Morganton, N.C., and Palmetto Marine in Greenville, S.C.
The schedules for the two divisions include :
North Carolina Division – Feb. 18, Lake Norman, Pinnacle Landing; March 24, Lake Wylie, Ebenezer Park; April 21, Lake Norman, Pinnacle Landing; May 19, Lake Hickory, Whittenburg; June 2, N.C. Divisional Final, High Rock, Tamarac Marina.
South Carolina Division – February 11, Cooper River, Cypress Gardens; Mar 31, Lake Murray, Dreher Island State Park; April 28, Santee Cooper, John C. Land; May 12, Lake Wateree, Clearwater Cove; June 23, S.C. Divisional Final, Lake Wateree, Clearwater Cove.
The Carolinas Bass Challenge Championship will be held on Kerr Lake October 27, 2012.
The entry fee is $200 per team and each team member must pay a $35 membership fee. First place in each qualifying tournament is $5,000, with $1,000 for big fish. Teams may fish three of four qualifiers in a state division to make the Divisional Final and Championship or they may fish a combination of three qualifiers across divisions and make the Division Final and Championship. The team that wins the points in each state division will win $1,000.
The winning team at both the South Carolina Division Final and the North Carolina Division Final will win a Skeeter TZX190/150 with a Yamaha 150HPDI. The winning team in the Championship on Kerr Lake in October will win a Skeeter ZX200/200 Yamaha SHO.
Carolina's Bass Challenge - North Carolina Division
Sat, Feb 18, 2012
Lake Norman
Pinnacle Access
Brett Collins 803-413-7521
www.carolinasbasschallenge.com
Quality Field Will Make Gator Division Tournament On Okeechobee Tough To Win
Mark Lundgren of Port Lucie, Fla., a dedicated bass fisherman, would love nothing more than repeat his February 2011 win in the Gator Division BFL tournament on Lake Okeechobee Saturday, but he knows it won't be easy.
A major reason is the competition. The field for the Gator Division tournament on Okeechobee Saturday is full and loaded with top anglers. For instance both Brandon McMillan of Clewiston and Brandon Medlock of Lake Placid are entered in the tournament – and both have a strong fishing history on the lake.
McMillan won the FLW Tour on Okeechobee in February of last year and he just placed fifth in the 2012 FLW Tour Open last weekend. Medlock was 15th in the Tour Open last weekend, following up his win in the Southeaster Division EverStart tournament on Okeechobee Jan. 19.
His record on the Big O so far this year has been hit or miss, however, as he was only able to weigh one fish at 5 pounds, 3 ounces, in the Gator Division tournament just five days before his EverStart win.
“It's a tough tournament to win,” said Lundgren. There are a lot of really good guys who fish it.”
Some of them are exceptionally well known, too. Charlie Evans of Gilbertsville, Ky., retired president and CEO of FLW Outdoors, finished 20th in the February Gator Division BFL on Okeechobee in 2011 and he notched a 9th place finish in the January tournament with five bass that weighed 21 pounds 7 ounces.
Another big reason Lundgren feels a repeat will be tough is that he is having a really up and down year on the lake.
“I had a 5-pound bag of fish in the last BFL on the lake in January and the week after that I had a20-pound bag in a Christian Team Trail tournament on the lake.”
There is a major difference between the way he caught his winning bag of fish last February and what he will have to do this weekend, he said, and it all has to do with the weather.
“Last year I was throwing a Riptail Minnow, but the last few tournaments this year have been won punching grass mats and flipping. Last year there were a lot more fish on the beds,” he said.
But the cold snap that hit Florida over the weekend has dropped the water temperature and Florida bass are extremely sensitive to sudden changes in temperature.
“We went from 75 to 80 degrees to a low of about 60 and Sunday night it dropped into the 30s. The water temperature dropped from 70 degrees down to 57 degrees. That is one of the reasons that punching the grass mats will come into play,” Lundgren said. “These fish don't like cold and when a cold from comes through they get up on the mats.”
Lundgren said he planned to continue practicing this week to see if the fish are buried up under the thicker vegetation or if some of them are more out in open water where they can be caught on a moving bait.
Walmart Bass Fishing League (BFL) Gator Division
Sat, Feb 18, 2012
Lake Okeechobee
Scott Driver Recreation Area
Anglers Can Fish Their Strength In Bfl Savannah River Division Tournament On Lake Keowee
Bo Price of Seneca, SC. Photo courtesy FLW Outdoors.
Longtime fishing buddies Bo Price and Glenn Kimbrell did not really take things too seriously in the BFL Savannah River Division tournament on Lake Keowee last February.
“We said we would meet up at 12 o’clock and have a bacon sandwich. When we got together, he said, what have you got? I said 10 or 11 pounds and he said he had 10 or 11 pounds,” Price recalled.
Later at the weigh-in Price was leading the tournament with 11 pounds, 13 ounces. Nobody could knock him off the top spot until the very last angler weighed in – and that happened to be his buddy, Kimbrell who brought 13 pounds 6 ounces to the scales.
“I was in the lead all the way to the end and he comes walking up and knocked me out, but I would not have it any other way,” said Price. “He is a great guy and we have a very healthy respect for each other.”
And, Price added, that is what this sport is about.
“It's about coming out here and getting away from the stress of life and enjoying yourself. If you get away from that you are in the wrong business.”
Price will be fishing the BFL on Keowee Saturday, but he won't have to worry about his buddy, Kimbrell, knocking him out this time. Kimbrell's wife had surgery earlier in the week and he will be home taking care of her.
“Keowee is a great lake to be on this time of year,” Price said. “There is a little bit of something for everybody up here, depending on where you want to fish and what your style of fishing is. It's pretty much just come on and fish your strength.”
Price explained that the power plant at mid-lake keeps the water in that area warm, probably about 10 degrees warmer than anywhere in the state right now. But a lot of fish stay deep in the winter and in the summer, also.
“With the unseasonably warm weather we have had the fish are not in their traditional spots for this time of year,” he said. “I'd say they are about two weeks in advance as far as their annual migration. The lake is fishing a lot like March right now and a lot of fish are being caught both shallow and deep.”
Although a lot of fish are shallow and some are already bedding, a rarity for a clear, deep lake like Keowee, Price said he plans to fish his strength which is deep water.
“I'll find where the bait is in the creek channels and fish a drop shot or a jigging spoon and a quarter-ounce jighead with a worm. If you fish real slow and methodical you will pick up one here and one there and pretty soon you have a decent bag of fish.”
Price said he expects a lot of limits to be weighed in but not many really heavy bags of fish.
“There will be a lot of limits, but getting that 3-pound-plus bite that will put you over the edge will be difficult. I think it will take 14 pounds to win, give or take a pound, and 9 to10 pounds will probably get you a check,” he said.
The Savannah River BFL series includes tournaments on Clarks Hill out of Wildwood Park March 3, on Lake Hartwell out of Tugaloo State Park March 31, on Lake Russell out of Richard B. Russell State Park April 14, with the two-day final on Lake Hartwell out of Tugaloo State park Sept. 22-23.
Walmart Bass Fishing League (BFL) - Savannah River Division
Sat Feb 11, 2012
Lake Keowee
South Cove County Park
2012 Countdown to Blastoff Week 1 Part 2 with AC Pro Staffer Rob Digh
AC Pro Staffer Rob Digh continues his analysis of some of the excellent tournaments coming up this weekend with part 2 focusing on the Carolina's Bass Challange going on down in SC on the Cooper River, where they are Guaranteeing $5000 for 1st place!!
2012 Countdown to Blastoff Week 1 Part 1 with AC Pro Staffer Rob Digh
Countdown to Blastoff is back for 2012, and we have some great Tournaments coming up this weekend to talk about-including the FLW Open down on the big O, as well as the BFL on Keowee, Denver Marine Winter TT Championships, and the 1st Carolina's Bass Challange SC Div opener on the Cooper River!!
2012 Greene Boat And Motor Open House And Team Trail Update
Greene Boat and Motor Team Trail Director Jeremy Cabe joins us to talk about some of the positive changes coming to the trail this 2012 season including NO MEMBERSHIP FEE's! Lots of contingency $$ as well, so make sure to check out their schedule right here on AC or at www.greeneboats.com !!
AC Insider Robby Byrum elaborates on the ALABAMA RIG and its many uses across the country!
AC Isider Robby Byrum takes an in-depth look at how and why this ALABAMA RIG is so unbelievably successfull so fast...............great stuff for any Tournament Angler!
Gagliardi Hoping To Improve Next Week On 15Th Place Finish In Flw Tour Open On Big O Last Year
The winter respite from tournament fishing has been a nice break for Anthony Gagliardi, a time for the Prosperity, S.C., pro to spend some time with his family and enjoy playing with his little girl who will be 4 in less than a month and his little boy, who is 2.
But, with the first FLW Tour Open starting on Lake Okeechobee next Thursday, Gagliardi has been getting his equipment – and himself – prepared for the 10-tournament FLW season that is just about to get underway.
”I am standing in my boat, cleaning things up and organizing things,” he said. “After an off-season of neglect, it takes a couple of days to get things back in working order.”
He is leaving Friday for Okeechobee and, while he was reluctant to leave his family, that is the nature of the beast for a professional fisherman – and he was anxious to get back on the water and get the season underway.
“I finished 15th at Okeechobee last year and that was a good tournament to start the year off,” said Gagliardi who was the FLW Tour Angler of the Year in 2006. He finished 15th in the points last year, earning $35,788 in prize winnings.
“I will fish the 10 FLW events this year and that is a pretty good plate full. It pretty much takes all my time. During the off-season I've been able to spend all day with my family. Once the season starts it will be hard to leave for a week or 10 days at a time, but that is something I have to do to pursue this profession,” he said.
Fishing for a living, he said, has been a little tougher with the down economy, with both the fishing business and fishermen hit pretty hard in the last year or two.
“I've been pretty fortunate to be able to stay in the game. I'm fairly satisfied with where I am going into the new year sponsor-wise. I've got a new rod sponsor, Cashion Fishing Rods, and I am excited about that, so I feel really good going into the new year.”
In the February tournament on Okeechobee last year Gagliardi caught most of his fish sight fishing and he expects that will be a major factor again this year. Local anglers say the fishing has remained phenomenal ever since the FLW Open on Okeechobee last year – and those fish are grown even bigger. Water temperatures have remained consistent, with no cold fronts to slow the spring migration to shallow water so most anticipate the bass spawn to be cranking into high gear by next week.
“Fishing should be wide open with a lot of different patterns working,” Gagliardi said. “I've heard there has been a strong flipping bite for quite a while and there should be a shallow water swim bait bite like always this time of year.”
With the lake, up, he added, anglers should be able to spread out more and not have to share areas with competing anglers as much.
“I will most likely focus on sight fishing next week,” he said, “but if I hear there is a pretty strong bite doing something else I will spend some time with that, too.”
The main thing with sight fishing is not to focus on identifying individual fish during practice, he said, but to locate areas where fish are concentrated.
“The majority of the fish I catch in tournaments are fish I find on tournament day. First and foremost, you have to be in the right area,” he said.
During practice Gagliardi said he will divide the lake into thirds, then fish the south end one day and the middle part the second day.
“After the second day I may spend the last day on the north end, or if I feel really good about one of those areas the first two days I might spend the third day there,” he said. “Then if it is not all I think it needs to be I will spend one day in each area, then go back during the tournament. Ideally you would like to pull into a place where they are and spend three days fine-tuning your strategy, but most of the time the fine tuning comes during the tournament.”
Gagliardi said most of the fish will probably be caught flipping, on a swim bait or sight fishing.
“There might be some open water fish caught next week, but with the water up like it is there is an awful lot of grass to fish. Those fish like to get up in that clear water up in the grass and they will be moving in to spawn.”
FLW Tour 2012
Feb 9-12, 2012
Lake Okeechobee
Roland Martin Marina & Resort
Smith Mountain Lake Winter Trail Results for Jan 27, 2012 Tournament
1st Place went to the team of DannyTowe and Trevor Towe of Salem Va. with a weight of 19lbs 13oz!
2nd Place went to the team of Mark McFadden and Matt Kluender of Moneta Va. with a weight of 18lbs 9oz. Matt Bomar and Tim Staple of Moneta Va. finished in 3rd Place with a weight of 17lbs 15oz.
Big Fish went to the team of Charles Fochtman and Charles Fochtman with a nice LM that weighted 5lbs 11oz!
Still have Two remaining events for the month of February ,the first two Saturdays and we will start at 8am and run till 4 both days.
Accent Marine Team Trail Results - Jan 29, 2012 - Kissimmee Chain
Accent Marine held the first tournament of the season on Sunday, January 29, 2012 at Camp Mack. The weather was beautiful. Fishing was good for some, while others had a hard time.
One hundred nine fish weighed in, with a total weight of 297.19. We had 2 over 9 lbs and 3 over 8 lbs. Kyle Sellars and Ron Pendland won the tournament with 19.62 lbs, including the Big Bass of the day at 9.77 lbs!
Gary Niemi and James Dyer came in 2nd Place with 18.98 lbs and Jim and Allen Prince took 3rd with 18.17 lbs.
Accent Marine Tournament Trail
January 29, 2012
1st Place Kyle Sellars & Ron Pendland 19.62 $837.00
2nd Place Gary Niemi & James Dyer 18.98 $698.00
3rd Place Jim Prince & Allen Prince 18.17 $558.00
4th Place Gary Hawkins & Ron Buey 17.94 $418.00
5th Place Chuck Pons & Casey Gonzalez 17.87 $279.00
Big Bass Kyle Sellars & Ron Pendland 9.77 $700.00
The next tournament will be February 26, 2012. Anyone needing information call 813-620-1042 or 620-1309.
Jeff Crandon 9.30 lbs
Anderson Scores Big In Bassmaster Weekend Series South Carolina Opener On Lake Murray
Phillip Anderson dominated the fishing in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series, operated by American Bass Anglers, South Carolina Division 9 opening tournament, held Jan. 28, 2012, on Lake Murray.
Running out of Dreher Island State Park near Prosperity to fish the 50,000-acre lake, the Saluda, S.C., angler won the Boater Division with five bass weighing 23.57 pounds. He anchored his bag with a 6.97-pounder that took tournament lunker honors. For the win, Anderson pocketed $2,363 plus a $260 bonus for the big bass.
“I caught most of my fish on a big shaky head and a few on a crankbait,” Anderson recalled. “I fished channel swings in 10 to 15 feet of water in the middle part of the lake. I caught fish all day. My two biggest fish came five casts apart.”
In second for the 55 boaters, Daniel Grassi brought in a five-bass tournament limit going 17.93 pounds with a 6.06-pound kicker. The Pooler, Ga., angler went home with a check for $1,182.
“I went down the lake and threw a crankbait around docks,” Grassi said. “I caught fish all day. I saw five 5-pounders follow my bait to the boat, but couldn’t get them to bite it. The fish were in about four feet of water.”
Randy A. Childers of Anderson, S.C., also landed a five-bass tournament limit. Taking third with 17.10 pounds, he earned $788.
“I fished really shallow with a jig all day,” Childers explained. “I lost one over 5 pounds and had another big one on.”
Bart Blackburn of North Augusta, S.C., took fourth for the boaters with five bass going 14.32 pounds. Placing fifth for the boaters, David Heatherly of Buffalo, S.C., brought in five keepers weighing 13.70 pounds.
In the Co-Angler Division, Chad Schroeder of Dallas, N.C., landed three bass going 8.63 pounds. He anchored his bag with a 4.71-pound kicker to take home $1,181 for the win.
“We started under the bridge,” Schroeder said. “My boater was throwing a crankbait and caught two good fish right off the bat. I didn’t catch a bass until 11 a.m. We started fishing docks and I caught some nice fish. I caught four fish in 10 minutes. I culled twice. It was all on a green pumpkin shaky head.”
Ron Figueroa of Appling, Ga., landed in second place among the co-anglers with a three-bass division limit going 8.03 pounds He earned $591.
“I started throwing a shaky head,” Figueroa said. “I didn’t get a bite until about 11 a.m. Then, everything went nice. We started catching thick, healthy fish. We fished nothing, but boat docks.”
Taking third, Eddy Morgan of Denver, N.C., brought in three bass for 7.93 pounds with a 2.71-pound kicker. He won $394.
“I caught everything on a shaky head, except one on a jig,” Morgan said. “I fished the Saluda River. The boat was sitting in 15 feet of water and I was throwing toward shore. The fish hit in about six to eight feet of water.”
Joseph Carter of Taylors, S.C., caught two fish weighing 7.64 pounds, enough for fourth place. He anchored his catch with a 6.26-pound bucketmouth to earn division big bass honors. He collected $276 for fourth place and $130 for the big bass.
“I caught the big one on a watermelon pumpkin seed finesse worm on a Texas rig,” Carter said. “The water was about two feet deep. It hit at almost noon.”
Chuck B. Padget of Greenwood, S.C., rounded out the top five co-anglers. He landed three keepers for 7.61 pounds with a 2.40-pound kicker.
For more information, call Billy Benedetti, tournament manager, at (256) 230-5632 or ABA at (888) 203-6222. On line, seewww.americanbassanglers.com.
About American Bass Anglers: The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series provides weekend anglers a professionally operated competitive tour with a path the world championship of bass fishing the Bassmaster Classic. American Bass Anglers commitment is to provide low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers and the American Fishing Tour, The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com
Butt's Bass Buster's, B.a.s.s Federated Club Summary On Lake Sinclair
After driving all night from the disappointing finish in the Bassmaster Open in Tavares, Florida, I made it to the ramp on Lake Sinclair. I put a plan together and changed lures while waiting for everyone in the club to arrive. Everyone was joking and telling me "you are not in Florida anymore, you better take that braid off". As it turns out, I ended up leaving it on and caught fish on it all day, even in the bad weather. I went from crystal clear water to cold muddy water in about 7 hours.
I ended up winning this tournament, even though I don't know how, with a whopping 8.05 pounds. There are people in this club that have been fishing Lake Sinclair for 20 years plus and they are hard to beat. Yes, I was shocked to have the winning weight.
I used a carolina rig in 12 to 18 feet of water at the mouth of creeks in standing timber. I was using 65 pound braid and a 3 foot 17 pound momofilament leader with a Terry Bowden's Cold Steel Walking Stick in black with blue flake, Texas rigged. The fish couldn't stand it. I literally got bit on every cast to every other cast all day long. I made the decision to go where I knew I could catch fish and it paid off. Unlike the decision, I made in Florida the past two days. Remember, Its all about the decisions you make!
With this win, It puts me in 3rd place in the points for AOY in the club and well on my way to the Top 6 tournament which rumor has it, it will be on Lake Lanier this year. Below are the results from the Tournament:
1. Brad Sears 8.05 lbs.
2. Brad Gandee 7.64 lbs.
3. Danny Kitchens 6.94 lbs.
4. Russell Ludwig(Big Worm) 6.30 lbs.
5. Rod Mangham 6.09 lbs.
Believe & Succeed!
Until Next Time,
Brad Sears
Bedding Bass Should Be Key In Floridabass St. John's Division Tournament Saturday
The winning team in the FloridaBass Team Tournament Trail St. John;'s Division Tournament Saturday will probably catch bedding fish – but that could change, said tournament director Terry Mullis.
“I've talked with several anglers lately and one caught a 9 1/4-pound, one caught a 7-pounder and one a 6-pounder, so I am about 90 percent sure that bedding fish will win the tournament,” Mullis said. “But, with this warm weather, that could totally turn around.”
Mullis said if the springlike temperatures prevail the warming water may make all the fish turn on everywhere.
“If that happens the biting fish may dominate or it may even spread the bedding fish out,” he said. “Right now most of the bedding fish are being caught in the warmer water around the springs, but if those fish get a week or so of warmer water they may go to bedding on the East side or West side of the lake.”
Mullis said most of the anglers in Saturday's tournament will most likely be fishing in Lake George, one of the main bodies of water on the St. John's River.
“We've got Big Lake George, Little Lake George, Crescent Lake, Dexter and Woodruff lakes. Crescent should come on a little later in the year, March or April, with the bedding fish, but Dexter and Woodruff may be on right now.”
Mullis said entries have been off a little in the two earlier tournaments in the series because another tournament series was holding its Classic and there were two or three other tournaments held the same day as the other tournament, but he expects 15 to 20 boats for Saturday's tournament in the St. John's Division
“This time of year we get a lot of the local anglers because of the bedding fish. I think there will be a lot of weight in the tournament because of the bedding fish, with it taking 21 or 22 pounds to win and we will probably have a big fish weighed in the neighborhood of 9 to 11 pounds.”
Mullis added that because of a drawdown on Rodman that division is being relocated to Santa Fe Lake. A lot of anglers who fish Rodman also fish the St. John's Division, he said.
Scott Scarboro started FloridaBass in 1998 with four divisions and the trail was very successful for half a dozen years. Then he sold it to Extreme Fishing. He recently resurrected FloridaBass with the goal of providing anglers with the chance to have fun while earning good prize money.
The new FloridaBass Trail consists of seven divisions so anglers in the region do not have to travel a great distance to fish one of them. The seven include : St. Johns, Rodman, Lake Rousseau, the Harris Chain, West Lake Toho, Kissimmee and Istokpoga.
Entry fees in the regular FloridaBass Trail are $120 per boat for each tournament with $80 of that paid back at the tournament to one in every seven entered, plus $10 per boat paid back for big fish. Then $10 goes to the championship pot, $10 covers trail expenses and $10 goes to the tournament director.
The FloridaBass Trail also has two monthly awards. The divisional tournaments are sanctioned by the Power-Pole Captains Cash Rewards Club. Power-Pole will pay $250 to an angler who wins a FloridaBass event and meets all of the Captains Cash requirements. Anglers must be a member of the Captions Cash Rewards Club to be eligible. In addition to Big Bass of the tournament and Big Bass of the year the trail also has a Big Bass of the Month Employer Payroll Solutions. Anglers can win a monthly bonus of $250 for the largest fish weighed-in for the month.
The top 20 in points in each division qualify to fish the championship, which has a guaranteed purse of $10,000, at the end of the year.
FloridaBass Team Tournament Trail - St. Johns Division
Sat, Jan 28, 2012
St Johns River
Welaka Public Boat Ramp
Call Scott Scarboro - 813-293-3032
2012 Marshall's Marine Outdoor Expo With Sportsmans Warehouse And Flw Pro Dearal Rodgers
Sportsmans Warehouse and FLW Pro Dearal Rodgers steps up to the mic and talks about his upcoming 2012 season, as well as the Swamp People behind him, and then a quick view of the Helicopter rides that are going on in the back of Marshall's!!
2012 Marshall's Marine Outdoor Expo With Carolina Bass Challenge Director Brett Collins
The 2012 Marshall's Marine Expo was their biggest ever, and one of the hottest topics was the new 2012 Carolina's Bass Challenge, which director Brett Collins talks a little bit about before the 1st Blastoff takes place on the Cooper River!
Harris Chain Big Bass Parade!
Look at some of the bass weighed at the final day of the Bassmaster Southern Open on the Harris Chain of Lakes! Also, find great tips on patterns and lure selection - Strike King Series 5 in Tennessee Shad was key for a couple of anglers! And check out that aluminum rig with high-dollar pushpole.
ReBaits Program Unveiled at Southern Open
Phyllis, Preston and Eamon tell us about the NEW ReBaits lure recycling effort. Bass can starve if they eat discarded plastics, which become lodged in their digestive tract. Anglers can prevent this. Here's how!
Andy Montgomery joins Stike King Pro Staff
Collierville, TN (January 13, 2012) –Strike King Lure Company announces the addition of Andy Montgomery of Blacksburg South Carolina to its National team for 2012. At age 29 Andy is a young star on the rise, is very competitive, loves shallow water fishing yet has the ability to adapt to any situation on the water, and has the desire and work ethic to grow in the sport. He is married and being a successful professional fisherman has been a lifelong dream of his. Andy will be fishing the B.A.S.S. Elite Series for his second season after doing well as a rookie last year finishing 9th in the Pride of Georgia tournament on West Point Lake and 6th in the Trokar Battle on the Bayou at Toledo Bend. He is a 5 time FLW Championship Qualifier, a 2011 Bassmaster Classic Qualifier, 2010 Bassmaster Southern Open Champion. Andy is excited to join the Strike King team and feels that the Company’s vast lure selection and polarized sunglasses will give him the tools he needs to win on the water. He also is attracted to the family friendly, professional, and fishing enthusiasts’ culture of the Company. We look forward to working with Andy for a long time says Mark Copley, National Pro Staff manager of Strike King Lure Company.
Andy joins one of the greatest Pro-Staffs in the nation, which includes such veteran stars as Kevin VanDam, Denny Brauer, Shaw Grigsby, Mark Davis, Greg Hackney, Mark Rose, George Cochran, and Mark Menendez and young stars; James Niggemeyer and Jonathon VanDam.
Smith Mtn Lake Winter Trail Results
Here are the results of the Tournament:
1st place went to the team of Danny Towe and Trevor Towe with a total weight of 19lbs 3oz
2nd place went to the team of Phillip VanDerVeer and Chris Lucas with a total weight of 17 lbs 13oz
3rd place went to the team of James Jordan and Douglas Eubanks with a weight of 8lbs 5oz
Big fish went to the team of Danny and Trevor Towe with a Largemouth that weighed 4lbs 7oz
Water temps are starting to drop a little more with the colder weather.temps in the back of most creeks are 44 to 46 degrees. Water temps on the main lake are around the upper 40s.The fish are still moving towards the deeper parts of the lake, still being caught on Jigs ,Crankbaits,slow rolling spinner baits. Some deeper fish are being caught on jerk baits and spoons as well
SML Winter Trail Winners Danny and Trevor Towe: 19+ on SML in January ain't bad!!
Hawk Talks High Finish on Harris Chain
2010 Forrest Wood Cup champion Kevin Hawk joined the B.A.S.S. guys in his first Open event. He did well. He tells us about his Harris Chain game plan and how it worked out for him. Then he weighs-in and takes the lead - for a while.
Chris Lane Takes Top Spot on Harris Chain!
Chris Lane comes home to take the first Bassmaster title of 2012 in his native state of Florida. With the heaviest stringer of the week at 28-09, Lane runs up a total weight of 72-11 over three days at the Southern Open on the Harris chain of lakes. Look at the LUNKERS as he sacks 'em up before a crowd of thousands and lays 'em on the scale! And find out how he made it happen.
Slowed By Heart Surgery Last Year, Ellis Back In Action For Everstart Tournament On The Big O
Critical open heart surgery last year interrupted Ken Ellis' 2011 tournament plans, but he is slowly working his way back up to speed. The Bowman, S.C., angler has been practicing on Lake Okeechobee this week for the FLW EverStart Series Southeast Division's first tournament of 2012.
The first part of the week, he said, was disappointing so Ellis spent Wednesday trying to find fish for the tournament.
“I am hoping I can find something because nothing I am catching is the size I need. I have not caught any 5-to-6-pound fish yet,” said Ellis who has been recognized in the Southeast as a force to be dealt with in tournaments, especially on his home waters, the Santee Cooper Lakes..
“I have not had a good practice, but they have been catching them here like crazy. There was a tournament last week that took over 30 pounds to win,” he said. “There will be a lot of fish caught in this tournament and I am sure it will take some big weights to do well.”
With a full moon coming and warm temperatures, some fish are already moving to shallow water to bed, Ellis noted, so there will be a lot of sight fishing in the tournament.
“I am planning to flip. I'm not going to sight fish. My eyes are not good enough and there are too many guys who are a lot better at it than I am. Now, if I see one on the bed I might try to catch it,” he said.
For those like Ellis who are not sight-fishing, he said there should be plenty of action flipping craw worms and creature-type baits in the matted grass and working a swim bait like a Gambler Big Easy or Reaction Skinny Dipper.
As many as 300 pros and co-anglers will take to the water Thursday for the first of four stops in the Southeast Division. Pros will fish for a top award of $35,000 plus a 198VX Ranger boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard if Ranger Cup guidelines are met. Co-anglers will cast for a top award consisting of a Ranger 177TR with 90-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard and $5,000 if Ranger Cup guidelines are met.
The EverStart Series consists of five divisions – Central, Northern, Southeast, Texas and Western. Each division consists of four tournaments and competitors will be vying for valuable points in each division that could earn them the Strike King Angler of the Year title along with $5,000 for the pro and $2,000 for the co-angler. The top 40 pros and co-anglers from each respective division will qualify for the EverStart Series Championship that will be held on the Ouachita River in Monroe, La., Nov. 1-4.
“I am fishing the first tournament here and then the series goes to Lake Seminole, Santee Cooper and Guntersville this year. I plan to fish at least the first three, but I have a little conflict with some local tournaments for the Guntersville tournament,” Ellis said. “So, I will just see where I am in the standings at that point. The championship will be held on the Ouachita River and I really don't have any desire to go out there in November.”
That, he said, is because he is admittedly slowing down a little with age and the recovery from heart surgery.
“I'm getting old and my fishing partner and travel partner, Chuck Howard, is in school in Pittsburgh this year until the first of April. Traveling to tournaments is not near as much fun when you don't have your buddies to go with,” Ellis said.
FLW EverStart Series – Southeast Division
Jan 19-21, 2012
Lake Okeechobee
Scott Driver Recreation Area
New Southern Pro Am Series To Hold Very First Tournament Sunday On Toho Chain
The very first tournament of the new Southern Pro Am Tournaments Open Team Bass Series will be held on Lake Tohopekaliga this Sunday, with a full seven qualifying tournaments plus a championship scheduled this year and plans to expand across the Southeast in the next couple of years.
“My son and I and a couple of other guys are doing the series,” said tournament founder Bill Huffman. “We just got tired of some of the same old routines at tournaments. Everybody wants you to be a member, so you have to pay club dues. I thought, why make someone have to be a member if they are already fishing your series anyway and helping to popularize it?”
Huffman said that since a lot of tournament series keep a lot of the money instead of giving it back to the fishermen, the Southern Pro Am plan is to provide a better payback with no membership.
“All you have to do is make the top 40 to qualify for the championship,” he said. “We also let people sign up at the event, which most series don't do anymore. In this economy some guys are tight on money, going from paycheck to paycheck, so if they get the money they can sign up the morning of the tournament.”
The tournament series in Florida this year starts off on Toho this Sunday, the moves to the Harris Chain of Lakes Feb. 19, followed by Lake Okeechobee March 18, on to Lake Istokpoga April 1, back to the Harris Chain April 29, then Okeechobee May 20, with the final qualifier on the Toho Chain of Lakes June 10.
“Right now our championship is scheduled July 28-29 out of Roland Martin's Marina on Lake Okeechobee, but if there is low water that time of year our backup plan is to hold it out of the Camp Mack River Resort on the Toho Chain,” Huffman said.
The goal of the series, he said, is to expand into Georgia and Florida next year and the Carolinas the following year.
“Each state will have it's own division with anglers qualifying for a true Southern Bass Championship in the Southeast,” he said. Entry fee for each tournament will be $150 per boat, with $100 paid back that day. Part of the rest will include $10 for the big bass fund, $7 for that day and $3 for the championship big bass, and $20 for the championship purse.
Huffman said fishing should be very good for the inaugural tournament this weekend on the Toho Chain.
“I've been checking some fishing reports and it looks like some big fish will be weighed in. I think it will take an 8-pounder or more to win big fish and I think it will take 20 pounds just to get into the top five.”
He said anglers have been catching bass on “rubber worms,” from 6- to 8-inch worms up to big 10-inch worms, both Texas- and Carolina-rigged.
“I think there will also be some fish caught on topwater baits early in the day and we are also starting to see some spawning fish moving up shallow, so sight fishing might be an element this weekend,” he said. “It looks like the weather will cooperate, too, with temperatures in the mid 70s for highs and mid 50s for lows.”
Southern Pro Am Tournaments Open Team Bass Series
Sun, Jan 22, 2012
Toho Chain
Camp Mack's River Resort
Call Bill Huffman at 941-735-4471
2011-2012 Airport Marine Fall-Winter Tt Champions Jeremy Christian And Ben Counts!
2012 Airport Marine Fall-Winter Trail TT Champions Jermey Christian and Ben Counts pulled in 5 spotted bass weighing 21.99 to win one heck of a Championship on Lay Lake! AC Insider Reed Montgomery gets the inside scoop as to where they went and how they caught em' on the ever popular Alabama RIG!!
2012 Airport Marine Fall-Winter Tt Championship Lay Lake Weigh-In Highlights!
Some fantastic Weigh-in Footage from AC Insider Reed Montgomery this past Saturday at the Aiprort Marine Fall/Winter TT Championship on Lay Lake....great quality, and multiple 20+ Lb bags made this one heck of an event for early January!!
2012 Airport Marine Fall-Winter Tt Championship And Trail Update
Airport Marine TT Director Flynn Gerald talks about the finale tournament of the Fall-Winter Championship on Lay Lake as well as all of the big Team Trail events and couples tournaments to be on the lookout for in 2012!!
Pierce Talks Gear Ratio Selection
Bassmaster Open Pro, Patrick Pierce shares his mind on Daiwa's range of gear ratios and when to use each.
Tampa Pro Bass Results - Kissimmee Chain - Jan 8
Rich Fitzgibbon and Jeremy Cannon (pictured here with Kylee Cannon) took home 1st Place and $843.75 on Kissimmee January 8. Their total weight was 21.35 lbs and their biggest fish was 6.69 lbs, which was the biggest bass of the day! Congratulations Rich and Jeremy!
Coming in 2nd Place was the team of Troy Olivier and David Crews. Their total weight was 15.50 lbs and they took home $468.75!
Brandon Chambliss and Sam Guess came in 3rd Place with 15.20 lbs, worth $281.25. Their big fish was 5.04 lbs.
The team of Mike Harris and Chuck McKenzie finished in 4th Place with 12.46 lbs. They had the 2nd Big Fish of the day at 5.47 lbs.
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Rich Fitzgibbon and Jeremy Cannon remain at the top of the Points Standings with 121 points. Top 10 in the Points looks like this:
| Place | Captain | Partner | Alternate | Total Points |
| 1 | Fitzgibbon, Rich | Cannon, Jeremy | Diaz, Kenny | 121 |
| 2 | Wooten, Bobby | Upchurch, Richie | 95 | |
| 3 | Guess, Sam | Chambliss, Brandon | 93 | |
| 4 | Taylor, John | Taylor, Wendy | 80 | |
| 5 | Dorman, Tommy | Dorman, Jimmy | 70 | |
| 5 | Wright, Kevin | Hannigan, Mark | 70 | |
| 5 | Crosby, Jeff | Crosby, Dana | 70 | |
| 8 | Dukes, Martin | Carter, Gary | 69 | |
| 9 | Simonds, Lonnie | Simonds, David | 68 | |
| 10 | Devane, Alan | Johns, Joe | Chrin, Steve | 66 |
| 10 | Hendren, William | Alfonso, David | Hafer, Richard | 66 |
FOR COMPLETE RESULTS, VISIT www.tampaprobass.com!
Sportsmans Warehouse Sponsors FLW Fishing Tour Professional Dearal Rodgers
Sportsman’s Warehouse is happy to announce the sponsorship of professional fisherman Dearal Rodgers for the upcoming FLW Professional Fishing Tour season. Rodgers, a native of Camden, South Carolina, has distinguished himself over the past several years winning the 2009 FLW Tour Co-Angler of the Year award and the 2010 FLW Forrest Wood Cup Co-Angler Champion award.
“We are pleased to have Dearal on board with Sportsman’s Warehouse,†noted Sportsman’s Warehouse Chief Marketing Officer Karen Seaman. “He is not only a talented professional, but he also embraces the enthusiasm and family values with which Sportsman’s Warehouse is so closely associated.â€
You can follow Dearal throughout the season on his blog at www.anglerschannel.com, and see him each week during the season on the Progressive Bass Wrap Up Show, airing on the NBC Sports Network Thursday mornings at 10:30am.FLW is the fishing industry’s premier tournament fishing organization, providing unparalleled fishing resources and entertainment to fishermen of all levels. Get more information about FLW and learn more about this angler by visiting Dearal Rodgers.
Sportsman’s Warehouse serves outdoor enthusiasts by providing a large selection of top-quality, brand-name products essential to enjoying the great outdoors to the fullest. With complete product lines in hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor pursuits, savvy outdoor shoppers know that Sportsman’s Warehouse is their one-stop shop for everything outdoors. To find the Sportsman’s Warehouse nearest you or to shop online, visit us on the web at: www.sportsmanswarehouse.com.
Smith Mountain Lake Winter Trail Results for Jan 7, 2012 Tournament
The sixth tournament of the Smith Mountain Lake Winter Fishing Series went out of Smith Mountain Lake State Park on Saturday, January 7, 2012. 1st Place went to the team of Danny Towe and Travis Towe with a weight of 18lbs 7oz. They are from Salem and Daleville, Va.
2nd Place went to the team of Charles Fochtman and Charles Fochtman jr with a weight of 18lbs 5oz. They are from Moneta, Va
3rd place went to the team of David Pluckett and Trey Stewartson with a weight of 15lbs 14oz. They are from Vinton and Moneta, Va.
Stay tuned for more results...this tournament trail has 3 more events over the next few weeks!
Warming Weather Could Make For Heavy Stringers In Gator Bfl On Okeechobee
Allan Cagle, BFL Gator Division Angler of The Year in 2010. Photo courtesy flwoutdoors.com
The first major cold front of the winter slowed the bite on Lake Okeechobee, but near-springlike temperatures this week should put the fish in a much better mood and result in some hefty stringers in the Walmart Bass Fishing League's Gator Division tournament Saturday, according to the top division angler in 2010.
“I did see some beds down there over last weekend. There were no fish on them, but I know they were right around them,” said Allan Cagle of Deltona, Fla., BFL Gator Division Angler of The Year in 2010. “I look for the fish to move up on the beds or be right around them and I look for the bite to come on.”
Cagle said the bite in December was exceptionally strong with some big stringers weighed in tournaments, including a lot of high 20-pound catches and some over 30 pounds.
“That bite has got a little tough. We got our first cold weather this past week and the temperature was down in the high 20s. But I look for the fish to rebound, probably this weekend. The fish are wanting to bed big time.”
Cagle said three weeks ago in an open tournament on the north end of the lake anglers weighed in a 31-pound stringer, two 30-pound stringers and a 29-pound stringer.
“A lot of those fish were caught flipping heavy cover with an ounce or ounce-and-a-half weight. That bite has kind of faded and I don't know if it was because of the heavy pressure or not.”
But, he said, the bedding bite is about to come on strong.
“When they move up on the beds there will be some pretty big fish coming up. I can't guarantee it will be this weekend, but if not then the EverStart Series (January 19-21) will hit it just right. I look for some more 30-pound stringers like last year, more so for the EverStart and then the FLW Tour (Feb. 9-12) when we get some warmer weather and the fish start spawning.”
Lake Okeechobee has, in fact, been on fire for the past year, with 9- and 10-pound bass weighed in tournaments a common occurrence.
“We got a lot of rain in October and the lake came up. I heard from some buddies that there were fish spawning already in November and some big stringers were caught through December. We had some really warm weather all through December but that bite kind of slowed down with the first cold front,” Cagle said.
When the fish move up on the beds sight fishing will come into play with Senkos, Skinny Dippers and topwater plugs, he said. But even more important than lure selection will be finding the right location, he added.
“It's more or less a matter of being n the right area on that lake. You can fish for miles and miles and not get a bite, but then when you find the right area where the fish are, you can't do any wrong. You can throw pretty much whatever you want to.”
Cagle said he has not caught anything big so far but he has about three areas where he thinks the fish will come on strong this weekend.
“Last year and the year before in several of the tournaments down there I was not on anything real strong, just catching small fish in practice. Then when the tournament rolled around the big fish moved in.”
Cagle finished first in the points in the Gator Division BFL last year and was second in 2004 and 2006.
“I had a good year last year and cashed a check in every tournament,” he said. “I just made all the right call. I zigged when I should have zigged and zagged when I should have zagged.”
Walmart Bass Fishing League (BFL) Gator Division
Sat, Jan 14, 2012
Lake Okeechobee
Roland Martin Marina & Resort
Texas Bass Couples Looking For Good Fishing On Lake Amistad In First Tournament Of Year
Fishing is expected to be very good on Lake Amistad in Texas for the first tournament of the year in the West Region of the Texas Bass Couples Trail, according to trail organizer Tommy Busbee.
“I talked to pro angler Keith Combs, who grew up and guided on Lake Amistad before hitting the tournament trail, about the fishing and he is looking for a good topwater bite there this weekend,” said Busbee who serves as West Region tournament director with his wife, Pam.
“This time of year there will be a good shallow water bite and we will be looking at the 40-to 45-foot range for catching fish on a swim bait. Amistad is notorious for having a good swim bait bite,” he said. “Some will also be working a drop shot and jigs in the hydrilla beds to try to get a big bite.”
Busbee said the lake is about 8 feet low from full pool, but it is a very clear lake so anglers can actually catch spawning fish in 8 to 10 feet of water.
After fishing together in a number of couples tournaments over the years, Busbee and his wife founded the Texas Bass Couples Trail about seven years ago and it has grown from one region to seven in that period of time. In fact, the East Region will be holding its first tournament of the year on Brady Branch lake in east Texas this weekend, too.
“The others will follow suit and start back in February,” Busbee said. Each region will hold six qualifying tournaments and then the qualified teams will meet in the 2012 Championship Sept. 11-13 at Lake Bob Sandlin, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce in nearby Mt. Pleasant, Texas.
“Everybody who is a director has fished in the Texas Bass Couples before becoming a director,” Busbee said. “Many of them had a long drive to fish so they formed their own region.”
Busbee said the main theme of the tournaments, while super competitive, is to have fun fishing.
“We've tried religiously to set things up so folks will have a good time. A lot of guys fish with their mothers, some fish with their daughters and some with their wives or girlfriends. It's just a family atmosphere.”
Teams pay a $35 membership fee and the entry fee per tournament is $85. The payback is 80 percent to one in every five teams. Directors keep 20 percent to cover expenses, Busbee said.
If there are 25 boats in a tournament, first place pays $642, second $315 on down to fifth place, which pays $125. Money for the championship is $125 and Big Bass pays $125. If there are 50 boats, first place jumps to $900 and places are paid down through 10th place, which gets $115, and the championship and Big Bass money are both doubled. With 75 boats first place is worth $1,250 and payback goes through 15th place at $100, with $375 for championship Money and $375 for Big Bass.
The Angler of the Year team in each region earns free entry fees for the region the following year, Busbee said.
“We enjoy some stiff competition, but it's all in fun. And we try our best to be an asset to the fishing community.”
Texas Bass Couples
Sun, Jan 15, 2012
Lake Amistad
Call Tommy & Pam Busbee, 325-647-4116 or 325-217-8522
The 2012 Carolina's Bass Challenge Preview With Marshall Altman
The 2012 Carolina's Bass Challenge is just weeks away and we sit down with Marshall Altman from Marshall's Marine and talk about this great new series, the payouts, and their partnership with Foothills Marine on this new Team Trail for the Carolina's!!
Sonar Reflects on an Outstanding 2011, Looks Forward to 2012
As he fishes the first event of the Toho Team Tournament season, Miles 'Sonar' Burghoff reflects on a 2011 that saw him team with Casey O'Donnell to win the Boat US Collegiate Fishing National Championship for the Universtiy of Central Florida. Sonar looks forward to defending the title during his senior season this spring.
2012 Sportsman's Warehouse Update from Columbia, SC!
Sportsman's Warehouse FIshing Mgr Justin Kijack talks to us about the big season ahead and how Sportsman's Warehouse will be your one-stop shop like never before for all your tackle and electronic needs. He also lets us in on the news of his promotion to become the Store Manager for the New Roanoke, Va store which opens this April!!
2012 Tournament Season Cranking Up!
AC Pro Staffer Rob Digh talks about this first real winter blast throughout the Southeast and how its going to effect many of the trails and Tournaments that are beginning to CRANK UP!
Claire Whaley Foundation Sets Open Bass Tournament On Lake Keowee January 14
The Claire Whaley Foundation, which raises money for families with children that have special needs, will hold its first ever Open Bass Tournament on Lake Keowee Saturday, Jan. 14.
“Everybody has been hollering they wanted a tournament that paid a little money and Keowee is a fish factory this time of year,” said Trad Whaley, founder of the foundation that bears his daughter's name. “I am going to hold the tournament up there because of the demand and the fact that everybody loves to fish that lake. A lot of our sponsors are from that area, too, so this allows me to do something for them.”
And, he added, to do it for the kids helped by the foundation.
“We've helped a few families this year and we've made a big difference over the last five years,” he said. Whaley said the foundation, which has held an annual tournament on Lake Hartwell for the past four years, raises $5,000 to $7,000 annually to help families who have children like his daughter, Claire, who have special needs.
Whaley's daughter, Claire, was diagnosed with Ischemic Hypoxic Encephalopathy which means that parts of her brain were deprived of oxygen when she stopped breathing right after birth. She has not been able to develop normally, has the most trouble with her vision, and also demonstrates characteristics of cerebral palsy.
Whaley and his wife Angie created the Claire Whaley Foundation when they were denied participation in some state and federal programs because their family income exceeded eligible limits. The foundation exists to provide support for middle class working families who have children with special needs.
“Claire is doing good. She has made some good strides,” Whaley said. “She is starting to sit up some on her own. She is not normal, but it is a Godsend just to still have her. To us she is normal.”
In order to increase the money raised by the foundation so they can help more families, Whaley said he is considering holding three tournaments a year – two opens plus the annual tournament, which he may move to Clarks Hill.
“We may put our annual tournament on Clarks Hill in either April or May and then do another open in the fall on Lake Hartwell,” he said. “There are so many tournaments that have sprouted up on Lake Hartwell it is hard to find a date for our annual tournament. Right now it does not look like we are going to be able to get it done on Hartwell that time of year.”
Whaley said he has been in negotiations with the Clarks Hill Committee, which conducts several high-profile charity tournaments on the lake, about joining forces for a Claire Whaley Foundation Tournament on Clarks Hill.
The Keowee tournament Jan. 14 should draw a large entry, Whaley said, because of the low entry fee and first place guarantee of $2,500 – and the excellent fishing.
“I think the fishing will be great by then. It was taking 21 pounds to win a tournament in October and November and since then it's been taking anywhere from 14 to 18 pounds every weekend. We've had a mild winter so far, which should set things up for a winning stringer at 12 to 14 pounds.”
The cold front this week should push the fish deep which is were a lot of Keowee anglers like to fish for them, he said.
“If it turns cold the fish will bite, but I also believe by then some of the fish will be shallow. They will be fishing Blade runners, Shakey Heads and tubes off the bluffs and there is always the option for the drop shot.”
Entry fee for the tournament is $125, with an option $10 for Big Fish, and entries will be taken up until blastoff the morning of the tournament, Whaley said. Payback will be one in 10 places, based on 50 boats.
Anglers may weigh in a limit of five bass at least 12 inches long. Largemouth, smallmouth, spotted and coosa bass may be weighed in.
Claire Whaley Foundation Open Bass Tournament
Sat, Jan 14, 2012
Lake Keowee
Gap Hill Landing
Call Trad Whaley at 864-378-0952
Cold Fronts, High Water Hampering Kissimmee Bite For Tampa Pro Bass Tournament
Cold fronts and high water have made bass fishing tough on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, according to John Taylor, who with his wife Wendy runs the Tampa Pro Bass Tournament Trail which will hold its fourth tournament of the season on the chain Sunday.
“It's depending on the weather again,” Taylor said, noting that a cold front is moving across the area the first part of this week. “Kissimmee is tough when cold fronts hit.”
And the high water left from heavy summer rains is not helping matters either, he said.
“There is a lot more water than normal this time of year. We had a bunch of rain a number of days in a row back in the summer that filled up everything. It's still pretty high, about three feet higher than it should be this time of year.”
Before the cold front this week anglers were catching fish outside the grass lines on Senkos, Rat-L-traps and spinnerbaits, Taylor said
“Kissimmee is a real good flipping lake but the flipping bite had been off. This time of year flipping is kind of tough anyway,” he said.
While the colder winter weather seemingly has stalled the bite some, Taylor said a good hard cold snap is needed to put the fish in the mood to move shallow and start preparing for the spawn.
“The fish should start migrating back to the shallow water pretty soon,” he said. “It's really kind of strange. You need a cold snap to trigger the fish but we have not had that yet so the big movement so far is not doing a whole lot. They are catching some fish outside the grass, but they have not moved all the way in yet. You can go shallow and catch some small fish, young buck bass.”
Even with the economy down and anglers having to pick the tournaments they can afford to fish, Taylor said the Tampa Pro Trail continues to do well on the Kissimmee Chain, East and West Lake Toho and Lake Istokpoga.
The 30-year-old trail is the longest running trail of its kind in Central Florida, said Taylor who bought the trail with his wife 17 years ago. He said there is a core group of about 35 to 38 teams who fish regularly and over the last four or five years the tournaments have averaged 43 to 47 boats.
“Actually, last month at Istokpoga was our biggest turnout in three years. We had 53 boats, which is a good turnout for that lake and we think Kissimmee should be about the same this Sunday. We always draw really well on Kissimmee,” he said.
“We have a lot of faithful anglers who hang with us even in this down economy,” he said. “We don't make any money with the trail. We do it because of the people who are in it. The anglers who fish with us are good people. We have no problems and no headaches.”
The Tampa Pro Trail starts in October and fishes up to May, with the annual classic in June. Anglers qualify for the classic by finishing in the top 30 in points or by fishing six of the eight tournaments.”
The membership fee is $25 per angler and the entry fee per tournament is $70, which includes $10 for big bass.
“Each tournament we pay back at least the top three finishers, top five if we draw more than 35 boats, and a big bass pot. At the end of the season we pay back the top two points teams. Our accumulated classic fund for the season is paid out at our two-day classic in June,” Taylor said
With three tournaments already in the book for this season, Taylor noted that Rich Fitzgibbon and Jeremy Cannon have staked a solid claim to the points title, leading the tied second place teams of Bobby Wooten and Richie Upchurch and John and Wendy Taylor by 15 points.
“they have done really well and been pretty consistent all year,” Taylor said of Fitzgibbon and Cannon. “They are good fishermen and they have fished with us for the last four or five years.”
Tampa Pro Bass Tournament Trail
Sun, Jan 8, 2012
Kissimmee Chain
Camp Lester Fishing Camp
Call John and Wendy Taylor (727) 789-0525 or (727) 403-6861
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