Bass Pro Shops Announce U.S. Open National Bass Fishing Amateur Team Championships
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Bass Pro Shops today announced a new era in the sport of fishing with the introduction of the Johnny Morris Bass Pro Shops U.S. Open National Bass Fishing Amateur Team Championships. Noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris had a dream to create “the ultimate owner’s appreciation event” while benefitting conservation. The first-of-its-kind tournament invites owners of Tracker, Ranger, Nitro, Triton, Sun Tracker, Tahoe and MAKO brand boats to compete in two-person teams. With proceeds benefitting conservation and the future of fishing, the event is being created exclusively for amateurs including serious weekend tournament anglers, parents, grandparents, and youngsters, giving everyday anglers, friends, and families the chance to win big!
• The prize totals are staggering: Competitors will be rewarded with a total guaranteed purse value of $4.3 million. The national championship team wins a $1 million cash prize – the largest cash payout of any single freshwater fishing tournament in history. Conservation wins too, with a minimum of $1 million going to improve fish habitat.
• Build your own team with a fishing buddy or family member: Registration is open exclusively for amateur anglers, creating a thrilling opportunity for families and friends from all walks of life to compete together on the water. To help grow the sport, regional and international qualifier events will feature division payouts for youth, family teams, all-female teams, veterans, and more. Additional prizes will be offered for the biggest bass and other categories that add to the collective excitement. Johnny is awarding one lucky junior angler (ages 11 – 18) a $250,000 scholarship toward a conservation-related area of study. Events will offer fun for the whole family with activities and entertainment. Rewarding customer loyalty and supporting conservation: As a thank you to loyal customers, the event is open to owners of the world’s foremost boat brands
– Tracker, Ranger, Nitro, Triton, Sun Tracker, Tahoe and MAKO brands. For over 50 years, these celebrated brands have come to represent the #1 best-selling boats in North America. Along the way, they made first-time boat ownership more affordable for thousands of families.
Anglers to compete for the ultimate prize with the biggest audience in
fishing history airing live internationally on NBC
Following a series of regional qualifying tournaments starting this spring, 350 two-person teams will compete in an internationally broadcast championship finale this fall at Big Cedar Lodge on famed Table Rock Lake. The competition will also include international teams from around the world including Japan, Spain, Germany, Romania, Mexico and Holland.
Celebrating Bass Pro Shops’ Origins
On the eve of our 50th Anniversary, the championship brings Bass Pro Shops back to its birthplace in the beautiful Ozark mountains of Missouri. Prior to founding the beloved outdoor brand in the back of his father’s liquor store in 1972, avid young angler Johnny Morris grew up float fishing on Ozarks rivers and later, Table Rock Lake, before spending five years competing on the professional bass circuit, which continues to have a profound impact on his life.
“Fishing in the first national BASS tournament on Table Rock Lake in 1970 rewarded me with friends for life and served as my inspiration to start Bass Pro Shops. Fishing on the BASS Tournament Circuit also helped keep us abreast of the latest emerging trends in fishing and enabled me to stay closely connected to our customers. And without our loyal customers and industry-leading independent boat dealers, we simply wouldn’t be here today. This tournament is our way of giving thanks and rewarding our customers with the chance to land the catch of a lifetime. Beyond offering the ultimate prize in fishing, we’re excited to celebrate our heritage, raise funds for conservation, and have some big fun with people who love fishing as much as we do,” said Johnny Morris.
Morris underscored, “We are also very grateful to our network of independent boat dealers. Their passion and support for helping get so many anglers and families out on the water has made this dream possible.”
Entry and Qualifying Process
In an effort to provide the widest opportunities for participation, there are three ways anglers can qualify for a chance to compete in the national championship event:
- Finish in the top 40 at one of eight regional qualifier events hosted around the country: Accommodating a grand total of 4,700 anglers, each regional qualifying event will be open to 250 two-person teams. Regional qualifiers will take place at some of the best bass fishing locations in the country while offering up plenty of fun:
• Lake Okeechobee, Fla. – March 13, 2021
• Lake Ray Roberts (Dallas), Texas – April 17, 2021
• Lake Mead, Nev. – April 24, 2021
• Chesapeake Bay, Md. – July 17, 2021
• Lake St. Clair (Detroit), Mich. – Aug. 21, 2021
• Old Hickory Lake (Nashville), Tenn. – Sept. 11, 2021
• Grand Lake ‘O the Cherokees (Tulsa), Okla –Oct. 16, 2021
• Last Chance Qualifier: Bull Shoals Lake, Ark. –Nov. 17, 2021
• Culminating in the Grand Championship finale for those who qualify: Table Rock Lake, Mo. –Nov. 19, 2021 - Win one of several existing fishing competitions across the United States and around the world organized by authorized independent dealers of Tracker, Ranger, Nitro, Triton, Sun Tracker, Tahoe and MAKO brand boats, with details available at basspro.com/usopen.
- We’re also proud to make eligible the winning teams from the three major national collegiate championships: As a continued investment in the future of the sport, Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops will honor the collegiate fishing champions of the three top college trail events with an invitation to the championship with special prizes and recognition for this division.
In addition to a festive environment with activities for the whole family, each qualifier event will feature celebrity weighmasters and guests such as country music star Chris Janson and fishing legends like Bill Dance, Jimmy Houston, Roland Martin, Kevin VanDam, Ott DeFoe, Timmy Horton and more. Additional weighmasters and celebrity guests will be announced prior to each qualifier.
Entry fees are $450 per person, $250 for youth ages 12 – 17, and free for kids under 12. Entry includes a US Open Gift Bag for each team member with exclusive goods valued at $150. Most importantly, entry fees will go to conservation and the future of fishing (see details below).
Due to anticipated high demand, boat owners can only register for one qualifying event, with all entrants placed in an independently verified drawing to determine the 250 teams eligible for each event. Individuals who do not receive a slot in the regional qualifiers can register for the “last chance” qualifier on Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas, with registration opening later this year.
Epic 3-Day Championship Finale at Big Cedar Lodge on Missouri’s Legendary Table Rock Lake
The National Championship will take place in November, on one of America’s most legendary bass fishing lakes, Table Rock Lake in Missouri’s beautiful Ozark Mountains. Internationally televised on NBC in what is anticipated to be the largest audience in the history of the sport, the epic 3-day championship and star-studded festivities will be hosted by Bass Pro Shops’ Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort.
The National Championship will consist of a 5-fish limit each day, with overall weight recorded determining the champion at the conclusion of the three-day competition. Awaiting the champion is the $1 million cash prize. The angler who catches the biggest bass receives a 21’ fiberglass RANGER, NITRO or TRITON bass boat, a TOYOTA Tundra truck and other incredible prizes.
The event will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network on Sunday, November 21, followed by a feature special airing on NBC later this year.
Note: There is no additional entry fee to participate in the final championship event for those who qualify in regional events.
Anglers to Help Raise Over $1 Million for Conservation and the Future of Fishing
The tournaments will benefit local fish habitat with proceeds supporting The National Fish Habitat Initiative. One-third of all entry fees will directly support the project. Bass Pro Shops will match each donation as will Toyota, a longstanding conservation partner, enabling an amount equal to 100 percent of all entry fees – over $1 million – to benefit conservation.
The National Fish Habitat Initiative is a major conservation effort that can trace its roots back to Table Rock Lake. To improve the fisheries habitat that assures high-quality fishing in our lakes, in 2007 Johnny Morris convened the Army Corps of Engineers, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Missouri Department of Conservation, and Arkansas Fish and Game Commission to establish a research-based approach to improving habitat in Army Corps of Engineers-managed reservoirs.
Piloted on Table Rock Lake, the resulting effort established a national model for freshwater reservoir habitat efforts that continues to positively impact fish populations. Since 2007, the initiative has supported over 1,000 projects in all 50 states, restoring tens-of-thousands of acres of habitat including freshwater impoundments and over 2,000 miles of rivers.
In keeping with a longstanding commitment to conservation, Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops is partnering with local conservation agencies to help ensure all fish are released responsibly following a fish-friendly weigh-in.
Don’t miss your chance to support the future of fishing and compete for the ultimate prize with the biggest audience in fishing history airing live on NBC. For complete rules, registration details and updates, visit basspro.com/usopen.
Toyota Series to Host Event on Lake Toho
The Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. Southern Division will kick off its 2021 season with a tournament next week in Kissimmee, Florida, Feb. 4-6, with the Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. at Lake Toho presented by Googan Baits . Hosted by Experience Kissimmee and the Kissimmee Sports Commission, the three-day tournament will feature the region’s best bass-fishing pros and Strike King co-anglers casting for a top prize of up to $65,000, plus an additional $35,000 bonus if the winner is a qualified Phoenix Boat owner.
Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit angler Tyler Woolcott of Port Orange, Florida has an intimate knowledge of Toho and the surrounding waters, finishing in 10th place when the FLW Tour hit Toho in 2019.
“Toho and Kissimmee are always going to be big hitters,” Woolcott said. “You’ll have the random shell bar or flipping bite in Cypress or Hatch, but Toho and Kissimmee are always the big guys.”
Woolcott said a winning weight depends significantly on the weather, but even in the cold, these lakes are primed to produce.
“If it sets up perfectly, I believe it could take up to 80 pounds to win,” Woolcott said. “Minimum, I think it will take 60 pounds to win. It’s starting to get really good now – when it’s cold, you can still catch big bags flipping, so even if the conditions aren’t great, I expect we’ll see good weights.”
When it comes to Florida fishing, the weather dictates the patterns in play to a degree, but there are also a handful of baits that work regardless of the conditions in the Sunshine State.
“If it’s cold, you’ll have offshore hydrilla, rattle baits and vibrating jigs in play,” Woolcott continued. “A 13 Fishing Magic Man is what I like to throw. And you’ll be able to drag a worm slow, like a 13 Fishing Big Squirm.
“If it’s warm, you’ll be able to do anything you want up shallow,” Woolcott added. “You can throw a worm, wind or flip. If the weather is right and they’re spawning, the 13 Fishing Bubble Butt is an awesome bait. It’s a Senko-style bait with an air pocket in the tail and it’s perfect for bed fishing.”
Anglers will take off daily at 7 a.m. ET from Big Toho Marina in Kissimmee. Weigh-ins will also be held at the marina and will begin at 3 p.m. Attendance is limited to competing anglers and essential staff only. Fans are encouraged to follow the event online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of $40,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of $65,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus qualified. Strike King co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard (valued at $33,500) plus $5,000 cash.
The 2021 Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and Western – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International division. Anglers who fish all three qualifiers in any of the eight divisions and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. Championship for a shot at winning $235,000 cash, including a $35,000 Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus for qualified anglers. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The 2021 Toyota Series Championship presented by A.R.E. will be held Oct. 28-30 on Pickwick Lake in Counce, Tennessee, and is hosted by the Hardin County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. on the MLF BIG5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
DERON MUELLER JR & CAMERON OATES TOP 173 TEAMS ON LAKE TRAVIS!
| PL | ANGLER 1 | ANGLER 2 | FISH | BIG BASS | WEIGHT | PRIZE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DERON MUELLER JR | CAMERON OATES | 5 | 8.11 | 18.10 | $10,000 + $1,730 Big Bass |
| 2 | LARRY SMITH | KEN EVERETT | 5 | 6.78 | 17.11 | $5,000 |
| 3 | JASON OLIVO | JOEY RODRIGUEZ | 5 | 5.35 | 16.39 | $2,500 |
| 4 | SCOTT ROSS | GLENN RUCKEL | 5 | 4.99 | 15.65 | $1,750 |
| 5 | TOMMY POWERS | TOMMY POWERS SR | 5 | 15.40 | $1,500 | |
| 6 | DANIEL BARNES | ADRIAN BARNES | 5 | 15.34 | $1,250 | |
| 7 | STEPHEN MALINA | TRAVIS PROFFITT | 5 | 14.73 | $1,000 | |
| 8 | HUNTER AMIDON | TANNER PATTESON | 5 | 14.02 | $900 | |
| 9 | MICHAEL WALDROP | JARROD SANDERS | 5 | 13.42 | $800 | |
| 10 | CHASE PARKS | AUSTIN DAVIS | 5 | 13.40 | $700 | |
| 11 | CHARLES WHITED | TREY GROCE | 5 | 13.36 | $600 | |
| 12 | MATT CANNON | JARED SIEGELER | 5 | 13.09 | $500 | |
| 13 | BARRY DODD | MATTHEW HATHAWAY | 5 | 13.07 | $450 | |
| 14 | CHRIS STUDINGER | JOSHUA RHODES | 5 | 13.00 | $400 | |
| 15 | JAMES SCOGIN | ROLAND LOERA | 5 | 12.93 | $375 | |
| 16 | JOSEPH HARDY | NATHAN DONNELL | 5 | 12.91 | $350 | |
| 17 | TERRY KIRCUS | JASON BUCHANAN | 5 | 12.85 | $325 | |
| 18 | JAYSON KISSELBURG | DEAN GOLMON | 5 | 12.48 | $300 | |
| 19 | MALCOLM MIDDLEBROOK | ZACHARY MIDDLEBROOK | 5 | 12.39 | ||
| 20 | JAMES ROLLINS | GRANT GALE(Y) | 5 | 12.32 | ||
| 21 | JUSTIN MADDING | STERLING MARTIN | 5 | 11.81 | ||
| 22 | VINCENT SANTOS | CARL RALSTON(Y) | 5 | 11.58 | ||
| 23 | JEFF ANDERSON | FRANK WIGET | 5 | 11.51 | ||
| 24 | RUBEN RIBERA | LINO GUTIERREZ | 5 | 11.49 | ||
| 24 | DAMON ROSS | DONNIE ROSS | 5 | 11.49 | ||
| 26 | DONNIE WEBER | JOHN KAPALDO | 5 | 11.28 | ||
| 27 | JASON SELGERT | GRANT LANGMORE | 5 | 11.16 | ||
| 28 | MARIO GONZALES | JR BRIANT | 5 | 10.99 | ||
| 29 | BRIAN MATER | ROBERT BUTLER | 5 | 10.88 | ||
| 30 | DALE READ | JIM SUNVISON | 5 | 10.43 | ||
| 30 | BILLY MCCRARY II | DONNIE O'NEAL | 5 | 10.43 | ||
| 32 | ADAM CLARK | CALEB GLOMB | 5 | 10.41 | ||
| 33 | DENNIS BECK | JONATHAN SHOLTIS | 5 | 10.02 | ||
| 34 | CHRIS SABINA | BOB SABINA | 5 | 10.01 | ||
| 35 | HOLLY ROBERSON | JUSTIN MAY | 5 | 9.94 | ||
| 36 | BRANDON JONES | THOMAS WEIMER | 4 | 9.63 | ||
| 37 | JASON LARSON | JJ LARSON | 5 | 9.62 | ||
| 38 | BILL MCANN | WAYLON PAPST | 5 | 9.55 | ||
| 39 | LANCE DILLARD | JACKSON DILLARD(Y) | 5 | 9.52 | ||
| 40 | GARY FRIEDEL | NOBLE SESSIONS | 5 | 9.50 | ||
| 41 | MIKE JOHNSON | BYRON ALBRECHT | 5 | 9.44 | ||
| 42 | JUSTIN FISHER | CHANTZ REED(Y) | 5 | 9.43 | ||
| 43 | CRAIG CORDOVA | BILLY WALDSCHMIDT | 5 | 9.36 | ||
| 44 | BRAD HAAS | RICHIE LAND | 5 | 9.31 | ||
| 45 | BRYCE MILLER | CARSON ROBERTS | 5 | 9.26 | ||
| 46 | STEVE MAGNELIA | CLINT ROBERTSON | 5 | 9.23 | ||
| 47 | JARAD GOHLKE | RYAN CRAWFORD | 5 | 9.08 | ||
| 48 | SPENCER SCHNEIDER | BRIAN HUGHES | 4 | 8.97 | ||
| 49 | JAMIE SLAYDEN | COLT SLAYDEN | 5 | 8.91 | ||
| 50 | RANDY HIBLER | RANDALL CHRISTIAN | 4 | 8.90 | ||
| 51 | RUSSELL TRUITT | CHRISTY TRUITT | 5 | 8.87 | ||
| 52 | BLAIR COBBLE | TERRY COBBLE | 5 | 8.86 | ||
| 53 | ANWAR SANDERS | DOYLE THOMPSON | 5 | 8.81 | ||
| 54 | NICK SULLIVAN | TRENT ERXLEBEN | 5 | 8.78 | ||
| 55 | MIKE PICKWELL | CHUCK EBBINGHAUS | 4 | 8.77 | ||
| 56 | DAVID REID | JUSTIN WOJCIK | 5 | 8.74 | ||
| 57 | BOBBY AMIDON | MICHAEL ROBERTS | 5 | 8.68 | ||
| 58 | JOHN SYER | 5 | 8.67 | |||
| 59 | DENNIS WHITED | MAX KIPP | 4 | 8.56 | ||
| 60 | CARY LAUDADIO | RAY TOMASITS | 5 | 8.39 | ||
| 61 | JESSE FRY | BRANDON BRAY | 5 | 8.26 | ||
| 62 | BEN STRIPLING | JORDAN WRIGHT | 5 | 8.25 | ||
| 63 | ROBERT HARRISON | MATT RODGERS | 4 | 8.20 | ||
| 64 | TYLER FRY | HANK FRY | 5 | 8.08 | ||
| 65 | JASON MURPHREE | RUSTY REEDY | 5 | 8.06 | ||
| 66 | GARY WEIMER | JEREMIAH WAFFORD | 5 | 8.00 | ||
| 67 | CHARLES YOUNG | 5 | 7.80 | |||
| 68 | FELLER SMITH | DYLAN CROWNOVER | 3 | 7.61 | ||
| 69 | ADRIAN SANCHEZ | DEAN ALEXANDER | 5 | 7.56 | ||
| 70 | JAY JOHNSON | EASTON JOHNSON | 4 | 7.49 | ||
| 71 | ANDY ARMENDARIZ SR | 4 | 7.44 | |||
| 72 | SCOTT EDMONDS | TREY WEBB | 4 | 7.35 | ||
| 73 | WILL BERNHARD | DARYL PRICE | 5 | 7.30 | ||
| 74 | JUSTIN HUMMEL | BRITTNEY HUMMEL(Y) | 4 | 7.19 | ||
| 75 | RICHARD EDWARDS | 4 | 7.16 | |||
| 76 | CRUZ ISAAC III | KOBE ISAAC | 4 | 7.04 | ||
| 77 | BILL KIMBERLY | 4 | 6.79 | |||
| 78 | ROBERT BUCHANAN | ALVIN DURAN | 3 | 6.61 | ||
| 79 | QUINN VANCE | CHRIS BERTELSON | 4 | 6.58 | ||
| 79 | SEAN CLAMPITT | AARON GILBERT | 4 | 6.58 | ||
| 81 | MYLES SCHOPFER | MYLES SCHOPFER JR(Y) | 2 | 6.55 | ||
| 82 | ROBBIE BEARDMORE | RUSSELL FELTS | 2 | 6.01 | ||
| 83 | DAVID PELATA | RORY HAECKER | 3 | 5.74 | ||
| 84 | COLT DIETZ | JOHN WARDEN | 2 | 5.63 | ||
| 85 | ROBERT ETHERIDGE | COLTON ETHERIDGE | 3 | 5.45 | ||
| 86 | SHAWN MARKGRAFF | DENISE MARKGRAF | 3 | 5.39 | ||
| 87 | PATRICK ANDERSON | DOUG HAMILTON | 3 | 5.25 | ||
| 88 | JAMES JONES | SOREN HANSEN | 2 | 4.84 | ||
| 89 | LEE BENTON | 1 | 4.54 | |||
| 90 | RANDALL BEAUCHAMP | REGINA BEAUCHAMP | 2 | 4.32 | ||
| 91 | FRANK MALES | EDEN MALES | 2 | 4.11 | ||
| 92 | HEATH GRANT | ROBERT MILLER | 1 | 3.41 | ||
| 93 | LEE BEUERSHAUSEN | RANDY GROUNDS | 2 | 3.14 | ||
| 94 | CHRIS DRYMALLA | JOHN REICH | 2 | 2.78 | ||
| 95 | DAVID WENCIL | MICHAEL GLYNN | 2 | 2.47 | Shoreline Decal $250 Fuel Card Winners | |
| 96 | SETH FISHER | MARION KOPF | 1 | 2.25 | ||
| 97 | MIKE MCEACHEM | JOSEPH KENNEDY | 1 | 2.23 | ||
| 98 | TROY BOLDWYN | MARK FOWLER | 1 | 2.14 | ||
| 99 | JASON RANFT | MATT TALLAS | Pre-Registration Prize Giveaway Winners! Shimano Clarus Rods | |||
| 99 | TYE GRISSOM | KENNETH RESTANI | ||||
| 99 | MATT RUSSELL | DEAN JONES | ||||
| 99 | WILL CURLEE | COLE STEVENS | ||||
| 99 | GROVER CHAMBLISS | RICKEY GRAHAM | ||||
| 99 | PAUL SCHROEDER | BRAD ANKRUM | ||||
| 99 | ZAC WASHBURN | ETHAN DALTON | ||||
| 99 | DIRK AMAN | DANIEL WESSMAN | ||||
| 99 | CARY DECUIR | RANDALL FRY | ||||
| 99 | JUSTIN ROGERS | TYLER FONSECA | ||||
| 99 | BLAKE ROBERSON | LES COPELAND | ||||
| 99 | MATTHEW DODD | GARY DAVIS | ||||
| 99 | DENA VINES | DEBBIE MARSHALL | ||||
| 99 | ELMER OWENS | LARRY OWENS | ||||
| 99 | STEVE THIEL | GEORGE CASTLEBERRY | ||||
| 99 | ANIBAL GUZMAN | LUIS GUZMAN | ||||
| 99 | RYAN WARREN | JASON DERRICK | ||||
| 99 | WYATT RAE | JAMES RAE | ||||
| 99 | TERRY HALL | LYNN PIERCE | ||||
| 99 | AUSTIN QUIET | BRIAN ARABIE | ||||
| 99 | RYAN BODE | JOHN JARAMILLO | ||||
| 99 | STEVEN KIRKWOOD | |||||
| 99 | CADE WILSON | BRANDON DAY | ||||
| 99 | ANTHONY GOODSON | TRAVIS DAUGHERTY | ||||
| 99 | NORM WILSON SR | NORM WILSON JR | ||||
| 99 | PAUL NEELY | RICK NEELY | ||||
| 99 | STEPHEN SCHORCK | CAYLIN RICE | ||||
| 99 | THOMAS HILL | DAVE TOTEDO | ||||
| 99 | PHILIP HENDERSON | JEFF ACHILLES | ||||
| 99 | RONNY MAYNARD | ERIC CRUMLEY | ||||
| 99 | CHUCK WARE | CODY FRAISER | ||||
| 99 | STAN KAMINSKI | KENT HARRIS | ||||
| 99 | DAVID WILSON | JIM WILSON | ||||
| 99 | KAENA FREITAS | ANDY ZAVALA | ||||
| 99 | MARK RIBERA | RICK RIBERA | ||||
| 99 | ROBERT KNIGHT | KYLE DERN | ||||
| 99 | JEFFREY JONES | DANIEL JANDREY | ||||
| 99 | JOHN MILLS | DAVID ACHILLES | ||||
| 99 | DON GORDON | JAMES ROBERTS | ||||
| 99 | ALLEN GASS | JOHN RATLIFF | ||||
| 99 | ANDY TOLLEY | TYLER TOLLEY | ||||
| 99 | KYLE JENKINS | CARLOS DELAFUENTE | ||||
| 99 | BRYAN RICHARDS | MAT KEVIL | ||||
| 99 | BRYAN COTTER | BILL GUZMAN | ||||
| 99 | DARRELL WUENSCHE | |||||
| 99 | CASEY MARTZ | TERRELL FRANKLIN | ||||
| 99 | CODY SMITH | CHUCK SMITH | ||||
| 99 | BUBBA WAMPLER | RONNIE ANDREWS | ||||
| 99 | DAVID PEMBERTON | JEFF HAGER | ||||
| 99 | JOE BRAY | CHRIS BRAY | ||||
| 99 | JOE LOOZE | DYLAN LOOZE | ||||
| 99 | JAMES HESTER | NEAL CHILDERS | ||||
| 99 | DARREL ROUTON | JACK CULBREATH | ||||
| 99 | CLINT MAREK | CODY GARRETT | ||||
| 99 | KYLE FORD | TONY THOMPSON | ||||
| 99 | JAMES GOODNER | GRANT GOODNER | ||||
| 99 | GENE FUESSEL | GERALD MUELLER | ||||
| 99 | BLAKE STASIUNAS | CHARLES DORTCH | ||||
| 99 | CHARLES HICE | CHRISTOPHER STANLEY | ||||
| 99 | GARRETT GOETTEE | HUGH KELLER | ||||
| 99 | COREY MARTENSON | |||||
| 99 | EDDIE PELFREY | |||||
| 99 | DUSTIN SMITH | JARED SMITH | ||||
| 99 | MICHAEL ATKINS | JAMES HENRY | ||||
| 99 | JOSH LASSETER | GERARD RUMSEY | ||||
| 99 | CRAIG BULLOCK | DAVID BARATZ | ||||
| 99 | GARRETT SHEPPERD | GREG SHEPPERD | ||||
| 99 | CHRISTOPHER WASHINGTON | |||||
| 99 | ROBERT NUERNBERG | AYDEN REEDY(Y) | ||||
| 99 | JOHNNY ZUNKER | WADE MEHAFFEY | ||||
| 99 | ANDREW SWEET | PHILLIP DOUBEK | ||||
| 99 | GREG MEHAFFEY | JOEY MARTIN | ||||
| 99 | STEVE MAPLES | JENNIFER MAPLES | ||||
| 99 | MICKEY SANDERS | ROGER MEEK |
Zona’s 3 thoughts: Mud scratchers, mustangs and ‘rookies’
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships -
To say I’m a little pumped for the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series season to start would be like saying I was sort of into hair bands back in the early 90s.
Look, I’m going to give you three thoughts I’ve been wrestling in recent days. Some of them actually came from a dream while I slept, and others are purely as factual as Warrant’s “Cherry Pie” album being their highest-selling record ever.
Thought #1 – Just like we’ve been doing for like 53 years now, we have a tendency to study the upcoming schedule and think about how it’ll play out. And let me tell you, friends – this one is going to play out really, really, shallow. I’ll go out on a limb here and say we haven’t seen an Elite Series schedule this rich with derbies that could be won in less than 10-feet of water in a decade. And anytime we’re able to have a contest where dudes are scratchin mud to catch five fat ones each day it is absolutely “fan-o-licious” for our loyal Bassmaster Live viewers.
Thought #2 – I had a dream the other night that I swear was influenced by my battle with Covid last month, because I’ve had some really bizarre dreams recently. But anyhow, I dreamt the 2021 Bassmaster Classic was more like a rock concert than a bass tournament, and not only did Seth Feider become our 51st Classic Champion – but ready for this? – Dave Mercer appeared on stage as one-half Canadian emcee, and the lower half of him was a mustang, like a centaur in Greek mythology. If any of this comes true, count on an absolute bash beyond our wildest imagination once we get to Fort Worth in June.
Thought #3 – Some people don’t like to talk about it, but there are two guys in this Elite Series field full of very talented new rookies that are licking their chops to get started, and both of them put their guts on the line last year in the Bassmaster Opens to earn their way back to the Elites.
One lives at Lake Tenkiller in Eastern Oklahoma, and the other chap is a hunting buddy of mine from Gonzales, Louisiana, and if you’ll go back and reference Thought #1 about this schedule being shallow water friendly, it’s time to admit Christie and Hackney will both make a run at winning the 2021 Bassmaster Angler of the Year title.
That’s all I’ve got. Zackers and I are out. He and I have a lot to do before the fellas make their first cast on the St. Johns River to start the Elite Series season on February 11th, but don’t think for a minute we won’t be rockin to “I Saw Red” and “Blind Faith” while we’re gettin’ our work done.
Mundy wins Toyota Series on Sam Rayburn with over 70 pounds! -Updated
Broaddus Angler Weighs in Second-Biggest Limit in Toyota Series History
BROOKELAND, Texas (Jan. 31, 2021) – Toyota Series angler Derek Mundy of Broaddus, Texas, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 18 pounds, 7 ounces to win the three-day Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Berkley in Brookeland, Texas. Mundy’s three-day total of 15 bass weighing 70-11 earned him the win by a 14-pound margin over second-place angler Jason Bonds of Lufkin, Texas and earned Mundy the top payout of $44,150 in the first tournament of the 2021 Toyota Series Southwestern Division.
The Broaddus, Texas angler started off the year by crushing 40 pounds, 10 ounces – with an 11-10 kicker – to win a Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine event on Sam Rayburn just a few weeks ago. In just under a month, Mundy became the only angler alive with two of the top 10 biggest single-day weights in MLF history.
Mundy said he caught fish from grass during the tournament, but all of his big fish, including a massive 13-10 kicker on Friday – the third-largest bass ever weighed by a pro in Toyota Series history – came from offshore.
“I was throwing [a lipless crankbait] in grass to try and bail me out when I couldn’t catch them offshore,” Mundy said. “They like a red ‘trap on Rayburn and you can catch a big bag with it.
“But all of my big fish came from hard spots in little transition areas,” he continued. “I fished probably five or six throughout the week. Sometimes I’d rotate through the same ones trying to catch them when they’d set up right. When we get hard winds like we had on Saturday they get up off the bottom and like to roam around and chase gizzard shad.
“Toward the end of the day, I knew I needed to pull something out of the hat,” Mundy said. “So, I picked up my No. 1 confidence bait for this time of year and that 10-pounder bit on my last cast.”
That confidence bait was a Strike King 8XD. Mundy said he builds his own rods and opts for Lew’s Super Duty Wide Speed Spool reels for his big crankbaits, throwing anything from 15- to 20-pound-test fluorocarbon line, depending on what depth he’s trying to target.
Fishing the tournament out of a borrowed boat due to a blown motor on his, Mundy said he was hoping to make a little money to be able to pay for the engine. With over $50,000 in winnings this month, that shouldn’t be much of an issue.
“That should get me [a motor] and still leave me with a little money to play with,” he laughed. “This is amazing. It really is.”
The top 10 pros on the Sam Rayburn Reservoir finished:
1st: Derek Mundy of Broaddus, Texas, 15 bass, 70-11, $44,150
2nd: Jason Bonds of Lufkin, Texas, 12 bass, 56-11, $17,000
3rd: Aaron Johnson of Shreveport, La., 15 bass, 52-11, $12,750
4th: Jason Conn of Anna, Texas, 15 bass, 51-9, $10,900
5th: Jeff Reynolds of Calera, Okla., 15 bass, 49-13, $9,750
6th: Garrett Hilton of China, Texas, 15 bass, 45-7, $8,375
7th: Jeff Sprague of Point, Texas, 15 bass, 45-2, $7,300
8th: Lowell Bennett of Hewitt, Texas, 14 bass, 44-9, $6,300
9th: Kevin Lasyone of Dry Prong, La., 15 bass, 41-3, $5,300
10th: Brandon Flowers of Baytown, Texas, 13 bass, 40-10, $4,200
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Pro Dicky Newberry of Houston, Texas took home an extra $1,000 as the highest finishing Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus member. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $35,000 per event in each Toyota Series tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.
Kelsey Ray of Joplin, Missouri won the Strike King Co-angler Division Saturday with a three-day total of 14 bass weighing 36 pounds, 12 ounces. Ray took home the top prize package of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard motor.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers on the Sam Rayburn Reservoir finished:
1st: Kelsey Ray of Joplin, Mo., 14 bass, 36-12, Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat w/115-hp outboard
2nd: Cody Wise of Chireno, Texas, 13 bass, 34-11, $5,375
3rd: Zack Freeman of Russellville, Ark., 15 bass, 33-15, $4,300
4th: Phil Smith of Orange, Texas, 15 bass, 33-12, $3,650
5th: Josh Clark of Chester, Texas, 15 bass, 33-08, $3,150
6th: Michael Hebert of Lafayette, La., 15 bass, 32-15, $2,650
7th: Gilbert Herald of Pittsburg, Texas, 11 bass, 32-02, $2,150
8th: Heath Ard of Silsbee, Texas, 12 bass, 31-05, $1,825
9th: John Goebel of Lumberton, Texas, 11 bass, 29-13, $1,530
10th: Justin Garza of San Angelo, Texas, 12 bass, 29-05, $1,290
The Toyota Series at Sam Rayburn was presented by Berkley and was hosted by the Jasper-Lake Sam Rayburn Chamber of Commerce. It was the first of three regular-season tournaments in 2021 for Southwestern Division anglers. The next event for Toyota Series anglers will take place on Feb. 4-6 – the Toyota Series at Lake Toho presented by Googan Baits in Kissimmee, Florida. For a complete schedule, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The 2021 Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and Western – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International division. Anglers who fish all three qualifiers in any of the eight divisions and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. Championship for a shot at winning $235,000 cash, including a $35,000 Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus for qualified anglers. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard.
The 2021 Toyota Series Championship presented by A.R.E. will be held Oct. 28-30 on Pickwick Lake in Counce, Tennessee, and is hosted by the Hardin County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. on the MLF BIG5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
From Majorleagufishing.com
Derek Mundy is the hottest stick on Rayburn right now. Photo by Kory Savage.
Derek Mundy has been firing on all cylinders since the calendar rolled over to 2021. He started the year off by crushing 40 pounds, 10 ounces (with an 11-10 kicker) to win a Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine event on Sam Rayburn just a few weeks ago. So, it’s only fitting that he would end the month in the same fashion.
Mundy nearly hit the 40-pound mark yet again this week en route to his first Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. win of his career. Weighing 12-13 on day one of the event – which was presented by Berkley – Mundy dropped 39-7 on the scale Friday to easily climb from a tie at 59th to first. That bag included a massive 13-10 kicker that gave him more than a 12-pound cushion over second-place heading into the final round. Today, things were slow for Mundy, but with a small limit and time running out he landed a 10-pounder to more than seal the deal.
So, if January wasn’t Mundy’s favorite month before, it certainly has to be now.
“January used to be the month I always hated,” Mundy jokes. “I did. With a passion. But starting last year I started getting in the groove of things and studied some things and my fishing partner and I come up with some things and stuff to try and it’s worked out.”
Doing his homework has paid off, but it’s still hard to beat good ol’ time on the water.
“Oh, golly, it’s a bunch of time spent on the lake,” Mundy says of dialing-in late-winter bass. “I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent on the water this January, but it’s a bunch. That’s probably a better question for my wife.”
Swinging for the fence may be an overused term in the bass fishing world, but it certainly fits for Mundy. While many anglers in the field this week were drawn to the drains and lush hydrilla found throughout the lake, Mundy knew he had to keep some offshore stuff honest, especially after his first day didn’t pan out how he hoped.
The Broaddus, Texas pro did spend some time fishing grass and caught fishing from it during the tournament, but all of his big fish came offshore.
“I was throwing [a lipless crankbait] in grass to try and bail me out when I couldn’t catch them offshore,” Mundy says. “They like a red ‘trap on Rayburn and you can catch a big bag doing it.
“But all of my big fish came from hard spots in little transition areas,” he says. “I fished probably five or six throughout the week. Sometimes I’d rotate through the same ones trying to catch them when they’d set up right. When we get them old hard winds like we had today they don’t set up right. They’ll get up off the bottom and they like to roam around and chase them gizzard shad.”
Today, Mundy spent a few hours offshore early to try and capitalize on a good morning bite, but abandoned it to fish grass to try to get a limit. With a very small limit in the boat, he ran back to his starting spot to finish the day and finally connected with the key bite he was hoping for.
“I sat there and drug a Carolina rig around when I went back. Getting towards the end, I thought I needed to pull something out of the hat,” Mundy says. “So, I picked up my No. 1 confidence bait for this time of year and that 10-pounder bit on my last cast.”
That confidence bait is a Strike King 8XD. He builds his own rods and opts for Lew’s Super Duty Wide Speed Spool reels for his big crankbaits. As far as line goes, he throws anything from 15- to 20-pound-test fluorocarbon depending on what depth he’s trying to target.
Fishing the tournament out of a borrowed boat due to a blown motor on his, Mundy was hoping to make a little money to be able to pay for the engine. With over $50,000 in winnings this month, that shouldn’t be much of an issue.
“That ought to get me [a motor] and a still have little money to play with anyway,” he laughs. “This is amazing. It really is.”
Ray Takes Strike King Co-Angler Win on Rayburn
Fishing in his first MLF event, Kelsey Ray of Joplin, Missouri, won the Strike King co-angler title in the Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. event. His winning total was 36 pounds, 12 ounces. The top co-angler prize for the event, which was presented by Berkley, was a brand new Phoenix bass boat package.
“My cousin Marco Vaca fishes the pro side and he’s been telling me to do this for a couple years,” Ray says of committing to fishing as a co-angler. “And my wife has given me a lot of support for it, too.”
Never falling outside of the top 10, Ray got the ball rolling on day one with a limit worth 14-11 to sit in sixth. He’d catch another, yet smaller, limit (9-4) on day two to slide up to third. Today, fishing with Jason Conn, Ray weighed the biggest bag on the co-angler side despite not bringing in a limit. Weighing 12-13 with four bass, it was more than enough to give him the W.
“I had great pros all three days and that’s what we did in practice,” Ray says. “It was basically a ChatterBait, a lipless crankbait and a flat-sided crankbait all week.”
Using an “ol’ faithful” Rayburn red XCalibur One Knocker lipless crankbait and a black and red Z-Man ChatterBait Jack Hammer all week, Ray was in his element.
“I’d rather be power fishing up shallow,” Ray says. “Anything from about 2 foot of water to 8 foot of water is about where we caught ‘em.”
Hailing from Missouri, Ray doesn’t make it Rayburn often, but the fact he could get the win here means a lot to him.
“This is my second trip down here, and my first co-angler event, so it’s awesome,” says Ray. “I love this lake. Big bass. A lot of grass; it’s awesome.”
Mundy Blasts 39-7 to Take the Lead at Sam Rayburn
- Derek Mundy poses with his 13-pounder shortly before weighing his fish. Photo by Kyle Wood.
Derek Mundy is in the midst of one of the best months of fishing in history. Back at the beginning of January, Mundy weighed 40 pounds, 10 ounces to win the season-opening Phoenix Bass Fishing League event on Sam Rayburn with the fourth-largest single-day bag in MLF history. This week, in the Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. event, Mundy tallied a pedestrian 12-13 on day one. On day two of the Southwestern Division event, which is presented by Berkley, Mundy dropped 39-7 on the scale to rocket into first place with a 52-4 total.
His bag is the second biggest in Toyota Series history, and his 13-10 kicker is the third-largest bass ever weighed by a pro in Toyota Series history. Additionally, in just under a month, Mundy has become the only angler alive with two of the top 10 biggest single-day weights in MLF history, knocking out one of Greg Hackney’s giant Falcon Lake bags to do it.
“I don’t think the first [40-pound bag] has sunk in yet,” Mundy laughs. “It’s been unreal, for sure. You don’t have no control how big they’ll be down there.”
Things started off tough for Mundy, who is fishing out of a borrowed boat thanks to a blown motor on his. On day one, Mundy ran a good portion of his juice to only scrape together 12 pounds. Big bites eluded him on Thursday, but obviously, that changed today.
“I ran my best stuff yesterday, and I completely forgot about the spot I caught them today until I got back to the ramp,” Mundy says. “So, I thought I’d start there today and it all happened quick. My third cast I caught that 13-pounder and then I doubled a few casts later with my next biggest two.
“That big one came up shaking her head and I knew she had the bait good because I couldn’t see it. All I saw was mouth and I was like, ‘Oh my goodness.’ I didn’t realize she was that big. If she would have come off I would have never said it was a 13-pounder.”
After a fast start, things cooled off in a hurry. Knowing his big start could get him to Saturday if he filled his limit, Mundy headed to the grass.
“I started hustling every grass line I felt like I could get a bite on as fast as I could,” says Mundy. “I fished that until about noon and only had one fish that barely beat the ruler.”
So, Mundy decided to dip back to his offshore honey hole if nobody else was around. Once there, Mundy quickly caught his limit fish and culled his line-burner.
“I actually caught a 4-pounder after that, but I knew those were fish I’d need tomorrow,” says Mundy. “So, I talked it over with my co-angler and he was cool with it, so we came in early.”
With two polar opposite days behind him, Mundy knows his 12-5 lead over Jason Bonds isn’t safe. Still, things are working for Mundy and he’s not ready to get off the ride just yet.
“I feel like I know what it takes to do well [this time of year on Rayburn], but it is hard, hard, hard,” Mundy says. “I actually like the summer better because I feel like I can fish a tournament then without even practicing and do good, and I’m not trying to come off bragging. But this time of year is hard work. A lot of daylight to dark type stuff.
“I’m not scared to zero at all and you can’t be to come out here and expect to win,” says Mundy. “You can’t be conservative on Rayburn at all. You gotta go for bigguns and swing for the fences all day. It’d be amazing to win because I just bought a brand new motor for my boat and it’d be nice to have a little money to cover that.”
Ard Moves Into Strike King Co-Angler Lead
After catching 15 pounds, 3 ounces on day one, Heath Ardof Silsbee, Texas put together another limit worth 11-7 on day two to take a 2-2 lead heading into Saturday. With Rayburn being a bit stingy for anglers in the back of the boat, Ard is more than happy with how things have gone so far.
“Man, it was pretty awesome today for me,” Ard says. “I couldn’t have drawn a better partner. [Nick Diberardino] was asking me if I had a preference for what I wanted to fish. Dude, he’s awesome. We didn’t catch a lot of fish, but I caught five. If it hadn’t been for him I don’t know if I’d be where I am today.”
Tomorrow, Ard will be paired with Derek Mundy, so he’ll certainly be around some fish. Now, he just needs one more solid day of fishing to close it out.
“It’s gonna be a grind tomorrow, but I just hope we have good weather and everybody stays safe,” says Ard. “I’m just blessed to be here; it’s awesome.”
Ebare Sets the Pace in Sam Rayburn Toyota Series Event
Weighing an even 23 pounds, Dakota Ebare set the pace on day one of the Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. on Sam Rayburn. Day one of the event, which is presented by Berkley, saw more than 190 pros and Strike King co-anglers take to the water. Oddly enough, Ebare almost wasn’t one of them.
The Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit pro’s original plan was to skip this event in order to head to Lake Okeechobee to pre-practice for the first Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit presented by Bad Boy Mowers event of the season in a few weeks. However, a dentist appointment and final boat preparations kept that plan from coming together, so he signed up.
With only a day of practice, Ebare didn’t find much of anything. But with as much experience as he has on Rayburn and a bit of good timing, Ebare got the 2021 season started off on the right foot.
“I had probably 16 pounds this morning, but one of them was a spotted bass that was a line-burner,” Ebare says. “Then it got really tough and I fished my butt off and didn’t get a lot of bites. I just kept scratching and looking for something new since I didn’t get much time to practice for this and have been breaking in my boat. I really just spent the day practicing.”
Like most good anglers, Ebare didn’t let history make decisions for him today. He checked some areas he’s found success in the past, but still let the conditions lead him to fish.
“You gotta take into consideration the condition of the lake and what it’s current deal is,” Ebare says. “This isn’t a lake like Grand Lake where the water level fluctuates, but it’s always the same rock. Here, you’ve got grass that’s here sometimes and gone sometimes. This year the grass is really good and it’s accounting for a lot of the fish that are being caught.
“The fish aren’t really wanting to be deep. I mean, there are some out there; there’s always some out there. I caught an 11-pounder here in 24 foot of water on a 10XD and the lake was 10 foot high in mid-March. I mean, every fish was spawning up by a tree, but I was in a river channel. So, there’s always fish deep, but the grass is so healthy right now and there’s a lot of bait in it and that’s where a lot of fish want to be.”
While Ebare may not necessarily have a pattern he’s running, he does have an idea of where to set the boat down and start casting.
“I’m running areas that set up right historically, but I’m taking into consideration where the grass is best and that’s where I want to stay at,” he says.
Two lost fish may have cost Ebare the chance at a megabag on Rayburn, but he isn’t letting that get to him. Tomorrow he plans to keep practicing and not get caught up with how well things went today.
“I’m excited about tomorrow, but you know it’s a new day and there are no guarantees,” Ebare says. “I could go out there and have 10 pounds easily. We’ll see what the weather does and just go fishing again.”
Top 10 Pros
1. Dakota Ebare – Denham Springs, La. – 23-0 (5)
2. Jason Conn – Anna, Texas – 21-6 (5)
3. Jeff Sprague – Point, Texas – 21-3 (5)
4. Jeff Reynolds – Calera, Okla. – 20-14 (5)
5. Brandon Flowers – Baytown, Texas – 20-11 (5)
6. Lowell Bennett – Hewitt, Texas – 20-5 (5)
6. Rick Harris – Del Rio, Texas – 20-5 (5)
8. Garrett Hilton – China, Texas – 18-12 (5)
9. Jeff Bridges – Prosper, Texas – 18-7 (5)
10. Justin Sowell – Silsbee, Texas – 18-3 (5)
Goebel Takes Strike King Co-Angler Lead
Limits weren’t the easiest thing to come by from the back of the boat, but John Goebel pieced 18 pounds, 4 ounces together to take the lead in the Strike King Co-Angler division.
“It was really a grind for me fishing out of the back of the boat,” Goebel says. “I was fortunate to get some real good bites. I fished real clean today and feel blessed to just be able to get out on the water.”
Fishing with pro Tim Reneau, Goebel stuck to his own style of fishing and it paid off. Especially when he caught a 7-pounder to anchor his bag.
“I caught the big one midday, just after lunch,” Goebel explains. “I figured as the day went on and it started warming we were going to get better bites.”
Top 10 Co-Anglers
1. John Goebel – Lumberton, Texas – 18-4 (5)
2. Brad Ridgeway – The Woodlands, Texas – 18-1 (5)
3. Paul Hedrick – Andrews, Texas – 16-15 (5)
4. Zack Nick – Lufkin, Texas – 15-6 (5)
5. Heath Ard – Silsbee, Texas – 15-3 (5)
6. Kelsey Ray – Joplin, Mo. – 14-11 (5)
7. Curtis Biram – Tulsa, Okla. – 14-5 (5)
8. Michael Sharp – Calera, Okla. – 13-5 (5)
9. Travis Pattillo – Zavalla, Texas – 12-10 (5)
10. Hank Williams – Claremore, Okla. – 12-8 (5)
Graduation Day
College Angler and past Classic Qualifier Cody Huff joins Jason this week to talk about making the move from College and The Toyota Series to the Big Leagues on the MLF Pro Circuit. Check it out!
A.R.E. Renews Partnership with Major League Fishing
“I am very pleased that A.R.E will be the presenting sponsor of the 2021 Toyota Series tournament season,” said Kristina Coburn, A.R.E. marketing manager. “We have partnered with Major League Fishing for several years and are thrilled for the opportunity to align with MLF to this level. We look forward to seeing what the anglers have in store for us this year, throughout each division.”
As the largest single brand manufacturer of truck caps and hard tonneau covers in the nation, A.R.E. has spent over 50 years dedicated to manufacturing truck caps as well as creating unique solutions to preserve the lifestyle of the outdoor enthusiast.
“We are excited to expand our partnership with A.R.E.,” said Kathy Fennel, MLF executive vice president and general manager. “A.R.E. is known for producing the highest quality caps and covers, and they are the perfect company to pair with the determination, desire and grit of our loyal Toyota Series anglers. We are anticipating not only a great season, but a beneficial alliance between the brands.”
The Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. kicks off the 2021 season this week with the Toyota Series at Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Brookeland, Texas, Jan. 28-30.
The 2021 Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. consists of six divisions – each holding three regular-season events – and the opportunity to qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. Championship for a shot at winning $235,000 cash, including a $35,000 Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus for qualified anglers. The winning co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard.
The 2021 Toyota Series Championship presented by A.R.E. will be held Oct. 28-30 on Pickwick Lake in Counce, Tennessee, and is hosted by the Hardin County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
For more information about MLF, their tournaments and sponsors, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. To learn more about A.R.E., visit 4are.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. on the MLF BIG5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
About A.R.E.
With a focus to live outside of industry norms, A.R.E. partners with authorized truck accessory dealers that share this same focus and spread innovation across the United States and Canada. A.R.E. takes pride in the fact that they have more than 600 experienced authorized dealers, guaranteeing there is an A.R.E. upfitter nearby to provide truck owners with protective truck bed caps and quality customer support.
A.R.E. and adventure go hand in hand. Truck caps, covers, and accessories are the perfect companion for that truck owner hauling precious cargo to that next body of water they are about to tackle, to that mountain they are going to climb, or to that hike they are about to conquer. Whether you use your truck bed cover for travel, work, or adventure, A.R.E. can outfit your truck for life.
Huk Named Exclusive Apparel Sponsor of MLF BIG5
Industry Leader in Outdoor Apparel Expands on Five-Year Partnership with Major League Fishing
TULSA, Okla. (Jan. 27, 2021) – Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today that Huk, an industry leader in performance fishing apparel, has signed on as the Exclusive Apparel of the MLF BIG5 for the 2021 season. This expanded partnership aligns the country’s top anglers and their fans with Huk, a brand known for exceptional, functional and technical clothing to anglers and enthusiasts of all ages.
As the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, MLF provides anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money across five tournament circuits featuring a five-biggest-fish format, including the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit, Toyota Series, Phoenix Bass Fishing League, Abu Garcia College Fishing and High School Fishing.
“Marolina Outdoor is excited about our partnership with the Major League Fishing BIG5,” said Pete Angle, CMO of Marolina Outdoor Inc. “Aside from sharing many common goals like new angler recruitment and access to outdoor recreational opportunities, both brands are committed to showcasing the authentic passion for bass fishing and innovation. We look forward to the 2021 MLF BIG5 tournament season and the exciting opportunity to engage with all followers of our partnered brands.”
The MLF award-winning network television airings on CBS, Discovery, Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel and more, along with the MLF NOW! live stream on MajorLeagueFishing.com, create the perfect platform to showcase the high-quality variety of shirts, shorts, pants, accessories and outerwear apparel offered by Huk to anglers and fans across the nation.
“Huk has been a great partner of MLF for five years and we are happy that they have continued their partnership with us on the BIG5 side of our company,” said Jim Wilburn, MLF president and CEO. “These are exciting times in bass fishing and we are thrilled to bring Huk into the fold of our extensive tournament network and the thousands of anglers that fish the MLF BIG5 circuits.”
For more information about MLF, their tournaments and sponsors, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. To learn more about Huk, visit HukGear.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF BIG5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
AC Insider Podcast - "Where I need to be"
This week Chris and the boys welcome in Elite Series Newcomer THE Jason Christie to the show to talk about his return to the Elite Series and what he's looking forward to the most.
T-H Marine Selects Chris Drahman for Sales and Marketing Leadership
Huntsville, AL – January 27, 2021 – T-H Marine Supplies, Inc., of Huntsville, Alabama, announces that it has selected Chris Drahman for the position of National Sales and Marketing Manager. In this role, Chris will put his considerable experience to work in meeting the needs of T-H Marine's customers, identifying business development opportunities, leading T-H Marine's sales strategies, and growing the company's brand. He will work alongside T-H Marine's veteran VP of Sales and Marketing, Greg Buie.
“I've had the pleasure of knowing T-H Marine and many members of their team for more than 20 years and it’s truly an honor to join them,” Chris Drahman said. “Few companies can compare when it comes to innovative product development, dedication to taking care of their customers, and having a game plan and a desire to continue their robust growth. They made joining an easy decision and I look forward to contributing for many years to come.”
Before his recent work in the world of marine components, Chris had over 14 years working for T-H Marine's OEM and distributor sales reps at William F. Miller & Associates. Now, as T-H Marine's National Sales and Marketing Manager, Chris will be leveraging his sales and sales leadership experience, his work history in the marine industry, and his strong ability to drive new business development and expansions into new markets.
“We are pleased to welcome Chris Drahman to the team!” T-H Marine President and CEO, Jeff Huntley said. “We have known Chris for many years and he is exactly what you expect from a true sales professional — a great fit with our boating-centric culture and our aggressive business attitude. With over 25 years of sales roles in the industry, he brings a lot of knowledge, experience, and relationships to the table.
"T-H Marine is building our next generation of executive-level leaders and Chris is a big part of that plan coming into place. We are very excited about the future as we continue to outpace industry growth and we are proud to have Chris’ horsepower to help push that dynamic growth, both organically and through acquisitions.”
Imbued by T-H Marine's commitment to supplying boaters with the gear they need, from TRANSOM TO TROLLING MOTOR®, Chris will work to ensure that the brand thrives across its various sales channels. With his experience in the marine industry, his long-standing familiarity with T-H Marine, and his love of the water, Chris brings a solid foundation to his new role.
“T-H Marine has always had a motto that 'Fridays are for Fishing', fostering an appreciation for why the company exists,” Chris added. “Especially as it is interwoven with a love of being outdoors and my own passion for saltwater fishing, I look forward to reinforcing T-H Marine's ability to put current products to the test, produce ideas for new products, and make the boating and fishing experience even better for everyone."
Now including more products for an even wider variety of boats, check out the full range of T-H Marine's growing product line at thmarine.com/products. For tips about T-H Marine products, company news, and more, including information to improve your boating and fishing experience, follow T-H Marine Supplies (@thmarineteam) on social media.
Yamaha Expands Power Pay Program
Broadens Eligibility Requirements, Adds New Tournaments to 2021 Season
KENNESAW, Ga. – Jan. 27, 2021 — Yamaha Marine today announced the expansion of Power Pay, a contingency program that provides a cash bonus to Yamaha anglers who place in sanctioned salt and freshwater tournaments. For the 2021 season, Yamaha adds 68 new competitive fishing events, enhances the payout bonus amounts and broadens the eligibility requirements to eligible anglers who own a Yamaha outboard with a warranty start date within the 60 months prior to registering for Power Pay.
“The rules no longer require Power Pay anglers to be the original outboard owners. Now, Power Pay eligibility is open to second, third and even fourth Yamaha owners as long as the outboard has been warranty registered within the stated time,” said Connor Megan, Senior Regional Marketing Specialist, Yamaha Marine Engine Systems. “The first year of the program was a tremendous success with hundreds of qualified anglers winning nearly $140,000 in Power Pay bonus money despite the difficult situations created by COVID-19. We think 2021 will be even bigger.”
Introduced in the fall of 2019, Power Pay gives anglers the opportunity to receive compensation for running eligible Yamaha outboards. Eligible anglers running Yamaha outboards can sign up for the program by visiting yamahapowerpay.com. All applicants are required to accept and adhere to the Yamaha Angler Code of Ethics before completing the registration for the program. Once registered, the highest placing angler in specified Power Pay sanctioned tournaments that meets all eligibility requirements will be compensated by Yamaha accordingly.
New tournaments for 2021 include the MLF Bass Pro Tour, Bass Champs Texas, Carolina Bass Challenge, Texas Team Trail®, Nichols Team Series Oklahoma, Phoenix BFL Regionals, EFL™ Redfish Contender Series and EFL™ Redfish Tour. Additional eligible Power Pay tournaments and trails include the Bassmaster Classic®, Bassmaster® Angler of the Year, Bassmaster Opens, B.A.S.S. Nation®, Bassmaster Elites, Bassmaster College Series, Bassmaster High School series, A.B.A. Bass Pro Shops® Open Series, Alabama Bass Trail, MWC, The National Walleye Tour®, AIM® Walleye, Kingfish Cup and Flatsmasters®.
For more information and complete terms and conditions about Power Pay, visit yamahapowerpay.com. Some restrictions apply. Void where prohibited by law.
Yamaha Marine products are marketed throughout the United States and around the world. Yamaha Marine Engine Systems, based in Kennesaw, Ga., supports its 2,000 U.S. dealers and boat builders with marketing, training and parts for Yamaha’s full line of products and strives to be the industry leader in reliability, technology and customer service. Yamaha Marine is the only outboard brand to have earned NMMA®’s C.S.I. Customer Satisfaction Index award every year since its inception. Visit www.yamahaoutboards.com.
Bassmaster Host Davy Hite Joins The 13 Fishing Family
For Davy Hite, friends, family and fishing have always been in the same boat. Often, quite literally. So when a business merger married his Rapala friends into the 13 Fishing family, the Bassmaster TV co-host was excited to get welcomed aboard as well.
“It’s just a great opportunity to take a company like Rapala, that’s been a leader in our industry for many, many years and so successful, and combine them with 13 Fishing’s young, enthusiastic, and very good product designers and engineers,” says Hite, referencing a 2019 deal in which Rapala VMC purchased a minority stake in 13 Fishing’s parent company. “I just know the future is going to be great for 13 Fishing. And I just hope I can make it even better.”
A longtime star on Rapala’s Pro Team – his career highlights include winning the 1999 Bassmaster Classic and 1997 and 2002 Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles – Hite is excited to “get in on the leading edge of the future of 13 Fishing.” He will fish exclusively with, promote and help design 13 Fishing rods and reels, which Rapala now distributes outside the U.S. Hite’s pro-team liaison at both Rapala and 13 Fishing is Dan Quinn, who wears marketing hats for both companies.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Davy for many years and know that he brings a lot to the table,” Quinn says. “I mean, come on, he’s literally a living legend! He brings a long list of accolades and with that comes a lot of experience, which will be invaluable in helping promotion and product development for 13 Fishing. We are beyond excited to welcome Davy to the 13 Fishing family, the future is very bright!”
When It Comes To Hammers, He's A Sledge.
“Davy Hite is an established winner and welcome addition to the 13 Fishing stable,” says 13 Fishing’s marketing coordinator Reid Miller. “Like a champion thoroughbred, Hite has earned the respect of anglers far wide by proving he can lead the pack at the highest level of the sport. Davey has always been a stud, and he understands the importance of performance and reliability and with that he brings a wealth of experience to our team. We’re excited to partner with him to deliver the finest equipment for fishing.”
Hite’s Bassmaster tournament highlights also include eight first-place finishes, 14 Classic appearances, and 45 Top 10 finishes. In 2017, he left behind competition to begin co-hosting Bassmaster’s Elite Series LIVE webcasts and cable TV shows. That doesn’t mean he quit fishing, however.
“I get asked a lot ‘Are you still fishing?’” Hite says, laughing. “And honestly, I’m fishing as much or more as I was in all my years fishing Bassmaster.”
These days, Hite enjoys fishing with one of his grown sons, Payton (the other, Parker, is an Army Captain deployed in Germany), some high school buddies “I’ve fished off and on with my whole life” and his brother-in-law Scott Martin, a South Carolina stick and one-time Classic competitor with whom he fished team tournaments early in his career.
Seeing 13 Fishing logos on stickers, hats and hoodies “all over the country the last few years” first caught Hite’s attention. Glowing reviews from respected Bassmaster anglers then led him to try and like 13 Fishing rods and reels.
“The cool thing about my new job is all of these fishermen will share information with me now about new products, but when I was their competitor, they weren’t so eager to do so,” Hite says. “And that’s part of how I learned about what a good company 13 Fishing is. I started talking to a few people who use their rods and reels and they all had great comments.
“I can talk with guys about products they’re using, and they’ll talk straight with me,” Hite continues. “So if I get good reviews from them, it will spark my curiosity. So I went and played around with some 13 Fishing products and saw that for a young company they had a lot of really good stuff.”
Hite praises 13 Fishing’s product line for including quality rods and reels in both high-end and economical categories. “It’s a well-rounded line-up, from mid-range to upper-range product,” he says.
CLASSIC WINNER TAKAHIRO OMORI JOINS BASS CAT TEAM
New addition strengthens strategic partnership with Japan’s SDG Marine
MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. (January 25th, 2020) – Bass Cat Boats, a leading manufacturer of tournament-ready, high-performance bass boats, has added veteran Bass Pro Tour competitor Takahiro Omori, winner of the 2004 Bassmaster Classic, to the company’s national pro team. This will bolster an already stout staff with the first and only international pro to win one of bass fishing’s major championships.
“They have supported Major League Fishing since day one,” Omori said. “On top of that, it gave me the opportunity to strengthen my relationship with Showa Denki Group (SDG) Marine, Japan’s leading bass boat dealer. It’s important to promote Bass Cat to Japanese anglers, and my boat will be wrapped to feature SDG’s logo.”
In his decorated career with Bassmaster, Omori won seven events, including the 2004 Classic on South Carolina’s Lake Wylie, one of the 12 Classics in which he competed. He was also a two-tour pro for many years. He qualified for seven Forrest Wood Cups and claimed a 2001 Tour victory on Alabama’s Lake Martin. Since moving to Major League Fishing, he’s added another major title to his list by winning the 2020 MLF Summit Cup at Lake of the Ozarks.
“I first met Takahiro while fishing the Bassmaster Invitationals in the early 1990s,” said Bass Cat President Rick Pierce. “It was obvious then that he had the drive and talent to experience exceptional success and he has fully met those expectations. We are proud to have him join the family.”
Omori will run a Cougar FTD powered by a Yamaha outboard on the Bass Pro Tour in 2021. “The floor plan fits my style, but what I really like about it is that it’s fast and floats higher in the water than other boats, so I can get into skinny water places. I talked a lot to Kelly Jordon and Shin Fukae and they agreed it was the perfect boat for the way I like to fish.”
Kevin Short, Bass Cat’s Pro Staff Director and Head of International Sales, was thrilled to add an angler who is highly respected on multiple continents. “Japan represents a huge opportunity for us, and SDG is a remarkably aggressive and innovative company,” Short said. “The beauty of it is that Takahiro’s influence is so widespread, and his accomplishments are so notable, that it’s like getting two pros in one.”
Heck and Berthelot win Outlaw Outdoors Team Series with over 29 pounds!
Why Brandon Lester chooses a jig over all other winter lures
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
See the Alabama Rig near Bassmaster Elite Series pro Brandon Lester’s left hand in the photo? It’s the only one he owns. Like literally, he owns one A-Rig, and you’re looking at it.
And while he’s got plenty of proven cold water crankbaits laying there too, every lure in the universe plays second fiddle to a jig on the coldest days of winter for the easy-going Tennessee pro who is closing in on $1 Million in career earnings after just seven years as a full-time pro.
“I realize a lot of guys have come to depend on an Alabama Rig in the dead of winter, but we’re not allowed to use it in Bassmaster Opens or Elites. So there’s no reason for me to get dependent on it when I’m fishing around home at this time of year,” says the Team Toyota pro.
“And honestly, I believe with all my heart, when you’re throwing a jig at this time of year, you’re giving yourself a shot to catch the biggest fish in the lake,” he says.
Bringing the Heat with the Z Train
His recent appearance on “Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show” epitomizes this point. The air temp was 18 degrees the day they filmed on Dale Hollow Lake, water temps were 42, and dragging a football jig brought the heat on quality fish more than any other lure the two tied on.
“We could catch fish on a Ned Rig that day, and probably could have caught some on a crankbait too. But the football jig was hands-down the key to Zona and I catching all our bigger fish,” he recalls.
Biggest Bass of Lester’s Life
However, Lester’s proof of a jig’s frigid water prowess is certainly not limited to his day filming with Zona. Each New Year’s Eve, he and a good buddy make a trip to Nickajack Lake – and it was on that tradition rich trip last year that Lester believes he caught the biggest bass of his life – on a jig of course.
“I had just gotten a brand-new boat. We didn’t even have my graphs mounted yet, let alone have a scale in the boat. I caught a 7-pounder first on a jig, and then caught one that I know was over 10-pounds, which would easily make it the biggest bass of my life,” says Lester.
Callin’ bull on hibernating crawfish
While schools of shad, and specifically, the weak and dying specimens within the school, often become the focal point of the bass’ cold weather dinner menu, crawdads remain a major player too. Lester simply doesn’t buy the dormant crawdad theory. “I’ve had guys tell me crawdads are so dormant in winter that they aren’t a factor for bass. That’s absolute bull! I’ve caught way too many bass in 45-degree water with crawdad pinchers sticking out of their gullets to ever rule out a jig,” he says emphatically.
Lester’s two favorite winter jigs
The skirted jewels he leans on most are pretty simple. First, he never varies far from the colors brown or green pumpkin, and secondly, one of his winter jigs will always be a ½-ounce SpotSticker flipping jig featuring a brown living rubber skirt and a meaty 5/0 Mustad hook. This is the jig that gets pitched to thicker shoreline habitat, and he emphasizes the merits of living rubber skirts in cold water.
The other jig is a football jig. If he’s dragging it on the bottom in less than 15-feet of water, he uses a ½ ounce model. Sometimes, however, bait balls and other desirable sonar images seem to be out in the 15 to 30-foot-deep zone. In that case, when going deeper, he ties a ¾-ounce model to his 15-pound Vicious fluorocarbon. He nearly always dresses his football jig with a craw-style trailer as shown in the photo.
Bama rigs, jerkbaits, and flat-sided cranks all have their mid-winter merits, but for Brandon Lester, jigs are the true trophy chaser when water temps are in the 40s. “All I can tell you is some of the most memorable and biggest bass I’ve ever caught in my life have come in the middle of winter, and all of them bit a jig.”
Lake Eufaula Lands 2021 Bassmaster Team Championship Event
Photo by Shane Durrance/B.A.S.S.
January 22, 2021
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The last spot in the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk will be filled on historic Lake Eufaula as this Alabama fishery hosts the Bassmaster Team Championship and Classic Fish-Off Dec. 8-11, 2021.
Battling for that coveted berth in the Bassmaster Classic will be the grassroots anglers competing at the Bassmaster Team Championship. The team portion of the event will be held Dec. 8-9 and will feature anglers from across the country — 32 states in 2020. The winning duo will not only win a cash prize, but they’ll also lead the charge into the Classic Fish-Off which will take place Dec. 10-11.
The top three teams through Day 2 — six anglers in all — will have their weights zeroed and then compete individually in the Fish-Off. The competitor with the heaviest two-day total of the group will earn their spot in the Classic.
In 2020, that honor went to Jordan Wiggins, a 29-year-old Cullman, Ala., resident whose older brother Jesse notched a third-place finish in the 2019 Classic.
“What a wonderful way to end a year,” says Ann Sparks, Tourism and Main Street Executive Director for the City of Eufaula. “We are thrilled to be hosting the Bassmaster Team Championship and showing off what Lake Eufaula has to offer! Most anglers have fished our great lake, but we are excited to show off our changes and improvements to our beautiful town.”
B.A.S.S. has visited Lake Eufaula 17 times for major events, including an Elite Series tournament last year that was broadcast live to an audience of more than 2.8 million. The town itself — with a statue declaring Eufaula as the “Big Bass Capital of the World” — is known throughout the fishing industry as the hometown of legendary angler and lure designer Tom Mann. It’s the home of Mann’s Bait Company and the Johnson Outdoors location where Humminbird electronics are produced.
In addition to the Team Championship event, Lake Eufaula will also host the Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX on May 1.
Its a Family Tradition - with Lawson Hibdon
This week Chris welcomes in MLF Pro Circuit Pro Lawson Hibdon to the Rookie Podcast to talk about following in his Grandfather's, the late Guido Hibdon and his Dad, Dion Hibdon's footsteps and competing on the Pro Level. Check it out!
ABU GARCIA SEEKS INPUT NAMING TOP 100 FISHING LOCATIONS
Company kicks off 100th anniversary celebration by paying homage to the best U.S. fishing waters and is soliciting input from Abu Garcia loyalists.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Jan. 21, 2021) — Abu Garcia is celebrating a century of innovation and epic fishing in 2021 by asking fans around the country to weigh in on the Top-100 fisheries in the United States.
The list, which could include anything from backyard streams to sprawling lakes and everything in between, will celebrate the best freshwater fishing this country has to offer and introduce anglers of all levels to well-known big-fish locations as well as hidden gems.
Anglers can submit their favorite fisheries for consideration, explain why they top their list and share photos of their favorite honey holes through January 25. The final list will be released in phases, beginning in late February. The detailed results will be available online for avid anglers to explore their next fishing destination as they look ahead to the next century of fishing with Abu Garcia.
To learn more about Abu Garcia’s 100th anniversary and cast your vote by January 25, visit www.abugarcia.com.
XZone adds NEW Adrenaline Craw and Adrenaline Bug Jr to their line-up
The new X Zone Pro Series Adrenaline Craw is the brain child of one of the hottest anglers on earth; Brandon Palaniuk!!
This exciting new bait is fresh for 2021! The super aggressive claws produce unbelievable action . Use alone for great swimming action, tip your jig with it to give great water disturbance or add it to your chatter bait for what will be unmatched performance. Floating Claws are also featured on this bait! Never has a bait with such aggressive attributes been offered with floating claws. Perfect presentation, every time!
Use what Palaniuk uses and get the 4.25" Adrenaline Craw!
Like its bigger brother , the 4" Adrenaline Bug, the NEW 3.5" Adrenaline Bug Jr. is designed to provide a great creature bait presentation that bass love! The floating qualities found in this bait make it 100% NEDable.
The soft, body and floating claws make this bait irresistible to bass. Once they feel this soft bait in their mouth - they will not let go. The specialized plastic, super fine salt and scent infused formula used to make the Adrenaline Bug allows the claws to float at rest for a time, mimicking the defensive stance of a real crayfish. All of these exceptional features produce a creature bait that swims, hops and undulates in the water creating a NEW unique sonic signature and vibration that BASS LOVE!!!
The Adrenaline Bug Jr is extremely versatile. It is available in 12 proven fish catching colors to cover a wide variety of applications, including flipping, pitching and punching.
Nominations Now Open For 2021 Class Of Bassmaster High School All-Americans
Jan. 21, 2021
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. is seeking nominations for the best and brightest high school bass anglers in the country.
The Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors recognizes the 12 most outstanding high school anglers in the nation. The program is designed to reward young athletes for their performance in tournaments, leadership in their communities and involvement in conservation efforts.
Applications for the team, which is now in its seventh year, will be accepted today through Feb. 22.
To be considered, a student must be nominated by a parent, coach, teacher or other school official. Students currently enrolled in grades 10 through 12 with a current grade point average of 2.5 or higher are eligible.
Judges will select up to two student anglers in each state. These All-State Fishing Team members will become semifinalists in the selection of the 12-member Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors. Criteria include success in high school fishing tournaments and involvement in conservation efforts and other community service activities.
The anglers chosen will compete in a one-day Bassmaster High School All-American Tournament to be held in conjunction with the 2021 Bassmaster Elite at Neely Henry Lake which will be held May 6-9 — one of nine regular-season Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments being held this year. Elite Series anglers will serve as “coaches” for the student anglers in the one-day fishing event near Gadsden, Ala. The high school standouts and Elite Series coaches will be honored before the weigh-in crowd.
“The continued growth and success our High School All-American program has had over the past seven years is amazing,” said Hank Weldon, senior manager of the Bassmaster High School program. “We are so proud to offer a platform that not only recognizes successful student athletes on their accomplishments on the water, but on their academic success and community involvement as well. We can’t wait to see what this 2021 class of anglers has in store.”
All students who compete in high school fishing events are eligible, regardless if they are affiliated with B.A.S.S. or another fishing organization.
Notices have been sent to youth fishing directors of the B.A.S.S. Nation and other organizations, as well as leaders of state high school fishing programs. Adults can nominate students by filling out an online form at Bassmaster.com/allamerican. Nominations must be submitted before midnight on Feb. 22. Please send all questions to [email protected].
BASS FISHING HALL OF FAME ADDS SIX BOARD MEMBERS
All Volunteer Board Dedicated to Celebrating, Promoting and Preserving the Sport of Bass Fishing
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – For Immediate Release – 1/21/21 – The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame has added six members to its Board of Directors to begin serving a three-year term in January 2021, leading the organization into its next steps of growth on the heels of a highly-successful recent effort to expand and increase the Hall’s outreach and impact. The new members include:
- Todd Ceisner, Associate Publisher of In-Fisherman;
- Kathy Fennel, Executive Vice President and COO for Major League Fishing;
- Matt Pangrac, Freelance journalist and tournament angler;
- Tim Price, Freshwater Field Promotions Manager for Johnson Outdoors Marine Group; and
- Bruce Stanton, Vice President and General Manager of PRADCO Fishing.
Restaurant executive Clifton Rutledge, a distinguished former member of the board, returns to serve another term.
“This is an impressive group, and we are thrilled to have every one of them,” said Bass Fishing Hall of Fame President John Mazurkiewicz “Each of our new Board members bring a distinct skill set to assist us in our mission of celebrating, promoting and preserving the sport of bass fishing. We are an all-volunteer ‘working board’ and we pride ourselves on the fact that our leadership encompasses all of the major tours, media outlets and sectors of the industry.”
In addition to Mazurkiewicz, owner of Catalyst Marketing Services, a PR/media relations firm focusing on the recreational fishing industry, the Board’s executive committee includes Vice Presidents Daren Cole with Blue Heron Communications, a fishing/hunting-focused marketing firm, and Tim Carini, sales director at B.A.S.S, along with Treasurer Donald Howell, President & CFO of Southern Sky Aviation. Barbara Bowman serves as the Executive Director. Other Board members include Daiwa’s Curt Arakawa, B.A.S.S. Angler Relations manager Steve Bowman, pro bass angler Guy Eaker, Sr., B.A.S.S. conservation director Gene Gilliland, Wired2Fish CEO Todd Hammill, TH Marine’s Bill Huntley , fishing industry consultant Melinda Mize-Hays, noted bass fishing/travel writer Pete Robbins, and AFTCO president Casey Shedd.
Longtime Bassmaster editor Dave Precht retired from the Board at the end of 2020 after more than a decade of service. All of the members thank him for his extended service and hope that he will continue to guide the Hall’s path informally.
The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization led by a volunteer board of directors and is dedicated to celebrating, promoting and preserving the sport of bass fishing. Since 2017, the Hall’s inductees and memorabilia representing the history of bass fishing have been showcased in Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri, where it has rapidly become a popular destination.
Cody Huff – Graduating from College Fishing
Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships
After a successful season in tournament competition along with an unpredictable and challenging year off the water, Cody Huff’s reign as the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Bracket Champion has officially come to an end. Huff turned in his Bethel University wrapped rig last week and a new Toyota Tundra-Nitro Boat combo is being prepared for the 2021 college champ, Trevor McKinney.
Looking back on the year, Cody Huff has a lot to be proud of. Not only did he do an excellent job representing his school, himself, and college fishing on the biggest stages in bass fishing, he also had one of the best on-the-water performance records in the history of this program.
With anglers like Jordan Lee, Matt Lee, Andrew Upshaw, and Brett Pruett (to name a few) coming up through the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket program… that’s high praise.
The 2020 season wasn’t what Huff expected, largely due to the global COVID-19 Pandemic, but the 23-year old Bethel University student certainly made the most of a chaotic year.
After starting the year off with back-to-back victories on Toledo Bend Reservoir, Huff became the first college fishing representative to make it to Day 3 of the Bassmaster Classic since Jordan Lee. Huff had a solid 2020 Bassmaster Opens campaign and bookended his season with a second FLW Toyota Series victory on Table Rock Lake in early November.
“In a lot of ways I’d like to forget 2020 like most folks, but from a fishing standpoint I am extremely thankful,” Huff said. “From both an equipment and financial standpoint this year was a massive opportunity for me. For the first time in my fishing career I couldn’t use equipment as an excuse. From my baits and electronics, to my boat and tow vehicle, I was able to use the best of the best.”
Like most of his college fishing peers, Huff had always made due with any limitations in his equipment prior to becoming the 2020 Carhartt College Series Classic representative. He took full advantage of the opportunity this program provided, thanks to both his performance on the water and how he carried himself when not competing.
Huff finished his year by locking up sponsor support for his 2021 tournament season before purchasing a 2020 Toyota Tundra of his own so he could be eligible for Toyota Bonus Bucks in 2021 and have a tow vehicle he could depend on.
With Bass Pro Shops serving as his title sponsor Huff will compete on the Major League Fishing Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit as well as at least one Bassmaster Opens division this year, representing many of the same companies he worked with in 2020. While competing in his first season as a professional fisherman, Huff will complete a few remaining online classes to earn his diploma from Bethel University.
“It really is a dream come true,” Huff said with a smile. “I’ll be competing against guys I’ve been watching on TV since I was a little kid. I don’t think it has really hit me yet… I’m just extremely grateful for everything I learned last year. I wouldn’t be in this position without the support of Bassmaster, Carhartt, Bass Pro Shops, or Toyota.”
There’s no doubt about it, Cody Huff is a special talent with a bright future. His obvious skill for catching bass better than the competition will continue to serve him well in this sport; but his Midwestern roots, even-keeled attitude, and respectful nature put Huff at the top of our list of young anglers to watch.
MLF Postpones Upcoming Lake Shasta Tournaments
REDDING, Calif. (Jan. 20, 2021) – Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today the postponement of three tournaments scheduled for Jan. 28-31 on Lake Shasta in Redding, California. The decision was made after MLF officials learned of new travel restrictions implemented by the Shasta-Trinity National Forest Service in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The new restrictions prevent anglers who are traveling from more than 120 miles away from competing in the event.
The MLF events that have been postponed are:
- Jan. 28-30: Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. Western Division at Lake Shasta
- Jan. 30: Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI at Lake Shasta
- Jan. 31: High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing at Lake Shasta
Rescheduled dates for these three events will be announced as soon as possible.
Being an inherently socially distant sport, the vast majority of 2021 tournaments will continue as scheduled, operating under COVID-19 protocols to safeguard the health and well-being of all involved. MLF will continue to follow the suggestions and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, public health professionals and permitting agencies.
For complete details and updated information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF BIG5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
"Godzilla is my Spirit Animal"
Thats right, Chris and the boys welcome in Elite Series "Newcomer" Greg Hackney to this weeks show to talk about the effort made to prequalify for the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Arey: How to choose jig size
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
Choosing jig sizes can cause as much contemplation as a burger joint drive-thru lane. Do you get the single patty from the value side of the menu to conserve fat calories and cash, or do you go all-in and get the double burger with bacon to leave you gut-stuffed and grinning?
Both serve a purpose, but like bass fishing jigs, one must choose the right-sized meal for the conditions at hand – and sometimes that’s a struggle. Thanks to Team Toyota’s Matt Arey, picking the perfect sized portion just got a whole lot easier.
“I let two primary rules lead me to picking the right-sized jig,” says Arey. “First, am I fishing a multi-species lake with spotted bass, smallmouth and largemouth like Table Rock, or are we on a body of water like Lake Fork, where it’s all about big largemouth? And also, I let weather dictate my jig of choice.”
If all three species are present, Arey often opts for the bite-sized 5/16- or 7/16-ounce finesse jig, but if it’s all about fat largemouth, he’ll tie on the full-sized ½ or 5/8 bulkier version.
“If I’m flipping flooded bushes or laydowns – I like to “yo-yo” the jig a little bit to keep it in a very small strike zone for a second or two, and the bulkier jig helps me do that easier. Even if I’m pitching or skipping docks, I still choose the bigger jig, but I may downsize the trailer to make it skip easier,” says the devout family man from Shelby, NC.
When it comes to weather’s dictation of Arey’s selection, it boils down to bigger is better when weather is stable, but when the bottom falls out in the form a harsh cold front, finesse wins the day.
If he’s dragging the little jig on a clean secondary point in greater than 15-feet of water, he may drop down to 12-pound line, but most of the time, it’s tied to 15-pound P-Line fluorocarbon.
When it comes to color, he keeps it extremely simple, choosing a shade of green pumpkin on all sizes of jigs 95% of the time, opting only for black/blue if the water’s exceptionally dirty.
Like all great anglers, Arey knows it’s the appetite of the bass based on species and weather that matters way more than his own when choosing the right jig. But dang, a Baconator™ does sound good right now.
Toyota Series to Kick Off 2021 Southwestern Division on Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Multiple Patterns Expected to Be in Play for Competitors Descending on East Texas Reservoir
BROOKELAND, Texas (Jan. 19, 2021) – The Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. Southwestern Division will kick off the 2021 season with a tournament next week in Brookeland, Texas, Jan. 28-30, with the Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. at Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Hosted by the Jasper-Lake Sam Rayburn Chamber of Commerce, the three-day tournament will feature the region’s best bass-fishing pros and co-anglers on some of the best bass water in the country, casting for a top prize of up to $65,000, plus an additional $35,000 bonus if the winner is a qualified Phoenix Boat owner. Anglers will also be competing for qualification opportunities to the Toyota Series Championship and a chance to win up to $235,000.
Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit angler and accomplished Sam Rayburn pro Dicky Newberry of Houston, Texas, said he is expecting good things from the famed fishery at the end of January.
“We’ve had a lot of rain and the lake is coming up,” Newberry said. “We have a little color in the water and the creeks are kind of trashed, but the lake is in good shape with a lot of healthy fish, which is what you expect this time of year.”
By the end of next week, Newberry said some fish will begin to push shallow to stage in preparation for the spawn. Because of that, he expects there to be a little bit of everything to fish for during this tournament.
“Big stringers are going to come from the outside on the clay, drops and ridges,” he said. “That’s where those big ones are living right now. There’s also a pad stem bite and we might have water up in the bushes by then, so that could be going on – but that’s the thing about Rayburn, it’s got a little bit of everything.”
While fishing deep may produce the biggest limits of the event, Newberry said he isn’t ready to write off anything up shallow. Despite the lake kicking out a 40-pound limit a few weeks prior, he said he felt like 57 to 60 pounds should be the benchmark for a winning weight.
“It can be won in any of those patterns, or a combination of them,” said Newberry. “There’s just so many fish. Even though Rayburn gets a lot of pressure, it still takes over 20 to win single-day tournaments, and sometimes, 30 or 40. But I predict it will take around 60 pounds to win this one.”
Anglers will take off daily at 7 a.m. CT from the Umphrey Family Pavilion in Brookeland. Weigh-ins will also be held at the Umphrey Family Pavilion and will begin at 3 p.m. Attendance is limited to competing anglers and essential staff only. Fans are encouraged to follow the event online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of $40,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus qualified. Co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of $65,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus qualified. Co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard (valued at $33,500) plus $5,000 cash.
The 2021 Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and Western – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International division. Anglers who fish all three qualifiers in any of the eight divisions and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. Championship for a shot at winning $235,000 cash, including a $35,000 Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus for qualified anglers. The winning co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard.
The 2021 Toyota Series Championship presented by A.R.E. will be held Oct. 28-30 on Pickwick Lake in Counce, Tennessee, and is hosted by the Hardin County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. on the MLF BIG5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Toyota Series to Kick Off 2021 Season Opener on Lake Shasta
REDDING, Calif. (Jan. 19, 2021) – The Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. Western Division will kick off the 2021 season with a tournament next week in Redding, California, Jan. 28-30, with the Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. at Lake Shasta. Hosted by the Redding Convention and Visitors Bureau, the three-day tournament will feature the region’s best bass-fishing pros and co-anglers casting for a top prize of up to $65,000, plus an additional $35,000 bonus if the winner is a qualified Phoenix Boat owner.
“This is going to be an interesting tournament,” said Toyota Series angler Jason Milligan of Cottonwood, California. “The water took longer to cool off this year and due to that, the bait and fish aren’t really grouped up like they typically would be. The water is also a lot clearer than usual. We generally see green-colored water but it’s like desert clear right now – you can see down 15 feet in some spots.”
Milligan said things can change quickly though on the mountain reservoir and with a week to go before the event and weather between now and then, it’s likely the conditions will change.
“There’s a lot of bait in 45 to 65 feet right now,” Milligan added. “You can catch fish out there, but they’re small. There’s still a ton of fish in the lake, but it’ll be different than in years past – getting some rain and color in the lake should help. These western reservoirs fluctuate a lot. If we stay on a dropping trend the fish won’t move up, but if the lake stabilizes or comes up, it’ll be like a light switch.
“I expect this event will be tougher than usual for Shasta, but it’s still one of the places we broke records at not too long ago, so I’m excited to see what happens.”
Anglers will take off daily at 7:30 a.m. PT from the Bridge Bay Resort in Redding. Weigh-ins will also be held at the Bridge Bay Resort and will begin at 3:30 p.m. Attendance is limited to competing anglers and essential staff only. Fans are encouraged to follow the event online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
In Toyota Series regular-season competition, payouts are based on the number of participants competing in the event, scaling up for every 20 boats over 160 and scaling down for every boat below 160. With a 160-boat field, pros fish for a top prize of $40,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus qualified. Co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard (valued at $33,500). With a 260-boat field, pros fish for a top award of $65,000, plus an extra $35,000 if Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus qualified. Co-anglers cast for the top prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard (valued at $33,500) plus $5,000 cash.
The 2021 Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and Western – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International division. Anglers who fish all three qualifiers in any of the eight divisions and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. Championship for a shot at winning $235,000 cash, including a $35,000 Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus for qualified anglers. The winning co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The 2021 Toyota Series Championship presented by A.R.E. will be held Oct. 28-30 on Pickwick Lake in Counce, Tennessee, and is hosted by the Hardin County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Toyota Series presented by A.R.E. on the MLF BIG5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
13 Fishing Partners with Major League Fishing
Premier Fishing Gear Company Named Presenting Sponsor of First Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Event of the Year
January 14, 2021 (Tulsa, Okla.) Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today that 13 Fishing has signed on as the presenting sponsor of the 2021 season-opening Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit presented by Bad Boy Mowers at Lake Okeechobee, Feb. 11-14. In its 26th season of professional competition and the second year since the acquisition by MLF, the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit is professional bass fishing’s premier five-fish limit tournament series, showcasing a field of 166 of the top bass anglers in the world competing for up to $135,000 at each regular-season tournament and up to $235,000 at the Tackle Warehouse TITLE, the Pro Circuit championship.
“We are thrilled to welcome 13 Fishing to the MLF sponsor family,” said Jim Wilburn, MLF President and CEO. “As an angler-centric league, MLF aligns perfectly with 13 Fishing in putting our professional anglers and their needs at the forefront of the sport, both on and off the water.”
The 2021 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit will feature 154 two-hour airings on network television, in a run that includes 24 airings on Outdoor Channel and 130 airings on Sportsman Channel, for a total of 308 hours of programming.
“We are extremely excited to partner with Major League Fishing in 2021,” said Ben Alcocer, 13 Fishing Marketing Director. “As one of the fastest growing brands in the fishing industry it only makes sense that we partner with such a prestigious tournament series and media powerhouse. Seeing our professional anglers like Ron Nelson (Pro Circuit 2020 Angler of the Year) not only compete, but win, using our product on one of the most competitive stages in the world is what it’s all about.”
For more information about MLF, their tournaments and sponsors, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. To learn more about 13 Fishing, visit 13Fishing.com.
Lucky Hat Leads High School Angler’s Family to $10,000
Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships
KENNESAW, Ga. – Jan. 19, 2021 - High school angler Hunter Keller understands his mom, Ashley, and dad, Dusty, need to live within the family’s financial means - but they’ve always done all they can to support Hunter’s love of competitive bass fishing.
Rather than buy a pricey fiberglass boat, they chose a tough 18-foot aluminum boat powered by a 115-horsepower Yamaha V MAX SHO®. It’s a decision that recently paid back $10,000 in Yamaha Power Pay contingency money after Hunter’s dad, Dusty, registered for the Yamaha Power Pay program.
“When Mom got the email confirming our sixth place finish at the high school national championship was good enough for a $10,000 Yamaha Power Pay bonus, she was screaming and in tears of joy. She’s my biggest fan,” said Hunter. “Dad read about the new Yamaha Power Pay program right after it launched, and knew we had to make sure we signed up and thank goodness we did.”
A self-described baseball hat collector, 17-year old Keller from North Carolina says the Yamaha hat that came in the mail after his dad registered for Power Pay played a major role in their success at the 2020 Mossy Oak® National Championship on Kentucky Lake in late October 2020.
He and partner Daniel Brackett, with dad Dusty as their boat captain, stayed purposely close to the Paris Landing launch and weigh-in area in their smaller vessel, and used a 3/8-ounce fish head dressed with a Keitech® Fat Swing Impact to catch the majority of their three-day weight.
“I took like a dozen hats to that tournament, and the night before, I was studying which one I’d wear to start the tournament and chose the Yamaha Power Pay hat. Once my partner Daniel and I finished sixth, I never took it off. Then I won the next two tournaments I fished in that hat,” recounted Keller.
The fact is, Hunter probably spent more time laboring over what hat to wear than what outboard they’d buy. “We knew we wanted a Yamaha and wouldn’t have bought a boat without a Yamaha on the transom. Now, after this $10,000 Power Pay bonus, there’s no doubt. We’ll never own a boat without a Yamaha,” concludes the up-and-coming fishing talent who will attend Erskine College® on a fishing scholarship next year.
The great thing about the Yamaha Power Pay program is anglers don’t have to win tournaments to take home Power Pay cash. Anglers simply have to be the highest finishing registered participant in a Power Pay supported tournament. Power Pay is not just for bass anglers, it also includes eligible saltwater, walleye, high school and college anglers (over the age of 18) through hundreds of events.
For more information, complete terms and conditions or to register for Yamaha Power Pay, visit yamahapowerpay.com or email Chip with questions at [email protected].
Yamaha Marine products are marketed throughout the United States and around the world. Yamaha Marine Engine Systems, based in Kennesaw, Ga., supports its 2,000 U.S. dealers and boat builders with marketing, training and parts for Yamaha’s full line of products and strives to be the industry leader in reliability, technology and customer service. Yamaha Marine is the only outboard brand to have earned NMMA®’s C.S.I. Customer Satisfaction Index award every year since its inception. Visit www.yamahaoutboards.com.
Tackle HD Partners with Trophy Bass Company in Exclusive License Agreement
St. Clair, Mo., January 13, 2021 – REP Outdoor Group, LLC and Tackle HD announced, effective January 13, it has reached an exclusive license agreement to manufacture, distribute, and sell Trophy Bass Company products.
Tackle HD, a REP Outdoor Group company, produces and markets the Worldwide Buzzer, HD Swimmer, Original Hi-Def Craw, Hellgrammite, and Mega-Mite. Among other products, Trophy Bass Company is best known for the Ozark Flash Spinnerbait, as well as the Trophy Pro, Trophy Swim, and Trophy Finesse Jigs.
“I appreciate the opportunity Casey Scanlon, Travis Perret, and Justin Russell have entrusted in the partnership with our organization,” said Troy Nogosek, President of REP Outdoor Group, LLC. “The partnership completes a winter long product expansion and adds the Trophy Bass tournament-grade brand to our family. During the past few months, we have brought our soft plastic production in-house and invested in injection molding machines and added several new molds to produce brand new Tackle HD branded soft plastic products. In addition, we have developed a new line of hard baits and accessories to be launched early Spring 2021. We’re very excited to have Casey and his team pushing the Trophy Bass brand into more lure categories in 2021.”
“Justin, Travis and I are excited to partner with REP Outdoor Group and Tackle HD to help grow Trophy Bass Company,” said FLW pro Casey Scanlon. Scanlon has over half a million dollars in tournament winnings for his career. “The last four years we have worked hard to bring a high-quality premium product with the best components to tournament fishermen. Our baits have accounted for numerous tournament wins from anglers at all levels and the Trophy Swim Jig helped me win the FLW tournament on Lake Champlain in 2019. This partnership will allow Trophy Bass Company to expand nationally allowing tournament anglers from around the country the opportunity to use our baits. We are super excited for what the future holds.”
About Trophy Bass Company
Trophy Bass Company, LLC was founded by Casey Scanlon, Travis Perret, and Justin Russell and headquartered in Overland Park, KS. They specialize in tournament level fishing tackle that has quickly been recognized as proven winners. All products are made to the highest standards and with top of the line components. It is the home of the #1 selling spinnerbait in the Ozarks, The Ozark Flash. Trophy Bass Company makes tackle that tournament anglers can rely on to put fish in the boat when money is on the line. Find more info at www.TrophyBassCompany.com
About REP Outdoor Group, LLC
REP Outdoor Group, LLC, a division of Harvest Sporting Group, Inc. was founded in 1996 and has offices in St. Clair and St. Louis – Missouri. REP Outdoor Group owns Rivers Edge Products, an outdoor gift company, and Tackle HD, the makers of the original Hi-Def Craw.
Swindle Signs With 13 Fishing, Buckle Up!
Elite Series competitor Gerald Swindle now fishes exclusively with 13 Fishing rods and reels. 13 Fishing’s unique combination of cool-factor and functionality attracted Swindle to sign with the brand. “First off, the rods and reels are lights-out,” says Swindle, Bassmaster Angler of the Year in 2004 and 2016. “But also, I like the 13 image – it’s got a little swagger to it.
Noting Swindle’s “big personality,” 13 Fishing Marketing Director Ben Alcocer says Swindle “is a perfect fit” for the “bold” brand and that “his abilities on the water and his product insight really can't be overstated.”
Swindle’s Bassmaster highlights, in addition to his AOY titles, include 18 Classic appearances and 55 Top 10 finishes.
“It’s a great match,” Alcocer says. “We're very excited to work with Gerald to continue to create innovative products and help him bring home wins.”
Swindle praised 13 Fishing’s product line for including quality rods and reels in both high-end and economical categories.
“Dude, I’m telling ya, for the price of some of these rods and reels, they’re as good as any I’ve ever fished with,” Swindle says. “So, I’m just as happy with a $125 to $150 rod as I am with a $400 rod.”
“I’ve fished with the $125 to $150 rods, and they’re light for the dollar but just don’t break.” Swindle continues. I tell the guys at 13 that, and they laugh and say, ‘If Swindle can’t break ‘em, no one can!’ If I can’t break ‘em, you’re getting zero customer returns.”
Having purchased a minority stake in 13 Fishing’s parent company in 2019, Rapala VMC distributes 13 Fishing products outside the U.S.
Swindle is also a Rapala pro. His pro-team liaison at both Rapala and 13 Fishing is Dan Quinn, who wears marketing hats at both companies.
“Gerald is as good as they get and is one of the very best at catching bass, but just as importantly, he works just as hard off the water,” Quinn says. “Whether it’s filming, doing photo shoots, designing and testing products, his product knowledge and communication are top-level.”
“The fishing world better buckle up for this,” Quinn says. “It’s gonna be a fun ride!”
‘Mean and Elegant’ Concept Z SLD Reel
Swindle is so enthusiastic about 13 Fishing’s Gen II Concept Z SLD baitcasting reel, he’s convinced his wife to paint her vintage truck to match its gun-metal-grey sheen.
“We’re stripping it down to paint it and it’s going to be the same color as that reel,” Swindle says. “That’ how much I like that reel. It looks mean and elegant at the same time.”
LeAnn’s truck, a 1986 square-body Chevy with an LS1 Corvette motor, is undeniably cool. As are she and her fast-talking, quick-witted, square-brim-hatted, designer-jean-wearing husband, one of the Bassmaster Elite Series’ most popular – and colorful – characters. So it likely surprised no one when Swindle signed with 13 Fishing, angling’s coolest brand.
“13 Fishing is a stylish, cool brand, and that’s very appealing to me where I’m at in my career,” Swindle says. “With that image, it’s a lot easier to relate to people who are in their 20s, who are in college. They get into the brand. They like the way everything is ‘murdered out,’ as they call it. And that appeals to the people that I run around with.”
Swindle was impressed with 13’s Gen II Concept Z SLD reel’s performance the moment he picked it up.
“When I put that thing in my hand I knew this is where I want to be,” Swindle says. “If this brand is going in this direction, this fast, with this great of equipment, I want to be there.”
In addition to low-friction centrifugal braking, the Z SLD features 13’s innovative new SLIDE magnetic cast-control system, which is located in the perfect place for anglers to adjust without missing a single cast. You can use it to control casting downwind and then upwind on alternating casts with a flick of the thumb.
“That Slide’s legit,” Swindle says. “I mean, you turn into the wind, push it up – and it steadies the cast.”
Additionally, the Z SLD features zero-corrosion CZB bearings and an advanced-polymer drag system within a rock-solid “Cast Iron Carbon” frame and side plates. And it looks cool – SWINDEL-LEVEL COOL. “It’s got that swagger, it’s got that drip,” he says.
“When you put that reel on your rod, that combo’s got a lot of deck appeal,” Swindle explains. “When that rod and reel is laying on my front deck, I’ve seen people walk all the way across the parking lot and pick it up – 20 rods laying there, and they’ll walk right to that one and pick it up. That’s the ‘drip’ – that’s the deck appeal that draws people in.”
Rods Have ‘Right Feel’ and ‘Right Bend’
Of the 13 Fishing rods he’s fished with so far, Swindle especially likes a 7-foot, 3-inch medium-heavy Omen Black casting rod with an extra-fast tip.
“The tip on those rods just felt right – great for skipping a jig,” he says. “You don’t want a rod that’s too stiff. You’ve got to have a little tip to make an accurate cast. But you also gotta to have 80-percent backbone for when you get a big fish hooked up. That rod has that. When I picked it up, I said, ‘This is perfect.’”
Long respected as the OG of the 13 Fishing lineup, Omen Black-series rods continue to lead 13’s domination of the new school. Available in lengths, actions and powers that cover techniques both current and emerging, every stick in the tournament-proven series features Japanese 36 Ton Toray blanks with Poly Vector Graphite technology. Those innovations make Omen rods lighter and more sensitive without sacrificing durability.
“We have the right feel, the right bend in these rods,” Swindle says. “If the rod’s too stiff, you’re going to lose a lot of fish, you’re going to miss a lot of fish. If the rod’s too limber, you’re going to jump off a bunch of fish.”
Helping design new rods is something is Swindle really enjoys.
“I love having direct input with the guys’ who make the product. To be able make a difference and help with rods means we can build something together,” he says. “For where I’m at, dude, this is perfect.
“It’s so cool, because when you’re talking to guys at 13, you’re talking to guys that fish all the time,” he says. “I’m not talking to an engineer that’s never been on a boat. These guys fish – and they’re hammers. They can catch ‘em. So when you make that conversation, that connection, they know what you’re looking for.”
“I’m looking at the new stuff coming and this is exactly what we need,” Swindle says. “We can kind of ‘do the homework’ for everybody, so people don’t struggle when they come in the store and they know what they’re going in there to get.”
Swindle is looking forward to a “super, super soft” baitcasting rod with a “really parabolic” bend for fishing his Rapala DT-6 and DT-10 crankbaits. “Because you can truly overpower your crankbaits if you get too stiff of a rod,” he explains. “I want a rod that has a nice forgiveness to it – a nice feel – but has a little ‘meat’ on it. Because if you’re ripping that bait out of the grass, you want the bottom part of it to be kind of beefy.”
He is also looking forward also to a “perfect rod” for launching deep-diving Rapala DT-20 crankbaits “a long, long ways – really let ‘em fly.” It will feature a fast-action tip “you can load” and a slightly longer-than-average handle. He’s also working on numerous upcoming projects with technique specific applications in mind.
Jeff Michels win Wild West Shasta event with two day-23 pound total!
Courtesy of Wildwestbasstrail.com By David A. Brown
REDDING, Calif. — When the big guns failed to deliver, APEX Cup angler Jeff Michels shifted gears and sacked up a Day-2 limit of 11.91 pounds and won the Wild West Bass Trail Superclean Showdown Pro/Am on Lake Shasta. with a two-day total of 23.45. For his effort, Michels earned a $25,000 first-place award.
The event was originally scheduled for three days, but an unforeseen complication involving local regulations postponed the start to Friday.
Hailing from Lakehead, Calif., Michels placed second on Day 1 with 11.54. Spending his tournament in the McCloud and Sacramento River arms, he fished a two-pronged game plan in which he looked for big bites early on a 10-inch Hog Hunter Magnum Trout swimbait and then finessed his spots with 5-inch Senkosin natural shad, baby bass and green pumpkin black flake colors on a 3/32-ounce finesse head.
Same as Day 1, Michels fished hard spots on muddy banks from 5 to 30 feet. After missing a few big swimbait opportunities, he caught all of his weight fish on the Senko.
Michels noted that his best action came far up the Sacramento arm where a lack of shad made crawfish and trout imitations the right call. He caught good numbers both days, but a late-day kicker on Day 2 pushed him over the finish line.
“I caught a key fish today — a 4.15 — around 3:30,” Michels said. “I was sweating it. I had a little bit of time left and I had a ton of confidence in that area. I just stuck in that one area and ground it out.
“I just got a couple key bites both days. Coming into this event, I was only catching 8 to 8 1/2 pounds a day. I found one school of fish and I just stuck with them. I had a 1/4-mile stretch of the Sacramento and I was working both sides of the channel, so it was a 1/2-mile loop.”
Michels said the warming trend that arrived right before the tournament made the fish more active. Also, recent rains helped Shasta regain some of its water level deficit (approximately 105 feet below full pool) and Michels believes this further benefitted his cause.
“When this lake starts coming up, fish start coming to the bank,” he said. “It positions them so you can catch them. That was a big key to my victory.”
Michels also lauded the impact of his recently installed Garmin Panoptix.
“That technology is amazing,” he said. “It will show you fish, so you look down at your trolling motor arrow and you know exactly where to cast and how deep the fish are. It’s a game changer.”
Bryant Smith of Roseville, Calif. finished second with 21.95. Mounting a significant comeback, Smith rose from 55th place by adding 13.83 to the 8.12 he caught on Day 1.
“I think the biggest thing was the sun came out today and positioned the fish where I could catch them and they weren’t so scattered,” Smith said. “It seems like yesterday with the clouds and the rain those fish weren’t really setting up; they were cruising around.”
Fishing the main lake, the McCloud arm and the Sacramento arm, Smith bounced around to fish points and drains. His strategy involved playing the numbers game and trying to hit as many big fish spots as he could.
“I had a 6.06 and a 3-pounder on the same point,” Smith said. “They were almost on back-to-back casts. That was a great way for it to go down.”
Smith caught his fish on a 3/16-ounce brown shaky head with a green pumpkin Strike King Fat Baby Finesse worm and Neko-rigged green pumpkin stick bait with a 3/32-ounce Dobyns nail weight and No. 1 Gamakatsu Split shot/dropshot hook.
Cliff King of Ione, Calif. placed third with 20.85. Fishing main lake cuts in about 30 feet, he posted daily weights of 10.09 and 10.76.
King caught all of his fish on a Z-Man FattyZ (The Deal color) on a Ned head. He started out with a 5/32-ounce, but went to a 3/32-ounce when fishing action decreased. Dead sticking the bait proved most productive.
“I started out running and gunning, but when the bite got tougher, I started going back to my best spots,” King said. “I started making a milk run of six different areas.”
Thaddeus Vinson of Medford, Or. won the amateur division with 19.27. After catching 8.3 on Day 1, he added 10.97 today and earned a $10,000 top prize.
Spending time in the main lake, as well as the McCloud, Sacramento and Pit River arms, he caught his fish on a Steelhead Slammer spinner with the single hook replaced by a feathered treble and a Neko-rigged green pumpkin black flake Senko with a 1/16-ounce nail weight.
“Today’s wind made the spinner productive,” Vinson said. “I had all my weight by 10 a.m. When it slicked off, I threw the Senko and got bit, but everything I weighted came on that spinner.”
Register Now for Strike King Big Bass Challenge Tournaments
World Finals Champs Prepare for 2021 High School Season
Lew’s & Strike King Proud to Offer Freshman Scholarships
Lexington, S.C. (January 18, 2021) –
Supporting youth and the future of our sport has been at the core of our brands since their inception. This effort has been supported in many fashions throughout our history. The most notable is the highly successful Mach High School Program, which has enabled Lew’s to support many high school bass clubs across the country. In addition, Strike King is, and has always been, a proud sponsor of numerous high school and college fishing teams and events.
To ensure success of this mission, the Lew’s & Strike King brands will continue to use a fully functional Field Activation Team that heads up our nationwide efforts to support and equip youth anglers. These efforts have helped us lay the foundation for one of our most exciting developments to date. To further support our youth anglers and thank them for carrying the love and passion for fishing, we are excited to bring back the Lew’s & Strike King Freshman Scholarship Program for 2021! “We acknowledge and embrace our youth as the future of fishing. We proudly accept the opportunity to help them carry on this tradition that so many of us count as a passion in our own lives and families.
Our organization is honored to invest in our youth through this program and feel like it is our obligation to ensurethat just as it was passed down to us, the love of fishing is passed on to future generations.”commentsRocky Kalsow, N.A. Presidentof Rather Outdoors. The Lew’s & Strike King Freshman Scholarship Program is designed for graduating High School seniorswho will be advancing their secondary education at an accredited two or four-year institution.
There is no stipulation on the field of study and those planning on attending Technical schools are welcome to apply as well as conventional Colleges and Universities. Lew’s & Strike King will fund up to five scholarships with a $5,000 maximum contribution for each recipient. Those interested must complete theapplication which is available on the Lew’s website. We are proudly partnering with the Future FishermanFoundation in the screening and processing of all applications. More information and the actual application can be found on www.lews.com.
Coon & Graham win BassChamps Falcon Lake event with over 27 pounds!
| Place | Boat | Truck | Angler 1 | Angler 2 | Fish | Big Bass | Wt. | Prize Amt. | |
| 1 |  |
MIKE COON KERRVILLE , TX |
WESLEY GRAHAM EMORY , TX |
5 | 8.37 | 27.88 |
|
||
| 2 |  |
TIM FLOWERS MIDLAND , TX |
BRIAN ANKRUM HONDO , TX |
5 | 0 | 19.86 |
|
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| 3 |  |
ALFONSO HERRERA ALAMOGORDO , NM |
ALEJANDRO RAMIREZ ALMOGORDO , NM |
3 | 9.21 | 17.28 |
|
||
| 4 | WESLEY PULLIG WALL , TX |
MASON PULLIG WALL , TX |
3 | 0 | 15.18 |
|
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| 5 | |
BILL GARZA JR FLORESVILLE , TX |
GABRIELLE GARZA FLORESVILLE , TX |
5 | 0 | 15.02 |
|
||
| 6 |  |
MARK BIONDI JR BURLESON , TX |
MARK BIONDI SR BURLESON , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.73 |
|
||
| 7 | RANDY DIXON BORGER , TX |
STEPHEN WINTER MIDLAND , TX |
4 | 0 | 11.60 |
|
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| 8 | ELENO BALBOA JR DEL RIO , TX |
ELENO BALBOA III DEL RIO , TX |
2 | 9.24 | 11.42 |
|
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| 9 | |
BILLY BREWER BRUCEVILLE , TX |
L J CASTILLO WACO , TX |
3 | 0 | 11.40 |
|
||
| 10 | |
CLIFF BROWN HARKER HEIGHTS , TX |
JOHN RILEY KILLEEN , TX |
2 | 0 | 11.33 |
|
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| 11 | JIMMY STEED ZAPATA , TX |
CHARLIE HARALSON DEL RIO , TX |
2 | 0 | 11.07 |
|
|||
| 12 | WILLIAM BLAINE SAN ANGELO , TX |
ROSS JEWELL SAN ANGELO , TX |
4 | 0 | 9.74 |
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| 13 | VICTOR MARTINEZ LAREDO , TX |
3 | 0 | 9.70 |
|
||||
| 14 | MITCH GOODALL BOERNE , TX |
FOY OSBURN BOERNE , TX |
2 | 0 | 8.24 |
|
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| 15 | |
STUART JEFFREY ABILENE , TX |
FRANK MIXON ABILENE , TX |
1 | 8.11 | 8.11 |
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| 16 | |
STEVE CARAWAY KERRVILLE , TX |
DON STEHLING KERRVILLE , TX |
1 | 7.88 | 7.88 |
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||
| 17 | CRAWFORD BRANTLEY GROVE , OK |
TIM BROADFOOT ABILENE , TX |
2 | 0 | 6.80 |
|
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| 18 | MATT RIGBY HELOTES , TX |
LANE RIGBY HELOTES , TX |
1 | 6.78 | 6.78 |
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| 19 | |
KYLE KELLER RIO MEDINA , TX |
JOSHUA SPENCER SAN ANTONIO , TX |
1 | 5.43 | 5.43 |
|
||
| 20 | RAYMOND NEWTON JUNCTION , TX |
STEVEN CRAVEY JUNCTION , TX |
1 | 4.11 | 4.11 |
|
|||
| 21 | CRAIG PRYOR SEGUIN , TX |
CAROL ROBERSON SEGUIN , TX |
1 | 4.02 | 4.02 |
|
|||
| 22 | RICHARD DRAKE FAIR OAKS RANCH , TX |
CHRISTOPHER EYHORN SAN ANTONIO , TX |
1 | 0 | 3.94 |
|
|||
| 23 | |
JESSE FLAKE JEWETT , TX |
1 | 0 | 3.73 |
|
|||
| 24 | |
THOMAS DAVILA MIDLAND , TX |
ROGER MONTEJANO DEL RIO , TX |
1 | 0 | 3.36 |
|
||
| 25 | |
CHARLIE FORSTER CENTER POINT , TX |
MIKE BINGHAM KERRVILLE , TX |
1 | 0 | 3.10 |
|
||
| 26 | RICHARD CREMO LAREDO , TX |
ROBERTO GONZALEZ LAREDO , TX |
1 | 0 | 3.05 |
|
|||
| 27 | |
FREDDY SANCHEZ LAREDO , TX |
FREDDY SANCHEZ JR LAREDO , TX |
1 | 0 | 2.76 |
|
||
| 28 | RICK SCHEEN AUSTIN , TX |
MIKE HARMAN BASTROP , TX |
1 | 0 | 2.55 |
|
|||
| 29 | ZACH BIBB FAIR OAKS RANCH , TX |
BRENDON KENNELL BOERNE , TX |
1 | 0 | 2.02 |
|
|||
| 30 | |
CHAD BLACK CANYON LAKE , TX |
CHUCK BLACK LOGAN , NM |
1 | 0 | 2.01 |
|
||
| 31 | |
RICARDO CARRILLOL LAREDO , TX |
SUSAN CARRILLO LAREDO , TX |
1 | 0 | 1.98 |
|
||
| 32 | |
AL LOPEZ CLYDE , TX |
ANTHONY CAMPBELL ABILENE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | JOSE MEDRANO DEL RIO , TX |
DOLORES ROBLES DEL RIO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | |
ZACHARY WYMER MCKINNEY , TX |
DAVID WYMER HALTOM CITY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | |
|
ROBERT LOPEZ DEL RIO , TX |
JEFF BUTTERS DEL RIO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|
| 32 | JONATHAN CLICK CHRISTOVAL , TX |
BEN BLAINE GOLDWAITE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | WILLIAM BRASHER BRONTE , TX |
WENDY HALL BRONTE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | |
ARLEN HAUSCHILD SEGUIN , TX |
CHRISTOPHER HAUSCHILD CANYON LAKE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | |
ROBERT GARZA LAREDO , TX |
TONY ALANIZ LAREDO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | |
BUFORD ESTEP JR THREE RIVERS , TX |
CLIF HUNTER THREE RIVERS , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | |
LEE LEONARD MARTINDALE , TX |
SCOTT BRONDER FALLS CITY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | CHRIS WEAVER LAWTON , OK |
CHRIS STONE SAN ANTONIO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | |
BRIAN HALL BRONTE , TX |
JACOB BECK STERLING CITY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | MIKE KATZER KYLE , TX |
DAVID IMMEL BOERNE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | JUSTIN BROUGHTON GRANBURY , TX |
STEVE PETERSON DEVINE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | RICHARD BACON BASILE , LA |
SPEEDY COLLETT ZAPATA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | JIMMY SHELTON DUBLIN , TX |
CHARLES WHITED SAN MARCOS , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | |
|
DAVID LAINE HORSESHOE BAY , TX |
WILLIAM FESLER LAMPASAS , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|
| 32 | BRIAN FLEMING JR SAN ANTONIO , TX |
MIKE FLEMING NEW BRAUNFELS , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | |
KIMBERLY SUBIA TAFT , TX |
JAMES GRIMLEY TAFT , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | |
SCOTTY VILLINES POCA , AR |
DAN SCHOONVELD SAN ANTONIO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | CHAD THEDFORD TYLER , TX |
NICK BROWN LINDALE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | DEREK KARL EDNA , TX |
BRYAN JACOBS YOAKUM , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | ADAM PEREIRA SEGUIN , TX |
MIKE LANE SEGUIN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | |
CHRIS SNYDER CIBOLO , TX |
STEVE WADE SAN ANTONIO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | |
JOSEPH TOMPKINS BOERNE , TX |
DEBBIE TOMPKINS BOERNE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | |
CORY LEITA VICTORIA , TX |
BRUCE WHITE LA WARD , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | |
JOHN FORSTER CENTER POINT , TX |
CLAYTON FORSTER CENTER POINT , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | TOMMY LACKEY CENTER POINT , TX |
CODY LACKEY CENTER POINT , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | |
DARRELL GARZA PLEASANTON , TX |
JEREMY WIGGINS PLEASANTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | DRAKE WEHRS TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES , NM |
ERIC HALE TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES , NM |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | |
RICK SHOCK VICTORIA , TX |
TED SPRENCEL PORT LAVACA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | BUBBA HARALSON DEL RIO , TX |
JERRY GREEN BRECKENRIDGE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | |
CRAIG CRIM VICTORIA , TX |
DANIEL RODRIGUEZ NEW BRAUNFELS , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | |
RUSSELL GETSCHMANN VICTORIA , TX |
COLTON GETSCHMANN VICTORIA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | |
CLAYTON WOODS ANDREWS , TX |
CLAYTON WOODS ANDREWS , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | BOBBY BURKEEN CARLSBAD , NM |
BRANDON BURKEEN CARLSBAD , NM |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | DAVID UNDERWOOD WACO , TX |
CHARLES SIMMONS WACO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | |
|
ALLEN SHELTON FARMERS BRANCH , TX |
FORREST WILSON SPRING BRANCH , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|
| 32 | |
CODY ROBERSON EMORY , TX |
DON BAILEY SAN ANTONIO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | |
SCOTTY GALBREAITH WEATHERFORD , TX |
JASON GALBREAITH BURLESON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | |
MIKE RICHARDSON THORNDALE , TX |
RANDY CADDELL ANDREWS , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | |
KENNETH FAIRLY LOCKHART , TX |
TOMMY LAW TYE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | |
TIM BLANCHETTE BLESSING , TX |
TOMMIE COLLIER VICTORIA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | TOM CAUTHEN INGRAM , TX |
RONNY GAZAWAY KERRVILLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | |
KYLE WIEDENFELD BOERNE , TX |
KADEN WIEDENFELD BOERNE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | DEVIN GIBSON GONZALES , TX |
ROBERT PRESCOTT SEGUIN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | GEORGE ESCAMILLA SAN ANTONIO , TX |
BRANDON KITCHENS CANYON LAKE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | KEVIN UNGER SMITHVILLE , TX |
TIM GOETZ SMITHVILLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | |
KENNETH LAND EDNA , TX |
RAYMOND ZETKA EDNA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | |
MIKE PERKINS DALLAS , TX |
STAN GERZENYI DEL RIO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | ROBERT BALBOA DEL RIO , TX |
DANNY PUENTE JR DEL RIO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | RAUL ESPARZA SAN ANTONIO , TX |
JOSEPH HURLEY SAN ANTONIO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | |
JEFFREY PIEL CANYON LAKE , TX |
KASEN PIEL CANYON LAKE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | |
BUDDY BOONE SAN ANTONIO , TX |
RALPH CELEDON ALAMO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | |
IGNACIO SANCHEZ CAMPWOOD , TX |
ACE SANCHEZ CAMPWOOD , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | |
BRENT SMITH BERTRAM , TX |
BRETT ORLICH LEANDER , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | |
TOM LANPHER SEGUIN , TX |
PAUL RODRIGUEZ SAN ANTONIO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | |
DAVID MORENO LAREDO , TX |
JOSE AVILA LAREDO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | IGNACIO GUTIERREZ LAREDO , TX |
ROBERT FRAUSTO LAREDO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | EDDIE LERO BRYAN , TX |
TERRY WIESE BRYAN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | |
CHANCE HUNDLEY CASTROVILLE , TX |
CODY HUNDLEY RIO MEDINA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | DUSTY FRANK WEST POINT , TX |
JOHN PRICE LA GRANGE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | MATIAS YDROGO III LAREDO , TX |
RUBEN QUINTANA LAREDO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | IRA LYNN ADKINS , TX |
TREVOR ROGGE CANYON LAKE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | |
JOSE GONZALEZ LAREDO , TX |
VICTOR GONZALEZ LAREDO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | |
JOSE SAUCEDO UVALDE , TX |
JONATHAN JONES DEL RIO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | |
SERGIO HERRERA LAREDO , TX |
VICTOR GARZA LAREDO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | RUSTY REEDY SPRING BRANCH , TX |
AYDEN REEDY SPRING BRANCH , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | |
MIKE BATES CANYON LAKE , TX |
GERALD DELAFUENTE CASTROVILLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | KENNETH WITEK SAN ANTONIO , TX |
ERIC TAUER NEW BRAUNFELS , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | ANDRES FLORES LAREDO , TX |
FRANCISCO GONZALEZ LAREDO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | |
STEVE WILSON FREDERICKSBURG , TX |
RAMIRO REYES HEBRONVILLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 32 | MIKE REID NEED INFO |
MICHAEL REID ANDREWS , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 32 | |
WAYNE JACKSON RIO FRIO , TX |
JASON SCHNEEMANN D'HANIS , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
AC Rookie Podcast - "Now or Never with Tai Au"
On the latest AC Insider Rookie Podcast, Chris catches up with MLF Big 5 Pro Circuit Rookie Tai Au as he prepares for his Pro Circuit debut. Based in Glendale, Arizona, Tai has literally come from nothing in the last 10 years to winning two Toyota Series events and qualifying his way into the Pro Circuit. Find out more about Arizona's Tai Au, right here.
Carl Jocumsen - New Year, New Opportunities
Carl Jocumsen - Bassmaster Elite Series Pro
2021 has kicked off to a crazy busy start for Kayla and me. I have been competing since I was 16 years old and this will be my 11th year here in the states. Just like for anyone out there, it’s been a tough road and you just have to keep pushing forward, breaking down barriers and for me I have this goal or vision in my mind on where I want to get to. These past few years have really been humbling for me, to have the opportunity to have companies who’ve you’ve looked up to and their products you use and trust, to have them reach out and want to work with me and support me. Like I said before, crazy humbling.
Those that know me, know that I am an extremely loyal person, and I don't like changing sponsors. The majority of my sponsors have been with me for over 10 years, some over 20 years, and I'm proud of that. The fun part to me is working with a company who listens to their pro-staff and takes the input we give them and utilizes that. We are on the water every day and when a company really wants and values your input, that’s a company I want to align with.
One of my biggest moves this year will be moving into a new Falcon bass boat. The last 5 years with BassCat has been incredible, but it was my decision to move into a little bigger boat and into something that I believe was going to help me in my career going forward. They are a family-owned company, with a great product and the ride in the boat is just awesome, so it made sense for me and my career to make this move.
Another move for me this year is the welcome addition of both Rapala and XZone lures. Both products I have used over my career and products I truly have confidence in to help me catch more fish. The XZone Slammer is one bait that had been kind of a secret for a long time, especially up north and I caught onto it pretty quickly and the fish just love it. Most of their products I have been using for a while now, Brandon (Palaniuk) had turned me on to a few of their newer products that he helped design and I quickly saw how I could utilize them in my arsenal. One neat upgrade is putting a swammer on a chatterbait, the difference in the action was incredible. Another thing XZone does, is it gives me a lot of options for my soft plastics, especially for jig trailers. The craws with the floating claws, the chunks, the adrenaline bug, I’m excited to dial those into my jig game because I do change my trailers a lot and I like options because jig fishing is an important part of my arsenal. The XZone stuff is something you should really check out. Great people and the products are awesome.
Over my career I’ve probably never been more excited to get a season started. With the new boat, rigging up the new Humminbird and MinnKota stuff, getting all my tackle organized and being prepared to not have a single excuse when we kick off next month in Florida. I’m ready to go!
The Waters of Opportunity
This Week Chris & the boys welcome in NPFL and BASS Opens Pro Joel Willert to the show to talk about his move from FLW last year and why he chose to fish the NPFL Inaugural season & all 3 divisions of the Bassmaster Opens in 2021.
B.A.S.S. Officially Announces 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Field
Bryan New of Belmont, N.C., who won the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year title, is one of 13 new anglers on the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series.
Photo by James Overstreet/B.A.S.S.
January 12, 2021
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A reworked 2020 Bassmaster Elite Series season drew millions of enthusiastic fans to live broadcasts as the Elites became one of the only major sports to complete their full schedule, so it is no surprise that the full field is eager to resume competition. When the Elite Series takes to the St. Johns River to launch the 2021 season in February, the roster will feature 101 anglers.
B.A.S.S. announced the field for the 2021 Elite Series today, and every angler from the 2020 roster is returning, along with 12 qualifiers from the Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens and the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation champion.
“To have all of the guys back from last year says a lot about the positive momentum we have with the Bassmaster Elite Series,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “The reaction to last season was overwhelmingly positive from sponsors and fans. While they may not have always been able to join us lakeside for weigh-ins, B.A.S.S. fans cheered on each big moment while watching live coverage and encouraged their favorite anglers with messages on social media. We’re looking forward to adding 13 incredibly talented anglers into the mix.”
The list of returnees will include the legendary Clark Wendlandt, who fished a brilliant season to secure his first Bassmaster Angler of the Year title to go along with three FLW AOY crowns. Also returning are the six first-time Elite Series champions from 2020: Buddy Gross, Chris Johnston, Lee Livesay, Frank Talley, Patrick Walters and Bill Weidler.
They will be joined by a talented crop of rookies that includes Bryan New of Belmont, N.C., who won the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year title, along with overall qualifiers Marc Frazier of Newnan, Ga., and Matt Robertson of Kuttawa, Ky. The rookie anglers who qualified through the Central Opens are Darold Gleason of Many, La., and Kenta Kimura of Osaka, Japan. Justin Hamner of Northport, Ala., KJ Queen of Catawba, N.C., and Joshua Stracner of Vandiver, Ala., all qualified through the Eastern Opens and round out the rookie class.
Pat Schlapper of Eleva, Wis., will also join the rookie class after winning the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on Pickwick Lake in November but also earned an invitation via his Top 4 finish in Eastern Opens points.
Four additional anglers who qualified through the Opens Series points standings are joining the Elite field; however, any angler who has combined earnings of at least $500,000 with B.A.S.S. and FLW is not considered a rookie.
Scott Martin of Clewiston, Fla., earned an Elite Series invitation through the Eastern Opens division; however, while this will be his first season on the Elite Series, he will not be eligible for the 2021 Rookie of the Year race.
Instead, Martin will join Justin Atkins, Jason Christie and Greg Hackney as established anglers competing on the Elite Series. Atkins (No. 2 in Opens AOY points), Christie (No. 1 in Eastern Opens points) and Hackney (No. 2 in Eastern Opens points) all fished another pro circuit in 2020. Both Christie and Hackney have competed on the Elite Series previously, combining for six Elite event wins and an AOY title.
The 2021 Elite Series schedule will begin Feb. 11-14 with the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River in Palatka, Fla. From there, it will wind through six states for nine events as anglers compete for cash and prizes and attempt to qualify for the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. For the first time in history, every Bassmaster Elite Series event as well as the Bassmaster Classic will feature live television coverage on the FOX Sports platforms.
Each tournament will begin with the full field of anglers on Days 1 and 2 before the field is cut to 50 for the semifinal round on Day 3. Only the Top 10 remaining anglers will fish the final day of each event with a $100,000 first-place prize on the line.
“Momentum is a powerful thing in any business or sport,” Akin said. “We built a lot of momentum over the last two seasons, and we have a field of anglers who will help us keep it going this year.”
2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Field
1. Matt Arey, Shelby, N.C.
2. Justin Atkins, Florence, Ala.
3. Todd Auten, Lake Wylie, S.C.
4. Drew Benton, Blakely, Ga.
5. Stetson Blaylock, Benton, Ark.
6. Scott Canterbury, Odenville, Ala.
7. Quentin Cappo, Prairieville, La.
8. Brandon Card, Salisbury, N.C.
9. Tyler Carriere, Youngsville, La.
10. Hank Cherry, Lincolnton, N.C.
11. Jason Christie, Park Hill, Okla.
12. Gary Clouse, Winchester, Tenn.
13. Rick Clunn, Ava, Mo.
14. Brandon Cobb, Greenwood, S.C.
15. Keith Combs, Huntington, Texas
16. Drew Cook, Cairo, Ga.
17. John Cox, DeBary, Fla.
18. John Crews, Salem, Va.
19. Clent Davis, Montevallo, Ala.
20. Destin DeMarion, Grove City, Pa.
21. Rob Digh, Denver, N.C.
22. Greg DiPalma, Millville, N.J.
23. Bob Downey, Hudson, Wis.
24. Seth Feider, New Market, Minn.
25. Austin Felix, Eden Prairie, Minn.
26. Marc Frazier, Newnan, Ga.
27. Micah Frazier, Newnan, Ga.
28. David Fritts, Lexington, N.C.
29. Darold Gleason, Many, La.
30. Chris Groh, Spring Grove, Ill.
31. Buddy Gross, Chickamauga, Ga.
32. Jeff Gustafson, Keewatin, Ontario, Canada
33. Greg Hackney, Gonzales, La.
34. Skylar Hamilton, Dandridge, Tenn.
35. Justin Hamner, Northport, Ala.
36. Ray Hanselman Jr., Del Rio, Texas
37. Jamie Hartman, Greenbrier, Ark.
38. Matt Herren, Ashville, Ala.
39. Dale Hightower, Mannford, Okla.
40. Cody Hollen, Beaverton, Ore.
41. Harvey Horne, Bella Vista, Ark.
42. Derek Hudnall, Denham Springs, La.
43. Mike Huff, Corbin, Ky.
44. Taku Ito, Okegawa, Japan
45. Kelley Jaye, Dadeville, Ala.
46. Carl Jocumsen, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
47. Chris Johnston, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
48. Cory Johnston, Cavan, Ontario, Canada
49. Steve Kennedy, Auburn, Ala.
50. Kenta Kimura, Osaka, Japan
51. Koby Kreiger, Alva, Fla.
52. Caleb Kuphall, Mukwonago, Wis.
53. Robbie Latuso, Gonzales, La.
54. Shane LeHew, Catawba, N.C.
55. Brandon Lester, Fayetteville, Tenn.
56. Shane Lineberger, Lincolnton, N.C.
57. Lee Livesay, Longview, Texas
58. Wes Logan, Springville, Ala.
59. Ed Loughran III, Richmond, Va.
60. Bill Lowen, Brookville, Ind.
61. Scott Martin, Clewiston, Fla.
62. Mark Menendez, Paducah, Ky.
63. Yusuke Miyazaki, Forney, Texas
64. Kyle Monti, Okeechobee, Fla.
65. Chad Morgenthaler, Reeds Spring, Mo.
66. Rick Morris, Virginia Beach, Va.
67. Brock Mosley, Collinsville, Miss.
68. Paul Mueller, Naugatuck, Conn.
69. David Mullins, Mt. Carmel, Tenn.
70. Bryan New, Belmont, N.C.
71. Brandon Palaniuk, Rathdrum, Idaho
72. Luke Palmer, Coalgate, Okla.
73. Garrett Paquette, Canton, Mich.
74. Randy Pierson, Oakdale, Calif.
75. Chad Pipkens, DeWitt, Mich.
76. Clifford Pirch, Payson, Ariz.
77. Brett Preuett, Monroe, La.
78. Cliff Prince, Palatka, Fla.
79. KJ Queen, Catawba, N.C.
80. Tyler Rivet, Raceland, La.
81. Matt Robertson, Kuttawa, Ky.
82. Pat Schlapper, Eleva, Wis.
83. Bryan Schmitt, Deale, Md.
84. Bernie Schultz, Gainesville, Fla.
85. Hunter Shryock, Newcomerstown, Ohio
86. Brian Snowden, Reeds Spring, Mo.
87. Joshua Stracner, Vandiver, Ala.
88. Randy Sullivan, Breckenridge, Texas
89. Caleb Sumrall, New Iberia, La.
90. Gerald Swindle, Guntersville, Ala.
91. Jesse Tacoronte, Orlando, Fla.
92. Frank Talley, Temple, Texas
93. Patrick Walters, Summerville, S.C.
94. Bill Weidler, Helena, Ala.
95. Kyle Welcher, Opelika, Ala.
96. Clark Wendlandt, Leander, Texas
97. Brad Whatley, Bivins, Texas
98. Jake Whitaker, Fairview, N.C.
99. Jason Williamson, Wagener, S.C.
100. Jay Yelas, Lincoln City, Ore.
101. Chris Zaldain, Fort Worth, Texas
Zaldain: Bend the hook for better swimbait success
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
The Megabass Magdraft rigged swimbaits Chris Zaldain uses most frequently to catch super-sized largemouth range in price from $13 to $25 each. Yet, the first thing he’ll tell you to do is bend one of the three shanks on the factory treble hook out to nearly 90-degrees, and then use your pliers to squeeze the other two shanks closer to one another.
“Obviously, every facet of these baits is designed with meticulous detail and innovation, including the hook they come rigged with, but there’s two great reasons to straighten the one shank to nearly 90-degrees,” says the San Jose native who now calls Fort Worth home.
“First, by straightening it out and then reinserting it in the body, it stays anchored in the belly of the bait way better when it splashes down at the end of a long cast. And secondly, when I skip it around and under docks, it stays anchored way better too,” he explains.
Zaldain’s habit of using pliers to squeeze the two remaining exposed hooks closer is a reflection of years spent casting these favorite lures. And experience has taught him he lands more fish when the two exposed hooks are squeezed tighter to one another.
Fact is, he’s won a million bucks fishing professionally, cashing a check in a super-impressive 72% of the B.A.S.S. events he’s competed in, and he’ll unapologetically tell you if conditions allowed, he throw a Magdraft swimbait nearly every day. Thankfully for all us wanting to learn more, his gracious advice doesn’t stop at how to bend the hooks.
Just out of sight, and barely get the tail wagging
“Just like Jimmy Houston taught us all to retrieve a spinnerbait just deep enough to where you could barely see it flash, the same rule pretty much applies to swimbaits,” says Zaldain. “And as far as the speed of retrieve, you want to wind it just barely fast enough to get the tail wagging – no faster, no slower.”
Throw it at the most obvious stuff
You might think fishing pressure and a subsequently educated population of largemouth has ruled out most of the obvious forms of habitat such as bridge pilings, primary points, or that lone isolated dock that sticks out like a sore thumb – but Zaldain makes a great point about exactly why you should never pass those places up with a swimbait.
“Those places still hold fish, and while they may not bite a lot of baits on those spots, the thing you have to remember is the fish that live on that obvious stuff are seeing very few if any 6” or 8” swimbaits.”
CZ’s swimbait gear
When throwing his tournament favorite 6” Magdraft, he ties it to 15-pound fluorocarbon on a 7.1:1 reel and a 7” 2” jig pitching rod. But when he beefs up to the 8” version, his line and rod size follow – choosing 25-pound fluorocarbon and beefier a 7’ 6” flipping stick.
Don’t make the biggest mistake
When asked what the biggest mistake most people make with swimbaits, Zaldain didn’t have to think about it.
“People make five or six casts with it and set it back down. You gotta fish it, man. If you throw it long enough, there’s a real good chance you’ll get bit by the size of fish that’ll forever change your approach to this sport we love.”
Fishing’s Best Flow
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Z-Man® snags Bassmaster Elite star Seth Feider |
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Ladson, SC (January 12, 2020) – For a dude whose BassFan profile lists sideburns and chest hair as his biggest weaknesses, Seth Feider brings an awfully strong salad game. Beyond his rising street cred on the Bassmaster Elite Series, Feider’s trademark mustache and spicy blonde mullet have made the Bloomington, Minnesota based bass ace one of the most recognizable anglers in the country. “Z-Man respects high-end facial hair,” quips Joey Prochazka, pro-staff and promotions manager for Z-Man Fishing Products. “Seriously, we’re super happy to welcome Seth to team Z. He’s the real deal—a genuine dude who shoots it to you straight. Of course, he’s already logged a really successful tournament career on the Bassmaster Elite Series, and sits at the top of his game right now. “No doubt, he’ll fit right in with our motley bunch of Z-Man pros—all exceptional anglers as well as good gals and guys; friendly, approachable people who know how to catch fish anywhere there’s water.” |
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New Z-Man pro Seth Feider continues his hot-streak on the Bassmaster Elite Series. |
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Feider, who owns an uncanny knack for filtering out the fluff and getting down to brass tacks, summarizes the formalized friendship. “I’ve been stealing ElaZtech® baits and ChatterBaits® out of Gussy’s stash for years,” admits Feider. “Heck, I’ve won a lot of money on Z-Man stuff under the radar. Figured it was time to get on board with these guys and work with a company whose baits really work—stuff I prefer to have at the end of my line as opposed to just doing the whole sales pitch thing. I mean, Z’s one of the topnotch fishing companies out there right now—I think a lot of the anglers are figuring that out.” When asked to explain his appeal, Feider goes all modest. “Guess you could say I’m pretty easy going. Honest. Maybe too much so, at times. But yeah, I’m certainly capable of getting excited, too—especially when thigs go well and the tournament is over. On the water, though, for the most part, I stay pretty chill.” Feider, who travels the tournament road with fellow Z-Man pro Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson, also shares his buddy’s fondness for north-country smallmouth bass. “Gussy’s the one who put me on the ElaZtech Hula StickZ™ on a Ned rig. I saw right away, the durability, flotation and action of that little thing gets me way more bites from quality smallmouths. I mean, the Ned rig buoyancy deal routinely cranks out like ten bites to one against other baits that don’t stand up. Looks to me like the perfect mimic of a crawdad’s defensive posture. Regardless, it seems like I’ve already caught like a million smallmouths on that little bait.” A dropshot aficionado from way back, Feider entered his Z-Man alliance already familiar with another elite ElaZtech bait. “I fish that StreakZ™ on a dropshot all the time. Sometimes, the 3.75-inch one is the deal. But at last year’s St. Clair tourney, I threw the bigger 5-inch StreakZ a bunch and it got me way more quality bites. The buoyancy of that bait is key—keeps it floating up above the grass and where bass can see it from a long ways away.” |
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A current project has Feider prospecting with some of the full-sized Z-Man baits in search of high-grade largemouth bites. “Suppose it’s no surprise I’ve been a huge fan of the (ChatterBait) JackHammer,” he notes. “I mean, who isn’t, right? Threw that bait at the 2020 Classic and again at Lake Fork for real strong finishes at both events. “This year, it’ll be fun to start dialing in to some of the other Z-Man ChatterBait patterns, like the StealthBlade™, Freedom CFL™ on deep structure and WillowVibe™. That bait should be a player for big smalljaws and suspended spots.” On his usual tourney game, Feider likes flipping brush or swim-jigging milfoil mats; he pitches a Neko rig everywhere else. “That 7-inch Mag FattyZ™ is really becoming a big deal for largemouths. I’ll be throwing that on a Neko rig a ton this year. And the Turbo CrawZ™ is already becoming my favorite trailer on the back of a swim jig. Guess you could say I’m feeling a little like a kid in a candy store right now.” During the off-season, Feider approaches life more or less low key. “Fall and winter in Minnesota, I do a lot of duck hunting. I also like to sneak out in my duck boat for a little river fishing, or put in on a bunch of secret little lakes; do things sort of incognito.” For the affable, fan-favorite angler, that’s becoming more and more of a challenge—particularly among the younger crowd who’ve been known to follow Feider like puppies before and after tournaments. He’s cool with that, too. Chalk the likeability factor up to his chill attitude, unmistakable style and the ‘do and ‘stache Feider refers to as ‘a Minnesota thing.’ “Yeah, we’ve got the Minnesota All Hockey Hair Team deal (Google it.) But for me the hair has always been a superstition thing. Kind of like keeping a Han Solo action figure in my boat as a good luck charm. Years ago, I’d cut my hair short at the start of the season and let it grow out all year. Seemed like I always did better toward the end of the season, so eventually, I just let it ride. Guess you could say, it’s kind of worked out.” |
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Panzironi Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League on Harris Chain
LEESBURG, Fla. (Jan. 11, 2021) – Eric Panzironi of Longwood, Florida, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 24 pounds, 12 ounces to win the 2021 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine at Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, Florida. Panzironi earned $6,000 for his victory.
“I stayed on Harris all day, which was a short run for me but it worked out nicely,” said Panzironi. “I caught all my fish on a black-colored Zoom Magnum Trick Worm in 10 to 12 feet of mostly dirty water.
“The real key to the victory was the Garmin LiveScope. I caught every single one of my fish directly beneath my boat and I could see them all. I dropped down to them and they’d eat it – it was amazing.”
Panzaroni said he was excited to walk away with a win at the first tournament of the year for the Gator division.
“It’s awesome – I love it,” he said. “To start off 2021 with a win at my first event – I definitely have no regrets.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament as follows:
1st: Eric Panzironi of Longwood, Fla., five bass, 24-12, $6,000
2nd: Peter Thliveros of Saint Augustine, Fla., five bass, 22-7, $3,000
3rd: Joshua Parry of Saint Johns, Fla., five bass, 20-11, $3,000
4th: Jonathan Semento of Okahumpka, Fla., five bass, 19-8, $1,900 (includes $500 Phoenix Bonus)
5th: Tyler Sheppard of Jacksonville, Fla., five bass, 19-7, $1,200
6th: Grady Johnson of Saint Cloud, Fla., five bass, 18-7, $1,100
7th: Bill Troyer of Sarasota, Fla., five bass, 17-11, $1,000
8th: Robert Crosnoe of Inverness, Fla., five bass, 17-10, $900
9th: Grady Maynard of Umatilla, Fla., five bass, 17-4, $800
10th: McCoy (Simon) Borja of Fruitland Park, Fla., five bass, 16-9, $700
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Parry also caught the largest bass in the Boater Division, a 10-pound, 2-ounce largemouth, which was good for the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $1,000.
Semento took home an extra $500 as the highest finishing Phoenix MLF BIG5 Contingency Bonus member. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $7,000 per event in each Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the Phoenix MLF BIG5 Bonus contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.
Mike Garrett of Pensacola, Florida, won the Co-angler Division and $3,000 Saturday after catching a five-bass limit weighing 22 pounds, 3 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers finished as follows:
1st: Mike Garrett of Pensacola, Fla., five bass, 22-3, $3,000
2nd: Shaun Ireland of Lake Worth, Fla., five bass, 17-4, $1,500
3rd: Aymon Wilcox of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., five bass, 17-3, $1,000
4th: Justin Brown of Frostproof, Fla., five bass, 16-6, $900
5th: Bradley Phillips of Alachua, Fla., five bass, 15-11, $600
6th: Justin Bun of Lake Alfred, Fla., five bass, 15-0, $550
7th: Joshua Dunn of Mulberry, Fla., five bass, 14-7, $500
8th: Jason Cooper of Shelbyville, Tenn., five bass, 14-0, $450
9th: Bobby McMullin of Pevely, Mo., five bass, 13-12, $400
10th: Jake Stines of Plant City, Fla., five bass, 12-8, $350
Luke Cocke of Valdosta, Georgia caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 8 pounds, 2 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $500.
The 2021 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine on the Harris Chain of Lakes was hosted by Visit Lake County, FL.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the Gator Division based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 21-23 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on the St. Johns River in Palatka, Florida, hosted by the Putnam County Tourist Development Council. Boaters will compete for a $60,000 prize package, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.
The 2021 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American.
The 2021 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American will be held June 3-5 at Douglas Lake in Dandridge, Tennessee and hosted by the Jefferson County Department of Tourism. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division earn priority entry into the Toyota Series, the pathway to the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour.
Rodgers & Burleigh win BassChamps Opener on Rayburn with 26.69, 13 pounder wins Big Fish!
Travis Moore and Norman Land with their 13.44 lb Sharelunker
| Place | Boat | Truck | Angler 1 | Angler 2 | Fish | Big Bass | Wt. | Prize Amt. | |
| 1 | JOSH RODGERS BEAUMONT , TX |
CASEY BURLEIGH ORANGE , TX |
5 | 7.23 | 26.69 |
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| 2 | |
KEELAN MANUEL SULPHUR , LA |
CLINT CONRAD MOSS BLUFF , LA |
5 | 0 | 24.33 |
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| 3 | PETE LOWE WOODWORTH , LA |
JERRY STROTHER GLENMORA , LA |
5 | 0 | 21.00 |
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| 4 | |
RUSTY CLARK BROOKELAND , TX |
CORY RAMBO ORANGE , TX |
5 | 0 | 20.61 |
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| 5 | WYATT FRANKENS CORRIGAN , TX |
CODY BARCHENGER TAYLOR , TX |
5 | 0 | 20.21 |
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| 6 | |
KENNY COLE KENNARD , TX |
JERAMY COLE KENNARD , TX |
5 | 0 | 19.39 |
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| 7 | SAMMY CHRISTIAN LUMBERTON , TX |
ALLAN SHIVERS JASPER , TX |
5 | 6.89 | 19.32 |
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| 8 | TRAVIS MOORE CLEVELAND , TX |
NORMAN LAND CLEVELAND , TX |
4 | 13.44 | 19.28 |
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| 9 | JASON MOORHEAD JASPER , TX |
TY MOORHEAD JASPER , TX |
5 | 0 | 19.13 |
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| 10 | KURTICE FLOYD NEWTON , TX |
5 | 0 | 18.45 |
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| 11 | JADEN PARRISH LIBERTY , TX |
CODY PARRISH LIBERTY , TX |
5 | 0 | 18.13 |
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| 12 | BRANNON MIRE BLOUSSARD , LA |
DENNIS NARCISSE ST MARTINVILLE , LA |
5 | 9.59 | 18.05 |
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| 13 | CODY PITT HINESTON , LA |
RICHARD ALLEN ANACOLO , LA |
5 | 0 | 17.96 |
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| 14 | CLINT WADE HUNTSVILLE , TX |
STACY SPRIGGS HUNTSVILLE , TX |
5 | 0 | 17.79 |
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| 15 | GEORGE GLASS DERRIDER , LA |
KANE BASS DE RIDDER , LA |
5 | 0 | 17.71 |
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| 15 | JEFF GRUBBS JR DICKINSON , TX |
JEFF GRUBBS SR GOODRICH , TX |
5 | 0 | 17.71 |
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| 15 | |
TODD CASTLEDINE NACOGDOCHES , TX |
JASON BONDS LUFKIN , TX |
5 | 0 | 17.71 |
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| 18 | RALPH DUPUY GROVES , TX |
BRYANT RODRIGUES PORT NECHES , TX |
5 | 8.83 | 17.62 |
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| 18 | CHRIS CLEMENS LUFKIN , TX |
DALLAS COLE LEESVILLE , LA |
5 | 0 | 17.62 |
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| 20 | BOB SIGNORIN OAKHURST , TX |
TRAVIS SIGNORIN WILLIS , TX |
5 | 0 | 17.55 |
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| 21 | JEFF BRIDGES PROSPER , TX |
PETE ELLIOTT VIDOR , TX |
5 | 0 | 17.32 |
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| 22 | |
JAMES BLYTHE JR ELM GROVE , LA |
KEVIN LASYONE DRY PRONG , LA |
5 | 0 | 17.22 |
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| 23 | |
BUBBA NUGENT POLLOCK , LA |
JOHN BENOIT POLLOCK , LA |
5 | 0 | 17.20 |
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| 24 | KRIS WILSON MONTGOMERY , TX |
BRYAN LOHR LUMBERTON , TX |
5 | 0 | 16.87 |
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| 25 | OSCAR LANGELE JR MANY , LA |
JAMES CAMPISE ORANGE , TX |
5 | 0 | 16.85 |
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| 26 | MICHAEL LATHAM LUFKIN , TX |
BEN VAUGHAN LUFKIN , TX |
5 | 0 | 16.49 |
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| 27 | WILL CARSTENS ALEXANDRIA , LA |
ROSS BRYANT ALEXANDRIA , LA |
5 | 0 | 16.39 |
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| 28 | |
CHRIS MOORE ROCKWALL , TX |
KY MARTIN GRANDVIEW , TX |
5 | 0 | 16.26 |
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| 29 | |
MARK MCWHIRTER ARGYLE , TX |
ZEB STRICKLAND TIOGA , TX |
5 | 0 | 16.16 |
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| 30 | PHILIP CRELIA CENTER , TX |
TJ GOODWYN CENTER , TX |
5 | 0 | 16.00 |
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| 31 | JAKE GOODRUM CLEVELAND , TX |
RAY BURNETT CLEVELAND , TX |
5 | 0 | 15.96 |
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| 32 | DENNIS COURTNEY LAKE CHARLES , LA |
GRADY MAYEAUX RAGLEY , LA |
5 | 0 | 15.91 |
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| 33 | GROVER MANSFIELD BROOKELAND , TX |
CORT WESTOVER NEED INFO |
5 | 0 | 15.70 |
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| 34 | ANDREW GOLDEN CENTER , TX |
JOHN BARRERA MILAM , TX |
5 | 0 | 15.63 |
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| 35 | CRAIG MASSEY HOUSTON , TX |
SCOTT HOLIFIELD GRAND BAY , AL |
5 | 0 | 15.58 |
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| 35 | |
PHILIP HANKS BUNA , TX |
RODNEY SAMMONS BUNA , TX |
5 | 0 | 15.58 |
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| 37 | CLAYTON BOULWARE ZAVALLA , TX |
ALBERT COLLINS NACOGDOCHES , TX |
5 | 0 | 15.56 |
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| 38 | |
WES OUSLEY LUMBERTON , TX |
TYLER OUSLEY LUMBERTON , TX |
5 | 0 | 15.32 |
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| 39 | |
TIM RENEAU RICHLAND SPINGS , TX |
JUDY RENEAU RICHLAND SPRINGS , TX |
5 | 0 | 15.12 |
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| 40 | JARRETT LATTA LIBERTY HILL , TX |
BRIAN LOWRANCE NACOGDOCHES , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.97 |
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| 41 | JAMES LARAMORE VIDOR , TX |
GARRETT HILTON BEAUMONT , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.73 |
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| 42 | NATHAN STROUP WILLIS , TX |
WELSEY JOHNSON WILLIS , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.66 |
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| 43 | COLE MOORE ANACOCO , LA |
RICHARD BACON BASILE , LA |
5 | 0 | 14.65 |
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| 44 | SCOOTER CLARK CENTER , TX |
RYAN PINKSTON CENTER , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.30 |
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| 45 | |
JAY STIDHAM CHINA SPRING , TX |
CHARLIE GANTENBEIN TEMPLE , TX |
5 | 5.78 | 14.28 |
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| 46 | TED PRIESING DALLAS , TX |
VIRGIL CHANEY JASPER , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.24 |
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| 47 | MARSHALL HUGHES HEMPHILL , TX |
COLE STEWART HEMPHILL , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.23 |
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| 48 | ED MELTON HOUSTON , TX |
HORACE FRAZIER MANY , LA |
5 | 0 | 14.15 |
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| 49 | CADE DURIO LAKE CHARLES , LA |
JOHN DURIO HEMPHILL , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.12 |
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| 50 | BLAKE ISTRE ORANGE , TX |
DYLAN ISTRE ORANGE , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.10 |
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| 51 | |
ROBERT MORE LEESVILLE , LA |
JERRY COUTEE MONTGOMERY , LA |
5 | 0 | 13.98 |
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| 52 | TERRY HELGESON LEESVILLE , LA |
CHRIS HELGESON TEMPLE , TX |
5 | 0 | 13.93 |
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| 53 | |
MICHAEL SCALISE PORT ALLEN , LA |
CORY CHUSTZ LAKELAND , LA |
5 | 0 | 13.89 |
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| 54 | |
MIKE RICHARDSON THORNDALE , TX |
SCOTT MEADS KILLEEN , TX |
3 | 0 | 13.82 |
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| 55 | |
LARRY WEPPLER HOUSTON , TX |
DENNIS FIKES HOUSTON , TX |
5 | 0 | 13.40 |
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| 56 | RANDY MILLENDER TEAGUE , TX |
KENNETH NICHOLS TEAGUE , TX |
5 | 0 | 13.35 |
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| 57 | RODNEY LEWIS CROCKETT , TX |
DAVID DRISKELL CROCKETT , TX |
5 | 0 | 13.06 |
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| 58 | |
STEVEN RIZZO PROSPER , TX |
CHRIS STRATTA LITTLE ELM , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.77 |
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| 59 | MELVIN DUNN ORANGE , TX |
DOMONICK POULLARD HOUSTON , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.64 |
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| 60 | |
CHAD KEMP BRIDGE CITY , TX |
BRENT KEMP ORANGE , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.47 |
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| 61 | SHANNON PRICE PORT ARTHUR , TX |
JOHNNY VINES GROVES , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.42 |
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| 62 | |
JASON RILEY MONTGOMERY , TX |
BRIAN RISH MONTGOMERY , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.41 |
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| 63 | |
JONATHAN SIMON ORANGE , TX |
COREY STANLEY ORANGE , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.04 |
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| 64 | TEDDY CLOIDE VIDOR , TX |
WESLEY DAWSON CHESTER , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.03 |
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| 65 | |
BUSTER JOHNSON KRUM , TX |
CODY MORRISON COLLINSVILLE , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.00 |
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| 66 | BRYAN LANDERS JASPER , TX |
JOSH PRIEST QUITMAN , TX |
5 | 0 | 11.98 |
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| 67 | |
JARRED WILLIAMS BUNKIE , LA |
MATHEW ARMAND HESSMER , LA |
5 | 0 | 11.93 |
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| 68 | |
LARRY COTTEN HUFFMAN , TX |
NICK DIBERARDINO JASPER , TX |
4 | 0 | 11.91 |
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| 69 | |
CONNAN CLINE ANACOCO , LA |
JOE COOLEY FLORIEN , LA |
5 | 0 | 11.86 |
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| 69 | JOSEPH NORRIS BOSSIER CITY , LA |
BARTON BLAKELOCK WAELDER , TX |
5 | 0 | 11.86 |
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| 71 | |
BRANDON PICOU LAKE CHARLES , LA |
JOE WARD IOWA , LA |
4 | 0 | 11.79 |
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| 72 | BLAKE HARVEY VIDOR , TX |
LANCE FREEMAN EDDYVILLE , KY |
5 | 0 | 11.63 |
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| 73 | SEAN MECHE LAKE CHARLES , LA |
RODNEY OWENS RAGLEY , LA |
5 | 0 | 11.59 |
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| 73 | TOMMY SHELTON MONTGOMERY , TX |
DAN WILLIAMSON JASPER , TX |
5 | 0 | 11.59 |
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| 75 | |
CHARLES GUTHRIE CONROE , TX |
COLE BREWER LEESVILLE , LA |
5 | 0 | 11.40 |
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| 76 | SHELBY SHAW HUNTSVILLE , TX |
WESLEY LEWIS KIRBYVILLE , TX |
5 | 0 | 11.37 |
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| 77 | BRANDON DAVIDSON LITTLE ELM , TX |
JIM FURR HEMPHILL , TX |
5 | 0 | 11.21 |
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| 78 | JOHN ILES LUFKIN , TX |
BRIAN SHOOK CHINA , TX |
4 | 0 | 11.09 |
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| 79 | JASON REAVES MONTAGUE , TX |
JOHN BALLARD WICHITA FALLS , TX |
5 | 0 | 11.03 |
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| 80 | |
LANCE SILVERTOOTH KILGORE , TX |
CHARLIE BROWN III FLINT , TX |
4 | 0 | 11.00 |
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| 81 | GREG OSTERTAG MT VERNON , TX |
BRENT EDWARDS MIDLOTHIAN , TX |
4 | 0 | 10.95 |
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| 82 | |
JUSTIN CHILDRESS MANSFIELD , LA |
ROY LOVE JR STONEWALL , LA |
5 | 0 | 10.92 |
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| 83 | |
BRIAN SALAS FT WORTH , TX |
COLT FARRIS JOSHUA , TX |
5 | 0 | 10.71 |
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| 84 | |
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ALLEN SHELTON FARMERS BRANCH , TX |
STRIDER BROWNING TIMPSON , TX |
5 | 0 | 10.70 |
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| 85 | JOHN HIGHTOWER BROOKELAND , TX |
HUNTER HIGHTOWER BROOKELAND , TX |
3 | 0 | 10.64 |
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| 86 | |
CHARLES HICKMAN HUNTINGTON , TX |
TERRY HICKMAN KINGWOOD , TX |
5 | 0 | 10.56 |
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| 87 | |
JACK TINDEL III ORANGE , TX |
DALTON SOLIZ ORANGE , TX |
5 | 0 | 10.50 |
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| 88 | |
RANDY DEAVER BLANCHARD , LA |
JEFF RICE BENTON , LA |
4 | 0 | 10.36 |
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| 89 | |
TRAVIS PITRE HOUMA , LA |
HARRIS ALLEMAND STEPHENVILLE , LA |
3 | 0 | 10.30 |
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| 90 | MARTIN ELSHOUT ABITA SPRINGS , LA |
MARK PRICE RUSTON , LA |
5 | 0 | 10.15 |
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| 91 | |
AARON WILSON KEMP , TX |
SALVADOR PEREZ FERRIS , TX |
3 | 0 | 10.09 |
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| 92 | |
RANDY DESPINO COLFAX , LA |
WILLIAM DOWDEN ANACOCO , LA |
5 | 0 | 10.02 |
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| 93 | LARRY PRICE CROSBY , TX |
RYDER PRICE LA GRANGE , TX |
5 | 0 | 9.95 |
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| 94 | |
KOOPER ABERNATHY ORANGE , TX |
TRENT BUCHHOLZ BEAUMONT , TX |
3 | 0 | 9.93 |
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| 95 | |
GENE EISENMANN FRISCO , TX |
GILBERT MILLER MIDLOTHIAN , TX |
5 | 0 | 9.88 |
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| 96 | |
MARK MARTIN VIDOR , TX |
CHRIS MCCLAIN ORANGE , TX |
4 | 0 | 9.65 |
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| 97 | ROBERT DUKES HINESTON , LA |
RAYMOND ROLLINS GLENMORA , LA |
5 | 0 | 9.51 |
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| 98 | COLBY CALONGNE CYPRESS , TX |
TAYLOR STRANGE WHITEHOUSE , TX |
5 | 0 | 9.33 |
|
|||
| 99 | CHRIS EAVES PORTER , TX |
ROBERT SCOTT LIVINGSTON , TX |
3 | 0 | 9.11 |
|
|||
| 100 | NICK BROWN LINDALE , TX |
CHAD THEDFORD TYLER , TX |
5 | 0 | 8.65 |
|
|||
| 101 | |
JIMMY BRUMFIELD MADISON , MS |
TONY OWEN CARTHAGE , MS |
2 | 0 | 8.59 |
|
||
| 102 | |
CASEY FRIDAY LAPORTE , TX |
MICHAEL CLEMENTS SANTAFE , TX |
2 | 0 | 8.49 |
|
||
| 103 | BRETT CASSIDY PASADENA , TX |
MICHAEL BELVIN ALVIN , TX |
2 | 0 | 8.33 |
|
|||
| 104 | |
JIM CULP TULSA , OK |
THOMAS BOWDEN SR LAFAYETTE , LA |
3 | 0 | 7.32 |
|
||
| 105 | |
KEVIN MASON COLDSPRING , TX |
TODD HUGHES GOODRICH , TX |
3 | 0 | 7.18 |
|
||
| 106 | |
BRIAN RAMOUR VIDOR , TX |
AUSTIN BROUSSARD PORT NECHES , TX |
4 | 0 | 7.06 |
|
||
| 107 | LEON STONE CARTHAGE , TX |
AUSTIN STONE CARTHAGE , TX |
2 | 0 | 6.94 |
|
|||
| 108 | STEPHANIE PELLERIN VILLAGE MILLS , TX |
STEVEN PELLERIN VILLAGE MILLS , TX |
3 | 0 | 6.16 |
|
|||
| 109 | |
BILL DAIGLE LAFAYETTE , LA |
ANDRE CHAPMAN CHURCH POINT , LA |
2 | 0 | 6.11 |
|
||
| 110 | |
ROBERT VANZANDT MONTGOMERY , TX |
JOE DAW MONTGOMERY , TX |
1 | 5.82 | 5.82 |
|
||
| 111 | JUSTIN WOOLARD BEDFORD , TX |
DANIEL WOOLARD HEATH , TX |
2 | 0 | 4.15 |
|
|||
| 112 | |
JESSE FLAKE JEWETT , TX |
LEONARD FLAKE JEWETT , TX |
2 | 0 | 3.89 |
|
||
| 113 | |
BILLY LAWSON VAN , TX |
JOHN BOWLING BROKEN BOW , OK |
1 | 0 | 2.43 |
|
||
| 114 | |
LARRY MATTHEWS LEAGUE CITY , TX |
RANDALL HALL ALVIN , TX |
1 | 0 | 1.98 |
|
||
| 115 | |
ROBBIE JOHNSON GOODRICH , TX |
JARROD CLARK SANTA FE , TX |
1 | 0 | 0.64 |
|
||
| 116 | |
KERRY CAMPBELL GOODRICH , TX |
CLIFFORD HINZE JR GOODRICH , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
GENE BAGLEY BEAUMONT , TX |
MITCH STEPHENSON BEAUMONT , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | LEE BATSON HEATH , TX |
JUSTIN GARRETT HEATH , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | DUANE PITTMAN PRAIRIEVILLE , LA |
DWIGHT MINOGUE KEITHVILLE , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
|
GREG WEST QUITMAN , TX |
JOEY SHOEMAKE | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|
| 116 | TODD NEWMAN NACOGDOCHES , TX |
SHANNON HALE NACOGDOCHES , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
WILLIAM LLOYD SHELBYVILLE , TX |
COLLIN LLOYD SHELBYVILLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | BLAKE STEPTOE SAN AUGUSTINE , TX |
CODY WISE CHIRENO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
KEITH JENSCHKE NATCHITOCHES , LA |
JOHN HRAPMANN NATCHITOCHES , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
RYAN HARPER FRANKSTON , TX |
BRANDON CLAYTON HASLET , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | ROBERT GRAFTON ANACOCO , TX |
LANCE GRAFTON ANACOCO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
WARREN CONNER MAGNOLIA , TX |
MIKE HANKS HEMPHILL , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | ERIC PHILLIPS KERENS , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||||
| 116 | HUNTER MARSHALL BEAUMONT , TX |
SHANE SPENCE LUMBERTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | CHARLES GALLAGHER LAWTON , OK |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||||
| 116 | CHRIS ROMANO ORANGE , TX |
STUART WELCH JR ORANGE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | JAMES DORTLON MARTHAVILLE , LA |
LAYNE LACAZE ROBELINE , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | KENNETH DAVIS MONTGOMERY , TX |
BURT BRIGGS UNIVERSAL CITY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | MICHAEL BOHAC COLDSPRING , TX |
THOMAS LEARNED CONROE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
CHUCK BISHOP SANGER , TX |
JUNIOR MITCHELL KRUGERVILLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
TERRY HOTARD HEMPHILL , TX |
CHARLIE LAMASTUS HEMPHILL , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | TONY DAVIS CROSBY , TX |
LEVI DAVIS CROSBY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | RICKY STEPHENS HINESTON , LA |
RUSSELL MILLER ELMER , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | MARSHALL HOSEA BROADDUS , TX |
BUD PRUITT HOUSTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | BRANDON GUILLORY LAKE CHARLES , LA |
MARK SPELL LAKE CHARLES , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
ERIC BRIGMAN BRYAN , TX |
HAROLD MOORE CALDWELL , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | KIRK MCCARTY BROOKELAND , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||||
| 116 | ROBERT CHRISMAN WHITEHOUSE , TX |
ADDIS MCCARVER NACOGDOCHES , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | JAMES BOUDREAUX IOWA , LA |
GREGORY GUIDRY SULPHUR , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | CODY CLARK HERMPHILL , TX |
SHANNON FRICK HEMPHILL , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
SHAINE CAMPBELL BROOKELAND , TX |
CRAIG CORDOVA AUSTIN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
LANCE DUFF LUMBERTON , TX |
COLE COSTLOW LIBERTY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | JEFF LANE PORT NECHES , TX |
HEATHER SMITH BROOKELAND , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | LARRY BYRD LAKE CHARLES , LA |
TRAVIS BROUSSARD LAKE CHARLES , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | DAVID CURTIS TRINITY , TX |
MARK MUECK LIVINGSTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
ARCHIE DORE II NATCHITOCHES , LA |
ANDY BARNES NATCHITOCHES , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
GLEN KIMBLE LUFKIN , TX |
RICHARD CRENSHAW LUFKIN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | JAMES DAVIS JR FERRIDAY , LA |
CEDRIC JACKSON HOUSTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
MIKE EDWARDS ETOILE , TX |
MIKE GREER DERIDDER , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
DOUG MCCAIN LAKE CHARLES , LA |
MASON MCCAIN LAKE CHARLES , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
JOHN MCDIFFITT GRANBURY , TX |
STEPHEN WELLS MARSHALL , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
LORIN LIVELY MONTGOMERY , TX |
GARY MCCORQUODALE PORTER , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | DAVID ADKINS MONTGOMERY , TX |
GARY GILLIHAN BIG SPRING , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | CLINT WEST BEAUMONT , TX |
NATHAN PRINE BUNA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
|
ERIC HUNT BUNA , TX |
STEVEN MOORHEAD JASPER , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|
| 116 | |
PAUL BATMAN SILSBEE , TX |
JESSE FLOYD NEDERLAND , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | DANIEL METREYEON BEAUMONT , TX |
TONY BOREL GROVES , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | JAMES LEE ORANGE , TX |
ALSTON GILBERT ORANGE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | CLAY DARDEAU RAGLEY , LA |
CRAIG BEAN LAKE CHARLES , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | JOHN BURTON NEDERLAND , TX |
ZACH HARGRODER VIDOR , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
|
TOBY JONES STONEWALL , LA |
CARL JONES DAYTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|
| 116 | JOHN BOWEN HEMPHILL , TX |
TOMMY WASHINGTON MILAM , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | JOEL MAYFIELD PERKINSTON , MS |
RYAN PATTERSON PASCAGOULA , MS |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
KENNETH FRANKLIN JR ETOILE , TX |
RANDY LEWIS LUFKIN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | BRADLEY HILLEBRANDT FLORIEN , LA |
JORDAN BREAUX LAKE CHARLES , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
VICTOR SEALS CLEVELAND , TX |
RONNIE USHER SPLENDORA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
TOMMY WOODARD CONROE , TX |
DUNDE HARRIS MAGNOLIA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | CHANCE ARCENEAUX LAKE CHARLES , LA |
DWIGHT ABSHIRE SANTA FE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | STEVEN WALKER BURTON , TX |
CASSANDRA PRATT BURTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
ALEX STEWART HEMPHILL , TX |
RANDAL TUCKER ALEXANDRIA , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | MICHAEL RISINGER WEST MONROE , LA |
SONTUS MITCHELL RUSTON , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | JOSEPH DUHON SULPHUR , LA |
KENNETH CONSTANCE JR LAKE CHARLES , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | STEPHEN SHANNON ARLINGTON , TX |
JACOB SHANNON ARLINGTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
CHRIS WILEY POLLOCK , LA |
JOHN BURNLEY STONEWALL , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
BENJI DUMAS MINDEN , LA |
JIMMY DUCK III CENTER , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | DAMON BOREL HEMPHILL , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||||
| 116 | JESSE JOHNSON PORT NECHES , TX |
COREY HARMON ORANGE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | LARRY ODSTRCIL SHEPHERD , TX |
TED GEHRELS PORTER , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
DEAN WOOD NEDERLAND , TX |
PHIL ADDISON BAYTOWN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
JIMMY LLOYD LUMBERTON , TX |
ANTHONY WAGUSPACK LUMBERTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | MATTHEW WRIGHT BRIDGE CITY , TX |
CAMERON MALLETT BUNA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
RAYMOND CHEEK WEST MONROE , LA |
HUNTER FLUITT MONROE , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
RICHARD GILL TEMPLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
DONNIE MARTIN JOAQUIN , TX |
MATTHEW JONES HUMBLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
ERIC PLEDGER TIMPSON , TX |
STEVEN BURGAY TIMPSON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
DERRIN RIDDICK KINGWOOD , TX |
JESSE SHERLOCK NEW CANEY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
TIMOTHY LOUPE HUFFMAN , TX |
WILLIAM BRIGGINS HUFFMAN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | BENJAMIN GULETT CONVERSE , LA |
DUSTIN RIVERS NOBLE , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
STEVE WRIGHT PLANO , TX |
MITCHELL FRIEDMAN COLLEYVILLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
SKYE BALL MAGNOLIA , TX |
KAY CLIFTON MAGNOLIA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | ADAM DUNN HOUSTON , TX |
JASON DUNN HOUSTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | SKIP FLOYD BROOKELAND , TX |
ANTHONY FOUNTAIN SHREVEPORT , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | DEREK MUNDY BROADDUS , TX |
STEPHEN PHILLIPS HUNTINGTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | AARON FREEMAN MONTGOMERY , TX |
KEVIN WALKER JR BUNA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
JERRY HESTER COUSHATTA , LA |
MICHAEL BEDGOOD COUSHATTA , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
DEAN LEWIS NATCHITOCHES , LA |
JOHNNY COSTELLO BOSSIER CITY , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | LEE SHEARIN BRIDGE CITY , TX |
ANDREW DELANO BUNA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | TAYLOR JAMES PT NECHES , TX |
BLAKE RAMBIN GROVES , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | RICKEY ELLIOTT SPRING , TX |
JOHNNY GRICE ARP , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | JOHN MADDOX LUFKIN , TX |
JEFFERY WISE LUFKIN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | JACOB ROOT BROOKELAND , TX |
JOSHUA ROOT BROOKELAND , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | JOHN NEMECEK FRIENDSWOOD , TX |
BRADLEY PAGE FRIENDSWOOD , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | NEIL MATHEWS HOCKLEY , TX |
COLE STOREY HOCKLEY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | LESLIE HARPER HEMPHILL , TX |
GARY FRICK HEMPHILL , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | BOBBY VICE GROVES , TX |
RICKY GUY HUMBLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | BOBBY LOGAN COUSHATTA , LA |
KENNY COBB HODGE , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | THOMAS LEWIS JASPER , TX |
DOUGLAS ROSS JASPER , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
TED PATE ALEXANDRIA , LA |
KEITH DELANEY POLLOCK , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
KRISTOPHER PICKETT COUSHATTA , LA |
CHRISTOPHER GORDON CLARENCE , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | JACOB JOHNSON LAKE CHARLES , LA |
SHANE CORMIER RAGLEY , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | RICHARD CHUMLEY JOAQUIN , TX |
MILES MCDANIEL MILAM , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
RYLON GANEY PINEVILLE , LA |
JARED GANEY PINEVILLE , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | RANDY QUINN HUFFMAN , TX |
DEAN COLEMAN HUMBLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | SAM HUCKABEE SHREVEPORT , LA |
TOBY JOHNSON WASKOM , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | LARRY PEACHER BENTLEY , LA |
MICHAEL BREWTON NACOGDOCHES , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
SKEETER FOWLER GRAND SALINE , TX |
BEN MATSUBU MILAM , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | LOUIS FERGUSON WOODVILLE , TX |
JJ MATZKE LEAGUE CITY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | ROGER JOHNSON JR VIDOR , TX |
KIRK LELEUX KIRBYVILLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
CODY NIX PLANO , TX |
TRACY NIX PLANO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | MICHAEL HETTICK CORPUS CHRISTI , TX |
MARK FILE WRIGHT CITY , MO |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
|
JUSTIN DUBOSE PARADISE , TX |
JERRY MEECE LUFKIN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|
| 116 | |
NATHAN BYRD MIDLOTHIAN , TX |
JOE BYRD SPRING , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
PAUL PROCTOR BROOKELAND , TX |
RANDY FOY LUMBERTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | LARRY DEAN HUMBLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||||
| 116 | LANCE SCOTT BROOKELAND , TX |
KEVIN BOLTON LUMBERTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
DON DICKERSON PINEVILLE , LA |
JASON FOUNTAIN PINEVILLE , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | TERRY STEVENS HUTTO , TX |
JASON HARPER MONTGOMERY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | NOLAN GASKIN BROUSSARD , LA |
CHAD MRAZEK MONTOGOMERY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | KEN SMITH RICHARDSON , TX |
TERRY HAWKINS CORSICANA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
JOHNNIE FRANKS HEMPHILL , TX |
CHET SLAYDON DE RIDDER , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
TONY COBURN LAKE CHARLES , LA |
RICKY TRAHAN LAKE CHARLES , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
ERIC WILSON MARSHALL , TX |
HOWARD WILSON NACOGDOCHES , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | YARRI SCHREIBVOGEL BROOKLAND , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||||
| 116 | |
TIMOTHY MCCLURE TROUP , TX |
SAM FLYNN NACOGDOCHES , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
DANNY LASHLEY BOYCE , LA |
MICHAEL IVEY OTIS , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
CHRIS HUEBEL NEDERLAND , TX |
DON GOULD MAURICEVILLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | GERALD MITCHELL JENA , LA |
JASON LEBRUN CHOUDRANT , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | TRENT JAMES ORANGE , TX |
JOEL GUIDRY LUMBERTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
|
DANNY BENNETT HUNTSVILLE , TX |
MICHAEL BENNETT LUCAS , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|
| 116 | DUANE COLVIN NEDERLAND , TX |
ZACK LUCAS BRTOOKELAND , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
KEITH JONES WHITE OAK , TX |
CHRIS LEWIS HALLSVILLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | JERREL PRINGLE HEMPHILL , TX |
KEITH KEELE NORTH TENAHA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | RICHARD WAGNON JASPER , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||||
| 116 | |
MIKE STEGALL PORT NECHES , TX |
MICHAEL LAFLEUR ORANGEFIELD , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | MIKE TAYLOR JASPER , TX |
ROBERT RICKETTS JASPER , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
LEE BROWN LEESVILLE , LA |
IKE STEPHENS SIMPSON , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
RICKY MADOLE MANY , LA |
RONNIE MADOLE SHREVEPORT , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | JERRY MCKNIGHT WELLS , TX |
QUINTON MCKNIGHT WELLS , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
DOUG MORROW HOUSTON , TX |
KENNY CORLEY HOUSTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
TED ODELL BUNA , TX |
SHAWN BUTLER ORANGE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
DAVID OZIO TYLER , TX |
AVERY GATTON NEW SHARON , IA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
PERRY HOOKS DOUGLASS , TX |
GREGG DRIVER NACOGDOCHES , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
DONNIE PICKARD BRIDGE CITY , TX |
ALAN ASHBY ORANGE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
BRYAN CARETHERS SILSBEE , TX |
JUSTIN HOLMES LUMBERTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | MIKE LOTT MONTGOMERY , TX |
JIMMY ROZELLE JR PORTER , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
CLINT KIRBY LUFKIN , TX |
ANDREW KIRBY LUFKIN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | MATTHEW BENEFIELD HUFFMAN , TX |
LARRY BENEFIELD HUFFMAN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | LAMARCUS MCCRAY HOUSTON , TX |
JAMES ROZELL NEW CANEY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
|||
| 116 | |
DOUG PERKINS PORTER , TX |
BRAD HENSLEY CLEVELAND , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
||
| 116 | |
RICKY CRUZ NATCHEZ , LA |
WESLEY HOLT OTIS , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
ANDREW FATERKOWSKI MONTGOMERY , TX |
BILLY DRIGGERS HUNTSVILLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | CHRIS KING BEAUMONT , TX |
TROY KIRKLAND DAYTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | DAVE REDINGTON WINNSBORO , TX |
LEE SANDERS HILLSBORO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | CLIFFORD MCCARTY LONGVIEW , TX |
RIKI PIKE BROOKELAND , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
KENT GRAHAM NACOGDOCHES , TX |
MYLES MOORE NACOGDOCHES , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | ROBERT HATCHETT HOUSTON , TX |
CHRIS BERRY HOUSTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
DEREK MONG MANY , LA |
TAMMY MONG MANY , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | DOUGLAS SCHYSM LONGVILLE , LA |
JACOB EBERT OAKDALE , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | TOM WALLS PORTER , TX |
BRETT JOLLEY JR KINGWOOD , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
DANIEL HICKMAN HUNTINGTON , TX |
DUSTIN ALEXANDER HUNTINGTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
HAROLD ALLEN SHELBYVILLE , TX |
MATT LOETSCHER MANY , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | ERIC SMITH ERATH , LA |
CHRIS TERRY KILGORE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
MICHAEL MCDONALD IOWA , LA |
JERE BICE LAKE CHARLES , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | KENNETH CATES ZAVALLA , TX |
MARVIN SPIVEY OAKHURST , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | PRUITT PERKINS ORANGE , TX |
DUSTIN GUNSTREAM VIDOR , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
STEVE BROWN DEER PARK , TX |
DOUG BROWN MONT BELVIEU , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | CHAD FRIEDMAN FORT POLK SOUTH , LA |
DEAN JOHNSON FORT POLK SOUTH , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
SCOTTIE STINSON MONTGOMERY , TX |
JACK STINSON MONTGOMERY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
JORDAN FREDERICK MAURICE , LA |
GARRETT TUNKS SULPHUR , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
SAM MCCOLLUM CORSICANA , TX |
PAUL MCCOLLUM CORSICANA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | ALEX CARLSON LIBERTY , TX |
JAMES CROUTHERS LIBERTY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | RONNIE CASTLEBURY ELGIN , OK |
JAKE CASTLEBURY ELGIN , OK |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | JOHNNY STEWART GOLDONNA , LA |
DANIEL CHANCE JR CARTHAGE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | DOUGLAS WROTEN WILLIS , TX |
RAYMOND PETERS HUFFMAN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | KIP PASSANT LAKE CHARLES , LA |
PAUL LUNDY BROOKELAND , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | BRYAN TRAHAN ORANGE , TX |
JOHN HATTON BUNA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
B.A.S.S. Nation 2021 Regional Championship Schedule Announced
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The 2021 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation schedule features five opportunities for grass-roots anglers to battle some of the country’s best bass fisheries. Each regional championship will provide opportunities for everyday anglers to qualify for the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship and a shot at one of three berths in the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.
“As we’ve seen in the past with anglers like Paul Mueller and Brandon Palaniuk, who both won Elite Series events last year, the B.A.S.S. Nation can be the gateway to a stellar career in professional fishing,” said B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart. “Once you reach the Nation Championship, you’re fishing for a chance to fish in the Bassmaster Classic, and we’re excited this year to offer even more chances for anglers to do that.
“We’ve put together a great, really unique schedule.”
The schedule will kick off with the Western Regional at Lake Havasu in Havasu, Ariz., Feb. 3-5. This Western fishery, which offers a combination of crystal-clear waters and stark desert beauty, ranked No. 17 on Bassmaster Magazine’s list of the Best Bass Lakes of the Decade.
During April, Nation anglers will take on the largest lake in Kansas during the Central Regional at Milford Lake in Junction City, Kan., April 21-23, just before the Southeast Regional heads to Lake Hartwell in Anderson, S.C., April 28-30. Hartwell has hosted three Bassmaster Classics and six major B.A.S.S. events.
The schedule will swing to the upper region of the United States with the Northeast Regional at Lake Erie/Presque Isle Bay in Erie, Pa., June 23-25. This smallmouth mecca ranked No. 3 on the Best Bass Lakes of the Decade list.
“We are thrilled that Bassmaster has chosen to host its 2021 B.A.S.S. Nation Northeast Regional Championship in Erie,” said Mark Jeanneret, Executive Director of the Erie Sports Commission. “The Erie region offers world-class bass fishing on Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay, as well as the accommodations and attractions that will make the tournament memorable for participants and their families. We are eager to welcome a full field of anglers to experience all that our community has to offer while competing in this prestigious event.”
The final regular-season event, the Northern Regional, will be held on the Upper Mississippi River out of La Crosse, Wis., Sept. 1-3.
“The B.A.S.S. Nation means so much to so many different people,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “Of course, for those anglers who aspire to fish professionally, it can certainly be a great stepping stone. For weekend anglers, it is a chance to compete for big money on a big stage. Beyond these Regional Championship events, there is such great camaraderie among B.A.S.S. Nation clubs at their local tournaments and youth events.”
The date and location for the 2021 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship will be released at a later date. The Championship tournament will be made up of qualifiers from all five regions, and the Top 3 anglers from the overall standings will earn a berth to the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.
The winner of the 2021 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship will also receive a cash prize, an invitation to join the 2022 Bassmaster Elite Series and use of a “Nation’s Best” wrapped, tournament-ready boat.
2021 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Schedule
Western Regional: Feb. 3-5, Lake Havasu, Havasu, Ariz.
Central Regional: April 21-23, Milford Lake, Junction City, Kan.
Southeast Regional: April 28-30, Lake Hartwell, Anderson, S.C.
Northeast Regional: June 23-25, Lake Erie/Presque Isle Bay, Erie, Pa.
Northern Regional: Sept. 1-3, Upper Mississippi River, La Crosse, Wis.
Logan Johnson and Jeremy Christian win the Inaugural Alabama Bass Trail 100
By Jason Duran
Photos by Chris Brown
January 10- Columbiana, AL- 100 Teams launched at Beeswax Park for the first of three events in the brand-new Alabama Bass Trail 100 series. The ABT 100 series features 100 teams, 100 percent payback and $100,000 total payout in each event. Logan Johnson and Jeremy Christian claimed the first-place title and took home the hardware and $25,000.
Logan and Jeremy started the morning in an area they found in practice and felt would produce because of the large amount of shad active in the area. They soon realized it wasn’t the winning spot and quickly moved to their second area located in Spring Creek. Logan said, “it was a very large area, and in practice, we found it also was holding a lot of shad.” They spent the rest of the day on the trolling motor in this area.
Logan caught the big fish of the tournament, a 5.01 spot, near a dock. He was surprised to catch a spot in that area saying, “it was completely random. I caught it on the second cast in a transition area between docks.” During practice he fished near the area and decided to give the bank a try. The area was loaded with shad, and he shook off three fish during practice, so he decided it would be a good place to try on Saturday and expand on. Jeremy said, “when Logan caught that big fish, it really helped us settle down on a very frustrating morning.”
Logan noted, “I didn’t really know what was holding the fish in this area other than the shad. The area was shallow with grass mixed in.” They worked the area over because they felt the fish were there. Jeremy said, “we stuck with this pattern also because we didn’t really have anything else and knew we would just have to grind it out.” After practice they felt it would take around 19 pounds to win. They ended up with catching six fish all day long, but they were the right fish for a total of 18.70 with four largemouth and a 5.01 spotted bass.
Logan said he and Jeremy talked all week how cool it would be to win the very first ABT 100. He said they “have won an ABT event before, but winning this one is kind of surreal.” They are not only the first ABT 100 winners; they also hold the record for the largest bass ever caught in an ABT with 10.36 at Lake Guntersville. Today they proved they are a solid team and stand tall against the best of the best in the ABT 100.
The second-place team of Gerald Swindle and Ryan Anaya made the long run north to the dam. Ryan said, “it was a long, cold run, and we went as far as we could go.” “Them boys don’t want to go where we go,” said Gerald. They spent eight hours fishing a drift pattern. They would drive up to the dam and drift back with the current for about a mile just fishing and talking. Gerald said, “you have to be so patient; you can’t call your shot and say throw right there. You go up there and just drift backwards for hours. We would get on a run where we caught a couple, and then it would be hours before we caught another one.” He said, “it’s a style of fishing that messes most people up because it’s so boring and seems so random, but we know if two people do it for 7-8 hours a day, they’re going to get 7-8 bites and have 17-18 pounds.” They were right as they weighed in 17.06 pounds.
In addition to their $12,500 second place money, they also took home a $500 Garmin bonus. They used Garmin Live Scope to help them find places where the bank and other structure caused the current to speed up. There they would cast their bait and come by those areas saying they could see the fish come up and go after their bait.
Their key bait was a ½ oz black and blue Boss flipping jig with a Zoom big salty chunk. They said, “it is a big bait and it looked like we were tarpon fishing.” Gerald said, “you can go up there, throw a little jig and probably get a lot more bites, but you won’t catch any of the quality 4-pound bites.”
Ryan is recovering from a very difficult battle with COVID-19. He spent 7 days in the ICU and weeks on oxygen recovering at home. He just started back fishing and said, “today was a fun day but at times, I still got a little winded.” Gerald said, “it’s awesome being able to come back and fish this format with the guys I grew up fishing with. These are my boys and it brings back the fun of fishing to see everybody.”
Third place went to Paul Davis Josh Chapple, also long-time fishermen on the ABT, having fished the ABT North and the ABT South in previous years. Josh said, “the morning started out slow. We began early throwing a jerkbait in chartreuse and a red Rapala Shad Rap. We hit a couple spots using that pattern and decided to make an adjustment.
They said they have some “good history on this lake and went with the idea of knowing where to be this time of year.” Saturday the current didn’t really play a factor for teams on the south end of the lake. Paul and Josh said they have fished here enough to “know not to base their tournament on the current.” After making a couple adjustments and a location change, Paul caught a 4.35 and followed right up with a 3.5 about 9:00. After that quick flurry of fish catches, they thought they had figured them out. However, Josh said then “the fishing got really, really slow, so we made another adjustment and moved around a little more. We spent some time flipping to finish out our limit.” They spent most of their time fishing the “narrows” fishing primarily in the creeks off the river. With a total of 16.37 they secured third place and a $10,000 pay day. They echoed what many teams keep saying, “we are just looking forward to Eufaula.”
The second stop of the Alabama Bass Trail 100 will be on Lake Eufaula, “The Bass Fishing Capital of the World,” Saturday, June 5, where once again 100 teams will go for the $100,000 total payout.
Top five standings are below for a complete list see https://www.alabamabasstrail100.org/lay-lake-results/
Download and listen to the ABT Podcast on your favorite Podcast app by searching for “Alabama Bass Trail Podcast.” The Podcast is released each week on Tuesday. This week podcast will feature winners
The sponsors of the 2021 Alabama Bass Trail 100 include; Phoenix Bass Boats, Bill Penney Automotive Group, Garmin, America’s First Federal Credit Union, Sweet Home Alabama, Alabama Tourism Department, T-H Marine Supplies, Wedowee Marine, Big Bite Bait Company, Black Rifle Coffee Company, Anheuser- Bush, Inc., fishalabama.org and American Baitworks.
For information about Alabama Bass Trail 100 visit www.alabamabasstrail100.org
Schedule Announced For 2021 B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After a wildly successful inaugural campaign in 2020, B.A.S.S. officials were excited Friday to announce the regular-season schedule for the 2021 Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX.
The trail, which averaged 144 anglers per event during its inaugural season in 2020, will visit five lakes in five different states before culminating with the B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series Championship, which will be held in conjunction with the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk at a site to be determined.
The field of anglers who qualified for the National Championship during the 2020 season will compete in a rescheduled two-day event June 9-10 held in conjunction with the Bassmaster Classic in Fort Worth, Texas. Additional information on that tournament will be released at a later date.
“Despite facing a lot of challenges, we had a great first season for the B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series in 2020,” said B.A.S.S. Nation Director Jon Stewart. “We knew the popularity of kayak fishing had exploded; that was the reason behind starting the trail. But I’m not sure we realized just how incredibly popular the sport was until we held a few events and saw how many hardcore kayak enthusiasts showed up.
“That has us really excited about this upcoming season.”
The season’s first event will be held on one of the country’s premier big-bass factories, Lake Fork in Alba, Texas, on March 13. Fork was the site of an Elite Series event in 2020, and champion Patrick Walters blew the field away with a four-day November catch of 104 pounds, 12 ounces. Walters wasn’t the only angler to clear the century mark at a Bassmaster event on Fork last year. When the Kayak Series stopped on this fishery last March, Arkansas angler Cody Milton bested the field with a five-bass limit measuring 100 1/2 inches. That propensity for producing giant bass is why Lake Fork ranked 16th on Bassmaster Magazine’s Best Bass Lakes of the Decade in 2020.
Event No. 2 is scheduled for May 1 on world-famous Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Ala. Like Fork, the lake hosted an Elite Series event last year that was broadcast live to an audience of more than 2.8 million, and as a result, the buzz surrounding the fishery has never been louder.
From Alabama, the trail will shift to Pickwick Lake in Counce, Tenn., for a July 24 event that will see anglers fishing for a mixed bag of largemouth and smallmouth. In addition to the Kayak Series event, the popular Tennessee River fishery, which ranked 13th on the list of Best Bass Lakes of the Decade, is scheduled to host an Elite Series event and a Basspro.com Bassmaster Central Open in 2021.
As summertime tightens its grip across the country, the Kayak Series will visit the Upper Chesapeake in Cecil County, Md., on Aug. 7. The scorching summer conditions and tidal fluctuations will present a challenge like no other on the 2021 schedule, but it will also showcase the value of kayak fishing as anglers are able to access creeks and drainages that are unavailable to larger crafts.
As we move from summer to fall, the Kayak Series will finish its regular season Sept. 25 on the Upper Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wis. The fishery has been a regular stop for B.A.S.S. and its major tournaments in recent years, hosting a Central Open in 2019 and Elite Series events in 2016 and 2018. The Kayak Series also stopped on the Mississippi during their first season, with South Carolina’s Barry Davis claiming the win with five fish measuring 88 inches.
“We try to provide a good mix with all of our tournament schedules, and we believe we’ve done that with the 2021 B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series slate,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “From the Alabama/Georgia state line to Texas and back across the country to Maryland and then to the Mississippi River, this trail offers a little bit of everything for avid kayak anglers.”
Instead of a standard weigh-in that requires scales measuring pounds and ounces, anglers will practice “catch, photograph and release” to determine the kayak tournament standings.
When an angler catches a bass, he or she will photograph it lying on an approved measuring board and submit the photo through a special mobile app provided by TourneyX. The boards will measure each bass in inches down to a quarter of an inch, and the angler with the longest five-bass limit will win.
“We established some records during our first season, and we’re looking forward to building on the things we did in Year One to see some of those records challenged and broken during our second season,” Stewart said.
Entry fees for all five regular-season events will be $250, and each will pay 30 places. Based on a full field of 150 kayaks, the total purse for each event will be $30,000. Registration will begin online Jan. 11 at Bassmaster.com.
2021 Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX regular-season schedule
March 13, Lake Fork, Alba, Texas
May 1, Lake Eufaula, Eufaula, Ala.
July 24, Pickwick Lake, Counce, Tenn.
Aug. 7, Upper Chesapeake, Cecil County, Md.
Sept. 25, Upper Mississippi River, La Crosse, Wis.
Bassmaster Classic And Outdoors Expo Moved To June 2021
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Due to the ongoing public health emergency and associated limits on large gatherings, B.A.S.S. officials announced today that the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk and Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo originally scheduled for late March would be moved to June 11-13, 2021.
“It’s our hope that this delay will allow us to alleviate many of the challenges — including any potential capacity restrictions and travel complications — related to hosting both the tournament and Outdoors Expo in the current pandemic environment,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “We look forward to seeing thousands of fans, along with our partners and industry friends, at the 51st Bassmaster Classic.
“Our team will be working with the Fort Worth Sports Commission and Visit Fort Worth to make this historic trip to Texas an incredible and memorable event.”
B.A.S.S. Chairman Chase Anderson emphasized the importance of cooperation with the city of Fort Worth. “We are so appreciative of Fort Worth officials and our hosts at Visit Fort Worth for working with us during these unprecedented times to reschedule this exciting event and ensure we have an outstanding Classic.”
For more than 50 years, the iconic Bassmaster Classic has been the premier tournament in sportfishing. Recent Classics held in Birmingham, Ala., and Knoxville, Tenn., have drawn record-breaking crowds of 122,814 and 153,809 fans respectively to Classic Week events, including the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo.
At least 12 new products were launched during the 2020 Outdoors Expo, which is recognized as fishing’s biggest consumer show and annually draws 200 exhibitors ranging from major international brands to local retailers.
“Hosting the Bassmaster Classic later this spring will bring jobs and much-needed business to our local economy,” said Jason Sands, Director of the Fort Worth Sports Commission. “We are looking forward to hosting anglers and the thousands of outdoor enthusiasts and Bassmaster fans this world-class sporting event attracts.”
The success of the Expo is a major contributing factor to the Classic’s overall economic impact which generated a windfall of $35.9 million according to 2020 host community Birmingham, Ala.
The move from an early spring tournament to June is a throwback to previous events. From its inaugural outing in 1971 until 1983, the Bassmaster Classic was held in the fall. The Super Bowl of Bass Fishing became a summer event in 1984 but shifted to February and March in 2006, the first season of the Bassmaster Elite Series.
The Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake, which was originally scheduled for June 10-13, will instead be held on the Florence, Ala., fishery March 18-21.
For more information, visit Bassmaster.com.
AC Insider Podcast - The 40-Pound clubs newest member
This week Chris & the boys kick off the yer right with Rayburn BFL Winner Derek Mundy who dropped a 40-pound 10-ounce bag on the scales last Saturday to win the 2021 BFL opener on Rayburn putting him in an elite club. Kenneth shares some news and we catch up on what Santa brought the boys for Christmas!
