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 |
|
|||
| 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 |
|
|||
| 8 | ELENO BALBOA JR DEL RIO , TX |
ELENO BALBOA III DEL RIO , TX |
2 | 9.24 | 11.42 |
|
|||
| 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 |
|
||
| 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 |
|
|||
| 13 | VICTOR MARTINEZ LAREDO , TX |
3 | 0 | 9.70 |
|
||||
| 14 | MITCH GOODALL BOERNE , TX |
FOY OSBURN BOERNE , TX |
2 | 0 | 8.24 |
|
|||
| 15 | |
STUART JEFFREY ABILENE , TX |
FRANK MIXON ABILENE , TX |
1 | 8.11 | 8.11 |
|
||
| 16 | |
STEVE CARAWAY KERRVILLE , TX |
DON STEHLING KERRVILLE , TX |
1 | 7.88 | 7.88 |
|
||
| 17 | CRAWFORD BRANTLEY GROVE , OK |
TIM BROADFOOT ABILENE , TX |
2 | 0 | 6.80 |
|
|||
| 18 | MATT RIGBY HELOTES , TX |
LANE RIGBY HELOTES , TX |
1 | 6.78 | 6.78 |
|
|||
| 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 |
|
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| 29 | ZACH BIBB FAIR OAKS RANCH , TX |
BRENDON KENNELL BOERNE , TX |
1 | 0 | 2.02 |
|
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| 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 |
|
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| 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 |
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| 32 | |
SERGIO HERRERA LAREDO , TX |
VICTOR GARZA LAREDO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 32 | RUSTY REEDY SPRING BRANCH , TX |
AYDEN REEDY SPRING BRANCH , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 32 | |
MIKE BATES CANYON LAKE , TX |
GERALD DELAFUENTE CASTROVILLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 32 | KENNETH WITEK SAN ANTONIO , TX |
ERIC TAUER NEW BRAUNFELS , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 32 | ANDRES FLORES LAREDO , TX |
FRANCISCO GONZALEZ LAREDO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 32 | |
STEVE WILSON FREDERICKSBURG , TX |
RAMIRO REYES HEBRONVILLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 32 | MIKE REID NEED INFO |
MICHAEL REID ANDREWS , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 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 |
|
|||
| 15 | JEFF GRUBBS JR DICKINSON , TX |
JEFF GRUBBS SR GOODRICH , TX |
5 | 0 | 17.71 |
|
|||
| 15 | |
TODD CASTLEDINE NACOGDOCHES , TX |
JASON BONDS LUFKIN , TX |
5 | 0 | 17.71 |
|
||
| 18 | RALPH DUPUY GROVES , TX |
BRYANT RODRIGUES PORT NECHES , TX |
5 | 8.83 | 17.62 |
|
|||
| 18 | CHRIS CLEMENS LUFKIN , TX |
DALLAS COLE LEESVILLE , LA |
5 | 0 | 17.62 |
|
|||
| 20 | BOB SIGNORIN OAKHURST , TX |
TRAVIS SIGNORIN WILLIS , TX |
5 | 0 | 17.55 |
|
|||
| 21 | JEFF BRIDGES PROSPER , TX |
PETE ELLIOTT VIDOR , TX |
5 | 0 | 17.32 |
|
|||
| 22 | |
JAMES BLYTHE JR ELM GROVE , LA |
KEVIN LASYONE DRY PRONG , LA |
5 | 0 | 17.22 |
|
||
| 23 | |
BUBBA NUGENT POLLOCK , LA |
JOHN BENOIT POLLOCK , LA |
5 | 0 | 17.20 |
|
||
| 24 | KRIS WILSON MONTGOMERY , TX |
BRYAN LOHR LUMBERTON , TX |
5 | 0 | 16.87 |
|
|||
| 25 | OSCAR LANGELE JR MANY , LA |
JAMES CAMPISE ORANGE , TX |
5 | 0 | 16.85 |
|
|||
| 26 | MICHAEL LATHAM LUFKIN , TX |
BEN VAUGHAN LUFKIN , TX |
5 | 0 | 16.49 |
|
|||
| 27 | WILL CARSTENS ALEXANDRIA , LA |
ROSS BRYANT ALEXANDRIA , LA |
5 | 0 | 16.39 |
|
|||
| 28 | |
CHRIS MOORE ROCKWALL , TX |
KY MARTIN GRANDVIEW , TX |
5 | 0 | 16.26 |
|
||
| 29 | |
MARK MCWHIRTER ARGYLE , TX |
ZEB STRICKLAND TIOGA , TX |
5 | 0 | 16.16 |
|
||
| 30 | PHILIP CRELIA CENTER , TX |
TJ GOODWYN CENTER , TX |
5 | 0 | 16.00 |
|
|||
| 31 | JAKE GOODRUM CLEVELAND , TX |
RAY BURNETT CLEVELAND , TX |
5 | 0 | 15.96 |
|
|||
| 32 | DENNIS COURTNEY LAKE CHARLES , LA |
GRADY MAYEAUX RAGLEY , LA |
5 | 0 | 15.91 |
|
|||
| 33 | GROVER MANSFIELD BROOKELAND , TX |
CORT WESTOVER NEED INFO |
5 | 0 | 15.70 |
|
|||
| 34 | ANDREW GOLDEN CENTER , TX |
JOHN BARRERA MILAM , TX |
5 | 0 | 15.63 |
|
|||
| 35 | CRAIG MASSEY HOUSTON , TX |
SCOTT HOLIFIELD GRAND BAY , AL |
5 | 0 | 15.58 |
|
|||
| 35 | |
PHILIP HANKS BUNA , TX |
RODNEY SAMMONS BUNA , TX |
5 | 0 | 15.58 |
|
||
| 37 | CLAYTON BOULWARE ZAVALLA , TX |
ALBERT COLLINS NACOGDOCHES , TX |
5 | 0 | 15.56 |
|
|||
| 38 | |
WES OUSLEY LUMBERTON , TX |
TYLER OUSLEY LUMBERTON , TX |
5 | 0 | 15.32 |
|
||
| 39 | |
TIM RENEAU RICHLAND SPINGS , TX |
JUDY RENEAU RICHLAND SPRINGS , TX |
5 | 0 | 15.12 |
|
||
| 40 | JARRETT LATTA LIBERTY HILL , TX |
BRIAN LOWRANCE NACOGDOCHES , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.97 |
|
|||
| 41 | JAMES LARAMORE VIDOR , TX |
GARRETT HILTON BEAUMONT , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.73 |
|
|||
| 42 | NATHAN STROUP WILLIS , TX |
WELSEY JOHNSON WILLIS , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.66 |
|
|||
| 43 | COLE MOORE ANACOCO , LA |
RICHARD BACON BASILE , LA |
5 | 0 | 14.65 |
|
|||
| 44 | SCOOTER CLARK CENTER , TX |
RYAN PINKSTON CENTER , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.30 |
|
|||
| 45 | |
JAY STIDHAM CHINA SPRING , TX |
CHARLIE GANTENBEIN TEMPLE , TX |
5 | 5.78 | 14.28 |
|
||
| 46 | TED PRIESING DALLAS , TX |
VIRGIL CHANEY JASPER , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.24 |
|
|||
| 47 | MARSHALL HUGHES HEMPHILL , TX |
COLE STEWART HEMPHILL , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.23 |
|
|||
| 48 | ED MELTON HOUSTON , TX |
HORACE FRAZIER MANY , LA |
5 | 0 | 14.15 |
|
|||
| 49 | CADE DURIO LAKE CHARLES , LA |
JOHN DURIO HEMPHILL , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.12 |
|
|||
| 50 | BLAKE ISTRE ORANGE , TX |
DYLAN ISTRE ORANGE , TX |
5 | 0 | 14.10 |
|
|||
| 51 | |
ROBERT MORE LEESVILLE , LA |
JERRY COUTEE MONTGOMERY , LA |
5 | 0 | 13.98 |
|
||
| 52 | TERRY HELGESON LEESVILLE , LA |
CHRIS HELGESON TEMPLE , TX |
5 | 0 | 13.93 |
|
|||
| 53 | |
MICHAEL SCALISE PORT ALLEN , LA |
CORY CHUSTZ LAKELAND , LA |
5 | 0 | 13.89 |
|
||
| 54 | |
MIKE RICHARDSON THORNDALE , TX |
SCOTT MEADS KILLEEN , TX |
3 | 0 | 13.82 |
|
||
| 55 | |
LARRY WEPPLER HOUSTON , TX |
DENNIS FIKES HOUSTON , TX |
5 | 0 | 13.40 |
|
||
| 56 | RANDY MILLENDER TEAGUE , TX |
KENNETH NICHOLS TEAGUE , TX |
5 | 0 | 13.35 |
|
|||
| 57 | RODNEY LEWIS CROCKETT , TX |
DAVID DRISKELL CROCKETT , TX |
5 | 0 | 13.06 |
|
|||
| 58 | |
STEVEN RIZZO PROSPER , TX |
CHRIS STRATTA LITTLE ELM , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.77 |
|
||
| 59 | MELVIN DUNN ORANGE , TX |
DOMONICK POULLARD HOUSTON , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.64 |
|
|||
| 60 | |
CHAD KEMP BRIDGE CITY , TX |
BRENT KEMP ORANGE , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.47 |
|
||
| 61 | SHANNON PRICE PORT ARTHUR , TX |
JOHNNY VINES GROVES , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.42 |
|
|||
| 62 | |
JASON RILEY MONTGOMERY , TX |
BRIAN RISH MONTGOMERY , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.41 |
|
||
| 63 | |
JONATHAN SIMON ORANGE , TX |
COREY STANLEY ORANGE , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.04 |
|
||
| 64 | TEDDY CLOIDE VIDOR , TX |
WESLEY DAWSON CHESTER , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.03 |
|
|||
| 65 | |
BUSTER JOHNSON KRUM , TX |
CODY MORRISON COLLINSVILLE , TX |
5 | 0 | 12.00 |
|
||
| 66 | BRYAN LANDERS JASPER , TX |
JOSH PRIEST QUITMAN , TX |
5 | 0 | 11.98 |
|
|||
| 67 | |
JARRED WILLIAMS BUNKIE , LA |
MATHEW ARMAND HESSMER , LA |
5 | 0 | 11.93 |
|
||
| 68 | |
LARRY COTTEN HUFFMAN , TX |
NICK DIBERARDINO JASPER , TX |
4 | 0 | 11.91 |
|
||
| 69 | |
CONNAN CLINE ANACOCO , LA |
JOE COOLEY FLORIEN , LA |
5 | 0 | 11.86 |
|
||
| 69 | JOSEPH NORRIS BOSSIER CITY , LA |
BARTON BLAKELOCK WAELDER , TX |
5 | 0 | 11.86 |
|
|||
| 71 | |
BRANDON PICOU LAKE CHARLES , LA |
JOE WARD IOWA , LA |
4 | 0 | 11.79 |
|
||
| 72 | BLAKE HARVEY VIDOR , TX |
LANCE FREEMAN EDDYVILLE , KY |
5 | 0 | 11.63 |
|
|||
| 73 | SEAN MECHE LAKE CHARLES , LA |
RODNEY OWENS RAGLEY , LA |
5 | 0 | 11.59 |
|
|||
| 73 | TOMMY SHELTON MONTGOMERY , TX |
DAN WILLIAMSON JASPER , TX |
5 | 0 | 11.59 |
|
|||
| 75 | |
CHARLES GUTHRIE CONROE , TX |
COLE BREWER LEESVILLE , LA |
5 | 0 | 11.40 |
|
||
| 76 | SHELBY SHAW HUNTSVILLE , TX |
WESLEY LEWIS KIRBYVILLE , TX |
5 | 0 | 11.37 |
|
|||
| 77 | BRANDON DAVIDSON LITTLE ELM , TX |
JIM FURR HEMPHILL , TX |
5 | 0 | 11.21 |
|
|||
| 78 | JOHN ILES LUFKIN , TX |
BRIAN SHOOK CHINA , TX |
4 | 0 | 11.09 |
|
|||
| 79 | JASON REAVES MONTAGUE , TX |
JOHN BALLARD WICHITA FALLS , TX |
5 | 0 | 11.03 |
|
|||
| 80 | |
LANCE SILVERTOOTH KILGORE , TX |
CHARLIE BROWN III FLINT , TX |
4 | 0 | 11.00 |
|
||
| 81 | GREG OSTERTAG MT VERNON , TX |
BRENT EDWARDS MIDLOTHIAN , TX |
4 | 0 | 10.95 |
|
|||
| 82 | |
JUSTIN CHILDRESS MANSFIELD , LA |
ROY LOVE JR STONEWALL , LA |
5 | 0 | 10.92 |
|
||
| 83 | |
BRIAN SALAS FT WORTH , TX |
COLT FARRIS JOSHUA , TX |
5 | 0 | 10.71 |
|
||
| 84 | |
|
ALLEN SHELTON FARMERS BRANCH , TX |
STRIDER BROWNING TIMPSON , TX |
5 | 0 | 10.70 |
|
|
| 85 | JOHN HIGHTOWER BROOKELAND , TX |
HUNTER HIGHTOWER BROOKELAND , TX |
3 | 0 | 10.64 |
|
|||
| 86 | |
CHARLES HICKMAN HUNTINGTON , TX |
TERRY HICKMAN KINGWOOD , TX |
5 | 0 | 10.56 |
|
||
| 87 | |
JACK TINDEL III ORANGE , TX |
DALTON SOLIZ ORANGE , TX |
5 | 0 | 10.50 |
|
||
| 88 | |
RANDY DEAVER BLANCHARD , LA |
JEFF RICE BENTON , LA |
4 | 0 | 10.36 |
|
||
| 89 | |
TRAVIS PITRE HOUMA , LA |
HARRIS ALLEMAND STEPHENVILLE , LA |
3 | 0 | 10.30 |
|
||
| 90 | MARTIN ELSHOUT ABITA SPRINGS , LA |
MARK PRICE RUSTON , LA |
5 | 0 | 10.15 |
|
|||
| 91 | |
AARON WILSON KEMP , TX |
SALVADOR PEREZ FERRIS , TX |
3 | 0 | 10.09 |
|
||
| 92 | |
RANDY DESPINO COLFAX , LA |
WILLIAM DOWDEN ANACOCO , LA |
5 | 0 | 10.02 |
|
||
| 93 | LARRY PRICE CROSBY , TX |
RYDER PRICE LA GRANGE , TX |
5 | 0 | 9.95 |
|
|||
| 94 | |
KOOPER ABERNATHY ORANGE , TX |
TRENT BUCHHOLZ BEAUMONT , TX |
3 | 0 | 9.93 |
|
||
| 95 | |
GENE EISENMANN FRISCO , TX |
GILBERT MILLER MIDLOTHIAN , TX |
5 | 0 | 9.88 |
|
||
| 96 | |
MARK MARTIN VIDOR , TX |
CHRIS MCCLAIN ORANGE , TX |
4 | 0 | 9.65 |
|
||
| 97 | ROBERT DUKES HINESTON , LA |
RAYMOND ROLLINS GLENMORA , LA |
5 | 0 | 9.51 |
|
|||
| 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 |
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| 116 | JESSE JOHNSON PORT NECHES , TX |
COREY HARMON ORANGE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | LARRY ODSTRCIL SHEPHERD , TX |
TED GEHRELS PORTER , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
DEAN WOOD NEDERLAND , TX |
PHIL ADDISON BAYTOWN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
JIMMY LLOYD LUMBERTON , TX |
ANTHONY WAGUSPACK LUMBERTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | MATTHEW WRIGHT BRIDGE CITY , TX |
CAMERON MALLETT BUNA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
RAYMOND CHEEK WEST MONROE , LA |
HUNTER FLUITT MONROE , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
RICHARD GILL TEMPLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
DONNIE MARTIN JOAQUIN , TX |
MATTHEW JONES HUMBLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
ERIC PLEDGER TIMPSON , TX |
STEVEN BURGAY TIMPSON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
DERRIN RIDDICK KINGWOOD , TX |
JESSE SHERLOCK NEW CANEY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
TIMOTHY LOUPE HUFFMAN , TX |
WILLIAM BRIGGINS HUFFMAN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | BENJAMIN GULETT CONVERSE , LA |
DUSTIN RIVERS NOBLE , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
STEVE WRIGHT PLANO , TX |
MITCHELL FRIEDMAN COLLEYVILLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
SKYE BALL MAGNOLIA , TX |
KAY CLIFTON MAGNOLIA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | ADAM DUNN HOUSTON , TX |
JASON DUNN HOUSTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | SKIP FLOYD BROOKELAND , TX |
ANTHONY FOUNTAIN SHREVEPORT , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | DEREK MUNDY BROADDUS , TX |
STEPHEN PHILLIPS HUNTINGTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | AARON FREEMAN MONTGOMERY , TX |
KEVIN WALKER JR BUNA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
JERRY HESTER COUSHATTA , LA |
MICHAEL BEDGOOD COUSHATTA , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
DEAN LEWIS NATCHITOCHES , LA |
JOHNNY COSTELLO BOSSIER CITY , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | LEE SHEARIN BRIDGE CITY , TX |
ANDREW DELANO BUNA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | TAYLOR JAMES PT NECHES , TX |
BLAKE RAMBIN GROVES , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | RICKEY ELLIOTT SPRING , TX |
JOHNNY GRICE ARP , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | JOHN MADDOX LUFKIN , TX |
JEFFERY WISE LUFKIN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | JACOB ROOT BROOKELAND , TX |
JOSHUA ROOT BROOKELAND , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | JOHN NEMECEK FRIENDSWOOD , TX |
BRADLEY PAGE FRIENDSWOOD , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | NEIL MATHEWS HOCKLEY , TX |
COLE STOREY HOCKLEY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | LESLIE HARPER HEMPHILL , TX |
GARY FRICK HEMPHILL , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | BOBBY VICE GROVES , TX |
RICKY GUY HUMBLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | BOBBY LOGAN COUSHATTA , LA |
KENNY COBB HODGE , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | THOMAS LEWIS JASPER , TX |
DOUGLAS ROSS JASPER , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
TED PATE ALEXANDRIA , LA |
KEITH DELANEY POLLOCK , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
KRISTOPHER PICKETT COUSHATTA , LA |
CHRISTOPHER GORDON CLARENCE , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | JACOB JOHNSON LAKE CHARLES , LA |
SHANE CORMIER RAGLEY , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | RICHARD CHUMLEY JOAQUIN , TX |
MILES MCDANIEL MILAM , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
RYLON GANEY PINEVILLE , LA |
JARED GANEY PINEVILLE , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | RANDY QUINN HUFFMAN , TX |
DEAN COLEMAN HUMBLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | SAM HUCKABEE SHREVEPORT , LA |
TOBY JOHNSON WASKOM , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | LARRY PEACHER BENTLEY , LA |
MICHAEL BREWTON NACOGDOCHES , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
SKEETER FOWLER GRAND SALINE , TX |
BEN MATSUBU MILAM , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | LOUIS FERGUSON WOODVILLE , TX |
JJ MATZKE LEAGUE CITY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | ROGER JOHNSON JR VIDOR , TX |
KIRK LELEUX KIRBYVILLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
CODY NIX PLANO , TX |
TRACY NIX PLANO , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | MICHAEL HETTICK CORPUS CHRISTI , TX |
MARK FILE WRIGHT CITY , MO |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
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JUSTIN DUBOSE PARADISE , TX |
JERRY MEECE LUFKIN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
NATHAN BYRD MIDLOTHIAN , TX |
JOE BYRD SPRING , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
PAUL PROCTOR BROOKELAND , TX |
RANDY FOY LUMBERTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | LARRY DEAN HUMBLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | LANCE SCOTT BROOKELAND , TX |
KEVIN BOLTON LUMBERTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
DON DICKERSON PINEVILLE , LA |
JASON FOUNTAIN PINEVILLE , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | TERRY STEVENS HUTTO , TX |
JASON HARPER MONTGOMERY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | NOLAN GASKIN BROUSSARD , LA |
CHAD MRAZEK MONTOGOMERY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | KEN SMITH RICHARDSON , TX |
TERRY HAWKINS CORSICANA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
JOHNNIE FRANKS HEMPHILL , TX |
CHET SLAYDON DE RIDDER , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
TONY COBURN LAKE CHARLES , LA |
RICKY TRAHAN LAKE CHARLES , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
ERIC WILSON MARSHALL , TX |
HOWARD WILSON NACOGDOCHES , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | YARRI SCHREIBVOGEL BROOKLAND , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
TIMOTHY MCCLURE TROUP , TX |
SAM FLYNN NACOGDOCHES , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
DANNY LASHLEY BOYCE , LA |
MICHAEL IVEY OTIS , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
CHRIS HUEBEL NEDERLAND , TX |
DON GOULD MAURICEVILLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | GERALD MITCHELL JENA , LA |
JASON LEBRUN CHOUDRANT , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | TRENT JAMES ORANGE , TX |
JOEL GUIDRY LUMBERTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
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DANNY BENNETT HUNTSVILLE , TX |
MICHAEL BENNETT LUCAS , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | DUANE COLVIN NEDERLAND , TX |
ZACK LUCAS BRTOOKELAND , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
KEITH JONES WHITE OAK , TX |
CHRIS LEWIS HALLSVILLE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | JERREL PRINGLE HEMPHILL , TX |
KEITH KEELE NORTH TENAHA , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | RICHARD WAGNON JASPER , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
MIKE STEGALL PORT NECHES , TX |
MICHAEL LAFLEUR ORANGEFIELD , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | MIKE TAYLOR JASPER , TX |
ROBERT RICKETTS JASPER , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
LEE BROWN LEESVILLE , LA |
IKE STEPHENS SIMPSON , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
RICKY MADOLE MANY , LA |
RONNIE MADOLE SHREVEPORT , LA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | JERRY MCKNIGHT WELLS , TX |
QUINTON MCKNIGHT WELLS , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
DOUG MORROW HOUSTON , TX |
KENNY CORLEY HOUSTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
TED ODELL BUNA , TX |
SHAWN BUTLER ORANGE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
DAVID OZIO TYLER , TX |
AVERY GATTON NEW SHARON , IA |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
PERRY HOOKS DOUGLASS , TX |
GREGG DRIVER NACOGDOCHES , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
DONNIE PICKARD BRIDGE CITY , TX |
ALAN ASHBY ORANGE , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
BRYAN CARETHERS SILSBEE , TX |
JUSTIN HOLMES LUMBERTON , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | MIKE LOTT MONTGOMERY , TX |
JIMMY ROZELLE JR PORTER , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
CLINT KIRBY LUFKIN , TX |
ANDREW KIRBY LUFKIN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | MATTHEW BENEFIELD HUFFMAN , TX |
LARRY BENEFIELD HUFFMAN , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | LAMARCUS MCCRAY HOUSTON , TX |
JAMES ROZELL NEW CANEY , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 116 | |
DOUG PERKINS PORTER , TX |
BRAD HENSLEY CLEVELAND , TX |
0 | 0 | 0.00 |
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| 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!
Academy Sports + Outdoors Joins Major League Fishing Sponsor Roster
TULSA, Okla. (Jan. 5, 2021) – Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s premier tournament-fishing organization, announced today Academy Sports + Outdoors as the latest sponsor of the 2021 MLF Cup events, including title sponsorship of the 2021 Heritage Cup. As the No. 1 rated television program on the Outdoor Channel for the last five years, the MLF Cups offer Academy an extensive reach to an invested fishing audience. With 259 stores across the south and southeast United States, Academy’s retail footprint aligns with some of the top fisheries in the nation, making its investment with Major League Fishing a natural fit.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Academy to the MLF family of sponsors,” said Jim Wilburn, MLF President and CEO. “Sponsorship of the MLF Cups aligns the Academy brand with the strongest fishing audience in television, including logo placement on boats and angler jerseys throughout the season.”
“Academy Sports + Outdoors takes pride in finding new ways to increase participation in fishing and connecting anglers of all experience levels to our wide assortment of on-the-water products,” said Larry Roberts, Academy Sports + Outdoor senior vice president and general merchandising manager of outdoor. “By teaming up with MLF, we will be able to reach core customers across the country and help people make fun memories together.”
Academy has sponsored MLF pro Jacob Wheeler since 2015. Wheeler, the number one angler in the world as ranked by industry publication BassFan, will compete in three 2021 Cup events - the Lucas Oil Challenge Cup, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Heritage Cup, and the Patriot Cup.
“Academy has been a big supporter of mine for several years and they continue to invest in the outdoors, especially bass fishing,” said Wheeler. “Having them support the league that I fish means a lot; knowing how invested they are in the sport right now is a big deal.”
For more information about MLF, their tournaments and sponsors, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. To learn more about Academy Sports + Outdoors, visit Academy.com.
Broaddus’ Mundy Smashes at 2021 Season Kickoff of Phoenix Bass Fishing League on Sam Rayburn
Mundy Weighs in Fourth-Largest Five-Fish Limit in MLF History, Mississippi’s Petras Wins Co-angler Division
BROOKELAND, Texas (Jan. 4, 2021) – Derek Mundy of Broaddus, Texas, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing a staggering 40 pounds, 10 ounces to win the 2021 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine season opener at Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Brookeland, Texas. Mundy earned $7,000 for his victory.
Mundy said he found his fish in practice but didn’t realize just how good his spot was going to be.
“You can’t look on the graph and see 40 pounds, but I knew I could have a good bag if they bit,” Mundy said. “It’s not guaranteed you’re going to roll up to your first spot and catch 30, much less 40.
“I caught the first four on a big crankbait and they busted up a bit,” Mundy said. “Then I pulled out a jig and caught the last one. I caught those five, all on the first stop, in about 20 minutes.”
Fishing a Strike King 8XD and a ¾-ounce V&M The Flatline Pacemaker Football Jig, Mundy said he did all of his damage in about 17 feet of water, in the mid-lake region.
After catching five giants, including a 11-pound, 10-ounce largemouth, Mundy said he felt he could relax.
“I took it easy and went to some Plan B stuff to try to get my co-angler on fish, but it never worked out – the wind got up pretty bad in the afternoon,” he admitted.
Weighing his fish as soon as he was allowed, Mundy said he was content to wait for the weigh-in to conclude before collecting his check.
“It’s the biggest bag I’ve ever caught,” said Mundy, who makes his living working on oil pipelines. “It felt good. I didn’t realize they were that big until I was checking on them to make sure they were doing alright in the livewell, but even then, I didn’t realize I had 40 pounds.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament as follows:
1st: Derek Mundy of Broaddus, Texas, five bass, 40-10, $7,000
2nd: Cameron Mattison of Bossier City, La., five bass, 28-6, $3,000
3rd: Tommy Loving of Cypress, Texas, five bass, 22-14, $2,000
4th: Wyatt Frankens of Corrigan, Texas, five bass, 17-11, $1,400
5th: Jimmy Hickman of Shreveport, La., five bass, 17-8, $1,200
6th: Cannon Bird of Marshall, Texas, five bass, 16–6, $1,100
7th: Chris McCall of Woodville, Texas, five bass, 15-15, $1,000
8th: Richard Ballard of Sulphur, La., five bass, 15-12, $1,400
9th: Dicky Newberry of Houston, Texas, five bass, 15-0, $800
10th: Bobby Vice of Orange, Texas, five bass, 14-11, $665
10th: Travis Franks of Lake Charles, La., five bass, 14–11, $665
Mundy’s 11-pound, 10-ounce largemouth was also good for the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $1,000.
Ballard 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.
Michael Petras of Biloxi, Mississippi, won the Co-angler Division and $3,000 Saturday after catching a five-bass limit weighing 16 pounds even.
The top 10 co-anglers finished as follows:
1st: Michael Petras of Biloxi, Miss., five bass, 16-0, $3,000
2nd: Shane Stoddard of Hot Springs, Ark., four bass, 15-4, $2,000
3rd: Michael Horne of Dodson, La., five bass, 14-10, $1,000
4th: Carson Dillinger of Bloomburg, Texas, five bass, 12-70
5th: Tracy Hawkins of Corsicana, Texas, three bass, 11-15, $600
6th: Julio Garza of Houston, Texas, five bass, 11-5, $550
7th: Steve Lee of Benton, Ark., five bass, 11-2, $500
8th: Daniel Bryant of LaFayette, La., five bass, 10-10, $450
9th: Ryker Holmes of Arlington, Texas, five bass, 10-7, $400
10th: John Webb of Fort Smith, Ark., four bass, 10-4, $332
10th: Greg Boik of College Station, Texas, five bass, 10-4, $332
Stoddard caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 9 pounds, 15 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 Sam Rayburn Reservoir was hosted by the Jasper County Development District.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the Cowboy 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 Lake Ouachita in Mount Ida, Arkansas hosted by Visit Hot Springs. 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 s 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.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
X Zone Lures Signs Bassmaster Elite Series Pro; Carl Jocumsen
X Zone Lures is pleased to announce that they have added Carl Jocumsen to their pro staff. Starting in January of 2021 Carl Jocumsen will represent X Zone Lures and become a major contributor to bait design and promotion for the premium bait brand.
Carl Jocumsen says ''One of the very first Smallmouth baits introduced to me in the US was the original Slammer back in 2011, it fast became my confidence dropshot bait since that day. To now be apart of the X-Zone team is super exciting for us as their unique, innovative designs are right on my style. Looking forward to fishing with the entire range, working on new baits and having our best year yet in 2021''
Carl joins fellow X Zone pro staffer – Elite Series Pro, Brandon Palaniuk.
“X Zone Lures is very excited to have Carl on our team” says X Zone Lures owner, Jim Van Ryn. “Carl is one of the most versatile pro anglers today. His great personality, excellent fishing skills and his ability to win on all levels is a credit to him as an angler and to our team. We couldn’t be happier to have him with us.”
For more about X Zone Lures, visit their site at www.xzonelures.com
Mark Zona Joins Team Lew’s
Photo courtesy of Rather Outdoors
Lexington, S.C. – January 4, 2021 – For more than a decade Mark Zona has been one of the most recognizable and respected names in the fishing world, widely known for his efforts as a color commentator on The Bassmaster Elite Series and Bassmaster Classic and his own Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show.
Beginning in 2021, Zona will be representing Lew’s rods and reels. Already a member of the Rather Outdoors family with his long-standing relationship with Strike King, Zona will join a promotional staff that boasts some of the most accomplished names on the water, bringing his own unique flair and list of accomplishments to the team.
“I honestly look at Strike King and Lew’s as one company—a family in a sense,” he said. “I’ve been with Strike King since the day I started TV and joining the Lew’s team just made the most sense for my business and for me personally.”
For the Rather Outdoors team, the opportunity to welcome Zona to the Lew’s team is a great honor. Ken Eubanks, Rather Outdoors’ CEO said “nurturing the relationships that have been entrusted to us by so many that shaped our brands is what makes this announcement so special. We are truly honored to have Mark extend his trust and reputation deeper into our family, honoring the past yet building toward a new future. We are committed to ensuring Mark’s place in our company is one that anglers will have the opportunity to benefit from for years to come and are truly grateful for Mark affording us this opportunity.
For his part, Zona finds a great deal to look forward to. “Outside of making video content to entertain and help people catch more fish, my passion in fishing is working on rods and reels,” he said. “I look forward to being a part of a brand that is known for premier quality and I truly look forward to being hands on with the entire team at Lew’s”
FS1 To Air Best Of Bassmaster Beginning January 3
Photo by B.A.S.S.
December 31, 2020
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Fishing fans will be able to spend their Sunday mornings with the world’s best anglers beginning Jan. 3 when FS1 begins airing highlight shows from the Bassmaster Elite Series and 2020 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. The shows are the ideal opportunity to meet the Elites and learn more about the sport in the run-up to the first tournament and live broadcasts of the 2021 season.
For the first time in history, all nine 2021 Elite events, as well as the Bassmaster Classic, will feature live television coverage on the FOX Sports platforms beginning with the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite Feb. 11-14 on Florida’s famed St. Johns River.
Upcoming episodes will feature highlights of the 2019 and 2020 seasons and be the first time they are aired for the FS1 audience. Among the moments viewers can relive — or experience for the first time — are legendary angler Rick Clunn’s victory on the St. Johns River punctuated by five bass that weighed 34-14 on Championship Sunday and Hank Cherry’s wire-to-wire Bassmaster Classic championship run. Plus, two episodes of Elite Winning Ways focus on the techniques and lures used by 2019 Elite Series champions.
Date
Time (ET)
Event
Jan. 3
9 a.m.
Elite Winning Ways 2019 – Stetson Blaylock and Brandon Cobb
Jan. 3
10 a.m.
Elite Winning Ways 2019 – Jamie Hartman, Micah Frazier and Carl Jocumsen
Jan. 10
10 a.m.
Bassmaster Elite at Lake Hartwell 2019
Jan. 10
11 a.m.
Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville 2020
Jan. 17
10 a.m.
Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes 2020
Jan. 17
11 a.m.
Bassmaster Elite at Cayuga Lake 2019
Jan. 24
10 a.m.
Bassmaster Elite at Lake Eufaula 2020
Jan. 24
11 a.m.
Bassmaster Elite at Lake Tenkiller 2019
Jan. 31
10 a.m.
Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork 2019
Jan. 31
11 a.m.
Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River 2019
Feb. 7
8 a.m.
2020 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk
All times are subject to change. Please check your local listings for broadcast times. For a complete television schedule, visit Bassmaster.com/tv-schedule.
2021 Bassmaster High School Schedule Features Iconic Fisheries
December 30, 2020
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Today, B.A.S.S. officials unveiled the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors 2021 schedule, which will give young anglers an opportunity to compete on the same waters that have hosted sportfishing’s premier tournaments.
The Bassmaster High School Series will include four regular-season events. The one-day tournaments will be Feb. 27 on Harris Chain of Lakes, May 2 on Lake Cumberland and June 26 on Lay Lake, site of four Bassmaster Classics. A June 12th event will also be held on a northern fishery to be announced soon.
“We’re really pleased with this schedule,” said Hank Weldon, Tournament Director for B.A.S.S.’s High School and Junior Series. “2021 will not only feature the familiar waters of Lake Cumberland but also fisheries like Lay Lake and Harris Chain that have historically hosted major events. It is fun for both the anglers and their families to explore some of the country’s best bass lakes and the communities that surround them.”
Due to the soaring popularity of the trails, the field size will again be capped at 250 boats for high school. Each high school event will also include a field of up to 50 boats for competitors ranging from second to eighth grade as part of the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster Junior Series.
“When you consider that we’ve had to cap the field size to keep the tournaments from being too big, that tells you all you need to know about the popularity of fishing at the high school level and even among younger anglers,” said Weldon.
When the High School Series kicks off on Harris Chain in February, it will be the first time the trail has visited the fishery, which has hosted 17 major B.A.S.S. tournaments and saw a record-breaking three-day weight set by the Bryan College duo of Cole Sands and Conner Dimauro in the 2020 Carhartt Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops.
“We are thrilled to welcome the next generation of anglers to the Harris Chain of Lakes, a top fishing destination for anglers from across the nation,” said Lake County Chairman Sean Parks. “The event helps to promote the sport of bass fishing while highlighting the natural resources and charm of Lake County.”
The date and location for the High School and Junior Championships will also be announced at a later time.
B.A.S.S. highlighted the growth of the sport and the talent of high school anglers in unprecedented fashion in 2020 when back-to-back High School National Champions Grayson Morris and Tucker Smith, of Alabama’s Briarwood Christian School, became the first high school anglers to fish alongside the pros at the iconic Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk last March. Smith added an incredible third National Championship title to his resume in 2020. Both Smith and Morris are now competing on the Bassmaster College Series.
Online registration for the High School and Junior Series will open Jan. 12. For more information, visit Bassmaster.com.
2021 Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors
Feb. 27, Harris Chain of Lakes, Leesburg, Fla.
May 2, Lake Cumberland, Russell County, Ky.
June 12, TBD
June 26, Lay Lake, Shelby County, Ala.
Bassmaster Elite Pros Auction Jerseys For St. Jude
Bassmaster Elite Series pros Clark Wendlandt, Garrett Paquette, Matt Herren and Buddy Gross are among the anglers who have donated signed tournament jerseys as part of a fundraiser benefiting St. Jude.
December 29, 2020
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Enthusiastic bass fishing fans still have time to bid on autographed jerseys from Bassmaster Elite Series pros while helping to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 2020 Bassmaster Angler of the Year Clark Wendlandt, Elite Series Champion Buddy Gross, Garrett Paquette and Matt Herren are among the anglers who have donated signed tournament jerseys that are being auctioned off on eBay, with all of the proceeds benefiting St. Jude. In 2019, fellow Elite Series angler Seth Feider’s signed jersey pulled-in more than $1,000.
“This is not only the jersey I wore my Rookie season in the Bassmaster Elites but it’s the same jersey I wore when winning at Lake Eufaula,” said Gross of the jersey fans can bid on beginning December 30. “We hope it brings a fan as much joy as it has my family!”
The jersey auction is part of the fundraising efforts for the Dick Hiley St. Jude Bass Classic, held annually in Minnesota. Now in its 23rd year, this tournament has raised more than $4.1 million for the kids of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. All proceeds from this event will benefit St. Jude, where families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food.
For veteran angler Herren, participating in the annual fundraiser was an important way to support children and parents. “As the father of two sons, I couldn’t imagine the pain and fear of what a child and their parents go through when they are faced with fighting cancer or other diseases. I hope by donating a jersey or contributing in other ways throughout the year that it can somehow help St. Jude to work miracles.”
Angler Glenn Walker is part of the tournament’s organizing committee, and started the auction seven years ago as part of his personal fundraising efforts for the event. Last year, Walker and his team raised over $13,000.
“As a tournament angler, I already knew several pros and crossed paths with others who wanted to support the tournament and St. Jude,” said Walker. “With the support of these great guys, every year more anglers from the various pro circuits want to contribute.”
Other Bassmaster Elite Series anglers who have donated items for this on-going auction include 2020 Elite Series champions Chris Johnston and Patrick Walters as well as Bill Lowen, Carl Jocumsen, Chad Morgenthaler, Chad Pipkens, Chris Groh, Cory Johnston, Jeff Gustafson, Jason Williamson, Keith Combs and Feider.
“Glenn does a great job at being very proactive and seeking out jerseys from many of the pros to help this cause,” said Paquette. “St. Jude does so many great things for children and gives kids a fighting chance they may not get elsewhere, so it was important to personally help the cause. Growing up, our schools were very active in raising funds for donation, and it's neat to see this continued in professional fishing.”
Bidding on Paquette’s jersey ends December 30, while the auction runs until Jan. 2 for Wendlandt’s tournament jersey. The jersey Gross wore while mounting his come-from-behind victory at the 2020 Bassmaster Elite at Lake Eufaula will be on auction Dec. 30-Jan. 6, and bidding on Herren’s jersey runs Jan. 2-9.
Interested anglers can learn more about the Dick Hiley St. Jude Bass Classic and register for the tournament, being held April 30-May 2, 2021, by visiting Fundraising.stjude.org/dickhileybassclassic.
Bassmaster College Series 2021 Regular-Season Stops Announced
December 28, 2020
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Talented teams from across the country can officially start marking their calendars after B.A.S.S. officials announced the 2021 schedule and a format change for the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops today.
The circuit will include four regular-season events, plus a Wild Card tournament and season-ending National Championship. Each two-angler team will not only be vying for Bassmaster College Series Team of the Year honors, but one skilled angler will advance from the College Classic Bracket with a berth to the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.
“There are thousands of young anglers who are hungry to compete — and as we’ve seen with so many former college anglers now competing at the highest levels of bass fishing, it’s changing the sport from top to bottom, ” said Hank Weldon, Tournament Director for B.A.S.S.’s College Series. “The 2021 season offers these college teams an opportunity to test their skills on a variety of fisheries.”
Based on feedback from coaches and anglers, for 2021 all regular-season tournaments will be two-day events with the full field fishing both days. The National Championship will still be a three-day tournament.
The Bassmaster College Series will begin March 5-6 on Lake Norman in Cornelius, N.C. It will then include two more springtime events on Lewis Smith Lake in Cullman, Ala., Apr. 16-17 and Lake Cumberland in Russell County, Ky., Apr. 30-May 1. The trail’s final stop June 9-10 will be held on a Northern fishery, but the exact location will not be announced until a later date.
The leading anglers in the Bassmaster College Series Team of the Year points standings will be determined after those four events. The Team of the Year will punch their ticket to the College Classic Bracket event, which will be held in September.
Due to overwhelming interest in the series, B.A.S.S. will once more cap the field size at 250 boats. Those teams who register but remain on the waitlist for the four regular-season events will enjoy an opportunity to qualify for the National Championship via the Wild Card tournament June 23-24 on Alabama’s Lay Lake.
“The Bassmaster College Series has always been about giving young anglers a chance to compete,” said Weldon. “While we want to limit field size at events, it was important that we not limit the opportunity for these teams. The Wild Card event is a great way to ensure any team that couldn’t compete previously still has a shot at fishing for a national title.”
More information on the July Bassmaster College National Championship and September College Classic Bracket event will be released in 2021.
Registration for the College Series will open January 19. For more information, visit Bassmaster.com.
2021 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops
March 5-6, Lake Norman, Cornelius, N.C.
Apr. 16-17, Lewis Smith Lake, Cullman, Ala.
Apr. 30-May 1, Lake Cumberland, Russell County, Ky.
June 9-10, TBA
June 23-24, Wild Card Tournament, Lay Lake, Shelby County, Ala.
AC Insider Podcast Video Interview with Mike Iaconelli
On this special video edition of the the final episode of 2020, Chris and the boys welcome in the one and only Mike Iaconnelli to the talk about his 2021 plans, the "Crew" back in the day and so much more! If you listen to one episode this year, its gotta be this one. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to everyone!!!
MLF Announces 2021 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit presented by Bad Boy Mowers Roster
Legendary Pro Larry Nixon Returns to Join 20 MLF Bass Pro Tour Anglers, Numerous FLW Cup and AOY Winners to Compete for $6.5 million over 2021 Season
BENTON, Ky. (Dec. 23, 2020) – Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today the roster for the 2021 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit presented by Bad Boy Mowers. Kicking off its 26th season of professional competition and the second year since the acquisition by MLF, the 2021 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit roster will showcase a field of 165 of the top professional anglers in the world.
“We are extremely excited about the combined star power of the anglers on the 2021 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit roster,” said Daniel Fennel, MLF Senior Director of Tournament Operations. “Combining Bass Pro Tour pros with seasoned Pro Circuit veterans and a fantastic class of rookies from across the country, we expect 2021 to be one of the most highly competitive seasons in our 26-year history.”
The 2021 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit roster features a solid field of tournament veterans, including the return of bass-fishing legend Larry Nixon – after recovering from shoulder surgery – and multiple former FLW Cup champions including Darrel Robertson (1999), Dion Hibdon (2000), Anthony Gagliardi (2014) and Brad Knight (2015). They will be joined by John Cox, the 2016 FLW Cup champion who recently accepted his invitation to the MLF Bass Pro Tour, and 19 other Bass Pro Tour anglers who are taking advantage of the opportunity to fish upwards of 20 pro-level events between the two circuits.
The 2021 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit will also showcase numerous former Pro Circuit Angler of the Year (AOY) winners, including Ron Nelson (2020), Anthony Gagliardi (2006), Shin Fukae (2004) and David Walker (1999). The roster will include 28 rookies from around the world, including Italy’s Jacopo Gallelli, Cal Lane – son of Bass Pro Tour pro Chris Lane – and Cody Huff, a standout Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI angler from Bethel University.
The field will be showcased throughout six regular-season tournaments, with competition kicking off on Lake Okeechobee, Feb. 11-14, in Clewiston, Florida, and culminating with the 2021 MLF Tackle Warehouse TITLE championship on the Mississippi River, Aug. 17-22, in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The top award at each regular-season tournament is up to $135,000, with $235,000 going to the 2021 MLF Tackle Warehouse TITLE champion, including the lucrative $35,000 MLF BIG5 Phoenix Bonus for qualified anglers.
“It’s going to be fun getting back with many of my old friends and going tournament fishing again,” said Nixon, who is returning in 2021 for his 43rd year of fishing professionally. “I had surgery on January 6th last year and thought I’d be able to come back after six months and fish in the last tournament or two of the season, but that didn’t work out. I really missed my friends and the competition and am looking forward to a great year. I’m excited to go back to Lake Okeechobee, Smith and Murray – this is a stellar tournament schedule all the way around.”
The 2021 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit will have 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 television programming. Traditional weigh-in livestream coverage will be combined with live-on-the-water coverage across 11 cameras on each of the final two days of each regular-season competition and all six days of the Tackle Warehouse TITLE. Fans can catch 108 hours of live action as it unfolds on MajorLeagueFishing.com.
“I’m really excited about the 2021 schedule,” said Gagliardi, MLF Bass Pro Tour angler and one of a few anglers who has won both an FLW Cup and AOY title. “I’ve always liked starting out the year on Lake Okeechobee in Florida – so many of us have history and familiarity there. Smith Lake is also a fun tournament lake and one I’ve had good success on. The opportunity to fish my home lake, Lake Murray, was a big factor in my choice to fish the Pro Circuit in addition to the Bass Pro Tour.
“I’ve never fished two pro tours consecutively, so it will be a lot of fishing for me, but I feel like this is a great opportunity. I think both tours create a great schedule all the way around, and I’m looking forward to getting after it in 2021.”
For complete details and updated information, visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
2021 MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Anglers
*Shannon Abbott Oceanside, Calif.
Jason Abram Piney Flats, Tenn.
Barron Adams Mineral Bluff, Ga.
Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C.
Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, Okla.
*Tai Au Glendale, Ariz.
Adrian Avena Vineland, N.J.
Evan Barnes Hot Springs, Ark.
Clayton Batts Butler, Ga.
Bradford Beavers Summerville, S.C.
Matt Becker Finleyville, Pa.
Zack Birge Blanchard, Okla.
Daryl Biron South Windsor, Conn.
*Jason Blair West Palm Beach, Fla.
*Mark Blevins Palatka, Fla.
Greg Bohannan Bentonville, Ark.
Terry Bolton Benton, Ky.
*Josh Bragg Jacksonville, Ala.
Christopher Brasher Longview, Texas
Aaron Britt Yuba City, Calif.
Grae Buck Green Lane, Pa.
Miles Burghoff Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.
*Josh Butler Hayden, Ala.
Jon Canada Helena, Ala.
*Michael Caruso Peoria, Ariz.
Joey Cifuentes Clinton, Ark.
Ramie Colson, Jr. Cadiz, Ky.
*Justin O’Brian Cooper Zwolle, La.
Kyle Cortiana Coweta, Okla.
John Cox DeBary, Fla.
Mitch Crane Columbus, Miss.
Lance Crawford Broken Bow, Okla.
Ryan Davidson Branchland, W.V.
Alex Davis Albertville, Ala.
Darrell Davis Dover, Fla.
Randy Despino Colfax, La.
Tommy Dickerson Orange, Texas
Scott Dobson Clarkston, Mich.
Bradley Dortch Atmore, Ala.
Josh Douglas Isle, Minn.
Kurt Dove Del Rio, Texas
Dakota Ebare Denham Springs, La.
Jon Englund Farwell, Minn.
Ron Farrow Rock Hill, S.C.
Mark Fisher Wauconda, Ill.
*Trevor Fitzgerald Belleview, Fla.
Cole Floyd Leesburg, Ohio
Tim Frederick Leesburg, Fla.
Shinichi Fukae Palestine, Texas
Anthony Gagliardi Prosperity, S.C.
Nick Gainey Charleston, S.C.
*Jacopo Gallelli Florence, Italy
*Grant Galloway Houlka, Miss.
Kyle Gelles Pingree, Ind.
Matt Greenblatt Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, Minn.
Kyle Hall Granbury, Texas
Dylan Hays Hot Springs, Ark.
Dion Hibdon Versailles, Mo.
*Lawson Hibdon Versailles, Mo.
Billy Hines Vacaville, Calif.
Brett Hite Phoenix, Ariz.
Jamie Horton Centerville, Ala.
Miles Howe San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
*Cody Huff Ava, Mo.
John Hunter Shelbyville, Ky.
*Clabion Johns Social Circle, Ga.
Danny Kirk Bartow, Ga.
Brad Knight Lancing, Tenn.
*Takayuki Koike Ōtsu, Japan
Jason Lambert Michie, Tenn.
Bobby Lane Lakeland, Fla.
*Cal Lane Guntersville, Ala.
Christopher Lane Guntersville, Ala.
Brian Latimer Belton, S.C.
Jeremy Lawyer Sarcoxie, Mo.
Nick Lebrun Bossier City, La.
*Jason Lieblong Conway, Ark.
Richard Lowitzki Hampshire, Ill.
Justin Lucas Guntersville, Ala.
Terry Luedtke Burton, Texas
Erik Luzak Fenelon Falls, Ontario, Canada
Kevin Martin Crown City, Ohio
Lendell Martin, Jr. Nacogdoches, Texas
Michael Matthee Centurion, South Africa
Mike McClelland Blue Eye, Mo.
Bill McDonald Greenwood, Ind.
Brandon McMillan Clewiston, Fla.
Jared McMillan Belle Glade, Fla.
Kevin Meeks Smyrna, Tenn.
Cody Meyer Star, Ind.
Colby Miller Elmer, La.
Kerry Milner Fisher, Ark.
Kurt Mitchell Milford, Del.
Tom Monsoor La Crosse, Wis.
Troy Morrow Eastanollee, Ga.
Brandon Mosley Choctaw, Okla.
Jim Moynagh Shakopee, Minn.
Robert Nakatomi Sacramento, Calif.
Michael Neal Dayton, Tenn.
Chris Neau New Orleans, La.
Corey Neece Bristol, Tenn.
*Jim Neece, Jr. Bristol, Tenn.
Ron Nelson Berrien Springs, Mich.
Dicky Newberry Houston, Texas
Cody Nichols Fayette, Ala.
James Niggemeyer Van, Texas
Larry Nixon Quitman, Ark.
Lane Olson Sherwood, Ore.
Jake Ormond Sterlington, La.
Jordan Osborne Longview, Texas
Dave Parsons Yantis, Texas
*Cody Pike Powhatan, Va.
Keith Poche Pike Road, Ala.
Pete Ponds Madison, Miss.
Randy Ramsey Burlington, Mich.
Tom Redington Royse City, Texas
Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas
Clark Reehm Elm Grove, La.
Jimmy Reese Witter Springs, Calif.
Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif.
Jason Reyes Huffman, Texas
*Kevin Riney Jonesboro, Ark.
Darrel Robertson Jay, Okla.
*Ricky Robinson Greenback, Tenn.
Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas
Rusty Salewske Alpine, Calif.
Ryan Salzman Huntsville, Ala.
Casey Scanlon Eldon, Mo.
Colby Schrumpf Highland, Ill.
*Chase Serafin White Lake, Mich.
Braxton Setzer Wetumpka, Ala.
Spencer Shuffield Hot Springs, Ark.
Charles Sim Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Canada
Blake Smith Lakeland, Fla.
Derrick Snavely Piney Flats, Tenn.
Matthew Stefan Junction City, Wis.
Tyler Steward West Monroe, La.
*Troy Stokes Brownstown, Mich.
Wesley Strader Spring City, Tenn.
Laramy Strickland Bushnell, Fla.
Mike Surman Boca Raton, Fla.
*Scott Towry Lawrenceburg, Tenn.
Rusty Trancygier Hahira, Ga.
J. Todd Tucker Moultrie, Ga.
Jim Tutt Longview, Texas
Jason Vance Battle Ground, Ind.
John Voyles Petersburg, Ind.
David Walker Sevierville, Tenn.
Jacob Wall New Hope, Ala.
*Todd Walters Kernersville, N. C.
Chad Warren Sand Springs, Okla.
Jimmy Washam Covington, Tenn.
Joshua Weaver Macon, Ga.
Joseph Webster Winfield, Ala.
Kyle Weisenburger Columbus Grove, Ohio
*Joe Wieberg Freeburg, Mo.
Jesse Wiggins Logan, Ala.
Scott Wiley Bay Minette, Ala.
David Williams Maiden, N.C.
*Jason Wilson Lincolnton, N.C.
Tyler Woolcott Port Orange, Fla.
Gary Yamamoto Palestine, Texas
*Steve York Bronson, Mich.
*denotes MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Rookie
AC Insider Podcast from "Planet Rock" to "Never Give Up!"
On this final episode of 2020, Chris and the boys welcome in the one and only Mike Iaconnelli to the talk about 2021, the crews back in the day and so much more! If you listen to one episode this year, its gotta be this one. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to everyone!!!
Luke Clausen Joins Charger Boats
Richland, Missouri - For the 2021 season, Major League Fishing professional bass angler Luke Clausen will be running a Charger 210 Elite as he competes on the Bass Pro Tour.
"I'm excited to work with Charger and their great team," said Clausen. "They have a long history of building boats for over 40-years. They make a great boat and I felt right at home when I visited the factory. They value excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail and I know that my 210 Elite will be the perfect boat to compete on the Bass Pro Tour."
Joe Dorris of Charger is pleased to have an angler of Clausen's caliber join the team.
"It is a privilege and honor to have Luke join the Charger family," said Dorris. "We wish him the very best of luck in 2021 as he fishes out of a Charger 210 Elite."
For over 40 years, Charger has built some of the most durable, fishable boats on the water. They have added scores of design, performance, and comfort features to Charger boats' new lineup, including all-composite construction, modern instrumentation, updated graphics, redesigned seating, and more. For more information about Charger, visit chargerboats.com.
For more information on Luke Clausen, find him on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
MLF Moves Championship Tournament to Proven Big-Fish Factory, REDCREST 2022 to Remain in Tulsa
TULSA, Okla. (Dec. 22, 2020) – Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today that REDCREST 2021, the MLF Bass Pro Tour Championship, has been shifted to Lake Palestine in Flint, Texas. Originally scheduled to be held Feb. 23-27, 2021 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the dates have also shifted slightly to Feb. 21-25. REDCREST 2021 will showcase the top 40 Bass Pro Tour anglers from the 2020 season competing for the prestigious REDCREST title and the top prize of $300,000.
The decision to move the event was made after numerous Bass Pro Tour anglers suggested a new fishery location for the championship tournament after MLF announced the cancellation of the Outdoor Sports Expo in Tulsa in late November. With no Expo taking place, MLF officials agreed to shift the event to Lake Palestine, an 18-mile long Texas reservoir known for its tremendous bass-fishing and the numerous 10-plus-pound largemouth that live throughout the lake. The fishery is known for annually producing multiple bass that are recognized by the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s popular Toyota ShareLunker program.
“Grand Lake is an awesome fishery, but when we found out that MLF was open to the consideration of shifting REDCREST 2021, it was something that most of us were really excited about,” said Ott DeFoe, who won the Bass Pro Tour Stage Three event on Texas’ Lake Fork last season and will be making his second REDCREST appearance. “When we found out that we were moving to Lake Palestine, it was even better. Texas certainly has a special place in my heart. REDCREST 2021 is going to be a tremendous way to kick off the season and a really fun tournament for the fans to follow. We’re going to see some absolute giants caught in this one – we’re hitting it just right – and we will likely see quite a few records broken there.”
In addition to the opportunity to feature the Championship event on an exciting fishery, the shift also made sense logistically, according to MLF Senior Director of Events & Partnerships Michael Mulone.
“It makes sense, from a business standpoint, to shift to Lake Palestine and save Tulsa and Grand Lake for REDCREST 2022,” Mulone said. “Grand Lake is a championship fishery, but when we postponed the Expo in Tulsa we realized that we could do a better job of highlighting Grand Lake with the Expo component. The fact that this will be our inaugural Expo, in the home of Major League Fishing, we want to ensure we are doing everything possible to not dilute the event in any way. We truly want to blow it out of the water next year and fully expect it to be the biggest show in town. We are grateful to our partners with the City of Grove, the Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and VisitTulsa that gave their blessings to shift the REDCREST 2021 tournament. We expect Lake Palestine and REDCREST 2021 to produce one of the most exciting tournaments in our company’s history.”
MLF announced in November that Tulsa and Grand Lake of the Cherokees will host REDCREST 2022, with the River Spirit Expo Square set to host the inaugural REDCREST 2022 Outdoor Sports Expo on March 25-27, 2022. Those dates remain unchanged.
For complete details and updated information on REDCREST 2021, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram , and YouTube.
Bassmaster Marshal Registration Opens In January For 2021 Elite Season
Bassmaster Elite Series marshals ride along with the pros in competition, learning tips for breaking down a fishery.
Photo by B.A.S.S.
December 22, 2020
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Bass fishing enthusiasts who want to learn from the world’s best anglers while exploring legendary fisheries will be able to register as marshals for the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series beginning January 5. Plus, new for the 2021 season, AFTCO will be rewarding marshals with a shirt, hat, sun mask, gift card and other items with a total value of $100, plus a 20% off coupon for future purchases.
According to past participants, marshaling is the ideal way to learn while enjoying a day on the lake getting to know your favorite pro.
“Being able to see how the top pros fish a body of water you may fish frequently or may fish in a future tournament is absolutely invaluable,” said Rick Moore, a retired California resident who has served as a marshal in 23 B.A.S.S. events. “The enthusiasm among the Elite pros is great, and their connection and interaction with marshals was exceptional!
“I have been able to see many of the new bait prototypes, learn new techniques and receive personal tips from the Elite pros at many tournaments. As a marshal, the pros will be candid about what and why they are fishing a certain way. I can't count the number of times a pro has had me join him on the front deck to show how he was interpreting his graphs or reading the movements of a bedding fish.”
The marshal program, created by B.A.S.S. in 2009 as a way to attract observers who would ride along with the pros, allows people to spend two to three days on the water with some of the best professional anglers in the sport. Marshals are not allowed to fish, but they are encouraged to take photos, send blog posts to Bassmaster.com and serve as an extra set of eyes for B.A.S.S. tournament officials, making sure all rules are observed. Additionally, marshals operate the digital BASSTrakk scoring system that enables fans to follow the action in real time.
For Moore, both enforcing the rules and chronicling the tournament are part of the benefit of serving as a marshal.
“I enjoyed the responsibility of being the ‘eyes and ears' on the water,” said Moore. “B.A.S.S. has a long history of big bass tournaments, and being able to do my part to assist with ensuring the sanctity of the event has been a welcomed challenge.”
Marshal spots are available for just $99 per tournament. Every marshal is guaranteed to be on the water for the first two competition days. As the Elite Series field is cut throughout the weekend leading up to the Championship, marshals are chosen for additional competition days based on how early they register for the event as well as their video, blogging and photography in the preliminary rounds.
“Just sitting in the boat would make for a long day without photographing the tournament, Skyping with the TV team during live coverage and helping with Bassmaster media content,” Moore said. “And many of my photos have also been used by the pros for their social media content.”
One of the 2020 season’s most exciting clips — rookie Kyle Welcher catching a 10-pounder at the St. Johns River — was shot on an iPhone by his marshal, Les Cook, and has since been reaired during television and Bassmaster LIVE coverage.
“Kyle had a few bites throughout the day, and I tried to make it a point to capture all of his catches on video, but when he said, ‘Big one dude,’ I knew something was different,” said Cook, of St. Augustine, Fla.
Serving as a marshal at the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River fulfilled what Cook said had been a longstanding bucket list activity. Having spent earlier years fishing South Dakota club tournaments, he was intrigued by the opportunity of taking a front-row seat to live-action learning.
“I’ve always wanted to be in a position to sit with a pro, learn their techniques and thought processes and become a better fisherman myself,” Cook said. “I wanted to go to new waters and figure out how to fish those new waters."
The marshal experience appeals to those from all walks of life and anyone ready to gather tips and tricks from seasoned fishermen.
“From the first morning with your angler to behind the stage with the winner on the final day, a lot of inside stories develop that you would never know as a strict observer,” Moore said. “It takes the serious bass fisherman to a different level as a fan.”
Registration for B.A.S.S. Life and Nation members opens online January 5 and by phone Jan. 7. All other B.A.S.S. members may register online beginning Jan. 12 and by phone beginning Jan. 14. To learn more and register for the Elite Series marshal program, visit Bassmaster.com or call (877) BASS-USA.
2021 Bassmaster Elite Series schedule
Feb. 11-14, AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River, Palatka, Fla.
Feb. 25-28, Tennessee River, Knoxville, Tenn.
April 8-11, Sabine River, Orange, Texas
May 6-9, Neely Henry Lake, Gadsden, Ala.
May 20-23, Lake Guntersville, Scottsboro, Ala.
June 10-13, Pickwick Lake, Florence, Ala.
July 8-11, Lake Champlain, Burlington, Vt.
July 15-18, St. Lawrence River, Waddington, N.Y.
T-H Marine Unwraps its 'All I Want for Christmas' Giveaway
Huntsville, AL – December 21, 2020 – T-H Marine Supplies, Inc, of Huntsville, Alabama, is gifting 10 lucky people with up to 10 of its top fishing and boating products this Christmas season. Through the launch of their “All I want for Christmas” giveaway, T-H Marine will be using a marathon event on social media to undo some 2020 blues, bring holiday cheer, and help boaters start 2021 right — with trusted gear that helps improve the fishing and boating experience.
It starts with one product giveaway during the 8 a.m. hour (Central Time) on Wednesday, December 23, and it snowballs from there with hourly giveaways for more and more products until 5 p.m. By the end of the day, giveaway entrants will have a chance to win all of the prizes announced during previous hours in one awesome package that’s far too big to be a stocking stuffer.
Event information:
WHAT:
T-H Marine ‘All I Want for Christmas’ Hourly Giveaway
WHEN:
From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT, Wednesday, December 23, 2020
WHERE:
https://facebook.com/thmarineteam
https://instagram.com/thmarineteam
WHO:
Anyone interested in boating and fishing gear
(please see the sweepstakes link below for official rules)
To get in on the action, save the information above, stay tuned at thmarine.com, and follow T-H Marine Supplies (@thmarineteam) on social media.
James Watson Joins Charger Boats
For over 46 years Charger has built the most durable, fishable boats on the water. Charger Boats are designed with performance and comfort as their top priority. With composite construction, modern instrumentation, updated graphics, redesigned seating and more along with four decades of experience it’s hard to beat a Charger Boat.
Whether you’re a seasoned tournament professional or a “rookie” weekend angler, Charger boats give you a distinct advantage when you’re driving down the lake, taming a big river or trolling the back of a reclusive cove. You’ll feel confidence in your Charger every time you hit the water.
Joe Dorris President of Charger boats shared “I am a strong supporter of our military forces, and I knew the first time I met James he needed to be with the Charger family. We are honored, and it is a great privilege to have James running and fishing out of a Charger 210 Elite for the 2021 season. The entire Charger family and team wish James the very best of luck in 2021 and Go Army!”
James is enthusiastic to be joining the Charger boats team; “after riding in a Charger boat and getting to know the Dorris family, this move was the best for my career. Charger has been owned and operated by the Dorris family for the last 50 years. Their boats are made close to home and are of the best quality. I am looking forward to building a long term relationship with the team and their family.”
About James Watson:
James “JMFW WORLDWIDE” Watson is known for his quick wit and knack for jokes on the water. The real-estate mogul has used his success in residential real estate sales to fuel his passion for fishing. As a self-made angler and former United States Army Drill Sergeant he equally enjoys balancing the completion and the business sides of the bass community.
His 2013 season was the start of his career as a professional angler. Although his venture began later than some, James has accomplished many feats since he began at age 38.
From a BASS Open win to the Bassmaster Classic, Watson promotes fishing on a WORLDWIDE level. Additionally, James has qualified for the Forrest Wood Cup and the Texas Toyota Bass Classic during his duration fishing the FLW Tour, FLW Toyota Series, BASS Opens, PAA and Major League Fishing. He has also competed as a member of the US Bass Team in the Black Bass Championship in 2017 in South Africa and in 2018 in Mexico. Bringing home the gold medal with the team in 2018.
In 2018, he received the Forrest L. Wood Sportsmanship and Community Leadership Award per his involvement in FLW Community Outreach.
He prides himself on his personality, often gaining him media attention, which positively promotes his sponsors. All eyes are watching where James “WORLDWIDE” Watson will go with his professional fishing career.
You can find James fishing Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour, FLW Toyota Series as well as attending charity events when it fits his schedule.
Follow along with James and his partnership with Charger Boats to see all the excitement 2021 will bring:
AnglersChannel EXTRA - World Record Santa Derby!!!!!
On this Holiday edition of the AnglersChannel Extra, Blonde Girl Behind the Scene's Michelle Eichstead joins in the fun and covers the Ugly Stick Worlds Largest Santa Claus Tournament on Lake Norman in North Carolina. Tune in to see all the Santa's in action and you may even recognize a Santa or two....
Strike King Big Bass Challenge Events Coming in 2021
Lexington, S.C. – December 9, 2020 – Rather Outdoors announces the formation of a series of big bass format tournaments coming in 2021. The Strike King Big Bass Challenge will feature four events across the nation on some of the most well-known big bass fisheries in the country. The series will be one-day events with four two-hour weigh-in periods and guaranteed payouts based on field size.
Strike King is excited to introduce this series of events that will allow anglers of every level to compete in a fun atmosphere that will be both challenging and rewarding. Whether you are a hard-core tournament angler, want to be one, or looking for something to do with a friend or family member, Strike King Big Bass Challenge events will be a great place to accomplish all of these goals.
Strike King Big Bass Challenge will guarantee a minimum $7,500 total cash payout based upon a 100-angler field, with growing payouts as entry numbers increase. Each event will feature a one-day format with four weigh-in periods of two hours. Every two-hour weigh period will pay out five places for the five biggest bass in that period. On top of that, every angler that weighs a fish in those periods will be entered into a drawing for product prizes from Strike King, Lew’s, Lucas Oil, Mammoth Coolers and Black Rifle Coffee Co.
The biggest bass weighed during the day will receive the grand prize bonus – a “total boat makeover” prize package voucher for $5,000 worth of Lew’s and Strike King product. The first 100 anglers registered for each event will receive a free Lew’s rod valued at $49.99, which will be available for pickup at onsite check-in and rules briefing the night prior to the event where anglers will also have the opportunity to meet nationally known Strike King Pros from the MLF Bass Pro Tour, MLF Pro Circuit and Bassmaster Elite Series.
Rather Outdoors’ Vice President of Marketing, Jason McKee said that the team at Strike King is extremely excited about launching this new series of events in 2021. “While we recognized that there are a multitude of tournament trails out there for anglers, our goal behind the Big Bass Challenge events was to bring anglers together in a manner that was open and available to anyone, no matter his/her experience level,” said McKee. “Ultimately, we wanted the opportunity to share our passion as anglers with our consumers, get to know them, and present yet another opportunity for them to get on the water. We’re extremely excited about these events and consider it an honor to be able to create more opportunities on the water for fellow anglers.”
Information including entry fees, rules and registration will be available with complete event details in early January 2021 at www.strikeking.com.
The 2021 Strike King Big Bass Challenge schedule is as follows:
Sam Rayburn Reservoir – February 7, 2021
Umphrey Pavilion
Brookeland, TX
Lake Murray – March 14, 2021
Dreher Island State Park
Prosperity, SC
Table Rock Lake – June 5, 2021
Port of Kimberling
Kimberling City, MO
California Delta – May 29, 2021
Russo's Marina
Bethel Island, CA
B.A.S.S. Announces 2021 Bassmaster Opens Schedule With Nine Events In Three Divisions
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — On Thursday, B.A.S.S. officials revealed the schedule for the 2021 Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens trail with a later start date than usual and a change in format from the past three seasons.
Instead of two divisions with four tournaments, this year’s Opens circuit will include three divisions — Southern, Central and Northern — with three events in each.
All nine tournament winners will earn an automatic berth to the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk if they fish all events in their division. Additionally, the top three finishers from each division’s points standings will receive an invitation to fish the 2022 Bassmaster Elite Series, as will the top three from the overall standings accumulated in all three divisions.
“We’ve only been done a couple of weeks, but I’m already so excited about the 2021 schedule we’ve put together,” said Bassmaster Opens Tournament Director Chris Bowes. “This last season, with all of its stops and starts, was the hardest of my life. But I’m so proud we were able to get it all in. And every event was critical in a season that saw our Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year race decided by just one point.
“Now, after a short break, we can once again expect to see some of the most competitive Opens we’ve ever had.”
Since the 2020 Opens schedule was pushed back by the COVID-19 pandemic, it didn’t finish until the first week of December. As a result, the 2021 Opens schedule will begin in March instead of its traditional January start date.
The Southern Opens will start on the Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, Fla., March 4-6, followed by events on Douglas Lake in Dandridge, Tenn., April 15-17, and Lake Norman in Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 23-25.
“It’s certainly nothing unusual for us to kick things off in Florida,” Bowes said. “But with this year’s opener in March instead of January or February, anglers will face some different challenges. Then we’ll get to visit Dandridge when we should have great spring weather and Lake Norman for a fall event — and we all saw this year how interesting fall tournaments can be.”
The division’s stop at Harris Chain will mark the 18th major tournament B.A.S.S. has held on the fishery since 1986.
“Lake County is excited to host the 2021 Bassmaster Southern Open on the Harris Chain of Lakes,” said Lake County Chairman Sean Parks. “We look forward to providing an enjoyable atmosphere for anglers and their families as they experience the hospitality and charm of real Florida.”
The Central Opens will begin April 1-3 with a trip to Lewis Smith Lake in Jasper, Ala., followed by events at Pickwick Lake in Counce, Tenn., April 29-May 1, and a stop at Grand Lake in Grove, Okla., Oct. 21-23.
Smith is known as one of the top spotted bass fisheries in the country, while Pickwick offers the typical Tennessee River mixture of largemouth and smallmouth. Grand Lake has been the site of two Bassmaster Classics, most recently in 2016.
“You talk about variety,” Bowes said. “The three tournaments we have scheduled for the Central Division will test anglers’ versatility about as much as three events can. Anglers who can go from a spotted bass haven to a Tennessee River fishery to a diverse setting like Grand Lake — and do well in all three — will have proven their abilities beyond the shadow of a doubt.”
This will be the Opens Series’ first stop in Pickwick, and the community is looking forward to welcoming anglers.
“We are excited to welcome the Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens to Pickwick and Hardin County,” said Beth Pippin, Tourism Director for the Hardin County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Pickwick Lake is known for great fishing and scenic beauty that we locals get to enjoy every day! Hosting this tournament will allow us to showcase our beautiful area with national media exposure. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
Just as temperatures are rising in the South, the Northern Opens will kick off on the James River in Richmond, Va., May 13-15. That event will be followed by two New York tournaments, the first on Oneida Lake in Syracuse July 29-31, and the second on the St. Lawrence River in Clayton Sept. 9-11.
“We’re excited to welcome some of the fishing world’s best anglers as they compete on the historic James River,” said Jerrine Lee, Director of Sports Development at Richmond Region Tourism. “Our region is proud to once again serve as host for this exciting event and can’t wait to cheer on participants at weigh-ins.”
The James River has hosted a B.A.S.S. Open five of the past six years, and Oneida has hosted seven Opens since 2010. The St. Lawrence River and 1000 Islands area has been one of B.A.S.S.’s most frequently visited tournament venues — for everything from high school contests to Elite Series events.
“The James River is a tidal fishery, and that always presents a different set of circumstances for tournament anglers,” Bowes said. “Then, when you talk about New York during the summertime, it just doesn’t get much better than that for bass anglers.”
The payout per event will be $250,400 (based on a field of 150 anglers), giving the nine-event circuit a total payout of more than $2.25 million. In a change from previous seasons, the full field will fish the first two days, with the winning co-angler being named after Day 2. The final round will feature the Top 10 pros.
Registration for pro and co-anglers will begin online January 12, 2021 for B.A.S.S Nation and Life members and Jan. 14 for B.A.S.S. members.
“With the difficulty of scheduling during the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re leaning heavily on our established partners,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “The result has been a schedule with a lot of familiar venues, but one that will challenge anglers’ abilities like any Opens schedule should.
“The 2020 Opens season was one of the most competitive we’ve ever seen, with an incredible mix of veteran pros and hungry, up-and-coming young anglers. We expect the 2021 season to be even more exciting.”
Booming interest and participation in the Opens led B.A.S.S. to expand coverage of the tournaments, including real-time scoring updates and a live streaming show with commentary by Bassmaster Elite Series anglers. These popular changes will continue in 2021.
“When we restarted the Opens season on the Arkansas River in June 2020, both boaters and co-anglers began using BASSTrakk,” said Jim Sexton, B.A.S.S. VP of Digital. “During the remaining six Bassmaster Opens tournaments, this became the most popular page on our website. As more anglers become comfortable with the technology, we hope folks on both ends of the boat will update their catches because it helps us provide even more exposure on the site.
“Fans also responded enthusiastically to the new Bassmaster Opens LIVE show as camera boats provided coverage of the leaders, streaming more than 6.8 million minutes of on-the-water and weigh-in action. It was the perfect way to learn from the anglers while they broke down tough fisheries in a variety of conditions and seasons. In 2021, those cameras will be in the boat with the pros on the final day.”
2021 Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens schedule
Southern Opens
March 4-6, Harris Chain of Lakes, Leesburg, Fla.
Apr. 15-17, Douglas Lake, Dandridge, Tenn.
Sept. 23-25, Lake Norman, Charlotte, N.C.
Central Opens
Apr. 1-3, Lewis Smith Lake, Jasper, Ala.
Apr. 29-May 1, Pickwick Lake, Counce, Tenn.
Oct. 21-23, Grand Lake, Grove, Okla.
Northern Opens
May 13-15, James River, Richmond, Va.
July 29-31, Oneida Lake, Syracuse, N.Y.
Sept. 9-11, St. Lawrence River/1000 Islands, Clayton, N.Y.
