AC Extra - Behind the Scenes with Rob Digh
This week AC's John Byrne talks with Elite Series Pro Staffer Rob Digh about the upcoming Elite Series season and the holidays.
From the Mound to the Front Deck - With Marc Frazier
This week Chris and the boys welcome in Elite Series newcomer Marc Frazier to talk about his journey into professional bass fishing. A former SEC College Baseball pitcher, Marc has pitched in some of the most intense games and that helps him not feel the pressure when he's on the front deck of his bass boat. Check this one out!
COVERCRAFT® Announces Title Sponsorship of Bradley Roy
PAULS VALLEY, OKLAHOMA – Today, Covercraft® announced its continuation as the title sponsor of Major League FishingTM professional angler Bradley Roy of Lancaster, Kentucky.
“We are thrilled to continue this partnership with Bradley,” said Covercraft Director of Marketing Jeff Jegelewicz. Covercraft began as an associate sponsor of Bradley Roy’s in the latter half of 2018 and made the transition to title sponsor in 2019 as Bradley joined Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour. “He’s a part of the Covercraft Family and we’re proud of the work we’ve done together so far,” continued Jegelewicz.
In addition to being a highly skilled angler, Bradley is dedicated to giving back to the community through charitable events and programs. One part of Roy’s commitment to his community is the annual Bradley Roy High School Open fishing tournament. Beginning in 2019, the Bradley Roy Open added Covercraft as the title sponsor. “Bradley’s community involvement, particularly with the High School effort, speaks volumes about his character, and it’s why we feel he represents the Covercraft brand so well,” added Jegelewicz.
Roy also gives back to American veterans through a partnership with Louisville-based USA Cares (www.usacares.org). Roy hosts two annual benefit tournaments to help the organization provide financial and advocacy assistance to post-9/11 active-duty US military service personnel, veterans, and their families. To date, the events have raised over $40,000.
The Bass Pro Tour veteran is enthusiastic about Covercraft as a company and the role they play in fishing. “You could not ask for a better group of people to work with than the Covercraft folks,” said Roy. “From converting their factories over to produce much-needed PPE earlier in 2020, to supporting high school fishing and our American veterans through our partnership with USA Cares, they continue to amaze me. The fishing industry is so fortunate to have them involved!”
Covercraft branding will again be the focus of Roy’s truck, boat, and jersey for 2021, but the sponsorship goes beyond that. With the support of Covercraft, Roy will again host a sweepstakes for one angler to fish with him on Lake Cumberland. Covercraft will outfit the lucky winner’s vehicle with their products from bumper to bumper.
How Sumrall catches Christmas time bass
Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
Late 2017 was a time in Caleb Sumrall’s journey he will never forget. In life changing fashion, he won the B.A.S.S. Nation National Championship on Lake Hartwell to launch his pro career, and six weeks later a very rare pre-Christmas snowfall blanketed his Southern Louisiana home.
Speed ahead three years, and while Sumrall doesn’t see snow in Cajun country’s forecast, he is absolutely certain quality time at home with family is his greatest Christmas gift, along with a framed note from his beloved grandma who passed-away two years ago.
“My grandma was a huge fan of my fishing career, and like all the other friends and family who were there, she signed the “Congratulations” banner they made for me at the celebration party when I got home from my win at Hartwell,” explains Sumrall.
“She passed-away not too long after that, and my wife Jacie made a copy of Granny’s signed section of the banner, and had it framed for me. It’s one of the greatest Christmas gifts I’ve ever received,” reflects Sumrall.
Favorite Christmas gifts are easy to identify for the former oil field worker, and so are his favorite lures for catching bass during the holidays.
“A jig would be the obvious cold-water lure of choice for a lot of people, but I like to keep moving. So I lean pretty hard on a big Colorado blade spinnerbait and a Spro McStick 115 jerkbait at this time of year,” says Sumrall.
Water temps amid the holidays are often among the lowest of the year, even in Southern Louisiana, so Sumrall’s top two lure choices both play well to lethargic bass -- with one big exception between the two – water clarity. The ‘thumper blade’ spinnerbait performs well in stained to dirty water, while the jerkbait is his pick for cleaner water.
“Plenty of visibility is absolutely key to getting bites on a jerkbait. And since fish notoriously come loose on a jerkbait – I’ll give you a tip – add Gamakatsu finesse treble hooks to your jerkbaits. The finesse trebles have lighter wire, so you’ll get better penetration and lose way fewer fish,” advises Sumrall.
If water clarity is stained or dirty, Sumrall breaks-out the single ‘hubcap’ blade on his ½ ounce Kajun Boss spinnerbait in an effort to create plenty of vibration to stir the holiday appetites of shallow water fatties.
“Not only does that big blade produce crazy amounts of vibration, but it also has so much resistance, you can’t help but slow down your retrieve, which is also key to getting bites in cold water,” he reasons.
Sumrall advises keeping the flash of the big blade just barely out of sight during your retrieve, and throws it on 20-pound line, spooled to a 6.3:1 or 7.1:1 reel.
But there are two things you can be certain he won’t lose sight of this Christmas – “Granny’s” framed handwritten note, and the special goodness of time at home with Jacie, daughter Clelie, and son Axel.
THE UGLY STIK WORLD’S LARGEST SANTA CLAUS BASS TOURNAMENT RAISES MORE THAN $15K IN TOYS TO DONATE TO TOYS FOR TOYS
World record-setting event featured 298 Santa suit-wearing anglers fishing to make Christmas possible for children in need.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (December 14, 2020) — The Ugly Stik World’s Largest Santa Claus Bass Tournament not only set a world record last weekend, it ensured that Christmas will be a reality for hundreds of children in need living in the Lake Norman area.
A total of 298 anglers competed in the one-day, two-angler team event on Lake Norman, but before taking the water to compete while wearing Santa Claus costumes, the anglers donated toys. By the time the tournament was underway at safe light, a pair of 21-foot-long Bass Cat boats were overflowing with toys, which were presented to Toys for Tots at the afternoon weigh-in. The value of the toys donated by anglers, Ugly Stik and other supporters was estimated to be well in excess of $15,000.
“It would be difficult to find a group of people more passionate than anglers are about giving back and helping others in need. And we saw a need that we believe deserves to be filled, so we created an event where we combine two things everyone loves—Christmas and fishing—to see that no child goes without a visit from Santa Claus this year,” said Ugly Stik Vice President of Marketing Jon Schlosser. “I’m proud of the fishing community for coming together to this degree for such a worthy cause. And I’m proud that we achieved these results while also having a great time.”
This year has been especially difficult for charities of all kinds. Due to the pandemic, there are no large-scale events with which to raise funds and solicit donations. In the case of Toys for Tots, many of its donations comes from donation boxes located at businesses. This year, according to Vivian Meletis, Toys for Tots Coordinator for Iredell Co. (N.C.), more than 30 percent of the local businesses which previously displayed donation boxes are now shuttered due to the pandemic.
“The number of children who need Toys for Tots never decreases. Based on the number of donations we received to this point, it was looking bleak—but Marines never give up and we weren’t going to let COVID-19 be the Grinch this year,” said Meletis, who helped Toys for Tots distribute toys to about 4,000 children in 2019 alone. “The anglers were our angels this year. What the anglers and Ugly Stik did with this overwhelming donation overcomes our deficit so that we will continue to be able to provide for children in the area. We can’t thank everyone involved enough. This means so much.”
For more information about Ugly Stik and its legendary line of fishing rods as well as its new line of Ugly Tuff reels and Ugly Tools, go to www.uglystik.com.
NPFL Announces Inaugural Schedule for 2021
The National Professional Fishing League, announced in October of 2019, is finally able to announce their 2021 season. The Inaugural Season will kick off in mid-March on the famed Big Bass Capital on Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Alabama. More to come!
Stop #1 - Lake Eufaula - March 11-13, 2021
Stop #2 - Wright-Patman Lake - Texarkana, TX - April 22-24, 2021
Stop #3 - Harris Chain of Lakes - Leesburg, FL - June 3-5, 2021
Stop #4 - Pickwick Lake - Counce, TN - July 15-17, 2021
Stop #5 - Lake Winnebago - August 19-21, 2021
Stop #6 - Grand Lake-September 30-October 2, 2021
Championship -
HAMRICK AND HOOVER WIN THE UGLY STIK WORLD’S LARGEST SANTA CLAUS BASS TOURNAMENT ON LAKE NORMAN
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Wiggins Wins Classic Fish-Off, Earns Final Classic Berth At Florida’s Harris Chain
Jordan Wiggins, of Cullman, Ala., has won the Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off on the Harris Chain of Lakes with a two-day total of 31 pounds, 9 ounces.
Photo by Brenden Kanies/B.A.S.S.
December 12, 2020
LEESBURG, Fla. — There were times Saturday when Jordan Wiggins wondered if he had enough magic remaining to write the fairy-tale ending for a special week on the Harris Chain of Lakes.
He had to work for it, but the 29-year old Cullman, Ala., resident proved in the end that dreams really do come true in central Florida.
Wiggins won the Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off on Saturday with a two-day total of 10 bass that weighed 31 pounds, 9 ounces. His limit of 9-0 on Day 2 was significantly less than the tournament-best 22-9 he caught a day earlier, but it was enough for him to punch his ticket into the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.
The Classic is scheduled for March 19-21 on Lake Ray Roberts near Fort Worth, Texas. Wiggins is the 54th and final angler to qualify for the next edition of the biggest bass tournament in the world.
“I’ve been shaking all day just thinking about making it to the Classic,” he said shortly after receiving a congratulatory hug from his wife, Whitney. “I’ve dreamed of this ever since I’ve been going fishing and I’ve been fishing a long time. This is awesome; just unreal.”
Wiggins and his fishing partner Wesley Sams qualified for the Bassmaster Team Championship via the Alabama Bass Trail. They won the team portion of the tournament earlier this week with a two-day total of 39-8 and were one of three teams that advanced to the Classic Fish-Off.
Wiggins continued with the hot hand during the fish-off, when the top six anglers had their weights zeroed and started fishing individually. Wiggins’ 22-9 bag on Friday was anchored by a whopping 8-12 largemouth that was the heaviest catch of the week and gave him a 7 1/2-pound cushion heading into the final day.
Wiggins suspected the final day would be a grind, both mentally and physically, and it was. He fished all week on the same stretch of eelgrass and Kissimmee grass where Lake Harris meets Little Lake Harris, but the bite wasn’t nearly as productive Saturday as it had been the three previous days.
Feeling the pressure, he remained on the deck of his boat for seven consecutive hours, not even stopping to take a drink despite the 80-degree temperature.
Wiggins mustered a limit, but he was concerned one of his five competitors might catch a Harris Chain heavy and overtake him. They also failed to find big bass Saturday, however, with Andy Walls of the Minnesota B.A.S.S. Nation weighing the big bag (12-10) to finish second overall with 23-5. Sams caught 10-6 and placed third with 21-2.
“I knew when I put the boat in this morning that it wasn’t going to be a good day,” Wiggins said, noting the patchy cloud cover over central Florida on Saturday.
“If you’re in Florida and you don’t have much knowledge of the lake, you want the sun. It’s your friend, especially when you’re fishing grass. I still won by a good amount, but I’m disappointed I didn’t catch them better than I did. I’m just lucky the other guys didn’t have great days either.”
Wiggins threw a white Z-Man Evergreen ChatterBait JackHammer with a White Trash Little Dipper to catch every bass he weighed in both the team portion and the fish-off. He said the key was getting the bait nudged against the Kissimmee grass and moving it slowly through the small area between it and the eelgrass.
Wiggins had fished the Harris Chain before, teaming with Sams to finish 30th in the 2018 Bassmaster Team Championship. Both anglers said that experience gave them a chance to learn how the fishery works and they utilized the knowledge this year.
Wiggins also thanked his brother Jesse, who loaned him his truck to make the drive to the Harris Chain. Jesse is a pro angler with three previous Bassmaster wins to his credit, including the Southern Open on the Harris Chain in 2017. Jesse also fished in three Classics, finishing third in 2019 on the Tennessee River in Knoxville.
Jordan, 19 months younger than Jesse, said he and his brother are very competitive.
“He holds that over my head, that he’s fished the Classic,” Jordan said. “But now I’m going too, and he can’t say anything anymore.”
Rounding out the Classic Fish-Off standings were Daryl Adams, Alabama Bass Trail, 21-1, Keith Tuma, Minnesota B.A.S.S. Nation, 18-10 and Keith Mayfield, Alabama Bass Trail, 14-10.
The tournament was hosted by GO Sports, Visit Lake and the City of Leesburg.
2020 Bassmaster Team Championship Premier Sponsors: Abu Garcia, Berkley, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Skeeter Boats, Talon, Yamaha
2020 Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off - Harris Chain of Lakes 12/11-12/12
Harris Chain Of Lakes, Leesburg FL.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Jordan Wiggins Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 22-09 Day 2: 5 09-00 Total: 10 31-09
2. Andy Walls MN BASS Nation 0
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 12-10 Total: 10 23-05
3. Wesley Sams Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 10-06 Total: 10 21-02
4. Daryl Adams Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 06-10 Total: 10 21-01
5. Keith Tuma MN BASS Nation 0
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 3 03-10 Total: 8 18-10
6. Keith Mayfield Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 4 08-01 Day 2: 5 06-09 Total: 9 14-10
Wiggins Takes Big Lead In Classic Fish-Off On Harris Chain Of Lakes
Jordan Wiggins, of Cullman, Ala., is leading after Day 1 of the Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off on the Harris Chain of Lakes with 22 pounds, 9 ounces.
Photo by Brenden Kanies/B.A.S.S.
December 11, 2020
LEESBURG, Fla. — Victory in a child’s game Thursday night put Jordan Wiggins within striking distance of the biggest win of his life on Day 1 of the Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off on the Harris Chain of Lakes.
Wiggins and Wesley Sams, from the Alabama Bass Trail, were fresh off winning the team portion of the event Thursday, and they needed to decide who would get dibs on a spectacular stretch of eelgrass they utilized for their victory.
They settled the matter with a game of “Rock, Paper, Scissors,” and Wiggins came out on top. The 29-year-old angler from Cullman, Ala., then leaned on the grass Friday to take the lead in the two-day fish-off with a five-bass limit that weighed 22 pounds, 9 ounces.
“I made my first pass along the grass and I caught a couple of 3-pounders,” said Wiggins, whose bag was anchored by a personal-best 8-12 largemouth. “I was able to finish my limit out, and on my next pass, I saw the big one about 30 feet off the grassline.
“My trolling motor was pointing that way, so I threw my ChatterBait over there. I cranked it two times and when he hit it, he knocked slack in it. We got a video of it. It lasted about 20 seconds. It was unreal.”
Wiggins’s limit jumped from approximately 12 to 19 pounds in an instant and his nerves settled.
“I knew I could kind of lay back on them a little bit then because I knew I had a good bag,” he said. “I didn’t want to keep busting them because I’m going to need every 2-pounder that’s there tomorrow.”
Even with a 7-9 lead over Keith Tuma of the Minnesota B.A.S.S. Nation, who is second in the fish-off with 15-0, Wiggins thinks he’ll need 18 to 20 more pounds to seal the victory. If he does, he’ll nail down the final spot in the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk scheduled for March 19-21 on Lake Ray Roberts near Fort Worth, Texas.
“I know I’m gonna need that weight tomorrow,” Wiggins said. “The second day is always harder than the first. It’s always a mental grind. I’d rather come from behind, but I’ll take what I have. I was very fortunate today.”
Tuma rode a strong morning bite to second place. He said he’s throwing a “big worm and also a Senko worm on a really light weight with a heavy hook and braid because I know the fish here can be big.”
Tuma caught a 7-pounder during the Team Championship, and Wiggins’ giant on Friday reaffirmed for everyone that no lead is safe on the Harris Chain.
Hefty bites have been steady this week with the weather warming daily, from the mid-50s on Wednesday to the high 70s on Friday. Saturday’s conditions are expected to be partly cloudy with a high temperature around 80 degrees, which could mean more lunkers on the line.
“On this lake, it’s one bite that could be the difference-maker,” Tuma said. “You could get five bites like that. It’s anybody’s game here.”
Daryl Adams of the Alabama Bass Trail is right behind Tuma in third place with 14-7. Sams is fourth with 10-12, Andy Walls of the Minnesota B.A.S.S. Nation is fifth with 10-11 and Keith Mayfield of the Alabama Bass Trail is sixth with 8-1. Each of the anglers caught a five-bass limit on Friday, except Mayfield, who had four keepers.
Wiggins and Sams won the two-day Bassmaster Team Championship on Thursday with a total of 10 bass that weighed 39-8. They collected a $20,000 cash prize from Ranger/Mercury, as well. Walls and Tuma finished second in team standings with 39-1 and Mayfield and Adams were third with 38-2. The Top 3 tandems in the team portion advanced to the Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off.
The fish-off concludes Saturday at Ski Beach Park in Leesburg’s Venetian Gardens. Weigh-in is scheduled for 3 p.m. and fans can catch all the action live on Bassmaster.com.
The tournament is being hosted by GO Sports, Visit Lake and the City of Leesburg.
2020 Bassmaster Team Championship Premier Sponsors: Abu Garcia, Berkley, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Skeeter Boats, Talon, Yamaha
2020 Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off - Harris Chain of Lakes 12/11-12/12
Harris Chain Of Lakes, Leesburg FL.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Jordan Wiggins - Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 22-09 Total: 5 22-09
2. Keith Tuma - MN BASS Nation 0
Day 1: 5 15-00 Total: 5 15-00
3. Daryl Adams - Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 14-07 Total: 5 14-07
4. Wesley Sams - Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 10-12 Total: 5 10-12
5. Andy Walls - MN BASS Nation 0
Day 1: 5 10-11 Total: 5 10-11
6. Keith Mayfield - Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 4 08-01 Total: 4 08-01
Sams, Wiggins Win Bassmaster Team Championship, Earn Berths To Classic Fish-Off On Harris Chain
Wesley Sams and Jordan Wiggins, from the Alabama Bass Trail, have won the 2020 Bassmaster Team Championship on the Harris Chain of Lakes with a two-day total of 39 pounds, 8 ounces.
Photo by Brenden Kanies/B.A.S.S.
December 10, 2020
LEESBURG, Fla. — Wesley Sams and Jordan Wiggins caught the heaviest bag of the Bassmaster Team Championship on Thursday to earn a come-from-behind victory on the Harris Chain of Lakes.
Sams and Wiggins, who hail from Cullman, Ala., and represent the Alabama Bass Trail, bagged a five-bass limit that weighed 22 pounds, 5 ounces to vault from seventh place on Day 1 to the top of the leaderboard on Day 2. Coupled with Wednesday’s 17-3 limit, the duo finished with 39-8 overall to top the 142-team field.
By virtue of their victory in the team portion of the tournament, Sams and Wiggins advanced to the Classic Fish-Off. They, along with the second and third-place duos, will have their weights zeroed and begin another two-day competition Friday. This time they will be fishing individually for the final berth in the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk scheduled for March 19-21 on Lake Ray Roberts near Fort Worth, Texas.
“It’s an awesome feeling to win the team championship,” Sams said. “But the big prize is a chance to get in the Classic. If it’s not me in it, I’m pulling for (Wiggins). And I know he’ll be pulling for me, too.”
Sams and Wiggins, who earned a $20,000 cash prize from Ranger/Mercury for winning the team competition, have fished on the Harris Chain before, cashing a check in the 2018 Team Championship. They revisited some of the spots that produced two years ago, as well as one spot Wiggins’ brother Jesse fished to win a Bassmaster Open several years ago.
None of those locations were hitting this year, however, with the tandem having only two small bites late Wednesday morning.
Determined to do better, they motored to a strip of hydrilla Wiggins spotted on his electronics about 6 feet underneath the surface of Lake Harris. Every fish they weighed in the Team Championship came from that same short stretch of aquatic grass.
The winners weren’t sharing which bait they used to spark their bite, but they’ll definitely be using it again in the fish-off.
“I’ll have three rods on the deck and I’ll have that tied on all three of them,” Sams said.
Wiggins concurred.
“We just have to get lucky,” he said.
Sams said once he and Wiggins found the right spot Wednesday, they knew they had a chance to make the fish-off. They were in seventh place heading into Day 2 and had nearly 5 pounds to gain on Day 1 leaders Keith Ellis and Roger Kendrick of the Chattanooga (Tenn.) Bass Association.
“We thought if we could get over 20 pounds today, we’d have a shot (to make the fish-off),” Sams said. “And if we got 22 1/2 or 23, we thought we could win it today.”
Andy Walls and Keith Tuma of the Minnesota B.A.S.S. Nation finished second in team standings with 10 bass for 39-1, including a 21-6 limit Thursday. They were in sixth place on Day 1 but advanced to the Classic Fish-Off with a strong finish.
Keith Mayfield and Daryl Adams, who like Sams and Wiggins qualified for the championship via the Alabama Bass Trail, placed third overall with 38-2 and rounded out the Top 6 for the fish-off on Friday and Saturday.
Mark Condron and Tony Simeri, yet another tandem from the Alabama Bass Trail, finished fourth with 38-2. Ellis and Kendrick slipped to fifth with a 13-3 limit Thursday and 35-5 overall.
Two teams tied for the Big Bass Award and split the $500 prize four ways. Danny Lavoie and Sammy Bailey of the Alabama Bass Trail caught their 8-7 largemouth Wednesday, while Rick Imler and Scott Newlon of Ohio’s Great Lakes Largemouth Series matched the feat a day later.
Wednesday’s temperature was cool, with highs near 60, but a warming trend is sweeping across central Florida. Thursday’s highs hovered at 70 degrees and the temperature is expected to reach 80 by Saturday, which many anglers feel could make the Harris Chain bass bite even more productive.
In all, 142 two-person teams (284 anglers) qualified via their respective trails for the Team Championship. The field at the Harris Chain split a total purse of $77,000.
The Classic Fish-Off begins at 7 a.m. ET both Friday and Saturday from Ski Beach Park in Leesburg’s Venetian Gardens. Weigh-ins are scheduled for 3 p.m. at the park and fans can catch all the action live on Bassmaster.com.
2020 Bassmaster Team Championship Harris Chain 12/9-12/10
Harris Chain Of Lakes, Leesburg FL.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Wesley Sams - Jordan Wiggins Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 22-05 Total: 10 39-08
2. Andy Walls - Keith Tuma MN BASS Nation 0
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 21-06 Total: 10 39-01
3. Keith Mayfield - Daryl Adams Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 21-13 Total: 10 38-02
4. Mark Condron - Tony Simeri Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 21-11 Day 2: 5 16-07 Total: 10 38-02
5. Keith Ellis - Roger Kendrick Chattanooga Bass Association 0
Day 1: 5 22-02 Day 2: 5 13-03 Total: 10 35-05
6. Rodney Chastain - Robby Hipps Palmetto Boat Center-PBC 0
Day 1: 5 21-12 Day 2: 5 12-14 Total: 10 34-10
7. Joey Solomon - Daniel Taylor Morristown Marine 0
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 19-15 Total: 10 34-01
8. Jacob Foutz - Brian Foutz Tennessee Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 15-14 Total: 10 32-07
9. Joe Wiseman - Lane Parkins Lock Down 0
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 14-03 Total: 10 31-05
10. Matt Henry - Justin Kimmel Berry's Tournament Trail 0
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 14-01 Total: 10 31-01
11. Mark O'Brien - Brennon Mccord Anglers Choice 0
Day 1: 4 11-06 Day 2: 5 19-06 Total: 9 30-12
12. John Kleinoeder - Robert Mccafferty Great Lakes Largemouth Series 0
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 17-14 Total: 10 30-07
13. Stephen Mcavoy - Josh Butts Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 13-03 Total: 10 30-07
14. Kyle Patrick - Jimmy Obrien Empire Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 19-06 Total: 10 30-05
15. Brian Adamson - Ryan Lloyd Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 15-14 Total: 10 29-14
16. Jacob Zeigler - Zach Zeigler Anglers choice 0
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 5 12-10 Total: 10 29-00
17. Casey Majni - Brandon Willis Morristown Marine Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 18-15 Total: 10 28-15
18. Jeffrey Brauneck - Fred Brauneck West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 5 08-08 Day 2: 5 19-14 Total: 10 28-06
19. James Copenhaver III - Adam Dysart Chattanooga Bass Association 0
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 13-07 Total: 10 28-03
20. Steve Wilson - Harold Rogers Tennessee team Bass nation 0
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 15-11 Total: 10 28-02
21. Ryan Kelly - Joshua Schumaker West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 5 21-02 Day 2: 5 06-15 Total: 10 28-01
22. Shawn Williams - Shane Williams Ozark Mountain Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 13-13 Total: 10 27-15
23. Eric Niswonger - Kyle Radake U.S. Anglers Choice 0
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 17-11 Total: 10 27-11
24. Jeff Carman - Andy Greynolds Anglers Outpost NTBA 0
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 11-14 Total: 10 26-11
25. Doug Stamper - Ryan Davidson Anglers outpost NTB 0
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 14-03 Total: 10 26-10
26. Adam Bain - Kris Colley Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 4 07-04 Total: 9 26-03
27. Dustin Neat - Mark Wethington NTBA 0
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 13-03 Total: 10 26-03
28. Kelly Power - Mark Wiese Jr Ozark Mountain Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 13-09 Total: 10 26-02
29. Todd Buckingham - Chris Beaudrie Kentucky Bass Nation 0
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 09-14 Total: 10 26-01
30. Danny Lavoie - Sammy Bailey Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 3 12-08 Day 2: 5 13-09 Total: 8 26-01
31. Jeff Lewis - Fredrick Adkins Morristown Marine 0
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 12-13 Total: 10 25-12
32. Dean Yamagata - Ryan Yamagata Nevada Bass Anglers 0
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 13-09 Total: 10 25-08
33. Owen Windham - Shawn Larance Media Bass 0
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 13-03 Total: 10 25-04
34. Glenn Harrison - Rusty Darnell Joe Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 14-14 Total: 10 25-00
35. Nick Compagner - Ben Baker West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 10-07 Total: 10 24-11
36. Brad Jelinek - Brock Reinkemeyer Joe bass team trail 0
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 11-08 Total: 10 24-04
37. Shane Howell - Milton Adams 3F Tournaments 0
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 10-11 Total: 10 24-02
38. Clayton Wilcox - Zach Huyser West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 12-00 Total: 10 24-01
39. Keith Kulow - Adam Arnold Iowa BN Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 08-00 Day 2: 5 16-00 Total: 10 24-00
40. James Seymour - Tony McBride Texas B.A.S.S Nation Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 08-12 Total: 10 23-12
41. Brody Manley - Barrett Keel Lake Hartwell 5 Alive Sunday Ser 0
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 5 14-04 Total: 10 23-09
42. Ryan Fingleton - Ryan Hubler West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 10-13 Total: 10 23-08
43. Blain Bartley - Justin Kappeler Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit 0
Day 1: 5 16-09 Day 2: 5 06-10 Total: 10 23-03
44. Trevor Jancasz - Tom Moleski D&R Sports Center Series 0
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 07-09 Total: 10 23-00
45. Mark Mott - Justin Mott Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 10-02 Total: 10 22-10
46. Rick Fishback - Blake Felix Joe Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 07-09 Total: 10 22-08
47. Rick Imler - Scott Newlon Great Lakes Largemouth Series 0
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 3 12-03 Total: 8 22-08
48. Joe Heath - Wayne Heath AOM NTBA 0
Day 1: 5 09-13 Day 2: 5 12-07 Total: 10 22-04
49. Dennis Chavez - Stephan Camden Nevada B.A.S.S. Nation Team Trai 0
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 11-02 Total: 10 22-04
50. Jack Tibbs - Duane Mock Shotgun Sports Supply 0
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 5 12-11 Total: 10 21-14
51. Steven Huegerich - Darrin Kirkland Iowa Bass Nation 0
Day 1: 5 07-13 Day 2: 5 13-15 Total: 10 21-12
52. Tom Statler - Dillon Statler Joe Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 3 06-06 Total: 8 20-15
53. Bobby Albert - Robert Cowan Ozark Mtn Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 07-04 Total: 10 20-12
54. Troy Buck - Charles Wieghat 3F 0
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 5 10-08 Total: 10 20-07
55. Kevin Hagerman - Max Suter Cheat Lake Anglers 0
Day 1: 5 08-05 Day 2: 5 11-12 Total: 10 20-01
56. Mark Thompson - Tim Newberry Sr Joe Bass TT 0
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 5 18-00 Total: 6 19-15
57. Eddie Levin - Ryan Mallory OH BN Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 08-14 Total: 10 19-13
58. Jayson Hooven - Matthew Keeble Lakeland Bassmasters 0
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 09-13 Total: 10 19-11
59. Jeffrey Kyle - Samuel Drake Florida Bass Nation 0
Day 1: 4 09-02 Day 2: 5 10-08 Total: 9 19-10
60. Lucas Murphy - Nolan Hitt Grand Valley State University 0
Day 1: 5 07-00 Day 2: 5 12-08 Total: 10 19-08
61. Steven White - Dakota Bellew Southside Fishing Team 0
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 07-15 Total: 10 19-07
62. Ben Lind - Michael Hubbard Centennial Bass Club 0
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 4 09-14 Total: 9 19-05
63. Mark Orsi - Aaron Orsi Massachusetts Sunday Classic Tea 0
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 5 09-11 Total: 10 18-12
64. Tyler Williams - Denis Carrier Somerset Bassmasters 0
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 4 05-00 Total: 9 18-08
65. Shane Gray - Dustin Gray Media Bass Teams 0
Day 1: 5 08-05 Day 2: 4 09-15 Total: 9 18-04
66. Jerry Loveless - Jordan Loveless USA Bassin 0
Day 1: 5 07-10 Day 2: 5 10-08 Total: 10 18-02
67. Brian Bylotas - Brian Bylotas 0
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 08-03 Total: 10 17-03
68. Brandon Ackerson - Brad Cook Angler Nation 0
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 07-00 Total: 10 17-00
69. Joey Stewart - Trent Mangum Coosa River Team Trail 0
Day 1: 3 10-00 Day 2: 4 06-11 Total: 7 16-11
70. Capt. Jim Keith - Jimbo Keith Jr Florida 0
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 16-07
71. William Woodall - Roger Foraker DE B.A.S.S. Nation 0
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 3 07-01 Total: 8 16-01
72. Kameron Harbin - Danny Ashley Palmetto Boat Center 0
Day 1: 5 08-12 Day 2: 5 07-05 Total: 10 16-01
73. John Richards - Brent Bowen NH Bass nation 0
Day 1: 5 08-12 Day 2: 4 07-05 Total: 9 16-01
74. Mike Polencheck - Brad Longerbone MN BASS Nation Team Trail 0
Day 1: 4 08-07 Day 2: 4 07-08 Total: 8 15-15
75. Jake Knight - Stephen Plumb Bayou Bassin League 0
Day 1: 5 07-03 Day 2: 5 08-05 Total: 10 15-08
76. Brandon Hawthorne - Tracy Hawthorne Empire Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 4 05-07 Total: 9 15-05
77. Jeff Gilliam - Johnny Clark Alabama bassNation 0
Day 1: 4 07-01 Day 2: 2 08-04 Total: 6 15-05
78. John Smith - Tyler Faulkner Morristown Marine 0
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 15-04
79. Drew Blackwood - Terry Blackwood Sunflower team trail 0
Day 1: 2 02-11 Day 2: 5 12-06 Total: 7 15-01
80. Greggory Zumwalt - Keith Hendrix Joe Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 14-13
81. Matthew Farrabee - Mark Mounts Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit 0
Day 1: 2 04-04 Day 2: 5 10-08 Total: 7 14-12
82. Steve Barnes - AJ Barnes Jr CBA 0
Day 1: 3 03-06 Day 2: 5 11-05 Total: 8 14-11
83. Brian Chandler - Jermey Jenks West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 3 04-04 Day 2: 5 10-00 Total: 8 14-04
84. Jamie Worth - Johnny Callison Jr Western PA Team Bass Series 0
Day 1: 1 02-14 Day 2: 5 10-15 Total: 6 13-13
85. Neil Witkowski - Bobby May West Michigan bass 0
Day 1: 3 06-00 Day 2: 5 07-12 Total: 8 13-12
86. Alan Fluharty - Chad Brinegar Benton's Ferry Bassmasters 0
Day 1: 5 07-04 Day 2: 5 06-08 Total: 10 13-12
87. Dave Frost - Nick Manfredo FL BN Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 12-11
88. Bryan Dowdy - Kyle Lewellen Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 12-06
89. Jared Winland - Brandan Becki Great Lakes Largemouth Series 0
Day 1: 2 03-14 Day 2: 4 08-02 Total: 6 12-00
90. Bill Mayo - Walton Roberts Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 4 04-08 Day 2: 5 07-08 Total: 9 12-00
91. Jeff Delk - Mike Combs NTBA 0
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 11-15
92. Ryan Westgate - Donald Bulk West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 2 05-00 Day 2: 3 06-15 Total: 5 11-15
93. Rick Johnston - Connor Cunningham Ozark Mountain TT 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 11-13 Total: 3 11-13
94. Russ Franklin - Jeremy Garrison Ozark mountain team trail 0
Day 1: 2 03-02 Day 2: 4 08-08 Total: 6 11-10
95. David Buday - Daryl Devries West Michigan 0
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 11-08
96. Daniel Padgett - Brad Padgett TN Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 11-06
97. Michael Jones - Jake Fordyce Pennsylvania Bass Nation 0
Day 1: 2 04-06 Day 2: 5 06-10 Total: 7 11-00
98. Garrett Seppala - Travis Salo NH Bass Nation 0
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 10-11
99. Frank Favicchio - David Schultz IBN 0
Day 1: 5 07-05 Day 2: 3 03-00 Total: 8 10-05
100. George Toalson - Tom Haynes Angler Nation 0
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 10-04
100. Kelly Warren - James Hadley Hadley and Warren 0
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 10-04
102. Jarrod Swift - Trenton Estridge Anglers Outpost NTBA 0
Day 1: 4 10-04 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 10-04
103. Don Depew - Brian Ruetz GLLS 0
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 10-03
104. Tim Cooper - Bob Clements White River Bass Masters 0
Day 1: 2 03-00 Day 2: 3 07-01 Total: 5 10-01
105. Kent Keys - David Campbell Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 4 09-15 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 09-15
106. Steven Weber - Sam Phillips joe bass team trail 0
Day 1: 3 05-12 Day 2: 2 03-15 Total: 5 09-11
107. Ray Huff - Katherine Row Cen Cal Elites 0
Day 1: 1 01-02 Day 2: 5 07-10 Total: 6 08-12
108. Rob Messenger Jr - John Levesque NH Bass Nation 0
Day 1: 5 08-09 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 08-09
109. Tyler Weaver - Luke Routh Joe bass team trail 0
Day 1: 4 08-08 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 08-08
110. Mark McCaig - Tim Hurst Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 4 08-07 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 08-07
111. Paul Gohlke - Bill Mcquarrie Mi Bass Nation 0
Day 1: 5 08-04 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 08-04
112. Jamie Smith - Michael Rains Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 08-02 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 08-02
113. Todd Wilson - Mark Wilson Ntbf 0
Day 1: 4 08-01 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 08-01
114. Micheal Henderson - Tim Cook West Michigan BASS 0
Day 1: 5 07-14 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 07-14
115. Cody George - Josh Prince Tennessee Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 07-04 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 07-04
116. Greg Glouse - Joe Anders Palmetto Boat Center 0
Day 1: 3 07-04 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 07-04
117. Mike Rogers - Donnie Crist Joe Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 07-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 07-00
118. Mike Heffelfinger - Kyle Colone Michigan NTBA 0
Day 1: 3 06-15 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 06-15
118. Dale Teaney - Randy Alexander Morristown marine team trail 0
Day 1: 3 06-15 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 06-15
120. Owen Hentschel - David Hentschel West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 2 02-14 Day 2: 3 03-14 Total: 5 06-12
121. Michael Brewer - Jason Cannon Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 4 06-07 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 06-07
122. Chris Lueg - Heath Stuart KC Team Tour 0
Day 1: 2 02-03 Day 2: 3 04-03 Total: 5 06-06
123. Terry Pryor - Terry Mann Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 4 06-03 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 06-03
124. Lanier Burton - Mike Keel Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 3 06-03 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 06-03
125. Jeff Cherry - Stephen Rosson Coosa River Team Trail 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 05-15 Total: 5 05-15
126. John Campbell - David Rogers Joe Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 4 05-14 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 05-14
127. James Vanderhoning II - Mark Anderson West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 5 05-08 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 05-08
128. Michael Cass - Jacob Whitman Florida B.A.S.S. nation team 0
Day 1: 3 04-14 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 04-14
129. Hank Golden - Jeffery Lancaster Kowaliga Bassmaster 0
Day 1: 3 04-12 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 04-12
130. Lucas Mcdaniel - Joshua Norris Chickamauga Bass Club 0
Day 1: 2 04-11 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 2 04-11
131. Rocky Carden - Jacob Delong Joe Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 4 04-09 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 04-09
132. Jeffrey Cannon - Terry Tucker Coosa River Trail 0
Day 1: 3 04-02 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 04-02
133. Jason Burroughs - Darren Ashley Palmetto Boat Center 0
Day 1: 1 03-05 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 1 03-05
134. Hunter Hamilton - Ty Ball Morristown Marine Team Trail 0
Day 1: 2 03-04 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 2 03-04
134. Chuck James - Brad James Chattanooga Bass Association 0
Day 1: 2 03-04 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 2 03-04
136. tim Manning - Cody Wilder Morristown Marine Team Trail 0
Day 1: 2 03-02 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 2 03-02
137. Ronald Belew - Derek Dace Joe Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
137. Anthony Goggins - Jeremy Headley Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
137. Caleb Mcneal - Taylor Luna Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
137. Jason Morgan - Craig Whittemore Jr Coosa River Team Trail 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
137. Eric Morris - Ben Williamson Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
137. Drew Sadler - Brian Richmond Bluegrass Bassmasters 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
New Nabs Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens AOY Title
Bryan New of Belmont, N.C., won the Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open at Kissimmee Chain of Lakes en route to claiming the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year title.
Photo by James Overstreet/B.A.S.S.
December 10, 2020
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After competing in all eight 2020 Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens tournaments, Bryan New of Belmont, N.C., nabbed the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year title by a single point. The last Open of the year at Lay Lake, Ala., was gut-wrenching for New. He caught the bass that clinched the coveted AOY trophy 20 minutes before his final weigh-in of the season.
“Without that 3-pound largemouth, I don’t win Angler of the Year,” New said.
In addition to qualifying for the Bassmaster Elite Series, New pocketed $10,000 from Falcon Rods. New also earned a berth to the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk by winning the season’s first event, the Bassmaster Eastern Open on Florida’s Kissimmee Chain of Lakes.
“This is a lifetime childhood dream come true for me,” New said. “I fought hard to get here, and I’ll need to fight hard to stay.”
Winning the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens AOY title is undoubtedly one of the most difficult accomplishments in tournament bass fishing. Every Open event in 2020 drew large fields that included many of the country’s top pros and a host of local hot sticks.
Stepping Up To The Opens
Prior to 2020, New had never competed in a Bassmaster Open. But he was hardly a rookie. New had won nearly $400,000 fishing mainly as a co-angler in a variety of FLW events. New credits his co-angler experience for helping him to learn to “fish the moment.”
“As a co-angler you can’t plan on anything because you don’t know what you’re doing next,” New said. “You have to evaluate what’s in front of you and try to determine the best way to catch a bass in that situation.”
New’s 2020 Open Season
Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Fla., Jan. 15-17 - First place
Offshore hydrilla in 6 feet of water produced most of the bass New weighed at Kissimmee. He plied the submerged greenery with a Greenfish Tackle squarebill crankbait, a Megabass jerkbait and a Zoom Ol’ Monster worm.
“I was catching bass that were staging to spawn and postspawn bass coming back,” New said. “I also caught some fish on a prop bait and by punching hyacinth mats.”
Arkansas River, Okla., June 18-20 - 25th place
On the first day of the tournament, New duped one fish on a swim jig and another on a buzzbait. He caught every other bass by flipping a Zoom Baby Brush Hog into water willow.
“As tough as the bite was everywhere, I didn’t want to deal with locking out of the pool,” New said.
Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Texas, Sept. 10-12 - 30th place
A bent prop shaft on his outboard forced New to baby his engine by running slowly and fishing close to takeoff. He focused mainly on brushpiles in 8 to 22 feet of water. His primary lure was a Zoom Ol’ Monster worm.
“I love fishing brushpiles and feel I’m pretty good at it,” New said.
He also caught a few bass on crankbaits, swimbaits and one on a Whopper Plopper.
Lake Hartwell, S.C., Sept. 23-25 - 44th place
“I scratched my head a lot at Hartwell,” New said. “I had just enough largemouth bites upriver in practice to sucker me into it. I wasted half of my first day up there.”
He fished the rest of the day on the lower end of the lake casting for spotted bass. He caught his fifth bass minutes before weigh-in. A Greenfish Tackle Toad Toter buzzbait sporting a Zoom Horny Toad, a drop shot and a walking stickbait produced his fish.
“Like a dummy, I fished upriver for two hours the second day,” New said. “Then I went downlake and caught them pretty well, mostly casting a Zoom Super Fluke to canepiles.”
Neely Henry Lake, Ala., Oct. 22-24 - 100th place
New had a decent practice “bite-wise” at Neely Henry, but his fish were relating to water willow and docks, the most obvious and heavily fished cover on the lake.
“To me, a good practice is finding something sneaky,” New said.
His morning pattern of fishing a buzzbait in the water willow failed to get a bite the first day. He salvaged a small limit by skipping a Greenfish Tackle Brandon Cobb All Purpose Jig under docks, but his confidence was shaken.
“It is so rare for stuff to get to me,” New said. “I normally shake it off and work through it. The next day was my worst of the year. I couldn’t do anything right.”
He boated only two keeper bass that day, one on a jig and the other on a shaky head. As disappointed as New was in his performance, he would not be the AOY without those two fish.
Cherokee Lake, Tenn., Oct 29-31 - 53rd place
“I had two things going at Cherokee in practice,” New said. “I was catching them on a Spook first thing in the morning. The rest of my bites were on a 1/2-ounce Fitzgerald Tungsten micro jig. I was fishing it on isolated rockpiles out in the middle of nowhere.”
When the tournament got underway, New discovered that other anglers were fishing nearly every rockpile he had found. He worked hard to put five keepers — a mix of smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass — in his livewell. New’s Spook failed to draw a bite the second day. He struggled to catch three smallmouth, one on a jig and two on a drop shot. It was a less than stellar day, but once more, without those three critical bass New would have failed to win the AOY title.
Lewisville Lake, Texas, Nov. 19-21 - 4th place
Lewisville was a helter-skelter tournament for New because the bass, for the most part, were scattered and hard to find. He claimed that he burned 50 gallons of gas each day and fished the entire lake.
On Day 1, New caught three bass by fishing docks with a 1/2-ounce jig tipped with a Zoom Big Salty Chunk. The next day he caught two bass on a squarebill and three on a ChatterBait dressed with a Zoom Super Fluke. All these fish came off rocky banks and isolated rocks.
On Championship Saturday, New caught one bass with a ChatterBait from an isolated rock, another from a dock with a jig and one more by bumping a jig over offshore rocks 8 to 16 feet deep.
Lay Lake, Ala., Dec. 3-5 - 22nd place
“Lay Lake was all about junk fishing,” New said. “Every bass I caught the first day bit a different bait.”
One of those bass was duped by cranking riprap with a squarebill, another fell for a flat-sided crankbait retrieved over a boat ramp, a ChatterBait accounted for another bass, flipping a small mat of dead water willow with a Zoom Z-Hog produced another and a micro jig coaxed a bass from a small patch of gravel 8 feet deep.
The second day was another junk fishing-palooza. New culled a limit by fishing a ChatterBait around docks and water willow, a jerkbait on bluff walls and a micro jig on deep rocks offshore. He caught mainly spotted bass throughout the event, along with a few largemouth.
“I’ve got two goals for next year,” New said. “One is to win the Classic. Two is to hold my own in the Elites and qualify for the Classic again through the Angler of the Year points.”
Ellis And Kendrick Grab Lead At Bassmaster Team Championship On Florida’s Harris Chain
Keith Ellis and Roger Kendrick, from the Chattanooga Bass Association, are leading after Day 1 of the Bassmaster Team Championship on the Harris Chain of Lakes with 22 pounds, 2 ounces.
Photo by Brenden Kanies/B.A.S.S.
December 9, 2020
LEESBURG, Fla. — Keith Ellis and Roger Kendrick have made countless memories in 45 years of fishing together, but there’s little doubt that Day 1 of the Bassmaster Team Championship on the Harris Chain of Lakes will go down as one of their finest.
Ellis and Kendrick, who qualified for the championship via the Chattanooga (Tenn.) Bass Association, caught a five-bass limit of 22 pounds, 2 ounces on Wednesday to grab the lead in the final tournament of the 2020 Bassmaster season.
The haul gave the lifelong friends a narrow lead over Rodney Chastain and Robby Hipps of South Carolina’s Palmetto Boat Center Trail, who are in second place with 21-12. Mark Condron and Tony Simeri of the Alabama Bass Trail are third with 21-11 and Ryan Kelly and Joshua Schumaker of West Michigan Bass are fourth with 21-2.
“It was a consistent day, but we started with a good early bite and then got a good bite right before we left when it warmed up,” Kendrick said, referencing the temperatures that started in the upper 40s Wednesday morning in central Florida but climbed into the low 60s by weigh-in at Venetian Gardens Marina.
“We’re targeting grass, all that hydrilla,” Ellis said. “We’re in about 8 feet of water, looking for a little bit of wind.”
None of the other 142 teams taking part in the tournament are within 3 pounds of Ellis and Kendrick, but the leaders know they can’t sit on their Day 1 showing. That’s partly because the Harris Chain seems primed for production this week, with 90 limits caught Wednesday and a handful of bucket-mouthed bass brought to the scales that weighed more than 7 pounds each.
Ellis and Kendrick relied on a more uniform bag on Day 1, with their biggest bass weighing approximately 5 pounds and the others registering around the 4-pound range. They are fishing in Lake Griffin, which is on the northern end of the Harris Chain, and they said they caught all of their best bass in one area of that fishery.
The friends, who’ve fished together since they were 10 years old, are confident they can catch another sizable limit Thursday.
“We pulled off with them biting,” Kendrick said. “We had to make a pretty good run, so we left early to make it back. But we certainly can duplicate what we did today.”
That confidence bodes well for the leaders, who are looking to win the $20,000 cash prize provided by Ranger/Mercury that will go to the leading team after Thursday’s weigh-in is complete. It’s part of a $77,000 total purse to be distributed on Day 2 when the field will be cut to the Top 3 teams and competition will move into the Classic Fish-Off portion of the tournament.
After Thursday, the six remaining anglers will have their weights zeroed and they’ll fish individually on Friday and Saturday. The leader after those two days of competition will clinch the final spot in the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk scheduled for March 19-21 on Lake Ray Roberts near Fort Worth, Texas.
Ellis and Kendrick realize the gravity of being one good bag away from the Classic Fish-Off and fishing for the final berth in the biggest bass tournament in the world next March.
“We’re really pleased,” Kendrick said. “Our first practice of this tournament, we hardly caught anything, but it got a little bit better every day.”
That’s sort of like their decades of fishing together, they said, with perhaps their finest moment coming Wednesday during their first competition on the Harris Chain.
“It may be a little beginner’s luck,” Kendrick said. “But after spending as much time in the boat as we have, we’ve figured out a thing or two.”
Danny Lavoie and Sammy Bailey of the Alabama Bass Trail weighed the heaviest bass Wednesday — an 8-7 lunker that was one of three bass they bagged. They’re in 40th place with 12-8.
Day 2 of the Bassmaster Team Championship will begin at 7 a.m. ET Thursday from Venetian Gardens Marina. Weigh-in is scheduled for 3 p.m. and will be shown live on Bassmaster.com.
2020 Bassmaster Team Championship Harris Chain 12/9-12/10
Harris Chain Of Lakes, Leesburg FL.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Keith Ellis - Roger Kendrick Chattanooga Bass Association 0
Day 1: 5 22-02 Total: 5 22-02
2. Rodney Chastain - Robby Hipps Palmetto Boat Center-PBC 0
Day 1: 5 21-12 Total: 5 21-12
3. Mark Condron - Tony Simeri Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 21-11 Total: 5 21-11
4. Ryan Kelly - Joshua Schumaker West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 5 21-02 Total: 5 21-02
5. Adam Bain - Kris Colley Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 18-15 Total: 5 18-15
6. Andy Walls - Keith Tuma 0
Day 1: 5 17-11 Total: 5 17-11
7. Stephen Mcavoy - Josh Butts Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 17-04 Total: 5 17-04
8. Wesley Sams - Jordan Wiggins Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 17-03 Total: 5 17-03
9. Joe Wiseman - Lane Parkins Lock Down 0
Day 1: 5 17-02 Total: 5 17-02
10. Matt Henry - Justin Kimmel 0
Day 1: 5 17-00 Total: 5 17-00
11. Blain Bartley - Justin Kappeler Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit 0
Day 1: 5 16-09 Total: 5 16-09
11. Jacob Foutz - Brian Foutz Bryan College 0
Day 1: 5 16-09 Total: 5 16-09
13. Capt. Jim Keith - Jimbo Keith Jr Florida 0
Day 1: 5 16-07 Total: 5 16-07
14. Jacob Zeigler - Zach Zeigler Anglers choice 0
Day 1: 5 16-06 Total: 5 16-06
15. Keith Mayfield - Daryl Adams Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 16-05 Total: 5 16-05
16. Todd Buckingham - Chris Beaudrie Kentucky Bass Nation 0
Day 1: 5 16-03 Total: 5 16-03
17. Trevor Jancasz - Tom Moleski 0
Day 1: 5 15-07 Total: 5 15-07
18. John Smith - Tyler Faulkner Morristown Marine 0
Day 1: 5 15-04 Total: 5 15-04
19. James Seymour - Tony McBride Texas B.A.S.S Nation Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 15-00 Total: 5 15-00
20. Rick Fishback - Blake Felix Joe Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 14-15 Total: 5 14-15
21. Jeff Carman - Andy Greynolds Anglers Outpost NTBA 0
Day 1: 5 14-13 Total: 5 14-13
21. Greggory Zumwalt - Keith Hendrix Joe Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 14-13 Total: 5 14-13
23. James Copenhaver III - Adam Dysart Chattanooga Bass Association 0
Day 1: 5 14-12 Total: 5 14-12
24. Tom Statler - Dillon Statler Joe Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 14-09 Total: 5 14-09
25. Nick Compagner - Ben Baker West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 5 14-04 Total: 5 14-04
26. Joey Solomon - Daniel Taylor Morristown Marine 0
Day 1: 5 14-02 Total: 5 14-02
26. Shawn Williams - Shane Williams Ozark Mountain Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 14-02 Total: 5 14-02
28. Brian Adamson - Ryan Lloyd Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 14-00 Total: 5 14-00
29. Bobby Albert - Robert Cowan Ozark Mtn Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 13-08 Total: 5 13-08
29. Tyler Williams - Denis Carrier Skowhegan High School 0
Day 1: 5 13-08 Total: 5 13-08
31. Shane Howell - Milton Adams 3F Tournaments 0
Day 1: 5 13-07 Total: 5 13-07
32. Dustin Neat - Mark Wethington NTBA 0
Day 1: 5 13-00 Total: 5 13-00
33. Jeff Lewis - Fredrick Adkins Morristown Marine 0
Day 1: 5 12-15 Total: 5 12-15
34. Brad Jelinek - Brock Reinkemeyer Joe bass team trail 0
Day 1: 5 12-12 Total: 5 12-12
35. Ryan Fingleton - Ryan Hubler West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 5 12-11 Total: 5 12-11
35. Dave Frost - Nick Manfredo FL BN Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 12-11 Total: 5 12-11
37. John Kleinoeder - Robert Mccafferty Great Lakes Largemouth Series 0
Day 1: 5 12-09 Total: 5 12-09
37. Kelly Power - Mark Wiese Jr Ozark Mountain Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 12-09 Total: 5 12-09
39. Mark Mott - Justin Mott Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 12-08 Total: 5 12-08
40. Danny Lavoie - Sammy Bailey Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 3 12-08 Total: 3 12-08
41. Doug Stamper - Ryan Davidson Anglers outpost NTB 0
Day 1: 5 12-07 Total: 5 12-07
41. Steve Wilson - Harold Rogers Tennessee team Bass nation 0
Day 1: 5 12-07 Total: 5 12-07
43. Bryan Dowdy - Kyle Lewellen Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 12-06 Total: 5 12-06
44. Clayton Wilcox - Zach Huyser West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 5 12-01 Total: 5 12-01
44. Owen Windham - Shawn Larance 0
Day 1: 5 12-01 Total: 5 12-01
46. Jeff Delk - Mike Combs NTBA 0
Day 1: 5 11-15 Total: 5 11-15
46. Dean Yamagata - Ryan Yamagata Nevada Bass Anglers 0
Day 1: 5 11-15 Total: 5 11-15
48. Steven White - Dakota Bellew 0
Day 1: 5 11-08 Total: 5 11-08
49. David Buday - Daryl Devries 2K Jigs Hair of the Dog-Weekend 0
Day 1: 5 11-08 Total: 5 11-08
50. Daniel Padgett - Brad Padgett TN Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 11-06 Total: 5 11-06
51. Mark O'Brien - Brennon Mccord Anglers Choice 0
Day 1: 4 11-06 Total: 4 11-06
52. Dennis Chavez - Stephan Camden Nevada B.A.S.S. Nation Team Trai 0
Day 1: 5 11-02 Total: 5 11-02
53. Eddie Levin - Ryan Mallory OH BN Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 10-15 Total: 5 10-15
53. Kyle Patrick - Jimmy Obrien Empire Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 10-15 Total: 5 10-15
55. Garrett Seppala - Travis Salo NH Bass Nation 0
Day 1: 5 10-11 Total: 5 10-11
56. Rick Imler - Scott Newlon Great Lakes Largemouth Series 0
Day 1: 5 10-05 Total: 5 10-05
57. George Toalson - Tom Haynes Angler Nation 0
Day 1: 5 10-04 Total: 5 10-04
57. Kelly Warren - James Hadley Hadley and Warren 0
Day 1: 5 10-04 Total: 5 10-04
59. Jarrod Swift - Trenton Estridge Anglers Outpost NTBA 0
Day 1: 4 10-04 Total: 4 10-04
60. Don Depew - Brian Ruetz GLLS 0
Day 1: 5 10-03 Total: 5 10-03
61. Glenn Harrison - Rusty Darnell Joe Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 10-02 Total: 5 10-02
62. Brandon Ackerson - Brad Cook 0
Day 1: 5 10-00 Total: 5 10-00
62. Casey Majni - Brandon Willis Morristown marine team trail 0
Day 1: 5 10-00 Total: 5 10-00
62. Eric Niswonger - Kyle Radake U.S. Anglers Choice 0
Day 1: 5 10-00 Total: 5 10-00
65. Joey Stewart - Trent Mangum Coosa River Team Trail 0
Day 1: 3 10-00 Total: 3 10-00
66. Troy Buck - Charles Wieghat 3F 0
Day 1: 5 09-15 Total: 5 09-15
67. Kent Keys - David Campbell Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 4 09-15 Total: 4 09-15
68. Brandon Hawthorne - Tracy Hawthorne 0
Day 1: 5 09-14 Total: 5 09-14
69. Jayson Hooven - Matthew Keeble Lakeland Bassmasters 0
Day 1: 5 09-14 Total: 5 09-14
70. Joe Heath - Wayne Heath AOM NTBA 0
Day 1: 5 09-13 Total: 5 09-13
71. Ben Lind - Michael Hubbard 0
Day 1: 5 09-07 Total: 5 09-07
72. Brody Manley - Barrett Keel 0
Day 1: 5 09-05 Total: 5 09-05
73. Jack Tibbs - Duane Mock Shotgun Sports Supply 0
Day 1: 5 09-03 Total: 5 09-03
74. Jeffrey Kyle - Samuel Drake Florida Bass Nation 0
Day 1: 4 09-02 Total: 4 09-02
75. Mark Orsi - Aaron Orsi Massachusetts Sunday Classic Tea 0
Day 1: 5 09-01 Total: 5 09-01
76. Brian Bylotas - Brian Bylotas 0
Day 1: 5 09-00 Total: 5 09-00
76. William Woodall - Roger Foraker DE B.A.S.S. Nation 0
Day 1: 5 09-00 Total: 5 09-00
78. Kameron Harbin - Danny Ashley 0
Day 1: 5 08-12 Total: 5 08-12
78. John Richards - Brent Bowen NH Bass nation 0
Day 1: 5 08-12 Total: 5 08-12
80. Rob Messenger Jr - John Levesque NH Bass Nation 0
Day 1: 5 08-09 Total: 5 08-09
81. Jeffrey Brauneck - Fred Brauneck West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 5 08-08 Total: 5 08-08
82. Tyler Weaver - Luke Routh Joe bass team trail 0
Day 1: 4 08-08 Total: 4 08-08
83. Mark McCaig - Tim Hurst Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 4 08-07 Total: 4 08-07
83. Mike Polencheck - Brad Longerbone MN BASS Nation Team Trail 0
Day 1: 4 08-07 Total: 4 08-07
85. Shane Gray - Dustin Gray Media Bass Teams 0
Day 1: 5 08-05 Total: 5 08-05
85. Kevin Hagerman - Max Suter Cheat Lake Anglers 0
Day 1: 5 08-05 Total: 5 08-05
87. Paul Gohlke - Bill Mcquarrie Mi Bass Nation 0
Day 1: 5 08-04 Total: 5 08-04
88. Jamie Smith - Michael Rains Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 5 08-02 Total: 5 08-02
89. Todd Wilson - Mark Wilson Ntbf 0
Day 1: 4 08-01 Total: 4 08-01
90. Keith Kulow - Adam Arnold Iowa BN Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 08-00 Total: 5 08-00
91. Micheal Henderson - Tim Cook West Michigan BASS 0
Day 1: 5 07-14 Total: 5 07-14
92. Steven Huegerich - Darrin Kirkland Iowa Bass Nation 0
Day 1: 5 07-13 Total: 5 07-13
93. Jerry Loveless - Jordan Loveless USA Bassin 0
Day 1: 5 07-10 Total: 5 07-10
94. Frank Favicchio - David Schultz IBN 0
Day 1: 5 07-05 Total: 5 07-05
95. Alan Fluharty - Chad Brinegar Benton's Ferry Bassmasters 0
Day 1: 5 07-04 Total: 5 07-04
95. Cody George - Josh Prince Tennessee Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 07-04 Total: 5 07-04
97. Greg Glouse - Joe Anders Palmetto Boat Center 0
Day 1: 3 07-04 Total: 3 07-04
98. Jake Knight - Stephen Plumb Bayou Bassin League 0
Day 1: 5 07-03 Total: 5 07-03
99. Jeff Gilliam - Johnny Clark Alabama bassNation 0
Day 1: 4 07-01 Total: 4 07-01
100. Lucas Murphy - Nolan Hitt Grand Valley State University 0
Day 1: 5 07-00 Total: 5 07-00
100. Mike Rogers - Donnie Crist Joe Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 5 07-00 Total: 5 07-00
102. Mike Heffelfinger - Kyle Colone Michigan NTBA 0
Day 1: 3 06-15 Total: 3 06-15
102. Dale Teaney - Randy Alexander Morristown marine team trail 0
Day 1: 3 06-15 Total: 3 06-15
104. Michael Brewer - Jason Cannon Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 4 06-07 Total: 4 06-07
105. Terry Pryor - Terry Mann Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 4 06-03 Total: 4 06-03
106. Lanier Burton - Mike Keel Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 3 06-03 Total: 3 06-03
107. Neil Witkowski - Bobby May West Michigan bass 0
Day 1: 3 06-00 Total: 3 06-00
108. John Campbell - David Rogers Joe Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 4 05-14 Total: 4 05-14
109. Steven Weber - Sam Phillips joe bass team trail 0
Day 1: 3 05-12 Total: 3 05-12
110. James Vanderhoning II - Mark Anderson West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 5 05-08 Total: 5 05-08
111. Ryan Westgate - Donald Bulk West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 2 05-00 Total: 2 05-00
112. Michael Cass - Jacob Whitman Florida B.A.S.S. nation team 0
Day 1: 3 04-14 Total: 3 04-14
113. Hank Golden - Jeffery Lancaster Kowaliga Bassmaster 0
Day 1: 3 04-12 Total: 3 04-12
114. Lucas Mcdaniel - Joshua Norris 0
Day 1: 2 04-11 Total: 2 04-11
115. Rocky Carden - Jacob Delong Joe Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 4 04-09 Total: 4 04-09
116. Bill Mayo - Walton Roberts Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 4 04-08 Total: 4 04-08
117. Michael Jones - Jake Fordyce Pennsylvania Bass Nation 0
Day 1: 2 04-06 Total: 2 04-06
118. Brian Chandler - Jermey Jenks West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 3 04-04 Total: 3 04-04
119. Matthew Farrabee - Mark Mounts Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit 0
Day 1: 2 04-04 Total: 2 04-04
120. Jeffrey Cannon - Terry Tucker 0
Day 1: 3 04-02 Total: 3 04-02
121. Jared Winland - Brandan Becki Great Lakes Largemouth Series 0
Day 1: 2 03-14 Total: 2 03-14
122. Steve Barnes - AJ Barnes Jr 0
Day 1: 3 03-06 Total: 3 03-06
123. Jason Burroughs - Darren Ashley 0
Day 1: 1 03-05 Total: 1 03-05
124. Hunter Hamilton - Ty Ball Morristown Marine Team Trail 0
Day 1: 2 03-04 Total: 2 03-04
124. Chuck James - Brad James Chattanooga Bass Association 0
Day 1: 2 03-04 Total: 2 03-04
126. Russ Franklin - Jeremy Garrison Ozark mountain team trail 0
Day 1: 2 03-02 Total: 2 03-02
126. tim Manning - Cody Wilder Morristown Marine Team Trail 0
Day 1: 2 03-02 Total: 2 03-02
128. Tim Cooper - Bob Clements White River Bass Masters 0
Day 1: 2 03-00 Total: 2 03-00
129. Owen Hentschel - David Hentschel West Michigan Bass 0
Day 1: 2 02-14 Total: 2 02-14
130. Jamie Worth - Johnny Callison Jr Western PA Team Bass Series 0
Day 1: 1 02-14 Total: 1 02-14
131. Drew Blackwood - Terry Blackwood Sunflower team trail 0
Day 1: 2 02-11 Total: 2 02-11
132. Chris Lueg - Heath Stuart KC Team Tour 0
Day 1: 2 02-03 Total: 2 02-03
133. Mark Thompson - Tim Newberry Sr Joe Bass TT 0
Day 1: 1 01-15 Total: 1 01-15
134. Ray Huff - Katherine Row Cen Cal Elites 0
Day 1: 1 01-02 Total: 1 01-02
135. Ronald Belew - Derek Dace Joe Bass Team Trail 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
135. Jeff Cherry - Stephen Rosson Coosa River Team Trail 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
135. Anthony Goggins - Jeremy Headley Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
135. Rick Johnston - Connor Cunningham Ozark Mountain TT 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
135. Caleb Mcneal - Taylor Luna Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
135. Jason Morgan - Craig Whittemore Jr Coosa River Team Trail 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
135. Eric Morris - Ben Williamson Alabama Bass Trail 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
135. Drew Sadler - Brian Richmond Bluegrass Bassmasters 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
Why you NEVER quit on your dreams, with ELITE Series Pro Darold Gleason
This week the boys are excited to welcome in one of the newest members of the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Class, Toyota Pro Darold Gleason to talk about his journey to the big show & what it means to be there in 2021. Chris goes off on Burger King & KG tells us why the new Toyota Series Division is & is not a Cherry Picker Division. Hit Play. Now.
Minnesota Couple Wins New Bass Cat In B.A.S.S. Sweepstakes
Tom and Joan Campbell of Fairmont, Minn., winners of the Bassmaster “Fish with Hank Cherry” sweepstakes, receive their new Bass Cat Sabre with Mercury engine at Hannay’s Marine in Minneapolis.
Photo courtesy of Hannay’s Marine
December 8, 2020
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Tom and Joan Campbell of Fairmont, Minn., have spent their lives on the water, and the new Bass Cat Sabre FTD with Mercury 150 Pro XS that they won as part of Bassmaster's “Fish with Hank Cherry” sweepstakes will open up new fisheries to these avid anglers.
“We've been fishing all our lives and were raised on lakes in Minnesota,” said Joan Campbell. “While we normally fish here in Minnesota and are planning a trip to Devils Lake, N.D., we dream of fishing in Kentucky or Arkansas; they seem to have bigger bass!”
In addition to the Bass Cat boat with Mercury engine, the Campbells won a prize package valued at $52,500 that includes a Garmin Panoptix LiveScope, Power-Pole $500 gift certificate and apparel, assorted Abu Garcia Rods and Berkley Baits, tackle from Picasso Lures, gear and tackle from Bass Mafia and JB Langley, T-H Marine G-Force Conservation Cull System Gen 2 and a $150 gift card from Elite Angler, as well as gear and apparel from Great Outdoors and Warrior’s Journey.
“I'm very proud that my sponsors and supporters put together such an incredible prize pack for this sweepstakes,” said Bassmaster Elite Series angler Hank Cherry, who won the 2020 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.
The sweepstakes had more than 650,000 entries. The Campbells, who currently fish out of a 1986 Crestliner, were particularly excited to win and are eager to get their new Bass Cat out on the water.
“Winning this boat is my husband’s dream come true,” said Joan.
Joan credits her grandfather with fostering her love of fishing, something she and her husband are continuing. “My grandfather started me fishing probably before I could walk, so it’s always been part of our lives. Now that our four kids are grown, we take the grandkids with us. All the granddaughters enjoy fishing with us.”
For more information on current sweepstakes, including the Bassmaster Weekly Winter Giveaway, visit Bassmaster.com/current-sweepstakes.
Grundéns Invests in Bass Fishing By Partnering with Major League Fishing
Iconic Fishing Brand also Expands Ambassador Team to Five Anglers
TULSA, Okla. (Dec. 8, 2020) – Grundéns, producer of the world’s leading fishing apparel and footwear, today announces that it has partnered with Major League Fishing (MLF) to become the official footwear sponsor of the Bass Pro Tour and MLF BIG5 circuits. Additionally, the brand has signed MLF pros Skeet Reese, Bradley Roy, Adrian Avena, and Gerald Spohrer to the Grundéns ambassador team. These four anglers join Todd Kline in wearing Grundéns footwear and apparel exclusively in 2021.
“Bass fishing’s popularity is no secret and we’re ready to have a significant presence in it,” says Grundéns CEO David Mellon. “Grundéns is best known for protecting fisherman and anglers from the elements. ‘We Are Fishing’ is our motto and we’re always aiming to be the most trusted brand in fishing. In particular, our footwear lineup has expanded significantly in the last few years and by partnering with MLF to become the official footwear sponsor of the Bass Pro Tour and the Big5 series, we’ll get it in front of a lot more anglers. Having Skeet, Todd, Bradley, Adrian, and Gerald wearing our footwear and apparel is a testament to the utility and effectiveness of our products in the environments these guys fish year-round.”
“Many tournament anglers in MLF and the MLF BIG5 circuits have started to rely on Grundéns footwear to keep their feet comfortable when they are on the water and make their fishing experience more enjoyable,” says Jim Wilburn, MLF President and CEO. “Grundéns is a natural fit with MLF and our BIG5 and we are very excited to add them to our sponsorship lineup.”
Skeet Reese is a 10-time event winner and one of only a small handful of anglers to win both the Bassmaster Classic and the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year. The Northern California native is one of the top five tournament money-winners of all time, serves on the MLF angler advisory board and runs numerous youth camps throughout the year to enable the next generation of anglers to grow their skills.
Kentucky-based pro Bradley Roy has fished professionally since 2010, when he was the youngest angler to fish in an Elite Series event at only 19 years old. Since then, Bradley has collected 11 Top-10 and 22 Top-20 finishes in his professional career. He also runs several high school tournaments each year in Kentucky that draw more than 200 high school teams and hosts annual benefit tournaments to provide financial assistance to U.S. military service personnel.
Gerald Spohrer, based in Gonzales, Louisiana, is set to enter his fifth season as a tour-level pro. He has recorded eight Top-10 and 13 Top-20 finishes in his career, yielding more than $230,000 in winnings. When not traveling and competing professionally, Gerald also fishes commercially and chases the Louisiana bayous’ redfish and speckled trout.
New Jersey native Adrian Avena has collected 30 Top-10 finishes and more than $600,000 in career winnings in nine years on the professional tours. He is a commercial captain and owns Jersey Boy Charters, along with working as a commercial conch fisherman. Adrian also competed in and won the Big Fish Division of the 2020 White Marlin Open, the world’s largest billfish tournament.
Todd Kline turned his surfing passion into a profession at the age of 18 and made a living surfing for seven years, competing around the world and achieving four World Qualifying Event Wins. Today, Todd loves competing in bass-fishing tournaments and has racked up 11 Top-10 finishes and four wins on multiple FLW circuits.
Grundéns will also be the presenting sponsor of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit event on Lake Eufaula, May 13-16 in Eufaula, Alabama.
The Grundéns footwear collection was designed to provide anglers with comfortable performance driven footwear options that will outlast the longest days on the water. By prioritizing comfort and traction across several different styles, the entire collection delivers noticeable shock resistance and excellent grip on wet surfaces to keep anglers standing upright on deck all day long.
Mercury earns tenth consecutive Green Masters designation
FOND DU LAC, Wis. (Dec. 8, 2020) — For the tenth consecutive year, Mercury Marine® has earned a Green Masters designation from the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council (WSBC). The council presented the award today during its two‑day annual conference, which is an online event this year. As it has done in the previous nine years, Mercury achieved a score within the top 20% of all applicants to earn the designation.
The Green Masters Program measures companies on a broad range of sustainability categories ranging from energy and water conservation to waste management, community outreach, and education. In addition, companies are evaluated in the contexts of transportation, supply chain, workforce, and governance.
“We are honored to earn a Green Masters designation for the tenth consecutive year. This is especially gratifying considering how the bar is raised every year, making each successive year’s designation an even greater accomplishment,” said Mercury Marine President Chris Drees.
WSBC’s Green Masters Program requires applicants to cite sustainable business practices and initiatives undertaken in the past year, and to show improvement over previous years.
In 2020, Mercury continued to expand its global efforts to improve the energy efficiency and eco‑friendliness of its manufacturing operations. Initiatives included modernization of HVAC and lighting systems, containment of compressed‑air systems, optimization of power on/off cycles for equipment and facilities, redirection of manufacturing‑generated heat for multiple purposes, and enhancement of facilities design to include natural lighting and passive heating. The company also expanded its recycling and reuse of materials and water used in manufacturing.
In the past year, the company manufactured engines that have better fuel efficiency and lower emissions than ever before. Thus, with each sale of a new Mercury engine to replace a prior‑generation engine, there is an improvement to the environment.
At the beginning of the year, employees at Mercury's world headquarters in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, participated in a series of LED lighting fairs, purchasing approximately 8,000 energy‑efficient LED bulbs for their homes. Collectively, their purchases resulted in an environmental improvement roughly equivalent to removing 76 cars from the road each year.
Shortly after, when the COVID‑19 pandemic struck in the US, Mercury rose to the challenge of engaging employees in sustainable activities while observing protocols to discourage the spread of the virus. The company provided advice on home‑office sustainability to the large proportion of employees who rapidly shifted their work location to their homes. Mercury also conducted a successful food‑drive and electronics‑recycling event, as well as an Adopt‑A‑Highway cleanup effort, with participants wearing face coverings and maintaining social distance.
Significantly, in 2020 Mercury also initiated plans to expand its commitment to derive more energy from renewable sources, thereby setting the stage for advancements in sustainability in 2021 and beyond.
See Mercury's Sustainability Report and learn more about its sustainability initiatives at www.MercuryMarine.com/en/us/land/sustainability.
Carson Wins Final Bassmaster Eastern Open Of The Season On Lay Lake
Keith Carson of DeBary, Fla., has won the Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open at Lay Lake with a three-day total of 47 pounds, 1 ounce.
Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.
December 5, 2020
COLUMBIANA, Ala. — Keith Carson had never seen Lay Lake before this week, but leveraging two familiar features allowed the Florida pro to win the Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open with a three-day total of 47 pounds, 1 ounce.
Carson placed second on Day 1 with 16-10 and then moved into the lead after catching the event’s heaviest bag — 18-10 — in the second round. On Saturday, he added 11-13 and won the top prize of $38,783 and a berth in the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk scheduled for March 19-21 on Lake Ray Roberts.
Carson claimed his first Bassmaster win by fishing similarly to the way he fishes on his home waters.
“I was fishing grasslines near steeper banks up the river in front of the (Gaston) steam plant and about 2 miles north of the power plant,” Carson said. “I grew up fishing the St. Johns River and I’m very familiar with current.”
Working with the current created by Alabama Power Company’s release schedule from the Logan Martin Dam, Carson was able to keep himself in front of active fish most of the day. Discharge releases from the steam plant also helped his cause.
Carson pointed out that the inherently disjointed fall transition, complicated by a cold front that brought significant weather changes — partly cloudy, to rainy, to clear and bright — made consistency tough.
“I knew that whoever would grind the hardest would win,” he said. “There wasn’t any pattern, but there was one bait that I caught all my fish on. I used a Berkley Frittside 5 crankbait in the ghost morning dawn color.
“Coming here in December and not expecting a huge weight to blow this away, I said, ‘I’ll throw this because I’m going for 2- and 3-pounders.’ But I caught a 6, a 7 and lots of 3-pounders. I probably caught 30 fish today. It’s just an amazing bait.”
Carson said the bass responded best to a fast retrieve. He typically cranks with a 5.4:1 gear ratio, but he switched to a 6.6:1.
Making the right presentations got the ball rolling quickly Saturday. The final takeoff was delayed an hour and a half due to fog, but Carson didn’t take long to fill his limit.
“I had most of my weight in the first hour after takeoff,” he said. “I think they just bit that first hour after the fog cleared, but then they shut down.
“I just kept running water and kept hitting stuff and I made sure that I stayed in high-percentage areas, so whenever they did bite, I would be in a good area. I did make one cull in the last hour. I let go of a 1-pounder for a 2 1/2.”
Day 1 leader Jacob Walker kept himself near the top all week and finished second with 42-11. The pro from Alabaster, Ala., caught the tournament’s second-largest bag — 17-4 — on Day 1, added 13-0 on Day 2 and wrapped up with 12-7 Saturday.
“I’m a grass fisherman, but I knew it would get pounded in practice, so I’d have to have something else to lean on,” Walker said.
Walker caught his fish by swimming a 5/8-ounce white jig with a white Zoom Z-Craw trailer around grass and flipping matted vegetation with a Texas rig. His Texas-rig presentation consisted of a 3/4-ounce pegged weight and either a white Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver or a white Strike King Rage Bug.
Clint Miller of Jemison, Ala., finished third with 41-7. Miller placed third on Day 1 with 16-3 and gained a spot by adding a second-round limit of 15-10. After scoring kickers in the 6-pound range both of the first two days, Miller couldn’t find a big Saturday catch and weighed a limit of only 9-10.
Miller caught all of his bass on a 1/4-ounce shaky head with a 6-inch green pumpkin finesse worm. He spent most of Championship Saturday fishing particular sweet spots along docks and seawalls.
Carson won the $750 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award for his 7-3 largemouth.
Jay Przekurat of Stevens Point, Wis., won the co-angler division with 20-12. After placing 40th on Day 1 with 4-11, Przekurat added 10-13 on Day 2 and moved into the lead. A final-round limit of 5-4 allowed him to take the top prize of $15,187.
Przekurat caught his Day 3 bass on a drop shot, a shaky head and a Carolina rig.
Michael Elrod of Cropwell, Ala., won the $250 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award among co-anglers with a 4-5.
Patrick Walters of Summerville, S.C., won the Eastern Open points race with 765, followed by Joshua Stracner (752), Pat Schlapper (728), Justin Atkins (711) and Scott Martin (696).
Bryan New of Belmont, N.C., won the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year title with 1,329 points. Jeff Queen of Catawba, N.C., won the Co-Angler of the Year title with 1,306.
Twelve Opens anglers received invitations to fish the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series. Four each came from the overall standings, the Eastern Opens and the Central Opens. Where anglers were double-qualified via the overall standings and either of the regional divisions’ standings, the invitations moved down the standings lists accordingly.
Invitees include: Bryan New, Justin Atkins, Matt Robertson and Marc Frazier from the overall standings; Jason Christie, Greg Hackney, Kenta Kimura and Darold Gleason from the Central Opens; Stracner, Martin, Justin Hamner and KJ Queen from the Eastern Opens. Schlapper has already earned an Elite Series invitation as winner of the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
2020 Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open at Lay Lake 12/3-12/5
Lay Lake, Shelby County AL.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Keith Carson Debary, FL 15 47-01 200 $38,783.00
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 18-10 Day 3: 5 11-13
2. Jacob Walker Alabaster, AL 15 42-11 199 $18,473.00
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 13-00 Day 3: 5 12-07
3. Clint Miller Jemison, AL 15 41-07 198 $13,040.00
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 15-10 Day 3: 5 09-10
4. Teb Jones Hattiesburg, MS 15 38-15 197 $10,867.00
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 15-07 Day 3: 5 11-00
5. Alex Sherrill Clanton, AL 14 38-14 196 $9,454.00
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 14-13 Day 3: 4 11-00
6. Chris Payne Vance, AL 15 38-01 195 $8,693.00
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 16-01 Day 3: 5 09-06
7. Samuel Fish Calera, AL 15 37-13 194 $8,650.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 11-11 Day 3: 5 10-10
8. Adam Neu Forestville, WI 15 37-02 193 $7,607.00
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 15-08 Day 3: 5 08-06
9. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 15 36-07 192 $5,977.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 12-15 Day 3: 5 09-15
10. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 15 35-15 191 $4,890.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 13-01 Day 3: 5 09-05
11. Scott Pellegrin Chippewa Falls, WI 15 33-03 190 $4,347.00
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 14-05 Day 3: 5 06-05
12. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 8 26-05 189 $3,803.00
Day 1: 3 11-12 Day 2: 5 14-09 Day 3: 0 00-00
Ohio’s Malone Wins Toyota Series Championship on Lake Cumberland
Ironton Pro Wins by 1-pound, 3-ounce Margin, Takes Home Top Prize of $235,000
BURNSIDE, Ky. (Dec. 5, 2020) – Pro Chris Malone of Ironton, Ohio, brought a five-bass limit to the stage weighing 12 pounds, 5 ounces, Saturday to claim the title of Toyota Series Champion at the 2020 Toyota Series Championship on Lake Cumberland. Malone, with a three-day total of 15 bass for 41 pounds even, won by a 1-pound, 3-ounce margin over second-place angler Cameron Lineback of Mount Airy, North Carolina, who caught a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 39-13. Malone held steady in third place the first two days of competition before shooting to first on Saturday to walk away with $235,000, including the lucrative $35,000 FLW PHOENIX Bonus.
Saturday’s final weigh-in marked the finale of the 2020 Toyota Series season, which featured thousands of anglers from across the globe.
“I opened a boat shop in 2010 and took some time off from competitive fishing, but when I saw the championship was at Lake Cumberland again, I knew I needed to fish the Toyota Series,” said Malone. “I wanted to see if I could compete because I haven’t competed against these guys for a long time.
“I really thought Ryan Davidson was going to win this tournament – he’s the best winter fisherman I’ve ever fished with. I told him that if I actually won, I would pay his 2021 entry fees (to the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit). That $30,000 is a drop in the bucket compared to how I feel right now.
“I’m on a high you can’t come off of – I honestly wasn’t going to fish next year, but how do you not fish after you just won a quarter of a million dollars?”
Malone said he caught pretty much all of his fish this week on the main lake with main-river channel swings.
“The fish are super shallow, but they are on top of 25 to 40 foot of water in some of these places,” Malone said. “I’ve been catching them cranking and on a ½-ounce Big Daddy Baits tail-spinner. After getting six or seven keepers, I picked up a big bull shad and tried to catch big ones for the last two hours. I used a G. Loomis IMX Pro rod with a Shimano Curado reel with 15-pound Seaguar InvizX line. I weighed in three on the RkCrawler and 12 on the spinner.
“I went for broke – I went to win,” said Malone.
The top 10 pros at the 2020 Toyota Series Championship on Lake Cumberland finished:
1st: Chris Malone, Ironton, Ohio, 15 bass, 41-0, $237,500
2nd: Cameron Lineback, Mount Airy, N.C., 15 bass, 39-13, $40,000
3rd: Drew Boggs, Lebanon, Tenn., 15 bass, 37-4, $30,000
4th: Dakota Ebare, Denham Springs, La., 12 bass, 35-11, $25,000
5th: Eric Olliverson, Lampe, Mo., 13 bass, 34-15, $20,000
6th: Kurt Mitchell, Milford, Del., 14 bass, 34-12, $14,000
7th: Michael Caruso, Peoria, Ariz., 12 bass, 32-0, $13,000
8th: Trent Palmer, Cumming, Ga., 12 bass, 28-15, $12,000
9th: Hunter Eubanks, Inman, S.C., 11 bass, 28-7, $11,000
10th: Andrew Loberg, Rocklin, Calif., 11 bass, 28-4, $10,000
Full results for the entire field can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Co-angler Matt Greene of Ventura, California, weighed in three bass totaling 10 pounds, 3 ounces, Saturday to win the top co-angler prize of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard engine, with a three-day total of nine bass weighing 24-6. Second place went to co-angler Mario Riojas of Blanchard, Oklahoma, who weighed in a three-day total of nine bass weighing 19-11, good for $12,500.
The top 10 co-anglers at the 2020 Toyota Series Championship on Lake Cumberland finished:
1st: Matt Greene, Ventura, Calif., nine bass, 24-6, Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard
2nd: Mario Riojas, Blanchard, Okla., nine bass, 19-11, $12,500
3rd: Travis Otto, Jefferson City, Mo., nine bass, 17-7, $10,000
4th: Landon Huff, Madison, Ga., nine bass, 16-3, $7,500
5th: Larry Elliott, Enoree, S.C., eight bass, 15-4, $5,000
6th: Justin Kimmel, Athens, Ga., five bass, 14-0, $4,000
7th: Don White, Columbus, Miss., six bass, 13-15, $3,500
8th: Mason Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan., eight bass, 13-11, $3,000
9th: Morgan Brown, Spanish Fort, Ala., six bass, 13-0, $3,000
10th: Jarvis Ellis, Albany, Ga., four bass, 12-3, $2,000
The 2020 Toyota Series Championship at Lake Cumberland was hosted by the Somerset Tourist & Convention Commission and the Burnside Tourism Commission. The three-day, no entry fee tournament featured a field of 221 boaters and co-anglers from each of the eight Toyota Series divisions and tournament winners, the highest finishing boater and co-angler from each regional at the All-American, the College Fishing National Champions and second-place team, and the top pros and co-anglers from the FLW International Division.
Louisiana’s Ebare Leads Day Two of Toyota Series Championship on Lake Cumberland
Southwestern Division Pro Leads by 9-Ounce Margin in Competition for $235,000
BURNSIDE, Ky. (Dec. 4, 2020) – Pro Dakota Ebare of Denham Springs, Louisiana, crossed the stage Friday with a five-bass limit weighing 16 pounds, 12 ounces, for a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 30 pounds, 13 ounces to lead after Day Two of the Toyota Series Championship on Lake Cumberland, in Burnside, Kentucky. Ebare now holds a 9-ounce lead over pro Cameron Lineback of Mount Airy, North Carolinawho weighed a two-day total of 10 bass for 29-9 – in the championship event that featured 221 boaters and co-anglers competing a top cash award of up to $235,000 on the pro side, and the keys to a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard for co-anglers.
The field is now cut to just the top 10 boaters and co-anglers for the final day of competition in the no-entry fee Toyota Series Championship, hosted by the Somerset Tourist & Convention Commission and the Burnside Tourism Commission, that featured the top 25 pros and top 25 co-anglers from each of the eight Toyota Series divisions and tournament winners, the highest finishing boater and co-angler from each regional at the All-American, the College Fishing National Champions and second-place team, and the top pros and co-anglers from the FLW International Division.
Ebare is guaranteed the $10,000 bonus awarded to the highest finishing angler from each division and is the only Southwestern Division angler to make the top 10.
“I caught about the same amount of fish today as I did on Day One, but today the quality showed up,” said Ebare. “I was going through the motions the first day I arrived and had a tactic in mind that worked at Dale Hollow, but it just wasn’t happening here on Lake Cumberland. I started trying to find something else and ran into a little pattern that I’ve expanded every day of practice.
“The practice day that turned nasty and cold, with high winds and snow – that was a good day for me. They were biting good and I was able to dial in where they were at, which keyed me in on the pattern.”
That’s the pattern Ebare said he’s been running the last two days and it seems to be working.
“I’m extremely blessed and thankful. God has blessed me so much all year. I’ve had some ups and downs, but this is a humbling sport and that’s just part of it. You have to roll with the punches and keep going.
“To win $235,000 would be a lot of money. Winning this championship would be something special and a great way to cap off the year.”
The top 10 pros that advanced to the final day of competition on Lake Cumberland are:
1st: Dakota Ebare, Denham Springs, La., 10 bass, 30-13
2nd: Cameron Lineback, Mount Airy, N.C., 10 bass, 29-9
3rd: Chris Malone, Ironton, Ohio, 10 bass, 28-11
4th: Andrew Loberg, Rocklin, Calif., 10 bass, 26-1
5th: Michael Caruso, Peoria, Ariz., 10 bass, 26-0
6th: Eric Olliverson, Lampe, Mo., 10 bass, 25-15
7th: Drew Boggs, Lebanon, Tenn., 10 bass, 25-11
8th: Hunter Eubanks, Inman, S.C., 10 bass, 24-14
9th: Trent Palmer, Cumming, Ga., 10 bass, 24-10
10th: Kurt Mitchell, Milford, Del., 10 bass, 24-8
Full results for the entire field can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Travis Otto of Jefferson City, Missouri, shot to the lead in the co-angler division Friday with four bass weighing 6 pounds, 1 ounce. His two-day total of eight bass weighing 15-5 gives him a 9-ounce lead over Mario Riojas of Blanchard, Oklahoma, who has weighed seven bass totaling 14-12, good for second place. Co-anglers are competing for a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard.
The top 10 co-anglers that will fish the final day on Lake Cumberland are:
1st: Travis Otto, Jefferson City, Mo., eight bass, 15-5
2nd: Mario Riojas, Blanchard, Okla., seven bass, 14-12
3rd: Matt Greene, Ventura, Calif., six bass, 14-3
4th: Justin Kimmel, Athens, Ga., five bass, 14-0
5th: Don White, Columbus, Miss., six bass, 13-15
6th: Larry Elliott, Enoree, S.C., seven bass, 13-6
7th: Morgan Brown, Spanish Fort, Ala., six bass, 13-0
8th: Mason Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan., seven bass, 12-12
9th: Landon Huff, Madison, Ga., seven bass, 12-11
10th: Jarvis Ellis, Albany, Ga., four bass, 12-3
The final 10 boaters and co-anglers will take off Saturday from General Burnside Island State Park, located at 8801 S. Highway 27 in Burnside, at 7:30 a.m. EST. Saturday’s Championship weigh-in will be held at the State Park beginning at 2:30 p.m. Attendance is limited to competing anglers, family and essential staff. Fans are encouraged to follow the event online through the “FLW Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at FLWFishing.com.
For complete details and updated information visitFLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Toyota Series on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook,Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.L
Big Bite Helps Carson To Lead At Bassmaster Eastern Open On Lay Lake
Keith Carson of DeBary, Fla., is leading after Day 2 of the Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open at Lay Lake with a two-day total of 35 pounds, 4 ounces.
Photo by Chris Mitchell/B.A.S.S.
December 4, 2020
COLUMBIANA, Ala. — Keith Carson’s positive attitude was put to the test Friday, but perseverance paid big dividends as the Florida angler took the Day 2 lead in the Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open at Lay Lake with 35 pounds, 4 ounces.
After placing second on Thursday with a limit of 16-10, Carson added 18-10 Friday — the tournament’s heaviest catch. He anchored his Day 2 limit with a big 7-3 largemouth.
Making his first appearance at Lay Lake, Carson followed his Day 1 performance by saying he would enter Friday’s second round focused on enjoying the day and keeping an open mind. After a tough start, he admitted he was starting to doubt that perspective.
“Yesterday, I had all my fish by 9:36; today, at 9 a.m., I didn’t have a single fish in the boat,” he said. “I started to get a little worried. I was like, ‘I guess I’m just not going to catch ’em today.’
“I said, ‘I still have a lot of time,’ so I just kept moving. I fished a particular bank, I hit a log and caught a 3 1/2-pounder. Then, I went up about 20 yards and caught that 7-3. I had over 10 pounds with two fish, so I was like, ‘Okay, now let’s get the ball rolling.’”
Carson caught his early fish on a deeper grass edge with a Berkley Frittside 5 crankbait. After that, his day turned into a grind with sporadic productivity.
“I never really ran into a good group of fish like I did yesterday,” he said. “I would go like two hours without a bite, and then I’d catch two or three in a half-hour period. Then I’d go another two hours without a bite, and then I’d catch a few.”
Carson said his day ended with a last-minute flurry that gave him the weight he needed to take the top spot.
“I had no time left because I was 30 minutes upriver and I made it back just in time,” he said. “I made three culls on back-to-back casts. I pulled up on a point and I caught two good largemouth and a spot and I culled out all of my smaller ones.”
After his early grass bite fizzled, Carson targeted rock, bridges and wood. His late-day culls came off a large stump near a grass edge in about 12 feet of water. He caught them on a Texas-rigged Berkley Havoc Pit Boss in the watermelon candy color.
“Today, it was just about letting it happen and believing,” he said. “It was my first time here, so I put in four and a half days of practice.”
Clint Miller of Jemison, Ala., moved into second place with 31-13. After placing third on Day 1 with 16-3, he gained a spot with a Friday limit of 15-10.
After catching his Day 1 fish around shallow brushpiles, he had to move off the bank and fish a 1/4-ounce shaky head with a green pumpkin worm around rock and wood in 12 to 15 feet.
“I ground it out all day and finally got 12 pounds in the boat,” Miller said. “At 2 o’clock, I went to a spot where I’d caught largemouth, but never a big one.
“It was just a slick bank with good bottom in 15 feet. I fired in there, set the hook and caught almost 6 pounds.”
Day 1 leader Jacob Walker slipped to third with 30-4. The pro from Alabaster, Ala., struggled with more fishing pressure in his key areas today and ended up adding 13-0 to the 17-4 he weighed Thursday.
“I still felt like I was around the fish I was around yesterday,” Walker said. “I had the opportunities to have a bag like I had yesterday, but a lot of the guys who fished downriver yesterday decided to come up the river today.”
Walker caught his fish by pitching a jig and throwing a spinnerbait around shallow wood.
Carson is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 7-3.
Jay Przekurat of Stevens Point, Wis., leads the co-angler division with 15-8. Adding a big Day 2 limit of 10-13 to his first-round score of 4-11 moved him up from 40th place.
“It was when they had the water running in the first hour or two hours today when I caught my fish,” he said. “You’d get bit like once every 45 minutes, but it was a big fish. I capitalized on three big bites and that was pretty much it.”
Przekurat caught a limit comprised entirely of spotted bass on a jerkbait, swimbait and a jig.
Michael Elrod of Cropwell, Ala., holds the Phoenix Boats Big Bass lead among co-anglers with a 4-5.
Patrick Walters of Summerville, S.C., leads the Eastern Open standings with 765 points, followed by Joshua Stracner (752), Pat Schlapper (728), Justin Atkins (711) and Scott Martin (696).
Bryan New of Belmont, N.C., leads the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year standings with 1,329 points.
Saturday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6:15 a.m. CT from Beeswax Park. The weigh-in will be held at the park at 2:15 p.m.
2020 Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open at Lay Lake 12/3-12/5
Lay Lake, Shelby County AL.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Keith Carson Debary, FL 10 35-04 200
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 18-10
2. Clint Miller Jemison, AL 10 31-13 199
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 15-10
3. Jacob Walker Alabaster, AL 10 30-04 198
Day 1: 5 17-04 Day 2: 5 13-00
4. Adam Neu Forestville, WI 10 28-12 197
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 15-08
5. Chris Payne Vance, AL 10 28-11 196
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 16-01
6. Teb Jones Hattiesburg, MS 10 27-15 195
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 15-07
7. Alex Sherrill Clanton, AL 10 27-14 194
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 14-13
8. Samuel Fish Calera, AL 10 27-03 193
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 11-11
9. Scott Pellegrin Chippewa Falls, WI 10 26-14 192
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 14-05
10. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 10 26-10 191
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 13-01
11. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 10 26-08 190
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 12-15
12. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 8 26-05 189
Day 1: 3 11-12 Day 2: 5 14-09
13. Jason Burroughs Hodges, SC 10 26-05 188 $2,988.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 13-03
14. Wyatt Burkhalter Coker, AL 10 26-03 187 $2,988.00
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 10-01
15. Cole Drummond Effingham, SC 10 25-12 186 $2,988.00
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 13-06
16. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 10 25-05 185 $2,988.00
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 12-01
17. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 10 25-04 184 $2,988.00
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 14-07
18. Greg Mansfield Olathe, KS 10 25-00 183 $2,988.00
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 12-12
19. Jared Turnbloom Calera, AL 10 24-14 182 $2,988.00
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 09-09
20. Andy Chappell Warrior, AL 9 24-14 181 $2,988.00
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 4 10-15
21. Todd Castledine Nacogdoches, TX 10 24-13 180 $2,717.00
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 13-04
22. Bryan New Belmont, NC 10 24-05 179 $2,717.00
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 09-15
23. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 10 24-04 178 $2,717.00
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 12-12
24. Derek Lehtonen Woodruff, SC 10 24-02 177 $2,717.00
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 11-01
25. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 10 24-00 176 $2,717.00
Day 1: 5 15-14 Day 2: 5 08-02
26. Caiden Sinclair Wilsonville, AL 10 23-14 175 $2,499.00
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 13-06
27. Barry Brandt Jr. Newport News, VA 10 23-13 174 $2,499.00
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 5 10-07
28. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 10 23-12 173 $2,499.00
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 12-02
29. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 10 23-09 172 $2,499.00
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 5 14-01
30. Bo Hunter Gardendale, AL 10 23-09 171 $2,499.00
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 5 13-03
31. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 10 23-07 170 $2,499.00
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 10-14
32. Matt Vanzant Sylacauga, AL 10 23-03 169 $2,499.00
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 08-10
33. Andy Wicker Pomaria, SC 10 23-01 168 $2,499.00
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 08-05
34. Randy Blaukat Joplin, MO 10 22-11 167 $2,499.00
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 11-10
35. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 10 22-09 166 $2,499.00
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 10-09
36. Randall Carter Maplesville, AL 10 22-09 165 $2,499.00
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 10-11
37. Denny Fiedler Wabasha, MN 10 22-08 164 $2,499.00
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 09-07
38. Brian Latimer Belton, SC 10 22-07 163 $2,499.00
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 08-12
39. Josh Herren Ashville, AL 10 22-06 162 $2,499.00
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 10-04
40. Cameron Smith Wareham, MA 10 22-05 161 $2,499.00
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 09-14
41. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 10 22-02 160
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 11-02
42. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 10 21-14 159
Day 1: 5 07-02 Day 2: 5 14-12
43. Dustin Reneau Mckinney, TX 10 21-09 158
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 11-04
44. Tyler Ellis Battlefield, MO 10 21-08 157
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 5 12-05
45. Freddy Palmer Estill Springs, TN 10 21-06 156
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 08-11
46. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 10 21-05 155
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 11-04
47. Shane Horton Wilsonville , AL 10 21-05 154
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 10-02
48. J T Russell Mccala, AL 10 21-05 153
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 10-14
49. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 10 21-01 152
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 5 12-00
50. Trevor Prince Blue Ridge, GA 10 21-01 151
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 11-00
51. Bryce Matthews Olanta, SC 10 21-00 150
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 10-04
52. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 9 20-15 149
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 4 08-09
53. Matt Lee Bremen, AL 9 20-14 148
Day 1: 4 09-07 Day 2: 5 11-07
54. Jon Canada Helena, AL 8 20-13 147
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 3 06-09
55. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 10 20-13 146
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 5 11-09
56. Kenneth Malone Columbiana, AL 10 20-11 145
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 08-08
57. Greg Alexander Hebron, MD 10 20-11 144
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 10-01
58. Cody Detweiler Orlando, FL 10 20-05 143
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 09-10
59. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 10 20-02 142
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 09-02
60. Justin Hamner Foley, AL 10 20-02 141
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 10-04
61. Stephen Morella Townshend, VT 10 20-01 140
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 09-10
62. Spencer Peters Knoxville, TN 10 19-14 139
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 08-03
63. Dave Turner Crystal River, FL 10 19-10 138
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 5 09-15
64. Tyler Caton Clanton, AL 10 19-07 137
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 07-06
65. Daisuke Aoki Minamitsurugun Yamanash 10 19-07 136
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 09-13
66. Scott Siller Milwaukee, WI 10 19-05 135
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 08-12
67. Timmy Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 10 19-04 134
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 09-11
68. Joel Bowden Sylacauga, AL 10 19-00 133
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 5 09-11
69. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 10 18-14 132
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 08-05
70. Zeke Gossett Pell City, AL 10 18-12 131
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 08-11
71. Hunter Sales Blaine, TN 10 18-10 130
Day 1: 5 07-13 Day 2: 5 10-13
72. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 8 18-08 129
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 3 04-10
73. Jarrett Brown Montevallo, AL 10 18-07 128
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 06-10
74. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 9 18-02 127
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 4 06-14
75. Andrew Upshaw Tulsa, OK 10 18-02 126
Day 1: 5 07-04 Day 2: 5 10-14
76. Henry Mcpherson Mountain Brk, AL 10 18-02 125
Day 1: 5 08-04 Day 2: 5 09-14
77. James Meers Rome, GA 9 18-01 124
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 4 05-03
78. Hall Hobbs Wilsonville, AL 10 17-15 123
Day 1: 5 08-11 Day 2: 5 09-04
79. Kyle Austin Ridgeville, SC 10 17-14 122
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 07-03
80. Whitney Stephens Waverly, OH 10 17-13 121
Day 1: 5 06-07 Day 2: 5 11-06
81. Jake Rossi Columbus, OH 10 17-12 120
Day 1: 5 07-09 Day 2: 5 10-03
82. Chad Smith Minnetonka, MN 10 17-11 119
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 06-15
83. Randy Elliott Severn, MD 10 17-09 118
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 08-00
84. Randy Huffman Charleston, WV 10 17-08 117
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 08-01
85. Chandler Stewart Waco, TX 10 17-05 116
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 06-08
86. Caleb Gibson Locust Grove, OK 10 17-01 115
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 5 08-00
87. Andy Hribar Lakeville, MN 10 17-00 114
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 06-02
88. Scott Patton Paris, TN 10 17-00 113
Day 1: 5 07-03 Day 2: 5 09-13
89. Josh Hubbard Braidwood, IL 8 16-15 112
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 3 06-05
90. Allen Brooks Canton, GA 10 16-14 111
Day 1: 5 08-06 Day 2: 5 08-08
91. Brandt Tumberg Moore, SC 10 16-09 110
Day 1: 5 06-15 Day 2: 5 09-10
92. Gregg Fogner Conway, SC 10 16-09 109
Day 1: 5 07-14 Day 2: 5 08-11
93. Parker Mott Winter Garden, FL 10 16-08 108
Day 1: 5 07-04 Day 2: 5 09-04
94. Connor Macdougall Bremerton, WA 10 16-07 107
Day 1: 5 06-05 Day 2: 5 10-02
95. Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 8 16-04 106
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 3 05-02
96. Garrett Dixon Citronelle, AL 10 16-03 105
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 05-06
97. Brandon Tallhamer Parkersburg, WV 10 15-15 104
Day 1: 5 08-13 Day 2: 5 07-02
98. Joe Thompson Clayton, GA 8 15-04 103
Day 1: 3 04-12 Day 2: 5 10-08
99. Jonathan Carter Glenburn, ME 10 15-04 102
Day 1: 5 07-15 Day 2: 5 07-05
100. Stephen Perry Pike Road, AL 7 15-04 101
Day 1: 3 07-14 Day 2: 4 07-06
101. David Parsons Dothan, AL 10 15-03 100
Day 1: 5 06-13 Day 2: 5 08-06
102. Mark Pappas Dandridge, TN 8 15-02 99
Day 1: 5 08-05 Day 2: 3 06-13
103. Matthew Mccarthy Marysville, OH 8 15-01 98
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 3 04-08
104. Cam Sterritt Newfields, NH 10 14-13 97
Day 1: 5 07-10 Day 2: 5 07-03
105. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 8 14-11 96
Day 1: 5 08-11 Day 2: 3 06-00
106. Bradley Hallman Norman, OK 10 14-09 95
Day 1: 5 07-09 Day 2: 5 07-00
107. Joel Willert Prior Lake, MN 8 14-07 94
Day 1: 3 03-15 Day 2: 5 10-08
108. Noah Godwin Clanton, AL 8 14-06 93
Day 1: 3 03-05 Day 2: 5 11-01
109. Lance Rose Pipe Creek, TX 8 14-03 92
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 3 04-05
110. Luke Plunkett Pinson, AL 7 14-01 91
Day 1: 3 04-10 Day 2: 4 09-07
111. Matt Mattingly Gravel Switch, KY 10 13-11 90
Day 1: 5 06-07 Day 2: 5 07-04
112. John Maner Falkville, AL 10 13-06 89
Day 1: 5 07-06 Day 2: 5 06-00
113. Andrew Thomasson Dublin, VA 5 12-13 88
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 12-13
114. Cole Dodson GARDENDALE, AL 7 12-11 87
Day 1: 2 02-02 Day 2: 5 10-09
115. Dustin Connell Clanton, AL 5 12-03 86
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
116. Trevor Topken Warwick, NY 7 11-12 85
Day 1: 2 04-12 Day 2: 5 07-00
117. Lance Owen Greer, SC 6 11-10 84
Day 1: 3 05-07 Day 2: 3 06-03
118. Kameron Harbin Abbeville, SC 9 11-09 83
Day 1: 5 05-07 Day 2: 4 06-02
119. Ken Iyobe Tokoname, Aichi JAPAN 5 11-06 82
Day 1: 2 04-03 Day 2: 3 07-03
120. Tyler Berger Delaware, OH 8 11-06 81
Day 1: 5 06-14 Day 2: 3 04-08
121. Chris Peters Birchwood, TN 8 11-04 80
Day 1: 5 06-13 Day 2: 3 04-07
122. Chris Wooten West Point, MS 5 10-12 79
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
123. Eric Johnson Kingston, MA 8 10-10 78
Day 1: 5 07-07 Day 2: 3 03-03
124. Jeremy Maye Windsor, VA 8 10-09 77
Day 1: 5 06-07 Day 2: 3 04-02
125. Chad Schroeder Lowndesboro, AL 5 10-05 76
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
126. Colby Robertson Summerfield, FL 8 10-05 75
Day 1: 4 05-01 Day 2: 4 05-04
127. Kopeland Rosser Helena, AL 5 09-15 74
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
128. Garrett Rose Pipecreek, TX 6 09-13 73
Day 1: 5 08-06 Day 2: 1 01-07
129. Frank Ramsey Spring Grove, IL 6 09-06 72
Day 1: 2 04-11 Day 2: 4 04-11
130. Barry Wilson Birmingham, AL 5 09-03 71
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
131. Gus Kneidinger Prospect, PA 6 09-03 70
Day 1: 3 06-08 Day 2: 3 02-11
132. Guy Eaker Cherryville, NC 7 09-02 69
Day 1: 3 05-02 Day 2: 4 04-00
133. Ronald Ryals Jr Live Oak, FL 5 09-01 68
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
134. Michael Bradford Scottsboro, AL 5 09-00 67
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Tucker Smith Birmingham, AL 7 08-15 66
Day 1: 2 02-11 Day 2: 5 06-04
136. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 5 08-13 65
Day 1: 5 08-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
137. Justin Barnes Monroeville, AL 5 08-12 64
Day 1: 5 08-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
138. Kenny Mittelstaedt Minnetonka, MN 5 08-10 63
Day 1: 1 00-12 Day 2: 4 07-14
139. Johnny McCombs Morris, AL 5 08-07 62
Day 1: 5 08-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Clint Nail Sterrett, AL 5 08-04 61
Day 1: 5 08-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
141. Dj Ellis Crestview, FL 5 08-02 60
Day 1: 5 08-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
142. Ronnie Getz Sunman, IN 7 07-15 59
Day 1: 4 04-11 Day 2: 3 03-04
143. Bob Behrle Hoover, AL 5 07-11 58
Day 1: 5 07-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
144. Garrett Rocamora Lithia, FL 3 07-10 57
Day 1: 3 07-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
145. Anthony Goggins Clanton, AL 5 07-09 56
Day 1: 5 07-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
146. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 2 07-09 55
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 07-09
147. Larry Franks Jr. Wilsonville, AL 4 07-00 54
Day 1: 4 07-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
148. Brandon Mccombs Mc Calla, AL 3 06-13 53
Day 1: 3 06-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
149. Mark Duerr West Allis, WI 4 06-09 52
Day 1: 4 06-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
150. Denis Karachopan Rocky Point, NY 5 06-08 51
Day 1: 4 05-11 Day 2: 1 00-13
151. Tommy Williams Shepherdsville, KY 5 06-04 50
Day 1: 5 06-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
152. Cody Bertrand Dyer, IN 3 06-03 49
Day 1: 1 01-06 Day 2: 2 04-13
153. Cj Knight Sylacauga, AL 3 06-00 48
Day 1: 3 06-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
154. Jerry Gallogly Jr North Tazewell, VA 4 05-13 47
Day 1: 4 05-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
155. Richard Reeger Gastonia, NC 3 05-06 46
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 05-06
156. Chris Kingree Inverness, FL 9 05-00 45
Day 1: 4 00-00 Day 2: 5 05-00
157. Ryan Branch Chelsea, AL 3 04-14 44
Day 1: 3 04-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
158. Rich Mcbride Calera, AL 3 04-10 43
Day 1: 3 04-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
159. Robert Gibson Niota, TN 2 04-07 42
Day 1: 2 04-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
160. Cassidy Evans Huntsville, AL 2 04-03 41
Day 1: 2 04-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
161. Shawn Hendrix Sharpsburg, GA 2 02-03 40
Day 1: 2 02-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
162. Jason Casteel Winter Garden, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
162. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 126 722 1487-08
2 103 616 1243-14
----------------------------------
229 1338 2731-06
2020 Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open at Lay Lake 12/3-12/5
Lay Lake, Shelby County AL.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 6 15-08 200
Day 1: 3 04-11 Day 2: 3 10-13
2. Steve Robbins Piketon, OH 6 13-08 199
Day 1: 3 07-10 Day 2: 3 05-14
3. Connor Graham Minneapolis, MN 6 13-06 198
Day 1: 3 06-02 Day 2: 3 07-04
4. Michael Elrod Cropwell, AL 4 13-02 197
Day 1: 1 02-12 Day 2: 3 10-06
5. Rodney Graham Childersburg, AL 6 13-00 196
Day 1: 3 06-09 Day 2: 3 06-07
6. Alex Prince Blue Ridge, GA 6 12-14 195
Day 1: 3 07-13 Day 2: 3 05-01
7. Robert Bruguiere Mechanicsville, VA 6 12-09 194
Day 1: 3 07-02 Day 2: 3 05-07
8. John Goul Philadelphia, MS 6 12-08 193
Day 1: 3 07-01 Day 2: 3 05-07
9. Shawn Spaeth Cadott, WI 6 12-05 192
Day 1: 3 06-14 Day 2: 3 05-07
10. Don Harvey Franklin, TN 6 12-01 191
Day 1: 3 07-02 Day 2: 3 04-15
11. Kibbee Mccoy Knoxville, TN 6 12-01 190
Day 1: 3 05-01 Day 2: 3 07-00
12. Jim Laster Newnan, GA 6 11-13 189
Day 1: 3 06-10 Day 2: 3 05-03
13. Sam Sobieck New Prague, MN 6 11-12 188 $983.00
Day 1: 3 04-11 Day 2: 3 07-01
14. Angela Mayo Maiden, NC 6 11-11 187 $893.00
Day 1: 3 06-13 Day 2: 3 04-14
15. Jeff Queen Catawba, NC 6 11-06 186 $804.00
Day 1: 3 03-12 Day 2: 3 07-10
16. Jason Reaves Montague, TX 6 11-04 185 $715.00
Day 1: 3 03-15 Day 2: 3 07-05
17. Bill Bruce Hendersonville, TN 6 10-12 184 $670.00
Day 1: 3 05-03 Day 2: 3 05-09
18. Jacob Novak Clear Lake, MN 6 10-09 183 $670.00
Day 1: 3 04-03 Day 2: 3 06-06
19. Mike Anderson Harlem, GA 6 10-09 182 $670.00
Day 1: 3 05-02 Day 2: 3 05-07
20. Caz Anderson Hayesville, NC 6 10-08 181 $670.00
Day 1: 3 05-12 Day 2: 3 04-12
21. Russell Hoyle Newton, NC 6 10-06 180 $625.00
Day 1: 3 04-02 Day 2: 3 06-04
22. Brian Rothrock Monticello, IN 5 10-04 179 $625.00
Day 1: 3 05-15 Day 2: 2 04-05
23. Joe Eubanks Marietta, GA 5 10-02 178 $625.00
Day 1: 2 02-05 Day 2: 3 07-13
24. Jon Jezierski Troy, MI 6 10-00 177 $625.00
Day 1: 3 04-03 Day 2: 3 05-13
25. Carl Hunter Snellville, GA 6 09-14 176 $625.00
Day 1: 3 04-09 Day 2: 3 05-05
26. Cody Shry Pinehrst, TX 5 09-12 175 $536.00
Day 1: 3 07-08 Day 2: 2 02-04
27. Harold Addison Columbia, SC 5 09-11 174 $536.00
Day 1: 3 05-12 Day 2: 2 03-15
28. Ronald Young New Braunfels, TX 6 09-06 173 $536.00
Day 1: 3 05-01 Day 2: 3 04-05
29. Daniel Valois Gomez Coral Springs FL VENEZU 6 09-04 172 $536.00
Day 1: 3 03-15 Day 2: 3 05-05
30. Mark Westrick Hastings, PA 4 09-04 171 $536.00
Day 1: 2 04-14 Day 2: 2 04-06
31. Levi Allgeier Bardstown, KY 6 09-03 170 $491.00
Day 1: 3 04-10 Day 2: 3 04-09
32. Skyler Anderson Harlem, GA 5 09-02 169 $491.00
Day 1: 3 05-00 Day 2: 2 04-02
33. Ryan Fronina Mohrsville, PA 4 09-01 168 $491.00
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 3 07-02
34. Bailey Rothrock Monticello, IN 5 09-01 167 $491.00
Day 1: 3 06-10 Day 2: 2 02-07
35. Dustin Williamson Aiken, SC 6 09-00 166 $491.00
Day 1: 3 05-10 Day 2: 3 03-06
36. Ken Sharkey Spring Lake, MI 6 08-14 165 $491.00
Day 1: 3 03-12 Day 2: 3 05-02
37. Chris Bridges Clinton, MO 5 08-12 164 $491.00
Day 1: 3 04-15 Day 2: 2 03-13
38. Travis Culbreth Columbia, AL 5 08-08 163 $491.00
Day 1: 3 05-03 Day 2: 2 03-05
39. Jeff Keever Tignall, GA 5 08-07 162 $491.00
Day 1: 2 02-08 Day 2: 3 05-15
40. Chris Newton Whitesboro, NY 5 08-03 161 $491.00
Day 1: 2 02-09 Day 2: 3 05-10
41. Todd Wagman Winter Garden, FL 5 08-03 160
Day 1: 3 04-08 Day 2: 2 03-11
42. Scott Corliss Northwood, NH 4 07-15 159
Day 1: 2 05-00 Day 2: 2 02-15
43. Michael Schrader North Attleboro, MA 5 07-13 158
Day 1: 2 02-02 Day 2: 3 05-11
44. Randy Woodley Harvest, AL 4 07-11 157
Day 1: 3 06-09 Day 2: 1 01-02
45. Bryden Mugleston Mount Juliet, TN 6 07-10 156
Day 1: 3 03-05 Day 2: 3 04-05
46. David Booth Erin, TN 6 07-09 155
Day 1: 3 04-12 Day 2: 3 02-13
47. Andrew Packard Fresno, CA 6 07-08 154
Day 1: 3 03-14 Day 2: 3 03-10
48. Logan Stewart Nashville, TN 5 07-07 153
Day 1: 3 04-08 Day 2: 2 02-15
49. Craig Congleton Rockford, MI 4 07-05 152
Day 1: 3 05-06 Day 2: 1 01-15
50. Neal Wisinski Stevens Point, WI 4 07-03 151
Day 1: 3 05-08 Day 2: 1 01-11
51. Tyler Harless HELENA, AL 5 07-03 150
Day 1: 3 05-05 Day 2: 2 01-14
52. Harry Linsinbigler IV Dover, FL 3 07-02 149
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 07-02
53. Dawson Wisner Green Cv Spgs, FL 5 07-01 148
Day 1: 3 05-03 Day 2: 2 01-14
54. Rick Williams Jr Sandston, VA 5 07-01 147
Day 1: 2 02-05 Day 2: 3 04-12
55. Jeffery Strong Sharpsburg, GA 4 07-00 146
Day 1: 3 05-14 Day 2: 1 01-02
56. Stacey Jefferson Conway, SC 6 07-00 145
Day 1: 3 03-10 Day 2: 3 03-06
57. Greg Secord Salem, SC 3 06-15 144
Day 1: 3 06-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
58. Bradley Brooks Easley, SC 4 06-14 143
Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 3 04-03
59. Parker Vincent Deatsville, AL 3 06-13 142
Day 1: 3 06-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
60. Charles Harris Athens, AL 3 06-13 141
Day 1: 1 02-01 Day 2: 2 04-12
61. Chuck Thurlow Auburn, AL 5 06-13 140
Day 1: 3 04-03 Day 2: 2 02-10
62. Adam Traugh Gilroy, CA 5 06-13 139
Day 1: 3 04-01 Day 2: 2 02-12
63. Max Mcgee Louisville, MS 5 06-12 138
Day 1: 3 04-07 Day 2: 2 02-05
64. Steven Kellam Dry Ridge, KY 6 06-12 137
Day 1: 3 03-05 Day 2: 3 03-07
65. Mike Scroggins Wilsonville, AL 4 06-10 136
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 1 00-13
66. Jim Ford Magnolia, AR 3 06-09 135
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 06-09
67. Kelvin Young Guntersville, AL 3 06-08 134
Day 1: 3 06-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
68. Caleb Dennis Childersburg, AL 4 06-07 133
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 3 04-08
69. Steve Lindsey Bayou La Batre, AL 3 06-06 132
Day 1: 2 04-11 Day 2: 1 01-11
70. Ralph Gibson Locust Grove, OK 5 06-04 131
Day 1: 2 02-13 Day 2: 3 03-07
71. Randal Griffice Bessemer, AL 4 06-00 130
Day 1: 3 05-03 Day 2: 1 00-13
72. Justin Thomas Panama City, FL 4 05-15 129
Day 1: 1 00-15 Day 2: 3 05-00
73. Andy Semonco Chester, VA 3 05-13 128
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 05-13
74. Steven Slaughter Roanoke, TX 5 05-13 127
Day 1: 2 01-11 Day 2: 3 04-02
75. Todd Mowery Munford, TN 6 05-11 126
Day 1: 3 03-02 Day 2: 3 02-09
76. John Hatfield Panama City, FL 3 05-10 125
Day 1: 1 00-14 Day 2: 2 04-12
77. Randy Tallhamer Parkersburg, WV 4 05-09 124
Day 1: 2 03-12 Day 2: 2 01-13
78. Scott Waters Saint Cloud, FL 3 05-07 123
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 1 01-07
79. Cody Stahl Griffin, GA 3 05-06 122
Day 1: 3 05-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
80. Josh Dees Mt. Olive, AL 3 05-03 121
Day 1: 3 05-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
81. Kai Barnett Wilsonville, AL 4 05-03 120
Day 1: 3 03-08 Day 2: 1 01-11
82. Grant Hopson Hartselle, AL 4 05-03 119
Day 1: 1 02-02 Day 2: 3 03-01
83. John Connell Marion, IL 3 04-15 118
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 2 03-10
84. Jon Lawson Cartersville, GA 3 04-11 117
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 04-11
84. Waylon Mullis Tuscaloosa, AL 3 04-11 117
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 04-11
86. Josh Morse Apopka, FL 2 04-10 115
Day 1: 1 02-08 Day 2: 1 02-02
87. Burley Langford Jr. S.Chesterfield, VA 4 04-09 114
Day 1: 3 03-06 Day 2: 1 01-03
88. Phil Dodds Hixson, TN 2 04-04 113
Day 1: 2 04-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
89. Darren Ashley Calhoun Falls, SC 3 04-04 112
Day 1: 2 01-13 Day 2: 1 02-07
90. Jonathan Majors Chelsea, AL 4 04-03 111
Day 1: 1 01-00 Day 2: 3 03-03
91. Roy Hurst Jr Birmingham, AL 3 04-03 110
Day 1: 2 01-15 Day 2: 1 02-04
92. Doug Johnson Prattville, AL 3 04-02 109
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 2 02-13
93. Buddy Elston Jr. Odenville, AL 2 04-00 108
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
94. Lonny Peryer Sparta, MO 4 04-00 107
Day 1: 1 00-15 Day 2: 3 03-01
95. Zack Barrera Morriston, FL 2 04-00 106
Day 1: 1 01-08 Day 2: 1 02-08
96. Hayden Marbut Vestavia, AL 3 03-15 105
Day 1: 2 02-14 Day 2: 1 01-01
97. Wendell Edgil Winfield, AL 2 03-13 104
Day 1: 2 03-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
98. Chip Stith Piscataway, NJ 3 03-12 103
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 2 01-13
99. Jack Alexander Mountain Brook, AL 3 03-11 102
Day 1: 3 03-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
100. Rick Hamer Charleston, WV 2 03-11 101
Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 1 02-07
101. Ashley Bishop Chesapeake, VA 3 03-09 100
Day 1: 3 03-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
102. Bert Seitz Chelsea, AL 2 03-09 99
Day 1: 2 03-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
103. Kent Duchaine Fort Gaines, GA 2 03-08 98
Day 1: 2 03-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
104. Tanner Plumlee Gadsden, TN 1 03-07 97
Day 1: 1 03-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
105. Steve Legg Vincent, OH 3 03-05 96
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 2 02-00
106. Billy Messer Spartanburg, SC 2 03-04 95
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 03-04
107. Jon Brazeal Eucha, OK 3 03-01 94
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 03-01
108. Ralph Pierce Prattville, AL 2 02-15 93
Day 1: 2 02-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
109. Lucas Bradley Gadsden, AL 2 02-13 92
Day 1: 2 02-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
110. Jason Beasley Millbrook, AL 1 02-13 91
Day 1: 1 02-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
111. Brad Hoff Brooks, GA 3 02-11 90
Day 1: 3 02-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
112. Todd Young Perryville, KY 2 02-11 89
Day 1: 2 02-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
113. Eric Davis Athens, AL 3 02-08 88
Day 1: 3 02-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
114. Mitch Van Ert Watertown, WI 2 02-08 87
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 1 00-13
115. Luke Kerstetter Brookfield, WI 1 02-04 86
Day 1: 1 02-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
116. Daniel Istik Cranberry Twp, PA 4 02-03 85
Day 1: 3 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-03
117. William Maddox Trussville, AL 1 02-03 84
Day 1: 1 02-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
118. Isaac Booth Washburn, TN 2 02-02 83
Day 1: 2 02-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
119. Lee Means Madison, AL 2 02-01 82
Day 1: 2 02-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
120. Paul Scharf Sr Tampa, FL 1 02-00 81
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
121. Eric Carroll Gaylesville, AL 2 01-15 80
Day 1: 2 01-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
122. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 2 01-14 79
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 01-14
123. Grover Jones Jr Starr, SC 2 01-13 78
Day 1: 2 01-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
124. Greg Mauldin Archdale, NC 2 01-12 77
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 01-12
125. Mason Gunter Newnan, GA 1 01-04 76
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-04
126. Ryan Godsey Chickamauga, GA 1 01-00 75
Day 1: 1 01-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
127. Steve Deyton Forest City, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
127. Barney Edens Midland, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
127. Mark Guhne Hixson, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
127. Ray Hill Lake City, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
127. Yo Howard Bolingbrook, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
127. Chris Jones Birmingham, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
127. Deandrae Kimbrough Tuscaloosa, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
127. Caleb Scott Sylacauga, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
Felix’s Fall Run Secures Bassmaster Rookie Of The Year Honors
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Austin Felix of Eden Prairie, Minn., has won the 2020 Elite Series Rookie of the Year title.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
December 4, 2020
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A strong run through rescheduled tournaments gave Bassmaster Elite Series pro Austin Felix a shot at winning the Bassmaster Angler of the Year title, and although disappointed his fortunes fell short, the native of Eden Prairie, Minn., is proud to have accomplished his initial goal of winning Elite Series Rookie of the Year.
“Rookie of the Year is really special because you get one shot at it. You don’t get a do-over,” Felix said. “It’s bittersweet to be that close to AOY, but I’ll get a shot at it next year.”
Felix might have won this year and swept the season awards if not for subpar first and last events.
“I knew I dug myself a bit of a hole,” Felix said of his 64th-place finish in the season opener on the St. Johns River, “but I’ve been thinking about ROY the whole season.”
Well-versed at clear-water fishing, Felix banked on making a move when the Elite Series headed north to smallmouth waters at the St. Lawrence River (25th), Lake Champlain (18th) and Lake St. Clair (13th). Those finishes pushed him into the Top 15 in AOY standings, but Felix never displayed his trademark consistency.
“I had one stellar day and one mediocre day where I let it get away from me,” Felix said. “It seemed like the third day I’d catch them again, but I could never climb up into that Top 10. I underperformed up north, not making any Top 10s.
“It wasn’t until tournaments on Santee Cooper and Chickamauga Lake that I was able to put two good days together to have a good event. After the smallmouth tournaments, I was at the point of just trying not to give back all the points I gained up north. Fortunately, the fall fishing played into my hand a lot more than I thought it would.”
The COVID-19 pandemic forced B.A.S.S. to move four events to fall, previously unexplored territory for the Elites. Elite Series tournaments on Lake Guntersville, Santee Cooper Lakes, Chickamauga Lake and Lake Fork were moved to times requiring the anglers to figure out the current conditions, not rely on past patterns. Felix began the run with a 40th on Guntersville but maintained his position in the points race.
“What I was most afraid of was Santee Cooper. To be fortunate enough to find that group of offshore fish that allowed me to coast to a solid limit every day, it was really exciting,” said Felix, who competed for the title and ended up fourth.
That finish moved him to sixth in the AOY standings. Felix followed it with a fifth at Chickamauga Lake that put him just five points behind the AOY leader heading into the season’s final event on Lake Fork. While there was a great chance, it wasn’t to be on Fork, where Felix finished 68th and dropped to seventh overall. He could only get a handful of bites each day in practice on the famed Texas fishery, “but it deteriorated over the tournament — I just couldn’t get it done.”
What he did get done is put himself beside the names of previous ROYs like Drew Cook, Jake Whitaker, Drew Benton, Brandon Card and 2020 Bassmaster Classic Champion Hank Cherry. Felix totaled 651 points to top Kyle Welcher (639) and Lake Eufaula champion Buddy Gross (638). Japan’s Taku Ito, who led the AOY standings for a short time at midseason, finished fourth with 606.
“This rookie class has been incredibly talented,” Felix said. “It took Buddy Gross two tournaments to win his first blue trophy. Kyle Welcher proved to everybody that he isn’t just a YouTube kid. He caught the biggest fish of the year. All we had to do was go to New York and Taku made himself a viral sensation. Any one of those guys would have totally deserved this.”
Felix refined his fishing acumen while crossing the county competing for the University of Minnesota (he won an FLW College National Championship in 2014), FLW and Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens events.
“I was under this false impression that local knowledge was key at every lake, which is totally not the case,” said Felix. “It showed me that by doing some research and understanding how regional fish react, you can compete even if you don’t know where every brushpile is.”
Now, Felix is confident that he can go to new places, or at new times, and have a decent shot at discovering a pattern and competing.
“I think that with my angling repertoire, different techniques that I’m confident and comfortable with, I’m going to be able to figure out something they’re going to bite if I can just find the fish,” he said. “I’ve become more comfortable regionally, and I felt like I’ve learned a lot to try to compete across the country.”
Admittedly more of a consistent angler than the guy who wins big tournaments, Felix said he’s working on learning how to finish. Felix is ready to prep his new Phoenix boat and himself for the 2021 season. He’s already thinking about “how I can improve on last year. As soon as the season’s over, I take a few days off and I’m ready to start again.”
And this year, Felix will be starting the season with a title that will follow for the rest of his career: 2020 Bassmaster Elite Rookie of the Year.
Local Knowledge Helps Walker Grab Lead At Bassmaster Eastern Open On Lay Lake
Jacob Walker of Alabaster, Ala., is leading after Day 1 of the Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open at Lay Lake with 17 pounds, 4 ounces.
Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.
December 3, 2020
COLUMBIANA, Ala. — Local angler Jacob Walker said he’s very familiar with Lay Lake, and he needed every bit of that knowledge to catch a limit of 17 pounds, 4 ounces and grab the Day 1 lead of the Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open.
“The way it is right now, you have to run from one end to the other,” said Walker, who lives in nearby Alabaster, Ala. “You can’t count anything out, that’s for sure.”
Noting that he was on a pure run-and-gun game plan, Walker said he fished between 40 and 50 spots Thursday. He fished efficiently and didn’t sit long on any one place.
“I was catching some out of the grass when the wind blew, and I bounced around to (several) other spots,” Walker said. “I probably had 20 rods on my deck. It was all junk fishing.
“I came into this tournament expecting to do that. It’s been like this the last three months.”
The sharp cold spell that moved into the area early in the week sent temperatures plunging. Overnight lows dipped into the lower 20s and even dropped a little snow on the lake.
Thursday was a little warmer, but Friday’s rainy outlook suggests another cold front on the way.
Meteorological fluctuations typically impact fishing, but Walker said this week’s weather is less than favorable. His biggest bass was a 4-7 largemouth, but he said he wasn’t able to leverage the lake’s potential.
“I think this weather is hurting me more than helping me; it’s hard to catch a big largemouth right now,” he said. “I got fortunate and caught one good one today. I had four spotted bass and one largemouth.
“I’m a largemouth fisherman. That’s what I do, so I’d much rather catch them.”
Walker said he threw a broad array of baits and ended up catching his weight fish on three of them.
“I caught plenty more on other baits, so you gotta keep them honest,” he said. “It was mostly reaction baits for me; I was staying on the move.
“The stuff I’m fishing is pretty fast, so if I sit down and fish (an area) for 30 minutes, I’ll probably make 25 to 30 casts. Sometimes, if I feel like they’re there, I might make 50 casts or more.”
Across the board, wind exposure was the most important factor for each of Walker’s spots. Wind pushes bait into areas, and that gave Walker confidence he would find hungry bass.
“I knew the bait was there,” he said. “It was blown in there by the wind. Some of it is affected by current, but most of it’s the wind.
“As the day goes on, the wind picks up. But we caught ’em all day. My better bites were later in the day and I have a later boat number tomorrow, so that might help me out.”
Keith Carson of DeBary, Fla., is in second place with 16-10. Recognizing a familiar scenario helped him excel in his first Lay Lake appearance.
“I’m just running everything and fishing like I would in Florida,” he said. “When I saw the grass, I knew how to fish it. I caught a lot of fish on a deeper ledge in 11 to 12 feet, but still really close to the grassline.”
Noting that he fished deep and shallow spots, Carson said he caught all of his bass on reaction baits. Covering water to find tight areas of productivity was his strategy.
“There’s a lot of dead water out there,” Carson said. “I caught a 5-11 and then I caught my second-biggest fish on back-to-back casts. They’re all grouped up when you hit them.”
Clint Miller of Jemison, Ala., is in third with 16-3. Despite struggling with the weather conditions, he found two big opportunities and capitalized on one of them.
“I caught them today, but it was tough,” Miller said. “I lucked out and caught a big one (6-0). But without him, I would have had 11 or 12 pounds.”
Miller caught his big fish at 8:30 and lost one around 4 1/2 at 11. Targeting brush, he caught all of his fish on a 1/4-ounce shaky head with a green pumpkin finesse worm.
“I caught them fishing my strength and fishing slow,” Miller said.
Miller is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 6-0.
Alex Prince of Blue Ridge, Ga., leads the co-angler division with 7-13.
Cody Shry of Pinehurst, Texas, holds the Phoenix Boats Big Bass lead among co-anglers with a 4-0.
Patrick Walters of Summerville, S.C., leads the Eastern Open standings with 729 points, followed by Justin Atkins with 709. Pat Schlapper is third with 706, while Joshua Stracner is fourth with 699 and Bryan New is fifth with 696.
New also leads the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year standings with 1,341 points.
Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6:15 a.m. CT from Beeswax Park. The weigh-in will be held at the park at 2:15 p.m.
The tournament is being hosted by Discover Shelby, AL.
2020 Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open at Lay Lake 12/3-12/5
Lay Lake, Shelby County AL.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Jacob Walker Alabaster, AL 5 17-04 200
Day 1: 5 17-04
2. Keith Carson Debary, FL 5 16-10 199
Day 1: 5 16-10
3. Clint Miller Jemison, AL 5 16-03 198
Day 1: 5 16-03
4. Wyatt Burkhalter Coker, AL 5 16-02 197
Day 1: 5 16-02
5. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 5 15-14 196
Day 1: 5 15-14
6. Samuel Fish Calera, AL 5 15-08 195
Day 1: 5 15-08
7. Jared Turnbloom Calera, AL 5 15-05 194
Day 1: 5 15-05
8. Andy Wicker Pomaria, SC 5 14-12 193
Day 1: 5 14-12
9. Matt Vanzant Sylacauga, AL 5 14-09 192
Day 1: 5 14-09
10. Bryan New Belmont, NC 5 14-06 191
Day 1: 5 14-06
11. Jon Canada Helena, AL 5 14-04 190
Day 1: 5 14-04
12. Andy Chappell Warrior, AL 5 13-15 189
Day 1: 5 13-15
13. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 5 13-14 188
Day 1: 5 13-14
14. Brian Latimer Belton, SC 5 13-11 187
Day 1: 5 13-11
15. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 5 13-09 186
Day 1: 5 13-09
15. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 5 13-09 186
Day 1: 5 13-09
17. Barry Brandt Jr. Newport News, VA 5 13-06 184
Day 1: 5 13-06
18. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 5 13-04 183
Day 1: 5 13-04
18. Adam Neu Forestville, WI 5 13-04 183
Day 1: 5 13-04
20. Jason Burroughs Hodges, SC 5 13-02 181
Day 1: 5 13-02
21. Denny Fiedler Wabasha, MN 5 13-01 180
Day 1: 5 13-01
21. Derek Lehtonen Woodruff, SC 5 13-01 180
Day 1: 5 13-01
21. Alex Sherrill Clanton, AL 5 13-01 180
Day 1: 5 13-01
24. James Meers Rome, GA 5 12-14 177
Day 1: 5 12-14
25. Freddy Palmer Estill Springs, TN 5 12-11 176
Day 1: 5 12-11
26. Chris Payne Vance, AL 5 12-10 175
Day 1: 5 12-10
27. Scott Pellegrin Chippewa Falls, WI 5 12-09 174
Day 1: 5 12-09
27. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 5 12-09 174
Day 1: 5 12-09
29. Teb Jones Hattiesburg, MS 5 12-08 172
Day 1: 5 12-08
30. Cameron Smith Wareham, MA 5 12-07 171
Day 1: 5 12-07
31. Cole Drummond Effingham, SC 5 12-06 170
Day 1: 5 12-06
31. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 12-06 170
Day 1: 5 12-06
33. Greg Mansfield Olathe, KS 5 12-04 168
Day 1: 5 12-04
34. Dustin Connell Clanton, AL 5 12-03 167
Day 1: 5 12-03
34. Kenneth Malone Columbiana, AL 5 12-03 167
Day 1: 5 12-03
36. Josh Herren Ashville, AL 5 12-02 165
Day 1: 5 12-02
37. Tyler Caton Clanton, AL 5 12-01 164
Day 1: 5 12-01
38. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 5 12-00 163
Day 1: 5 12-00
39. Randall Carter Maplesville, AL 5 11-14 162
Day 1: 5 11-14
40. Jarrett Brown Montevallo, AL 5 11-13 161
Day 1: 5 11-13
41. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 3 11-12 160
Day 1: 3 11-12
42. Spencer Peters Knoxville, TN 5 11-11 159
Day 1: 5 11-11
43. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 5 11-10 158
Day 1: 5 11-10
44. Todd Castledine Nacogdoches, TX 5 11-09 157
Day 1: 5 11-09
45. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 5 11-08 156
Day 1: 5 11-08
46. Jacob Foutz Charleston, TN 5 11-04 155
Day 1: 5 11-04
47. Shane Horton Wilsonville , AL 5 11-03 154
Day 1: 5 11-03
48. Wesley Gore Clanton, AL 5 11-02 153
Day 1: 5 11-02
49. Randy Blaukat Joplin, MO 5 11-01 152
Day 1: 5 11-01
50. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 5 11-00 151
Day 1: 5 11-00
50. Alex Redwine Blue Ash, OH 5 11-00 151
Day 1: 5 11-00
52. Andy Hribar Lakeville, MN 5 10-14 149
Day 1: 5 10-14
53. Garrett Dixon Citronelle, AL 5 10-13 148
Day 1: 5 10-13
53. Chandler Stewart Waco, TX 5 10-13 148
Day 1: 5 10-13
53. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 5 10-13 148
Day 1: 5 10-13
56. Bryce Matthews Olanta, SC 5 10-12 145
Day 1: 5 10-12
56. Chad Smith Minnetonka, MN 5 10-12 145
Day 1: 5 10-12
56. Chris Wooten West Point, MS 5 10-12 145
Day 1: 5 10-12
59. Kyle Austin Ridgeville, SC 5 10-11 142
Day 1: 5 10-11
59. Cody Detweiler Orlando, FL 5 10-11 142
Day 1: 5 10-11
61. Greg Alexander Hebron, MD 5 10-10 140
Day 1: 5 10-10
61. Josh Hubbard Braidwood, IL 5 10-10 140
Day 1: 5 10-10
63. Matthew Mccarthy Marysville, OH 5 10-09 138
Day 1: 5 10-09
63. Scott Siller Milwaukee, WI 5 10-09 138
Day 1: 5 10-09
63. JT Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 10-09 138
Day 1: 5 10-09
66. Caiden Sinclair Wilsonville, AL 5 10-08 135
Day 1: 5 10-08
67. Stephen Morella Townshend, VT 5 10-07 134
Day 1: 5 10-07
67. J T Russell Mccala, AL 5 10-07 134
Day 1: 5 10-07
69. Bo Hunter Gardendale, AL 5 10-06 132
Day 1: 5 10-06
70. Dustin Reneau Mckinney, TX 5 10-05 131
Day 1: 5 10-05
70. Chad Schroeder Lowndesboro, AL 5 10-05 131
Day 1: 5 10-05
72. Zeke Gossett Pell City, AL 5 10-01 129
Day 1: 5 10-01
72. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 5 10-01 129
Day 1: 5 10-01
72. Trevor Prince Blue Ridge, GA 5 10-01 129
Day 1: 5 10-01
75. Kopeland Rosser Helena, AL 5 09-15 126
Day 1: 5 09-15
76. Justin Hamner Foley, AL 5 09-14 125
Day 1: 5 09-14
76. Lance Rose Pipe Creek, TX 5 09-14 125
Day 1: 5 09-14
78. Dave Turner Crystal River, FL 5 09-11 123
Day 1: 5 09-11
79. Daisuke Aoki Minamitsurugun Yamanash 5 09-10 122
Day 1: 5 09-10
80. Randy Elliott Severn, MD 5 09-09 121
Day 1: 5 09-09
80. Timmy Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 09-09 121
Day 1: 5 09-09
82. Joshua Stracner Vandiver, AL 5 09-08 119
Day 1: 5 09-08
83. Randy Huffman Charleston, WV 5 09-07 118
Day 1: 5 09-07
84. Matt Lee Bremen, AL 4 09-07 117
Day 1: 4 09-07
85. Joel Bowden Sylacauga, AL 5 09-05 116
Day 1: 5 09-05
86. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 5 09-04 115
Day 1: 5 09-04
87. Tyler Ellis Battlefield, MO 5 09-03 114
Day 1: 5 09-03
87. Barry Wilson Birmingham, AL 5 09-03 114
Day 1: 5 09-03
89. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 5 09-01 112
Day 1: 5 09-01
89. Caleb Gibson Locust Grove, OK 5 09-01 112
Day 1: 5 09-01
89. Ronald Ryals Jr Live Oak, FL 5 09-01 112
Day 1: 5 09-01
92. Michael Bradford Scottsboro, AL 5 09-00 109
Day 1: 5 09-00
93. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 5 08-13 108
Day 1: 5 08-13
93. Brandon Tallhamer Parkersburg, WV 5 08-13 108
Day 1: 5 08-13
95. Justin Barnes Monroeville, AL 5 08-12 106
Day 1: 5 08-12
96. Hall Hobbs Wilsonville, AL 5 08-11 105
Day 1: 5 08-11
96. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 5 08-11 105
Day 1: 5 08-11
98. Johnny McCombs Morris, AL 5 08-07 103
Day 1: 5 08-07
99. Allen Brooks Canton, GA 5 08-06 102
Day 1: 5 08-06
99. Garrett Rose Pipecreek, TX 5 08-06 102
Day 1: 5 08-06
101. Mark Pappas Dandridge, TN 5 08-05 100
Day 1: 5 08-05
102. Henry Mcpherson Mountain Brk, AL 5 08-04 99
Day 1: 5 08-04
102. Clint Nail Sterrett, AL 5 08-04 99
Day 1: 5 08-04
104. Dj Ellis Crestview, FL 5 08-02 97
Day 1: 5 08-02
105. Jonathan Carter Glenburn, ME 5 07-15 96
Day 1: 5 07-15
106. Gregg Fogner Conway, SC 5 07-14 95
Day 1: 5 07-14
107. Stephen Perry Pike Road, AL 3 07-14 94
Day 1: 3 07-14
108. Hunter Sales Blaine, TN 5 07-13 93
Day 1: 5 07-13
109. Bob Behrle Hoover, AL 5 07-11 92
Day 1: 5 07-11
110. Cam Sterritt Newfields, NH 5 07-10 91
Day 1: 5 07-10
111. Garrett Rocamora Lithia, FL 3 07-10 90
Day 1: 3 07-10
112. Anthony Goggins Clanton, AL 5 07-09 89
Day 1: 5 07-09
112. Bradley Hallman Norman, OK 5 07-09 89
Day 1: 5 07-09
112. Jake Rossi Columbus, OH 5 07-09 89
Day 1: 5 07-09
115. Eric Johnson Kingston, MA 5 07-07 86
Day 1: 5 07-07
116. John Maner Falkville, AL 5 07-06 85
Day 1: 5 07-06
117. Parker Mott Winter Garden, FL 5 07-04 84
Day 1: 5 07-04
117. Andrew Upshaw Tulsa, OK 5 07-04 84
Day 1: 5 07-04
119. Scott Patton Paris, TN 5 07-03 82
Day 1: 5 07-03
120. Bobby Lane Jr. Lakeland, FL 5 07-02 81
Day 1: 5 07-02
121. Larry Franks Jr. Wilsonville, AL 4 07-00 80
Day 1: 4 07-00
122. Brandt Tumberg Moore, SC 5 06-15 79
Day 1: 5 06-15
123. Tyler Berger Delaware, OH 5 06-14 78
Day 1: 5 06-14
124. David Parsons Dothan, AL 5 06-13 77
Day 1: 5 06-13
124. Chris Peters Birchwood, TN 5 06-13 77
Day 1: 5 06-13
126. Brandon Mccombs Mc Calla, AL 3 06-13 75
Day 1: 3 06-13
127. Mark Duerr West Allis, WI 4 06-09 74
Day 1: 4 06-09
128. Gus Kneidinger Prospect, PA 3 06-08 73
Day 1: 3 06-08
129. Matt Mattingly Gravel Switch, KY 5 06-07 72
Day 1: 5 06-07
129. Jeremy Maye Windsor, VA 5 06-07 72
Day 1: 5 06-07
129. Whitney Stephens Waverly, OH 5 06-07 72
Day 1: 5 06-07
132. Connor Macdougall Bremerton, WA 5 06-05 69
Day 1: 5 06-05
133. Tommy Williams Shepherdsville, KY 5 06-04 68
Day 1: 5 06-04
134. Cj Knight Sylacauga, AL 3 06-00 67
Day 1: 3 06-00
135. Jerry Gallogly Jr North Tazewell, VA 4 05-13 66
Day 1: 4 05-13
136. Denis Karachopan Rocky Point, NY 4 05-11 65
Day 1: 4 05-11
137. Kameron Harbin Abbeville, SC 5 05-07 64
Day 1: 5 05-07
138. Lance Owen Greer, SC 3 05-07 63
Day 1: 3 05-07
139. Guy Eaker Cherryville, NC 3 05-02 62
Day 1: 3 05-02
140. Colby Robertson Summerfield, FL 4 05-01 61
Day 1: 4 05-01
141. Ryan Branch Chelsea, AL 3 04-14 60
Day 1: 3 04-14
142. Joe Thompson Clayton, GA 3 04-12 59
Day 1: 3 04-12
143. Trevor Topken Warwick, NY 2 04-12 58
Day 1: 2 04-12
144. Ronnie Getz Sunman, IN 4 04-11 57
Day 1: 4 04-11
145. Frank Ramsey Spring Grove, IL 2 04-11 56
Day 1: 2 04-11
146. Rich Mcbride Calera, AL 3 04-10 55
Day 1: 3 04-10
146. Luke Plunkett Pinson, AL 3 04-10 55
Day 1: 3 04-10
148. Robert Gibson Niota, TN 2 04-07 53
Day 1: 2 04-07
149. Cassidy Evans Huntsville, AL 2 04-03 52
Day 1: 2 04-03
149. Ken Iyobe Tokoname, Aichi JAPAN 2 04-03 52
Day 1: 2 04-03
151. Joel Willert Prior Lake, MN 3 03-15 50
Day 1: 3 03-15
152. Noah Godwin Clanton, AL 3 03-05 49
Day 1: 3 03-05
153. Tucker Smith Birmingham, AL 2 02-11 48
Day 1: 2 02-11
154. Shawn Hendrix Sharpsburg, GA 2 02-03 47
Day 1: 2 02-03
155. Cole Dodson GARDENDALE, AL 2 02-02 46
Day 1: 2 02-02
156. Cody Bertrand Dyer, IN 1 01-06 45
Day 1: 1 01-06
157. Kenny Mittelstaedt Minnetonka, MN 1 00-12 44
Day 1: 1 00-12
158. Chris Kingree Inverness, FL 4 00-00 43
Day 1: 4 00-00
159. Jason Casteel Winter Garden, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
159. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
159. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
159. Richard Reeger Gastonia, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
159. Andrew Thomasson Dublin, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 126 722 1487-08
----------------------------------
126 722 1487-08
2020 Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open at Lay Lake 12/3-12/5
Lay Lake, Shelby County AL.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Alex Prince Blue Ridge, GA 3 07-13 200
Day 1: 3 07-13
2. Steve Robbins Piketon, OH 3 07-10 199
Day 1: 3 07-10
3. Cody Shry Pinehurst, TX 3 07-08 198
Day 1: 3 07-08
4. Robert Bruguiere Mechanicsville, VA 3 07-02 197
Day 1: 3 07-02
4. Don Harvey Franklin, TN 3 07-02 197
Day 1: 3 07-02
6. John Goul Philadelphia, MS 3 07-01 195
Day 1: 3 07-01
7. Greg Secord Salem, SC 3 06-15 194
Day 1: 3 06-15
8. Shawn Spaeth Cadott, WI 3 06-14 193
Day 1: 3 06-14
9. Angela Mayo Maiden, NC 3 06-13 192
Day 1: 3 06-13
9. Parker Vincent Deatsville, AL 3 06-13 192
Day 1: 3 06-13
11. Jim Laster Newnan, GA 3 06-10 190
Day 1: 3 06-10
11. Bailey Rothrock Monticello, IN 3 06-10 190
Day 1: 3 06-10
13. Rodney Graham Childersburg, AL 3 06-09 188
Day 1: 3 06-09
13. Randy Woodley Harvest, AL 3 06-09 188
Day 1: 3 06-09
15. Kelvin Young Guntersville, AL 3 06-08 186
Day 1: 3 06-08
16. Connor Graham Minneapolis, MN 3 06-02 185
Day 1: 3 06-02
17. Brian Rothrock Monticello, IN 3 05-15 184
Day 1: 3 05-15
18. Jeffery Strong Sharpsburg, GA 3 05-14 183
Day 1: 3 05-14
19. Mike Scroggins Wilsonville, AL 3 05-13 182
Day 1: 3 05-13
20. Harold Addison Columbia, SC 3 05-12 181
Day 1: 3 05-12
20. Caz Anderson Hayesville, NC 3 05-12 181
Day 1: 3 05-12
22. Dustin Williamson Aiken, SC 3 05-10 179
Day 1: 3 05-10
23. Neal Wisinski Stevens Point, WI 3 05-08 178
Day 1: 3 05-08
24. Craig Congleton Rockford, MI 3 05-06 177
Day 1: 3 05-06
24. Cody Stahl Griffin, GA 3 05-06 177
Day 1: 3 05-06
26. Tyler Harless HELENA, AL 3 05-05 175
Day 1: 3 05-05
27. Bill Bruce Hendersonville, TN 3 05-03 174
Day 1: 3 05-03
27. Travis Culbreth Columbia, AL 3 05-03 174
Day 1: 3 05-03
27. Josh Dees Mt. Olive, AL 3 05-03 174
Day 1: 3 05-03
27. Randal Griffice Bessemer, AL 3 05-03 174
Day 1: 3 05-03
27. Dawson Wisner Green Cv Spgs, FL 3 05-03 174
Day 1: 3 05-03
32. Mike Anderson Harlem, GA 3 05-02 169
Day 1: 3 05-02
33. Kibbee Mccoy Knoxville, TN 3 05-01 168
Day 1: 3 05-01
33. Ronald Young New Braunfels, TX 3 05-01 168
Day 1: 3 05-01
35. Skyler Anderson Harlem, GA 3 05-00 166
Day 1: 3 05-00
36. Scott Corliss Northwood, NH 2 05-00 165
Day 1: 2 05-00
37. Chris Bridges Clinton, MO 3 04-15 164
Day 1: 3 04-15
38. Mark Westrick Hastings, PA 2 04-14 163
Day 1: 2 04-14
39. David Booth Erin, TN 3 04-12 162
Day 1: 3 04-12
40. Jay Przekurat Stevens Point, WI 3 04-11 161
Day 1: 3 04-11
40. Sam Sobieck New Prague, MN 3 04-11 161
Day 1: 3 04-11
42. Steve Lindsey Bayou La Batre, AL 2 04-11 159
Day 1: 2 04-11
43. Levi Allgeier Bardstown, KY 3 04-10 158
Day 1: 3 04-10
44. Carl Hunter Snellville, GA 3 04-09 157
Day 1: 3 04-09
45. Logan Stewart Nashville, TN 3 04-08 156
Day 1: 3 04-08
45. Todd Wagman Winter Garden, FL 3 04-08 156
Day 1: 3 04-08
47. Max Mcgee Louisville, MS 3 04-07 154
Day 1: 3 04-07
48. Phil Dodds Hixson, TN 2 04-04 153
Day 1: 2 04-04
49. Jon Jezierski Troy, MI 3 04-03 152
Day 1: 3 04-03
49. Jacob Novak Clear Lake, MN 3 04-03 152
Day 1: 3 04-03
49. Chuck Thurlow Auburn, AL 3 04-03 152
Day 1: 3 04-03
52. Russell Hoyle Newton, NC 3 04-02 149
Day 1: 3 04-02
53. Adam Traugh Gilroy, CA 3 04-01 148
Day 1: 3 04-01
54. Buddy Elston Jr. Odenville, AL 2 04-00 147
Day 1: 2 04-00
54. Scott Waters Saint Cloud, FL 2 04-00 147
Day 1: 2 04-00
56. Jason Reaves Montague, TX 3 03-15 145
Day 1: 3 03-15
56. Daniel Valois Gomez Coral Springs FL VENEZU 3 03-15 145
Day 1: 3 03-15
58. Andrew Packard Fresno, CA 3 03-14 143
Day 1: 3 03-14
59. Wendell Edgil Winfield, AL 2 03-13 142
Day 1: 2 03-13
60. Jeff Queen Catawba, NC 3 03-12 141
Day 1: 3 03-12
60. Ken Sharkey Spring Lake, MI 3 03-12 141
Day 1: 3 03-12
62. Randy Tallhamer Parkersburg, WV 2 03-12 139
Day 1: 2 03-12
63. Jack Alexander Mountain Brook, AL 3 03-11 138
Day 1: 3 03-11
64. Stacey Jefferson Conway, SC 3 03-10 137
Day 1: 3 03-10
65. Ashley Bishop Chesapeake, VA 3 03-09 136
Day 1: 3 03-09
66. Bert Seitz Chelsea, AL 2 03-09 135
Day 1: 2 03-09
67. Kai Barnett Wilsonville, AL 3 03-08 134
Day 1: 3 03-08
68. Kent Duchaine Fort Gaines, GA 2 03-08 133
Day 1: 2 03-08
69. Tanner Plumlee Gadsden, TN 1 03-07 132
Day 1: 1 03-07
70. Burley Langford Jr. S.Chesterfield, VA 3 03-06 131
Day 1: 3 03-06
71. Steven Kellam Dry Ridge, KY 3 03-05 130
Day 1: 3 03-05
71. Bryden Mugleston Mount Juliet, TN 3 03-05 130
Day 1: 3 03-05
73. Todd Mowery Munford, TN 3 03-02 128
Day 1: 3 03-02
74. Ralph Pierce Prattville, AL 2 02-15 127
Day 1: 2 02-15
75. Hayden Marbut Vestavia, AL 2 02-14 126
Day 1: 2 02-14
76. Lucas Bradley Gadsden, AL 2 02-13 125
Day 1: 2 02-13
76. Ralph Gibson Locust Grove, OK 2 02-13 125
Day 1: 2 02-13
78. Jason Beasley Millbrook, AL 1 02-13 123
Day 1: 1 02-13
79. Michael Elrod Cropwell, AL 1 02-12 122
Day 1: 1 02-12
80. Brad Hoff Brooks, GA 3 02-11 121
Day 1: 3 02-11
81. Todd Young Perryville, KY 2 02-11 120
Day 1: 2 02-11
82. Bradley Brooks Easley, SC 1 02-11 119
Day 1: 1 02-11
83. Chris Newton Whitesboro, NY 2 02-09 118
Day 1: 2 02-09
84. Eric Davis Athens, AL 3 02-08 117
Day 1: 3 02-08
85. Jeff Keever Tignall, GA 2 02-08 116
Day 1: 2 02-08
86. Josh Morse Apopka, FL 1 02-08 115
Day 1: 1 02-08
87. Joe Eubanks Marietta, GA 2 02-05 114
Day 1: 2 02-05
87. Rick Williams Jr Sandston, VA 2 02-05 114
Day 1: 2 02-05
89. Luke Kerstetter Brookfield, WI 1 02-04 112
Day 1: 1 02-04
90. William Maddox Trussville, AL 1 02-03 111
Day 1: 1 02-03
91. Isaac Booth Washburn, TN 2 02-02 110
Day 1: 2 02-02
91. Michael Schrader North Attleboro, MA 2 02-02 110
Day 1: 2 02-02
93. Grant Hopson Hartselle, AL 1 02-02 108
Day 1: 1 02-02
94. Lee Means Madison, AL 2 02-01 107
Day 1: 2 02-01
95. Charles Harris Athens, AL 1 02-01 106
Day 1: 1 02-01
96. Paul Scharf Sr Tampa, FL 1 02-00 105
Day 1: 1 02-00
97. Eric Carroll Gaylesville, AL 2 01-15 104
Day 1: 2 01-15
97. Roy Hurst Jr Birmingham, AL 2 01-15 104
Day 1: 2 01-15
99. Caleb Dennis Childersburg, AL 1 01-15 102
Day 1: 1 01-15
99. Ryan Fronina Mohrsville, PA 1 01-15 102
Day 1: 1 01-15
99. Chip Stith Piscataway, NJ 1 01-15 102
Day 1: 1 01-15
102. Darren Ashley Calhoun Falls, SC 2 01-13 99
Day 1: 2 01-13
102. Grover Jones Jr Starr, SC 2 01-13 99
Day 1: 2 01-13
104. Steven Slaughter Roanoke, TX 2 01-11 97
Day 1: 2 01-11
105. Mitch Van Ert Watertown, WI 1 01-11 96
Day 1: 1 01-11
106. Zack Barrera Morriston, FL 1 01-08 95
Day 1: 1 01-08
107. John Connell Marion, IL 1 01-05 94
Day 1: 1 01-05
107. Doug Johnson Prattville, AL 1 01-05 94
Day 1: 1 01-05
107. Steve Legg Vincent, OH 1 01-05 94
Day 1: 1 01-05
110. Rick Hamer Charleston, WV 1 01-04 91
Day 1: 1 01-04
111. Ryan Godsey Chickamauga, GA 1 01-00 90
Day 1: 1 01-00
111. Jonathan Majors Chelsea, AL 1 01-00 90
Day 1: 1 01-00
113. Lonny Peryer Sparta, MO 1 00-15 88
Day 1: 1 00-15
113. Justin Thomas Panama City, FL 1 00-15 88
Day 1: 1 00-15
115. John Hatfield Panama City, FL 1 00-14 86
Day 1: 1 00-14
116. Daniel Istik Cranberry Twp, PA 3 00-00 85
Day 1: 3 00-00
117. Jon Brazeal Eucha, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Steve Deyton Forest City, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Barney Edens Midland, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Jim Ford Magnolia, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Mark Guhne Hixson, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Mason Gunter Newnan, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Ray Hill Lake City, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Yo Howard Bolingbrook, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Chris Jones Birmingham, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Deandrae Kimbrough Tuscaloosa, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Jon Lawson Cartersville, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Harry Linsinbigler IV Dover, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Greg Mauldin Archdale, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Billy Messer Spartanburg, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Waylon Mullis Tuscaloosa, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Caleb Scott Sylacauga, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Andy Semonco Chester, VA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
117. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
Arizona’s Uribe Leads Day One of Toyota Series Championship on Lake Cumberland
Toyota Series Western Division Pro Leads by 4-Ounce Margin in Competition for $235,000
BURNSIDE, Ky. (Dec. 3, 2020) – A tournament field of 221 boats – each featuring a pro and a co-angler – began their three-day competition for a top cash award of up to $235,000 at the Toyota Series Championship on Lake Cumberland, in Burnside, Kentucky, Thursday.
Pro angler Joe Uribe, Jr. of Surprise, Arizona, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 16 pounds, 2 ounces to take the early lead after Day One of the three day event. Uribe now holds a slim 4-ounce lead over proNick Ratliff of Vine Grove, Kentucky, who caught five bass weighing 15 pounds, 14 ounces, to end the day in second place. The no-entry fee bass-fishing championship, hosted by the Somerset Tourist & Convention Commission and the Burnside Tourism Commission, features the top 25 pros and top 25 co-anglers from each of the eight Toyota Series divisions and tournament winners, the highest finishing boater and co-angler from each regional at the All-American, the College Fishing National Champions and second-place team, and the top pros and co-anglers from the FLW International Division.
Hailing from the Western Division, Uribe set the pace in the championship Thursday and added another mark to his sterling record, having only finished outside of the top six in the Western Division Angler of the Year points standings twice in the past 10 years. Though success has been lacking at the championships, he’s overdue to show off on a national stage, and a tough lake with smallmouths and rock could be just the fix.
“I’m so glad to be out here – this lake is beautiful,” said Uribe. “We made a long run to our first spot and stuck it out, fishing slow and thorough. I only got six bites all day, but I made them count.”
Uribe credits his lead on Day One to covering large amounts of water.
“I threw moving baits and covered a lot of water. I looked at different pieces on the bank – bank transitions – just something a little bit different. I found a creek in practice that I thought looked really good, with a lot of variations of structure and depth and immediately felt comfortable where I was and fished that area all day.
“I only had two days of practice, but everything just clicked and I started getting bit right away. I literally had one rod on the deck – I was winding a crankbait, making a lot of casts and continuously moving.”
For a tournament with more than 220 boats on the water, Uribe said his location was relatively quiet.
“There were maybe five boats in the area I was fishing. I’m looking forward to going back out there tomorrow – the weather has been brutal and it’s supposed to rain tomorrow. Hopefully that ends up being a good thing.”
Uribe attributed his success to the fact that he never stops practicing.
“I made a couple stops on the way back and caught a couple. I’m going to practice again tomorrow during the competition and if I’m fortunate enough to make the Top 10, I’ll be practicing again on Saturday.”
The top 20 pros after Day One on Lake Cumberland are:
1st: Joe Uribe, Jr., Surprise, Ariz., five bass, 16-2
2nd: Nick Ratliff, Vine Grove, Ky., five bass, 15-14
3rd: Chris Malone, Ironton, Ohio, five bass, 15-3
4th: Greg Bohannan, Bentonville, Ark., five bass, 14-13
5th: Kip Carter, Mansfield, Ga., five bass, 14-7
6th: Will Beutjer, Athens, Ala., five bass, 14-5
7th: Dakota Ebare, Denham Springs, La., five bass, 14-1
8th: Ryan Davidson, Branchland, W.Va., five bass, 13-13
9th: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., five bass, 13-12
10th: Andrew Loberg, Rocklin, Calif., five bass, 13-11
11th: Cameron Lineback, Mount Airy, N.C., five bass, 13-8
12th: R.M. Couch, Jr., Ocala, Fla., five bass, 13-4
13th: Jason Meninger, Saint Augustine, Fla., five bass, 13-3
14th: Cody Bird, Granbury, Texas, four bass, 13-2
14th: Chris Fiore, Midlothian, Va., five bass, 13-2
16th: Drew Boggs, Lebanon, Tenn., five bass, 13-0
17th: Eric Olliverson, Lampe, Mo., five bass, 12-15
18th: Jonathan Bowling, Harriman, Tenn., five bass, 12-12
19th: Michael Caruso, Peoria, Ariz., five bass, 12-10
20th: Jason Wilson, Lincolnton, N.C., five bass, 12-7
For a full list of results visit FLWFishing.com.
Don White of Columbus, Mississippi, leads the co-angler division with five bass weighing 12 pounds even, followed by Mark Svendsen of Doraville, Georgia, who weighed three bass totaling 11-10, securing second-place. Co-anglers are competing for a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard.
The top 20 co-anglers after Day One on Lake Cumberland are:
1st: Don White, Columbus, Miss., five bass, 12-0
2nd: Mark Svendsen, Doraville, Ga., three bass, 11-10
3rd: Casey Taylor, Smithville, Tenn., five bass, 10-8
4th: Kevin Hesson, Seneca, Pa., four bass, 10-1
5th: Jason Hinger, Timberlake, N.C., five bass, 10-0
6th: Mario Riojas, Blanchard, Okla., five bass, 9-13
7th: Rachel Uribe, Long Beach, Calif., four bass, 9-8
8th: Travis Otto, Jefferson City, Mo., four bass, 9-4
9th: Justin Kimmel, Athens, Ga., three bass, 9-3
10th: Josh Lockard, Somerset, Ky., four bass, 8-10
10th: Jarvis Ellis, Albany, Ga., three bass, 8-10
12th: Rob Crane, Fairview Heights, Ill., five bass, 7-9
13th: Andrew Wiley, Joppa, Md., five bass, 7-6
14th: Early Whitaker, Iron City, Ga., three bass, 7-5
15th: Aaron Seay, El Cajon, Calif., three bass, 7-4
16th: Eric Wild, Brooklyn, Mich., four bass, 6-10
17th: Derek Brown, Charlottesville, Va., three bass, 6-4
18th: Michael Leach, Shenandoah, Texas, two bass, 6-0
18th: Leo Reiter, Greenup, Ill., three bass, 6-0
20th: Randy Forbes, Pleasant Plain, Ohio, two bass, 5-12
Anglers will take off daily at 7:30 a.m. EST from the General Burnside Island State Park, at 8801 S. Highway 27, in Burnside. Weigh-ins will also be held at the park and will begin at 2:30 p.m. each day. Attendance is limited to competing anglers, family and essential staff. Fans are encouraged to follow the event online through the “FLW Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at FLWFishing.com.
The full field of anglers will compete on Days One and Two of the event, with only the top 10 boaters and top 10 co-anglers continuing to the third and final day. The 2020 Toyota Series champions will be determined by the heaviest three-day total weight.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Toyota Series on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook,Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
B.A.S.S. Announces Long-Awaited 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series Schedule
The Bassmaster Elite Series will open its nine-event 2021 season on Florida's scenic St. Johns River.
Photo by James Overstreet/B.A.S.S.
December 3, 2020
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After the shortest offseason break in the trail’s 16-year history, B.A.S.S. officials announced Thursday that the Bassmaster Elite Series will open its 2021 tournament slate Feb. 11-14 on the St. Johns River in Florida.
The season-opener will begin just over three months after the final event of a 2020 schedule that was reworked due to the COVID-19 pandemic, causing a much later finish than usual.
“We’re as excited about this schedule as any that we’ve ever put together for the Elite Series,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “It features a good mix of venues that have become fixtures for B.A.S.S. and a few we’ve been to before but haven’t visited in a while.”
The St. Johns River falls into the category of a fixture, with B.A.S.S. having visited the picturesque fishery 22 times for major events since 1973, including three times during the past five seasons.
Connecticut pro Paul Mueller won a weather-shortened event in 2020 with a three-day total of 47-6, and events in 2016 and 2019 were won by Missouri legend Rick Clunn. Each of Clunn’s victories allowed him to break his own record for the oldest angler to claim an Elite Series trophy.
Whether the St. Johns weights are eye-popping usually depends on the finicky Florida weather and which stage of the spawn the bass are in. Regardless, big largemouth will be the target.
From Florida, the season will shift north Feb. 25-28 to Knoxville, Tenn., which has played host to two fantastic major B.A.S.S. events the past four seasons, including the record-breaking 2019 Bassmaster Classic. Like that Classic, the 2021 event will take place on the Tennessee River where largemouth and smallmouth will both likely come into play.
“Knoxville was thrilled to host the Bassmaster Elite Series in 2017,” said Chad Culver, senior director of the Visit Knoxville Sports Commission. “It was the first time B.A.S.S. had been here since 1981. That event led to Knoxville hosting the 2019 Bassmaster Classic – the largest in event history.
“Needless to say, we could not be more excited to welcome B.A.S.S. back to the waters of Knoxville and East Tennessee.”
Elite Series action will pause for the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk, which is set for March 19-21 on Lake Ray Roberts near Fort Worth, Texas. Then the schedule will resume April 8-11 on another Texas fishery, the Sabine River in Orange.
Trips to the Sabine often see anglers targeting narrow canals where largemouth are the prize. While the winning weights are sometimes small, the weigh-in crowds are some of the largest B.A.S.S. sees anywhere. The 2013 Elite on the Sabine drew 33,000 spectators — the second-largest crowd in Elite Series history.
B.A.S.S. has visited the Sabine four times for major tournaments, including the 2018 Elite Series event that was won by Louisiana pro Greg Hackney.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with Bassmaster and are looking forward to another great event that promotes both the great sport of bass fishing as well as the great area of Orange County, Texas,” said Orange County Judge John Gothia.
Elite Series pros Brandon Cobb, Garrett Paquette and Patrick Walters each earned a Century Belt — 100 pounds in a four-day event — on Lake Fork in 2019 and 2020 respectively, and more anglers hope to join their ranks when the Elite field heads back to the fishery April 22-25.
After their stops in Texas, the Elites will embark on a midseason Alabama swing, visiting Neely Henry Lake in Gadsden May 6-9, Lake Guntersville in Scottsboro May 20-23 and Pickwick Lake in Florence June 10-13. Though all in one state, each fishery will offer vastly different scenarios.
The trip to Lake Guntersville will mark the 26th time B.A.S.S. has visited the famed fishery, making it the second most popular destination in B.A.S.S. history behind only Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Texas. The “Big G” has earned its place in sportfishing history, ranking No. 2 on Bassmaster Magazine’s list of Best Bass Lakes of the Decade. Guntersville hosted two B.A.S.S. events in 2020 alone, including the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk, which was won by North Carolina pro Hank Cherry.
“We are excited and honored to host the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series in Scottsboro. We recognize and appreciate the tremendous impact fishing has on our economy, tourism and quality of life, particularly a tournament of the stature and exposure of a Bassmaster Elite,” said Scottsboro Mayor Jim McCamy.
Pickwick is a 43,100-acre Tennessee River impoundment where a mixture of largemouth and smallmouth are often brought to the scales, while Neely Henry is an 11,200-acre Coosa River lake full of healthy spotted bass.
B.A.S.S. visited Pickwick six times for major events in the past — and just this year, the lake was the site of the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship in November. Neely Henry has hosted B.A.S.S. only three times for major events, including the Basspro.com Bassmaster Central Open that was held on the lake in October.
As warm weather takes hold across the country, the Elites will make what has become an annual swing to the north with a visit to Lake Champlain in Burlington, Vt., July 8-11, and a stop in the scenic Village of Waddington, N.Y., for a season-ending tournament on the St. Lawrence River July 15-18.
B.A.S.S. has held 13 major events on Champlain, including four of the last five seasons. Idaho veteran Brandon Palaniuk won the 2020 Elite on Champlain with just over 80 pounds.
The trip to the St. Lawrence will mark the 21st time B.A.S.S. has visited the Upstate New York smallmouth paradise, which took the top spot in 2019 on Bassmaster Magazine’s Top 100 Best Bass Lakes list.
St. Lawrence tournaments always feature big bass — Canadian pro Chris Johnston won the 2020 Elite event there with a four-day total of 97-8 — and big crowds. A 2013 visit to Waddington drew an Elite Series-record 36,200 fans.
“We here in St. Lawrence County and the Village and Town of Waddington are very excited to be part of the B.A.S.S. family,” said Janet Otto Cassada, president of North County Events. “Our area looks forward to holding our next Elite event in July 2021. Our hopes are that we have COVID behind us and can show everyone that Waddington and St. Lawrence County is where the world comes to fish.”
“There are some venues that have become regular stops for B.A.S.S. the past few years, and it’s obvious why,” Akin said. “They are known by everyone as some of the best bass fishing lakes in the country. But it’s also nice to revisit our past a little bit with trips to lakes like Pickwick and Neely Henry.
“It should all make for a fantastic season.”
For the first time in history, all nine Bassmaster Elite Series events as well as the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk will feature live television coverage on the FOX Sports platforms. Visit Bassmaster.com for more details.
2021 Bassmaster Elite Series schedule
Feb. 11-14, AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River, Palatka, Fla.
Feb. 25-28, Tennessee River, Knoxville, Tenn.
March 19-21, Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk, Lake Ray Roberts, Fort Worth, Texas
April 8-11, Sabine River, Orange, Texas
April 22-25, Lake Fork, Emory, 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.
Aug. 19-22, Make-up date
MLF announces New Toyota Series Wild Card Division, Upcoming BIG5 Priority Entry Dates
Priority Entry Dates Just in Time for the Holidays with an Additional Qualification Opportunity to the Toyota Series Championship and $235,000 Top Payout
BENTON, Ky. (Dec. 2, 2020) – Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today the new Toyota Series Wild Card Division, a second-chance opportunity for Toyota Series pros and co-anglers to advance to the 2021 Toyota Series Championship – and the shot at winning up to $235,000 cash – along with upcoming entry dates, a perfect gift for the holiday season.
Anglers who fish all three regular-season events in any of the six Toyota Series divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and Western – and finish in the top 25 qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship. With the introduction of the new Wild Card Division, anglers can fish four or more tournaments in any combination of the six Toyota Series divisions and keep their three highest finishes, meaning pros and co-anglers now have three ways to qualify – win a tournament, finish in the top 25 in any of the six divisions, or finish in the top 12 in the new Wild Card Division by fishing four or more tournaments and counting the best three. Wild Card Division ties will be resolved by the highest finish in a tournament.
Entry dates for the MLF Toyota Series and each of the MLF BIG5 circuits were announced earlier this fall with each circuit’s 2021 schedule, however most of the priority entry dates will open over the next two weeks. With these new advancement opportunities for Toyota Series anglers, and a variety of options for anglers across all circuits, ‘tis the season to be fishing. Be sure to enter early with a co-angler or boater/pro counterpart to secure your spot in the field.
The 2021 entry dates for each MLF BIG5 circuit are:
Toyota Series:
December 2 – Priority entry for all anglers who fished a full division of the 2020 Toyota Series or a full division of the 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League.
December 3 – Priority entry for TBF members.
December 4 – Open entry for all other anglers.
Pros and co-anglers entering by the entry/balance deadline for each tournament and providing a counterpart (with membership numbers who have not yet been confirmed in the tournament) will be given priority.
Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine:
December 7 – Cowboy, Gator, Hoosier and Music City divisions.
December 8 – Bulldog, Bama, Illini, Mississippi and Volunteer divisions.
December 9 – Buckeye, Choo Choo, Great Lakes, Mountain and Ozark divisions.
December 10 – Arkie, LBL, North Carolina, Northeast and Okie divisions.
December 11 – Michigan, Piedmont, Savannah River, Shenandoah and South Carolina divisions.
Boaters and co-anglers entering by the priority deadline for each tournament and providing a counterpart (with membership numbers) will be given top priority.
Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI:
December 14 – Priority entry for teams from school clubs represented in the 2020 College Fishing National Championship.
December 15 – Open entry for all other teams.
High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing:
December 2 – Open entry for all teams.
Check out the tournament schedules and register at FLWFishing.com or by calling (270) 252-1000.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Toyota Series on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Bassmaster Opens Angler Of The Year Battle Wraps Up At Lay Lake
Jason Christie of Park Hill, Okla., is leading the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year race heading into the last event of the season.
Photo by B.A.S.S.
December 2, 2020
COLUMBIANA, Ala. — The Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year race concludes this week as anglers compete Dec. 3-5 at the Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open at Lay Lake, the final event of the 2020 season. Not only will the overall Angler of the Year be crowned but 12 anglers will also earn coveted invitations to the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series.
The overall Opens AOY title will be determined by combined points for anglers competing in both the Central and Eastern Opens. This season, each Opens division had four events, with three ways to qualify for the Elite Series invitations. The Top 4 from both the Central and Eastern Divisions get invites, along with the Top 4 overall anglers in the points standings.
At Lay Lake, everyone is gunning for the winner’s trophy, which brings with it a berth in the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. To fish the Classic, the winning angler must have competed in the previous Eastern Open events held at the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Lake Hartwell and Cherokee Lake.
Anglers are also contending for the available Elite Series invitations as the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year race concludes. Jason Christie of Park Hill, Okla., leads the race with 1179 points. Marc Frazier of Newnan, Ga., (1158) is second. The rest of the Top 6 includes Kissimmee champion Bryan New of Belmont, N.C., (1150); Cherokee Lake winner Matt Robertson of Kuttawa, Ky., (1148); Justin Atkins of Florence, Ala., (1143); and KJ Queen of Catawba, N.C., (1111). All of them have expressed interest in accepting an invitation.
Patrick Walters of Summerville, S.C., leads the Eastern Opens Division with 581 points. Walters is double-qualified as a current Bassmaster Elite angler, leaving the door open for another angler to earn an Elite spot. Josh Stracner of Vandiver, Ala., (580), is second and Pat Schlapper of Eleva, Wis., (550) is third. Schlapper has already earned an Elite Series invitation as winner of the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, opening another invitation from the Eastern Division. Scott Martin of Clewiston, Fla., (541), whose season goal is qualifying for the Elite Series, is fourth. Rounding out the Eastern Division Top 6 are Timmy Thompkins of Myrtle Beach, S.C. (532) and Atkins (526). As it currently stands, Stracner, Martin, Thompkins and Atkins would qualify for the Elite Series from the Eastern Division.
The Bassmaster Central Opens season ended on Lewisville Lake in Texas. Christie claimed the top spot in the Central Division with 719 points, while Greg Hackney of Gonzales, La., finished just three points behind in second. Japan’s Kenta Kimura and Frazier also finished in the Top 4. Christie and Frazier are double-qualified from the higher priority overall AOY points, meaning as the points currently stand those invitations would likely go to Darold Gleason of Many, La., who finished fifth, and sixth-place finisher Paul Browning of Morrilton, Ark.
The points standings have the potential to change daily depending on how far apart contenders land in the daily standings. Some can jump others based on good or poor performances.
Unlike other recent events, the anglers might be treated to a true fall bite at Lay Lake, as opposed to the challenging fall transition conditions occurring over the last two months.
Lay Lake’s surface temperatures are expected to keep fish activity consistent throughout the tournament. Some anglers reported water temps in the low 60s on the Coosa River system. The tournament week forecast calls for daytime highs in the low 50s and nighttime lows in the low 30s. Add it all up, including predicted rainfall, and Lay Lake could have the temperatures and water color favorable for fall bass fishing on the Coosa River.
Abu Garcia and Berkley Join as Premier Sponsors of the Big Bass Tour
Courtesy of Big Bass Tour
Published on 12-02-2020
The Woodlands, Texas – The Big Bass Tour announced today that Abu Garcia and Berkley brands have joined as premier sponsors of the 2021 Tour.
“We are proud to welcome these outstanding Pure Fishing brands to the Tour and look forward to a long partnership.” said Scott Gordon, Tournament Director. “Our anglers will get to experience first-hand the incredible products these two brands have to offer.” added Gordon.
“We are always looking for opportunities to connect with competitive anglers. Abu Garcia and Berkley are excited to begin this relationship with the Big Bass Tour,” said Jon Schlosser, Sr. Vice President of Marketing. “BBT provides us an avenue to get our products into the hands of avid anglers where they can test them at events and lakes they love,” added Schlosser
About Abu Garcia and Berkley
Abu Garcia® and Berkley® are leading global providers of fishing tackle, lures, rods and reels.
https://www.berkley-fishing.com
About Big Bass Tour
Founded in 2010, the Big Bass Tour is the nation's premier big bass tournament series. The 2021 season will feature over $1,800,000 in guaranteed prizes and payouts with events in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. For more information visit www.bigbasstour.com
Z-Man® Baits Crush It at National Kayak-Bass Championship
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Kayak pros land 1st, 3rd and Angler of the Year titles |
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Ladson, SC (December 2, 2020) – For the past few seasons, something special, subtle, perhaps intangible about Z-Man baits has caught on with the kayak brigade—those aerobic aquatic explorers who prefer to cast anywhere trolling motors and glitter rockets can’t go. Whatever the it factor might be, Z-Man baits once again ruled the outcome of the Hobie Bass Open Series (BOS), this time, accounting for 1st place, 3rd place and Angler of the Year titles at the illustrious Hobie Tournament of Champions (TOC). For two tumultuous days (Nov. 13 and 14) on the Tennessee River system near Knoxville, local stick and Z-Man pro Ryan Lambert tossed Z-Man SlingBladeZ™ spinnerbaits and Ned-rigged Big TRDs™ to seduce 186.25-inches of river bronze— easily enough smallmouth bass to earn a $30k Championship payday. Among a talented 50-angler qualifying field of ‘yak-driven anglers, Lambert out-caught 2nd place finisher Jordan Marshall by 11-inches and Z-Man pro and 3rdplace finisher Kristine Fischer by 14. |
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Championship winner Ryan “Lunchmoney” Lambert leaned on a 1-2 punch of Z-Man baits. |
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“A month ago, I was lucky enough to win the Tennessee state kayak championship on these waters,” admits Lambert, a resident of nearby Chattanooga. “The fish were just crushing a ChatterBait® JackHammer™ at that time, like usual.” (Earlier in the year, Lambert lip-locked a goliath 22-inch smallmouth at Lake Guntersville, also a JackHammer-eater.) “I returned for the Hobie national championship and thankfully found the smallmouth school in the same location. But for whatever reason, I couldn’t get them to eat a JackHammer, so I switched over to a one-two punch of a SlingBladeZ spinnerbait and a Ned Rig, and worked the same big school of smallmouths both days.” On day-1, Lambert slung a tandem, Pearl Ghost-colored SlingBladeZ spinnerbait and Pearl Turbo CrawZ™ trailer upstream, working it methodically back down with the current, through 6-feet of water. “The SlingBladeZ is such a stable, balanced spinnerbait—ideal for strong flows,” believes Lambert. “The tandem willow-Colorado blade was key in the stained water, providing extra flash and thump at the same time. Giving off a second layer of vibration and action, the Turbo CrawZ ran perfectly on the back of the spinnerbait. The pinchers on this bait really help focus the bass’s attention on the hook, too.” Lambert’s spot, which he described as “a non-descript stretch of a feeder river with flooded timber, rocks and a bit of grass” held a huge school of smallmouths along a 40-yard stretch. “My first bite didn’t come until about 11 a.m., but then during a hot 45-minute span, I boated my entire day-one limit, including a 20.5-inch hawg on the SlingBladeZ.” |
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Prior to day-2, Lambert heard through the grapevine that another angler might elbow in to his spot. Sure enough, an intruding angler helped turn Lambert’s smallmouth school even more difficult to catch. “It was already tricky holding on such a small river area, but I felt like if I stuck to my guns and worked the fish with the Ned Rig, I could scratch five keepers and finish in good shape. “I’m a big fan of Z-Man’s Mag ShroomZ™ and a Big TRD. The Mag ShroomZ has a heavier duty hook, perfect for river Ned Rigging,” says Lambert. “Crazy thing was, I lost one of only two of these jigs I had to a rock right away. Somehow, I managed to snag it a few casts later, so I reclaimed my one back-up. “In the current and for big bruiser smallmouths, the heavier 3/8-ounce weight and bigger hook are key. I just kept working that combo and keeping bottom contact with it, until I had my fish. That Z-Man Ned Rig is such a confidence deal for me that I just kept showing it to fish over and over until they bit it. “After measuring my fifth keeper smallmouth, I looked at the sky, saw a big storm coming and paddled back to my truck. I called A.J. (tournament director A.J. McWhorter) and told him, ‘I’m done, man.’” Meanwhile, a heavy storm rolled through, including wind gusts to 60-mph. For many of the other anglers still on the water, including Fischer, the storm brought the bite to a halt. |
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The popular Fischer faced even longer odds, having spent scant hours of prefishing on a waterway she’d never seen before. “There’s so much water here, so much great looking stuff,” she notes. “Thankfully, I’m pretty comfortable on rivers. On day-1, I happened to notice a bit of commotion on the up-current side of an island and paddled over. I caught a bass that coughed up a 4-1/2-inch baitfish.” Fischer tied on and slow-rolled a Z-Man MinnowZ™ (Opening Night pattern) swimbait on a 3/8-ounce underspin. “Right away, I started hammering good fish, including two 19.5-inchers—one of which was a super fat 5-pound smallmouth. A nearby logjam split the current into a slackwater flat and two current seams. Some bass were on the seams, others were in the logjam itself. At one point, I drilled fish on 8 casts in a row. That’s when you know you’re on to the right pattern.” Fischer finished the day in second place, measuring an impressive 94-inches—a mere inch behind Lambert. With the approaching storm on day-2, Fischer knew she’d need to get to her spot early to cash in. “Caught a big largemouth right away, but when the bite slowed I switched to a Z-Man Shaky HeadZ® and Turbo CrawZ, flipping the weedless combo into timber. I had four fish by noon, and needed one more to make a run. This shaky head and craw combo has become a real go-to in super tough conditions.” |
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Hobie BOS Angler of the Year and Z-Man pro Drew Gregory. |
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While fifty exceptional anglers vied for the Championship, at least ten others had their eyes on Hobie’s Angler of the Year title. Among them was Z-Man pro Drew Gregory. “Coming in to the Tournament of Champions, I logged 4th, 1st and 4th place finishes at the last three BOS events,” noted Gregory, an elite kayak angler who won the Lake Dardanelle BOS with a ProjectZ™ ChatterBait®. “Coming in to the Championship, I trailed two great anglers, Jody Queen and Rus Synders, so I knew I’d have to be on my game here to have a chance.” Gregory found success with a SlingBladeZ spinnerbait in open river stretches and his favorite ProjectZ ChatterBait skipped beneath limbs and into the bases of root balls. Both baits induced aggressive strikes from a mixture of largemouth and smallmouth bass. “My biggest bass was a stout 18-inch smallmouth on a ProjectZ ChatterBait (Sexier Shadpattern) with a Pearl DieZel MinnowZ™. That bait has been money for me all year. In my opinion, it’s the best—and maybe the most underrated— of all Z-Man’s ChatterBaits.” Back-to-back limits of 78.5- and 81-inches ultimately earned Gregory 7th place and the Angler of the Year title, including a $5,000 check and automatic invitation to the Hobie Worlds. “For me, power fishing fast-moving baits like the SlingBladeZ and ProjectZ ChatterBait continues to be a winning formula. What a crazy, crazy, cool year. Feels awesome to win Angler of the Year. |
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Summarized TOC winner Lambert: “What’s so great about these Hobie BOS tourneys is everyone knows everyone. It’s a family-like atmosphere. Everyone hangs out together. We go to dinners. The kayak brigade just seems to bring good people together, fosters friendships. That means when we discover a hot bite or new bait, we’ll probably spill the beans with our buds around a campfire.” |
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Z-Man pros (L-to-R)Kristine Fischer and Ryan Lambert took 3rd and 1st place at the Hobie Tournament of Champions, while Drew Gregory captured Angler of the Year honors. |
High School Bass Class and Classic Qualifiers!
This week the boys welcome in Neil Paul from the High School Bass Class to give us some insight into the upcoming program & Classic Qualifier Tommy Williams joins us to talk about his recent win on Lake Lewisville. Its time to hit play!
High School Bass Class announces support from Berkley and Abu Garcia and upcoming dates
Anderson, S.C. – The High School Bass Class, a bass fishing seminar program for high school and middle school anglers, announces its new title sponsors, Berkley® and Abu Garcia®, and the 2020 seminar date, Dec. 12-13.
The newly titled Berkley Abu Garcia High School Bass Class will be back in Anderson, S.C. in December for the two-day classroom format experience. The event provides youth anglers opportunities to sharpen their skills and expand their knowledge of bass fishing through classroom instruction taught by industry leaders and professional anglers.
This year’s event will feature a keynote address from the 2020 Bassmaster Classic Champion and Berkley and Abu Garcia angler, Hank Cherry, along with general sessions and panel discussions with professional anglers and industry professionals. Other professional anglers scheduled to speak during the event are Justin Atkins, Mike Huff, Hunter Shryock, Edwin Evers, Patrick Walters and Andy Montgomery. Additional speakers are being added and will be announced soon.
The unique event connects youth anglers, boat captains and fishing programs with industry representatives to provide opportunities for engagement with professionals and brands throughout the fishing industry – providing skills and conservation education and creating awareness of professional and post-graduate opportunities.
Berkley and Abu Garcia are well-known names in the bass fishing industry and have previously provided in-kind support to High School Bass Class events. Signing on as the title sponsor is proof of the iconic brands’ support of the fishing community at large, and especially for youth anglers. In addition to sponsoring the High School Bass Class, Berkley and Abu Garcia operate the Student Angler Program for high school and college anglers.
Other partners such as Garmin, Bass Pro Shops, Plano, Black Rifle Coffee Company and Phantom Outdoors have signed on to be a part of the High School Bass Class event.
Registration is open for the December event, and high school and middle school anglers can register online at www.highschoolbassclass.com. The two-day event is $95 and includes a shirt, gift bag with sponsor items, a networking lunch on Saturday, dinner on Saturday night and breakfast on Sunday morning. There will not be an onsite registration at the event.
Coaches, Boat Captains and Parents are welcome to register, participate and attend.
Rapala Extends Sponsorship Of Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing And B.A.S.S. Tournament Trail
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Rapala, maker of premium lures and other fishing tackle and accessories, has extended their sponsorship of the Bassmaster Tournament Trail as well as their title sponsorship of Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing for the 2021 season.
“B.A.S.S. continues to bring new ways to promote the sport at every level, and Rapala is excited to continue our partnership through 2021,” said Matt Jensen, Rapala Director of Marketing. “Rapala VMC Brands have so many new products each year pushing the limits of innovation in many categories, and being able to expose our top products through the B.A.S.S. platform helps us execute our initiatives.”
“In addition, Rapala and B.A.S.S have an initiative to continue to grow Fantasy Fishing and engage more fans with interactive ways to be a part of the tournaments and have a chance at amazing prizes during the year.”
Rapala Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing saw a 36% jump in participation during the 2020 season as fans competed for more than $90,000 in prizes. Fantasy Fishing provides more than 37,000 highly engaged fishing fans a competitive platform to test their knowledge of professional fishing and prognostication skills. Every 2020 event featured $2,500 in prizes from Rapala, and the season points champion took home over $20,000 in gift cards, cash and gear.
Rapala will be a Supporting Sponsor for the Bassmaster Elite Series, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship and the grass-roots TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation regional and championship tournaments.
As a tournament sponsor, Rapala will enjoy exposure to enthusiastic fans of sportfishing and B.A.S.S. members during tournament weigh-ins as well as across Bassmaster.com, Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Timesmagazines and various social media platforms while Fantasy Fishing also receives extensive coverage when fans tune in to Bassmaster LIVE to follow their fantasy team anglers.
Six 2020 Bassmaster Elite Series pro anglers — Bernie Schultz, Seth Feider, Patrick Walters, Gerald Swindle, Brandon Palaniuk and Bob Downey — are part of the Rapala pro staff.
Wellspoken Ministries Nitro/Mercury boat raffle
Greenville, South Carolina – Wellspoken Ministries will hold its 3rd annual boat raffle drawing on December 5th. The winner will take home a 2020 Nitro Z18 powered by a Mercury 175 Pro XS. 10 Lew’s rod and reel combos, and five Strike King tackle packs will also be given away in the drawing.
“Wellspoken ministries exists to reach out to sportsmen with the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Chris Wells, the ministry’s Executive Director. “2020 has been a challenging year, with over 50 speaking events postponed due to COVID 19. All the proceeds from this fundraiser benefit our mission and allow us to enter into 2021 seeking opportunities to share Jesus with as many people as possible.”
Tickets are $100 and available at www.chriswells.org or by calling (864) 414-9453, or in-person on the 5th. All tickets are not tax-deductible.
The in-person drawing is on December 5th at 4:00 pm at the Cabela’s in Greenville at 1025 Woodruff Road and will be live-streamed on Facebook. The winner does not need to be present to win.
“We are so thankful for everyone who has been a part of this raffle in the past, and appreciate the support this year, too,” said Wells.
For more information on Wellspoken Ministries or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.chriswells.org.
The raffle is officially registered with the South Carolina Secretary of State.
It’s Always Been the Anglers
Vance McCullough
Samoset was the native American who first greeted a group of miserable, shivering religious outcasts from Europe who had landed on the coast of what is now Massachusetts with the intention to establish a colony. They landed during a New England winter and wondered if they would make it to spring.
One day in March, the tall, long-haired Samoset, wearing only a loin cloth, walked into their camp and spoke, “Welcome! Welcome! Englishmen!”
The year was 1620 and the colonists were amazed that Samoset spoke English. ‘Where had he, a nearly naked native in the wilds of North America, learned the language?’
It turns out that Samoset had picked up the language from fishermen who had come to North America to hunt for cod. While the unknown fishers will never be named, it is little surprise that hunters of one stripe or other were the first to explore a ‘hidden’ region of the world long before those who sought fame and fortune. It has always been man’s quest to feed his belly and his family that has pushed him to extremes unrivalled by others. Sometimes the pursuits are fatal, but so too, is starvation.
Samoset’s tribe, the Wampanoag, descended from the first people to cross the Bearing Land Bridge out of Asia and into the ‘New World’ roughly 14,000 years ago. Ice sheets receding, intrepid hunters pressed on as glaciers calved chunks of ice the size of houses into the ocean. Only the brave moved forward. Only the lucky survived.
And so it has always been that hunters are the first to see new lands, the first to make contact with those who live there. They are the original explorers.
Today, we have options for feeding ourselves that don’t involve exploration, but those foods just stuff the body, often with low quality calories. As we have solved the challenges of caloric deficit, we are realizing another deep need, the need to feed our souls. Modern hunters and anglers are in search of the thread that binds us to our past as much as anything else. After all, our ancestors risked everything to reach our shores from afar, physically. While they might humbly say that they were simply doing what they had to do and living each day as it came to them, it’s important that we reach back through time to shake their hands and honor their efforts - and the DNA they passed on to a lucky handful of us.
Today I give thanks for my sporting heritage and the explorer DNA I have been blessed to carry and pass on to my children, and the freedom to enjoy this aspect of my personality in the United States of America.
"Focused and Ready to Win" - Featuring Pat Schlapper
This week Chris & the boys welcome in BASS NATION Champ Pat Schlapper to the show to talk about his incredible run this season not only in the NATION events but also in the Eastern Opens. With one event remaining he has a chance to double qualify for both the Classic & the Elites. Chris runs his mouth on the recent BOT roster & remembers an old friend. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
Columbia’s Culbertson Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Wild Card Championship on Lake of the Ozarks presented by Fish-Intel.com
Co-angler Victory Goes to Kentucky’s Long
OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (Nov. 24, 2020) Boater Austin Culbertson of Columbia, Missouri, brought a two-day total of eight bass to the scale weighing 25 pounds, 9 ounces to win the no-entry fee Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine Wild Card Championship on Lake of the Ozarks presented by Fish-Intel.com. For his victory, Culbertson earned one of the final berths into the 2021 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American Championship.
The Wild Card tournament is a last-chance shot at the All-American for Bass Fishing League anglers that didn’t qualify for a Regional Championship.
“This is incredible,” said Culbertson. “I wasn’t able to practice, but luckily I’m from the area so I was able to get on the water and just adjust to what the fish were doing.
“I caught my first fish on a Zara Spook and it was a five-pounder so it was a great start. I continued to chase that bite for several hours before switching to a jig and catching my three other keepers. I tried to find that fifth keeper from 9:30 a.m. on, with no luck. I finished the first day with only four fish at 13 pounds even.”
Culbertson said he started day two right back where he caught the five-pounder.
“I was thinking the topwater bite would be better on day two due to the weather, but I chased it for more than two hours with only one bite. Around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday I caught my first keeper on a jerkbait.
“I noticed the fish had moved up off the bottom and were more suspended, so I made a slight adjustment,” continued Culbertson. “I found a good cove and was able to secure two more keepers on the jerkbait.”
Culbertson said he spent the rest of the day looking for the last two fish he needed to get his limit.
“Right at the end of the day, I ran to a spot where I’d had success with big fish in the past, but hadn’t fished all week. I fished the jerkbait along a bluff wall, and caught close to a 5-pound largemouth. I fought it for three or four minutes around the boat and got it in with just enough time to throw a few more casts before running back for the weigh-in.”
Culbertson came in to the weigh-in with only four fish again on the final day.
“I was around the right ones, just not enough of them, but it turned out to be enough for the win,” said Culbertson.
The top six boaters that qualified for 2021 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American were:
1st: Austin Culbertson of Columbia, Mo., eight bass, 25-9
2nd: Kyle Kitts of Joplin, Mo., 10 bass, 21-1
3rd: Harmon Davis of Marlow, Okla., seven bass, 20-9
4th: Joey Schmidt of Hickory, Ky., 10 bass, 20-6
5th: Garrett Johnson of Indianapolis, Ind., six bass, 20-2
6th: Richie Marsh of Excelsior Springs, Mo., seven bass, 19-15
Rounding out the top 10 boaters were:
7th: Mick Fenn of Grove, Okla., six bass, 18-14
8th: Kevin Bishop of Ashland, Ky., eight bass, 18-10
9th: Jim Eakin of Clarksville, Tenn., six bass, 18-9
10th: Chris Gable of Hopkinsville, Ky., eight bass, 18-8
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Boater Brent Barnes of Chattanooga, Tennessee, weighed the heaviest bass of the tournament Friday – a 6-pound, 10-ouncer - that won the day’s Boater Big Bass Award of $225.
Kitts took home an extra $500 as the highest finishing FLW PHOENIX 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 FLW PHOENIX BONUS contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.
Raymie Long of Stanford, Kentucky, weighed in a two-day total of eight bass weighing 11 pounds, 11 ounces to win the Co-angler Wild Card Championship and advance to the 2021 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American.
The top six co-anglers that qualified for the 2021 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American were:
1st: Raymie Long of Stanford, Ky., eight bass, 11-11
2nd: Zach Barnes of Chickamauga, Ga., six bass, 11-4
3rd: Cotton Snodgrass of Norman, Okla., seven bass, 11-3
4th: Bryan Schuster of Oklahoma City, Okla., five bass, 11-0
5th: Jeff Cave of Mount Juliet, Tenn., four bass, 10-5
6th: Chris Gebhardt of Columbia, Mo., five bass, 9-11
Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers were:
7th: Robert Holliday of Greensboro, Ga., five bass, 9-4
8th: Jim McLaughlin of Vinita, Okla., four bass, 8-13
9th: Larry Chadwick of Phenix City, Ala., four bass, 8-11
10th: Joe Tucker of Osceola, Mo., four bass, 8-9
The Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine Wild Card tournament on Lake of the Ozarks was hosted by Fish-Intel.com.
The 2020 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 is 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 Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour.
Marietta Bassmasters Club Wins FLW High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing Lake Hartwell Open
ANDERSON, S.C. (Nov. 23, 2020) – The Marietta Bassmasters Club duo of Carter Koza of Marietta, Georgia, and Tanner Hadden of Evans, Georgia, brought five bass to the scale Saturday weighing 12 pounds, 10 ounces to win the FLW High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing Lake Hartwell Open in Anderson, South Carolina.
For their win on Lake Hartwell, the team now advances to the 2021 High School Fishing National Championship.
The top ten teams that qualified for the 2021 High School Fishing National Championship are:
1st: Marietta Bassmasters Club, Marietta, Ga. – Carter Koza, and Tanner Hadden, five bass, 12-10
2nd: North Hall High School, Gainesville, Ga. – Caleb Tanner and Brandon Martin, five bass, 12-7
3rd: Union County High School, Blairsville, Ga. – Coby Thompson and Bentley Floyd, five bass, 11-4
4th: Travelers Rest High School, Travelers Rest, S.C. – Cole Sanders and Hunter Dill, five bass, 10-14
5th: Greenbrier High School Bass Club, Evans, Ga. – Hunter Knutson and Gauge Toole, five bass, 10-11
6th: James F. Byrnes High School, Duncan, S.C. – Marshall Robinson and Mason Fulmer, five bass, 10-5
7th: North Forsyth High School, Cumming, Ga. – Jacob Frank and Carsen Newman, five bass, 10-2
8th: James F. Byrnes High School, Duncan, S.C. – Cody Abbott and Mitchell Robinson, five bass, 10-1
9th: Palmetto High School, Palmetto, Ga. – Ross Davis and Ethan Thrasher, five bass, 9-12
10th: Indiana Student Anglers – Elijah Meyers, Fort Wayne, Ind., and Dalton Defelice, Howe, Ind., five bass, 9-8
Complete results from the event can be found at FLWFishing.com.
The event launched from Green Pond Landing in Anderson, South Carolina, and was hosted by the Anderson Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The FLW High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing Lake Hartwell Open in Anderson, South Carolina, was a free, two-person (team) event for students in grades 7-12 and open to any FLW and Student Angler Federation-affiliated high school club. The top 10 percent of teams at each Open event along with the TBF High School Fishing state championships will advance to the 2021 High School Fishing National Championship. The High School Fishing national champions will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice.
In addition to the High School Fishing National Championship, all High School Fishing anglers nationwide automatically qualify for the world’s largest open high school bass tournament, the 2021 High School Fishing World Finals, held in conjunction with the National Championship. More than $2.8 million in scholarships and prizes were offered at the 2020 World Finals.
Full schedules and the latest announcements are available at HighSchoolFishing.org and FLWFishing.com.
Stable Conditions On Tap For Bassmaster Eastern Open On Lay Lake
Alabama's historic Lay Lake will host the Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open Dec. 3-5, 2020.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
November 24, 2020
COLUMBIANA, Ala. — Extended warmth has made the fall transition challenging this year, but Bassmaster Elite Series pro Scott Canterbury believes the milder conditions could deliver solid potential for the Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open on Lay Lake.
Competition days will be Dec. 3-5 with daily takeoffs from Beeswax Park at 6:15 a.m. CT and weigh-ins each day at the park at 2:15 p.m.
Making his home in Odenville, Ala., Canterbury calls Lay his home lake. Anticipating a good fall bite, he’s registered to compete on this 12,000-acre Coosa River reservoir that has played host to four Bassmaster Classics.
“Everything is really good, the water clarity is good, the water level is good,” Canterbury said. “We haven’t had any rain lately, but a little rain might help as far as current and a little color. The Coosa normally fishes a little better when it has a little stain to it.”
During his preThanksgiving practice trips, Canterbury found stable conditions. The water level is a few inches below full pool and that’s likely to remain fairly steady through the tournament.
Two weeks before the event, Canterbury was measuring Lay Lake water temperatures in the low 60s. He said he expects a minor cooling could reach into the upper 50s by early December. But, barring any major cold fronts, that should keep the fish active.
“I signed up hoping it would be a lot colder and maybe with a little more rain,” Canterbury said. “It’s probably not going to be those conditions, but everything will be good.”
Canterbury said he expects most competitive bags to include a mix of species. The common scenario will find anglers securing a limit of spotted bass and then hunting a kicker largemouth. Canterbury said the fact that the lake has recently produced impressive examples of both should bode well for tournament anglers.
“If you can just catch 3 1/2-pound spots, you’re doing well, but 4-pound spots are big ones on this lake,” he said. “There have been 6-pounders weighed in this year in tournaments that I’ve fished and in a recent tournament, a guy weighed in a largemouth over 8.
“I’ve fished a couple of tournaments (on Lay) this year where I had over 20 pounds and had 6-pound largemouths in the mix. There are a lot of 4- to 6-pound largemouth and a whole lot of 2 3/4- to 4-pound spots.”
Noting that Lay’s entire 48-mile length will be in play, Canterbury said specific site selection will come down to an angler’s target species. Largemouth will mostly relate to shallow grass and wood, while spots are typically found around standing timber, creek channels, current breaks and occasionally near shallow cover — provided bait schools are present.
“Spotted bass could be anywhere from the Logan Martin Dam (downstream) to the Lay Dam,” Canterbury said. “The largemouth are most prevalent from about midlake on down because that’s where you start getting into bigger feeder creeks and there’s more grass on this lower end.”
Canterbury said that the relatively mild water temperatures will likely make swimming a jig around the shallow cover one of the top largemouth presentations. Casting spinnerbaits and flipping jigs or Texas-rigged plastics into grass or cover will also produce. Those targeting spots will do so with jigs, swimbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits and shaky heads.
“I’ve heard some people say it’s going to take 19 pounds a day to win, but it won’t,” Canterbury said. “Nineteen might be leading the first day, but if someone can catch 16 a day, they’re going to be right there.
“I think the winning weight will be (approximately) 49. That’s just a touch over 16 a day. If you catch 50 pounds, you’re going to be hard to catch.”
Canterbury said he wouldn’t be surprised to see someone weigh a 20-pound bag. However, he believes that doing so more than once is highly unlikely.
“Like everywhere in the country, it’s been a little tougher this fall than it normally is,” he said. “But Lay Lake is one of the best on the Coosa Chain, so it’s gonna be good.”
Since this is the final Eastern Open of the season, the Top 4 anglers in the Eastern Division standings after the event will be in line for invitations to fish the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series. The division’s current Top 4 includes Patrick Walters of Summerville, S.C., with 581 points, Joshua Stracner of Vandiver, Ala., (580), Pat Schlapper of Eleva, Wis., (550) and Scott Martin of Clewiston, Fla., (541). Jason Christie of Park Hill, Okla., leads the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year Standings with 1,179 points.
Plano Signs on to Support Berkley Abu Garcia High School Bass Class
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Grand Prairie, TX (November 24, 2020) - Leading fishing brands continue to sign on in support of the Berkley Abu Garcia High School Bass Class seminar program, including storage solution manufacturer Plano.
Plano, the go-to source for outdoor storage solutions, has signed on as a presenting sponsor of the bass fishing seminar program for high school and middle school anglers. Having previously supported the event through in-kind donations, Plano is increasing its commitment to youth anglers through sponsorship of the event.
"We are proud to be a part of this young angler education program." Stated Chris Russell, Marketing Director for Plano Molding. "These young men and women are changing our sport; they have become a force as they move up in the ranks of pro tournaments and it is exciting to get to work with them face to face. Sharing our knowledge, telling some fish stories and encouraging new anglers to get involved in the sport of fishing is what Plano is all about."
A two-day classroom format experience, the High School Bass Class is open to middle school and high school anglers. With Plano's support, attendees will have access to a robust list of industry professionals - business leaders and professional anglers - to learn about all facets of the fishing industry.
"I don't know of anyone that has ever fished that didn't have a Plano box of some kind to store their favorite baits," said Neil Paul, co-founder of the High School Bass Class. "Plano is a well established leader in the fishing industry and their commitment to the next generation of anglers is strong - we're proud to have them on board as a partner."
The experience provides sessions on angling skills and conservation education and creates awareness of young anglers' professional and post-graduate opportunities. Exposing middle school and high school anglers to the fishing industry and the prospect of developing a career in the industry is invaluable as young anglers navigate school paths and attempt to align with their passions.
Registration is now open for the December event, and high school and middle school anglers can register online at www.highschoolbassclass.com. The two-day event is $95 and includes a shirt, gift bag with sponsor items, a networking lunch on Saturday, dinner on Saturday night and breakfast on Sunday morning.
About High School Bass Class
Founded in 2016, High School Bass Class is an experience designed to provide education, exposure and connections for high school and middle school anglers. The program offers opportunities to foster engagement with the broader bass fishing industry on the topics of on-the-water skills, conservation, networking and career development. For more information, visit www.highschoolbassclass.com.
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Major League Fishing Announces Cancellation of REDCREST 2021 Outdoor Sports Expo, Confirms Tulsa for REDCREST 2022
Expo Scheduled for February 26-28 in Tulsa Cancelled, REDCREST 2021 – the Bass Pro Tour Championship – to Proceed as Scheduled on Grand Lake
TULSA, Okla. (Nov. 24, 2020) – Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today that the REDCREST 2021 Outdoor Sports Expo, scheduled to be held Feb. 26-28, 2021 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been cancelled. REDCREST 2021, the MLF Bass Pro Tour Championship, will proceed as scheduled on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees showcasing the top 40 Bass Pro Tour anglers from the 2020 season competing for the REDCREST title and the top prize of $300,000.
In addition to the cancellation, MLF also announced that Tulsa and the River Spirit Expo Square will host the REDCREST 2022 Outdoor Sports Expo on March 25-27, 2022. Competition will again be held on Grand Lake.
MLF officials remained in close contact with VisitTulsa and the Tulsa Sports Commission – divisions of Tulsa Regional Tourism – throughout the year in planning for the 2021 event. Mounting uncertainty due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, combined with travel restrictions and a guest capacity reduction at Expo Square has rendered continuing with the Expo inadvisable. MLF expects the decision will help exhibitors, attendees and sponsors plan accordingly.
“The past eight months has challenged everyone, including our industry and sports events in general. This proactive decision will allow our partners enough time to plan accordingly for 2021,” said Michael Mulone, MLF Senior Director of Events and Partnerships. “The decision to cancel the expo is a tough one, but we believe it is the right one. Every week we had to expand the show floor plan because of demand, and we expected to sell out the entire facility. Now, with more than a year of lead time, we are already looking ahead to REDCREST 2022.”
The REDCREST 2021 Outdoor Sports Expo had been a much-anticipated event and was expected to be a big win for the local Tulsa economy. In addition to the sponsors, exhibitors and media, tens of thousands of fans were expected to converge on Tulsa and the Northeastern Oklahoma area.
“We are disappointed that the Major League Fishing REDCREST Championship Expo is being postponed due to the lingering pandemic. We are partnering with all involved parties to prioritize the safety of event participants and the right decision is to postpone,” said Ray Hoyt, President, Tulsa Regional Tourism. “This event is expected to deliver millions of dollars in total economic impact for the region, and we look forward to hosting this world-renowned event in the Tulsa area in March, 2022.”
“While the cancellation of the REDCREST 2021 Expo is disappointing, it is a decision that we understand and fully support,” said Gary Lancina, Senior Director of Marketing at Mercury Marine. “We will certainly miss the public interaction and activation, but are committed to the safety and well-being of the fishing community. We look forward to a great 2021 REDCREST competition and anticipate the excitement of an Expo as part of REDCREST 2022.”
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.
Tennessee’s Lipscomb University Wins Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI Tournament on Lake Hartwell
ANDERSON, S.C. (Nov. 23, 2020) –Lipscomb University angler Dalton Dowdy of Chapin, South Carolina, won the Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI at Lake Hartwell event Friday with a five-bass limit weighing 15 pounds even. The victory earned the Lipscomb bass club $2,000 and qualified Dowdy to compete in the 2021 College Fishing National Championship.
In Abu Garcia College Fishing competition, each team generally consists of two anglers. However, if one team member is unable to attend the tournament an angler is permitted to fish alone with approval from the tournament director. Dowdy won by a 1-pound margin over the second-place team of Grayson Morris and Jacob Pfundt from the University of Montevallo, who weighed in five bass totaling 14 pounds even. The tournament launched from Green Pond Landing in Anderson, South Carolina.
The top 10 teams that advanced to the 2021 College Fishing National Championship are:
1st: Lipscomb University – Dalton Dowdy, Chapin, S.C., five bass, 15-0, $2,000
2nd: University of Montevallo – Grayson Morris, Birmingham, Ala., and Jacob Pfundt, Canton, Ga., five bass, 14-0, $1000
3rd: Bryan College – Mason Cizek, Knoxville, Tenn., and Jake Lee, Powell, Tenn., five bass, 14-4, $500
4th: Erskine College – Brycen Williamson, Wagener, S.C., and Jack Hunt, Townville, S.C., five bass, 13-14, $500
5th: University of Montevallo – Chance Schwartz, Ball Ground, Ga., and James Willoughby, Gulfport, Miss., five bass, 13-9, $500
6th: Carson Newman University – Matthew Hughes, Dandridge, Tenn., and Maddux Walters, Canton, Ga., five bass, 13-9
7th: Brewton-Parker College – Corey Yaden, Grovetown, Ga., and Blake Stephenson, Evans, Ga., five bass, 13-1
8th: Catawba Valley Community College – Lane Bailey, Granite Falls, N.C., and Adam Seagle, Lincolnton, N.C., five bass, 13-1
9th: University of Montevallo – Trey Dickert, Taylors, S.C., and Miller Spivey, Tyler, Ala., five bass, 12-11
10th: Emmanuel College – Garrett Ankerich, Harwell, Ga., and Matthew Benson, Watkinsville, Ga., five bass, 12-6
Complete results for the entire field can be found at FLWFishing.com.
The Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI event on Lake Hartwell was hosted by the Anderson Convention and Visitors Bureau. It was the third and final qualifying tournament for Southeastern Conference anglers and the last event of the year for the 2020 Abu Garcia College Fishing season.
Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI teams compete in regular-season qualifying tournaments in one of five conferences – Central, Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Western. The top ten teams from each division’s three regular-season tournaments and the top 20 teams from the annual Abu Garcia College Fishing Open advance to the following year’s Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI National Championship.
Marietta Bassmasters Club Wins FLW High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing Lake Hartwell Open
ANDERSON, S.C. (Nov. 23, 2020) – The Marietta Bassmasters Club duo of Carter Koza of Marietta, Georgia, and Tanner Hadden of Evans, Georgia, brought five bass to the scale Saturday weighing 12 pounds, 10 ounces to win the FLW High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing Lake Hartwell Open in Anderson, South Carolina.
For their win on Lake Hartwell, the team now advances to the 2021 High School Fishing National Championship.
The top ten teams that qualified for the 2021 High School Fishing National Championship are:
1st: Marietta Bassmasters Club, Marietta, Ga. – Carter Koza, and Tanner Hadden, five bass, 12-10
2nd: North Hall High School, Gainesville, Ga. – Caleb Tanner and Brandon Martin, five bass, 12-7
3rd: Union County High School, Blairsville, Ga. – Coby Thompson and Bentley Floyd, five bass, 11-4
4th: Travelers Rest High School, Travelers Rest, S.C. – Cole Sanders and Hunter Dill, five bass, 10-14
5th: Greenbrier High School Bass Club, Evans, Ga. – Hunter Knutson and Gauge Toole, five bass, 10-11
6th: James F. Byrnes High School, Duncan, S.C. – Marshall Robinson and Mason Fulmer, five bass, 10-5
7th: North Forsyth High School, Cumming, Ga. – Jacob Frank and Carsen Newman, five bass, 10-2
8th: James F. Byrnes High School, Duncan, S.C. – Cody Abbott and Mitchell Robinson, five bass, 10-1
9th: Palmetto High School, Palmetto, Ga. – Ross Davis and Ethan Thrasher, five bass, 9-12
10th: Indiana Student Anglers – Elijah Meyers, Fort Wayne, Ind., and Dalton Defelice, Howe, Ind., five bass, 9-8
Complete results from the event can be found at FLWFishing.com.
The event launched from Green Pond Landing in Anderson, South Carolina, and was hosted by the Anderson Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The FLW High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing Lake Hartwell Open in Anderson, South Carolina, was a free, two-person (team) event for students in grades 7-12 and open to any FLW and Student Angler Federation-affiliated high school club. The top 10 percent of teams at each Open event along with the TBF High School Fishing state championships will advance to the 2021 High School Fishing National Championship. The High School Fishing national champions will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice.
In addition to the High School Fishing National Championship, all High School Fishing anglers nationwide automatically qualify for the world’s largest open high school bass tournament, the 2021 High School Fishing World Finals, held in conjunction with the National Championship. More than $2.8 million in scholarships and prizes were offered at the 2020 World Finals.
Full schedules and the latest announcements are available at HighSchoolFishing.org and FLWFishing.com.
Rather Outdoors’ SVP of Sales Phil Marks Passes
Lexington, S.C. – November 23, 2020 –
It is with great sadness that Rather Outdoors announces the passing of Senior Vice President of Sales, Phil Marks. Marks passed on the morning of Saturday November 21 at home in Dallas, Tex. with his family, following a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Robin and children Taylor and her husband Austin, Payton, and Hunter. His father Phil and his sister Leann and her husband Nathan.
Marks, a proud graduate of Texas A&M, spent his professional life in the fishing industry. Marks served as the head of Research and Development for many years at Strike King, and was critical in collaborating with key pro anglers over the years to produce baits that claimed numerous titles at every level of tournament angling. From Bassmaster Classic titles, Bassmaster and FLW Angler of the Year titles and numerous wins on Bassmaster, FLW and MLF tours and events the world over, his influence and accomplishments within the fishing industry cannot be easily measured.
While many would know his work as a lure designer, Marks was also an accomplished tournament angler. In his fishing career, Marks competed in 49 FLW events, notching three victories, and 14 top 10 finishes.
Outside of his business pursuits and his passion for the outdoors, Marks was a devoted family man, coaching sports teams for his children and sharing his passion for life with family and friends. He experienced more in his 55 years of life than most do in 90. Marks was larger-than-life and that was reflected in his incredibly deep and genuine relationships with his colleagues.
“From day one upon joining the team, the family culture within Strike King was palpable and real. Through John Barns leadership, accompanied by Doug & Mary Minor, Crispin Powley, Phil and others, I was offered the opportunity to be made part of their family. Over the years since, I got to know the core of the Strike King team more deeply, and can say without question that Phil Marks left his unique mark on me, as he did so many others. The best words I have to describe Phil is that he uniquely embodied everything that is right about the fishing industry and this lifestyle we’re all so passionate about. Phil was unique, genuine and authentic in everything he did, both within his profession, and his life overall. He will be deeply missed, and I consider him a truly irreplaceable part of our company, and my life, along with the many other lives he’s touched over the years”, said CEO, Ken Eubanks.
Marks leaves behind a catalog of contributions to the fishing community, as well as a significant void in the company he loved, but more importantly, in the lives of the people fortunate enough to enter his world; he will be sorely missed.
Tim & Judy Reneau Win TTZ Championship in Choke Canyon with 61.01 two-day total & 12.38 Big Fish!
PL ANGLER 1 ANGLER 2 FISH BIG BASS WEIGHT PRIZE BONUS
1 TIM RENEAU JUDY RENEAU 10 12.38 61.01 $10,000 + $820 BIG BASS + BASS ASSETS $100 Product Certificate
2 CHARLES WHITED BRENDAN KENNELL 10 6.42 40.03 $5,000
3 TOM GRIDLEY BRAD DENTON 10 0.00 36.63 $3,000
4 DEAN ALEXANDER ADRIAN SANCHEZ 10 0.00 36.43 $1,500
5 RICK SCHEEN AUSTIN QUIET 10 4.27 36.30 $1,000
6 JASON WILLIAMS JEREMY WRIGHT 10 0.00 35.79 $750
7 PATRICK STARNES THOMAS HARALSON 10 0.00 35.68 $500
8 BARRY MOTT MATT HILL 10 0.00 33.70 $425
9 DANIEL BARNES ADRIAN BARNES 10 0.00 33.31 $350
10 JUSTIN HUMMEL LEONARD DEBRASKA 10 6.93 32.56 $300
11 LANCE DILLARD BLAKE DILLARD 10 0.00 31.44 $0
12 PHIL WARREN BRIAN MATER 10 4.69 30.43 $0
13 LOGAN CLARK TRAVIS COCKERHAM 10 0.00 30.24 $0
14 LYNN PIERCE TERRY HALL 10 0.00 30.18 $0
15 JASON MURPHREE PATRICK AMICK 10 0.00 29.96 $0
16 SETH KELM MIKE BATES 10 0.00 29.39 $0
17 TREY EPICH BRANDON DICKENSON 10 0.00 28.23 $0
18 BRYAN SCOTT TYLER TORWICK 10 0.00 27.30 $0
19 QUINN VANCE CHRIS BERTELSON 10 0.00 27.28 $0
20 PHILIP THOMPSON THOMAS HOWE 10 5.16 27.04 $0
21 STEVE MAGNELIA CLINT ROBERTSON 10 0.00 26.83 $0
22 JACOB FROESE GARY FRIEDEL 10 0.00 26.73 $0
23 BILLY MCCRARY II DONNIE O'NEAL 10 0.00 26.33 $0
24 JASON OLIVO BOBBY ACOSTA 10 0.00 26.16 $0
25 SAM MORROW COLT DIETZ 10 0.00 25.51 $0
26 DUSTIN TRIMUAR WAYNE ALBERTHAL 10 0.00 25.23 $0
27 ERIC CRUMLEY RONNY MAYNARD 10 0.00 25.01 $0
28 JACKY ROBERTS EDDIE PELFREY 10 0.00 24.48 $0
29 SHANE LOGAN TONY FERDINANDO 9 0.00 24.07 $0
30 TERRY WILLIAMS JR BILLY WALDSCHMIDT 10 0.00 24.03 $0
31 RYAN BODE FRANK WIGET 10 0.00 24.00 $0
32 DARRELL WUENSCHE ANDREW SWEET 9 0.00 23.62 $0
33 SCOTT SMITH TODD IVINS 8 0.00 23.47 $0
34 JAYSON KISSELBURG DEAN GOLMON 8 0.00 22.68 $0
35 KEN WILKINS KEITH HEINRICH 9 0.00 22.67 $0
36 ALLEN GASS JOHN RATLIFF 9 0.00 22.57 $0
37 SHAWN TAMEZ CRAIG CORDOVA 9 5.72 22.24 $0
38 DAMON ROSS DONNIE ROSS 10 0.00 21.61 $0
39 MIKE MCEACHEM JOSEPH KENNEDY 9 0.00 20.74 $0
40 JASON BUCHANAN JAKE BUCHANAN(Y) 9 0.00 20.29 $0
41 BUBBA WAMPLER HANK FRY 9 0.00 19.41 $0
42 RUSTY REEDY AYDEN REEDY(Y) 8 0.00 19.05 $0
43 GARY JOHNSON MIKE SODEN 8 0.00 18.34 $0 Pre-Registration Prize Winners-Shimano Clarus Rod
44 WESLEY MCCLAIN MIKE HARMAN 8 0.00 17.85 $0
45 TONY MALDONADO RICK HAMILTON 6 0.00 14.97 $0
46 JAMIE SLAYDEN BRANDON HOUSTON 4 8.81 14.23 $0
47 DARREL ROUTON JACK CULBREATH 6 0.00 13.77 $0 Shoreline Decal $250 Fuel Card Winners
48 MICKEY SANDERS ROGER MEEK 9 0.00 13.59 $0
49 ANDY TOLLEY TYLER TOLLEY 4 5.62 12.12 $0
50 JASON TRUITT JOHNNY RAY 5 0.00 11.71 $0
51 DAVID ACHILLES JOHN MILLS 5 0.00 11.55 $0
52 CHUCK WARE CODY FRAISER 5 0.00 11.37 $0
53 TRENT BLAKE SHAWN MARKGRAFF 5 0.00 11.33 $0
54 TOM GUIDRY DUSTIN ISBELL 5 0.00 11.12 $0
55 BRINTON HASKINS MICHAEL ATKINS 5 0.00 10.41 $0
56 RYAN KESSLER PATRICK KESSLER(Y) 4 0.00 10.03 $0
57 JUSTIN WISIAN KENNETH FAIRLY 4 0.00 9.60 $0
58 ROBERT KESSLER RUSSELL KESSLER 4 0.00 9.40 $0
59 MICHAEL KILE 4 0.00 8.22 $0
60 JUSTIN MAY GARY FERGUSON 4 0.00 7.99 $0
61 DENNIS WHITED MAX KIPP 4 0.00 7.71 $0
61 WILL BERNHARD DARYL PRICE 4 0.00 7.71 $0
63 GRANT GOODNER JAMES GOODNER 2 5.28 6.64 $0
64 CHRISTOPHER WASHINGTON JARRID HOHENSEE 4 0.00 6.59 $0
65 CRAIG BULLOCK DAVID BARATZ 3 0.00 5.57 $0
66 WYATT RAE HUNTER PRICE 2 0.00 3.23 $0
67 RICK LOWE BRONWYN LOWE 1 0.00 1.53 $0
68 JOHN WARDEN CHARLES DORTCH 1 0.00 1.48 $0
69 DANNY HARRELL MICHAEL NOBLE 0 0.00 0.00 $0
69 DON GORDON JAMES ROBERTS 0 0.00 0.00 $0
69 ANDY ARMENDARIZ SR 0 0.00 0.00 $0
69 BYRON ALBRECHT MIKE JOHNSON 0 0.00 0.00 $0
69 MICHAEL ZIBERT 0 0.00 0.00 $0
69 BRYAN RICHARDS MAT KEVIL 0 0.00 0.00 $0
69 MATT CANNON JARED SIEGELER 0 0.00 0.00 $0
69 WARREN KEPKE BUSTER JOHNSON 0 0.00 0.00 $0
69 NATHEN LABAY BRANDON BUSSELL 0 0.00 0.00 $0
69 SPENCER SCHNEIDER BRIAN HUGHES 0 0.00 0.00 $0
69 DONNIE WEBER JOHN KAPALDO 0 0.00 0.00 $0
69 JUSTIN MADDING STERLING MARTIN 0 0.00 0.00 $0
69 JJ LARSON JASON LARSON 0 0.00 0.00 $0
69 DAVID REID ROBBIE THORSTEINSON 0 0.00 0.00 $0 David Reid-Shimano Loyalty Program Winner-SLX Reel
Williams Claims Victory At Tough Bassmaster Central Open On Lewisville Lake
Tommy Williams, of Shepherdsville, Ky., has won the Basspro.com Bassmaster Central Open at Lewisville Lake with a three-day total of 41 pounds, 15 ounces.
Photo by James Overstreet/B.A.S.S.
November 21, 2020
LEWISVILLE, Texas — Enduring a tough day marked by mishaps and disappointment, Tommy Williams of Shepherdsville, Ky., won the Basspro.com Bassmaster Central Open on Lewisville Lake with a three-day total of 41 pounds, 15 ounces.
On Day 1, Williams caught a second-place limit of 18-8 and trailed early leader Brandon Dillard by 6-1. Adding a Day 2 limit of 15-8 sent him into Championship Saturday with a 6-3 lead.
On Saturday, that margin proved essential as Williams found only three keepers for 7-15, but held on to claim the top prize of $35,933 and a berth in the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk scheduled for March 19-21 on Lake Ray Roberts.
“Everybody knows how tough it is to win a tournament when you have a missed opportunity and I had a couple of them,” Williams said. “The fish bit funny today. I had fish blow up on a spinnerbait and I lost fish on a flipping stick.
“I fished clean all week, but today, they just pulled off. But it’s been a wonderful experience. Texas has treated me well. This is the first time I’ve been in contention to win one of these events.”
Williams spent his tournament in three areas. Two comprised windward pockets with baitfish blown into dense tangles of shallow wood. The third was a main-lake flat.
“I spent seven days of practice and it came together on the third day,” he said. “I fished my strengths through the whole thing.”
He flipped the wood with a Texas-rigged green pumpkin creature bait with the tails dipped in chartreuse. On the flat, he fished a 1/4-ounce spinnerbait with a single No. 3 willow-leaf blade and a chartreuse curly tail grub for a trailer.
The two-pronged attack served him the first two days, but he struggled in the final round.
“My first fish this morning came off when I pinned him against a log,” Williams said. “He was about a 2 1/2-pounder and I said ‘This is how it’s gonna go.’
“The next bite, I caught a good one, then the next fish came off. Then it was the dink-fest. I caught more short (undersized) fish in an hour and a half than I caught all week.”
Williams added another keeper mid-morning, but after multiple days of fishing pressure from him and other competitors sharing the area, the shallow wood bite fizzled.
“I told the camera crew ‘I have some spinnerbait fish that I’m going to have to go fish sometime today,” he said.
Making that move in the latter part of the day, Williams experienced one of his most frustrating moments around 1:30. Williams had a big fish boil under his spinnerbait without committing. When he followed up with the creature bait, the fish bit but missed the hook.
“I threw in there and he thumped it, but I missed it — twice,” Williams lamented.
Notably, Williams caught his third and final keeper on his spinnerbait spot, but he caught it on the Texas-rigged creature bait.
Branden Hollingshead of Azle, Texas, finished second with 40-6. Turning in the tournament’s biggest comeback, Hollingshead struggled with the Day 1 wind, catching only a pair of keepers for 7 pounds and placed 51st place.
With calmer conditions on Day 2, he found a limit of 20-12 and moved into third. Continuing his improvement, he caught a final-round limit of 12-10 and gained one more spot in the standings.
Targeting deeper rocks on ledges and a couple of isolated trees in 12 to 16 feet, Hollingshead caught his bass on a 3/8-ounce jig with a Yamamoto craw trailer.
“The bite was a lot tougher and I think the fishing pressure was getting to them,” he said. “I could see a lot of fish were suspended up in the water column. I was just hoping one or two of them would pull up there to feed and I could catch them.”
Brian Clark of Haltom City, Texas, finished third with 37-11. Days 1 and 2 saw Clark miss his limit by one fish with weights of 12-12 and 9-3 that put him in 12th, then eighth place.
He made up for those deficits on Day 3 by catching the day’s only limit. Clark anchored his 15-12 — the final day’s biggest catch — with a 7-10 largemouth. He caught his bass on a YUM Vibra King tube, a Strike King 5XD crankbait, a 1/2-ounce mop jig and a Lucky Craft 1.5 squarebill.
“I caught fish from 5 inches of water to 12 feet,” Clark said. “I knew I could go into this tournament trying to get a lot of bites or try to get five big ones a day.”
Brandon Dillard of Grapevine, Texas, won the $750 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award for the 8-11 largemouth he caught on Day 1. Hollingshead won the $500 Garmin Tournament Rewards prize.
Joe Lee of Midlothian, Texas, won the co-angler division title with a three-day total of 20-15. He sealed the win Saturday with a three-bass limit that weighed 7-7.
Michael Grossman of Dallas, Texas, won the $250 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award among co-anglers with a 6-4 largemouth.
Jason Christie of Park Hill, Okla., won the Central Opens Angler of the Year title with 719 points. He earns an automatic invitation to fish the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series.
Louisiana pro Greg Hackney (716) finished second in the points race, followed by Japanese pro Kenta Kimura (713) and Georgia’s Marc Frazier (688). They will also receive invitations to fish the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series.
Christie also leads the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year standings with 1,179 points. The final Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens event is scheduled for Dec. 3-5 on Alabama’s Lay Lake.
2020 Basspro.com Bassmaster Central Open at Lewisville Lake 11/19-11/21
Lewisville Lake, Lewisville TX.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Tommy Williams Shepherdsville, KY 13 41-15 200 $35,933.00
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 15-08 Day 3: 3 07-15
2. Branden Hollingshead Azle, TX 12 40-06 199 $17,953.00
Day 1: 2 07-00 Day 2: 5 20-12 Day 3: 5 12-10
3. Brian Clark Haltom City, TX 13 37-11 198 $12,320.00
Day 1: 4 12-12 Day 2: 4 09-03 Day 3: 5 15-12
4. Bryan New Belmont, NC 11 33-05 197 $10,267.00
Day 1: 3 06-10 Day 2: 5 16-11 Day 3: 3 10-00
5. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 12 31-11 196 $8,932.00
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 4 07-10 Day 3: 3 07-00
6. Brandon Dillard Grapevine, TX 8 31-09 195 $8,963.00
Day 1: 5 24-09 Day 2: 2 03-04 Day 3: 1 03-12
7. Blake Whatley Harleton, TX 13 30-08 194 $7,700.00
Day 1: 5 09-13 Day 2: 5 13-00 Day 3: 3 07-11
8. Ken Iyobe Tokoname, Aichi JAPAN 10 27-05 193 $7,187.00
Day 1: 3 05-15 Day 2: 5 15-00 Day 3: 2 06-06
9. Shawn Temple Krugerville, TX 10 26-08 192 $5,647.00
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 4 11-10 Day 3: 1 03-10
10. Billy Cline Argyle, TX 9 26-06 191 $4,620.00
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 2 09-12 Day 3: 2 04-09
11. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 11 25-09 190 $4,107.00
Day 1: 4 12-02 Day 2: 5 09-05 Day 3: 2 04-02
12. Austin Cranford Norman, OK 9 23-06 189 $3,593.00
Day 1: 3 07-14 Day 2: 5 12-15 Day 3: 1 02-09
Iowa Angler Cole Claims B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series Victory At Chickamauga Lake
Tyler Cole, of Hopkinton, Iowa, has won the Huk Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX presented by Abu Garcia at Chickamauga Lake with a five-fish limit measuring 89.5 inches.
Photo by Kyle Jessie/B.A.S.S.
November 21, 2020
DAYTON, Tenn. — With the help of a last-minute giant, Tyler Cole, of Hopkinton, Iowa, secured the victory at the Huk Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX presented by Abu Garcia at Chickamauga Lake with five bass that measured 89.5 inches.
Cole earned $6,907 and will join the Top 29 anglers from this event at the Huk Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series National Championship scheduled at Lewisville Lake March 17-18 in conjunction with the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.
“This has been pretty amazing,” Cole said. “Especially after the Lake Fork event this spring. I had four good fish down there and I lost my fifth fish at the net that would have gotten me to the Top 3. This gave me a little redemption from that. All I’ve ever wanted is one of these blue trophies and now I’ve got it.”
Cole used his grass-fishing experience on the Mississippi River, fishing only a Booyah Pad Crasher to catch his bass.
“Frogging is my forte back home so I stuck with something I know. I caught two smaller fish on a ChatterBait and two on a frog (in practice), one was 18 and one was 19.5,” Cole said. “And I thought if I could string together five of those bites, I should be able to get up there pretty good. I thought it was going to take more than 89.5 to get there.”
Cole launched from Chester Frost Park on the Southern end of Chickamauga — an area that has been historically productive — and targeted grasslines in 2 to 3 feet of water. He started slow, catching just one bass in the opening hours before he landed back-to-back fish around 10 a.m.
The rest of the day, Cole worked the same stretch of his most productive water. One bass short of a limit and minutes removed from losing another quality fish, Cole landed a 21-inch bass with 15 minutes remaining to fill his limit and ultimately secure the win.
Tennessee angler Brandon Strock found success fishing in the same area as Cole, catching 87 inches of largemouth to finish in second place and earning $3,207. Strock focused on grasslines that had rock present.
He crawled a Z-Man JackHammer ChatterBait across the rock and when he got hung, ripped the bait out of the grass.
“It is a known winning area,” Strock said. “I started out throwing an A-rig and I missed a couple on that first thing in the morning. It wasn’t really productive, so I switched to a ChatterBait.”
After switching lures, Strock was able to find a rhythm, catching four keepers by midday. Then he went searching for a kicker — and with about five minutes to go, he landed a 21-incher to fill his limit.
“I knew if I had one good fish, I would at least give myself a shot,” he said. “I was like Iaconelli back there, just whooping and hollering, and everyone in the campground was looking at me.”
While Cole and Strock caught all largemouth, Minnesota angler Scott Stuhlmann caught 81.5 inches of smallmouth to finish third. With the water level approaching winter pool, Stuhlmann said he had a feeling smallmouth could play.
While foggy conditions hurt his early morning bite, Stuhlmann found success cranking rocky shelves with a DT 16 and a DT 10 on the very North end of Chickamauga.
“The bite picked up after the fog burned off,” he said. “All the places we had marked from before were really active.”
South Carolina’s Terry Smith landed the B.A.S.S. Nation Big Bass of the tournament, a 23-inch largemouth that earned him $500.
The 2021 National Championship at Lewisville Lake will be a two-day event, starting on March 17 and concluding on March 18. The awards ceremony will be held on the Bassmaster Classic stage in Fort Worth on March 19 prior to the Day 1 Classic weigh-in.
The tournament was hosted by the Rhea County Economic Development & Tourism Council. Digital coverage was presented by Old Town Canoes.
Secondary Pattern Pushes Williams Into Lead At Bassmaster Central Open On Lewisville
Tommy Williams, of Shepherdsville, Ky., is leading after Day 2 of the Basspro.com Bassmaster Central Open at Lewisville Lake with a two-day total of 34 pounds.
Photo by James Overstreet/B.A.S.S.
November 20, 2020
LEWISVILLE, Texas — A change in fish behavior led Tommy Williams of Shepherdsville, Ky., to discover a secondary pattern that helped propel him into the Day 2 lead of the Basspro.com Bassmaster Central Open on Lewisville Lake with a two-day total of 34 pounds.
Thursday’s first round saw Williams catch a second-place limit of 18-8 and trail Day 1 leader Brandon Dillard by 6-1. On Friday, Williams added another limit that went 15-8. He enters Championship Saturday with a 6-3 margin over Dillard.
Williams returned to the same windblown pocket he fished on Day 1 and spent much of his time flipping shallow wood. The key to this area, he said, was the baitfish that had been blown into the shallows.
Confident that his area still held quality fish, Williams again flipped the cover with a Texas-rigged creature bait. Just like Thursday, precise casts and slow presentations were essential to getting bit. However, the action was considerably more sparing than he found on Day 1.
“The fish kind of laid me down today; it was a lot harder to get bites,” Williams said. “I had a lot of company and a lot of pressure on those fish. There are a couple of guys in the Top 12 that were fishing in there — we all found the same fish.
“They’re moving around a little bit and we’ve had to fish a little harder for them. Actually, my primary area let me down most of the day.”
Faced with a leaner outlook on his main pattern, Williams backed away from the shallow cover and explored nearby flats. There, he discovered he could get bites with a spinnerbait.
“I may have stumbled onto a little something for tomorrow,” he said. “As long as the wind doesn’t completely lay down, they’re going to eat the spinnerbait. That’s going to be the ticket for me.”
Carrying two potentially productive patterns into the final round gives him cause for optimism, but Williams said he’s unsure if his area will be able to produce a final competitive limit.
“The fish are either going away or they’ve all been caught,” he said. “It is a very small area that I’m fishing in and it has a lot of pressure.”
While solitude would have been preferable, Williams credited his fellow competitors for cooperative interactions.
“I have to hand it to the guys who’ve been in there with me,” he said. “We’ve all been courteous to one another. We have been gunnel to gunnel at times — literally — and we’ve all gotten along.”
Hailing from Grapevine, Texas, Dillard set the high mark on Day 1 with a limit of 24-9. On Friday, Lewisville treated the local guide with far less generosity and he found only two keepers for 3-4. He’s in second with a two-day total of 27-13.
“I ran a lot of the same stuff and I ran a lot of new stuff,” Dillard said. “I’m not really sure what changed. Like I said yesterday, Lewisville is feast or famine. One day you can go out and really wreck ’em and the next day it can be tough as nails. That’s what I experienced today.
“I was bouncing in and out, doing the same thing I did yesterday. I had some bites that just didn’t commit. Tomorrow’s a pre-front day, so maybe they’ll chomp. I’m just glad I get to fish the final day.”
Dillard fished a variety of shallow and deep habitats and caught one of his keepers on a spinnerbait and the other on a shaky head.
Branden Hollingshead of Azle, Texas, is in third place with 27-12. After catching two keepers for 7 pounds and placing 51st on Day 1, he added a limit of 20-12 and gained 48 spots.
“The wind died down and let me fish what I wanted to fish today,” Hollingshead said. “Yesterday I couldn’t fish my spots, so I scrambled and put together what I had. Today, I quit fishing by 9 o’clock.”
Anchoring his Day 2 limit with a 6-9 largemouth, Hollingshead targeted deeper rock on ledges and a couple of isolated trees. Working in 12 to 16 feet, he fished slow presentations. Friday’s lighter wind allowed him to detect subtle bites.
“There’s a lot of bait in my area,” he said. “The fish are starting to move back and I’m getting them at the mouths of these transition areas.”
Dillard is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with the 8-11 largemouth he caught on Day 1.
Joe Lee of Midlothian, Texas, holds the overall lead in the co-angler division with a two-day total of 13-8. He placed third on Day 1 with a limit of 7-13 and rose to the top Friday by adding two keepers for 5-11.
Michael Grossman of Dallas, Texas, holds the Phoenix Boats Big Bass lead among co-anglers with a 6-4 largemouth.
Jason Christie of Park Hill, Okla., leads the Central Open standings with 719 points, followed by Greg Hackney with 717. Kenta Kimura is third with 713, Marc Frazier is fourth with 688 and Darold Gleason is fifth with 684.
Christie also leads the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year Standings with 1,179 points.
The Top 12 remaining anglers in each division will take off at 7 a.m. CT Saturday from Lewisville Lake Park. The weigh-in will be held at the Park at 3 p.m.
2020 Basspro.com Bassmaster Central Open at Lewisville Lake 11/19-11/21
Lewisville Lake, Lewisville TX.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Tommy Williams Shepherdsville, KY 10 34-00 200
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 5 15-08
2. Brandon Dillard Grapevine, TX 7 27-13 199
Day 1: 5 24-09 Day 2: 2 03-04
3. Branden Hollingshead Azle, TX 7 27-12 198
Day 1: 2 07-00 Day 2: 5 20-12
4. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 9 24-11 197
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 4 07-10
5. Bryan New Belmont, NC 8 23-05 196
Day 1: 3 06-10 Day 2: 5 16-11
6. Shawn Temple Krugerville, TX 9 22-14 195
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 4 11-10
7. Blake Whatley Harleton, TX 10 22-13 194
Day 1: 5 09-13 Day 2: 5 13-00
8. Brian Clark Haltom City, TX 8 21-15 193
Day 1: 4 12-12 Day 2: 4 09-03
9. Billy Cline Argyle, TX 7 21-13 192
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 2 09-12
10. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 9 21-07 191
Day 1: 4 12-02 Day 2: 5 09-05
11. Ken Iyobe Tokoname, Aichi JAPAN 8 20-15 190
Day 1: 3 05-15 Day 2: 5 15-00
12. Austin Cranford Norman, OK 8 20-13 189
Day 1: 3 07-14 Day 2: 5 12-15
13. Shaun Haag Montgomery, TX 8 20-13 188 $2,823.00
Day 1: 3 08-00 Day 2: 5 12-13
14. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 8 20-08 187 $2,823.00
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 3 08-00
15. Kenta Kimura Osaka JAPAN 7 20-07 186 $2,823.00
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 2 07-11
16. Dustin Reneau Mckinney, TX 7 20-06 185 $2,823.00
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 5 16-06
17. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 6 20-06 184 $2,823.00
Day 1: 2 04-01 Day 2: 4 16-05
18. Luke Plunkett Pinson, AL 7 20-01 183 $2,823.00
Day 1: 4 09-14 Day 2: 3 10-03
19. Trey Swindle Cleveland, AL 6 19-15 182 $2,823.00
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 1 04-09
20. Chris Jones Bokoshe, OK 8 19-13 181 $2,823.00
Day 1: 4 11-06 Day 2: 4 08-07
21. Matthew Nobile Sorrento, LA 8 19-10 180 $2,567.00
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 3 07-07
22. Cody Ryan Greaney Manchaca, TX 7 18-15 179 $2,567.00
Day 1: 4 10-08 Day 2: 3 08-07
23. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 7 18-11 178 $2,567.00
Day 1: 2 03-07 Day 2: 5 15-04
24. Lance Crawford Broken Bow, OK 7 18-11 177 $2,567.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 2 05-09
25. Terry Peacock Royse City, TX 6 18-01 176 $2,567.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 1 03-10
26. KJ Queen Catawba, NC 5 18-00 175 $2,361.00
Day 1: 4 13-03 Day 2: 1 04-13
27. Terry Bollom Frisco, TX 7 17-05 174 $2,361.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 2 03-03
28. Chandler Stewart Waco, TX 5 17-01 173 $2,361.00
Day 1: 3 11-13 Day 2: 2 05-04
29. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 8 16-12 172 $2,361.00
Day 1: 5 09-15 Day 2: 3 06-13
30. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 4 16-08 171 $2,361.00
Day 1: 3 12-08 Day 2: 1 04-00
31. Cody Bird Granbury, TX 6 16-07 170 $2,361.00
Day 1: 2 05-03 Day 2: 4 11-04
32. Billy Billeaud Lafayette, LA 7 16-04 169 $2,361.00
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 2 05-05
33. Paul Browning Pecos, TX 6 16-00 168 $2,361.00
Day 1: 2 05-07 Day 2: 4 10-09
34. Chancy Walters West Des Moines, IA 4 15-12 167 $2,361.00
Day 1: 2 05-01 Day 2: 2 10-11
35. Drew Sloan Scurry, TX 4 15-09 166 $2,361.00
Day 1: 4 15-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
36. Jeff Lugar Princeton, TX 5 15-05 165 $2,361.00
Day 1: 4 11-05 Day 2: 1 04-00
37. Jake Rossi Columbus, OH 5 15-05 164 $2,361.00
Day 1: 2 05-03 Day 2: 3 10-02
38. James Stricklin Fort Smith, AR 6 15-04 163 $2,361.00
Day 1: 4 11-01 Day 2: 2 04-03
39. Bradley Hallman Norman, OK 8 15-00 162 $2,361.00
Day 1: 3 06-03 Day 2: 5 08-13
40. Kylie Sparks Denham Spgs, LA 6 14-13 161 $2,361.00
Day 1: 2 04-10 Day 2: 4 10-03
41. Joel Willert Prior Lake, MN 5 14-09 160
Day 1: 4 10-12 Day 2: 1 03-13
42. Marc Schilling Shady Shores, TX 7 14-07 159
Day 1: 3 06-15 Day 2: 4 07-08
43. Spike Stoker Stephenville, TX 5 14-06 158
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
44. David Drinkard Sour Lake, TX 6 14-05 157
Day 1: 2 04-08 Day 2: 4 09-13
45. Robert Parkison Marshall, TX 5 14-01 156
Day 1: 4 12-06 Day 2: 1 01-11
46. Marc Frazier Newnan, GA 5 13-11 155
Day 1: 3 08-02 Day 2: 2 05-09
47. Justin Prisock Robinson, TX 6 13-07 154
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 1 02-00
48. Mark Watson Midlothian, TX 4 13-07 153
Day 1: 2 06-10 Day 2: 2 06-13
49. Wes Nofire Tahlequah, OK 4 12-15 152
Day 1: 3 09-04 Day 2: 1 03-11
50. Garrett Rose Pipecreek, TX 5 12-13 151
Day 1: 3 08-11 Day 2: 2 04-02
51. Josh Bragg Jacksonville, AL 4 12-11 150
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 4 12-11
52. Theron Caldwell Decatur, TX 4 12-09 149
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 4 12-09
53. Brian Latimer Belton, SC 6 12-09 148
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 1 01-09
54. Doug Vahrenberg Higginsville, MO 4 12-01 147
Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 3 10-04
55. Scott Pellegrin Chippewa Falls, WI 4 11-15 146
Day 1: 4 11-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
56. Daisuke Aoki Minamitsurugun Yamanash 4 11-11 145
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 3 10-04
57. Darold Gleason Many, LA 5 11-11 144
Day 1: 3 07-10 Day 2: 2 04-01
58. Masayuki Matsushita Tokoname-Shi JAPAN 4 11-06 143
Day 1: 2 06-13 Day 2: 2 04-09
59. Greg Yates Oak Point, TX 5 11-01 142
Day 1: 4 07-03 Day 2: 1 03-14
60. Caleb Gibson Locust Grove, OK 4 11-00 141
Day 1: 3 07-13 Day 2: 1 03-03
61. David Gillham Heath, TX 4 10-12 140
Day 1: 4 10-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
62. John Hunter Jr Shelbyville, KY 3 10-08 139
Day 1: 2 07-08 Day 2: 1 03-00
63. Dakota Ebare Dehnam Springs, LA 5 10-07 138
Day 1: 4 08-10 Day 2: 1 01-13
64. Shonn Goodwin Moore, OK 4 10-07 137
Day 1: 3 07-12 Day 2: 1 02-11
65. Jed Holt Livingston, TX 5 10-06 136
Day 1: 4 08-10 Day 2: 1 01-12
66. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 6 10-05 135
Day 1: 2 03-07 Day 2: 4 06-14
67. Justin Atkins Florence, AL 3 09-14 134
Day 1: 1 03-10 Day 2: 2 06-04
68. Marshall Hughes Hemphill, TX 4 09-10 133
Day 1: 2 02-13 Day 2: 2 06-13
69. Greg Mansfield Olathe, KS 4 09-09 132
Day 1: 1 03-02 Day 2: 3 06-07
70. Ron Wells Claremore, OK 3 09-08 131
Day 1: 1 02-08 Day 2: 2 07-00
71. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 4 09-07 130
Day 1: 1 03-06 Day 2: 3 06-01
72. Billy Smith Montgomery, TX 3 09-06 129
Day 1: 1 05-05 Day 2: 2 04-01
73. James Biggs Euless, TX 4 09-05 128
Day 1: 3 07-04 Day 2: 1 02-01
74. Todd Castledine Nacogdoches, TX 4 09-05 127
Day 1: 1 03-14 Day 2: 3 05-07
75. Larry Puckett Decatur, TX 4 09-04 126
Day 1: 1 01-08 Day 2: 3 07-12
76. Floyd Teat Valley Mills, TX 4 09-03 125
Day 1: 3 06-08 Day 2: 1 02-11
77. Jerod Hawkes Eagle Pass, TX 3 09-03 124
Day 1: 1 02-13 Day 2: 2 06-06
78. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 4 09-01 123
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 3 07-02
79. Jim Dillard West Monroe, LA 4 08-15 122
Day 1: 1 02-03 Day 2: 3 06-12
80. Travis Ledford Tuttle, OK 5 08-14 121
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 4 07-04
81. Kazuki Kitajima Corinth, TX 4 08-12 120
Day 1: 3 07-04 Day 2: 1 01-08
82. Bart Stanisz Brookeland, TX 3 08-06 119
Day 1: 2 04-13 Day 2: 1 03-09
83. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 07-14 118
Day 1: 2 03-00 Day 2: 3 04-14
84. Cody Morrison Collinsville, TX 3 07-11 117
Day 1: 3 07-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
85. Steve Sennikoff Edgewood, TX 4 07-11 116
Day 1: 3 04-12 Day 2: 1 02-15
86. Teb Jones Hattiesburg, MS 4 07-05 115
Day 1: 2 03-04 Day 2: 2 04-01
87. Spencer Lambert West Monroe, LA 2 07-04 114
Day 1: 2 07-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
88. Jay Brainard Mountain Home, OK 3 07-03 113
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 07-03
89. Hunter Denmark Saraland, AL 3 07-02 112
Day 1: 2 05-11 Day 2: 1 01-07
90. Cameron Mattison Bossier City, LA 2 07-02 111
Day 1: 1 02-02 Day 2: 1 05-00
91. Matt Pangrac Broken Arrow, OK 4 07-02 110
Day 1: 1 02-08 Day 2: 3 04-10
92. Jake Boomer Spokane Valley, WA 4 07-01 109
Day 1: 4 07-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
93. Casey Bennett Waco, TX 3 07-01 108
Day 1: 2 05-08 Day 2: 1 01-09
94. Randy Blaukat Joplin, MO 2 07-00 107
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 07-00
95. Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 3 06-13 106
Day 1: 3 06-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
96. Kenny Mittelstaedt Minnetonka, MN 4 06-12 105
Day 1: 4 06-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
97. Denny Fiedler Wabasha, MN 3 06-08 104
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 1 02-08
98. Brad Shuflin Windsor, CO 1 06-07 103
Day 1: 1 06-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
99. Kyle Dorsett Odenville, AL 3 06-04 102
Day 1: 3 06-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
100. Brandon Mcdonald Longview, TX 2 06-04 101
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 06-04
101. Brian Post Janesville, WI 3 05-15 100
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 1 01-15
102. Kevin Ledoux Choctaw, OK 3 05-12 99
Day 1: 3 05-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
103. Brandon Ackerson Afton, OK 3 05-07 98
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 2 03-13
104. Randy Qualls Streetman, TX 2 05-05 97
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 1 03-07
105. Toby Hartsell Afton, OK 3 05-05 96
Day 1: 1 02-05 Day 2: 2 03-00
106. John Hammersmith Branson, MO 3 05-04 95
Day 1: 3 05-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
107. Wardell Motley Jr Cleburne, TX 2 05-04 94
Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 1 02-09
108. Clark Reehm Elm Groove, LA 2 05-02 93
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 1 03-07
109. James Davis Jr Ferriday, LA 2 04-13 92
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-13
110. Steven Caldwell Whitesboro, TX 3 04-12 91
Day 1: 2 03-06 Day 2: 1 01-06
111. Andy Hribar Lakeville, MN 2 04-11 90
Day 1: 1 03-05 Day 2: 1 01-06
112. Jerry Riddle Jr Summit, MS 3 04-10 89
Day 1: 2 03-02 Day 2: 1 01-08
113. Wes Logan Springville, AL 2 04-06 88
Day 1: 2 04-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
114. Wyatt Burkhalter Coker, AL 1 04-04 87
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 04-04
115. Kyle Hogg Hewitt, TX 2 04-00 86
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
116. RJ Chandler Jr. Vinton, LA 2 03-12 85
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 03-12
117. Joey Cifuentes III Clinton, AR 2 03-10 84
Day 1: 2 03-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
118. Andrew Upshaw Tulsa, OK 2 03-06 83
Day 1: 1 01-08 Day 2: 1 01-14
119. Neels Beneke Amanzimtoti SOUTH AFRIC 1 03-04 82
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-04
120. Scott Siller Milwaukee, WI 2 03-04 81
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 1 01-15
121. Ryan Dusek Azle, TX 2 03-02 80
Day 1: 2 03-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
122. Cody Huff Ava, MO 1 02-15 79
Day 1: 1 02-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
122. Ernie Stumpf III Frisco, TX 1 02-15 79
Day 1: 1 02-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
124. Jay Stidham China Spring, TX 2 02-14 77
Day 1: 2 02-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
125. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 1 02-14 76
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-14
126. Tommy Murray Bedford, TX 1 02-13 75
Day 1: 1 02-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
127. Jake Biram Tulsa, OK 1 02-11 74
Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
128. James Caldemeyer Gilmer, TX 1 02-05 73
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-05
129. Greg Vance Delhi, IA 1 02-04 72
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-04
129. Trait Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 1 02-04 72
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-04
131. Gary Hall Wardville, OK 1 02-03 70
Day 1: 1 02-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
131. Brian Mathis Cedar Park, TX 1 02-03 70
Day 1: 1 02-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
133. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 1 02-00 68
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
134. Jeff Bridges Prosper, TX 1 01-15 67
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 1 01-14 66
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
135. Andrew Wright Plano, TX 1 01-14 66
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
137. Brent Homan Graham, TX 1 01-10 64
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-10
138. Troy O'Rourke Bentonville, AR 1 01-08 63
Day 1: 1 01-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
139. Andrew Thomasson Dublin, VA 1 01-04 62
Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Chris Bachta Grapevine, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Chris Bailey Eddy, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Lucas Bradley Flippin, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Justin Hallmark Bertram, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Mark Hicks Glouster, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Larry Jenkins Leesburg, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Lyvon Kennard Harker Hts, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Terry Luedtke Burton, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Bill McNutt Henry, IL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Chad Mrazek Montgomery, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Allan Nail Sand Springs, OK 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Lance Rose Pipe Creek, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Bill Watts Beaumont, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Dirk Wenzlaff Frisco, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
140. Jd Williams Mckinney, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
Clemson brings accessibility to professional wildlife and fisheries resources degree
Steven Bradley, Media Relations
November 16, 2020
For Josh Caldwell, serving as active-duty military in Utah, getting a professional degree to further his goals for employment with a state or federal fish hatchery when his military career is over didn’t seem feasible at a traditional brick-and-mortar school.
Clemson University graduate student Breanna Ondich observes a turtle during her work at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Ondich is one of many students taking advantage of the added accessibility of Clemson’s fully online professional wildlife and fisheries resources degree program.
Image Credit: Clemson University
For Breanna Ondich, already working in her desired field at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, advancing her education was something she felt necessary to keep up with her peers but difficult to do from her current job’s location on a barrier island off the coast.
For both, the Master of Wildlife and Fisheries Resources (MWFR) degree in Clemson University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences offered the key ingredient to making their educational goals possible: accessibility.
With a new online delivery option for students with experience in natural resources who wish to enhance their professional degree skills, the non-thesis program is in a fully online format, allowing lectures to be available 24/7.
Program Coordinator Thea Hagan said it is a widely appealing option for students who are passionate about wildlife and would like to get into the field, but did their undergraduate work at a non-land-grant university or one without a wildlife-specific program and who need to narrow their academic focus as they move into graduate work.
“Most, if not all, of them would like to come to campus and do a thesis-based degree, but they can’t for any number of reasons — financial or because they are place-bound or otherwise,” Hagan said. “So, within that group, we’ve made a degree available to people who would not have been able to pursue it otherwise. They can work full time and still take our classes, and nearly 100 percent of the students in the program have a full-time job and are doing the degree and take one or two classes each semester.”
That is true for Ondich, who said she has been able to “ease in” to the degree program in a manner and speed that allowed her to continue her research work at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center while also pursuing an advanced degree.
Ondich was hired at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, a wildlife rehabilitation hospital that also has a learning center for education located on Jekyll Island, after completing her undergraduate work. And while graduate school always remained a possibility for her future plans, Ondich said she did not want to risk giving up a full-time position in her chosen field.
Now two years into the program, Ondich said she would need “about a year” to complete it at a pace she is comfortable with.
“I’ve been doing about one class per semester, and one of the things that is helpful to me is my employer offers tuition reimbursement up to a certain amount per fiscal year, so that was also a motivator to me to do this program because I don’t know if I could afford it on my own,” she said.
Cost was also a concern for Caldwell, who is stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Utah and working as a weather forecaster, as he sought to pursue the master’s degree he needed to further his biology degree.
“Trying to figure out how to pay for school without going into debt and going straight from undergraduate to graduate to Ph.D. is so expensive because you can’t really work full-time while you’re doing that,” Caldwell said.
Clemson University graduate student Josh Caldwell smiles and poses after returning home from UAE and being reunited with his now wife.
Image Credit: Clemson University
While Caldwell admitted that many military members were able to attend “brick-and-mortar” schools during their service, he noted that it was often for more general degrees that don’t require labs or a thesis.
“Because a typical master’s degree requires labs and thesis work, doing that as active duty is almost impossible,” he said. “With something else, like a leadership degree or something, you might be able to do the research and write it at home. But you really can’t do that without equipment for a science degree.
“The program is still young and they’re still adding new classes, but what I’ve taken so far has been extremely interesting and rewarding — and very stressful, because it’s still graduate-level education,” he added.
For Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Chair Todd Petty, who was recently hired to the role after serving for the past five years as an Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at West Virginia University, creating a program such as the Master of Wildlife and Fisheries Resources degree would have been his top priority upon arrival at Clemson … had it not already existed.
“In the environmental conservation field, a professional degree is necessary in order to do what you want — an undergrad degree is not enough — and what happens in the real world is it creates this enormous bottleneck for master’s degrees,” Petty said. “There’s limited space in professors’ labs … but the profession demands grad students. What the online master’s can do is it can help to break that bottleneck. It gives advanced education in a profession that demands it and it gives it in a way that becomes accessible.”
Petty said another key component of the program’s success has been Hagan’s prowess at maintaining the quality of education and experience in a learning environment that is remote rather than in-person.
“Thea is very innovative in helping our faculty add the experiential pieces that are needed in our profession into these online classes,” Petty said. “Accessibility to this highly valued Clemson education — you’re not just throwing out this education and putting Clemson’s name on it. It’s a Clemson education that you’re making more accessible, and you’ve got to be innovative in order to do that, in order to keep that whole package together.”
Major League Fishing Unveils 2021 Bass Pro Tour Roster
TULSA, Okla. (Nov. 20, 2020) – Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today the 2021 Bass Pro Tour angler roster. The roster includes 75 returning anglers, headlined by 2020 Angler of the Year (AOY), Heavy Hitters winner and General Tire World Champion Jordan Lee, five-time MLF event winner Jacob Wheeler, Ott DeFoe, Edwin Evers, and the man considered by many to be the greatest professional angler of all-time, Kevin VanDam.
Joining the 75 returning anglers will be DeBary, Florida’s John Cox. A perennial AOY contender during his 10-year FLW Tour/Pro Circuit career, and the 2016 Forrest Wood Cup Champion, Cox was an original invitee when the Bass Pro Tour roster was filled in 2018. He opted not to accept that invitation then, but still fished the FLW Tour and Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Cox now plans to fish both the Bass Pro Tour and the Pro Circuit in 2021, setting the table to fish upwards of 20 pro-level events if he qualifies for REDCREST and MLF Cups.
“I like the lakes on the schedule, I like the payouts, and I like that I can fish a lot of tournaments,” Cox said. “I don’t know exactly how I’ll do in the MLF format for a full season, but even if I don’t do great, I feel good about my chances to make a few top 10s and cash checks. There are a few places on that 2021 schedule where I think to myself ‘Hmmm, I know a spot or two here or there, I think I might do quite well in that one.’ I’m excited about it.”
The four remaining roster spots at the seven regular-season Bass Pro Tour events will be filled by the top anglers from each Pro Circuit event in 2021. The top four finishers from each individual Pro Circuit event will receive automatic invitations to compete in the Bass Pro Tour events that follow, opening the door for the Pro Circuit’s top performers to compete in the MLF catch, weigh, immediate-release format and another opportunity at a $100,000 first-place check.
The four roster spots at the Bass Pro Tour Stage One event at Sam Rayburn Reservoir (March 21-26) will be filled based on the 2020 Pro Circuit AOY standings; Pro Circuit event number one – Feb. 11-14 at Lake Okeechobee, Florida – will then feed Bass Pro Tour Stage Two at Lake Travis (April 30-May 5) and so on.
“We’re all fishing to try to make the Bass Pro Tour, and this will be a really good opportunity for a guy to get his feet wet in that format,” said 11-year Pro Circuit veteran angler Bill McDonald, who got his first taste of the MLF format at the 2020 TITLE championship at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. “You can tell yourself that the Bass Pro Tour format isn’t really that much more pressure, but I can tell you from experience that it takes a strong mental game. It’s the highest of highs to hear your name at the top (of SCORETRACKER®), but your brain goes crazy when you drop rapidly. It’ll be valuable experience to qualify for one of those (Bass Pro Tour) events.”
The 76 professional anglers that will compete on the 2021 Bass Pro Tour are:
Casey Ashley
Adrian Avena
Josh Bertrand
Tommy Biffle
Zack Birge
Stephen Browning
Brent Chapman
Luke Clausen
Dustin Connell
Brandon Coulter
John Cox
Cliff Crochet
Mark Daniels Jr.
Mark Davis
Ott DeFoe
Boyd Duckett
David Dudley
Brent Ehrler
James Elam
Paul Elias
Edwin Evers
Todd Faircloth
Shin Fukae
Anthony Gagliardi
Shaw Grigsby
Roy Hawk
Brett Hite
Timmy Horton
Randy Howell
Alton Jones
Alton Jones Jr.
Kelly Jordon
Gary Klein
Jeff Kriet
Jason Lambert
Bobby Lane
Chris Lane
Russ Lane
Jordan Lee
Matt Lee
Dave Lefebre
Jared Lintner
Justin Lucas
Aaron Martens
Mike McClelland
Cody Meyer
Ish Monroe
Andy Montgomery
Andy Morgan
John Murray
Britt Myers
Michael Neal
Takahiro Omori
Cliff Pace
Keith Poche
Skeet Reese
Marty Robinson
Dean Rojas
Mark Rose
Fred Roumbanis
Bradley Roy
Terry Scroggins
Fletcher Shryock
Gerald Spohrer
Jeff Sprague
Wesley Strader
Scott Suggs
Randall Tharp
Bryan Thrift
Kevin VanDam
Jonathan VanDam
Greg Vinson
David Walker
James Watson
Jacob Wheeler
Jesse Wiggins
In 2021 MLF Bass Pro Tour competition, anglers are vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for REDCREST 2022, the world championship of professional bass fishing. Each stage of the Bass Pro Tour includes six days of competition using the catch, weigh, immediate-release format, broadcast live on the Major League Fishing app, MyOutdoorTV (MOTV), and MajorLeagueFishing.com, totaling more than 450 hours of original programming. Fans can also follow the on-the-water action as it unfolds on the live SCORETRACKER® leaderboard.
The 2021 MLF Bass Pro Tour will air on Discovery Channel beginning in July 2021 and the Sportsman Channel in early 2022.
2021 MLF Bass Pro Tour Schedule
· Feb. 23-27 REDCREST 2021 at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees – Tulsa, Okla.
· March 21-26 Bass Pro Tour Stage One at Sam Rayburn Reservoir – Jasper, Texas
· April 9-14 General Tire HEAVY HITTERS at Falls Lake, Jordan Lake & Shearon Harris Reservoir – Raleigh, N.C.
· April 30-May 5 Bass Pro Tour Stage Two at Lake Travis – Austin, Texas
· May 21-26 Bass Pro Tour Stage Three at Harris Chain of Lakes – Leesburg, Fla.
· June 4-9 Bass Pro Tour Stage Four at Lake Chickamauga – Dayton, Tenn.
· June 25-30 Bass Pro Tour Stage Five at St. Lawrence River – Massena, N.Y.
· Aug. 5-10 Bass Pro Tour Stage Six at Lake Champlain – Plattsburgh, N.Y.
· Sept. 10-15 Bass Pro Tour Stage Seven at Lake St. Clair – St. Clair Shores, Mich.
LAMBERT CAPTURES NATIONAL CROWN ON HOME WATERS AT HOBIE B.O.S. ANCHORED BY POWER-POLE TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
Tennessee Anglers Sweep Top Three Spots. Gregory clinches A.O.Y. honors.
OCEANSIDE, Calif. (November 20, 2020) - When the splashing ended, drags stopped screaming and howling wind finally subsided, Ryan Lambert’s name stood alone atop the leader board at the Hobie Bass Open Series (B.O.S.) Tournament of Champions (T.O.C.) sponsored by Power-Pole. Held last weekend on the famed Tennessee River System bass waters that slice through the heart of Knoxville and hosted the 2019 49th Annual Bassmaster’s Classic, the contest featured an elite field of 50 kayak bass fishing sharpies who qualified for their limited slots based on performance during nine B.O.S. series events spread across the country, plus a one-day Shootout held in Knoxville, on Friday.
Simply put, the 34-year old Lambert, from Chattanooga, Tennessee, showed the world how to get ‘er done on his home waters. Dusting the field by nearly 11 inches with a tally of 186.25” for the two-day event, he finished ahead of fellow local angler Jordan Marshall (175.50”), and Kristine Fischer (172”), as the Tennesseans swept the top three spots in what is arguably the most prestigious of kayak bass fishing championships.
“This really was an amazing event, and a terrific way to wrap up our B.O.S. season,” said tournament director, A.J. McWhorter. “When you put the best anglers in our series together, it can be anybody's game – and there were a lot of folks who had a reasonable chance of claiming this crown. In the end, the top spots went to local anglers who were familiar with the waters and best able to adapt to the changing conditions. No matter where you go this time of year, Nature can play rough and our competitors got a full dose of her fury with cool temperatures and heavy fog on Saturday morning, strong currents on both days, and a heavy storm with 60 m.p.h. wind gusts that blew through around lunchtime on Sunday. Through it all, Ryan Lambert was the only one who managed to sustain super-high catch levels across both days and that’s why he’s our champion. He earned it with an amazing performance.”
For his efforts, Lambert collected a $30,000 first-place check while Marshall pocketed $8,000 and Fischer took home $5,500. In total, the tournament paid out a whopping $61,000 to the top ten finishers, plus an additional $1,000 to Cole Kleffman, who edged out Lambert by a quarter-inch for Bassin’ Magazine Big Bass honors with a 20.75” brute. All told, competitors caught, measured and released 437 fish, a mix of smallmouths and largemouths, with the bronzebacks dominating the money spots. In addition to his substantial cash prize, Lambert also qualified for the Hobie Worlds 10 and the 2021 T.O.C. Fischer, it should be noted, finished higher than has any other female competitor in a kayak fishing national championship event.
“I love river fishing for smallmouths and these waters are local for me, so I felt pretty good heading into this tournament,” said Lambert. “Still, to win it all? I just couldn’t imagine that. I’ve had several second- and third-place finishes at national events, but I’ve been lacking that signature win on the big stage. For it to come at the Holy Grail of kayak bass fishing, well, that’s hard to believe. If I were going to pick one kayak event to win, this would be it. The competition here is the best you’ll find anywhere, and this tournament is so well run, so respected. I’ve got to tell you, it feels really good!”
For Lambert, the T.O.C. was perfectly timed. While he didn’t have a national title to his credit, he was coming off a solid season, qualifying for the championship back in March at the Lake Norman B.O.S. event in Mooresville, North Carolina. He competed in a total of four B.O.S. events during the year and captured the Kayak Anglers Society of Tennessee (KAST) State Championship in mid-October on the same Knoxville waters where he would claim his Hobie Crown.
“That KAST competition was the key for me,” revealed Lambert. “It was there I found a productive area where some big bass seemed to pile up. Honestly, it was an unassuming stretch of the French Broad riverbank that featured some flooded timber in the water and a rock pile with grass on it a little further down. I figured if they could just hang tight until the T.O.C. I’d be in good shape. Luckily, they did.”
Arriving at his launch site on Day 1, Lambert found nearly a dozen kayaks ready to head out so he opted to put in at another site five miles upstream and paddle back to his hot spot in hopes of keeping it quiet. He didn’t catch a fish until about 11 a.m., but then culled a 95” limit in a 45-minute span using a Z-Man SlingbladeZ™ spinnerbait and a Z-Man Ned rig.
“It was a pretty strong bite once it got started and I finished in the top spot for Day 1,” revealed Lambert. “I knew then that if I could buy five bites on Day 2, I’d be in the running. I got six, but I had to work a lot slower to earn each strike. I had to sit on those fish all day long with a Ned rig to post 91.25” of bass. Fortunately, that was enough!” said the winner, who acknowledged having tears of relief in his eyes upon claiming his fifth and final fish of the tournament.
Marshall, 25, from Maryville, Tennessee, spent his time covering as much water as possible while targeting smallmouth bass with homemade custom spinnerbaits on the Holston River. He found himself in fourth place at the end of Day 1 with 91” of bass and followed that up with a Day 2 total of 84.5”, good for second behind Lambert.
“I was throwing the same pattern that helped me cash a check at the T.O.C. last year,” he said. “It’s a half-ounce, natural shad color presentation with double willow blades. I’d say it’s accounted for 80% of my fish in the last two Hobie B.O.S. championships. I was looking for banks that had a lot of current, and outside bends and little shoots. The rocks in these river situations make small eddies and a little bit of slack water where big smallmouths like to hide.”
Conditions were tough, noted Marshall, especially on Sunday when the storm rolled through the region. “That was probably the strongest wind I’ve ever fished through,” he stated. “Overall, I’m quite happy with my performance, but I’ve got to tip my hat to Ryan. I’d have paid him to fish the stretch he chose. I know these waters well and I didn’t think that area would hold enough big bass to put him over the top. Heck of a job.”
Fischer pinned her hopes on patterning smallmouths along cut banks and shoreline indentations that featured some slack water. It took her until 10:30 a.m. to find her first fish as the fog lifted on Day 1 to reveal a flat at the tip of an island where the French Broad splits. “There was a large area of slack water there,” she said, “and I was able to align my Hobie with a blowdown and work a solid school of bass by fan-casting the flats. I’d drilled eight or nine fish there on an underspin before deciding to save the spot for Day 2. At the end of Day 1, I was in second place with 94” of bass, just an inch behind Ryan. That left me with some exciting prospects.”
Returning to the same area for the second day of the tournament, Fischer found the bite had slowed and resorted to a shaky head presentation. By 12:30 p.m. she had dug up four fish. “Getting that fifth one was tough,” she admitted, “especially once the weather changed for the worse. I really needed the sun to make that flat bite work. With about an hour to go, I finally filled my limit with an 18.75” smallmouth that inhaled a Z-Man Shaky HeadZ® with a Turbo CrawZ™ trailer. Unfortunately, my fish ran a bit smaller than the day before, and I could only work my way up to ninth place for Day 2, which left me in third overall.”
Like Marshall, Fischer offered props to Lambert’s achievement. “I dropped a big fish late in the tournament,” she recalled. “But even with that one, I didn’t have the bites to beat him. Ryan really brought his A-game and had a stellar performance. It was a very well-deserved win.”
Both Marshall and Fischer noted that their Hobie Mirage 360 Pro Angler 14 kayaks with Kick Up Fins proved a big help in attaining and holding superior casting positions during the tournament, especially as the winds increased on Sunday. “The way that wind was blowing on Sunday, I couldn’t imagine finishing in the top three with any other kayak,” said Marshall.” There were times I was drifting at six or seven m.p.h. but with the balance, strength and MirageDrive on my Hobie, I could back-up and tuck into the spots I needed to reach, line up my casts, and hold my position to make a solid presentation.”
“My Hobie was a huge advantage in this contest,” added Fischer. “Its maneuverability is the best on the market. It allowed me to cut through current seams and hold steady in ways no other kayak can do. It really put me in a great position to maximize my fishing and casting skills.”
While all fifty anglers were battling for the T.O.C. championship title, at least a dozen more were seriously in the hunt for Hobie’s Angler of the Year (A.O.Y.) honors. Heading into the contest, A.O.Y. point leaders Jody Queen and Rus Snyders were in control of their own destinies, a top-three finish virtually assuring victory for either competitor. But it was Drew Gregory, from Ohio, who clawed his way from the third position to overtake the leaders and secure the title. Ron Champion of Georgia took second while Marshall grabbed the third spot to cap a great day. This year’s A.O.Y. first-place prize package included $5,000 cash and a fully rigged, custom-colored, orange and black B.O.S. camo Hobie Mirage 360 Pro Angler 14 outfitted with a Power Pole, Lowrance Unit on a Scotty base, and Dakota Lithium batteries. In addition to cash and prize packages, the top three A.O.Y. winners also received invitations to the Hobie Worlds 10.
For McWhorter, the end of Hobie’s tournament season brings some relief, but plans for the 2021 Hobie B.O.S. sponsored by Power-Pole are already well underway. “After a season full of challenges that still showed record growth for our series, I just want to thank all of our anglers for their continued support, willingness to travel, and everything they do to make this tourney trail so awesome. We wouldn’t be able to do it without you. Our competitors are the stars of this show, and we can’t wait to showcase even more of you next year.”
As for the city of Knoxville, McWhorter offered plenty of praise. “What an amazing time of year to be here,” he concluded. “To witness the leaves changing and the morning sun rising above these bass-filled waters and the Great Smokey Mountains has been magnificent. This was a spectacular venue for a terrific tournament, and this city has been so friendly and helpful. I’d highly recommend you find some time to visit Knoxville when you can. There’s a great mix of city and outdoors life to experience here. We’ll certainly be coming back.”
For more information on the Hobie B.O.S. Anchored by Power-Pole, or to view the final T.O.C. standings, go to: https://tourneyx.com/app/tourney/hobie-bos-tournament-of-champions.
All photos by Shane Durrance Productions
McKinney Wins Bassmaster College Classic Bracket On Lay Lake, Earns Dream Classic Berth
McKendree University's Trevor McKinney has won the 2020 Carhartt College Classic Bracket presented by Bass Pro Shops on Lay Lake and earned a berth in the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.
Photo by Kyle Jessie/B.A.S.S.
November 19, 2020
COLUMBIANA, Ala. — Thanks to a morning flurry, McKendree University senior Trevor McKinney caught 11 pounds, 11 ounces to win the Carhartt Bassmaster College Classic Bracket presented by Bass Pro Shops at Lay Lake, defeating McKendree teammate Blake Jackson by just over a pound.
With the victory, McKinney qualified for the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk scheduled for March 19-21 on Lake Ray Roberts.
“It’s been my dream since I was a little kid to make the Classic. I watched it every Sunday morning when I was a kid. Now I can say I’m going to the Classic,” McKinney said. “All of my friends and family are superproud.
“I'm not trying to sound cocky, but I’ve had a feeling all week that this was mine to win.”
McKinney caught the biggest bag of the event on Day 1 with 12-4 but stumbled a little on Day 2 with 7-12. With Jackson weighing the heaviest bag of Day 2 with 9-8, McKinney said he knew it would be a close battle in the championship round.
“I know how good of a fisherman Blake is. I knew he was fishing his strengths, and I knew he was going to be hard to beat today,” McKinney said.
During the first two days, McKinney focused on the back of one pocket on Lay Lake that had a plethora of baitfish in shallow water. As the tournament wore on, he noticed he was catching fewer fish and knew he had to make an adjustment.
So, to start the championship round, McKinney started on the point outside of the pocket where he hadn’t caught fish the first two days. He caught around 40 fish, filling his limit within an hour.
“I knew fish were leaving the area and the first place they are going to stop is that point. And that point had a lot of current coming around it too,” he said. “There was actually a hard spot off the point about 15 yards, and all of those fish were right on the hard spot.
“Even though I didn’t catch them on the point yesterday, I could see them on the graph. When I started there this morning they were biting.”
After using an underspin with a baby fluke on Day 1 and a jerkbait on Day 2, McKinney used a Rapala DT 6 crankbait to catch the majority of his fish in the final round. While he had been catching mostly largemouth the first two days, he caught all spotted bass on the final day.
“It was different for me every day,” McKinney said. “If I had come into the tournament with a mindset to do one thing, I wouldn’t have caught them.”
When the bite stalled on the point, McKinney moved to a deeper bank and used a DT 10 to make two critical culls to put the tournament out of reach.
Jackson also had a productive morning, catching all five of his keepers before the 10:30 a.m. break. He only trailed McKinney by 6 ounces at the time.
The afternoon bite never materialized for him, however, and as McKinney culled up, Jackson was unable to land another keeper fish.
“(Going back to the dock) was one of the hardest things I’ve endured. I was pretty emotional about it,” McKinney said. “If there was anyone I wanted to win this tournament other than me, it was Blake. He’s my best friend.”
Along with the Classic berth, McKinney earned $7,500 courtesy of Carhartt and will receive paid entry into all of the 2021 Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens. McKinney will fish the Opens out of a Nitro Z20 rigged with Humminbird and Minn Kota products and have the use of a Toyota Tundra tow vehicle.
Discover Shelby County, AL hosted the event.
2020 Carhartt College Classic Bracket presented by Bass Pro Shops 11/17-11/19
Lay Lake, Columbiana AL.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Club/School No./Weight
Trevor McKinney McKendree University 5 11-11
Blake Jackson McKendree University 5 10-06
