Cobb Leads Day 1 Of Tough Bassmaster Elite Series Event On Chickamauga
Brandon Cobb, of Greenwood, S.C., is leading after Day 1 of the 2020 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake with 19 pounds, 6 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
October 16, 2020
DAYTON, Tenn. — A big start, a big finish and solid productivity in between gave Brandon Cobb of Greenwood, S.C., the Day 1 lead of the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake with a five-bass limit of 19 pounds, 6 ounces.
A passing cold front created challenging conditions in which bites were few and reports of noncommittal fish were many. With a pair of bookend kickers, Cobb touted execution with two different reaction baits as the key to his success.
“It was not an easy day; I caught six and two of them just happened to be 6-pounders, so that always helps,” he said. “You can’t miss any. You have to boat every fish and just stick to it.
“It’s so tough, it’s hard to know if you’re doing the right thing. But I stuck with one thing all day, got six bites and turned in 19 pounds.”
Spending his day upriver, Cobb targeted shallow grass and got most of his bites in about 3 feet of water. After his opening spot produced the first of his 6-pounders around 8 a.m., he gave the area a little more time but soon realized he needed to secure a limit.
“I covered an area of 20 miles; I ran a lot throughout the lake,” Cobb said. “Even though I had some bites in practice, I never really figured anything out; but I could get bites by just covering water.
“I did that a while today and that’s how I scratched out my limit — just hitting a lot of places. But then I knew I needed another big one, so I returned to my primary area.”
Doing so in the last hour of fishing, Cobb found two more big bites — a 3-pounder and his other 6-pounder. In all of his areas, Cobb said he was highly selective with the grass he chose to fish.
“Depth or location wasn’t that specific, it was more that I liked the way it looked,” he said. “The color is one thing, but I’m trying to look for active grass with bream and little shad. I wanted grass with something for them to eat.”
Cobb said the presence of natural forage was a double-edged sword.
“It was frustrating because when they’re eating the shad, they are so hard to catch,” he said. “I think you just keep yourself in position where they’re feeding and one out of 1,000 will bite. I think it’s just random.
“There are so many bluegill and so many shad up in the grass that they can eat whenever they want. You just have to line up one that hasn’t eaten a shad or bluegill in the last 15 minutes. It’s just keeping yourself around fish and hoping you can trick one.”
Cobb said he’s considering a similar strategy for Day 2. However, he said he may expand his area a little.
“It’s the first day of the tournament; I practiced literally the whole lake and I really don’t know what I found,” Cobb said. “I had a bite here and a bite there, but you don’t want to overlook a place that could be the best place on the lake where you had one or two bites.”
Stetson Blaylock of Benton, Ark., is in second place with 16-1. Starting deep on offshore ledge points in about 15 feet, Blaylock caught four fish early, including a pair of what he called “good ones” on a reaction bait.
Moving shallow around 11, he caught three more quality fish on a topwater bait and culled up to his day’s weight. With 10 years of Chickamauga experience, Blaylock said he left fish biting in an effort to manage his opportunities for the next few days.
“It’s really tough to get bit, and when you get into an area where they’re biting and you have a solid bag, you really don’t want to sit in there and catch them,” he said. “I’m looking forward to getting out there and seeing if I can maintain that.
“I know it’s going to be a little tougher tomorrow just because I did catch some fish out of those areas. But there are more to be caught, for sure.”
Brad Whatley of Bivins, Texas, is in third place with 15-12. Noting that he caught his fish on a single reaction bait, Whatley said the key to his success was a particular shallow-water structure feature.
“I found it in the last hour and a half of practice,” Whatley said. “I found it so late in practice that I didn’t have time to expand. I was just fishing new water all day.
“I just ran a little pattern, but I can’t say it worked all day. It probably died after 10:30 or 11 o’clock.”
Ed Loughran III of Richmond, Va., is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 6-9 largemouth.
Clark Wendlandt of Leander, Texas, maintained his lead in the Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings with 625 points, while David Mullins of Mt. Carmel, Tenn., follows in second with 609. Austin Felix of Eden Prairie, Minn., is in third with 590, and reigning AOY Scott Canterbury of Odenville, Ala., is fourth with 588.
Saturday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. CT from Dayton Boat Dock. The weigh-in will be held at Point Park at 3:30 p.m. After Saturday’s weigh-in, only the Top 40 anglers will advance to Sunday’s semifinal round.
Live coverage of the event will be available starting at 8:30 a.m. on Bassmaster LIVE at Bassmaster.com and ESPN3.
2020 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake 10/16-10/19
Chickamauga Lake, Dayton TN.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 5 19-06 100
Day 1: 5 19-06
2. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 16-01 99
Day 1: 5 16-01
3. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 5 15-12 98
Day 1: 5 15-12
4. John Cox Debary, FL 5 14-14 97
Day 1: 5 14-14
5. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 5 14-01 96
Day 1: 5 14-01
6. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 5 13-12 95
Day 1: 5 13-12
7. Bob Downey Hudson, WI 5 13-06 94
Day 1: 5 13-06
8. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 5 13-03 93
Day 1: 5 13-03
8. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 13-03 93
Day 1: 5 13-03
10. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 5 13-00 91
Day 1: 5 13-00
11. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 5 12-14 90
Day 1: 5 12-14
12. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 4 12-09 89
Day 1: 4 12-09
13. Rob Digh Denver, NC 5 12-06 88
Day 1: 5 12-06
13. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 5 12-06 88
Day 1: 5 12-06
15. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 5 12-02 86
Day 1: 5 12-02
16. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 5 12-01 85
Day 1: 5 12-01
17. Cody Hollen Beaverton, OR 5 11-06 84
Day 1: 5 11-06
17. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 5 11-06 84
Day 1: 5 11-06
19. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 5 11-02 82
Day 1: 5 11-02
20. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 5 11-00 81
Day 1: 5 11-00
21. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 4 11-00 80
Day 1: 4 11-00
22. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 4 10-12 79
Day 1: 4 10-12
23. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 5 10-10 78
Day 1: 5 10-10
24. Frank Talley Temple, TX 5 10-08 77
Day 1: 5 10-08
25. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 10-07 76
Day 1: 5 10-07
25. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 5 10-07 76
Day 1: 5 10-07
27. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 10-05 74
Day 1: 5 10-05
28. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 5 09-12 73
Day 1: 5 09-12
29. Wes Logan Springville, AL 3 09-12 72
Day 1: 3 09-12
30. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 09-11 71
Day 1: 5 09-11
31. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 3 09-09 70
Day 1: 3 09-09
32. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 09-08 69
Day 1: 5 09-08
33. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 5 09-07 68
Day 1: 5 09-07
34. Buddy Gross Chickamauga, GA 4 09-06 67
Day 1: 4 09-06
34. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 4 09-06 67
Day 1: 4 09-06
36. Randy Pierson Oakdale, CA 5 09-00 65
Day 1: 5 09-00
37. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 3 09-00 64
Day 1: 3 09-00
38. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 2 08-14 63
Day 1: 2 08-14
39. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 2 08-10 62 $1,000.00
Day 1: 2 08-10
40. Chris Johnston Peterborough Ontario CA 4 08-09 61
Day 1: 4 08-09
41. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 3 08-09 60
Day 1: 3 08-09
42. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 3 08-01 59
Day 1: 3 08-01
43. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 4 08-00 58
Day 1: 4 08-00
44. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 3 07-12 57
Day 1: 3 07-12
45. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 3 07-08 56
Day 1: 3 07-08
46. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 4 06-15 55
Day 1: 4 06-15
47. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 3 06-15 54
Day 1: 3 06-15
48. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 4 06-13 53
Day 1: 4 06-13
49. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 2 06-13 52
Day 1: 2 06-13
50. Mike Huff Corbin, KY 3 06-12 51
Day 1: 3 06-12
51. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 2 06-10 50
Day 1: 2 06-10
52. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 3 06-03 49
Day 1: 3 06-03
52. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 3 06-03 49
Day 1: 3 06-03
54. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 3 06-00 47
Day 1: 3 06-00
55. Jesse Tacoronte Kissimmee, FL 3 05-14 46
Day 1: 3 05-14
56. Jay Yelas Lincoln City, OR 2 05-10 45
Day 1: 2 05-10
57. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 3 05-08 44
Day 1: 3 05-08
58. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 2 05-07 43
Day 1: 2 05-07
59. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 2 05-03 42
Day 1: 2 05-03
60. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 2 04-07 41
Day 1: 2 04-07
60. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 2 04-07 41
Day 1: 2 04-07
62. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 2 03-15 39
Day 1: 2 03-15
63. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 1 03-14 38
Day 1: 1 03-14
64. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 1 03-13 37
Day 1: 1 03-13
65. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 2 03-11 36
Day 1: 2 03-11
66. Derek Hudnall Denham Springs, LA 2 03-10 35
Day 1: 2 03-10
66. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 2 03-10 35
Day 1: 2 03-10
66. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 2 03-10 35
Day 1: 2 03-10
69. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 2 03-06 32
Day 1: 2 03-06
70. Seth Feider New Market, MN 2 03-03 31
Day 1: 2 03-03
71. Greg DiPalma Millville, NJ 2 03-00 30
Day 1: 2 03-00
72. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 1 02-11 29
Day 1: 1 02-11
73. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 1 02-04 28
Day 1: 1 02-04
74. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 1 02-03 27
Day 1: 1 02-03
75. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 1 02-01 26
Day 1: 1 02-01
76. David Fritts Lexington, NC 1 01-15 25
Day 1: 1 01-15
76. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 1 01-15 25
Day 1: 1 01-15
78. Destin DeMarion Grove City, PA 1 01-14 23
Day 1: 1 01-14
79. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 1 01-13 22
Day 1: 1 01-13
80. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 1 01-11 21
Day 1: 1 01-11
81. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 1 01-10 20
Day 1: 1 01-10
82. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 1 01-06 19
Day 1: 1 01-06
83. Quentin Cappo Prairieville, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
83. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
83. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 06-09 $1,000.00
Swindles’ Thinking About Classic Cut & Whitetail Deer
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Gerald Swindle had plenty on his mind last night as he made a few final tweaks to his tackle in anticipation for the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite on Lake Chickamauga to begin.
The Team Toyota fan favorite finds himself a few AOY points outside of the Bassmaster Classic cutline with only eight competition days left in the 2020 season. While Swindle desperately wants to qualify for his 19th appearance in the Super Bowl of bass fishing, he felt a sense of peace leading into Chickamauga.
“I think I’ve thought my stress bone dry,” Swindle joked. “It’s hard to feel super stressed about the Classic when it’s been so tough to get a bite. We hit the fall transitional funk just right with these last three events, and man, they start to wear on you.”
Swindle and the rest of the Elite field gave reports of an extremely fickle Lake Chickamauga throughout practice, which came as a bit of a surprise. This legendary Tennessee River fishery is undoubtedly full of big bass, but for whatever reason they don’t seem to be biting right now.
“I don’t mind grinding, I really don’t, but I like to catch fish too,” Swindle offered. “There hasn’t been a whole lot of fish catchin’ for me this week. But I’m keeping my PMA (positive mental attitude) because tough tournaments are the easiest ones to win.”
This time of year Swindle usually spends his time 20-feet off the ground chasing whitetails, but this October finds him covering miles in his Tundra and Phoenix Boat trying to claw his way into the Classic cut.
While Gerald hasn’t had much time for his mind to wander during the back-to-back-to-back events, his faithful wife LeAnn (LuLu) isn’t afraid to admit she’s had bow hunting on the brain. In fact, LuLu packed her bow, arrows, and a foam target with her for this Chickamauga event.
“Alabama’s archery opener was yesterday and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t ready for our yearly escape to the whitetail woods,” LuLu said with a smile.
You see, on top of being his loyal wife and biggest supporter, LuLu takes care of Gerald when he’s competing in tournaments. She brews Black Rifle Coffee and backs him down the ramp in the morning. She handles any sponsor relations during the day, picks him up at sunset, and ensures G’s got a warm meal when he gets off the water.
While Gerald might be the one of the stage, they are a team.
The Alabama lovebirds handle hunting season as a two-person team the same way they approach fishing, except both of them get to participate in the woods. It’s something they look forward to all year long.
“Bow hunting is when I pay back all my ‘work debt’,” Swindle laughed. “I’ll hang her tree stands, wake up first and make her coffee, take care of some of the things she’s usually covering for me. Lord knows she’s earned it.”
The Swindles’ would love to be deer hunting this weekend, but don’t let that fool you to believing they aren’t thinking of the task at hand. They are laser focused on fishing, using archery season as a payoff once they get through the final push of tournament season.
“At the end of the day we’re grateful to be fishing and making up our entire schedule of events,” both Swindles said in unison.
“The B.A.S.S. Tournament Staff did a heck of a job to ensure we got our full season in,” Gerald said. “So for now we’re happy to not be hunting… but after Toyota Texas Fest on Lake Fork those deer are in trouble!”
Collins Sticks To Plan, Maintains Lead At B.A.S.S. Nation Regional On Toledo Bend
Texas team angler Albert Collins, of Nacogdoches, Texas, is leading after Day 2 of the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional at Toledo Bend with a two-day total of 22 pounds, 11 ounces.
Photo by Brenden Kanies/B.A.S.S.
October 15, 2020
MANY, La. — Albert Collins “didn’t change a thing” on Thursday after staking himself to the Day 1 lead in the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional at Toledo Bend Reservoir.
The repeat performance paid dividends.
Collins caught a five-bass limit Thursday that weighed 9 pounds, 9 ounces, following the 13-2 limit he caught a day earlier. The 55-year old Nacogdoches, Texas, angler remained atop the boater division with a 22-11 total and finds himself one solid bag away from a tournament title on this 181,000-acre reservoir straddling the Louisiana/Texas border.
The only difference between Day 1 and Day 2 was that Collins lacked the 5-pound largemouth that anchored his bag Wednesday.
“I ran the same spots I did yesterday,” Collins said after Thursday’s weigh-in at Cypress Bend Park. “I caught seven keepers yesterday, and I caught six today. It’s been a grind, but I’ve been able to find the fish I need.”
A cold front is expected to move across Toledo Bend late Thursday evening, dropping temperatures from the low 80s to the mid-50s by the 7 a.m. takeoff on Friday. Rain is forecast overnight as well, and a stiff north wind could make it prohibitive for Collins to motor to the northern edge of Toledo Bend where he’s built his lead this week.
“I’ll still go north, I just won’t go as far north, I think,” Collins said.
A total of 160 anglers from eight states started this three-day event — 80 in both the boater and nonboater divisions. Both fields were cut to the Top 22 anglers after Thursday’s weigh-in, including the Top 16 overall, as well as any others who aren’t in that number but are first or second on their state team.
Jared Miller of Norman, Okla., is in second place among boaters with a two-day total of 21-1, and Blake Sylvester of Plaquemine, La., is third with 20-4. Josh Ray of Alexander, Ark., is fourth with 20-1, while Missouri teammates Rick Carroll and Adam Johnson both have 19-8 heading into Friday’s finale.
Miller caught five bass for 12-13 on Thursday, which was the third-heaviest sack of the day. Like Collins, he’s making a long run north on Toledo Bend and said wind could reduce the time he can fish on Friday.
Miller said he’s working in an area thick with cypress knees, and it is taking him as long as 90 minutes to idle into the spot, then another 90 to idle out. That follows a 30-plus mile run north and another back to Cypress Bend.
“I don’t have an alternate plan,” Miller said. “I found the spot in practice. It’s where I’m going. The spot is huge, with thousands of trees. I just wish I had more time.”
Sylvester also is fishing the northern part of the reservoir in “shallow, dirty water like we fish back home on the Atchafalaya Basin,” he said.
“I may have to scrap everything and just go fishing tomorrow,” he said. “But if (the wind) doesn’t blow hard, I’m going all the way again.”
Trace Day of Denham Springs, La., leads the nonboater field after catching three-bass limits each day for a total of 13-6 overall. Connor Rushing of Pride, La., is second in the division with 13-4 and Phil Clopton of Macks Creek, Mo., is third with 13-2.
Clopton boated the biggest bass of the tournament to date (6-13) while fishing with Sylvester on Thursday. The hefty largemouth was the only bass he caught on Day 2, but he leads for the $250 cash prize that will go to the nonboater with the heaviest bass of the tournament.
Jason Carpenter of Greeley, Colo., maintains his Day 1 lead for heaviest bass in the boater division (6-11). Big bass in that field comes with a $500 cash prize.
Arkansas won the team championship portion, which was decided Thursday. The 20-person squad from the Natural State weighed 93 bass over two days for a total of 200-8 and collected a $5,000 cash prize. Louisiana placed second with 88 bass for 187-5 and won $3,000. Missouri won $2,000 for finishing third (81 bass, 163-14).
This tournament is the final B.A.S.S. Nation Regional before the season championship is held Nov. 11-13 on Alabama’s Pickwick Lake.
The top boater of the tournament will win $5,000 Friday afternoon, and the winning nonboater will win $2,500.
The total purse in this week’s regional is $24,000.
Day 3 begins at 7 a.m. CT Friday from Cypress Bend Park, and weigh-in will be held back at the park at 3 p.m.
Collins Takes Lead At B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional On Toledo Bend Reservoir
Texas team angler Albert Collins, of Nacogdoches, Texas, is leading after Day 1 of the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional at Toledo Bend with 13 pounds, 2 ounces.
Photo by Brenden Kanies/B.A.S.S.
October 14, 2020
MANY, La. — Albert Collins thought an average weight of 12 or 13 pounds per day could put him in contention at the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional at Toledo Bend Reservoir.
After Day 1, he’s right on target.
Collins, who lives in Nacogdoches, Texas, about an hour’s drive from the event’s takeoff site at Cypress Bend Park, caught five bass on Wednesday that weighed 13 pounds, 2 ounces. That total met his expectations — and it was enough to give him the lead on this mammoth 181,000-acre reservoir on the Louisiana/Texas border.
Collins has a slim 8-ounce lead in the boater division, which features 80 anglers from eight states. An additional 80 nonboaters are competing in the three-day event, which is the final B.A.S.S. Nation Regional before the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, which is scheduled for Nov. 11-13 on Alabama’s Pickwick Lake.
Collins said he only fishes Toledo Bend about twice a year. But knowing he was competing in this regional, he’s made note of the winning totals from recent tournaments on the famed fishery.
“Louisiana B.A.S.S. Nation had their tournament here two weeks ago, and it took 24 pounds over two days to win that one,” Collins said. “There was a team tournament here last weekend, and it took 25 pounds to win that one. So I knew it was going to be pretty tough.”
Collins, who will turn 56 on Halloween, said he only caught seven keepers Wednesday. He believes Hurricane Delta, which came ashore in southwest Louisiana last week, may have hindered the Day 1 haul on Toledo Bend.
Of the 160 competing anglers, only nine caught double-digit totals, which is noteworthy for a place that produces lunker bass with relative frequency. Oklahoma’s Austin Cranford, who weighed four bass for 12-9, is in second place, while Arkansas’ Jim Martin (four bass, 12-4) and his Natural State teammate Don Douglas IV (five bass, 12-2) hold down third and fourth place, respectively.
Collins said he’s been forced to adjust on the fly.
“I was on a little better bite in practice, but the hurricane has the water up,” he said. “I’m fishing offshore, but kind of at mid-depth, and it changed some things. I caught three fish early, and the last of them I had to grind pretty hard to catch.”
Collins said he favored plum colored lures on Day 1, including a 6th Sense C10 crankbait (chartreuse/black), a 6th Sense Ridge worm and a Mister Twister Hang 10! worm.
Danny Fourr of Waterflow, N.M., caught three bass that weighed 9-2 and leads the nonboater field.
Fourr qualified for the 2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on Lake Conroe in Texas, but he got sick during the tournament and didn’t perform well. Nevertheless, he said having that experience made him a better angler and he wants to prove it on Toledo Bend — and hopefully Pickwick.
“I’m here this week to get back (to the championship),” Fourr said. “I’m ready to go again.”
Jason Carpenter of Greeley, Colo., had a 6-11 largemouth that ranked as the heaviest bass in either division. That was the only fish he caught, but he’s still in 27th place. There is a $500 cash prize for the boater with the heaviest bass of the tournament and a $250 prize for the biggest bass in the nonboater division.
Team Arkansas led Wednesday’s action with its 20 anglers combining to catch 53 bass for a total weight of 115-5. Team Louisiana is in second place (40 bass, 90-8) and Missouri is third (38 bass, 75-13.)
The entire field will compete again Thursday, and both divisions will be cut to their Top 16 anglers for Friday’s final day of competition. Any competitors in first or second place for their state, but not in the Top 16 in their division, will make the cut as well.
The top boater will win $5,000 and the top nonboater will earn $2,500. The state with the heaviest total after Thursday’s weigh-in will win $5,000.
The total purse for this week’s regional is $24,000.
Day 2 of the B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional will begin at Cypress Bend Park at 7 a.m. CT Thursday. Weigh-in is scheduled for 3 p.m.
Lester: Eliminating Water is Important
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Practice has begun for Bassmaster Elite Series pros on Lake Chickamauga for what will be their third straight week of tournament fishing. The fall transition has lakes across the country fishing tough right now and early reports sound as though it’ll be another grinder of a derby on The Chick.
Team Toyota’s Brandon Lester said his first day of practice didn’t give him much to smile about in terms of fish catching, but the even-keeled Tennessee native wasn’t shaken. He knows it’s all part of the process.
As backward as it may sound, Lester believes a slow day of practice could be the key to a successful tournament. For every potential area he eliminates from his game plan gets him one step closer to dialing in for day one of competition.
“Eliminating water is always an important part of practice but even more on a lake like Chickamauga,” Lester explained. “There are tons of quality fish in here, but there is just so much dead water this time of year. Learning where not to spend your time is just as important as getting bites.”
Of the areas Lester visited during his first day of practice, he suspects 70% of it can be removed from his tournament plan completely, with 30% of what he saw having potential when it comes time for game day.
Sections of the lake aren’t the only thing Lester looks to eliminate, he’s also trying to hone in on what lures and techniques he needs to spend the lion share of his time throwing. Ruling out certain presentations is an important part of that equation.
“Every rod I can take off the front deck and put back in the rod locker makes me smile,” Lester joked. “I had over 15 rods out all day, hopefully I can narrow that down a bit tomorrow.”
Elite Series pros have two more full days of practice until competition begins Friday morning for the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite on Lake Chickamauga. Lester intends to spend that time covering as much water as possible; looking for bass-shaped needles in the proverbial haystack this fishery makes up.
“From my house here to Dayton is a ~150 mile drive my Tundra,” Lester said. “I promise you I’ll cover more miles in my Phoenix throughout practice. I don’t want to spread myself too thin, but the winning fish could come from anywhere this week, and I’d love to find them.”
Former Carhartt College Champ Previews Chick
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Jacob Foutz is one of few 22-year olds on the planet who can say they’ve competed in the Bassmaster Classic. The 2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Champion represented college anglers on bass fishing’s biggest stage just a few short years ago and now serves as a fishing guide on Lake Chickamauga, the site for this week’s Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite.
In mid September Foutz won a two-day BFL Super Tournament that went out of this week’s venue and he attended college right here in Dayton, Tennessee at Bryan College.
Furthermore, he recently left a workingman’s job at Coca-Cola Consolidated due to his guide business on Chickamauga being busy enough to merit him going full-time with it. Plainly stated, Foutz has spent a ton of time on this fishery in recent years.
Dave Mercer nicknamed Foutz “The Paper Boy” back in 2018, so we asked the former college fishing standout to deliver the news on what Elite Series pros might face this week on “The Chick”.
Q: Will Lake Chickamauga’s famous Tennessee River Ledges be dominant in a four-day tournament this time of year?
Foutz: “I wouldn’t completely write them off, but in my experience the offshore bite struggles when they start dropping the water level during the fall drawdown. They’ve already began that process but we aren’t all the way to winter pool just yet.”
Q: What are three lures anglers at the top of the leaderboard will be throwing this week?
Foutz: “I would personally say a frog but lets broaden that to some kind of topwater, as schooling fish could be a factor. Second would be a punching or big weight setup, and lastly I’d think a bladed jig.”
Q: Based on those lures, do you think Chickamauga’s grass will be a focal point for Elite Series pros this week?
Foutz: “There will definitely be a lot of anglers fishing in and around grass, but this lake offers all kinds of cover guys could catch bass out of. Docks, brush piles, shallow wood, current and rocks all might be in play when the lake is fishing as tough as it is right now.”
Q: What region of the lake do you think the tournament will be won in?
Foutz: “The majority of multi-day tournaments on this lake are won on the lower end, but due to the fickle nature of fall fishing I genuinely believe this event could be won anywhere. There are quality fish swimming everywhere in here; I’m talking dam to dam. But getting five of those fish in the boat everyday will be a chore.”
In summary, Foutz is calling this tournament “wide open”. Recent local tournament weights aren’t indicative of just how many giant bass live in this lake and someone in the Elite Series field is sure to crack the code.
If you are interested in booking a guided trip with Jacob Foutz on this legendary fishery or several others in the area follow this link and set something up! https://www.jacobfoutzfishing.com/
AC Insider Podcast - "Freestyle Buf-fet" with Frank "The Tank" Talley!
This week in a pre-recorded show, Chris and the boys welcome in Strike King/Lews Pro Frank "The Tank" Talley to talk about his first win on the Bassmaster Elite Series on Lake Guntersville! This is a fun interview that you wont want to miss!!
Bernie Schultz Banks Toyota Bonus Bucks
Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships
Bassmaster tournament veteran Bernie Schultz methodically picked bass off of Santee Cooper’s famous cypress trees en route to his 5th place finish at the Bassmaster Elite on Santee Cooper Lakes presented by the United States Marine Core.
His efforts hauled in the $3,000 Toyota Bonus Bucks payout and further cemented his claim to the best-looking visor on the Elite Series. The Gainesville, Florida pro has long been considered one of the good guys of the sport and it’s great to see him near the top of the leaderboard.
Schultz primarily relied on a weightless 5-inch watermelon / green pumpkin laminate Yamamoto Senko he wacky-rigged to catch fickle bass smack dab in the middle of their fall transition. He used a VMC Ike Approved Weedless Neko Hook for the business end of his setup and fished extremely slow to get more bites than his competitors.
After towing with a suburban for most of his early career, Schultz made the switch to a Toyota Tundra several years ago and hasn’t looked back. Saying the towing power and dependability of a Tundra have won him over.
“I’ve never owned a more reliable tow vehicle,” Schultz said about his 2018 Tundra. “I’ve owned two Tundras now and all I’ve ever had to do is buy gas and windshield wipers. That’s it. The truck is truly a workhorse and tows exceptionally well.”
Bernie explained the Schultz family actually has three Toyota vehicles to their name and they are all pleased with their choices. His wife drives a 4Runner, his son sports a Highlander, and he drives a Tundra.
“My 2018 has around 40,000 miles on it, which isn’t a lot for a Toyota, but I’m already looking forward to buying a 2022 in a year or so,” Schultz concluded.
Fortunately for you, it doesn’t take a top finish against some of the best bass anglers in the world to reap the rewards of Toyota Bonus Bucks. The popular contingency program supports hundreds of bass and walleye tournaments of all levels, including team tournaments and college series events.
As long as you own a Toyota tow vehicle that is five years old or newer (2016 or newer) and you are the highest placing registered participant in a Bonus Bucks supported event you are eligible for payouts. For a full list of events, program rules, or to get registered head to https://www.toyotatrucksbonusbucks.com/.
For any questions or comments reach out to Chip or Kendell at Bonusbucks@dynamicsponsorships.com and they’ll help you out.
Morrow Wins Two-Day Phoenix Bass Fishing League event on Lake Hartwell
Co-angler Victory Goes to Hiawassee’s McClure
ANDERSON, S.C. (Oct. 13, 2020) Boater Troy Morrow of Eastanollee, Georgia, brought a two-day total of 10 bass to the scale weighing 32 pounds even, to win the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine Savannah River Division Super-Tournament at Lake Hartwell presented by Fish-Intel. For his victory, Morrow earned $6,415.
I didn’t start catching fish until after 9 a.m, but I had found a spot in practice with some big ones on a timber line,” said Morrow. “I broke a big one off yesterday that would have really helped but I went back today and they were schooling so I caught them all on top.”
Morrow comes from a recent Toyota Series win on Lake Norman, only a few short weeks ago.
“On Hartwell, it all depends on what bait the fish are currently eating,” Morrow continued. “These were eating small fish so I threw small topwater baits. Normally if you can find them eating on the bluebacks, you go with pencil poppers, big sammies and your bigger walking baits.”
Morrow said if he had to name his key bait it would be the Zoom Shakey Head Worm in green-pumpkin color.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament as follows:
1st: Troy Morrow of Eastonellee, Ga.,10 bass, 32-0, $6,415
2nd: Derek Lehtonen of Woodruff, S.C., 10 bass, 28-4, $3,708
3rd: Chris Nelson of Social Circle, Ga., 10 bass, 27-4, $2,141
4th: Jayme Rampey of Liberty, S.C., 10 bass, 26-11, $1,497
5th: Tony Holliday of Piedmont, S.C., 10 bass, 25-5, $1,283
6th: Justin Singleton of Myrtle Beach, S.C., 10 bass, 24-12, $1,376
7th: Lane Wright of Cumming, Ga., 10 bass, 24-6, $1,069
8th: Bo Price of Seneca, S.C., 10 bass, 23-12, $962
9th: Trent Palmer of Cumming, Ga., 10 bass, 23-1, $855
10th: Collin Smith of Honea Path, S.C., 10 bass, 21-11, $748
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Jeremy Strong of Elberton, Georgia earned the day’s $907 Boater Big Bass award with a 5-pound, 5-ounce bass.
Lehtonen 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.
Nathan McClure of Hiawassee, Georgia earned the win in the Co-angler Division Sunday after catching a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 19 pounds, 6 ounces. McClure earned $3,181 for his victory.
The top 10 co-anglers finished as follows:
1st: Nathan McClure of Hiawassee, Ga., 10 bass, 19-6, $3,181
2nd: Adam Tanner of Cleveland, Ga., 10 bass, 18-10, $1,591
3rd: Wendell Grantham of Athens, Ga., 10 bass, 17-13, $1,061
4th: Christopher Chavis of Guyton, Ga., nine bass, 17-5, $742
5th: Blake Wilson of Benton, Ark., 10 bass, 17-3, $636
6th: Wayne Hancock of Cumming, Ga., 10 bass, 16-15, $583
7th: Cody Coker of Comer, Ga., eight bass, 15-13, $530
8th: Brian Anthony of Pickens, S.C., 10 bass, 15-9, $677
9th: Gary Haraguchi of Phoenix, Ariz., nine bass, 15-7, $424
10th: Kevin Henderson of Honea Path, S.C., seven bass, 15-3, $371
Collin Cribb of Sumter, South Carolina, earned the event’s Co-angler Big Bass Award of $450 with a fish weighing in at 3 pounds, 7 ounces
The 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine on Lake Hartwell was hosted by the Anderson Convention and Visitors Bureau and was the fifth and final qualifying event in the 2020 Savannah River Division.
Now the top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the Savannah River Division based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will advance to the Oct. 22-24 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Georgia, hosted by Gainesville Convention and Visitors Bureau. Boaters will compete for a $60,000 prize package, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new 18-foot Phoenix bass boat with a 200-horsepower outboard.
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 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American will be held Nov. 11-13 at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina and is hosted by Visit Anderson. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division earn priority entry into the FLW Series, the pathway to the FLW Pro Circuit and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour, where top pros compete with no entry fees.
Tom Nokes Takes Day One Lead of the 2020 WON Bass U.S. Open
Cody Steckel in second at 38th Event from Lake Mead
by Dan O'Sullivan
Las Vegas, Nev. – October 12, 2020 – Any time the anglers converge on Callville Bay marina and the waters of Lake Mead for the WON Bass U.S. Open, anything can happen. It is not unusual to find extreme weather conditions and tough fishing as the norm for the event. In the case of the 2020 Bass Cat Boats / Mercury WON Bass U.S. Open, the event was welcomed with Chamber of Commerce weather and the usual tough bite.
While most anglers want wind and waves to trigger the bass bite, high skies and slick conditions were the canvas for the field to begin applying the strokes that would become the portrait that is each WON Bass U.S. Open.
When conditions slick off, anglers can try to force the bite they found in practice or fall back to something that requires a little more deftness. That is precisely that day one leader Tom Nokes and AAA his partner Luke Spreitzer chose to do. The pair produced a stellar 12.69-pound limit to take the day one lead of the 2020 Bass Cat Boats / Mercury WON Bass U.S. Open
The pair reported trying to run aggressive patterns fist thing this morning, but when the fish didn’t respond, they hunkered down. “We went to our water and the fish weren’t responding to our presentations early, so we turned to dropshotting, and they bit,” said Nokes. “We were able to cull a couple of fish later in the day and expand on my area, so I feel like I have something to go on going forward.”
Not to be outdone, pro Cody Steckel and his AAA partner Clara Ricabal put 11.44 pounds on the scales at Callville Bay to finish the day in second place. Steckel said that it could have been better. “I kind of expected to have a decent day with the practice I had and saw some fish that would have made today very interesting,” he said. “I caught everything fairly close to takeoff, and on plastics, so I think I’ll be able to continue event in the conditions.
Robert Maddox and his AAA Partner Christopher Dix brought 11.18 pounds to the scales to finish the day in third place, they were followed in fourth place by Carl Limerick and Len Scinto with 10.82 pounds, and rounding out the top five was the team of John Stewart and Kyle Charles with 10.63 pounds.
Jocumsen Earns $1,000 Yamaha Power Pay Bonus
Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships
KENNESAW, Ga. – Oct. 12, 2020 – Carl Jocumsen, the only Australian to win a
Bassmaster ® event, narrowly missed claiming another trophy when he finished
second to good friend Brandon Palaniuk in the Bassmaster ® Elite on Santee
Cooper Lakes presented by the United States Marine Corps ® .
Jocumsen’s story is an inspiring one and he added another exciting chapter last
weekend on Santee Cooper. Speaking of excited, Jocumsen and his wife Kayla
were thrilled to learn they earned another $1,000 Power Pay bonus thanks to the
Yamaha V MAX SHO ® outboard on the back of his Bass Cat ® Boat.
This marks the second time Jocumsen’s has pocketed the Yamaha Power Pay
money this year; a grand reminder that his decision to run a Yamaha outboard
motor in 2020 has been fruitful in a myriad of ways.
His primary pattern was based around using a 1.25-ounce WOO Tungsten ®
weight to punch a Molix ® SV Craw into matted vegetation in the back of Jack’s
Creek on the massive South Carolina fishery.
Keeper bites were few and far between, but committing to punching heavy
vegetation and having extreme confidence in his equipment allowed him to milk
his main area for all it was worth.
“Had I not been running a Yamaha day three could have been a disaster,”
Jocumsen said. “With only three keepers in my livewell I was running out of time
and I still had a long run through rough water. Having the utmost trust in my
equipment allowed me to push it until the last minute, catch my fourth keeper,
and make it back to weigh-in with little time to spare.”
You don’t have to win a tournament or be a professional fisherman to reap the
benefits of Yamaha’s reliability or the popular Power Pay contingency program.
Power Pay supports hundreds of bass, saltwater, walleye, and high school or
college level tournaments and is awarded to the highest finishing registered
participant in these events.
Don’t leave money on the table and visit yamahapowerpay.com for further
information, complete terms and conditions or to register for Yamaha Power Pay.
Or feel free to email Chip with questions or comments at
Chip@dynamicsponsorships.com
Yamaha Marine products are marketed throughout the United States and around
the world. Yamaha Marine Engine Systems, based in Kennesaw, Ga., supports
its 2,000 U.S. dealers and boat builders with marketing, training and parts for
Yamaha’s full line of products and strives to be the industry leader in reliability,
technology and customer service. Yamaha Marine is the only outboard brand to
have earned NMMA®’s C.S.I. Customer Satisfaction Index award every year
since its inception. Visit www.yamahaoutboards.com.
This document contains many of Yamaha’s valuable trademarks. It may also
contain trademarks belonging to other companies. Any references to other
companies or their products are for identification purposes only, and are not
intended to be an endorsement.
REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and
drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and
protective gear.
Costa Sunglasses Supports Veterans Through New Freedom Series
Daytona Beach, Fla. – October 8, 2020 – Long known for high-quality, on-water eyewear, Costa® Sunglasses is proud to announce its latest special line of frames, the Freedom Series, highlighting the brand’s partnership with Freedom Fighter Outdoors (FFO).
The new Freedom Series sunglasses feature many of the most popular Costa frame styles in patriotic-inspired colorways, while supporting Freedom Fighters Outdoors’ initiative to help get veterans out on the water and participating in recreational outdoor activities.
Including 16 frame styles across the brand’s core performance and beach lifestyle categories, the Freedom Series is inspired by the most patriotic themes—featuring unique frame colors like: Matte Freedom Fade, Matte USA Red, Shiny American Sky, and Matte Blue Firework. Additionally, small flag-inspired accents, including logo decals and temple designs are embedded into frames within the lineup.
“As advocates for our watery world, we are thrilled to join forces with the like-minded team at Freedom Fighter Outdoors,” said T.J. McMeniman, vice president of marketing at Costa. “As a veteran, I understand how impactful programs like this can be for our injured service members. Providing support to give veterans a once in a lifetime experience on the water is extremely important to us. We’re proud to play a small role in honoring and empowering our nation’s heroes.’”
"FFO is very fortunate to be a part of this collaboration with Costa,” said Vincent LaSorsa, founder/president of Freedom Fighter Outdoors. “The brand’s support and generosity to our organization and our nations veterans is the highest honor. We are so thankful that Costa is seeing the good side of our mission to honor our nations veterans.”
The Freedom Series is now available in a variety of Costa frame styles with Costa 580® lens technology in both Lightwave® glass and impact-resistant polycarbonate, which provides 100 percent UV protection and polarization. The line will range in price from $179 to $279, depending on frame and lens combination. For more information on the new frames and the full line of Costa sunglasses, visit https://www.costadelmar.com/en-us/collections/freedom-series.
Daves Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on James River
Co-angler Victory Goes to Maryland’s Bae
HENRICO, Va. (Oct. 12, 2020) Pro Chris Daves of Spring Grove, Virginia, brought a three-day total of 15 bass to the scale weighing 50 pounds, 1 ounces to win the no-entry fee Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine Regional Championship on the James River. For his victory, Daves earned $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and automatic entry into the 2021 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American Championship, June 3-5, at Douglas Lake in Dandridge, Tennessee.
“We had extremely low tides the past few days, which put the fish off the bank and right where I like to fish,” said Daves, regarding the key to his victory.
“I fished drops on the lower end of James in the mouth of the Chickahominy River, at a depth of 4 to 5 feet, with a chartreuse-colored square-bill crankbait,” continued Daves. “I also caught several key fish on a ribbontail worm.”
Daves said he grew up fishing this river and Wards Creek.
“Fishing on your home lake, you normally get the local jinx, but this time it worked out for me, so it feels good,” said Daves.
The top six boaters that qualified for 2021 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American were:
1st: Chris Daves of Spring Grove, Va., 15 bass, 50-1, $60,000
2nd: Jason Burger of Bridgeton, N.J., 15 bass, 45-11, $10,000
3rd: Chris Baldwin of Lexington, N.C., 15 bass, 44-6, $5,200
4th: Keith Estes of Spring Grove, Va., 15 bass, 44-4, $3,000
5th: Jason Thomas of Lexington, N.C., 15 bass, 43-10, $2,500
6th: Chad Poteat of Mount Airy, N.C., 15 bass, 43-9, $1,800
Rounding out the top 10 boaters were:
7th: Chris Dover of Blacksburg, S.C., 15 bass, 41-11, $1,600
8th: Jason Barnes of Concord, N.C., 15 bass, 41-9, $1,400
9th: Cole Huskins of Gastonia, N.C., 15 bass, 40-9, $1,200
10th: Steve Colgin of Lanexa, Va., 15 bass, 40-1, $1,000
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Thomas 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.
Moo Bae of West Friendship, Maryland, weighed in 15 bass over three days totaling 35 pounds, 5 ounces to win the top co-angler prize package of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.
The top six co-anglers that qualified for the 2021 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American were:
1st: Moo Bae of West Friendship, Md., 15 bass, 35-5, $50,000, including Phoenix 819 Pro boat w/200-hp outboard
2nd: David Mills of Wirtz, Va., 15 bass, 33-11, $5,000
3rd: Rod Mackinnon of Middletown, N.Y., 14 bass, 30-3, $2,500
4th: Travis Garrett of Charlottesville, Va., 13 bass, 30-3, $1,500
5th: Terri Davis of Chilhowie, Va., 15 bass, 27-15, $1,000
6th: Robert Wedding of Welcome, Md., 11 bass, 25-12, $1,150
Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers were:
7th: Cody Lewis of Ooltewah, Tenn., nine bass, 22-2, $800
8th: Nick Coker of Knoxville, Tenn., 13 bass, 21-12, $700
9th: Bradley Smith of Cherryville, N.C. 14 bass, 21-3, $600
10th: Gregory Chuhta of Germantown, Md., 12 bass, 20-11, $500
The Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine Regional Championship on the James River was hosted by Richmond Region Tourism. It featured the top pros and co-anglers from the North Carolina, Northeast, Shenandoah and Volunteer divisions.
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.
Boggs Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on Lake Chickamauga
Co-angler Victory Goes to Vonore’s Lemons
DAYTON, Tenn. (Oct. 12, 2020) Boater Drew Boggs of Lebanon, Tennessee, brought a three-day total of 15 bass to the scale weighing 40 pounds, 11 ounces to win the no-entry fee Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine Regional Championship at Lake Chickamauga. For his victory, Boggs earned $61,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and automatic entry into the 2021 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American Championship, June 3-5, at Douglas Lake in Dandridge, Tennessee.
“This is my first time in a long time to come out on top, and I’ve been trying hard,” said Boggs. “It’s been a grind with the drop in water levels, so I’m super excited with what I weighed in today.”
Boggs said he found his winning fish in the middle part of the lake, fishing shallow, throwing a swimbait, buzzbait and a squarebill crankbait.
“I was fishing water that hadn’t been fished and getting to places other people hadn’t been to – I think that made the biggest difference,” continued Boggs. “I’m so excited – this will be my third All-American tournament to compete in and I can’t wait,” said Boggs.
The top six boaters that qualified for 2021 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American were:
1st: Drew Boggs of Lebanon, Tenn., 15 bass, 40-11, $61,000
2nd: Blake Tomlin of Greenville, Ga., 13 bass, 37-9, $10,000
3rd: Jason Nixon of Wetumpka, Ala., 13 bass, 37-2, $5,000
4th: Brent Butler of Vonore, Tenn., 14 bass, 35-12, $3,000
5th: Lloyd Pickett, Jr., of Bartlett, Tenn., 14 bass, 35-0, $2,000
6th: Christopher Thomas of Birmingham, Ala., 14 bass, 34-7, $1,800
Rounding out the top 10 boaters were:
7th: Jeff Cannon of Douglasville, Ga., 14 bass, 33-15, $1,600
8th: Mike Quinlin of Mooresville, Ind., 14 bass, 33-2, $1,900
9th: Vernon Lowe of Oneida, Tenn., 14 bass, 32-11, $1,200
10th: David Wootton of Collierville, Tenn., 10 bass, 30-10, $1,000
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Quinlin 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.
Samuel Lemons of Vonore, Tennessee, weighed in 10 bass over three days totaling 32 pounds, 5 ounces to win the top co-angler prize package of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard.
The top six co-anglers that qualified for the 2021 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American were:
1st: Samuel Lemons of Vonore, Tenn., 32-5, 10 bass, $50,000
2nd: Brent Clark of Bowling Green, Ky., 11 bass, 21-4, $5,000
3rd: Curtis Cline of Lafayette, Tenn., 10 bass, 19-1, $2,500
4th: Keith Whipple of Iuka, Miss., eight bass, 18-8, $1,500
5th: Allen Neal of Whitley City, Ky., seven bass, 17-13, $1,000
6th: Michael Petras of Biloxi, Miss., seven bass, 17-11, $900
Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers were:
7th: Dennis Taylor of Murray, Ky., eight bass, 15-10, $800
8th: Nathan Martin of Golden, Miss., five bass, 15-0, $700
9th: Jojo Walsh of Lyles, Tenn., four bass, 13-13, $600
10th: Josh Allen of Salem, Ala., six bass, 13-6, $500
The Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine Regional Championship on Lake Chickamauga was hosted by the Rhea Economic and Tourism Council. It featured the top pros and co-anglers from the Bama (Alabama), LBL (Kentucky), Mississippi, and Mountain (Kentucky-Tennessee) divisions.
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.
Big Final Day Lifts Palaniuk To Win In Bassmaster Elite At Santee Cooper
Brandon Palaniuk, of Rathdrum, Idaho, has won the 2020 Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes brought to you by the United States Marine Corps with a four-day total of 72 pounds, 2 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
October 11, 2020
Big Final Day Lifts Palaniuk To Win In Bassmaster Elite At Santee Cooper
CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — Championships come down to decisions and execution — two things that Brandon Palaniuk mastered en route to amassing a four-day total of 72 pounds, 2 ounces for a dominant win at the Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes brought to you by the United States Marine Corps.
Notching his fifth Elite victory — his second in 2020 (the first at Lake Champlain) — Palaniuk earned a top prize of $100,000.
After leading Day 2, Palaniuk entered Championship Sunday in third place, just 1-3 behind Carl Jocumsen. On Sunday, the pro from Rathdrum, Idaho, added a limit of 22-11 to his previous weights of 21-1, 18-13 and 9-9 to edge Jocumsen.
“This one is so unexpected,” Palaniuk said. “Every single one I won before, I had a good practice and I knew that I would have a shot at the Top 10 and a shot at the win. This one came out of nowhere.”
Spending his tournament in Lake Marion, Palaniuk attributed his final-round success to a prelaunch decision to start in the mouth of the Potato Creek area. Having started there on Day 1, he had a feeling the area was ready to reward him again.
“I was sitting at the dock this morning and something told me to go try it,” Palaniuk said. “With the (warm) weather, the humidity, I felt like I could catch them on topwater, but when I got there, the water was dirty.
“I couldn’t get them to eat it, so I just picked up a 1/2-ounce bladed jig with a 4-inch white X-Zone Swammer. I had not caught a fish on this all week and I caught a 4-pounder and a 3 1/4-pounder.”
Palaniuk caught a lucky break that he exploited when he saw a big fish blow up just out of casting range. Idling toward the commotion, he spotted a brushpile he had not found earlier in the week.
“I tied up a drop shot and caught a giant (7-12) on 10-pound test,” Palaniuk said. “I caught my other limit fish on the drop shot, but I ended up culling them out later.”
Palaniuk’s drop-shot rig comprised a green pumpkin blue flake X-Zone Deception Worm rigged on a No. 1 VMC Finesse Neko Hook with a 1/4-ounce VMC teardrop weight.
Later in the day, Palaniuk returned to the Jack’s Creek area, which produced several of his fish this week. There, he caught two of his keepers by punching a black/blue laminate X-Zone Muscle Back Finesse Craw on a 3/0 VMC Heavy Duty Flippin’ Hook with a 1 1/4-ounce tungsten weight.
“I think it came down to versatility; that’s why I was able to have the kind of day I had,” Palaniuk said. “Without that big one on the drop shot, without those two I caught this morning, I wouldn’t have been able to win.”
Palaniuk overcame a Day 1 penalty of 2 pounds, 4 ounces for inadvertently making a cast with six fish — one more than his legal limit — in his livewell. Palaniuk self-reported the infraction.
“It went through my head about 47 times in the last hour (before weigh-ins),” Palaniuk said. “I kept thinking, ‘If somebody beats me, let it be (more than the penalty weight).’
“One of the things I say a lot is, ‘Control the controllables.’ When I do something like that, it bothers me because it’s something I can control and I knew this event was going to be so tough that 2 pounds is not something you want to be giving up.”
Hailing from Queensland, Australia, Jocumsen took the Day 1 lead by catching the event’s heaviest sack — 25-8. He slipped to second on Day 2 after adding 12-7 and regained the top spot on Saturday with a 4-fish bag that weighed 12-11. On Sunday, Jocumsen missed his limit again and weighed four bass for 13-8 and tallied 64-2.
Each day, Jocumsen started by fishing a grassy depression midlake with a white Z-Man JackHammer ChatterBait with a white Yamamoto Zako trailer. He then moved to grass mats where he punched with a black and blue Molix SV Craw rigged on a 4/0 Owner Jungle hook and a 1 1/4-ounce Woo! Tungsten weight.
“The early spot kicked off like I had hoped it would today,” Jocumsen said. “It was cloudy and dark this morning and they were feeding and I got two good ones.
“After that, I went punching. The sun came out, there was a little bit of wind, everything was right. I had a few opportunities, I had the bites, I just didn’t put them in the boat.”
Cory Johnston of Cavan, Canada, finished third with 61-9. Spending all week in Jack’s Creek, Johnston turned in a consistent performance with daily weights of 17-7, 14-6, 15-3 and 14-9.
“I found the most fish there in practice, so I thought my best bet was to figure out what was going on in that creek day-to-day,” Johnston said. “I caught them flipping a black creature bait, a 3/8-ounce swim jig with a Strike King Rage Craw trailer and a black Spro Bronzeye Poppin’ Frog.”
Palaniuk’s win moved him into 15th place in the Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year standings with 493 points. Clark Wendlandt of Leander, Texas, holds the lead with 587, Johnston follows in second with 550 and David Mullins of Mt. Carmel, Tenn., is in third with 540.
Jeff Gustafson of Keewatin, Canada, won Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 9-7.
Bernie Schultz of Gainesville, Fla., took home $3,000 for being the highest-placing entrant in the Toyota Bonus Bucks program, and Brandon Lester of Fayetteville, Tenn., earned $2,000 for being the second-highest placing entrant.
2020 Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lake brought to you by
the United States Marine Corps 10/8-10/11
Santee Cooper Lakes, Clarendon County, S.C.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 4
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 20 72-02 100 $102,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-01 Day 2: 5 18-13 Day 3: 5 09-09 Day 4: 5 22-11
2. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 18 64-02 99 $25,000.00
Day 1: 5 25-08 Day 2: 5 12-07 Day 3: 4 12-11 Day 4: 4 13-08
3. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 20 61-09 98 $20,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 14-06 Day 3: 5 15-03 Day 4: 5 14-09
4. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 20 60-14 97 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-09 Day 2: 5 12-02 Day 3: 5 17-02 Day 4: 5 11-01
5. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 20 60-05 96 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 17-10 Day 3: 5 17-13 Day 4: 5 12-06
6. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 20 58-07 95 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 14-03 Day 3: 5 13-10 Day 4: 5 15-10
7. Destin DeMarion Grove City, PA 19 57-06 94 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 15-15 Day 3: 5 17-15 Day 4: 4 11-08
8. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 20 56-01 93 $16,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 11-09 Day 3: 5 16-13 Day 4: 5 09-05
9. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 16 53-12 92 $17,000.00
Day 1: 4 12-15 Day 2: 5 22-07 Day 3: 3 09-14 Day 4: 4 08-08
10. Derek Hudnall Denham Springs, LA 15 50-06 91 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 19-15 Day 3: 2 09-03 Day 4: 3 05-09
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 07-09 $1,000.00
2 Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA09-07 $1,000.00
3 David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 07-07 $1,000.00
4 Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 07-12 $1,000.00
FLW Announces Lake of the Ozarks as Venue for 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Wild Card Tournament
TULSA, Okla. (Oct. 11, 2020) – FLW announced Sunday that the 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine Wild Card tournament will take place on Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri, Nov. 20-21. The two-day event, hosted by Fish-Intel, will launch from Public Beach No. 2 in Osage Beach.
In order to be eligible to fish the no-entry-fee Wild Card, anglers must have entered all five events within a Bass Fishing League division during the 2020 season and fished at least two of them. In addition, anglers who fish in a regular BFL regional tournament are ineligible.
Anglers will take off from Public Beach No. 2, located at 711 Public Beach Road in Osage Beach at 7 a.m. CDT each day of competition. The weigh-ins will be held each day at the launch location beginning at 3 p.m. Due to COVID-19 protocols, attendance is limited to competing anglers and essential staff only. Fans are encouraged to follow the event online through the “FLW Live” weigh-in broadcasts and coverage at FLWFishing.com.
“Fish-Intel is proud to be the host of the upcoming 2020 Wild Card event,” said Bob Bueltman, founder of Fish-Intel, LLC and Bassing Bob, LLC. “Lake of the Ozarks is an ideal location due to its central U.S. location and is a great community with plenty of restaurants and lodging. Fish-Intel and BassingBob.com are looking forward to welcoming all the anglers, their families and the FLW staff next month.”
During the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Wild Card, the full field competes both days, with winners determined by the heaviest two-day catch. The top six boaters and top six co-anglers will advance to the 2021 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine All-American, held on Lake Douglas in Dandridge, Tennessee, June 3-5, hosted by Jefferson County Department of Tourism.
An optional pot is available to anglers who elect to participate at the Wild Card tournament. Entry fees for the optional pot is $300 for boaters and $150 for co-anglers, with the top 20 percent of anglers who elect to participate in the optional pot receiving checks. There will be no official practice period or off-limits period prior to the pretournament meeting for the Wild Card. No contestant may be on tournament waters for the purpose of locating bass or potential fishing waters after the start of the pretournament meeting except during tournament hours.
Entry for the Bass Fishing League Wild Card is now open and runs through Thursday, November 19, 2020, at 5 p.m. CDT. Anglers can enter by phone at 270.252.1000.
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.
Cook Wins Toyota Series Event on Lake of the Ozarks
Lebanon Pro Wins by 2-pound, 14-ounce margin, Earns $33,619
OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (Oct. 11, 2020) – Toyota Series angler Corey Cook of Lebanon, Missouri, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 11 pounds even to win the three-day Toyota Series at Lake of the Ozarks tournament in Osage Beach, Missouri. Cook’s three-day total of 15 bass weighing 49-13 earned him the win by a 2-pound, 14 ounce margin over second-place pro Jeremy Lawyer of Sarcoxie, Missouri, and earned Cook the top payout of $33,619 in the second tournament of the 2020 Toyota Series Plains Division.
“This is crazy,” said Cook, who earned his first career FLW victory. “Last year we won that boat, and that was the biggest thing. And I’ll never forget that, because it was with my dad. It’s super special. But to get this, man, this is super awesome. It’s what I always dreamed of.”
However, Cook said that dream was nearly a nightmare to start the day.
The moment they announced his name at takeoff, Cook’s motor stopped working as he went to pull away from the dock. Fortunately, he was able to swap into another boat, but his luck really never turned around much, from only catching three keepers by midday, to a lost big fish, to even making a few-mile run to hit one dock, only to have two guys stomp across it while he was fishing it.
Basically, Cook said, if it could go wrong for him, it did. Fortunately, he had a goal and stuck to it.
“There was definitely a moment or two this morning where I thought, ‘man, it’s just not my day,’” said Cook. “But I tried to keep my mind positive. I knew I just needed five good keeper bites because it’s usually tougher on Saturday.”
Cook ended the day catching seven and landed six keepers, which was more than enough.
Cook said he spent most of the year sinking brush piles around docks for this event in the Grand Glaize area and marking them, though only by memory. Some spots were in out-of-the-way places, according to Cook, but only one in five was any good, with less than 20 producing fish for him this event. Cook also said he only used two rods with a small tackle box full of homemade green pumpkin football jigs with matching Zoom Super Speed Craw trailers.
“That’s just what we do,” said Cook, who counted on his memory and simple tackle options when he quickly switched boats Saturday morning. “It keeps it simple. You’re not switching back and forth between a hundred things throughout the day. We have two colors: green and brown, but brown wasn’t as good this week; however, if you put it in front of the right fish, he’s going to bite it.”
Cook said he found just enough “right ones” today to hold on to his first big tournament victory and to seal the win.
“Words can’t describe how this feels,” said Cook.
The top 10 pros on the Lake of the Ozarks finished:
1st: Corey Cook of Lebanon, Mo., 15 bass, 49-13, $33,619
2nd: Jeremy Lawyer of Sarcoxie, Mo., 15 bass, 46-15, $13,028
3rd: Shane Long of Willard, Mo., 15 bass, 45-12, $10,086
4th: Andy Newcomb of Camdenton, Mo., 15 bass, 44-13, $9,405
5th: Roger Fitzpatrick of Eldon, Mo., 15 bass, 44-10, $7,621
6th: Lawson Hibdon of Versailles, Mo., 15 bass, 40-11, $6,724
7th: Brent Chapman of Lenexa, Kan., 15 bass, 39-10, $5,883
8th: Brian Wilson of Somerset, Ky., 11 bass, 29-10, $5,043
9th: Joe Wieberg of Freeburg, Mo., 11 bass, 28-13, $4,202
10th: Takayuki Koike of Ohtsu, Japan, 10 bass, 26-12, $3,362
A complete list of results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Newcomb took home an extra $1,000 as the highest finishing FLW PHOENIX BONUS member. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $35,000 per event in each Toyota Series tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the FLW PHOENIX BONUS contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.
Matt Krekovich of Granite City, Illinois won the Co-angler Division Saturday with a three-day total of 12 bass weighing 27 pounds, 12 ounces. Krekovich took home the top prize package of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor.
The top 10 co-anglers on the Lake of the Ozarks finished:
1st: Matt Krekovich of Granite City, Ill., 12 bass, 27-12, Phoenix 518 Pro boat w/115-hp outboard
2nd: Adam Caldwell of Springfield, Mo., 10 bass, 24-9, $4,278
3rd: Mike Youngblood of St. Louis, Mo., nine bass, 20-10, $3,422
4th: Shannon McClelland of Springdale, Ark., 10 bass, 18-4, $2,995
5th: Tyrone Phillips of Little Rock, Ark., 10 bass, 18-4, $2,767
6th: Robert Shockley of Springfield, Mo., seven bass, 17-0, $2,139
7th: Robert Bogard, Jr. of Conway, Ark., seven bass, 16-12, $1,711
8th: Mark Shelton of Fayetteville, Ark., seven bass, 15-5, $1,997
9th: Matthew Cesar of Crane, Mo., seven bass, 15-4, $1,283
10th: Jeff Moss of Oronogo, Mo., eight bass, 15-4, $1,069
The Toyota Series at the Lake of the Ozarks was hosted by the Tri-County Lodging Association. It was the second of three regular-season tournaments in 2020 for Plains Division anglers. The next event for Toyota Series anglers will take place on Oct. 15-17 – the Toyota Series at Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Brookeland, Texas. For a complete schedule, visit FLWFishing.com.
The 2020 Toyota Series consists of eight divisions – Central, Eastern, Northern, Plains, Southeastern, Southern, Southwestern and Western – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International division. Anglers who fish all three qualifiers in any of the eight divisions and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning $235,000 cash, including a $35,000 FLW PHOENIX Bonus for qualified anglers. The winning co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard. The 2020 Toyota Series Championship will be held Dec. 3-5 on Lake Cumberland in Burnside, Kentucky, and is hosted by the Somerset Tourist & Convention Commission and the Burnside Tourism Commission.
Late Catch Pushes Jocumsen Into Lead At Bassmaster Elite On Santee Cooper
Queensland, Australia native Carl Jocumsen is leading after Day 3 of the 2020 Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes brought to you by the United States Marine Corps with a three-day total of 50 pounds, 10 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
October 10, 2020
CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — Carl Jocumsen’s never-give-up attitude served the Queensland, Australia, angler well, as a last-second catch propelled him to the Day 3 lead of the Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes brought to you by the United States Marine Corps with a three-day total of 50 pounds, 10 ounces.
After taking the Day 1 lead with the event’s biggest bag — a limit of 25-8 — Jocumsen added a 12-7 limit on Friday. On Saturday, he caught four keepers for 12-11, but the day nearly ended with a greater deficit.
“Today, I had three fish at the end of the day and I should’ve been running back; E.K. (cameraman Eric Kaffka) was saying, ‘Are you gonna run back?’ And I said, ‘No, I need one more,’” Jocumsen said. “I literally flipped a 3 1/2-pounder, put it in the boat, we got on pad and ran back and I made it in at 3:20. I literally made it in with 15 seconds left to go.”
Jocumsen caught all of his fish punching weed mats in a creek at the upper end of Lake Marion. Each of his fish bit a black and blue Molix SV Craw rigged on a 4/0 Owner Jungle hook and a 1 1/4-ounce Woo! Tungsten weight.
“I found that a green pumpkin weight gives the bait a smaller profile,” Jocumsen said. “If you go with a black weight with the black and blue weight, it looks huge.”
After a sunny Day 1, followed by a mix of sun and clouds on Friday, Jocumsen said today’s dim skies probably limited his punch bite.
“With the storm front coming in and it getting cool, it could push more fish up there,” Jocumsen said. “But the clouds are making it harder. The fish are just swimming around; they’re not getting set up.
“If the sun came out, it would position them and I’d be able to catch them a lot easier.”
Jocumsen, who won his first Elite title last year on Oklahoma’s Lake Tenkiller, said the afternoon’s windy conditions and his bumpy ride to the check-in amplified today’s drama.
“This is a dream come true for a kid from Australia to lead this event,” he said. “It’s unbelievable and I look forward to getting out there tomorrow.”
Jocumsen is hoping that the grassy depression that he found during practice ignites on Championship Sunday. Each day, he has started on this midlake spot and thrown a white ChatterBait with a white Yamamoto Zako trailer.
“Day 1, I caught three there, including a 6-pounder. Day 2, I caught one there. Today, I caught none,” Jocumsen said. “They’re still in there and if that fires for me, that’s my chance at winning. I have an ace up my sleeve.
“With the conditions changing and the storm coming in, I have to go there. If I can just catch one or two there, I’m going to get three to five big opportunities (punching) up the river.”
Given Friday’s missed opportunities and Saturday’s short bag, Jocumsen said execution will be Sunday’s priority.
“Yesterday, I lost some good fish. Today, I got four bites and put four in the boat,” he said. “Tomorrow, it’s going to be about putting every single bite in the boat and that (grass) spot firing and we’re in with a shot.”
Austin Felix of Eden Prairie, Minn., is in second with 49-13. After placing third on Day 1 with 20-9, Felix added 12-2 on Friday and slipped to sixth. On Saturday, he improved his position with a limit of 17-2.
Spending his day in Lake Marion, Felix did all of his damage on a main-channel point with sharp, rocky breaks, stumps and a shellbar. He caught an early-morning schooling fish on a swimbait and the rest on a shaky head with a Roboworm in the margarita mutilator color.
“Depending on the wind, I had to move around and fish it at different angles,” Felix said. “They’re just sitting in the same sort of way you’d expect a ledge tournament to be — on the upcurrent side of the point.”
Brandon Palaniuk of Rathdrum, Idaho, is in third with 49-7. Placing second on Day 1 with 21-1, he added 18-13 and took the Day 2 lead. A leaner Day 3 yielded a limit of 9-9.
Fishing the upper end of Lake Marion, Palaniuk targeted a 4- to 6-foot stretch of shell bottom with stumps and caught most of his fish on a 5-inch X-Zone Swammer rigged on a 1/2-ounce VMC swimbait head. He added one keeper that ate an X-Zone Muscle Back Finesse Craw on a 3/0 VMC Heavy Duty Flippin’ Hook with a 1 1/4-ounce weight.
“The fish pull up and down out of that hole and they set up to feed,” Palaniuk said. “I was catching them every cast this morning and then it just shut off.”
Jeff Gustafson of Keewatin, Canada, is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 9-7.
The Top 10 remaining anglers will take off from John C. Land III Sport Fishing Facility on Sunday. The weigh-in will be held back at the facility at 3:20 p.m. with the winning angler receiving $100,000.
Live coverage of the event will be available starting at 7:30 a.m. on Bassmaster LIVE at Bassmaster.com and ESPN3.
2020 Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lake brought to you by
the United States Marine Corps 10/8-10/11
Santee Cooper Lakes, Clarendon County, S.C.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 14 50-10 100
Day 1: 5 25-08 Day 2: 5 12-07 Day 3: 4 12-11
2. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 15 49-13 99
Day 1: 5 20-09 Day 2: 5 12-02 Day 3: 5 17-02
3. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 15 49-07 98 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-01 Day 2: 5 18-13 Day 3: 5 09-09
4. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 15 47-15 97
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 17-10 Day 3: 5 17-13
5. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 15 47-00 96
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 14-06 Day 3: 5 15-03
6. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 15 46-12 95 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 11-09 Day 3: 5 16-13
7. Destin DeMarion Grove City, PA 15 45-14 94
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 15-15 Day 3: 5 17-15
8. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 12 45-04 93 $1,000.00
Day 1: 4 12-15 Day 2: 5 22-07 Day 3: 3 09-14
9. Derek Hudnall Denham Springs, LA 12 44-13 92
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 19-15 Day 3: 2 09-03
10. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 15 42-13 91
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 14-03 Day 3: 5 13-10
11. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 15 42-13 90 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 14-02 Day 3: 5 14-09
12. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 15 42-08 89 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 14-01 Day 3: 5 17-02
13. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 13 42-03 88 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 16-04 Day 3: 3 07-14
14. Frank Talley Temple, TX 15 42-02 87 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 12-08 Day 3: 5 10-02
15. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 15 41-15 86 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 16-08 Day 3: 5 14-03
16. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 15 41-15 85 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 14-11 Day 3: 5 13-03
17. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 14 41-10 84 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 18-08 Day 3: 4 09-10
18. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 14 41-08 83 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 18-11 Day 3: 4 08-14
19. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 15 41-08 82 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 09-10 Day 3: 5 14-04
20. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 15 41-07 81 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 11-13 Day 3: 5 15-15
21. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 15 41-00 80 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 14-14 Day 3: 5 15-09
22. John Cox Debary, FL 15 40-00 79 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 18-00 Day 3: 5 12-07
23. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 15 38-09 78 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 17-08 Day 3: 5 10-06
24. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 15 38-07 77 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 12-03 Day 3: 5 10-13
25. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 15 38-04 76 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 11-10 Day 3: 5 11-07
26. Mike Huff Corbin, KY 13 37-04 75 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 07-13 Day 2: 4 16-08 Day 3: 5 12-15
27. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 15 37-04 74 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 13-04 Day 3: 5 11-05
28. Randy Pierson Oakdale, CA 15 36-10 73 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 11-11 Day 3: 5 10-08
29. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 13 36-05 72 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 15-01 Day 3: 3 04-01
30. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 13 35-10 71 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 16-11 Day 3: 3 05-04
31. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 15 35-05 70 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 12-02 Day 3: 5 10-09
32. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 13 34-14 69 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 14-12 Day 3: 3 06-07
33. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 13 34-06 68 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 16-01 Day 3: 3 08-05
34. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 15 33-11 67 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 11-02 Day 3: 5 09-07
35. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 10 33-03 66 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 14-07 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 2 04-04
36. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 12 32-08 65 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 16-02 Day 2: 5 09-13 Day 3: 3 06-09
37. Buddy Gross Chickamauga, GA 11 31-15 64 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 4 10-09 Day 3: 2 04-10
38. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 10 30-11 63 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 12-10 Day 2: 4 11-08 Day 3: 3 06-09
39. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 12 29-12 62 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 12-14 Day 3: 2 04-13
40. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 10 28-01 61 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 4 15-00 Day 3: 1 02-11
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 07-09 $1,000.00
2 Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA09-07 $1,000.00
3 David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 07-07 $1,000.00
Palaniuk Takes Lead At Bassmaster Elite Event On Santee Cooper
Brandon Palaniuk, of Rathdrum, Idaho, is leading after Day 2 of the 2020 Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes brought to you by the United States Marine Corps with a two-day total of 39 pounds, 14 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
October 9, 2020
CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — Locating big-fish areas and remaining mobile enabled Brandon Palaniuk of Rathdrum, Idaho, to take the Day 2 lead of the Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes brought to you by the United States Marine Corps with 39 pounds, 14 ounces.
After placing second on Day 1 with 21-1, Palaniuk added 18-13 Friday.
Palaniuk, who claimed his fourth Elite Series win on Lake Champlain earlier this season, caught two of his keepers on a jerkbait, one on a 5-inch X-Zone Swammer rigged on a 1/2-ounce VMC swimbait head and two on a punch rig comprising an X-Zone Muscle Back Finesse Craw on a 3/0 VMC Heavy Duty Flippin’ Hook with a 1 1/4-ounce weight.
Rotating through 10 to 12 spots within a 2-mile area on the upper end of Lake Marion, Palaniuk anchored today’s limit with a 6-6 that he caught while punching shortly before 2 o’clock. Proximity, he said, confirmed he was in the right area.
“I caught the 7-9 I had yesterday maybe 5 feet from where I had a 4-pounder in practice, and then today, I caught a 6-5 maybe 30 feet from where I caught that big fish yesterday,” Palaniuk said. “It’s definitely an area that’s holding the right size fish; I just need to catch five of them.”
Palaniuk said the challenging conditions of the fall transition have required significant consideration, as the fish are in a completely different seasonal mode than they would have been during the event’s originally scheduled dates of April 16-19. When the pandemic required rescheduling, Palaniuk went to work studying for an autumn tournament.
“I came here and pre-practiced in January, which has nothing to do with now,” he said. “I was practicing for an April event, so where I’m actually catching them, I never looked at in pre-practice.
“Coming into this event, I knew I had to put myself around fish, so I researched every article I could find online and I came up with about five or six areas that were frequently mentioned, and that’s where I spent my time in practice. I’ve just continued to narrow it down every day.”
Continuously rotating through his spots gave Palaniuk the best chances of getting his timing right.
“It was literally just showing up at the right place when those fish are ready to feed and then executing when you get that opportunity,” he said. “I haven’t been able to get it dialed in to say, ‘I need to go do this at this time of day’ — I literally have to fish what’s in front of me.”
That game plan mostly worked well, but despite a morning disappointment, Palaniuk kept himself mentally relaxed.
“I didn’t execute as well as I did yesterday — I caught two fish on a jerkbait yesterday,” Palaniuk said. “Today, I lost a big one but I felt like, mentally, I was fishing better. I was way calmer, I was not rushing anything. I was just settling in and taking my time.
“It was actually very similar to how I felt the last day at Champlain. If I can just keep doing that, I feel like I will at least have a chance and then the fish just have to do their part.”
Day 1 leader Carl Jocumsen is in second place with 37-15. After sacking up the event’s biggest bag — 25-8 — on Thursday, the pro from Queensland, Australia, added 12-7 Friday.
“That’s the difference between fishing clean and missing some bites,” Jocumsen said. “I really feel like I’m in the right area and I just didn’t capitalize on those opportunities. I definitely got the bites to have another really good day.”
“I had my head down, grinding with five minutes to go before I had to run back and I cracked a 2 1/2- to 3-pounder and saved the day. There’s two more days to fish, this place has them, I’m around them and I’m going to do everything I can to put them in the boat tomorrow.”
Jocumsen lost a big fish on the white ChatterBait he used on Day 1 and ended up catching all of his weight on a black and blue Molix SV craw rigged on a 4/0 hook.
Derek Hudnall of Baton Rouge, La., is in third with 35-10. After weighing 15-11 on Day 1, he added 19-5. Essential to his success was a 7-12 that bit on the same tree from which he lost a 5-pounder on his previous flip.
“The bites are few and far between, I’m fishing for big fish,” Hudnall said. “I’m around a lot of big ones. More than that is possible where I’m at if I can just make the right casts.”
Targeting cypress trees on the upper end of Lake Marion, Hudnall said the key to his area’s productivity is a set of drains that keep the water moving. He’s catching his fish on a wacky-rigged Missile Baits 48.
Jeff Gustafson of Keewatin, Canada, is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 9-7.
The Top 40 anglers advanced to Saturday’s semi-final round. The remaining Top 10 will go on to fish Championship Sunday.
Saturday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7:05 a.m. ET at John C. Land III Sport Fishing Facility. The weigh-in will be held back at the facility at 3.20 p.m.
Live coverage of the event will be available starting at 7:30 a.m. on Bassmaster LIVE at Bassmaster.com and ESPN3.
2020 Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lake 10/8-10/11
Santee Cooper Lakes, Clarendon County, S.C.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 10 39-14 100 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-01 Day 2: 5 18-13
2. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 10 37-15 99
Day 1: 5 25-08 Day 2: 5 12-07
3. Derek Hudnall Denham Springs, LA 10 35-10 98
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 19-15
4. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 9 35-06 97 $1,000.00
Day 1: 4 12-15 Day 2: 5 22-07
5. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 10 34-05 96
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 16-04
6. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 10 32-11 95
Day 1: 5 20-09 Day 2: 5 12-02
7. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 10 32-10 94
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 18-11
8. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 10 32-04 93
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 15-01
9. Frank Talley Temple, TX 10 32-00 92
Day 1: 5 19-08 Day 2: 5 12-08
10. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 10 32-00 91
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 18-08
11. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 10 31-13 90
Day 1: 5 17-07 Day 2: 5 14-06
12. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 10 30-06 89
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 16-11
13. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 10 30-02 88
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 17-10
14. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 10 29-15 87
Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 11-09
15. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 10 29-03 86
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 14-03
16. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 8 28-15 85
Day 1: 3 14-07 Day 2: 5 14-08
17. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 10 28-12 84
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 14-11
18. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 10 28-07 83
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 14-12
19. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 10 28-04 82
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 14-02
20. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 10 28-03 81
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 17-08
21. Destin DeMarion Grove City, PA 10 27-15 80
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 15-15
22. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 10 27-12 79
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 16-08
23. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 10 27-10 78
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 12-03
24. John Cox Debary, FL 10 27-09 77
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 5 18-00
25. Buddy Gross Chickamauga, GA 9 27-05 76
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 4 10-09
26. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 10 27-04 75
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 09-10
27. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 10 26-13 74
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 11-10
28. Randy Pierson Oakdale, CA 10 26-02 73
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 11-11
29. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 10 26-01 72
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 16-01
30. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 9 25-15 71
Day 1: 4 16-02 Day 2: 5 09-13
31. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 10 25-15 70
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 13-04
32. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 10 25-08 69
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 11-13
33. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 25-07 68
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 14-14
34. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 9 25-06 67
Day 1: 5 10-06 Day 2: 4 15-00
35. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 10 25-06 66
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 14-01
36. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 10 24-15 65
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 12-14
37. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 10 24-12 64
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 12-02
38. Mike Huff Corbin, KY 8 24-05 63
Day 1: 4 07-13 Day 2: 4 16-08
39. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 10 24-04 62
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 11-02
40. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 7 24-02 61
Day 1: 3 12-10 Day 2: 4 11-08
41. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 10 23-12 60 $7,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 11-07
42. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 10 22-15 59 $7,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 10-00
43. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 10 22-12 58 $7,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 10-02
44. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 9 22-11 57 $7,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 4 11-02
45. Seth Feider New Market, MN 8 22-10 56 $7,500.00
Day 1: 3 06-05 Day 2: 5 16-05
46. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 9 22-07 55 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 4 10-07
47. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 10 22-04 54 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 11-06
48. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 9 21-13 53 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 4 07-05
49. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 10 21-05 52 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 09-15
50. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 8 21-02 51 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 08-05 Day 2: 5 12-13
51. Bob Downey Hudson, WI 10 21-00 50 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 09-06
52. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 10 20-09 49 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 5 11-04
53. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 7 20-07 48 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 05-08 Day 2: 5 14-15
54. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 10 20-07 47 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 11-00
55. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 6 19-15 46 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 1 04-03
56. Rob Digh Denver, NC 5 19-10 45 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 13-07 Day 2: 2 06-03
57. Chris Johnston Peterborough Ontario CA 8 19-07 44 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 04-02 Day 2: 5 15-05
58. Jesse Tacoronte Kissimmee, FL 8 18-09 43 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 3 05-06
59. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 8 18-05 42 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 3 05-11
60. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 18-02 41 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 06-03 Day 2: 3 11-15
61. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 7 17-14 40 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 2 04-03
62. Greg DiPalma Millville, NJ 7 17-08 39 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 2 06-07
63. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 7 17-04 38 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 2 04-07
64. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 6 17-03 37 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 1 01-10
65. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 7 17-03 36 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 2 05-02
66. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 6 16-11 35 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 1 02-01
67. Jay Yelas Lincoln City, OR 7 15-10 34 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 03-06 Day 2: 5 12-04
68. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 7 15-09 33 $2,500.00
Day 1: 4 10-00 Day 2: 3 05-09
69. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 6 14-06 32 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 1 02-10
70. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 8 14-04 31 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 3 04-12
71. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 7 14-00 30 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 03-07 Day 2: 5 10-09
72. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 5 13-14 29 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 09-15 Day 2: 2 03-15
73. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 6 12-01 28 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 1 02-06
74. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 5 11-05 27 $2,500.00
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 4 09-11
75. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 6 11-01 26 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 06-01 Day 2: 3 05-00
76. Cody Hollen Beaverton, OR 5 11-00 25 $2,500.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 11-00
77. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 6 10-15 24 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 1 01-14
78. Quentin Cappo Prairieville, LA 6 10-11 23 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 02-12 Day 2: 4 07-15
79. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 5 09-08 22 $2,500.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 09-08
80. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 5 08-12 21 $2,500.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 08-12
81. Wes Logan Springville, AL 5 08-06 20 $2,500.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 08-06
82. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 4 07-06 19 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 03-00 Day 2: 2 04-06
83. David Fritts Lexington, NC 3 05-06 18 $2,500.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 05-06
84. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 2 03-07 17 $2,500.00
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 1 01-14
85. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 1 03-06 16 $2,500.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-06
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 07-09 $1,000.00
2 Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA09-07 $1,000.00
ABA Introduces the Top 150 Solo Series
Athens, AL, October 8, 2020 – American Bass Anglers announced today the formation of the new Top 150 Solo. The new Tour will launch in February of 2021 and will offer two divisions, each holding three tournaments, one division in the Southeast and one in the Southwest.
Each qualifying tournament will have two days (Friday & Saturday) of competition and have a limited field of 150 anglers. Each tournament will offer a $20,000 award to first place based on a full field and payback will be to the top 20 percent of the field.
“We have been asked for years to have a solo tournament trail with an affordable entry fee and a good payback, well this is the trail. “These tournaments have been scheduled on great lakes and at the prime time for big stringers.", said Morris Sheehan, American Bass Anglers President and Owner.
This series is designed for those angers who want a mid-level entry fee tournament trail with a substantial payback. Entry fee will be $600.00 per event with a payout to the top 20 percent of the field including big fish. Registration will begin October 26th at 8:00AM central time, anglers will be able to pay a deposit to secure their position or pay the full amount, a waiting list will be available for full field events.
Winners of each event will qualify for the Ray Scott Championship providing they have fished all their divisional events. The Angler of the Year (top points holder) of each Division, will also qualify for the Ray Scott Championship
2021 Schedules - Registration Opens October 26, 2020 8AM - 2021 Rules
| Southeast | Southwest | |||
| Date | Lake | Date | Lake | |
| 02/26-27 | Eufaula | 02/05-06 | Toledo Bend | |
| 04/30-05/01 | Guntersville | 03/26-27 | Sam Rayburn | |
| 06/25-26 | Chickamauga | 04/30-05/01 | Eufaula OK | |
Sumrall: 22 Rods for 13+ Pounds
Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships
After a grinder of a practice period, Caleb Sumrall came into the Bassmaster Elite Series at Santee Cooper Lakes hoping to catch enough to earn himself a $10,000 check and some valuable Angler of the Year points. At the conclusion of today’s weigh-in, Sumrall sits tied for 25th place with 13-pound 11-ounces. He’s halfway to achieving his goal, but it’s been anything but easy.
The Carhartt pro had 22 rods laid out on the front and back decks of his Yamaha powered Xpress bass boat when he idled into the John C. Landing III boat dock today. That’s typically not a great sign at an Elite Series tournament, but Sumrall explained more rods than usual is indicative of fall fishing.
“Fall has always been a junk fishing deal for me,” Sumrall said. “I may only make one or two casts with some of these rods throughout a 9-hour day on the water. But showing them something different and having the kitchen sink ready to throw at the fish might give me that one key bite.”
One key bite is crucial no matter the time of year, but especially this week on Santee Cooper when keeper bites have been hard to come by. Sumrall uses different lures, colors, or line sizes depending on each specific spot he fishes and the type of structure it offers.
“Bass are super scattered during the beginning of the fall transition,” Sumrall explained. “That’s why you see so many anglers with a huge pile of rods and lures out. You really have to keep an open mind this time of year.”
Of the five keeper bass he weighed in, Sumrall used three different baits, and he caught keeper fish on at least six different baits throughout day one.
Tough fishing and 90-degree “fall” heat can make for a long day on the water, but the Louisiana native had more on his mind than just catching bass today. Yet another hurricane is barreling down on his home state and is expected to make landfall tomorrow.
“The last model I looked at showed it heading right for the area I live,” Sumrall said with somber realization. “I’ll be praying for Louisiana tonight while I work on tackle. Praying for all the people down there and hoping my house is still standing when I get home. Man, it’s been a crazy year.”
Jocumsen Grabs Lead With Big Limit At Bassmaster Elite Event On Santee Cooper
Santee Cooper Day 1 Leader - Carl Jocumsen.jpg
Queensland, Australia native Carl Jocumsen weighed in 25 pounds, 8 ounces to take the Day 1 lead in the 2020 Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes brought to you by the United States Marine Corps.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
October 8, 2020
CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — Carl Jocumsen is known for his aggressive fishing style, but it was actually a healthy dose of caution that led him to three of the five fish he needed to take the Day 1 lead of the Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes brought to you by the United States Marine Corps with 25 pounds, 8 ounces.
The veteran pro from Queensland, Australia, who captured his first Elite Series win last year on Oklahoma’s Lake Tenkiller, said he started his practice with a well-founded respect for Santee Cooper’s minefield of submerged stumps. Doing so compelled him to spend more time idling.
“When you roll up to a place like this, it is scary,” Jocumsen said. “When I first launched at the ramp (in practice), I didn’t even know if you could get up on pad going out of the ramp. To go from that to a bag like this is just a magical day.
“It actually helped me not knowing this place because I got to idle some areas, not knowing how to get back in. That’s how I found a couple of little magical spots.”
With a limit that included a 6-15 and a 6-3, Jocumsen started in the midsection of Lake Marion, which along with Lake Moultrie to the south, comprises the Santee Cooper Lakes (linked by a diversion canal). His main area was a grass-lined depression that dropped from 2 feet to 4 1/2.
“If you ran the area, you would never see it, but I idled it because I was worried about getting into the back,” Jocumsen said. “I saw the grass on my Humminbird, and I think that’s what’s holding them.”
In practice, this spot hosted intense afternoon schooling action and produced several big bites. Today, Jocumsen saw minimal surface activity but caught one of his bigger fish from the schoolers.
“I got enough bites there in practice to think, ‘This is the perfect plan: early-morning schooling fish, and then go fish cover.’ It wasn’t as good as I thought it would be, but I caught a 5-, a 4- and a (3-pounder) by 10 o’clock.
“It wasn’t fast and furious, they only schooled once. The rest, I just caught flipping that area. I had it all to myself.”
After determining that his starting spot had cooled, Jocumsen ran to Marion’s north end where he flipped cypress trees. On his third flip, he caught a 6 1/2 and then filled his limit with a 2 1/2.
“Once I relaxed, I slowed down and just started fishing new areas,” Jocumsen said. “I caught another 6-plus around 12:30 and I was done.”
Jocumsen used a white Z-Man JackHammer ChatterBait with a white Yamamoto Zako trailer for the schooling fish. He caught his flipping fish on a black and blue Molix SV craw rigged on a 4/0 hook.
“It’s really how I’m working the bait; I figured out how they want it when I’m flipping the cover,” Jocumsen said. “A lot of guys do it a certain way, and I figured out what they wanted. Every single bass has bit the exact same way.”
Carrying a lead of 4-7 into Friday’s second round, Jocumsen said his productivity afforded him time to test a few areas far upriver. These distant spots did not produce, but eliminating the options allowed him to narrow his Day 2 plan.
Jocumsen is not predicting another 20-pound bag, but with Santee Cooper holding a strong population of stocked Florida-strain largemouth, he’s certainly not ruling it out.
“In practice, I fought a legitimate 9- to 10-pounder doing the same thing, so I know any single cast has the potential for a double-digit fish,” Jocumsen said. “My (main) area could get even better tomorrow, or it might not produce a fish.
“For me to catch another bag like that, I kinda need to have five in the well, because I have to slow down. Today, I eliminated a lot of areas and I gained two new areas, so I feel good for tomorrow.”
Brandon Palaniuk of Rathdrum, Idaho, is in second place with 21-1. Anchoring his bag with a 7-9 that bit around 10 a.m., Palaniuk said he caught most of his weight between 10 and noon.
“I think I just happened to roll up at the right places at the right time today,” he said. “I was trying to cover water. I started all the way down by the (Santee Dam) and went all the way up above the Interstate-95 Bridge this afternoon.
“I’m keying in on certain places, but I’m not married to one area. There’s not one specific thing I’m looking for. I’m not dialed in; I just happened to get the right bites today.”
Palaniuk said he caught his fish on three different baits today, with flipping presentations producing most of his weight.
Austin Felix of Eden Prairie, Minn., is in third place with 20-9. Spending most of his day on a 3-mile-long stretch, Felix caught his bass off cypress trees, docks and shellbars — all in about 4 feet of water. He also caught a couple of his keepers in deep holes of about 10 feet.
“It was pretty consistent all day; I had 14 pounds by 9 o’clock and then slowly culled my way up,” Felix said. “I caught a 6-pounder at noon and just started looking for new stuff.”
Felix said he caught his fish on a Texas-rigged worm. A slow dragging presentation worked best.
“I think a lot of people are fishing over these fish,” Felix said.
Palaniuk is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the week honors with his 7-9.
Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7:05 a.m. ET from John C. Land III Sport Fishing Facility. The weigh-in will be held back at the facility at 3:20 p.m. After Friday’s weigh-in, only the Top 40 remaining anglers will advance to Saturday’s semifinal round.
Live coverage of the event will be available starting at 7 a.m. on Bassmaster LIVE at Bassmaster.com and ESPN3.
The tournament is being hosted by the Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce.
2020 Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lake 10/8-10/11
Santee Cooper Lakes, Clarendon County, S.C.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Carl Jocumsen Queensland AUSTRALIA 5 25-08 100
Day 1: 5 25-08
2. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 5 21-01 99 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 21-01
3. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 5 20-09 98
Day 1: 5 20-09
4. Frank Talley Temple, TX 5 19-08 97
Day 1: 5 19-08
5. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 18-06 96
Day 1: 5 18-06
6. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 18-01 95
Day 1: 5 18-01
7. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 5 17-10 94
Day 1: 5 17-10
8. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 5 17-07 93
Day 1: 5 17-07
9. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 5 17-03 92
Day 1: 5 17-03
10. Buddy Gross Chickamauga, GA 5 16-12 91
Day 1: 5 16-12
11. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 4 16-02 90
Day 1: 4 16-02
12. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 5 15-12 89
Day 1: 5 15-12
13. Derek Hudnall Denham Springs, LA 5 15-11 88
Day 1: 5 15-11
14. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 5 15-09 87
Day 1: 5 15-09
15. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 5 15-07 86
Day 1: 5 15-07
16. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 5 15-03 85
Day 1: 5 15-03
17. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 15-00 84
Day 1: 5 15-00
18. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 5 14-10 83
Day 1: 5 14-10
19. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 5 14-08 82
Day 1: 5 14-08
20. Randy Pierson Oakdale, CA 5 14-07 81
Day 1: 5 14-07
21. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 3 14-07 80
Day 1: 3 14-07
22. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 5 14-02 79
Day 1: 5 14-02
23. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 5 14-01 78
Day 1: 5 14-01
24. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 5 13-15 77
Day 1: 5 13-15
25. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 5 13-11 76
Day 1: 5 13-11
25. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 5 13-11 76
Day 1: 5 13-11
25. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 5 13-11 76
Day 1: 5 13-11
28. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 5 13-11 73
Day 1: 5 13-11
29. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 5 13-08 72
Day 1: 5 13-08
30. Rob Digh Denver, NC 3 13-07 71
Day 1: 3 13-07
31. Jesse Tacoronte Kissimmee, FL 5 13-03 70
Day 1: 5 13-03
32. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 5 13-02 69
Day 1: 5 13-02
33. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 5 12-15 68
Day 1: 5 12-15
34. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 4 12-15 67
Day 1: 4 12-15
35. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 5 12-13 66
Day 1: 5 12-13
36. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 5 12-11 65
Day 1: 5 12-11
37. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 5 12-10 64
Day 1: 5 12-10
37. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 5 12-10 64
Day 1: 5 12-10
37. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 12-10 64
Day 1: 5 12-10
40. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 3 12-10 61
Day 1: 3 12-10
41. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 12-08 60
Day 1: 5 12-08
42. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 5 12-05 59
Day 1: 5 12-05
43. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 5 12-01 58
Day 1: 5 12-01
43. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 5 12-01 58
Day 1: 5 12-01
45. Destin DeMarion Grove City, PA 5 12-00 56
Day 1: 5 12-00
45. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 5 12-00 56
Day 1: 5 12-00
47. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 5 11-12 54
Day 1: 5 11-12
48. Bob Downey Hudson, WI 5 11-10 53
Day 1: 5 11-10
49. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 5 11-09 52
Day 1: 5 11-09
50. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 5 11-06 51
Day 1: 5 11-06
51. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 5 11-05 50
Day 1: 5 11-05
52. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 5 11-04 49
Day 1: 5 11-04
53. Greg DiPalma Millville, NJ 5 11-01 48
Day 1: 5 11-01
54. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 5 10-14 47
Day 1: 5 10-14
55. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 5 10-11 46
Day 1: 5 10-11
56. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 10-09 45
Day 1: 5 10-09
57. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 10-06 44
Day 1: 5 10-06
58. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 10-00 43
Day 1: 5 10-00
59. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 4 10-00 42
Day 1: 4 10-00
60. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 3 09-15 41
Day 1: 3 09-15
61. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 09-11 40
Day 1: 5 09-11
62. John Cox Debary, FL 5 09-09 39
Day 1: 5 09-09
63. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 5 09-08 38
Day 1: 5 09-08
64. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 5 09-07 37
Day 1: 5 09-07
65. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 09-05 36
Day 1: 5 09-05
66. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 09-01 35
Day 1: 5 09-01
67. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 3 08-05 34
Day 1: 3 08-05
68. Mike Huff Corbin, KY 4 07-13 33
Day 1: 4 07-13
69. Seth Feider New Market, MN 3 06-05 32
Day 1: 3 06-05
70. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 2 06-03 31
Day 1: 2 06-03
71. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 3 06-01 30
Day 1: 3 06-01
72. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 2 05-08 29
Day 1: 2 05-08
73. Chris Johnston Peterborough Ontario CA 3 04-02 28
Day 1: 3 04-02
74. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 2 03-07 27
Day 1: 2 03-07
75. Jay Yelas Lincoln City, OR 2 03-06 26
Day 1: 2 03-06
76. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 2 03-00 25
Day 1: 2 03-00
77. Quentin Cappo Prairieville, LA 2 02-12 24
Day 1: 2 02-12
78. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 1 01-10 23
Day 1: 1 01-10
79. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 1 01-09 22
Day 1: 1 01-09
80. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
80. David Fritts Lexington, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
80. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
80. Cody Hollen Beaverton, OR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
80. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
80. Wes Logan Springville, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 07-09 $1,000.00
Week 2 of there TH Marine 45th Anniversary Sale!!
For the next week TH Marine is offering 20% off on outboard gear, from the Atlas down to Chilltrax, Check it out Here!!!
3, 2, 1 with Walters on Santee Cooper
Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships
The 2020 Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes is a tournament Patrick Walters has had circled on his schedule since it was announced in 2019. The South Carolina native grew up in Summerville but he spent as much time as possible at his family’s lake house on the shores of Lake Marion during his formative years.
Marion is the larger of the two lakes within the massive Santee Cooper lake system that make up the playing field for this week’s competition. Walters has spent hundreds of hours learning the nuances of Santee Cooper largemouth and how they use the maze of cypress trees, grass lines, and shallow docks this fishery offers.
He is considered one of the favorites for this tournament amongst pundits and Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing participants alike, but a four-day event in the fall poises a pile of new challenges or unknowns for Walters and all the Elite Series competitors.
The Yamaha sponsored pro comes into this event riding the momentum of a Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open victory on Lake Hartwell just a few weeks ago. With the biggest win of his blossoming professional career still fresh in his mind, we caught up with Walters to pick his brain on this derby being held in his own backyard.
3… Patterns to watch for?
Walters listed a trio of patterns or techniques that should be in every angler’s toolbox for fall fishing no matter where you are fishing.
“Three themes you could see from guys near the top of the leaderboard are flippin trees, slinging a spinnerbait, and a buzzbait or some kind of topwater bite,” Walters proposed. “The Cypress trees here always hold fish and a lot of guys will be targeting them. Anglers will also be taking advantage of an early morning topwater bite and you just can’t overlook a spinnerbait around cover in the fall.”
2… Major differences between holding the event now versus when it was originally scheduled (April 16-19)?
“First I would say simplicity has gone out the window, and second our four-day cumulative weight total will be much lower now versus April,” Walters said.
Walters has absolutely no doubt it would have taken over 100-lbs for four days to win on Santee Cooper during the originally scheduled April dates. He suspects that this week’s tournament could be won by an angler averaging around 17-lbs per day (~68-lb for four days) due to the scattered nature of the fish this time of year.
Still, he is extremely happy the event was rescheduled as opposed to cancelled altogether thanks to the hard work and diligence of the Bassmaster Tournament Staff.
“In April you would have seen a lot of anglers with two or three rods on their front deck – now it’ll be more like 20 or 30,” Walters joked. “You’ve gotta throw the kitchen sink at them in the fall, and this tournament could be won anywhere on this fishery this time of year. It is wide open.”
1… more reason to run a Yamaha Outboard:
“The Yamaha Power Pay program,” Walters emphasized. “Power Pay puts money back in your pocket for running what is already the best outboard available!”
Walters is quick to rattle off a long list of reasons why you’d be wise to trust a Yamaha Outboard on the back of your boat, and Yamaha Power Pay is one to not overlook.
You don’t have to be an Elite Series pro like Walters to reap the benefits of Power Pay either, you just have to own (original owner) a 115–425 HP Yamaha Outboard, sign up for the free program, and be the highest finishing participant in a Power Pay supported tournament.
For more information or a full list of supported events, follow this link: https://yamahapowerpay.com/overview, or email Chip with questions at chip@dynamicsponsorships.com .
Lew’s and Strike King Pro Frank Talley Wins Lake Guntersville Bassmaster Elite
Three Reasons to Make Saturday’s Cut
Courtesy of Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships
Team Toyota’s Matt Arey was one of the last people to pull out of the boat ramp parking lot Tuesday night after concluding his second day of practice on Santee Cooper Lakes. The massive, predominately shallow fishery provides the playing field for the 7th stop of the 2020 Bassmaster Elite Series Season here in Clarendon County, South Carolina.
Arey was doing a bit of head scratching as he re-tied and put away equipment in preparation for his final half day of practice. While he may live just over three hours from Santee Cooper, Arey was quick to admit he’s only fished these waters three times in his life, and they were all in April.
“The good news is, this is Santee Cooper, and some giant bass will be brought to the scales this week,” Arey offered. “The bad news is the big bites have been few and far between for me. But admittedly I’m usually in a deer stand this time of year, not hunting for big Santee bass. Maybe I am missing something.”
Santee Cooper may not have a special place in his heart just yet, but Arey does have three ladies in his life providing some extra incentive to make Saturday’s top 40 cut here in South Carolina.
“His girls”; a.k.a. wife Emily, and daughters Reese (8 years old) and Wren (3 years old). Their Shelby, North Carolina home is a reasonable drive away and they plan on making the trip south if he qualifies for the weekend cut.
Reese, Wren, and Emily made the drawing you see hanging in the center storage compartment of his Ranger Boat in the photo above. They draw one for him every year and while he takes the picture with him everyday on the water; there is nothing like having his family in town for a tournament.
“Those girls are my whole world,” Arey beamed. “I want to perform well here for all the obvious reasons like money and getting closer to the Classic, but a visit from my girls means every bit as much.”
Arey currently sits in 11th place of the Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings, in great position to qualify for his second Bassmaster Classic in as many years, which was his number one goal starting the 2020 season.
But for now that long-term goal is being replaced with a short-term goal, so he can see his girls this weekend and keep a promise made to his 8-year old.
“My daughter Reese has been on me about wanting to autograph something,” Arey said with a laugh. “So I did what any Dad would do and asked her to sign my favorite hat (pictured above). She obliged and I promised her I’d wear it if I made the top 40 cut. I guess I have a lot of reasons to keep fishing through Saturday this week.”
Hopefully Arey catches enough weight throughout the first two days of competition it merits his girls piling into their Toyota Sequoia and heading south. Who knows, maybe Reese can even help her dad sign a few more autographs at the John C. Land III Sport Fishing Facility this weekend… her patented tiny heart included.
Arey: Keep toads and frogs on a tight leash
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
Toads have warts and are more land oriented than frogs, which tend to have smooth skin and hang out in water. Whichever you choose to sling across beds of shallow water vegetation on your favorite bass fishery – just be sure to take a tip from Team Toyota’s Matt Arey – keep your favorite amphibian on a tight line.
“The biggest fishing lesson I can share with you from the Bassmaster Elite on Lake Guntersville is keep the slack out of your line when you’re working your frog across the surface, and you’ll lose a lot fewer fish!” exclaims Arey in a moment of self-evaluation.
Yes, the great ones like Arey, who has won $1 Million as pro, are always looking to improve their game, and on Guntersville he admitted he let a couple get away because there was too much slack in his line.
“It’s easy to get mesmerized watching your frog work across the surface, but in addition to watching your frog, you better be watching your line to make sure the wind or a long cast didn’t put too much slack in your line at any given moment,” warns the classy family man from Shelby, NC.
Arey will also tell you he’s not the world’s greatest frog fishermen, but when a dude who’s won a million bucks catching bass starts talking, it pays to listen. In addition to not letting slack get between you and your frog, he says to make sure you’re throwing a frog with a soft, easily collapsible body, that’s anchored by long stout hooks.
“When it comes to colors, let’s be honest, the only thing that really matters is the color of the belly. I tend to throw dark-bellied frogs on cloudy days and white-bellied frogs on sunny days,” says Arey, a North Carolina State grad.
As far as his favorite froggin’ equipment goes, Arey spools 50-pound P-Line TCB braid on a speedy 8.1:1 Lew’s reel.
“As critical as it is to not have slack in your line, so is making sure you’re using a fast retrieve reel to get their butts to the boat as fast as possible. Don’t give up nuthin’ once they bite! The longer you take to reel them in – the greater your chances of losing them,” he emphasizes.
“The bottom line is, when you’re frog fishing you better have a tight connection to your lure and any fish that bites at all times. Slack line, and time wasted reeling them in, is when bad things happen,” concludes Arey.
AC Insider Podcast Featuring BFL Winner Shane Powell
This Chris and the boys welcome in the Eufaula Hammer, BFL Bulldog Winner Shane Powell to talk about his win on the famed fishery as well as looking ahead to the ABT Championship coming up in a couple of weeks. Chris reads some listener comments and tries to work on his "less bitching, more fishing" mantra.
T-H MARINE INVITES BOATERS TO JOIN IN 45TH ANNIVERSARY FUN
Huntsville, AL – October 2, 2020 – T-H Marine Supplies, Inc, of Huntsville, Alabama, is making the most of its 45th year serving the marine industry as a family business, despite the impact of COVID and having to shift anniversary plans to the fall. At the heart of it all, T-H Marine is giving thanks to those who have been part of the journey, especially the remarkable boatbuilders, distributors, dealers, tackle shops, customers, and pro staff who have helped T-H Marine to prosper since its humble start.
“I was just a kid at the time, but I vividly remember how T-H Marine began in 1975,” said T-H Marine CEO, Jeff Huntley. “It was my dad, two of his buddies, and a vision for an innovative new product that would change the industry forever. Since I was about seven years old, I had already helped put together fishing lures for my dad and his company, Bumble Bee Baits. Now, I got to help out with boat parts as that business got started and grew. You could say I was part of the business operations from the beginning.”
Jeff Huntley’s dad, Bill Huntley, may have worked a day job at the local hospital diagnostics lab, but he could be seen fishing Pickwick Lake several nights a week and he even started a bait company eight years prior to founding T-H Marine. It was second-nature for him to involve his friends and family as he developed gear for the sport he loved.
“He wanted to improve the boating and fishing experience,” Jeff Huntley added. “At first, it was through custom fishing baits, followed by an idea about how to enhance the throttle control with a built-in trim handle. The T and the H in ‘trim handle’ inspired the company name as well as an ever-growing catalog of innovative products. My dad started with just some ideas to make his experiences better when he was boating and we have continued to try to have that same focus as a company — to make excellent products that allow everyone to better enjoy their passion on the water.”
Just as Bill fished with his father, he shared the tradition in a way that continues through the family to this day. This is true with both recreational and business pursuits, as Jeff Huntley serves as CEO and Jeffery Huntley, Jr. serves as VP of Operations.
“It’s hard to keep us off the water,” Jeff Huntley said. “Our whole family loves boating and fishing. We love it on a pontoon boat on the lake, on a bass boat racing down the river to our favorite fishing holes, or on a center console fishing in the ocean. I’m very thankful that I was able to learn the love of being on the water from my dad and then to share that legacy in so many ways with my kids and my grandkids, just like my dad did — and he still does. Even though Dad has retired from the business, he still fishes almost every week!”
As for the legacy of the business, many boat owners might not even know their boat is built with T-H Marine components, but brand awareness is on the rise. T-H Marine gives credit to industry partners for helping with that along the way and T-H Marine is determined to keep it going with modern techniques, like making their customer-oriented social media and website a top priority.
Those facets are an important part of the 45th Anniversary celebration, too, as boating and fishing enthusiasts are invited to take advantage of the following sales and giveaways:
$100 gift card giveaways throughout the month of October
G-FORCE® Customer Appreciation Sale: 10/1/2020 through 10/7/2020
ATLAS® Outboard Performance Boost: 10/8/2020 through 10/14/2020
HYDROWAVE® Feeding Frenzy: 10/15/2020 through 10/21/2020
BLUE WATER® LED Fall Install Special: 10/22/2020 through 10/28/2020
For a complete list of 45th Anniversary events, updates, and details, be sure to visit thmarine.com and follow T-H Marine Supplies (@thmarineteam) on social media.
Wes Logan Knows it Pays to Run a Yamaha Outboard
KENNESAW, Ga. – Oct. 6, 2020 - Few anglers show more promise of a long and prosperous career than 26-year-old Wes Logan of Alabama. His wherewithal to buy a Yamaha V MAX SHO® outboard and sign up for the Power Pay contingency program was a strategically mature choice that has already produced returns.
Logan pitched and punched a Zoom® Z Craw Jr and a Missile Baits® D Bomb® on a 1.5-ounce Texas punch rig to finish fourth at the NOCO Bassmaster® Elite on Lake Guntersville and took home a $1,000 Power Pay bonus from Yamaha.
“I pushed running back to weigh-in to literally the last second. You can do that when you’re running a Yamaha. This outboard offers me reliability, hole shot and the opportunity to earn Power Pay bonuses. It wouldn’t make sense to buy anything else,” said Logan.
The great thing about the Yamaha Power Pay program is anglers don’t have to win tournaments to take home Power Pay cash. Anglers simply have to be the highest finishing registered participant in a Power Pay supported tournament. Power Pay is not just for bass anglers, it also includes saltwater, walleye, high school and college anglers through hundreds of events.
For more information, complete terms and conditions or to register for Yamaha Power Pay, visit yamahapowerpay.com or email Chip with questions at Chip@DynamicSponsorships.com.
Yamaha Marine products are marketed throughout the United States and around the world. Yamaha Marine Engine Systems, based in Kennesaw, Ga., supports its 2,000 U.S. dealers and boat builders with marketing, training and parts for Yamaha’s full line of products and strives to be the industry leader in reliability, technology and customer service. Yamaha Marine is the only outboard brand to have earned NMMA®’s C.S.I. Customer Satisfaction Index award every year since its inception. Visit www.yamahaoutboards.com.
This document contains many of Yamaha's valuable trademarks. It may also contain trademarks belonging to other companies. Any references to other companies or their products are for identification purposes only, and are not intended to be an endorsement.
REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear.
Pilcher Wins Two-Day Phoenix Bass Fishing League event on Grand Lake
Co-angler Victory Goes to Miami’s Yang
GROVE, Okla. (Oct. 5, 2020) Boater John Pilcher of Kansas, Oklahoma, brought a two-day total of 10 bass to the scale weighing 32 pounds, 1 ounce to win the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine Okie Division Super-Tournament at Grand Lake. For his victory, Pilcher earned $7,922.
This was the fifth and final qualifying event in the 2020 Okie Division and was hosted by the City of Grove.
“The main thing was just sticking with it,” said Pilcher. “We didn’t catch much until about noon on Sunday, when the sun came out. It was pretty slow starting, so we ran 40 to 50 different spots and I lost a couple fish at the end, but we finished well.”
Pilcher said he mainly fished off-shore brush flats and ledges to secure his first Phoenix Bass Fishing League win.
“I fished from mid-lake down to the dam, in about 12- to 20-feet-deep,” Pilcher continued. “I caught most of my fish on a ¾-ounce Bass X Jig, a River2Sea Whopper Plopper and a buzzbait.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament as follows:
1st: John Pilcher of Kansas, Okla., 10 bass, 32-1, $7,922
2nd: Ed Barton of Vian, Okla., 10 bass, 31-15, $3,461
3rd: Crawford Brantley of Grove, Okla., 10 bass, 31-14, $3,826
4th: Toby Hartsell of Afton, Okla., 10 bass, 30-1, $1,615
5th: Brian Dossey of Okmulgee, Okla., 10 bass, 29-11, $1,384
6th: Lance Williams of Billings, Mo., 10 bass, 27-3, $1,269
7th: Andy Newcomb of Camdenton, Mo., 10 bass, 26-14, $1,154
8th: Chris Torkleson of Sand Springs, Okla., 10 bass, 26-10, $1,038
9th: Shawn Kowal of Linn Creek, Mo., 10 bass, 26-1, $923
10th: Christopher Johnson of Farmington, Ark., 10 bass, 26-0, $808
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Brantley earned the day’s $1,020 Boater Big Bass award with a 5-pound, 8-ounce bass and 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.
Lang Yang of Miami, Oklahoma, earned the win in the Co-angler Division Sunday after catching a two-day total of nine bass weighing 25 pounds, 11 ounces. Yang earned $3,461 for his victory.
The top 10 co-anglers finished as follows:
1st: Lang Yang of Miami, Okla., nine bass, 25-11, $3,461
2nd: Matthew Cesar of Crane, Mo., eight bass, 19-6, $1,730
3rd: Darin Comstock of Denison, Texas, eight bass, 18-7, $1,154
4th: Sam Bremmerkamp of Joplin, Mo., eight bass, 17-8, $808
5th: Harold Frazier of Okmulgee, Okla., eight bass, 16-15, $692
6th: Chad Schmidt of Clearwater, Kan., seven bass, 16-6, $635
7th: James Boston of Cabot, Ark., eight bass, 15-12, $577
8th: Cord Colwell of Pryor, Okla., nine bass, 15-12, $519
9th: Damon Duncan of Kansas, Okla., seven bass, 15-7, $461
10th: Chris Bouchikas of Oktaha, Okla., eight bass, 15-0, $404
Steven McEver of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, earned the event’s Co-angler Big Bass Award of $510 with a fish weighing in at 5 pounds, 4 ounces.
Now the top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the Okie Division based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will advance to the Oct. 22-24 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, hosted by ExploreBranson.com. Boaters will compete for a $60,000 prize package, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new 18-foot Phoenix bass boat with a 200-horsepower outboard.
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 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American will be held Nov. 11-13 at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina and is hosted by Visit Anderson. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division earn priority entry into the FLW Series, the pathway to the FLW Pro Circuit and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour, where top pros compete with no entry fees.
Powell Wins Two-Day Phoenix Bass Fishing League event on Lake Eufaula
Co-angler Victory Goes to Covington’s Santiago
EUFAULA, Ala. (Oct. 5, 2020) Boater Shane Powell of Dothan, Alabama brought a two-day total of 10 bass to the scale weighing 38 pounds, 15 ounces to win the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine Bulldog Division Super-Tournament at Lake Eufaula. For his victory, Powell earned $5,831.
This was the fifth and final qualifying event in the 2020 Bulldog Division and was hosted by the Eufaula Barbour County Chamber of Commerce.
“Sunday, I started at a new location where I hadn’t fished during practice, or on day one, and caught several key bass which really set the tempo for the day,” said Powell. “I ran all the way up and down the lake, burning an entire tank of gas on day one. I got a little more focused on the second day and stayed toward the south end of the lake.”
Powell said he caught most of his fish shallow, four- to five-feet-deep, on a ChatterBait and an unnamed jig.
“The water was about four-feet low and had a lot of color, allowing me to throw a ChatterBait and other moving baits, which the fish were really keying in on.
“This is my second BFL win, but my first two-day tournament win,” Powell continued. “These wins are hard to come by and I’m definitely proud.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament as follows:
1st: Shane Powelll of Dothan, Ala., 10 bass, 38-15, $5,831
2nd: Scott Montgomery of Eufaula, Ala., 10 bass, 34-11, $3,415
3rd: Matt Baty of Bainbridge, Ga., 10 bass, 34-3, $1,945
4th: Josh Stracner of Vandiver, Ala., 10 bass, 32-0, $1,361
5th: Jay Grogan of Fort Mitchell, Ala., 10 bass, 30-8, $1,166
6th: Brad Stalnaker of Eatonton, Ga., 10 bass, 30-6, $1,069
7th: Al Cleghorn of Fitzgerald, Ga., 10 bass, 28-12, $972
8th: Dylan Peppers of Social Circle, Ga., nine bass, 27-7, $875
9th: Michael M. Smith of Andalusia, Ala., 10 bass, 27-5, $777
10th: Michael Conley of Bainbridge, Ga., 10 bass, 27-4, $680
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Steve Graziano of Phenix City, Alabama earned the day’s $787 Boater Big Bass award with a 6-pound, 10-ounce bass.
Montgomery 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.
Jans Santiago of Covington, Georgia, earned the win in the Co-angler Division Sunday after catching a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 25 pounds, 10 ounces. Santiago earned $2,916 for his victory.
The top 10 co-anglers finished as follows:
1st: Jans Santiago of Covington, Ga., 10 bass, 25-10, $2,916
2nd: Kiwanas Andrews of Atlanta, Ga., 10 bass, 22-8, $1,655
3rd: Justin Nalley of Fayetteville, Ga., 10 bass, 20-9, $971
4th: Ronald Harris of Jefferson, Ga., eight bass, 18-12, $680
5th: Jamie Childree of Valdosta, Ga., nine bass, 18-1, $583
6th: Hayden Marbut of Birmingham, Ala., seven bass, 18-0, $535
7th: Todd Anderson of Dawsonville, Ga., seven bass, 17-13, $486
8th: Conery Williams of Macon, Ga., eight bass, 16-0, $437
9th: Daniel Buswell, Jr. of Fayetteville, Ga., eight bass, 13-11, $389
10th: Ryan Frisch of Eatonton, Ga., six bass, 13-5, $340
Andrews earned the event’s Co-angler Big Bass Award of $197 with a 5-pound, 10-ounce bass.
Now the top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the Bulldog Division based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will advance to the Oct. 16-18 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on Lake Cherokee in Jefferson City, Tennessee, hosted by the Jefferson County Department of Tourism. Boaters will compete for a $60,000 prize package, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new 18-foot Phoenix bass boat with a 200-horsepower outboard.
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 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American will be held Nov. 11-13 at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina and is hosted by Visit Anderson. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division earn priority entry into the FLW Series, the pathway to the FLW Pro Circuit and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour, where top pros compete with no entry fees.
Hicks Puts Finishing Touches On B.A.S.S. Nation Regional Victory At Lake Mead
Utah team angler Justin Hicks, of Gunnison, Colo., has won the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional at Lake Mead with a three-day total of 22 pounds, 15 ounces.
Photo by Tristin Williams/B.A.S.S.
October 2, 2020
HENDERSON, Nev. — Patiently waiting for his bites and then capitalizing on the window of opportunity allowed Justin Hicks, who’s competing for the Utah B.A.S.S. Nation Team, to complete his wire-to-wire victory at the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional at Lake Mead with a three-day total of 22 pounds, 15 ounces.
Turning in daily weights of 10-5, 6-2 and Friday’s 6-8, the Gunnison, Colo., angler edged out second-place boater Justin Kerr by 12 ounces. Hicks won $5,000 and a spot in the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, Nov. 11-13 on Alabama's Pickwick Lake.
In a week that required daily adjustments, Hicks said he found his best quality on Day 1 when he set the early lead despite missing his five-fish limit by one keeper. Day 2 saw him abandoning his big fish spots in an effort to secure a limit, and Friday saw a similar program.
“The fishing actually got better today; they actually got shallower,” Hicks said. “A little bit later in the morning they got a little bit easier to catch. We ran and ran and ran and caught all of our fish between 10:30 and 1 o’clock.”
Hicks attributes his midday success to sun angles.
“I believe the fish we were catching today were relating to bluegill,” he said. “When that sun got up and it cast a shadow up where those bluegill were, the fish got active.”
Hicks said he employed a one-two punch comprising a Jackall frog in a bluegill pattern and a pearl white Zoom Super Fluke rigged on a 5/0 Gamakatsu wide gap hook.
Presentations were essential to triggering bites. Hicks said that using subtle rod work with a lot of slack line enabled him to keep his frog in one area as long as possible to entice the fish.
“The longer you can keep that frog in one spot, the more the fish can’t stand it,” Hicks said.
The Super Fluke produced the majority of his bites, and Hicks said that soft-plastic bait was most effective when he fished it with a fast, erratic pace.
Fishing the Temple Bar area, Hicks stayed in the same 5- to 6-mile area throughout the tournament. He focused his efforts on small pockets off main channels.
“If you had the right combination of shade and grass, there was fish in it,” he said.
With most of his fish in 6 feet or less, Hicks said stealth and spacing were essential to his success.
“The quality was there, we were looking at the fish,” Hicks said of his shallow-water targets. “We were staying way off of them and making long casts.”
Finishing first on the Nevada B.A.S.S. Nation Team, Kerr placed fifth on Day 1 with 7-15 and slipped to 11th on Day 2 after catching 5-2. On Friday, he turned in his best performance of the week — 9-2 — and gained nine spots to finished second with 22-3.
Hailing from Lake Havasu, Ariz., Kerr caught his fish on a homemade 1/2-ounce flipping jig with a green pumpkin Yamamoto Craw and an Evergreen CR-6 crankbait in a shad color.
“I just fished hard and made as many casts as I could,” he said. “The last couple of days have been tough, so today I changed up a little bit. I put completely new rods on my deck and went fishing.”
Timothy Wells of Clovis, Calif., finished third with 21-12. After placing 20th on Day 1 with 5-14, Wells added 7-15 Thursday and improved to eighth. Sacking up another 7-15 Friday, Wells finished atop the California B.A.S.S. Nation Team.
Jason Hickey of Weiser, Idaho, won the $500 Big Bass honors with his 3-8.
Aaryn Coroneos of Henderson, Nev., won the nonboater division with a three-day total of 14-11. Coroneos placed fourth on Day 1 with 4-13 and improved to first on Thursday by adding 5-12. Today’s limit of 4-2 gave him the win by a margin of 2-1 over Cliff Gallagher of Saint George, Utah.
“The key this week was two baits: I threw a Texas-rigged green pumpkin Yamamoto Stretch 40 with a 1/8-ounce weight and a natural shad colored Yamamoto Hula Grub on a 1/2-ounce football-head jig.
“All I did all week was throw in the middle of pockets and drag deep grass. I got three bites today and it was a grind.”
Coroneos earned the top prize of $2,500, along with a spot in the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.
Ken Simbro of West Haven, Utah, won the $250 Big Bass award among co-anglers with a 4-2.
The tournament was hosted by Visit Henderson.
2020 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional at Lake Mead 9/30-10/2
Lake Mead, Henderson NV.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Justin Hicks Gunnison, CO (UT) 14 22-15 0
2. Justin Kerr Lake Havasu, AZ (NV) 14 22-03 0
3. Timothy Wells Clovis, CA (CA) 14 21-12 0
4. Timmy Wells II Fresno, CA (CA) 15 21-10 0
5. Jason Hickey Weiser, ID (ID) 11 21-04 0
6. Aaron Leon Henderson, NV (NV) 13 20-09 0
7. Brent Shores Boise, ID (WY) 15 20-02 0
8. Jason Billmaier Las Vegas, NV (NV) 12 19-11 0
9. Bill Brown Grand Junction, CO (UT) 13 18-14 0
10. Dan Jordan Camas, WA (OR) 12 18-10 0
11. Tom Wennerlund Tonto Basin, AZ (AZ) 12 17-11 0
12. Jason Crone Kalispell, MT (MT) 12 16-13 0
13. Mike Lavallee Sandy, UT (UT) 11 16-06 0
14. Todd Herman Gilbert, AZ (AZ) 12 15-12 0
15. Ralph Encizo Fresno, CA (CA) 11 15-03 0
16. Addam Gross Pendleton, OR (OR) 9 14-06 0
17. Ken Day Kennewick, WA (WA) 10 14-03 0
18. David Erickson Craigmont, ID (ID) 10 14-00 0
19. Zackery Shaff Richland, WA (WA) 9 12-11 0
20. Mike Dominick Alberton, MT (MT) 8 12-05 0
21. Keegan Graves Meridian, ID (ID) 7 10-09 0
22. Michael Simon Sr. Henderson, NV (NV) 8 10-06 0
23. Bill Barkley Peoria, AZ (AZ) 7 10-05 0
24. Chris Harvey Idaho Falls, ID (WY) 8 10-04 0
25. Christopher Massey Flagstaff, AZ (AZ) 8 10-03 0
26. Kevin Melford Camarillo, CA (CA) 7 09-11 0
27. Jason Hemminger Oxnard, CA (CA) 6 09-08 0
28. Luke Johns Folsom, CA (CA) 6 09-08 0
29. Gerald Kimzey Willcox, AZ (AZ) 6 09-02 0
30. Zach Barnes Boise, ID (ID) 5 08-12 0
31. Mike Alvarez Clovis, CA (CA) 6 08-12 0
32. Dylan Maxon Phoenix, AZ (AZ) 5 08-07 0
33. Leon Stiffarm Columbia Falls, MT (MT) 5 08-00 0
34. Jesse Ortega Las Vegas, NV (NV) 6 07-11 0
35. Jeffry Ball Pendleton, OR (OR) 5 07-08 0
36. Tyrel Faber Pagosa Springs, CO (UT) 7 07-08 0
37. Joshua Powell Libby, MT (MT) 5 07-08 0
38. Ramsey Romanin Wolcott, CO (UT) 5 07-04 0
39. Ryan Yamagata Las Vegas, NV (NV) 5 07-03 0
40. Steve Lund Glendale, AZ (AZ) 5 06-11 0
41. Donovan Allphin Manila, UT (UT) 4 06-11 0
42. Gabe Thomas Tucson, AZ (AZ) 4 06-01 0
43. Chase Colby Saint George, UT (UT) 4 06-01 0
44. Tracy Dursteler Blackfoot, ID (WY) 4 06-01 0
45. Denton Crofts Meridian, ID (ID) 5 05-12 0
46. Karl Okerman Sandpoint, ID (MT) 3 05-10 0
47. Mel Williams Kennewick, WA (WA) 3 05-07 0
48. Nate Crofts Nampa, ID (ID) 4 05-04 0
49. Kyle Quinnell Kalispell, MT (MT) 4 05-02 0
50. Christian Ostrander Turlock, CA (CA) 4 05-00 0
51. Rick Culver Taylor, UT (UT) 3 04-14 0
52. Jim Hawkes A.J., AZ (AZ) 4 04-13 0
53. Austin Bentz Hermiston, OR (OR) 4 04-11 0
54. Bob Mcwilliams Helena, MT (MT) 3 04-07 0
55. Kevin Wiggins Winterheaven, NV (NV) 3 04-03 0
56. Clint Johanson Cle Elum, WA (WA) 4 04-01 0
57. Patrick Davis Henderson, NV (NV) 3 04-00 0
58. David Naugle Las Vegas, NV (NV) 3 03-15 0
59. Dejon Lewis Ventura, CA (CA) 2 03-14 0
60. Justin Soppe Middleton, ID (ID) 4 03-09 0
61. Kyle Gelles Pingree, ID (WY) 3 03-09 0
62. James Castillo West Richland, WA (WA) 2 03-01 0
63. Kenneth Cleveland Bakersfield, CA (CA) 2 02-06 0
64. Mark Clark New Plymouth, ID (ID) 2 02-05 0
65. Bret Felter Malad City, ID (WY) 2 02-04 0
65. Thomas Nokes Riverton, UT (UT) 2 02-04 0
67. Brent Daybell West Jordan, UT (WY) 2 02-04 0
68. Ron Wiseman Pendleton, OR (OR) 2 02-03 0
69. Douglas Jones North Las Vegas, NV (NV 1 01-13 0
70. Randy Pierson Grand Junction, CO (UT) 1 01-08 0
71. Michael Tauscher Blackfoot, ID (WY) 1 01-03 0
72. Cory Hoopes Spring Creek, NV (WY) 1 01-00 0
73. Forest Kirchner Apache Junction, AZ (AZ 1 00-13 0
74. Jim Davis Eagle, ID (ID) 0 00-00 0
74. Ronald Schneider Sandy, OR (OR) 0 00-00 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 15 208 304-03
2 14 176 252-14
3 8 69 100-12
----------------------------------
37 453 657-13
TEAM STANDINGS Day 3
----------------------------------
State Lbs-Oz
1 NEVADA 150-01
2 CALIFORNIA 145-05
3 ARIZONA 143-11
4 UTAH 135-15
5 IDAHO 107-00
6 MONTANA 92-04
7 WYOMING 87-15
8 OREGON 74-07
9 WASHINGTON 53-04
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Ken Day Kennewick, WA 10 14-03 0
2 Zackery Shaff Richland, WA 9 12-11 0
3 Mel Williams Kennewick, WA 3 05-07 0
4 Clint Johanson Cle Elum, WA 4 04-01 0
5 James Castillo West Richland, WA 2 03-01 0
IDAHO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jason Hickey Weiser, ID 11 21-04 0
2 David Erickson Craigmont, ID 10 14-00 0
3 Keegan Graves Meridian, ID 7 10-09 0
4 Zach Barnes Boise, ID 5 08-12 0
5 Denton Crofts Meridian, ID 5 05-12 0
6 Nate Crofts Nampa, ID 4 05-04 0
7 Justin Soppe Middleton, ID 4 03-09 0
8 Mark Clark New Plymouth, ID 2 02-05 0
9 Jim Davis Eagle, ID 0 00-00 0
OREGON
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Dan Jordan Camas, WA 12 18-10 0
2 Addam Gross Pendleton, OR 9 14-06 0
3 Jeffry Ball Pendleton, OR 5 07-08 0
4 Austin Bentz Hermiston, OR 4 04-11 0
5 Ron Wiseman Pendleton, OR 2 02-03 0
6 Ronald Schneider Sandy, OR 0 00-00 0
ARIZONA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Tom Wennerlund Tonto Basin, AZ 12 17-11 0
2 Todd Herman Gilbert, AZ 12 15-12 0
3 Bill Barkley Peoria, AZ 7 10-05 0
4 Christopher Massey Flagstaff, AZ 8 10-03 0
5 Gerald Kimzey Willcox, AZ 6 09-02 0
6 Dylan Maxon Phoenix, AZ 5 08-07 0
7 Steve Lund Glendale, AZ 5 06-11 0
8 Gabe Thomas Tucson, AZ 4 06-01 0
9 Jim Hawkes A.J., AZ 4 04-13 0
10 Forest Kirchner Apache Junction, AZ 1 00-13 0
WYOMING
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Brent Shores Boise, ID 15 20-02 0
2 Chris Harvey Idaho Falls, ID 8 10-04 0
3 Tracy Dursteler Blackfoot, ID 4 06-01 0
4 Kyle Gelles Pingree, ID 3 03-09 0
5 Bret Felter Malad City, ID 2 02-04 0
6 Brent Daybell West Jordan, UT 2 02-04 0
7 Michael Tauscher Blackfoot, ID 1 01-03 0
8 Cory Hoopes Spring Creek, NV 1 01-00 0
CALIFORNIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Timothy Wells Clovis, CA 14 21-12 0
2 Timmy Wells II Fresno, CA 15 21-10 0
3 Ralph Encizo Fresno, CA 11 15-03 0
4 Kevin Melford Camarillo, CA 7 09-11 0
5 Jason Hemminger Oxnard, CA 6 09-08 0
6 Luke Johns Folsom, CA 6 09-08 0
7 Mike Alvarez Clovis, CA 6 08-12 0
8 Christian Ostrander Turlock, CA 4 05-00 0
9 Dejon Lewis Ventura, CA 2 03-14 0
10 Kenneth Cleveland Bakersfield, CA 2 02-06 0
MONTANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jason Crone Kalispell, MT 12 16-13 0
2 Mike Dominick Alberton, MT 8 12-05 0
3 Leon Stiffarm Columbia Falls, MT 5 08-00 0
4 Joshua Powell Libby, MT 5 07-08 0
5 Karl Okerman Sandpoint, ID 3 05-10 0
6 Kyle Quinnell Kalispell, MT 4 05-02 0
7 Bob Mcwilliams Helena, MT 3 04-07 0
UTAH
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Justin Hicks Gunnison, CO 14 22-15 0
2 Bill Brown Grand Junction, CO 13 18-14 0
3 Mike Lavallee Sandy, UT 11 16-06 0
4 Tyrel Faber Pagosa Springs, CO 7 07-08 0
5 Ramsey Romanin Wolcott, CO 5 07-04 0
6 Donovan Allphin Manila, UT 4 06-11 0
7 Chase Colby Saint George, UT 4 06-01 0
8 Rick Culver Taylor, UT 3 04-14 0
9 Thomas Nokes Riverton, UT 2 02-04 0
10 Randy Pierson Grand Junction, CO 1 01-08 0
NEVADA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Justin Kerr Lake Havasu, AZ 14 22-03 0
2 Aaron Leon Henderson, NV 13 20-09 0
3 Jason Billmaier Las Vegas, NV 12 19-11 0
4 Michael Simon Sr. Henderson, NV 8 10-06 0
5 Jesse Ortega Las Vegas, NV 6 07-11 0
6 Ryan Yamagata Las Vegas, NV 5 07-03 0
7 Kevin Wiggins Winterheaven, NV 3 04-03 0
8 Patrick Davis Henderson, NV 3 04-00 0
9 David Naugle Las Vegas, NV 3 03-15 0
10 Douglas Jones North Las Vegas, NV 1 01-13 0
2020 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional at Lake Mead 9/30-10/2
Lake Mead, Henderson NV.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Aaryn Coroneos Henderson, NV (NV) 9 14-11 0
2. Clif Gallagher Saint George, UT (WY) 8 12-10 0
3. Hayden Spradling Gilbert, AZ (AZ) 9 12-06 0
4. Austin Johnson Noxon, MT (MT) 8 10-11 0
5. Terry Peterson West Jordan, UT (UT) 8 10-10 0
6. Scott Seros Bend, OR (OR) 8 10-10 0
7. Michael Evans Idaho Falls, ID (WY) 6 09-06 0
8. Nathanial Kimberling Coeur D Alene, ID (ID) 6 09-05 0
9. David Bertsch Harrisy, ID (ID) 6 09-01 0
10. Ric Blair Whitefish, MT (MT) 6 09-00 0
11. Logan DeGree Redmond, OR (OR) 6 09-00 0
12. Greg Pink Montrose, CO (UT) 6 08-14 0
13. Jake Morrison Scottsdale, AZ (AZ) 5 08-09 0
14. Tas Moua Fresno, CA (CA) 7 08-07 0
15. Chaunteil Carte' Gresham, OR (WY) 4 07-01 0
16. Brandon Morton San Tan Valley, AZ (AZ) 4 07-00 0
17. Larry Warren LaVerkin, UT (NV) 4 06-04 0
18. Nathan Towes Bakersfield, CA (CA) 5 06-01 0
19. Greg Jager Kennewick, WA (WA) 4 05-13 0
20. James Hollingshead Clarkston, WA (WA) 4 05-09 0
21. Jake Krause Litchfield Park, AZ (AZ 4 05-09 0
22. Brian Senter Newton, TX (AZ) 3 05-08 0
23. Douglas Gaskill Las Vegas, NV (NV) 4 05-04 0
24. Bo Dalton Vernal, UT (UT) 4 05-03 0
25. Josh Stewart Star, ID (ID) 3 05-00 0
26. Mike Steckel Las Vegas, NV (NV) 4 04-12 0
27. Andrew Sayles Middleton, ID (CA) 2 04-09 0
28. Sean Sullivan Henderson, NV (NV) 3 04-04 0
29. Melissa Nokes Lehi, UT (UT) 4 04-04 0
30. Tom McArt Jr Albany, OR (OR) 3 04-04 0
31. Ken Simbro West Haven, UT (UT) 1 04-02 0
32. Dean Yamagata Las Vegas, NV (NV) 3 04-01 0
33. Paul Gelles Pingree, ID (WY) 3 04-00 0
34. Jeffrey Ramey Cameron Park, CA (CA) 3 04-00 0
35. Quincy Grupenhoff Noxon, MT (MT) 3 03-15 0
36. Aldo Acevedo North Hollywood, CA (CA 3 03-14 0
37. Steve Larsen Henderson, NV (NV) 3 03-13 0
38. Tim Meeks Elk Grove, CA (CA) 3 03-11 0
39. Ken Hromada Chandler, AZ (AZ) 3 03-10 0
40. Dale Loseke Meridian, ID (ID) 3 03-10 0
41. Samuel Collins Chino Valley, AZ (AZ) 2 03-10 0
42. Thomas Edwards Gilbert, AZ (AZ) 3 03-09 0
43. Walter Haltom Malad City, ID (UT) 2 03-09 0
44. Mark Torrez Camarillo, CA (CA) 2 03-09 0
45. Jake Hansen Bozeman, MT (MT) 2 03-08 0
46. Hunter Dahnke Missoula, MT (MT) 3 03-04 0
47. David Vega McCammon , ID (WY) 2 03-03 0
48. Stephen Spear Boise, ID (ID) 2 02-13 0
49. Elli Hubbard Las Vegas, NV (NV) 2 02-12 0
50. Jonathan Bryson Las Vegas, NV (NV) 2 02-10 0
51. Kong Moua Sacramento, CA (CA) 2 02-10 0
52. Earl Wells Payette, ID (WY) 2 02-09 0
53. Mark Smith Tacoma, WA (WA) 2 02-07 0
54. Tim Rawlings Malad City, ID (WY) 2 02-07 0
55. Matthew Barnes Pensacola, FL (ID) 2 02-06 0
56. Billy Ricker Clinton, UT (UT) 2 02-04 0
57. Ricky Tejada Coeur D Alene, ID (ID) 2 02-04 0
58. Jake Aubrey Glendale, AZ (AZ) 2 02-02 0
59. Jerry Lake Cottage Grove, OR (OR) 1 01-14 0
60. Kyle Harris San Tan Valley, AZ (AZ) 2 01-14 0
61. Chris Cruz Ogden, UT (UT) 1 01-09 0
62. Jake Weaver Columbia Fls, MT (MT) 1 01-07 0
63. Kevin Pierson Hermiston, OR (OR) 1 01-05 0
64. Jose Gutierrez Bakersfield, CA (CA) 1 01-04 0
65. Trent Perry Huntsville, UT (UT) 1 01-03 0
66. Jeremy Kimberling Rathdrum, ID (ID) 1 01-02 0
67. Cher Moua Missoula, MT (MT) 1 00-10 0
68. Luis Gonzalez San Rafael, CA (CA) 0 00-00 0
68. Kevin Higgins Bonney Lake, WA (WA) 0 00-00 0
68. Jon Pollock Lakewood, CO (WY) 0 00-00 0
68. Kenneth Sitton Albany, OR (OR) 0 00-00 0
68. Cody Steckel Las Vegas, NV (NV) 0 00-00 0
68. Josh Thalman Saratoga Springs, UT (U 0 00-00 0
68. Luke White Coeur D Alene, ID (ID) 0 00-00 0
68. Tyler Wipf West Richland, WA (WA) 0 00-00 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 15 103 150-12
2 0 97 136-05
3 0 33 45-00
----------------------------------
15 233 332-01
TEAM STANDINGS Day 3
----------------------------------
State Lbs-Oz
1 NEVADA 150-01
2 CALIFORNIA 145-05
3 ARIZONA 143-11
4 UTAH 135-15
5 IDAHO 107-00
6 MONTANA 92-04
7 WYOMING 87-15
8 OREGON 74-07
9 WASHINGTON 53-04
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Greg Jager Kennewick, WA 4 05-13 0
2 James Hollingshead Clarkston, WA 4 05-09 0
3 Mark Smith Tacoma, WA 2 02-07 0
4 Kevin Higgins Bonney Lake, WA 0 00-00 0
4 Tyler Wipf West Richland, WA 0 00-00 0
IDAHO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Nathanial Kimberling Coeur D Alene, ID 6 09-05 0
2 David Bertsch Harrisy, ID 6 09-01 0
3 Josh Stewart Star, ID 3 05-00 0
4 Dale Loseke Meridian, ID 3 03-10 0
5 Stephen Spear Boise, ID 2 02-13 0
6 Matthew Barnes Pensacola, FL 2 02-06 0
7 Ricky Tejada Coeur D Alene, ID 2 02-04 0
8 Jeremy Kimberling Rathdrum, ID 1 01-02 0
9 Luke White Coeur D Alene, ID 0 00-00 0
OREGON
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Scott Seros Bend, OR 8 10-10 0
2 Logan DeGree Redmond, OR 6 09-00 0
3 Tom McArt Jr Albany, OR 3 04-04 0
4 Jerry Lake Cottage Grove, OR 1 01-14 0
5 Kevin Pierson Hermiston, OR 1 01-05 0
6 Kenneth Sitton Albany, OR 0 00-00 0
ARIZONA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Hayden Spradling Gilbert, AZ 9 12-06 0
2 Jake Morrison Scottsdale, AZ 5 08-09 0
3 Brandon Morton San Tan Valley, AZ 4 07-00 0
4 Jake Krause Litchfield Park, AZ 4 05-09 0
5 Brian Senter Newton, TX 3 05-08 0
6 Ken Hromada Chandler, AZ 3 03-10 0
7 Samuel Collins Chino Valley, AZ 2 03-10 0
8 Thomas Edwards Gilbert, AZ 3 03-09 0
9 Jake Aubrey Glendale, AZ 2 02-02 0
10 Kyle Harris San Tan Valley, AZ 2 01-14 0
WYOMING
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Clif Gallagher Saint George, UT 8 12-10 0
2 Michael Evans Idaho Falls, ID 6 09-06 0
3 Chaunteil Carte' Gresham, OR 4 07-01 0
4 Paul Gelles Pingree, ID 3 04-00 0
5 David Vega McCammon , ID 2 03-03 0
6 Earl Wells Payette, ID 2 02-09 0
7 Tim Rawlings Malad City, ID 2 02-07 0
8 Jon Pollock Lakewood, CO 0 00-00 0
CALIFORNIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Tas Moua Fresno, CA 7 08-07 0
2 Nathan Towes Bakersfield, CA 5 06-01 0
3 Andrew Sayles Middleton, ID 2 04-09 0
4 Jeffrey Ramey Cameron Park, CA 3 04-00 0
5 Aldo Acevedo North Hollywood, CA 3 03-14 0
6 Tim Meeks Elk Grove, CA 3 03-11 0
7 Mark Torrez Camarillo, CA 2 03-09 0
8 Kong Moua Sacramento, CA 2 02-10 0
9 Jose Gutierrez Bakersfield, CA 1 01-04 0
10 Luis Gonzalez San Rafael, CA 0 00-00 0
MONTANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Austin Johnson Noxon, MT 8 10-11 0
2 Ric Blair Whitefish, MT 6 09-00 0
3 Quincy Grupenhoff Noxon, MT 3 03-15 0
4 Jake Hansen Bozeman, MT 2 03-08 0
5 Hunter Dahnke Missoula, MT 3 03-04 0
6 Jake Weaver Columbia Fls, MT 1 01-07 0
7 Cher Moua Missoula, MT 1 00-10 0
UTAH
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Terry Peterson West Jordan, UT 8 10-10 0
2 Greg Pink Montrose, CO 6 08-14 0
3 Bo Dalton Vernal, UT 4 05-03 0
4 Melissa Nokes Lehi, UT 4 04-04 0
5 Ken Simbro West Haven, UT 1 04-02 0
6 Walter Haltom Malad City, ID 2 03-09 0
7 Billy Ricker Clinton, UT 2 02-04 0
8 Chris Cruz Ogden, UT 1 01-09 0
9 Trent Perry Huntsville, UT 1 01-03 0
10 Josh Thalman Saratoga Springs, UT 0 00-00 0
NEVADA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Aaryn Coroneos Henderson, NV 9 14-11 0
2 Larry Warren LaVerkin, UT 4 06-04 0
3 Douglas Gaskill Las Vegas, NV 4 05-04 0
4 Mike Steckel Las Vegas, NV 4 04-12 0
5 Sean Sullivan Henderson, NV 3 04-04 0
6 Dean Yamagata Las Vegas, NV 3 04-01 0
7 Steve Larsen Henderson, NV 3 03-13 0
8 Elli Hubbard Las Vegas, NV 2 02-12 0
9 Jonathan Bryson Las Vegas, NV 2 02-10 0
10 Cody Steckel Las Vegas, NV 0 00-00 0
Redemption For Doren At Big Bass Zone Junior Championship
PRIEST RIVER, Idaho — Carter Doren, a 16-year-old angler from Las Vegas, Nev., doesn’t want to remember his performance at last year’s Big Bass Zone Junior Championship presented by Bassmaster (BBZJC) held on Idaho’s Lake Pend Oreille. Not only did he not catch a fish during that event, but he didn’t even get a bite.
How things can change in a year. Doren, the last competitor to walk onstage in the 52-angler field, brought a 4.35-pound largemouth to the scales to capture the championship title and take home the first-place prize, a BassCat Margay powered by a Mercury outboard.
“I am in shock,” the young angler gasped when he realized he won, almost falling to his knees on the weigh-in stand. “It was an amazing day. I caught a 3-pounder on my first cast. Things really slowed down, so we motored to the other side of the river and pulled up next to a dock. I skipped my jig under the dock, immediately got a bite and set the hook. The fish didn’t feel all that big while I was fighting it, so I went to boat flip it and realized that would be a bad idea. I freaked out, then lipped it and went crazy!”
The BBZJC format is a big fish tournament. Anglers were tasked with a simple challenge: catch the biggest fish they could find in an 8-hour day and hope it was bigger than every other fish that hit the scales. Doren’s largemouth accomplished just that.
Doren landed the winning fish the first 30 minutes of the day on a football jig with a Yamamoto Fat Baby Craw as a trailer. “I am so thankful I skipped under that dock, because we didn’t get a bite the last four hours of the day.”
The BBZJC event is a unique event in the world of bass fishing. Fifty-two anglers from 48 states qualified for the tournament through a months-long virtual tournament. The competitors would catch a fish, then submit the fish to a virtual leaderboard for each state. The angler with the heaviest bass became the qualifier from that state.
“This format allows every kid that can find a fishing rod the ability to compete against their peers across the country for almost $300,000 in prizes,” said BBZJC president Bill Siemantel. “They can qualify by fishing from the bank, from a kayak or from a bass boat in every sort of fishery you can imagine.
“This year, we had 13 anglers compete that also qualified last year. We had a kid from Florida drive to Maine to qualify in that state. It is simply unbelievable the passion these kids have for the format and the commitment parents and family members showed to get anglers involved.”
Doren qualified for the event on the strength of a 4-6 smallmouth he landed on Nevada’s Lake Mohave while bed fishing.
Brayden Stoker from Stephenville, Texas, landed a 3.86-pound largemouth for second place.
Gus Dietric, of Oxford, Mich., landed a 3.47-pound largemouth for third.
Prizes included trips to Lake El Salto and the Amazon provided by Anglers Inn International; electronics and trolling motors from Humminbird, Minn Kota, Lowrance and MotorGuide; scholarships from Bethel University; batteries from Lithium Pros; rods from St. Croix and Daiwa; and a host of gear from supporting manufacturers.
“I’m gonna win it.”
Vance McCullough - AnglersChannel.com
Eric Jackson made the statement as flatly as one might say ‘I’m going to the store to buy milk and eggs.’
He was speaking of the upcoming Kayak Bass Fishing National Championship to be contested by 340 anglers on Alabama’s Lake Guntersville. That’s a huge field, culled from the most successful of KBF’s anglers over the course of a year. Then there’s the lake itself which just confounded most of the Bassmaster Elite Series field.
So why is Jackson so confident?
For starters, he is a 4-time freestyle kayaking world champion and a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic team. As for the ‘angler’ part of the ‘kayak angler’ equation, Jackson is a veteran of the FLW Tour, now known as the MLF BIG5.
But Jackson’s confidence is buoyed by a paddlecraft of his own design: the new Apex Tyr. It’s the only model offered by the nascent endeavor, Apex Watercraft. Jackson made waves in the kayak fishing industry when he offered models under his namesake company, Jackson Kayaks. “I still own stock in Jackson but I’m not running the company in any way. I started Apex because I wanted to come up with a super lightweight carbon fiber boat and push performance boundaries in a lot of the areas that plastic boat manufacturers just weren’t doing and can’t really do with plastic anyway. There are 37 companies making rotomolded plastic fishing kayaks out there. There’s only 1 making a carbon fiber one.”
Jackson assembled a team of experts - including Russ Emanis who led the Lockheed Martin R+D and manufacturing of the F-22 Rapture fighter jet with carbon fiber, infusion processes - to build Apex kayaks in his home state of Tennessee from a new location completely separate from the Jackson factory.
“Having a really lightweight boat just opens up so much stuff,” says Jackson. “For example, I just fished the KBF Super Trail Tournament on Lake Wheeler and I would have won except for a technical foul. I had a 2-inch penalty for two fish with their mouths slightly open (in the required scoring photographs). Otherwise, I had the biggest 10 fish. I caught about 50 fish a day fishing on a section of the creek where John Cox won the FLW Cup a few years ago but I was fishing about 8 miles upstream from where he was.”
The writer of this article followed Cox up said creek and I can tell you it got to the point where a kayak would have been required to go much further. Cox giggled about it at the time, “I’m so far up the creek that it doesn’t even show up as blue on the map.” Cox went further in an aluminum boat than anyone else in the field could do in their fiberglass models. Jackson was able to use a paddle version of the now famous Cox approach to far surpass what his competitors could do in heavier craft – kayaks no less.
Jackson says, “In a 2.4-mile section of the creek I had to portage over and around trees about 50 times. It was choked with tornado trees and whatever the whole way. At times there wasn’t enough water to paddle a kayak. Those fish are never getting fished for. It was catch, catch, catch the whole way.
“It was super awesome. That boat made it possible. It would have been too hard to take a plastic boat.”
It is often said that dogs look like their owners and that great teams take on the personality of their coaches. Eric Jackson’s stature is not overbearing but he is solidly built, powerful, with no dead weight. The Apex Tyr follows this elegant, highly functional form.
At 40 pounds, the Apex needs just a sheet of water to float. Everything else about the craft is minimal as well, except the price, but more on that in a minute. The word that comes to mind when looking at the boat is ‘clean’. It features a uncluttered layout that is deceptively storage-friendly for bass anglers who carry multiple rods and bags of gear.
Given his background, Jackson is more comfortable paddling than pedaling and he has designed a boat that reflects this with no receiver or hole for a drive. In fact, there are no holes whatsoever in the smooth bottom of the Tyr. No scupper holes. This is part of the magic that makes it fast and quiet. The boat’s design runs water right out the back end so no need for the scupper holes.
There is a mounting plate on the rear that will accommodate a Power Pole Micro or a Torqeedo electric motor for those who want to go very far very fast. “If I want to fish open lake, if I put a Torqeedo 1103 which is about a 3-hp electric motor, it drives at 7-and-a-half miles an hour. If you put it on a Hobie or a Jackson it will run maybe 4-and-a-half miles an hour. I can run all over the lake faster than anybody else can.”
As for graphs and such, “You can flush mount electronics on the dash. Electronics on a kayak are always in the way – to the side or between your legs and everything catches on them. Our dashboard puts them out of the way and makes it really convenient.”
Being a carbon fiber craft, an owner does not want, or need, to drill holes in order to mount the aforementioned electronics. “The boat comes ready to go so if you’re drilling, you’re not using the boat right,” notes Jackson of the mostly custom-built watercraft that will also be produced in greater volume to meet the demand of a growing dealer network soon.
There are stainless steel inserts mounted behind the swivel seat so that additional gear can be mounted or lashed to the deck. “You can put any Ram Mount you want on there. What you haven’t seen yet – and we finally sorted it out – is where to put the beer,” laughs Jackson. “I was super stressed about getting our beer holder right. We have an accessory called the Beer Buddy and, basically, we have a swivel seat, and the swivel seat is like, a whole game-changer in its own, but you lift the seat out and put this Beer Buddy on the seat pole and it sticks out either just between your legs in front of you, or it can rotate 360 degrees anywhere you want to keep it. You can put multiple ones on if you want. That’s not on the website yet but it’s coming.”
To maintain a low profile, the Apex is keeps additional fishing rods at the ready in a horizontal orientation as opposed to the vertical fashion in which many anglers now transport four or more sticks that wave and telegraph their approach to wary shallow water fish. “That might look cool, but I can’t deal with that ever,” says Jackson. “You’re standing up and try to flip behind you, that’s the last place you’d want to have them. If you make a cast and catch the rod and backlash the crap out of it . . . anyway.” Jackson’s frustration with the vertical rod storage that is standard practice in kayak fishing is common among bass boaters who transition into the smaller vessels. It’s a holdover from the saltwater world where kayak tournaments were pioneered before being adapted to bass fishing. It is time for kayak bass tournament anglers to catch up and lay the rods horizontally as we always have, so this may be my favorite feature of the Tyr. In the Apex, “Rod holders are parallel alongside the seat, facing backward inside the boat. You can put 3 or 4 on each side but it’s super awesome convenient to put 2 on each side and then, the ones you’re actively using, you lay them forward on the dash. If you look at the angle and depth of the dashboard, the rods lay perfectly on that. Super open. Super easy to access.”
Storage is abundant and always within reach from the high pedestal seat that again, swivels to grant total range of motion around the boat. “That pedestal is open in the front for tackle storge beneath your seat. On the back of the seat is a recess with a couple of paracords that hold a small dry box, maybe your phone, wallet, whatever in there.”
The main storge compartment is under what amounts to the hood on this vehicle. It is kept closed with a quiet magnet system that makes for easy one-handed opening. “The hatch houses electronics, but also, you have access to that whole front hatch for storage. It’s really big,” says Jackson.
To aid in boat positioning, Jackson invented a thing. “We have two additional 420 inserts on the gunnel where you can mount a Ram ball or whatever but we’re using it for a new invention I created called a Side Kick. It’s a drift control paddle holder mechanism. You just drop your paddle in, and your blade goes down in the water and slows your drift by about 50% and you can angle the blade to help control the direction of your drift. If you want to grab your paddle you just pick it up and, off you go. I haven’t really promoted that yet, there’s no footage of it. We probably won’t promote that until the end of October when we’re shipping them.”
The Side Kick will be an important add-on as Jackson admits that, due to its light weight, the Apex is more susceptible to being blown around on the wind. The boat’s low profile will help combat this though, as will a shallow water anchor which, again can be mounted to the back via existing inserts. Then again, in the skinny margins of water far up the creeks where Jackson prefers to venture, wind is much less of a factor to begin with. Also, course correction is much quicker, easier and quieter in the bantam weight boat. “If you’re in a heavy boat and the wind hits, it’s gonna take longer to move it (back into position) but on the other side, every stroke you take, every movement takes way less energy to straighten out, to position yourself or whatever in a lighter boat.
“The wind is still gonna blow either way.”
Jackson also teased another accessory to come, the Tailgate, which closes off the back end of the otherwise open cockpit for those who are concerned about following waves or who load their boat before they drag it to launch and don’t want stuff rolling out of the back.
He also ran down the various fin options that affect tracking, especially helpful for offshore fishing. They are made of carbon cork so if you knock one off it is not necessarily lost.
Cosmetics on the Apex are breathtaking. The depth and brilliance of the glossy finish rivals that of any big bass boat. The ultra-durable topcoat also protects the finish. “We have a proprietary coating that has never been used in composites before. My head molder figured out how to mold-in this coating. It’s like a polyurea coating, the same stuff you use for truck bedliners – super tough stuff but this is a clear coat. It looks perfectly clear. You see the carbon through it. It’s like glass. It’s incredibly high abrasion resistant. Like my boat, I’m just dragging it around through the woods, over logs. Remember, the boat is super light so if you don’t have it heavily loaded down, there’s hardly any weigh to it any way. No biggie.”
You can wrap it if you like. “The wrap template has been designed and our wrap guy will design a custom wrap in whatever colors you want with your name on it or whatever it is you want on the boat and that’s part of the package. It’s pretty sweet. If you look on-line you can see my latest one. It has checkers and my name. We have a bald eagle. We have camo.”
The premium boat comes with a premium price tag. You might need financing. Seriously. “I’m selling $11,000 boats and people are buying them. It’s not for everybody. If you’ve got the money and you want the best thing, it’s there.”
In addition to sticker shock, there has been backlash against the radical design of the Apex. “The response was pretty harsh,” admits Jackson. “People looked at it and said, ‘that’s not a tournament boat’ and ‘anything you have to paddle is not a tournament boat, you should be able to pedal it’. People have just gotten used to doing it a certain way and right now, nobody is thinking outside the box.
“What they don’t understand is, this is the winning tournament boat. This blows your ‘tournament boat’ out of the water as far as winning tournaments. My rod holder system, my electronics mounting system, the weight, the speed. My theory is, and I’m a fan of pedaling, but if you want to win a tournament and you’re allowed to use a trolling motor, why are you pedaling again? Mine is turn-key for electric or paddle. I’m not sure why, if you want to win a tournament, ‘you’ve got to pedal’.”
Readers will want to check out the Apex channel on YouTube to see a walk through as they build one of these boats. The materials, the craftsmanship and the team that executes the build is remarkable.
Then again, if you want to meet the boat of your dreams in person, “At Nationals (Lake Guntersville, October 7, 8 and 9, 2020) we’re gonna have an after party with 40 cases of Fat Tire Beer (after the final day the 9th). We’ll also have BBQ and be cooking food for people. That will be the first chance for people to really touch and feel the boat.
“In theory, I’ll have won the Nationals. I’m pretty confident in my chances at this event.”
West Monroe High School Wins High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing Ouachita River Open
MONROE, La. (Oct. 5, 2020) – Louisiana’s West Monroe High School duo of Jay Cash and Jackson Lemoine caught four fish Saturday weighing 9 pounds, 11 ounces to win the FLW High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing Ouachita River Open event in Monroe, Louisiana. The event was hosted by the Monroe-West Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau.
According to post-tournament reports, the West Monroe duo targeted the grass and backwater trees with a white and chartreuse-colored spinnerbait, a Whopper Plopper and flipping a Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver.
The top four teams on the Ouachita River that now advance to the 2021 High School Fishing National Championship were:
1st: West Monroe High School, West Monroe, La. – Jay Cash and Jackson Lemoine, four bass, 6-3
2nd: West Ouachita High School, West Monroe, La. – Cade Brown and Josh Arrant, five bass, 3-13
3rd: West Ouachita High School, West Monroe, La – Gage Struben and Hagen Carter, East Earl, Pa., five bass, 2-14
4th: Northeast Louisiana High School Anglers – Kage Spillers and Kaden Graves, both of Calhoun, La., three bass, 1-3
Rounding out the top 10 teams were:
5th: Haughton High School, Haughton, La. – Jase White and Cole Golden, Dauphin, Pa., five bass
6th: Bryant High School, Bryant, Ark. – Tucker Dottley and Brandon Gabe., four bass
7th: Glenmora High School, Glenmora, La. – Reese Ray and Shawn Pender, four bass
8th: Montgomery High School, Montgomery, La. – Hayden Brandes and Logan Beverung, three bass
9th: Crossett High School, Crossett, Ark. – Brantley Anders and Ben Brockwell, four bass
10th: West Monroe High School, West Monroe, La. – Brady Swanner and Colby Dark, three bass
Complete results from the event can be found at FLWFishing.com.
The FLW High School Fishing presented by Favorite Fishing Ouachita River Open in Monroe, Louisiana, 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.
East Texas Baptist University Wins Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI Tournament on Ouachita River
MONROE, La. (Oct. 5, 2020) – The East Texas Baptist University team of Grant Hendrix of Livingston, Texas, and Josh Manuel of Burleson, Texas, won the Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI at the Ouachita River event Friday with a five-bass limit weighing 15 pounds, 4 ounces. The victory earned the duo $2,000 and qualified them to compete in the 2021 College Fishing National Championship.
The Tigers duo won by a 1½-pound margin over the second-place team of Luke O’Neal and Wesley Banks, from the University of Louisiana-Monroe, who weighed in five bass totaling 13 pounds, 12 ounces. The tournament launched from Forsythe Park in Monroe, Louisiana.
According to post-tournament reports, the duo caught their fish targeting brush piles and cypress trees with a white ChatterBait and a black and blue-colored V&M Flat Wild.
The top 10 teams that advanced to the 2021 College Fishing National Championship are:
1st: East Texas Baptist University – Grant Hendrix, Livingston, Texas, and Josh Manuel, Burleson. Texas, five bass, 15-4, $2,000
2nd: University of Louisiana-Monroe – Luke O’Neal and Wesley Banks, Calhoun, La., five bass, 13-12, $1,000
3rd: East Texas Baptist University – Kaden Proffitt, Pittsburg, Texas, and Cason Ragsdale, Winnsboro, Texas, five bass, 12-12, $500
4th: Stephen. F. Austin State University – Calan Cameron, Coppell, Texas, and Kellen Worley, Wylie, Texas, five bass, 12-9, $500
5th: Sam Houston State University – Jayce Garrison and Mason Hoke, both of Conroe, Texas, five bass, 12-4, $500
6th: University of Oklahoma – Carson Kirkhuff, Grapevine, Texas, and Brigg Bates, Aledo, Texas, five bass, 11-7
7th: Delta State University – Matthew Brooks, Clarksdale, Miss., and Jake White, Marks, Miss., five bass, 10-11
8th: Stephen F. Austin State University – J.D. Clarke, Chester, Texas, and Garrett Johnson, Burnet, Texas, five bass, 10-10
9th: Tarleton State University – Caden Cowan, Stephenville, Texas, and Trevor Easter, Morgan, Texas, five bass, 10-9
10th: University of Louisiana-Lafayette – Cole Bailey, Doyline, La., and Hayden Pinho, Patterson, La., five bass, 10-5
Complete results for the entire field can be found at FLWFishing.com.
The Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI event on the Ouachita River was the second of three regular-season qualifying tournaments for Southern Conference anglers. The next event for College Fishing anglers will be Nov. 13 – the Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI Sam Rayburn Reservoir Open in Brookeland, Texas.
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.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Abu Garcia College Fishing presented by YETI on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Cobb keeps collecting Bonus Bucks
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
With the same certainty Brandon Cobb knows skipping his Toad Toter buzzbait around boat docks catches bass other anglers never appeal to, he also knows buying a Toyota and signing up for their Bonus Bucks contingency program pays off.
While there’s almost never a time when only one Tundra driving pro competes in the championship round of a Bassmaster Elite Series tournament, oddly, that was exactly the case at Lake Guntersville.
“I looked around at blast-off and realized I was the only guy in a Tundra on Championship Saturday, which meant I’d win $3,000 in Toyota Bonus Bucks even if I failed to catch a bass,” grinned the easy-going Cobb.
Cobb did not fail to catch a bass, instead he skipped and cast the Greenwood Tackle ¼-ounce Toad Toter around Gutersville’s many boat docks all day to eventually finish 8th -- and cash yet another beefy tournament paycheck – something Cobb does in 70% of the B.A.S.S. tournaments he enters.
As for his Tundra, the driver’s side door wears a small dent from where a New York whitetail deer performed a daring maneuver a few weeks ago, but Cobb says he wouldn’t trade his truck’s comfort, safety, towing power, and good looks for any other.
Not to mention the $3,000 he collected at Guntersville, essentially without even having to catch a bass.
Much like Brandon Cobb, you too can cash-in on Toyota Bonus Bucks. You just have to own or lease a 2016 or newer Toyota Truck, sign up free for Bonus Bucks, and be the highest finishing registered participant in one of the hundreds of tournaments supported by the Program. To learn more, please visit www.toyotafishing.com.
Swindle: Woodpecker Lips, Extra mayo, and Punchin’
Courtesy of Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
Team Toyota’s Gerald Swindle first fished for Guntersville’s largemouth bass 35 years ago as a teenager with is dad, Tommy in an aluminum boat, and when they weren’t bass fishing at “G-Ville” they were wading its famed waters to catch sunfish for the deep fryer.
Swindle and his sweet wife “Lulu” now live at Guntersville, but it proved to be anything but a homefield advantage this past week at the Bassmaster Elite when the catching was what Swindle described as tougher than metal woodpecker lips.
So Friday at Day 3’s weigh-in, just after eating one of Lulu’s ham & cheese sandwiches with extra mayo and mustard, Swindle bagged his fish, headed backstage to the weigh-in, leaned against a 100-gallon Rubbermaid tank and reflected on the three tough days that had just transpired before eventually landing in 38th place.
Q: What was the biggest surprise this week?
Swindle: The fishing was tough. I knew it was going to be tough. But I was pretty shocked at how skinny, almost unhealthy looking, the bass were this week.
Q: Day 1 was brutal for you. You landed in 70th place, but made a huge comeback on Day 2. What was the key to your rally?
Swindle: I spotted some fish on the edge of the eel grass with my sonar, cast a jig at ‘em, caught a 3-pounder and a 4-pounder in 10 minutes, and it gave me a big adrenalin rush that picked me up mentally.
Q: What lures did you lean on the most this week?
Swindle: A 3/8-ounce green pumpkin Buckeye Ballin’ Out jig with a Zoom Z Craw trailer, and flipping a 1.5-ounce Texas rigged Zoom Z Craw Jr.
Q: Now that this tough derby is done, what would you do differently?
Swindle: I should have just got in the grass and flipped the big Texas punch weight. I tried to do too much. I should have just stuck to pitchin’ and punchin’ the big weight in the grass.
Kentucky Anglers Win Bassmaster High School Series Tournament On Lake Cumberland
Chanler Brake and Branden Duncan, of Kentucky's Southwestern High School, have won the 2020 Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series at Lake Cumberland presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors with 12 pounds, 9 ounces.
Photo by Brenden Kanies/B.A.S.S.
October 4, 2020
RUSSELL COUNTY, Ky. — Chanler Brake and Branden Duncan from Southwestern High School in Pulaski, Ky., were the final team to cross the stage Sunday afternoon at the Mossy Oak Bassmaster High School Series at Lake Cumberland presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
It was a perfect example of saving the best for last.
Duncan and Brake brought a mixed bag of 12 pounds, 9 ounces to the scales, taking home the victory over Brent Key and Hunter Canova from Lenoir City High School.
Along with 10 other teams, Duncan and Brake qualified for the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School National Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors at Kentucky Lake scheduled for Oct. 22-24. They also won $1,102 for their fishing team.
“I’m super proud of them. They fished hard all day and it was a tough bite,” boat captain Josh Brake said.
After fishing a tournament at Tims Ford Lake in Tennessee the previous day, Duncan and Brake drove through the night to get back to Halcomb’s Landing in time for takeoff, taking just a 30-minute nap before takeoff time.
That didn’t stop them from running all the way up the river first thing in the morning, farther than any of the other 105 boats in the field, Josh said.
“We pretty much just went fishing,” Brake said. “Practice was definitely not as good as today.”
Duncan said they caught all of their fish on a black and blue jig, and Josh added that the duo landed every fish that bit.
Key and Canova spent much of the weigh-in on the hot seat after weighing four fish for 11-13. They fell shy of a limit, however, and fell short of first place by 14 ounces.
“I had another 3-pounder on first thing this morning but it came off,” Key said.
The Lenoir City team found success catching smallmouth on deep rocks with a Carolina rig.
“We came off practice thinking we were going to try and pick off some smallmouth,” Canova said. “It started slow on tournament day, but as we went through the day we started picking them off.”
Keaton Smith and Jaydon Coggins, also of Southwestern High School, secured the Big Bass of the tournament with a 4-7 smallmouth bass, winning $100 for their program.
This tournament was hosted by the Russell County Chamber of Commerce and State Dock on Lake Cumberland.
2020 Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series at Lake Cumberland
presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors 10/4-10/4
Lake Cumberland, Russell County KY.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Chanler Brake - Branden Duncan Southwestern High School- KY 0
Day 1: 5 12-09 Total: 5 12-09
2. Brent Key - Hunter Canova Lenoir City High School 0
Day 1: 4 11-13 Total: 4 11-13
3. Asa Robertson - Matthew Vandagriff Warren County High School Pionee 0
Day 1: 5 10-10 Total: 5 10-10
4. Cody Smith - Rhett Stottlemire Soddy Daisy High School 0
Day 1: 5 08-06 Total: 5 08-06
5. Christopher Keeble - Brooks Walsh Sequoyah High School 0
Day 1: 4 08-01 Total: 4 08-01
6. Emory Olinger - Bryce Tucker Bledsoe County High School 0
Day 1: 5 08-00 Total: 5 08-00
7. Marshall Smith - Avery Johnson Lenoir City High School 0
Day 1: 4 08-00 Total: 4 08-00
8. Will Oberman - Clay Oberman Garrard County High School 0
Day 1: 3 07-04 Total: 3 07-04
9. Nathan Reynolds - Jimmy Oguin Backwoods Bassin 0
Day 1: 5 07-03 Total: 5 07-03
10. Wayland Adkisson - Daniel Summers BGA 0
Day 1: 5 06-15 Total: 5 06-15
10. Will Stephens - Lucas Wray Russell County High school 0
Day 1: 5 06-15 Total: 5 06-15
12. Jake Swindle - Cole Lackey Riverside High School 0
Day 1: 5 06-14 Total: 5 06-14
13. Clent Blackwood - Lacy Woods Kee West Point High School 0
Day 1: 5 06-08 Total: 5 06-08
14. Keaton Smith - Jaydon Coggins Southwestern High School 0
Day 1: 2 06-04 Total: 2 06-04
15. Brandon Sales - Noah Ward Lenoir City High School 0
Day 1: 4 06-01 Total: 4 06-01
16. Evan Barker - Jay Issac Rowan County 0
Day 1: 2 05-13 Total: 2 05-13
17. Scotty Hagan - Mason Hagan Edmonson County HS BottomLine Ba 0
Day 1: 5 05-12 Total: 5 05-12
18. Garrett White - Tanner Mcclain Rhea County Eagle Anglers 0
Day 1: 4 05-07 Total: 4 05-07
19. Allen Powe - Jonathan Combs George Rogers Clark High School 0
Day 1: 2 05-07 Total: 2 05-07
20. Cody Mason - Austin Young Calloway County High School 0
Day 1: 2 05-03 Total: 2 05-03
21. James Saylor - Kyler Moore Garrard County High School- KY 0
Day 1: 3 04-14 Total: 3 04-14
22. Riley Christensen - Jeffrey Lotierzo Riley's Catch 0
Day 1: 2 04-12 Total: 2 04-12
23. Braden Leffew - Brady Raines York Agricultural Institute 0
Day 1: 3 04-08 Total: 3 04-08
24. Richie Bivens - Matthew Lambdin Benton Co 0
Day 1: 3 04-06 Total: 3 04-06
24. Ethan Gilbert - Downeast Fishing Club 0
Day 1: 3 04-06 Total: 3 04-06
26. Dalton Defelice - Paul Meyers Hidden Lake Big Bass 0
Day 1: 3 04-05 Total: 3 04-05
27. Ashton Smith - Chase Fagan DeLand High School 0
Day 1: 4 04-03 Total: 4 04-03
28. Ryhan Fox - Isaac Irvin Galatia High School 0
Day 1: 3 04-02 Total: 3 04-02
28. Coleman Stewart - Keenan Stewart Boyle County High School 0
Day 1: 3 04-02 Total: 3 04-02
30. Caden Cardoza - Gallatin High School 0
Day 1: 2 04-02 Total: 2 04-02
31. Owen Spurlock - Landon Phillips Soddy Daisy High School 0
Day 1: 3 04-01 Total: 3 04-01
32. Jacob Delk - Thomas Hafley Taylor County Cardinals 0
Day 1: 2 03-14 Total: 2 03-14
33. Riley Lawson - Maycee Lyons Bath County High School 0
Day 1: 4 03-12 Total: 4 03-12
34. Branson Campbell - Russell County High School- KY 0
Day 1: 3 03-12 Total: 3 03-12
34. Drew Lyvers - Dawson Hawkins Spencer Co HS 0
Day 1: 3 03-12 Total: 3 03-12
36. Cooper Lively - Chris Fallon Gardendale High School 0
Day 1: 4 03-08 Total: 4 03-08
37. Carson Miller - Ben Cornish Briarwood Christian High School 0
Day 1: 3 03-08 Total: 3 03-08
37. Dylan Stokes - Keaton Mills Wilson Central High School 0
Day 1: 3 03-08 Total: 3 03-08
39. Jackson Baltz - Garrett Langolis Noblesville High School 0
Day 1: 3 03-04 Total: 3 03-04
40. Khristian Rousseve - Shamar Pierre WEST ST JOHN HIGH 0
Day 1: 3 03-03 Total: 3 03-03
41. Caleb Maybrey - Kole Palmer Franklin County High School 0
Day 1: 2 03-02 Total: 2 03-02
42. Kyle Wilmoth - Blaine Mattingly Central Hardin High School 0
Day 1: 2 02-15 Total: 2 02-15
43. Devrin Harper - Devrin Snyder West St John High 0
Day 1: 2 02-14 Total: 2 02-14
44. Ridge Rutledge - Ryan Sponcil East Jessamine High School 0
Day 1: 2 02-12 Total: 2 02-12
45. Peter West - Zach Knight Gallatin High School 0
Day 1: 2 02-09 Total: 2 02-09
46. Nicholas Boggs - Brady Howard Louisa Bass Club 0
Day 1: 2 02-08 Total: 2 02-08
46. Gage Starks - Sawyer Williams Henry County High School 0
Day 1: 2 02-08 Total: 2 02-08
48. Evan Fields - Evan Waggener Collins High School 0
Day 1: 2 02-03 Total: 2 02-03
49. Colton Teffer - Colton Parten Rhea County 0
Day 1: 2 01-15 Total: 2 01-15
50. Landon Brown - Connor Mckinzie Bourbon County High School 0
Day 1: 1 01-14 Total: 1 01-14
51. Jake Mattingly - Landon Burton Danville Christian academy 0
Day 1: 1 01-11 Total: 1 01-11
52. Zachary Taylor - Walker Valley High School 0
Day 1: 1 01-07 Total: 1 01-07
53. Jaden Carpenter - Sean Cash Rockcastle Rockets 0
Day 1: 1 01-06 Total: 1 01-06
53. Justin Robbins - Jordan Garrett Fentress County High School 0
Day 1: 1 01-06 Total: 1 01-06
55. Autumn Belcher - William Crawford Boyle County Rebels 0
Day 1: 1 01-05 Total: 1 01-05
55. Jackson Kulijof - Lane Tooley Muhlenberg County High School 0
Day 1: 1 01-05 Total: 1 01-05
55. Lane Lassiter - Braxton Campbell Warren County High School 0
Day 1: 1 01-05 Total: 1 01-05
55. Ethan Martin - Tyler Leachman Bullitt East 0
Day 1: 1 01-05 Total: 1 01-05
59. Steven Ray - Trey Woliver Heritage High School Maryville, 0
Day 1: 1 01-04 Total: 1 01-04
59. Canon Ybarra - Chase Fluty Beech High School 0
Day 1: 1 01-04 Total: 1 01-04
61. Andrea Cornett - Nathan Muse George Rogers Clark High School 0
Day 1: 1 01-03 Total: 1 01-03
61. Caleb Griffin - Bryson Bailey West Tennessee Home School Assoc 0
Day 1: 1 01-03 Total: 1 01-03
61. Sadie Rodgers - Brentlea Rodgers Soddy Daisy High School 0
Day 1: 1 01-03 Total: 1 01-03
61. Johnathan Walls - Jacob Frizzell Warren County High School 0
Day 1: 1 01-03 Total: 1 01-03
65. Connor Chenault - Hudson Montgomery George Rogers Clark High School 0
Day 1: 1 01-01 Total: 1 01-01
65. Payton Mccullough - Matthew Elliott West Vigo High School 0
Day 1: 1 01-01 Total: 1 01-01
65. Ben Puckett - Jesse Klutts Tennessee valley 0
Day 1: 1 01-01 Total: 1 01-01
68. Brooke Blevins - rowan county senior high school 0
Day 1: 1 00-15 Total: 1 00-15
69. Nick Aaron - Isaac Roy Russell County High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Caleb Allen - Michael Blackburn Russell County High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Cole Berry - Graham Palmer Terre Haute North Patriots 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Cody Blair - Madison Southern High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Kurtis Blair - Madison Southern High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Jonathon Bourne - Kevin Rhoads East Jessamine High 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Tyler Causey - Ty Davis Garrard County 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Ethan Chase - Dylan Kidder Garrard County High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Bo Collins - Owen Jenkins Chatuge Anglers 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Jacob Davidson - Tristen Boyd Mt Juliet High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Caiden Galbreath - Ashlyn Shedd West Point High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Easton Garzolini - Cody Bunch West Vigo High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Mason Gibbs - Dylan Smith Soddy Daisy High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Andon Goins - Blake Wheat Rhea County High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Ben Hester - Mason Caldwell Rhea County High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Ben Howard - Jason Burchfield Southwestern High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Tyler Johnson - Gallatin high 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Dylan Johnson - Sequatchie County 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Camden Judson - Brody Bailey Terre Haute North Vigo 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Pruitt Lansdale - Montgomery County High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Braxton Little - Hayden Marshall Gardendale High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Hunter May - Nate Wagers Berea Bass Buster Club 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Wyatt Mcqueary - Derek Dean West Vigo High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Julian Moss - Gallatin High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Andy Napier - Dalton Coale Spencer County High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Tucker Pendergrass - Lucas Roberts Livingston Academy 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Grainger Pollert - Bloomington South High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Laindree Richardson - Lucas Wielt Benton High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Brayden Stotler - Bloomington South High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Tyler Thomas - Natalie Ochs Russell County High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. Will Travis - T.J. Martin Rhea County High school- TN 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
69. James Workman - Montgomery County High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
Casey County Wins Bassmaster Junior Series Event On Lake Cumberland
Landon Pierce and Korbin Neat, of Casey County (Ky.), have won the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster Junior Series at Lake Cumberland with 4 pounds, 13 ounces.
Photo by Brenden Kanies/B.A.S.S.
October 4, 2020
RUSSELL COUNTY, Ky. — The Casey County team of Landon Pierce and Korbin Neat secured the Mossy Oak Bassmaster Junior Series title on Lake Cumberland, catching a five-fish limit Sunday that weighed 4 pounds, 13 ounces on their home waters.
Pierce and Neat advance to the Mossy Oak Bassmaster Junior Series National Championship scheduled for Oct. 19-20 on Carroll County 1000 Acre Lake in Huntingdon, Tenn.
“It feels great,” Pierce said. “This is our first tournament.”
Boat captain Dustin Neat was impressed with how well Pierce and Korbin performed.
“It was really amazing. These two kids did a great job,” Dustin said. “This place is tough. It’s off-the-chart tough for anyone, much less a fifth- and a seventh-grader. I’m super proud of these kids.”
Pierce said the team ran upriver and fished Caney Creek and the mouth of Wolf Creek most of the day. They used a Whopper Plopper, Korbin’s favorite way to catch fish, and a shaky head to boat eight total bass.
“We caught them great,” Korbin said. “All we had to do was cast in the right spot and they would come up and blow it up.”
Dustin added that he could tell the night before how excited his team was to get out on the water.
“They spent the night at my house last night and they were geared out. But they calmed down (this morning),” Dustin said. “They started off with a fish in the first five casts and had a good day.”
This tournament was hosted by the Russell County Chamber of Commerce and State Dock on Lake Cumberland.
2020 Bassmaster Junior Stop Lake Cumberland 10/4-10/4
Lake Cumberland, Russell County KY.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Landon Pierce - Korbin Neat Casey County 0
Day 1: 5 04-13 Total: 5 04-13
2. Presley Lannom - Preston Maddux Mt Juliet Fishing 0
Day 1: 3 04-05 Total: 3 04-05
3. Lainie Holbert - Sarah Swindle Riverside 0
Day 1: 3 03-06 Total: 3 03-06
4. Peyton Davidson - Camden Randall Mount Pleasant 0
Day 1: 3 02-15 Total: 3 02-15
5. Brody Jones - Parker Batts Jefferson County Patriots 0
Day 1: 1 01-09 Total: 1 01-09
6. Annie Lassiter - Jameson Pursley Warren Co Jr Anglers 0
Day 1: 1 01-00 Total: 1 01-00
7. Miranda Ochs - Evan Bradshaw Russell County 0
Day 1: 1 00-13 Total: 1 00-13
8. Miles Allen - Macgregor Allen Meade County 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
8. Mason Grose - Sailor Mckinney Southern West Virginia Jr Bassma 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
8. Jaden Norris - Eli Van Ness Sullivan Middle School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
8. Tre Smith - Gunner Wilson Garrard County High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
8. Mason Snider - Mount Juliet Fishing 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
8. Chase Stubblefield - John Carson Cooper Scotts Hill High School Juniors 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
Minor And Lanier Claim Bassmaster College Series Victory At Lake Cumberland
Nolan Minor and Casey Lanier, from West Virginia, have won the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series at Lake Cumberland presented by Bass Pro Shops with a three-day total of 39 pounds, 2 ounces.
Photo by Brenden Kanies/B.A.S.S.
October 3, 2020
RUSSELL COUNTY, Ky. — While Nolan Minor and Casey Lanier have been one of the most consistent teams to grace the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops stage over the past few years, they had fallen just short of winning a national event.
That changed Saturday when Lanier and Minor caught 16 pounds, 14 ounces of smallmouth bass to take home the title on a stingy Lake Cumberland with a three-day total of 39-2. They topped Griffin Phillips and Ethan King of the University of Montevallo by more than 10 pounds.
“When I first started college fishing, second place felt great,” said Minor, who finished second in the College Classic Bracket in 2018 on Milford Lake. “But then it started to get old. You know there are so many guys on the outside looking in wishing they could just be second place. But after you have been there a couple times, it kind of leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
“To win something really means a lot.”
With 30 minutes to go on Day 2 — and with only two fish in their bag — Minor and Lanier abandoned the shallow pattern they found in practice and started fishing a deep point with a Carolina rig and a shaky head, catching two fish that kept them inside the cut heading into Saturday’s championship round.
Lanier said they decided to stay deep Saturday, and it paid off with the Nitro Big Bag of the tournament, earning them a $250 gift card to Bass Pro Shops along with $2,108 in tournament winnings for their club.
Small crawfish imitators like a Baby D Bomb and a Zoom Z-Craw worked best on the back of their 3/8-ounce Carolina rigs.
“They were all the baby sizes,” Lanier said. “They were imitating the little crawdads that were down there. That’s what the smallmouth wanted. We ran out of a few baits and had to throw some new ones on there and ended up catching fish too.”
Minor added they used a light-wire 3/0 hook that he believes helped keep their fish pegged in the rocks.
On the final day, Lanier said he and Minor targeted smallmouth on main-lake points in the 15- to 25-foot range. The area they fished on the final day had a lot of shale rock — and with some wind and boat traffic, the water became less clear than other areas of the lake, Minor said.
“(The water) looked kind of green. I think that helped the bite out because the water here is really clear and the fish are getting a lot of pressure,” he said.
Phillips and King used Garmin Panoptix to locate their fish on main-lake points in 25 to 30 feet, catching 28-14 for a second-place finish. They used a couple of finesse techniques to coax their smallmouth to bite, including a drop shop and a Ned rig, and caught most of their fish around one specific area.
“We weren’t fishing if we didn’t see them,” Phillips said. “When we saw one, we dropped on it and we dropped on as many fish as we could a day. The ones that bit we caught and the ones that didn’t we just had to move on.”
Andrew Fisher and Bennett Kudder from Bryan College finished third with 28-13, just an ounce behind Phillips and King. Fisher and Kudder caught fish dragging a worm on a drop shot or a shaky head on tapering main-lake points.
Brock Bila and Jack Long from Drury University held on to the Carhartt Big Bass of the tournament, earning a $500 Carhartt gift card after catching a 6-0 largemouth on Day 2.
With the regular season now over, qualifying teams will now look ahead to the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops scheduled for the Harris Chain of Lake in Florida Oct. 29-31. The 2020 season will conclude with the College Classic Bracket on Alabama's Lay Lake Nov. 17-19.
Action on Lake Cumberland will wrap up tomorrow with the Mossy Oak Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors and Mossy Oak Bassmaster Junior Series starting at 7 a.m. CT from Halcomb’s Landing. Weigh-in for the Junior Series will begin at 3 p.m. followed by the High School Series.
Sunday’s event will be the final regular season event for both the High School and the Junior Series and the last chance for teams to qualify for their respective national championships.
This week's tournament is being hosted by the Russell County Chamber of Commerce and State Dock on Lake Cumberland.
2020 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series at Lake Cumberland
presented by Bass Pro Shops 10/1-10/3
Lake Cumberland, Russell County KY.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Nolan Minor - Casey Lanier 250
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 4 08-10 Day 3: 5 16-14 Total: 14 39-02
2. Griffin Phillips - Ethan King University of Montevallo 249
Day 1: 5 06-09 Day 2: 5 14-06 Day 3: 5 07-15 Total: 15 28-14
3. Andrew Fisher - Bennett Kudder Bryan College 248
Day 1: 4 08-02 Day 2: 5 11-15 Day 3: 5 08-12 Total: 14 28-13
4. Alec Coffey - Kyle Roy Campbellsville University 247
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 11-09 Day 3: 3 05-07 Total: 13 26-07
5. Jack Rankin - Hunter Baird Drury University 246
Day 1: 5 06-12 Day 2: 5 11-09 Day 3: 5 08-01 Total: 15 26-06
6. Sean Clayton - Owen Dimaio Clemson University 245
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 09-15 Day 3: 1 01-02 Total: 11 23-09
7. Zeke Gossett - Lucas Smith Jacksonville State 244
Day 1: 5 06-03 Day 2: 5 11-05 Day 3: 4 05-08 Total: 14 23-00
8. Dalton Smith - Bradley Dunagan Campbellsville University 243
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 08-06 Day 3: 2 01-11 Total: 12 22-04
9. Cole Thompson - Benson Dowler 242
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 5 11-13 Day 3: 1 00-12 Total: 11 22-01
10. Jacob Frazier - Griffin Heffington Carson-Newman University 241
Day 1: 5 08-05 Day 2: 5 09-08 Day 3: 3 02-15 Total: 13 20-12
11. Gunner Whitaker - Lafe Messer Kentucky Christian University 240
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 3 04-11 Day 3: 3 02-03 Total: 11 19-09
12. Bryce Fowler - Chris Bowen East Carolina University 239
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 07-02 Day 3: 1 00-09 Total: 11 17-15
Morrow Wins Toyota Series Event on Lake Norman
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (Oct. 3, 2020) – Pro Troy Morrow of Eastanollee, Georgia, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 9 pounds, 7 ounces to win the three-day Toyota Series at Lake Norman event in Huntersville, North Carolina. Morrow’s three-day total of 15 bass weighing 32-3 earned him the win by a 4-ounce margin over second-place angler Todd Walters of Kernersville, North Carolina, and earned Morrow the top payout of $24,795 in the third and final tournament of the 2020 Toyota Series Eastern Division.
Morrow spent his practice graphing, humps, shoals and the deepest docks he could find. In all, he marked about 200 places that looked good. Each day during the tournament, Morrow hit between 30 and 40 places he had marked from practice and he rarely repeated water.
“In the old days I might only fish about 15 or 20 places per day, because I felt like I had to fish so slow and thoroughly,” Morrow said. “But with LiveScope I’m much more efficient. I can fish double the number of spots because if they’re not there, spooky, or not acting right, I just move on. Like, one thing I noticed immediately is if I caught a fish, a lot of the times the rest of the fish would leave. Knowing that kept me from wasting time on unproductive water.”
Morrow’s primary lure all week was a shaky head with a Zoom Finesse Worm on a 3-16-ounce Gambler Giggy Head instead of a drop-shot.
“They reacted to the shaky head much more positively than the drop-shot,” said Morrow. “I would watch them follow a drop-shot down and they just wouldn’t run it down like they would a shaky head. Sometimes they would even bite the shaky head on the way down and generally the bigger fish were more interested in the shaky head.”
In addition to the shaky head, Morrow also threw a 5/8-ounce Southern Hook Southern Spin underspin with a Zoom Boot Tail Fluke to single rocks and stumps as deep as 30 feet. A Carolina rig also claimed a couple of weigh fish as well.
Morrow’s win at Norman marks his fifth FLW win. He has also won two Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championships and the All-American. But this is his first Toyota Series trophy.
“This feels good,” Morrow went on to say. “To come here and do my thing against these guys and win feels good. I’ve won at the BFL level several times but a win at this level has been a long time coming.”
The top 10 pros on Lake Norman finished:
1st: Troy Morrow of Eastanollee, Ga., 15 bass, 32-3, $24,795
2nd: Todd Walters of Kernersville, N.C., 15 bass, 31-15, $9,608
3rd: Bryan Thrift of Shelby, N.C., 15 bass, 30-9, $7,438
4th: Martin Villa of Charlottesville, Va., 15 bass, 29-8, $6,233
5th: Jason Wilson of Lincolnton, N.C., 15 bass, 28-15, $5,579
6th: David Williams of Maiden, N.C., 15 bass, 27-11, $5,493
7th: Michael Stephens of Gastonia, N.C., 15 bass, 27-5, $4,339
8th: Cole Huskins of Gastonia, N.C., 15 bass, 27-2, $3,919
9th: Chris Baumgardner of Gastonia, N.C., 13 bass, 25-1, $3,099
10th: Cody Pike of Powhatan, Va., 12 bass, 21-11, $3,479
A complete list of results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Pike took home an extra $1,000 as the highest finishing FLW PHOENIX BONUS member. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $35,000 per event in each Toyota Series tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the FLW PHOENIX BONUS contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.
Derek Brown of Charlottesville, Virginia, won the Co-angler Division Saturday with a three-day total of 13 bass weighing 20 pounds, 9 ounces. Brown took home the top prize package of a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor.
The top 10 co-anglers on Lake Norman finished:
1st: Derek Brown of Charlottesville, Va., 13 bass, 20-9, Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat w/115-hp outboard
2nd: Neal Shade of Greenville, S.C., 13 bass, 19-15, $3,218
3rd: Jeff Lederman of Powhatan, Va., 12 bass, 19-0, $2,574
4th: Stanton Harris of State Road, N.C., 11 bass, 18-2, $2,252
5th: Michael Miller of Greenville, S.C., 10 bass, 17-4, $1,977
6th: Gary Haraguchi of Phoenix, Ariz., 10 bass, 15-13, $1,609
7th: Todd Sosebee of Bessemer City, N.C., 10 bass, 15-1, $1,287
8th: Rob Griswold of Lincolnton, N.C, eight bass, 14-11, $1,126
9th: Donald West of Apex, N.C., seven bass, 11-7, $965
10th: David Williams of Fredericksburg, Va., seven bass, 11-1, $804
The Toyota Series at Lake Norman was hosted by Visit Lake Norman, Charlotte & Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation. It was the third and final regular-season tournaments in 2020 for Eastern Division anglers. The next event for Toyota Series anglers will take place Oct. 8-10 – the Toyota Series at Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri. For a complete schedule, visit FLWFishing.com.
The 2020 Toyota Series consists of eight divisions – Central, Eastern, Northern, Plains, Southeastern, Southern, Southwestern and Western – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International division. Anglers who fish all three qualifiers in any of the eight divisions and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning $235,000 cash, including a $35,000 FLW PHOENIX Bonus for qualified anglers. The winning co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard. The 2020 Toyota Series Championship will be held Dec. 3-5 on Lake Cumberland in Burnside, Kentucky, and is hosted by the Somerset Tourist & Convention Commission and the Burnside Tourism Commission.
Talley Finishes Strong For First Career Victory At Bassmaster Elite Event On Guntersville
Frank Talley, of Temple, Texas, has won the 2020 NOCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville with a four-day total of 64 pounds, 3 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
October 3, 2020
SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — Frank Talley has dreamed of winning a top-level professional bass tournament his entire life.
But with three small children at home, he kept that dream in his back pocket for two decades in favor of coaching youth sports teams, fishing local tournaments and just being a good husband and dad.
Saturday, at age 45, the second-year Elite Series pro affectionately known as “Frank the Tank” saw his dream come true, weighing in 18 pounds, 2 ounces of bass during the final round to win the NOCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville with a four-day total of 64-3.
Talley earned $100,000 and the cheers and tears of his family, who drove 14 hours through the night Friday from their home in Temple, Texas, to be there for his big moment.
“I was perfectly fine with just raising my kids — that’s why we had kids,” Talley said. “Finally, when my youngest boy got into high school, my kids and my wife kind of had an intervention. That sat me down and said, ‘You’re gonna go do this.’
“That’s what helped me understand it was OK to finally go and chase this dream — and they’re the reason I’m standing here with this trophy now.”
Good fishing instincts also played a role in Talley’s success, especially with a key decision he made before his first cast Saturday morning.
Beginning the final round in sixth place with 46-1, Talley intended to make the same run upriver from the launch site at Goose Pond Colony that he’s been making all week. But he said a “gut feeling” caused him to stop on a small stretch of eelgrass before he reached his trusty spot — and the almost-immediate payoff was a 5-pound largemouth that put him in the lead to stay.
“It just looked right,” Talley said of the spot he started on Saturday. “On the first cast, I caught a 10-incher. Then about six casts later, I caught that 5-pounder. I boat-flipped that fish — I didn’t realize it was that big.
“I fished the entire length of that bank and ended up catching a limit there, which included the second big fish I caught, about a 4-pounder.”
Talley did most of his damage on that early-morning stretch with the same lure he’s been using during the early morning hours all week — a 1/2-ounce Strike King Thunder Cricket in green pumpkin. His trailer for most of the week was a Strike King Rage Swimmer in pumpkin with a pearl belly. But when he ran out of those, he switched to a Strike King Blade Minnow in green pumpkin with the tail tinted chartreuse with Spike-It dye.
He said the bait accounted for 95% of his weight this week.
“I’ve made most of the money I’ve made this year with that Thunder Cricket,” said Talley, who has now made five straight Top 40 cuts on the Elite Series. “Long ago, I was a West Coast guy and I know how to do all of the deep-water drop-shot fishing and all of that. But that’s how I like to fish.
“I like to be up around shallow cover, and that Thunder Cricket gets the job done up there.”
Talley fished the bait on a 7-foot, 3-inch Lew’s Magnum Hammer Rod with a medium-heavy action and a Lew’s Custom Pro 6.8:1 reel spooled with 17-pound Strike King Tour Grade fluorocarbon. He said the reel was “not too fast, not too slow,” which makes it perfect for the motion of the vibrating jig.
When the fishing slowed on the Thunder Cricket — and he wanted a change of pace that might produce a bigger bite — he switched to a white Strike King Sexy Frog that he modified with a plopper-style tail to help it cause more commotion on the water’s surface.
Talley fished the frog on a 7-2 Lew’s rod and a Lew’s Pro-Ti baitcasting reel spooled with 50-pound Strike King Braid.
“I ended up catching several big ones on that frog this week,” he said. “It was the perfect change-of-pace bait when I wanted to go looking for one good fish.”
Talley’s Saturday catch of 18-2 was his best of a week that included limits of 14-3 Wednesday, 16-5 Thursday and 15-9 Friday. Unlike many of the pros who felt like Guntersville was fishing a little tired after a week of pressure, Talley said he thought things were just starting to get right.
“I was just fishing eelgrass walls, and there was no rhyme or reason for why they were on one and not the other,” Talley said. “It could have been bait, could have been current.
“But whatever it is, they’re chomping now. I think they’re finally getting adjusted to this weather, and it’s about to be really, really good.”
The win moved Talley into 26th place in the Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings, putting him in good position to reach the 2021 Bassmaster Classic. His fellow Texan Clark Wendlandt took the AOY lead with 503 points, followed by Japanese rookie Taku Ito (478) and Minnesota veteran Seth Feider (466).
Another Texas pro, Chris Zaldain of Fort Worth, earned $1,500 for catching the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the week — an 8-6 largemouth he landed on Day 1.
A pair of South Carolina anglers claimed Toyota Bonus Bucks prize money. Brandon Cobb took home $3,000 for being the highest-placing entrant in the Toyota Bonus Bucks program, and Jason Williamson earned $2,000 for being the second-highest placing entrant.
The tournament was hosted by the City of Scottsboro.
2020 Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville 9/30-10/3
Lake Guntersville, Scottsboro AL.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 4
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Frank Talley Temple, TX 20 64-03 100 $100,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 16-05 Day 3: 5 15-09 Day 4: 5 18-02
2. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 19 61-15 99 $25,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 4 11-07 Day 3: 5 17-15 Day 4: 5 14-01
3. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 20 61-02 98 $20,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 15-11 Day 3: 5 15-14 Day 4: 5 13-14
4. Wes Logan Springville, AL 20 60-14 97 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 18-10 Day 3: 5 16-02 Day 4: 5 11-14
5. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 20 59-15 96 $16,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 12-04 Day 3: 5 15-05 Day 4: 5 13-01
6. Bob Downey Hudson, WI 20 58-14 95 $16,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 13-15 Day 3: 5 15-11 Day 4: 5 14-00
7. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 20 57-01 94 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 17-03 Day 3: 5 15-01 Day 4: 5 10-13
8. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 20 56-13 93 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 17-11 Day 3: 5 10-01 Day 4: 5 12-01
9. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 19 53-10 92 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 15-10 Day 3: 5 12-01 Day 4: 4 09-15
10. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 17 50-01 91 $15,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 11-13 Day 3: 5 16-01 Day 4: 2 04-09
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 08-06 $1,000.00
2 Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 06-03 $1,000.00
3 Bob Downey Hudson, WI 07-03 $1,000.00
4 Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 05-13 $1,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 08-06 $1,000.00
Logan Takes Lead At Semifinal Round Of Bassmaster Elite Series Event On Lake Guntersville
October 2, 2020
SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — The good news for Wes Logan is that he’s leading the NOCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville heading into Championship Saturday.
The bad news is he says he’s fresh out of ideas.
The rookie from Springville, Ala., caught five bass that weighed 16 pounds, 2 ounces during Friday’s semifinal round, pushing his three-day total to 49-0 and giving him little more than a 1-pound lead.
As for what Saturday holds? He couldn’t say.
“I think my area is shot,” Logan said after making his first career Elite Series Top 10. “I think the pressure finally got to it. There were a bunch of local boats on it today, and I think they beat it up pretty good.
“If I’m gonna win, I’m gonna have to find something else.”
As tough as Friday may have been for Logan, his catch of 16-2 was the second-largest of the day behind Texas pro Randy Sullivan, who caught 17-15 to move into second place.
Logan has spent most of the tournament flipping grass mats with a 1 1/2-ounce Ark Tungsten weight, a 4/0 straight-shank hook and a rotation of soft plastics that includes a Zoom Z Craw, a Zoom Z Craw Jr. and a beaver-style bait — all in black and blue.
After exhausting the stretch of water that has been so good to him this week, he ran a new 300-yard stretch Thursday, landing a 4-pounder and losing a bass he estimated to be more than 5 pounds.
That will likely be his starting point Saturday.
“There might be a few more fish through there,” Logan said. “I’ll probably just settle down on that stretch tomorrow and see what I can make happen. If I get a bite there at all, it might be a good one.
“I haven’t seen too many boats fishing there, but right now I just don’t know. With the way everyone is packed in together, if I can get five more bites of any description I’ll be happy.”
Logan knows he doesn’t have much margin for error with all of the remaining Top 10 anglers within 5 1/2 pounds of him. Sullivan, who caught 18-8 on Day 1 and then slipped a bit with 11-7 on Day 2, poses the most immediate threat to the leader after rebounding with his big bag on Friday.
Like much of the field this week, Sullivan lamented the half-hearted way the bass seem to be biting — and he said it may have cost him a chance at an even bigger limit with a crankbait Friday.
“I missed a couple of giant ones that would have probably given me 20 pounds,” he said. “The fish are reloading in the areas I’m fishing, but every single fish I have caught was barely hooked.
“I’ve tried every variety, every color and everything else, but it doesn’t seem to make a difference. It’s nerve-racking every time you set the hook.”
Behind Logan and Sullivan are five anglers within 2 pounds of one another, including Luke Palmer in third place with 47-4. The Oklahoma pro caught 15-14 Friday to make his second Elite Series Top 10.
Palmer has openly said all week that it’s been hard to actually get bass in the boat after setting the hook. He agreed that tentative strikes may be at least partly to blame.
“I lost a 4-pounder on topwater this morning and threw that same bait up a little further and lost one about 3 pounds,” he said. “I was a nervous wreck all day because of stuff like that, and it’s been that way all week.
“I watched those two fish this morning come up on that topwater bait and literally just hit it with their mouth closed. They’re just not eating it. I don’t know if it’s the weather or what.”
Texas pro Chris Zaldain caught 13-10 Friday and failed to make the Top 10 cut, finishing in 22nd place with 39-0. But he held onto the lead in the race for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the week with the 8-6 largemouth he caught during Wednesday’s opening round.
The Top 10 remaining anglers will take off at 6:30 a.m. CT Saturday from Goose Pond Colony Resort Marina, with the weigh-in set for 2:30 p.m. back at Goose Pond. The winner will earn $100,000.
Live coverage of the event will be available starting at 7 a.m. on Bassmaster LIVE at Bassmaster.com and ESPN3.
The tournament is being hosted by the City of Scottsboro.
2020 Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville 9/30-10/3
Lake Guntersville, Scottsboro AL.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Wes Logan Springville, AL 15 49-00 100
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 18-10 Day 3: 5 16-02
2. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 14 47-14 99
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 4 11-07 Day 3: 5 17-15
3. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 15 47-04 98
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 15-11 Day 3: 5 15-14
4. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 15 46-14 97
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 12-04 Day 3: 5 15-05
5. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 15 46-04 96
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 17-03 Day 3: 5 15-01
6. Frank Talley Temple, TX 15 46-01 95
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 16-05 Day 3: 5 15-09
7. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 15 45-08 94
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 11-13 Day 3: 5 16-01
8. Bob Downey Hudson, WI 15 44-14 93 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 13-15 Day 3: 5 15-11
9. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 15 44-12 92
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 17-11 Day 3: 5 10-01
10. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 15 43-11 91
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 15-10 Day 3: 5 12-01
11. Seth Feider New Market, MN 15 43-05 90 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 15-09 Day 3: 5 11-12
12. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 14 43-03 89 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 17-07 Day 3: 4 11-12
13. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 15 42-15 88 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 12-09 Day 3: 5 16-01
14. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 15 42-03 87 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 13-04 Day 3: 5 17-00
15. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 15 42-02 86 $12,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 15-02 Day 3: 5 12-10
16. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 11 41-11 85 $10,000.00
Day 1: 2 09-06 Day 2: 5 17-00 Day 3: 4 15-05
17. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 15 41-01 84 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 15-07 Day 3: 5 10-11
18. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 15 41-00 83 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 11-15 Day 3: 5 17-08
19. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 15 40-06 82 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 15-03 Day 3: 5 10-07
20. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 13 39-11 81 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 11-05 Day 2: 5 16-15 Day 3: 5 11-07
21. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 15 39-05 80 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 12-08 Day 3: 5 15-07
22. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 14 39-00 79 $11,000.00
Day 1: 4 14-10 Day 2: 5 10-12 Day 3: 5 13-10
23. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 15 38-14 78 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 13-06 Day 3: 5 11-09
24. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 13 38-10 77 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 14-03 Day 3: 3 08-10
25. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 15 38-05 76 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 12-01 Day 3: 5 13-14
26. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 15 37-10 75 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 13-13 Day 3: 5 12-06
27. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 15 37-03 74 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 12-02 Day 3: 5 12-06
28. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 14 36-03 73 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 12-14 Day 3: 4 09-06
29. Jay Yelas Lincoln City, OR 15 35-00 72 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 11-00 Day 3: 5 11-09
30. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 14 34-15 71 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 12-08 Day 3: 4 08-14
31. Mike Huff Corbin, KY 13 34-11 70 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 15-02 Day 3: 3 06-11
32. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 14 34-06 69 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 10-14 Day 2: 5 13-08 Day 3: 5 10-00
33. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 13 34-04 68 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 11-02 Day 3: 3 08-09
34. Chris Johnston Peterborough Ontario CA 12 33-12 67 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 15-15 Day 3: 2 05-09
35. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 11 32-06 66 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 4 11-01 Day 3: 2 04-04
36. Randy Pierson Oakdale, CA 12 31-13 65 $10,000.00
Day 1: 3 08-09 Day 2: 5 15-06 Day 3: 4 07-14
37. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 11 30-14 64 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 14-07 Day 3: 1 03-08
38. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 12 30-12 63 $10,000.00
Day 1: 4 08-00 Day 2: 5 14-10 Day 3: 3 08-02
39. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 14 30-05 62 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 10-04 Day 3: 4 08-13
40. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 8 22-04 61 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 3 05-14 Day 3: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 08-06 $1,000.00
2 Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 06-03 $1,000.00
3 Bob Downey Hudson, WI 07-03 $1,000.00
Minor, Lanier Claim Day 1 Lead At Bassmaster College Series On Lake Cumberland
Nolan Minor and Casey Lanier, from West Virginia, are leading after Day 1 of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series at Lake Hartwell presented by Bass Pro Shops with 13 pounds, 10 ounces.
Photo by Brenden Kanies/B.A.S.S.
October 1, 2020
RUSSELL COUNTY, Ky. — After a difficult practice on a stingy body of water, the team of Nolan Minor and Casey Lanier caught a five-bass limit of 13 pounds, 10 ounces to take the lead in the 175-boat field at the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series at Lake Cumberland presented by Bass Pro Shops.
This is the final regular-season stop on the 2020 College Series slate.
“The last day of practice we caught two fish total and fished as hard as we did today, just in a different region of the lake,” Minor said. “It is definitely not easy out there, and we were fortunate to connect with the fish we did today and get them in the boat.
“To do what we did, I’m extremely pleased. I said I would be happy with any five fish today, even if they were 12-inchers.”
Minor and Lanier focused their efforts on a 2-mile stretch of the main lake after keying in a school of fish early in the morning.
They used topwater baits to convince their fish to bite early in the morning. Minor added that he and Lanier are fishing a different way than he is used to but declined to go into specifics.
“We caught our biggest fish, a 2-something largemouth, right off the bat,” Minor said. “Today, we weren’t even sure about catching bass in general. We stayed in a 2-mile stretch and fished it until about noon. The largemouth we were catching was a pattern we found in practice and that all made sense, but Casey caught a random, big smallmouth which really helped us out.”
Minor and Lanier were one of many teams that weighed in a mixed bag of fish Thursday, as largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass were shown off on the weigh-in stage at Halcomb’s Landing.
Gunner Whitaker and Lafe Messer from Kentucky Christian University hold second place after Day 1, collecting a limit of smallmouth that weighed 12-11.
“The day started great. As soon as we sat down we went to catching them,” Messer said. “After we left our second spot it slowed way down. We had a limit in like an hour and only culled twice throughout the day, and towards the end of the day we couldn’t even get bit.”
Messer said they have 15 to 20 spots they feel comfortable with, while one spot is producing most of their bigger bites.
The team of Noah Campbell and Adam Salvador and the Clemson University duo of Sean Clayton and Owen Dimaio are tied for third with 12-8. Campbell said he and Salvador focused on catching smallmouth in a tight section of the main lake.
Meanwhile, Clayton said he and Dimaio are keying in on wood and finding specific spots where wood meets the rock banks.
“We fished the same way in practice,” Clayton said. “It took us 30 minutes to find that pattern, and we went and found something else in practice. We ran Plan A all day long, and it ended up working pretty well.
“We are staying in the same general area, but we have been able to move 5 or 6 miles and do the same thing.”
Tristan McCormick and Stevie Mills of Bethel University earned Carhartt Big Bass of the day honors with a 5-4 largemouth, which helped them to sixth place in the overall standings. If that fish remains the largest caught during the tournament, McCormick and Mills will earn a $500 Carhartt gift card.
The full field will take off from Halcomb’s Landing at 7 a.m. CT Friday, with the weigh-in scheduled for 3 p.m. back at the Landing. After Friday’s weigh-in, only the Top 12 teams will advance to Championship Saturday.
The Top 17 teams after Day 2 will punch their ticket to the 2020 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops scheduled for Oct. 29-31 on the Harris Chain of Lakes in Florida.
This week's tournament is being hosted by the Russell County Chamber of Commerce and State Dock on Lake Cumberland.
2020 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series at Lake Cumberland
presented by Bass Pro Shops 10/1-10/3
Lake Cumberland, Russell County KY.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Nolan Minor - Casey Lanier 250
Day 1: 5 13-10 Total: 5 13-10
2. Gunner Whitaker - Lafe Messer Kentucky Christian University 249
Day 1: 5 12-11 Total: 5 12-11
3. Noah Campbell - Adam Salvador 248
Day 1: 5 12-08 Total: 5 12-08
3. Sean Clayton - Owen Dimaio Clemson University 248
Day 1: 5 12-08 Total: 5 12-08
5. Dalton Smith - Bradley Dunagan Campbellsville University 246
Day 1: 5 12-03 Total: 5 12-03
6. Tristan McCormick - Stevie Mills Bethel University 245
Day 1: 5 11-08 Total: 5 11-08
7. Jacob Lambert - Austin Smith Carson-Newman University 244
Day 1: 5 10-07 Total: 5 10-07
8. Joseph McClosky - Ryan Winchester Bethel University 243
Day 1: 5 10-05 Total: 5 10-05
9. Bryce Fowler - Chris Bowen East Carolina University 242
Day 1: 5 10-04 Total: 5 10-04
9. Solomon Glenn - Hunter Ward University of Montervallo 242
Day 1: 5 10-04 Total: 5 10-04
11. Mason Moore - Logan Estes Eastern Kentucky University 240
Day 1: 5 10-01 Total: 5 10-01
12. Colin Slentz - Grant Lusk Lander University 239
Day 1: 5 09-15 Total: 5 09-15
13. Tyler Thompson - Charles Snawder Rougeux University of Louisville 238
Day 1: 4 09-11 Total: 4 09-11
14. Weston Hollar - Wesley Gore University of Montevallo 237
Day 1: 5 09-08 Total: 5 09-08
15. Cole Thompson - Benson Dowler 236
Day 1: 5 09-08 Total: 5 09-08
16. Alec Coffey - Kyle Roy Campbellsville University 235
Day 1: 5 09-07 Total: 5 09-07
17. Jacob Lovell - Dillon Bryant King University 234
Day 1: 3 09-07 Total: 3 09-07
18. Garrett Beem - Garrett Guinan 233
Day 1: 5 09-06 Total: 5 09-06
19. Carter Ball - Austin Tapley Adrian College 232
Day 1: 5 09-05 Total: 5 09-05
20. Sam Clark - Hunter Osborne Georgetown College 231
Day 1: 5 09-02 Total: 5 09-02
20. Jack Dice - Liberty University 231
Day 1: 5 09-02 Total: 5 09-02
22. Cole Hopson - James Pearson 229
Day 1: 5 09-00 Total: 5 09-00
23. Hayden Gaddis - Ben Cully Carson-Newman University 228
Day 1: 5 08-12 Total: 5 08-12
24. Matthew Cummings - Joseph Woods Bethel University 227
Day 1: 5 08-08 Total: 5 08-08
25. Connor Jacob - Sam Smith 226
Day 1: 5 08-06 Total: 5 08-06
25. Garrett McWilliams - John Berry Hinds community college 226
Day 1: 5 08-06 Total: 5 08-06
27. Robert Cruvellier - Chase Clarke 224
Day 1: 5 08-05 Total: 5 08-05
27. Jacob Frazier - Griffin Heffington Carson-Newman University 224
Day 1: 5 08-05 Total: 5 08-05
27. Adam Puckett - Will O'Rourke Murray State University 224
Day 1: 5 08-05 Total: 5 08-05
30. Cordell Beckman - Dru Johnson Greenville University 221
Day 1: 5 08-03 Total: 5 08-03
31. Tyler Price - Ethan Shaw Bryan College 220
Day 1: 5 08-02 Total: 5 08-02
32. Andrew Fisher - Bennett Kudder Bryan College 219
Day 1: 4 08-02 Total: 4 08-02
33. James Duncan - Blake Stringer Campbellsville University 218
Day 1: 5 08-01 Total: 5 08-01
33. Kirk Elijah - Austin Goins bryan college 218
Day 1: 5 08-01 Total: 5 08-01
35. Cade Holcomb - Kopeland Rosser University of Montevallo 216
Day 1: 5 07-15 Total: 5 07-15
35. Kele Maney - Reid Fletcher 216
Day 1: 5 07-15 Total: 5 07-15
37. Stephen Kinard - Jimmy Mitchum Lander University 214
Day 1: 3 07-14 Total: 3 07-14
38. Shawn Coots - Luke Henderson Campbellsville University 213
Day 1: 5 07-11 Total: 5 07-11
38. Marshall Wiggins - Dawson McGovern University of Central Florida 213
Day 1: 5 07-11 Total: 5 07-11
40. Hunter Schneider - Sean Mercier Adrian College 211
Day 1: 4 07-10 Total: 4 07-10
41. Jr Young - Samuel Harrison Jacksonville State University 210
Day 1: 5 07-08 Total: 5 07-08
42. Matt Baker - Kory England Arkansas Tech University-AR 209
Day 1: 5 07-05 Total: 5 07-05
42. Tanner Maness - Chandlar Ellis Lander University 209
Day 1: 5 07-05 Total: 5 07-05
44. Zachary Asher - Jacob Klicman 207
Day 1: 4 07-03 Total: 4 07-03
45. Hunter Jones - Jonathan Fraley Kentucky Christian University 206
Day 1: 5 07-02 Total: 5 07-02
46. Dawson Cassidy - Gus Mclarry Texas AM Commerce 205
Day 1: 4 07-02 Total: 4 07-02
46. Reid Strobl - Jacob Witkowski Dallas Baptist University- TX 205
Day 1: 4 07-02 Total: 4 07-02
48. Blake Milligan - Chase Mundhenke 203
Day 1: 5 07-01 Total: 5 07-01
48. Garrett Warren - Will Jones 203
Day 1: 5 07-01 Total: 5 07-01
50. Louis Monetti - 201
Day 1: 5 06-15 Total: 5 06-15
51. Shane Nelson - Brayden Federer Adrian College 200
Day 1: 4 06-14 Total: 4 06-14
52. Austin Polly - Ryan Phillips Morehead State University 199
Day 1: 4 06-14 Total: 4 06-14
53. Jack Rankin - Hunter Baird Drury University 198
Day 1: 5 06-12 Total: 5 06-12
54. Ty Black - Avry Thomason Georgia Southern University 197
Day 1: 4 06-10 Total: 4 06-10
55. Cal Culpepper - Mason Waddell University of Montevallo 196
Day 1: 5 06-09 Total: 5 06-09
55. Griffin Phillips - Ethan King University of Montevallo 196
Day 1: 5 06-09 Total: 5 06-09
55. Jacob Silver - Ethan Ange 196
Day 1: 5 06-09 Total: 5 06-09
58. Lane Bailey - Adam Seagle CVCC 193
Day 1: 4 06-05 Total: 4 06-05
59. Cole Jackson - Lane Collier 192
Day 1: 5 06-04 Total: 5 06-04
60. Zeke Gossett - Lucas Smith Jacksonville State 191
Day 1: 5 06-03 Total: 5 06-03
61. Joseph Bruener - Parker Domschke McKendree University 190
Day 1: 4 06-02 Total: 4 06-02
62. Jacob Welch - Lee Lambrecht Drury University 189
Day 1: 2 06-02 Total: 2 06-02
63. Chase Sansom - Tyler Drown Marshall University 188
Day 1: 5 06-00 Total: 5 06-00
64. Ty Cox - Fisher Overton Blue Mountain College 187
Day 1: 5 05-13 Total: 5 05-13
65. Whit Edmonds - Bobby Long Lander University 186
Day 1: 4 05-12 Total: 4 05-12
65. Conner Giles - Christian Wright Bryan College 186
Day 1: 4 05-12 Total: 4 05-12
67. Morgan Miracle - Dustin Bauer Campbellsville University 184
Day 1: 3 05-11 Total: 3 05-11
68. Robert Gee - Reed Noyes University of Tennessee 183
Day 1: 5 05-09 Total: 5 05-09
69. Logan Hawkins - Colby Hays Campbellsville University 182
Day 1: 4 05-09 Total: 4 05-09
70. Anthony Fazio - 181
Day 1: 3 05-09 Total: 3 05-09
71. Cole Sands - Conner Dimauro Bryan College 180
Day 1: 5 05-06 Total: 5 05-06
71. Tate Sloan - Thaddeus Simerly Tennessee Tech University 180
Day 1: 5 05-06 Total: 5 05-06
73. Nolan Yeager - Ethan LeGare Stephen F. Austin State Universi 178
Day 1: 5 05-06 Total: 5 05-06
74. GL Compton - Matthew Sprouse Clemson University 177
Day 1: 3 05-05 Total: 3 05-05
75. Josh Cannon - Joseph Dobbratz 176
Day 1: 5 05-04 Total: 5 05-04
75. Jacobie Miller - Devin Vega Stephen F. Austin State Universi 176
Day 1: 5 05-04 Total: 5 05-04
77. Chris Payne - Judd Morgan Tennessee 174
Day 1: 4 05-04 Total: 4 05-04
78. John Pearson - Troy Harris 173
Day 1: 3 05-03 Total: 3 05-03
79. Jake Lee - Mason Cizek Bryan College 172
Day 1: 3 05-02 Total: 3 05-02
80. Hayden Bailey - John Anderson Bellarmine University 171
Day 1: 4 05-01 Total: 4 05-01
81. Cole Lamb - Tristan Weaver Arkansas Tech University- AR 170
Day 1: 2 04-14 Total: 2 04-14
82. Justin Botts - Bryan college 169
Day 1: 4 04-13 Total: 4 04-13
83. Carson Maddux - Sam Hoesley 168
Day 1: 4 04-12 Total: 4 04-12
84. Chandler Jarrard - James Rogers Georgia Southern University 167
Day 1: 3 04-12 Total: 3 04-12
85. Connor Whisenant - Brian Arabie 166
Day 1: 4 04-11 Total: 4 04-11
86. Jared Page - Will Leonard 165
Day 1: 3 04-09 Total: 3 04-09
87. Rudolph Worley - John Nowlin Blue Mountain College 164
Day 1: 2 04-09 Total: 2 04-09
88. Andrew Kuebler - Jacob Gruneisen Bellarmine University 163
Day 1: 2 04-07 Total: 2 04-07
89. Jacob Schmidt - Sam Popovitz Bellarmine University 162
Day 1: 3 04-05 Total: 3 04-05
90. Luke Lamb - Seth Roberts Bethel University 161
Day 1: 2 04-05 Total: 2 04-05
91. Brad Ableman - Wilson Smith Bethel University 160
Day 1: 2 04-04 Total: 2 04-04
91. Landon Howe - John Jacobs GSU 160
Day 1: 2 04-04 Total: 2 04-04
93. Dax Ewart - Kyle Palmer Bethel University 158
Day 1: 3 04-03 Total: 3 04-03
94. Jack Long - Brock Bila Drury University 157
Day 1: 3 04-02 Total: 3 04-02
95. Jackson Staib - Baylor Howell Bethel University 156
Day 1: 2 04-02 Total: 2 04-02
96. Harper Burkeen - Devon Rathbun McKendree University 155
Day 1: 4 04-01 Total: 4 04-01
97. Bo Thomas - Kurt Antonowitsch Western Michigan University 154
Day 1: 3 04-01 Total: 3 04-01
98. Zachary Bowen - Thomas Millraney Bethel University 153
Day 1: 4 03-14 Total: 4 03-14
98. Britt Myers - Tyler Anderson Lander University 153
Day 1: 4 03-14 Total: 4 03-14
98. Kyle Simmons - Brett Halstead Kansas State University 153
Day 1: 4 03-14 Total: 4 03-14
101. Tristan Barrett - Trey Budach McKendree University 150
Day 1: 2 03-14 Total: 2 03-14
102. Logan Parks - Peyton Nance 149
Day 1: 4 03-12 Total: 4 03-12
103. Noah Boyett - Ty Garlington 148
Day 1: 2 03-12 Total: 2 03-12
104. Austin Carr - Justin Carr 147
Day 1: 4 03-10 Total: 4 03-10
105. Tanner Barnes - Jordan Smallwood Campbellsville University 146
Day 1: 2 03-10 Total: 2 03-10
106. Joshua DeKoning - Zach Salters Adrian College 145
Day 1: 3 03-05 Total: 3 03-05
107. Blake Quinn - Jacob Locke Georgetown College 144
Day 1: 4 03-04 Total: 4 03-04
108. Jeremy Dellinger - Nathan Smith Catawba Valley Community College 143
Day 1: 3 03-04 Total: 3 03-04
108. Grant Harris - Lauren Plunkett Drury University 143
Day 1: 3 03-04 Total: 3 03-04
110. Jordan Nicely - Jake Thomas Georgetown College 141
Day 1: 2 03-04 Total: 2 03-04
110. Emil Wagner - Ole Miss 141
Day 1: 2 03-04 Total: 2 03-04
112. Jarrod Layton - Zach Graham Adrian College 139
Day 1: 3 03-00 Total: 3 03-00
112. Garrett Thompson - Matthew Cavanaugh Mckendree University 139
Day 1: 3 03-00 Total: 3 03-00
114. Cody Gregory - Levi Mullins Bethel University 137
Day 1: 2 03-00 Total: 2 03-00
115. Landon Lawson - Donavan Carson King University 136
Day 1: 2 02-13 Total: 2 02-13
116. Brycen Hendriks - Gavin Ange 135
Day 1: 2 02-12 Total: 2 02-12
117. Sam Shoemaker - Aaron Jagdfeld Adrian College 134
Day 1: 3 02-10 Total: 3 02-10
118. Seth Hornsby - Nicholas Holtgrave McKendree University 133
Day 1: 1 02-09 Total: 1 02-09
119. Joe Bardill - Canyon Kenny Murray State University 132
Day 1: 2 02-08 Total: 2 02-08
119. Tyler Lubbat - Calvin Landsberg 132
Day 1: 2 02-08 Total: 2 02-08
121. Zach Bell - Jake Thornbury Campbellsville University 130
Day 1: 1 02-07 Total: 1 02-07
122. Bryce Eaton - Liam Putz 129
Day 1: 2 02-06 Total: 2 02-06
122. Alex Palomba - Brennan Kenison 129
Day 1: 2 02-06 Total: 2 02-06
124. Alec Berens - Christian Hernandez Mckendree University 127
Day 1: 1 02-06 Total: 1 02-06
124. Cameron Gautreau - Cade Fortenberry Nicholls State University 127
Day 1: 1 02-06 Total: 1 02-06
126. Dustan Jones - Will Sams U. of Kentucky 125
Day 1: 2 02-03 Total: 2 02-03
126. Taylor Owens - Bryant Marsh Blue Mountain College 125
Day 1: 2 02-03 Total: 2 02-03
128. Bryce Miller - Nick Crawford 123
Day 1: 1 02-03 Total: 1 02-03
128. Miller Spivey - Trey Dickert University of Montevallo 123
Day 1: 1 02-03 Total: 1 02-03
130. David Brashear - Mitchel Goodin Georgia Southern University 121
Day 1: 2 02-02 Total: 2 02-02
130. Corey Yaden - Caleb Barrow Brewton-Parker 121
Day 1: 2 02-02 Total: 2 02-02
132. Kayden Tanner - Samuel Climer Tarleton State University 119
Day 1: 2 02-01 Total: 2 02-01
133. Hunter MCClaskey - Nicholas Gilbert King University 118
Day 1: 1 02-01 Total: 1 02-01
134. Hayden Fuhr - Austin Gregory Lander University 117
Day 1: 2 02-00 Total: 2 02-00
135. Atom Ward - Gavin Lagle Indiana University Southeast 116
Day 1: 2 01-14 Total: 2 01-14
136. Troy Gibson - University of Louisville 115
Day 1: 1 01-14 Total: 1 01-14
137. Jared Turnbloom - 114
Day 1: 2 01-13 Total: 2 01-13
138. Jonathan Mcelroy - Austin Sisson 113
Day 1: 1 01-13 Total: 1 01-13
139. Jj Kocevar - Tanner Shriver 112
Day 1: 2 01-12 Total: 2 01-12
140. Walker Leslie - Eion Patterson 111
Day 1: 1 01-12 Total: 1 01-12
141. Gavin Clevenger - Tj Simmons Carson-Newman University 110
Day 1: 1 01-11 Total: 1 01-11
142. Nathan Doty - Bailey Bleser McKendree University 109
Day 1: 1 01-09 Total: 1 01-09
143. Cody Batterson - Matthew Davis Adrian College 108
Day 1: 1 01-07 Total: 1 01-07
144. Tyler Cain - University of Montevallo 107
Day 1: 1 01-06 Total: 1 01-06
145. Parker Reed - Brandon Bates Bryan College 106
Day 1: 2 01-05 Total: 2 01-05
146. Spencer Black - Caleb Lonca CVCC 105
Day 1: 1 01-05 Total: 1 01-05
147. River Lee - Hank Harrison Stephen F. Austin State Universi 104
Day 1: 1 01-02 Total: 1 01-02
147. Trey Schroeder - Tyler Christy McKendree University 104
Day 1: 1 01-02 Total: 1 01-02
149. Samuel Vandagriff - Jacob Woods Tennessee Tech University 102
Day 1: 1 01-01 Total: 1 01-01
150. Jacob Blackburn - Ohio State University 101
Day 1: 1 01-00 Total: 1 01-00
150. Landen Lowry - Bailey Rene Indiana University Southeast 101
Day 1: 1 01-00 Total: 1 01-00
152. Nathan Ragsdale - Justin Sisavath 99
Day 1: 1 00-14 Total: 1 00-14
153. Conner Johnson - Tyler Greenlee Georgetown college 98
Day 1: 1 00-13 Total: 1 00-13
154. Jacob Bickett - Kaden Woo Bellarmine University 97
Day 1: 2 00-12 Total: 2 00-12
155. Phillip Green - Cole Landreth 96
Day 1: 1 00-11 Total: 1 00-11
156. Blake Brashears - Tyler Stacy University of Kentucky 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
156. Allen Bryan - Kevin Dunahoo 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
156. Chase Cardoza - Connor Hicks University of Tennessee 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
156. Mark Harris - Reece Martin Dallas Baptist University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
156. David Hendel - Ohio State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
156. Patrick Henry - Jacob Middleton Ohio State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
156. Alex Hinton - Zack Ruhland Bellarmine University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
156. Jarred Jones - Logan Tate Jacksonville State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
156. Alden Keel Jr - Fisher Young Blue Mountain College 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
156. Colby Kerr - Noah Hurford Kentucky Christian University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
156. Matthew Roberts - Nick Sergent Alice Lloyd College 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
156. Rob Schmidt - Rocket Bassmasters 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
156. Evan Seggerman - Nate Overocker 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
156. Kyle Svachula - Rick Hamann University of Wisconsin Stevens 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
156. Drew Traffanstedt - Da'kendrick Patterson University of Montevallo 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
156. Ethan Troutman - Adam Hope Univerisity of Louisville 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
Hicks Maintains Slim Margin At B.A.S.S. Nation Regional On Lake Mead
Utah team angler Justin Hicks, of Gunnison, Colo., is leading after Day 2 of the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional at Lake Mead with a two-day total of 16 pounds, 7 ounces.
Photo by Tristin Williams/B.A.S.S.
October 1, 2020
HENDERSON, Nev. — Knowing when to shift gears allowed Justin Hicks, who’s competing for the Utah B.A.S.S. Nation Team, to fill his five-fish limit with 6 pounds, 2 ounces and retain the lead on Day 2 of the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional at Lake Mead.
Hicks has a two-day total of 16-7 and holds a 3-ounce lead over second-place Jason Billmaier of Las Vegas. Aaron Leon of Henderson, Nev., is only 7 ounces back in third.
On Wednesday, Hicks led the field by over a pound with 10-5, but did so with only four bass. On Thursday, the Gunnison, Colo., resident realized the quality he found on Day 1 was not going to happen. So, rather than risk another short bag, he made a key adjustment and secured his limit.
“The quality is still there, but they were a little harder for me to catch today,” Hicks said. “I could see them, but they just weren’t biting like they were yesterday.
“I think the second day after a front (Thursday’s conditions) was a factor, but I think fishing pressure in my area also has something to do with it. The fish I’m catching are extremely shallow and extremely spooky.”
At the Day 1 weigh-in, Hicks admitted he probably stayed in his big-fish areas too long and cost himself a full limit by doing so. Thursday, he avoided that temptation.
“I absolutely had to switch gears just to catch fish today,” he said. “In fact, I caught fish today on water I’d never fished before. I had to give up on my big fish and go to a totally different game plan.
“The bigger fish are really specific, and the smaller fish are easier to catch.”
Hicks said he swapped the reaction baits that yielded Wednesday’s quality for a white soft-plastic jerkbait rigged on a 5/0 Gamakatsu wide gap hook. Even though his bait color more closely resembled a shad, Hicks said the presence of panfish played in his favor.
“Anywhere there were some baby bluegill, I stayed with it,” he said. “I don’t think the color mattered; I think it’s strictly the action. My bites were coming from no deeper than 6 feet.”
Hicks said he fished the same general area he fished on Day 1 and simply adjusted his target zone.
“These smaller fish were a little farther in,” he said.
After anchoring his Day 1 bag with a 3-3 largemouth and a smallmouth close to 3-0, Hicks said he’s hoping Friday brings a different complexion than Thursday’s hot, still conditions that stymied his reaction baits.
“Wind would help tremendously,” he said. “There’s a lot of shad in my area. Yesterday, the shad helped, but today, the fish didn’t seem to be around those bigger populations of shad.”
Billmaier remains in second place after adding 7-0 to the 9-4 he caught Wednesday, tallying a total weight of 16-4. Leading the Nevada B.A.S.S. Nation team, Billmaier said his day began with a quick pace but then slowed considerably.
“I pulled into my first spot and had my limit by 8 o’clock,” Billmaier said. “I don’t think the weather’s affecting what I’m doing; the quality was just a little less today.”
Billmaier said he used a Lucky Craft lipless bait to find fish, and if they followed without biting, he’d pitch a drop shot with a 4-inch hologram shad-colored Roboworm. The latter produced all of his catches.
With a two-day total of 16-0, Aaron Leon drew on his lifetime of local knowledge and added 9-5 to his first-round weight of 6-11 and moved up from 14th place.
“I just went to a place where I knew there were good fish, and I just put my head down and ground it out,” Leon said. “I got five bites today, and I caught my last fish at 1:30. It was tough today, but I got ’em by fishing light line and finesse baits on points.”
Jason Hickey of Weiser, Idaho, is in the lead for Big Bass honors with his 3-8.
Aryn Coroneos of Henderson, Nev., leads the nonboater division with 10-9. Also leading the Nevada B.A.S.S. Nation team’s nonboaters, Coroneos placed fourth on Day 1 with 4-13 and gained three spots by adding 5-12 Thursday.
Ken Simbro of West Haven, Utah, holds the Big Bass lead among co-anglers with a 4-2.
In tomorrow’s final round, 21 boaters and 21 nonboaters compete for the top prize and a spot in the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, Nov. 11-13 on Pickwick Lake.
In the state team competition, the Arizona B.A.S.S. Nation accumulated a two-day total of 133 pounds, 9 ounces and won the top prize of $5,000. The Nevada B.A.S.S. Nation took second with 128-13 and won $3,100. Finishing third with 125-0, the California B.A.S.S. Nation earned $1,500.
Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6:15 a.m. PT from Callville Bay Marina. The weigh-in will be held at the marina at 2:15 p.m.
The tournament is being hosted by Visit Henderson.
2020 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional at Lake Mead 9/30-10/2
Lake Mead, Henderson NV.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Justin Hicks Gunnison, CO (UT) 9 16-07 0
2. Jason Billmaier Las Vegas, NV (NV) 10 16-04 0
3. Aaron Leon Henderson, NV (NV) 10 16-00 0
4. Tom Wennerlund Tonto Basin, AZ (AZ) 10 15-15 0
5. Timmy Wells II Fresno, CA (CA) 10 15-02 0
6. Bill Brown Grand Junction, CO (UT) 10 14-13 0
7. Addam Gross Pendleton, OR (OR) 9 14-06 0
8. Timothy Wells Clovis, CA (CA) 9 13-13 0
9. Brent Shores Boise, ID (WY) 10 13-04 0
10. Ralph Encizo Fresno, CA (CA) 9 13-01 0
11. Justin Kerr Lake Havasu, AZ (NV) 9 13-01 0
12. Todd Herman Gilbert, AZ (AZ) 10 12-10 0
13. Mike Lavallee Sandy, UT (UT) 8 11-13 0
14. Jason Hickey Weiser, ID (ID) 6 11-10 0
15. Dan Jordan Camas, WA (OR) 7 11-06 0
16. Zackery Shaff Richland, WA (WA) 8 11-02 0
17. David Erickson Craigmont, ID (ID) 8 11-00 0
18. Keegan Graves Meridian, ID (ID) 7 10-09 0
19. Michael Simon Sr. Henderson, NV (NV) 8 10-06 0
20. Bill Barkley Peoria, AZ (AZ) 7 10-05 0
21. Ken Day Kennewick, WA (WA) 7 10-03 0
22. Christopher Massey Flagstaff, AZ (AZ) 8 10-03 0
23. Jason Crone Kalispell, MT (MT) 7 09-15 0
24. Kevin Melford Camarillo, CA (CA) 7 09-11 0
25. Jason Hemminger Oxnard, CA (CA) 6 09-08 0
26. Luke Johns Folsom, CA (CA) 6 09-08 0
27. Gerald Kimzey Willcox, AZ (AZ) 6 09-02 0
28. Zach Barnes Boise, ID (ID) 5 08-12 0
29. Mike Alvarez Clovis, CA (CA) 6 08-12 0
30. Dylan Maxon Phoenix, AZ (AZ) 5 08-07 0
31. Mike Dominick Alberton, MT (MT) 5 08-03 0
32. Leon Stiffarm Columbia Falls, MT (MT) 5 08-00 0
33. Jesse Ortega Las Vegas, NV (NV) 6 07-11 0
34. Jeffry Ball Pendleton, OR (OR) 5 07-08 0
35. Tyrel Faber Pagosa Springs, CO (UT) 7 07-08 0
36. Joshua Powell Libby, MT (MT) 5 07-08 0
37. Ramsey Romanin Wolcott, CO (UT) 5 07-04 0
38. Ryan Yamagata Las Vegas, NV (NV) 5 07-03 0
39. Steve Lund Glendale, AZ (AZ) 5 06-11 0
40. Donovan Allphin Manila, UT (UT) 4 06-11 0
41. Chris Harvey Idaho Falls, ID (WY) 5 06-08 0
42. Gabe Thomas Tucson, AZ (AZ) 4 06-01 0
43. Chase Colby Saint George, UT (UT) 4 06-01 0
44. Tracy Dursteler Blackfoot, ID (WY) 4 06-01 0
45. Denton Crofts Meridian, ID (ID) 5 05-12 0
46. Karl Okerman Sandpoint, ID (MT) 3 05-10 0
47. Mel Williams Kennewick, WA (WA) 3 05-07 0
48. Nate Crofts Nampa, ID (ID) 4 05-04 0
49. Kyle Quinnell Kalispell, MT (MT) 4 05-02 0
50. Christian Ostrander Turlock, CA (CA) 4 05-00 0
51. Rick Culver Taylor, UT (UT) 3 04-14 0
52. Jim Hawkes A.J., AZ (AZ) 4 04-13 0
53. Austin Bentz Hermiston, OR (OR) 4 04-11 0
54. Bob Mcwilliams Helena, MT (MT) 3 04-07 0
55. Kevin Wiggins Winterheaven, NV (NV) 3 04-03 0
56. Clint Johanson Cle Elum, WA (WA) 4 04-01 0
57. Patrick Davis Henderson, NV (NV) 3 04-00 0
58. David Naugle Las Vegas, NV (NV) 3 03-15 0
59. Dejon Lewis Ventura, CA (CA) 2 03-14 0
60. Justin Soppe Middleton, ID (ID) 4 03-09 0
61. Kyle Gelles Pingree, ID (WY) 3 03-09 0
62. James Castillo West Richland, WA (WA) 2 03-01 0
63. Kenneth Cleveland Bakersfield, CA (CA) 2 02-06 0
64. Mark Clark New Plymouth, ID (ID) 2 02-05 0
65. Bret Felter Malad City, ID (WY) 2 02-04 0
65. Thomas Nokes Riverton, UT (UT) 2 02-04 0
67. Brent Daybell West Jordan, UT (WY) 2 02-04 0
68. Ron Wiseman Pendleton, OR (OR) 2 02-03 0
69. Douglas Jones North Las Vegas, NV (NV 1 01-13 0
70. Randy Pierson Grand Junction, CO (UT) 1 01-08 0
71. Michael Tauscher Blackfoot, ID (WY) 1 01-03 0
72. Cory Hoopes Spring Creek, NV (WY) 1 01-00 0
73. Forest Kirchner Apache Junction, AZ (AZ 1 00-13 0
74. Jim Davis Eagle, ID (ID) 0 00-00 0
74. Ronald Schneider Sandy, OR (OR) 0 00-00 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 15 208 304-03
2 14 176 252-14
----------------------------------
29 384 557-01
TEAM STANDINGS Day 2
----------------------------------
State Lbs-Oz
1 ARIZONA 133-09
2 NEVADA 128-13
3 CALIFORNIA 125-00
4 UTAH 118-07
5 IDAHO 87-00
6 MONTANA 77-05
7 WYOMING 70-01
8 OREGON 59-01
9 WASHINGTON 44-14
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Zackery Shaff Richland, WA 8 11-02 0
2 Ken Day Kennewick, WA 7 10-03 0
3 Mel Williams Kennewick, WA 3 05-07 0
4 Clint Johanson Cle Elum, WA 4 04-01 0
5 James Castillo West Richland, WA 2 03-01 0
IDAHO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jason Hickey Weiser, ID 6 11-10 0
2 David Erickson Craigmont, ID 8 11-00 0
3 Keegan Graves Meridian, ID 7 10-09 0
4 Zach Barnes Boise, ID 5 08-12 0
5 Denton Crofts Meridian, ID 5 05-12 0
6 Nate Crofts Nampa, ID 4 05-04 0
7 Justin Soppe Middleton, ID 4 03-09 0
8 Mark Clark New Plymouth, ID 2 02-05 0
9 Jim Davis Eagle, ID 0 00-00 0
OREGON
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Addam Gross Pendleton, OR 9 14-06 0
2 Dan Jordan Camas, WA 7 11-06 0
3 Jeffry Ball Pendleton, OR 5 07-08 0
4 Austin Bentz Hermiston, OR 4 04-11 0
5 Ron Wiseman Pendleton, OR 2 02-03 0
6 Ronald Schneider Sandy, OR 0 00-00 0
ARIZONA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Tom Wennerlund Tonto Basin, AZ 10 15-15 0
2 Todd Herman Gilbert, AZ 10 12-10 0
3 Bill Barkley Peoria, AZ 7 10-05 0
4 Christopher Massey Flagstaff, AZ 8 10-03 0
5 Gerald Kimzey Willcox, AZ 6 09-02 0
6 Dylan Maxon Phoenix, AZ 5 08-07 0
7 Steve Lund Glendale, AZ 5 06-11 0
8 Gabe Thomas Tucson, AZ 4 06-01 0
9 Jim Hawkes A.J., AZ 4 04-13 0
10 Forest Kirchner Apache Junction, AZ 1 00-13 0
WYOMING
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Brent Shores Boise, ID 10 13-04 0
2 Chris Harvey Idaho Falls, ID 5 06-08 0
3 Tracy Dursteler Blackfoot, ID 4 06-01 0
4 Kyle Gelles Pingree, ID 3 03-09 0
5 Bret Felter Malad City, ID 2 02-04 0
6 Brent Daybell West Jordan, UT 2 02-04 0
7 Michael Tauscher Blackfoot, ID 1 01-03 0
8 Cory Hoopes Spring Creek, NV 1 01-00 0
CALIFORNIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Timmy Wells II Fresno, CA 10 15-02 0
2 Timothy Wells Clovis, CA 9 13-13 0
3 Ralph Encizo Fresno, CA 9 13-01 0
4 Kevin Melford Camarillo, CA 7 09-11 0
5 Jason Hemminger Oxnard, CA 6 09-08 0
6 Luke Johns Folsom, CA 6 09-08 0
7 Mike Alvarez Clovis, CA 6 08-12 0
8 Christian Ostrander Turlock, CA 4 05-00 0
9 Dejon Lewis Ventura, CA 2 03-14 0
10 Kenneth Cleveland Bakersfield, CA 2 02-06 0
MONTANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jason Crone Kalispell, MT 7 09-15 0
2 Mike Dominick Alberton, MT 5 08-03 0
3 Leon Stiffarm Columbia Falls, MT 5 08-00 0
4 Joshua Powell Libby, MT 5 07-08 0
5 Karl Okerman Sandpoint, ID 3 05-10 0
6 Kyle Quinnell Kalispell, MT 4 05-02 0
7 Bob Mcwilliams Helena, MT 3 04-07 0
UTAH
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Justin Hicks Gunnison, CO 9 16-07 0
2 Bill Brown Grand Junction, CO 10 14-13 0
3 Mike Lavallee Sandy, UT 8 11-13 0
4 Tyrel Faber Pagosa Springs, CO 7 07-08 0
5 Ramsey Romanin Wolcott, CO 5 07-04 0
6 Donovan Allphin Manila, UT 4 06-11 0
7 Chase Colby Saint George, UT 4 06-01 0
8 Rick Culver Taylor, UT 3 04-14 0
9 Thomas Nokes Riverton, UT 2 02-04 0
10 Randy Pierson Grand Junction, CO 1 01-08 0
NEVADA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jason Billmaier Las Vegas, NV 10 16-04 0
2 Aaron Leon Henderson, NV 10 16-00 0
3 Justin Kerr Lake Havasu, AZ 9 13-01 0
4 Michael Simon Sr. Henderson, NV 8 10-06 0
5 Jesse Ortega Las Vegas, NV 6 07-11 0
6 Ryan Yamagata Las Vegas, NV 5 07-03 0
7 Kevin Wiggins Winterheaven, NV 3 04-03 0
8 Patrick Davis Henderson, NV 3 04-00 0
9 David Naugle Las Vegas, NV 3 03-15 0
10 Douglas Jones North Las Vegas, NV 1 01-13 0
2020 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional at Lake Mead 9/30-10/2
Lake Mead, Henderson NV.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Aaryn Coroneos Henderson, NV (NV) 6 10-09 0
2. Clif Gallagher Saint George, UT (WY) 6 10-02 0
3. Ric Blair Whitefish, MT (MT) 6 09-00 0
4. Greg Pink Montrose, CO (UT) 6 08-14 0
5. Jake Morrison Scottsdale, AZ (AZ) 5 08-09 0
6. Hayden Spradling Gilbert, AZ (AZ) 6 08-04 0
7. Terry Peterson West Jordan, UT (UT) 6 08-04 0
8. Scott Seros Bend, OR (OR) 5 07-00 0
9. Austin Johnson Noxon, MT (MT) 5 06-12 0
10. Larry Warren LaVerkin, UT (NV) 4 06-04 0
11. Tas Moua Fresno, CA (CA) 5 06-01 0
12. Brandon Morton San Tan Valley, AZ (AZ) 3 05-14 0
13. Chaunteil Carte' Gresham, OR (WY) 3 05-14 0
14. Michael Evans Idaho Falls, ID (WY) 4 05-13 0
15. Nathanial Kimberling Coeur D Alene, ID (ID) 3 05-11 0
16. Jake Krause Litchfield Park, AZ (AZ 4 05-09 0
17. Brian Senter Newton, TX (AZ) 3 05-08 0
18. David Bertsch Harrisy, ID (ID) 4 05-05 0
19. Douglas Gaskill Las Vegas, NV (NV) 4 05-04 0
20. Bo Dalton Vernal, UT (UT) 4 05-03 0
21. Josh Stewart Star, ID (ID) 3 05-00 0
22. Mike Steckel Las Vegas, NV (NV) 4 04-12 0
23. Greg Jager Kennewick, WA (WA) 3 04-12 0
24. Nathan Towes Bakersfield, CA (CA) 4 04-11 0
25. Andrew Sayles Middleton, ID (CA) 2 04-09 0
26. Logan DeGree Redmond, OR (OR) 3 04-08 0
27. Sean Sullivan Henderson, NV (NV) 3 04-04 0
28. Melissa Nokes Lehi, UT (UT) 4 04-04 0
29. Tom McArt Jr Albany, OR (OR) 3 04-04 0
30. Ken Simbro West Haven, UT (UT) 1 04-02 0
31. Dean Yamagata Las Vegas, NV (NV) 3 04-01 0
32. Paul Gelles Pingree, ID (WY) 3 04-00 0
33. Jeffrey Ramey Cameron Park, CA (CA) 3 04-00 0
34. Quincy Grupenhoff Noxon, MT (MT) 3 03-15 0
35. Aldo Acevedo North Hollywood, CA (CA 3 03-14 0
36. James Hollingshead Clarkston, WA (WA) 3 03-13 0
36. Steve Larsen Henderson, NV (NV) 3 03-13 0
38. Tim Meeks Elk Grove, CA (CA) 3 03-11 0
39. Ken Hromada Chandler, AZ (AZ) 3 03-10 0
40. Dale Loseke Meridian, ID (ID) 3 03-10 0
41. Samuel Collins Chino Valley, AZ (AZ) 2 03-10 0
42. Thomas Edwards Gilbert, AZ (AZ) 3 03-09 0
43. Walter Haltom Malad City, ID (UT) 2 03-09 0
44. Mark Torrez Camarillo, CA (CA) 2 03-09 0
45. Jake Hansen Bozeman, MT (MT) 2 03-08 0
46. Hunter Dahnke Missoula, MT (MT) 3 03-04 0
47. David Vega McCammon , ID (WY) 2 03-03 0
48. Stephen Spear Boise, ID (ID) 2 02-13 0
49. Elli Hubbard Las Vegas, NV (NV) 2 02-12 0
50. Jonathan Bryson Las Vegas, NV (NV) 2 02-10 0
51. Kong Moua Sacramento, CA (CA) 2 02-10 0
52. Earl Wells Payette, ID (WY) 2 02-09 0
53. Mark Smith Tacoma, WA (WA) 2 02-07 0
54. Tim Rawlings Malad City, ID (WY) 2 02-07 0
55. Matthew Barnes Pensacola, FL (ID) 2 02-06 0
56. Billy Ricker Clinton, UT (UT) 2 02-04 0
57. Ricky Tejada Coeur D Alene, ID (ID) 2 02-04 0
58. Jake Aubrey Glendale, AZ (AZ) 2 02-02 0
59. Jerry Lake Cottage Grove, OR (OR) 1 01-14 0
60. Kyle Harris San Tan Valley, AZ (AZ) 2 01-14 0
61. Chris Cruz Ogden, UT (UT) 1 01-09 0
62. Jake Weaver Columbia Fls, MT (MT) 1 01-07 0
63. Kevin Pierson Hermiston, OR (OR) 1 01-05 0
64. Jose Gutierrez Bakersfield, CA (CA) 1 01-04 0
65. Trent Perry Huntsville, UT (UT) 1 01-03 0
66. Jeremy Kimberling Rathdrum, ID (ID) 1 01-02 0
67. Cher Moua Missoula, MT (MT) 1 00-10 0
68. Luis Gonzalez San Rafael, CA (CA) 0 00-00 0
68. Kevin Higgins Bonney Lake, WA (WA) 0 00-00 0
68. Jon Pollock Lakewood, CO (WY) 0 00-00 0
68. Kenneth Sitton Albany, OR (OR) 0 00-00 0
68. Cody Steckel Las Vegas, NV (NV) 0 00-00 0
68. Josh Thalman Saratoga Springs, UT (U 0 00-00 0
68. Luke White Coeur D Alene, ID (ID) 0 00-00 0
68. Tyler Wipf West Richland, WA (WA) 0 00-00 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 15 103 150-12
2 0 97 136-05
----------------------------------
15 200 287-01
TEAM STANDINGS Day 2
----------------------------------
State Lbs-Oz
1 ARIZONA 133-09
2 NEVADA 128-13
3 CALIFORNIA 125-00
4 UTAH 118-07
5 IDAHO 87-00
6 MONTANA 77-05
7 WYOMING 70-01
8 OREGON 59-01
9 WASHINGTON 44-14
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Greg Jager Kennewick, WA 3 04-12 0
2 James Hollingshead Clarkston, WA 3 03-13 0
3 Mark Smith Tacoma, WA 2 02-07 0
4 Kevin Higgins Bonney Lake, WA 0 00-00 0
4 Tyler Wipf West Richland, WA 0 00-00 0
IDAHO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Nathanial Kimberling Coeur D Alene, ID 3 05-11 0
2 David Bertsch Harrisy, ID 4 05-05 0
3 Josh Stewart Star, ID 3 05-00 0
4 Dale Loseke Meridian, ID 3 03-10 0
5 Stephen Spear Boise, ID 2 02-13 0
6 Matthew Barnes Pensacola, FL 2 02-06 0
7 Ricky Tejada Coeur D Alene, ID 2 02-04 0
8 Jeremy Kimberling Rathdrum, ID 1 01-02 0
9 Luke White Coeur D Alene, ID 0 00-00 0
OREGON
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Scott Seros Bend, OR 5 07-00 0
2 Logan DeGree Redmond, OR 3 04-08 0
3 Tom McArt Jr Albany, OR 3 04-04 0
4 Jerry Lake Cottage Grove, OR 1 01-14 0
5 Kevin Pierson Hermiston, OR 1 01-05 0
6 Kenneth Sitton Albany, OR 0 00-00 0
ARIZONA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jake Morrison Scottsdale, AZ 5 08-09 0
2 Hayden Spradling Gilbert, AZ 6 08-04 0
3 Brandon Morton San Tan Valley, AZ 3 05-14 0
4 Jake Krause Litchfield Park, AZ 4 05-09 0
5 Brian Senter Newton, TX 3 05-08 0
6 Ken Hromada Chandler, AZ 3 03-10 0
7 Samuel Collins Chino Valley, AZ 2 03-10 0
8 Thomas Edwards Gilbert, AZ 3 03-09 0
9 Jake Aubrey Glendale, AZ 2 02-02 0
10 Kyle Harris San Tan Valley, AZ 2 01-14 0
WYOMING
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Clif Gallagher Saint George, UT 6 10-02 0
2 Chaunteil Carte' Gresham, OR 3 05-14 0
3 Michael Evans Idaho Falls, ID 4 05-13 0
4 Paul Gelles Pingree, ID 3 04-00 0
5 David Vega McCammon , ID 2 03-03 0
6 Earl Wells Payette, ID 2 02-09 0
7 Tim Rawlings Malad City, ID 2 02-07 0
8 Jon Pollock Lakewood, CO 0 00-00 0
CALIFORNIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Tas Moua Fresno, CA 5 06-01 0
2 Nathan Towes Bakersfield, CA 4 04-11 0
3 Andrew Sayles Middleton, ID 2 04-09 0
4 Jeffrey Ramey Cameron Park, CA 3 04-00 0
5 Aldo Acevedo North Hollywood, CA 3 03-14 0
6 Tim Meeks Elk Grove, CA 3 03-11 0
7 Mark Torrez Camarillo, CA 2 03-09 0
8 Kong Moua Sacramento, CA 2 02-10 0
9 Jose Gutierrez Bakersfield, CA 1 01-04 0
10 Luis Gonzalez San Rafael, CA 0 00-00 0
MONTANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Ric Blair Whitefish, MT 6 09-00 0
2 Austin Johnson Noxon, MT 5 06-12 0
3 Quincy Grupenhoff Noxon, MT 3 03-15 0
4 Jake Hansen Bozeman, MT 2 03-08 0
5 Hunter Dahnke Missoula, MT 3 03-04 0
6 Jake Weaver Columbia Fls, MT 1 01-07 0
7 Cher Moua Missoula, MT 1 00-10 0
UTAH
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Greg Pink Montrose, CO 6 08-14 0
2 Terry Peterson West Jordan, UT 6 08-04 0
3 Bo Dalton Vernal, UT 4 05-03 0
4 Melissa Nokes Lehi, UT 4 04-04 0
5 Ken Simbro West Haven, UT 1 04-02 0
6 Walter Haltom Malad City, ID 2 03-09 0
7 Billy Ricker Clinton, UT 2 02-04 0
8 Chris Cruz Ogden, UT 1 01-09 0
9 Trent Perry Huntsville, UT 1 01-03 0
10 Josh Thalman Saratoga Springs, UT 0 00-00 0
NEVADA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Aaryn Coroneos Henderson, NV 6 10-09 0
2 Larry Warren LaVerkin, UT 4 06-04 0
3 Douglas Gaskill Las Vegas, NV 4 05-04 0
4 Mike Steckel Las Vegas, NV 4 04-12 0
5 Sean Sullivan Henderson, NV 3 04-04 0
6 Dean Yamagata Las Vegas, NV 3 04-01 0
7 Steve Larsen Henderson, NV 3 03-13 0
8 Elli Hubbard Las Vegas, NV 2 02-12 0
9 Jonathan Bryson Las Vegas, NV 2 02-10 0
10 Cody Steckel Las Vegas, NV 0 00-00 0
Cobb Takes Lead As Fishing Gets Tougher At Bassmaster Elite Event On Lake Guntersville
Brandon Cobb, of Greenwood, S.C., is leading after Day 2 of the 2020 NOCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville with a two-day total of 34 pounds, 11 ounces.
Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.
October 1, 2020
SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — Professional bass anglers are some of the most notorious poor-mouthers on the planet. Even on their best days, they’re likely to tell you the fishing was tough.
But at this week’s NOCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville, they may actually be telling the truth — even the ones who seem to be doing well.
During Thursday’s second round, when 31 of the 85-angler field failed to bring in a five-bass limit, South Carolina pro Brandon Cobb managed to catch five that weighed 17 pounds, 11 ounces to take the lead with a two-day total of 34-11.
He said don’t let his success at the scales fool you.
“The weights really don’t reflect how hard the fishing has been,” said Cobb, who earned his first two Elite Series victories last season. “It is very tough. Today, I had four big bites and I lost one.
“The Guntersville way is to catch schools of fish, whether it’s ledge fish or grass fish or whatever. But since I haven’t really found that, I’ve just been fishing shallow and trying to catch one at a time.”
Despite those limited bites, Cobb has been the most consistent angler in the field. Before landing his 17-11 Thursday, he opened the event Wednesday with 17-0.
He’s been fishing a little bit of everything — docks, riprap, bank grass and offshore grass — to make it happen, and he’s been relying heavily on a tactic he admits isn’t his specialty.
“I’ve been flipping a lot this week, and I don’t do that in South Carolina,” he said. “That’s probably why I lost that one big fish today. When you go so long between bites, you start sort of halfway not paying attention.
“I’m too gun-shy flipping. I felt that fish bite, but I waited too long to pull the trigger.”
Besides flipping, Cobb has mixed in a Texas rig, a buzzbait, a ChatterBait and a swim jig. He likes the buzzbait — a Greenfish Tackle Toad Toter rigged with a Zoom Horny Toad — because of its versatility.
“That’s been a really good bait because I can skip into dark places,” he said. “It works really well in the wind, too. The Horny Toad by itself is great. But for the conditions we have this week, it’s just not loud enough.”
Cobb is nearly 2 pounds ahead of rookie Wes Logan, of Springville, Ala., who caught 18-10 — the second-largest bag of the tournament — Thursday. Logan’s two-day total of 32-14 allowed him to make his third Top 40 semifinal cut of the season and has him in position for his first career Elite Series Top 10.
He echoed the sentiments of the field about the harshness of the fishing.
“In practice, I found one place where I got two bites and then another place where I got two more,” Logan said. “Since that’s all I had, I’ve just sort of bunkered down on those two places, and I’ve been bumping back and forth between them.
“I’m just basically rotating between two places all day.”
Another popular realization across the Elite Series field is that fishing pressure on Guntersville is about to increase exponentially. A major tournament sponsored by Spro, which requires anglers to fish only with frogs, is scheduled for Saturday with an expected field of more than 200 boats.
Logan said the traffic will likely affect everyone, though he said he hasn’t had much luck on a frog anyway.
“I can’t get bit on one,” Logan said, exasperated. “I’m not saying they won’t catch them Saturday, but I’ve already seen a lot of pressure this week from frog fishermen. I saw probably 20 boats today just out in the middle of mat, fishing it.
“I’ve been doing something else, or I wouldn’t have made it this far.”
Behind Cobb and Logan is a logjam of nine anglers with 30-plus pounds. At the front of that group is reigning Bassmaster Angler of the Year Scott Canterbury, of Odenville, Ala.
Canterbury followed his Day 1 catch of 16-0 with 15-10 Thursday and rests in third with 31-10. He’s just an ounce ahead of fellow Alabamian Kyle Welcher and Minnesota pro Seth Feider who are tied for fourth with 31-9.
“I ran all different water than I did yesterday,” Canterbury said. “It’s fall fishing. I’m not getting a lot of bites, but it’s fun.
“I had a few more opportunities today, but they’re biting funny and they just didn’t get the bait.”
Texas pro Chris Zaldain held onto the lead in the race for Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the week with the 8-6 largemouth he caught Wednesday.
The tournament resumes Friday with takeoff at 6:30 a.m. CT from Goose Pond Colony Resort Marina and weigh-in back at Goose Pond at 2:30 p.m. After Friday’s round, only the Top 10 remaining anglers will advance to Championship Saturday with a chance to win the $100,000 first-place prize.
Live coverage of the event will be available starting at 7 a.m. on Bassmaster LIVE at Bassmaster.com and ESPN3.
The tournament is being hosted by the City of Scottsboro.
2020 Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville 9/30-10/3
Lake Guntersville, Scottsboro AL.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 10 34-11 100
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 17-11
2. Wes Logan Springville, AL 10 32-14 99
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 18-10
3. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 10 31-10 98
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 15-10
4. Kyle Welcher Opelika, AL 10 31-09 97
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 12-04
5. Seth Feider New Market, MN 10 31-09 96
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 15-09
6. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 10 31-07 95
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 17-07
7. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 10 31-06 94
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 15-11
8. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 10 31-03 93
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 17-03
9. Frank Talley Temple, TX 10 30-08 92
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 16-05
10. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 10 30-06 91
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 15-07
11. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 10 30-00 90
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 14-03
12. Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, TX 9 29-15 89
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 4 11-07
13. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 10 29-15 88
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 15-03
14. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 10 29-08 87
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 15-02
15. Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO 10 29-07 86
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 11-13
16. Bob Downey Hudson, WI 10 29-03 85
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 13-15
17. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 8 28-04 84
Day 1: 3 11-05 Day 2: 5 16-15
18. Chris Johnston Peterborough Ontario CA 10 28-03 83
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 15-15
19. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 9 28-02 82
Day 1: 5 17-01 Day 2: 4 11-01
20. Mike Huff Corbin, KY 10 28-00 81
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 15-02
21. Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, OH 10 27-06 80
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 14-07
22. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 27-05 79
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 13-06
23. Cory Johnston Cavan CANADA 10 26-14 78
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 12-09
24. Jeff Gustafson Keewatin Ontario CANADA 10 26-13 77
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 12-14
25. Jason Williamson Wagener, SC 7 26-06 76
Day 1: 2 09-06 Day 2: 5 17-00
26. Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, TN 10 26-01 75
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 12-08
27. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 10 25-11 74
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 11-02
28. Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 9 25-06 73 $1,000.00
Day 1: 4 14-10 Day 2: 5 10-12
29. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 10 25-04 72
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 13-13
30. Bill Weidler Helena, AL 10 25-03 71
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 13-04
31. Todd Auten Lake Wylie, SC 10 24-13 70
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 12-02
32. Clent Davis Montevallo, AL 10 24-07 69
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 12-01
33. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 9 24-06 68
Day 1: 4 10-14 Day 2: 5 13-08
34. Randy Pierson Oakdale, CA 8 23-15 67
Day 1: 3 08-09 Day 2: 5 15-06
35. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 10 23-14 66
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 12-08
36. Micah Frazier Newnan, GA 10 23-08 65
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 11-15
37. Jay Yelas Lincoln City, OR 10 23-07 64
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 11-00
38. Gerald Swindle Guntersville, AL 9 22-10 63
Day 1: 4 08-00 Day 2: 5 14-10
39. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 8 22-04 62
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 3 05-14
40. Taku Ito Chiba JAPAN 10 21-08 61
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 10-04
41. Brett Preuett Monroe, LA 10 21-08 60 $7,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 10-05
42. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 9 21-07 59 $7,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 4 09-02
43. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 9 21-02 58 $7,500.00
Day 1: 4 10-02 Day 2: 5 11-00
44. Jake Whitaker Fairview, NC 9 21-00 57 $7,500.00
Day 1: 4 07-06 Day 2: 5 13-10
45. David Fritts Lexington, NC 9 20-11 56 $7,500.00
Day 1: 4 09-00 Day 2: 5 11-11
46. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 9 20-08 55 $5,000.00
Day 1: 4 09-11 Day 2: 5 10-13
47. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 8 20-08 54 $6,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 3 09-11
48. Buddy Gross Chickamauga, GA 10 20-07 53 $5,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 09-10
49. Matt Herren Ashville, AL 9 20-04 52 $2,500.00
Day 1: 4 08-06 Day 2: 5 11-14
50. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 9 20-01 51 $2,500.00
Day 1: 4 09-00 Day 2: 5 11-01
51. Brad Whatley Bivins, TX 9 19-12 50 $2,500.00
Day 1: 4 08-10 Day 2: 5 11-02
52. Koby Kreiger Alva, FL 8 19-09 49 $2,500.00
Day 1: 4 10-07 Day 2: 4 09-02
53. John Cox Debary, FL 5 19-04 48 $2,500.00
Day 1: 4 17-03 Day 2: 1 02-01
54. Chris Groh Spring Grove, IL 7 19-04 47 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 2 04-11
55. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 7 19-03 46 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 09-14 Day 2: 4 09-05
56. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 8 18-14 45 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 3 06-03
57. Patrick Walters Summerville, SC 7 18-12 44 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 2 04-06
58. Rob Digh Denver, NC 7 18-08 43 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 07-08 Day 2: 5 11-00
59. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 9 18-08 42 $2,500.00
Day 1: 4 08-07 Day 2: 5 10-01
60. Derek Hudnall Denham Springs, LA 7 17-15 41 $2,500.00
Day 1: 4 08-02 Day 2: 3 09-13
61. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 8 17-12 40 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 05-15 Day 2: 5 11-13
62. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 7 17-11 39 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 06-00 Day 2: 5 11-11
63. Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, LA 8 17-05 38 $2,500.00
Day 1: 4 09-01 Day 2: 4 08-04
64. Ray Hanselman Jr Del Rio, TX 8 16-12 37 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 05-14 Day 2: 5 10-14
64. Caleb Kuphall Mukwonago, WI 8 16-12 37 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 3 05-14
66. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 5 16-03 35 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 11-09 Day 2: 2 04-10
67. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 7 15-11 34 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 04-08 Day 2: 5 11-03
68. Destin DeMarion Grove City, PA 6 15-02 33 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 1 02-04
69. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 6 14-14 32 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 07-15 Day 2: 3 06-15
70. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 6 14-08 31 $2,500.00
Day 1: 1 02-08 Day 2: 5 12-00
71. Jesse Tacoronte Kissimmee, FL 5 14-07 30 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 08-07 Day 2: 2 06-00
72. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 7 14-01 29 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 2 03-14
73. Drew Benton Blakely, GA 6 13-06 28 $2,500.00
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 5 11-07
74. Cody Hollen Beaverton, OR 3 12-09 27 $2,500.00
Day 1: 3 12-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
75. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 6 12-00 26 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 1 01-14
76. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 11-13 25 $2,500.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 11-13
77. Jamie Hartman Newport, NY 5 11-13 24 $2,500.00
Day 1: 4 08-10 Day 2: 1 03-03
78. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 6 11-12 23 $2,500.00
Day 1: 4 08-07 Day 2: 2 03-05
79. Harvey Horne Bella Vista, AR 5 11-07 22 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 04-12 Day 2: 3 06-11
80. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 5 11-04 21 $2,500.00
Day 1: 4 09-01 Day 2: 1 02-03
81. Dale Hightower Mannford, OK 5 10-01 20 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
82. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 4 09-09 19 $2,500.00
Day 1: 1 03-00 Day 2: 3 06-09
83. Quentin Cappo Prairieville, LA 4 08-03 18 $2,500.00
Day 1: 2 03-03 Day 2: 2 05-00
84. Tyler Carriere Youngsville, LA 4 07-14 17 $2,500.00
Day 1: 1 02-05 Day 2: 3 05-09
85. Greg DiPalma Millville, NJ 1 03-03 16 $2,500.00
Day 1: 1 03-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Day
1 Chris Zaldain Fort Worth, TX 08-06 $1,000.00
2 Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 06-03 $1,000.00
Humbard Wins Two-Day Phoenix Bass Fishing League event on Lake Cherokee
Co-angler Victory Goes to Alvaton’s Botts
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. (Oct. 1, 2020) Boater Bill Humbard of New Market, Tennessee, brought a two-day total of 10 bass to the scale weighing 24 pounds, 4 ounces to win the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine Mountain Division Super-Tournament at Lake Cherokee. For his victory, Humbard earned $6,230.
“I’ve been blessed to win the Mountain Division prior to this event and it’s always humbling that the good Lord has blessed me to go and do what I enjoy in life,” said Humbard. “I fished a Carolina rig with a chartreuse pumpkin-colored Zoom Lizard on day one and on day two I used a Gene Larew Rattln’ Crawler at 25 to 30 feet deep.”
Humbard said his key was staying deep and running water to find the deep-seated fish.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament as follows:
1st: Bill Humbard of New Market, Tenn., 10 bass, 24-4, $6,230
2nd: Josh Tramel of Smithville, Tenn., eight bass, 19-6, $3,115
3rd: Pat Eichmann of Nancy, Ky., seven bass, 18-10, $2,932
4th: Brent Butler of Vonore, Tenn., seven bass, 18-6, $1,454
5th: Trent Adkins of East Bernstadt, Ky., seven bass, 16-3, $1,246
6th: Tory Ferrell of Morristown, Tenn., eight bass, 15-9, $1,142
7th: Mike Quinlin of Mooresville, Ind., six bass, 14-7, $1,538
8th: Dwight Fox of Gainesboro, Tenn., seven bass, 14-7, $934
9th: Justin McGaha of Knoxville, Tenn., six bass, 13-7, $831
10th: Vernon Lowe of Oneida, Tenn., six bass, 12-13, $727
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Eichmann earned the day’s $855 Boater Big Bass award with a 5-pound, 5-ounce bass.
Quinlin 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.
Kenny Botts of Alvaton, Kentucky earned the win in the Co-angler Division Sunday after catching a two-day total of seven bass weighing 16 pounds, 6 ounces. Botts earned $3,115 for his victory.
The top 10 co-anglers finished as follows:
1st: Kenny Botts of Alvaton, Ky., seven bass, 16-6, $3,115
2nd: Brent Clark of Bowling Green, Ky., five bass, 10-1, $1,557
3rd: Brian Short of Oxford, Ohio, five bass, 9-7, $1,040
4th: Luke Shrader of Barrington, N.J., three bass 8-14, $1,227
5th: Taylor Wisniewski of Lexington, Ky., three bass, 8-7, $623
6th: Ronnie Gill of Indianapolis, Ind., two bass, 8-4, $998
7th: Corey Bradley of McDonald, Tenn., three bass, 7-11, $519
8th: Larry Goss of Westmoreland, Tenn., four bass, 7-10, $467
9th: Ernest James of Loyall, Ky., four bass, 7-4, $415
10th: Bill Haunert of Byrdstown, Tenn., three bass, 6-12, $363
Gill earned the event’s Co-angler Big Bass Award of $427 with a 4-pound, 9-ounce bass.
The 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine on Lake Cherokee was hosted by the Jefferson County Department of Tourism. It was the fifth and final qualifying event in the 2020 Mountain Division.
Now the top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the Mountain Division based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will advance to the Oct. 8-10 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on Chickamauga Lake in Dayton, Tennessee, hosted by Rhea Economic and Tourism Council. Boaters will compete for a $60,000 prize package, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new 18-foot Phoenix bass boat with a 200-horsepower outboard.
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 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American will be held Nov. 11-13 at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina and is hosted by Visit Anderson. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division earn priority entry into the FLW Series, the pathway to the FLW Pro Circuit and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour, where top pros compete with no entry fees.
Shockley Wins Two-Day Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event on Lake of the Ozarks presented by Navionics
Four Seasons’ Misenhelter Wins Co-angler Division
OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (Oct. 1, 2020) – Boater Robert Shockley of Springfield, Missouri, brought a two-day total of 10 bass to the scale this weekend weighing 35 pounds, 3 ounces to win the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine Super-Tournament at Lake of the Ozarks. For his win at the event, presented by Navionics, Shockley earned $6,295.
The tournament was the fifth and final event in the Ozark Division presented by Tournament Anglers Group (TAG).
“I caught all of my fish on the first day on a drop-shot rig,” said Shockley, who earned his first career Bass Fishing League win. “On day two, they were eating the jig.
“I had my weight by 10 (a.m.),” Shockley continued. “I sat down to eat a sandwich and told my co-angler to throw at a specific dock, and he caught a 4-pounder. It was an awesome weekend.”
Shockley said that he fished near the Niangua River. He threw a unnamed ½-ounce green pumpkin-colored tungsten jig with a craw trailer, in the same color.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament as follows:
1st: Robert Shockley of Springfield, Mo., 10 bass, 35-3, $6,295
2nd: Cory Steckler of Rocky Mount, Mo., 10 bass, 31-3, $3,648
3rd: Chad Deaver of Russellville, Mo., 10 bass, 28-14, $2,096
4th: Ben Verhoef of Osage Beach, Mo., 10 bass, 28-4, $1,469
5th: Brad Jelinek of Deepwater, Mo., 10 bass, 28-3, $1,259
6th: Rick Fishback of Springfield, Mo., 10 bass, 28-3, $1,154
7th: Brian Maloney of Osage Beach, Mo., 10 bass, 28-0, $1,049
8th: Brett Govreau of House Springs, Mo., 10 bass, 27-8, $944
9th: Dennis Berhorst of Holts Summit, Mo., nine bass, 27-3, $839
10th: Marty McGinnis of Gravois Mills, Mo., seven bass, 26-4, $734
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
Mike Eustler of Everton, Missouri, brought a 6-pound, 1-ounce bass to the scale to win the Boater Big Bass award of $877.
Steckler 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.
Terry Misenhelter of Four Seasons, Missouri, won the Co-angler Division and $3,148 Sunday after catching a two-day total of six bass weighing 16 pounds, 14 ounces.
The top 10 co-anglers finished as follows:
1st: Terry Misenhelter of Four Seasons, Mo., six bass, 16-14, $3,148
2nd: Max Wilson of Everton, Mo., five bass, 15-1, $1,574
3rd: Jeremy Davis of Imperial, Mo., seven bass, 14-11, $1,050
4th: Michael Carter of Raytown, Mo., seven bass, 14-2, $734
5th: Matt Finkeldei of Davenport, Iowa, four bass, 12-6, $1,569
6th: Steve Schaefer of Palmyra, Mo., five bass,10-10, $577
7th: Mark Landis of Ballwin, Mo., four bass, 10-9, $525
8th: Michael Dempsey of Wentzville, Mo., four bass, 10-5, $472
9th: Jeremy Fiedler of Sullivan, Mo., five bass, 10-2, $420
10th: Jeffrey Adams of Steelville, Mo., four bass, 10-1, $367
Finkeldei caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 5 pounds, 13 ounces. The catch earned him the Co-angler Big Bass award and added $439 to his winnings.
The 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine Super-Tournament on Lake of the Ozarks was hosted by the Tri-County Lodging Association and Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Now the top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the Ozark Division presented by TAG, based on point standings, along with the five winners of each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 15-17 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wisconsin, hosted by Explore La Crosse. Boaters will compete for a $60,000 prize package, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new 18-foot Phoenix bass boat with a 200-horsepower outboard.
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 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American will be held Nov. 11-13 at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina and is hosted by Visit Anderson. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers plus tournament winners from each Phoenix Bass Fishing League division earn priority entry into the FLW Series, the pathway to the FLW Pro Circuit and ultimately the MLF Bass Pro Tour, where top pros compete with no entry fees.
Hicks Takes Lead At B.A.S.S. Nation Regional On Lake Mead
HENDERSON, Nev. — Justin Hicks missed his five-bass limit by one fish, but still managed to lead Day 1 of the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional at Lake Mead with 10 pounds, 5 ounces.
Leading the field by a pound, the angler, who is competing for the Utah B.A.S.S. Nation team, said his day could have been even better, but he failed to convert on a few key bites.
“I had every opportunity to catch my fifth fish,” he said. “I stuck to one area, and I didn’t execute. That should have been a much better day than it was, but I’m happy. You can’t win ’em all.”
Noting that Lake Mead’s bass are in a transitional stage between summer and fall patterns, Hicks said his success hinged on mobility. He worked a 5- to 6-mile area of the lake and hit 30 different spots.
“The key is move, move, move,” he said. “It seemed that on a certain stretch of this lake, those quality fish are just there. I’m fishing main-channel, small, nothing-special type dents.”
Bait schools typically factor into fall fishing, as bass follow the forage and feed heavily. However, Hicks said he’s fishing near baitfish but not necessarily right over them.
“I think the baitfish are just moving up and down these shorelines and these fish are just intercepting them — they’re just lazy,” he said. “There aren’t very many fish. There’s just one here, one there.”
Hicks’ bag included a 3-3 largemouth and a smallmouth close to 3 pounds.
“I caught that smallmouth doing the same things I was doing for largemouth,” Hicks said. “That smallmouth was in 3 feet of water. Both species are mixing in the same areas.
“There are probably more smallmouth shallow than largemouth, but the largemouth are much, much bigger.”
Hicks said he caught his fish on a mix of topwater lures, jerkbaits and frogs. He’s optimistic he can catch another good bag Thursday, but he’ll be mindful not to repeat Wednesday’s strategic error.
“I think to go catch a limit of smallmouth is probably not as difficult,” Hicks said. “I probably should have done that today at 2 o’clock instead of staying on my big fish spot.”
Hicks said he believes his area holds plenty of fish for another good run. Wednesday’s hot, still conditions proved challenging across the board, and Hicks said he’s hoping Thursday brings some wind.
“I had a midday lull that hurt today,” Hicks said. “But an hour before I came in, they started showing up again. So, hopefully, I can get on them tomorrow.”
Jason Billmaier of Las Vegas, Nev., is in second place with 9-4. Filling his limit with smallmouth, Billmaier found a one-two punch that delivered the weight.
“I got on a little pattern this morning where they were chasing a Norman DD22 crankbait, and then we were dropping a drop shot on them in 25 feet and catching them,” he said. “I was drop shotting a 4-inch Roboworm in hologram shad.
“Over the weekend, the area I was fishing was really muddy, but I noticed today that it cleared up. The smallmouth were doing their thing for us today, so it worked out.”
Ralph Encizo of Fresno, Calif., is in third place with 8-4. Despite a late boat draw and an engine issue that slowed his running speed, Encizo still reached his starting point and found he had it all to himself.
“I was surprised no one was there, and on my second cast I caught one on a topwater,” Encizo said. “The fish were boiling in there, and my nonboater and I got two keepers each. I moved around twice and culled a few times. I caught my biggest one — a 2 3/4-pounder — around noon.”
Jason Hickey of Weiser, Idaho, is in the lead for Big Bass honors with his 3-8.
Clif Gallagher of Saint George, Utah, leads the co-angler division with 6-4. Gallagher’s day included a kicker — a 3-pound smallmouth that ate a drop shot like the other two smallies that comprised his limit.
“It was about 9:30 when I caught that big one,” Gallagher said. “It had just slowed down and we saw some fish busting shad. I threw my drop shot in there and got bit immediately.”
Ken Simbro of West Haven, Utah, holds the Big Bass lead among co-anglers with a 4-2.
The Arizona B.A.S.S. Nation leads the team competition with a combined weight of 76-14. The Utah B.A.S.S. Nation follows in second with 70-0 and the Nevada B.A.S.S. Nation is third with 68-14.
Thursday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6:15 a.m. PT from Callville Bay Marina. The weigh-in will be held at the marina at 2:15 p.m.
The tournament is being hosted by Visit Henderson.
2020 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional at Lake Mead 9/30-10/2
Lake Mead, Henderson NV.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Justin Hicks Gunnison, CO (UT) 4 10-05 0
2. Jason Billmaier Las Vegas, NV (NV) 5 09-04 0
3. Ralph Encizo Fresno, CA (CA) 5 08-04 0
4. Mike Lavallee Sandy, UT (UT) 5 08-02 0
5. Justin Kerr Lake Havasu, AZ (NV) 5 07-15 0
6. Bill Barkley Peoria, AZ (AZ) 5 07-10 0
7. Ken Day Kennewick, WA (WA) 5 07-08 0
7. Keegan Graves Meridian, ID (ID) 5 07-08 0
9. Bill Brown Grand Junction, CO (UT) 5 07-07 0
10. Tom Wennerlund Tonto Basin, AZ (AZ) 5 07-04 0
11. Addam Gross Pendleton, OR (OR) 4 07-02 0
12. Timmy Wells II Fresno, CA (CA) 5 07-01 0
13. Brent Shores Boise, ID (WY) 5 06-14 0
14. Aaron Leon Henderson, NV (NV) 5 06-11 0
14. Steve Lund Glendale, AZ (AZ) 5 06-11 0
16. Zackery Shaff Richland, WA (WA) 5 06-09 0
17. Jeffry Ball Pendleton, OR (OR) 4 06-04 0
18. Gerald Kimzey Willcox, AZ (AZ) 4 06-04 0
19. Gabe Thomas Tucson, AZ (AZ) 4 06-01 0
20. Timothy Wells Clovis, CA (CA) 4 05-14 0
21. David Erickson Craigmont, ID (ID) 4 05-13 0
22. Jason Hickey Weiser, ID (ID) 3 05-13 0
23. Zach Barnes Boise, ID (ID) 4 05-12 0
23. John Romanin Wolcott, CO (UT) 4 05-12 0
25. Todd Herman Gilbert, AZ (AZ) 5 05-11 0
26. Ryan Yamagata Las Vegas, NV (NV) 4 05-10 0
27. Dan Jordan Camas, WA (OR) 3 05-07 0
28. Mike Dominick Alberton, MT (MT) 3 05-06 0
29. Michael Simon Sr. Henderson, NV (NV) 4 05-04 0
30. Dylan Maxon Phoenix, AZ (AZ) 3 05-04 0
31. Donovan Allphin Manila, UT (UT) 3 05-03 0
32. Rick Culver Taylor, UT (UT) 3 04-14 0
33. Tyrel Faber Pagosa Springs, CO (UT) 4 04-08 0
34. Mike Alvarez Clovis, CA (CA) 3 04-06 0
34. Jason Crone Kalispell, MT (MT) 3 04-06 0
36. Clint Johanson Cle Elum, WA (WA) 4 04-01 0
37. Patrick Davis Henderson, NV (NV) 3 04-00 0
38. Christopher Massey Flagstaff, AZ (AZ) 3 03-15 0
39. Austin Bentz Hermiston, OR (OR) 3 03-11 0
39. Jim Hawkes A.J., AZ (AZ) 3 03-11 0
41. Mel Williams Kennewick, WA (WA) 2 03-11 0
42. Denton Crofts Meridian, ID (ID) 3 03-09 0
43. Joshua Powell Libby, MT (MT) 3 03-07 0
44. Tracy Dursteler Blackfoot, ID (WY) 2 03-03 0
45. Kevin Wiggins Winterheaven, NV (NV) 2 02-14 0
46. Leon Stiffarm Columbia Falls, MT (MT) 2 02-11 0
47. Chris Harvey Idaho Falls, ID (WY) 2 02-10 0
48. Kevin Melford Camarillo, CA (CA) 2 02-09 0
49. Jesse Ortega Las Vegas, NV (NV) 2 02-08 0
49. Kyle Quinnell Kalispell, MT (MT) 2 02-08 0
51. Kyle Gelles Pingree, ID (WY) 2 02-07 0
52. Luke Johns Folsom, CA (CA) 1 02-07 0
53. Nate Crofts Nampa, ID (ID) 2 02-05 0
54. Karl Okerman Sandpoint, ID (MT) 1 02-03 0
55. Bob Mcwilliams Helena, MT (MT) 2 02-02 0
56. Douglas Jones North Las Vegas, NV (NV 1 01-13 0
57. Christian Ostrander Turlock, CA (CA) 1 01-09 0
58. Randy Pierson Grand Junction, CO (UT) 1 01-08 0
59. Kenneth Cleveland Bakersfield, CA (CA) 1 01-06 0
60. James Castillo West Richland, WA (WA) 1 01-05 0
60. Chase Colby Saint George, UT (UT) 1 01-05 0
60. Brent Daybell West Jordan, UT (WY) 1 01-05 0
63. Jason Hemminger Oxnard, CA (CA) 1 01-04 0
64. Michael Tauscher Blackfoot, ID (WY) 1 01-03 0
64. Ron Wiseman Pendleton, OR (OR) 1 01-03 0
66. Dejon Lewis Ventura, CA (CA) 1 01-02 0
67. Mark Clark New Plymouth, ID (ID) 1 01-02 0
68. Cory Hoopes Spring Creek, NV (WY) 1 01-00 0
69. Justin Soppe Middleton, ID (ID) 2 00-15 0
70. Jim Davis Eagle, ID (ID) 0 00-00 0
70. Bret Felter Malad City, ID (WY) 0 00-00 0
70. Forest Kirchner Apache Junction, AZ (AZ 0 00-00 0
70. David Naugle Las Vegas, NV (NV) 0 00-00 0
70. Thomas Nokes Riverton, UT (UT) 0 00-00 0
70. Ronald Schneider Sandy, OR (OR) 0 00-00 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 15 208 304-03
----------------------------------
15 208 304-03
TEAM STANDINGS Day 1
----------------------------------
State Lbs-Oz
1 ARIZONA 76-14
2 UTAH 70-00
3 NEVADA 68-14
4 CALIFORNIA 56-06
5 IDAHO 44-04
6 WYOMING 40-08
7 MONTANA 36-05
8 OREGON 33-00
9 WASHINGTON 28-12
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Ken Day Kennewick, WA 5 07-08 0
2 Zackery Shaff Richland, WA 5 06-09 0
3 Clint Johanson Cle Elum, WA 4 04-01 0
4 Mel Williams Kennewick, WA 2 03-11 0
5 James Castillo West Richland, WA 1 01-05 0
IDAHO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Keegan Graves Meridian, ID 5 07-08 0
2 David Erickson Craigmont, ID 4 05-13 0
3 Jason Hickey Weiser, ID 3 05-13 0
4 Zach Barnes Boise, ID 4 05-12 0
5 Denton Crofts Meridian, ID 3 03-09 0
6 Nate Crofts Nampa, ID 2 02-05 0
7 Mark Clark New Plymouth, ID 1 01-02 0
8 Justin Soppe Middleton, ID 2 00-15 0
9 Jim Davis Eagle, ID 0 00-00 0
OREGON
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Addam Gross Pendleton, OR 4 07-02 0
2 Jeffry Ball Pendleton, OR 4 06-04 0
3 Dan Jordan Camas, WA 3 05-07 0
4 Austin Bentz Hermiston, OR 3 03-11 0
5 Ron Wiseman Pendleton, OR 1 01-03 0
6 Ronald Schneider Sandy, OR 0 00-00 0
ARIZONA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Bill Barkley Peoria, AZ 5 07-10 0
2 Tom Wennerlund Tonto Basin, AZ 5 07-04 0
3 Steve Lund Glendale, AZ 5 06-11 0
4 Gerald Kimzey Willcox, AZ 4 06-04 0
5 Gabe Thomas Tucson, AZ 4 06-01 0
6 Todd Herman Gilbert, AZ 5 05-11 0
7 Dylan Maxon Phoenix, AZ 3 05-04 0
8 Christopher Massey Flagstaff, AZ 3 03-15 0
9 Jim Hawkes A.J., AZ 3 03-11 0
10 Forest Kirchner Apache Junction, AZ 0 00-00 0
WYOMING
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Brent Shores Boise, ID 5 06-14 0
2 Tracy Dursteler Blackfoot, ID 2 03-03 0
3 Chris Harvey Idaho Falls, ID 2 02-10 0
4 Kyle Gelles Pingree, ID 2 02-07 0
5 Brent Daybell West Jordan, UT 1 01-05 0
6 Michael Tauscher Blackfoot, ID 1 01-03 0
7 Cory Hoopes Spring Creek, NV 1 01-00 0
8 Bret Felter Malad City, ID 0 00-00 0
CALIFORNIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Ralph Encizo Fresno, CA 5 08-04 0
2 Timmy Wells II Fresno, CA 5 07-01 0
3 Timothy Wells Clovis, CA 4 05-14 0
4 Mike Alvarez Clovis, CA 3 04-06 0
5 Kevin Melford Camarillo, CA 2 02-09 0
6 Luke Johns Folsom, CA 1 02-07 0
7 Christian Ostrander Turlock, CA 1 01-09 0
8 Kenneth Cleveland Bakersfield, CA 1 01-06 0
9 Jason Hemminger Oxnard, CA 1 01-04 0
10 Dejon Lewis Ventura, CA 1 01-02 0
MONTANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Mike Dominick Alberton, MT 3 05-06 0
2 Jason Crone Kalispell, MT 3 04-06 0
3 Joshua Powell Libby, MT 3 03-07 0
4 Leon Stiffarm Columbia Falls, MT 2 02-11 0
5 Kyle Quinnell Kalispell, MT 2 02-08 0
6 Karl Okerman Sandpoint, ID 1 02-03 0
7 Bob Mcwilliams Helena, MT 2 02-02 0
UTAH
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Justin Hicks Gunnison, CO 4 10-05 0
2 Mike Lavallee Sandy, UT 5 08-02 0
3 Bill Brown Grand Junction, CO 5 07-07 0
4 John Romanin Wolcott, CO 4 05-12 0
5 Donovan Allphin Manila, UT 3 05-03 0
6 Rick Culver Taylor, UT 3 04-14 0
7 Tyrel Faber Pagosa Springs, CO 4 04-08 0
8 Randy Pierson Grand Junction, CO 1 01-08 0
9 Chase Colby Saint George, UT 1 01-05 0
10 Thomas Nokes Riverton, UT 0 00-00 0
NEVADA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jason Billmaier Las Vegas, NV 5 09-04 0
2 Justin Kerr Lake Havasu, AZ 5 07-15 0
3 Aaron Leon Henderson, NV 5 06-11 0
4 Ryan Yamagata Las Vegas, NV 4 05-10 0
5 Michael Simon Sr. Henderson, NV 4 05-04 0
6 Patrick Davis Henderson, NV 3 04-00 0
7 Kevin Wiggins Winterheaven, NV 2 02-14 0
8 Jesse Ortega Las Vegas, NV 2 02-08 0
9 Douglas Jones North Las Vegas, NV 1 01-13 0
10 David Naugle Las Vegas, NV 0 00-00 0
2020 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional at Lake Mead 9/30-10/2
Lake Mead, Henderson NV.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Clif Gallagher Saint George, UT (WY) 3 06-04 0
2. Jake Morrison Scottsdale, AZ (AZ) 3 05-14 0
3. Greg Pink Montrose, CO (UT) 3 04-14 0
4. Aaryn Coroneos Henderson, NV (NV) 3 04-13 0
5. Hayden Spradling Gilbert, AZ (AZ) 3 04-12 0
6. Terry Peterson West Jordan, UT (UT) 3 04-08 0
7. Brandon Morton San Tan Valley, AZ (AZ) 2 04-07 0
8. Ric Blair Whitefish, MT (MT) 3 04-04 0
9. Douglas Gaskill Las Vegas, NV (NV) 3 04-02 0
10. Ken Simbro West Haven, UT (UT) 1 04-02 0
11. Dean Yamagata Las Vegas, NV (NV) 3 04-01 0
12. Paul Gelles Pingree, ID (WY) 3 04-00 0
13. Michael Evans Idaho Falls, ID (WY) 3 03-14 0
14. James Hollingshead Clarkston, WA (WA) 3 03-13 0
15. Chaunteil Carte' Gresham, OR (WY) 2 03-13 0
16. Tim Meeks Elk Grove, CA (CA) 3 03-11 0
17. Larry Warren LaVerkin, UT (NV) 3 03-10 0
18. Brian Senter Newton, TX (AZ) 2 03-09 0
19. Tas Moua Fresno, CA (CA) 3 03-08 0
20. Scott Seros Bend, OR (OR) 2 03-07 0
20. Josh Stewart Star, ID (ID) 2 03-07 0
22. Tom McArt Jr Albany, OR (OR) 2 03-03 0
23. Austin Johnson Noxon, MT (MT) 2 03-02 0
24. Aldo Acevedo North Hollywood, CA (CA 2 02-13 0
24. Jake Krause Litchfield Park, AZ (AZ 2 02-13 0
26. Elli Hubbard Las Vegas, NV (NV) 2 02-12 0
27. Jake Hansen Bozeman, MT (MT) 1 02-11 0
28. Jonathan Bryson Las Vegas, NV (NV) 2 02-10 0
29. Jeffrey Ramey Cameron Park, CA (CA) 2 02-09 0
30. Bo Dalton Vernal, UT (UT) 2 02-06 0
31. Matthew Barnes Pensacola, FL (ID) 2 02-06 0
32. Nathan Towes Bakersfield, CA (CA) 2 02-05 0
33. Walter Haltom Malad City, ID (UT) 1 02-05 0
34. Hunter Dahnke Missoula, MT (MT) 2 02-02 0
35. Samuel Collins Chino Valley, AZ (AZ) 1 02-00 0
36. Greg Jager Kennewick, WA (WA) 1 01-13 0
37. Mark Torrez Camarillo, CA (CA) 1 01-09 0
38. Stephen Spear Boise, ID (ID) 1 01-08 0
38. David Vega McCammon , ID (WY) 1 01-08 0
40. Kong Moua Sacramento, CA (CA) 1 01-07 0
40. Jake Weaver Columbia Fls, MT (MT) 1 01-07 0
42. Logan DeGree Redmond, OR (OR) 1 01-06 0
42. Andrew Sayles Middleton, ID (CA) 1 01-06 0
42. Earl Wells Payette, ID (WY) 1 01-06 0
45. Kevin Pierson Hermiston, OR (OR) 1 01-05 0
46. Jose Gutierrez Bakersfield, CA (CA) 1 01-04 0
47. Trent Perry Huntsville, UT (UT) 1 01-03 0
48. Jeremy Kimberling Rathdrum, ID (ID) 1 01-02 0
49. Tim Rawlings Malad City, ID (WY) 1 01-01 0
49. Ricky Tejada Coeur D Alene, ID (ID) 1 01-01 0
51. David Bertsch Harrisy, ID (ID) 1 01-00 0
51. Kyle Harris San Tan Valley, AZ (AZ) 1 01-00 0
53. Melissa Nokes Lehi, UT (UT) 2 00-15 0
54. Dale Loseke Meridian, ID (ID) 1 00-15 0
54. Mike Steckel Las Vegas, NV (NV) 1 00-15 0
56. Billy Ricker Clinton, UT (UT) 1 00-11 0
57. Jake Aubrey Glendale, AZ (AZ) 0 00-00 0
57. Chris Cruz Ogden, UT (UT) 0 00-00 0
57. Thomas Edwards Gilbert, AZ (AZ) 0 00-00 0
57. Luis Gonzalez San Rafael, CA (CA) 0 00-00 0
57. Quincy Grupenhoff Noxon, MT (MT) 0 00-00 0
57. Kevin Higgins Bonney Lake, WA (WA) 0 00-00 0
57. Ken Hromada Chandler, AZ (AZ) 0 00-00 0
57. Nathanial Kimberling Coeur D Alene, ID (ID) 0 00-00 0
57. Jerry Lake Cottage Grove, OR (OR) 0 00-00 0
57. Steve Larsen Henderson, NV (NV) 0 00-00 0
57. Cher Moua Missoula, MT (MT) 0 00-00 0
57. Jon Pollock Lakewood, CO (WY) 0 00-00 0
57. Kenneth Sitton Albany, OR (OR) 0 00-00 0
57. Mark Smith Tacoma, WA (WA) 0 00-00 0
57. Cody Steckel Las Vegas, NV (NV) 0 00-00 0
57. Sean Sullivan Henderson, NV (NV) 0 00-00 0
57. Josh Thalman Saratoga Springs, UT (U 0 00-00 0
57. Luke White Coeur D Alene, ID (ID) 0 00-00 0
57. Tyler Wipf West Richland, WA (WA) 0 00-00 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 15 103 150-12
----------------------------------
15 103 150-12
TEAM STANDINGS Day 1
----------------------------------
State Lbs-Oz
1 ARIZONA 76-14
2 UTAH 70-00
3 NEVADA 68-14
4 CALIFORNIA 56-06
5 IDAHO 44-04
6 WYOMING 40-08
7 MONTANA 36-05
8 OREGON 33-00
9 WASHINGTON 28-12
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 James Hollingshead Clarkston, WA 3 03-13 0
2 Greg Jager Kennewick, WA 1 01-13 0
3 Kevin Higgins Bonney Lake, WA 0 00-00 0
3 Mark Smith Tacoma, WA 0 00-00 0
3 Tyler Wipf West Richland, WA 0 00-00 0
IDAHO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Josh Stewart Star, ID 2 03-07 0
2 Matthew Barnes Pensacola, FL 2 02-06 0
3 Stephen Spear Boise, ID 1 01-08 0
4 Jeremy Kimberling Rathdrum, ID 1 01-02 0
5 Ricky Tejada Coeur D Alene, ID 1 01-01 0
6 David Bertsch Harrisy, ID 1 01-00 0
7 Dale Loseke Meridian, ID 1 00-15 0
8 Nathanial Kimberling Coeur D Alene, ID 0 00-00 0
8 Luke White Coeur D Alene, ID 0 00-00 0
OREGON
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Scott Seros Bend, OR 2 03-07 0
2 Tom McArt Jr Albany, OR 2 03-03 0
3 Logan DeGree Redmond, OR 1 01-06 0
4 Kevin Pierson Hermiston, OR 1 01-05 0
5 Jerry Lake Cottage Grove, OR 0 00-00 0
5 Kenneth Sitton Albany, OR 0 00-00 0
ARIZONA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jake Morrison Scottsdale, AZ 3 05-14 0
2 Hayden Spradling Gilbert, AZ 3 04-12 0
3 Brandon Morton San Tan Valley, AZ 2 04-07 0
4 Brian Senter Newton, TX 2 03-09 0
5 Jake Krause Litchfield Park, AZ 2 02-13 0
6 Samuel Collins Chino Valley, AZ 1 02-00 0
7 Kyle Harris San Tan Valley, AZ 1 01-00 0
8 Jake Aubrey Glendale, AZ 0 00-00 0
8 Thomas Edwards Gilbert, AZ 0 00-00 0
8 Ken Hromada Chandler, AZ 0 00-00 0
WYOMING
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Clif Gallagher Saint George, UT 3 06-04 0
2 Paul Gelles Pingree, ID 3 04-00 0
3 Michael Evans Idaho Falls, ID 3 03-14 0
4 Chaunteil Carte' Gresham, OR 2 03-13 0
5 David Vega McCammon , ID 1 01-08 0
6 Earl Wells Payette, ID 1 01-06 0
7 Tim Rawlings Malad City, ID 1 01-01 0
8 Jon Pollock Lakewood, CO 0 00-00 0
CALIFORNIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Tim Meeks Elk Grove, CA 3 03-11 0
2 Tas Moua Fresno, CA 3 03-08 0
3 Aldo Acevedo North Hollywood, CA 2 02-13 0
4 Jeffrey Ramey Cameron Park, CA 2 02-09 0
5 Nathan Towes Bakersfield, CA 2 02-05 0
6 Mark Torrez Camarillo, CA 1 01-09 0
7 Kong Moua Sacramento, CA 1 01-07 0
8 Andrew Sayles Middleton, ID 1 01-06 0
9 Jose Gutierrez Bakersfield, CA 1 01-04 0
10 Luis Gonzalez San Rafael, CA 0 00-00 0
MONTANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Ric Blair Whitefish, MT 3 04-04 0
2 Austin Johnson Noxon, MT 2 03-02 0
3 Jake Hansen Bozeman, MT 1 02-11 0
4 Hunter Dahnke Missoula, MT 2 02-02 0
5 Jake Weaver Columbia Fls, MT 1 01-07 0
6 Quincy Grupenhoff Noxon, MT 0 00-00 0
6 Cher Moua Missoula, MT 0 00-00 0
UTAH
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Greg Pink Montrose, CO 3 04-14 0
2 Terry Peterson West Jordan, UT 3 04-08 0
3 Ken Simbro West Haven, UT 1 04-02 0
4 Bo Dalton Vernal, UT 2 02-06 0
5 Walter Haltom Malad City, ID 1 02-05 0
6 Trent Perry Huntsville, UT 1 01-03 0
7 Melissa Nokes Lehi, UT 2 00-15 0
8 Billy Ricker Clinton, UT 1 00-11 0
9 Chris Cruz Ogden, UT 0 00-00 0
9 Josh Thalman Saratoga Springs, UT 0 00-00 0
NEVADA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Aaryn Coroneos Henderson, NV 3 04-13 0
2 Douglas Gaskill Las Vegas, NV 3 04-02 0
3 Dean Yamagata Las Vegas, NV 3 04-01 0
4 Larry Warren LaVerkin, UT 3 03-10 0
5 Elli Hubbard Las Vegas, NV 2 02-12 0
6 Jonathan Bryson Las Vegas, NV 2 02-10 0
7 Mike Steckel Las Vegas, NV 1 00-15 0
8 Steve Larsen Henderson, NV 0 00-00 0
8 Cody Steckel Las Vegas, NV 0 00-00 0
8 Sean Sullivan Henderson, NV 0 00-00 0