Jake Lee (left) and Jacob Foutz of Bryan College won the 2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops on Lake Bemidji out of Bemidji, Minn., with a three-day total weight of 49 pounds, 15 ounces.
Photo by Ronnie Moore/B.A.S.S.

August 12, 2017

BEMIDJI, Minn. — The Bryan College duo of Jacob Foutz and Jake Lee led the 2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops on Lake Bemidji wire-to-wire to take the title with a three-day total of 49 pounds, 15 ounces.

A big storyline of the week was the fishing pressure that Stump Lake was receiving from over 75 percent of the field. Most wondered if it would hold up over three days of competition, but Lee and Foutz didn’t test it, sticking to their game plan in Lake Irving just south of Lake Bemidji.

The Bryan College teammates had a two-prong approach to catch their winning weight as they threw a frog early in the morning and flipped a Texas rig for the remainder of the day. It didn’t seem to matter what type of cover they fished, but rather the bait they were flipping. They used a 4 1/2-inch black and blue Strike King Flipping Tube with a 3/8-ounce tungsten weight and a 5/0 Trokar hook.

“In the morning we had a frog bite going on and we caught a couple key fish every morning,” Foutz said. “As soon as the sun came up that bite faded and we would start flipping docks and shoreline cover.”

Today’s conditions were slightly different as the algae on Lake Irving began to die off and it produced a film on the top of the water.

“Today we managed to get a frog bite later in the day because of some overhanging trees and the shade they produced,” Lee said.

Throughout the week the duo executed to perfection as they hooked and landed all nine bass that contributed to their leading weight, but today they lost some important bites that stalled their progress on sealing this event. Saturday’s action reverted to how their Thursday went as it took all day to catch their final weight tally. Lee and Foutz didn’t cull a single fish the entire week of competition. The fish that went in their livewell stayed until 2 p.m. every day when they were weighed on the B.A.S.S. stage.

Both Lee and Foutz are products of high school fishing. Lee was in the inaugural Bassmaster High School All-American class and both anglers carried their high school experiences into their freshman year of college where they are now crowned the 2017 National Champions.

“This week was amazing, it showed us that we can come here and compete with the best college anglers in the country,” Foutz and Lee said. “The goal is to always win a national championship, but now our sights are focused on the bracket. Hopefully, we can carry this momentum there.”

Lee and Foutz outlasted a hard-charging Top 12 group of anglers as they had their toughest day of the week and brought 15-5 to the scales. It was enough to top second place Cole Floyd and Carter McNeil of Bethel University who weighed 45-4 over three days. With their Day 2 weight of 18-4, Lee and Foutz claimed the big bag of the event.

Floyd and McNeil’s weight got better every day as they went from 14-12 to 15-1 and settled out at 15-7 on Championship Saturday. As the week progressed their pattern and target location slowly developed, which is a key reason for their increase in weight each day.

The duo flipped grass and reeds in both Stump Lake and Lake Irving. Their best lure ended up being a 1/2-ounce Texas-rigged Berkley Havoc Pit Boss, which they pitched to both sparse and thick cover.

“We started the week fishing in Stump Lake where most of the field fished,” McNeil said. “We caught four and at the end of the day (and) stopped in Lake Irving and caught two key fish.”

That set the tone for the rest of their event as they dedicated Friday morning to Lake Irving before going to Stump Lake and then today they never left sight of the mouth of Irving as they camped out and managed 15-7.

“To increase our weight every day is hard to do, especially in a multiday event,” Floyd said. “I can’t complain with how it went this week.”

Tyler Firebaugh and Chad Sweitzer of Chico State University placed third overall and punched their ticket to the 2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket presented by Bass Pro Shops with a three-day weight of 40 pounds, 8 ounces. They focused their efforts in Stump Lake and fished extremely slow on Championship Saturday to catch their weight.

“I pitched a weightless Gary Yamamoto Flappin’ Hog and let it sit for as long as 60 seconds per cast today,” Sweitzer said.

Slower was better for the California duo because of the immense pressure on the Stump Lake region.

Brian Pahl and John Garrett of Bethel University managed to sneak into the fourth-place spot, claiming the final bracket positions as they edged out teammates Garrett Enders and Cody Huff by just 2 ounces.

The Top 4 teams will now split into eight individual anglers and compete in the College Classic Bracket where they will fish head-to-head starting on Monday, August 14, on Serpent Lake, Minnesota.

Lee and Foutz took home additional rewards along with their winning prize as they also won the Livingston Lures Day 2 Leader Award of $500 in merchandise. Logan Laprarie and Aaron Belgard of Northwestern State University won the big bass of the event because of their 6-6 largemouth on Thursday.

Bemidji State University and Visit Bemidji hosted the event.

2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Carhartt

2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops

2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Premier Sponsors: Yamaha, Berkley, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Huk, Skeeter Boats, Humminbird, Mercury, Shell Rotella, Triton Boats

2017 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Supporting Sponsors: Phoenix Boats, Livingston Lures, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Lowrance, Costa, Shimano, St. Croix Rods, ABU Garcia, Advance Auto Parts

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan Outdoors, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
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Media Contact: JamieDay Matthews, 205-313-0945, [email protected] or Dave Precht, 205-313-0931, [email protected]

Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops

8/10/2017 – 8/12/2017

Bemidji Chain of Lakes – Paul Bunyan Park – Bemidji, MN

STANDINGS BOATER DAY 3

Name # Fish # Live Lbs – Oz # Fish # Live Lbs – Oz

1 Jacob Foutz – Jake Lee Bryan College 5 5 15- 5 14 14 49-15

2 Cole Floyd – Carter McNeil Bethel University 5 5 15- 7 15 15 45- 4

3 Tyler Firebaugh – Chad Sweitzer Chico State 5 5 15- 3 14 14 40- 8

4 Brian Pahl – John Garrett Bethel University 5 5 15- 8 14 14 39- 7

5 Garrett Enders – Cody Huff Bethel University 5 5 13-13 15 15 39- 5

6 Josh Worth – Colorado Mesa University 4 4 13-13 13 12 38- 7

7 Hunter McCarty – Sloan Pennington U. of North Alabama 5 5 12- 2 15 14 36- 6

8 John Duarte – Chesley Alford Coastal Carolina University 5 5 12- 5 13 13 35- 9

9 Thor Swanson – Mitch Swanson Bemidji State University 2 2 5-14 12 12 33- 5

10 Patrick Walters – Tyler All University of South Carolina 3 3 5-13 13 13 29- 9

11 Sam Carris – John Berry Tennessee Tech University 3 3 6- 1 13 13 29- 3

12 Tyler Craig – Spencer Lambert University of Louisiana at Monroe 1 1 1- 8 10 10 23-15

13 Daniel Kennedy – Cody Stahl SCAD 6 6 22- 5

14 Nick Ratliff – Luke Patterson Campbellsville University 10 9 22- 4

15 Tyler Rivet – Cameron Naquin Nicholls State University 8 8 22- 4

16 Brody McWilliams – Tristan Gold Indiana University 8 8 21-13

17 Cole Sands – Nathan Bell Bryan College 9 9 21-13

18 Brady Bowden – Tyler Pennington Faulkner University 6 6 19- 6

19 Trent Newman – Zackery Hines Dallas Baptist University 9 9 19- 2

20 Stetson Overton – Cason Kelley Tarleton State University 9 9 17-13

21 Chase Chastain – Andrew Fisher Jacksonville State University 5 5 17- 4

22 Noah Pescitelli – Sean Hall SCAD 9 9 17- 2

23 Corey Neece – Nick Hatfield Tusculum College 4 4 15-10

24 Jake Dorony – Hunter Scharphorn Lake Superior State University 7 7 15- 3

25 Austin Handley – Caleb Wozniak Auburn University 7 7 15- 0

26 Sheldon Rogge – Travis Blenn Kansas State University 6 6 14- 9

27 Rick Couch Jr – John Kaufman U. of Central Florida 6 6 14- 8

28 J T Russell – Chase Grubbs University of Montevallo 5 5 14- 5

29 John Jay – Grant Pietsch Texas A&M University 7 7 14- 3

30 Justin Seeton – Dakota Ebare Tarleton State University 7 7 14- 0

31 TJ Tucker – Bennett Pierce Arkansas Tech University 5 5 13-14

32 JP Kimbrough – Jared Rascoe LSU Shreveport 5 5 13-12

33 Travis McGuire – Layne Bynum Texas Tech University 5 5 13- 7

34 Austin Carr – Justin Carr Heartland Community College 5 5 13- 6

35 Luke Gillund – Robby Troje Bemidji State University 6 6 13- 2

36 Justin St Onge – Ryan McLaughlin Haywood Community College 6 6 12-13

37 Anderson Aldag – Lee Mattox University of Alabama 3 3 12-10

38 Lawrence Kuznik – Dakota Moore University of Louisiana at LaFayette 3 3 12- 3

39 Hunter Ward – Stewart Ward Central Alabama Comm College 6 6 12- 3

40 Matt Brown – DJ Barber Bryan College 4 4 11-11

41 Keegan Russell – Lake Superior State University 5 5 11- 5

42 Collin Cropp – Louie Dazzo U. of Wisconsin Whitewater 4 4 10- 7

43 Tanner Ward – Kent State 5 5 10- 5

44 Nolan Minor – Casey Lanier West Virginia University 5 5 9-15

45 Aaron Belgard – Logan Laprarie Northwestern State University 2 2 9- 7

46 Ben Stone – Collin Smith Lander University 4 4 9- 4

47 Dawson Cranford – Charles Norris University of Louisiana at LaFayette 4 4 9- 4

48 Jacob Louis – JT Russell McKendree University 3 3 9- 2

49 Michael Rollert – Corbin Davis Texas A&M University 3 3 9- 2

50 Jacob Wall – University of Oregon 4 4 9- 1

51 Zane Loveday – Denver Satterlee Calhoun Community College 4 4 8- 3

52 Austin Mize – Parker Davis U. of North Alabama 3 3 7-11

53 Benjamin Hager – Noah Shaver UNC Charlotte 4 4 7-11

54 Andrew Warbington – Brant Lewis University of West Alabama 4 4 7- 7

55 Jonathan Kelley – Max McQuaide Coastal Carolina University 4 4 7- 4

56 John Moore – Clark Mannas Texas A&M University 4 4 7- 2

57 Jesse Erb – Gavin Oswalt University of Pittsburgh 3 2 6-10

58 Luke Parlow – Brad Burton Missouri State University 4 4 6- 8

59 Baylor Ronemus – Cole Tinsley Clemson University 2 2 6- 8

60 Jacob Harris – Tyler Smith Southeast Missouri State University 2 2 6- 7

61 Ryan Winchester – Tyler Black Bethel University 2 2 6- 6

62 Reed Foster – Colt Benedict Dallas Baptist University 5 5 6- 6

63 Dillon Harrell – Dustin Moreno Sam Houston State University 2 2 6- 6

64 Hunter Freeman – Thomas Soileau University of Louisiana at Monroe 5 5 6- 2

65 Nicholas Moore – Sean Solomon Southeast Missouri State University 2 2 6- 1

66 Joshua Butts – Reid Conner Wallace State Hanceville 2 2 6- 0

67 Brandon Black – Chase Christie University of West Georgia 1 1 5-14

68 Brandon Bland – Spencer DeFoor U. of South Alabama 2 2 5-10

69 Matthew Bowden – Barton Courtney Texas Tech University 2 2 5- 9

70 Brandon Simoneaux – Colby Ogden Lamar University 2 2 4-13

71 Lance Freeman – Cameron Brooks Murray State University 1 1 4- 4

72 Evan Owrey – KJ Queen Bethel University 2 2 4- 2

73 Max Gresham – Zack Blake Valdosta State University 2 2 3-15

74 Michael Fisher – Brandon Padilla Jacksonville State University 1 1 3-13

75 Dylan Kear – Dalton Price Bryan College 1 1 3-12

76 Connor Chapman – Jaron Deal Kennesaw State University 1 1 3-10

77 Chandler Robertson – Austin Culbertson University of Missouri 1 1 3- 7

78 Crosley Welch – Matt Fielder Missouri State University 2 2 3- 4

79 Gregory Green – Dustin Nash Northwestern State University 1 1 2-14

80 Tristan Thomas – Ty Johnston U. of North Georgia 2 2 2-11

81 Austin Butler – Will Gentry Murray State University 1 1 2-11

82 Paul Davis – Shane Parker Missouri State University 1 1 2-10

83 Dalton Childers – Auburn University 1 1 2- 7

84 Justin Guarnaccio – Michael Tesch University of Wisconsin Stout 2 2 2- 7

85 Zachary Ramsey – Joshua Rockefeller Augusta University 1 1 1-11

86 Gavyn Bridges – Dylan Anderson UT Chattanooga 0 0 0- 0

86 Qiurun Chen – Johns Hopkins University 0 0 0- 0

86 Hunter Louden – Cully Scroggins Bethel University 0 0 0- 0

86 Hunter Mills – Hunter McKinley Murray State University 0 0 0- 0

86 Brock Wilke – Brady Faust McKendree University 0 0 0- 0

BIG BASS

Day Name City,State Lbs-Oz

1 Aaron Belgard – Logan Laprarie Deville, LA 6- 6

2 Sheldon Rogge – Travis Blenn St George, KS 4-14

3 Tyler Craig – Spencer Lambert Frierson, LA 1- 8