Branson, MO., March 28, 2011 — The second stop of the 2011 Oakley Big Bass Tour was held on Table Rock Lake this past weekend as Bass Pro Shops and Big Cedar Lodge played host for the 2nd annual Kevin VanDam Big Bass Classic.   The tough weather condition trend carried over to Table Rock as strong storms ushered in the event weekend.  Despite the weather, anglers were not deterred and a record number of big fish were brought to the scales on day one. “We had a record number of anglers competing this year and they definitely battled the elements on both days,” said Louis Wellen of Oakley Sports Marketing.  “The quality of the fish weighed on Saturday was very impressive given the conditions,” added Wellen.  Saturday’s competition ended with Wayne Youngblood in the lead with an 8.70-pound bass he brought to the scales in the 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. hour. 

Despite an improvement in the weather conditions, the fishing on Sunday proved to be more difficult and Youngblood’s lead wasn’t challenged, as none of the day’s fish broke the 8 pound mark.  Wayne’s big bass earned him 2011 bragging rights along with a Nitro Z9 powered by a250hp Mercury Pro XS and a Power Pole.  The grand prize, coupled with the additional hourly checks earned by Wayne, brought his two day total cash and prize payout to just over $46,000.

“We would like to thank Kevin as well as Bass Pro Shops and Big Cedar Lodge for their first class hospitality.  This was an outstanding event,” Wellen added.  The next stop on the 2011 Oakley Big Bass Tour schedule is Jamie McMurray’s Carolina Big Bass Classic on Lake Norman, April 30th & May 1st.  For more information regarding upcoming events please visit www.oakleybigbass.com.

Wayne Youngblood wins the KVD Big Bass Classic

About the Oakley Big Bass Tour:

The Oakley Big Bass Tour is a premier big bass tournament series open to all amateur anglers. The tour provides anglers of all skill levels with an exciting tournament format and event experience on some of the nations best bass fisheries. Since it was established in 2007 the tour has focused upon the promotion of bass fishing and bass conservation at the grass roots level. The 2011 Oakley Big Bass Tour features the following six tournaments: Lake Conroe Big Bass Classic, Kevin VanDam Big Bass Classic, Jamie McMurray’s Carolina Big Bass Classic, Blue Ridge Big Bass Classic, Kelly Jordon Big Bass Classic and the Gerald Swindle Big Bass Classic. For more information regarding tour events please visit www.oakleybigbass.com or call (877) 958-TOUR (8687).