Poe's Super Cedar crankbaits were the cats pajama's in the late 80's and early 90's and if you were crankbaiting and didn't have one on you were missing the boat.  A large part of David Fritts success during that time was a result of Poes.

 

A very unique shape, creative colors, and super strong hooks and hardware made them different than anything on the market at that time. Large painted eyes, rounded tail section and an oversized upward curved bill provides for a compact bait but one with a large enough profile to trigger larger bass.

 

Jim Bagley had perfected the balsa baits but cedar fished differently. They wobbled less, much tighter, and produced a natural swimming action that fish had not seen before. Firing up the school was easy with the Poe's Super Cedar. They also have a more natural buoyancy factor because of the denseness of cedar. That made them suspend a bit longer before floating up slowly on a stop and go retrieve. Many of the most violent hits occur when the bait is stopped. The big bill of the 300/400 series deflects off of objects well and because they are heavier they can be cast a country mile, even in the wind. The aerodynamic nature of the body shape proved effective on the cast and while in the water too. Choosing between the 300 and 400 plus is based on depth and fish position.

 

 

Building a crankbait from wood has been done for ions. Some of the first crankbiats were handcarved. Because of the wood construction It usually means that some tuning is required. Building baits out of wood takes painstaking effort from shape to painting. Plastic and composite lures may be more consistent out of the box, but wood lures, especially cedar lures have a unique tighter wobber and inherant buoyancy that cannot be matched.

 

Worden's Bait Company now manufactures Poe's.

 

At one time there was an issue with paint cracking but that has long since been taken care of and these baits are now again super durable as a result.

 

The Poe's 300 and 400 Plus are still a big part of our arsenal today. The secret to the bait consists of two things. One is the cedar and the other is the line tie that is postioned horizontally to the rear hook. A direct line of pull from the angler to the fish makes for less lost fish and a more natural action. As mentioned above, the bill design creates a tight wobble that allows the Super Cedars to move through structure with less resistance. You can crank them all day without wearing you out. 

 

The excellent color selection, deep diving capability, and exceptional durability makes Poes Super Cedar Crankbaits a must for fishing deep points and ledges. Poe's Super Cedar crankbaits are priced at $7.49 which makes them a good buy and you can purchase them by clicking here.

BASS is offering the gift of BASS for Christmas and for a very low price of $10.00 you get 11 issues of Bassmaster Magazine. That is a 81% savings off of regular suscription pricing. This is a limited time offer and is available by clicking here. 

 

Our sincere thanks to all of the Wired2Fish readers for taking this ride with us and loving the sport that is our passion. This time of year is truly about family and friends and all of us at Wired2Fish wish each of you a great turkey day.

 

Give thanks for all your blessings and our freedom. Also, as you sit down for your meal don't forget about our service men and women who protect our freedoms away from their families on this day of thanks. 

Thanks again for believing in what we do.  We truly do appreciate each of you!

 

Shopping for the perfect Christmas gift for the die hard angler doesn't have to be tough. Running through Monday November 30th Tackle Warehouse has some great bargains on name brand fishing tackle. No hassles, no crowds and great products all delivered to your doorstep. If your order is more than $50, your shipping is free. It doesn't get any better than that. Click here to take part in Black Friday, Fishing Style, at Tackle Warehouse. 

Elite Series pro Stephen Browning is more than a bass angler. He is a true outdoorsman and now has the credentials to prove it as well. When he gets away from it all, he truly gets away from it all and his recent National Geographic trip was one only for the tough. Today on Unplugged Wired Contributor Pete Robbins does an expose on the "Nature Boy". Its a fantastic read. To take a look click here.

As they reached the end of the street on their bikes, the neighborhood kids had a choice to make. Most went one way, to the swimming pool and the ball fields

 

 

Carlisle signs as the Official Specialty Tire/Wheel Sponsor of American Bass Anglers

Athens, AL -- Carlisle Tire and Wheel Company, the leading manufacturer of Lawn and Garden, Trailer, ATV, Agriculture and Construction tires, has joined today American Bass Anglers as a sponsor of the Bassmaster Weekend Series, The American Fishing Tour, The American Couples Series and the annual Military Team Bass Tournament. The sponsorship will include a special incentive program as well as special offers to all ABA members.

“At Carlisle, we make tires for the way America lives-- whether it is riding your ATV, cutting your lawn or pulling your boat to the lake, Carlisle makes the right tire”, said Rick Federinko, Director of Sales & Marketing, Carlisle Tire & Wheel Company. “We believe this makes us a perfect fit with American Bass Anglers who are a great group of outdoor enthusiast that are buying and using Carlisle tires every day. We look forward to a great 2010 season on the tournament trail”, concluded Federinko.

“This is a great American company with a great American line of products”, said Morris Sheehan, President of American Bass Anglers. “Triton Boats already uses Carlisle tires on many of its boat trailers, because they make such a quality product. I strongly believe in partnering with companies like Carlisle that not only make great quality products, but products we depend on every day. We look forward to a very dynamic partnership with Carlisle”, conclude Sheehan.

About Carlisle Companies

Carlisle is a diversified global manufacturing company serving the construction materials, commercial roofing, specialty tire and wheel, power transmission, heavy-duty brake and friction, heavy-haul truck trailer, refrigerated truck body, foodservice, aerospace, and test and measurement industries.

About American Bass Anglers
American Bass Anglers is the largest tournament organization for the weekend angler. 
American Bass Anglers operates the American Fishing Tour, The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series and the American Couples Series. Each tour is designed specifically for the weekend angler, offering low-cost and close-to-home events where anglers can qualify for a larger championship. For more information on American Bass Anglers, visit www.americanbassanglers.com.

 

Mike Iaconelli is all about kids. He stands and signs autographs in the rain for kids, he works on projects for kids and he makes sure that they get the information they want about fishing.

 

As promised, Mike Iaconelli has cut off his famous chin hair to be auctioned off to help with a great cause. Iaconelli has teamed up with Eli Delany to help raise money and awareness for Autism. Mike and Eli have previously worked together on Autism Awareness with the "Fishin With A Mission" decal campaign.

Eli is deeply grateful that Mike has once again, come to aid his efforts in helping kids with Autism and their families. Eli says, “It never ceases to amaze me how he can fish at the highest level of our sport, while giving so much of his time to kids and their causes.”

All proceeds for the auction will go to the New England Center for Children, which is a school for autism in Southborough, Massachusetts. The school is an award winning private, nonprofit education center dedicated to bringing out human potential and creating productive lives for autistic children.

Eli and Mike felt the auction could, also, serve to further the "Fishin' with a Mission" decal program. The "Fishin' with a Mission" decal program was started in 2009 to create Autism Awareness in the fishing community throughout the United States. Fishing pros or anyone interested in helping out with the program can go to www.mylittlebuddysboat.com. There they will find links and information about Autism, as well as, how to get the decals.

"More than anything, it's important to bring awareness to Autism" Ike said. Autism is the fastest growing disability in the United States. A child is diagnosed with Autism every 21 minutes and it now affects 1 in every 91 children in the US.

The beard has been placed in a small display case and includes Mike's signature and an official document of authenticity. For more information go to www.mikeiaconelli.com or www.mylittlebuddysboat.com. Or go to E-Bay auctions and type in key words "Ike's Beard."

 

We spoke to this years Bassmaster Classic winner and runner-up for the BASS Elite Series AOY Skeet Reese at ICAST and he said he wanted it. We hope he gets involved.  Editors note: Remember the Wired TV video we did with him at this years ICAST show where he said he wanted to tape it to his Classic Trophy? 

 

This should be fun and it will go to a great cause.

 

 

 

Just about the time that we thought we had completed the work on our Ranger Banshee we found a killer new product from Ultra Tuff that puts a tough rubberized coating on fiberglass. Using a polyurethane water soluble product with rubber particals makes a non-skid coating that is light weight and looks great. A special roller is needed.

 

 Preparation includes a clean surface, a little coarse sandpaper, special primer and a bit of patience and you are ready to rumble. Other uses includes concrete, wood and metal.

 

 

Clean and neat and looks like it came from the factory this way. We also added the center decking and placed the gas tank in the compartment. We vented the compartment for flow throw air movement.

 

To learn more about Ultra Tuff click here.

Wired photo

 

We would have bet our bottom dollar that Zoom could not have produced a better soft plastic swim bait than the Super Fluke. They may have just done it with their new Swimming Super Fluke!

 

New formulation, kicking boot tail and with enough bulk to be cast a country mile. You don't even need a weighed hook! The Swimming Super Fluke comes 5 to the package and it wiggles more than a bowl of snakes in the water.  Look for a Wired2Fish contest very soon on this new product from Zoom!

 

Mike McClelland and Jeff Kriet travel together on the Elite Series. One is organized and neat, McClelland, and the other is messy and unorganized, Kriet. Even though they are oposites their friendship is one of trust and information sharing. Today on Wired Radio with Terry Brown McClelland talks about his good friend and how opposites sometimes do attract! To listen click here.

 

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Big Bite Baits Dean Rojas 4.5 and 5.5 Cane Stick Contest. Dean runs a Yamaha on a Skeeter Boat and this year it will be filled with Fighting Frogs and Cane Sticks. Big Bite is a Eufaula, Alabama based company and decided to do the Cane Stick right by putting 10 baits in the bag. With two heads on the Cane Stick one bag can last a long time.

 

The winners of the contest will be getting their product very soon and below is the list of those winners:

 

Stephen Zuloaga
Canyon Country, CA 

 

 

 

The new Jewel Squirrel Head Shaky Head, designed by Jeff Kriet, has begun shipping and will be available at your local stores very soon. They are available today on the Jewel website and should be available next week on Tacklewarehouse as well. Some independent dealers will be stocking them and they will also be available at Academy and Bass Pro Shops as well. Stay tuned for a Squirrel Head contest coming soon.

 

 

 

The new head comes in 1/8, 3/16 and 1/4 ounce sizes and retails for $6.99 for a package of 3.

Jason Sealock and his staff at FLW are "right on" with their lively and informative blog, click here. They stay abreast of the FLW events but also the great products and offerings available to anglers as well. Handling things in a professional and positive manner and keeping anglers informed without conjecture or opinion is applauded by all of us who report on fishing. Great job Jason.

 

Bassmaster.com's Ken Duke is also staying on the cutting edge with their video's and information. He is taking new technology and a new way of doing video to a new level. Quick hitting and concise.  Keep up the good work Ken. By the way, they have a new set of great videos up on www.bassmaster.com worth taking a look at. Also, be on the lookout for some great industry round tables in upcoming weeks!

Zoom will be introducing a new Swimmin Super Fluke in January. To get a sneak peak click here. Stay tuned for a Wired2Fish Contest for this bait very soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The FX Series may be personalized with a host of optional features, including enhanced hull, deck color and graphics packages, dual console, electronics packages from Hummingbird and Lowrance, Yamaha Command Link, live-well aeration system, 12” hydraulic jack-plate, carpet padding, trolling motor options from Minn Kota or Motor Guide, in-floor cooler exchange, 13” fixed fishing seat, bike seat with Power Pro Pole, Hamby keel protector, Sirius-ready, AM-FM stereo with CD player, wired remote control and speakers, boarding ladder, tackle storage system and trailer upgrades. Below is the pricing for the new boats.

 

 

 

 

 

Elshout and Price with winning fish

 

By Frank Evans, Senior Writer, FOM

 

 

 

The third event in the Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail’s “2009 Regional Championship Series” ended today as Louisiana North-Central competitors, Martin Elshout and Mark Price, claimed the victory and a fully equipped 2010 Triton TR-186 powered by a150 hp Mercury Optimax and valued at more than $30,000.00.

With bluebird skies and gentle winds on Day 2, weights were down quite a bit. In 2 days of competition, 173 teams brought in 1120.92 lbs of fish on Day 1 and 810.94 crossed the scales today for a tournament total of 1931.86 lbs. Day 1 saw 69 five-fish limits, while 44 limits came in to the Lake Palestine Resort weighin site today.

However, today’s clear skies, nonetheless, proved to be surprisingly productive for a number of teams and the new Champions, Martin Elshout and Mark Price. The talented Louisiana North Central pair’s steady performance throughout the two days of competition secured the win by nearly a three-pound margin. Martin and Mark netted 16.57lbs today, for 32.35 lbs overall.

Martin and Mark targeted the back end of Flat Creek on the downstream side of the CR314 Bridge. Current channeled under the highway crossing proved to be the key in catching active bass. Martin said most of their fish came by using texas-rigged, junebug Speed Craws® along the edges of grass. On the other hand, the Louisiana North-Central team’s largest fish, boated each day, came from the same stump and by using the same lure: a half-ounce, black / blue Terminator® jig, sporting a Tiny Paca Craw® trailer.

Texas-rigged, watermelon/red, Lake Fork Creature baits were what 2nd place, Texas Central finishers, Brent Homen and Chuck Guthrie used in the Ledbetter Bay area and Chimney Cove to catch 15.66 lbs of bass in flooded grass for a tournament total of 29.62 lbs. On Day 1 Chuck and Brent used the same pegged plastics to punch their baits through the water hyacinths that was floating in the same area.

Ark-LA-TX partners, JD Russell and Otha Smith used chatter-type baits on top, in shallow water over coontail moss, and black wacky-rigged senkos in the Flat Creek channel cuts to finish third. Their Day 2 catch of 13.96 gave the anglers 28.98 lbs for the two days.

Brandon Dodson and Todd Murray moved up eleven places to finish forth overall, with 25.87 lbs. The Louisiana South anglers flipped buck brush in shallow water up in Kickapoo Creek with Blk-Blu Oldham jigs, tipped with Paca Craw® trailers. Using 1oz white spinnerbaits, the pair, also, concentrated on bridge piers in the deeper Kickapoo channel areas.

Ryan Wooten and Jeff Smith also moved eleven slots to place fifth, by fishing pockets and coves from Paradise Point to the dam. Ryan stated that he and Jeff would limit out early each day in flooded grass areas with chatter-type baits, worms and spinnerbaits. Around noon, the consistent anglers would head north to Kickapoo Bay. The Louisiana South teammates would begin culling fish by taking larger bass from the shady side of docks with a char/white, Swamp Thang® and shad colored Bandit and Strike King crankbaits. With 12.94 on Day One and 12.07 today, Jeff and Ryan said that the Swamp Thang made all the difference in the world and accounted a good share of their 25.01 lbs.

Glyn and Joseph Kennedy, the top Adult Junior team, completed the event with 7 bass, at an impressive 20.65 lbs, and will be representing the Texas Central Division next April in the National Championship. Joseph, 15, and Glyn vaulted 60 places to finish 20th overall with today’s five fish, weighing 13.88 lbs. Glyn threw a Louisiana Shad Rat-L-trap® and a watermelon, red flake Zoom Super Fluke® while Joseph worked a blue Senko near the dam. Both days, the two concentrated on the shallow-water flooded grass as well as hyacinth floating around a long point that jutted out on the east side of the lake near Cherokee Landing.

Jimmy Charbonnet and Tammy Charbonnet, Louisiana South, topped all other Male Female teams with a two-day total of 24.40 lbs. Jimmy and Tammy’s 12.58 lbs included a bonus. Their 8.83 lbs tournament-high largemouth earned them an additional $480.00 for today’s 1st Big Fish award. The huge beast fell for a 200 Series, Char/Lime, Bandit® crankbait.

The top ten finishers in this event, by weight, along with the highest finishing team from each division, the top Male/Female and Adult/Junior teams, current reigning National Champs, and all “Division Points Champions” will earn the opportunity to fish in the April 10 – 15, 2010, Fishers of Men, $60,000.00, Lake Guntersville National Championship. Once there, a full field will fish the first two days, then the top twenty percent will go on to compete on the third and final day, where everyone will earn a check, except the first place team, which will take home a $40,000.00, fully rigged, 2010 Triton TR-20 with a Mercury 200hp motor.

During the post-season competition, total payouts, in cash and prizes, hover around $250,000.00.

We wish to thank the South Central Regional Championship Presenting Sponsors, Cindy Smoak and the Tyler County Convention and Visitors Bureau, along with David Irwin and Tyler Ford.

We also want to thank, Alan Ranson at Strike King, Pastor Donnie and members of Bullard Baptist Church; meal sponsors: Smith County Baptist Association, H & W Marine, Trinity Baptist Church, Tyler Skate Complex, and the cooks of our delicious grilled chicken meal: Tommy Berry, along with Danny Smith and members of Texas North-Central Fishers of Men Division, plus a host of others that worked meticulously in making our meeting a success. In addition, thanks go out to the folks at Lake Palestine Resort who invited us and worked diligently at the launch and weighin site.

Finally, we are thankful for our National Sponsors: Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Strike King Lure Company, Marshalls Marine, Power Pole, Grace Full Gospel Church, Solar Bat, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, Kistler Custom Rods, Keelshield, Jacobs Glass, Markel Insurance, Shakespeare, Stanley Jigs, Spike-It Bait Company, Rejuvenade, Mizmo Bait Company, Motorguide, Lowrance, Logan Fire Apparatus, Keep Alive Oxygen Infusor, Dual Pro Chargers, Buckeye Lures, Allstar Rods, and Xtools.

 

Gadsden, Alabama angler Heath Smith is taking it to a new level in 2010. He will be fishing the Southern BASS Opens and we had a chance to sit down with him to discuss where he has been, where he would like to get to, and the steps that he needs to take to make it happen. He is on Wired Radio with Terry Brown today. To listen click here.

 

 

The KickerFish Hightail Lizard contest is over and below are the winners:

 

Adam Anderson
Harrisburg, IL

 

Monday is "Cat Out of the Bag Day" for Yamaha Marine as they will unveil their new outboard to 2010 at a special event in Chattanooga TN. The Wired2Fish crew and other leading media outlets will be on hand for the unveiling. The Yamaha staff and pro-staff have been in Tennessee all week getting all the in's and outs of the new technology and the public will get to see it on Monday. Yamaha staffer and Elite Series pro Dean Rojas spoke to us this week and he said "This could be the single most important announcement in fishing...period. This new outboard is revolutionary and it is the springboard for the motor companies like Yamaha to have an outstanding 2010."

 

We will be bringing back videos and information from this event so stay tuned!

There is a great Q&A on the Strike King website with Kevin VanDam about how to win at bass fishing. It is a good read for those wanting to up their game. If you want to win, KVD would be the right person to listen to. To read the article click here.

 

 

 

 

Lunker Lure made a big splash in fishing in the 80's with the Triple Rattleback jig. No other jig combined the great big bass reputation of the jig and 3 very loud rattle chambers at that time. Of course Lunker Lure is most noted for creating the Original Lunker Lure Buzz Bait that is still a top producer for anglers across the country The creations that Don and Brent Gentry built are legendary. Lunker Lure merged with Hawg Caller, another successful regional company, and they are still in business today.

 

Lunker Lure had a who's who in pro staffs in the early days with Denny Brauer, Tommy Biffle and Gary Klein. Those in the know know that those three revolutionized flipping and pitiching as we know it today and Lunker Lure was right in the middle of that. They created jigs for casting, flipping and pitching and the hard work during the design phase made them the best in the industry for fishing heavy cover.

 

Don Gentry is a tinkerer and his love of fishing and what makes them go goes into every product. Taking a good lure and making it better or coming up with an entirely new design has been part of the reputation of Lunker Lure since they opened the doors.

 

The Rattle Back Spinnerbait is another Don Gentry design. He created a patented unique blade style (Vibratron) that combined the flash of a willow leaf blade with the vibration properties of a Colorado blade. This blade puts out more vibration than a peg legged washing machine in spin cycle and on tough days it gets bites. To the best of our knowledge there were 3 different sizes of that blade made. A small one for a single spin Tiny Tron, an intermediate for the lighter weights and a larger one for the heavier models.

 

 Gary Klein told us "Its the best spinnerbait ever made. Great flash, great vibrations and a true runner right out of the package. It has made me a lot of money along the way."

 

The Rattle Back Spinnerbait has a rattle chamber built into the bullet style head of the bait that allows it to not only put off a ton of vibration but attract bass from long distances because of the rattle as well. Combined with either a number 4 willow or a Colorado blade this bait works well around and over grass and can even be buzzed with a gurgling and sputtering not seen on other baits without the patented blade. We have found it particularly effective paralleling rip rap and on blow down trees.

 

The Lunker Lure Rattle Back Spinnerbait comes in 3 sizes including 1/4, 3/8 and 3/4. It has a big brother bait with the Triple Rattleback version that is even louder. Lunker Lure does have the Triple Rattle Back version for sale on their website at $4.49 each and are sold in Sunfish color only. The regular Rattle Back Spinner bait is very hard to find, as are most of the "Under the Radar" products and if you have them keep them under lock and key.

 

To learn more about Lunker Lure or to buy click here.

Troy Jens beautiful new song is now available for purchase. You can learn more about how to get it at www.sandalsofchrist.org. 

Sales of the single supports Sandals of Christ volunteer missionary efforts. (That includes the work with wounded vets through the USSA - www.childswish.com). Part of the sales will also be used to finish the entire Christian album that he is preparing. Thanks to all of you who have sent the touching emails about the single.

My missionary has always been strictly child welfare based biblical ministry. The childswish charity serves by providing a lot of donated trips for wounded vets. Troy participates in those each year, and will be going on one at the annual Daggerhorn hunt in Alabama in December. It's awesome to spend time with these guys. They get shot up, and they want to go back. They have an incredible heart for what they do.

 

This is a great song that touches our military and is great for the Holiday Season!

 

Today is Veteran's Day. We challenge every Wired2Fish reader to seek out a veteran and thank them for protecting our freedom. If you know someone in the service reach out to them. If you see someone in uniform or if you know someone who served in the military at any time extend your hand or give them a hug and just tell them thanks! Go the extra mile, they are or have been for you.

 

God Bless our military and God Bless the USA.

 

From all of us here at Wired2Fish, thanks to all the veterans!

 

 

 

FLW Outdoors, the world’s leading tournament fishing organization, announced Tuesday that Rapala will become an official sponsor of FLW Outdoors in 2010. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“Rapala’s name is synonymous with fishing and their partnership with FLW Outdoors is a natural fit,” said Trisha Blake, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of FLW Outdoors. “We look forward to a long-term relationship with them.”

 

As part of the sponsorship, Rapala will receive exposure across all platforms of FLW Outdoors, including its 189 tournaments, FLW Outdoors’ multiple websites, FLW Fantasy Fishing, FLW Outdoors Magazine, “FLW Outdoors” television show and various FLW Outdoors events. In addition, Rapala will provide product that will be given away at various events, including FLW Outdoors’ popular Family Fun Zone and Outdoor Show, where they will also receive premium space to promote their pro staff, products and more.

“Over the years, Rapala pro staffers have had a lot of success and numerous tournament victories using our lures in FLW Outdoors events. For 2010, Rapala is proud to take it up a few notches as an official sponsor of FLW Outdoors.  We consider FLW Outdoors to be a giant marketing machine that will further build the reputation of the legendary Rapala brand and provide a venue for the launch of our new Trigger X soft baits,” said Tom Mackin, President of Rapala USA.”

Rapala is a leading fishing tackle company and the global market leader in the fishing lures, treble hooks and fishing related knives and tools. Group brand portfolio includes the leading brands in the industry, Rapala, and other global brands like VMC, Storm, Blue Fox, Luhr Jensen, Williamson, Terminator, Trigger X, Sufix and Marttiini. Rapala manufacturers approximately 20 million lures per year and each lure with a swimming lip is individually hand-tuned and tested for perfect swimming action.

BassWest USA has the new magazine and its digital. You can now view it online. To check it out click here.

 

Also, BassWest USA still has their promotion for the magazine going on as well. Buy two years, get the third year free is still good through the end of November. Sign up by clicking here.

 

Mark Smith of West Monroe, La., worried about putting together a limit Sunday after learning he would be fishing an extra day against Bassmaster Elite Series pro Edwin Evers.  The two anglers weighed in identical weights of 35 pounds, 9 ounces and to settle the competition, both moved on to the additional day of fishing at the Bassmaster Central Open finale on the Atchafalaya Basin.

 

Those worries became reality when Smith was only able to compile 10 pounds, 8 ounces, while Evers brought in 14-7.

 “I only caught six fish today,” Smith lamented, noting the conditions caused the few fish left in his area to spread out. “I caught my fifth (weigh) fish with five minutes left to fish.”

 Evers, on the other hand, boated the heaviest sack of the tournament by making a more than 2-hour run east and working his lures in and around vegetation.

 “In the mornings the fish were roaming on the outsides of that grass, and I’d catch them on a spinner bait,” he said. “But my better fish came from undercut banks with vegetation.”

 Once the bite on the Bass Pro Shops Lazer Eye spinner bait turned off – usually less than an hour after he started fishing – Evers began punching water hyacinths on the undercut banks with a combination of a Yum Money Craw under a 1-ounce weight and a Yum Craw Papi topped with a 3/16-ounce weight.

 The key to the entire tournament for Evers, however, came less than an hour into the first day of competition.

 “I abandoned an area where I really felt I would catch fish, and moved on and really went looking,” he said. “That’s when I found this area I won the tournament in.”

 The area, which he refused to identify because it’s a potential target for the 2011 Bassmaster Classic set for New Orleans, was one he had seen in practice but never fished.

 “I saw it and knew it looked good, but I didn’t fish it until the first day of competition,” Evers said. “I just figured, ‘I’ll give it 15 minutes and see what happens.’ It paid off.”

 Even though the veteran pro was confident he had the winning weight, Evers kept his fingers crossed on the long run back to the landing.

 “I knew if I break down I have to get in on my own,” he said. “There were no other competitors to pick me up. That was my main concern.”

 The win marked Evers’ fifth Bassmaster win.  With the victory, Evers earned more than $32,000.

 “You just need to cherish each one,” he said. “They’re so hard to come by.”

  

2009 BASSMASTER CENTRAL OPEN- ATCHAFALYA BASIN- FINAL STANDINGS- PRO

 

2009 Central 3 - Morgan City, LA BO 11/05-11/07 Atchafalaya River Basin, Morgan City  La.

(BOATER) Standings Day 3

 

   Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

 

1.  Edwin Evers            Talala, Okla.          15  35-09  305     Day 1: 5   10-14    Day 2: 5   10-08    Day 3: 5   14-03  

2.  Mark Smith             West Monroe, La.       13  35-09  305   

  Day 1: 5   14-06    Day 2: 5   11-11    Day 3: 3    9-08  

3.  Cliff Crochet          Pierre Part, La.       15  32-00  290   $12,240.00

  Day 1: 5    9-11    Day 2: 5   12-14    Day 3: 5    9-07  

4.  Wade Leblanc           Gonzales, La.          12  29-12  285    $9,000.00

  Day 1: 4   11-03    Day 2: 4    9-02    Day 3: 4    9-07  

5.  Scott Rook             Little Rock, Ark.      14  29-07  280    $7,200.00

  Day 1: 4    7-10    Day 2: 5   12-00    Day 3: 5    9-13  

6.  Danny Smith            Monterey, La.          14  28-13  276    $6,480.00

  Day 1: 5    9-01    Day 2: 5   10-00    Day 3: 4    9-12  

7.  Takahiro Omori         Emory, Texas           14  28-01  272    $5,760.00

  Day 1: 5   11-11    Day 2: 5    9-01    Day 3: 4    7-05  

8.  Kyle Fox               Lakeland, Fla.         12  27-00  268    $5,040.00

  Day 1: 5   11-14    Day 2: 4    8-15    Day 3: 3    6-03  

9.  Fred Roumbanis         Bixby, Okla.           14  26-09  264    $4,320.00

  Day 1: 4    7-08    Day 2: 5   10-09    Day 3: 5    8-08  

10. James Niggemeyer       Van, Texas             14  26-08  260    $3,600.00

  Day 1: 4    6-05    Day 2: 5   10-09    Day 3: 5    9-10  

11. James Biggs            Bedford, Texas         10  26-06  257    $2,880.00

  Day 1: 5   13-11    Day 2: 2    3-10    Day 3: 3    9-01  

12. Keith Caka             Huntsville, Texas      13  25-12  254    $2,520.00

  Day 1: 5   10-04    Day 2: 3    7-03    Day 3: 5    8-05  

13. Dale Jackson           Van, Texas             11  25-09  251    $2,160.00

  Day 1: 5   10-04    Day 2: 5   11-02    Day 3: 1    4-03  

14. Lee Sisson             Winter Haven, Fla.     11  25-09  248    $1,800.00

  Day 1: 3    9-12    Day 2: 5   10-01    Day 3: 3    5-12  

15. Jeff Kriet             Ardmore, Okla.         13  25-06  245    $1,620.00

  Day 1: 4    8-01    Day 2: 4    7-14    Day 3: 5    9-07  

16. Chris McCall           Jasper, Texas          12  24-06  243    $1,440.00

  Day 1: 5    9-09    Day 2: 3    5-14    Day 3: 4    8-15  

17. Tommy Martin           Hemphill, Texas        13  24-00  241    $1,404.00

  Day 1: 5    7-09    Day 2: 5   10-02    Day 3: 3    6-05  

18. Paul Ferguson          Whitehouse, Texas      12  24-00  239    $1,368.00

  Day 1: 5    9-08    Day 2: 5    9-12    Day 3: 2    4-12  

19. Clark Reehm            Russellville, Ark.     14  23-10  237    $1,332.00

  Day 1: 5    8-01    Day 2: 4    6-15    Day 3: 5    8-10  

20. Gary Key               Laveen, Ariz.          12  23-08  235    $1,296.00

  Day 1: 3    6-04    Day 2: 4    7-15    Day 3: 5    9-05  

21. Mike McClelland        Bella Vista, Ark.      11  23-00  233    $1,260.00

  Day 1: 5    8-15    Day 2: 3    6-02    Day 3: 3    7-15  

22. Gary Klein             Weatherford, Texas     10  22-13  231    $1,224.00

  Day 1: 5   12-00    Day 2: 3    7-13    Day 3: 2    3-00  

23. Dustin Evans           Eads, Tenn.            10  22-10  229    $1,188.00

  Day 1: 4    8-08    Day 2: 3    7-13    Day 3: 3    6-05  

24. Ken Iyobe              Tokoname, Japan         9  21-13  227    $1,152.00

  Day 1: 3    7-14    Day 2: 3    6-01    Day 3: 3    7-14  

25. Dennis Tietje          Roanoke, La.            9  18-05  225    $1,116.00

  Day 1: 5   11-00    Day 2: 3    5-04    Day 3: 1    2-01  

26. Zachary King           Clarksville, Ark.       9  17-13  223    $1,080.00

  Day 1: 3    5-11    Day 2: 5   10-10    Day 3: 1    1-08  

27. Sam Swett              Covington, La.          9  17-09  221    $1,044.00

  Day 1: 5   10-12    Day 2: 3    4-13    Day 3: 1    2-00  

28. Cliff Pace             Petal, Miss.            8  17-08  219    $1,008.00

  Day 1: 5   10-02    Day 2: 3    7-06    Day 3: 0    0-00  

29. Dave Mansue            Hemphill, Texas         8  15-11  217      $972.00

  Day 1: 3    5-10    Day 2: 4    8-07    Day 3: 1    1-10  

30. Duane Pittman          Prairieville, La.       6  15-02  215      $936.00

  Day 1: 5   13-01    Day 2: 1    2-01    Day 3: 0    0-00  

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Totals

Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight

 1       26       285       578-06

 2       17       244       478-10

 3        9        94       200-12

----------------------------------

         52       623      1257-12

 

 

 

2009 BASSMASTER CENTRAL OPEN- ATCHAFALYA BASIN- FINAL STANDINGS- CO-ANGLER

 

2009 Central 3 - Morgan City, LA NB 11/05-11/07 Atchafalaya River Basin, Morgan City  La.

(NON-BOATER) Standings Day 3

 

   Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

 

1.  David Cooper           Vidalia, La.            9  21-11  315   $32,000.00

  Day 1: 5   13-05    Day 2: 2    3-13    Day 3: 2    4-09  

2.  Jeff Wade              Cabot, Ark.             9  21-11  295    $3,600.00

  Day 1: 4    8-12    Day 2: 3    6-15    Day 3: 2    6-00  

3.  Charles Hewitt         Prairieville, La.       8  19-12  290    $2,880.00

  Day 1: 1    2-05    Day 2: 4   12-00    Day 3: 3    5-07  

4.  Brent Cutrer           Natchez, Miss.         10  16-13  285    $2,160.00

  Day 1: 5    8-15    Day 2: 1    1-09    Day 3: 4    6-05  

5.  Sammy Strong           Orange, Texas           7  13-07  280    $1,800.00

  Day 1: 5   10-06    Day 2: 0    0-00    Day 3: 2    3-01  

6.  Matt Guerin            Zachary, La.            6  13-02  276    $1,620.00

  Day 1: 5   11-08    Day 2: 0    0-00    Day 3: 1    1-10  

7.  John Moon              Brookeland, Texas       7  13-00  272    $1,440.00

  Day 1: 1    1-11    Day 2: 5    8-10    Day 3: 1    2-11  

8.  Dustin Wood            Keithville, La.         5  12-10  268    $1,368.00

  Day 1: 4    9-03    Day 2: 0    0-00    Day 3: 1    3-07  

9.  David Cortinas         North Richland Hills,   6  12-06  264    $1,224.00

  Day 1: 0    0-00    Day 2: 4    7-11    Day 3: 2    4-11  

10. Tom Haynes             Tulsa, Okla.            5  11-06  260      $936.00

  Day 1: 3    6-13    Day 2: 2    4-09    Day 3: 0    0-00  

11. Gerald Rome            Donaldsonville, La.     4  11-06  257      $792.00

  Day 1: 3    8-08    Day 2: 1    2-14    Day 3: 0    0-00  

12. Terry Blackmon         Covington, La.          6  10-13  254      $720.00

  Day 1: 2    3-14    Day 2: 1    1-09    Day 3: 3    5-06  

13. Josh Stewart           Albany, La.             5  10-02  251      $648.00

  Day 1: 2    4-03    Day 2: 3    5-15    Day 3: 0    0-00  

14. Charles Major          Morganza, La.           6  10-00  248      $576.00

  Day 1: 3    4-14    Day 2: 3    5-02    Day 3: 0    0-00  

15. Charles Poland         Denham Springs, La.     6  10-00  245      $504.00

  Day 1: 3    4-15    Day 2: 3    5-01    Day 3: 0    0-00  

16. Richard Earle          Youngsville, La.        4   9-05  243      $486.00

  Day 1: 2    4-00    Day 2: 1    1-14    Day 3: 1    3-07  

17. Randy Pitre            Natchez, Miss.          5   8-13  241      $468.00

  Day 1: 2    3-05    Day 2: 2    3-15    Day 3: 1    1-09  

18. Bill McCarty           Morgan City, La.        4   8-12  239      $450.00

  Day 1: 3    7-00    Day 2: 1    1-12    Day 3: 0    0-00  

19. Rodney Teel            Ponchatoula, La.        4   8-06  237      $432.00

  Day 1: 2    4-10    Day 2: 1    2-02    Day 3: 1    1-10  

20. Brad Rodrigue          Pierre Part, La.        4   8-05  235      $414.00

  Day 1: 0    0-00    Day 2: 3    6-11    Day 3: 1    1-10  

21. Will Major             Port Allen, La.         4   7-08  233      $396.00

  Day 1: 3    6-00    Day 2: 1    1-08    Day 3: 0    0-00  

22. Dan Hester             Keithville, La.         4   7-06  231      $360.00

  Day 1: 0    0-00    Day 2: 4    7-06    Day 3: 0    0-00  

23. Takuji Naruo           Moriyama, Japan         2   7-05  229      $342.00

  Day 1: 1    5-11    Day 2: 1    1-10    Day 3: 0    0-00  

24. William Watts          Beaumont, Texas         4   7-04  227      $324.00

  Day 1: 3    5-02    Day 2: 1    2-02    Day 3: 0    0-00  

25. Gary Fields            New Orleans, La.        3   7-03  225      $306.00

  Day 1: 2    4-14    Day 2: 1    2-05    Day 3: 0    0-00  

26. Alan Sward             Moss Point, Miss.       4   7-00  223      $288.00

  Day 1: 2    3-01    Day 2: 1    2-06    Day 3: 1    1-09  

27. Tom Atkeson            New Orleans, La.        4   6-11  221      $270.00

  Day 1: 1    1-07    Day 2: 2    3-13    Day 3: 1    1-07  

28. Gennaro Dicola         Bedford, Texas          3   6-04  219      $252.00

  Day 1: 1    1-10    Day 2: 2    4-10    Day 3: 0    0-00  

29. Claude Rabb            Vidalia, La.            3   5-07  217      $234.00

  Day 1: 3    5-07    Day 2: 0    0-00    Day 3: 0    0-00  

30. John Fain              Spring, Texas           3   5-07  215      $216.00

  Day 1: 1    2-09    Day 2: 2    2-14    Day 3: 0    0-00  

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Totals

Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight

 1        4       128       254-06

 2        1       106       196-15

 3        0        27        54-07

----------------------------------

          5       261       505-12

 

 

 

2009 BASSMASTER CENTRAL OPEN POINTS STANDINGS

 

2009 Central 3 - Morgan City, LA - Central 3 - Morgan City, LA Boater Points After Atchafalaya River Basin, Morgan City, La.  Ending 11-07-2009, Day 3

-------------------------------------------

Place  Name               St            Pts

-------------------------------------------

  1 James Niggemeyer      Texas         829

  2 Cliff Crochet         La.           793

  3 Edwin Evers           Okla.         786

  4 Chris McCall          Texas         744

  5 Todd Castledine       Texas         723

  6 Gary Key              Ariz.         718

  7 Bradley Hallman       Okla.         702

  8 Stephen Johnston      Texas         701

  9 Dave Mansue           Texas         681

 10 Jerrel Pringle        Texas         637

 11 Cody Bird             Texas         629

 12 Dennis Tietje         La.           586

 13 Harold Allen          Texas         585

 14 Takahiro Omori        Texas         584

 15 Mike McClelland       Ark.          571

 16 Jeff Kriet            Okla.         563

 17 Charles Bebber        Texas         557

 18 Clark Reehm           Ark.          555

 19 Zachary King          Ark.          553

 20 Keith Caka            Texas         546

 21 Arnie Lane            Fla.          540

 22 Russell Parrish       Texas         536

 23 Todd Faircloth        Texas         534

 24 Kyle Fox              Fla.          532

 25 Wade Leblanc          La.           529

 26 Lee Sisson            Fla.          516

 27 Terry Segraves        Fla.          515

 27 Yukinari Uchiyama     Texas         515

 29 Justin Haynes         Okla.         514

 30 Jimmy Mize            Ark.          501

 31 Kris Wilson           Texas         495

 32 Tim Carmouche         La.           476

 33 Corey Waldrop         Texas         474

 34 James Stricklin       Texas         468

 35 Vince Fulks           Okla.         467

 36 Mark Smith            La.           463

 37 Charles Hammack       Texas         459

 38 Fred Roumbanis        Okla.         455

 39 Bryan Talmadge        Ala.          451

 40 Sam Swett             La.           447

 41 Cliff Pace            Miss.         444

 42 Tony Chachere         La.           443

 43 Homer Humphreys       La.           439

 44 Gary Riffle           Texas         437

 45 Rob Burns             Texas         432

 45 James Biggs           Texas         432

 47 OT Fears              Okla.         422

 47 Sandy Gaudet          La.           422

 49 Billy Hurt            Tenn.         417

 50 Jamie Laiche          La.           414

 51 Joe Erwin             Okla.         409

 52 David Curtis          Texas         406

 53 Sam Newby             Okla.         398

 54 Paul Ferguson         Texas         393

 55 Brannon Long          Texas         385

 56 Ken Iyobe             Japan         378

 57 Danny Smith           La.           375

 58 Larry Byrd            La.           374

 59 Chris Burnham         La.           371

 60 J Todd Tucker         Ga.           360

 61 Chad Sposito          La.           359

 62 Duane Pittman         La.           353

 63 Robert Byrd           Texas         350

 64 Porter Trimble        La.           348

 65 Yusuke Miyazaki       Texas         347

 66 Phil Addison          Texas         346

 67 Tommy Martin          Texas         344

 68 Matt Reed             Texas         342

 69 Mark Goines           Okla.         335

 70 Ed Whaley             Texas         330

 71 David Gillham         Texas         328

 72 Craig Massey          Texas         319

 73 Wayne Hauser          N.C.          314

 74 Derek Remitz          Ala.          304

 74 Glen Freeman          La.           304

 76 Bill Burns            Texas         299

 77 Landon Ware           Texas         285

 78 Keith Poche           Ala.          281

 79 Pete Ponds            Miss.         280

 79 Dustin Evans          Tenn.         280

 79 Jamie Narramore       Ark.          280

 79 Scott Rook            Ark.          280

 83 Mac McDaniel          Miss.         279

 83 Ken Warren            Iowa          279

 85 Dale Jackson          Texas         277

 86 Scott Dean            Texas         276

 86 Todd Littleton        La.           276

 88 Lance Vick            Texas         275

 89 Bart Doty             Texas         274

 90 Stephen Browning      Ark.          272

 90 Justin Hamner         Ala.          272

 92 Andrew Upshaw         Texas         269

 92 Cliff Crowder         Ark.          269

 94 Billy Billeaud        La.           268

 95 Andre Moore           Ala.          260

 95 Ben Matsubu           Texas         260

 97 Gary Klein            Texas         259

 98 Donald Corey          La.           256

 99 Carl Svebek III       Ark.          254

100 Kurt Dove             Texas         253

101 Bert Thompson         La.           252

102 Jeff Cloud            Texas         250

103 Jason Berg            Minn.         249

104 Marvin Ettredge       La.           247

105 Brian Jackson         Tenn.         242

106 Ryan Lavigne          La.           240

106 Brent Broussard       La.           240

108 Vance Montgomery      Okla.         239

108 Frank Scalish         Ohio          239

110 Logan Sherrer         La.           237

110 Mike Michalec         Texas         237

112 Anthony Cerar         Okla.         233

113 Jeff Avery            Ark.          228

114 Jelani Hennessey      Va.           227

115 Eric Wilson           Texas         226

116 David Truax           Texas         219

117 Ryan Brown            La.           215

118 Jeff Buchanan         Texas         213

118 Steve Gulloto         La.           213

120 Mike Hawkes           Texas         209

121 Roy Sanford           Texas         207

122 Jim Culp              Okla.         204

123 Jimmie Johnson        La.           197

124 Gene Eisenmann        Texas         196

125 Avery Usand           La.           193

126 Shane Gibson          Texas         191

127 Brannon Jones         Ala.          187

127 Tommy Dickerson       Texas         187

129 Gary Vining           La.           186

130 Neal Gilmore          Texas         185

131 Eric Nethery          Ga.           184

131 Donnie Courtney       La.           184

133 Shane Williams        La.           183

134 Dennis Fikes          Texas         179

135 Mike Haggerty         Tenn.         176

136 Daniel Stokes         Texas         174

136 Ronnie Buquet         La.           174

138 Randy Qualls          Ark.          172

139 Preston Frazell       Okla.         169

140 Mike Burns            Texas         168

140 Doug Vahrenberg       Mo.           168

142 George Jeane          La.           161

143 Chris Lane            Ala.          159

143 Gene Pizzolato        La.           159

145 Wade Middleton        Texas         154

145 James Kennedy         La.           154

145 Joey Deveer           La.           154

148 Don Hutchinson        La.           147

149 David Sherrer         La.           146

150 Ray Brazier           Tenn.         143

151 Darrell Lyons         Texas         141

152 Scott Mcgehee         Miss.         135

152 Mike Norsworthy       Miss.         135

154 Bill Lee              Texas         132

155 John Burns            Miss.         130

156 Bud Pruitt            Texas         127

157 Jason Christie        Okla.         125

158 Randy Allen           La.           123

159 Jeremy Montoya        Colo.         121

159 Jason Reyes           Texas         121

161 Jeremy Guidry         La.           120

162 Johnny Grice          Texas         115

162 Quinn Peacock         Texas         115

164 Rick Clunn            Mo.           113

164 Michael Randolph      Texas         113

166 Terry Butcher         Okla.         111

166 Timmy Reneau          Texas         111

168 Teb Jones             Miss.         109

168 Tommy Durham          Texas         109

170 Kyle Allen            La.           107

171 Glynn Reid            La.           103

172 Preston Johnson       Wisc.         102

172 Mike Lott             Texas         102

174 Patrick Pierce        Fla.          101

174 Craig Dowling         La.           101

176 Jerry McKinnis        Ark.           99

177 Michael Bass          Texas          97

177 Danny Owens           La.            97

179 Jimmy Mason           Ala.           95

179 Roger Boler           La.            95

181 Stan Gerzsenyi        Texas          93

182 Lloyd McDaniel        Miss.          91

183 Kathy Crowder         Ark.           90

184 Ross Watkins          Miss.          89

185 Jerry Williams        Ark.           86

186 Morris Hymel          La.            82

187 Bradley Stringer      Texas          79

188 Michael Wohl          Texas          76

189 Darrell Newman        Texas          75

189 Melinda Mize          Ark.           75

189 Cody Naquin           La.            75

192 Trent Durst           Texas          72

193 Rodney Clawson        Tenn.          71

194 Joe Joslin            La.            69

195 Bob Sealy             Texas          67

196 Guy Adams             Texas          64

197 Mitchell Nezat        La.            61

197 Phil Marks            Texas          61

199 Sammy Burks           Mo.            59

200 Jonathon Vandam       Mich.          57

201 Albert White          Texas          56

202 Chad Griffin          Texas          55

202 Ricky Fields          Ala.           55

204 Garrett Mercer        Calif.         52

204 Brian Kanke           Texas          52

206 Lonnie Dean           La.            50

206 Ernest Smoak          La.            50

208 Mike Holland          La.            49

209 James Smiley          Calif.         47

210 Larry Todd            La.            43

211 Theron Caldwell       Texas          42

212 Joe Copeland          Okla.          41

213 Deryl Janzen          Ark.           37

214 Travis Gray           La.            36

215 Aaron Johnson         La.            35

216 Greg Watts            Fla.           34

217 Joseph New            Texas          33

217 Willard Moore         La.            33

219 Douglas Jones         Okla.          32

220 Steve Hayden          N.M.           31

221 John Cromwell         Tenn.          29

222 Sean Hoernke          Texas          26

223 Mary DiVincenti       La.            24

223 Yarri Schreibvogel    Texas          24

225 Shawn Johnson         Texas          23

226 Byron Velvick         Texas          22

227 Jacky Hawthorne       Texas          21

228 Travis Loyd           Ill.           18

229 Chris Michels         Texas          15

230 Lucy Mize             Ark.           14

231 Pat Baker             Texas          12

232 Billy Brewer          Texas           9

233 Cecil Kingsley        Kan.            8

234 Reed Sartin           Texas           3

235 Derek Allen           La.             2

236 Jeff Jordan           Okla.           1

236 Thomas Loving         Texas           1

236 Jason Lieblong        Ark.            1

236 Kathi Hurst           Miss.           1

236 Dave Lance            La.             1

236 Bryan Schmidt         Texas           1

236 Scott Reed            Tenn.           1

243 Morris Herring        Texas           0

243 Vincent Parello       Texas           0

243 Ish Monroe            Calif.          0

243 Yoshikazu Sato        Japan           0

243 Greg Bourdonnay       La.             0

243 Conrad Picou          La.             0

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I went all the way to the other end,” said Rose, who has won more than $887,000 in FLW Outdoors competition. “I told everybody I was going as far as you could go.”

 

 Mark Rose of Marion, Ark., continued to lead on the second day of competition at the Stren Series Championship on Pickwick Lake after weighing five fish for 15 pounds, 6 ounces. Rose has a two-day total of 10 fish weighing 37-11.

After a fog delay that held anglers from taking off until 7:42 a.m., Rose said he made a run of more than 80 miles to tiny Bay Springs Lake.

“I went all the way to the other end,” said Rose, who has won more than $887,000 in FLW Outdoors competition. “I told everybody I was going as far as you could go.”

On the first day of competition, Rose said he began the day fishing a school of fish close to the McFarland Park launch and caught his limit and then made a run to his next spot. On the second day of competition, Rose said he caught only one 12-inch fish in his first spot and decided to make the long run. Rose said on the last day of competition he is going to run directly to Bay Springs Lake.

“It’s out there now,” Rose said. “I had a convoy behind me today. There’s a tournament out of there tomorrow, so that’s really going to affect me.

“I’ve showed them how and where to catch them,” Rose added. “But that’s tournament bass fishing. When you’re dealing with big fields and good fisheries like this, that’s one of the things professional fishermen have to deal with. I have to deal with it the best I can and stay positive.”

Rose said Bay Springs Lake isn’t a good fishery year-round, but when cool weather arrives and the fish move up in the top of the water column, it is capable of giving up large fish.

“I like that place because of all the pressure Pickwick gets,” Rose said. “I wanted to do something to make a difference, so I went down there and figured something out.”

Team National Guard pro Jonathan Newton of Rogersville, Ala., finished the day in second place with a two-day total of 10 fish weighing 35-7.

“I lost two really big fish today,” said Newton, who tallied nine keepers throughout the course of the day. “They just pulled off.”

Newton said he fished bluffs by flipping a jig and had a hard time feeling bites in the current.

“I pulled on it two times today and thought I was hung and pulled a little harder and they were on there,” Newton said. “And they just came off.”

Newton said current is key to his bites and is hoping current will be running on the last day of competition.

“If they don’t (run current), they won’t bite,” Rogers said.

Rounding out the top five places are Keith Pace of Monticello, Ark. (10 bass, 32-3); Lloyd Pickett Jr. of Bartlett, Tenn. (10 bass, 31-13); and Team Land O’Lakes pro Ott Defoe of Knoxville, Tenn. (10 bass, 31-5).

Also making the top-10 cut and fishing on the final day of competition are Team Kellogg’s pro Dave Lefebre of Union City, Pa.; Scott Canterbury of Springville, Ala.; Robert Robinson of Mobile, Ala., Matthew Jones of Spokane, Mo; and Eric Ambort of Mablevale, Ark.

Michael Hall of Annandale, Va., earned the day’s $500 Folgers Big Bass award in the Pro Division thanks to his 5-pound, 11-ounce bass.

Overall there were 681 bass weighing 1,352 pounds, 2 ounces caught by 153 pros Thursday.

Chuck Rounds of Benton, Ky., won the Co-angler Division and $35,000 with five bass weighing 11-14 for a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 21-13.

“I couldn’t have done this without fishing with the top fishermen who fish FLW,” said Rounds. “Just by paying attention the last few years and doing what I thought I needed to do to catch them … that’s exactly what I did and I stuck with it.”

Rounds said he caught his fish on a 1/2-ounce War Eagle spinnerbait with double chartreuse blades. He said he used 17-pound fluorocarbon line to anchor his spinnerbait.

Rounds said he targeted grass specifically on day one with the spinnerbait and continued to find success with it on the second day of competition, even though others in the field were tending toward smaller spinnerbaits.

“I just stuck with it like I knew I should,” Rounds said.

Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Phil Jarmon of Apex, N.C. (10 bass, 20-14, $12,000); Steven Semelsberger of Mt. Airy, Md. (10 bass, 19-14, $5,000); Jamie Bladow of Houston, Ala. (nine bass, 19-10, $4,000) and Robert Russell of Smyrna, Tenn. (10 bass, 19-7, $3,000).
   
Terry Olmstead of Lock Haven, Pa., earned the day’s $250 Folgers Big Bass award in the Co-angler Division thanks to a 6-pound, 6-ounce bass.

Overall there were 444 bass weighing 735 pounds, 3 ounces caught by 142 co-anglers Thursday.

 

If you want more action, more thump and vibration and more fish the Grande Bass Swim'n'Craw is the ticket. The 4" Swim'n Craw, while in action, swims with the pincher arms "thumping" while the head claws open up. When deadsticked or laying on the bottom, the claw arms open up in defensive posture. At the same time the antenna's or head claws close. There is more action here than you will see on Black Friday at Walmart.  This bait works great fished solo or as a jig trailer and the folks at Grande explain it this way..."It doesn't just flutter when in action, it actually has live escape-swimming, realistic craw features and defensive posture all rolled into one."

 

 The pressure waves put off by the thumping action of the arms and segmented body make hungry bass take up and notice. The Grande Swim'n'Craw comes in 5 colors and retails for $4.49 per package of 6.

 

To learn more about this and other great Grande Baits click here.

 

Jewel Bait Company owner Gayle Julian is more than just an owner. He is an engineer and designer too. He uses folks like Bella Vista, Arkansas pro Mike MCClelland to help him make the best products in the business. The Jewel "Rock" is a lead weight made in the USA and will help put new emphasis on Carolina rig fishing in upcoming months. As you know, MCClelland's Champion Boat powered by a Mercury outboard is full of great products from Jewel.

 

We recently concluded the "Rock" contest and thanks to the very large group of respondents who participated. The old fishing hat got put to use again and below are the winners of that contest:

 

Mike Fillmer
Lithonia, GA

Brad Woodard
Carroll, IA

Michael Faught
Lodi, CA

Kevin Daugherty
Urania, La.

Brad Patterson
Little Rock, AR 

Chad M. Vicsek
Norman, Ok

 

Congrats to all and your products are on the way.

 

Mark Smith grew up fishing rivers in North Louisiana, so the high, muddy waters of the Atchafalaya Basin didn’t intimidate him this week when he arrived at the fishery for the final 2009 Bassmaster Central Open.

“That’s all we’ve got up there,” said Smith, who took the Day 1 lead in the third Central Open of the season. “This type of fishing suits me to a T.”

Smith’s 14-pound, 6-ounce stringer of bass put him a scant 11 ounces ahead of James Biggs of Bedford, Texas, who boated 13-11, good enough for second place. Rounding out the top five were Duane Pittman of Prairieville, La. (13-1), Bassmaster Elite Series pro Gary Klein of Weatherford, Texas (12-0) and Kyle Fox of Lakeland, Fla. (11-4).

Smith, who hails from West Monroe, La., took all of his five-fish limit while pitching flooded cypress trees in about 2 feet of water. He said he culled three times from the best of four areas he identified during practice.

“There were other anglers in two of my areas, so I went to my best area and fished it exclusively,” he said.

That fact boosted his confidence going into Day 2.

“I made one pass through there and caught all my fish, so I think I can go back there tomorrow and catch them again,” Smith said. “I feel good about this one.”

At stake for the Central Open pros are two Bassmaster Classic berths and seven Bassmaster Elite Series invitations based on points standings, as well as a top prize of $45,000 (based on a full field). Co-anglers are competing for a $32,000 boat rig.

In the points race among the pros, things look to be changing. Texas’ Todd Castledine, who led the standings coming into the Atchafalaya Basin event, managed just three fish Thursday for 5 pounds, 2 ounces, and goes into Day 2 in 54^th place.

Bassmaster Elite Series pro James Niggemeyer, who was only one point back in the race before competition began Thursday, brought just 6-5 to the scales and will start Day 2 in 43^rd place for the event.

On the co-angler side, Louisiana’s David Cooper was in first place with 13-5 after Day 1.

“I had a good pro,” Cooper said. “The bites were few and far between, but the bites we got were good ones.”

After Day 2, the field will be cut to the top 30 pros and top 30 co-anglers for the final day.

Competition continues Friday with a 6:15 a.m. launch. Weigh-in begins at 2:20 p.m. All events will be held at the Belle River Boat Landing north of Morgan City, La., and free to the public.

About BASS
For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and its expansive tournament structure while championing efforts to connect directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.

As the flagship offering of ESPN Outdoors, the Bassmaster brand and its considerable multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer; comprehensive Web properties in Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com, ESPNOutdoors.com and ESPN360.com, and ESPN2 television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.

BASS oversees the prestigious Bassmaster Tournament Trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Women’s Tour, BASS Federation Nation and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.

BASS offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

-30-

Media Contact: Doug Grassian, 407-566-2216 or doug.grassian@espn.com

BASSMASTER CENTRAL OPEN
2009 Central 3 - Morgan City, LA BO 11/05-11/07 Atchafalaya River Basin, Morgan City  La.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
 
   Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$
 
1.  Mark Smith             West Monroe, La.        5  14-06     
  Day 1: 5   14-06  
2.  James Biggs            Bedford, Texas          5  13-11     
  Day 1: 5   13-11  
3.  Duane Pittman          Prairieville, La.       5  13-01     
  Day 1: 5   13-01  
4.  Gary Klein             Weatherford, Texas      5  12-00     
  Day 1: 5   12-00  
5.  Kyle Fox               Lakeland, Fla.          5  11-14     
  Day 1: 5   11-14  
6.  Steve Gulloto          Plaquemine, La.         5  11-12     
  Day 1: 5   11-12  
7.  Takahiro Omori         Emory, Texas            5  11-11     
  Day 1: 5   11-11  
8.  Wade Leblanc           Gonzales, La.           4  11-03     
  Day 1: 4   11-03  
9.  Dennis Tietje          Roanoke, La.            5  11-00     
  Day 1: 5   11-00  
10. Edwin Evers            Talala, Okla.           5  10-14     
  Day 1: 5   10-14  
11. Billy Billeaud         Lafayette, La.          5  10-12     
  Day 1: 5   10-12  
11. Sam Swett              Covington, La.          5  10-12     
  Day 1: 5   10-12  
13. Sandy Gaudet           Belle Rose, La.         3  10-05     
  Day 1: 3   10-05  
14. Keith Caka             Huntsville, Texas       5  10-04     
  Day 1: 5   10-04  
14. Dale Jackson           Van, Texas              5  10-04     
  Day 1: 5   10-04  
16. Cliff Pace             Petal, Miss.            5  10-02     
  Day 1: 5   10-02  
17. Avery Usand            La Place, La.           5  10-01     
  Day 1: 5   10-01  
18. Lee Sisson             Winter Haven, Fla.      3   9-12     
  Day 1: 3    9-12  
19. Cliff Crochet          Pierre Part, La.        5   9-11     
  Day 1: 5    9-11  
20. Chris McCall           Jasper, Texas           5   9-09     
  Day 1: 5    9-09  
21. Paul Ferguson          Whitehouse, Texas       5   9-08     
  Day 1: 5    9-08  
22. David Gillham          Heath, Texas            3   9-03     
  Day 1: 3    9-03  
23. Danny Smith            Monterey, La.           5   9-01     
  Day 1: 5    9-01  
24. OT Fears               Sallisaw, Okla.         5   9-00     
  Day 1: 5    9-00  
25. Homer Humphreys        Minden, La.             5   8-15     
  Day 1: 5    8-15  
25. Mike McClelland        Bella Vista, Ark.       5   8-15     
  Day 1: 5    8-15  
27. Dustin Evans           Eads, Tenn.             4   8-08     
  Day 1: 4    8-08  
28. Bradley Hallman        Norman, Okla.           4   8-07     
  Day 1: 4    8-07  
29. Charles Bebber         Willis, Texas           5   8-03     
  Day 1: 5    8-03  
30. J Todd Tucker          Moultrie, Ga.           5   8-02     
  Day 1: 5    8-02  
31. Clark Reehm            Russellville, Ark.      5   8-01     
  Day 1: 5    8-01  
32. Ryan Brown             La Place, La.           4   8-01     
  Day 1: 4    8-01  
32. Jeff Kriet             Ardmore, Okla.          4   8-01     
  Day 1: 4    8-01  
34. Tim Carmouche          Gonzales, La.           4   7-14     
  Day 1: 4    7-14  
35. Ken Iyobe              Tokoname, Japan         3   7-14     
  Day 1: 3    7-14  
36. Scott Rook             Little Rock, Ark.       4   7-10     
  Day 1: 4    7-10  
37. Porter Trimble         Pineville, La.          3   7-10     
  Day 1: 3    7-10  
38. Tommy Martin           Hemphill, Texas         5   7-09     
  Day 1: 5    7-09  
39. Fred Roumbanis         Bixby, Okla.            4   7-08     
  Day 1: 4    7-08  
40. Cody Bird              Granbury, Texas         3   7-00     
  Day 1: 3    7-00  
41. Arnie Lane             Lakeland, Fla.          4   6-11     
  Day 1: 4    6-11  
42. Harold Allen           Shelbyville, Texas      4   6-10     
  Day 1: 4    6-10  
43. James Niggemeyer       Van, Texas              4   6-05     
  Day 1: 4    6-05  
44. Billy Hurt             Spring Creek, Tenn.     3   6-04     
  Day 1: 3    6-04  
44. Gary Key               Laveen, Ariz.           3   6-04     
  Day 1: 3    6-04  
46. Russell Parrish        Robinson, Texas         3   6-03     
  Day 1: 3    6-03  
47. Larry Byrd             Lake Charles, La.       2   6-03     
  Day 1: 2    6-03  
48. Tony Chachere          Opelousas, La.          4   6-02     
  Day 1: 4    6-02  
49. Mike Haggerty          Hendersonville, Tenn.   3   5-15     
  Day 1: 3    5-15  
50. Zachary King           Clarksville, Ark.       3   5-11     
  Day 1: 3    5-11  
51. Dave Mansue            Hemphill, Texas         3   5-10     
  Day 1: 3    5-10  
52. Chris Burnham          Farmerville, La.        3   5-04     
  Day 1: 3    5-04  
53. Brent Broussard        Saint Amant, La.        3   5-03     
  Day 1: 3    5-03  
54. Todd Castledine        Nacogdoches, Texas      3   5-02     
  Day 1: 3    5-02  
55. Jimmie Johnson         Greenwell Springs, La.  3   5-01     
  Day 1: 3    5-01  
56. Bill Burns             Brookeland, Texas       2   4-14     
  Day 1: 2    4-14  
57. Ronnie Buquet          Houma, La.              3   4-09     
  Day 1: 3    4-09  
57. Don Hutchinson         Prairieville, La.       3   4-09     
  Day 1: 3    4-09  
59. Brannon Long           Longview, Texas         2   4-06     
  Day 1: 2    4-06  
60. Chad Sposito           Gray, La.               2   4-02     
  Day 1: 2    4-02  
61. Jimmy Mize             Ben Lomond, Ark.        2   4-01     
  Day 1: 2    4-01  
62. Kyle Allen             Baton Rouge, La.        2   3-14     
  Day 1: 2    3-14  
63. Ryan Lavigne           Gonzales, La.           2   3-12     
  Day 1: 2    3-12  
64. Justin Haynes          Tulsa, Okla.            1   3-11     
  Day 1: 1    3-11  
65. Jelani Hennessey       Bowling Green, Va.      2   3-09     
  Day 1: 2    3-09  
66. Glynn Reid             Baton Rouge, La.        2   3-07     
  Day 1: 2    3-07  
67. Stephen Johnston       Hemphill, Texas         1   3-07     
  Day 1: 1    3-07  
68. Eric Wilson            Marshall, Texas         2   3-04     
  Day 1: 2    3-04  
69. Brian Jackson          Memphis, Tenn.          2   3-02     
  Day 1: 2    3-02  
70. Jeff Cloud             Lubbock, Texas          2   3-01     
  Day 1: 2    3-01  
71. Mark Goines            Shady Point, Okla.      2   3-00     
  Day 1: 2    3-00  
72. Joey Deveer            Gonzales, La.           1   2-07     
  Day 1: 1    2-07  
73. Craig Massey           Houston, Texas          1   2-05     
  Day 1: 1    2-05  
74. Robert Byrd            Dallas, Texas           1   1-14     
  Day 1: 1    1-14  
75. Michael Randolph       Austin, Texas           1   1-13     
  Day 1: 1    1-13  
76. Jerrel Pringle         Hemphill, Texas         1   1-12     
  Day 1: 1    1-12  
77. Vince Fulks            Purcell, Okla.          1   1-11     
  Day 1: 1    1-11  
77. Mac McDaniel           Roxie, Miss.            1   1-11     
  Day 1: 1    1-11  
77. Keith Poche            Troy, Ala.              1   1-11     
  Day 1: 1    1-11  
77. Gary Riffle            Bogata, Texas           1   1-11     
  Day 1: 1    1-11  
77. Ross Watkins           Carriere, Miss.         1   1-11     
  Day 1: 1    1-11  
82. Bill Lee               Killeen, Texas          1   1-10     
  Day 1: 1    1-10  
82. Lloyd McDaniel         Roxie, Miss.            1   1-10     
  Day 1: 1    1-10  
82. Jamie Narramore        Lavaca, Ark.            1   1-10     
  Day 1: 1    1-10  
82. Bryan Talmadge         Moody, Ala.             1   1-10     
  Day 1: 1    1-10  
86. Doug Vahrenberg        Higginsville, Mo.       1   1-09     
  Day 1: 1    1-09  
87. Mike Lott              Cleveland, Texas        1   1-08     
  Day 1: 1    1-08  
87. Gene Pizzolato         Baker, La.              1   1-08     
  Day 1: 1    1-08  
87. Ed Whaley              Montgomery, Texas       1   1-08     
  Day 1: 1    1-08  
90. Jim Culp               Tulsa, Okla.            1   1-07     
  Day 1: 1    1-07  
90. Joe Erwin              Tulsa, Okla.            1   1-07     
  Day 1: 1    1-07  
90. Cody Naquin            Thibodaux, La.          1   1-07     
  Day 1: 1    1-07  
90. Randy Qualls           Midway, Ark.            1   1-07     
  Day 1: 1    1-07  
90. Terry Segraves         Kissimmee, Fla.         1   1-07     
  Day 1: 1    1-07  
95. Kathy Crowder          Sherwood, Ark.          1   1-05     
  Day 1: 1    1-05  
95. Darrell Lyons          Hemphill, Texas         1   1-05     
  Day 1: 1    1-05  
97. Derek Allen            Ponchatoula, La.        0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Greg Bourdonnay        Destrehan, La.          0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. John Burns             Gautier, Miss.          0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Donnie Courtney        Greenwell Springs, La.  0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. John Cromwell          Arlington, Tenn.        0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Cliff Crowder          Sherwood, Ark.          0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Craig Dowling          Shreveport, La.         0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Gene Eisenmann         Frisco, Texas           0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Marvin Ettredge        Shreveport, La.         0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Johnny Grice           Frisco, Texas           0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Chad Griffin           Cresson, Texas          0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Charles Hammack        New Caney, Texas        0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Justin Hamner          Birmingham, Ala.        0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Kathi Hurst            Ripley, Miss.           0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Morris Hymel           Covington, La.          0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Jeff Jordan            Tulsa, Okla.            0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Brian Kanke            Spring, Texas           0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Jamie Laiche           Gonzales, La.           0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Yusuke Miyazaki        Forney, Texas           0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Jeremy Montoya         Fort Collins, Colo.     0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Danny Owens            Mandeville, La.         0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Quinn Peacock          Granbury, Texas         0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Conrad Picou           Scott, La.              0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Yoshikazu Sato         Tokyo, Japan            0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Yukinari Uchiyama      Dallas, Texas           0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Lance Vick             Mineola, Texas          0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Gary Vining            Morgan City, La.        0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Corey Waldrop          Fort Worth, Texas       0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Ken Warren             Anamosa, Iowa           0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
97. Albert White           Crosby, Texas           0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
 1       26       285       578-06
----------------------------------
         26       285       578-06

2009 Central 3 - Morgan City, LA NB 11/05-11/07 Atchafalaya River Basin, Morgan City  La.
(NON-BOATER) Standings Day 1
 
   Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$
 
1.  David Cooper           Vidalia, La.            5  13-05     
  Day 1: 5   13-05  
2.  Matt Guerin            Zachary, La.            5  11-08     
  Day 1: 5   11-08  
3.  Sammy Strong           Orange, Texas           5  10-06     
  Day 1: 5   10-06  
4.  Dustin Wood            Keithville, La.         4   9-03     
  Day 1: 4    9-03  
5.  Brent Cutrer           Natchez, Miss.          5   8-15     
  Day 1: 5    8-15  
6.  Jeff Wade              Cabot, Ark.             4   8-12     
  Day 1: 4    8-12  
7.  Gerald Rome            Donaldsonville, La.     3   8-08     
  Day 1: 3    8-08  
8.  Bill McCarty           Morgan City, La.        3   7-00     
  Day 1: 3    7-00  
9.  Tom Haynes             Tulsa, Okla.            3   6-13     
  Day 1: 3    6-13  
10. Will Major             Port Allen, La.         3   6-00     
  Day 1: 3    6-00  
11. Takuji Naruo           Moriyama, Japan         1   5-11     
  Day 1: 1    5-11  
12. Claude Rabb            Vidalia, La.            3   5-07     
  Day 1: 3    5-07  
13. William Watts          Beaumont, Texas         3   5-02     
  Day 1: 3    5-02  
14. Charles Poland         Denham Springs, La.     3   4-15     
  Day 1: 3    4-15  
15. Zack Keathley          Kerens, Texas           3   4-14     
  Day 1: 3    4-14  
15. Charles Major          Morganza, La.           3   4-14     
  Day 1: 3    4-14  
17. Charles Briley         Lafayette, La.          2   4-14     
  Day 1: 2    4-14  
17. Gary Fields            New Orleans, La.        2   4-14     
  Day 1: 2    4-14  
19. Robbie Latuso          Gonzales, La.           2   4-10     
  Day 1: 2    4-10  
19. Rodney Teel            Ponchatoula, La.        2   4-10     
  Day 1: 2    4-10  
21. Josh Stewart           Albany, La.             2   4-03     
  Day 1: 2    4-03  
22. Richard Earle          Youngsville, La.        2   4-00     
  Day 1: 2    4-00  
23. Daniel Curtis          Lafayette, La.          2   3-15     
  Day 1: 2    3-15  
24. Terry Blackmon         Covington, La.          2   3-14     
  Day 1: 2    3-14  
25. Nathan Bourque         Humble, Texas           2   3-09     
  Day 1: 2    3-09  
25. Joby Hogan             Des Allemands, La.      2   3-09     
  Day 1: 2    3-09  
27. Michael Bates          Katy, Texas             2   3-06     
  Day 1: 2    3-06  
28. Randy Pitre            Natchez, Miss.          2   3-05     
  Day 1: 2    3-05  
29. Bobby Lanham           Cave Crek, Ariz.        2   3-03     
  Day 1: 2    3-03  
30. Durrelle Verrette      Houma, La.              2   3-02     
  Day 1: 2    3-02  
31. Alan Sward             Moss Point, Miss.       2   3-01     
  Day 1: 2    3-01  
32. Gayland Heard          Vidor, Texas            2   2-15     
  Day 1: 2    2-15  
33. Dwight Minogue         Greenwood, La.          2   2-14     
  Day 1: 2    2-14  
34. Jerry Biggs            Evless, Texas           2   2-12     
  Day 1: 2    2-12  
35. John Fain              Spring, Texas           1   2-09     
  Day 1: 1    2-09  
36. Cary Beard             Baton Rouge, La.        1   2-07     
  Day 1: 1    2-07  
36. Justin Sward           Vancleave, Miss.        1   2-07     
  Day 1: 1    2-07  
38. Charles Hewitt         Prairieville, La.       1   2-05     
  Day 1: 1    2-05  
39. Robert Chandler        Vinton, La.             1   2-04     
  Day 1: 1    2-04  
40. Mark Brasher           Downsville, La.         1   2-03     
  Day 1: 1    2-03  
41. Mike Archer            Denison, Texas          1   2-02     
  Day 1: 1    2-02  
41. Robert Giles           Lafayette, La.          1   2-02     
  Day 1: 1    2-02  
43. Randy Hicks            Lumberton, Texas        1   2-01     
  Day 1: 1    2-01  
44. Joe Brozak             Orange, Texas           1   2-00     
  Day 1: 1    2-00  
44. William Loftin         Youngsville, La.        1   2-00     
  Day 1: 1    2-00  
46. Mike Marfell           Saint Louis, Mo.        1   1-15     
  Day 1: 1    1-15  
46. Cody Roper             Paulina, La.            1   1-15     
  Day 1: 1    1-15  
48. Spenser Gremillion     Denham Spgs, La.        1   1-14     
  Day 1: 1    1-14  
48. Billy Holt             Sherwood, Ark.          1   1-14     
  Day 1: 1    1-14  
48. Curtis Metts           Texarkana, Ark.         1   1-14     
  Day 1: 1    1-14  
51. Darrell Garza          Pleasanton, Texas       1   1-13     
  Day 1: 1    1-13  
51. John Hope              Palestine, Texas        1   1-13     
  Day 1: 1    1-13  
51. Ron Pourciau           Livonia, La.            1   1-13     
  Day 1: 1    1-13  
54. Joshua Wallace         Wimberley, Texas        1   1-12     
  Day 1: 1    1-12  
54. Teresa Gill            Anamosa, Iowa           1   1-12     
  Day 1: 1    1-12  
56. John Moon              Brookeland, Texas       1   1-11     
  Day 1: 1    1-11  
56. Byron Smith            Jeanerette, La.         1   1-11     
  Day 1: 1    1-11  
58. Larry Beauboeuf        Natchitoches, La.       1   1-10     
  Day 1: 1    1-10  
58. Keith Bryan            Decatur, Texas          1   1-10     
  Day 1: 1    1-10  
58. Gennaro Dicola         Bedford, Texas          1   1-10     
  Day 1: 1    1-10  
58. Anthony Plescia        Slidell, La.            1   1-10     
  Day 1: 1    1-10  
58. Glenn Robertson        Shreveport, La.         1   1-10     
  Day 1: 1    1-10  
63. Bart Domingue          Pierre Part, La.        1   1-09     
  Day 1: 1    1-09  
63. Patrick Rachel         Saint Amant, La.        1   1-09     
  Day 1: 1    1-09  
65. George Fister          Lake Charles, La.       1   1-08     
  Day 1: 1    1-08  
65. Keith Johnson          Oklahoma City, Okla.    1   1-08     
  Day 1: 1    1-08  
65. Randy Rader            Morgan City, La.        1   1-08     
  Day 1: 1    1-08  
68. Daniel Rodriquez       New Braunfels, Texas    1   1-07     
  Day 1: 1    1-07  
69. Tom Atkeson            New Orleans, La.        1   1-07     
  Day 1: 1    1-07  
70. Frank Lawson           Clinton, La.            1   1-06     
  Day 1: 1    1-06  
71. Austin Abadie          Saint Amant, La.        0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. John Armstrong         Bellaire, Texas         0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Michael Bass           Austin, Texas           0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Tom Bever              Boulder, Colo.          0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Kevin Booty            Dequincy, La.           0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Christopher Brewton    San Antonio, Texas      0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Jonathan Brown         Las Vegas, Nev.         0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Elton Cleveland        Little Rock, Ark.       0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Loren Coburn           Norman, Okla.           0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Leroy Conway           Lawton, Okla.           0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Steve Corbin           Conroe, Texas           0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. David Cortinas         North Richland Hills,   0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. David Della            Reno, Nev.              0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Michael Deroche        Houma, La.              0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. James Dorris           Slidell, La.            0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Ken Fussell            Hammond, La.            0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Rudy Guillen           Houston, Texas          0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Kenneth Harris         Calhoun, La.            0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. John Hayen             Hurst, Texas            0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Dan Hester             Keithville, La.         0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. John Hobson            Grapeland, Texas        0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Bob Howard             Colorado Springs, Colo  0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Michael Hubbard        Loveland, Colo.         0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Elvis Jeanminette      Jeanerette, La.         0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. John Kerr              Walker, La.             0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Monty Kirby            Sherman, Texas          0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. David Koret            Houston, Texas          0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Dwane Lafleur          Lawtell, La.            0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Markus Ledford         Benton, La.             0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. John Locke             Timpson, Texas          0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Carrol Mabile          Pierre Part, La.        0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Mike Mcadams           Pascagoula, Miss.       0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. James Mckeithen        Baton Rouge, La.        0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. John Merritt           Iowa, La.               0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Mike Michelson         Altus, Okla.            0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Ronnie Milton          Livingston, La.         0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Gary Mumphrey          Gonzales, La.           0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Kevin Ricks            Houma, La.              0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Duane Ritchie          Smithville, Texas       0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Gary Robicheaux        Centerville, La.        0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Brad Rodrigue          Pierre Part, La.        0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Joey Romano            Denham Springs, La.     0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Michael Savant         Lake Charles, La.       0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Lamar Spade            Brodheadsville, Pa.     0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Ralph Steinecke        Hallsville, Texas       0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Matt Storr             Biloxi, Miss.           0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Steven Strawn          Baton Rouge, La.        0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Dale Thayne            Seguin, Texas           0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Charles Thompson       Livingston, La.         0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Jean Trahan            Lafayette, La.          0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Dusty Tucker           Minden, La.             0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Douglas Watkins        Cave City, Ark.         0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Derek White            Denham Springs, La.     0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Heath Willard          Brookhaven, Miss.       0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Mike Williams          Delhi, La.              0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
71. Daniel Woods           Washington, Mo.         0   0-00     
  Day 1: 0    0-00  
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
 1        4       128       254-06
----------------------------------
          4       128       254-06

Guck photo

 

Kevin VanDam captured back-to-back 2008 and 2009 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles through an intense, high-energy, passionate pursuit steeped in knowledge and experience.

He takes those same winning intangibles to the deer woods – and the results have been similar. Trophies hang on the wall.

“I have a fascination with fish and wildlife. It doesn’t matter whether it’s pheasants, squirrels – or whatever – but mature whitetail bucks captivate me in a different way – on a different level -- because they are so unique, cagey and smart. Their personalities and daily habits are as unique as the antlers on their heads. To me, they are the toughest big game animal to harvest in North America,” says VanDam.

The supreme challenge whitetails offer has carried Kevin to Montana, Texas, Illinois, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Kansas, and of course, his home state of Michigan. He’s tagged big bucks in most of those places. But the #1 ranked angler, gives Kansas the #1 ranking for deer hunting. The Jayhawk monster shown in the accompanying photo goes far in explaining why. It gross scored 173. He downed it at 275 yards with a RemingtonÒ 7mm STW on a hunt with his brother-in-law Russ in Brown County, KS four years ago. He credits many hours at the rifle range for allowing him to make the long shot.

“I’m not sure there is a bad place in Kansas,” grins VanDam as his mind wanders off to the perfect scenario in the Sunflower State. “In fact, I can think of the perfect tree to be in right now in early November. There’s a 300-acre block of timber with a ravine cutting through it from East to West, and the deer funnel into it by following fencerows. The tree overlooks that ravine. Put me in that tree with a cold-front moving through, cloudy skies, a falling barometer, northwest wind, and air temps ranging from 30 to 55, and I’d sit there from dawn to dark – waiting – intensely,” reflects KVD.

VanDam who hunts with a variety of rifles and a PSE Dream SeasonÔ bow admits that the 12-hour days in a tree stand can at times become too intense. “When I’m in Kansas …that’s my time. But I can’t say it’s relaxing. My intensity and drive in that deer stand is pretty much exactly like a day of competition on the water. I don’t call a ton with rattling horns or grunt calls unless I’m trying to draw a deer in closer that I can see in the distance. It’s mainly a lot of long hours sitting silent -- waiting and watching.”

“I’ve been hunting so long, with so much intensity that the entrance of my sons Nicholas and Jackson into the sport probably saved me from burn-out, or at least returned me full circle to the fun side of deer hunting again. I absolutely love teaching them about deer behavior, body language, and the daily habits of deer – just everything I can about whitetails. That time with them is definitely the most fun part of deer hunting ” admits VanDam who won his first Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title 17 years ago.

“I fish professionally to make a living, but I won’t kid you – someday when I stop fishing competitively, I dream about extending my career by getting involved in the deer hunting segment of the outdoor industry,” concludes VanDam.

“My wife Sherry wanders why I don’t hunt elk, mule deer, moose, whatever, and all I can say is I’m consumed with whitetails in a hard-core kind of way. They captivate me,” says Kevin.

 

You won't believe take 2. Click here to watch. 

 

 

Venerable angler Dave Wolak is on Wired Radio today with Terry Brown and talks about his beloved Yankee's and his passion for bass fishing. To listen click here.

 

 

West Coast angler and well known writer Terry Battisti has taken the challenge and will be covering the left coasters for Wired2Fish beginning today. He has a perspective about that job up today on Unplugged sponsored by Berkley. To read his thoughts as he enters the fray click here.

 

During the 80's and early 90's the Gene Larew Salt Craw became one of the hottest plastic bass baits to hit the market. Stanley Bait Companies John Hale had the craw worm before it but the Salt Craw had a major cult following across the Midwest. Anglers wouldn't just buy a bag of the bait, they bought 100 count bags and because of the vast number of color selections available they could match the best color to the water they fish.

 

Rigged Texas style the Gene Larew Salt Craw crosses finesse with power. It can be cast or it can be flipped and pitched. Heavy grass mats are no problem, bedding bass can't stand them and they work exceptionally well around wood too. The 2.75 incher is an exceptional bait for smallies and the other sizes are perfect for largemouths.  A 4/0 offset thin wire Gamakatsu hook works exceptionally well in this bait. We also add glass rattles for muddy conditions or when the bite is super tough. The Gene Larew Salt Craw is also a great jig trailer and can be matched on all colors of jigs.

 

River anglers love this bait beause of its compact size, it glides well and the pinchers undulate on the fall. Some of the best strikes on this bait come as it is reeled in, swimming the craw back to the boat. The body of this bait has enough bulk to be used for multiple fish.

 

As far as colors, we prefer black with yellow pinchers, grape with white pinchers, black with blue pinchers and black with chartruese for muddy or stained conditions and plum with silver pinchers,  pumpkin pepper green with orange pinchers for clearer water. We especially like the double silver for post spawners as the pinchers in silver imulate fry or young shad in the water.

 

The Salt Craw comes in 2.75, 3,4,and 6 inch sizes and they are loaded with salt.

 

When fishing gets super tough sneak one out, don't let your buddy know,  and we can assure you you will put a waxing on him/her.

 

To buy or learn more about the Gene Larew Salt Craws click here.

 

The Gene Larew line-up also includes a 4 inch Ring Worm that works exceptionally well too for like conditions. Check them out!

 

Well known Texas jig and spinnerbait manufactuer Santone Lures announced today that they have signed Elite Series pro Matt Herren. “ I’m very excited to have the opportunity to work for Santone Lures” said Herren. “ I was introduced to the lures while practicing for the Bassmaster Classic on the Red River and have been sold on them ever since. I have always been very particular about the little sublte details of the jigs and spinnerbaits that I use and Santone Lures builds all their baits with the fishermen in mind. The company is owned and operated by a group of people that have a passion for fishing and making quality fishing products. Kathy Vaught of Santone Lures stated, "We are excited to have Matt on board. I think it's a great opportunity for our company, and we look forward to working with Matt on several new Signature Series product lines that will be introduced in the near future. We are thankful that he has chosen to represent us at the Elite Series level and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship."

Strike King has a new commerical and its great! The Strike King pro's can really cut a rug! Check it out by clicking here.
 

 

      FLW Outdoors announced Wednesday that Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter®, has formed a major partnership across all platforms of FLW Outdoors and its 189 tournaments, including a significant contingency award program. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
 
Cabela’s will be the official and exclusive outdoor retailer, as well as the official rain gear, for FLW Outdoors. The major partnership will be an important part of Cabela’s 2010 marketing strategy and the FLW Outdoors partnership will be promoted at their popular retail stores, on-line at Cabelas.com and through their world-famous catalogs.
 
“We are honored to align the FLW Outdoors brand with an organization respected as highly as Cabela’s,” said Trisha Blake, Chief Marketing Officer & Executive Vice President. “The offerings each of us have in this industry make this partnership one that will allow both organizations to thrive and provide the highest quality of tournaments to anglers and allow those anglers and fans the chance to enjoy the legendary Cabela’s experience.”
 
“Cabela’s and FLW Outdoors lead the way in their respective segments of the outdoor industry,” said Tom Rosdail, Cabela’s Vice President - Marketing. “By partnering with FLW Outdoors, Cabela’s continues its reputation for aligning itself with the very best and offering added value to our loyal customers, including the anglers and fans of FLW Outdoors.”
 
The “Cabela’s Angler Cash Contingency Program” will reward anglers that sign up and meet the requirements of the program. Anglers will earn $2,500 for qualifying events and $5,000 for the Forrest Wood Cup. The official details and rules of the contingency program will be available at FLWOutdoors.com.
 
Cabela’s will continue to host the co-branded Cabela’s store on FLWOutdoors.com and will be involved in all the platforms of FLW Outdoors including all bass and walleye events, FLW Outdoors’ multiple websites, FLW Fantasy Fishing, FLW Outdoors Magazine, “FLW Outdoors” television show on Versus and various FLW Outdoors events. Cabela’s retail stores will also host appearances and seminars by the most accomplished FLW Outdoors pro anglers as well as other cross-promotional activities.
 
At many of the FLW Tour and National Guard FLW College Fishing events, and the Forrest Wood Cup, Cabela’s will have the opportunity to supply promotional offers exclusive to fans in attendance. They will also have the opportunity to do sampling, promotional activities and sell merchandise at the FLW Outdoors Family Fun Zone and Outdoor Show, surrounding the FLW Tour and championship events, and the Reel Life Festivals, held in conjunction with College Fishing.
 
Cabela’s will also be a major promoter of FLW Fantasy Fishing, which is free to play and has offered the largest awards in fantasy sports history. Participants will be able to purchase Player’s Advantage to assist them in choosing their anglers throughout the entire season. In addition to FantasyFishing.com, Cabela’s will have a strong presence on FLWOutdoors.com and CollegeFishing.com. Likewise, FLW Fantasy Fishing will be prominently featured on the Cabela’s Web site. 
 
Cabela’s Incorporated, headquartered in Sidney, Nebraska, is a leading specialty retailer, and the world’s largest direct marketer, of hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor merchandise. Since the Company’s founding in 1961, Cabela’s(R) has grown to become one of the most well-known outdoor recreation brands in the world, and has long been recognized as the World’s Foremost Outfitter(R). Through Cabela’s growing number of retail stores and its well-established direct business, it offers a wide and distinctive selection of high-quality outdoor products at competitive prices while providing superior customer service. Cabela’s also issues the Cabela’s CLUB(R) Visa credit card, which serves as its primary customer loyalty rewards program. Cabela’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CAB.” 
 

 

 

College bass fishing is hotter than a firecracker. High School fishing has started too and could be another huge shot in the arm on the horizon and the future of our sport is hanging in the balance. Getting youth involved in fishing is everyones job and the groundswell associated with both could pay significant dividends to the fishing industry.

 

Wired2Fish reader Brian Carroll had the opportunity to sit down with Brad Rutherford and and Clint McNeil of Young Harris College and get their thoughts on National Guard FLW College Fishing.

 

Below is that Q&A.

1. When I was 3 years old. 

Q. I have seen a photo of you when you were very young.  You were fishing off the bow of your father’s bass boat and operating the foot controlled trolling motor.  Do you remember doing that?  And how old were you at that time?

A. No I don’t remember that.  But I think I was about 4 or 5 years old in that photo.

Q.  You are a freshman at YHC?

A.  Yes

Q.  What about you Clint?  How long have you been bass fishing?

A.  I was probably about 10 or 11 when I started.

Q.  You are a freshman also Clint?

A.  No sir I am a sophomore.

Q. To Clint: Who got you started bass fishing?

A. My dad.  

Q. So your dad is a bass fisherman also?

A. Clint: No sir.  Not by any means, he is just the one that took me fishing when I was young. 

Q.  Where do you live Clint and what do you consider your home water? 

A.  Canton Ga.  Allatoona and Lanier is where I fish.

Q.  How did Young Harris College get started in college bass fishing?

A.  Clint: I heard about FLW college bass fishing last year from different sources and thought I would like to try and start something at my school YHC.  I started out trying to start a bass club my freshman year by the one guy I could get to fish bailed out on me.   Then when Brad showed up this year we began in earnest to start fishing together and began to talk about build a college fishing team. 

Q.  To Clint:  Had you ever tournament bass fished before you came to YHC?

A.  No sir, I fished my first two tournaments this spring on Allatoona.

Q.  Really?  Were those club tournaments?

A.  One was put on by Jasper Marine and the other was the Good Friday tournament.

Q.  To Clint:  Had Young Harris participated in the college fishing before now or tomorrow?

N.  No this is our first event as a school.

17. How big of a school is YHC?
18. Brad: 800 or 900 students.

Q. A Christian school?

        A. Brad:  It’s a United Methodist institution and accredited to award associate and baccalaureate degrees.

Q. You guys like it at YHC?

A.  Both:  Yes!

17. How many people are on the YHC fishing team?

1.  Clint:  I would say six.

17. How does that work?  You have six people on the fishing team, how many of those six will fish tomorrow for the school? 

1. Clint:  Two, just me and Brad for tomorrow.

17. Ok, did you guys qualify somehow to able to represent YHC tomorrow?

1. Clint: No we are not to that point yet.   As the team grows will we have qualifying tournament within our school’s club to determine which members will fish the FLW events?  

17.  How many teams will be competing tomorrow?  

1.  Clint:  It depends.   There is a 40 team cut-off I think.  I am not sure how many teams are registered for tomorrow’s tournament.

17. Some schools could have more than one team fishing tomorrow?

1. Clint:  Yes, I know that University of Georgia has two teams fishing tomorrow.  Also Auburn and I think Georgia Southern and a few of the other bigger schools with more developed programs have had more that one team fish the FLW quailing tournaments.

17. I thought I heard Stren TD Ron say this morning that he had 58 boats for the college team tournament tomorrow.  Does that sound right?

1. Clint:  Could be.  I not sure.   I thought I read on the FLW web site where the field was limited to 40 teams but I have read some confusing things on the web site.

17. This is the first year FLW has handled the college fishing events correct?

1. Clint:  I think so.

17.  What has FLW done for the YHC fishing team?

A.      Clint:  They provide a driver and boat so you don’t have to worry with that.  Brad:  Allowance too.  Clint:  Yes depending on how far you had to travel FLW will give you a check at weigh in for expense reimbursement.

17. Speaking of weigh-in how will that work?  How many fish can you weigh-in?

1. We’re not sure on that yet.  It seems that each person on the team can catch a five bass limit but they can only weigh three each.  So it’s six total.  I think the reason it is three fish each it to make sure each guy participates. 

Q.  I see, to make it a true team sport then?

A.  Clint:  Yes, if one guy doesn’t catch any keepers then three fish would be the most the team could weigh.  Brad:  I think you can weigh in 5 bass each but only three each count as the team total. 

Q.  Do you know who your boater will be yet?

A.  Clint:  No sir, they pair us with a boater at check-in.

Q. Ok, you guys will be taking off from Guntersville State Park and be going out behind the Stren top ten correct?

A.  Brad:  Yes the last day of the Stren.

Q.  So they provide you with a boat, a driver and expenses.  Is there a cash payout or are you fishing for points only?  

A.  Clint: The top five of each tournament will receive payout and the payout grows as you move from qualifying to regional to the national championship levels.   How it works is in a qualifying tournament first place is $10,000.   Five will go to the school’s fishing club and five will go to the school it’s self.  That provides the school with some incentive to help keep and grow a college bass fishing team.

Q.  Where are we in the season this weekend?

A. Clint:  This is the last qualifying tournament of four.  This division started I think in February at Lake Okeechobee.  If you make the top five in any of the four qualifying tournaments you qualify for the regional which will be in Florida at Lake Monroe.   Then if you make the top five at the regional you will go to the nationals which are where? Brad:  Fort Loudoun Lake  in Knoxville.

Q.  So you guys could fish for the college national championship?  More players would help though right?

A.  Clint:  I think the tournament could be bigger.  Maybe the problem would be getting enough boats and drivers but I think the field could be as big as the Stren or FLW tour.  Clint again:  Oh yeah,  the National Champs get to fish in the FLW Cup too. 

Q.  Wow!  I guess what I meant by more players was really more team mates.  In other words if YHC had two or three teams fishing tomorrow the schools chance of qualifying would increase significantly right?

A. Clint:  Yes but just because one team qualifies does not mean all the school’s teams do.  

Q.  I gotcha.   The points are not combined between the different teams from the same school?

A.  Right.

Q.  Are you guys excited?

A.  Both:  Oh yeah.

Q.  Will this be something you guys continue next season and try to grow the team. 

A.  Clint:  Actually I am transferring to UGA next year so Brad will be carrying the torch for the YHC fishing team.   I’m hoping to make the Bulldog fishing team.

Q.  So Brad, what are your plans for the YHC fishing team?   Are the other four or five guys fishing now?  What is their experience level?

A.  I will continue to look for people at school who might be interested in bass fishing.   I will be looking at it as a chance to help teach guys and girls to fish.   I fish a lot and have a lot of experience so if I can pass that on to my team mates then that is what I would like to do.  

Q.  Where would you guys go fishing as a team to practice our have inter squad tournaments?

A.  Clint:   Young Harris is in a great location for a fishing team.  There are two lakes within 9 miles of campus.   There is one road that goes though Young Harris the town.  Nine miles one way will take you to Lake Chatuge and the other way is Lake Nottely.  Brad in the background:  Lanier and Hartwell are not too far either.

Q. So this is the last qualifier for you guys this year and yet tomorrow will be the first team fishing tournament for YHC. 

A. Both:  That’s right.

Q.  Have you seen next year’s schedule for the southeast division? 

A. Brad:  No, but they will be right behind or with the Southeast Stren guys.

Q.  How is this fishing going to affect your classroom schedule?

A.  Brad:  Well we don’t have to be at the location until Saturday morning.   Registering and paring takes place then so we can leave school on Friday after classes and drive overnight to most of the events. 

Q.  I guess all the boats and drivers for the college tournament will be mostly Stren guys.  Do you guys know if they are reimbursed or what?

A.  Brad:  I have no idea.  Clint:  I planned on tipping our driver a little something. Both:  Laughing (Note:  The boaters are paid $200 for their efforts with the college teams.)

Q.  So you guys are motivated and sounds like you have a good plan.  What has the school done to help you?

A.  Brad:  The golf coach contacted me when he heard I was looking to find some fishing friends at school.   This was before I had even met Clint.   The coach was really hard core about it and he help me contact more students about a fishing club.   We have to have an advisor at YHC to have a club and the golf coach really stepped up and helped us with that.  I met Clint though the golf coach.  I was not even supposed to fish this event but another guy backed out so I came in his place.

Q.  So the golf coach was instrumental in the YHC fishing team?

A.  Clint:  Yes he is an avid fisherman and he had wanted to do something with the students along that line but was not sure about the interest level.  Then Brad and I show up.  The coach put us in contact with the school president for approval.  The coach is also working on obtaining some sponsorship for our college fishing team.  

Q.  So from a financial standpoint the school has not done anything yet.   Sounds like the coach is working hard for you guys but could anyone step up to sponsor a college fishing team?  I mean are there any NCAA rules against such?

A.  Clint:  Nothing against that the way I understand it.  Brad:  Fishing is not a sanctioned NCAA sport.

Q.  Not yet right?

A.  Right.

Q. So FLW is doing this on their own really?   No NCAA or college funds involved correct?

A.  Both:  That’s right.  Clint:   If we can win some money we will open a checking account.

Q.  What about entry fees?

A.  There are none.

Q.  Wow.  No entry fees plus expense money.   I guess you guys are appreciative of the folks with National Guard and FLW Outdoors. 

A. Both:  We sure are.  This is great.

Q.  OK, good luck tomorrow.

A.  Both:  Thanks.

Note:  Brad and Clint, fishing for Young Harris College went on to win the next day with a total of 19-05.  

From Boating-Industry.com today:

 

Ever since Bombardier Inc. acquired Evinrude and Johnson from a bankrupt Outboard Marine Corp. (OMC) in March 2001, Roch Lambert has been the face of the outboard engine brands within the industry. He even stayed with the company – and with the Evinrude brand – when Bombardier’s powersports brands were spun off into a separate company, BRP Inc., in 2003.

However, the former vice president and general manager of Sea-Doo, Ski-Doo and Evinrude for BRP US, Inc. recently decided to reorient his career outside BRP, said Julie Johnson, media relations manager for Evinrude, in an interview yesterday.

This occurred as BRP was “consolidating the sales and marketing activities of our Can-Am/Sea-Doo/Ski-Doo/Evinrude brands as we continue to take appropriate measures to meet our financial commitments and remain well positioned for a recovery in the powersports industry,” said Johnson.

Under the restructuring, Yves Leduc has been named vice-president and general manager of the North American division for BRP. He will oversee all the brands (Sea-Doo, Ski-Doo, Can-Am and Evinrude) for North America. Leduc was most recently vice president and general manager for BRP’s Can-Am/after sales operations division. Chris Dawson remains vice-president and general manager for BRP’s international division, overseeing all of its brands.

“Yves' mandate is to increase complementary and greater harmonization of our actions in North America and worldwide,” explained Johnson.

Scott Weber, formally director of North American sales for Sea-Doo/Ski-Doo/Evinrude, has been named vice president of sales, marketing and after-sales service for Evinrude. Additionally, Bernard Guy has been appointed vice-president of sales & marketing for Can-Am; and Robert Lumley has been named vice-president of sales & marketing for Ski-Doo/Sea-Doo. 

 

To learn more go to www.boating-industry.com.

 

A spinnerbait is a spinnerbait, right? Well...Not really. There are different wire thicknesses, different hardware,different blade sizes, different head shapes, different weights and different kinds of skirts. Brothers Bait Company proved that different arm materials, like cable, can make them more effective too. Different can be better!

There have been some very unique nuances in spinnerbait designs over the years that companies have tried. For example,  Lunker Lure created the VibraTron bladed spinnerbait that Elite pro Gary Klein believes is the best spinnerbait ever made.  It had a very different style main blade that thumped like a teenagers car sitting at a stop sign. That one is for another "Under the Radar" down the road. The Stanley Wedge was different too. A tapered thin wire gave it more vibration. The Horizon spinnerbait incorporated a minnow shaped head into the mix and Terminator used titanium to create a completely new genre of spinnerbaits that consumers clammored for.

 

Louisville, Kentucky's Brothers Bait Company created the Limberneck spinnerbait that used a cable on the blade end of the bait to undulate and be more weedless. Ken Montgomery was the designer of this very speical bait. They used the cable design in conjuction with an R-Bend that was relatively new to the marketplace as well. When they hit the market these baits were hotter than a two dollar pistol for several years. Not only did they look different but anglers saw that fish found them different too. They came in multiple sizes from 1/4 to 1/2 and the conical bullet shaped head, also very different from others on the market at the time.

 

The Limberneck was very unique for several other reasons as well. No one had ever used cable for the arm before, several major tournaments were won on it because of its action and weedlessness. The skirts were hand tied with a waterproof thread that gave the skirt a much different look in the water and it was one of the first spinnerbaits that combined subtleness with an agressive technique. On a stop and go retrieve it pulsed. Not just the skirt, mind you, but the entire bait.  Combined with a Limberneck split tail trailer this bait ran true and several of the blade combinations gave it different actions. For instance, the Colorado/Indiana blade combo was great for flash and matching the hatch. The hammered willow leaf combined with a Colorado blade worked great around grass and the single willow worked great around rocks and brush.  The single spin Colorado was great for muddy water and was a go-to bait for river anglers.

 

 

Brothers sold to Luhr Jensen several years ago and the marketing of the Limberneck went away. Luhr Jensen had hundreds of skews, mainly aligned in the trout and salmon industries, and the Limberneck spinnerbait and Buzzard Buzz Bait, another cool Brothers creation, went into the bit bucket. Luhr Jensen was then sold to Rapala. The Limberneck was discontinued before they were sold to Rapala.

 

The Limberneck is very difficult to find but if you have some of them you know just how good they can be.  

 

A spinnerbait isn't just a spinnerbait and Limberneck proved that different can indeed be better.

 

   The Indiana University team of Jesse Schultz and Dustin Vaal of Bloomington, Ind., came from behind to win the National Guard FLW College Fishing Central Regional Championship on Kentucky Lake Monday with six bass weighing 13 pounds, 2 ounces for a three-day total of 13 bass weighing 29-14. For their efforts, the team won a Ranger 177TR with a 90-horsepower Evinrude or Yamaha outboard wrapped in school colors, valued at $25,000, and $25,000 for their school.

"After day one, we were going after schooling bait," said Vaal. "At the end of day two, I told Jesse that I had this place in the back of my mind, but he was not confident about it. But I said let's just go there and try it for a few minutes. We went in there and started stroking them. So today, we were going to hit [that spot] in the morning and see how we do and go from there. When we got in there this morning, we had a limit by nine o'clock."

Vaal said they caught the majority of their fish on a spinnerbait. "It is what we threw today and it caught 47 of the 50 fish we landed today. It is a 3/8-ounce bait that is split down the middle with silver and gold on each side with a citrus-shad skirt. It was an awesome day."

"It is just amazing," said Schultz. "We just wanted to have fun out there today knowing we had already qualified for the national championship. Dustin picked up that spinnerbait and it was just one right after another. Once he had his limit, he handed the bait over to me and I started catching them. I caught my first fish, the biggest one, on a sweet beaver. After we had our limits in the morning, we were just searching for that big kicker fish, but we never really found it. Fortunately we didn't need it."

The National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship will be held at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., April 10-12, 2010.

Rounding out the top five teams are Eastern Kentucky University - Richard Cobb V of Richmond, Ky., and Tyler Moberly of Berea, Ky. (12 bass, 25-12, $25,000); Ohio State University - Casey Hammann and Kevin Moeller, both of Cincinnati, Ohio (eight bass, 22-11, $11,000); Southern Illinois University - Richard Dunham of Carbondale, Ill. and Travis Gould of Vandalia, Ill. (10 bass, 20-3, $8,000); and Murray State University - Steve Miller and Kalem Tippett, both of Murray, Ky., (eight bass, 17-0, $6,000).

FLW Outdoors announced the College Fishing trail in May 2008. Additional information for the Central Regional Championship can be found by visiting CollegeFishing.com along with rules, requirements and information on how to create a bass club.

Full-time students enrolled in four year colleges or universities are eligible to participate in the events. Schools can send two-person teams to each of the four qualifying events in their division, with each event limited to a maximum of 40 teams. Each team has the opportunity to win $10,000 for first and $2,000 through fifth place. Prize money is split evenly between the winning team's club and the school they represent. The tournaments are free to enter, boats and drivers are provided and all collegiate teams receive a travel allowance. The top five teams in each qualifying event advance to one of five televised three-day National Guard FLW College Fishing Regional Championships.

The National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship is a three-day televised event hosting the top five teams from each regional, 25 total teams. Teams will be provided shirts and wrapped Ranger boats towed by Chevy trucks for this competition. The purse for the championship ranges from $25,000 cash and a Ranger 177TR with a 90-horsepower Evinrude or Yamaha outboard wrapped in school colors for the winning club and $50,000 for the school they represent to $15,000 for fifth, split between the club and school.

The winning team will be declared the National Guard FLW Collegiate National Champion and will qualify for the Forrest Wood Cup in 2010. The winners will also receive use of a wrapped boat and Chevy truck for the Forrest Wood Cup.

Coverage of the National Guard FLW College Fishing Central Division Regional event on Kentucky/Barkley Lake will be broadcast in high-definition (HD) on VERSUS, the network which brings anglers the best fishing programming on television featuring the most-trusted authorities on the water. The Emmy-nominated "FLW Outdoors," will air Nov. 29 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. ET. "FLW Outdoors," hosted by Jason Harper, is broadcast to approximately 500 million households worldwide, including internationally through agreements with WFN (World Fishing Network) and Matchroom Sport to such countries as Canada, Germany, China, South Africa, Australia, Malaysia, Russia, Hungary and the United Kingdom, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoor-sports television show in the world.

Last week we ran a "What's Up" about FLW pro Art Ferguson's Tackle Company called PROvider Tackle. Well, he is at it again with a new offering where you can buy and sell tackle in an auction style. Its called Tackle2Trade and it just went up. We particularly like the "2" in his name.  Check it out by clicking here.

 

If you are an oldtimer the name Mann's Bait Company resonates well with you. They have been in business for over 50 years and are still building baits that win tournaments at the highest levels.

 

The Augertail Worm was a mainstay in the 80's. The Mann's 20+ was a Jack Davis creation that was the first plastic crankbait to probe depths deeper than 10 feet.

 

Mann's Bait Company, started by the legendary Tom Mann in 1956, also had one of the first scented packaged worms to hit the market with the Jelly Worm.

 

Lets reminice a bit. The first worm we ever saw that wasn't alive was the Creme worm. It had the color down pat but had the action of a stick. The next one we really took a liking to was the 9 inch Jelly Worm. It came packed on a card with cellophane over the worm and it was a juicy cuss. We could hardly wait to tear into them and then placed them in a "tackle Box" for safe keeping. We soon found out that they would eat a compartment in a tackle box and what you had left was a kin to a squashed squirrel. 

 

The strawberry scented model, our favorite, was also straight as a string with and eggsack and a paddle shaped tail but the plastic consistency was softer than those that came before it. That worm actually looked alive in the water and fished slowly it caught bass. We never really knew if the strawberry scent made a difference but it sure didn't hurt and worms that had an oily feeling to them seemed to catch more bass.

 

We fished the first Jelly Worms on a 5 1/2 foot composite Skyline Rod that was as stiff as a broom handle. We teamed it with an Ambassador 5000C reel and used line that was more like kite string than fishing line. We sometimes used a bullet weight but also used a 1/4 ounce rubber core weight or a split shot on occasion too.

 

The fish would hit it, swim about 2 miles and we would try to set the hook. Some of the best hook sets were completed running up the hill. Our testing ground was farm ponds and lakes that usually had cattails and snot moss along the bank. The goal was to cast past the weeds or find a place to parallel them and then hold on. It really wasn't as much about the bait but the hookset. We rigged it with an aberdeen Eagle Claw hook to aleviate problems with snags and lost baits. If you got hung up you just pulled and straightened the hook. When Tru--Turn hooks came out our hook up raitos improved.

 

As our equipment improved so did our catching.

 

 Recently Paul Elias broke the total weight world record and guess what he had tied on? An 11 inch Jelly Worm. It still catches fish!

 

The Jelly Worm is still available today and catches just as many fish as it did when we first fished them. It works great deep in the larger sizes and is a very subtle bedding bass bait in the 9 inch model too.

 

To learn more click here.

 

 

 

Today on the Next Generation Tackle Box we take a look at the new Strike King Series 6 XD crankbait. To read more about this deep runner click here.

 

Today in Trade Only more news has come out on Genmar's Chapter 11 filing. Rather than re-writing the press release we felt it appropriate to let you read it as Trade Only has it published. To read click here.

 

Tackle Warehouse has the new Lucky Craft Kelly Jordon colors as an exclusive. They have 8 colors of this bait for sale and two exclusive colors only available at Tackle Warehouse. The two exclusive colors are Ghost Blue Gill and Sun Fish. To take look at this killer new prop bait by clicking here.

 

 

Randy Phillips of Oxford, Mass., closed strong Friday, securing a berth in the 2010 Bassmaster Classic and the overall win in the 2009 Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship on the Harris Chain of Lakes with a three-day total of 31 pounds, 1 ounce.

 With the victory, Phillips also scored a Skeeter/Yamaha rig valued at more than $60,000.

 “It feels great, I’m ecstatic,” he said. “I could not have asked for a better tournament, everything turned out great and I’m very excited to go to the Classic, this is my dream.”

 Despite landing a limit – no certainty this week – Phillips only had 6 pounds, 15 ounces on the final day of competition.  But tough conditions prevailed and many of the challengers slipped.   Don Hogue of Pasco, Wash., had the lead heading into the final day but fell short, claiming runner-up honors with a three-day total of 29-1.

 But Hogue did take solace in the fact that he earned a 2010 Bassmaster Classic berth by way of champion of the Western division. Phillips took the Eastern division.

 “This is surreal, it’s something you dream about like you dream of going to the moon,”  Hogue said. “I’m kind of overwhelmed, but I’m sure most of the guys are.”

 Logue describes himself as a West coast guy, having never fished in Florida or in Alabama.  Hogue will fish there, on Alabama’s Lay Lake, for the 2010 Classic, which is set for Feb. 19-21 out of Birmingham, Ala.

 In the Southern division, Brent Long of Cornelius, N.C., held on with a five-fish limit that went 7-3 Friday. Long will be fishing his second Classic and his only other Classic experience came on Lay in 2007. Long was fourth this week.

 Jeff Freeman of Max Meadows, Va., held off Gerry Jooste of Harare, Zimbabwe, to secure his second Classic berth. Freeman won the 2007 Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship on Florida’s Lake Tohopekaliga and has also scored victory in Bassmaster events as a co-angler.  He will represent the Mid-Atlantic division. Freeman placed seventh in the tournament with 24-05.

 Despite finishing 12^th in the tournament, Bryan Schmidt of Olney, Texas, had a good enough tournament to take his second consecutive Classic berth.  Schmidt bested fellow Texan Tom Jessop of Dalhart and Samuel Anthony of Independence, La.  Schmidt will look to repeat his strong 2008 performance when he finished sixth.

 To round the Classic qualifiers, Jody Adkins of North Canton, Ohio, will represent the Northern division on the strength of his third-place finish in the tournament.  The full standings can be found below.

 In the Junior Bassmaster World Championship, which played out on nearby Lake Yale, Jake Cook of Kennewick, Wash., bested the 15-18 division with 13 pounds, 1 ounce.  John Duarte of Middle River, Md., won the 11-14 division with 5 pounds.  Youth prizes included scholarships for the top finishers.

 The Bassmaster CastingKids National Championship was also determined with Sierra Voisin of Mildmay, Ontario, Canada, scoring her third CastingKids victory in the 7-10 age division.  Jared Raymer of Brandenburg, Ky., won the 11-14 division besting Shauni Voisin, Sierra’s older sister.

Kids in two age groups ( 7-10, 11-14 ) casted, pitched and flipped to targets.  Full stories can be found on Bassmaster.com.

 

 

2009 BASS FEDERATION NATION CHAMPIONSHIP 10/28-10/30 Harris Chain Of Lakes, Tavares  Fla.

(BOATER) Standings Day 3

 

   Angler                   Hometown                        D No./lbs-oz  Total $$$

 

1.  Randy Phillips         Oxford, Mass. (MA)               E 13  31-01  $60,000.00

2.  Don Hogue              Pasco, Wash. (WA)                W 13  29-01   $5,000.00

3.  Jody Adkins            North Canton, Ohio (OH)          N 13  28-03   $2,500.00

4.  Brent Long             Cornelius, N.C. (SC)             S 12  28-00   $1,000.00

5.  Skip Sjobeck           Randolph, Vt. (VT)               E  6  26-07   $1,500.00

6.  Chuck Murray           Louisburg, N.C. (NC)             S 15  25-07     $500.00

7.  Jeff Freeman           Max Meadows, Va. (VA)            M 14  24-05   $1,000.00

8.  Randy Wieczorek        Buffalo City, Wisc. (MN)         N 13  24-05     $500.00

9.  Brian Hensley          Edwardsburg, Mich. (IN)          N 15  24-00     $500.00

10. Ron Cherkas            Grimes, Iowa (IA)                N 12  23-13     $500.00

11. Gerry Jooste           Harare, Zimbabwe (ZWE)           M 15  23-02     $500.00

12. Bryan Schmidt          Olney, Texas (TX)                C 11  23-00     $250.00

13. Samuel Anthony         Independence, La. (LA)           C  9  20-07     $250.00

14. Matt Massey            Lakewood, Colo. (CO)             W  8  20-07     $250.00

15. Brandon Card           Lexington, Ky. (KY)              S 14  19-11     $250.00

16. Wes Haney              Baldwin, Wisc. (WI)              N 10  19-08     $250.00

17. Scott Weiland          Saddle Brook, N.J. (NJ)          M  9  19-03     $250.00

18. Jacopo Gallelli        Firenze, Italy (ITA)             N  6  19-00     $750.00

19. Tom Jessop             Dalhart, Texas (TX)              C 10  18-08     $250.00

20. Kenneth Pannell        Springville, Ala. (AL)           S 10  17-09     $250.00

21. Brandon Rose           Saginaw, Mich. (MI)              N 15  17-03     $250.00

22. John Soukup            Agra, Okla. (OK)                 C 11  16-15     $250.00

23. Jared Taliaferro       Rogers, Ark. (AR)                C 12  16-03     $250.00

24. Tim Dolon              Cherryville, Pa. (PA)            M 13  15-07     $250.00

25. Mark Desjardin         Vassalboro, Maine (ME)           E 11  15-01     $250.00

26. Mike Wolfenden         Warwick, R.I. (RI)               E  9  13-14     $250.00

27. Mamoru Suzuki          Tokyo 198-0063, Japan (JPN)      W  8  13-11     $250.00

28. Samuel Russell         Salt Lake City, Utah (WY)        W 10  13-07     $250.00

29. Brett Quader           Pasadena, Md. (MD)               M 10  12-12     $250.00

30. Joe Matt               Syracuse, N.Y. (NY)              E  8  12-09     $250.00

31. Chris Neely            Chattahoochee, Fla. (GA)         S 10  12-02     $250.00

32. Al Gambardella         North Haven, Conn. (CT)          E  7  11-11     $250.00

33. Jay Ladner             Kiln, Miss. (MS)                 C  6  11-05     $250.00

34. Paul Reutlinger        West Jordan, Utah (UT)           W  9  11-02     $250.00

35. Don Denault            Delmar, Md. (DE)                 M  8  10-07     $250.00

36. Mark Warner            Overland Park, Kan. (KS)         C  6  10-03     $250.00

37. David Boyd             Quincy, Fla. (FL)                S  7  10-01     $250.00

38. Ben Grande             Las Vegas, Nev. (NV)             W  8  10-00     $250.00

39. Nick Wood              Yreka, Calif. (CA)               W  7   9-13     $250.00

40. Leroy Starling         Whitefish, Mont. (MT)            W  8   9-12     $250.00

41. Tyler Hanatow          Alstead, N.H. (NH)               E  6   9-12     $250.00

42. Richard Risewick       Norton, Kan. (NE)                C  9   9-11     $250.00

43. Dave Johnson           Keswick, Canada (ON)             E  7   9-10     $250.00

44. Shane Cowan            Pierre, S.D. (SD)                N  5   9-10     $250.00

45. Gerald Sobkowiak       Granville, Ill. (IL)             N  6   9-07     $250.00

46. Rick Hamer             Charleston, W.Va. (WV)           M  5   9-06     $250.00

47. Byron Chaves           Salem, Ore. (OR)                 W  6   9-01     $250.00

48. Justy Varkevisser      Edenvale 1610, South Africa (S AFS  6   8-15     $250.00

49. John Clark             Bossier City, La. (PVA Champion) M  7   8-05     $250.00

50. Russell Matt           Saint Joseph, Mo. (MO)           C  7   7-09     $250.00

51. Ben Parker             Union City, Tenn. (TN)           S  6   6-14     $250.00

52. Owen Lounsbury         St Maries, Idaho (ID)            W  5   5-09     $250.00

53. Chuck Rizuto           Navajo Dam, N.M. (NM)            W  4   2-13     $250.00

54. Jeff Guerrette         Glendale, Ariz. (AZ)             W  2   2-06     $250.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Big Bass

Day

 1   Skip Sjobeck            Randolph, Vt. (VT)         9-05    $500.00

 2   Jeff Freeman            Max Meadows, Va. (VA)      5-11    $500.00

 2   Jeff Freeman            Max Meadows, Va. (VA)      5-11    $500.00

 2   Jacopo Gallelli         Firenze, Italy (ITA)       8-12    $500.00

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Totals

Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight

 1       17       163       276-03

 2       18       181       301-12

 3       15       148       249-12

----------------------------------

         50       492       827-11

 

DIVISIONAL STANDINGS Day 3

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

NORTHERN

    Angler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$

  1 Jody Adkins          North Canton, Ohio (OH)    13  28-03   $2,500.00

  2 Randy Wieczorek      Buffalo City, Wisc. (MN)   13  24-05     $500.00

  3 Brian Hensley        Edwardsburg, Mich. (IN)    15  24-00     $500.00

  4 Ron Cherkas          Grimes, Iowa (IA)          12  23-13     $500.00

  5 Wes Haney            Baldwin, Wisc. (WI)        10  19-08     $250.00

  6 Jacopo Gallelli      Firenze, Italy (ITA)        6  19-00     $750.00

  7 Brandon Rose         Saginaw, Mich. (MI)        15  17-03     $250.00

  8 Shane Cowan          Pierre, S.D. (SD)           5   9-10     $250.00

  9 Gerald Sobkowiak     Granville, Ill. (IL)        6   9-07     $250.00

 

WESTERN

    Angler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$

  1 Don Hogue            Pasco, Wash. (WA)          13  29-01   $5,000.00

  2 Matt Massey          Lakewood, Colo. (CO)        8  20-07     $250.00

  3 Mamoru Suzuki        Tokyo 198-0063, Japan (JP   8  13-11     $250.00

  4 Samuel Russell       Salt Lake City, Utah (WY)  10  13-07     $250.00

  5 Paul Reutlinger      West Jordan, Utah (UT)      9  11-02     $250.00

  6 Ben Grande           Las Vegas, Nev. (NV)        8  10-00     $250.00

  7 Nick Wood            Yreka, Calif. (CA)          7   9-13     $250.00

  8 Leroy Starling       Whitefish, Mont. (MT)       8   9-12     $250.00

  9 Byron Chaves         Salem, Ore. (OR)            6   9-01     $250.00

 10 Owen Lounsbury       St Maries, Idaho (ID)       5   5-09     $250.00

 11 Chuck Rizuto         Navajo Dam, N.M. (NM)       4   2-13     $250.00

 12 Jeff Guerrette       Glendale, Ariz. (AZ)        2   2-06     $250.00

 

CENTRAL

    Angler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$

  1 Bryan Schmidt        Olney, Texas (TX)          11  23-00     $250.00

  2 Samuel Anthony       Independence, La. (LA)      9  20-07     $250.00

  3 Tom Jessop           Dalhart, Texas (TX)        10  18-08     $250.00

  4 John Soukup          Agra, Okla. (OK)           11  16-15     $250.00

  5 Jared Taliaferro     Rogers, Ark. (AR)          12  16-03     $250.00

  6 Jay Ladner           Kiln, Miss. (MS)            6  11-05     $250.00

  7 Mark Warner          Overland Park, Kan. (KS)    6  10-03     $250.00

  8 Richard Risewick     Norton, Kan. (NE)           9   9-11     $250.00

  9 Russell Matt         Saint Joseph, Mo. (MO)      7   7-09     $250.00

 

EASTERN

    Angler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$

  1 Randy Phillips       Oxford, Mass. (MA)         13  31-01  $60,000.00

  2 Skip Sjobeck         Randolph, Vt. (VT)          6  26-07   $1,500.00

  3 Mark Desjardin       Vassalboro, Maine (ME)     11  15-01     $250.00

  4 Mike Wolfenden       Warwick, R.I. (RI)          9  13-14     $250.00

  5 Joe Matt             Syracuse, N.Y. (NY)         8  12-09     $250.00

  6 Al Gambardella       North Haven, Conn. (CT)     7  11-11     $250.00

  7 Tyler Hanatow        Alstead, N.H. (NH)          6   9-12     $250.00

  8 Dave Johnson         Keswick, Canada (ON)        7   9-10     $250.00

 

SOUTHERN

    Angler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$

  1 Brent Long           Cornelius, N.C. (SC)       12  28-00   $1,000.00

  2 Chuck Murray         Louisburg, N.C. (NC)       15  25-07     $500.00

  3 Brandon Card         Lexington, Ky. (KY)        14  19-11     $250.00

  4 Kenneth Pannell      Springville, Ala. (AL)     10  17-09     $250.00

  5 Chris Neely          Chattahoochee, Fla. (GA)   10  12-02     $250.00

  6 David Boyd           Quincy, Fla. (FL)           7  10-01     $250.00

  7 Justy Varkevisser    Edenvale 1610, South Afri   6   8-15     $250.00

  8 Ben Parker           Union City, Tenn. (TN)      6   6-14     $250.00

 

MID-ATLANTIC

    Angler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$

  1 Jeff Freeman         Max Meadows, Va. (VA)      14  24-05   $1,500.00

  2 Gerry Jooste         Harare, Zimbabwe (ZWE)     15  23-02     $500.00

  3 Scott Weiland        Saddle Brook, N.J. (NJ)     9  19-03     $250.00

  4 Tim Dolon            Cherryville, Pa. (PA)      13  15-07     $250.00

  5 Brett Quader         Pasadena, Md. (MD)         10  12-12     $250.00

  6 Don Denault          Delmar, Md. (DE)            8  10-07     $250.00

  7 Rick Hamer           Charleston, W.Va. (WV)      5   9-06     $250.00

  8 John Clark           Bossier City, La. (PVA Ch   7   8-05     $250.00