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Kevin VanDam knows a thing or two about bass fishing and he also knows a bunch about organizing tackle. He helped design the ultimate tackle system with Plano. He designed two bags, the KVD Guide Elite Series 4870 and the 4880 XXL. The 4870 is perfect for the co-angler or the angler who has to switch boats and the 4880 can handle everything and the kitchen sink. Great for bass anglers on the go the Guide Elite Series offers water resistance with cleanable materials, 3700 boxes and a rubberized base. These are some sweet tackle bags!
Christmas is just around the corner.
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BERKLEY EXPERIENCE TRAILER COMING TO TYLER, TEXAS
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Berkley Experience Trailer is headed to the Gander Mountain store in Tyler, Texas. The trailer will roll in October 2 – 4 and will offer demonstrations and interactive games for kids and adults.
The Berkley Experience Trailer gives the everyday angler the opportunity to view baits in the Berkley line and chances to see the baits in action. Kids and adults alike will enjoy fishing games and competing in knot tying contests.
“We want everyone young and old alike to enjoy the Berkley experience,” said Andrew Marks, Berkley Marketing Manager “In addition to our bait and line interactive displays we will have Abu Garcia reel demonstrations, interactive touch screens to learn how to “Catch More Fish” and a showcase for our latest and most innovative fishing products.”
Special sales and promotions will be offered wherever the Berkley trailer stops. If you are unable to make it by the trailer and test the interactive components in Tyler, Texas, look at the upcoming events.
Upcoming Events
October 9 – 11 – Gander Mountain, Garland, Texas
October 16 – 18 – Berkley Big Bass Tournament, Lake Fork Marina - Lake Fork, Texas
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BERKLEY BASS TANK HEADED TO BISMARCK, N.D.
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Berkley Bass Tank will be at the Bismarck-Mandan Convention Center in Bismarck, N.D. The tank is scheduled to stop October 2 – 3 and will feature seminars and appearances by Berkley Pro Anglers.
Berkley sends two 4,000-gallon bass tanks all over the country to help out the everyday angler. Kids and adults alike will enjoy learning about new Berkley products and tips on how to use these innovative baits.
“The Berkley Bass Tanks are out on the road, giving all anglers the opportunity to hone their skills,” said Tammy Cox, Berkley Marketing Manager “Not only will attendees learn to “Catch More Fish,” they will also learn about new products that will help them become a better angler.”
If you are unable to make it by the Bass Tank in Bismarck, N.D, plan on attending one of the upcoming events.
Upcoming Events
October 8-10 – Cabelas – Ft. Worth, Texas
October 16-18 – Gander Mountain – Lake Mary, Fla.
November 7-7 – Stren Championship – Florence, Ala.
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Skeet Reese and Kevin VanDam went head to head this year in the BASS Elite Series and KVD came out on top. The new shootout format for BASS Angler of the Year was a big change to way it was done in all years prior. Also, BASS has already announced that this will be the format for 2010. Did you like it?
We want to know what the fan's have to say about the new format. Did you like it and did you follow it? Do you think it brought some excitement to the post season? Did you watch the 3 hours of ESPN2 TV coverage and what did you think of it, if you did?
Be the BASS GM for the day. Would you keep it exactly the same or would you tweak it? Here is your chance. Sound off by sending your comments to feedback@wired2fish.com. |
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Today on the Next Generation Tackle Box we review the Strike King Rage Craw. It just may be the most versatile crawfish imitator on the market. To read the review click here. |
 FLW photo
One of the sports brightest stars is California's Brent Ehrler. He has been in contention for FLW's AOY the last two years and is ranked by his peers as one of the toughest anglers on tour. There is a great story on Bass Tackle Depot about his association with Lucky Craft and how he fishes their topwaters.
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Fall is jig fishing time and Jewel makes one of the best fall jigs in the industry with the Eakins Jig. There is a great new video up on Tackle Interactive talking about it. To watch it click here.
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After the deal was announced, Gander shares jumped $1.33, or 34.8 percent, to the buyout price of $5.15.
Gratco LLC and Holiday Stationstores Inc.,the companies owners will finance the buy-out. Gratco, currently owns 42 percent of Gander's shares, according to SEC filings. Holiday Stationstores owns 28.3 percent.
Gander will not seek shareholder approval for the deal because it is not required under Minnesota law, the company said.
Gratco and Holiday will offer to buy out shareholders who hold more than 30,000 shares, the company said.
"Once Gander Mountain becomes a private company, it intends to continue its efforts to improve operating performance and reduce its outstanding indebtedness," the company said in the statement.
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Youvella USA, a Fish Harder Company, designs hooks by the pros specific to the application and technique. Not a single hook is approved until Peter T, Greg Hackney, Ish Monroe and Mike Iaconelli have given it their blessing.
We want to give you a taste of some of their designs that includes a 7/0 and 8/0 Swimbait Hook, a Package of Greg Hackney Frog hooks, a package of Little Flip 3/0 with keeper, two packages of the 3/0 OWG's, 1 package of the OWG 3/0 Super Strong, and a package of the 4/0 OWG Super Strong Worm Hooks.
All you have to do is send us your name and address and the correct answers to contest@wired2fish.com for a chance to win.
Here are the Youvella questions:
1. What size is the Pro Flip Hook sold in?
2. What sizes does the Pro Swimbait hooks come in?
3. What type of "bend" does the Hackney Frog hook have to keep the frog in position?
This contest runs until October 9th at noon. Good Luck.
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| Cajun Phil (left) and Capt. Kevin Broussard raise their championship trophy for the crowd to see after being named the 2009 Crown Royal Redfish Cup champions with a day three weight of 9.27 pounds. |
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Photo by James Overstreet
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The weights were low, but the victory was just as sweet as the 2009 Academy Team of the Year presented by Crocs tipped the scales with 9.27 pounds, securing another title for their tenured record.
Louisiana father-son team Cajun Phil and Capt. Kevin Broussard are the 2009 Crown Royal Redfish Cup champions taking home a $50,000 cash purse in Pensacola, Fla. This win is especially momentous for the Broussards after being honored on Friday as the Academy Team of the Year presented by Crocs with a $10,000 prize.
The Crown Royal Redfish Cup Championship final results are:
- Kevin Broussard (Lake Charles, La.) and Cajun Phil Broussard (Lake Charles, La.): 9.27 pounds
- Paul Jueckstock (Deland, Fla.) and Manny Perez (Punta Gorda, Fla.): 7.09 pounds
- Jeff Totten (Englewood, Fla.) and Ozzie Lessinger (Ft. Myers, Fla.): 5.91 pounds
- Mike Friday (Naples, Fla.) and Danny Latham (Punta Gorda, Fla.): 2.75 pounds
- Bo Johnson (Cape Coral, Fla.) and Mike Del Duca (Naples, Fla.): 0.00 pounds
For more results, please visit www.RedfishCup.com.
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Swimming a jig in the fall around schools of shad can be money in the bank for savvy bass anglers. The right jig makes all the difference. New for 2010 Terminator has come out with a perfectly balanced Terminator Swim Jig for just such an occasion. We want to give a lucky Wired2Fish reader a chance to have some before you can buy them. We might even throw in some regular Terminator casting jigs too.
All you have to do is answer 3 simple questions and send your name and address with the correct responses to contest@wired2fish.com for a chance to win. Contest will end at noon on October 9th.
Here are the questions:
1. What are the two sizes of the Terminator Swim Jig available?
2. What type of skirt does Terminator use? Trade name please.
3. What type of hook is used on the Terminator Swim Jig?
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The Versus network has announced an expanded schedule for the remaining airings of the BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship television series. In addition to the expanded schedule, Versus will run a "crawl" during the college football game on October 3 as well as a promo spot during the week of October 12 to promote the final airings of Championship Days 1 & 2 followed by the premiere of the "Best Of" one-hour special episode from 3:00-5:00pm EST on Sunday, October 18.
Set your DVRs and mark your calendars to make certain that you don't miss a minute of coverage:
Tuesday, September 29 10:30-11:00am EST Championship Day 1
Monday, October 5 3:30-4:30pm EST Championship Day 1 & Day 2
Tuesday, October 13 10:30-11:00am EST Championship Day 1
Friday, October 16 9:30-10:00am EST Championship Day 2
Sunday, October 18 3:00-4:00pm EST Championship Day 1 & Day 2
Sunday, October 18 4:00-5:00pm EST "Best Of" One-Hour Special (premiere)
Thursday, October 22 3:30-4:30pm EST "Best Of" One-Hour Special (repeat)
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Kudo's to BASS and ESPN for the great television coverage of the "AOY Chase" that aired yesterday on ESPN2. Tommy Sanders, Mark Zona and the film crew did a great job of not only telling the story but also had some superb on the water action as well. We especially liked the topwater shots, Kevin cranking, Biffle flipping, IKE trying to capture a bass that didn't want to get into the boat, Swindles wardrobe and the shots of the baits they used. Now if we can only get this live.....great job BASS and by the way the time slot was better too.
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Old Joke: A tourist walks up to a New Yorker and asks, “Pardon me sir. How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” The jaded Big Apple resident looks back at him and answers, “Practice, practice, practice.”
New Reality: You could ask Tom Mann Jr. how to get to Lake Lanier and for the Buford, Georgia resident, who can practically spit out his window and raise Lanier’s water level, the easy answer would be to point at the lake. But this being fishing, and Mann being a pro fisherman, the answer is never the obvious one.
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Continuing with a 15-year tradition of being a progressive publication that hardcore anglers look to for the cutting edge techniques and up to the minute information, Bass West USA Magazine launches its new digital edition.
While the print edition of each magazine will continue to be among the industry’s best, with trendsetting graphics, the highest quality print media and content from some of the best professional outdoor communicators and photographer in the business today; the digital edition will be the print edition, optimized.
Bass West USA Digital will be free to all subscribers as an advance view of the publication before it distributes, and will carry new features that only the Internet would allow.
Hot Linked Articles - Readers will be able to follow links to manufacturer websites and specific products or services in the body of textual content.
Embedded Video Content – Future issues of Digital Bass West USA will feature topically relevant, enhanced video content embedded into the article. While still photography is a great communicator of concept, video enhances the readers enjoyment and comprehension of the topic.
Interactive Advertisements – Advertisers will have the added benefit of their ads being directly linked to the website of their choice, as well, still ads may be replaced by video featuring their products and services as well.
Interactive Menus – Readers can use the interactive menu bar to quickly navigate the magazine
Digital Bass West USA will feature all of this and more.
The July / August edition of the magazine is active for sample viewing now, and future editions will become available as they are produced. Click here to see the July / August issue.
Digital Bass West USA is free to all subscribers, and Bass West is currently running a special, buy two years, get a third year free promotion http://www.basstackledepot.com/basswestthreeyearsubscription18issues.aspx
First Published in 1995, Bass West USA serves the needs of fans, manufacturers and anglers from coast to coast six times a year. Bass West USA is a part of MAM Marketing Group, which is the parent company of Bass Tackle Depot .com, Westernbass.com, Westernbass.tv, Swimbaitnation.com and U.S. Anglers Choice tournament trails.
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Jonathon VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., hauled in 24 pounds, 8 ounces – the largest bag of the tournament – to claim his first BASS win Saturday in his first tournament on Lake Erie, the third and final 2009 Bassmaster Northern Open. His two-day total of 44 pounds, 14 ounces was nearly 3 pounds ahead of runner-up and Day 1 leader Pete Gluszek. The 21-year-old VanDam is the nephew of 2009 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam, a five-time AOY.
“This has been my dream for a long time; I’m really pumped right now,” Jonathon VanDam said. “I’m speechless. I’ve been close a couple times, and this is awesome.”
VanDam had to change his approach to the lake Saturday as the lake was much calmer than it had been Thursday for Day 1 competition. He reverted to a pattern he found in practice, throwing a Strike King Series 5 crankbait in Sexy Shad color. He keyed on rock piles and sharp humps in the lake bottom near the bank.
“I tried drop-shotting in the morning, but it wasn’t working too well, so I made a bit of a milk run to several places and started catching fish on the crankbait,” he said. “The key was to cast beyond the rock pile or hump and have the bait bump into it on the retrieve. That’s when they’d hit it.”
After Friday’s competition was cancelled due to high winds, Day 1 leader Pete Gluszek of Mount Laurel, N.J., could manage just 18-2 on Saturday to claim second place. Gluszek was drop-shotting rock piles, but he broke off several keeper fish, which kept him from his second BASS win.
With a third-place finish, Frank Scalish of Cleveland, Ohio, managed to win the Northern Open points race and earn a berth in the 2010 Bassmaster Classic as well as an invitation to fish the 2010 Bassmaster Elite Series.
As the top two pros in the Open division, Scalish and Elite Series pro Kotaro Kiriyama were awarded berths in the Classic, set for Feb. 19-21 on LayLake out of Birmingham, Ala., while the top seven competitors have been invited to fish the Elite Series.
“I really wanted to win this event, but I accomplished what I came here to do, get to the Classic and fish the Elites,” Sclalish said.
He was forced to think on his feet after heavy rains wiped out a shallow bit he found on Day 1, so he headed to deeper ledges and dragged a YUM tube around them.
Dick Parker of Amherst, Ohio, took fourth with 40-4, and Garrett Green of Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada, was fifth with 39-9.
On the co-angler side, first-place finisher Terry Ford of Westerville, Ohio, took home a $32,000 Triton/ Mercury boat and motor package for his two-day total of 34-8. Ford usually fishes on the pro side, but he was recently forced to sell his boat to pay for a surgery his wife required.
“The only way we could get the money was to sell the boat, but that wasn’t a very hard decision,” he said. “I know there was someone watching out for me on this one. Next year I’ll be back as a pro in a brand new boat. I’m pumped.”
Ford drop-shotted through both days of competition, and was fishing within sight of eventual runner-up Gary Besmer of East Islip, N.Y.
Joshua Kolodzaike of Toledo, Ohio, took third place in the co-angler division with 33-13, Mike Hauer of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, took fourth with 32-2 and Mike Staebler was fifth with 32-0.
After zeroing on Day 1, co-angler Stephen Schneider of Selden, N.Y., shot up to 14th place with a 23-pound, 7-ounce bag anchored by the big bass of the tournament, a 7-pound, 1-ounce smallmouth.
DAY 2- 2009 BASSMASTER NORTHERN OPEN STANDINGS- LAKE ERIE
2009 Northern 3 - Sandusky, OH BO 09/24-09/26
Lake Erie, Sandusky Ohio=0A(BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown = No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Jonathon Vandam = Kalamazoo, Mich. 10 44-14 305 $26,743.00
Day 1: 5 20-06= Day 2: 5 24-08
2. Pete Gluszek Mount Laurel, N.J.= 10 42-00 300 $11,886.00
Day 1: 5 23-13 Day 2: 5 18-03=
3. Frank Scalish Cleveland, Ohio 10 41-00 290 = $10,103.00
Day 1: 5 21-08 Day 2: 5 19-08
4. Dick Parker= Amherst, Ohio 10 40-04 285 $7,429.00
Day 1:=5 18-12 Day 2: 5 21-08
5. Garrett Green Bracebridge,=Canada 10 39-09 280 $5,943.00
Day 1: 5 22-12 Day 2: 5= 16-13
6. Jared Rhode Port Clinton, Ohio 10 38-13= 276 $5,349.00
Day 1: 5 22-05 Day 2: 5 16-08
7. Dave=Rochette Bracebridge, Canada 10 38-03 272 $4,754.00
= Day 1: 5 18-06 Day 2: 5 19-13
8. Jami Fralick Martin,=S.D. 10 38-03 268 $4,160.00
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day=2: 5 19-05
9. Mark Peiser Pittsboro, Ind. 10= 37-03 264 $3,566.00
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 19-08
10.=Brian Bylotas Olyphant, Pa. 10 36-12 260 $2,971.00
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 21-07
11. Chris Noffsinger = Interlochen, Mich. 8 35-01 257 $2,377.00
Day 1: 3 14-04= Day 2: 5 20-13
12. Bryan Coates Amherst, Ohio = 8 35-00 254 $2,080.00
Day 1: 3 13-01 Day 2: 5 21-15=
13. Michael Simonton Fremont, Ohio 10 32-03 251 = $1,783.00
Day 1: 5 14-08 Day 2: 5 17-11
14. Anthony Borkoski= Belmont, Ohio 10 32-03 248 $1,486.00
Day 1: 5 = 17-08 Day 2: 5 14-11
15. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala.= 9 32-01 245 $1,337.00
Day 1: 5 21-07 Day 2: 4= 10-10
16. Steve Schubert Rayland, Ohio 10 31-05= 243 $1,189.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 17-12
17. Chad=Morgenthaler Coulterville, Ill. 10 30-06 241 $1,159.00
= Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 14-04
18. Jason Root Fostoria,=Ohio 8 30-03 239 $1,129.00
Day 1: 3 9-13 Day 2:=5 20-06
19. David Dudley Dublin, Ohio 10 29-13= 237 $1,099.00
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 14-03
20. Joe=Balog Harrison Township, Mic 7 29-08 235 $1,070.00
= Day 1: 5 22-07 Day 2: 2 7-01
21. Chris King South=Amherst, Ohio 7 29-01 233 $1,040.00
Day 1: 5 22-08 Day=2: 2 6-09
22. Glenn Delong Bellville, Ohio 8= 29-00 231 $1,010.00
Day 1: 4 16-12 Day 2: 4 12-04
23.=Bill Byers Hilliard, Ohio 10 28-12 229 $981.00
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 15-12
24. William Lortz = Rochester, N.Y. 9 27-09 227 $951.00
Day 1: 4 9-09= Day 2: 5 18-00
25. Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio = 10 26-02 225 $921.00
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 14-00=
26. Chris Daves Hopewell, Va. 10 25-12 223 = $891.00
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 13-14
27. Bill Rea= Greenfield, Ohio 10 25-12 221 $862.00
Day=1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 12-03
28. Byron Haseotes Centerville,=Mass. 8 25-08 219 $832.00
Day 1: 3 8-10 Day 2: 5= 16-14
29. Ryan Park Mount Joy, Pa. 8 25-05= 217 $802.00
Day 1: 4 10-08 Day 2: 4 14-13
30. Paul=Leblanc Medway, Mass. 10 24-09 215 $773.00
= Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 11-15
31. Jason Knapp Uniontown,=Pa. 10 24-03 213 $297.00
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2:=5 11-04
32. Monty Fralick Martin, S.D. 9 24-03= 211 $297.00
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 4 10-00
33. Craig=McNanie Westerville, Ohio 10 23-07 209 $297.00
= Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 12-03
34. Derek Jones Chicago,=Ill. 10 23-06 207 $297.00
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2:=5 11-09
35. Jack Rinkers Swarthmore, Pa. 10 23-02= 205 $297.00
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 11-09
36. Aaron=Hastings Middletown, Md. 5 22-14 203 $297.00
= Day 1: 1 5-03 Day 2: 4 17-11
37. J Todd Tucker Moultrie,=Ga. 10 22-11 201 $297.00
Day 1: 5 8-03 Day 2:=5 14-08
38. Joseph Thompson Ridley Park, Pa. 10 21-11= 199 $297.00
Day 1: 5 8-12 Day 2: 5 12-15
39. Leon=Dykas Torrington, Conn. 7 21-11 197 $297.00
= Day 1: 3 8-13 Day 2: 4 12-14
40. Brandon Coulter Knoxville,=Tenn. 7 21-05 195 $297.00
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2:=2 5-10
41. Whitney Stephens Piketon, Ohio 7 21-03= 193 $297.00
Day 1: 2 7-07 Day 2: 5 13-12
42. Jeremy=Starks Charleston, W.Va. 7 20-12 191 $297.00
=Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 2 6-05
43. Bill Brown Muncy,=Pa. 7 20-09 189 $297.00
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day=2: 2 5-14
44. Paul Pagnato Vienna, Va. 7= 19-13 187 $297.00
Day 1: 4 8-06 Day 2: 3 11-07
45.=Steve Oleksyn Rochester, N.Y. 5 19-10 185 $297.00
Day 1: 3 12-11 Day 2: 2 6-15
46. Pat Golden = High Point, N.C. 8 19-04 183 $297.00
Day 1: 4 11-06= Day 2: 4 7-14
47. Chris Sumansky Renfrew, Pa. = 7 19-02 181 $297.00
Day 1: 3 6-05 Day 2: 4 12-13=
48. Scott Cremeans Albany, Ohio 8 18-05 179 = $297.00
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 3 7-06
49. Matt Greenblatt= Tequesta, Fla. 6 18-05 177 $297.00
Day 1: 5= 15-12 Day 2: 1 2-09
50. Michael Woolley West Bloomfield,=Mich. 5 18-02 175 $297.00
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 0 0-00=
51. Curtis Richardson Belleville, Canada 7 17-13 173
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 2 3-15
52. Sean Wieda = Florence, Ky. 9 17-12 171
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2:=4 7-04
53. Todd Glover Orion, Mich. 5 17-03= 169
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 0 0-00
54. Chris Johnson = Hurricane, W.Va. 4 17-02 167
Day 1: 4 17-02 =Day 2: 0 0-00
55. Jack Dalzell Amherst, Ohio = 7 16-15 165
Day 1: 4 9-09 Day 2: 3 7-06
56. Cliff=Blackford Grass Lake, Mich. 5 16-10 163
Day 1: 3 = 9-12 Day 2: 2 6-14
57. Emery Peine Newton, N.J.= 7 16-09 161
Day 1: 3 7-12 Day 2: 4 8-13
58.=Jason Dudek Excelsior, Minn. 4 15-09 159
Day 1:=3 11-09 Day 2: 1 4-00
59. Terry Baksay Easton, Conn.= 5 15-07 157
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 0 0-00
60.=Jeff Stoner Wellsville, Pa. 7 15-06 155
Day 1:=4 8-07 Day 2: 3 6-15
61. Daryl Biron South Windsor,=Conn. 5 15-06 153
Day 1: 4 12-13 Day 2: 1 2-09
62.=Dan Moran London, Ohio 3 15-01 151
Day 1:=3 15-01 Day 2: 0 0-00
63. Ray Brazier Lawrenceburg,=Tenn. 8 15-00 149
Day 1: 3 5-08 Day 2: 5 9-08
64.=Donald Staszczyk Cheektowaga, N.Y. 7 14-15 147
Day 1:=5 11-14 Day 2: 2 3-01
65. Brian Hatfield Ashland,=Ky. 6 14-14 145
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 1 1-13=
66. Mike Weiss Union Grove, Wisc. 5 13-06 143
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 0 0-00
67. Shawn Skobel = Uniontown, Pa. 4 13-03 141
Day 1: 3 9-13 Day 2:=1 3-06
68. Josh Giran Elizabeth, Pa. 4 13-02= 139
Day 1: 3 10-12 Day 2: 1 2-06
69. Paul Molan = Chardon, Ohio 7 13-01 137
Day 1: 4 8-00 =Day 2: 3 5-01
70. Kyle Walling Fisherville, Ky. = 5 12-15 135
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 5 12-15
71. Richard=Favire Winfield Park, N.J. 5 12-15 133
Day 1: 4 8-07= Day 2: 1 4-08
72. Jelani Hennessey Bowling Green, Va.= 6 12-14 131
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 1 1-08
73. Kevin=Short Mayflower, Ark. 5 12-13 129
Day 1: 0 = 0-00 Day 2: 5 12-13
74. Russell Colwell Baltimore, Md.= 5 12-03 127
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 0 0-00
75.=Mike Elkins Kalamazoo, Mich. 4 12-00 125
Day 1:=2 5-03 Day 2: 2 6-13
76. Ken Baumgardner Monongahela,=Pa. 5 11-15 123
Day 1: 1 3-00 Day 2: 4 8-15
77.=Dave Mansue Hemphill, Texas 3 11-09 121
Day 1:=2 6-14 Day 2: 1 4-11
78. Brad Wall Clarksville,=Ohio 4 11-04 119
Day 1: 2 6-12 Day 2: 2 4-08
79.=Robert Cook Willis, Mich. 3 10-08 117
Day 1:=2 7-01 Day 2: 1 3-07
80. Steven Clapper Lima, Ohio= 2 10-01 115
Day 1: 2 10-01 Day 2: 0 0-00 =
81. Scott Lakey Porlage, Mich. 3 9-13 113
= Day 1: 1 6-00 Day 2: 2 3-13
82. Dave Wolak Wake=Forest, N.C. 3 9-06 111
Day 1: 3 9-06 Day 2: 0 0-00=
83. Michael Scanlon Clifton Heights, Pa. 4 9-05 109
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 4 9-05
84. Rob Hyatt = Callander, Canada 3 7-13 107
Day 1: 3 7-13 Day 2:=0 0-00
85. Jeff Kuhar Bridgeport, Ohio 2 5-14= 105
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 2 5-14
85. Scott Parker = Londonderry, N.H. 2 5-14 105
Day 1: 2 5-14 =Day 2: 0 0-00
87. Kaku Usui Royal Oak, Mich. = 1 5-14 101
Day 1: 1 5-14 Day 2: 0 0-00
88. Larry=Bailey North Ridgeville, Ohio 2 5-11 99
Day 1: 2 = 5-11 Day 2: 0 0-00
89. John Cromwell Arlington, Tenn.= 3 5-08 97
Day 1: 2 3-10 Day 2: 1 1-14
90.=James Pocratsky Uniontown, Pa. 2 5-07 95
Day 1:=2 5-07 Day 2: 0 0-00
91. Phil Colarusso Stillwater,=N.Y. 2 5-04 93
Day 1: 2 5-04 Day 2: 0 0-00
92. Leo Reiter Goshen, Ind. 1 4-10 91
= Day 1: 1 4-10 Day 2: 0 0-00
92. Del Smith Castalia,=Ohio 1 4-10 91
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 1 4-10 =
94. Doc Merkin Downers Grove, Ill. 1 4-02 87
= Day 1: 1 4-02 Day 2: 0 0-00
95. Frank Vida New=Fairfield, Conn. 1 2-07 85
Day 1: 1 2-07 Day 2: 0 =0-00
96. Lyle Atkins Culloden, W.Va. 1 2-04 = 83
Day 1: 1 2-04 Day 2: 0 0-00
96. Mike Kaminskas = Jackson, N.J. 1 2-04 83
Day 1: 1 2-04 Day=2: 0 0-00
98. Otto David Jefferson Valley, N.Y. 0= 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 0 0-00
98. Sam Greer= London, Ky. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00= Day 2: 0 0-00
98. Trevor Jancasz White Pigeon, Mich.= 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 0 0-00
98. Scott=Kahabka Batavia, N.Y. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 = 0-00 Day 2: 0 0-00
98. Craig Nels Baldwinsville,=N.Y. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 0 0-00
98.=Alvaro Rodriguez Clarence, N.Y. 0 0-00 0
Day 1:=0 0-00 Day 2: 0 0-00
98. Charles Sim Ottawa, Canada= 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 0 0-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 45 348 = 1080-11
2 35 276 846-06
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80 624 1927-01
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As the top two finishers in the season’s Bassmaster Northern Open division standings, Frank Scalish of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and Bassmaster Elite Series veteran Kotaro Kiriyama each earned a berth in the 2010 Bassmaster Classic.
Scalish, who finished the weekend’s Northern Open on Lake Erie in third place Saturday, will be fishing his second Classic, while Kiriyama, who finished 15th on Lake Erie, will compete in his 10th Classic.
“When I came down here, my only goal was to make the Classic,” Scalish said. “Mission accomplished.”
The two pros – along with the rest of the top seven in the final Northern Opens standings – have also been offered a shot at BASS’ highest level of fishing, the Bassmaster Elite Series. Both accepted the invitation.
The Opens were Kiriyama’s means of requalification this year as he didn’t not re-qualify based on his Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standing.
Scalish finished the season with 880 points, 120 ahead of Kiriyama. Scalish placed third at both the Erie event and the inaugural Northern Open at Chesapeake Bay. In the second Northern Open on New York’s Lake Champlain, he placed second.
For Kiriyama, a 20th-place finish at Lake Champlain was a thorn, but he managed second place at Erie and fifth at Chesapeake Bay, good enough to secure a spot in both the Classic and the Elites.
It looked like Scalish had the Erie Open wrapped up until Jonathon VanDam – nephew of 2009 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam – weighed in the heaviest stringer of the tournament, a 24-pound, 8-ounce bag of smallmouth, Saturday.
Day 1 leader Pete Gluszek of Mount Laurel N.J., also finished the final Open ahead of Scalish. While VanDam wasn’t a threat to Scalish’s chances for a Classic or Elite Series berth, Gluszek was.
Gluszek fell just short of a Classic appearance. His last Classic appearance was 10 years ago in 1999 on the Louisiana Delta. He will be offered an Elite Series invitation by virtue of his third-place finish in the Open standings.
“This is the fourth time I’ve been one spot out of the cut,” he said. “Of course I wanted to make it (to the Classic), but I guess I’m happy where I am; this is what I do.”
Other pros who will be invited to fish the Elite Series: J. Todd Tucker of Moultrie, Ga., who will fish his sophomore season in the Elites; Aaron Hastings of Boonesboro, Md.; Brian Bylotas of Olyphant, Pa.; and Steve Oleksyn of Rochester, N.Y.
Here is the final standings for the Northern Opens
2009 Northern 3 - Sandusky, OH - Northern 3 - Sandusky, OH
Boater Points
After Lake Erie, Sandusky, Ohio Ending 09-26-2009, Day 2
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Place Name St Pts
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1 Frank Scalish Ohio 880
2 Kotaro Kiriyama = Ala. 760
3 Pete Gluszek N.J. 742
4 J Todd Tucker Ga. 700
5 Aaron Hastings Md.= 684
6 Brian Bylotas Pa. 656
7 Steve Oleksyn N.Y. 647
8 Matt Greenblatt Fla. = 631
9 Jeremy Starks W.Va. 619
10 Byron Haseotes= Mass. 615
11 Terry Baksay Conn. 610
12 Chris Daves Va. 609
13 Jonathon Vandam = Mich. 589
14 Scott Parker N.H. 568
15=Kevin Short Ark. 567
16 Chris Sumansky Pa.= 558
17 Whitney Stephens Ohio 557
17 Brandon Coulter Tenn. 557
19 Dave Wolak N.C. = 554
20 Jason Knapp Pa. 551
21 Dave Mansue= N.J. 546
22 Monty Fralick S.D. 545
23 Ryan Park Pa. 543
23 Paul Leblanc = Mass. 543
25 Michael Iaconelli N.J. 540
26 Curtis Richardson Canada 529
27 Todd Glover Mich.= 528
28 Sean Wieda Ky. 515
29 Dave Rochette= Canada 512
30 Garrett Green Canada 506
31 Daryl Biron Conn. 505
32 Chris Noffsinger = Mich. 493
33 Chad Morgenthaler Ill. 492
34=Glenn Delong Ohio 490
35 Paul Pagnato Va.= 479
36 Pat Golden N.C. 473
37 Derek=Jones Ill. 469
38 Ken Cook Okla. = 456
39 Scott Lakey Mich. 451
40 Joe Balog= Mich. 445
41 Jason Dudek Minn. = 440
42 Steve Schubert Ohio 436
43 Ish Monroe = Calif. 425
44 Marty Stone N.C. 420
45 Rodney Sorrell N.C. 415
46 Jason Root = Ohio 408
47 Mark Peiser Ind. 387
48=Mike Wolfenden R.I. 386
49 Mike Elkins Mich.= 381
50 Jami Fralick S.D. 378
51 Anthony=Borkoski Ohio 370
52 Joseph Thompson Pa. = 368
52 Scott Cremeans Ohio 368
54 Nate Wellman= Mich. 346
55 Josh Giran Pa. 343
56 Cliff Blackford Mich. 338
57 Steven Clapper = Ohio 337
58 Russell Colwell Md. 334
59=Shawn Skobel Pa. 331
60 Sean Alvarez Vt.= 328
61 William Lortz N.Y. 326
62 Thomas=Waltz Vt. 324
62 Phil Colarusso N.Y. = 324
64 Brian Hatfield Ky. 323
65 Bill Byers= Ohio 322
66 Trevor Jancasz Mich. =320
67 Craig Townsend N.J. 316
68 Chris Price = Md. 315
69 Doug Kirkbride N.Y. 314
70 Leo Reiter Ind. 308
71 Lyle Atkins = W.Va. 306
72 Keith Kurpicki N.J. 305
73=Charlie Hartley Ohio 300
74 Dan Moran Ohio= 297
75 Bill Brown Pa. 295
75 Jelani=Hennessey Va. 295
77 Bill Rea Ohio = 294
77 Chris Johnson W.Va. 294
79 Dana Perrotte= Vt. 290
80 James Pocratsky Pa. 288
81 Dick Parker Ohio 285
82 David Smith = Okla. 281
83 Andre Moore Ala. 278
84=Jared Rhode Ohio 276
85 Sam Greer Ky.= 270
86 Ray Brazier Tenn. 269
86 Eric=Johnson Mass. 269
88 Robert Cook Mich. = 268
89 Darrin Schwenkbeck N.Y. 266
90 Gaspare Costabile= Canada 264
90 Chad Rice Md. 264
92 Mark Desjardin Maine 262
93 Donald Staszczyk =N.Y. 260
93 Thomas Lavictoire Vt. 260
95 Brad=Wall Ohio 259
96 William Sanders Md. = 256
97 Gary Gaussiran Canada 254
97 Bryan Coates= Ohio 254
99 Jeff Stoner Pa. 253
100 Jeremy Prouty Fla. 252
100 David Hovanec = N.Y. 252
100 Tom Booth N.Y. 252
103=Michael Simonton Ohio 251
104 Brian Gates Vt.= 250
105 Kip Carter Ga. 242
106 Jimmy=Kennedy Vt. 241
107 David Dudley Ohio = 237
108 Ken Baumgardner Pa. 235
109 Mark Hickory= Vt. 233
109 Chris King Ohio 233
111 Tom Mason N.J. 231
112 Jack Rinkers = Pa. 230
113 Steve Lucarelli N.H. 229
113=Bryan Schmitt Md. 229
115 David Andrews Mass.= 228
115 Steve Panaroni Conn. 228
117 Bill Lowen= Ohio 225
118 Casey Rohring N.Y. =223
119 Alvaro Rodriguez N.Y. 222
120 Joe Lucarelli = N.H. 221
121 Kyle Walling Ky. 215
122 Mike Weiss Wisc. 211
122 Craig Nels = N.Y. 211
124 Ryan Hawthorne Conn. 209
124=Craig McNanie Ohio 209
126 Mark Burgess Mass.= 206
127 Curt Stickney Mich. 205
128 Richard=Favire N.J. 204
128 Paul Molan Ohio = 204
130 Leon Dykas Conn. 203
131 J Judd = Vt. 201
132 Emery Peine N.J. 196
133 George Acord Pa. 193
134 Don Fowler = Mich. 192
135 Stephen Sykas Vt. 187
135=Adam Weiser Pa. 187
137 Bill Spence Vt.= 186
138 Ac Campbell Pa. 183
139 John=Vanore N.J. 178
140 Charles Sim Canada = 175
140 Michael Woolley Mich. 175
142 Michael Drew= Vt. 173
143 Bobby Lane Fla. 171
143 Daniel Rodriguez Md. 171
145 Edwin Gardner = Md. 167
146 Mark Kulik Canada 165
146=Jack Dalzell Ohio 165
148 Frank Vida Conn.= 161
149 Ron Plocek N.Y. 159
150 Jeff Kuhar= Ohio 158
151 Scott Sewell Md. =155
152 Brian Cook Ohio 154
153 Otto David = N.Y. 153
153 Frank Ippoliti Pa. 153
155 Jim Dillard Ark. 151
156 Tim Aldrich = Mass. 141
156 Duane Essick Del. 141
158=Doc Merkin Ill. 139
159 Jamie Worth Pa.= 138
160 Mike Mantha Mass. 133
161 Jim Staszewski= Maine 127
161 Jerrod Lloyd N.J. 127
161 Jess Salmon N.J. 127
164 Matt Herren = Ala. 125
165 Britt Myers S.C. 123
166=Brian Feutz Mich. 119
167 Louis Consoli Pa.= 117
168 Donald Murray Del. 113
169 Michael=Scanlon Pa. 111
170 Rick Ash Pa. = 110
170 John Cromwell Tenn. 110
170 Larry Bailey= Ohio 110
173 Byron Velvick Texas 109
174 Rob Hyatt Canada 107
175 Matt Stefan = Ill. 103
176 Michael Randolph Texas 102
177=Eric Sertl N.Y. 101
177 Kaku Usui Mich.= 101
179 Del Smith Ohio 99
180 Mike Kaminskas= N.J. 97
180 Preston Clark Fla. 97
182 Rob Webster Canada 93
182 Woo Daves = Va. 93
184 Mike Leblanc Vt. 91
185=Jim Tedesco Canada 85
186 Jeffrey Randall N.Y.= 83
186 Jerald Conley N.J. 83
188 Mike Smith= Canada 81
188 Antonio Gomez N.J. = 81
190 Louis Iribarren N.Y. 79
191 Jonathan Carter= Maine 72
192 Andrew Dick Del. 68
193=Denis Lavoie Canada 67
194 Brian Ward Mich.= 66
195 Chris Jackson Ala. 63
195 Lewis Denney= Tenn. 63
197 Brad Rightnour Pa. 59
197 Jeffrey Russell N.Y. 59
199 John Kolinski = Wisc. 53
200 Sumiyuki Takano Fla. 52
201=Michael Sims N.J. 50
202 Dave Carey Md.= 49
203 Michael Sweeney Mass. 48
204 Fred=Serge N.J. 47
205 Adrian Avena N.J. = 44
206 Mike Hancin Conn. 43
206 Lee Cox = Md. 43
208 Henry Stone N.Y. = 42
209 Kurt Dove Texas 41
210 Gregory Dipalma= N.J. 40
211 Michael Kozell N.Y. 39
211=Wesley Strader Tenn. 39
213 Jason Stoddard Vt.= 24
214 Doug Wilson Vt. 20
215 Tony=Johnson Ohio 19
216 Earl Purcell Mass. = 15
217 Joby Poster Pa. 7
218 Will Jefferies= Utah 5
219 Michael Mundy N.Y. 0
219 Bill Vierzen N.H. 0
219 Robert Fisher = Vt. 0
219 Rick Anderson Pa. 0
219=William Kemp N.C. 0
219 Greg Hackney La.= 0
219 Andy Starner Pa. 0
219 Aaron=Stone N.Y. 0
219 Joshua Treibley Pa. = 0
219 Kevin Shearer Ohio 0
219 Joe Hunt = Pa. 0
219 Edward Thayer Del. = 0
219 Sheron Brown Mass. 0
219 Scott Kahabka= N.Y. 0
219 Antonino Correnti Md. 0
219 Jonathan Else Pa. 0
219 Royce Madden = N.C. 0
219 Josh Guess Fla. 0
219=Guyowen Hall W.Va. 0
219 Jess Caraballo Conn.= 0
219 Chris Daniels N.C. 0
219 Andy Krizan= Mich. 0
219 Brian Wilhoit Md. = 0
219 Stu Martel Ill. 0
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In what turned out to be a real shoot-out on the water pro Rusty Salewske of Alpine, Calif., caught a five-bass limit weighing 20-pounds, 5- ounces Saturday to win $106,749 in the Walmart FLW Series® National Guard Division tournament on the California Delta with a four-day catch of 15 bass weighing 75-5.
The catch gave him the win by a very slim 9-ounce margin, that went down to the very last fish weighed, over Charlie Weyer of West Hills, Calif., who caught a total of 5 bass weighing 16-7 and earned $40,874.
“This is just unbelievable,” said an emotional Salewske, who seems to be on a bit of a hot streak with a recent fifth place finish at the Forrest Wood Cup held in Aug. “This just goes to show that you never know what can happen, especially on the Delta. The hardest decision I had to make all week was to stay in the same spot I’d fished all week or go to an unpracticed area I have had past success in. My day started off really scary; by 9, I only had two little ones in the well and was about to leave and go to the spot I had not fished all week. Then about 9:30 I landed my big one (8-pound 12-ounce bass) and was finally able to settle down and fish. I decided at that point I actually had a good chance of winning the tournament.”
Salewske opened the tournament in eighth place Wednesday with 5 bass weighing 17-13 that he caught on Reaction Innovation Sweet Beavers. On Thursday he added another 5 bass weighing 22-14 to jump into first place. He then caught 5 bass weighing 14-5 on Friday to make the crucial top 10 cut in second place. On Saturday he sealed his victory using the same Reaction Innovation Sweet Beavers he'd been using all week.
Rounding out the top ten pros are Chris Zaldain of San Jose, Calif. (20 bass, 73-5, $32,699); Ken Mah of Elk Grove, Calif. (19 bass, 71, $24,525); Team Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee pro Brett Hite of Phoenix, Ariz. (15 bass, 70-8, $16,350); Team National Guard pro Brent Ehrler of Redlands, Calif. (20 bass, 68, $15,532); Zack Thompson of Orinda, Calif. (20 bass, 64-9, $14,715); Dee Thomas of Brentwood, Calif. (20 bass, 63-13, $13,897); Robert Lee of Angels Camp, Calif. (17 bass, 61-13, $13,080); and Ricky Shabazz of Rialto, Calif (16 bass, 54-9, $12,262).
David Kromm of Kennewick, Wash. caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the Pro Division Friday – an 11-pound, 8-ounce bass – that earned him the day’s Folgers Big Bass award of $293.
Overall there were 44 bass weighing 144 pounds, 12 ounces caught by 10 pros Saturday. The catch included 8 five-bass limits.
JR Wright of Truckee, Calif., won the Co-angler Division and $14,341 Friday with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 39 pounds, 10 ounces followed by Dean Ziemer of Tracy, Calif., in second place with 13 bass weighing 31-4 worth $7.170.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Tracy Patton of Oakdale, Calif. (11 bass, 29-5, $5,378); Hideki Maeda of Sakai-City, Osaka, Japan (12 bass, 27-6, $3,585); and Gary Haraguchi of Brentwood, Calif. (14 bass, 27-5, $2,868).
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Northern Open Day 2 Cancelled due to Inclement Weather
SANDUSKY, Ohio – BASS announced Friday the cancellation of Day 2’s competition at the Northern Open on Lake Erie. Unsafe weather conditions including high winds resulted in rough waters at first light – a northeast wind at 15 to 20 knots – prompting tournament officials to keep competitors from launching, in the best interest of all concerned.
Saturday’s forecast calls for southerly winds, which are not as troublesome for anglers on Erie, and tournament directors expect the tournament to resume. The full field of pro anglers and co-anglers will fish Saturday, which will be the final day of the competition.
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SALEWSKE LEADS WALMART FLW SERIES EVENT ON CALIFORNIA DELTA
OAKLEY, Calif. (Sept. 24, 2009) – Pro Rusty Salewske of Alpine, Calif., caught a five-bass limit weighing 22 pounds, 14 ounces Thursday to capture the lead in the Walmart FLW Series® National Guard Division tournament on the California Delta with a two-day catch of 10 bass weighing 40-11.
“I was punching all day long,” said Salewske, who started the day in eighth place. “It was a very tough day of fishing, but you just have to keep fishing, never quit."
Salewske found an area of moving water and got most of his fish between 11 a.m. and noon using beavers. He indicated that by 11 a.m. he only had one bite.
Salewske now holds a 3-pound, 5-ounce lead over second place pro Dee Thomas, of Brentwood, Calif. In a tournament where anything can happen, including a 30-pound bag, this is still anybody’s tournament for the taking. Thomas, who is known as the father of the Flipping technique, managed to haul in a total of 10 bass weighing 37-6 during the first two days of competition.
Rounding out the top five pros are Brett Hite of Phoenix, Ariz. (10 bass, 36-8); Charlie Weyer of West Hills, Calif. (10 bass, 36) and Ricky Shabazz of Rialto, Calif. (10 bass, 34-15).
“I found something that is working for me,” said Team Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee pro Brett Hite, who moved from 15th to 3rd place today. “The tide doesn’t really seem to be a factor for me. I am fishing in grassy, shallow water with very little movement using beavers.
“I came into this tournament thinking that I had a good shot at winning and I’m just going to keep doing what I am doing and hopefully come out on top,” Hite added.
Jason Cordiale of Orinda, Calif., earned the day’s $293 Folgers Big Bass award in the Pro Division thanks to a 9-pound bass he caught on a peanut butter & jelly beaver.
The remaining top ten pros are: 6th- Ken Mah of Elk Grove, Calif., 7th- Brian Carpenter of Livermore, Calif., 8th-Chris Zaldain of San Jose, Calif., 9th-Ronald Hobbs, Jr. of Orting, Wash., and in 10th- Ishama Monroe of Hughson, Calif.
Overall there were 373 bass weighing 922 pounds, 8 ounces caught by 89 pros Thursday. The catch included 58 five-bass limits.
Pros are competing this week for a top award of $125,000 plus valuable points in the hope of qualifying for a shot at the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup.
JR Wright of Truckee, Calif. remains in the lead in the Co-angler Division with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 31-9 followed by Dean Ziemer of Tracy, Calif., in second place with 10 bass weighing 26-1.
“What a thrill it was to fish with Dee Thomas today,” said Wright who was able to hold on to his lead. “It was just a great day on the water. Both Dee and I caught big bags today; he left me a lot of water to fish and it was just thrilling. I did have to do some adapting to his style of fishing, but he helped me out and I learned a lot.”
Wright was using a Margarita Mutilator 4” worm purple. He had six bites but unfortunately lost one which would have made his bag even heavier.
Wright caught 5 bass weighing 13-13 while fishing with pro Rusty Salewske of Alpine, Calif., Wednesday and 5 bass weighing 17-12 while fishing with pro Dee Thomas of Brentwood, Calif., Thursday.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Robert Faaborg of Ramona, Calif. (9 bass, 25-7); Tracy Patton of Oakdale, Calif. (7 bass, 21-1) and Hideki Maeda of Osaka, Japan (9 bass, 20-15).
Jack Farage of Discovery Bay, Calif., earned $195 for the Folgers Big Bass award in the Co-angler Division thanks to a 7-pound, 6-ounce bass he caught on a spray grass beaver while fishing with pro Tomohiro Usui of Gifu, Japan.
Overall there were 225 bass weighing 463 pounds, 4 ounces caught by 89 co-anglers Thursday. The catch included 20 five-bass limits.
Co-anglers are competing this week for a top award of $25,000 as well as a shot at the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup.
To read more about this tournament click here.
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New Jersey’s Pete Gluszek Takes Day 1 Lead at Northern Open on Lake Erie
SANDUSKY, Ohio -- Favorable weather helped Pete Gluszek of Mount Laurel, N.J., take the Day 1 lead with 23 pounds, 13 ounces of Lake Erie smallmouth at the last stop on the 2009 Bassmaster Northern Opens circuit. Gluszek made a long run Thursday to water that might not be accessible Friday if the forecast holds.
“They’re calling for 6- to 7-foot waves tomorrow so that could really hamper where I can go,” Gluszek said after Thursday’s weigh-in. “Today was nice though, I was able to go right where I wanted and catch a lot of big fish.”
Gluszek’s limit was the best of the 50 or so fish he caught while drop-shotting, a technique new to the New Jersey angler.
“I had to learn it because I was always getting beat up here by guys drop-shotting,” he said. “So I’ve been working hard on it recently. It used to be one of my weaknesses.
Gluszek said he is cautiously optimistic about his chances of repeating Thursday’s performance, but the weather is always the wild card on Erie. “You never know, this place could throw you a curve.”
One pound, 1 ounce behind Gluszek after Day 1 was Garrett Green of Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada with 22-12. A stroke of good luck got Bracebridge and his co-angler to the top of the leaderboards.
“By 2:30, I only had about 10 pounds,” Green said. “All of a sudden we found this hungry school of smallies, and by 2:45 I had what I have now.”
Green added 10 pounds to his limit by tossing a drop-shot rig.
Rounding out the top five were Chris King of South Amherst, Ohio, in third with 22-8; Joe Balog of Harris Township, Mich., in fourth with 22-7; and Jared Rhode of Port Clinton, Ohio, in fifth with 22-5.
The 104 pro anglers are competing for a top prize of $45,000. Co-anglers are vying for a Triton/Mercury boat and motor package valued at $32,000.
Mike Staebler of Westerville, Ohio, leads the co-angler field with 20-8. He was drop-shotting from the back of second-place pro Garrett Green’s boat and was able to quickly bring in a limit when the pair found the school of smallmouth. Together Green and Staebler had 10 fish that weighed more than 43 pounds overall.
Co-angler Gary Crayton of Farmington, Pa., was in second with 19-1; Tom Alt of Columbia City, Ind., was in third with 18-4.
Frank Scalish of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, who led the points in the Northern Open division standings coming in to the Lake Erie event, was in sixth on the pro side Thursday with 21-8 and is on track for a berth in the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, set for Feb. 19-21 on Lay Lake out of Birmingham, Ala.
“I’m right where I need to be, but I’m fishing in a way I don’t normally fish up here, in places I don’t usually catch ’em,” Scalish said. “If I can go (Friday) where I was today, I think I can duplicate this.”
The top two pros after this final Northern Open will be awarded berths in the Classic, while the top seven competitors will be invited to fish the 2010 Bassmaster Elite Series season.
The three-day tournament’s launches and weigh-ins are at Shelby Street Boat Launch, 101 Shelby St. in Sandusky, Ohio. Takeoff on Friday and Saturday is set for 7 a.m. ET. Weigh-ins will begin at 3:05 p.m.
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2009 Northern 3 - Sandusky, OH BO 09/24-09/26 Lake Erie, Sandusky Ohio
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Pete Gluszek Mount Laurel, N.J. 5 23-13
Day 1: 5 23-13
2. Garrett Green Bracebridge, Canada 5 22-12
Day 1: 5 22-12
3. Chris King South Amherst, Ohio 5 22-08
Day 1: 5 22-08
4. Joe Balog Harrison Township, Mic 5 22-07
Day 1: 5 22-07
5. Jared Rhode Port Clinton, Ohio 5 22-05
Day 1: 5 22-05
6. Frank Scalish Cleveland, Ohio 5 21-08
Day 1: 5 21-08
7. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, Ala. 5 21-07
Day 1: 5 21-07
8. Jonathon Vandam Kalamazoo, Mich. 5 20-06
Day 1: 5 20-06
9. Jami Fralick Martin, S.D. 5 18-14
Day 1: 5 18-14
10. Dick Parker Amherst, Ohio 5 18-12
Day 1: 5 18-12
11. Dave Rochette Bracebridge, Canada 5 18-06
Day 1: 5 18-06
12. Michael Woolley West Bloomfield, Mich. 5 18-02
Day 1: 5 18-02
13. Mark Peiser Pittsboro, Ind. 5 17-11
Day 1: 5 17-11
14. Anthony Borkoski Belmont, Ohio 5 17-08
Day 1: 5 17-08
15. Todd Glover Orion, Mich. 5 17-03
Day 1: 5 17-03
16. Chris Johnson Hurricane, W.Va. 4 17-02
Day 1: 4 17-02
17. Glenn Delong Bellville, Ohio 4 16-12
Day 1: 4 16-12
18. Chad Morgenthaler Coulterville, Ill. 5 16-02
Day 1: 5 16-02
19. Matt Greenblatt Tequesta, Fla. 5 15-12
Day 1: 5 15-12
20. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, Tenn. 5 15-11
Day 1: 5 15-11
21. David Dudley Dublin, Ohio 5 15-10
Day 1: 5 15-10
22. Terry Baksay Easton, Conn. 5 15-07
Day 1: 5 15-07
23. Brian Bylotas Olyphant, Pa. 5 15-05
Day 1: 5 15-05
24. Dan Moran London, Ohio 3 15-01
Day 1: 3 15-01
25. Bill Brown Muncy, Pa. 5 14-11
Day 1: 5 14-11
26. Michael Simonton Fremont, Ohio 5 14-08
Day 1: 5 14-08
27. Jeremy Starks Charleston, W.Va. 5 14-07
Day 1: 5 14-07
28. Chris Noffsinger Interlochen, Mich. 3 14-04
Day 1: 3 14-04
29. Monty Fralick Martin, S.D. 5 14-03
Day 1: 5 14-03
30. Curtis Richardson Belleville, Canada 5 13-14
Day 1: 5 13-14
31. Bill Rea Greenfield, Ohio 5 13-09
Day 1: 5 13-09
31. Steve Schubert Rayland, Ohio 5 13-09
Day 1: 5 13-09
33. Mike Weiss Union Grove, Wisc. 5 13-06
Day 1: 5 13-06
34. Brian Hatfield Ashland, Ky. 5 13-01
Day 1: 5 13-01
35. Bryan Coates Amherst, Ohio 3 13-01
Day 1: 3 13-01
36. Bill Byers Hilliard, Ohio 5 13-00
Day 1: 5 13-00
37. Jason Knapp Uniontown, Pa. 5 12-15
Day 1: 5 12-15
38. Daryl Biron South Windsor, Conn. 4 12-13
Day 1: 4 12-13
39. Steve Oleksyn Rochester, N.Y. 3 12-11
Day 1: 3 12-11
40. Paul Leblanc Medway, Mass. 5 12-10
Day 1: 5 12-10
41. Russell Colwell Baltimore, Md. 5 12-03
Day 1: 5 12-03
42. Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 5 12-02
Day 1: 5 12-02
43. Chris Daves Hopewell, Va. 5 11-14
Day 1: 5 11-14
43. Donald Staszczyk Cheektowaga, N.Y. 5 11-14
Day 1: 5 11-14
45. Derek Jones Chicago, Ill. 5 11-13
Day 1: 5 11-13
46. Jack Rinkers Swarthmore, Pa. 5 11-09
Day 1: 5 11-09
47. Jason Dudek Excelsior, Minn. 3 11-09
Day 1: 3 11-09
48. Jelani Hennessey Bowling Green, Va. 5 11-06
Day 1: 5 11-06
49. Pat Golden High Point, N.C. 4 11-06
Day 1: 4 11-06
50. Craig McNanie Westerville, Ohio 5 11-04
Day 1: 5 11-04
51. Scott Cremeans Albany, Ohio 5 10-15
Day 1: 5 10-15
52. Josh Giran Elizabeth, Pa. 3 10-12
Day 1: 3 10-12
53. Sean Wieda Florence, Ky. 5 10-08
Day 1: 5 10-08
54. Ryan Park Mount Joy, Pa. 4 10-08
Day 1: 4 10-08
55. Steven Clapper Lima, Ohio 2 10-01
Day 1: 2 10-01
56. Jason Root Fostoria, Ohio 3 9-13
Day 1: 3 9-13
56. Shawn Skobel Uniontown, Pa. 3 9-13
Day 1: 3 9-13
58. Cliff Blackford Grass Lake, Mich. 3 9-12
Day 1: 3 9-12
59. Jack Dalzell Amherst, Ohio 4 9-09
Day 1: 4 9-09
59. William Lortz Rochester, N.Y. 4 9-09
Day 1: 4 9-09
61. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, N.C. 3 9-06
Day 1: 3 9-06
62. Leon Dykas Torrington, Conn. 3 8-13
Day 1: 3 8-13
63. Joseph Thompson Ridley Park, Pa. 5 8-12
Day 1: 5 8-12
64. Byron Haseotes Centerville, Mass. 3 8-10
Day 1: 3 8-10
65. Richard Favire Winfield Park, N.J. 4 8-07
Day 1: 4 8-07
65. Jeff Stoner Wellsville, Pa. 4 8-07
Day 1: 4 8-07
67. Paul Pagnato Vienna, Va. 4 8-06
Day 1: 4 8-06
68. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, Ga. 5 8-03
Day 1: 5 8-03
69. Paul Molan Chardon, Ohio 4 8-00
Day 1: 4 8-00
70. Rob Hyatt Callander, Canada 3 7-13
Day 1: 3 7-13
71. Emery Peine Newton, N.J. 3 7-12
Day 1: 3 7-12
72. Whitney Stephens Piketon, Ohio 2 7-07
Day 1: 2 7-07
73. Robert Cook Willis, Mich. 2 7-01
Day 1: 2 7-01
74. Dave Mansue Hemphill, Texas 2 6-14
Day 1: 2 6-14
75. Brad Wall Clarksville, Ohio 2 6-12
Day 1: 2 6-12
76. Chris Sumansky Renfrew, Pa. 3 6-05
Day 1: 3 6-05
77. Scott Lakey Porlage, Mich. 1 6-00
Day 1: 1 6-00
78. Scott Parker Londonderry, N.H. 2 5-14
Day 1: 2 5-14
79. Kaku Usui Royal Oak, Mich. 1 5-14
Day 1: 1 5-14
80. Larry Bailey North Ridgeville, Ohio 2 5-11
Day 1: 2 5-11
81. Ray Brazier Lawrenceburg, Tenn. 3 5-08
Day 1: 3 5-08
82. James Pocratsky Uniontown, Pa. 2 5-07
Day 1: 2 5-07
83. Phil Colarusso Stillwater, N.Y. 2 5-04
Day 1: 2 5-04
84. Mike Elkins Kalamazoo, Mich. 2 5-03
Day 1: 2 5-03
85. Aaron Hastings Middletown, Md. 1 5-03
Day 1: 1 5-03
86. Leo Reiter Goshen, Ind. 1 4-10
Day 1: 1 4-10
87. Doc Merkin Downers Grove, Ill. 1 4-02
Day 1: 1 4-02
88. John Cromwell Arlington, Tenn. 2 3-10
Day 1: 2 3-10
89. Ken Baumgardner Monongahela, Pa. 1 3-00
Day 1: 1 3-00
90. Frank Vida New Fairfield, Conn. 1 2-07
Day 1: 1 2-07
91. Lyle Atkins Culloden, W.Va. 1 2-04
Day 1: 1 2-04
91. Mike Kaminskas Jackson, N.J. 1 2-04
Day 1: 1 2-04
93. Otto David Jefferson Valley, N.Y. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
93. Sam Greer London, Ky. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
93. Trevor Jancasz White Pigeon, Mich. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
93. Scott Kahabka Batavia, N.Y. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
93. Jeff Kuhar Bridgeport, Ohio 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
93. Craig Nels Baldwinsville, N.Y. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
93. Alvaro Rodriguez Clarence, N.Y. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
93. Michael Scanlon Clifton Heights, Pa. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
93. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
93. Charles Sim Ottawa, Canada 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
93. Del Smith Castalia, Ohio 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
93. Kyle Walling Fisherville, Ky. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 45 348 1080-11
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45 348 1080-11
2009 Northern 3 - Sandusky, OH NB 09/24-09/26 Lake Erie, Sandusky Ohio
(NON-BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Mike Staebler Westerville, Ohio 5 20-08
Day 1: 5 20-08
2. Gary Crayton Farmington, Pa. 5 19-01
Day 1: 5 19-01
3. Tom Alt Columbia City, Ind. 4 18-04
Day 1: 4 18-04
4. Richard Obrien New Market, Md. 5 17-07
Day 1: 5 17-07
5. Terry Ford Westerville, Ohio 5 16-12
Day 1: 5 16-12
5. Marlon Whoolery Fairchance, Pa. 5 16-12
Day 1: 5 16-12
7. Mike Hauer Niagara Falls, Canada 5 16-11
Day 1: 5 16-11
8. Stuart Swanger Ann Arbor, Mich. 4 16-11
Day 1: 4 16-11
9. Gary Besmer East Islip, N.Y. 5 16-10
Day 1: 5 16-10
10. Joshua Kolodzaike Toledo, Ohio 4 16-10
Day 1: 4 16-10
11. Timothy Clark Canton, Ohio 5 15-15
Day 1: 5 15-15
12. Mark Hanson Becker, Minn. 4 15-13
Day 1: 4 15-13
13. Jake Thomas Iowa Falls, Iowa 4 15-11
Day 1: 4 15-11
14. Matthew Mahle Sunbury, Ohio 4 15-04
Day 1: 4 15-04
15. Jay Clingenpeel Bridgeport, W.Va. 5 15-00
Day 1: 5 15-00
16. Richard Scherer Sheboygan Falls, Wisc. 5 14-04
Day 1: 5 14-04
17. Jamie Lang Burlington, Canada 4 13-15
Day 1: 4 13-15
18. Neil Farlow Frankfurt, Canada 4 13-14
Day 1: 4 13-14
19. Greg Williams Hollidaysburg, Pa. 5 13-03
Day 1: 5 13-03
20. Jim Withington Tillsonburg, Canada 4 12-14
Day 1: 4 12-14
21. Eric Culler Allegan, Mich. 3 12-11
Day 1: 3 12-11
22. William Eccleston Upper Chichester, Pa. 5 12-10
Day 1: 5 12-10
23. Marc Kinnelly Frederick, Md. 3 12-07
Day 1: 3 12-07
24. James Kline Hagerstown, Md. 5 12-03
Day 1: 5 12-03
25. Timothy Macknair Rices Landing, Pa. 5 12-01
Day 1: 5 12-01
26. Peter Larmand Portland, Canada 3 12-01
Day 1: 3 12-01
27. Cj Shaver Westerville, Ohio 4 12-00
Day 1: 4 12-00
28. Dylan Freeze Blanchester, Ohio 5 11-10
Day 1: 5 11-10
29. Mark Burich Rices Landing, Pa. 5 11-07
Day 1: 5 11-07
30. Paul Schwinghammer Cologne, Minn. 5 11-06
Day 1: 5 11-06
31. William Schwartz Sheffield Village, Ohi 4 10-15
Day 1: 4 10-15
32. Mike Chunko Alliance, Ohio 4 10-14
Day 1: 4 10-14
33. Barry Jones Jones, Mich. 4 10-00
Day 1: 4 10-00
34. Mark Renick Canton, Ohio 4 9-15
Day 1: 4 9-15
35. Stephen Barrett Kirkfield, Canada 3 9-15
Day 1: 3 9-15
36. Brian Carroll Smyrna, Ga. 2 8-08
Day 1: 2 8-08
37. Samantha Sukupcak West Milwaukee, Wisc. 4 8-06
Day 1: 4 8-06
38. Mark Hicks Glouster, Ohio 4 8-04
Day 1: 4 8-04
39. Ryan Thompson Allegan, Mich. 2 7-12
Day 1: 2 7-12
40. Michael Steiner Butler, Pa. 2 7-11
Day 1: 2 7-11
41. Thomas Nolf Pittsburgh, Pa. 3 7-10
Day 1: 3 7-10
42. Beau Bickford Bettsville, Ohio 2 7-08
Day 1: 2 7-08
43. Kendall Ulsh Schoolcraft, Mich. 3 7-06
Day 1: 3 7-06
44. Benjamin Gusciora Williamsport, Md. 3 7-03
Day 1: 3 7-03
45. Mikhail Borashko W Bloomfield, Mich. 3 7-00
Day 1: 3 7-00
45. James Larosa West Sunbury, Pa. 3 7-00
Day 1: 3 7-00
47. Mark Zgurich New Cumberland, Pa. 2 6-14
Day 1: 2 6-14
48. Jerry Condenzio Toms River, N.J. 2 6-11
Day 1: 2 6-11
49. Thomas Jobson New Paltz, N.Y. 2 6-10
Day 1: 2 6-10
50. Michael McCoy Mentor, Ohio 2 6-01
Day 1: 2 6-01
51. Scott Lafaver Elbridge, N.Y. 2 6-00
Day 1: 2 6-00
52. Troy Sprague Lincoln, Neb. 2 5-10
Day 1: 2 5-10
53. Matthew Steiner Pittsburgh, Pa. 2 5-04
Day 1: 2 5-04
54. Mark Saunders Wellington, Ohio 3 4-14
Day 1: 3 4-14
55. Robert Baker Uniontown, Pa. 2 4-12
Day 1: 2 4-12
56. Larry Baer Elizabethtown, Pa. 1 4-10
Day 1: 1 4-10
57. Larry Thompson Walled Lake, Mich. 2 4-08
Day 1: 2 4-08
58. Martin Szomolanyi Toronto, Canada 1 4-05
Day 1: 1 4-05
59. Aaron Hathaway St Thomas, Canada 2 4-02
Day 1: 2 4-02
60. Lee Nelson Mather, Pa. 2 3-10
Day 1: 2 3-10
61. Ryan Johnson Innisfil, Canada 2 3-09
Day 1: 2 3-09
62. Josh Clark Horton, Mich. 1 3-07
Day 1: 1 3-07
63. Scott Thomas Reading, Pa. 1 3-03
Day 1: 1 3-03
64. Dan Minor Norwalk, Ohio 1 2-13
Day 1: 1 2-13
65. Eric Royer Lancaster, Pa. 1 2-12
Day 1: 1 2-12
66. Marvin Stith Piscataway, N.J. 1 2-11
Day 1: 1 2-11
67. Neil Keilen Frederick, Md. 1 2-09
Day 1: 1 2-09
67. Mick Robeson Edison, N.J. 1 2-09
Day 1: 1 2-09
69. Thomas Beale Rochester Hills, Mich. 1 2-08
Day 1: 1 2-08
70. Justin Teske Delano, Minn. 1 2-07
Day 1: 1 2-07
71. Thomas Landish Monongahela, Pa. 1 2-05
Day 1: 1 2-05
72. Don Mccarver Johnson City, N.Y. 1 2-04
Day 1: 1 2-04
73. Regan Coffey Richmond, Va. 1 2-03
Day 1: 1 2-03
73. Kyle Reckart Geneva, Ohio 1 2-03
Day 1: 1 2-03
75. Eugene Ghounarides North York, Canada 1 2-01
Day 1: 1 2-01
76. Geoffrey Smith Batavia, N.Y. 1 2-00
Day 1: 1 2-00
77. Manny Oliveira Palgrave, Canada 1 1-15
Day 1: 1 1-15
77. John Terry Mansfield, Ohio 1 1-15
Day 1: 1 1-15
79. David Ryan Aliquippa, Pa. 1 1-11
Day 1: 1 1-11
80. Bill Wilson Newfield, N.J. 1 1-10
Day 1: 1 1-10
81. Jason Barnucz Brantford, Canada 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Tom Bever Boulder, Colo. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Douglas Buturla Athol, Mass. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Samuel Clements Lansford, Pa. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Paul Cowen Waterford, Mich. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Frank Difiore Cranberry Twp, Pa. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Mark Harcharik Cleveland, Ohio 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. James Hitt Baltimore, Md. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Jason Holmer Delano, Minn. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Wes Hood Annandale, Va. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Robert Jones Bascom, Ohio 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Dennis Murphy Berea, Ohio 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Harold Range Gouldsboro, Pa. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Dale Rathbun Leicester, N.Y. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Vince Reiser Redding, Calif. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Don Roberts Bellville, Ohio 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Stephen Schneider Selden, N.Y. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Monte Spencer Rocky Mount, Va. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Ed Spicker Ashland, Ohio 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Todd Sterner Mechanicsburg, Pa. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. John Toth Painesville, Ohio 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Bill Walker Orangeville, Canada 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Bobby Woods Stafford, Va. 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
81. Timothy Wyckoff Lorain, Ohio 0 0-00
Day 1: 0 0-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 17 232 700-04
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17 232 700-04
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BASS Elite Series Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam visits with Terry Brown on Wired Radio about his disappointment at Jordan on the first leg of the AOY Championship, the win at the Alabama River and how important this AOY is for him. To listen click here. |
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 Today on Unplugged Ryan Gilligan of North American Fisherman penned a great article on SIRIUS Marine Weather and how it works in conjunction with the Lowrance HDS locators. Are you SIRIUS? You should be! Click here to read the article.
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Tom Mann Jr. has been on a quest this entire year. He has practiced more, fished harder and has had more success as a result. Today on Wired Radio with Terry Brown he talks about his goal of making the FLW Cup on his home water and his work ethic that led to it. To listen click here. |
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Mount Zion, Illinois based TLS Concepts and Manufacturing has a product that every die-hard angler should own. It's their Pro Pocket Tool System that keeps a pair of needle nose pliers and towel within reach. Standard with a pair of 6" stainless steel needle nose pliers the Pro Pocket comes in two models. One that mounts on the seat pedestal and another one that mounts on any smooth service via a suction cup. They are durable, can be installed in seconds and keeps a necessary part of the anglers arsenal right at your fingertips. You can buy extra holders for your team partner too.
The holder has a patented self locking design that stays put even in rough water and it includes a loop perfect for a hand towel.
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Editors note: This is a special insert from our friends at North American Fisherman
If anglers everywhere were asked to choose the single factor that most affects where and how they fish, I’d bet the smart ones would pick weather. Sure, baitfish, structure, cover, time of year and other factors all play huge roles in deciding locations and presentations, but they all do so within the confines of what’s happening in the sky.
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WBT Championship qualifier Robin Babb talks with Terry Brown on Wired Radio today about the championship and her association with Academy Sports. To listen click here. |
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Today on Tackle Warehouse the Huddleston Deluxe trout is on sale for $11.24. That is a $3.75 savings. Designed by one of the premier lure designers on the West Coast, Ken Huddleston, the Huddleston Deluxe Trout 6" is a versatile bait that combines uncanny realism and a subtle swimming action. It mimics a baitfish with the correct movement and wobble, the Huddleston Deluxe will entice strikes from even the wariest of bass. This is a great fall and early spring swimbait and now is the time to buy.
This is a great value on a 6" bait that can be used coast to coast to catch a bass of a lifetime.
Editors note: Tackle Warehouse has the pro's picks for the fall in the "Latest News" section of their site. Its a great read and gives anglers a great selection of the best baits for the fall.
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Making History For A Great Cause-Facts of Fishing
 Port Perry, Ontario (September 21, 2009) – Professional angler and host of Facts of Fishing THE SHOW® Dave Mercer has made the Major League Baseball (MLB) history books. On September 21st at 7:00pm Dave became the first person in the history of the league to “cast” (with rod and reel) the opening pitch, kicking off the game between the Toronto Blue Jays® and Baltimore Orioles.
The historic cast took place at the Rogers Center® in downtown Toronto, and created an excellent opportunity to raise money for a great cause. In conjunction with the Blue Jays a “Facts of Fishing” section of seats was created where $5 from every ticket sold was donated by the Jays to Dave Mercer’s Casting for a Cure charity benefiting the Canadian Cancer Society. Casting for a Cure was created by Mr. Mercer in honour of his late mother, Ann Mercer who lost her battle with cancer and has since raised over $100,000 for cancer research.
Not the first place one would expect to see a “cast”, Dave continues to be a great ambassador for the sport of fishing. By putting the sport in front of mainstream audiences such as those watching the game Dave has been able to introduce new people to the sport who otherwise would never have given it a chance. Dave stated, “My most vivid memories from my childhood were the times spent with family in the boat. So many people never get the opportunity to experience all the things this great sport has to offer. My goal is always to get one more person out there to give it a try.”
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As reported earlier on Wired2Fish.com and starting with the September/ October issue, Online Fishermen.com will be the official online publication of the Professional Anglers Association. This partnership will allow the PAA to broadcast their message to a larger audience while adding unique content to the publication. The partnership will join two growing organizations and reward PAA members with an all new source of fishing information.
According to John Crews, President of the PAA, “Online Fishermen.com is the future of fishing publications.” The Professional Anglers Association is dedicated to continuing the sport of professional angling. It is a perfect marriage to join Online Fishermen.com as the official online publication of the PAA! We are very excited about this partnership.”
Online Fishermen.com is America’s online fishing resource. The magazine is interactive with the look and feel of a traditional print magazine. Each issue will focus on a variety of species, both fresh and saltwater, from bass to tarpon. In addition to exclusive stories, the magazine will feature conservation articles, new product reviews, and a variety of special interest pieces.
The publication will be distributed for free by email to existing PAA members, and non-PAA members can also sign up for the magazine at www.fishpaa.com.
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Today in the Next Generation Tackle Box we review the Gene Larew Biffle Bug. This is a must have bait for flippers and pitchers. To read the review click here. |
 Tom Mann, Jr. of Buford, Ga., claimed the Land O’Lakes Angler of the Year title Saturday at the conclusion of the Walmart FLW BP Eastern Series event presented by Folgers on Clarks Hill Lake. The Angler of the Year title annually goes to the FLW BP Eastern Series Pro Division angler who has the highest year-end point total in the standings at the conclusion of the regular season. Mann, Jr. secured the crown on Clarks Hill Lake with 20 bass weighing 51 pounds, 2 ounces at what was the final FLW Series qualifying event of the season in a race that was won by a mere one point and went down to the last day of the regular season.
“This is a dream come true for me,” said Mann, Jr. “My whole goal for this tournament (Clarks Hill Lake) was to secure enough points to make the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup in Atlanta, Ga. on Lake Lanier. To be able to fish the championship tournament in my home lake is just thrilling. I have fished a lot of tournaments on Lanier and I believe that ninth is the lowest place I have ever finished.
Mann, Jr. has been fishing for 26 years; his career earnings are over $730,000. He has fished in 97 events since 1996 with two tournament wins and 10 top 10 finishes. He will be the pre-tournament favorite going into the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup.
“I have worked hard all year long,” Mann, Jr. said. “I have pre-fished every event and to achieve my biggest goal is such a thrill for me.”
Rounding out the top five anglers in the Angler of the Year race were: Team Kellogg’s pro Dave Lefebre of Union City, Pa. (728 points); Team BP pro David Walker of Sevierville, Tenn. (711 points); Team Kellogg’s pro Greg Bohannan of Rogers, Ark. (699 points); and Mark Rose of Marion, Ark. (693 points).
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 EGreene photo
Today on Unplugged, Wired contributor Alan Clemons talks about Kevin VanDam's confidence on the Alabama River and how he parlayed that into a Angler of the Year win. To read his story click here. |
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A long river rising with high, stained-to-muddy water typically isn’t conducive to instilling confidence for a big tournament weight.
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Kevin VanDam won the Elite Series Alabama River Dash for the Cash and also took home the Angler of the Year for his 5th time. He finished the tournament with 30 pounds 6 ounces distancing Tommy Biffle with 22 pounds 11 ounces. VanDam finished with 283 points. Skeet Reese finished 6th and second for AOY with 277 points. WOW, VanDam is a machine.
Kevin has now won the AOY 5 times and only legendary Roland Martin has more. (9)
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The BASS Elites AOY is going down to the wire. Stay tuned for story.
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Minneapolis, MN – MarCum Technologies is coming home. Central Minnesota based Versa Electronics, builders of MarCum sonar products for over three years, recently acquired the assets of MarCum Technologies, as well as the ShowDown Digital Fish Finder. The acquisition includes inventory, tooling, intellectual property and product designs.
Throughout their 50 year history, Versa Electronics has maintained a staunch commitment to consistently manufacturing high quality electronics. Likewise, their premium customer service has yielded partnerships which have endured throughout Versa’s half century existence.
MarCum’s reputation for quality is no accident, says Versa CEO, Kevin Johnsrud. “Commitment to quality comes first in all our electronics products,” says Johnsrud. “We’ve been building MarCum flashers for three years, and will bring this same commitment and attention to detail to the underwater camera products, as well. In addition, and based on our experience in sonar, we recognize the value of the ShowDown digital sonar and are equally committed to continued development and growth of this brand.”
Demonstrating their commitment to innovation, Versa recently introduced ShowDown 5.6. This updated version of the original vertical digital ice sonar includes two valuable upgrades. ShowDown 5.6 offers anglers an acute 1-foot adjustable zoom function, as well as new state of the art interference rejection software.
The improved zoom function lets users zoom in on any segment of the water column, and change zoom depth in 1-foot increments. The result is unparalleled target separation and screen detail. For anglers, noteworthy situations include detecting suspended crappie schools and revealing bottom hugging walleyes.
Also unique among ice sonar units, ShowDown features the ability to accept new software upgrades; essentially, users get enhanced features and functionality without having to purchase a whole new unit. As in the past, owners of previous ShowDown versions can simply send their units directly to Versa, and for fifty dollars, receive the software upgrade. Or they can purchase the new ShowDown 5.6, complete with new software, at their local retailer. At $279.99, it’s clearly the best value in ice sonar today.
Another Versa advantage: all sonar units are built and made right here in the U.S.A. For the coming winter, MarCum’s flasher line-up includes the feature rich LX-5, as well as the ever-popular LX-3tc, VX-1 Pro and LX-i Handheld Sonar. Consumers will like the new retail prices, too, which have been reduced by $50 to $100.
On the underwater camera front, MarCum continues to offer the finest products available. Both the VS825C color viewing system and VS820 feature 8-inch flat panel LCDs, high resolution SONY SuperHAD CCD optics and ingeniously functional soft carrying packs. These units bring Hi-Def level quality and picture sharpness to underwater viewing. Meanwhile, the versatile VS380 carries the same great camera features at a drastically reduced price.
“We’re super excited about the future of these two great product lines,” says Versa Electronics Sales Manager, Steve Hanson. “Versa Electronics is a well established company with a long history of producing innovative electronics products. And, with our in-house domestic production, we’ll have both manufacturing and customer service under one roof…this is a great combination. Really, I think fishermen just want to know that they are buying a quality product, especially when it comes to electronics. With Versa’s proven history, combined with our continued commitment to building current model and future product innovations, there is no one better to accomplish that goal. MarCum has always been about innovation and high technology; we will strive to produce the highest quality, most user friendly, best performing products that everyone can afford… it’s always been that way, and that is the way we intend to keep it.”
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Korean based Damiki Craft Lures builds some killer new products. They have a great stable of plastics, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits, jigs and rods. They use Viper hooks and their baits are proven fish catchers. Just ask Polkville, North Carolina angler Bryan Thrift. Thrift was the pro that popularized the chatterbait and he is now using Damiki for success on the FLW Tour.
We just drew the winners of the Damiki contest and they are:
Frank Arnold
Monroe,NC
G. Wayne Byrd
Peyton, CO
Jim Petrous
Stafford, VA
Tim Harbison
Pinson, AL
Eddie Hawk
Haw River N.C.
Congrats to all and your product packages are on the way!
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Professional Anglers’ Auctions kicks off again this Friday with a whole new offering of unique auction items, including a trip on the California Delta, with Ish Monroe. Ish has proven time and again he is an expert on this bass factory, and plans to take the winner out for an unforgettable day on the water. For those that can’t make the haul out west, Justin Rackley, an up and coming PAA Pro and National Collegiate Bass Fishing Champion, has offered up a full day of his Guide service on legendary Lake Fork. The winner will spend a spring day in 2010 fishing with Justin for the lake’s trophy largemouth. In addition to these great getaways, the PAA will also have authentic memorabilia and autographed items up for bids.
A portion of the proceeds will go to the C.A.S.T. “Catch a Special Thrill” for Kids Foundation. It is a public charity that was formed in 1991 to join volunteers who love to fish, with disabled and disadvantaged children for a day of fishing in the outdoors. The C.A.S.T. for Kids Program and Events are designed to
create an environment whereby special needs children and their caretakers could benefit, leaving their problems on shore and sharing a day of fun on the water. In addition to auction proceeds, members of the Professional Anglers Association will also be participating in a C.A.S.T. fishing day in conjunction with the 2009 Toyota Texas Bass Classic, the World Championship of Bass Fishing.
To learn more, or to participate in the auction, click here.
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BRAUER LEADS WALMART FLW SERIES EVENT ON CLARKS HILL LAKE
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| Photo Courtesy of Rob Newell/FLW Outdoors |
Pro Chad Brauer of Osage Beach, Mo., caught a five-bass limit weighing 12 pounds, 9 ounces Thursday, Sept. 17, to capture the lead in the Walmart FLW Series® BP Eastern Division tournament on Clarks Hill Lake with a two-day catch of 10 bass weighing 25-11.
“I had a few good bites today,” said Brauer, who moved up from third place to first in today’s standings. “I fished the same way I did yesterday but was able to narrow down some key areas in the lake. I only caught five keepers today.”
In a lake that was described as brutal by several of today’s anglers less than half (64) of the pro competitors were able to bag a five bass limit. Brauer said that he was very lucky today and that tomorrow his chances of catching a 15 – 20 pound bag would be equal to catching a zero pound bag.
Brauer now holds a 1-pound, 11-ounce lead over second place pro Matthew Wilbanks of Gainesville, Ga., who managed to haul in a total of 10 bass weighing 24 during the first two days of competition.
Many of today’s anglers said that they have never seen Clarks Hill Lake fish this tough and felt fortunate to bring in the weight they did. When asked what the difference was from yesterday to today most replied “I got lucky!”
Keith Hutto of Evans, Ga. seemed to be one of the few who disagreed.
“I caught a lot of fish today, same as yesterday,” said Hutto, who has hometown advantage. Evans, currently in fourth place, is looking forward to tomorrow and plans to continue to top water fish in hopes of making the top 10 cut.
Rounding out the top five pros are Tom Mann, Jr. of Buford, Ga. (5 bass, 11-13); Keith Hutto (5 bass, 11-8) and Chris Martinkovic of Liberty Township, Ohio (5 bass, 12-12).
Glenn Browne of Ocala, Fla., earned the day’s $453 Folgers Big Bass award in the Pro Division thanks to a 5-pound, 3-ounce bass he caught.
The remaining top ten pros are Casey Ashley of Donalds, S.C. in sixth, Craig Johnson of Martinez, Ga., seventh, Team Land O’Lakes pro Keith Williamson of Lincolnton, Ga., eighth, O T Fears, III of Sallisaw, Okla., ninth, and in tenth, Team Iams pro Vic Vataloro of Kent, Ohio.
Overall there were 491 bass weighing 765 pounds, 1 ounce caught by 137 pros Thursday. The catch included 64 five-bass limits.
Pros are competing this week for a top award of $125,000 plus valuable points in the hope of qualifying for a shot at the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup.
Bart Blackburn of North Augusta, S.C., leads the Co-angler Division with a two-day total of 9 bass weighing 15-12 followed by Alan Hults of Gautier, Miss., in second place with 10 bass weighing 15-2.
“Fishing in my home lake has certainly given me an edge over some of the other co-anglers,” said Blackburn, who is fishing in a lake he says he fishes every weekend. “I know a few tricks on how to land the local fish, but I am fishing with professionals and it’s just a matter of time before they figure it out.”
Blackburn caught 4 bass weighing 7-2 while fishing with pro Craig Dowling of Grant, Ala., Wednesday and 5 bass weighing 8-10 while fishing with pro Pat Golden of High Point, N.C., Thursday.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Larry Mullikin of Lauderhill, Fla. (5 bass, 11-6); Bob Blackerby of Chelsea, Ala. (3 bass, 4-8) and Team BP Kevin Koone of Greenbrier, Ark. (5 bass, 8).
Mullikin also earned $302 for the Folgers Big Bass award in the Co-angler Division thanks to a 5-pound, 1-ounce bass he caught while fishing with pro Trad Whaley of Abbeville, S.C.
Overall there were 267 bass weighing 376 pounds, 2 ounces caught by 137 co-anglers Thursday. The catch included 12 five-bass limits.
Co-anglers are competing this week for a top award of $25,000 as well as a shot at the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup.
Top point earners from the FLW Tour, FLW Series, Stren Series, BFL Series, and the FLW National Guard College Champion will advance to the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup which will be held at Lake Lanier.
Editors note: Chad Brauer contributes to Wired2Fish on products via his Unplugged column.
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Reese Maintains AOY Lead but VanDam Makes Things Interesting
MONTGOMERY, Ala.. – Just when it looked like Skeet Reese had a stranglehold on his second Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title, Kevin VanDam -- yet again – proved why he is considered the best angler on the planet. VanDam, a four-time AOY, did his part by lapping the field at the Evan Williams Bourbon Trophy Triumph on the Alabama River with 14 pounds, 3 ounces, which established a solid lead. But Reese didn’t falter quite as much as projected -- he weighed a solid five-fish limit of 10 pounds, 5 ounces –- and earned a tie for third place in the competition.
But the real story is the AOY standings. Reese holds a 6-point advantage over VanDam in the chase for the $200,000 top prize. Reese, though, is in danger of slipping with a grouping of anglers right behind him while VanDam has a stout lead over his nearest competitor. Any way you cut it, Friday should bring significant drama.
Fishing fans will be able to follow all the action with a wealth of content on Bassmaster.com. The wall-to-wall coverage will include live blogs, video updates via BASSCam and instant analysis. Additionally, ESPN2 will carry all of the on-the-water action from Toyota Trucks Championship Week on The Bassmasters, which will air for three hours on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 4-7 p.m. ET.
The daily weigh-ins for the final Elite Series postseason day will air live on ESPN360.com, ESPN’s broadband sports network. The final-day weigh-in will start at 7 p.m. ET on Friday from the Montgomery Riverwalk Ampitheater. At the conclusion of the weigh-in at 8:30 p.m. ET, fans will be treated to a free, live concert by the Zac Brown Band.
“Man, I’m relived,” said Reese, who underestimated his weight and thought he would be in a worse position. “I still have the lead and that is a really important thing with this format. I knew Kevin was going to catch them. When doesn’t he? I expected that I would lose my lead after the day I had today, so you have to look at this as a bonus.”
Reese is looking to become only the second angler in BASS history to score a Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title and a Bassmaster Classic trophy in the same season. That feat was accomplished in 1995 by Mark Davis, a Mount Ida, Ark., Bassmaster Elite Series angler.
Reese started Thursday on fire, boating a quick limit in a spot that he found during practice. But things seemed to unravel on him – he lost a few fish – and he made a decision to stay away from his best spot later in the day, which he ultimately regretted. Still, he was able to best the majority of the field and is confident that his area will produce.
Decidedly different than the rest of the field, Reese was the only angler to venture North and though he didn’t remain as committed to that area as he would have liked, it worked out in the end. Later in the day, Reese did some prefishing when he moved back towards the launch area but won’t change his strategy to head North Friday.
Perhaps most interesting is the AOY battle building between Reese and VanDam. Reese won the AOY in 2007, VanDam in 2008 and the duo is battling again in 2009.
“I’ve got to go with my instincts tomorrow,” said Reese, who has four BASS wins and more than $2 million in BASS career earnings. “I know there is going to be pressure. I said coming into this competition that it would come down to the final day so I’m not surprised. And Kevin being there was expected.”
With changing conditions – the river came up and pockets of rain blasted areas throughout the day – VanDam knew he had to adjust Thursday. The 15-time BASS winner threw baits that he didn’t even test during the two-day practice period.
As always, he made the right moves.
“I actually thought I could do a little bit better,” said VanDam, who has earned more than $3 million in his BASS career. “I’m looking forward to Friday. I want to win very bad and I feel confident on the River. I know where they live.”
With Reese and VanDam having productive tournaments, they have essentially eliminated the rest of the field from a chance at the AOY. Mike Iaconelli of Runnemede, N.J., who is tied with Reese in this tournament, is third in the AOY standings with 265.
A distant fourth is Alton Jones of Waco, Texas, with 242 points. In fifth is Gerald Swindle of Warrior, Ala., with 238 points. Heading into the tournament, Swindle and Iaconelli occupied the bottom two spots in the standings but have pieced together a solid Postseason, enough to lift them up over much of the field. The full standings of the event and AOY can be found below.
After a disappointing Lake Jordan event where he finished last, Kelly Jordon rebounded nicely on the River and he was second in the event standings with 10 pounds, 15 ounces.
The field qualified for the Postseason through their regular-season performances on the Bassmaster Elite Series. The top 12 anglers in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings after the regular season had their points recalculated and took those scores into the Postseason. Each leg of the Postseason will be scored on a 50-point sliding scale.
Toyota Angler of the Year Standings after day one.
1. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 289
2. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 283
3. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 265
4. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 242
5. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 238
6. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 237
7. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 236
8. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 235
9. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 221
10. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 217
11. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 215
12. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 212
DAY 1 STANDINGS- Evan Williams Bourbon Trophy Triumph
2009 Toyota Trucks Championship Week - Evan Williams Bourbon Trophy Triumph 09/17-09/18 Alabama River, Montgomery Ala.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 5 14-03
Day 1: 5 14-03
2. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 5 10-15
Day 1: 5 10-15
3. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 5 10-05
Day 1: 5 10-05
3. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 5 10-05
Day 1: 5 10-05
5. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 5 9-04
Day 1: 5 9-04
6. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 5 9-00
Day 1: 5 9-00
7. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 5 8-15
Day 1: 5 8-15
8. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 5 8-11
Day 1: 5 8-11
9. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 5 8-10
Day 1: 5 8-10
10. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 5 8-09
Day 1: 5 8-09
11. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 5 8-05
Day 1: 5 8-05
12. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 5 6-10
Day 1: 5 6-10
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Big Bass
Day
1 Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 3-08 $.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 12 60 113-12
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12 60 113-12
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BASS founder and living legend Ray Scott will be opening his famous home lakes for 3 day junkets. Cost is $1950.00 for 3 nights and two days on the lake. Meals and lodging are furnished. Guests will arrive on Monday, fish Tuesday and Wednesday and then depart. You also can get a little Ray Scott mixed in we are told. He is already getting reservations. To make reservations call 1-800-518-7222.
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OnlineFisherman.com is now the official publication of the PAA membership. The new issue is available now. Check it out by clicking here.
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For those aspiring to become a professional angler the dream is always there.....so are the bills. Pete Robbins had a chance to talk to Elite Series pro Mark Burgess and get his take on both in the latest Unplugged. Check it out by clicking here. |
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For many members of the 9-to-5 and Joe Lunchbucket brigades, time away from the job means an opportunity for some recreational fishing.
For Massachusetts-based Elite Series pro Mark Burgess, except for a few Northern Opens, the break between the season-ending August derby on Oneida and next year’s tour opener has provided him with an opportunity to go back to work of a more conventional nature.
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The winners of the Trokar Hook assortment pack, T-Shirt and Hat are:
Reginald Crews
North Augusta, SC
Mike Ross
Bandera, TX
Joe Pautler
Derwood, MD
Not only will you look good now but you no longer have an excuse for missing fish!
Congrats to all and thanks for reading Wired2Fish.com
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The regular WBT season ended Saturday, setting the field of 20 pros and 20 co-anglers for next month’s Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Women’s Tour Championship.
The pro field is led by Pam Martin-Wells of Bainbridge, Ga., who has been in front since she won the season opener in March. Martin-Wells won the 2006 championship in the tour’s inaugural year.
The 2009 championship will be Oct. 16-18 on the Red River out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La. Pros will be in hot contention to earn enough points to take the 2009 Toyota Tundra WBT Angler of the Year title, which comes with a berth in the 2010 Bassmaster Classic.
The list of WBT championship qualifiers reads like a who’s who of the sport. Besides Martin-Wells, the roster includes 2007 champion Judy Wong of Many, La., who on Saturday won the regular season finale event on Old Hickory Lake.
Others include the holders of the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Toyota Tundra WBT Angler of the Year titles: respectively, Tennessee’s Dianna Clark, Oklahoma’s Sheri Glasgow and Alabama’s Kim-Bain Moore, who was also the 2008 championship winner and first woman to compete in a Bassmaster Classic.
The full list of WBT championship qualifiers is below.
Four-time WBT event winner Martin-Wells has successfully beat back all challengers since she grabbed the points lead with the win in the 2009 season opener. Saturday, the points she earned with her fifth-place finish on Tennessee’s Old Hickory Lake sealed her position — for now.
“It ain’t over ‘till the fat lady sings, and there’s one more to go,” said Martin-Wells. “It’s not over until the last tournament (the championship). I’m pleased with my performance, but I’m not counting any chickens.”
She knows several anglers will continue to put on the pressure. Juanita Robinson of Highlands, Texas, is one challenger. She now had 841 points, close enough to Martin-Wells’ 862 points to create a little sweat on the part of both pros.
Many well-known pros are championship repeaters, but the field also has a few first-timers. One is Meta Burrell of Fort Worth, Texas, a 22-year-old who intends to earn her living as a pro angler. She entered the Old Hickory event 24th in points, four places out of the cut, but ended as the 12th qualifier, thanks in part to her good finish there, and in part to the points system that drops each angler’s lowest tournament.
“I was surprised,” Burrell said. “I am the youngest angler on tour, and this means a lot to me. It was my goal coming into this. I wanted to win one, but I made it to the championship.”
For others, such as Robin Babb, qualifying means a career boost. She competed in the inaugural 2006 championship, but missed qualifying for the 2007 and 2008 events. The Livingston, Texas, pro finished sixth at Old Hickory this week, a big boost to her points total.
“My heart was racing (during the announcement Saturday). My year hasn’t been so good, so I kept trying to be steady, and I guess steady got it,” Babb said.
The October championship will be the pros final chance to earn enough points to be the 2009 Toyota Tundra WBT Angler of the Year. Pros will post more points according to their finishes in the Red River competition, and the pro who is able to amass the highest points total will claim the season’s biggest prize package: the 2009 AOY title, a new Toyota Tundra, and a berth in the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 19-21 on Lay Lake out of Birmingham, Ala.
The co-angler field — training ground for future WBT pros — will compete from the back of the boat. Each pro will be randomly paired with a co-angler for the three days of championship competition.
Pro Field for 2009 Academy Sports + Outdoors Championship, Oct. 16-18
Red River, Shreveport-Bossier City, La.
Place Points
1. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, Ga. 862
2. Juanita Robinson Highlands, Texas 841
3. Laura Gober Pendergrass, Ga. 807
4. Judy Wong Many, La. 807
5. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, Tenn. 800
6. Tammy Richardson Amity, Ark. 785
7. Janet Parker Little Elm, Texas 784
8. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, Okla. 782
9. Debra Petrowski Arlington, Texas 776
10. Kim Bain-Moore Alabaster, Ala. 759
11.Melinda Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 754
12. Meta Burrell Fort Worth, Texas 748
13. Lisa Sternard Clarksville, Tenn. 745
14. Paula Alexander Lincolnton, Ga. 739
15. Lisa Johnson Centre, Ala. 732
16. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 732
17. Cindy Hill Smyrna, Tenn. 732
18. Robin Babb Livingston, Texas 727
19. Emily Shaffer Mount Juliet, Tenn. 721
20. Patti Campbell Waxahachie, Texas 714
Co-Angler Field for 2009 Academy Sports + Outdoors Championship, Oct. 16-18
Red River, Shreveport-Bossier City, La.
Place Points
1. Terri Bittner McKinleyville, Calif. 870
2. Donna Newberry Van Buren, Ark. 836
3. Martha Goodfellow Simpsonville, S.C. 823
4. Stacy Zhelesnik Hoboken, N.J. 822
5. Debbie Pegoli Loveland, Ohio 802
6. Colleen McKay Worcester, Mass. 781
7. Monica Altman Angier, N.C. 781
8. Bonnie Ward Snohomish, Wash. 768
9. Gail Wood Russellville, Ark. 761
10. Kim Martin Clayton, Ind. 757
11. Linda Owens Brandon, Miss. 756
12. Teri Cindric Hermitage, Tenn. 743
13. Barbara Gaskins Suffolk, Va. 741
14. Sherry Melton Monterey, Tenn. 727
15. Vicki Henderson Ashdown, Ark. 722
16. Charlotte Frazier Dallas, Texas 722
17. Diane Smith Fayetteville, Ga. 716
18. Bertha Cavakis Amity, Ark. 708
19. Kala Wright Spiro, Okla. 706
20. Karol Whitehurst Winnsboro, Texas 704
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Reese Takes Lead in AOY Race; Iaconelli Wins Lake Jordan Event, Moves into Contention for AOY
WETUMPKA, Ala.. – Things weren’t exactly looking good for Skeet Reese Saturday. His performance after the first day of the Berkley Powerbait Trophy Chase wasn’t up to his lofty standards, and after three days of fishing on Lake Jordan, he had yet to develop a go-to pattern.
But Sunday was a different story for the 2009 Bassmaster Classic champ. Reese landed 15 pounds, 3 ounces, pushing him into second place after the first leg of Toyota Trucks Championship Week. And most important, the Auburn, Calif., pro took a 16-point advantage in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings, a lead he will carry into the final Postseason event, the Evan Williams Bourbon Trophy Triumph, set for Sept. 17-18 on the Alabama River out of Montgomery.
Reese built his AOY points total to 249. In second in the AOY race is four-time AOY champion Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., with 233 points. The winner of the Lake Jordan event, Mike Iaconelli of Runnemede, N.J., moved from 11th to third in the AOY standings with 225 points and positioned himself for a slim but realistic shot at overtaking Reese.
“This is way better than I anticipated after Saturday,” said Reese, who has four BASS wins. “I caught them early which took some of the pressure off. I’m stoked to be in this position. All you can ask for is a chance.”
Fishing fans can catch all of the on-the-water action from Toyota Trucks Championship Week on The Bassmasters, which will air for three hours on Sunday, Sept. 27, from 4-7 p.m. ET.
The daily weigh-ins for the final Elite Series postseason event will air live on ESPN360.com, ESPN’s broadband sports network, while a wealth of unique content will also be available at Bassmaster.com throughout championship week.
Reese’s performance Sunday was a microcosm of his 2009 Bassmaster Elite Series season. He started hot Sunday and ended with a bang – boating a near 4-pounder in the final hour. Reese’s 2009 Elite season started in style with a Bassmaster Classic victory; if Reese can hold on next week, he would culminate his season with bookend championships.
With that, he would become only the second angler in BASS history – the other was Mark Davis of Mount Ida, Ark. -- to claim a Bassmaster Classic and Bassmaster Angler of the Year title in the same season.
Reese, who is the 2007 AOY, worked both shallow and deep patterns Sunday. He entered the Postseason one point behind VanDam, but made up ground quickly. He now has his attention trained on the Alabama River.
“It’s been a while since most of us have been there,” Reese said. “It should present new conditions. I’m not going to focus on what the other guys will be doing. I can only take care of myself and, thankfully, this will be my title to lose.”
VanDam slipped to second in the AOY race with a disappointing sixth-place showing at the Jordan event. Despite the blip, he still has a chance to take his fifth AOY trophy.
Perhaps Iaconelli is carrying the strongest momentum heading into the final event and poses the biggest obstacle for Reese. The win earned Iaconelli 50 points. Although he entered the event with little hope of owning the AOY title, he’s known for performing well when a lot is on the line.
“Coming in here I knew, theoretically, I could win the AOY,” said Iaconelli, who finished second to Reese at the ’09 Classic. “Still, with this caliber of anglers, I thought the door wouldn’t open. But I have made a career of not giving up and I’m certainly not going to do that now. I guess you never know.”
In fourth in the AOY standings is Tommy Biffle of Wagoner, Okla., with 220 points. In fifth is Randy Howell of Springville, Ala., with 216 points. The full standings can be found below.
The field qualified for the Postseason through their regular-season performances on the Bassmaster Elite Series. The top 12 anglers in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings after the regular season had their points recalculated and took those scores into the Postseason. Each leg of the Postseason will be scored on a 50-point sliding scale.
Here are the standings after the Elite Series event at Jordan:
1. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 249
2. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 233
3. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 225
4. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 220
5. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 216
6. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 214
7. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 206
8. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 202
8. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 202
10. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 199
11. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 192
12. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 192
DAY 2 STANDINGS- BERKLEY POWERBAIT TROPHY CHASE
2009 Elite Series - Toyota Trucks Championship Week - Trophy Chase 09/12-09/13 Lake Jordan, Wetumpka Ala.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 10 28-15 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 14-03
2. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 10 27-09
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 15-03
3. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 10 27-08
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 12-08
4. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 10 26-15
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 15-10
5. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 10 25-07
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 12-13
6. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 10 25-06
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 14-08
7. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 10 24-12
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 11-14
8. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 10 24-02
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 13-07
9. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 10 23-14
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 13-03
10. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 10 23-00
Day 1: 5 9-07 Day 2: 5 13-09
11. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 10 21-12
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 11-11
12. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 8 13-14
Day 1: 3 4-01 Day 2: 5 9-13
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Big Bass
Day
1 Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 4-11 $.00
2 Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 4-03 $.00
Big Bass of Tournament
Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 4-11 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 11 58 134-12
2 12 60 158-06
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23 118 293-02
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Mike Iaconelli took the first leg of the Dash for the Cash on Lake Jordan with 10 bass weighing 28-15. In second was Skeet Reese with 27-9 followed by first day leader Tommy Biffle with 27-8. Check back for the entire story.
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By Alan Clemons
Special to Wired2Fish
WETUMPKA, Ala. – “Old School” ruled again Saturday on Lake Jordan in the first day of the inaugural Toyota Trucks Championship Week, with veteran Tommy Biffle of Oklahoma sticking five bass weighing 15 pounds to take the lead in the first day of the Berkley Powerbait Trophy Chase.
Biffle saw Lake Jordan for the first time this week when the top 12 Bassmaster Elite Series pros hit the water for practice. He knew – as did anyone who knows Biffle – more than likely he’d be somewhere up a creek with a flipping stick in his hands deftly putting a craw or tube around shallow cover. Unless the deep bite was an absolute necessity he wouldn’t be offshore.
Conditions changed somewhat from Friday’s practice when Alabama Power was generating more water through Mitchell Dam, the upriver dam on the 6,800-acre impoundment. Biffle said the bite “just quit for a while” Saturday and figured the lack of current was the factor. Mild generation about 2 p.m. at Mitchell didn’t help the guys who ran upriver looking for spotted bass on points to start biting, either, because none could capitalize.
The 12 pros from the season points standings fish again today, and then take Monday off before two practice days on the Alabama River. They’ll launch from downtown Montgomery and fish Thursday and Friday on the river, seeking the $200,000 prize and Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year title.
Biffle gained 50 points in the standings and moved to second, behind Kevin VanDam of Michigan, who struggled to catch a limit weighing 10 pounds, 14 ounces. Skeet Reese of California managed a limit weighing 12-6 and leads the points standings by six over Biffle and VanDam.
“My plan is to win both tournaments and hope Kevin and Skeet stumble,” Biffle said confidently. He won the Elite Series event this season on Wheeler Lake, also going ultra-shallow in that event while virtually everyone else was targeting the shad bite on midlake mussel beds.
Biffle said he had some big bites in practice and thought he could maybe catch more than the 15 pounds he brought in Saturday. He broke off one fish, on 20-pound test line, but was unshaken.
“Once I got on (the lake, in practice,) I knew I had a chance,” Biffle said. “With a little luck I can get some big bites.”
The forecast Sunday calls for a 60 percent chance of rain and more clouds, which are helping the shallow-water guys. Alabama Power also is holding water at a high level in the lake with plans to release it into the Alabama River next week for routine dam maintenance. That also is keeping water levels stable in shallow areas, especially in the lower end “New Lake” where many local tournaments are won during generation periods.
BASS tournament director Trip Weldon said Gary Klein of Texas will be held 30 minutes at the dock Sunday after the other 11 boats launch as a penalty for operating his outboard engine while standing on the front deck of the boat.
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Louisiana’s Judy Wong Scores Her First Regular-Season Victory
MADISON, Tenn. —Saturday on Tennessee’s Old Hickory Lake, Judy Wong of Many, La., accomplished something that had eluded her for almost four competition seasons: a win in a regular-season event of the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Women’s Tour.
“I did win the 2007 WBT championship event, but I came here to win this tournament,” she said. “I haven’t had a win on this tour other than the championship. To have a regular-season win under my belt was my goal.”
Wong took her win with a three-day total of 28 pounds, 5 ounces. She earned $1,000 and a boat package valued at nearly $55,000. She put her mark on the tournament the second day by bringing in a limit with two kickers, more than enough to give her the lead going into the final round. She had just three fish Saturday, but that didn’t matter in the end: She won by a 6-pound, 12-ounce margin.
Wong’s nearest challenger was another champion, Kim Bain-Moore, who scored second place with 21-9. The Alabaster, Ala., pro is also the reigning Toyota Tundra WBT Angler of the Year and first woman to compete in a Bassmaster Classic. The Old Hickory event was her best showing so far in the 2009 season.
Lisa Sternard of Clarksville, Tenn., also ended with 21-9, but lost out on a tie-breaker rule that rewards highest number of fish caught over three days: Bain-Moore had 15 fish to Sternard’s nine.
Heather Broom, the Sylva, N.C., pro who made a serious run on the leader by standing fast in second place for two days, slipped on the final day to end in fourth with 20-14. She managed just one fish on Saturday.
Pam Martin-Wells of Bainbridge, Ga., was fifth with 19-7, a finish that cemented her lead in the 2009 Toyota Tundra WBT Angler of the Year race, the points system that determines which 20 pros qualified for the 2009 Academy Sports + Outdoors Championship in October on the Red River out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La. A story on the qualifiers can also be found on Bassmaster.com.
Wong said she worked three areas for most of her fish. One, a ledge, she hit all three days. She worked it with an Academy H2O crankbait in a shad finish, then with Carolina-rigged Gary Yamamoto lizards. One was watermelon red, but she switched to black with blue flake when the sky was overcast.
The big ones yesterday all came on the Carolina rig,” Wong said. “Today I went back to the ledge, but I went early because it was overcast this morning and I thought it would produce.”
“The bite was so slow,” Wong added, “and I keyed on fish following the shad all week, but there are only a limited number of keepers in any one area.”
Bain-Moore said she took nine of her keepers from under one large boat tied up at a dock.
“I didn’t have huge fish, but I was consistent,” she said. “Fishing was definitely slower today, and I stayed in three areas where I had caught keepers Thursday and Friday. I just ground it out in those three areas.”
Besides the boat, Bain-Moore got her fish out of grass and from under docks, and sometimes by working areas that were a combination of the two factors.
The winner in the co-angler division was Monica Altman of Angier, N.C., with a three-day weight of 17-3. Her prize was $500 and a Triton/Mercury boat rig valued at $25,000.
Altman, who won a WBT co-angler competition in 2006 on Lake Norman, led on Day One, zeroed on Day Two, then came back on Day 3 with a 10-pound, 11-ounce limit. She said she was “a little surprised” she won.
Altman’s third-day charge was enough to jump over local angler Regina Pierpaoli of Gallatin, Tenn., who led on Day Two. Pierpaoli ended in second place with 14-13.
Third was Colleen McKay of Worchester, Mass., who had 13-4. Filling out the top five were Virginia’s Barbara Gaskins with 12-12 and Indiana’s Jill Matheis, who had 12-6.
The Old Hickory event ended the regular WBT season and set the stage for the 2009 Academy Sports + Outdoors WBT Championship, Oct. 16-18 on the Red River out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La.
That’s where the season-long points race will cross the finish line and one pro will claim the season’s biggest prize package: the Toyota Tundra WBT Angler of the Year crown, a Toyota Tundra, and an invitation to the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 19-21 on Lay Lake out of Birmingham, Ala.
The local sponsor of the Old Hickory Lake event was Sumner County Convention and Visitors Bureau (www.sumnercvb.com).
ACADEMY SPORTS & OUTDOORS BASSMASTER WOMEN’S TOUR-FINAL STANDINGS- OLD HICKORY LAKE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Judy Wong Many, LA 11 28-05 310 $55,640.00
Day 1: 3 07-14 Day 2: 5 13-01 Day 3: 3 07-06
2. Kim Bain-Moore Alabaster, AL 15 21-09 295 $3,520.00
Day 1: 5 07-00 Day 2: 5 07-15 Day 3: 5 06-10
3. Lisa Sternard Clarksville, TN 9 21-09 290 $2,880.00
Day 1: 3 06-14 Day 2: 4 10-13 Day 3: 2 03-14
4. Heather Broom Sylva, NC 11 20-14 285 $2,560.00
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 10-09 Day 3: 1 01-05
5. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, GA 13 19-07 280 $2,240.00
Day 1: 3 03-14 Day 2: 5 07-10 Day 3: 5 07-15
6. Robin Babb Livingston, TX 13 18-10 276 $1,920.00
Day 1: 5 06-08 Day 2: 5 07-07 Day 3: 3 04-11
7. Cindy Hill Smyrna, TN 9 17-02 272 $1,600.00
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 5 09-09 Day 3: 2 03-09
8. Helen Gordon Flower Mound, TX 11 16-00 268 $1,280.00
Day 1: 4 05-07 Day 2: 4 06-06 Day 3: 3 04-03
9. Laura Heflin Topeka, KS 15 15-11 264 $1,120.00
Day 1: 5 04-09 Day 2: 5 06-01 Day 3: 5 05-01
10. Juanita Robinson Highlands, TX 11 15-11 260 $960.00
Day 1: 5 07-02 Day 2: 4 05-15 Day 3: 2 02-10
11. Meta Burrell Fort Worth, TX 11 15-08 257 $864.00
Day 1: 5 06-11 Day 2: 3 05-00 Day 3: 3 03-13
12. Mary DiVincenti Clinton, LA 9 14-09 254 $704.00
Day 1: 4 05-06 Day 2: 2 04-01 Day 3: 3 05-02
13. Cheryl Bowden Plano, TX 7 14-05 256 $640.00
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Day 3: 2 03-05
14. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, TN 10 14-03 248 $624.00
Day 1: 4 05-04 Day 2: 3 04-08 Day 3: 3 04-07
15. Cheryl Spencer Tulsa, OK 11 13-14 245 $608.00
Day 1: 3 03-10 Day 2: 5 07-05 Day 3: 3 02-15
16. Emily Shaffer Mount Juliet, TN 8 13-14 243 $592.00
Day 1: 4 07-07 Day 2: 1 01-11 Day 3: 3 04-12
17. Melinda Mize Ben Lomond, AR 8 13-12 241 $576.00
Day 1: 2 03-01 Day 2: 3 05-15 Day 3: 3 04-12
18. Keri Schieber Cumming, GA 8 13-04 239 $560.00
Day 1: 2 04-09 Day 2: 3 04-08 Day 3: 3 04-03
19. Linda Redford Blue Eye, MO 7 12-06 237 $544.00
Day 1: 2 03-12 Day 2: 4 07-04 Day 3: 1 01-06
20. Michelle Armstrong Denver, NC 7 11-15 235 $528.00
Day 1: 4 06-15 Day 2: 1 01-07 Day 3: 2 03-09
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 7 131 208-01
2 8 115 197-00
3 3 57 85-08
----------------------------------
18 303 490-09
ACADEMY SPORTS & OUTDOORS BASSMASTER WOMEN’S TOUR- CO-ANGLER- FINAL STANDINGS- OLD HICKORY LAKE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Monica Altman Angier, NC 10 17-03 310 $25,320.00
Day 1: 5 06-08 Day 2: 0 00-00 Day 3: 5 10-11
2. Regina Pierpaoli Gallatin, TN 6 14-13 295 $1,920.00
Day 1: 2 04-07 Day 2: 3 06-06 Day 3: 1 04-00
3. Colleen McKay Worcester, MA 8 13-04 290 $1,600.00
Day 1: 5 06-07 Day 2: 0 00-00 Day 3: 3 06-13
4. Barbara Gaskins Suffolk, VA 9 12-12 285 $1,280.00
Day 1: 2 02-13 Day 2: 3 04-08 Day 3: 4 05-07
5. Jill Matheis Jasper, IN 9 12-06 280 $1,120.00
Day 1: 5 05-09 Day 2: 0 00-00 Day 3: 4 06-13
6. Stacy Zhelesnik Hoboken, NJ 7 12-03 276 $960.00
Day 1: 3 05-08 Day 2: 1 01-10 Day 3: 3 05-01
7. Sarah Davis Livingston, LA 7 11-08 272 $800.00
Day 1: 1 01-06 Day 2: 3 05-01 Day 3: 3 05-01
8. Bonnie Ward Snohomish, WA 8 11-03 273 $640.00
Day 1: 3 04-07 Day 2: 5 06-12 Day 3: 0 00-00
9. Linda Walker Beebe, AR 6 10-12 264 $576.00
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 3 05-11 Day 3: 2 03-07
10. Terri Bittner Mckinleyville, CA 7 10-01 260 $528.00
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 5 07-09 Day 3: 1 01-03
11. Jada Tidmore Union Grove, AL 8 09-11 257 $480.00
Day 1: 4 06-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Day 3: 4 03-11
12. Jennifer Helgren Park City, IL 5 09-09 254 $448.00
Day 1: 2 03-12 Day 2: 2 03-15 Day 3: 1 01-14
13. Donna Newberry Van Buren, AR 5 09-00 251 $416.00
Day 1: 3 06-00 Day 2: 1 01-05 Day 3: 1 01-11
14. Jennifer Rice Grant, AL 7 08-11 248 $384.00
Day 1: 2 02-05 Day 2: 2 03-13 Day 3: 3 02-09
15. Debra Cook Gardendale, AL 7 08-10 245 $368.00
Day 1: 2 03-03 Day 2: 2 02-08 Day 3: 3 02-15
16. Dianna Montgomery Lebanon, TN 3 07-08 243 $352.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 06-02 Day 3: 1 01-06
17. Karol Whitehurst Winnsboro, TX 5 06-13 241 $336.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 4 05-06 Day 3: 1 01-07
18. Barbara Ferge Somerville, TN 5 06-13 239 $320.00
Day 1: 2 03-05 Day 2: 2 02-09 Day 3: 1 00-15
19. Elizabeth Sanders Brandon, MS 4 06-05 237 $304.00
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 3 05-00 Day 3: 0 00-00
20. Kim Petrowski Arlington, TX 3 05-04 235 $288.00
Day 1: 2 03-07 Day 2: 1 01-13 Day 3: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 3 83 122-07
2 2 76 119-15
3 1 41 65-00
----------------------------------
6 200 307-06
|
|
Reese Takes AOY Lead; Biffle Leads Lake Jordan Bassmaster Elite Series Postseason Event
WETUMPKA, Ala.. – While Tommy Biffle kicked it into high gear in the first leg of Toyota Trucks Championship Week, two anglers known for their clutch performances, Kevin VanDam and Skeet Reese, uncharacteristically struggled.
The duo headed into the Berkley Powerbait Trophy Chase neck-and-neck in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings but the door swung wide open for the entire field following a tough Saturday, the first day of the inaugural Bassmaster Elite Series Postseason.
Still, Reese did just enough to overtake VanDam and take a six-point advantage in the AOY standings over the hard-charging Biffle, who pushed himself into a tie with VanDam for second with 230 points. Biffle put himself near the head of the class with his Saturday limit of 15 pounds, 0 ounces, which led the 12-angler field. The AOY standings reflect what happened Saturday but Sunday could, once again, shake the leaderboard up.
Saturday was more about the success of Biffle than the other anglers’ struggles. Lake Jordan plays to Biffle’s strengths and while he didn’t divulge specifics of his pattern, astute fishing fans know that the Wagoner, Okla., pro was using the flipping stick.
“I’m definitely fishing like I like to,” said Biffle, 51. “My goal is to win this tournament and win the next one and hope that a few other guys struggle. I have a chance and that is all you can ask for.”
Fishing fans can catch all of the on-the-water action from Toyota Trucks Championship Week on The Bassmasters, which will air for three hours on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 4-7 p.m. ET.
Despite the lead, Biffle said he didn’t do as well as he had expected. His practice was productive and Biffle was confident that he could weigh a limit in the 20-pound range. Though his total could have been more – his largest fish came unbuttoned -- he wasn’t catching them nearly as well as he had in practice.
Right behind Biffle in the Jordan competition was 2006 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Mike Iaconelli. Iaconelli, who trailed Biffle by just 4 ounces, entered the tournament in 11th in the AOY standings but shot to fourth after Saturday. The postseason format also supremely benefited Gerald Swindle, who entered the tournament 12th in the AOY standings but moved to seventh after a nice day.
“There is not a lot of pressure on me and that is a good thing,” said Iaconelli, who has five BASS wins. “I honestly think it settles me down. There is no reason to be conservative and to know you can fish for everything you have is a good feeling. I’m shooting for the AOY and I know I have nothing to lose.”
Cliff Pace was third after Saturday in the Jordan competition and moved up to fifth in the AOY standings. The complete AOY standings can be found below.
While the AOY leaderboard shuffled and Reese struggled, he still picked up a spot and leapfrogged VanDam. Considering the two have been battling for supremacy over the last few years, Reese was excited to take the lead. But his bite on Jordan is not as solid as he would have liked and Sunday will serve as a quasi practice day during which, he said, he will try to develop something new.
“No doubt, I’m going to have to change things up,” said Reese, the 2009 Bassmaster Classic champion. “I’m indifferent about today. I look at it like I shoot par. If you would tell me that I could take this lead into the Alabama River, I might take it.”
Many anglers compared the Postseason competition to a football game. Saturday was the first quarter of competition and Sunday will represent the second quarter. After a brief halftime – anglers will take Monday off and fish a two-day practice period on the Alabama River on Tuesday and Wednesday – the Postseason competition picks up with the Evan Williams Bourbon Trophy Triumph, set for Montgomery, Ala., and the Alabama River, on Sept. 17-18.
The field qualified for the Postseason through their regular-season performances on the Bassmaster Elite Series. The top 12 anglers in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings after the regular season had their points recalculated and took those scores into the Postseason. Each leg of the Postseason will be scored on a 50-point sliding scale.
For its inaugural Postseason, BASS returned to its birthplace. BASS founder Ray Scott attended the weigh-in and said a few words to the crowd.
.
-TOYOTA TUNDRA BASSMASTER ANGLER OF THE YEAR STANDINGS
After first day of Berkley Powerbait Trophy Chase
Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings
1. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 236
2. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 230
2. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 230
4. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, NJ 220
5. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 217
6. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 211
7. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 210
8. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 208
9. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 202
9. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 202
11. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 195
12. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 192
DAY 1 STANDINGS- BERKLEY POWERBAIT TROPHY CHASE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 5 15-00
Day 1: 5 15-00
2. Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 5 14-12
Day 1: 5 14-12
3. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 5 12-14
Day 1: 5 12-14
4. Gerald Swindle Warrior, Ala. 5 12-10
Day 1: 5 12-10
5. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 5 12-06
Day 1: 5 12-06
6. Randy Howell Springville, Ala. 5 11-05
Day 1: 5 11-05
7. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 5 10-14
Day 1: 5 10-14
8. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 5 10-11
Day 1: 5 10-11
8. Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky. 5 10-11
Day 1: 5 10-11
10. Gary Klein Weatherford, Texas 5 10-01
Day 1: 5 10-01
11. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 5 9-07
Day 1: 5 9-07
12. Kelly Jordon Mineola, Texas 3 4-01
Day 1: 3 4-01
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Big Bass
Day
1 Michael Iaconelli Runnemede, N.J. 4-11 $.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 11 58 134-12
----------------------------------
11 58 134-12
|
|
2007 WBT Championship Winner Judy Wong Takes Lead After Two Days in Pivotal Tennessee Tournament
MADISON, Tenn. — A bag of largemouth that weighed more than 13 pounds put Judy Wong of Many, La., into the lead after two days in the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Women’s Tour on Old Hickory Lake.
Wong, the winner of the 2007 WBT Championship on South Carolina’s Lake Keowee, brought in 20-15 of Old Hickory bass over two days, jumping her from third to first and stepping over Heather Broom of Sylva, N.C., who had 19-9 over two days and remained firmly in second place.
Also on Friday, Lisa Sternard of Clarksville, Tenn., jumped into third place with 17-11. Fourth with 14-15 was Kim Bain-Moore of Alabaster, Ala., who as the 2008 Toyota Tundra WBT Angler of the Year was the first woman to qualify for a Bassmaster Classic.
Hookups with short bass have been plentiful this week, but not limits. After weighing just three fish the first day, Wong had one of eight pro-division limits Friday. Her Day Two bag was anchored by two largemouths, one more than 5 pounds, another about 4 pounds.
She said both came from one area — a rare one-two on Old Hickory this week. She said she worked another spot — hard — for the other three.
“It’s been tough fishing here, so to get the two big ones was wonderful,” Wong said. “The fish are in transition, they’re following baitfish, some are up shallow, some are out deep, so you just have to make a decision, not limit yourself to just one area. I was lucky to capitalize on those two areas, but they may not be there Saturday.”
That’s not quite what happened to first-day leader Cheryl Bowden of Plano, Texas, who zeroed Friday.
“I could see the fish, but they just wouldn’t bite,” Bowden said. “Maybe because they could see me — there was no wind.”
Broom, the last angler to weigh-in Friday, said she had hoped her limit would weigh just a bit more than it did — 10 pounds, 9 ounces, to put pressure on Wong, an early leader of the day.
“I can pull five more tomorrow — I’m pretty sure I can,” said Broom, whose limit came by 9 a.m. “I know there’s going to be some local tournaments tomorrow, and that’s often a factor on Saturday, but I’ll go back and see what I can get.”
In fifth place with 13-15 was Robin Babb of Livingston, Texas, who said she was motivated to do well at this tournament so she could earn enough points to advance to the 2009 Academy Sports + Outdoors WBT Championship, which is set for Oct. 16-18 on the Red River out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La.
“That’s why I fished so hard today and yesterday,” Babb said. “I really want to be in the championship. I’ve had a difficult season and year, so I got focused. I decided I better get serious.”
The Old Hickory event ends Saturday, wrapping up the regular WBT season and setting the 20-pro field for the 2009 championship. That’s where the season-long points race will cross the finish line and one pro will claim the season’s biggest prize package: the Toyota Tundra WBT Angler of the Year crown, a Toyota Tundra, and an invitation to the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 19-21 on Lay Lake out of Birmingham, Ala.
Pam Martin-Wells of Bainbridge, Ga., had 850 points going into the Old Hickory event. Just nine ticks behind was Juanita Robinson of Highlands, Texas. Martin-Wells was 10th place after the second day of the Tennessee tournament with 11-8. Robinson was seventh with 13-1.
The co-angler division went through a leaderboard shake-up. Bonnie Ward of Snohomish, Wash., shot from eighth place into the lead with 11-3 over two days. Regina Pierpaoli of Gallatin, Tenn., was second with 10-13. Terri Bittner of McKinleyville, Calif., took a big step from 35th place into third with an 8-14 two-day total.
First prize in the co-angler division is $500 and a Triton/Mercury boat rig valued at $25,000. Co-anglers also are competing for qualifying points for the October championship.
The Old Hickory competition will resume Saturday at 6:15 a.m. CT, when the top 20 launch from Sanders Ferry Park, 100 Sanders Ferry Road in Hendersonville, Tenn. The finale weigh-in is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. CT at the Academy Sports + Outdoors store, 2350 Gallatin Pike N., Madison.
All WBT events are free and open to the public.
The local sponsor is Sumner County Convention and Visitors Bureau (www.sumnercvb.com).
Media Contact: Doug Grassian; doug.grassian@espn.com; 407-566-2216
PRO- ACADEMY SPORTS & OUTDOORS BASSMASTER WOMEN’S TOUR- OLD HICKORY LAKE- DAY 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Judy Wong Many, LA 8 20-15 305
Day 1: 3 07-14 Day 2: 5 13-01
2. Heather Broom Sylva, NC 10 19-09 295
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 10-09
3. Lisa Sternard Clarksville, TN 7 17-11 290
Day 1: 3 06-14 Day 2: 4 10-13
4. Kim Bain-Moore Alabaster, AL 10 14-15 285
Day 1: 5 07-00 Day 2: 5 07-15
5. Robin Babb Livingston, TX 10 13-15 280
Day 1: 5 06-08 Day 2: 5 07-07
6. Cindy Hill Smyrna, TN 7 13-09 276
Day 1: 2 04-00 Day 2: 5 09-09
7. Juanita Robinson Highlands, TX 9 13-01 272
Day 1: 5 07-02 Day 2: 4 05-15
8. Helen Gordon Flower Mound, TX 8 11-13 268
Day 1: 4 05-07 Day 2: 4 06-06
9. Meta Burrell Fort Worth, TX 8 11-11 264
Day 1: 5 06-11 Day 2: 3 05-00
10. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, GA 8 11-08 260
Day 1: 3 03-14 Day 2: 5 07-10
11. Linda Redford Blue Eye, MO 6 11-00 257
Day 1: 2 03-12 Day 2: 4 07-04
12. Cheryl Bowden Plano, TX 5 11-00 259
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
13. Cheryl Spencer Tulsa, OK 8 10-15 251
Day 1: 3 03-10 Day 2: 5 07-05
14. Laura Heflin Topeka, KS 10 10-10 248
Day 1: 5 04-09 Day 2: 5 06-01
15. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, TN 7 09-12 245
Day 1: 4 05-04 Day 2: 3 04-08
16. Mary DiVincenti Clinton, LA 6 09-07 243
Day 1: 4 05-06 Day 2: 2 04-01
17. Emily Shaffer Mount Juliet, TN 5 09-02 241
Day 1: 4 07-07 Day 2: 1 01-11
18. Keri Schieber Cumming, GA 5 09-01 239
Day 1: 2 04-09 Day 2: 3 04-08
19. Melinda Mize Ben Lomond, AR 5 09-00 237
Day 1: 2 03-01 Day 2: 3 05-15
20. Michelle Armstrong Denver, NC 5 08-06 235
Day 1: 4 06-15 Day 2: 1 01-07
21. Lisa Craig Chandler, TX 2 08-03 233
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 08-03
22. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 5 07-11 231
Day 1: 2 02-06 Day 2: 3 05-05
23. Cheryl Turner Gallatin, TN 5 07-10 229
Day 1: 2 03-05 Day 2: 3 04-05
24. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, OK 5 07-03 227
Day 1: 3 04-07 Day 2: 2 02-12
25. Jo Dee Lake Helena, AL 4 06-11 225
Day 1: 4 06-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
26. Christiana Bradley Bealeton, VA 6 06-10 223
Day 1: 4 04-05 Day 2: 2 02-05
27. Patti Campbell Waxahachie, TX 4 06-05 221
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 3 05-00
28. Robbie Hartline Foristell, MO 4 05-12 219
Day 1: 2 03-02 Day 2: 2 02-10
29. Cheryl LaLumandier Saint Charles, MO 4 05-06 217
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 3 03-11
30. Kali Weatherford Eustace, TX 4 05-05 215
Day 1: 2 02-08 Day 2: 2 02-13
31. Lila Bass Austin, TX 3 05-00 213
Day 1: 2 03-04 Day 2: 1 01-12
32. Karen Elkins Oxford, AL 4 04-15 211
Day 1: 3 03-06 Day 2: 1 01-09
33. Paula Alexander Lincolnton, GA 3 04-13 209
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 04-13
33. Bridget Allen Philadelphia, PA 3 04-13 209
Day 1: 3 04-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
35. Secret York Benton, KY 3 04-12 205
Day 1: 2 03-06 Day 2: 1 01-06
36. Tammy Sawyer Brush Creek, TN 3 04-10 203
Day 1: 2 03-03 Day 2: 1 01-07
37. Lynda Gessner Foristell, MO 3 04-07 201
Day 1: 3 04-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
38. Jan Heavener Sherwood, AR 2 04-07 199
Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 1 01-12
39. Angie Douthit Clewiston, FL 3 04-06 197
Day 1: 2 02-15 Day 2: 1 01-07
40. Robertina Filburn Vine Grove, KY 2 04-05 195
Day 1: 2 04-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
41. Susan Gregory Kiln, MS 2 04-03 193
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-03
42. Tami Kashiwabara London JAPAN 3 03-08 191
Day 1: 3 03-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
43. Kandie Candelaria Canyon Lake, TX 2 03-07 189
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 03-07
44. BJ Carson Inola, OK 2 03-02 187
Day 1: 2 03-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
45. Debra Hengst San Antonio, TX 2 03-01 185
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 03-01
46. Marsha Gipson Bigelow, AR 1 03-01 183
Day 1: 1 03-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
47. Tammy Richardson Amity, AR 1 02-14 181
Day 1: 1 02-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
48. Jennifer Nevans Dayton, TN 2 02-11 179
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 1 01-00
49. Debra Petrowski Arlington, TX 2 02-09 177
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 02-09
50. Lori Masters Gonzales, LA 1 02-02 175
Day 1: 1 02-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
51. Kim Stapp Ringgold, GA 1 01-12 173
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
52. Teri Neal Cumming, GA 1 01-10 171
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
53. Kathi Hurst Ripley, MS 1 01-09 169
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
53. Teresa Poole Blue Springs, MO 1 01-09 169
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-09
53. Kim Tywater Fairview, TN 1 01-09 169
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
53. Kimberly White Glen Carbon, IL 1 01-09 169
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
57. Kat Ealey Moody, AL 1 01-09 161
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
58. Laura Gober Pendergrass, GA 1 01-08 159
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-08
58. Janet Parker Little Elm, TX 1 01-08 159
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-08
60. Cindy Caperton Ashland City, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
60. Terri Elkins Red Oak, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
60. Lisa Johnson Centre, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
60. Sandi Karnes Livingston, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
60. Kris McClendon Spicewood, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 7 131 208-01
2 8 115 197-00
----------------------------------
15 246 405-01
CO-ANGLER- ACADEMY SPORTS & OUTDOORS BASSMASTER WOMEN’S TOUR- OLD HICKORY LAKE- DAY 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Bonnie Ward Snohomish, WA 8 11-03 305
Day 1: 3 04-07 Day 2: 5 06-12
2. Regina Pierpaoli Gallatin, TN 5 10-13 295
Day 1: 2 04-07 Day 2: 3 06-06
3. Terri Bittner Mckinleyville, CA 6 08-14 290
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 5 07-09
4. Jennifer Helgren Park City, IL 4 07-11 285
Day 1: 2 03-12 Day 2: 2 03-15
5. Barbara Gaskins Suffolk, VA 5 07-05 280
Day 1: 2 02-13 Day 2: 3 04-08
6. Donna Newberry Van Buren, AR 4 07-05 276
Day 1: 3 06-00 Day 2: 1 01-05
7. Linda Walker Beebe, AR 4 07-05 272
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 3 05-11
8. Stacy Zhelesnik Hoboken, NJ 4 07-02 268
Day 1: 3 05-08 Day 2: 1 01-10
9. Monica Altman Angier, NC 5 06-08 269
Day 1: 5 06-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
10. Colleen McKay Worcester, MA 5 06-07 260
Day 1: 5 06-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
11. Sarah Davis Livingston, LA 4 06-07 257
Day 1: 1 01-06 Day 2: 3 05-01
12. Elizabeth Sanders Brandon, MS 4 06-05 254
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 3 05-00
13. Jennifer Rice Grant, AL 4 06-02 251
Day 1: 2 02-05 Day 2: 2 03-13
14. Dianna Montgomery Lebanon, TN 2 06-02 248
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 06-02
15. Jada Tidmore Union Grove, AL 4 06-00 245
Day 1: 4 06-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
16. Barbara Ferge Somerville, TN 4 05-14 243
Day 1: 2 03-05 Day 2: 2 02-09
17. Debra Cook Gardendale, AL 4 05-11 241
Day 1: 2 03-03 Day 2: 2 02-08
18. Jill Matheis Jasper, IN 5 05-09 239
Day 1: 5 05-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
19. Karol Whitehurst Winnsboro, TX 4 05-06 237
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 4 05-06
20. Kim Petrowski Arlington, TX 3 05-04 235
Day 1: 2 03-07 Day 2: 1 01-13
21. Martha Goodfellow Simpsonville, SC 4 05-02 233
Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 3 03-14
22. Sherry Melton Monterey, TN 4 04-14 231
Day 1: 2 02-07 Day 2: 2 02-07
23. Sharon Rushton Kimberling City, MO 3 04-13 229
Day 1: 3 04-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
24. Dawn Dudek Posen, IL 3 04-08 227
Day 1: 2 02-13 Day 2: 1 01-11
25. Bertha Cavakis Amity, AR 4 04-05 225
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 3 02-11
26. Lesli Lively Palestine, TX 3 04-05 223
Day 1: 2 02-12 Day 2: 1 01-09
27. Denese Freeman Lawton, OK 3 04-04 221
Day 1: 2 02-15 Day 2: 1 01-05
28. Susan Orton Apex, NC 3 04-03 219
Day 1: 2 02-15 Day 2: 1 01-04
29. Melissa Bond Albuquerque, NM 2 03-14 217
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 1 01-14
30. Vicki Henderson Ashdown, AR 3 03-12 215
Day 1: 3 03-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
31. Renee Gumbrecht Oakhurst, NJ 2 03-09 213
Day 1: 2 03-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
32. Kala Wright Spiro, OK 3 03-07 211
Day 1: 2 02-02 Day 2: 1 01-05
33. Kelly Wells Grovetown, GA 2 03-02 209
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 03-02
34. Victoria Hellmer Hermitage, TN 2 03-01 207
Day 1: 2 03-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
35. Diane Smith Fayetteville, GA 2 03-00 205
Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 1 01-12
36. Teri Cindric Hermitage, TN 2 02-15 203
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 02-15
36. Charlotte Frazier Dallas, TX 2 02-15 203
Day 1: 2 02-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
36. Gail Wood Russellville, AR 2 02-15 203
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 02-15
39. Nancy Dugas Huntsville, AL 2 02-15 197
Day 1: 1 01-01 Day 2: 1 01-14
40. Kim Mendoza Garland, TX 1 02-12 195
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-12
41. Katelynn Gray Bastrop, LA 2 02-11 193
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 02-11
42. Trish Levitt Albuquerque, NM 2 02-10 191
Day 1: 1 01-03 Day 2: 1 01-07
43. Neva Brown Lufkin, TX 2 02-06 189
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 02-06
44. Bonnie Betts Saint Ann, MO 2 02-06 187
Day 1: 1 01-06 Day 2: 1 01-00
45. Debbie Pegoli Loveland, OH 1 02-03 185
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-03
46. Sharon Seaton Buchanan, TN 1 02-02 183
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-02
47. Lori Steele Tulsa, OK 1 01-13 181
Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
47. Susan Wild St Petersburg, FL 1 01-13 181
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-13
49. Donna Rutledge Orland Park, IL 1 01-12 177
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. Renee Brisendine Cary, NC 1 01-09 175
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. Jane Brunner Byhalia, MS 1 01-09 175
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. Sharon Lawson Red Bank, TN 1 01-09 175
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-09
53. Katie Hogan Bon Aqua, TN 1 01-06 169
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-06
54. Michele Gunderman Gastonia, NC 1 01-05 167
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
55. Linda Owens Brandon, MS 1 01-04 165
Day 1: 1 01-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
56. Kat Arnold Shreveport, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
56. Linda Berry Madison, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
56. Marilyn Biszmaier Louisville, KY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
56. Cheryl Buelow Pollock, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
56. Susan Dameron Chattanooga, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
56. Lisa Diehl Pittsburg, PA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
56. Renee Johnston Beaumont, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
56. Mary Lipka Wentzville, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
56. Kim Martin Clayton, IN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 3 83 122-07
2 2 76 119-15
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5 159 242-06
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Lake Jordan setting up nicely for Elite Series shootout
By Alan Clemons
Special to Wired2Fish
WETUMPKA, Ala. – Versatility may be the key this weekend when the Berkley Powerbait Trophy Chase on Lake Jordan kicks off the inaugural Toyota Trucks Championship Week.
The top 12 from the Bassmaster Elite Series angler of the year points standings spent two days checking everything from gin-clear shallow water to offshore structure. Lake Jordan isn’t big, at roughly 6,800 acres between Mitchell and Bouldin dams, but has a healthy population of largemouth and Coosa River spotted bass.
Forecasts call for a good chance of rain this weekend as storms build in the Southeast. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-80s with a heat index in the 90s along with some wind and humidity. In other words, typical September weather as summer wanes.
“This time of year when it rains here like we’ve had lately, the fish move up shallow until things settle back down,” said Elite Series pro Greg Vinson, who lives near the lake and is familiar with it. “I think you’ll see some guys doing some specific things and others doing a little bit of everything. It should be a good tournament.”
Weights in one-day team events have been between 15-18 pounds, and if Alabama Power generates water this weekend through Bouldin Dam the bite should improve. Several of the Chase anglers spent time on the lower end of Jordan near Bouldin Dam during the two practice days pinpointing areas holding shad. Others checked specific spots Thursday and then refined their areas and techniques in Friday’s final practice day.
With the relative small size of the lake, the regular hydroelectric dam generation keeps Jordan fairly oxygenated. Despite having some deep areas the bass are more attuned to being 15 feet deep or shallower. Combine that with cloud cover, decreasing water temperatures, shad starting to move into creeks and the skills of the Elite anglers, the tournament could produce some very solid catches.
Randy Howell of Alabama said he’s glad to be one of the dozen anglers in the postseason with a shot at the Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year title. The anglers are within 31 points of each other and, with less pressure, Howell believes that will be a plus.
“I’m excited about that … less tournament pressure always will be better,” he said. “I know that I, and everyone else if they admit it, will fish better if they don’t have two or three boats going after the same fish.”
Following this tournament, the anglers will take a day off, then practice two days for the final event on the Alabama River.
Check Bassmaster.com, ESPNOutdoors.com and BassZone.com throughout the day for updates along with Wired2Fish.com for news and results following the weigh-ins.
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Fall is a great time of year to clean up the boat. We are always looking for new and better products and think we have found one that Wired2Fish readers will love. Fast, easy and durable in a couple of bottles.
RMR Industries recently introduced a new product that many have tried but few have had success with. A strong cleaner that doesn't hurt the environment, works well, and is complimentary to Bow to Stern Protectant which is also friendly to the environment and is anti-microbial. Ultra Clean works like magic on both fiberglass and aluminum. We used it on both and found it to be very simple to use and wipe off. Grime, oil and bugs came off easily with a single application.
After Ultra Clean dries, place a quick coat of Bow to Stern and grime doesn't stick to the hull again. You can use everytime you take the boat out of the water and there is no heavy build-up. Now that is real slick.
Bow to Stern and Ultra Clean can be used on all marine surfaces.
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Today on Wired Radio with Terry Brown Basszone's Mark Jeffreys gives us the low down on how they are catching them and how this event is different. To listen click here.
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Yamaha Launches “Why Wait? Buy Now!” for Season’s Close
Yamaha Marine Group launched today its “Why Wait? Buy Now!” sales promotion designed to help consumers make their boating wish come true before the end of the season.
“This is a great time to buy,” said Dale Barnes, Yamaha Marine Group division manager marketing. “Dealers are motivated, and a new Yamaha outboard with the Y.E.S. extended warranty is a proven way to bring extra value to a boat purchase.”
The promotion provides the purchasing consumer a choice of either a 3-year Y.E.S. contract, or a credit of up to $3,500 based on MSRP towards the purchase of goods and/or services available at the authorized participating Yamaha Outboard dealer that sold the outboard at no extra cost to the purchasing consumer.
Available for eligible new outboards sold, delivered and warranty registered by authorized participating Yamaha dealers from September 10, 2009 through October 31, 2009.
The promotion supports an extensive range of new Yamaha outboards, including all new Four Stroke, HPDI and Carbureted Two Stroke Outboards manufactured since April 2005 that are sold, warranty registered and delivered by October 31, 2009. Additional terms, conditions and procedures apply. See your authorized participating Yamaha outboard dealer for complete details.
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One of the new products that caught our eye at ICAST was the new Gene Larew Biffle Bug. This segmented creature bait has a rattle pocket and that same great Biffle O' tail. They just produced a new video of the Biffle Bug with Tommy Biffle that you can watch by clicking here. |
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Most projects that we start in life have a beginning, middle and end. When it comes to fixing up a boat the project never ends. Getting the "old girl" ready for the water, equipped with the proper tools of the trade, and making it a fishing machine is only the beginning. Now the fun begins.
Building out the Ranger 16'8 Banshee has been a blast. Taking a boat or should I say "shell" of a boat the first time to what it has become is satisfying and gratifying to say the least. Putting in the proper wiring, equipting it with the best the industry has to offer, and adding some personal bling has been a labor of love. Not only is it cool to see the project take shape but fishing from this jewel has been awesome.
The final stages of this project have been the most fun. Seeing that building flexibility in design has its advantages is a plus but fishing tournaments out of it, having others ooh and aah about it is special.
In prior segments we spoke about the components. Lets rehash them. We started with a Ranger Banshee flats boat. No lids, no wiring, no switches, and no accessories. Just a shell. Adding the proper wiring for trolling motor, outboard, and accessories. Getting the best latches. Adding a jackplate. Putting in the proper tools from Berkley and Rapala in proper locations and setting it up for perfect balance and performance was critical to this project. Adding Bluewater LED lighting and a Biosonix added pizzazz! We now have a UFO, an Unidentified Fishing Object!
Here is a list of products we used:
1. Ranger Banshee fiberglass boat
2. Lowe single axle heavy duty trailer with spare.
3. Ranger pedestals and butt seats
4. T&H Marine Atlas Tilt and Trim Model THT-35
5. Igloo 120 quart cooler
6. Light hardware and lights
7. 3 Deka Heavy Duty Marine Batteries
8. Minn Kota Maxxum 80 trolling motor
9. Humminbird 798 C SI depth finder with GPS
10. Fire extinguisher and safety equipment including battery boxes and covers.
11. Heavy duty wiring
12. Rod Saver Rod tie downs
13. Berkley Rod Holders
14. Biosonix
15. Multiple bungee cords and tie downs
16. Hundreds of stainless steel screws
17. Bluewater LED lighting on the gunnels the entire edge of the boat
18. Perko latches
19. Bluewater LED livewell lights
20 Wired2Fish Floor Graphics
21. Yamaha 9.9 4-Stroke outboard with electric start
This project will never truly be completed. Its a work in progress. Its been fun and yes we would do it again and probably will. Thanks to Bob Rice, John Theison, Buells Marine and all my fishing buddies for help and suggestions. Last but surely not least....thanks to all of the manufacturers mentioned above for building the best products. We couldn't have done it without them.
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MADISON, Tenn. — Cheryl Bowden said the bite Thursday on Old Hickory Lake was light, but she landed enough timid bass to end up with 11 pounds, 0 ounces, and the first-day lead at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Women’s Tour.
A pro from Plano, Texas, Bowden was 2 pounds in front of Heather Broom of Sylva, N.C., who was second with 9-0 on the first day of the competition that rounds out the WBT’s regular season.
“The bite was light, you could hardly feel it,” said Bowden, who declined to give many details on her pattern this early in the game.
She did say she worked a Gambler Mega Daddy most of the day in five areas she had pinpointed in practice. The soft craw produced most of her five-fish limit, which were all largemouth bass.
“I had a great practice,” said Bowden, “and once I found my fish, I left them alone, didn’t go back to them. Today, I kept thinking, ‘are they going to be there,’ and they were.”
Unlike most other competitors, Bowden said she did not spend her time measuring fish to adhere to the length limits of 12 inches for spotted bass, 14 inches for largemouths and 18 inches for smallmouth bass.
“I hardly caught any short fish” said Bowden. “Almost all the fish I hooked were big fish.”
Broom said she used two types of lures to get her limit, and stayed in one area, having faith the bite would turn on again after a lull.
“I fished all day for five fish,” she said, adding that her fifth fish for a limit went into the livewell at about 1:30 p.m., 45 minutes before check-in with tournament officials.
Third after Day One with 7-14 was Judy Wong, the Many, La., pro who won the WBT Championship in February 2008 on South Carolina’s Lake Keowee. Wong managed three fish, all largemouths.
“I was fortunate to get the big bite, I just couldn’t get my limit, but I caught big numbers,” she said.
Wong pulled in front of Emily Shaffer of Mount Juliet, Tenn., who considers Old Hickory one of her home lakes. Shaffer had 7-7.
Much is at stake for all the competitors in the pro division. They are competing for money and prizes — the first prize is $1,000 cash and a boat rig valued at $55,000 — and for enough points to qualify for the Oct. 16-18 Academy Sports + Outdoors WBT Championship on the Red River out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La.
Only the top 20 in the points standings after Old Hickory will advance to the championship, where the newly crowned Toyota Tundra WBT Angler of the Year will claim her qualification for the 2010 Classic. She’ll follow pioneer Kim Bain-Moore, who as the 2008 AOY was the first woman to qualify for a Classic.
Besides a Classic qualification, the new AOY will score a 2010 Toyota Tundra.
Leading this year’s race is Pam Martin-Wells of Bainbridge, Ga., who had 850 points going into Old Hickory. The full standings can be found on Bassmaster.com. Just nine points behind is Juanita Robinson of Highlands, Texas. Martin-Wells was 23rd place after the first day of the Tennessee tournament with 3-14. Robinson was fifth with 7-2.
In the co-angler division, where the first prize is $500 and a boat rig valued at $25,000, Monica Altman of Angier, N.C., picked up the Day One lead with 6 pounds, 8 ounces. In second place was Colleen McKay of Worcester, Mass., with 6-7. Third was Jada Tidmore of Union Grove, Ala., who bagged 6 pounds, 0 ounces.
Co-anglers are competing for qualifying points for the championship as well. Only the top 20 will go to the Louisiana event.
The Old Hickory competition will resume Friday at 6:15 a.m. CT, when the full field launches from Sanders Ferry Park, 100 Sanders Ferry Road in Hendersonville, Tenn. The weigh-in is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. CT at the Academy Sports + Outdoors store, 2350 Gallatin Pike N., Madison.
All WBT events are free and open to the public.
The local sponsor is Sumner County Convention and Visitors Bureau (www.sumnercvb.com).
Media Contact: Doug Grassian; doug.grassian@espn.com; 407-566-2216,
ACADEMY SPORTS & OUTDOORS- BASSMASTER WOMEN’S TOUR- OLD HICKORY LAKE- DAY 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Cheryl Bowden Plano, TX 5 11-00 305
Day 1: 5 11-00
2. Heather Broom Sylva, NC 5 09-00 295
Day 1: 5 09-00
3. Judy Wong Many, LA 3 07-14 290
Day 1: 3 07-14
4. Emily Shaffer Mount Juliet, TN 4 07-07 285
Day 1: 4 07-07
5. Juanita Robinson Highlands, TX 5 07-02 280
Day 1: 5 07-02
6. Kim Bain-Moore Alabaster, AL 5 07-00 276
Day 1: 5 07-00
7. Michelle Armstrong Denver, NC 4 06-15 272
Day 1: 4 06-15
8. Lisa Sternard Clarksville, TN 3 06-14 268
Day 1: 3 06-14
9. Meta Burrell Fort Worth, TX 5 06-11 264
Day 1: 5 06-11
10. Jo Dee Lake Helena, AL 4 06-11 260
Day 1: 4 06-11
11. Robin Babb Livingston, TX 5 06-08 257
Day 1: 5 06-08
12. Helen Gordon Flower Mound, TX 4 05-07 254
Day 1: 4 05-07
13. Mary DiVincenti Clinton, LA 4 05-06 251
Day 1: 4 05-06
14. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, TN 4 05-04 248
Day 1: 4 05-04
15. Bridget Allen Philadelphia, PA 3 04-13 245
Day 1: 3 04-13
16. Laura Heflin Topeka, KS 5 04-09 243
Day 1: 5 04-09
17. Keri Schieber Cumming, GA 2 04-09 241
Day 1: 2 04-09
18. Lynda Gessner Foristell, MO 3 04-07 239
Day 1: 3 04-07
18. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, OK 3 04-07 239
Day 1: 3 04-07
20. Christiana Bradley Bealeton, VA 4 04-05 235
Day 1: 4 04-05
21. Robertina Filburn Vine Grove, KY 2 04-05 233
Day 1: 2 04-05
22. Cindy Hill Smyrna, TN 2 04-00 231
Day 1: 2 04-00
23. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, GA 3 03-14 229
Day 1: 3 03-14
24. Linda Redford Blue Eye, MO 2 03-12 227
Day 1: 2 03-12
25. Cheryl Spencer Tulsa, OK 3 03-10 225
Day 1: 3 03-10
26. Tami Kashiwabara London JAPAN 3 03-08 223
Day 1: 3 03-08
27. Karen Elkins Oxford, AL 3 03-06 221
Day 1: 3 03-06
28. Secret York Benton, KY 2 03-06 219
Day 1: 2 03-06
29. Cheryl Turner Gallatin, TN 2 03-05 217
Day 1: 2 03-05
30. Lila Bass Austin, TX 2 03-04 215
Day 1: 2 03-04
31. Tammy Sawyer Brush Creek, TN 2 03-03 213
Day 1: 2 03-03
32. BJ Carson Inola, OK 2 03-02 211
Day 1: 2 03-02
32. Robbie Hartline Foristell, MO 2 03-02 211
Day 1: 2 03-02
34. Melinda Mize Ben Lomond, AR 2 03-01 207
Day 1: 2 03-01
35. Marsha Gipson Bigelow, AR 1 03-01 205
Day 1: 1 03-01
36. Angie Douthit Clewiston, FL 2 02-15 203
Day 1: 2 02-15
37. Tammy Richardson Amity, AR 1 02-14 201
Day 1: 1 02-14
38. Jan Heavener Sherwood, AR 1 02-11 199
Day 1: 1 02-11
39. Kali Weatherford Eustace, TX 2 02-08 197
Day 1: 2 02-08
40. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, AR 2 02-06 195
Day 1: 2 02-06
41. Lori Masters Gonzales, LA 1 02-02 193
Day 1: 1 02-02
42. Kim Stapp Ringgold, GA 1 01-12 191
Day 1: 1 01-12
43. Cheryl LaLumandier Saint Charles, MO 1 01-11 189
Day 1: 1 01-11
43. Jennifer Nevans Dayton, TN 1 01-11 189
Day 1: 1 01-11
45. Teri Neal Cumming, GA 1 01-10 185
Day 1: 1 01-10
46. Kathi Hurst Ripley, MS 1 01-09 183
Day 1: 1 01-09
46. Kim Tywater Fairview, TN 1 01-09 183
Day 1: 1 01-09
46. Kimberly White Glen Carbon, IL 1 01-09 183
Day 1: 1 01-09
49. Kat Ealey Moody, AL 1 01-09 177
Day 1: 1 01-09
50. Patti Campbell Waxahachie, TX 1 01-05 175
Day 1: 1 01-05
51. Paula Alexander Lincolnton, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Kandie Candelaria Canyon Lake, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Cindy Caperton Ashland City, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Lisa Craig Chandler, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Terri Elkins Red Oak, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Laura Gober Pendergrass, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Susan Gregory Kiln, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Debra Hengst San Antonio, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Lisa Johnson Centre, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Sandi Karnes Livingston, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Kris McClendon Spicewood, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Janet Parker Little Elm, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Debra Petrowski Arlington, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
51. Teresa Poole Blue Springs, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 7 131 208-01
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7 131 208-01
ACADEMY SPORTS & OUTDOORS BASSMASTER WOMEN’S TOUR- OLD HICKORY LAKE- CO-ANGLER- DAY 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Monica Altman Angier, NC 5 06-08 305
Day 1: 5 06-08
2. Colleen McKay Worcester, MA 5 06-07 295
Day 1: 5 06-07
3. Jada Tidmore Union Grove, AL 4 06-00 290
Day 1: 4 06-00
4. Donna Newberry Van Buren, AR 3 06-00 285
Day 1: 3 06-00
5. Jill Matheis Jasper, IN 5 05-09 280
Day 1: 5 05-09
6. Stacy Zhelesnik Hoboken, NJ 3 05-08 276
Day 1: 3 05-08
7. Sharon Rushton Kimberling City, MO 3 04-13 272
Day 1: 3 04-13
8. Bonnie Ward Snohomish, WA 3 04-07 268
Day 1: 3 04-07
9. Regina Pierpaoli Gallatin, TN 2 04-07 264
Day 1: 2 04-07
10. Vicki Henderson Ashdown, AR 3 03-12 260
Day 1: 3 03-12
11. Jennifer Helgren Park City, IL 2 03-12 257
Day 1: 2 03-12
12. Renee Gumbrecht Oakhurst, NJ 2 03-09 254
Day 1: 2 03-09
13. Kim Petrowski Arlington, TX 2 03-07 251
Day 1: 2 03-07
14. Barbara Ferge Somerville, TN 2 03-05 248
Day 1: 2 03-05
15. Debra Cook Gardendale, AL 2 03-03 245
Day 1: 2 03-03
16. Victoria Hellmer Hermitage, TN 2 03-01 243
Day 1: 2 03-01
17. Charlotte Frazier Dallas, TX 2 02-15 241
Day 1: 2 02-15
17. Denese Freeman Lawton, OK 2 02-15 241
Day 1: 2 02-15
17. Susan Orton Apex, NC 2 02-15 241
Day 1: 2 02-15
20. Dawn Dudek Posen, IL 2 02-13 235
Day 1: 2 02-13
20. Barbara Gaskins Suffolk, VA 2 02-13 235
Day 1: 2 02-13
22. Lesli Lively Palestine, TX 2 02-12 231
Day 1: 2 02-12
23. Sherry Melton Monterey, TN 2 02-07 229
Day 1: 2 02-07
24. Jennifer Rice Grant, AL 2 02-05 227
Day 1: 2 02-05
25. Kala Wright Spiro, OK 2 02-02 225
Day 1: 2 02-02
26. Melissa Bond Albuquerque, NM 1 02-00 223
Day 1: 1 02-00
27. Lori Steele Tulsa, OK 1 01-13 221
Day 1: 1 01-13
28. Donna Rutledge Orland Park, IL 1 01-12 219
Day 1: 1 01-12
29. Bertha Cavakis Amity, AR 1 01-10 217
Day 1: 1 01-10
29. Linda Walker Beebe, AR 1 01-10 217
Day 1: 1 01-10
31. Renee Brisendine Cary, NC 1 01-09 213
Day 1: 1 01-09
31. Jane Brunner Byhalia, MS 1 01-09 213
Day 1: 1 01-09
33. Bonnie Betts Saint Ann, MO 1 01-06 209
Day 1: 1 01-06
33. Sarah Davis Livingston, LA 1 01-06 209
Day 1: 1 01-06
35. Terri Bittner Mckinleyville, CA 1 01-05 205
Day 1: 1 01-05
35. Michele Gunderman Gastonia, NC 1 01-05 205
Day 1: 1 01-05
37. Elizabeth Sanders Brandon, MS 1 01-05 201
Day 1: 1 01-05
38. Martha Goodfellow Simpsonville, SC 1 01-04 199
Day 1: 1 01-04
38. Linda Owens Brandon, MS 1 01-04 199
Day 1: 1 01-04
38. Diane Smith Fayetteville, GA 1 01-04 199
Day 1: 1 01-04
41. Trish Levitt Albuquerque, NM 1 01-03 193
Day 1: 1 01-03
42. Nancy Dugas Huntsville, AL 1 01-01 191
Day 1: 1 01-01
43. Kat Arnold Shreveport, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Linda Berry Madison, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Marilyn Biszmaier Louisville, KY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Neva Brown Lufkin, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Cheryl Buelow Pollock, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Teri Cindric Hermitage, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Susan Dameron Chattanooga, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Lisa Diehl Pittsburg, PA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Katelynn Gray Bastrop, LA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Katie Hogan Bon Aqua, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Renee Johnston Beaumont, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Sharon Lawson Red Bank, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Mary Lipka Wentzville, MO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Kim Martin Clayton, IN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Kim Mendoza Garland, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Dianna Montgomery Lebanon, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Debbie Pegoli Loveland, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Sharon Seaton Buchanan, TN 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Kelly Wells Grovetown, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Karol Whitehurst Winnsboro, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Susan Wild St Petersburg, FL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
43. Gail Wood Russellville, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 3 83 122-07
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3 83 122-07
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New heavy metal jigging spoon kicks tail & crushes ‘em!
The MACHO MINNOW® tumbles to create an erratic crippled minnow action fish can’t resist!
Bemidji, Minn. – The MACHO MINNOW® is the hottest new jigging spoon in the country for casting or vertical jigging below a boat or through an ice hole for all gamefish species! Like a tough and durable tool that never lets a carpenter down, the new bold, muscular and lethal heavy-metal MACHO MINNOW® from Northland Fishing Tackle® comes through in the clutch! Engineered from cut brass, the new minnow imitating spoon features a CutSlab™ beveled edge design that creates an erratic tumbling, darting action that imitates wounded prey to near perfection. It flickers, flashes, flutters and never falls the same way twice. Aquatic predators like perch, crappie, walleye, bass, trout and pike wait in line to gobble up this exciting new minnow bait.
The MACHO MINNOW® is boldly crafted and sports a highly reflective “holographic” Baitfish-Image™ minnow body that erotically flutters to mimic a gamefish’s most desired forage . . . a crippled minnow. A jointed metal KickerTail™ Fin also adorns the tail that flickers, flashes, clinks and clatters on the hook, providing sonic vibration to lure fish from a wide radius. This rock-solid spoon fishes heavy, and derives its naturally random crippled minnow action from its unique and innovative beveled shape. The highly sought after minnow-imitating spoon is lethal on perch, crappie, bass, walleye, trout, pike, redfish and all fish that eat!
“You can drop this spoon a hundred times and it will never fall the same way twice,” says lure designer and Northland Fishing Tackle President John Peterson. “Thanks to its CutSlab™ design and unique sharp beveled edges, the tail-heavy shape gives it the ability to shoot out and away, just like an erratic wounded minnow. Its lifelike “holographic” Baitfish-Image™ profile and jointed metal KickerTail™ Fin also gives it that realistic flash and sonic vibration that provokes fish to want to crush it! Now that’s what I call realism.”
The MACHO MINNOW® is available in six heavy-metal weights, ranging from the light 1/12 oz. for crappie, perch and trout, to the heavy-weighted 3/4 oz. size for casting and vertical jigging deep water walleye, bass, lake trout, redfish and pike. It is also produced in ten highly reflective “holographic” and hi-visibility “glow-in-the-dark” attractor colors designed to match the hatch. Tie one on . . . and get ready to kick some tail and crush ‘em! |
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With the throttle gunned and the exhaust pipes roaring, a NASCAR race car custom-painted in tribute of the 2001 terror attack victims was unveiled Monday in Manhattan near Ground Zero. Gemini Sport Marketing will be right in the middle of it with custom shirts made specifically for Benny Gordon and his team. Gemini is proud to be part of it.
Click here to see the Slide Show from the car unveiling in New York.
NASCAR race car honors 9/11 terror victims
August 31, 2009 By MICHAEL FRAZIER michael.frazier@newsday.com
Photo credit: AP Photo | The NASCAR racecar custom-designed to commemorate Sept. 11 is unveiled Monday, Aug. 31, 2009 near the World Trade Center site in New York's lower Manhattan. Driver Benny Gordon and North South Motorsports will race the car on Sept. 11 at the Richmond International Speedway in Virginia to commemorate 9/11.
The car - a $100,000 Ford Fusion bearing the inscription "Always Remember" and a 9/11 logo for the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum - is competing in a Sept. 11 race at Virginia's Richmond International Raceway.
NASCAR driver Benny Gordon, who lined up corporate sponsors for the custom paint job, is racing the No. 72 car.
"It will be an honor to race a car in honor of the attack victims," said Gordon, co-owner of the North South Motorsports team based in Dubois, Pa. "I hope we have a good run."
Gordon hopes NASCAR's popularity and the themed paint job will draw more support for the planned $610-million memorial and museum.
Joe Daniels, president of the memorial and museum, said he is grateful to have Gordon's support.
"This car presents a tremendous opportunity to raise awareness about the national 9/11 memorial," he said.
Two Ford Fusions - a lead racer and a backup - will carry the same paint job, said Frank Nickens, a spokesman for Gordon.
The backup car was shown Monday, and the hood of the car was signed by first-responders, who attended the unveiling. Work will begin soon on the lead car, which will be used in the Sept. 11 race.
Typically, custom-painting of sponsor-driven designs and bright colors on stock cars runs about $2,000 per vehicle. The car dedicated to 9/11 is hand-painted, however, and the work for the lead car and backup vehicle will cost about $6,000 each, Nickens said.
The 9/11 car's color scheme is black, blue and white. The logo of the memorial and museum is on the hood, sides, bumpers and trunk. From the front tires to the doors are red and white stripes with reflective stars on the hood to resemble a flag.
In association with the Sept. 11 NASCAR race, the foundation that will operate the memorial, and museum is launching the "text to remember" program. The program is designed to help raise funds and awareness for the memorial, which has a planned opening date of 2011.
By texting "WTC" to the number 30644, supporters can add their names to an honor roll at the 9/11 memorial's Web site and have the option to donate $5.
All of us at Wired2Fish and Gemini support this program and will "always remember" those that gave their lives 9/11/2001.
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Got an exiting video from Joe Thomas’ Reel in the Outdoors that we just got from our friends at Bass Tackle Depot that we thought Wired2Fish readers might like to see it.
Joe Thomas and Bobby Barrack on the Delta throwing Lunker Punker topwaters catching striper.
They catch a 40 pounder on camera from strike to release. AWESOME footage!
To watch this video click here.
Click on the "bait" section to view.
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QuantumFishing.com makes its debut
TULSA, Okla. (Sept. 9, 2009) - The totally redesigned Quantum web site - QuantumFishing.com - goes live today with a new look and many expanded features and functions for the ultimate interactive experience relating to Quantum products, customer service, technical support and a wide range of fishing topics and know-how.
The new site incorporates the latest in new media technology advances and puts them in an easy-to-navigate-and-search format that makes QuantumFishing.com extremely user-friendly, regardless of a visitor's level of Internet experience.
"Our new web site culminates months of research, designing and programming, to make it the state-of-the-art site in the fishing industry," said Bob Bagby, Quantum vice president of marketing. "While appearance is important and we have that, too, our primary purpose of the redesign is all about function ... we want QuantumFishing.com to be the ultimate resource for our customers to go for everything Quantum: which products fit their needs, where to buy them, how to use them, identifying and ordering parts, and on and on. Fresh and saltwater anglers alike will appreciate the organization and content of what they find here."
In addition to general information such as FAQs, dealer locator, trophy board and media room, the site also contains a greatly expanded library of product schematics covering a wide range of years, as well as the most intricate details about PT products, including gear ratios, inches per turn, weight, drag strength, etc. Visitors can also get a behind-the-scenes look at engineering and quality testing that goes into every Quantum rod and reel by choosing one of the many video options.
There are also numerous fishing tips videos by Quantum's elite pro staffers, including Kevin VanDam, Shaw Grigsby, Dean Rojas, Greg Hackney and several others, covering fresh and saltwater. The "On Tour" department follows the pros through their respective tournament participations.
For customers wanting to communicate directly with the company's engineers and product managers, there's the Quantum Blog. The monitored blog will provide useful communication on most any fishing topic, and expect to find frequent postings by Quantum's prostaffers adding to the exchanges.
Certain items, such as Quantum Signature Series PT rods and a variety of promotional clothing, can be purchased through the site's "buy online" areas. The Custom Shop houses all of the information about the rods.
"This effort has been a major investment for us, so we do want to hear back from those who visit QuantumFishing.com," Bagby added. "Comments can be posted to the Quantum Blog, and rest assured we will read them and respond."
Since 2001 when Quantum was acquired by the W.C. Bradley Co., the brand has annually gained respect and popularity, with much of the rise to fame coming from product innovation within the "PT" Performance Tuned family, and through the continued tournament successes of KVD and the others on the Quantum pro staff.
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Bassmaster.com Unveils Redesign of Site
Bassmaster.com today unveiled its newly redesigned site, featuring a cleaner, simpler design and navigation experience that loads faster for users. The redesign also incorporates the latest multimedia platforms and features an expanded video player with a richer 16:9 screen.
Bassmaster.com will continue to offer the best bass fishing how-to stories, tournament coverage, breaking news, photo galleries and blogs from top Bassmaster Elite Series anglers. And, as always, Bassmaster.com will continue to embrace leading edge technologies such as BASSCam, BASSCast and LunkerCam, which brings fans closer to Bassmaster tournament action.
"This new look utilizes the latest media platforms and straightforward navigation to deliver the ultimate in bass fishing content," said Dave Precht, senior director of BASS Publications. "We are launching new features and new technologies that will enhance our coverage and better serve our visitors."
The redesign comes on the heels of strong growth for Bassmaster.com. According to Omniture, in 2009, Bassmaster.com is averaging 380,000 monthly unique visitors and 11.28 minutes per each visit for a total of nearly 10 million minutes per month.
Outdoors enthusiasts can experience the new site at www.Bassmaster.com.
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BoatU.S. seeks entries for Recreational Boating Access Award
ALEXANDRIA, VA, September 9, 2009 - Residential development, poor land use planning, highest-use tax rates, and even sometimes public indifference make it hard for boaters to get to the water, but ultimately, the lack of boating access is a local issue. But there are answers. BoatU.S. wants to share recent successful grassroots solutions to the problem. The nation's largest boat owners group will recognize those who are turning the tide through its national Recreational Boating Access Award . However, time is running out -- nominations are due October 1, 2009.
The BoatU.S. Recreational Boating Access Award will honor an individual, group, government body, business or non-profit organization that has succeeded in preserving or improving public waterway access. Judges will look at four criteria: First, the challenges faced in retaining or increasing access in an area; Second, the direct impact or measurable results of the solution; Third, the level of success in increasing awareness of the issue in a community and; Fourth, "repeatability," or the ability to take the successful approach and adopt it in other areas.
Examples of solutions could include creative public/private partnerships, changes in land use planning or permitting processes, tax incentives, legislation or public ballots, publicity or public education. Eligible activities include those undertaken in the last three years.
Winners will be announced by October 31, 2009. To apply or for more information including a look at last year's winners, go to www.BoatUS.com/gov/AccessAward .
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As reported earlier this week the Professional Anglers Association has an auction ongoing for tackle, trips and memorbelia. This auction will end Sunday September 13. Get your bids in now. Click here to go to the auction site. |
Today on Wired Radio with Terry Brown FLW Outdoors CEO Charlie Evans talks about their updated tour schedule, sponsor obligations and their relationship with BASS. To listen click here. |
Capt. Kevin and Cajun Phil Broussard win the Academy Team of the Year presented by Crocs title with the highest cumulative points for the 2009 season
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| Photo courtesy of Career Sports and Entertainment. |
ATLANTA, Ga. (Sept. 4, 2009) – The Redfish Cup veteran anglers Capt. Kevin and Cajun Phil Broussard from Lake Charles, La. took home the Academy Sports + Outdoors Team of the Year Award presented by Crocs with 187 points, a 13-point spread between them and the second place team Bryan Watts (Lithia, Fla.) and Greg Watts (Eagle Lake, Fla.) who had 174 points. Eric Rue (Lake Charles, La.) and Larry Puckett (Boyd, Texas) rounded out the top three with 173 points.
The Broussards secured and maintained a strong position in the Team of the Year race from day one of the 2009 season. They had a fourth-place finish at the Punta Gorda tournament back in April; they placed 18th in the Kemah tournament in early June; seventh in the Chalmette tournament in July and 12th at the Biloxi tournament at the end of August. Proving that slow and steady wins the race, the Broussards weighed in the top 20 at every 2009 Redfish Cup tournament, which landed them the coveted Team of the Year title.
“Winning the Academy Team of the Year presented by Crocs with my son, Capt. Kevin means everything to me. I honestly don't know of anyone else that puts so much hard work into each event,” said Cajun Phil Broussard. “It just doesn't get any better than this. We love fishing in the Redfish Cup. We love fishing together, and that's what family and love is all about.”
The Redfish Cup teams accumulate Team of the Year points based on their final placement in the four regular-season tournaments (Punta Gorda, Fla., Kemah, Texas, Chalmette, La. and Biloxi/D’ Iberville, Miss.). The Academy Team of the Year presented by Crocs awards the winning team $10,000.
“Never has one moment ever changed a life as this one has affected mine. Winning the Academy Team of the Year presented by Crocs is our crowning moment. Many years ago my dad started taking me fishing as a small child. I don’t think it took him all that long to realize the fire he had lit in a little boy. And that fire quickly grew over the years into a deep desire and passion for the sport of fishing and the great outdoors,” said Capt. Kevin Broussard.
“My dad is my best friend and my fishing partner and that’s why winning this award with him as my partner means the world to me,” continued Broussard. “This is the ultimate accomplishment in our sport and achieving it against the teams we compete alongside of at every event just makes it that much better. The Redfish Cup anglers are the best competition anyone could ever hope to fish against.”
The Broussard duo has had quite a track record throughout the years in The Redfish Cup. They were the runner up in the 2008 Academy Team of the Year race with a 10-point spread between them and Mark Sepe and Andrew Bostick.
The 2008 season was possibly their most notable season with two second-place finishes in the Hopedale, La. and Port Arthur, Texas tournaments and a fifth-place finish in the Championship.
“Academy Sports + Outdoors congratulates Capt. Kevin and Cajun Phil Broussard on winning the Academy Team of the Year presented by Crocs title,” says Scott Frnka, vice president of Academy Sports + Outdoors’ field and stream area. “Our company provides top quality fishing gear at everyday low prices for families all over the southeast. I think awarding the Broussard family team members with the trophy this year makes it extra special.”
The team now heads to Pensacola, Fla. Sept. 25-27 where the top 20 teams after the four regular-season events will contend of the Redfish Cup Championship title. Capt. Kevin and Cajun Phil Broussard will be presented with their Academy Team of the Year presented by Crocs trophies and their $10,000 check on Friday, Sept. 25 during the weigh-ins.
Now in its seventh season, the Redfish Cup has become the nation’s premier saltwater fishing championship. The event will visit five venues across the South in 2009 with nearly $750,000 in prize and contingency monies. Each regular season event features a $40,000 grand prize and $146,000 in total payout.
For more information, please visit www.RedfishCup.com.
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 “I finally realized my dreams,” Todd Riley said after winning the AIM Championship and Angler of the Year titles in early September. The veteran professional walleye angler with hundreds of tournaments under his transom actually achieved two long-term goals. Riley, a pro from Amery, Wisconsin won the AIM Walleye Championship on Lake Winnibigoshish and was named Angler of the Year.
The National Professional Anglers Association walleye pro has been close to winning both titles in the past on the FLW and PWT tours. From 1999 to 2008, he fished all PWT tournaments, placed in the top 10 a total of 15 times, qualified for nine Championships, and won more than $200,000. He won a FLW tournament, adding another eight top 10 finishes, qualified for every Championship, and won $250,000, since 2000.
The AIM Championship was worth $65,000, in the form of fully-rigged Lund 2075 boat with a 300-hp Mercury Verado. Riley established the new AIM benchmark for a tournament, 102.51 pounds on Lake Winnibigoshish. His victory eclipsed tournament weights from traditional “big-fish factories” like Saginaw Bay and Green Bay.
Between the 2008 and 2009 fishing seasons, Riley suffered the fate of professionals in many sporting venues. As the economy slumped, his sponsors were forced to reduce their financial support. While that portion of his annual income was not cut completely, it would have impacted his plans to fish the AIM circuit with its revolutionary CRR (Catch-Record-Release) format and the FLW Tour. His top industry sponsors remain MinnKota and Humminbird, both products that he said made both titles possible.
“I hatched a plan and went out and sold it,” he said. The fishing tackle and marine industry marketing experts kept telling me to take the message to the “grassroots.” With that as his goal, Riley set off by knocking on doors of individuals and businesses, and accomplished his sponsorship objective. “My boat-wrap is an American Flag with the names of more than 100 people,” he said. “These names represent four generations in some cases; others are family businesses; some are veterans; some are kids. Together, these 100 signatures on my boat represent 400 people who allowed me to fish this season, and the results prove this off-season campaign worked wonders.”
Riley also conducts numerous seminars and presentations for his “grassroots” sponsors, and has had as many as 200 at one event. “I send them photos from tournaments, and keep in touch with these friends from Michigan, South Dakota, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin via email. I probably have more framed pictures in offices, kids’ bedrooms and on mantles than any other pro,” he said.
Riley is like many of the successful NPAA members who support the efforts of this non-profit organization that is focused on growing the sport of fishing and increasing the professionalism of its members. Cody Roswick, NPAA executive director said, “All anglers who want to become involved are encouraged to join.” NPAA supporting partners are also dedicated to helping grow the sport of fishing. They include Northland Fishing Tackle, Navionics, Mercury Marine, Evinrude Outboards, Lund Boats, Ranger Boats, Off-Shore Tackle, Fin-Tech Tackle, Bartness Fishing Products, Berkley, Walleye’s Inc., Greater Insurance Services, Masters Walleye Circuit, AIM Walleye Series, and FLW Outdoors. To learn more about the NPAA member and view association news (and to join) go to: www.npaa.net
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New for 2010 Bill Lewis Lures has introduced a new High Definition Series of traps that incorporates hand painting, raised scale patterns and 3-D eyes. They have both the Sunfish and Tilapia Series of this bait and they retail for $7.49. To check them out click here.
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Mercury Marine Launches Repower Promotion
Mercury Marine has launched a retail promotion encouraging boat owners to upgrade their vessels with more fuel-efficient outboard engines and the latest control technology.
Under the Trade Up America – Mercury Repower Sales Event, qualified Mercury engines sold in the United States from Sept. 3, 2009 through Oct. 31, 2009 are eligible for consumer rebates. Rebate amounts range from $300 to $1,000 per engine on specific FourStroke and OptiMax engines.
“The benefits are two-fold: first, this promotion is designed to drive traffic into Mercury dealerships that will result in new engine sales and service department business,” said Randy Caruana, Mercury’s vice president of sales. “Second ─ on a much larger scale ─ it has the capacity to improve the overall customer boating experience with more reliable technology and the confidence afforded by a factory warranty.”
Caruana said the timing of the promotion coincides with the period during which many boats will be winterized, so repowering can occur while the boats are already out of service.
See an authorized Mercury Marine dealer for more information about the Trade Up America – Mercury Repower Sales Event.
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FLW OUTDOORS MODIFIES FLW TOUR SCHEDULE
 MINNEAPOLIS (Sept. 8, 2009) — FLW Outdoors has announced a change with the fourth qualifying tournament for 2010 on the FLW Tour schedule. The stop will move from Lake Chickamauga in Chattanooga, Tenn., to Knoxville, Tenn., and will be held on Ft. Loudoun/Tellico lakes. The dates of the tournament will also be moved from April 15-18 to April 22-25.
“We strive to continue to provide the best anglers in the world the opportunity to fish some of the best fisheries in the country for the top prizes in the sport and evaluate all our schedules and events to provide the maximum opportunity for the sport to continue to grow,” said Charlie Evans, President and CEO of FLW Outdoors. “By moving this date, we are creating some separation between our tournament and a Bassmaster Elite Series tournament held in the same month.”
Evans continued “This tournament will carry the momentum established by the National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship that will be held on Ft. Loudoun/Tellico lakes April 10-12, where the best collegiate teams will be competing for $100,000 and a chance to compete in the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup.”
The Bass Federation (TBF) National Championship presented by the National Guard will take place on April 22-24 in conjunction with FLW Tour event in Knoxville. The fishery for the TBF National Championship will be announced in the near future.
The full 2010 FLW Tour schedule is listed below or can be viewed at FLWOutdoors.com.
Date Fishery Location
Feb. 11-14 Red River Shreveport, La.
March 4-7 Table Rock Lake Branson, Mo.
March 25-28 Lake Norman Charlotte, N.C.
April 22-25 Ft. Loudoun/Tellico lakes Knoxville, Tenn.
May 27-30 Lake Ouachita Hot Springs, Ark.
June 24-27 Lake Guntersville Huntsville, Ala.
Aug. 5-8 Lake Lanier Atlanta, Ga.
FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world. FLW Outdoors also has taken fishing mainstream with FLW Fantasy Fishing, offering the largest awards possible in the history of fantasy sports. Sign up for Player’s Advantage for to get your edge and win.
For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000. For more information about FLW Fantasy Fishing and Player’s Advantage, visit FantasyFishing.com.
FLWOutdoors.com
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The Strike King Contest Winners are:
Christy Roberts,
Dora,Al.
Robert Pearce
Seaford, VA
Henry Engler
Heber Springs AR
Kenny Bak
Depew, NY
Greg Hackney won $500,000.00 at the FLW Cup on Strike King products and these lucky winners now have the tools to do the same kind of catching on the rivers that they fish. Congrats to all and your Strike King packages are on the way!
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The winners of the Spro Little John DD Contest are:
Michael Fletcher
Longwood, Fl
Jason Komorowski
Beaver Dam, WI
Aaron Jones
Morehead KY
You will be receiving the "hot" new Spro Little John DD crankbait and will be the first to have one. They will be available soon.
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You have undoubtably heard of the "Dirty Dozen" but this week the Toyota 12 begin work on the final two events of the "Toyota Trucks Championship Week" with the first stop on Alabama's Lake Jordan. Skeet Reese and Kevin VanDam have been neck to neck the entire season and now 10 other noted pros have a chance to become BASS's Angler of the Year in a shootout style event. Who is your favorite? Who are you picking to win? Let us know who and why by sending your picks to feedback@wired2fish.com.
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Zoom is a leader in fish catching plastics and they are not afraid of taking something tried and true and making it even better either. Today on the Next Generation Tackle Box Wired contributor Alan Clemons gives his take on their new offerings. Bigger is better!
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JASPER, Texas – Texas’ Stephen Johnston had to abandon his preferred pattern during the second day of the Bassmaster Central Open on Sam Rayburn Reservoir after thick clouds moved in, but he was excited when he awoke for the last day of competition to see the cloud cover breaking.
“When I woke up there was moon and stars shining, and I was smiling,” said Johnston, who lives in nearby Hemphill.
When the scales settled the local guide had clinched his first Bassmaster victory with a three-day total of 57 pounds, 5 ounces.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Todd Faircloth moved up one spot to claim second-place with a 47-pound total, and Texas’ Kris Wilson moved up from sixth place to third on the strength of a 46-14 total.
Rounding out the top five were Texas anglers Landon Ware (42-14) and Todd Castledine (42-4). Full standings are below.
Johnston said he needed the bright sunlight to drive fish back to a few bare ridges from which he snatched a Thursday catch of 22 pounds, and Saturday the pattern again worked out perfectly.
“I had a game plan this morning that I was going to stay deep and make them bite,” he said.
His limits on the first and third days came from the same set of three bare ridges, on which he flipped Texas-rigged Grande Bass Mega Tail worms and ½-ounce Falcon Lures football head jigs.
“The shad early in the morning would come up and feed on the tops of those bare ridges, and the bass would follow them,” Johnston said. “I was sitting in the deep water and casting on top of the ridge, and I was just hopping the baits over the edge of those ridges.”
Johnston went into the last day with a comfortable 8-pound cushion, and was helped when the bite turned tough for his nearest competitors.
“In the past on Rayburn, the fish would get on the edge of a grass bed, and when you found one there’d be five or six right there,” said Faircloth, who has fished tournaments on the Reservoir since his early days. “Now, it’s like there’s just one bite here and there.”
After the second event in the Central Open circuit, the points race is beginning to shake out. Pros are vying for two Bassmaster Classic spots and seven Bassmaster Elite Series berths. The final Central Open event will be on Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin in November.
Castledine is leading the points race with 570 points, but nipping at his heels is Bassmaster Elite Series pro James Niggemeyer. Faircloth is in fifth and those standings can also be found below.
On the co-angler side of the Rayburn event, Louisiana’s William Loftin pushed ahead of the competition with a three-day total of 26 pounds, 5 ounces. His final-day limit was anchored by a fish weighing 9-1. For his efforts, Loftin earned a won a Triton/Mercury boat package valued at $32,000.
Colorado’s Michael Hubbard, the second-day co-angler leader, dropped to second with 24-10, while Bobby Lanham of Arizona claimed third with 24-8.
The last stop on the 2009 Central Open trail is Nov. 5-7 on Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin.
Fans also can find coverage from the Opens on Bassmaster.com.
Up next for the Central Opens is the final stop in the Central Open division, the Nov. 5-7 event on the Atchafalaya Basin out of Morgan City, La.
Sponsors of the 2009 Bassmaster Opens: Toyota Trucks, Berkley, BOOYAH Baits, Evan Williams Bourbon, Mercury, OPTIMA Batteries, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Marine.
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.
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Media contact: Doug Grassian, 407-566-2216 or doug.grassian@espn.com
FINAL STANDINGS - 2009 BASSMASTER CENTRAL OPEN - SAM RAYBURN RESERVOIR
2009 Central 2 - Sam Rayburn, TX BO 09/03-09/05 Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Sam Rayburn Texas
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Stephen Johnston Hemphill, Texas 15 57-05 315 $49,629.00
Day 1: 5 22-00 Day 2: 5 19-06 Day 3: 5 15-15
2. Todd Faircloth Jasper, Texas 15 47-00 295 $22,057.00
Day 1: 5 18-04 Day 2: 5 13-13 Day 3: 5 14-15
3. Kris Wilson Montgomery, Texas 15 46-14 290 $18,749.00
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 17-15 Day 3: 5 16-12
4. Landon Ware Jewett, Texas 15 42-14 285 $13,786.00
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 14-15 Day 3: 5 12-05
5. Todd Castledine Nacogdoches, Texas 15 42-04 280 $11,029.00
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 17-15 Day 3: 5 10-14
6. Todd Littleton Bossier City, La. 14 41-08 276 $9,926.00
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 4 11-04 Day 3: 5 16-00
7. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, La. 15 41-05 272 $8,823.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 14-01 Day 3: 5 14-02
8. Bradley Hallman Norman, Okla. 13 41-01 268 $7,720.00
Day 1: 5 20-05 Day 2: 4 12-15 Day 3: 4 7-13
9. James Niggemeyer Van, Texas 15 39-15 264 $6,617.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 12-07 Day 3: 5 13-15
10. Gary Key Laveen, Ariz. 15 39-05 260 $5,514.00
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 12-09 Day 3: 5 11-08
11. Jimmy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 15 38-05 257 $4,411.00
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 17-04 Day 3: 5 10-03
12. Russell Parrish Robinson, Texas 15 38-05 254 $3,860.00
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 12-01 Day 3: 5 8-15
13. Jerrel Pringle Hemphill, Texas 15 38-05 251 $3,309.00
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 14-02 Day 3: 5 11-06
14. Jason Berg Minnetonka, Minn. 14 37-06 248 $2,757.00
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 15-04 Day 3: 4 10-10
15. Sandy Gaudet Belle Rose, La. 15 36-07 245 $2,481.00
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 12-12 Day 3: 5 10-03
16. Justin Haynes Tulsa, Okla. 13 36-04 243 $2,206.00
Day 1: 3 9-02 Day 2: 5 17-11 Day 3: 5 9-07
17. Chris McCall Jasper, Texas 15 36-00 241 $2,151.00
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 12-09 Day 3: 5 10-12
18. Corey Waldrop Fort Worth, Texas 15 35-11 239 $2,095.00
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 10-04 Day 3: 5 10-00
19. Mike Michalec Willis, Texas 13 31-09 237 $2,040.00
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 15-02 Day 3: 3 5-00
20. Charles Hammack New Caney, Texas 9 31-03 235 $1,985.00
Day 1: 3 12-15 Day 2: 5 15-09 Day 3: 1 2-11
21. Cody Bird Granbury, Texas 13 30-06 233 $1,930.00
Day 1: 5 9-05 Day 2: 5 15-15 Day 3: 3 5-02
22. Billy Hurt Spring Creek, Tenn. 11 30-01 231 $1,875.00
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 14-00 Day 3: 1 1-08
23. Bryan Talmadge Moody, Ala. 12 29-10 229 $1,820.00
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 10-07 Day 3: 2 3-14
24. Dave Mansue Hemphill, Texas 10 29-06 227 $1,765.00
Day 1: 4 12-05 Day 2: 5 14-14 Day 3: 1 2-03
25. Tony Chachere Opelousas, La. 11 28-10 225 $1,709.00
Day 1: 5 17-03 Day 2: 5 9-10 Day 3: 1 1-13
26. Marvin Ettredge Shreveport, La. 12 28-09 223 $1,654.00
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 11-09 Day 3: 2 3-15
27. Brannon Long Longview, Texas 12 28-05 221 $1,599.00
Day 1: 5 9-06 Day 2: 5 16-01 Day 3: 2 2-14
28. Rob Burns Plano, Texas 11 27-03 219 $1,544.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 10-13 Day 3: 1 1-15
29. Tim Carmouche Gonzales, La. 11 26-15 217 $1,489.00
Day 1: 5 10-11 Day 2: 5 14-07 Day 3: 1 1-13
30. Chad Sposito Gray, La. 10 25-03 215 $1,434.00
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 14-01 Day 3: 0 0-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 87 690 1607-08
2 96 690 1650-13
3 16 106 248-07
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199 1486 3506-12
FINAL NON-BOATER STANDINGS- CENTRAL OPEN- SAM RAYBURN
2009 Central 2 - Sam Rayburn, TX NB 09/03-09/05 Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Sam Rayburn Texas
(NON-BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. William Loftin Youngsville, La. 8 26-05 305 $32,000.00
Day 1: 3 6-10 Day 2: 3 8-10 Day 3: 2 11-01
2. Michael Hubbard Loveland, Colo. 6 24-10 300 $5,514.00
Day 1: 3 6-07 Day 2: 2 12-05 Day 3: 1 5-14
3. Bobby Lanham Cave Crek, Ariz. 9 24-08 290 $4,411.00
Day 1: 3 6-06 Day 2: 3 7-11 Day 3: 3 10-07
4. Travis Pattillo Silsbee, Texas 9 23-07 285 $3,309.00
Day 1: 3 9-03 Day 2: 3 7-02 Day 3: 3 7-02
5. David Ozio Beaumont, Texas 9 23-06 285 $2,757.00
Day 1: 3 10-12 Day 2: 3 5-02 Day 3: 3 7-08
6. David Koret Houston, Texas 8 23-05 276 $2,481.00
Day 1: 2 5-06 Day 2: 3 9-15 Day 3: 3 8-00
7. Gary Robicheaux Centerville, La. 7 22-14 272 $2,206.00
Day 1: 2 8-07 Day 2: 3 9-00 Day 3: 2 5-07
8. Claude Rabb Vidalia, La. 9 22-08 268 $2,095.00
Day 1: 3 7-15 Day 2: 3 6-07 Day 3: 3 8-02
9. John Hayen Hurst, Texas 8 22-05 264 $1,875.00
Day 1: 3 8-14 Day 2: 3 8-14 Day 3: 2 4-09
10. Gary Mumphrey Gonzales, La. 9 22-02 260 $1,434.00
Day 1: 3 6-00 Day 2: 3 9-09 Day 3: 3 6-09
11. Bill McCarty Morgan City, La. 8 21-10 257 $1,213.00
Day 1: 3 9-15 Day 2: 2 5-14 Day 3: 3 5-13
12. Jean Trahan Lafayette, La. 8 20-15 254 $1,103.00
Day 1: 3 9-13 Day 2: 2 4-07 Day 3: 3 6-11
13. Will Major Port Allen, La. 9 20-14 251 $993.00
Day 1: 3 7-06 Day 2: 3 6-03 Day 3: 3 7-05
14. Joe Brozak Orange, Texas 9 20-11 248 $882.00
Day 1: 3 9-04 Day 2: 3 5-05 Day 3: 3 6-02
15. Austin Abadie Saint Amant, La. 9 20-02 245 $772.00
Day 1: 3 5-13 Day 2: 3 7-10 Day 3: 3 6-11
16. Christopher Brewton San Antonio, Texas 9 20-01 243 $744.00
Day 1: 3 6-03 Day 2: 3 7-09 Day 3: 3 6-05
17. Jeff Lobaugh Emory, Texas 8 20-01 241 $717.00
Day 1: 3 9-03 Day 2: 3 6-02 Day 3: 2 4-12
18. Robert Mink Roff, Okla. 9 19-15 239 $689.00
Day 1: 3 6-14 Day 2: 3 8-02 Day 3: 3 4-15
19. Randy Hicks Lumberton, Texas 9 19-11 237 $662.00
Day 1: 3 9-09 Day 2: 3 5-07 Day 3: 3 4-11
20. James Harper Kirbyville, Texas 7 19-08 235 $634.00
Day 1: 1 2-15 Day 2: 3 10-04 Day 3: 3 6-05
21. Glenn Robertson Shreveport, La. 8 18-12 233 $607.00
Day 1: 3 7-13 Day 2: 2 6-02 Day 3: 3 4-13
22. Carrol Mabile Pierre Part, La. 7 16-00 231 $551.00
Day 1: 3 7-01 Day 2: 3 6-06 Day 3: 1 2-09
23. Terry Blackmon Covington, La. 6 15-13 229 $524.00
Day 1: 2 7-01 Day 2: 3 6-11 Day 3: 1 2-01
24. Rick Rickman Gainesville, Texas 8 15-12 227 $496.00
Day 1: 3 6-15 Day 2: 3 6-11 Day 3: 2 2-02
25. Mark Richard Brookeland, Texas 6 15-04 225 $469.00
Day 1: 3 6-02 Day 2: 3 9-02 Day 3: 0 0-00
26. Rudy Guillen Houston, Texas 7 15-03 223 $441.00
Day 1: 3 7-12 Day 2: 3 5-15 Day 3: 1 1-08
27. Heath Willard Brookhaven, Miss. 6 14-11 221 $414.00
Day 1: 3 5-09 Day 2: 3 9-02 Day 3: 0 0-00
28. Brent Cutrer Natchez, Miss. 6 14-03 219 $386.00
Day 1: 3 6-15 Day 2: 3 7-04 Day 3: 0 0-00
29. Cary Beard Baton Rouge, La. 6 14-02 217 $358.00
Day 1: 3 5-10 Day 2: 3 8-08 Day 3: 0 0-00
30. Robert Bean Daisetta, Texas 6 13-14 215 $331.00
Day 1: 3 5-04 Day 2: 3 8-10 Day 3: 0 0-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 0 327 746-05
2 0 347 792-02
3 0 62 147-06
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0 736 1685-13
CENTRAL OPEN POINTS STANDINGS- BAOTER
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Place Name St Pts
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1 Todd Castledine Texas 570
2 James Niggemeyer Texas 569
3 Stephen Johnston Texas 560
4 Jerrel Pringle Texas 546
5 Todd Faircloth Texas 534
6 Cliff Crochet La. 503
7 Chris McCall Texas 501
8 Bradley Hallman Okla. 497
9 Kris Wilson Texas 495
10 Gary Key Ariz. 483
11 Edwin Evers Okla. 481
12 Corey Waldrop Texas 474
13 James Stricklin Texas 468
14 Dave Mansue N.J. 464
15 Rob Burns Texas 432
16 Yukinari Uchiyama Texas 430
17 Harold Allen Texas 428
18 Cody Bird Texas 422
19 David Curtis Texas 406
20 Sam Newby Okla. 398
21 Jimmy Mize Ark. 392
22 Charles Bebber Texas 386
23 Charles Hammack Texas 382
24 Russell Parrish Texas 369
25 Bryan Talmadge Ala. 366
26 Dennis Tietje La. 361
27 Terry Segraves Fla. 350
28 Vince Fulks Okla. 348
29 Phil Addison Texas 346
30 Matt Reed Texas 342
31 Mike McClelland Ark. 338
32 Arnie Lane Fla. 331
33 Zachary King Ark. 330
34 Gary Riffle Texas 322
35 Clark Reehm Ark. 318
35 Jeff Kriet Okla. 318
37 Justin Haynes Okla. 315
38 Wayne Hauser N.C. 314
39 Takahiro Omori Texas 312
40 Derek Remitz Ala. 304
40 Glen Freeman La. 304
42 Tony Chachere La. 298
43 Keith Caka Texas 292
44 Tim Carmouche La. 285
44 Landon Ware Texas 285
46 Pete Ponds Miss. 280
47 Joe Erwin Okla. 276
47 Scott Dean Texas 276
47 Todd Littleton La. 276
50 Lance Vick Texas 275
51 Bart Doty Texas 274
52 Yusuke Miyazaki Texas 272
52 Stephen Browning Ark. 272
54 Andrew Upshaw Texas 269
55 Lee Sisson Fla. 268
56 Kyle Fox Fla. 264
57 Andre Moore Ala. 260
57 Ben Matsubu Texas 260
59 Homer Humphreys La. 258
60 Robert Byrd Texas 257
61 Donald Corey La. 256
62 Carl Svebek III Ark. 254
63 Kurt Dove Texas 253
64 Bert Thompson La. 252
65 Jason Berg Minn. 249
66 Marvin Ettredge La. 247
67 Larry Byrd La. 245
67 Sandy Gaudet La. 245
69 Wade Leblanc La. 244
69 Billy Hurt Tenn. 244
71 Vance Montgomery Okla. 239
71 Frank Scalish Ohio 239
73 Logan Sherrer La. 237
73 OT Fears Okla. 237
73 Mike Michalec Texas 237
76 Brannon Long Texas 236
77 Anthony Cerar Okla. 233
78 Jeff Avery Ark. 228
79 Sam Swett La. 226
80 Cliff Pace Miss. 225
81 Craig Massey Texas 224
82 David Truax Texas 219
83 Chad Sposito La. 216
84 Jeff Buchanan Texas 213
85 Jamie Laiche La. 211
86 Mike Hawkes Texas 209
87 Mark Goines Okla. 208
88 Roy Sanford Texas 207
89 Ken Warren Iowa 202
90 Ed Whaley Texas 199
91 Gene Eisenmann Texas 196
92 Keith Poche Ala. 192
93 Shane Gibson Texas 191
93 Fred Roumbanis Okla. 191
95 Brannon Jones Ala. 187
95 Tommy Dickerson Texas 187
97 Gary Vining La. 186
98 Neal Gilmore Texas 185
99 Eric Nethery Ga. 184
100 Shane Williams La. 183
101 Bill Burns Texas 182
102 Dennis Fikes Texas 179
103 James Biggs Texas 175
104 Daniel Stokes Texas 174
105 J Todd Tucker Ga. 173
106 Preston Frazell Okla. 169
107 Mike Burns Texas 168
108 Cliff Crowder Ark. 164
109 George Jeane La. 161
110 Chris Burnham La. 160
111 Chris Lane Fla. 159
112 Mark Smith La. 158
113 Jamie Narramore Ark. 157
114 Paul Ferguson Texas 154
114 Wade Middleton Texas 154
114 James Kennedy La. 154
117 Porter Trimble La. 151
117 Ken Iyobe Japan 151
119 David Sherrer La. 146
120 Ray Brazier Tenn. 143
121 Duane Pittman La. 138
122 Scott Mcgehee Miss. 135
122 Mike Norsworthy Miss. 135
124 David Gillham Texas 133
125 John Burns Miss. 130
126 Jim Culp Okla. 129
127 Bud Pruitt Texas 127
128 Jason Christie Okla. 125
129 Randy Allen La. 123
130 Jason Reyes Texas 121
131 Jeremy Guidry La. 120
132 Justin Hamner Ala. 117
133 Johnny Grice Texas 115
133 Jeff Cloud Texas 115
133 Quinn Peacock Texas 115
136 Rick Clunn Mo. 113
137 Terry Butcher Okla. 111
137 Timmy Reneau Texas 111
139 Teb Jones Miss. 109
139 Tommy Durham Texas 109
141 Jelani Hennessey Va. 106
142 Brian Jackson Tenn. 103
142 Ryan Lavigne La. 103
142 Tommy Martin Texas 103
145 Preston Johnson Wisc. 102
146 Patrick Pierce Fla. 101
146 Craig Dowling La. 101
148 Jerry McKinnis Ark. 99
148 Danny Smith La. 99
150 Michael Bass Texas 97
150 Randy Qualls Ark. 97
150 Danny Owens La. 97
153 Jimmy Mason Ala. 95
153 Roger Boler La. 95
155 Stan Gerzsenyi Texas 93
156 Mac McDaniel Miss. 90
157 Donnie Courtney La. 87
158 Jerry Williams Ark. 86
159 Billy Billeaud La. 85
160 Morris Hymel La. 82
161 Bradley Stringer Texas 79
162 Michael Wohl Texas 76
163 Darrell Newman Texas 75
163 Melinda Mize Ark. 75
165 Trent Durst Texas 72
166 Rodney Clawson Tenn. 71
167 Bob Sealy Texas 67
168 Ryan Brown La. 64
168 Guy Adams Texas 64
170 Eric Wilson Texas 63
171 Mitchell Nezat La. 61
171 Phil Marks Texas 61
173 Sammy Burks Mo. 59
174 Jonathon Vandam Mich. 57
175 Albert White Texas 56
176 Chad Griffin Texas 55
176 Ricky Fields Ala. 55
178 Garrett Mercer Calif. 52
178 Brian Kanke Texas 52
180 Dustin Evans Tenn. 51
181 Lonnie Dean La. 50
181 Ernest Smoak La. 50
183 Mike Holland La. 49
184 Bill Lee Texas 47
184 James Smiley Calif. 47
186 Larry Todd La. 43
187 Theron Caldwell Texas 42
188 Joe Copeland Okla. 41
189 Brent Broussard La. 39
190 Deryl Janzen Ark. 37
191 Travis Gray La. 36
192 Aaron Johnson La. 35
193 Greg Watts Fla. 34
194 Joseph New Texas 33
194 Willard Moore La. 33
196 Douglas Jones Okla. 32
197 Steve Hayden N.M. 31
198 Darrell Lyons Texas 30
199 Joey Deveer La. 29
199 John Cromwell Tenn. 29
201 Gary Klein Texas 28
202 Sean Hoernke Texas 26
202 Dale Jackson Texas 26
204 Mary DiVincenti La. 24
204 Yarri Schreibvogel Texas 24
206 Shawn Johnson Texas 23
207 Jeremy Montoya Colo. 22
207 Byron Velvick Texas 22
209 Jacky Hawthorne Texas 21
210 Kathy Crowder Ark. 19
211 Travis Loyd Ill. 18
211 Jimmie Johnson La. 18
213 Chris Michels Texas 15
214 Lucy Mize Ark. 14
215 Pat Baker Texas 12
216 Billy Brewer Texas 9
217 Cecil Kingsley Kan. 8
218 Doug Vahrenberg Mo. 7
219 Lloyd McDaniel Miss. 6
220 Ronnie Buquet La. 5
221 Reed Sartin Texas 3
222 Derek Allen La. 2
223 Jeff Jordan Okla. 1
223 Thomas Loving Texas 1
223 Mike Haggerty Tenn. 1
223 Jason Lieblong Ark. 1
223 Kathi Hurst Miss. 1
223 Dave Lance La. 1
223 Bryan Schmidt Texas 1
223 Mike Lott Texas 1
223 Scott Reed Tenn. 1
232 Joe Joslin La. 0
232 Morris Herring Texas 0
232 Vincent Parello Texas 0
232 Avery Usand La. 0
232 Ish Monroe Calif. 0
232 Cody Naquin La. 0
CENTRAL OPEN POINTS- CO-ANGLER
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Place Name St Pts
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1 Travis Pattillo Texas 570
2 Bobby Lanham Ariz. 511
3 Randy Hicks Texas 505
4 Cary Beard La. 489
5 Glenn Robertson La. 487
6 John Hayen Texas 481
7 Rick Rickman Texas 475
8 Keith Morris Texas 473
9 Lindy Hadley Texas 447
9 Jean Trahan La. 447
11 Jeff Lobaugh Texas 432
12 Sammy Strong Texas 431
13 Terry Blackmon La. 414
14 Austin Abadie La. 408
15 David Koret Texas 407
16 Shawn Maynor Okla. 398
17 Robbie Latuso La. 391
18 John Moon Texas 386
19 Anthony Plescia La. 382
20 Claude Rabb La. 377
21 Joe Brozak Texas 373
22 Billy Yelverton La. 372
23 Zack Keathley Texas 368
24 Bob Walton Texas 366
25 Robert Mink Okla. 360
26 Mike Mcadams Miss. 352
27 Charles Major La. 348
28 James Harper Texas 342
29 Tom Haynes Okla. 340
30 Gary Mumphrey La. 339
31 Robert Chandler La. 334
32 William Watts Texas 330
33 Steven Crowell Texas 320
34 James Cantwell Texas 316
35 James Dorris La. 313
36 Gary Robicheaux La. 311
37 Richard Earle La. 308
37 Michael Hubbard Colo. 308
39 William Loftin La. 305
40 Matt Guerin La. 302
40 John Merritt La. 302
42 John Hobson Texas 300
43 Donnie Reynolds Texas 295
44 Randy Pitre Miss. 294
45 David Cooper La. 290
45 Bill McCarty La. 290
47 Dustin Wood La. 288
47 Will Major La. 288
49 David Ozio Texas 285
50 Elvis Jeanminette La. 283
51 Elton Cleveland Ark. 279
52 Mark Richard Texas 277
53 Ted Daniels Mo. 264
53 Ken Coats Okla. 264
55 Justin Stokes Texas 258
55 Jacob Greenwell Texas 258
57 Harry Durham Texas 253
58 Michael Savant La. 252
58 Rudy Guillen Texas 252
60 Keith Keele Texas 245
60 John Martin Texas 245
62 Shannon Wingate La. 243
62 Christopher Brewton Texas 243
64 Curtis Metts Ark. 240
64 David Horton Texas 240
66 Cliff Kirby N.C. 239
67 Erik Spence Okla. 237
68 Kenneth Harris La. 232
68 Carrol Mabile La. 232
70 Gennaro Dicola Texas 231
71 Patrick Rachel La. 230
71 Rodney Teel La. 230
73 Eric Akred Kan. 229
74 Jason Kezerle La. 227
75 Dwight Minogue La. 225
75 Mark Brasher La. 225
77 Miguel Valdez Texas 223
78 Markus Ledford La. 221
78 Heath Willard Miss. 221
80 James Kiser Ark. 220
81 Brent Cutrer Miss. 219
82 Mike Loggins Texas 218
83 Robert Bean Texas 215
84 Raymond Balcerowicz Texas 213
84 Joe Landry La. 213
86 Jeff Wade Ark. 209
87 Darrell Garza Texas 207
88 Rocky Cummings Ark. 206
89 Steven Strawn La. 205
89 Mark Halpain Texas 205
91 Frank Villa Colo. 204
92 David Thielman N.M. 202
93 Brady Seymour La. 201
93 Wallace Ledet Texas 201
95 Dustin Robison La. 197
96 David Della Nev. 195
97 Monty Kirby Texas 194
98 Charles Thompson La. 192
99 John Locke Texas 189
100 Austin Banks Miss. 187
100 John Bates Texas 187
102 Mike Marfell Mo. 185
102 James Mckeithen La. 185
104 Leroy Conway Okla. 184
104 Michael Wood Texas 184
106 Mike Curry Texas 183
107 Billy Holt Ark. 182
108 Josh Horton Texas 181
109 Bart Gardner Texas 179
110 Michael Bates Texas 177
111 James Blackford Okla. 173
112 John Gillard La. 167
113 Jacques Fleischmann Mo. 166
114 Mike Williams La. 165
115 Russell Lohman La. 163
116 William Burns Miss. 162
116 Bobby Harrell Miss. 162
118 Lance White Ala. 161
119 Howard Wilson Texas 160
120 Joey Romano La. 159
120 Todd Tolbert La. 159
122 Charles Mong La. 157
123 Brian Brandon Texas 153
124 Jason Lovin Ala. 151
125 Leigh Fuselier La. 149
126 William Howell Tenn. 146
127 Don Brown Texas 143
128 Justin Sward Miss. 142
129 Derek White La. 137
129 Micah Griffith Texas 137
131 Dalton Wilson Mo. 135
132 Micheal Bert Ill. 134
133 Robert Rahm N.M. 133
134 Fred Ruggles La. 129
135 Seth Truett La. 127
136 Kirk Boyd Texas 125
137 Mike Michelson Okla. 124
138 John Hope Texas 119
139 Nick Albus Texas 118
140 Richard Crozier Texas 117
140 Daniel Curtis La. 117
142 Ken Fussell La. 111
143 David Cortinas Texas 110
144 Scotty Goins La. 109
145 Kendall Haley La. 107
146 Matt Storr Miss. 106
147 Gary Fields La. 105
148 David Reed La. 104
149 Bob Howard Colo. 103
149 Jamie Delrio La. 103
151 Kevin Ricks La. 98
152 Ray Allen La. 96
153 Gregg Swindle Texas 93
154 Murphy Perot La. 90
154 Zach Bandy Okla. 90
156 Dan Self Texas 87
157 Steve Corbin Texas 86
158 Alan Sward Miss. 85
159 Scott Estay La. 83
159 Chad Kallina Texas 83
161 Henry Mcvay Okla. 81
161 Lonnie Mesar Wisc. 81
163 Gayland Heard Texas 80
164 Rick Pritchard Texas 78
164 Jimmy Dudley Ga. 78
166 Bill Butero Colo. 76
166 Randall Coyle Texas 76
168 Alan Booth Ark. 75
169 John Cromwell Tenn. 72
170 David Kayda Texas 71
171 Dannon Erskins Texas 70
172 Daniel Richman Texas 69
173 Ed Rike Ohio 68
174 John Fain Texas 64
175 Jonathan Carr Texas 63
176 Jason Bass Texas 62
177 Keith Bryan Texas 61
177 Charles Poland La. 61
179 Rod Lambirth Texas 60
179 Dennis Oneill Texas 60
181 Aaron Kochell La. 59
182 Larry Hood Kan. 57
182 Garry Hancock Texas 57
184 Stephen Gibson La. 56
185 Jake Heath Texas 52
186 Jonathan Brown Nev. 51
187 Patrick Ross Tenn. 49
187 David Carter Texas 49
189 Jeff Murrell La. 48
190 Michael Felder La. 47
191 Clifford Wilcox Texas 46
191 Dan Hester La. 46
193 Michael Moore Texas 43
194 Douglas Watkins Ark. 40
195 Mark Mosher La. 38
195 Donald Bartlett Texas 38
195 Loren Coburn Okla. 38
198 George Fister La. 37
199 Bruce Thomas Ariz. 36
200 Marshall Priest Texas 35
200 William Dorris La. 35
202 Kevin Booty La. 34
203 Brandon Cowan Ark. 32
204 John Shirley Texas 30
205 Spenser Gremillion La. 28
205 Jeff Cade Texas 28
207 John Hayes Canada 27
207 Jack Evans Kan. 27
209 Robert Giles La. 26
209 Michael Pippen Texas 26
211 George Anderson Texas 25
212 Duane Hill Texas 23
213 Eric Hayes La. 21
214 Ralph Steinecke Texas 19
215 Steve Hupp Ariz. 18
216 Byron Smith La. 17
217 Jim Perry Texas 15
218 Takuji Naruo Japan 14
218 Richard Acosta Texas 14
220 Tom Bever Colo. 13
221 Dale Thayne Texas 12
221 Bryan Mccullough Texas 12
223 James Hall Texas 10
223 Ronnie Milton La. 10
225 Ken Della Calif. 8
226 Alan Blask N.C. 5
227 Andrew Harman Ga. 4
228 Cody Reed La. 1
228 James White Texas 1
228 Richard Madole La. 1
228 Rick Gillespie La. 1
228 Shelby Shoalmire La. 1
228 Buddy French Miss. 1
228 Keith Johnson Okla. 1
228 Daniel Woods Mo. 1
236 Mike Petro Texas 0
236 Lane Fournier La. 0
236 Jerry Hayes Texas 0
236 Larry Richter Texas 0
236 Jeffery Rice La. 0
236 Teresa Gill Iowa 0
236 Jerry Montgomery Texas 0
236 Lance Martin Texas 0
236 Lani Ordone Texas 0
236 Mike Archer Texas 0
236 Ty Frederick La. 0
236 Tom Davis La. 0
236 Ed Hackett Texas 0
236 Frank Lawson La. 0
236 Todd Istre La. 0
236 Bill Bonner La. 0
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RMR Industries Bow to Stern Protectant, KVD Line and Lure and BTS Ultra Clean boat cleaner are now standard products for both Legend and Phoenix Boat lines. You buy a new boat and get the added protection of the best boat care products with it. To learn more about these products click here. |
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Grande Bass just launched a new Mega Series 8" Megatail Rattlesnake worm and its not for the faint of heart. This big dude is a big bass bait that is part Rattlesnake, also a Grande mainstay, with the circular segments combined with a great looking ribbon tail. An 11 inch version will be ready soon. Below is a picture of the new bait. You can buy them now by clicking here.
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Wired photo
Tommy Biffle is a seasoned veteran of both the BASS Elites and FLW Tour and has been fishing professionally for 24 years. We caught up with him setting up deer stands and setting out food plots in Kansas and talked to him about his fishing and the Top 12 shootout for the BASS Angler of the Year coming up next week. Here is what he had to say.
1. You have not won the AOY or the Bassmaster Classic but have been in the thick of things on numerous occasions. What would it be like to win the AOY this year.
"It would be a major accomplishment. I want to get one of these titles before I get too old...laughing. I could finally say I got one of these titles. Always the bridesmaid never the bride would no longer be on my resume."
2. You have been at this game for a long time and have a sparkling resume. What does being one of the older guys doing this do for you? Does it help?
"No question I think it helps. There has been a lot of time spent on the water and you can't replace experience. You also have to be adaptable. When new things come out you had better learn them and then use your experience to get better. I also feel I am much smarter now. You have to be. The anglers who we fish against are the best...the best they have ever been and you had better be on your game if you expect to compete. The technology is so much better its scary. Rods, reels, boats and in particular depth finders have gotten way better.
Yesterday I installed my new Lowarance HDS side imaging and its unbelievable. I have lived on this lake for 40 years and yesterday I found 3 bridges and 2 boats I didn't know was there. Its so good its almost unfair. It will make a big difference in this shoot out deal that is for sure. I am setting up deer stands today but will be on the water this weekend becoming more familiar with it so I am prepared.
I have had some great success on the Alabama River. The last time we were there I finished 3rd but led the first two days. I am ready to go back. By the way, I have never seen Jordan, that will be new water to me."
3. You are known to most of the fishing world as a flipper and a pitcher. What do you think about that?
"I think you always should fish to your strengths but you have fished with me and know I like to fish topwater and fish deep too.There is a time and a place for both and you had better know when to do what. I really like to flip and pitch but I feel I can do any of it if I need to.
Probably if I had a weakness it would be with spinning gear. I said "had" because I have spent a bunch of time with it to get better. I had to make myself do it because I don't like it that much but again there is a time and a place where you had better be good with it and I wanted to have it in my arsenal.
4. What do you think about the new BASS format?
"To be honest I think its a good deal for more guys. If I was Skeet or Kevin I don't think I would like it that much. It seems like a bad deal for the guys leading but a good deal for the rest of us. If Kevin or Skeet don't win I am sure there will be speculation but its the way we are going and I am glad to get the chance at the title. Its definitely different and although I don't see it bringing more fans to the sport it certainly is getting a lot of attention and that should be good. I think it will definitely get more media exposure for more guys.
I am not sure if I think its the best way to determine the AOY. I guess it depends on who wins. If Kevin or Skeet win it its not that much different.
I have been working on this deal very hard. I have a new bait, the Gene Larew Biffle Bug, that I want to use there and not many of them have been out yet. Larew just got the mold this week so I will have something that none of the other competitors have and that can be good."
5. What is more important, the mental or the physical part, of fishing?
"I would say its 50-50. You have to be in good shape but you had better be thinking all the time. I am 20 points behind so I will have to be on my game to win this deal."
6. How is your neck? You had some problems with it at the end of the year.
"I am fine. I went and saw Dr. Paul Detweiler, the same doctor that worked with Denny Brauer and he took good care of me. My neck and back are in great shape and I am ready to go."
7. What else?
"Did I tell you I am addicted to deer hunting...laughing. I also see myself being an idler versus a run and gun guy with this new Lowrance electronics. This side imaging is the deal. Did I tell you I am addicted to side imaging? Laughs.
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From the Fishing Wire Today:
 BASS photo(David Jones)
Improving the Team
With the Labor Day weekend only hours away, I'm already looking forward to next week.
No, I haven't hit my head or changed my medication. I am excited about a big change in for The Fishing Wire.
Beginning next week, a new editor will be on the job. It will be a good thing for all of us.
Effective Tuesday, my friend and colleague Alan Clemons will be the new editor of The Fishing Wire.
Alan Clemons will be on the job next Tuesday.
A veteran reporter with 25 years experience, he's been outdoors editor for The Huntsville Times in Alabama for the past 15 years. His passions are the same as most of us: fishing, hunting and shooting.
You've seen Alan's byline in Outdoor Life, Bassmaster, ESPNOutdoors.com, Cabela's Outfitter Journal, Great Days Outdoors, Ducks Unlimited, Shooter's Bible and others. There aren't many writers who know the overall outdoor beat as well as Alan. I don't know any who know fishing - and journalism - any better.
We've gotten to know each where journalists get to know each other best - on the job.
When Alan decided to "take a package" from earlier this year, we had a short talk about what he had planned. As the conversations continued, we were fortunate enough to get him to cover ICAST for us this year.
When many of the people I know in the industry expressed their pleasure at seeing Alan and his byline on The Fishing Wire, I knew we had the makings of something good.
And, as Burt Bacharach once wrote, "knowing when to leave can be the smartest thing that anyone can learn."
For the past two years, I've been serving as what I considered a "caretaker editor" for The Fishing Wire, waiting for the right person to come along.
Not that I don't love fishing; I do. I might be the most enthusiastically average fisherman I know. But I lack the deep background and depth that comes from years of covering fishing from a hands-on perspective.
On Tuesday, Alan will be on the job, bringing that perspective and expertise.
I know every angler who reads The Fishing Wire will appreciate the knowledge and the wry sense of humor he'll bring along.
Those of you in the industry who know Alan will appreciate the insight and knowledge he'll bring about your products as well.
If you're in the fishing industry and don't know Alan - you should. A quick note to Alan@thefishingwire.com will start that process rolling.
In the past two years, I've learned more than I ever thought possible about fishing and the fishing and boating industries, and I've made some great friends.
Those friends will now discover I might actually have the opportunity to go fishing when invited, rather than having to stay home to write about other people going fishing.
That's what I'm looking forward to.
It's part of working to live up to the promise made in the first edition of The Outdoor Wire and has become the catchphrase for all our services: "We'll keep you posted."
Have a great Labor Day weekend, and if you have the opportunity, introduce someone to fishing. I plan on getting reacquainted myself.
- Jim Shepherd
Editors Note: Alan Clemons has been an invaluable contributor to Wired2fish since we started and we congratulate both Alan and Jim on this new appointment. Alan is a great writer/editor and will enhance the Fishing Wire. Congrats buddy!
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Kevin VanDam has won the BASS AOY 4 times and the Bassmaster Classic two times. He has also won the Angler of the Year for the FLW Tour as well. He is arguably the best bass angler of all time and is again at the top of his game this year going into the final two events in Alabama in the "Dash for Cash" AOY Chase. We caught up with him while he was relaxing and you guessed it.....fishing. We even made him miss one while he was speaking with us. That may be the only bass he has missed this year.
Sitting down with the personable and articulate VanDam is always a learning experience even for a well seasoned journalist and this time was no different.
1. Kevin, you have won everything in bass fishing....4 times AOY and 2 time Classic winner on the BASS side and a FLW Tour AOY as well. Does it still hold the same feeling winning one of those titles? What would winning it the 5th time?
"Without a doubt is what I shoot for every year. Every tournament means something and I try to win them all but most of all I judge my season on how I stack up in the Angler of the Year rankings. Everytime I have been fortunate enough to be AOY it was better than the last time. I appreciate it more each and every time because of the caliber of angler we have out here. I don't look at the record books much but I am super competitive. Whether its an Elite Series event or fishing with Zona...I want to win.
I always try to get better. That drives me. I always want to raise my game and the AOY is what I shoot at every year. I do as good as I can every time and am always working to get the most out of my abilites every time."
2. What do you think about the new BASS format?
"Its hard to tell right now. I have to get through the season to know for sure. To be honest most guys are apprehensive. In years past it would right now be between Skeet and I and with the new format more people are now in it. Its truly anybody's game. It has definitely increased my intensity level all year.
I think its important for fishing to have a post season. Whether its football, baseball or hockey they all have playoffs and the mainstream media is looking for us to have it to I believe. Everything revolves around the championship series in other sports...why not fishing?
Its different so many guys are in a wait and see mode but ultimately I hope it works out well. Its a risk."
3. What happens if after leading all year you fall out after these two events?
"I feel the same as every year. I want to win it and would be disappointed if I don't. Nothing has really changed there.
4. Most media people who cover this sport think you can do everything very well. What are your biggest strengths? Do you have any weaknesses?
My strongest deal is my confidence. The mental part of this game is the most important part. I believe in myself. You have to know you can win and being positive and having a positve attitute is critical. You see it in a rookie who comes out and immediately has success. Success breeds success and its catchy. The rookie doesn't stay a rookie long with success.
I fish the conditions and try to find out what they are biting on. If I do that I feel very confident I can catch them. I like it all...spinnerbaits, cranking, flipping and pitching and all of the other techniques. During the year you may have to use them all I want to be the best I can be at each and every one.
As far as weaknesses, I could be a better worm fisherman and maybe my finesse techniques could be better. I am confident in them both but look at Aaron Martens. He has mastered the drop shot. How about Dean and the frog. He has brought frogs to the forefront. There are so many techniques now . Its trial and error and you have to have confidence and believe in what you are doing."
5. Since you brought up techniques we here a lot of people talk about the good old days. From a technology perspective aren't we living in the good old days now?
"The biggest innovations in fishing have happened in the last few years. Mainly the last two. Whether its more accurate GPS, Navionics Mapping, Side Imaging or the clarity of our electronics it is much better now. Our boats and motors, rods and reels, lures, line, hooks or whatever they are now job oriented. Each tool is better and each one has a place."
6. Do you set goals every year? Do you work out in the off season?
"Not really. I live for the highest level of competition and that drives me. I love this sport and have to be at the top of my game to compete with the guys out here. They are the best anglers in the world and that drives me to be at my best all the time.
I never used to work out but as I get older I have started to run and do my best to stay in physical shape. I used to do most of that through deer hunting but I have started to take a little more time to exercise now. I am a naturally active person and don't sit around much so that helps too.
I work very hard to lead by example. Its important to do things right every time and if you do that others will want to be in the sport.
7. Who are the most influential anglers in your career?
"Most of the guys from the Bass Tracker/Nitro Team had a big influence early in my career. Guys like Larry Nixon, Tommy Martin and Stacy King talked to me and showed me the ropes. Denny Brauer is another one who helped me in my carreer.
We are like a big family out here. We go to dinner together and do things together. Away from the water we are like a big brotherhood. These are good guys and good friends out here on the trail. "
8. Any parting shots?
"If you don't have a bunch of Strike King Sexy Shad Crankbaits you are not much of a crankbait fisherman"....laughing
Another thing I have seen is mainstream media is more engaged. I truly believe that
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In 1982 Paul Elias won the Bassmaster Classic on the Alabama River. This year the Elite Series Top 12 final event will again be on the Alabama River. We had a chance to set down with Paul and talk about that Classic win and also discuss with him the differences between then and now.
1. You won the Bassmaster Classic in 1982 on the Alabama River and at that event the "kneel and reel" technique became one that the world knew about. Tell us how it came about.
"I had heard of this technique before but no one had won a tournament of this magnitude doing it. I was sponsored by Lew Childre then and they really didn't have a rod like I needed. After we prefished, before cut-off, I called them and told them I was looking for a longer rod, about 7 foot 2 inches with a lighter tip. The only rod that length they had at that time was a flipping stick and it was way too heavy. They sent me a two piece saltwater rod and that is what I used in that Classic. Of course, after that they came out with the Paul Elias Cranking Rod that met the same specs.
I was using a Lews BB1N reel spooled with Trilene XT 12 pound test. I fished two different baits in that tournament. A Norman Deep Little N in "Paul Elias Green" and a Bagley's DB3 in black and chartruese.
I joined Mann's sometime right after that when they came out with the 20+ and have been with them ever since."
2. Knowing what you do about the Alabama River what techniques and what do you think it will take to win this year?
"It will take substantially more weight this year than in 1982, no question. If I had to guess I would say it would be in the 16-18 pound per day range to win. I think a topwater and drop shots will be big lures but also a big spinnerbait slow rolled on the River Channel will be a big weapon too. There are a lot of 4 pound plus spots on that river and they like the river channel.
If I was fishing it I would be fishing the main river channel with a big blade and cranking as well. I would be watching the current real closely and to be honest I would like to see a little rain just before the tournament. Muddy water can be difficult but the fish will still bite. Its more of a confidence thing I guess.
I wish I had fished better this year because it is going to be a neat deal to be back there at this time of year. The last time we visited there it was earlier in the year. I love this time of year and I really enjoy that type of fishing so I feel I could do pretty good."
3. Is it fun for you to go back to the area where you won the Classic?
Alabama has been real good to me and it kills me that this is there and the Classic is there as well and I won't be fishing them. I had a great year two years ago and still have the weight record from that time and am gearing up for a strong 2010."
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Tackle Warehouse has begun its annual Labor Day Sale and its a doozey. Select products are marked with 15 to 70% discounts and this is a great time to stock up on everything from rods and reels to your favorite baits. To go to the Tackle Warehouse Labor Day Sale click here. |
There is a great article on BassTackleDepot by Gabe Bolivar on shortening the learning curve on a new body of water. He shares his insights on approaching a new lake the first time. From maps to on the water he covers it all. To read his tips click here. |
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Winning a half a million dollars at the FLW Cup has placed Greg Hackney front and center this week on Wired2Fish. We have a contest in his honor. He is up on Wired TV and Wired Radio today and we just got a photo of him on the cover of the new FLW Cup Magazine cover that will be at newstands very soon.
The Forrest Wood Cup edition of FLW Outdoors Magazine is at the printers now and should be mailing in 10-14 days to mailboxes and newsstands near you.
In this feature, anglers and fans will find awesome detailed accounts of the baits and patterns the top five anglers employed in tough conditions and how the pros adapted every day to the changing conditions on the Three Rivers. This will be a great collectors issue for fans and has a ton of great information and photography squeezed into a slick looking issue to help anglers faced with tough conditions on any fishery.
The photo essay highlights some of the top moments from the week of the Forrest Wood Cup. There is an eye-opening feature about the FLW Millionaires club. The list is longer than you think. And, additional features on wing-dam fishing and fall turnover round out the magazine nicely.
Be sure to pick up a copy at stores like Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Cabela’s, Gander Mountain, Hastings, Books a Million and more. Or simply sign up online today at www.flwoutdoors.com/join.
And be sure to follow FLW Outdoors Magazine at www.twitter.com/FLW_Magazine.
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FLW Cup Champion Greg Hackney speaks with Terry Brown on Wired Radio today about his win and what he has planned for the off season. To listen click here.
To contact Greg regarding his hunting trips with Mark Davis send your questions and info to feedback@wired2fish.com. We will make sure he gets it. |
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ESPN Outdoors TV personality Tommy Sanders will be inducted Sept. 11 into the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame.
 Sanders, a graduate of Hendrix College and a resident of Little Rock, has been prominent for years in ESPN Outdoors programming. He and Mark Zona co-host the weekly ESPN2 show The Bassmasters, as well as the Bassmaster.com show Hooked Up, which is webcast live from Bassmaster Elite Series competition venues.
Sanders was one of four tapped as a 2009 inductee. The others were Bert and Cheryl Haralzon of Augusta, Ark., and Greg Butts of Little Rock.
Former inductees include Bobby Murray, whose two Bassmaster Classic wins are highlighted by the first Classic, in 1971; Jerry McKinnis, with whom Sanders worked for years on The Bassmasters; 1973 Classic champ Rayo Breckenridge; and Cotton Cordell, founder of the famous lure brand now owned by PRADCO.
A program of the Arkansas Game & Fish Foundation, the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame is in its 18th year. The foundation supports the mission of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and raises money to support conservation, habitat and educational programs in the state.
The 18th annual induction ceremony will be Friday, Sept. 11, at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. More information is available at www.agff.org or by calling 501-223-6396.
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The new Tessera Wright and McGill Skeet Reese Signature Series rods have begun to show up at Tackle Warehouse. They have a flipping and pitching and a drop shot model on the site and ready for purchase for $89.99. To see them and purchase click here. |
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The winners of the Tru-Tungsten Contest are:
Dantley Cox
Dora, Al.
Jason Komorowski
Beaver Dam, WI
Your package containing an 8" Tru-Life Swimbait, Tungsten weights, a Mad Maxx Frog, a 4" Tru-Life Swimbait and a package of tungsten weighted soft plastics are on the way.
Stay tuned as we will be having a Jewel Bait Company new products contest very soon......stay tuned.
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PAA Announces “Professional Anglers’ Auctions”
Benton, KY, September 2, 2009 - Starting September 4, 2009, the PAA will be hosting “Professional Anglers’ Auctions”. This program is a new twist on the eBay fundraising auctions used by the organization in the past. Each of these auctions will be a fundraiser for a designated charity through the eBay program, “Giving Works”. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit the PAA. Fans of fishing will have an opportunity to bid on once in a lifetime fishing trips, unique fan experiences, along with authentic professional fishing memorabilia.
Each two week auction cycle will have one or two fishing trips or fan experience prizes, which will be scheduled for specific time periods and locations. In addition, Professional Anglers’ Auctions will also feature one of a kind fishing memorabilia and autographed items, each coming with a Certificate of Authenticity.
According to John Crews, President of the PAA, “This is an extremely unique opportunity for fans of bass fishing. They will be able to get fishing trips, memorabilia, and prizes that they can’t get anywhere else. The PAA is proud to provide this service, and benefit charities at the same time.”
The first round of auctions kicks off with a dream day of fishing on famed Lake Amistad with PAA Pro Byron Velvick. The winning bidder also receives two nights lodging at the Lake Amistad Resort during the trip. For an ultimate fan experience, bidders will also have a chance to win a Bass University seminar series of their choice, along with a private dinner for them and a guest with PAA Pro Mike Iaconelli. In addition to these unique experiences, other pieces of professional fishing memorabilia, including autographed jerseys and baits, will be available for bids as well.
For the first round of auctions, a portion of the proceeds will go to Recycled Fish, a new conservation partner of the PAA. Recycled Fish promotes a lifestyle of stewardship among anglers and those concerned about the nation’s water resources. Future auctions will also donate a portion of the proceeds to other organizations that support the goals and missions of the PAA. Complete details of the Professional Angler Auctions will be hosted on www.fishpaa.com.
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City of Montgomery Brings Fireworks & Concert to Friday Night of Toyota Texas Bass Classic
Lake Conroe, Texas – The City of Montgomery, Texas is partnering with the Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) for the Montgomery Hometown Fireworks Extravaganza following the conclusion of the first day of competition on Friday, October 16. The evening will feature a musical performance by the Kyle Hunt Band and will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display. The TTBC will be held October 16 – 18 at Lake Conroe in Montgomery, Texas.
“The City of Montgomery is very excited about the Hometown Fireworks Extravaganza. The City feels it will be a great kickoff to the eventful weekend,” said Mayor Travis Mabry.
Friday, October 16 is the first day of competition for the world’s top 60 anglers that will be in the field. Fans will be able to follow the action on the lake throughout the day via jumbo-trons on the event stage. In addition, an expansive outdoor exposition area will include activities, displays, giveaways and clinics for fans of all ages. The Montgomery Hometown Fireworks Extravaganza will highlight the evening following the angler weigh-ins.
“The City of Montgomery has really made a great commitment to its residents and to our event,” said Tournament Director Lenny Francoeur. “They recognized an opportunity to get everyone in the community out for a special night and this is an exciting addition to a huge weekend around the lake.”
Tickets for the entire day’s festivities are only $10 and kids 17 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult. Tickets are available on the tournament website, www.toyotatexasbassclassic.com. Proceeds from the TTBC benefit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s youth outdoor recreation programs.
Saturday and Sunday tickets are currently available in advance for $10. Tickets are regularly $20. Texas country music legend Pat Green will headline the performances on Saturday, October 17 along with a concert from Zona Jones. Sunday, October 18 will be the final round of the TTBC and will feature the final weigh-in, crowning of a professional angler as world champion and concerts by Julianne Hough and Josh Turner.
The Toyota Texas Bass Classic is sanctioned by the Professional Anglers Association with technical assistance and support from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Inland Fisheries Division. Title sponsor for the event is Toyota. Dick’s Sporting Goods is the official sporting goods provider. The Saturday Concert is presented by Evan Williams, the official bourbon of the TTBC. MillerCoors is the official beer. 100.3 KILT and SportsRadio 610 are the official radio partners. Phoenix Boats is the official boat of the TTBC. Waste Management is the official trash and recycling partner. The tournament will be held on Buffalo Springs, a planned development in the City of Montgomery. Corporate partnership opportunities are available for 2009. For additional information, visit www.toyotatexasbassclassic.com or call 1-866-907-0143.
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Crankbait expert Paul Elias invented the "kneel and reel" technique and he shows you how he does it on TackleInteractive.com. To watch it click here.
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Today on Unplugged Chad Brauer talks about landing bass. Inside the article he compares the Ego and Frabill nets. To take a look go to Unplugged by clicking here.
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Fishing can really be broken down into three parts; the presentation, the bite, and the landing. Without doing all three correctly you are not maximizing your efficiency on the water. Better presentation leads to more bites and more bites leads to more fishin the boat. If one part breaks down the others suffer. We all devote a great deal of time to the first two parts, but often just take the landing for granted and do little to prepare to be successful at it.
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Zoom Bait Company is very particular about their products. This includes both shape and color. When they add a new product or a new color that is big news and good news for anglers. If it has a Zoom label on it it catches bass. They just added another great color to their arsenal that will surely be a winner. Its Blue Fleck!
To learn more about the new color and other great Zoom products click here. |
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