Georgia’s Ron Champion Takes Hobie® Bass Open
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OCEANSIDE, California – June 7, 2016 – Georgia’s Ron Champion took top honors this past weekend in the third annual Hobie Bass Open Tournament, earning him a ticket to compete in this year’s Hobie Fishing Worlds Championship (HFW6), compliments of Hobie Cat Company and Kentucky Lake Convention and Visitor Bureau. Ron also walked away with $3500 in cash and an all expense paid trip to the HFW6. Matthew Scotch, representing his home state of Texas, took second winning $2350 and an entry to the HBF6. Kentucky’s own Jay Wallen scored third place and was presented a check for $1500. Kevin Workman and Ryan Lambert took fourth and fifth places respectfully. The top five places also received an invitation to the Tournament of Champions to be held this November in Lake Fork, Texas. The field of competitors included over 100 seasoned anglers from all over North America.
Ron and Matthew will join team captain and 2015 IFA Kayak Fishing Tour Champion Benton Parrott as well as Jamaica Bay Classic winner, Eric Harrison, in representing Team USA at the HFW6. Presented by Rhino-Rack™ and hosted by Hobie Cat® Company, the event will take place in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana December 4-11 of this year.
The event paid out cash prizes totaling nearly $11,000 to the top ten winners. Big Bass honors and a check for $300 went to Jay Wallen for his 22” fish. Everyone, though, had a chance to win prizes from Hobie as well as from a host of other tournament sponsors. Power-Pole™, Lowrance™, Bassin’ Magazine, YakAttack, Daiwa, Plano® and Hobie Polarlized® upped the ante for all the anglers.
Anglers endured a variety of challenges including sporadic rainstorms, summer weekend boat traffic and scattered fish. Competitors making this adjustment were rewarded with quality fish and daily limits. Despite tough conditions, catch rates remained strong with over 364 bass checked in over the weekend. Saturday night festivities included a Kentucky pulled pork BBQ dinner with all the fixings followed by a pizza lunch on Sunday sponsored by Bassin’ Magazine.
The Hobie Bass Open was the second in a series of five qualifying events being held in the U.S. and Canada that gives anglers the opportunity to qualify for six coveted spots on the North American team. For more details, go to http://www.hobiefishingworlds.com.
