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Sam Houston High School Team Sweats Out Victory In Bassmaster Event On Toledo Bend

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Sam Houston High School Team Sweats Out Victory In Bassmaster Event On Toledo Bend

Hunter Courvelle (right) and Alex Erickson of Sam Houston High School in Louisiana won the 2017 Costa Bassmaster High School Central Open presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods with 23 pounds, 3 ounces.

Photo by Andy Canulette/Bassmaster

March 11, 2017

Sam Houston High School Team Sweats Out Victory In Bassmaster Event On Toledo Bend

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MANY, La. — Hunter Courvelle and Alex Erickson had spent so much time in the hot seat their legs may have fallen asleep.

After being among the first few dozen of 181 duos to weigh in for the Costa Bassmaster High School Central Open presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, they occupied the top of the leaderboard for nearly two hours. Team after team came to the stage to weigh their bass, but none could knock the Sam Houston (La.) High School tandem from their perch.

Then with only two duos remaining, the 2015 Bassmaster High School national champions Alex Heintze and Justin Watts came to the scales at Cypress Bend Park. Word was they had a great bag, and they did. But it wasn’t enough to bump the leaders from the pole position.

Courvelle and Erickson caught a limit of five bass weighing 23 pounds, 3 ounces to win the single-day tournament held on Toledo Bend Reservoir. Heintze and Watts of the Livingston Parish (La.) Bassmasters, came in second with a bag of 22-3, and Carter Pourciau and Zach Naquin of Assumption (La.) High were third with 20-14.

Courvelle and Erickson’s limit was an ounce shy of the one-day record for a Bassmaster High School event. In fact, it was Watts and Heintze who set that mark back in 2015 during their national championship win on Kentucky Lake in Tennessee.

Both of the Sam Houston High anglers breathed a heavy sigh of relief when they realized they had survived Heintze and Watts. Only a moment later, they were hoisting championship trophies and mugging for pictures snapped by well-wishers who withstood a steady rain to view the weigh-in.

“It’s a great feeling,” Erickson said. “We fish here almost every weekend, so we know some of the spots where we should go.”

It was, however, a flat the duo located in practice that they fished Saturday, and it was extremely productive. They were fishing in about 6 to 8 feet of water with Carolina rigged flukes in the watermelon red color pattern. They had five keepers in the boat by 9 a.m., and Erickson landed the lunker of the creel about 12:30 p.m. That big fish weighed approximately 7 1/2 pounds, but it wasn’t the biggest bass he’s ever landed.

“We fish up here every weekend this time of year,” Erickson said. “It’s about an hour and half drive from home (in Lake Charles). So we see some big bass.”

Toledo Bend is known for lunker bass, and Courvelle said the set-up they used in the Central Open was productive for a couple of reasons.

“We were fishing some deeper water and in the wind, it was easier to use that Carolina rigged fluke,” he said. “It was about 5 inches long, and it was easier to get it down in the water.”

Courvelle and Erickson couldn’t celebrate their catches too loudly. That’s because Saturday’s top spot was only a couple hundred yards from the Cypress Bend Marina and there was ample traffic through that area during the day.

Erickson’s big bass came out of Housen Bay on the Texas side of the reservoir, said boat captain Keith Courvelle.

“There was a lot of adrenaline, but we didn’t want to make much noise,” Erickson said. “Someone might see our spot.”

They didn’t, but everyone did see the pair of high school juniors clinch a spot in the upcoming Costa Bassmaster High School Classic, which will be held in Houston, Texas, at the end of March in conjunction with the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. The Top 5 teams at the Central Open earned spots in the High School Classic, and the Top 19 teams advanced to the Costa Bassmaster High School National Championship presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods to be held this summer. Courvelle and Erickson also earned $1,500 for their high school bass team with the win.

Heintze and Watts fished with Carolina rigs and football head jigs in 12 feet of water to boat their haul Saturday. Other teams advancing to the Bassmaster High School Classic include Nolan Wright and Coltin Pool of Blanchard (Okla.) High (fourth place, 19-5,) and Jackson Hall and Daniel Helsley of Lovejoy (Texas) High (fifth place, 19-3.)

The Bassmaster Big Bass Award went to Hunter Martin and Justin Jacob of Lutcher (La.) High. Martin landed a largemouth that weighed 8-11.

Warm weather during the previous few days leading up to the Central Open gave way to cooler temperatures with highs in the low 60s Saturday.

Of the 181 teams, 80 of them had bags that weighed double digits, with 16 weighing at least 15 pounds.

Costa Bassmaster High School Central Open presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods
3/11/2017
Toledo Bend Reservoir – Cypress Bend Park – Many, LA
STANDINGS BOATER DAY 1

Name # Fish # Live Lbs – Oz # Fish # Live Lbs – Oz
1 Hunter Courvelle – Alex Erickson Sam Houston High School 5 5 23- 3 5 5 23- 3
2 Justin Watts – Alex Heintze Livingston Parish Bassmasters 5 5 22- 3 5 5 22- 3
3 Carter Pourciau – Zach Naquin Assumption High School 5 5 20-14 5 5 20-14
4 Nolan Wright – Coltin Pool Blanchard HS 5 5 19- 5 5 5 19- 5
5 Jackson Hall – Daniel Helsley Lovejoy High School 5 5 19- 3 5 5 19- 3
6 Connor Nimrod – Dylan Nimrod Desoto Bass Team 5 5 18-14 5 5 18-14
7 Eric Noyes – Mikey Reiss Broken Arrow High School 5 5 18- 4 5 5 18- 4
8 Cole Moore – Layken Moore Anacoco High School 5 5 18- 2 5 5 18- 2
9 Jacob Bruener – Austin Brewer Douglass HS Fishing Team 5 5 17-11 5 5 17-11
10 Cade Fortenberry – Brennan Edmond Ascension Anglers 5 5 17- 7 5 5 17- 7
11 George Dehoven II – Hagen Cooley DeRidder HS 5 5 17- 4 5 5 17- 4
12 Hunter Martin – Justin Jacob Lutcher High Fishing Team 4 4 16-14 4 4 16-14
13 Lucas Lindsay – Logan Parks Auburn Anglers 5 5 16- 3 5 5 16- 3
14 Jacob Tarpley – Keigan Maturin Teurlings Catholic High School 5 5 15-14 5 5 15-14
15 Caleb Mayers – Dane Balfantz Ascension Anglers 5 5 15-13 5 5 15-13
16 Christopher Capdeboscq – Dillon Wilson Northlake Christian 5 5 15- 4 5 5 15- 4
17 Brett Wray – Kasey Anderson North Desoto High School 5 5 15- 3 5 5 15- 3
18 Greyson Benoit – Zane Gunter Sulphur High School 5 5 14- 5 5 5 14- 5
18 Michael Bonadona – Trent Tullier Brusley High School 5 5 14- 5 5 5 14- 5
20 Mason Ferachi – Evan Ruiz Walker High School 5 5 14- 1 5 5 14- 1
20 Drew Landry – Collin Poirier St Thomas More HS 5 5 14- 1 5 5 14- 1
22 Mason Pitts – Alex Taylor Captain Shreve Gators 5 5 14- 0 5 5 14- 0
23 Wes Rollo – Hayden Rutledge Natchitoches Central HS 5 5 13-12 5 5 13-12
24 Kolby Barry – Austin Venable North DeSoto High School 5 5 13-11 5 5 13-11
25 Jacob Barras – Daniel Brewer St Thomas More HS 5 5 13-11 5 5 13-11
25 Christopher Breaux – Marcus Lejeune Midland High School 5 5 13-11 5 5 13-11
27 Hayden Pinho – Hunter Pinho Patterson High School 5 5 13- 9 5 5 13- 9
28 Ian Madere – Jordan Davenport East Baton Rouge Bassmasters 5 5 13- 6 5 5 13- 6
28 Maguire Parker – Logan Leone North DeSoto High School 5 5 13- 6 5 5 13- 6
30 Trevor Hadden – Brennan Simoneaux Central High School 5 5 13- 5 5 5 13- 5
30 Samuel Harrison – Ethan LeGare Lovejoy High School 5 5 13- 5 5 5 13- 5
32 Billy Young – Central HS 5 4 13- 5 5 4 13- 5
33 Jonathan Burns – Cooper Mury Assumption High School 5 5 13- 4 5 5 13- 4
33 Jackson McGee – Jake Courtney Captain Shreve Gators 5 5 13- 4 5 5 13- 4
35 Will Lambert – Jacob Pihl West Monroe Rebel Bass Club 5 5 13- 3 5 5 13- 3
35 Connor Rushing – Cayden Reily Central Private School 5 5 13- 3 5 5 13- 3
37 Hunter Meadows – Kaden Knoch Central OK Community Team 5 5 13- 2 5 5 13- 2
38 Connor Duffy – Matthew Courville St Thomas More HS 5 4 12-15 5 4 12-15
39 Logan Chaney – Matthew Myers David Thibodaux Bass Team 5 5 12-14 5 5 12-14
40 Austin Barbier – Brennen Leger St Thomas More HS 5 5 12-13 5 5 12-13
40 Christopher Keeble – Dalton Bailey Lenoir City High School 5 5 12-13 5 5 12-13
42 Dylan Byrd – Hunter McClendon Cold Springs HS 4 4 12-13 4 4 12-13
43 Landon Baudoin – Davin Baudoin Hahnville HS 5 5 12-12 5 5 12-12
43 Hanson Chaney – Bronson Beck Walker High School 5 5 12-12 5 5 12-12
43 Caleb Dupre – Garret Smith Sulphur High School 5 5 12-12 5 5 12-12
43 Jacob Lovelady – Zachary Faircloth North DeSoto High School 5 5 12-12 5 5 12-12
47 Chase Richardson – Cameron Rhodes NEA Youth Fishing 5 5 12-11 5 5 12-11
48 Dustin Benefield – Will Spencer Arab High School 4 4 12-11 4 4 12-11
49 Alexis Barton – Hunter Woodward Anacoco High School 5 5 12- 9 5 5 12- 9
50 Bryce Bullock – Blake Bullock Oak Grove High School 5 5 12- 4 5 5 12- 4
51 Ben Abraham – Graham Pearson Alexandria Senior HS 5 5 12- 3 5 5 12- 3
51 Bryant Martin – Grant Schexnailder Notre Dame High School 5 5 12- 3 5 5 12- 3
51 Hayden Williams – Annabelle Guins Sam Houston High School 5 5 12- 3 5 5 12- 3
54 Hunter Porter – Teddy Parsons Hillcrest High School 5 5 12- 2 5 5 12- 2
55 Casey Trosclair – Levi Areno Sulphur High School 5 5 11-15 5 5 11-15
56 Grant Bourque – Ethan Smart Ascension Anglers 3 3 11-15 3 3 11-15
57 Keegan Findley – Bailey House Grand Haven High School 5 5 11-14 5 5 11-14
58 Isaac Smith – Bryce Meave The Woodlands High School 5 5 11-12 5 5 11-12
59 Ben Harrington – Gunnar Theriot Central Catholic HS 5 5 11-10 5 5 11-10
59 Jonathan Suttle – Gavin Deshotels Sulphur High School 5 5 11-10 5 5 11-10
61 Cade Cassels – Luke Tynes Central HS 5 5 11- 8 5 5 11- 8
62 Isaac Abshire – Nick Wolf St Thomas More HS 5 5 11- 7 5 5 11- 7
63 Jordan Gunnells – Jordan Stapleton North Augusta Fishing Team 5 5 11- 6 5 5 11- 6
64 Parker Perot – Brandon Fort Captain Shreve Gators 4 4 11- 6 4 4 11- 6
65 Griffin Gatwood – Layne Jacobs Oak Grove High School 5 5 11- 4 5 5 11- 4
66 Gage White – Jacob Bocker Harlem Huskies Bass Club 4 4 11- 2 4 4 11- 2
67 Noah Sowell – Trey Proctor Hemphill High School 5 5 11- 0 5 5 11- 0
68 Jean-Luc Lemoine – Alex Barras St Thomas More HS 5 5 10-15 5 5 10-15
69 Kyle McAllen – Ethan Howe North DeSoto High School 5 5 10-12 5 5 10-12
70 Colby Miller – Jaden Cedars Oak Hill HS Bass Club 5 5 10- 9 5 5 10- 9
71 Blaze Lantier – Alex Woodward Midland High School 5 5 10- 8 5 5 10- 8
71 John Miller – Caden Pennington Sand Spring Sandites 5 5 10- 8 5 5 10- 8
73 Nathan Mitchell – Hayden Simon Sam Houston High School 5 5 10- 7 5 5 10- 7
74 Trent Andrus – Brady Harmon Sam Houston High School 5 5 10- 6 5 5 10- 6
75 Annsley Martin – Allie Richard Notre Dame High School 5 5 10- 5 5 5 10- 5
75 Dalton Melancon – Andrew Granier Hahnville HS 5 5 10- 5 5 5 10- 5
77 Taylor Hamburger – Hunter Harrison Northeastern OK HS 5 5 10- 4 5 5 10- 4
77 Rhett Tanner – Zachary Robichaux E D White Fishing Team 5 5 10- 4 5 5 10- 4
79 Walker Smith – Warren Smith Walker High School 5 5 10- 1 5 5 10- 1
80 Hunter Martindale – Kaleb Barnett Jasper High School 5 5 10- 0 5 5 10- 0
81 Philip Cormier – Matthew Taylor Sulpher High School 5 5 9-14 5 5 9-14
82 Sean Cook – Nathan Ballard Joliet Central High School 5 5 9-12 5 5 9-12
82 Trevor Dunne – Brennen Anderson Ascension Anglers 5 5 9-12 5 5 9-12
82 Luke Jones – Kole Snyder Central HS 5 5 9-12 5 5 9-12
85 Makinze Odom – Laryn Racca Sulphur High School 4 4 9-10 4 4 9-10
86 Jonathan Fisher – Drake Duplechin St Thomas More HS 5 4 9- 9 5 4 9- 9
87 Jason McMillan – Hunter Kogel Walker High School 5 5 9- 7 5 5 9- 7
88 Ashley Batey – Pineville High School 5 5 9- 6 5 5 9- 6
88 Ethan Cruze – Carlo Castiglione Sam Houston High School 5 5 9- 6 5 5 9- 6
88 Jeremy Dutreix – Louis Laville East Baton Rouge Bassmasters 5 5 9- 6 5 5 9- 6
88 Owen Foreman – Kyle Granger Sulpher High School 5 5 9- 6 5 5 9- 6
92 Samuel Bergeron – Andres Barletta Ascension Anglers 5 5 9- 5 5 5 9- 5
93 Kaden Bailey – Madison Lisotta South Beauregard High School 4 3 9- 4 4 3 9- 4
94 Joseph Blanchard – Cameron Breaux Assumption High School 4 4 9- 3 4 4 9- 3
95 Brennan Fontenot – Gabe Richard Sam Houston High School 5 5 8-15 5 5 8-15
96 Kolby Dugas – Ethan Farquhar Sam Houston High School 4 4 8-15 4 4 8-15
97 Burke Mathews – David Starkovich St Thomas More HS 4 4 8-13 4 4 8-13
98 Brant Youngblood – Landon Arceneaux Sulphur High School 2 2 8-12 2 2 8-12
99 Nathan Burrow – Riley Scott Central Arkansas HS Team 5 5 8-11 5 5 8-11
100 Cole Jordan – Colby Badeaux Livingston Parish Bassmasters 4 4 8-11 4 4 8-11
101 Brae Williams – Nate Robbins Hillcrest High School 2 2 8-11 2 2 8-11
102 Colin Sawyer – Hayes Dufrene Hahnville HS 5 5 8- 8 5 5 8- 8
103 Riley Falcon – Beau Gautreau Assumption High School 5 5 8- 7 5 5 8- 7
103 Keegan Jones – Hunter Edwards Hillcrest High School 5 5 8- 7 5 5 8- 7
105 Gennah Prince – Hayleigh Moore Sulpher High School 3 3 8- 6 3 3 8- 6
106 Trevor Robertson – Cameron Cannon St Thomas More HS 4 4 8- 5 4 4 8- 5
107 Logan Guy – Micah Hubbard Central HS 4 4 8- 2 4 4 8- 2
108 Hunter Wesley – Shane Okelley Sulpher High School 4 4 7-14 4 4 7-14
109 Christian Talbert – Jaren David Sulphur High School 4 4 7-13 4 4 7-13
110 John Edwards – Dawson Ferguson North DeSoto High School 5 5 7-12 5 5 7-12
111 Briana Tucker – Caleb Puckett Hartselle High School 4 4 7- 7 4 4 7- 7
112 Dayten Schureman – Calvin Neff Rogers High School 3 3 7- 7 3 3 7- 7
113 Brandon Louviere – Gavin McCallister Lutcher High Fishing Team 3 3 7- 5 3 3 7- 5
114 Nick Terracina – Will Powell E D White Fishing Team 3 2 7- 0 3 2 7- 0
115 Alden Keel Jr – Tavon Moore Stone County Bass Club 3 3 6-15 3 3 6-15
116 Kelly Istre – Seth newman Acadian Homeschool Bass Club 3 3 6-14 3 3 6-14
117 Erin Meeks – Trinity Jordan North DeSoto High School 3 2 5-13 3 2 5-13
118 Blaine Tramonte – Kole Pourciau Assumption High School 2 2 5-11 2 2 5-11
119 William Clark – Hayes Dominque Assumption High School 2 2 5-10 2 2 5-10
120 Patrick Johnson – Austin Morris Central HS 2 2 5- 7 2 2 5- 7
121 Jackson Leblanc – Kade Guidry Teurlings Catholic High School 2 2 5- 0 2 2 5- 0
122 Peyton Trimm – Parker Trimm Northside High School 3 3 4-15 3 3 4-15
123 Zachary McCullough – Kameron Johnson Brandon Bass Club 3 3 4-14 3 3 4-14
124 Spencer Higginbotham – Bryden Herring Franklin County 2 2 4-14 2 2 4-14
125 Kyle Little – Gage Ulrich Pineville High School 3 3 4-13 3 3 4-13
126 John White – Connor Kuriger Ascension Anglers 2 2 4-12 2 2 4-12
127 Evan Yuhasz – Sam Houston High School 2 2 4-10 2 2 4-10
128 Jeremy Evans – St Michael 1 1 4-10 1 1 4-10
128 Levi Nelson – Bailey Nelson Hillcrest High School 1 1 4-10 1 1 4-10
130 Luke Cheramie – Caleb Joyce Hahnville HS 2 2 4- 9 2 2 4- 9
130 Stone Peterson – Aiden Chriss North DeSoto High School 2 2 4- 9 2 2 4- 9
132 Stevie Stephens – Josh Carpenter Petal High School Bassmasters 2 2 4- 6 2 2 4- 6
133 Kaleb Prmeaux – Austin Lebrun Sulpher High School 1 1 4- 2 1 1 4- 2
134 Chase Webb – Matthew McClendon Jasper High School 2 2 4- 1 2 2 4- 1
135 Caleb Clark – Thomas Wiltz St Thomas More HS 2 2 4- 0 2 2 4- 0
135 Lain Letchworth – Ethan Brooks Teurlings Catholic High School 2 2 4- 0 2 2 4- 0
137 Ethan Cortez – Mason Albares Assumption High School 2 2 3- 8 2 2 3- 8
137 John Pearce – Jackson Gregory Calvary Caviliers High School 2 2 3- 8 2 2 3- 8
139 Brandon Comeaux – Jacob Fontenot Sam Houston High School 2 2 3- 4 2 2 3- 4
140 Conner Peveto – Brock Bradley Sulphur High School 2 2 3- 2 2 2 3- 2
141 Dawson Andrews – Wyatt Ensminger Central HS 1 1 3- 0 1 1 3- 0
142 Dustin Stewart – Jackson Wells Natchitoches Central HS 2 2 2-13 2 2 2-13
143 Luke Herring – Tyler Pate North DeSoto High School 1 1 2- 8 1 1 2- 8
144 Taylor Cobb – Matthew Fruge North Desoto High School 1 1 2- 7 1 1 2- 7
144 Tyler Simms – Chase May Tyler Simms 1 1 2- 7 1 1 2- 7
146 Mason Mitchell – Logan Bailey Broken Arrow High School 1 1 2- 6 1 1 2- 6
147 Bryce Robertson – Brandon Huggins Sam Houston High School 1 1 2- 5 1 1 2- 5
148 Collin Charpentier – Drake Hoffpauir Loreauville Tiger Bass Team 2 2 2- 4 2 2 2- 4
149 Carter Lemaire – Schyler Neal Sulphur High School 1 1 2- 1 1 1 2- 1
150 Tucker Roe – Hunter Owens Natchitoches Central High School 1 1 2- 0 1 1 2- 0
150 Max Thomas – Adrian Ramirez Broken Arrow High School 1 1 2- 0 1 1 2- 0
152 Matthew Tharp – Riley Speights North DeSoto High School 1 1 1-15 1 1 1-15
153 Evan Maddie – Jared Abbott Central HS 1 1 1-12 1 1 1-12
154 Kenny Landrum – Jacob Lee North DeSoto High School 1 1 1-11 1 1 1-11
154 Nicolas Packett – Garrett Brown North DeSoto High School 1 1 1-11 1 1 1-11
156 Tyler Boudreaux – Andrew Hymel E D White Fishing Team 1 1 1-10 1 1 1-10
157 Gage Nichols – Ryan Ivey North DeSoto High School 1 1 1- 8 1 1 1- 8
158 Emily Hamilton – Grace Ellis Huntington High School 1 1 1- 6 1 1 1- 6
158 Cameron Rachal – Jordan Lewis North DeSoto High School 1 1 1- 6 1 1 1- 6
160 Chase Godeaux – Ian Ducharme David Thibodaux Academy 2 2 1- 4 2 2 1- 4
161 Lyla David – Alec Leblanc Sulphur High School 1 0 1- 2 1 0 1- 2
162 Austin Alleman – Tyler Boudreaux Assumption High School 1 1 1- 1 1 1 1- 1
163 Jerik Berwick – Omere Matt Sulpher High School 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
163 Joseph Bruener – Hunter Curry Douglass HS Fishing Team 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
163 Parker Brunson – Joel Baxter Captain Shreve Gators 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
163 Kodee Busekros – Jacob Lentz Harlem Huskies Bass Club 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
163 Payton Canter – Payton Mays Sulpher High School 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
163 Karli Carpenter – Cade Crow Livingston Parish Bassmasters 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
163 Nick Duhon – Zack Duhon St Thomas More HS 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
163 Gabe Dumatrait – Dylan Friloux Teurlings Catholic High School 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
163 Isaac Duncan – Canden Grantham North Pike Fishing 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
163 Ethan Easley – Nicolas Easley Central HS 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
163 Hayden Gould – Hunter Gould Sulphur High School 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
163 Madison Hohensee – Central HS 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
163 River Lee – Thomas Martin Rains High School 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
163 Darren Lowe – Richard Bennett Hemphill High School 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
163 Mason McDonald – Sulpher High School 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
163 Hunter Muncrief – Landen McCary West Sabine Bass Club 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
163 Trevor Richard – Alec Ardoin Sam Houston High School 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
163 Dustin VanMatre – Dylan VanMatre Natchitoches Central HS 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
163 Noah Westmoreland – Colton Gill Captain Shreve Gators 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0

BIG BASS
Day Name City,State Lbs-Oz
1 Hunter Martin – Justin Jacob Paulina, LA 8-11

TOTALS
Day # Fish # Live Lbs-Oz # Limits
1 618 611 1541– 0 91

COX RETAINS LEAD ON DAY THREE OF FLW TOUR AT HARRIS CHAIN OF LAKES PRESENTED BY RANGER BOATS

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COX RETAINS LEAD ON DAY THREE OF FLW TOUR AT HARRIS CHAIN OF LAKES PRESENTED BY RANGER BOATS

COX RETAINS LEAD ON DAY THREE OF FLW TOUR AT HARRIS CHAIN OF LAKES PRESENTED BY RANGER BOATS

Hometown Favorite Brings 2-pound, 2-ounce Lead into Final Day

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LEESBURG, Fla. (March 11, 2017) – Mud Hole Custom Tackle pro John Cox of DeBary, Florida, retained control of the leaderboard Saturday at the FLW Tour at the Harris Chain of Lakes presented by Ranger Boats for the third straight day with five largemouth bass weighing 10 pounds, 4 ounces. If he retains his lead Sunday, Cox will earn his fourth career FLW Tour win and best 163 of the top bass-fishing anglers in the world competing for a top cash award of up to $125,000.

“Today was not very good for me,” said Cox, who retained his lead despite weighing in the second-smallest limit amongst the top-10 Saturday. “I ran all over the place trying new places. I locked to (Lake) Apopka today for the first time this week. I was mainly sight-fishing, but I think I’m going to have to scrap that tomorrow and just go fishing.”

Cox said that with no real pattern to go on, he has been forced to change his baits each day. He said a Yamamoto Senko has his been his most productive bait this week, but he’s also caught fish on a Dirty Jigs swimjig, a fluke and pitching a jig. He welcomed the changing weather conditions that are currently being forecast for Sunday.

“Nothing went wrong for me today, it was just tough,” said Cox. “Hopefully the little bit of wind and rain that is being forecast tomorrow will make things exciting. So much can change here, even overnight. I’m pretty much just going to try to feel it out as the day goes.

“All that I know is I’m so happy to be where I’m at. I’ve dreamt of this moment – to be leading an FLW Tour event on my home lake. I cannot wait to get back out there tomorrow.”

Cox’s three day total of 15 bass weighing 54 pounds, 14 ounces, gives him a 2-pound, 2-ounce advantage over North Carolina pro Shane LeHew, who advanced to the final day cut of 10 pros in the No. 2 spot with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 52-12.

“I’ve caught the majority of my fish this week sight-fishing,” said LeHew, who earned his first career top-10 cut in FLW Tour competition. “I’ve been throwing a white Bizz Baits Killer Kraw and a Bizz Baits Sassy Stick.

“I’ve ran out of bed fish. I had one 2½-pounder left, and I caught him today. Now I’m going to have to go chunk and wind. I probably caught around 40 fish today, and I lost a 4-pounder, so I’m around some fish. Hopefully tomorrow I can make something happen,” added LeHew

The top 10 pros advancing to the final day of competition on the Harris Chain of Lakes are:

1st:          Mud Hole Custom Tackle pro John Cox, DeBary, Fla., 15 bass, 54-14

2nd:         Shane LeHew, Catawba, N.C., 15 bass, 52-12

3rd           Matt Reed, Madisonville, Texas, 15 bass, 52-8

4th:          Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 15 bass, 51-13

5th:          Bradley Dortch, Atmore, Ala., 15 bass, 51-7

6th:          Joshua Weaver, Macon, Ga., 15 bass, 47-0

7th:          Rusty Trancygier, Hahira, Ga., 15 bass, 46-14

8th:          Chris Whitson, Louisville, Tenn., 15 bass, 45-6

9th:          J.T. Kenney, Palm Bay, Fla., 15 bass, 44-10

10th:        Aaron Britt, Yuba City, Calif., 15 bass, 44-10

Finishing in 11th through 20th are:

11th:        Clark Wendlandt, Leander, Texas, 15 bass, 44-5, $12,000

12th:        Brandon Cobb, Greenwood, S.C., 15 bass, 43-4, $12,000

13th:        Terry Bolton, Paducah, Ky., 15 bass, 42-15, $12,000

14th:        Tim Frederick, Leesburg, Fla., 13 bass, 42-8, $12,000

15th:        Jim Moynagh, Carver, Minn., 15 bass, 42-7, $12,000

16th:        Carl Jocumsen, Frisco, Texas, 14 bass, 41-14, $12,000

17th:        Livingston Lures pro Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., 15 bass, 41-8, $12,000

18th:        Casey Scanlon, Lenexa, Kan., 15 bass, 38-3, $12,000

19th:        Bryan Schmitt, Deale, Md., 15 bass, 36-15, $12,000

20th:        Jamie Horton, Centerville, Ala., 14 bass, 35-3, $12,000

For a full list of results visit FLWFishing.com.

Overall there were 96 bass weighing 236 pounds, 9 ounces caught by pros Saturday. Seventeen of the final 20 pros weighed in five-bass limits.

Robert Crosnoe of Inverness, Florida, won the co-angler division and $25,000 Friday with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 33 pounds, 1 ounce, followed by Tyler Woolcott of Port Orange, Florida, who finished in second place with 10 bass weighing 30 pounds, 9 ounces, worth $7,550.

In FLW Tour competition, pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day, with pros supplying the boat, controlling boat movement and competing against other pros. Co-anglers fish from the back deck against other co-anglers. The full field of 326 anglers competes Thursday and Friday. Co-angler competition concludes following Friday’s weigh-in, while the top 20 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continue competition Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.

Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2017 Forrest Wood Cup will be on Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina, Aug. 11-13.

The final 10 anglers will take off at 7 a.m. EDT Sunday from the Venetian Gardens, located at 201 E. Dixie Ave., in Leesburg. Sunday’s championship weigh-in will be held at the Venetian Gardens beginning at 4 p.m.

Prior to the weigh-in Sunday, FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at the Venetian Gardens from noon to 4 p.m. The Expo is a chance for fishing fans to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities.

Television coverage of the FLW Tour at the Harris Chain of Lakes presented by Ranger Boats will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) May 3 from 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. EDT. The Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show airs on NBCSN, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world.

The total purse for the FLW Tour at the Harris Chain of Lakes presented by Ranger Boats is more than $800,000, including $10,000 through 50th place in the Pro division. The tournament is hosted by Lake County, Florida.

For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.

Why fishing Co-angler is more exciting and can make you a better angler By Ben Hudson March 11,2017

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Why fishing Co-angler is more exciting and can make you a better angler By Ben Hudson March 11,2017

Ben Hudson – “Blue Collar Bassin’”
TheBassCast.com
From the back of the boat
Why fishing Co-angler is more exciting and can make you a better angler

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Earlier this week, a friend of mine and I were talking about fishing and all the local tournaments we had coming up this season on our home lakes. In all the small talk, an interesting question arose. He asked what my favorite event was in our area this year. A tough question, since we have some exciting events around our home lakes of Smith Mountain and Buggs Island, including the BPS Big Bass event (where you only have to catch one single giant bass), 200+ boat Anglers Choice Marine mega-tournaments, a “Bassquest” tournament trail that puts up a boat as its final tournament prize, and numerous local trails around the area. However, none of these tournaments came to mind when asked what my favorite event was. Without hesitation my answer was the BFL event on Smith Mountain Lake. This event normally only comes once every year in March or April.
With all these events going on, this might sound like a strange choice as my favorite event. But there is one aspect of this tournament that appeals to me every year, getting to fish my home lake with a random partner.
As a tournament angler, it’s always an amazing feeling to put together a pattern and then go out and execute it on tournament day. In both partner and non-partner events, it’s part of what makes fishing such a tough mental sport, because it’s all about the decisions you make out on the water that determine your results and you are the one in control of all those choices.
What if the situation and the decision making aren’t in your control anymore though? It throws a curveball into the sport, and leads to a unique and different type of challenge. Fishing as a co-angler is by far the most underrated and least talked about skill in tournament bass fishing today.
To me, fishing as a co-angler in an event such as a BFL or Costa event is such a unique experience. It forces you to fish in situations that might not always be ideal for you. It’s also exciting, because you have no idea who you’re going to be fishing with until late the night before and have no idea what technique they use to fish. The boater you draw may fish a completely different style than you are used to, and you must make adjustments and figure out a way to catch your needed limit or weight from the back of the boat.
I’ve talked to many people who are discouraged by this, saying they don’t like the risk of putting up money and not knowing where they’re going to be fishing or how they’re going to be fishing. While this is all true, it adds to the excitement for me. It’s a unique challenge trying to figure out the fish in a non-ideal situation, and then seeing where you stacked up against other anglers who were also in non-ideal situations on the back of the boat.
Aside from the unique challenge that fishing from the back of the boat presents, it’s probably the number one way to improve as a tournament angler and have a more successful tournament track record. Many of the best anglers in the world, both local and touring pros, started out on the back of the boat. Even if you aren’t catching a lot of fish yourself, just seeing the angler on the front catch bass is a valuable experience. Seeing what they were doing and how they caught those fish could be more useful than any check you could get on the co-angler side.
Inevitably, if you fish co-angler events enough, you might draw a talented partner that you can learn from. But, you may also draw an angler that may not teach you anything new and have a tough day on the back of the boat. While this can be discouraging, it’s not always a waste. It’s a part of the sport where you can learn what to do, but also get to see what does NOT work as well. Any different kind of experience seen on the water can be valuable some day in the future.
My friend who asked me about my favorite tournament also asked me why I would want to fish my home lake as a co-angler, when I could fish the boater side with local lake knowledge. It’s simple; it’s just a different experience. When I get that co-angler experience on my home lake, it’s the one tournament out of the year where anything goes. You get to see the way other people fish it, instead of doing the same thing you do every tournament there. Even if I don’t learn anything I could use in the future, just getting to see the way other anglers fish your lake can give you experience as to what works and what does not work. It makes for great experiences and stories, and also a great way to meet and become friends with many great anglers to create valuable connections for the future.
If you enjoy tournament fishing, I encourage you to consider fishing as a co-angler if an event such as a BFL is coming to your area. It may just help you get your fishing game to the next level or even cash a check. Either way, it’s going to be a unique experience that you just can’t get from being a regular weekend warrior angler. So check your schedules and if an event that has co-anglers is coming to a body of water near you, take a break from the normal tournament routine and try your hand at the most underrated and less talked about part of the sport, being the “under the radar” angler on the back of the boat.
Tight lines friends!

Ben Hudson
“Blue Collar Bassin’”
TheBassCast.com

Shaw Grigsby Preps for his 16th Bassmaster Classic Appearance – SIMMS

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Shaw Grigsby Preps for his 16th Bassmaster Classic Appearance – SIMMS

 

By Joel Shangle

Few faces in the world of professional bass fishing are as familiar as that of, Shaw Grigsby. Thanks to both a highly successful 40-plus-year B.A.S.S. tournament career and the 20-year run of his popular television show, One More Cast With Shaw Grigsby, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more well-known (and well-liked) personality than the amiable Floridian. Grigsby’s career is about more than longevity and TV recognition: the upcoming 2017 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Conroe, Texas, will be his 16th (the 15th-most among all-time Classic competitors). He’s made three Classic Top 10s, and has been identified as a threat on Conroe because of the later-than-usual time of this year’s Classic. Below, the veteran tournament anglers talks about his career and how he feels about his odds come March 24 on Lake Conroe.

Put more key fish in the boat with VMC® terminal tackle March 7, 2017 by Rapala

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Put more key fish in the boat with VMC® terminal tackle March 7, 2017 by Rapala

Put more key fish in the boat with VMC® terminal tackle

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tharpDon’t forget to stroll down the terminal tackle aisle at your local retailer too and stock up on essential VMC® hooks, snaps, weights and swivels.

When competing in the BassMaster Elite Series with VMC terminal tackle, Rapala & VMC Pro Randall Tharp hits the water with the sharpest hooks in the right sizes and shapes and jig heads with the right features and line ties. “If you go out rigged with generic gear, you could be just spinning your gears. Getting bites and getting fish into the boat are two different games. The advantage of VMC terminal tackle helps me land more key fish, without a doubt.”

Because Tharp favors flipping, pitching and punching heavy cover, it should come as no surprise that his favorite hook in VMC’s family of terminal tackle is the 4/0 Heavy Duty Flippin’ Hook.

“I’ve probably won more money on this particular hook over the last three years than any other technique or other hook,” he told Outdoors First. “This is the one that 90 percent of the time gets the job done for me. … That’s how I love fishing.”

VMC’s straight-shank Heavy Duty Flippin’ Hook features a double-spiked baitholder with opposing barbs that lock on softbaits. They incorporate resin-closed eyes that prevent line slip. A strategically placed keeper system exposes a 1/8-inch area between the eye and holder, allowing anglers to tie the perfect snell. The Heavy Duty Flippin’ Hook comes in three sizes: 3/0, 4/0 and 5/0.

Swinging Rugby Jig
Another of Tharp’s favorite pieces of terminal tackle is VMC’s Swinging Rugby Jig, which looks like a cross between a traditional round-ball-head jig and a football-head jig, but is more productive than either. “This bait excels where jigheads or football-head jigs get hung up a lot,” Tharp says in the Outdoors First interview. “It’s amazing what this bait will come through.”

Instead of being fused to the hook and static, the Swinging Rugby Jig’s head is attached to its hook eye by what looks like a second line tie. That creates a hinge effect that allows a soft-plastic bait to swing, bounce and carom erratically as you drag, hop or twitch it around rocks and docks, weeds and wood.

“There’s been three or four [Bassmaster Elite] tournaments just about completely dominated by this particular technique,” Tharp told Outdoors First, adding that the Swinging Rugby Jig is “the best particular bait” in the category.

What makes the Swinging Rugby Jig better than other baits in its category, Tharp says, is an offset extra-long-shank, extra-wide-gap hook. Those features “really increase your hook-up percentage,” he says,

Tharp fishes a Swinging Rugby Jig more like a crankbait than a “typical” jig, slowly reeling it along the bottom. “It literally gets down between the crevices and the rocks and just ricochets through there just like a crankbait would, but at a slower pace,” he explains. “And I think that’s why it’s so effective, and that’s why it’s dominated those tournaments. And it works well with just about any type of soft plastic you want to put on it.”

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VMC Treble Hooks
Anglers who throw a lot of crankbaits, jerkbaits and topwater baits should stock up on extra VMC treble hooks in multiple models and sizes.

“As you can see, I’ve got quite a collection,” Tharp says in a video interview with Jay Kumar’s BassBlaster, opening a large box of replacement trebles. “New sharp treble hooks [are] critical to catching every fish that bites,” he says.

Switching out treble hooks dulled by use with new, sharp ones is quicker and more productive than using a hook sharpener for Tharp. And to save time, he doesn’t even use split-ring pliers. “I don’t like to take the time to look for them,” he told BassBlaster. “I just take my fingernail and slide it in that little crack there and I do about a quarter turn.” To see Tharp demonstrate his super-quick treble-hook replacement technique, watch the BassBlaster video at this link: https://youtu.be/TOsCFYByFmc.

Speaking of split-rings, VMC’s offerings in that terminal tackle provide a stronger option for anglers by, in most cases, multiple percentage points. While some competitors boast “stainless steel construction,” they’re often simply pairing a stainless steel ring with a brass body. Some competitor’s products are even made entirely of brass.

“The benefits of high-end VMC terminal tackle are clear,” says Tharp, a Florida resident who fishes for many saltwater species in the Bassmaster off-season. “Not only does stainless steel provide a smaller profile, it also supplies more strength and durability, and is not vulnerable to saltwater corrosion.

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Split Rings
Boasting tapered ends to minimize line abrasion, VMC Split Rings are constructed of stainless steel with a Premium Black Nickel finish. Available in eight sizes, these tough-as-nails split rings are up to 38 percent stronger than the competition.

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Stainless Steel Tournament Snap Swivels
Built to both eliminate line twist and withstand the most demanding conditions on the water, VMC Stainless Steel Tournament Snap Swivels feature stainless steel snaps, rings and bodies.

These ultra-durable snaps swivels are available in seven sizes and offer an option that is up to 55 percent stronger than conventional snap swivels. Come three or two per pack.

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Stainless Steel Heavy-Duty Ball Bearing Tournament Snap Swivel
Featuring independent, dual-rotating top and bottom axes, VMC’s Stainless Steel Heavy-Duty Ball Bearing Tournament Snap Swivels eliminate line twist and are saltwater-ready with stainless steel snaps, rings and bodies. Welded rings add strength and performance. They’re available in five sizes and come 3, 2 or 1 per pack.

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Ball Bearing Swivel with Split Rings
Featuring a one-piece brass body with dual individual rotation and an exclusive “ROBO” body design, VMC’s Ball Bearing Swivel with Split Rings provides a smoother, stronger and more durable connection than other swivels.

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Touch-Lok Snap
Featuring a premium snap that won’t pop or pull open, VMC’s Touch-Lok Snap is built from stainless steel with a Black Nickel finish. A revolutionary locking mechanism makes for easy opening and closing.

Touch-Lok Snaps are considerably more durable than the competition. They’re available in five sizes and up to 43 percent stronger than lesser snaps.

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Duolock Snaps
Constructed from stainless steel with a Black Nickel finish, VMC Duolock Snaps open at two positions, making them incredibly versatile and easy to use. Duolock Snaps are ready for action in seven sizes and up to 10 per pack.

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Stainless Steel Rolling Swivel
With a stainless steel body and rings, VMC’s Stainless Steel Rolling Swivels eliminate line twist and are saltwater-ready. They’re available in 10 sizes, up to 41 percent stronger than similar products and come 10 or 5 per pack.

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Line Tie Split Ring
VMC’s Line Tie Split Ring a dream for serious anglers. Its tear-drop ring shape effectively secures knots in place, while tapered ends minimize unwanted abrasion with lines and knots. Constructed with premium stainless steel and a Black Nickel Finish, this ultra-strong split ring is available in five sizes and comes 10 per pack.

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See Swinging Rugby Jig

See VMC Treble Hooks

See Split Rings

See Stainless Steel Tournament Snap Swivels

See Stainless Steel Heavy-Duty Ball Bearing Tournament Snap Swivel

See Ball Bearing Swivel with Split Rings

See Touch-Lok Snap

See Duolock Snaps

See Stainless Steel Rolling Swivel

See Line Tie Split Ring

COX EXTENDS LEAD AT DAY TWO OF FLW TOUR AT HARRIS CHAIN OF LAKES PRESENTED BY RANGER BOATS

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COX EXTENDS LEAD AT DAY TWO OF FLW TOUR AT HARRIS CHAIN OF LAKES PRESENTED BY RANGER BOATS

COX EXTENDS LEAD AT DAY TWO OF FLW TOUR AT HARRIS CHAIN OF LAKES PRESENTED BY RANGER BOATS

Inverness’ Crosnoe Wins Co-angler Title, $25,000

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LEESBURG, Fla. (March 10, 2017) Mud Hole Custom Tackle pro John Cox of DeBary, Florida, caught a five-bass limit weighing 18 pounds, 15 ounces Friday to extend his lead after day two of the FLW Tour at the Harris Chain of Lakes presented by Ranger Boats with a two-day catch of 10 bass totaling 44-10. Cox will bring a 5-pound, 13-ounce lead into day three of the four-day tournament that features 163 of the top bass-fishing anglers in the world competing for a top cash award of up to $125,000.

“Today was pretty stressful,” said Cox, who won a T-H Marine Bass Fishing League (BFL) tournament on the Harris Chain in 2007. “Nothing was working for me. No fish were moving up, so I just got on the trolling motor and fished all new stuff. Right at the end of the day, around 4 o’clock, I caught two 4-pounders. The game plan has been to go and go until I find something that looks like it’s starting to turn on and today it happened really late.”

Cox said that the spot where he caught the two 4-pounders wasn’t something that he expected to replenish and that he was going to have to continue to cover a lot of water tomorrow.

“Yesterday I caught them on five different baits and today was three,” Cox said. “I’m not on a pattern or anything, I’m just doing what I like doing and looking for them swimming around.”

Despite the field being cut to the final 20 and many areas of the lake expected to see less traffic, Cox didn’t expect that to affect his gameplan.

“I really haven’t seen many other boats, so I don’t think it will make much of a difference for me. But, it could definitely help everybody else.

“Either way, I’m having a blast fishing and I just love being here,” Cox went on to say. “I’ve been dreaming of this tournament for so long. Each day I’ve managed to get a couple where I didn’t think that I was going to catch them. I hope it happens again tomorrow.”

The top 20 pros that made the Buck Knives Cut and will fish Saturday on the Harris Chain are:

1st:          Mud Hole Custom Tackle pro John Cox, DeBary, Fla., 10 bass, 44-10

2nd:         Shane LeHew, Catawba, N.C., 10 bass, 38-13

3rd:         Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 10 bass, 36-13

4th:         Joshua Weaver, Macon, Ga., 10 bass, 36-9

5th:         Bradley Dortch, Atmore, Ala., 10 bass, 36-6

6th:         Jim Moynagh, Carver, Minn., 10 bass, 36-2

7th:         J.T. Kenney, Palm Bay, Fla., 10 bass, 34-10

8th:         Matt Reed, Madisonville, Texas, 10 bass, 33-14

9th:         Rusty Trancygier, Hahira, Ga., 10 bass, 33-9

10th:       Tim Frederick, Leesburg, Fla., 10 bass, 32-6

11th:       Carl Jocumsen, Frisco, Texas, 10 bass, 32-4

12th:       Terry Bolton, Paducah, Ky., 10 bass, 31-5

13th:       Bryan Schmitt, Deale, Md., 10 bass, 31-1

14th:       Aaron Britt, Yuba City, Calif., 10 bass, 30-4

15th:       Clark Wendlandt, Leander, Texas, 10 bass, 30-2

16th:       Brandon Cobb, Greenwood, S.C., 10 bass, 29-10

17th:       Casey Scanlon, Lenexa, Kan., 10 bass, 29-8

18th:       Jamie Horton, Centerville, Ala., 10 bass, 29-0

19th:       Chris Whitson, Louisville, Tenn., 10 bass, 28-14

20th:       Livingston Lures pro Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., 10 bass, 28-11

For a full list of results visit FLWFishing.com.

Dortch earned the Big Bass award on the pro side Friday, weighing a 7-pound, 6-ounce largemouth to win the $500 prize.

Overall there were 744 bass weighing 1,625 pounds, 15 ounces caught by 159 pros Friday. The catch included 128 five-bass limits.

Robert Crosnoe of Inverness, Florida, won the co-angler division and $25,000 Friday with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 33 pounds, 1 ounce, followed by Tyler Woolcott of Port Orange, Florida, who finished in second place with 10 bass weighing 30 pounds, 9 ounces, worth $7,550.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1st:          Robert Crosnoe, Inverness, Fla., 10 bass, 33-1, $25,000

2nd:         Tyler Woolcott, Port Orange, Fla., 10 bass, 30-9, $7,550

3rd:         Chris Ferguson, Wittensville, Ky., nine bass, 27-8, $5,000

4th:         Trey Shaw, Dunnellon, Fla., nine bass, 25-15, $4,250

5th:         Richie Eaves, Nauvoo, Ill., 10 bass, 25-6, $3,000

6th:         Dave Patchell, Green Cove Springs, Fla., 10 bass, 25-5, $2,500

7th:         Steven Hatala, Saint Clair Shores, Mich., 10 bass, 24-5, $2,000

8th:         Tyler Meredith, Oliver Springs, Tenn., 10 bass, 23-11, $1,800

9th:         Jeffrey Mathews, Maitland, Fla., 10 bass, 23-6, $1,700

10th:       Mark Schlarb, Atwater, Ohio, 10 bass, 22-15, $1,600

David Oelschlager of Braidwood, lllinois, earned $250 for the Big Bass award in the co-angler division with an 8-pound, 3-ounce largemouth.

Overall there were 474 bass weighing 854 pounds, 5 ounces caught by 137 co-anglers Friday. The catch included 51 five-bass limits.

In FLW Tour competition, pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day, with pros supplying the boat, controlling boat movement and competing against other pros. Co-anglers fish from the back deck against other co-anglers. The full field of 326 anglers competes Thursday and Friday. Co-angler competition concludes following Friday’s weigh-in, while the top 20 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continue competition Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.

Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2017 Forrest Wood Cup will be on Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina, Aug. 11-13.

The total purse for the FLW Tour at the Harris Chain of Lakes presented by Ranger Boats is more than $800,000, including $10,000 through 50th place in the Pro division. The tournament is hosted by Lake County, Florida.

Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. EST each day from the Venetian Gardens, located at 201 E. Dixie Ave., in Leesburg. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins will be held at the Venetian Gardens beginning at 4 p.m.

Prior to the weigh-ins Saturday and Sunday, FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at the Venetian Gardens from noon to 4 p.m. each day. The Expo is a chance for fishing fans to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities.

Also for youth, the FLW Foundation’s Unified Fishing Derby will be held at the Venetian Gardens on Saturday from 9-11 a.m. The event is hosted by FLW Foundation pro Cody Kelley along with other FLW Tour anglers, and is free and open to area youth 15 years of age and younger and Special Olympics athletes. Rods and reels are available for use, but youth are encouraged to bring their own if they own one.

For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.

Todd Bayless & John Napier Win Morristown Marine Tournament Trail – March 4,2017

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Todd Bayless & John Napier Win Morristown Marine Tournament Trail – March 4,2017

 

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BAYLESS AND NAPIER TAKE HOME $10,000.00 ON LAKE CHEROKEE

The Morristown Marine Team Trail Invitational started the 2017 with another record breaking participation of 238 teams.  The week started out warm then mixed with some rain, wind and colder temperatures before a warm up on Saturday with a lot of sunshine.  Fishing conditions changed throughout the week. 

Todd Bayless (Middlesboro, KY) and John Napier (Middlesboro, KY) maintained a narrow lead over the 2nd place team with 17.68 lbs, and the 1st place check of $10,000.00. 

2nd Place went to Burton and Willie Bryan (Sevierville, TN) were 2nd with 17.60 lbs.  In addition to 2nd place winnings of $3500.00 the Bryans also received 1st Highest Finishing Skeeter/Yamaha Gray Nationwide for $3500.00 and Highest Finishing Lowrance for an additional $500.00 totaling $7500.00 for the day.   

3rd place went to Josh Roark (Bean Station, TN) and Allen Smith (Rutledge, TN) with 17.35 lbs, a check for $2500.00 as well as 2nd Highest Finishing Skeeter/Yamaha Gray Nationwide $2500.00 and 2nd Highest Finishing Lowrance $500.00 totaling $5500.00.
4th place was Clint and Jessee Harrison (Georgetown, TN) with 17.23 lbs and a check for $1500.00. 

Finishing out the top 5 places was Eddie Huff (Bluff City, TN) and Daniel Taylor (Elizabethton, TN) with 16.93 lbs. and a check for $1,000.00.  

For complete results see: www.morristownmarine.com 

The top 10 Skeeter/Yamaha boat owners to receive the Skeeter/Yamaha/Morristown Marine/Nationwide Ins. payout totaling $10,500.00 were as follows:

1st Highest Finishing Skeeter:  Burton Bryan / Willie Bryan $3500.00
2nd Highest Finishing Skeeter: Josh Roark / Allen Smith $2500.00
3rd Highest Finishing Skeeter:  David Morgan / Ben Boggs $1500.00
4th Highest Finishing Skeeter:  Jeremy Swanson / Jon Lawson $1000.00
5th Highest Finishing Skeeter:  Keith McDeerman / Von Dilbeck $750.00
6th Highest Finishing Skeeter:  Hunter Hamilton / Justin Crisp $500.00
7th Highest Finishing Skeeter:  Clifford Bunch / Paul Napier $250.00
8th Highest Finishing Skeeter:  Jackie Nicely / Earl Kitts  $200.00
9th Highest Finishing Skeeter:  Bill Jenkins / Larry Neal  $175.00
10th Highest Finishing Skeeter: Randy Rigg / Barry Stough $125.00

The Jeremy Gordon State Farm Big Largemouth Award went to Cole Philpot  and Cody Roberts with a 5.50 lb. Largemouth. They received a check for $1180.00 and (2) Rods valued at $200.00

The Jeremy Gordon State Farm Big Smallmouth Award went to Nick Leever and Amanda Hardwick with a 5.29 lb. Smallmouth. They received a check for $1180.00 and (2) Rods valued at $200.00.

The (2) Highest Finishing Gray Insurance Agency teams with insurance through Gray Insurance Agency/Nationwide Lafollette, TN were:  Jeremy Swanson / Jon Lawson and Keith McDeerman / Von Dilbeck.  Both teams received checks for $250.00

The (2) Highest Finishing teams with Lowrance Electronics received a check for $500.00.

 

Get Hooked On Fishing Kids Activation At Bassmaster Classic

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Get Hooked On Fishing Kids Activation At Bassmaster Classic
The Shell Bassmaster Get Hooked on Fishing activation presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors is for kids of all ages. It will take place March 24-26 at the GEICO Bassmaster Classic outside of the George R. Brown Convention Center. 
Photo by B.A.S.S.

March 10, 2017

Get Hooked On Fishing Kids Activation At Bassmaster Classic

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HOUSTON — Children attending this year’s GEICO Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods will be in for a special treat March 24-26 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Fishing, games, competitions, seminars, special guests, raffles, giveaways and more await them at the Shell Bassmaster Get Hooked on Fishing presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors. Kids can get in on the fun from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, while 52 of the world’s best bass anglers compete at nearby Lake Conroe. All activities are free and open to the public.

“Shell takes great pride in our partnerships and in the events we support throughout the year that are nationally respected, help protect our environment and have a positive impact on local communities,” said Bruce Culpepper, Shell Oil Company president.

“The Bassmaster Classic and Get Hooked on Fishing are both prime examples of getting people personally involved with the outdoors and understanding how important conservation and caring for our environment is for all of us.”

While children of all backgrounds and ages will enjoy Get Hooked on Fishing, special emphasis will be on introducing multicultural youth and their families to the joys of fishing and instructing them in the basics, as well as teaching them about nature, conservation, and stewardship. Kids in grades 2 through 6 will get to experience the real thing too, angling in a pond filled with catfish. Nine hundred students from the Houston Independent School District will test their luck on Friday.

Activities also will include interactive exhibits and presentations by Coastal Conservation Association, Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Additionally, renowned anglers like Pedro Sors and Billy Murray will share their knowledge, while the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Paw Patrol characters will entertain at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday. Those who want to test their skills can compete in Casting Kids events, while attendees can sharpen their casting and catching skills in Learn From the Pros seminars.

Dogs on the Dock, meanwhile, will feature long-jumping competitions by retrievers, with many local canines expected to compete.

For more information, please visit Bassmaster.com/tournaments/2017-geico-bassmaster-classic.

2017 Bassmaster Classic Title Sponsor: GEICO

2017 Bassmaster Classic Presenting Sponsor: DICK’S Sporting Goods

2017 Bassmaster Classic Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

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

2017 Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo Presenting Sponsor: DICK’S Sporting Goods

2017 Bassmaster Classic Local Sponsors: Shipley Donuts, Academy Sports + Outdoors

About the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods
The 47th world championship of bass fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods will host 52 of the world’s best bass anglers competing for more than $1 million, March 24-26 in Houston, Texas. Competition and takeoff will begin each day at Lake Conroe Park (14968 TX-105, Montgomery, Texas) at 7:20 a.m. CT. Weigh-ins will be held daily March 24-26 at 3:15 p.m. in one of Major League Baseball’s Top 20 largest stadiums, the Houston Astros’ Minute Maid Park (501 Crawford Street, Houston, Texas).

In conjunction, the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods will be open daily only a block from Minute Maid Park at George R. Brown Convention Center, (1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston, Texas) the largest in Classic history. Expo hours are Friday, March 24, noon – 8 p.m.; Saturday, March 25, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday, March 26, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. All events are free and open to the public.

About Shell
Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Royal Dutch Shell plc, a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with operations in more than 70 countries. In the U.S., Shell operates in 50 states and employs more than 20,000 people working to help tackle the challenges of the new energy future.

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

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Magellan, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.

Bass Edge’s The Edge – Episode 251 – Mark Rose – March 1,2017

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Bass Edge’s The Edge – Episode 251 – Mark Rose – March 1,2017

Bass Edge’s The Edge – Episode 251 – Mark Rose
March 1, 2017 at 12:00 AM
2017 FLW Tour back-to-back Champion and MLF ‘Selects’ competitor, Mark Rose is featured on Bass Edge Radio presented by MegaWare KeelGuard. Mark chats with Aaron and Kurt about his springtime techniques and the FLW Tour history he recently made.

Set the Hook! with Pat Rose – Mar 4, 2017 Featuring Timmy Horton & 2017 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee Diamond Dallas Page

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Set the Hook! with Pat Rose – Mar 4, 2017 Featuring Timmy Horton & 2017 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee Diamond Dallas Page

Set the Hook! with Pat Rose – Mar 4, 2017

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This week’s guest were Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Timmy Horton and 2017 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee Diamond Dallas Page.

podcastiIf you missed the show, you can listen to the podcast here.

Visit our sponsors page and tell them Pat sent you! If you would like to advertise on Set the Hook! with Pat Rose, give us a call at (423) 314-4541. Put Set the Hook! with Pat Rose to work for you.

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