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THRIFT RECLAIMS LEAD ON DAY THREE OF FLW TOUR ON LAKE TRAVIS PRESENTED BY QUAKER STATE

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February 19, 2017

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THRIFT RECLAIMS LEAD ON DAY THREE OF FLW TOUR ON LAKE TRAVIS PRESENTED BY QUAKER STATE

North Carolina Pro Brings 1-pound Lead into Final Day

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JONESTOWN, Texas (Feb. 18, 2017) – Bryan Thrift of Shelby, North Carolina, brought a five-bass limit weighing 11 pounds, 7 ounces to the scale Saturday to reclaim the lead after day three of the FLW Tour at Lake Travis presented by Quaker State. Thrift’s three-day total of 45-9 makes him the No. 1 seed on championship Sunday as the field is now cut to the final 10 anglers in the event that featured 164 of the top bass anglers in the world casting for a top cash award of up to $125,000.

In second place is General Tire pro Mark Rose of West Memphis, Arkansas, with a three-day catch weighing 44-9. Hometown favorite Clark Wendlandt of Leander, Texas, brought a five-bass limit to the scale weighing 12-2 to move into third place with a three-day total of 41-12.

“I caught around 40 bass today between four areas,” said Thrift, who finished in second place when the Tour last visited Lake Travis in 2007. “Some areas were deep, and others were shallow. The whole key today was going for a big bite.

“I caught three that I weighed in off of a secondary point, and the rest were scattered here and there,” continued Thrift. “The point had bare spots within the trees and bushes – that’s what I caught a lot of bass out of today, but they were too short.”

Thrift said his primary bait Saturday was a crawfish-type soft-plastic.

“The other two fish in my limit came off of a jig,” said Thrift. “I ran down the bank and threw to everything in front of me. I needed to get a big bite and got two.”

The North Carolina pro said he plans on fishing both deep and shallow again on the final day.

“I don’t know what the weather is going to do to the fish that are up shallow tomorrow,” said Thrift. “I’d love for it to be sunny and calm like it was today, then I’d feel like I have a strong chance to do well.”

The top 10 pros advancing to the final day of competition on Lake Travis are:

1^st: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 15 bass, 45-9

2^nd: General Tire pro Mark Rose, West Memphis, Ark., 15 bass, 44-9

3^rd: Clark Wendlandt, Leander, Texas, 15 bass, 41-12

4^th: Costa del Mar pro Dylan Hays, Sheridan, Ark., 15 bass, 41-0

5^th: Stephen Patek, Garland, Texas, 15 bass, 39-0

6^th: Clark Reehm, Huntington, Texas, 14 bass, 37-6

7^th: Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 14 bass, 37-4

8^th: Troy Morrow, Eastanollee, Ga., 15 bass, 37-1

9^th: Clayton Batts, Macon, Ga., 15 bass, 36-5

10^th: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., 15 bass, 35-3

Finishing 11^th through 20^th are:

11^th: Tim McDonald, Prestonsburg, Ky., 13 bass, 31-11, $12,000

12^th: Scott Suggs, Alexander, Ark., 13 bass, 31-5, $12,000

13^th: Jeff Gustafson, Keewatin, Ontario, Canada, 12 bass, 30-13, $12,000

14^th: Bill Smith Jr., Burlington, Ky., 12 bass, 29-15, $12,000

15^th: Quaker State pro Scott Canterbury, Springville, Ala., 13 bass, 29-4, $12,000

16^th: Jamie Horton, Centerville, Ala., 12 bass, 29-3, $12,000

17^th: Christopher Brasher, Longview, Texas, 12 bass, 29-0, $12,000

18^th: Bradley Hallman, Norman, Okla., 10 bass, 28-15, $12,000

19^th: Casey Scanlon, Lenexa, Kan., 12 bass, 27-12, $12,000

20^th: Brad Knight, Lancing, Tenn., 10 bass, 26-15, $12,000

For a full list of results visit FLWFishing.com.

Overall there were 72 bass weighing 149 pounds, 6 ounces caught by 19 pros Saturday. The catch included nine five-bass limits.

Pro Stephen Patek, who started the day in first place, received a 4-pound penalty Saturday for violation of FLW Tour rule No. 16 regarding check-in times. The rule states that anglers who are not at the check-in area at the appointed time will be penalized 1 pound per minute. Patek also weighed in a deceased fish and received an additional 4-ounce penalty. Pro Dylan Hays, who started the day in seventh place, was also in violation of rule No. 16, but only received a 1-pound penalty.

David Larson of Mound, Minnesota, won the Co-Angler Division and $20,350 Friday with a two-day total of six bass weighing 21 pounds, 10 ounces, followed by Thomas Martens of Jonestown, Texas, who finished in second place with 10 bass weighing 20 pounds, 11 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 anglers competes in the two-day opening round. 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. CST Sunday from Jones Brothers Park, located at 10301 Lakeside Drive, in Jonestown. Sunday’s championship weigh-in will be held at Jones Brothers Park beginning at 4 p.m.

Prior to the weigh-in Sunday, FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at Jones Brothers Park 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.

The FLW Tour at Lake Travis is hosted by the City of Jonestown and the Austin Sports Commission.

Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Lake Travis presented by Quaker State will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) April 12 from 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. EST. 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.

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.

PATEK LEADS DAY TWO AT FLW TOUR ON LAKE TRAVIS PRESENTED BY QUAKER STATE

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February 18, 2017

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PATEK LEADS DAY TWO AT FLW TOUR ON LAKE TRAVIS PRESENTED BY QUAKER STATE

Minnesota’s Larson Wins Co-Angler Title, $20,350

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JONESTOWN, Texas (Feb. 17, 2017) – Pro Stephen Patek of Garland, Texas, brought a five-bass limit weighing 14 pounds, 1 ounce, to the scale Friday to take the lead after day two of the FLW Tour at Lake Travis presented by Quaker State with a two-day catch of 10 bass totaling 34-6. Patek will bring a slim 4-ounce lead over Bryan Thrift of Shelby, North Carolina, into day three of the four-day event that features 164 of the top bass-fishing anglers in the world competing for a top cash award of up to $125,000.

Patek said he’s working through the mouth of a main-lake pocket to catch his bass. He said he’s primarily focusing on a hump that has trees around the edges and rocks over the top.

“The mouth isn’t very big, but there’s a lot of bass in there,” said Patek, who is fishing his third season as a professional on the FLW Tour. “Its deepest section is 18 feet down. I think it’s a staging area for bass to spawn, and it seems to be reloading every night.”

Patek said his bait of choice is a Carolina-rigged 3-inch soft-plastic craw.

“They seem to like the smaller profile,” said Patek. “I caught my bass on it this morning, left the hump and didn’t return.”

Patek said that he split the remainder of his day between two areas, including a main-river point that produced for him on day one.

“I caught my biggest bass there on Thursday, but I only could get a small keeper there today,” said Patek. “After those were in the boat, I ran banks and threw a 6-inch swimbait. I got a decent keeper yesterday doing that, but it didn’t give me anything today.”

The Texas pro said he plans to run a similar route on Saturday.

“I plan on spending more time on the hump and the point tomorrow,” said Patek. “I think the mouth will kick out some more bass, so I’m looking forward to getting back out there.”

The top 20 pros that made the Buck Knives Cut after day two and will fish Saturday on Lake Travis are:

1^st: Stephen Patek, Garland, Texas, 10 bass, 34-6

2^nd: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 10 bass, 34-2

3^rd: Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., 10 bass, 31-11

4^th: Clark Wendlandt, Leander, Texas, 10 bass, 29-10

5^th: General Tire pro Mark Rose, West Memphis, Ark., 10 bass, 28-12

6^th: Clark Reehm, Huntington, Texas, nine bass, 28-8

7^th: Costa del Mar pro Dylan Hays, Sheridan, Ark., 10 bass, 28-6

8^th: Brad Knight, Lancing, Tenn., 10 bass, 26-15

9^th: Scott Suggs, Alexander, Ark., 10 bass, 26-10

10^th: Christopher Brasher, Longview, Texas, 10 bass, 26-4

11^th: Troy Morrow, Eastanollee, Ga., 10 bass, 26-3

12^th: Bradley Hallman, Norman, Okla., eight bass, 25-12

13^th: Jeff Gustafson, Keewatin, Ontario, Canada, 10 bass, 25-10

14^th: Bill Smith Jr., Burlington, Ky., nine bass, 25-8

15^th: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., 10 bass, 25-1

16^th: Quaker State pro Scott Canterbury, Springville, Ala., 10 bass, 24-14

17^th: Clayton Batts, Macon, Ga., 10 bass, 23-6

18^th: Jamie Horton, Centerville, Ala., 10 bass, 23-3

19^th: Tim McDonald, Prestonsburg, Ky., 10 bass, 23-0

20^th: Casey Scanlon, Lenexa, Kan., nine bass, 22-11

For a full list of results visit FLWFishing.com.

Wendlandt earned the day’s $500 Big Bass award in the Pro Division after catching an 8-pound, 6-ounce largemouth.

Overall there were 546 bass weighing 1,109 pounds, 4 ounces caught by 154 pros Friday. The catch included 62 five-bass limits.

David Larson of Mound, Minnesota, won the Co-Angler Division and $20,350 Friday with a two-day total of six bass weighing 21 pounds, 10 ounces, followed by Thomas Martens of Jonestown, Texas, who finished in second place with 10 bass weighing 20 pounds, 11 ounces worth $7,550.

The top 10 co-anglers finished:

1^st: David Larson, Mound, Minn., six bass, 21-10, $20,350

2^nd: Thomas Martens, Jonestown, Texas, 10 bass, 20-11, $7,550

3^rd: Benjie Seaborn, Guin, Ala., 10 bass, 20-3, $5,000

4^th: Gary Haraguchi, Redding, Calif., nine bass, 20-3, $4,000

5^th: Keith Honeycutt, Temple, Texas, 10 bass, 17-2, $3,000

6^th: Tim Beale, Hernando, Miss., eight bass, 16-11, $2,500

7^th: Josh Perrymon, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 16-8, $2,000

8^th: Wataru Iwahori, Palestine, Texas, nine bass, 16-7, $1,800

9^th: Kevin Carter, Spring, Texas, seven bass, 15-11, $1,700

10^th: Jason Smith, Forney, Texas, eight bass, 15-2, $1,600

David Wootton of Collierville, Tennessee, earned $250 for the Big Bass award in the Co-Angler Division with a 6-pound, 7-ounce largemouth.

Overall there were 268 bass weighing 478 pounds, 9 ounces caught by 119 co-anglers Friday. The catch included 11 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 anglers competes in the two-day opening round. 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 Lake Travis presented by Quaker State is more than $800,000, including $10,000 through 50th place in the Pro Division.

Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. CST each day from Jones Brothers Park, located at 10301 Lakeside Drive, in Jonestown. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins will be held at Jones Brothers Park beginning at 4 p.m.

Prior to the weigh-ins Saturday and Sunday, FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at Jones Brothers Park 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.

Also for youth, the FLW Foundation’s Unified Fishing Derby will be held at Jones Brothers Park on Saturday, Feb. 18 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.

The FLW Tour at Lake Travis is hosted by the City of Jonestown and the Austin Sports Commission.

Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Lake Travis presented by Quaker State will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) April 12 from 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. EST. 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.

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.

Giant Bass Await Elite Series Anglers At Florida’s Lake Okeechobee

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February 17, 2017

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Giant Bass Await Elite Series Anglers At Florida’s Lake Okeechobee

The second stop on the Bassmaster Elite Series tournament trail will be the A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee, Feb. 23-26. Competitors will be vying for the $100,000 first-place prize and valuable Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year points.

Photo by B.A.S.S.

Feb. 17, 2017

Giant Bass Await Elite Series Anglers At Florida’s Lake Okeechobee

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OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — The last time B.A.S.S. visited the south Florida big-bass factory was in 2012, when Hughson, Calif., pro Ish Monroe weighed one of the heaviest four-day limits in Elite Series history. Fans can expect much of the same at the 2017 A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee, Feb. 23-26.

The second event of the 2017 season will be a stark difference from the season opener, which took place last week on Tennessee’s Cherokee Lake. Cherokee was won with hefty smallmouth pulled from deep, 50-degree water under harsh winter conditions.

Okeechobee will likely be the polar opposite with warm weather, shallow water and big Florida-strain largemouth.

Monroe’s 108-pound, 5-ounce four-day winning catch in March 2012 ranks as the 19th all-time heaviest total weight since the Elite Series’ inception in 2006. He is excited to return to the “Big O” — which covers more than 450,000 acres — and vie for the $100,000 first-place prize.

“It’s the only tournament I can remember where I culled one 5-pound bass after another,” Monroe said, reminiscing about the first day of that 2012 tournament. “I can still recall having 34-5 in my livewell by noon on the first day. Where else in the world can an angler do something like that?”

Okeechobee is a relatively shallow lake, averaging 8 feet, 10 inches in depth, and that plays to Monroe’s strengths.

“I love fishing shallow water, and when I can catch bass that way, life is gravy,” he said. “It’s also appealing to me because for the entire year, you can keep a heavy flipping stick in your hands and catch fish everywhere with the potential to win every single time.”

He said the lake is full of different types of vegetation, including hydrilla, milfoil, hyacinth, pencil reeds, alligator grass, pennywort and lily pads, and patterns can be so diverse that it’s almost impossible to predict a winner among the 110-angler field. He suggested that a 100-pound winning string of bass is possible, but putting together 25-pound limits every day isn’t easy, even on Okeechobee, which appears to be in excellent shape.

“Since 2007, the lake has been getting healthier as a system, and fishing output is a reflection of that,” said Barron Moody, regional fisheries administrator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “Coming out of a couple hurricanes between 2007 and 2009, we endured significant habitat damage from storm surges in the lake, and the relatively low water conditions that occurred as a result actually helped the lake recover long term.”

Moody said that lower water conditions allowed for more sunlight penetration, which in turn promoted vegetation growth as the lake recovered. State workers and volunteers also collaborated to improve habitat during the low-water period.

And it’s paying off today.

“Based on our sampling data, I would not be surprised at all to see multiple fish over 8 and 9 pounds weighed in; even a fish in the 10-pound range is a real possibility,” he said.

Takeoffs will occur daily Thursday through Sunday at 6:45 a.m. ET at C. Scott Driver Park in Okeechobee, Fla. Weigh-ins will take place in the same location at 3:15 p.m. each afternoon.

The Bassmaster Elite Series Outdoors Expo will also be taking place at C. Scott Driver Park on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3:15 p.m. The Expo will feature the latest products in the industry, as well as free giveaways. Mercury, Nitro, Triton, Skeeter and Yamaha will be giving demo rides at the venue. All activities are free and open to the public.

The event is hosted by Okeechobee County Tourism.

2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

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

2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Shimano, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, T-H Marine, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats

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.

Catch More Fish with Craws – Big Bite Baits

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February 17, 2017

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Catch More Fish with Craws

This issue highlights our craws that can help you catch more fish and how our pro staff rigs them.

Battle Bug

Designed by Mike McClelland with a subtle swimming action and long antennas to give a large profile. Great on a Texas rig, Swing Head or jig trailer.

See all the Battle Bug colors Mike created here.

YoDaddy

A great choice when you want some swimming action in a crawdad. Compact at 3.5″ inches and will swim with the slightest movement of your rod. Michael Neal loves it on a finesse jig.

Real Deal Craw

Designed by Russ Lane and available in 11 colors. The RD colors are hand painted in real craw dad patterns. Russ really likes HD color 02 for early Spring. The red highlights on this color are great this time of year.

How many Real Deal Craws do you see?

Swimming Craw

This craw also has a great swimming action. Check out our 3 new colors for 2017!

Got Questions? Call the Coach

Do you have product or rigging questions about our baits? Call the “the Coach”, Les Bratcher at 877-222-7429 on Monday, Tuesdays or Thursdays from 8am-4pm cst.

Russ Lane loves our new dark gray hoodie!

$39.99-$44.99 available in sizes S-3XL.

Photo courtesy of Bassmaster.com.

Get one for yourself here.

Lowrance Unleashes New Clarity for HDS Gen3 and EliteTi

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February 17, 2017

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Lowrance Unleashes New Clarity for HDS Gen3 and EliteTi

February 16, 2017

Tulsa, Okla. – Lowrance®, a world-leader in fishing electronics since 1957 — announced today the release of new software updates for HDS Gen3, Elite-5 Ti and 7 Ti displays that include significant sonar enhancements, new Navionics® functionality and general improvements.

Headlined by game-changing improvements to Surface Clarity, the update includes new Live Network Sonar, Navionics® SonarChart™ Live, Navionics® Plotter Sync and NMEA 2000® entertainment enhancements.

Bassmaster Classic Anglers Will Be Hunting For 13-pound ShareLunker Bass In Lake Conroe

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February 17, 2017

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Bassmaster Classic Anglers Will Be Hunting For 13-pound ShareLunker Bass In Lake Conroe

Members of the Seven Coves Bass Club in Texas were honored for planting native aquatic vegetation to improve the fishery of Lake Conroe. Competitors in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods will fish Conroe during the world bass fishing championship, March 24-26.

Photo courtesy of Seven Coves Bass Club

Feb. 16, 2017

Bassmaster Classic Anglers Will Be Hunting For 13-pound ShareLunker Bass In Lake Conroe

HOUSTON — Will crowds at Minute Maid Park witness a double-digit bass weighed in during the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods? Considering the trophy potential of nearby Lake Conroe, where 52 of the nation’s best bass anglers will compete March 24-26, they might be treated to more than just a 10- or 11-pound bass — or two or three.

“I think we are going to see very big bass come weigh-in time in Houston, maybe a ShareLunker,” said Dave Terre, management/research chief of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD). “At Conroe, March is the prime month for that to occur. We’ll be ready.”

Established in 1986, the agency’s Toyota ShareLunker program encourages the catch and release of large fish and uses bass of 13 pounds or heavier for selective breeding, before being returned to the fishery from which they were caught. Of the 17 ShareLunkers caught at Conroe, five were taken during the month of March. The latest, a 13.14-pounder, was caught in early April 2015.

Terre explained that Conroe’s rise as a world-class fishery was no accident. “Making big bass and great fishing are products of good fisheries management and partners working together on fish habitat.”

B.A.S.S. National Conservation Director Gene Gilliland added, “For years, Lake Conroe was the poster child for grass carp gone bad. Back then, the bass fishermen thought the world was coming to an end. But a solid long-term management plan that married passionate B.A.S.S. club members with the expertise of Texas Parks and Wildlife biologists, turned Conroe into a top-tier fishery.”

Seven Coves Bass Club, a B.A.S.S. Nation club, took a leadership role among those partners, and for its efforts, received a 2013 Environmental Excellence Award from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. “This is probably the highest recognition our conservation program has received to date,” said Tim Cook, conservation director for the Texas B.A.S.S. Nation. “Every member should be proud to be part of an organization that gives so much back to the sport we all love.”

In 2008, following a second round of grass carp introductions to control invasive hydrilla, the club was awarded a grant for about $45,000 from B.A.S.S. and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to build a plant nursery on property owned by the San Jacinto River Authority. The latter and TPWD also helped finance the effort.

“With the assistance and advice of TPWD, the San Jacinto River Authority, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Lewisville Aquatic Ecosystem Research Facility, they started growing native aquatic plants to go into Lake Conroe,” said TPWD biologist Mark Webb. “More people all the time were getting excited about coming in and helping to grow ecologically appropriate native plants to provide the kind of habitat we need for fish and wildlife in Lake Conroe.”

The following summer, 150 plants grown in the nursery were placed in the lake; they were shielded from grass carp and turtles with protective cages. Many more were to follow, as Seven Coves expanded its alliances for the betterment of the fishery. In 2010, Seven Coves received an additional $20,000 from the Toyota Texas Bass Classic and Bass Pro Shops as part of the first ever Friends of Reservoirs Foundation grant.

“This project has brought a wide range of stakeholders closer together, which has been positive for the angling community,” said Ron Gunter, a club member and assistant conservation director for the Texas B.A.S.S. Nation.

Today, the nursery still produces plants for Conroe, but TPWD and the Corps have taken a larger role in that aspect of the alliance, while Seven Coves members are devoting more time to helping the agency with artificial cover for the fishery.

“The plant work is to help propagate the (bass) species, and that definitely has helped on Conroe,” Gunter said. “The attractors will help anglers find a place to fish.”

Webb estimates that about 10,000 mature native plants have been added to the 21,000-acre fishery since 2008, with some, particularly water willow, now expanding on their own.

Along with good water quality and improved habitat, Conroe’s trophy potential is enhanced by stockings of Florida-strain largemouth bass fingerlings. The introductions are intended to keep big-bass genes abundant, rather than simply increase numbers.

More than 500,000 Floridas were stocked annually in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2013, and some almost certainly have reached ShareLunker size.

Odds are improving that one of the Bassmaster Classic contenders will weigh in a ShareLunker during the world championship, as Terre predicted might happen. It would be the first 13-pounder in the Classic’s 47-year history and would easily eclipse the existing record, an 11-10 bass caught in Florida’s Kissimmee Chain in 2006.

For information about attending the 47th Bassmaster Classic in Houston, go to Bassmaster.com.

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

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 (146 TX-105, Montgomery, Texas) at 7:20 a.m. CT. There will be off-site parking and shuttles for fans wanting to attend the takeoff. Weigh-ins will be held daily March 24-26 at 3 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 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.

THRIFT LEADS DAY ONE OF FLW TOUR ON LAKE TRAVIS PRESENTED BY QUAKER STATE

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February 17, 2017

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THRIFT LEADS DAY ONE OF FLW TOUR ON LAKE TRAVIS PRESENTED BY QUAKER STATE

Minnesota’s Larson Leads Co-Anglers

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JONESTOWN, Texas (Feb. 16, 2017) – Pro Bryan Thrift of Shelby, North Carolina, brought a five-bass limit weighing 24 pounds, 12 ounces to the scale Thursday to take the early lead at the FLW Tour at Lake Travis presented by Quaker State. Thrift will bring a 4-pound, 7-ounce lead into day two of the four-day event that features 164 of the top bass-fishing anglers in the world competing for a top cash award of up to $125,000.

“I’m at a complete loss for words right now,” said Thrift, who has amassed nearly $2 million in FLW competition. “In three days of practice I couldn’t catch a third of the weight that I caught today. Each fish was truly a gift from God.”

Thrift said he spent the majority of his day working through an area with a 6½-inch Watermelon Candy-colored Damiki Finesse Miki worm rigged on a shaky-head jig.

“It was a big area, probably 2 to 3 acres long,” said Thrift. “There were some bushes, rocks and points. I caught four fish there, including a 6-pounder. I picked it apart for nearly five hours. There were some other boats nearby, so I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to catch as many bass as I possibly could.”

After 2:30 p.m., Thrift said he made a couple more stops and capped off his limit with another 6-pounder.

“I caught it on a jig in an area that I went to on a whim,” said Thrift. “It was mind-blowing.”

The top 10 pros after day one on Lake Travis are:

1^st: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., five bass, 24-12

2^nd: Stephen Patek, Garland, Texas, five bass, 20-5

3^rd: Bradley Hallman, Norman, Okla., five bass, 19-4

4^th: Scott Suggs, Alexander, Ark., five bass, 17-3

5^th: Christopher Brasher, Longview, Texas, five bass, 16-8

6^th: Justin Atkins, Florence, Ala., five bass, 16-0

7^th: Dean Alexander, Georgetown, Texas, five bass, 15-0

8^th: Dylan Hays, Sheridan, Ark., five bass, 14-15

9^th: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., five bass, 14-13

10^th: Grae Buck, Harleysville, Pa., five bass, 14-12

For a full list of results visit FLWFishing.com.

Joseph Webster of Fulton, Mississippi, earned the day’s $500 Big Bass award in the Pro Division thanks to a 7-pound, 14-ounce largemouth.

Overall there were 641 bass weighing 1,405 pounds, 7 ounces caught by 158 pros Thursday. The catch included 85 five-bass limits.

David Larson of Mound, Minnesota, leads the Co-Angler Division with four bass weighing 16 pounds, 11 ounces, followed by Benjie Seaborn of Guin, Alabama, in second place with four bass totaling 13 pounds, 15 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers after day one on Lake Travis are:

1^st: David Larson, Mound, Minn., four bass, 16-11

2^nd: Benjie Seaborn, Guin, Ala., five bass, 13-15

3^rd: Thomas Martens, Jonestown, Texas, five bass, 12-3

4^th: Ronald Young, Lake Wales, Fla., five bass, 11-6

5^th: Sterling Martin, Beeville, Texas, five bass, 10-11

6^th: Jason Smith, Forney, Texas, five bass, 10-8

7^th: Wayne Hauser, Mooresville, N.C., five bass, 10-1

8^th: Tim Beale, Hernando, Miss., five bass, 9-10

9^th: Anthony Ferdinando, Spicewood, Texas, five bass, 9-7

10^th: Mike Casanova, Frisco, Texas, four bass, 8-13

Larson also earned $250 for the Big Bass award in the Co-Angler Division with an 8-pound, 5-ounce largemouth.

Overall there were 323 bass weighing 597 pounds, 13 ounces caught by 127 co-anglers Thursday. The catch included 18 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 330 anglers competes in the two-day opening round. 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 Lake Travis presented by Quaker State is more than $800,000, including $10,000 through 50th place in the Pro Division.

Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. CST each day from Jones Brothers Park, located at 10301 Lakeside Drive, in Jonestown. Friday’s weigh-in will be held at Jones Brothers Park beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins, Feb. 18-19, will also be held at Jones Brothers Park but will begin at 4 p.m.

Prior to the weigh-ins Saturday and Sunday, FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at Jones Brothers Park 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.

Also for youth, the FLW Foundation’s Unified Fishing Derby will be held at Jones Brothers Park on Saturday, Feb. 18 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.

The FLW Tour at Lake Travis is hosted by the City of Jonestown and the Austin Sports Commission.

Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Lake Travis presented by Quaker State will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) April 12 from 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. EST. 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.

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.

Fishing Compassion by Bruce Callis February 15, 2017

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February 16, 2017

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Fishing Compassion

by Bruce Callis

February 15, 2017

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The Bassmaster Elite Series made their first stop ever to Tennessee’s Cherokee Lake this past weekend. B.A.S.S. hadn’t been there since the Bass Champs Invitational in 1981 actually. But the story isn’t about the mighty elite of the Elites making the headlines. Granted Cliff Crochet lead after day 1 with an impressive 19 pound 7 ounce bag, but day 2 changed that with rookie Jessie Wiggins taking over the lead and holding onto it by a mere 13 ounces heading into the final day over fellow rookie Jamie Hartman. Newcomer Jacob Wheeler was in 3rd by a mere 1 pound 3 ounces. While Jacob is in his first year on the Elite Series, he is not considered a rookie due to his having won so much money on other major trails.
This was a tournament that saw many lesser known anglers on the big stage filling in the top 10. Granted, Jacob isn’t one of the lesser known, but he is a newcomer. Who would have thought Jamie Hartman, Jesse Wiggins, Seth Feider, Paul Mueller, Josh Bertrand, David Mullins, and Matt Herren would be the names we should have picked on our Fantasy Fishing leagues.
Jacob’s win was based on overcoming adversity and making the best of what is given. No explanation, but an electronics mix-up on Friday left him without half of his way-points and he had to do a lot of memory fishing. Good thing he is still young. On Day 3, he lost the use of his trolling motor. But B.A.S.S. has a little known rule that allows a stranded angler to fish with another competitor as long as a marshal is present. Who knew?
This is where Dustin Connell saved Jacob and his bid to win. It also allowed Dustin to do a little learning from a seasoned veteran angler. Granted, they used Jacob’s way-points to land their fish, and Jacob had an impressive bag with 17 pounds 1 ounce for the day. Dustin only had 3 fish for 8 pounds 3 ounces. He finished 37th for the tournament.
Why would a competitor offer to help out a leader in an event they themselves are trying to win? You don’t have to be an Elite angler to answer this one. It is compassion. With a few excepts, I see it all the time, both on the water, and off. An angler struggles and can’t figure out why? Other anglers see it and offer their advice, their secret as to what they are doing to catch fish. We may not share exact spots, exact presentations, or exact colors, but we will give them a good starting point. Sometimes we go further and share the specifics, not because we are bragging, but because we want to help.
I remember fishing a tournament and had a great first day. But others were struggling. I’m no pro, but I shared exactly what I was doing and how I was doing it. Some may wonder why, but I didn’t hesitate. We are a family of passionate anglers, just having fun. The competition is secondary, but helping is always first. And I have received the same type of advice from many others.
Compassion for our fellow anglers and human beings is something inside of us. How compassionate are you? How much would you do to help out a fellow competitor? Would you help them as much as we do a friend who is struggling while out fishing? Or the person we run into in Walmart staring at a bait?

YETI FLW COLLEGE FISHING SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE HEADS TO LAKE GUNTERSVILLE

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February 15, 2017

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YETI FLW COLLEGE FISHING SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE HEADS TO LAKE GUNTERSVILLE

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. (Feb. 15, 2017) – YETI FLW College Fishing is heading to Lake Guntersville Feb. 25 for the second of three regular-season stops in the Southeastern Conference. A full field of college fishing clubs will be competing for the top award of a $2,000 club scholarship and a berth into the 2018 College Fishing National Championship.

According to Costa FLW Series pro Casey Martin of New Hope, Alabama, who operates a guide service on Lake Guntersville, the bite on Lake Guntersville is picking up as the weather has stabilized. Water temperatures are slowly warming – currently hovering around 54 degrees – and the bass are starting to feed as they prepare for the spawn.

“The grass bite is by far the most consistent, with a good number of 2- to 4-pounders grouped up,” said Martin. “The fish seem to be moving around day to day in the grass, but covering water you can find them actively feeding.”

Martin said that he has had the most success throwing a ½-ounce red- or natural-colored Rat-L-Trap or a Picasso Lures Double Barrel Underspin with a swimbait trailer, but that crankbaits and umbrella rigs would also be heavily favored amongst tournament competitors.

“I think the winning team is going to weigh in a five-bass limit worth 27 pounds,” Martin went on to say.

Anglers will take off from Lake Guntersville State Park, located at 7699 Alabama Highway 227 in Guntersville, at 7 a.m. CST Saturday. Weigh-in will be held at the State Park beginning at 3 p.m. Takeoff and weigh-in are free and open to the public.

Schools are allowed to register up until the morning of the tournament. Entries may be made either by phone or at CollegeFishing.com.

Schools registered to compete in the Lake Guntersville tournament, which is hosted by the Marshall County Convention and Visitors Bureau include:

Albany State University – Corey Brown and K.D. Sizemore, both of Leesburg, Ga.

Auburn University – Mitchell Jennings, Auburn, Ala., and Brooks Phillips, Birmingham, Ala.

Auburn University – Jeremy Ray, Jacksons Gap, Ala., and Leslie Dunstan, Auburn, Ala.

Austin Peay State University – Chase Melton and Jordan Brandt, both of Clarksville, Tenn.

Austin Peay State University – Michael Hulsey and Bryce Newsome, both of Clarksville, Tenn.

Bethel University – Kyler Chelminiak, Franklin, Wis., and Alec Piekarski, Greenfield, Wis.

Bethel University – John Coble Garrett, Union City, Tenn., and Brian Pahl, Wildwood, Mo.

Calhoun Community College – Andrew Fikes, Athens, Ala., and Cameron Campilango, Decatur, Ala.

Calhoun Community College – Dakota Guzman, Moulton, Ala., and Charles Rieser, Huntsville, Ala.

Calhoun Community College – Denver Satterlee and Jonathon Tilley, both of Athens, Ala.

Calhoun Community College – Christopher Lupo, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and Tyler Johnson, Madison, Ala.

Calhoun Community College – Zane Loveday, Decatur, Ala., and Jordan Reeves, Hillsboro, Ala.

Clemson University – Allan Stack, Summerville, S.C., and Ross Dove, Royston, Ga.

Clemson University – Tyler Brown, Lake Wylie, S.C., and Levi Neave, Seneca, S.C.

Clemson University – Derek Freeman, Anderson, S.C., and Robert White, Greenville, S.C.

East Carolina University – Colton Harrell, Matthews, N.C., and Ryan Geraghty, Weddington, N.C.

Faulkner University – Joseph Lacy and Breanna Wyatt, both of Pell City, Ala.

Faulkner University – Brady Bowden, Hope Hull, Ala., and Tyler Pennington, Chicota, Ala.

Florida State University – Joshua Blackburn, Tallahassee, Fla., and Scott Duncan, Orlando, Fla.

Gadsden State Community College – Logan Tate, Southside, Ala., and Ryan Leslie, Gadsden, Ala.

Huntingdon College – Bennett Brantley and Dustin Watson, both of Montgomery, Ala.

Kennesaw State University – Spencer Guthrie, Acworth, Ga., and Cody Smith, Gainesville, Ga.

Lander University – Andrew Pridgen, Greenwood, S.C., and Trevor Stewart, Boiling Springs, S.C.

Middle Tennessee State University – Anthony Jordan and Justin Lloyd, both of Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Middle Tennessee State University – Austin Wyatt, Gladeville, Tenn., and Mekiah Jack, Mount Juliet, Tenn.

Middle Tennessee State University – Travis Brown, McMinnville, Tenn., and Chase McCrory, Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Mississippi State University – Adam Hickman, Columbus, Miss., and Tyrell Harmon, Kosciusko, Miss.

Polk State College – Samuel Whitmire and Cory Franks, both of Babson Park, Fla.

Polk State College – Austin Bell, Winter Haven, Fla., and Jerod Gadd, Bartow, Fla.

Polk State College – Hercules Betts Jr., Haines City, Fla., and Justin Christian, Davenport, Fla.

Presbyterian College – Matthew Rhodes, Laurens, S.C., and Logan Lanier, Clinton, S.C.

Snead State Community College – Grant Garner and Kolby Childers, both of Sardis, Ala.

Snead State Community College – Chasten Beck, Cullman, Ala., and Kyle Cole, Boaz, Ala.

Tennessee Technological University – Dalton Summers, Lenoir City, Tenn., and Austin Brown, Liberty, Tenn.

Tennessee Technological University – Channing Ledbetter, Maryville, Tenn., and Josh Bean, Cleveland, Tenn.

Tennessee Technological University – Cody Blackburn, Lewisburg, Tenn., and Travis Howard, Sparta, Tenn.

Tennessee Technological University – Colton Breeding, Nashville, Tenn., and Preston Gerrish, Knoxville, Tenn.

Tennessee Technological University – Dylan Fehr, Crossville, Tenn., and Derick Robinson, Greenback, Tenn.

Tennessee Technological University – Peyton Clark, Lafayette, Tenn., and Tanner Rich, Byrdstown, Tenn.

Tennessee Technological University – Wilson Tanksley, Crossville, Tenn., and Travis Turner, Cookeville, Tenn.

Tennessee Technological University – Zack Taylor and Hayden Freels, both of Rockwood, Tenn.

University of Alabama – Grant Larson, McCalla, Ala., and Michael Grow, Brookwood, Ala.

University of Alabama-Birmingham – Jacob Burns, Morris, Ala., and Chris Hiott, Trussville, Ala.

University of Alabama-Birmingham – Hayden Carnell, Cropwell, Ala., and Joshua McQueen, Moody, Ala.

University of Georgia – Garrett Stone, Sandy Springs, Ga., and Collin Chandler, Donalsonville, Ga.

University of Georgia – Benjamin Hallowell, Athens, Ga., and Ty Mossburg, Fayetteville, Ga.

University of Georgia – Nathan Ragsdale, Fayetteville, Ga., and Wesley Griner, Leesburg, Ga.

University of Mississippi – Robert Pressley, Tupelo, Miss., and Colby Haley, Red Banks, Miss.

University of North Alabama – Evan Bernas, El Paso, Texas, and Matthew Uptain, Harvest, Ala.

University of North Alabama – Triston Crowder, Lawrenceburg, Tenn., and Lake Blasingame, Florence, Ala.

University of North Georgia – Drew Coker, Murrayville, Ga., and Harrison Styles, Versailles, Ga.

University of North Georgia – Ben Adams, Buford, Ga., and Reid Daniel, Flowery Branch, Ga.

University of South Carolina – Austin Bradberry and Dalton Tumblin, both of Williamston, S.C.

University of South Carolina – Justin Beshears, Hickory, N.C., and Curtis Cecchi, Columbia, N.C.

University of South Carolina – Patrick Walters, Summerville, S.C., and Tyler All, Dorchester, S.C.

University of South Carolina – Shawn Callahan, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Tyler Smith, Gaffney, S.C.

University of South Carolina – Hunter Buice, Pacolet, S.C., and William Bond, Moncks Corner, S.C.

University of South Carolina-Beaufort – James Woodberry and Brandon Wessinger, both of Lake City, S.C.

University of South Carolina-Beaufort – Parker Wingard, Lexington, S.C., and Dustin Ingram, Mount Pleasant, S.C.

University of Tennessee – Bradley Devaney, Oliver Springs, Tenn., and Saxton Long, Pulaski, Tenn.

University of Tennessee – Ben Bates, Pulaski, Tenn., and Ethan Wolf, Knoxville, Tenn.

University of Tennessee – Ben Dodson, Knoxville, Tenn., and Will Harrison, Pulaski, Tenn.

University of Tennessee-Chattanooga – Dylan Anderson, Mount Juliet, Tenn., and Gavyn Bridges, Thompsons Station, Tenn.

University of Tennessee-Martin – Dalton Bradford, Fairview, Tenn., and Dylan Fuller, Waverly, Tenn.

University of Tennessee-Martin – Dylan True, Lawrenceburg, Tenn., and Matthew Lamastus, Hornbeck, Tenn.

Wallace State Community College – A.J. Faught, Warrior, Ala., and Austin Scott, Fairview, Ala.

Western Carolina University – Christopher Greene, Mooresboro, N.C., and Austin Garren, Cullowhee, N.C.

Western Carolina University – Zach Tallent, Franklin, Ala., and Jacob Crowe, Cherokee, N.C.

Western Carolina University – Michael Resor, Matthews, N.C., and William Ray, Rockingham, N.C.

FLW College Fishing teams compete in three regular-season qualifying tournaments in one of five conferences – Central, Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Western. The top ten teams from each division’s three regular-season tournaments and the top 20 teams from the annual FLW College Fishing Open will advance to the 2018 FLW College Fishing National Championship. Additional teams will qualify for the National Championship if the field size in regular-season events exceeds 100 boats.

College Fishing is free to enter. All participants must be registered, full-time students at a college, university or community college and members of a college fishing club that is recognized by their school.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow College Fishing on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing. Visit FLWFishing.com to sign up or to start a club at your school.

Greenville, Lake Hartwell To Host 2018 Bassmaster Classic

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February 15, 2017

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Feb. 15, 2017

Greenville, Lake Hartwell To Host 2018 Bassmaster Classic

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GREENVILLE, S.C. — Some lakes are known for how deep they are.

Some are known for the type of structure and baitfish they have.

Others are known for serving as the sites of some of the greatest moments in professional bass fishing history — and one of those from that latter column has been chosen as the home of next year’s GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.

The 48th annual world championship of professional bass fishing will be held March 16-18, 2018, in Greenville and on Lake Hartwell at Anderson, S.C., it was announced today in a news conference in Greenville’s Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which will be the site of daily weigh-in ceremonies.

“The opportunity to host the Bassmaster Classic for the second time in four years solidifies the Upstate of South Carolina as a destination, nationally, for bass fishing,” said Neil Paul, executive director, Visit Anderson. “Lake Hartwell is a tremendous natural resource and continues to gain national attention as a championship fishery, and we welcome anglers from all levels to enjoy its greatness. Our Anderson County team, our partnership with Greenville, support from our regional partners and the state of South Carolina have proven vital to our overall success where we continue to experience returns in residual tourism from hosting the 2015 Bassmaster Classic.”

“GEICO is proud to continue its successful partnership with the Bassmaster Classic,” said Ted Ward, vice president of marketing for GEICO, title sponsor of the event. “The Classic offers a great platform for us to engage and connect with a growing bass fishing audience, who are some of the most passionate and loyal fans in all of sports.”

The event will mark the third time the “Super Bowl of Bass Fishing” will have been held here. As in previous visits in 2008 and 2015, fishing competition will take place on Lake Hartwell, a 56,000-acre impoundment on the Savannah, Tugaloo and Seneca rivers along the South Carolina/Georgia border.

Takeoffs will be from Green Pond Landing and Event Center, a modern, $3.1 million launch facility in Anderson, S.C., that was completed just in time for the 2015 Classic and was built to accommodate that and similarly large bass tournaments.

“Nothing says ‘I love you’ more than a repeat customer,” said Chris Stone, President and CEO of VisitGreenvilleSC. “Seeing the wild enthusiasm outdoorsmen have for the Bassmaster Classic has made this a must-attend road trip for area anglers. The entire upstate will have its collective arms wide open to welcome back our friends in March 2018.”

The fan-favorite Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods will again be held in the 250,000-square-foot TD Convention Center in Greenville March 16-18.

“Bringing the Bassmaster Classic back to the Upcountry of South Carolina was an easy decision,” said Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S., which conducts the event. “Despite record-cold temperatures when we were there in February 2015, fishing fans turned out in force. Our attendance of 103,000 those three days marked a 40 percent increase over the 2008 Classic and was one of our biggest turnouts ever.

“We expect next year’s Classic to be even bigger and better — and warmer,” Akin added, noting that the fishing competition will take place almost a month later in 2018 than during 2015.

Perhaps no Classic in history has shown the strength of a fishery like that 2015 event, when temperatures made such a monumental dip. It was just 9 degrees for the opening morning of the tournament — a morning that featured the National Anthem being performed by South Carolina angler Casey Ashley — and competition was delayed with the anglers’ safety in mind.

Despite the conditions, there were still multiple five-bass limits of 20 pounds or more brought across the scales at the Bon Secours Wellness Center Arena, and Ashley needed an average of more than 16.6 pounds per day to win.

Casey’s winning catch of 20 pounds, 3 ounces, was just a little heavier than the 49-7 needed by Texas pro Alton Jones to win here in 2008.

“It was really just an amazing thing to watch,” said Trip Weldon, B.A.S.S. tournament director. “The conditions were tough — some of the toughest we’ve seen for a B.A.S.S. event, especially a Classic — and the lake still produced so many good fish. It’s a credit to the fishery and to the quality of our anglers — and it shouldn’t surprise anyone that we’ve decided to go back.”

After that 2015 Classic, which was held Feb. 20-22, B.A.S.S. elected to back up the date for the 2016 event on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees to March 4-6. This year’s Classic, which is scheduled for March 24-26 on Lake Conroe near Houston, Texas, should also be warmer.

The economic impact of the Classic on host communities each of the last few years has averaged more than $24 million, according to independent research by local hosts, and coverage of the event by more than 250 registered media representatives will continue to focus attention on Lake Hartwell, Anderson, Greenville and other Upcountry destinations.

For more information about the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, go to Bassmaster.com; visitgreenvillesc.com; scprt.com and visitanderson.com.

About Greenville, SC
Nestled into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville, South Carolina has combined traditional southern charm, stunning natural beauty and an unexpected contemporary cool to create one of America’s hottest emerging destinations and fastest growing cities. From a revitalized downtown ranked among “America’s Ten Best” by ForbesMagazine to downtown Greenville’s one-of-a-kind Liberty Bridge, quaint shops, boutiques, and fabulous restaurants to a world-class collection of museums, galleries, and theaters to some of the most beautiful lakes, rivers and mountains in the world, Greenville, South Carolina is everything they say it is and more. Check us out and see for yourself why we’re not just any Greenville – we’re THAT Greenville.

About VisitGreenvilleSC
VisitGreenvilleSC is a non-profit, economic development organization that is responsible for promoting the greater Greenville area as an attractive destination for meetings, conventions, tradeshows, sporting events, and leisure travelers. As the official sales and marketing organization of the City and County of Greenville, the goal of VisitGreenvilleSC is to increase visitor-generated revenue from local, regional and national markets, thereby strengthening Greenville’s economy.

About Visit Anderson
From its early beginnings at the frontier of the U.S. to its textile heyday and beyond, Anderson has been a bright part of the upcountry of South Carolina. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and on the shores of Lake Hartwell, nearly 200,000 people call Anderson County their home. Find a perfect home away from home, with all the variety that Anderson has to offer, we are sure you will find exactly what you are looking for. While you are here, enjoy the genuine hospitality that is pure Anderson.

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.

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Fishing Compassion by Bruce Callis February 15, 2017

Fishing Compassion

by Bruce Callis

February 15, 2017

YETI FLW COLLEGE FISHING SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE HEADS TO LAKE GUNTERSVILLE

Greenville, Lake Hartwell To Host 2018 Bassmaster Classic

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