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What an Amazing MTB Slam – Best one yet – By Gene Jensen – Flukemaster

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What an Amazing MTB Slam – Best one yet – By Gene Jensen – Flukemaster

Dec 1, 2016

I received my Mystery Tackle Box Pro box the day before I left on a trip to Bienville Plantation Florida. For once I had a camera man with me and was able to have a good day of fishing and get good quality footage.

For more information on MTB go to https://mysterytacklebox.com/

About the shirt I’m wearing:
Join the Fishing Shirt of the Month Club – https://fishingshirtofthemonth.com/
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Missouri’s Clift Climbs Into Lead For Last Bassmaster Classic Berth

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Missouri’s Clift Climbs Into Lead For Last Bassmaster Classic Berth

Scott Clift of the Joe Bass Team Trail leads the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship Fish-Off with 17 pounds, 8 ounces heading into the final day.

Photo Ronnie Moore/B.A.S.S.

Dec. 2, 2016

Missouri’s Clift Climbs Into Lead For Last Bassmaster Classic Berth

[print_link]

PARIS, Tenn. — Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase, “It’s not how you start, but how you finish that really counts.”

That may be true, but boy, oh boy, did Scott Clift have a fantastic start to the Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off today on Kentucky Lake.

The 39-year old Dadeville, Mo., resident boated a five-bass limit that weighed 17 pounds, 8 ounces, which put him well ahead in the six-man field with one day of competition remaining.

Now, Clift’s hoping he can match the catch on Saturday and finish the job that will earn the winner of this contest a berth in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic next March.

As he sat in his boat at Paris Landing State Park waiting to weigh-in, Clift estimated he had about 15 pounds in his bag — maybe less.

“Sometimes your eyes get big out there,” Clift said. “I may even have only 14 pounds or so. But I’m hoping for as heavy as possible.”

Turns out the haul was significantly heavier than his guess. That was a pleasant surprise to him, and surely a letdown to the other five men chasing him.

Clift caught the only limit on Friday. He is followed by Barron Adams (four bass, 9-2); Ty Faber (two, 8-7); Ashley Medley (three, 6-2); Trevor Prince (two, 4-12); and John Gardner (0 fish weighed).

After 186 two-person teams competed in the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship on Wednesday and Thursday, the field was whittled to the Top 3 teams. Those tandems were separated and the six surviving anglers had their weights zeroed. They began a two-day fish-off on Friday, and the individual with the heaviest total after Saturday’s weigh-in will earn the last available spot in the Bassmaster Classic on Texas’ Lake Conroe March 24-26.

The anglers were met by a morning frost here in the northwestern corner of the Volunteer State. But the sun broke through and warmed Kentucky Lake a bit soon after daybreak.

That’s when Clift took advantage. He had five bass in his livewell by 9:15 a.m., and didn’t upgrade from that point. He did miss a big fish — “in the 5-pound class,” he estimated — and another fish he didn’t see. He had about 10 bites today, and with each keeper of his limit in the 3 1/2-pound range, that was more than enough to stake a sizable lead.

Like most anglers in the team championship, Clift started the week fishing rocks and underwater structure in about 10 feet of water. Colder conditions scattered the bass, however, and Clift appears to be the only remaining angler who has squarely located them.

Still, he was nervous as could be on Friday morning, especially when he lost his first three bites.

“I told my marshal my hands were really shaky,” Clift said. “But then I got my first bite, and it kind of went well from there. The fish changed, too. Everything early today was kind of lipped (hooked only in the lip), but they really went to chewing on it for about an hour. That’s when I caught them, then it pretty much shut down.”

Clift and Medley, his team championship partner who both fish on the Joe Bass Team Trail, flipped a coin to see who would have first choice of their best spots from the first two days of the tournament.

“Both of our spots were about the same the first two days,” Clift said. “After the start, (all water) was fair game.”

Adams, who hails from Blue Ridge, Ga., and fishes with the Chattanooga Bass Association, said it took him all day to boat his four bass. He’s making a long run on the sprawling 160,000-acre lake, and plans to do so again on Saturday. He had a big bass on his line in the final minutes of angling time, but it dropped off.

“It looked like it was about 5 or 6 pounds,” Adams said. “That fish would have made it interesting.”

Faber and Gardner won the team championship on Thursday, but both men struggled on Friday. Faber weighed the biggest bass today, a 6-3 lunker he caught early in the morning. His bites have produced quality fish, but he failed to boat a limit for the third consecutive day.

“I’m just not getting the bites I need, and I only had five bites today,” Faber said. “But whatever we’ve found, they’ve been big ones.”

With fish that heavy biting in December, the half dozen remaining anglers know they all technically remain in the hunt for that spot in the Bassmaster Classic.

But Clift certainly is in the pole position. He plans to fish the same area on Saturday and hope he can, as the saying goes, finish what he started.

“I just have to go hit ’em, and hit ’em hard,” Clift said.

Launch for the final day of the Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off will begin at 6:30 a.m. CT at Paris Landing State Park. Weigh-in is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT.

The tournament is presented by the Henry County Alliance.

Toyota Bonus Bucks Team Championship Classic Fish Off
12/2/2016 – 12/3/2016
Kentucky Lake – Paris Landing State Park – Paris, TN
STANDINGS BOATER DAY 1
Today’s Activity
# Fish Lbs – Oz
Accumulative
Name # Live # Fish # Live Lbs – Oz
1 Scott Clift – Joe Bass TT 5 5 17- 8 5 5 17- 8
2 Barron Adams – Chattanooga Bass Association 4 4 9- 2 4 4 9- 2
3 Ty Faber – Ultimate Bass TT 2 2 8- 7 2 2 8- 7
4 Ashley Medley – Joe Bass TT 3 3 6- 2 3 3 6- 2
5 Trevor Prince – Chattanooga Bass Association 2 2 4-12 2 2 4-12
6 John Gardner – Ultimate Bass TT 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
Name City,State Lbs-Oz
BIG BASS
Day
1 Pagosa Springs, CO 6- 3
Day # Live Lbs-Oz # Limits
TOTALS
# Fish
1 16 16 45-15 1
2 0 0 0- 0 0

Colorado Anglers Win National Team Bass Championship – December 1,2016

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Colorado Anglers Win National Team Bass Championship – December 1,2016

Ty Faber (left) and John Gardner of Colorado’s Ultimate Bass Team Trail earn a victory at the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship on Kentucky Lake with a two-day total weight of 37 pounds, 10 ounces.

Photo Ronnie Moore/B.A.S.S.

Dec. 1, 2016

Colorado Anglers Win National Team Bass Championship

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PARIS, Tenn. — Ty Faber and John Gardner expected to be deer hunting in Wisconsin by Friday.

There’s been a change of plans.

The Colorado anglers won the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship on Thursday at Paris Landing State Park here in the northwestern corner of the Volunteer State. They boated a two-day total of 37 pounds, 10 ounces on Kentucky Lake, which not only clinched the team title, but gave each angler a 1-in-6 chance of fishing in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic next March.

Not long after they hoisted the team championship trophies over their heads, it was time for a reality check.

“This hasn’t sunk in just yet,” Gardner said. “I’m still trying to process it. I have no idea what we’re going to do tomorrow.”

Thursday provided the highlight so far in a whirlwind week. Faber and Gardner drove from Colorado to Kentucky Lake and suffered through a dreary practice session that was accompanied by wind, rain and falling temperatures. They only caught one fish between them during practice, and figured they’d be able to keep their road trip of America alive by heading for Wisconsin Thursday evening after the second day of fishing in the team tournament was complete.

But the duo lit into the bass on Day 1 with a four-fish haul that weighed 22 pounds. They followed up with four more bass on Thursday that weighed 15-10. Though they only landed eight of a possible 10 bass, their total still was enough to hold of the Missouri tandem of Ashley Medley and Scott Clift, who finished second with 37-3. Barron Adams and Trevor Prince of Blue Ridge, Ga., placed third with 36-13.

The Top 3 duos now will be split, and the six individual anglers will fish for two more days with the final berth in the $1 million Bassmaster Classic on Texas’ Lake Conroe on the line.

But first things first, and that involves savoring the team championship.

Faber, 31, and Gardner, 58, won a Nitro Z30 and Mercury 225 Pro XS boat and motor package valued at $41,995. The rig also is outfitted with a Minn Kota trolling motor, Lowrance electronics, and more. Faber also collected a $500 check for landing the big bass on Thursday (a 7-7 lunker he hooked midmorning.)

When anglers win a tournament, they almost always disclose the techniques they used on the path to victory. But with two more days of fishing ahead, Faber was as tight-lipped as a bass on ice. Appropriate, perhaps, given the icy conditions Thursday morning on Kentucky Lake

“Jigs,” he said, cracking a wry smile, when asked what lure attracted the biggest bass.

The 7-7 monster carried the bag, but it was a 1 1/2-pound squeaker they caught with 10 minutes of fishing time remaining that provided the winning edge. They lose that fish, and they’re deer hunting by midday Friday.

“We’d have been excited before this tournament if you had told us we’d have caught eight fish,” Faber said.

As Gardner said, neither he nor Faber have a plan for Friday’s competition. After all, they consider themselves lucky to be fishing another day anyway.

“We ran out of fish,” Gardner said. “We really don’t have a plan. We’re just going to go fish and see what happens.”

But first, they’ll have to ask some friends they’re staying with in the Paris, Tenn., area if it’s okay to hang around a few more days.

“Hopefully, they’ll keep cooking us dinner,” Faber joked.

Faber is a plumber by trade, and Gardner a taxidermist. They’ve fished together on the Ultimate Bass Team Trail in Colorado for six years. But for the next two days, they’ll be competitors.

“I came here for him,” Gardner said, throwing his support behind Faber. “No way had I thought I’d be standing here talking to you about a chance to fish in the Bassmaster Classic. We’ll have to figure out what we’re going to do. We may share a spot. It’s OK. We’ll just share it.”

And win or lose, come Saturday they’ll be heading to Wisconsin to hunt deer. For now though, they’re hunting a bigger prize — the final spot in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic.

In all, 186 two-person squads from 31 states and Canada were represented in the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship. The next 36 teams behind Faber and Gardner won cash prizes, including $7,000 each for Medley and Clift (who fish on the Joe Bass Team Trail,) and $5,000 each for Adams and Prince (who are part of the Chattanooga Bass Association.)

Alabama’s Mark McCaig and Tim Hurst caught the Carhartt Big Bass of the tournament. That 8-3 lunker boated on Wednesday netted $1,000 in cash awards. Nearly $116,000 in cash and merchandise was awarded in the team championship.

The six anglers competing in the Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off will launch from Paris Landing State Park at 6:30 a.m. CT on both Friday and Saturday. Weigh-in is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT both days. All weights were zeroed after Thursday’s weigh-in, so each individual angler has equal opportunity to earn a Classic berth.

Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship
11/30/2016 – 12/1/2016
Kentucky Lake – Paris Landing State Park – Paris, TN
STANDINGS BOATER DAY 2
Name # Live # Fish # Live Lbs – Oz
1 Ty Faber – John Gardner Ultimate Bass TT 4 4 15-10 8 8 37-10
2 Ashley Medley – Scott Clift Joe Bass TT 5 5 20- 8 10 10 37- 3
3 Barron Adams – Trevor Prince Chattanooga Bass Association 5 5 17- 5 10 10 36-13
4 Josh Greer – Robert Greer Anglers In Action 5 5 19-12 9 9 36- 9
5 Larry Bullock – Roger Caldwell Alabama Bass Trail 5 5 19-11 10 10 33-12
6 Lane McGaha – Chase McCullin Fishers of Men 5 5 17-10 9 9 33-11
7 Robert Jones – Cody Woods Media Bass 5 5 16- 5 10 10 33-10
8 Dustin Bishop – Kyle Lear Fishers of Men 5 5 14-13 10 10 32-11
9 Ben King – Tim Hickson Anglers In Action 5 5 20- 2 10 10 32- 9
10 David Caylor – Robbie Pelt Alabama Bass Trail 5 5 14- 3 10 10 32- 9
11 Ken Thompson – Brad Weese Anglers Choice 3 3 6-15 8 8 31- 9
12 Dustin Neat – Mark Wethington NTBA 5 4 15- 2 10 9 31- 3
13 Kyle Kempkers – Brett Haveman BBT Bass R Us 5 5 13-10 10 10 31- 2
14 Kelly Jones – Roger Satterfield Ozark Mountain TT 5 5 18- 5 10 10 30-14
15 Ray Hogge – Kevin Whitehurst James River Priority 5 5 17- 1 10 10 30- 8
16 Jesse Wiggins – Jordan Wiggins Alabama Bass Trail 5 5 17-15 10 10 30- 6
17 Chris Darby – Danny Gwinn Arkansas Bass Team Trail 5 5 17-11 10 10 30- 2
18 Stacey Poynter – Rodney Lucas Fishers of Men 5 5 16- 3 10 10 30- 1
19 Derrick Compton – Dustin Compton Carolina Bass Challenge 3 3 9-12 8 8 29-15
20 Ben Verhoef – Robert Bueltmann Anglers In Action 5 5 15- 1 10 10 29- 6
21 Cole Hyder – Joel Saunders PBC TT 4 4 13- 9 9 9 29- 4
22 Brent Algeo – Jim Copeland Ozark Mtn Team Trail 5 5 16- 3 10 10 28-15
23 Mark McCaig – Tim Hurst Big Bucks Buddy Trail 2 2 6- 4 7 7 28-12
24 Kris Colley – Adam Bain Airport Marine 3 3 9- 0 8 8 27-15
25 Jake Beem – Cade Alsbury Anglers In Action 5 5 12- 8 10 10 27-13
26 Eric Kiliszewski – Edwin Ammerman West Michigan Bass 5 5 17- 1 10 10 27- 8
27 Jason Walcott – Jimmy Vanden Berg Jr West Michigan Bass 5 5 13- 6 9 9 27- 8
28 Truett Hill Jr – Chris Coleman FOM 5 5 13-11 10 10 27- 6
29 Brian Funkhouser – Kenneth Reed IN BN TT 5 5 14-14 10 10 27- 4
30 Steve Drinnon – Paul Vaccaro Fishers of Men 3 3 12- 1 7 7 27- 3
31 Michael Fornelli – Jim Davidson Joe Bass TT 5 5 11- 0 10 10 27- 1
32 Scott Jones – Dustin Cauthon Arkansas Bass Team Trail 5 5 14- 3 10 10 27- 0
33 Brian Hensley – Ken Tucker AC Tournament Trail 5 5 16-12 9 9 26-10
34 Neil Vandebiezen – Ken Plencner D&R Sports Team Trail 4 4 10-11 9 9 26-10
35 Joe Magnatta – Dennis Carter Lakeland Bassmasters TT 5 5 14- 6 9 9 25-15
36 Tim Grein – Richard Cooper Anglers Choice 2 2 6-11 7 7 25-14
37 Wayne Vaughan Jr – Mitch Blankenship James River Priority 5 5 14- 5 10 10 25- 7
38 Shawn Skobel – Logan Crayton Fishers of Men 5 5 11- 5 10 10 25- 6
39 Jake Deeds – Stacey Burson Media Bass 5 5 17- 4 8 8 25- 2
40 Vaughn Capasso – Chris Capasso IL BN TT 5 5 11- 9 9 9 25- 0
41 Don Ingram – Ronnie Grant NTBA 4 4 13-11 8 8 24-13
42 Rex Chambers – Brent Crow Alabama Bass Trail 5 5 11- 1 9 9 24- 6
43 Dillon Tucker – Greg Tucker Alabama Bass Trail 5 5 13- 8 9 9 24- 4
44 Christopher Risner – Timothy Eaton 2015 Champ – D&R Sports Team Trail 5 5 13-0 10 10 24-1
45 Rickey Knight – Randall Carter McNider Marine 4 4 10- 9 7 7 24- 0
46 Rick Imler – Robert Newlon Great Lakes Largemouth Series 5 5 10- 1 10 10 23-14
47 Nathan Burgess – Brent Riley Carolina Bass Challenge 4 4 11- 4 7 7 23- 2
48 Timothy Dube – Kevin Miller NH BN TT 3 3 8- 0 8 8 23- 1
49 Brad Hickinbottom – Brian McCay Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit 5 5 15- 0 8 8 23- 1
50 Daniel Vyverberg – Dan Patane Upstate Anglers 5 5 14- 8 8 8 22-14
51 Robert Grike – Eric Nelson James River Priority 5 5 11-10 10 10 22-12
52 Dylan Hays – Jimmy Mize Arkansas Bass Team Trail 3 3 5- 8 8 8 22-10
53 Chad Schroeder – Chase Schroeder McNider Marine 4 4 9- 5 9 9 22- 4
54 Jerry Shawver – Daniel Irish FL BN TT 5 5 16- 5 7 7 22- 0
55 Chris Pitts – Jesse Draime Media Bass 5 5 12- 5 8 8 21-14
56 Chris Glover – Chris Alexander AC Tournament Trail 5 5 15- 1 7 7 21-11
57 Matthew Dyer – Ross TenHarmsel West Michigan Bass 5 5 14- 4 8 8 21- 8
58 Josh Wray – Donald Wray Ozark Mountain TT 3 3 6-10 8 8 21- 3
59 James Ward – Sam Musicck Anglers Choice 3 3 9- 3 8 8 21- 3
60 Matt McCoy – Dennis Davis IN BN Team Trail 5 5 14- 7 7 7 21- 1
61 Paul Davis – Josh Chapple Airport Marine 5 5 14- 3 8 8 20-13
62 Bryant Copley – Steve West Anglers Choice 5 5 13- 3 8 8 20-10
63 Mickey Lewis – Duane Ritter TN BN TT 4 4 12-11 7 7 20-10
64 Jay Hulsey – Kyle Hulsey Ozark Mountain Team Trail 3 3 6- 2 8 8 20- 6
65 Tim Coffey – Mitch Lewis NTBA 4 4 12-15 7 7 20- 0
66 Tyler Moberly – Christopher Howard Morristown Marine 3 3 11- 1 6 6 19-12
67 Terry Reich – Dustin Hill TX BN TT 3 3 8- 6 7 7 19- 9
68 Timmy Poe Jr – Jeremiah Kindy Arkansas Bass Team Trail 3 3 9- 4 7 7 19- 7
69 Shawn Lolley – Davy Lolley Alabama Bass Trail 5 5 15- 5 6 6 19- 5
70 Nick Giamei – John Lansdowne 2 2 4-12 7 7 19- 5
71 Damien Willis – Mark Steward Alabama Bass Trail 3 3 6- 6 8 8 19- 4
72 Nicholas Bodsford – Richard Owen James River Priority 3 3 10- 8 7 7 18-13
73 Troy Bigelow – Kent Lodari TN Valley 4 4 7- 6 9 9 18-10
74 Josh Busby – Timothy Taylor Ozark Mountain TT 1 1 2- 5 6 6 18- 3
75 Paul Ferguson Jr – Eric Thompson Fishers of Men 3 3 6- 5 8 8 18- 3
76 Seth Davis – Brent Butler Chattanooga Bass Association 0 0 0- 0 5 5 18- 1
77 Jonathan Spivey – Derick Livingston Carolina Bass Challenge 5 4 11-11 8 7 17-11
78 Jeremy Gordon – Philip Gordon Morristown Marine 1 1 1-12 6 6 16-13
79 Charley Thomas – Chris Thomas Joe Bass TT 5 5 15-11 5 5 15-11
80 Dell Mettlen Jr – Justin Harris KS BN TT 2 2 3-14 7 7 15-11
81 Darrin King – Mark Mahaffey Joe Bass TT 2 2 6-12 5 5 15-10
82 Fred Ingalls II – Mark Allen Upstate Anglers 1 1 3- 6 6 6 15- 8
83 Mark Mounts – Matthew Farrabee Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit 4 4 10- 2 6 6 15- 7
84 Lee Bishop – Mike Miller Fishers of Men 1 1 2- 5 5 5 15- 4
85 Kevin King Jr – Brandon Hill James River Priority 5 5 13- 0 6 6 15- 1
86 Brent Ellens – Nick Compagner BBT Bass R Us 0 0 0- 0 5 5 14-13
87 Wesley Cashwell – Shane Doughtie Carolina Bass Challenge 3 3 7- 6 6 6 14- 5
88 Steve Singleton – A.L. Needham Jr Fishers of Men 1 1 2- 3 6 6 14- 4
89 Justin Spraske – Joshua Stone NH BN TT 5 5 12- 3 6 6 14- 3
90 Skyler Schultz – Richard Schultz Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit 3 3 6- 6 7 7 14- 2
91 Marcus Sykora – Bill Davenport Anglers In Action 1 1 0- 0 6 6 13-14
92 Jason McFarland – Michael Carter NTBA 0 0 0- 0 5 5 13- 9
93 Rob Messenger Jr – John Levesque New Hampshire BN Team Trail 4 4 9- 1 5 5 13- 6
94 Bryan Baker – Darren Baker Joe Bass TT 1 1 3- 2 4 4 13- 5
95 Derrell Potter – Bill Benford Fishers of Men 1 1 1-15 6 6 13- 2
96 Doug Brownridge – David Chong Renegade Bass Team Trail 3 3 8- 8 5 5 13- 1
97 Keith McDeerman – Von Dilbeck Morristown Marine 0 0 0- 0 3 3 13- 0
98 Jeff Gee – Steve Majewski AC Tournament Trail 0 0 0- 0 5 5 12-10
99 Jarrod Sherwood – Jeff Yorks MI – Team Bass 0 0 0- 0 5 5 12- 7
100 Jess Caraballo – Mark Condron CT BN Team Trail 3 3 7-11 5 5 12- 7
101 Bret Hoeksema – Shawn Martinie BBT Bass R Us 1 1 2- 2 5 5 12- 5
102 Mark O’Brien – Ryne Sanders AC Tournament Trail 0 0 0- 0 5 5 12- 4
103 William Shipes – Doug Wooldridge Fishers of Men 2 2 4- 6 5 5 12- 4
104 Mike Williams – Duane Jacobs Bassmania Team Trail 3 3 7- 3 4 4 12- 0
105 Joel Lee – Steve Hadley Dockside Marine 3 3 6-12 5 5 11-13
106 Ron Fabiszak Jr – Ron Nelson D&R Sports Team Trail 0 0 0- 0 4 4 11- 8
107 Lance Walker – Brad Wilemon Fishers of Men 0 0 0- 0 4 4 11- 0
108 Steve Miracle – Mike Wolfenbarger TN Valley 0 0 0- 0 5 5 10-15
109 Travis Tenwadle – Keith Stewart OH BN TT 3 3 10-15 3 3 10-15
110 Tim Goff – Larry Witt Anglers Choice 0 0 0- 0 4 4 10-12
111 Juddie Revels III – David Oxendine Carolina Bass Challenge 2 2 8- 9 3 3 10- 9
112 Mitch Miles Jr – Scott Sawyers Anglers Choice 3 3 5- 3 5 5 10- 9
113 Rogne Brown Jr – Cary Dotson Chattanooga Bass Association 0 0 0- 0 4 4 10- 8
114 Dan Parker – Mark Sexton IA BN TT 0 0 0- 0 3 3 10- 3
115 Dalton Bobo – Lonnie O’Neal Alabama Bass Trail 0 0 0- 0 3 3 10- 2
116 Chuck James – Brad James Chattanooga Bass Association 0 0 0- 0 3 3 10- 1
117 Dale Duncan Jr – Donny Woody Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 4 4 9-12
118 Chris Dennis – Jay Lewis Arkansas Bass Team Trail 0 0 0- 0 3 3 9-12
118 Luke Jarman – Bobby Morgan Joe Bass TT 0 0 0- 0 3 3 9-12
120 Jamie Smith – Michael Rains Alabama Bass Trail 0 0 0- 0 4 4 9-11
121 Rusty Darnell – Tim Newberry Joe Bass Team Trail 3 3 9-11 3 3 9-11
122 Mark Thompson – Jim Smith Joe Bass TT 2 2 5- 6 3 3 9- 5
123 Buster Lilly Jr – Travis Lilly White Pine Marine Tournament Trail 0 0 0- 0 3 3 9- 4
124 Rick Johnston – Joe Brantley Ozark Mountain TT 0 0 0- 0 2 2 9- 4
125 Brad Nappier – Brian Nappier Fishers of Men 2 2 3-15 4 4 9- 3
126 Ricky Powell – James Johnson James River Priority 3 3 9- 1 3 3 9- 1
127 Mickey Anderson – Bo Boltz Jr James River Priority 0 0 0- 0 3 3 9- 0
128 Marty Giddens – Joshua Stracner Big Bucks Buddy Trail 0 0 0- 0 4 4 8-14
129 Todd Choate – Kent Whitaker Joe Bass TT 0 0 0- 0 3 3 8- 5
130 Martin Elshout – Mark Price Fishers of Men 0 0 0- 0 4 4 8- 3
131 Bo Chappell – Wayne King Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 4 4 8- 1
132 Dan Miguel – Bryan Low Bassmania Team Trail 4 4 7- 9 4 4 7- 9
133 Ron Brown – Bobby Brown Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 2 2 7- 7
134 Nick Vitullo – Jarrett Knize AC Tournament Trail 1 1 2- 9 2 2 7- 4
135 Michael Milton – Paul Sharp Morristown Marine 0 0 0- 0 2 2 6-14
136 James Maisenbacher – Scott Bree IL BN TT 3 3 6-13 3 3 6-13
137 Vince Loschiavo – Brandon Blystone Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit 1 1 2- 2 3 3 6-11
138 Sean Hoernke – Curt McCauley TX BN TT 0 0 0- 0 3 3 6-10
139 Joe Raftery – Tom Martin NV BN TT 0 0 0- 0 3 3 6- 8
140 Jeston Anderson – Robbie Robinson Alabama Bass Trail 0 0 0- 0 2 2 6- 7
141 Gus Kneidinger – Jason Kneidinger Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit 1 1 3- 6 2 2 6- 5
142 Jay Cranney – Travis Jewell Ultimate Bass Team Trail 2 2 3-15 3 3 5-14
143 Tony McCraw – Penny McCraw Fishers of Men 0 0 0- 0 2 2 5-13
144 Mack Cook – Patrick Cook Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 2 2 5-12
145 Douglas Polasek – Dan Hatchew West Michigan Bass 0 0 0- 0 2 2 5- 9
146 Samuel Fish – Justin Hamner Alabama Bass Trail 0 0 0- 0 1 1 5- 9
147 Don Heiser – James Sells Joe Bass TT 0 0 0- 0 2 2 5- 8
148 Harold Black – Lacy Burnette Anglers Choice 0 0 0- 0 2 2 5- 5
148 Brian Thompson – Eric Hammond Anglers In Action 0 0 0- 0 2 2 5- 5
150 Chris Dover – Robert Fowler Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 2 2 4-14
151 David Crumpton – Tim Trahan Arkansas Bass Team Trail 0 0 0- 0 2 2 4-12
152 Joel Price – Dustin Snelson FL BN TT 0 0 0- 0 2 2 4-11
153 Jake Boomer – Jason Bryan Northwest Bass 0 0 0- 0 2 2 4- 5
154 Jeff Seamans – Terry Algier DE BN Team Trail 0 0 0- 0 1 1 4- 2
155 Casey Warren – Wesley Carroll Carolina Anglers Tournament Trail 0 0 0- 0 2 2 4- 0
156 Ryan Butler – Dustin Lippe Anglers In Action 0 0 0- 0 1 1 4- 0
157 Scott Henley – Neil McDonald Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 1 1 3-15
158 Jeremi Beatty – Clint Benbow Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 1 1 3- 9
158 Brian McCarter – Jason Fowler NTBA 0 0 0- 0 1 1 3- 9
160 Wayne Moyher – Craig Powers Morristown Marine 0 0 0- 0 2 2 3- 7
161 Curtis Richardson – Brad Arnott Renegade Bass 0 0 0- 0 1 1 3- 7
162 Duane Poole – Mike Merz Upstate Anglers 0 0 0- 0 1 1 3- 6
163 Brett McLean – Mac McLean Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 1 1 2-12
164 Todd Sosebee – Steve Postell Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 1 1 2-11
165 David Riemersma – Jesse Riemersma West Michigan Bass 1 1 2- 7 1 1 2- 7
166 Russ Padgett Jr – Meredith Havird Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 1 1 2- 2
167 Keith Baird – Michael Thompson IN BN Team Trail 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Dwain Bever – Michael Brogan Anglers Choice 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Jeff Bonner – Steve Coggin Media Bass 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Wayne Burchett – David Whited VA BN TT 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Edward Dyer – Roger Riemersma West Michigan Bass 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Shane Gray – Coleton Gray Media Bass Teams 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Michael Hicks – Tom Hicks James River Priority 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Jason Hodge – Lonnie Bowlin AC Tournament Trail 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Joe LaFountain – Dan LaFountain D&R Sports Team Trail 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Wayne Marlow – Scott Peavy Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Shannon McCaleb – James McCaleb Media Bass 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Jim Moorey – Jack Moorey MA BA TEAM TRAIL 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Kenneth Owens – Kenny Botts Morristown Marine 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Brandon Rummel – Ron Rummel Ozark Mountain TT 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Brett Sall – Jim Sprague MI BN TT 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Robert Stumpe – Dustin Hall FL BN TT 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Corey Sullivan – Media Bass Teams 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 John Valdez – Nate Cowan NJ BN TT 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Roger Waters – Kevin Johnston Anglers In Action 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 John Williams IV – Jim Williams Joe Bass Team Trail 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
167 Wes Woodard – Jeff Oppenneer West Michigan Bass 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0BIG BASS
Day Name City, State Lbs-Oz
1 Mark McCaig – Tim Hurst Oxford, AL 8- 3
2 Ty Faber – John Gardner Pagosa Springs, CO 7- 7TOTALS
Day # Fish # Live Lbs-Oz # Limits
1 551 551 1608– 6 58
2 413 411 1185- 5 50CARHARTT BIG BASS of TOURNAMENT
Day Name City,State Lbs-Oz
1 Mark McCaig – Tim Hurst Oxford, AL 8- 3B.A.S.S. Bonus Awards
Name Cash Mdse
BIG BASS DAY 1 Mark McCaig $250.00 $0.00

The Letter by Joe Sills December 1, 2016

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The Letter by Joe Sills December 1, 2016
Alex Chilton was 16 years old when it happened. Plucked from a high school talent show in Memphis, he was scooped up by a local band and weeks later found himself the voice of an international, number one hit.If you’re a little older than me, you’ll know the band. They were called The Box Tops, and Chilton’s first hit, “The Letter” got me thinking about the way notes can change the course of a day, a life or a relationship. “The Letter” reminded me of another note, this one written in ink rather than song, and penned to an independent tackle store this week. Here’s a copy of it:images

How much does luck play a factor in tournament fishing? By Ben Hudson – December 1,2016

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How much does luck play a factor in tournament fishing? By Ben Hudson – December 1,2016

Ben Hudson – “Blue Collar Bassin’”
TheBassCast.com
Finding a pot of bass at the end of the rainbow
How much does luck play a factor in tournament fishing?

December 1,2016

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Before I started having moderate success in bass fishing tournaments, I could not for the life of me understand how people would dominate the local tournaments in my area. I mean, there was no way people could catch bass like that all the time right? At some point, these successful anglers had to run out of luck, they couldn’t have that much command over fish! I made every excuse I could for why I couldn’t compete with these successful anglers, ranging from wondering if they were cheating, to the most common excuse in my arsenal; they were all just incredibly lucky.
Looking back, these thoughts I had were absolutely laughable at best. As I became a more successful angler and started understanding bass fishing more (mostly thanks to my dad and a few of his friends who taught me), and I began to realize the reality of bass fishing. Truth is, being a successful tournament angler has very little and almost nothing to do with luck, but is rather a learned and developed skill that is truly never ending in knowledge. Bass are in a particular area at a particular time, and if they’re feeding, will bite particular baits. It’s the skill of a good angler to put all the factors of the day together to figure out the winning pattern for that day. So before we call an angler lucky for their impressive sack of bass, we should all take a moment and appreciate their catch and give credit where credit is due.
One of the factors that make competitive bass fishing such an exciting sport is that you’re not only competing against the other anglers in the event, but the bass themselves. Just because the bass don’t bite extremely well on the day of a tournament, you still have to bring more weight to the scale than your competitors. Being able to catch fish better than your competitors in any situation is what separates the winners, versus the anglers who wonder if it was all just one big lucky day.
I’ve become a firm believer that luck plays very little power out on the water in a tournament, and would even go as far to say that it is virtually no factor at all. Bass are in a certain area for a reason, wheather we know it or not, and may only bite a certain bait at a certain time of the day. These bass may also not be feeding at all! It is the skilled anglers who can put everything together to not only beat the fish, but their competitors as well.
So if one angler is the most skilled, why is that particular angler not wining every single time? If Bassmaster elite pro Kevin VanDam is known as the greatest angler on earth, shouldn’t he win every tournament if luck plays not factor and all about skill?
The answer is very simple. Just ask yourself; why does the same Nascar driver not win every race during every single week? Different drivers do better on different tracks and styles. This concept is even more relevant in bass fishing. Not every day is the same and different anglers have different strengths. For example, a crankbait and spinnerbait expert will have better success on a windy day, while a finesse expert will excel when it’s a bright and calm day that makes the fishing tough.
To reference Nascar again, some drivers may be better on short tracks, while others may prefer midsize tracks or super speedways. Bass fishing works the same way when traveling to different bodies of water. Many succeed on tidal rivers, while others prefer shallow clear water lakes, or even the deep lakes of California.
As we get more in-depth and advanced into bass fishing, it becomes more and more apparent that luck is not much of a factor anymore in tournaments. The tournament anglers on the pro tour, and even in local tournament around the United States, have become so skilled that luck is not needed. When I won my first tournament, I learned the best fishing lesson of my life; when it is your day, it’s your day. Speaking from experience, when you win a tournament it is a special feeling. You seriously feel like you can do no wrong that day on the water, every choice you make seems to work. Believe me, when you have this feeling, the last thing on your mind is thinking about how lucky you are to be on that pattern.
Just like the same NFL team can’t win the super bowl every year and the same driver can’t win every Nascar race, you can’t win every bass tournament. I learned a long time ago that when competing against other extremely talented anglers, one of them is going to figure out the right pattern that day and it may not always be you. Though to blame it on luck is simply something I always viewed as an excuse, and in my opinion, takes credit away from the angler.
Let’s explore a different situation. I have seen where an angler will weigh-in with only 2 or 3 fish, well short of a typical 5 bass limit. However, one of those bass may be an 8lb bass that wins the big fish of the day. Was the angler just lucky? They clearly were not on large numbers of fish, so many would just call it a lucky catch.
Was this actually just a dumb luck catch though? As I said, that bass was in that area and bit the bait that this angler used for a reason. Ironically, the angler may not even understand why that big bass was there! While I wouldn’t call the catch in that kind of situation particularly “skillful”, it was not just pure luck that the bass was caught in that spot and on that bait. While it is not luck alone that explains why that fish bit, it may have been luck that allowed this angler to catch the bass without understanding why it bite or was there in the first place.
I hate to call it just a lucky one bite though, because I feel it takes away from the angler. It might not be the most skillful or glamourous way to catch a tournament bass and win money, but it was still the angler’s choice to go to that spot and fish that bait to catch that big bass and instead of just calling it dumb luck, we should give the angler credit for being in the right place at the right time with the right bait.
So does luck ever play a factor at all?
Let’s throw lady luck a few chips here and say that in certain situations off the water that are out of the angler’s control, a 4 leaf clover may come in handy.
Possibly one of the most common and obvious situations, that is out of the angler’s control and up to lady luck herself is; weather conditions for tournament day that benefit certain patterns over others. Another is the boat number drawn, this can be particularly important in the summertime when you want to be the first boat out to have the optimal time spent during the morning bite.
However, the time when luck plays its biggest role in bass fishing, is when fishing as a co-angler where you have to draw a partner. You have absolutely no control at all over who you draw as a co-angler and that puts you at the mercy of the lucky horseshoe in hopes of drawing a boater who is not only on fish, but on a pattern that will allow you to catch bass behind them. Though to be fair, as an experienced co-angler myself, I will say that the best anglers will still adapt to a situation and catch bass even if it is not ideal for them. This truly shows an angler’s versatility when luck isn’t on their side as a co-angler.
Overall, I believe Kevin VanDam said it best on ESPN during an interview, when he stated that competitive bass fishing is not about luck, point blank. Other than the few situations I covered, you control your own destiny out on the water and the idea of knowing anything can happen (even if you don’t always understand why) is what makes competitive bass fishing such an exciting and rapidly growing sport. As I said before, no one should call another anglers catch lucky, and instead give credit where credit is due for that angler having a successful day. So anglers, it might be time to start leaving the lucky rabbit’s foot at home, because if you pattern it right then you might just have a big bass waiting for you at the end of the rainbow.

Ben Hudson, Pro Staff
“Blue Collar Bassin’“
TheBassCast.com

Thompson And Weese Take The Lead In National Team Bass Fishing Championship

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Thompson And Weese Take The Lead In National Team Bass Fishing Championship

Brad Weese (left) and Ken Thompson lead Day 1 of the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship on Kentucky Lake with 24 pounds, 10 ounces.

Photo: Ronnie Moore/B.A.S.S.

Nov. 30, 2016

Thompson And Weese Take The Lead In National Team Bass Fishing Championship

PARIS, Tenn. — When soaking rains and cold temperatures moved across western Tennessee earlier this week, people wondered how the changing weather would affect fishing in the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship on Kentucky Lake.

On Wednesday at Paris Landing State Park, Ken Thompson and Brad Weese provided the answer.

Though the duo has only fished together less than a year, they looked like lifelong partners. The team from the Angler’s Choice Team Trail boated a five-bass limit that totaled 24 pounds, 10 ounces and gave them a solid lead after the opening round of the national team championship.

Weese, who is from Petersburg, W.Va., caught the two biggest bass of their creel; each weighed approximately 6 1/2 pounds. Thompson, of Raysburg, Pa., provided the rest of the weight with a 4-pounder and two 3 1/2-pound bass.  They didn’t catch many fish in practice rounds when the weather was extremely disagreeable, but found three spots today that lit up after they ditched their initial fishing area earlier in the morning.

“We complement each other in that we both like fishing the same style,” Thompson said. “If I’m doing something, I know he can do it. And if he has something working, I can fish the same way. We’ll hit those same spots tomorrow. There are fish out there.”

Thompson and Weese comprised one of only four two-person teams weighing-in more than 20 pounds of bass on Wednesday. Mark McCaig and Tim Hurst of the Sylacauga Big Bucks Buddy Trail in Alabama are in second place with a limit of 22-8. They are closely followed by Ty Faber and John Gardner of the Ultimate Bass Team Trail in Colorado, third with 22-0, and Derrick and Dustin Compton of the (South) Carolina Bass Challenge Team are fourth with 20-3.

Twenty-five teams are within 10 pounds of Thompson’s and Weese’s lead. In all, 159 of the 186 teams registered in the Bassmaster Team Championship caught at least one bass today, and 58 of them had limits.

Surprisingly, Faber and Gardner, who currently are in third place, were without a limit. They caught four bass on all day, two of which came among their first casts of the day. One of the throws boated a 6-10 lunker to boost the bag.

“This is our first time here, so we don’t know the lake at all,” Gardner said. “So this was good fishing for us today. There were a lot of fish (on our spot,) and we literally stayed on it all day.”

With 160,000 acres to explore, Kentucky Lake offers plenty of territory for anglers to cover. But Faber and Gardner may have found what some pundits said would be the key to success in this tournament — a spot that replenishes itself throughout the day.

“When you don’t have another spot to go to, you stay where you are,” Faber joked.

“So we’ll start in the same spot again tomorrow, for sure,” Gardner said.

McCaig and Hurst had the big bass of the day — an 8-3 lunker that Hurst said was caught on a crankbait following the shad bite on Kentucky Lake. Both men said they didn’t catch much in practice, but felt like it would take at least 20 pounds a day to make the cut after Thursday’s action.

“This is the Tennessee River, so you know it’s going to take a good weight to win,” McCaig said. “The first place we started today, we caught an 8-pounder, then a 4-pounder. So why leave?”

“We had three spots in mind, we hit one, and it produced,” Hurst said. “Hopefully we can do it again tomorrow.”

Rain Monday and Tuesday gave way to partly cloudy skies, 50 degree air temperatures, and slack winds on Wednesday. Conditions are supposed to be significantly colder for Thursday’s fishing, after which the team champions will be crowned.

The Top 3 teams will qualify for the Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off to be held on Friday and Saturday, also on Kentucky Lake. In that event, each angler fishes individually, teammate against teammate. The competitor who brings in the heaviest daily catches will earn the final available space in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic when it is held in March on Lake Conroe outside of Houston, Texas.

This week’s event marks the third year B.A.S.S. has held a team championship. The tournament is composed of winning pairs from team trails throughout the U.S. that are sanctioned by B.A.S.S.

In all, 194 teams from 31 states and one Canadian province are represented.

The Day 2 launch will begin at 6:30 a.m. CT at Paris Landing State Park, and weigh-in will follow at 2:30 p.m.

The Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship is hosted by the Henry County Alliance.

Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship
11/30/2016 – 12/1/2016
Kentucky Lake – Paris Landing State Park – Paris, TN
STANDINGS BOATER DAY 1

Name # Live # Fish # Live Lbs – Oz
1 Ken Thompson – Brad Weese Anglers Choice 5 5 24-10 5 5 24-10
2 Mark McCaig – Tim Hurst Big Bucks Buddy Trail 5 5 22- 8 5 5 22- 8
3 Ty Faber – John Gardner Ultimate Bass TT 4 4 22- 0 4 4 22- 0
4 Derrick Compton – Dustin Compton Carolina Bass Challenge 5 5 20- 3 5 5 20- 3
5 Barron Adams – Trevor Prince Chattanooga Bass Association 5 5 19- 8 5 5 19- 8
6 Tim Grein – Richard Cooper Anglers Choice 5 5 19- 3 5 5 19- 3
7 Kris Colley – Adam Bain Airport Marine 5 5 18-15 5 5 18-15
8 David Caylor – Robbie Pelt Alabama Bass Trail 5 5 18- 6 5 5 18- 6
9 Seth Davis – Brent Butler Chattanooga Bass Association 5 5 18- 1 5 5 18- 1
10 Dustin Bishop – Kyle Lear Fishers of Men 5 5 17-14 5 5 17-14
11 Kyle Kempkers – Brett Haveman BBT Bass R Us 5 5 17- 8 5 5 17- 8
12 Robert Jones – Cody Woods Media Bass 5 5 17- 5 5 5 17- 5
13 Dylan Hays – Jimmy Mize Arkansas Bass Team Trail 5 5 17- 2 5 5 17- 2
14 Josh Greer – Robert Greer Anglers In Action 4 4 16-13 4 4 16-13
15 Ashley Medley – Scott Clift Joe Bass TT 5 5 16-11 5 5 16-11
16 Michael Fornelli – Jim Davidson Joe Bass TT 5 5 16- 1 5 5 16- 1
16 Dustin Neat – Mark Wethington NTBA 5 5 16- 1 5 5 16- 1
18 Lane McGaha – Chase McCullin Fishers of Men 4 4 16- 1 4 4 16- 1
19 Neil Vandebiezen – Ken Plencner D&R Sports Team Trail 5 5 15-15 5 5 15-15
20 Josh Busby – Timothy Taylor Ozark Mountain TT 5 5 15-14 5 5 15-14
21 Cole Hyder – Joel Saunders PBC TT 5 5 15-11 5 5 15-11
22 Jake Beem – Cade Alsbury Anglers In Action 5 5 15- 5 5 5 15- 5
23 Steve Drinnon – Paul Vaccaro Fishers of Men 4 4 15- 2 4 4 15- 2
24 Timothy Dube – Kevin Miller NH BN TT 5 5 15- 1 5 5 15- 1
24 Jeremy Gordon – Philip Gordon Morristown Marine 5 5 15- 1 5 5 15- 1
26 Brent Ellens – Nick Compagner BBT Bass R Us 5 5 14-13 5 5 14-13
27 Nick Giamei – John Lansdowne 5 5 14- 9 5 5 14- 9
27 Josh Wray – Donald Wray Ozark Mountain TT 5 5 14- 9 5 5 14- 9
29 Ben Verhoef – Robert Bueltmann Anglers In Action 5 5 14- 5 5 5 14- 5
30 Jay Hulsey – Kyle Hulsey Ozark Mountain Team Trail 5 5 14- 4 5 5 14- 4
31 Jason Walcott – Jimmy Vanden Berg Jr West Michigan Bass 4 4 14- 2 4 4 14- 2
32 Larry Bullock – Roger Caldwell Alabama Bass Trail 5 5 14- 1 5 5 14- 1
32 Shawn Skobel – Logan Crayton Fishers of Men 5 5 14- 1 5 5 14- 1
34 Stacey Poynter – Rodney Lucas Fishers of Men 5 5 13-14 5 5 13-14
34 Marcus Sykora – Bill Davenport Anglers In Action 5 5 13-14 5 5 13-14
36 Rick Imler – Robert Newlon Great Lakes Largemouth Series 5 5 13-13 5 5 13-13
37 Truett Hill Jr – Chris Coleman FOM 5 5 13-11 5 5 13-11
38 Jason McFarland – Michael Carter NTBA 5 5 13- 9 5 5 13- 9
39 Ray Hogge – Kevin Whitehurst James River Priority 5 5 13- 7 5 5 13- 7
40 Vaughn Capasso – Chris Capasso IL BN TT 4 4 13- 7 4 4 13- 7
41 Rickey Knight – Randall Carter McNider Marine 3 3 13- 7 3 3 13- 7
42 Rex Chambers – Brent Crow Alabama Bass Trail 4 4 13- 5 4 4 13- 5
43 Keith McDeerman – Von Dilbeck Morristown Marine 3 3 13- 0 3 3 13- 0
44 Chad Schroeder – Chase Schroeder McNider Marine 5 5 12-15 5 5 12-15
45 Lee Bishop – Mike Miller Fishers of Men 4 4 12-15 4 4 12-15
46 Damien Willis – Mark Steward Alabama Bass Trail 5 5 12-14 5 5 12-14
47 Scott Jones – Dustin Cauthon Arkansas Bass Team Trail 5 5 12-13 5 5 12-13
48 Brent Algeo – Jim Copeland Ozark Mtn Team Trail 5 5 12-12 5 5 12-12
49 Jeff Gee – Steve Majewski AC Tournament Trail 5 5 12-10 5 5 12-10
50 Kelly Jones – Roger Satterfield Ozark Mountain TT 5 5 12- 9 5 5 12- 9
51 Chris Darby – Danny Gwinn Arkansas Bass Team Trail 5 5 12- 7 5 5 12- 7
51 Ben King – Tim Hickson Anglers In Action 5 5 12- 7 5 5 12- 7
51 Jarrod Sherwood – Jeff Yorks MI – Team Bass 5 5 12- 7 5 5 12- 7
51 Jesse Wiggins – Jordan Wiggins Alabama Bass Trail 5 5 12- 7 5 5 12- 7
55 Brian Funkhouser – Kenneth Reed IN BN TT 5 5 12- 6 5 5 12- 6
56 Mark O’Brien – Ryne Sanders AC Tournament Trail 5 5 12- 4 5 5 12- 4
57 Fred Ingalls II – Mark Allen Upstate Anglers 5 5 12- 2 5 5 12- 2
58 Steve Singleton – A.L. Needham Jr Fishers of Men 5 5 12- 1 5 5 12- 1
59 James Ward – Sam Musicck Anglers Choice 5 5 12- 0 5 5 12- 0
60 Paul Ferguson – Eric Thompson Fishers of Men 5 5 11-14 5 5 11-14
61 Nathan Burgess – Brent Riley Carolina Bass Challenge 3 3 11-14 3 3 11-14
62 Dell Mettlen Jr – Justin Harris KS BN TT 5 5 11-13 5 5 11-13
63 Joe Magnatta – Dennis Carter Lakeland Bassmasters TT 4 4 11- 9 4 4 11- 9
64 Ron Fabiszak Jr – Ron Nelson D&R Sports Team Trail 4 4 11- 8 4 4 11- 8
65 Troy Bigelow – Kent Lodari TN Valley 5 5 11- 4 5 5 11- 4
66 Derrell Potter – Bill Benford Fishers of Men 5 5 11- 3 5 5 11- 3
67 Terry Reich – Dustin Hill TX BN TT 4 4 11- 3 4 4 11- 3
68 Robert Grike – Eric Nelson James River Priority 5 5 11- 2 5 5 11- 2
68 Wayne Vaughan Jr – Mitch Blankenship James River Priority 5 5 11- 2 5 5 11- 2
70 Don Ingram – Ronnie Grant NTBA 4 4 11- 2 4 4 11- 2
71 Christopher Risner – Timothy Eaton 2015 Champ – D&R Sports Team Trail 5 5 11- 1 5 5 11- 1
72 Lance Walker – Brad Wilemon Fishers of Men 4 4 11- 0 4 4 11- 0
73 Steve Miracle – Mike Wolfenbarger TN Valley 5 5 10-15 5 5 10-15
74 Tim Goff – Larry Witt Anglers Choice 4 4 10-12 4 4 10-12
74 Dillon Tucker – Greg Tucker Alabama Bass Trail 4 4 10-12 4 4 10-12
76 Rogne Brown Jr – Cary Dotson Chattanooga Bass Association 4 4 10- 8 4 4 10- 8
77 Eric Kiliszewski – Edwin Ammerman West Michigan Bass 5 5 10- 7 5 5 10- 7
78 Bret Hoeksema – Shawn Martinie BBT Bass R Us 4 4 10- 3 4 4 10- 3
78 Timmy Poe – Jeremiah Kindy Arkansas Bass Team Trail 4 4 10- 3 4 4 10- 3
80 Bryan Baker – Darren Baker Joe Bass TT 3 3 10- 3 3 3 10- 3
80 Dan Parker – Mark Sexton IA BN TT 3 3 10- 3 3 3 10- 3
82 Dalton Bobo – Lonnie O’Neal Alabama Bass Trail 3 3 10- 2 3 3 10- 2
83 Chuck James – Brad James Chattanooga Bass Association 3 3 10- 1 3 3 10- 1
84 Brian Hensley – Ken Tucker AC Tournament Trail 4 4 9-14 4 4 9-14
85 Dale Duncan Jr – Donny Woody Carolina Bass Challenge 4 4 9-12 4 4 9-12
86 Chris Dennis – Jay Lewis Arkansas Bass Team Trail 3 3 9-12 3 3 9-12
86 Luke Jarman – Bobby Morgan Joe Bass TT 3 3 9-12 3 3 9-12
88 Jamie Smith – Michael Rains Alabama Bass Trail 4 4 9-11 4 4 9-11
89 Chris Pitts – Jesse Draime Media Bass 3 3 9- 9 3 3 9- 9
90 Buster Lilly Jr – Travis Lilly White Pine Marine Tournament Trail 3 3 9- 4 3 3 9- 4
91 Rick Johnston – Joe Brantley Ozark Mountain TT 2 2 9- 4 2 2 9- 4
92 Mickey Anderson – Bo Boltz Jr James River Priority 3 3 9- 0 3 3 9- 0
93 Marty Giddens – Joshua Stracner Big Bucks Buddy Trail 4 4 8-14 4 4 8-14
94 Darrin King – Mark Mahaffey Joe Bass TT 3 3 8-14 3 3 8-14
95 Tyler Moberly – Christopher Howard Morristown Marine 3 3 8-11 3 3 8-11
96 Daniel Vyverberg – Dan Patane Upstate Anglers 3 3 8- 6 3 3 8- 6
97 Nicholas Bodsford – Richard Owen James River Priority 4 4 8- 5 4 4 8- 5
98 Todd Choate – Kent Whitaker Joe Bass TT 3 3 8- 5 3 3 8- 5
99 Martin Elshout – Mark Price Fishers of Men 4 4 8- 3 4 4 8- 3
100 Bo Chappell – Wayne King Carolina Bass Challenge 4 4 8- 1 4 4 8- 1
101 Brad Hickinbottom – Brian McCay Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit 3 3 8- 1 3 3 8- 1
102 Mickey Lewis – Duane Ritter TN BN TT 3 3 7-15 3 3 7-15
103 Jake Deeds – Stacey Burson Media Bass 3 3 7-14 3 3 7-14
103 William Shipes – Doug Wooldridge Fishers of Men 3 3 7-14 3 3 7-14
105 Skyler Schultz – Richard Schultz Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit 4 4 7-12 4 4 7-12
106 Bryant Copley – Steve West Anglers Choice 3 3 7- 7 3 3 7- 7
107 Ron Brown – Bobby Brown Carolina Bass Challenge 2 2 7- 7 2 2 7- 7
108 Matthew Dyer – Ross TenHarmsel West Michigan Bass 3 3 7- 4 3 3 7- 4
109 Tim Coffey – Mitch Lewis NTBA 3 3 7- 1 3 3 7- 1
110 Wesley Cashwell – Shane Doughtie Carolina Bass Challenge 3 3 6-15 3 3 6-15
111 Michael Milton – Paul Sharp Morristown Marine 2 2 6-14 2 2 6-14
112 Paul Davis – Josh Chapple Airport Marine 3 3 6-10 3 3 6-10
112 Sean Hoernke – Curt McCauley TX BN TT 3 3 6-10 3 3 6-10
114 Chris Glover – Chris Alexander AC Tournament Trail 2 2 6-10 2 2 6-10
114 Matt McCoy – Dennis Davis IN BN Team Trail 2 2 6-10 2 2 6-10
116 Joe Raftery – Tom Martin NV BN TT 3 3 6- 8 3 3 6- 8
117 Jeston Anderson – Robbie Robinson Alabama Bass Trail 2 2 6- 7 2 2 6- 7
118 Jonathan Spivey – Derick Livingston Carolina Bass Challenge 3 3 6- 0 3 3 6- 0
119 Tony McCraw – Penny McCraw Fishers of Men 2 2 5-13 2 2 5-13
120 Mack Cook – Patrick Cook Carolina Bass Challenge 2 2 5-12 2 2 5-12
121 Jerry Shawver – Daniel Irish FL BN TT 2 2 5-11 2 2 5-11
122 Douglas Polasek – Dan Hatchew West Michigan Bass 2 2 5- 9 2 2 5- 9
123 Samuel Fish – Justin Hamner Alabama Bass Trail 1 1 5- 9 1 1 5- 9
124 Don Heiser – James Sells Joe Bass TT 2 2 5- 8 2 2 5- 8
125 Mitch Miles – Scott Sawyers Anglers Choice 2 2 5- 6 2 2 5- 6
126 Harold Black – Lacy Burnette Anglers Choice 2 2 5- 5 2 2 5- 5
126 Mark Mounts – Matthew Farrabee Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit 2 2 5- 5 2 2 5- 5
126 Brian Thompson – Eric Hammond Anglers In Action 2 2 5- 5 2 2 5- 5
129 Brad Nappier – Brian Nappier Fishers of Men 2 2 5- 4 2 2 5- 4
130 Joel Lee – Steve Hadley Dockside Marine 2 2 5- 1 2 2 5- 1
131 Chris Dover – Robert Fowler Carolina Bass Challenge 2 2 4-14 2 2 4-14
132 Mike Williams – Duane Jacobs Bassmania Team Trail 1 1 4-13 1 1 4-13
133 Jess Caraballo – Mark Condron CT BN Team Trail 2 2 4-12 2 2 4-12
133 David Crumpton – Tim Trahan Arkansas Bass Team Trail 2 2 4-12 2 2 4-12
135 Joel Price – Dustin Snelson FL BN TT 2 2 4-11 2 2 4-11
136 Nick Vitullo – Jarrett Knize AC Tournament Trail 1 1 4-11 1 1 4-11
137 Doug Brownridge – David Chong Renegade Bass Team Trail 2 2 4- 9 2 2 4- 9
137 Vince Loschiavo – Brandon Blystone Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit 2 2 4- 9 2 2 4- 9
139 Jake Boomer – Jason Bryan Northwest Bass 2 2 4- 5 2 2 4- 5
140 Rob Messenger Jr – John Levesque New Hampshire BN Team Trail 1 1 4- 5 1 1 4- 5
141 Jeff Seamans – Terry Algier DE BN Team Trail 1 1 4- 2 1 1 4- 2
142 Casey Warren – Wesley Carroll Carolina Anglers Tournament Trail 2 2 4- 0 2 2 4- 0
143 Ryan Butler – Dustin Lippe Anglers In Action 1 1 4- 0 1 1 4- 0
143 Shawn Lolley – Davy Lolley Alabama Bass Trail 1 1 4- 0 1 1 4- 0
145 Scott Henley – Neil McDonald Carolina Bass Challenge 1 1 3-15 1 1 3-15
145 Mark Thompson – Jim Smith Joe Bass TT 1 1 3-15 1 1 3-15
147 Jeremi Beatty – Clint Benbow Carolina Bass Challenge 1 1 3- 9 1 1 3- 9
147 Brian McCarter – Jason Fowler NTBA 1 1 3- 9 1 1 3- 9
149 Wayne Moyher – Craig Powers Morristown Marine 2 2 3- 7 2 2 3- 7
150 Curtis Richardson – Brad Arnott Renegade Bass 1 1 3- 7 1 1 3- 7
151 Duane Poole – Mike Merz Upstate Anglers 1 1 3- 6 1 1 3- 6
152 Gus Kneidinger – Jason Kneidinger Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit 1 1 2-15 1 1 2-15
153 Brett McLean – Mac McLean Carolina Bass Challenge 1 1 2-12 1 1 2-12
154 Todd Sosebee – Steve Postell Carolina Bass Challenge 1 1 2-11 1 1 2-11
155 Russ Padgett Jr – Meredith Havird Carolina Bass Challenge 1 1 2- 2 1 1 2- 2
156 Kevin King Jr – Brandon Hill James River Priority 1 1 2- 1 1 1 2- 1
157 Juddie Revels III – David Oxendine Carolina Bass Challenge 1 1 2- 0 1 1 2- 0
157 Justin Spraske – Joshua Stone NH BN TT 1 1 2- 0 1 1 2- 0
159 Jay Cranney – Travis Jewell Ultimate Bass Team Trail 1 1 1-15 1 1 1-15
160 Keith Baird – Michael Thompson IN BN Team Trail 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 Jeff Bonner – Steve Coggin Media Bass 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 Wayne Burchett – David Whited VA BN TT 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 Rusty Darnell – Tim Newberry Joe Bass Team Trail 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 Edward Dyer – Roger Riemersma West Michigan Bass 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 Shane Gray – Coleton Gray Media Bass Teams 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 Michael Hicks – Tom Hicks James River Priority 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 Jason Hodge – Lonnie Bowlin AC Tournament Trail 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 Joe LaFountain – Dan LaFountain D&R Sports Team Trail 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 James Maisenbacher – Scott Bree IL BN TT 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 Wayne Marlow – Scott Peavy Carolina Bass Challenge 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 Shannon McCaleb – James McCaleb Media Bass 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 Dan Miguel – Bryan Low Bassmania Team Trail 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 Jim Moorey – Jack Moorey MA BA TEAM TRAIL 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 Kenneth Owens – Kenny Botts Morristown Marine 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 Ricky Powell – James Johnson James River Priority 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 David Riemersma – Jesse Riemersma West Michigan Bass 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 Brandon Rummel – Ron Rummel Ozark Mountain TT 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 Brett Sall – Jim Sprague MI BN TT 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 Robert Stumpe – Dustin Hall FL BN TT 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 Corey Sullivan – Media Bass Teams 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 Travis Tenwadle – Keith Stewart OH BN TT 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 Charley Thomas – Chris Thomas Joe Bass TT 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 John Valdez – Nate Cowan NJ BN TT 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 Roger Waters – Kevin Johnston Anglers In Action 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 John Williams IV – Jim Williams Joe Bass Team Trail 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
160 Wes Woodard – Jeff Oppenneer West Michigan Bass 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0

BIG BASS
Day Name City,State Lbs-Oz
1 Mark McCaig – Tim Hurst Oxford, AL 8- 3

TOTALS
Day # Fish Live Lbs-Oz # Limits
1 551 551 1608– 6 58
2 0 0 0- 0 0

CARHARTT BIG BASS OF TOURNAMENT
Day Name City,State Lbs-Oz
1 Mark McCaig – Tim Hurst Oxford, AL 8- 3

Rookies Join Bass Fishing Legends In 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Field

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Rookies Join Bass Fishing Legends In 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Field

Nov. 30, 2016

Rookies Join Bass Fishing Legends In 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series Field

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series roster has been set at 111 and will include at least 13 newcomers to the prestigious bass fishing circuit, B.A.S.S. announced today. The new tournament year, which begins in February, also marks the return of legendary angler David Fritts of Lexington, N.C., to B.A.S.S. competition.

“We have seen less attrition among the current Elite anglers and a higher rate of acceptance from Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens qualifiers than ever before,” said Trip Weldon, B.A.S.S. tournament director.

B.A.S.S. guidelines permit up to 15 top Opens competitors — five each from the three divisions — to join the Elite Series each year. This year, 13 of the 15 accepted invitations, compared to 12 in 2015.

In addition to the two declines from the Opens, two Elite Series anglers dropped out after the 2016 season’s end. Former GEICO Bassmaster Classic champion and Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Davy Hite is retiring to become a commentator on Bassmaster TV and “LIVE” programs, and rookie Fabian Rodriguez chose not to return.

Those spots were filled from the current Elite Series roster based on final Angler of the Year points standings.

According to B.A.S.S. tournament rules, the Top 70 in AOY points automatically requalify for the following season. They are joined by up to 15 from the Opens and one qualifier from the B.A.S.S. Nation. Newcomers to the Elites are given a “grace season” should they fail to requalify after the first year. The remaining spots needed to achieve a full field of 108 are awarded based on AOY rankings for each year of an angler’s career, after dropping the lowest score.

“Unfortunately, demand for berths in the Elite Series is greater than the number of spots available, so nine of our Elite anglers were unable to requalify,” Weldon said. “The anglers were offered priority entry into 2017 Bassmaster Opens, in the event they wished to try to qualify for the Elites again.”

Special exemptions added three to the field, bringing the total to 111. One Elite angler, Nate Wellman, is returning from a medical exemption, and two former Classic winners — Paul Elias and Fritts — are taking advantage of a new “Legend Exemption” offered to icons of the sport. Elias, the 1982 Classic winner, has fished the Elite Series since its inception in 2006. Fritts left B.A.S.S. competition in 2005 but expressed elation at being able to return next year.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back to B.A.S.S. and fishing the Elites,” Fritts said. “I used to fish the Top 100s, but when they started the Elites I, ‘semiretired.’ Now, every time I attend the Classic, it brings back memories. It’s a way of life for me, and something I’ve missed out on.”

After winning the Bassmaster Classic in 1993, Fritts, who will be 60 when the 2017 series gets under way, was Bassmaster Angler of the Year in 1994. He also won the Forrest Wood Cup in 1997.

In addition to the legends and veterans, 11 rookies will compete on the 11-event Elite Series trail, including 10 from the Opens and one, Darrell Ocamica of Fruitland, Idaho, who accepted the invitation offered to one of the three top finishers in the 2016 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan.

Two of the Opens qualifiers, Stetson Blaylock of Benton, Ark., and Jacob Wheeler of Indianapolis, Ind., were highly successful competitors on the FLW circuit and are considered “newcomers” instead of rookies. Another non-rookie, Chad Pipkens of Holt, Mich., requalified for the Elites as one of the Top 5 in performance points on the Northern Opens circuit.

The 2017 Elite Series kicks off with the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Cherokee in Knoxville and Jefferson County, Tenn., Feb. 9-12. Anglers will compete again two weeks later at Lake Okeechobee, Florida, and then take a break for the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic in Houston, Texas, March 24-26. The Classic and two other marquee tournaments in the Series — Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship — each offers a purse of at least $1 million.

Following are the anglers registered to compete in the 2017 Bassmaster Elite Series:

2017 Elite Series Anglers

Angler Hometown/State Qualification Route
Casey Ashley Donalds, SC Elite Series
Adrian Avena Vineland, NJ Elite Series
Drew Benton Panama City, FL Elite Series
Josh Bertrand Gilbert, AZ Elite Series
Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK Elite Series
Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR Southern Opens
Jay Brainard Enid, OK Elite Series
Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR Elite Series
Brandon Card Caryville, TN Elite Series
Tyler Carriere* Youngsville, LA Central Opens
Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS Elite Series
Hank Cherry Jr. Maiden, NC Elite Series
Jason Christie Park Hill, OK Elite Series
Luke Clausen Spokane, WA Elite Series
Rick Clunn Ava, MO Elite Series
Keith Combs Huntington, TX Elite Series
Dustin Connell* Clanton, AL Southern Opens
Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN Elite Series
John Crews Jr. Salem, VA Elite Series
Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA Elite Series
Mark Daniels Jr.* Tuskegee, AL Southern Opens
Clent Davis Montevallo, AL Elite Series
Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR Elite Series
Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN Elite Series
Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL Elite Series
Brent Ehrler Newport Beach, CA Elite Series
James Elam Tulsa, OK Elite Series
Paul Elias Laurel, MS Legend
Edwin Evers Talala, OK Elite Series
Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX Elite Series
Seth Feider Bloomington, MN Elite Series
Micah Frazier Newnan, GA Elite Series
David Fritts Lexington, NC Legend
Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, MN Elite Series
Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL Elite Series
Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA Elite Series
Skylar Hamilton* Dandridge, TN Central Opens
Jamie Hartman* Newport, NY Northern Opens
Matt Herren Ashville, AL Elite Series
Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ Elite Series
Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL Elite Series
Randy Howell Guntersville, AL Elite Series
John Hunter Shelbyville, KY Elite Series
Michael Iaconelli Pittsgrove, NJ Elite Series
Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL Elite Series
Alton Jones Jr.* Lorena, TX Central Opens
Alton Jones Sr. Lorena, TX Elite Series
Kelly Jordon Flint, TX Elite Series
Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL Elite Series
Gary Klein Weatherford, TX Elite Series
Koby Kreiger Bokeelia, FL Elite Series
Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK Elite Series
Bobby Lane Lakeland, FL Elite Series
Chris Lane Guntersville, AL Elite Series
Russ Lane Prattville, AL Elite Series
Robbie Latuso* Gonzales, LA Central Opens
Jordan Lee Vinemont, AL Elite Series
Matt Lee Guntersville, AL Elite Series
Dave Lefebre Erie, PA Elite Series
Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN Elite Series
Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC Elite Series
Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA Elite Series
Bill Lowen Brookville, IN Elite Series
Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL Elite Series
Aaron Martens Leeds, AL Elite Series
Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR Elite Series
Mark Menendez Paducah, KY Elite Series
Ish Monroe Hughson, CA Elite Series
Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC Elite Series
Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, MO Elite Series
Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS Elite Series
Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT Elite Series
David Mullins Mount Carmel, TN Elite Series
John Murray Phoenix, AZ Elite Series
Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC Elite Series
James Niggemeyer Van, TX Elite Series
Darrell Ocamica* Fruitland, ID B.A.S.S. Nation
Takahiro Omori Emory, TX Elite Series
Cliff Pace Petal, MS Elite Series
Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID Elite Series
Chad Pipkens Holt, MI Northern Opens
Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ Elite Series
Keith Poche Pike Road, AL Elite Series
Jacob Powroznik Port Haywood, VA Elite Series
Brett Preuett Monroe, LA Elite Series
Cliff Prince Palatka, FL Elite Series
Skeet Reese Auburn, CA Elite Series
Marty Robinson Lyman, SC Elite Series
Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ Elite Series
Scott Rook Little Rock, AR Elite Series
Fred Roumbanis Russellville, AR Elite Series
Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY Elite Series
Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL Elite Series
Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL Elite Series
Morizo Shimizu Osaka, Japan

Made in the USA, St. Croix blanks are the foundational pieces for creating elite custom rods

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Made in the USA, St. Croix blanks are the foundational pieces for creating elite custom rods

Begin with the Best Blanks

Made in the USA, St. Croix blanks are the foundational pieces for creating elite custom rods

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Park Falls, WI (November 30, 2016) – Diehard custom rod builders are true geeks, not freaks. Like a sculptor consumed in concept and covered in clay, rod builders endeavor to create perfectly functioning tools that double as works of art – their masterpieces hung with pride above the mantle between fishing trips.

So why go through the trouble of handcrafting a custom rod when a heritage company like St. Croix already builds the “Best Rods on Earth”? Just ask Tom Kirkman, a pedigreed rod builder from High Point, North Carolina. He’s not only been crafting custom rods since the 1970’s, Kirkman also publishes RodMaker, a bimonthly specialty magazine, and produces the International Custom Rod Building Exposition in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

sr-croix-blank-colors

“Sure, there’s the aesthetics alone of a custom-built rod, with wraps offered in every color scheme; after all, cars are painted all different colors to suit each person,” says Kirkman. “But the real reason is most manufactured rods are to be one size fits all. But an angler may desire a handle with a different diameter, or, perhaps, someone fishes a technique differently than the average Joe, and needs a rod to perform differently. And the list can go on and on.

“But basically, it’s because the most passionate people in any sport desire customized tools to fit their needs. And, while there are a lot of blank manufactures out there, St. Croix is one of the most highly respected.”

How has that respect been earned? St. Croix offers both hardcore and hobbyist rod-builders nearly every blank used in the USA factory-produced rods. That means you can craft a personalized rod knowing that exclusive St. Croix technologies have your back…and blank. So go ahead and wrap those guides in Chicago Cub blue or Packer green and gold and know that despite the fanaticism, the rod will fish like a pro.

st-croix-build-like-a-pro

And if you want to see how pros fashion blanks and build finished rods, St. Croix encourages you to take a Factory Tour. “St. Croix is the last bastion when it comes to manufacturing rod blanks in the United States,” says Director of Marketing Jesse Simpkins. “It’s the pride that goes into creating the technology, as well as the engineering to make it come together and then the actual manufacturing process. Every employee here truly cares about building the perfect rod, whether we finish it here, or the blank is customized by someone else.”

Whether you’re going to construct a rod from scratch yourself, or hire a custom rod-builder, just remember the blank is the foundation in which all great rods are built upon…so choose wisely.

rod-maker-magazine

 

St. Croix Proprietary Blank Technologies:

INTEGRATED POLY CURVE® (IPC®) TECHNOLOGY

Developed exclusively by St. Croix, Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) tooling technology has rapidly become the engineering leader in rodmaking. Designed to eliminate all transitional points in the rod blank, IPC-engineered rods feature smoother actions, increased strength and greater sensitivity.

ADVANCED REINFORCING TECHNOLOGY™ (ART™)

Advanced Reinforcing Technology™ (ART™) is an exotic carbon fiber material that adds a magnitude (10X) of strength with virtually no increase in blank diameter or weight. ART significantly improves the hoop strength of the blank by preventing it from deforming or “ovaling” under a severe load, such as a powerful hook set or fish battle. ART is also a critical part of our slim-profile ferrule design.

TAPER ENHANCEMENT TECHNOLOGY

After several years of R&D and testing, St. Croix has perfected an innovative new Taper Enhancement Technology (TET) that begins with precision-cut, curved blank patterns made possible by a state-of-the-art computerized pattern cutting machine. When combined with IPC-mandrels, these unique patterns create blanks with better actions and improved sensitivity. This pattern design and cutting technology is a dramatic departure from traditional straight-line patterns cut by hand. TET is featured in SCV spinning and casting blanks.

FORTIFIED RESIN SYSTEM

St. Croix once again breaks new ground in premium rod manufacturing technology with the development of a new Fortified Resin System (FRS), which combines a fortified super resin with new computer operated curing ovens that provide improved temperature and time management through all stages of the curing cycle. FRS prevents microbuckling by keeping the carbon fibers in proper alignment. Blanks manufactured using this advanced manufacturing protocol test out consistently to be 33% stronger than those built with standard resins and curing methods. Blank series manufactured with FRS include all fresh- and saltwater SCV and SCIV.

 

Bass Fishing in the COLD [PART 1] by Greg Blanchard November 25,2016

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Bass Fishing in the COLD [PART 1] by Greg Blanchard November 25,2016

Published on Nov 25, 2016

Part 1 of a fun weekend of fishing from the bank in a marina nearby. Some absolutely crazy weather this weekend with it starting out in the low 70’s and nearly 48 hours later having an absolute blizzard. Actually ended with over a foot of snow and lots of school cancellations by Monday morning. Anyways, this marina loaded with residential fish that are no stranger to being fished for. They’re actually pretty tough to catch year round. In part 1, I catch them on baits I’ve had recent success with and manage to fool a bunch of small ones. In part 2 (which happens to be the following day and even worse conditions with snow and 30 mph winds, I finally find a bait that seems to be the ticket as to what the better quality bass want.

Keys to the day:
Fishing the outer docks. The more active fish were hanging around the docks closer to the main river channel near deeper water.
Slow rolling and dead sticking baits
Adding fish sticks scent to the drop shot rig seemed to produce more bites
Casting where they couldn’t see me. I noticed if I stood further back from the bank or made into areas the fish wouldn’t be able to see me, I’d have a better chance of getting bit.

►►► SETUPS ◄◄◄
CRANKBAIT:
Gander Mountain Guide Series Rod with a Lews Speed Spool
—10# Vicious Fluorocarbon
—SPRO Little John [Cell Mate]

CHATTERBAIT:
Gander Mountain Guide Series Rod with a Lews Speed Spool
—10# Vicious Fluorocarbon
—ZMAN Custom Chatterbait Green Pumpkin [Gary Yamamoto Swim Senko Trailer]

SWIMBAIT:
G Loomis Flip/Pitch Rod with Shimano Curado 200i
—20# Seaguar Invisx Flurocarbon
—Huddleston Deluxe Swimbait [Juvenile Trout]

DROPSHOT:
Phenix Maxim Spinning Rod with Shimano Stradic CI4 Reel
—10# Vicious Flurocarbon with Trokar Hook
—Zoom Z Drop [Green Pumpkin]

SENKO/CRAPPIE JIG
Browning Sliaflex Rod with Shimano Stradic CI4 Reel
—10# Vicious Flurocarbon with 2/0 Gamakatsu finesse hook
—Gary Yamamoto Senko [Watermelon Black Flake] [BPS Baby Shad]

Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Report December 2016 by Captain Dale Wilson

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Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Report December 2016 by Captain Dale Wilson

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE FISHING REPORT
December 2016
DALE WILSON’S
SML GUIDE SERVICE
PHONE NO: 540-297-5650 / 540-874-4950
www.captaindalewilson.com

img_20140131_163428549-1

Picture: Rich Hutchens from Arizona holding a couple of stripers caught while fishing with Captain Dale.

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OVERVIEW- Fishing will be better this month! Water temperature will be in the upper 40’s to lower 50’s. Best times will be early morning, late afternoon and cloudy days this month. Striper fishing the past few weeks has been poor. Cooler water temperatures hopefully will make for better fishing this month.

Largemouth Bass- Fishing for largemouth bass will be good this month. Best lures will be jigs, rattle traps, drop shots, shallow running crank baits, Texas rigged plastic worms, football head jigs, Carolina rigs and spoons. Most largemouth bass will be moving to their winter patterns this month. Rocky points, ledges, creek channel banks and deep docks will be the best areas to try your luck. Best depths will be from the 2 to 35 feet deep. Baitfish will be on the move trying to find the warmest water. The areas with the largest concentration of bait fish will be the most productive areas. Bass will feed heavily on crawfish this month.

Smallmouth Bass- Fishing should be good. Best areas will be humps, ledges, rocky areas and long main channel points. Best lures will be tubes, jigs, drop shot rigs, jerk baits and floating-fly-rigs. Best areas will be in the mid to the lower sections of the lake. Cloudy days with wind and night time are good times to try your luck! Look for areas with rocks on ledges and points next to deep water. Look for humps and isolated rocks near deep water ledges. Most smallmouth bass will suspend around baitfish this month. They also feed heavily on crawfish.

Striped Bass- Fishing should be good this month. Stripers will be caught in the upper sections of the lake and in the large creeks. Best lures will be swim baits, top water poppers, spoons and Zoom flukes fished on 3/8 to 3/4 oz. lead heads. Sea gulls will help you locate schools of feeding stripers. Best time to fish is cloudy days, early morning and later afternoon. The best depths will be from the surface to 60 feet deep. Live bait fished on down lines and planner boards will also work this month. Most fish will be caught in 20 to 60 feet of water. They will constantly be on the move. Find the largest concentration of shad. Night fishing will be fair this month.

Crappie- Fishing for crappie will be good this month. They will be found 10 to 25 ft. deep. Crappie will be found around deep docks, brush piles, and fallen tree tops. Small live minnows and 1½ to 2 inch tubes or shad shaped plastic lures fished on 1/16 to 1/8 oz. lead heads will work best to catch crappie this month.

TIP OF THE Month- Never fish alone during the cold months. Try shallow points just before and after dark. Try to find the areas with the largest concentration of bait fish. Night fishing will be fair this month. You can also hear reports about local fishing on the website: THE BASS CAST RADIO SHOW each month. Make sure your running lights are on after dark! Remember to wear your life jackets and obey all the boating laws. TAKE A KID FISHING!

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