Bass Edge’s The Edge – Episode 221 – Aaron Martens
December 1, 2015
2015 BASS Angler of the Year Aaron Martens is featured in this episode of Bass Edge Radio presented by MegaWare KeelGuard. Aaron talks a little bit of everything in this one of a kind interview.
Billy Sharp (left) and Kevin Stubblefield lead Day 1 of the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship on Lake Guntersville with 27 pounds, 6 ounces.
Dec. 9, 2015
Locals Take Charge At Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship On Guntersville
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GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. — After a two-day pre-tournament practice period that saw most of the 197-boat field from around the country struggle, it only makes sense that two local teams shot to the top of the leaderboard during Wednesday’s opening round of the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship on Lake Guntersville.
Billy Sharp and Kevin Stubblefield, who qualified for the event through the Alabama Bass Trail, brought five fish to the scales that weighed 27 pounds, 6 ounces and claimed the Day 1 lead. Stubblefield is from right here in Guntersville, while Sharp lives in Albertville, less than 30 minutes from the lake.
“We grew up here, and we’ve been fishing here since we were just kids,” said Stubblefield, who teamed with Sharp to win the Alabama Bass Trail championship on nearby Lake Wheeler in October. “We were fishing history today, places we’ve fished before. We stayed off of them in practice, and the fish were on some of them today.”
Practice was tough for Sharp and Stubblefield just like it was for most of a field that includes anglers from as far away as Maine, Delaware, New Jersey, California and Canada. But when competition began, the leaders were aided by built-in knowledge of the lake and conditions that are slowly improving.
“We had kind of a hard time in practice,” Sharp said. “But the water is clearing up, and I think that’s helping us some.”
Sharp and Stubblefield were Boat No. 176 out of 197, meaning they were one of the last teams to leave the launch site at Lake Guntersville State Park during Wednesday’s takeoff that began at 6:30 a.m.
They weren’t sure they would get to their best spot before someone else did. But when they found the area vacant, they went to work quickly, catching much of their tournament-best weight by 7:45 a.m.
They’ll now have to sweat to see if they can win the race to their choice water Thursday.
“Some guys saw us catch them today, but we’ve got an early boat number for tomorrow (Boat No. 22 in the first flight),” Sharp said. “The plan is definitely to go right back where we caught them and hope for the best.”
The leaders’ catch of 27-6 was bigger than all but one daily catch recorded by the top bass pros in the world back in April during the Bassmaster Elite Series event on Lake Guntersville. But it was less than a pound better than Wednesday’s second-place finishers.
The Guntersville husband-and-wife team of Kent and Shannon Ware, who qualified through the Fishers of Men Team Tournament Trail, brought 26-9 to the scales to position themselves just 13 ounces out of the lead.
Knowledge of Lake Guntersville helped the Wares keep track of the fish as the tournament drew near and conditions changed frequently throughout the fall.
“The fishing was good during pre-practice,” Kent Ware said. “But then they jerked the water down, and it got bad. Then it came up during the off-limits. It was good the first day of practice this week, and then the second day it wasn’t as good.”
Ware said it’s still changing now that the tournament is underway.
“Now the water has been sucked back down,” he said. “We’re just trying to adjust to the water level. We caught one of our biggest fish on the last cast today, so hopefully they’ll still be biting when we get back out there tomorrow.”
Behind the two local teams in third place is the Texas team of Dean Alexander and Thomas Martens with 23-14. Christopher Risner and Timothy Eaton of Michigan are in fourth with 23-10.
“Today fished different than practice,” Alexander said. “We had some grass fish. We had some offshore fish. We just kind of mixed it up between those two, and the offshore was definitely better.
“Practice was really tough, but I think the wind and cloud cover helped today.”
The tournament resumes Thursday with a full field of 197 boats leaving Lake Guntersville State Park at 6:30 a.m. and returning for the weigh-in back at the park at 2:30 p.m. The leading team after Thursday’s weigh-in will be crowned national team champions. Then on Friday and Saturday, the six anglers from the Top 3 teams will compete individually against one another in the Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-off.
The winner of the individual competition will earn a bid to the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, March 4-6.
Billy Sharp – Kevin Stubblefield
Albertville, AL
Weight: 27- 6
Jay Hulsey – Kyle Hulsey
Ozark Mountain Team Trail
Weight: 8- 2
| Place | Name | Day 1 | Total Fish | Total Weight | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fish | Weight | |||||
| 1 | Billy Sharp – Kevin Stubblefield | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 | 27- 6 | 5 | 27- 6 |
| 2 | Kent Ware – Shannon Ware | Fishers of Men Team Trail | 5 | 26- 9 | 5 | 26- 9 |
| 3 | Dean Alexander – Thomas Martens | Texas Bass Nation | 5 | 23-14 | 5 | 23-14 |
| 4 | Christopher Risner – Timothy Eaton | D&R Sports Center Tournament Trail | 5 | 23-10 | 5 | 23-10 |
| 5 | Blake Hall – Dustin Connell | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 | 22- 9 | 5 | 22- 9 |
| 6 | Doug Brownridge – David Chong | Renegade Bass Team Trail | 5 | 22- 6 | 5 | 22- 6 |
| 7 | Curtis Lewis – Steve Fairtrace | FL BN Team Trail | 5 | 22- 2 | 5 | 22- 2 |
| 8 | James Wall III – Jimmy Wall Jr | Carolina Bass Challenge | 5 | 22- 0 | 5 | 22- 0 |
| 9 | Brent Crow – James Morgan | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 | 21- 8 | 5 | 21- 8 |
| 10 | Jay Kendrick – Danny Bishop | Fishers of Men | 5 | 21- 7 | 5 | 21- 7 |
| 11 | Robert Crask – Richard Dossey | Ultimate Bass Team Tour | 5 | 21- 2 | 5 | 21- 2 |
| 12 | Robert Lutes – Daylon Smith | Top Stick Tour | 5 | 20- 9 | 5 | 20- 9 |
| 13 | Jimmy Mason – Lance Walker | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 | 20- 5 | 5 | 20- 5 |
| 14 | Donald Amsden – Edwin Oilar | AC Tournament Trail | 5 | 20- 4 | 5 | 20- 4 |
| 15 | Joseph Lamar – Mac Lamar | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 | 20- 3 | 5 | 20- 3 |
| 16 | Ben Reynolds – Brandon Reynolds | Anglers Choice | 5 | 20- 0 | 5 | 20- 0 |
| 17 | Jay Hulsey – Kyle Hulsey | Ozark Mountain Team Trail | 3 | 19-15 | 3 | 19-15 |
| 18 | Chris Rutland – Coby Carden | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 | 19-12 | 5 | 19-12 |
| 18 | Don Warren Jr – Jeff Salmon | AC Tournament | 5 | 19-12 | 5 | 19-12 |
| 20 | Shawn Skobel – Logan Crayton | Fishers of Men | 5 | 19- 3 | 5 | 19- 3 |
| 21 | Carter Day – Scotty Gilley | Chattanooga Bass Association | 5 | 19- 0 | 5 | 19- 0 |
| 22 | Shawn Grover – Mark Lodge | Maine BN – Man vs Bass | 5 | 18-15 | 5 | 18-15 |
| 23 | Brent Algeo – Jim Copeland | Ozark Mtn Team Trail | 5 | 18- 7 | 5 | 18- 7 |
| 23 | Jon Canada – Bo Hunter | Airport Marine Team Trail | 5 | 18- 7 | 5 | 18- 7 |
| 25 | Brandon Gray – Robert Perkins | Anglers Choice | 5 | 18- 6 | 5 | 18- 6 |
| 26 | Jason Wilson – Kelly Logan | Carolina Bass Challenge | 5 | 18- 4 | 5 | 18- 4 |
| 27 | Hunter Grounds – Tyson Shoot | AC Tournament Trail | 5 | 18- 1 | 5 | 18- 1 |
| 28 | Wayne Vaughan Jr – Mitch Blankenship | James River Priority | 5 | 18- 0 | 5 | 18- 0 |
| 28 | Kevin Williams – Cliff Williams | McNider Marine | 5 | 18- 0 | 5 | 18- 0 |
| 30 | Galen James – Anthony Townsend | Chattanooga Bass Association | 5 | 17-15 | 5 | 17-15 |
| 30 | Jonathan Pelfrey – Jonathan Bowling | TN Valley Team Trail | 5 | 17-15 | 5 | 17-15 |
| 32 | Dan Mohn – Josh Mohn | IA BN Team Trail | 5 | 17-14 | 5 | 17-14 |
| 33 | Stephen Humphrey – Tony Campanell | NTBA | 5 | 17-13 | 5 | 17-13 |
| 34 | Rickey Knight – Randall Carter | Airport Marine Team Trail | 5 | 17-10 | 5 | 17-10 |
| 35 | Andrew Lambert – Lacey Lambert | Fishers of Men Team Trail | 5 | 17- 7 | 5 | 17- 7 |
| 35 | Brian McCarter – Jason Fowler | NTBA | 5 | 17- 7 | 5 | 17- 7 |
| 37 | Rogne Brown – Cary Dotson | Chattanooga Bass Association | 5 | 17- 6 | 5 | 17- 6 |
| 37 | Dan Miguel – Michael Slocki | Bassmania Team Trail | 5 | 17- 6 | 5 | 17- 6 |
| 37 | Mike Sisco – Josh Kritch | Joe Bass Team Trail | 5 | 17- 6 | 5 | 17- 6 |
| 40 | Damien Willis – Mark Steward | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 | 17- 5 | 5 | 17- 5 |
| 41 | Keith Dees – Tommy Walley Jr | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 | 17- 3 | 5 | 17- 3 |
| 42 | Randy Despino – Kevin Lasyone | H&W Marine Team Trail | 5 | 17- 2 | 5 | 17- 2 |
| 43 | Nickolas LeBrun – Randy Deaver | H&W Marine TNT | 5 | 17- 1 | 5 | 17- 1 |
| 44 | Joshua Price – Eric Silverstrim | TN BN Team Trail | 5 | 17- 1 | 5 | 17- 1 |
| 45 | Keith Baird – Michael Thompson | IN BN Team Trail | 4 | 17- 0 | 4 | 17- 0 |
| 46 | Justen Fain – James Brown | Fishers of Men | 5 | 16-15 | 5 | 16-15 |
| 46 | Flannagan Fife – Royce Davis | 2014 Champs – Fishers of Men | 5 | 16-15 | 5 | 16-15 |
| 48 | Todd Dixon – Larry Sisk | NTBA | 5 | 16-14 | 5 | 16-14 |
| 49 | Mike Rains Jr – Taylor Gorton | AC Tournament Trail | 5 | 16-13 | 5 | 16-13 |
| 50 | Nicholas Turner – Joe Lay | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 | 16-11 | 5 | 16-11 |
| 51 | Tim Hurst – Mark McCaig | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 | 16-10 | 5 | 16-10 |
| 52 | Jeremiah Beatty – Clint Benbow | Carolina Bass Challenge | 5 | 16- 7 | 5 | 16- 7 |
| 53 | Matt McCoy – Dennis Davis | IN BN Team Trail | 5 | 16- 6 | 5 | 16- 6 |
| 54 | Tracy Phillips – Mark Vest | 5 | 16- 3 | 5 | 16- 3 | |
| 55 | Benny Roberts – Todd Nidiffer | Morristown Marine Team Trail | 5 | 16- 2 | 5 | 16- 2 |
| 56 | Shannon Denson – Webb Collums | Fishers of Men Team Trail | 5 | 15-15 | 5 | 15-15 |
| 56 | Michael Gibson – Dwayne Hughes | Anglers Choice Team Trail | 5 | 15-15 | 5 | 15-15 |
| 58 | Rob Messenger Jr – John Levesque | New Hampshire BN Team Trail | 5 | 15-12 | 5 | 15-12 |
| 59 | Rick Imler – Scott Newlon | Great Lakes Largemouth Series | 5 | 15-10 | 5 | 15-10 |
| 60 | Shane Gray – Pete Henry | Media Bass Teams | 5 | 15- 9 | 5 | 15- 9 |
| 61 | Ronnie Siress – Daniel York | AC Tournament Trail | 5 | 15- 6 | 5 | 15- 6 |
| 61 | Allen Williford – Austin Moore | IL BN Team Trail | 5 | 15- 6 | 5 | 15- 6 |
| 63 | Jack Belt – JD Kyle | IN BN Team Trail | 5 | 15- 5 | 5 | 15- 5 |
| 64 | Mel Hedrick Jr – Eduardo Trevino | IL BN Team Trail | 5 | 15- 4 | 5 | 15- 4 |
| 65 | Trace Myers – Mandy Myers | Ultimate Bass Team Tour | 5 | 15- 3 | 5 | 15- 3 |
| 66 | Josh Busby – Timothy Taylor | Joe Bass Team Trail | 5 | 15- 2 | 5 | 15- 2 |
| 67 | Al Gagliarducci – Sean Lloyd | MA BN – Classic Rumble | 5 | 15- 1 | 5 | 15- 1 |
| 68 | Chris Johnston – Lynn Johnston | Renegade Bass Team Trail | 5 | 15- 0 | 5 | 15- 0 |
| 68 | Michael Sentore – Henry Mckee IV | NJ BN Team Trail | 5 | 15- 0 | 5 | 15- 0 |
| 70 | Kurt Mitchell – Alan Draper | DE BN Team Trail | 5 | 14-13 | 5 | 14-13 |
| 71 | Rusty Strickland – Chuck Hemm | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 | 14-12 | 5 | 14-12 |
| 72 | John Knowles – Michael Rezendes | Connecticut Bass Nation | 5 | 14- 9 | 5 | 14- 9 |
| 73 | Daniel Gray – Scott Sirakos | Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit | 5 | 14- 8 | 5 | 14- 8 |
| 74 | Justin McClelland – Michael Hubbard | Anglers in Action | 5 | 14- 7 | 5 | 14- 7 |
| 75 | Jacob Roundtree – Robert Yniguez | Ultimate Bass Team Tour | 5 | 14- 5 | 5 | 14- 5 |
| 76 | Eddie Levin – Cory Hartfield | Ohio BASS Nation Team Trail | 5 | 14- 4 | 5 | 14- 4 |
| 77 | Timothy Chaffin – Curtis Poggenpohl | Priority James River | 4 | 14- 4 | 4 | 14- 4 |
| 78 | Tom Goins Sr – TJ Goins Jr | Fishers of Men | 5 | 14- 1 | 5 | 14- 1 |
| 78 | Frank Poirier – Warren Poirier | James River Priority Team Trail | 5 | 14- 1 | 5 | 14- 1 |
| 80 | Ray Hogge – Kevin Whitehurst | James River Priority Team Trail | 5 | 14- 0 | 5 | 14- 0 |
| 81 | Tom Rufenacht – Jimmy Rufenacht | Fishers Of Men | 5 | 13-15 | 5 | 13-15 |
| 82 | Shane Lineberger – Jerry Lineberger | Carolina Bass Challenge | 5 | 13-14 | 5 | 13-14 |
| 83 | Mike Goff – Kevin Goff | WV Team Trail | 5 | 13-12 | 5 | 13-12 |
| 84 | Ronald Cancilla – Leo Cancilla | Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit | 5 | 13-11 | 5 | 13-11 |
| 84 | Justin Spraske – Joseph Parrott | NH Team Trail | 5 | 13-11 | 5 | 13-11 |
| 86 | Shaun Ford – Jeff Elliott | D&R Sports Center Team Trail | 5 | 13-10 | 5 | 13-10 |
| 86 | Michael Kopelic – Mark Towne | Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit | 5 | 13-10 | 5 | 13-10 |
| 86 | Johney Weaver Jr – Adam Ross | Media Bass Team Trail | 5 | 13-10 | 5 | 13-10 |
| 89 | Raymond Trudeau – Frederick George | FL BN Team Trail | 5 | 13- 9 | 5 | 13- 9 |
| 90 | Rob Genter – Darren Potts | Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit | 4 | 13- 9 | 4 | 13- 9 |
| 91 | Chad Allison – Derrick Wright | Joe Bass Team Trail | 5 | 13- 8 | 5 | 13- 8 |
| 91 | Justin Atkins – Drew Long | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 | 13- 8 | 5 | 13- 8 |
| 91 | Chris Atwell – Gary Atwell | James River Priority Team Trail | 5 | 13- 8 | 5 | 13- 8 |
| 94 | Jason Buchanan – Terry Kircus | Texas Bass Nation | 5 | 13- 7 | 5 | 13- 7 |
| 94 | Nick Runo – Dave Tierney | North East | 5 | 13- 7 | 5 | 13- 7 |
| 96 | Kevin Miller – Timothy Dube | NH BN Team Trail | 5 | 13- 6 | 5 | 13- 6 |
| 97 | Jeff Hampton – Ed Roberts | AC Tournament Trail | 5 | 13- 4 | 5 | 13- 4 |
| 97 | Chuck James – Brad James | Chattanooga Bass Association | 5 | 13- 4 | 5 | 13- 4 |
| 99 | Greg Loveday – Timothy Hatcher | Big Bucks Buddy Trail | 5 | 13- 2 | 5 | 13- 2 |
| 100 | Hunter Hamilton – Joshua Goan | Morristown Marine Team Trail | 4 | 13- 2 | 4 | 13- 2 |
| 101 | Todd Walters – Jason Threadgill | Carolina Bass Challenge | 5 | 13- 1 | 5 | 13- 1 |
| 102 | Fred Ingalls III – Mark Allen | Upstate Anglers | 4 | 13- 1 | 4 | 13- 1 |
| 103 | Marc Deschenes – Ray Walsh | Carolina Anglers Team Trail | 5 | 12-15 | 5 | 12-15 |
| 104 | Dennis Chavez – Donnie Coleman Jr | NV BN Team Trail | 5 | 12-12 | 5 | 12-12 |
| 105 | Jody Hughes – Jim Smith | PBC Tournament Trail | 5 | 12-10 | 5 | 12-10 |
| 105 | Gregory Weber – Stewart Weber | NTBA | 5 | 12-10 | 5 | 12-10 |
| 107 | Wes Wiggins – Joshua Weeks | McNider Marine Ironman Tournament | 5 | 12- 9 | 5 | 12- 9 |
| 108 | Cole Winn – Scott Martin | Carolina Bass Challenge | 5 | 12- 8 | 5 | 12- 8 |
| 109 | Craig Hodges – Blake Newton | NTBA | 5 | 12- 6 | 5 | 12- 6 |
| 110 | Ashley Medley – Scott Clift | Ozark Mountain Team Trail | 5 | 12- 5 | 5 | 12- 5 |
| 110 | Tony Woodard – Wally Szuba | Anglers Choice | 5 | 12- 5 | 5 | 12- 5 |
| 112 | Randy Brown – Greg Burrell | Morris Town Marine | 4 | 12- 4 | 4 | 12- 4 |
| 113 | Jeff Coble – David Wright | Anglers Choice | 5 | 12- 3 | 5 | 12- 3 |
| 114 | Kelly Power – Mark Wiese Jr | Ozark Mountain Team Trail | 5 | 12- 2 | 5 | 12- 2 |
| 115 | William Padgett Jr – Meredith Havird | Carolina Bass Challenge | 5 | 12- 1 | 5 | 12- 1 |
| 115 | Nicholas Reeves – Chase Reeves | Fishers of Men Team Trail | 5 | 12- 1 | 5 | 12- 1 |
| 117 | Steve Stewart – Johnny Creel | Fishers Of Men | 5 | 12- 0 | 5 | 12- 0 |
| 118 | Eric Self – Tyler Beam | Carolina Bass Challenge | 4 | 11-13 | 4 | 11-13 |
| 119 | Andrew Larson – Matt Becker | Fishers of Men Team Trail | 5 | 11-12 | 5 | 11-12 |
| 120 | Michael Kazmierczak – Mike Pappas | IL BN Team Trail | 5 | 11-11 | 5 | 11-11 |
| 121 | Jimmy Carruth – Paula Carruth | Media Bass Team Trail | 4 | 11-11 | 4 | 11-11 |
| 122 | Bryan Baker – Darren Baker | Joe Bags Team Trail | 5 | 11- 9 | 5 | 11- 9 |
| 123 | Steven Thames – Zachary Weimer | FL BN Team Trail | 4 | 11- 8 | 4 | 11- 8 |
| 124 | Johnny Robinson – Jamie Joiner | Ozark Mountain | 5 | 11- 7 | 5 | 11- 7 |
| 125 | Mack Cook – Patrick Cook | Carolina Bass Challenge | 4 | 11- 7 | 4 | 11- 7 |
| 125 | Thomas Gavin – Bobby Winn | Carolina Bass Challenge | 4 | 11- 7 | 4 | 11- 7 |
| 125 | Steven Majewski – Jeffrey Gee | AC Tournament Trail | 4 | 11- 7 | 4 | 11- 7 |
| 128 | Kyle Kempkers – Brett Haveman | BBT Bass R Us Tournament Trail | 3 | 11- 7 | 3 | 11- 7 |
| 129 | Wayne Cox – Jimmy Harrison | Alabama Bass Trail | 5 | 11- 6 | 5 | 11- 6 |
| 130 | Jeffrey Richey – Howard Richey | McNider Marine Ironman Tournament | 5 | 11- 5 | 5 | 11- 5 |
| 131 | Robert Flowers – Taylor Smith | Northwest Bass | 5 | 11- 4 | 5 | 11- 4 |
| 131 | Justin Romines – Cory Stuart | Fishers of Men | 5 | 11- 4 | 5 | 11- 4 |
| 133 | Kurt Kahl – Mike Feldermann | AC Tournament Trail | 4 | 11- 3 | 4 | 11- 3 |
| 134 | Eric Deering – Adam Kaufmann | WABTA | 5 | 11- 1 | 5 | 11- 1 |
| 135 | Bryan Welch – Mark Inman | Carolina Anglers Team Trail | 4 | 11- 1 | 4 | 11- 1 |
| 136 | Tom Campagna – Chris Lucas | Anglers Choice | 5 | 11- 0 | 5 | 11- 0 |
| 137 | Jon Richardson – Tom Stinson | Media Bass Team Trail | 4 | 10-10 | 4 | 10-10 |
| 138 | John Hodges – Chris Colley | Big Bucks Team Trail | 3 | 10-10 | 3 | 10-10 |
| 139 | Martin Elshout – Mark Price | Fishers of Men | 5 | 10- 9 | 5 | 10- 9 |
| 139 | Mark Mounts – Matthew Farrabee | Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit | 5 | 10- 9 | 5 | 10- 9 |
| 139 | Chad Pilson – Elliot Pilson | Anglers Choice | 5 | 10- 9 | 5 | 10- 9 |
| 142 | Terry Weaver – Doug Drysdale | Joe Bass Team Trail | 5 | 10- 8 | 5 | 10- 8 |
| 143 | Reggie Pickett – Larry Kirk | Carolina Bass Challenge | 4 | 9-13 | 4 | 9-13 |
| 144 | Eric Bozeman – Thomas Proudfoot | Carolina Bass Challenge | 3 | 9-12 | 3 | 9-12 |
| 145 | Paul Vandentoorn – Nate Westrate | BBT Bass R Us Tournament Trail | 3 | 9-11 | 3 | 9-11 |
| 146 | Charlie Signorino – Bill Kellman | Upstate Anglers | 4 | 9- 9 | 4 | 9- 9 |
| 147 | Chris Marshall – Josh Gardner | Carolina Bass Challenge | 3 | 9- 9 | 3 | 9- 9 |
| 148 | Byron Albrecht – Jason Windham | TX BN Team Trail | 5 | 9- 7 | 5 | 9- 7 |
| 149 | Steve Lund – Dylan Maxon | Total Bass Addicts Team Trail | 3 | 9- 7 | 3 | 9- 7 |
| 150 | David Barnes – William Centra | Maine BN – Man vs Bass | 4 | 9- 6 | 4 | 9- 6 |
| 151 | Kendal Beaty – Marion Tipton | TN Valley Team Trail | 4 | 9- 4 | 4 | 9- 4 |
| 152 | Mark Warner – Jeffrey Nolte | 3 | 9- 1 | 3 | 9- 1 | |
| 153 | Paul Drake – Brad Drake | Media Bass Team Trail | 3 | 8-12 | 3 | 8-12 |
| 154 | Josh Wray – Donald Wray | Anglers in Action – Trail | 4 | 8-10 | 4 | 8-10 |
| 155 | Marty Giddens – Chris Studdard | Airport Marine | 5 | 8- 8 | 5 | 8- 8 |
| 156 | Joshua Moore – Ty Humphries | H&W Marine TNT | 4 | 8- 5 | 4 | 8- 5 |
| 157 | Mike Layton – Scooter Lilley | Anglers Choice | 4 | 7-15 | 4 | 7-15 |
| 158 | Jeffrey Lokken – Jennifer Lokken | 4 | 7-14 | 4 | 7-14 | |
| 159 | Mike Bird – Ted Roper | Ultimate Bass Team Tour | 3 | 7-13 | 3 | 7-13 |
| 159 | Keith Speece – Myles Ireland | Carolina Bass Challenge | 3 | 7-13 | 3 | 7-13 |
| 161 | Tom Statler – Dillon Statler | Joe Bass Team Trail | 4 | 7-11 | 4 | 7-11 |
| 162 | Thomas Hardwick III – Tommy Williams | Carolina Bass Challenge | 4 | 7- 9 | 4 | 7- 9 |
| 163 | John Mackey – Derek Yamamoto | Ultimate Bass Team Tour | 3 | 7- 9 | 3 | 7- 9 |
| 164 | Paul Rice Jr – Bruce Morgan | Fishers of Men Team Trail | 3 | 7- 8 | 3 | 7- 8 |
| 165 | Terry Jones II – Jason Stevens | Dockside Marine Tournament Trail | 3 | 6- 9 | 3 | 6- 9 |
| 166 | Dan Parker – Troy Berntgen | IA BN Team Trail | 1 | 6- 0 | 1 | 6- 0 |
| 167 | Marc Alain – Pierre Hugues Lussier | Renegade Bass Team Trail | 5 | 5-12 | 5 | 5-12 |
| 168 | Jarrod Sherwood – Jeff Wiederman | Team Bass | 3 | 5-12 | 3 | 5-12 |
| 169 | James Brown – John Williams IV | Joe Bass Team Trail | 2 | 5-11 | 2 | 5-11 |
| 170 | Kavan Maybee – Michael Smith | Joe Bass Team Trail | 2 | 5-10 | 2 | 5-10 |
| 171 | Bradley Gunter – Stan Gunter | Carolina Bass Challenge | 2 | 5- 3 | 2 | 5- 3 |
| 172 | Wayne Frierson – Ronnie Mueller | Carolina Bass Challenge | 2 | 4-15 | 2 | 4-15 |
| 172 | Kevin Gruppen – Tom Overholt | BBT Bass R Us Tournament Trail | 2 | 4-15 | 2 | 4-15 |
| 174 | Scott Addis – Terry Cox | PBC Tournament Trail | 2 | 4-14 | 2 | 4-14 |
| 175 | Tommy King – Clayton King | Carolina Bass Challenge | 2 | 4-11 | 2 | 4-11 |
| 176 | Mark Osgood – Jedediah Harris | Maine BN – Man vs Bass | 2 | 4- 8 | 2 | 4- 8 |
| 176 | Jason Self – Dan Schmidt | Total Bass Addicts | 2 | 4- 8 | 2 | 4- 8 |
| 178 | Edward Bauer – Matthew Bishop | IN BN Team Trail | 1 | 4- 2 | 1 | 4- 2 |
| 179 | Glenn Harrison – Rusty Darnell | Joe Bass Team Trail | 2 | 3-13 | 2 | 3-13 |
| 180 | Charlie Machek – Scott Wiley | Anglers Choice | 2 | 3-11 | 2 | 3-11 |
| 181 | Keith Estes – Woo Daves | James River Priority | 2 | 3- 9 | 2 | 3- 9 |
| 181 | John Welborn – Wesley Sams | Alabama Bass Trail | 2 | 3- 9 | 2 | 3- 9 |
| 183 | Anthony Liles – Ricky Bridgers | Fishers of Men Team Trail | 1 | 3- 8 | 1 | 3- 8 |
| 184 | Douglas Eubank – Daniel Eubank Jr | Anglers Choice | 1 | 2-15 | 1 | 2-15 |
| 184 | John Myers Jr – John Myers III | Fishers of Men Team Trail | 1 | 2-15 | 1 | 2-15 |
| 186 | Kyle Smith – Bill Jenkins Jr | Morristown Marine Team Trail | 1 | 2-10 | 1 | 2-10 |
| 187 | Riley Macdonald – John Macdonald | Bassmania | 2 | 0- 0 | 2 | 0- 0 |
| 188 | Billy Berthiaume – Casey Baker | TN Valley Team Trail | 0 | 0- 0 | ||
| 188 | Clifford Bunch – Gary Pilkenton | Morristown Marine | 0 | 0- 0 | ||
| 188 | Brian Collard – Gary Preston | Media Bass Team Trail | 0 | 0- 0 | ||
| 188 | Robert Guest – David Heatherly | Carolina Bass Challenge | 0 | 0- 0 | ||
| 188 | Kevin Jennings – DJ Hicks | Fishers of Men Team Trail | 0 | 0- 0 | ||
| 188 | Peter Marrocco – Pat Marrocco | Bassmania Team Traili | 0 | 0- 0 | ||
| 188 | Eric Nelson – Robert Grike | Priority James River | 0 | 0- 0 | ||
| 188 | James Shockey III – David Crawford | Fishers of Men | 0 | 0- 0 | ||
| 188 | Christopher Sinclair – Caleb Conner | Carolina Bass Challenge | 0 | 0- 0 | ||
| 188 | Brad Webb – Clay Powers | James River Priority Team Trail | 0 | 0- 0 | ||
Guests on this week’s show were Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Gerald “G-Man” Swindle and Bassmaster Classic Champion Michael Iaconelli.
If you missed the show, you can listen to the podcast here.
You can listen to the show on any of the following Set the Hook! with Pat Rose radio network affiliates: Saturday 7-8 am EST on ESPN 105 1 The Zone espnchattanooga.com, 1-2 pm EST on Fox Sports Radio 1670 foxsports1670.com (IHeart Radio app), 7-8 am CST on KEWI 690 am 103.4 FM saline247.com (Tunein Radio app), Sunday 9-10 am EST on Copperhead 1240 Soddy Daisy, TN 1240wsdt.com (Tunein Radio app), 4-5 pm CST on 1480 The Fan! 5-6 pm EST on WKWN 1420 AM 106.1 FM Trenton, GA discoverdade.com/1061FM.htm (Freestream Radio app).
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Plano, IL (December 7, 2015) – Some of the best fishing adventures exist in the least accessible places; often well beyond the range of your fully provisioned boat or SUV. Whether the final miles of the journey to your angling Shangri-La are covered by foot, mountain bike, horseback, kayak or dugout canoe, Plano’s new A-Series Tackle Backpack will carry the tackle and other essential gear you’ll need to make the most of any angling adventure.
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The aesthetics and durability of the A-Series Tackle Backpack match this innovative tackle bag’s utility and comfort. An adventurous shade of olive drab adorns a unique and proprietary polyester construction material with a water resistant lining, giving the pack a sturdy feel with a classically clean and rugged look that will appeal to any angler.
Plano Model No. 414100 A-Series Tackle Backpack
MSRP: $59.99
A is for adventure. Perfect for kayak anglers, expedition anglers, or anyone who needs to transport tackle while keeping their hands free, Plano’s new A-Series Tackle Backpack is the ultimate adventure angling tackle pack – a key product in the company’s all-new A-Series tackle storage products family; a premium and distinctive line of innovative designs, each combining high-quality materials with clean and rugged aesthetics. In addition to the Tackle Backpack, Plano’s new A-Series includes two QuickTop Tackle Bags, a Tackle Duffel, and a Tackle Bag, providing the discriminating angler with a comprehensive system for tackle storage and transportation. Learn more at www.planomolding.com.
#PlanoFishing
The 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series field is set with a total of 111 of the world’s best bass anglers, including 15 former Bassmaster Classic champions. Chris Lane of Guntersville, Ala. (above), won the Classic in 2012.
Dec. 7, 2015
The 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series Field Is Set
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Entering its 11th season, the 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series field has been filled with 111 professional anglers, including both new and familiar names.
Most are veteran tournament anglers; 98 are returning Elite Series anglers, while many of the 13 newcomers have long and distinguished résumés from other fishing circuits. All will be battling for hundreds of thousands of dollars, plus the prestigious Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title and coveted 2017 Bassmaster Classic spots, in competition on some of America’s top bass fisheries.
Headlining the field is Aaron Martens of Leeds, Ala., the reigning Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year. Martens clinched the 2015 AOY title after turning in one of the most dominant performances in recent history, including two Elite Series victories. Joining him are other members of the Top 5 in 2015 AOY points, including Justin Lucas of Guntersville, Ala., who won the 2015 Sacramento Bassmaster Elite at Sacramento River; four-time tournament winner Dean Rojas; 10-time champion Edwin Evers, who also won back-to-back events in 2015; and three-time winner Jacob Powroznik.
Fifteen former Classic winners will be competing in the 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series, including the 2015 champion, Casey Ashley of Donalds, S.C.; Luke Clausen of Otis Orchards, Wash.; Rick Clunn of Ava, Mo.; Mark Davis of Mount Ida, Ark.; Boyd Duckett of Guntersville, Ala.; Paul Elias of Laurel, Miss.; Davy Hite of Ninety Six, S.C.; Randy Howell of Guntersville, Ala.; Michael Iaconelli of Pittsgrove, N.J.; Alton Jones of Lorena, Texas; Chris Lane of Guntersville, Ala.; Takahiro Omori of Emory, Texas; Cliff Pace of Petal, Miss.; Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif.; and Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich.
Joining the veteran Elite anglers are 12 newcomers to the Elite Series who qualified through the rigorous Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series: Adrian Avena of Vineland, N.J.; Dave Lefebre, Erie, Pa.; Shane Lineberger, Lincolnton, N.C.; Matt Vermilyea, Perrysburg, Ohio; John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky.; Drew Benton, Panama City, Fla.; Clent Davis, Montevallo, Ala.; Chad Grigsby, Maple Grove, Minn.; Jay Brainard, Enid, Okla.; Brett Preuett, Monroe, La.; Brock Mosley, Collinsville, Miss.; and Clausen. In addition, Fabian Rodriguez of Ocean City, Md., earned an Elite Series invitation as a B.A.S.S. Nation divisional champion.
Pros and fans alike are expressing their enthusiasm with the 2016 Elite Series schedule, which is being expanded from nine tournaments, including the AOY Championship, to 11. The season kicks off with the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, March 4-6. The Classic winner, if he is not already in the Elite Series will be invited to join the tour, which begins at the St. Johns River out of Palatka, Fla., March 17-20.
Each regular-season Elite Series event will feature a $658,000 purse, with $100,000 going to the winner and at least $10,000 being paid out through 52nd place, based on a full field of 111. BASSfest will pay out a total of $700,000, with $100,000 going to first place.
The 2016 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship will pay a total purse of $1 million, with the Angler of the Year claiming $100,000, and the rest distributed to the remainder of the field of Top 50 Elite anglers based on AOY standings after the championship.
2016 Bassmaster Elite Series field
(Anglers marked with an asterisk (*) are new to the Elite Series.)
Randy Allen, Shreveport, La.
Casey Ashley, Donalds, S.C.
*Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J.
*Drew Benton, Panama City, Fla.
Josh Bertrand, Gilbert, Ariz.
Tommy Biffle, Wagoner, Okla.
*Jay Brainard, Enid, Okla.
Stephen Browning, Hot Springs, Ark.
Brandon Card, Caryville, Tenn.
Brent Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan.
Hank Cherry, Maiden, N.C.
Jason Christie, Park Hill, Okla.
*Luke Clausen, Otis Orchards, Wash.
Rick Clunn, Ava, Mo.
Keith Combs, Huntington, Texas
Brandon Coulter, Knoxville, Tenn.
John Crews, Salem, Va.
Cliff Crochet, Pierre Part, La.
Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark.
*Clent Davis, Montevallo, Ala.
Ott DeFoe, Knoxville, Tenn.
Boyd Duckett, Guntersville, Ala.
Brent Ehrler, Newport Beach, Calif.
James Elam, Tulsa, Okla.
Paul Elias, Laurel, Miss.
Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla.
Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas
Seth Feider, Bloomington, Minn.
Micah Frazier, Newnan, Ga.
*Chad Grigsby, Maple Grove, Minn.
Shaw Grigsby, Gainseville, Fla.
Greg Hackney, Gonzales, La.
Matt Herren, Ashville, Ala.
Brett Hite, Phoenix, Ariz.
Davy Hite, Ninety Six, S.C.
Tim Horton, Muscle Shoals, Ala.
Randy Howell, Guntersville, Ala.
*John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky.
Michael Iaconelli, Pittsgrove, N.J.
Ken Iyobe, Tokoname Aichi, Japan
Kelly Jaye, Dadeville, Ala.
Carl Jocumsen, Frisco, Texas
Alton Jones, Lorena, Texas
Kelly Jordon, Flint, Texas
Steve Kennedy, Auburn, Ala.
Kotaro Kiriyama, Moody, Ala.
Gary Klein, Weatherford, Texas
Koby Kreiger, Bokeelia, Fla.
Jeff Kriet, Ardmore, Okla.
Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala.
Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla.
Russ Lane, Prattville, Ala.
Jordan Lee, Vinemont, Ala.
Matt Lee, Guntersville, Ala.
*Dave Lefebre, Erie, Pa.
Brandon Lester, Fayetteville, Tenn.
*Shane Lineberger, Lincolnton, N.C.
Jared Lintner, Arroyo Grande, Calif.
Bill Lowen, Brookville, Ind.
Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala.
Aaron Martens, Leeds, Ala.
Billy McCaghren, Mayflower, Ark.
Mike McClelland, Bella Vista, Ark.
Mark Menendez, Paducah, Ky.
Yusuke Miyazaki, Forney, Texas
Ish Monroe, Hughson, Calif.
Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C.
Chad Morgenthaler, Reeds Spring, Mo.
*Brock Mosley, Collinsville, Miss.
Paul Mueller, Naugatuck, Conn.
David Mullins, Mt. Carmel, Tenn.
John Murray, Phoenix, Ariz.
Britt Myers, Lake Wylie, S.C.
James Niggemeyer, Van, Texas
Takahiro Omori, Emory, Texas
Cliff Pace, Petal, Miss.
Brandon Palaniuk, Hayden, Idaho
Chad Pipkens, Holt, Mich.
Clifford Pirch, Payson, Ariz.
Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala.
Jacob Powroznik, Port Haywood, Va.
*Brett Preuett, Monroe, La.
Cliff Prince, Palatka, Fla.
Matt Reed, Madisonville, Texas
Skeet Reese, Auburn, Calif.
Marty Robinson, Lyman, S.C.
*Fabian Rodriguez, Ocean City, Md.
Dean Rojas, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
Scott Rook, Little Rock, Ark.
Fred Roumbanis, Bixby, Okla.
Bradley Roy, Lancaster, Ky.
Casey Scanlon, Rocky Mount, Mo.
Bernie Schultz, Gainesville, Fla.
Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla.
Morizo Shimizu, Suita, Osaka, Japan
Fletcher Shryock, New Philadelphia, Ohio
Brian Snowden, Reeds Spring, Mo.
Gerald Swindle, Warrior, Ala.
Randall Tharp, Port St. Joe, Fla.
Dennis Tietje, Roanoke, La.
J Todd Tucker, Moultrie Ga.
Jonathon VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich.
Kevin VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich.
Bryon Velvick, Boerne, Texas
*Matt Vermilyea, Perrysburg, Ohio
Greg Vinson, Wetumpka, Ala.
David Walker, Sevierville, Tenn.
Nate Wellman, Newaygo, Mich.
David Williams, Newton, N.C.
Jason Williamson, Wagener, S.C.
Chris Zaldain, San Jose, Calif.
Dec. 4, 2015
Classic Berth Awaits Winner Of Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship
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GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. – When bass fishing enthusiasts hear mention of Lake Guntersville, many think right away of a lake that’s played host to some of the sport’s biggest moments.
During the past six years alone, the historic Tennessee River fishery has been the site of three Bassmaster Elite Series events and the 2014 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
On Dec. 9-12, another historic moment will take place when the Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship is held from Guntersville State Park with a 2016 Classic berth on the line. Daily launches will take place at 6:30 a.m. CT, with weigh-ins held back at the park each day at 2:30 p.m.
A full field of about 400 anglers from across the country will fish as two-man teams Dec. 9-10, with the top pair being crowned national team champions. Then on Dec. 11-12, the six anglers from the top three teams will compete individually in the Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off.
The winner of the individual competition will earn a bid to the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, March 4-6.
“For the average guy who has heard so much about Guntersville, I know they’re excited just to fish the lake,” said Jon Stewart, Bassmaster Team Championship director. “Anytime you make a cast at Guntersville, you feel like you have a chance to catch the fish of a lifetime. To experience that and also have a chance to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic is a pretty amazing thing.”
Though Guntersville is indeed nationally known for producing big numbers of trophy-sized bass, the fishing has been tough of late — perhaps due to a mild fall that has seen daytime temperatures remain in the upper 60s and low 70s into early December across the southeastern United States.
Some of the top anglers in the world have struggled on the lake recently, including 2015 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Aaron Martens. During a live video presentation on Bassmaster.com in late October, Martens landed just one fish for the camera between the hours of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Justin Lucas, an Elite Series pro from Alabama who finished just behind Martens in this year’s AOY standings, had an even harder time recently figuring out the Guntersville bass.
“I spent some time out there a while back, and I fished four hours and never got a bite,” said Lucas, who lives just minutes from the lake. “Guntersville was actually better in September and October this year than it had been in September and October of years past. But since then — since all the mats have gone away — it’s gotten really tough.”
Though he said he wouldn’t be surprised to see low weights across much of the field, Lucas is confident some anglers will find good fish. He listed a variety of baits he would use if he were taking part in the event.
“I would be using lipless cranks, swimbaits, ChatterBaits — all moving baits — in less than 10 feet of water,” Lucas said. “And I’d be looking for places where I could get multiple bites.”
He said those types of places are common on Guntersville if the anglers can only find the right ones.
“One thing about the Tennessee River is the fish do tend to school up — whether they’re in big, giant schools on ledges or on the edge of the grass,” Lucas said. “If you catch one, you can typically catch another one or two from that area.
“That’s what you need to find. To me, if I’m out there with the trolling motor down all day only catching one here and there, that doesn’t give me a lot of confidence to go back out the next day in a multiday tournament.”
Anglers qualified for the Team Championship through various independently operated team trails sanctioned by B.A.S.S. A complete list of those sanctioned events is available at Bassmaster.com.
In last year’s inaugural Team Championship at DeGray Lake in Arkansas, teammates Flannagan Fife and Royce Davis from the Fishers of Men circuit clinched the team title in their home state and advanced to the Classic Fish-Off. However, North Carolina angler Brandon Gray from the Anglers Choice team trail won the fish-off and qualified for the 2015 Classic on Lake Hartwell out of Greenville, S.C.
Gray finished 37th out of 55 anglers in the Classic with a two-day total of 15-10, earning $10,000. A weekend angler who had fished only one Bassmaster event prior to the Classic, Gray finished ahead of several veteran pros, including Paul Elias, Cliff Crochet and Brandon Palaniuk.
December 3, 2015
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Buck Knives is sponsoring the “Edge of a Legend Fishing Sweepstakes” now through June 30, 2016. The sweepstakes includes prize packages from leading outdoor brands. First place gets a fully loaded bass boat valued at more than $60,000. Other companies that provided prizes in the package include Buck Knives, Power-Pole, Strike King, Lew’s, Plano, Frabill, Lucas Oil, Vicious, Jackson Kayak, Bradley Smoker and iON.
The second-place winner will receive more than $4,000 worth of prizes, including a Jackson Kayak Coosa HD loaded with Astral life vests, an iON camera, Vicious Vision sunglasses, an Orion 25-quart cooler and several knives from Buck.
The third-place package worth more than $2,000 includes a Bradley Smoker and Grill with additional Bradley Smoker accessories, an Orion 45-quart cooler, a pair of Vicious Vision sunglasses and a Buck Knives 13-piece cutlery set.
No purchase is necessary. Customers can register online at BuckKnivesFishing.com, by mail or through Buck Knives’ Facebook page. Purchases do not improve chances of winning.
“Buck Knives is committed to providing quality products in all outdoor markets,” says Bob George, director of sales and marketing for Buck Knives. “We solidified our presence in the fishing industry with the launch of our Splizzors, and we’ve received positive feedback with our continued expansion into this growing market. This sweepstakes is a way to thank our customers for their continued patronage and increase our category brand recognition.”
Additional sweepstakes information and rules can be found at BuckKnivesFishing.com
Huk Performace Apparel has upgraded its sponsorship and signed a three-year agreement with B.A.S.S. to become a Premier Sponsor of all Bassmaster tournament circuits.
Dec. 3, 2015
Huk Performance Apparel Increases Support As Premier B.A.S.S. Sponsor
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Huk, a performance apparel company offering quality, technical fishing clothing to anglers, has upgraded its sponsorship and signed a three-year agreement with B.A.S.S. to become a Premier Sponsor of all Bassmaster tournament circuits.
Huk signed on as a supporting sponsor shortly after it was launched in 2014. Headquartered in Charleston, S.C., Huk aims to serve all anglers, especially bass anglers, with clothing designed for their sport. As part of their Premier Sponsorship, Huk has entered into an apparel licensing agreement with B.A.S.S. and will also become the official merchandise vendor at B.A.S.S. events.
“We’re very pleased to continue our partnership with a brand as strong as B.A.S.S. and to support the growing sport of bass fishing,” said Ben Verner, president of Huk. “We are a company that shares their passion for fishing and the sport.”
Under the deal announced today, Huk will be a premier-level sponsor of the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro, Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series, B.A.S.S. Nation, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series and Costa Bassmaster High School Series.
“By becoming a Premier Sponsor, we are honored to support some of the very best anglers in the world by providing them with the most technically advanced and innovative performance apparel on the water today,” Verner said.
Bassmaster Elite Series pros including Kevin VanDam, Skeet Reese, Gerald Swindle and Brandon Palaniuk are members of the Huk pro team. Testimonials and tips from the pros can be found on its website, www.hukgear.com.
Huk will also share its performance apparel lines with the fishing public at the Bassmaster Classic Outdoor Expo presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods. The apparel company will also be activating at the Bassmaster Classic takeoff at Wolf Creek Park and the Classic weigh-in at the BOK Center. The 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic will be held in Tulsa, Okla., March 4-6.
“B.A.S.S. is proud to have Huk as a member of our sponsor family,” said Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S. “Bass anglers and fans are Huk customers, and the company’s commitment brings a strong presence to the ever-expanding sport of bass fishing. We look forward to continuing our joint efforts in growing our sport.”
About Huk
Huk Performance Apparel’s mission is to unite all fishermen in the way a “huk” is a piece of equipment common to every single form of angling. From freshwater to salt, offshore to inshore, bait to artificial, spinning to casting to fly — our passion is all the same. Huk clothing represents a fresh take on the fishing world, offering styles that are young and current but still appeal to anglers of all ages. We are there for every fisherman, from the first cast to the last. For more information, go to www.hukgear.com or www.facebook.com/hukgear.
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Nov. 30, 2015
Michigan Autoworker Wins $5,000 Shopping Spree Contest
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After living on Lake St. Clair, Michigan, his whole life, Kelly Ray knows what lures he likes to use on the Northern fishery: tube jigs and spinners.
Now Ray can buy all the tube jigs and spinners he will need for quite a while, thanks to winning the Bassmaster Shopping Spree Sweepstakes for a $5,000 Bass Pro Shops gift card.
“I enter Bassmaster sweepstakes all the time,” Ray said. “When I learned that I won, that was unreal. I couldn’t believe it.”
Ray lives in Sterling Heights, Mich., about 8 miles from Detroit and works as a tool setter in the auto industry.
He said he is thinking about using his prize to put a down payment on a bass boat. It would be his first time owning a boat.
“I live really close to Lake St. Clair, so I fish it all the time in the summer,” Ray said.
However, he’s not too eager to head out on the lake right now and put some new Bass Pro Shops gear to the test. That will have to wait for warmer weather. “The fish have wintered down already,” he said. “They’re already down deep.”
Ray said his strategy in playing the Bassmaster Shopping Spree Sweepstakes was to log on every day and enter. He said he was trying to win the sweepstakes to fish with another Michigan angler — Kevin VanDam — when the shopping spree caught his eye.
“I grew up fishing with my father,” said Ray, whose personal best fish is a 5 1/2-pound smallmouth.
From now through Dec. 7, visit Bassmaster.com to enter the latest sweepstakes, the Bassmaster Winter Boat Giveaway. The first-place winner will receive a Triton 179 TrX, Yamaha F11LB, Triton single-axle trailer, MotorGuide trolling motor and Lowrance Mark 5. The total value of this prize is $25,095.
A second prizewinner will receive a Triton 17 TX, Mercury 60 ELPT, Triton single-axle trailer, MotorGuide trolling motor and Lowrance 3X depthfinder. This prize is valued at $17,395.
All entries must be received by midnight on Dec. 7 to be eligible, and the two winners will be selected on Dec. 9.
