Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Home Blog Page 518

Carden Maintains B.A.S.S. Nation Championship Lead Despite Tough Day On Ouachita River

November 4, 2021

[print_link]

Carden Maintains B.A.S.S. Nation Championship Lead Despite Tough Day On Ouachita River

MONROE, La. — Coby Carden had a dismal Day 2 on the Ouachita River, but an especially heavy Day 1 haul allowed him to maintain the lead in the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.

And that means his hopes of reaching his third Bassmaster Classic remain intact.

The 47-year-old Shelby, Ala., resident caught only two bass Thursday that weighed 4 pounds, 7 ounces. The 19-5 limit he caught a day earlier, however, was strong enough to give him 23-12 overall and a spot atop the leaderboard.

A total of 101 anglers from 47 states and three foreign countries are competing this week for $96,000 in prize money. Also up for grabs are three berths in the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk scheduled for March 4-6 on South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell.

Carden’s been in this position before. He finished second in the Nation Championship on the Ouachita River in 2014 to qualify for the 2015 Classic on Hartwell, where he finished 15th overall. He also fished in the 2014 Classic on Alabama’s Lake Guntersville, placing 24th.

Carden knows he’ll have to improve on Thursday’s weight to make a personal trifecta of Classics. He’s prepared to make changes to get there, too.

“I’m not going back to the spot I’ve been fishing,” Carden said. “The area takes a lot of commitment. It takes an hour and 20 minutes to get there. It’s dangerous to get there. Tomorrow, I’m going to play it more conservative and go in places where I can run a bunch of different water.”

The spot was obviously fizzling out anyway.

“I only had five bites today, and I caught all five,” he said. “But there were three shorts in there. It’s all about decision-making. I’m going to really try to get my primary area out of mind and go fish a bunch of different things … maybe I can figure something out.”

So, too, will the 13 other anglers who survived Thursday’s cut. They include, second, California’s Matty Wong, 23-4; third, Wisconsin’s Jim Barczak, 22-3; fourth, Arkansas’ Chris Johnson, 21-14; fifth, Kansas’ Ray Cates, 21-12; sixth, Rhode Island’s Mike Wolfenden, 20-8; seventh, Oklahoma’s Jared Miller, 20-3; eighth, Utah’s Ben Byrd, 18-14; ninth, Arizona’s Zack Holwerda, 18-6; 10th, South Africa’s Justin Karan, 18-5; 11th, Wisconsin’s Dustin Drath, 17-15; 12th, Washington’s Taylor Smith, 17-7; 13th, Pennsylvania’s Aaron Green, 16-2; and 14th, Minnesota’s Richard Lindgren, 14-13.

The Top 10 boaters made Friday’s final cut. In addition, Cates advanced by winning the nonboater division and Drath by having a nonboater weight that ranked among the Top 10 boater weights. The Top 2 anglers from each of the five Nation regions (and not in the Top 10 overall) also advanced — Green from the Northeastern Region and Lindgren from the Northern Region.

Wong briefly held the overall lead on Day 2 after catching limits of 12-2 on Wednesday and 11-2 on Thursday.

“It was nice to go into today with the bag I had because it helped me keep an open mind and keep the pressure off,” he said.

Wong said he’s dreamed of reaching the Classic since he was a boy growing up in Hawaii.

“I’m speechless just knowing it’s within reach,” he said. “But I’m not going to think about it. I just have to go fish my brains out.”

Barczak said he’s slow rolling a white/chartreuse spinnerbait around cypress laydowns to catch his best bass. He’s fished near other top competitors on both days of the tournament, but none close enough to compete for bites.

“I’ll spend all day there again tomorrow and hopefully I’ll be alone,” he said.

This week’s winner will collect a $20,000 Nation’s Best first prize presented by Nitro/Mercury. The champ also will earn a spot in the Bassmaster Elite Series in 2022, including the use of a fully-rigged Nation’s Best tournament boat for the season. If he declines the invite to the Elites, he’ll instead have all entry fees paid into each of the 2022 Bassmaster Opens. The second- and third-place anglers also will have their entry fees paid into the Opens in all divisions.

Cates was awarded the Louis “Pee Wee” Powers Memorial Trophy that goes to the top nonboater.  He also collected $10,000 courtesy of Nitro/Mercury for finishing atop the co-angler division and another $500 for having the big bass in the nonboater division (4-15).

“I’m going to stay on the main river tomorrow and try to find some fish,” the 59-year-old Overland Park, Kansas, resident said. “It’s a challenge fishing from the back of the boat, especially behind these really good fishermen. I’m looking forward to having some clean water in front of me.”

Drath won $7,500 for placing second among nonboaters. Rounding out the Top 5 in the division are third, Jake Morrison of Scottsdale, Ariz., 15-14; fourth, Joe Sodora of Garfield, N.J., 13-11; and fifth, Mark Pierce of Kadiz, Ky., 11-4. The Top 12 nonboaters split $31,500 of the total prize money.

The third and final day of the event will begin Friday with a 7:15 a.m. CT takeoff from Forsythe Park. Weigh-in will be held back at the park at 3:15 p.m.

The championship tournament is being hosted by the Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau.

2021 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship – Ouachita River 11/3-11/5
Ouachita River, Monroe  LA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2

   Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Coby Carden            Shelby, AL               7  23-12    0
Day 1: 5   19-05     Day 2: 2   04-07
2.  Matty Wong             Culver City, CA         10  23-04    0
Day 1: 5   12-02     Day 2: 5   11-02
3.  Jim Barczak            Osceola, WI             10  22-03    0
Day 1: 5   13-04     Day 2: 5   08-15
4.  Chris Johnson          Farmington, AR          10  21-14    0
Day 1: 5   12-12     Day 2: 5   09-02
5.  Mike Wolfenden         Warwick, RI             10  20-08    0
Day 1: 5   12-04     Day 2: 5   08-04
6.  Jared Miller           Norman, OK              10  20-03    0
Day 1: 5   10-11     Day 2: 5   09-08
7.  Ben Byrd               Moab, UT                10  18-14    0
Day 1: 5   07-13     Day 2: 5   11-01
8.  Zack Holwerda          Maricopa, AZ            10  18-06    0
Day 1: 5   09-09     Day 2: 5   08-13
9.  Justin Karan           Heidelberg Gauteng SOUT 10  18-05    0
Day 1: 5   10-06     Day 2: 5   07-15
10. Taylor Smith           Valleyford, WA          10  17-07    0
Day 1: 5   08-14     Day 2: 5   08-09
11. Nick Luna              Grain Valley, MO        10  17-05    0
Day 1: 5   10-13     Day 2: 5   06-08
12. Bryant Copley          Altavista, VA            9  17-04    0
Day 1: 5   08-08     Day 2: 4   08-12
13. Aaron Green            Everett, PA              6  16-12    0
Day 1: 5   15-06     Day 2: 1   01-06
14. Fabian Rodriguez       Ocean City, MD           9  16-12    0
Day 1: 4   06-15     Day 2: 5   09-13
15. Jason Pittman          Covington, MS           10  16-00    0
Day 1: 5   09-02     Day 2: 5   06-14
16. Brandon Moss           Blanchard, OK            9  15-14    0
Day 1: 4   05-08     Day 2: 5   10-06
17. Rick Svoboda           Cockeysville , MD        8  15-07    0
Day 1: 5   10-04     Day 2: 3   05-03
18. Richard Lindgren       Lakeville, MN            6  14-13    0
Day 1: 5   12-03     Day 2: 1   02-10
19. Michael Belter         Reidsville, NC          10  14-13    0
Day 1: 5   07-08     Day 2: 5   07-05
20. Nick Leonard           Amelia, OH              10  14-12    0
Day 1: 5   06-03     Day 2: 5   08-09
21. Willie Adkins Jr       Wayne, WV               10  14-07    0
Day 1: 5   07-13     Day 2: 5   06-10
22. Jay Evans              Missoula, MT             7  14-04    0
Day 1: 5   08-15     Day 2: 2   05-05
23. Jason Virgil           Hermiston, OR            6  13-11    0
Day 1: 4   11-02     Day 2: 2   02-09
24. Pat Schlapper          Eleva, WI               10  12-11    0
Day 1: 5   07-09     Day 2: 5   05-02
25. Eric Low               Buxton, ME               6  12-08    0
Day 1: 3   04-08     Day 2: 3   08-00
26. Devin Knoblauch        La Vista, NE             6  12-07    0
Day 1: 5   10-00     Day 2: 1   02-07
27. Zack Smith             Starke, FL               7  12-02    0
Day 1: 5   07-01     Day 2: 2   05-01
28. Brock Belik            Orchard, NE              9  11-13    0
Day 1: 4   05-08     Day 2: 5   06-05
29. Chad Petrie            Scroggins, TX            9  11-10    0
Day 1: 5   05-10     Day 2: 4   06-00
30. Patrick Brown          Swainsboro, GA           7  11-09    0
Day 1: 3   05-04     Day 2: 4   06-05
31. Kris Bosley            Amarillo, TX             6  11-08    0
Day 1: 5   10-05     Day 2: 1   01-03
32. Earl Wells             Payette, ID              5  10-14    0
Day 1: 5   10-14     Day 2: 0   00-00
33. Bill Kanwisher         Ramsey, NJ               7  10-12    0
Day 1: 5   06-14     Day 2: 2   03-14
34. Kevin Rose Jr          Anniston, CT             5  10-02    0
Day 1: 4   07-10     Day 2: 1   02-08
35. Josh Cotier            Clinton, MA              7  10-02    0
Day 1: 5   07-01     Day 2: 2   03-01
36. Andrew Bowen           Greendale  Harare ZIMBA  8  09-15    0
Day 1: 5   06-02     Day 2: 3   03-13
37. Adam Hamann            Prairie Du Chien, IA     7  09-14    0
Day 1: 5   04-11     Day 2: 2   05-03
38. Ken Carter             Enterprise, FL           7  09-10    0
Day 1: 4   06-12     Day 2: 3   02-14
39. Tyler Williams         Belgrade, ME             9  09-10    0
Day 1: 5   05-09     Day 2: 4   04-01
40. Richard Smith          Cecilia, KY              7  09-08    0
Day 1: 5   07-14     Day 2: 2   01-10
41. David Cavell           Prairieville, LA         6  09-02    0
Day 1: 5   08-09     Day 2: 1   00-09
42. Bryan Gunter           Ninety Six, SC           7  08-04    0
Day 1: 3   03-14     Day 2: 4   04-06
43. Nobuyuki Terajima      Hermitage, TN            7  08-02    0
Day 1: 5   06-07     Day 2: 2   01-11
44. Harrison Bertsch       Rathdrum, ID             4  07-06    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 4   07-06
45. Casey Smith            Macedon, NY              5  06-12    0
Day 1: 3   03-02     Day 2: 2   03-10
46. Austin Kunz            Celestine, IN            6  06-04    0
Day 1: 3   03-11     Day 2: 3   02-09
47. Danny McGarry          Newcastle CANADA         4  05-05    0
Day 1: 4   05-05     Day 2: 0   00-00
48. Jacob Stauthammer      Lafayette, IL            3  04-04    0
Day 1: 2   03-00     Day 2: 1   01-04
49. William Naugle         Lake Havasu City, AZ     3  03-00    0
Day 1: 2   02-02     Day 2: 1   00-14
50. Michael Comeau         Alburgh, VT              3  02-03    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   02-03
51. Mike Wheaton           Ottumwa, IA              2  01-14    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   01-14
52. Greg Sochocki          Bridgeport , MI          1  01-07    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   01-07
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        34       217       392-10
2        18       163       264-14
———————————-
52       380       657-08

2021 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship – Ouachita River 11/3-11/5
Ouachita River, Monroe  LA.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 2

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Ray Cates              Overland Park, KS        8  21-12    0  $10,500.00
Day 1: 5   13-12     Day 2: 3   08-00
2.  Dustin Drath           Coon Valley, WI          7  17-15    0   $7,500.00
Day 1: 5   13-09     Day 2: 2   04-06
3.  Jake Morrison          Scottsdale, AZ           8  15-14    0   $5,000.00
Day 1: 5   11-11     Day 2: 3   04-03
4.  Joe Sodora             Garfield, NJ             7  13-11    0   $2,500.00
Day 1: 4   07-13     Day 2: 3   05-14
5.  Mark Pierce            Cadiz, KY                6  11-04    0   $2,000.00
Day 1: 5   10-00     Day 2: 1   01-04
6.  Nathan Towes           Bakersfield, CA          6  10-02    0   $1,500.00
Day 1: 4   06-06     Day 2: 2   03-12
7.  Michael Schelling      Sioux Falls, SD          5  09-13    0   $1,000.00
Day 1: 4   06-14     Day 2: 1   02-15
8.  Morgan Fitzgerald      Durango, CO              7  09-05    0     $500.00
Day 1: 2   02-13     Day 2: 5   06-08
9.  Russell Vines          El Dorado, AR            6  09-00    0     $500.00
Day 1: 5   07-13     Day 2: 1   01-03
10. Mason Gunter           Newnan, GA               6  08-15    0     $500.00
Day 1: 2   03-14     Day 2: 4   05-01
11. Reggie Guffey Jr       Bessemer City, NC        7  08-14    0     $250.00
Day 1: 2   02-13     Day 2: 5   06-01
12. Travis Lugar           McGaheysville, VA        7  08-12    0     $250.00
Day 1: 4   03-07     Day 2: 3   05-05
13. Scooter Wright         Chickasha, OK            6  08-12    0
Day 1: 4   04-05     Day 2: 2   04-07
14. Michael O’Rourke       Curtice, OH              5  08-07    0
Day 1: 4   07-01     Day 2: 1   01-06
15. Jon Pollock            Lakewood, CO             5  07-07    0
Day 1: 3   04-06     Day 2: 2   03-01
16. Ronald Bestwick        Grisword, CT             6  07-07    0
Day 1: 3   03-15     Day 2: 3   03-08
17. Tyler Rush             Clearville, PA           5  07-05    0
Day 1: 3   05-08     Day 2: 2   01-13
18. Matt Luken             Independence, KY         5  06-10    0
Day 1: 4   05-13     Day 2: 1   00-13
19. Josh Mohn              Lansing, IA              5  06-07    0
Day 1: 1   00-13     Day 2: 4   05-10
20. TJ Dobs                Verona, NY               4  06-06    0
Day 1: 2   02-10     Day 2: 2   03-12
21. Hunter Loveless        American Fork, UT        6  06-02    0
Day 1: 3   02-09     Day 2: 3   03-09
22. Brad Hauf              Las Cruces, NM           4  05-09    0
Day 1: 3   05-00     Day 2: 1   00-09
23. Mark Edmonds           Eldridge, AL             4  05-04    0
Day 1: 3   03-09     Day 2: 1   01-11
24. Josh Cole              Columbus, IN             3  05-01    0
Day 1: 2   04-09     Day 2: 1   00-08
25. Greg Hadden            Pendleton, OR            4  04-14    0
Day 1: 2   01-09     Day 2: 2   03-05
26. Brian Vogelsang        Zanesfield, OH           4  04-12    0
Day 1: 1   00-11     Day 2: 3   04-01
27. Ron Christiansen       Las Vegas, NV            3  04-10    0
Day 1: 1   00-07     Day 2: 2   04-03
28. Jody Belcher           Naoma, WV                3  04-09    0
Day 1: 2   03-07     Day 2: 1   01-02
29. Casey Baroffio         Northfield, VT           4  04-04    0
Day 1: 4   04-04     Day 2: 0   00-00
30. Rob Tipton III         Pitman, NJ               4  04-01    0
Day 1: 1   01-01     Day 2: 3   03-00
31. Timothy Garrison       Jefferson, SC            4  03-14    0
Day 1: 1   01-07     Day 2: 3   02-07
32. Cody Champion          Sabattus, ME             2  03-07    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   03-07
33. Chizta Xiong           Saint Cloud, MN          3  03-03    0
Day 1: 2   01-12     Day 2: 1   01-07
34. Allen Severance        Lake Villa, IL           2  02-14    0
Day 1: 1   02-00     Day 2: 1   00-14
35. Liam MacDonald         Glen Lorne  Harare ZIMB  3  02-13    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   02-13
36. Justin Jensen          Laurel, MS               2  02-04    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   02-04
37. Glenn Hahn             San Antonio, TX          2  02-00    0
Day 1: 2   02-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
38. Jake Hansen            Bozeman, MT              3  01-15    0
Day 1: 1   00-07     Day 2: 2   01-08
39. Dave Turner            Crystal River, FL        2  01-12    0
Day 1: 2   01-12     Day 2: 0   00-00
40. Richard Heflin         Topeka, KS               2  01-11    0
Day 1: 1   01-01     Day 2: 1   00-10
41. Dustin Frank           Rathdrum, ID             2  01-10    0
Day 1: 2   01-10     Day 2: 0   00-00
42. AJ Mende               Bellevue, NE             2  01-07    0
Day 1: 1   00-15     Day 2: 1   00-08
43. Hunter Neuville        New Iberia, LA           2  01-06    0
Day 1: 1   00-13     Day 2: 1   00-09
44. Mark Pryal             Silver Springs, MD       2  01-06    0
Day 1: 1   00-12     Day 2: 1   00-10
45. Chris Adams            Bow, NH                  1  01-01    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   01-01
46. Guiseppe Andreoli      Harrisville, RI          1  00-12    0
Day 1: 1   00-12     Day 2: 0   00-00
47. Corey Kennington       Eden, MD                 0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
47. Frank Liu              Manotick Ontario CANADA  0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
47. Florian Olivier        Carbonne FRANCE          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
47. Tate Webb              Richland, WA             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1         5       109       167-11
2         2        86       119-00
———————————-
7       195       286-11

Jacob & Jeff Norris Win CATT Lake Wateree, SC Oct 30, 2021

Next and Last Fall Wateree CATT is the Final November 13th!

Bubba & Colden Baker win the points and will fish the Final free PLUS receive 2 Point Winner plaques!

Jacob & Jeff Norris win Wateree with 5 bass weighing 14.41 lbs!

Donald Hinson & John Cowart earned 2nd with 13.57 lbs.

Paul Galloway & Barry Brown took 3rd with 12.72 lbs and weighed in the BF at 5.45 lbs!

Michael Richardson & Shane Cantley claimed the 2nd BF at 4.88 lbs!

Team BF Weight Winnings Points
Jacob Norris – Jeff Norris 3.94 14.41 $845.00 110
Donald Hinson – John Cowart 4.72 13.57 $210.00 109
Barry Brown & Paul Galloway 5.45 12.72 $219.00 108
Michael Richardson – Shane Cantley 4.88 11.57 $51.00 107
Tim & Dalton Haven 3.05 10.70 106
Jason Reis & Roger McKee 3.20 10.69 105
Butch Williams & David Ethridge 2.53 9.17 104
Jeff Reynolds – Scott Robinson 2.15 9.08 103
Steve Phillips 4.60 7.99 102
Kareem & Jaylen White 0.00 7.29 101
Bubba Baker & Colden Baker 3.66 7.09 100
Duke Kuhn 2.58 6.49 99
Jermaine Roach – Steve Gelespe 0.00 0.00 89
Mark Richardson – Rhett Richardson 0.00 0.00 89
Craig Haven 0.00 0.00 89
Jerry Freezon 0.00 0.00 89
Scott Williams – Robbie English 0.00 0.00 89
Total Entrys $1,360.00
BONUS $ $350.00
Total Paid At Ramp $1,325.00
Wateree FALL 2021 Final Fund $285.00
2022 CATT Championship/Phantom Fund $50.00
2021 Wateree Fall Final Fund Total $790.00

Giant Bag Lifts Classic Veteran Carden To Lead At B.A.S.S. Nation Championship On Ouachita River

November 3, 2021

[print_link]

Giant Bag Lifts Classic Veteran Carden To Lead At B.A.S.S. Nation Championship On Ouachita River

MONROE, La. — Coby Carden figured he could catch a good bag of bass on Day 1 of the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, but he certainly didn’t expect the haul that came his way Wednesday.

Carden, who lives in Shelby, Ala., caught a five-bass limit weighing 19 pounds, 5 ounces to seize the lead on the opening day of the championship on the Ouachita River in north Louisiana. Pennsylvania’s Aaron Green is in second place with a 15-6 limit and Wisconsin’s Jim Barczak is third with 13-4.

In all, 101 anglers from 47 states and three foreign countries are competing in the championship. The top three anglers in the three-day competition will earn berths into the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk which is scheduled to be held March 4-6 on South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell.

Carden got a jump on the field with his 19-5 bag, anchored by a 5-7 largemouth that was the heaviest of the day. However, an unfortunate equipment malfunction almost made it “the catch that didn’t happen.”

“I set the hook on that fish, and when I did, the reel seat in the rod broke,” Carden said. “The reel fell off into the boat. I had to stick the rod under my arm and pull the line in with my hands.

“It was a cluster for a few minutes there,” he said, chuckling at his good fortune.

Carden has had success on Ouachita before, having finished second in the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship held there in 2014. That qualified him for the Bassmaster Classic in 2015 on Lake Hartwell, where he finished 15th. He placed 24th in the Classic on Alabama’s Lake Guntersville a year earlier.

The 47-year-old angler made a long run on the 605-mile-long Ouachita to start Day 1 — a particularly harrowing trip considering temperatures were below 50 with rain.

Carden fished with a half dozen other boats to start the day before working back down the river, fishing some new water along the way. He said he pitched a creature bait around cypress trees and expects to do the same Thursday.

The sun is expected to make an appearance on Day 2 and Carden isn’t sure how that affects his catch. Still, the nearly 4-pound cushion he built Wednesday certainly won’t hurt his championship cause.

“I thought I could catch 13 pounds today and instead wound up with 19,” he said. “Who knows what happens tomorrow?”

Green didn’t catch a bass until 10:30 a.m. on Day 1, but he relocated to an area that provided the bulk of the day’s second-heaviest bag.

“It was laydowns mostly,” Green said. “We knew they were there, but we had to narrow it down. Once we did, we caught them pretty quickly.”

Barczak said he’s fishing in a cut approximately 45 minutes from the takeoff at Forsythe Park. He said the bass he found were in shallow water, but he thinks they’ll reposition under sunnier skies.

“Most of the guys who are up in the top (of the standings) are in the same area I am, I think,” Barczak said. “I’ll stick with it. It’s all I have.”

Arkansas’ Chris Johnson is in fourth place with 12-12. Trailing just behind him are Rhode Island’s Mike Wolfenden (fifth, 12-4), Minnesota’s Richard Lindgren (sixth, 12-3) and California’s Matty Wong (seventh, 12-2).

Ray Cates of Overland Park, Kan., leads the nonboater division with five bass weighing 13-12. That limit included a 4-15 kicker — the heaviest caught by a nonboater on Day 1. Wisconsin’s Dustin Drath is in second place with 13-9, including a 4-2 largemouth that anchored his bag.

Competitors qualified for the championship through five regional championships held earlier this year. And per usual, B.A.S.S. welcomed the Paralyzed Veterans of America Angler of the Year to the event.

The field is vying for $96,000 in prize money, including a $20,000 Nation’s Best first prize presented by Nitro/Mercury that goes to the top boater. The champ also will earn a spot in the Bassmaster Elite Series in 2022, including the use of a fully-rigged Nation’s Best tournament boat for the season. If the Nation champion turns down the Elite Series berth, they will instead be awarded paid entry fees to the Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens for all divisions. The second- and third-place boaters, as well as the nonboater champ, will have their entry fees paid into the Bassmaster Opens in all divisions.

The top nonboater after Thursday’s weigh-in will collect $10,000, also courtesy of Nitro/Mercury.

Day 2 will begin Thursday with a 7:15 a.m. CT takeoff from Forsythe Park. Weigh-in is scheduled at the park for 3:15 p.m.

After Thursday’s round, the Top 10 boaters and the winning nonboater will advance to fish Friday. The Top 2 boaters from each of the regional tournaments (if not already inside the Top 10 overall) will also make the cut, as will any nonboaters that have totals that rank among the Top 10 boater weights.

The championship tournament is being hosted by the Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau.

2021 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship – Ouachita River 11/3-11/5
Ouachita River, Monroe  LA.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

   Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Coby Carden            Shelby, AL               5  19-05    0
Day 1: 5   19-05
2.  Aaron Green            Everett, PA              5  15-06    0
Day 1: 5   15-06
3.  Jim Barczak            Osceola, WI              5  13-04    0
Day 1: 5   13-04
4.  Chris Johnson          Farmington, AR           5  12-12    0
Day 1: 5   12-12
5.  Mike Wolfenden         Warwick, RI              5  12-04    0
Day 1: 5   12-04
6.  Richard Lindgren       Lakeville, MN            5  12-03    0
Day 1: 5   12-03
7.  Matty Wong             Culver City, CA          5  12-02    0
Day 1: 5   12-02
8.  Jason Virgil           Hermiston, OR            4  11-02    0
Day 1: 4   11-02
9.  Earl Wells             Payette, ID              5  10-14    0
Day 1: 5   10-14
10. Nick Luna              Grain Valley, MO         5  10-13    0
Day 1: 5   10-13
11. Jared Miller           Norman, OK               5  10-11    0
Day 1: 5   10-11
12. Justin Karan           Heidelberg Gauteng SOUT  5  10-06    0
Day 1: 5   10-06
13. Kris Bosley            Amarillo, TX             5  10-05    0
Day 1: 5   10-05
14. Rick Svoboda           Cockeysville , MD        5  10-04    0
Day 1: 5   10-04
15. Devin Knoblauch        La Vista, NE             5  10-00    0
Day 1: 5   10-00
16. Zack Holwerda          Maricopa, AZ             5  09-09    0
Day 1: 5   09-09
17. Jason Pittman          Covington, MS            5  09-02    0
Day 1: 5   09-02
18. Jay Evans              Missoula, MT             5  08-15    0
Day 1: 5   08-15
19. Taylor Smith           Valleyford, WA           5  08-14    0
Day 1: 5   08-14
20. David Cavell           Prairieville, LA         5  08-09    0
Day 1: 5   08-09
21. Bryant Copley          Altavista, VA            5  08-08    0
Day 1: 5   08-08
22. Richard Smith          Cecilia, KY              5  07-14    0
Day 1: 5   07-14
23. Willie Adkins Jr       Wayne, WV                5  07-13    0
Day 1: 5   07-13
23. Ben Byrd               Moab, UT                 5  07-13    0
Day 1: 5   07-13
25. Kevin Rose Jr          Anniston, CT             4  07-10    0
Day 1: 4   07-10
26. Pat Schlapper          Eleva, WI                5  07-09    0
Day 1: 5   07-09
27. Michael Belter         Reidsville, NC           5  07-08    0
Day 1: 5   07-08
28. Josh Cotier            Clinton, MA              5  07-01    0
Day 1: 5   07-01
28. Zack Smith             Starke, FL               5  07-01    0
Day 1: 5   07-01
30. Fabian Rodriguez       Ocean City, MD           4  06-15    0
Day 1: 4   06-15
31. Will Kanwisher         Ramsey, NJ               5  06-14    0
Day 1: 5   06-14
32. Ken Carter             Enterprise, FL           4  06-12    0
Day 1: 4   06-12
33. Nobuyuki Terajima      Hermitage, TN            5  06-07    0
Day 1: 5   06-07
34. Nick Leonard           Amelia, OH               5  06-03    0
Day 1: 5   06-03
35. Andrew Bowen           Greendale  Harare ZIMBA  5  06-02    0
Day 1: 5   06-02
36. Chad Petrie            McKinney, TX             5  05-10    0
Day 1: 5   05-10
37. Tyler Williams         Belgrade, ME             5  05-09    0
Day 1: 5   05-09
38. Brock Belik            Orchard, NE              4  05-08    0
Day 1: 4   05-08
38. Brandon Moss           Blanchard, OK            4  05-08    0
Day 1: 4   05-08
40. Danny McGarry          Newcastle CANADA         4  05-05    0
Day 1: 4   05-05
41. Patrick Brown          Swainsboro, GA           3  05-04    0
Day 1: 3   05-04
42. Adam Hamann            Prairie Du Chien, IA     5  04-11    0
Day 1: 5   04-11
43. Eric Low               Buxton, ME               3  04-08    0
Day 1: 3   04-08
44. Bryan Gunter           Ninety Six, SC           3  03-14    0
Day 1: 3   03-14
45. Austin Kunz            Celestine, IN            3  03-11    0
Day 1: 3   03-11
46. Casey Smith            Macedon, NY              3  03-02    0
Day 1: 3   03-02
47. Jacob Stauthammer      Lafayette, IL            2  03-00    0
Day 1: 2   03-00
48. William Naugle         Lake Havasu City, AZ     2  02-02    0
Day 1: 2   02-02
49. Harrison Bertsch       Rathdrum, ID             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
49. Michael Comeau         Alburgh, VT              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
49. Greg Sochocki          Bridgeport , MI          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
49. Mike Wheaton           Ottumwa, IA              0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1        34       217       392-10
———————————-
34       217       392-10
2021 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship – Ouachita River 11/3-11/5
Ouachita River, Monroe  LA.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 1

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Ray Cates              Overland Park, KS        5  13-12    0
Day 1: 5   13-12
2.  Dustin Drath           Coon Valley, WI          5  13-09    0
Day 1: 5   13-09
3.  Jake Morrison          Scottsdale, AZ           5  11-11    0
Day 1: 5   11-11
4.  Mark Pierce            Cadiz, KY                5  10-00    0
Day 1: 5   10-00
5.  Russell Vines          El Dorado, AR            5  07-13    0
Day 1: 5   07-13
6.  Joe Sodora             Garfield, NJ             4  07-13    0
Day 1: 4   07-13
7.  Michael O’Rourke       Curtice, OH              4  07-01    0
Day 1: 4   07-01
8.  Michael Schelling      Sioux Falls, SD          4  06-14    0
Day 1: 4   06-14
9.  Nathan Towes           Bakersfield, CA          4  06-06    0
Day 1: 4   06-06
10. Matt Luken             Independence, KY         4  05-13    0
Day 1: 4   05-13
11. Tyler Rush             Clearville, PA           3  05-08    0
Day 1: 3   05-08
12. Brad Hauf              Las Cruces, NM           3  05-00    0
Day 1: 3   05-00
13. Josh Cole              Columbus, IN             2  04-09    0
Day 1: 2   04-09
14. Jon Pollock            Lakewood, CO             3  04-06    0
Day 1: 3   04-06
15. Scooter Wright         Chickasha, OK            4  04-05    0
Day 1: 4   04-05
16. Casey Baroffio         Northfield, VT           4  04-04    0
Day 1: 4   04-04
17. Ronald Bestwick        Grisword, CT             3  03-15    0
Day 1: 3   03-15
18. Mason Gunter           Newnan, GA               2  03-14    0
Day 1: 2   03-14
19. Mark Edmonds           Eldridge, AL             3  03-09    0
Day 1: 3   03-09
20. Travis Lugar           McGaheysville, VA        4  03-07    0
Day 1: 4   03-07
21. Jody Belcher           Naoma, WV                2  03-07    0
Day 1: 2   03-07
22. Morgan Fitzgerald      Durango, CO              2  02-13    0
Day 1: 2   02-13
22. Reggie Guffey Jr       Bessemer City, NC        2  02-13    0
Day 1: 2   02-13
24. TJ Dobs                Verona, NY               2  02-10    0
Day 1: 2   02-10
25. Hunter Loveless        American Fork, UT        3  02-09    0
Day 1: 3   02-09
26. Glenn Hahn             San Antonio, TX          2  02-00    0
Day 1: 2   02-00
27. Allen Severance        Lake Villa, IL           1  02-00    0
Day 1: 1   02-00
28. Dave Turner            Crystal River, FL        2  01-12    0
Day 1: 2   01-12
28. Chizta Xiong           Saint Cloud, MN          2  01-12    0
Day 1: 2   01-12
30. Dustin Frank           Rathdrum, ID             2  01-10    0
Day 1: 2   01-10
31. Greg Hadden            Pendleton, OR            2  01-09    0
Day 1: 2   01-09
32. Timothy Garrison       Jefferson, SC            1  01-07    0
Day 1: 1   01-07
33. Richard Heflin         Topeka, KS               1  01-01    0
Day 1: 1   01-01
33. Rob Tipton III         Pitman, NJ               1  01-01    0
Day 1: 1   01-01
35. AJ Mende               Bellevue, NE             1  00-15    0
Day 1: 1   00-15
36. Josh Mohn              Lansing, IA              1  00-13    0
Day 1: 1   00-13
36. Hunter Neuville        New Iberia, LA           1  00-13    0
Day 1: 1   00-13
38. Guiseppe Andreoli      Harrisville, RI          1  00-12    0
Day 1: 1   00-12
38. Mark Pryal             Silver Springs, MD       1  00-12    0
Day 1: 1   00-12
40. Brian Vogelsang        Zanesfield, OH           1  00-11    0
Day 1: 1   00-11
41. Ron Christiansen       Las Vegas, NV            1  00-07    0
Day 1: 1   00-07
41. Jake Hansen            Bozeman, MT              1  00-07    0
Day 1: 1   00-07
43. Chris Adams            Bow, NH                  0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
43. Cody Champion          Sabattus, ME             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
43. Justin Jensen          Laurel, MS               0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
43. Corey Kennington       Eden, MD                 0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
43. Frank Liu              Manotick Ontario CANADA  0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
43. Liam MacDonald         Glen Lorne  Harare ZIMB  0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
43. Florian Olivier        Carbonne FRANCE          0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
43. Tate Webb              Richland, WA             0  00-00    0
Day 1: 0   00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1         5       109       167-11
———————————-
5       109       167-11

VA Top 10 Kayak Anglers for the 2021 Season

Our 2021 list of top 10 Kayak Anglers were based off 2021 results of local series, national series, and Angler Of the Year races. The order is in no particular order.

Ewing Minor
Casey Reed
Jonathan Graham
Dustin Good
Robert Brown
Robert Clements
Brandon Overstreet
Jason Hensley
Kyle Franklin
Victor Hendrix

Best Rods on Earth® Better than Ever St.Croix

0

 

Best Rods on Earth® Better than Ever

Available now, new-for-2022 St. Croix series and models combine new materials, technologies and ergonomics to deliver anglers more performance and more satisfaction on the water

PARK FALLS, WISC. (November 3, 2021) – St. Croix Rod of Park Falls, Wisconsin – America’s premier, family-owned fishing rod manufacturer for nearly 75 years – makes it its mission to provide every angler with the tools they need to maintain the upper hand in any fishing situation. The most-recent results of this mission were showcased to the fishing industry at last July’s ICAST show, where St. Croix introduced three all-new rod series – Victory, Seage Surf, and Tundra Ice – along with four completely reimagined and expanded rod series – BassX, Eyecon, Panfish, and Trout – and two all-new Legend Xtreme freshwater models. Today, all of these new, handcrafted, high-performance fishing rods are available to anglers, online at stcroixrods.com, and at St. Croix dealers worldwide.

Most of these new rods are crafted from all-new materials, feature new technologies or new combinations of technologies, and incorporate improved ergonomics. All of them exemplify Best Rods on Earth, and anglers can trust and expect them to deliver new levels of performance and satisfaction on the water, wherever and however they fish.

NEW St. Croix Victory Series Models Available Now

Conceived for tournament anglers competing at the highest level, passionate recreational bassers, or anyone in between, St. Croix’s all-new Victory Series of high-performance American-made technique-specific bass rods are poised to deliver more wins on the water – however they’re defined. The NEW Victory 17 expands St. Croix’s landmark Victory series to 25 total models, giving bass anglers of all levels unprecedented choice in selecting the proper tools for a complete range of bass presentations. From finesse techniques; bombing hair jigs and spy baits; to crankbaits; chatterbaits; flippin’, pitching and punching; to heaving and retrieving 8-ounce swimbaits, it’s all there in this complete and balanced assortment of high-performance, technology-laden, American-crafted rods – backed by a 15-year transferrable warranty – that cost a fraction of other “elite-level” rods in the marketplace.

Handcrafted from scratch in Park Falls, Wisconsin, USA from an all-new, sensitive and durable SCIII+ material and incorporating St. Croix’s top technologies (FRS, ARTTM, IPC®, and TET), each distinct Victory spinning and casting model is purpose-engineered and built to excel in its intended applications. Combining lightweight and balanced performance with top-tier ergonomics and uncompromising durability, Victory rods are accessible to all at a sweet mid-range retail price. Victory rods retail between $180 and $260, and 19 of the 25 models cost $200 or less.

St. Croix Victory Series Models

*Tactical / VTS68MXF – 6’8” M power, XF action spinning – Retail $180

Lite-Weight / VTS610MLXF – 6’10” ML power, XF action spinning – Retail $180

Finesse / VTS71MF – 7’1” M power, F action spinning – Retail $190

*Max Finesse / VTS71MHF – 7’1” MH power, F action spinning – Retail $190

*Max Lite Weight / VTS73MLXF – 7’3” ML power, XF action spinning / Retail $200

Max-Tactical / VTS73MXF – 7’3” M power, XF action spinning / Retail $200

*Crosshair / VTS710MLXF – 7’10” ML power, XF action spinning / Retail $200

*Open Water / VTS73MLXF – 7’3” M power, MF action spinning / Retail $200

*The Jerk / VTC68MXF – 6’8” M power, XF action casting / Retail $180

The Grunt / VTC71MHF – 7’1” MH power, F action casting / Retail $190

*Cranker / VTC72MHMF – 7’2”” MH power, MF action casting / Retail $190

Power Target Cranker / VTC72MHM – 7’2” MH power, M action casting / Retail $190

*Rip’N Chatter / VTC72HM – 7’2” H power, M action casting / Retail $190

Full Contact Finesse / VTC73HXF – 7’3” H power, XF action casting / Retail $200

The Marshal / VTC73MHF – 7’3” MH power, F action casting / Retail $200

*Flip’N / VTC7HMF – 7’3” H power, MF action casting / Retail $200

Full Contact / VTC74HF – 7’4” H power, F action casting / Retail $200

*Max Marshal / VTC75MHF – 7’5” MH power, F action casting / Retail $200

*Power Flip’N / VTC76HMF – 7’6” H power, MF action casting / Retail $200

*Mid-Cranker / VTC710HM – 7’10”, H power, M action casting / Retail $220

*Max-Cranker / VTC710XHM – 7’10”, XH power, M action casting / Retail $230

*S.B. Ranger / VTC710HF – 7’10”, H power, F action casting / Retail $250

*S.B. Avenger / VTC710XHF – 7’10”, XH power, F action casting / Retail $260

*S.B. Brutus / VTC710XXHF – 7’10”, XXH power, F action casting / Retail $260

*Knockout / VTC711HMF – 7’11”, H power, MF action casting / Retail $230

*All-new model

Reimagined and Expanded St. Croix BassX Series Available Now

Driven to continually improve and heighten the angling experience, St. Croix resolved to take what it has learned from recent product introductions – Legend Xtreme, Victory, and others – and put that intel to work in improving its angler-favorite BassX Series. The result is a new lineup of BassX rods for 2022 that are stronger, lighter, and more comfortable, with sizzling new aesthetics and more choices for new presentations than ever before, while retaining and compounding their exceptional value in the $120 to $150 retail-price range. Headlined by a trio of powerful, all-new swimbait models, St. Croix’s redesigned and comprehensive BassX Series expands from 14 to 16 models for 2022, setting a new standard in affordable, high-performance bass rods. Retail prices range from $120-$150 with a five-year warranty.

The BassX transformation begins in the blank itself. Crafted from a brand-new formulation of premium SCII carbon that increases flexural strength while reducing weight, new BassX is then made even stronger with the addition of St. Croix’s Fortified Resin System (FRS) technology. “Our use of FRS in the new BassX Series in combination with our new, lighter and stronger SCII material represents a quantum leap forward with respect to performance,” says St. Croix Product Manager, Ryan Teach. “For the BassX angler, it ultimately means they’re buying a rod that is lighter than ever with all-new levels of strength and durability. Our engineering team has proven and validated these performance enhancements in testing.”

Those critical attributes are further enhanced in new BassX models by an all-new hybrid guide train combining SeaGuide® Aluminum Oxide guides with SeaGuide® Atlas Performance stainless steel guides for reduced weight, improved balance and greater performance with braided line. New SeaGuide reel seats integrate with all-new handle designs, optimized by model, for improved ergonomics and better balance.

St. Croix BassX Models

BAS68MXF – 6’8”, M power, XF action spinning / Retail $120

BAS610MLXF – 6’10”, ML power, XF action spinning / Retail $120

BAS71MF – 7’1”, M power, F action spinning / Retail $120

BAS71MHF – 7’1”, MH power, F action, spinning / Retail $120

BAC66MF – 6’6”, M power, F action, casting / Retail $120

BAC66MHF – 6’6”, MH power, F action, casting / Retail $120

BAC68MXF – 6’8”, M power, XF action, casting / Retail $120

BAC71MF – 7’1”, M power, F action casting / Retail $120

BAC71MHF – 7’1”, MH power, F action casting / Retail $120

BAC72MHM – 7’2”, MH power, M action casting / Retail $120

BAC74MHMF – 7’4”, MH power, MF action casting / Retail $130

BAC74HF – 7’4”, H power, F action casting / Retail $130

BAC710HF – 7’10”, H power, F action casting / Retail $150

BAC710XHF* – 7’10”, XH power, F action casting / Retail $150

BAC710XXHF* – 7’10”, XXH power, F action casting / Retail $150

BAC711HMF – 7’11”, H power, MF action casting / Retail $130

*All-new model

NEW St. Croix Seage Surf Series Available Now

St. Croix’s all-new tech-forward Seage Surf Series includes 12 two-piece spinning rods, handcrafted for unparalleled strength and durability in a slim and lightweight design. Seage models range from 7’ to 12’ with medium-light to heavy powers and retail between $210 and $380 with a 15-year warranty.

New Seage rods begin with a brand-new formulation of premium, light, and sensitive SCII carbon material, which increases flexural strength while reducing weight. From there, St. Croix adds ARTTM and all-new Veil technology. ART is an exotic carbon fiber material that adds a significant magnitude of hoop strength to keep the rod section from ovaling under load with virtually no increases in blank diameter or weight. Veil is a tri-blend of carbon fiber, fiberglass and explicit resin, combined to exponentially reduce the effects of impact on blank integrity. Veil protects rods from bumps, lure knocks and other impacts that could otherwise cause damage and lead to rod failure. For the surf angler, all of this means they can enjoy fishing a slim, lightweight, and sensitive Seage rod, which also maintains extreme, next-level strength and durability.

In addition to slim, lightweight performance, extreme strength and rock-solid durability, surf anglers will notice an all-new handle design on new Seage surf rods comprised of X-Flock-covered slim-diameter handles and Winn® comfort-focused foregrips which are minimalistic, sleek, and tech-forward. X-Flock is essentially a textured shrink tube that St. Croix forms directly over the blank. This gives the handle a slim profile with a very grippy and tacky feel, combined with slight compression for added comfort. Meanwhile, comfort-focused Winn polymer foregrips reduce hand fatigue for longer, more-comfortable fishing.

The 12 distinct models in the all-new Seage Series lineup cover the most popular lengths, powers, and actions, as well as some new configurations surf anglers were specifically requesting. Some of the 7’ to 9’ models were engineered and delivered to meet the unique needs of the Western coastal markets, where surf anglers have been asking for new rods better suited for smaller species, lighter lures, and fish closer to the beach. These smaller two-piece models give anglers the 50/50 splits they requested. At the other end of the spectrum, the new Seage Series also includes a 12’ heavy power model that’s capable of bombing a full one-pound payload beyond the bar. Longer Seage two-piece models feature angler-preferred 60/40 or 70/30 offsets.

All-New St. Croix Seage Series Models

SES70MLMF – 7’0”, ML power, MF action spinning / Retail $210

SES70MMF – 7’0”, M power, MF action spinning / Retail $220

SES80MMF – 8’0”, M power, MF action spinning / Retail $230

SES90MLMF2 – 9’0”, ML power, MF action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $290

SES90MM2 – 9’0”, M power, M action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $290

SES90MMF2 – 9’0”, M power, MF action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $290

SES100MMF2 – 10’0”, M power, MF action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $300

SES106MLMF2 – 10’6”, ML power, MF action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $300

SES106MM2 – 10’6”, M power, M action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $300

SES106MHMF2 – 10’6”, MH power, MF action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $300

SES110MHMF2 – 11’0”, MH power, MF action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $320

SES120HMF2 – 12’0”, H power, MF action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $380

NEW St. Croix Tundra Ice Series Available Now

The exciting new, semi-custom Tundra Ice Series is a culmination of ice-centric features and technologies wrapped in an extremely durable package at a retail-price range of $100 to $130 with a five-year warranty. Featuring nine distinct spinning models ranging from 26” to 36” in light to medium-heavy power, new fast and extra-fast action Tundra Series rods offer anglers different blanks and thoughtfully designed handle configurations for optimized comfort and performance in multiple ice presentations.

Extra-fast action, light-power Tundra models get strong, Xtreme-Flex solid glass blanks with supple, hi-vis strike-indicating tips. Fast action, medium-light through medium-heavy models are built on crisp and powerful Precision-Taper solid carbon blanks for trophy-landing performance. All Tundra blanks are matte finished in a new and covert Glacial Gray color.

Handle designs are customized per model. Light and medium-light power Tundras are equipped with angler-preferred premium cork split-grip handles for optimal control and maximum versatility in panfish presentations.

Medium and medium-heavy power models are equipped with premium full-cork handles by angler demand. With the exception of the medium-heavy model which includes a SeaGuide NPS reel seat for peace-of-mind and extra security while doing battle with heavy predators, all other Tundra ice rods are designed without reel seats to allow precise and balanced, custom reel placement in accordance with individual angler preference.

The guide trains on new Tundra Series rods have been engineered and executed to be durable, lightweight and trouble-free in the most-demanding conditions. A strong REC Recoil® stripper guide meets SeaGuide® light-wire running guides that reduce surface area to minimize ice buildup. Tip-tops are SeaGuide® stainless steel with a slick PVD coating.

All-New St. Croix Tundra Ice Models

SCT26LXF – 26”, L power, XF action spinning / Retail $100

SCT30LXF – 30”, L power, XF action spinning / Retail $100

SCT34LXF – 34”, L power, XF action spinning / Retail $100

SCT27MLF – 27”, ML power, F action spinning / Retail $115

SCT27MF – 27”, M power, F action spinning / Retail $115

SCT30MLF – 30”, ML power, F action spinning / Retail $120

SCT30MF – 30”, M power, F action spinning / Retail $120

SCT36MF – 36”, M power, F action spinning / Retail $130

SCT36MHF – 36”, MH power, F action spinning / Retail $130

Reimagined and Expanded St. Croix Eyecon Series Available Now

Durability and angler comfort define this improved, comprehensive walleye series. The totally reimagined Eyecon Series features heightened performance, improved technique-specific comfort and ergonomics, and all-new aesthetics. The angler-favorite walleye series also grows by two with the addition of industry-first Jig-N-Rap and Rip-N-Rap models for a total of 18 distinct choices. Retail prices range from $140-$160 with a five-year warranty.

Eyecon’s premium SCII carbon blanks get even stronger and more durable for 2022. The SCII material itself is a new formulation, featuring both increased flexural strength and reduced weight over St. Croix’s previous-generation SCII carbon. From there, new Eyecon rods are made even stronger with the addition of St. Croix’s Fortified Resin System (FRS) technology. “We know that walleye anglers often employ aggressive jigging tactics that not all rods can stand up to,” says St. Croix Product Manager, Ryan Teach. “Our all-new SCII carbon material combined with FRS takes the performance of these new-generation Eyecon rods to the next level. In addition to being stronger and more durable, they also fish noticeably lighter than previous Eyecons.”

Aggressive techniques demand more than superior strength. They also require carefully considered ergonomics that minimize angler fatigue. New Eyecon rods bring versatility and comfort to any walleye angler’s arsenal without compromise; all-new hybrid split-grip handle designs and lengths are designed to optimize comfort with the intended technique, helping anglers fish longer without getting sloppy in their presentations. “The new modified split grips on these new Eyecon spinning rods take the best features of split grips and full-cork handles and marry them in a hybrid design that optimizes comfort and performance on each specific model,” says Teach. “No matter which model you choose, you’ll notice great balance and comfort, as well as an overall handle length and foregrip that are right-sized so walleye anglers can fish longer without the fatigue that can cause presentations to turn sloppy.”

New Eyecon Series (non-trolling) rods also get a new hybrid guide train that decreases weight, increases overall durability, and reduces the noise and disruption that often comes from fishing braided line. They employ durable Sea Guide Atlas Performance stainless steel guides in the upper portions of the rods to eliminate the troubling possibility of loose or dislodged inserts and SeaGuide Aluminum Oxide models with black frames at the lower ends to minimize noise and knot disruption. Guide spacing is optimized on each model per technique.

For the first time ever, all-new, dedicated 7’1” medium power, moderate-fast action Jig-N-Rap and 7’1” medium power, fast action Rip-N-Rap Eyecon models allow walleye anglers to fish these two popular techniques without compromise to handle design, length, power, or action.

New St. Croix Eyecon Models

HEAVY METAL / EYS58HF – 5’8”, H power, F action spinning / Retail $150

VERTICAL JIG / EYS63MLXF – 6’3”, ML power, XF action spinning / Retail $150

VERTICAL JIG / EYS63MXF – 6’3”, M power, XF action spinning / Retail $150

JIG-N-RIG / EYS66MLF – 6’6”, ML power, F action spinning / Retail $140

JIG-N-RIG / EYS66MLF2 – 6’6”, ML power, F action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $150

BIG WATER / EYS66MF – 6’6”, M power, F action spinning / Retail $140

BIG WATER / EYS66MF2 – 6’6”, M power, F action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $150

SNAP JIG / EYS68MXF – 6’8”, M power, XF action spinning / Retail $150

FINESSE / EYS70LF – 7’0”, L power, F action spinning / Retail $150

RIGGIN’ / EYS70MLF – 7’0”, ML power, F action spinning / Retail $150

RIGGIN’ / EYS70MLF2 – 7’0”, ML power, F action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $160

CRANKIN’ / EYS70MM – 7’0”, M power, M action spinning / Retail $150

JIG-N-RAP* / EYS71MMF – 7’1”, M power, MF action spinning / Retail $150

RIP-N-RAP* / EYS71MF – 7’1”, M power, F action spinning / Retail $150

SLIP-N-RIG / EYS76MLXF – 7’6”, ML power, XF action spinning / Retail $150

SLIP-N-RIG / EYS76MLXF2 – 7’6”, ML power, XF action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $160

DRIFT-N-FLOAT / EYS80MLF2 – 8’0”, ML power, F action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $160

BOUNCE-N-TROLL / EYC70MHM – 7’0”, MH power, M action casting / Retail $140

*All-new model

Reimagined and Expanded St. Croix Panfish Series Available Now

Answering anglers’ calls for more high-performance options for panfish presentations, St. Croix’s lighter and stronger, reimagined Panfish Series expands to 10 models for 2022 with two all-new medium-light models for power presentations. Retail prices range from $115 to $175 and include a five-year warranty.

St. Croix Panfish Series rod blanks are now crafted from a new formulation of premium SCII carbon that increases flexural strength while reducing weight, combined with strategically placed super-high-modulus SCVI carbon fiber reinforcements, providing the basis for crisp actions, improved strength and durability, and lightweight sensitivity. These new rods are made even stronger with the addition St. Croix’s Fortified Resin System (FRS) technology, which combines a fortified super resin with computer-operated curing ovens that provide improved temperature and time management through all stages of the critical curing cycle. This prevents micro-buckling of individual carbon fibers by keeping them in proper alignment.

Ultimately, the all-new SCII material with FRS results in Panfish Series rods that are lighter and more durable, performance attributes that have been proven and quantified by St. Croix’s engineering team in testing.

Anglers will also notice that new Panfish Series rods feel better balanced and more sensitive, thanks to carefully considered new handle designs, reel seats and guide trains.

New Panfish Series rods receive all-new Sea Guide® Atlas Performance guides with stainless steel rings and frames and a PVD coated tip top. These are lightweight, durable, and trouble-free guide trains designed to maximize performance in light-line applications, while minimizing noise and disruption from knotted-line rigs used in many panfish presentations. They also wear durable and slim, Sea Guide NPS reel seats with an integrated rear nut – a design component proven to excel in supporting micro techniques on St. Croix Legend Black Ice and Premier Ice rods.

New Panfish Series rods now employ angler-preferred premium-grade split grip handles on all models except the 8’ and 9’ models, which retain premium-grade full cork handles and foregrips. “With the increase in popularity and transposition of bass anglers to crappie anglers, may panfish anglers indicate preference for the bass-centric styling of skeleton-type reel seats and split grip handles,” says St. Croix Product Manager, Ryan Teach. “Our new Panfish Series rods reflect this trend and look more than ever like miniaturized bass rods. Style preferences aside, the performance benefits are real, as we’ve designed them to shed weight, improve balance, and aid in increasing sensitivity. They’re a pure joy to fish with.”

In keeping with current trends, cosmetically, new Panfish Series rods also receive new label designs and an attractive, new Copper Slab color to differentiate the series.

St. Croix Panfish Series Models

PNS50ULM – 5’0”, UL power, M action spinning / Retail $115

PNS54ULF – 5’4”, UL power, F action spinning / Retail $125

PNS60ULF – 6’0”, UL power, F action spinning / Retail $125

PNS64LF – 6’4”, L power, F action spinning / Retail $135

PNS69ULF – 6’9”, UL power, F action spinning / Retail $135

PNS70LXF – 7’0”, L power, XF action spinning / Retail $135

PNS70MLXF* – 7’0”, ML power, XF action spinning / Retail $135

PNS73MLXF* – 7’3”, ML power, XF action spinning / Retail $135

PNS80LMF2 – 8’0”, L power, MF action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $165

PNS90LMF2 – 9’0”, L power, MF action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $175

*All-new model

Reimagined and Expanded St. Croix Trout Series and Trout Pack Models Available Now

For 2022, St. Croix has improved and expanded its popular Trout Series. The light-line centric collection is now stronger, lighter, and more comfortable, supplemented with new lengths, powers and actions that support an even wider range of trout techniques, including several all-new two- and three-piece Trout Pack models. Retail prices range from $115 to $180 with a five-year warranty.

Thanks to a new formulation of premium SCII carbon material with strategically placed super-high-modulus SCVI carbon fiber reinforcements and FRS, Trout Series rods are now lighter and more durable than before. Anglers will also notice that new Trout Series rods feel better balanced and more sensitive, with carefully crafted new handle designs, reel seats and guide trains.

New Trout Series rods receive all-new Sea Guide® Atlas Performance guides with stainless steel rings and frames and a PVD coated tip top. These are lightweight, durable, and trouble-free guide trains designed to maximize performance in light-line applications, while minimizing noise and disruption from the knotted-line rigs used in many trout presentations. They also wear durable and slim, Sea Guide NPS reel seats with an integrated rear nut – a design component proven to excel in supporting micro techniques on St. Croix Legend Black Ice and Premier Ice rods.

New Trout Series rods now feature split-grip handle configurations crafted from comfortable, lightweight, and durable EVA. “The premium EVA material we selected for the new Trout Series perfectly complements their new split-grip handle designs,” says St. Croix Product Manager, Ryan Teach. “Balance and control are the keys to making accurate finesse presentations to selective trout, and both are enhanced by the design and materials of these new handles.”

A stealthy new Ebony Twilight color completes the Trout Series’ aesthetic transformation and will resonate with trout anglers who need to fly under the radar in clear-water intimate-stream settings.

St. Croix’s refined Trout Series grows by eight to include a total of 14 spinning models, including two, all-new three-piece Trout Pack models (TFS66MLXF3 and TFS73MLXF3), two all-new light-power models (TFS510LF and TFS66LF2), three all-new medium-light power choices (TFS66MLXF2, TFS66MLF2, and TFS69MLXF2), and an all-new medium power model (TFS70MXF2).

“Our expanded Trout Series brings an array of lengths, powers, and specific actions to anglers looking for sensitivity, controlled performance and casting accuracy with a range of light lures, from inline spinners to crankbaits to single egg imitations,” says Teach. “Casting accuracy is supreme with all of these highly controllable rods, and we’re offering an unprecedented range of choices for anglers to match to the specific conditions and presentations they encounter.”

All Trout Series rods feature fast or extra-fast actions for accurate casting with light baits and are stronger and more durable than ever with no increase in weight. Powers range from ultra-light to medium, giving trout anglers crisp performance with ample backbone to control big trout on light line. New models for 2022 focus primarily on an expanded offering of versatile two- and three-piece selections.

“Our new three-piece Trout Pack spinning models are handcrafted for one-piece performance and allow adventurous trout anglers to get in and out of remote locations and streams,” continues Teach. “They feature slender profile split grip configurations and – like our two-piece models – use slim ferrule connections to marry multi-piece convenience with one-piece performance.”

St. Croix Trout Series Models

TFS410ULF – 4’10”, UL power, F action spinning / Retail $115

TFS54ULF – 5’4”, UL power, F action spinning / Retail $125

TFS56ULF2 – 5’6”, UL power, F action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $135

TFS510LF* – 5’10”, L power, F action spinning / Retail $135

TFS60ULF2 – 6’0”, UL power, F action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $145

TFS64LF2 – 6’4”, L power, F action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $145

TFS66LF2* – 6’6”, L power, F action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $145

TFS66MLXF2* – 6’6”, ML power, XF action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $145

TFS66MLXF3* – 6’6”, ML power, XF action, 3-piece spinning / Retail $170

TFS66MLF2* – 6’6”, ML power, F action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $145

TFS69MLXF2* – 6’9”, ML power, XF action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $145

TFS70LXF2 – 7’0”, L power, XF action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $155

TFS73MLXF3* – 7’3”, ML power, XF action, 3-piece spinning / Retail $180

TFS70MXF2* – 7’0”, M power, XF action, 2-piece spinning / Retail $155

*All-new model

Two NEW St. Croix Legend Xtreme Series Models Available Now

Handcrafted in the USA for extreme sensitivity using St. Croix’s most exotic materials and technologies, the Legend Xtreme Freshwater Series grows for 2022 with a new 7’3” MLXF spinning model and a new 7’6” MHMF casting model. Retail prices are $660 and $670 respectively and include a 15-year warranty.

The reengineered SCV carbon found in Legend Xtreme rods is an example of St. Croix’s constant drive to obtain the unimaginable – proven Xtreme durability with proven, unprecedented sensitivity – so anglers can fish without compromise. Engineered as a result of a new proprietary manufacturing processes, Legend Xtreme employs a resin that significantly increases strength in compression during the hookset, as well as flexural strength when the rod is under load. The new SCV carbon construction also incorporates an improved, overlaid ART (Advanced Reinforcing Technology) to yield the highest levels of carbon fiber density found on any fishing rod on earth. Simply put, Legend Xtreme offers an unquestionably pure and dense carbon, to transmit the slightest vibration through a Daiwa AGS carbon fiber guide train and proprietary Gen2 Xtreme-SkinTM handle.

The expanded Legend Xtreme freshwater series now includes 13 rods – six spinning models and seven casting models – supporting anglers in an even wider range of freshwater presentations and techniques with pinnacle St. Croix performance.

Rated for use with 12-25-pound line and lures from 3/8 to 1-1/4 oz., the new Legend Xtreme XFC76MHMF is designed and handcrafted for versatility and is ideal for presenting football jigs, Carolina rigs and more. The new Legend Xtreme XFS73MLXF is rated for 6-10-pound line and 1/8 to ½-oz. lures and is ideal for Ned rigs, wacky rigs, and other finesse presentations.

St. Croix Legend Xtreme Models

XFS63MXF* – 6’3”, M power, XF action spinning / Retail $650

XFS68MXF – 6’8”, M power, XF action spinning / Retail $650

XFS610MLXF – 6’10”, ML power, XF action spinning / Retail $650

XFS70MF – 7’, M power, F action spinning / Retail $650

*XFS73MLXF – 7’3”, ML power, XF action spinning / Retail $660

XFS76MF* – 7’6”, M power, F action spinning / Retail $670

XFC68MF* – 6’8”, M power, F action casting / Retail $650

XFS68MXF* – 6’8”, M power, XF action casting / Retail $650

XFC70MF – 7’, M power, F action casting / Retail $660

XFC70MHF – 7’, MH power, F action casting / Retail $660

XFC71MHXF – 7’1”, MH power, XF action casting / Retail $660

*XFC76MHMF – 7’6”, MH power, MF action casting / Retail $670

XFC74HF – 7’4”, H power, F action casting / Retail $670

* All-new model

You’ve heard about them; now you can make them your own. St. Croix’s new-for-2022 rod series and models are here, poised to help all anglers earn more success and satisfaction on the water with all-new combinations of materials, technologies, and handcrafted St. Croix performance. Wherever and however you fish, an elevated experience awaits at your local St. Croix dealer, or online at stcroixrods.com.

#CROIXGEAR

Scott Moser & Kenny Beale Win 5 Alive Team Championship Kerr Lake Oct 31,2021

Written by Tourney Director
Kevin Shepard

We finally got to fish our Championship tournament last weekend. Seemed like it had been forever since the last Qualifier tournament. We had 58 out of the 72 teams qualified show up to try and bring home the $5000.00 check. As it has been for over a month now the lake was still being stingy. Several teams got some things figured out and was able to put together some good bags. There was alot of head shaking going on as everyone was loading up. For the most part there was alot of people still scratching their heads trying to figure those fish out. Although the fishing was tough we had a great time with good friends and great food at the end of the tournament. On day one it was the team of Craig Hall and Bobby Carter that topped the field with a good bag for 14.91 pounds.That earned them the win for the Saturday TWT for the amount of $600.00 They also held a tie for big fish with a 5.09 pounder.

2nd place on day one was the team of Kevin Fisher & Allen Haigh with a bag weighing 14.19 pounds. Earning the the 2nd place TWT on Saturday for the amount of $400.00. 3rd place on day one was the team of Jordon Hall & Chris Byrd with a bag weighing 13.60 pounds. Earning the 3rd place TWT for the amount of $200.00. 4th place on day one was the team of Rodney Bowen & Nathan Clements with a bag weighing 12.49 pounds. Earning them the 4th place TWT for the amount of $100.00. They also held a tie for big fish with the 1st place team. That would end up being a split at the end of the tournament because there was nothing bigger caught on day 2. The 2 teams carried home $240.00 each for big fish.

On day 2 things changed a little and some different teams got some stuff figured out while a few teams that was at the top lost a hold on the fish they were on on day 1. Coming from 12th place after day 1 was the team of Scott Moser & Kenny Beale to take home the WIN and the $5000.00 check. They had a 2 day total of 23.44 pounds which earned them a total of $5600.00 with the win and the overall tournament TWT winnings. Those guys are a threat everytime they’re on the water to all of the competitors and they stood at the top of the mountain Sunday. BIG BIG CONGRATULATIONS to those guys.

Coming in 2nd place was our 2021- 5 Alive Team Trail Points Champions. The team of Chuck Morton & Mike Riggs with a 2 day total of 23.17 pounds. Earning them a total $1500.00 with the 2nd place overall TWT. Those guys have had one heck of a year and should be proud of the year they have had.

3rd place was the day one leaders Hall & Carter with a 2 day total of 21.48 pounds earning them a total of $1755.00 with day 1 1st place TWT and day 2 – 3rd place TWT. That’s pretty strong for 3rd place!

We paid back 8 spots on Sunday. After everything was paid out for both days we paid out a total of $11,885.00 and that’s not including tackle pack giveaways,The kids tournament gift cards or the Craig Hall Taxidermy gift certificate drawing for the amount of $550.00.
The kids tournament winner was Mr. Ethan Larabee winning him a $25.00 gift card from Mr. David Gentry and a $50.00 gift card from Mrs Meranda Long Wolfe in honor of her late dad Mr. Steve Long.

2nd place in the Kids tournament was Mr. Logan Revels winning him a $25.00 gift card from Bobcats Bait and Tackle and a $25.00 gift card from Mrs. Meranda Long Wolfe.
The Craig Hall Taxidermy gift certificate was won by Mr. David Gentry. David told me when he bought the tickets that if he won it he wanted to give it to the kid catching the biggest fish of the year. After talking with David we have decided to split the gift certificate with both Ethan Larabee and Logan Revels. They will both get a gift certificate for the amount of $275.00 each in Taxidermy work from Craig Hall. They both fished every tournament this year and have battled back and forth for the wins in the Qualifiers. It’s been awesome to watch. David approached me at our Falls Lake tournament in early spring and wanted to do something for the kids.. he has been a sponsor since then for the kids tournament. David is currently fighting a battle with cancer and is fighting hard. I know with the good Lord on his side he will defeat Cancer for the 2nd time. David has a heart of gold and I ask each and everyone of yall to pray for him and his family.

At the end of day 2 we fed everyone with chicken leg quarters with the Original Jeff Branns Barbecue Sauce on them, baked beans ,Cole slaw, brownies and cookies. Everything was homemade cooked and prepared by our awesome staff. I can’t THANK them enough for all they do to keep this Trail going. My wife Krystal Kirby Sheppard , Jessica Turner Byrd , Shane Brantley , Carie Brantley and little Ms. Ava Brantley. Thank yall so much!!!! Also want to give Clem Warren a big Thank You for cooking the chickens on Sunday for everyone.

Guys please reach out to any of our sponsors if you need any of their services. We have a awesome group of sponsors and as I tell yall each and everytime. Without them this Trail would not exist. BIG BIG THANK YOU to all of of our sponsors.

I know this is a long post but it all needed to be said. Thank you to everyone who has come out and fished with us this year. It’s been a great year and we can’t wait till next year! Yall stay warm this winter and God Bless you all!
Results.
1st. Moser & Beale 23.44 pounds $5600.00
2nd. Morton & Riggs 23.17 pounds $ 1500.00
3rd. Carter & Hall 21.48 pounds $ 1755.00
4th. Minor & Harrison 20.33 pounds $550.00
5th.Hall & Byrd 19.81 pounds $ 700.00
6th.Jenkins & Thornton 19.33 pounds $350.00
7th.Bowen & Clements 19.05 pounds $590.00
8th. Ellis & Stallings 18.50 pounds $200.00
9th. Fisher & Haigh 18.29 pounds $400.00
10th. Wicker & Garrett 16.58 pounds
11th.Combs & Denny 16.44 pounds
12th. Whitfield & Smith 15.97 pounds
13th. Patterson & Patterson 15.45 pounds
14th.Bailey & Brann 15.30
15th. Clarey & Rhew 13.91 pounds
16th. Knott & Spell 13.55 pounds
17th. Woody & Smith 13.54 pounds
18th. Sharpe & Sharpe 13.42 pounds
19th. Jacobs & Mayes 13.20 pounds
20th. Gilbert & Gilbert 12.96 pounds
21st. Overby & Puryear 12.71 pounds
22nd. Crittenton & White 12.01 pounds
23rd. Long & Whitfield 11.87 pounds
24th. Oliver & Larabee 11.29
25th. Farman & Stroupe 11.19 pounds
26th.Whitesell & Chafin 10.54 pounds
27th.Frances & Backus 10.23 pounds
28th. Brown & Wimbish 10.13 pounds
29th. Fox & Kearns 8.47 pounds
30th. Wagner & Wagner 8.30 pounds
31st. David Green 7.83 pounds
32nd. Tuck & Wood 7.33 pounds
33rd. Whitman & Harrell 6.96 pounds
33rd. Stamps & Ballard 6.96 pounds
35th. Cook & Slaughter 6.39 pounds
36th. Randy Lloyd 6.32 pounds
37th. Cook & Strickland 6.17 pounds
38th. Dixon & Faucette 5.40 pounds
39th. Jennings & Faust 5.38 pounds
40th. Fox & Fox 5.33 pound
41st. Jones & Rice 5.17 pounds
42nd. Farman & Farman 5.13 pounds
43rd. Goss & Kenders 4.87 pounds
44th. Strickland & Mister 4.25 pounds
44th. Canada & Mise 4.25 pounds
46th. Bass & Hill 4.10 pounds
47th. Lamm & Wilder 3.95 pounds
48th. Revels & Revels 3.40 pounds
49th. Lobaugh & Moody 3.18 pounds
50th. Wilder & Harris 3.09 pounds
51st. Compton & Turner 2.62 pounds
52nd. Wray & Purcell 1.85 pounds
53rd. Staton & Glenn. 0 pounds
53rd. Chuck Campbell. 0 pounds
53rd. Pulliam & Yeatts. 0 pounds
53rd. Billy Vierra. 0 pounds
53rd. Barnes & Scearce. 0 pounds
53rd. Sanes & Gilbert. 0 pounds
Big fish
Hall & Carter . 5.09 pounds $240.00
Bowen & Clements pounds $ 240.00

November 2021 Albermarle Sound/Roanoke River Fishing Report by Capt. Scooter Lilley

0
Capt. Scooter Lilley
Albermarle Sound/Roanoke River
Largemouth Bass update:
The fishing has been picking up in the River and adjoining creeks. Water temps are in the mid 60’s and warming up to the low 70’s mid day. Small Spinnerbaits in chartreuse or white with double colorado blades have been producing the bigger fish throughout the day. We have been mixing it up with a buzzbait ! Depending on the current flow in the river the mouths of creeks and current breaks are also hot spots to look. Baits of choice are shallow running crank baits and a slower approach when needed a 1/4 oz shakeyhead with a trick worm works well. I hope this helps you out in the future and looking forward to seeing you on the water. To experience the lower Roanoke and Albermarle Sound give me a call at 252-799-9536.

Rapala Expands Bassmaster Partnership, Inking Multiyear Deal As Premier Sponsor

November 2, 2021

Rapala Expands Bassmaster Partnership, Inking Multiyear Deal As Premier Sponsor

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Minnesota-based Rapala, maker of premium lures and other fishing tackle and accessories, is expanding their partnership with B.A.S.S., signing a three-year deal as a premier sponsor after serving as the title sponsor of the ultrapopular Fantasy Fishing program and as a supporting sponsor of the Bassmaster tournament trail for the past two years. Additionally, Rapala’s new Monster Bag prize will pay $7,000 to the angler with the heaviest single-day bag during the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.

“We are excited to take our fantastic partnership with Rapala to the next level as we work together to build excitement among the anglers and fans across the Bassmaster tournament trail,” said B.A.S.S. chairman and CEO Chase Anderson.

Rapala will be a premier sponsor for the Bassmaster Classic, Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens Series, Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship and the grass-roots TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation regional and championship tournaments.

Additionally, Rapala will be highlighted during Bassmaster LIVE, which is streamed on Bassmaster.com and broadcast Saturday and Sunday mornings on the FOX Sports platforms, and will enjoy exposure in Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times magazines and across various industry-leading social media platforms.

“Our team at Rapala is building upon the success and promotions we have had with Bassmaster over the last few years,” said Matt Jensen, Rapala USA director of marketing. “Our Rapala pro staff is the best team in the industry, and we love continuing to grow Rapala Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing. A premier level sponsorship with Bassmaster is an exciting and strategic move to grow Rapala for the next three years and beyond.”

Over the past two years with Rapala entitling Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing, the game has grown by 45% and nearly 40,000 fishing fanatics participated during the 2021 season.

Current Bassmaster Elite Series pro anglers, including 2021 Bassmaster Angler of the Year Seth Feider, two-time Century Belt winner Patrick Walters, Bob Downey, Carl Jocumsen, Brandon Palaniuk and Gerald Swindle, and Cody Huff, who qualified for the 2022 Elites by winning the Bassmaster Opens Central Division points race, are part of the Rapala pro staff.

About Rapala
Rapala was unofficially founded in 1936 when Lauri Rapala invented the Rapala fishing lure. Rapala has grown from humble beginnings to become a market leader in the fishing tackle industry. The brand’s functionality and high quality are known by fishermen worldwide. Rapala maintains its strict standards of craftsmanship while delivering its fishing products to anglers in more than 130 countries. For more information on Rapala, please visit www.rapala.com.

Kerr lake November 2021 Fishing Report by Dennie Gilbert

Dennie Gilbert
Kerr lake
Largemouth Bass update:
November is here. The trees are dropping their leaves and Mother Nature should start sharing her fish. Bass should start moving towards the last third of the creeks. Top waters will begin to die off and the bottom baits will start to produce. Fishing stumps and rocks close to the channel and their edges will be a good pattern. The rocks will get better as the water cools. Fishing should get better as the water temperatures get colder. Deer hunters, y’all should fish more this time of the year, you suffered through when the fishing was really bad. Now it’s time for you to have your revenge. Good luck and good fishing Remember wear your life jackets hypothermia kills!! Dennie Kerrlakebass.com

B.A.S.S. Announces College, High School And Junior Schedules For 2022

The Bassmaster College, High School and Junior tournament trails offer young anglers an opportunity to compete on a range of fisheries during the 2022 season.

Photo by B.A.S.S. 

November 1, 2021

B.A.S.S. Announces College, High School And Junior Schedules For 2022

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The 2022 B.A.S.S. tournament schedule continues to take shape as organization officials announced today the slates for its College, High School and Junior Series.

The events have been a valuable tool for encouraging youth fishing participation across the country, and they’re beginning to have a pronounced effect on the highest levels of professional bass fishing. Since B.A.S.S. started these circuits in 2013, there has been a 97% growth in the number of participating schools and clubs at the college level while the high school and junior tournament level has seen an astounding 724% increase in the number of clubs and schools competing.

“There are already former college anglers sprinkled throughout the Bassmaster Elite Series field,” said Hank Weldon, the longtime High School and College Series tournament manager who was recently promoted to tournament director of the Bassmaster Opens. “Just this year we saw former College Classic Bracket winners Jacob Foutz and Cody Huff qualify for the Elites through the Opens.

“I think it’s just a matter of time before the majority of the Elite field will have some kind of experience in our youth programs.”

The Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops will open at the Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, Fla., Jan. 21-22. As most early-season Florida events are, the tournament should be dominated by hefty prespawn and spawning largemouth.

From there, the series will feature four events in four states from March through June. The schedule will continue with an event on Lake Norman in Cornelius, N.C., March 25-26, followed by tournaments on Norfork Lake in Mountain Home, Ark., April 22-23, and Saginaw Bay in Bay City, Mich., June 9-10. Those teams who register but remain on the waitlist for the four regular-season events will enjoy an opportunity to qualify for the College National Championship via the Wild Card tournament on Logan Martin Lake in Lincoln, Ala., June 17-18.

“We have a good mix of teams that are only able to fish the events in their region and teams that travel to multiple events throughout the year,” Weldon said. “A schedule that spans from Florida to North Carolina to Arkansas to Michigan and then back to Alabama provides great opportunities for both of those groups.

“If you’re traveling with the series, you’ll be fishing a very diverse collection of fisheries.”

As usual, the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors and the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster Junior Series will be paired together as concurrent one-day events.

Like the College Series, the two groups of younger competitors will open their seasons in Leesburg, Fla., on the Harris Chain of Lakes on Jan. 23. The standard format is for all Junior Series competitors (second through eighth grade) to weigh in first, with the champions being crowned before the High School Series weigh-in begins.

From Florida, the trail will visit Lewis Smith Lake in Cullman, Ala., on March 13, Norfork Lake in Mountain Home, Ark., April 24, and Saginaw Bay, Mich., June 11.

“I think people who have followed the High School and Junior Series have been amazed, not only by the knowledge these young anglers have of the sport, but by the size of the fish they bring to the scales,” Weldon said. “What they know and how they perform at such a young age really shows how the sport of competitive bass fishing has evolved — and gives us a good idea of the kind of competition we’ll see at the higher ranks in the future.”

Dates and locations for the College Series National Championship, High School Series National Championship and Junior Series National Championship will be announced at a later time. The 2022 College Classic Bracket, which offers a berth to the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk, will be held after the College Championship and, like last year, include the Top 3 teams from the National Championship as well as the Team of the Year.

During the 2021 season, Hayden Scott and Griffin Fernandes of Adrian College in Michigan won the College Series National Championship on the St. Lawrence River in New York. Then Bethel angler Tristan McCormick claimed a Classic berth by surviving four days at the College Classic Bracket on the Coosa River in Alabama.

Banks Shaw and Gage King of Sale Creek won the High School Series National Championship on Chickamauga Lake, and Bo Hollen and Ari Clark of the Mon Valley Bassmasters took the Junior Series National Championship title at Carroll County 1000 Acre Recreational Lake.

Anglers can register for the next charge toward a championship on the following dates: Dec. 7 (College), Dec. 8 (High School) and Dec. 9 (Juniors). Registration will take place online at Bassmaster.com.

2022 College Series regular-season schedule
Jan 21-22, Harris Chain of Lakes, Leesburg, Fla.
March 25-26, Lake Norman, Cornelius, N.C.
April 22-23, Norfork Lake, Mountain Home, Ark.
June 9-10, Saginaw Bay, Bay City, Mich.

2022 College Series Wild Card
June 17-18, Logan Martin Lake, Lincoln, Ala.

2022 High School/Junior regular-season schedule
Jan 23, Harris Chain of Lakes, Leesburg, Fla.
March 13, Lewis Smith Lake, Cullman, Ala.
April 24, Norfork Lake, Mountain Home, Ark.
June 11, Saginaw Bay, Bay City, Mich.