H2O XPRESS Ethos Nano Rod Review By Bruce Callis
H2O XPRESS Ethos Nano Rod By Bruce Callis
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I have had the pleasure to test the Academy Sports + Outdoors new H2O Xpress rod over the past few months. It is great for anglers who prefer a more responsive feel in their rod. The rod features a 1 piece IM8 graphite rod blank with Nano Resin technology and semi micro titanium guides with titanium inserts that promote a lightweight, balanced feel. It comes with Winn Grip split-grip Dri-Tac handle that lets you grip the rod comfortably, and the rubber-coated reel seat offers an exposed blank area for added sensitivity while you fish.
With the advanced Nano technology that Academy has built into this rod, it is super light and stronger. It is also extremely responsive. By pairing it with a a light reel, you get the best of all set ups. After throwing lures with it all day and fighting many bass, there was less stress in my arm and I was ready for the next day. The Winn Grip handle was something new for me, as I have always preferred cork, but I found it very comfortable. Something I may consider for future use.
I used the the Medium/Fast 6’6” baitcasting rod for my testing and put it through a lot of situations that tested it beyond it’s stated use. I used it with a Quantum EXO reel and Seaguar 10 pound fluorocarbon to attempt to get the most active results. I threw weightless straight worms, weightless fluke style baits, jerkbaits, and even small spinnerbaits. I pushed it further with small jigs, squarebills, and light Texas rigged creature baits. I managed to land quite a few bass, with a 5 pounder being the largest I hooked into. The rod performed beyond my expectations. The rod had plenty of backbone to fight even the largest bass, but yet sensitive enough to feel the slightest tic on my bait.
The H2O Xpress Ethos Nano baitcasting rod comes in 6 sizes. The Medium/Fast comes in 6’6” and 7 foot. The Medium Heavy/Fast comes in 3 lengths, 6’10”, 7’, and 7’3” offering the perfect fit. The Heavy/Fast comes in just a 7’6” length for now. The H2O Xpress spinning rod comes in Medium/Fast with 2 length of 6’8” and 7 foot. The best part is it is offered at very reasonable price at only $99.99, far less than you would expect for a rod of it’s quality.
You can find these rods only at Academy Sports + Outdoors website at www.academy.com and in their retail stores. Happy fishing!
Anglers and Biologists Team to Restock Arkansas River
Anglers and Biologists Team
to Restock Arkansas River
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Biologists and anglers team-up to bring big bass populations back to the fabled fishery.
Little Rock, Arkansas (June 6, 2018) — They’ll pour in by the thousands — tiny largemouth bass, no bigger than a human finger, making their way from plastic sacks to freedom. Altogether, some 100,000 black bass fingerlings will be released into the Arkansas River from anglers competing in the Simmons Bank Big Bass Bonanza, helping the fabled fishery bounce back from what biologists call a dramatic decline in spawning habitat.
“These anglers spread fingerlings out in the backwater areas where they fish,” says Arkansas Game & Fish Commission biologist Colton Dennis. “That makes restocking much more effective than if we back up a truck to a ramp and release thousands of fish into an area with a less complex habitat.”
The Simmons Bank Big Bass Bonanza has partnered with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for the restocking event for well over a decade; and together, with help from the Army Corps of Engineers, they’re working to provide long-term solutions to black bass population loss along the river. Those efforts include notching dikes, restoring fish habitat and restocking efforts like the one this weekend.
“Young bass face predators such as bluegill, sunfish, herons and kingfishers,” adds U.S. Fish & Wildlife External Affairs Officer Craig Springer. “It would be hard to say how many of those 100,000 fingerlings will make it to adulthood, though a typical female largemouth may produce 4,000-5,000 eggs, of which only a few may grow to mature fish.”
Arkansas Game & Fish biologists say that more than 473,000 largemouth bass fingerlings have been released into the river’s ecosystem in the past five years by Big Bass Bonanza participants alone. Those numbers, they say, have helped contribute to an overall tally of stocked fingerlings that already comprise as much as 15-percent of the wild population of largemouth in the river today.
The program, biologists say, is especially important in years like this one, when spring floods and high flows impact the fish’s usual spawning grounds.
Image courtesy of Z-Man
The Simmons Bank Big Bass Bonanza runs from June 29, 30-July 1. Weigh-in locations are located at Fort Smith, Russellville, North Little Rock/Little Rock, Pine Bluff and Dumas. More than $100,000 in cash will be awarded to anglers over three days, with hourly weigh-ins and special prizes from Raymarine, Flambeau, St. Croix Rods, Aqua-Vu, Z-Man, BUFF®, Hardee’s, LIVETARGET Lures, and more. High school anglers are eligible to win additional prizes, with the overall grand prize winner taking home $50,000 for the largest fish weighed.
So how long does it take one of those fingerlings to grow big enough bring home a check from the event? Grand prize winners at the Simmons Big Bass Bonanza — the $50,000 fish — typically tip the scales at around seven pounds, while individual pool winners have taken home $10,000 prizes at around five.
“Largemouth bass grow at roughly a half-pound per year,” notes Springer. “That varies naturally from water to water, but you might expect one over five pounds to be at least eight years old.”
With at least 15 years’ worth of stocking in its history, it’s possible that some of this year’s money fish will have found their way into and back out of the river at the Simmons Bank Big Bass Bonanza.
#BigBassBonanza
Jaime Fajardo & Josh Hooks win PBC with 30.66 lbs
PBC ACADEMY SPORTS & OUTDOORS $10,000 SPRING TEAM BASS TRAIL
FINAL QUALIFIER #7 RESULTS
Saturday June 2nd, 2018 ~ Jordan Lake ~ Farrington Point Wildlife Ramp
The 2018 PBC Academy Sports & Outdoors $10,000 Spring Team Bass Trail Qualifier #5 at Jordan Lake got off with a great start with light winds and morning temps at 74 degrees. It then it got hot to around 90 in the pm. Water temps averaged about 87 degrees. Winds were light at the 6:30 blastoff and then picked up to 5 for the afternoon! 63 teams
fought the heat but in the long run the fishing was very good for most!!
Jaime Fajardo & Josh Hooks extended their 1st place finishes to 4 this year in all PBC tournaments by weighing in 5 bass at 30.66 lbs. plus they won the 1st Place TWT and will receive $3,000 from Skeeter Boats Real Money program for a total of $5,495 in winnings. The team found the fish in 10-12′ of water off points & ledges while dragging crankbaits along with using plastic worms & jigs!!! These guys are on fire!
Picture..Hooks on left & Fajardo on right
Very close by, Lee Williams & Scott Smith took 2nd place with 5 fish weighing 30.14 lbs. to take home $765 in winnings. Hot on their tracks and winning some big money was the 3rd Place Team of Trey and Dad Jim Nichols weighing in 5 at 30.10 lbs., taking 2nd Place TWT and won the 1st Place Big Fish (8.81 lbs.) for a whopping total of $1,927!! The 2nd Place Big Fish (7.78 lbs.) was won by the 13th Place Team of David Hall & Rick Sossaman netting them $478!! The prize money again got spread around pretty good today! Had 3 team with weights of over 30 lbs. Jordan is good!
240 fish were weighed in for a total of 903 pounds for an average of 3.76 lbs. each. That’s a nice average on any lake!Most of the fish were caught on c’rigs , crankbaits, jigging spoons,spinnerbaits and some topwater in anywhere from
2 to 12 feet of water. Bass are coming off the beds, getting stronger and will start looking for cooler water & baitfish as it heats up. ! Fish shallow in the am and deeper in the pm.
I want to thank all the anglers that participated and all our sponsors that supported this trail. We averaged 86 boats in our qualifiers which is by far higher than any other trail qualifiers in this area!! Our next tournament is Saturday June
9th, the PBC 2018 CASHION FISHING RODS SPRING TRAIL CHAMPIONSHIP at Jordan Lake out of Farrington Point Ramp for qualified teams only (not an open event). All the info can be found at this link:
http://piedmontbassclassics.
Following that will be the
PBC 2018 ACADEMY SPORTS & OUTDOORS $10,000 SPRING TRAIL CHAMPIONSHIP,
Saturday June 16th at Falls Lake out of Ledge Rock Ramp for qualified teams only (not an open event).
All the info can be found at this link: http://piedmontbassclassics.
Now here are the full results:
1st Place: Jaime Fajardo & Josh Hooks of Fuquay Varina & Apex…5 bass…30.66 lbs…$1,235
2nd Place: Lee Williams & Scott Smith of Durham & Apex…5 bass…30.14 lbs…$765
3rd Place: Jim & Trey Nichols of Chapel Hill & Snow Camp…5 bass…30.10 lbs…$505
4th Place: Ben Cannon & Chad Craven of Apex & Willow Springs…5 bass…28.50 lbs…$455
5th Place: Todd Massey & Brandon Gray of Chapel Hill & Bullock…5 bass…27.97 lbs…$400
6th Place: Jonathan Holloway & Brian West of Fayetteville…5 bass…25.99 lbs…$352
7th Place: Mike Stephenson & Thanos Tsoumbos of Bahama & Oxford…5 bass…25.34 lbs…$300
8th Place: Corey Linton & Marc Peck of Pikeville…5 bass…23.45 lbs…$248
9th Place: Jared Thaxton & Brad Crabtree of Youngsville & Greensboro…5 bass…23.14 lbs…$204
10th Place: Clay Ausley & Allen Parker of Fuquay Varina & Sanford…5 bass…23.07 lbs…$188
11th Place: Randy Parker & Logan Ammons of New Hill & Sanford…5 bass..22.98 lbs…$150
12th Place: Thomas Sheffer & Ken McNeill of Cary & Raleigh…5 bass…22.90 lbs…$138
13th Place: David Hall & Rick Sossaman of Raleigh & Oak Ridge…5 bass…22.74 lbs…$100
1st Place Big Fish..2nd Place Team above…8.81 lbs…$882
2nd Place Big Fish..13th Place Team above…7.78 lbs…$378
1st Place TWT..1st Place Team above…30.66 lbs…$1,260
2nd Place TWT..3rd Place Team above: 30.10 lbs…$540
Contact Information:
Phil McCarson…Tournament Director—922 Valetta Rd.—Durham, NC 27712
Home: 919-471-1571 Cell: 919-971-5042
email: [email protected]
website:http://piedmontbassclassics.
Reid McGinn Takes ABA D12 Championship win
Reid McGinn Takes D12 Championship win
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Athens, Al – Reid McGinn of Fort Mill, SC won the American Fishing Tour division 14 Championship tournament on Lake Norman in Mooresville, NC with ten-fish weighing 25.06-pounds held on June 2nd and 3rd 2018.
It was hot and muggy throughout the two-day championship on Lake Norman, with mostly sunny conditions and light and variable winds. A field of 18 anglers turned out to fish and face yet another change in the weather and fishing patterns. The heavy downpours throughout the two weeks preceding the championship had the lake level full to the brim with lots of debris floating down the lake from the effort to control the massive amounts of water dumping into the river system.
Reid McGinn of Fort Mill, SC was able to put together a winning strategy by pitching and skipping a jig on the many docks of Lake Norman and capitalizing on an early topwater bite with a POP-R. He reported that it wasn’t easy, and he had to hit as many docks as possible each day to put together a good bag. Reid was in third place after day one with a 10.39-pound sack. He put together another limit on day two with 5-fish weighing in at 14.67-pounds, giving him a total of 25.06-pounds. Reid was able to wrestle a nice 5.02-pound largemouth into the boat on day two taking big bass honors worth an additional $180.00 to add to his first place purse of $1000.00.
Our other top anglers were 2nd place, Lance Eckford, of Troutman, NC with 10-fish weighing in at 21.78 pounds, worth, $576.00. Third place went to Charles Whitaker, also of Troutman, NC with 9-fish weighing in at 18.42-pounds, worth $188.00. Also decided this weekend was the divisional Angler of the Year. That honor goes to Richard Bradford of Hoffman, NC. Richard was the most consistent angler this year and has an opportunity to compete for a brand-new Triton boat at our National Championship on Lake Hartwell.
Special thanks to Muffin Top Jigs, and Forage Lures for providing products for all of our anglers to enjoy.
Congratulations to our top finishers. Division 14’s next event is yet to be determined. Our new schedule will be out as soon as it is finalized.
Top five Anglers:
1. Reid McGinn 25.06 lbs
2. Lance Eckford 21.78 lbs
3. Charles Whitaker 18.42 lbs
4. Richard Bradford 16.49 lbs
5. Tim Eplee 14.10 lbs
Big Bass winner: Reid McGinn 5.02 pounds
Next Event: The next tournament in division 14 is TBD.
For information about this division and future events visit drawtrail.com or contact the local director for North Carolina-Charlotte – Lance Eckford at (919)628-3383.
These anglers earn valuable points toward the divisional angler of the year title. The points champion from each division will compete in the annual American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of The Year Final Round at the AFT Championship. In addition, the top 500 anglers from the various divisions will earn the right to compete in the three-day ABA, AFT National Championship tournament.
The American Fishing Tour offers low cost, close to home bass tournaments that are designed for the weekend angler. All ABA anglers fish for money and points. The points advance the angler to their divisional championship and the top 500 anglers in the US are invited to the American Fishing Tour National Championship.
American Bass Anglers, Inc. is supported by Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, Hydrowave, T-H Marine, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Best Western Hotels, Garmin, Maui Jim, Power Pole, Optima Batteries and GEICO.
American Bass Anglers, Inc. can be contacted at (256) 232-0406 or visit AmericanBassAnglers.com
Scott Hamrick & Roger Hoover Win CATT 2018 Championship on Kerr lake June 5th 2018
183 teams entered the 2018 Academy Sports CATT Championship on Kerr Lake this past weekend and even though the fishing was tough it was very competitive! We plan to be back next year on Kerr and if we can’t get a May date we will probably go again on the 1st weekend of June BUT we will blast off at 5:30 am with the 1st flight weighing in at 2 pm!
Scott Hamrick & Roger Hoover weighed in 10 bass over 2 days weighing up at 33.35 lbs to take 1st Place and the $10,000 1st place check! They also took the Platinum BONUS worth $5,400.00 and the $50 BONUS which was another $2,600.00! They were fishing out of Scott’s Triton which earned them another $7,000 in Triton Gold Money! All total they left Kerr with $25,000.00! They also received 2 Level Performance Rods and 2 Academy Sports Gift Cards!
183 Teams! 1st Day 1st Day 2nd Day 2nd Day Total Total
Team Big Fish Weight Fish Weight Weight Winnings
Scott Hamrick / Roger Hoover 4.22 17.16 0.00 16.19 33.35 $25,000.00
Martin Villa / Tim Garner 4.95 16.96 0.00 14.04 31.00 $5,300.00
Tony Stanley / Chase Stanley 3.94 13.92 4.25 16.11 30.03 $3,780.00
Marty Williams / Jerry Bono 4.15 14.08 0.00 15.51 29.59 $3,040.00
Heath Paint / Daniel Davis 5.38 14.39 4.70 15.19 29.58 $2,011.00
Ronnie Thompson/Terry Gibbons 0.00 13.17 5.62 15.89 29.06 $2,718.00
Bobby Crisman / J T Palamore 0.00 15.58 0.00 13.42 29.00 $1,250.00
Corey Leonard / Paul Rigsbee 0.00 14.74 0.00 14.15 28.89 $1,150.00
Randy Black / Mikey Anderson 3.89 14.24 4.01 14.22 28.46 $1,000.00
Cullen Ports / Justin Bobbit 0.00 12.47 4.07 15.67 28.14 $800.00
Brian Kirkpatrick / Eddie Fore 0.00 13.71 5.07 13.92 27.63 $750.00
Robin Collins / Ronnie White 0.00 10.97 5.04 16.44 27.41 $650.00
Cavin Young / Rob Wells 0.00 12.83 0.00 14.30 27.13 $600.00
Ray Griffin / Francis Martin 0.00 12.90 0.00 14.22 27.12 $550.00
Michael Chlomodis/Marty Warren 0.00 10.90 0.00 16.14 27.04 $500.00
Wesley Cashwell/Shane Doughtie 0.00 12.21 4.54 14.45 26.66 $450.00
Powell Kemp / Scooter Lilly 0.00 14.21 0.00 12.33 26.54 $425.00
Mack Lowe / Robert Walser 0.00 12.69 0.00 13.79 26.48 $400.00
John Parker / Randy Moss 4.76 16.97 0.00 9.46 26.43 $375.00
Nathan Dellinger / Travis Kilby 0.00 13.51 0.00 12.81 26.32 $345.00
Robert Perkins / Eric Royster 0.00 14.05 0.00 12.19 26.24 $330.00
Chris Savage / Michael Campbell 5.38 14.22 0.00 11.89 26.11 $576.00
Clay Ausley / Ken McNeil 0.00 13.08 0.00 13.01 26.09 $295.00
William Hubbard/Brian Calloway 4.22 13.66 0.00 12.43 26.09 $295.00
Chuck Murray / Randy Groves 4.44 13.94 0.00 12.13 26.07 $275.00
Maurice Freeze / Rick Poplin 0.00 11.10 4.57 14.95 26.05 $260.00
Mark Winn / Mike Nichols 0.00 13.85 0.00 12.06 25.91 $245.00
Walt Bowen / Joseph Sharpe 0.00 11.52 4.20 14.38 25.90 $230.00
Danny Moss / Ryan Harrell 0.00 14.72 5.01 11.10 25.82 $215.00
Bryan Cottrell / Ellis Jones 0.00 12.00 0.00 13.73 25.73 $200.00
Danny & Petey Bost 0.00 15.15 0.00 10.53 25.68
Eddie Griggs / Bryan Elrod 0.00 12.58 0.00 13.04 25.62
Wally Szuba / Tony Woodall 0.00 13.22 0.00 12.31 25.53
David Wright / Jeff Coble 0.00 13.46 0.00 12.05 25.51
Flash Butts / Shawn Hmmack 4.56 15.97 0.00 9.49 25.46
Dave Allen / Clayton Mullins 5.18 13.68 0.00 11.76 25.44
Mark Cooper / Steve Roberts 0.00 11.81 0.00 13.48 25.29
Jesse Wise / Ashley Ivey 0.00 11.75 0.00 13.51 25.26
Gordon Griffin / Jerry Criswell 0.00 12.10 0.00 13.11 25.21
Paul Worthington/Zack Davenport 4.02 12.14 0.00 12.93 25.07
Brendon Schneider/Kyle James 0.00 13.56 0.00 11.45 25.01
Rick Dunstan / Josh Huff 4.39 12.74 0.00 12.18 24.92
Tim Wiltfong / Jay Fuhr 0.00 12.28 0.00 12.56 24.84
Thomas Simmerson / Doug Young 0.00 12.49 0.00 12.28 24.77
Thomas Vickers / Brian Huskins 0.00 11.89 0.00 12.86 24.75
Billy Bledsoe/Brian McDonald 0.00 10.73 4.35 13.91 24.64
Roger Clary / Justin Rhew 0.00 11.73 0.00 12.85 24.58
Eddy Glascock / Billy Dunn 0.00 11.29 0.00 13.23 24.52
Scott Moser / Tony Milliam 0.00 11.83 0.00 12.67 24.50
Todd Farris / Phil Rogers 0.00 12.89 0.00 11.44 24.33
David Wilson / Hal Blackwelder 0.00 12.76 0.00 11.53 24.29
Marcus Leech / Tim Chapman 0.00 13.49 0.00 10.76 24.25
Alex King / Matt Noras 0.00 11.65 0.00 12.55 24.20
Jason Suggs / Britten Oquin 0.00 11.73 0.00 12.37 24.10
Hal Caldwell / Larry Gunn 0.00 10.43 0.00 13.65 24.08
Derrick Bowden / Matthew Little 3.35 13.26 0.00 10.78 24.04
Randy Weddington/Ronnie Smith 0.00 13.19 0.00 10.84 24.03
Robert Mixon / Scott Henley 4.33 11.21 0.00 12.76 23.97
Jamey Caldwell / Seth Ellis 0.00 12.25 0.00 11.55 23.80
Steve Griggs / Tim Parker 0.00 10.59 0.00 13.19 23.78
Josh Queen / Mike Queen 0.00 13.48 0.00 10.12 23.60
Dennis Reedy / Tommy Marrow 0.00 12.01 0.00 11.42 23.43
Ray Hogge / Kevin Whitehurst 0.00 10.43 0.00 12.98 23.41
Joe Smith / Raeford Faircloth 0.00 11.44 4.96 11.93 23.37
Barry Davis / Robbie Burr 0.00 12.70 0.00 10.33 23.03
Mike King / Chris Crawford 0.00 13.02 0.00 9.65 22.67
Wayne Skipworth / Don Sprinkle 0.00 11.55 0.00 11.08 22.63
Scott Golden / Jesse Medlin 0.00 13.62 0.00 8.94 22.56
Mark Whitman / J J Stowers 0.00 14.11 0.00 8.40 22.51
Jason Dew / Tom Elliott 0.00 13.66 0.00 8.85 22.51
David Enos / Carl Enos 0.00 8.66 0.00 13.73 22.39
Charles Stewart / Matthew Dean 0.00 11.08 0.00 11.28 22.36
Scott Woodson / Tony Staker 0.00 10.26 0.00 11.94 22.20
Gary Horsley / David Dehart 0.00 10.41 0.00 11.76 22.17
Jason Thomas Dusty Taylor 0.00 15.46 0.00 6.61 22.07
Anthony Shawler / Scott Davies 0.00 8.23 4.66 13.83 22.06
Tim Penhollow/ Kay Chooskal 0.00 8.00 0.00 13.73 21.73
Kevin Cheatham / Johnny Wilder 0.00 12.89 0.00 8.73 21.62
Terry Easter / Dave Farrington 0.00 10.87 0.00 10.67 21.54
Rodney Bell /Tommy Jones 0.00 10.56 0.00 10.93 21.49
Dewayne Bingman / Alex Michaux 0.00 10.09 0.00 11.30 21.39
Tyler Purcell / Clay Samples 0.00 11.55 0.00 9.79 21.34
BubbaHaywood / David Frey 0.00 9.37 0.00 11.92 21.29
Chad Poteat / George Lambeth 0.00 13.77 0.00 7.33 21.10
Mark Inman / Bryan Welch 0.00 10.74 0.00 10.23 20.97
Stump Bledsoe / Glen Elliott 0.00 8.38 0.00 12.55 20.93
Bryson Reed / Jonathan Jones 0.00 8.73 0.00 11.94 20.67
Christian Garrell / Eric Buie 0.00 6.72 4.38 13.89 20.61
Rich Hartman / Mark Brown 0.00 10.18 0.00 10.22 20.40
Steve Summers / Danny Nifong 0.00 10.71 0.00 9.60 20.31
John Koren / Joe Westfall 0.00 10.58 0.00 9.68 20.26
Larry Inman / Ron Wolfarth 0.00 10.44 0.00 9.78 20.22
Sam Terry / Jacob Lee 0.00 8.13 0.00 12.09 20.22
Gerald Beck / Rodney Sorrell 0.00 10.81 0.00 9.36 20.17
Bradley McLaurin/Mike Marchant 0.00 9.55 0.00 10.49 20.04
Dennis Allen / Keith Allen 0.00 11.70 0.00 8.29 19.99
Casey Logan / Keaton Logan 0.00 8.43 0.00 11.55 19.98
Joey Dawson / Kevin Dawson 0.00 12.45 0.00 7.46 19.91
Kevin Poley / Richard Hall 0.00 9.87 0.00 10.00 19.87
Jeff Edwards/Brandon Slaughter 0.00 11.30 0.00 8.81 19.86
James Davis / Deloris Davis 0.00 11.00 0.00 8.84 19.80
Vern Fleming / Glenn Long 0.00 11.30 0.00 8.45 19.79
Michael Garner / Ryan Brown 0.00 10.10 0.00 9.56 19.61
Ladd Wicker / Landon Wicker 0.00 7.59 0.00 12.21 19.55
Denny Gilbert / Charlie Reed 0.00 10.50 0.00 9.29 19.54
Brain Green / Jeff Parrish 4.11 12.00 0.00 7.42 19.37
Brandon Hendricks/Gene Griffin 0.00 5.45 0.00 13.89 19.34
Dakota Roberts / Eric Myers 0.00 7.66 0.00 11.64 19.30
Cody Aman / Colin Ford 0.00 6.83 0.00 11.83 18.66
Adam & Gene Richardson 0.00 9.59 0.00 8.96 18.55
Will Howard / Bryce McClenney 0.00 9.71 0.00 8.88 18.44
Mark Lowe / Cliff Swan 0.00 8.70 0.00 9.73 18.43
Bob Hinds Jr. / David Cole 0.00 11.30 0.00 7.13 18.40
Scott Williams / Robbie English 0.00 8.62 0.00 9.71 18.08
Allen White / Mike Vaughen 0.00 10.90 0.00 7.03 18.00
Jim Freeland 0.00 8.09 0.00 9.69 17.78
Monte Aleman / Kevin Aleman 0.00 8.66 0.00 9.04 17.70
Stacey Richards / Doug Sawyer 4.94 11.80 0.00 5.69 17.44
Harvey Reese/Anthony Weithers 0.00 6.73 0.00 10.72 17.20
Eric Bozeman / Max Shuman 0.00 10.80 0.00 6.00 16.76
John Yager / Mike Rohr 0.00 9.83 4.60 6.70 6.53
Eugene Carter / John Doyle 0.00 8.89 0.00 7.64 16.28
Will Vickery / Dee Kidd 0.00 4.64 0.00 11.62 16.26
Donna Wilson / Mike Whitehurst 0.00 5.02 0.00 10.84 15.86
Mike Cole / Vinson Nettles 0.00 4.31 0.00 11.25 15.56
James & Jimmy Condrey 0.00 9.69 0.00 5.69 14.63
Evan Fleming / Matt Furh 0.00 4.94 0.00 9.67 14.61
Andy Semonco / Wayne Andrews 0.00 6.92 0.00 7.52 14.43
Duke Denison / Bobbie Cline 0.00 8.54 0.00 5.68 14.22
Grady Lee / Jimmy Murphy 0.00 9.43 0.00 3.04 12.47
Daniel Jenkins / Jason Kopp 0.00 4.26 0.00 8.04 12.30
Kevin Farley / David Ford 0.00 8.95 0.00 3.27 12.22
Jesse Stanley / Rex Watson 0.00 11.70 0.00 0.00 11.70
Doug Parker 3.38 11.52 0.00 0.00 11.52
Tony Foster / Steve Sink 0.00 11.49 0.00 0.00 11.49
Rich Szczerealla/Storm Rutcho 0.00 11.43 0.00 0.00 11.43
Everett Rigsbee / Clint Johnson 0.00 11.12 0.00 0.00 11.12
Dan Jackson / Manley Jones 0.00 10.95 0.00 0.00 10.95
George Lauster 3.98 10.51 0.00 0.00 10.51
Chris McDuffie / Greg Creech 0.00 10.19 0.00 0.00 10.19
Bradley Chandler 0.00 10.02 0.00 0.00 10.02
Darryl Crumbley / Tim Skeen 0.00 9.96 0.00 0.00 9.96
Dexter Andrews / Mike Birr 0.00 9.88 0.00 0.00 9.88
Steve Vann / Richard Lewis 0.00 9.80 0.00 0.00 9.80
Richard Cooper / Tim Grien 0.00 9.64 0.00 0.00 9.64
Tyler & Ricky Trent 0.00 9.51 0.00 0.00 9.51
Scott Canady / Jamie Pate 0.00 9.36 0.00 0.00 9.36
Greg Taylor / Adam Haithcock 0.00 9.34 0.00 0.00 9.34
Mark Robertson / Keith Joyce 0.00 9.14 0.00 0.00 9.14
Johnny Howard / William Howard 0.00 8.95 0.00 0.00 8.95
Mark Antonelli / Chris Inscoe 0.00 8.39 0.00 0.00 8.39
Dave & Cody Heavenridge 0.00 8.33 0.00 0.00 8.33
Matt Pulley 0.00 8.32 0.00 0.00 8.32
Trip Emmerson / Kevin Hyler 0.00 7.99 0.00 0.00 7.99
Norwood Ligon / Darrell Peele 0.00 7.85 0.00 0.00 7.85
Jacob Lloyd 0.00 8.10 0.00 0.00 8.10
Donnie Avant / Randy Waterman 0.00 7.54 0.00 0.00 7.54
Jerry Davis / Tony Tysinger 0.00 6.70 0.00 0.00 6.70
James Ashton / Burley Langford 0.00 6.20 0.00 0.00 6.20
Daniel Wood / Trampus Stafford 0.00 6.00 0.00 0.00 6.00
Jeremy Sullivan 0.00 4.72 0.00 0.00 4.72
Alan Aufderhar / Ryan Story 0.00 4.60 0.00 0.00 4.60
Roby Wyatt / Mike Prytula 0.00 4.51 0.00 0.00 4.51
Bart Gore / Dylan Gore 0.00 4.46 0.00 0.00 4.46
Dennis Duncan / Garth Joyce 0.00 4.42 0.00 0.00 4.42
Paul Watson / Melissa Watson 0.00 4.11 0.00 0.00 4.11
Ron Brown / Robert Brown 0.00 2.40 0.00 0.00 2.40
Travis Priest / James Sutton 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
David Bullock / Jimmy Henderson 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Aaron Johnson / Charles Napier 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Chris Richey / George Bost 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Dan Funderburke / Butch Drew 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Dylan Gauldin / AustinCarter 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Ray Horrocks 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
David Leonard / Brian Davis 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
John McCleland / Eric Shell 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Todd Haynes / Jerry Talbert 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Terry Aman / Bryce Owens 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Joey Talbott / Michael Deen 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Jeff McQuaique / Eric Moser 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Scott Faulkner / Tony Brewer 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Dempsey Carter / Ted Mobley 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Chase Robison / Robert Matress 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Mike Sims Takes the win on Kerr Reservoir American Bass Anglers June 3,2018
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It was a good day of fishing today on Kerr Lake, despite the rains. Most people came off the water a bit early due to a thunderstorm with lightning. That said, 22 anglers donned rain suits and competed in this AFT division 13 event at Rudds Creek. 15 of the 22 brought in 5 fish limits. Most of the fish came on plastics today, with reports from the fishermen that the fish hit just about any bait that hit the water. Unfortunately, most of the fish were small. Fishing predominately plastics – worms and brush hogs – Mike Sims of Suffolk Virginia captured the win with five nice fish that tipped the scales at 13.68 pounds. This was Mike’s last event with the Virginia division as he is about to make the move to Mississippi. For the win, Mike claimed 1st place monies of $559.
In second place was Dominic Barretta with another limit that went 13.28 pounds. Rick Cornett finished in third with 12.42 pounds, anchored with the big fish of the tournament at 6.36 pound.
Top Ten
| Place | Name | Fish | BB | Total | Points |
| 1 | Michael J. Sims | 5 | 0 | 13.68 | 200 |
| 2 | Dominic A. Barretta | 5 | 0 | 13.28 | 199 |
| 3 | Rick Cornett | 5 | 6.36 | 12.42 | 198 |
| 4 | James Fleming Brown | 5 | 0 | 12.14 | 197 |
| 5 | Kenneth E. Stivason | 5 | 0 | 11.88 | 196 |
| 6 | Marvin Major Jr | 5 | 0 | 10.23 | 195 |
| 7 | James Jim T. Bland | 5 | 0 | 10.22 | 194 |
| 8 | Scott A. Keating | 5 | 0 | 10.05 | 193 |
| 9 | James Jim A. Funk | 5 | 0 | 9.79 | 192 |
| 10 | Wayne Mitch M. Miles Jr | 5 | 0 | 9.05 | 191 |
The Virginia division will be at the Chickahominy River for our next event on June 23rd.
For more information about this Division and future events visit http://www.drawtrail.com/2018DivPage.php?Division=13
or contact the local Director for Virginia Division 13 Gary Conner at 757-293-8651
The American Fishing Tour offers low cost, close to home bass tournaments that are designed for the weekend angler. All ABA anglers fish for money and points. The points advance the angler to their divisional championship and the top 500 anglers in the US are invited to the American Fishing Tour National Championship.
American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers, the ABA Open Series, the American Fishing Tour or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com.
American Bass Anglers, Inc. is supported by Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, Hydrowave, T-H Marine, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Best Western Hotels, Garmin, Maui Jim, Power Pole, Optima Batteries and GEICO. American Bass Anglers, Inc. can be contacted at (256) 232-0406 or visit AmericanBassAnglers.com
Derek Johnson Takes the win on American Bass Anglers Oconee for D72
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Congratulations to Derek Johnson of Lumber City, Ga for bringing in the winning sack at Lake Oconee on June 2, 2018, for the AFT D72 tournament. Derek caught his five best fish using jigs and shaky heads. His total weight was 14.00 pounds, and Derek took home $801 for the first place finish.
Larry Cason of Newborn, Ga took the trophy for Big Bass and $245 for his lunker weighing 6.39 pounds. Larry said he caught lots of small fish, but the big one was landed while flipping docks with a worm.
With a tropical storm earlier in the week, the 49 anglers found the lake water temperature in the low 80’s. Pre-dawn rain brought hot and muggy temperatures and an afternoon thunderstorm.
Congratulations to the Top Ten:
1 – Derek Johnson – 14.00 pounds – $801
2 – James Golden – 13.85 pounds – $548
3 – Larry Cason – 13.64 pounds – $281
4 – Carl Hayes – 13.46 pounds – $231
5 – Chad Wilson – 12.75 pounds – $195
6 – Steve Dobbs – 11.00 pounds – $159
7 – Jim Windham – 10.89 pounds – $115
8 – Barry Collins – 10.75 pounds – $72
9 – Kim Carver – 10.61 pounds
10 – David Lowery – 10.58 pounds
After the awards of trophies and cash payouts, there were drawings for all anglers that were present. Three $50 Gift Cards for Sugar Creek Marina, and two $50 bills were won by the lucky draw.
The next tournament for D72 will be on Sunday, June 10, 2018, on Lake Sinclair, going out of Little River Marina.
Please contact Director Benny Howell at 770-365-4795 for more information.
The American Fishing Tour offers low cost, close to home bass tournaments that are designed for the weekend angler. All ABA anglers fish for money and points. The points advance the angler to their divisional championship and the top 500 anglers in the US are invited to the American Fishing Tour National Championship. For more information on American Bass Anglers please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256)232-0406.
American Bass Anglers, Inc. is supported by Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, GEICO, Berkley, Abu Garcia, T-H Marine, Best Western Hotels, Maui Jim, Power Pole, Garmin, Optima Batteries and SiriusXM Marine Weather. American Bass Anglers, Inc. can be contacted at (256) 232-0406 or by visiting americanbassanglers.com
Rhett Manus Wins a Big One at the AFT D-96 2-Day on Greenwood George Berry Wins AFT D-96 Angler of the Year
Rhett Manus Wins a Big One at the AFT D-96 2-Day on Greenwood
George Berry Wins AFT D-96 Angler of the Year
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Athens, Ala. Rhett Manus of Gilbert, SC won the American Fishing Tour, presented by American Bass Anglers and South Carolina Division 96 2-day qualifier held June 2-3, 2018 on Lake Greenwood running out of Greenwood State Park near Ninety Six, SC. George Berry wins D-96 Angler of the Year. There were 44 anglers fishing this Division 96 2-day qualifier tournament out of Greenwood State Park near Ninety Six, SC.
Our winner and Division Champion for 2018 is Rhett Manus of Gilbert, SC. Rhett came in on day 1 with 5 fish at 18.18 pounds which included a 4.88-pound kicker fish. He was in second place and took the second-place option pot of $160. On day 2 he came in with 5 fish at 17.84 pounds and the ALX Rod Big Fish of the day and of the tournament at 8.10 pounds. That gave Rhett first the place option pot for day 2 of $245 and big fish pot was $220. His total of 36.02 pounds gave him the win. First place was $1602 making his total winnings for this 2-day event $2227. For Rhett the total points now are 1182 and second place for the season in the D-96 Angler of the Year race.
Second place is Andrew Allen of Waterloo, SC who had 5-fish for 16.22 pounds on day 1 with a4.25 pound kicker fish and 5 fish for 17.18 pounds on day 2 with a 6.14-pound kicker fish. Andrew won the day 2 second place option pot of $165 and $1038 for his tournament second-place finish. Andrew won a total of $1203.
In third place is George Berry of Saluda, SC who had 5 fish for 22.99 pounds on day 1 with the day1 ALX Rod Big Fish. George took the lead and earned $220 for big fish and $240 for day 1 first place option pot. George had 5 fish on day 2 for 10.12 pounds and finished in third place for $504. His total winnings totaled $964. This finish gave George Berry a total of 1188 points for the season and wins the D-96 Angler of the Year race. George will go and compete against other division AOYs at the National Championship on Lake Hartwell in October for the National AOY Title and a 2018 Triton/Mercury Bass Boat.
Top 5 finishers:
1 – Rhett Manus – 10 fish 36.02 pounds Day-2 BF 8.10 pounds 400 points
2 – Andrew Allen – 10 fish 33.40 pounds 398 points
3 – George Berry – 10 fish 33.11 pounds Day-1 BF 6.92 pounds 396 points
4 – Chase Stewart – 10 fish 32.15 pounds 394 points
5 – Truet Hill – 10 fish 29.37 pounds 392 points
These anglers are qualifying to compete in the 2018 AFT National Championship on Lake Hartwell in Anderson, SC on October 21-26, 2018.
The next Division 96 tournament for Division 96 is the 2019 Season start and will be on Lake Murray out of Dreher Island State Park near Ninety Six, SC on August 19, 2018.
For more information, contact D-96 Director Jamie Satterwhite at 864-993-0211; email [email protected] or call ABA at (256) 232-0406. On-line, see www.americanbassanglers.com or www.aba-sc.com for complete results.Also check out our facebook page at D-96 American Fishing Tour.
The American Fishing Tour offers low cost, close to home bass tournaments that are designed for the weekend angler. All ABA anglers fish for money and points. The points advance the angler to their divisional championship and the top 500 anglers in the US are invited to the American Fishing Tour National Championship.
American Bass Anglers, Inc. is supported by Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, Optima Batteries, GEICO, Berkley, Abu Garcia, T-H Marine, Best Western Hotels, Maui Jim, Power Pole, Garmin, and SiriusXM Marine Weather. American Bass Anglers, Inc. can be contacted at (256) 232-0406 or by visiting americanbassanglers.com
Spinnerbait Vs Chatterbait: When You Should Throw Each Bait – MTB
Spinnerbait vs chatterbait. You roll up to the lake, see some shallow water, some wood cover, maybe a nice stretch of docks in muddy water. Which are you going to bust out, how are you going to trail them, and when should you throw each bait? Allow Ben Milliken to break down the differences and similarities for you here!
When To Throw A Spinnerbait
A spinnerbait comes with a lead head attached to 1 or 2 blades, usually either willow or Colorado style. Colorado blades pack a bit more punch in the “thump” department. They also come dressed in a skirt, which Ben prefers to be in a baitfish profile. He also recommends adding a trailer hook to avoid missing bites!
The ideal conditions to throw a spinnerbait are muddier water with wind blowing into it. Whether you are fishing seawalls, rip rap, or a laydown, if the wind is blowing into it, a spinnerbait is tough to beat. When bass have shad cornered on one of these areas or any isolated cover, and the wind is moving them to the point, cast your spinnerbait there!
When To Throw A Chatterbait
Chatterbaits come with a split-ring attached single blade, directly fused to the head. The common name for these is a “vibrating jig,” because of the unique action the single hexagonal blade gives, opposed to the adjacent blades of a spinnerbait. The quick, constant churn of the blade on a chatterbait causes more of a humming vibration beneath the water, instead of the thumping boom of a spinnerbait.
The main difference between a spinnerbait vs chatterbait is grass. The chatterbait is an absolute killer in and around the grass. The prespawn stage where chatterbaits can come through the grass more easily than a lipless is a dream come true for chatterbait lovers.
We hope you learned some tips and tricks for bass fishing a spinnerbait vs a chatterbait, and make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel to learn more from knowledgeable anglers like Ben!
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