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MORGAN MAINTAINS LEAD ON DAY TWO OF FLW TOUR AT LAKE CUMBERLAND PRESENTED BY GENERAL TIRE
MORGAN MAINTAINS LEAD ON DAY TWO OF FLW TOUR AT LAKE CUMBERLAND PRESENTED BY GENERAL TIRE
Minnesota’s Willert Wins Co-angler Title, $20K
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SOMERSET, Ky. (April 13, 2018) – Pro Andy Morgan of Dayton, Tennessee, brought a 15-pound, 12-ounce limit of bass to the scale Friday to maintain his lead after Day Two of the FLW Tour at Lake Cumberland presented by General Tire. Morgan’s two-day total of 10 bass weighing 34 pounds, 11 ounces gives him a 1-pound, 6-ounce advantage heading into the third day of competition in the four-day event that featured a field of 183 of the world’s best bass-fishing professionals and co-anglers competing for top awards of up to $125,000 cash in the pro division and up to $25,000 cash in the co-angler division.
The field is now cut to 30 as anglers resume competition Saturday morning, with only the top 10 anglers advancing to Championship Sunday. Former Forrest Wood Cup Champions Darrel Robertson (2nd place, 33-5), Polaris pro David Dudley (22nd place, 28-0), Scott Martin (24th place, 27-13), and Justin Atkins (29th place, 27-4) remain in competition, along with reigning Pennzoil Marine Angler of the Year Bryan Thrift (4th place, 32-13).
Thrift weighed another five-bass limit Friday – his 51st consecutive limit weighed in FLW Tour competition – breaking the FLW Tour’s all-time record of 50, set in 2014 by pro Cody Meyer of Auburn, California. Thrift has the opportunity to extend his record Saturday.
“Despite my weight being down, today was actually a better day for me,” said tournament leader Morgan, a 20-year Tour veteran who has 38 career top-10 Tour finishes. “I caught a lot more fish, and I had a shot at a really good bag. It might have just been bad luck, but a lot of fish were just slapping at my bait and would come off, for no real rhyme or reason. I lost four or five really good ones today – including a 5-pound largemouth.”
Morgan is fishing in the lower end of the lake, running pockets and covering water with a spinnerbait and a jig. He estimated that he caught around 20 keepers on Friday and weighed in a limit consisting of four largemouth and one smallmouth bass.
“I started the day running totally new water, but this afternoon I ended up going back through some things that I did yesterday,” Morgan said. “The water is fairly clean, but a little windblown in some places. It really didn’t matter where I fished, though. They were biting.
“Tomorrow I think everyone will blast them again and we’re going to see a lot of fish caught,” Morgan went on to say. “Anyone fishing can still win this deal. There is a 20-pound bag lurking around out there, and 20 pounds can go far here. I’m going to continue to do more of the same, and going to keep doing it until it quits.”
The top 30 pros that made the first cut and will fish Saturday on Lake Cumberland are:
1st: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn.., 10 bass, 34-11
2nd: Darrel Robertson, Jay, Okla., 10 bass, 33-5
3rd: Clent Davis, Montevallo, Ala., 10 bass, 32-15
4th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., 10 bass, 32-13
5th: Kerry Milner, Bono, Ark., 10 bass, 31-6
6th: Greg Bohannan, Bentonville, Ark., 10 bass, 30-14
7th: Allen Boyd, Salem, Ind., 10 bass, 30-13
8th: Chris McCall, Palmer, Texas, 10 bass, 30-11
9th: Ramie Colson Jr., Cadiz, Ky., 10 bass, 30-8
10th: Carl Jocumsen, Queensland, Australia, 10 bass, 30-5
11th: General Tire pro Mark Rose, West Memphis, Ark., 10 bass, 30-3
12th: Chad Grigsby, Maple Grove, Minn., 10 bass, 29-14
13th: Bob Morin, Seymour, Tenn., 10 bass, 29-11
14th: James Watson, Lampe, Mo., 10 bass, 29-3
15th: Glenn Chappelear, Acworth, Ga., 10 bass, 29-0
16th: Kyle Cortiana, Coweta, Okla., 10 bass, 28-8
17th: Chris Johnston, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, 10 bass, 28-7
18th: Brian Latimer, Belton, S.C., 10 bass, 28-7
19th: Clayton Batts, Macon, Ga., 10 bass, 28-5
20th: Billy McCaghren, Mayflower, Ark., 10 bass, 28-3
21st: Jeff Sprague, Point, Texas, 10 bass, 28-1
22nd: Polaris pro David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., 10 bass, 28-0
23rd: Grae Buck, Harleysville, Pa., 10 bass, 27-13
24th: Scott Martin, Clewiston, Fla., 10 bass, 27-13
25th: Billy Hines, Vacaville, Calif., 10 bass, 27-12
26th: Shawn Murphy, Nicholasville, Ky., 10 bass, 27-12
27th: Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla., 10 bass, 27-6
28th: Terry Bolton, Paducah, Ky., 10 bass, 27-4
29th: Justin Atkins, Florence, Ala., 10 bass, 27-4
30th: James Niggemeyer, Van, Texas, 10 bass, 27-4
For a full list of results visit FLWFishing.com.
Kurt Mitchell of Milford, Delaware, earned Friday’s $500 Simms Big Bass award in the Pro Division thanks to a 5-pound, 15-ounce bass.
Overall there were 872 bass weighing 2,190 pounds, 2 ounces, caught by 181 pros Friday. The catch included 161 five-bass limits.
Joel Willert of Prior Lake, Minnesota, won the Co-angler Division and $20,000 Friday with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 24 pounds, 2 ounces, followed by Robert Case III of Point, Texas, who finished in second place with 10 bass totaling 23-15, worth $7,550.
The top 10 co-anglers finished:
1st: Joel Willert, Prior Lake, Minn., 10 bass, 24-2, $20,000
2nd: Robert Case III, Point, Texas, 10 bass, 23-15, $7,550
3rd: Shane Melton, Kokomo, Ind., 10 bass, 23-11, $5,000
4th: Pat Eichmann, Nancy, Ky., 10 bass, 23-7, $4,000
5th: Todd Lee, Jasper, Ala., nine bass, 23-5, $3,000
6th: Robert Case Jr., Point, Texas, 10 bass, 23-4, $2,500
7th: J.P. Sims, Cookeville, Tenn., 10 bass, 23-2, $2,000
8th: Keith Honeycutt, Temple, Texas, nine bass, 22-12, $2,050
9th: Mike Casada, Stearns, Ky., 10 bass, 22-12, $1,700
10th: Joe Rucker, Nicholasville, Ky., nine bass, 22-12, $1,850
Honeycutt earned $250 for the Simms Big Bass award in the Co-angler Division Friday with a 7-pound, 7-ounce bass.
Overall there were 578 bass weighing 1,137 pounds, 10 ounces, caught by 157 co-anglers Friday. The catch included 70 five-bass limits.
In FLW Tour competition, pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day, with pros supplying the boat, controlling boat movement and competing against other pros. Co-anglers fish from the back deck against other co-anglers. The full field of 366 anglers competed in the two-day opening round. Co-angler competition concluded following Friday’s weigh-in, while the top 30 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continue competition Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.
The total purse for the FLW Tour at Lake Cumberland presented by General Tire is more than $930,000. The tournament is hosted by the Somerset Tourist and Convention Commission and the Burnside Tourism Commission.
Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2018 Forrest Wood Cup will be on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Aug. 10-12 and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.
Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. EDT each morning from General Burnside Island State Park, located at 8801 S. Highway 27, in Burnside, Kentucky. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins, April 14-15, will be held at the park, beginning at 4 p.m.
Prior to the weigh-ins Saturday and Sunday, April 14-15, FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at General Burnside Island State Park from noon to 4 p.m. each day. The Expo is a chance for fishing fans to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities.
Also for youth, the FLW Foundation’s Unified Fishing Derby will be held at Pulaski County Park, located at 1200 State Highway 3189 in Nancy, Kentucky on Saturday, April 14 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. The event is hosted by FLW Foundation pro Cody Kelley along with other FLW Tour anglers, and is free and open to anyone under the age of 18 and Special Olympics athletes. Rods and reels are available for use, but youth are encouraged to bring their own if they own one. The 1st and 2nd place anglers that catch the biggest fish will be recognized Saturday on the FLW Tour stage, just prior to the pros weighing in.
Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Lake Cumberland presented by General Tire will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) May 23 from Noon-1 p.m. EST. The Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show airs on NBCSN, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the sport’s top anglers on the FLW Tour on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagra
How To Win Your Next Tournament With A Glide Bait – MTB
How To Win Your Next Tournament With A Glide Bait
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Tossing big swimbaits has been a tactic for trophy hunting bass fisherman on the west coast since the baits were introduced to the market. Now gaining more popularity world wide, however, is chucking a “glide bait” in waters loaded with big bluegill or stocked with trout. When the bluegill spawn is on, you’re even more likely to hammer a fatboy bass on a glide bait. Here’s how to do it:
Glide Bait Fishing 101
Glide baits were given their name due to their unique action. When you tug the rod one way or another they, believe it or not, “glide” from side to side. Their slender, single jointed body can move in the water unlike a crankbait or even a swimbait, and this unique action often triggers bass to strike. Since most anglers agree if you are throwing a glide bait you should be throwing a jumbo glide bait, it’s go big or go home time and you should expect only beef-mommas to come biting after it. It may not produce bites all day long, but it truly weeds out the small ones better than most baits.
The action on a glide bait doesn’t come as much from the steady retrieve, but lies in the anglers use of rod movement or quick, sharp turns of the reel. Mixing and matching, as always, will cover you the most until you figure out what works, but it’s important to remember fishing a glide bait is less about twitching and more about snapping. I like to retrieve steadily, pause, wait for slack line, and then snap the rod tip to the side while giving my reel ½ turn. This causes an erratic glide, and is often when bass strike. In the summer months it pays off to burn it in 6 feet or less of water, but often works best about 10 feet deep, just over patches of vegetation.
Glide Bait Gear
Source: Scout
It’s also important to fish a glide bait with heavy gear, you’ll need some extra backbone to win this fight. Since they usually hit it while moving, glide baits are common victims of losing fish, even with the stickiest hooks. The jointed body helps you with action, but also helps a bass in its effort to flee and jump off.
I’ve found there’s no messing around when fighting a fish on these baits. Get the rod tip down and crank that reel as hard as you can to get it to the net. This is how you can go from “the one that got away” to “winner winner chicken dinner” on tournament day!
Ready To Catch Some Fish?
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Rainy Day Win for Shianne Parker and Joe Anders Lake Keowee
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Rainy Day Win for Shianne Parker and Joe Anders
Lake Keowee
Thirty-two teams ignored the all-day forecast for rain. They showed up for South Carolina Couple’s April 7 tournament on Lake Keowee. 132 fish were brought to the scales and released healthy and happy to be caught another day.
Shianne Parker and Joe Anders claimed first place with a 5-fish sack weighing 15.4 pounds. Joe said they caught fish on a topwater frog and a Senko. Their hefty sack was pretty clear evidence that the fish don’t care that it’s raining.
Amanda and Vince Smith took second place honors with a 14.7 pound five-fish limit. They said they caught fish early, as deep as 25 feet with a shakey-head. Then, they shifted their approach to bed fishing late in the morning. Vince’s bedding 4.8-pounder was the Men’s Big Bass.
Ana and Brad Rutherford had third place with 5 fish weighing 13.3 pounds. They caught their fish in 8-12 feet with a shakey-head, sporting a Berkley “General” Power Bait.
Victoria and Dale Goff stuck to their Texas rigged Baby Brush Hog approach and took fourth place. Their 5-fish weighed 12.5 pounds and were caught in the 18-foot depth range.
Michelle and David Ashmore’s limit captured fifth place at 12.4 pounds. A shakey-head lizard technique worked well for them. Their better fish came on a drop-shot rig in 35-40 feet of water. Their success is also evidence that several patterns and depth ranges were working for the anglers on this day.
Susan and John Mills were in sixth place with five fish at 12.3 pounds. They caught one nice fish on a bed. The rest were caught with a variety of baits and techniques. Susan’s pair of bass approaching 3 pounds each went a long way to boosting the weight of their sack.
Candace Veal had the honors for Ladies Big Bass. Her 4.5 pounder was caught with a Carolina Rig. She noted that her husband and partner Jack had the first chance at the fish and missed it. But, she followed up and got the fish to bite her bait!
Several drawing prizes were available for those teams that weren’t “in the money.” Phantom Outdoors offered two handsome shirts and two hats for this tournament. Their products got the attention of South Carolina’s Couples as evidenced by many anglers “modeling” their great Phantom jersey’s, hoodies and hats at weigh-in. Strickland Marina provided three prizes of a gallon of Mercury oil. A Yo-Zuri lure pack was again available. Scotty Bartley contributed two Weeble Lure prize packs.
Amanda and Vince Smith and Debbie and Bob Brown hosted a feast of chili and cornbread at weigh-in. Vince’s parents coordinated the set-up and serving. The meal was a real treat for a crowd of hungry tournament bass anglers.
The fellowship and integrity of the Couples Series was further characterized by at least two incidents during the day. Missy and Tom Bancroft released a hefty bass during the day because it was hooked outside the mouth while bed fishing. That fish would have made a big difference in their eighth place finish. And Bill Cain found a significant “wad” of cash that had dropped from someone’s pocket in the parking lot during the dark and rainy early morning Safety Meeting. Bill made sure it was returned to the rightful owner.
Sixteen anglers had a Friday evening out for dinner at the local Seneca Applebees restaurant. A fun time was had by all!
The next South Carolina Couples tournament is scheduled for April 28, 2018 on Lake Hartwell.
For more information on this or any future event in this division contact Don Goodfellow and Martha Goodfellow [email protected] – 864-630-3183
All ABA American Couples Series events involve a team format with each team composed of one man and one woman. Contestants between the ages of 14 and 16 years old may participate with a parent’s written permission.
The top angling couples from across the nation earn the right to compete in the annual American Bass Anglers Couples Series National Championship Tournament.
American Bass Anglers commitment is to provide 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 American Fishing Tour, the Weekend Bass Series, or the American Couples Series, visit www.abacouples.com
American Bass Anglers, Inc. is supported by Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, GEICO, Berkley, Abu Garcia, T-H Marine, Livingston Lures, Best Western Hotels, Maui Jim, Power Pole, Garmin, Optima Batteries and SiriusXM Marine Weather.
Gary Singleton Takes D40 Win on Kentucky Lake – March 31,2018 – ABA
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Gary Singleton of Dickson, TN won the American Fishing Tour District 40 tournament held Saturday March 31, 2018 out on Kentucky Lake out of Pebble Isle Marina. Gary had three fish weighing 11.96 lbs. and took home $543 for his win. He also had big fish with a healthy 5.58 lbs. bass.
Eddie Scott of Waverly, TN took home $329 for his second place finish and Tom O’Bryant of Cedar Grove, TN was third winning $108.
It was a tough bite with no limits weighed in and seven of the twenty fisherman not weighing in fish. Our next tournament is Saturday April 7. It is also out of Pebble Isle.
Top five weights were:
| Gary Singleton | 3 fish | 11.96 lbs. |
| Eddie Scott | 4 fish | 8.42 lbs. |
| Tom O’Bryant | 3fish | 7.75 lbs. |
| Buddy Wallace | 2 fish | 5.67 lbs. |
| Anthony Huddleston | 1 fish | 5.46 lbs. |
For more information on this event or Division contact local director Larry Franklin at 931-209-2995 or visit www.drawtrail.com
These anglers are earning 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 American Fishing Tour National Championship.
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, Optima Batteries, GEICO, Berkley, Abu Garcia, T-H Marine, Livingston Lures, 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
Chase Stewart takes the win on Lake Greenwood – ABA April 8,2018 SC – Division
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[print_link] Chase Stewart takes the win on Lake Greenwood First place, Chase Stewart had 5 fish weighing 15.31 pounds. Chase was fishing the middle and lower parts of the lake and caught some of his fish early on a chatterbait and the rest bed fishing. The payback for first place earned Chase $600 and the first place trophy. Paul Selle of Lexington, SC was second with 5 fish weighing 14.92 pounds. He caught some of his fish early on the lower part of the lake with a swimbait and then went to the upper part for the remainder of his limit fishing a shaky head and achatterbait. Paul took home the second place trophy and $485 for second place and first place option pot. Andrew Allen of Waterloo, SC took third place with 5 fish weighing 13.08 pounds. He had a kicker fish of 4.12 pounds to anchor his limit. Andrew won third place trophy and $123. Fourth place was Wayman Coleman of Bradley, SC with 4 fish weighing 11.47 pounds. Wayman won a $179 for hisfourth place finish and second place option pot. Fifth place and ALX Rod Big Fish Winner was James Stone of Lowndesville, SC with 3 fish weighing 10.53 that included the tournament big fish at 6.89 pounds. James won $120 for big fish and a $25 Gift Certificate from Wolfstone Tungsten for fifth place. Top 5 finishers: 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 will be on Clarks Hill Lake out of the Dorn Facility near McCormick, SC on May 20, 2018. For more information, contact D-96 Director Phil Morris at 864-993-0346; 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. These anglers are earning 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 American Fishing Tour National Championship. 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, Optima Batteries, GEICO, Berkley, Abu Garcia, T-H Marine, Livingston Lures, 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 |
Weeks/McCoy win Castaway Anglers Lake Anna Event April 8,2018
We had a great turnout for our Lake Anna Club Tournament this past Sunday, even though the weather was not great most of the weekend. Congrats to Weeks/McCoy who finished first with 12.45 lbs; Taylor/Tyree had 11.65 lbs for second place; and Dalton/Rowland took third with 9.50 lbs and had Big Fish with a 6.40 lb largemouth. Congrats to all how participate. Keep in mind that our next tournament is our third club tournament of the year on Sunday, May 6, 2018, out of Longwood ramp (Grassy Creek) from 6AM to 3PM. See everybody there. Thanks.
Jimmy
MORGAN LEADS DAY ONE OF FLW TOUR AT LAKE CUMBERLAND PRESENTED BY GENERAL TIRE
MORGAN LEADS DAY ONE OF FLW TOUR AT LAKE CUMBERLAND PRESENTED BY GENERAL TIRE
Three-Time Pennzoil Marine Angler of the Year Catches 18-15 of Lake Cumberland Largemouth
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SOMERSET, Ky. (April 12, 2018) – Pro Andy Morgan of Dayton, Tennessee, weighed an 18-pound, 5-ounce limit of largemouth bass to take the lead on Day One of the FLW Tour at Lake Cumberland presented by General Tire. Morgan will bring a 1-pound, 6-ounce lead into Day Two of the four-day event that features a field of 183 of the world’s best bass-fishing professionals and co-anglers competing for top awards of up to $125,000 cash in the pro division and up to $25,000 cash in the co-angler division.
“It felt good today to get out and get some bites,” said Morgan, a three-time Pennzoil Marine Angler of the Year who has logged two triple-digit Tour finishes this season for the first time since 2006. “I knew coming in here that I was going to fish my way. I didn’t care if the smallmouth were biting off the hook, I was going to fish exactly how I liked and I was going to do it all day.
“It wasn’t like I smashed them and caught a ton of fish today, but I had some quality,” Morgan continued. “The five fish that I weighed today were probably the prettiest limit of fish that I have ever caught. They were all female, full of eggs, and not a blemish on them. Just fat, chunky and gorgeous.”
Morgan said he spent the day covering water with a crankbait, spinnerbait, ChatterBait and flipping. He said he caught around 10 keepers, including two spotted bass and one little smallmouth.
“It’s really pretty random – you don’t know what the next one is going to be beside, or how deep he’s even going to be,” Morgan said. “I struggled for a pretty good portion of the day. I caught one every hour or so. Later in the day seemed to be a little better – I think we’ll see some bigger bags tomorrow.”
The top 10 pros after day one on Lake Cumberland are:
1st: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., five bass, 18-15
2nd: Jason Meninger, Saint Augustine, Fla., five bass, 17-9
3rd: Grae Buck, Harleysville, Pa., five bass, 16-13
4th: Jared McMillan, Belle Glade, Fla., five bass, 16-12
5th: Allen Boyd, Salem, Ind., five bass, 16-5
6th: Clent Davis, Montevallo, Ala., five bass, 16-2
7th: Billy Hines, Vacaville, Calif., five bass, 15-15
7th: Darrel Robertson, Jay, Okla., five bass, 15-15
9th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., five bass, 15-13
10th: Glenn Chappelear, Acworth, Ga., five bass, 15-11
10th: Kyle Cortiana, Coweta, Okla., five bass, 15-11
For a full list of results visit FLWFishing.com.
Wes Logan of Springville, Alabama, earned the day’s $500 Simms Big Bass award in the pro division thanks to a 5-pound, 9-ounce bass.
Overall there were 824 bass weighing 1,870 pounds even caught by 180 pros Thursday. The catch included 145 five-bass limits.
Reigning Pennzoil Marine Angler of the Year pro Bryan Thrift of Shelby, North Carolina, weighed a five-bass limit Thursday – his 50th consecutive limit weighed in FLW Tour competition – tying the FLW Tour’s all-time record of 50, set in 2014 by pro Cody Meyer of Auburn, California. Thrift can break the record if he is successful in bringing a limit of bass to the scale Friday.
Richard Littlepage of Cincinnati, Ohio, leads the co-angler division with five bass weighing 13 pounds even, followed by Robert Case III of Point, Texas, who weighed five bass totaling 12-11, good for second place.
The top 10 co-anglers after day one on Lake Cumberland are:
1st: Richard Littlepage, Cincinnati, Ohio, five bass, 13-0
2nd: Robert Case III, Point, Texas, five bass, 12-11
3rd: J.P. Sims, Cookeville, Tenn., five bass, 12-0
4th: Joe Rucker, Nicholasville, Ky., four bass, 11-11
4th: Denver Eaton, Monticello, Ky., five bass, 11-11
6th: Joel Willert, Prior Lake, Minn., five bass, 11-8
7th: Warren Shores, Bulls Gap, N.Y., five bass, 11-6
8th: Pat Eichmann, Nancy, Ky., five bass, 11-4
9th: Wataru Iwahori, Palestine, Texas, five bass, 10-14
10th: Christopher Kanute, Clover, S.C., four bass, 10-12
Rucker earned $250 for the Simms Big Bass award in the co-angler division with a 4-pound, 14-ounce bass.
Overall there were 425 bass weighing 795 pounds, 5 ounces caught by 147 co-anglers Thursday. The catch included 34 five-bass limits.
In FLW Tour competition, pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day, with pros supplying the boat, controlling boat movement and competing against other pros. Co-anglers fish from the back deck against other co-anglers. The full field of 366 anglers competes in the two-day opening round. Co-angler competition concludes following Friday’s weigh-in, while the top 30 pros based on their two-day accumulated weight advance to Saturday. Only the top 10 pros continue competition Sunday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from the four days of competition.
The total purse for the FLW Tour at Lake Cumberland presented by General Tire is more than $930,000. The tournament is hosted by the Somerset Tourist and Convention Commission and the Burnside Tourism Commission.
Throughout the season, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of professional bass fishing. The 2018 Forrest Wood Cup will be on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Aug. 10-12 and is hosted by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and Visit Hot Springs.
Anglers will take off at 7 a.m. EDT each morning from General Burnside Island State Park, located at 8801 S. Highway 27, in Burnside, Kentucky. Friday’s weigh-in, April 13, will be held at the park beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins, April 14-15, will also be held at the park, but will begin at 4 p.m.
Prior to the weigh-ins Saturday and Sunday, April 14-15, FLW will host a free Family Fishing Expo at General Burnside Island State Park from noon to 4 p.m. each day. The Expo is a chance for fishing fans to meet their favorite anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by FLW sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities.
Also for youth, the FLW Foundation’s Unified Fishing Derby will be held at Pulaski County Park, located at 1200 State Highway 3189 in Nancy, Kentucky on Saturday, April 14 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. The event is hosted by FLW Foundation pro Cody Kelley along with other FLW Tour anglers, and is free and open to anyone under the age of 18 and Special Olympics athletes. Rods and reels are available for use, but youth are encouraged to bring their own if they own one. The 1st and 2nd place anglers that catch the biggest fish will be recognized Saturday on the FLW Tour stage, just prior to the pros weighing in.
Television coverage of the FLW Tour at Lake Cumberland presented by General Tire will premiere in high-definition (HD) on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) May 23 from Noon-1 p.m. EST. The Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show airs on NBCSN, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network and is broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide.
For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the sport’s top anglers on the FLW Tour on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagra
Bassmaster Open Anglers Should Find Arkansas River In Prime Shape For Big Catches
More than 275 pro and co-anglers will be competing in the second Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open of 2018 on the Arkansas River out of Muskogee, Okla., April 19-21.
Photo by James Overstreet/B.A.S.S.
April 12, 2018
Bassmaster Open Anglers Should Find Arkansas River In Prime Shape For Big Catches
MUSKOGEE, Okla. — The “fun fishing” Jason Christie experiences on his home waters could be in full swing during the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open No. 2 April 19-21 on the Arkansas River.
The Bassmaster Elite Series star grew up fishing the Arkansas River and still enjoys catching bass there whenever he has a break in his schedule. “The river has good fishing; that’s where I go to fun fish a lot,” he said. The Oklahoma pro said he especially enjoys fishing the river in the spring when bass are spawning and stacked up in the backwaters.
Christie thinks fewer than 20 percent of the bass in the river have spawned by now due to low temperatures this spring.
“With the cool weather we just had — even with the full moon — those fish held off from spawning, and they are not going to go until we get that next really good warm front,” he said.
If warm weather arrives, a full-blown spawn should be on during the Open.
“These fish, for the most part, are going to be more in the backwaters,” Christie said. “It is that time of year and that’s where they spawn. They get in little bitty places. You can have a backwater that is 20 acres and 1 acre of it is where a lot of the fish will spawn. It is kind of hard to find those places but the fishing is good enough so there will be a lot of fish caught and a lot of nice fish caught.”
Arkansas River bass typically spawn on hard bottoms, according to Christie. “That river is old and full of silt, but there are little places with hard bottoms where these fish spawn,” he said. “They will also spawn around a log or a stump or something like that.”
Central Open competitors will find plenty of cover to target in the backwaters including stumps, logs, riprap, water willows, lily pads and milfoil. “There is just a ton of different stuff to fish,” Christie said.
Bass will be less than 5 feet deep during the Open, so Christie suggests trying any shallow, dirty water lures such as 1/2-ounce spinnerbaits, jigs, plastic frogs and swimbaits.
Spring rains have raised and muddied the river some, but Christie thinks the river could be in good shape during the Open.
“Barring any more rain, the river will be settled down a little bit,” he said. “A lot of the backwaters may not be clear. There has been a lot of flow — a lot of ‘local flows,’ which is what hurts the backwaters most because those blow out the creeks. The mud from the main river current doesn’t affect the backwaters as much because the backwaters are protected from that. But when we get locally heavy rain like we have had, it is going to flush a lot of the mud into the backwaters.”
The five-time B.A.S.S. winner thinks the best strategy for the Open competitors will be to “camp” in an area rather than running and gunning on the river.
“The guys who do well may not fish the same area three days in a row, but they are going to go to an area and maybe milk it the first day and maybe even the second day,” he said. “But the third day they may go to a different area. It is hard to run and gun the river because I don’t think there are going to be any backwaters that are secret.”
Christie expects heavyweight limits will be brought to the scales the first day of the Open. “There are going to be several bags of around 20 (pounds) or better the first day,” he said. “But just the law of averages of going through locks and pressure in areas is going to level things out to 17 to 18 pounds each day.” He predicts it will take 15 to 16 pounds a day to make the Top 12 cut and about 51 pounds to win the Open.
Daily takeoffs will be at 6:30 a.m. CDT from Three Forks Harbor in Muskogee with weigh-ins beginning at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. The Day 3 championship weigh-in begins at 3:30 p.m. at the Bass Pro Shops in Broken Arrow.
The Greater Muskogee Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism will host the event.
HELP WANTED: TACKLE BAG, MUST WORK WEEKENDS AND HAVE EXCEPTIONAL ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
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HELP WANTED: TACKLE BAG, MUST WORK WEEKENDS AND HAVE EXCEPTIONAL ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS [print_link] PLANO’S HARDWORKING WEEKEND SERIES OF SOFT TACKLE BAGS RECEIVES KEY UPGRADES FOR 2018 |
| Plano, IL (April 10, 2018) – If fishing for a living is your dream, don’t let us or anyone else burst your bubble. But until that day rolls around, most of us need to work real jobs to pay for gas, groceries, gymnastics lessons…and our fishing gear. And because we just can’t fish whenever we want, the time we do get to spend on the water becomes that much more valuable.
That’s where Plano comes in; it’s the brand that’s helped anglers keep their valuable fishing tackle protected, organized and readily accessible for over 65 years. Plano protection means your gear lasts longer. Plano organization means you always know what you have and where to find it. Taken together, the result is maximum enjoyment extracted from each precious minute on the water.
For 2018, Plano’s popular Weekend Series includes three distinct, reimagined models that work as hard as you do. Weekend Series Tackle Cases, Weekend Series Softsider Tackle Bags and Weekend Series Speed Bags are each available in Plano’s popular 3500, 3600 and 3700 sizes to build or integrate seamlessly into any tackle management system. And they look better than ever in brand new, classy and clean tan or gray color schemes. In addition to standout new aesthetics, these bags feature upgraded, no-fail zipper pulls and tactical-inspired MOLLE exterior webbing for easy attachment of fishing tools or accessories. Best of all, these handsome and durable standout performers are available at great low prices that any working angler can afford.
Plano Weekend Series 3700 Tackle Case (Gray) Plano Weekend Series Tackle Cases The largest in Plano’s refreshed Weekend Series, Weekend Series Tackle Cases provide the greatest overall storage capacity and organizational capability. Available in staple 3500, 3600 and 3700 sizes, these soft tackle bags deliver maximum utility for any angler. The Weekend Series Tackle Case’s spacious main compartment opens and closes securely via an easy-access zippered top. Inside, anglers will find ample room for up to four aptly sized Plano StowAway Utility Boxes – enough capacity for a load of favorite lures and terminal tackle. Two large, zippered side pockets and a generous front zippered pocket provide secure storage for bags of soft plastics, line spools and other essential gear, while an extra measure of welcomed storage for attractants, keys, maps, sunglasses and such comes courtesy of three mesh utility pockets – one on each end and one along the back. A built-in front tool holder and durable MOLLE webbing place pliers and other fishing tools within easy reach, while an adjustable, padded shoulder strap ensures easy transport to and from the truck, dock, garage or boat.
Plano Weekend Series 3700 Tackle Case (Tan) Plano Weekend Series Tackle Cases
Model Numbers, Colors, Exterior Dimensions & MSRPs
Plano Weekend Softsider 3600 Tackle Bag (Tan) Plano Weekend Series Softsider Tackle Bags Plano’s Weekend Series Softsider Tackle Bags retain familiar Plano Softsider architecture in fishing-friendly 3500, 3600 and 3700 sizes, but have been updated with exciting new cosmetic choices and features. Available in the new, ultra-sharp tan or gray Weekend Series color schemes, these Softsider Tackle Bags can be matched to any other tackle storage product in the refreshed Weekend Series, allowing anglers to build a complete and unified tackle management system that looks as good as it performs, without busting their budget. Constructed of tough, 600D Polyester, Weekend Series Softsider Tackle Bags employ a top, camera-bag-inspired flap design that’s secured by straps and easy-opening buckles instead of a trouble-prone zipper. This ensures longevity, as well as quick and easy access to the main compartment, even with wet, cold, or slime-covered hands. Each Softsider comes with two properly sized Plano StowAway Utility Boxes to hold enough lures for any Saturday or Sunday on the water. They’ll hold up to three StowAways inside the main compartment, but anglers can remove one to create extra space for gear or supplies. Additional pockets round out the Softsider’s hardworking exterior, with large slip pockets for tools, line spools, water bottles and more on either end, plus a large pocket system on the front. MOLLE webbing along the Softsider’s face provides the perfect place to attach fishing tools, hand towels or other accessories. A reinforced top-carry handle and padded shoulder strap help the Softsider to easily go anywhere the fish are.
Plano Weekend Series Softsider Tackle Bags
Model Numbers, Colors, Exterior Dimensions & MSRPs
Plano Weekend Series Speed Bags Throngs of anglers use venerable Plano StowAway Utility Boxes as the foundation for their tackle management systems, and some of them don’t always want or need to carry a full-featured tackle bag. Enter the Plano Speed Bag: a no-nonsense nuts-and-bolts soft tackle case with the sole assignment of carrying and keeping three Plano StowAways, protected and at the ready. Weekend Series Speed Bags are available in the familiar 3500, 3600 and 3700 sizes for easy integration to any tackle transport and storage system, and feature the attractive new tan or gray Weekend Series color schemes. Anglers can match them to their other Weekend Series bags and cases, or use the two available colors to code their Speed Bags by species or technique. Constructed of durable 600D Polyester with a padded inner lining, lightweight Weekend Series Speed Bags open and close via a reinforced zipper with a new, failsafe and ergonomic loop pull. Up top, a strong, padded handle ensures comfortable and reliable carry. Empty Speed Bags can be folded down for easy storage in small spaces. Like the other bags and cases in Plano’s refreshed Weekend Series, Weekend Series Speed Bags feature MOLLE webbing along the front for quick and secure attachment of all manner of accessories.
Plano Weekend Series 3500 Speed Bag (Gray) Plano Weekend Series Speed Bags
Model Numbers, Colors, Exterior Dimensions & MSRPs
Anglers seeking affordable tackle storage solutions that look great and work as hard as they do can call off the search. Plano’s upgraded Weekend Series Tackle Bags, Softsiders and Speed Bags possess exceptional organizational abilities, and they certainly aren’t afraid of late hours, early hours or weekend work. The only remaining question is: When can you start? We suggest today.
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