Burghoff Continues to Parlay 2011 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Victory

Thanks to The Bass Federation  

San Antonio, Texas (April 5, 2012) – When the University of Central Florida’s fishing team of Miles “Sonar” Burghoff and Casey O’Donnell won the 2011 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship on Lake Lewisville, they had reached the pinnacle of college bass fishing.  They won the nation’s most prestigious college fishing event and topped the largest field of collegiate anglers ever assembled.  For many, this would be defined as that special “One Shining Moment” in a lifetime of bass fishing competition.  Thanks to the partnership between the Association of Collegiate Anglers (ACA) and The Bass Federation (TBF), it turned out to only be the start of a special journey for both of them.

They took the time to join the TBF prior to the Championship, which made them eligible for the TBF contingency program tied to the event.  A simple $35 investment into TBF membership by each angler allowed them to walk off the collegiate stage and into the arena of national competition.  Their TBF bonus was automatic qualification for the TBF National Championship.  As team captain, Miles advanced as a boater.  His partner, Casey O’Donnell, advanced as a non-boater to the same TBF National Championship, which took place last week on Bull Shoals. Continue reading

Conservation Directors Take on Bull Shoals Reservoir

Conservation Directors from across the country converged on Northern Arkansas last week as part of the 2012 TBF National Championship. The group, which represented 16 different states, started the week by assisting the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission with constructing and placing a variety of different habitat structures in beautiful Bull Shoals Reservoir.

Colton Dennis the coordinator of the AGFC Black Bass Program and his staff orchestrated the construction and placement of habitat which included various synthetic structures along with great nursery habitat constructed out of “River Cane”. Continue reading

Tie-breaker settles it; Gagner wins the 2012 Federation National Championship!

March 31, 2012 – It came down to a tie-breaker for the national champion title today as 14 division champions walked across the FLW Tour stage in Branson, Mo., on the final of the 2012 Federation National Championship.  The weights sat at 35lbs 5ounces for both Gilbert Gagner from Highgate Springs, Vt., and Jeff Erickson from Phoenix, Az.  The tie-breaker went to the angler who brought in the most fish after three days of tournament fishing.  For Gagner, consistency was key.  Gagner caught a solid five bass limit every day of the tournament to give him the win.  Erickson didn’t walk away empty-handed though, as the highest finished Ranger Cup qualified boater, he’s now the proud owner of a new Ranger Z518 Boat, trolling motor, batteries, Lowrance electronics and trailer.  On the co-angler side, Tyler Webb from Arnett, W.V., came from third to snag the title and be named 2012 National Champion today.   Gagner and Webb both earned berths in the 2012 Forrest Wood Cup, and they, as well as, all 14 anglers competing today earned slots at the 2012 BFL All-American.  Gagner also receives the dream of a lifetime, the prize that makes it all worth it, the $100,000 “Living the Dream” prize package.  The package includes cash and prizes, fully paid entry fees as an FLW Tour Pro for the year, travel funds and use of a wrapped Ranger Boat and Chevrolet truck. Continue reading

14 TBF anglers advance to compete for the 2012 Federation National Champion titles

It was another beautiful day on Bull Shoals Lake as 94 TBF anglers left it all out on the water, fighting for the top 14 slots in tomorrow’s final contest.  The bite pulled off a little today, but 14 anglers closed the gap to advance to the final day of the 2012 Federation National Championship, presented by the National Guard.   The top 14 anglers, seven on the boater and co-angler sides, earn the 2012 Division Champion titles and berths in the 2012 BFL All-American.  Tomorrow, the top boater and co-angler will walk away 2012 National Champions and earn berths in the prestigious 2012 Forrest Wood Cup, plus some heavy jewelry and all the pride that comes with it.  The national boater will also receive the $100,000 “Living the Dream” prize package, including cash and prizes, fully paid entry fees into the FLW tour, travel funds and use of a wrapped Ranger Boat and Chevrolet truck for the year.  The anglers know what’s at stake and they’ve made the race tight.  Tomorrow will be quite a show, as we see who shows up to seize the titles and all the glory as the 2012 Federation National Championship continues with the final day weigh-in on the FLW Tour main stage in Branson, Mo.  Continue reading