Dream team tournaments were held locally last year and the first of 2013 to qualify two man
teams for the Dream Team National Championship. Teams traveled from across the US to compete for the first dream team champion titles and a new Ranger z178 Aluminum boat powered by a 60hp Evinrude Outboard. The championship was held October 2-4 on Sturgeon Bay in Sturgeon Bay, Wisc., launching out of Sawyer’s Park.
Scott Bayless and Tony Mohwish from West Virginia was the team to take it all. After a two day tournament, Bayless and Mohwish, caught 10 bass weighing 37lbs 11ounces. “It was the first time we’ve ever been there, it went great; we’d actually like to go back,” Bayless said.
“The fishing was great; we caught a lot of fish on two holes producing fish. We just stayed on them and the bite finally came.”
Bayless and Mohwish were in fifth place going into the final day. They decided if they couldn’t find anything by noon they were coming off the water.
“I broke two fish off around 9:30am and told Tony to pack it up. He talked me into staying another hour,” Bayless continued. “We stayed, we kept digging it out, and we got 20lbs; good thing we stayed.”
Good thing indeed. Bayless and Mohwish not only had a “dream vacation” experience, but they also were named the first TBF Dream Team National Champions.
Next year, TBF’s Dream Team events will merge into The Federation’s newest federation and team circuit the National Bass Angler’s Association (NBAA).
NBAA’s team tournament format fits perfectly with what the Dream Team program set out to do; give anglers the opportunity to compete locally to qualify for premier events. The NBAA’s format is very similar to the Dream Team format. It also boasts differences like no minimum number of entries to qualify, sign up can be online or at the ramp, and instead of one championship event there are multiple.
“We’re excited to bring together TBF’s dream team format with the NBAA team tournament trail,” NBAA Director, Shane Dubois, said. “NBAA already spans multiple states, and we’re looking to expand on that seasoned and successful tournament series by reaching out to TBF clubs, members and tournament directors already holding local club events. Any federation angler can become a NBAA director and start holding events to qualify for next year’s championship or simply hold them for those who wish to participate as a side tournament to your regular TBF club events you’re already holding!”
For information on the NBAA and what it has to offer, check it out at, www.nbaa-bass.com.
