Perry, KS (October 21, 2012) – The Bass Federation of Kansas (TBFKS) held its annual State Team qualifying tournament on Perry Reservoir launching out of the State Park. This tournament is to develop a 12 person team to fish the Central Divisional held in Texas in June of 2013. The twelve person Team will compete against 7 other State Teams from Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. Two members from each team will move forward to compete at the National tournament to be held in the spring of 2014. The Tournament held on Perry Reservoir this past weekend will be the only entry fee they pay as they fish their way toward the top.
Friday October 19th was the only official practice days and the lake was previously off-limits from sundown October 7th till Friday morning at sunrise. Friday was a cool, cloudy and blustery day with the wind gusting making the north south laying reservoir difficult to fish. Let alone the lake being almost 5 feet below conservation pool leaving the backs of coves and creeks high and dry. Several anglers commented they had not seen the lake this low before. Water temperature was in the mid 50’s and the visibility was minimal in some areas less than 6”.
Saturday morning brought cold temperatures, a few clouds with the promise of sunshine and warmer temperatures late in the day. Hopes were high as the field launched out of the Lakeview ramp at Perry State Park. The field was in search of the 18” largemouth and smallmouth bass also with the tournament “Bass Pass” in effect the anglers were allowed to bring to weigh-in two bass which measured under the legal limit of 18” but had to be a minimum of 15” in length and were required to be released alive. Fishing proved to be 
difficult with only 14 anglers weighing fish. Larry Riffey weighed in the big bass of the day weighing at 4.79lbs. Jason Benjamin took the lead and weighed in 3 bass weighing at a little over 10lbs. Reportedly Jason was fishing the marina boats slips using crankbaits and spinnerbaits to catch his fish. The weights were close and most anglers still had a fighting chance to make the Team on day 2.
Sunday morning brought warmer temperatures and light winds as the anglers launched shortly after safelight. Anglers were fishing the windy points, banks and the marina boat slips and docks looking for the fish. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, a few top water baits and drop baits were used on this day. The fish seemed more elusive than on Saturday. Anglers reported catching smaller fish but not as many were brought to the scales. Kurt Stoffel brought the Big Bass of the day in which he caught on a crankbait. It weighed in at 5.99lbs and was also the Big Bass of the tournament. Jason Benjamin the leader from day one managed just two keepers today and added to his total for a weight of 15.13lbs and will be the Team Captain with his winning weight.
The State Team will consist of:
- Jason Benjamin
- Jerry Hoesli
- Kevin Trummel
- Drew Blackwood
- Mike Reno
- Larry Freesemann
- Skip Hutchinson
- Kurt Stoffel
- Steve Witt
- Larry Riffey
- Larry Stoafer
- Don Glick
- Wes Proctor (alternate)
The first six places will have the option of being boaters. While places 7-12 will be co-anglers and will have control of the boat for ½ half the day at the Central Divisional in Texas in June of 2013. The lake has yet to be determined but rumors are flying around but comment at this time will only add to those rumors so once it is official an announcement will be posted and sent to the Team and all of the members of TBFKS.
The State Team members will be assisting at our youth tournament in the spring by providing boats for our youth to fish out of and setting up our launch and lunch facilities. Watch for details on the youth tournament on our web site at www.tbfks.com
Cabela’s Angler Cash Winner was Drew Blackwood
A special thanks to Dennis Forbes and Forbes Auto Supply in Medicine Lodge KS for providing all our trophies this weekend.
We would like to thank all our partners and sponsors for without their support our events would not be possible.
Thank you – FLW Outdoors, TBF (The Bass Federation), Ranger Boats, Lowrance, Evinrude Etec, SolarBat Sunglasses, Berkley, National Guard, Chevrolet, Cabela’s, Cabela’s Angler Cash.
Local Sponsors: Forbes Auto Supply, Shady Creek Marine, Yamaha Outboards.
Thank you to all those who assisted setting up, weighing and measuring fish, helping with the prizes all in all for your support over the past year.
If you would like more information about The Bass Federation of Kansas visit us on the web at www.tbfks.com or visit The Bass Federation at www.bassfederation.com
