Arkansas and Oklahoma Advance Anglers to Nationals
The Arkansas Bass Federation played host as the District 6 NSF qualifiers converged on Lake Dardanelle State Park September 16–17 to determine who would advance to the 2018 Federation National Championship representing their respective states. Four spots were up for grabs with one boater and co-angler advancing from each state. Anglers faced heat, sunshine and a tough bite on Lake Dardanelle as 31 boats set out to claim state bragging rights, deeper payouts, trophies and Ranger and Evinrude contingencies plus the coveted national championship slots.
The National Semi-Final format rolled out last year replacing the divisional events and state team line-ups. TBF anglers can now advance to a close-to-home NSF event in one of two ways. Active state clubs can advance their top two anglers, in addition, the top 10% of state event participation or a minimum of 12 anglers per state qualify, whichever is greater. The new format has been highly successful with state participation and membership up across the nation.
A total of $11,720 with 126% payback was awarded in cash and prizes. The top six boaters and co-anglers in the 31 boat field divvied up $6,975 in total cash payback, not including the $500 Ranger Cup award and the $1,000 Evinrude E-tec award for the winning boater (if he/she runs a 2012 or newer Etec Evinrude).
The new format pays back 100% of the entry fees, 75% to the top 20% of the field, 10% to the state federations and 15% to the TBF Federation National Championship.
After two days of competition, Mike Webster of Arkansas was the overall winner in the boater division with a two day total of 27.09 pounds. Webster received a $2,070 paycheck and the opportunity to represent Arkansas at nationals.
Gene Vogt was Oklahoma’s top boater with a two day total of 17.60 pounds. Vogt will represent Oklahoma at the Federation National Championship in the boater division.
On the co-angler side, Randy Allen, from Arkansas bested the field with a tournament total of 19.92 pounds. Allen received a $1,035 prize check for his efforts plus a slot at nationals.
Donnie Combrink will also advance to nationals as Oklahoma’s highest finishing co-angler with a total of 10.41 pounds.
The Arkansas Bass Federation dominated the state pride competition with 111.40 pounds taking home bragging rights and the District 6 State Pride Award. The award is determined by adding the weights of the top four boaters and co-anglers selected prior to the event from each state.
The event went well thanks to the Arkansas Bass Federation that ran the event and all the support from TBF’s sponsors; FLW, Ranger, Cabela’s, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Evinrude, Berkley and Power Pole.
FULL RESULTS
Top 6 :
Boater
Mike Webster (AR) – 27.09 ** National qualifier for AR**
Doug Thompson (AR) – 26.32
Randy Brickell (AR) – 21.69
Gene Vogt (OK) – 17.60 ** National qualifier for OK**
Floyd Davis (AR) – 16.54
Marc Down (OK) – 14.10
Co-anglers
Randy Allen (AR) – 19.92 ** National qualifier for AR**
Rod Martinez (AR) – 15.20
Fred Wantland (AR) – 14.66
Jonathan Dotson (AR) – 13.24
Donnie Combrink (OK) – 10.41 ** National qualifier for OK**
Brett Kreiger (OK) – 10.14
