Over the weekend of October 13 and 14, the Florida Bass Federation held their 2012 State Championship tournament on Lake Seminole in Jackson County, Florida. The weather was great but the fishing was tough, which made the winners performances all the more impressive. The highlight of the day – Gary Paul of the Fort Myers Bass Club claimed the title of State Champion with 21.2 pounds by edging out Leon Roy of the Tri State Bass Slayers by just less than two pounds. For the Co-Anglers, Michael Davis of the Winter Haven Lunker Lovers topped the list with 12.35 pounds followed by David Glenn, also of the Winter Haven Lunker Lovers, who managed 8.95 pounds. You can see a complete list of the tournament standings at www.floridabassfederation.com.
At the State Championship, the Florida Bass Federation also named the members of the State Team for 2013. The team will consist of 12 Anglers and one alternate. Gary Paul will lead the team as the Angler of the Year. Gary has impressed us all on his way to capture the Federation’s top honor. Winning the State Championship, three of the five qualifiers and in the money for two qualifiers – Gary proved he can win on any water in any region. As a team, Gary and his wife, Linda, work hard at winning. You will see them pre-fishing the State tournaments days in advance. They put in the time and commitment that made Gary Paul the best of the best for 2012.
Completing a very strong team this year are; Michael Teate – 2nd Place Angler of the Year – of the Winter Haven Lunker Lovers, David Glenn – 1st Place Co-Angler of the year of the Winter Haven Lunker Lovers, Robert Gleason – 2nd Place Co-Angler of the Year of the Lake Worth-Boynton Beach Bassmasters, Leon Roy, Jessie Woodring of the Lake Worth-Boynton Beach Bassmasters, Jared Dial of the Winter Haven Lunker Lovers, Chuck Swann of the North Florida Bassmasters, Micheal Davis of the Winter Haven Lunker Lovers, Randy Rafnel of the Red Neck Yacht Club, John Hodgson of the East Coast Bass Anglers, Jeff Zesiger of the Bass Capital Bassmasters and Michael Johnson of the North Florida Bassmasters. Congratulations all of you and good luck in 2013.
The members of the Florida Bass Federation would like to give our sincere thanks to all the people that were responsible for a successful and enjoyable State Championship this year. Ralph Clippinger, Acting President of the Federation and Doug Gary, Tournament Director for the State Championship, came through for us dedicating their time and expertise organizing and directing the tournament. They will tell us they had a lot of help – and they did. So thank you all the volunteers for your hard work.
We also thank Pam Fuqua, Executive Director of the Tourist Development Council of Jackson County, and our good friend and long time supporter, Homer Hirt, for welcoming us to your beautiful Lake Seminole year after year. We greatly appreciate Mary Neal and the West Florida Electric Cooperative for letting us meet in your conference room every time we come to town. The Victory Baptist Church graciously offered their cafeteria for our banquet. Thank you Pastor Pippin, we hope to see you again real soon. We launched each day out of the Seminole Lodge and Marina. Thank you to Monty Anderson for the use of your facility, the motel and campground. And thank you Debra Bradley for being there before dawn with the coffee ready and plenty of ice. Please visit www.seminole lodge.com. And, of course, the fine people at the Lake Seminole Inn in Sneads, FL .
