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

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

March 29, 2012 – Marc Snyder from St. Johns, Mich., bags a whopping 20lb 5ounce sack to snag the lead on day one of the 2012 Federation National Championship, presented by the National Guard.  94 of North America’s best bass club anglers faceoff this week on Bull Shoals Lake, in Flippin, Ark.  The bite’s on, and should get better the next two days, as the 2012 TBF National Champion titles and all the glory are up for grabs.  This week, the TBF national champion boater will earn the esteemed $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 14 division champions will receive berths in the 2012 BFL All-American and the national champion boater and non-boater will also receive berths in the 2012 Forrest Wood Cup.  There’s a lot on the line for these anglers and the competition is tight.  Tomorrow, it’s all or nothing as the final cut will decide the top 14 division champions, seven on the boater and non-boater sides, who will vie for the 2012 Federation National Champion titles. Continue reading