Bite gets tougher on Truman; Milner piles on another 16lb 3ounces to lead

TBF anglers went into day two of the 2010 TBF Central Division Championship, presented by Evinrude E-TEC in Warsaw, Mo., on Truman Lake, hoping for a second chance to hit ‘em hard, better conditions and maybe a little luck to light the way. What they got deemed tougher than yesterday, as the water continues to rise, shifting the bite tremendously. These anglers must adapt as the fish adapt to the changes in the levels and currents, which is no easy feat. Despite tough conditions, tomorrow will decide our state and overall Central Division champions; it looks like it will come down to ounces as the race is tight and those who triumph will definitely have earned their keeps.

Bringing in another 16lb 3ounces today is, Kerry Milner, from Bono, Ark., that limit of bass makes his total weight 32lb 6ounces.

Milner incorporated the same strategies he did yesterday to help him earn his catch, and facing the same conditions as the other anglers he thought the bite was much tougher today. “Today was a lot, lot tougher; I didn’t catch them early like I hoped,” Milner said. He landed a big and small fish early on, but didn’t complete his limit until later. “It was late afternoon before I got things going; I hit a good school and there I finished up my bag for the day.” Milner has four hot spots he’s rotating through, but he isn’t quite confident in tomorrow’s bite. “I’ll be fishing with another angler who is leading his state, so it might be a little tougher hitting my waters, but hopefully we’ll both be good for each other.” Milner’s grasp on the lead will be hard to crack, and though he’s not completely confident for tomorrow, there is one thing he’s totally confident in. “I’ve got the right bait; I think that’s the key.”

Milner has a sound hold on the top spot, but pushing hard to knock him off are four anglers from the state team of Kansas. Currently, second to fifth are all Kansas anglers separated by ounces, fighting neck and neck for the title, and not to mention, the top spots in their state, which will advance them to the national contest. In second place individually and out in front for Kansas by 6 ounces, is Casey Scanlon, from Lenexa, Kansas, with a total of 23lb 10ounces.

“I’m going to try not to worry about all the guys behind me; I’m just looking ahead,” Scanlon said. Truman Lake is his “home lake” and even so he said the bite is tougher than normal. “It’s a real tough bite; with the water rising daily the fish are kind of in limbo, making the bites real scattered.” Pre-fishing Scanlon found some fish deep but with the changes he’s slightly adjusted his approach. “I’ve got a two technique approach working; I’m just flippin bushes up shallow and Carolina riggin deep.” With the pressure of his teammates right on his heels and the unfamiliarity’s of this ever so familiar lake, Scanlon’s plan for tomorrow remains simple. “I’m just going to go out and do what I got to do to get five; as long as I get five, that’s my plan.”

In the state team standings, Arkansas continued its lead with 138lb 4ounces. But, Missouri made quite a jump today climbing from fourth and is not far behind with 129lb 4ounces. Kansas held tight to third with 118lb 3ounces, and making a drop from second is Nebraska with 95lb. In fifth, is Texas with 39lb 5ounces and then Louisiana with 89lb 15ounces. Seventh and eighth are Missouri with 88lb 13ounces and Oklahoma with 87lb 14ounces, respectively.

Overall, fishing was tougher on everybody today as a mere seven limits of bass were brought to the stage and there is only four anglers in the entire field who have weighed in a limit both days. Tomorrow will be the last chance for these anglers to go out there and give Truman all they’ve got to see which anglers and which state will be crowned 2010 Central Division Champions. It should prove to be quite a day of fishing, as we’ll see which anglers will conquer the bite amidst the pressure, excitement and tough conditions.

Full standings are on the TOURNAMENTS RESULTS PAGE HERE

Final day weighin will start at 2:30 pm at Truman Lakes Long Shoal Marina, it is free to the public.

Milner wacks 16 pounds, Arkansas leads on a tough Truman Lake

Uncertainties shake bite; high water levels, imminent flooding play huge role

Weather conditions left anglers struggling as day one of the 2010 TBF Central Division Championship, Presented by Evinrude E-TEC kicked off today in Warsaw, Mo., on Truman Lake, as 96 anglers from eight states battle it out for the individual and state team championship titles. The three official practice days were lined with thunderstorms and the bite was fairly good by most reports. Today, high pressure, no wind and sunny, bluebird skies dominated. The lake is high which is rising about a foot per day; nearly everything on the bank is trampled by floods, leaving places and banks typically great for fishing out. With conditions nothing close to what they faced pre-fishing, several anglers found it tough to make the bite, as only 9 limits were caught and 26 anglers came up empty handed.

This week of competition will see 16 TBF anglers advance to the 2011 Federation National Championship where they’ll vie for nearly a quarter of a million in cash and prizes and the chance to “Live the Dream” on the FLW Pro Tour for a year with entries paid, travel expense money and use of a wrapped Chevrolet truck and Ranger boat. With all this in mind, anglers look to tomorrow to pick up the bite and see if the weather will shine them a grin.

As is always the case, someone figures out the puzzle. Pulling out above the pack, Kerry Milner, from Bono, Ark., caught a five bass limit today weighing 16lb 3ounces.

Milner started out fishing shallow, then moved to off-shore structure to catch his limit by 9am. “I hope tomorrow’s weather will be better, maybe help us out more,” Milner said. When asked about tomorrow’s strategy he said, “I really took it easy on them in those spots today; I think they’ll be there again.” Milner’s non-boater today also caught a limit of bass. “I had a great partner; we had a good time and both caught limits.”

Holding down second in individual standings is, Dennis Hastings, from Flower Mounds, Texas. Hastings only managed four fish, but they weighed a solid 12lb 13ounces. “Starting out we just made a milk run pitching all different types of vegetation,” Hastings said. He put together a pattern pre-fishing, but today changed all that. “It was nothing like we saw pre-fishing, it was sunny; that changed the bite a lot.” He commented the game plan tomorrow will reflect that, namely, based on what happens in the morning. “It’s just a grind; we adjusted in the morning and covered a lot of water; I actually caught my last fish 20 minutes before weigh-in.” He gave much credit to his Nebraska partner, Robert Hime. “I couldn’t have done what I did without him.”

On the state team side, Arkansas snatched a sound lead bringing in 76lb 4ounces. A few pounds away is the Nebraska state team with 61lb 15ounces. Next, is Kansas with 53lb 12ounces. In fourth, Missouri with 50lb even. Then, Louisiana-42lb 5ounces, Texas-39lb 5ounces, Mississippi-35lb 10ounces and Oklahoma-31lb 15ounces. But with these weights it is far from over, look for things to shake up tomorrow. Day 2 weigh-in begins at 2:30pm tomorrow at Long Shoal Marina and it is free to the public.

Full Results are HERE

Georgia seals the deal; Horton earns title

Team Georgia

Team Georgia

Georgia came for one reason-to take home the title-and they sure didn’t leave home without it. The Georgia state team brought in 128lb 9ounces today making their tournament total 424lb 15 ounces, solidifying their win as the Southern Division Champions, the loins share of the over 32,000.00 in cash and prizes and a year’s worth of bragging rights. The Georgia team was anchored by Al Horton, from Palmetto, Ga., who triumphed in the overall standings to earn the title of the 2010 Southern Division Champion in the individual standings as well. The Championship held in Eufaula, Alabama and presented by the Eufaula Barbour County Chamber of Commerce, also saw 14 TBF anglers earn spots in the 2011 Federation National Championship presented by the National Guard. One boater and co-angler from each state will advance to the national contest to compete for nearly a quarter of a million dollars in cash and prizes and the chance to “Live the Dream” fishing the FLW Pro Tour for a year with fully paid entry fees and use of a wrapped Chevrolet truck and Ranger boat and travel money. From the 2011 Championship, two TBF anglers from each of the seven divisions will win the chance to compete in the 2011 BFL All-American and the champion boater and co-angler

Al Horton

Al Horton

births in the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup. With all things said, it was more than an exciting day of fishing.

Champion, Al Horton, caught another five bass limit today of 15lb 8ounces, making his total tournament weight 54lb 14ounces. Horton formed a pattern involving a frog he stuck by for 10 days, seven pre-fishing and three tournament. “It went good; I caught fish early, I caught fish late. When I got tired of throwing the frog, I threw the frog and when I got tired of throwing the frog…. I threw the frog,” Horton said. He was also elected to be Georgia’s team captain and led proud. “It’s a great team to work with; we put it all together and did well. Thanks to our team and guys like Georgia President, Larry Lewis, and Jerry and Skip, these guys are always great.” Horton had an equally enthusiast cheering section. “I’m just thankful for all the support of my family and friends.” This week his wife Janice, son Ryan, daughter Rebecca, father-in-law and friends all gathered to root him on. “I couldn’t be happier; I mean today my wife of 35 years, Janice, just here cheering me on. It just means so much.” Horton’s also qualified for the Federation National Championship in 2004. “It’s a wonderful experience and as close to being with the pros as you can be; it’s a pleasure and honor to be there.”

The Georgia state team, host of the 2010 Southern Division Championship, showed us what consistency is all about, leading the way in the team standings all three days. Larry Lewis, Georgia President, had a lot to say about his state’s solid performance and teamwork this week. “This was the best ever, team wise, in the last four years. They’re good guys that worked hard; in the end, they all just about used the same thing fishing all week,” Lewis said. As president of the championship’s host state, Georgia, Lewis was foremost in sending out thanks to all the states. “To all the states that came, I hope they really enjoyed themselves.” Lewis also exercised some playful bragging rights as he did a little joking during the interview. “Tell them we’ll see ‘em next year at green river-we hear they have five fish up there-.” Lewis, who was needed to fish the last day of the event as the Georgia alternate, stepped up today and caught a whopping 16lb 7ounces to help his team, showing everyone the kind of teamwork and dedication the Georgia state team is made of.

Despite North Carolina’s mighty push, they came up a little short, proudly walking away in second with 150 total fish weighing 396lb 10ounces. They were definitely a crowd favorite, as they’re cheering section spurred excitement all through the weigh-in.

Herman Vining, SC

Herman Vining, SC

The collective team standings are as follows: Ga., 424lb 15ounces; N.C., 396lb 10ounces; S.C., 355lb 5ounces; Tenn., 346lb 7ounces; Ala., 346lb 6ounces; Ky., 328lb 13ounces; Fla., 308lb 5ounces.

In the overall standings, Herman Vining, from Gilbert, S.C., came up just ounces short, of Morton for the overall title, but he will be representing South Carolina as the boater at the 2011 Federation National Championship. Vining caught a limit of bass weighing 21lb 14ounces, making his tournament total 53lb 10ounces. Vining had a lot of praise to his team, as well as, to his sponsor, PJ Lures. “PJ Lures played a huge part, without that jig I wouldn’t have caught what I did,” Vining said. They gave me a brand new skirt color to try out but I only had 10 jigs.” Vining said he has caught more fish in less time using these jigs than anything else. “I ended up driving home last night to get my last one and I used it to catch a limit in 35 min today. Moral of the story-next time I order from PJ Lures, I’ll make sure to order more than enough.”

Next to finish on the South Carolina state team was Jay Keith, from Camden, S.C., the 2009 Federation National Champion who will be represented the TBF next year as the “Living the Dream” angler on the FLW Pro Tour. In lieu of his commitment to the tour, the South Carolina State team co-angler will be Darrell Shull, from West Columbia, S.C. Shull respectively steps up to represent his state team this year at the national event.

The 14 TBF Southern Division Champions are as follows (angler, co-angler): Ala., Robbie Robinson, Jason Hester; Fla., Jesse Woodring, J. Nobel Willits; Ga., Marvin (Al) Horton, Jeff Williams; Ky., Gregory Hoskinson, William Lowther; N.C., Jeff Hager, Brian Fritts; S.C., Herman Vining, Darrell Shull; Tenn., Charles L. Davis, David Presley.

2011 TBF National Championship Southern Contenders

2011 TBF National Championship Southern Contenders

Full results are here.

Georgia means business; Horton leads the way making 19lb 11ounces the trend

Georgia state team made a statement today-they’re here to win it-but North Carolina proves they’re not a force to be discounted as they fought to close the gap as day two of the 2010 Southern Division Championship presented by Eufaula Barbour County Chamber of Commerce wrapped up in Eufaula, Ala., today. Only one day of tournament fishing left to decide who will walk away as 2010 Southern Division Champions.

There’s a lot at stake as over $32,000 in tournament Prizes, 14 spots in the 2011 Federation National Championship are up for grabs. The anglers are ready to bring all they got, one last push to see who will be crowned champions as the final day of 2010 Southern Division Championship will decide.

Knocking down 19lb 11ounces yesterday, Al Horton, from Palmetto, Ga., brings another 19lb 11ounces today.

Marvin Horton, GA

Marvin Horton, GA

Horton’s leading the Georgia state team and the overall tournament standings with a total tournament weight of 39lb 6ounces. Horton struggled until around 9:30 this morning, then came up with a limit around 1:30pm. “I was blessed both days with 19lb 11ounces doing mostly the same thing for the last nine days,” Horton said. When asked about his plans tomorrow he said, “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” So, we’ll see if he can wrangle in another 19lb 11ounces tomorrow and hold down the top spot for the overall championship title.

Fighting to take it away is yesterday’s tournament leader and North Carolina leader, Brian Fritts, from Raleigh, N.C., who caught a limit of bass weighing 17lb 14ounces making his tournament total 38lb 6ounces.

Fritts had his limit by 10:20am junk fishing. “I’m fishing shallow, deep, all over and tomorrow I’m going to go out there and just fish,” Fritts said. This would be his first time to qualify for the federation national championship and he won’t be leaving anything out there tomorrow to make sure that happens.

In third, just an ounce away, is Gregory Hoskinson, from Louisville, Ky., with five fish weighing 19lb 3ounces making

Brian Fritts

Brian Fritts

his tournament total 38lb 5ounces. Hoskinson is holding the top spot in the state of Kentucky with a six pound lead. He qualified for the 2009 Federation National Championship and this week he’s fishing hard with the drive to make a repeat, what he brings tomorrow will decide if this will be year two in a row for this champion angler.

In fourth, is Jeff Hager, from Alexis, N.C., with a limit weighing 19lb 13ounces making his total 36lb 7ounces. Close behind, is Robbie Robinson, from Mobile, Ala., with five fish weighing 21lb 2ounces making his tournament total 35lb 15ounces. Robinson is also currently first in the state of Alabama.

Next, is 2009 Federation National Champion, Jay Keith, from Camden, S.C., who is South Carolina’s team leader with a limit of fish today weighing 17lb 7ounces making his total tournament weight 35lb 8ounces.

Greg 'Hosko' Hoskinson, KY

Greg 'Hosko' Hoskinson, KY

In seventh, is the Florida state team leader, Jesse Woodring, from Jupiter, Fla., with five fish weighing 16lb 14ounces, making his total 32lb 11ounces. Woodring knocked out the tournament big bass today by an ounce with a nice keeper weighing 6lb 14ounces. His third fish of the day was his big one, around 8:30am flippin grass mats in about 2ft water. “When I reeled it in I thought, yep, that will take big bass,” Woodring said.

In team standings, Georgia’s in first catching 142lb 8ounces, with a tournament total of 296lb 6ounces. North Carolina’s close behind with 145lb 6ounces and a tournament total of 274lb 15ounces. In third, is South Carolina, with 114lb 12ounces making their total 232lb 9ounces. Full standings are as follows; Fla., 110lb 15ounces/230lb; Tenn., 118lb 6ounces/225lb 11ounces; Ky., 124lb 7ounces/224lb 14ounces; Ala., 117lb 8ounces/221lb 12ounces

The overall and team standings are tight, so only the bites tomorrow will decide who will be our 2010 Southern Division Champions. The tension is on, the anglers focused, the final day will definitely be an exhilarating test of skill and luck as the anglers head out to fish for bragging rights and the esteemed championship titles.

Full Results are HERE.