June 12, 2009 – Suspense was mounting, as everyone awaited the results of the final day of the TBF Southern Division Championship on Lake Murray, in Lexington, SC. In the team standings, we knew it was going to be close; with more than half the weigh-in over only a pound separated the top three teams. But, the home state of South Carolina made a late push, launching them far above the rest, and seized the title of the 2009 TBF Southern Division Champions.

It was neck and neck in the individual standings as well, with everybody fighting to claim the top spot in their state, in order to advance to the TBF National Championship. The top angler from each state advances as the boater and the second place finisher as the co-angler. These anglers compete close to home for over a year to qualify for the state team and the opportunity to advance to nationals. On average, it only costs around $200 a year in total entry fees and dues, and now these qualifiers will advance to fish for a prize purse of almost a quarter of a million dollars, the largest in federation history. The anglers who have qualified to advance are as follows and are listed, boater then co-angler: Ala., Joseph Webster and James A Boyle; Fla., Leon Roy V and J Nobel Willits; Ga., Tony Green and Mike Morris; Ky., Greg Hoskinson and Karl Snyder; N.C., Gary Cline and Chuck Murray; S.C., Jay Keith and Adam Williamson; Tenn., Michael Wooley and John J Talton.

Jay Keith from Camden, S.C., battled all week to claim the number one spot, and on the final day he did just that, making him the 2009 TBF Southern Division Champion. Keith brought in a limit of bass that weighed 14lb 14oz. He caught a limit all three days, which made his total tournament weight 41lb 11oz. This will be his first time to compete at the national tournament, and he seemed pretty excited about that. “Today went good, they didn’t jump off today,” Keith said. “I caught 8 or 9 fish using a fluke, a flugger iron reel and an all-star rod.” Keith’s fellow teammate was yesterday’s leader, Adam Williamson from Ridgeway, S.C., who was only a pound away. Williamson caught a limit of bass that weighed 13lb 12oz, making his total tournament weight 40lb 15oz. Today, he ran into a few problems, but still managed to grab second in his state and overall. “I lost two 4 pounders,” Williamson said. “Then, I caught a fish that was already hooked and was about to die. I worked on the fish for about two hours. I had such an outstanding partner; he let me come in early to weigh the fish so it wouldn’t cost me 8oz.” Williamson showed great character in the effort that kept his fish alive. He will advance to nationals on the co-angler side for the state of South Carolina, and this will be his first time as well. “I have fished on three state teams, and been close; but, this will be my first time and I’m excited.” In third place, is Michael Wooley from Collierville, Tenn., who caught a limit of bass that weighed 13lb 12oz, making his total weight 36lb 5oz. Close behind him is Gary Cline from Lexington, N.C., who caught five bass, which weigh d 10lb 15oz, making his total weight 35lb 1oz. Cline said he caught the majority of his good fish on a jig, but he also did some top water fishing. “The day was great; my partner let me have the boat all day,” Cline said. “I had three days with good partners; I couldn’t have done it without my partners.” This will also be Cline’s first time to compete at nationals.

The 2009 TBF South Division state team champions, the South Carolina Bass Federation caught 42 bass, which weighed 91lb 8oz, bringing their three day tournament total to 133 bass that weighed 261lb. The Georgia Bass Federation overcame a 20lb deficit yesterday, to become the day two leaders, but, didn’t quite have enough to hold their spot on the top. In second, the Georgia state team caught 46 bass, which weighed 72lb 8oz, making their tournament total 138 bass that weighed 250lb 7oz. Less than three pounds away from Georgia, is the defending champions, the North Carolina Bass Federation. They brought in 47 fish that weighed 96lb, making their total 126 bass, which weighed 247lb 15oz.

Georgia Overcomes 20lb Deficit

June 11, 2009 – “In 30 years, Georgia has never came from behind to take the lead,” Georgia Bass Federation President, Larry Lewis, said. Well, today they did, on day two of the TBF Southern Division Championship. After day one, the Georgia state team met and talked about their strategies and their chances to take the lead. “Mathematically, we didn’t think it was possible to make up a 20lb deficit in one day, but we’ve done it and we’ll see how it goes tomorrow,” Lewis said. Georgia Bass Federation brought in 49 fish with a total weight of 99lb 8oz. Not only did they come from such a deficit, but also they’re nearly 10lbs ahead of the competition, yesterday’s leaders, the South Carolina Bass Federation. South Carolina caught 42 fish with a total weight of 72lb 4oz. In third, is the Alabama Bass Federation who caught 46 fish that weighed 81lb 14oz. The Tennessee Bass Federation caught 45 fish that weighed 82lb. After the huge changes today, it’s safe to say tomorrow could be anybody’s game.

In the individual standings, Adam Williamson from Ridgeway, SC, came from second to seize the top spot today. Williamson caught a limit of bass that weighed 13lb, making his total tournament weight 27lb 3oz. He commented yesterday that he was planning on doing the same thing today and it looks like it worked for him. However, he did say he plans on adjusting a bit tomorrow. “As the day went on the bites shut down,” Williamson said. “The fish are changing, they’re figuring it out. But, I’ve got some new places saved for tomorrow, and I’ve caught most of my fish by 10am, so, as long as I can catch them in the morning I should be alright.” He also said he got another great draw in partner, Thomas White. “My partner today was great. I gave him all the opportunity I could and he ended up with four fish. We worked so hard to get that last one; hopefully, we will both do great tomorrow.”

The competition behind first is so tight, with less than a pound separating the top five finishers. In second, is Jay Keith from Camden, SC who caught five fish that weighed 13lb 2oz, making his total weight 26lb 13oz. Tony Green from Macon, GA, is right behind him with five fish that weighed 13lb 1oz, making his total weight 26lb 3oz. In fourth, is yesterday’s leader, Norman Mullinax from Wilmington, NC, who caught five fish that weighed 9lb 8oz, making his total tournament weight 25 lb. In fifth place, is Gary Cline from Lexington, NC, who caught five fish that weighed a whopping 16lb 8oz, the biggest tournament bag so far. Cline also brought in big bass today, a fish that weighed 7lb 4oz, which definitely helped him climb into the top five with a total weight of 24lb 2oz.

After the huge changes today, it’s safe to say tomorrow could be anyone’s game. Or should we say, anyone’s championship title?

For more standings click on the tournament standings link.

June 11, 2009 – “In 30 years, Georgia has never came from behind to take the lead,” Georgia Bass Federation President, Larry Lewis, said. Well, today they did, on day two of the TBF Southern Division Championship. After day one, the Georgia state team met and talked about their strategies and their chances to take the lead. “Mathematically, we didn’t think it was possible to make up a 20lb deficit in one day, but we’ve done it and we’ll see how it goes tomorrow,” Lewis said. Georgia Bass Federation brought in 49 fish with a total weight of 99lb 8oz. Not only did they come from such a deficit, but also they’re nearly 10lbs ahead of the competition, yesterday’s leaders, the South Carolina Bass Federation. South Carolina caught 42 fish with a total weight of 72lb 4oz. In third, is the Alabama Bass Federation who caught 46 fish that weighed 81lb 14oz. The Tennessee Bass Federation caught 45 fish that weighed 82lb. After the huge changes today, it’s safe to say tomorrow could be anybody’s game.

In the individual standings, Adam Williamson from Ridgeway, SC, came from second to seize the top spot today. Williamson caught a limit of bass that weighed 13lb, making his total tournament weight 27lb 3oz. He commented yesterday that he was planning on doing the same thing today and it looks like it worked for him. However, he did say he plans on adjusting a bit tomorrow. “As the day went on the bites shut down,” Williamson said. “The fish are changing, they’re figuring it out. But, I’ve got some new places saved for tomorrow, and I’ve caught most of my fish by 10am, so, as long as I can catch them in the morning I should be alright.” He also said he got another great draw in partner, Thomas White. “My partner today was great. I gave him all the opportunity I could and he ended up with four fish. We worked so hard to get that last one; hopefully, we will both do great tomorrow.”

The competition behind first is so tight, with less than a pound separating the top five finishers. In second, is Jay Keith from Camden, SC who caught five fish that weighed 13lb 2oz, making his total weight 26lb 13oz. Tony Green from Macon, GA, is right behind him with five fish that weighed 13lb 1oz, making his total weight 26lb 3oz. In fourth, is yesterday’s leader, Norman Mullinax from Wilmington, NC, who caught five fish that weighed 9lb 8oz, making his total tournament weight 25 lb. In fifth place, is Gary Cline from Lexington, NC, who caught five fish that weighed a whopping 16lb 8oz, the biggest tournament bag so far. Cline also brought in big bass today, a fish that weighed 7lb 4oz, which definitely helped him climb into the top five with a total weight of 24lb 2oz.

After the huge changes today, it’s safe to say tomorrow could be anyone’s game. Or should we say, anyone’s championship title?

As day one of the 2009 TBF Southern Division Championship began in Lexington, South Carolina, Lake Murray was scorching hot. For many of the anglers, however, we would be talking about the sun and not the fishing. The top twelve anglers from each state in the Southern Division battled the heat in hopes of bringing in big bass. Some succeeded in that, managing to bring in enough weight to grab hold of the top spots in their respective states.

As always one angler will some how rise above the pack. Taking the number one spot today, is Norman Mullinax from Wilmington, NC who had a limit of bass weighing 15lb 8oz. Also, Norman caught today’s big bass, which weighed 6lbs, using a frog lure. “It was pretty slow today,” Norman said. “We got on them early, and then it got tough real quick. I plan on doing about the same thing tomorrow, using the same spots. But, if they’re not there I’m going to have some problems.” Less than a pound behind him, fighting for tournament lead, is Adam Williamson from Ridgeway, SC who had a total weight of 14lb 3oz, Adam anchored the South Carolina Team to its day 1 overall lead he also plans on trying the same thing tomorrow. “I’ve got a milk run, there were plenty of fish there today, so as long as they don’t leave, you should see some great fish from me this week,” Adam said. He also had great things to say about his partner. “I had a great partner today in Jesse Ivy from Georgia. We had a blast, and lots of laughs.” Landing in third place, is Jay Keith from Camden, SC with a limit of bass weighing 13lb 11oz. Right on his tail is Herman Vining, the President of the South Carolina TBF Federation, our host state for this event. Unlike the others, Herman plans to run more spots tomorrow. “I caught my big bite this morning, but when the sun came out it got tougher,” Herman said. As you can see from the standings there are several South Carolina angers near the top. With the weigh in half over it actually was looking pretty bleak for the host state. However, before the day was finished the home state anglers proved we are on their turf.

The South Carolina state team brought in a total of 49 bass, which weighed 97lb 4oz. their late surge gave them a margin of nearly ten pounds over the second place Alabama Bass Federation, who also caught 49 bass, which weighed 87lb 5oz. The Georgia Bass Federation sits in third with a total weight of 78lb 8oz. Close behind them in fourth is the Tennessee Bass Federation with a total weight of 75lb 1oz.

Day 2 weigh in begins at 2:30 pm EST at the South Carolina Gas and Electric Ramp on the north end of the Lake Murray Dam. It is free to the public.