2009 Southern Division Day 1

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.

Team Texas Wins Central Division, Lancaster Wins Overall Individual

2009 Central Division Final Day

June 5, 2009

Lake Dardenelle, AR – At launch, everyone thought it was an ATTACK OF THE MAYFLIES! Several thousand mayflies had hatched overnight and had covered the marina ground, lights, boats, even us! The good thing was, they didn’t bite. The locals thought that might have a positive effect on the bass fishing that day. If the mayflies were close enough to the water, the bass may be more active. But that didn’t seem to be the case.

It was just an overall tough day for the anglers at least that seemed to be the consensus among many. Thirty-five could not bring one 15” required bass. Not that they weren’t catching any, some just couldn’t make the length. There were only two anglers who checked in a limit on the last day. The overall weight turned in among all states dropped almost 20 lbs from the day before. Team Oklahoma actually checked in the most weight over all three days, on day one. It could have been numerous reasons from a drop in lake level, to other tournaments going on also on the lake the night before.

On the winning note! Team Texas holds on to their standing and wins the Central Divisional Championship and won their team $2,500. Having a comfortable lead from the day before was definitely a blessing. The team checked in 26 lbs less than the day 2 and 30 lbs less than day one, but it was enough to keep them on top with a team total weight of 192 lbs 10 oz, 24 lbs more than the second place, come from behind team, Kansas.

Justin Lancaster holds on to the overall individual. It was a nailbiter folks! Justin checked in first with only one bass weighing 3 lbs 2 oz. Donny Awtry had only been trailing by 2 oz the day before. All he needed was 3 lbs 4 oz total weight in bass. Donny checked in with the last flight, and only one bass also. But it just wasn’t enough.

The third day big bass winner was Danny Carter of Mississippi. He checked in a bass weighing 5 lbs 4 oz. He was recognized and presented a check for $100 along with Day 1 winner Nathan Bourque of Texas and Day 2 winner Kerry Kruep. Day 2’s bass was the largest of all 3 days at 5 lbs 8 oz.

The top 2 anglers of each state were announced. The 2009 TBF National Championship presented by the National Guard is the ultimate goal for a TBF member. Held on Bull Shoals Lake in Branson, MO., the Boater with the heaviest cumulative weight from all three days of competition will be crowned TBF National Champion and will receive the “Living the Dream” prize package. The following will get to compete in the National Championship for each state:

Arkansas: Justin Lancaster – Angler, Shawn Gordon – Co-Angler

Kansas: Scott Hamel – Angler, Matt King – Co-Angler

Louisiana: Scott Graves – Angler, Eugene Morris – Co-Angler

Missouri: Kevin Smith – Angler, Mike Johnson – Co-Angler

Mississippi: Danny Carter – Angler, Ronnie Gordon – Co-Angler

Nebraska: Robert Walla – Angler, Jason Citta – Co-Angler

Oklahoma: John Pritchett – Angler, John Garcia – Co-Angler

Texas: Donny Awtry – Angler, Clint Farris – Co-Angler

Not one person had anything negative to say about the way the tournament ran. Everyone was looking to coming back. It was mostly in part by the beautiful setup that Lake Dardenelle has for fishing tournaments. It is a one of a kind and Arkansas should be very proud to be able to host such a tournament at a great location.

For other information about TBF please visit our website. All stats can be found on the TBF website at www.bassfederation.com under the ‘Tournaments’ link.

Utah wins it, 20 anglers earn a spot in the 2010 Federation National Championship

2009 Western Divisional – Final Day

The last day of the TBF Western Division Championship left 20 TBF anglers blown away, literally. As the day rolled on, anglers patiently awaited tournament results in a fury of wind. But, nothing could damper their spirits, as the tournament came to a close, naming, not only, the top two anglers from each state who would advance to the 2010 Federation National Championship, but also, the division champions in both the individual and state team standings.

The top angler from each state will advance as a boater, while the runner up advances as a co-angler. The anglers who will be representing the Northwest Division are as follows: Ariz., Jason Rayls and Jeff Erickson; Calif., Cameron Smith and Randy Pierson; Colo., Lance Tillotson and Sean Hinton; Nev., Mitch Geyer and David Malone; Utah, Wayne Crowder and Mike Bozner. The anglers who will be representing the Southwest Division are as follows: Idaho, Brandon Palaniuk and Bill Golightly; Mont., Farren (Ray) Mounts and Sid Ziegler; Ore., Edward Chin and Michael Gibney; Wash., Aaron Echternkamp and Shawn McConville; Wyom., Larry Wilkins and Tom Schachten. These anglers have fished close to home for a year or more to earn a spot on the state team and now the chance to advance to the 2010 Federation National Championship. To earn these spots, on average, these anglers paid a total of $200 in dues and entry fees per year. Now, they’ve qualified to compete for a prize purse of nearly a quarter of a million dollars, the highest in federation history.

The 2009 Western Division Champion fought his way up from a fifth place standing to be crowned victorious. Wayne Crowder, from Salt Lake City, Utah, brought in the heaviest bag today that weighed 11lb 13oz, making his total tournament weight 33lb 3oz. “I had no idea I had the big bag, I definitely had no idea that I would win the whole thing,” Wayne said. “I caught my first three, about 7lb, by 7:30am. The bed fish I was finding yesterday were starting to disappear, when it warmed up the bed fish went deeper out to more mid lake, and so I followed them there.” Wayne qualified for nationals two years ago as a co-angler, but this will be his first time as a boater, and he expressed much excitement. He also had many people to thank. “I actually borrowed a boat, a net and a prop for this event. So, I have to say thanks to Paul Reutlinger and others who helped me in that. Also, I want to thank my Heavenly Father, my wife and my Utah State Federation. I’m honored to be the Western Division Champion, and I’m eager to compete at the national tournament in 2010.”

The Utah State Federation led the way the whole tournament, and it was no surprise to see them seal the deal. Their team had a total tournament weight of 288lb 8oz, making them the 2009 Western Division Champions. The Utah Team Captain, Steve Porter, had nothing but great things to say. “We just want to thank TBF for putting on such a great event,” Steve commented. “The tournament was great, we knew what we needed to do to win, and we pulled together and did it. Everyone, as a team, we did it.”

For final standings, check out the tournament results pages

Team Texas Makes Huge Jump Into The Lead After Day Two at Lake Dardanelle

2009 Central Division Day 2

Awtry leads the individual division champion’s race.

June 4, 2009

Lake Dardenelle, AR – Donny Awtry of Watauga, Texas took the lead in the overall standings by a mere 2 ounces, moving up from 4th place. He also leads his state in individual standings with a 2-day weight total 27 lbs and 3 oz turning in another five-fish limit. Donny switches places with yesterday’s Texas leader and Big Bass winner, Nathan Bourque.

Local angler Justin Lancaster of Plainview, AR is still standing strong right behind the division leader Awtry, trailing by 2 oz with 27 lbs 1 oz. Justin has managed a limit both days in the same area, we will see if it will hold up one more day. Lancaster did say he was using lures on the top of the water and grass. When asked if living only a few miles down the highway gives him an advantage above the other anglers, Justin says, “It definitely helps!” Justin has been a member of TBF since 2004 and is the top angler in Arkansas Federation.

In team standings, Texas and Oklahoma also switched places, Texas now leads at 147-03. Their 25lb 13oz lead is “comfortable,” but certainly not insurmountable. With 12 anglers on each team 25 pounds is really only one (1)- two pound fish person, so anything can still happen. Team Texas Anglers Donny Awtry, Clint Farris and John Littleton all caught their 5 fish limit in day 2. Team totals were actually 4 lbs less than the first day, but Oklahoma took a largest team nose dive in total weight by about 27 lbs, turning in only 44 lbs 4 oz today and winding up with a two day total of 121-06, which is still enough to hang on to second.

We all thought our Big Bass winner was turned in early in the first flight. Matt King of Olathe, Kansas turned in a nice bass weighing 5 lb 3 oz. Matt had a great day of fishing, turning in 4 live bass with a total weight of 14 lbs 11 oz! Some fisherman thought the cold front that moved through the area negatively affected their fishing from the first day, but Matt made some changes in his fishing and thought it definitely helped him. His four fish weight was only 13 oz short of his state teammate and Kansas leader Scott Hamel of Stockton, Kansas who turned in his five fish limit that finished up as the big bag of the day at 15-08.

The Kansas anglers today were making their move we’re all wondering what they all did different! In the second flight, we had our Big Bass Winner checked in. Kerry Kreup, non-boater from Paola, Kansas paired with Rick Riley, boat 14. His bass weighed a very nice 5 lbs 7 oz. That tops yesterdays Big Bass by 3 oz.

With those three anglers from Kansas having a fantastic fishing day, Team Kansas won day 2 with team totals being 75 lbs 13 oz. That is a 34 lb 1 oz jump, from day 1 to day 2, making their 2 day total 117 lbs 9 oz.

So Texas sits in first place in the team standings and looks on a roll to win the division Champions title and the Central Championship Cup, at this point this is their event to win or lose. Only 4 lbs separates the 2, 3 and 4 place team standings of Oklahoma, Louisiana and Kansas respectively. Individual standings can go either way in some states and is fairly well set in others at this point. The top two anglers from each state will advance to the 2010 TBF Federation National Championship, Presented by the National Guard and compete for their share of the nearly 250,000.00 prize purse, including the TBF “Living The Dream” Package. The top placing anglers form each state will proceed as a boater and the second place anglers form each state as a co-angler. Final weigh-in starts Friday at 2:30pm CST and is free to the public.