2019 Federation National Championship Underway on Kentucky Lake

Eastern, Mid-Atlantic and Northern Divisions Top the Field After Day One

Ponca City, Okla., April 11, 2019 – Whispers of a canceled first day due to 35 mph winds spread this week as anglers pre-fished the legendary Kentucky Lake in Paris, Ky., in Henry County.  As luck or fate would have it, anglers were met with mild waters for take-off as they launched from Paris Landing State Park Marina. Kentucky Lake was stingy today and while the wind did pick up it wasn’t anything TBF’s 106 State Champion anglers couldn’t handle. 

Jason Bacon is on top of the leader board overall and in the Eastern Division from the Massachusetts TBF with 21 pounds 6 ounces.  Bacon has qualified for the event twice as a co-angler but this is debut as a boater and he’s got his eyes on the FLW Tour should he solidify a win this week.  “100 percent; if I win, I’d be going to fish the tour next year,”  Bacon said. 

He also as plenty of spots left to run, a few different patterns and a familiarity with tidal river systems, which he says Kentucky Lake is fishing a lot like this week.  “Most similar, probably the James River in Virginia,” Bacon continued.  “Kentucky Lake is different since I pre-practiced early March.  The temperature has definitely changed things but really I think it’s making it better.” 

Bacon has been a boater since he was 17 years old and an active member of the MASS BASS TBF.  He thanked them and TBF for this experience, as well as, TBF of Board Director and former Massachusetts TBF President, Erik Kaplan and current President, Joe McKinnon.  He also thanked his sponsors at Lowrance, Strike King Lures, Reynolds Boats, Triple L Insurance and Reelist. 

Tomorrow, Kentucky Lake will decide if his spots hold up enough to take him into the finals.  Right on his lead is Bob Brody from Tunkahnnock, Penn. 

Brody is leading the Mid-Atlantic Division and is in second overall with a limit of bass weighing 19 pounds 8 ounces.  This is Brody’s first trip to the national stage but he’s no stranger to Kentucky Lake. 

Brody said he’s fished the lake 10-12 times, but he claims this has been one toughest with the water levels being low this time of year, plus the amount of carp out there seemingly affecting the fish. 

This is as close as he’s came to advancing and after day one he’s hungry to take it all the way.  “It would be surreal; I’ve tried for almost 30 years,” Brody said.  “It’s just overall been a great experience.  Every body is first class on helping you out and taking care of things.  Every body lends a hand and is nice about it.”

Brody also said a special thanks to TBF and all their sponsors, the PA Bass Federation and Leggett’s Creek Bass Club.  “Most of all, thank you to my family and wife for all their support,” Brody added. 

Leading on the co-angler side and in the Southern Division from Ala., is Willis Kennedy III with 15 pounds 8 ounces.  This is Kennedy’s first year at the national contest and second year to fish with The Bass Federation. 

He’s had the same pattern the last three days of pre-fishing with one word in mind – Grind.  Kennedy completed his five bass limit 15 minutes before check-in at the boat ramp. “You’ve got to grind it out. It’s the only thing I’ve found that worked today and, hopefully, tomorrow and the next day.  It’s not going to be anything easy.”

Kennedy typically fishes smaller tournaments close to home due to working on the road and having kids busy with sports.  “God, family and work that all comes first,” Kennedy said.

But, with the close-to-home advantage the TBF National Semi-Finals Program brings to the table he’s here today. 

“It’s been awesome; I had an exceptional boater, Randy Wieczorek, he never front ended me and really, he’s a great all around guy.” 

Kennedy thanked his local sponsors, JJ’s Magic Dip and Dies, Chris Pope with Radical Culling Devices and Jim Sparone with Wicked Weights.  “They have personally called me and sent me merchandise and sent me more when I run out,” Kennedy continued. 

“I also want to thank my wife, Jessica, and kids, Hunter, JT and Lexis.  My little boy called me after today and told me good luck and I love you. You know, he is my boat captain when I’m at home.  He drives us back and forth from the creek – he think he’s the man.”

The weights are tight going into tomorrow but one thing is for certain, 14 TBF Divisional Champions will be crowned.  Those champions will head into the final day looking to make “Living the Dream” come true.

Day One Overall Standings

Day One Standings By Division

LIVE Day 1 Weigh-in of the 2019 TBF Championship

Day 1 weigh in coverage is LIVE below and on Facebook today to repair.

Day 1 Results overall

Day 1 Results by Division

Click here to go to facebook and watch LIVE

 

OR watch is LIVE below!

Tissue, Vote Crowned Arkansas Junior State Champions

On March 27th 2019, 32 Teams left Mountain Harbor Marina in a quest to become the TBF of Arkansas Junior State Champion. Lake Ouachita proved to be stingy with what she would give to our anglers.

Lake Ouachita only gave up 5 limits that day. But these young anglers proved that they were up for the challenge, with almost all teams weighing fish.

Casey Tissue and Clayton Vote, of the Central Arkansas Youth Fishing Club, were crowned Arkansas Junior State Champions with an impressive 5 fish limit weighing in at 12 pounds 11 ounces.  This was their second attempt to become junior state champions as a team. Casey has attempted on three different occasions. Both anglers have placed respectively in each of their attempts. Last year coming up a little short placing in the top Five.

 

Second Place was Evan East and Michael Moore with a five fish limit weighing in at 10 pounds even

 

Third place was Tyler Trent and Ethan Thrift with 8 pounds 15 ounces

 

Fourth place was Hunter Gathright and Colton Arnold with five fish weighing 8 pounds 6 ounces

 

Fifth place was Nicholas Johnson, and Eli Martin with five fish weighing 8 pounds 2 ounces

 

The Lew’s Big Bass award went to Casey Tissue and Clayton with a kicker fish weighing 4 pounds 7 ounces

 

 

Sportfishing industry celebrates passage of numerous conservation and public access provisions

FEBRUARY 28, 2019

Historic Lands Package Ready for President’s Signature

Sportfishing industry celebrates passage of numerous conservation and public access provisions

Alexandria, VA – Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Natural Resources Management Act (S. 47), a historic legislation package. The American Sportfishing Association (ASA), which represents the recreational fishing industry, sees this as a major victory for public lands access, habitat conservation and the outdoor recreation economy. The legislation now heads to the president’s desk for signing.

“It’s exciting to see Congress demonstrate this clear recognition of the importance of our nation’s public lands and outdoor recreation,” said Mike Leonard, ASA’s vice president of Government Affairs. “Passage of the Natural Resources Management Act will benefit the recreational fishing industry, and anyone who values our nation’s public lands, for many years to come.”

Comprised of more than 100 locally and regionally specific public lands bills, the package contains defining wins for recreational fishing and the entire outdoor recreation community. Of particular importance to ASA is the permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act, the Every Kid Outdoors Act, the Sportsmen’s Access to Federal Land subtitle and the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps Act.

Last week, ASA joined more than 40 hunting, fishing and conservation organizations in signing a letter to House leadership urging lawmakers to prioritize and pass this important legislation.

Last evening, during an event hosted by the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, of which ASA is a member and ASA President Glenn Hughes sits on the Executive Committee, more than 100 recreation industry leaders applauded the bipartisan and bicameral passage of the Natural Resources Management Act.

Reps. Don Beyer (D-Va.), Steve Stivers (R-Ohio), Garret Graves (R-La.), Peter Welch (D- Vt.), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and John Curtis (R-Utah) spoke to the group and were personally thanked for their wide ranging support for outdoor recreation, including providing funding for the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account, as well as securing appropriations for the first federal government study of the outdoor recreation economy at the state level.

Last year, the government released national data demonstrating the importance of an outdoor recreation economy that accounts for 2.2 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product and directly supports 4.5 million jobs.

Link to the Bill (S.47)

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