2013 Central Division Championship Underway on Lake Ray Robert

Ninety-six TBF anglers took off the shores of Lake Ray Robert as the 2013 Central Division Championship presented by Evinrude kicked off in Denton, Texas yesterday.  Twelve state champions representing the eight states in the Central division will compete for the titles both in the individual and state team standings this week.  Sixteen TBF anglers, the top two from each state, will also earn slots in the 2014 Federation National Championship.

After day one, Hoyt Akins from Bauxite, Ark., leads the individual standings with a five bass limit weighing 18bs 2ounces.  “It was slow out there today and in practice,” Hoyt said.  “I only had five bites, five bites and five fish.”  Hoyt’s first bite of the day came around 8:30am when he landed a six and a half pound beauty.  “He was way down in a tree; we had to go get to him.  It definitely was exciting, set the pace for the day.”

It was slow across the board today with several anglers struggling to find limits.  “It was sunny and windy today, which was good.  I need the wind to blow.  If it stops it will be over for me,” Hoyt continued.  “Tomorrow, I’m just going to go out there and try to catch a limit.  I’m going to hit some new stuff and some of the same stuff, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that doesn’t work.”

In the state team standings, Arkansas is leading it with 85lbs 3ounces followed close behind by Oklahoma state team with 84lbs 14ounces.  In third, is Missouri with 68lbs 14ounces. 

Today, the 2013 Central Division Championship continues on Lake Ray Robert as state champion anglers set out to claim the division champion titles and all the bragging rights.

 

FULL RESULTS ARE HERE

 

Alabama team and South Carolina’s Kneece come from behind to take 2013 Southern Division Championship

The 2013 Southern Division Championship presented by Solar Bat wrapped up thisKneece - 1st Individual Standings weekend on Lake Barkley in Clarksville, Tenn.  David Kneece from Gilbert, S.C. came from behind to top day one and two leader, Gary Abernethy, from Skyland, N.C., to take the division champion title.  The Alabama state team also made a huge jump on the final day to top the North Carolina state team who had led the first two tournament days. 

2013 Sou Div National ContendersThe top fourteen anglers, two from each of the seven states in the Southern division, advance today to the 2014 Federation National Championship.  There they’ll go head to head with other TBF division champions from across the US to compete for next year’s national champion titles and the “Living the Dream” prize package, to be awarded to both the national champion boater and coangler.  The package includes cash and prizes, paid entry as an FLW Tour Pro in his/her circuit choice and use of a wrapped Ranger Boat and Chevrolet truck for the year, as well as, travel stipends and sponsor merchandise. 

Kneece caught a five bass limit all three tournament days with 12lbs 14ounces, 14lbs 7ounces and 14lbs 4ounces for a tournament total of 41lbs 9ounces. 

Abernethy, who lead the first two tournament days, dropped to second with just 13ounces separating him from Kneece.  “I was catching anywhere from 20-35 fish a day, looking for that 15inch size limit,” Abernethy said.  “I had quite of few that were close and I had quality fish the first two days.  I just couldn’t get the quality of fish to bite the final day.”  Abernethy caught all his bass using a half ounce Shooter jig with a Zoom trailer on a Denali rod with 20lb Seaguar line.  He fished around shallow bushes visiting three different creeks on Lake Barkley during the event.  “I was getting a lot of bites and measuring a ton of fish to get the best ones to weigh in,” Abernethy continued.  “I think fishing slowed down for the whole field on the final day, with the exception of (Kneece) the guy who came from second, to catch up and win it.”      Alabama

 

Abernethy; North Carolina Continue to Lead 2013 Southern Division Championship

Gary Abernethy from Skyland, N.C., and the North Carolina state team lead the 2013 Southern Division Championship presented by Solar Bat after two competition days on Lake Barkley in Clarksville, Tenn.  This week, 12 state champions from each of the seven states in the Southern division met on Lake Barkley to compete for the division champion titles both in the individual and state team standings.  Today, those titles will be awarded and fourteen TBF anglers, the top two from each state, will advance to the 2014 Federation National Championship. 

Gary Abernethy caught a limit of bass on day two weighing 15lbs 5ounces for a tournament total of 30lbs 5ounces to hold onto the lead in the individual standings.  Three pounds away in second is David Kneece from Gilbert, S.C.  Kneece caught a limit of bass weighing 14lbs 7ounces to make his two day total 27lbs 5ounces.  In third by less than a pound is Jeff Hager from Alexis, N.C., with 13lbs 13ounces yesterday for a total of 26lbs 7ounces. 

The North Carolina state team caught 107lbs 15ounces for a two day total of 188lbs 8ounces.     Alabama is in second with 180lbs 6ounces and the host state of Tennessee is in third with 163lbs 12ounces.

Today, the battle continues on Lake Barkley as TBF anglers inch closer to those division champion titles and all the bragging rights on the final day of the 2013 Southern Division Championship.

2013 Southern Division Championship Kicks Off on Lake Barkley

TBF anglers flock to Lake Barkley in Clarksville, Tenn., this week for the 2013 SouthernDSC_0062 Division Championship presented by Solar Bat.  Twelve state champions from each of the seven states in the Southern division will compete for the division champion titles both in the individual and state team standings.  Fourteen TBF anglers, the top two from each state, will also earn slots in the 2014 Federation National Championship.

Out in front after day one is Gary Abernethey from Skyland, N.C. and the North Carolina state team.   Abernethey had a five bass limit yesterday weighing 15lbs even.

The North Carolina state team caught 80lbs 9ounces of Lake Barkley bass to step into the lead.  The Alabama state team is close in second with 74lbs 6ounces.  In third, is the Georgia state team with 71lbs 13ounces. 

Today, the battle continues on Lake Barkley as day two of the 2013 Southern Division Championship continues.