Lake Powell, UT – California Bass Federation’s Angler of the Year and State Champion of 2010, Cameron Smith will be headed back to the Federation National Championship in 2012 as a boater. Smith wins the overall 2011 Southwest Division Championship, presented by Lowrance at Lake Powell, Utah. Smith finishes the tournament with a 3 day total weight of 39 lbs 13 oz.
First thing today Smith went to his fishing partner’s spot, since he was a local angler. They caught alot of small fish, so he decided to run back up to an area near the launch site where he had seen several before. “I literally caught my last three keepers within an hour to go before weigh-in time. With only 2 minutes to go, I caught my biggest fish of the day. I culled up about a pound and a half, and that ended up being what I needed to win!” That choice ended up paying off big for him and earned him a trip back to the National Championship in 2012. “I have to thank all three of my partners I was paired up with this tournament. I felt like they weren’t competing against me and we were both fishing together.” Smith is also a Cabela’s Angler Cash Contingency angler registered with the TBF Cabela’s Angler Cash program, which earned him a $500 Cabela’s gift card.
Utah Federation Angler Tyler Swaney who was in third place yesterday, jumped a spot to second place with a 3 day cumulative weight of 38 lbs 6 oz. Everyday, Swaney ran 80 miles 1 way up to San Juan River to catch all of his fish. He did come up just a pound and 7 oz short to win overall the overall tournament, but still qualifies as the boater for Utah in the 2012 Federation National Championship.
In State Federation Standings, California came in first 314 lbs 12 oz, second place was Arizona with 298 lbs 11 oz, third place Utah with 283-06, fourth Colorado with 276-09 and Nevada with 215-12.
The ten TBF anglers qualifying for the 2012 TBF National Championship are as follows:
Arizona – Jeff Erickson (boater) , Karl Beltz (co-angler)
California – Cameron Smith (boater), Cabela’s Angler Cash Prize $500, Tom Shimabukro (co-angler)
Colorado – Sean Hinton (boater), Brandon White (co-angler)
Utah – Tyler Swaney (boater), Mike Powell (co-angler, Highest Ranger Cup Finisher)
Nevada – Joe Raftery (boater), Dave Malone (co-angler)
These ten TBF anglers from the Southwest Division States will be moving on to the 2012 TBF National Championship, where they will fish for their share of cash and prizes. For the qualifying anglers, the ultimate prize package of any TBF Member is the $100,000 ‘Living the Dream’ package.
Full Results
Final State Federation Standings
