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Ike’s Micro Jig Weed Guard Install
When you get your micro jigs they will come 2 in a pack along with 2 loose weed guards, the reason for this is that when you fish a micro jig its so light where you wouldn’t need a weed guard fishing in open water or around docks, the weedguards come in handy when fishing near cover, lay downs or any structure that might be visible.
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Georgia Student Anglers Wins Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Lake Seminole Open
BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (Dec. 10, 2018) – The Georgia Student Anglers duo of Jackson Conley of Bainbridge, Georgia, and Brunson Fain of Donalsonville, Georgia, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 17 pounds, 3 ounces to win the 2018 Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Lake Seminole Open presented by Berkley.
According to post-tournament reports, the duo caught their fish in the Flint River, slow-rolling a blue and gray-colored spinnerbait over the rocky bottom.
A field of 25 teams competed in the no-entry fee tournament, which launched from Wingate’s Lodge in Bainbridge. In FLW/TBF High School Fishing competition, the top 10-percent of teams competing advance to the High School Fishing National Championship.
The top two teams on Lake Seminole that advanced to the 2019 High School Fishing National Championship were:
1st: Georgia Student Anglers – Jackson Conley, Bainbridge, Ga., and Brunson Fain, Donalsonville, Ga., five bass, 17-3
2nd: Quincy Junior Bass Club – Brent Johns, Quincy, Fla., and C.J. Lockamy, Southport, Fla., five bass, 13-4
Rounding out the top 10 were:
3rd: Gordon Lee High School, Chickamauga, Ga. – Nickolas Barnes, Chickamauga, Ga., and Devon Underwood, Rock Springs, Ga., five bass, 12-7
4th: Bainbridge High School, Bainbridge, Ga. – Reece Conley and Ashton Aldridge, both of Bainbridge, Ga., three bass, 11-0
5th: Quincy Junior Bass Club – Niki Smith, Quincy, Fla., and Bodie Lachina, Lynn Haven, Fla., five bass, 10-3
6th: North Mississippi Student Anglers – Parker Maples and Kade Minor, both of Amory, Miss., four bass, 9-13
7th: Marietta High School, Marietta, Ga. – Lee Rose Koza and Carter Koza, both of Marietta, Ga., three bass, 9-0
8th: Shelby County Fishing Team – Ethan King, Wilsonville, Ala., and Tyler Cain, Bessemer, Ala., five bass, 8-5
9th: Quincy Junior Bass Club – Riley McKamey, Tallahassee, Fla., and Tommy Dunaway, Havana, Fla., two bass, 7-8
10th: Temple High School, Temple, Ga. – Elijah Nixon and Dawson Stripling, both of Temple Ga., three bass, 6-15
Complete results and photos of the top five finishers from the event can be found at FLWFishing.com.
The 2018 Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Lake Seminole Open Presented by Berkley was a two-person (team) event for students in grades 7-12, open to any Student Angler Federation (SAF) affiliated high school club in the United States. The top 10 percent of each Challenge, Open, and state championship field will advance to the 2019 High School Fishing National Championship on a body of water that has yet to be revealed. The High School Fishing national champions will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice.
In addition to the High School Fishing National Championship, all High School Fishing anglers nationwide automatically qualify for the world’s largest open high school bass tournament, the 2019 High School Fishing World Finals, held in conjunction with the National Championship. At the 2018 World Finals more than $150,000 in scholarships and prizes were awarded.
Full schedules and the latest announcements are available at HighSchoolFishing.org and FLWFishing.com.
About FLW
FLW is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money in 2018 across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, with offices in Minneapolis, FLW and their partners conduct 286 bass-fishing tournaments annually around the world, including the United States, Canada, China, Italy, South Korea, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa and Spain. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show, broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, while FLW Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. For more information visit FLWFishing.com and follow FLW at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.
About The Bass Federation
The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is a member of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. TBF is owned by those we serve and dedicated to the sport of fishing. The Federation is the largest and oldest, organized grassroots fishing, youth and conservation organization there is. TBF, our affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 events each year and have provided a foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for more than 45 years. TBF founded the Student Angler Federation and the National High School Fishing program in 2008 to promote clean family fun and education through fishing. Visit bassfederation.com or highschoolfishing.org and “LIKE US” on Facebook.
Bassmaster Events Included In Berkley Cast For Cash 2019 Bait Contingency Program
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Anglers competing in B.A.S.S.’s grass-roots and semi-pro fishing circuits can become eligible for cash rewards through Berkley’s new 2019 bait contingency program. Among partner tournament trails and events are BassPro.com Bassmaster Opens, (including pros and co-anglers), the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors and the Bassmaster Team Championship.
To participate, anglers must become a member of the Berkley Cast for Cash program. Memberships are $29.99 and include a pro pack of Berkley PowerBait, PowerBait MaxScent, hard baits, hat and decal with a MSRP of $47.95.
At each sanctioned tournament, the Top 2 finishers among all Berkley Cast for Cash members will be rewarded with cash prizes ranging from $100 to $2,000 with no limit as to how many times one can win.
“We recognize the passion for tournament bass fishing and want to do our part to reward anglers that trust in Berkley baits to help them catch more fish,” said Jon Schlosser, Berkley VP of Marketing. “We think this is an innovative and exciting program that will continue to grow in the future.”
Other partner trails include ABA, Bass Champs, Best Bass, Fishers of Men and FLW. A full list of sanctioned tournaments within these trails can be found on the Berkley website.
For more information on the Berkley Cast for Cash bait contingency program, and to become a member, visit www.berkley-fishing.com/CastforCash.
About Pure Fishing, Inc.
Pure Fishing, Inc. is a leading global provider of fishing tackle, lures, rods and reels with a portfolio of brands that includes Abu Garcia®, All Star®, Berkley®, Chub
, Fenwick®, Gulp!®, Hardy & Greys, Hodgman®, Johnson, Mitchell®, PENN®, Pflueger®, Sébile®, Shakespeare®, SpiderWire®, Stren®, Trilene® and Ugly Stik®. Pure Fishing, Inc. operates in 22 countries with a dedicated workforce conversant in 28 languages.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Series presented by Magellan Outdoors, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
Team Tournament Angler Fulfills Dream To Qualify For The Bassmaster Classic
Matthew Robertson wins the 2018 Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off on Harris Chain of Lakes, out of Leesburg, Fla., with a two-day total of 57 pounds, 9 ounces.
Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.
LEESBURG, Fla. — Matthew Robertson said he’s spent the past 20 years working toward a chance to compete in the Bassmaster Classic.
Following a commanding performance at the Bassmaster Team Championship and the ensuing Classic Fish-Off, Robertson’s time has arrived.
Robertson, a 32-year-old resident of Kuttawa, Ky., was dominant both Friday and today on the Harris Chain of Lakes here in central Florida. His two-day total weighed a whopping 57 pounds, 9 ounces, which gave him almost a 24-pound cushion over the nearest competitor in the field of six anglers.
Robertson caught a five-bass limit on Friday that weighed 25-10, but he saved his best for last — a 31-15 sack that was the heaviest bag weighed in either the Team Championship or the Fish-Off.
Robertson teamed with Kentucky B.A.S.S. Nation Team Trail partner Wendell Anderson on Thursday to catch a 29-1 limit; the second-heaviest of the week. Robertson’s 25-10 limit on Friday was the third heaviest.
The victory earned Robertson the 52nd and final berth in the 2019 Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. The Classic, the most prestigious bass fishing championship in the world, will be held March 15-17 in Knoxville, Tenn.
“Those guys (already in the Classic) don’t know who I am right now,” Robertson said. “But come March, I want them to show them what I can do.”
The Top 3 finishers among 197 teams entered in the national team championship qualified for the Fish-Off, which began Friday as the anglers competed individually for a spot in the Bassmaster Classic. Robertson and Anderson finished second in the team event, largely because of that 29-1 limit on Day 2, which vaulted them from a tie for 59th place after Day 1 straight into the Fish-Off.
But Robertson took things to a whole new level in the individual competition.
Many of the nearly 400 anglers competing this week fished grassbeds and shorelines throughout the Harris Chain — normal strategy for this fishery. Robertson, however, opted to fish 150 yards offshore in about 9 to 10 feet of water. He said there was no visible structure there; just a hard spot on the lake’s bottom. Robertson said the area measured 40 by 50 yards, and when he idled over it in practice, he saw big bass on his electronics.
“When Wendell and I got down here, we decided we were gonna’ fish exclusively offshore,” Robertson said. “We idled every inch of (Lake) Eustis and Harris and Little Harris in practice and we found the spot. We actually couldn’t get them to bite at practice, so that’s why we want back over to Eustis on Day 1 (of the Team Championship.)
“When we only caught 11 pounds in Eustis, we knew we had to make a change. If we were going to die, we were going to die doing what we do well, and that’s fishing offshore. So, we went back to that hard spot and pulled out some big swimbaits, a big spinnerbait and a big crankbait. We went to work on them.”
Anderson graciously relinquished the spot to his partner in the Fish-Off, and it replenished itself both days. Each of the bass Robertson caught Friday weighed between 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 pounds, but he caught a 7-4 Saturday to anchor the 31-15 bag.
Robertson’s key lures included a SPRO Big John (citrus) crankbait and a 7-inch swimbait with a 1-ounce jighead. The combination worked as he caught a limit within 75 minutes of takeoff both days of the Fish-Off.
He upgraded his catch several times on both days, and put back more pounds of bass than several of competitors weighed in the Fish-Off.
Robertson said he’s extremely confident in his abilities, but humbled by his chance to represent everyday anglers in the Classic.
“This is very special,” he said. “I’m just your ordinary working man. I represent every common man and that’s who I’m going to be fishing for in the Classic.”
Jayme Copenhaver III of the Chattanooga (Tenn.) Bass Association finished second in the Fish-Off with a two-day total of 33-12. Copenhaver caught a 21-6 limit Friday and trailed Robertson by 4 1/4 pounds heading into the final day of competition. He couldn’t get enough big bites today, however, to pressure Robertson.
Rounding out the Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off field are: third, Adam Dysart, Chattanooga Bass Association, 22-3; fourth, William “Clay” Samples, U.S. Angler’s Choice, 15-5; fifth, Anderson, 10-4; and sixth, Charles “Tyler” Purcell of U.S. Angler’s Choice, 7-1.
The Greater Orlando Sports Commission hosted the tournament with the assistance of Florida’s Lake County.
In all, 197 tandems (394 anglers) from 35 states and three foreign countries competed in the Bassmaster Team Championship. A total of $120,000 in cash and prizes were distributed to the top 39 teams.
2018 Bassmaster Team Championship Premier Sponsors: Abu Garcia, Berkley, HUK, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro, Power-Pole, Skeeter, Yamaha
2018 Bassmaster Team Championship Supporting Sponsors: Academy Sports + Outdoors, Carhartt, Livingston, Phoenix Boats, T-H Marine
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Series presented by Magellan Outdoors, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
Robertson Takes Lead For Bassmaster Classic Spot With Huge Limit From Lake Harris
Matthew Robertson of the Kentucky B.A.S.S. Nation team trail leads the first day of the 2018 Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish Off on Harris Chain of Lakes, out of Leesburg, Fla., with 25 pounds, 10 ounces.
LEESBURG, Fla. — Matthew Robertson has been wearing a hat the past few days that pretty much sums up his experience this week on the Harris Chain of Lakes.
“ON ‘EM,” the hat reads in block white letters against a black field.
Robertson was “on” the Florida-strain bass yet again today, the first round of the Bassmaster Classic Fish-Off — a tandem event that followed the Bassmaster Team Championship held here earlier this week.
Robertson caught a five-bass limit today that weighed 25 pounds, 10 ounces. That put him more than 4 pounds ahead of Jayme Copenhaver III of the Chattanooga (Tenn.) Team Trail; Copenhaver caught a 21-6 limit Friday.
Members of the top three duos from the Team Championship qualified for the fish-off, which offers a single berth in the 2019 Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods to the top finisher. After fishing alongside each other all week — all year, in fact — the teammates had their weights zeroed today as they began competing individually on the Harris Chain.
Though there’s still a full day of competition remaining, Robertson certainly looks like he could become the angler to fill the 52nd and final spot in the world championship of bass fishing. The 32-year-old Kuttawa, Ky., resident teamed with Kentucky B.A.S.S. Nation partner Wendell Anderson to finish second in the team tournament earlier this week. They bagged a 29-1 limit on Thursday (the heaviest of the two-day event) to leapfrog dozens of teams and reach the fish-off.
Robertson’s 25-10 today was the second heaviest bag weighed this week — trailing only the 29-1 he and Anderson posted a day earlier. After launching from Ski Beach Park at 6:45 a.m. ET, Robertson headed to Lake Harris, where he needed only an hour to catch a limit.
He upgraded his catch a few times later in the morning, but with more than 25 pounds in the livewell, the hardest work of the day was done.
His heaviest bass weighed 5 3/4 pounds, and the lightest was a 4 1/2-pounder, which proved the consistency of the bite he’s located here in the central Florida fishery.
“I’m just going out there and fishing my style,” Robertson said. “The fish are there. I’ll just see if I can get five bites.”
Robertson wants to fish professionally, and he said he’s spent the past 20 years preparing for the chance to compete in the Bassmaster Classic. With only one day of solid fishing between him and his lifelong goal, his confidence is high.
“I’m fishing calm and collected,” he said. “I’m making the right decisions and not letting my emotions get the best of me. I’m ready for this.”
So is Copenhaver, it appears.
After Robertson wowed the crowd with his 25-plus pounds, Copenhaver slipped onto the stage and threw up his own impressive limit. He’s 4-4 behind the leader, but said the right bites are there to overcome the deficit. He had the big bass on Friday (a 6-12) to prove it.
“This morning, my bite was fast and furious for a bit,” Copenhaver said. “When you have some wind in the morning, you get some bites. When it dies down, it’s painfully slow; like watching paint dry. When you a get a blip of wind, you have to capitalize on it.”
Virginia’s William “Clay” Samples, a member of the U.S. Angler’s Choice Team Trail who paired with Charles “Tyler” Purcell to win the team championship, is in third with a limit that weighed 14 pounds. Adam Dysart of the Chattanooga Bass Association is fourth with four bass weighing 11 pounds, and Anderson of the Kentucky B.A.S.S. Nation is fifth with five bass weighing 10-4.
Purcell, also of U.S. Angler’s Choice team, is sixth after catching one bass that weighed 1-12.
Launch for the final day of the fish-off will begin at 6:45 a.m. ET at Ski Beach Park in Leesburg. Weigh-in is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. at the same location.
The Greater Orlando Sports Commission is hosting the tournament with the assistance of Florida’s Lake County.
2018 Bassmaster Team Championship Premier Sponsors: Abu Garcia, Berkley, HUK, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro, Power-Pole, Skeeter, Yamaha
2018 Bassmaster Team Championship Supporting Sponsors: Academy Sports + Outdoors, Carhartt, Livingston, Phoenix Boats, T-H Marine
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Series presented by Magellan Outdoors, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
12/7/2018 – 12/8/2018
Harris Chain of Lakes – Venetian Gardens – Leesburg, FL
STANDINGS DAY 1
Name # Fish Lbs – Oz
1 Matthew Robertson KY BN Team Trail 5/25-10
2 Jayme Copehhaver III Chattanooga Bass Association 5-21-6
3 William Samples Anglers Choice 5/14-0
4 Adam Dysart Chattanooga Bass Association 4/11-0
5 MWendell Anderson KY BN Team Trail 5/10-4
6 Charles Purcell Anglers Choice 1/1-12
BIG BASS
Day Name City,State Lbs-Oz
1 Jayme Copenhaver III Ooltewah, TN 6-12
TOTALS
Day # Fish Lbs-Oz
1 25 84-0
2 0 0-0