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Crochet Claims First B.A.S.S. Victory On Home Waters
Cliff Crochet of Pierre Part, La., wins the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open #3 held on the Atchafalaya Basin out of Morgan City, La. Jones brought 18 pounds, 4 ounces to Saturday’s weigh-in, giving him a three-day total of 46-6.
Photo by James Overstreet/Bassmaster
MORGAN CITY, La. — Bassmaster Elite Series pro Cliff Crochet cashed in on his home-waters advantage Saturday to claim his first B.A.S.S. victory at the Atchafalaya Basin in Louisiana.
Sitting in seventh place after the second day of competition Friday, Crochet rallied today with an 18-pound, 4-ounce limit to win the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open and earn the grand prize of a $45,000 Skeeter ZX200/Yamaha VF200LA rig and $6,741 in cash. The Pierre Part, La., angler finished with a three-day total of 46-06 to earn his first Bassmaster victory and a berth in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Crochet described today’s fishing as “slow and steady.” Mixing in some small keepers with some kicker bass, Crochet steadily caught fish throughout the day. He finished his limit by about 11 a.m., and then caught his biggest fish of the day — a 5-12 largemouth — at about 1:45 p.m.
Since he knew the waters so well, Crochet decided to “fish history” during his practice to either confirm or rule out fishing spots. “I practiced really hard,” he said. “(Eliminating water) made for some long, boring practices.”
The strategy paid off, though, as Crochet was able to narrow the vast waters of the basin down to three areas for the tournament. “But two of them didn’t shine, so that just nailed me down to one area,” he said.
His key bait for the whole tournament was a Luck-E-Strike Ringmaster creature bait that he punched through mats with a 1 1/2-ounce weight.
Another local favorite, Greg Hackney of Gonzales, La., retained second place with 42-4. Each day he caught fish early but lost a big one this morning that he said “kind of hurt my feelings.”
His two key lures were a black/chartreuse Strike King 1.5 Square Bill crankbait and a black-and-blue Strike King Hack Attack Jig and a Strike King Rage Craw.
“I basically caught everything off of cypress trees” he said. “The area I fished had a lot of logs and big stumps, but I didn’t catch any fish off of those. Every fish came off a green tree.” Most of the bass he caught were 1 to 5 feet deep.
Other anglers finishing in the top five of the pro division were Cody Bird, Granbury, Texas, third place, 42-2; David Cavell, Prairieville, La., fourth, 39-15; and Toby Hartsell, Afton, Okla., fifth, 39-14.
Co-angler Blake Naquin of Thibodaux, La., went wire-to-wire to win the first-place prize of a $30,000 Nitro Z18/Mercury 150 Pro XS package with a total of 23-9. “I caught fish mostly flipping a trick worm with a 3/16-ounce tungsten weight in the morning and then in the afternoon I would follow it up with a June bug Zoom Super Hawg with a 3/4-ounce weight,” he said.
The Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award of $750 went to Hunter Parra of Houma, La., with a 7-12 largemouth. Vince Todaro of Luling, La., weighed in a 4-5 largemouth to earn the Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award on the co-angler side worth $250.
Fred Roumbanis of London, Ark., received the Livingston Lures Leader Award of $250 for finishing as the top pro on Day 2. Finishing as the Day 2 leader on the co-angler side, Naquin received a Livingston Lures gift pack worth $250.
Crochet also earned the A.R.E. Top Angler Award of $500 for being the highest-finishing angler using A.R.E. products.
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Berkley, GoPro, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: Shell Rotella, Shimano, A.R.E. Truck Caps, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Power-Pole, Rapala
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), social media programs and events. For more than 45 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 presented by Magellan outdoors, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
Roumbanis Rambles Into Lead At The Atchafalaya Basin
Fred Roumbanis of London, Ark., took the lead on Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open #3 held on the Atchafalaya Basin out of Morgan City, La. Roumbanis brought 19 pounds, 9 ounces to the scales at Thursday’s weigh-in.
Photo by Ronnie Moore/Bassmaster
MORGAN CITY, La. — Bites were few and far between for Fred Roumbanis, but fortunately for him, he got the right ones today at Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin.
The Bassmaster Elite Series pro took the lead in the pro division of the Bass Pros Shops Bassmaster Central Open finale by catching a five-bass limit weighing 19 pounds, 9 ounces. Some key bites in practice helped Roumbanis locate the big fish he caught today.
“I didn’t stick (hook) many fish in practice, so I went right to where I got the bites and caught them today,” Roumbanis said. When the London, Ark., angler did set the hook on some bass during practice, he caught a couple of 4- and 5-pounders.
His hot spots produced six bass in the opening round. His best five included three 5-pound largemouth.
“I’m not getting a lot of bites,” he said. “It is an absolute grind.”
After catching his fish, Roumbanis left his area to save it for Friday’s second round. He thinks the bass he found are still in a summertime mode.
“I don’t think they have quite made their fall deal yet,” he said. “They are still back on their summer stuff (isolated objects), and they are pretty predictable once you figure it out. I’ve got two patterns going so I think I can just go fishing and do all right.”
Former Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Greg Hackney cashed in on his home waters advantage to take over second place with a 17-6 limit. The Gonzales, La., pro had a good practice a couple of weeks ago, but he noticed the fishing has slowed down after a cold front last week dropped the water temperature 13 degrees.
Hackney experienced his best action early and late on the first competition day.
“The middle of the day was just a grind; I would catch one every now and then,” he said. “I would also catch a lot of little ones. When the water was warmer, (prior to the front), everything I caught was 2 pounds or better.”
Other pro division anglers in the Top 5 include Derek Hudnall, Baton Rouge, La., third place, 16-2; Cody Bird, Granbury, Texas, fourth, 15-14; and Hunter Parra, Houma, La., fifth, 14-13.
Competing in his first Open, 31-year-old Blake Naquin from Thibodaux, La., took over the lead in the co-angler division with three bass weighing 11-8. Even though the oil and gas service company employee was fishing his home waters, Naquin said he learned a lot more about the basin while paired with pro angler Billy Billeaud of Lafayette, La.
Leading the pro division for the Phoenix Boats Big Bass Award after the first day is Parra with a 7-12 largemouth. Naquin leads on the co-angler side of the big bass pot with a 4-4 bass.
The Cajun Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau (www.cajuncoast.com) is hosting this event.
Friday’s launch, weigh-in and the final-day takeoff will be held at the Jesse Fontenot Memorial Boat Landing, 700 River Road in Berwick. The final-day weigh-in on Saturday will move to the Bass Pro Shops at 175 Bass Pro Blvd., in Denham Springs.
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Berkley, GoPro, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury
2016 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: Power-Pole, Rapala, Shell Rotella, Shimano, A.R.E. Truck Caps, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Livingston Lures, Lowrance
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), social media programs and events. For more than 45 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 presented by Magellan outdoors, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
FLW Signs Mercury To Service Access Agreement
MINNEAPOLIS (Oct. 27, 2016) – Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) announced today that a service access agreement has been reached with Mercury Marine to allow the outboard manufacturer to transport its service trailers to all Walmart FLW Tour, Costa FLW Series and various T-H Marine Bass Fishing League (BFL) events to service FLW anglers that utilize Mercury outboard engines and/or MotorGuide trolling motors. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Mercury also intends to offer a contingency award program to all Mercury-powered FLW tournament anglers in 2017. Additional details on the contingency program are forthcoming and expected to be announced in November.
For a complete list of all FLW contingency programs, rules and eligibility requirements, visit 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 2016 across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, with offices in Minneapolis, FLW conducts more than 235 bass-fishing tournaments annually across the United States and sanctions tournaments in Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. 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: @FLWFishing.
About Mercury Marine
Headquartered in Fond du Lac, Wis., Mercury Marine is the world’s leading manufacturer of recreational marine propulsion engines. A $2 billion division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), Mercury provides engines, boats, services and parts for recreational, commercial and government marine applications, empowering boaters with products that are easy to use, extremely reliable and backed by the most dedicated customer support in the world. Mercury’s industry-leading brand portfolio includes Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrive and inboard packages; MotorGuide trolling motors; Mercury propellers; Mercury inflatable boats; Mercury SmartCraft electronics; Attwood marine parts; Land ‘N Sea marine parts distribution; and Mercury and Quicksilver parts and oils. More information is available at mercurymarine.com.
VanDam offers a Trick and a Treat for Halloween Bass
You don’t have to sport a werewolf mask, but with two quick tips from Kevin VanDam, you can treat yourself to more bites this Halloween.
Here’s the trick:
While B.A.S.S. rules don’t allow anglers to fish with two lures at once in tournaments, as bass begin to chow down on shad with the same regularity that school kids consume Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups this time of year, nothing prohibits VanDam from offering largemouth and smallmouth a 2-for-1 treat full of soft plastic jerkbaits just for the sake of arm-jerkin’ fun.
- Rather than use a 3-way swivel, VanDam prefers two separate 2-way barrel swivels, because often times two fish will get hooked at the same time, and a single 3-way swivel becomes the weak link in the chain as they pull hard against one another.
- Cut two pieces of 20-pound fluorocarbon for your leaders – one 12” long – the other 16” long. You’ll end-up tying a 5/0 swimbait hook to one end of each, and a 2-way barrel swivel to the other end of each.
- Slide the open eye of the barrel swivel on the 12” leader up the mainline toward your reel. Then, tie the open eye of the barrel swivel on the 16” leader to the end of your main line.
- For hooks – you can use a weighted or un-weighted Mustad Grip-Pin Swimbait hook. VanDam uses a 5/0 un-weighted version most of the time because he feels it gives the baits more action, especially when he stops reeling and they begin to fall or flutter downward. Plus the soft plastics he chooses are heavily salted – so they’re exceptionally heavy anyway.
The lures: If the 7-time Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year believes the baitfish are small, he opts for a 4” Strike King Caffeine Shad, but most days he threads a 5” version of the Caffeine Shad on to each of the hooks.
Colors: VanDam matches each of the lures exactly the same color, and opts for a color called Ghost Shad most days. But if the water is stained, he’ll choose Alewife or Glacier.
Reel: If VanDam were trick-or-treating, he’d be the first kid to make a lap around the neighborhood. It seems he does everything fast, including fishing the double soft plastic jerkbait rig. He winds a speedy 7.3:1 Quantum TourKVD reel as fast as he can, then kills it – allows the lures to fall vertically in the water column for a second – then burns the retrieve again. He says most of the vicious strikes occur when he kills it.
How About a Treat?
In the same way a handful of bite-sized candy bars in various flavors provide an appetizing change from the standard Reese’s Cups – VanDam often shelves his famous Sexy Shad colored crankbaits for a color you and the bass have probably seen far less.
“Everybody knows I throw Sexy Shad a ton, but I actually change to a color called Summer Sexy Shad a lot if the water is a little clearer,” says VanDam. “I throw a KVD 1.5 squarebill around laydowns, windy banks – and it’s really wicked around shallow floating boat docks in October and November.”
“It’s all about the shad migration toward the back of major creeks this time of year. But if you’ve had a lack of rainfall, or a lot of zebra mussels to clean up the water, and the major creeks are clearer, then Summer Sexy Shad is a better choice than straight-up Sexy Shad.”
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Why Choose REINS ?
Elite Series pro Paul Mueller talks about REINS weights and why he chooses them.
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