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Newcomer Leads Hometown Favorite In Bassmaster Open Tournament
Brad Whatley of Bivins, Texas, takes the lead on Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open #2 presented by Allstate held on Fort Gibson Lake out of Wagoner, Okla. Whatley brought 18 pounds, 9 ounces to the scales at Thursday’s weigh-in.Photo by Shaye Baker/Bassmaster read more…
Elite Kindness
The McDermott Family attended the Bassmaster Elite Tournament in North East, MD to be able to experience a professional fishing tournament, as their kids have been fishing since they were old enough to cast a line. The summer of 2015 has been a bit more subdued then previous McDermott Family summers after their oldest son, Jack, was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in February of 2015. The tournament was something the family could attend that did not affect Jack’s restrictions/precautions from his cancer treatments and open heart surgery, allowing them all to share their love for fishing without worry.
The McDermotts wandered around the different displays and vendors available to the public at every Bassmaster Elite Series event, taking in the sights and sounds until weigh-in time. Like many young fans, the McDermott kids ended up were hanging out behind the Bassmaster Grandstand attempting to get autographs and pictures from any of the pros as they made their way to and from the stage. Youngest son, Joseph, was getting an autograph from Hank Cherry and noticed his camouflaged Costa sunglasses. Joseph said, “Mr. Cherry I like your sunglasses!” Without skipping a beat, Hank proceeded to take the sunglasses off his head and hand them to Joseph. Seeing his brother with a huge smile (that according to the family lasted for days), Jack couldn’t help but smile and joke about how “all I got was a free t-shirt!”. The weekend continued with more photographs, autographs, and memories for the family through the last day of competition, and their interaction with Hank Cherry will be something the McDermott Boys never forget.
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It’s All or Nothing for Mike McClelland at Central Open No. 2
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WAGONER, Okla. (Sept. 10) — Cabela’s/GEICO For Your Boat angler Mike McClelland is aiming for a win at this weekend’s Bassmaster Central Open No. 2 on Fort Gibson Lake.
After a tough Elite Series season left him out of an automatic spot for the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic, McClelland needs to win one of the two remaining Central Opens to secure a spot in professional fishing’s biggest event.
“It definitely is all or nothing,” McClelland said. “There’s no doubt that this week I have not practiced at all to get a check. It’s all been in an effort to find winning-caliber fish. Winning the event and the money that goes along with it would be awesome, but when it comes right down to it, punching the ticket to the GEICO Bassmaster Classic is the most important goal at these next two events, and you don’t do that without winning one of them.”
McClelland has covered a lot of water this week, throwing bigger baits in an effort to land fish that will help him win. Finishing second this week doesn’t help.
“It was very humbling to end the Elite Series knowing that I hadn’t punched my ticket to the GEICO Bassmaster Classic,” McClelland said. “It’s not a guarantee, no matter how good you are in this sport, that you’re going to go to the Classic every year. It was disappointing, especially after getting off to such a good start this year with a second-place finish at the first event. Coming into these Opens, fortunately, I do have a second chance.”
McClelland needs to be in the top 12 after the first two days of fishing to be in a position to win in Saturday’s final day.
“I’m not going to sugarcoat it, it’s been a lot tougher practice than I expected it to be,” McClelland said. “There has been a lot of rain in Oklahoma and Arkansas all year, and I really figured with the lake getting close to normal that these fish would be positioned in a place to really catch them good, but it just hasn’t been as great as I thought it would be.”
McClelland has found lots of fish, but many under the legal size limit, and with more than 170 boats — many with a co-angler — the lake has fished smaller than Elite Series tournaments.
“The lake has definitely got big ones, and I know there are going to be some good bites,” McClelland said. “I’ve got one specific area where I feel like if the time is right and I can work the area efficiently that I’ve got a shot at catching a few good ones, but it’s going to be a grind.”
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Bill Lowen’s Punch Weight
Here is a look at the new REINS punch weight, Bill Lowen credited this set up for his success on Lake St. Clair in the Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament.
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Flipping with Mike Iaconelli
Join Mike “Ike” Iaconelli on the water as he covers the tackle and techniques to wrench those big bass out of heavy cover using one of his favorite techniques.
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