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Tennessee Team Takes Day 1 Lead Of College Central Regional
Brandon Koon (left) and Kyle Winstead of UT Martin weighed in 13 pounds, 5 ounces to take lead Thursday in the 2015 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Central Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops held on the Red River out of Natchitoches, La. Photo by Shaye Baker/Bassmaster
NATCHITOCHES, La. — Brandon Koon and Kyle Winstead of the University of Tennessee Martin brought in 13-5 Thursday to take the Day 1 lead of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Central Regional presented by Bass Pro Shops on the Red River.
Koon and Winstead not only took the lead, but they also caught the only limit of the day. Extreme weather conditions seemed to be the culprit causing the poor fishing. A drastic 50-degree swing in temperatures from yesterday to today shut down most of the shallow bite these anglers had going.
As a front pushed into the Red River region yesterday, air temperatures plummeted from 82 degrees at 4 p.m. to 29 degrees by midnight. A sleet and snow mixture shuffled around by a 25-mile-per-hour wind greeted anglers as they launched at Grand Ecore this morning. The foul weather conditions caused a 2 1/2 hour delay as tournament officials held the field until safer conditions finally took hold.
Of the 90 boats participating, only 36 registered one or more fish on Day 1. The potential maximum number of fish those 90 boats could have brought in would max out at 450 if they all caught a five-fish limit. Instead only 70 fish came across the scale on Day 1.
“We had a pretty rough practice,” Winstead said. “We scrapped everything and just tried something off the wall.”
That “off the wall” pattern seemed to work well on Day 1. When asked if they thought the pattern would hold up, the UT Martin team seemed fairly confident that not only would their primary area hold up, but that they also could also expand on their pattern.
“It’s a unique pattern, but we found one other place where we can duplicate it and one more place we think we can catch them in. We just didn’t have time to try it today,” Winstead said.
Tyler Craig and Blake Alford of the University of Louisiana Monroe sit in second after Day 1 with four fish weighing 11-10, while Brock Enmeier and Colten Hutson of the University of Central Oklahoma hold down the third spot with three fish for 10-3.
Evan Smith and Aaron Sarna of Arkansas Tech University brought in the heaviest bass weighing 6-3 to claim the Carhartt Big Bass lead for Day 1.
Anglers will head back out onto the Red River tomorrow morning starting at 6:30 a.m. CT from Grand Ecore landing. The weigh-in will begin at 2:45 p.m. as anglers make their way in off the water. Find all the action on Bassmaster.com.
2015 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Carhartt
2015 Bass Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2015 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Official Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, GoPro, Humminbird, Mercury, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2015 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Supporting Partners: A.R.E. Accessories, Dick Cepek Tires, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Power-Pole, Rigid Industries, Shimano
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport. 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 presented by Allstate, Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation events, 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.
Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Presented By Bass Pro Shops
3/5/2015 – 3/7/2015
Red River – Grand Ecore Recreation Area – Natchitoches, LA
STANDINGS BOATER DAY 1
Today’s Activity Accumulative
Name # Fish # Live Lbs – Oz # Fish # Live Lbs – Oz
1 Brandon Koon – Kyle Winstead UT Martin 5 5 13- 5 5 5 13- 5
2 Tyler Craig – Blake Alford La Monroe 4 4 11-10 4 4 11-10
3 Brock Enmeier – Colten Hutson University of Central Oklahoma 3 3 10- 3 3 3 10- 3
4 Sawyer Grace – Mike Webster Arkansas Tech University 3 3 9- 2 3 3 9- 2
5 Tyler Stewart – Nick Joiner La Monroe 3 3 8-11 3 3 8-11
6 Evan Smith – Aaron Sarna Arkansas Tech University 2 2 7- 9 2 2 7- 9
7 Garret Lindsey – Clayton Godfrey Stephen F Austin State University 3 3 7- 1 3 3 7- 1
8 John Ledet – Justin Cooper Northwestern State University 2 2 6-15 2 2 6-15
9 Easton Ramsey – Chris Zins University of Central Oklahoma 3 3 6- 9 3 3 6- 9
10 Jacob Sepeda – Trent Newman Dallas Baptist University 2 2 6- 3 2 2 6- 3
11 Christopher Hampton – Hutton Lepper Northwestern State University 1 1 5- 5 1 1 5- 5
12 Shelby Hutchens – Brian Blades Stephen F Austin State University 2 2 5- 4 2 2 5- 4
13 Tyler Moses – Brennan Soileau LA Tech 3 3 4-13 3 3 4-13
14 Dakota Jones – Dallas Baptist University 3 3 4-11 3 3 4-11
15 Colby Sydow – Blake Crabb Texas A&M – Corpus Christi 2 2 4-10 2 2 4-10
16 Blake Kubiak – Travis Harriman U. of Arkansas 3 3 4- 6 3 3 4- 6
17 Jonathan Poore – Colby Jones UT Martin 3 3 4- 4 3 3 4- 4
18 Colby Ogden – Brandon Simoneaux Lamar University 1 1 4- 3 1 1 4- 3
19 Josh Bensema – Matthew Mcardle Texas A&M University 2 2 4- 2 2 2 4- 2
20 Aaron Belgard – Logan Laprarie Northwestern State University 2 2 4- 1 2 2 4- 1
21 Brady Lobue – Bradley Sullivan Oklahoma State University 2 2 3- 6 2 2 3- 6
22 Darrell Henson Jr. – Jarod Hughes LSU 2 2 3- 4 2 2 3- 4
23 Kyle Price – Memo Nunez New Mexico State University 1 1 3- 0 1 1 3- 0
24 Brandon Johnson – Brandon Riley La Monroe 1 1 2- 9 1 1 2- 9
25 Chance Pharr – Andrew Wooley U. of Arkansas 1 1 2- 6 1 1 2- 6
26 Dwight Camp – Jonathan Furlong Southeastern Oklahoma University 1 1 2- 4 1 1 2- 4
26 Stetson Overton – Justin Seeton Tarleton State University 1 1 2- 4 1 1 2- 4
28 Allen Anders – Zach Johnston UAM-CTC 1 1 1-12 1 1 1-12
28 Austyn Fowler – Zach Hurst Tarleton State University 1 1 1-12 1 1 1-12
30 Dustin Browning – Chris Gaudin LA Tech 1 1 1-11 1 1 1-11
31 Adam Forester – Christopher Vallillo LA Tech 1 1 1-10 1 1 1-10
32 Justin Gaskin – James Avant LSU Shreveport 1 1 1- 7 1 1 1- 7
33 Nick Farrell – Randy Joe Branch LA Tech 1 1 1- 6 1 1 1- 6
34 Jesse Scarafiotti – Chonito Caswell New Mexico State University 1 1 1- 4 1 1 1- 4
35 John-Michael Brattlof – Zac Thames Stephen F Austin State University 1 1 1- 3 1 1 1- 3
36 Hogan Beckley – Hunter Jolley La Monroe 1 1 1- 1 1 1 1- 1
37 Kenneth Anderson – Drew Porto U. of Arkansas 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Jackson Blackett – Austin Joiner La Monroe 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Evan Blott – Hunter Wilson Texas A&M – Kingsville 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Phillip Borel – Dustin Nash Northwestern State University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Matthew Bowden – Adam Estlack Texas Tech University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Bailey Britt – Jordan Ogle Arkansas Tech 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Layne Bynum – Travis McGuire Texas Tech University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Josh Cole – Logan Byrd Texas A&M Texarkana 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Tanner Crim – Marshall Hughes Tarleton State University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Nicholas DiCamillo – Justin Hettinga New Mexico State University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Nicholas Ezernack – Tyler Roberts Northwestern State University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Brennan Fertig – Evan Cook Texas A&M University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Dustin Fremin – Nathan Fulmer LSU 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Lawson Fuller – Garrett Tschirhart Texas A&M – Corpus Christi 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Garrett Goettee – Hugh Keller Texas A&M University at Galveston 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Gregory Green – Cain Hamous Northwestern State University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Jed Hebert – Austin Hebert UL Lafayette 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Luke Hess – Zach Sparish LA Tech 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Zachary Higginbotham – Taylor Culbreath Arkansas Monticello 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Garrett Hilton – Quinton Evans Lamar University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Zackery Hines – Reed Foster Dallas Baptist University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 JP Kimbrough – Jared Rascoe LSU Shreveport 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Levi Kling – Jake Funderburg UAM/CTC 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Tyler Lafitte – Thomas Marchant Northwestern State University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Dane LeCoq – Brennan Vosburg LSU 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Hunter Leppert – Cole Eubanks Arkansas Monticello 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Scott McClellan – Sam Higgins LA Tech 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Cody Metzger – Micheal King Northeastern State University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Chaz Miller – Arkansas Tech University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Zach Montalvo – Jordan Wallace Tarleton State University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Chuck Morgan – Austin Kemper Northwestern State 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Alexander Murray – Alex Felder Southeastern Louisiana University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Kenneth Parks – Brian Cox UT Martin 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Zachary Pickle – Dalton Stephens U. of Arkansas 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Clinton Rasberry – Owen Richard LSU 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Luke Rasberry – Steven Session Northwestern State University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Zack Remedies – Adam Gotangco LSU 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Tyler Rivet – Jess Robertson Nicholls State University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Greg Roberts – Texas Tech University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Jay Robertson – Oaklin Spier Southeastern Louisiana University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Ry Savoy – Dustin Robicheaux UL Lafayette 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Blake Schroeder – Easton Heigley Stephen F Austin State University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Austin Sepulvado – Cullen Toups LA Tech 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Matthew Sharp – Bryton Kurtz Texas Tech University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Louis Smith – Donald Peters Texas Tech University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Justin Snow – Anthony Sciara Texas A&M – Texarkana 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Thomas Soileau – John Hurd La Monroe 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 T J Tucker – Ronnie Gray Arkansas Tech University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Parker White – Austin O’Dell LSU 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Garret Whitley – Alec Castonguay Stephen F Austin State University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Michael Wicks – Caleb Young Texas A&M University Texarkana 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Tyler Wilk – Austin Watkins LA Tech 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
37 Tyler Woods – Taylor Barton Stephen F Austin State University 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0
BIG BASS TOTALS
Day Name City,State Lbs-Oz Day # Fish # Live Lbs-Oz # Limits
1 Evan Smith – Aaron Sarna Mansfield, AR 6- 3 1 70 70 165- 2 1
Kenney Leads After Day One on Toho
Chad Morgenthaler’s Tour Journal
I’d fished Lake Hartwell before on the FLW Tour, but I went back in December to get reacquainted with the lake before the cut off. Judging from what I learned then and what I knew about the general seasonal patterns, I figured there was a pretty good chance that the tournament would be won out deep. I was hoping that wouldn’t be the case, though. Those deep fish are often tracking schools of blueback herring and they can be difficult to relocate, even if you think you understand where they are.
During the official practice period before the tournament the water temperatures remained fairly high, and there were still a good number of fish up shallow where I wanted them. I nevertheless spent two of the three days out deep. My better results came relatively shallow, in the 6 to 12 foot range, so I knew that there would probably be enough fish up shallow to survive, but with the harsh cold weather settling in I was worried that it would get tougher.
I really didn’t know how the cold snap was going to affect the fish. I tried to chase the deep bite again on the Wednesday before the tournament started, but I just couldn’t get it to work. I was only getting two or three bites a day doing that and I knew that I couldn’t win that way. Therefore I also spent a few hours in the creeks looking for some more productive shallow cover. That way if the deep guys stumbled I might have a chance.
On Thursday B.A.S.S. told us that the tournament start would be delayed due to hazardous road conditions. It probably didn’t affect the fish much, but the shortened day hurt those of us who were fishing for a limited number of bites. Also, the weather was brutal. My Frabill Ice Suit was phenomenal. My core never got cold, and I simply could not have made it through Day One without it, but the super-low temperatures caused reels and rod guides to ice up and you could only make a fraction of the number of casts that you’d make on a normal competition day.
Day One was clearly my demise in this event. I struggled to get bit and over the course of the day I caught only two fish – one shallow and one deep. I had a third bite but lost it. It would take an absolute miracle on Saturday to make the cut. I had to make some adjustments.
On Day Two I stayed deep until 10am looking for big bites but I simply could not get bit out there. At that point I went shallow to an area where I’d caught some good fish in practice. At least I knew the right class of bass lived there. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make them bite. I had three bites all day, landed them all, and my tournament was over. It was an exceptionally difficult event for me. I simply never picked up on the right clues, and my failure to do so was complicated by the weather conditions. It is what it is. Most everyone in the field struggled at least one or both days. That’s typical of blueback lakes.
I’m still not sure where I went wrong. I really thought that my new ONIX units from Humminbird would give me an edge – they are absolutely phenomenal – but I’d find a group of fish in deep water, get one or two bites, and that would be it. Without much prior knowledge of the lake and how the fish there behave, I was behind the eight ball.
My two main lures were a 3/8 ounce Lunker Lure jig and a #8 Shad Rap. I fished the former on a 7’ medium-heavy Denali Jadewood rod with a 6.2:1 Shimano Chronarch Ci4 reel spooled with 12 and 14 pound test Gamma Fluorocarbon. I fished the Shad Rap on a 6’10” Kovert cranking stick with the same reel and 10 pound test Gamma Fluorocarbon.
Next up is the Elite Series season opener on the Sabine River. I’ve never been there before so I’m not quite sure what to think about that one. Fortunately, I’m already qualified for the 2016 Bassmaster Classic, so I can fish at ease and have fun with the season. There are several venues I’ve never been to, and that concerns me a bit, but having the Classic berth in hand allows me to fish my strengths and that’s when I tend to throw caution to the wind and excel. I’m really looking forward to it.
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Toyota Texas Bass Classic Announces Musical Lineup
QUITMAN, TX (March 5, 2015) – The Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) has announced the concert lineup for the 2015 event, returning to Lake Fork on Memorial Day weekend, May 23 – 25, 2015. Concerts will be headlined by Billy Currington on Saturday, May 23; Lee Brice on Sunday, May 24 and Rodney Atkins and Joe Nichols finishing out the weekend on Monday, May 25.
“It is an exciting musical lineup this year,” said Lenny Francoeur, Tournament Director. “Combining country music’s biggest stars, the best bass anglers in the world, large outdoor expos and countless fan friendly activities; the ninth year of TTBC promises to be one of the most exciting yet.”
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, March 11, 2015 and will be available online at www.ToyotaTexasBassClassic.com or at your local Toyota dealerships, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Brookshire’s Grocery Stores and Kim’s Convenient Stores throughout East Texas.
Georgia native, Billy Currington, will open the three-day outdoor music festival. Currington won the Hottest Video of the Year honor at the CMT Music Awards for “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right” in 2006 which was the same year he received an ACM acknowledgement for Top New Male Vocalist. Currington’s “Party For Two” earned CMA and ACM nominations, while his No. 1 hit “People Are Crazy” earned Grammy nominations for Male County Vocal Performance and Best Country Song. The same song also earned nominations for Single and Song of the Year from the Academy of Country Music and Single, Song and Video of the Year from the Country Music Association.
Former Clemson lineman, Lee Brice, recently released his third album, I Don’t Dance. Brice won the ACM Award for Song of the Year and the Single of the Year: Breakthrough Artist at the American Country Awards for “I Drive Your Truck.” Brice has received numerous nominations from the Academy of Country Music Awards including Male Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Video of the Year.
Rodney Atkins is an award-winning country music singer/songwriter whose six chart-topping hits include “Take A Back Road,” “It’s America,” “Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy),” “These Are My People,” “Watching You” and “If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows).” His new single, “Eat Sleep Love You Repeat,” is currently at country radio and available on all digital retailers. Atkins released his fifth album, Rodney Atkins – Greatest Hits, via Curb Records in February.
Arkansas native, Joe Nichols, holds two awards and numerous nominations. In 2003, Nichols received the Top New Male Vocalist award from the Academy of Country Music Awards, the Horizon Award from the Country Music Association Awards and multiple Grammy nominations including Best Country
Album and Best Male Country Vocal Performance. Nichols boasts five No. 1 hit singles including “Brokenheartsville,” “Sunny and 75” and most recently “Yeah.”
About the Tournament: The Toyota Texas Bass Classic is a world-class bass fishing tournament, featuring the top 35 bass anglers in the world, along with a festival to include exceptional entertainment and a variety of family and industry activities. This three-day event will take place Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25, 2015 at Lake Fork, Quitman, Texas.
Events / Entertainment: Extraordinary live music and events that will appeal to the whole family. This will include a variety of games and activities at the Texas Parks & Wildlife Outdoor Adventures Area, incredible food and a fishing industry expo featuring seminars and the latest in fishing equipment, gear and accessories. Merchandise will be available for purchase at the Tournament venue.
Charity: Proceeds benefit the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. For more information click here to visit the Texas Parks & Wildlife page. www.tpwd.state.tx.us
Current sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, NITRO Boats, Wood County Industrial Commission, Leer Truck Caps, GoPro, HOLT CAT, Republic Services, Tellespen, Geico, Lamar Advertising, The Links at Land’s End, Brookshires, Kim’s, TLC Radio, KYKX 105.7, KMMO 99.9, 104.1 The Ranch, the Coca- Cola Company & Sabine River Authority.
For additional information, visit ToyotaTexasBassClassic.com or call 1-866-907-0143. For volunteer application, visit http://www.toyotatexasbassclassic.com/wp-
content/uploads/2014/02/2014-TTBC-Volunteer-Application.pdf
Make sure to “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for tournament news, updates, contests and
more!
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Chapman Seeks Challengers For New Show
Lake Quivira, Kan – B.A.S.S. Elite Series Angler Brent Chapman is putting together a new show that will face him head to head with anglers around the country. Angler’s who think they have what it takes to fish against the 2012 Elite Series Angler of the Year can submit their challenge via Chapman’s website at BrentChapmanFishing.com. read more…