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Coppin Capitalizes In Pro Debut
Clayton Coppin of Wagoner, Okla., takes the lead on Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open #3 presented by Allstate held on the Arkansas River out of Muskogee, Okla. Coppin brought 16 pounds, 8 ounces to the scales at Thursday’s weigh-in.
MUSKOGEE, Okla. — Clayton Coppin of Wagoner, Okla., copied a page out of Stephen Browning’s playbook to take the pro division lead in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open presented by Allstate finale on the Arkansas River.
“I have a little magic tree,” Coppin said. “About three or four years ago we were here, and I did really well out of it.” Bassmaster Elite Series pro Stephen Browning claims he also had a magic tree on the Red River that produced the key fish he needed to win the 2013 and 2014 Central Opens. Coppin’s magic tree yielded a five-fish limit weighing 16 pounds, 8 ounces for the Oklahoma angler fishing in his pro division debut.
The 43-year-old co-owner of a lawn care service business was on the waiting list to fish this event and got his chance when a friend helped him recruit a co-angler. “I barely got in,” said Coppin, who missed out on practicing this week. “I was really nervous. I was on the bubble and didn’t know if I was going to get in the tournament or not, so I took my chances and stayed home and mowed some yards.”
When he arrived at his first stop this morning, Coppin noticed the river had dropped about a foot and his fish weren’t biting. He was about to leave the area when he saw the magic tree. “All of a sudden I just made a hard right to the tree. On the first cast, I caught my big fish, and it just went from there,” he said.
While other competitors said their fish had moved away from cover due to the cloudy weather, Coppin found the opposite was true at his magic tree. “They were nosed up on it,” he said.
After catching his limit from the tree, Coppin left the hot spot even though he had a small keeper to cull. “I’ve got other spots, so if the water just stabilizes for me the fishing will be better,” he said. “We know a cold front is coming in, but I don’t think it is going to affect me. I think it is going to affect the fish though. I just hope it pushes more shad into the area.”
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Jason Christie of Park Hill, Okla., also had a disappointing start at his first stop, but rebounded to catch a 16-3 limit and move into second place. “I think it got a lot more rain there because there was a lot of stuff blown out,” he said of his primary spot. “I didn’t really fish there much because it got muddy. I put the trolling motor down, made one cast and saw so much stuff floating that I thought it was time to go.”
“I am just hopping around and fishing the conditions,” the Oklahoma pro said. “The way the weather is going to be tomorrow, I am probably going to fish different stuff. I learned on this river a long time ago that you just fish the conditions and what it gives you from day to day.”
Eight ounces of fish care penalties kept Brian Potter of Claremore, Okla., from taking over the lead. He finished the day in third place with 16-2. The rest of the Top 5 contenders in the pro division include Andy Young of Mound, Minn., in fourth place with 15-14; and Tommy Biffle of Wagoner, Okla., fifth, with 15-13.
French native Jean-Christophe David took over the co-angler lead with three bass weighing 13-4. “That kind of weight with three fish sounds crazy,” the 44-year-old David said. He caught two of his keepers on back-to-back casts and landed his third keeper 40 minutes later.
Nine events in nine states covering three geographic regions will send winners to the 2015 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Hartwell out of Greenville, S.C., and top performers to the Bassmaster Elite Series.
For those anglers hoping to take the next step in their careers, the Opens are the way to reach the most prestigious professional fishing circuit in the world, the Elite Series. Opens competitors earn performance points at each tournament, and at the end of the season the Top 5 ranked anglers in each division who aren’t already qualified for the Elites will be invited to join the premier tour.
As of Thursday, in contention for those five coveted Elite Series spots from the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Opens are Stephen Browning (585 points) of Hot Springs, Ark. (already an Elite Series pro), Troy Broussard (532) of Beaumont, Texas, Logan Sherrer (531) of Karnack, Texas, Brian Clark (523) of Haltom City, Texas and Carl Jocumsen (521) of Frisco, Texas.
Hosting this event is the Greater Muskogee Area Chamber of Commerce (www.visitmuskogee.com). The Three Forks Harbor at 5201 Three Forks Road will be the site for tomorrow’s launch, weigh-in and the final day launch on Saturday. The final weigh-in on Saturday will move to the Bass Pro Shops at 101 Bass Pro Drive in Broken Arrow, Okla.
2014 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2014 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: Allstate
2014 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Official Sponsors: Toyota, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2014 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: Boat U.S., Booyah, Carhartt, Diet Mountain Dew, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Plano, 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, Bassmaster High School Series presented by Carhartt, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by Diet Mountain Dew and GoPro.
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Media Contact: Dave Precht, 205-313-0931, dprecht@bassmaster.com or Helen Northcutt, 205-313-0944, hnorthcutt@bassmaster.com.
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History In The Making At The AOY Championship
ESCANABA, Mich. — The 2014 Bassmaster Elite Series season makes its final stop next week in Escanaba, Mich., on the shores of Lake Michigan and Big and Little Bays de Noc. Here the 2014 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year (AOY) will be crowned and dozens of Elite pros will clinch their berths in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Hartwell, Feb. 20-22.
AOY is the sport’s most prestigious title, and six anglers still have a chance at the prize. Leading the way is Louisiana’s Greg Hackney, an 11-year veteran of the Bassmaster Tournament Trail and runner-up in the 2004 AOY race as a rookie. Hackney holds a 15-point advantage over defending AOY Aaron Martens and a 17-point edge over Todd Faircloth, the runner-up in 2008.
Further back are Elite rookie Jacob Powroznik, former Elite winner Keith Combs and three-time AOY winner Mark Davis. Though the odds may be against them, these three certainly have the skills to span the points gap and the will to make it happen.
In the 45-year history of the AOY award, only 20 men have won the title, and just three were able to win in consecutive years — Roland Martin (1971-73, 1978-79 and 1984-85), Guido Hibdon (1990-91) and Kevin VanDam (2008-11). Aaron Martens could join this group with another title this year. If Davis wins the award, he will become the oldest AOY winner in history at nearly 51.
The other battle at Bays de Noc will be fought over Bassmaster Classic berths. Nine anglers in the field have already secured spots as either defending Classic champion (Randy Howell), 2014 Elite winners (Brett Hite, Chris Lane, Mike McClelland, Powroznik, Jason Christie, Michael Iaconelli and Hackney) or 2014 Opens winners (Ott DeFoe). The Top 22 anglers in the points race are already mathematically guaranteed a spot in next year’s Classic. The rest of the field will be fighting for another dozen or so berths, including former Classic champs Davy Hite, Alton Jones and Takahiro Omori.
Notably absent from this year’s race is Michigan’s own Kevin VanDam, whose streak of 24 consecutive Classic appearances ended with a disappointing regular season in which he ranked 53rd in the points race, just missing the championship.
Bays de Noc is a world-class smallmouth bass fishery, and anglers are expected to bring hefty catches to the scales each day. With five-bass limits as the norm and an average bass weight between 3 and 4 pounds, competition will be tight and mere ounces may determine not only the AOY race, but also the last few spots in next year’s Classic.
AOY has been decided by a variety of means over the decades, including yearly prize money, pounds and ounces, and a myriad of different points systems and postseason events. This year, the winner of the AOY Championship will earn 100 points, second place gets 99, third place gets 98, etc., down to the 50th and final angler who will earn 51 points. These points will be added to the current tally to determine the AOY final standings.
The full field of 50 anglers will compete on each of the first two days (Thursday and Friday, Sept. 18-19). On Saturday, much of the field will participate in Bassmaster University at Ludington Park where fans can attend seminars and question and answer sessions with many of their favorite pros, including former AOYs Davis, Tim Horton, Iaconelli and Skeet Reese. In the finals on Sunday, the full field will compete again, culminating in the crowning of the 2014 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year and dozens of berths in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic.
Also on Saturday as part of its Bassmaster Fan and Military Appreciation Day, B.A.S.S. will give a special commemorative Bassmaster cap to the first 250 military service members who come to the B.A.S.S. booth with a military identification card. All 50 Elite anglers will be on hand to sign autographs as well.
From watching the first boats takeoff at 7:30 a.m. on Thurs., Sept. 18 and the final weigh-in at Ludington Park on Sunday at 4 p.m., to participating in the family-friendly Bassmaster Elite Series Expo with national vendors, the activities planned throughout the weekend are free and open to the public. Companies like Mercury, Nitro, Skeeter, Triton, and Yamaha will have booths at the expo and will offer demo rides. Toyota, Carhartt, Berkley, Booyah, Humminbird, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Mustang, Plano, Power-Pole, Shimano, Rigid Industries and Costa Sunglasses, will also exhibit. Prior to the weigh-in on Saturday, Costa Sunglasses will debut the sixth episode in the GEOBASS series, Papau New Guinea.
For a complete Bassmaster University Schedule, visit www.bassmaster.com/attend-toyota-bassmaster-angler-year-championship.
The hosts of this event are Bays de Noc Convention and Visitors Bureau and Pure Michigan.
2014 Bassmaster Elite Series Official Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2014 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Booyah, Carhartt, Diet Mountain Dew, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Plano, 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, Bassmaster High School Series presented by Carhartt, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by Diet Mountain Dew and GoPro.
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Media Contact: Dave Precht, 205-313-0931, dprecht@bassmaster.com or Helen Northcutt, 205-313-0944, hnorthcutt@bassmaster.com.
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Fall Fishing is Here!
Train on the water with The Bass University’s instructors:
Would you like to become better at catching big fish during the fall? Learn more about the seasonal patterns during the fall from a professional angler by purchasing an on-water training trip for yourself and one optional guest! Whether you are a beginner looking to learn the basics, or you are a tournament veteran looking for a competitive edge, our on-water training program is designed to improve your physical and mental skill-set on the water.
-Pete Gluszek’s training programs take place on the Delaware River (Pennsauken, NJ) and the Upper Chesapeake Bay (North East, MD). Available dates: September 12, 14, 15, 17-19. October 6-7, 9-31. Dates subject to change, please contact us for additional information.
-Dave Mansue’s training programs take place on Toledo Bend Reservoir and Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Texas. Available Dates: October: 1,2,6,7,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19. November: 1-13 Dates subject to change, please contact us for additional information.
-George Cochran’s training programs take place on Lake Ouachita, Lake Hamilton, and several rivers within 200 miles of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Please contact us for additional information.
-Mark Menendez lives in Paducah, Kentucky and his training programs take place on Kentucky Lake, Barkley Lake, and the rivers on the other side of these dams. Please contact us for additional information.
-Randy Howell’s training trips take place within 2 hours of Birmingham, Alabama on Logan Martin Lake, Lay Lake, Neely Henry, the Alabama River and more! Please contact us for additional information.
-Fred Roumbanis’ training trips take place on Grand Lake in Oklahoma. Available dates: Most of October, November 14-21. Dates subject to change, please contact us for additional information.
Ish Monroe’s training trips may be available throughout the country, most training trips will take place on bodies of water along this Bassmaster Elite Series and FLW Tour schedule. Please contact us for additional information.
John Crews’ training trips will take place on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia in the Fall of 2014! More info coming soon.
*(Additional bodies of water that are located near the bodies of water listed below may be available for On-Water Training with an additional travel expense fee)
Please Read Additional On-Water Training Information:
Each training day is personalized to fit the needs of the on-water training student and one optional guest. The Bass University’s instructors will work with each angler prior to the trip to develop a program that is designed to move their fishing knowledge and skill-set to the next level. Once a program is developed, The Bass University’s instructors will take the students on the water to teach and share their personal experiences and knowledge from years of experience as a top professional angler. On-Water Training is the best and fastest way to develop good angling skills that last a lifetime!
-Lessons Include: Proper Casting Techniques – Rigging – Identifying Fish Holding Targets – Seasonal Movements – Boat Positioning – Rough Water Boat Operation – Sonar/GPS/Side Imaging – Smallmouth vs Largemouth Patterns – Grass Fishing – Current Strategies – Breaking Down A New Body Of Water – Advanced Tournament Strategy
-Various Techniques Include: Cranking – Flipping – Topwater – Power Fishing- Finesse – Drop Shot – Carolina Rig And Much More!
Here is your chance to fish and be trained by veteran professional anglers!
How To Book On-Water Training Near You
-Click here for more information on our On-Water Training including instructors, locations, details, pricing, and more.
-You MUST contact us for available dates. Please do not register with an On-Water Training instructor until you contact us online for scheduling. Please provide the instructor, preferred month, and body of water (info listed on the instructor’s OWT page) that you are interested in for OWT.
-Once we recieve your inquiry, we will check on the availability of the date(s) with the instructor. Once the available date(s) are selected, purchasing one deposit amount on the instructor’s On-Water Training page for each training date you would like to purchase will officially book the date(s).
-We will then send a training questionnaire for you and one optional guest to complete. This questionnaire will help your instructor develop a personalized training strategy!
-Your instructor will contact you prior to the on-water training date to discuss meeting locations, times, and the personalized training strategy.
The Fine Print
Read about our policies and your responsibilities so your on-water training experience is the best it can be.
More Learning Opportunities:
The Bass University TV is an exclusive video library consisting of the most in-depth bass fishing class videos for all skill levels of bass fishermen looking to bring their skills to the next level. From on-water training to full class videos, you will learn highly detailed information and tactics from the top pro anglers on the Bassmaster Elite Series and FLW Tour. A brand new full class is added every week! Each pro will teach in great detail about his specialty techniques and tactics that have helped him consistently catch big bass and win big $$$. All members receive unlimited access and can cancel at any time. Register for The Bass University TV today and become a part of their mission to “Never Stop Learning”
-Take a look at the tackle and gear that the top pros rely on:
9/11 What the Day Means to Me…
Get Your Croaker (One Day Sale)
Years of testing in Louisiana’s swamps, bayous and backwaters have perfected the concept. The Croaker takes everything you love about topwater frog fishing and puts into a soft plastic with sound and action big bass can’t resist. This bait is the brainchild of hard-core Louisiana fishermen. Bass Kandi Baits brings it to you!
Bass Kandi Baits is Louisiana’s best-kept secret. They have over 100 tournament wins. Their baits are some of the best on the market and word about their success is spreading fast. They are made here in the U.S.A. and are some of the softest plastics available at affordable prices.
Here is your chance to purchase the Bass Kandi Baits Croaker for only $1.49 per pack, normally $3.89 (five baits per pack). This is a one-day sale and no other coupon codes can be applied.
The Bass Kandi Croaker is a 3.5″ frog with great action and sound made with bottom channels for water flow to keep from rolling over and helps create a better bubble trail. The distinctive paddle on each foot provides a unique sound and action big bass love to attack. Checkout the video by Elite Series angler Casey Scanlon with tips on how to rig your Croaker.
Go to www.basskandi.com to pick your color and place your order. The sale is for one day only. Offer is good Thursday September 11th, 2014 from 7:00 am to Friday September 12th, 2014 at 7:00 am on www.basskandi.com.