THE LATEST NEWS
A Look at VanDam’s Picks for Toledo Bend Post-Spawners
Seven-time Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam put 17-pounds of bass on the scales on Day One at the Evan Williams Bassmaster Elite Series event on Toledo Bend and walked to his boat to begin loading it on the trailer in the same way Peyton Manning heads to the sideline after seemingly another routine touchdown drive.
Don’t count on Peyton to hold up a diagram of the play he used to put it in the end zone for TV cameras though, and that’s pretty much what KVD graciously did when asked what setups he’s using to target post-spawn largemouth this week on Toledo Bend.
On Top
“Check this out!” said VanDam, inviting us to take a closer look. “This Splash Jr. was brand new this morning, and now it’s covered in teeth marks after one day.”
Kevin was referring to a 1/4–ounce, 2 3/8” long topwater popper from Strike King he relies on heavily when largemouth are guarding their young fry immediately after the spawn.
“It’s just a dynamite bait when bass are fresh off the spawn,” says Kevin. “I throw it even under sunny blue skies in the afternoon, it doesn’t matter, they’ll eat it all day long.”
He ties the topwater lure to 14-pound monofilament because it doesn’t sink like fluorocarbon does. He uses a 6’ 10” Quantum rod, model TKVDC6105FB, because it has a real soft tip that allows him to cast it a really long way, and impart all the necessary action.
“That rod is a big part of making the bait walk, skip along and chug with that bloop, bloop, bloop sound,” he says. “And trust me, it’s the bloop, bloop, bloop sound that makes ‘em eat it,” grinned the 7-time Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year.
Down Deep
When they’re not busting surface lures, Kevin is probing Toledo’s 10 to 15-foot zone by cranking the outside grass edges with a Strike King 5XD crankbait. And no, it’s not – not – sexy shad in color.
“I’m using a color we call green gizzard shad this week because the water is pretty clear where I’m fishing,” he graciously explained. “I’m cranking the outside grasslines on secondary points just outside of the real shallow and flat spawning areas, trying to catch those bass that are just starting to move out deep toward their summer homes.”
Kevin always cranks with a 5.3:1 gear ratio reel he was heavily involved in helping Quantum design, and he meticulously chooses rod length based on the size of the crankbait he’s throwing. For smaller cranks, he’ll go as short as a 6’ 10” rod – but for the 5XD – he adamantly believes a 7’ 4” medium action rod to be perfect.
Like Manning, VanDam plays well just about every day – but Sundays seem to be his day to shine brightest. Only two more days will tell whether or not KVD can come from behind to notch his 21st career victory, but one thing’s for sure – his classy character – and willingness to share his game plan with those of us watching from home will always count as a win.
California Dreamin’ For Bassmaster Elite Pro Jared Lintner In Louisiana
MANY, La. — Jared Lintner went to extremes Thursday, the first day of the May 1-4 Evan Williams Bourbon Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend out of Many, La.
He was especially extreme in his choice of fishing lines from lightweight to unbreakable. “I caught them on 10-pound fluorocarbon and 80-pound braid,” said the Californian from Arroyo Grande. “I didn’t get very many bites with the braid, but they were good ones.”
Good enough to help him amass 25 pounds, 7 ounces of bass to take the lead by 7 ounces over J Todd Tucker of Moultrie, Ga., who weighed 25-0 for second place.
In third after one round was Elite Series rookie Jacob Powroznik of Port Haywood, Va., with 24-14. Fourth place was taken by another Californian, Chris Zaldain of San Jose. His weight was 22-6, including an 8-12 on 6-pound-test line in an around-the-boat chase that “took forever” but was, he said, probably less than two minutes in real time.
The 2014 Bassmaster Classic champion, Randy Howell of Springville, Ala., settled into fifth place at 22-4.
The opening day of the Elite event was a day of big bass and big bags: The Top 13 on the leaderboard all broke the 20-pound mark. Only four pros did not produce a five-bass limit.
Lintner, currently in second place behind veteran pro Mark Davis of Arkansas in the season-long Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year race, said he returned Thursday to a spot he found in practice, “and just got fortunate.”
When he arrived in the spot, he had a 12-plus-pound limit in his livewell. That was at about noon. Two hours later, he had culled all but one of those to build his weight to his 25-plus. The largest bass weighed 6-14.
“I happened on the right area at the right time,” he said. “The fish move in and out of the area. And with the wind blowing, the fish haven’t been pressured there. You couldn’t fish it the past two days with the wind. There were 3- to 4-foot waves blowing up there.”
Lintner said he fished exactly how he likes to Thursday. “Shallow” was the only detail he would reveal on that topic. But he did hint that he tapped into his experience on California fisheries to figure out Toledo Bend.
“The way the lake sets up now, it’s more like the Clear Lake and Delta fisheries — for me,” he said.
Tucker boated all his weight within the first 45 minutes of competition. His largest, a 7-10, was the fourth fish in a flurry that left him almost dazed.
“It was chaotic and crazy,” he said. “They were biting one after another, and they were all big. That’s probably the fastest I’ve caught that much weight ever in my life.”
Oddly enough, he had not intended to start on that magic spot.
“I stopped on my first spot and found (another angler) already there,” Tucker said. “I thought, ‘You know, I’m not going to do this.’ I took off about 300 yards away to my second spot. So he did me a favor by being there.”
The four-day competition resumes Friday when the full field will return to Cypress Bend Park for the takeoff at 6:20 a.m. CT. The weigh-in will start at 3:15 p.m. CT at the same location.
Elite pros are after a first-place prize of $100,000 and an instant qualification for the 2015 Bassmaster Classic. The pros are also competing for points that count toward a Classic entry and the 2014 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title.
With his 8-12, Zaldain became the frontrunner for the Carhartt Big Bass award of up to $1,500. Tucker won the Rigid Industries Jackpot of $1,750 as the angler registered for the bonus who broke the 25-pound mark. Lintner leads the event’s Berkley Big Bag bonus competition for $500.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Bassmaster Elite Series Expo will feature demos, giveaways and products from the tour’s sponsors, including free boat rides in Nitro, Triton and Skeeter boats powered by Yamaha and Mercury engines. The rides will be offered after takeoff is complete and continue until 2:30 p.m.
Saturday’s activities include the 3 p.m. screening of the newest GeoBASS video from Costa, musical entertainment beginning after the weigh-in, and a Jason Cassidy concert from 7 to 9 p.m., which will be followed by fireworks.
All activities are at Cypress Bend Park (GPS help: 3463 Cypress Bend Drive, Many, LA 71449). There’s no admission charge for Bassmaster events, and free shuttles from parking areas will be provided.
The local hosts include the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission, Louisiana Office of Tourism, Sabine River Authority, Cypress Bend Resort, TanMar and other local businesses.
The Bassmasters on ESPN2 will feature the Toledo Bend event May 18 from 8 to 9 a.m. ET.
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, B.A.S.S. Nation events, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series, Bassmaster High School Series, 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, 204-313-0944, hnorthcutt@bassmaster.com.
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2014 Evan Williams Bourbon Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend 5/1-5/4
Toledo Bend Reservoir, Many LA.
Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts
1. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, CA 5 25-07 100
Day 1: 5 25-07
2. J Todd Tucker Moultrie, GA 5 25-00 99
Day 1: 5 25-00
3. Jacob Powroznik Port Haywood, VA 5 24-14 98
Day 1: 5 24-14
4. Chris Zaldain San Jose, CA 5 22-06 97
Day 1: 5 22-06
5. Randy Howell Springville, AL 5 22-04 96
Day 1: 5 22-04
6. Rick Clunn Ava, MO 5 22-02 95
Day 1: 5 22-02
7. Mike Kernan Wylie, TX 5 22-01 94
Day 1: 5 22-01
8. Todd Faircloth Jasper, TX 5 21-14 93
Day 1: 5 21-14
9. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 5 21-10 92
Day 1: 5 21-10
10. Bobby Lane Lakeland, FL 5 21-05 91
Day 1: 5 21-05
11. Clifford Pirch Payson, AZ 5 20-13 90
Day 1: 5 20-13
12. Chad Pipkens Holt, MI 5 20-08 89
Day 1: 5 20-08
13. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 5 20-05 88
Day 1: 5 20-05
14. Dean Rojas Lake Havasu City, AZ 5 19-14 87
Day 1: 5 19-14
15. Fletcher Shryock New Philadelphia, OH 5 19-13 86
Day 1: 5 19-13
16. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 19-04 85
Day 1: 5 19-04
17. Alton Jones Lorena, TX 5 19-03 84
Day 1: 5 19-03
18. Takahiro Omori Emory, TX 5 19-01 83
Day 1: 5 19-01
19. Chad Morgenthaler Coulterville, IL 5 18-15 82
Day 1: 5 18-15
20. Keith Poche Pike Road, AL 5 18-14 81
Day 1: 5 18-14
21. Britt Myers Lake Wylie, SC 5 18-05 80
Day 1: 5 18-05
22. Brandon Card Caryville, TN 5 18-04 79
Day 1: 5 18-04
23. Greg Vinson Wetumpka, AL 5 18-01 78
Day 1: 5 18-01
24. Josh Bertrand Gilbert, AZ 5 18-00 77
Day 1: 5 18-00
24. Kelley Jaye Dadeville, AL 5 18-00 77
Day 1: 5 18-00
26. Mark Davis Mount Ida, AR 5 17-14 75
Day 1: 5 17-14
27. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 5 17-09 74
Day 1: 5 17-09
28. Skeet Reese Auburn, CA 5 17-07 73
Day 1: 5 17-07
29. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 5 17-05 72
Day 1: 5 17-05
29. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 17-05 72
Day 1: 5 17-05
31. Matt Herren Trussville, AL 5 17-03 70
Day 1: 5 17-03
32. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 16-14 69
Day 1: 5 16-14
32. Steve Kennedy Auburn, AL 5 16-14 69
Day 1: 5 16-14
34. Morizo Shimizu Osaka JAPAN 5 16-12 67
Day 1: 5 16-12
35. Grant Goldbeck Boerne, TX 5 16-11 66
Day 1: 5 16-11
36. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, KS 5 16-06 65
Day 1: 5 16-06
36. Bradley Roy Lancaster, KY 5 16-06 65
Day 1: 5 16-06
38. Randall Tharp Port Saint Joe, FL 5 16-05 63
Day 1: 5 16-05
39. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, AR 5 16-01 62
Day 1: 5 16-01
40. Glenn Browne Ocala, FL 5 16-00 61
Day 1: 5 16-00
41. Aaron Martens Leeds, AL 5 15-15 60
Day 1: 5 15-15
42. Nate Wellman Newaygo, MI 5 15-12 59
Day 1: 5 15-12
43. Tim Horton Muscle Shoals, AL 5 15-09 58
Day 1: 5 15-09
43. Scott Rook Little Rock, AR 5 15-09 58
Day 1: 5 15-09
45. Hank Cherry Jr Maiden, NC 5 15-07 56
Day 1: 5 15-07
46. Tracy Adams Wilkesboro, NC 5 15-07 55
Day 1: 5 15-07
47. Casey Ashley Donalds, SC 5 15-06 54
Day 1: 5 15-06
47. Kelly Jordon Palestine, TX 5 15-06 54
Day 1: 5 15-06
49. Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, MO 5 15-01 52
Day 1: 5 15-01
50. David Walker Sevierville, TN 5 14-15 51
Day 1: 5 14-15
51. James Elam Tulsa, OK 5 14-14 50
Day 1: 5 14-14
52. John Crews Jr Salem, VA 5 14-13 49
Day 1: 5 14-13
53. David Mullins Mt Carmel, TN 5 14-09 48
Day 1: 5 14-09
54. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 5 14-07 47
Day 1: 5 14-07
54. Justin Lucas Guntersville, AL 5 14-07 47
Day 1: 5 14-07
54. Jonathon VanDam Kalamazoo, MI 5 14-07 47
Day 1: 5 14-07
57. Bill Lowen Brookville, IN 5 14-04 44
Day 1: 5 14-04
58. Fred Roumbanis Bixby, OK 5 14-03 43
Day 1: 5 14-03
59. Kenyon Hill Norman, OK 5 14-01 42
Day 1: 5 14-01
60. Gary Klein Weatherford, TX 5 13-15 41
Day 1: 5 13-15
61. Chris Lane Guntersville, AL 5 13-14 40
Day 1: 5 13-14
62. Billy McCaghren Mayflower, AR 5 13-13 39
Day 1: 5 13-13
63. Marty Robinson Lyman, SC 5 13-12 38
Day 1: 5 13-12
64. Zell Rowland Montgomery, TX 5 13-11 37
Day 1: 5 13-11
65. John Murray Phoenix, AZ 5 13-10 36
Day 1: 5 13-10
66. Boo Woods Oneida, KY 5 13-08 35
Day 1: 5 13-08
67. Kotaro Kiriyama Moody, AL 5 13-07 34
Day 1: 5 13-07
67. Pete Ponds Madison, MS 5 13-07 34
Day 1: 5 13-07
69. Jared Miller Norman, OK 5 13-05 32
Day 1: 5 13-05
70. Keith Combs Huntington, TX 5 13-04 31
Day 1: 5 13-04
71. Jamie Horton Centerville, AL 5 13-02 30
Day 1: 5 13-02
72. Jason Williamson Aiken, SC 5 12-15 29
Day 1: 5 12-15
73. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 12-13 28
Day 1: 5 12-13
73. Terry Scroggins San Mateo, FL 5 12-13 28
Day 1: 5 12-13
75. Ott DeFoe Knoxville, TN 5 12-12 26
Day 1: 5 12-12
76. Matt Reed Madisonville, TX 5 12-10 25
Day 1: 5 12-10
77. Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, TX 5 12-09 24
Day 1: 5 12-09
77. Derek Remitz Grant, AL 5 12-09 24
Day 1: 5 12-09
79. Gerald Swindle Warrior, AL 5 12-06 22
Day 1: 5 12-06
80. Shaw Grigsby Jr. Gainesville, FL 5 12-03 21
Day 1: 5 12-03
81. Paul Elias Laurel, MS 5 12-00 20
Day 1: 5 12-00
82. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, FL 5 11-14 19
Day 1: 5 11-14
82. Dennis Tietje Roanoke, LA 5 11-14 19
Day 1: 5 11-14
84. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, OK 5 11-13 17
Day 1: 5 11-13
85. Edwin Evers Talala, OK 5 11-12 16
Day 1: 5 11-12
86. Boyd Duckett Guntersville, AL 5 11-08 15
Day 1: 5 11-08
87. Kevin Hawk Guntersville, AL 5 11-06 14
Day 1: 5 11-06
87. Casey Scanlon Lanexa, KS 5 11-06 14
Day 1: 5 11-06
89. Davy Hite Ninety Six, SC 5 11-02 12
Day 1: 5 11-02
90. Andy Montgomery Blacksburg, SC 5 11-01 11
Day 1: 5 11-01
91. Joseph Sancho New Windsor, NY 5 11-00 10
Day 1: 5 11-00
92. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, OK 5 10-13 9
Day 1: 5 10-13
92. Ish Monroe Hughson, CA 5 10-13 9
Day 1: 5 10-13
94. Michael Simonton Fremont, OH 5 10-09 7
Day 1: 5 10-09
95. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 5 10-07 6
Day 1: 5 10-07
96. Trevor Romans Plano, TX 5 10-06 5
Day 1: 5 10-06
97. Kurt Dove Del Rio, TX 5 10-05 4
Day 1: 5 10-05
98. Jason Christie Park Hill, OK 4 09-14 3
Day 1: 4 09-14
99. Brandon Palaniuk Hayden, ID 5 09-13 2
Day 1: 5 09-13
100. Byron Velvick Boenre, TX 3 09-13 1
Day 1: 3 09-13
101. Jeremy Starks Scott Depot, WV 5 09-12 0
Day 1: 5 09-12
102. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 08-14 0
Day 1: 5 08-14
103. Michael Iaconelli Pitts Grove, NJ 5 08-13 0
Day 1: 5 08-13
104. Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, OK 5 07-14 0
Day 1: 5 07-14
105. Joel Baker Talala, OK 4 06-02 0
Day 1: 4 06-02
106. David Smith Del City, OK 3 05-08 0
Day 1: 3 05-08
107. BJ Haseotes Centerville, MA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
107. Kevin Short Mayflower, AR 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
——————————
| —————————————– Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 102 524 1596-09 ———————————- 102 524 1596-09 |
“Swimbait Perfection”
EVOLVE Fishing Co. swimbait designed to track, thump and trigger bites like no other. By Jim Edlund.
Suffolk, NY – Cruise the aisles of any tackle shop and you’ll see a myriad of new swimbait offerings that match the hatch. And for good reason: There’s nothing more effective than something that looks like sashimi when bass are feeding on baitfish.
But that’s where the similarities end. Sure, in one way or another they all look like shad, shiners and young-of-the-year, but the rubber hits the road when you dunk them in the drink.
Largely dissatisfied with the action and underwater behavior of current paddle-tail swimbaits, EVOLVE Fishing Co.’s lead designer, Derek Carr, set out to build a better bass trap.
“More than a decade ago bass pros discovered a few key Japanese paddle-tail swimbaits. They are still some of the best on the market, hands down. American bait shapes, at the time, just couldn’t compare. But I knew we could create an even better paddle-tail, a bait that would thump much louder, shimmy and roll, and offer better hookup ratios—all at the same time,” says Carr. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XQCvdC71bs) “And I wanted to make sure it was injected with primarily virgin plastic to remain rugged. We’re now able to tell customers you can expect as many as 8 to 10 hookups on a bait before it’s too beat up to perform.”
The result is EVOLVE’s DarkStar Swimmer, (http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Evolve_DarkStar_Swimmer_4pk/descpage-EDSS.html) a 5-inch paddle-tail swimbait with a one-of-a-kind dual groove design that allows easier rigging and fast, high probability hooksets as the body collapses easily in a fish’s mouth. The DarkStar’s flat sides and unique body break and bulbed, tapering tail section produce a wobble that triggers hard aggression bites. Also, its oversized tail activates at the slowest retrieves, creating more thump than The White Stripes. Best of all, it slices through vegetation with laser-like tracking.
The rigging possibilities are varied—but important for optimal performance. Two of Carr’s favorites are weedless Texas rigging with a 5/0 screw-lock keel-weighted EWG hook and as a trailer on swim jigs. “Rigged weedless, on a keel-weighted swimbait hook, the DarkStar is like the Navy Seal of swimbaits. It extracts deeply embedded bass from heavy grass, wood, brush…the same nasty places places where you’d pitch or flip, but with the DarkStar you can cover so much more water, and faster. And it seems like bass are less conditioned to this bait in those areas, leading to some impressive catches when nothing else works.”
Likewise, the DarkStar makes a winning swim jig trailer that not only produces a big thump, but actually imparts action to the entire jig, creating a slight roll that activates the skirt silicone, creating a combo that more closely resembles baitfish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7SygOEgvu8
Beyond these two go-to rigging methods, anglers have reported that the DarkStar is also dangerous on a jig head—and for more species than just bass. Bass Elite pro Clark Reehm says it’s the perfect rigging solution for deep, open water and hard bottom structure bass.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6lCyD4236c
The EVOLVE DarkStar Swimmer is currently available as a 5-inch “big fish” bait in nine colors, including baitfish-mimicking Icy Shad, Hot Fish, Arkansas Copper, Slick Shad and Ayu Gold. Baits are sold in packs of four with a suggested retail price of $4.49. Each bait sits in its own tray so you can be sure all the baits are actually fishable—no deformed baits here. All 9 colors available here: http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Evolve_DarkStar_Swimmer_4pk/descpage-EDSS.html
ABOUT EVOLVE Fishing Co.
EVOLVE Fishing Co. Inc is an independent manufacturer of high-quality soft plastic fishing tackle based in Suffolk, NY. Its subsidiary, Soul5 Tackle Labs, manufactures and markets premium hard lures for the freshwater fishing market. EVOLVE Fishing Co. has been serving the fishing tackle retail and wholesale trade since 2012. For more information, visit www.evolvebaits.com or www.soul5tackle.com.
James River Rayovac Rescheduled
Tournament director Ron Lappin the explains the decision to reschedule the first event of the 2014 Northern Rayovac Series. Lappin made the right call, conditions on the tidal James were far to dangerous to send the anglers out. Check out the video along with a few pictures from today’s “low” tide.
A few shots from low tide.
5,4,3,2,1 from Toledo Bend
Darold Gleason – yes, it’s Darold not Harold – he’s a full-time guide who has caught (3) bass over 10-pounds from Toledo Bend in just the past six months. He’s also a very nice man who is performing very well as a competitor in the Bassmaster Central Open Series. He and his gorgeous wife Randi, a top sales director for Mary Kay Cosmetics, love, live and know well, all things Toledo Bend.
Five lures Gleason says he would have tied on if he were competing in the Elite Series tournament that began today on Toledo Bend: 1) a V & M Thunder Shad on a weighted hook for casting around shallow vegetation; 2) a 3/8-ounce swim jig; 3) a Texas rigged Delta Bug with a 3/8 ounce worm weight for casting to deeper spawning beds in 5 to 6-feet of water; 4) a weightless soft jerkbait for fan casting around spawning areas; 5) a soft stick bait rigged wacky style on a Quantum EXO spinning combo.
Four things he keeps in his LEER Locker – a ceiling mounted storage system that utilizes the wasted space of your truck cap to organize and secure your valuable property. 1) Lots of spare soft plastics and spinnerbaits; 2) A Carhartt rainsuit; 3) A jug of outboard oil; 4) A box of deep diving crankbaits
Three fiberglass replica mounts he’s received from the Toledo Bend Lunker Bass program, representing the bass he’s caught over 10-pounds in the just the past six months from this massive reservoir on the Texas-Louisiana border.
Two pros that Darold Gleason is expecting to do well in this tournament: 1) Greg Hackney because he’s got a lot of experience here, and does well here; 2) David Walker because he was so close to winning here previously – “The Bend” owes him one.
One place Darold says you must visit if you come to Toledo Bend is a top-notch resort that sits on the water’s edge called Cypress Bend Resort. Great rooms, awesome views, good restaurants, a spa, a spacious fitness room, and a gorgeous golf course. Darold asked Randi to be his wife on the picturesque 17th hole a decade ago.
