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Gleason is Just Going with it
Darold Gleason and the rest of the Elite Series field had a quick morning on the water after day one of the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite on Pickwick Lake was postponed due to high winds and unsafe river conditions.
For Gleason and many others, this is the second “day off” in a row thanks to wave after wave of severe weather rolling through the area yesterday during the final practice period. These dangerous weather systems included thunderstorms, hail, damaging winds, heavy rain, and high risk of tornadoes.
Gleason even spent some time taking shelter with his wife Randi, dog Rowdy, and fellow pros like Team Toyota’s Gerald Swindle when tornado sirens started blasting through the McFarland Park Campground, where many pros are staying this week. Not exactly how a fisherman envisions his final day of practice transpiring.
After a decent start to the season, the Elite Series rookie was looking forward to keeping the ball rolling here on Pickwick after having a solid first two days of practice. But the weather that rolled in during Wednesday’s final day of “practice” changed everything.
“I’m sure all the fish I found in practice will be gone by tomorrow,” Gleason estimated. “I was catching fish in two to four feet of water on Tuesday, which will now be six to eight feet of water. And who knows what the current and water clarity will have done in the areas I planned on fishing. We’ll just have to go fishing.”
As excessive amounts of water continue to dump into the Tennessee River system, local authorities made the decision to evacuate the McFarland Park Campground shortly after anglers were pulled off the water. The Gleason’s and around 20 other Elite Series pros quickly had to pack their campsites up and find higher ground, literally.
“We were told the water is coming up at least another three feet, so the whole campground will be under water. I won’t lie, it’s a bit of a cluster, but this is part of the RV life,” Gleason said with a smile. “I’m just glad I packed these goofy rain boots. They’ve come in clutch the past 24 hours!”
Gleason is never short on humor or optimism. The longtime Toyota Bonus Bucks participant has seen a lot during his years as a Bassmaster Opens pro and one of the top fishing guides on Toledo Bend Reservoir; and he knows that remaining even-keeled helps every situation.
“At the end of the day all you can do is stay positive,” Gleason offered. “Everyone out here is dealing with the same conditions. So instead of getting too worked up it’s best to stay calm and take each challenge as it comes. Safety is paramount and everything else is a bonus.”
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Fishing Buddies and Families Win Top Prizes at Bass Pro Shops US Open Regional Qualifying Event on Lake Okeechobee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 15, 2021) OKEECHOBEE, Fla. – Two amateur fishing buddies, Kail Stevens and Bradley MacQueen, won the first regional qualifying event for the Bass Pro Shops US Open National Bass Fishing Amateur Team Championships – a first-of-its-kind amateur fishing tournament offering the biggest payout in freshwater fishing history – on Saturday at legendary Lake Okeechobee.
Stevens and MacQueen, from Okeechobee and West Palm Beach, Fla., respectively, fished from a Triton boat and hauled in a five-fish catch weighing in at 29 pounds, with a big bass of 7.70 pounds, to top the 250-team field in the regional qualifying event. They collect a first-place prize of $50,000 and are one of 40 teams to qualify for the National Championship on Nov. 19-21 at Big Cedar Lodge on Missouri’s famed Table Rock Lake. The National Championship will be broadcast internationally on NBC and carries a $1 million cash prize to the winning team.
Left to right: Team members Kail Stevens of Okeechobee and Bradley MacQueen of West Palm Beach finished first.
Rick Rojas and Junior Angler Cody Rojas with noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris.
“With so many friends and families making memories, we couldn’t have had a better start to our US Open Amateur Team Championships,” said noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris. “Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks to everyone who participated and reminded us why we love fishing, conservation and the great outdoors. We look forward to hosting the top 40 teams for the National Championship in Missouri this fall.”
“We were both saying it’s pretty neat to be fishing in the first Bass Pro Shops US Open qualifying event, but to end up the winners, we would have never thought,” said Stevens and MacQueen in an interview after the awards ceremony. “We aren’t ever going to forget this day, that’s for sure.”
Proceeds from the Bass Pro Shops US Open benefit local fisheries conservation and the future of fishing thanks to Bass Pro Shops and Toyota. The event is a true celebration of bass fishing, exclusively for amateur anglers with a guaranteed purse value of $4.3 million.
Angler Prizes
The top 40 teams received a payout and qualified for the National Championship. Additional prizes were awarded for catching the biggest bass within the following categories:
- Overall: The biggest bass (8.71 pounds) was caught by Yoan Alvarez from Miami, Fla., while fishing with friend Peter Jannoti from Jacksonville, Fla., winning $8,710 ($1,000 per pound). Alvarez will receive a replica mount of the bass, with a replica also going on display at Bass Pro Shops in Fort Myers, Fla., and was entered into a drawing for a Nitro Z20 boat.
- Youth Angler: Lucas Staton, a 10-year-old angler from Sorrento, Fla., fished with father James Staton and earned a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops gift card for the biggest bass (5.12 pounds) among anglers ages 10 and under.
- Junior Angler: Daniel Henshaw, a 15-year-old angler from Church Road, Va., fished with father Donald Henshaw and earned a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops gift card for the biggest bass (5.57 pounds) among anglers ages 11-17.
- Family Teams: Del and Gunnar Brown, a father-son team from Swainsboro, Ga., earned a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops gift card for the biggest bass caught by a Family Team (7.20 pounds).
- Veteran, Active Military or Hometown Hero Teams: Dustin Royer, a professional fireman from Davie, Fla., fished with son James Royer and earned a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops gift card for the biggest bass (6.63 pounds) among veteran, active military or hometown hero anglers. Additionally, U.S. Army Veteran Paul Lynch from Okeechobee, Fla. fished with his cousin Donnie Tomlin, a corrections officer from Bridgeton, N.J., and weighed in 2 out of 5 bass more than 5 pounds each, landing them the ultimate Johnny Morris fishing prize pack valued at $1,000.
Families and Veterans Among the Amateurs Competing for $1 Million
The Lake Okeechobee qualifying event featured anglers ranging in age from 6 – 80 years old. The amateur field of 250 two-person teams consisted of a cross-section of families and active military/veterans adding to the fun of the tournament, including:
- 79 military veterans
- 14 active military
- 45 father-son teams
- 16 mother-son teams
- 14 husband-wife teams
- 12 brother-brother teams
- 4 father-daughter teams
- 26 female anglers
Benefiting the Future of Fishing in Florida & Beyond
The eight regional qualifying events, including Lake Okeechobee, benefit local fish habitat, with proceeds supporting The National Fish Habitat Partnership. One-third of all entry fees will directly support the partnership, with Bass Pro Shops and longstanding conservation partner Toyota matching each donation, enabling an amount equal to 100 percent of all entry fees – more than $1 million – to benefit conservation
Lake Okeechobee, one of the nation’s best bass fishing lakes and headwaters to the Everglades, is like no other. Spanning more than 700 square miles, the sheer size presents a challenge to understanding the lake’s scale and conservation concerns. Bass Pro Shops is working alongside state wildlife agencies and local partners to tackle priority conservation projects in restoring water quality and fish habitat of this vital natural resource.
Across Florida, Bass Pro Shops is proud to partner with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in enhancing, conserving and promoting trophy bass fishing through the nationally-renowned TrophyCatch program. The incentive-based conservation program designed for anglers who catch-and-release largemouth bass heavier than 8 pounds allows for invaluable research and trophy bass management in Florida. Lake Okeechobee remains one of the top five producing waters for TrophyCatch, and increasing participation in the program is important for future management success on the lake.
In keeping with its longstanding commitment to conservation, Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops partnered with the Florida FWC to help ensure all fish caught during the Bass Pro Shops US Open regional qualifying event on Lake Okeechobee were released responsibly following a fish-friendly weigh-in.
Remaining Regional Qualifying Events
April 17 – Lake Ray Roberts, Texas (registration closed)
April 24 – Lake Mead, Nevada (registration closed)
July 17 – Chesapeake Bay, Maryland (registration opens May 12)
Aug. 21 – Lake St. Clair, Michigan (registration opens May 12)
Sept. 11 – Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee (registration opens July 14)
Oct. 16 – Grand Lake, Oklahoma (registration opens July 14)
Nov. 17 – Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas (registration date TBA)
To learn more about the Bass Pro Shops US Open and how to register for remaining regional qualifying events, visit www.basspro.com/usopen.
Lucas Staton (right), a 10-year-old angler from Sorrento, Fla., fished with father James Staton, won the junior angler category.
Junior angler Hannah Mae Allen with Johnny following the weigh-in ceremony.
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Christie Caps Tennessee River with Yamaha Power Pay
Jason Christie leaned on his power fishing prowess at the Bassmaster® Elite on the Tennessee River to catch enough skinny water largemouth to finish in fifth place, and capped his weekend with a $2,500 bonus from Yamaha Power Pay.
This is Christie’s first year running an aluminum Xpress® Boat powered by a Yamaha motor, but it didn’t take him long to see the difference in performance or reap the rewards of Yamaha’s popular contingency program.
“I was in my happy place on the Tennessee River,” Christie said. “My best areas were super shallow, and a lighter aluminum boat coupled with the incredibly flat hole shot of that Yamaha allowed me to hop up instantly on pad in as shallow as a foot and a half of water. That saved me a ton of idling time and lead to more casts everyday.”
Christie was quick to point out the minutes of idling time saved during the Tennessee River Elite were particularly important due to how tough the river was fishing. Every minute counts in any competition, but it’s magnified when keeper bites are extremely hard to come by.
The Park Hill, Okla. pro employed a Norman Lures® Speed N crankbait and a ¾-ounce Booyah® Covert Spinnerbait (single Colorado blade) to catch his fish throughout the week. He threw those baits along stretches of chunk rock or isolated pieces of cover like wood and other man-made structures.
As thrilled as Christie was to be fishing Championship Sunday, he was equally as excited to learn he had earned the Power Pay money for the week.
“I won’t lie – it’s great to get a bonus check from the Power Pay program this early in the game,” Christie smiled. “Contingency programs have made me a lot of money throughout my career, and I’m excited to participate in Power Pay this season. As far as I’m concerned, this motor is already money. Add in the opportunity for extra cash rewards and it’s a win-win.”
Whether you fish in high school, college, or compete in supported walleye and saltwater tournaments, you can reap the rewards of Yamaha Power Pay just like Christie. And as Christie proved on the Tennessee River, you don’t have to win a tournament to win the bonus money. You simply have to be the highest finishing registered participant in a Power Pay sponsored event.
Registering for the program is free, quick, and easy whether you are a pro or recreational angler. Head to Yamahapowerpay.com for a complete list of events, more information on the program, or to get yourself signed up today.
© 2021 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. This document contains many of Yamaha’s valuable trademarks. It may also contain trademarks belonging to other companies. Any references to other companies or their products are for identification purposes only and are not intended to be an endorsement.
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B.A.S.S. Postpones Day 1 Of Bassmaster Elite At Pickwick Lake
FLORENCE, Ala. — B.A.S.S. officials made a decision to postpone the first day of competition at the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake as increased current caused by severe weather and high sustained winds are making the fishery unsafe for boaters. The forecast is calling for sustained west-southwest winds of 15-20 mph with gusts to 30 expected by mid-morning.
“The combination of flood-level flow and high wind blowing against that current can create a dangerous condition for boaters,” said Lisa Talmadge, Bassmaster Elite Series Senior Tournament Manager. “The safety of our anglers is always our first priority.”
The full field of 100 anglers will now compete on both Friday and Saturday, with only the Top 50 advancing to Sunday’s semifinal round. The Top 10 will compete for the championship on Monday. Daily takeoffs will be held at McFarland Park at 6:45 a.m. CT and weigh-ins each day at the park at 3 p.m.
The tournament is being hosted by Florence-Lauderdale Tourism.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, 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 515,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 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, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship, Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.
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Lowrance® Pro Angler John Cox Wins MLF Event at Lewis Smith Lake
Tulsa, Okla. – Lowrance®, a world-leader in fishing electronics since 1957, continues to dominate the 2021 tournament season as Lowrance pro angler John Cox took home the trophy and $100,000 at the Major League Fishing (MLF) Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit event at Lewis Smith Lake, in Cullman, Alabama, March 11 – 14, 2021.
The DeBary, Florida pro had a number of runner-up finishes on this lake in the past; however, his shallow-water fishing technique, coupled with his Lowrance HDS LIVE fishfinders and new preloaded C-MAP® Contour+ charts resulted in landing 20 fish for a total of 62-pounds, 4-ounces. Five of the top 10 anglers in this event were equipped with Lowrance HDS displays.
“One of my favorite features of my Lowrance system is that I’m able to save waypoints and take notes on each spot,” said Cox. “I have waypoints saved from the many times I’ve fished this lake, some even from 10 years ago. I was able to read my notes and match the conditions and run straight out to spots I haven’t re-visited in 10 years. It was a game changer!”
Overall, tournament reports indicated more anglers fish with Lowrance HDS fishfinder displays at this MLF Pro Circuit event, versus all other marine electronics brands combined. In addition, nearly one-third of all 163 competitor boats were outfitted exclusively with the Lowrance Ghost® freshwater trolling motor, which was just introduced to the market slightly more than one year ago.
Due to COVID-19 protocols, attendance at the tournament is limited to competing anglers, essential staff and media covering the event. Fans are encouraged to follow the event online through the MLF NOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
HDS Ultimate Fishing System Upgrade Underway
Anglers looking to upgrade their boats with the same equipment Cox used in his victory on Lewis Smith Lake, can save up to $800 during the Lowrance Ultimate Fishing System Upgrade, running through April 30, 2021. Visit www.lowrance.com/offers/hds-ultimate-upgrade/ for details.
For more information on Lowrance and its tournament-winning fishfinding technology, please visit www.lowrance.com.
About Lowrance: The Lowrance® brand is wholly owned by Navico, Inc. A privately held, international corporation, Navico is currently the world’s largest marine electronics company, and is the parent company to leading marine electronics brands: Lowrance, Simrad®, B&G® and C-MAP®. Navico has approximately 1,800 employees globally and distribution in more than 100 countries worldwide. www.navico.com
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