BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — If several hundred spectators hadn’t been there to witness it firsthand, both from the water and from the bank, it would be hard to believe how easily Kevin VanDam won his third Bassmaster Classic crown this week at Alabama’s Lay Lake.
In an era when increasingly specialized electronics and 70-plus mph boats are considered indispensable on the Bassmaster Elite Series, the simple fact is that VanDam probably could have won this tournament out of a jon boat with a 9.9 horsepower outboard.
He mined a large spawning flat in the back of Beeswax Creek for three days and delivered three limits that cumulatively weighed 51 pounds, 6 ounces to outlast Jeff Kriet, Todd Faircloth, Russ Lane and 47 others to take home the trophy to an increasingly crowded mantle.
“Well, this was a challenging week weatherwise. I’ve had a lot of success in Alabama over the years,” VanDam said of his seventh Classic in the state. “It’s always alluded me. I love fishing these lakes.”
VanDam was also appreciative of the fishing-savvy fans in the state, saying the throngs of spectators gave him room to win.
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Tavares, FL — Press Release: Tavares Fla. BASS Federation Nation National Championship
Results
Photos
NC BASS Federation Nation angler Chuck Murray of Louisburg NC falls 2.5 pounds short of “BASS MASTER CLASSIC” berth. Finishes 6th Nationally!
The journey began back in May 2008, when Chuck won the NC BASS Federation Nation Eastern Qualifier on Kerr Lake with a two day total of 31 pounds. Then in April 2009, Chuck won the 2009 BASS Southern Divisional on Gaston Lake with a three day total of 45 pounds, qualifying him for the 2009 BASS Federation Nation National Championship this past week October 28-30 in Tavares Florida. What was at stake, a chance to win the National Championship and an opportunity to clinch a berth in the most prestigious bass tourney of all times, “the Bass Master CLASSIC”! Continue reading →
Halloween morning was true to its scary tradition Saturday October 31, 2009 as the NC Bass Anglers Sportsman Society Federation Nation hosted a Youth Regional tournament. Several clubs were represented including South Fork, Sandy Creek, Ball’s Creek and one angler from Archdale. Robert “Chuckie” Reed of Archdale-Trinity Middle School and New Covenant Lutheran Church competed in the 11 to 14 year old bracket. A 15 to 18 bracket was available too.
Blinding fog and wind-blown drizzle delayed the start of the tournament but these very intrepid young anglers were no less deterred than their senior fishing counterparts. Adult clubs provided boats and “captains” to pilot the younger anglers around the lake and make sure they stay safe. They were not allowed to help or provide much more than topical information. The young guys had to figure it out on their own under competition conditions just like the adults do. But as always, some catches the fish. Continue reading →
Kerr Lake — The NC BASS Federation Nation had its last official tourney of the 2009 season with the Points and Weight Championship on the line at normally a tough hole in October, (Kerr Lake). Conditions were very favorable with a warm day, lots of clouds and wind. The fish really bite better than all anticipated and when it was said and done, Randy Groves and Chuck Murray once again were at the top of the leader board.
Chuck and Randy weighed in an impressive 17.80 pounds to capture 1st place and also had the largest bass of the day, a nice 3.90 pounder good enough to take home a custom rod donated by Ed Collier of Outdoor Accessories. Jim Sheehan and Eric Lochner finished second with a great catch as well weighing 14.20 pounds. Mike Barnes and Danny Smith came in third with 12.50 pounds.
Gaston Lake — The NC BASS Federation Nation Team Trail made its fourth stop of the year Saturday with 16 teams attending. The water temperature was around 82 degrees and it was a hot muggy day with plenty of boat traffic. The boat traffic did not affect the bite too bad as half the field had seven fish limits.
Chuck Murray and Randy Groves took first place in the tourney with a 7 bass limit weighing 21.10 pounds. They stated they caught their fish around grass early, however their good fish came in the middle of the day in about 10 ft of water. With all the rain in the area, many of the feeder creeks had muddied up and they had to change their tactics. “We were not expecting our first stop to be in muddy water, but all the recent rain really stained the water where we wanted to fish. So we had to retreat to the main lake.” Murray and Groves stated they caught their fish on 10 inch Berkley Power Worms, Shooter Lure jigs, and top water baits.
Phillip Sykes and Patrick Wooten took second place with a nice limit weighing 17.74 pounds, third place went to T.J. DeFelice and Robert Holley for the second time in a row with a nice limit weighing 16.72 pounds and Danny Smith and Mike Barnes took fourth with a nice limit weighing $14.80 pounds receiving their third check of the year.
Chuck Murray and Randy Groves remain tied for first with a seven point lead over Danny Smith and Mike Barnes. Jimmy Spence and Shane Carter are right there in the mix only 11 points behind Danny and Mike. The total weight race has tightened some with Danny and Mike holding a 5.11 pound lead with one tourney to go. Danny and Mike had a huge limit weighing 42+ pounds in the first tourney of the year, but Randy and Chuck have been able to close the gap some. It will all come down to the last tourney on Kerr on October 10th.
Important note: The October tourney on Kerr Lake has been rescheduled to 10/10, not 10/24. Please mark your calendars!
Gaston Lake — The NC BASS Federation Nation Team Trail made its third stop of the year, this time it was Gaston Lake! The water temperature was around 76 degrees and the big fish have begun to move to their summer hangouts. We had a good turnout with 19 teams participating. We were missing a couple of teams today that would have put us over 20 teams, so we are still trying to hit the 25 team mark before year end.
Chuck Murray and Randy Groves took first place winning $750 with an impressive 7 bass limit weighing 25.45 pounds. They also had the lunker of the tourney, a nice 4.71 pounder picking up another $115 and a custom rod provided by Outdoor Accessories of Kenly, NC.
Scott Griffin and Neil Roberson took second place with a nice limit of 20.05 pounds taking home $475 for their efforts. It was their first tourney with us this year. Third place went to T.J. DeFelice and Robert Holley with a nice limit weighing 15.65 taking home $275 for their efforts (their first tourney with us) and Jimmy Spence and Shane Carter took fourth with a nice limit weighing $15.34 pounds taking home $175 for their efforts.
The points race has tightened up with Chuck Murray and Randy Groves tied for first with 297points while Danny Smith and Mike Barnes are tied for the third and fourth spots with 293 points, just a few points behind. Jimmy Spence and Shane Carter are right there in the mix with a total of 287points and Jim Sheehan and Eric Lochner have 275 points.
The next tourney will be held on Gaston Lake again on August 1st, 2009 at Summit Landing in Lee’s Creek.
Important note: The October tourney on Kerr Lake has been rescheduled to 10/10, not 10/24. Please mark your calendars!
Steve Vann wins NC B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Eastern Region Championship, Sandy Creek Bass Masters Three-Peat as the Eastern Region Club Champions
The NC B.A.S.S. Federation Nation held its Eastern Regional Qualifier on June 19th and 30th on the ever tough Roanoke River out of Plymouth NC. The top seven anglers will advance to the NC BASS Southern Divisional host by the State of Georgia in early 2010. Steve Vann led all anglers with a two day total of 21.76 pounds, Andy Evans was second with 20.93, Eric Schell 19.34, Ed Collier 18.38, Greg Creech 17.83, Ricky Balance 17.69, and Chuck Murray 16.43. These seven anglers will represent the Eastern Region in the 2010 Southern Divisional. Continue reading →
Rob Digh wins NC B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Western Region Championship, Hot Shot Bass Masters Take Western Region Club Crown
The NC B.A.S.S. Federation Nation held its Western Regional Qualifier on May 30th and 31st on beautiful Lake Norman. The top seven anglers will advance to the NC BASS Southern Divisional host by the State of Georgia in early 2010. Rob Digh led all anglers weighing in 10 bass weighing a total of 25.15 pounds, Darrell Hager was second with 23.36, Scott Beattie 22.01, Roger Hoover, 21.46, Brian Anderson, 21.18, Brian Huskins 19.95, and Matt Haywood 19.88. These seven anglers will represent the Western Region in the 2010 Southern Divisional.
Hot Shot Bass Masters won the western club championship with a total of 85.28 pounds. Their six man team consisted of : Rob Digh, Jerry Goble, Bob Furstenberg, David Lynch, Scott Hamrick, and Roger Hoover. Alexis Bass Masters were second with 77.68, BASS Boyz was third with 63.90, Lucky Cast was 4th with 61.19, and Denver was 5th with 56.56.
Van Murray