|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
TEAM TOURNAMENT
|
 |
|
|
| Date: | | March 9, 2013 |
| Region: | | 2013 South Region |
| Tournament: | | Lake Falcon #2 |
| Tournament Trail: | | 2013 Bass Champs Tournament Trail |
|
|
|
      |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
| Late start to a BIG finish for Richards & McHardy on Lake Falcon at Bass Champs |
| By: Patty Lenderman |
|
Skeeter Bass Champs has given away nearly half a MILLION dollars so far this year in seven regular season events – and there are still thirteen tournaments to go before the championships! The South Region anglers fishing on Lake Falcon March 9 enjoyed a whopping 123% payback. That is simply unheard of in any other tournament trail. Out of 141 participating teams, twenty one took home nice paychecks. That’s just over 1 in every 6 teams to garner a payday. Jeff Richards and Stan McHardy swallowed the lion’s share taking home over $20,000.
The cold wind made it very challenging for anglers trying to stay on coveted points or even just trying to find calmer, protected areas somewhat out of the wind. Adding to that the late start that winners Jeff Richards and Stan McHardy had, they had their day cut out for them.
“Once we finally got out on the water, we headed straight to our first spot. There was no protection from the wind, and we couldn’t present our baits properly. It just wasn’t working for us.” They changed plans, and ducked into a shallow water spot that offered a little protection from the wind. “We flipped big soft plastics, targeting water less than 4’ deep.” They put their first keeper in the boat at 8:30, a three pounder. Within two minutes they had their second keeper – 6 pounds on that one! “We just kept fishing that way, and all total got 10 bites.” They tallied one 4#, two 5# and two 6# bass. Then Jeff caught their kicker. “It was a team effort. I just happened to throw into the right spot.” Jeff could feel his line get heavy when the big bass engulfed his bait. He knew it was big. “I set the hook on it, then it got wrapped up in the cover. We trolled closer to it, then it came up and we could see it. It is just by God’s grace that we got it in.” His catch weighed in at 9.34 lbs, culling one of the five pounders with it and gaining an additional four pounds to their total. While each catch and each cull is important, that one was the most integral of their day. Their three fish total was 21.74 lbs, winning the tournament by a mere 2.4 ounces. Bass Champs presented them with the guaranteed 1st place check for $20,000 then Skeeter Boats added another $5,000 to their winnings. The received another $200 from Sure-Life for using the product in their livewell - $25,200 total! Jeff has been fishing the Bass Champs trail since it came to South Texas in 2004. He and Stan have been partners for the past six years. “We’d like to thank Chad, Jeff and the whole Bass Champs crew. They have a very professional venue and are a true credit to the industry and sport of tournament bass fishing.” They would also like to thank their sponsors: Skeeter Boats, Yamaha, Boerne Marine and Pure Fishing.
The leader board was stacked tight with Bubba and Charlie Haralson winning 2nd place with 21.59 lbs, then right behind them were 3rd place winners Gene Lathrop and Rick Helmcamp with 21.47 lbs. Remember – these are all THREE FISH weights!
4th place Chris Snyder and Michael Bauer won the Dodge Ram Bonus, a $7,500 value, giving the winner free entries into any Bass Champs tournaments within the next 12 months.
Tim Montz and Bubba Finstad caught the last placing check, winning 20th place with 16.67 lbs for $600.
There were many seven, eight and nine pound bass caught and brought in, but the biggest of them all weighed in at 9.83 lbs caught by the team of John Casparis and Gran Shandley. They earned the Big Bass check for $1,000 plus another $200 from Under Armour.
Two teams are head-to-head in the Angler of the Year race with only two tournaments remaining for the South Region. Every point, every pound will be crucial in the final events. The top five ranking teams in points are:
480 pts Derick Kuyrkendall & Forrest Wilson
480 pts Jason Gallas & Ken Parker
468 pts Lee Leonard & Scott Bronder
467 pts Steve Wilson & Raymond Cantu
464 pts Speedy Collett & Robert Collett Jr
So far this year Bass Champs has awarded $428,610 to participating anglers in cash and prizes. Before 2013 comes to a conclusion, Bass Champs will have paid over $2 MILLION dollars to their participants in cash and prizes. There are only thirteen regular season tournaments remaining, all open to anyone who would like to have a chance at winning some big money.
3/16/13 East Sam Rayburn
3/23/13 Central LBJ
4/7/13: RAM MEGA BASS - FORK
4/13/13 East Sam Rayburn
4/20/13 North Ray Roberts
4/27/13 Central Belton
5/04/13 South Amistad
5/11/13 North Tawakoni
5/18/13 Central Travis
6/01/13 South Falcon
6/15/13 East Sam Rayburn
6/22/13 North Ray Roberts
6/29/13 Central Belton
7/13/13 North Cedar Creek
How about a chance to turn a $150 investment into a brand new Dodge pick up truck and new Skeeter boat? Seven Dodge trucks will be given away in one day to top hourly winners at the 5th Annual Dodge Mega Bass tournament April 7. The overall winner of the event will additionally receive a Skeeter ZX 190 bass boat. It is the largest one day Big Bass tournament in the world! This is one you can’t afford to miss.
For more information on any Bass Champs tournaments, click to www.BassChamps.com or call 817-439-3274.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
