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TEAM TOURNAMENT
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| Date: | | March 6, 2010 |
| Region: | | 2010 Central Region |
| Tournament: | | Lake Travis #1 |
| Tournament Trail: | | 2010 Bass Champs Tournament Trail |
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| Glass & Kisselburg dominate the field to win over $20,000 on Lake Travis |
| By: Patty Lenderman |
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March 6, 2010 marked the second event in the 2010 season for Bass Champs Central Region anglers. 180 teams converged on Lake Travis competing for a 102% payback in cash and prizes for this event. Jarrell, Texas anglers Landon Glass and Jayson Kisselburg brought in the sack that towered above the rest, winning by a 6 pound margin to claim over $20,000 in prize money.
Spring is in the air and with it has come a deluge of rain. Lake Travis has been on a steady rise in water levels over the past few weeks, muddying up the normally crystal clear water. With recent warmer days, water temperatures are also slowly rising, and bass are beginning to make their move to shallow water.
24.82 lbs was the winning weight of the tournament, caught by Landon Glass and Jayson Kisselburg. Landon had done some scouting, and found a creek holding these quality bass. The team knew it would be crucial to get to their target area ahead of other contenders. “We drew boat #58, and when we got there, two other boats were there already,” Jayson explained. Fan casting outside of the creek, they managed their first keeper. “As it turns out, the other boats were not fishing a tournament, just weekend anglers. We stuck it out, and when they left we moved on into the creek itself.” Using a combination of soft plastic jerk baits, Big Bite Bait tubes and baby brush hogs in 2’-8’ depths, they quickly boated a five pounder and their 8.62 lb kicker. “At that point we played a little defense, and put our trolling motor up and our power pole down to keep us there and keep other boats from coming in too close.” They stayed in that creek all day. Their final five fish dominated the pack to win the guaranteed 1st place $20,000 purse, plus an additional Sure Life $200 bonus for using the product in their livewell. They only missed Big Bass honors by one ounce! “This is my first year to fish the Bass Champs circuit,” Jayson continued. “I just moved here from Arizona. I had first encountered Bass Champs through a Fish-N-Chips event they hosted in Oklahoma, where I fished with Dean Rojas. I was very impressed with them and the organization from that experience. Bass Champs is a top notch group, and no other team circuit can touch them. Between their payback and their fish care, they’re #1.” The team would also like to thank Big Bite Baits, McCoy fishing line, Quantum reels, Super Pork, Gibbs Propeller and 6th Sense Custom Lures for their support.
Creek bass were also the key for 2nd place winners Dean Alexander and Eric Crumley. “Eric was able to do some scouting for us before the tournament. He located this one creek, and said it was just loaded with bass. We considered a couple of other areas then decided this is where we would go.” Their concern was that it was no secret about this spot, and other teams would be vying for it. “We were hoping to draw a low boat number so we could get there first.” They drew boat #3 and were the first ones there – but others came after them. “We have to give kudo’s to the other teams that got there after us. They were very respectful and didn’t crowd our water. We really have to thank them.” The water had muddied since practice, and seemed to make the bass act spooky. The team struggled for their initial limit, finding some success with spinnerbaits for bass that were chasing shad, and others with lizards in the more shallow water. “They were hard to see, but we could make out shadows of bass. Trying to get them to bite was tricky, until the sun came out around 11:00. That seemed to trigger the bite and we caught four fish in a 3’x 3’ area.” They finished their initial limit and were able to cull a few times before things slowed down again. They eased out some, staying within a 100 yard stretch, and caught a 5 ½ pounder on the edge of the channel. “That was our most crucial cull, and committed us to stay in that area. They were there.” Their 18.86 lb limit won 2nd place and a check for $3,000. “I’ve been fishing the Central region since they first started here,” Dean stated. “Bass Champs is the best tournament trail around. Very impressive.” They would also like to thank Falcon rods, P-Line and Seagar fluorocarbon line and Shimano reels.
Jack Waldrop, Jr caught the big bass of the day weighing 8.76 lbs, fishing with Hub Bechtol. “It was around 1:00. We were fishing in dirty water around big cypress trees in 6’ or less water.” He was using a watermelon red senko with braided line, flipping to the trees. “She barely tapped it on the fall. When I set the hook, it didn’t move for several seconds. I knew it was a big fish!” The team won $1,000 for Big Bass which anchored their 10th place overall finish for an additional $1,010. They also won the $200 Costa bonus, the WFN bonus and the Revo Reel bonus for catching the Big Bass on a Revo reel. The team would like to thank Fitovers Eyewear, Anglingchannel.com, BK’s BBQ, SRB Marine, the Lakes Custom Upholstery and Waters of America for their support.
The 5th place team doubled their winnings for being the highest finishing qualified Skeeter boat owners. Ronald Sisk and Michael Castor turned their $1,100 day to a $2,200 finish.
It took 9.04 lbs to be in the money, the last place to receive a check was 23rd place team of Jerry Taylor and Eric Taylor for $500.
With only three tournaments left to go for the Central Region, the Anglers of the Year race is underway and stacking up tight.
Top 5 points standings:
372 Dean Alexander & Eric Crumley
371 Jack Waldrop Jr & Hub Bechtol
371 James Hester & Chet Sutton
369 Randall Christian & Randy Hibler
363 Joe Bray & Brandon Bray
The title for Anglers of the Year is too tight to predict. The winners at the end of the season will not only enjoy the title they’ve earned, but all entry fees for that team in the region they’ve earned the title in will be waived for the 2011 season. A complete list of points standings can be viewed on www.BassChamps.com
The next Central Region tournament will be held on lake LBJ on April 10th. In the mean time Bass Champs staff and crew will head to Lake Fork for the season opener for the North Region March 13.
Bass Champs will pay out half a million dollars in 1st place winnings alone this season. Come get your part of it! For more information call 817-439-3274.
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