|
|
|
|
|
TEAM TOURNAMENT
|
|
|
|
Date: | | May 16, 2009 |
Region: | | 2009 South Region |
Tournament: | | Choke Canyon#2 |
Tournament Trail: | | 2009 Bass Champs Tournament Trail |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Solo angler Lee Beuershausen wins $26,000 with Bass Champs on Choke Canyon |
By: Patty Lenderman |
|
South Region Bass Champs anglers pounded Choke Canyon May 16, and the top weights were brutally heavy. The top three teams weighed in over 30 pounds but Lee Beuershausen had nearly 40 pounds to triumph over 180 teams!
The day began with optimal fishing conditions, but the forecasted storms were on the way. By early afternoon the weather was fierce and many chose to come in early. With nearly $50,000 in cash and prizes on the line, the teams gave it all they could to cash in on part of it.
Fishing by himself this tournament, Lee Beuershausen had a phenomenal day. “I started out on a shallow ledge in the morning. I had been catching some good fish there the last couple of weeks, but not as good as today!” It didn’t take him long to put a decent limit together. Throwing a variety of baits including 10” power worms, 1/0 Strike King spinnerbaits and Bomber Switchback shad crank baits, it didn’t take long to start culling.
Among his first cull was his kicker – and it was the biggest bass he has ever caught. “I was throwing my crank bait on my 7’ Power Tackle Rod. The rod was the real key in this situation.” He was sitting on a main lake point fishing in less than 10’ of water. “She grabbed my bait and headed out for deep water. I knew it was a big one right away.” Estimating a fight that lasted nearly two minutes, he wrangled her as she made four jumps attempting to unlatch from his lure. “It was a real rodeo. There were other boats nearby, and I’m sure it was quite a show for them too.” That one weighed 13.40 lbs! He received $1,000 for that fish and a portion of it is going toward an exact replica he is having made of his catch. He also caught another over 10 pounds, then putting the rest of his creel on the scales his total weight was tallied at 38.36 lbs. Bass Champs awarded him $20,000 for his 1st place win. He was also the highest finishing qualified angler in a Skeeter boat winning that bonus of $5,000. His total winnings were $26,000. “I’d like to thank Skeeter boats, Power Tackle Rods, Marble Falls Spa & Pool, and Choke Canyon Lodge. It’s the best place to stay in three counties!”
The next sack over 30 pounds was caught by the team of Rick Hamilton and Tony Maldonado for a total of 30.82. “Our plan was to start out in the back of a creek that we found fish in a week ago.” They quickly found out that their bass had moved. “We made a move about 8:00 to go find them.” Locating a ledge that dropped off to deep water about 300 yards away from their original target, they checked it out. “It dropped from 5’-20’. We were using chartreuse & white tandem spinnerbaits, big Baglee’s Bomber crank baits and a variety of worms rigged Texas and Carolina.” Their strategy worked. Tony started out their day with an 8.80 lb bass to get the livewells fired up. By 9:30 they had a limit and ended up catching nearly three limits to cull from. “The storm came in around 2:00. We fought it as long as we could, but it was just too much so we came on in.” Their weight held for a 2nd place finish and $3,000.
3rd place was won by Kenneth Ewald and Rudy Medina with 30.30 lbs. Rounding out the top five were Elroy Krueger and Charles Wilson in 4th place with 29.58 lbs, then Michael and Andy Wimberly in 5th place with 28.60 which included an 11.16 lb kicker.
Twenty four places were paid. Dean Alexander and Eric Crumley received the last $500 check weighing in 21.28 lbs.
Congradulations go out to Michael Randolph for getting his name drawn for the "Conservation" bonus of $500.00
This wraps up the regular season for the South Region. The points have been tallied and Anglers of the Year for the South region determined. Congratulations to Derick Kuyrkendall and Forrest Wilson for winning their second AOY title in a row! Their entry fees for the 2010 Bass Champs South Region events will be waived to go along with their earned prestigious title.
The Championship for the North & South regions will be held on Lake O.H. Ivie October 3rd & 4th. $50,000 is guaranteed for 1st place and there is an optional 100% cash side pot for additional places! The top 10 in AOY point standings receive free side pot entry. All teams that have entered all 5 events automatically qualify to fish the championship. Good luck anglers!
Bass Champs staff and crew will head to Lake Lewisville next for the fourth North Region tournament. If you would like to enter or for more information click to www.BassChamps.com or call 817-439-3274.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|