BASS FISHINGBass Fishing Sports Blog

Published: Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 11:12 p.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 11:12 p.m.

Kyle Fox qualified for the 2012 Bassmaster Elite Series after traveling across the country, competing in Bassmaster Southern, Central and Northern Opens since 2007.

But reaching the pinnacle of professional bass fishing may have been the simple part for Fox, considering the difficulty in landing sponsors in a down economy.

Fox, 23, is going to bite the bullet and fish the entire Elite Series schedule even if he doesn’t find enough sponsorship money.

“It’s going to cost probably close to 70-grand, and that’s living off the cheap stuff,” Fox said.

The entry fee for each of eight tournaments is $5,000. on top of that, add expenses for food, gas and motels.

Fox has received sponsorship help from Skeeter, Yamaha and Strike King so far. He’s waiting on a new 20-foot Skeeter rig with a 250-HP Yamaha outboard that will be wrapped in sponsor colors.

Fox, who runs his own lawn-care business, started the new year by winning the Camp Mack Open on the Kissimmee Chain Saturday, putting some much-needed cash in his pocket.

But he is still working nearly daily on finding more sponsorships.

“For a young guy like me, it’s tough,” Fox said.

“The toughest thing is convincing people you’re going to help them out,” Fox said. “You’re a moving billboard, going from state to state (on the Interstates). The only way you can make a living doing this is to have people pay you.”

Fox hopes to finalize more sponsors by the end of February, with the first tournament in March on the St. Johns River at Palatka.

“I’m still wheeling and dealing with people. No commitments, though,” Fox said. “More than anything, I’m looking forward to fishing against that crowd of people. The money thing, it’s going to be tough. but hopefully, I can win some money.”

Fox, who’s been successful at every level of tournament fishing, is talking with the Lane brothers and other tournament pros he has met.

“They all say it’s a tough road when you first start,” Fox said. “But as the years go on, you build relationships with each sponsor that wants to stick by you. That’s how you earn people’s trust and show them that you’re a good guy, out there to help them out.”

Fox seems to have a handle on what he needs to do for sponsorships. Winning and visibility, of course, would go a long way.

“I’ve still got to make a name for myself,” he said.

TWO FISHING EVENTS IN POLK SENIOR GAMES

Seniors 50 and older can compete in fishing events in the Polk Senior Games.

The Fishing event is March 1 on Derby Lake at Tenoroc from 8:30-11 a.m. There were 75 competitors last year. Gary Cornell is the event manager (863-816-9268).

The Glide Casting event is Feb. 28 at Veterans Park on Edgewood Drive in Lakeland at 9 a.m. It’s new for this year. Frank Foster is the event manager (863-687-2115).

Entry deadline is Feb. 10. Check polkseniorgames.org.

BASS TOURNAMENTS

Jack Alward and Willard Combee produced a 25-pound, 8-ounce stringer, anchored with an 8 3/4-pounder, on the south Winter Haven chain to win the Sunday Open Series’ first tournament of the season. Kevin Wells and Todd String finished second with 19 pounds. Richard Finley and Mark Goodson took third with 17 pounds, 11 ounces.

Jeremy Cannon and Rich Fitzgibbon won the Tampa Pro Bass tournament on the Kissimmee Chain out of Camp Lester Sunday with 21.35 pounds, with a 6.69-pound kicker fish by Cannon. David Crews and Troy Olivier took second with 15.50 pounds, followed by Sam Guess and Brandon Chambliss with 15.20 pounds.

David Glenn won the Winter Haven Lunker Lovers tournament on the south Winter Haven chain Sunday with 14.48 pounds and an 8.69-pound kicker on a Bitter’s Skip Shad in the Toho color. Colby Cotterill took second with 11.79 pounds. Allen Prince had 9.88 pounds for third, while Shea Arnold was fourth at 8.69 pounds.

Bob and Lorene Wehrly won their second straight ABA Couples tournament Saturday on Lake Okeechobee with 15.92 pounds including a 5.59-pounder and 6.51-pounder. Paul Bruessow and Anna Midzio placed second with 14.16 pounds.

Johnny Johnson and Cecil Hicks won the Castaways tournament on the south Winter Haven chain Saturday with 12.61 pounds. Johnny Lockaby and Tim Howe placed second with 9.19 pounds. Brian and Tanner Pope had 8.96 pounds for third. Ron Terry’s 6.42-pounder was tops.

Chris Cooper joined the Lakeland Junior Bassmasters and promptly outfished everyone with a 12.20-pound stringer anchored by a 7.90-pounder. he won the 11-14 division, with Roger Weigel second with 10.60 pounds. they did better than the older 15-18 age group, won by Harry Linsinbigler with 6.60 pounds. Mike Boswell was second with 5 1/2 pounds, with Jacob Rogers third at 5.20 pounds. Dustin Bozeman and Alex Pierce tied for fourth (4.80), followed by Matthew Phipps (4.40).

Joe McGuire won the Bass Bandits tournament on Lake Pierce with 8 3/4 pounds. followed by Derek Brown (7.05) and Robbie Wright (6.80). Joe Willis’ 3.60-pounder was tops.

[ Del Milligan's freshwater fishing column appears Thursdays in The Ledger. he can be reached at del.milligan@theledger.com or 863-802-7555. Milligan's blog, Central Florida Fishology, can be found at theledger.com home page. ]

Dunlap and Morris placed fourth in the opening round at High Rock with 12.03 pounds but rallied the next day at Tillery with an outstanding catch of 21.42 pounds for a two-day haul of 33.45 pounds.

They received $1,200 for first place and an additional $160 for huge fish with a 5.40-pound bass taken at Tillery.

Ronnie Smith and Randy Weddington of China Grove, Day 1 second-place finishers at High Rock with 15.90 pounds, had 12.58 pounds on Day 2 at Tillery for a total of 28.48 pounds that paid $500.

“That’s the first time in more than a month that we caught our limit at High Rock,” said Smith following Saturday’s competition at High Rock where the fishing has been slow.

Bob Jennett of Kernersville and Derek Crumbley of High Point had 14.50 pounds at High Rock and 10.88 pounds at Tillery for a combined weight of 25.38 pounds and shared the third-place prize of $260.

Jason Riggs and Darrell Crumbley, both of Lexington, first-place finishers Saturday at High Rock with 16.04 pounds, could catch only 4.35 pounds Sunday at Tillery to fall out of the money.

A total of eleven teams qualified for the two-day championship. Three Crumbleys, all related, fished the event: Darrell, Derek and Darien.

Robert Parrish of Albemarle and David Drye of New London won the points championship for the season and collected $500.

Jennett had an expensive tournament experience Saturday at High Rock Lake. he blew two engines in one day, not an simple thing to do.

Shortly after the event started, Jennett blew his engine but used his trolling motor to return to the takeoff site at Tamarac Marina. he borrowed another boat and engine to use and blew that engine during the afternoon while fishing Potts Creek. he and his partner Derek Crumbley slowly made their way back from upriver in stages as the engine barely had enough power to get the boat on plane. By the time they reached the mouth of Crane Creek, the engine lost its remaining oomph, and the boat wouldn’t plane.

Lucky for Jennett and his partner, another competitor weighed in his fish early and heard about their predicament. he volunteered to go out and get Jennett and Crumbley, so they could weigh in their limit of fish.

The two borrowed another rig to fish Sunday at Tillery.

American Bass Anglers has set its 2012 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series schedule for North Carolina Division 5. Two stops are at High Rock Lake.

The circuit visits Lake Norman on March 24, High Rock Lake on April 21, Jordan Lake on May 19, Kerr Lake on June 2 and High Rock Lake on Aug. 18-19. N.C. Division 5 qualifying anglers will compete in the Oct. 19-20 Regional at Smith Mountain Lake, Va.

Lee and Kimberly King of Cherryville won the ABA American Couples Series tournament at Lake Wylie with 8.19 pounds and shared $270.

Bryan Thrift of Shelby placed fifth at the Oct. 20-23 FLW Tour event at Lake Guntersville, Ala. His four-day haul of 73-07 paid $19,421.

Chris Baumgardner of Gastonia finished 20th with 31-13 and earned $11,634.

Two Tar Heel co-anglers received checks. Cory Leonard of Castalia ranked sixth with 30-10 and won $2,424, and Phil Jarmon of Apex had 11-13 to place 22nd, winning $1,256.

This Saturday, the Farmer Lions Club presents the bill Johnson Fall Memorial Bass Tournament at Badin Lake. the tournament takes place from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. out of Fish Tales Marina & Grill. the entry fee is $60 per boat with an optional huge-fish fee of $10.

Payback is $600 for first place, $300 for second place, $200 for third place. A $100 drawing will take place for non-winners.

Entries will be accepted from 5:30 to 6:45 a.m. at the marina. For details, contact Richard Delk at 241-2333.

Tony Garitta is a fishing columnist for the Dispatch.

Catfish grab the spotlight at Clear Lake this weekend as the inaugural Lakeport Catfish Derby gets under way at 5 p.m. today. the tournament runs through noon Sunday.

The derby is a fundraiser for the Lakeport Volunteer fire Department and the Lakeport Yacht Club. the entry fee is $50 and fishermen can sign up as late as 11 p.m. tonight at the yacht club. Derby officials will be at the yacht club all day today to accept entries. There is also a kids division for those 15 and younger and the entry fee is $10.

All the activities take place at the Lakeport Yacht Club, located at the Fifth Street boat ramp in Lakeport. the derby pays down to five places and each fisherman can weigh in one catfish at a time. If he/she catches a larger fish, it will replace the one the fisherman previously weighed. Call 279-1974 for more information.

The derby should produce some huge catfish. In fact, the catfish action is literally on fire right now, with excellent numbers of catfish weighing between 10-15 pounds being caught. one of the better areas continues to be the shoreline at the Lakeside County Park. the State Park has also been producing some very excellent catfish. the Indian Beach Resort docks in Glenhaven are another hot spot. the hot bait has been jumbo minnows, crawdads and nightcrawlers.

Turning to the bass fishing scene, the action has shifted into high gear as some fishermen are reporting catches 10-25 bass a day. the excellent news is a lot of bass between 12-14 inches are starting to show up. There are also tons of baitfish in the lake and they include silverside minnows, baby bluegill and small bass. the trick to success is to be constantly on the go until you locate fish. I found that out Tuesday when I hit one small area and caught five bass in six casts, all but one of the fish weighing between 3-5 pounds. They grabbed a Skitter Pop topwater lure.

During the same trip I also managed to catch four excellent fish (including a 7-pounder) using the Trash Fish swimbait while working it slowly along the edges of the tules near the State Park. But, other areas I tried produced nothing. the terrible news is I went back to the State Park on Wednesday and managed to place only two bass into the boat. That’s been the scenario for many of the fishermen. one day they load up on bass and the next they can’t catch a fish.

The lake should see increased fishing pressure starting this weekend as fishermen prefish for several upcoming tournaments. the Bob’s Marine Stratos/Champion team tournament is scheduled for Sept. 10-11. that tournament is followed by a WON BASS Pro/am tournament Sept. 17-18. the megabucks FLW tournament is scheduled for Sept. 22-24 and will be followed by the Angler’s Choice two-day World Rookie League Tournament of Champions (TOC) Oct. 1-2.

The well loved Triton Boat Owners tournament is scheduled for Oct. 8-9 and will be followed by an Angler’s Choice Pro Teams TOC Oct. 15-16. Rounding out the month of October is the American Bass Association (ABA) TOC Oct. 21-22.

In addition to the bass and catfish action at Clear Lake, there have been reports of some large bluegill being caught. Fred Williams of Kelseyville has been loading up on large bluegill while fishing near the Narrows. he has been using mini-crawlers and red worms.

At Upper Blue Lake, the only real action has been the excellent bass fishing. both Upper and Lower Blue Lakes have been producing very excellent fishing. the trout action continues to be very slow. Bass are also being caught at Indian Valley Reservoir. the best action has been back in the coves at mid-lake with jigs or crankbaits.

Deer hunters continue to weep the blues as they report seeing very few deer while bagging practically none. This could go down as one of the poorest Zone a seasons in recent memory. the Zone B season opens Sept. 17 and hunters are hoping to see some improvement. the problem continues to be a lack of deer.

Sprinkle caught most of his fish using trick plastic worms.

Tonnie Tucker, another Lexington fisherman and tournament director for the group, placed second with a two-day catch of 23.95 pounds. he received $274.

Greg Lahr of Fayetteville took the huge-fish award of $100 with a 5.45-pound bass.

The group celebrated its season finale by dining on pizza and drawing for prizes at the Southmont Landing, where the final weigh-in was conducted.

At the May 21 ABA West Division tournament at Badin Lake, David Hayworth of Kernersville took the first-place award of $303 with 13.22 pounds and the huge-fish prize with a 4.76-pound bass.

Lance Eckford of Troutman ranked second with 11.23 pounds and collected $137.

For information about the ABA, visit americanbassanglers.com.

Ronnie Smith and Randy Weddington, both of China Grove, established an all-time total weight record for the Fishers of Men Piedmont Division with a winning catch of 27.81 pounds at the June 11 tournament at Badin Lake. They shared $1,008.

Jon Morgan and Rodney Eller of Rockwell placed a distant second with 17.91 pounds and had the huge fish of the day with a 6.49-pound bass to win $778.

Michael and James Bryant finished third with 16.50 pounds and banked $540. The Salisbury team of C.J. Johnston and Matt Stanley had 16.11 pounds for fourth place and $378.

Robert Mixon of Lexington and Steve Sink of Winston-Salem locked up the points championship for the season with a fifth-place finish with 15.81 pounds. They shared $1,276.

Gary Payne and Jeff Easter had 15.08 pounds for sixth place worth $250. James and Steven Perdue took seventh with 13.84 pounds, winning $328.

The top 20 teams from the Piedmont Division will compete with the top 20 teams from other Fishers of Men divisions at the Sept. 23-24 Eastern Regional Championship at High Rock Lake where the winners will receive a new Skeeter bass boat.

The North Carolina Division of the Walmart Bass Fishing League visits High Rock Lake Saturday for a qualifying tournament out of Tamarac Marina.

Registration takes place today from 4 to 6 p.m. at Walmart, 323 S. Arlington St., Salisbury, with a pre-tournament meeting at 6:30 p.m.

The weigh-in is at 2:30 p.m. at the marina.

The Jacob Nance Memorial Tournament is scheduled for Saturday at High Rock Lake out of the Southmont Landing in Abbotts Creek. Tournament hours are safe light to 2 p.m. The entry fee is $50.

Proceeds from the event will go to benefit Boy Scout Troop 215.

Biscuits, hot dogs, and drinks will be available at the landing.

For more information, call 336-239-6514.

Chris Brown and David Wright, both of Lexington, won Saturday's Yadkin Team High Rock Team Tournament contest with a five-fish catch totaling 19.65 pounds and shared $475.

Weddington and Smith made it close with 19.12 pounds, excellent enough for second place and $250. They also claimed the huge-fish prize of $104 with a 6.02-pound bass.

Thomas Ludwick and Tom File, both of Salisbury, placed third with 13.29 pounds and received $141. Bobby Lovings of Salisbury and Dwight Morgan of Gold Hill took the fourth-place prize of $110 with 12.04 pounds.

Lovings and Morgan won the May 21 Yadkin Team High Rock Team event with 18.41 pounds and collected $430.

Brown and Wright won $252 for their second-place catch of 12.90 pounds. The Salisbury team of Tommy Jones and Rodney Bell ranked third with 10.95 pounds and banked $111.

Huge-fish honors went to Ludwick and File with a 5.10-pound bass that paid $84.50.

Michigan's Kevin VanDam won the 2011 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year award for the seventh time and his fourth in a row. he also became the first pro to win the Bassmaster Classic and Angler of the Year titles for two consecutive seasons.

Tont Garitta is a fishing columnist for The Dispatch.

Bass-casting duo from Southern Oregon hopes to make it four Team of the Year awards in a row

The 10-inch-long, black, plastic worms that Travis Glass and Chris Carpenter tossed into the murky waters of Dorena Lake last June could do no wrong.

Bass after bass came to the American Bass Association tournament anglers. and huge ones. so many fat largemouths that not only was the ABA tournament well in hand, they had a chance to make Oregon history.

“We caught 25 fish that day and the smallest was four pounds,” says Glass, 26, of Medford.

When it was over, the five largest largemouth totaled a hair under 38 pounds, easily setting a new Oregon record for a five-fish limit caught in a tournament by a two-angler team.

“You just throw your hands up in the air and laugh about it,” Glass says. “It was a freak day.”

The freak show is back on the road for Glass and Carpenter, 51, of Grants Pass.

This bass-casting duo from smack-dab in the middle of salmon country is the three-time reigning Team of the Year for the ABA in Oregon, and they are on pace to make it four, winning the first two tournaments they fished together this year.

Forgive their fellow tournament anglers who keep sticking their noses into the pair’s boat trying to figure out how the heck they keep on winning.

“People reckon we have a secret or a bunch of secret stuff,” Carpenter says. “But the secret is, there is no secret. the stuff we’re using is right off the shelves, and everybody else has the same access to the places we fish.

“You have to prepare mentally, equipment-wise, do your homework on the lakes,” he says. “It’s a matter of doing everything 10 percent harder.”

That’s the mantra Carpenter has preached to Glass since they first met in 2005 along the side of Interstate 5 near Cottage Grove, where they watched Glass’s bass boat burn to the ground.

Both men were fishing with other partners in Oregon tournaments, which almost exclusively follow the two-angler format. Carpenter sensed Glass’s excitement for the sport, and they joined forces in 2008 in the ABA, winning tournaments and sponsors along the way.

Glass says the pair’s arsenal on the water is a common one: Swim baits, plastic worms, jigs and shallow-diving crank baits.

“Those are the go-to rods,” Glass says.

In the spring, with water conditions cool and fish lethargic, the trick to this trade is to fish any of the baits slowly, Glass says.

“This time of year, you need to find the fish and stay on them,” Glass says. “People often catch one fish and keep moving down the bank. they don’t realize how many fish are under their boat.”

The three tournaments so far this season have been at Tenmile Lakes near Reedsport, and they’ve improved their catches each time until their third tourney netted a five-bass limit of more than 27 pounds.

“That’s a personal best at that lake,” Glass says.

They will fish tournaments this weekend at Green Peter Reservoir near Sweet Home and then the following week at Fern Ridge Reservoir near Eugene.

The closest ABA tournament to the Rogue Valley is at Dorena Lake near Cottage Grove.

The pair will be back at Dorena to defend their title in June, certainly armed with plenty of 10-inch, black, plastic worms.

Glass doesn’t believe the duo — or any twosome, for that matter — has much of a shot at eclipsing last year’s record day.

“I don’t reckon so,” Glass says. “All the conditions were perfect. I reckon that was a fluke day that will never happen again.”

But not so much for Carpenter.

“Anything could happen,” Carpenter says. “In the state of Oregon, it would probably happen in the same place.”

Reach reporter mark Freeman at 541-776-4470, or email mfreeman@mailtribune.com.

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THE EXCELLENT OL’ BOYS BASSMASTERS will be on Lake Hatchineha out of the public ramp Saturday. Entry fee $20 per angler, including huge bass. Membership $30 per person. no HP restriction for outboards. One or two-man teams. call Jim at 727-234-7237, or goodolboysbassmasters.com.

THE MOSAIC BASS CLUB will compete on Lake Toho out of Southport Park Saturday. Safe light to 2 p.m. Club for Mosaic employees only. call Richard Blair at 863-844-5037.

THE FLORIDA BASS NETWORK CENTRAL DIVISION team tournament trail will be on the south Winter Haven chain out of the new Lake Shipp ramp Saturday. Entry fee $50 per team, including huge bass. At least one member of team has to be a member. Membership free at floridabassnetwork.com. One-time tournament fee of $15. Safe light to 2 p.m. call Steve at 863-698-3313.

THE ABA COUPLES FLORIDA DIVISION will compete at the Everglades out of Holiday Park Saturday. call Cary Wien at 305-522-1919 or check ABAcouplesFlorida.com.

THE WINTER HAVEN LUNKER LOVERS will be on the Harris Chain out of Buzzard Beach Saturday and Sunday. call Jim Rose at 863-514-6582 or check online at lunkerlovers.com.

THERE WILL BE a SUNDAY OPEN SERIES TOURNAMENT for anglers who qualified on a lake to be determined on Sunday. Anglers will meet at Walmart in Auburndale at 5 a.m. call Willard Combee at 863-670-7647.

THE TAMPA PRO BASS trail will compete on the Kissimmee Chain out of Camp Lester Sunday. Entry fee $70 per boat, including huge bass. Membership fee $25 per angler. 98 percent payback. Safe light to 2:15 p.m. call John or Wendy Taylor at 727-403-6861.

THE XTREME BASS One Man Series Kissimmee Division will compete on Sunday out of Camp Mack. Entry fees are $120 with a one-time $35 member fee. call Scott Scarboro at 813-293-3032 or check xbseries.com.

RON’S TACKLE BOX will hold its first weekly evening tournament of the season April 7 on the south Winter Haven chain out of Lake Shipp from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Sign up at Ron’s or at the ramp. Entry fee $22 per boat with 100 percent payback. call Ron Schelfo at 863-956-4990.

THE RAMPIN’ IT UP HUGE BASS BENEFIT TOURNAMENT is April 9 on the south Winter Haven chain out of Lake Shipp Park. the entry fee is $100 per boat with a guaranteed payout for the top three places — $2,500, $1,000 and $500. Optional $5 to compete for the single largest bass with a guaranteed cash prize. the inaugural event is being held by the Friends of the Parks Foundation with the city of Winter Haven and Ron’s Tackle Box to provide dedicated funding for public lakes access projects in Polk County and is sponsored by Magnify Credit Union. Safe light to 1 p.m. Free coffee and light breakfast before launch, with raffle tickets $1 or six for $5. Raffle tickets for a bright yellow Spitfire Kayak donated by Action Watersports are $5. Barbecue available from Smokin’ Jim’s. Pre-register at Ron’s Tackle Box in Lake Alfred, or call Ron’s at 863-956-4990.

THE FISHING MISFITS will hold a club tournament April 9 on the south Winter Haven chain out of Lake Cannon. Sign up at 5:30 a.m. day of tournament. For boats with 100-HP outboards and under. call Harry at 863-687-2369 or check mysite.verizon.net/resqxc7y/.

THE WEST COAST COUPLES Bass Club will be on Lake Istokpoga April 9. Entry fee $50, including huge bass. Membership $20 per angler. 100 percent payback. call Chrissy Crocker at 813-996-9513 or Fred Allen at 863-676-3764.

THE LAKELAND BASSMASTERS will compete on Lake Istokpoga out of Istokpoga Park April 10. Club meets second and fourth Tuesday each month at Cleveland Heights at 7 p.m. Check lakelandbassmasters.org or call Jim Hooven at 863-698-9772.

THE XTREME BASS KISSIMMEE DIVISION will compete April 10 out of Camp Mack. Entry fee $120 per team, including huge bass. Membership $35 per angler. Safe light to 3 p.m. Check xbseries.com.

THE TOHO TEAM TOURNAMENT TRAIL will be in action April 10 out of Lakefront Park. Entry fees $85. Membership $10 per angler. Pay at ramp. 100 percent payback. Safe light to 3 p.m. Five-fish limit. call Toho Marine at 407-892-3200.

THE CAMP LESTER TEAM TOURNAMENT TRAIL will fish April 16 on the Kissimmee Chain out of the fish camp. Entry fees $60 per boat, including huge bass. Open to public. Pay at ramp. 100 percent payback. call Leo Cosce at Camp Lester at 863-696-1123.

THE JERRY’S KIDS CATCH-A-CURE BASS TOURNAMENT is April 16 on Lake Kissimmee out of Camp Mack. Third annual fund-raiser for Muscular Dystrophy Association by Letter Carriers Branch 1779. Entry fee $80 per boat, including huge bass and ramp fee. first place guaranteed $1,000. Entry deadline by mail April 11. Cash only at ramp. Safe light to 3 p.m. call 863-221-9466.

THE GATOR DIVISION of the Walmart Bass Fishing League will be on the Kissimmee Chain out of Lake Toho April 16. call 270-252-1000 or check flwoutdoors.com.

THE FLORIDA CRAPPIE CLUB WEST DIVISION will be on the south Winter Haven chain April 16. Entry fee $50 plus $10 for largest speck. Individuals or partners. Seven-fish limit. 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. no membership fee. call Harold McGhee at 813-215-9759 or Darryl Cole at 352-669-0442.

THE LAKELAND HAWG HUNTERS will fish on Lake June April 17. Safe light to 2:30 p.m. the club meets at Bobber’s Tackle Shop April 7 at 7 p.m. call Doug Gary at 863-559-0094.

THE ACCENT MARINE Tournament Trail will be in action April 17 on the Kissimmee Chain out of Camp Mack. Entry fee $65 per boat, including huge bass. 95 percent payback. Six-fish limit. call 813-620-1042 or 813-620-1309.

THE LAKE WALES PO’ BOYS Bass Club will start the new season on Lake Kissimmee out of Grape Hammock April 17. Club looking for new members. Check lakewalespoboys.com for the upcoming schedule. call 863-781-0736 or 863-632-1643.

THE XTREME BASS Winter Haven Division will fish April 17 out of the ancient Lake Shipp Park. call Donnie Marcum at 352-636-6185.

THE BASS CHAMPIONS SENIOR TOUR will be on West Lake Toho out of Southport Park April 22. One team member must be 50 or older by Dec. 31, 2011. Entry fees $160 per event including $10 for huge bass. call tournament director Foy Underwood at 352-694-6272.

THE CASTAWAYS BASS CLUB will fish on Lake Hatchineha April 23. Trail for boats with 40-HP outboards or less, and boats 17 feet or less. Entry fees $50 per team, including huge bass. Membership $15 per angler. new members welcome. call Johnny Lockaby at 813-833-5786 or check castawaysbassfishing.com.

THE PERFORMANCE BASS ANGLERS will compete on Lake Kissimmee out of Grape Hammock April 23. Visit performancebassanglers.com.

THE LAKELAND JUNIOR BASSMASTERS will compete on the south Winter Haven chain out of Lake Summit April 23. For information, check lakelandjuniorbassmasters.com.

THE XTREME BASS Toho Division will be in action April 23 out of Lakefront Park. Entry fee $120 per team, including huge bass. Membership $35 per angler. Safe light to 3 p.m. call Scott Scarboro at 813-293-3032 or check xbseries.com.

THE STRATOS FLORIDA BOAT OWNERS TOURNAMENT is April 30 and may 1 on the Kissimmee Chain out of Camp Mack. Entry fee $120 per boat, including huge bass. Six-fish limit. call Accent Marine at 813-620-1042 or 813-620-1309 for information.

LONE OAK BAPTIST CHURCH will hold its annual bass tournament may 21 on Lake Kissimmee out of Camp Mack. Entry fee $65 per boat. first place pays $1,000, $500 for second, $300 for third and $200 for fourth. Safe light to 2 p.m. call Eric Sutton at 813-754-5278.

THE XTREME BASS One Man Series Toho Division will compete may 29 out of the city ramp. Entry fees are $120 with a one-time $35 member fee. Check xbseries.com.

[ Send tournament notices or results to Del Milligan, P.O. Box 408, Lakeland, Fla., 33802, or fax to 802-7812. Deadline is Wednesday noon. Include date, entry fee and phone. ]

Today officials announced the 2011 summer calendar for pro bass tournaments on Lake Champlain marking the tenth year of pro tournaments in Plattsburgh, NY.

Separating new York and Vermont in the Northeastern corner of the U.S., Lake Champlain saw its first pro bass event in September 2001. since then, Lake Champlain has earned the reputation of one of the best small mouth fisheries in North America, welcoming more than 50 tournaments and 25,000 pro anglers to the host city of Plattsburgh. this year will be no exception.

Plattsburgh’s 2011 pro bass tournament season includes:

June 11 – ABA Weekend SeriesJune 18 – Wal-Mart BFL TournamentJune 23-25 – FLW Everstart SeriesJune 25 – FLW National Guard College SeriesJuly 30 – Northern Bass SupplySeptember 14-17 – Wal-Mart FLW Tour

“Lake Champlain is always a favorite stop among our anglers, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be visiting with the Walmart BFL, EverStart Series and National Guard College Fishing events in June and the Walmart FLW Tour stop in September,” said Kathy Fennel, FLW Outdoors president of operations. “The incredible hospitality extended to FLW Outdoors and our anglers is one of the reasons we continue to come back year after year.”

“Lake Champlain is considered one of the premier fisheries in the United States,” Fennel added. “our anglers love the tremendous smallmouth and largemouth fishing opportunities that it offers, and fans love the exciting weigh-ins produced by such a prolific fishery.” Lake Champlain is home to the FLW Tour’s top-three all-time opening round catches.

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That Sunday marked the first day of spring. that day was also the first time Alvin Williams of Huntersville fished High Rock Lake.

Williams, a store manager at best Buy in Kannapolis, went crappie fishing with Gerald Wilkes of Mocksville, who has a family lake house in second Creek. The two buddies set out in an aluminum boat in second Creek to target slab crappie.

One stop put them at a small point where Williams made repeated casts with his Bass Pro Shops ultralight rod-and-reel combo after he thought he felt something nip at the small jig and plastic bait he had tied to the end of his 4-pound-test Stren line.

“I felt a couple of bumps so I kept casting to the spot,” said the 36-year-ancient store manager.

Williams eventually had a solid strike, and the fish immediately took out line making the reel’s drag groan.

“The fish never came up so I couldn’t tell what it was,” Williams said. “My buddy and I guessed it was a catfish.”

When the fish tired after three or four minutes of fighting, it swam right into the awaiting net manned by Wilkie. The two anglers stared at a huge largemouth bass.

“The biggest bass I had caught before this one weighed about 5 or 6 pounds,” said Williams. “I don’t know if it was the cold water or what, but this fish didn’t fight as hard as some of the 5-pound fish I’ve caught.”

The two anglers showed the bass to several other fishermen who encouraged them to have the fish weighed. on the scales at Hill’s Minnow Farm, located a small distance from second Creek, the trophy bass registered 11.2 pounds, a remarkable weight for High Rock, which has produced only two or three documented bass of that size or larger in the past 40 years.

No official lake records exist for High Rock Lake, but Williams’ fish is undoubtedly the biggest one caught with 4-pound-test line, marking another “first” for March 20 at the Yadkin River impoundment.

Williams plans to have the fish mounted, and he’s submitted a digital photo of the bass for the May issue of the North Carolina Sportsman magazine.

Tracy Adams of Wilkesboro placed third at the March 24-26 Bassmaster Southern Open at Lake Norman with 40 pounds, 4 ounces and collected $14,917.

Ron Wolfarth of Oakboro ranked sixth with 38-00 and received $9,547. Alvin Shaw of Roaring Gap finished eighth with 36-05, winning $7,160.

Other Tar Heels earning checks were Wayne Hauser of Mooresville, 13th, with 24-04 for $3,580; Maurice Freeze of Concord, 21st, with 22-12 for $2,446; Jordan Cord of Cary, 25th, with 22-03 for $2,208; Craig Chambers of Charlotte, 27th, with 21-15 for $2,088; and Bucky Helms of Dallas, 39th, with 20-04 for $1,521.

Fletcher Shryock of Newcomerstown, Ohio, won the first BASS event of his career with a three-day catch of 49-09 and collected $56,933.

Charlotte’s George Hirapetian finished second among the co-anglers with 18-07 and banked $4,773.

Other co-angler scores were Ethan Cox of West end, sixth, with 14-14 that paid $1,790; Marc Mode of Mooresville, ninth, with 13-09 that paid $1,313; Stacy Greer of Waxhaw, 23rd, with 9-10 that paid $448; Duane Rinkus of Denver, 24th, with 9-09 that paid $448; and Preston Harris of State Road, 27th, with 9-07 that paid $448.

Marty and Dusty Nester of Mt. Airy won the March 19 Fishers of Men Piedmont Division tournament at Lake Norman with 17.53 pounds and shared $1,363.50.

Kenneth and John Shumate placed second with 13.65 pounds, earning $632.

Timothy Toomey captured the March 6 American Bass Anglers N.C. West Division tournament at Tuckertown Lake with 17.13 pounds and won $303.

Richard Scott Henley won the March 20 ABA West Division event on Badin Lake with 24.88 pounds and had the big fish of the day with a 6.40-pound bass. he received $485.

Tony Garitta is a fishing columnist for The Dispatch.

A BASS TOURNAMENT TO BENEFIT FROSTPROOF PROJECT GRADUATION will be held Saturday on Lake Reedy. Entry fee $60 per boat. call Tony Sackett at 863-528-0481 or Greg Dale at 863-528-5276.

THE GATOR DIVISION of the Walmart Bass Fishing League will hold its second tournament Saturday on the Kissimmee Chain out of Lakefront Park on Toho. Check flwoutdoors.com.

THE FLORIDA BASS NETWORK CENTRAL DIVISION team tournament trail begins the season on Lake Walk-in-the-Water Saturday. Entry fee $50 per team, including huge bass. Safe light to 2 p.m. call Steve at 863-698-3313.

THE WINTER HAVEN LUNKER LOVERS will be on the Kissimmee Chain out of Camp Lester Sunday. call Jim Rose at 863-514-6582.

THERE WILL BE a SUNDAY OPEN SERIES TOURNAMENT on Lake Hartridge on the south Winter Haven chain Sunday. Entry fee $30, including huge bass. 100 percent payback. Safe light to 1 p.m. call Willard Combee at 863-670-7647.

THE TAMPA PRO BASS trail will compete on the Harris Chain out of Hickory Point Sunday. Entry fee $70 per boat, including huge bass. Membership $25 per angler. Safe light to 2:15 p.m. call John or Wendy Taylor at 727-403-6861 or 727-789-0525.

THE TOHO TEAM TOURNAMENT TRAIL will be in action Sunday out of Lakefront Park. Entry fees $85. Membership $10 per angler. Pay at ramp. 100 percent payback. Safe light to 3 p.m. call Toho Marine at 407-892-3200.

THE FISHING MISFITS will hold their final open tournament of the season March 12 on Lake Marion out of Bannon’s Camp. Ramp fee $3. Sign up at 5:30 a.m. day of tournament. for boats with 100-HP outboards and under. call Harry at 863-687-2369.

THE WEST COAST COUPLES Bass Club will be on Lake June in Winter out of the county ramp March 12. Entry fee $50, including huge bass. Membership $20 per angler. 100 percent payback. call Chrissy Crocker at 813-996-9513 or Fred Allen at 863-676-3764.

THE EXCELLENT OL’ BOYS BASSMASTERS will be on Bent Lake out of Bob’s Landing March 12. Entry fee $20 per angler, including huge bass. Membership $30 per person. Maximum 150-HP. No pros or guides. one or two-man teams. Sign up at ramp before 6 a.m. New members welcome. call Jim at 727-234-7237.

THE MOSAIC BASS CLUB will compete on Eagle Lake March 12. Safe light to 2 p.m. Mosaic employees only. call Richard Blair at 863-844-5037.

THE ABA COUPLES FLORIDA DIVISION will compete on East Lake Toho out of East Lake Fish Camp March 12. Check ABAcouplesFlorida.com.

THE XTREME BASS KISSIMMEE DIVISION will compete March 13 out of Camp Mack. Entry fee $120 per team, including huge bass. Membership $35 per angler. Safe light to 3 p.m. call Scott Scarboro at 813-293-3032 or check xbseries.com.

THE POLK COUNTY BASS AND SNOOK CLUB will hold a tournament on Lake Walk-in-the-Water March 19. Club looking for new members. Club meets second and fourth Wednesdays at Hot Shots Restaurant in Winter Haven. Visit polkcountybassandsnookclub.com or call Mike Howell at 863-646-2481.

THE XTREME BASS Toho Division will be in action March 19 out of Lakefront Park. Entry fee $120 per team, including huge bass. Membership $35 per angler. Safe light to 3 p.m. Check xbseries.com.

THE XTREME BASS Winter Haven Division will fish March 19 out of the ancient Lake Shipp Park. call Donnie Marcum at 352-636-6185 or check xbseries.com.

THE FLORIDA CRAPPIE CLUB WEST DIVISION will be on Lake Manatee March 19. Entry fee $50 plus $10 for biggest speck. call Harold McGhee at 813-215-9759 or Darryl Cole at 352-669-0442.

THE LAKELAND BASSMASTERS will compete on the Kissimmee Chain out of Camp Mack March 20. Club meets second and fourth Tuesday each month at Cleveland Heights at 7 p.m. Check lakelandbassmasters.org.

THE CAMP LESTER TEAM TOURNAMENT TRAIL will fish March 20 on the Kissimmee Chain out of the fish camp. Entry fees $60 per boat, including huge bass. Open to public. Pay at ramp. 100 percent payback. call Leo Cosce at Camp Lester at 863-696-1123.

THE XTREME BASS One Man Series Toho Division events are March 20, may 29, July 31 and Sept. 25 out of city ramp. Entry fee $120 with one-time $35 member fee. Check xbseries.com.

THE BASS CHAMPIONS SENIOR TOUR will be on East Lake Toho March 25. Entry fees $160 including $10 for huge bass. Membership $35 per person. call Foy Underwood at 352-694-6272 or 800-416-4451.

THE PERFORMANCE BASS ANGLERS will compete on the Harris Chain March 26. Visit performancebassanglers.com.

THE BASSMASTER WEEKEND SERIES will be on the Kissimmee Chain out of Camp Mack March 26. Entry fee $200 for boaters and $100 for co-anglers. Check americanbassanglers.com.

THE LAKE WALES PO’ BOYS Bass Club will hold its E.C. Smith Classic on Lake Walk-in-the-Water March 26-27 for those who qualified. Check lakewalespoboys.com for the full schedule. call 863-781-0736 or 863-632-1643.

THE OUTCASTS BASS CLUB will be on Lake Istokpoga out of Istokpoga Marina March 26-27. Entry fee $60, including huge bass. Membership $70 per team. 100 percent payback. Check OutcastsBassClub.net.

THE ACCENT MARINE Tournament Trail will be in action March 27 on the Kissimmee Chain out of Camp Mack. Entry fee $65 per boat, including huge bass. 95 percent payback. Six-fish limit. call 813-620-1042 or 813-620-1309.

THE XTREME BASS One Man Series Kissimmee Division will compete April 3, June 19 and Aug. 7 out of Camp Mack. Entry fee $120 with one-time $35 fee. Check xbseries.com.

THE RAMPIN’ IT UP HUGE BASS BENEFIT TOURNAMENT is April 9 on the south Winter Haven chain out of Lake Shipp Park. Entry fee $100 per boat with guaranteed payout for top three places — $2,500, $1,000 and $500. Pre-register at Ron’s Tackle Box in Lake Alfred, or call Ron’s at 863-956-4990.

THE STRATOS FLORIDA BOAT OWNERS TOURNAMENT is April 30 and may 1 on the Kissimmee Chain out of Camp Mack. Entry fee $120 per boat, including huge bass. Six-fish limit. call Accent Marine at 813-620-1042.

[ Send tournament notices or results to Del Milligan, P.O. Box 408, Lakeland, Fla., 33802, or fax to 802-7812. Deadline is Wednesday noon. Include date, entry fee and phone. ]

I fished the National bass low entry tournament on Sunday and the fishing was pretty good. the fish are still in transition mode due to the latest storm but are starting to move up.

The larger fish seem to still be down in the 50 – 80 ft zones. Our two largest fish a 4.3 and a 4.5 came from 60ft. we threw half oz. peanut butter and jelly jigs for most of the day. If you can find the deep structure the fish will be there.

Water temp is still around 57 degrees.