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TEXAS

BASS FISHING

James Niggemeyer

Central Open Winner on Toledo Bend

How to choose a Flipping Bait

TEXAS PROS

RED RIVER CLASSIC at the

Spring 2009

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Texas Pros Take Home Lessons Learned At Red River Classic By Joe Walker

Contributors Joe Walker Steve Price Sam Shelton

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12 How To Choose A Flipping Bait by Steve Price

Columns Notes 04 Editor by Eddie Thomas Adventures with 07 Outdoor Hank and Buck by Shooter

Babes 10 Bassin by Doris Thomas Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009

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elcome to the first edition of Texas Bass Fishing Magazine! We are proud to produce this publication about Bass Fishing in the great state of Texas. We hope to successfully bring you informative as well as positive information concerning all things related to the sport of bass fishing. I have been fishing since I was a young boy, born and raised in Northeast Texas, and it has been a great passion and hobby of mine over the years. I got away from the sport during college due to my father would not let me take his boat away to school (a wise man) and that college life was filled with plenty of activities. That never completely stopped me and fellow roommates from occasionally finding an assortment of tanks and ponds to “hop” in search of the illusive creatures. After college I bought my first “bass rig” a G3 with a 40 horse Yamaha and like you started planning my schedule to find more time for the water. Since then I’ve upgraded the boat, my equipment, and tackle to pursue my ever growing interest. The staff and I at Texas Bass Fishing Magazine hope to hear from our readers. We want to have an open relationship so fisherman can voice their constructive opinions in order “The bass fishing for us to become a well-rounded magazine. Please feel free to contact us with any ideas, news, events, fishing stories, and of course photos via email at: [email protected]. community is I would like to THANK everyone we have met so far for all of your support. The bass truly filled with positive and light fishing community is truly filled with positive and light hearted people that are making this process enjoyable. I’m sure this pattern will continue and look forward to building hearted people that are making strong relationships. Until next time thanks again and enjoy the magazine. this process Sincerely, enjoyable.”

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Eddie R. Thomas

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Babying

How you handle a lunker impacts its chances of survival By Larry Hodge

Big Bass

ATHENS, Texas - One of the biggest factors that influences the survival of fish entered into the ShareLunker program is how those fish are handled and cared for prior to being picked up by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) employees. ShareLunker handling and care tips on the TPWD web site emphasize minimal contact with the fish and keeping it in a stress-free environment as much as possible. Removing the fish from the livewell or holding tank for photographs stresses the fish, increases the chance the fish will get fungal infections where touched and multiplies the risk of serious injury such as a broken jaw. All big bass are powerful, but anglers who have never tried to hold a fish weighing 13 pounds or more may be surprised at how strong the fish is and how hard it is to control. “We have all seen pictures of bass being held up with one hand grasping the lower jaw,” says Jim Matthews, hatchery manager at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, which is home to the ShareLunker program. “Doing this with a lunker bass will almost ensure a serious injury to the fish’s jaw.” David Campbell, ShareLunker program manager, offers the following tips for handling big bass to avoid injuring them. • Wet your hands before touching the fish.

Current ShareLunker Entries Date

Lake

Angler

Home Town Weight

12/13/08

Conroe

Kyle Nitschke

Willis, TX

1/21/09

Choke Canyon Brad Bookmyer Leander, TX 15.45

1/30/09

Conroe

Ricky Bearden

Conroe, TX 15.93

2/12/09

Lake Fork

Bruce Peel

Granbury, TX 13.13

2/15/09

Choke Canyon Troy Brauchle

2/15/09

Conroe

Mark Goetzman Willis, TX

2/26/09

Conroe

Renee Linderoth Conroe, TX 13.80

3/2/09

Caddo

Ronnie Arnold

Karnack, TX 15.10

3/4/09

Somerville

Steven Vela

Lyons, TX

13.60

3/7/09

Lake Fork

Team effort

Lake Fork

14.68

6

• Using your dominant hand, grip the fish with your thumb inside the mouth and your fingers locked on the outside of the mouth. • Support the rear of the fish with your other hand placed beneath the fish just forward of the tail. • Lift the fish out of the water in a horizontal position using both hands for support. • DO NOT hold the fish by the lower jaw in a vertical position. This can dislocate or break the jaw, practically guaranteeing the fish will not survive, since it will not be able to eat. • Handle the fish only when putting it into a livewell or holding tank. Do not keep the fish out of water or keep removing it from the water for photographs. • If you must handle the fish, try to do so out of the wind and keep it out of water as little as possible. Wind can dry out the eyes very quickly and result in damage. A 13- or 14-pound bass is the equivalent of a 170-class whitetail buck, with the difference being that the buck goes on the wall, while the fish, if properly handled and cared for, can live to continue to produce more fish. Anglers who want to continue to have the opportunity to catch big bass can improve their chances by treating those big bass like babies.

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s with e r u t ven

Hank Buck and

As Interpreted by Shooter

The Great Armadillo Farm Rescue

T

his first installment in the saga that is Hank and Buck takes us back to the last time the boys made their annual pilgrimage out to the beautiful hills of central Texas. Final destination, Luckenbach, TX. If you ask Hank or Buck this is a ride every young man should take. A rite of passage so to speak. This particular journey was all about fun, and believe me, these guys were loaded for bear. They met and loaded the truck down with all imaginable essential travel items: fire makin’ stuff, tortillas, stuff for stuffin’ tortillas, and a few ice cold refreshments. Being as most local streams were dry and deer season had just passed, the boys decided to forgo packing and rods and reels and firearms. The loud sigh all you Hill Country folk heard that day was from your local fish and game. The boys have a reputation.

By the time the morning sun broke through, the two campers had their feet propped up enjoying a Hill Country rendition of a wannabe Texas Aggie bonfire. “Man,” they agreed, “Nothing could be better than this fine Hill Country sunrise alongside a blazing campfire.” With breakfast almost ready Buck reflected on the exchange from the night before, “Boy this breakfast will fix Miss Gaye right up. She’s gonna forget about her error in check out times and jump back on our side directly!” Hank flashed his grin and gave a “I couldn’t agree more” tip of his feed store cap. About the time they had decided that this was truly as good as life could be, Miss Gaye made her way up the hill. “Just what do you think you are doing?” She all but screamed. The two grinners replied in unison, “Cookin’ breakfast! You ready?” “Don’t you know we are in a burn ban? We haven’t had a drop of rain in seven months! Didn’t you see that Grape Creek was darn near dry? Don’t you see all of this bone-dry cedar? Put it out now!” This brought a look from Hank and Buck as a light bulb rose between them. “Dry creeks?” they said, and a little more became clear. So after pouring multiple buckets of water on the campfire and renegotiating small fire rights in the nearby barbeque pit, they watched as Miss Gaye returned home without breakfast. “You big dummy,” says Hank. “Shut up,” says Buck. Well, with no tackle, firearms, a burn ban and a campground that has almost revoked their welcome, it was time to resurface with a brand new plan. They carefully constructed a cook fire in the barbeque pit, strictly adhering to campground specifications. Once the safe fire was in place and all seemed fine and dandy; they left good friend and cooler guarding expert, Slappy, in charge of peace keeping around the campsite. Slappy was a good ole boy that occasionally accompanied the fellas on adventures. You never met a more honest fella and surely never a more top-notch cooler guard. Hank and Buck felt it their duty to return to town for more tortillas, stuff to stuff in tortillas and refreshments. They were Continued on page 11

After stopping to talk to every swinging soul from Brenham to Round Top, La Grange to Bastrop, and Dripping Springs to Blanco and eight hours later, they finally arrived at the Armadillo Farm, Luchenbach, Texas. This may not the most direct route, just the one they find most hospitable. Upon arrival, the boys were not received with the common welcome they were accustomed to receiving for the past several years. Hank looked at Buck and said, “I told you things were gonna change around here, we should have stayed back home and fished the bridge for crappie.” Buck just shook off the comment, for he was sure that he could reconcile things with Miss Gaye, the owner and operator of this fine camping establishment. “Miss Gaye”, says Buck,” me and Hank here are wonderin’ why we’re being treated this way?” “You usually at least act like you appreciate our company, and to boot, we showed up right on time for check in.” Miss Gaye shook her head and explained that check in was noon and not mid-night then mumbled some comment about growing up as she retreated through the night back to her house. Buck apologized for ringing her door bell, wished her a good night and invited her up the hill for breakfast in the morning. When Buck returned from his peace offering Hank was leaning against the front porch of the cabin just grinnin’ like a possum. “You big dummy,” Hank snickered,” what kind of place has a midnight check in time?” Hank had no good reply, so instead he countered with, “She told me 12 o’clock, if she meant noon she should have said noon.” The boys retired. Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009

7

TEXAS PROS TAKE HOME LESSONS LEARNED AT RED RIVER CLASSIC By Joe Walker

S

even Texas anglers, including five full-time tournament pros, the Central Open Division champion, and the BASS Federation Nation champion, competed in the February 20-22 Bassmaster Classic on the Red River in Shreveport, representing the state well and bringing home two top-10 finishes.

The five fulltime pros included Kelly Jordon, Mineola (10th); Alton Jones, Waco (14th); Gary Klein, Weatherford (34th); Todd Faircloth, Jasper (35th); and Byron Velvick, Del Rio (48th). Brian Schmidt of Olney, the reigning BASS Federation Nation national champion, finished 6th; and Michael Burns of Plano, the Central Division champion, finished 37th.

And to a man, the seven described the event as a challenging learning experience not only in fishing river systems during the

“My biggest mistake was not listening to the fish,” admitted Klein, after catching just two bass weighing 2-13 the first day but following with 16-15 the second day when he realized the changing temperatures had moved his bass from deep water hyacinths to a shallow spawning flat.

pre-spawn, but also in recognizing how fast-changing conditions affect river bass. Indeed, it was a tournament dictated largely by the weather, which included sub-freezing temperatures, bright skies, and rain; water temperatures fell as much as 10 degrees overnight in some areas. 8

Klein, fishing his 27th Classic, spent his first day flipping a Berkley Chigger Craw with a one ounce sinker to break Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009

through the hyacinths and lost three quality bass during his first 20 minutes of fishing. “I knew I had good spinnerbait water behind the hyacinths, but never fished it the first day,” lamented the two-time BASS Angler of the Year. “I think a number of pros were surprised the bass were further into their spawning cycle than they had expected. Water temperatures in many places were still in the low to mid-50’s, but some fish were already on spawning beds. “The second morning I returned to my same spot just to prove to myself I had chosen a good area, and caught a five bass limit with the spinnerbait in 30 minutes.

“I slow-rolled a 3/8 ounce homemade spinnerbait through lily pad stems in water less than three feet deep the next day, and there they were.” Kelly Jordon concentrated in a small, shallow off-river slough filled with lily pad stems, brush, and stumps, and caught many of his bass on a Magic Shad jerkbait with a quick retrieve, even though the water temperature on the first day of competition had fallen back to 49 degrees as the first cold front came through. He brought in 15-10 the first day and added 20-5 the second to climb into fourth, even though morning temperatures hovered near freezing. The last day, however, the former Lake Fork guide was forced to contend not only with cold temperatures but also a bright clear sky, and he brought in just over 12 pounds to fall to 10th overall. “I caught all my fish the second day in about an hour and a half in water just 18 inches deep,” he explained, “but on the final morning I felt the temperature was just too cold so I didn’t stay in my best area. Unfortunately, when I came back that afternoon, another angler was on my water, and he caught some nice fish. “What we were experiencing were some amazing displays of bass behavior as the temperatures rose and fell,” Jordon continued. “Even in 49 degree water, I caught my fish using a fast retrieve with the jerkbait, which is something you don’t Courtesy of: ESPN Outdoors

“Even though mornings were really cold, the bright sun warmed the water by early afternoon and fishing was better, especially the final day.” Alton Jones spent most of his tournament flipping, which is his favorite technique, and on the second day he found a bass weighing between nine and 10 pounds on a spawning bed. Naturally, he set up, flipped in a Yum Dinger stickworm, and then uncharacteristically put down his rod to re-rig another rod with a tube.

Courtesy of: ESPN Outdoors

“The days leading up to the Classic were warm,” Klein continued, “and my bass, which had been stacked in a 20-foot deep channel under the hyacinths, had actually moved from those hyacinths up to the shallow flat sooner than I expected.

always see. I think the bass I was catching in shallow water were absolutely committed, and even the cold water was not going to delay them from spawning for very long.

“As I was doing that, I heard my other rod sliding overboard,” he laughed, “and I somehow managed to grab it and set Alton Jones on Day One of the the hook on that 2009 Bassmaster Classic. big fish. It went under the only laydown in the area and broke free. “It was careless on my part, but while I had seen some fish cruising as they began searching for bedding spots, those actually on beds were still spooky and not easy to catch. I really did not think that big bass would hit that soon, and not that lure. I much prefer to bed fish with a tube.” On the last day, Jones changed his flipping weights from ¼ and 3/16 ounce down to 1/8 ounce, which produced a slower fall. It obviously made a difference, as he caught about 30 bass and brought in 20-10. He also recognized another example of quirky bass behavior: even though he was letting his lure fall directly beside stumps, bass weren’t hitting it as it fell. Strikes came about three feet away from the targets, after Jones had slowly crawled the bait along the bottom. All of this was happening in water less than two feet deep, too. The highest finishing Texas angler, Brian Schmidt, admitted he had a poor practice on the river immediately before the Classic began, and like Klein saw his bass move from the hyacinths he had been fishing. To his surprise, however, the bass later moved back to the same hyacinths – when the water temperature climbed from 47 all the way up to 51 degrees.

Kelly Jordan holds up his best two fishes during the weigh-in on Day Two of the 2009 Bassmaster Classic. Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009

His technique? Flipping a Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver through those hyacinths with a one ounce sinker into water less than four feet deep. Continue 9

Are there lessons to be learned from this Classic, especially about bass behavior?

Courtesy of ESPN Outdoors In a year full of women’s firsts like Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin, the sport of bass fishing can also be excited about its own “first lady”. Australian born Kim Bain was the first woman to compete in the 2009 Bass Masters Classic on the Red River in LA. I was there for this event….and my first trip to the Classic. Although my main intention for going to the Classic was some quiet time with my husband, I quickly got caught up in the excitement. Sitting in the CenturyTel Center I said to myself, “there is a girl in this thing" and immediately my interest grew. Throughout the three days I could not help to notice all the women at the launch in the morning, buying items at the Outdoors Expo and of course all the screaming fans at the weight in. By the end of the Classic I was hooked. Yes I am guilty of looking at that pink camo boat and imagining myself catching that winning fish. And guilty, guilty, guilty, I was one of many leaving the Classic with a pink rod. I also left with the idea that this is not just my grandpa’s sport….I can do it too. Girls, this sport is something all of us can enjoy and it is growing by leaps and bounds. From 1980 to 1995 the number of women fishing increased 19 percent compared to 14 percent for males1 and freshwater fishing is the 10th most popular participation sport among women.2 So girls grab your rods, reels, and tackle boxes…..we are Bassin’ Babes!

Please submit feedback, article ideas, pictures, tournament info to [email protected]

“Absolutely,” emphasizes Todd Faircloth, runnerup in last year’s Bassmaster Angler of the Year contest. “First, bass in river systems will often bite far better in cold water than bass in lakes. Maybe they’re more accustomed to changes in water temperature because in most cases they do not have the deep water access lake bass have. “That, in turn, means temperature changes won’t necessarily move the bass very far, although it will slow the bite somewhat. We came to the Red River at the peak of pre-spawn but some bass were already on beds preparing to spawn and plenty of others were certainly looking. Even though water temperatures were colder than we normally think for spawning, many of those river fish were absolutely committed.”

Courtesy of: ESPN Outdoors

Fans packed the CenturyTel Center at the 2009 Bassmaster Classic.

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1 1980-1995 Participation in Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Watching. National and Regional Demographic Trends 2 National Sporting Goods Association. Sports Participation in 2001

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traveling up Old Luckenbach Road carefully scanning the countryside looking for game and making numerous goat jokes, when out of nowhere Hank hollers, “Stop the truck!” Buck obliges and asks, “What in the world is wrong with you now?” Hank points and lets out a whisper, “Armadillo.” “Why are you whispering and what are we gonna do with a stinking armadillo? We don’t even have a gun and besides we don’t even know if its armadillo season out here,” replies Buck. Hank thinks back to the Armadillo Farm and how it was void of any armadillo activity. Buck agrees and the two decide that if they could cordially and voluntarily restock the armadillo herd at the Armadillo Farm, they could mend all of the previous predicaments they’d encountered with Farm Management. On top of all that, Slappy would sure be proud. Buck decides to step in and take the reins, “Alright Mr. Armadillo,” he says referring to Hank “I’ll pull up to the varmint. You jump out and grab it then chunk it into the bed of the truck.” Hank scratches his head, adjusts his feed store cap and makes it known that he doesn’t understand why he is appointed as the head ‘dillo grabber. Of course, an argument ensues and they decide to settle it with a good ole fashioned game of rock, paper, scissors. Well, sports fans, rock beats scissors every time and as it turns out, Buck is up bat. “Cheater,” he says. “Just grab the dang ‘dillo, dummy,” says Hank.

Buck takes a deep breath, shakes off the ridicule being thrown his way by Hank, then eases in for the grab. Just as he gets a firm hold on the dillo’s tail that little sucker springs straight up into the air. To hear the boys tell it now, that thing jumped ten feet straight up. We all venture to say it was far less than that, but nevertheless, the ‘dillo jumped, Buck jumped, Hank let out a holler, and the chase was on. That rascal had broken the hold but Hank and Buck were on him like a couple of bird dogs on a jackrabbit. Around trees, through the brush across the dry creek bed until he got lucky and finally distanced himself for the getaway. “What happened?” asked Hank “Well if you hadn’t been hiding behind the truck, we might have our first ‘dillo,” says Buck. The boys were disappointed and extremely winded but quickly made their way down the road to more stalks. All of which produced the same sad results. They decided to cut their losses and gather up the supplies they were originally in route to procure. On the way back to camp Continued on page 17

Carefully easing the truck, now known as ‘Dillo Stalker One, into position, Buck slips her into park, ever so quietly slips open the driver door and tiptoes out onto the road. The ‘dillo is busy being a ‘dillo, just rooting around minding its own business, with no earthly idea that he is the prime target of an armadillo stalk. Buck moves stealthily into position and is nearly an arm’s reach away when armadillo fever sets in. You know, the kind that sends shutters down your spine and chatters your molars during a big game stalk. Let it be known, armadillo hunting is no different. Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009

11

How To Choose A

Flipping Bait Story & Photos by Steve Price

E

ver since April 2, 1975, when California angler Dee Thomas introduced the technique of flipping to his fellow pros during the Bassmaster Arkansas Invitational at Bull Shoals Lake (which he won with 35 lbs., 6 oz.), fishermen everywhere have made learning the long rod, quiet entry presentation a top priority in their bass fishing education. A number of tournament pros, including Dave Gliebe, Gary Klein, and Denny Brauer can attribute much of their success to the technique, and today, it’s rare to find a bass fisherman who does not own a flipping rod and have at least a basic understanding of how to use it.

“I think the biggest problem today’s bass fishermen have with flipping is choosing the proper lure for the conditions,” notes Bassmaster Elite pro James Niggemeyer of Van, Texas. “Because flipping is such an efficient, high percentage way to catch bass, pros have continued to refine the presentation over the years, and of course, manufacturers have responded with dozens of different flipping-type lures.”

ages that increase water movement.”

Niggemeyer, who also guides on Lake Fork when he isn’t competing and who flips frequently, uses three primary criteria when choosing his lure: water temperature, water color, and the type of cover. All are inter-related, and while several types of lures may be used under the same conditions, Niggemeyer’s guidelines do provide an excellent starting point.

“Just the opposite is true in clear water,” he adds. “There I want a lure that draws attention to itself visually. I want a lot of action, and depending on how deep the fish are, I may use a heavier weight to create a faster fall and generate reflex strikes.”

“I always consider the water temperature first,” he says, “because I want a lure that matches in looks and action what bass would see under those conditions. For example, in water colder than about 57 degrees, I don’t want anything with a lot of action – certainly no curly tails and swimming legs. “I want something sluggish that has a slow fall because this is how baitfish acts in cold water. As the water warms above about 62 degrees, I choose lures with more action and append-

Although he prefers flipping in slightly dingy water because it tends to keep bass shallow, the Texas pro does not hesitate to flip in clear water. When he’s considering water color, Niggemeyer chooses bulkier lures in dirty water because they have a greater water displacement, thus allowing bass to key in on them easier with their lateral line sensory system.

The type of cover being fished is also important in choosing a flipping lure. The heavier the cover, continues Niggemeyer, the more streamlined he wants his lures so they penetrate quickly and easily without getting snagged. Thus, lizards and creature baits get eliminated as choices, and are replaced by jigs and beaver-style lures. “In more sparse cover like isolated laydowns, and even in hydrilla, again I like a lure that draws some attention to itself so it may attract bass to investigate. Creature-type lures are

“In cold water, when bass and baitfish are more sluggish, I’ll use a chunk-type trailer that has bulk but not a lot of action, and it helps slow the jig’s fall.” good for this, but if you’re fishing thick, matted vegetation, you’ll need a heavy sinker to pull such a bait through it.” With these thoughts in mind, here are Niggemeyer’s favorite types of flipping lures and when he uses them:

JIGS:

“My favorite sizes are 3/8 and ½ ounce, and basically, they’re good flipping choices throughout most of the year,” he says. “I like the lighter jig when I’m fishing water three feet or less, and around sparse or isolated cover, such as boat docks. Smaller jigs are also good lures to use when the overall size of

14

Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009

the bass in a lake are smaller, while on Sam Rayburn or Toledo Bend, I’ll always use a heavier jig.” Two specific types of cover where he likes to flip jigs are vertical-type structure, such as dock pilings or stumps; and heavy vegetation like hydrilla. Because a jig falls straight down beside vertical cover it’s a better choice than a tube, which may drift more than a foot away from the target as it falls. “I always have a trailer when I’m flipping jigs, and this can be an important part of your overall lure choice,” he emphasizes. “In cold water, when bass and baitfish are more sluggish, I’ll use a chunk-type trailer that has bulk but not a lot of action, and it helps slow the jig’s fall. Then, as the water warms, I’ll use something with more arms and legs to create more action since the bass are more active.”

BEAVER-STYLE LURES:

“When I’m fishing extremely heavy cover in early spring, particularly in areas where I think there may be a bed but I can’t actually see it, I’ll often use a beaver-type lure,” says Niggemeyer. “A beaver doesn’t have a lot of action, so I’ll Texas-rig it, flip it in, and often just let it sit on the bottom. “Docks, scattered bushes, laydowns, and shoreline reeds are good places to use this style of lure, particularly when water temperatures are still in the 50’s. I’ll let it sink, then lift my rod slowly and then drop it so it just settles back down. I may even drag it along the bottom, but not hop it. It’s also a good choice for heavy cover this time of year because it won’t get snagged.”

“I like to lift my rod to bring the lure off the bottom, then lower my rod quickly so the lure swims down. Because it does have so much action, I want to create multiple falls to take advantage of it.”

CRAWFISH:

CREATURE BAITS:

“I like these lures during the post-spawn and later when water temperatures have warmed into the mid to high 60’s,” he says. “Bass are seeing more baitfish and I want a lure with more action. “Creature baits have largely replaced plane plastic worms as flipping lures, probably because they have more action than any other type of flipping lure. I use them around lily pads, docks, laydowns, riprap, and brush, and while I Texas-rig them, I don’t always need to peg the sinker.

Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009

Niggemeyer believes the best time to choose a crawfish lure for flipping is in warmer water when you’re fishing around vegetation like peppergrass, milfoil, cattails, or reeds. It’s often a good choice in spring when you’re bed fishing but can’t see the beds. Crawfish-style lures can be a very intrusive lure for bed fishing, and some of the crawfish available now look extremely realistic with their pinchers waving in the water. Besides, bass love to eat crawfish, too. “I’ll rig the crawfish Texas-style and peg the sinker,” he explains, “and try to punch through grass for a vertical fall. When the lure hits bottom, I keep it moving, but I don’t hop it. I’ll lift my rod slightly, then let it fall just so I can keep the arms moving.”

STICKWORMS:

“This style of lures, all based on the original Senko, work best for me when bass are not aggressive. I think they’re effective because of their erratic fall and shimmy-type action. I like to fish them around docks, isolated flooded buck brush, and holes in the vegetation. 15

“I usually flip them weightless, and rig them either Texasstyle or wacky-style. If I do use a weight, it’s only about 1/16 ounce. These are lures that attract bass because of how they fall, so I’ll lift my rod tip, then let the lure fall a couple of times before I reel in for another presentation. Sometimes, I’ll keep it on the bottom beside a piece of cover and just shake it.”

TUBES:

“To me, the appeal of a tube as a flipping bait is the fact it never falls the same way twice, which is why I reach for it when bass may be suspended, when there are a lot of baitfish around, or the fishing is just plain tough,” laughs Niggemeyer. “If you’re fishing any type of vertical cover, such as lily pads, boat dock pilings, or standing timber, tubes may save your fishing trip. They’re also good in thick brush, too. Bass hit it on the fall, so you don’t need to spend a lot of time working it on the bottom, except to raise your rod tip and let it fall again. “You can use them year-round, and they may out-perform beavers or creature baits. And they’re excellent in clear water, as every smallmouth fisherman knows.” Niggemeyer prefers the 3 ½ inch size, and rigs his tubes Texas-style with a sinker pegged about an eighth of an inch above the head of the lure to prevent killing the tube’s erratic action. This year when you see a thick weedbed or an isolated piece of cover and pick up your flipping stick, remember Niggemeyer’s tips for lure choice before you make your first presentation. That first presentation is your most important one, and using the correct style of lure for the conditions will increase your chances for a strike even more. 16

Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009

Continued from page 11 they figured that after all of their hard work trying to restock the Armadillo Farm, they should treat themselves to a funnel cake from Luchenbach’s downtown concession stand. After getting the delicious powdered sugar fried dough treats in their possession they questioned locals on prime armadillo hunting locations. There was much information to absorb. They returned to camp to deliver and devour the tasty treats and drop off ‘Dillo Stalker One, as the night mission would be better attacked on foot. They found Slappy there still guarding the cooler and wondering where the tortillas and the stuff to stuff tortillas was. Hank and Buck explained all of the goings on and invited him along on the night hunt. Slappy declined, patted the cooler and made quick work of his funnel cake.

The prime location that they learned about in town led them across the only part of Grape Creek that was holding water. Without thinking they both tucked their pants in their boots and made the wade. Crossing the creek they noticed several crawdads lying still on the rocks in the creek. “Let’s catch’em,” says Hank. Buck replied, “We’re hunting ‘dillos. They’ll be here when we cross back, dummy.” “Shut up,” says Hank. The fellas made a mental note and continued to the hunting grounds that were sure to produce trophy armadillos. Once they reached trophy ‘dillo central, a high street light on the outskirts of town, they took position. There was plenty of ‘dillo sign but not a single ‘dillo in sight. The boys held their position carefully watching the ground beneath the light. Conversation consisted only of already been told goat jokes and ‘dillo grabbing strategies until they finally decided to call the night hunt another unlucky adventure. Unlucky was a word they commonly used in place of failure or poor preparation. They waded back across the creek and caught a healthy limit of crawdads to avoid a complete skunk. The night hunt was a success after all. Each and every crawdad was released and a picture was taken of all trophy pinchers. You know…bragging rights. Well, the next day they returned home with nothing but a story and confidence that they will one day take the ‘dillo hunting world by storm. Miss Gaye had dodged the bullet on having an armadillo herd to raise and she sent them home with a smile on her face. I’m sure she can’t wait until their next visit; she is surely counting the days. Everyone is now clear that 12 o’clock means noon and burn bans mean no fires. Buck returned to his job at the trucking company, Hank to his high school coaching job and Slappy went on to guard a new cooler in a new location. If you happen to be in Hank’s neck of the woods in Northeast Texas, take a look at the media guide for his baseball team. Listed under hobbies in his profile you will find Armadillo Hunting proudly displayed. And don’t you worry; the boys continue to come up with new ‘dillo stalking strategies daily. Until next time…. p.s. No ‘dillos, crawdads, cedar trees or dry creek beds were harmed in the development of this story. Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009

17

2009 TOURNAMENT TRAIL 2009 central Region, LAKE TRAVIS #1- February 7, 2009 ANGLERS / HOMETOWN 1. ALLEN SHELTON, COPPELL , TX 2. JODY HOLUBEK, FORT WORTH , TX 3. GREG WESTALL SR, SAN ANTONIO , TX 4. CHARLES WHITED, SAN MARCOS , TX 5. MATT HILL, AUSTIN , TX 6. MIKE HARMAN, BASTROP , TX 7. RONNY MAYNARD, GEORGETOWN , TX 8. CRAIG SCHUFF, WATAUGA , TX 9. JEFF PITRUCHA, COPPERAS COVE , TX 10. LUCAS LARSON, ROUND ROCK , TX CONTINGENCY PRIZES

FISH BIG BASS WEIGHT WINNINGS

HEATH MOODY, WATAUGA , TX DALE BOREN, FORT WORTH , TX GREG WESTALL JR, SAN ANTONIO , TX BILL POLKINGHORN, SPRING , TX TREY WEBB, AUSTIN , TX CARL CLARDY, CEDAR CREEK , TX EDDY MAYNARD, LEANDER , TX RICHARD RATTARREE SCOTT DYER, MARBLE FALLS , TX BILL RULE, BRYAN , TX

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

ALLEN SHELTON, COPPELL, TX & HEATH MOODY, WATAUGA, TX LUCAS LARSON, ROUND ROCK, TX & BILL RULE, BRYAN, TX

0 5.42 6.44 5.32 0 0 0 0 0 7.44

20.70 18.26 17.46 17.18 16.62 16.54 16.50 16.28 16.16 15.46

$20000.00 $5000.00 $3000.00 $2000.00 $1200.00 $1090.00 $1080.00 $1070.00 $1060.00 $1050.00

$5000 Skeeter Bonus+$200 Sure-Life Bonus $1000 Big Bass + All-Star Rod Bonus

2009 tournament schedule CENTRAL REGION tourn. date lake location

2009 East Region, SAM RAYBURN #1 - january 24, 2009

Central # 2 03/07 - 03/07 Belton

ANGLERS / HOMETOWN

Central # 3 04/04 - 04/04 LBJ

1. RICK SCOTT 2. KEITH CAKA, HUNTSVILLE , TX 3. BILL WILCOX 4. MARTIN ELSHOUT, RUSTON , LA 5. RANDY MILLENDER 6. GREG PUGH, LAKE CHARLES , LA 7. NATHAN STROUP, WILLIS , TX 8. DOUG MCCAIN, LAKE CHARLES , LA 9. MIKE MICHALEC 10. JAMES STRICKLIN JR, JASPER , TX CONTINGENCY PRIZES

FISH BIG BASS WEIGHT WINNINGS

ROY ELLISON, HEARNE , TX CHARLES BEBBER, WILLIS , TX GREG CHRISTIAN MARK PRICE, RUSTON , LA KENNETH NICHOLS, TEAGUE , TX BILL DOMINQUE, SULPHUR , LA ERIC ADAMS MASON MCCAIN, LAKE CHARLES , LA DAVID OZIO TW HARDY JR, SILSBEE , TX

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

22.36 22.04 21.98 21.90 21.42 21.06 21.06 20.30 19.68 19.64

RICK SCOTT & ROY ELLISON, HEARNE , TX  KEITH CAKA, HUNTSVILLE , TX & CHARLES BEBBER, WILLIS , TX

$20000.00 $5000.00 $3500.00 $2500.00 $2000.00 $1190.00 $1190. 00 $1070.00 $1060.00 $1050.00

$200 Sure-Life Bonus $5000 Skeeter Bonus

2009 north Region, RICHLAND CHAMBERS - February 14, 2009 ANGLERS / HOMETOWN 1. RICHARD DRAPER CYPRESS , TX 2. THOMAS HERMANN MANSFIELD , TX 3. LESLIE KENNEDY FORT WORTH , TX 4. SCOTTY WENZEL POINT , TX 5. STEVE HOPE OVILLA , TX 6. RONNIE HAMBY PARADISE , TX 7. JOHNNY GONZALEZ JR GRAPEVINE , TX 8. SHONN BLASSINGAME SUNSET , TX 9. JAMES REEDY 10. BJ GAMMONS LEWISVILLE , TX CONTINGENCY PRIZES

FISH BIG BASS WEIGHT WINNINGS

PHIL MARKS, DALLAS , TX JOHN BYLER, SOUTHLAKE , TX TREVOR ROMANS, PLANO , TX ROBERT CASE JR, POINT , TX PHILLIP HOPE, KAUFMAN , TX MICHAEL MELLEN, ALVAREDO , TX DAN TREVINO JR, HURST , TX SHANE ELMORE, KENNEDALE , TX BOBBY BOYD MIKE DOWDY, TRINIDAD , TX

5 4 5 5 5 4 5 5 4 5

RICHARD DRAPER, CYPRESS, TX & PHIL MARKS, DALLAS, TX SCOTTY WENZEL, POINT, TX & ROBERT CASE JR., POINT, TX

9.82 9.46 0 0 0 0 0 0 7.94 0

29.88 24.64 22.92 21.52 19.72 19.08 18.88 17.66 17.22 17.18

$20000.00 $3000.00 $2000.00 $1200.00 $1100.00 $1050.00 $1040.00 $1030.00 $1020.00 $1010.00

Temple Lake Pk McNair Park

Central # 4 05/02 - 05/02 Belton

Temple Lake Pk

Central # 5 06/06 - 06/06 Travis

Pace Bend Park

EAST REGION tourn. date lake location South # 2 02/21 - 02/21 Amistad

Diablo East

South # 3 03/21 - 03/21 Choke CNYN

Calliham Pk

South # 4

04/18 - 04/18 Falcon

South # 5 05/16 - 05/16/ Choke Cnyn

Beacon Lodge Calliham Pk

NORTH REGION tourn. date lake location North # 2

03/14 - 03/14 Cedar Creek

North # 3

04/25 - 04/25 Fork Lake

Fork Marina

North # 4 05/30 - 05/30 Lewisville

Highland Vill

North # 5 06/27 - 06/27 Tawakoni

Log Cabin

TBA

south REGION tourn. date lake location South # 2 02/21 - 02/21 Amistad

Diablo East

South # 3 03/21 - 03/21 Choke Canyon Calliham PK South # 4 04/18 - 04/18 Falcon

Beacon Lodge

South # 5 05/16 - 05/16 Choke Canyon Calliham Pk

$1000 Big Bass + $5000 Skeeter Bonus $500 Fun-N-Sun Bonus Cash

2009 South Region, LAKE AMISTAD #1 - january 17, 2009 ANGLERS / HOMETOWN 1. WAYLON BULLARD DEL RIO , TX 2. RENE MEZA DEL RIO , TX 3. SCOTT SAUNDERS UTOPIA , TX 4. TOM EVANS YANTIS , TX 5. DERICK KUYRKENDALL BERGHEIM , TX 6. RANDALL KIRKES KILLEEN , TX 7. BRIAN FLEMING JR SAN ANTONIO , TX 8. GRAN SHANDLEY LEAKEY , TX 9. JW LACKEY KERRVILLE , TX 10. MIKE GRIMES GEORGETOWN , TX CONTINGENCY PRIZES

WAYLON BULLARD, DEL RIO, TX & KARLA BULLARD, DEL RIO, TX DERICK KUYRKENDALL, BERGHEIM, TX & FOREREST WILSON BULVERDE, TX

18

FISH BIG BASS WEIGHT WINNINGS

KARLA BULLARD, DEL RIO , TX JOSE JIMENEZ CODY JOHNSON ,SABINAL , TX CLAUDE SIDDLE, PARIS , TX FORREST WILSON, BULVERDE , TX DEAN ALEXANDER, FLORENCE , TX MIKE FLEMING, NEW BRAUNFELS , TX EARNEST HUMPHRIES DOUG BAKER, THREE RIVERS , TX TRAVIS OWENS, GOOD HOPE , GA

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

6.64 0 0 7.36 10.50 0 0 0 0 0

22.62 22.18 20.54 20.08 19.94 19.38 17.54 17.02 16.28 16.06

$20000.00 $5000.00 $3000.00 $2000.00 $1200.00 $1090.00 $1080.00 $1070.00 $1060.00 $1050.00

$200 Sure-Life Live Release Bonus $1000 Big Bass + $2200 Skeeter Bonus + All Star Rod Bonus

Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009

2009 TOURNAMENT TRAIL 1st Series East Texas Team Circuit, Sam rayburn - December 6, 2008 ANGLERS / HOMETOWN 1 RANDALL, DONALD 2 HARVEY, DAVID 3 MILLENDER, RANDY 4 DRAPER, RICHARD 5 JOHNSTON, STEPHEN 6 BURGAY, STAN 7 TIBBITTS, DOYLE 8 BEBBER, CHARLES 9 DOWDEN, EASON 10 TURNER, RANDY

TAYLOR, DON WILSON, KRIS NICHOLS, KENNETH MARKS, PHIL ILES, DANNY HUGHES, LANCE SHIVERS, PETE CAKA, KEITH DOWDEN, BO MCMULLEN, JERRY

FISH BIG BASS

WEIGHT

5 5 5 5 8.49 5 7.62 5 5 8.63 5 5 5

21.74 20.92 20.35 20.33 20.08 19.92 19.62 19.10 18.36 18.22

WINNINGS $15,000 $4,000 + $2,500 RANGER CUP $2,000 + $1,000 RANGER CUP $1,300 $1,100 + $500 RANGER CUP $1,000 $1,000 + $1,000 BIG BASS $1,000 $1,000 $1,000

2009 tournament schedule 1st series, east texas team circuit date lake / location

1st Series East TX Team Circuit, LK TOLEDO BEND / CYPRESS BEND PK - feb 7, 2009 ANGLERS / HOMETOWN 1 GLEASON, DAROLD 2 CREEL, SAM 3 UPSHAW, ANDREW 4 REED, MATT 5 JOHNSTON, STEPHEN 6 SLAYDON, CHIP 7 CARMACK, BUTCH 8 CRAIN, WILLIAM** 9 SALAMONE, JOHN 10 BEBBER, CHARLES

SCHAMERHORN, CHRIS JAMES, JOEL UPSHAW, LARRY DEAN, SCOTT ILES, DANNY HYATT, BRANDON BELT, RICHARD LOFTIN, JOE GUY, RICKY CAKA, KEITH

03/07

SAM RAYBURN/UMPHREY FAMILY PAVILION

FISH BIG BASS

WEIGHT

WINNINGS

04/04

SAM RAYBURN/SAM RAYBURN MARINA

5 8.71 5 6.46 5 11.96 5 5 5 5 5 5 9.75 5

28.74 24.78 23.32 22.24 21.03 19.81 19.4 18.97 18.96 18.88

$15,000 $4,000 $2,000 + $1,000 BIG BASS $1,300 $1,100 + $2,500 + RANGER CUP $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 + $1,000 + RANGER CUP $1,000 $1,000

05/30

SAM RAYBURN/UMPHREY FAMILY PAVILION

2nd series, east texas team circuit date lake / location 06/20

SAM RAYBURN/UMPHREY FAMILY PAVILION

07/11 toledo bend/cypress bend park 08/08

SAM RAYBURN/UMPHREY FAMILY PAVILION

conroe series, east texas team circuit date lake / location 03/28 lake conroe/april plaza

2009 Conroe Series, Lk Conroe, APRIL PLAZA MARINA - JANUARY 31, 2009 ANGLERS / HOMETOWN 1 GREGG, DONALD II GREGG, DONALD SR 2 SEWELL, BRIAN SEWELL, CHIP 3 VANN, JIMMIE FORTENBERRY, JIM 4 OGRODOWICZ, MATT 5 BURNETT, RAY BURNETT, WESLEY 6 MATTERN, PHILLIP HELMS, JAMES 7 BANEY, ROBERT PARSONS, MIKE 8 BEBBER, CHARLES CAKA, KEITH 9 BONDS, JASON LAND, NORMAN 10 SMITH, BOBBY NOWACK, SHANNON

FISH BIG BASS

WEIGHT

WINNINGS

5 10.21 5 5 4 5 4 5 5 4 3

27.34 21.66 19.87 19.04 15.36 15.32 15.06 15.01 14.78 13.49

$4,000 + $500 BIG BASS $2,000 2$1,500 + $2,500 RANGER CUP $1,100 + $1,000 RANGER CUP $1,000 + $500 RANGER CUP $700 $700 $600 $600 $600

06/20 lake conroe/april plaza 08/08 lake conroe/april plaza

2009 team championship september 19th & 20th lake sam rayburn

2009 Conroe Series, Lk Conroe - february 21, 2009 ANGLERS / HOMETOWN 1 GREGG, DONALD II 2 GUNTER, RANDY 3 ADDISON, PHIL 4 HOOKER, MARK 5 CREIGHTON, BILLY 6 BURNETT, RAY 7 SMITH, BOBBY 8 HARPER, JASON 9 THORNTON, JOHN 10 WILKERSON, CHRIS

GREGG, DONALD SR MUELLER, MICKY MURRAY, TONY RIGBY, MATT MORGAN, DOUG BURNETT, WESLEY NOWACK, SHANNON DORMAN, BRIAN TULLIS, MARK GAIA, ANDY

Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009

FISH BIG BASS 5 5 8.11 5 8.51 5 7.41 5 5 9.16 5 5 8.54 5 8.6 5

WEIGHT

WINNINGS

28.24 $4,000+$2,500 +$1,000 RNGR CUP, TIREMAX BNS 27.12 $1,600 26.69 $1,200 23.91 $1,000 22.55 $900 22.44 $600 + $1,000 RANGER CUP 22.40 $550 22.35 $500 20.72 $500 + $500 RANGER CUP 20.36 $500

19

2009 TOURNAMENT TRAIL 2009 ABA Weekend Series, east texas- lake palestine - january 24, 2009 BOATER

ANGLERS

co angler

HOMETOWN

1 Scott Dean 2 Russell Lee 3 Ryan Warren 4 Bobby Jacobs 5 Danny Wims 6 Todd Pierce 7 Byron Albrecht 8 Patrick Fuller 9 John Strong 10 Jeffrey Stevens

Terrell, TX Ennis, TX Gatesville, TX Irving, TX Rockwall, TX Tyler, TX Waco, TX Tyler, TX Hurst, TX Flower Mound, TX

WEIGHT 21.6 18.08 15.97 15.85 14.89 14.72 14.51 14.12 12.85 12.59

WINNINGS $5,000 $1,398 $932 $653 $559 $843 $466 $420 $373 $280

ANGLERS

HOMETOWN

1 Kelly Ferguson 2 Chase Florio 3 Tim Johnson 4 Bryson Bean 5 Gary Baldwin 6 Jeffrey Everidge 7 Christ Stewart 8 John Shinn 9 Nathan Lintner 10 Don Perryman

Royce, TX Fort Worth, TX Tyler, TX Frankston, TX Longview, TX Alvaredo, TX Weatherford, TX Ben Wheeler Lewisville, TX Roanoke, TX

WEIGHT 11.42 8.55 7.68 6.76 6.13 5.74 5.22 5.06 4.94 4.88

WINNINGS $1,372 $686 $457 $320 $274 $252 $387 $206 $183 $137

2009 ABA Weekend Series, east texas - Lake tyler - february 15, 2009 BOATER

ANGLERS

2009 tournament schedule

co angler

HOMETOWN

1 Lamonte Loyd 2 Russell Lee 3 John Strong 4 Scott Dean 5 Chase Markum 6 Ryan Warren 7 Tarrick Roque 8 Mark Everett 9 Brad Morris 10 Kenny Lively

gilmer, TX Ennis, TX Hurst, TX Terrell, TX Paradise, TX Gatesville, TX Cedar Hill, TX Tyler, TX Flint, TX Grapeland, TX

WEIGHT 22.6 17.99 17.76 16.54 16.53 14.49 14.37 14.12 12.33 11.93

WINNINGS $5,000 $1,445 $963 $674 $928 $530 $482 $434 $385 $289

ANGLERS

HOMETOWN

1 Kevin Brown Kauffman, TX 2 Jason Prestridge Fort Worth, TX 3 Michael Fincannon Arlington, TX 4 Scottie Owen Hamilton, TX 5 Dustin Thomas Terrell, TX 6 Rick Parker Kauffman, TX 7 Eliazar Zarate Irving, TX 8 Tim Johnson Tyler, TX 9 Nathan Lintner Lewisville, TX 10 Charner Williams Bryan, TX

WEIGHT 10.92 10.65 8.83 8.53 7.31 7.22 7.21 7.08 7.01 6.46

WINNINGS $1,445 $723 $482 $337 $289 $265 $241 $217 $193 $145

east texas location date lake East Texas

03/21

Richland Chambers

East Texas

04/18

Cedar Creek

southeast texas location date lake SE Texas

03/15

Sam Rayburn

SE Texas

05/31

Toledo Bend

2009 ABA Weekend Series, s.e. texas - sam rayburn - february 8, 2009 ANGLERS

co angler

HOMETOWN

1 Rodney Gordon 2 Phil Hennigan 3 Ricky Guy 4 Leonard Price 5 Roy Sanford 6 Shane Williams 7 Tony Owens 8 Keith Caka 9 Clint Goodeaux 10 Ron Festavan

Silsbee, TX Center, TX Humble, TX Houston, TX Brookeland, TX Frierson, LA Athens, TX Huntsville, TX Westlake, LA Vivian, LA

WEIGHT 21.12 19.41 18.88 18.63 17.96 17.01 16.68 16.35 16.32 16.02

WINNINGS $5,000 $1,715 $1,143 $800 $686 $629 $572 $515 $457 $788

ANGLERS

HOMETOWN

1 Ronnie Gibson 2 Robert MIKE Gray 3 Bill Ferguson 4 Mike Burch 5 Joey Brannon 6 David Ozio 7 Jacob Heath 8 Johnny Matthews 9 Tansley Bynog 10 Josh Guy

Huntsville, TX Conroe, TX Rowlett, TX Broaddus, TX Benton, AR Beaumont, TX The Woodlands, TX Cleburne, TX Porter, TX Humble, TX

American Bass Anglers, Inc

BOATER

WEIGHT 13.19 12.34 11.52 10.85 10.31 9.92 9.78 9.41 9.21 9.1

WINNINGS $1,531 $766 $510 $357 $306 $281 $255 $23 $204 $153

2009 ABA Weekend Series s.e. texas - toledo bend - march 1, 2009 ANGLERS

co angler

HOMETOWN

1 Clint Goodeaux 2 Aaron Johnson 3 Phil Hennigan 4 Clayton Boulware 5 Gene Stovall 6 Cary Talbot 7 Bradley Stringer 8 Chad Wiley 9 Charles D. Newberry 10 Ryan Pinkston 20

Westlake, LA Bossier City, LA Center, TX Zavalla, TX Bronson, TX Hemphill, TX Huntington, TX Pineville, LA Houston, TX Center, TX

WEIGHT 18.03 15.57 15.54 14.72 14.72 14.18 13.61 13.37 13.36 13.06

WINNINGS $5,000 $1,462 $975 $634 $634 $536 $487 $439 $390 $292

ANGLERS

HOMETOWN

1 Ben Matsubu 2 Lynn Stark 3 Brett Brandstrom 4 Joshua Kirkpatrick 5 Denny Parrott 6 Anthony Phillip 7 Larry Weppler 8 Robert MIKE Gray 9 Bryan K Smith 10 Jamie Narramore

Hemphill, TX Palestine, TX Stillwater, MN Woodville, TX Houston, TX Spring, TX Houston, TX Conroe, TX Carthage, TX Lavaca,AR P.O. Box 475 Athens, AL 35612

BOATER

WEIGHT 8.48 8.2 8.17 8.03 7.99 7.76 7.71 7.68 7.57 7.36

WINNINGS $1,441 $720 $480 $336 $288 $264 $240 $216 $192 $144 Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009

2009 TOURNAMENT TRAIL 2009 stren series, Falcon Lake - january 15-17, 2009 ANGLERS / HOMETOWN 1 JOE DON SETINA 2 RICHARD CATHEY 3 CHARLES HARALSON 4 JERRY GREEN 5 DAN SCHOONVELD 6 RAY HANSELMAN 7 JAMES STRICKLIN JR 8 DICKY NEWBERRY 9 LARRY PEACHER 10 JESSE WEST 11 KEITH COMBS 12 THANH LE 13 ROBERT A MCFARLANE 14 CHRISTOPHER BRASHER 15 CHARLES (BUBBA HARALSON 16 TODD CARNES 17 GARY VINING 18 TIM RENEAU 19 TERRY ROSE 20 TOBY HARTSELL 21 ZACK BULL 22 STEPHEN JOHNSTON 23 CRAIG MOORE 24 ROBERT ROBINSON 25 RONNIE BICKHAM 26 RAY STAGNER 27 SHAWN JOHNSON 28 ROBERT COLLETT 29 MARVIN ETTREDGE 30 PATRICK FULLER 31 MATTHEW SCOGIN 32 CODY MALONE 33 JOE BROWER 34 JEREMY GUIDRY 35 ROBERT CASE 36 BARRY SMITH 37 JUSTIN HAYNES 38 TOMMY DICKERSON 39 TODD CASTLEDINE 40 ERIC AMBORT 41 GENE ROBERTSON 42 CRAIG WORKMAN 43 JAMES CARPER 44 THERON CALDWELL 45 TIMOTHY GRIFFIN

FISH

WEIGHT

PITTSBURG, TX 15 92-02 SAN ANTONIO, TX 15 90-13 LAREDO, TX 15 89-12 CULLMAN, AL 15 86-11 MANSURA, LA 13 81-09 DEL RIO, TX 15 77-02 JASPER, TX 15 71-06 HOUSTON, TX 13 66-04 BENTLEY, LA 15 66-03 STRANDQUIST, MN 10 50-01 DEL RIO, TX LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ SAN ANTONIO, TX SPRING, TX DEL RIO, TX COLLEGE STATION, TX MORGAN CITY, LA DEL RIO, TX EASTLAND, TX LIVINGSTON, TX GERMANTOWN, TN HEMPHILL, TX MONAHANS, TX MOBILE, AL NEW BOSTON, TX EDMOND, OK SAN ANTONIO, TX ZAPATA, TX SHREVEPORT, LA TYLER, TX MONTGOMERY, TX MORGAN, TX JENKS, OK OPELOUSAS, LA POINT, TX PALO PINTO, TX TULSA, OK ORANGE, TX NACOGDOCHES, TX MABELVALE, AR ARDMORE, OK FORT WORTH, TX WRIGHT CITY, OK COLLEYVILLE, TX ZAPATA, TX

CONTINGENCY PRIZES  JOE DON SETINA - PITTSBURG, TX - Ranger Boat, Motor, Trailer big bass award - professional ANGLERS / HOMETOWN DAY RICHARD CREMO 1 DAN SCHOONVELD 2

9-11 11-05

WEIGHT WINNINGS $ 450 $ 450

Big Bass Award - Co-Angler ANGLERS / HOMETOWN DAY KENNETH WILSON 1 ALLEN BALLARD 2

10-04 8-15

WEIGHT WINNINGS $ 225 $ 225

Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009

WINNINGS $25,000 $10000 $8000 $7000 $6000 $5500 $5000 $4500 $4000 $3500 $3000 $3000 $3000 $3000 $3000 $2500 $2500 $2500 $2500 $2500 $2000 $2000 $2000 $2000 $2000 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 $1,250 $1,250 $1,250 $1,250 $1,250 $1,250 $1,250 $1,250 $1,250 $1,250 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000

2009 tournament schedule 2009 stren series, UPCOMING EVENTS LOCATION DAYS Sam Rayburn 3/19/09 - 3/21/09 Lake Amistad 5/21/09 - 5/23/09 Toledo Bend 10/15/09 - 10/17/09

Joe Don Setina of Pittsburg, Texas with a three day total weight of 92-2 caputers the first event on the FLW Stren Series Texas Division. Setina used a combination of two technequies to find the fish that put him in the lead on the final day. The first technique of fishing flooded roadbeds combined with finding the creek channel proved to be a winning combination. Setina mainly used a ¾ ounce jig to harvest fish that were staging to spawn.

21

2009 TOURNAMENT TRAIL 2009 COLLEGE series, Falcon Lake - january 15-17, 2009 COLLEGE TEAM NAME 1 TARLETON STATE TEXAS 2 UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 3 LAMAR UNIVERSITY 4 UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS 5 LSU 6 NORTHWESTERN STATE 7 TEXAS A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI 8 TEXAS A&M 9 UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS 10 LAMAR UNIVERSITY 11 TEXAS A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI 12 LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY 13 LSU SHREVEPORT 14 TEXAS A&M AT GALVESTON 15 TEXAS A & M-KINGSVILLE 16 LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY 17 TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY 18 TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY 19 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS 20 LSU 21 TEXAS A&M AT GALVESTON 22 ANGELO STATE 23 LSU 24 LSU 25 CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

JOHN ANDERSON & TANNER MORGAN CODY MCCRARY & NEIL ARNAUD MATT MORRISON & DANNY ILES BOBBY FREY & BILL WALDSCHMIDT JOEL JACKSON & LOGAN MOUNT ZACK GAGNARD & JEFFREY RICH ZACHARY WILMETH & JAKE THOMPSON PAUL MANLEY & ANDREW SHAFER TRAVIS LEDGER & NATHAN RICHARDSON JUSTIN KIRKPATRICK & JOSH KIRKPATRICK JACOB HEATH & KENNEDY SCHWARTZBURG JAROD BRANTLEY & AARON ROGILLIO ZACH CAUDLE & JOE LANDRY ANDREW SCHWEITZER & CAMERON HELM DANIEL BROCK & JEROD HAWKES COLTON CARPENTER & BROCK BRUNSON DEVIN KENT & EMILI BROYLES JAY MCCOLLUM & DAVID COSNER YOSUKE TOMA & BRANDON DICKENSON BLAKE CARRIER & CALEB WATKINS ANTHONY REED & BARBARA MILLER AUDWIN HALL & WES SMITH TRAVIS LAURENT & TJ GOODWYN ROBERT OWEN & TIMOTHY MORRIS DUSTIN EDWARDS & STEFAN HOLLIS

FISH

WEIGHT COLLEGE

BASS CLUB

5 6 6 6 6 4 3 6 3 3 4 3 6 3 3 5 3 4 3 2 2 3 3 3 1

29-13 $5,000 25-05 $2,500 24-06 $2,000 22-10 $1,500 21-13 $1,000 18-08 18-07 18-06 16-00 15-04 15-01 14-14 14-10 13-03 12-14 12-1 11-15 11-10 11-06 10-06 10-01 9-06 9-03 8-08 8-00

$5,000 $2,500 $2,000 $1,500 $1,000

2009 upcoming EVENT SCHEDULE - TEXAS DIVISION event marina Sam Rayburn Lake Amistad Toledo Bend

city/state

The Umphrey Family Pavilion Jasper, TX Lake Amistad Marina (East Diablo Launch Ramp) Del Rio, TX Cypress Bend ParkMany, LA many lakes, tx

dates 03-21-2009 05-23-2009 10-17-2009

entry date final entry 11-10-2008 11-10-2008 11-10-2008

03-06-2009 05-08-2009 10-02-2009

ZAPATA, Texas - The Tarleton State University team of John Anderson and Tanner Morgan, both of Stephenville, Texas, won the inaugural National Guard FLW College Fishing Texas Division tournament on Falcon Lake Saturday with a five-bass catch weighing 29 pounds, 13 ounces. The victory earned the team a $5,000 college scholarship as well as a $5,000 club college scholarship. Full-time students enrolled in four year colleges or universities are eligible to participate in the events. Schools in each division can send twoperson teams to each of the four qualifying events in their division, with each event limited to a maximum of 40 teams. Each team will have an opportunity to win $10,000 for first and $2,000 through fifth place. The prize money will be split evenly between the winning team’s club and the school they represent. The tournaments are free to enter, boats and drivers will be provided and all collegiate teams will receive a travel allowance. The top five teams in each of the qualifying events will advance to one of five televised three-day FLW National Guard Regional Championships. 22

Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009

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Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009

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LAkE CONrOE, TExAs October 16 - 18, 2009

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