2020 TBF DISTRICT 6 NATIONAL SEMI-FINALS ARKANSAS AND OKLAHOMA

2020 TBF DISTRICT 6 NATIONAL SEMI-FINALS – ARKANSAS AND OKLHOMA

 The 2020 tournament for the TBF District 6 National Semi-Finals involving Arkansas and Oklahoma Federations is now in the history books.  The two states sent their best-of-the-best to compete to each state to qualify a boater and co-angler to advance to the 2021 TBF National World Championship.  The NSF rules allows the top co-angler to move to a boater status at National’s if their winning weight totaled more than their leading state boater’s weight.  The tournament was held on Eufaula Lake out of the South Point area in Eufaula, Oklahoma.  The contestants were allowed to fish all waters of the 100,000 acre plus lake.  That gave them over 100 shoreline miles to fish, determining to correct area of the lake to fish was the biggest problem.  From the South Point ramp anglers could go 20 miles in five different directions in their pursuit to find the most productive fishing area.  The bonus for this weekend was the light winds, an unusual happening in Oklahoma.  The pairings were provided by the staff at TBF headquarters in Ponca City, Oklahoma, all the anglers had to do was catch fish, and they did.

The first day of the tournament greeted the anglers with the threat of rain but much cooler temperatures.  Of the boaters, Blake Wilson, Arkansas, took the lead as he weighed in the largest stringer for the day with a five fish limit tipping the scales at 15.84#.  Blake’s stringer included the boater’s big bass of the day.  Kevin Brown, Arkansas, took second with a limit weighing 13.90# that included a 3.99# big bass.  Third, fourth and fifth separated three Arkansas anglers by only 0.21# with Mike Webster taking the third slot with a 12.33# limit while Tanner Jones garnered fourth added a by a 4.25 pounder to bring his weight to 12.20#.  Sam Huston took fifth with 12.12# stringer that included a 4.01#.  Josh Ray, Arkansas, took over sixth place with the largest of the 11# bags.  Josh ha a total of 11.74#.  Four Oklahoma anglers took seventh thru tenth with only 0.58# separating seventh to tenth.  Stewart Ryan led the Oklahoma boaters with 11.15# for seventh while Brandon Beck took eighth with 11.09# nosing our Jody Linder by only 0.01# while Jody’s total was 11.08#.  Jonathan Dotson led the co-anglers on day one with a limit of bass weighing 12.50#.  Jonathan’s limit included a 4.14# big bass.  Julie Downs, Oklahoma, took second with a limit tipping the scales at 12.16#.  Her big bass hid the scales at 3.77#.  Third place went to Daniel Anthamatten with a total of 12.09#. Daniel’s limit included a 5.09# big bass, the biggest on day one.  Fourth place went to Steve Carlon, Oklahoma, who had a total of 11.99# that included a 3.50 pounder.  Stan Harris, Arkansas, took fifth place with a total of 10.97# followed at sixth by Wayne Osborn stringer weighing 10.41#.  Kenyon Johnson, Arkansas, was ninth with a limit weighing 9.24#.  Rounding out the top ten for the co-anglers was Mark Strickland, Oklahoma, with 8.53#.

The second day started with fairly clear skies but became overcast during most of the day.  Kevin Brown moved up from his first day second place finish to take the second day with the biggest stringer of the tournament that totaled 18.33#.  Kevin’s catch included a 4.86# lunker.  Wyatt Ryan, Oklahoma, made one of the biggest jumps with a 16.23# stringer to take second improving from his nineteenth on day one.  Larry Gragg, Arkansas, also made a big jump with a 14.58# stringer that included a 4.34# lunker.  Larry was third moving from 21st on day one.  First round leader Blake Wilson dropped to fourth with a stringer weighing 14.28# that included a 4.42 pounder.  The biggest improvement was by Jeff Creecy, Arkansas, who moved up from 36th on day to garner fifth with 14.18# anchored by the big bass of the day weighing 5.20#.  Ricky York, Arkansas, improved his 29th day one finish to take sixth with 13.71# that was anchored by a 3.99# largemouth.  Seventh went to Brandon Beck to move up one place from day one with a 13.04# stringer that included a 3.68 pounder.  Marc Downs, Oklahoma, jumped up to the top ten with a limit weighing 12.96# from his seventeenth finish on day one.  Marc had a 4.10# bass to anchor his limit and give him eighth for the day.  Ninth was taken by Chris Tarron, Oklahoma, jumping from a 35th placing on day one.  Chris’ weight was 12.48#.  The tenth place slot went to Larry Carter, Arkansas, that brought 12.14# of fish to the scales.  The co-angler list was much like the boaters on day two, only two anglers from the top ten on day one repeated to break into it for day two.  The biggest move was Matt Tucker, Arkansas, took first place on day two with a limit weighing 14.34# after finishing 32th on day one.  Second place was garnered by Alex Saiz, Oklahoma, with a limit weighing 12.35# with a 4.42# anchor.  Third place was taken by first day leader Jonathan Dotson who registered an 11.70# limit.  Fourth went to the only angler that had the same placement each day.  Steve Carlon mirrored day one with an 11.19# to get fourth.  Shawn Lewis, Arkansas, moved up 10 places to fifth with a 10.77# limit.  Sixth place was tapped by Kyle Warden, Oklahoma, with a 10.74# stringer that was mostly consisting of a 4.23# lunker after his 25th place finish on day one.  Issac Lair, Oklahoma, took seventh place with 9.66# nosing out Gary Milam, Arkansas by only 0.05#. Gary was eight with a total weigh of 9.61#.  Allen Musser, Oklahoma, captured ninth place with a 9.41# stringer while John Duvall, Arkansas, rounded out tenth with a 9.32# weight.

The National Semi-Finals returns 100% of their entry fees back to the participates.  The weekend event pays 75% for both the boaters and non-boaters with 10% expenses to cover tournament expenses and 15% to the TBF Nationals.  The boaters Champion was Kevin Brown who had a total weight of 32.23# and received $2270 for the title and then added an additional $500 as the top Ranger Cup angler to bring his total winnings for the weekend to $2770.

Blake Wilson took second place with a total of 29.62# to take the $1150 second place purse.  Wyatt Ryan finished at third with a total catch of 24.70# and received a check for $760 while Brandon Beck followed with 24.13# total weight and got the fourth-place money of $430. Fifth was garnered by Mike Webster with a total weight of 23.18# and a check for $330.  Larry Gragg was sixth with his 23.16# effort and took home $240 while Tanner Jones took seventh with 22.68# and a payment of $220.

The co-angler champion, Jonathan Dotson, weighed in 24.20# and took $1135 for his two days work.  Second place went to Steve Carlon with a final weight of 23.18## for a $575 payday.  Julie Downs had a final total of 20.50# for third place and a check for $380.  Victor Herrera a total catch of 19.21# to take fourth place and $ 215.  Alex Saiz had a total weight of 18.69# to take fifth place and the $165 check.  Sixth went to Wayne Osborn with 17.88# and he received the $120 reward.  The seventh-place co-angler award was taken by Shawn Lewis with a total weight of 17.77# and a check for $110.

The top boater and co-angler have earned the right to the 2021 TBF National Championship.

The Arkansas qualifiers will be Kevin Brown as the boater and Jonathan Dotson as the co-angler.

 

Oklahoma will be sending Wyatt Ryan as the boater and Steve Carlon as the co-angler.

The date and site of the 2021 championship event will be determined and announced from the National TBF office.

 

2020 Junior World Championship Heads To Warren, Ohio And Trumbull County – July 29-31

PONCA CITY, OKLA. (4/20/2020) – The Bass Federation Inc. (TBF) announced today that the 2020 TBF Junior World Championship (JWC) is set for July 29, 30, 31 on Mosquito Lake in Trumbull County Ohio.

The 2020 JWC includes a two-person team format and three days of competition. The TBF Junior program includes all anglers 15 years old or under as of Aug. 31, 2020 who fished through their home state federation’s Junior program to qualify. Only the top Junior team from each state is invited to attend.

By its very nature fishing out on a lake away from everyone is social distancing. Regardless, event officials noted extra safety steps will be taken. Conference invitee’s who happen to be in a covid restricted state or area at that time or those who are at risk or simply choose to, will stay home and access conference content digitally. Federation officials have worked with health experts to develop COVID-19 compliant conference, weigh in, meeting and other safety measures that will be used during events across the nation for as long as needed. TBF officials noted these safety measures will help keep participants and communities safe while still doing their part to help ease the economy, people and businesses in our country back to work.

Historically, the Junior World Championship (JWC) is held in conjunction with other prominent events. TBF announced that a Big Fish event and the Federation’s Annual State Leadership Conference will also be hosted with the JWC in Cortland and Warren, respectively.

The Annual TBF State Leadership Conference invites 49 TBF affiliated state federations in the US and Canada to send their state official(s) to attend meetings on fishing, youth and conservation items, strategic planning, educational sessions, how to operate their local & state events safely in the era of COVID-19 as well as annual elections of TBF national directors.

The North American Bass Challenge (NABC) will host a premier Big Fish Event at Mosquito Lake on Saturday, August 1, with a top prize of a new Ranger Boat for the single biggest bass caught. The Junior angler and Parents, federation state officers and all bass anglers from surrounding states can fish this event which is open to the public!  For info go to NorthAmericanBassChallenge.com

Beth Carmichael, Executive Director of Trumbull County Tourism, says, “We’re thrilled to welcome anglers from around the country here to Mosquito Lake, Ohio’s premier bass fishing location!  In addition to the excitement of these “top-in-class” competitions, Carmichael says, the area offers fantastic opportunities for family and friends who travel with the competitors, including kayaking the Mahoning River, area playgrounds, golfing, and disc golfing at one of the 20 golf courses located in the area.

Carmichael continues,” The Eastwood Mall Complex not only offers a variety of shopping and dining options, but there are also two movie theaters, a trampoline park, and creative opportunities at their one of a kind shops.”

“We’re excited to hold this event in Cortland, Ohio on Mosquito Lake.” TBF President and CEO Robert Cartlidge said. “It is a new location for us but Mosquito Lake is a top-rated Ohio destination and a great place to host our events. There is a lot in the area for our attendees to do and Trumbull County is rolling out the red carpet for them.”

Many of today’s top pro anglers started in the TBF Junior program.  A few examples are; Jacob Wheeler (IN) fished the 2006 JWC; Shane Lehew (NC) won the 2007 JWC, and 2017 Forrest Wood Cup winner Justin Atkins (MS) in the 2008 JWC.  More recently, 2020 TBF Federation National Champion Living The Dream angler Lance Freeman (KY) started out by fishing the TBF Kentucky Junior program.

About Trumbull County, Ohio – Trumbull County is midway between Cleveland and Pittsburgh and about an hour from each.  It’s home to Ohio’s second-largest inland lake, Mosquito Lake; 44,000 acres of outdoor recreation space including State Wildlife Areas, Pymatuning Creek, a State designated Wild and Scenic River, and the Mahoning River.  It’s also home of the nation’s fourth-largest Amish community; the first luxury car built in America, The Packard, was invented in Warren; And it’s the birthplace of the 25th American President, William McKinley in Niles.

About The Bass Federation – The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is a member of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. TBF is owned by those we serve and dedicated to the sport of fishing. The Federation is the largest and oldest, organized grassroots fishing, youth, and conservation organization there is. TBF, our affiliated state federations, and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 events each year and have provided a foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for nearly 50 years. TBF founded the Student Angler Federation and the National High School Fishing program in 2008 to promote clean family fun and education through fishing. Visit bassfederation.com or highschoolfishing.org and “LIKE US” on Facebook.

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Freeman and Pendleton Crowned 2020 Federation National Champions

Grand Lake Hosts 2020 National Event Boasting Over $380,000 in Record-Breaking Prize Pot

Grove, Ok., March 14, 2020 – The Bass Federation’s top anglers from across the nation and Canada traveled to Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in Grove, Okla., this week for the 2020 Federation National Championship.  108 TBF anglers had their sights set on the National Champion titles, lucrative “Living YOUR Dream” boater and co-angler champions prize packages, Ranger Cup contingencies and cash prizes in the events $380,000-plus, cash and prize payout.  Two national champion anglers were crowned victorious and walk away with all the glory.

Lance Freeman from Kentucky held on to yesterday’s lead to be named the 2020 Federation National Champion boater.  Freeman had five fish limits all three tournament days with 14 pounds 14 ounces, 19 pounds 8 ounces and 19 pounds 15 ounces to make his winning total 54 pounds 5 ounces.

“It’s truly a blessing.  From the second cast this morning to the last; it’s been a wild ride,”  Freeman told the crowd gathered at Grove today.  “I am blessed beyond belief.  On my way to Oklahoma I had this feeling.  It’s an unrealistic feeling, surreal, God feeling that something was going to go my way.  Practice was tough but then the first tournament day everything went right.  The whole week to here it was just like tunnel vision.”

Freeman was awarded the “Living YOUR Dream” boater prize package valued at over $125,000 including a 2020 Ranger Z520L with Evinrude 250 G2, fully loaded with Power Poles, MinnKota trolling motor, Lowrance electronics, TH Marine locker bar and a custom Ranger trail trailer.

The package also includes $20,000 cash, $5,000 entry fees into affiliated circuit of choice,  entry into FLW Series Championship which has a $200,000 top prize, a reserved slot in the 2021 FLW Pro Circuit and berth in the 2020 BFL All-American with travel and housing stipends and guaranteed payout with $100,000 top prize at that event as well as clothing package and more.

“Today was a miracle.  On the last cast of the day I was just fishing stuff that looked good around Elk river even though I caught most my fish on the south end of the lake and caught the great big ole fish there,” Freeman said.

“It was about 6, 6 1/2 pounds.  It’s like you look and its the ten seconds of eternity you have. One of those moments the sun was shining on you.  The biggest breaths of fresh air.  I’m speechless in so many ways and so thankful for you guys.”

Freeman and President/CEO, Robert Cartlidge, spoke on stage about the caliber of angler that stands the test over and over again.  The kind of angler Freeman is and the style he’s displayed since he adapted fishing over 13 years ago when he started fishing TBF’s junior program.

Fish your strengths, fish the way you like and number one have fun doing it.  A style he still puts in play today. 

“I’m not the big guy wearing the jersey pushing around – everyone look at me- I’m just a boy that likes to go fishing.  I had a blast with all of my co-anglers.  Every day, it was about having some fun and fishing, making the most of every moment. 

Today, we caught our limits about 20 seconds apart around 9am and then we were just sitting there having the time of our lives in the pouring rain.”

Freeman joins the ranks of TBF success stories across the nation.  He started in TBF’s junior program at 11 years old and still remembers his first TBF tournament.  He also advanced to the TBF Junior World Championship.  Now, 13 years later, he holds the title of Federation National Champion.

“For the first time in my life I think I’m speechless. I’ve been calling every fish a blessing all week,”  Freeman continued.  “Thank you so much TBF. I grew up with this support and I love this sport for what it is, fishing.

I’m still in shock.  I mean, to look out in the crowd and see the people that literally brought me up in the same organization, to be sitting right there, the guys who took me out fishing when I was little.  Words can not describe that feeling.” 

The National Champion Co-Angler, Derick Pendleton, lead the event from start to finish.  Pendleton celebrated his birthday catching the biggest bag of day one with  20 pounds 5 ounces.  Yesterday, he caught two fish for 4 pounds 2 ounces.  Today, he brought in another five bass limit for 11 pounds 15 ounces to make his tournament total 36 pounds 6 ounces.

“It’s been phenomenal.  I had a great day on the water today,” Pendleton said.  “I struggled yesterday, had a little setback.  I’m not going to lie.  I was so nervous only having an 8 ounce lead coming into today.   I didn’t know where it was going to land me.

But, today was more like the first day out there for me condition-wise.  I had a limit by 8:57am and I was culling by 9 o’clock.  We caught fish all day.” 

It’s not Pendleton’s birthday anymore but it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  He was awarded the 2020 “Living YOUR Dream” Co-angler prize package valued at over $33,000.  The package includes $20,000 cash, $500 BassPro Shops/Cabela’s gift card, a PowerPole Certificate, MinnKota trolling motor, clothing package and entry into the FLW Series Championship with top prize there of $30,000. 

Pendleton also received a berth in the 2020 BFL All-American with travel and housing stipends top prize of $50,000 plus $5,000 of paid entry fees into the affiliated circuit of his choice.

“It’s literally living the dream, this is…this is a dream for me to do this.  TBF gave me this opportunity and it is just incredible.  I’ll be pulling into Indiana around 3 o’clock in the morning and I don’t care, every body will know I’m home.” 

Pendleton is representing Indiana’s Hoosier HogHunters and the Northern Division.  He’s already making plans to fish the BFL All-American. 

“No matter what, I’m not passing this opportunity up.  It’s a dream I’ve always wanted and I’m going to live it how I want to right now.  It’s a dream, holy cow, and I’m going to live it.” 

For the first time in event history, Ranger Cup contingencies will be awarded to the top five Ranger Cup qualified TBF boaters and the top 5 TBF co-anglers.  The top five boaters will awarded $2,500, $2,000, $1,500, $1,000 & $500 and the top co-anglers will receive $2,000, $1,250, $750, $500 and $250.

The top Ranger Cup qualified boater was, Sam Heckman, from Pueblo, Colo.  Heckman had a five bass limit today weighing 16 pounds 10 ounces making his tournament total 35 pounds 14 ounces.  He was awarded a $2,500 Ranger Cup voucher for his efforts.  

“I got 5 bites today and I caught all 5,” Heckman said.  “I just love what TBF does for everybody, especially the juniors and high schoolers.

I run the Southern County Junior Bass Club.  I’m hoping they’re watching this and one day they can be here doing the same thing I’m doing right now.   What TBF provides for us, the platform they give us, we wouldn’t have the opportunity we do without their support and the staff what they do is amazing.”  

The top Ranger Cup qualified co-angler was, Mel Marchese, from Washington representing the Northwest Division.  Marchese had a tournament total of 22 pounds 11 ounces and was awarded a $2,000 Ranger Cup voucher.

“This is a dream – 30 years and I’ve finally made it,”  Marchese said on stage.  “Every one out there just keep trying.  Thirty years and it can happen, some day it will all come together.”

Day Two of the 2020 Federation National Championship Crowns 14 Division Champions

Kentucky’s, Freeman, Takes Boater Lead; Pendleton Locks Down Yesterday’s Co-Angler Lead

L to R, Boaters in back, Non Boaters in front: Central Div. Champions Blake Wilson – AR. & Samuel Jenkins – LA. / Southern Div. Lance Freeman – KY. & Craig Middleton – KY., Southwest Div. Sam Heckman -CO. & Kerry Harris – CA. / Mid-Atlantic Div. Chris Fiore – VA. & Andrew Wiley – MD / Northern Div. David Schneider JR – IN. & Derick Pendleton – IN. / Northwest Div. Loren Torok – ID. & Mel Marchese – WA. / Eastern Div. Keith Cleary – CT. & Jeffrey Perron -NH.

After a tough first day on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees 108 TBF champion anglers launched from Grove, Okla., today to switch the tides.  Weather conditions were less than favorable for the average lake-goer with temperatures in the low 50’s, plenty of cloud cover and Oklahoma’s resilient winds.   But, for TBF’s elite the fishing conditions proved favorable.  Some anglers still struggled to catch them but those that did brought in heavier weights and solid bags of bass. 

Lance Freeman pulled ahead in the national champion boater race with a five bass limit  weighing 19 pounds 8 ounces making his tournament total 34 pounds 6 ounces.  “I’m fortunate, to say I’m blessed is beyond an understatement,” Freeman said.  “I’m more blessed than one man deserves.”

Freeman is fishing for the Kentucky Bass Federation representing the Southern Division.  He started fishing the federation when he was 11 years old in the junior division.  Now, one day of fishing separates him from the $125,000 prize package including $20,000 cash, a 2020 fully-rigged Ranger Z520L with Evinrude 250 G2 outboard, power poles, Lowrance Electronics and Minn Kota Trolling Motor, his first BFL All-American a stipend of $5000 worth of paid entry fees into his circuit of chose and countless other “Living YOUR Dream” opportunities. 

“That’s what TBF is all about, for a weekend angler this a dream” Freeman continued.  “It’s been a surreal experience and now going into the last day with a 7lb lead – when things are suppose to roll your way, they really roll your way.”

Freeman was just two ounces shy of the overall lead yesterday with his 14 pound 14 ounce bag.  He’s reportedly finding his fish fast in spots that just keep on giving. 

“There’s a subtle difference between the spots that I can’t talk about until tomorrow.  Everything’s winding up how you dream about it happening, just one more day and we can talk about it happening.

It’s just 5 bass.  Anything over that is overthinking. Their opportunistic feeding fish and I have to make my opportunities count because there’s just five bass between me and $125,000 prize package.”

Derick Pendleton, was the day one leader on the co-angler side and had the overall big bag of 20 pounds 5 ounces.  Pendleton solidified his lead today with two fish weighing 4 pounds 2 ounces making his tournament total 24 pounds 7 ounces. 

“Nerves got me a bit today and the weather wasn’t what I expected,” Pendleton said.  “It was a little colder out there and we never got to see any sun.” 

Less than a pound separates Pendleton from Samuel Jenkins from Louisiana who’s holding down second overall with 23 pounds 12 ounces. 

“I knew I was going to need more fish today to give me a comfortable lead.  But, I’ve got a game plan if the weather is more like today.  From the way it fished Thursday coming into today I’d like it to do what it did Thursday.  Either way, I’m just going to adapt to my boater who is definitely on fish and do whatever I can to make it happen.”   

The top boaters and co-anglers from each division were crowned Division Champions today and were awarded “Living YOUR Dream” prize packages and slots in the 2020 BFL All-American.

The top 14 TBF Division Champions:

Central

BLAKE WILSON -AR – 8/8 – 27-04

SAMUEL JENKINS – LA – 8/8 – 23-12

Eastern

KEITH CLEARY – CT – 9/9 24-06

JEFFREY PERRON -NH – 5/5 15-06

Mid-Atlantic

CHRIS FIORE – VA – 7/7 – 19-01

ANDREW WILEY – MD – 5/5 – 16-03

Northern

DAVID SCHNEIDER JR – IN – 10/10 – 26-06

DERICK PENDLETON – IN – 7/7 – 24-07

Northwest

LOREN TOROK – ID – 5/5 – 12-07

MEL MARCHESE – WA – 8/8 – 19-15

Southern

LANCE FREEMAN – KY – 10/10 – 34-06

CRAIG MIDDLETON – KY – 5/5 – 16-01

Southwest

SAM HECKMAN -CO – 8/8 – 19-04

KERRY HARRIS – CA – 4/4 – 11-13