Smith Wins Overall 2011 Southwest Division Championship

Lake Powell, UT – California Bass Federation’s Angler of the Year and State Champion of 2010, Cameron Smith will be headed back to the Federation National Championship in 2012 as a boater. Smith wins the overall 2011 Southwest Division Championship, presented by Lowrance at Lake Powell, Utah. Smith finishes the tournament with a 3 day total weight of 39 lbs 13 oz.

First thing today Smith went to his fishing partner’s spot, since he was a local angler. They caught alot of small fish, so he decided to run back up to an area near the launch site where he had seen several before. “I literally caught my last three keepers within an hour to go before weigh-in time. With only 2 minutes to go, I caught my biggest fish of the day. I culled up about a pound and a half, and that ended up being what I needed to win!” That choice ended up paying off big for him and earned him a trip back to the National Championship in 2012. “I have to thank all three of my partners I was paired up with this tournament. I felt like they weren’t competing against me and we were both fishing together.” Smith is also a Cabela’s Angler Cash Contingency angler registered with the TBF Cabela’s Angler Cash program, which earned him a $500 Cabela’s gift card. 

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Smith Takes Lead After Day 2 in Southwest Division Championship

5/5/11 Lake Powell, UT – The fish are rushing the banks at Lake Powell in Utah for the 2011 Southwest Division Championship, presented by Lowrance. Sun was out today and bass are all over the banks this afternooon looking for spawning sites and setting up nests. If tomorrow is another high sunny day with calm winds, site-fishing will rule.

Cameron Smith of Dana Point, Cal., California Bass Federation’s 2010 Angler of the Year and State Champion, takes the lead today with a 2-day total of 26lbs 6 oz. “I’ve been doing alot of site fishing on points that I marked in pre-fishing practice.” Smith is going to switch it up a little bit tomorrow, going up the river a little ways. If Cameron qualifies tomorrow for the National Championship, this will be his second appearance, his first being in 2010. Continue reading

AZ Angler Jeff Erickson Leads Day 1 of 2011 Southwest Division Championship

5/4/11 (Lake Powell, UT) – Jeff Erickson, of Phoenix, AZ (Arizona Federation) leads day one of the 2011 Southwest Division Championship, presented by Lowrance, on Lake Powell with 14 lbs 7 oz, a mere 7 oz lead over second place angler, California’s Cameron Smith, who has 14 lbs even.

In Federation Standings, Team Arizona is in 1st place with 106 lbs, a few ounce lead over host Federation Utah, who has 105-5.

Day 1 Overall Standings

Day 1 State Team Member Standings

Day 1 State Federation Standings

MD Conservation Director Starts Monofilament Recycling Program

TBF of Md Conservation Director poses with one of three Monofilament Recycling bins he and his Wife, Tanya, installed at Smallwood State Park
TBF of Md Conservation Director poses with one of three Monofilament Recycling bins he and his Wife, Tanya, installed at Smallwood State Park

5/1/11 – Drew Lofton became the Maryland Federation Conservation Director in March 2011, then attended the National Championship in April where he attended the TBF Conservation Meetings, led by TBF National Conservation Director, Mark Gintert. After attending, Lofton had some ideas for his Federation. The day he got back from the meetings, he told Gintert about his plan to start a monofilament  recycling program. He had noticed that tubes didn’t exist in alot of places where he fished. “I had previously lived in west Palm beach for about 5 yrs, and they are everywhere down there, so I thought what a great “first” project for our Federation”. 

Gintert told him about a program where BoatUS would donate the tubes, so the MD Federation didn’t have to spend alot of their own money to begin this project. BoatUS donated 20 pre-made recycling bins (about $1000.00 worth) to the TBF of MD. So far MD has only gotten “permission” to put them in 3 locations; the fuel dock at National Harbor (which will be hosting an FLW event in June), Smallwood State Park, and Fort Washington Marina. TBF National office sent TBF/FLW Partner in Fishing stickers to post near the tubes.

Lofton is in the midst of conducting a survey, with the help of the DNR on which ramps have recycling tubes, and which ones do not. “Ideally we would like to see one at EVERY boat ramp, and all the high fishing traffic areas,” Lofton said.