Yankton, South Dakota, – June 6, 2008

It was a tough day in Yankton, S. Dakota as the TBF Central Division Championship came to a conclusion. The boats pulled off the ramp one by one, just as the sun was coming over the horizon. The anglers were all eager to find a limit of keepers, and hopeful to be pronounced the winner of their respective states. However, once again the weather proved to be their number one obstacle. The wind blew so hard it was causing anywhere from 5 to 7 ft. waves, making some of the boats hard to maneuver. But, the anglers still managed to catch some great smallmouth bass, as the final day of the tournament rolled on.

Jason Baird from Gypsum, Kansas was the Central Division Champion and the Castrol Maximum Performer. Jason caught four fish today that weighed 5lbs. 15 ounces, which made him able to rise from his 3rd place finish yesterday and become the tournament champion. He caught a total weight of 22 lbs, which was also enough to make him the leader of his state team and a qualifier for the TBF National Championship. “I found lots of fish the practice day, and fished from those same 20 spots the first two days of the tournament. But, today was a lot different. I fished at one spot right outside the cove all day; I literally used no gas. To catch all of my fish I used 3/16 ounce smallie beaver, and I an 8 ounce seaguar flurocarbon. I had four bites and I caught four fish, and I am so glad that it was enough to qualify me for nationals. This will be my fourth time to go, and I can’t wait,” Jason said.

Finishing in 2nd place in the individual standing was Zachary King from Clarksville, Arkansas. He caught three fish today that weighed 5 lbs. 4 ounces, making his total weight 20 lbs.1 ounce and making a qualifier for the TBF National Championship. “I fished in 10 to 15 ft water today using an original shaky head football jig. I actually lost a big one this morning, but I stayed in the cove all day and did bed fishing. It’s a great opportunity to be representing the state of Arkansas at the TBF National Championship, it will be my second time and I’m really looking forward to it,” Zachary said.

Also from Arkansas, state team member Jim Towers finished 3rd and will be representing the state of Arkansas at the 2009 TBF National Championship as their non-boater. He caught three fish today, making his total weight 19 lbs. 4 ounces. “I did get 3 miles up the lake today. But, I ended up fishing mostly in the cove using Carolina rigs. I had three bites, and I caught three keepers,” Jim said.

In 4th place was Bryan Fox from Hot Springs, Arkansas with a total weight of 19 lbs. 1 ounce, and rounding out the top 5 was Marion Halbersma from Ozark, Missouri. For more individual standings, click here.

The fisherman responsible for catching the biggest fish today was Chris Scherbring from Abilene, Kansas. He was awarded the big bass cash, with a fish that weighed 4 lbs. 9 ounces. “I fished really slow today, dragging a 5 inch finesse worm on a spot remover jig, along the bottom of the water,” Chris said.

The 2008 State Division Champion was the state of Arkansas. With three of the top five individual qualifiers, the state of Arkansas came out on top catching 107 total fish that weighed 156 lbs. 12 ounces.

Oklahoma came in 2nd with 104 total fish that weighed 153 lbs. 13 ounces, and rounding out the top three was Texas with 101 total fish that weighed 146 lbs. 2 ounces. For more state team standings, click here.

The TBF National Championship will be held in 2009, and the location will be announced soon. Then, the top two winners from all 46 state federations will compete to decide who will be the TBF National Champion and the winner of the largest pay-out in 30 years of federation fishing.

Yankton, South Dakota, – June 5, 2008

The second day of the TBF Central Division Championship was extremely different than the first. The day began with calm skies and a light breeze, but quickly turned to thunderstorms terrorizing southeastern S. Dakota. Golf ball size hail, tornado watches, and 100 mile winds plagued the area. Although the conditions were tougher, and the amount of bass caught was a lot less, the anglers rose above their circumstances and kept fighting for a place at the top.

Robert Cartlidge, the TBF President, stepped into that position today. He brought in 8 lbs. 4 ounces of bass, making his total 17 lbs. 13 ounces. Robert is also leading his home state of Oklahoma. But, only 3 lbs. separate him and angler Stewart Ryan from the top Oklahoma spot. “I traveled about the same distance down the lake today as I did yesterday; the biggest difference was the weather as a severe storm blew in mid-morning. We had to stop for 30 minutes and seek shelter under a barge walkway during the hail storm. Other than that, the bite was non-existent before 9:00 this morning; the fish just would not cooperate. Around 9:00 am I was finally able to figure them out, and was culling by 10:30. Although the conditions were not exactly favorable, my partner and I caught some great smallmouth bass,” Robert said.

Marion Halbersma from Missouri, the 2nd place individual finisher from yesterday, was also 2nd today. Fighting to close the gap, Marion brought in 7 lbs. 13 ounces of bass; only one ounce now separates him from the first place spot overall. “I was affected a little by the conditions today, but I started to get a hold on a different style of fishing and managed to catch a limit by noon. In the end, even with the horrible weather, I was happy to know I was able to hold on to the 2nd place standing,” Marion said.

Close behind Marion is Jason Baird from Kansas and Mark Hensiek from Arkansas. Both anglers are tied for 3rd place overall with a total weight of 16 lbs. 1 ounce. Jason caught a limit of bass weighing 7 lbs. 1 ounce today, and he is leading the state of Kansas. Mark Hensiek also caught a limit today, which weighed 7 lbs. 3 ounces, and he is leading the state team of Arkansas.

In the state standings, leading the pack for the second day in a row, the state team of Oklahoma increased their lead to today from 8 ounce, to 3 lbs. 14 ounces. The Oklahoma President had nothing but great things to say about his team. “Our state member’s first focus is working well as a team, and this has proven to be a great fishery for them to really do that. Tonight we will focus on the things that we need to work on for the final day, so we can return tomorrow and finish what we have came here to do,” Gary Gunter said.

Bob Walla is leading the hosting state of Nebraska with a total weight of 14 lbs. 2 ounces. He caught a limit of five fish today despite his tough conditions. “Today was the second worst boating experience I have ever had, second only to when the rain was so bad my Ranger boat ended up full of water. However, I did catch a limit by 12:30, and I culled three times, so, in the end it worked out in my favor,” Bob said.

The top two leaders from each state will advance to the Federation National Championship in 2009. There they will compete for the largest purse in over 30 years of federation fishing.

Day 3 of this two day event will get under way tomorrow, with weigh-in at 3:30 at Prairie Dog bay Ramp, in Northville state park. Weigh-ins are free to the public.

Yankton, South Dakota, – June 4, 2008

Today was a great day for fishing! Over 65% of the anglers caught a limit here on Day one of the TBF Central Division Championship in Yankton, S. Dakota. 96 fishermen from 8 states brought in nearly 400 fish today, totaling just over 563 lbs. All fish were released alive, and every angler caught at least one. In other words, there were a lot of smiling fishermen. Two days ago this might not have been the case for some. Due to water levels too low to navigate, as well as, safety issues, the tournament that was originally scheduled to be held at the Lewis and Clark Reservoir, had to be moved to Lake Francis Case. It happened at the last moment when the lake authority notified TBF officials on Monday that water levels would drop even farther. So, not only do these fishermen get solely one day to practice, but, most of them are driving 30 minutes more than planned every day. However, their work and dedication has definitely paid off, and the results have proved it.

The Oklahoma team is leading the pack with a combined weight of 85 lbs. 10 ounces. “Our team works really great together. Our strategy was to go out there for one day and pre-fish, then, pull in all the information from what every member had ran into. Each day we meet together, share and strategize so we can be successful as a team, and I think we’ve proved that today,” Oklahoma team captain, Don Linder, said.

The rest of the field is fairly tight; Arkansas is a mere 8 ounces behind Oklahoma with 85 lbs. 2 ounces. Missouri is third at 73 lbs. 12 ounces. So, it will be exciting to see what team is on top after tomorrows weigh-in. For the rest of the state standings click here.

Kelly Box from Arkansas came out on top overall in the individual standings with 10 lbs. 7 ounces. “Actually, this is not the kind of fishing I was prepared for, but I have made it work, and I’m loving fishing for smallmouth bass. Fishing as a co-angler can be a little harder, but I’m thankful to have had a great partner. We fished in one area close to the ramp, and even though today was tougher because of the sun, I caught what was needed to be at the top,” Kelly said.

Following close behind, is Marion Halbersma from Missouri. Marion also caught a 4 lb. smallmouth, making him the big bass winner for the day.

The TBF President, Robert Cartlidge, is leading his home state of Oklahoma with a 9 lbs 9 ounce limit. “It’s a pleasant surprise to be leading because I’m a power fishermen; muddy water, heavy line is where I feel at home, visibility at this lake is 15 ft. in places. While others were down sizing lines and baits, I stuck with what I knew; I caught every fish on either Berkley Vanish 20# Floruocarbon, or Trilene 15# Big Game on 7 12 foot flipping sticks.” Cartlidge said. For full individual standings, and which two anglers are currently leading their respective states, click here.

The top two leaders from each state will advance to the Federation National Championship in 2009. There they will compete for the largest purse in over 30 years of federation.

Day 2 of this 3 day event will get under way tomorrow, with weigh-in at 3:30 at Prairie Dog bay Ramp, in Northville state park. Weigh-ins are free to the public.