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• ULM won with final-day rally

  Thursday, April 17, 2014
  

  The University of Louisiana-Monroe team of Dustin Perkins and Trapper Munn weighed just three fish on the first day of the College B.A.S.S. Central Regional at the Ouachita River, but caught a double-digit limit on day 2 to claim the top slot.

  To read about it, click here.
  

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• B.A.S.S. Nation headed to Ouachita

  Thursday, April 17, 2014
  

  The 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship will be held on Louisiana’s Ouachita River, Nov. 6-8, B.A.S.S. announced today. Anglers will be competing for six spots in the
  2015 Bassmaster Classic.

  The venue was also the site of the 2011 event, which Alabama’s Jamie Horton won. By virtue of his victory, Horton earned an invitation to compete on the Bassmaster Elite Series.

  “It’s always good to go back to Monroe,” said Jon Stewart, B.A.S.S. Nation director. “The host and the community really make us feel welcome.”

  The pool of contenders is made up of anglers from 47 states, one province (Ontario, Canada) and eight foreign countries.

  “Australia and Namibia, our two newest nations, will likely send their first competitors to this year’s championship,” Stewart said.

  Both countries joined the B.A.S.S. Nation in early 2014. Other countries that are represented at the championship are Japan, Mexico, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Italy and Spain.

  Another country may send a qualifier, too. Portugal is working on finalizing its status as a B.A.S.S. Nation chapter. If it becomes an official member of the B.A.S.S. Nation in time, Portugal will also have a contender in the championship.

  The only contender who is currently qualified to compete in this year's championship is Jeff Lugar of Virginia, who will be defending his title from 2013. Other competitors will qualify by winning their state or nation in upcoming divisionals. Also, the Paralyzed Veterans of America Tour will send its Angler of the Year to compete.

  The first group of anglers will gain their berths in the championship will come this week, as the Southern Divisional takes place on Alabama’s Lake Eufaula. The final qualifiers will be decided months later in New York at the Eastern Divisional in September.

  Official practice for the championship will be Nov. 4 and 5.

  The winner of each division at the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship will be invited to compete in the 2015 Classic in Greenville, S.C.

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• Berkley trailer in Kalamazoo

  Thursday, April 17, 2014
  

  The Berkley Experience Trailer is at D&R Sports Center in Kalamazoo, Mich. today through Sunday. In its 9th year, the trailer has been completely redesigned to provide anglers with a better hands-on experience.

  Four highly trained Berkley professionals will be available to provide in-depth knowledge on products, knot tying, line selection and bait choice.

  “We are extremely excited about the upgrades to the trailer and the experiences that anglers of all skill levels will have this year,” said Berkley marketing director Andrew Marks. "Our Experience Trailer team is ready to answer your questions and help anglers of all ages and skill levels learn about fishing, our passion and our company’s heritage."

  The trailer's next stop will be March 25-27 at Scheels All Sports in Sioux Falls, S.D.
  

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• Balog: Beaver a good barometer

  Thursday, April 17, 2014
  

  In this week's edition of Balog's Bass War, Joe Balog opines that this year's FLW Tour event at Beaver Lake provides strong evidence that the most accomplished anglers will consistently finish at the top of the standings, whether umbrella rigs are in play or not. That being the case, he's still glad the contraptions have been disallowed at the tour level.

  To read the column, click here.

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• Sonar: A shared future awaits

  Wednesday, April 16, 2014
  

  Miles Burghoff has been solely focused on his goal of becoming a tour-level angler since the summer of 2006. No longer can he think purely in individual terms, however, as he recently became engaged to be married.

  To read the newest Sonar Sound-Off, click here.

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• TTBC field finalized

  Tuesday, April 15, 2014

  The field for the Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) next month at Lake Fork has been finalized. The 50-man field, consisting of the Top 15 finishers from the 2013 Bassmaster Elite Series, FLW Tour and PAA Tournament Series Angler of the Year points, will compete May 9-11 at one of the premier big-fish lakes in the country.

  “We’re extremely excited to have the most outstanding anglers in the world competing in the 2014 Toyota Texas Bass Classic," said tournament director Lenny Francoeur. "This tournament can truly say that we have the best of the best competing on the most historical bass fishing lake in Texas. From legendary anglers to Lake Fork rookies, the competition will be fierce, the bass will be enormous and I can’t wait to see who will take home the trophy and title of world champion."

  The 2014 TTBC field is one of the strongest to date. The field has a combined $64 million in career earnings, 234 tournament victories, 21 AOY titles and 18 major championship wins. The field includes past TTBC winner Keith Combs (2011, 2013), Bryan Thrift (2012), Brian Snowden (2010), Kelly Jordon (2008) and Terry Scroggins (2007).

  “The TTBC is my favorite event of the season," said Combs. "Considering how an angler has to qualify for this event it is the strongest field that we compete against all year. I spent some time this past winter familiarizing myself with Lake Fork. It will be a late spawn/early summer tournament which means a lot of movement and it will take big weights to win.”

  Due to the 16-to 24-inch slot limit on Lake Fork, there are no professional tournaments held there, so this will be the first time since the 2008 TTBC, that pro anglers will take to the water for a pro competition. The full field will compete the first 2 days before it's reduced to the top 10 for the final round. The tournament is a non-entry fee event and all 50 competing anglers will receive guaranteed prize money.

  Through a continued partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), TTBC will continue its focus on conservation efforts and adhere to a strict catch, weigh and immediate release format.

  The Toyota Texas Bass Classic will be located on the grounds of the Sabine River Authority (SRA) just east of the Lake Fork dam in Quitman, Texas. The Outdoor Expos, TPWD Adventures Area, Bass Pro Shop’s Kid Zone, and the live concerts will all take place at SRA.

  For more information visit www.ToyotaTexasBassClassic.com or call 1-866-907-0143.

  Following the field for the 2014 TTBC, listed with hometown and how qualified:

  > Matt Arey – Shelby, N.C. – PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
  > Todd Auten – Lake Wylie, S.C. – PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
  > Adrian Avena – Vineland, N.J. – FLW Tour AOY Points
  > Tommy Biffle – Wagoner, Okla. – Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
  > Stetson Blaylock – Benton, Ark. – FLW Tour AOY Points
  > Tommy Brown – Louisville, Tenn. – PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
  > Hank Cherry – Maiden, N.C. – Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
  > Jason Christie – Park Hill, Okla. – FLW Tour AOY Points
  > Luke Clausen – Otis Orchards, Wash. – FLW Tour AOY Points
  > Keith Combs – Huntington, Texas – Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
  > Brandon Coulter – Knoxville, Tenn. – PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
  > John Crews – Salem, Va. – Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
  > Cliff Crochet – Pierre Part, La. – Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
  > Ott DeFoe – Knoxville, Tenn. – Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
  > Jim Dillard – West Monroe, La. – PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
  > Brent Ehrler – Redlands, Ca. – FLW Tour AOY Points
  > Edwin Evers – Talala, Okla. – Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
  > Todd Faircloth – Jasper, Texas – Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
  > Shinichi Fukae – Palestine, Texas – PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
  > Randy Haynes – Counce, Tenn. – PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
  > Mike Iaconelli – Pittsgrove, N.J. – Sponsor Exemption
  > Alton Jones – Lorena, Texas – Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
  > Kelly Jordon – Palestine, Texas – Sponsor Exemption
  > Russ Lane – Prattville, Ala. – PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
  > Bobby Lane – Lakeland, Fla. – Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
  > Justin Lucas – Guntersville, Ala. – FLW Tour AOY Points
  > Aaron Martens – Leeds, Ala. – Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
  > Mike McClelland – Bella Vista, Ark. – PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
  > Cody Meyer – Auburn, Ca. – FLW Tour AOY Points
  > Ish Monroe – Hughson, Ca. – Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
  > Dan Morehead – Paducah, Ky. – FLW Tour AOY Points
  > Andy Morgan – Dayton, Tenn. – FLW Tour AOY Points
  > Cliff Pace – Petal, Miss. – Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
  > Brandon Palaniuk – Rathdrum, Id. – PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
  > Jacob Powroznik – Prince George, Va. – FLW Tour AOY Points
  > Kelly Power – Cape Fair, Mo. – PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
  > Matt Reed – Madisonville, Texas – PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
  > Mark Rose – West Memphis, Ark. – FLW Tour AOY Points
  > Fred Roumbanis – Bixby, Okla. – PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
  > Terry Scroggins – San Mateo, Fla. – Sponsor Exemption
  > Spencer Shuffield – Hot Springs, Ark. – FLW Tour AOY Points
  > Brian Snowden – Reeds Spring, Mo. – PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
  > Gerald Swindle – Warrior, Ala. – Sponsor Exemption
  > Randall Tharp – Port Saint Joe, Fla. – FLW Tour AOY Points
  > Bryan Thrift – Shelby, N.C. – 2012 TTBC Defending Champion
  > Kevin VanDam – Kalamazoo, Mich. – Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
  > Greg Vinson – Wetumpka, Ala. – Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
  > James Watson – Waynesville, Mo. – PAA Tournament Series AOY Points
  > Jay Yelas – Corvallis, Ore. – FLW Tour AOY Points
  > Chris Zaldain – San Jose, Ca. – Bassmaster Elite Series AOY Points
  

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• Rankings: Morgan extends lead

  Tuesday, April 15, 2014

  With a pair of runner-up finishes in the last three FLW Tour events, Andy Morgan has solidified his hold on the No. 1 slot in the BassFan World Rankings. Meanwhile, Cody Meyer, who's battling Morgan for this year's Angler of the Year title, cracks the Top 5 for the first time.

  To see the full list, click here.
  

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• Gallery: Scenes from Beaver

  Tuesday, April 15, 2014

  Get a behind-the-scenes look at the action from the Beaver Lake FLW Tour by exploring our photo gallery from last week's event. To view the gallery, click here.

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• Crews, Missile Baits team up for autism awareness

  Monday, April 14, 2014

  Elite Series pro John Crews and Missile Baits are running several programs this month to raise funds for autism awareness again this year.

  Last year, Crews and his soft plastics company combined to raise more than $1,600 for various autism charities.

  This year, Crews is auctioning off a specially-designed jersey he wore at the Table Rock Lake Elite Series event that features the interlocking puzzle pieces that is a symbol for autism awareness. To view the auction and/or place a bid, click here.

  In addition, Elite Series emcee and TV personality Dave Mercer pledged to match the winning bid amount in the form of a donation to Autism Speaks.

  Also, Missile Baits will donate a portion of its sales during the month of April to the Vista School, a Hershey, Pa.-based school that specializes in assisting children living with autism.

  There is a limited supply of autism awareness t-shirts and lapel pins available for purchase on the Missile Baits website with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Autism Society. Each item features the logo of My Little Buddy’s Boat, an autism awareness non-profit group that benefits various charities and was started by avid bass angler Eli Delany.

  “Last year went great for raising awareness and funds," Crews said. "I think we can really do much more for raising money and awareness. Dave Mercer has joined the effort and I hope more people will help spread the word. The CDC just updated the statistics on autism now effecting 1 in 68 children and 1 in 42 boys. Autism is increasing and I am going to do all I can to let everyone know about how alarming this is and how many people this affects.”
  

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