Barnes Triumphed With Three-Pronged Approach

By John Johnson
BassFan Senior Editor

Evan Barnes had a breakout season on the MLF Pro Circuit in 2020. After three years of finishing well below 100th on the final points list, he ended up at No. 23 in a campaign that culminated in his first tour-level Top-10 (9th in the TITLE championship event at Sturgeon Bay).

He came into 2021 hoping to build on that success and continue to improve his placements, but it hasn't worked out that way thus far. He opened the current season with a 115th at Lake Okeechobee in February and followed up with an 81st at Smith Lake last month.

"I was kind of expecting to get back on the same little kick again," said the 30-year-old from Hot Springs, Ark. who serves as the pastor of a country church. "At both (Pro Circuit) tournaments I've had one good day, but then I've had one where I really struggled. I don't feel like I've been fishing bad, but I haven't been able to put together a couple days in a row."

The sting of those non-money finishes was mostly alleviated recently when he won the Lake Texoma Southwestern Toyota Series in Kingston, Okla. His day-2 bag was on fish shy of a limit, but the 14 bass he took to the scale registered 42-10, giving him a 3-03 margin over runner-up Cameron Mattison.

"It gave me a little confidence that I haven't been doing anything wrong," he said.

Bittersweet Memory

Barnes had competed at Texoma just once previously – as a co-angler in a BFL Regional in October 2013. He collected a measly $750 for his 2nd-place finish while the winner got a boat.

"That left sort of a bitter taste," he said. "I was excited that I almost won, but I didn't want to go there and finish 2nd again.

The Toyota Series derby was, of course, a springtime event – a time of year that's his favorite to fish.

"I've really got to say that the biggest thing for me was my overall confidence in springtime fishing and the pre-spawn," he said. "I try to fish as many tournaments as I can this time of year because the fish are normally biting somewhere and they're fairly easy to pattern. It really doesn't matter if you don't have a lot of history on the lake – finding the right pattern is what matters."

The area had experienced a considerable amount of rain recently and the water color varied dramatically throughout the lake. The hue was a big factor in his program – he sought water that wasn't too muddy, but not gin-clear, either.

He primarily fished around wood and rocks in the mid-lake section. He pulled fish from depths ranging from 4 to 10 feet.

"I really only had three stops and I only caught fish off of two," he said. "Those were really close to each other and I bet I didn't burn 10 gallons of gas the whole tournament. Not having a bunch of stops and not bouncing around probably played into my hands more than anything.

He caught fish on a swimbait, a rattlebait and an umbrella rig. On about half of the fish he took to the scale, he either watched them take the bait on his Garmin LiveScope unit or had used it to determine the precise location for the cast.

"I could try different stuff to get them to bite," he said. "I could shake the bait or speed it up or slow it down or totally kill it. Sometimes they'd respond to something different."

Winning Gear Notes

> Swimbait gear: 7'6" heavy-action Phenix Recon Elite rod, Daiwa Tatula 150 casting reel (6.3:1 ratio), 15-pound Hi-Seas 100% fluorocarbon line, 6" Megabass Magdraft (albino pearl shad).

> Rattlebait gear: Same rod (7'4" medium-heavy), Daiwa Tatula SV casting reel (7.1:1 ratio), same line, Duo Realix Apex Vibe 100 (hand-painted by Curry's Customs in Hot Springs; color resembles firecraw).

> Umbrella rig gear: Same rod (7'9" heavy-action), Daiwa Tatula 300 casting reel (6.3:1 ratio), 20-pound Hi-Seas 100% fluorocarbon, Black's Custom Lures umbrella rig (5 arms, 1/8-ounce jigheads), Keitech Fat Swing Impact swibaits (crystal shad).

Final Standings

1. Evan Barnes -- 16-11 (5) -- 12-15 (4) -- 13-00 (5) -- 42-10 (14) -- $40,906

2. Cameron Mattison -- 11-10 (5) -- 13-04 (5) -- 14-09 (5) -- 39-07 (15) -- $15,270

3. Billy Cline -- 12-02 (3) -- 15-00 (5) -- 11-08 (5) -- 38-10 (13) -- $11,822

4. Christopher Temple -- 14-00 (4) -- 14-03 (4) -- 6-13 (3) -- 35-00 (11) -- $11,102

5. Blake Schroeder -- 15-03 (5) -- 13-13 (5) -- 4-01 (2) -- 33-01 (12) -- $8,866

6. Chad Mrazek -- 11-02 (3) -- 16-15 (5) -- 2-05 (1) -- 30-06 (9) -- $7,881

7. Mitchell Webb -- 15-04 (5) -- 11-07 (3) -- 2-13 (1) -- 29-08 (9) -- $7,042

8. Tommy Dickerson -- 15-15 (5) -- 8-07 (4) -- 4-04 (2) -- 28-10 (11) -- $5,911

9. Wesley Dawson -- 14-14 (5) -- 10-11 (3) -- 2-01 (1) -- 27-10 (9) -- $4,926

10. James Ware -- 12-08 (5) -- 12-11 (4) -- 1-12 (1) -- 26-15 (10) -- $3,941

The following anglers did not make the cut and did not fish on day 3.

11. Jeff Reynolds -- 9-09 (3) -- 14-03 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 23-12 (8) -- $3,694

12. Brandon Pedigo -- 12-04 (5) -- 11-08 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 23-12 (10) -- $3,448

13. Marco Vaca -- 8-15 (4) -- 14-09 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 23-08 (9) -- $2,955

14. Russell Cecil -- 10-11 (5) -- 12-11 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 23-06 (10) -- $2,955

15. Nick Aber -- 14-01 (5) -- 9-04 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 23-05 (10) -- $2,955

16. Keith Combs -- 10-12 (5) -- 12-09 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 23-05 (10) -- $2,955

17. Chris Russell -- 11-11 (4) -- 11-07 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 23-02 (8) -- $2,955

18. Todd Castledine -- 12-13 (5) -- 9-14 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 22-11 (10) -- $2,955

19. River Lee -- 8-10 (2) -- 13-00 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 21-10 (6) -- $3,101

20. Chris Digino -- 10-01 (5) -- 11-09 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 21-10 (10) -- $2,955

21. Chris McCall -- 9-14 (5) -- 11-08 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 21-06 (10) -- $2,709

22. Darrel Robertson -- 12-13 (5) -- 8-07 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 21-04 (8) -- $2,709

23. Dicky Newberry -- 7-04 (3) -- 13-15 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 21-03 (8) -- $2,709

24. Hayden Burkett -- 12-06 (5) -- 8-10 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 21-00 (7) -- $2,709

25. Christopher Brasher -- 13-13 (5) -- 6-13 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 20-10 (7) -- $2,709

26. Troy Roder -- 13-01 (5) -- 7-04 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 20-05 (7) -- $2,463

27. Trea Luedke -- 14-09 (5) -- 5-07 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 20-00 (7) -- $2,463

28. Wyatt Frankens -- 9-07 (5) -- 10-07 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 19-14 (9) -- $2,463

29. Wes Davis -- 4-04 (2) -- 15-07 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 19-11 (7) -- $2,463

30. David Mauldin -- 3-01 (2) -- 15-14 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 18-15 (7) -- $2,463

31. Randy Despino -- 11-13 (4) -- 6-12 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 18-09 (7) -- $1,970

32. Charles Abshire -- 13-05 (4) -- 5-02 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 18-07 (6) -- $1,970

33. David Ridley III -- 13-07 (5) -- 4-14 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 18-05 (7) -- $1,970

34. Matt Cooper -- 6-04 (3) -- 12-01 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 18-05 (8) -- $1,970

35. Shawn Mote -- 8-14 (4) -- 9-07 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 18-05 (9) -- $1,970

36. Josh McDaniel -- 5-15 (2) -- 11-15 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 17-14 (7) -- $1,970

37. Jeff Bridges -- 12-04 (5) -- 5-08 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 17-12 (8) -- $1,970

38. Michael Burns -- 9-06 (5) -- 8-02 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 17-08 (10) -- $1,970

39. Justin Patti -- 15-12 (5) -- 1-09 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 17-05 (6) -- $1,970

40. Orlean Smith -- 2-06 (1) -- 14-11 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 17-01 (6)

41. Harold Moore -- 7-10 (3) -- 9-03 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 16-13 (7)

42. Jason Conn -- 4-15 (2) -- 11-11 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 16-10 (7)

43. Larry Puckett -- 14-03 (5) -- 2-03 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 16-06 (6)

44. Sam Harrison -- 10-10 (5) -- 5-08 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 16-02 (8)

45. Jake Biram -- 5-10 (3) -- 10-08 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 16-02 (7)

46. Colby Miller -- 6-03 (2) -- 9-15 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 16-02 (7)

47. Mason Roach -- 6-03 (2) -- 9-14 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 16-01 (6)

48. Joseph Norris -- 12-00 (5) -- 4-00 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 16-00 (7)

49. Lendell Martin Jr -- 7-00 (3) -- 9-00 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 16-00 (6)

50. Dean Alexander -- 8-08 (4) -- 7-06 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 15-14 (7)

51. Josh Bensema -- 3-10 (2) -- 12-00 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 15-10 (7)

52. Lane Olson -- 12-08 (5) -- 3-01 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 15-09 (7)

53. Rick Harris -- 10-11 (5) -- 4-14 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 15-09 (8)

54. Jason Bonds -- 5-06 (2) -- 10-03 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 15-09 (6)

55. Jim Tutt -- 3-01 (1) -- 12-07 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 15-08 (6)

56. Scott Burkett -- 7-06 (4) -- 7-14 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 15-04 (7)

57. Ernie Stumpf -- 9-15 (3) -- 4-11 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 14-10 (5)

58. Jake Goodrum -- 9-08 (3) -- 4-11 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 14-03 (5)

59. Cap Massey -- 9-06 (5) -- 4-12 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 14-02 (7)

60. Tim Reneau -- 6-13 (3) -- 7-04 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 14-01 (6)

61. Chuck Stratton -- 5-15 (3) -- 8-01 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 14-00 (7)

62. Michael Scalise -- 10-03 (5) -- 3-12 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 13-15 (7)

63. Gene Robertson -- 5-00 (2) -- 8-09 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 13-09 (6)

64. Chris Lewis -- 9-10 (3) -- 3-14 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 13-08 (5)

65. Jordan Collom -- 4-07 (2) -- 9-01 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 13-08 (6)

66. Ty Faber -- 13-06 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 13-06 (5)

67. Randy Millender -- 5-01 (2) -- 8-03 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 13-04 (6)

68. Aaron Johnson -- 11-05 (4) -- 1-09 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 12-14 (5)

69. Brandon McDonald -- 4-08 (2) -- 8-06 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 12-14 (4)

70. Kyle Hall -- 6-12 (3) -- 6-02 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 12-14 (5)

71. Travis Franks -- 12-13 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 12-13 (5)

72. Danny Wims -- 6-00 (2) -- 6-09 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 12-09 (4)

73. Brad Hillebrandt -- 12-06 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 12-06 (5)

74. Jerod Keith -- 12-04 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 12-04 (4)

75. Lance Crawford -- 7-10 (2) -- 4-10 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 12-04 (4)

76. Roy Whisenhunt -- 8-02 (3) -- 4-01 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 12-03 (4)

77. Derek Mundy -- 3-15 (2) -- 8-02 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 12-01 (6)

78. Keltyn Hendrix -- 9-10 (3) -- 2-06 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 12-00 (4)

79. Brandon Mosley -- 11-13 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 11-13 (4)

80. Joey Cantrell -- 5-01 (3) -- 6-11 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 11-12 (5)

81. Shawn Garrison -- 8-03 (3) -- 3-05 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 11-08 (4)

82. James E Davis Jr -- 6-09 (3) -- 4-15 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 11-08 (5)

83. Jaden Parrish -- 0-11 (1) -- 10-03 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 10-14 (5)

84. Charley Slaton -- 3-14 (2) -- 6-10 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 10-08 (5)

85. Brandon Flowers -- 1-11 (1) -- 8-11 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 10-06 (4)

86. Lowell Bennett -- 1-14 (1) -- 8-07 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 10-05 (4)

87. Nickalas Butler -- 7-14 (3) -- 2-05 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 10-03 (4)

88. Jordan Lane -- 5-12 (2) -- 4-05 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 10-01 (3)

89. Kris Wilson -- 9-13 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 9-13 (4)

90. Robert Brown -- 0-00 (0) -- 9-11 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 9-11 (3)

91. Scout Echols -- 3-03 (2) -- 6-08 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 9-11 (4)

92. James Caldemeyer -- 6-07 (2) -- 3-04 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 9-11 (3)

93. Bob Vote -- 2-09 (1) -- 6-12 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 9-05 (3)

94. Don Brinson -- 5-09 (3) -- 3-12 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 9-05 (5)

95. Tommy Durham -- 5-05 (1) -- 4-00 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 9-05 (3)

96. Tommy Murray -- 0-00 (0) -- 9-03 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 9-03 (4)

97. Theron Caldwell -- 5-11 (2) -- 3-07 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 9-02 (4)

98. Steve Sennikoff -- 3-01 (1) -- 5-12 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 8-13 (4)

99. Michael Bennett -- 5-08 (2) -- 3-05 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 8-13 (3)

100. Rob Burns -- 3-11 (2) -- 5-01 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 8-12 (5)

101. Charlie Gantenbein -- 3-08 (1) -- 4-15 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 8-07 (3)

102. Aaron Morgan -- 4-09 (1) -- 3-10 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 8-03 (2)

103. Alton Wilhoit -- 2-08 (1) -- 5-10 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 8-02 (4)

104. Braxton Hollenshead -- 7-09 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 7-09 (3)

105. Cliff Brown -- 1-12 (1) -- 5-13 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 7-09 (4)

106. Mike Richardson -- 3-12 (2) -- 3-11 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 7-07 (3) -- $200

107. Clay Sammons -- 2-02 (1) -- 5-04 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 7-06 (3)

108. Justin Sowell -- 3-08 (1) -- 3-13 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 7-05 (3)

109. Tommy Martin -- 3-10 (2) -- 3-11 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 7-05 (4)

110. Lester Hawkins -- 0-00 (0) -- 6-11 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 6-11 (3)

111. Skeeter Fowler -- 0-00 (0) -- 6-08 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 6-08 (3)

112. Nolan Gaskin -- 6-07 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 6-07 (1)

113. Jake Ormond -- 2-11 (1) -- 3-12 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 6-07 (3)

114. Mario Riojas -- 3-09 (2) -- 2-12 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 6-05 (3)

115. Clyde Glenn -- 6-04 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 6-04 (3)

116. Warren Kepke -- 6-01 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 6-01 (3)

117. Mike Zachary -- 0-00 (0) -- 6-00 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 6-00 (2)

118. Melvin Dunn -- 5-10 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 5-10 (2)

119. James Martin -- 5-09 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 5-09 (3)

120. Craig Schuff -- 0-00 (0) -- 5-08 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 5-08 (3)

121. Dane Thibodeaux -- 2-13 (1) -- 2-06 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 5-03 (2)

122. Garrett Hilton -- 2-15 (1) -- 2-02 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 5-01 (2)

123. Rodney Richards -- 4-15 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 4-15 (2)

124. Jeff Richards -- 1-12 (1) -- 3-03 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 4-15 (2)

125. Michael Herron -- 2-01 (1) -- 2-14 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 4-15 (3)

126. Dustin Wilkey -- 0-00 (0) -- 4-13 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 4-13 (2)

127. Jay Stidham -- 3-08 (2) -- 1-05 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 4-13 (3)

128. Dale Stover -- 1-11 (1) -- 3-01 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 4-12 (2)

129. Larry Dean -- 4-10 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 4-10 (2)

130. Matt Luna -- 0-00 (0) -- 4-10 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 4-10 (2)

131. Drew Sloan -- 2-06 (1) -- 2-01 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 4-07 (2)

132. Hank Harrison -- 4-06 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 4-06 (2)

133. Billy Hurt -- 1-14 (1) -- 2-08 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 4-06 (2)

134. Matthew Palesano -- 4-02 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 4-02 (2)

135. Justin O'Brian Cooper -- 2-06 (1) -- 1-10 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 4-00 (2)

136. Kevin Mason -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-13 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-13 (1)

137. Trey Sammons -- 3-11 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-11 (2)

138. Chance Woodard -- 1-14 (1) -- 1-13 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-11 (2)

139. Mark Mitchell -- 3-09 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-09 (1)

140. Skye Ball -- 3-08 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-08 (1)

141. Terry Hawkins -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-07 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-07 (2)

142. Bryton Kurtz -- 1-13 (1) -- 1-09 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-06 (2)

143. Jace Lindsay -- 1-10 (1) -- 1-11 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-05 (2)

144. Tyson Patrick -- 3-01 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-01 (1)

145. Greg McCollough -- 0-00 (0) -- 2-10 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 2-10 (1)

146. Buster Johnson -- 2-08 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 2-08 (1)

147. Gunner West -- 0-00 (0) -- 2-04 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 2-04 (1)

148. Bronk McDaniel -- 2-02 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 2-02 (1)

149. Terry Bollom -- 2-00 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 2-00 (1)

150. Rick Clunn -- 1-15 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 1-15 (1)

151. Michael Alls -- 1-09 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 1-09 (1)

152. Wardell Motley -- 1-07 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 1-07 (1)

Nolan Jackson -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)

Naohiro Maruo -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)

Steve Oram -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)

Nick Abshire -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)