Ebare Sacks 32-04 To Win Rayburn Toyota Event

By MLF Communications Staff

Dakota Ebare of Brookeland, Texas brought a giant five-bass limit to the scale Friday weighing 32 pounds, 4 ounces to win the Toyota Series event at Sam Rayburn Reservoir and earn the top payout of $80,500. With Day 1 cancelled due to high winds and dangerous boating conditions, Ebare weighed in 10 bass over the two days of competition totaling 48-10 to earn the win by a 1-05 margin over Wyatt Frankens of Corrigan, Texas, who had a two-day total of 47-05 to take home $17,000.

Ebare has competed in more than 50 Toyota Series events in his young career, had several close finishes on the MLF Pro Circuit and finished his debut season on the Bass Pro Tour in 2022 with high points and another set of close finishes, yet has never been able to pull out a major win. Until now.

“I don’t take any of that stuff for granted,” Ebare said. “All of the close calls I’ve had over the last several years have been great and I’m thankful for every one of those good finishes. But at the end of the day, I’m a competitor and I want to win, so to finally accomplish that is a great feeling.”

Ebare ended Day 1 tied for 7lth place. Not the start that he was hoping for, but he was able to salvage the day with a kicker-fish that put him at 16-06, keeping him afloat and in the running for the final day.

“The wind was gassin’ and made it really hard to set up on Day 1,” said Ebare. “I ended the day really disappointed because I knew I had the chance to catch them big. I had a big one on the crankbait wrap me around a tree and get off and I lost another really big one on an A-rig. I had a chance to have a giant bag and was pretty disappointed that it didn’t work out.”

Day 2 started off with a bang, with Ebare having more than 25 pounds by mid-morning.

“Today I caught a couple on a football jig and if I’d have picked up that football jig yesterday, it might have gotten really good,” Ebare said. “Because of the wind and how they were set up on Day 1, I decided to throw a Carolina rig and they weren’t really having it. I really wished I’d picked up a football jig yesterday. I’m still thinking about what I could have done better.”

Ebare said he was targeting big winter and prespawn bass in about 15 feet of water. He caught his winning fish on a Strike King 6XD, an umbrella rig with 1/4-ounce heads and Strike King Rage Swimmers, a Strike King Elite 300 jerkbait and a football jig.

“There was never a point today that I was comfortable,” said Ebare. “I had a feeling it was going to take a lot of weight to win this tournament, so I never let off the gas all day. I stopped here on the dam and tried to catch a couple with 5 minutes to go. I really felt like I needed to have more weight and I wasn’t going to stop until it was time to go in.

“I was pretty deflated when I got back on the bank and they told me Wyatt had a big bag and had over 47 pounds total,” Ebare continued. “There was no way in my mind that I thought I had over 30 pounds. I didn’t take time to weigh the bigger fish – they were really big and I knew that, but I didn’t realize how big they were. I figured I had about 29 pounds, which would have put me in 2nd or 3rd place again. So, when I saw the 32-04 come across the screen on stage, I was ecstatic. That was a really exciting moment, and the biggest weight was lifted off my shoulders.”

As for what’s next, Ebare said he’s on his way to the next tournament and ready to hit the water again with an open mind.

“I’m very thankful and grateful that this one came together and we finally got that win, but it doesn’t really change anything as far as my game plan moving forward,” Ebare said. “I’m heading to a new lake and a new tournament and we’re going to keep working hard and putting God first and let the rest fall where it may.”

River Lee of Nacogdoches, Texas, the 6th-place finisher won the $500 Berkley Big Bass award in the pro division Thursday with a bass weighing 8-13. On Friday, Marshall Hughes of Hemphill, Texas (5th) took that honor with a 9-08 specimen.

Final Standings

1. Dakota Ebare -- 16-06 (5) -- 32-04 (5) -- 48-10 (10) -- $80,500

2. Wyatt Frankens -- 18-14 (5) -- 28-07 (5) -- 47-05 (10) -- $17,000

3. Tater Reynolds -- 16-01 (5) -- 26-08 (5) -- 42-09 (10) -- $12,750

4. Jason Bonds -- 21-15 (5) -- 13-15 (2) -- 35-14 (7) -- $10,750

5. Marshall Hughes -- 8-11 (5) -- 25-15 (5) -- 34-10 (10) -- $10,250

6. River Lee -- 20-04 (5) -- 11-14 (5) -- 32-02 (10) -- $8,875

7. Tyler Stewart -- 13-11 (5) -- 17-12 (5) -- 31-07 (10) -- $7,300

8. Cole Moore -- 13-14 (5) -- 17-00 (5) -- 30-14 (10) -- $6,300

9. Harold Moore -- 23-09 (5) -- 5-14 (4) -- 29-07 (9) -- $5,300

10. Garrett Hilton -- 17-04 (5) -- 11-14 (5) -- 29-02 (10) -- $4,200

11. Nick Kincaid -- 11-09 (5) -- 17-04 (5) -- 28-13 (10) -- $3,850

12. Todd Castledine -- 13-12 (5) -- 14-13 (5) -- 28-09 (10) -- $3,575

13. Cody Huff -- 13-07 (5) -- 15-01 (5) -- 28-08 (10) -- $3,075

14. Ricky Guy -- 12-01 (5) -- 16-03 (5) -- 28-04 (10) -- $3,075

15. Josh Bensema -- 14-07 (5) -- 13-11 (5) -- 28-02 (10) -- $3,075

16. Cody Ross -- 10-13 (5) -- 17-02 (5) -- 27-15 (10) -- $3,075

17. Derick Maschmeier -- 14-04 (5) -- 13-06 (4) -- 27-10 (9) -- $3,075

18. Aaron Johnson -- 11-12 (5) -- 15-10 (5) -- 27-06 (10) -- $3,075

19. Evan Barnes -- 13-15 (5) -- 12-15 (5) -- 26-14 (10) -- $3,075

20. Colby Miller -- 9-15 (5) -- 16-10 (5) -- 26-09 (10) -- $3,075

21. Chris Lewis -- 12-11 (5) -- 13-13 (5) -- 26-08 (10) -- $2,765

22. Rick Harris -- 13-01 (5) -- 13-07 (5) -- 26-08 (10) -- $2,765

23. Jim Tutt -- 15-08 (5) -- 10-05 (5) -- 25-13 (10) -- $2,765

24. Stephen Johnston -- 13-12 (5) -- 11-13 (5) -- 25-09 (10) -- $2,765

25. Mason Roach -- 13-09 (5) -- 11-06 (5) -- 24-15 (10) -- $2,765

26. Cameron Mattison -- 12-13 (5) -- 11-15 (5) -- 24-12 (10) -- $2,515

27. Jeff Bridges -- 11-07 (5) -- 13-04 (5) -- 24-11 (10) -- $2,515

28. Lendell Martin Jr -- 12-08 (5) -- 12-03 (5) -- 24-11 (10) -- $2,515

29. Wesley Dawson -- 11-12 (5) -- 12-13 (5) -- 24-09 (10) -- $2,515

30. Thomas McMillan -- 6-00 (3) -- 18-08 (5) -- 24-08 (8) -- $2,515

31. Nick Lebrun -- 12-00 (5) -- 12-08 (5) -- 24-08 (10) -- $2,030

32. Chris McCall -- 9-03 (4) -- 15-04 (5) -- 24-07 (9) -- $2,030

33. Lance Crawford -- 13-07 (5) -- 10-13 (5) -- 24-04 (10) -- $2,030

34. James Stricklin Jr -- 12-11 (5) -- 11-09 (5) -- 24-04 (10) -- $2,030

35. Kollin Crawford -- 11-12 (5) -- 12-08 (5) -- 24-04 (10) -- $2,030

36. Spencer Shuffield -- 10-10 (5) -- 13-08 (5) -- 24-02 (10) -- $2,030

37. Randy Deaver -- 10-10 (4) -- 12-12 (5) -- 23-06 (9) -- $2,530

38. Steven Moorhead -- 13-01 (5) -- 10-03 (5) -- 23-04 (10) -- $2,030

39. Theron Caldwell -- 8-05 (5) -- 14-14 (5) -- 23-03 (10) -- $2,030

40. Darren Taylor -- 12-12 (5) -- 10-07 (5) -- 23-03 (10) -- $2,030

41. Chad Petrie -- 13-01 (5) -- 9-15 (4) -- 23-00 (9) -- $2,000

42. Russell Cecil -- 10-12 (5) -- 12-02 (5) -- 22-14 (10) -- $2,000

43. Dicky Newberry -- 13-01 (5) -- 9-12 (5) -- 22-13 (10) -- $2,000

44. Mitchell Webb -- 12-02 (5) -- 10-11 (3) -- 22-13 (8) -- $2,000

45. Brady Dill -- 9-12 (5) -- 12-15 (5) -- 22-11 (10) -- $2,000

46. Dylan Smith -- 10-05 (5) -- 12-03 (5) -- 22-08 (10)

47. Matt Baker -- 10-04 (5) -- 12-02 (5) -- 22-06 (10)

48. Ben Burns -- 16-06 (5) -- 5-11 (3) -- 22-01 (8)

49. Ty Faber -- 6-01 (4) -- 15-12 (5) -- 21-13 (9)

50. Albert White -- 11-03 (5) -- 10-09 (5) -- 21-12 (10)

51. Cal Cameron -- 12-01 (5) -- 9-07 (5) -- 21-08 (10)

52. Shaine Campbell -- 10-12 (5) -- 10-09 (5) -- 21-05 (10)

53. Brent Chapman -- 12-03 (5) -- 9-01 (5) -- 21-04 (10)

54. T J Martin -- 16-06 (5) -- 4-11 (3) -- 21-01 (8)

55. Rylon Ganey -- 6-09 (3) -- 14-07 (5) -- 21-00 (8)

56. Travis Mosley -- 8-00 (4) -- 12-15 (5) -- 20-15 (9)

57. Keith Combs -- 8-01 (4) -- 12-13 (5) -- 20-14 (9)

58. Sean Arnold -- 9-05 (5) -- 11-09 (4) -- 20-14 (9)

59. Kris Wilson -- 11-07 (5) -- 9-06 (5) -- 20-13 (10)

60. Jordan Lane -- 12-15 (5) -- 7-11 (4) -- 20-10 (9)

61. Nick Abshire -- 10-03 (5) -- 10-05 (5) -- 20-08 (10)

62. Ethan Legare -- 9-04 (5) -- 11-03 (5) -- 20-07 (10)

63. Skye Ball -- 5-12 (3) -- 14-08 (3) -- 20-04 (6)

64. Travis Franks -- 9-04 (5) -- 11-00 (5) -- 20-04 (10)

65. Matt Reed -- 10-00 (5) -- 10-04 (5) -- 20-04 (10)

66. Todd Risinger -- 9-15 (5) -- 10-01 (5) -- 20-00 (10)

67. Brian Schott -- 5-11 (3) -- 13-14 (5) -- 19-09 (8)

68. Cody Bird -- 8-06 (4) -- 11-01 (5) -- 19-07 (9)

69. Shane Howell -- 9-10 (5) -- 9-08 (5) -- 19-02 (10)

70. Cole Lamb -- 8-10 (5) -- 10-05 (5) -- 18-15 (10)

71. Brian Robison -- 10-04 (4) -- 8-04 (4) -- 18-08 (8)

72. Jeromy Francis -- 5-10 (3) -- 12-10 (5) -- 18-04 (8)

73. Chris Digino -- 2-09 (1) -- 15-09 (5) -- 18-02 (6)

74. Sam Harrison -- 4-02 (2) -- 13-10 (5) -- 17-12 (7)

75. Dillon Harrell -- 8-07 (5) -- 9-04 (5) -- 17-11 (10)

76. Josh Hilton -- 4-14 (3) -- 12-09 (5) -- 17-07 (8)

77. Tommy Loving -- 4-07 (2) -- 12-08 (5) -- 16-15 (7)

78. Marc Schilling -- 10-08 (5) -- 6-04 (4) -- 16-12 (9)

79. Steve Oram -- 8-03 (5) -- 8-02 (5) -- 16-05 (10)

80. Randy Millender -- 5-13 (3) -- 10-06 (5) -- 16-03 (8)

81. Trea Luedke -- 0-00 (0) -- 16-01 (4) -- 16-01 (4)

82. James Chandler -- 4-01 (2) -- 11-15 (5) -- 16-00 (7)

83. Troy Roder -- 6-08 (1) -- 9-08 (5) -- 16-00 (6)

84. Red Ballard -- 7-04 (4) -- 8-10 (4) -- 15-14 (8)

85. Joe Hall -- 7-05 (4) -- 8-09 (4) -- 15-14 (8)

86. Cliff Crochet -- 8-01 (4) -- 7-13 (2) -- 15-14 (6)

87. Jeffrey Lugar -- 7-05 (4) -- 8-08 (5) -- 15-13 (9)

88. Rusty Salewske -- 11-12 (4) -- 4-00 (2) -- 15-12 (6)

89. Hank Harrison -- 3-10 (2) -- 12-01 (3) -- 15-11 (5)

90. Tommy Martin -- 8-07 (4) -- 7-01 (1) -- 15-08 (5)

91. T W Hardy -- 13-15 (5) -- 1-08 (1) -- 15-07 (6)

92. Tommy Dickerson -- 7-06 (4) -- 8-01 (4) -- 15-07 (8)

93. Bradley Perkins -- 4-08 (2) -- 10-13 (4) -- 15-05 (6)

94. Robbie McDonald -- 8-05 (3) -- 6-09 (3) -- 14-14 (6)

95. James Ware -- 7-15 (3) -- 6-13 (4) -- 14-12 (7)

96. Jim Moynagh -- 4-03 (2) -- 10-05 (5) -- 14-08 (7)

97. Larry Puckett -- 1-13 (1) -- 12-10 (5) -- 14-07 (6)

98. Blake Schroeder -- 5-02 (3) -- 9-05 (5) -- 14-07 (8)

99. Kris Chitty -- 8-12 (3) -- 5-09 (3) -- 14-05 (6)

100. Ronnie Wagner -- 5-08 (2) -- 8-11 (5) -- 14-03 (7)

101. Jordan Grimm -- 6-00 (2) -- 8-03 (5) -- 14-03 (7)

102. Randy Despino -- 11-03 (5) -- 2-13 (1) -- 14-00 (6)

103. Joseph Norris -- 10-09 (5) -- 3-07 (2) -- 14-00 (7)

104. Jason Conn -- 0-00 (0) -- 13-14 (5) -- 13-14 (10)

105. Clayton Payne -- 2-01 (1) -- 11-13 (5) -- 13-14 (6)

106. Jason Smith -- 10-01 (5) -- 3-12 (2) -- 13-13 (7)

107. Mike Richardson -- 7-10 (3) -- 6-03 (3) -- 13-13 (6)

108. Taylor Johnson -- 6-05 (4) -- 7-01 (3) -- 13-06 (7)

109. Levi Thibodaux -- 6-08 (3) -- 6-11 (4) -- 13-03 (7)

110. Chris Sabina -- 4-07 (2) -- 8-08 (5) -- 12-15 (7)

111. Matthew Boyt -- 12-07 (5) -- 0-00 (0) -- 12-07 (5)

112. Troy Broussard -- 9-10 (4) -- 2-09 (1) -- 12-03 (5)

113. Bill Calloway -- 8-08 (4) -- 3-10 (2) -- 12-02 (6)

114. Rusty Traylor -- 4-10 (2) -- 7-08 (4) -- 12-02 (6)

115. Chris M Jones -- 8-14 (5) -- 3-02 (2) -- 12-00 (7)

116. Maverick Winford -- 3-07 (2) -- 8-09 (5) -- 12-00 (7)

117. Jake Ormond -- 1-09 (1) -- 10-05 (5) -- 11-14 (6)

118. Justin Welch -- 2-09 (1) -- 9-02 (5) -- 11-11 (6)

119. Jeremy McCommons -- 3-07 (2) -- 8-04 (5) -- 11-11 (7)

120. Darrel Robertson -- 7-02 (4) -- 4-09 (2) -- 11-11 (6)

121. Steven Davidson -- 5-07 (2) -- 6-00 (3) -- 11-07 (5)

122. Todd Moore -- 5-14 (3) -- 5-07 (2) -- 11-05 (5)

123. Darrell Newman -- 6-15 (4) -- 4-04 (2) -- 11-03 (6)

124. Steve Duncan -- 7-05 (3) -- 3-12 (2) -- 11-01 (5)

125. Shigekazu Tateno -- 9-04 (3) -- 1-12 (1) -- 11-00 (4)

126. Duane Pittman -- 6-04 (2) -- 4-11 (2) -- 10-15 (4)

127. Domonick Poullard -- 3-15 (2) -- 6-10 (3) -- 10-09 (5)

128. Raymond Ford -- 7-05 (2) -- 3-03 (2) -- 10-08 (4)

129. Johnny Winfree -- 7-00 (3) -- 3-07 (2) -- 10-07 (5)

130. Derek Mundy -- 3-06 (2) -- 6-13 (3) -- 10-03 (5)

131. Scott Pickett -- 4-04 (3) -- 5-14 (3) -- 10-02 (6)

132. Michael Weems -- 1-08 (1) -- 8-09 (5) -- 10-01 (6)

133. Jason Harlow -- 0-00 (0) -- 9-14 (5) -- 9-14 (5)

134. Sieg Kilby -- 9-13 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 9-13 (4)

135. Brandon McDonald -- 0-00 (0) -- 9-11 (4) -- 9-11 (4)

136. James E Davis Jr -- 5-06 (3) -- 4-05 (4) -- 9-11 (7)

137. Bob Vote -- 3-04 (2) -- 6-02 (2) -- 9-06 (4)

138. Joe Beebee -- 6-01 (3) -- 3-05 (2) -- 9-06 (5)

139. Gary Yamamoto -- 1-10 (1) -- 7-09 (3) -- 9-03 (4)

140. Larry Dean -- 8-14 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 8-14 (4)

141. Marshall Hosea -- 0-00 (0) -- 8-01 (5) -- 8-01 (5)

142. Ronald Risenhoover -- 0-00 (0) -- 7-15 (3) -- 7-15 (3)

143. Brett Preuett -- 6-03 (4) -- 1-11 (1) -- 7-14 (5)

144. Jace Lindsay -- 0-00 (0) -- 7-13 (4) -- 7-13 (4)

144. Jamey Cole -- 7-13 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 7-13 (4)

146. Kevin Mason -- 5-00 (1) -- 2-12 (1) -- 7-12 (2)

147. Mike Holland -- 7-05 (4) -- 0-00 (0) -- 7-05 (4)

148. Jack Covas -- 3-13 (2) -- 3-05 (2) -- 7-02 (4)

149. Kevin Lasyone -- 6-12 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 6-12 (3)

150. Billy Billeaud -- 6-11 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 6-11 (2)

151. Clark Moore -- 6-10 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 6-10 (2)

152. Kirk Stickler -- 1-08 (1) -- 5-02 (2) -- 6-10 (3)

153. Anthony Reid -- 0-00 (0) -- 6-05 (3) -- 6-05 (3)

154. Terry Hawkins -- 5-14 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 5-14 (3)

155. Robert Chandler -- 0-00 (0) -- 5-14 (2) -- 5-14 (2)

156. Paul Stokes -- 5-11 (3) -- 0-00 (0) -- 5-11 (3)

157. Austin Plaisance -- 5-07 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 5-07 (2)

158. Jordan Knutson -- 1-11 (1) -- 3-11 (2) -- 5-06 (3)

159. Brad Smith -- 1-12 (1) -- 3-09 (2) -- 5-05 (3)

160. Shannon Pierce -- 0-00 (0) -- 4-15 (3) -- 4-15 (3)

161. Ron Mehr -- 0-00 (0) -- 4-11 (2) -- 4-11 (2)

162. Bruce Maschmeier -- 0-00 (0) -- 4-06 (2) -- 4-06 (2)

163. Johnny Matthews -- 2-10 (1) -- 1-09 (1) -- 4-03 (2)

164. Jered Fontenot -- 1-14 (1) -- 2-02 (1) -- 4-00 (2)

165. Jeff Reynolds -- 3-12 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-12 (2)

166. Bill Cook -- 1-07 (1) -- 2-04 (1) -- 3-11 (2)

167. Matthew Williamson -- 3-10 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-10 (1)

168. Cody Shry -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-07 (2) -- 3-07 (2)

168. Phillip Conley -- 3-07 (2) -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-07 (2)

170. Jeffrey Gengler -- 3-04 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 3-04 (1)

171. Alton Wilhoit -- 1-12 (1) -- 1-08 (1) -- 3-04 (2)

172. Mario Riojas -- 0-00 (0) -- 2-08 (1) -- 2-08 (1)

173. Mark Mitchell -- 0-00 (0) -- 2-01 (1) -- 2-01 (1)

173. Kylie Sparks -- 0-00 (0) -- 2-01 (1) -- 2-01 (1)

175. Kacey Tilley -- 2-00 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 2-00 (1)

176. Randy Kvapil -- 1-15 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 1-15 (1)

177. Dayne Welborn -- 1-14 (1) -- 0-00 (0) -- 1-14 (1)

Bret Stafford -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)

Tommy Durham -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)

Brian Mathis -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)

Patrick Starnes -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)

Bronk McDaniel -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)

Wesley Johnson -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)

Heath Ard -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)

Jeremy Simmons -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)

Keith Gardner -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)

Aaron Freeman -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)

Benji Gulett -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)

Buster Johnson -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)

Greg McCollough -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)

Robert Crowe -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)

Chad Herman -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)

Dirk Wenzlaff -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0) -- 0-00 (0)