Continue reading »]]> Registration Opens March 1

Ponca City, Okla. – Feb. 17, 2012  High School anglers near and far will unite in Russellville, Arkansas and Lake Dardanelle State Park, July 15-21, 2012 for the pinnacle event of high school bass fishing, the 2012 High School Fishing World Finals. Registration opens online at highschoolfishing.org on March 1.

Last year, over 600 attendees made up of high school anglers, family members and sponsors enjoyed the opening ceremonies to kick off a week-long family vacation with tens of thousands of dollars in scholarship prizes on the line.

“Russellville is extremely excited to host this tournament for the third year, and looking forward to another group of young people that love to fish,” Russellville Tourism Director, Christie Graham, stated.  “Russellville hosts many tournaments each year, but enjoys getting to invest in young people’s lives that have a passion for the outdoor world of fishing. We are excited to see what growth this year will bring.”

High school teams are made up of any two high school anglers who have graduated the 8^th grade but have not yet started college and who have a 2.0 GPA.  All anglers must be Student Angler Federation members or join at the time of registration for only $25 a year. SAF membership comes with a full list of benefits, including no entry fees to any SAF event all year.  Any high school team meeting these requirements may register and attend, even if they are home schooled. Teams bring their own boats and their own coaches/boat captains.  Teams are required to have an adult coach/boat captain in their boat with them at all times. The coach who provides the boat must be a resident of the team’s home state/province or country, an immediate family member, or in very limited situations, a volunteer boat captain/coach may be provided by TBF*. (when/where available and only with advance arrangement) Anglers are not allowed to “hire” or “choose” a local coach and the tournament waters are off-limits, when designated, to all anglers and coaches so everyone starts fishing at the same time no matter where they live.

Events are scheduled all week starting with the first official practice day Sunday, July 15.  Tuesday evening is the coaches/boat captain’s appreciation jackpot on a neighboring body of water for the coaches to get their fishing “fix” as well!  Wednesday, July 18 is the official registration and opening ceremonies. Thursday, July 19 will bring the first official tournament day, with weigh-ins at Lake Dardanelle State Park, as teams from across North America will start their journey to become champions.  All weigh-ins will be taped for television and be streamed live on the internet.  All high school anglers will compete for the first two days.  Then, the field will be cut on Saturday. The final day of competition not only will see the top teams go head to head with complete run of the lake, but also the rest of the field will be invited to fish a one of a kind consolation round event. There is no entry fee and the complete payout structure is in the form of prizes and scholarships! The 2012 High School Fishing World Championship team will each walk away with the grand prize of a four year, $5,000 per year, renewable scholarship to Bethel University in McKenzie Tenn., in addition to other prizes and some serious hardware!

“The High School Fishing World Finals is the largest tournament of its kind; it’s a low cost, family fun vacation with a full week of activities,” TBF National Youth Director, Mark Gintert, said.  “We’re excited to return to Russellville and Lake Dardanelle State Park, which provide a perfect setting for this event.  It’s centrally located right off I-40, a great fishery, and the cooperation we receive from our local partners is tremendous,” Gintert added.

“This event is more than just a tournament, it’s a great way to promote education through fishing,” TBF President, Robert Cartlidge, stated. “Our Student Anglers are required to have a 2.0 GPA and take a free test on angler ethics, boater safety and invasive species to participate.  This highlights the importance of education and being good stewards of our waterways, habits TBF want to instill in the future of our sport,” Cartlidge continued. “Our Student Angler Federation is growing in record numbers with teams forming all across the country, and this event offers everyone a chance to fish in a world class event in a fun, family atmosphere.”

The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is the oldest and largest grassroots fishing organization in America. TBF is owned by those it serves and is dedicated to the sport of fishing. TBF annually conducts over 20,000 fishing, youth, and conservation events and has provided the foundation for the bass fishing industry for over 40 years.

For more information about The Bass Federation, visit bassfederation.com or call 580-765-9031.

For full details and more information about the Student Angler Federation and this year’s High School World Finals, visit highschoolfishing.org or call 580-765-9031.

Continue reading »]]> The Indiana Bass Federation will again be raffling a fully rigged 2012 177TR RANGER bass boat at the 2012 Indiana Boat Sport and Travel Show.

The boat is equipped with a 115 Horsepower MERCURY OPTIMAX engine, MINNKOTA trolling motor, HUMMINBIRD depth finder, INTERSTATE Batteries, RANGER built in battery charger all on an armor coated RANGERTRAIL trailer with swing away tongue.

The raffle is a fund raiser for the Bass Federation and raffle tickets may be purchased from members of the Federation and at the Boat Show which will be held Friday, February 17, thru Sunday February 26, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The raffle will conclude and the boat will be awarded on Sunday afternoon February 26, 2012.

Each raffle ticket will be $2.00 proceeds going to worthy projects of the Indiana Bass Federation. Taxes responsibility of winner.

Boat specifications:  17’7” length, 83 ½” beam, 22 gallon fuel capacity, approx. boat weight 1375 lbs., two 7’ rod lockers, 16 gal. livewell, recessed trolling motor pedal.

For more information, contact:

Indiana Bass Federation Raffle Chair – Kenny Swint

317-416-4579

Tournaments@IndianaBass.com

Continue reading »]]> I hope the New Year finds everyone well. I hope each and everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I also hope everyone had a great 2011 fishing season. The 2012 season is just around the corner and most are planning their schedules already. The IBF Trail will be one you will want to put on your schedule. We have a new Director this year, his name is Kenny Swint. He can be reached at swintkd1@aol.com. Kenny will do an excellent job, just as Eric Hardesty did this last year.

One sure sign of the coming of a new season is the Indy Boat Show in February. As always we need help selling Raffle Tickets at the booth. Please sign up to help by contacting Ed O’Connor; he can be contacted by calling 317-839-7066. PLEASE call him to help; we never have to much help. We need to sell as many tickets as possible, as this is our only source of income to take care of our many projects.

Kenny Swint is also our Raffle Chairman. We do have a boat again this year and will have it at the boat show. Please contact Kenny to get more tickets when you run out. Your club will need to sell their minimum to be eligible to fish the Top-8 this year.

At the last Board Meeting, American Income Life made a presentation to give each IBF Member $2000.00 accidental life and dismemberment insurance at no charge to the membership. You will sometime after Feb. 1 receive a packet from them. They will offer you additional insurance if you so desire, but you have no obligation to do so and you will still have the AD& D coverage.

You are going to see a new face to our Website as the TBF will be hosting it. The Board voted to change to save the IBF money per year; we hope that you will like the change.

Please get your Club updates in to the IBF and TBF as soon as possible. Deadline for the TBF was Dec.31, 2011. Deadline for the IBF is Feb. 1, 2012.

I wish everyone a very successful 2012 fishing season!

Until next time, good fishing

Paul Hollabaugh

Continue reading »]]>

2012 Indiana State Team

2011 IBF State Finals

July 23 & 24, 2011 – Ohio River – Rocky Point

ANGLER RESULTS

CO-ANGLER RESULTS

Continue reading »]]> Sportfishing community calls for the dismissal of unwarranted petition for a national ban on lead fishing tackle

Alexandria, VA – December 6, 2011 – On November 16, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was yet again petitioned by the Center for Biological Diversity and two other anti-fishing groups, requesting that the agency regulate the manufacture and sale of lead fishing tackle of certain sizes and uses under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). If approved, such regulation could result in a de facto ban of lead sinkers, jigs and other popular types of fishing equipment.

This comes on the heels of a similar petition that the EPA dismissed in November 2010. The original petition also sought to ban lead hunting and shooting ammunition, which is exempted from regulation under TSCA. In dismissing the original petition, the EPA indicated that the “petitioners have not demonstrated that the requested rule is necessary to protect against an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, as required by the TSCA.”

“The sportfishing community is once again asking the EPA to rule on the side of scientific fish and wildlife population management and dismiss this unwarranted petition,” said American Sportfishing Association (ASA) Vice President Gordon Robertson. “Such regulations will have a significant, negative impact on recreational anglers and the sportfishing industry, yet the petitioners lack credible science to back such a far-reaching request. They claim lead is threatening loons across the nation, but several studies, including one by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have shown that loon populations are either stable or increasing throughout most of their range.”

“Despite the EPA’s clear ruling, the petitioners continue to attempt to push the ban,” said Robertson. “This further demonstrates the need for a legislative solution to this growing threat to recreational fishing. In response, the co-chairs of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus have introduced the Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Sports Protection Act, which would prevent an overreaching ban of lead fishing tackle. With anti-fishing organizations trying to over-regulate fishing using whatever means they can, legislation is needed to protect traditional fishing tackle and ammunition from unjustified bans that will harm the economy and reduce participation in outdoor activities.”

“Last year more than 43,000 anglers sent their objections to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson through KeepAmericaFishing™,” said Robertson. “ASA encourages members of the sportfishing industry and the angling public to contact the EPA in opposition to the petition and to urge their Members of Congress to support the Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Sports Protection Act. ASA will soon provide suggested comments on www.KeepAmericaFishing.org. The sportfishing industry applauds the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus for its leadership and for so powerfully addressing an issue that urgently needs a dose of common sense.”

Two of the three petitioners are currently engaged in a lawsuit against the EPA’s dismissal of the original petition to ban lead fishing tackle. “The petitioners are taking advantage of our federal government, ignoring the decision that the EPA made just a year ago and working around the ongoing litigation that they filed shortly after that decision,” said Robertson. “This is a gaming of the system and ASA urges the EPA to deny the most recent petition and asks all anglers to voice their support for the Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Sports Protection Act.”

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association, committed to looking out for the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice speaking out when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. We invest in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous as well as safeguard and promote the enduring economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America’s 60 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation’s waterways through KeepAmericaFishing™, our angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate over $45 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for over one million people.

Continue reading »]]>

Sept. 9, 2011, Brainerd, Minn. – Three days of near perfect weather plus three days of near perfect fishing makes Minnesota Federation Angler, Scott Bonnema the 2011 TBF Northern Division Overall Champion, as well as the Cabela’s Angler Cash and Ranger Cup Bonus winner. Bonnema was in the lead every day of the tournament and finishes the tournament with 45lbs even.

“Fishing today was really good first thing this morning. I caught 4 or 5 good ones, and got to take a deep breath. I was fishing in 8-10 ft of cabbage, flippin a Terminator jig with a chigger x craws, black and brown jigs with a natural color crawfish. When they grabbed on, they held on to it. I used a brand new 2012 Terminator spinner bait from terminator, ¾ oz that I fished in 8’ of water with,” said Bonnema. With nearly every angler catching 5-fish limits every day, there wasn’t a lot of differences in weights. “I stayed with a pattern, practiced hard and found the deeper fish. I managed my fish well, I would get 2-3 good fish off each spot.” Bonnema will be headed back to the TBF National Championship as a boater. “I am really excited. At the last one, I was a co-angler. As a boater it’s a lot more interesting, I can control my own destiny. I’m really looking forward to it, should be good fishing wherever the Championship will be.” The partners Bonnema had great tournaments too. Two of his partners advance to the TBF National Championship as well, one as a boater. “I’d like to thank Rapala, Ranger Boats, Humminbird and Minnkota products.

Finishing in 2^nd place in the overall standings, and advancing as a boater for the Wisconsin Federation is Brady Farrell of Ft. Atkinson, Wisc.  He had a great tournament and finished with a 3-day total weight of 38 lbs 10 oz. “I had limits by 7am every morning and the bite held up all week,” Farrell said. “I was using a Brovarney bait swimjig, 5/16 oz, dunking it in the deep milfoil. In the morning, I was using a topwater bite, which I got a limit on.” This will be Farrell’s first time to qualify for the TBF National Championship. “I’m excited to qualify as a boater for the Nationals, it’s definitely an exciting opportunity. I’d like to thank Brovarney Baits, Ranger Boats, Mike’s Prop Shop and Mazanet Marina.”

Aaron Ault of the Indiana Bass Federation would like to follow in the footsteps of a good friend of his, Allen Boyd of Salem, Ind. Boyd was crowned the 2011 TBF National Champion and Living the Dream Angler in Tennessee in April. Ault finished the tournament in third place overall and at the top of Indiana’s State Team, moving on as a boater. He finished the tournament strong with a 3-day weight of 38 lbs 9 oz. “I’m so excited to be representing the Indiana Bass Federation. Out of all the Indiana members, I’m going back two years later. Words can’t express how excited I am right now,” said Ault. Ault, who is a tool and die maker for General Motors would love to be the next one to win that ‘Living the Dream’ package and fish for a living on the FLW Tour.

In the state federation standings, Minnesota overtook Wisconsin’s lead yesterday, having a 3-day team total weight of 385-06. “I’m really proud of my state team for coming through. This is the first time Minnesota has ever won, and on our home turf of course,” Bonnema said. Finishing in 2^nd place was Wisconsin with 380 lbs even; Indiana in 3^rd with 378-10.

Twelve anglers who have advanced and will be competing in the 2012 TBF National Championship are:

2012 TBF National Championship Contenders

The qualified anglers will be competing against the top anglers from 46 other state federations for the $100,000 ‘Living the Dream’ Prize package. The TBF Federation National Champion earns the TBF “Living The Dream” prize package to include; cash, fully paid entry fees to the FLW Walmart Tour as a tour pro, PLUS use of a custom Living The Dream wrapped Chevy Truck and wrapped Ranger Boat on tour for the year, PLUS a travel stipend for each event.

Follow the results and all news with TBF on www.BassFederation.com, www.facebook.com/TheBassFederation and follow TBF on Twitter @BassFederation.

See the results here

Continue reading »]]> Sept. 8, 2011, Brainerd, MN – Day two of the 2011 TBF Northern Division Championship, presented by Cabela’s was a mirror-weather of yesterday. Nearly all competing anglers brought in limits today, and the trend will probably continue into the final day. Tomorrow wraps up the Northern Division and 12 anglers will be qualified for the 2012 TBF National Championship.

Scott Bonnema of the Minnesota Federation has maintained his lead and consistency, by bringing in 15 lbs 7 oz, just 4 oz less than yesterday’s bag. His 2-day weight is 31-2, with a good 4 lb lead on a lake with so many fish that weigh nearly the same. The big bites are hard to come by right now. “Normally this time of year we have had a good cold snap and the water temperatures are lower, making the fishing a little better. The daily weights would probably average out to about 17-18 lbs instead of the 10-12 lbs like we are seeing now. There are many 4-5 lbers out here on this lake, but they’ve got a finicky bite,” said Bonnema, who is from Zimmerman, Minn. “I’ve been throwing some topwater baits and caught a lot of mine today on jigs and tubes. I had a couple of better fish today.”

In second place is Wisconsin Angler, Brady Farrell. He has a 2-day total weight of 27-4. He had the 2^nd largest bag brought in today with 14 lbs 14 oz, making a jump from 8^th to 2^nd. Not far behind him is his state team mate, Kevin Fassbind with 26-15. Farrell says he has been fishing deep all week and had a couple of better bites today as well. If he finishes in the top two spots of Wisconsin’s team, this will be his first trip to the TBF National Championship.

Aaron Ault, Indiana Federation is still in the top spot of the Indiana State Team standings with 26-11, a 3 lb lead over 2^nd place Indiana State Team angler David Lagle. It’s going to be a close race for all state’s tomorrow to see who moves on.

In the state federation standings, Team Wisconsin has made a huge jump from 3^rd to take the lead with 259-12. Minnesota made an even bigger jump from 4^th yesterday to a now close 2^nd with 258-15, Indiana in 3^rd with 251-10.

Tomorrow, 12 anglers will qualify for the 2012 Federation National Championship next spring. There they will be competing against the top angler from 46 other state federations for the $100,000 ‘Living the Dream’ Prize package. The TBF Federation National Champion earns the TBF “Living The Dream” prize package to include; cash, fully paid entry fees to the FLW Walmart Tour as a tour pro, PLUS use of a custom Living The Dream wrapped Chevy Truck and wrapped Ranger Boat on tour for the year, PLUS a travel stipend for each event. The 2011 Champion came from the Northern Division, Allen Boyd of Salem, Ind. who is a member of the Indiana Bass Federation.

Daily takeoff and Weigh-ins are always free and open to the public at Cragan’s Resort. Take off is at 6:30am and weigh-ins begin at 3pm.

Follow the results and all news with TBF on www.BassFederation.com, www.facebook.com/TheBassFederation and follow TBF on Twitter @BassFederation.

Day 2 Results 

Continue reading »]]> Sept. 7, 2011, Brainerd, MN – The winds were calm and the race is tight after the first day of the 2011 TBF Northern Division Championship, presented by Cabela’s at Gull Lake in Brainerd, Minn. The fish are there, 70 limits were caught today (out of 72 anglers), but bigger fish appear to be harder to find.

That is not so much the case for Minnesota’s Scott Bonnema of Zimmerman, MN. He is leading the tournament in overall standings with 15 lbs 11 oz. “I caught a lot of fish all day long, culled around 13-14 lbs,” said Bonnema. “The fish are in a transition, moving shallower. There are a lot of fish here, but the bigger ones are harder to come by, a lot of 2 pounders. I only fished 3 spots today and will hit some other spots tomorrow. I hope the lead holds, 13-15 lbs per day will put you in good shape.”

In second place is Indiana Bass Federation Angler, Aaron Ault. He trails Bonnema for the lead by only 1 lb 3 oz with a 5 bass limit of 14 lbs 8 oz. “The winds were dead calm today, which is not how it’s been all week. I need the wind to blow to help my bite out deep. I only had 3 big bites over 2 lbs today,” Ault stated. “Tomorrow I’ll be mixing it up between shallow and deep and hope for some wind.” Ault qualified for the TBF National Championship in 2010.

In the state federation standings, Indiana barely leads with 130 lbs 14 oz, exactly 1 pound over 2^nd place federation, Illinois. Wisconsin isn’t too far behind with 127 lbs 2 oz.

The tournament continues tomorrow at Gull Lake, with Friday being the final day. On Friday, 12 anglers will qualify for the 2012 Federation National Championship next spring. There they will be competing against the top angler from 46 other state federations for the $100,000 ‘Living the Dream’ Prize package. The TBF Federation National Champion earns the TBF “Living The Dream” prize package to include; cash, fully paid entry fees to the FLW Walmart Tour as a tour pro, PLUS use of a custom Living The Dream wrapped Chevy Truck and wrapped Ranger Boat on tour for the year, PLUS a travel stipend for each event. The 2011 Champion came from the Northern Division, Allen Boyd of Salem, Ind. who is a member of the Indiana Bass Federation.

Daily takeoffs and weigh-ins are always free and open to the public at Cragan’s Resort. Take off is at 6:30am and weigh-ins begin at 3pm. The Minnesota High School Fishing State Championship will be held Saturday at the same lake. For more information, visit www.highschoolfishing.org

Follow the results and all news with TBF on www.BassFederation.com, www.facebook.com/TheBassFederation and on Twitter @BassFederation.

DAY 1 STANDINGS

Day 1 Overall Standings

Day 1 Federation Standings

Day 1 State Member Standings

Continue reading »]]> Fishing was tough on TBF’s 82 Junior State Champions today as they went head to head on day one of the 2011 National Guard Junior World Championship on DeGray Lake presented by the National Guard.   A 13-16 inch slot rule for largemouth bass forced several anglers to throw back keepers and left many short of a bite.  Anglers from 41 different states traveled to face off in this national contest knowing today it was all or nothing to decide who would advance.  The top two anglers advance from each of the six TBF junior divisions, one from each age group, 11-14 and 15-18, and claimed the 2011 Division Champion titles.  These 12 advance to the final shoot out tomorrow to crown this year’s National Champions.  Going into the final day of the 2011 National Championship in first are Donovan Jones in the 15-18 age group and Samuel Scott in the 11-14 age group.  

Donovan Jones from Vine Grove, Ky., caught a five bass limit today weighing 11lb 10ounces.  “Ever since I started fishing the youth tournaments it’s been a dream to come here to the National Guard Junior World Championship,” Jones said.  “And I finally qualified my last year.”  It’s his first year and he’s not only advancing to the final day but he’s also leading going into it.  “It does feel pretty exciting leading it going into the final day.” Jones caught three keepers 30 minutes after launch this morning and then backed off hoping to leave some for tomorrow.  “I quit fishing about a quarter til 12; I left a few fish out there so I couldn’t stick anymore.”  Jones’s strategy played out for him today and left him about a three pound cushion going into the final day of competition.  I’m pretty excited; it’s something I’ve always dreamed about doing.  I don’t know how to explain it.”

A few pounds away, currently in third is Matt Baker from Olive Branch, Miss., with three fish weighing 7lb 3ounces.  Baker came out on top of the Central Division to advance, but it was no easy matter. Rumored to have a healthy limit of bass, and also competing for first in the Central Division was Sam Starr from Mcpherson, Kansas.  Starr was last to weigh-in and the crowd grew silent waiting on the scales to lock.  Starr’s limit of bass locked in at 7lb 2ounces, sailing Baker into first by just one ounce. “Well, I was in line and I looked down and saw someone that had five fish; I only had three fish,” Baker said.  “I said, ‘Man. That’s a buzz kill right there, I thought I had this thing won.’”  A seriously tight win today has Baker taking no chances out there tomorrow.  “I caught my two biggest fish in one area; tomorrow, I plan on heading there and I’m not leaving for 3 ½ hours.”

Samuel Scott from just up the road in Hot Springs, Ark., leads the 11-14 age group going into the final day with three fish weighing 7lb 14ounces.  “I’m nervous right now, but I’m also really, really excited,” Scott said.  “I never thought I would make it this far.”  Scott also intends to do what he did today and hopes the fish will hold up for him one more time.   “I caught my three between 10-11am about 15 minutes apart.  It was rough out there and I didn’t know what to do at times; I panicked once, but I ended up catching those three and it got me where I needed to be.”  This is also Scott’s first time to qualify for a national championship.  “It’s the biggest thing I’ve ever done; to win it would mean the world to me.”

Saturday’s weigh-in will also be held at 1:30pm lakeside at DeGray Lake, and immediately following all anglers will travel to Summit Arena in Hot Springs, Ark. to be introduced on the FLW Outdoors main stage of the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup, presented by Walmart, at 4:45pm.   Live streaming will also be available at that time on www.BassFederation.com in partnership with iHigh.com.

VIEW DAY 1 STANDINGS

Continue reading »]]> Allen Boyd – 2011 TBF National Champion and Living the Dream Angler (Boater)

Allen Boyd of Salem, Indiana qualified as the TBF National Champion in April in Kimball, Tennessee. He will be fishing as a boater in the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup. He is a member of the Jefferson County Bassmasters of Indiana and the Indiana Bass Federation. Boyd also fishes the FLW Walmart Bass Fishing League and fished the 2011 BFL All-American.

Rhett Fornof – 2011 TBF National Co-Angler Champion (Co-Angler)

Rhett Fornof of Park City, Utah and Utah Bass Federation was crowned the 2011 Co-Angler Champion at the 2011 TBF National Championship in Kimball, Tennessee in April. This earned him a berth into the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup. Fornoff has also fished in the Walmart FLW Tour in 2010 and fished the 2011 BFL All-American.

Ronald Hobbs, Jr – Orting, WA (Boater)

TBF member Ronald Hobbs, Jr. of Orting, Washington of the Evergreen Bass Club in the Washington Bass Federation. He has qualified once again to fish the Cup as a boater! Hobbs fished the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup on Lake Lanier in Georgia, where he finished sixth. He has qualified for the Cup twice via the FLW Series Western Division – finishing sixth in the points in 2010.

Jacob Wheeler – Indianapolis, IN (Boater)

This 20-year-old TBF Member of the Indiana Bass Federation Angling Addicts Club is well on his way to a big career. He became the youngest BFL All-American Champion just a few months ago at Shreveport, LA by catching a 3-day weight of 36-3, nearly 10 lbs more than the 2nd place finisher. Wheeler won $100,000 at that event, which was his first BFL All-American. He has only fished 7 FLW events since 2010 and has already made a name for himself and qualfied as a boater for the 2011 Cup. He fishes the FLW Walmart Bass Fishing League Buckeye Division and the EverStart Series.

Blaine Bucy – Columbiana, OH (Co-Angler)

TBF member Blaine Bucy, Ohio Valley Bass Anglers, Columbiana, Ohio has qualified as a co-angler for the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup by finishing in 8th place of the FLW Series Eatern Division. Blaine completed the season by finishing 9th at Champlain and 20th at Chickamauga. This is his second Cup appearance. He finished 5th at Pittsburgh in 2009.

Van Foster, Jr – Dalton, GA (Co-Angler)

Van Foster of Dalton, Georgia and the Georgia Bass Federation has qualified as a non-boater to fish in the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup. Foster also serves as the Secretary of the Georgia Bass Federation. Foster fishes the Walmart FLW Tour Majors Division. In 2011, Foster finished in 6th place at Beaver Lake in Rogers, Ark at the FLW Tour event. He finished 4th place at Table Rock in Branson, MO at the FLW Tour event in 2010.

Chad Pipkens – Holt, MI (Co-Angler)

Chad Pipkens of Holt, Michigan and a TBF active member of Silver Strike 1 bass club in the Michigan Bass Federation. Pipkens fishes the FLW Tour, Bass Fishing League and fished Everstart Series. He has 17 top 10 FLW Tournament Finishes since 2005 and a total of 69 FLW events fished. He has won 3 tournaments as a boater in the Walmart Bass Fishing League, all at Burt Mullet in Michigan. He has fished 6 FLW Tour Major events so far in 2011.