Indiana Bass Federation Youth – Conservation – Fishing
Sept 8, 2010 – Day one of the Northern Division Championship began today on Patoka Lake in Jasper, Ind. TBF anglers from six different states vie for the titles of individual northern division champion and state team champions; 12 anglers, the top two from each state, will advance to the 2011 Federation National Championship where they’ll compete for over a quarter of a million in cash and prizes and the chance to “Live the Dream” for a year on the FLW Pro circuit. Fishing was extremely tough out there with 78 anglers and a total of 28 blanks; however, the anglers are hopeful and determined as they look to tomorrow to turn up the heat as day two of the 2010 Northern Division Championship begins.
Donald Watts from Gowen, Mich., pulled ahead of the competition bringing four bass to the table weighing 14lb 9ounces. Watts is representing the TBF Michigan State team. He also caught the tournament big bass so far, which weighed 5lb 9ounces. “I only
caught four fish, but they were good ones,” Watts said. He caught his keepers using a Poor Boy’s Football Jig head with a Poor Boy’s trailer. “I caught two on my first spot and two on my last, mostly edge of the weed stuff.” Like the rest of the anglers fishing was tough today for Watts. “It was very slow; I found my spots pre-fishing, actually my last spot I found mid-day yesterday and it helped out a lot.” Tomorrow, Watts hopes to go out there and hit them harder. “There were a few people fishing my first spot, but not my last, so I’m hoping the fish are still out there and I can bring them in again.”
Allen Boyd, from Salem, Ind., is following close behind, currently in second in the individual standings and holding down first in the state of Indiana with a five bass limit today weighing 12lb 3ounces. Boyd found fish early but struggled later in the day. “I caught a lot fishing shallow early; towards one o’clock that was it, they just quit,” Boyd said. Boyd, fishing his home state, was fishing places he’s found in the past. “Fish were deeper early morning and shallow when the sun came out.” Tomorrow, his plans might change though, as he’s thinking about covering new water. “In those spots, I’m thinking I might let them rest a while.” Boyd is currently holding the top spot in his state putting him in contention for qualifying for nationals, so tomorrow we will see if he can continue to hold on and, even more, if he can knock off Watts for number one overall.
The 2008 & 2009 State Team Champions are TBF Michigan and they’re looking to make a three year sweep this week in Jasper, Ind. Michigan lead today weighing 49lb 3ounces, bringing in 17 total bass. The Indiana State team is ready to push Michigan out with home team advantage in their corner. TBF Indiana is holding down second with 17 fish as well totally 40lb 7ounces. In third place, is Ohio TBF with 15 bass weighing 32lb 8ounces. The Minnesota State team is in fourth with 9 fish weighing 27lb 10ounces. In fifth and sixth respectively, are Illinois and Wisconsin with 11 fish weighing 27lb 4ounces and 8 fish weighing 25lb 5ounces.
Full results can be found on our results page.