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Oregon’s Byron Chaves Wins BASS Federation Nation Western Divisional on Columbia River

Tri Cities, Wash -(FishNLand.com)- Byron Chaves rode a borrowed jet boat to victory Friday, claiming the individual title in the 11-state BASS Federation Nation Western Divisional presented by Yamaha Outboards and Skeeter Boats on the Columbia River. The 33-year-old angler from Salem, Ore., amassed 32 pounds, 15 ounces.

Chaves boated 16-13 on Friday, during the weather-shortened tournament. Hogue, who was in fifth place after Day One, finished second with 31-13.

Using a jet boat loaned to him by friend Larry Cross, the champion caught all of his bass in the shallow water of the Yakima River, a tributary of the Columbia River.

“I thought that if I could pull out another kicker fish, the way that I did on Wednesday, that I’d have a chance,” Chaves said. “And, as it turned out, I did.”

Chaves, a full-time telecommunications professional, brought that kicker, a 5-6 smallmouth bass, to the boat at 8:45 a.m. He had a limit for the day at 9 a.m. The Oregon angler caught most of his bass on a Reaction Innovations Smallie Beaver in goby color.

“I caught my fish in 1 to 4 feet of water, by casting into the (current) seam and then pulling the bait against the back eddy,” he said. “Except for that big fish today, all of my bass were pre-spawn.”

Rounding out the top five were John Mace of Kennewick, Wash., in third with 28-13, Jim Garrett of Moscow, Idaho, fourth with 28-12 and Chris Lambert of Olympia, Wash., fifth with 28-11.

As the tournament’s top angler, Chaves advances to the BASS Federation Nation Championship presented by Yamaha Outboards and Skeeter Boats, the ultimate amateur bass fishing championship to be held Oct. 28-30 on the Harris Chain of Lakes out of Tavares, Fla.

First-place anglers for the other 10 states also advanced to the championship, with an opportunity to earn a berth in the 2010 Bassmaster Classic on Lay Lake and Birmingham, Ala., scheduled for Feb. 19-21. They include Jeff Guerette of Glendale, Ariz.; Nick Wood of Yreka, Calif.; Owen Lounsbury of St. Maries, Idaho; Ben Grande of Las Vegas, Nev.; Paul Reutlinger of Salt Lake City, Utah; Leroy Starling of Missoula, Mont.; Hogue of Pasco, Wash.; Sam Russell of Salt Lake City, Utah; Massey of Lakewood, Colo.; and Rizuto of Navajo Dam, N.M.

With a cumulative weight of 304 pounds, 4 ounces, Washington won the team title, as well as well as a $30,000 Skeeter bass boat rigged with a Yamaha outboard motor. Anchored by Chaves, Oregon took second with 220-7 and Colorado finished third with 201-7.

On this final day of the tournament, young anglers also took to the water, as they fished for the right to advance to the Junior Bassmasters World Championship. Their weights were added to the cumulative weights of their respective states. Jake Cook of Kennewick, Wash., boated 14-4 to win in the 15-18 age group, while Nick Jakobi of Denver, Colo., won the 11-14 age group with 5-8. Both qualified for the Junior Bassmasters World Championship to be held in conjunction with the Federation Nation Championship in October. The tournament results for the Junior Bassmasters Western Divisional will be posted at Bassmaster.com.

The Western Divisional is the second of six regional qualifiers for the Federation Nation Championship. Next on the schedule is the Central Divisional set for June 22-26 on Greers Ferry Lake out of Greers Ferry, Ark.

Presenting Sponsors of the BASS Federation Nation: Yamaha Outboards and Skeeter Boats.

Official sponsors of the BASS Federation Nation: Toyota Trucks, Berkley, BOOYAH Baits, Evan Williams Bourbon, Mercury, OPTIMA Batteries

Supporting sponsors of the BASS Federation Nation: Lowrance and Triton Boats.

About BASS

For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multi-media platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive Web properties in ESPN360.com, ESPN’s sports broadband network, Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content – from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage – to passionate audiences.

The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Women’s Bassmaster Tour and the Bassmaster Classic, the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS sanctions more than 20,000 events annually.

BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

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BASS Unveils Details of Inaugural Bassmaster Elite Series Postseason
BASS announced Wednesday that the organization will head to Alabama, the state where it was founded more than 40 years ago, for the inaugural Bassmaster Elite Series postseason.

Celebration, FL -(FishNLand.com)- BASS announced Wednesday that the organization will head to Alabama, the state where it was founded more than 40 years ago, for the inaugural Bassmaster Elite Series postseason. The postseason, dubbed the Toyota Trucks Championship Week and set for Sept. 10-18, will be played out on two productive Alabama fisheries, with the first leg set for Lake Jordan out of Wetumpka and the finale, the Evan Williams Bourbon Trophy Triumph, slated for the Alabama River from Montgomery.

Rich with BASS history, Alabama has hosted 10 Bassmaster Classics and will be the site for the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, set for Feb. 19-21 out of Birmingham and Lay Lake. The 2009 Bassmaster Elite Series season will culminate with the final day’s weigh-in in Montgomery, a city in which BASS was headquartered for more than 35 years. The 2009 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year will be crowned at the season finale and will be awarded the accompanying $200,000 top prize.

“What a way to end the 2009 season in a state where BASS was established,” said Tom Ricks, vice president and general manager, ESPN Outdoors & BASS. “With this new format, we anticipate an exciting finish that will create excellent content for fishing fans.”

Additionally, at the conclusion of the final weigh-in, Academy of Country Music Award winner for 2009 Best New Group and recent CMT Music Award nominee, Zac Brown Band, will play a free, live concert at the Montgomery Riverwalk Amphitheater. Best known for the No. 1 hit single, “Chicken Fried”, the Zac Brown Band ushered in the 2009 BASS tournament season with a rambunctious set at the 2009 Bassmaster Classic in Shreveport-Bossier City, La.

With the introduction of the new postseason format, a detailed schedule has been created for the Toyota Trucks Championship Week, beginning with two practice days, Sept. 10-11, followed by two competition days, Sept. 12-13, on Jordan, titled the Trophy Chase. The 12 qualifying anglers will then take a one-day break Sept. 14 for media and sponsor activities. Anglers will then move to Montgomery for the final competition, the Evan Williams Bourbon Trophy Triumph.

A two-day practice period, Sept. 15-16, on the Alabama River will be followed by the season’s final two days of competition on the spacious fishery Sept. 17-18. With the postseason about four months away and half of the regular-season events in the books, the jockeying for postseason position is heating up.

Only the top 12 anglers in the Bassmaster Elite Series regular-season AOY standings will qualify for the postseason. The regular season will conclude with the Aug. 13-16 Ramada Champion’s Choice on Oneida Lake out of Syracuse, N.Y.

BASS is matching the prestige of the postseason events with an ambitious multimedia schedule. As part of daily, live updates on Bassmaster.com, the popular webcast, Hooked Up, will host on-the-water coverage from practice and competition days coupled with live post-competition interviews. Also, similar to the Elite Series regular season, streaming, video from the daily weigh-ins will be streamed on ESPN360.com.

Other events planned as part of Bassmaster.com postseason coverage include live skills contests, content from morning launches and on-the-water updates throughout the competition. ESPN Outdoors personalities Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders will anchor the coverage with significant contributions from BASS emcee Keith Alan.

Fishing fans can also catch expanded television coverage chronicling the two postseason events on The Bassmasters on Sept. 27 at 2-4 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

As previously announced, the scoring format for the postseason will ensure the integrity of the Angler of the Year award and provide for an exciting, down-to-the-wire race. After the regular season, BASS will determine the top 12 moving into the postseason based on their final place in the regular-season standings.

Postseason scores will be calculated by moving one decimal place to the left and rounding to the nearest tenth. Additionally, each angler will receive two bonus points for each regular-season win. For the two postseason events, anglers will be scored on a 50-point sliding scale. Full details can be found at Bassmaster.com.

For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208. Visit ESPNOutdoorsMedia.com for ESPN Outdoors’ latest releases, schedules and photos.

Official sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series: Toyota Trucks, Berkley, BOOYAH Baits, Evan Williams Bourbon, Mercury, OPTIMA Batteries, Skeeter Boats and Yamaha Outboards

Supporting sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series: Bass Pro Shops, Costa Del Mar, Ramada, SpongeTech and Triton Boats.

Local Sponsors: The City of Wetumpka, The City of Montgomery, Riverfront Facilities and the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau.

TOYOTA TRUCKS CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK

Sept. 12-13 Trophy Chase Lake Jordan Wetumpka, Ala.
Sept. 17-18 Evan Williams Bourbon Trophy Triumph Alabama River Montgomery, Ala

About BASS

For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multimedia platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive Web properties in ESPN360.com, ESPN’s broadband sports network, Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content – from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage – to passionate audiences.

The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Academy Sports + Outdoors Women’s Bassmaster Tour and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS annually sanctions more than 20,000 events.

BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

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Alabama’s Aaron Martens Leads Onslaught At Lake Guntersville Elite Series Event
Setting a torrid pace on ultra-active Lake Guntersville, Aaron Martens of Leeds, Ala., relied on stealth to build to a two-day total of 58 pounds, 14 ounces, at the Marine Formula STA-BIL Southern Challenge, enough to lead Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., by more than 1 pound.

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. –(FishNLand.com)- Setting a torrid pace on ultra-active Lake Guntersville, Aaron Martens of Leeds, Ala., relied on stealth to build to a two-day total of 58 pounds, 14 ounces, at the Marine Formula STA-BIL Southern Challenge, enough to lead Mike McClelland of Bella Vista, Ark., by more than 1 pound.

Plagued by local boat traffic, Martens was forced to play defense at his most productive spots Friday. So concerned was Martens that he resorted to hiding in his best spots when other boats pulled into the areas. He would pop back into the honey hole only when he felt all traffic had moved away. He fished for only six hours of his competition day, meaning the other four were spent sitting, literally, on his best spots.

But Martens has made a name for himself because of his ability to adapt. His West Coast roots and his exposure to fishing since practically infancy have given Martens a deserved reputation as one of the most versatile pros on the Elite Series. On Friday he used all of his guile.

“It’s stressful out there,” said Martens, the 2005 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year. “If I played my cards right and had all of my spots to myself, who knows what I could have caught. But it’s always going to be a grind. These weights are just amazing and at some point they have to drop off.”

Fishing fans can catch all of the on-the-water action from the Southern Challenge on The Bassmasters, which airs Saturday, May 16, at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2. The daily weigh-ins for all regular-season Elite events and the two postseason events will air live on ESPN360.com, ESPN’s broadband sports network, while a wealth of unique content will also be available at Bassmaster.com. Fans can log on to Bassmaster.com throughout the competition to catch live, daily Hooked Up updates with BASS emcee Keith Alan.

Forced to find new areas, Martens cobbled together 29 pounds, 12 ounces, Friday. He has found a bevy of productive spots on Guntersville but was afraid that he might have trouble locating more. With possible nasty weather Saturday, Martens and the other 49 competitors who advanced to Day Three should see less local boat traffic. Martens, relieved at the thought, planned to hit his best spot first thing Saturday morning.

“If I have my best area to myself it should be a 5-pounder on nearly every cast,” he said. “The First, second, third, fourth cast. It’s just an amazing spot.”

While he declined to discuss specifics, Martens has used two distinctly different patterns. One was similar to what many in the field were doing but the other pattern was unique and he felt it would be key in his continued success.

McClelland held steady in second with 57-7. Sticking with what was successful Thursday, the 41-year-old threw a variety of baits, including spinnerbaits, to defined areas.

After a horrid first two days of practice, McClelland became dialed in after making some wholesale adjustments. He is executing a 1-2 punch, keying on the shad spawn in the early morning to build a modest limit and then pecking and hunting for larger fish by working with the current later in the day.

Like most in the field, McClelland is confident in boating 20 to 22 pounds each day but is relying on kicker fish to take his weight to another level. Thursday, he landed an 8-pound behemoth, and Friday he boated a 6-14.

Within his areas, McClelland is barely moving, trying to entice the tightly positioned bass with ultra-precise casts.

“’I’m a little concerned because the bigger fish are getting harder to catch as we get deeper in the tournament,” he said. “But it’s definitely a matter of timing. And I just need to hit it at the right time.”

Slipping from the lead into third was Todd Faircloth of Jasper, Texas, with 55 pounds, 15 ounces overall. In fourth was Byron Velvick of Del Rio, Texas, with 55 pounds, 2 ounces. Moving up from seventh to fifth was Mike Iaconelli of Runnemede, N.J., with 54 pounds, 10 ounces.

In what is shaping up to be a climactic Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race, the top three anglers heading into the event finished safely within the cutline Friday. Four-time AOY Kevin VanDam (18th) will look to hold off Skeet Reese (15th) and Alton Jones (7th) to maintain his lead.

Meanwhile, Kevin Langill of Terrell, N.C., had his Friday catch disqualified for violation of Participation Rule 1.

With just three regular-season events remaining after Guntersville, anglers are jockeying for position to qualify for the inaugural Bassmaster Elite Series postseason. The details of that two-tournament event, Sept. 12-13 on Alabama’s Lake Jordan out of Wetumpka and Sept. 17-18 on the Alabama River from Montgomery, were announced Wednesday. Only the top 12 anglers in the regular-season AOY standings will qualify.

Guntersville has been the site of more than 20 previous BASS events, including the 1976 Bassmaster Classic, won by Elite Series pro Rick Clunn of Ava, Mo. The last time the Elite Series visited the popular fishery, in 2007, VanDam outlasted the field to claim the trophy. His winning weight of 66 pounds, 3 ounces, was more than 7 pounds the better over St. Louis’ Mark Tucker, who finished second with 59-1.

After Saturday’s Day Three, only the top 12 will go on to compete in Sunday’s Day Four. Fans are encouraged to attend the Southern Challenge’s daily launches (6 a.m. CT) and weigh-ins (4 p.m.) through Sunday at Lake Guntersville State Park, 4242 Aubrey Carr Scenic Dr., Guntersville.

Other activities Saturday and Sunday at the Southern Challenge will begin at 1 p.m. CT at Lake Guntersville State Park, featuring the popular Dog Training & Retriever Demonstrations Brought To You By SportDog, as well as the Southern Challenge Rib Cookoff on Saturday.

At 1:30 p.m. Saturday, fans are invited to experience Bassmaster University, which includes the “Ask the Experts” session with Elite pros at 3 p.m.

Sunday’s activities include the live taping of Hooked Up, hosted by ESPN Outdoors personalities Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders. The show, which will air live at 3:30 p.m. ET on Bassmaster.com, will preview Sunday’s final weigh-in.

All events at the Marine Formula STA-BIL Southern Challenge are free and open to the public. Up next in the Elite Series is the June 3-6 Tennessee Triumph on Kentucky Lake out of Paris, Tenn.

For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit Bassmaster.com. Visit ESPNOutdoorsMedia.com for the latest releases photos and more.

The local sponsor of the Southern Challenge is the Marshall County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau.

Official sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series: Toyota Trucks, Berkley, BOOYAH Baits, Evan Williams Bourbon, Mercury, OPTIMA Batteries, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards.

Supporting sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series: Bass Pro Shops, Costa Del Mar, Ramada, SpongeTech and Triton Boats.

About BASS

For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multimedia platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive Web properties in ESPN360.com, ESPN’s broadband sports network, Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content – from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage – to passionate audiences.

The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Academy Sports + Outdoors Women’s Bassmaster Tour and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS annually sanctions more than 20,000 events.

BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

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