Alabama rig a winning formula on Guntersville

ATHENS, Ala. – Five of the top six anglers caught their bass on an Alabama rig during the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series, operated by American Bass Anglers, Alabama North Division 1 opener, held Feb. 18, 2012, on Lake Guntersville.

Running out of Val-Monte Lakeside Resort near the town of Guntersville, Ala., to fish the 69,100-acre impoundment on the Tennessee River, Eric W. Forrester of Geraldine, Ala., won the Boater Division. He brought in five keeper bass weighing 30.80 pounds for a 6.16-pound average. He capped his catch with a 9.63-pounder that set the tournament lunker standard. For the victory, Forrester pocketed the guaranteed $5,000 whenever more than 100 boaters enter a tournament.

“I was fishing staging bass in 12 to 18 feet of water on the river,” Forrester said. “I fished around the dam with an Alabama rig.”

Glasgow set to challenge the best in B.A.S.S.

SHREVEPORT, La. – Allan Glasgow, the 2011 American Bass Anglers champion, will challenge top professional anglers and a mighty river during the 2012 Bassmaster Classic, slated for slated for Feb. 24-26 on the Red River in Shreveport, La.

He earned this honor by winning the 2011 ABA Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series National Championship, held Nov. 9-12 on the Santee-Cooper lakes near Summerton, S.C. Throughout the year, Glasgow competed in various events in the ABA Alabama North Division 1. He advanced to the regional championship and finally to the national championship tournament where he emerged as the top angler in the Boater Division.

“It’s always been my goal to fish the Bassmaster Classic,” said the owner of a plumbing company in Ashville, Ala. “I’m very excited that it will happen this way. I have fished against some of the top pros before, so I don’t think I’ll be intimidated by them. I’d love to come home with a victory for ABA at the Classic.”

A victory at the Bassmaster Classic would seal Glasgow’s immortality as a top fisherman and propel him into a full-time professional angling career. For winning the most prestigious event in competitive fishing, the champion takes home a check for $500,000, but could pocket far more than that in product endorsements.

North Alabama Opens on Guntersville Saturday

The Alabama North Division of the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series, operated by American Bass Anglers, opens its 2012 season Feb. 18 on Lake Guntersville near Guntersville, Ala.
 
The anglers will run out of the Val-Monte Lakeside Resort Marina located at 7001 Val-Monte Drive in Guntersville, Ala. Anglers may begin fishing at 6:30 a.m. or safe light. The weigh-in will begin at 3 p.m. The priority entry deadline is Jan. 29, 2012, with late fees beginning on Feb. 8, 2012. Registration will take place at Guntersville Recreation Center, located at 1500 Sunset Drive in Guntersville, Ala.
 
Anglers fishing the Boater Division may weigh in up to five bass in any combination of largemouth, smallmouth and Kentucky spotted bass, each at least 15 inches long. Co-anglers may weigh in up to three bass. All anglers must possess an Alabama fishing license. For license information, see www.outdooralabama.com/licenses/fwfishlicinfo or call (888) 848-6887.
 
Anglers can fish anywhere on the 69,100-acre Tennessee River impoundment, except in Tennessee waters and from the peninsula point down to the first boat house past the courtesy docks. The largest lake in Alabama, Lake Guntersville drops to more .............

Jaye opens season with a win

ATHENS, Ala. – Kelley W. Jaye won the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series, operated by American Bass Anglers, Alabama South Division 2 season opener, held Feb. 11, 2012, on Lake Martin.

Running out of Wind Creek State Park Marina near Alexander City to fish the 44,000-acre-acre impoundment, the Dadeville angler caught five bass weighing 15.28 pounds. He anchored his bag with a 5.10-pounder to seal the Boater Division victory.

“I caught my bigger fish in the middle of the lake,” Jaye revealed. “I caught four keepers on a suspending jerkbait. My last weighing fish hit a 1/2-ounce jig fished around shallow brush. I got more bites in the morning, but caught better quality fish later.”

Markum wins frosty East Texas opener

ATHENS, Ala. – Despite cold, windy conditions, Chase Markum opened a new season by winning the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series, operated by American Bass Anglers, East Texas Division 11 tournament, held Feb. 11, 2012, on Lake Palestine.

Running out of in the Villages Marina in Flint to fish the 25,560 -acre impoundment on the Neches River, the 27-year-old angler from Paradise caught only four bass all day, but made them count. He finished with a 16.22-pound bag anchored by a 7.59-pound kicker to win the Boater Division. For the victory, he took home $2,755, plus a $1,000 bonus from Mercury and a $500 one from MotorGuide.

“I was simply looking for a place to get out of the north wind,” Markum admitted. “I was looking for tall trees that would block the wind so I could actually make casts and feel the fish when it hit. About five minutes into the tournament, I had a 7.59-pounder on that hit a Rat-L-Trap in 2.5 feet of water. I just stayed in 2.5 feet of water all day and threw a Rat-L-Trap most of the day. Later, I threw a small grub at docks. I only caught one bass in the afternoon.”

WORLD FISHING NETWORK AND AMERICAN BASS ANGLERS PUT AMATEUR ANGLERS ON CENTER STAGE

Each week WFN to feature top amateur anglers from ABA weekend tournaments 

DENVER, CO. - FEB. 10, 2012 - WFN: World Fishing Network, North America`s only 24/7 fishing lifestyle network is offering weekend amateur anglers who compete in the American Bass Anglers (ABA) fishing tournaments -- the American Fishing Tour, The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series and the American Couples Series -- the opportunity to be featured on the network.

Every Monday, at 10:00 pm ET, beginning on Feb. 13 and concluding in mid-November, WFN will present ABA Tournament Trails - a 2-minute recap of a recent ABA amateur tournament. The feature, which will highlight the winners, will be repeated throughout the week on WFN and also be available online at www.WorldFishingNetwork.com/ABA.

"We are thrilled to celebrate the accomplishments of these talented anglers who may not fish for a living but certainly live to fish," said Liz Ogilvie, Director of Partnership Marketing for WFN. "Many of these amateur anglers are loyal and passionate WFN viewers, so it`s a real thrill for them to see themselves on our network and a great opportunity for us to honor their accomplishments."

Texas Anglers Heading to Palestine for Season Opener

The East Texas Division 11 of the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series, operated by American Bass Anglers, opens its 2012 season Feb. 11 on Lake Palestine near Tyler, Texas.

The anglers will run out of the Villages Marina, located at 18270 Singing Wood Lane in Flint, Texas. The priority entry deadline is Jan. 22, 2012, with late fees beginning on Feb. 1, 2012. Registration and briefings will take place at Gander Mountain, located at 151 Market Square Blvd., in Tyler, Texas, beginning at 4 p.m. Feb. 10, 2012.

Anglers fishing the Boater Division may weigh in up to five bass. Co-anglers may weigh in up to three bass. All anglers must possess a Texas fishing license. For license information, see http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/licenses/public/recreational or call (800) 792-1112 or (512) 389-4800.

Anglers can fish anywhere on the 25,560 -acre impoundment on the Neches River about 15 miles southwest of Tyler. Impounded in 1962, Lake Palestine offers anglers more than 136 miles of shoreline and dips to about 58 feet deep in places. Lake Palestine can produce some big bass. Ronald George Ebaugh caught the lake record largemouth, a 12.51-pounder, on Feb. 24, 1991.

South Alabama Launches on Lake Martin Saturday

The Alabama South Division 2 of the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series, operated by American Bass Anglers, opens its 2012 season Feb. 11 on Lake Martin near Alexander City, Ala.

The anglers will run out of the Wind Creek State Park Marina, located at 4325 Alabama Highway 128 in Alexander City, Ala., starting at 6:15 a.m. or safe light. The weigh-in will begin at 2:30 p.m. The priority entry deadline is Jan. 22, 2012, with late fees beginning on Feb. 1, 2012. Registration and briefings will take place at Charles Bailey Sportsplex Gym, located at 1685 Arena Road in Alexander City. 35010

Anglers fishing the Boater Division may weigh in up to five bass, each at least 12 inches long. Co-anglers may weigh in up to three bass. All anglers must possess an Alabama fishing license. For license information, see www.outdooralabama.com/licenses/fwfishlicinfo or call (888) 848-6887

Anglers can fish anywhere on the 44,000-acre impoundment in Tallapoosa, Elmore and Coosa counties. Dating back to 1926, the clear, upland lake offers anglers more than 750 miles of shoreline and drops to more than 150 feet deep in places. Many people fish around the islands that dot the lake. In addition, numerous coves sided by steep rocky bluffs can provide good action and protection from the wind. Some better places to fish include Coley Creek and Elkahatchee creeks.

Brock wins Georgia opener on Seminole

ATHENS, Ala. – Mason Brock went to bed to win the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series, operated by American Bass Anglers, Georgia Division 8 opener, held Feb. 4, 2012, on Lake Seminole.

Running out of Bainbridge Earle May Boat Basin Marina in Bainbridge, Ga., to fish the 37,500-acre impoundment on the Georgia-Florida line, the Marianna, Fla., angler brought in five bass for 20.35 pounds. For the Boater Division victory, he took home a check for $2,409.

“I fished all over the lake,” Brock admitted. “Every fish I caught came off a bed. I stayed around sandbars and threw lizards. I had every fish I weighed by 9:30 a.m.”

Gwinn wins Arkansas opener on Lake Degray

ATHENS, Ala. – Danny Gwinn opened up the new Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series, operated by American Bass Anglers, Arkansas Division 12 season with a victory on Feb. 4, 2012.

Running out of the Spillway Boat Ramp Marina near Arkadelphia to fish the 13,400-acre Lake Degray on the Caddo River, the Mount Ida angler landed five bass weighing 18.29 pounds. He started the year off right by pocketing $2,253 for the Boater Division victory.

“I fished the umbrella, or Alabama, rig in one creek all day long,” Gwinn explained. “On the rig, I had 6-inch Kalin’s Magumbo grubs. I slowed the bait down. We caught about 40 fish between the two of us. The rain helped us. It stirred up the baitfish. When the sun came out, the fish quit biting.”

Ultralight-led Whooping Cranes will head to
Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge

Nine juvenile whooping cranes on their first ultralight-led migration south will now be taken to Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in northern Alabama in the next few days.

The nine whooping cranes will be loaded up in travel enclosures onto vehicles as soon as possible, driven about 70 miles from Winston County, Ala., to Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. They will be placed in a secure pen, equipped with identification bands and tracking transmitters, then later released in the company of other whooping cranes that have been wintering there.

“We are fortunate to be in a position to help by standing in for our sister refuges at Chassahowitzka and St. Marks in Florida,” said Dwight Cooley, refuge manager for Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, on the outskirts of Decatur, Alabama, which lies on border of Tennessee. “While we hope they will visit us again in coming winters, where they eventually winter is not nearly as important as their survival, and the hope they will complete many more migrations in years to come. Their continued safety is our highest concern. ”