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 TEXAS FEATURES
BASS FISHING
Publisher/Editor
8 Texas Pros Take
Home Lessons
Eddie R. Thomas
Learned At Red
Executive Editor
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12
Texas Bass Fishing Magazine
is published by
Loanstar Publications
21574 Eva Street,
Montgomery, Texas 77356
How To Choose A
All rights reserved.
Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic
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Columns
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Printed in the U.S.A

04 Editor Notes
by Eddie Thomas

07 Outdoor Adventures with

Hank and Buck
by Shooter

10 Bassin Babes
by Doris Thomas
Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009 3
 W
elcome to the first edition of Texas Bass Fishing Magazine! We are proud to
Letter from the produce this publication about Bass Fishing in the great state of Texas. We
hope to successfully bring you informative as well as positive information
Publisher concerning all things related to the sport of bass fishing. I have been fishing since I was
a young boy, born and raised in Northeast Texas, and it has been a great passion and
hobby of mine over the years. I got away from the sport during college due to my father
would not let me take his boat away to school (a wise man) and that college life was filled
with plenty of activities. That never completely stopped me and fellow roommates from
occasionally finding an assortment of tanks and ponds to “hop” in search of the illusive
creatures. After college I bought my first “bass rig” a G3 with a 40 horse Yamaha and
like you started planning my schedule to find more time for the water. Since then I’ve
upgraded the boat, my equipment, and tackle to pursue my ever growing interest.
The staff and I at Texas Bass Fishing Magazine hope to hear from our readers. We want
to have an open relationship so fisherman can voice their constructive opinions in order
“The bass fishing for us to become a well-rounded magazine. Please feel free to contact us with any ideas,
community is news, events, fishing stories, and of course photos via email at: editor@txbassmag.com.
truly filled with I would like to THANK everyone we have met so far for all of your support. The bass
positive and light fishing community is truly filled with positive and light hearted people that are making
hearted people this process enjoyable. I’m sure this pattern will continue and look forward to building
that are making strong relationships. Until next time thanks again and enjoy the magazine.
this process Sincerely,
enjoyable.”

Eddie R. Thomas

TEXAS Send your ideas, photos

BASS FISHING & comments, to:
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4 Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009
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 Babying
Big Bass
ATHENS, Texas - One of the biggest factors that
influences the survival of fish entered into the
ShareLunker program is how those fish are handled and
cared for prior to being picked up by Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department (TPWD) employees.
ShareLunker handling and care tips on the TPWD web
site emphasize minimal contact with the fish and keeping
it in a stress-free environment as much as possible.
Removing the fish from the livewell or holding tank for
photographs stresses the fish, increases the chance the fish
will get fungal infections where touched and multiplies
the risk of serious injury such as a broken jaw.
All big bass are powerful, but anglers who have never
tried to hold a fish weighing 13 pounds or more may
be surprised at how strong the fish is and how hard it
is to control. “We have all seen pictures of bass being
held up with one hand grasping the lower jaw,” says Jim
Matthews, hatchery manager at the Texas Freshwater
Fisheries Center in Athens, which is home to the
ShareLunker program. “Doing this with a lunker bass will
almost ensure a serious injury to the fish’s jaw.”
David Campbell, ShareLunker program manager, offers
the following tips for handling big bass to avoid injuring
them.
• Wet your hands before touching the fish.
How you handle a lunker impacts
By Larry Hodge
its chances of survival
• Using your dominant hand, grip the fish with your
thumb inside the mouth and your fingers locked on the
outside of the mouth.
• Support the rear of the fish with your other hand placed
beneath the fish just forward of the tail.
• Lift the fish out of the water in a horizontal position
using both hands for support.
• DO NOT hold the fish by the lower jaw in a vertical
position. This can dislocate or break the jaw, practically
guaranteeing the fish will not survive, since it will not be
able to eat.
• Handle the fish only when putting it into a livewell or
holding tank. Do not keep the fish out of water or keep
removing it from the water for photographs.
• If you must handle the fish, try to do so out of the wind
and keep it out of water as little as possible. Wind can dry
out the eyes very quickly and result in damage.
A 13- or 14-pound bass is the equivalent of a 170-class
whitetail buck, with the difference being that the buck
goes on the wall, while the fish, if properly handled and
cared for, can live to continue to produce more fish.
Anglers who want to continue to have the opportunity to
catch big bass can improve their chances by treating those
big bass like babies.

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2/12/09 Lake Fork Bruce Peel Granbury, TX 13.13

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6 Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009
 tures with By the time the morning sun broke through, the two campers

ven had their feet propped up enjoying a Hill Country rendition of a

Hank
wannabe Texas Aggie bonfire. “Man,” they agreed, “Nothing could
Ad
be better than this fine Hill Country sunrise alongside a blazing
campfire.” With breakfast almost ready Buck reflected on the
Outdoor

exchange from the night before, “Boy this breakfast will fix Miss
Gaye right up. She’s gonna forget about her error in check out
times and jump back on our side directly!” Hank flashed his grin
and gave a “I couldn’t agree more” tip of his feed store cap. About

Buck
and the time they had decided that this was truly as good as life could
be, Miss Gaye made her way up the hill. “Just what do you think
you are doing?” She all but screamed. The two grinners replied
in unison, “Cookin’ breakfast! You ready?” “Don’t you know we
are in a burn ban? We haven’t had a drop of rain in seven months!
Didn’t you see that Grape Creek was darn near dry? Don’t you see
all of this bone-dry cedar? Put it out now!” This brought a look
from Hank and Buck as a light bulb rose between them. “Dry
As Interpreted by Shooter creeks?” they said, and a little more became clear. So after pouring

The Great Armadillo

multiple buckets of water on the campfire and renegotiating small
fire rights in the nearby barbeque pit, they watched as Miss Gaye
returned home without breakfast. “You big dummy,” says Hank.
“Shut up,” says Buck.

Farm Rescue Well, with no tackle, firearms, a burn ban and a campground
that has almost revoked their welcome, it was time to resurface

T
with a brand new plan. They carefully constructed a cook fire in
his first installment in the saga that is Hank and Buck
the barbeque pit, strictly adhering to campground specifications.
takes us back to the last time the boys made their annual
Once the safe fire was in place and all seemed fine and dandy; they
pilgrimage out to the beautiful hills of central Texas.
left good friend and cooler guarding expert, Slappy, in charge of
Final destination, Luckenbach, TX. If you ask Hank or
peace keeping around the campsite. Slappy was a good ole boy that
Buck this is a ride every young man should take. A rite of passage
occasionally accompanied the fellas on adventures. You never met a
so to speak. This particular journey was all about fun, and believe
more honest fella and surely never a more top-notch cooler guard.
me, these guys were loaded for bear. They met and loaded the
truck down with all imaginable essential travel items: fire makin’ Hank and Buck felt it their duty to return to town for more
stuff, tortillas, stuff for stuffin’ tortillas, and a few ice cold refresh- tortillas, stuff to stuff in tortillas and refreshments. They were
ments. Being as most local streams were dry and deer season had Continued on page 11
just passed, the boys decided to forgo packing and rods and reels
and firearms. The loud sigh all you Hill Country folk heard that
day was from your local fish and game. The boys have a reputation.
After stopping to talk to every swinging soul from Brenham to
Round Top, La Grange to Bastrop, and Dripping Springs to Blanco
and eight hours later, they finally arrived at the Armadillo Farm,
Luchenbach, Texas. This may not the most direct route, just the
one they find most hospitable.
Upon arrival, the boys were not received with the common wel-
come they were accustomed to receiving for the past several years.
Hank looked at Buck and said, “I told you things were gonna
change around here, we should have stayed back home and fished
the bridge for crappie.” Buck just shook off the comment, for he
was sure that he could reconcile things with Miss Gaye, the owner
and operator of this fine camping establishment. “Miss Gaye”, says
Buck,” me and Hank here are wonderin’ why we’re being treated
this way?” “You usually at least act like you appreciate our com-
pany, and to boot, we showed up right on time for check in.” Miss
Gaye shook her head and explained that check in was noon and not
mid-night then mumbled some comment about growing up as she
retreated through the night back to her house. Buck apologized for
ringing her door bell, wished her a good night and invited her up
the hill for breakfast in the morning. When Buck returned from his
peace offering Hank was leaning against the front porch of the cab-
in just grinnin’ like a possum. “You big dummy,” Hank snickered,”
what kind of place has a midnight check in time?” Hank had no
good reply, so instead he countered with, “She told me 12 o’clock,
if she meant noon she should have said noon.” The boys retired.
Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009 7
 TEXAS PROS TAKE HOME
LESSONS LEARNED AT
RED RIVER CLASSIC
S
even Texas anglers, including five full-time tourna-
ment pros, the Central Open Division champion, and
the BASS Federation Nation champion, competed
in the February 20-22 Bassmaster Classic on the Red
River in Shreveport, representing the state well and bringing
home two top-10 finishes.
And to a man, the seven described the event as a challenging
learning experience not only in fishing river systems during the
pre-spawn, but also in recognizing how fast-changing condi-
tions affect river bass. Indeed, it was a tournament dictated
largely by the weather, which included sub-freezing tempera-
tures, bright skies, and rain; water temperatures fell as much as
10 degrees overnight in some areas.
8
By Joe Walker
The five fulltime pros included Kelly Jordon, Mineola
(10th); Alton Jones, Waco (14th); Gary Klein, Weatherford
(34th); Todd Faircloth, Jasper (35th); and Byron Velvick, Del
Rio (48th). Brian Schmidt of Olney, the reigning BASS Fed-
eration Nation national champion, finished 6th; and Michael
Burns of Plano, the Central Division champion, finished 37th.
“My biggest mistake was not listening to the fish,” admitted
Klein, after catching just two bass weighing 2-13 the first day
but following with 16-15 the second day when he realized the
changing temperatures had moved his bass from deep water
hyacinths to a shallow spawning flat.
Klein, fishing his 27th Classic, spent his first day flipping
a Berkley Chigger Craw with a one ounce sinker to break
Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009
through the hyacinths and lost three quality bass during his always see. I think the bass I was catching in shallow water
first 20 minutes of fishing. were absolutely committed, and even the cold water was not
“I knew I had good spinnerbait water behind the hyacinths, going to delay them from spawning for very long.
but never fished it the first day,” lamented the two-time BASS “Even though mornings were really cold, the bright sun
Angler of the Year. “I think a number of pros were surprised warmed the water by early afternoon and fishing was better,
the bass were further into their spawning cycle than they had especially the final day.”
expected. Water temperatures in many places were still in the Alton Jones spent most of his tournament flipping, which
low to mid-50’s, but some fish were already on spawning beds. is his favorite
“The second morning I returned to my same spot just to technique, and
prove to myself I had chosen a good area, and caught a five on the second
bass limit with the spinnerbait in 30 minutes. day he found a
“The days leading up to the Classic were warm,” Klein bass weighing
continued, “and my bass, which had been stacked in a 20-foot between nine and
deep channel under the hyacinths, had actually moved from 10 pounds on a
those hyacinths up to the shallow flat sooner than I expected. spawning bed.

Courtesy of: ESPN Outdoors

“I slow-rolled a 3/8 ounce homemade spinnerbait through
lily pad stems in water less than three feet deep the next day,
and there they were.”
Kelly Jordon concentrated in a small, shallow off-river
slough filled with lily pad stems, brush, and stumps, and
caught many of his bass on a Magic Shad jerkbait with a quick
retrieve, even though the water temperature on the first day
of competition had fallen back to 49 degrees as the first cold
front came through.
He brought in 15-10 the first day and added 20-5 the sec-
ond to climb into fourth, even though morning temperatures
hovered near freezing. The last day, however, the former Lake
Fork guide was forced to contend not only with cold tempera-
tures but also a bright clear sky, and he brought in just over 12
pounds to fall to 10th overall.
“I caught all my fish the second day in about an hour and
a half in water just 18 inches deep,” he explained, “but on
the final morning I felt the temperature was just too cold so I
didn’t stay in my best area. Unfortunately, when I came back
that afternoon, another angler was on my water, and he caught
some nice fish.
“What we were experiencing were some amazing displays
of bass behavior as the temperatures rose and fell,” Jordon
continued. “Even in 49 degree water, I caught my fish using
a fast retrieve with the jerkbait, which is something you don’t
Courtesy of: ESPN Outdoors
Kelly Jordan holds up his best two fishes during the
weigh-in on Day Two of the 2009 Bassmaster Classic.
Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009
Naturally, he set
up, flipped in a
Yum Dinger stick-
worm, and then
uncharacteristically
put down his rod
to re-rig another
rod with a tube.
“As I was doing
that, I heard my
other rod sliding
overboard,” he
laughed, “and I
somehow managed
to grab it and set Alton Jones on Day One of the
the hook on that 2009 Bassmaster Classic.
big fish. It went
under the only laydown in the area and broke free.
“It was careless on my part, but while I had seen some fish
cruising as they began searching for bedding spots, those actu-
ally on beds were still spooky and not easy to catch. I really
did not think that big bass would hit that soon, and not that
lure. I much prefer to bed fish with a tube.”
On the last day, Jones changed his flipping weights from ¼
and 3/16 ounce down to 1/8 ounce, which produced a slower
fall. It obviously made a difference, as he caught about 30 bass
and brought in 20-10. He also recognized another example of
quirky bass behavior: even though he was letting his lure fall
directly beside stumps, bass weren’t hitting it as it fell. Strikes
came about three feet away from the targets, after Jones had
slowly crawled the bait along the bottom. All of this was hap-
pening in water less than two feet deep, too.
The highest finishing Texas angler, Brian Schmidt, admit-
ted he had a poor practice on the river immediately before
the Classic began, and like Klein saw his bass move from the
hyacinths he had been fishing. To his surprise, however, the
bass later moved back to the same hyacinths – when the water
temperature climbed from 47 all the way up to 51 degrees.
His technique? Flipping a Reaction Innovations Sweet
Beaver through those hyacinths with a one ounce sinker into
water less than four feet deep. Continue
9
 Are there lessons to be learned from this Classic, especially
about bass behavior?
“Absolutely,” emphasizes Todd Faircloth, runnerup in last
year’s Bassmaster Angler of the Year contest. “First, bass in
river systems will often bite far better in cold water than bass
in lakes. Maybe they’re more accustomed to changes in water
temperature because in most cases they do not have the deep
water access lake bass have.
In a year full Courtesy of ESPN Outdoors

of women’s firsts “That, in turn, means temperature changes won’t necessarily

like Hillary Clinton move the bass very far, although it will slow the bite some-
and Sarah Palin, what. We came to the Red River at the peak of pre-spawn but
the sport of bass some bass were already on beds preparing to spawn and plenty
fishing can also
be excited about of others were certainly looking. Even though water tempera-
its own “first lady”. tures were colder than we normally think for spawning, many
Australian born of those river fish were absolutely committed.”
Kim Bain was the
first woman to compete in the 2009 Bass Masters Courtesy of: ESPN Outdoors
Classic on the Red River in LA. I was there for this
event….and my first trip to the Classic.
Although my main intention for going to the
Classic was some quiet time with my husband,
I quickly got caught up in the excitement. Sitting
in the CenturyTel Center I said to myself, “there is
a girl in this thing" and immediately my interest
grew. Throughout the three days I could not help to
notice all the women at the launch in the morning,
buying items at the Outdoors Expo and of course
all the screaming fans at the weight in.
By the end of the Classic I was hooked. Yes
I am guilty of looking at that pink camo boat and
imagining myself catching that winning fish. And Fans packed the CenturyTel Center at the
guilty, guilty, guilty, I was one of many leaving the 2009 Bassmaster Classic.
Classic with a pink rod. I also left with the idea
that this is not just my grandpa’s sport….I can
do it too.
Girls, this sport is something all of us can enjoy
and it is growing by leaps and bounds. From 1980
Want to Start Something?
to 1995 the number of women fishing increased
19 percent compared to 14 percent for males1
and freshwater fishing is the 10th most popular
participation sport among women.2
So girls grab your rods, reels, and tackle
boxes…..we are Bassin’ Babes!
Please submit feedback, article ideas, pictures,
tournament info to bassinbabes@txbassmag.com TRY...
1 1980-1995 Participation in Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Watching. National and
Regional Demographic Trends
2 National Sporting Goods Association. Sports Participation in 2001

March 26-28 Women’s Bassmaster 2009

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Continued from page 7 Buck takes a deep breath, shakes off the ridicule being thrown his
traveling up Old Luckenbach Road carefully scanning the country- way by Hank, then eases in for the grab. Just as he gets a firm hold
side looking for game and making numerous goat jokes, when out on the dillo’s tail that little sucker springs straight up into the air.
of nowhere Hank hollers, “Stop the truck!” Buck obliges and asks, To hear the boys tell it now, that thing jumped ten feet straight up.
“What in the world is wrong with you now?” Hank points and lets We all venture to say it was far less than that, but nevertheless, the
out a whisper, “Armadillo.” “Why are you whispering and what are ‘dillo jumped, Buck jumped, Hank let out a holler, and the chase
we gonna do with a stinking armadillo? We don’t even have a gun was on. That rascal had broken the hold but Hank and Buck were
and besides we don’t even know if its armadillo season out here,” on him like a couple of bird dogs on a jackrabbit. Around trees,
replies Buck. Hank thinks back to the Armadillo Farm and how it through the brush across the dry creek bed until he got lucky and
was void of any armadillo activity. Buck agrees and the two decide finally distanced himself for the getaway. “What happened?” asked
that if they could cordially and voluntarily restock the armadillo Hank “Well if you hadn’t been hiding behind the truck, we might
herd at the Armadillo Farm, they could mend all of the previous have our first ‘dillo,” says Buck. The boys were disappointed and
predicaments they’d encountered with Farm Management. On top extremely winded but quickly made their way down the road to
of all that, Slappy would sure be proud. Buck decides to step in and more stalks. All of which produced the same sad results.
take the reins, “Alright Mr. Armadillo,” he says referring to Hank They decided to cut their losses and gather up the supplies they
“I’ll pull up to the varmint. You jump out and grab it then chunk were originally in route to procure. On the way back to camp
it into the bed of the truck.” Hank scratches his head, adjusts his
feed store cap and makes it known that he doesn’t understand why Continued on page 17
he is appointed as the head ‘dillo grabber. Of course, an argument
ensues and they decide to settle it with a good ole fashioned game
of rock, paper, scissors. Well, sports fans, rock beats scissors every
time and as it turns out, Buck is up bat. “Cheater,” he says. “Just
grab the dang ‘dillo, dummy,” says Hank.
Carefully easing the truck, now known as ‘Dillo Stalker One,
into position, Buck slips her into park, ever so quietly slips open
the driver door and tiptoes out onto the road. The ‘dillo is busy
being a ‘dillo, just rooting around minding its own business, with
no earthly idea that he is the prime target of an armadillo stalk.
Buck moves stealthily into position and is nearly an arm’s reach
away when armadillo fever sets in. You know, the kind that sends
shutters down your spine and chatters your molars during a big
game stalk. Let it be known, armadillo hunting is no different.

Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009 11

 How
To
Choose
A
Flipping
Bait Story & Photos by Steve Price

E
ver since April 2, 1975, when California angler Dee Thomas
introduced the technique of flipping to his fellow pros dur-
ing the Bassmaster Arkansas Invitational at Bull Shoals Lake
(which he won with 35 lbs., 6 oz.), fishermen everywhere
have made learning the long rod, quiet entry presentation a top prior-
ity in their bass fishing education. A number of tournament pros,
including Dave Gliebe, Gary Klein, and Denny Brauer can attribute
much of their success to the technique, and today, it’s rare to find a
bass fisherman who does not own a flipping rod and have at least a
basic understanding of how to use it.
 “I think the biggest problem today’s bass fishermen have
with flipping is choosing the proper lure for the conditions,”
notes Bassmaster Elite pro James Niggemeyer of Van, Texas.
“Because flipping is such an efficient, high percentage way to
catch bass, pros have continued to refine the presentation over
the years, and of course, manufacturers have responded with
dozens of different flipping-type lures.”
Niggemeyer, who also guides on Lake Fork when he isn’t
competing and who flips frequently, uses three primary criteria
when choosing his lure: water temperature, water color, and
the type of cover. All are inter-related, and while several types
of lures may be used under the same conditions, Niggemeyer’s
guidelines do provide an excellent starting point.
“I always consider the water temperature first,” he says,
“because I want a lure that matches in looks and action what
bass would see under those conditions. For example, in water
colder than about 57 degrees, I don’t want anything with a lot
of action – certainly no curly tails and swimming legs.
“I want something sluggish that has a slow fall because this
is how baitfish acts in cold water. As the water warms above
about 62 degrees, I choose lures with more action and append-
14
ages that increase water movement.”
Although he prefers flipping in slightly dingy water because
it tends to keep bass shallow, the Texas pro does not hesitate to
flip in clear water. When he’s considering water color, Nigge-
meyer chooses bulkier lures in dirty water because they have
a greater water displacement, thus allowing bass to key in on
them easier with their lateral line sensory system.
“Just the opposite is true in clear water,” he adds. “There I
want a lure that draws attention to itself visually. I want a lot
of action, and depending on how deep the fish are, I may use a
heavier weight to create a faster fall and generate reflex strikes.”
The type of cover being fished is also important in choosing
a flipping lure. The heavier the cover, continues Niggemeyer,
the more streamlined he wants his lures so they penetrate
quickly and easily without getting snagged. Thus, lizards and
creature baits get eliminated as choices, and are replaced by jigs
and beaver-style lures.
“In more sparse cover like isolated laydowns, and even in
hydrilla, again I like a lure that draws some attention to itself
so it may attract bass to investigate. Creature-type lures are
“In cold water, when bass and baitfish
are more sluggish, I’ll use a chunk-type
trailer that has bulk but not a lot of
action, and it helps slow the jig’s fall.”
good for this, but if you’re fishing thick, matted vegetation,
you’ll need a heavy sinker to pull such a bait through it.”
With these thoughts in mind, here are Niggemeyer’s favorite
types of flipping lures and when he uses them:
JIGS:
“My favorite sizes are 3/8 and ½ ounce, and basically,
they’re good flipping choices throughout most of the year,” he
says. “I like the lighter jig when I’m fishing water three feet or
less, and around sparse or isolated cover, such as boat docks.
Smaller jigs are also good lures to use when the overall size of
Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009
the bass in a lake are smaller, while on Sam Rayburn or Toledo
Bend, I’ll always use a heavier jig.”
Two specific types of cover where he likes to flip jigs are
vertical-type structure, such as dock pilings or stumps; and
heavy vegetation like hydrilla. Because a jig falls straight down
beside vertical cover it’s a better choice than a tube, which may
drift more than a foot away from the target as it falls.
“I always have a trailer when I’m flipping jigs, and this can
be an important part of your overall lure choice,” he empha-
sizes. “In cold water, when bass and baitfish are more sluggish,
I’ll use a chunk-type trailer that has bulk but not a lot of ac-
tion, and it helps slow the jig’s fall. Then, as the water warms,
I’ll use something with more arms and legs to create more
action since the bass are more active.”

BEAVER-STYLE LURES:
“When I’m fishing extremely heavy cover in early spring,
particularly in areas where I think there may be a bed but
I can’t actually see it, I’ll often use a beaver-type lure,” says
Niggemeyer. “A beaver doesn’t have a lot of action, so I’ll
Texas-rig it, flip it in, and often just let it sit on the bottom.
“Docks, scattered bushes, laydowns, and shoreline reeds are
good places to use this style of lure, particularly when water
temperatures are still in the 50’s. I’ll let it sink, then lift my
rod slowly and then drop it so it just settles back down. I may
even drag it along the bottom, but not hop it. It’s also a good
choice for heavy cover this time of year because it won’t get
snagged.”

“I like to lift my rod to bring the lure off the bottom, then
lower my rod quickly so the lure swims down. Because it does
have so much action, I want to create multiple falls to take
advantage of it.”

CREATURE BAITS:
“I like these lures during the post-spawn and later when
water temperatures have warmed into the mid to high 60’s,”
he says. “Bass are seeing more baitfish and I want a lure with
more action.
“Creature baits have largely replaced plane plastic worms as
flipping lures, probably because they have more action than
any other type of flipping lure. I use them around lily pads,
docks, laydowns, riprap, and brush, and while I Texas-rig
them, I don’t always need to peg the sinker.
Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009
CRAWFISH:
Niggemeyer believes the best time to choose a crawfish lure
for flipping is in warmer water when you’re fishing around veg-
etation like peppergrass, milfoil, cattails, or reeds. It’s often a
good choice in spring when you’re bed fishing but can’t see the
beds. Crawfish-style lures can be a very intrusive lure for bed
fishing, and some of the crawfish available now look extremely
realistic with their pinchers waving in the water. Besides, bass
love to eat crawfish, too.
“I’ll rig the crawfish Texas-style and peg the sinker,” he
explains, “and try to punch through grass for a vertical fall.
When the lure hits bottom, I keep it moving, but I don’t hop
it. I’ll lift my rod slightly, then let it fall just so I can keep the
arms moving.”
STICKWORMS:
“This style of lures, all based on the original Senko, work
best for me when bass are not aggressive. I think they’re effec-
tive because of their erratic fall and shimmy-type action. I like
to fish them around docks, isolated flooded buck brush, and
holes in the vegetation.
15
 “I usually flip them weightless, and rig them either Texas-
style or wacky-style. If I do use a weight, it’s only about 1/16
ounce. These are lures that attract bass because of how they
fall, so I’ll lift my rod tip, then let the lure fall a couple of
times before I reel in for another presentation. Sometimes, I’ll
keep it on the bottom beside a piece of cover and just shake
it.”

TUBES:
“To me, the appeal of a tube as a flipping bait is the fact
it never falls the same way twice, which is why I reach for it
when bass may be suspended, when there are a lot of baitfish
around, or the fishing is just plain tough,” laughs Niggemeyer.
“If you’re fishing any type of vertical cover, such as lily pads,
boat dock pilings, or standing timber, tubes may save your
fishing trip. They’re also good in thick brush, too. Bass hit it
on the fall, so you don’t need to spend a lot of time working it
on the bottom, except to raise your rod tip and let it fall again.
“You can use them year-round, and they may out-perform
beavers or creature baits. And they’re excellent in clear water,
as every smallmouth fisherman knows.”
Niggemeyer prefers the 3 ½ inch size, and rigs his tubes
Texas-style with a sinker pegged about an eighth of an inch
above the head of the lure to prevent killing the tube’s erratic
action.
This year when you see a thick weedbed or an isolated piece
of cover and pick up your flipping stick, remember Niggemey-
er’s tips for lure choice before you make your first presentation.
That first presentation is your most important one, and using
the correct style of lure for the conditions will increase your
chances for a strike even more.
16 Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009
Continued from page 11
they figured that after all of their hard work trying to restock the
Armadillo Farm, they should treat themselves to a funnel cake
from Luchenbach’s downtown concession stand. After getting the
delicious powdered sugar fried dough treats in their possession they
questioned locals on prime armadillo hunting locations. There was
much information to absorb. They returned to camp to deliver and
devour the tasty treats and drop off ‘Dillo Stalker One, as the night
mission would be better attacked on foot. They found Slappy there
still guarding the cooler and wondering where the tortillas and the
stuff to stuff tortillas was. Hank and Buck explained all of the go-
ings on and invited him along on the night hunt. Slappy declined,
patted the cooler and made quick work of his funnel cake.
The prime loca-
tion that they learned
about in town led
them across the only
part of Grape Creek
that was holding water.
Without thinking
they both tucked their
pants in their boots
and made the wade.
Crossing the creek
they noticed several
crawdads lying still on
the rocks in the creek.
“Let’s catch’em,” says
Hank. Buck replied,
“We’re hunting ‘dillos.
They’ll be here when
we cross back, dummy.” “Shut up,” says Hank. The fellas made a
mental note and continued to the hunting grounds that were sure
to produce trophy armadillos. Once they reached trophy ‘dillo
central, a high street light on the outskirts of town, they took posi-
tion. There was plenty of ‘dillo sign but not a single ‘dillo in sight.
The boys held their position carefully watching the ground beneath
the light. Conversation consisted only of already been told goat
jokes and ‘dillo grabbing strategies until they finally decided to call
the night hunt another unlucky adventure. Unlucky was a word
they commonly used in place of failure or poor preparation. They
waded back across the creek and caught a healthy limit of crawdads
to avoid a complete skunk. The night hunt was a success after all.
Each and every crawdad was released and a picture was taken of all
trophy pinchers. You know…bragging rights.
Well, the next day they returned home with nothing but a story
and confidence that they will one day take the ‘dillo hunting world
by storm. Miss Gaye had dodged the bullet on having an armadillo
herd to raise and she sent them home with a smile on her face.
I’m sure she can’t wait until their next visit; she is surely counting
the days. Everyone is now clear that 12 o’clock means noon and
burn bans mean no fires. Buck returned to his job at the trucking
company, Hank to his high school coaching job and Slappy went
on to guard a new cooler in a new location. If you happen to be
in Hank’s neck of the woods in Northeast Texas, take a look at the
media guide for his baseball team. Listed under hobbies in his pro-
file you will find Armadillo Hunting proudly displayed. And don’t
you worry; the boys continue to come up with new ‘dillo stalking
strategies daily.
Until next time….
p.s. No ‘dillos, crawdads, cedar trees or dry creek beds were
harmed in the development of this story.

Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009 17

 2009 TOURNAMENT TRAIL
2009 central Region, LAKE TRAVIS #1- February 7, 2009
ANGLERS / HOMETOWN FISH BIG BASS WEIGHT WINNINGS
1. ALLEN SHELTON, COPPELL , TX HEATH MOODY, WATAUGA , TX 5 0 20.70 $20000.00
2. JODY HOLUBEK, FORT WORTH , TX DALE BOREN, FORT WORTH , TX 5 5.42 18.26 $5000.00
3. GREG WESTALL SR, SAN ANTONIO , TX GREG WESTALL JR, SAN ANTONIO , TX 5 6.44 17.46 $3000.00
4. CHARLES WHITED, SAN MARCOS , TX BILL POLKINGHORN, SPRING , TX 5 5.32 17.18 $2000.00
5. MATT HILL, AUSTIN , TX TREY WEBB, AUSTIN , TX 5 0 16.62 $1200.00
6. MIKE HARMAN, BASTROP , TX CARL CLARDY, CEDAR CREEK , TX 5 0 16.54 $1090.00
7. RONNY MAYNARD, GEORGETOWN , TX EDDY MAYNARD, LEANDER , TX 5 0 16.50 $1080.00
8. CRAIG SCHUFF, WATAUGA , TX RICHARD RATTARREE 5 0 16.28 $1070.00
9. JEFF PITRUCHA, COPPERAS COVE , TX SCOTT DYER, MARBLE FALLS , TX 5 0 16.16 $1060.00 2009 tournament schedule
10. LUCAS LARSON, ROUND ROCK , TX BILL RULE, BRYAN , TX 5 7.44 15.46 $1050.00
CONTINGENCY PRIZES
ALLEN SHELTON, COPPELL, TX & HEATH MOODY, WATAUGA, TX $5000 Skeeter Bonus+$200 Sure-Life Bonus CENTRAL REGION
LUCAS LARSON, ROUND ROCK, TX & BILL RULE, BRYAN, TX $1000 Big Bass + All-Star Rod Bonus tourn. date lake location
2009 East Region, SAM RAYBURN #1 - january 24, 2009 Central # 2 03/07 - 03/07 Belton Temple Lake Pk
ANGLERS / HOMETOWN FISH BIG BASS WEIGHT WINNINGS Central # 3 04/04 - 04/04 LBJ McNair Park
1. RICK SCOTT ROY ELLISON, HEARNE , TX 5 0 22.36 $20000.00 Central # 4 05/02 - 05/02 Belton Temple Lake Pk
2. KEITH CAKA, HUNTSVILLE , TX CHARLES BEBBER, WILLIS , TX 5 0 22.04 $5000.00 Central # 5 06/06 - 06/06 Travis Pace Bend Park
3. BILL WILCOX GREG CHRISTIAN 5 0 21.98 $3500.00
4. MARTIN ELSHOUT, RUSTON , LA MARK PRICE, RUSTON , LA 5 0 21.90 $2500.00 EAST REGION
5. RANDY MILLENDER KENNETH NICHOLS, TEAGUE , TX 5 0 21.42 $2000.00
tourn. date lake location
6. GREG PUGH, LAKE CHARLES , LA BILL DOMINQUE, SULPHUR , LA 5 0 21.06 $1190.00
South # 2 02/21 - 02/21 Amistad Diablo East
7. NATHAN STROUP, WILLIS , TX ERIC ADAMS 5 0 21.06 $1190. 00
South # 3 03/21 - 03/21 Choke CNYN Calliham Pk
8. DOUG MCCAIN, LAKE CHARLES , LA MASON MCCAIN, LAKE CHARLES , LA 5 0 20.30 $1070.00
9. MIKE MICHALEC DAVID OZIO 5 0 19.68 $1060.00 South # 4 04/18 - 04/18 Falcon Beacon Lodge
10. JAMES STRICKLIN JR, JASPER , TX TW HARDY JR, SILSBEE , TX 5 0 19.64 $1050.00 South # 5 05/16 - 05/16/ Choke Cnyn Calliham Pk
CONTINGENCY PRIZES
RICK SCOTT & ROY ELLISON, HEARNE , TX  $200 Sure-Life Bonus NORTH REGION
KEITH CAKA, HUNTSVILLE , TX & CHARLES BEBBER, WILLIS , TX $5000 Skeeter Bonus
tourn. date lake location
2009 north Region, RICHLAND CHAMBERS - February 14, 2009 North # 2 03/14 - 03/14 Cedar Creek Log Cabin
ANGLERS / HOMETOWN FISH BIG BASS WEIGHT WINNINGS
North # 3 04/25 - 04/25 Fork Lake Fork Marina
1. RICHARD DRAPER CYPRESS , TX PHIL MARKS, DALLAS , TX 5 9.82 29.88 $20000.00
North # 4 05/30 - 05/30 Lewisville Highland Vill
2. THOMAS HERMANN MANSFIELD , TX JOHN BYLER, SOUTHLAKE , TX 4 9.46 24.64 $3000.00
North # 5 06/27 - 06/27 Tawakoni TBA
3. LESLIE KENNEDY FORT WORTH , TX TREVOR ROMANS, PLANO , TX 5 0 22.92 $2000.00
4. SCOTTY WENZEL POINT , TX ROBERT CASE JR, POINT , TX 5 0 21.52 $1200.00
5. STEVE HOPE OVILLA , TX PHILLIP HOPE, KAUFMAN , TX 5 0 19.72 $1100.00 south REGION
6. RONNIE HAMBY PARADISE , TX MICHAEL MELLEN, ALVAREDO , TX 4 0 19.08 $1050.00 tourn. date lake location
7. JOHNNY GONZALEZ JR GRAPEVINE , TX DAN TREVINO JR, HURST , TX 5 0 18.88 $1040.00 South # 2 02/21 - 02/21 Amistad Diablo East
8. SHONN BLASSINGAME SUNSET , TX SHANE ELMORE, KENNEDALE , TX 5 0 17.66 $1030.00 South # 3 03/21 - 03/21 Choke Canyon Calliham PK
9. JAMES REEDY BOBBY BOYD 4 7.94 17.22 $1020.00 South # 4 04/18 - 04/18 Falcon Beacon Lodge
10. BJ GAMMONS LEWISVILLE , TX MIKE DOWDY, TRINIDAD , TX 5 0 17.18 $1010.00 South # 5 05/16 - 05/16 Choke Canyon Calliham Pk
CONTINGENCY PRIZES
RICHARD DRAPER, CYPRESS, TX & PHIL MARKS, DALLAS, TX $1000 Big Bass + $5000 Skeeter Bonus
SCOTTY WENZEL, POINT, TX & ROBERT CASE JR., POINT, TX $500 Fun-N-Sun Bonus Cash

2009 South Region, LAKE AMISTAD #1 - january 17, 2009

ANGLERS / HOMETOWN FISH BIG BASS WEIGHT WINNINGS
1. WAYLON BULLARD DEL RIO , TX KARLA BULLARD, DEL RIO , TX 5 6.64 22.62 $20000.00
2. RENE MEZA DEL RIO , TX JOSE JIMENEZ 5 0 22.18 $5000.00
3. SCOTT SAUNDERS UTOPIA , TX CODY JOHNSON ,SABINAL , TX 5 0 20.54 $3000.00
4. TOM EVANS YANTIS , TX CLAUDE SIDDLE, PARIS , TX 5 7.36 20.08 $2000.00
5. DERICK KUYRKENDALL BERGHEIM , TX FORREST WILSON, BULVERDE , TX 5 10.50 19.94 $1200.00
6. RANDALL KIRKES KILLEEN , TX DEAN ALEXANDER, FLORENCE , TX 5 0 19.38 $1090.00
7. BRIAN FLEMING JR SAN ANTONIO , TX MIKE FLEMING, NEW BRAUNFELS , TX 5 0 17.54 $1080.00
8. GRAN SHANDLEY LEAKEY , TX EARNEST HUMPHRIES 5 0 17.02 $1070.00
9. JW LACKEY KERRVILLE , TX DOUG BAKER, THREE RIVERS , TX 5 0 16.28 $1060.00
10. MIKE GRIMES GEORGETOWN , TX TRAVIS OWENS, GOOD HOPE , GA 5 0 16.06 $1050.00
CONTINGENCY PRIZES
WAYLON BULLARD, DEL RIO, TX & KARLA BULLARD, DEL RIO, TX $200 Sure-Life Live Release Bonus
DERICK KUYRKENDALL, BERGHEIM, TX & FOREREST WILSON BULVERDE, TX $1000 Big Bass + $2200 Skeeter Bonus + All Star Rod Bonus

18 Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009

 2009 TOURNAMENT TRAIL
1st Series East Texas Team Circuit, Sam rayburn - December 6, 2008
ANGLERS / HOMETOWN FISH BIG BASS WEIGHT WINNINGS
1 RANDALL, DONALD TAYLOR, DON 5 21.74 $15,000
2 HARVEY, DAVID WILSON, KRIS 5 20.92 $4,000 + $2,500 RANGER CUP
3 MILLENDER, RANDY NICHOLS, KENNETH 5 20.35 $2,000 + $1,000 RANGER CUP
4 DRAPER, RICHARD MARKS, PHIL 5 8.49 20.33 $1,300
5 JOHNSTON, STEPHEN ILES, DANNY 5 7.62 20.08 $1,100 + $500 RANGER CUP
6 BURGAY, STAN HUGHES, LANCE 5 19.92 $1,000
7 TIBBITTS, DOYLE SHIVERS, PETE 5 8.63 19.62 $1,000 + $1,000 BIG BASS
8 BEBBER, CHARLES CAKA, KEITH 5 19.10 $1,000
9 DOWDEN, EASON DOWDEN, BO 5 18.36 $1,000
10 TURNER, RANDY MCMULLEN, JERRY 5 18.22 $1,000 2009 tournament schedule
1st series, east texas team circuit
date lake / location
1st Series East TX Team Circuit, LK TOLEDO BEND / CYPRESS BEND PK - feb 7, 2009 03/07 SAM RAYBURN/UMPHREY FAMILY PAVILION
ANGLERS / HOMETOWN FISH BIG BASS WEIGHT WINNINGS 04/04 SAM RAYBURN/SAM RAYBURN MARINA
1 GLEASON, DAROLD SCHAMERHORN, CHRIS 5 8.71 28.74 $15,000 05/30 SAM RAYBURN/UMPHREY FAMILY PAVILION
2 CREEL, SAM JAMES, JOEL 5 6.46 24.78 $4,000
3 UPSHAW, ANDREW UPSHAW, LARRY 5 11.96 23.32 $2,000 + $1,000 BIG BASS 2nd series, east texas team circuit
4 REED, MATT DEAN, SCOTT 5 22.24 $1,300 date lake / location
5 JOHNSTON, STEPHEN ILES, DANNY 5 21.03 $1,100 + $2,500 + RANGER CUP
06/20 SAM RAYBURN/UMPHREY FAMILY PAVILION
6 SLAYDON, CHIP HYATT, BRANDON 5 19.81 $1,000
07/11 toledo bend/cypress bend park
7 CARMACK, BUTCH BELT, RICHARD 5 19.4 $1,000
08/08 SAM RAYBURN/UMPHREY FAMILY PAVILION
8 CRAIN, WILLIAM** LOFTIN, JOE 5 18.97 $1,000 + $1,000 + RANGER CUP
9 SALAMONE, JOHN GUY, RICKY 5 9.75 18.96 $1,000
10 BEBBER, CHARLES CAKA, KEITH 5 18.88 $1,000 conroe series, east texas team circuit
date lake / location
03/28 lake conroe/april plaza
06/20 lake conroe/april plaza
2009 Conroe Series, Lk Conroe, APRIL PLAZA MARINA - JANUARY 31, 2009 08/08 lake conroe/april plaza
ANGLERS / HOMETOWN FISH BIG BASS WEIGHT WINNINGS
1 GREGG, DONALD II GREGG, DONALD SR 5 10.21 27.34 $4,000 + $500 BIG BASS
2 SEWELL, BRIAN SEWELL, CHIP 5 21.66 $2,000
2009 team championship
3 VANN, JIMMIE FORTENBERRY, JIM 5 19.87 2$1,500 + $2,500 RANGER CUP september 19th & 20th
4 OGRODOWICZ, MATT 4 19.04 $1,100 + $1,000 RANGER CUP lake sam rayburn
5 BURNETT, RAY BURNETT, WESLEY 5 15.36 $1,000 + $500 RANGER CUP
6 MATTERN, PHILLIP HELMS, JAMES 4 15.32 $700
7 BANEY, ROBERT PARSONS, MIKE 5 15.06 $700
8 BEBBER, CHARLES CAKA, KEITH 5 15.01 $600
9 BONDS, JASON LAND, NORMAN 4 14.78 $600
10 SMITH, BOBBY NOWACK, SHANNON 3 13.49 $600

2009 Conroe Series, Lk Conroe - february 21, 2009

ANGLERS / HOMETOWN FISH BIG BASS WEIGHT WINNINGS
1 GREGG, DONALD II GREGG, DONALD SR 5 28.24 $4,000+$2,500 +$1,000 RNGR CUP, TIREMAX BNS
2 GUNTER, RANDY MUELLER, MICKY 5 8.11 27.12 $1,600
3 ADDISON, PHIL MURRAY, TONY 5 8.51 26.69 $1,200
4 HOOKER, MARK RIGBY, MATT 5 7.41 23.91 $1,000
5 CREIGHTON, BILLY MORGAN, DOUG 5 22.55 $900
6 BURNETT, RAY BURNETT, WESLEY 5 9.16 22.44 $600 + $1,000 RANGER CUP
7 SMITH, BOBBY NOWACK, SHANNON 5 22.40 $550
8 HARPER, JASON DORMAN, BRIAN 5 8.54 22.35 $500
9 THORNTON, JOHN TULLIS, MARK 5 8.6 20.72 $500 + $500 RANGER CUP
10 WILKERSON, CHRIS GAIA, ANDY 5 20.36 $500

Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009 19

 2009 TOURNAMENT TRAIL
2009 ABA Weekend Series, east texas- lake palestine - january 24, 2009
BOATER
ANGLERS HOMETOWN WEIGHT WINNINGS
1 Scott Dean Terrell, TX 21.6 $5,000
2 Russell Lee Ennis, TX 18.08 $1,398
3 Ryan Warren Gatesville, TX 15.97 $932
4 Bobby Jacobs Irving, TX 15.85 $653
5 Danny Wims Rockwall, TX 14.89 $559
6 Todd Pierce Tyler, TX 14.72 $843
7 Byron Albrecht Waco, TX 14.51 $466
8 Patrick Fuller Tyler, TX 14.12 $420
9 John Strong Hurst, TX 12.85 $373
10 Jeffrey Stevens Flower Mound, TX 12.59 $280
2009 ABA Weekend Series, east texas - Lake tyler - february 15, 2009
BOATER
ANGLERS HOMETOWN WEIGHT WINNINGS
1 Lamonte Loyd gilmer, TX 22.6 $5,000
2 Russell Lee Ennis, TX 17.99 $1,445
3 John Strong Hurst, TX 17.76 $963
4 Scott Dean Terrell, TX 16.54 $674
5 Chase Markum Paradise, TX 16.53 $928
6 Ryan Warren Gatesville, TX 14.49 $530
7 Tarrick Roque Cedar Hill, TX 14.37 $482
8 Mark Everett Tyler, TX 14.12 $434
9 Brad Morris Flint, TX 12.33 $385
10 Kenny Lively Grapeland, TX 11.93 $289
2009 ABA Weekend Series, s.e. texas - sam rayburn - february 8, 2009
BOATER
ANGLERS HOMETOWN WEIGHT WINNINGS
1 Rodney Gordon Silsbee, TX 21.12 $5,000
2 Phil Hennigan Center, TX 19.41 $1,715
3 Ricky Guy Humble, TX 18.88 $1,143
4 Leonard Price Houston, TX 18.63 $800
5 Roy Sanford Brookeland, TX 17.96 $686
6 Shane Williams Frierson, LA 17.01 $629
7 Tony Owens Athens, TX 16.68 $572
8 Keith Caka Huntsville, TX 16.35 $515
9 Clint Goodeaux Westlake, LA 16.32 $457
10 Ron Festavan Vivian, LA 16.02 $788
2009 ABA Weekend Series s.e. texas - toledo bend - march 1, 2009
BOATER
ANGLERS HOMETOWN WEIGHT WINNINGS
1 Clint Goodeaux Westlake, LA 18.03 $5,000
2 Aaron Johnson Bossier City, LA 15.57 $1,462
3 Phil Hennigan Center, TX 15.54 $975
4 Clayton Boulware Zavalla, TX 14.72 $634
5 Gene Stovall Bronson, TX 14.72 $634
6 Cary Talbot Hemphill, TX 14.18 $536
7 Bradley Stringer Huntington, TX 13.61 $487
8 Chad Wiley Pineville, LA 13.37 $439
9 Charles D. Newberry Houston, TX 13.36 $390
10 Ryan Pinkston Center, TX 13.06 $292
20
co angler
ANGLERS HOMETOWN WEIGHT WINNINGS
1 Kelly Ferguson Royce, TX 11.42 $1,372
2 Chase Florio Fort Worth, TX 8.55 $686
3 Tim Johnson Tyler, TX 7.68 $457
4 Bryson Bean Frankston, TX 6.76 $320
5 Gary Baldwin Longview, TX 6.13 $274
6 Jeffrey Everidge Alvaredo, TX 5.74 $252
7 Christ Stewart Weatherford, TX 5.22 $387
8 John Shinn Ben Wheeler 5.06 $206
9 Nathan Lintner Lewisville, TX 4.94 $183
10 Don Perryman Roanoke, TX 4.88 $137
co angler 2009 tournament schedule
ANGLERS HOMETOWN WEIGHT WINNINGS
east texas
1 Kevin Brown Kauffman, TX 10.92 $1,445
location date lake
2 Jason Prestridge Fort Worth, TX 10.65 $723
East Texas 03/21 Richland Chambers
3 Michael Fincannon Arlington, TX 8.83 $482
4 Scottie Owen Hamilton, TX 8.53 $337 East Texas 04/18 Cedar Creek
5 Dustin Thomas Terrell, TX 7.31 $289
6 Rick Parker Kauffman, TX 7.22 $265 southeast texas
7 Eliazar Zarate Irving, TX 7.21 $241 location date lake
8 Tim Johnson Tyler, TX 7.08 $217
SE Texas 03/15 Sam Rayburn
9 Nathan Lintner Lewisville, TX 7.01 $193
SE Texas 05/31 Toledo Bend
10 Charner Williams Bryan, TX 6.46 $145
co angler
ANGLERS HOMETOWN WEIGHT WINNINGS
1 Ronnie Gibson Huntsville, TX 13.19 $1,531
2 Robert MIKE Gray Conroe, TX 12.34 $766
3 Bill Ferguson Rowlett, TX 11.52 $510
4 Mike Burch Broaddus, TX 10.85 $357
5 Joey Brannon Benton, AR 10.31 $306
6 David Ozio Beaumont, TX 9.92 $281
7 Jacob Heath The Woodlands, TX 9.78 $255
8 Johnny Matthews Cleburne, TX 9.41 $23
9 Tansley Bynog Porter, TX 9.21 $204
10 Josh Guy Humble, TX 9.1 $153
American Bass Anglers, Inc
co angler
ANGLERS HOMETOWN WEIGHT WINNINGS
1 Ben Matsubu Hemphill, TX 8.48 $1,441
Athens, AL 35612
2 Lynn Stark Palestine, TX 8.2 $720
P.O. Box 475
3 Brett Brandstrom Stillwater, MN 8.17 $480
4 Joshua Kirkpatrick Woodville, TX 8.03 $336
5 Denny Parrott Houston, TX 7.99 $288
6 Anthony Phillip Spring, TX 7.76 $264
7 Larry Weppler Houston, TX 7.71 $240
8 Robert MIKE Gray Conroe, TX 7.68 $216
9 Bryan K Smith Carthage, TX 7.57 $192
10 Jamie Narramore Lavaca,AR 7.36 $144
Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009
 2009 TOURNAMENT TRAIL
2009 stren series, Falcon Lake - january 15-17, 2009
ANGLERS / HOMETOWN FISH WEIGHT WINNINGS
1 JOE DON SETINA PITTSBURG, TX 15 92-02 $25,000
2 RICHARD CATHEY SAN ANTONIO, TX 15 90-13 $10000
3 CHARLES HARALSON LAREDO, TX 15 89-12 $8000
4 JERRY GREEN CULLMAN, AL 15 86-11 $7000
5 DAN SCHOONVELD MANSURA, LA 13 81-09 $6000
6 RAY HANSELMAN DEL RIO, TX 15 77-02 $5500
7 JAMES STRICKLIN JR JASPER, TX 15 71-06 $5000
8 DICKY NEWBERRY HOUSTON, TX 13 66-04 $4500
9 LARRY PEACHER BENTLEY, LA 15 66-03 $4000
10 JESSE WEST STRANDQUIST, MN 10 50-01 $3500
11 KEITH COMBS DEL RIO, TX $3000
12 THANH LE LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ $3000
13 ROBERT A MCFARLANE SAN ANTONIO, TX $3000
14 CHRISTOPHER BRASHER SPRING, TX $3000
15 CHARLES (BUBBA HARALSON DEL RIO, TX $3000
2009 tournament schedule
16 TODD CARNES COLLEGE STATION, TX $2500
17 GARY VINING MORGAN CITY, LA $2500
2009 stren series,
18 TIM RENEAU DEL RIO, TX $2500
19 TERRY ROSE EASTLAND, TX $2500 UPCOMING EVENTS
20 TOBY HARTSELL LIVINGSTON, TX $2500 LOCATION DAYS
21 ZACK BULL GERMANTOWN, TN $2000 Sam Rayburn 3/19/09 - 3/21/09
22 STEPHEN JOHNSTON HEMPHILL, TX $2000 Lake Amistad 5/21/09 - 5/23/09
23 CRAIG MOORE MONAHANS, TX $2000 Toledo Bend 10/15/09 - 10/17/09
24 ROBERT ROBINSON MOBILE, AL $2000
25 RONNIE BICKHAM NEW BOSTON, TX $2000
26 RAY STAGNER EDMOND, OK $1,500
27 SHAWN JOHNSON SAN ANTONIO, TX $1,500
28 ROBERT COLLETT ZAPATA, TX $1,500
29 MARVIN ETTREDGE SHREVEPORT, LA $1,500
30 PATRICK FULLER TYLER, TX $1,500
31 MATTHEW SCOGIN MONTGOMERY, TX $1,250
32 CODY MALONE MORGAN, TX $1,250
33 JOE BROWER JENKS, OK $1,250
34 JEREMY GUIDRY OPELOUSAS, LA $1,250
35 ROBERT CASE POINT, TX $1,250
36 BARRY SMITH PALO PINTO, TX $1,250
37 JUSTIN HAYNES TULSA, OK $1,250
38 TOMMY DICKERSON ORANGE, TX $1,250
39 TODD CASTLEDINE NACOGDOCHES, TX $1,250 Joe Don Setina of Pittsburg, Texas
40 ERIC AMBORT MABELVALE, AR $1,250
with a three day total weight of
41 GENE ROBERTSON ARDMORE, OK $1,000
42 CRAIG WORKMAN FORT WORTH, TX $1,000
92-2 caputers the first event on the
43 JAMES CARPER WRIGHT CITY, OK $1,000 FLW Stren Series Texas Division.
44 THERON CALDWELL COLLEYVILLE, TX $1,000 Setina used a combination of two
45 TIMOTHY GRIFFIN ZAPATA, TX $1,000 technequies to find the fish that
CONTINGENCY PRIZES put him in the lead on the final
 JOE DON SETINA - PITTSBURG, TX - Ranger Boat, Motor, Trailer day. The first technique of fishing
big bass award - professional flooded roadbeds combined with
ANGLERS / HOMETOWN DAY WEIGHT WINNINGS finding the creek channel proved to
RICHARD CREMO 1 9-11 $ 450 be a winning combination. Setina
DAN SCHOONVELD 2 11-05 $ 450
mainly used a ¾ ounce jig to har-
Big Bass Award - Co-Angler vest fish that were staging to spawn.
ANGLERS / HOMETOWN DAY WEIGHT WINNINGS
KENNETH WILSON 1 10-04 $ 225
ALLEN BALLARD 2 8-15 $ 225

Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009 21

 2009 TOURNAMENT TRAIL
2009 COLLEGE series, Falcon Lake - january 15-17, 2009
COLLEGE TEAM NAME FISH WEIGHT COLLEGE BASS CLUB
1 TARLETON STATE TEXAS JOHN ANDERSON & TANNER MORGAN 5 29-13 $5,000 $5,000
2 UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA CODY MCCRARY & NEIL ARNAUD 6 25-05 $2,500 $2,500
3 LAMAR UNIVERSITY MATT MORRISON & DANNY ILES 6 24-06 $2,000 $2,000
4 UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS BOBBY FREY & BILL WALDSCHMIDT 6 22-10 $1,500 $1,500
5 LSU JOEL JACKSON & LOGAN MOUNT 6 21-13 $1,000 $1,000
6 NORTHWESTERN STATE ZACK GAGNARD & JEFFREY RICH 4 18-08
7 TEXAS A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI ZACHARY WILMETH & JAKE THOMPSON 3 18-07
8 TEXAS A&M PAUL MANLEY & ANDREW SHAFER 6 18-06
9 UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS TRAVIS LEDGER & NATHAN RICHARDSON 3 16-00
10 LAMAR UNIVERSITY JUSTIN KIRKPATRICK & JOSH KIRKPATRICK 3 15-04
11 TEXAS A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI JACOB HEATH & KENNEDY SCHWARTZBURG 4 15-01
12 LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY JAROD BRANTLEY & AARON ROGILLIO 3 14-14
13 LSU SHREVEPORT ZACH CAUDLE & JOE LANDRY 6 14-10
14 TEXAS A&M AT GALVESTON ANDREW SCHWEITZER & CAMERON HELM 3 13-03
15 TEXAS A & M-KINGSVILLE DANIEL BROCK & JEROD HAWKES 3 12-14
16 LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY COLTON CARPENTER & BROCK BRUNSON 5 12-1
17 TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY DEVIN KENT & EMILI BROYLES 3 11-15
18 TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY JAY MCCOLLUM & DAVID COSNER 4 11-10
19 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS YOSUKE TOMA & BRANDON DICKENSON 3 11-06
20 LSU BLAKE CARRIER & CALEB WATKINS 2 10-06
21 TEXAS A&M AT GALVESTON ANTHONY REED & BARBARA MILLER 2 10-01
22 ANGELO STATE AUDWIN HALL & WES SMITH 3 9-06
23 LSU TRAVIS LAURENT & TJ GOODWYN 3 9-03
24 LSU ROBERT OWEN & TIMOTHY MORRIS 3 8-08
25 CENTRAL OKLAHOMA DUSTIN EDWARDS & STEFAN HOLLIS 1 8-00

2009 upcoming EVENT SCHEDULE - TEXAS DIVISION

event marina city/state dates entry date final entry
Sam Rayburn The Umphrey Family Pavilion Jasper, TX 03-21-2009 11-10-2008 03-06-2009
Lake Amistad Lake Amistad Marina (East Diablo Launch Ramp) Del Rio, TX 05-23-2009 11-10-2008 05-08-2009
Toledo Bend Cypress Bend ParkMany, LA many lakes, tx 10-17-2009 11-10-2008 10-02-2009

ZAPATA, Texas - The Tarleton State University team of John Anderson and Tanner Morgan, both of Stephenville, Texas, won the inaugural Na-
tional Guard FLW College Fishing Texas Division tournament on Falcon Lake Saturday with a five-bass catch weighing 29 pounds, 13 ounces. The
victory earned the team a $5,000 college scholarship as well as a $5,000 club college scholarship.

Full-time students enrolled in four year colleges or universities are eligible to participate in the events. Schools in each division can send two-
person teams to each of the four qualifying events in their division, with each event limited to a maximum of 40 teams. Each team will have an
opportunity to win $10,000 for first and $2,000 through fifth place. The prize money will be split evenly between the winning team’s club and the
school they represent. The tournaments are free to enter, boats and drivers will be provided and all collegiate teams will receive a travel allowance.
The top five teams in each of the qualifying events will advance to one of five televised three-day FLW National Guard Regional Championships.

22 Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009

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Reservations: 409-698-2696 Zapata, TX 78076
Business: 409-698-9727 956-765-1442
www.samrayburnmarinaresort.com www.robertsfishntackle.com

Texas Bass Fishing Magazine | Spring 2009 23

 LAkE CONrOE, TExAs
October 16 - 18, 2009

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Kids 17 and Under Admitted Free