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Eastern Kentucky
University Wins Inaugural BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Open
(June 29, 2010) Kentucky Lake
lived up to its reputation of being one of the best summertime bass
lakes in the nation when collegiate anglers from across the country
showcased their fishing skills during the BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass
Fishing Open presented by Pepsi held on June 24 & 25. In fact, the
only thing hotter than the weather was the bass fishing.
The unique tournament format allowed the participating universities
to enter as many teams as they could. Each team consisted of up to 3
boats and 6 anglers. The full field competed both days and the
winners were determined by the combined weight of each team's two
heaviest boat weights each day. For clubs that were only able to
enter 1 boat, the single boat weight was doubled each day.
After claiming the day one lead with 43.84 pounds, the Nebraska
Cornhuskers struggled on day two with zero weight as a result of
tough luck, mechanical issues and returning late for check-in at the
end of the day.
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), who sat in fourth place after day
one with 40.42 pounds, took full advantage of the opportunity
presented by the Nebraska team and secured victory with a day two
weight of 47.98 giving the team a total of 88.40 pounds. In addition
to winning the first place scholarship money and Cabela's gift card,
the team also won the Cabela's Angler Cash award.
"It really means a lot to be a member of the winning team at this
event after missing out on the opportunity to compete in the BoatU.S.
Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship in May due to an accidental
rule violation during the off-limits period," said Kyle Raymer of
EKU. "After having boat trouble the first day we just thought, if
it's meant to be it's meant to be; and it obviously was."
The team reported that all of their fish were caught from ledges
located at the mouths of three different bays. Their two best baits
were a ¾ ounce gator craw Strike King football jig rigged with a
Rage Craw trailer and a 3/8 ounce Texas rigged Anaconda plum worm.
Starting day two in fifth place with 39.30 pounds, Southeast
Missouri State University (SEMO) moved up three places on the
strength of their day two weight of 45.96 to finish in second place
with a two day total of 85.26 pounds. Team member Tim Randell
commented "I made the decision to attend SEMO over Missouri State
because of the fact that they had an active bass team." When asked
how the team caught their fish, Randell explained "We caught all of
them using Carolina rigged green pumpkin Critter Craws and big
purple worms that were Texas rigged with a ½ ounce weight. Our key
spot was a creek channel ledge that featured a shell bed and gravel
bar."
University of Tennessee started the day in eighth place with 37.64
pounds and rallied to finish third overall with a two day total
weight of 83.84. Their day two total of 46.20 pounds was anchored by
a 7.11 lb. big bass which was the largest of the tournament, earning
the team the Costa and Abu Garcia big bass awards.
Brad Cooper explained that the University of Tennessee team
concentrated on main river ledges that featured shell beds. "Our
best spot was where a creek channel intersected the main river
channel creating two underwater points with shell beds on them." The
teammates did most of their damage using Texas and Carolina rigged
tequila sunrise Ol Monster worms.
Rounding out the top 10 is:
4th Murray State Univ. (2) 82.10
5th Univ. of Tennessee-Chattanooga 79.12
6th Murray State Univ. (1) 73.76
7th Austin Peay State Univ. 71.59
8th Indiana University 71.58
9th Tennessee Tech Univ. 69.10
10th Bethel University 66.26
A total of $15,000 in scholarships and merchandise awards provided
by Cabela's, Costa, Columbia Sportswear, Pure Fishing, Sperry
Top-Sider and Lazer Trokar were awarded to the top 10 teams.
The BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Open presented by Pepsi is
sanctioned by the Association of Collegiate Anglers and will be
televised on Versus by Careco Mulitmedia beginning in August of
2010. The weekly television series will showcase all of the 2010
BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series events.
For complete standings,
click here.
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