Oklahoma Bass Federation – Page 11 – YOUTH-CONSERVATION-FISHING

ZACHARY AND LANDRY LEAD WAY IN FIRST 2015 SQT

The first Oklahoma Bass Federation state qualifying tournament was held on Lake Texoma, March 22 and 23. Although the usually wind torn lake was anything but windy. The water temperature was almost ideal but with the ever changing weather conditions the fish were not as accommodating. Many of the anglers were hoping for at least a simple bite and hopefully a keeper fish on the other end of the line. It has been 43 years since our first State Tournament which was held on Texoma and this was the lowest catch per angler on record.

Day 1

Although the conditions were tough Mike Zachary, last years State Champion, brought in a limit weighing 25.38 pounds with a 8.92 lunker. The only other limit on day one was Brandon Moss with a second place finish at 15.24. Brandon was followed by Kyle Tudor with 3 fish weighing 13.13. Josh Landry make a good choice during the pairings meeting by agreeing to go as a non-boater so fellow club member, Brandon Moss, could take his boat. Fishing with Mike Zachary, the result was a 2 fish creel, however, one was 9.38 to take big bass honors for Day one and a fourth place finish with 12.77. There were 11 more anglers that boated 2 fish and those results are in the Day 1 summary. Continue reading

Zachary Comes Out on Top in the First Two Days of Qualifiers

By Marisa Dye
Changing weather conditions threw some anglers for a loop at the Oklahoma Bass Federation Qualifier on Lake Texoma March 29th and 30th. Others fished well, including some of those new to OBF this year. Among state clubs in The Bass Federation (TBF), Oklahoma was second in the nation in the percent increase in new members this year, according to OBF President Don Linder.

Saturday

Low lake levels made for some unusual hauls for some anglers on Saturday. Stewart Ryan of the Ada club had a big haul, but it was the wrong kind: a t-shirt, a marina trolly, and several stripers were among his findings, according to his partner for the day, Brian Browning of the Bedlam Bass Club.

Ryan’s luck wasn’t any better at weigh-in when he discovered his 18-year-old son Wyatt Ryan out-fished him. Wyatt, a student at East Central University and member of the East Central Fishing Team, fished in his first tournament at age 12. Wyatt Ryan weighed in four keepers totaling 10.53 lbs. Saturday to his dad’s one keeper. He said he used a crank bait to catch them, “like father like son,” he added, grinning. Continue reading

Top 6 Info – Sept 26-28

The OBF top Six will be held out of Sisemore Landing on Tenkeiller lake, September 28 and 29. Practice is 26 and 27th with the lake off-limits starting at dark on Sunday, September 22.

Headquarters will be the Tenkiller Lodge only about 7 miles from three or four ramps on the west side of the lake. Since we trailer, this is as neutral as we could find for easy access. Pettit Bay is on the north end Sisemore Landing a little south, Burnt Cabin at mid-lake and Strayhorn Landing at the Dam.

We have an agreed price of $59.95 for a room with two Queen Beds. You need to tell them that you are with the Oklahoma Bass Federation. Phone number is 918-453-9000.

All meetings, the Board meeting at 5 pm on Friday, September 27, and the briefing/rules meeting will be at 6:30 pm following the Board meeting at the Tenkiller Lodge.

If you have questions give me a call on 580-761-8094.

Don

Stewart Ryan Tops in State for 2nd Year in a Row

By Marisa Dye
Some hard lessons were learned and some personal records made at the final Oklahoma Bass Federation Qualifier. The competitors experienced numerous ups and downs during the tournament at Lake Ray Roberts near Sanger, Texas.

Saturday’s Boat Woes

The biggest news Saturday wasn’t the fish, but the boats. Two boats took on water and a third, Gene Vogt’s, spun a hub after prop chopping through a stump field. Justin Clark of the Bedlam Bass Club ran out of fuel, apparently smack dab in the middle of the lake near the dam, according to partner Jake Beam of Ponca City Bassmasters.
Clark had caught a four-fish stringer that, had he weighed them in, might have taken thetop spot on Saturday. However, things weren’t going as planned as they started taking on water due to the 4-5 foot waves.

Meanwhile, Curtis Bryan of the Bedlam Bass Club heard that Gene Vogt and non-boater Ian McNeice were stranded, so he picked them up and brought them to weigh in. Then, as word got out about Clark and Beam’s predicament, Bryan high-tailed it in their direction. The local park ranger heard of the sinking boat and hauled her big boat to the scene soon after.
Bryan said that while he was headed toward Clark’s boat, he “speared a wave and got soaked head to toe.” He said that while both bilge pumps in his Ranger were working, theyapparently got a workout once he tied onto Clark’s boat. The drag from Clark’s Hawk pulled down the back of Bryan’s boat so that water from the waves splashed all the way up into the seats. Mike Zachary, who was with Bryan, suggested that since the park ranger had pulled up in her boat, they should cut ties and save themselves.
Beam, in the boat being towed, said, “When most of his (Bryan’s) boat’s deck was dark grey instead of light grey, I knew it was bad. I wasn’t scared until we had to level the boat with our own weight up by the trolling motor to keep it from sinking. It was scary.”
Finally, after a big wave that had Bryan and Zachary up to their necks in water, Zachary cut the rope. The Ranger’s bilge pumps were getting clogged with muck, but it stayed true to the legendary promise that Rangers keep upright level floatation. However, Bryan echoed Beam’s sentiments: “I got a little bit concerned.”
Once safely on dry land, Zachary exclaimed, “I’ve got drama. Tomorrow’s do or die for me.” Zachary’s worries were put to rest Sunday when he did make the state team. He added about his experience on Bryan’s rescue boat while it towed Clark’s boat, “I was spooked. You go up and go down the waves, but there’s not enough boat for the next wave.”
Saturday’s Results
Thankfully, no boats or boaters were lost on Saturday. Though no one caught a limit, John Becerra of The Bedlam Bass Club weighed in three fish totaling 7.93 lbs. Stewart Ryan of Ada Bassmasters took 2nd with three fish weighing 8.17 pounds.
Ryan’s club mate, Brandon Beck, came out on top with 12.62 lbs for 3 fish. He was penalized a half-pound deduction for his 4th fish, which was dead.

The anglers were glad to put Saturday’s fishing behind them as they aired out their soaked drawers in preparation for Day 2.
Sunday’s Results
Day 2’s sunny skies were a welcome change for the fishermen. The curse of the broken boats lifted for the day, so everyone was able to arrive on time and mostly dry for weigh-in. Four anglers even caught a limit, which was no small feat considering Saturday’s numbers.
Mike Zachary of Ada Bassmasters took third place with four fish weighing 15.07 pounds total. Bedlam Bass Club member Matt Crawford’s limit totaled 17.12 lbs. Darrel Dye was Sunday’s big winner with a personal record (as well as the day’s Big Bass) hog weighing 8.25 pounds, which he caught while rigging. His four-fish stringer of 18.73 pounds also won him the biggest stringer of the weekend prize.
State Team Roster Named
OBF President Don Linder announced the results of the combined points from three weekend qualifiers over the past three months. The anglers and point totals he announced are as follows: