A new format for the B.A.S.S. Nation unveiled a new path to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic on Sunday.
This year, the nonboater winner after two days of the 2016 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors got more than a boat. He advanced to a final-day showdown against the top 10 boaters on Lake Conroe.
Ryan Lavigne of Gonzales, La., was the guy who blazed that trail. He found a productive hump that produced 22 pounds, 12 ounces on Friday and earned him the nonboater title. After a day postponed by wind, Lavigne humped it again for 24 pounds and the overall crown. His total prize package for taking both trophies could top $131,820.
“That’s uh. … that’s definitely a life-changer right there,” he said. “I still don’t know what to say. All I can do is thank God.”
Probably for guiding him to that special spot that helped him lap the field by more than 16 pounds with his 58-3 total.
“Honestly, Monday (in practice) I idled over this deal and turned around, made a cast and caught one about 16 inches,” he said. “Never thought it was what it was, but Friday it just blew me away. Today, man, if you all could see some of that GoPro footage, it was pretty sweet.”
Sweet, indeed. A crowd of his family and friends drove the five hours to be there, and he held daughter Lilly on stage in one arm and his best fish in the other as he awaited his second major trophy of the week.
Other stuff Lavigne won includes entry fees to any Open circuit, the use of a Toyota truck and Phoenix boat all next year for any tournaments. And, last but not least, he has a $16,000 down payment waiting for him if he decides to accept the Elite Series invitation that goes to the winner.
NOT LACKING IN CONFIDENCE?
Nation tournament director Jon Stewart relayed a story on stage showing that he believed Lavigne was pretty confident of his chances in the two-day nonboater event.
“I think you knew you had a shot,” Stewart said. “You called me or texted me a couple weeks ago, ‘If I win that nonboater side, can I use my boat the final day?’”
Lavigne quickly corrected him, showing he wasn’t that cocky.
“I think the exact wording was, ‘Can the nonboater winner use their boat?” he said, wanting to bring his to Texas just in case. “I knew a nonboater had to go, and if it was me, I wanted my own equipment here.”
After that, Stewart asked Lavigne probably the most important question to his entourage: “Is there going to be a party tonight?”
“I’m pretty sure,” Lavigne said to loud cheering, hoots and hollers.
WANTING ANOTHER CRACK AT MEAN FISH
In years past, there were six Nation qualifiers to the Classic, one each from regions. That was cut to three qualifiers this year, and it didn’t have to be one each from the new divisions, Eastern, Central and Western.
Joining Lavigne, who hails from the Central, in the Classic will be Darrell Ocamica of Idaho and Timothy Klinger of Nevada, both from the Western. Ocamica had his children on stage Sunday as he quickly made the hot seat with the day’s second-biggest bag. Then Klinger climbed up to finish third and set the three who will return to Conroe in four months.
Klinger said he was happy to get another chance at the famed fishery’s lunkers.
“I’m fired up,” he said. “I want to come back here and get even with these fish. I couldn’t figure out if I needed to flip 25-pound fluorocarbon or 40-pound braid, or 60-pound braid. I’d bend hooks, break the braid, break the 25-pound. It was just crazy. These big, old fish are just mean.”
AND THEN THERE WAS ONE
Only one more angler will qualify for the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic present by GoPro, which will be on Lake Conroe March 24-26. The final berth into the 52-man field will be awarded at the Toyota Bonus Bucks Team Championship, Nov. 30-Dec. 3 on Kentucky Lake out of Paris, Tenn.
THARP’S BEST CATCH 23 YEARS AGO
Last week, Randall Tharp ventured out into the Gulf of Mexico and reeled in the huge goliath grouper above (on the left). Almost a half year ago now, he landed the winning fish in the Norfork/Bull Shoals Elite, his fourth B.A.S.S. title with three Opens.
But his greatest catch, no doubt, is wife, Sara, (she’s on the right) and just days before the goliath they celebrated 23 years of marriage. Congratulations!
GOVERNMENT TO QUANTIFY OUTDOOR ECONOMY
As legislators returned to Washington, the House passed a bill that could benefit the outdoors, including recreational boating. The Outdoor REC Act would quantify the true size of the outdoor economy, which is estimated at 6 million jobs and $646 billion in economic activity.
The Senate’s companion bill is out of committee and ready for a full vote in hopes of getting to President Obama’s desk before the holidays. Once signed, the outdoor industry, which generates $80 billion in taxes, should have greater influence over federal and local recreation policy and business decisions, the Outdoor Industry Association asserts.
FISH QUOTATIONS
“There is certainly something in angling that tends to produce a serenity of the mind.” — Washington Irving
“Somebody just back of you while you are fishing is as bad as someone looking over your shoulder while you write a letter to your girl.” — Ernest Hemingway