Team disqualified from Championship tournament

The second-place team in this week’s Bassmaster Team Championship on Lake DeGray, Arkansas, has been disqualified, Jon Stewart, tournament director for the event, announced today.

BISMARCK, Ark. — The second-place team in this week’s Bassmaster Team Championship on Lake DeGray, Arkansas, has been disqualified, Jon Stewart, tournament director for the event, announced today.

Stewart said the team of Brandon Gladish and Aaric Correll of Indiana was disqualified for violation of Rule C7, which covers tackle and equipment.

The rule states, “Any umbrella-type rigging, harness, or other device designed to hold more than one lure at a time – with or without hooks – is not allowed. Such rigging, harness, or device cannot be added to a single lure as described above. Traditional twin arm spinnerbaits or buzzbaits are allowed. Trailer hooks and plastic trailers must be on the main hook of the bait; only spinner blades can be affixed to the arms. The head on the main stem may be hinged. On these spinnerbaits or buzzbaits, no more than two wires, with a maximum length of 6 inches, may extend off the main arm or body of the lure. The ‘head and hook’ portion of the lure must trail behind the blade or blades. B.A.S.S. officials have the sole authority to determine whether a lure is considered a single lure as defined above.”

The team of Brandon Gray and Todd Massey of North Carolina moved into second place, and the fourth-place team of Jon Griffith and John Stewart Jr. of Arizona moved to third.

Members of the top three teams — including champions Flannagan Fife and Royce Davis of Arkansas — are competing individually today and Saturday on DeGray. The top angler after Saturday’s weigh-in will earn the right to compete in the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic.