The B.A.S.S. Federation Nation is always wrought with interesting stories because it’s made of thousands of interesting people — B.A.S.S.’s most faithful advocates, great bass anglers and tireless stewards of their community. This year was no exception. Here are the most noteworthy moments of the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation in 2011.
11. North Carolina stages a comeback
The North Carolina state team came from behind at the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Southern Divisional presented by Yamaha and Skeeter to capture a win at the last minute. Fishing in memory of teammate Alan Foster, who had died a few months earlier, the team won in stormy weather by 7 ounces over Alabama.
10. Tanner Boday wins by an ounce
At the Junior Bassmaster Western Divisional on New Mexico’s Navajo Lake, Tanner Boday, 13, caught two keepers by fishing rock cracks. His two bass weighed 3-8, which was just enough to edge out competitor Josh Villa with 3-7. Boday went on to compete in the Bassmaster Junior World Championship.
9. Connecticut defeats the lead ban bill
David Santos, Connecticut B.A.S.S. Federation Nation conservation director, and other members of the Connecticut chapter petitioned the state legislature to drop S.B. 59, which would have placed a statewide ban on the use of lead fishing tackle. Santos testified at the state hearing, and members and other volunteers sent hundreds of e-mails. The bill was rendered dead in March.
8. Members render aid in Joplin
The tornado damage in and around Joplin, Mo., as well as multiple areas in northern Alabama, prompted B.A.S.S. Federation Nation members to act. BFN staff members (pictured) helped residents clean up around homes; members of Benton County MOBASS raised more than $3,600 through a cookout; and Backlashers Bass Club and KC Junior Bassmasters handed out more than 400 rod-and-reel combos to storm victims.
7. Schomaker wins back-to-back
Henry Schomaker of the New River Junior Bassmasters weighed in four bass that totaled 3 pounds, 11 ounces at the Junior Bassmaster Mid-Atlantic Divisional to win for the second year in a row. The teenager advanced to the 2011 Bassmaster Junior World Championship.
6. Wisconsin reverses no-culling law
Dan Brovarney, the Wisconsin B.A.S.S. Federation Nation legislative director, was instrumental in getting Wisconsin to pass Rep. Joel Kleefisch’s bill, which allowed tournament anglers to cull their catch. Consequently, Wisconsin will host a B.A.S.S. tournament in June 2012. Brovarney is shown at the center, with Kleefisch at left and Don’s son, Max, at right.
5. Connecticut wins divisional again
The Connecticut state team won the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Eastern Divisional presented by Yamaha and Skeeter for the fourth time in five years. It was a substantial victory; Connecticut caught 470 pounds, 10 ounces on Lake Champlain, nearly 80 pounds heavier than its closest rival, New Hampshire.
4. James Graves wins JWC by a landslide
James Graves III, a member of the Orange County High School Anglers in Virginia, won the 2011 Bassmaster Junior World Championship with 5 pounds 12 ounces, more than twice as much as his competitors. Graves targeted the Louisiana bayou’s cypress trees with a shaky head to proclaim victory.
3. Spain joins the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation
Spain became the second European country to join the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, behind Italy. Lincoln Laborda (left) and Xavier Gonzalez-Mestre (right) have stepped up to lead the fledgling chapter. Don Corkran (center), director of the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, said Spain has some of Europe’s best bass fishing.
2. Kerchal is remembered on stage
Brandon Palaniuk caused a stir in the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation when he won the championship in 2010, but he really brought the house down when he remembered Bryan Kerchal on the 2011 Bassmaster Classic stage. In Kerchal’s memory, Palaniuk blew the 1994 Bassmaster Classic winner’s famous fish whistle.
1. Pierce narrowly misses a trip to the Classic
Everyone has that “one that got away” story. Mark Pierce felt the sting at the 2011 B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship presented by Yamaha and Skeeter, when he came in second to winner Jamie Horton. He caught more than 30 pounds of bass during the competition, and others with far less weight proceeded to the 2012 Bassmaster Classic, but Pierce is in the Southern Division, which meant his only competition was Horton.
