For the past several months, states have been sending their best teams to Bassmaster Federation Nation Divisionals, where the top competitor for each state has earned an invitation to fish in the 2012 Cabela’s Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship. Now, Oct. 25-27 on Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Ala., these 56 anglers will compete to be the best in their division. The top angler from each division advances to the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.
Shane Baertsch won the 2012 Cabela’s Bassmaster Federation Nation Western Divisional in May and will represent Montana in the championship. He’s a railroad foreman for Montana Rail Link, and he fishes with the Big Sky Bassers. He enjoys hunting, hiking and spending time with friends and family.
Brent Boyette, a farmer in North Carolina, will represent his state in the Southern division. The Five County Bassmasters angler enjoys hunting, playing golf and spending time with his wife and kids. He’s sponsored by his club, his chapter, his farming operation and his wife, Terrie.
Andy Bravence, a member of the Del Norte Bass Anglers, will be fishing for Arizona in the Western division of the championship. The underground mine superintendent is competing in his third championship. He is sponsored by M&S Marine, Bellamak Realty and Team Lynette.
Marco Cambi is traveling all the way from Firenze, Italy, to represent his country in the championship. He’s a member of the Fish Busters, and this is his second championship. He likes soccer and bicycling, and he’s sponsored by Molix, OMTD, Fioretto Roads, Pro Boats and LaPeche.IT. He’s competing in the Northern division.
Jonathan Carter won the 2012 Cabela’s Bassmaster Federation Nation Eastern Divisional just last month, and he’ll be representing his home state of Maine in the championship. He’s a first-grade teacher and a member of Full Throttle Bassin’ Club. For fun, he travels and visits friends and family.
Tony Choe qualified for the championship by winning Angler of the Year honors on the Paralyzed Veterans of America tournament trail. He works as a computer specialist in Virginia. He's fishing in back-to-back Federation Nation championships. Choe will compete in the Mid-Atlantic division representing his multiple sponsors, including PVA, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Tracker Marine, Bass Pro Shops and Bruno. For fun, Choe participates in wheelchair tennis and wheelchair road racing.
Albert Collins of Texas will represent his state in the Central division at the championship. It will be his second championship. He fishes for Nacogdoches Bass and is a plumber. Collins has six kids, and when he has time, he hunts. His sponsors are 6th Sense Lures, E2 Bait Co., Jones Custom Rods and Eastex Hydraulics and Auto.
Jose Manuel Concha Castellanos is representing Mexico in the Central division. Concha is an engineer by trade, and for fun, he golfs and spends time with his family. This championship will be Concha’s first.
Greg Cooper, a member of the Mark Twain Bassmasters, will represent Missouri in the Central division of the championship. He owns an insurance agency, and in his spare time, he enjoys hunting, being a grandfather and rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals. His sponsors are LaRue Insurance Agency, the Missouri B.A.S.S. Federation Nation and Ardent Reels.
Bryant Copley is fresh off his come-from-behind win at the 2012 Cabela’s Bassmaster Federation Nation Mid-Atlantic Divisional. The Lynchburg Bassmasters member will represent Virginia in the championship. He’s a collector of Fred Arbogast Jitterbugs, and when he’s not working as a salesman for a welding company, you can find him riding his Harley.
Edward Cox III is a member of the Goose Creek Bass Club in South Carolina. The business owner enjoys hunting and raising his two boys. He’s sponsored by Business Systems of South Carolina. He’s fishing in his first championship and will compete in the Southern division.
George Crain has been to the championship before, won his division and moved on to the Classic! He’s hoping for a repeat performance this year. He’s a member of the Shoal Creek Bass Chasers in Alabama, competing in the Southern division. The retired firefighter travels and does yard work in his spare time. His sponsors are Skeeter, Power-Pole and NetBait.
Pieter de Beer is one of the international contenders in this year’s championship, hailing from Limpopo, South Africa, and fishing in the Southern division. The Witbank Bassmasters member enjoys photography and hunting. He’s a project engineering manager, and he lists El Grande Lures and Kistler Z-Bone Custom Rods as his sponsors.
Darin Doll is an electrical estimator/project manager by trade, but in his spare time, he enjoys helping others with nutrition and fitness. He’s a member of the York County Bassmasters and will be representing Pennsylvania in the Mid-Atlantic division of the championship. Doll is sponsored by B&J Marine and Susquehanna Fishing Tackle.
Mark Dove is a member of the Shallow-Minded Anglers, and he’ll represent his home state of Indiana at the championship in the Northern division. The criminal defense attorney has competed in the championship before, and a top performance there sent him to the 1997 Bassmaster Classic. He’s sponsored by several companies, including Brovarney Baits, G.Loomis and Solar Bat.
Tim Dycus of Arkansas is a member of the Stuttgart Bass Club. He’s a material manager by trade and spends his free time in a deer stand. Dycus is sponsored by several companies, including Nixon Guide Service, Humminbird and Deep South Fishing Rods. He’s fishing in the Central division.
Brady Farrell of Wisconsin will represent his state in the Northern division. He fishes with the Lake Wisconsin Lunkers. He’s a mechanical contractor, and in his spare time, he bow hunts for deer, reads and goes bowling. Farrell is sponsored by several companies, including Ranger Boats, Brovarney Swim Jigs and H&H Industries.
Robby Fleshman is a member of the New River Bassmasters in West Virginia. The riverfront supervisor for a towboat company will be representing his state in the Mid-Atlantic division. His sponsors are Wright’s Riverside Marine and the West Virginia B.A.S.S. Federation Nation.
Preston Frazell, a member of the Last Cast Bassmasters in Kansas, is a metal foundry and industrial supply salesman. He’ll be representing his state in the Central division. He enjoys hunting, play golf and wake surfing. His sponsors include Mesu Bait Co., Legend Boats, Kansas B.A.S.S. Federation Nation and Solar Bat Sunglasses.
Bill Golightly is competing in his fourth Cabela's Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship this year. The Cache Valley Bassmasters member has been to the Western divisional a full 11 times! He’s a resident of Idaho but qualified this year through Wyoming. Golightly enjoys hunting when he’s not working for himself, doing flood and fire restoration. He’s sponsored by Golightly Restoration, Cowboy B.A.S.S., Navionics and Dry Creek Outfitters.
Antonio Gomez prefers that you don’t call him Antonio; rather, he likes being called “Go Go” because he’s always on the go. The New Jersey B.A.S.S. Federation Nation youth director loves teaching kids how to fish. He’s sponsored by Lunker Lure, Hawg Callers, Pro Edge Baits and Grip On Lights, and he’ll be competing for New Jersey in the Mid-Atlantic division.
Jason Hemminger will represent his home state of California in the Western division. The Ventura County Bass Club member is fishing his first championship. He’s a sheet metal installer by trade, but he also owns J-Lure Jigs and makes lures in his spare time. He and his wife, Katie, are expecting their first child in the new year. He has several sponsors, including MonsterFishingTackle.com and American Fishing Products.
Tim Hennemann of Kentucky is a member of the Northern Kentucky Bass Anglers, and he’ll be representing his state in the Southern division. He enjoys prepping his tackle and studying maps in his spare time, and he dares you to take him to task over movie trivia. He owns an executive telephone communications company, and he has several sponsors, including Triton, Mercury, MotorGuide, Lowrance, Gambler Lures and Prestige Worldwide.
Dale Hightower, winner of the 2012 Cabela’s Bassmaster Federation Nation Central Divisional, will be fishing in his second championship. In his first, he qualified for the 2011 Bassmaster Classic, where he finished 15th! Hightower is a refrigerator contractor, and in his spare time, he golfs, hunts, plays poker and spends time with his family. He’ll be representing Oklahoma in Central division.
Jamie Horton, the 2011 Cabela's Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship winner, is returning to defend his title. He competed in the Classic last year, qualified for the Bassmaster Elite Series and finished in the money three times. Horton still works as a project manager, and he likes hunting and watching football and baseball. He’s a member of the River Region Bass Fraternity in Alabama.
Jim Jeffries of New York will be representing Vermont in the Eastern division. He’s a member of the Green Mountain Bassmasters, and he is sponsored by Skeeter Boats, Vermont B.A.S.S. Federation Nation and R.P. Bottle Redemption. He likes goose hunting in his spare time.
Teb Jones, president of the Mississippi B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, will represent his state at the championship in the Central division. He enjoys playing golf and traveling when he’s not working as an insurance agent. His sponsors are Toyota Bonus Bucks, BoatU.S. Weigh-To-Win and Whack Um Baits.
Gerry Jooste is a familiar name at the Cabela's Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship because he’s competed in it nine times — and qualified for the Classic four times! He’s representing Zimbabwe in the Mid-Atlantic division on behalf of his club, Renegades. He owns Ruffnek Boats and enjoys listening to music. His sponsors are Kistler Rods, Gary Yamamoto and the Zimbabwe B.A.S.S. Federation Nation.
Tim Klinger, a member of the Nevada B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, is representing his state in the Western division. He’s a groundman by trade. Klinger loves the outdoors, including hunting and trapping. He’s sponsored by Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, Phenix Baits, Ranger Boats, Yamaha and Mel’s Diner.
Jared Knuth of Nebraska is a member of the Hidden Valley Bassmasters. He’ll be representing his state in the Central division. He likes golf, hunting and helping with junior clubs when he’s not busy with his job as a crane operator. His sponsors include Ranger Boats, Denali Rods, Sid Dillon Chevrolet and Lincoln Drywall Service.
Paul LeBlanc is a member of the Tri-County Bassmasters of Massachusetts, and he’s heading to his first championship after competing in seven Eastern Divisionals. He’s a plumbing contractor, but he really loves playing poker. He is sponsored by Barry’s Bait & Tackle, The Sled and the Massachusetts B.A.S.S. Federation Nation.
Bruce Leeson of Ontario is happy to qualify for his second championship. He’s a member of the Hamilton Bassmasters, and he’s competing in the Eastern Division. He worked as a millwright, but now that he’s retired, he has a lot more time for golf. He has a long list of sponsors, including Minn Kota, Humminbird, Fishbum Outfitters, Fenwick and Bluewater Optics.
Eddie Levin, who competed in the 2008 Bassmaster Junior World Championship, is now among the adult ranks, fishing in his first championship. The student is a member of Buckeye Nation in Ohio, and he’ll be representing his state in the Northern division. He goes deer hunting when he can. His sponsors are Boat Boys, Warrior Baits and Dobyns Rods.
David Mays is a member of Eugene Bassmasters in Oregon. He’s fished in the Western Divisional three times, but this is his first trip to the championship. He’s a network technician. Mays enjoys hunting, doing home improvements and playing sports with his two kids.
Chris Molineaux of the Kent County Bass Anglers will represent Rhode Island in the Eastern division at the championship. He competed in the championship once in 2010. His sponsors are Fishin Boyz Baits, Wedge Custom Bait Works, Power Troll Batteries and SuperFanTickets.com.
Enrique Bernal Morera is crossing the Atlantic to represent Spain in Eastern division. It is Spain's first time competing in the championship after joining the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation last year. Morera is a commercial agent, and he fishes for Bass Team Madrid.
Mike Morris is a member of the Three Ponds Bassmasters of Delaware. He’ll be representing his state in the Mid-Atlantic division at the championship. He’s the operations manager at a telecommunications company and he’s retired Air Force. He likes playing softball and basketball. His sponsors are the Delaware B.A.S.S. Federation Nation and BigMouth Lures.
Jonathan Patrick, a member of the Upper Iowa Bassmasters, will be representing Minnesota in the Northern division in his first championship. He’s a manufacturing supervisor by trade, but he hunts deer and turkey in his off-time. The Minnesota B.A.S.S. Federation Nation sponsors him.
JJ Patton won the 2012 Cabela’s Bassmaster Federation Nation Northern Divisional in August, and he’s ready to fish his first championship. He’s a family practice doctor and a youth basketball and baseball coach. His sponsors are Dobyns Rods, Brovarney Baits and Limit Out Custom Baits. He fishes with the Elite Anglers of Iowa and will compete on Iowa’s behalf.
Jason Pecoraro, a member of Atchafalaya Bass in Louisiana, will fish for his state in the Central division. He competed in last year’s championship, too. When he’s not working as a quality assurance manager, he’s bow hunting or watching his two sons play sports.
Jeremy Percifield of Washington fishes with the Tri City River Runners and will represent his state in the Western division. He’s a mechanic and he loves hunting. Percifield is sponsored by Bass Kick N Baits and Sniper Lures.
Corey Peterson is a member of Springfield Bass in South Dakota. He’s an electro hydraulic engineer, and he enjoys hunting deer and waterfowl. He’s sponsored by the South Dakota B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, Mercury, MotorGuide and Lowrance. It’s his first championship, and he’s competing in the Northern division.
Steven Pickard, a member of the Port City Bassmasters in New York, is representing his state in the Eastern division. He’s a project manager, and he spends his free time hunting, golfing and playing drums. He is sponsored by Arrow Transportation and DP Financial.
Mark Pierce is a member of the U.S. Army, and he’s fishing or dabbling in carpentry or landscaping when he’s not deployed. He’s a member of the Montgomery County Bass Club, and although he lives in Kentucky, he’s fishing for Tennessee in the Southern division. He has several sponsors, including St. Croix, Eco Pro Tungsten and Gamma. This championship is his third.
Josh Polfer got back from the 2012 Bassmaster Classic ready to compete in another Classic, and competing in back-to-back championships, he has a chance to make that happen. Polfer is president of the Idaho B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, and he’s fishing for his state in the Western division. When he’s not fishing or working as a project manager, he’s probably hunting.
Jeremy Pridgen of the Valdosta Bassmasters will be representing Georgia in the Southern division at the championship. He works in outside sales for heating and air, and he likes deer hunting and spending time with his family. His sponsors are Shimano, Power Pro, Costa Del Mar, Fisherman’s Paradise and Frenzy Baits.
Curtis Samo is a member of the River Rats in Illinois. He’ll represent his state in the Northern division at his first championship. He owns a cleaning franchise. Samo is sponsored by Bass Pro Shops, Lucky Craft and Chompers Baits.
Jamie Sochocki of Michigan fishes with the Big Time Bass club, and he’ll be fishing for his state in the Northern division. He’s a baker, and he hunts and coaches football in his free time. He is sponsored by Leverage Landing Nets.
Mickey Soler fishes for the Mid Conn Anglers and will represent Connecticut in the Eastern division in his first championship. He’s a social worker, and for fun, he coaches his children’s baseball and basketball teams. Soler is sponsored by Billings Sports.
Richard Svoboda is a radiographer, but that’s only a fraction of how he spends his time. The Middle River Bassmasters member plays volleyball, goes camping and hiking, lifts weights, watches pro football and Orioles baseball, spends time with his family, and also teaches as a local community college. He will represent Maryland in the Mid-Atlantic division in his first championship.
Tyler Swaney was once known for winning the Bassmaster CastingKids National Championship, but he’s becoming better known now in the adult ranks. This championship will be his second. He’s an electrical power engineer, and he enjoys hunting, golfing and playing tennis. Swaney, from Colorado, is a member of the Top of Utah Bass Anglers, and he’ll be representing Utah in the championship.
Raymond Trudeau is a member of the biggest B.A.S.S. Federation Nation adult club, Lakeland Bassmasters. He’ll represent his home state of Florida in his first championship. He lists scuba diving, guns and archery, and fitness as his hobbies. At work, he’s a manager of product development.
Franco Vallejos of New Mexico will be competing in his fourth championship this month. He works as a firefighter, and he lists his hobbies as “hunting, hunting and more hunting.” Vallejos fishes with the High Country Bass Anglers and will represent his state in the West. He has several sponsors, including Team Plowboy, Maui Jim Sunglasses, Antler Addiction Outfitters and St. Croix Rods.
Frank Villa, a member of the Centennial Bass Club, will represent Colorado in the Western division in the championship. The firefighter reads, golfs and hunts in his spare time. His long list of sponsors includes Naked Bait Co., FinTech and Lake Fork Trophy Lures.
Robert Williamson is a member of the Bass Finatics in New Hampshire. The Maine resident will represent New Hampshire in the Eastern division at his first championship. He works as a civil/environmental engineer, and in his spare time, he’s usually camping or spending time with his family. His sponsors include the New Hampshire B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, Portland Yacht Services and Hunter Creek Bait.
Kentaro Yamada is crossing the Pacific to represent Japan in the Western Divisional. He’s an independent businessman who snow boards in his free time. He competed in the 2006 Cabela's Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship, so he’s back for his second championship. Yamada is sponsored by Fish Arrow and Yak.
