Toledo Bend’s tournament history

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The Bassmaster Elite Series returns to a familiar fishery for the May 12-15 A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend. This will be 16th B.A.S.S. tournament held on the fabled big bass lake on the Texas/Louisiana border.
The Bassmaster Elite Series returns to a familiar fishery for the May 12-15 A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend. This will be 16th B.A.S.S. tournament held on the fabled big bass lake on the Texas/Louisiana border.
In March, 18 inches of rain fell over the Toledo Bend region, and the lake reached its highest level since it was impounded in 1967, prompting all its flood gates to be opened. While down from its unprecedented high, a full pool will greet the Elites when they launch from Cypress Bend Park at 6:15 a.m. CT. The park, at 3462 Cypress Bend Dr., Many, LA. 71449, is also the site of the 3 p.m. weigh-ins. All B.A.S.S. events are free.
In March, 18 inches of rain fell over the Toledo Bend region, and the lake reached its highest level since it was impounded in 1967, prompting all its flood gates to be opened. While down from its unprecedented high, a full pool will greet the Elites when they launch from Cypress Bend Park at 6:15 a.m. CT. The park, at 3462 Cypress Bend Dr., Many, LA. 71449, is also the site of the 3 p.m. weigh-ins. All B.A.S.S. events are free.
Damming the Sabine River in southeast Texas created a 185,000-surface-acre reservoir, the fifth largest in the U.S. The first Bassmaster event in 1970 was a Toledo Bend Invitational, but the lake has hosted Louisiana and Texas Invitationals and Opens, among others.
Damming the Sabine River in southeast Texas created a 185,000-surface-acre reservoir, the fifth largest in the U.S. The first Bassmaster event in 1970 was a Toledo Bend Invitational, but the lake has hosted Louisiana and Texas Invitationals and Opens, among others.
Although he admits he wasn’t a great tournament angler, Jerry McKinnis was among the participants in early tournaments. Over the years, there’s been an impressive list of bass fishing luminaries, like Roland Martin, Tommy Martin, Stacey King and Larry Nixon, who have won on Toledo Bend.
Although he admits he wasn’t a great tournament angler, Jerry McKinnis was among the participants in early tournaments. Over the years, there’s been an impressive list of bass fishing luminaries, like Roland Martin, Tommy Martin, Stacey King and Larry Nixon, who have won on Toledo Bend.
Local angler Mike Bono won that 1970 event on the ‘hottest bass lake in the country,’ hauling in three 15-fish limits for 94-4. He won $2,000 in cash and prizes, and Roland Martin finished second as a rookie.
Local angler Mike Bono won that 1970 event on the ‘hottest bass lake in the country,’ hauling in three 15-fish limits for 94-4. He won $2,000 in cash and prizes, and Roland Martin finished second as a rookie.
Toledo Bend has produced trophy fish of late, and that helped it gain the No. 1 spot in Bassmaster’s Best Bass Lakes. Pro Darold Gleason is shown with replicas of three of his five 10-plus pounders that have made the Toledo Bend Lunker Bass Program. Any Elites who weigh a 10-pounder this week can enter it in the program, and they will count toward the calendar year that ends May 19. The tally reached 137 last week.
Toledo Bend has produced trophy fish of late, and that helped it gain the No. 1 spot in Bassmaster’s Best Bass Lakes. Pro Darold Gleason is shown with replicas of three of his five 10-plus pounders that have made the Toledo Bend Lunker Bass Program. Any Elites who weigh a 10-pounder this week can enter it in the program, and they will count toward the calendar year that ends May 19. The tally reached 137 last week.
The most recent Elite Series winner on Toledo Bend was Jacob Powroznik. He held off Chad Morgenthaler in the 2014 event, catching 79-12 to win in his fourth event.
The most recent Elite Series winner on Toledo Bend was Jacob Powroznik. He held off Chad Morgenthaler in the 2014 event, catching 79-12 to win in his fourth event.
Poworznik was stumped in Saturday’s round by a disappearing shad spawn bite and was then smoked out of a promising spawning area by a controlled burn of Texas shoreline forest.
Poworznik was stumped in Saturday’s round by a disappearing shad spawn bite and was then smoked out of a promising spawning area by a controlled burn of Texas shoreline forest.
Going into Sunday’s finals, Powroznik had dropped more than 2 1/2 pounds behind Dean Rojas, who had already won twice on Toledo Bend. But Powroznik recovered as he focused on bedding bass and caught two lunkers that propelled him to victory.
Going into Sunday’s finals, Powroznik had dropped more than 2 1/2 pounds behind Dean Rojas, who had already won twice on Toledo Bend. But Powroznik recovered as he focused on bedding bass and caught two lunkers that propelled him to victory.
“I’m speechless,” Powroznik told emcee Dave Mercer. “That doesn’t happen very often. To get into the Classic feels like someone just gave me a million dollars. You don’t get many opportunities to win one of these events. It’s so hard to do. To do it my first year is a blessing.”
“I’m speechless,” Powroznik told emcee Dave Mercer. “That doesn’t happen very often. To get into the Classic feels like someone just gave me a million dollars. You don’t get many opportunities to win one of these events. It’s so hard to do. To do it my first year is a blessing.”
The big fish of the event was caught by Chris Zaldain. He landed an 8-12 on Day 1 with 6-pound line, and it held up as the largest of the event. The lake record of 15.33 pounds was caught in 2000 and another 15-plus was landed in 2009.
The big fish of the event was caught by Chris Zaldain. He landed an 8-12 on Day 1 with 6-pound line, and it held up as the largest of the event. The lake record of 15.33 pounds was caught in 2000 and another 15-plus was landed in 2009.
Brent Chapman won the Elite event in 2012, totaling 83-9 to earn a second qualification to the 2013 Bassmaster Classic. The first came with his February win in a Bass Pro Shops Open.
Brent Chapman won the Elite event in 2012, totaling 83-9 to earn a second qualification to the 2013 Bassmaster Classic. The first came with his February win in a Bass Pro Shops Open.
Cliff Pace, who led after Day 1, finished second by working deep schools of fish with extremely slow retrieves. “When I say drag it, I mean at a snail’s pace,” he said. He ended up 4 pounds back of Chapman
Cliff Pace, who led after Day 1, finished second by working deep schools of fish with extremely slow retrieves. “When I say drag it, I mean at a snail’s pace,” he said. He ended up 4 pounds back of Chapman
It was a huge victory for Chapman. “I feel awesome,” he said. “This is one more check-off on the list of my goals.” The win also helped him check off another biggie as he went on to win the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title that season.
It was a huge victory for Chapman. “I feel awesome,” he said. “This is one more check-off on the list of my goals.” The win also helped him check off another biggie as he went on to win the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title that season.
The crowds have always shown out for events on Toledo Bend, and the 2016 tournament returns to beautiful Cypress Bend Park.
The crowds have always shown out for events on Toledo Bend, and the 2016 tournament returns to beautiful Cypress Bend Park.
Sure, it’s Cajun country, but there’s always been a huge Texas flavor as well. In the 1970s, Toledo Bend was the epicenter of professional bass fishing. A number of pros moved to a small town between Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn and became known as the Hemphill Gang.
Sure, it’s Cajun country, but there’s always been a huge Texas flavor as well. In the 1970s, Toledo Bend was the epicenter of professional bass fishing. A number of pros moved to a small town between Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn and became known as the Hemphill Gang.
There’s tons of tall tales spun by members of that group, but the real credentials of Larry Nixon, Tommy Martin and Harold Allen included 59 Classic appearances and two titles. Classic champs Jack Hains and Bo Dowden also guided on Toledo Bend.
There’s tons of tall tales spun by members of that group, but the real credentials of Larry Nixon, Tommy Martin and Harold Allen included 59 Classic appearances and two titles. Classic champs Jack Hains and Bo Dowden also guided on Toledo Bend.
Dean Rojas’ 2011 Elite win was his second B.A.S.S. victory on Toledo Bend. Ten years earlier, Rojas had won the 2001 Louisiana Bassmaster Top 150.
Dean Rojas’ 2011 Elite win was his second B.A.S.S. victory on Toledo Bend. Ten years earlier, Rojas had won the 2001 Louisiana Bassmaster Top 150.
There has traditionally been some huge blowouts on Toledo Bend. Tommy Martin won by 17-11 in 1981, Mike Bono won the first in 1970 by 16-14 and John Murray took the 2003 Open title by 16-4. The 2011 Elite was the exact opposite.
There has traditionally been some huge blowouts on Toledo Bend. Tommy Martin won by 17-11 in 1981, Mike Bono won the first in 1970 by 16-14 and John Murray took the 2003 Open title by 16-4. The 2011 Elite was the exact opposite.
If Gerald Swindle’s last bass had ingested one more big crawfish, he might have taken that 2011 event. Swindle lost by 1 ounce, totaling 70-14 to Rojas’ 70-15. It was only the second time in Elite Series history that a single ounce determined the winner. (John Crews edged Skeet Reese by an ounce in 2010 on the California Delta.)
If Gerald Swindle’s last bass had ingested one more big crawfish, he might have taken that 2011 event. Swindle lost by 1 ounce, totaling 70-14 to Rojas’ 70-15. It was only the second time in Elite Series history that a single ounce determined the winner. (John Crews edged Skeet Reese by an ounce in 2010 on the California Delta.)
Rojas led the event for three days. “I’m going to the Classic, this is so huge,” Rojas said. “Everything about the win I love – the trophy, the check, the points, the Classic and winning a tournament in 2011.”
Rojas led the event for three days. “I’m going to the Classic, this is so huge,” Rojas said. “Everything about the win I love – the trophy, the check, the points, the Classic and winning a tournament in 2011.”
With a 10-15 lunker, Ish Monroe tied for the heaviest bass ever caught in a Toledo Bend B.A.S.S. contest. Harold Allen landed a 10-15 at the Central Open in 2009.
With a 10-15 lunker, Ish Monroe tied for the heaviest bass ever caught in a Toledo Bend B.A.S.S. contest. Harold Allen landed a 10-15 at the Central Open in 2009.
The most recent B.A.S.S. tournament at Toledo Bend was the Costa Bassmaster High School Central Open in March. Logan O'Dell (left) nd Blaine Marks of Texas' Buna High School won that with five bass weighing 17-12.
The most recent B.A.S.S. tournament at Toledo Bend was the Costa Bassmaster High School Central Open in March. Logan O’Dell (left) nd Blaine Marks of Texas’ Buna High School won that with five bass weighing 17-12.
The Elites better be aware of guys like this when they help restocking efforts. Many of the 108 pros will be given bags of bass fingerlings to release at their first spot.
The Elites better be aware of guys like this when they help restocking efforts. Many of the 108 pros will be given bags of bass fingerlings to release at their first spot.
Besides fishing and being in nature, the Elite event has a variety of activities, including bands, a children’s festival and a cook-off competition.
Besides fishing and being in nature, the Elite event has a variety of activities, including bands, a children’s festival and a cook-off competition.