Polk State team qualifies for nationals
Trever Stephens and Jerod Gadd of Polk State College placed 27th at the YETI FLW College Fishing tournament March 3 on Lake Guntersville in north Alabama, qualifying them for the 2019 FLW College National Championship. In the largest college tournament ever, with 273 boats, Stephens and Gadd pulled in 16 pounds, 9 ounces. They were the top finisher from Florida in the event.
The winning team was John Lambert and Logan Brewster from the University of Tennessee with 25 pounds, 9 ounces.
OTHER RECENT RESULTS
Mack and Bruce Renner won the Mosaic Bass Club tournament Saturday on Lake Alfred with 21.54 pounds. That included a 7.18-pound bass, but it wasn't enough for big bass. That honor went to Vince Ramirez and Troy Sutton, who took second place with 14.89 pounds, including the tournament big bass of 9.28 pounds. Kevin Jordan and Mike Gay were third with 13.67 pounds.
Rene Ola and D.J. Burchfield won the Sunday Open Series on Lake Juliana on Sunday with 13.3 pounds. Ron Dowdy and Earl Dowdy were second with 12.3 pounds. Joshua Dunn and Garrett Horn were third with 12.2 pounds. Frank Sylvester and Woody Graffith hauled in the big bass of 6.3 pounds.
Michael Carroll and Sean Ripley won the Performance Bass Anglers tournament Saturday on Lake Walk in Water with 6.44 pounds. Tom Yutzy and Buford McCoy were second with 6.05 pounds. Bill Mason and Tommie Mason were third with 6.02 pounds, which was the tournament's big fish.
Carson Bryan and Kenny Lay won the Fishing Misfits tournament Saturday on Lake Marion with 19.59 pounds, including the tournament big bass of 7.48 pounds. Corky Gore and Danny Hulett were second with 19.34 pounds. Mike McFarland and Leslie Murphy were third with 17.16 pounds. Kyle and Terry Tucker were fourth with 15.63 pounds.
Bob and Judy Barzelay won the West Coast Couples Club bass tournament Saturday on Crooked Lake with 11.14 pounds. James and Rita Pearson were second with 10.81 pounds, including James' big bass of 3.04 pounds. Frank and Melody Tennity were third with 10.47 pounds. Vic and Mida Porazinski were fourth with 10.38 pounds. Lonnie and Donis Crocker had 10.36 pounds.
Darryl and Terri Cole won the Florida Crappie Club tournament Saturday on Crescent Lake with 13 pounds, 8.6 ounces. Larry Durden was second with 12 pounds, 6.8 ounces. Nate Smith was third with 11 pounds, 6.6 ounces. George Parker and Rosie were fourth with 11 pounds, 6.3 ounces, including the first big fish of 2 pounds, 9.2 ounces. Wendell and Scott had 11 pounds, 4.3 ounces, and Will and Jake had 11 pounds, 4.3 ounces. James and Toney had the second big fish of 2 pounds, 2.3 ounces.
UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS
Keep Polk County Beautiful's seventh annual NO TRASHIN' JUST BASSIN' fundraiser tournament and cleanup event is Saturday at Lake Shipp Park on the Winter Haven Chain. $55 entry per boat. In addition to tournament prizes, there is a cash prize for the most trash cleaned up. Register online at www.keeppolkcountybeautiful.org or call 863-875-8911. For more information, email kcpbeautiful@yahoo.com.
The POLK COUNTY BUCKET MOUTHS' next tournament is Sunday on Lake Istokpoga out of the marina. Safe light to 2 p.m. $40 buy in, $20 big bass. Contact Ryan, 863-440-1687.
The next KISSIMMEE BASS SERIES Team Trail is Sunday. Next date for Kissimmee Bass Series One Man is March 25 out of Camp Mack. The next Kissimmee Bass Series Seniors is April 13. For more info, contact Charlie Wynperle at Cwynperle@aol.com.
The next REBEL BOYS BASS CLUB tournament is Saturday on the North Winter Haven Chain, safe light to 3 p.m. Entry $55 per tournament, including big fish. Yearly membership $15. Contact James Whiman at 813-205-8775 or Ken Singletary at 863-651-7607.
The next MOSAIC BASS CLUB tournament is March 24 on Lake Kissimmee out of Grape Hammock Fish Camp. Safe light to 2 p.m. Open to Mosaic employees only. Call Richard Blair, 863-581-1523.
The next FLORIDA CRAPPIE CLUB tournament is March 24 on Lake Walk in Water, 5001 Valencia St., Lake Wales. Call Darryl Cole at 352-516-0869 or Nick Whitten at 863-450-0367.
The 2nd JADE'S JOURNEY TOURNEY at Camp Mack, a fundraiser for a Sebring woman battling brain cancer, will be March 24. Contact Charlie Wynperle at cwynperle@aol.com.
The next OUTCASTS bass club tournament is March 24-25 on Lake Okeechobee out of the Clewiston City Boat Ramp. The club is accepting new teams. Visit outcastsbassclub.com/tournament-schedule for more information.
The NORTH TAMPA BASS CLUB's next tournament is March 31 on Lake Toho, www.northtampabassclub.com or contact Steve Jarrett at 813-391-4105.
The BASS BANDITS OF BRANDON tournament is March 31 on Lake Istokpoga out of the U.S. 98 ramp. Call Justin Price, 813-924-3224.
The next WINTER HAVEN LUNKER LOVERS tournament is April 7-8 on Lake Okeechobee out of the Okee-Tantie ramp. Draw meeting is April 3. Prospective members can call Jimmie Davis at 863-287-7290 or visit lunkerlovers.com.
3rd ANNUAL BIG BASS BLAST in Honor of Bailey Tilley will be April 7 on Winter Haven South Chain out of Lake Shipp Park. Safe light til 2:30 p.m. $75 per boat, big bass $10. Pre-register to reserve your boat number, visit Lakeland Jr Hawg Hunters on Facebook for entry forms and rules. This benefit tournament will feature BBQ, Live Music, Raffles and Bounces Houses. Call Cheryl 863-224-0045 or Lisa 863-581-3210
The next WEST COAST COUPLES CLUB tournament is April 14 on West Lake Toho out of the South Port ramp. $55 entry includes big bass. Call Fred Allen at 863-676-3764 or 813-299-0796.
The next FISHING MISFITS tournament is April 14 on Lake Kissimmee out of the Grape Hammock Fish Camp, with ramp fees. Members only. Call Harry at 863-660-2054 or Larry at 863-287-2864.
The TOHO MARINE/BARTOW FORD ELITE PRO TEAM TRAIL's next date is April 28 out of Camp Mack on the Kissimmee Chain. Single-day tournaments are $200 per team with a one-time $25 membership. Championship in October is $300 per team. 100 percent payback; 1st place $5,000, pays one in five places. Chance to win a new truck and boat at the championship. Contact Charlie Wynperle, cwynperle@aol.com.
Send tournament notices or results to Andy Kuppers at andy.kuppers@theledger.com or P.O. Box 408, Lakeland, Fla., 33802, or fax to 802-7812. Deadline is Wednesday noon. Include date, entry fee and phone.