Bass N Bucks Summer Series is well underway, holding the second of three events on Toledo Bend at Cypress Bend Park July 10, 2010. Fishing reports prior to the tournament had indicated that fishing had bend tough on Toledo, but Bass N Bucks anglers found five sacks over the 20 pound mark. Danny Iles & Wayne Johnston won with over 28 pounds!
As the weigh in began, many people enjoying the park came over to watch as big sacks were brought to the scales. Temperatures tickling the 90 degree mark, hazy, overcast skies with occasional scattered sprinkles and a gentle breeze set the scene for the day.
The kid is a force to be reckoned with! Merely 19 years old, Danny Iles has been fishing tournaments for several years and has proven his metal. Fishing with his grandpa Wayne Johnston, the team made quite a showing. “We had several places picked out, from shallow grass to 15′ of water. At our first stop we used a Strike King Series 6 crank bait and caught a nice 6 pounder. Then we moved to our second area, a little deeper at 14′, and used a Power Tackle Lateral Perch and caught another six pounder. We picked up a few more on the crank bait, but finished a limit on the perch.” They had a problem first thing in the morning. “We ran out of room in our livewell. They didn’t have room to move.” At 10:00 they packed up their gear and went to the Tournament Director, Dave Concienne, who allowed them to weigh in their largest three, reserving their other two to fish the rest of the day in hopes of culling for bigger fish. Their first three weighed 18.90 lbs. “We only had 10-12 bites all day, but they were all good ones.” They culled their last two, ending up with two over 4 pounds to complete their limit. Adding their last 9.35 lbs to the scale, the team had a 28.25 lb limit, winning by over a four pound margin! “We just had a real good day.” The team won $5,000 for 1st place, and being in a qualified Ranger Boat, Danny also won the Ranger Cup Bonus of $500. Adding to his winnings, Danny also received $250 from Cabela’s. “I’d like to thank Ranger, Mercury, Power Tackle, Costa Del Mar, Sebile, Falcon Lures, and Carlson’s Marine.”
Tommy Howard & Jim Furr had another great sack at 24.06 lbs to win 2nd place. “Our day started out great! We had a limit by 6:30, probably around 16 pounds from the first spot.” By 8:00a.m. the bite slowed way down. “After that it made for a really long day until 1:00. They started biting again after that, and we culled three times. Jim caught the 8.14 lb Big Bass at our last spot.” In the last 10 minutes, they culled over seven pounds! They had stayed with the same tactic all day – 10″ worms at points and drop offs at 16′-25′ deep. They were presented with a $2,500 check for their 2nd place win, and another $1,000 for Big Bass of the tournament. “We’d like to thank Legend Boats, Gary Yamamoto Custom Lures, Phenix Jigs and our wives for their support.”
Bert Thompson took on the field by himself to win 3rd place with a 22.20 lb limit.
Top Teams:
| 1st | $5,000 + | 28.25 lbs | Danny Iles & Wayne Johnston |
| 2nd | $2,500 + | 24.06 lbs | Tommy Howard & Jim Furr |
| 3rd | $2,000 | 22.20 lbs | Bert Thompson |
| 4th | $1,200 | 20.30 lbs | James Blythe & Jeff Pate |
| 5th | $1,000 | 20.28 lbs | Lamonte Loyd & Joe Setina |
| 6th | $1,000 | 19.12 lbs | Cory Rambo & Rusty Clark |
| 7th | $1,000 | 18.82 lbs | Kraig Welborn & Jeremy Burge |
| 8th | $1,000 | 18.79 lbs | Rick Miller & Thomas Lee |
| 9th | $ 800 | 18.50 lbs | Jason Wells & Vic Cooper |
| 10th | $ 700 | 18.48 lbs | Bart Blakelock & Johnny Watkins |
| 11th | $ 600 | 18.40 lbs | Martin Elshout & Mark Price |
| 12th | $ 500 | 18.38 lbs | Bo Fea & Wyatt Withers |
| 13th | $ 500 | 18.09 lbs | Glen Freeman & Larry Fogg |
| Big Bass: $1,000 | 8.14 lbs | Jim Furr & Tommy Howard |
Sponsor Incentive Bonus Winner:
| Ranger Cup | $500 | Danny Iles |
| Cabela’s Bonus | $250 | Danny Iles |
“We’re going to change things up for you a little next year,” announced Dave Concienne. “There will be a Rayburn only circuit and a Toledo only circuit PLUS the Summer Series in 2011. All of the information will be put on the new website soon. We appreciate everyone for fishing with us and we will try to keep making it better and better for you.”
The next Summer Series event will wrap it up for the year. Back to Sam Rayburn on August 7, it is an open event for anyone to fish as well as the final tally of Championship qualifiers. The top 20 teams (who didn’t qualify through the 1st Series or Conroe Series) will advance to the two day championship on Sam Rayburn September 18-19.
There will be over $70,000 awarded in cash and prizes at the 2010 Bass N Bucks Championship, and the qualifiers from the 1st Series, Conroe Series and Summer Series will be separated into two brackets for two 1st place winners!
For more information click to the BassNBucks website or all 409-727-8941.
Special thanks to Bass N Bucks 2010 sponsors: Ranger Boats, Mercury, MotorGuide, Cabela’s, American Rodsmiths, V & M, Cyclone Baits, Vicious fishing, Lowrance, Tiremax, Wulf Outdoor Sports, ProRule, Snagproof, Jasper Chamber of Commerce, and FishingWorldBy: Patty Lenderman
