Eastern Kentucky University Wins Inaugural BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Open

Kentucky Lake lived up to its reputation of being one of the best summertime bass lakes in the nation when collegiate anglers from across the country showcased their fishing skills during the BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Open presented by Pepsi held on June 24 & 25. In fact, the only thing hotter than the weather was the bass fishing.

The unique tournament format allowed the participating universities to enter as many teams as they could. Each team consisted of up to 3 boats and 6 anglers. The full field competed both days and the winners were determined by the combined weight of each team’s two heaviest boat weights each day. For clubs that were only able to enter 1 boat, the single boat weight was doubled each day.

After claiming the day one lead with 43.84 pounds, the Nebraska Cornhuskers struggled on day two with zero weight as a result of tough luck, mechanical issues and returning late for check-in at the end of the day.

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), who sat in fourth place after day one with 40.42 pounds, took full advantage of the opportunity presented by the Nebraska team and secured victory with a day two weight of 47.98 giving the team a total of 88.40 pounds. In addition to winning the first place scholarship money and Cabela’s gift card, the team also won the Cabela’s Angler Cash award.

“It really means a lot to be a member of the winning team at this event after missing out on the opportunity to compete in the BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship in May due to an accidental rule violation during the off-limits period,” said Kyle Raymer of EKU. “After having boat trouble the first day we just thought, if it’s meant to be it’s meant to be; and it obviously was.”

The team reported that all of their fish were caught from ledges located at the mouths of three different bays. Their two best baits were a 3/4 ounce gator craw Strike King football jig rigged with a Rage Craw trailer and a 3/8 ounce Texas rigged Anaconda plum worm.

Starting day two in fifth place with 39.30 pounds, Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) moved up three places on the strength of their day two weight of 45.96 to finish in second place with a two day total of 85.26 pounds. Team member Tim Randell commented “I made the decision to attend SEMO over Missouri State because of the fact that they had an active bass team.” When asked how the team caught their fish, Randell explained “We caught all of them using Carolina rigged green pumpkin Critter Craws and big purple worms that were Texas rigged with a 1/2 ounce weight. Our key spot was a creek channel ledge that featured a shell bed and gravel bar.”

University of Tennessee started the day in eighth place with 37.64 pounds and rallied to finish third overall with a two day total weight of 83.84. Their day two total of 46.20 pounds was anchored by a 7.11 lb. big bass which was the largest of the tournament, earning the team the Costa and Abu Garcia big bass awards.

Brad Cooper explained that the University of Tennessee team concentrated on main river ledges that featured shell beds. “Our best spot was where a creek channel intersected the main river channel creating two underwater points with shell beds on them.” The teammates did most of their damage using Texas and Carolina rigged tequila sunrise Ol Monster worms.

Rounding out the top 10 is:

A total of $15,000 in scholarships and merchandise awards provided by Cabela’s, Costa, Columbia Sportswear, Pure Fishing, Sperry Top-Sider and Lazer Trokar were awarded to the top 10 teams.

The BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Open presented by Pepsi is sanctioned by the Association of Collegiate Anglers and will be televised on Versus by Careco Mulitmedia beginning in August of 2010. The weekly television series will showcase all of the 2010 BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series events.