Phil Marks Wins 2012 FLW Open on San Rayburn with Giant Limit

Phil Marks destroys the final day with a tremendous 5 bass limit of 32-12!
As most angler faltered to catch much over 15 pounds, Dallas resident, Marks put a 10dx (proto-type) Strike King crankbait and big worm to work to claim the $100 000 prize.


Top 10

2012 FLW Open San Rayburn Day 2: Combs Take Lead

Combs can win if he can continue to catch 7 pounds like this one.
(Photo:FLW)

Lake San Rayburn, the final stop of the FLW Open, was fickle again. Most anglers found fewer fish willing to bite than on day 1. More five fish limits between 10 and 14 pounds were weighted in today but for the most part fishing was a struggles. Yesterday's leader JT Kenney discovered that his off-shore areas were void of bait and bass and fell to 4th. The largest bag of the day came from recently crowned FLW Cup Champ Jacob Wheeler who collected 19-15 of bass and jumped up to 7th. Texas pro, Keith Combs grabbed the leader position on the back of his 16-11 pound bag.

Tomorrow the field is cut to the Top 20 anglers. Only the Top 10 anglers fish on Sunday.

Here is a look at the Top 10
place/angler/home town/ day 1/ day 2/ total

1	KEITH COMBS	HUNTINGTON, TX	16-12 (5)	16-11 (5)	33-07 (10)
2	TODD CASTLEDINE	NACOGDOCHES, TX	11-10 (5)	19-12 (5)	31-06 (10)
3	PHIL MARKS	DALLAS, TX	17-01 (5)	14-02 (5)	31-03 (10)
4	JT KENNEY	PALM BAY, FL	19-06 (5)	11-07 (5)	30-13 (10)
5	MATT HERREN	TRUSSVILLE, AL	14-13 (5)	15-11 (5)	30-08 (10)
6	MIKE SURMAN	BOCA RATON, FL	11-07 (5)	18-08 (5)	29-15 (10)
7	JACOB WHEELER	INDIANAPOLIS, IN	9-13 (5)	19-15 (5)	29-12 (10)
8	JASON WELLS	CENTER, TX	12-00 (5)	17-02 (5)	29-02 (10)
9	JOHN COX	DEBARY, FL	14-00 (5)	14-04 (5)	28-04 (10)
10	DARRELL DAVIS	DOVER, FL	13-01 (5)	14-13 (5)	27-14 (10)

2012 FLW Open San Rayburn Day 1: Kenney Lead with over 19.

East Texas was the epicenter to bass fishing in the early years of bass tournaments. Big Sam, Toledo Bend were king. Many fishing legends came from these parts. Tommy Martin, Larry Nixon,  Harold Allen, and Lonnie Stanley are a few of the big names that made this place so famous. As famous as San Rayburn is, early October is a time of transition and fishing has been difficult. For most on the last FLW Open of the 2012 season fishing has been terrible. Even though most could only catch single digit limits, JT Kenny topped the field with 19.06 to grab first place on day 1. a great fishing day on any lake but remember, this is Texas, and big bass abound. If they start to bite, the leader board will change rapidly.

Top 10

1	JT KENNEY	PALM BAY, FL	19-06 (5)
2	TOMMY DURHAM	WHITNEY, TX	17-02 (5)
3	PHIL MARKS	DALLAS, TX	17-01 (5)
4	KEITH COMBS	HUNTINGTON, TX	16-12 (5)
5	BILL MCDONALD	GREENWOOD, IN	15-03 (5)
6	MATT HERREN	TRUSSVILLE, AL	14-13 (5)
7	ART FERGUSON III	ST. CLAIR SHORES, MI	14-11 (5)
8	DION HIBDON	SUNRISE BEACH, MO	14-07 (5)
9	JOHN COX	DEBARY, FL	14-00 (5)
9	KEVIN WALKER	BUNA, TX	14-00 (5)

Cold Weather Boat Maintenance

I am no mechanic but I know how to break thing very well. The last thing I wish to do is damage my boat; I love that thing. Well, it is getting cold and the possibility of a good frost is not far away. Actually, some of you who live north of me had snow!

Here is a video that has a few great tips on protecting your boat.

Enjoy.

Feathered Hooks for Jerkbaits

Last week, I explained how the feathered hook make all the difference on finicky smallmouth. I was planning on tying up a batch myself but didin't find the time. I popped by the local tackle shop and saw these hanging on the rack. Not having the time, patience or feathers I bought them. The Mustad treble has white with a hint of chartreuse. It also offered a red treble which was all the rage a few years back. The VMC came all white, red or in the VMC Sureset treble. I stuck to the standard treble in white. If you're as lazy as myself, stop by your local store and pick a few up.

Jerkbait Secrets for Fall Smallmouth

October triggers a switch from largemouth to smallmouth for anglers in the north. This held true last weekend. I honoured my donated fishing trip for two from last year's Ontario Chinese Angler Association's Christmas dinner.  We planned on heading to a well-known smallmouth lake to work jigs on the bottom. I double checked with a few fishing buddies and they confirmed what I expected; it wasn't cold enough and the fishing was poor. With that news, I headed north to a deep, shield lake  rich with smallmouth.

With three of us in the boat, I wanted to ensure my two guests were into fish.  We, particularly myself, alternated between a variety of lures but nothing worked like the jerkbait. By mid-day, all three of us were casting minnow plugs and jerking them back to the boat.

A few interesting things occurred that day. I stuck to the deeper water and limited myself to smaller sized plugs in the 3" to 4" range. My three best were a X-rap, Duel and OSP. Mine were regular baits without any doctoring. I primarily used gaudy coloured or silver baits because I like the flash. Plus it is easy to follow thm and react when a bass follows it.

Bass Pro Shop Open on Lake Simcoe

The Aurora Bassmasters, host of Canada’s premier one day bass fishing tournament are pleased to announce the addition of another sponsor to the 2012 event slated for October 20 out of Orillia Ontario. Last week we welcomed Mustang Survival and Maple Lodge Farms as returning sponsors. This week we are pleased that Humminbird is back as well.

Registration Announcement:

We are are encouraging anglers to download the application (from www.simcoeopen.com or www.aurorabass.com) . Once complete, mail, courier, or deliver to the Customer Service desk at Bass Pro Shops in Vaughan, along with the $400 entry fee payment on or before the official registration deadline of October 13th . As an added incentive, for all those already registered and for those who register before October 3rd, you will be entered into the draw for team numbers, which will be held at the store on October 4th. From there all anglers will be notified thru email of their confirmed entry and they will know their starting team number. 


Other Important Considerations:
• - The host hotel is the Highway Man Inn; preferred rates are available if booked before October 3rd. Please let them know you are booking for the Lake Simcoe Open 
• - Registration night will start at 5pm in the Simcoe Room of this hotel. The meeting will take place at 6:15pm and we hope to be finished shortly after 7pm. 
• - As per other years, paybacks of over 100% with a full field are expected
Please stay tuned for more announcements in the coming weeks. 

By:Wil Wegman
Media Relations/2012 BPS Lake Simcoe Open
Aurora BassmastersT