YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. — Chatuge Reservoir behaved exactly the way Jake Whitaker and Andrew Helms expected, which led to the University of North Carolina Charlotte team’s win at the 2014 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship.
“It’s tough fishing out here,” said Whitaker, who grew up only 2 hours from Chatuge and has fished it multiple times.
“The way to do it is to commit to getting big bites, even if you don’t get very many,” he added.
The plan worked for the college duo. They caught 11 pounds, 12 ounces on the first day, followed it up with 12-11 on Day 2, and closed out the competition with their biggest bag, 14-2.
“I’ve never worked harder in my life,” said Whitaker, after he weighed his catch. “We should have more, but I lost two 3-pounders.”
And right here is where we would tell you how they caught their overall weight of 38-9, but that’s information they’re not yet willing to divulge. Anglers guard their secrets well when competition is still on the line, and while the championship has concluded, the 2014 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket looms — on the same fishery, beginning tomorrow.
During the bracket, they will be fishing solo in a series of head-to-head elimination brackets, made up of anglers in the Top 4 teams of the championship. The competitor left standing at the end of the day on Aug. 5 earns a berth in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic.
“It’s going to affect me for sure,” said Whitaker, crediting Helms with the first fish of every competition day so far. Both anglers are planning to employ the same undisclosed pattern that they’ve used each day, but now they’ll be doing it separately.
The last three years, the Classic Bracket has resulted in teammates fishing against each other on the final day. In 2011, it was Stephen F. Austin’s Andrew Upshaw and Ryan Watkins. In 2012, it was Auburn University’s Matt and Jordan Lee (teammates and brothers). And in 2013, it was Jordan Lee again versus his teammate, Shane Powell.
If it comes down to that for Whitaker and Helms, they plan to be extremely supportive of each other.
“I’d like for him to win it as much as I’d like to win it,” said Whitaker. Helms said the same of his teammate.
The solo fishing and elimination format will make the next few days tough on them and the students from Bethel University, University of Louisiana Monroe and Tennessee Tech University, who also qualified.
“It makes you work for it,” said Whitaker. “The one who brings in a double-digit limit every day is going to be the one who wins.”
Double-digit limits on Chatuge the last several days have been hard to come by, at least more than one day in a row. On the final day of the championship, only two teams out of the five that fished caught more than 10 pounds. Several anglers reported losing key bites, and one — Brett Preuett of University of Louisiana Monroe — spent a solid 3 minutes trying to horse in what he thought was a huge bass. “But then it turned out it was a striper,” he said with a laugh, while showing off a bloody scrape on his leg that he obtained during the fight.
The anglers from all five teams that competed on the final day of the championship thanked their teammates and college clubs for backing them.
“Look out there,” said an emotional Zach Parker of Bethel University while he was on stage, gesturing toward the crowd. “They all came out here to support us. This team is awesome.”
Preuett said that his University of Louisiana Monroe team is so good because everyone supports each other. “We drive each other to do better,” he said. “We work as a team, and we really want each other to do well.”
For the new national champions at UNC Charlotte, it’s exciting to bring this type of recognition to their school’s burgeoning program.
“This is big for us,” said Helms. “We only have about 15 members. Maybe this will get more people interested and our club will grow.”
It’s no doubt that UNC Charlotte’s bass fishing team got a big boost with Helms and Whitaker’s win. For an entire year, the small club will own the title of 2014 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship winners.
2014 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Carhartt
2014 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Official Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Quantum, Yamaha
2014 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Supporting Partners: Booyah, Diet Mountain Dew, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Motorguide, Plano, Power-Pole, Rigid Industries, Shimano
2014 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Proud Partner: Mustang Survival
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series presented by Allstate, B.A.S.S. Nation events, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series, Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by Diet Mountain Dew and GoPro.
|
Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Championship
7/31/2014 – 8/2/2014
Chatuge Reservoir – The Ridges Marina – Young Harris, GA
STANDINGS BOATER DAY 3
Today’s Activity
Name # Live # Fish # Live Lbs – Oz
1 Jake Whitaker – Andrew Helms UNC Charlotte 5 5 14- 2 15 14 38- 9
2 Zach Parker – Matt Roberts Bethel University 5 3 10-12 15 13 38- 1
3 Brett Preuett – Jackson Blackett Universtiy of La Monroe 5 5 9-10 15 15 32-12
4 Robert Giarla – Bentley Manning Tenn Tech University 3 3 4-13 11 11 26- 0
5 Tanner Cooper – Memo Nunez New Mexico State University 3 3 4- 5 13 13 25- 8
6 Cody Ross – Dewey Swims Bethel University 10 9 21- 3
7 Shelby Hutchens – Stephen F Austin State University 9 7 19-15
8 Patrick Walters – Gettys Brannon University of South Carolina 10 10 19- 3
9 John Hunter – Mike Huff Georgetown College 10 9 18-15
10 Kyle Raymer – Ethan Snyder Eastern Kentucky University 10 10 18- 3
11 Garrett Cates – Graham Howard Kansas State University 3 3 18- 0
12 Michael Corbishley – Ronnie Moore East Carolina University 9 9 18- 0
13 Jacob Roberson – Evan Horne University of North Alabama 9 7 17-10
14 Nathan Martin – Michael Gullette University of North Alabama 7 7 17- 4
15 Dawson Lenz – Robb Young University of North Alabama 10 9 17- 1
16 David Sherry – Max Burges Southern Polytechnic State University 9 9 16-14
17 Kenny Johnson – Bradley Rilling University of West Georgia 9 9 16-11
18 Zachary Wiggers – Justin Bruno Grand Valley State University 8 8 16-11
19 Edward Rude III – Matthew Gibson West Virginia University 8 8 16-10
20 Dan Martin – Tyler McCune Eastern Illinois University 9 9 15-12
21 Nick LaDart – Brian Eaton U. of Louisiana Monroe 6 6 15- 3
22 Trent Newman – Jacob Sepeda Dallas Baptist University 7 7 15- 2
23 Patrick Friedman – Travis Bounds San Jose State 9 8 15- 1
24 Austin Neary – Zachary Hicks Western Carolina University 7 7 14-13
25 Ben Verhoef – Tommy Hebson University of Missouri 7 7 14-12
26 Ryan Gilbert – Jacob Clisch University of Wisconsin, Plattville 6 6 14-11
27 Chase Cochran – Ryan Sparks Oregon State University 8 8 14- 5
28 Timothy Bailey – Jesse Scarafiotti New Mexico State University 7 6 14- 5
29 Dalton Wilson – Randall Morris Bethel University 6 5 14- 3
30 Matthew Loetscher – Caleb Ryan BoudreauLxouisiana Tech University 7 7 14- 3
31 Justin Atkins – Joseph Marty Mississippi State University 7 7 14- 1
32 Chris Burgan – Austin Felix University of Minnesota 9 9 13-13
33 Cody Hahner – Mark Hugus Wisconsin, Stevens Point 6 6 13-10
34 Bo Larkins – Brian Rosso University of Georgia 6 6 13- 0
35 Bryce Wegman – Carlos Thomas Illinois State University 6 6 12-15
36 Cody Lincoln – Jason Hawksford Wisconsin, Stevens Point 7 5 12-13
37 Luke Ferguson – Wesley Wise Polk State College 5 5 12-10
38 Evan Smith – Aaron Sarna Arkansas Tech University 8 8 12- 9
39 Dylan McKee – Quinn Fowler Kansas State University 4 4 11-15
40 Justin Walton – Brian Redd University of West Georgia 3 3 11-14
41 Ethan McDonald – Ryan Swallows Tenn Tech University 7 7 11- 4
42 Bryan Carroll – Alan Horwatt Clemson University 6 6 11- 4
43 Kyle Smith – Shelby Concon University of Florida 5 5 11- 3
44 Brandon Koon – Blake Welch Bethel University 6 6 10-11
45 Mitch Mitchell – Evan Reid Auburn University 5 5 10- 5
46 Jay Robertson – Brent Davis Southeastern Louisiana University 6 6 10- 3
47 Austyn Fowler – Zach Hurst Tarleton State University 7 7 10- 2
48 Jake Gipson – Charlie Hurst University of Alabama 5 5 10- 0
49 Neal Combs – Kevin Lucas Seminole State College 7 7 10- 0
50 Tyler Craig – Joseph Grassi U. of Louisiana Monroe 6 6 8-14
51 Brandon Greco – Austin Watkins Louisiana Tech University 5 5 8-10
52 Trapper Munn – Dustin Perkins U. of Louisiana Monroe 4 4 8- 9
53 Justin Cooper – John Ledet Northwestern State University 4 4 8- 8
54 Tyler Rivet – Jess Robertson Nicholls State University 3 3 8- 5
55 Charles Conger – Demetrius Thomas Abraham Baldwin Ag College 6 6 8- 4
56 Wesley Griner – Will Myrick Darton State College 5 5 7- 7
57 Jacob Nummy – Tyler Strock AUM 4 4 7- 5
58 Andrew Warbington – Mark Grant University of West Alabama 5 5 7- 3
59 Matt Feiten – Brian Kirt Wisconsin, Stevens Point 4 4 6-10
60 Thomas Oltorik III – Aaron Comeens Daytona State College 3 3 6- 5
61 Erik Strickler – Brandon Hua Oregon State University 4 4 6- 4
62 Kyle Oliver – Hunter McKamey University of Central Florida 4 4 6- 3
63 Jackson Grabeel – Joseph Reilly Western Illinois University 2 2 6- 2
64 Michael Skat – Phillip Heyde Seminole State College 4 4 5-13
65 John B Davis – Payton McGinnis University of Alabama 3 3 5- 8
66 Alex Klein – Jeff Karnthong Chico State 2 2 5- 5
67 Scott Cain – Jacob Argo UAB 3 3 5- 0
68 Zackery Hines – Cameron Burger Dallas Baptist University 2 2 4- 1
69 Andrew Loberg – Michael Braswell Chico State 3 3 3-14
70 Lance Freeman – Seth Brock Murray State University 3 3 3-13
71 John Nolan – Tyler Collins University of West Georgia 2 2 3- 3
72 Lance Geren – Robbie Moore UT Chattanooga 1 1 3- 3
73 Taylor Minick – Landon Tucker Valdosta State University 2 2 3- 2
74 Adam Neill – Logan Shaddix University of Alabama 2 2 3- 0
75 Tyler Wadzinski – Matt Beeler U. of Tennessee 2 2 2- 6
76 Kyle Schneider – Jacob Wall U. of Oregon 1 1 2- 3
77 Hayden Tilley – Alex Clayton Northeast Alabama Community College 1 1 1-13
78 Hunter Louden – Matthew Palmer Bethel University 1 1 1-10
79 Trey Clayton – Timothy Ward Auburn University 1 1 1- 8
80 Ben Kroeger – University of Nebraska – Omaha 1 1 1- 4
81 Matt Diaz – Andrew Sjostrom CSU Monterey Bay 0 0 0- 0
81 John Maner – Ryan Darracott University of North Alabama 0 0 0- 0
81 Adam McAndrews – Roberto Munoz San Jose State 0 0 0- 0
81 John Tilbury – Jeremy Rainbolt Louisiana Delta Community College 0 0 0- 0
Name City,State Lbs-Oz
BIG BASS
Day
1 Nathan Martin Tuscumbia, AL 6- 7
1 Garrett Cates Overland Park, KS 6- 7
2 Justin Walton Douglasville, GA 6- 2
Day # Live Lbs-Oz # Limits
TOTALS
# Fish
1 246 242 483- 9 27
2 210 201 433-12 16
3 21 19 43-10 3
|
|
Recent Comments