Rood Claims Top Prize with an 8.56lb Largemouth Bass
Just under 300 collegiate anglers gathered in Paris Landing Marina to compete in the 2015 Cabela’s Collegiate Big Bass Bash Presented by Berkley, which was the largest field the event has seen since its creation. The field had their eyes set on over $25,000 in prizes that they could get a piece of with just one fish.
Day One big bass leader and Tusculum College Bass Team angler, Corban Rood, was able to keep big bass honors throughout the tournament with his 8.56lb bass and took the top prize of the Cabela’s Collegiate Big Bass Bash Presented by Berkley.
"It was a lot better on the second day because of the sun," Rood stated. "We caught about 22 pounds for the best five fish on Sunday. We stuck to the same pattern as Saturday, throwing chartreuse and black crankbaits. I didn’t know if my fish from the day before would hold in first place or not. I know there are bigger ones in Kentucky Lake, but of course I was hoping to stay on the top."
Rood took home a $1,200 in Cabela’s Gift Cards, a Yamaha Generator, Hydrowave H2, Costa Sunglasses, a Mustang life jacket, and $300 in Ranger Boats Wear as the top prize for catching the biggest bass of the tournament.
"It’s crazy how many prizes were given even though there wasn’t an entry fee, which really helps out quite a bit. This tournament will also be a major boost to our ranking in the Cabela’s School of the Year points as we don’t get to go to too many tournaments throughout the year," Rood said.
Carris Claims Second
Tennessee Tech Freshman, Sam Carris expected the Day Two bite to only get better with the change in weather conditions that moved in overnight, but struggled to catch the size he was looking for.
"I thought the fishing was going to be better with the sun on the second day," Carris said. "The morning bite in my practice days were strong whenever the sun was out, so I was excited to get out there on Sunday, but I didn’t catch a keeper until noon."
Carris caught his first keeper in the early afternoon since his 7.78lb big fish and was off to the races from there as his school of fish was soon fired up.
"I caught a few three pounders right after my first keeper, and ended the day catching three five pounders – one that won 8th in the fourth weigh in session too."
Carris won an additional $2,250 in contingency money through Costa Sunglasses, Yamaha, the Association of Collegiate Anglers and a Gemini Matching Hoodie.
"This was my first Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing event and I was really thankful for the older guys on the team that set up our jerseys for the contingencies because I didn’t realize all the contingency money that you can win. I am actually going to register for the Ranger Cup as well to make sure that I can gain as much money as I can in the next events," Carris stated.
The $250 Ranger Cup contingency was paid to fifth place overall finisher, University of Wisconsin Steven’s Point’s Justin Lundborg.
Anglers are encouraged to sign up for all contingencies and discount programs to help gain additional prizes at all of the Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series. The full list of discounts and incentives can be found here: http://www.collegiatebasschampionship.com/discounts-incentives.html
Anglers can mark their calendars for next year’s Cabela’s Collegiate Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley for the same weekend, March 11-13, 2016, on Kentucky Lake!
The remaining Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series events are scheduled for the following dates and venues:
Collegiate Bass Fishing Open – April 17-19, 2015 -Lake Chickamauga – Dayton, TN
The Collegiate Bass Texas Shootout – April 25-26, 2015 – Lake Texoma – Denison, TX
BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship – May 20-22, 2015 – Pickwick Lake -Florence, AL
