The final qualifying event of the 2005 National Boat Mart TVA Tournament Series was held on Lake Shafer in Monticello, Indiana out of the Indiana Beach Campground Ramp. As the anglers left the staging area many were looking forward to getting those valuable point fish as they jostled for position in the standings for the Top-10. While others were hoping of making the cut for the 2005 National Boat Mart TVA Bass Championship, because they were “on the bubble”. The lake appeared pretty stingy, mainly because quite a few anglers lost some really nice bass at the side of their boat.
As the anglers started weighing in the afternoon the leader board was looking more like the pole for the Indy 500 or a Nascar race, than a bass tournament as the weights were tight from top to bottom, like almost every series event this season.
Burnettsville, Indiana’s Jerry Drazer came in with a five bass limit that weighed in at 8.96 pounds to nail down another win and go to the winners circle. “I feel very fortunate today, I thought it was pretty tough out there” said Drazer. Drazer reported catching his fish on a crankbait and some with plastic worms while fishing the main lake, and backwaters. He also reported that he caught one up in the river, but didn’t stay long. “I had to run around a little today, and try a lot of different things, just to be thorough” remarked Drazer.
“The fish were not aggressive at all, and they dropped the water on us this morning about 4-5 inches. That shuts them down, and I had to cover a lot of water to get one bite. I used a lot of Kick-N-Bass Attractant today, Kick-N-Bass will help them commit to the bite. I think a lot of them are feeding at night too, with the high water temperatures” explained Drazer. Drazer wouldn’t give any more information though about his catch during the interview.
“We’ve got the championship next month, and these guys aren’t just great anglers, they’re smart, and they figure stuff out pretty quick. That’s why most of them have fished at the national level at some point in their career. Let’s change the subject now” laughed Drazer.
Drazer is sponsored by: Hendrickson Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep of Monticello, Interstate Batteries, Kick-N-Bass, Fishingworld.com, and Super Wash Car Washes.
In second place was Monticello, Indiana’s Jim McWhirter who competed in his first ever NBM-TVA Series event. McWhirter who is always tough wherever he goes came in with three bass weighing 5.88 pounds to hold down the runner-up spot. McWhirter knows the lake very well and fished a lot of areas, but slowed way down around noon. McWhirter is sponsored by Monticello Shell and is Captain of their Pro-Team.
In third was former Angler-of-the-Year and NBM-TVA Bass Championship winner Brook, Indiana’s Marty Yoder. Yoder had three bass weighing 4.90 pounds to hold down a solid finish. However, Yoder made the weigh-in very exciting. Reports on the lake had filtered down that Yoder had 4 and one was a 21 incher. As Yoder came to the scales, it was announced that he had a big fish. It was no lie, as his fish were dumped a 21 inch walleye flopped in the weigh-in tub, as the spectators were expecting to see a 21 inch largemouth or smallmouth that has been the staple and foundation of his winning reputation. Hat’s off to Yoder for winning the “Mr. Excitement” award in this event and making a good show. Yoder is sponsored by: BassBoatCentral, Heavy Cover Spinnerbaits, and Persuader Lures.
Rounding out the Top-5 spots in the event was Logansport, Indiana’s John Sabatini in fourth with two bass weighing 3.93 pounds. On of Sabatini’s bass also took Big Bass honors for the tournament., as it tipped the scales to 2.47 pound mark. Sabatini is sponsored by Skeeter Boats,Yamaha Outboards, and Spro.
In fifth was rookie sensation Brendan Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald came to the scales with two bass weighing 3.86 pounds to hold down another solid finish in his spectacular rookie year. Not only did this give Fitzgerald a solid finish, but it also gave him the runner-up position in the 2005 standings, and cinched the title for “Rookie-of-the-Year”. Fitzgerald had a record setting season in 2005 as a rookie. Fitzgerald never dropped out of the Top-10, and led the points race through the middle of the season, a first for a TVA rookie.
The victory at Shafer was doubly sweet and record setting for Drazer though. As the former three-time NBM-TVA Series Points Champion, reeled in his fourth point’s championship winning Angler-of-the-Year title for the 2005 season. Plus it was by a record wide point margin.
“I have to give credit and praise to the Lord above, he’s really blessed me this year” said Drazer. “This is a pretty special deal. In tournament circuits, you’re only as good as your competition, and there’s no doubt these guys are all very accomplished anglers, so that makes Angler-of-the-Year special in this series” said Drazer.
Drazer wanted to make it known that looks are deceiving. The 2005 season wasn’t pretty until the end. “First, I have a very healthy respect for all these guys. My back was against the wall the entire year. I blanked last fall on Freeman, not just once, but twice. Then this spring I had a bad finish here on Shafer, and that literally tanked me in the standings. Tanked to the point of one more poor performance and you’re out of the running for a Top-5 and possibly a Top-10 point’s finish. Believe me, it’s quite a mental hurdle to block out, because it can easily consume you, and you’ll self destruct” remarked Drazer.
ATTENTION: 2005 NBM-TVA Bass Championship
The 2005 National Boat Mart TVA Bass Championship is slated for September 10-11, 2005. Anglers must have accumulated a minimum of 350 points and fished five events in order to qualify. The championship waters will be off limits prior to the event. Refer to the tournament rules on the website or brochure for dates and start times. The first day of competition will be on Lake Freeman out of Dodge Camp. The second day will be on Lake Shafer out of the Indiana Beach Campground Ramp.
The NBM-TVA Bass Series is proudly sponsored by: National Boat Mart, FishingWorld.com, Bass Maxx Charging Systems, Hendrickson Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep, Wrede & Son’s Excavating, Wild Bill’s Outpost, Kroger, Land-O-Champs Trophy, Lafayette Glass Company and Monticello Shell.
FALL OPEN TOURNAMENTS ANNOUNCED
The 2006 OPEN’s were announced also this week.
The Lake Shafer OPEN will be held on Shafer, out of the Lake Shafer Boat Rentals Marina on October 15th.
The TVA Team Challenge will be held on Shafer the following weekon October 22nd on Lake Shafer, out of Lake Shafer Boat Rentals.By: TVA Staff
