Americana Outdoors E-Magazine - May 2018

Pahl (right) receives his Garmin Echomap and a $200 Cabela’s Gift Card for winning Session 4 from Cabela’s Pro Fisherman Jeff Reynolds.

The fishing out on Kentucky Lake this week proved to be phenomenal. Words cannot put into perspective how healthy this fishery is. During the 8 weigh-in sessions held over two days, the top 10 finishers in each session earned prizes, meaning 80 positions were paid out in total. The smallest fish to earn a prize, the 80th place fish overall, weighed 4.96 lbs. In years past, it was not uncommon to see a 5 pound class fish win top prize in one of the many sessions. Patterns used to target fish this week out on Ken- tucky Lake varied greatly. Anglers reported using crankbaits, Alabama Rigs, and even spinner- baits. The overall winner of the tournament, Bri- an Pahl, caught the winning fish flipping shallow bushes with a jig. Pahl was paired with two of his fellow teammates, as they were fishing three to a boat. The angler up front running the trolling motor was casting a crankbait to shallow cover. Pahl was fishing directly behind him pitching to this same cover with a slower more methodical presentation. This approach proved to be key in helping the Bethel University angler land the grand prize winning fish.

BY KYLE CURRY The 2018 Cabela’s Collegiate Big Bass Bash – presented by Berkley was a true test from start to finish for 479 of the best collegiate anglers in the country. Held on Kentucky Lake in Paris, TN, there were three main variables in play over the two days of competition. First, this was a big bass format event which involves strategy and a great deal of thinking. Second, the water level was dropping at a constant rate. Third, the weath- er conditions changed on each day of the event. Brian Pahl of Bethel University managed to over- come these challenges to catch a 9.22 pound largemouth bass. This fish, caught on the first day of the event, claimed top prize in session 4 – presented by Garmin and was the overall big bass for the event. “I caught it 20 minutes right before the session ended. We were right here close to Paris Landing,” said Pahl. The Bethel University angler was fishing with two of his fellow team- mates in the same boat. The trio decided to take their time getting back to the weigh-in site, and Brian brought this fish across the scales at the beginning of session 4.