Americana Outdoors E-Magazine - October 2019

BERKLEY BAITS PROVE KEY ON DAY 2

The final day of a major bass fishing tournament is one of the most exhilarating moments of an entire event. Ev- erything is on the line, and the sole goal of each and every angler is to go out and win the whole thing. Day two of the 2019 Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley lived up to that hype. Using only Berkley baits to catch their fish, these college anglers hauled fish after fish across the stage, including the Overall Big Bass of the event. During today’s competition, anglers were permitted to fish with solely Berkley baits. Berkley, a long time sponsor of the ACA and Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, is known for their quality fishing lures and soft plastics. Those Berkley products proved to be a key contributor to anglers who weighed in fish today. Bennet Kudder from 16th ranked Bryan College won Ses- sion 1 presented by Abu Garcia with 4.20 pounds. Entering today with limited expectations, he was not sure that the morning bite would produce a quality fish. “It was a big surprise, I wasn’t really expecting to do well today. Having a good fish early was a surprise,” said Kudder. Following in compliance with the regulations for tourna- ment action on day two of the event, the Bryan College angler caught the session winning fish on a Berkley bait. Bennett was chunking the Berkley Cane Walker to shallow cover when the bass decided to strike.

“We pulled back into a pocket with some rocks in it, and there were some shad there. I threw a Cane Walker, I was reeling the thing in…and it ate my Cane Walker as I was reeling it in,” added Kudder.

Bennet Kudder of Bryan College poses with his Berkley Cane Walker.

Session 1 weights here on the final day resembled those from Session 1 on Day 1. There were a few fish over the four pound mark, numerous fish in the two pound range, and the session was capped off in 10th place with 1.96 pounds. The morning bite out on Kentucky Lake this week proved key. Those anglers that were able to dial in a solid topwater bite left home with a boat load of prizes both yesterday and today.