Heiser secures win while Edwards locks up Angler of the Year!
A smaller than expected field accepted the challenge that is Truman Lake in the second Missouri TBF Qualifier on June 3rd and 4th at Long Shoal Ramp. Water levels and current flow were the story of the day with lake levels falling from 25 feet high to “only” 14 feet above normal pool over the prior weeks. With lots of flooded trees and bushes the shallow bite was tempting for lots of anglers but with all the green leaves gone and falling water levels this bite proved inconsistent at best. Instead, most of the successful anglers also focused on main lake structure and current flow to supplement their bite and/or upgrade their catch.
Long time Truman expert Don Heiser showed his consistency by bringing the only 10 bass limit to the scales for a total of 20.41 pounds. Don caught multiple keepers each day and culled his way to first place by focusing on main lake points early with Carolina rigs and jigs. His early fish would often be Spotted bass which he would later attempt to cull with the heavier Large Mouth bass.
Second place on the boater side went to Ken Whitfield who came on strong Sunday with a 5 fish limit for 13.6 pounds and big sack of the event. His anchor was a 4.8 pounder which was good enough for big bass on Sunday. Ken caught his fish Saturday and early Sunday by flipping shallow cover but found a main lake ledge that proved to be his honey hole in the last hour on Sunday that produced 7 keepers for he and his non-boater. His arsenal was the same for both locations with texas rig plastics and jigs doing the trick
The final boater slot was secured by Mick Maples with 17.11 pounds fishing the main lake area. Mick caught most of his fish shallow flipping flooded willow trees and bushes. He showed his versatility on Sunday though by catching his key fish dragging deeper cover and even targeting suspended fish with a jerkbait!
The non-boater field was a tight race with the win secured in the last hour of Sunday by new comer Stacey Stracke. Stacy is new to TBF but a very accomplished angler as proven by his first-place co-angler finish and third overall weight of 17.14 pounds. He had good partners each day and enjoyed the last hour flurry with Ken Whitfield that helped him finish out his last day limit.
The second-place co-angler was experienced Truman angler Troy Ladehoff. Troy used the “big bass” approach to his tournament with a total of 15.05 pounds anchored by co-angler big bass on both Saturday (4.34) and Sunday (4.43).
The final co-angler spot was secured by Roger Edwards who overcame a rough first day (i.e. lousy boater) to find 5 fish on Sunday for 9.77 pounds. Roger fished around the main lake and found his fish relating to current.
Several other anglers enjoyed individual success with Tom McGovern taking home big bass on the boater side Saturday and overall with a 5.4 pound kicker. It was his first event with the TBF and he finished in 4th place overall on the boater side with 15.3 pounds.
The Angler of the Year race was also decided at Truman and in a very close race Roger Edwards squeaked past Brad Tyer and Mick Maples by only 2 points to secure the win! His win was even more impressive given he fished the first event as a boater and due to boat problems had to adjust and fish Truman from the back of the boat. Roger is a long-time member and recently represented Missouri admirably at the TBF National Championship at Table Rock Lake. Rounding out the top 5 were Don Heiser and Greg Lampton who finished just a few points off the pace.
