You wouldn’t think that for $220.00
and a few tournaments you could win a new bass boat, but that’s exactly what I
did at the TBF National Championship - $200 for our local qualifiers and $20
for Ranger Cup dues. We were fishing Bull
Shoals Lake
in Branson, Missouri. The weather was cold but the
fishing was hot, at least as long as it stayed cold. There was a slight wind
and the typical pre-spawn crankbait and jerkbait bite was in full force, only I didn’t know it yet.
I had the worst practice I have ever had.
Looking for fish on the flats had only produced one small keeper on our
one day of practice I was ready to throw in the towel before the tournament
even started. Going through the small
selection of tackle I had been allowed to take on the plane, I picked out a
couple of confidence hard baits and decided to cover water cranking. New
technique, new water, why not? I
couldn’t do much worse than the day before. My morning started on 45 degree
chunk rock banks leading into spawning coves. Not only did it start there but
it finished there. By 10:30 a.m. I had
over 17 lbs in the box including a 5 pound largemouth caught on film by one of
the event camera boats. I continued to run this pattern for the next two days
and managed to pull out the victory for the Western division earning a berth in
the BFL All-American. With hopes of winning the Living the Dream package, I was
in 2nd place overall going into the final day. My only demise is I
had to run further south each day to find new areas, warming weather, and no
wind. Ultimately I fell from 2nd to fifth place on the final day,
weighing in only 2 fish. I didn’t win the Living the Dream package, but I won
the next best thing – the Ranger Cup race, a 2009 Ranger 198VX.
Although it was a disappointing
finish on the final day, the experience of the TBF National Championship was
second to none. We were put up in the Hilton overlooking Bass Pro Shops and the
famous White River. Each boater was given a
wrapped 2009 Ranger Z-520 to run and a Chevy tow vehicle to get to the lake.
The tow vehicle also came with a driver. Each day our boat was filled with gas,
oil, ice, water and a lunch for the next day of fishing. When the day was over,
they picked us up and hauled us back to our motel. At night I would retie my
rods and walk away from the boat; they took care of everything else. Dinners
were provided nightly in the form of banquets or meal tickets good at the local
restaurants on the boardwalk in Branson. The only expenses I had out of my own
pocket were the shopping bills I acquired at Bass Pro Shops. We were treated
like kings. It was the best experience I have ever had at a fishing tournament.
BAR NONE. Everyone who fishes tournaments needs to experience this for
themselves. You will not be disappointed.
None of it would have been possible
without the great support of my sponsors, Western Marine, Ranger Boats, Dry
Creek Outfitters, Dobyns Rods, and Gamma Line. I
would also like to thank Tony Shuyler
and Bruce Flesher who were there as well; their support and encouragement was
greatly appreciated. Last but not least I must thank my parents who made the
trip to support me, my wife Jennifer and my two boys, Damian and Chase, for
their support.
Brandon Craner
Back to Tournament Page