Allstar Team Championship - Sept. 16-17, 2011
Hats off to all the anglers who qualified and fished the 2011 Allstar Team Tournament Championship. We averaged 78 teams during the 2010-2011 season and 40 of those teams qualified to fish for the $10,000 first place cash prize. We started the two day tournament on Apache Lake where the fishing was off the hook! Half the field weighed in 12 pounds or more and there were two 5's and a heavy 4 for the top three big bass. Josh Bertrand and Tommy Jonovich lead after day one with 16.78 lbs with Joe Denson and Robin Jackson close on their heels with 16.3 lbs. Craig Harris and Raymond Thoma rounded out the top three with 15.75 lbs, including the 5.74 big bass for that day.
Day two was at Roosevelt and every one was anxious to get on the water. When we showed up at 4:30 a.m. for check in, the line of boats hit the parking lot. After sharing a cup of coffee and mini muffins, they all headed down to the launch ramp for boat check and the start of the tournament. John finally let everyone go at safe light and those that headed south were hit with a brief but heavy shower. Fishing was definitely tougher on Rosy as only the top ten teams weighed in 12 pounds or more and only the biggest bass of the tournament beat Apache's big bass. At the end of the day, it was Ken Howden and Gary Understiller with the heaviest weight at 15.66 lbs, but Josh and Tommy stayed consistent and brought 15.36 lbs to the scales. Chad Harvey and Rob Smook came in third for the day with 14.23 lbs. It was Dean Kruezer that landed the 6.11 lb biggest bass of the tournament.
In the end, it was Josh Bertrand and Tommy Jonovich's two day total of 32.14 lbs that won the first place "tackle packs" prize. They took home a total of $12,035, including the options winnings. We are so proud of these two young anglers and congratulate them on their talent and ability to be consistent. Their bag contained one of the top three big bass each day. Creston Carroll and Mike Reynolds came up from 5th to 2nd place with a total weight of 29.46 lbs, earning $1,750. Ken Howden and Gary Understiller's excellent day on Rosy got them to 3rd place overall with 28.73 lbs. They too earned $1,750.
Last, but not least, we want to recognize our "Anglers of the Year" Ri Nay and Patrick Spencer. Even though they did not place in the money for the championship tournament, these two are no stranger to the winners circle. They won new Powell Rods, gift certificate to The Tackle Box in Tonto Basin, and free basic entries for the entire 2011-2012 team tournament season.
After the weigh-in, Laura Schroeder and the crew from Reno Creek Diner in Punkin Center served a delicious Carne Asada meal complete with bean, rice and homemade salsa. Laura and her cook John really came through with a great meal and we thank them for coming out to serve all the anglers. We also thank Skeeter Boats and Complete Marine for their continued support and sponsorship. And of course we could not have had such a smooth tournament without the help of Jerry Kirkpatrick, Michael Nugent, Cody Nugent, Kevin Knowles, and Laura Hartnell.
We thank all the anglers who fish Allstar Bass Fishing Tournaments. Your support is without a doubt very much appreciated. We are looking forward to an even better 2011-2012 season. We kick off the new year at Roosevelt on October 15th and we hope to see you there. Sign up will be at The Tackle Box in Tonto Basin Friday night and Saturday morning at the lake. Please visit www.allstarbass.org for complete rules, schedule, entry forms, and membership information forms.
Thanks and see you at the lake.
John & Janet Sneed
(Download the full tournament results for viewing and/or printing from the Results/YTD Standings page. Free Adobe Reader required. 
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