SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CITY, La. — Camping for three weeks out of the back of his truck while he prefished the Red River paid off for 22-year-old Brandon Palaniuk of Rathdrum, Idaho, in the BASS Federation Nation Championship presented by Skeeter and Yamaha.
“Bill Golightly (a fellow Western Division competitor) and I came down and prefished together,” said Palaniuk, who won the event with a three-day catch of 14 bass that weighed 29 pounds, 9 ounces.
George Crain of Cropwell, Ala., was second with 24-10, almost 5 pounds behind the winner. Golightly of Preston, Wyo., finished third with 24-9.
Palaniuk found out in practice that the Red River was fishing tough.
“I figured if I could get 10 pounds a day for three days, I would be right there,” he said. The Panhandle Bass Anglers Club member nearly kept up that pace each day as he cranked a rock jetty with a Lucky Craft Skeet Reese Mini crankbait and flipped the grass in a backwater area with a Texas-rigged Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver.
Palaniuk led on the first day, but slipped to fourth place the second day. But his double-digit weight Friday of 12-0 sent him back up to clinch the championship trophy, a Skeeter-Yamaha boat rig valued at $60,000, an invitation to move up into the Bassmaster Elite Series in 2011 — and what every angler came to the Red River this week to win: a berth in the 2011 Bassmaster Classic.
Palaniuk made two dreams come true by winning the championship and qualifying for the Classic.
“Since the first time I was taken out in a bass boat when I was 8 years old, I have been thinking about making the Classic,” he said. “And since I started fishing the Federation when I was 16, I started dreaming about winning one of these (annual championships).”
The other five Federation Nation Classic qualifiers were Crain in the Southern Division; Dale Hightower of Sand Springs, Okla., in the Central Division; Day 2 leader Brian LaClair of Denton, Del., in the Mid-Atlantic Division; Sean Alvarez of Rutland, Vt., in the Eastern Division; and David Watson of Dugger, Ind., in the Northern Division.
They will compete Feb. 18-20 in a field of 50 on the Louisiana Delta.
“I am speechless. It is absolutely amazing. It is surreal. I am just an average guy and this shows what the Federation Nation can do,” said Vermont’s Alvarez.
The Junior Bassmaster World Championship, also on Friday but on nearby Cross Lake, resulted in two Eastern Division anglers squeaking out titles by mere ounces. Alexander Wetherell of Middletown, Conn., won in the 15-18 age group by 2 ounces with a total of four fish tallying 4-5.
Christopher Catucci of Warwick, R.I., won in the 11-14 age division with two bass weighing 5-12.
The young anglers won scholarship money.
2010 BASS FEDERATION NATION CHAMPIONSHIP - FINAL STANDINGS
2010 FEDERATION NATION CHAMPIONSHIP 10/27-10/29 Red River, Shreveport La.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown D No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, Idaho (ID) W 14 29-09 $60,000.00
2. George Crain Cropwell, Ala. (AL) S 13 24-10 $5,000.00
3. Bill Golightly Preston, Wyo. (WY) W 15 24-09 $2,500.00
4. Dale Hightower Sand Springs, Okla. (OK) C 15 24-02 $1,000.00
5. Brian Maloney Osage Beach, Mo. (MO) C 15 22-09 $1,000.00
6. David Brinkerhoff Kelso, Ore. (OR) W 13 22-02 $500.00
7. Jay Evans Corvallis, Mont. (MT) W 13 21-15 $1,000.00
8. Brian LaClair Denton, Del. (DE) M 12 21-08 $1,000.00
9. Justy Varkevisser Edenvale 1610, South Africa (RSA)S 15 20-14 $500.00
10. Jeff Stetler Leesburg, N.J. (NJ) M 11 19-14 $500.00
11. Jamie Laiche Gonzales, La. (LA) C 15 19-05 $500.00
12. Isauro Tijerina Guadalupe, Mexico (MEX) C 13 18-12 $250.00
13. Randy Ladner Bay St Louis, Miss. (MS) C 12 18-11 $250.00
14. Cavin Young Prince George, Va. (VA) M 11 18-08 $250.00
15. Zachary King Clarksville, Ark. (AR) C 11 18-03 $750.00
16. Sean Alvarez Rutland, Vt. (VT) E 10 17-04 $250.00
17. Donnie Cox Tazewell, Tenn. (TN) S 10 17-00 $250.00
18. David Watson Dugger, Ind. (IN) N 10 16-10 $250.00
19. Rob Digh Denver, N.C. (NC) S 12 16-06 $250.00
20. James Smiley Lake Forest, Calif. (CA) W 8 16-01 $250.00
21. Jerry Frahm Brigham City, Utah (UT) W 7 15-13 $250.00
22. Nathan Ranallo La Crosse, Wisc. (WI) N 11 15-03 $250.00
23. Alessio Telese Signa-Firenz, Italy (ITA) N 10 14-06 $250.00
24. Joey Nania Liberty Lake, Wash. (WA) W 8 14-06 $250.00
25. Travis Tunnell Benton, Kan. (KS) C 6 14-05 $250.00
26. Scott Parker Londonderry, N.H. (NH) E 8 14-01 $250.00
27. David Mock Tallahassee, Fla. (FL) S 5 13-06 $250.00
28. Daniel Gray Butler, Pa. (PA) M 9 13-01 $250.00
29. Brandon Card Caryville, Ky. (KY) S 9 12-13 $250.00
30. Dan Parker Guttenberg, Iowa (IA) N 6 12-05 $250.00
31. Mark Klemp Villa Park, Ill. (IL) N 8 12-02 $250.00
32. Tom Jessop Dalhart, Texas (TX) C 7 11-14 $250.00
33. Jeff Green Gaffney, S.C. (SC) S 6 11-13 $250.00
34. Abe Kalechman Stafford, Conn. (CT) E 6 11-12 $250.00
35. Mike Macdonald Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (ZWE) M 10 11-03 $250.00
36. Bob Lechel Los Alamos, N.M. (NM) W 7 10-09 $250.00
37. Jeremy Franken Watertown, S.D. (SD) N 6 10-08 $250.00
38. George Cooper Buxton, Maine (ME) E 6 10-01 $250.00
39. Dave Rochette Bracebridge, Canada (ONT) E 7 9-09 $250.00
40. Ed Riley Woodbine, Md. (MD) M 6 9-06 $250.00
41. Robert Perkins Crosslake, Minn. (MN) N 6 9-02 $250.00
42. Andy Bravence Globe, Ariz. (AZ) W 5 8-14 $250.00
43. Allen McCaw Ignacio, Colo. (CO) W 6 7-14 $250.00
44. Chris Molineaux Hope Valley, R.I. (RI) E 5 6-06 $250.00
45. Kenny Wasmund South Sioux City, Neb. (NE) C 5 6-02 $250.00
46. Mike Moore Philippi, W.Va. (WV) M 4 5-15 $250.00
47. Tony Beck Social Circle, Ga. (GA) S 5 5-12 $250.00
48. Joe Matt Syracuse, N.Y. (NY) E 4 5-10 $250.00
49. Brian Mailot Columbus, Ohio (OH) N 3 5-03 $250.00
50. Randy Phillips Oxford, Mass. (MA) E 3 4-09 $250.00
51. Ryuji Saho Moriguchi-Shi Osaka, Japan (JPN) W 2 4-08 $250.00
52. Paul Hemsley North Las Vegas, Nev. (NV) W 4 3-05 $250.00
53. Ronald Ryals Live Oak, Fla. (FL) S 2 3-05 $250.00
54. Jason Ross Ashley Falls, Mass. (MA) E 1 1-05 $250.00
55. Gerald Woodard Southfield, Mich. (MI) N 1 0-07 $250.00
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Big Bass
Day
1 Zachary King Clarksville, Ark. (AR) 5-00 $500.00
2 Brian LaClair Denton, Del. (DE) 5-02 $500.00
2 Brian LaClair Denton, Del. (DE) 5-02 $500.00
2 Jay Evans Corvallis, Mont. (MT) 4-11 $500.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 17 170 272-11
2 10 139 224-15
3 13 143 237-11
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40 452 735-05
DIVISIONAL STANDINGS Day 3
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WESTERN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, Idaho (ID) 14 29-09 $60,000.00
2 Bill Golightly Preston, Wyo. (WY) 15 24-09 $2,500.00
3 David Brinkerhoff Kelso, Ore. (OR) 13 22-02 $500.00
4 Jay Evans Corvallis, Mont. (MT) 13 21-15 $1,000.00
5 James Smiley Lake Forest, Calif. (CA) 8 16-01 $250.00
6 Jerry Frahm Brigham City, Utah (UT) 7 15-13 $250.00
7 Joey Nania Liberty Lake, Wash. (WA) 8 14-06 $250.00
8 Bob Lechel Los Alamos, N.M. (NM) 7 10-09 $250.00
9 Andy Bravence Globe, Ariz. (AZ) 5 8-14 $250.00
10 Allen McCaw Ignacio, Colo. (CO) 6 7-14 $250.00
11 Ryuji Saho Moriguchi-Shi Osaka, Japa 2 4-08 $250.00
12 Paul Hemsley North Las Vegas, Nev. (NV 4 3-05 $250.00
CENTRAL
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Dale Hightower Sand Springs, Okla. (OK) 15 24-02 $1,000.00
2 Brian Maloney Osage Beach, Mo. (MO) 15 22-09 $1,000.00
3 Jamie Laiche Gonzales, La. (LA) 15 19-05 $500.00
4 Isauro Tijerina Guadalupe, Mexico (MEX) 13 18-12 $250.00
5 Randy Ladner Bay St Louis, Miss. (MS) 12 18-11 $250.00
6 Zachary King Clarksville, Ark. (AR) 11 18-03 $750.00
7 Travis Tunnell Benton, Kan. (KS) 6 14-05 $250.00
8 Tom Jessop Dalhart, Texas (TX) 7 11-14 $250.00
9 Kenny Wasmund South Sioux City, Neb. (N 5 6-02 $250.00
SOUTHERN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 George Crain Cropwell, Ala. (AL) 13 24-10 $5,000.00
2 Justy Varkevisser Edenvale 1610, South Afri 15 20-14 $500.00
3 Donnie Cox Tazewell, Tenn. (TN) 10 17-00 $250.00
4 Rob Digh Denver, N.C. (NC) 12 16-06 $250.00
5 David Mock Tallahassee, Fla. (FL) 5 13-06 $250.00
6 Brandon Card Caryville, Ky. (KY) 9 12-13 $250.00
7 Jeff Green Gaffney, S.C. (SC) 6 11-13 $250.00
8 Tony Beck Social Circle, Ga. (GA) 5 5-12 $250.00
9 Ronald Ryals Live Oak, Fla. (FL) 2 3-05 $250.00
MID-ATLANTIC
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Brian LaClair Denton, Del. (DE) 12 21-08 $1,500.00
2 Jeff Stetler Leesburg, N.J. (NJ) 11 19-14 $500.00
3 Cavin Young Prince George, Va. (VA) 11 18-08 $250.00
4 Daniel Gray Butler, Pa. (PA) 9 13-01 $250.00
5 Mike Macdonald Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (ZWE) 10 11-03 $250.00
6 Ed Riley Woodbine, Md. (MD) 6 9-06 $250.00
7 Mike Moore Philippi, W.Va. (WV) 4 5-15 $250.00
NORTHERN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 David Watson Dugger, Ind. (IN) 10 16-10 $250.00
2 Nathan Ranallo La Crosse, Wisc. (WI) 11 15-03 $250.00
3 Alessio Telese Signa-Firenz, Italy (ITA) 10 14-06 $250.00
4 Dan Parker Guttenberg, Iowa (IA) 6 12-05 $250.00
5 Mark Klemp Villa Park, Ill. (IL) 8 12-02 $250.00
6 Jeremy Franken Watertown, S.D. (SD) 6 10-08 $250.00
7 Robert Perkins Crosslake, Minn. (MN) 6 9-02 $250.00
8 Brian Mailot Columbus, Ohio (OH) 3 5-03 $250.00
9 Gerald Woodard Southfield, Mich. (MI) 1 0-07 $250.00
EASTERN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Sean Alvarez Rutland, Vt. (VT) 10 17-04 $250.00
2 Scott Parker Londonderry, N.H. (NH) 8 14-01 $250.00
3 Abe Kalechman Stafford, Conn. (CT) 6 11-12 $250.00
4 George Cooper Buxton, Maine (ME) 6 10-01 $250.00
5 Dave Rochette Bracebridge, Canada (ONT) 7 9-09 $250.00
6 Chris Molineaux Hope Valley, R.I. (RI) 5 6-06 $250.00
7 Joe Matt Syracuse, N.Y. (NY) 4 5-10 $250.00
8 Randy Phillips Oxford, Mass. (MA) 3 4-09 $250.00
9 Jason Ross Ashley Falls, Mass. (MA) 1 1-05 $250.00
About BASS
For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and its expansive tournament structure while connecting directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.
The Bassmaster brand and its multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer; comprehensive Web properties in Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com and ESPN2 television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.
BASS oversees the Bassmaster Tournament Trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, BASS Federation Nation and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.
BASS offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members and remains focused on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
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