The Texas B.A.S.S. Nation Southeast Region held it’s coveted Top-40 Championship Friday & Saturday, October 30-31, on Lake Whitney, with the host ramp as McCown Valley Park.  Pre-fishing did not bode well as major post frontal conditions made for cold windy days.  However, Day 1 and Day 2 of the tournament provided Chamber of Commerce weather. 

Both tournament days were a close battle between Justin Royal and Wesley Baxley.  However, Justin earned the 2020 Top-40 Champion title with a 2-Day weight of 33.66 edging Baxley who had 32.26 pounds.  “I started off every morning for about an hour fishing rocks and rip rap with a whopper plopper”,  Said Royal.  “Once the sun got up I started flipping wood and stick ups. I was running 30-40 spots a day flipping a 6th sense Stroker Craw on 20# Gamma Edge Fluorocarbon with a Power Tackle The “One” 04.  I can’t say enough about Jordan’s Marine for having my Phoenix running flawlessly as well as Yamaha for making the best motor on the market.  Also would like to thank Rambo Outdoors for getting me a Pure Oxygen system for my livewells, it keeps the fish alive and well all day with no issues.”

In the Non-Boater category, Tye Grissom was Mr. Consistency by being in the Top-3 places both days, maintaining a total weight of 16.18 to take the Top-40 Non-Boater Title, only edging out Allen Harwell by .89 pounds.  “Being a part of this (Vidor) club and fishing the fishing the BASS Nation was a dream of mine as a kid”, said Grissom.  “I enjoyed fishing with my boaters Kris Wernecke day and (Angler of the Year) Daniel Davis on Day 2, and appreciate them doing everything they could so I’d have a chance to do well.  After a rough year this was not the results I was expecting… I’m truly honored to be part of the State Team and represent the Vidor BASS Angler’s Association.”

The Southeast Region Directors would like to say Congratulations to all our Top-40 anglers!

We also would like to say thank you to ALL our anglers for their patience and understanding during this tough and unprecedented year.  We hope to see all of our anglers in 2021 for another (& pandemic free) exciting Southeast Region tournament trail!

-DT

The Region held its two final events back to back to wrap up the 2020 Season which proved to be an interesting and challenging season with Covid lurking around.

The SETX BASS Nation Region wrapped up its final two events of the 2020 season on Sam Rayburn lake, which also also wrapped up the highly sought after Angler of the Year title which went to Daniel Davis from The Bass Club. It was a close race down the final event. Ned Westmoreland from Seven Coves came in a close 2nd and Justin Royal from Vidor Bass Anglers came in 3rd.

Pretournament reports were that it was going to a tough event then weather reports of high winds all weekend long. Well the weather held up its end of the story, the high winds made it a struggle to get to some of the anglers prime areas or any serious offshore spots. But a few managed to find some quality fish and weigh in limits.

Justin Royal was the Overall winner and Big Bass Saturday Sept 19, 2020:

“I targeted windblown banks, using a Power Tackle “The one” 03 7’6” rod and a Spanish bone 6th sense Speed wake over hydrilla on the south end of Rayburn. My Phoenix 920 Elite powered by my Yamaha 250 Sho was key in being able to get down south where I wanted to fish with how rough the lake was.”

Garret Smith was the Overall Winner Sunday:

“First off want to give a big thanks to my Uncle Robert Royal for allowing me to fish out of the back of his boat all season. We starting our day using soft plastics and I caught my kicker fish first in the same place I lost a good one Saturday. We then ran down to mid lake targeting hydrilla in 3-5ft of water using a variety of moving baits where I was able to cull my way up to 15.60.”

Ron Gunter Big Bass Winner Sunday:

“Big bass on Sunday was caught near the back of a main lake drain in four foot of water with grass. The fish bit a Carolina rigged senko.”

The final field is set for the Region Top-40 Championship to be held on Lake Whitney, October 30-31. We wish all our championship participants good luck and safe travels!