Limits Were Difficult But Not For Steve & Dominic Ortiz They Weighed Limits Both Days For WIN!
Joe Bass Team Trail concluded the 2011 season with our 2011 Team Invitational held on Table Rock Lake. 141 teams were invited to the event with 108 teams attending. The tournament featured about every challenge imaginable – a major cold front followed by bluebird skies, a slick water surface, dropping lake level, dropping water temperatures, fog, turnover, suspending baitfish, and heavy pressure from other events.
Not to be deterred from any of the adversity Steve and Dominic Ortiz weigh in limits both days of competition for the victory. Day 1 Steve reports scrambling for their limit. “After running into a fog bank we shut down and happened on some schooling fish. When the fog lifited we continued up the James to finish out our limit.” Day 2 they report finding one laydown on a mud flat way up the James River where a total of 3 keeps were caught. ”The laydown was in a foot or less of water.” reported Dominic. RC 1.5 DD crankbaits and football jigs were their primary baits. Both report having a total of 6 keepers each day, culling once daily. Sponsors include Triton, Pro’s Choice, Yamaha, Lucky Craft and US Reels. When asked about their US Reels, Steve replyed that the long casts while crankbaiting was a huge advantage. He went on to thank Jack Pieschl, US Reel Pro Staff Director for his help.
2011 Joe Bass Team Trail Champions Steve and Dominic win a 2011 Skeeter ZX190 w/Yamaha 150 VZ (HPDI Series 2) package featuring Tuff Coated trailer, chrome wheels, torsion axles, Hunningbird 788 CI, Minn Kota 70, 24 v trolling motor, and Interstate Batteries. Completely rigged and lake ready.
1st Place – Steve Ortiz – John Williams – Dominic Ortiz
Also weighing in limits both days Wes Endicott and Derrick Wright take 2nd Place. They report catching their limits on jigs around docks and cedars with the best bite at mid day. Wes & Derrick take home a total of $3040.00. Sponsors include Nitro, Mercury, MotorGuide, Kistler, and Pro Guide.
2nd Place – Derrick Wright – John Williams – Wes Endicott
Third Place Dennis Edwards and Sam Morton report using jigs and spoons on docks. Day 1 the fish were shallower while on day 2 the fish were deeper told the team. A total of 9 keeps on day 1 and 6 keeps on day 2 were culled through for their limits. Dennis and Sam take home $2816.00. Sponsors include Ozawkie Boat Co., Phoenix Boats, Rock Creek Marina, Rod Saver, and Dennis Edwards Tackle.
Third Place – Dennis Edwards – John Williams – Sam Morton
The tournaments largest bass was weighed in on Day 2 by James Macleod and Danny Johnston. Danny reports catching the 5.22 lb lunker in Cricket Creek on his own homemade spinnerbait. The bait had 3 willowleaf blades and a skirt colored up with white, pink and black? They received a total of $1000.00 plus a $200.00 certificate from the 2011 Big Bass sponsor Dennis Hanks Chevrolet along with Mo Mann plaque and Pro Packs. Sponsors include Rogers Lures and Smithville Marine.
1st Big Bass – James Macleod – John Williams – Danny Johnston
This event concludes the 2011 Joe Bass Team Trail season. I would like to thank all the teams that participated this season and thank all of our sponsors for their support of you. Special thanks to Mike Webb and KAST for their donations. Rusty will kick of the 2012 season with the 1st Winter Division tournament November 27th on Pomme taking off from Hermitage Ramp at 7 am.
Top Ten
| FINISH | TEAM | # BASS | BIG | FINAL | PAYBACK |
| 1 | Steve Ortiz – Dominic Ortiz | 10/10 | 2.95 | 22.91 | Skeeter/Yamaha package + $684.00 |
| 2 | Wes Endicott – Derrick Wright | 10/10 | 2.48 | 22.78 | $3,040.00 |
| 3 | Dennis Edwards – Sam Morton | 10/10 | 3.42 | 21.62 | $2,816.00 |
| 4 | Mike Webb – Tim Sainto | 10/10 | 2.74 | 21.14 | $1,500.00 |
| 5 | Scott Bailey – Aaron Stanphill | 9/9 | 2.5 | 17.82 | $1,000.00 |
| 6 | Eric Hammond – Mick Hammond | 9/9 | 2.42 | 17.69 | $750.00 |
| 7 | Tom Statler – Dillon Statler | 9/9 | 2.3 | 17.52 | $500.00 |
| 8 | Kevin Johnston – Larry Brooks | 8/8 | 2.94 | 17.43 | $500.00 |
| 9 | Jim Dopp – Charlie McCutchen | 8/8 | 2.75 | 17.1 | $500.00 |
| 10 | Taylor Thompson – Melvin Thompson | 7/7 | 16.47 | $400.00 |
Photos here.
1) Banquet
3) Check Line