THE NEXT TRUMAN TAKES OFF AT LONG SHOAL.
The first event of the 2025 Truman division launched under a steady rain that only added to an already swollen lake level. Scuttlebutt suggested a change for a tough bite from what has been a stellar spring season so far. The quickly rising water seems to have scattered the fish, but the calendar suggests that more heavy weights could find their way to the scales and push a team’s name to the top of the Window World Leaderboard while every keeper counts towards qualifying points for the Joe Bass Invitational to be held next fall from Bucksaw Resort and Marina.
Justin and Matt Miller bested the 70 boat field with a staggering 21.65 pound limit. They shared their C&C Valley Transmission key to success was fishing jigs and brush hogs on open stretches of gravel banks where they suspected fish may be on nests. They scattered 10 keepers out on an all-day bite to take the win. Justin and Matt are sponsored by Dave’s Custom Baits.
Long-time Truman sticks Kevin Johnston and Roger Waters nailed down a second place finish with a 20.80 pound bag. They stuck to their customary jig approach, finding numbers tough to come by as they boated 6 keepers for the day. They kept Kevin’s 2024 ZXR20 close to the bushes to take Top Skeeter honors. Kevin and Roger enjoy the support of a BaitWRX, Goody’s Steakburgers and Strike King Lures.
Wayne Garrison and Billy Greenwell landed the final podium position. Their best five fished locked in at 19.45 pounds. Wayne said they relied on a jig as well, flipping bushes in shallow pockets to land 9 keepers for the day. Wayne and Billy are sponsored by Billy Greenwell stables.
Jonathon Evans and Bradley Dillon boated the Impel Union big bass of the day, a lunker 6.28 pound largemouth that bit a brush hog around noon. Jonathon noted the fish was a bit deeper than their other fish and surmised it may have been on the old bank line.
Thank you Taylor Grubaugh Chevrolet, Buick & GMC for sponsoring the release boat!
Clear Cast marine electronics repair is now supporting Joe Bass Team Trail. Their support is a valauble addition to our sponsoring local businesses. Their support pays for all of the Tournament of Champions and Staff Shootout opportunities at the Invitational. Lets make them feel welcome. SUPPORT their efforts! Be sure and visit their website for details for your repair and setup needs!
Peyton Stumpf of Trippple P Custom’s will award a replica fishmount valued at $500 to the winner of the big bass award at this fall’s Truman Invitational. Please check out Trippple P Customs for custom painted swimbaits, crankbaits and more!
Teams, don’t forget to bring your empty packages of Rapala, Crush City, Storm, VMC and Suffix, with your name and phone number, to your next Joe Bass Tournament for a chance at a really nice pro-pack. Drawings done monthly throughout the tournament season.
The next event it the 2025 Truman division is May 18th with a 6:00am start. Please, in order to take off on time, you have to show up on time! Be sure and allow for registration and launching so take-off isn’t delayed.
If you want immediate notification of results and schedule changes Join and LIKE the Joe Bass Team Trail Facebook page.
Photos
Results
| Place | Team Members | Fish | B/F | TotWgt | Pts | Payout |
| 1 | Justin Miller – Mathew Miller | 5 | 5.38 | 21.65 | 220 | $3,560.00 |
| 2 | Kevin Johnston – Roger Waters | 5 | 5.49 | 20.8 | 219 | $1,990.00 |
| 3 | Wayne Garrison – Billy Greenwell | 5 | 5.33 | 19.45 | 218 | $1,120.00 |
| 4 | Kenny Sloan – Brendon Mick | 5 | 4.77 | 19.28 | 217 | $850.00 |
| 5 | Mike Edrington – Bryce Rieder | 5 | 5.42 | 17.76 | 216 | $750.00 |
| 6 | Eric Zuk – Ben Zuk | 5 | 4.17 | 17.22 | 215 | $444.00 |
| 7 | John Bennett – Darrell Reach | 5 | 4.62 | 17.05 | 214 | $250.00 |
| 8 | Greg Askew – Terry Case | 5 | 4.03 | 15.31 | 213 | $200.00 |
| 9 | Bryan Baker – Darren Baker | 5 | 5.69 | 14.91 | 212 | $450.00 |
| 10 | Jim Sloan – Jeff Stout | 5 | 14.69 | 211 | $180.00 | |
| 11 | Travis Stevens – Rich Campbell | 5 | 14.66 | 210 | $180.00 | |
| 12 | Corey Besgrove – Eddie Brown | 5 | 14.43 | 209 | $180.00 | |
| 13 | Jim Sells – Tim Green | 5 | 4.73 | 14.36 | 208 | $180.00 |
| 14 | Joseph Hull – Brett Fickle | 5 | 4.28 | 14.32 | 207 | |
| 15 | Marty Watson – Doug Long | 5 | 14.19 | 206 | ||
| 16 | Quenton Bear – Jeff Bear | 5 | 14.15 | 205 | ||
| 17 | David McCormick – Gary Shartzer | 5 | 3.31 | 13.75 | 204 | |
| 18 | Coty Baldwin – John Bollinger | 5 | 13.17 | 203 | ||
| 19 | Aaron Foglesong – Jeff Wilkins | 5 | 4.57 | 13.02 | 202 | |
| 20 | Tony Powers – Cindy Powers | 4 | 4.81 | 12.95 | 201 | |
| 21 | Adam Procter – Luke Engles | 5 | 3.71 | 12.92 | 200 | |
| 22 | Anthony Fernandez – Bryce Henderson | 5 | 12.86 | 199 | ||
| 23 | Roy Butler – Michael Butler | 4 | 4.95 | 12.18 | 198 | |
| 24 | Doug Henzlik – Kevin McKnight | 4 | 11.97 | 197 | ||
| 25 | Jerry McCutchen – Kevin Smith | 5 | 11.95 | 196 | ||
| 26 | Kaden Zimmerman – Andrew Esterhold | 5 | 4.03 | 11.48 | 195 | |
| 27 | Kelly Rebel – Dawn Rebel | 5 | 11.3 | 194 | ||
| 28 | Brad Territo – Logan Carter | 5 | 4.74 | 11.26 | 193 | |
| 29 | Todd Miller – Cam Miller | 4 | 10.95 | 192 | ||
| 30 | Jonathan Evans – Bradley Dillon | 3 | 6.28 | 10.39 | 191 | $420.00 |
| 31 | Hal Land – Brad Baze | 3 | 5.67 | 10.07 | 190 | |
| 32 | Gus Adkinson – Riley Phillips | 3 | 4.87 | 9.86 | 189 | |
| 33 | Jordan Williams – Trevor Bartlett | 5 | 9.73 | 188 | ||
| 34 | Mark Thompson – Mark Thompson II | 3 | 5.66 | 9.53 | 187 | |
| 35 | John Prochko – Diego Segui | 4 | 8.59 | 186 | ||
| 36 | Glen McCrary – Sondra McCrary | 2 | 4.59 | 7.44 | 185 | |
| 37 | Stephen Smith – Bill MacAvoy | 3 | 7.29 | 184 | ||
| 38 | Shane Voyles – Scott St. Clair | 3 | 6.48 | 183 | ||
| 39 | Bill Jared – Rich Carpenter | 4 | 6.39 | 182 | ||
| 40 | Tom McGovern – Wayne Unkel | 3 | 6.22 | 181 | ||
| 41 | Ryan Melcher – Christie Lanker | 2 | 4.21 | 5.84 | 180 | |
| 42 | Steve Teske – Bruce Yarnell | 2 | 5.45 | 179 | ||
| 43 | John Williams – Jim Williams | 3 | 5.35 | 178 | ||
| 44 | John Neil Jr – Todd Tiger | 1 | 5.34 | 5.34 | 177 | |
| 45 | Noah Kelly – Noah Zaremba | 2 | 4.99 | 176 | ||
| 46 | Dan Flood – Casey Flood | 2 | 4.48 | 175 | ||
| 47 | Lennie Becker – Charles Vaughn | 4 | 4.24 | 174 | ||
| 48 | Shawn Crabtree – Theresa Patterson | 1 | 3.93 | 3.93 | 173 | |
| 49 | Steve Fowler – *Gary Maxwell | 2 | 3.01 | 172 | ||
| 50 | Ron Peek – *fished aalone | 1 | 2.84 | 2.84 | 171 | |
| 51 | Richard Johnson – John Nickles | 1 | 2.09 | 2.09 | 170 | |
| 52 | Doug Hoeppner – Thad Owens | 1 | 1.61 | 1.61 | 169 | |
| 53 | Jacob Alexander – John Alexander | 0 | 20 | |||
| Mitchell Armstrong – Lyle Armstrong | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Chris Bridges – Steve Prince | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Robert Carr – Caleb Carr | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Noah Dickneite – Andre Dickniete | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Joe Dorcy – Dene White | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Joddy Dungan – John Matousek | 0 | 20 | ||||
| *Jamie Edge – Kelly (Bob) Nunn | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Chad Hendrick – Troy Hendrick | 0 | 20 | ||||
| John Hewkin – Frank Meyer | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Justin Holser – Logan Teal | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Alex Johnmeyer – Diana Johnmeyer | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Kevin Love – *fished aalone | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Edward Nelson – Tony Zaharsky | 0 | 20 | ||||
| *John Campbell – Rusty Darnell | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Ben Sadler – *Chris LuAllen | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Cole Tullis – Oliver Siebert | 0 | 20 | ||||
| Roger Umbarger – Josh Louiselle | 0 | 20 |
*alternate