Photo Thomas Allen/B.A.S.S.
The 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship was Albert Collins’ come back victory. The Texas angler lost his bid to the Classic by 1 1/2 pounds on the Ouachita River in November 2014; he’s been planning for his next chance ever since.
Collins ended the 2015 championship with 44 pounds, 15 ounces over three days, and he earned a berth in the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro. He also won the Bryan V. Kerchal Memorial Trophy and a Skeeter ZX200 with a Yamaha motor, a Minn Kota trolling motor and Lowrance electronics.
Collins has qualified for the Classic before, back in 2013 when he won the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series Championship. But he really wanted to make it through the B.A.S.S. Nation.
“It means something special to qualify through the Nation,” said Collins, who has tried several times to qualify through the Nation Championship and, like one year ago, fell just short.
“What I learned last year was that I needed an aluminum boat,” said Collins. “Last year, I used my fiberglass boat, and it’s just not made to go through those stumps and all that shallow water. So I bought an aluminum one for this tournament.”
It paid off. The Triton 18 TX he bought, equipped with a 115 Mercury Pro XS, got him into Bayou D’Arbonne, north of the launch area at Forsythe Park. It topped out at 47 miles per hour, but it let him slip into areas most of the other anglers couldn’t.
“It all revolved around last year,” said Collins, a member of the Nacogdoches Bass Club he helped found several years ago. “I knew where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do; I just needed to get the details.”
The details are what he focused on in pre-fish and practice. He liked that D’Arbonne area because it fits his style of fishing.
“I like to flip and throw spinnerbaits and crankbaits, and that’s what you do there,” he said. “There’s a lot of backwater, a lot of stumps and a good channel, and you can fish multiple ways up there.”
He did flip and he did throw crankbaits, but the standout for him was spinnerbaits.
“I used a Stanley spinnerbait, white/chartreuse with silver and gold willow blades,” said Collins. “I was fishing a medium retrieve, 6 to 10 inches underneath the surface.”
That’s how he started out the final day, too, when he was behind the leader, Jamie Laiche, by nearly 2 pounds. After no fish in the first hour, he changed his tactic.
“They were not as active today,” said Collins, “so I started slow rolling it.” That method accounted for 90 percent of his catches on Day 3, when he brought in a 16-pound, 6-ounce bag.
By winning the tournament, Collins also won his division, edging out two-day leader Jamie Laiche of Louisiana by 1 pound, 13 ounces. The winner of each of the six divisions earns a Classic berth. Joining Collins at the Classic will be Charles Sim of Ontario in the Eastern Division; Fabian Rodriguez, Delaware, Mid-Atlantic; Greg Vance, Iowa, Northern; John Proctor, South Carolina, Southern; and Levi McNeill, Wyoming, Western.
None of those five anglers has ever qualified for the Classic before. Most of them couldn’t even find the words to express their excitement.
“I’m speechless,” said Sim. “I’m only the second Canadian ever to make it! This is phenomenal.”
Overall, the catches on Day 3 were significantly lighter than on the previous days. Still, the biggest bass of the tournament was boated on the final day by Matthew Roberts of the Missouri B.A.S.S. Nation. It was a 5-pound, 6-ounce largemouth, the first 5-plus-pounder anyone had seen during this event. Roberts won $500 for catching the tournament’s big bass.
Jamie Laiche won the other award, the Livingston Lures Leader Award, for leading on Day 2. He earned $250.
The biggest bag of the tournament was a tie between Laiche and Collins. Laiche brought in 16-6 on the first day, and Collins brought in the same bag on the third day.
Keep up with the journey of the six competitors who qualified for the Classic over the next few months at Bassmaster.com/Nation. The Classic will take place March 4-6, 2016, and the new season for the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Regionals will resume in April 2016.
2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship 11/5-11/7
Ouachita River, Monroe, La.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Albert Collins Nacogdoches, TX (Cntrl) 15 44-15 0
2. Jamie Laiche Gonzales, LA (Cntrl) 15 43-02 0
3. Fabian Rodriguez Ocean City, DE (MidAt) 15 37-11 0
4. Doug Thompson Mabelvale, AR (Cntrl) 15 35-02 0
5. Billy Lemon Jr Sand Springs, OK (Cntrl 15 34-12 0
6. John Proctor Conway, SC (South) 15 34-08 0
7. Preston Frazell Cleveland, OK (Cntrl) 13 32-03 0
8. Mark Pierce Radcliff, KY (South) 15 31-00 0
9. Chad Shutty Northern Cambria, PA (M 15 30-13 0
10. Charles Sim Ottawa CANADA (East) 15 30-01 0
11. Levi McNeill West Valley, UT (West) 15 29-13 0
12. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT (East) 14 29-05 0
13. Greg Vance Dubuque, IA (North) 15 28-05 0
14. Joaquim Maria Lopes Evora PORTUGAL (Cntrl) 15 27-08 0
15. Donald Adcock Richland, MS (Cntrl) 14 25-04 0
16. Gary Adkins Green Bay, WI (North) 15 25-01 0
17. Dave Andrews Hudson, MA (East) 15 24-07 0
18. Nick Leonard Cincinnati, OH (North) 15 24-04 0
19. Roger Thomas Snow Hill, NC (South) 15 24-00 0
20. Casey Smith Macedon, NY (East) 15 23-12 0
21. Kieron Samkin Gillitts SOUTH AFRICA ( 14 23-11 0
22. Corey Brant Minnetonka, MN (North) 12 23-05 0
23. Samuel Bounds Jr Charleston, WV (MidAt) 14 22-15 0
24. Brian Harold McGaheysville, VA (MidA 14 22-14 0
25. Jami Fralick Martin, SD (North) 15 22-07 0
26. Samuel Ferroni POGGIO A CAIANO PRATO I 14 22-00 0
27. Matthew Roberts Pulaski, IA (Cntrl) 10 21-09 0
28. Pat Hanning Tucson, AZ (West) 13 21-06 0
29. Robert Peixotto Albuquerque, NM (West) 13 21-05 0
30. Steven Wilson Rohnert Park, CA (West) 13 20-15 0
31. Marcelo Lozano San Luis Potosi MEXICO 14 20-12 0
32. Brad Weese Petersburg, WV (MidAt) 13 20-09 0
33. Brad Durden Atlanta, GA (South) 13 20-07 0
34. Kyle Glasgow Jr Guin, AL (South) 11 19-15 0
35. David Watson Sullivan, IN (North) 13 19-14 0
36. Dan Brown Joliet, IL (North) 13 19-08 0
37. Skip Sjobeck Randolph, VT (East) 13 19-02 0
38. Bruce Cooke Greendale ZIMBABWE (Mid 15 19-00 0
39. Larry Triplett Castle Rock, CO (West) 13 18-14 0
40. Tim Johnston Kalispell , MT (West) 11 18-10 0
41. Jerome Pape Milford, IA (Cntrl) 13 17-12 0
42. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT (East) 10 17-10 0
43. Davick Hansen Clinton, UT (West) 11 17-09 0
44. David Kromm Kennewick, WA (West) 12 17-08 0
45. Brent Shores Boise, ID (West) 12 16-13 0
46. Michael McMahon Hackettstown, NJ (MidAt 12 16-10 0
47. Brian Croteau Blackstone, MA (East) 9 15-03 0
48. Cesar Ventura Pecellin Munoz Badajoz SPAIN (East) 10 13-13 0
49. Jeff Fischer Farmington, MI (North) 10 13-10 0
50. Robert Williamson Gorham, ME (East) 9 13-01 0
51. Lance Freeman Eddyville, KY (South) 9 13-00 0
52. Wayne Black San Mateo, FL (South) 10 12-05 0
53. Kory Ray Lebanon, OR (West) 10 11-09 0
54. Kentaro Yamada Osaka JAPAN (West) 8 10-11 0
55. Alec Williams Windhoek NAMIBIA (MidAt 6 09-07 0
56. Stephen Kanowski Shorncliffe AUSTRALIA 5 07-08 0
57. George Barnes Cambridge, MA (East) 6 07-00 0
58. Stephen Pike Las Vegas, NV (West) 2 03-15 0
59. Jackie Barber West , TX (MidAt) 3 03-09 0
———————————————————————–
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 46 263 462-12
2 38 245 414-02
3 32 216 396-11
———————————-
116 724 1273-09
TEAM STANDINGS Day 3
———————————-
State Lbs-Oz
1 CENTRAL 302-15
2 WESTERN 209-00
3 NORTHERN 198-06
4 EASTERN 193-06
5 SOUTHERN 186-06
6 MID-ATLANTIC 183-08
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 3
———————————————————————–
NORTHERN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Greg Vance Dubuque, IA 15 28-05 0
2 Gary Adkins Green Bay, WI 15 25-01 0
3 Nick Leonard Cincinnati, OH 15 24-04 0
4 Corey Brant Minnetonka, MN 12 23-05 0
5 Jami Fralick Martin, SD 15 22-07 0
6 Samuel Ferroni POGGIO A CAIANO PRATO I 14 22-00 0
7 David Watson Sullivan, IN 13 19-14 0
8 Dan Brown Joliet, IL 13 19-08 0
9 Jeff Fischer Farmington, MI 10 13-10 0
CENTRAL
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Albert Collins Nacogdoches, TX 15 44-15 0
2 Jamie Laiche Gonzales, LA 15 43-02 0
3 Doug Thompson Mabelvale, AR 15 35-02 0
4 Billy Lemon Jr Sand Springs, OK 15 34-12 0
5 Preston Frazell Cleveland, OK 13 32-03 0
6 Joaquim Maria Lopes Evora PORTUGAL 15 27-08 0
7 Donald Adcock Richland, MS 14 25-04 0
8 Matthew Roberts Pulaski, IA 10 21-09 0
9 Marcelo Lozano San Luis Potosi MEXICO 14 20-12 0
10 Jerome Pape Milford, IA 13 17-12 0
WESTERN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Levi McNeill West Valley, UT 15 29-13 0
2 Pat Hanning Tucson, AZ 13 21-06 0
3 Robert Peixotto Albuquerque, NM 13 21-05 0
4 Steven Wilson Rohnert Park, CA 13 20-15 0
5 Larry Triplett Castle Rock, CO 13 18-14 0
6 Tim Johnston Kalispell , MT 11 18-10 0
7 Davick Hansen Clinton, UT 11 17-09 0
8 David Kromm Kennewick, WA 12 17-08 0
9 Brent Shores Boise, ID 12 16-13 0
10 Kory Ray Lebanon, OR 10 11-09 0
11 Kentaro Yamada Osaka JAPAN 8 10-11 0
12 Stephen Pike Las Vegas, NV 2 03-15 0
EASTERN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Charles Sim Ottawa CANADA 15 30-01 0
2 Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 14 29-05 0
3 Dave Andrews Hudson, MA 15 24-07 0
4 Casey Smith Macedon, NY 15 23-12 0
5 Skip Sjobeck Randolph, VT 13 19-02 0
6 Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 10 17-10 0
7 Brian Croteau Blackstone, MA 9 15-03 0
8 Cesar Ventura Pecellin Munoz Badajoz SPAIN 10 13-13 0
9 Robert Williamson Gorham, ME 9 13-01 0
10 George Barnes Cambridge, MA 6 07-00 0
SOUTHERN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 John Proctor Conway, SC 15 34-08 0
2 Mark Pierce Radcliff, KY 15 31-00 0
3 Roger Thomas Snow Hill, NC 15 24-00 0
4 Kieron Samkin Gillitts SOUTH AFRICA 14 23-11 0
5 Brad Durden Atlanta, GA 13 20-07 0
6 Kyle Glasgow Jr Guin, AL 11 19-15 0
7 Lance Freeman Eddyville, KY 9 13-00 0
8 Wayne Black San Mateo, FL 10 12-05 0
9 Stephen Kanowski Shorncliffe AUSTRALIA 5 07-08 0
MID-ATLANTIC
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Fabian Rodriguez Ocean City, DE 15 37-11 0
2 Chad Shutty Northern Cambria, PA 15 30-13 0
3 Samuel Bounds Jr Charleston, WV 14 22-15 0
4 Brian Harold McGaheysville, VA 14 22-14 0
5 Brad Weese Petersburg, WV 13 20-09 0
6 Bruce Cooke Greendale ZIMBABWE 15 19-00 0
7 Michael McMahon Hackettstown, NJ 12 16-10 0
8 Alec Williams Windhoek NAMIBIA 6 09-07 0
9 Jackie Barber West , TX 3 03-09 0
2015 B.A.S.S. Nation Title Sponsor: Old Milwaukee
2015 B.A.S.S. Nation Premier Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, GoPro, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2015 B.A.S.S. Nation Supporting Sponsors: A.R.E. Accessories, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Huk, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Nationwide, Power-Pole, Rigid Industries, Shimano
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series presented by Allstate, Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation events, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.