Posted: Wed, 2 Feb 2011 01:18 PM - 11,221 Readers

By: Patty Lenderman

Bass Champs Central region kicked off their 2011 season January 29th on Lake Travis. The field seemed so evenly matched. Weights were so tight, less than a quarter of a pound separated 1st and 2nd place. Father & son Roger and Robert Frields of Waco, TX squeezed out all the "extra" they needed to win the guaranteed $20,000 1st place purse.

What a great way to start the year. Roger has fished Bass Champs for several years with his brother. When his brother decided not to participate this season, Roger’s son Robert stepped up to the plate as his fishing partner. "It’s a mixed emotion kind of thing. My brother and I have always fished together and really enjoyed it. I’m going to miss fishing with him this year, but at the same time am very glad to be able to team up with my son." The team did not do any pre-fishing, and although Roger was familiar with the lake from tournaments past, he decided to do something new.

"We got a map of the lake, and really studied it. We wanted to fish some creeks, but the lake was so low we couldn’t do that." Traveling about 20 miles up the lake to look for "fishy" areas, they pulled in to their first little cut and dropped the trolling motor. "We’d put the boat in about 18-20’ of water and throw right up to the shoreline with crank baits and spinner baits. Kept the trolling motor on about 6 and just covered a lot of water." They had a limit by about 10:30, but there were several small ones among them. "We did get to cull a few times as we hit more spots working our way back. It was starting to get late in the day, and I told my son ’last cast!’ I threw out one side of the boat, he threw on the other. I had my bait worked about halfway back when he hollered ’I got him!’ That fish was pulling line, and we were both getting pretty excited. He got the fish in, and it probably weighed about 5 pounds. After exchanging that one for one about 2 1/2 pounds in the livewell, Robert said ’That’s the one I wanted!" When the team stepped up to the scales, they were told they would have to beat the standing leaders weight of 16.96 lbs. "When I saw the scales go to 17 we got so excited!" Their total came to 17.12 lbs, less than a quarter of an ounce over the previous leaders. Bass Champs presented them with the $20,000 guaranteed 1st place purse and they won an additional $200 from Surelife for using the product in their livewell. The rest of the week Roger runs the family formica business, while Robert is a freelance graphic artist and photographer.

Randy Hibler and Randall Christian narrowly missed the 1st place win, ultimately taking 2nd place with 16.96 lbs. Rounding out the top 5, Gene Lathrop and Rick Helmcamp won 3rd with 16.29, Jim and Austin Edwards took 4th with 14.76 and Jack & Michael Waldrop won 5th with 14.45 lbs.

The Big Bass of the day was caught by Mike Hastings and Steve Magnelia weighing 8.15 lbs. The team won $1,000 for that catch as well as the WFN, REVO and Costa sponsor bonuses.

A total of $51,050 was paid out in cash and prizes - a 106% payback!

Sponsor incentive winners:

Skeeter Double Money	Dale Boren & Jody Holubek
Dodge Ram Bonus	Dale Boren & Jody Holubek
Sure Life Bonus	Roger Frields & Robert Frields
WFN	Mike Hastings & Steve Magnelia
REVO	Mike Hastings & Steve Magnelia
Costa	Mike Hastings & Steve Magnelia

There are four events left for the Central Region!

Central #2	2/26/11	Lake Belton
Central #3	4/02/11	Lake LBJ
Central #4	5/07/11	Lake Travis
Central #5	6/11/11	Temple Lake Park

Even if you have never fished a Bass Champs event before, every tournament is open and available for your chance to win. Bass Champs staff and crew will head to Cedar Creek next to launch the North Region 2011 season February 5th.

For more information, click to the BassChamps website or call 817-439-3274

*  Story Contributed by: Patty Lenderman