GA Bass Federation Fishes Lake Eufaula for their 2023 State Championship

The Georgia Bass Federation (GBF) spent the week of 22-26 March, 2023 on Lake Eufaula to determine who would walk away with the title as Georgia State Champion. Dropping lake levels during practice days showed that the weights might be tough to come by, however, when the first bag came to the scales on Saturday afternoon newfound hope emerged. A solid 8-pound 7-ounce fish was the first to be weighed in. It was a beautiful fish though weights and results from other teams verified it was still a rough go from there. Only eight 5 fish limits were weighed in during the first day of competition. Top boater was Brent Tullis from Marietta Bassmasters with 16-11 pounds and top co-angler was Anthony Gaskins from Okefenokee Bass Anglers with 13-06 pounds.

Changes made during the second day made it seem as though that the anglers better determined what the fish might be doing during these changing water conditions. Day 2 had fourteen 5 fish limits weighed in anchored by a whopping 8-pound 10-ounce largemouth. Brent Tullis remained steady as he weighed in another 5 fish limit, weighing 17 pounds 1 ounce for a two-day total of 33-12 pounds; winning the honor of the Georgia Bass Federation 2023 State Champion. Earl McQuaig from Current Anglers weighed in an incredible 5 fish limit totaling 16 pounds 8 ounces giving him a two-day total of 21-03 pounds winning him the honor of Georgia Bass Federation 2023 State Champion on the Co-Angler side.

Altogether it was a great experience for everyone involved. The Current Anglers took home the Club Pride Trophy supported by that wonderful finish by Earl McQuaig (21-03) and another consistent performance by Tyler Wilson (30-10) combined for a winning 51-13 pounds.

Big movers or comeback anglers during this two-day tournament were Fred Link and Tim Vaigneur. Fishing on the Boater side Fred improved 24 places with a fine bag weighing 16-08 pounds. This took Fred from 35th place on Day 1 to an 11th place finish on Day 2. On the Co-Angler side Tim improved 20 places with a big sack that went 12-14 pounds. This took Tim from 24th place on Day 1 to finish in 4th place on Day 2. For full results and more photos CLICK HERE.

Many thanks go out as planning and execution for this event could not have been easier. Accommodations provided by The Eufaula Barbour County Chamber members and the wonderful staff at Lakepoint State Park our GBF anglers felt right at home. Many anglers and family members reported excellent dining and shopping opportunities available throughout the week. This tournament was held out of Lakepoint State Park, an excellent venue for any event.  The Eufaula Chamber of Commerce and Alabama State Park officials were outstanding from start to finish.  The Lodge at Lakepoint State Park is an outstanding resource.  We found every member of the staff to be courteous and helpful. The Lakepoint State Park accommodations were also comfortable; some having a balcony with beautiful lake views.   The fully staffed restaurant was open throughout the day and served excellent off the menu and buffet style breakfast and dining options.  The restaurant bar provided the perfect place to relax at the end of the day.

Georgia Bass Federation Celebrates The 50th Anniversary of National Hunting and Fishing Day

Coinciding with the 50th Anniversary of National Hunting and Fishing Day the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division/Georgia Department of Natural Resources held several free to the public Outdoor Adventure Days. For one of these events the Georgia Bass Federation (GBF) was asked by The McDuffie Environmental Education Center (MEEC) to participate at the McDuffie Public Fishing Area (GeorgiaWildlife.com/mcduffie-pfa). Kids ages 3-15 could participate in educational exhibits, try their hand at archery and also participate a fun day of fishing!

This event required a responsible adult companion for the children – but the fishing was just for the kids. They could each bring their own poles, tackle and bait. Those that wanted harvest a few fish could bring a cooler as each child was allowed to keep 5 Catfish from the McDuffie Public Fishing Area provided put and take ponds!

At this McDuffie Environmental Education Center (MEEC) Adventure Day held on Saturday September 24, 2022 nine Georgia Bass Federation volunteers provided a knot tying class, a Reel Kids casting contest, water, artificial lures and various fishing related items to each interested child free of charge. GBF anglers also patrolled the two ponds for water safety and to assist families with casting instruction, baiting and handling the catfish caught. Approximately 150 children with their guardian companions attended this event.

About The McDuffie Environmental Education Center

The McDuffie Environmental Education Center (MEEC) is one of seven regional education centers operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The MEEC is a collaboration between the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the McDuffie County Board of Education, the Watson Brown Foundation, and the Central Savannah River Area – Regional Educational Services Agency (CSRA RESA). This project provides teachers a unique site to take students for hands-on outdoor experience. Lessons address the dimensions of the Georgia Standards of Excellence in this diverse biologically rich area with activities available for PreK through seventh grade. The McDuffie Environmental Education Center provides students with stimulating, outdoor learning experiences about the ecology of our wildlife, water, soils, and forests and the stewardship of these important natural resources.

 About The Georgia Bass Federation

 The Georgia Bass Federation (GBF) is one of 47 independent state and provincial bass Federations affiliated with The Bass Federation, Inc. (TBF). GBF is a coalition of independent TBF affiliated bass clubs within The State of Georgia. The Georgia Bass Federation is 100% member owned and is managed by an all-volunteer Staff and Board of Directors. Holding the same core values as TBF the GBF supports ongoing efforts in Conservation and Youth. The GBF promotes the future health of the sport of fishing, and the clean family values that are associated with it. These are our only goals, along with providing fun experiences for our members and support to the many communities we serve.

Humminbird Helix Series

Looking back to the release of the Helix 5 and the ICAST 2015 “Best of Electronics” award-winning Helix 7, it’s hard to believe that HELIXTM could be made even better.

But talk to anglers across the country and there’s an electricity in the air and on the water. From weekend anglers to pros, seems everybody’s excited about the awesome features found in Humminbird’s new Helix 9 and Helix 10 units.

It all starts with industry-best screen brightness and widescreen real estate for easy split-screen viewing of Humminbird technologies in awesome detail, so no piece of cover, interesting contour, or bottom-hugging fish goes unnoticed. Install one of the new units on the bow and you’ll be amazed how easy it is to read all the way for the console!

Plus, HELIX 9 and 10 units are packed with advanced imaging technologies and an Ethernet port for networking HELIX with other Ethernet-capable HELIX, ONIX and core units, as well technologies like Minn Kota® iPilot™ Link and Humminbird 360 Imaging™.With regards to mapping, anglers have never had it so good. No matter which HELIX 9 or 10 model you choose, you’ll be identifying fish and fish-holding contours better than ever before via powerful Humminbird SONAR and real-time mapping with AutoChart Live, which allows anglers to make their own maps in real-time, no PC, server or Cloud required. This puts an unrivalled power in your hands to navigate, study and fish both uncharted waters and dial in “spot on the spot” locations on waters that have been mapped.

Plus, dual SD card slots allow anglers to utilize new Humminbird LakeMaster PLUS map cards, which not only provide HD 1-foot contours for many lakes, LakeMaster’s three patented features of Depth Highlight, Shallow Water Highlight and Water Level Offset, but three layers of satellite aerial image overlay! Dual card slots also makes saving screenshots, sonar recordings and nearly limitless waypoints, tracks and routes a breeze.

All HELIX 9 and 10 units include a completely-redesigned cover for protection on and off the water.

Whether you choose a unit from the HELIX 9 or HELIX 10 family, we think you’ll agree … the future of fish-finding never looked brighter!