Elliott, Hendricks win at Bass Champs on Toledo Bend
By PATTY LENDERMAN Lakecaster Managing Editor

Bass Champs East Texas Region teams hit Toledo Bend May 3 for the fourth tournament stop of the season. Anglers were fishing for more than $45,000 in cash and prizes, with the top twenty one teams receiving a portion of it. Ron Hendricks and James Elliott took home the lion's share, weighing in more than 26 pounds.

Strong thunderstorms passed through the area the night before the tournament. While the storms had finished leaving the area by take-off Saturday morning, there was still plenty of wind blowing across the lake.

When the weigh in began, several teams brought small limits to the scales at Cypress Bend Park. It was apparent that the big bite was widely elusive to this field of participants. Only three sacks over 20 pounds were weighed in, the heaviest by James Elliott and Ron Hendricks at 26.36 pounds.

Former Anglers of the Year and winners of this event, Elliott and Hendricks made a long run to catch their winning stringer.

"We went about 25 miles north and fished every point on the Texas side between here and there," Elliott explained.

Having better luck at secondary points, they were using Carolina rigged Big Dead Ringers and crank baits including Bomber 9A's and Fat Free Shads at targeted depths of 5'-14'.

"We were just hitting each point, fishing them fast and heading to the next one. The bass would be sitting on one side or the other of each one. We'd catch one or two at some, twelve or fifteen at the next."

They reported an all-day bite, and estimate catching about 50 keepers throughout the day. They did not register a big bass, but their biggest was around seven pounds, with their smallest just under four.

Bass Champs presented them with $20,000 for their 1st place win.

Kris Wilson and David Harvey won 2nd place with 23.96 pounds.

"It started really slow for us, but the bite was steady all day," Kris said. "We only went to about five spots." The areas they were fishing included drains, high spots and stumps. The bait of choice was a Carolina rigged Big Bite Creature bait, finding their bass in 8' depths. Their kicker weighed in at 7.58 pounds, securing their 2nd place finish. Bass Champs paid them $3,000 for their finish.

Richard Weeks and Andrew Upshaw had brought the first sack over 20 pounds in to weigh, ultimately taking 3rd place with 20.02.

"It was very windy first thing," Andrew said. Ducking into protected areas, they moved around a lot hitting 25-30 spots. "The fish were deep, about 10'- 20'. We were using Texas rigged V&M plastics and DD-22 crank baits and caught fish all day long."

Andrew had been throwing one of his favorite crank baits, and accidentally hit Richard in the head with it.

"The bait just shattered!" They laughed. "We had fun today!"

Cody Sicinsky brought the first big bass in to weigh, tipping the scales at 8.34 pounds. Fishing with his partner Jason Bass, they had a total of 17.50 pounds and held the top big bass spot for a little while, until Jerry Sisco and Mike Cortelloni weighed in their big bass at 8.64 pounds. Jerry hooked the big bass, and at the end of the weigh in he was a little shocked but very happy they won the Big Bass prize.

"I was throwing a Carolina rigged speed craw about 12' deep in scattered grass. We were fishing a main lake ridge, taking waves over the bow of the boat." He got the bite around 1:00. "She just picked up the bait and swam off with it. When I set the hook, she wrapped up in a tree."

After a lot of finagling he managed to work her off of it and into the boat.

The team won $1,000 for Big Bass, and each received a brand new Abu Garcia Revo reel. They finished in 10th place overall for an additional $1,000.

Top 10 Teams:

1st $20,000 26.36 lbs. James Elliott and Ron Hendricks

2nd $ 3,000 23.96 lbs. Kris Wilson and David Harvey

3rd $ 2,000 20.02 lbs. Richard Weeks II & Andrew Upshaw

4th $ 1,100 18.76 lbs Don Rossell & Raul Morineau

5th $ 1,000 18.72 lbs Michael Duff & Lance Duff

6th $ 1,000 17.50 lbs Jason Bass & Cody Sicinski

7th $ 1,000 16.94 lbs John LeMaire & Joshua LeMaire

8th $ 1,000 16.62 lbs Stan Burgay & Charles Reagan

9th $ 1,000 16.50 lbs Phil Marks & Tim Reneau

10th $ 1,000 16.20 lbs Mike Cortelloni & Jerry Sisco

…..and last in the money….

21st $ 500 13.80lbs Ronnie Madole & Ricky Madole