KENTUCKY DAM VILLAGE, KENTUCKY LAKE (June 5, 2016) – Ron Champion won his way onto Team North America for this year’s Hobie® Fishing World Championship, holding off a fierce charge by Matthew Scotch at the Hobie Bass Open on Kentucky Lake.
Champion won on the strength of his day one 57.25-inch 3-bass tally, built without a 20-inch plus kicker fish – like most of the competitors. On day two, figuring he needed a trophy to take the win, he gambled precious fishing time and drove two hours south to the quieter waters of New Johnsonville, where the shad were spawning.
“I caught three fish pretty quickly on topwater,” he recalled, and then things slowed down. He went back to fishing deep with a Grande Bass 4.75-inch Rattlesnake in blue fleck on a shaky head. “I said this is my last cast. I’ve got to go, then I hooked into a 16.75-inch upgrade.” He ended the day with 51.50 inches of bass, which proved to be just enough.
Champion won $3,500, but it was the all expenses paid trip to the Hobie Fishing Worlds that was his goal. “Representing Hobie and your country at the Worlds. How do you get better than that?” he said.
Meanwhile off Moors Landing about 30 minutes south of tournament headquarters at Kentucky Dam Village, Matthew Scotch and last year’s third place winner Jay Wallen were dueling it out for second place and its own spot on Team North America. They traded fish for fish, and just when it seemed Wallen had the advantage Scotch scored a fat 19.75-inch fish, sealing the deal and nearly catching Champion. His two-day total of 108.25 inches was just half an inch shy of tying for first.
Scotch was out early working a prime ledge spot, but he never had it to himself until late in the day. Intense boat traffic and fishing pressure had kept the fish hunkered down. Once the wind started blowing and the pleasure boaters scattered, he took full advantage, using a shaky head and large worm to catch his kicker.
“I came to the Hobie Bass Open specifically to qualify for the Hobie Worlds. I grew up on the Texas coast fishing for redfish, trout and flounder. I can’t wait to go to see what it’s about,” he said. Scotch will have his entry fee paid for him, but travel will be on his own dime. It shouldn’t be too painful; he also won $2,350 for his second place finish.
Jay Wallen finished third, good for $1,500, and collected another $300 for Big Bass of the tournament, a 22 incher caught on day one. Like Champion and Scotch, he worked shaky head worms for his fish. “I consider finishing third in back to back years an accomplishment. I was shooting for the top ten, and said I’d be happy to finish in the top five,” he said.
Dyver OBryan won the Youth Division with an impressive 90-inch limit. He said he flipped Senkos at the docks.
The Hobie Bass Open is a Catch Photo Release event. iAngler Tournament provided a smartphone submitted live scoring system, which made for exciting scoreboard watching. Click HERE full results.
Hobie Bass Open sponsors include Hobie, YakAttack, Lowrance, St. Croix Rod, Daiwa, Power-Pole, Plano, Hobie Polarized, Bassin Magazine, and RAM Mounts. Supporting dealers include HITEC Outdoors and Hooper’s Outdoor Center.
