Fishing two (2) days with temperatures in the mid 90’s and 45.17 lbs was what it took for the Bassmasters of Gator Country Team of Mark Blevins and Steven Thames to win the FBN Team State Championship Tournament held on the St Johns River. With 20.45 lbs on Day 1 and the fat sack of the tournament on Day 2 of 24.72 lbs, the team will be heading to Lake Hartwell in South Carolina to represent Florida in the Bassmaster Team Championship in December to compete for an opportunity to move on to the 2020 Bassmaster Classic. Neither angler would share what they were fishing during the event but admitted they were down south around Lake George.
The 2nd through 4th place teams will also be going to compete on Lake Hartwell with Thames and Blevins. In 2nd place was the team of Jerry Shawver, II and Daniel Irish of 1stCoast Christian Bass Club with 36.68 lbs (Day 1: 14.91 lbs & Day 2: 21.77 lbs). In 3rd place was Bassmasters of Gator Country anglers Jay Daily and Matt Rittman with 36.44 lbs (Day 1: 19.15 lbs & 17.29 bls). In 4th place was another Bassmasters of Gator Country team of Sam Drake and Jeff Kyle with 36.14 bls (Day 1: 19.72 lbs & Day 2: 16.42 lbs ). Rounding out the top five was the team from Citrus County Bassmasters, Nick Manfredo & David Frost with 36.06 lbs (Day 17.24 lbs & Day 2: 18.82 lbs).
The big bass for Day 1 was 7.32 lbs and was caught by the team of Mitch Langston and Matt Bass from Capital City Bass Hunters. The Day 2 big bass was caught by the team of Ray Trudeau and Fred George of Bass Rattlers Asscoiation and weighed 8.19 lbs. This was the biggest bass caught during the tournament and the only Trophy Catch weighed in at 8.19 lbs.
Congratulations again to the teams moving on to the Bassmaster Team Championship and thanks to all the anglers that come out to compete. Also thank you to the Title Sponsor of the event, Putnam County Chamber of Commerce and Crystal Cove Marina for letting the FBN hold the tournament at their facilities.