Florence, AL - Dec. 10, 2002 - (Southern Fishing Publications) Jimmy Robb, Killen, AL, has accomplished something that no other Top Rod contender has been able to do- win back-to-back Southern Fishing-Travis Boating Center Top Rod Championships. He has now set a new record by winning an unprecedented third Top Rod title. Robb was the reigning 2000, and 2001 Top Rod Champion defending his title in the 2002 championship on Wilson Lake in Northwest Alabama.
This championship determines the best-of-the-best.
He successfully defend his title fishing areas five other contenders had already fished. The 2002 event included a "wildcard" fishing area. This new feature allowed the All Star contenders to fish any area on Wilson Lake for a limited time. Six areas of Wilson Lake were designated and the Top Rod anglers, the six man All Star Bassin' Team, were required to fish each area for an hour and then had ten minutes to move to the next area. The wildcard option allowed the anglers to "go for broke" in one of their favorite fishing areas.
Each angler drew for the designated area they would fish first-Robb started in Area 3, Brush Creek. Here he caught several small largemouths, four of which he had to measure but they came up just shy of the 15" limit. He did not catch a keeper here. He was suprised to see a lot of minnows there at that time.
Next for the defending Top Rod champ was Area 4, Six Mile Creek.Here Robb caught several small fish, but none worth measuring and no keepers again. Moving to his next assigned site, Area 5, proved to be the beginning of something good.Outside of Doneghan Slough he spotted a brushpile and was able to coax his first keeper of the day into hitting- a smallmouth bass. Robb recalled there were hardly anymore fish of any size to be seen here.
At Area 6, inside Doneghan Slough was dead-No keepers, no minnows, no fish of any kind.
His next rotation was to Area 1 at Turtle Point. Here he caught two largemouth keeper bass and a few smaller fish, but no others worth measuring. He now had three fish in the livewell with only Area 2 and his wildcard spot to fish in a very limited amount of time.
Area 2, called Bobby Mitchell slough by most area anglers, provided Robb with his 4th and 5th keeper bass- two largemouths that were schooling on minnows.
Robb's wildcard choice for the tournament was to return to Turtle Point. His efforts did not pay off here as no other fish were caught. He left Turtle Point with five bass in the livewell weighing a total of 9 pounds, 9 ounces-good enough to take the Top Rod title and $1000 for a third time.Robb still guards his baits of choice, keeping them a secret.
Close on Robb's heels was two year All Star veteran Brett Putman, Lexington, AL. Putman had three fish in his live well including a 4 pounder. He won the big fish money but could muster 8 pounds, five ounces for a total catch.
Four year veteran All Star Tony Datuin, Killen, AL, brought-in two fish from a tough Wilson Lake. His biggest fish was 2 pounds, 1 ounce that gave him a 3 pound, 9 ounce total. Also a four time All Star Team qualifier, Donny Beck, could only dig one keeper-sized bass from the tournament sites. Beck finished with a 2 pound total.
Bryan Reeves, Moulton, AL, a two time Team qualifier was unable to boat a 15 inch keeper.
An All Star "rookie" and winner of the Slider Top Star Award, Buddy Willingham, Sheffield, AL, was also unable to find the elusive 15" bass on Wilson.
Observers for the championship are no longer used. Media representatives will continue to have the opportunuity to ride with a contestant.
The 2003 season features a new division concept for All Star qualification. There will be an East and a West Division with five tournaments each. The top three from each division will qualify for the Team. Contestants may fish one or both divisions, but can only qualify in one. This new concept reduces the number of tournaments a contestant needs to fish. Even with the division organization, an individual can fish from one to ten events-their choice.
Also new for 2003 is the All Star Wildcard qualifying tournament. This new event is designed to give six more All Star Contestants a place in the $1000 Southern Fishing-Travis Boating Center Top Rod Championship also cosponsored by Slider and Family Ford. To fish the All Star Wildcard qualifier, you must be a registered All Star competitor and fished at least four Divisional qualifying tournaments. The four may be in one Division or spread between the two Divisions. The All Star Wildcard qualifying tournament entry fee is $50, one man to a boat. Payout is the opportunity to win the $1000 prize in the Top Rod Championship. The top six in the All Star Wildcard will qualify. No additional entry fee will be required to fish the championship.