After three days of drastically different weather patterns, the 2015 NBAA Championship came to an end at KY Dam Marina. When all was said and done, one team had steadily made their way up the leader board, to victory. Bryan Doyle, of Holland, Ohio and Joshua Kolodzaike of Toledo, Ohio were crowned champions with a total three day weight of 49.09 pounds.
Day one brought strong storms and extremely gusty winds, which made fishing and moving around pretty tough. Bryan & Joshua landed in seventh place, bringing in a limit weighing 14.15 pounds. Less than three pounds off the lead, they set out on Day two to improve on their catch. Day two brought notably cooler temperatures and a post frontal, easterly wind. Bryan & Joshua vaulted to the top of the leader board with a tournament best limit weighing 19.04 pounds. Now they were in a position to take home a new Ranger, Aluminum Boat with an Evinrude motor as the first place prize, if they could just catch a few decent fish on the final day. Day three brought high clear skies with the water levels falling, around 3-4 inches overnight. After not getting to move around much on the first two days, Bryan & Joshua were determined to make a long run south, to an area where they had found a few quality fish in practice. Upon arrival down south, they quickly landed a few solid keepers to calm their nerves. However the calmness was short lived. Shortly after, they started experiencing some boat troubles and were worried about even making it back to weigh in. After getting back close to KY Dam Marina, they were able to finish out their limit and bring 15.14 pounds to the scales to become the new NBAA Champions.
When asked what bait most of their fish came on, they claimed that they had to “junk fish” most of the week, catching a keeper fish or two on numerous baits each day. A jig, spinnerbait, crankbait and finesse worm were just a few of the baits used to win the tournament. ” After finishing second at last year’s championship, it is nice to come back and get the win here at KY Lake” said Joshua.
After making a good run at the title, but finishing in second place was the team of Zach & John Laupp from Michigan. After catching just enough keepers to have a limit each day, they weighed in 46.07 pounds earning them $2400 and a Humminbird 959ci DI Combo and a Evinrude Raker II Prop. Third place belonged to Tryce Warner and Jerry Rood from Michigan. Third place paid $1200 and a Minnkota M70 24 volt Trolling Motor, along with a Humminbird Ice 45. Rounding out the top five and the forty pound club were the teams of Jaymee Goebel and Lee Wubbles from Nebraska, with 44.08 pounds. They took home a check for $600 and a Humminbird 689ci SI Combo. Fifth place belonged to the team of Kyle & Steve Hess from Michigan. For their efforts they received a check for $500 and an Evinrude Raker II Prop.
Cash money and prizes were awarded to the top ten teams and the other 11 teams all received a nice prize for their participation in the Championship event. All total, just under $45,000 was awarded to the anglers in the, No Entry Fee, Championship at KY Lake. New NBAA Divisions are forming now for the upcoming 2015 fishing season. Look for one in your area or start a new NBAA Division in your state. Go to www.nbaa-bass.com to see all the divisions and benefits for running or fishing in an NBAA division. Hope to see YOU at the 2016 NBAA Championship.
