News: 11/07/09
Darrell West Wins the Bassmaster Weekend Series National
Championship on Lake Dardanelle
Darrell West (right) accepts the Bassmaster Weekend Series
Championship Trophy!!!
Story by Terrance Narveson
Darrell West topped the 193 boat field fishing the Bassmaster Weekend
Series National Championship this week on Dardanelle by catching 38.67
pounds during the 4-day event. Darrell resides in Drasco, Arkansas and is
no stranger to Lake Dardanelle. It was his local knowledge and a good
game plan that got him to the top of the field. Darrell had the lead through
two days but had a rough day 3 which dropped him down to third place going
into the last day. Knowing that the championship was within reach he
refocused and went out the final day and caught just enough to hold off the
other contenders. With brutal lake conditions and a bite that has been lack
luster this year the National Championship fisherman had a tough week up
and down the river system to say the least. For those fortunate to get a
couple keepers and the few that got limits their efforts were rewarded with
high finishes. Many went home with nothing to show (not even a keeper
fish), but Darrell West ended the battle with the top prize of $100,000 and a
birth to the Bassmaster Classic. The dream of almost every tournament
angler to make it to the Classic and he did it in one of the hardest ways
possible.
After the tournament I caught up with Darrell and talked to him about his
tournament.
Darrell said the first two day were just duplicating a pattern he established
on this lake a few years back, fishing the coontail with a rattletrap
(blue/chrome). Day 1 and 2 he had no pressure from anyone and pretty
much fished alone in his one good hole. Day 3 is when he fell down to third.
He commented that the pressure of having a few people come in on top of
him and only having 1 fish got to his head. In a desperation move he ran way
up the river to look for new water and that ended up being a bad decision.
He dropped to third after and knew his final day would be tough but he still
had a chance.
The final day all Darrell had to do was stay focused and try not to make any
mistakes. The fish were in his primary area and he just had to connect with
them. He managed to catch just enough to win and now has to make plans
for the Bassmaster Classic this February.
Justin Atkins - 1st place Co-angler
Along with Darrell on day 3 was his final day co-angler Justin Atkins. Justin
managed to catch his limit as well and propel himself to the top spot winning
the co-angler side and $50,000. Not bad for a 19yr old college student.
Justin and Darrell are pumped after winning their
respective Divisions on Lake Dardanelle!!!
Get5Bass congratulates Darrell for a great tournament and wishes him
success at the Bassmaster Classic.
Darrell West Wins the Bassmaster Weekend Series National
Championship on Lake Dardanelle
Darrell West (right) accepts the Bassmaster Weekend Series
Championship Trophy!!!
Story by Terrance Narveson
Darrell West topped the 193 boat field fishing the Bassmaster Weekend
Series National Championship this week on Dardanelle by catching 38.67
pounds during the 4-day event. Darrell resides in Drasco, Arkansas and is
no stranger to Lake Dardanelle. It was his local knowledge and a good
game plan that got him to the top of the field. Darrell had the lead through
two days but had a rough day 3 which dropped him down to third place going
into the last day. Knowing that the championship was within reach he
refocused and went out the final day and caught just enough to hold off the
other contenders. With brutal lake conditions and a bite that has been lack
luster this year the National Championship fisherman had a tough week up
and down the river system to say the least. For those fortunate to get a
couple keepers and the few that got limits their efforts were rewarded with
high finishes. Many went home with nothing to show (not even a keeper
fish), but Darrell West ended the battle with the top prize of $100,000 and a
birth to the Bassmaster Classic. The dream of almost every tournament
angler to make it to the Classic and he did it in one of the hardest ways
possible.
After the tournament I caught up with Darrell and talked to him about his
tournament.
Darrell said the first two day were just duplicating a pattern he established
on this lake a few years back, fishing the coontail with a rattletrap
(blue/chrome). Day 1 and 2 he had no pressure from anyone and pretty
much fished alone in his one good hole. Day 3 is when he fell down to third.
He commented that the pressure of having a few people come in on top of
him and only having 1 fish got to his head. In a desperation move he ran way
up the river to look for new water and that ended up being a bad decision.
He dropped to third after and knew his final day would be tough but he still
had a chance.
The final day all Darrell had to do was stay focused and try not to make any
mistakes. The fish were in his primary area and he just had to connect with
them. He managed to catch just enough to win and now has to make plans
for the Bassmaster Classic this February.
Justin Atkins - 1st place Co-angler
Along with Darrell on day 3 was his final day co-angler Justin Atkins. Justin
managed to catch his limit as well and propel himself to the top spot winning
the co-angler side and $50,000. Not bad for a 19yr old college student.
Justin and Darrell are pumped after winning their
respective Divisions on Lake Dardanelle!!!
Get5Bass congratulates Darrell for a great tournament and wishes him
success at the Bassmaster Classic.
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