Williams Tops on Rayburn
Grass bite key to the win
Boater Shane Williams of Keithville, Louisiana, brought a two-day total of 10 bass to the scale weighing 30 pounds, 2 ounces to win the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine Cowboy Division Super-Tournament at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by Navionics. For his victory, Williams earned $7,630.
The tournament was the fifth and final event in the 2020 Cowboy Division presented by A.R.E. Truck Caps.
“This win felt incredible,” said Williams, who earned his first career Bass Fishing League win. “I’ve been fishing these tournaments since I was 16 years old and have been close to a win several times, so it feels unbelievable to finally pull it off.”
Williams said he practiced all over the lake, but found his quality fish along the Ayish Bayou throughout both days.
“I caught my best fish on the Crock-O-Gator X-Bite Skirtless Buzzbait, using black early in the day, then switching to white once the sun got above the trees,” said Williams. “I caught a couple flipping and punching grass with a black-and-blue-colored Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver and caught several key fish winding a Reaction Innovations Little Dipper through the grass real slow.
“Keeping my head in the game was the key to my victory,” said Williams. “It’s real easy to get spun out, but I was able to spend some time with my family during the evening and having their support and encouragement meant the world.”
Top 10 boaters:
1st: Shane Williams of Keithville, La., 10 bass, 30-2, $7,630
2nd: Kenneth Cates of Zavalla, Texas, 10 bass, 27-13, $3,815
3rd: Jacob Williams of Westlake, La., 10 bass, 26-13, $2,544
4th: Jace Lindsay of Beckville, Texas, 10 bass, 26-1, $1,780
5th: Clay Phillips of Huntington, Texas, 10 bass, 25-6, $1,526
6th: Neal Gilmore of Magnolia, Texas, nine bass, 24-14, $1,899
7th: Cade Lemoine of Brookeland, Texas, seven bass, 23-5, $1,472
8th: Wesley Dawson of Chester, Texas, seven bass, 22-11, $1,144
9th: Kraig Chapman of Bossier City, La., 10 bass, 22-9, $1,017
10th: Richard Wagnon of Jasper, Texas, five bass, 22-5, $890
Cody Barchenger of Taylor, Texas earned the day’s $1,177 Boater Big Bass award with a 8-pound, 7-ounce bass.
Gilmore took home an extra $500 as the highest finishing FLW PHOENIX BONUS member. Boaters are eligible to win up to an extra $7,000 per event in each Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine tournament if all requirements are met. More information on the FLW PHOENIX BONUS contingency program can be found at PhoenixBassBoats.com.
Faucheaux takes co-angler win
Ben Faucheaux of Natchitoches, Louisiana, earned the win in the Co-angler Division Sunday after catching a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 22 pounds, 8 ounces. Faucheaux earned $3,815 for his victory.
Top 10 co-anglers:
1st: Ben Faucheaux of Natchitoches, La., 10 bass, 22-8, $3,815
2nd: Zachary McDaniel of Pitkin, La., eight bass, 15-11, $1,907
3rd: Jaden Parrish of Liberty, Texas, five bass, 15-1, $1,862
4th: Eddie Burns of Little Rock, Ark., seven bass, 13-11, $890
5th: Lat Nichols of Deport, Texas, six bass, 13-5, $763
6th: Albert Ignacio of Dallas, Texas, four bass, 13-5, $699
7th: Denny Swartz of Broussard, La., five bass, 13-0, $636
8th: Samuel Riche of Maurice, La., five bass, 12-2, $572
9th: Greg Boik of College Station, Texas, five bass 11-15, $509
10th: Raymond Gomez of Beeville, Texas, four bass, 11-11, $445
Parrish earned the event’s Co-angler Big Bass Award of $589 with a 7-pound, 4-ounce bass.