GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. – For the hardcore bass fishing nerd, it comes as no surprise that Jason Sandidge got the co-angler win in the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Central Division event on Lake Guntersville. With more than 130 MLF events on his ledger, Sandidge has won three boats as a co-angler, and one as a boater in the BFL Regional on the Red River in 2017.
This week, the Arkansas angler put together bags in the teens the first two days, and then dropped 23 pounds, 8 ounces on Day 3 to win with a 58-2 total. Between the new Phoenix Boats package and other winnings, he earned $34,850 for his efforts.
Finishing second, Alan Hults tallied 55-5 on the week, and Marc Huffaker finished third with 52-7. This event was presented by Suzuki Marine and hosted by Marshall County Tourism & Sports.
Umbrella rig does the heavy lifting for Sandidge
Early on Day 1, Sandidge got on a roll with an umbrella rig, and he rode it all the way to the win.
“I had like seven rods with me, and I had the A-rig,” he said. “Day 1, we just kind of fished close, (my boater) was fishing on the bank, and I decided to throw out deep. I’ll be danged, I caught a 3 1/2-pounder. We went to another area, and I just kind of stuck with it – he was fishing shallow, and I was throwing out deeper and kind of pulling it up.”
On Day 2, Sandidge kept the umbrella rig “glued” in his hand, and rolled up the leaderboard.
“Today, I drew Cal (Lane), and he’s a cool dude, and I had that 23-8 by 11 o’clock,” he said. “It was an epic day, I threw the A-rig all day. We probably caught 70 fish – it was the best day I’ve ever had fishing. It was an awesome day.”
Sandidge didn’t do anything fancy with his umbrella rig – he used 3.8-inch Keitech Swing Impact Fat swimmers in pro blue, with light heads and a YUM YUMbrella Flash Mob Jr.. He used a 25-pound Sunline Sniper for his line.
“I was fishing it in 2-foot of water, I would literally have to burn it,” Sandidge said. “I should have put lighter weights on, but, it was working. The majority of the time I was 5 feet or less. All three days, my guys did turn on the ‘Scope, but they didn’t really leave shallow areas – I was fortunate to be in the zone all the time.”
Retired from FedEx after 30 years, Sandidge is fishing wherever and whenever he wants. Up next, he’s headed to Grand Lake and Kentucky Lake, and now that he’s got a little extra money in his pocket, he’s got his eye on summertime smallmouth action at the St. Lawrence.
Top 10 co-anglers
1. Jason Sandidge – 58 – 2 (15) – $34,850
2. Alan Hults – 55 – 5 (15) – $6,125
3. Marc Huffaker – 52 – 7 (15) – $4,900
4. Josh McKinney – 51 – 10 (15) – $3,950
5. Gary Meredith Il – 49 – 2 (15) – $3,450
6. Stephen Mickle – 48 – 12 (15) – $2,950
7. Wesley Hall – 48 – 5 (15) – $2,450
8. Benton Peoples – 45 – 14 (15) – $1,975
9. Lenny Bays – 45 – 7 (13) – $1,590
10. Curtis Cline – 45 – 5 (14) – $1,350