Archive
One Bass Club
2010
One-Bass Makes Competition Fierce
February, 2010
In most club competitions, bass anglers head to the waters looking for a five-fish combo that will win the day for them. There's one group that adds a twist that rules out any little fish and focuses on only the big ones. The One Bass Club opens its season March 27 on Badin and they bring something different to the livewell.
“We are a local club based out of the Archdale area, but have members that come from as far as Basset, VA to fish,” stated member Rodney Jones. “We have a lot of brothers and father/son members that fish.”
The club fishes one tournament a month, usually the second Saturday of each month. Each member fishes individually and only weighs in one fish each. “For season standings, we go on a points system more so than weight,” noted Jones. Jones maintains a web site for the group at www.theonebassclub.bravehost.com with all the information on lakes and scheduled tournaments, as well as pictures and points standings.
The club currently has 48 to 50 active members and was established in 2000. Membership is by invitation only. Steve Davis presides as president of the group.
For more information, contact Jones at 336-471-3855 or by email at theonebassclub@yahoo.com.
2009
One-Bass Tames Badin Winds
April 11, 2009
Imagine a competition where you find yourself culling the instant you catch that second fish. That's the level of competition The One Bass Club of the Archdale, NC area faces each time it gathers for an event. At the end of a long day fighting strong winds on Badin April 11th, members of the club reached into live wells and lifted out the one fish in there. Everything rides on that solitary bet.
Steve Davis, club president, was on hand overseeing the club's smooth handling of the landing operations in the near-full moonlight, well before safelight. Everything from check in, live well checks by Rodney Jones, and the quick launch of the 19 boats said organized. Thirty nine anglers waited on boats for the go. The club requires individual competition from each boat and each boat can have from one to three fishermen. “We like to make this as smooth as possible and get these guys launched,” said Davis. “It's all about the guys helping you.”
Getting everyone into the water in short order and safely was no simple task. A second tournament with approximately the same number of boats was also using the Circle Drive Landing. Trucks and empty trailers slowly filled the lot and spilled up the driveway and along the street above.
The club boasts an excellent web site, www.theonebassclub.bravehost.com
maintained by Jones, which reports lake info, tournament schedules, pictures and point standings. Membership is by invitation only. Although local, the group has members travel all the way from Bassett, VA to fish with them. Some of the boats are father and son or brother events. According to Jones, the club currently has 48 to 50 active members and was established in 2000.
Reports rolled in earlier in the week of fish moving to beds on Badin, but there was little evidence of that in the average 55 degree waters. Wind may have been a leading factor in what was generally a low-catch, lower-than-usual-weight day for many anglers. A near-full moon shone over the Circle Drive Landing where members were to blast off at safelight. Clouds rolled away just an hour before, allowing the group to get started about 6:30 AM. Most were anxious to hit Badin, a lake recently posting heavy weights.
At the 12:45 PM weigh in, Kris King managed to best the competition with a 4 pound 7.7 ounce bass. In a one-fish per man event, it often comes down to just a few ounces, but today's winner bested others by nearly a full pound. Larry Routh Sr. finished in second spot with a 3 pound, 8 ounce fish to round out the two paying positions.
Just outside the money makers were 3rd place, Jamie Stevenson with a 3.24 pound fish, 4th place Rodney Jones with a 3.03 pound fish, and 5th place Bill Jones with a 2.78 pound fish.
The club's next, pre-event meeting is Thursday, May 14th at 7 PM. The group will fish Tuckertown Lake from the Highway 49 Landing May 16th from 6 AM to 12:30 PM.
The One Bass Club's All Or Nothing Battle A Different Approach
May 16, 2009
The One Bass Club brings a different approach to bass fishing, and that alternative makes for a whole different kind of competition. The Archdale area club, which touts 48 to 50 active members, has a one-fish limit. That's right... each angler brings his or her biggest fish of the day to the scales, and no more. While the skinny limit makes for quick weigh ins, it changes fishing strategies even more.
The nine-year club brought their competition series to the waters of Tuckertown May 16th amid a flurry of activity on the lake. Seventeen boats holding 29 member anglers took to the small lake just after 6 AM from the Highway 49 Landing. The group fishes until 12:30 in the afternoon and weigh in begins at 12:45. Although threatening skies promised downpours all day, the Club managed to avoid getting wet until the final few minutes of weigh in. Then, the skies opened up. “Couldn't have cut this any closer,” chuckled weigh master Bill Jones as he hustled the last few to the scales.
In a competition where Big Fish IS first place and THE ONE, Jon Jones managed to bring home top honors with a 5 pound 3 ounce bass. Second place went to Greg Duncan, whose fish tipped the scales at 3 pounds 7.1 ounces. Third through fifth place finishers and weights are as follows. Jamie Stevenson 3 pounds 5.6 ounces, Mike Kivett 3 pounds 1.6 ounces, and Michael Taylor 2 pounds 7.4 ounces.
The club president is Steve Davis. Information can be gained at the group's web site, www.theonebassclub.bravehost.com, managed by Rodney Jones. The club holds monthly meetings just prior to each fishing event. Their next meeting and fishing competition will be Thursday June 11th at 7:30 PM, meeting location undetermined, and on the waters Saturday June 13th 6:00 am to 12:30 PM, at High Rock Lake, Southmont Landing.
Routh Sr. Pulls One-Bass Win By An Ounce
June 13, 2009
When every fish you put in the livewell will make you a winner or a distant runner, you feel the pressure with every cast and lure choice. Pulling five or six fish to the scales allows for a little wiggle room at times, but a one-bass competition makes every strike count. Big Fish IS first place.
The One Bass Club hit the High Rock waters on Saturday, June 13, all part of a seven-tournament assault on the Yadkin waters that day. What sets this club apart from all the rest is one simple rule... an angler can bring only one fish to the scales. Make or break, start the culling after the first. Larry Routh Sr. topped all solo fish competitors that day as he happily landed a 3.2.7 pounder.
“Anything over three pounds is a good fish today,” stated Rodney Jones, the club's web master. “Seems like nearly every bass is just under or a tad over the legal length these days.” The club has been using this one-fish strategy for nine years now and anglers enjoy the little extra it adds to a day's fishing.
Twenty seven members fished from fifteen boats and 14 of them weighed in fish. The club used the Southmont Landing off Highway 8 as their 5:30 AM attack point. Two other groups also used the same access point that day. And, although over fifty boats all wanted on the water within a sixty minute span of time, boats hit the water in smooth fashion.
Greg Duncan nailed down second place with a 3.1.1 pounder, barely over an ounce smaller than Routh Sr.'s. In this competition, that is more often the case than not. What a bass had for dinner earlier that morning might be the difference at the scales.
Third spot was won by Brad Lowe with a 3.0.9 pounder... two-hundredths of a pound out of second. Mike Kivett finished in fourth with a 2.6.1 pound bass, while Jordon Wood managed fifth with 2.0.6 pounds. Rodney Jones placed sixth with a 1.8.7 pound fish and Mike Routh, son to the winner, also brought in a 1.8.7 pounder. The draw for placement was decided on past performance at a recent meet. Eighth place was won by Jon Jones, who netted a 1.8.4 pound bass.
Season results and club information can be found on the club's web site at www.theonebassclub.bravehost.com . The group is from the Archdale area of North Carolina. The High Rock event was the fourth of the season for club members. They will move on to Badin's Circle Drive on July 11th. A final Fish Off is planned for October 10th at a lake to be determined.
The One Bass Club Sends 25 Anglers At Badin
July 11, 2009
The bass of Badin needed to feed heavy the night before in order to avoid the angling skills of The One Bass Club on Saturday. Twenty five fishermen from the group blasted off from the Circle Drive Access area in the dawn hours hoping some of the big ones had forgotten to eat.
The club uses a unique approach to tournament limit which works well as summer heat makes keeping bass alive. As the name hints, each individual angler can bring only one bass to the scales at the end of the day. Culling begins the minute the second fish of the day is caught. “It's a lot easier to keep a single fish healthy, rather than worrying about five or six in there,”stated member Rodney Jones.
Jones was part of some healthy ribbing himself just prior to weigh in. Member Jodie McRoberts, an angler who directs his own series and participates in numerous others, had called Jones to request permission to be late. Jones had agreed to meet him at the docks at 10 AM to check his livewell. In a show of good sportsmanship, McRoberts had let Jones in on his best fishing spot... a particular dock south of the landing. “I figured someone might as well get the one or two five pounders that I can often find under there,” said McRoberts. “It was the least I could do for him considering he agreed to come all the way back to the docks just so I could join in.”
All went as planned and Jones made the special trip back. McRoberts got out of work and flew to the lake in time. “I couldn't take his fish,” laughed Jones. “I told him I'd left his fish alone.” So, McRoberts lit out hoping his big ones were still there undisturbed.
“I rolled in there, lifted in the trolling motor and grabbed my best gear. It took me a minute to change out what I wanted to throw, but I finally got it right,” noted McRoberts. “I stood up and turned around to cast and my dock wasn't there! It was gone!” It crossed his mind that Jones had left the fish alone, but had taken the dock.... “I almost fell out of the boat,” McRoberts laughed. “I guess I can't blame him, but it sure was a shocker.”
Competition is taken seriously by the group, but there's a lot of good fun at every event. Jason Prevatte of Archdale, winner for the day with a 5.15 pounder, took some jabs himself, but walked away smiling with the $225 payday. “I used a crankbait on offshore on the north end of the lake, he reported.
Second place went to Jordan Wood, who found a 3.28 pounder and the $150 that went with it. He reported using a shaky head just north of the Circle Drive Landing to catch the fish.
Just outside the paying slots were third, Rick Roseberry with 3.26 pounds; fourth Bobby Troxler with 2.79 pounds; and fifth Brad Lowe with a 2.46 pounder. Fifteen of the 25 anglers weighed in fish. Bill Jones serves as Weighmaster for the group.
Season results and club information can be found on the club's web site at www.theonebassclub.bravehost.com , managed by Rodney Jones. The group is from the Archdale area of North Carolina. The Badin Lake event was the fifth of the season for club members. They will move on to Tuckertown Reservoir on August 15th, using the Highway 49 Access point. The group will fish from 6 AM to 12:30 PM. A final Fish Off is planned for October 10th at a lake to be determined.
Two Bass Clubs To Team Up On Bass In All Nighter
It's tough enough on the bass in area lakes when one of these clubs hits the waters chasing them, but add a second, skilled club to the assault and then do it all in the dark just doesn't seem fair. Directors Rodney Jones of The One Bass Club and Jody McRoberts of the Triple H Bass Club have announced a joint, all-night attack on the bass of Badin, August 7th.
Both clubs fish the Yadkin chain heavily during their regular seasons. This event is not on their schedules, but it seemed like a great idea to McRoberts and Jones. “All these guys know each other and fish most of the same lakes. This will give them a chance to mix and go head-to-head,” stated Jones. It isn't uncommon to see many of the same anglers participating in either of the two clubs' tournaments, but some members do not. There may even be some bragging rights involved.
For The One Bass Club, this will be a change of pace and strategy. “We fish for that one fish that outweighs the rest,” stated McRoberts. “After the first fish, you begin culling. This will be a real change for us.” Throwing fish back into the waters is common for these guys. Any fish you catch that is bigger than the one in the livewell replaces it. The event will use the Circle Drive Access Area and is open to current members and their families. It will run from 7 PM Saturday to 2 AM Sunday morning.
Both clubs utilize web sites for club information. These can be found at
www.theonebassclub.bravehost.com or www.triplehbassclub.com. Direct info can be gained by emailing Rodney Jones at TheOneBassClub@aol.com.
Triple H And One Bass Club Team Up On Badin
August 7, 2009
When the bass fishing gets really tough, it's sometimes best to double up on them. And, if two anglers have twice as good a chance to catch fish as just one, then two clubs together should be a pairing the green backs can't avoid. Hoping to back the bass into a corner, the Triple H Bass and The One Bass Clubs joined forces last Friday night at Badin's Circle Drive Access for a 7 PM to 2 AM smash.
“A lot of the guys fish in both of these clubs,” stated Jody McRoberts, director of the Triple H group. “We thought it might be fun to join up and do it in differently.” Different to these guys is a weigh in during the wee-hours of the morning, well after most humans and tree frogs have quit for the night. Once the bass are in, the only challenge to face is where to find breakfast at that hour.
For Bobby Conner and BJ Rabon, there was no need to rush away, as the pair were ready for photographs and prize money for their 10.8.4 pound winning bag. Their late-night ramblings earned them a hefty $240 in the 12 boat field.
Second place went to Bill Jones and his son, Jonathon Jones. The father-son team dragged in 8.8 pounds to be weighed in. They dragged away the $144 that the fish earned them.
Third placers, Sammy Crater and Mike White accepted the 2 AM prize for their fish total, a 7.7.8 pound bag worth $96. White also added the Big Fish honors to his boat with a 2.7.9 pounder. Catching that one fish was worth $120 to the partners, making them the second-winning-est team on the night's money trail.
Out of the 12 boat field, seven weighed in fish. The group used a five-fish limit for the night. Unlike most clubs that chase various bag limits, the One Bass Club does what it's name implies... competitors cast for the one biggest fish. It is a Big Fish only event.
The One Bass Club's season results and information can be found on the club's web site at www.theonebassclub.bravehost.com, managed by Rodney Jones. The group is from the Archdale area of North Carolina. Steve Davis serves as president. They will move on to Tuckertown Reservoir on August 15th, using the Highway 49 Access point. The group will fish from 6 AM to 12:30 PM. A final Fish Off is planned for October 10th at a lake to be determined.
For the Triple H Bass Club, it's on to Badin's Circle Drive on August 23rd. They will blast off at 6 AM and return for a 1 PM weigh in. For more information about the club, contact McRoberts at 336-215-4402, by email at jmcroberts@triad.rr.com , or through his web site at wildlife@livingreflectionstaxidermy.com . The group also maintains a web site located at http://www.triplehbassclub.com.
One Bass Finds Treasures In Tuckertown
August 15, 2009
By Rodney Jones and Fishbyte.net Staff
All Photos Courtesy of Rodney Jones
When it's the middle of August and nineteen of your twenty three club members bring bass to the scales at the end of the day, you're fishing in tough company. The little pond that many overlook has been producing better than its sister lakes on the Yadkin Chain, and The One Bass Club took advantage of that this past Saturday. Twelve boats hit Tuckertown Reservoir in the wee hours of the morning and produced solid results.
The One Bass Club has one rule that sets it apart from all other clubs in the region. Members spend the entire tournament casting for Big Fish. They can bring in only one fish to weigh in, so everything rests on a single cast. A couple members scored five plus pounders from a lake that delivered seven pounders just the weekend before. That same lake produced a number of bag weights in other competitions close to twenty pounds.
Ellis Duncan was the proud owner of first place in a club of tough anglers that day. His 5.12 pound bass topped all other efforts. Second place went to Rodney Jones who scored a 5.05 pound fish.
Larry Routh Sr. netted a 3.42 pounder to take third, while Jordan Wood fell in one place behind him in fourth with 3.38 pounds. The final spot was netted by Terry Story with 2.62 pounds.
The One Bass Club maintains a web site, www.theonebassclub.bravehost.com, devoted to the groups activities, which is maintained by Rodney Jones. Steve Davis holds the leadership role for the group. The club moves on to High Rock Lake and the Southmont Landing on September 12th and will fish from 6:30 AM to 12:30 PM. For more information, contact Jones through the web site or email him at TheOneBassClub@aol.com.
Wood Wins One Bass Club Championship
September 12, 2009
It took everything he had, but Jordan Wood came from behind last Saturday to win The One Bass Club Season Championship. High Rock, where the club held its final event of the regular season September 12th, showed its ugly side once more, hiding its sizeable bass in about every place anglers weren't. Wood battled smaller culls all day to make up ground and jump into the lead.
Coming into the day, Rodney Jones held a slim two point lead over other members and he had scored well on the northern-most lake on the Yadkin Chain. “I'm not sure I have enough,” he stated grimly as he rolled his boat onto the trailer just before the 12:30 PM weigh in. “It wasn't pretty out there today.” Twelve boats and 22 competitors were on hand for the final round. Seventeen members weighed in fish.
The club fishes a one-fish limit, requiring members to bring the best to the scales while culling the rest, thus the One Bass moniker. “It really adds a twist to any tournament,” stated Steve Davis, president of the group. “It all rests on a single fish. You can have a great day, but if you don't tag into a big one, you can be left out at the end.”
When Wood launched his boat that morning, he was tied for second place with Greg Duncan. A pile of competitors stacked up right behind those two, no more than 5 points back. Larry Routh Sr. and Mike Kivett were within striking distance. Travis Leonard picked up the most points for the day when he won the event with a 4.1.8 pounder.
Where the leader board got tipped on its head was when Wood placed second with a 3.8.4 pound bass and Jones barely managed a ninth place finish with a 2.1.9 pounder. That set up a mad scramble for the season's trophy. Wes Motsinger placed third in the final event with a 3.7.7 pounder.
It took some time to score the day's points and determine the champ, but Steve Davis finally announced the standings. Wood had earned four points more than Jones on High Rock waters in the final hours, and that placed him two points ahead in the standings at final bell. Jones finished the season second, while Larry Routh Sr. finished third. Greg Duncan and Mike Kivett finished fourth and fifth respectively.
The One Bass Club will hold its last meeting of the season on October 8th at the Pioneer Restaurant in Archdale. They will draw for the lake to be named as the location for the One Bass Club Classic October 10th.
The One Bass Club maintains a web site, www.theonebassclub.bravehost.com, devoted to the groups activities, which is maintained by Rodney Jones. For more information, contact Jones through the web site or email him at TheOneBassClub@aol.com.