The season came to a close for 2023, with the 2023 NSKA NWA Ace of Blades Classic on a stingy Beaver Lake. The top 25 regular season points leaders, plus the Shootout winner competed for the Championship.
History of the Classic has been fairly consistent in what it would take to win. Looking back at the one and two day totals for past Champions, you see a couple of patterns:
- 2019 – Jeriamy Vann – 75.25 / 74 = 149.25″ (Beaver)
- 2020 – Jason Kincy – 83.75 / 75.75 = 159.50 (Beaver)
- 2021 Cole Sikes – 76.50 / 80.25 = 156.75″ (LFS/TR)
- 2002 – Justin Brewer – 79 / 73 = 152.00″ (TR/Beaver)
- 2023 – Jacob Webber – 75.5 / 71.5 = 147.00″ (Beaver)
At the launch on day one, I said to an angler, “You can’t win it on day one, but you can lose it.” Looking at the history, this may not be totally correct. Each time except one, the higher total was on the first day. So, definitely have to get off to a hot start. Secondly, 147″ seems to be the floor for a chance to win. Each year I feel like if I can get to 150″ then I’ve got a shot. Thirdly, other than Cole, your name must start with the letter J. Ha!
2023 Classic Results
Overall, it was a very difficult day on the water. Beaver Lake seemed to be turning over, fish were scattered, a small cold front had just come through, and this may have been the lowest water level for an official NSKA event, ever. These created some challenging conditions.
Out of the 24 registered anglers, 13 caught a limit on both days – which is pretty good. Overall, the BPA was 4.81, putting it as slightly below average for an event. These numbers were buoyed by the fact that these were the top anglers for the year. But even that fact did not mean a fishing bonanza!
Jacob Webber took first place with a two-day total of 147″, with your AOY winner – Tyler Zengerle, finishing second with 146.75″. Third place went to Jamie Shumate with 137″. Big Bass was taken home by Justin Brewer for an 18.50″ largemouth bass.
Here were your top ten:
- Jacob Webber 147
- Tyler Zengerle 146.75
- Jamie Shumate 137
- Justin Brewer 16.50
- Jason Kincy 133
- Terrill Standifer 131
- Tony Sorluangsana 130.75
- Sam McClish 128
- Jason Coleman 127
- John Evans 126
Angler Roundtable
The Classic is a great two-day challenge that requires adjustment and diversity from the top anglers. Day one zone was from Hwy 12 bridge up lake to around Monte Ne. Day two zone stretched from Ventris down lake to just past Van Hollow. Our top finishers, Jacob Webber, Tyler Zengerle, and Jamie Shumate shared how they made it happen.
Going into the first day, what did you expect to work to catch fish…and did it work?
Jacob – I didn’t have any expectations going into it. I figured I would start with topwater and go from there. I had about five bites in the first 30 minutes on a Whopper Plopper and kept that in my hands for most of the day. Every once in a while I would try another lure, but couldn’t get anything else going. At the end of the day I pulled up to a giant brush pile that I marked earlier and was able to catch three on a jerk bait. I wanted to fish that spot earlier but there was a boat on it for the majority of the day.
Tyler – I expected to throw a Whopper Plopper for the first few hours but I gave up after a couple hundred yards of using it. It didn’t work in practice the weekend before, so I was quick to put it up on tourney day.
Jamie – Day one I went to Monte Ne. I started with a Whopper Plopper paralleling the bank when I would find a brush pile I would throw a shakey head. I basically kept the topwater in my hand all day.
What key baits or techniques caught most of your bass?
Jacob – I caught most of my fish on a Whopper Plopper day one, aside from three at the end that came on a jerk bait. Everything came on the Whopper Plopper on day two.
Tyler – Day one, all my fish came on a shakey head with a Gambler Sweebo 6.5” worm in Green Pumpkin and picked up a couple on a Ned rig using a Gambler Power Ned also in green pumpkin. Day two, my first three fish came on a Whopper Plopper (usually produces on the north end), and the same shakey head as day one.
Jamie – Whopper Plopper and shakey head.
Day two was a really difficult day for most. Were there any adjustments you made from day one that helped you get a limit?
Jacob – The only adjustment I made was going from a bone color to a more translucent color. I just wanted to cover as much water as I could on day two and hoped I would eventually come across some fish that would bite. I ran the battery on my motor down and ended up having to paddle back to the ramp.
Tyler – I didn’t make too many adjustments on day two, other than committing to the Whopper Plopper—As I knew it usually produces better on the north end. I tried to stay positive all day to grind out a limit which came later than it did on day one. I only caught six fish that day, but it was the self-encouragement that pushed me to the end.
Jamie – I started day two the same way but it was tough – I only caught six fish all day. They all came on a Whopper Plopper, last one at 9:27.
As the season ends, what was the biggest highlight for you this year on the water?
Jacob – The biggest highlight for me would have to be the first hour of the Beaver north tournament. It seemed like everywhere I threw resulted in a good fish. I feel like I’m usually grinding all day for a decent limit, so it felt great to have a good limit early for a change. Tenkiller is right up there too. I always have a ton of fun at that lake.
Tyler – This whole year has just been simply amazing. From a 13th place finish at the All-American Classic to placing my highest finish in an NWA event at our Classic(2nd) and of course earning the Angler of the Year title. I ended in a position that I didn’t think I would be in for a couple more years, and I’m thankful it happened this year.
Jamie – Can’t say that really had any highlights for the year – I guess finishing 3rd in the Classic is the best moment of the year for me.
That’s a wrap for 2023
Whether you finished at the top, met personal fishing goals, learned some things, or just did your first kayak tournament – Congratulations to all who participated this year. Thank you for turning out, and we look forward to next season.
Congrats to those who had some great accomplishments for 2023:
- Tyler Zengerle – Angler of the Year
- Tony Sorluangsana – Heavy Hitters Champ
- Jacob Webber – Classic Champion
- John Hall – Rookie of the Year
- NSKA NWA – All-American Team Champions
- Cole Sikes, NSKA NWA – All-American Champion
- AOY Standings
- Heavy Hitters Standings