The 2017 Ranger Cup University Challenge is taking place today (October 26, 2017) between the University of North Alabama (Sloan Pennington & Hunter McCarty) and Kansas State University (Kyle Alsop & Travis Blenn) on Fairfield Lake, Tx. This event is like no other in college fishing as the format aims to make for an action-packed day for both teams. Anglers from both universities are squaring off in a made-for-TV competition that will be televised nationally on “Americana Outdoors.”
Thursday, October 26, 2017
3:30pm — FINAL — UNA’s Sloan Pennington & Hunter McCarty take the win with a final weight of 21.10lbs. Kansas State University’s Kyle Alsop & Travis Blenn finish with 10.13lbs.
Congrats Sloan and Hunter!
1:15pm – Both teams are sporting the custom-made jersey with the Mossy Oak Elements pattern. A big thanks to Mossy Oak & G2Gemini!
12:45pm — Current totals — UNA has the lead.
The winds are now sustained between 20-25mph. UNA has begun to dial in a pattern and has landed 3 keepers in the last 30 minutes to take the lead. Kansas State hasn’t caught a keeper in a couple of hours and will need to adjust soon to stay in contention.
10:45am — Current totals — UNA now has 3 fish for 8.1lbs, while Kansas State remains with 4 fish for 8lbs.
High winds and blue-bird skies are hampering the anglers today. Kansas State jumped to an early lead with a flurry of fish off of a secondary point. UNA has been grinding all day with a bite here and there.
With the forecast showing winds gusting up to 40 mph later today, every bite is going to matter going forward.
9:45am – We’re hearing that the bite has slowed for both teams making them regroup and move on to another spot.
9:00am — Current totals — UNA has 2 fish for 4.4lbs & Kansas State has 4 fish for 8lbs.
8:25am – UNA’s Sloan Pennington showing off a Fairfield Lake bass & partner, Hunter McCarty, with one of his own!
8:10am – Getting a closer look at the 50th Anniversary Ranger Boats that were provided for the event.
7:00am – UNA (Sloan Pennington/Hunter McCarty) & Kansas State University (Kyle Alsop/Travis Blenn) hit the water at safelight. All fish over 14 inches will count towards the days total weight. All legal fish will be caught, measured, weighed on a scale provided, and the weight will be recorded on a score sheet. At the end of the day, the total weight for all fish caught will determine the winner.
Wednesday, October 25, 2017 –
Location:
Fairfield Lake, Tx
- Surface area: 2,159 acres
- Maximum depth: 49 feet
- Impounded: 1969
- Conservation Pool Elevation: 310 ft. msl
- Fluctuation: 4 feet
- Normal Clarity: Moderately clear
- Aquatic Vegetation: Hydrilla light along shoreline; with American lotus, common cattail, common reed and marine naiad moderate to heavy in shallow areas
- Fishing Cover/Structure: Inundated timber is abundant in the upper end of the lake and in both coves on the east side. Hydrilla forms a fringe around the reservoir out to approximately 5 feet. Pockets of native pondweed provide openings in the hydrilla and make good ambush points. The heated cove in this power plant cooling lake provides warm water even in the winter. Emergent cattails and cutgrass grow in shallow water on the shoreward side of the hydrilla.
Event Format:
Teams will fish for a full 8 hour day unless weather becomes a factor. First cast will be at safe-light. All fish over 14 inches will count towards the days total weight. All legal fish will be caught, measured, weighed on a scale provided, and the weight will be recorded on a score sheet. At the end of the day, the total weight for all fish caught will determine the winner.
Each team will have a cameraman with them that will be updating the teams numerous times a day on how the other team is doing.
Both teams will be provided tournament-ready Ranger Boats equipped with Yamaha Outboards and Garmin Electronics.
