Sunday, October 15 – 6:25 PM

The Day 2 event recap article is now published.  Read the full story here.

This will conclude live blog coverage for the AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open.  Thanks for following along, and we will you see you at the next stop!

Sunday, October 15 – 5:00 PM
The final results for the AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open are now posted on the website.  View the results here.
Sunday, October 15 – 4:20 PM
Wyatt Pearman and Ridge Rutledge from Top 25 ranked Campbellsville University win the AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open with a two-day total of 28.13 pounds.  The pair entered Day 2 in second place, just 0.02 pounds behind the first place team from third ranked Murray State University.
For their first place victory, Wyatt and Ridge earned a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops gift card, $500 AFTCO gift card, two Power-Pole gift certificates, a Rapala/Crush City prize package, two pairs of Bajio sunglasses, and two Turtlebox speakers.  Along with the prizes, they also earned multiple contingency bonuses.  Ridge claimed the $500 Garmin Tournament Rewards, and the team received the $500 ACA Logo Contingency bonus as well.  All total, the Campbellsville University anglers earned close to $6,000 in total payout.
First place also awards their school 1,750 points to count towards the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.  Paired with Campbellsville’s next highest finishing team in 15th, the 20th ranked team in the National Rankings will earn valuable double points that could launch them into the Top 10.
Sunday, October 15 – 12:25 PM
Soft plastic baits have been key tactics used by anglers here at Lake Dardanelle this week.  Flipping and finesse presentations are what anglers have been utilizing the most.  
Earlier in the week, the ACA published a lake preview article highlighting baits that could work well on the Arkansas River during this event.  
Lake Dardanelle’s abundant shoreline vegetation and wood cover are great places to flip soft plastics.  Baits like the Big Bite Baits Fighting Frog and BFE are the ideal choices for flipping this heavy cover.  When bass are holding more tightly to cover and become difficult to trick into biting, downsizing to a finesse presentation will be a key player.  This is when a bait like the Scentsation SoMolly rigged on a drop shot will factor in.
Big Bite Baits offers college anglers a 40% discount on products.  Find out more information and apply for a code at this link.
Sunday, October 15 – 12:25 PM

In the live blog yesterday, we featured Matthew Hall from Arkansas State University and some of the equipment he runs on his boat.  Another key part to Hall’s success is the Garmin Force Trolling Motor.
“We have only had the Garmin Force for a few months, but it is absolutely the best trolling motor I’ve ever used. It is extremely efficient and extremely quiet,” noted Hall.  “I also like that it pairs with the graphs and I can control it from the graph or the remote. It is also extremely smooth, and that really helps with running LiveScope, and it does not jump around at all.”
A quality trolling motor is key to an angler’s success.  The trolling motor is what the anglers use to maneuver and position the boat when fish.  Being able to reach the fish and not disturb them is very important.  The Garmin Force Trolling Motor achieves just that.
Another big factor as to why the Force Trolling Motor is so valuable is its integration with Garmin electronics.  Anglers can operate the Force Trolling Motor from the screen of their units, and LiveScope is extremely clear when paired with this trolling motor. 
Sunday, October 15 – 12:10 PM
Live weigh-in for Day 2 of the AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open will be streamed at this link starting at 1:00 PM.  Tune in to watch the field of 450 plus anglers weigh-in.  Who will take home the tournament title?  Find out by watching live weigh-in!
Sunday, October 15 – 11:50 AM

The Day 1 leaders from Murray State University, Archer and Jackson, now have a limit for an estimated 10 pounds.
Campbellsville University anglers Wyatt and Ridge have a limit and are culling.
These two teams were separated by 0.02 pounds after the first day of competition.  With each team now having a limit, it should be a very exciting weigh-in to see where these two boats finish.  And the wildcard question: can someone from further back in the standings catch a big bag and make a move?  Big bass live in Lake Dardanelle.  Over the years, we’ve seen several bags near, or eclipse, the 20 pound mark.  The leaderboard is packed tight, so teams that can improve vastly on their Day 1 limits will have a realistic shot at shooting way up the leaderboard.
Sunday, October 15 – 11:45 AM

Overall Big Bass for the event will take home a new Power-Pole.  Hunter and Bryan from Dallas Baptist University currently hold big bass honors for the event with 5.78 pounds.
Sunday, October 15 – 11:15 AM

The Ozarks is a beautiful part of the country, and home to some of the best fisheries.  During this time of year, cranking can be a great way to get bites.  SPRO makes a full lineup of crankbaits complete with shallow diving squarebills to deep diving baits designed to be fished in cold water.  The rocky shorelines and riprap banks of Lake Dardanelle are great areas to work these baits to catch fall time bass as they transition to the backs of the creeks.  SPRO offers college anglers a 35% discount on baits.  Find out more information here.

The fishing line you use when crankbait fishing will have an impact on the action of your bait and the depths it will reach.  Given that crankbaits are a specific technique that demand very detailed items to achieve their maximum potential, Sunline created Crank FC.  Sunline Crank FC is 100% fluorocarbon with additional stretch designed specifically for crankbaits and reaction lures. Also great for rattle baits, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, vibrating jigs, and swim jigs. Plasma Rise Technology alters line surface to make it slicker, more abrasion-resistant, and longer-lasting.

LB Test: 8, 10, 12, 14, 16

Spool Length: 200 YD, 660 YD

Sunline offers college anglers a discount program.  Apply for a 40% discount code here.

Sunday, October 15 – 10:30 AM

Approximately two and a half hours remain until the first flight of boats is due back in at 1:00 PM this afternoon.  Here is an update on the Top 3 teams:

The Day 1 leaders at the AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open were Archer and Jackson from 3rd ranked Murray State University.  With a total weight of 14.74 pounds on the first day of competition, the pair held a very slim lead of just 0.02 ounces over the second place team from Campbellsville University.  So far today, the Murray State anglers have several keepers in the boat as they look to fill out a limit.

Wyatt and Ridge from Campbellsville University enter today in second place.  The duo is having one of the better days that’s been reported so far.  They now have a five fish limit in the boat and are looking to upgrade.  Campbellsville entered this tournament ranked 20th in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.  A quality finish, or possible victory by Wyatt and Ridge, paired with another high finish by a group of teammates could net Campbellsville very valuable points that might have them knocking on the door of being inside the Top 10.

Rounding out the Top 3 are Hunter and Trey from King University.  The two anglers weighed in 13.47 pounds yesterday.  This morning, I had the chance to speak with them prior to takeoff. They were unsure if their fish would still be there today, or possibly cooperate.  So far, the pair has landed several short fish but no keeper bass.

Sunday, October 15 – 9:20 AM

Wyatt & Ridge from Top 25 ranked Campbellsville University entered today in 2nd place.  The pair is off to a very hot start this morning.  They have four fish in the box and are looking to fill out a limit with their next keeper.

Sunday, October 15 – 9:00 AM

Here are some photo highlights from official takeoff at Lake Dardanelle for Day 2 of the AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open.  This year’s event marks close to 10 years in which the Association of Collegiate Anglers has hosted a major event here in Russellville, AR.  The lake and community are a great host, and Lake Dardanelle State Park provides an awesome facility for event takeoff and weigh-ins.

Sunday, October 15 – 8:20 AM

The full field of 240 plus boats is now out on Lake Dardanelle for Day 2 of  tournament competition at the AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open.  Archer and Jackson from 3rd ranked Murray State enter today in first place with a slim lead over the second place team from Campbellsville University.  Archer and Jackson already have one fish in the box as they are targeting windy banks with shad.

Sunday, October 15 – 6:05 AM

Teams are beginning to arrive at Lake Dardanelle State Park!  Weather conditions today are forecasted to set up very similar to what the anglers faced on the first day of competition.  Steady winds out of the north and partly cloudy skies will be prevalent for most of the day.  Today’s high temperature is projected to be in the mid to low 60’s, roughly five to 10 degrees less than yesterday.

Anglers found a good deal of success catching bass out on Lake Dardanelle during Day 1 of the AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open.  At weigh-in, there was mention of bites coming during the morning, mid-day, and in the afternoon.  Along with that, a variety of baits and techniques were mentioned.  From worms to crankbaits, teams were fishing both slow and fast, covering water to find keeper bass.  Expect more of the same today as these weather and lake conditions continue.

Sunday, October 15 – 4:15 AM

Good Sunday morning from Lake Dardanelle in Russellville, AR!  Today marks the final day of tournament competition for the AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open.  The full field of 240 plus boats will take to Lake Dardanelle again this morning for the second stop of the season on the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series.

At the conclusion of weigh-in today, the ACA will award $20,000 in prizes and contingencies.  The Top 20 teams will be paid out, along with several exact places, as well as a Power-Pole to the Overall Big Bass.  Teams are also competing for valuable double points to count towards the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.  Schools will be able to earn points for their two highest-finishing teams inside of the Top 150.  First place will receive 1,750 points for their respective school.

Stay tuned to the live blog today for updates from the final day of tournament competition at the AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open.  Official takeoff will be streamed live on the ACA Facebook page.