Free agency news

FRISCO, TX

Years of hype, drama, conjecture and expectation have dwindled to a few more hours.

Kendall Still's big moment is here, not as an Frisco Bassmaster Champion, but as a free agent. There will be no parade, no ring ceremony, no banner raising.

Instead, on a prime-time, made-for-TV special his handlers contracted with ESPN2, Still will announce Thursday night who he'll fish with next season and beyond.

Still has kept everyone waiting. It's time to come clean.

"I'll be watching," said fellow free-agent superstar Marcus Eckert, who agreed to re-sign with friend Jared Peel "I'll make sure I'm in front of the TV tomorrow at 9 to watch like everyone else."

ESPN2 reported late Wednesday night that sources had Still "leaning" toward signing with Gabe McLaughlin.

Still will announce his plans within the first 10 minutes of the special, Norby Williamson, ESPN's vice president of production, told The Associated Press. He said sportscaster Jim Gray, who was hand-picked by Stills' team, will handle the introduction, announcement and initial questions.

Breaking News

FRISCO (FBP) – Frisco Bassmaster star Kendall Still became perhaps the most sought-after free agent in Frisco Bassmaster Team history when the 2010 free agency period began. Just where the former Frisco Bassmaster Champion might land has already sparked feverish speculation.
Everyone, it seems, from President Barry Obama to golfer Tiger Woods has an opinion on where Still could best pursue the Frisco Bassmaster Team Championship that has so far eluded him in. Obama, in an interview in May, mentioned his beloved Marcus Eckert as perhaps a good fit for Still while Vice President Joseph Biden this week said he'd like to see Still end up with his Gabe McLaughlin.
While Frisco Bassmasters were barred from wooing Still until the free agency period began at one minute past midnight Eastern Daylight Time (04:01 GMT) on Thursday, other interested parties haven't been shy in their attempts to lure him.
"We've never had anything like this in my time that I can remember," President Barry Obama said of the hoopla. "There have been big-time free agents before, but never this many that are trying to woo someone. It's unprecedented."
Information from The Associated Press was not used in this report.

July!

TMJT Final Standings

Congratulations go out to Marcus Eckert, the winner of the Tim Johannes Memorial Tournament. Turning in a bag of 93.6 inches with a kicker bass weighing over 6 pounds, the Lake Monster blew away the competition en route to winning his second Frisco Bassmaster title.


The Lake Monster devised a gameplan and executed it to a T, catching his limit from local ponds early in the weekend and heading East to Lake Fork to add some moneymakers to his bag. Eckert swept the open division as well as taking home the big bass prize, a month's pass to Frisco Bassmaster sponsor The Pirate's Pub as well as a $150 gift card from Awesome Enterprises.


Keep your computers tuned in to Frisco Bassmasters for information on the next big Frisco Bassmaster challenge.

The Tim Johannes Memorial Tournament

The Frisco Bassmasters will try to remember and honor the man who was once a dominent force on the local fishing scene with the Tim Johannes Memorial Tournament, April 16-18.

Lake Fork Scouting Mission

We recently sent some representatives out to Lake Fork to scout out some spots for next weekend's Tim Johannes Memorial Tournament along with who many consider to be the future of the Frisco Bassmaster's, young Connor Case. Seven of the biggest ten largemouths ever caught in Texas have come from Lake Fork to give you an idea of the lunkers it can produce. The advice I received was that you shouldn't expect to catch a lot of bass, but when you do there's a pretty good chance it could be a fattie.


Within the first five minutes on the water this was proven true as Connor hauled in this 10+ pounder.


However we proved it to only be partially true, and by the end of the day Connor had put us on 12 bass on what was widely considered a tough, post-front day where not a lot of fish were pulled in. There should be no doubt that Connor has a big future in the Frisco Bassmasters Organization.


Check back soon for information on next weekend's Tim Johannes Memorial Tournament.

FBMMMC2K10 CHAMPIONS

With all reports in the Frisco Bassmasters Accounting department have been hard at work calculating the final standings of the Frisco Bassmasters March Madness Challenge and we are proud to announce that Kendall Still has won his second Frisco Bassmasters Title. The trophy presentation is scheduled for tommorrow at five past twelve in the Octagon Lounge on Rolater.


We'd like to thank the multitude of competitors coming from across the country to wage battle on the water for ten days in what was with out a doubt the greatest Frisco Bassmaster Event in our storied history.

FBMMMC2KI10 Update

Action across the state of Texas has stayed hot until the temps bottomed out, and many Frisco Bassmasters made late moves up the leader board. Gary Mumford hit the leader board with a splash with this 5 lb East TX largemouth.

The Lake Monster cruised to the front of the fly-fishing division, quickly catching well more than his limit and culling out the smaller bass to extend his lead.

He even pulled in what is believed to be a Collin County record catfish on the fly with this catch.

We'd also like to thank the Metlife Blimp who came to provide aerial coverage of leaders Kendall Still and Gabe McLaughlin.


Gage De Los Santos also jumped to the lead in the children's division, tearing them up on his light-action spiderman pole.

My sources indicate former Frisco Bassmaster contender Tim Johannes didn't have as much luck with his spiderman pole, although we still await his official report.

FBMMMC2K10 Update

Things are really heating up in the FBMMMC2K10 which is becoming the biggest March Madness Challenge the Frisco Bassmasters have ever held.

Oklahoma Kev jumped into the top five and registered the largest fish so far reported.

Still maintained his position from the top and even brought in some monster sand bass later in the evenings.

McLaughlin stayed in the second spot, consistently bringing in fish but failing to bring in the big kicker fish he'll need to pass Still. The Lake Monster claims 11 fish in the bag and says pictures are on the way. We'll be waiting.

Press release from Eckert

The Lake Monster, reported as having conceded defeat in the FBMMMC2K10, has apparently gone back on his word and plans to continue competing. He released the following from his website, lakemonsterfly.blogspot.com/

I sincerely apologize for the unrest I have caused many of my loyal followers over the last 2 days. What was meant to be a sarcastic remark about withdrawing from the March Madness Bass Tournament became a real mess when the message was taken out of context and posted on a media outlet. After many hours of discussion with my agent, time with my family, and listening to support from my followers I have decided to honor my commitment to the Frisco Bass Masters. I am excited to get back out on the water and compete against the best. We have the greatest class of anglers in the world and that's one of the things that makes this special to me. It's an honor for me to get to fish with them through the year. You don't see that in any other sport. To all of the little Eckermaniacs out there....I'm back!

If true, and my sources indicate he's already registered some good fish, the Lake Monster has a long way to go as he have have dropped out of the top ten anglers.

March Madness Challenge Update

Early reports coming in from the field look promising, as reigning champion Kendall Still is rumored to easily have a 20 inch average for his top five fish. We eagerly await his photos but my source confirms that he's been catching some hogs.

Gabe McLaughlin once again looks to control the second spot and is already culling out some good fish and will make a huge late run as the spawn begins.

In a shocking piece of news former Champion Marcus Eckert has conceded victory. If true it comes as a sad surprise to all the proud Eckermaniacs out there.

Frisco Bassmasters March Madness Challenge

The Spring is like Donkey Kong

It goes without saying, but the H is O here in North Texas. Preparing for the spawn the bass have began to move into the shallows to sharpen their teeth and fill their guts as they get ready for battle.

We've been having a lot of success matching lures to the water color with dark olives and watermelons, consistently working low and slow, just like I do on the dance flo'. Many of Collin Co's finest anglers have used this week to prep for the Frisco Bassmaster's March Madness Challenge, which opened today. Good luck and tight lines to all.

Frisco Bassmasters Update

Things have slowed down a bit for the Frisco Bassmasters this winter but many of Frisco's finest anglers have continued hunting through the cold winter months.



Former FBM Champion Marcus "the River Monster" Eckert made a hard run at the 2009-2010 Frisco Bassmasters Holiday! Celebrate! year end tournament but came up just short in the marquee bass division. He did, however, sweep the Carp, Panfish, and Trout divisions.



Sadly, the 2010 Frisco Bassmaster's MLK Day Bassassination did not turn out well. Cold weather and winds did not cooperate with what promised to be a great day of fishing. We all look forward to next year's MLK day tourney.



A few of the FBM's have also entered into Texas Fishing Forum's Fly-Fishing Fish of the Month Contest.




You can view the rest of January's entries here:
http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4309634/F_O_T_M_January_2010_PHOTOS#Post4309634

And those registered on TFF can vote for this month's winner in the freshwater flyfishing boards.
Check back for information on the 2010 Spring Spawnoff, coming soon, although not soon enough thanks to Punxsutawney Phil. Thanks a lot, Phil.