Dieffenbauch Leads Heading Into The Final Round Of The B.A.S.S. Nation Championship On Pickwick

Photo by Chase Sansom/B.A.S.S.

FLORENCE, Ala. — Wil Dieffenbauch wasted no time Thursday cementing his lead in the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Pickwick Lake.

Unlike Wednesday, when he seized the tournament lead in the final minutes of the opening weigh-in, he was second to the stage on Day 2, bringing with him a five-bass limit weighing 14 pounds, 2 ounces. Coupled with his 15-4 limit a day earlier, the Morgantown, W.Va., resident has a two-day total of 29-6 and a clear path to some of the sport’s most-coveted prizes.

Among them is a berth in the 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic, a glimmering reward that will go to the Top 3 in this week’s three-day championship in northeast Alabama. The winner here also will earn a spot on the 2023 Bassmaster Elite Series, including the use of a fully-rigged Nation’s Best boat for the year, as well as a $20,000 cash prize.

Right now, Dieffenbauch leads the pack, and he said his earlier start Thursday was key.

“The place where I wanted to start yesterday (near the Wilson Dam) had two boats on it, but today, I got there first,” he said. “I caught three keepers up there in the first hour. Then I was able to make a run to where I caught my best fish yesterday, and I picked up my fourth about 8:15 (a.m.). I went a while until I caught my fifth, but it was the biggest one of the day.”

That kicker bass, which weighed 3-12, came on the same homemade lure Dieffenbauch used to grab the Day 1 lead. After it helped him maintain the pole position on Day 2, he was willing to share details.

“It’s a bladed jig,” said Dieffenbauch, 33. “It has a different sound and it vibrates just a little bit different than everything else … I’ve caught fish on it everywhere. I’ve made money on the Potomac on it, and I’ve made money back home on it.”

He’s already guaranteed a check on Pickwick Lake. So, the big question is can he bring home the Bryan Kerchal Memorial Trophy that goes to the winner?

“I wasn’t thinking about it until I got up on stage today, and then it hit me a little bit,” Dieffenbauch said. “I’m trying not to think about all of it.”

He was, however, thinking ahead. Only minutes after weighing his Day 2 bass, Dieffenbauch was driving to a nearby tackle shop to pick up a topwater lure he plans to try in Friday’s final round. A light, but steady, rain is expected to begin Thursday evening and drive temperatures down.

“Things might change, so I’m trying to figure out what else I need to have rigged up and ready to go,” he said.

Will Davis Jr. of Sylacauga, Ala., is in second place with 26-12 overall, and he too is curious how the expected weather change might alter his catch. The 30-year-old weighed 12-15 on Thursday after bagging 13-13 on Day 1.

“I worked all day to catch five of them today,” Davis said. “The best fishing is coming, but it’s tough right now. If I can get five more tomorrow like I had today, I’ll be tickled pink.”

Davis is in familiar territory. He’s fishing the tailrace near Wilson Dam and doesn’t expect that much to change on Championship Friday.

“That’s what we do on the Coosa River,” he said. “I grew up fishing this way … I feel very comfortable with what I’m doing. This is in my wheelhouse.”

Tim Talento of Meriden, Conn., is in third place with 24-1 and is excited about his prospects.

“I almost chest-bumped (my nonboater) off the back of the boat,” Talento said, laughing. “It’s been a struggle, but I made some right decisions today. I only had four fish, but I’m hoping the honey hole I have produces one more time.”

The Top 10 boaters advanced to Friday’s final. Joining Dieffenbauch, Davis and Talento on the water will be, fourth, Pennsylvania’s Jonathan Dietz, 22-13; fifth, Texas’ Kris Bosley, 19-13; sixth, Indiana’s Nick Uebelhor, 18-2; seventh, Missouri’s Cole Findley, 16-6; eighth, New York’s Brad Brodnicki, 15-15; ninth, Texas’ Brian Jones, 15-13; and 10th, Tennessee’s Joe Johnson, 15-12.

Also making the cut from the boater field are California’s Kenneth Cleveland (12th place, 13-0), Idaho’s Keegan Graves (14th place, 12-13), and Ohio’s Eddie Levin (21st place, 9-9). That trio qualified by placing among the Top 2 boaters from their respective B.A.S.S. Nation region. Cleveland and Graves competed in the Western Regional and Levin in the Northern Regional.

Pheerayout See of Rochester, Minn., won the nonboater division on Thursday with a two-day total of five bass weighing 14-10. He collected a $10,000 cash prize and the Louis “Pee Wee” Powers Memorial Trophy with the win.

As the nonboater champ, he also earned a spot in Friday’s final round. In all, 14 anglers will compete for the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship trophy. A total of 58 boaters and 56 nonboaters started in the event.

Doug Thompson of Mabelvale, Ark., maintained the lead for the $1,000 Big Bass Award with the 4-15 he caught on Day 1. Colten Didion of Mount Vernon, Ohio, won $500 for having the heaviest bass (5-8) among nonboaters.

Friday’s championship round will begin at McFarland Park at 6 a.m. CT. Weigh-in is scheduled for 2 p.m. Follow all the action on Bassmaster.com.

The event is being hosted by Florence-Lauderdale Tourism.

2022 B.A.S.S. Nation Title Sponsor: TNT Fireworks

2022 B.A.S.S. Nation Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2022 B.A.S.S. Nation Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2022 B.A.S.S. Nation Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Huk Performance Fishing, Marathon, Strike King, Triton Boats, VMC

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 515,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by Mossy Oak Fishing, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Abu Garcia Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic.

2022 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship 11/9-11/11
Pickwick Lake, Florence  AL.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2

   Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Wil Dieffenbauch       Morgantown, WV          10  29-06    0
  Day 1: 5   15-04     Day 2: 5   14-02   
2.  Will Davis Jr          Sylacauga, AL           10  26-12    0
  Day 1: 5   13-13     Day 2: 5   12-15   
3.  Tim Talento            Meriden, CT              9  24-01    0
  Day 1: 5   12-15     Day 2: 4   11-02   
4.  Jonathan Dietz         Corry, PA                9  22-13    0
  Day 1: 4   11-08     Day 2: 5   11-05   
5.  Kris Bosley            Amarillo, TX             7  19-13    0
  Day 1: 5   13-04     Day 2: 2   06-09   
6.  Nick Uebelhor          Jasper, IN               7  18-02    0
  Day 1: 4   11-00     Day 2: 3   07-02   
7.  Cole Findley           Forsyth, MO              7  16-06    0
  Day 1: 3   06-09     Day 2: 4   09-13   
8.  Brad Brodnicki         Buffalo, NY              6  15-15    0
  Day 1: 2   03-12     Day 2: 4   12-03   
9.  Brian Jones            Conroe, TX               8  15-13    0
  Day 1: 5   08-08     Day 2: 3   07-05   
10. Joe Johnson            Clarksville, TN          7  15-12    0
  Day 1: 2   04-15     Day 2: 5   10-13   
11. Mike Wolfenden         Warwick, RI              5  14-08    0
  Day 1: 4   12-14     Day 2: 1   01-10   
12. Kenneth Cleveland      Bakersfield, CA          5  13-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 5   13-00   
13. Timothy Dube           Nashua , NH              5  13-00    0
  Day 1: 1   04-13     Day 2: 4   08-03   
14. Keegan Graves          Meridian, ID             6  12-13    0
  Day 1: 3   06-03     Day 2: 3   06-10   
15. Amos Dixon             Camden Wyoming, DE       5  12-12    0
  Day 1: 3   06-03     Day 2: 2   06-09   
16. Michael Boggs II       Wheelersburg, OH         5  12-10    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 5   12-10   
17. Brent Tullis           Tyrone, GA               5  11-13    0
  Day 1: 1   02-10     Day 2: 4   09-03   
18. Aaron Orsi             Millbury, MA             4  11-04    0
  Day 1: 2   05-01     Day 2: 2   06-03   
19. Thomas Waltz           St. Albans, VT           4  10-14    0
  Day 1: 1   02-08     Day 2: 3   08-06   
20. JJ Gibbs IV            Lake Havasu City, AZ     4  10-12    0
  Day 1: 1   02-08     Day 2: 3   08-04   
21. Eddie Levin            Westerville, OH          4  09-09    0
  Day 1: 1   02-10     Day 2: 3   06-15   
22. Justy Varkevisser      Johannesburg Gauteng SO  4  09-01    0
  Day 1: 1   03-07     Day 2: 3   05-10   
23. Tanner Bock            Davenport, IA            4  08-13    0
  Day 1: 3   06-06     Day 2: 1   02-07   
24. Tim Carmouche          Gonzales, LA             4  08-10    0
  Day 1: 1   01-14     Day 2: 3   06-12   
25. Matt Judy              Moncks Corner, SC        4  08-07    0
  Day 1: 1   02-02     Day 2: 3   06-05   
26. Doug Thompson          Mabelvale, AR            2  08-04    0
  Day 1: 2   08-04     Day 2: 0   00-00   
27. Paul Gietka            Abingdon, MD             4  08-04    0
  Day 1: 1   02-01     Day 2: 3   06-03   
28. Jared Miller           Norman, OK               3  07-02    0
  Day 1: 1   01-14     Day 2: 2   05-04   
29. Jurgen Geiger          Windhoek Namibia NAMIBI  2  07-01    0
  Day 1: 1   03-11     Day 2: 1   03-06   
30. Dave Turner            Citrus Springs, FL       2  07-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   07-00   
31. Brent Shores           Boise, ID                3  06-15    0
  Day 1: 1   02-09     Day 2: 2   04-06   
32. Jeremy Montgomery      Overland Park, KS        2  06-14    0
  Day 1: 2   06-14     Day 2: 0   00-00   
33. Jared Knuth            Wahoo, NE                2  06-10    0
  Day 1: 2   06-10     Day 2: 0   00-00   
34. Marco Burighel         Pianiga VE ITALY         3  06-07    0
  Day 1: 3   06-07     Day 2: 0   00-00   
35. Monty Fralick          Martin, SD               3  05-12    0
  Day 1: 2   03-14     Day 2: 1   01-14   
36. Conor Cahill           North East, MD           2  05-10    0
  Day 1: 1   02-01     Day 2: 1   03-09   
37. Danny McGarry          Newcastle CANADA         2  05-01    0
  Day 1: 1   01-12     Day 2: 1   03-05   
38. David Winters          Rock Hill, SC            2  05-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   05-00   
39. Frankie Mueller        Kingman, AZ              2  04-11    0
  Day 1: 1   02-00     Day 2: 1   02-11   
40. Matty Wong             Honolulu, HI             2  04-04    0
  Day 1: 1   02-05     Day 2: 1   01-15   
41. Ramsey Romanin         Wolcott, CO              2  04-01    0
  Day 1: 2   04-01     Day 2: 0   00-00   
42. Pete Saele             New Lenox, IL            1  03-12    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   03-12   
43. Nicholas Holt          Ellsworth, ME            2  03-12    0
  Day 1: 1   01-11     Day 2: 1   02-01   
44. Matt Martin            Brookhaven, MS           2  03-08    0
  Day 1: 2   03-08     Day 2: 0   00-00   
45. Nuno Cesar             Montemor-o-novo PORTUGA  1  03-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   03-00   
46. Kurt Glass             Grovetown, GA            1  02-10    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-10   
47. Frank Scarla           Amity, OR                1  02-09    0
  Day 1: 1   02-09     Day 2: 0   00-00   
48. Brandon Pedigo         Lawton, OK               1  02-06    0
  Day 1: 1   02-06     Day 2: 0   00-00   
49. Chris Fredrick         Marshfield, WI           1  02-05    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-05   
49. Dan Mundy              Swartz Creek, MI         1  02-05    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-05   
51. Jorge Barraza          Col Juan de Dios Batiz   1  02-04    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-04   
52. Kentaro Yamada         Osaka JAPAN              1  02-03    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-03   
53. Barry Launder          Harare Chisipt ZIMBABWE  1  02-00    0
  Day 1: 1   02-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
54. James Graves III       Syria, VA                1  01-14    0
  Day 1: 1   01-14     Day 2: 0   00-00   
55. Justin Campbell        Pasco, WA                1  01-12    0
  Day 1: 1   01-12     Day 2: 0   00-00   
56. Ruben Burgos Yecora    Agoncillo SPAIN          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
56. Steve Lee              Minneapolis, MN          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
56. Joel Leiser            Kalispell, MT            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
 1         5        92       230-14
 2         6       110       277-01
———————————-
          11       202       507-15
 

2022 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship 11/9-11/11
Pickwick Lake, Florence  AL.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 2

   Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Pheerayout See         Rochester, MN            5  14-10    0  $10,000.00
  Day 1: 2   06-03     Day 2: 3   08-07   
2.  David Eades            Lexington, KY            5  10-09    0   $7,500.00
  Day 1: 1   01-11     Day 2: 4   08-14   
3.  Tim Meeks              Elk Grove, CA            4  10-08    0   $5,000.00
  Day 1: 1   02-10     Day 2: 3   07-14   
4.  Grant Aumiller         Trout Creek, MT          4  09-10    0   $2,500.00
  Day 1: 2   03-07     Day 2: 2   06-03   
5.  Colton Haney           Baldwin, WI              3  08-03    0   $2,000.00
  Day 1: 1   02-12     Day 2: 2   05-07   
6.  Luis Jimenez           Calahorra SPAIN          3  07-13    0   $1,500.00
  Day 1: 1   02-10     Day 2: 2   05-03   
7.  JT Fitzgerald          Lincoln, DE              3  06-12    0   $1,000.00
  Day 1: 2   04-00     Day 2: 1   02-12   
8.  Tom Leblanc Jr         Omaha, NE                2  06-08    0     $500.00
  Day 1: 1   02-08     Day 2: 1   04-00   
9.  Johnny Clark           Northport, AL            3  06-05    0     $500.00
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   06-05   
10. David Porter           Rockwall, TX             2  06-05    0     $500.00
  Day 1: 2   06-05     Day 2: 0   00-00   
11. Darren Wilson          Las Vegas, NV            3  06-01    0     $250.00
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 3   06-01   
12. Jon Pollock            Lakewood, CO             2  06-01    0     $250.00
  Day 1: 1   03-08     Day 2: 1   02-09   
13. Dwight Minogue         Benton, LA               3  05-15    0
  Day 1: 2   03-05     Day 2: 1   02-10   
14. JJ Dickens             Beaver, WV               5  05-12    0
  Day 1: 2   05-12     Day 2: 3   00-00   
15. Colten Didion          Mount Vernon, OH         1  05-08    0     $500.00
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   05-08   
16. David Bertsch          Harrison, ID             1  05-04    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   05-04   
17. Ray Cates              Overland Park, KS        2  05-02    0
  Day 1: 2   05-02     Day 2: 0   00-00   
18. Michael Smith          Laurel Hill, FL          2  04-13    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   04-13   
19. Jacob Zaremski         Rochester, NY            2  04-08    0
  Day 1: 1   02-08     Day 2: 1   02-00   
20. Scott McNeely          Acworth , GA             2  04-06    0
  Day 1: 1   01-08     Day 2: 1   02-14   
21. Terry Wilson           Carlsbad, NM             2  03-15    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 2   03-15   
22. Kenji Suzuki           Aichi JAPAN              2  03-07    0
  Day 1: 1   01-08     Day 2: 1   01-15   
23. Bailey Madere          Madisonville, LA         1  03-03    0
  Day 1: 1   03-03     Day 2: 0   00-00   
24. Eric Frazier           Newport, VA              1  02-13    0
  Day 1: 1   02-13     Day 2: 0   00-00   
25. Nigel Dalton           West Haven, UT           1  02-12    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-12   
25. Josh Giran             Elizabeth, PA            1  02-12    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-12   
27. Keith Thompson         Mooresville, NC          1  02-11    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-11   
28. Peter Owen             Barnstead, NH            1  02-08    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-08   
29. Brandon Logue          Greenwood, NE            1  02-07    0
  Day 1: 1   02-07     Day 2: 0   00-00   
30. Tristan Pierce         Hollister, MO            1  02-05    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-05   
31. James Hollingshead     Clarkston, WA            1  02-04    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-04   
32. Jacob Bull             Seymour, TN              1  02-03    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-03   
33. Hieu Nguyen            Stillwater, OK           1  02-02    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   02-02   
34. Anthony Dulac          Harpswell, ME            1  02-01    0
  Day 1: 1   02-01     Day 2: 0   00-00   
35. Jonathan Lee           Honea Path, SC           1  01-15    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 1   01-15   
36. Kristopher Gaertner    Morris, IL               1  01-14    0
  Day 1: 1   01-14     Day 2: 0   00-00   
37. Lanny Dooley           Mountain Home, AR        0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
37. Neil Engelbrecht       Windhoek Khomas NAMIBIA  0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
37. Matthew Furtado        Attleboro, MA            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
37. Matt Goltz             Monona, IA               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
37. Francesco Guazzi       Modena ITALY             0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
37. Eric Hammer            Peoria, AZ               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
37. Tyler Hatfield         Augusta, MI              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
37. Devin Hines            West Haven, CT           0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
37. Brian Marino           Vineland, NJ             0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
37. Lewis Mendall          Winthrop, MA             0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
37. Jesus Morales          Apodaca Nuevo Leon  MEX  0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
37. Andrew Nienaber        Cape Town Western Cape   0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
37. Terry Peterson         West Jordan, UT          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
37. Paulo Ramos            STA-Clara PORTUGAL       0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
37. Tracy Rich             North Bay CANADA         0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
37. Ricky Schlauch         Chester, MD              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
37. Garrett Sicely         Albany, VT               0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
37. Dustin Sortor          Lafayette, OR            0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
37. Fraser Speirs          Harare ZIMBABWE          0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
37. Jeff Wehner            Fishers, IN              0  00-00    0
  Day 1: 0   00-00     Day 2: 0   00-00   
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
 1         0        28        67-11
 2         0        47       114-02
———————————-
           0        75       181-13

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