THE BASS FEDERATION
Editor’s note: Upcoming tournament dates and
qualification metrics described here are subject to
change due to the evolving COVID-19 situation in
the United States. The information here is as accu-
rate as possible as of press time in March.
FREEMAN AND PENDLETON CROWNED
TBF 2020 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
GRAND LAKE PLAYED HOST TO
THE EVENT, WHICH BOASTED
MORE THAN $380,000 IN
RECORD-BREAKING PRIZE POOL
The Bass Federation’s top anglers
from across the United States and
Canada traveled to Grand Lake O’ the
Cherokees in Grove, Okla., for the
2020 TBF National Championship.
More than 100 TBF anglers set their
sights on the titles, which included
lucrative “Living YOUR Dream” boater
and co-angler champion prize pack-
ages, sponsor contingencies, cash and
other prizes – a $380,000-plus payout
overall.
Kentucky’s Lance Freeman won the
boater division with five-fish limits all
three tournament days: 14-14, 19-8
and 19-15, respectively. His winning
total was 54-5.
“It’s truly a blessing,” says
Freeman. “From the second cast this
morning to the last, it’s been a wild
ride. I am blessed beyond belief. On
my way to Oklahoma, I had this feel-
ing. It’s an unrealistic, surreal, God
feeling that something was going to go
84
my way. Practice was tough, but then
the first tournament day, everything
went right. The whole week to here, it
was just like tunnel vision.”
Freeman was awarded the “Living
YOUR Dream” boater prize package
valued at more than $125,000, includ-
ing a 2020 Ranger Z520L with a 250-
hp Evinrude outboard, Power-Poles,
Minn Kota trolling motor, Lowrance
electronics, T-H Marine accessories
and a custom Ranger trailer.
The package also included $20,000
cash, $5,000 in entry fees into an affil-
iated circuit of his choosing, entry into
the Toyota Series Championship, a
reserved slot in the 2021 Tackle
Warehouse Pro Circuit and a berth in
the 2020 Phoenix Bass Fishing League
presented by T-H Marine All-American,
travel and housing stipends, and a
clothing package.
“Today [the final day] was a miracle,”
Freeman adds. “On the last cast of the
day, I was just fishing stuff that looked
good around Elk River, even though I
caught most of my fish on the south
end of the lake and caught the great
big fish there. It was about 6, 6-1/2
pounds. It’s like, you look, and it’s the
10 seconds of eternity you have. One of
those moments, the sun was shining on
you. I’m speechless in so many ways
and so thankful for you guys.”
Freeman and TBF President and
CEO Robert Cartlidge spoke on stage
about the caliber of anglers that stands
the test over and over again, the kind
of angler Freeman is and the style he’s
displayed since he got into bass fishing
more than 13 years ago when he start-
ed fishing TBF’s junior program.
He fishes his strengths and stresses
fishing the way you like – and most of
all, having fun doing it. It’s a style he
still puts in play today.
“I’m not the big guy wearing the jer-
sey around,” he says. “I’m just a boy
that likes to go fishing. I had a blast
with all of my co-anglers. Every day, it
was about having some fun and fishing;
making the most of every moment.
Today, we caught our limits about 20
seconds apart around 9 a.m., and then
we were just sitting there having the
time of our lives in the pouring rain.”
FLWFISHING.COM | MAJORLEAGUEFISHING.COM | APRIL-MAY 2020