U. of Florida championship win airs May 15 on VERSUS - Major League Fishing

U. of Florida championship win airs May 15 on VERSUS

Gipson, Wercinski claim back-to-back National Guard FLW College titles
Image for U. of Florida championship win airs May 15 on VERSUS
The University of Florida team of Jake Gipson (left) and Matthew Wercinski proudly display their first-place trophies after winning the 2011 National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship. Photo by Gary Mortenson. Anglers: Matthew Wercinski, Jake Gipson.
May 12, 2011 • MLF • Archives

MINNEAPOLIS – Tune in Sunday, May 15 from 1-2 p.m. ET to “FLW Outdoors” on VERSUS for complete coverage of the National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship on Kentucky Lake. The one-hour show highlights the University of Florida’s second consecutive national championship victory.

The Gators, consisting of Jake Gipson and Matthew Wercinski, targeted riprap off steep banks where the largemouth bass were moving up to feed. Working together, Gipson threw a Strike King KVD 1.5 square-bill crankbait while Wercinski fished on the outside with a Zoom Baby Brush Hog. Later in the day, the two would target secondary pea gravel points. The plan worked well on day one, but the Gators made their big move on day two, catching a 14-pound, 12-ounce limit.

On the final day, Gipson and Wercinski sealed their fifth victory and second national championship with a 14-pound, 4-ounce stringer. For their efforts, they received $50,000 cash, a Ranger 177TR with a 90-horsepower engine wrapped in school colors for their school’s bass club and $25,000 for the University of Florida – for a total prize package valued at $100,000. In addition, the duo received an automatic berth into the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup.

Rounding out the top five teams were Louisiana State University-Shreveport – Zach Caudle and Joe Landry (13 bass, 37-2, $20,000); Auburn University – Shaye Baker and Jordan Lee (13 bass, 36-3, $10,000); North Carolina State University – Ben Dziwulski and Kevin Beverley (11 bass, 28-13, $10,000) and Christopher Newport – Ryan Ingalls and Joe Wilkerson (10 bass, 25-8, $10,000).

“FLW Outdoors” airs on VERSUS in high-definition (HD) Sundays from 1-2 p.m. ET. Hosted by Jason Harper, “FLW Outdoors,” is broadcast to more than 500 million households worldwide through agreements with WFN (World Fishing Network) and Matchroom Sport. FLWOutdoors.com also provides an online guide listing upcoming episodes of “FLW Outdoors” and a preview of the upcoming show. In addition, each episode of “FLW Outdoors” is available on demand in its entirety on FLWOutdoors.com/flwondemand.

About FLW Outdoors

FLW Outdoors is the largest tournament-fishing organization in the world, offering anglers worldwide the opportunity to compete for millions over the course of 191 tournaments in 2011. FLW Outdoors has taken fishing mainstream with the world’s richest fantasy sports game, FLW Fantasy Fishing at FantasyFishing.com, where competitors can play for free as well as sign up for Player’s Advantage to gain an edge.