The Xtreme Bass Series: Suwannee River division held the ninth and final event of the 2015 season for the division on September 20th. Jason Pate and Michael Graham had been in the hunt all season in search of a victory, and their persistence finally paid off.
After winning the 2nd Annual Fishing for Autism Bass Tournament a few weeks prior, the duo would top the XBS field with a 13.17-pound, five-bass limit. The bag was just enough to earn Pate and Graham their first win in the division on the year.
Walter Starling and Damon Wooley finished the day in second place with a 12.42-pound, five-bass limit. Joey Pate and Jenna Dease secured a third place finish with an 11.78-pound bag. Stacey Cowart and Bob Delagal finished in fourth place, tying with Jeremy Dorhn and Buddy May. Both teams weighed a 10.31-pound bag.
With the conclusion of the season also came the end of the divisional Team of the Year race. One solo point separated first and second place, and neither of the top three teams earned a victory throughout the year, but Robby Ratliff and Chico Barnett found themselves with the upper hand. Ratliff and Barnett proved to be the most consistent team in the division, earning the divisional Team of the Year award. Gary Ward and Matt Cummings were just as tough on the water, but finished the year in second place. Chase Day and Kimrod Stevenson ended the season in third place, followed by Joey and Logan Pate in fourth. These teams earned invitations to compete in the 2016 Florida State Team Championship being held at Lake Toho April 8-10, 2016 by finishing the season in the Top 4 in points.
The Xtreme Bass Series Championship is scheduled for November 5-7, 2015 at Lake Okeechobee. XBS members who have qualified via divisional tournaments will be competing for a Blazer 595 Pro Elite powered by a 200 HP Mercury Pro XS. Divisional points leaders will be competing against each other within the event, and the highest placing team of the divisional points champions will be crowned the 2015 Team of the Year.
For more information, visit www.xbseries.com.
To find out more about the 2016 Florida State Team Championship, visit www.fishfstc.com.
