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Kerry Milner – Kansas Angler
Name: Kerry Milner
Age: 41
Hometown: Bono, AR
State Federation: AR
Division: Central
Occupation: Owner/Operator of Mallard Landing Guide Service
Family Members: Wife - Stacey Milner, Daughters - Kailey, Braidyn, and Macy Milner
Fishing Strengths/Techniques: off-shore structure fishing/Carolina rigging
Favorite body of water to fish: Lake DeGray
What has it taken for you to get this far in your fishing career? God, family support, and sponsors.
J. Nobel Willits – Florida Co-Angler
Name: J. Nobel Willits
Age: 35
Hometown: Altamonte Springs, FL
State Federation: Florida
Division: Southern
Occupation: Investigator, Florida Department of Transportation
Family Members: Wife – Tara, Children – Kenneth & Clayton
Fishing Strengths/Techniques: Fishing soft plastics. Several of my best finishes over the years have been from slow dragging plastic worms over some sort of structure or grass, including last year’s Southern Divisional at Lake Eufaula.
Favorite body of water to fish: Lake George on the St. Johns River. I’ve had some real good tournaments out there over the years. I love it when the speed worm bite is on and all you have to do is burn big speed worms over the eel grass and dollar pads. Some of the strikes using this technique are awesome.
What has it taken for you to get this far in your fishing career? I’d like to thank my wife and kids who have supported my love for bass fishing. I’d also like to thank my father who fishes all the tournaments with me and really helps out with all the expenses.
Alex Orme – Minnesota Angler
Name: Alex Orme
Age: 20
Hometown: Maplewood, MN
State Federation: Minnesota
Division: Northern
Occupation: Full Time Student (Minnesota State University)
Fishing Strengths/Techniques: My favorite techniques are finesse jigging and jig worming. These techniques prove to be successful on almost every body of water.
Favorite body of water to fish: Lake Minnetonka, MN
What has it taken for you to get this far in your fishing career? I believe that passion and willingness to learn has got me where I am today. I began fishing tournaments at age 14 in small local clubs, where I gained a great amount of knowledge from my fellow competitors. I learn from my experiences and other anglers which I feel has been the key to success in my young career.
Scott Bonnema – Minnesota Co-Angler
Name: Scott Bonnema
Age: 51
Hometown: Zimmerman, MN
State Federation: Minnesota
Division: Northern
Occupation: Bass Fishing
Family Members: Wife – Nancy, Son – Kevin, Daughter - Katie
Fishing Strengths/Techniques: Power fishing techniques, Jigs, Jerkbait & Topwater
Favorite body of water to fish: Natural lakes w/o man-made cover
What has it taken for you to get this far in your fishing career? I have had the opportunity to fish across the country learning different styles and techniques. In addition, meeting and learning from the finest fishermen in the country at both TBF & Pro levels. I also have been blessed by the sponsorship of the finest manufacturers in the world.
Joe Raftery – Nevada Angler
Name: Joe Raftery
Age: 37
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
State Federation: Nevada
Division: Southwest
Occupation: Project Manager/commercial and residential flooring
Family Members: Dakota Raftery (son), Joe & Carol Raftery (parents), Monte & Peri Roberts (parents), Travis Raftery (brother), and Solveig Thorsrud (girlfriend).
Fishing Strengths/Techniques: Making the right decisions at the right time. Being able to adapt to the constantly dropping water at Lake Mead and locating fish has been crucial to winning local tournaments. Finesse fishing plays a big roll in the local lakes here in Las Vegas. When the bite is tough, a drop shot or split shot is vital. This technique has made the difference in cutting a check or not. [4860]
Favorite body of water to fish: California Delta! Big baits, big line, big rods = BIG FISH!!
What has it taken for you to get this far in your fishing career? Persistence. A lot of time and money and long hours on the water. Support from my family and friends have been great! Thanks to all who have backed me over the years and supported my addiction to fishing! Special thanks to Tom and Deejay!
Bobby Carleton – Missouri Angler
Name: Bobby (Robert) Carleton Jr.
Age: 41
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
State Federation: Missouri
Division: Central
Occupation: Paint Repair Tech/ Paint Robot Operator
Family Members: Jennifer Carleton- wife, Seth Carleton- son, Madisen Carleton- daughter
Fishing Strengths/Techniques: Fishing slowly, while pitching soft plastics to pick apart cover; Fishing frogs in grass; Easily able to pick up on new techniques; Patience, Focus, Determination and Persistence
Favorite body of water to fish: Table Rock Lake, Kimberling City, Missouri
What has it taken for you to get this far in your fishing career? To get this far in my career, it has taken years of fishing small, local tournaments, on Smithville Lake. Up until 1993, it would take 20 pounds to win. Since then, I have had to learn how to fish this difficult body of water in order to bring in a nice bag. It has taken a lot of focus and determination in learning how to fish this lake. It was imperative that I took my time, and learned patience. I would have to hit every bit of cover, over and over. In 2004 I purchased a new boat. I began fishing "Burtons Bait and Tackle" weekly night tournaments, as well as, some weekends. These tournaments got me on the water. I used this time to strengthen my techniques, and improve on new things I'd heard about. In 2007, I began fishing in club tournaments with "Team Concepts". The club has helped me to learn how to fish other lakes in Missouri. Again, this is where the focus, patience, and determination come in. Once I'm in the right mind set, it is all up to persistence. I had to be thorough when learning to fish new lakes. Taking opportunities to fish these lakes whenever possible. In 2009 I fished the Missouri TBF State Tournament on Table Rock Lake. Fortunately, I was able to fish Table Rock several times due to club tournaments. This gave me the confidence I needed to find fish. There were several techniques I knew, would work, including drop shot. Two days of practice only produced a load of, shorts. The keepers only hitting buzz baits, early. I concentrated on where I knew the fish were, in the shallows. I had to cover a lot of water in the 2 days of the tournament. The co-angler I was fishing with couldn't understand why I continued to fish areas that produced very few keepers. However, I knew there were big fish to be caught, shallow. And, I was right. Even though I only caught a limit of fish in my two day total. The 15.23 pounds of large mouth took it. I became the Missouri TBF State Champion. Looking ahead, I knew the next stop was Truman Lake. This was another lake I knew would be a challenge for me, to catch fish. Again, I used the club tournaments to practice techniques and locate the best places to find fish. Luckily, this lake was close enough that I could take a day or a weekend to go down and practice. My determination paid off again. I was able to take first place for Missouri, in the Central Division Tournament. I take bass fishing very seriously. I study the lakes I have to fish. I practice techniques I have learned, to catch these fish. I read "FLW" and watch fishing shows and bass tournaments on t.v. to find insight and tips on how to catch bass. Taking first place in these two tournaments has shown me, that all of my hard work is paying off. The next challenge is Nickajack Lake in Tennessee. I look forward to the opportunity to learn this lake, and the techniques needed, to find and catch the fish I need, to win Nationals. Most only dream of this life. I'm ready to "Live this Dream".
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