Beffa Comes From Behind To Win B.A.S.S. Nation Regional On Toledo Bend

MANY, La. — It took three full days, but Jay Beffa finally found the big bass Toledo Bend Reservoir is famous for, and the discovery propelled him to victory on the final day of the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional.

Beffa, a resident of Festus, Mo., caught a five-bass limit that weighed 19 pounds, 4 ounces Friday, which was the heaviest bag of the day by almost 7 pounds and more than 5 pounds heavier than any other caught in the tournament.

That gave him a 35-12 total over three days, which was plenty to clinch the title on this sprawling 181,000-acre reservoir straddling the northern part of the Louisiana/texas border.

Albert Collins of Nacogdoches, Texas, led the first two days, but slipped to second with 32-8. Blake Sylvester of Plaquemine, La., finished third with 32-1.

A total of 160 anglers from eight states started the event — 80 in both the boater and nonboater divisions. Each field was cut to the Top 22 anglers for Friday’s competition, and Beffa was in 16th place among boaters. He began Friday trailing Collins by more than 6 pounds.

But Beffa’s Friday was magical, despite the fact his outboard motor quit working on the way back to Cypress Bend Park for the weigh-in. He was able to catch a ride with another angler and had time to spare before weighing the winning bag.

“This is an incredible feeling,” he said after collecting the winner’s trophy and the $5,000 check that went to the top angler in the boater division. “We’ve got our state tournament next week, so I’m anxious to get back at it.”

Beffa also can look forward to competing in the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on Alabama’s Pickwick Lake.