By Tim Huether Martin’s Terry Laverack had a great time on the pond at the All American Bass Fishing Tournament May 29-31, angling his way to an impressive ninth place finish with a total catch of seven fish, weighing 13 lbs., 8 oz. For his efforts, he took home a prize of $2,500.
He was only one of seven persons catching their limit for any one day of the tournament featuring 49 top anglers.
Laverack competed in the Phoenix Bass Fishing League and is the first person from South Dakota to qualify for the All American. At that tournament, he fished on Cherokee Lake in Jefferson City, TN.
To qualify, Terry had to win his division at the 2024 TBF (The Bass Federation) Federation National Championship March 27-29, at Sam Rayburn, Texas. At that event Laverack was first in the Northern Division, which qualified him for the All American. He also placed sixth overall in that tournament with a total weight of 20 lbs., 6 oz. That earned him a $2,500 purse.
On his first day at the National Championships in Texas, Terry caught his limit and had 10 lbs. 7 oz. On the second day, he did not have a single fish until 11:30 a.m., but then he found the fish and by 12:20, had caught his limit for the day.
“You just can’t give up,” said Laverack. “I didn’t give up and it paid off.”
He was only one of four anglers who limited on two days of fishing in that tournament.
Prior to the finals in Texas, Terry teamed up with local professional bass fisherman Monty Fralick to win the semi-finals. Terry was the coangler and Monty the boater.
After the semi-finals, they were unable to pair up as the they drew names to pair up the co-anglers and boaters for each event.
With his placing at the All American, he qualified to fish in the Toyota Series Championship in Huntsville, Alabama November 7-9.
“What I like about bass fishing is it’s you against the fish instead of you against the other fishermen. It’ trying to outsmart the fish and it’s like putting a puzzle together.”
Monty Fralick has had a big influence on him and his fishing skills and Monty got him involved in tournament fishing.
He also fished a lot with his three boys, Drake, Dean and Hunter and they all tournament fished with him over the years.
He will fish again with Fralick in September in a Bass Federation event.
“After going to the All American, I want to get back there,” remarked Laverack.
“I like to go fishing and a tournament changes things. It’s a positive addiction,” he added.