Gregory takes Kayak Series Championship victory at Tenkiller
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Drew Gregory won the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship scored by TourneyX on Thursday, but he had to wait a full day, and a few additional hours for good measure, before his victory was confirmed.
That’s because the championship’s big reveal was saved for Friday and the throng of fishing fans gathered at the BOK Center in Tulsa for Day 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors.
Gregory, a 44-year-old resident of Kent, Ohio, clinched the championship with a total of 10 bass measuring 180.5 inches during the derby held Wednesday and Thursday on Tenkiller Lake. Competitors could slip into Tenkiller from any approved launch on the 13,000-acre fishery, located about 90 miles east of Tulsa.
“There’s a lot of anxiety waiting more than 24 hours to know if you’ve won or not,” Gregory said. “I didn’t sleep too well last night. Some people told me I was ahead when the (TourneyX results page) was turned off (on Bassmaster.com) an hour before Day 2 ended. But you still don’t know. I’ve been in tournaments before where the guy who wins didn’t have phone service and couldn’t enter his fish. So, he goes from looking like he has nothing to being the winner.
“I was hoping it didn’t happen like that here, and when it didn’t, it was a big relief. It’s just a great rush of excitement.”
Gregory collected $25,000, part of a $56,350 total cash purse split among the Top 16 anglers in the tournament. In all, 164 competitors representing 30 states and Canada took part. They qualified by either placing in the Top 5 from any Bassmaster Kayak Series tournament in 2023, by finishing among the Top 50 in the 2023 Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year points race or by placing in the top 10% of B.A.S.S. Nation state kayak championships. The field also included last year’s champion, Tennessee’s Rus Snyders.
After close finishes in previous championships, Gregory closed the deal on Tenkiller. He caught 90 inches on Wednesday, which was good enough for fourth place. He fished a slough on the northern end of Tenkiller with a Z-Man CrossEyeZ Power Finesse Jig and a Z-Man Pro CrawZ trailer in the green pumpkin color. His catch came early, and some key late upgrades got him within 2.75 inches of Day 1 leader Guillermo Gonzalez, who led Day 1 with 92.75 inches.
“By the time I left that slough, I had five fish, all of them over 16 inches,” Gregory said. “One of those was a 19 3/4-inch fish, and it was still early. So, I felt pretty good from the start.”
Gregory was strong again on Day 2, starting with a 22-inch largemouth that was the Big Bass of the Tournament and good for an additional $500.
“Catching the fish of the tournament early is a great feeling,” he said. “I started in that same slough for it, but as I made my way up the slough, the water was getting more clear, more shallow, and I got worried again. I caught a couple of spotted bass to get me to four fish, and the fifth came on a Bass Mafia Daingerous Swimbait.
“I threw it against a log in the river and she hammered it,” he said, speaking about the 21.25-inch smallmouth that completed his Day 2 limit.
Gonzalez, of Fort Worth, Texas, finished second with 178.25 inches — good for $9,000. Bennett Nall, of Anderson, S.C., placed third with the same total length. Gonzalez, 33, won the second-place tiebreaker with his opening-day haul, one of the biggest of the tournament.
“The fish were congregated around bait and they put the feedbags on,” Gonzalez said. “If you could find the bait, you caught feeding fish really quick.”
Gonzalez used a white Megabass Magdraft 6-inch swimbait to catch his best bass — one rigged with a treble hook for shallow-water bites and another with a heavy-belly weight to spark deep-water bites. He said all but one of his bass on Tenkiller were largemouth, and they bit in anywhere from 5 to 40 feet of water.
“It was the pattern,” he said. “I knew I was getting bigger bites than most people with that big swimbait.”
Nall, a 20-year-old Clemson student, won $5,000. He fished concrete blocks only yards from where he launched on Day 1. When that bite disappeared on Day 2, he moved to a different launch, found similar structure and caught another limit there.
He finished with 90.75 inches on Wednesday and 87.5 on Day 2. He used a shad-colored Fluke for his best catches, working the lure over the fish and drawing them away from the blocks where they’d eventually bite.
“It’s a whole new pattern to me,” he said. “Most people don’t look around the boat ramps, but sometimes they can be some of your most productive areas.”
California’s Damian Thao finished fourth (177.25 inches), and Missouri’s Lance Burris placed fifth (173 inches).
The event was hosted by Explore Cherokee County, Oklahoma, Tour Tahlequah and the Greater Tenkiller Area Association.
Official results for this tournament can be found here.
2024 Bassmaster Kayak Series Title Sponsor: Yamaha Rightwaters2024 Bassmaster Kayak Series Partner: MotorGuide, YakGear2024 Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year Sponsor: Dakota Lithium
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Hamner stays calm and redirects to maintain Bassmaster Classic lead on Grand Lake
TULSA, Okla. — Since practice began last week, Alabama pro Justin Hamner says he hasn’t been able to duplicate two patterns from one day to the next.
That trend continued Saturday, but it doesn’t seem to be affecting him adversely.
Hamner caught yet another five-bass limit that weighed 20 pounds and increased his two-day total to 42 pounds, 6 ounces, to maintain the lead in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees.
Hamner, who has seemed strangely calm all week, said his only plan for Championship Sunday is to “win the Bassmaster Classic.” Beyond that, he isn’t sure what he’ll be doing once the tournament resumes.
“The dream is going pretty good so far, but we’ve still got one more day,” said Hamner, who is fishing only his second career Classic. “I had to do something totally different today than what I did on the first day of the tournament. The area I started in this morning had completely changed, and I left there around 10 or 10:30 (a.m.).
“In my new spot, I immediately caught three big ones and left there.”
Hamner had been hoping that increased winds would improve his bite. But on Saturday, he said it actually hurt him and forced him to change his plans.
“Yesterday, when I caught all of those fish in those creeks, there was zero bait,” he said. “Today, the wind actually blew directly into those creeks and the fish were more active. They were feeding on the bait, but I could not get those fish to bite.
“It was the weirdest thing and I have no explanation for it.”
The forecast for Championship Sunday calls for 20 to 30 mph winds with occasional gusts up to 40 mph. Hamner said he plans to start on the same brushpiles where he caught his best fish Saturday — and if that doesn’t work, he’ll redirect on the fly once again.
“It’s been a weird feeling all week,” he said. “As soon as I get on the water, I’m not feeling any pressure. I’m playing with geese, catching big bass and having fun. I plan to do that tomorrow — and win the Bassmaster Classic.”
Hamner’s closest competitor at the end of Day 2 was Wisconsin pro Adam Rasmussen with 36-15. A famed walleye guide turned bass pro, Rasmussen said the high winds on Sunday could help him simply by making things tough for the rest of the crowd.
“Where I’m from, I certainly know how to hold the boat really well in high winds,” said Rasmussen, who guides mainly on Sturgeon Bay. “I think that could cause some guys to stumble a little bit.”
Rasmussen said he has one point that’s been “really special” all week, and he plans to milk it for all it’s worth Sunday.
“I’ve gone to it four or five times a day, and almost every time I’ve gone back to it, I’ve gotten bit,” he said. “I might roll in there first thing tomorrow morning, and if I get some bites, I might just pole down on it — just sit on it and see what I can do.”
Entering the day with more than a 5-pound deficit, Rasmussen said he plans to “swing for the fences” to try and win the $300,000 first-place prize. He thinks it will take 23 to 24 pounds — and maybe even a little luck in the form of Hamner struggling — but he knows the big weight is out there.
“When I came to pre-practice here, I had a 29-pound day,” he said. “So, I know what lives here. This is Grand Lake; it has giants. I just have to go catch them.”
Missouri pro Cody Huff caught 15-2 Saturday and fell slightly from second place to third with a two-day mark of 36-4. He rests in a logjam of anglers within striking distance, including Brandon Card (34-4), Hank Cherry (33-11), Cooper Gallant (33-3) and Lee Livesay (33-1).
“It was a complete turnaround for me today,” Huff said. “All the areas that had worked really well for me yesterday, the water temperature had dropped like 8 or 9 degrees with that real cold night. The shad weren’t up, the bass weren’t up. It was just a ghost town.”
A third-year Elite who lists Bassmaster legend Rick Clunn as one of his mentors, Huff didn’t have a bass in his livewell at 11 a.m. But he adjusted and kept himself in contention for the Classic trophy.
“I got on another deal and caught what I caught and broke off another good fish,” Huff said. “With my main pattern toasted, I just had to go fishing and figure them out again. That’s this lake. It’s gonna be that way again tomorrow because it’s gonna look like a new lake again.”
Florida angler Aaron Yavorsky, who turned 18 last week and now holds the record as the youngest angler ever to take part in the Classic, had Big Bass of the Day on Saturday with a 6-12 largemouth. He currently holds the lead for Mercury Big Bass of the Tournament.
The Top 25 remaining anglers will take off at 7:15 a.m. CT Sunday from Wolf Creek Park and Boating Facility, with the final weigh-in scheduled for approximately 5:00 p.m. at the BOK Center in downtown Tulsa. Door will open at 3:15 p.m., with the Strike King Bassmaster College Classic presented by Bass Pro Shops weigh-in to be held at 3:35 p.m. The winning Classic angler will earn $300,000 and the most-coveted trophy in pro fishing, the Ray Scott trophy.
Click here for a full list of how to watch the event online and on television.
Click here for a full list of Classic events, including the annual Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by GSM Outdoors.
2024 Bassmaster Classic Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2024 Bassmaster Classic
2024 Bassmaster Classic Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2024 Bassmaster Classic
2024 Bassmaster Classic
2024 Bassmaster Classic Local Partner: SCHEELS
2024 Bassmaster Classic Youth Forum Sponsor: U.S. Army
2024 Bassmaster Classic Go Outside Experience Sponsor: Mountain Dew
2024 Bassmaster Classic Tailgate Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2024 Bassmaster Classic Tailgate Presenting Sponsor: Yokohama Tire
2024 Bassmaster Classic Celebrity Pro-Am Title Sponsor: Progressive
2024 Bassmaster Classic Celebrity Pro-Am Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2024 Bassmaster Classic Host: Tulsa Sports Commission
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series scored by TourneyX, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors.
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Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Managing Editor, 205-313-0955, [email protected]
2024 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors 3/22-3/24
Grand Lake O' the Cherokees, Tulsa/Grove OK.
(ANGLER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Justin Hamner Northport, AL 10 42-06 0
Day 1: 5 22-06 Day 2: 5 20-00
2. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 10 36-15 0
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 5 17-10
3. Cody Huff Ava, MO 10 36-04 0
Day 1: 5 21-02 Day 2: 5 15-02
4. Brandon Card Salisbury, NC 10 34-04 0
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 21-06
5. Hank Cherry Jr Lincolnton, NC 10 33-11 0
Day 1: 5 16-08 Day 2: 5 17-03
6. Cooper Gallant Bowmanville Ontario CAN 10 33-03 0
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 19-05
7. Lee Livesay Longview, TX 10 33-01 0
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 14-02
8. Jay Przekurat Plover, WI 10 32-07 0
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 14-02
9. Taku Ito Dalton GA JAPAN 10 32-03 0
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 17-10
10. Matt Robertson Kuttawa, KY 10 31-11 0
Day 1: 5 16-08 Day 2: 5 15-03
11. Kyle Patrick Cooperstown, NY 10 31-05 0
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 15-08
12. Jason Christie Dry Creek, OK 10 31-03 0
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 18-02
13. Brandon Palaniuk Rathdrum, ID 10 30-07 0
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 17-00
14. Shane LeHew Catawba, NC 10 30-00 0
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 13-13
15. Easton Fothergill Grand Rapids , MN 10 29-15 0
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 17-02
16. Kyoya Fujita Yamanashi CA JAPAN 10 29-14 0
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 19-01
17. Luke Palmer Coalgate, OK 10 29-14 0
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 14-04
18. Kyle Welcher Valley, AL 10 29-12 0
Day 1: 5 13-08 Day 2: 5 16-04
19. Matt Arey Shelby, NC 10 29-10 0
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 16-07
20. Cory Johnston Otonabee CANADA 10 29-08 0
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 16-09
21. Brock Mosley Collinsville, MS 10 29-06 0
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 14-00
22. Chris Johnston Otonabee Ontario CANADA 10 29-06 0
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 14-04
23. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 10 29-06 0
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 14-15
24. Bryant Smith Roseville, CA 10 29-05 0
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 14-11
25. Brandon Cobb Greenwood, SC 10 29-03 0
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 13-12
26. Drew Benton Panama City, FL 10 29-03 0
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 14-07
27. Tyler Williams Belgrade, ME 10 29-01 0
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 12-10
28. Clark Wendlandt Leander, TX 10 28-11 0
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 15-10
29. Justin Barnes Ellaville, GA 10 28-10 0
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 5 13-10
30. Patrick Walters Eutawville, SC 10 28-02 0
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 5 17-08
31. Jeff Gustafson Kenora, ON Ontario CANA 10 27-12 0
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 13-15
32. Hunter Shryock Ooltewah, TN 10 27-11 0
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 13-10
33. John Cox Debary, FL 10 27-09 0
Day 1: 5 16-14 Day 2: 5 10-11
34. Cole Sands Calhoun , TN 10 27-04 0
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 15-05
35. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 10 27-03 0
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 12-13
36. Timothy Dube Nashua , NH 10 27-01 0
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 5 12-12
37. Will Davis Jr Sylacauga, AL 10 26-15 0
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 10-12
38. Stetson Blaylock Benton, AR 9 26-14 0
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 4 11-12
39. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 10 26-11 0
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 5 14-06
40. Kenta Kimura Osaka OK JAPAN 10 26-08 0
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 12-08
41. Joey Cifuentes III Clinton, AR 10 26-01 0
Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 12-10
42. David Gaston Sylacauga, AL 10 26-00 0
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 10-11
43. Tyler Rivet Raceland, LA 10 24-11 0
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 13-06
44. Aaron Yavorsky Palm Harbor, FL 10 24-10 0
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 13-09
45. Carl Jocumsen Queensland TN AUSTRALIA 10 24-05 0
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 13-07
46. Austin Felix Eden Prairie, MN 9 24-01 0
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 4 12-14
47. Drew Cook Cairo, GA 10 23-12 0
Day 1: 5 13-01 Day 2: 5 10-11
48. Pat Schlapper Eleva, WI 10 23-09 0
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 10-04
49. Greg Hackney Gonzales, LA 10 23-09 0
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 10-14
50. Ben Milliken New Caney, TX 10 22-13 0
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 10-13
51. Powell Kemp IV Scotland Neck, NC 10 22-05 0
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 09-11
52. Matt Messer Warfield, KY 10 21-00 0
Day 1: 5 12-00 Day 2: 5 09-00
53. Jacob Powroznik North Prince George, VA 10 20-04 0
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 10-10
54. Josh Wiesner Fon du Lac, WI 5 16-10 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 16-10
55. Scott Canterbury Odenville, AL 7 15-14 0
Day 1: 2 03-13 Day 2: 5 12-01
56. Bob Downey Detroit Lakes, MN 5 12-08 0
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 54 272 774-07
2 53 273 786-15
------------------------------
107 545 1561-06
Laidback Hamner brings in big bag, grabs first-day lead at Bassmaster Classic on Grand Lake
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Limited Edition Jitterbugs to Commemorate Fred Arbogast’s Hall of Fame Induction
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – For Immediate Release – Mar. 22, 2024 – The Jitterbug was among Fred Arbogast’s signature creations and now a few iconic anglers are putting their signature on the Jitterbug as part of a collaborative effort to mark Arbogast’s election this year to the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.
To commemorate Arbogast’s induction, PRADCO, which took ownership of the Arbogast brand in 1997, will produce a limited-edition version of the Arbogast Jitterbug with proceeds from their sale to benefit the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. Approximately 1,200 lures will be produced in four custom colors. There will be a series of 300 baits autographed by Hall of Famer Bill Dance, 300 baits autographed by current Elite Series angler Jason Christie and 300 baits autographed by Hall of Famer Kevin VanDam. Another 300 baits will feature the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame logo.
The majority of lures will be sold through PRADCO’s online store at Lurenet.com while several sets will be auctioned off as part of Celebrate Bass Fishing Week in September, which culminates with the annual Hall of Fame induction banquet on Sept. 26 at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Aquarium and Wildlife Museum in Springfield, Mo. Arbogast will be inducted along with Mike McKinnis, Skeet Reese, Alfred Williams and Mark Zona.
“This will be a very limited and special collection opportunity for anyone who is passionate about bass fishing or fishing lures,” Stanton added. “I can’t think of another series where you’ll have lures with designs and autographs by the most famous bass fisherman of all time in Bill Dance, the best tournament angler of all time in KVD and one of the top current anglers in 2022 Bassmaster Classic champ Jason Christie.”
This initiative will also feature a rare occurrence – cooperation between two fierce competitors in the tackle category. While VanDam has long been sponsored by Strike King, he was given permission to lend his name and support to the effort to honor Arbogast’s memory and contributions to the sport.
“To me, this shows how the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame brings the industry together to promote the lifestyle of bass fishing. While we are in a very competitive business environment, I think it’s commendable that the team at Rather Outdoors and Strike King wanted to participate in this project for the Hall of Fame,” said Bruce Stanton, the vice president and general manager for PRADCO’s fishing division and current vice president and president-elect of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. “We really appreciate KVD and the management team at Strike King – Rocky Kalsow, the President of Rather Outdoors North America, and Ken Eubanks, the CEO of Rather Outdoors – getting on board. I can’t think of another project where the top tournament pro of all time would lend his signature and credibility to a competitor’s product to support a non-profit organization.”
Released in 1939, the Jitterbug is unquestionably one of the most popular fishing lures of all-time, a testament to Arbogast’s creative vision. By attaching the cupped portion of two kitchen spoons to the end of a piece of a wooden broomstick, then placing hooks along the bottom, he was able to fashion one of the ultimate topwater baits because of its wobbling and plopping action.
“This is such an exciting thing to be a part of,” VanDam said. “We’re all competitive when it comes to selling baits, but when an opportunity like this comes along to honor a legend like Fred Arbogast and knowing the proceeds will benefit a great organization like the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, we set those competitive elements aside.”
Additional details about the design of the special edition Jitterbugs will be released in the coming months.
For more information about Arbogast and rest of the Class of 2024 and other inductees, click here.
Bettering the “Bait Finesse” Fishing
DAIWA’s "pixy" PX BF70 baitcaster provides supreme performance in an ultralight, palmable package.
FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (March 22, 2024) – Just when you thought every conceivable freshwater fishing technique was a, “been there, done that,” something novel comes along. Such is the case with “Bait Finesse,” aka BF.
Like many hyper-techy methods, BF has Japanese origins. The allied Asian nation supports a robust number of anglers who pursue bass on a limited number of freshwater resources. Consequently, the fish, being under pressure, are warier and less likely to accept conventional North American bass baits like flamboyant spinnerbaits, aggressive topwaters, upsized crankbaits, and such.
So, to combat these challenging conditions, the Japanese developed BF. And like other specialized Japanese techniques and baits – dropshotting, spybaits, Senko worms, etc. – it’s come ashore to North American waters.
The baseline for BF is presenting smaller, more natural baits with the same authority achieved via their larger counterparts. To do so requires the downsizing of gear without sacrificing performance. And that necessitates specialized baitcasting gear.
The good news is that a dedicated BF baitcasting reel is now available stateside: DAIWA’s new PX BF70.
“It’s ninja fishing,” said DAIWA Marketing Manager about BF. “Think of those stealthy anglers who fish small lakes, ponds, streams, and canals. They travel light, and fish small and technically. BF is gaining momentum with this crowd.”
At the epicenter of Bait Finesse is a small, palmable, high-performance, baitcasting reel. “We wanted to eliminate as much weight as possible, while retaining impeccable performance,” said Mills about the design of the compact PX BF70. “The spool, for example, weighs only 8.4 grams (.30 ounces). We even used micro ball-bearings and an A7075 aircraft grade aluminum drive gear. Every little reduction in weight matters for micro fishing.”
The PX BF70’s featherweight, precision spool is constructed of the same exceptionally thin, yet durable A7075 aircraft grade aluminum and requires minimal inertia to initiate. “An exceptionally light spool is required to cast such small lures,” said Mills. How small? BF bassers throw tiny hair jigs, inline spinners, and miniature jerkbaits, like DAIWA’s 2-inch Dr. Minnow.
Mills added, “The PX BF70 also features an aluminum frame and sideplates. Aluminum eliminates even more weight while adding strength and durability.”
Casting distance and accuracy are key to Bait Finesse. Casts aren’t long – 20 to 50-feet – but relative to the lightness of the lures, it can seem like a million miles. The DAIWA PX BF70 was engineered to operate in that space, and with unparalleled accuracy.
Mills talked about spooling up your PX BF70: “The reel isn’t intended to hold a ton of line, maybe 50-yards of straight fluorocarbon or a 100-yards of light braid. Rather, it’s built to manage a small amount of line with exactness.” Mills says BF calls for 4- to 10-lb. test in a superline – like J-Braid Grand x8 – with a 2- to 8-lb. J-Fluoro fluorocarbon leader.
Besides pitch-and-retrieve baits like micro crankbaits and inline spinners, Mills says BF applies to dropshotting, as well as Neko, Ned, and Wacky Rigging. Essentially, all your favorite finesse bassing techniques can be further refined.
But BF isn’t limited to bass fishing. The system has been embraced by trout anglers walking the banks of ponds and wading streams. An alternative to spinning gear, select trout anglers like the feel, control, and distance BF baitcasters provide.
And it doesn’t end there… The panfish possibilities are endless. Big, spring, spawning-sized crappies operating around timber require surgical strikes. Same for hunting bluegills in weed pockets. You get the idea…
The new PX BF70 includes other signature DAIWA technologies:
T-Wing System (TWS)
The revolutionary system addresses the issue of traditional line guide/level-wind structures that constrict line flow by utilizing a T-shaped line guide that is larger, wider, and less restricted. TWS allows line to exit freely from the spool with minimal line angle and friction to reduce line noise and backlash and deliver more accurate and longer casts.
Ultimate Tournament Drag (UTD)
A drag system that combines low inertia with maximum fish stopping power. UTD utilizes advanced carbon washers, alloy, and stainless steel drag plates with specially formulated grease for supreme smoothness.
Zero Adjuster
Fine tuning the factory setting is breeze with the Zero Adjuster, which provides precise control over spool tension, accommodating various lure weights and fishing conditions with a simple dial on the non-handle side.
DAIWA PX BF70 FEATURES:
- Aluminum frame and sideplates
- A7075 aircraft aluminum grade drive gear
- Extreme finesse A7075 AIR spool
- Micro ball-bearings
- T-Wing System (TWS)
- Ultimate Tournament Drag (UTD)
- 90mm Swept Handle
$349.99
BASSMASTER CLASSIC EXPO SPECIALS
For Daiwa’s latest color catalog and/or information on Daiwa dealers in your area, call Daiwa’s Customer Service Department at 562-375-6800 or e-mail inquiries to: [email protected]. The URL for Daiwa’s web site is daiwa.us
100% chance Jocumsen and Huff will cast classic shallow lures on Grand
By Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorships
There’s good news for Bassmaster Classic fans who haven’t jumped on board the forward-facing sonar train. At least two of pro fishing’s brightest young stars say there’s a 100-percent chance they’ll cast shallow crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and an old school black and blue jig on Grand Lake.
With Grand Lake pool elevation at 742-feet above sea level, that doesn’t leave a lot of shoreline bushes or willow trees flooded, but water temps are right around 60, it’s late March in Northeast Oklahoma, and both pros say that simply equates to quality largemouth moving shallower each day toward the spawn.
All that leads to using time-proven shallow power fishing lures.
Carl Jocumsen, the beloved Australian, who actually spent three years living in Bixby, OK, learned years ago that a squarebill crankbait like Rapala’s Rocco is a staple on Grand, and says it should hunt successfully in water depths of around 4-feet this weekend.
“You can also bet I’ll be throwing a Bassman spinnerbait. They’re actually my longest running sponsor, but most serious anglers would agree, that a spinnerbait has probably caught more bass on Grand Lake the past 50 years, than any other lure, so it’s kind of a no-brainer,” says the Yamaha pro.
Cody Huff, who hails from nearby Ava, MO, knows Grand pretty well, and is also known as one of America’s most accomplished forward-facing sonar users. He’s won nearly half-a-million dollars with the much-debated technology, but says if he wins this weekend on Grand, it will likely be on a Rapala OG Tiny crankbait.
“It’s like a little miniature 4-wheel drive, but it’s also subtle enough to get bit when other shallow crankbaits won’t,” says the easy-going Toyota Bonus Bucks member.
When asked why he also chose a big jig when water levels aren’t flooding much habitat, he didn’t hesitate.
“It’s simple, they still eat a jig at Grand Lake in the springtime, and anytime I encounter an isolated log or piece of shallow cover, that’s the bait I want handy,” Huff explains with confidence.
So, there you have it, bass fans, in a world clouded by debate over technology even young anglers know there’s still a place for spinnerbaits, shallow cranks, and jigs.
In fact, Jocumsen and Huff agree there’s a 100-percent chance this 54 th Bassmaster Classic is one of them.
MLF’s Fisheries Management Division Improves Logan Martin Lake with Events in Conjunction with REDCREST 2024
CROPWELL, Ala. (March 21, 2024) – Alabama anglers and fishing enthusiasts that enjoy Logan Martin Lake might notice their lakeshore a little bit cleaner, and the fish a little healthier over the coming weeks.
On Saturday morning, while the top 20 anglers competed on Lay Lake at Major League Fishing’s (MLF) Bass Pro Shops REDCREST 2024 Powered by OPTIMA Lithium, the MLF Fisheries Management Division, MLF staff, Bass Pro Tour anglers Gary Klein and Grae Buck, and Alabama Power staff kicked off the Renew Our Rivers – Lake Logan Martin (Coosa River) weeklong clean up.
Alabama Power’s Environmental Affairs Specialist Mike Clelland captained their clean up barge to secluded areas of the lake with angler volunteers while the MLF staff and FMD led the clean up on the shoreline of Pell City Lakeside Park.
“It’s outstanding to see the effort this community puts into keeping their lake beautiful, and I’m humbled to be a small part of this kick-off event” said Bass Pro Tour angler Grae Buck.
At the end of the morning the cleanup teams met and offloaded the barge full of trash at the city dumpsters that were provided for the week-long event.
Then, after the REDCREST championship event wrapped up on Sunday night, the MLF FMD was right back to work on Monday morning.
On Monday, the FMD, MLF staff, Klein, Alabama Power Environmental Affairs employees, and local volunteers built and deployed artificial fish habitat into Lake Logan Martin from Lakeside Park in Pell City at the Minn Kota Habitat Restoration Project Supported by KVD Foundation and MossBack Fish Habitat.
A REDCREST tradition with Minn Kota, the KVD Foundation, and MossBack Fish Habitat , the MLF FMD provides the local host community with a habitat restoration project following MLF’s most prestigious event. The project started with a generous donation of $5,000 from the KVD Foundation, which was then matched by MossBack Fish Habitat. The two groups combined to provide Alabama Power with $10,000 in artificial habitat product. Before the habitat hit the water it was on display all weekend long at the MLF Outdoors Sports Expo for fans to see in the Minn Kota MossBack Fish Habitat Experience booth.
The habitat was weighed down using anchoring materials supplied by Lowe’s (Store No. 1737) in Leeds, Alabama. The products were deployed using two habitat barges owned and operated by Alabama Power.
Kevin VanDam said about the project “We are extremely proud to provide our third consecutive year of support with the KVD Foundation at REDCREST and showcase Minn Kota’s continual commitment to the bass fishing community and habitat restoration.”
The waypoint of each habitat location will be made available by Alabama Power on their website, as well as on the Shorelines mobile app. Visit AlabamaPower.com to read more about the 25 years of conservation work completed by Alabama Power.
Alabama Power’s commitment to Alabama waterways is unparalleled. They started their conservation efforts with the Coosa River clean up in 2000. Over the past 24 years, the program has evolved into the nation’s largest river clean-up program, now known as Renew our Rivers. Since its inception, 16 million pounds of trash have been collected by more than 120,000 volunteers.
To learn more about Renew Our Rivers visit APCShorelines.com, or download the Alabama Power Shorelines App. To view the schedule for all upcoming Renew our River events, visit https://apcshorelines.com/recreation/renew-our-rivers.
For complete details and updated information on the Major League Fishing FMD, the Bass Pro Tour and REDCREST 2024, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Easy Easton Ready for the Classic Stage
By Luke Stoner - Dynamic Sponsorships
Even at the ripe age of 21-years young, Easton Fothergill is about as even-keeled and easy-going as a bass angler gets. Fothergill is college fishing’s representative in the 2024 Bassmaster Classic after coming out on top of the gauntlet that is the College Bassmaster Classic bracket in the fall of 2023.
As the bracket champion, Easton won a year lease for a 2023 Toyota Tundra and Nitro Z20 wrapped in his school colors, paid entry fees into all nine Bassmaster Opens as an EQ qualifier, and a spot in bass fishing’s biggest tournament. The University of Montevallo angler has proved unflappable whether he’s fishing college events, competing at the Opens level, or even having emergency brain surgery just weeks before the Classic Bracket last fall. Fothergill grew up in Minnesota before moving to Alabama for school, perhaps his cold-blooded nature comes from his northern roots. That being said, Fothergill admitted he’s feeling his nerves a bit now that he’s navigating the pressure-cooker that is the Bassmaster Classic week.
“Honestly I’ve felt very normal until I drove into downtown Tulsa for our first round of meetings on Tuesday… now it’s all kind of hitting me,” Fothergill said. “Grand is a big, pretty lake and with only 50 of us fishing it felt like I was practicing for any old tournament. But to drive into a big city for a tournament registration felt very not normal. “Then we toured the giant BOK Arena today before Media Day, a place I normally would only go to see a big concert or something, and to think I will be weighing in inside of there tomorrow… it’s crazy.”
“Crazy” is an accurate descriptor when comparing the jam-packed Classic schedule to any other tournament or experience Fothergill has under his belt. But Fothergill is still far from rattled. He’s proven his poise already this year through three events in the Bassmaster Open EQs, where he currently sits in fifth place of the points race among some of the biggest names in bass fishing.
After describing his practice as “decent”, not too great and not too bad, Fothergill heads into the biggest tournament of his young life riding the well-balanced wave he seemingly always maintains. His demeanor and fishing abilities continue to impress to the point it would surprise few to see Fothergill near the top of the leaderboard throughout the weekend.
“This week has made me realize why this is such a hard tournament to do well in,” Fothergill said. “With how much the fish change and move this time of year, our practice mixed in with multiple off days means a lot of what I saw (in practice) might not mean a whole lot. I’m just trying to enjoy the experience while staying focused on doing well inv the tournament. I’m going to start in an area I have confidence in and hope the fish help me decide the rest.”
Arey’s only missing one trophy
By Alan McGuckin - Dynamic Sponsorship
If Matt Arey’s boat number at this year’s Bassmaster Classic is any indication of good things to come, then #22 might just lead to first place. Arey is the ultimate ‘girl dad’ and his two
young daughters love Taylor Swift’s hit song “22”. Arey admits his soul’s still not over dancing as a bridesmaid following his second-place finish to buddy, Hank Cherry at the Bassmaster Classic in Fort Worth three years ago. But the North Carolina angler’s track record of Top 5 finishes on Grand Lake are astonishing enough to make him a strong favorite to finally touch the first-place trophy that’s eluded him thus far.
In FLW Costa series events on Grand Lake, he bagged a 2 nd , 3 rd , and 4 th place finish between 2015 and 2017, but much like the Bassmaster Classic, never quite secured a victory.
“Those three finishes were a mix of mostly bed fishing, but also moving slow with a jig in the pre-spawn. I just feel at home in Ozark area lakes because you can visually read the shoreline transitions without depending on forward-facing sonar. Grand Lake, much like Beaver Lake, is a pattern-oriented lake, and I like that. Emily and I built our home using my winnings on Beaver Lake,” smiles the Team Toyota angler.
Arey’s track-record as a pro is tough to rival, 15-straight end of the year championships, including five straight Classics since joining the Elite Series, but still a win has escaped him like
a blackjack oak leaf being blown by the March winds that come sweeping down the Oklahoma plains.
“I’ve had some very, very, special weeks on Grand Lake, but not quite special enough,” laments Arey hours before the start of the 54 th Bassmaster Classic.
A consummate professional and fantastic family man, it’s hard not to root for Arey to finally put his hands-on pro bass fishing’s most coveted trophy. If he does, count on Taylor Swift’s
song “22” to be a part of the music played at the Champion’s Toast party Sunday night in Tulsa.
Hover Missile Launch, Classic Exclusives, and More
Salem, Va. – March 19, 2024 –Missile Baits is launching the new Hover Missile jig heads to capitalize on the red-hot mid-strolling technique for catching suspended bass. Available in three hook sizes with multiple weights to choose from, the missile shaped weight is centered on the hook shank for an erratic horizontal fall. Missile Baits produced a run of hand tied rubber skirts by Greenfish Tackle on their popular Mini Flip and Head Banger jigs only available at the 2024 Bassmaster Classic. Missile Baits is also now selling loose silicone skirts from their mini and full-size skirt line ups.
“FFS techniques are really taking off and the tackle use is just now evolving. Built around a high quality Gamakatsu hook, the Hover Missile is a functional way to rig a soft plastic minnow bait like the Spunk Shad and fish for those bass in the middle of the water column. After the action, the slickest part is the toothpick and hole so it prevents the bait from twisting on the hook,” says John Crews, Missile Baits owner and professional bass angler.
The Hover Missile (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv9QgoVh0es) addresses a tricky technique with a functionally designed jig head. The high quality 90-degree jig hook helps the bait have the erratic and drifting action when paired with the missile shaped weight along the hook shank. A patented anchoring hole in the top fin of the missile weight allows a toothpick to be inserted through your bait and the hole, so your bait does not twist. Simply clip off the exposed part of the toothpick and the bait is locked into place. The #1 size hook comes in 1/32, 1/16, and 1/8 ounce sizes. The 2/0 hook comes in 1/16, 1/8, and 3/16 ounce sizes. 2/0 and #1 hook sizes come in three packs for a retail price of $5.99. The 4/0 hook comes in 1/4 and 3/8 ounce sizes, which come in two packs for a $5.69 retail price.
The 2024 Bassmaster Classic in Tulsa is going to be the place the public can first purchase the Hover Missiles and the HTR (Hand Tied Rubber) series by Greenfish Tackle of Mini Flip and Head Banger jigs. Two sizes and four colors of the Mini Flips including Green Pumpkin and Bruiser will be available. Two sizes and two colors of the Head Bangers including PB&J will be available. The HTR jigs will sell for $6.99 each. Also available at the Classic and at all retailers are the new Mini Skirts and Full Skirts from Missile Baits. They feature 3 packs of the double banded mini or full-sized silicone skirts from the Ike’s series of jigs for a retail price of $4.69. A variety of colors are offered in both the Mini and Full Skirts.
# # #
MISSILE BAITS is a small company dedicated to creating SERIOUS soft plastic baits to help anglers catch more fish. The designs are straight off the top-level professional bass tour. Based in Salem, Virginia, MISSILE BAITS works relentlessly to make the best baits, show their customers how to use them, and stay on the cutting edge of bass fishing. Founded in January 2012, new products and videos will continue to be launched. Log onto www.MISSILEBAITS.com for videos, tips, forums, and more.
For information: www.MISSILEBAITS.com, or
Contact: John Crews at
MISSILE BAITS
Phone: (855) HOOKSET (855-466-5738)
www.MISSILEBAITS.com
Classic Underdog Rasmussen Looks to Continue Championship Domination With Humminbird and Minn Kota
Humminbird and Minn Kota pro Adam Rasmussen looks to complete the underdog story and continue the championship domination at the 2024 Bassmaster Classic.
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Eat Like a Champion at Casa Vieja Lodge
By Pete Robbins - Half Past First Cast
Old Town® Introduces Limited Edition AutoPilot
The Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot remains the pinnacle watercraft for hands-free fishing. Anglers can command this high-tech kayak using the i-Pilot remote with just the touch of a thumb. The fully integrated 45lb thrust saltwater-ready motor leverages Minn Kota’s Spot-Lock technology, enabling anglers to motor to their fishing spot faster and virtually anchor with the push of a button. The AutoPilot comes complete with tournament-ready features, including a thru-hull wiring kit, catch tray channels, shallow water anchor mount, flush mount rod holders, and XL rudder designed for improved boat control in forward or reverse. Additionally, consumers can rest assured knowing all Old Town® boats are built on a legacy of quality and innovation and manufactured in Maine, USA.
For more information on Old Town® and where to find a Limited Edition Fire Tiger kayak, visit oldtownwatercraft.johnsonoutdoors.com.
JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global innovator of outdoor recreation equipment and technologies that inspire more people to experience the awe of the great outdoors. The company designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft Recreation, Fishing, Diving and Camping. Johnson Outdoors' iconic brands include: Old Town® canoes and kayaks; Carlisle® paddles; Minn Kota® trolling motors, shallow water anchors and battery chargers; Cannon® downriggers; Humminbird® marine electronics and charts; SCUBAPRO® dive equipment; Jetboil® outdoor cooking systems; and, Eureka!®camping and hiking equipment. Visit Johnson Outdoors at http://www.johnsonoutdoors.com
Visit Old Town Watercraft at http://oldtownwatercraft.johnsonoutdoors.com/
What’s Gussy’s Gameplan?
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Plug & Play Rigging for Today’s Advanced Trolling Motors
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Connect-Ease® 2.0 PRO Trolling Connection Kits provide anglers with reliable, plug & play rigging systems (w/onboard charging) for today’s newest trolling motors & lithium or AGM batteries |
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PRIOR LAKE, MN (March 18, 2024) – For anglers running today’s newest brushed or brushless, direct-drive, and more powerful 12-, 24-, and 36-volt bow-mount trolling motors, Connect-Ease® is proud to introduce the Connect-Ease 2.0 PRO Trolling Motor Connection Kit w/Onboard Charging, which features heavier-duty 6-gauge wire and many other engineering advances. For 36-volt trolling motors like the new Minn Kota QUEST Series, Garmin Force Kraken, Lowrance GHOST, Power-Pole MOVE, MotorGuide Tour Pro, and Rhodan models, the Connect-Ease 2.0 36V Series PRO Trolling Motor Connection Kit W/Onboard Charging is incredibly easy-to-install, protects your investment, and offers peace of mind while fishing mission-critical, tournament or big water situations. But you don’t have to be a pro angler to utilize the new Connect-Ease 2.0 kit—any angler or boater who simply wants his boat or pontoon to work perfectly every time on the water—will benefit from a Connect-Ease 2.0 Pro Trolling Motor Connection Kit w/Onboard Charging. |
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What’s Included: NEW Connect-Ease 2.0 (RCE36VPRO) 36V Trolling Motor/Charger Kit The Connect-Ease 2.0 PRO 36V Trolling Motor/Charger Kit includes three 12-volt battery series connections and charger leads to connect both your bow-mount trolling motor and onboard charger. While the components could be considered over-engineered, Connect-Ease 2.0’s mission was to provide a no-fail power distribution network no matter what kind of on-the-water situations you encounter, from fishing the Great Lakes or heavy current river fisheries to a weekend off work relaxing on the pontoon or skiff. Fact: Believe it or not, but a lot of boat manufacturers, dealers, and riggers do not use marine-grade wire. On the contrary, every Connect-Ease 2.0 PRO 36V Series Pro Trolling Motor Connection Kit w/Onboard Charging includes thick, efficient, and long-lasting 6-gauge (AWG) marine-grade tinned copper wire and components that protect from corrosion, electrolysis, and fatigue due to boat vibration and flexing in waves and wind. Heavy-duty insulation offers additional heat, cold, abrasion, and vibration resistance. In fact, Connect-Ease 6-gauge (AWG) marine-grade wire exceeds all UL 1426 U.S. Coast Guard Charter Boat and ABYC standards, something we didn’t have to do, but did. While it cost us more at the onset, we built-these professional components into the new kit because we wanted all anglers and boaters to benefit from the same, pro-grade materials we use in our own 36-volt trolling motor rigging for problem-free operation in critical fishing and boating situations—from big league bass/walleye tournaments to hard-earned time-off-work. Additionally, the Connect-Ease 2.0 36V Series PRO Trolling Motor Connection Kit w/Onboard Charging includes a 60 amp Resettable Circuit Breaker and Negative Connection Block with direct connection leads and heat-shrinkable butt splices to quickly and securely connect the kit to chargers manufactured by Minn Kota, NoCo, PowerPole, Battery Tender, Dakota Lithium and countless others. |
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The end result for the angler/boater? You’ll never have to worry about your 36-volt trolling motor being powered correctly again with Connect-Ease 2.0 PRO. Whether you’re running standard or new, high-output Minn Kota QUEST, Garmin Force Kraken, Lowrance Ghost, Power-Pole MOVE, or MotorGuide Tour Grade 24- and 36-volt trolling motors, what you get with the Connect-Ease 2.0 Pro Trolling Motor Connection Kits w/Onboard Charging is pure, clean power from your batteries to the trolling motor and charger, end of story. For anglers running 24V trolling motors, the Connect-Ease 2.0 PRO 24V Pro Trolling Motor Kit (RCE24VPROCHK) offers similar advantages with onboard charging and lithium compatibility. Talking specs, both the new Connect-Ease 2.0 24V and 36V Series PRO Trolling Motor Connection Kits w/Onboard Charging will distribute and manage up to 150 amps of power. |
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Whether you’re going to rig a new boat, re-rig an older boat, or seek out marine professionals to help you switch out trolling motor batteries, power distribution, and marine electronics for the season, Connect-Ease products promise problem-free operation of today’s latest and greatest, from today’s more powerful and advanced trolling motors to forward-facing sonar technologies. We like to say: “More time fishing, less time rigging.” |
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Coiling, Springing, and Bass are Waiting
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DAIWA EVER GREEN introduces new 12-inch version of Japanese-borne worm perfect for clear water conditions and pressured bass. |
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FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (March 18, 2024) – Launched in 2023, the original 8-inch Bow Worm Noodle quickly grew in popularity. And now, adding four additional inches of coiling and springing, the new 12-inch Bow Worm Noodle – first available at the upcoming 2024 Bassmaster Classic Expo – is sure to please even more anglers…and bigger bass. Although a full foot-long, it’s not another Floridian “speed worm” design. Quite the opposite. The EVER GREEN Bow Worm Noodle is intended for fishing weightless, wacky, Neko, or via dropshot. For example, when rigged wacky-style or on a dropshot hook, the Bow Worm Noodle undulates and coils with the slightest movement of the rod, the ultra-thin diameter soft plastic pulsing and writhing like a real nightcrawler. Add any amount of current and it’s even more lifelike. Besides its slinking movement, the Bow Worm Noodle features an EVER GREEN-formulated “Special Formula” scent comprised of real shrimp, squid, and baitfish impregnated into the salt-heavy plastic, thus encouraging more bites and bass to hang onto the artificial offering longer. |
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SPECIAL MIMIZU |
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NATURAL EEL |
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DARK PLUM |
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GREEN PUMPKIN BLACK FLAKE |
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“This original 8-incher has been huge for us,” said DAIWA Marketing Manager, Marc Mills. “The interest gained serious momentum through word-of-mouth and social media. Bass anglers are catching lots of fish—and some big ones—on these worms.” Mills continued: “Unlike most worm designs that are thick, the Bow Worm Noodle is thin, like spaghetti. You can fish them a lot of different ways, but it really comes to life nose-hooked with #4 Mustad light-wire Mosquito hook on a dropshot. Most worms just kind of sit there and maybe move a little bit. The Bow Worm Noodle rolls and flips on top of itself. Bounce your dropshot off a rock and the Bow Worm Noodle will roll up on itself, then extend again,” offers Mills. “All I can say is it’s money. You can catch everything from average-size fish to Southern California 10- to 12-pounders. When a bass eats it, the worm rolls up in its mouth just like a real worm. They’re awesome—and nobody’s making these. I’m super pumped.” Looking for the next hot bait for extremely tough conditions like clear waters and highly-pressured lakes? Look no further than the new EVER GREEN Bow Worm Noodle. Available in #01 Green Pumpkin BK; #11 Dark Plum; #90 Natural Eel; and #135 Special Mimizu. MSRP $10.99 per pack |
Fishing Channel Swings in Pre Spawn
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DAIWA: Betting on Your Bass Fishing Success
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New Zillion technique-specific rod series being introduced at the Bassmaster Classic Expo |
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FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (March 15, 2024) – With unique rod technology features from the blanks to the the reel seat, DAIWA is putting the odds in your favor for a successful day targeting bass with its new 16-model Zillion bass rod series, being debuted at the upcoming Bassmaster Classic Expo on March 22-24, 2024 and now being shipped to tackle dealers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The 16-model Zillion rod lineup includes four casting and two spinning models built on DAIWA’s ‘Flex Light’ fiberglass blanks primarily for use with lures retrieved with constant tension, and seven casting and three spinning rods featuring DAIWA’s proprietary SVF Nanoplus technology blank construction, for slack line, bottom contact, and power fishing techniques. |
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A rod series is designed to pair with the right DAIWA Zillion reel – be it the Zillion 10.0 SV TW for flipping/pitching and burning lipless cranks, the Zillion SV TW 100 series offered in three different gear ratios, or the Zillion TW HD 150 when the situation calls for heavier mono or braid and more line capacity, all the new Zillion rods feature DAIWA’s cutting-edge Carbon MQ grip butt section. “Anglers will quickly notice the unique look of all the Zillion rods with our Carbon MG grip and then the advantage of this design when put to use,” said Chris Martin, DAIWA’s field marketing specialist and an avid bass angler. “This design feature allows exceptional energy transfer through all contact points on the rod for outstanding sensitivity – up to 26% more sensitive than EVA or cork grip rods – allowing anglers to be more aware of what their lure and fish are doing beneath the surface,” explains Martin, “plus the reduced rod weight achieved with the Carbon MQ grips mean reduced fatigue from all-day casting and retrieving efforts, plus more comfort and control.” |
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Putting focus on the lures and techniques anglers use to target bass, DAIWA’s rod development staff designed two different rod blank concepts in the construction of Zillion bass rods. The six ‘Flex Light’ rods offer more forgiving, more flexible attributes when using lures that are retrieved with a more constant retrieve, such as bladed jigs, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits. “With the use of DAIWA’s GLATECH fiberglass in the blank construction, we’re able to offer the forgiving rod performance needed with these types of lures,” Martin said. “They’ll absorb a powerful hookset without pulling the hook due to the Flex-Light blank design.” Martin notes the 6’10” Zillion 6101MHRB-FL casting rod will be a favorite for using bladed jigs, where anglers will get the needed casting distance, but with an under 7-foot length that can provide more accurate casts. He adds the 7-foot Zillion 701MLMRB-FL is the ‘versatile’ rod in the ‘Flex-Light’ lineup that works well with many types of moving baits. |
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DAIWA’s standard flex Zillion rods feature models for a wide assortment of bass fishing techniques, from skipping docks, pitching and flipping, flinging A-rigs, casting swim jigs or working frogs, along with bottom contact drop shots, Ned and wacky rigs, shakey heads, and other finesse needs. Martin notes the Zillion 661MXB casting rod – nicknamed the ‘skipping special’ – can thoroughly take advantage of the ‘SV’ feature within the Zillion baitcasting reels, which allows the spool design to interact with the braking system to provide maximum control and ease of use. “This can be the ideal rod/reel set-up for anglers who usually avoid the fish-catching advantages of skipping baits due to struggling with the technique,” Martin said. “There's no reason to get frustrated while bass fishing when you put the right reel and rod together to master any technique called for.” |
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So, what’s the right Zillion bass rod for you? While Martin says there’s a Zillion rod for most technique-specific situations, “check out the ‘multi-purpose’ Zillion 731MHFB to gauge how the rod feels in your hand, your comfort with Carbon MQ rear grip, and the overall lightweight feel from blank construction and our use of the DAIWA’s exclusive Air Sensor reel seat. We think you can elevate your bass fishing experience to new heights.” Within the Zillion lineup, all 16 rods feature DAIWA’s Air Sensor Seat that transfers even the slightest rod tip vibration to the anglers’ hand to further enhance sensitivity, plus Fuji’s K Alconite Guide system to ensures durability and smooth line management. The 10 standard flex graphite blank Zillion with SVF Nanoplus technology for exceptional strength and responsiveness, also include X45 blank construction technology to reduce rod twist for more accurate and longer casts. Now being shipped to tackle dealers as a prelude to their formal introduction in Tulsa, Okla. at the Bassmaster Classic Expo – the new Zillion rods will only be available from shops in the U.S. and Canada. All the Zillion rods retail for $329.99 (USD). |
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Zillion FEATURES:
MSRP $349.99 NOW SHIPPING! |
CONSERVATION: "America's Salmon Forest"
Take a journey into Alaska's Tongass National Forest where krill put the pink in salmon and brown bear tap into the annual spawning run.
Forestville, WI (March 18, 2024) – From the tiniest of aquatic life to the largest creatures in the ocean, all are connected by a giant food web. In Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, this is no exception. With species like salmon that connect their food web to freshwater species and saltwater species, this can get a little confusing! Untangle this web with us as we learn how all species are connected, and how the health of these ecosystems are managed by the US Forest Service!
Educational partners include the Future Angler Foundation, Trout Unlimited, and the US Forest Service.
Wagoner’s Eli Brumnett Posts Second Career Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Eufaula
Wagoner’s Lane Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
EUFAULA, Okla. (March 18, 2024) – Boater Eli Brumnett of Wagoner, Oklahoma, caught a five-bass limit weighing 19 pounds, 15 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Eufaula . Hosted by Vision Eufaula, the tournament was the second event of the season for the BFL Okie Division. Brumnett earned $11,046, including the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.
For Brumnett, one of the keys to his win was following the mudline on Eufaula – the result of heavy rains earlier in the week.
“I think they (the fish) relate to it,” the 25-year-old plumber said. “I’ve always followed the mudline. I never go past it. I feel like that mudline pushes those fish out, and I’ve just always followed it. And I seem to get a better-quality bite on it.”
In practice, he caught a 6 1/2-pounder off a dock near the mudline midway back in a creek, but he knew the muddy runoff would continue advancing out toward the main lake.
“I ended up starting there (the creek where he practiced) along with about 30 other boats,” he said. “I caught one 5-pounder and couldn’t get another bite. So I ran to another spot, and I basically just followed the mudline out. Those fish were sitting right on the mudline. I had one more spot and caught all my weight in one spot on a jig and an A-rig.”
According to Brumnett, who competes in the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine and the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats, the second spot was right at the mouth of a creek. It was actually not the exact spot he had planned to fish. When he got to his target area, there were two boats already sitting there. So, he slid over to a nearby spot and wound up catching a 4-pounder within a few casts.
For the next three and a half hours, he worked back and forth along a 40-yard stretch, fishing just 2 to 5 feet deep.
Brumnett caught fish on a homemade football jig with a Living Rubber skirt and a Stealth Lures Stealth Rig – an umbrella rig – with Keitech 3.8 Swing Impact FAT Swimbaits in the crystal shad color.
“At first, I was throwing 1/16-ounce heads on my A-rig,” he said. “I noticed I got a lot of followers, and whenever I started to speed it up those fish would react to it a lot better and bite. So then I switched to 1/8-ounce heads. I was throwing it up in that shallower water and I was burning it back. I was keeping my bait 6 to 8 inches under the water’s surface.”
Having the right equipment also was key. Brumnett used his Garmin LiveScope system, not to spot and catch fish, but to make sure his bait was staying off the bottom in the shallow water. Plus, he credited his batteries as an important part of his success.
“(I relied on my) PowerHouse Lithium batteries for keeping me going on that three-and-a-half-hour-long stretch. I left all my graphs on all day and never had to sleep ’em.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Eli Brumnett, Wagoner, Okla., five bass, 19-15, $11,046 (includes $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd: Jeff Edwards, Sand Springs, Okla., five bass, 19-3, $2,578
3rd: Justin Phillips, Checotah, Okla., five bass, 17-9, $1,348
4th: Brett Brumnett, Wagoner, Okla., five bass, 16-12, $944
5th: Shawn Mote, Ardmore, Okla., five bass, 15-14, $809
6th: Kollin Crawford, Broken Bow, Okla., five bass, 15-4, $742
7th: Chris M. Jones, Bokoshe, Okla., five bass, 15-3, $640
7th: Bradley Sullivan, Shawnee, Okla., five bass, 15-3, $640
9th: Wesley Bissett, Broken Arrow, Okla., five bass, 14-15, $539
10th: Camden Kozikoski, Edmond, Okla., five bass, 14-4, $772
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Jeff Edwards of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $555.
Kaleb O’Brien of Wagoner, Oklahoma, won the Strike King co-angler division and $2,023 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 18 pounds, 2 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Kaleb O’Brien, Wagoner, Okla., five bass, 18-2, $2,023
2nd: J.R. Pickett, Rose Hill, Kan., four bass, 12-8, $1,011
3rd: Bruce Jordan, Muldrow, Okla., four bass, 11-1, $674
4th: Brandon Pickett, Sherman, Texas, five bass, 10-11, $472
5th: Justin Nobles, Owasso, Okla., five bass, 10-8, $405
6th: Dennis Buck, Joplin, Mo., four bass, 9-11, $371
7th: Marco Flores, Topeka, Kan., three bass, 9-9, $337
8th: Wes Ledbetter, Coweta, Okla., five bass, 9-4, $303
9th: Paul Rider, Oklahoma City, Okla., three bass, 9-3, $270
10th: Brianna Batton, Norman, Okla., three bass, 8-13, $236
Paul Lane of Wagoner, Oklahoma, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $277, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 15 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After two events, Shawn Mote of Ardmore, Oklahoma, leads the Fishing Clash Okie Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 493 points, while Alan Hill of Ada, Oklahoma, leads the Fishing Clash Okie Division Strike King Co-Angler of the Year race with 479 points.
The next event for BFL Okie Division anglers will be held April 27, at Fort Gibson Lake in Wagoner, Oklahoma. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 17-19 BFL Regional tournament on Wright Patman Lake in Texarkana, Texas. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard.
The 2024 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Dustin Connell Wins Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Shops REDCREST 2024 Powered by OPTIMA Lithium on Lay Lake
Clanton, Alabama’s Dustin Connell becomes first angler to earn two REDCREST Championship Titles, earns top payout of $300,000
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (March 17, 2024) – Just about every day in the 13 months since Major League Fishing announced that Bass Pro Shops REDCREST 2024 Powered by OPTIMA Lithium would take place on Lay Lake, Dustin Connell has thought about what it would be like to taste victory at the Coosa River impoundment where he grew up fishing.
But in all his dreaming, scheming and practicing, the Clanton, Alabama, native didn’t envision this.
Connell routed the rest of the Championship Round field Sunday, stacking 28 scorable bass for 83 pounds on SCORETRACKER® – more than 30 pounds better than runner-up Alton Jones, Jr. of Waco, Texas. The dominant performance earned Connell $300,000 and made him the first ever two-time winner of the Bass Pro Tour’s championship event.
It wasn’t just his margin of victory that surprised Connell but how he made it happen. As recently as Saturday evening, he planned to spend the final day fishing current seams in the riverine portion of the reservoir, as he had during the Knockout Round. But at the last minute, he called an audible, opting to start on the lower end of the lake targeting suspended, schooling spotted bass. One of several clutch decisions he made over the four-day event, doing so led to Connell landing on a pile of unpressured bass and unleashing an avalanche that buried the rest of the Top 10.
“This tournament has been on my radar ever since they announced it last year,” Connell said. “I’m like, ‘Oh man, I gotta win that one. That’s a great opportunity. I gotta win that one.’ And I won it today unexpectedly. I didn’t know that many [were] in there. They just moved in there.”
Competing on a fishery that an angler knows well comes with obvious advantages. Connell put his lifetime of experience on the Coosa River to use all week – knowing how baitfish and bass would behave amid the heavy current that rolled through Lay Lake, where bass would set up in that current, the best baits to trigger bites.
But there’s a reason so many anglers talk about the “home-lake curse”: Remembering places and ways one has caught fish in the past can get in the way of finding the best way to do so at the present.
Connell wasn't immune to the pull of history, but he made it a point to base his decisions about where to fish on what he saw on the water, not where he’d found success before.
“When I’m running down the river, I’ve caught ‘em on so many different places, and I’m like, golly, I need to stop, I need to stop,” Connell said. “But I told myself before I fished this tournament, I said, ‘I’m going to fish this lake like I would any other one, not run off of history.’ I wanted to fish it brand new. And I did all week. I did really, really good practicing and just trying to find new areas.”
Key for Connell was turning over every possible stone to discover what could be the winning area. Not only during practice but also the two-day Qualifying Round, he visited every section of the lake, switching between techniques – shaking a jighead minnow for suspended fish, swimming a jig in grass, rolling a spinnerbait around laydowns, plying current seams with a scrounger head.
His thorough approach paid off on the second day of qualifying, when Connell found what would become his winning spot. Friday afternoon, he pulled into a bay off the main lake that featured two depressions where bass were chasing schools of shad. He caught just one 4-pounder there, but the number of baitfish present led him to mentally flag the area.
“The two depressions harbor the bait, and the fish swim around those depressions and feed on all the bait,” he explained. “And it’s just like their home place. It’s the deepest water in that bay, and the big spots just roam out there and chase that bait. And in the past, I’ve caught them in there. I’ve caught them on a jerkbait, I've seen them schooling in there. And I knew that they lived in there. I’ve caught them there a bunch of times, but not to that extent.”
Finding the area was one thing, but it took a series of clutch calls for Connell to find himself back there on Championship Day. Even as he arrived at the launch ramp Sunday morning, he was torn between returning to the river, where he’d caught more than 52 pounds of scorable bass the day prior, or joining the forward-facing sonar crowd in the lower lake. Feeling like his urge to fish current stemmed at least in part from nostalgia, he settled on starting the day chasing schooling fish, then running upriver in the afternoon, when the bite had been better the past two days (if need be).
“I said, I can catch 50-something pounds – maybe 60 (in the river),” Connell said. “I can’t catch 75 up there, no way. And I thought it was going to take 70, 72 pounds total (to win), because I figured they would catch a lot of fish. I said, ‘I’m going to go down, start down here and then work my way up.’ ... Well, I never got to go upriver.”
Connell’s first stop was the main-lake area that had accounted for most of the forward-facing sonar success all week – half of the 10-angler field started Sunday morning within sight of one another. Whether due to pressure or those bass heading to the bank to spawn, it quickly became apparent that the bite had dried up.
After feeling several fish short-strike his bait, Connell became the first to leave. He first stopped in a nearby pocket before hitting the bay where he’d caught the 4-pounder two days prior. Before even dropping his trolling motor into the water, he knew he’d found something special.
“I rolled up, and as soon as I set the boat down, I saw bait on my 2D (sonar), and I said, ‘Dude, we’re about to catch ‘em,’” Connell said. “‘They’ve got to be here; all the bait’s in here.’ And this low-light conditions had all that bait up shallow, and they were there.”
Connell began Period 2 in second place, 6-7 back of Berrien Springs, Michigan pro Ron Nelson. Within the first 15 minutes, he boated back-to-back 4-pounders to take the lead. From there, the rout was on. In a 70-minute span, he put 10 scorable bass on the scale, adding 29-4 to his total and extending his cushion to more than 20 pounds. By noon, he’d already reset the bar for the best single day of the week.
He didn’t just catch fish in bulk quantities, either. Connell landed 14 spotted bass of 3 pounds or bigger and three over 4 pounds. In all, he piled on 41-12 on 14 fish during Period 2, all of them eating a new minnow-style soft plastic from Rapala CrushCity called a Mooch Minnow. The bait is slated for public release at ICAST this summer.
“That bait is the perfect size, and it has two small tabs at the back of that creates a small, subtle swimming action,” Connell explained. “And instead of it just being straight-tailed, that little action, man, it really gets them going. I caught every bass I weighed in today on that bait. And it’s made out of TPE, and you can catch like 20 fish on [each one].”
Competing amid familiar surroundings with family and friends in attendance made for an emotional week for Connell. Even before he launched Sunday, he found himself tearing up, thinking about his journey from fishing Lay Lake out of an aluminum boat as a kid to returning as one of the most accomplished pros in the world.
“I’ve been shook up all day,” Connell said. “I was crying this morning at the boat ramp. This lake is very sentimental to me – the whole Coosa River system. I grew up fishing that way, fishing those lakes and catching those big spotted bass, and it just meant a lot.”
During the final minutes of Period 3, the tears returned, as his massive lead offered Connell a rare chance to soak in the win and what it meant in real time. He reminisced about catching Lay Lake spotted bass on topwaters with his brother – who was among the contingent to greet him at the boat ramp after his win – about asking his mother to drive him to the lake so he could fish from a canoe.
In some ways, this triumph – even with its lucrative first-place paycheck – is nothing new for Connell. He’s won REDCREST before, in 2021 at Lake Eufaula. It’s his sixth Bass Pro Tour win and his second in the past six weeks after he engineered a similar final-day beatdown at Stage One on Toledo Bend.
But making another fond memory on the Coosa River and celebrating in person with some of the people who got him into fishing make this victory particularly sweet. Connell doesn’t think he could have made the winning decisions without his support system.
“I think I’ve just started to mature as an angler and understand how things happen and just be very methodical about things,” he said. “I guess, getting older, I just slow down a little bit more, just kind of analyze everything. Used to be I would freak out, run around and just make bad decisions. Now, decision-making is good, it’s solid. I’m in a good place. I have great sponsors. And when you’ve got that kind of support behind you, you can settle down.”
The top 10 pros at Bass Pro Shops REDCREST 2024 Powered by OPTIMA Lithium at Lay Lake are:
1st: Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., 28 bass, 83-0, $300,000
2nd: Alton Jones, Jr., Waco, Texas, 19 bass, 52-2, $50,000
3rd: Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich., 12 bass, 39-9, $40,000
4th: Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan, 13 bass, 36-11, $28,000
5th: Jesse Wiggins, Addison, Ala., 12 bass, 32-8, $25,000
6th: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 11 bass, 29-13, $20,000
7th: Gerald Spohrer, Gonzales, La., 11 bass, 29-9, $18,000
8th: Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 10 bass, 25-15, $16,000
9th: Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn., nine bass, 24-2, $14,500
10th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., seven bass, 18-1, $12,500
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 132 scorable bass weighing 371 pounds, 6 ounces caught by the final 10 pros Sunday. Throughout the entire four-day event, the 50 REDCREST 2024 competitors caught a total of 1,038 scorable bass weighing 2,283 pounds, 3 ounces.
Pro Ron Nelson of Berrien Springs, Michigan, earned Sunday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award with a 5-pound, 3-ounce spotted bass that he caught on a swimbait in Period 1. Power-Pole pro Chris Lane earned the $3,000 Berkley Big Bass Bonus for weighing in the heaviest bass of the event – a 7-pound, 1-ounce spotted bass that he caught on Day 2 of competition.
Bass Pro Shops REDCREST 2024 Powered by OPTIMA Lithium on Lay Lake was hosted by the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau, and showcased the top 40 professional anglers from the 2023 Bass Pro Tour, along with the top champions and finishers across all MLF circuits.
Television coverage of REDCREST 2024 Powered by OPTIMA Lithium will be showcased across two, two-hour episodes, premiering at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, July 6 and July 13 on Discovery Channel. Starting in July 2024, MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery Channel, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Garmin, General Tire, Humminbird, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Rapala, StarBrite, Suzuki, Toyota and U.S. Air Force.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Smallmouth and largemouth in play at Kayak Championship on Tenkiller
March 17, 2024
Smallmouth and largemouth in play at Kayak Championship on Tenkiller
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Qualified kayak anglers from around the country will gather in eastern Oklahoma to compete in the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship scored by TourneyX, and Oklahoma’s own Jim Baird believes there will be plenty of opportunities to catch both smallmouth and largemouth.
“We should be able to smack them,” Baird said. “It all depends on how much rain we get. I expect there to be good numbers of bass caught. There will be a few big bass caught.”
Tournament days are scheduled for March 20-21 in conjunction with the weeklong celebration surrounding the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors, and anglers will be able to launch from any approved public launch on the lake. The top finishers will be honored on the Classic stage at the BOK Center in Tulsa before Friday’s Day 1 weigh-in.
While its appearances on the Bassmaster schedule are limited, events held on Tenkiller have certainly been memorable. In 2018, Cody Huff and Bethel University partner Garrett Enders won a College National Championship there. The next year, Carl Jocumsen notched his first career Elite Series victory on the fishery.
Both of those events were held in the summer or early fall. But this time, kayak anglers will be dealing with a moody Oklahoma spring, which could bring any type of weather. The long-range forecast currently calls for daytime highs in the 70s, nighttime lows in the 40s and rain each day.
“Weather will be a huge part of this,” Baird said. “In a normal, mild season, water levels will be a little above normal and it will be stained to clear. It will be clear near the dam. The Illinois River can get pretty wild with not a lot of rain.”
Baird anticipates the bass will already be entering the prespawn phase. The smallmouth tend to set up on steeper banks and bluff walls. The river section could also yield big smallmouth bites if the water is high enough.
Largemouth, meanwhile, will be found around some of the flooded timber Tenkiller has to offer, as well as brushpiles and islands. If the water rises, buckbrush and bushes will provide flipping and pitching opportunities.
Spotted bass also inhabit the lake, but Baird views them as more of a nuisance and doesn’t expect them to factor.
“The largemouth will for sure be in prespawn, while the smallmouth may be a little behind,” Baird said. “They tend to spawn later. I think there will probably be more smallmouth caught.”
With bass in the prespawn mode, Baird said he anticipates a jerkbait being a key lure for the top finishers as well as a jig or a soft plastic.
“The jerkbait is probably going to be the biggest player,” he said. “That’s typical for anywhere really this time of the year.”
The field is made up of qualifiers from the 2023 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series scored by TourneyX regular season. The winner will pocket $54,000.
The event is being hosted by Explore Cherokee County, Oklahoma, Tour Tahlequah and the Greater Tenkiller Area Association.
2024 Bassmaster Kayak Series Title Sponsor: Yamaha Rightwaters2024 Bassmaster Kayak Series Partner: MotorGuide, YakGear2024 Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year Sponsor: Dakota Lithium
Auburn Claims Fishing Version of “Iron Bowl” with ‘College Fishing Faceoff Presented by This Is Alabama’ Win over Alabama
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (March 17, 2024) – Two Alabama staples are bass fishing and college football. While the Bass Pro Shops REDCREST Powered by OPTIMA Lithium was taking place Saturday on Lay Lake, a friendly in-state rivalry combining two of Alabama's favorite pastimes was happening one lake up the Coosa River.
The Auburn University and University of Alabama bass fishing teams competed for bragging rights in their own Iron Bowl on Logan Martin Lake at the Abu Garcia College Fishing Faceoff Presented by This Is Alabama.
It was a close finish, but Auburn pulled away in the fourth quarter and won with a total of 68 pounds, 7 ounces for their two-boat team to Alabama’s 52-8. The College Faceoff was contested under MLF’s catch/weigh/release format, with officials on each boat and a minimum weight of 1-8 for a scorable bass.
Auburn’s four-man team consisted of Sam Harvey and Hayden Marbut in one boat and Blake Milligan and Carson Maddux in the second boat. Both schools wore headsets identical to those in the General Tire Team Series and communicated throughout the day.
"We talked together all day long and had a good time. It was a lot of fun," said Marbut, winner of a recent Toyota Series on Lake Guntersville. "We were fishing the same things and communicating about it to stay on the same page. All of us were throwing a Berkley Powerbait Maxscent Flatnose Minnow on a Damiki rig in any shad color. It didn't matter which one we were using.
Even though Logan Martin’s bass are itching to spawn, the Auburn duos decided to stick with this approach in open water.
"The bass are on the bank spawning, but there are still a bunch of fish out in the creek mouths, drains, and backs of little pockets," Marbut said. "We were both targeting bait balls and using forward-facing sonar to catch our fish. We caught a bunch, probably 60 in our boat, and only one in three was big enough to count; you just had to weed through them to get a scoreable."
Harvey and Marbut boated 37-14 on 19 bass and Milligan and Maddux added 30-9 for their 13 scoreable bass.
Alabama's team consisted of Hayden O'Barr and Cooper Gilroy catching 21 bass for 40-5 in one boat and Patrick McMurray and Dillan Dolvera boating six for 12-3 in the other.
This was the first taste of the SCORETRACKER® pressure for several of the anglers, and they enjoyed the competition.
"It got really close there for awhile before we pulled away at the end," Marbut said. "I've fished that format for a couple of different events, but fishing under this format with an official was a blast. It was intense all day and full speed ahead from the minute we started."
The Iron Bowl football series dates back to 1893 and has 88 meetings in total. The budding bass fishing rivalry has a long way to go to match that, but both teams enjoyed the friendly competition.
"It's not nearly as big as the football rivalry, but we tried to have some fun with it," Marbut said. "We know a lot of those guys and compete against them in different events. I hope we can do another one of these sometime."
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular MLF College Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Field of 10 Anglers Set for Championship Sunday at Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Shops REDCREST 2024 Powered by OPTIMA Lithium on Lay Lake
Clanton, Alabama’s Dustin Connell catches 18 bass weighing 52-15 to lead top 10 anglers into final day of competition
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (March 16, 2024) – The Knockout Round at Bass Pro Shops REDCREST Powered by OPTIMA Lithium turned into a no-holds-barred melee. It didn’t matter whether anglers were chasing spotted bass with forward-facing sonar, beating the bank or dissecting current, the bite caught fire across Lay Lake, with the top spot on SCORETRACKER® and the weight needed to qualify for Sunday’s Championship Round fluctuating all day as a result.
Ultimately, Dustin Connell of Clanton, Alabama, wound up atop the leaderboard with 18 scorable bass for 52 pounds, 15 ounces. Connell bailed on his main-lake area where he caught most of his fish during the Qualifying Round, instead opting to run up the river and fish beneath the Logan Martin dam. He started slow, spending the first two periods below the cut line, before making an adjustment and boating 10 spotted bass for 29 pounds even in the final period. He finished just 1 ounce ahead of Gonzales, Louisiana’s Gerald Spohrer , who ended the day in second place.
Meanwhile, after 39-1 across two days proved enough to qualify for the Knockout Round, it took nearly as much Saturday alone to earn a spot in the Top 10 and a shot at the $300,000 first-place paycheck. Nick Hatfield claimed the 10th and final spot with 38-14, 1-8 ahead of BFL All-American champion Emil Wagner. University of Montevallo angler Dalton Head narrowly missed extending his dream event another day as well, finishing 12th.
Connell has emerged as a vocal proponent of forward-facing sonar, and for good reason. The technology played a role in each of his five previous Bass Pro Tour wins, including Stage One this year on Toledo Bend. But this week, on a lake he grew up fishing without modern electronics, he’s making it a point to try and win old school.
“I don’t want this tournament to get won, on my home lake, ‘Scoping,” he said. “I’m going to do my best to save it.”
Connell believed his best chance to find bass in the same numbers as those anglers using live sonar would be in the turbulent tailrace at the upper end of this week’s playing field. Finding the morning bite slow there surprised him; he was the last angler in the field to post a scorable bass.
“That first period was just brutal," Connell said. “There was no doubt in my mind that I was going to get some bites here and there, but the speed at which I was going to get a bite was just slow. I mean, it was just dead.”
Knowing he needed to make a move to keep pace with the cut line, Connell resisted the temptation to run to the lower end of the lake, instead moving about 10 miles downriver to a current seam shortly after the start of the third period. It didn’t take long for the decision to pay off.
During a 32-minute flurry from 1:37-2:09 p.m., Connell used a Rapala CrushCity Freeloader on a scrounger head to haul in seven scorable bass and leap from outside the Top 10 into the lead. Not even getting his line tangled in his clip-on microphone could slow him down.
“I pulled up on a place and stomped ‘em, right off the rip,” Connell said. “And then I was like, okay, we’re good.”
Lay Lake continues to showcase its diversity, with five distinct patterns producing spots in the Top 10. However, Connell believes the championship will boil down to a battle between anglers fishing current up the river and those using forward-facing sonar to chase schooling spotted bass at the lower end of the main lake.
The Knockout Round results support that assessment. Connell wasn’t the only angler in the river to catch fire late. Berrien Springs, Michigan pro Ron Nelson, who hunkered down in a honey hole just beneath the Logan Martin dam spillway, also started the third period outside the Top 10. Like Connell, he stacked 10 scorable bass on SCORETRACKER® in the final 2½ hours, climbing all the way to third. Spohrer did all his damage in the current, too.
While those three ended up claiming the top spots in the Knockout Round, that might have had something to do with the fact that the most proficient anglers using forward-facing sonar caught their weight early before intentionally backing off the throttle. Michael Neal, Cole Floyd and Jacob Wheeler all spent much of the day in the top five. Neal has looked particularly in tune with the roaming fish, leading after Day 1 of qualifying and after each of the first two periods Saturday.
"I feel like I’ve pretty much led the tournament all the way through even though I haven’t technically been at the top of the leaderboard, just because I’ve quit every day,” Neal said. “But tomorrow, there’s no quitting. We’re going to burn it to the ground.”
Connell acknowledged that Neal and company will be tough to beat. He also noted that the generation at Logan Martin dam is scheduled to change Sunday, which might reposition his fish.
Still, he’s “all-in on the river.” Predicting it will take more than 50 pounds to hoist the trophy, he doubts he can catch as many fish as his lower-lake competition but hopes to make up for it with a bigger average.
“I’m trying to catch big ones,” he said. “I want to catch big spots. That’s why we come here.”
Another variable that could favor Connell’s approach is having less company nearby. Neal, Wheeler, Floyd, Hatfield and Alton Jones Jr. are all scanning the same section of the lake, often within sight of one another. While a few of the anglers who occupied that same zone during the first three days of competition missed the cut, the fish have to be feeling the pressure.
Meanwhile, Connell didn’t see another angler near his Saturday afternoon spot. Even if someone else has stopped by, he said, the dynamic nature of river fishing means the fish probably won’t be caught with the same presentation.
“I’m in a section of the river I don’t think is getting a lot of pressure,” Connell said. “And tomorrow, the water schedule is supposed to change some, so it’s going to change the whole deal. It’s going to mix up a lot of things.”
Connell admitted that there’s a chance he’s being too stubborn. But whether it’s because he’s already experienced a REDCREST win, taking home the trophy at Lake Eufaula in 2021, or because of his many memories catching spotted bass out of Coosa River current, he doesn’t just want to add another title to his resume. He wants to do it his way.
“It’s very sentimental to me to have a chance at a major, major tournament at one of my home waters that I’ve always fished, but I worry if I’m being too stubborn or not,” Connell said. “So, it’s back and forth. I don’t mind going down there and ‘Scoping, but it would mean way more to me if I won it doing what I’m doing.”
The top 10 pros that made the cut and will advance to Championship Sunday on Lay Lake are:
1st: Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., 18 bass, 52-15
2nd: Gerald Spohrer, Gonzales, La., 20 bass, 52-14
3rd: Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich., 17 bass, 51-12
4th: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 18 bass, 48-12
5th: Alton Jones, Jr., Waco, Texas, 19 bass, 46-8
6th: Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 17 bass, 45-14
7th: Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan, 17 bass, 44-15
8th: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 17 bass, 44-6
9th: Jesse Wiggins, Addison, Ala., 17 bass, 42-13
10th: Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn., 14 bass, 38-14
Finishing in 11th through 20th place are:
11th: Emil Wagner, Marietta, Ga., 14 bass, 37-6
12th: Dalton Head, Moody, Ala., 13 bass, 33-12
13th: John Cox, DeBary, Fla., 10 bass, 32-6
14th: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., 10 bass, 26-12
15th: Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala., eight bass, 24-12
16th: Greg Vinson, Wetumpka, Ala., nine bass, 24-4
17th: Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., seven bass, 18-1
18th: Ryan Salzman, Huntsville, Ala., six bass, 16-15
19th: Cliff Pace, Petal, Miss., five bass, 14-10
20th: Jonathon VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., four bass, 11-2
A complete list of results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Overall, there were 260 scorable bass weighing 709 pounds, 11 ounces caught by the 20 pros Saturday.
Cox won the $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award Saturday with a 5-pound, 6-ounce largemouth bass that he sight-fished off of a bed on a wacky-rigged worm in Period 1. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day, and a $3,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass of the tournament. Chris Lane’s 7-pound, 1-ounce spotted bass that he weighed on Day 2 is currently the biggest bass weighed in the competition thus far.
All 50 Anglers competed on Days 1 (Thursday) and 2 (Friday) of the event. After two days of competition, the field was cut to just the top 20 based on two-day total cumulative weight. Weights were zeroed, and the top 20 anglers competed on Day 3 (Saturday). Only the top 10 anglers now advance to the fourth and final day of competition. Weights are zeroed again for Sunday’s championship round, and the winner is determined by the heaviest one-day total cumulative weight, with the victor earning the top prize of $300,000 and the REDCREST 2024 trophy.
The General Tire Take Off Ceremony will begin each morning at 6:15 a.m. on Championship Sunday at Beeswax Landing, located at 245 Beeswax Park Road in Columbiana, Alabama. The final 10 anglers will depart at 7 a.m. and return after competition ends at 3:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLF NOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
In conjunction with the event, the FREE, family-friendly REDCREST Outdoor Sports Expo will also take place Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, located at 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N., in Birmingham. Fishing and outdoor enthusiasts will have the opportunity to visit numerous booths and vendors, showcasing the latest and greatest in fishing, boating and the outdoors. The biggest names in the outdoor industry will be on hand, including the professional anglers that compete on the Bass Pro Tour and legends of the sport.
Children are welcome to visit and play in the MLF Kids Zone, plus meet Skye & Marshall from PAW Patrol. Throughout the day there will be giveaways and prizes, including signed MLF angler jerseys, rods and reels, gift cards, and more. On Sunday one lucky attendee will walk away with a brand new 2024 Toyota Tacoma truck. Fans must be present to win the Tacoma grand prize. For more information on the MLF Outdoor Sports Expo, visit REDCRESTExpo.com.
The 2023 Bass Pro Tour featured a field of 80 of the top professional anglers in the world competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country. The top 40 anglers in the Angler of the Year (AOY) standings after the seven events qualified to compete in REDCREST 2024 Powered by OPTIMA Lithium.
The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on Championship Sunday from 7:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT. MLFNOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of REDCREST 2024 Powered by OPTIMA Lithium will be showcased across two, two-hour episodes, premiering at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, July 6 and July 13 on Discovery Channel. Starting in July 2024, MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery Channel, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Garmin, General Tire, Humminbird, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Rapala, StarBrite, Suzuki, Toyota and U.S. Air Force.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
VanDam’s emotional last launch
While Kevin VanDam laid sleeping in a downtown Birmingham hotel room Thursday night, his bride, best friend, and business partner, Sherry couldn’t close her eyes. She knew that Friday might very well be his very last day to compete on bass fishing’s biggest stage, and so she began to write.
Her words flowed like the Coosa River he’d won the 2010 Classic on, the same body of water that may serve as his final playing field today, if he can’t pull off a miraculous fish-catching frenzy. They were sentences filled with gratitude for all the sport had given their family, and the treasured friends and fans his phenomenal 33-years as a pro had granted them.
Mostly, they were sentences filled with admiration and love. “I truly can’t believe today may be the last day our family is together at one of his tournaments. It’s all the boys have ever known, and practically all Kevin and I have known, as he started his pro journey just three years after we started dating,” she posted to social media.
When her husband awoke five hour later to begin the one-hour drive alone to Lay Lake, she read her words to him, and he responded, “You just about flooded my contacts right out of my eyes.”
Kevin’s not much of a crier, but the finality of 33-years on tour hit harder Friday morning than the line of thunderstorms that rolled across Alabama shortly after blast-off. As is always the case, he obliged one interview request after another with class and kindness, while tied to the dock, with one exception, for the first time in the 28 richly blessed years I’ve had the honor of covering him, he stopped to wipe tears from his 56-year-old eyes.
“Sherry’s text was heavy. As has been the case for 33 years, I’m focused on the tournament, while she’s seeing the bigger picture, and when she read those words summing up this life we’ve lived for three decades, it hit me really hard this morning,” says VanDam.
“We’re well aware of what an incredible life this sport has given us, but just like all pro bass fishing families, there are tons of ups and downs, time away from home, just a lot of sacrifice. But it’s been a blast,” he adds.
“Names in the tournament standings change over time, but what doesn’t change is the friendships we’ve made with so many other pros, as well as fishing industry people like Trip Weldon, Kathy Fennel, and all the media and writers who have befriended us, the list goes on and on. Those friendships are what we get to hold on to,” he reflects.
After a really tough day on the water Thursday, VanDam said he planned to just take it all in today. So, in perfectly fitting fashion, while the rest of the field headed to the main lake, he hooked a left, and made his first cast in the exact same five acres of water, back in Beeswax Creek where he won the 2010 Bassmaster Classic.
Only this morning, perhaps his corneas were a bit more saturated than 14 years ago.
Toad Talk brings MDJ perspective
Team Toyota’s Mark Daniels Jr. did not have a great start to the 2024 REDCREST Championship on Lay Lake, Alabama. The Tuskegee University grad managed just three scorable bass, but a late afternoon conversation with his onboard MLF official put life in proper perspective.
“We all have bad days. I fished the way I wanted to, without forward-facing sonar, searching for shallow spawners with a wacky-rigged Senko. Practice was decent. But today, they weren’t having it. I feel pretty clueless right now, but I feel like my official, Bob put life in proper perspective at the end of the day,” says Daniels.
A full day on the water shared between a top pro angler and a ride-along official can certainly yield fellowship if the two are mutually receptive to meaningful conversation, and that’s exactly what precipitated between “MDJ” and Roswell, GA-based MLF official Bob Hubbard.
“With only 20 minutes left in this tough day, Bob was sharing how his 22-year-old son was forced to overcome a ton of adversity when an athletic injury changed the course of his life. He told me that fishing basically became a life raft for his son, and at that very moment, a bass smashed this black toad on the surface,” explains Daniels.
Neither Bear Bryant nor Nick Saban could have convinced Daniels or Hubbard the perfectly timed topwater bite to punctuate the life-changing feeling fishing gives us, was purely a coincidence. It was a goosebump-raising moment that both men easily labeled the best part of a tough day on the Coosa River.
“That bite put it all in perspective. This sport helped save Bob’s 22-year-old son in many ways. I just need to go out and have fun Friday, with a clear perspective on why I’m here in the first place,” concludes Daniels.
Funny how a plastic toad became the catalyst to the best moment on an otherwise tough day for the highly likeable Toyota pro.
Michael Neal Takes Day 1 Lead at Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Shops REDCREST 2024 Powered by OPTIMA Lithium on Lay Lake
Tennessee pro boats 21 bass weighing 52-9 to take early lead after day 1, full field of 50 anglers to compete again Friday
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (March 14, 2024) – In the days leading up to Bass Pro Shops REDCREST 2024 Powered by OPTIMA Lithium, no one seemed to know what to expect from Lay Lake. While it’s normal for competitors to keep coy prior to lines in, the air of mystery felt real this time – Kevin VanDam even reported that he took the water on Day 1 with 43 rods rigged and ready.
Through one day, at least, the answer has been lots of bass, particularly offshore on the main lake. The 50-angler field accounted for 362 total scorable bass, with 20 pros topping the 20-pound mark. And even though air temperatures climbed into the 80s Thursday and water hit the 60s, spotted bass chasing bait in the main channel on the lower end of the reservoir produced much of that weight, with more than half of the Top 10, including the Day 1 leader, pro Michael Neal of Dayton, Tennessee, roaming the same stretch.
Neal stacked 21 scorable bass weighing 52 pounds, 9 ounces on SCORETRACKER®, giving him an 8-pound, 3-ounce lead over Dalton Head of Moody, Alabama. The 21-year-old University of Montevallo angler put his local knowledge to good use, creating plenty of distance between himself and the cut line and even climbing to the top of the standings at one point. Pro Anthony Gagliardi of Prosperity, South Carolina, who fished within sight of Neal for much of the day, sits in third with 38-13, just 13 ounces clear of Coosa River local pro Dustin Connell of Clanton, Alabama, who ended the day in fourth.
While many of the top performers Thursday employed similar approaches, that could change as the weather, water clarity and current all remain in flux. Connell even went so far as to predict that using forward-facing sonar to target suspended fish will not win. And with weights set to zero twice before a champion is crowned, the event is still wide open.
Link to Hi-Res Photo of Day 1 Leader Michael Neal
Link to HD Video – Fish-Catch Highlights of REDCREST 2024 Day 1 on Lay Lake
Link to Photo Gallery of REDCREST 2024 Day 1 Afternoon Highlights
For about the first six hours of competition, Neal never cranked up his Mercury. He spent that entire time milling around in an area on the main lake, spinning rod in hand, scanning for spotted bass.
It didn’t take long to see why he started in that area, which he found the final day of practice, and spent so much time hunkered there. During a 30-minute flurry that started around 8 a.m., he boated seven scorable bass that weighed a combined 17-10, vaulting to the top of SCORETRACKER® in the process.
Neal described his approach as typical late winter/early spring spotted bass fishing: find the baitfish, find the bass.
“They focus their whole life around bait besides when they go to spawn, and that’s what I’ve been doing is just focusing on bait,” he explained. “It doesn’t really matter how deep it is or where it’s really located; just the more bait the better.”
Yesteryear’s conventional wisdom would have suggested that, with the water temperature in the 60s, it was time to beat the bank. And while we did see a few anglers sight-fishing for spawning bass Thursday, Neal believes the healthy population of Alabama bass in Lay Lake spawn later than their largemouth counterparts, especially given the amount of current that’s been rolling through the reservoir recently.
“I went to the bank and tried to make them be on the bank, kind of like everybody else did, and just didn’t get any bites,” Neal said. “And the ones I did were just real little. It’s just a matter of listening to what the fish have got to say and not worrying a whole lot about what the weather’s telling you. You’ve just got to fish where they are and let them tell you what they’re doing.
“I think these spots will be spawning way after the largemouth here. I think they wait on like no current and things like that to spawn on the river, and they just haven’t had those options yet.”
While Neal said he could have put more weight on SCORETRACKER® – he went into practice mode with about 90 minutes left in Period 3, once he hit the 50-pound mark – he doesn’t think he can ride his starting spot to a championship. For one thing, he’s concerned about the number of other anglers in the area. Neal plans to use the second day of qualifying to try to find a less-popular school.
“I've got some other places I can go run, and I’ve pretty much got a full day tomorrow to go try and find some other stuff, too,” he said. “Just gotta be smart with how I play the day tomorrow to try and find some fresh stuff.”
There’s also a weather change in the forecast, with thunderstorms expected Friday. While Neal doesn’t think that will have too great an impact on the fish he’s targeting – of all the bass in the reservoir, they should be the most stable – he said there’s a chance it stirs up the pollen that has collected in the water. Pollen has proved to be the enemy of ‘Scopers, clouding their screens and making it difficult to identify fish.
“It wasn’t bad – like, I didn’t really notice it to start,” Neal said of the pollen Thursday. “But as the day went on, it got worse and worse. But we’re supposed to have like an inch of rain tomorrow, so it’s going to change. Whether it makes it better or worse with the pollen, I don’t know, but it’ll be one or the other.”
While he hopes to find new fish Friday, Neal doesn’t plan to veer too drastically from his game plan. He’s fully committed to targeting spotted bass on the lower end of Lay Lake.
“I’m going to do some shallow stuff, but I’m not going largemouth fishing at all,” he said. “I’m going to go in some pockets and fish some places where I feel like spots would spawn and stuff, but I’m going to go to the same area of the lake and kind of put all my eggs in one basket and hope for the best.”
The standings after Day 1 on Lay Lake are:
1st: Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., 21 bass, 52-9
2nd: Dalton Head, Moody, Ala., 17 bass, 44-6
3rd: Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C., 15 bass, 38-13
4th: Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., 16 bass, 38-0
5th: Ryan Salzman, Huntsville, Ala., 10 bass, 35-11
6th: Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn., 15 bass, 35-9
7th: Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich., 13 bass, 33-14
8th: Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio, 13 bass, 32-1
9th: Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala., 10 bass, 31-0
10th: Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn., 11 bass, 29-2
11th: Jonathon VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., nine bass, 26-11
12th: John Cox, DeBary, Fla., 10 bass, 26-9
13th: Alton Jones, Jr., Waco, Texas, 10 bass, 25-12
14th: Greg Vinson, Wetumpka, Ala., nine bass, 25-1
15th: Jesse Wiggins, Addison, Ala., 10 bass, 24-6
16th: Gerald Spohrer, Gonzales, La., nine bass, 22-15
17th: Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn., seven bass, 22-9
18th: Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., eight bass, 21-14
19th: Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas, eight bass, 21-4
20th: Matthew Stefan, Junction City, Wis., eight bass, 20-11
21st: Bradley Roy, Lancaster, Ky., eight bass, 19-11
22nd: Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo., eight bass, 18-15
23rd: Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark., seven bass, 18-14
24th: Dakota Ebare, Brookeland, Texas, six bass, 17-15
25th: Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., six bass, 17-5
26th: Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan, six bass, 16-8
27th: Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J., six bass, 16-6
28th: John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky., six bass, 15-6
29th: Alton Jones, Lorena, Texas, six bass, 14-14
30th: Cliff Pace, Petal, Miss., five bass, 14-12
31st: Dylan Hays, Hot Springs, Ark., five bass, 14-5
32nd: Cody Meyer, Star, Idaho, five bass, 13-12
33rd: David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va., five bass, 13-11
34th: Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., four bass, 13-8
35th: Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., five bass, 13-2
36th: Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., five bass, 13-1
37th: Joshua Weaver, Macon, Ga., four bass, 11-15
38th: Mark Rose, Wynne, Ark., five bass, 11-6
39th: Jordan Lee, Cullman, Ala., three bass, 10-8
40th: Emil Wagner, Marietta, Ga., four bass, 10-4
41st: Mark Daniels, Jr., Tuskegee, Ala., three bass, 9-2
42nd: Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., three bass, 8-12
43rd: Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, three bass, 8-9
44th: Josh Butler, Hayden, Ala., three bass, 7-8
45th: Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla., three bass, 7-0
46th: Kelly Jordon, Flint, Texas, three bass, 6-5
47th: Chad Mrazek, Montgomery, Texas, two bass, 5-12
48th: Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala., two bass, 4-4
49th: Kevin VanDam, Kalamazoo, Mich., one bass, 3-8
50th: Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C., one bass, 3-2
Overall, there were 362 scorable bass weighing 968 pounds, 13 ounces caught by the 50 pros Thursday.
Salzman earned Thursday’s $1,000 Berkley Big Bass Award with a 5-pound, 10-ounce spotted bass that he caught on a squarebill crankbait in Period 1. Berkley awards $1,000 to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass each day, and a $3,000 bonus to the angler who weighs the heaviest bass of the tournament.
All 50 Anglers will compete on Days 1 (Thursday) and 2 (Friday) of the event. After two days of competition, the field is cut to just the top 20 based on two-day total cumulative weight. Weights are zeroed, and the top 20 anglers compete on Day 3 (Saturday). Only the top 10 anglers advance to the fourth and final day of competition. Weights are zeroed again for the final-day championship round, and the winner is determined by the heaviest one-day total cumulative weight, with the victor earning the top prize of $300,000 and the REDCREST 2024 trophy.
The General Tire Take Off Ceremony will begin each morning at 6:15 a.m. each day of competition at Beeswax Landing, located at 245 Beeswax Park Road in Columbiana, Alabama. Anglers will depart at 7 a.m. each day and return after competition ends at 3:30 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend all launch events and also encouraged to follow the event online throughout the day on the MLF NOW!® live stream and SCORETRACKER® coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
In conjunction with the event, the FREE, family-friendly REDCREST Outdoor Sports Expo will also take place throughout the weekend, March 15-17 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, located at 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N., in Birmingham. Fishing and outdoor enthusiasts will have the opportunity to visit numerous booths and vendors, showcasing the latest and greatest in fishing, boating and the outdoors. The biggest names in the outdoor industry will be on hand, including the professional anglers that compete on the Bass Pro Tour and legends of the sport.
Children are welcome to visit and play in the MLF Kids Zone, plus meet Skye & Marshall from PAW Patrol. Throughout the day there will be giveaways and prizes, including signed MLF angler jerseys, rods and reels, gift cards, and more. On Sunday one lucky attendee will walk away with a brand new 2024 Toyota Tacoma truck. Fans must be present to win the Tacoma grand prize. For more information on the MLF Outdoor Sports Expo, visit REDCRESTExpo.com.
The 2023 Bass Pro Tour featured a field of 80 of the top professional anglers in the world competing across seven regular-season tournaments around the country. The top 40 anglers in the Angler of the Year (AOY) standings after the seven events qualified to compete in REDCREST 2024 Presented by OPTIMA Lithium.
The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on the final four days of competition from 7:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT. MLFNOW!® will be live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app.
Television coverage of REDCREST 2024 Presented by OPTIMA Lithium will be showcased across two, two-hour episodes, premiering at 7 a.m. ET, on Saturday, July 6 and July 13 on Discovery Channel. Starting in July 2024, MLF episodes premiere each Saturday morning on Discovery Channel, with re-airings on Outdoor Channel.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Bass Pro Tour include: Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, Garmin, General Tire, Humminbird, Lowrance, Mercury, MillerTech, Minn Kota, Mossy Oak Fishing, NITRO, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Rapala, StarBrite, Suzuki, Toyota and U.S. Air Force.
For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Tour, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
The Apex in Hardcore Fishing Wear
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Best fabrics and components, intelligent design, and brutal testing lead to Whitewater Fishing’s Great Lakes™ Pro Jacket and Bibs. |
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MUSKEGON, Mich. (March 13, 2024) – You don’t hear much about the field testing that goes into bringing products to market. It’s either buried as a footnote in a new product release or not mentioned at all. (Shamefully, consumers conduct final testing on some products being rushed to market.) The polar-opposite is true when NEXUS Outdoors and Whitewater Fishing president, Aaron Ambur, was queried about the new Great Lakes Pro Jacket and Bibs. He begins by plugging the field testing. “We tested sample after sample of the Great Lakes Pro with real anglers and our pro staff to get it right. They’d provide feedback and we’d make tweaks. In fact, the final design was tested on the water for 60-days before we were convinced it was perfect. When you are at this level of precision, it is all about the small details.” Even though recent to the scene, Whitewater Fishing represents a 100-year heritage of developing premium apparel for the outdoors, all products rigorously tested in the woods or on the water. |
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“The new Great Lakes Pro is our most technically designed and fabricated rain jacket and bib so far,” says Ambur. “For the angler who wants that one suit that will do it all during midwinter on the river, full-on ice fishing, or spring and fall fishing anywhere for anything, this is the suit.” “In a couple words: it’s clean and streamlined,” says Ambur. “And you get a level of stretch unprecedented in a 3-layer suit, while still being lightweight, durable, and athletic in form and function. The Great Lakes Pro Jacket and Bib is our team’s two-year product development effort designing the ultimate foul-weather fishing suit for hardcore anglers.” The centerpiece of the suit is Whitewater’s durable and proprietary 3-layer design, which consists of an exterior fabric, laminate, and light internal fabric layer. The deluxe 3-layer fabric earned Great Lakes Pro a 20k waterproof rating, meaning the fabric can endure 20,000 mm (ANSI standards) of water before any moisture gets through – that’s extreme waterproofing. (For reference, a 5,000 mm rating is the lowest a garment can have to be considered rainproof.) Moreover, the same 3-layer fabric is windproof, to keep you warm on cold, wind-cutting days. Combined, it’s battle armor for the wickedest weather. |
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Likewise, the Great Lakes Pro is remarkably breathable. Again, Whitewater being driven by honest numbers, the suit’s breathability rates 30,000g/m² - an exceptional rank. On the water, that means the Great Lakes Pro lets moisture escape while relentlessly keeping wind and water out. By moving body generated moisture out, you will not hold onto your sweat, which can be the starting point for getting cold. “From the first days of spraying Camp Dry on everything to what’s happening today, I’ve been there,” said Ambur, who has 30 years the outdoors soft goods industry, knowing industry guidelines, specifications, and ratings like the back of his hand. “With the Great Lakes Pro, I was beta testing our first production samples in long, cold showers at home. My wife thought I was crazy. But I wanted to find out if we were really getting it right before any of our pros took it out on the ice and water. Not to mention all the on-water days our external group of Whitewater Pros had testing and beating up the suit to ensure we were ready for launch.” Ambur continues: “All I can say is we got it right, and it’s our own special sauce, unlike anything competitors are doing with waterproofing and functional design engineering.” |
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Part of that functional design equation is solving for maximum mobility, yet not sacrificing on durability, which is delivered with the Great Lakes Pro’s poly/spandex 4-way stretch shell. The first generation of extreme weather outerwear entered the fishing scene in the 1990’s. Although many suits were indeed waterproof, they draped over your body like a heavy tarp and constructed like a one-ton truck. Movement was severely restricted. You’d literally get tired fishing in it, your body struggling against the suit’s resistance. Inversely, Whitewater’s 4-way stretch fabric moves with you on every cast, kneel, and across the deck, remaining comfortable all day long. Today, mobility is key and the Great Lakes Pro delivers. Additionally, precision fabric cuts work in concert with the 4-way stretch fabric to advance range of motion, every cut stitched and taped for waterproofness and durability. |
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Smart and specialized features adorn every inch of the Great Lakes Pro Jacket. Leading the pack is a higher hood collar that extends just below the nose, so when anglers are running full-tilt to spots down lake, the water and wind doesn’t hit their face. Several professional bass and walleye anglers asked for this unique feature. The jacket’s three-piece hood is also equipped with multiple adjustment points and a stiff brim. Critical to keeping wind and water out, anglers can customize the hood’s fit to form a facial fortress. No quality was spared when Whitewater selected zippers, either. The jacket sports an AquaGuard® Waterproof two-way main zipper. A pair of hand pockets, chest pocket, and inside pocket are also sealed and opened with AquaGuard two-way zippers. Other elements include hook and loop cuff adjustments on the sleeves, reflective material for safety, D-Rings thoughtfully positioned for a kill-switch and trolling motor FOB, and cinch at the bottom hem for customizing fit. |
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The Great Lakes Pro Bibs are equally intellectualized for fishing. First, you’ll appreciate the comfortable and easily adjustable shoulder straps. A key detail being the addition of silicon grip to keep the straps on your shoulders, not slipping down your arms. At the waist, a pair of high strength, molded hook and loop adjusters can be tightened above your hips to further personalize fit. Bringing the waist in reduces pull on your shoulders and accentuates range of motion. The same AquaGuard two-way zippers advance performance of the bibs, including the main zipper, six storage pockets, and legs. The function of the leg zippers was well conceived, too, as they open all the way to the waist, offering easy on and off, even with footwear. Further accoutrements include adjustments at the bottom hem to accommodate a range of footwear, D-Rings thoughtfully positioned for a kill-switch and trolling motor FOB, and reflective tape for visibility. Whether you’re climbing the ladder of quality in raingear, or want to start with the best, Whitewater’s new Great Lakes Pro Jacket and Bibs will prove you made a great choice. |
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Great Lake Pro JACKET Features:
MSRP $349.99 |
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Great Lakes Pro BIBS Features:
MSRP $349.99 For more information, or to order, visit whitewaterfish.com. |
A Chance to Make KVD’s Last Ride, Your New Ride
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Cashion Brings American-Made Forward Facing Sonar Rods to Market
Key Features
- Made in America
- K-Frame #6 tangle-free guides with Zirconium inserts designed for braided line, casting distance, and knot clearance
- High quality graphite reel seat with EVA foregrip and locking nut grip, keeping the threads hidden and therefore maximizing comfort
- Carbon fiber/fiberglass butt grip for increased sensitivity and durability
- Dropshot style hook keeper for fast and efficient lure removal
- Lifetime warranty
Specifications for Cashion’s 7’5” Forward Facing Sonar Rod
- Length: 7'5"
- Action: Fast
- Power: Med-Light
- Technique(s): Finesse Fishing
- Line Weight: 6-10 lbs
- Lure Weight: 1/16-5/16 oz
- Handle Length: 9.5"
- Foregrip: EVA Foam
- Butt Grip: Cashion's Signature Carbon Fiber/Fiberglass Weave in Black/Gray
- # of Guides: 8 + Tip
- SKU: iFFS75MLFs
- MSRP: $234.95
Specifications for Cashion’s 7’4” Forward Facing Sonar Rod
- Length: 7'4"
- Action: Fast
- Power: Med
- Technique(s): Finesse Fishing
- Line Weight: 6-12 lbs
- Lure Weight: 5/16-1/2 oz
- Handle Length: 9.0"
- Foregrip: EVA Foam
- Butt Grip: Cashion's Signature Carbon Fiber/Fiberglass Weave in Black/Gray
- # of Guides: 8 + Tip
- SKU: iFFS74MFs
- MSRP: $234.95
About Cashion Rods
A Legend Remastered: Costa Sunglasses Unveils Grand Catalina
Introduced in the late 80s, Costa’s iconic aviator frame with removable side shields is back, and enhanced with modern tech features
JUPITER, Fla. (Mar. 14, 2024) – Costa Sunglasses, manufacturer of the first color-enhancing all-polarized glass sunglass lens, announces today the revitalization of one of its most beloved frames, Grand Catalina. A true brand icon initially introduced in the 80s, Grand Catalina’s original retro design pays homage to the brand’s 40 year legacy on the water, while its updated frame and lens technology represent the cutting-edge innovation Costa is known for today. Whether on land or at sea, Grand Catalina is the perfect blend of style, performance and versatility.
Sporting the beloved heritage aviator shape and removable side shields that led to its initial fame, Grand Catalina’s updated construction embodies the DNA of Costa’s Pathfinder Series: sweat management channels, vented adjustable nose pads, removable side shields (offering two different looks) and seamless surfacing. This retro-inspired, hybrid frame returns to the age of modern performance, making it a must-have for those who demand bold style and best-in-class functionality.
For decades, Grand Catalina has been widely recognized for adorning the faces of angling legends and Costa Pros, Flip Pallot, Jose Wejebe, and more.
“I remember it like it was yesterday, heading out for a day on the water, the original Grand Catalina in tow. They were the pinnacle of purpose built eyewear then, and with the passion and technology infused in them many moons later, they are today,” said Costa’s longest tenured Pro Flip Pallot. “Costa has always been on the forefront of leading by example, whether it's protecting the waters we call home or crafting world class products, and the new iteration of the Grand Catalina frames is certainly no different.”
Costa's commitment to quality and innovation shines through in this refined frame, made from Costa’s proprietary bio-resin. Designed with both style and performance in mind, Grand Catalina is available in a range of frame colors and lens options, including Costa’s latest 580G Gold Mirror Lens.
MSRP for Grand Catalina starts at $204. To see Costa’s complete collection of performance, lifestyle and optical frames, and learn more about its commitment to protecting the waters it calls home, visit costasunglasses.com.
About Costa Sunglasses
As the first manufacturer of color-enhancing all-polarized glass sunglass lenses, Costa combines superior lens technology with unparalleled fit and durability. Costa has made the highest quality, best-performing sunglasses and prescription sunglasses (Rx) for outdoor enthusiasts since 1983, and now its product portfolio includes optical frames. Costa’s growing cult-brand status ties directly to its purpose to provide high-quality products with a focus on sustainability and conservation as the company works hard to protect the waters it calls home. From the use of sustainable and water-friendly materials to its Kick Plastic initiative, #OneCoast efforts and meaningful partnerships with mission-aligned organizations, Costa encourages people to help protect the Earth’s natural resources in any way they can. Find out more on Costa’s website and join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter at @CostaSunglasses.
Fenwick Rods Adds Renowned Walleye and Bass Professionals to 2024 Pro Team
The legendary brand, Fenwick rods, welcomes top walleye and bass pros to their 2024 pro team.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 14, 2024) – The Fenwick brand has long been trusted by anglers from all walks of fishing trusting their rods for its unrivaled legacy of ultimate sensitivity, in-hand feel, and craftsmanship. Each series of new rods, World Class, Elite, HMG and Eagle, are a collection of incredibly well-crafted, technique-specific rods that anglers will love with a combination of top-notch performance at a variety of price points. Moving into 2024, Fenwick has added several anglers to their pro team to help show the diversity and performance that each rod series has.
Bass Pros:
• Justin Atkins – Bassmaster Elite Series
• Keith Carson – Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour
• Joey Cifuentes III – Bassmaster Elite Series
• Brandon Coulter – Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour
• John Cox – Bassmaster Elite Series and National Professional Fishing League
• Keith Poche – Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour
• Tom Redington – Major League Fishing Invitationals
• Emil Wagner – Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers
• Joseph Webster – Bassmaster Elite Series and National Professional Fishing League
Walleye Pros:
• Mark Courts – National Walleye Tour
• John Hoyer – National Walleye Tour
• Tommy Kemos – National Walleye Tour
• Korey Sprengel – National Walleye Tour
Kayak Pros:
• Kristine Fischer
The addition of these renowned anglers emphasizes Fenwick's dedication to producing high quality rods that cater to the needs of all avid anglers. Through close collaboration with its pro staff who are stewards in their lane of fishing, Fenwick aims to highlight the diversity and unmatched performance that the full rod lineup can be for anglers targeting their desired species.
"We are thrilled to welcome this whole team of pros to the Fenwick family," said Brad Rutherford, Manager of Brand Activations at Pure Fishing. "Their expertise and passion for fishing combined with our newly released lineup of rods sets the stage for these anglers to achieve their full potential.”
B.A.S.S. Nation Championship to be held on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees
March 13, 2024
B.A.S.S. Nation Championship to be held on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees
GROVE, Okla. — On Wednesday, B.A.S.S. officials announced that Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in Grove, Okla., will be the site of this year’s Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance.
The 41,779-acre fishery features excellent populations of largemouth and smallmouth bass and has been the site of many major B.A.S.S. events, including the 2024 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors, which is scheduled for March 22-24.
The Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees presented by Lowrance will feature competition on Nov. 6-8, with three spots in the 2025 Classic up for grabs. Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau will be the host for the event, and daily takeoffs and weigh-ins will be held at Wolf Creek Park and Boating Facility in Grove.
“Grand Lake is firmly engrained in the history of B.A.S.S. competition,” said B.A.S.S. Tournament Manager GL Compton. “Some of our biggest moments as an organization have happened there, and that makes it the perfect destination for the Nation Championship.”
Grand Lake ranked ninth in the Central Division on Bassmaster Magazine’s annual 100 Best Bass Lakes list, and the lake has appeared on every rendition of the list since Bassmaster first began ranking lakes in 2012. The lake has hosted 11 major B.A.S.S. events, including most recently a St. Croix Bassmaster Open presented by SEVIIN in 2021 — an event that was won by Nick LeBrun with a three-day total of 50 pounds, 2 ounces.
Before this year’s Classic even begins, the lake has a long history of hosting the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing. It was the site of the 2013 Classic, which was won by Mississippi pro Cliff Pace, and the 2016 Classic where Oklahoma pro Edwin Evers hoisted the winner’s trophy.
“We have hosted thousands of fishing events at Wolf Creek Park in Grove, Okla., but when the city of Grove had the chance to host another B.A.S.S Nation event we were super-stoked,” said Brent Malone, director of the Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau. “Having the Bassmaster Classic in the spring and bookending it with the B.A.S.S Nation event in fall. Can it get any better?
“Many of the amenities (and the love for the sport) that the city of Grove (has) shows at Wolf Creek Park. We take great pride in being able to host anglers from all over the country, and the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship is yet another opportunity to host a championship event in our championship facility on our championship lake!”
A new format in 2024 has created more opportunities to qualify for the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship — even for anglers who are not affiliated with a local club. Starting this year, both individual B.A.S.S. Nation anglers and club members from each state are allowed to enter national qualifier events, with the Top 20 finishers advancing to the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. Additionally, club anglers can qualify directly from their state tournaments.
“Interest in the B.A.S.S. Nation has risen dramatically, and our goal is to give the everyday angler more chances to make it to the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship,” Compton said. “Some working people and college students don’t have time to join a local club, so opening our regional qualifying events to unaffiliated individuals is a way to accommodate more competitors.”
Once anglers qualify for the Nation Championship on Grand they’re just one step away from achieving what most anglers dream of — a berth in the Bassmaster Classic. The top three finishers in the Nation Championship receive berths into the Classic, and the overall winner of the Nation Championship receives an invitation to fish the Bassmaster Elite Series, along with a Nation’s Best package that includes a fully-rigged truck and boat.
2024 Bassmaster Nation Series Title Sponsor: Mercury
2024 Bassmaster Nation Series Presenting Sponsor: Lowrance
2024 Bassmaster Nation Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2024 Bassmaster Nation Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2024 Bassmaster Nation Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
2024 Bassmaster Nation Series Youth Sponsors: Seaguar, Shimano
About B.A.S.S.B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
KVD: From Fifty To a Few
Kevin VanDam is no stranger to Lay Lake, the playing field for 2024 REDCREST, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a professional angler with more experience in early spring championship tournaments than KVD. The Team Toyota pro famously won the Bassmaster Classic on Lay Lake back in 2010 and he’s won or finished in the top 10 of more springtime championships than any other angler in history.
Even with his past and familiarities, VanDam said he rigged nearly 50 rod and reel set ups before loading up his Tundra to make the drive from Michigan for official REDCREST practice.
That’s a lot for anyone, and VanDam admitted this was more than what he would typically rig for a tournament.
“New technology has opened up where and how we can catch tournament winning fish like never before,” VanDam said. “You couple that with it being spring, a time of constant change
and movement for bass, I wanted to be prepared for just about anything when I got to Lay Lake.”
While this may be the final championship event for the consensus greatest tournament bass angler of all time, VanDam approached REDCREST practice the same way he has throughout his entire storied career. His goal was to eliminate unproductive water and narrow down his set ups to ideally just a few techniques or patterns he believes can win this tournament.
This sounds simple enough, but how exactly does KVD do this in just three days of official practice with over 12,000 acres of water to breakdown? VanDam said he had a solid practice
and has dialed in his approach for day one, but the conditions are lining up in such a way he knows he needs to keep his options open.
“Water clarity, water temperature, current schedule, and the weather forecast are some of the very first things I considered when I launched my boat on Sunday,” VanDam explained.
“Factoring in these details immediately starts to point me in the right direction of how I need to fish REDCREST. Each piece of the puzzle helps narrow my approach and will hopefully help put me into a position to win this weekend. “There are lots of other clues like where and what baitfish are doing or what types of cover the bass are setting up around. I also still inspect every fish I catch this time of year, too. Looking at the color of the fish to help me decide if they are coming or going, checking inside their mouths looking for signs of what they’ve been eating. It’s a little old school, but each subtlety provides more information that could make all the difference.”
While he saw plenty of fish still staging in deeper water, VanDam believes a large population of the bass in Lay Lake are starting to think about the spawn and wanting to push shallow. For this reason, KVD said he didn’t quite whittle his fifty rods down to just a few, because he believes the fish will continue to change each day of competition. But he’s narrowed down his offerings enough to be confident heading into day one of the Qualifying Round.
VanDam and his team announced the next chapter of his career today, The VanDam Experience, a TV show that will air on the Outdoor Channel in 2025, but don’t think for a second
he is calling it in or cutting any corners. The same competitive fire that propelled KVD throughout his legendary 33-years as a tournament angler burns hot for REDCREST 2024.
Just like he did with his rod and reel combos, VanDam intends to be among the few anglers remaining from the full field of fifty when the Championship Round starts on Sunday.
Weather and water trends have Grand Lake teed up for Bassmaster Classic fireworks
March 12, 2024
Weather and water trends have Grand Lake teed up for Bassmaster Classic fireworks
TULSA, Okla. — Jason Christie does not yet have a clear picture of how the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors will be won, but the Bassmaster Elite Series veteran from Dry Creek, Okla., is certain that Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees’ water clarity will be a major factor.
Competition days will be March 22-24 with daily takeoffs from Wolf Creek Park and Boating Facility at 7:15 a.m. CT and weigh-ins each day at the BOK Center in downtown Tulsa at approximately 3:30 p.m.
Christie spent a few days pre-practicing in December, and since then, the Grand Lake area has seen minimal rainfall. This, he said, means unusually clear water.
“The water clarity is probably better than in years past because we usually have a couple of flush-outs in fall and early spring, but we just haven’t had those,” said Christie, who won the 2022 Classic on South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell. “We have had (little) rain and the weather has been really mild.”
Making his 10th appearance in the sport’s most prestigious event, Christie placed seventh at the 2013 Classic at Grand and second when the event returned three years later. With the 2022 Classic trophy on his mantel, Christie is no doubt motivated to notch his second Classic win on his home waters.
Doing so, he said, could occur just about anywhere on the 46,500-acre Grand River (lower Neosho River) impoundment. Like most reservoirs, Grand’s lower end traditionally holds the most consistent clarity, but Christie said anglers can expect that to extend farther up the lake.
“The area where river water meets the lake water can move based on (minimal river current),” he said. “I would guess that seam is going to be a lot farther up the river than where it normally is.
“That’s going to open up the lake to guys that like that kind of water. It’s not going to be limited to the bottom half of the lake. I think the lake almost doubles in water clarity. I think the tournament could be won end to end.”
Addressing Oklahoma’s pre-Classic weather makeup, Christie said it’s almost like winter forgot to visit the area.
“It’s not what I was expecting,” he said. “It’s not what I would want. On an average year, the first of March or the middle or even late March can be really cold. It’s almost like we’ve just had a long spring.
“We’ve already mowed the grass at my house (60 miles from Grand) and we normally don’t until mid-April.”
Having fished Grand Lake for more than 30 years, Christie has seen practically every complexion imaginable — including an unusually mild spring that found bass bedding in mid-March. That being said, he believes technology has nullified any advantage a local once held.
“With what we now have in electronics — mapping, the TV shows and (all media platforms), there are no secrets anymore,” he said. “A guy has to win by fishing and probably changing a lot throughout the tournament.”
Christie’s a formidable force when flipping jigs and throwing spinnerbaits is on the table. But while such techniques remain viable options, a couple weeks prior to the Classic, he was leaning more toward an offshore/nearshore program with jerkbaits, finesse worms and the jighead minnow technique with a Yum FF Sonar Minnow that played a big role in his 2022 Classic win at Hartwell.
“That’s what I love about Grand — you can win from one end of that lake to the other,” he said. “It’s a big lake, and guys are not going to be able to cover it in three days of practice. You have to pick your poison and figure out what you want to do.
“It seems like we’re always thrown a curveball during the Classic, but with the water getting warm, I won’t be surprised to see the water temperature creeping up there in the high 50s by the time we get there. Everything’s setting up for it to be a wide-open event.”
With prognosticators pondering the possibility of modern live sonar techniques dominating Classic strategies, third-year Bassmaster Elite Cody Huff said he’s not fully onboard with that premise. Well regarded for his forward-facing sonar prowess, the Missouri pro said this transformative technology could play a big role in the Classic’s unfolding, but the specifics may be unexpected.
“It’s definitely possible for forward-facing sonar to play a big role, but if it does, I think it’s going to be in different circumstances than what people are used to seeing,” Huff said. “It’s going to be up shallower.
“On that lake, the fish love to live shallow and it’s going to be that time of year when they’re going to be moving to the bank. I don’t think you’re going to see the whole Top 10 using forward-facing sonar offshore — maybe one guy, but not the whole Top 10.”
Moreover, Huff said he believes Classic fans will enjoy seeing a diverse array of techniques. If the weather remains relatively stable and Grand dodges any significant rainfall through Classic week, the stage could be set for a wide-open springtime slugfest.
“I’m sure a lot of guys are gonna catch them on spinnerbaits, ChatterBaits and probably flipping,” Huff said. “If the water stays really clean, I could see a lot of guys wacky worming. A lot of stuff could change between now and the tournament, so it could go a lot of different ways, but it has a good shot at lining up to be a power-fishing beatdown.
“It should line up to be a really good tournament — probably the best one we’ve had on Grand. They’ve always been a touch early, but I think this one’s gonna hit it right on the head.”
Past Classics have seen chilly to downright frigid conditions unable to deter fishing fans from launching early and following competitors. With the strong potential for moderate to possibly downright pleasant conditions, Christie knows crowd control will become one of his biggest challenges.
“If the weather is nice, imagine how many spectator boats we’ll have on the water,” Christie surmised. “The lake might be clear when we get there, but it’s going to be dirty when we leave from all the boat traffic.”
Christie points out that the mild weather trend has him expecting a mostly prespawn event. He considers some early spawning action a possibility, but however the event shakes out, he’s looking for solid limits — a two-day total of 28 to 30 pounds to make the final-round cut and approximately 60 pounds to win.
“Someone’s going to catch a 24- to 25-pound bag one day,” Christie said. “We’re gonna hit it about as good as you can hit it.
“I’d say the weights would be higher if the water stayed colder, but we’ll be in that time when the fish are scattered. The fish will be doing a lot of things, but not many of them will be doing one thing.”
As always, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors will be a weeklong celebration of the sport, with the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing as the main attraction.
Don't miss a second of the action throughout the week. Click here for a full list of how to watch the event.
Click here for a full list of Classic events.
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series scored by TourneyX, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors.
Joseph Silva Triumphs At Tulloch For First-Ever BAM Tournament Trail Kayak Series
For Immediate Release
Joseph Silva Triumphs At Tulloch For First-Ever BAM Tournament Trail Kayak Series
James Croco Claims Runner-Up Ranking
Copperopolis, Calif. – With a total of 91.75 inches, Joseph Silva of Windsor, Calif. claims the first-ever BAM Tournament Trail (BAM TT) Kayak Series win at Lake Tulloch.
Tucked into the heart of the Gold Country, Lake Tulloch welcomed 51 kayak anglers to its 1,200 plus acres for the single-day, season-opening kayak competition. As the last day prior to time change, lines in was announced for 6 a.m. on Saturday, following a fishery off-limits for the week prior.
Under partly cloudy skies, within an air temp spread of the 65-degree high and 43-degree nighttime low, Silva made history becoming the first victor of the new Kayak Series by a margin of four-inches over his nearest competitor, netting the top payout of $1,371.52.
Silva sacked up five (+ one) for the day, with his biggest coming in at 19.25 inches. The bulk of his remaining fish stretched over the 18-inch mark, with his smallest at 17.50 inches. The TourneyX estimated weight was17.50 pounds.
“I did it mid-strolling a five-inch Fluke-style bait,” he revealed.“I call it power strolling.”
He differentiated his power strolling technique as a variation on mid-strolling by the use of “heavy line and heavy braid and a 3/0hook.”
“It’s hanging a bait on a ball head jig and working it through the middle of the water column,” he explained. “It’s almost like a level baitfish.”
The Fluke-style bait that Silva tied on was the Sakamata Shad from Deps. He noted that he rotated three different colors, without any marking a difference in the bass bite. He threw the setup on a G. Loomis NRX 742S paired with a Daiwa Exist 2500.
Fishing from an Old Town AutoPilot kayak, electronics were an integral part of Silva’s arsenal. “Four of my fish came on Garmin Live Scope,” he added.”
The biggest bass of the day at 20.50 inches was caught by James Croco of Wilton, Calif.
Croco came in second overall at BAM’s Tulloch stop with 87.75.He sent in five total with a TourneyX estimated weight of 16.09. Croco earned $1041.91 for the effort, including $510 Big Fish money.
Elk Grove, Calif. angler, Jesse Hoover hoisted in five (+ four) for 85.5 to round out third place and bank $442.43. His TourneyX estimated weight was14.06.
BAM Kayak Series Tulloch Top-10
1 Joseph Silva 91.75 $1,371.52
2 James Croco 87.75 $1,040.91
3 Jesse Hoover 85.5 $442.43
4 AJ Ramirez 84 $398.18
5 Damian Thao 83.25 $353.94
6 John Myers 82.75 $309.70
7 Dang Xiong 82.75 $287.58
8 Ivan Lee 81.75 $265.46
9 Nathaniel Ferrand 80.25 $243.33
10 Matthew Brannon 79.5 $221.21
The next of the three remaining regular season trail stops include Rollins Lake, Trinity, and the California Delta. The BAM Kayak Series championship will be held on Lake Berryessa.
More information is available at the BAM Tournament Trail site.
About BAM Tournament Trail
The Bass Angler Magazine Tournament Trail (BAM TT) is an exclusive westcoast pro level tournament circuit. BAM TT delivers multiple opportunities toshowcase the talents of western anglers on several professional platforms.
As BAM TT continues to provide and refine a platform of elite events forcompetitive anglers, it creates a logical avenue for sponsors to have direct contact with our west coast anglers. BAM TT is dedicated to creating a complete package of advertising opportunities including on-site activation, internet/social media, and a YouTube and TV series that reaches a large number of viewers each day.
Proud sponsors for the BAM Trail: Bass Boat Technologies, Tackle Warehouse, Storquest, Garmin, Dish, Bass Cat Boats, Accel Marketing, Power Pole, MercuryOutboards, Bob’s machine, Wood Bros, Sticky Graphics, City of Oakley, LakeAlmanor Chamber, Jean Deleonardi Real Estate, Ford Fairfield, Valley Outdoors,Boardman Chamber, Feather River Tourism Association, Eternal Lithium, OakleyAce Hardware, Alpha Angler Rods and Fisherman’s Warehouse as our conservation sponsor.
Tournament events include BAM Pro Tour, Pro-Am and a Kayak Tour with a no entry Championship can be viewed on YouTube. Learn more here: BAM TRAIL, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Media / Advertising Contact MarkLassagne
AC Insider Podcast - Redcrest Preview with KVD and Becker!
This week Danny and Vance are looking ahead to the MLF Redcrest on Lay Lake, and who better to talk with than Kevin VanDam? KVD has a first and third place classic on Lay Lake this time of the year and Redcrest will be his LAST professional event prior to retirement. We get a little glimpse into Kevin's pre-game plan as well as his thoughts on technology, FFS, and much more! Kevin has the first segment of the show and then we catch up with Matt Becker, the 2023 BPT winner and current reigning Angler of the Year to wrap up the broadcast! Becker shares his thoughts on Lay Lake, the intense format, and what he thinks it'll take to come home victorious! #bassfishing #majorleaguefishing #redcrest #bassfishingpodcast
Get Your STEEZ On!
DAIWA’s new STEEZ SV achieves the pinnacle in baitcasting reel design and performance.
FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (March 11, 2024) – Outdoor enthusiasts climb the ladder of quality. In fishing, the progression usually starts in our youth with an inexpensive spinning combo or spincast setup. Once fully infected by the sport, you upgrade spinning gear and start dabbling with baitcasters. It’s about that time you center on a specific brand and continue climbing the ladder of quality.
How high does that ladder go? DAIWA knows.
That apex is called STEEZ SV, an unmatched baitcasting reel that flaunts DAIWA’s newest and greatest technologies and features in an impressively compact frame. Until DAIWA decides to make a better one, STEEZ SV stands as the finest baitcasting reel ever built.
DAIWA introduced its first STEEZ model in the spring of 2006. Since, along its pathway of progressive innovations, the STEEZ series has earned elite status amongst hardcore bass anglers. And the newest rendition – STEEZ SV – continues the series’ life journey of perpetually improving.
“It’s the best baitcasting reel out there,” says DAIWA Marketing Manager and avid angler Marc Mills with matter-of-fact confidence. “It’s the absolute apex, refined to an unbelievable level. Just hold one and you’ll know it.”
Discussing the eminent reel, Mills points out the new STEEZ SV’s redesigned T-Wing System (TWS). “We improved the angles of DAIWA’s signature TWS design, yielding even less resistance on the cast, which means more distance. The same redesigned T-Wing System also significantly reduces backlash.”
Mills also notes that the 90mm swept handle has been moved closer to the reel. The result is a shorter torque on the gears and bearings, providing smoother, more durable operation. The grip is secure and its handling precise as well.
At the epicenter of the new STEEZ SV is DAIWA’s exclusive HYPERDRIVE DESIGN, which consists of HYPERDRIVE ARMED HOUSING, HYPERDRIVE DIGIGEAR, HYPERDRIVE DOUBLE SUPPORT, and HYPERDRIVE TOUGH CLUTCH.
HYPERDRIVE ARMED HOUSING
A distortion-proof frame that unifies magnesium and aluminum to steadfastly house the gear unit within the reel body. The concept comprises a combination of different manufacturing techniques, which considerably improve the functioning and lifespan of the reel.
HYPERDRIVE DIGIGEAR
A gear design by DAIWA that makes gear teeth more efficient at transferring power, resulting in a smoother, more powerful gear set that also reduces gear noise. The gears are also strengthened by larger teeth in the traction wheel.
HYPERDRIVE DOUBLE SUPPORT
The pinion gear is mounted via a ball bearing at both sides, leading to a better and more even powered transmission from the handle. As well, the surface of the pinion gear is specially treated to prevent electrostatic corrosion.
HYPERDRIVE TOUGH CLUTCH
The clutch mechanics have been optimized to remain safely in position even on hard casts.
Collectively, the HYPERDRIVE SYSTEM puts the STEEZ SV in a league of its own.
Exquisite features continue with DAIWA’s SV Booster System with A7075 SV Spool. The latest iteration of the innovative SV Concept, the SV Booster System is a two-stage SV braking system. The casting control you have come to know and love from our SV System, now with even more casting distance and better accuracy.
Stopping and managing fish is advanced with the STEEZ SV’s Ultimate Tournament Drag (UTD). DAIWA’s UTD system combines ultra smooth low inertia with maximum fish stopping power. UTD combines advanced carbon washers, alloy, and stainless steel drag plates with specially designed grease for impeccable performance.
When it comes to guaranteeing the new STEEZ SV, DAIWA put their money where their mouth is. The luxurious reel comes with the executive STEEZ 5-Year Service Warranty against manufacturing defects. To that, you receive FREE 5-year cleaning and servicing turned around in one business day upon arrival at DAIWA, pending parts availability. Then, DAIWA expedites its return with 2nd Day Air or Priority Mail.
STEEZ SV FEATURES:
- Compact Magnesium Frame and Sideplate
- HYPERDRIVE DESIGN
- HYPERDRIVE ARMED HOUSING
- HYPERDRIVE DIGIGEAR
- HYPERDRIVE DOUBLE SUPPORT
- HYPERDRIVE TOUGH CLUTCH
- A7075 SV BOOST Spool
- Redesigned and improved T-Wing System (TWS)
- Ultimate Tournament Drag (UTD)
- 90mm Swept Handle
- Executive Steez 5 Year Service Warranty Against Manufacturing Defects
- FREE 5 Year Clean and Service
MSRP $749.99
For Daiwa’s latest color catalog and/or information on Daiwa dealers in your area, call Daiwa’s Customer Service Department at 562-375-6800 or e-mail inquiries to: [email protected]. The URL for Daiwa’s web site is daiwa.us
Florien’s Reynolds Posts Third Career Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Toledo Bend Lake
Slaughter, of Dallas, Texas, Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
ZWOLLE, La. (March 11, 2024) – Boater Tater Reynolds of Florien, Louisiana, caught a five-bass limit weighing 20 pounds, 3 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Toledo Bend Lake. The tournament was the third event of the season for the BFL Cowboy Division. Reynolds earned $3,845 for his victory.
In classic spring fashion, anglers fishing the Toledo Bend event saw borderline easy fishing evaporate on tournament day in the wake of an end-of-the-week cold front. Reynolds said that during the week prior to the tournament, consistently warm weather had pushed many bass to the banks to spawn, and it was possible to catch 20 to 30 pounds by sight-fishing. Just going down the bank throwing a vibrating jig, wacky worm or just about anything could produce 15 to 18 pounds.
“But this cold front finished them up on the bed or they just got finished in general during the week, and they were gone (from up shallow),” Reynolds said. “Four of my fish I weighed were postspawn.”
The tournament champ adjusted to the change by backing out of the shallows and targeting fish in 8 to 12 feet of water.
Despite high winds that roiled the lake and forced many competitors to stay closer to takeoff, Reynolds made the call to make a 44-minute run to the south end of Toledo Bend. He lives on the lake down south and said that’s where he feels most confident.
Throughout the day, Reynolds relied on forward-facing sonar to catch roaming bass or bass around standing timber, but it wasn’t the usual cat-and-mouse “digital sight-fishing” approach. Prior to the rain, there was heavy pine pollen on the water’s surface. Reynolds said the rain spread the pollen throughout the water, which clouded up his sonar imaging.
“It clutters the screen so bad that you can’t see your bait,” he said. “I don’t think I saw my bait all day long. What I would do is I would kind of see a glob – just a little speck (a bass) – out there, and I would throw my bait in that direction. And when I’d get the bite, I’d catch the fish, but I never did see my bait on the scope all day.”
Reynolds caught his fish on two presentations: a 6th Sense Juggle Minnow on a 1/8-ounce 6th Sense Finesse Swimbait Jig Head and a 6th Sense Provoke 97DD Jerkbait.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Tater Reynolds, Florien, La., five bass, 20-3, $3,845
2nd: Lane Haeger, Flint, Texas, five bass, 18-4, $1,773
3rd: Bill Cook, Houston, Texas, five bass, 17-8, $1,626
4th: Daniel Bryant, Scott, La., five bass, 16-13, $827
5th: Randy Brewer, Bedford, Texas, five bass, 15-10, $709
6th: Brad Smith, Longview, Texas, five bass, 15-8, $650
7th: Reese Ray, Glenmore, La., four bass, 13-15, $591
8th: Charles Dubroc, Hessmer, La., five bass, 13-13, $532
9th: Zack Fogle, Longview, Texas, five bass, 13-7, $973 (includes $500 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
10th: Ricky Guy, Humble, Texas, five bass, 13-3, $414
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Bill Cook of Houston, Texas, caught a bass that weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $445.
Logan Slaughter of Dallas, Texas, won the Strike King co-angler division and $1,773 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 15 pounds, 7 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Logan Slaughter, Dallas, Texas, five bass, 15-7, $1,773
2nd: Daryl Powell, Leesville, La., three bass, 12-14, $1,108
3rd: Allen Musser, Ada, Okla., four bass, 12-11, $502
3rd: Colton Hatzold, Montgomery, Texas, five bass, 12-11, $502
5th: Michael Glynn, Boerne, Texas, five bass, 12-3, $355
6th: Jeffrey Higgs, San Antonio, Texas, five bass, 11-10, $325
7th: Justin Overstreet, Brookeland, Texas, five bass, 11-9, $295
8th: Clay Carpenter, Joyce, Texas, five bass, 11-3, $266
9th: Todd Brown, Little Rock, Ark., five bass, 11-2, $236
10th: Al Longoria, Pottsboro, Texas, five bass, 10-14, $207
Powell earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $222, catching a bass that weighed in at 6 pounds, 15 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After three events, Tater Reynolds of Florien, Louisiana, leads the Fishing Clash Cowboy Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 744 points, while Allen Musser of Ada, Oklahoma, leads the Fishing Clash Cowboy Division Strike King Co-Angler of the Year race with 715 points.
The next event for BFL Cowboy Division anglers will be held April 6, at Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Brookeland, Texas. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 17-19 BFL Regional tournament on Wright Patman Lake in Texarkana, Texas. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard.
The 2024 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Bristol’s Neece Sews Up Second Career MLF Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Norris Lake
Farris, of Lily, Kentucky, Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
ANDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (March 11, 2024) – Boater Jimmy Neece, Jr., of Bristol, Tennessee, caught a five-bass limit weighing 17 pounds, 2 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Norris Lake. The tournament was the first event of the season for the BFL Volunteer Division. Neece earned $4,720 for his victory.
Early spring in East Tennessee is Damiki rig season. It’s the perfect time to finesse big prespawn smallmouth bass with a small minnow-shaped soft plastic in deep, clear water. And that’s exactly how Neece caught his winning limit of smallmouths.
“The fish that I was catching are prespawn and suspended out at the mouths of pockets and spawning areas,” said Neece, who owns a construction company.
“I really looked for the shad and looked for the stripers,” he added. “There’s a ton of stripers in that lake. And if I found the stripers, the smallmouth were somewhere close by. You’d into some areas and there wouldn’t be anything – no trash fish and nothing swimming around. If you got into an area with a lot of stripers congregated around, the smallmouth would be somewhere close.”
Neece said the fish on his best spot had actually slid out a few hundred yards from where he found them on Friday. He was able to relocate them with Garmin LiveScope, which he used to catch all of the fish he weighed in.
“(It was) one at a time casting a Damiki at them,” he said. “That’s basically it. You have to spend a lot of time on the trolling motor.”
Neece used a Damiki Armor Shad on a homemade jighead. He fished the rig with a 6-foot, 8-inch, medium-action G. Loomis IMX Pro spinning rod, a 2500-size Shimano Vanford spinning reel, 10-pound-test braided line and a 7-pound-test Sunline Super FC Sniper Fluorocarbon leader. He kept three identical combos on his deck, each rigged with a different color soft plastic.
“I varied between lighter and darker colors, and my fish were anywhere from the surface down to 20 feet of water,” Need said. “If you got it near one, he was coming for it.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Jimmy Neece, Jr., Bristol Tenn., five bass, 17-2, $4,720
2nd: Joseph Tallent, Knoxville, Tenn., five bass, 16-2, $2,360
3rd: Seth Barton, Middlesboro, Ky., five bass, 15-13, $1,574
4th: Trent Adkins, East Bernstadt, Ky., five bass, 15-10, $1,101
5th: Hunter McClaskey, Elizabethton, Tenn., five bass, 15-7, $944
6th: Zack Long, Clinton, Tenn., five bass, 15-6, $865
7th: John Napier, Middlesboro, Ky., five bass, 15-0, $747
7th: Riley Faulkner, Jacksboro, Tenn., five bass, 15-0, $747
9th: Seth Fricke, Oxford, Ohio, five bass, 14-12, $629
10th: Tim Saylor, Johnson City, Tenn., five bass, 14-11, $551
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Dalton Noble of Hazard, Kentucky, caught a bass that weighed 4 pounds, 5 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $695.
Steve Farris of Lily, Kentucky, won the Strike King co-angler division and $1,088 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 14 pounds, 2 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Steve Farris, Lily, Ky., five bass, 15-1, $2,175
2nd: Scott Pittman, Powell, Tenn., five bass, 14-2, $1,088
3rd: Travis Malone, Wartburg, Tenn., five bass, 13-10, $976
4th: Cody Stokes, Ooltewah, Tenn., five bass, 12-14, $507
5th: Josh Smith, Siler, Ky., five bass, 11-13, $435
6th: Konnor Sweet, Abingdon, Va., five bass, 11-10, $399
7th: John Henley, Kingston, Tenn., five bass, 11-8, $344
7th: Ransom Boone, Marshall, N.C., five bass, 11-8, $344
9th: T.J. Blakely, Kingsport, Tenn., five bass, 11-5, $290
10th: Shane Bowman, Caryville, Tenn., five bass, 11-2, $254
Rob Welsh of Berea, Kentucky, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $307, catching a bass that weighed in at 3 pounds, 11 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
The next event for BFL Volunteer Division anglers will be held April 20, at South Holston Lake in Bristol, Tennessee. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 17-19 BFL Regional tournament on Clarks Hill Lake in Appling, Georgia. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard.
The 2024 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Buford’s Edwards Earns First Career MLF Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Lanier
Cleveland’s Winkler Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
GAINESVILLE, Ga. (March 11, 2024) – Boater Freeman Edwards of Buford, Georgia, caught a five-bass limit weighing 23 pounds, 2 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Lanier . The tournament was the second event of the season for the BFL Bulldog Division. Edwards earned $7,037, including the lucrative $3,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.
For Edwards, the tournament was an exercise in using Garmin LiveScope technology to junk-fish his way around the lower end of the lake, mostly checking spots where he’s caught fish during springtime in the past.
“Starting out we had a little east wind,” he said. “A lot of the places that I wanted to fish set up more for a west wind, but I still pulled up on some prespawn-type places early, trying to catch them up shallow.”
Edwards used the LiveScope to spot fish on shallow transition areas. He rigged a Keitech 3.8 Swing Impact FAT on a 1/4-ounce ball-head jig, cast it up shallow and rolled it through the fish.
As the wind died down, Edwards went on the hunt. He checked points, brush, deep humps, deep timber – all prespawn staging areas. He caught his biggest bass of the day on standing timber in 45 feet of water using a Neko-rigged Daiwa Yamamoto Neko Worm.
“There’s a lot of stuff going on right now,” Edwards added. “You can pretty much do whatever you want. I caught another 5-pounder kind of on an edge, and it was just sitting right under the surface on some herring. I picked up my Sebile (Magic Swimmer, now made by Berkley), tossed it out there about 60 feet, and I saw him come up and he just crushed it.
“I caught a lot of fish. I probably caught 30, 35 fish. I probably culled out another 18 (pound) sack. It was just a good day – one of those days where the fish just bit.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Freeman Edwards, Buford, Ga., five bass, 23-2, $7,037 (includes $3,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd: Spencer Sato, Gainesville, Ga., five bass, 22-14, $2,319
3rd: Ty Overmyer, Dawsonville, Ga., five bass, 22-11, $1,345
4th: Cole Cloud, Cumming, Ga., five bass, 22-2, $942
5th: Maddux Walters, Canton, Ga., five bass, 21-5, $1,352
6th: Buddy Benson, Dahlonega, Ga., five bass, 21-0, $740
7th: Brooks Anderson, Marietta, Ga., five bass, 20-15, $673
8th: Brad Wiley, Alto, Ga., five bass, 20-14, $606
9th: Carter Cunningham, Dawsonville, Ga., five bass, 18-14, $538
10th: Joe Eubanks, Marieta, Ga., five bass, 18-12, $471
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Maddux Walthers of Canton, Georgia, caught a bass that weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $545.
Benjie Winkler of Cleveland, Georgia, won the Strike King co-angler division and $2,005 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 17 pounds.
The top 11 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Benjie Winkler, Cleveland, Ga., five bass, 17-0, $2,005
2nd: Harold Grizzle, Gainesville, Ga., five bass, 16-7, $1,002
3rd: Daniel Truitt, Dawsonville, Ga., five bass, 14-15, $568
3rd: Cameron Sampson, Jackson, Ga., five bass, 14-15, $568
5th: Jared Kutil, Beaufort, S.C., five bass, 14-10, $551
6th: Elijah Moon, Talmo, Ga., five bass, 14-9, $368
7th: Gerald Bennett, Dallas, Ga., four bass, 14-8, $334
8th: Ariska Savior, Atlanta, Ga., four bass, 13-11, $301
9th: Jamie Thompson, Lakemont, Ga., five bass, 13-2, $237
9th: Nick Kight, Gray, Ga., five bass, 13-2, $237
9th: Jaquas Dobbs, Conyers, Ga., five bass, 13-2, $237
John Kennedy of Statham, Georgia, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $2,675, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 9 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
After two events, Brooks Anderson of Marietta, Georgia, leads the Fishing Clash Bulldog Division Angler of the Year (AOY) race with 494 points, while Joshua Green of Cartersville, Georgia, leads the Fishing Clash Bulldog Division Strike King Co-Angler of the Year race with 484 points.
The next event for BFL Bulldog Division anglers will be held April 6, at Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Alabama. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 10-12 BFL Regional tournament on Santee Cooper Lakes in Clarendon County, South Carolina. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard.
The 2024 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Lynchburg’s Luckey Earns First Career MLF Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Smith Mountain Lake
Russell, of Elkton, Maryland, Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
HUDDLESTON, Va. (March 11, 2024) – Boater Broderick Luckey of Lynchburg, Virginia, caught a five-bass limit weighing 24 pounds, 7 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Smith Mountain Lake. The tournament was the first event of the season for the BFL Piedmont Division. Luckey earned $3,505 for his victory.
The Smith Mountain Lake tournament came on the heels of a week of consistently warm weather.
“The entire week before it was in the 70s,” Luckey said, “and it jumped the water up 7 or 8 degrees, which is very significant. I noticed that a lot of the fish were hesitant to move up because it was such a drastic change. A lot of the fish were in transition areas.”
Luckey didn’t exactly dial in a pattern, so much as he uncovered two key areas located at the mouth of a creek and midway back. Bass were moving in and out of these areas, so timing was critical, and throughout the day Luckey made sure to rest his best spots and then return later. This turned out to be a key move at the end of the day.
But first, his morning started quickly.
“I had 18 pounds in the first 30 minutes,” Luckey recalled. “I caught a 7-pounder real quick as well as a couple 3s.”
On his second spot, Luckey caught three fish that weighed more than 4 pounds each and culled up to about 22 pounds by 11 a.m.
“I was using a lot of my forward-facing sonar to locate fish,” Luckey said. “They were actively working bait. I threw a mix of a jerkbait and a swimbait at them and that seemed to work.
“I flat tried to run ’em down,” he added. “I had the trolling motor on high and just looked and look and looked. When I’d find fish, I’d make circles in the area, and when there weren’t fish I’d keep on moving.”
While he was resting his best spots, Luckey covered water with a crankbait. He caught several 3-pound-class fish, though they didn’t help his limit.
Later, when he came back to his second area again at the end of the day, Luckey’s rest-and-return strategy paid off. He culled out two 4-pounders, bringing his total to 24 pounds, 7 ounces and sealing the win.
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Broderick Luckey, Lynchburg, Va., five bass, 24-7, $3,505
2nd: Justin Hicks, Roanoke, Va., five bass, 20-4, $1,753
3rd: Adam Lester, Huddleston, Va., five bass, 19-7, $1,169
4th: Dennis Stump, Madison Heights, Va., five bass, 19-6, $818
5th: Christopher Atkins II, Goode, Va., five bass, 19-3, $701
6th: Matthew Strykul, Richmond, Va., five bass, 18-11, $643
7th: Michael Toney, Blacksburg, Va., five bass, 18-3, $584
8th: Jonathan Bailey, Peterstown, W.Va., five bass, 17-15, $526
9th: Grant Vest, Hopewell, Va., five bass, 17-6, $467
10th: Zach Peaslee, Dublin, Va., five bass, 17-3, $409
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Shawn Keene of Jacksonville, North Carolina, caught a bass that weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $440.
Matt Russell of Elkton, Maryland, won the Strike King co-angler division and $2,373 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 16 pounds.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Matt Russell, five bass, 16-0, $2,373
2nd: Chad Liptrap, three bass, 12-10, $876
3rd: Scott Howard, five bass, 12-9, $585
4th: Josh Hall, four bass, 11-12, $409
5th: Cody Howard, four bass, 10-14, $501
6th: David Williams, four bass, 10-12, $321
7th: Sean Tobatto, four bass, 10-4, $292
8th: Brandon Miskell, four bass, 9-8, $263
9th: Matthew Foreman, three bass, 8-7, $234
10th: Mekye Barnes, three bass, 7-11, $204
Russell earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $220, catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 6 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
The next event for BFL Piedmont Division anglers will be held April 27, at Kerr Lake in Henderson, North Carolina. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 17-19 BFL Regional tournament on Clarks Hill Lake in Appling, Georgia. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard.
The 2024 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Georgia’s Hart Earns First Career MLF Win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League Event at Lake Hartwell
Salem’s Yarborough Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division
ANDERSON, S.C. (March 11, 2024) – Boater Will Hart of Danielsville, Georgia, caught a five-bass limit weighing 21 pounds, 8 ounces, Saturday to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine on Lake Hartwell . Hosted by Visit Anderson, the tournament was the first event of the season for the BFL South Carolina Division. Hart earned $11,266, including the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus, for his victory.
Hart caught all of his fish on deep points using his Garmin LiveScope and a Damiki rig. The rig consisted of a Damiki Armor Shad with a Greenfish Bryan New Bad Little Shad Swimbait Head.
“They were out a little bit deeper in 30 to 35 feet,” he said, “just staged up getting ready to start moving up (to spawn) with the water temp rising like it is.
“It started off slow,” Hart added. “I had two fish at like 9 or 10 o’clock, and then I caught the 7-10 (Berkley Big Bass for the day) at like 10:30. Then I knew I had to just slow down. It was a grind. I caught a bunch of little fish, but it was a grind to get a decent bite.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament:
1st: Will Hart, Danielsville, Ga., five bass, 21-8, $11,266 (includes $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd: Kevin Chandler, New London, N.C., five bass, 20-13, $1,883
3rd: Joe Anders, Easley, S.C., five bass, 19-12, $1,256
4th: Dylan Akins, Flowery Branch, Ga., five bass, 18-13, $879
5th: Cole Wilson, Hartwell, Ga., five bass, 18-9, $753
6th: Bradley Day, Anderson, S.C., five bass, 17-6, $690
7th: Brendan Smith, Lavonia, Ga., five bass, 17-4, $628
8th: Justin Raines, Easley, S.C., five bass, 17-2, $865
9th: Lane Clark, Anderson, S.C., five bass, 17-0, $502
10th: Tallis Morrison, Royston, Ga., five bass, 16-14, $439
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Hart caught a bass that weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces, and earned the Berkley Big Bass Boater award of $500.
Mark Yarborough of Salem, South Carolina, won the Strike King co-angler division and $1,878 Saturday, after bringing five bass to the scale that totaled 16 pounds, 5 ounces.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers finished:
1st: Mark Yarborough, Salem, S.C., five bass, 16-5, $1,878
2nd: Kodell Keels, Columbia, S.C., five bass, 14-12, $1,184
3rd: Moldon Jordan, Andrews, S.C., five bass, 14-1, $627
4th: Michael Gauldin, Stokesdale, N.C., five bass, 14-0, $438
5th: Mark Lee, Gastonia, N.C., five bass, 13-0, $360
5th: David Cooper, Rushville, N.Y., five bass, 13-0, $360
7th: Todd Huntley, Inman, S.C., five bass, 12-13, $313
8th: Rodney Tapp, Inman, S.C., five bass, 11-10, $382
9th: Danny Bickley, Chapin, S.C., five bass, 11-6, $250
10th: Ross Doolittle, Greenwood, S.C., five bass, 11-5, $219
Kodell Keels of Columbia, South Carolina, earned the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $245, catching a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 8 ounces – the largest co-angler catch of the day.
The next event for BFL South Carolina Division anglers will be held April 6, at Santee Cooper Lakes in Summerton, South Carolina. To register for the event as a boater or a co-angler, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com or call (270)-252-1000.
The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five tournament winners of each qualifying event, will qualify for the Oct. 3-5 BFL Regional tournament on Kerr Lake in Henderson, North Carolina. Boaters will fish for a top award of $60,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard and $10,000, while co-anglers will compete for a top award of $50,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard.
The 2024 Phoenix BFL Presented by T-H Marine is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 events throughout the season, five qualifying tournaments in each division. The top 45 boaters and Strike King co-anglers from each division, along with the five qualifying event winners, will advance to one of six BFL Regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Bass Fishing League updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
UCLA Wins MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Tournament on Clear Lake Presented by Tackle Warehouse
LAKEPORT, Calif. (March 11, 2024) – The UCLA duo of Joey Gentle and Justin Gentle, brothers from Kelseyville, California, won the MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Clear Lake Presented by Tackle Warehouse Friday with a five-bass limit weighing 16 pounds, 13 ounces. The victory earned the Gentle brothers a qualification into the 2025 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing National Championship.
Before the tournament, Joey and Justin suspected that conditions would be tough since they would be fishing in the wake of a cold front. So they spent practice scouting areas where they thought bass would be setting up in deeper water or staging outside of their spawning areas.
Their best spots wound up being tule clumps on the north end of Clear Lake, where the exposure to the southern sun warmed the water a few degrees higher than in other parts of the lake. Specifically, one 100-yard stretch of tules at the mouth of a spawning slough produced all the bass they eventually weighed in.
Their go-to lure was a drop-shot with a Roboworm 4 1/2-inch Straight Tail Worm in the M.M.III color rigged with a Roboworm ReBarb Hook.
“We would cast in there and fish it methodically, but we also wanted to cover a lot of ground,” Joey said.
Interestingly, when the Gentle brothers pulled up to their best spot in the morning, they encountered MLF pro Ken Mah, the eventual winner of the multi-day Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats event that was wrapping up the same day.
Mah was locked down in the mouth of a slough to the left of a small point, and the UCLA anglers fished the mouth of a different slough to the right of the point. Showing great sportsmanship, fishing etiquette and mutual respect, Mah and the Bruins settled into their own areas and gave one another plenty of room to fish.
“There were a lot of people up north, and there was a lot of ‘combat fishing,’” said Joey, “And he was just thankful we were respectful.
“We didn’t want to get close to his piece. He was kind of locked in on his own spot and obviously had all his confidence there.”
Joey and Justin put a 4-pounder in the boat first thing tournament morning, followed by a fast limit.
“That was just a good confidence thing, knowing that at any moment we could pull out another good fish,” Joey added. “Filling out a quick limit after that really just guided us to having confidence we were doing the right thing.”
They stuck it out there the rest of the day and were able to cull up to their eventual winning limit of 16-13.
Joey, age 18 and a business economics major, is the president and one of the founders of the new bass club at UCLA. Justin, age 20, majors in civil engineering and is the club’s vice president. This is the first tournament they’ve fished together in several years, after having fished Abu Garcia High School Fishing tournaments together prior to Justin’s graduation.
The top 10 teams on Clear Lake finished:
1st: UCLA – Joey Gentle and Justin Gentle, both of Kelseyville, Calif., five bass, 16-13
2nd: Fresno State University – Kent Moua and Seth Moua, both of Fresno, Calif., four bass, 14-9
3rd: Simpson University – Brayden Bishop, Anderson, Calif., and Jacob Greene, American Canyon, Calif., four bass, 13-13
4th: Simpson University – Landon Ford, Rescue, Calif., and James Hawkinson, Grantite Bay, Calif., four bass, 13-9
5th: Chico State University – Austin Brown, Chico, Calif., and Brandon Huse, Gualala, Calif., four bass, 12-13
6th: Sonoma State University – Justin Keegan, South San Francisco, Calif., and Cody Wyatt, Rohnert Park, Calif., three bass, 9-7
7th: Simpson University – David Berry, Harare, Hawaii, Aiden Grad, Pasco, Wash., two bass, 6-10
8th: Chico State University – Jordan Harris, Elk Grove, Calif., and Fisher Perkins, Rocklin, Calif., two bass, 6-6
9th: Simpson University – Michael Bray, Redding, Calif., and Brennan Osborn, Beaverton, Ore., two bass, 5-14
10th: California State University-Sacramento – Miles Bootay and Jim Emory, both of Sacramento, Calif., one bass, 3-6
The full list of National Championship Qualifiers and complete results for the entire field can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Clear Lake was hosted by Konocti Vista Casino Resort & Marina. The next tournament for MLF College Fishing anglers will be the Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Table Rock Lake, April 5 in Branson, Missouri.
The 2024 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI season features college teams from across the country competing in nine regular-season tournaments. The top 12 percent of teams from each regular-season tournament advance to the 2025 Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI National Championship.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, General Tire, GSM Outdoors, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota and YETI.
For complete details and updated tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular College Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Sumrell and Harp notch decisive win at Bassmaster High School Series event on Douglas Lake
JEFFERSON, Tenn. — A profound lack of clarity gave James Sumrell and Brody Harp the clear advantage, as the Hixson Bass Team duo caught a five-bass limit of 18 pounds, 11 ounces and won the Strike King Bassmaster High School Series at Douglas Lake.
Outpacing their nearest competitors, Kaleb Winstead and Zachary Hudgens of the Scotts Hill High School Anglers, by a 4-1 margin, Sumrell and Harp took home the $3,767 team prize and earned a spot in the Strike King Bassmaster High School Series Championship scheduled for Aug. 1-3 at Chickamauga Lake.
“This is more than a fishing tournament to us; this is what we fight for every day,” Harp said. “It’s not only a learning experience, but we have a love for the outdoors.
“We are just very, very thankful for every second we’re able to spend out here on the water.”
Based in Chattanooga, the winners practiced up the French Broad River and found familiar conditions that seemed to intimidate competitors, but fit squarely into their wheelhouse.
“We stayed up in the river all day, fishing the current,” Sumrell said. “Yesterday, in practice, there were about 10 boats in the area where we caught our fish, but we were the only people up there today.
“Back home, we fish the Tennessee River below Chickamauga Dam and Watts Bar Dam, so we’re very comfortable fishing in chocolate muddy water with lots of current. I think a lot people got scared when they saw that, but we were excited to see it.”
As Sumrell explained, the extreme turbidity congregates bass into tighter areas, shrinks the strike zone and forces the fish to make quick decisions. The winners tempted bass with 1/2-ounce tandem Colorado blade spinnerbaits with chartreuse swimbait trailers.
Sumrell and Harp used white/chartreuse and black/blue spinnerbait patterns. The former produced four of their five weight fish.
“We were targeting small current breaks and isolated pieces of wood in 2 to 5 feet,” Sumrell said. “We were casting at a 45-degree angle to the bank and reeling just as slowly as we could and feeling each blade thump.
“We were deflecting off of rocks, or tree limbs or over (debris) piles. We tried to keep the baits in the fish’s strike zone and present them in the best way possible with the current.”
Pointing to a key element of their strategy, Harp said he and Sumrell spent their day on a single mile-long stretch.
“We just fished up and down, up and down,” Harp said. “That’s what we really look for whenever we practice — we want to select a certain area where we can meander and move in and out.”
Around 10:30, Sumrell anchored his team’s bag with a 5-8 kicker that bit the chartreuse/white bait. That fish ate when Sumrell bumped a branch on a prominent tree that would also produce two more of their limit fish.
While the winners entered the day confident in their game plan, the overall results far exceeded their expectations.
“Originally, we were just shooting for five big bites all day, and then it just produced all throughout the morning and early afternoon,” Harp said. “We boated over 30 fish today.
“We thought we had a good chance (to win), but the majority of the day we didn’t think we were going to break 16 pounds.”
Winstead and Hudgens finished second with 14-10.
Chase McCarter and Ty Trentham of the Sevier County High School Fishing Team placed third with 14-8.
This event was hosted by Visit Jefferson County, TN.
2024 Bassmaster High School Series Title Sponsor: Strike King
2024 Bassmaster High School Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2024 Bassmaster High School Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2024 Bassmaster High School Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
2024 Bassmaster High School Series Youth Sponsors: Seaguar, Shimano
About B.A.S.S.B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
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Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Managing Editor, 205-313-0955, mpascal@
2024 Strike King Bassmaster High School Series at Douglas Lake 3/10-3/10
Douglas Lake, Douglas TN.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Club/School Pts
1. James Sumrell - Brody Harp Hixson Bass Team 0
Day 1: 5 18-11 Total: 5 18-11
2. Kaleb Winstead - Zachary Hudgens Scotts Hill High School Anlgers 0
Day 1: 5 14-10 Total: 5 14-10
3. Chase McCarter - Ty Trentham Sevier County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 14-08 Total: 5 14-08
4. William Alsip - Isaac Alsip South Laurel High School 0
Day 1: 5 13-04 Total: 5 13-04
5. Olivia Mauldin - Elliott Ward Grace Christian Academy Rams 0
Day 1: 5 13-03 Total: 5 13-03
6. Mason Wampler - Rhea County Eagle Anglers 0
Day 1: 5 13-00 Total: 5 13-00
7. Landon Myers - Bryson Bailey Alcoa Fishing Team High School 0
Day 1: 5 12-10 Total: 5 12-10
8. Brodie Gibson - Noah Mentz Knight Fishing Anglers 0
Day 1: 5 11-13 Total: 5 11-13
9. Easton Drennon - Cole Petroff Mt Juliet Fishing Team 0
Day 1: 5 11-08 Total: 5 11-08
9. Colton Hackney - Levi Stanley Triangle Bass Club 0
Day 1: 5 11-08 Total: 5 11-08
11. Presley Lannom - Trevor Sanford Mt. Juliet High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 11-02 Total: 5 11-02
12. Elijah Coleman - Will Dombroskas Montgomery County High School - 0
Day 1: 5 11-01 Total: 5 11-01
13. Zach Knight - Luke Malik Gallatin High School 0
Day 1: 5 10-13 Total: 5 10-13
14. Hayden Barnett - Camdyn Cranfill Kingston High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 10-12 Total: 5 10-12
15. Pate Willis - Ryan Moore Ark-La-Tex Bassmaster High Schoo 0
Day 1: 5 10-10 Total: 5 10-10
16. Conner McClellan - Alec Hummel Southeastern Bass Anglers 0
Day 1: 5 10-07 Total: 5 10-07
17. Tate Turner - Gavin Seewald Hoover High School 0
Day 1: 5 10-06 Total: 5 10-06
18. Landon Rollison - Tanner Bass Dixie County High School - FL 0
Day 1: 5 10-04 Total: 5 10-04
19. Jackie Hatfield - Graham Willis Alcoa Fishing Team - TN 0
Day 1: 5 10-03 Total: 5 10-03
19. Colton Hembree - Tyson Browning Madison Southern 0
Day 1: 5 10-03 Total: 5 10-03
21. Joe Vaulton - Walker LaRue Alcoa Fishing Team High School 0
Day 1: 5 10-00 Total: 5 10-00
22. Jackson Edenfield - Hunter Harris Chiles High School Fishing Team 0
Day 1: 5 09-15 Total: 5 09-15
22. Owen Ray - Turner Tharpe Rhea County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 09-15 Total: 5 09-15
24. Harrison Hobbs - Cade Speligene Music City Bass 0
Day 1: 5 09-11 Total: 5 09-11
25. Corbin Bornstein - Thomas James Lipscomb Academy 0
Day 1: 5 09-09 Total: 5 09-09
25. Kieran Stephenson - Grady Stanley Triangle Bass Club 0
Day 1: 5 09-09 Total: 5 09-09
27. Evin Moore - Bridger Jones Haywood Anglers 0
Day 1: 5 09-08 Total: 5 09-08
27. Ben Puckett - Jesse Klutts Henry County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 09-08 Total: 5 09-08
27. Luke Stewart - Micah Osborne Clay County Panthers 0
Day 1: 5 09-08 Total: 5 09-08
30. Clay Bales - Cash Bales South Laurel High School 0
Day 1: 5 09-06 Total: 5 09-06
31. Talon Stone - Hayden Jennette Benton County Bass Anglers 0
Day 1: 5 09-05 Total: 5 09-05
32. Hadley Martin - Ethan Mullins Central Bass Fishing Club 0
Day 1: 4 09-05 Total: 4 09-05
33. Justin Waggener - Eli Pauley Burgin Bulldogs Fishing Team 0
Day 1: 5 09-03 Total: 5 09-03
33. Hayden Williams - Kent Falls York Co High School Anglers 0
Day 1: 5 09-03 Total: 5 09-03
35. Tyler Curry - Brody Elliott Mt. Vernon Bass Team 0
Day 1: 4 08-15 Total: 4 08-15
36. Brendan Ellis - Jonathan Bedsole Opp High School Fishing Team 0
Day 1: 4 08-12 Total: 4 08-12
37. Hank Porter - Brody Worley Hickman Fishing 0
Day 1: 5 08-10 Total: 5 08-10
38. Max Flatten - Sam Spies North Dakota - At Large 0
Day 1: 5 08-04 Total: 5 08-04
39. Brody Jones - Parker Batts Jefferson County High School - T 0
Day 1: 4 08-04 Total: 4 08-04
39. Caleb Mccord - Blake Smith Arkansas Youth Anglers 0
Day 1: 4 08-04 Total: 4 08-04
41. Harlyn Nelson - Jake Lovingood Wb Fishing Team 0
Day 1: 5 08-00 Total: 5 08-00
42. Jason Wood Jr. - Colson Webb Aiken County Anglers 0
Day 1: 4 07-15 Total: 4 07-15
43. Blair Sinks - Warren County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 4 07-13 Total: 4 07-13
44. Bryson Osment - Lohgan Gosnell Byrnes High School Fishing Club 0
Day 1: 5 07-10 Total: 5 07-10
45. Banks Barber - Aaron Morrison Polk County High School 0
Day 1: 4 07-10 Total: 4 07-10
45. Parker Bilbrey - Tyler Thompson Monterey Anglers 0
Day 1: 4 07-10 Total: 4 07-10
47. Collin Ledbetter - Eli Ledbetter Doyle High School 0
Day 1: 5 07-09 Total: 5 07-09
47. Carter Pjesky - JD McBroom Off the Hook Bassmasters - IL 0
Day 1: 5 07-09 Total: 5 07-09
49. Cole Pennington - Ely Hagans Greenbrier Panthers 0
Day 1: 4 07-08 Total: 4 07-08
50. Devan Grayson - Hayden Jones Warren Co High School Pioneer An 0
Day 1: 3 07-04 Total: 3 07-04
51. Nicholas England - Tyler Medica Alexandria Senior High School - 0
Day 1: 5 07-03 Total: 5 07-03
52. Dylan Quilatan - Tommy Rust Club Florida High School Bassmas 0
Day 1: 4 06-15 Total: 4 06-15
53. James Hayes V - Traydun Freeze Roco Anglers 0
Day 1: 4 06-14 Total: 4 06-14
54. Isaac Garvin - Kaedon Roberts Arkansas Youth Anglers 0
Day 1: 4 06-13 Total: 4 06-13
55. Hank Mcillwain - Hunter Davis Music City Bass 0
Day 1: 3 06-11 Total: 3 06-11
56. Holt Owens - Wyatt Shirran Midway High School - TN 0
Day 1: 5 06-10 Total: 5 06-10
57. Hunter Thomas - Drake Hollifield Sc Upper State Hs Club 0
Day 1: 3 06-08 Total: 3 06-08
58. Foster Hall - Landen Abell Central Kentucky High School Bas 0
Day 1: 3 06-07 Total: 3 06-07
59. Austin Clevinger - Bray Owsley Central Bass Fishing Club 0
Day 1: 4 06-06 Total: 4 06-06
60. Wyatt Gabehart - Rocky Fork Bassmasters 0
Day 1: 4 06-05 Total: 4 06-05
61. Brock Lovering - Dallas Hurd 863 Anglers 0
Day 1: 4 06-03 Total: 4 06-03
62. Lawton Williams - Caiden Little Cleveland County Bass Anglers 0
Day 1: 3 06-03 Total: 3 06-03
63. Madison Busch - Layton Smith Arkansas Youth Anglers - AR 0
Day 1: 3 06-00 Total: 3 06-00
64. Michael Harris - Kayden Waller Mt Juliet Fishing Team 0
Day 1: 3 05-11 Total: 3 05-11
65. Logan Williams - Eli Stiles Gallatin High School 0
Day 1: 3 05-07 Total: 3 05-07
66. Landon Gabby - Kolby Baker Marion High School Bass Fishing 0
Day 1: 2 05-07 Total: 2 05-07
67. Rex Reagan - Max Moody Pickett County High School Fishi 0
Day 1: 3 05-02 Total: 3 05-02
68. Jackson Pruett - Jackson Mcleskey Chesnee High School Fishing Club 0
Day 1: 4 05-01 Total: 4 05-01
69. Jackson Farmer - Cameron Soulages Eagle Anglers Seymour High Scho 0
Day 1: 3 05-01 Total: 3 05-01
69. Carson Holbert - James Click Eagleton Fishing Team 0
Day 1: 3 05-01 Total: 3 05-01
71. Easton Bibbings - Major King Mt Juliet Fishing Team 0
Day 1: 2 05-01 Total: 2 05-01
72. Maclane Fritts - Reid Chapman Campbell County High School 0
Day 1: 3 04-15 Total: 3 04-15
72. Jaxon Humphrey - James Slager Dekalb Fishing Team 0
Day 1: 3 04-15 Total: 3 04-15
72. Eli Scroggins - Sam Scroggins Covington Catholic 0
Day 1: 3 04-15 Total: 3 04-15
75. Maxwell Clabough - Parker Fox Loudon Bass Club 0
Day 1: 3 04-14 Total: 3 04-14
75. Jackson Daugherty - James Lane Kingston High School - TN 0
Day 1: 3 04-14 Total: 3 04-14
75. Jesse Lancaster - Fisher Lancaster Triangle Bass Club 0
Day 1: 3 04-14 Total: 3 04-14
78. Beau Winn - Haiden Kirkland York Co High School Anglers 0
Day 1: 4 04-13 Total: 4 04-13
79. Mason Mullins - Caden Graham Soddy Daisy High School - TN 0
Day 1: 3 04-13 Total: 3 04-13
80. Brennan Starr - Nassau Christian Bass Club - FL 0
Day 1: 2 04-13 Total: 2 04-13
81. Ethan McBrayer - Briarwood High School 0
Day 1: 2 04-12 Total: 2 04-12
82. Kolby Gambrel - Hunter Napier Corbin Bass Fishing Team 0
Day 1: 3 04-11 Total: 3 04-11
82. Mason Taylor - Wesley Kent Dekalb Fishing Team 0
Day 1: 3 04-11 Total: 3 04-11
84. Barrett Newton - Brayden Huddleston Upperman High School 0
Day 1: 2 04-09 Total: 2 04-09
85. Westin Carver - Carter Allison Tennessee Valley High School Bas 0
Day 1: 3 04-08 Total: 3 04-08
85. Caden Schilling - Slade Jones Hixson High School - TN 0
Day 1: 3 04-08 Total: 3 04-08
87. Clayburn Reed - Parker Creech Central Florida Youth Anglers - 0
Day 1: 2 04-08 Total: 2 04-08
88. Wyatt Downs - Gunnar Ballard Upperman High School 0
Day 1: 2 04-06 Total: 2 04-06
89. Joe Rothwell - Luke Maiden Montgomery County High School Ba 0
Day 1: 2 04-04 Total: 2 04-04
90. Nathan Holderness - Gilbert Bass Anglers 0
Day 1: 1 04-03 Total: 1 04-03
91. Thomas Newman - Camdon Fauver Frederick County Hs Bass Wrangle 0
Day 1: 3 04-01 Total: 3 04-01
92. Brentlea Rodgers - Brody Fridell Sale Creek High School - TN 0
Day 1: 3 04-01 Total: 3 04-01
93. Blalock Eskew - Ellis Turner Heard County High School - GA 0
Day 1: 2 04-01 Total: 2 04-01
94. Andrew Terry - Carson Bryant Dchs Fishing Team 0
Day 1: 3 04-00 Total: 3 04-00
95. Jacob Berryhill - Isaac Chandler Cherokee Chiefs Fishing Club 0
Day 1: 3 03-14 Total: 3 03-14
96. Bobby Lane III - RJ Sanger IV Lcs Viking Anglers 0
Day 1: 2 03-14 Total: 2 03-14
96. Trevor Wilburn - Eli Sitton Century High School - IL 0
Day 1: 2 03-14 Total: 2 03-14
98. Brooks Putnam - Daylin Doak Mt. Juliet High School - TN 0
Day 1: 2 03-13 Total: 2 03-13
99. Jackson Ray - TJ Murray Rhea County Eagle Anglers - TN 0
Day 1: 3 03-12 Total: 3 03-12
100. Peyton Faber - Dominick Andux Tampa Bay Junior Bass Club High 0
Day 1: 1 03-12 Total: 1 03-12
100. Hudson Windham - Matthew Hughes Capital City High School Bass Hu 0
Day 1: 1 03-12 Total: 1 03-12
102. Griffin Ralph - Kaleb Snow Lakeside Rams Bass Club 0
Day 1: 3 03-11 Total: 3 03-11
103. Adam Grace - Carter Ingle Jefferson County Patriot Anglers 0
Day 1: 1 03-10 Total: 1 03-10
104. Brogan Collins - Brett Mills Soddy Daisy High School - TN 0
Day 1: 2 03-08 Total: 2 03-08
105. Gavin Gault - Matthew Crawford Madison Bassmasters 0
Day 1: 2 03-07 Total: 2 03-07
106. Brody Ault - Dakota Van Weelden Frontier Falcons 0
Day 1: 2 03-06 Total: 2 03-06
106. Parker Hill - Wesson Vint Track And Channel Youth 0
Day 1: 2 03-06 Total: 2 03-06
108. Ethan Castle - Adam Mcdougal Whitwell Hs Fishing Team 0
Day 1: 3 03-05 Total: 3 03-05
109. Max Himmel - Connor Hebert Catholic High School Fishing 0
Day 1: 2 03-05 Total: 2 03-05
110. Wyatt Crow - Seth Golin Lipscomb Academy 0
Day 1: 1 03-05 Total: 1 03-05
110. Annie Lassiter - Crew Morrone Warren Co High School Pioneer An 0
Day 1: 1 03-05 Total: 1 03-05
112. Peyton Bishop - Cody Ankeny Meigs County High School Fishing 0
Day 1: 2 03-01 Total: 2 03-01
112. Tyler Gentry - Abe Sledge Loudon Bass Club 0
Day 1: 2 03-01 Total: 2 03-01
114. Phillip Dodson - Burgin Independent - KY 0
Day 1: 2 03-00 Total: 2 03-00
115. Joey Newman - Logan Robertson Meigs County High School Fishing 0
Day 1: 2 02-15 Total: 2 02-15
116. Evan Defoor - Emily Dewberry Bremen High School Bass Fishing 0
Day 1: 1 02-15 Total: 1 02-15
116. Bradford Vandemark - Alexander Arnold Eagleville Fishing Club 0
Day 1: 1 02-15 Total: 1 02-15
118. Maggie Harris - Gracie Marion Sumner County Bass Team 0
Day 1: 1 02-13 Total: 1 02-13
119. Garrett Loggans - Jacob Farmer Hamblen County Anglers 0
Day 1: 2 02-12 Total: 2 02-12
120. Nolyn Glacken - Patrick Parker Central Kentucky Hs/Junior Bassm 0
Day 1: 2 02-11 Total: 2 02-11
121. Carter Elliott - TUCKER Robertson Meigs County High School Fishing 0
Day 1: 1 02-11 Total: 1 02-11
121. Noah Loxley - Kinsey Smith Rc Fishing 0
Day 1: 1 02-11 Total: 1 02-11
123. Richard Lirette III - Trey Martinez Lafourche Bassmasters 0
Day 1: 1 02-10 Total: 1 02-10
124. Luke Ayotte - Johann Cloete Tampa Bay Jr. Bass Club - FL 0
Day 1: 2 02-09 Total: 2 02-09
125. Gavin Varner - Connor Burnett Byrnes High School Fishing Club 0
Day 1: 2 02-08 Total: 2 02-08
126. Derek Davis - Evan Wood Mt Pleasant High School Bass Tea 0
Day 1: 1 02-08 Total: 1 02-08
127. Lane Roddy - Colton Myers Gallatin High School - TN 0
Day 1: 2 02-06 Total: 2 02-06
128. Caden Stevens - Hunter Crittenden South Central Tennessee Bassmast 0
Day 1: 1 02-05 Total: 1 02-05
129. Aiden Roberson-Barber - Hayden Peters Monterey Anglers 0
Day 1: 1 02-04 Total: 1 02-04
130. Eli Cooke - Jacob Webb Cleveland County Bass Anglers 0
Day 1: 1 02-01 Total: 1 02-01
130. Cameron Messer - Hunter Norris Halls High Red Nation Anglers 0
Day 1: 1 02-01 Total: 1 02-01
130. Kason Stewart - Parker Davis Davie High War Eagle Bass Fishin 0
Day 1: 1 02-01 Total: 1 02-01
133. Jacob Holt - Warren Co High School Pioneer An 0
Day 1: 1 01-15 Total: 1 01-15
134. Jaxen White - Christopher Trobaugh Clay County Anglers - TN 0
Day 1: 1 01-14 Total: 1 01-14
135. Matthew Adams - Heaven Davis Trhs Devildog Anglers - Traveler 0
Day 1: 1 01-12 Total: 1 01-12
135. William Kelly II - Bryce Matas 901 High School Bass Club 0
Day 1: 1 01-12 Total: 1 01-12
135. Kasen Page - Kaleb Page South Central Tennessee Bassmast 0
Day 1: 1 01-12 Total: 1 01-12
138. Jackson Shore - Tyler Shore Davie High War Eagle Bass Fishin 0
Day 1: 1 01-10 Total: 1 01-10
139. Randall Blankenship - Nate Ingham Meigs County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 1 01-09 Total: 1 01-09
139. Jackson Mitchell - Jack Chambliss Hueytown Fishing 0
Day 1: 1 01-09 Total: 1 01-09
141. Jackson Barger - Parker Ogle Eagle Anglers Seymour High Scho 0
Day 1: 1 01-07 Total: 1 01-07
141. Keegan Reeder - Jacob White Corbin Bass Fishing Team 0
Day 1: 1 01-07 Total: 1 01-07
141. Cash Royston - Isiah Chappell Hampton Middle School Bass Team 0
Day 1: 1 01-07 Total: 1 01-07
144. Holden Harris - Elijah Myers Grundy County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 1 01-02 Total: 1 01-02
145. Brody Mitchell - James Mitchell Grissom High School - AL 0
Day 1: 1 01-01 Total: 1 01-01
146. Kruze Clayton - Meigs County High School Fishing 0
Day 1: 1 01-00 Total: 1 01-00
147. Tanner Russell - Daniel Lowhorn Mt. Juliet High School - TN 0
Day 1: 1 00-15 Total: 1 00-15
148. Jaxson Pierce - Tucker Larrance Jefferson County Patriot Anglers 0
Day 1: 1 00-15 Total: 1 00-15
149. Tucker Allen - Zachary Denton Bradley Central Bears 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Taedem Ashworth - Heith Hutson Mt Pleasant High School Bass Tea 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Dallas Brewster - Kaleb Allmon Loudon Bass Club 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Brody Brinson - Greer Gammon Mt Juliet Fishing Team 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Logan Cargle - Cole Mcdaniel Tift County High School - GA 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Brayden Cranford - Owen Jordan Sumner County Bass Team - TN 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Jackson Dowdle - Mcdowell High School Bass Fishin 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Aidan Ellege - Colten Brown Haywood Anglers 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Eli Ellege - Hunter Shipman Warrior Hs Bass Anglers 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Byron Ellis - Kyzer Gordon Henry County High School Anglers 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Brady Field - Timothy Haley Sumner County Bass Team 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Hayes Finch - James Lamberth Aca Fishing Team 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Skylar Foxx - Braxton Foxx Loudon Bass Club 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Charles Garrison - Thomas Fitton 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Alex Gordon - Colson Smith American Christian Academy 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Rooksby Gordon - Fisher Deason American Christian Academy - AL 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Nolan Gray - Rhyder Short Hamblen County Anglers 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Trey Griffin - Rylan May Halls High Red Nation Anglers 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Elijah Griffith - Grayson Felton Sale Creek Anglers 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Will Hadley - Ian Reed Hartley's Hawgs Ii 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Preston Hendrix - Brody Dotson Sale Creek Anglers 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Lainie Holbert - Sarah Swindle Riverside High School Bass Fishi 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Tanner Holguin - Blake Jackson Carter High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Nolan Holloway - Jackson Fanning Morgan County High School - GA 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Carson Howell - Addison Howell Mt. Pleasant High School - TN 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Kamden Hutsell - Brody Simpher Heritage Fishing 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Olevir Johnson - Allen Moore Oldham Co High School Bass Team 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Tri Johnson - Lakeland High School Fishing Tea 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Nick Keith Jr. - Jagger Wells Munford High School Fishing Club 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Brody Kellum - Carson Thompson Franklin County High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Sam Kiger - Sam Hayes Music City Bass 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Andrew Kunz - Jacob Hood Bibb Country 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Caleb Kuykendall - Braden Wright Ark-La-Tex Bassmaster High Schoo 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Jacob Lamb - Jonathan Blood Music City Bass 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Gaige Lunsford - Gunner Lunsford Meigs County High School Fishing 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Reilly Marshall - Zac Eubanks Lee County High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Langston Martin - Talmage Isaacson Lee County Anglers 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Holden Mcclung - Greyson Brock Fellowship Christian School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Milam Mcillwain - Landon Lewis Creekwood Hs Redhawks Fishing 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Anderson Mesplay - Pendleton High School Fishing Te 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Porter Morrison - Brayden Morgan Catholic High School Fishing 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Kyle Oliver - Landon Lacy Lakeway Christian Academy Fishin 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Brady Osborn - Ryan Seitz Southeastern Bass Anglers 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Hunter Owens - Clayton Kelley Karns High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Nicholas Palazzo - Gage Ricker Knight Fishing Anglers 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Landon Palmer - Collin Jetton Arkansas Youth Anglers Junior 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Nash Parham - Jude Gibson Sumner County Jr Bass Team - TN 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Justin Payne - Alcoa Fishing Team High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Peyton Perry - Aidan Bullion Benton County Bass Anglers - TN 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Daniel Pike - Cayden Black Grace Christian Academy - TN 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Jameson Pursley - Hayden Spears Warren Co High School Pioneer An 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Quade Rain - Cody Crump Dixie Co Bass Masters High Schoo 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Camden Randall - James Roop Mt Pleasant High School Bass Tea 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Jace Reyes - Branson Sheridan Livingston Parish Bassmasters 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Hollis Rose - Grant Arnold Jefferson County Patriot Anglers 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Landon Scott - Hunter Bolton Pickett County High School - TN 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Kaede Seamon - Joshua Wharton Aiken County Anglers 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Wilson Shepherd - Caden Hoagland Alcoa Fishing Team High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Mason Singleton - Ethan Tatum Burgin Bulldogs Fishing Team 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Jett Smith - Maddox Morgan Bass Warriors 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Wyatt Smith - Luke Childs Music City Bass 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Jastynn Snoblen - Hayden Risher Lenoir City High School Bass Clu 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Tyler Stallcup - Preston Jaynes Loudon Bass Club 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Gage Taylor - Jacob Morgan Davie High War Eagle Bass Fishin 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Carly Thomas - Kaylee Kent Dekalb Fishing Team 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Brayden Tisdale - Dawson Reeves Opp High School - AL 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Alex Townsend - Andrew Hardin Benton County Bass Anglers 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Sam Volbert - Brody Alderman Music City Bass 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Dyson Weaver - Hayden Davidson Creek Wood Red Hawks 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Aiden Willett - West Greene High School 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
149. Balyn Wolfe - Reece Myrick Eagle Anglers Seymour High Scho 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
------------------------------
BIG BASS OF TOURN
James Sumrell Hixson, TN 05-08 $0.00
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 41 450 872-12
------------------------------
41 450 872-12
Perkins Prevails at Lake Amistad for Epic Baits NPFL Championships Victory
Counce, Tennessee angler Brandon Perkins goes wire-to-wire at Lake Amistad earning the $100,000 grand prize and NPFL Championship Shield.
After a dominant start to the tournament on day one with 29 pounds, 9 ounces, Brandon Perkins sealed the deal in Texas, becoming the first-ever NPFL Championship winner. Carrying a 12-pound lead into the final day, Perkins caught five bass weighing 20 pounds, 3 ounces on Showdown Saturday, adding to his day two weight of 21 pounds, 12 ounces. With a three-day total of 71 pounds, 8 ounces, he secured the inaugural NPFL Championship title on Lake Amistad with a stellar three days of fishing.
Perkins' margin of victory was 15 pounds, 9 ounces and he has set the record for the most weight in NPFL history for three days. He spent the week fishing a mixture of different things but the special areas were bluff walls where there were rock transitions. If there was wood, it was even better. Perkins got a clue in practice when he saw and caught a big fish using his Lowrance Active Target and it may have changed the trajectory of the event.
“I knew the wind was going to be bad later in the week so I found places I would be able to fish without being affected too bad,” he said. “During practice, I was able to catch a ton of bass on FFS, but they were all small. I was going down a bluff bank and saw a big blob. I threw that Scope Stik out there and caught one almost 8 pounds. That fish got me dialed on bluff walls and that is how I fished this week.”
All week throughout practice and the tournament, Perkins for the most part had his water to himself, which was key for being able to manage fish.
“I saw a few boats in practice, but they were not fishing the same types of bank I was. I felt like I had figured out something special,” he added.”My one-two punch was the Magdraft and the Bill Lewis MR-12 crankbait. When they were eating the swimbait, I could see them bite and it was an absolute blast.”
While the majority of the field was fishing a bit more offshore or on different types of banks, Perkins was able to locate big largemouth using his Costa Sunglasses and make precise casts. When the fish would miss, he would follow up with a Yamamoto Senko, but his execution was flawless.
On the final day, even with a 12-pound lead, the Tennessee angler was never nervous but still stressed throughout the day as things started to come together. He began his morning close by the ramp with the wind howling and started his day off with a small keeper. “The wind made it hard to fish, and I lost a good one; I just was not feeling it,” said Perkins. “I knew that was not what I was supposed to be doing, and then my gut told me, ‘I have to go where I had not fished since day one.’ I caught two small ones on Thursday but it felt right, my gut was telling me.”
Perkins made his way to the spot and almost immediately put his first big fish in the boat – a 7-pounder. He turned to the live camera and said “Trust your gut.” Soon after, he filled in a small limit and was on his way to securing the victory. “At that point, I was feeling confident in my decision-making and again got a feeling that I needed to make a move. A five-pounder bit my bait but never got it. I knew if I caught one more big fish I would seal it and that was a shot.”
Around 2:30 pm, still without another big bite, he was working his way into an area when his friend and fellow angler, Richard Cooper stopped to see how things were going and ask about fishing a stretch. “Cooper asked me if I was planning on fishing an area and I was just going to move in there. I told him to go ahead but he graciously turned around and left. I got back there and caught my second 7-pounder.
That one meant a ton to me. The NPFL anglers this week were amazing, we had a lot of fun. It is pretty cool to be able to trust your buddies, and not only Richard, but Mike Corbishley and Will Harkins helped me out this week by lending me baits – I have to thank those guys a ton!”
With two bass for 14 pounds and a small limit to boot, the adversity was not over. As he went to lift his Minn Kota Ultrex, the cable had wrapped up and snapped while lifting it into the boat. And down into the bottom of the boat, he fell.
“Dustin Smith was close by and came over to help me,” laughed Perkins. “We got the motor back up and I was able to get going. That right there was my sign from above that I needed to make my way to the ramp. A lot of times throughout my career I felt like it was not my time, and it wasn’t. You can't control it, when it happens it happens. I thought I was going to win the AOY but it was not in God's plan. This week, it was my time.”
Without the support from his family, friends, and sponsors, Perkins would not be able to compete in the NPFL, let alone the NPFL Championship.
“I have to give a huge shout-out to my wife, girls, and all my friends and family for the support, text messages, and calls. I owe a lot of people calls and I promise to get back to everyone. I started working with Reel Deal Tackle Shop and they overnighted me some stuff this week which was important. I also ran on high all day every day. My Miller Tech Batteries were at 85% at the end of the day and I never once had to worry about those, or my electronics one bit.”
“And finally, the NPFL. I have been with the NPFL for all of the years and these guys are amazing. The NPFL is my home and I love it,” he added. With his winning weight, Perkins now owns the NPFL record for a three-day total weight of 71 pounds, 8 ounces.
Jesse Wise
Adding 19 pounds, 5 ounces on Showdown Saturday, including a 10-pound, 9-ounce lunker largemouth, Jesse Wise finished the Epic Baits NPFL Championship event in second place with a three-day total weight of 55 pounds, 15 ounces. He began his tournament with 18 pounds, 2 ounces, and added 17 pounds, 14 ounces on day two before making his move on the final day.
Like many anglers this week, Wise located the stretch of Lake Amistad that had grass and developed a pattern he was confident he could ride throughout the tournament. “The hot topic in the industry is ‘scoping’ them but this place at this time of year is not the time for that,” he said. “I tried it in practice but only had a few bites and quickly got that out of my mind. On day two, I located the grass and knew I had found a place I would spend some time.”
On day three of practice on Tuesday, Wise dialed in Lake Amistad even more and figured out a one-two punch that involved flipping, something he loves to do. “On the final day of practice I learned the big ones were coming and I was excited for the tournament to start,” he added. “Any piece of wood with more than four feet of water on it held fish and I knew we
were going to catch them. I woke up on Thursday morning and I could feel it in the air; those spring derbys when you just know things are lining up to be fun.”
When he arrived at his main area, two other anglers were in the vicinity and the three of them had a good day of catching. Wise, however, was concerned if the area would reload with fish or if the pressure would crush the area.
“I got there on day two and we knew the wind was going to be bad, so I got into them as fast as I could but we only had a short window before the conditions got bad,” he said. “On the final day, it was a struggle until 10 am. I had one small fish before I caught the 10 pounder and then it died until the afternoon.”
The struggle was short-lived. After the Weigh Live Tracker went off in the afternoon, the fish got set up and Wise got back to business catching the third biggest bag of the day and moving into the second place spot in the tournament.
“I could call my shots this week. If it had more than four feet, they were biting. I caught them well on the final day but did not get enough bit bites to really make up the ground. When the wind was blowing, I could catch them on the Deep Creek Lures Stick Worm in Purple Haze color, and then when the wind blew, I switched to the shakey head and caught them on the Deep Creek Lures Trick Worm.
“At the end of the day, it was a great week,” concluded Wise “Brandon was on them and I will tip my cap to him. I told everyone it would be 18 pounds a day, and that is what I ended up catching on average. We hit it at the perfect time while the lake was popping off. I knew we were going to catch them, and if the weather had not changed, we would have got them even better.”
Patrick Walters
Starting on day one in third place with 21 pounds, 15 ounces, Patrick Walters added 17 pounds, 6 ounces on day two, and 13 pounds, 9 ounces on day three to finish in third place spot with a total weight of 52 pounds, 14 ounces.
“I had a phenomenal week throwing around the Zoom Magnum Swamp Crawler and a new bait from Zoom, the Shimer Shad, it's a chatterbait/spinnerbait trailer. Most bites were on the chatterbait but today, the big fish came on the spinnerbait.”
Walters focused his efforts on Amistad this week fishing around transition banks with grass and timber, where fish were staging to spawn. “I lost a few key fish each day but around that much cover, it's going to happen,” he added. “The biggest thing when fishing around other boats is just keeping a bait in the water and trusting your equipment. Trent at Sonar Pros got me dialed and my Falcon Boat ran flawlessly this week. It was not my time, and I truly believe that is how it goes. With the lake low like this, being dialed and having good mapping is
key.”
Darrel Robertson
Darrel Robertson finished the Epic Baits NPFL Championship in the 4th spot with a three-day total weight of 48 pounds, 7 ounces. He started the event in the top five with 19 pounds, 5 ounces, added 15 pounds, 12 ounces on day two, and added 13 pounds, 6 ounces on the final day to finish up a successful tournament.
Randy Sullivan
With a three-day total of 45 pounds, 10 ounces, Randy Sullivan finished in fifth place in the inaugural EPIC Baits NPFL Championship on Lake Amistad. Sullivan started on day one with 19 pounds, 15 ounces, backed it up with 13 pounds, 7 ounces on day two, and added a Showdown Saturday bag of 12 pounds, 4 ounces.
Rest of the best:
Jason Wilson 44-11
John Cox 44-6
Kevin Martin 43-15
Barron Adams 42-8
Louis Fernandes 42-4
Tennessee’s Jake Lawrence Goes Wire-to-Wire, Wins MLF Toyota Series Presented by T-H Marine at Kentucky-Barkley Lakes
CALVERT CITY, Ky. (March 9, 2024) – For the third time in his career, Jake Lawrence put the bow on a dominating win on Kentucky Lake, leading wire-to-wire in the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Plains Division opener. The win marks his third in five tries on Kentucky and Barkley, and he’s led each event from the get-go. Impressively, he’s done it all kinds of ways, catching prespawn and postspawn smallmouth as well as summer largemouth, and with and without LiveScope.
This week, Lawrence came out of the gate with 24 pounds, 2 ounces, then followed it up with 18-3 on Day 2 and 20-13 on the final day, adding up to a 63-2 winning total. Finishing second with 61-13, Matt Robertson was by far Lawrence’s biggest competition as the only other angler to top 60 pounds.
Now, Lawrence needs to find space for another trophy, and he gets to take home a total of $74,500 (including a $35,000 Phoenix Bonus).
An expert with LiveScope and a jighead minnow, Lawrence weighed 10 smallmouth and five largemouth this week, and he caught almost everything from current breaks with a minnow on a lead head.
On the first and last days, the current was optimal to allow him to pick off single fish in relatively shallow water.
“It was current breaks, but it seemed to change throughout the week,” he explained. “The way that I caught them the first day and today, they weren’t necessarily right on the contact point, right where the current seam leaves the bank or leaves the shallow bar – that textbook spot. Most of mine were within 100 yards of it, but downstream of it, in the slack water. I don’t know if it is because we’ve had such strong current for such a period of time or what, but you could run it from right outside the marina as far south as you wanted to go.”
And Lawrence did use the whole lake. On Day 1, he started on a school near Moors, then finished south of Paris Landing. Today, he worked his way down almost to Jonathan Creek. Understanding the quirks of the current on Kentucky Lake let Lawrence succeed throughout the week.
“Yesterday, I feel like the inflow was as much or more than the outflow was, “he said. “So, a lot of your current breaks right at the mouth of the bays, you don’t get that sucking effect. It’s a lot of current, but all straight down the river channel. Once you got outside of the river channel several hundred yards yesterday, it was way less than normal. Today, I could tell within the first 30 minutes; every one I rolled up to, they’d be crawling around on the bottom.”
On Day 2, whether he knew it or not, Lawrence adjusted by moving closer to the main channel to catch some key smallmouth. Plus, he was able to key his bag with three largemouth that day.
Fishing mostly in the 5- to 10-foot range, Lawrence used a prototype minnow from Jenko and did most of his work with a 3/16-ounce head, though he did use lighter and heavier models.
While it looked easy on stage, Lawrence said it was absolutely not.
“The last Toyota, it was really easy to catch them,” he said. “I could catch 60, 70 a day fairly easily. Not a lot of big ones, but I could catch almost every bass I saw. This week, it was not a challenge to find them, it was a challenge to trick them. It’s getting harder and harder to trick them everywhere, but that seems to be the deal now — they’re a lot harder to catch than they used to be.”
A rookie on the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals, Lawrence will be back in action (and no doubt sporting a live camera on MLFNOW!) in April on Kentucky Lake. After making a living guiding for the last six years, Lawrence has put his considerable skills to fishing full-time in 2024. So far, it’s been very successful.
“This takes a humongous amount of pressure off,” he said. “This is what we all dreamed of. My grandad and uncle were taking me when I was in diapers and pull ups. This is what I’ve always wanted to do. To have the start that we’ve had, my goodness — it’s been 16 months straight, everything seems to go right when it needs to. At some point, that ball is going to quit rolling in my direction, but until then, we’ll keep rocking with it.”
The top 10 pros on Kentucky Lake finished:
1st: Jake Lawrence, Buchanan, Tenn., 15 bass, 63-2, $74,500 (includes $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus)
2nd: Matt Robertson, Kuttawa, Ky., 15 bass, 61-13, $15,306
3rd: Jordan Hartman, Benton, Ky., 15 bass, 54-2, $11,850
4th: Harbor Lovin, New Concord, Ky., 15 bass, 52-6, $9,875
5th: Clint Knight, Lewisburg, Ky., 15 bass, 51-5, $9,387
6th: Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill., 15 bass, 51-4, $7,900
7th: Brad Jelinek, Lincoln, Mo., 15 bass, 50-11, $6,912
8th: Hunter Fillmore, Waynesville, Ohio, 15 bass, 50-6, $5,925
9th: Ethan Fields, Breese, Ill., 14 bass, 49-9, $4,937
10th: Brent Anderson, Kingston Springs, Tenn., 15 bass, 49-3, $3,950
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Pro Taylor Umland of Carlock, Illinois, earned Thursday’s $500 Berkley Big Bass Award with a largemouth weighing in at 7 pounds, 13 ounces. The $500 Berkley Big Bass Award on Day 2 Friday was earned by pro Clint Knight of Lewisburg, Kentucky, who weighed in a 6-pound, 2-ounce bass.
Todd Adamitis of Glen Carbon, Illinois, won the Strike King Co-angler Division Saturday with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 40 pounds, 10 ounces. Adamitis took home the top co-angler prize package worth $33,500, including a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard motor.
For the win, Adamitis relied on a co-angler staple, a Carolina rig.
“I think 14 out of the 15 fish were on a Carolina rig, and my big kicker was on a swimbait,” he said. “It was a great three days. I felt comfortable out there. It’s a great event as a co-angler, especially if you’re out on the ledges or the bars. You can really fan cast everywhere, straight out of the back of the boat or to the right or to the left. You’ve got a lot to throw at. As long as you’re on that good rocky scratch, you just hold it there and work it really slow.”
Using a 3/4-ounce weight most days, and a 1-ounce weight in the wind on Day 3, Adamitis stuck with a Strike King Rage Bug for the duration, and tipped the tails with a little chartreuse dye. He also kept it sauced up.
“I was putting BaitFuel on the bait, every cast, almost,” he said. “I think I went through two things of BaitFuel.”
For his kicker on the last day, Adamitis used a Storm WildEye Swim Shad.
“Old-school, like you buy at Walmart,” he said. “That was the only one I had that was heavy enough, that I could get down there.”
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers on Kentucky Lake finished:
1st: Todd Adamitis, Glen Carbon, Ill., 15 bass, 52-2, Phoenix 518 Pro boat w/115-hp Mercury outboard
2nd: Ryan Stagner, Robertsville, Mo., 15 bass, 50-7, $4,938
3rd: Ryan Steinhoff, Beulah, Colo., 13 bass, 49-12, $3,950
4th: Anthony Bell, Jr., Cincinnati, Ohio, 12 bass, 44-12, $3,456
5th: Dennis Young, Olathe, Kan., 10 bass, 44-5, $3,113
6th: Chase Johnson, Quincy, Ill., 11 bass, 42-13, $2,469
7th: Brant Gish, Evansville, Ind., 11 bass, 42-1, $1,975
8th: Justin Hoffman, Hindsville, Ark., nine bass, 41-0, $1,728
9th: Jim Eakin, Clarksville, Tenn., nine bass, 40-10, $1,481
10th: Bo Bivins, Evansville, Ind., 10 bass, 40-4, $1,234
Brent Rumley of Hillsboro, Missouri, earned Thursday’s $150 Berkley Big Bass co-angler award with a 5-pound, 5-ounce bass, while the Day 2 $150 co-angler award on Friday went to Taylor Surly of Rogers, Arkansas, who boated a 6-pound, 11-ounce bass.
The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Kentucky-Barkley Lakes was hosted by the Kentucky Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau. It was the first of three regular-season tournaments for the Toyota Series Plains Division. The next event for the Toyota Series Plains Division anglers will be the Toyota Series at Grand Lake, April 11-13, in Grove, Oklahoma. For a complete schedule of events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The 2024 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and the Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the six divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST 2025. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The 2024 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 7-9 on Wheeler Lake in Huntsville, Alabama, and is hosted by the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Madison County Commission, and the Huntsville Sports Commission.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Toyota Series include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, FX Custom Rods, General Tire, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Toyota Series updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Elk Grove pro Ken Mah Wins MLF Toyota Series Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse Season Opener at Clear Lake
LAKEPORT, Calif. (March 9, 2024) – In his 18th season fishing the Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse, Elk Grove, California’s Ken Mah has finished 11 times in the Top 10. He’s been close so many times before, and Friday at Clear Lake, he finally added the big No. 1 to his MLF résumé.
Mah didn’t just eke by, either. The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats veteran went absolutely nuclear the final two days of the event, weighing in close to 30 pounds on Day 2 (29-12) and putting the cherry on top on Championship Friday with the largest bag of the tournament (31-10) that was anchored by a behemoth Clear Lake 11-pounder. In total, he weighed in 15 fish for 82 pounds, 6 ounces over three days.
As was the case for many anglers this week, Mah didn’t pile up big weights with big numbers – he had just nine bites on Day 1, 11 on Day 2 and seven on Day 3 – but he got the right bites at the right times, as evidenced by the tournament-best 11-pounder, which he caught mid-morning Friday.
What separated Mah from many in the field was the way he caught his fish, namely, flipping shallow cover. While the majority of anglers were casting big swimbaits offshore, Mah spent his time flipping, at first somewhat offshore and eventually near the bank.
“I [caught] my biggest one near the bank,” he said. “That was late in the day on Day 1. And that kind of clued me in a little bit. As the tournament went on, I started to catch less and less of them out of the brush and more and more on the bank. That was a key move for me.
“I followed those big fish. They want to move shallow right now. Me being able to follow them shallow was a key adjustment.”
Adjusting on the fly was perhaps part of Mah’s plan, though. After snowfall during practice and with forecasts calling for increasingly warmer weather throughout the week, he knew he’d have to move with the fish and try something a little different at some point.
For his flipping setups, Mah relied on a black-and-blue jig with a 3-inch Big Bite Baits YoMama trailer tied to 65-pound-test braid spooled on a Shimano Chronarch 150 MGL reel paired with a G. Loomis GLX 894. He also flipped just the YoMama on 22-pound-test Sunline Shooter with the Chronarch and a G. Loomis GLX JWR895.
Mah isn’t one to play up his accomplishments (and despite this being his first MLF win, he’s won all over the place out West on other tournament trails), so he was somewhat understandably subdued about catching more than 61 pounds over the final two days of the tournament. Still, it wasn’t entirely lost on him what a crazy tournament he put together.
“I didn’t know what was going to happen,” he said. “I knew the weather conditions were getting better for what I wanted to do. Things came together. It was [just] one of those things.”
With the win, Mah not only finally has a shiny red trophy to add to his mantle but also finds himself in the driver’s seat for Western Division Angler of the Year. Of course, there’s still two tournaments to go – and he’s not overlooking either of them – but he’s experienced enough with the West Coast slate to really put an exclamation point on what has been a terrific FLW/MLF career to this point, not to mention the fact that the Western Division finale takes place on his home fishery of the California Delta.
First, though, is Havasu in May, which is a timeframe that presents some new challenges for Mah and the rest of the division.
“My attitude about the season and each tournament is a microcosm,” he said. “Getting off to a great start is a great thing, but it’s not about how you start – it’s how you finish.
“I’m cautiously optimistic. We’re going to Havasu at a different time of year that I’ve not been before. With that postspawn Havasu fishing, it should suit my style better than the usual pre-prespawn time. I’m looking forward to it.”
And why not? There’s a sense of relief that comes with notching your first MLF win.
“It’s one that was alluding me,” he admitted. “To close it out here against this field, it’s just amazing. I’m blessed. This is a trophy I’ve been chasing.”
The top 10 pros on Clear Lake finished:
1st: Ken Mah, Elk Grove, Calif., 15 bass, 82-6, $26,261
2nd: Joe Mariani, Winters, Calif., 15 bass, 76-4, $10,176
3rd: Jon Strelic, El Cajon, Calif., 15 bass, 74-1, $7,878
4th: John Pearl, Upper Lake, Calif., 15 bass, 73-13, $6,565
5th: Christian Melton, Menifee, Calif., 15 bass, 68-3, $5,909
6th: Nathan Phillips, Kelseyville, Calif., 15 bass, 67-15, $5,252
7th: Juarez Jackson, Kelseyville, Calif., 15 bass, 66-5, $4,596
8th: David Valdivia, Riverside, Calif., 15 bass, 65-4, $4,239
9th: J.D. Blackamore, Yorba Linda, Calif., 13 bass, 65-0, $3,283
10th: Patrick Touey, Santa Maria, Calif., 15 bass, 61-12, $2,626
Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.
Pro Daniel Shelton of Kelseyville, Nevada, earned the $500 Berkley Big Bass Award on Day 1 Wednesday with a largemouth weighing in at 9 pounds, 4 ounces. The Day 2 $500 Berkley Big Bass Award on Thursday was earned by pro Roy Hawk of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, with an 8-pound, 14-ounce largemouth bass.
Kirk Marshall of Discovery Bay, California, won the Strike King Co-angler Division Friday with a three-day total of 13 bass weighing 52 pounds, 2 ounces. Marshall took home the top co-angler prize package worth $33,500, including a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard motor.
The top 10 Strike King co-anglers on Clear Lake finished:
1st: Kirk Marshall, Discovery Bay, Calif., 13 bass, 52-2, Phoenix 518 Pro boat w/115-hp Mercury outboard
2nd: Jonathan Green, San Pablo, Calif., 13 bass, 50-7, $3,396
3rd: Blaine Christiansen, San Jose, Calif., 12 bass, 49-12, $2,716
4th: David Zavvar, Concord, Calif., 13 bass, 44-12, $2,377
5th: Jerimiah Valador, Kelseyville, Calif., 10 bass, 44-5, $2,187
6th: Mike Walsh, El Cajon, Calif., 10 bass, 42-13, $1,848
7th: Troy Diatte, Salinas, Calif., 12 bass, 42-1, $1,358
8th: Jose Juarez, Jr., Kelseyville, Calif., 11 bass, 41-0, $1,188
9th: Paul Buccola, Dayton, Nev., 12 bass, 40-10, $1,019
10th: Mike Alvarez, Clovis, Calif., 11 bass, 40-4, $849
Jerimiah Valador of Kelseyville, California, earned Wednesday’s $150 Berkley Big Bass co-angler award with a 6-pound, 7-ounce bass, while the Day 2 $150 co-angler award on Thursday went to Damon Witt of Riseville, California, with an 8-pound, 2-ounce bass.
The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats at Clear Lake was hosted by the Konocti Vista Casino Resort & Marina. It was the first of three regular-season tournaments for the Toyota Series Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse. The next event for the Toyota Series Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse anglers will be the Toyota Series at Lake Havasu, May 2-4, in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. For a complete schedule of events, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.
The 2024 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consists of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and the Western Division Presented by Tackle Warehouse – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International and Wild Card divisions. Anglers who fish in any of the six divisions or the Wild Card division and finish in the top 25 will qualify for the no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship for a shot at winning up to $235,000 and a qualification to REDCREST 2025. The winning Strike King co-angler at the championship earns a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower Mercury outboard. The 2024 Toyota Series Championship will be held Nov. 7-9 on Wheeler Lake in Huntsville, Alabama, and is hosted by the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Madison County Commission, and the Huntsville Sports Commission.
Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Toyota Series include: 7Brew, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, FX Custom Rods, General Tire, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Onyx, Phoenix, Polaris, Power-Pole, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota and YETI.
For complete details and updated information visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular Toyota Series updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the MLF5 social media outlets at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
About Major League Fishing
Major League Fishing (MLF) is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, producing more than 250 events annually at some of the most prestigious fisheries in the world, while broadcasting to America’s living rooms on CBS, Discovery Channel, Outdoor Channel, CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network and on demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV). Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, the MLF roster of bass anglers includes the world’s top pros and more than 30,000 competitors in all 50 states and 17 countries. Since its founding in 2011, MLF has advanced the sport of competitive fishing through its premier television broadcasts and livestreams and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for bass through research, education, fisheries enhancement and fish care.
Key lunker lifts Austin to Bassmaster Open Win at Santee Cooper Lakes
Key lunker lifts Austin to Bassmaster Open Win at Santee Cooper Lakes
CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — Amid the rainy, windy conditions, a late-morning kicker lifted Kyle Austin to a final-day catch of 27 pounds, 8 ounces. That gave him a three-day total of 83-7 and a victory at the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Santee Cooper Lakes presented by SEVIIN.
The Ridgeville, S.C., pro said winning on his home fishery was the crowning achievement of his life on the water.
“Ever since I was a kid, I’ve stood in this parking lot and watched the Bassmaster weigh-ins and watched local tournament weigh-ins, and I’ve always wanted to stand up here on this stage and hold (the winning trophy),” said Austin, who guides on the Santee Cooper Lakes. “I’ve fished against a lot of these guys on this lake and they’ve beat me like a drum.
“To finally stand up here with the trophy is just incredible. There’s no place I’d rather do it.”
After placing 13th on Day 1 with 24-7, Austin added a second-round limit of 31-8 — the event’s heaviest bag — and took over the lead by a 1-pound margin. It was one of only two bags over 30 for the event.
In the final round, the Tackle Warehouse Elite Qualifiers (EQ) angler bagged a limit of 27-8 and secured the win with 83-7 — the second-heaviest winning weight in a Bassmaster Open behind Florida’s Scott Martin, who set the high mark of 90-6 during the season-opener at Lake Okeechobee just over a month ago.
Austin took home the top prize of $49,638 and secured a berth in the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors scheduled for March 21-23 on Lake Ray Roberts in Fort Worth, Texas.
“Fishing the Bassmaster Classic has been a dream of mine,” Austin said. “It’s a dream for a lot of people and it’s definitely possible.”
On a Championship Saturday that was shortened by 1 1/2 hours due to a National Weather Service afternoon forecast for severe conditions, Austin started on the same spot that produced the majority of his weight the first two days.
“That was a super-shallow hard spot with current,” he said. “The key was getting that current to flow the right way to get them to bite.
“This morning, I cast 20 to 30 times and never had a bite. The wind changed and made an eddy and we got right in a hurry.”
Austin caught his current-related fish on a 1/2-ounce Strike King Red Eyed Shad Tungsten 2-Tap lipless crankbait and a 1-ounce locally made spinnerbait with tandem willow-leaf blades. The latter produced his biggest fish on his starting spot.
Around 9:30 a.m., Austin transitioned to a high-percentage strategy of running particular Lake Marion trees in search of big bites. That move would deliver the game-changing opportunity.
“A lot of people get into an area and they fish every tree in the area,” he said. “I pull up and fish two or three of them.”
After a morning of trading the lead with Martin and second-place Laker Howell of Guntersville, Ala., Austin sat a few ounces behind Martin in BassTrakk’s unofficial standings. Pulling up to a tupelo tree around 11:15, he pitched a wacky-rigged stickworm to the base and came tight on a 7-6 ball of green fury that would slam the door shut on Austin’s first B.A.S.S. victory.
“They get on the same trees every year,” he said. “I had the confidence of knowing which ones they get on, so I just kept running them and running them until I caught a big one.”
Despite the day’s increasingly strong winds and the rough ride back to the weigh-in, Austin said the reward more than justified the challenge. Had the final day been cancelled due to unsafe conditions, Austin would have been declared the winner as the Day 2 leader.
“I’m glad we went today; I did not want to win on a cancellation,” Austin said. “I wanted to get back out there.”
Howell placed ninth on Day 1 with 25-5 and rose to third by adding a second-round bag that went 28-7. He gained another spot with his final limit of 26-13 that pushed his total to 80-9.
Committing his tournament to a protected area on Lake Moultrie, Howell targeted shallow grass and caught his bass in a foot and a half of water. Howell relied on a 1/2-ounce ChatterBait JackHammer with a black/blue and green Yamamoto Zako trailer.
Not only did the bait perform well in the grass, Howell said the bulkier trailer and the particular color pattern likely resembled the area’s abundant sunfish. He also noted that dialing in particular sweet spots boosted his success.
“There were three chutes in the grass and that’s how they were coming into the area,” Howell said. “Every time I’d come to one of those chutes, I’d catch a big one.”
Hailing from Clewiston, Fla., Martin turned in daily weights of 25-4, 27-15 and 27-0 to finish with 80-3. Fishing the Potato Creek area of Lake Marion, he focused on bed fishing and caught his bass on a Texas-rigged Googan Baits Bandito Bug — the same bait that produced most of his fish during his win at Lake Okeechobee.
“Practice was tough, but you pick up little clues that help you home in on something,” said Martin, whose father is nine-time B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year and 19-time B.AS.S. winner Roland Martin. “In an event like this, when the fish are coming to you, all you need is a little bit — and that little bit will go a long way.”
Late in the morning, Martin tried to tempt a big bed fish that rejected the Bandito Bug. Following his gut instinct, he picked up a spinning rod, pitched a drop shot with a 6-inch pink worm and caught the 6-10 on his first cast.
Day 1 leader Mark Hutson of Moncks Corner, S.C., won the $750 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award for his 10-3 largemouth.
Sixth-place finisher Chad Grigsby of Maple Grove, Minn., won the $1,000 St. Croix contingency award on the boater side. Chad Stahl of Barnesville, Ga., won the $250 award in the co-angler division.
With three of nine Opens completed, Evan Kung of Pickering, Canada, leads the Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite Qualifier standings with 568 points. He is followed by Dakota Ebare of Brookeland, Texas (555), Matt Adams or Oxford, Ala. (529), Mike Surman of Boca Raton, Fla. (504), Easton Fothergill of Grand Rapids, Minn. (501), Andy Newcomb of Camdenton, Mo. (500), Bobby Bakewell of Orlando, Fla. (490), Cody Meyer of Eagle, Idaho (490) and Christian Ostrander of Turlock, Calif. (487).
This event was hosted by Clarendon County in association with Santee Cooper Country and the Town of Santee.
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: St. Croix
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: SEVIIN
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
About B.A.S.S.B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
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Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitte
Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Managing Editor, 205-313-0955, mpascal@
2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Santee Cooper Lakes presented by SEVIIN 3/7-3/9
Santee Cooper Lakes, Manning SC.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Kyle Austin Ridgeville, SC 15 83-07 200 $49,638.00
Day 1: 5 24-07 Day 2: 5 31-08 Day 3: 5 27-08
2. Laker Howell Guntersville, AL 15 80-09 199 $19,855.00
Day 1: 5 25-05 Day 2: 5 28-07 Day 3: 5 26-13
3. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 15 80-03 198 $15,391.00
Day 1: 5 25-04 Day 2: 5 27-15 Day 3: 5 27-00
4. Dakota Ebare Brookeland, TX 15 71-04 197 $13,898.00
Day 1: 5 27-06 Day 2: 5 22-01 Day 3: 5 21-13
5. Parker Guy Ocilla, GA 15 69-11 196 $12,906.00
Day 1: 5 26-06 Day 2: 5 24-11 Day 3: 5 18-10
6. Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, MN 14 69-07 195 $11,913.00
Day 1: 5 23-05 Day 2: 5 29-12 Day 3: 4 16-06
7. Matt Messer Warfield, KY 13 66-00 194 $10,920.00
Day 1: 5 26-07 Day 2: 5 25-00 Day 3: 3 14-09
8. Matt Adams Oxford, AL 14 63-01 193 $9,928.00
Day 1: 5 24-14 Day 2: 5 22-14 Day 3: 4 15-05
9. Evan Kung Pickering Ontario CANAD 15 62-11 192 $9,928.00
Day 1: 5 26-07 Day 2: 5 25-12 Day 3: 5 10-08
10. Ronnie Mccoy Lamar, SC 12 62-01 191 $9,928.00
Day 1: 5 25-13 Day 2: 5 29-02 Day 3: 2 07-02
------------------------------
PHOENIX BOATS BIG BASS
Mark Hutson Moncks Corner, SC 10-03 $750.00
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 133 854 2991-02
2 115 798 2796-11
3 6 43 185-10
------------------------------
254 1695 5973-07
Austin’s mega sack helps him take lead at Bassmaster Open on Santee Cooper Lakes
March 8, 2024
Austin’s mega sack helps him take lead at Bassmaster Open on Santee Cooper Lakes
CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — Kyle Austin of Ridgeville, S.C., knew what he needed was the “dirty 30” and he wasted no time positioning himself to hit that mark en route to leading Day 2 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Santee Cooper Lakes presented by SEVIIN.
After placing 13th on Day 1 with 24-7, the Santee Cooper Lakes guide added 31-8 on Day 2. His two-day total of 55 pounds, 15 ounces gives him a 1-pound lead over second-place Ronnie McCoy of Lamar, S.C. Austin’s second-round bag is the event’s largest catch and one of only two bags over 30 so far in the event.
“When it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be,” Austin said of his banner day. “Going into the tournament, I knew you’d have to have a 30-pound bag to have a shot at it. It’s very hard to catch 24 to 27 a day.
“Having 31 pounds, I’m excited. Hopefully, it goes good tomorrow.”
Austin enjoyed a tremendous morning bite on what he called a “Trap hole” — a place he knows he can almost always catch bass on a lipless bait (often generically called a Trap, after the original Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap). His particular spot, a hard-structure area, benefitted from fish-stimulating water flow, compliments of recent rainfall.
“They (the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) started pulling current last week and my spot is current related,” Austin said. “I started there the last two mornings and it’s been lights-out. The morning bite is on fire.”
He said a key adjustment accounted for his Day 2 surge.
“Yesterday, I only had four when I left there and today, I made a bait change and caught two of my biggest ones,” Austin said. “I went from throwing a lipless bait to throwing a spinnerbait today.
“I just knew that there was a good number of fish there, but they just weren’t biting. I had four for like 23. So, at that point, I was like, ‘I’m gonna stick around here to see if I can catch 25.’ That bait change worked out.”
Catching plump prespawn bass, Austin left his starting spot with approximately 27 pounds. After that, he transitioned to his secondary pattern and added another big fish.
“After the offshore deal, I just started fishing outside the cypress trees and caught an 8-pounder,” Austin said. “I fished both lakes, but the big fish came from the Upper Lake (Marion).
“I was fishing big-fish spots. I tried to save some stuff for (Championship Saturday) just in case I need it.”
On Day 1, McCoy tied Kyle Weisenberger for seventh place with 25-13. He gained five spots with a second-round total of 29-2 that pushed his two-day mark to 54-15.
McCoy said he’s fishing an area with a robust mix of prespawn, spawn and postspawn bass. His strategy has involved a little bit of everything.
“You have fish coming and you have fish going and I’ve been trying to figure out what to do,” McCoy said. “Early in the morning, I’m catching fish a little farther out and after that, I’m catching fish farther in.
“As the sun warms up, those fish are migrating into these ditches. They’re moving into these bays to spawn. I’m utilizing both aspects of the (seasonal migration).”
McCoy said he caught his best fish on a 1/2-ounce Berkley PowerBait Spinnerbait. He also caught a few bed fish, but with the muddy water, he had to cast to the barely visible beds and fish through the area.
Laker Howell of Guntersville, Ala., added 28-7 to his first-round limit of 25-5 and rose from ninth place to third with a total weight of 53-12.
Howell’s fishing a large shallow grass flat where he’s targeting prespawn fish in about a foot and a half of water. He’s throwing a ChatterBait JackHammer with a Yamamoto Zako trailer.
“It was just unreal,” Howell said. “I got out there just hoping to catch a limit today and one thing led to another and God just sent them to me. I’m getting like 10 bites a day and half of them are big. It’s very slow. I’m getting about one about every 45 minutes, but when they bite, they lock you up.”
Day 1 leader Mark Hutson of Moncks Corner, S.C., is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 10-3.
Wendell Causey Jr. of Irmo, S.C., won the co-angler division with a two-day mark of 28-5. After topping the Day 1 field with 15-11, he added a second-round limit of 12-10. Edging Chad Stahl by 2-15, Causey earned the top prize of $13,827.
Causey caught all of his bass on an unweighted Texas-rigged black/blue Senko.
“I had two good boaters that listened to me about my local knowledge of the lakes,” Causey said. “We fished grass from 6 inches to 2 feet deep. There was a certain type of grass, a mix of grass where I caught them.”
Clayton Lowder IV of Mayesville, S.C., won the $250 Phoenix Boats Big Bass award in the co-angler division with a 7-4.
The Top 10 remaining anglers will take off at 6:30 a.m. ET Saturday from the John C Land III Sports Fishing Facility. The weigh-in will be held at the same location at 2:30 p.m.
The final day of competition will be broadcast live on FS1 Saturday morning beginning at 8:00 a.m. ET, with streaming available on Bassmaster.com, as well as FS2 and the FOX Sports digital platforms.
This event is being hosted by Clarendon County in association with Santee Cooper Country and the Town of Santee.
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: St. Croix
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: SEVIIN
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
About B.A.S.S.B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
-30-
Connect with #Bassmaster on Facebook, Instagram, Twitte
Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Managing Editor, 205-313-0955, mpascal@
2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Santee Cooper Lakes presented by SEVIIN 3/7-3/9
Santee Cooper Lakes, Manning SC.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Kyle Austin Ridgeville, SC 10 55-15 200
Day 1: 5 24-07 Day 2: 5 31-08
2. Ronnie Mccoy Lamar, SC 10 54-15 199
Day 1: 5 25-13 Day 2: 5 29-02
3. Laker Howell Guntersville, AL 10 53-12 198
Day 1: 5 25-05 Day 2: 5 28-07
4. Scott Martin Clewiston, FL 10 53-03 197
Day 1: 5 25-04 Day 2: 5 27-15
5. Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, MN 10 53-01 196
Day 1: 5 23-05 Day 2: 5 29-12
6. Evan Kung Pickering Ontario CANAD 10 52-03 195
Day 1: 5 26-07 Day 2: 5 25-12
7. Matt Messer Warfield, KY 10 51-07 194
Day 1: 5 26-07 Day 2: 5 25-00
8. Parker Guy Ocilla, GA 10 51-01 193
Day 1: 5 26-06 Day 2: 5 24-11
9. Dakota Ebare Brookeland, TX 10 49-07 192
Day 1: 5 27-06 Day 2: 5 22-01
10. Matt Adams Oxford, AL 10 47-12 191
Day 1: 5 24-14 Day 2: 5 22-14
11. Mike Surman Boca Raton, FL 10 47-01 190 $8,935.00
Day 1: 5 23-02 Day 2: 5 23-15
12. Sean Anderson Leesville, SC 10 45-09 189 $6,950.00
Day 1: 5 21-06 Day 2: 5 24-03
13. Mike McClelland Blue Eye, MO 10 44-15 188 $5,957.00
Day 1: 5 19-04 Day 2: 5 25-11
14. Caden Cowan Stephenville, TX 10 44-11 187 $4,963.00
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 28-07
15. Dane Odom Chapin, SC 10 44-08 186 $4,963.00
Day 1: 5 21-15 Day 2: 5 22-09
16. Kyle Weisenburger Columbus Grv, OH 10 44-07 185 $4,963.00
Day 1: 5 25-13 Day 2: 5 18-10
17. William Holmes Moncks Corner, SC 10 43-11 184 $4,963.00
Day 1: 5 27-13 Day 2: 5 15-14
18. Wade Grooms Bonneau, SC 10 43-04 183 $4,963.00
Day 1: 5 24-06 Day 2: 5 18-14
19. Kenta Kimura Osaka OK JAPAN 10 42-15 182 $4,963.00
Day 1: 5 24-05 Day 2: 5 18-10
20. Bryan New Leesville, SC 10 42-15 181 $4,963.00
Day 1: 5 22-07 Day 2: 5 20-08
21. Cody Stahl Barnsville, GA 10 42-12 180 $4,963.00
Day 1: 5 20-09 Day 2: 5 22-03
22. Jack York Emory, TX 10 42-12 179 $4,963.00
Day 1: 5 21-09 Day 2: 5 21-03
23. Lucas Murphy West Columbia, MI 10 42-04 178 $4,963.00
Day 1: 5 18-14 Day 2: 5 23-06
24. Logan Latuso Gonzales, LA 10 42-04 177 $4,963.00
Day 1: 5 22-15 Day 2: 5 19-05
25. Bobby Bakewell Orlando, FL 10 42-01 176 $4,963.00
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 24-02
26. Blake Schroeder Whitehouse, TX 10 42-01 175 $4,963.00
Day 1: 5 20-08 Day 2: 5 21-09
27. Josh Douglas Isle, MN 10 41-15 174 $4,963.00
Day 1: 5 21-12 Day 2: 5 20-03
28. Mark Hutson Moncks Corner, SC 10 41-12 173 $4,963.00
Day 1: 5 30-06 Day 2: 5 11-06
29. Danny Ramsey Trinidad, TX 10 41-10 172 $4,963.00
Day 1: 5 24-00 Day 2: 5 17-10
30. Randall Tharp Port St. Joe, FL 10 41-10 171 $4,963.00
Day 1: 5 20-03 Day 2: 5 21-07
31. Bryan Partak Marseilles, IL 10 41-09 170 $3,971.00
Day 1: 5 21-10 Day 2: 5 19-15
32. Allen Armour Cumming, GA 10 41-08 169 $3,971.00
Day 1: 5 22-04 Day 2: 5 19-04
33. Jim Moynagh Remer, MN 10 41-08 168 $3,971.00
Day 1: 5 20-06 Day 2: 5 21-02
34. Brad Leuthner Victoria, MN 10 40-15 167 $3,971.00
Day 1: 5 23-10 Day 2: 5 17-05
35. Jack Dice Lynchburg, VA 10 40-08 166 $3,971.00
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 25-06
36. Cody Steckel Las Vegas, NV 10 40-08 165 $3,971.00
Day 1: 5 20-02 Day 2: 5 20-06
37. Tommy Dunaway Havana, FL 10 40-06 164 $3,971.00
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 24-12
38. Jacob Bigelow Cecil, WI 10 40-00 163 $3,971.00
Day 1: 5 20-03 Day 2: 5 19-13
39. Brandon Lester Fayetteville, TN 10 39-15 162 $3,971.00
Day 1: 5 21-08 Day 2: 5 18-07
40. Kyle Palmer Winchester, TN 10 39-08 161 $3,971.00
Day 1: 5 22-14 Day 2: 5 16-10
41. Jonathan Dietz Corry, PA 10 39-03 160 $3,971.00
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 24-08
42. Chris Blanchette Edisto Island, SC 10 38-07 159 $3,971.00
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 22-05
43. Cliff Pace Ovett, MS 10 38-02 158 $3,971.00
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 5 18-08
44. Jayme Rampey Liberty, SC 10 38-00 157 $3,971.00
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 20-11
45. Cody Meyer Eagle, ID 10 37-04 156 $3,971.00
Day 1: 5 15-03 Day 2: 5 22-01
46. Greg Bohannan Bentonville, AR 10 36-15 155
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 18-12
47. Connor Jacob Auburn, AL 7 36-14 154
Day 1: 2 09-07 Day 2: 5 27-07
48. Bird Jones Loxahatchee, FL 9 36-13 153
Day 1: 4 13-04 Day 2: 5 23-09
49. Chris Whitson Louisville, TN 10 36-11 152
Day 1: 5 17-11 Day 2: 5 19-00
50. Jimmy Washam Stantonville, TN 10 36-10 151
Day 1: 5 21-09 Day 2: 5 15-01
51. Robbie Latuso Gonzales, LA 10 36-07 150
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 19-07
52. Andrew Behnke Fond Du Lac, WI 8 35-15 149
Day 1: 3 16-06 Day 2: 5 19-09
53. Tai Au Glendale, AZ 10 35-10 148
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 20-04
54. Danny McGarry Newcastle CANADA 10 35-02 147
Day 1: 5 19-01 Day 2: 5 16-01
55. Robert Clarke Pineville, SC 10 35-01 146
Day 1: 5 19-15 Day 2: 5 15-02
56. Trevor McKinney Noble, IL 10 35-00 145
Day 1: 5 18-11 Day 2: 5 16-05
57. Beau Browning Hot Springs National Pa 10 34-11 144
Day 1: 5 21-08 Day 2: 5 13-03
58. Daisuke Kita Ostu Shiga JAPAN 10 34-06 143
Day 1: 5 18-15 Day 2: 5 15-07
59. Josh Butler Hayden, AL 10 33-14 142
Day 1: 5 15-05 Day 2: 5 18-09
60. Brandon McMillan Clewiston, FL 10 33-14 141
Day 1: 5 18-00 Day 2: 5 15-14
61. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 7 33-11 140
Day 1: 2 09-03 Day 2: 5 24-08
62. Joey Sabbagha Prosperity, SC 10 33-10 139
Day 1: 5 21-01 Day 2: 5 12-09
63. Jason Lambert Savannah, TN 10 33-04 138
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 19-07
64. Shayne Berlo Mclean, VA 10 33-03 137
Day 1: 5 21-02 Day 2: 5 12-01
65. Tucker Veronee Gilbert, SC 10 33-03 136
Day 1: 5 18-13 Day 2: 5 14-06
66. Brett Cannon Kiln, MS 9 33-03 135
Day 1: 5 15-15 Day 2: 4 17-04
67. Christian Ostrander Turlock, CA 10 33-02 134
Day 1: 5 21-09 Day 2: 5 11-09
68. Ron Ryals Jr Live Oak, FL 8 33-00 133
Day 1: 3 11-12 Day 2: 5 21-04
69. Brady Vernon Sterrett, AL 10 32-15 132
Day 1: 5 20-01 Day 2: 5 12-14
70. Darold Gleason Many, LA 10 32-11 131
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 16-11
71. Richard Lowitzki Fort Myers, FL 9 32-10 130
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 4 18-10
72. Kyle Metzger Pearl River, LA 10 32-08 129
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 20-00
73. Joey Hanna Corsicana, TX 10 32-03 128
Day 1: 5 21-09 Day 2: 5 10-10
74. Alex Murray Lake Charles, LA 8 31-15 127
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 3 18-01
75. Garrett Warren Scottsboro, AL 9 31-10 126
Day 1: 5 18-08 Day 2: 4 13-02
76. Bo Thomas Edwardsburg, MI 10 31-09 125
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 18-15
77. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 8 31-05 124
Day 1: 5 22-07 Day 2: 3 08-14
78. Kameron Harbin Sunset, SC 9 31-05 123
Day 1: 4 11-06 Day 2: 5 19-15
79. Cameron Smith Wareham, MA 10 31-05 122
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 16-06
80. Darrell Davis Dover, FL 10 31-01 121
Day 1: 5 18-05 Day 2: 5 12-12
81. Andy Newcomb Camdenton, MO 10 31-01 120
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 15-13
82. Nick Gainey Charleston, SC 10 30-14 119
Day 1: 5 17-15 Day 2: 5 12-15
83. Ty Faber Pagosa Springs, CO 9 30-13 118
Day 1: 5 19-10 Day 2: 4 11-03
84. Easton Fothergill Grand Rapids , MN 8 30-08 117
Day 1: 5 22-14 Day 2: 3 07-10
85. Yui Aoki Minamitsurugun JAPAN 5 30-05 116
Day 1: 4 23-02 Day 2: 1 07-03
86. Matt Molitor Canton, IL 8 30-04 115
Day 1: 5 19-07 Day 2: 3 10-13
87. Hayes Hudson Conway, SC 8 30-02 114
Day 1: 4 14-02 Day 2: 4 16-00
88. Josh Wiesner Fon du Lac, WI 10 30-02 113
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 15-05
89. Scout Echols Monticello, AR 8 29-15 112
Day 1: 5 21-07 Day 2: 3 08-08
90. Alex Reece Pickens, SC 10 29-12 111
Day 1: 5 17-09 Day 2: 5 12-03
91. Cole Drummond Effingham, SC 9 29-10 110
Day 1: 5 19-02 Day 2: 4 10-08
92. Michael Davis Alachua, FL 10 29-07 109
Day 1: 5 17-02 Day 2: 5 12-05
93. Sam George Athens, AL 7 29-01 108
Day 1: 5 24-10 Day 2: 2 04-07
94. David Kilgore Jasper, AL 10 29-01 107
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 17-15
95. Trey Swindle Cleveland, AL 8 29-00 106
Day 1: 3 12-07 Day 2: 5 16-09
96. Andrew Loberg Grant, AL 10 28-13 105
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 15-08
97. Jason Borofka Lavon, TX 6 28-11 104
Day 1: 5 21-12 Day 2: 1 06-15
98. Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, NC 9 28-11 103
Day 1: 4 07-10 Day 2: 5 21-01
99. Casey Scanlon Eldon, MO 9 28-10 102
Day 1: 4 16-01 Day 2: 5 12-09
100. Paul Bouvier Kingston CANADA 10 28-08 101
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 14-04
101. Freddy Palmer Estill Springs, TN 10 28-05 100
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 5 13-14
102. Brent Shores Boise, ID 8 27-15 99
Day 1: 3 12-12 Day 2: 5 15-03
103. Rob Digh Denver, NC 10 27-12 98
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 13-01
104. Garrett Rocamora Lake wales, FL 8 27-10 97
Day 1: 5 16-01 Day 2: 3 11-09
105. Chris Kingree Inverness, FL 9 27-09 96
Day 1: 4 08-13 Day 2: 5 18-12
106. Chase Clarke Virginia Beach, VA 10 27-03 95
Day 1: 5 11-12 Day 2: 5 15-07
107. Rick Hawkins Roanoke, VA 6 26-11 94
Day 1: 3 12-04 Day 2: 3 14-07
108. Cecil Wolfe III Summerton, SC 10 26-09 93
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 14-12
109. Jordan Sanderlin Kill Devil Hills, NC 8 26-05 92
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 3 12-04
110. Ish Monroe Oakdale, CA 10 26-05 91
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 12-12
111. Tyler Campbell Martin, GA 9 26-02 90
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 4 12-12
112. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 9 26-01 89
Day 1: 4 12-01 Day 2: 5 14-00
113. Richard Kaluba Litchfield, OH 10 25-15 88
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 12-01
114. Ben Cox Andrews, SC 10 25-08 87
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 5 11-15
115. Austin Cranford Norman, OK 8 25-07 86
Day 1: 3 04-15 Day 2: 5 20-08
116. Joe Wieberg Freeburg, MO 7 25-06 85
Day 1: 2 06-14 Day 2: 5 18-08
117. Scott Allgood Fair Play, SC 8 25-02 84
Day 1: 4 12-01 Day 2: 4 13-01
118. Clark Reehm Elm Grove, LA 9 24-15 83
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 4 10-14
119. Paul Marks Cumming, GA 7 24-14 82
Day 1: 5 18-11 Day 2: 2 06-03
120. Andrew Hargrove Moody, TX 7 24-13 81
Day 1: 2 08-12 Day 2: 5 16-01
121. Derrick Sadlowski Monaca, PA 6 24-01 80
Day 1: 2 03-05 Day 2: 4 20-12
122. Nick Trim Galesville, WI 8 24-01 79
Day 1: 5 19-05 Day 2: 3 04-12
123. Chris Beaudrie Princeton, KY 5 23-15 78
Day 1: 5 23-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
124. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 6 23-14 77
Day 1: 2 09-03 Day 2: 4 14-11
125. John Voyles Petersburg, IN 7 23-12 76
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 2 07-08
126. Brayden Rakes Winston Salem, NC 9 23-12 75
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 4 10-08
127. Paul Browning Monahans, TX 6 23-08 74
Day 1: 3 09-10 Day 2: 3 13-14
128. Zach Goutremout Chaumont, NY 8 23-03 73
Day 1: 5 17-08 Day 2: 3 05-11
129. Jeff Salmon Mechanicsville, VA 7 23-03 72
Day 1: 2 06-05 Day 2: 5 16-14
130. Alex Heintze Denham Springs, LA 7 23-01 71
Day 1: 2 03-12 Day 2: 5 19-05
131. Sean Clayton Seneca, SC 8 23-00 70
Day 1: 5 15-00 Day 2: 3 08-00
132. Sam Hanggi Knoxville, TN 7 22-15 69
Day 1: 2 05-06 Day 2: 5 17-09
133. Guy Eaker Cherryville, NC 8 22-15 68
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 3 06-05
134. Billy McDonald Greenwood, IN 7 22-13 67
Day 1: 2 06-14 Day 2: 5 15-15
135. Troy Coney Owego, NY 7 22-10 66
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 2 10-11
136. Kollin Crawford Broken Bow, OK 8 22-09 65
Day 1: 3 09-07 Day 2: 5 13-02
137. James Niggemeyer Van, TX 9 22-09 64
Day 1: 5 12-05 Day 2: 4 10-04
138. Avery Williams Murrells Inlt, SC 8 22-08 63
Day 1: 3 09-06 Day 2: 5 13-02
139. Allan Nail Sand Springs, OK 7 22-06 62
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 2 04-05
140. Colden Baker Ridgeway, SC 8 22-04 61
Day 1: 3 11-00 Day 2: 5 11-04
141. Brock Belik Orchard, NE 9 22-02 60
Day 1: 4 09-06 Day 2: 5 12-12
142. Bryan Finch Belton, TX 7 21-06 59
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 2 04-09
143. Kelvin Wilcox Hazlehurst, GA 8 21-00 58
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 3 05-09
144. Zack Williams Shell Knob, MO 8 20-12 57
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 3 08-09
145. Tucker Smith Birmingham, AL 7 20-11 56
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 2 06-06
146. Hunter Bland Ocala, FL 6 20-09 55
Day 1: 4 17-05 Day 2: 2 03-04
147. Jack Tindel III Orange, TX 7 20-08 54
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 2 06-02
148. Scott Isaacs Ladonia, TX 7 20-06 53
Day 1: 3 09-05 Day 2: 4 11-01
149. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 7 20-05 52
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 2 06-10
150. Blake Smith Lakeland, FL 8 20-02 51
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 3 06-15
151. Rick Morris Lake Gaston, VA 5 20-01 50
Day 1: 5 20-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
152. Andrew Upshaw Hemphill, TX 7 19-15 49
Day 1: 2 07-03 Day 2: 5 12-12
153. Jeremy Radford Huntly, VA 7 19-07 48
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 2 04-05
154. Logan Johnson Jasper, AL 7 19-01 47
Day 1: 2 03-13 Day 2: 5 15-04
155. Scott Gibbs Rome, GA 6 18-14 46
Day 1: 1 03-11 Day 2: 5 15-03
156. Brian Post Janesville, WI 7 18-12 45
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 2 07-15
157. Masayuki Matsushita Porter TX JAPAN 5 18-03 44
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
158. Andrew Harp Linden, TX 6 18-03 43
Day 1: 1 02-02 Day 2: 5 16-01
159. Bailey Bleser Burlington, WI 7 17-13 42
Day 1: 4 09-13 Day 2: 3 08-00
160. Tristan McCormick Burns, TN 7 17-09 41
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 2 04-06
161. Chris Hellebuyck White Lake, MI 8 17-05 40
Day 1: 5 09-13 Day 2: 3 07-08
162. Tim Frederick Leesburg, FL 8 16-14 39
Day 1: 3 06-08 Day 2: 5 10-06
163. Matt Pangrac Shawnee, OK 6 16-14 38
Day 1: 4 10-02 Day 2: 2 06-12
164. Doc Wootton Collierville, TN 7 16-12 37
Day 1: 2 05-09 Day 2: 5 11-03
165. Aaron Digh Maiden, NC 7 16-12 36
Day 1: 4 10-01 Day 2: 3 06-11
166. Cody Detweiler Guntersville, AL 6 16-10 35
Day 1: 2 06-01 Day 2: 4 10-09
167. Lance Owen Greer, SC 4 16-09 34
Day 1: 1 05-15 Day 2: 3 10-10
168. Keith Brumfield Vicksburg, MS 6 16-08 33
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 5 14-14
169. Dalton Dowdy Newberry, SC 8 16-06 32
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 3 04-14
170. Tripp Noojin Bryant, AL 7 16-02 31
Day 1: 5 09-01 Day 2: 2 07-01
171. Chris Lighthizer Zanesville, OH 5 16-02 30
Day 1: 3 08-13 Day 2: 2 07-05
172. Dalton Smith Taylorsville, KY 5 16-01 29
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 16-01
173. Keith Tuma Brainerd, MN 6 15-00 28
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 1 02-08
174. Elijah Benson Dahlonega, GA 5 14-09 27
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
175. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 6 14-09 26
Day 1: 2 04-11 Day 2: 4 09-14
176. Seiji Kato Los Alamitos CA JAPAN 6 14-08 25
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 1 01-10
177. Kevin Dritschler Prosper, TX 5 14-05 24
Day 1: 5 14-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
178. Todd Auten Clover, SC 6 14-00 23
Day 1: 3 05-08 Day 2: 3 08-08
179. Byron Kenney Jr Monticello, GA 5 13-07 22
Day 1: 1 02-03 Day 2: 4 11-04
180. Derek Lehtonen Woodruff, SC 4 13-06 21
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 4 13-06
181. Lance Crawford Broken Bow, OK 6 13-00 20
Day 1: 2 05-09 Day 2: 4 07-07
182. Jason Abram Piney Flats, TN 5 12-10 19
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 0 00-00
183. Scott Kerslake Okeechobee, FL 5 12-07 18
Day 1: 3 07-10 Day 2: 2 04-13
184. Nathan Thompson Eagan, MN 3 12-05 17
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 12-05
185. Bruce Parsons Arbela, MO 5 12-03 16
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
186. Trey Schroeder Theodosia, MO 4 11-15 15
Day 1: 4 11-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
187. Takayuki Koike Otsu-City JAPAN 5 11-13 14
Day 1: 2 05-01 Day 2: 3 06-12
188. Tim Tyndell Mineola, TX 4 11-10 13
Day 1: 1 01-07 Day 2: 3 10-03
189. Jackson Swisher Lake City, FL 3 11-08 12
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 11-08
190. Emil Wagner Marietta, GA 4 11-08 11
Day 1: 2 04-03 Day 2: 2 07-05
191. Gary Clouse Winchester, TN 4 11-05 10
Day 1: 2 06-15 Day 2: 2 04-06
192. Teb Jones Yalaha, MS 5 11-00 9
Day 1: 1 02-07 Day 2: 4 08-09
193. Satoshi Egawa Fort Lee, NJ 3 10-15 8
Day 1: 2 08-08 Day 2: 1 02-07
194. Horace Scott Jr Sumter, SC 3 10-13 7
Day 1: 2 08-02 Day 2: 1 02-11
195. Michael Rowe Providence Forge, VA 5 10-12 6
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
196. Billy Charland Lakeland, FL 4 10-07 5
Day 1: 4 10-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
197. Ray Hashimoto Shakopee, MN 4 10-07 4
Day 1: 2 04-03 Day 2: 2 06-04
198. Stan Gunter Saluda, SC 4 10-03 3
Day 1: 2 03-04 Day 2: 2 06-15
199. Bart Stanisz Austin, TX 3 09-13 2
Day 1: 1 02-10 Day 2: 2 07-03
200. Billy Gilbert Hamburg, NY 3 09-11 1
Day 1: 2 08-04 Day 2: 1 01-07
201. Destry Ford Tuscaloosa, AL 2 09-01 0
Day 1: 2 09-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
202. Parker Mott Winter Garden, FL 2 08-15 0
Day 1: 1 06-01 Day 2: 1 02-14
203. Brad Knight Lancing, TN 3 08-09 0
Day 1: 3 08-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
204. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 3 08-00 0
Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 2 05-05
205. Chancy Walters West Des Moines, IA 3 07-10 0
Day 1: 1 02-05 Day 2: 2 05-05
206. Lafe Messer Warfield, KY 3 07-08 0
Day 1: 3 07-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
207. Clint Leonard Jr Saint Cloud, FL 3 06-09 0
Day 1: 2 03-11 Day 2: 1 02-14
208. Kyle Monti Okeechobee, FL 3 06-07 0
Day 1: 3 06-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
209. Angela Mayo Maiden, NC 3 06-01 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 06-01
210. Chris Cline Stafford, VA 3 06-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 06-00
211. Tony Dumitras Winston, GA 2 05-14 0
Day 1: 2 05-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
212. Rick Pierce Mountain Home, AR 2 04-04 0
Day 1: 2 04-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
213. Stacey Jefferson Conway, SC 1 04-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 04-00
214. Dawson Wisner Palatka, FL 1 03-14 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-14
215. Anastasia Patterson Sumter, SC 1 03-01 0
Day 1: 1 03-01 Day 2: 0 00-00
216. Wyatt Wimberley Broaddus, TX 1 02-08 0
Day 1: 1 02-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
216. Kyle Zacharuk Keswick Ontario CANADA 1 02-08 0
Day 1: 1 02-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
218. Travis Turcotte Pembroke CANADA 1 01-05 0
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
219. Allen Brooks Canton, GA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
219. Phillip Kroll Otego, NY 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
219. Dylan Mayo Athens, TX 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
219. Harry Moore Valley, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
219. Brian Mullaney Ijamsville, MD 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 133 854 2991-02
2 115 798 2796-11
------------------------------
248 1652 5787-13
2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Santee Cooper Lakes presented by SEVIIN 3/7-3/9
Santee Cooper Lakes, Manning SC.
(NON_BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Wendell Causey Jr Irmo, SC 6 28-05 200 $13,827.00
Day 1: 3 15-11 Day 2: 3 12-10
2. Chad Stahl Barnesville, GA 6 25-06 199 $3,253.00
Day 1: 3 13-12 Day 2: 3 11-10
3. Derek Brundle Wareham, MA 6 22-01 198 $2,440.00
Day 1: 3 11-09 Day 2: 3 10-08
4. Mitchell Pare Statesboro, GA 6 21-09 197 $1,830.00
Day 1: 3 05-01 Day 2: 3 16-08
5. Todd Keisler Columbia, SC 6 20-13 196 $1,708.00
Day 1: 3 09-01 Day 2: 3 11-12
6. Niko Romero Coldspring, TX 6 20-13 195 $1,627.00
Day 1: 3 11-08 Day 2: 3 09-05
7. Tommy Milligan Little River, SC 6 20-03 194 $1,545.00
Day 1: 3 10-12 Day 2: 3 09-07
8. Patrick Tierney Denver, NC 6 19-05 193 $1,464.00
Day 1: 3 10-05 Day 2: 3 09-00
9. Kyle Jenkins Summerville, SC 5 18-14 192 $1,342.00
Day 1: 3 12-06 Day 2: 2 06-08
10. Larry Fleeman Shelby, NC 4 17-14 191 $1,220.00
Day 1: 1 05-05 Day 2: 3 12-09
11. Donald Biggs Murphysboro, IL 5 16-04 190 $1,139.00
Day 1: 2 05-06 Day 2: 3 10-14
12. Bill Beard Moreland, GA 4 15-11 189 $1,057.00
Day 1: 3 12-15 Day 2: 1 02-12
13. Brandon Jeffcoat Irmo, SC 4 15-08 188 $895.00
Day 1: 1 02-05 Day 2: 3 13-03
14. Gordon Smith Clover, SC 5 15-08 187 $813.00
Day 1: 3 08-11 Day 2: 2 06-13
15. Jason Gibson Iron Station, NC 4 15-02 186 $732.00
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 3 13-13
16. Andrew Fuller Marietta, GA 6 14-14 185 $651.00
Day 1: 3 08-09 Day 2: 3 06-05
17. Bobby Williams Salisbury, NC 5 14-12 184 $610.00
Day 1: 3 10-14 Day 2: 2 03-14
18. Michael Leach Shenandoah, TX 4 13-15 183 $610.00
Day 1: 1 05-08 Day 2: 3 08-07
19. Jimmy Brumfield Madison, MS 5 13-14 182 $610.00
Day 1: 2 07-03 Day 2: 3 06-11
20. Albert Jones Jr Covington, GA 4 13-13 181 $610.00
Day 1: 1 02-13 Day 2: 3 11-00
21. Ricky Fulk Shenandoah, VA 4 13-11 180 $569.00
Day 1: 3 10-00 Day 2: 1 03-11
22. Larry Beauboeuf Bossier City, LA 5 13-08 179 $569.00
Day 1: 3 06-14 Day 2: 2 06-10
23. Tim Chadwick Mount Pleasant, SC 3 13-03 178 $569.00
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 2 11-10
24. Mark Aaron Gastonia, NC 5 13-03 177 $569.00
Day 1: 2 05-02 Day 2: 3 08-01
25. Bart Beasley Mount Pleasant, SC 4 13-02 176 $569.00
Day 1: 3 11-04 Day 2: 1 01-14
26. Mike Spears Jasper, AL 4 13-02 175 $488.00
Day 1: 3 09-13 Day 2: 1 03-05
27. Randy Gibson Jr Moncks Corner, SC 4 13-01 174 $488.00
Day 1: 1 04-15 Day 2: 3 08-02
28. William Baker Ridgeway, SC 5 12-14 173 $488.00
Day 1: 3 09-00 Day 2: 2 03-14
29. Troy Mims Suwanee, GA 3 12-11 172 $488.00
Day 1: 3 12-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
30. Jason Barber Gun Barrel City, TX 3 12-06 171 $488.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 12-06
31. Carl Hunter Snellville, GA 4 12-06 170 $447.00
Day 1: 3 10-11 Day 2: 1 01-11
32. Jimmy Obrien Southampton, NY 2 12-03 169 $447.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 12-03
33. Matt Champion Scottsville, NY 3 11-12 168 $447.00
Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 2 09-01
34. Jimmy Hayes Fayetteville, NC 4 11-06 167 $447.00
Day 1: 3 09-04 Day 2: 1 02-02
35. Clancy Hefferly Travelers Rest, SC 5 11-04 166 $447.00
Day 1: 3 05-01 Day 2: 2 06-03
36. Mike Steckel Las Vegas, NV 4 10-15 165 $447.00
Day 1: 3 09-01 Day 2: 1 01-14
37. Alex Watts Salem, VA 4 10-12 164 $447.00
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 3 09-00
38. Keith Vonderhaar Monticello, GA 2 10-08 163 $447.00
Day 1: 2 10-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
39. William Stallings Midlothian, VA 4 10-08 162 $447.00
Day 1: 3 08-11 Day 2: 1 01-13
40. Brian Langford Petersburg, VA 3 10-05 161 $447.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 10-05
41. Frank Williams Mountain Home, AR 4 10-01 160
Day 1: 2 06-05 Day 2: 2 03-12
42. Gary Haraguchi Murfreesboro, TN 3 10-00 159
Day 1: 1 02-04 Day 2: 2 07-12
43. Sawyer Hunt Springfield, GA 3 09-11 158
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 09-11
44. Lukas Matt Syracuse, NY 2 09-09 157
Day 1: 1 06-15 Day 2: 1 02-10
45. Meredith Havird Ninety Six, SC 3 09-07 156
Day 1: 3 09-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
45. Geoff Tuck Huddleston, VA 3 09-07 156
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 09-07
47. Dusty Wood Belton, SC 3 09-03 154
Day 1: 1 04-10 Day 2: 2 04-09
48. Garrett Vick Lake Worth, FL 3 08-14 153
Day 1: 3 08-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
49. Mekye Barnes Knightdale, NC 3 08-13 152
Day 1: 3 08-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
50. David Waack Cary, NC 3 08-11 151
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 08-11
51. Parker Knudsen Minnetonka, MN 2 08-07 150
Day 1: 2 08-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
52. James Tilley Aylett, VA 3 08-02 149
Day 1: 2 06-02 Day 2: 1 02-00
53. Charles Christman Sanford, NC 3 07-15 148
Day 1: 3 07-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
54. Richard Greene Ocala, FL 3 07-11 147
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 07-11
55. Jonathan Barnette Jasper, AL 3 07-06 146
Day 1: 2 05-15 Day 2: 1 01-07
56. Clayton Lowder IV Mayesville, SC 1 07-04 145 $250.00
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 07-04
57. Wesly Fogle Neeses, SC 2 07-01 144
Day 1: 1 05-02 Day 2: 1 01-15
58. Tristan Bramblett Tiger, GA 3 07-00 143
Day 1: 1 02-04 Day 2: 2 04-12
59. Eric Camarote The Villages, FL 2 06-14 142
Day 1: 1 02-10 Day 2: 1 04-04
60. Mike Sather Beech Island, SC 3 06-12 141
Day 1: 3 06-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
61. Rodney Jordan Sumter, SC 3 06-04 140
Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 2 03-09
62. Shane Davis Jacksonville, FL 2 05-15 139
Day 1: 2 05-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
63. Robert Richbourg Summerton, SC 2 05-15 138
Day 1: 1 04-01 Day 2: 1 01-14
64. Wil Flack Sorrento, FL 2 05-14 137
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 1 04-00
65. John Lewis Centreville, VA 2 05-11 136
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 05-11
66. Alex Dempsey Orangeburg, SC 3 05-10 135
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 2 03-11
67. Regan Coffey North Chesterfield, VA 2 05-08 134
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 05-08
68. Bob Hanna Jr Corsicana, TX 3 05-04 133
Day 1: 3 05-04 Day 2: 0 00-00
69. Michael Clardy Lyman, SC 2 05-04 132
Day 1: 1 02-00 Day 2: 1 03-04
70. Cody Richardson Gautier, MS 2 05-01 131
Day 1: 1 02-12 Day 2: 1 02-05
71. Bill Lackey Taylorsville, NC 3 05-00 130
Day 1: 1 02-01 Day 2: 2 02-15
72. Cameron Polley Hot Springs, AR 3 04-12 129
Day 1: 2 03-02 Day 2: 1 01-10
73. Andy Simm Piney Flats, TN 2 04-10 128
Day 1: 1 03-06 Day 2: 1 01-04
74. Ray Hill Lake City, FL 1 04-09 127
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 04-09
74. Mark Winfield Eatonton, GA 1 04-09 127
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 04-09
76. Hays Reeling Waukesha, WI 2 04-05 125
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 04-05
77. Steve Deyton Forest City, NC 2 04-05 124
Day 1: 1 02-02 Day 2: 1 02-03
78. Michael Rustin Henrico, VA 2 04-01 123
Day 1: 1 02-01 Day 2: 1 02-00
79. Julian Gordon-Smith Rochester, NY 2 03-15 122
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 1 02-03
80. David Deciucis CHESTER, VA 2 03-14 121
Day 1: 1 01-10 Day 2: 1 02-04
81. Sakae Ushio Tonawanda, NY 1 03-13 120
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-13
82. Bradley Brooks Easley, SC 2 03-12 119
Day 1: 2 03-12 Day 2: 0 00-00
83. Byong Lee Stedman, NC 1 03-12 118
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-12
84. Buck Deese Lexington, SC 1 03-11 117
Day 1: 1 03-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
85. Cody Russell Summerton, SC 1 03-07 116
Day 1: 1 03-07 Day 2: 0 00-00
86. Daniel Vasquez Boynton Beach, FL 1 03-06 115
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 03-06
86. David Watkins St.Marys, WV 1 03-06 115
Day 1: 1 03-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
88. John Mortimer Mount Pleasant, SC 1 03-03 113
Day 1: 1 03-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
89. Dan McGarry Leland, NC 1 03-02 112
Day 1: 1 03-02 Day 2: 0 00-00
90. Harold Addison II Columbia, SC 1 02-14 111
Day 1: 1 02-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
91. Gary Mccaroll Fayetteville, NC 2 02-11 110
Day 1: 2 02-11 Day 2: 0 00-00
92. Gerald Robbins Jr. Asheboro, NC 1 02-10 109
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-10
93. Steven Smith Logan, OH 1 02-09 108
Day 1: 1 02-09 Day 2: 0 00-00
94. Bradley Sterner Manchester, PA 1 02-08 107
Day 1: 1 02-08 Day 2: 0 00-00
95. Lee Mcginn Southport, NC 1 02-06 106
Day 1: 1 02-06 Day 2: 0 00-00
96. Brandon Clayton Haslet , TX 1 02-05 105
Day 1: 1 02-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
97. Dehn Ganey Bonneau, SC 1 02-04 104
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 02-04
98. Judd Bolen Summerton, SC 1 02-03 103
Day 1: 1 02-03 Day 2: 0 00-00
99. Bill Bruce Hendersonville, TN 1 01-15 102
Day 1: 1 01-15 Day 2: 0 00-00
99. Chip Stith Jr Piscataway, NJ 1 01-15 102
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 1 01-15
101. Hayden Spradling Gilbert, AZ 1 01-14 100
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 0 00-00
102. Brandon Parson Erwin, NC 1 01-13 99
Day 1: 1 01-13 Day 2: 0 00-00
103. Jeff Cox Denver, NC 1 01-05 98
Day 1: 1 01-05 Day 2: 0 00-00
104. Greg Atkinson Lugoff, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00
104. Charles Bowman II Kernersville, NC
Tennessee Tech’s Heins and Slone win Bassmaster College Series event at Douglas Lake
March 8, 2024
Tennessee Tech’s Heins and Slone win Bassmaster College Series event at Douglas Lake
JEFFERSON, Tenn. — Time efficiency played a key role for Tennessee Tech University’s Harrison Heins and Hunter Slone, who tallied a two-day total of 32 pounds, 5 ounces to win the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Douglas Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops.
On Day 1, Heins and Slone tied for 19th place with 13-11. Stepping up their second-round game, they added a limit of 18-10 and took home the top prize of $5,601 with a two-day total of 32-5.
“This win means everything for us,” Heins said. “This is the first win that our school has ever had, so we’re hoping this will have a snowball effect and we’ll have many more to come.”
Where they fished
Heins said he and his partner stayed within five minutes of the takeoff site at Dandridge Boat Ramp and focused their efforts on boat docks in about 15 feet of water.
“We just found good quality there in practice,” Heins said. “We knew that 2- to 2 1/2-pounders wouldn’t get the job done and we found a lot of 3-pound-class fish. We knew there were big ones there.
“We worked one area all day and milked it to death.”
As Heins explained, he and his partner fished the same area on Day 1, but also tried other spots. In the final round, they decided to park in their main area and make the most of their time.
“On Day 1, we caught 'em in the same spot where we won, but we ended up leaving to try to find some other stuff, but we (realized) there were more big fish on our main spot,” Heins said. “On Day 2, we knew if we stayed there and kept a bait in the water that would be our best bet at five big ones.
“We decided to just make the most casts in the high-percentage areas.”
Best baits
Heins and Slone caught some of their fish on 1/2-ounce spinnerbaits, but most of their fish came on 1/2-ounce shad-colored ChatterBait JackHammers. They fitted their bladed jigs with Hog Farmer Spunk Shad trailers.
“Most everybody was throwing spinnerbaits in boat slips, but I could get that JackHammer way up under the docks,” Heins said. “They were mostly hitting it on the first couple cranks.”
Most of the bass that Heins and Slone targeted were suspended about 3 feet below the docks. Skipping their ChatterBaits was the best way to reach those fish.
Their strategy produced their limit by about 10 a.m. Heins said they boated their big bass — a 5-10 — on the day’s final cast and culled a 2 1/4.
Presentation keys
Heins said covering water and making accurate casts were the key elements of his team’s success. Slone agreed and noted a couple of particular moves that seemed to help their cause.
“The docks that we were fishing had a bar about 3 to 5 feet deep,” Slone said. “We would take that ChatterBait and bring it over that bar and when we did, we would bump it. The fish would react to this and we’d get most of our bites that way.
“I caught two key fish on a spinnerbait and I would bump it off the corners of the dock. I couldn’t skip that spinnerbait underneath. But when I would bring it around the corner, I don’t know if it was the flutter of the blades, but I caught a key fish yesterday and a key fish today.”
Deeper meaning
Slone said the win proved particularly motivational to him, in terms of life planning.
“This year, I’ve been struggling with trying to figure out if I belong in the fishing industry, or if I should just focus on college and fish for fun,” he said. “I really prayed for God to show me where I need to be. This win showed me that God will be with me and hopefully, I will be able to start a career in fishing.
“This win means so much to me, in terms of my spiritual relationship with God and with my career. I think this tournament is going to change my life.”
Second and third
Drake Hemby and Ewing Minor of Carson-Newman University finished second with 31-14. They caught 15-4 on Day 1 and added 16-10 on Day 2.
Hemby said he and Minor fished the lake’s lower end and targeted shallow main-lake points. They caught their fish on 6-inch Megabass Magdraft swimbaits and a selection of glidebaits.
“The key for us was fishing a bunch of different spots,” Hemby said. “We fished about 30 points. We had a few places where you could catch five or six, but it was mostly one here, one there.”
Luke Wenger and Braxon Hightower of Dallas Baptist University finished third with 30-10. After tying for 66th place with their Day 1 limit of 11-8, they raced up the leaderboard with a final-round limit of 19-2.
Wenger said he and Hightower decided that their best shot at a comeback was playing their game.
“We just went fishing and did what we’re good at,” Wenger said. “We threw jerkbaits and it worked out for us.”
Wenger and Hightower caught their bass on 6th Sense Provoke and 6th Sense 97DD cast over a flooded foundation in 4 1/2 to 6 feet.
Colin Wolinski and Noah Lieberman of Missouri State University won the $100 Big Bass award with a 6-5.
After a day off, the Bassmaster Junior Series event and the Strike King High School Series at Douglas Lake will be held Sunday at Dandridge Boat Dock. Takeoff will be at 8 a.m. ET with weigh-ins beginning at 2:30 p.m.
This event was hosted by Visit Jefferson County, TN.
2024 Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Strike King
2024 Bassmaster College Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2024 Bassmaster College Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2024 Bassmaster College Series Premier Sponsors: Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2024 Bassmaster College Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
2024 Bassmaster College Series Youth Sponsors: Seaguar, Shimano
About B.A.S.S.B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
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Media Contact: Mandy Pascal, Managing Editor, 205-313-0955, mpascal@
2024 Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Douglas Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops 3/7-3/8
Douglas Lake, Jefferson TN.
(BOATER) Standings Day 2
Angler Club/School Pts
1. Harrison Heins - Hunter Slone Tennessee Tech University 250
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 18-10 Total: 10 32-05
2. Drake Hemby - Ewing Minor Carson-Newman University 249
Day 1: 5 15-04 Day 2: 5 16-10 Total: 10 31-14
3. Luke Wenger - Braxon Hightower Dallas Baptist University 248
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 19-02 Total: 10 30-10
4. Riley Aebi - Ben Burns Stephen F Austin State Universit 247
Day 1: 5 17-12 Day 2: 5 12-01 Total: 10 29-13
5. Caden Cardoza - Judd Morgan University of Tennessee 246
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 13-02 Total: 10 29-09
6. Garrett Smith - Andrew Blanton Lander University 245
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 16-06 Total: 10 29-02
7. Caleb Hudson - Tanner Hadden University of South Carolina - U 244
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 13-15 Total: 10 28-10
8. Alex Gore - Colby Reece Carson-Newman University 243
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 15-03 Total: 10 28-08
9. Drew Pitts - Nicholas Dellaporta Carson-Newman University 242
Day 1: 5 13-15 Day 2: 5 14-08 Total: 10 28-07
10. Brayden Stoker - Tucker Kendall Tarleton State University 241
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 14-02 Total: 10 28-03
11. Andrew Rickman - Ty Manterola Dallas Baptist University 240
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 13-11 Total: 10 27-12
12. Miles Smith - Levi Thibodaux LSU - Shreveport 239
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 12-14 Total: 10 27-09
13. Cross Campbell - Dylan Armstrong East Texas Baptist University 238
Day 1: 5 13-10 Day 2: 5 13-10 Total: 10 27-04
14. Evan Fields - Noah Dabney Campbellsville University 237
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 12-08 Total: 10 26-11
15. Justin Latham - Blaine Mattingly Campbellsville University 236
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 11-12 Total: 10 26-05
16. Blake Wheat - Zachary Helton Carson-Newman University 235
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 13-08 Total: 10 26-05
17. Lane Clark - Tallis Morrison Erskine College 234
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 13-06 Total: 10 26-05
18. Stevie Mills - Andrew Turner Carson-Newman University 233
Day 1: 5 14-10 Day 2: 5 11-09 Total: 10 26-03
19. Anderson Jones - Lander University 232
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 12-00 Total: 10 26-01
20. Will Harris - Cole Rankin Carson-Newman University 231
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 14-00 Total: 10 25-14
21. Paul Southern - Caden Canaday Virginia Tech 230
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 5 13-00 Total: 10 25-12
22. Bryant Martin - Luke Batts LSU - Shreveport 229
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 12-10 Total: 10 25-10
23. Cade Lipham - Caleb Coleman Drury University 228
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 14-07 Total: 10 25-09
24. Matthew Echols - Christian Stewart Virginia Tech 227
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 13-06 Total: 10 25-07
25. Clayton Easter - Trevor Easter Tarleton State University 226
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 12-02 Total: 10 25-07
26. Corey Morris - Brayden Mercer East Texas Baptist University 225
Day 1: 5 13-00 Day 2: 5 12-06 Total: 10 25-06
27. Landon Robbins - Will Eriksson University of Tennessee 224
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 12-04 Total: 10 25-02
28. Colin Wolinski - Noah Lieberman Missouri State University 223
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 09-09 Total: 10 25-01
29. Reece Keeney - Brantley Anders Kentucky Christian University 222
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 5 11-10 Total: 10 24-15
30. Curt Ferguson - David Derubertis Drury University 221
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 10-12 Total: 10 24-13
31. Harrison Terry - Zachary Bowen Bethel University 220
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 14-08 Total: 10 24-12
32. Noah Trant - Evan Howe Northwestern State University 219
Day 1: 5 12-07 Day 2: 5 12-02 Total: 10 24-09
33. Hunter Keller - Garrett Christy Catawba Valley Community College 218
Day 1: 5 12-06 Day 2: 5 12-03 Total: 10 24-09
34. Mark Kershaw-Klara - Kaleb Butts University Of South Carolina Uni 217
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 14-02 Total: 10 24-07
35. Jeremy Dellinger - William Hammond Lander University 216
Day 1: 5 09-02 Day 2: 5 15-03 Total: 10 24-05
36. Triston Richardson - Mason Mccormick LSU - Shreveport 215
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 13-06 Total: 10 24-03
37. Trey Woliver - Trent Burns Pellissippi State Bass Fishing T 214
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 12-00 Total: 10 24-02
38. Emery Burnett - Drake Axon Georgia Southern University 213
Day 1: 5 16-03 Day 2: 5 07-14 Total: 10 24-01
39. Jackson Paden - Joey Bissing University of Tennessee 212
Day 1: 5 09-03 Day 2: 5 14-13 Total: 10 24-00
40. Austin Parr - Hunter White Erskine College 211
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 13-05 Total: 10 23-14
41. Wyatt Pearman - Ridge Rutledge Campbellsville University 210
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 12-02 Total: 10 23-12
42. Szymon Piton - Riley Faulkner Carson-Newman University 209
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 13-07 Total: 10 23-11
43. Kaden Mueck - Stephen F Austin State Universit 208
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 12-13 Total: 10 23-10
44. Robert Hunt - Dillon Robertshaw Missouri State University 207
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 12-01 Total: 10 23-10
45. Brant Langley - Cody Morgan Southeastern University Fishing 206
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 12-00 Total: 10 23-10
46. Caleb Bomer - Reed Allen Texas A&M University 205
Day 1: 5 16-12 Day 2: 4 06-13 Total: 9 23-09
47. Logan East - Conner Giles Bryan College 204
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 13-04 Total: 10 23-09
48. Aaron Hawkins - Broxson Daigle Texas A&M University 203
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 11-00 Total: 10 23-09
49. Connor Dunn - Cooper Mayes Texas A&M University 202
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 11-05 Total: 10 23-09
50. Summer Dees - Turner Hart Bryan College 201
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 14-07 Total: 10 23-07
51. Colby Ullery - Hayes Pate Faulkner University 200
Day 1: 5 12-15 Day 2: 5 10-08 Total: 10 23-07
52. Allen Powe - Jonathan Combs Campbellsville University 199
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 10-11 Total: 10 23-05
53. Colby Bryan - Dalton Eury Catawba Valley Community College 198
Day 1: 5 12-09 Day 2: 5 10-11 Total: 10 23-04
54. Grayson Ball - Sellers Odom Calhoun Community College 197
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 11-05 Total: 10 23-04
55. Wes Smith II - Grant Harris Catawba Valley Community College 196
Day 1: 5 11-15 Day 2: 5 11-04 Total: 10 23-03
56. Will Wester - TJ McKenzie Emmanuel College 195
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 4 09-14 Total: 9 23-02
57. Clay Henderson - Brant Rowland Drury University 194
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 09-06 Total: 10 23-01
58. Victor Alford - Christian Misciagna Bryan College 193
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 12-03 Total: 10 23-00
59. Michael Canonica - Seth Proctor University of Tennessee 192
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 12-14 Total: 10 22-14
60. Trey McMeen - Braydon Kelley East Texas Baptist University 191
Day 1: 5 10-08 Day 2: 5 12-06 Total: 10 22-14
61. Tyler Altizer - Landon Lawson King University 190
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 5 13-09 Total: 10 22-13
62. Connor Koch - Kane Weekley Southeastern University 189
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 5 13-05 Total: 10 22-13
63. Tyler Morris - Hunter Hamilton LSU - Shreveport 188
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 10-11 Total: 10 22-13
64. Jeremy Monda - Will Boyd Jr Florida Gateway College 187
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 12-01 Total: 10 22-13
65. Luke Salvail - Kyle Johnson Calhoun Community College 186
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 12-11 Total: 10 22-12
66. Seth Jones - Bryson O' Steen Florida Gateway College 185
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 5 12-15 Total: 10 22-11
67. Brett Jolley Jr. - Cade Nettles East Texas Baptist University 184
Day 1: 5 12-13 Day 2: 5 09-12 Total: 10 22-09
68. Luke Rokavec - Lake Hatfield Campbellsville University 183
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 10-15 Total: 10 22-09
69. Gus McLarry - Jared West Texas A&M Commerce Fishing Club 182
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 11-00 Total: 10 22-09
70. Jacob Witkowski - Mark Harris Dallas Baptist Univesity 181
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 5 10-03 Total: 10 22-06
71. Carson Huether - Zachary Wolfe Carson-Newman University 180
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 10-01 Total: 10 22-05
72. Luca Palermo - Jake Palmieri Clemson University 179
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 10-13 Total: 10 22-05
73. Hunter Palmer - Eli Stevenson Bryan College 178
Day 1: 5 08-15 Day 2: 5 13-05 Total: 10 22-04
74. Ian Carter - Bryce Distefano LSU - Shreveport 177
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 11-07 Total: 10 22-04
75. Will Thomas - Michael Arienzo Jr. Georgia College 176
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 11-11 Total: 10 22-02
76. William Travis - Caleb Griffin Bryan College 175
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 10-08 Total: 10 22-02
77. Chase Hubble - Brent May University of Florida 174
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 10-07 Total: 10 22-01
78. Peyton Matherne - Beau Landry LSU 173
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 10-11 Total: 10 22-01
79. Andrew Ready - Trey Garrett Southeastern University 172
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 10-09 Total: 10 21-14
80. Connor Foreman - Joe Krejci Texas A&M University 171
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 11-01 Total: 10 21-14
81. Brendon Brones - Porter Welch Lamar State College Orange 170
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 06-07 Total: 10 21-13
82. Carson Kamien - Tyson Verkaik University of Florida 169
Day 1: 5 12-01 Day 2: 5 09-10 Total: 10 21-11
83. Braden Lankford - Sam Sutter Murray State College 168
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 5 09-10 Total: 10 21-07
84. Nicholas Basham - Maddock Wigg Virginia Tech 167
Day 1: 5 11-00 Day 2: 5 10-07 Total: 10 21-07
85. Dylan May - Carson Palmer Carson-Newman University 166
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 10-01 Total: 10 21-06
86. Carson Hickman - Jacob Dobbs Tarleton State University 165
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 10-07 Total: 10 21-06
87. Caden Denny - Trevor Johnston Texas A&M University 164
Day 1: 5 08-14 Day 2: 5 12-07 Total: 10 21-05
88. Skyler Stevens - Bryson Caudle Faulkner University 163
Day 1: 5 07-09 Day 2: 5 13-11 Total: 10 21-04
89. Easton Bouma - Zachary Ward Drury University 162
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 11-10 Total: 10 21-04
90. Aric Szambelan - Alex Wood Missouri State University 161
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 4 09-13 Total: 9 21-04
91. Avery Hammock - Jackson Ford Georgia College 160
Day 1: 4 09-03 Day 2: 5 12-00 Total: 9 21-03
92. Austin Rose - Dylan Benson East Texas Baptist University 159
Day 1: 5 08-12 Day 2: 5 12-06 Total: 10 21-02
93. Brayden Batchelor - Alex Belin Georgia Southern University 158
Day 1: 5 12-14 Day 2: 5 08-01 Total: 10 20-15
94. Jacob Keller - Jason Mcgee University Of Florida Gator Bass 157
Day 1: 5 11-14 Day 2: 5 09-01 Total: 10 20-15
95. Jacob Hiebsch - Ryder Hall Missouri State University 156
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 11-01 Total: 10 20-15
96. Kaleb Brown - Cole Moulton Lander University 155
Day 1: 5 10-12 Day 2: 5 10-03 Total: 10 20-15
97. Ryan Lachniet - Logan Evans Campbellsville University 154
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 5 11-03 Total: 10 20-14
98. Alex Standerfer - Cvcc Redhawks 153
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 09-13 Total: 10 20-14
99. Caleb Dugger - Hunter Barrow King University 152
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 10-13 Total: 10 20-14
100. Evan Waggener - Caleb Cason Campbellsville University 151
Day 1: 5 11-09 Day 2: 5 09-04 Total: 10 20-13
101. Kasen Pemberton - Avery Padgett Troy University 150
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 08-03 Total: 10 20-11
102. Clayton Page - Dawson Cowden Northwestern State University 149
Day 1: 5 10-15 Day 2: 5 09-10 Total: 10 20-09
103. David Ackerman V - Mackenzie Sanders Erskine College 148
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 5 10-15 Total: 10 20-07
104. Drake Wadsworth - Stone Smith Northwestern State University 147
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 11-06 Total: 10 20-06
105. Camden Kozikoski - Dayne Kobriger Drury University 146
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 10-06 Total: 10 20-06
106. Colton Boelkes - Southeastern University 145
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 10-04 Total: 10 20-06
107. Jase White - Lane King Drury University 144
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 10-00 Total: 10 20-05
108. Syler Prince - Parker Stalvey St Johns River State College 143
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 10-03 Total: 10 20-05
109. William Tew - Brayden Nichols LSU - Shreveport 142
Day 1: 5 08-05 Day 2: 5 11-13 Total: 10 20-02
110. Hunter Greer III - Luke Iles Northwestern State University 141
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 08-14 Total: 10 20-00
111. Willem Van Der Heijden - Jack Middlebrook Tarleton State University 140
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 09-02 Total: 10 20-00
112. Tripp Bowman - Matthew Nesbit LSU - Shreveport 139
Day 1: 5 08-08 Day 2: 5 11-04 Total: 10 19-12
113. Evan Barker - Corey Yarish Campbellsville University 138
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 5 08-14 Total: 10 19-11
114. Colten Drawdy - Hunter Shelton Bethel University 137
Day 1: 5 08-08 Day 2: 5 11-02 Total: 10 19-10
115. Peyton Bryant - Brezlyn Hightower Murray State College 136
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 09-07 Total: 10 19-10
116. Callaway Robinson - Tucker Pearson Georgia College 135
Day 1: 5 07-01 Day 2: 5 12-07 Total: 10 19-08
117. Hampton Shull - Lander University 134
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 08-07 Total: 10 19-08
118. Jake Thornbury - Lane Pohlman Campbellsville University 133
Day 1: 5 10-02 Day 2: 5 09-06 Total: 10 19-08
119. Gabe Hannon - Alexander Blanchard LSU 132
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 5 10-00 Total: 10 19-07
120. Cody Domingos - Matthew Dettling University of Tennessee 131
Day 1: 5 12-12 Day 2: 4 06-10 Total: 9 19-06
121. Christian Boyd - Landon Sexton Shelton State Community College 130
Day 1: 5 07-07 Day 2: 5 11-10 Total: 10 19-01
122. Blair Cox - Zach Adamec Missouri State University 129
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 08-14 Total: 10 18-12
123. CJ Lawrence - Carson Owen Murray State College 128
Day 1: 5 08-10 Day 2: 5 10-01 Total: 10 18-11
124. Christian Bales - Dylan Mcgee Kentucky Christian University 127
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 5 08-03 Total: 10 18-10
125. Mitchell Mccotter - Daniel Weber Bass Fishing Team At Virginia Te 126
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 5 08-11 Total: 10 18-09
126. Tyler Chmelar - Carter Everett Tarleton State University 125
Day 1: 5 09-08 Day 2: 5 08-15 Total: 10 18-07
127. Bryson Hatcher - Matthew Dopp Bryan College 124
Day 1: 5 08-06 Day 2: 5 10-00 Total: 10 18-06
128. Colden Harman - Lance Fuhr Clemson University 123
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 4 09-01 Total: 9 18-06
129. Parker Lambert - Aaron Shumaker Lander University 122
Day 1: 5 11-07 Day 2: 5 06-14 Total: 10 18-05
130. Turner Barksdale - Jared Walters Shelton State Community College 121
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 09-05 Total: 10 18-05
131. Ben Hatcher - Sam Hatcher University of Alabama 120
Day 1: 5 09-00 Day 2: 5 09-04 Total: 10 18-04
132. Grant Dohle - Jake Mantovani Missouri State University 119
Day 1: 5 12-03 Day 2: 4 05-15 Total: 9 18-02
133. Brayden Ruckman - Cason Price Carson-Newman University 118
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 07-13 Total: 10 18-01
134. Hayden Gaddis - Ben Cully Carson-Newman University 117
Day 1: 5 10-10 Day 2: 4 07-04 Total: 9 17-14
135. Nathan MacDonald - James Ikerd II Mississippi State University 116
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 5 08-03 Total: 10 17-14
136. Maddy Phipps - King University 115
Day 1: 5 08-07 Day 2: 5 09-07 Total: 10 17-14
137. TJ Davis - Webber International University 114
Day 1: 5 07-09 Day 2: 5 09-15 Total: 10 17-08
138. Cole Klasing - Adam Green Greenville College Bass Fishing 113
Day 1: 5 08-00 Day 2: 5 09-08 Total: 10 17-08
139. Landon Brown - Grant Rice Morehead State University 112
Day 1: 5 09-12 Day 2: 5 07-11 Total: 10 17-07
140. Edward San Juan - Joshua Sonnier Lamar State College Orange 111
Day 1: 5 09-10 Day 2: 5 07-10 Total: 10 17-04
141. Claire Wilder - Jack Clancy University Of Tennessee 110
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 1 01-11 Total: 6 17-03
142. Mason Lyons - Dalton Blakley Kentucky Christian University 109
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 5 07-13 Total: 10 17-02
143. Storm Cline - Gavin Clevenger Carson-Newman University 108
Day 1: 5 08-11 Day 2: 5 08-04 Total: 10 16-15
144. Will Oberman - Clay Oberman Campbellsville University 107
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 4 06-10 Total: 9 16-14
145. Hunter Jenkins - Dallas Baptist University 106
Day 1: 4 06-01 Day 2: 5 10-09 Total: 9 16-10
146. Xander Patton - Stephen Brooks Emmanuel College 105
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 4 05-15 Total: 9 16-08
147. Ryan Pero - Ben Tschoerner Stephen F Austin State Universit 104
Day 1: 5 09-14 Day 2: 4 06-05 Total: 9 16-03
148. Hunter Stuart - Sean Mccarthy Tarleton State University 103
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 3 05-09 Total: 8 16-02
149. Robert Miller - John Michael Ortman Emmanuel College 102
Day 1: 5 10-13 Day 2: 3 05-04 Total: 8 16-01
150. Isaac Greene - Bryson Holderness University of South Carolina - U 101
Day 1: 3 05-13 Day 2: 5 10-04 Total: 8 16-01
151. Fischer Barber - Sawyer McCullough Troy University 100
Day 1: 5 09-11 Day 2: 4 06-05 Total: 9 16-00
152. Bryce Dimauro - Tripp Berlinsky Bryan College 99
Day 1: 3 05-15 Day 2: 5 10-00 Total: 8 15-15
153. Brycen Williamson - Adam Seagle Erskine College 98
Day 1: 5 08-10 Day 2: 5 07-04 Total: 10 15-14
154. Andrew Sell - Blake Rufkahr Missouri State University 97
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 4 05-05 Total: 9 15-12
155. Austin Wadzinski - Stone Robertson University of Tennessee 96
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 3 05-07 Total: 8 15-07
156. Savannah Goode - Fisher Edwards Georgia College 95
Day 1: 3 04-11 Day 2: 5 10-11 Total: 8 15-06
157. Atlan Pfluger - Breckett Long Texas A&M University 94
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 4 04-13 Total: 9 15-06
158. Luka Strepacki - Hampton Smith University of Tennessee 93
Day 1: 5 06-09 Day 2: 4 08-13 Total: 9 15-06
159. Tyler Gunter - Cabe Mackey Catawba Valley Community College 92
Day 1: 5 08-10 Day 2: 4 06-12 Total: 9 15-06
160. Landon Howe - Gabe Thrift Georgia Southern University 91
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 4 04-14 Total: 9 15-05
161. Matthew McGrehor - Alex Girodo Calhoun Community College 90
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 2 05-13 Total: 7 15-02
162. Nathan Fideldy - Drury University 89
Day 1: 4 06-03 Day 2: 5 08-14 Total: 9 15-01
163. Caden Gettys - Cole Weaver Catawba Valley Community College 88
Day 1: 5 07-12 Day 2: 3 07-04 Total: 8 15-00
164. Luke McGuffin - Rylan Green Erskine College 87
Day 1: 4 06-09 Day 2: 5 08-05 Total: 9 14-14
165. Ty Allison - Dyson Lewis Catawba Valley Community College 86
Day 1: 4 09-13 Day 2: 4 04-15 Total: 8 14-12
166. Dustin Michek - Nick Schaefer University of Wisconsin - Platte 85
Day 1: 5 10-07 Day 2: 2 04-04 Total: 7 14-11
167. Evan Polley - Brandon Ward Carson-Newman University 84
Day 1: 3 05-03 Day 2: 4 09-02 Total: 7 14-05
168. Jared Hubbard - Riley Hendricks Lander University 83
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 3 04-14 Total: 8 14-02
169. Matthew Massey - Matt Brault Erskine College 82
Day 1: 5 07-03 Day 2: 5 06-13 Total: 10 14-00
170. Brody Hopper - Jaxton Orr Carson-Newman University 81
Day 1: 5 09-04 Day 2: 2 04-08 Total: 7 13-12
171. Gabe Fishlock - Evan Newell Carson-Newman University 80
Day 1: 4 05-06 Day 2: 5 08-04 Total: 9 13-10
172. Tanner Herndon - Bryan College 79
Day 1: 2 03-11 Day 2: 5 09-12 Total: 7 13-07
173. Shaden Farley - Trace Kight III Murray State College 78
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 3 04-02 Total: 8 13-07
174. Bryce Balentine - Giancarlo Russo Florida Gateway College 77
Day 1: 2 02-03 Day 2: 5 11-03 Total: 7 13-06
175. Peter West - Braylin Lewis Faulkner University 76
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 2 03-13 Total: 7 13-03
176. David Bartlett - Drake Longstaff Greenville College Bass Fishing 75
Day 1: 5 07-06 Day 2: 4 05-12 Total: 9 13-02
177. Christian Moore - John Mizell Tarleton State University 74
Day 1: 4 06-02 Day 2: 5 06-14 Total: 9 13-00
178. Dylan Thomson - Trey Marco King University 73
Day 1: 5 09-05 Day 2: 2 03-09 Total: 7 12-14
179. Jeremy Etter - Colin McGough Virginia Tech 72
Day 1: 1 01-09 Day 2: 5 11-03 Total: 6 12-12
180. Tanner Smith - Cameron Gates Kentucky Christian University 71
Day 1: 5 07-01 Day 2: 3 05-10 Total: 8 12-11
181. Matthew Wilson - Gus Dietrich University of Alabama 70
Day 1: 1 02-11 Day 2: 5 09-14 Total: 6 12-09
182. Taylor McMullen - Anna Kay Emmanuel College 69
Day 1: 5 07-04 Day 2: 3 05-02 Total: 8 12-06
183. Dawson Lynch - Sonny Mann Tarleton State University 68
Day 1: 4 05-04 Day 2: 4 07-00 Total: 8 12-04
184. Garrett Sullivan - Matthew Poss Faulkner University 67
Day 1: 4 11-15 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 11-15
185. Mitch Johnson - Jonathan Fitch Kentucky Christian University 66
Day 1: 5 11-13 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 11-13
186. Gracie Gregory - Noah Brooks Kentucky Christian University 65
Day 1: 5 08-15 Day 2: 2 02-10 Total: 7 11-09
187. Matthew Gunn - Dylan Mclaughlin Erskine College 64
Day 1: 3 06-05 Day 2: 4 05-01 Total: 7 11-06
188. Connor Green - Faulkner University 63
Day 1: 5 08-13 Day 2: 1 02-01 Total: 6 10-14
189. Bennett Matheny - Charlie Grisamore University of Alabama 62
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 5 09-01 Total: 6 10-12
190. Dallas Taylor - Leslie Redding Kentucky Christian University 61
Day 1: 1 01-14 Day 2: 4 08-12 Total: 5 10-10
191. Christopher Daniels - Harrison McCall Lander University 60
Day 1: 2 03-06 Day 2: 4 07-03 Total: 6 10-09
192. Bryson Dotson - Kobi May Bryan College 59
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 5 10-06 Total: 5 10-06
193. Kaden Buchmann - Chase Wodzinski Lander University 58
Day 1: 5 08-07 Day 2: 1 01-10 Total: 6 10-01
194. Tucker Evans - Izael Alvarado Stephen F Austin State Universit 57
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 10-00
195. Sam Semper - Tarleton State University 56
Day 1: 5 09-09 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 09-09
196. Luke Bennett - Ryan Blair Tarleton State University 55
Day 1: 4 09-08 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 09-08
197. Mason Thompson - Declan Schmidt University of Tennessee 54
Day 1: 2 03-15 Day 2: 3 05-09 Total: 5 09-08
198. Josh Finnerty - Mitchell Dean Georgia College 53
Day 1: 5 09-07 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 09-07
199. Palmer Parrish - Clemson University 52
Day 1: 4 06-01 Day 2: 2 03-06 Total: 6 09-07
200. Cooper McLemore - Carson Dyer Georgia College 51
Day 1: 5 09-06 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 09-06
201. Will Rhyne - Lander University 50
Day 1: 2 03-05 Day 2: 3 05-07 Total: 5 08-12
202. Devan Perkins - Kade Palmer LSU 49
Day 1: 5 08-10 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 08-10
203. Isaac Dewsbury - Brett Boswell Georgia College 48
Day 1: 3 05-04 Day 2: 2 03-06 Total: 5 08-10
204. Bailey Mckinney - Levi Smith Marshall University 47
Day 1: 5 08-06 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 08-06
205. Elijah Jackson - Matthew German University Of Alabama Bass Fishi 46
Day 1: 4 06-07 Day 2: 1 01-12 Total: 5 08-03
206. Caleb Baynes - Kris Kautz Liberty University 45
Day 1: 5 08-02 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 08-02
206. Caden Fuller - Justin Ritchie Marshall University 45
Day 1: 5 08-02 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 08-02
208. Zach Williams - MS State 43
Day 1: 5 07-15 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 5 07-15
209. Logan Howarter - Carrson Sizemore Kentucky Christian University 42
Day 1: 3 04-03 Day 2: 3 03-09 Total: 6 07-12
210. Ryan Rhodes - Blake Beste Tarleton State University 41
Day 1: 3 05-01 Day 2: 1 01-13 Total: 4 06-14
211. Lawson Blake - Garrett Simon Marshall University 40
Day 1: 4 05-05 Day 2: 1 01-05 Total: 5 06-10
212. Jordan Bezold - Joe Bezold Nku Bassmasters Club 39
Day 1: 4 06-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 4 06-00
213. Braydon Southerland - Delton Herd Tennessee Tech University 38
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 05-07 Total: 2 05-07
214. Jake Leinonen - Clemson University 37
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 3 04-14 Total: 3 04-14
215. Weslee Barnes - Jack Dill Clemson University 36
Day 1: 2 03-07 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 2 03-07
216. Robert Campbell - Nick Manning MS State 35
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 2 02-06 Total: 2 02-06
217. Peter Radulski Jr - Tyler Smith Clemson University 34
Day 1: 1 01-12 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 1 01-12
218. Braxton Simmons - Grant Kosla University of Tennessee 33
Day 1: 1 01-11 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 1 01-11
219. Hunter Jensen - Cory Mitchell Liberty University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
219. Jackson Plyler - Cambell Hall NC State University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
219. Coby Thompson - Austin Archie Troy University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
219. Brett Williams - Paul Melo Jr. Coastal Carolina University 0
Day 1: 0 00-00 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 0 00-00
------------------------------
BIG BASS OF TOURN
Colin Wolinski Chesterfield, MO 06-05 $0.00
------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 180 998 2133-10
2 151 909 1953-13
------------------------------
331 1907 4087-07
