MLF Fisheries Management Division Teams Up with American Feeder, TPWD and Local Volunteers for Conservation Efforts in Early, Texas

EARLY, Texas (Nov. 5, 2024) –Professional anglers who competed in Early, Texas, last week at the Major League Fishing (MLF) General Tire Team Series Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq left Central Texas with more than just quality entertainment and good impressions. The MLF Fisheries Management Division (FMD) partnered with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), Texas Pro Lake Management and several local fishing teams to complete two Minn Kota Habitat Restoration Projects supported by MossBack Fish Habitat and American Feeder.

As part of the first project, American Feeder provided two high-strength, aluminum fish feeders to be placed in Early Town Center Lake. Each feeder holds up to 75 pounds of fish food. The feeders were presented to the City of Early Mayor Robert Mangrum, Council Member Charles Matlock and city staff by MLF pros Gary Klein, Alton Jones Jr. and Ott Defoe and MLF FMD Director Steven Bardin.

"We were thrilled to partner with the MLF Fisheries Management Division, Texas Pro Lake Management, TPWD and the City of Early, Texas to support the lake rehabilitation at the Early Town Center Lake,” said Matt Swainbank, Sales Manager at American Feeder. “Creating a space for local and youth anglers to fish is vital to our industry, and we were glad the opportunity arose in conjunction with the General Tire Team Series event.  Our two H125 aluminum fish feeders will be a great addition to the lake enhancement project.  These feeders will help continue to grow the sunfish, bass, trout and catfish populations there for years to come."

The second project began on Lake Brownwood in September, when the TPWD worked with the De Leon High School Fishing Team and the MLF FMD to assess the lake and locate sites that were more than 14 feet deep and near prominent fishing locations. Seven sites were selected for habitat deployment.

Photos from the Minn Kota Habitat Restoration Projects and American Feeder Donation at Early Town Center Lake

In early October, volunteers from the TPWD, Texas Pro Lake Management and the Tarleton State University Fisheries Society built artificial fishing habitat – the MossBack 40-inch Conservation Cubes and 60-inch Safe Haven XL habitats for deployment. The products were anchored using concrete supplies provided by the local Home Depot store in Brownwood, Texas. Additional habitat was also provided by the TPWD Habitat and Angler Access Program in the form of Reef Balls from the Reef Ball Foundation, and concrete culverts were provided by the Brown County Water Improvement District. The habitats will be deployed the second week of November.

Six pro anglers competing in the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup volunteered their time on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Early Town Center Lake to fish with local youth and community members at the MLF Fishing with the Pros event. Those pros included Brent Chapman, Justin Cooper, Ott DeFoe, Gary Klein, Wesley Strader and Martin Villa. Early Town Center Lake is a 7-acre lake stocked with bluegill, sunfish, redear sunfish, largemouth bass, channel catfish and rainbow trout and is maintained to promote fishing in the community.

“We can’t say enough great things about Major League Fishing, the Fisheries Management Division and the impact the organization has left on the Early community,” said Tony Aaron, Early City Administrator. “The economic impact of the event and the time the pros spent with our community and staff were invaluable, and the habitat deployment and conservation efforts in Lake Brownwood and Early Town Center Lake will benefit our community for years to come. Thank you to the TPWD, American Feeder, Texas Pro Lake Management and everyone who volunteered their time for this project.”

Television coverage of the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq, highlighting Lake Brownwood and Early, Texas, will premiere on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour episodes in March 2025. New MLF General Tire Team Series episodes will premiere each Saturday morning on Outdoor Channel and will be available to stream on MOTV.

For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at FacebookXInstagram 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.


Reaper Season: A Closer Look at the World's Best Fishing Sweatshirt

SANTA ANA, Ca., November 5, 2024

Since its debut in 2018, the AFTCO Reaper Sweatshirt has become the go-to garment for anglers, both fresh and saltwater, who demand top-tier performance. Designed to elevate the classic hoodie, the Reaper integrates advanced features like a built-in face mask and neck warmer, all while maintaining the familiar comfort of your favorite sweatshirt.

Dino Sakelliou, the designer behind the Reaper, combined his expertise with direct feedback from anglers. “The inspiration was a collaborative effort across design, sales, and marketing. We took pro angler insights and feature requests and turned them into a functional garment that still resonated with the fishing culture. The goal was to make it feel familiar but new,” Sakelliou explained.

Crafted from ultra-soft microfleece, the Reaper includes laser-cut ventilation in the mask and underarms, along with an anchoring system that secures the hood during high-speed boat runs. Ultra-quiet pocket closures ensure stealth, while the oversized front pocket keeps hands warm or stores essentials on cold days.

Whether worn alone or layered, the Reaper offers jacket-like sophistication in a category usually defined by simplicity. Treated with stain-release technology, it's built to handle the demands of fishing without sacrificing comfort. With over 100,000 sold and 1,400+ five-star reviews, the Reaper is one of AFTCO’s best-selling items, leading to the expansion of the Reaper family with the Reaper Windproof Pullover and Windproof Jacket.

Gear up with the Reaper and experience why it’s trusted by anglers everywhere.

About AFTCO

Established in 1958, the American Fishing Tackle Company crafts apparel that provides protection from the elements and precision-built tackle designed to catch the fish of a lifetime. Trusted by top anglers, captains, and guides across the globe, AFTCO fishing clothing works best when conditions are at their worst. Whether you’re up against freezing temperatures, gale force winds, heavy rain, or intense UV rays, AFTCO levels the playing field so you can keep fishing comfortably, even when Mother Nature has other plans.

The American Fishing Tackle Company has a rich legacy of authentic innovation and product design. From the exceptional conservation efforts led by former company Chairman Milt Shedd to the perfection of the roller guide and the world’s first dedicated fishing shorts, AFTCO is known for its superior performance on and off the water.

Our passion for the outdoors extends beyond our products. Through our 10% Pledge, your purchase of any AFTCO product directly supports organizations and causes working to conserve our oceans, waterways, and fish populations while protecting angler rights.

Press Contact

Denny Le
Marketing Manager
[email protected]


BASS FISHING HALL OF FAME OPENS NOMINATION SEASON FOR THE INDUCTION CLASS OF 2025

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— For Immediate Release — Nov 4, 2024 — Fresh off its 2024 induction ceremony which highlighted the careers of five worthy inductees and which resulted in record-setting attendance and fundraising, the Board of Directors of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame has opened the nomination process for the next class of inductees.

Starting immediately, any interested person may nominate deserving individuals to be considered for induction into the Hall. Nominees should have made a major impact on the world of bass fishing and brought honor and credit to the sport of bass fishing. Properly submitted nominations are accepted on a rolling basis, but in order to be considered for the Class of 2025, they must be completed in full by January 15, 2025. The initial list of nominees will be whittled to an official ballot to be considered by our Selection Panel, which includes 30 members of the industry plus all living Hall of Famers.”

More information about the process can be found on the “Road to Induction” page of the Hall’s website.

The Hall’s website also includes a nomination form, which should be completed and returned to the Hall’s office either electronically or by mail. While the length or comprehensiveness of the materials provided will not determine whether a nominee proceeds to the next step in the process, a thorough description of the candidate’s achievements will help selectors to make informed decisions.

“We have been thrilled with the effort and care that the bass fishing community has put into these efforts in the past, and we are confident that the newest crop of nominees will reflect such seriousness,” said Neil Paul, Chair of the Board’s Nominations Committee. “Each year the voters are tasked with making some very difficult choices and we are confident that the Selection Panel will again do a great job.”

The most recent class of inductees included the late lure designer Fred Arbogast, video and TV producer Mike McKinnis, noted pro angler, tackle designer and promoter Skeet Reese, trailblazer and pro angler Alfred Williams and TV analyst and outdoor personality Mark Zona.

“Now that we’ve reached the 100-inductee mark, we’re seeing new generations of anglers get inducted, and since establishing a permanent home for the Hall within Johnny Morris’ Wonder of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium in 2017, the Board has made the needed efforts in reaching back to the past. From those efforts in the induction process from our selection panel and past HOF inductees, we’ve added some worthy innovators and leaders from the sport’s earliest days such as Dr. James Henshall, one of the sport of bass fishing’s earliest advocates, and legendary lure designer James Heddon who was making bass lures going back to 1892,” said Hall of Fame President John Mazurkiewicz. “The popularity and success of our process and our banquet helps us to benefit the sport going forward by funding worthy projects consistent with our mission.”

Proceeds from the induction ceremony’s auction benefit the Hall of Fame’s core mission values of celebrating, preserving and promoting the sport of bass fishing. Funding grants for fisheries conservation, scholarships for fisheries science students, and backing youth fishing are among the many supported initiatives.
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About the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame (BFHOF)
Celebrating its 25th year, the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization led by a volunteer board of directors, dedicated to celebrating, promoting, and preserving the sport of bass fishing. The Hall’s inductees and historical memorabilia are showcased in Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri. For more information about the road to induction, the Hall’s impact on the community, or to get involved, visit www.BassFishingHOF.com.

or contact BFHOF executive director Barbara Bowman at [email protected].

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Barbara Bowman

Executive Director

[email protected]

BassFishingHOF.com

P.O. Box 26584

Little Rock, AR 72221

501-541-6660

We are dedicated to celebrating, promoting and preserving the sport of bass fishing

Be Social - @BassFishingHOF 


Roster Announced for 2025 Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour Season

BENTON, Ky. (Nov. 4, 2024) – Major League Fishing (MLF) announced today the roster of 66 pros who will compete on the Bass Pro tour in 2025, the seventh season of professional bass fishing’s premier tournament circuit. Offering the highest payout in professional bass fishing, the Bass Pro Tour will award $150,000 to the winner of each Bass Pro Tour regular season event – 50% more than any other league – plus $100,000 to the Fishing Clash Angler of the Year in 2025. The season will kick off Jan. 30-Feb. 2 at Lake Conroe in Conroe, Texas.

Full payout tables for the 2025 Bass Pro Tour can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

For the first time in Bass Pro Tour history, the full field will compete simultaneously in the Qualifying Round on days one and two. From there, top anglers will advance to the Knockout Round on day three and ultimately the Championship Round on day four. Every day of catch, weigh, immediate-release competition will be broadcast live on MLFNOW! and streamed to MajorLeagueFishing.com, the Major League Fishing app, and the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) and Rumble platforms.

“It’s always one of our most anticipated announcements every season – when we unveil the anglers who will be competing for the sport’s top prizes on the Bass Pro Tour,” said Kathy Fennel, Executive Vice President & General Manager of Major League Fishing. “We’re looking forward to kicking off our 2025 Bass Pro Tour season in just a few short months at Lake Conroe. The 2025 roster is a fantastic mix of anglers and the race to qualify for REDCREST, Heavy Hitters and the 2026 Bass Pro Tour is going to be more exciting than ever.”

The 2025 Bass Pro Tour roster is headlined by Jacob Wheeler of Harrison, Tennessee, winner of the Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) title in three of the last four seasons. Wheeler will be joined by fellow AOY winners Matt Becker of Ten Mile, Tennessee (2023), and 2019 REDCREST champion Edwin Evers of Talala, Oklahoma (2019).

Four former REDCREST Champions will be competing on the Bass Pro Tour this season, including Evers, Dustin Connell (2021 and 2024), Bobby Lane (2022) and Bryan Thrift (2023).

Three rookies will be in the field: Marshall Hughes of Hemphill, Texas; Jake Lawrence of Buchanan, Tennessee; and Colby Miller of Elmer, Louisiana, have accepted their invitations to the Bass Pro Tour after qualifying via their points finish in the 2024 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals.

Invitations to compete in the MLF Bass Pro Tour are earned by performance in the previous year’s Bass Pro Tour, overall lifetime average and performance in the previous year’s Tackle Warehouse Invitationals.

The 2025 MLF Bass Pro Tour will air on Discovery beginning in July 2025 and Outdoor Channel beginning in the first quarter of 2026.
For regular Bass Pro Tour updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at FacebookXInstagram, and  YouTube.

The 66 professional anglers that will compete on the 2025 Bass Pro Tour are:

  • Casey Ashley, Donalds, S.C.
  • Adrian Avena, Vineland, N.J.
  • Matt Becker, Ten Mile, Tenn.
  • Josh Bertrand, Queen Creek, Ariz.
  • Zack Birge, Blanchard, Okla.
  • Keith Carson, DeBary, Fla.
  • Brent Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan.
  • Luke Clausen, Spokane, Wash.
  • Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala.
  • Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La.
  • Brandon Coulter, Knoxville, Tenn.
  • Mark Daniels Jr., Tuskegee, Ala.
  • Mark Davis, Mount Ida, Ark.
  • Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn.
  • David Dudley, Lynchburg, Va.
  • Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif.
  • James Elam, Tulsa, Okla.
  • Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla.
  • Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas
  • Cole Floyd, Leesburg, Ohio
  • Shin Fukae, Osaka, Japan
  • Anthony Gagliardi, Prosperity, S.C.
  • Drew Gill, Mount Carmel, Ill.
  • Nick Hatfield, Greeneville, Tenn.
  • Dylan Hays, Hot Springs, Ark.
  • *Marshall Hughes, Hemphill, Texas
  • John Hunter, Shelbyville, Ky.
  • Alton Jones, Lorena, Texas
  • Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas
  • Gary Klein, Mingus, Texas
  • Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla.
  • Chris Lane, Guntersville, Ala.
  • *Jake Lawrence, Buchanan, Tenn.
  • Jeremy Lawyer, Sarcoxie, Mo.
  • Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La.
  • Dave Lefebre, Erie, Pa.
  • Jared Lintner, Covington, Ga.
  • Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala.
  • *Colby Miller, Elmer, La.
  • Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C.
  • Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn.
  • Britt Myers, Lake Wylie, S.C.
  • Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn.
  • Ron Nelson, Berrien Springs, Mich.
  • Takahiro Omori, Tokyo, Japan
  • Keith Poche, Pike Road, Ala.
  • Skeet Reese, Auburn, Calif.
  • Marshall Robinson, Landrum, S.C.
  • Marty Robinson, Lyman, S.C.
  • Dean Rojas, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
  • Mark Rose, Wynne, Ark.
  • Fred Roumbanis, Russellville, Ark.
  • Bradley Roy, Lancaster, Ky.
  • Terry Scroggins, San Mateo, Fla.
  • Fletcher Shryock, Guntersville, Ala.
  • Spencer Shuffield, Hot Springs, Ark.
  • Gerald Spohrer, Gonzales, La.
  • Jeff Sprague, Point, Texas
  • Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn.
  • Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C.
  • Martin Villa, Charlottesville, Va.
  • Greg Vinson, Wetumpka, Ala.
  • David Walker, Sevierville, Tenn.
  • Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala.
  • Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn.
  • Jesse Wiggins, Addison, Ala.

* Denotes 2025 Bass Pro Tour Rookie

2025 MLF Bass Pro Tour Schedule:

Jan. 30- Feb. 2                 Stage One at Lake Conroe                                                                       Conroe, Texas
Hosted by Visit Conroe

Feb. 13-16                        Stage Two at the Harris Chain of Lakes                                          Leesburg, Fla.
Hosted by Discover Lake County Florida

March 6-9                         Stage Three at Lake Murray                                                                  Columbia, S.C.
Hosted by the Capital City Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board

April 3-6                            Bass Pro Shops REDCREST 2025 at Lake Guntersville         Huntsville, Ala.
Hosted by Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association and the Madison County Commission

May 1-4                              Stage Four at Lake Chickamauga/Nickajack Lake                   Chattanooga, Tenn.
Hosted by Chattanooga, Tennessee and Fish Tennessee

May 17-22                        General Tire Heavy Hitters at Smith Mountain Lake             Franklin County, Va.
Hosted by Visit Franklin County, VA and Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

June 5-8                             Stage Five at Kentucky Lake                                                                 Calvert City, Ky.
Hosted by the Kentucky Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

June 26-29                       Stage Six at the Potomac River                                                            Marbury, Md.
Hosted by Charles County Recreation, Parks and Tourism

Aug. 7-10                          Stage Seven at Saginaw Bay                                                                  Bay City, Mich.
Hosted by Go Great Lakes Bay and the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce

Proud sponsors of the 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, PowerStop Brakes, Rapala, REDCON1, Star brite, Suzuki, Toyota, WIX Filters and U.S. Air Force.

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.


Marbut Doing the Right Things When No One is Looking

Photo Credit: Rob Matsurra - MLF

Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships

The past 12-months of bass fishing have been nothing short of incredible for Hayden Marbut, a 21-year-old Auburn University student and college angler. The talented young Alabama pro won two of college fishing’s biggest trophies, the Bassmaster College Series National Championship and the Collegiate Bass Fishing National Championship on Pickwick Lake, with his partner Tucker Smith at the tail-end of 2023.

Marbut went on to notch a MLF Toyota Series win as a pro this February, as well as two handfuls of other top ten finishes in 2024 tournaments since. Along with these achievements, he’s earned over $3,500 of bonus money via the Yamaha Power Pay contingency program based on being the highest placing angler running a Yamaha outboard purchased within the past 60-months in college events and other weekend series trails.

But out of all these accolades, the tournament that gives the best glimpse into the character of Hayden Marbut was a 13th place finish in the 2024 Collegiate Bass Fishing National Championship. Marbut fished solo in this event. He wanted nothing more than to defend his 2023 title and take the trophy back to Auburn.

He weighed-in an impressive limit of nearly twenty pounds on day one, but it could have been much more. Marbut was forced to throw back his biggest fish in the middle of the day, after he called the tournament director to self-report for having too many bass in his livewell.

“I realized I had six fish in my livewell and my heart just sank,” Marbut recalled. “I had gotten a school of bass fired up and, in the excitement, I didn’t add a cull tag to my one of my fish. That cost me. I immediately called to report myself and they informed me I had to release my biggest fish, which was the nearly five-pounder I had just caught.

“It hurt, but I never even considered not calling myself in. I love this sport too much. Finishing a few places higher in the derby isn’t worth damaging the integrity of tournament fishing. I truly believe most of my competitors would have made the same decision.”

Since he was fishing alone, it would have been easy for Marbut to throw his sixth bass back into Pickwick Lake and continue fishing, but the aspiring future pro was raised to do the right thing, even when no one is looking.

Without a second thought he made the right decision, dealt with the repercussions like a professional, and had a strong finish regardless of the rules violation. If answered honestly, I wonder how many people would have made the same decision in Hayden’s position?

Marbut proved his moral compass is as dialed in as his talents on the water and the Yamaha V MAX 250 SHO on the back of his Phoenix Boat.


An Industry Veteran’s First Experience at the 2024 Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament

By Walker Smith

With a lot of tournaments under my proverbial belt, I can’t believe it took me so long to check out the Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament. As it turns out, that short ride to Lake Hartwell started a tradition my wife and I can’t wait to continue. 

I’ve been working in this industry for roughly 18 years. I’ve attended countless tournaments as a fan in my younger years, then later as both an angler and a media member. If I had a dollar for every weigh-in or registration I’ve photographed and attended, I’d have a few-hundred acres and a big house to boot.

I’ve seen poorly run events, decently run events and well-run events. And I want you to understand that. I’ve seen a lot in my career thus far. I know what resonates with anglers and what doesn’t.

When my wife and I learned that the 2024 Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament was coming to Lake Hartwell, we just had to drive over to check it out. With it being just a short, three-hour jaunt from our rural, sleepy Georgia town, it was a no brainer.

I’ve heard about it for years and several close friends always talked highly of it. So, we loaded up the grocery-getter and headed northeast for the weekend.

As you’d probably agree, first impressions are everything; they are for me, at least. When we finally made it through the “goat roads” and came upon the beautiful registration venue, I figured we’d have to deal with the mess of finding a parking spot, dodging crooked boat trailers and the like. If you’ve ever attended a large tournament, you know exactly what I’m talking about. If not run correctly, even the parking and logistics can turn into a real booger.

We were first struck, however, by the pure kindness of the parking attendants. I’m not sure of their names and I don’t know quite where they came from. But every single individual had the biggest smile on their face. We’d roll the drivers-side window down and ask where to park and they’d just smile to high Heaven and give us the nicest instructions. It felt like they knew us their whole lives. They’d wave, thank us for being there and wish us a good time and we slowly pulled off.

In today’s world, that’s rare. And I take notice of things like that. Maybe we all should. But I digress.

Then, when we were pulling up to our designated parking spot, I heard a quiet rumble and the garble of gravel behind the car. I look into the rearview mirror and guess what? It was a volunteer golfcart driver, following us to our parking spot, ready and waiting to give us a ride to the registration venue.

We had camera gear to unload and some things to straighten up before we headed to the registration. And the driver, a local high-school football coach, waited very patiently as he watched Saturday college football games on his iPad. I won’t lie, I gravitated towards him and watched the Ole Miss game and talked ball while my wife tidied up the car and our gear.

Again, another smiling face and fantastic interaction. This dude ended up being my “buddy” for the whole day. I’d get score updates and free rides to the car when I needed more memory cards for my camera and things of the like. I wish I had a better memory and could remember his name. But I sure do wish him well and Lord willing, he’ll read this and know I appreciated his kindness.

Now, let’s take a golfcart ride down the hill, through the hayfield to the wedding venue-turned-registration site.

We got there early to create a bunch of content before the majority of the anglers showed up. We walked into the banquet hall and the smells filled our noses; just wonderful smells of food filled the air.

To our left started a line of free merchandise tables full of goodies for the participating anglers. Hoodies, hats, beanies, keychains, decals, fancy water bottles… they had it all. As a professional media member, I’ve always tried to stay clear of getting a bunch of free stuff. It’s just a “thing” I’ve got. But I messed up this time and broke my own rule. I had to grab an AFTCO Toyota Fishing Team hoodie. I hope that doesn’t make me unprofessional. But it just looked too good.

With the hoodie acquired, it was time to get to work. I tucked the hoodie behind my camera case in the corner behind a table and got all my fancy gear ready. The garble of the gravel outside was growing louder and more frequent as the anglers were starting to pour in.

Show time.

I could look at you dead in the eyes and tell you that I’ve never experienced a family atmosphere like this at any, and I mean any, bass-fishing tournament. Folks who haven’t seen each other since last year’s event shaking hands, hugging, getting caught up on life… what a beautiful thing to experience. Whether it’s a bass derby or not, how awesome is that? The love, respect and excitement was palpable.

We went through and took about three billion photos for several hours and it didn’t even seem like work. Perhaps my favorite part of registration was seeing my old buddy Mark Daniels Jr. and getting a big hug. He is just the greatest.

After a fantastic supper, great fellowship and a thorough but succinct pre-tournament raffle and meeting hosted by none other than Mike Iaconelli and Mrs. Lisa Talmadge from Bassmaster, everyone dispersed to get ready for derby day.

Sunday morning, it was chilly but you could feel the anticipation in the air. That might sound a little extreme, but there was a nervous excitement humming throughout Green Pond Landing in Anderson, S.C. The local fire department hoisted one of the largest American flags I’ve ever seen, local folks had their dogs on leashes to check out the action and the anglers had their game faces on.

Every single face I saw was wearing a smile. My wife and I did not see anyone not having a good time.

As we walked down the hill to the boat dock and launch site, with that Old Glory loudly whipping in the brisk wind, we heard the music over the loudspeakers. We saw the anglers begin to get a bit more serious. And I turned to my wife and said, “Man, this smell reminds me of my childhood,” as I referred to the nostalgic scent of two-cycle exhaust in the air.

The Team Toyota pros were all lined up at the end of the dock wishing every single angler good luck and making small talk. The pros were excited, engaging and you could absolutely tell they wanted to be there. They were having a ball, as were we. They wished everyone well and off into the South Carolina sunrise the anglers went. It was truly a sight to behold.

Absolutely beautiful.

Come weigh-in time, I was shocked by not only the efficiency, but the quality of interactions in such a short amount of time. I’ll be honest; I’ve seen enough weigh-ins in my lifetime to last me another 10 lifetimes. I love the sport but the weigh-ins can get a little dull to me at times.

But here you have none other than Gerald “G-MAN” Swindle emceeing the event. As you read that last sentence, you probably smiled. If he weren’t so good at catching bass, he could be on a nationwide comedy tour putting folks into stitches.

The back-end Bassmaster staff was unbelievably quick, moving anglers through the line efficiently and while Swindle got through the massive line of anglers quickly, he also gave them plenty of facetime and entertaining interaction. I was fairly shocked by how quickly the weigh-in went. It may have been the most efficient weigh-in I’ve seen. And remember, I’ve seen a lot throughout my career.

As we loaded up our camera gear and shared some well-earned goodbye hugs with industry friends, it’s only fitting that we noticed Swindle surrounded by a group of high-school fishing team volunteers, sharing fishing tips, mentorship, smiles and laughs.

It was almost a shame to hop into our SUV and head back home. We sat in our car for about 15 minutes, ate a free (and delicious) barbeque sandwich and brownie and just smiled, reflecting on our weekend.

What a blessing it was to be around so many fantastic and positive outdoorsmen and women. And of course, as we pulled out of Green Pond Landing, we were met by two parking attendants smiling, waving and wishing us a safe trip home.

I should note: That Sunday was our wedding anniversary. And as we held hands on the goat roads back to chilly Georgia, my wife smiled, looked at me and said, “I wouldn’t have wanted this anniversary any other way, honey. Thank you.”

That right there, is why you need to make a serious effort to fish this tournament. We cannot wait for the next one.


SITKA Gear Launches Durable Alpha Fleece Collection

BOZEMAN, Mont. (October 31, 2024) – SITKA Gear, renowned for its high-performance hunting apparel, introduces its new Alpha Fleece Collection, recreating traditional layers to endure rugged and unruly environments. Purposely designed for outdoorsmen who demand the best from their gear, this collection delivers lasting comfort and durability across all altitudes and seasons.

While fleece is a staple in many gear layering systems, traditional options often lack long-lasting durability. The Alpha Fleece Collection addresses this issue by incorporating a double-weave fleece combining classic comfort with durability. The tighter knit fleece limits snags, pilling, and fabric failures, while its four-way stretch ensures unrestricted movement during high-output climbs or maneuvering in a stand.

The Alpha Fleece fabrics are treated with Durable Water Repellent (DWR), shedding light rain and snow to enhance performance.This added feature sets it apart from traditional fleece, providing water resistance and functionality in changing conditions. Redefining the quintessential fleece layer, the Alpha Fleece ensures long-lasting versatility, making it a staple in any system.

Alpha Fleece Hooded Jacket
Engineered to withstand the harshest conditions, the Alpha Fleece Hooded Jacket features double weave stretch fleece and a DWR coating to mitigate unexpected moisture. With seamless shoulder construction and strategically placed zippered pockets, it ensures comfort and accessibility when wearing a pack while the low-bulk, fitted hood provides coverage without restricting visibility. Suitable as a solo layer in milder temperatures, it easily layers under heavier jackets in adverse weather.
Key Features:
  • Durable, 280-gram, four-way stretch double weave STORMFLEECE™
  • Durable, water-repellent finish to shed light moisture
  • Brushed-fleece interior adds ultra-soft comfort for all-day wear
  • Seamless shoulder construction to enhance comfort with a pack
  • Two zippered pockets keeping items secure and accessible even while wearing a pack belt
  • Mesh-backed pockets offer the ability to vent for added breathability
  • Low-bulk, form-fitted hood offers protection without restricting visibility
  • Internal zippered chest pocket keeps essentials protected and within reach
  • Weight: 20.9 ounces
MSRP: $199
Alpha Fleece Vest
Designed for durability, the Alpha Fleece Vest features double-weave stretch fleece and a DWR coating. The seamless shoulder construction and zippered pockets enhance comfort and accessibility while wearing a pack. Perfect as a solo layer in milder temperatures or as an addition to layering under heavier jackets.

Key Features:

  • Fabric: Durable, 280-gram, four-way stretch double weave STORMFLEECE™
  • Durable water-repellent finish
  • Brushed-fleece interior for all-day comfort
  • Seamless shoulder construction
  • Two zippered pockets
  • Mesh-backed pockets for breathability
  • Internal zippered chest pocket
  • Weight: 13 ounces
MSRP: $149
Alpha Fleece Hoodie
The Alpha Fleece Hoodie is built for rugged conditions, featuring double-weave stretch fleece and a DWR coating. It includes seamless shoulder construction, a zippered kangaroo pocket and a low-bulk, fitted hood for comfort and accessibility while wearing a pack. This hoodie serves as a solo layer in milder temperatures and layers under heavier jackets when needed.
Key Features:
  • Durable, 280-gram, four-way stretch double weave STORMFLEECE™
  • Durable water-repellent finish
  • Brushed-fleece interior for all-day comfort
  • Seamless shoulder construction
  • Zippered kangaroo pocket
  • Mesh-backed pockets for breathability
  • Internal zippered chest pocket
  • Weight: 19.6 ounces
MSRP: $179

For more information, visit sitkagear.com

###

About SITKA 
SITKA Gear, based in Bozeman, Montana, created and leads the technical hunting apparel category. The company is recognized for its commitment to continually improving the life experience of the hunter and for its support of healthy ecosystems and wildlife populations. SITKA products work together in systems, and each piece is designed and tested rigorously in both the lab and the field. SITKA is owned by W.L. Gore & Associates, an advanced materials company well known for GORE-TEX Fabrics and many other industry-leading innovations that provide durable comfort and protection to outdoor enthusiasts.

Media Relations 
Kalvyn Ferronato, [email protected], (805) 256-4161


EGO Fishing's S2 Slider - Still the Champion

Caldwell, ID (October 31, 2024) – It’s said that a system is only as good as the weakest link. Then how is it that some anglers rely on junk landing nets with warped hoops and rotten or torn meshing? There’s another crowd that doesn’t even carry a landing net. Frankly, that’s hard to comprehend given the outlay of time and money that got a fish to bankside or boatside.

The market is flooded with landing nets, most of them cookie-cutter designs that function only as fish-dippers. And many leave a lot to be desired, what with snag-prone netting and materials that can be hard on fish intended for release.

Not the case with EGO Fishing’s top selling and award-winning S2 Slider and Kyrptek S2 Slider, modular fishing net systems not only designed for netting fish, but a multitude of other tasks. The EGO S2 Slider system utilizes the most advanced handle extension technology on the planet.

EGO offers 30-plus interchangeable net heads, accessories, and handles; 19 combined hoop sizes and mesh types to choose from; and lastly, a two-year limited warranty on all EGO landing nets and accessories.

About the EGO S2 Slider “System”

The EGO S2 Slider net is built around a “universal system” that features an extendable net handle for reaching boat-shy trophies—and offers a twist-on & -off system that allows interchanging net frames and net sizes/materials to match exactly what you’re fishing and where.

The options are practically limitless. EGO Fishing offers the perfect net to exactly suit the species and waters you fish. With three EGO S2 Slider Handle Sizes to choose from, you can find the perfect net for your big boat, small boat, kayak/canoe, pier or bank fishing, or wade fishing.

The EGO S2 Slider extending net handle comes in the three sizes: COMPACT, 18” – 36” handle extension; STANDARD, 29” – 60” handle extension; and for those far-reaching applications, the REACH handle, which extends from 48” to a lengthy 108”.

As far as net material construction, anglers can choose within the S2 Slider system between the following: standard Nylon, Rubber-Coated Nylon, PVC-Coated Nylon, Lightweight Rubber, Lightweight Clear Rubber, and PVC-Coated Netting with built-in fish-measuring ruler.

Net hoop sizes run the gamut—from small 14” x 16” netting; medium 17” x 19”; large 19” x 21”; 22” x 23”; to the extra-large 24” x 27”.

Beyond Netting Fish: Endless Accessories

As mentioned, the EGO S2 Slider net family is a “system” that allows use on and off the water. For example, each S2 Slider handle accepts this 8-inch EGO Deck Brush that makes cleaning up a boat at the end of the day a breeze. Same goes for the interchangeable EGO Deck Mop and Deluxe Deck Mop.

Beyond clean-up, EGO designers were smart to offer a couple other accessories worth a look at.

The first is the EGO Lure Retriever, something we could all use in the boat, especially when a custom jerkbait can run $30 these days—not to mention the rarity of some of the out-of-production “oldie but goodie” baits we throw when fishing gets tough!

And for docking or managing lines, rails, and stanchions, the EGO Boat Hook is designed to make easy work of busy work


Bassmaster Elites no longer pay to play

Oct. 30, 2024

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Professional bass fishing will never be the same. Ever. That’s a huge statement. In this case, it’s true. B.A.S.S. just announced that the Bassmaster Elite Series, heading into its 20th season, will no longer require entry fees. Yes, you heard that correctly. In 2025, competitors of the most prestigious tournament trail on the planet, for the first time ever in the history of B.A.S.S. competition, will no longer fish for their own money. No longer are Elite Series pros required to pay to play.

This historic decision was not made lightly. B.A.S.S. has long believed that the ultimate goal of the organization’s highest level of competition should be on par with other individual professional sports, like golf and tennis, which do not require pros to pay entry fees to compete. However, on the heels of record-breaking viewership of Bassmaster LIVE on FOX networks and Bassmaster.com, paired with strong long-term partnerships, this ultimate goal has been realized.

“We have been looking at this model for quite some time,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson. “But, we wanted to make sure that when we flip this switch, which we believe will change the face of professional bass fishing, that the concept is sustainable for the future. For the past several months, we’ve done our due diligence and came to the realization that, with the money we planned to allocate to payouts in 2025, we could offer attractive payouts without putting angler money at risk. This change greatly reduces the risk and financial strain required to compete at bass fishing’s highest level. Now, the Elite Series is in a league of its own, and the only league equivalent to other major individual sports.”

Over the last four years, had Elite Series pros been fishing under the new optimized no-entry-fee model, two thirds of the field would have realized more winnings. Moreover, of the anglers who have fished the past four years, 85% of them would have fared better under the no-entry-fee model in at least one of those years. In other words, there are only a handful of instances in the past four years where this no-entry fee model would not have put more money in anglers’ pockets.

To pull back the curtain on the economics of this new model, you have to understand the incredible investment B.A.S.S. is making into the Elite Series payout. The league is increasing its contribution to payouts by $200,000 for 2025, which puts the total investment in payouts for the Elite Series and Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic over $4.1 million (almost $600,000 higher than the contribution of any other bass fishing league). B.A.S.S. is also rolling out a new optimized payout model with an emphasis on pay for performance, which provides an additional 23% boost to earnings over the previous model each year.

The pay for performance concept is new, as surprising as that sounds. Historically, anglers voted to pay further down the field for the opportunity to earn a check. For example, 51st through 75th place were receiving checks, but those checks were less than their entry fees. Another odd statistic: Under the previous structure, 11th place and 50th place were receiving the same payout. Now, that is not the case. For 2025, the payouts will be graduated down the field. The Top 10 will net the same winnings as before, with first place continuing to receive $100,000. For those placing between 11th and 18th, the earnings realized is actually better. The new payout structure will continue down to 40th place, which will be the new Day 3 cutline for the Elites. The Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year winner will continue to receive $100,000 with the prize for second place increasing to $50,000 and 3rd through 5th will receive checks. Similarly, the Classic will now have a more graduated payout structure with the winner still receiving $300,000 and the Top 11 finishers receiving the exact same amount as last year. For Classic anglers placing 12th through 25th, a graduated scale for performance is now in place. Anglers finishing 26th through 56th will continue to receive a check.

Although it is hard to anticipate the waves this decision will make within the sport, there were several deciding factors that B.A.S.S. considered before pulling the trigger. First, current Elite Series anglers have consistently communicated that the current economic environment is making it difficult to pay the $45,000 entry fee previously required to compete. This substantial amount of money was at risk for each angler. During the Elite angler meeting in August, competitors asked if having no entry fees would ever become a reality? Now, it is.  Removing this risk was, in large part, a driving factor in the decision. Secondly, since the inception of the Elite Series 20 years ago, there have been tremendously talented anglers who did not accept their Elite Series berth based on the high cost of entry. Removing this barrier will purify the competitive landscape of the Elites and inspire all talented anglers, not just those with a bankroll, to fish on bass fishing’s biggest stage.

“Our anglers have been saying for years that the ultimate goal should be a no-entry-fee league,” Anderson said. “Now, we’ve essentially improved their bottom line by $45,000 each through taking away the weight of entry fee payments, while at the same time increasing our contribution to payouts. We believe this will not only benefit each of them individually, but allow them to fish more freely, which should create even more spectacular bass fishing action for Bassmaster fans. We are extremely excited about the future of our sport.”

The first event of the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series will be held on the St. Johns River out of Palatka, Fla., February 20-23. You’ll not want to miss the historic beginning of professional bass fishing redefined. For more information, visit Bassmaster.com.

 

2025 Elite Series Payouts and 2025 Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year Payout

2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic Payout

 

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 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 FacebookInstagramTwitter and TikTok.

Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 205-313-0945, cgay@bassmaster.com


Sprague & Thrift Win General Tire Team Series Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq

EARLY, Texas (Oct. 29, 2024) – It was a blustery day on the water for the four teams competing on Lake Brownwood, Tuesday, in the Championship Round of the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup presented by recteq. The Team Coign duo of Jeff Sprague of Wills Point, Texas, and Bryan Thrift of Shelby, North Carolina, battled through the tough conditions to win the event, catching 28 bass weighing 51 pounds, 7 ounces. For their victory, Sprague and Thrift earned $40,000 and the Patriot Cup championship.

The event, hosted by Visit Early, was the third event of the season for the General Tire Team Series presented by Bass Pro Shops.

It was a close match for most of the afternoon between Team Coign and Team Builders FirstSource, represented by pros Ott DeFoe and Alton Jones Jr. Late in the third period Team Builders FirstSource had cut the deficit down to just 4 pounds, 11 ounces, then Sprague and Thrift went on a mini flurry, catching three scorable bass in the final 20 minutes to pull away and secure the victory.

“It was a good day, man,” Thrift said in his postgame interview. “We made good decisions all the way throughout the day. When we were here on Sunday for the Knockout Round, we got into a little bit of a midday lull. But today we got into the back of some pockets and fought through that midday lull.

“We caught some key fish in those pockets on a ChatterBait and a Texas rig,” Thrift continued. “And in the back of our minds, we knew that we could come back to this spot that we ended the day on and catch two or three to close this thing out if we needed to. We did, and it worked out, perfectly.”

Thrift caught eight keepers on the day – four on a swimjig and four on a swimming worm. Sprague caught 20 keepers – 11 on a swimjig, two on a vibrating jig and two on a Texas-rigged creature bait.

“The bait that carried us 99% of the way was just a hand-tied swimjig,” Sprague said. “We threw it with the brand-new Lake Fork Lure Co. Pro Craw, in bluegill and honey-craw color. The bait looks just like a bluegill, and that is what did all of the work for us this week.”

Thrift and Sprague came into the event with a bit of a chip on their shoulder. The duo teamed up earlier this season at the Heritage Cup in Wisconsin and had a disappointing tournament, not advancing out of the Elimination Round. This week in Texas, Sprague felt like their experience fishing together gave them an advantage.

“We learned so much from each other at the last event,” Sprague said before the event. “Even though we’d fished together a lot as friends, we’d never competed together on the same boat. I felt like we’d work together better, and fish faster and more efficiently at this one.”

Sprague’s prediction rang true, as the duo overcame equipment frustrations earlier in the week and worked well together, complementing each other’s styles and fishing fast, as both anglers are known to do.

“Today was a pretty stinking perfect, day,” Sprague went on to say. “I’m so excited that we got it done, together. If you look at the roster of guys that we fished against today… We competed against the best anglers on the planet this week. It is so difficult to win one of these things. I’m so happy that I got it done this week with my buddy Thrift, and I’m going to remember this one for a long time.”

The top four teams at the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq finished:

1st:        Team Coign, 28 bass, 51-7
Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas, 20 bass, 37-7
Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., eight bass, 14-0
2nd:       Team Builders FirstSource, 21 bass, 43-6
Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., 10 bass, 20-5
Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas, 11 bass, 23-1
3rd:       Team Lucas Oil, 14 bass, 26-0
Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., 10 bass, 19-12
Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Ark., four bass, 6-4
4th:        Team 7 Brew Coffee, seven bass, 10-6
Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., six bass, 9-2
Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., one bass, 1-4

Complete results from throughout the week can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 70 bass weighing 131 pounds, 3 ounces caught by the four teams competing in the Championship Round on Lake Brownwood. Connell caught the Berkley Big Bass of the day on a frog – a chunky largemouth weighing 4 pounds, 12 ounces.

The Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq was hosted by Visit Early and took place over six days in west-central Texas. The competition water for each day was top-secret and only revealed to the anglers when they arrived at the boat ramp each morning.

The Patriot Cup featured 12 two-man teams, divided into three groups as they entered the one-day Elimination Round matches. Each of the three Elimination Round matches featured four new teams, with the top two teams from each match of the Elimination Round advancing to the Knockout Round on Days 4 & 5. In the Knockout Rounds, three teams competed each day, with the top two teams from each Knockout Round match moving on to the Championship Round on Day 6. In Tuesday’s Day 6 Championship Round, the final four teams competed in a one-day shootout to determine which team was the winner of the 2024 Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq.

The 2024 General Tire Team Series is comprised of four events – Challenge Cup, Heritage Cup, Patriot Cup and Summit Cup – featuring two-man teams of MLF Bass Pro Tour pros competing from the same boat. Each event features a roster of 24 anglers, teamed up and working together to claim part of a season purse of more than $720,000. Teams were formed through a selection process, where 48 team captains – based on Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) standings throughout the 2024 Bass Pro Tour season – selected a teammate. Teams will compete throughout the fall of 2024.

The fourth and final General Tire Team Series event of the season – the Summit Cup – will take place Nov. 17-22. The location for the event will be announced to anglers thirty days prior to the start of the event.

Television coverage of the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq will premiere on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour episodes in March 2025. New MLF General Tire Team Series episodes will premiere each Saturday morning on Outdoor Channel and posted to MOTV.

Proud sponsors of the MLF General Tire Team Series include: 7 Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Barbasol, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Builders FirstSource, C-MAP, Coign, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Fishing Clash, General Tire, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Nitro Boats, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala Baits, REDCON1, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, Star brite, Toyota, USAA, WIX Filters and YETI.

For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at FacebookX,  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.


Tomorrow, If All the Things Were Gone

Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships

Dakota Louis Meyer has lived the life of a thousand men. When duty called, he answered in a powerful way more robust than most. Now that his active service has ended, he continues to spread the ideals of patriotism with the country. 

At just 36 years old, Sergeant Dakota Meyer of Columbia, Ky. has seen much more life than most of us. We as humans tend to go through a fairly routine trajectory in life, checking boxes and doing whatever we can to make an honest living. Meyer, however, has already made more of a mark on this country than many will make in a lifetime.

A veteran of the War in Afghanistan and the second-youngest living Medal of Honor recipient, Meyer rose to the occasion when his fellow troops were in dire need because he believed in and loved our country and his commitment to it. He put his own personal safety aside to help both his country and his brothers.

Reading that, it might sound like something that only happens in the Hollywood movies but this man has experienced things we could never imagine.

Terrifying, to say the least.

He’s a man of principle, fact and common sense. So, when he shows up to any event, it makes sense to listen carefully to what he has to say. As someone who loves fishing, Meyer had an opportunity to make the trip to the 2024 Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament on Lake Hartwell. He was absolutely thrilled to experience the prestigious event.

“I’ve been with Toyota for the last 12-years an we’re out here talking about the Hiring Our Heroes program and raising awareness to support our veterans,” Meyer said. “The foundation helps veterans make a smooth transition back into civilian life. We connect our military community, including service members, military spouses and veterans with American businesses to create economic opportunity and a strong and diversified workplace.”

Meyer was excited to see the turnout at the 2024 Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament and cherished the opportunity to get to meet fellow anglers and share how much Toyota has done for the program. On top of speaking to and addressing the entire group of anglers, Meyer made time for a private meet and greet with Toyota manufacturing plant team members who are military veterans.

“I think this is an absolutely fantastic event,” Meyers said. “This is the first time I’ve been able to be out here meeting all these great anglers. I’ve loved meeting folks who support Toyota, which is the most American-made vehicle out there right now. Toyota supports service members and they support this beautiful country along with the ideas and unity we stand for.”

Sure, he’s promoting a great cause; but there’s one thing he also wants to check off his list.

“Being around all of these anglers and this atmosphere, I want to come again next year and fish the tournament,” Meyer said. “Fishing has always been such a huge part of my life and I can’t wait to come back. All the fellowship, community and smiles make this an enjoyable time for everyone.”

For someone who has been through so much at such a young age, it meant the world to the angling community to spend some time with him. There’s a suspicion, however, that the sentiment was equal. After experiencing the things he has seen, it sure was nice to be among the fishing community, just being a regular guy and shooting the breeze with fellow outdoorsmen and women.


Luke Johns Becomes First-Ever Bass Boat Technologies BAM Pro Tour Champion

Zack Thompson Flips for Runner-Up Ranking

OAKLEY, Calif. – After a leaderboard reset for Championship Sunday, Luke Johns from Folsom, Calif., claimed victory with a five-fish limit weighing 16.42 pounds, becoming the first-ever champion of the inaugural Bass Boat Technologies BAM Pro Tour TOC at the California Delta, presented by the City of Oakley, Oakley ACE and Tackle Warehouse.

With the potential for any cast to yield a double-digit catch on the Delta, Johns didn’t believe his 16-pound total would be enough to secure first place.

"I kind of wrote it off and figured I’d end up 3rd or 4th—maybe make a little extra money, and that would be cool. But I didn’t think I’d have a shot at winning this," he shared.

Little did he know, the rest of the field was also struggling to find sizable fish in the tough, tidal waters.

"At my first spot, I quickly caught a limit, but it was only around nine pounds," Johns recalled. "Then I caught a 4 ½-pounder (on camera), putting me at 12 or 13 pounds, but I knew I needed more."

That four-pound bass, caught near a retaining wall in a slough, ended up being Johns’ biggest fish of the day.

"I’d seen bait being pushed up against that wall over the past two days," he explained.

A change in location and lure proved pivotal. When the wind picked up, Johns switched to a ChatterBait, quickly landing a 4 ¼-pounder.

"That was the fish that put me over the top—my final kicker fish," he said.

Ultimately, Garmin LiveScope technology played a crucial role as Johns spotted the 4-pounder under a bait ball, leading him to pitch a five-inch wacky Senko.

"I’d never LiveScoped a fish on the Delta before," he said. "It was just on so I could find grass lines and other structure. Catching a fish like that on LiveScope in the Delta—it's one of those moments that doesn’t happen unless you’re having a special day."

Two Baits That Won the Tournament

Johns credited his success to two key baits: a ChatterBait and a Yamamoto Senko.

"For the Senko, I used a Daiwa Tatula Elite Cody Meyer Wacky Rig Rod paired with a Tatula Elite Spinning Reel, Size 3000," he said. "It’s an ideal rod for wacky rigs and heavier shaky heads."

He used Sunline AMZ braided line paired with a 10-pound Shooter leader and an Owner Wacky Hook. His vibrating jig of choice was a Picasso Shock Blade with a Yamamoto Zako trailer.

"I love this setup," he said. "I used a Dobyns glass rod, Daiwa reel, and 14- to 16-pound Sunline Crank FC line for added abrasion resistance."

This TOC win capped a season that started off rocky for Johns.

"I had some rough finishes in the first half of the season," he admitted. "But in the second half, I made three top-10s. For someone like me, being able to fish a tournament of this caliber on the West Coast without traveling 20 hours to the East Coast is phenomenal. I'm looking forward to the Super 60 next year."

In addition to $500 in Bass Boat Technologies contingency dollars, along with $300 for running exclusive Garmin graphs. Johns earned the top prize of a fully-rigged $65k Bass Cat Boat with Mercury, Garmin, and Eternal Lithium equipment.

Thompson’s Strategy in Franks Tract

Zack Thompson of Alameda, Calif., approached the season finale with a strategy to secure a spot on Championship Sunday by focusing on keeper count for the first two days, saving his larger fish for the final day. Thompson double-qualified for Day Three with both the most scorable bass (19) and the heaviest weight (36.50). He weighed in 14.74 pounds for his final five on Championship Sunday, earning $8,000 as runner-up.

Both top finishers will compete in the BAM Super 60 for 2025.

Note: BAM Pro Tour anglers are ranked in Pro Tour events by both the heaviest five-fish limit (Weight) and the number of scorable bass caught (Keepers). First place goes to the angler with the five heaviest bass, while second is awarded to the highest keeper count. Standings then alternate by weight/keepers.

On Day One, anglers are ranked by both weight and keeper count. These rankings are combined over Day Two for a cumulative total, after which the field is cut to the top 10. For the final day, all weights are reset, and the remaining anglers compete based on the heaviest five-fish limit to determine the champion.

 

About BAM Tournament Trail

The Bass Angler Magazine Tournament Trail (BAM TT) provides an exceptional platform for both anglers and sponsors. It combines extensive exposure opportunities, celebrating the skills of western bass anglers. The circuit receives broad media coverage across print and online magazines, emails, podcast, websites, videos, television, and multiple social media channels.

Proud Sponsors of the BAM Tournament Trail: Bass Boat Technologies, Tackle WarehouseBoardman ChamberGarmin,  Storquest, and, Bass Cat Boats, Ford FairfieldDish - Accel MarketingPower PoleMercury OutboardsBob’s MachineWood Bros, Sticky Graphics, Jean Deleonardi Real EstateValley OutdoorsEternal Lithium and, Alpha Angler Rods, and Fisherman’s Warehouse.

BAM’s Esteemed Tourism Sponsors: the Boardman Chamber, City of Oakley, the Lake Almanor Chamber, and the Feather River Tourism Association.

The BAM Tournament Trail features the BAM Pro Tour, Pro-Am, and Kayak events, each designed to test the determination of western anglers in a competitive and environmentally conscious format.

To learn more about the BAM Pro Tour, Pro-Am and Kayak events. Visit: BAM TRAIL, FacebookTwitterYouTube and Instagram

Media and Advertising Inquiries: Please contact Mark Lassagne for further information regarding media and advertising opportunities.

#bamtrail #bassanglermagazine #bamprotour


Huntsville Readies for Toyota Series Championship on Wheeler Lake Presented by Bass Boat Technologies

More than 400 bass anglers set to compete for top prize of up to $235,000 + REDCREST qualification in 2024 Toyota Series finale

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Oct. 29, 2024) – The 2024 Toyota Series Championship at Wheeler Lake Presented by Bass Boat Technologies is headed to Huntsville, Alabama, next week, Nov. 7-9, where the nation’s best Toyota Series pros and international anglers will compete for a top award of up to $235,000 cash, including the lucrative $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus, and an invitation to REDCREST 2025– Major League Fishing’s most prestigious event.

Hosted by the Huntsville-Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Madison County Commission and the Huntsville Sports Commission, the three-day, no-entry-fee Toyota Series Championship is the culmination of the 2024 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats season, a six-division circuit that offers a path to the 2025 Tackle Warehouse Invitationals and ultimately the Bass Pro Tour.

“We are excited to bring the 2024 Toyota Series Championship to Ditto Landing and welcome everyone for a great week of fishing in the center of the bass fishing capital of the world,” said Joel Lamp, Sports Development Manager of the Huntsville-Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We look forward to everyone having a great week on the water and showcasing what a great destination we have for fishing.”

In addition to the top award of up to $235,000, the signature fall championship offers thousands in awards to top finishers in each division, while introducing international qualifiers to tournament bass-fishing stateside. The long-running championship also provides advancement opportunities for anglers across the globe, furthering their reach and amplifying their fishing platforms.

Bass Pro Tour angler Ryan Salzman of Huntsville, Alabama, is a guide on Wheeler Lake and said he expects to see several patterns in play on the fishery by the time the tournament begins.

“There’s definitely going to be a guy or two fishing around the dam that finish in the top 10,” Salzman said. “I also think we’ll see some guys do really well on topwater, while others make runs up the big creeks. Those in the creeks will do really well throwing topwaters and spinnerbaits, but I also think you’ll have a couple guys do really well livescoping.”

From dam to dam, Wheeler Lake is pretty diverse – there’s grass, the famous Decatur Flats with its stumps and shell bars, some major creeks (the Elk River is where Zack Birge of Blanchard, Oklahoma, won the 2014 Rayovac FLW Series Championship ), and of course the current below the Guntersville Dam. Positioned close to Ditto Landing, the dam is perhaps the wildcard of the event. In 2022, Nathan Brewer of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, led the Toyota Series event at Lake Guntersville for two days by locking out of Lake Guntersville and fishing below the dam for smallmouth.

Salzman said the umbrella rig bite can also be pretty good on Wheeler, and for that, he likes the 3.5-inch True Bass Minner to imitate small shad. There’s also the potential for a shallow cranking bite, with something like a Yo-Zuri 3DB Crank 1.5 MR  or a topwater bite, similar to what is typically seen on Pickwick and Kentucky Lake, so there could be a lot of variety in play.

“It’s really going to depend on the weather leading up to that for whichever one of those will set up for the win,” Salzman said. “If you get a lot of rain and they’re pumping a lot of current – the dam might do well. If there’s not a lot of current, creeks might win, or the forward-facing guys might win it.”

Anglers will take off daily at 7 a.m. CT from Ditto Landing, located at 293 Ditto Landing Road, in Huntsville. Weigh-ins will also be held at the landing and will begin at 3 p.m. Fans are welcome to attend the daily takeoffs and weigh-ins and also follow the action online through the “MLF Live” weigh-in broadcasts and daily coverage at MajorLeagueFishing.com. The 2024 Toyota Series Championship Presented by Bass Boat Technologies will premiere on CBS Sports in 2025.

The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and Rob Newell will break down the extended action live on the final day of competition from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CT. MLFNOW!® is live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.

The full field of anglers will compete on Days 1 and 2 of the event, with the top 25 pros and top 25 Strike King co-anglers based on cumulative weight from the first two days continuing to the third and final day. The 2024 Toyota Series champions will be determined by the heaviest three-day total weight.

Pros and co-anglers can qualify for multiple contingency awards based on final standings in the championship, including the lucrative $35,000 Phoenix MLF Bonus for pros. The winning Strike King co-angler will earn a new Phoenix 518 Pro bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard motor.

The 2024 Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats consisted of six divisions – Central, Northern, Plains, Southern, Southwestern and Western – each holding three regular-season events, along with the International division and the Wild Card. The highest finishing pro from each division at the championship will claim a $10,000 bonus. The bonus will go to the second-highest finishing pro in the division represented by the overall champion.

The 2024 Toyota Series Championship field features the top 25 pros, top 25 Strike King co-anglers and tournament winners from each of the six divisions; the top 25 pros and 25 co-anglers from the Wild Card division plus tournament winners; the highest finishing boater and co-angler from each of the six Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Regionals and the TBF at the All-American; the top three teams from the College Fishing National Championship; High School Fishing National Champions; TBF National Champions; and MLF International anglers from Canada, Central Europe, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Namibia, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and Zimbabwe.

Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Toyota Series include: 7 Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, Fishing Clash, FX Custom Rods, General Tire, Lew’s, Mercury, Mossy Oak Fishing, Onyx, Phoenix Boats, Polaris, Power-Pole, REDCON1, Simms, Strike King, Suzuki Marine, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters 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 FacebookInstagram 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, the 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 13 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.


Travel Tuesday - Plan Ahead!

What Kind of a Lunatic Plans Fishing Trips Two Years in Advance?

By Pete Robbins

I know that a lot of you are last-minute planners, and I certainly feel like I’ve conquered life when a late-blooming opportunity falls into my lap. Nevertheless, I can’t shake my understanding that I am a planner.

Fishing is all about controlling the variables that you can control, right? I want to be on the best waters, at the best times, with the best gear. I also have a full-time job, plus another part-time gig that occasionally veers past 40 hours a week. If I don’t plan, things don’t happen. I have a lot of boxes to check.

That’s part of the reason that I’ve already written some of my 2026 vacation plans on the calendar in pen, and others in sharply-written pencil. It’s not even 2025 yet, and I’m certainly not looking past what I hope will be a great year of fishing travel, but I also want to take care of business beyond the immediate horizon.

That’s why we have organized a group trip to chase sailfish in Guatemala in February of 2026, and we have another large group headed to Alaska for trout and salmon that August. Notably, there are still spots available on both of those trips – email us any time if you’re interested in learning more – and that brings me to some of the reasons for planning so far in advance:

First, it allows us to get prime dates. We try to plan many of our trips over holiday weekends so that we won’t have to use quite as much of our vacation time to go. Other people do the same. If you want to head to a popular destination like Casa Vieja Lodge, the best boats at the best times book up early. Similarly, in Alaska, the salmon runs are remarkably predictable. If you want to be there during the height of a certain species (we’ll be there for the silver salmon), act fast.

Second, it allows us to plan financially. Some but not all of the trips that we take are pretty pricey. By knowing now how much we’ll need it allows us to save appropriately and not be surprised. In some cases, you can also lock in current year pricing if you put down a deposit early.

Third, it allows us to prepare physically. If we want to take a long hike (while wearing waders) through the Alaskan tundra to chase remote monster rainbow trout, we have to be ready for that challenge. Similarly, I’ve vowed that before we return to Alaska I will practice my fly casting, at least a little. My lack of skill hasn’t proven to be a major hindrance so far, but I want to be ready if I need to execute a specific tricky cast.

One caveat, though. Remember the old saying that “Man plans and God laughs”? Well, it’s true. The further out you plan, the more likely that you are to run into some speedbump that boogers up the trip. If and when you do book for in advance, be sure to check on refund and cancellation policies and dates. It never hurts to invest in a travel protection plan, either. You can save yourself a lot of heartache while maximizing your opportunities to have a bucket list experience.

If you’re considering a trip to Alaska, Guatemala, Mexico, Brazil or Panama, whether this upcoming year or far in the future, shoot us a message and we can help you plan.


Ehrler/Lucas and Connell/Wheeler Advance to Championship at General Tire Team Series Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq

Team 7 Brew Coffee throws swimbaits to pace final Knockout Round match with 14 largemouth totaling 34 pounds, final four teams set for Tuesday’s Championship Round

EARLY, Texas (Oct. 28, 2024) – The Team 7 Brew Coffee duo of Brent Ehrler and Justin Lucas caught 14 scorable largemouth bass on Lake Brownwood, Monday, weighing 34 pounds even to win Match 2 of the Knockout Round at the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq in Early, Texas. The win secures Team 7 Brew Coffee a spot in Tuesday’s finale. Also advancing, in second place, is the Team Lucas Oil squad of Dustin Connell and Jacob Wheeler, who caught 15 bass totaling 31-1.

Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff & Pouches – pros Luke Clausen and Martin Villa – were eliminated from competition with 11 bass weighing 21-14.

The Championship Round field is now set for Tuesday in the third General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops event of the season. Ehrler/Lucas and Connell/Wheeler will compete against Team Builders FirstSource (Ott DeFoe/Alton Jones Jr.) and Team Coign (Jeff Sprague/Bryan Thrift), with the team that weighs in the highest one-day total being declared the Patriot Cup champions.

Anglers spent the Elimination Round competing on O.H. Ivie Lake, then shifted to Lake Brownwood for the Knockout Round. With all fisheries within a 60-mile radius of Early, Texas, in play for the Championship Round, it will make for an exciting finale for anglers and fans alike.

“We had a good day and it was a lot of fun. We are obviously happy with how everything went, but we had the bites to have more weight,” Ehrler said. “I think we could probably have had another 9 or 10 pounds in our total, but we missed a few. But when you’re throwing big swimbaits, that’s a part of it.”

The team caught their fish in a variety of ways. Ehrler boated scorables using four different baits – early on a topwater, a worm, and a jerkbait before settling in with the big swimbait, while Lucas landed keepers with a jighead minnow and a finesse jig before doing the heavy lifting with the big swimbait. The duo did most of their damage with the swimbait, targeting steep wind-blown rocky banks.

“We tried to just cover as much water as possible, and it was a lot of fun,” Lucas said. “The bait that clued us in to what we were going to do the rest of the day was the 6-inch Berkley (PowerBait) CullShad in Albino (color). Brent put on a similar swimbait in the afternoon and caught several on it, as well. I was throwing that thing on 17-pound (Berkley) Trilene (100%) Fluorocarbon with a 6:6:1 gear ratio reel and a 7-foot, 6-inch heavy rod.

“I had a good feeling about this week, and so far, it’s feeling pretty good,” Lucas went on to say. “You’ve got to get to the finals before you can win, so that’s the next goal.”

“I’ll take the win, today, but I’d definitely rather have it tomorrow,” Ehrler added.

“At least we know we can do it,” Lucas responded.

The Team Lucas Oil duo of Connell and Wheeler struggled early – they caught only one scorable bass in the first period. After starting the third period with a 1-pound, 12-ounce deficit, they rallied and caught four of the final five bass of the day to overtake Clausen and Villa and claim the final Championship Round spot.

“It took us a little bit to figure out, but the wind was the key,” Connell said. “Jacob caught that 5-pounder on the ChatterBait. Then he had another bite and then it was like, alright. That was the clue we needed.”

Connell and Wheeler caught the majority of their bass in the afternoon using vibrating jigs.

“That was the key for us today, throwing the ChatterBait out on flat points,” Wheeler said. “We were using the (Z-Man) Jack Hammer ChatterBait with a (Rapala CrushCity) gizzard shad Freeloader, and a (Rapala CrushCity) green-pumpkin-disco Freeloader.”

“We punched our ticket to the Championship Round,” Connell said. “We’ve got an opportunity, and that’s all we need.”

“Heck yeah, I’m in, and I am ready,” Wheeler added.

The top two teams from the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq Knockout Round Match 2 that now advance to the Championship Round are:

1st:        Team 7 Brew Coffee, 14 bass, 34-0
Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., seven bass, 13-10
Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., seven bass, 20-6
2nd:       Team Lucas Oil, 15 bass, 31-1
Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala., five bass, 8-6
Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Ark., 10 bass, 22-11

Eliminated from competition are:

3rd:       Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff & Pouches, 11 bass, 21-14
Luke Clausen, Spokane, Wash., seven bass, 10-0
Martin Villa, Charlottesville, Va., four bass, 11-14

Complete results from throughout the week can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 40 bass weighing 86 pounds, 15 ounces caught by the three teams in the second and final Knockout Round match on Lake Brownwood Monday. Team Lucas Oil pro Jacob Wheeler caught a 5-pound, 7-ounce largemouth that earned the Berkley Big Bass of the day honors.

The Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq is hosted by Visit Early and takes place over six days in west-central Texas. The competition water for each day is top-secret and is only revealed to the anglers when they arrive at the boat ramp each morning.

The Championship Round will take place Tuesday, featuring Team 7 Brew Coffee (Brent Ehrler/Justin Lucas), Team Builders FirstSource (Ott DeFoe/Alton Jones Jr.), Team Coign (Jeff Sprague/Bryan Thrift), and Team Lucas Oil (Jacob Wheeler/Dustin Connell). Anglers are driven directly to the day’s competition area launch ramp by their officials. Competition begins on the water Tuesday at 8:45 a.m.

The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on Championship Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT. MLFNOW!® is live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.

The Patriot Cup features 12 two-man teams divided into three groups as they entered the one-day Elimination Round matches. Each of the three Elimination Round matches featured four new teams, with the top two teams from each match of the Elimination Round advancing to the Knockout Round on Days 4 & 5. In the Knockout Rounds, three teams competed each day, with the top two teams from each Knockout Round match now moving on to the Championship Round on Day 6. In Tuesday’s Day 6 Championship Round, the final four teams will compete in a one-day shootout to determine which team will win the 2024 Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq.

The 2024 General Tire Team Series is comprised of four events – Challenge Cup, Heritage Cup, Patriot Cup and Summit Cup – featuring two-man teams of MLF Bass Pro Tour pros competing from the same boat. Each event features a roster of 24 anglers, teamed up and working together to claim part of a season purse of more than $720,000. Teams were formed through a selection process, where 48 team captains – based on Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) standings throughout the 2024 Bass Pro Tour season – selected a teammate. Teams will compete throughout the fall of 2024.

Television coverage of the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq will premiere on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour episodes in March 2025. New MLF General Tire Team Series episodes will premiere each Saturday morning on Outdoor Channel and posted to MOTV.

Proud sponsors of the MLF General Tire Team Series include: 7 Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Barbasol, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Builders FirstSource, C-MAP, Coign, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Fishing Clash, General Tire, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Nitro Boats, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala Baits, REDCON1, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, Star brite, Toyota, USAA, WIX Filters and YETI.

For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at FacebookX,  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.


Knoxville’s Clevenger Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Wild Card on Cherokee Lake

Murfreesboro’s Haraguchi Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. (Oct. 28, 2024) – Boater Gavin Clevenger of Knoxville, Tennessee, caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 26 pounds, 14 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine Wild Card on Cherokee Lake . The tournament, which was hosted by Visit Jefferson County, TN, concluded Saturday. For his win, Clevenger earned $2,833 and a spot in the 2025 BFL All-American.

The BFL Wild Card is an annual event held at the conclusion of the BFL postseason as a last-chance opportunity to make the All-American. It’s open to BFL contestants who pay an entry fee prior to the tournament for all five tournaments in a division, fish two or more tournaments in the same division, and do not make a Regional championship. Sixty-four boaters and co-anglers competed in this season’s Wild Card tournament.

Clevenger capitalized on homefield advantage and a seasonal shift in fishing regulations to seal up the Wild Card win in front of the hometown fans. In the fall, anglers are allowed to keep five smallmouths over 15 inches, while summertime regs on Cherokee limit anglers to just one smallie over 18.

“Obviously, I’ve spent quite a bit of time out there, with it being pretty much my home lake for my whole life,” he said. “I kind of knew with the smallmouth being in play, I knew the areas that played more with smallmouth versus a mix of both. And I knew how the smallmouth were biting from when the BFL (Volunteer Division Super Tournament) got cancelled previously. So I kind of just stayed in the few areas that I knew bigger ones lived, but also knew where tournament history had been won. I stayed in those areas and found some stuff that people weren’t really fishing as much as the obvious stuff.”

When Clevenger was prepping for the Super Tournament in September, he found fish setting up a bit deeper on current breaks. Now that the current has reduced and the weather has cooled, the fish have moved shallower.

He rotated through a handful of areas, using Garmin LiveScope and a Queen Tackle 3/16- or 1/4-ounce jighead to “scope” quality keeper smallmouth each day. One of the keys, however, was not getting too dialed in. Instead, Clevenger stayed flexible, rotated around and reacted to what he saw each day.

“Day one was very, very rough,” Clevenger said. “I had one bass at 12 o’clock, and I kind of knew it was going to be that way from how practice had went. I was on more of a later-in-the-day bite, I would say. So day one was pretty tough. I was confident in what I was doing and that I was doing the right thing for the bite that I was on, so I just stuck with it all day and managed to catch my fifth keeper on day one at 3:30. I was due in at 4.”

Day two, Clevenger enjoyed a morning turnaround – and some last-minute heroics once again.

“It actually started out a little better than I expected,” he said. “I had two by like 9:30, 10 o’clock, and then I kind of went and sampled some stuff. I ended up rolling up on a point at like 11:30 and filled my limit by 12:30. I jumped off a couple big ones, but then after that I kind of knew that I had a chance to do something special, being on my home place. I pulled up on a point and wound up culling two times off the point, and this was by about 2 o’clock. And then I knew my best chance at catching a 3-plus-pounder was down the lake closer to the area where I’d found a lot bigger fish. I actually ended up pulling up at a place that I’ve known about for a while and I didn’t check until day one of the tournament. I ended up catching a 3-pounder and one right at 4. I caught those at like 3:45, and I was due in at 4:30.”

The late culls helped boost the Abu Garcia College Fishing angler up from second place to first for the Wild Card win and a shot at his first All-American title.

Gary Haraguchi of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, won the Strike King co-angler division Saturday after bringing a two-day total of four bass weighing 9 pounds, 3 ounces, to the scale. For his win, Haraguchi won $1,127.

The top six Strike King co-anglers who qualified for the 2025 All-American finished:

1st:        Gary Haraguchi, Murfreesboro, Tenn., four bass, 9-3, $1,127
2nd:       Hunter Tibbetts, Centreville, Va., three bass, 5-9, $563
3rd:       Andrew Rogers, Johnson City, Tenn., two bass, 5-8, $376
4th:        D. Michael Lowe, Clinton, Tenn., two bass, 5-2, $263
5th:        Joe Yocum, Commercial Point, Ohio, two bass, 4-6, $225
6th:        Bill Hockaday, Nashville, Ark., one bass, 3-15, $564

The rest of the top 10 finished:

7th:        Richard Hooter, Natchitoches, La., two bass, 3-12, $188
8th:        Marcus Dudley, Twinsburg, Ohio, one bass, 3-1, $169
9th:        Nicholas Ploussard, Saint Francis, Minn., one bass, 3-0
10th:     William Lewis, Jacksonville, Fla., one bass, 2-11

Bill Hockaday of Nashville, Arkansas, won the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award of $107 for catching a bass that weighed 3 pounds, 15 ounces.

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. Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7 Brew Coffee, 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, PowerStop Brakes, REDCON1, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters 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 FacebookInstagram, 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.


Prince Family Wins 13th Annual Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament

The father-son duo of Trevor and Alex Prince caught a mixed bag of spotted and largemouth bass weighing 17-lbs 15-ounces to win the 13th Annual Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament on Lake Hartwell. This was the Prince’s first time fishing the Bonus Bucks Owners event, though the 2023 Tundra they drove to legendary Green Pond Landing in is the fourth Tundra Trevor Prince has owned.

“I’ve always liked the look of Toyota Tundras and you can’t beat the reliability,” the elder Prince said. “All you have to do is put gas in them and go! That’s why I’ve continued to buy one after another… they are rock solid. I’ve won some money through Bonus Bucks over the years, too, so it’s been great to finally fish a Toyota Owners event. It certainly lived up to the hype.”

Alex Prince drives a 2016 Tundra and echoed his dad’s praise of Toyota’s reliability and the towing power of their Tundras. Alex is set to fish the Bassmaster Opens in 2025 for the first time as a boater and relished the opportunity to win a tournament while standing on the Bassmaster Stage.

This first-class no entry fee event feels equal parts family reunion as it does a hotly contested tournament. Toyota rolls out the red carpet for participants with catered meals, meet and greets with Team Toyota pros, and incredible registration prizes from brands like Strike King, Bass Pro Shops, Yamaha Outboards, and Costa Sunglasses on top of a truckload of Toyota Fishing Team swag.

Beautiful Lake Hartwell, Anderson County, and the unparalleled Green Pond Landing facility were a new destination for this event and proved terrific hosts for this annual celebration of Toyota owners and Bonus Bucks members.

“This was such a well ran event and a great time to get to share together,” Trevor said. “I couldn’t believe all the great stuff we got at registration. I told Alex Saturday night that even if we didn’t get a check, we already cashed in with all the gear. I can’t wait to fish this again next year.”

The pair of Princes’ fish a lot of tournaments each year, sharing a love of competitive fishing coupled with the chance to spend quality time together. The Blue Ridge, Georgia natives consider Lake Lanier and Chatuge Lake their home waters, but Hartwell is less than two hours from their house and has always been a fishery they’ve gelled with.

The spotted bass aficionados employed forward facing sonar to find groups of bass chasing schools of bait in 15 to 50 feet of water, leaning on a unique hardbait – the SPRO Sashimmy Swimmer - to trick their fish into biting.

“We caught a few on jigs this morning but it was pretty slow until about noon,” Alex Prince said. “This afternoon the fish started setting up right, suspending over brush and getting in the right mood to bite. That’s when they started chewing the sashimmy.”

The Prince’s bested second place by just three ounces to take home the tournament trophies, $5,000 in prize money, new Lew’s rod and reel combos along with the Costa Compete + Conserve bonus.

Toyota Bonus Bucks remains a premier contingency program whether you fish weekend tournaments or at the professional level. With over 620 supported events, you’re leaving money on the table if you don’t tow your boat with a Toyota tow vehicle. To learn more about Bonus Bucks or the annual Toyota Owners Tournament, follow this link: https://www.toyotatrucksbonusbucks.com/.


Moreno and Viator redeem themselves with Redfish Cup Championship win

Oct. 27, 2024

Bassmaster_RedFishCup_Yamaha_Skeeter_4C copy.jpgAPALACHICOLA, Fla. — The letters R-E-D begin both the target species and the term of motivation that drove Gary Moreno and Tony Viator to victory at the Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter at Apalachicola Bay.

After finishing last in the 2023 event at South Carolina’s Winyah Bay, the Texas anglers came to town seeking Redfish and Redemption. With a three-day aggregate total of 32 pounds, 9 ounces, it was mission accomplished.

“When we left home, I told Tony I didn’t want to finish dead last; we wanted to come and show everyone that we deserve to be here,” Moreno said. “And not just because we did well in (the Elite Fishing Series, through which they qualified), but that we can catch fish and adjust to the adversities we dealt with.”

After a rocky start, which put them in ninth place with a Day 1 limit of 7-14, Moreno and Viator regrouped and posted a Day 2 effort of 11-10 and moved up to third. Championship Sunday saw them step on the gas and box two chunky reds that went 6-9 and 6-8.

With that final limit of 13-1, Moreno and Viator edged Day 2 leaders Michael Frenette and Mark Robinson by 10 ounces and claimed the $75,000 top prize.

“It’s overwhelming. I’m at a loss for words,” Viator said. “I didn’t start seriously tournament fishing until about four or five years ago. When you first start out, you think ‘I’m as good as everybody else,’ but then you realize you’re not as good as everybody else.

“To be able to come in here and fish against a field like this and come out on top, I never thought that I would get to the point where I could do that. It makes you feel good to know that you can compete at this level.”

Wiping back tears, Moreno added: “It’s truly surreal. I’m choked up and I don’t even know how to respond. Since I started tournament fishing professionally three years ago, I’ve been so close in so many tournaments, but this is the icing on the cake.

“This is the most sought-after title in all of redfishing. My hat’s off to these other anglers (in the field). This is just unreal.”

As Viator explained, his team’s victory hinged on scrapping Plan A and committing to Plan B. After catching decent redfish in what Viator described as shallow broken marsh habitat in the upper bay, he and Moreno committed their first day and part of the second to this area.

“When we went in there on Days 1 and 2, we couldn’t catch a fish over 3 1/2 pounds other than Gary’s Day 1 fish that was almost 5 pounds,” Viator said. “We hit several spots the morning of Day 2 and Gary looked at me and said, ‘We gotta make a move.’

“We had looked on the other side of the bay (the east side of St. Vincent Island), but we hadn’t done much prefishing there. I said, ‘This isn’t working. There’s no big fish here. There’s a lot of freshwater, maybe they’re over there.’”

Making about a 20-mile run, Moreno and Viator “hopscotched” a few spots with no success. Venturing closer to West Pass (separating St. Vincent from St. George Island, the bays primary barrier island), they selected a promising area on the island’s sandy perimeter with flats dropping into deeper water.

“Gary’s not a deep-water fisherman. He’s a sight fisherman,” Viator said of his team’s initial reservations. “But we got over there, and the water was not only clear, but it was clear deep — you could see 4 to 5 feet deep.”

Moreno said the fish were ready and two good ones promptly participated.

“We went from a 5-pound limit to 11-10 in 6 minutes,” he said.

Moreno said he and Viator sight fished their reds with 1/2-ounce Bagley silver spoons. Success, he said, relied on true teamwork and a strategy designed to cover all opportunities.

“We tried to make long casts, but also have somebody at the ready for short pitches as we drifted down the shoreline,” Moreno said. “When a fish came up and the opportunity presented itself, somebody was always ready to reel up and make a cast.”

Spending all of Day 3 in the St. Vincent Island/West Pass waters, Moreno and Viator quickly stuck a pair of hefty reds that went 6-8 and a 6-9. Taking the unofficial lead within a couple hours of takeoff, they held off all challengers and sealed the deal.

Frenette and Robinson kept themselves near the top from Day 1 by placing third with an opening round limit of 10-2. Adding 13-4 — the events biggest limit — they moved into first before turning in a Day 3 catch of 8-9 and finishing second with 31-15.

Also fishing near the Gulf of Mexico, Frenette and Robinson split their time between the Government Cut jetties and the West Pass area. They used 1-ounce jigging spoons in the former and threw 1/2-ounce weedless gold spoons in the latter.

“We caught our two biggest fish on Day 3 jigging at Government Cut,” Robinson said. “It was a little slow. The current didn’t start until later and we had to stay too long.

“We (hooked) two big fish at West Pass, but we lost them at the net.”

The hybrid team of Bassmaster Elite Series pro Brandon Palaniuk and redfish tournament pro Chris Cenci finished third with 29-4. Their daily weights were 9-6, 13-0 and 6-14.

“We did what we did, but I felt like we could have done a little better, but that’s fishing,” Cenci said. “We had an OK first day, a really good second day and today we caught a decent number of fish, but they were all small.”

After doing much of their work the first two days with a 1/2-ounce Z-Man Chatterbait Jackhammer in the golden shiner color and a 4.75 X Zone Lures Swammer, they caught their final-round fish on popping corks rigged with Cenci’s Slayer Inc. paddle tails.

The local sponsor of the 2024 Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter was Florida’s Forgotten Coast.

 

2024 Redfish Cup Championship Title Sponsor: Yamaha
2024 Redfish Cup Championship Presenting Sponsor: Skeeter Boats

-30-

Connect with #Bassmaster on FacebookInstagramTwitter and TikTok.

Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 205-313-0945, [email protected]

 

2024 Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter 10/25-10/27
Apalachicola Bay, Apalachicola Bay  FL.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3

Angler

1.  Gary Moreno - Tony Viator
Day 1: 2   07-14     Day 2: 2   11-10     Day 3: 2   13-01   Total:   6  32-09
2.  Mark Robinson - Mike Frenette
Day 1: 2   10-02     Day 2: 2   13-04     Day 3: 2   08-09   Total:   6  31-15
3.  Brandon Palaniuk - Chris Cenci
Day 1: 2   09-06     Day 2: 2   13-00     Day 3: 2   06-14   Total:   6  29-04
4.  Fred Myers III - Cody Chivas
Day 1: 2   11-00     Day 2: 2   06-07     Day 3: 2   09-10   Total:   6  27-01
5.  John Garrett - Chad Manning
Day 1: 2   08-05     Day 2: 2   09-14     Day 3: 2   08-07   Total:   6  26-10
6.  Carter Myers - James Drysdale
Day 1: 2   08-06     Day 2: 2   06-01     Day 3: 2   12-01   Total:   6  26-08
7.  Ryan  Rickard - Patrick Marsonek
Day 1: 2   11-04     Day 2: 2   07-02     Day 3: 2   07-09   Total:   6  25-15
8.  Kevin Akin - Clark Jordan Jr
Day 1: 2   06-04     Day 2: 2   07-02     Day 3: 2   09-08   Total:   6  22-14
9.  Shane LeHew - Michael Goodwine
Day 1: 2   08-09     Day 2: 1   02-13     Day 3: 2   09-03   Total:   5  20-09
10. Justin Atkins - Krista Miller
Day 1: 2   08-06     Day 2: 2   07-01     Day 3: 1   02-05   Total:   5  17-12
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1         0        20        89-08
2         0        19        84-06
3         0        19        87-03
----------------------------------
0        58       261-01


Sprague/Thrift and DeFoe/Jones Jr. Move on to Championship Round at General Tire Team Series Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq

EARLY, Texas (Oct. 27, 2024) – After three tough days in the Elimination Round on O.H. Ivey, professional anglers competing in the Major League Fishing (MLF) General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops this week in Early, Texas, headed to a new fishery on Sunday.

Brownwood Lake was the playing field for the three two-man teams competing in Match 1 of the Knockout Round at the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq, where teams were met with flooded willow grass, flat reeds and other emergent vegetation.

It was a closely contested day – just 1 pound, 4 ounces separated the top two teams at the end of the day – but as SCORETRACKER® expired, it was the Team Coign duo of Jeff Sprague and Bryan Thrift that stood alone atop the leaderboard. Team Coign caught 17 bass weighing 30 pounds, 2 ounces to pace the field and advance to the Championship Round on Tuesday. Also advancing in second place was Team Builders FirstSource – Alton Jones Jr. and Ott DeFoe – who boated 15 bass totaling 28-14. Team Knighten Industries ( Brent Chapman and Wesley Strader) was eliminated from the competition.

Team Coign boated a 2-3 within the first seven minutes of competition to get off to a quick start Sunday morning. The duo started the day targeting fish in willow grass and stayed with that pattern throughout the day.

Team Builders FirstSource took the lead at the end of the first period and held it for most of the second period but couldn’t hold off Team Coign, who rallied toward the end of Period 2 to take over the top spot once again, holding it for the remainder of the competition day.

“When you come to Central or West Texas, you think of rocky, canyon-type lakes like Falcon Lake, Lake Amistad or those types of reservoirs,” said Sprague in his post-game interview. “But then you get to Lake Brownwood, and it’s an oasis. It’s so crazy with all the vegetation.”

“It’s an absolutely beautiful lake,” Thrift interjected. “Even when you get up there in the grass, there’s rock under the water. It’s the bassiest-looking lake I’ve fished in a long time.”

Team Coign had pretty much locked up its Championship Round bid by the start of the third and final period, but the duo decided to keep pushing for the top spot.

“We don’t know where we will be fishing the Championship Round, and there’s a possibility of coming back to Lake Brownwood, but we decided to just pour it on in that final period,” said Sprague. “This was such a fun day of fishing, and in that last period, with the pressure off, we just had a great time.”

“It’s not like what we were doing was a specific thing that we knew we could come back to either,” Thrift added. “We would go back through an area where we didn’t get a bite and get four bites – or hit a spot where we had several bites and get nothing. This was just late summer fishing, running the bank and the grass, trying to pick off some of those bluegill feeders that were still hanging around.”

“This was opportunistic fishing at its best,” Sprague added. “It’s not every day that you get to go fishing with your buddy and someone as good as Bryan is, so it’s been a great day.”

Thrift caught a few fish on a topwater frog and on a swim worm, but it was Sprague that did most of the heavy lifting, catching 15 bass totaling 25-11 to make up the bulk of the team’s total weight and end the day atop the leaderboard.

“Bryan and I did a lot of damage today, and the key to our success was a basic swim jig (paired with) the Lake Fork Lure Co. Pro Craw, honey-craw colored – one of my brand-new, signature series baits,” said Sprague. “We could see bluegill high in the water column, and the fish were feeding on them in the water willow all day long, so this bait was just the ticket we needed. We’re going to take it with us into the Championship Round and see if we can’t do some damage with it on Tuesday.”

The top two teams now advancing to the Championship Round at the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq are:

1st:         Team Coign, 17 bass, 30-2
Jeff Sprague, Wills Point., 15 bass, 25-11
Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C., two bass, 4-7
2nd:        Team Builders FirstSource, 15 bass, 28-14
Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., eight bass, 15-6
Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas, seven bass, 13-8

Eliminated from competition are:

3rd:         Team Knighten Industries, nine bass, 14-13
Brent Chapman, Quivira, Kan., seven bass, 11-14
Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., two bass, 2-15

Complete results from throughout the week can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 41 bass weighing 73 pounds, 13 ounces caught by the three teams in the first match of the Knockout Round on Lake Brownwood. Sprague caught the Berkley Big Bass of the day – a 4-pound, 3-ounce largemouth, only the second bass over 4 pounds caught all week.

The Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq is hosted by Visit Early and takes place over six days in west-central Texas. The competition water for each day is top-secret and is only revealed to the anglers when they arrive at the boat ramp each morning.

The second match of the Knockout Round will take place Monday, featuring Team 7 Brew (Justin Lucas/Brent Ehrler), Team Lucas Oil (Jacob Wheeler/Dustin Connell) and Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff & Pouches (Luke Clausen/Martin Villa). Anglers are driven directly to the day’s competition area launch ramp by their officials. Competition begins on the water at 8:45 a.m.

The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live every day of competition from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT. MLFNOW!® is live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.

The Patriot Cup features 12 two-man teams divided into three groups as they entered the one-day Elimination Round matches. Each of the three Elimination Round matches featured four new teams, with the top two teams from each match of the Elimination Round advancing to the Knockout Round on Days 4 & 5. In the Knockout Rounds, three teams compete each day, with the top two teams from each Knockout Round match moving on to the Championship Round on Day 6. In Tuesday’s Day 6 Championship Round, the final four teams will compete in a one-day shootout to determine which team will win the 2024 Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq.

The 2024 General Tire Team Series is comprised of four events – Challenge Cup, Heritage Cup, Patriot Cup and Summit Cup – featuring two-man teams of MLF Bass Pro Tour pros competing from the same boat. Each event features a roster of 24 anglers, teamed up and working together to claim part of a season purse of more than $720,000. Teams were formed through a selection process, where 48 team captains – based on Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) standings throughout the 2024 Bass Pro Tour season – selected a teammate. Teams will compete throughout the fall of 2024.

Television coverage of the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq will premiere on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour episodes in March 2025. New MLF General Tire Team Series episodes will premiere each Saturday morning on Outdoor Channel and posted to MOTV.

Proud sponsors of the MLF General Tire Team Series include: 7 Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Barbasol, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Builders FirstSource, C-MAP, Coign, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Fishing Clash, General Tire, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Nitro Boats, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala Baits, REDCON1, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, Star brite, Toyota, USAA, WIX Filters and YETI.

For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at FacebookXInstagram 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.


Father and Son, Living Hundreds of Miles Apart, Come Together for the 2024 Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament on Lake Hartwell

Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships

Alex and Scott Richmond may live quite a ways apart these days, but the father-son duo made it a point to spend some quality time together and make the trek to Lake Hartwell to enjoy the storied Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament. 

A bittersweet part of growing older often comes in the form of physical detachment from your loved ones. Whether we graduate college or take on a new trade after our formative school years, it’s not uncommon to have to move away from the folks you love most.

Case in point, Alex Richmond and his dad, Scott.

Alex grew up fun-fishing with his dad but quickly gained a passion for tournament bass fishing. Not only did he fish on his high school team but he also enjoyed a collegiate fishing career at Grand Valley State in Grand Rapids, Mich.

With his father, Scott, living just outside of Chicago and Alex now residing in North Carolina, fishing time together has been admittedly scarce. But the duo figured out a way to coordinate their schedules this year and share a boat together at the 2024 Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament on Lake Hartwell.

They were in a dark corner of a hotel parking lot the evening after registration and any angler could tell they were taking their preparation seriously.

“We practiced this morning for a few hours and it was actually pretty good,” Alex said. “It has been a lot better than we were expecting, so we’re feeling optimistic. But with this cold front coming in, who knows what could unfold tomorrow.”

When probed about the fishing conditions and potential strategies on the table for tomorrow’s main event, both Alex and Scott kept coming back to one very specific thing.

“Man, this has been so much fun and so enjoyable already,” Scott said. “To be able to fish and spend time with my son is such a blessing. This is my first Tundra and it won’t be my last. I can’t even feel the boat behind me while I’m towing and have had zero issues. And to be able to come to an awesome event like this and meet our favorite pros like Mike Iaconelli and Gerald Swindle is icing on the cake. We got to talk about hunting for a while with Gerald and he is such a down-to-earth person. We had a lot in common and it’s great to know that he’s just another guy like us.”

For Scott, it might have been a 13-hour drive through busy cities and all kinds of big-city traffic. But when he finally reached the autumn dogwoods nestled between the towering pines of Anderson, S.C., nothing else mattered. He had his boy with him, in the same boat, doing what they love most together.

The Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament has some great raffles and gear, even for the most discerning angler, but what’s not talked about enough is the connections, and in this case, reconnections it makes among both family and friends.

Whether the Richmonds catch anything today or not, you can rest easy knowing Scott will be wearing a smile as wide as the Seneca River watching his boy fish and enjoying some much-needed one-on-one time. That’s a gift only the Great Outdoors can offer and for that, the Richmonds are eternally thankful.


Bait change puts Rickard and Marsonek atop Redfish Cup Championship field

Oct. 25, 2024

Bait change puts Rickard and Marsonek atop Redfish Cup Championship field

Bassmaster_RedFishCup_Yamaha_Skeeter_4C copy.jpgAPALACHICOLA, Fla. — Ryan Rickard knew that a second title would not be spoon-fed to him, so he and partner Patrick Marsonek played a savvy game and positioned themselves well with a 2-fish limit of 11 pounds, 4 ounces that leads Day 1 of the Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter at Apalachicola Bay.

Qualifying through the Power-Pole National Redfish Tour presented by Mercury, Rickard and Marsonek hold a 4-ounce lead over defending champions Cody Chivas and Fred Myers III.

Three years ago, at the event’s revival, following a lengthy hiatus, Rickard partnered with Bassmaster Elite Series standout Chris Zaldain to notch the win at Port Aransas, Texas. This time around, Rickard and Marsonek employed a similar strategy based on adjusting to fish behavior and bait refinement.

As Rickard explained, he and his partner were most encouraged by expectations exceeded.

“The big thing for us is we had not caught a fish over 4 pounds in practice, so our target weight today was 10 pounds, just to keep us around,” he said. “Today, we fished all new stuff that we didn’t even practice on.

“We just said, ‘We don’t have anything else (productive), so we’re going to go to this other stuff that looks fishy.’ Coming up with 11-4, I am thrilled with that weight today. We’re going to be right where we need to be to make a run at this thing.”

Without question, the most important decision the leaders made was to bench their starting lineup and switch to a different presentation.

“In practice we caught all of our fish except one on a spoon,” Rickard said. “They wouldn’t touch a spoon today, so we had to really kind of improvise on what we were doing.

“We were fishing more sand and oysters today versus the grass and potholes we had been fishing. We went to paddle tails (on leadhead jigs), and that’s what got it done today.”

Typically, spoons are an easy sell to redfish, as their flash and wobble mimic one of their favored forage items — pinfish. However, Rickard believes the bold presence may have been a little too intrusive during the first round’s sunny, calm conditions.

“We were slow rolling our (paddle tails), so maybe they were just keyed in on something different and they didn’t want to chase something down,” Rickard said.

Noting that a Z-Man MinnowZ in the New Penny color rigged on a 3/8-ounce Z-Man Trout Eye jig produced best, Marsonek said the bait change yielded nearly immediate results.

“The fish were aggressive; we could sight fish them,” he said. “We caught some of our fish right off the trolling motor. The fish were acting right, but getting around them was the issue.”

That access challenge was twofold: depth and habitat.

“We had to navigate through oyster bars when the water finally started to get low,” Marsonek said. “We the tide got right; the fish started coming out of the grass. We definitely put some scratches on Ryan’s boat.”

Marsonek said the area that produced the leading weight was thin on numbers, but the fish he and Rickard found were quality reds.

“We had scattered fish, but obviously the right fish,” Marsonek said. “We expanded off of what we had in practice, and tomorrow we’re going to have something to go back to.”

Placing second with 11-0, Chivas and Myers enjoyed a double-dose of 5 1/2-pounders that bit artificial shrimp on leadheads during the last hour of competition. Those two fish came from an area that Myers knows well. The key was patiently waiting for the afternoon’s low tide.

“We grinded today in a 3- to 4-mile area and it wasn’t looking too hot,” Chivas said. “We caught tons of smaller fish, but we stayed true to what we were going to do, and it worked out late for us.”

Myers said he was closely monitoring the tide levels all day, and when he felt the window of opportunity was opening, he suggested a move to a particular spot.

“As soon as we got around some moving water, we started catching some good fish,” Myers said. “They started coming really quick, and the two biggest fish we caught were really close to the same area.

“I feel confident that there are more fish that are just as big, if not bigger in there. One cast can make the difference in the area that we’re in. There are some big fish that live in there, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all to go back in there and duplicate or have a really big bag.”

Referencing the impacts of Hurricane Helene, which made landfall just east of Apalachicola on Sept. 26 as a Category 4 storm, Myers said: “Fishing is just tough for everybody after the high water from the storm. But we caught plenty of fish to get us through, I think, and we’re going to try our best to catch that weight again and maybe a little more.”

Michael Frennette and Mark Robinson are in third place with 10-2. They started their day by fishing 1-ounce jigs in one of the passes linking Apalachicola Bay to the Gulf of Mexico but found success after pulling the plug and shifting gear to a completely different game plan.

“We were originally fishing between 22 and 32 feet of water and trying to match the hatch with a very small bait those fish were eating,” Frennette said. “When that (didn’t work), we went back to what we do naturally in Louisiana.

“We went to a very shallow area that was close to deep water where the fish could feel comfortable moving up to a flat to feed and then drop down into deeper water.”

Robinson said he and Frennette caught their fish on 1/2-ounce weedless gold spoons. They sight fished a few of their reds, but most came at the end of long casts.

Saturday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. ET at Scipio Creek Marina. The weigh-in will be held at the marina at 3:30 p.m.

Saturday’s tournament coverage begins at 8 a.m. on FS1 and runs through noon. Saturday’s LIVE coverage will continue on Bassmaster.com. Sunday’s coverage begins at 8 a.m. on FS1 and runs through 12:30 p.m. Sunday’s LIVE coverage will continue on Bassmaster.com. All coverage times are ET.

The local sponsor of the 2024 Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter is Florida’s Forgotten Coast.

 

2024 Redfish Cup Championship Title Sponsor: Yamaha
2024 Redfish Cup Championship Presenting Sponsor: Skeeter Boats

-30-

Connect with #Bassmaster on FacebookInstagramTwitter and TikTok.

Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 205-313-0945, [email protected]

 

2024 Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter 10/25-10/27
Apalachicola Bay, Apalachicola Bay  FL.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1

Angler

1.  Ryan  Rickard - Patrick Marsonek
Day 1: 2   11-04   Total:   2  11-04
2.  Fred Myers III - Cody Chivas
Day 1: 2   11-00   Total:   2  11-00
3.  Mark Robinson - Mike Frenette
Day 1: 2   10-02   Total:   2  10-02
4.  Brandon Palaniuk - Chris Cenci
Day 1: 2   09-06   Total:   2  09-06
5.  Shane LeHew - Michael Goodwine
Day 1: 2   08-09   Total:   2  08-09
6.  Justin Atkins - Krista Miller
Day 1: 2   08-06   Total:   2  08-06
6.  Carter Myers - James Drysdale
Day 1: 2   08-06   Total:   2  08-06
8.  John Garrett - Chad Manning
Day 1: 2   08-05   Total:   2  08-05
9.  Gary Moreno - Tony Viator
Day 1: 2   07-14   Total:   2  07-14
10. Kevin Akin - Clark Jordan Jr
Day 1: 2   06-04   Total:   2  06-04
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1         0        20        89-08
----------------------------------
0        20        89-08


DeFoe/Jones and Clausen/Villa Advance from Match 2 of Elimination Round on O.H. Ivie at General Tire Team Series

Four teams compete on O.H. Ivie for second day, Team Builders FirstSource catches 11 bass weighing 22-12 to win second match of Elimination Round

EARLY, Texas (Oct. 25, 2024) – Team BuildersFirstSource – made up of pros Ott DeFoe of Blaine, Tennessee, and Alton Jones Jr. of Waco, Texas – were considered a favorite by many industry pundits coming into the third event of the General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops in Texas. Jones is a Texas native with extensive experience in the region, and of DeFoe’s four career victories on the Bass Pro Tour, three have come on Texas fisheries.

After a second consecutive tough day on O.H. Ivie, the famed west-central Texas reservoir, DeFoe and Jones demonstrated why they are a team to be reckoned with. The Team Builders FirstSource duo caught 14 bass weighing 22 pounds, 12 ounces, to claim the top spot in the second match of the Elimination Round at the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq.

The victory advances the team to the Knockout Round, where they will be joined by the Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff & Pouches duo of Luke Clausen and Martin Villa, who finished the day in second. Clausen and Villa combined to catch 11 bass weighing 17 pounds, 11 ounces – just 6 ounces ahead of Team Ferguson. Team Ferguson (Randy Howell and Nick LeBrun) and Team Kubota (Justin Cooper and Edwin Evers) were eliminated from the competition.

“Fishing was tough, but man, what a day it was,” Jones said in his post-game interview. “Most likely people are going to look at the weights on SCORETRACKER® and think, ‘Man, that doesn’t really look any fun at all.’ But Ott and I had a blast today.

“We fished dirt shallow in some of the fresh, flooded green bushes and grass, and it was a really unique bite. The fish were feeding on dragonflies. I know it sounds crazy, but I witnessed it dozens of times today.”

Like the first elimination match on Thursday, anglers found the bass extremely shallow and way back in the thickest grass that they could fish.

“It was so hard to fish,” DeFoe said. “Alton and I were talking earlier – if you land 80% of them, you’re happy. Just because of how much stuff we’re fishing in. And a lot of those fish showed themselves to us, coming up and feeding in the back of the little pockets. But they were tough to get to.”

DeFoe and Jones mainly used a 1-2 punch of a buzzbait and a frog, but they also added a couple fish on a wacky rig.

“We threw the buzzbait in the thinner, more open stuff. Then when it would get really thick and dense, we caught some key fish on the frog,” Jones said. “I was throwing a white one all day – I broke two off. We really lived and died by the topwater today, and luckily, we lived.”

DeFoe and Jones now advance to Match 1 of the Knockout Round on Sunday, while Clausen and Villa will compete in Match 2 of the Knockout Round on Monday.

“It was a good start to Texas for us. We didn’t catch a lot of big ones like O.H. (Ivie) is known for, but we got enough to keep us in it,” DeFoe went on to say. “I feel like we really kind of figured them out at the end, and hopefully we’ve got a little pattern that we can carry into the future rounds.”

“Yeah, if they send us back here, I feel like we have a really good idea of what to go look for,” Jones Jr. added. “I’d feel really confident. But, if not, a lot of the terrain and brush around here looks the same. And they’ve all had rain, so I would expect a similar opportunity even at other lakes. But you never know.”

The top two teams from the second match of the Elimination Round at the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq that advance to the Knockout Round are:

1st:        Team Builders FirstSource, 14 bass, 22-12
Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn., five bass, 7-4
Alton Jones Jr., Waco, Texas, nine bass, 15-8
2nd:       Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff & Pouches, 11 bass, 17-11
Luke Clausen, Spokane, Wash., five bass, 8-12
Martin Villa, Charlottesville, Va., six bass, 8-15

Eliminated from competition are:

3rd:       Team Ferguson, 11 bass, 17-5
Randy Howell, Guntersville, Ala., eight bass, 12-12
Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La., three bass, 4-9
4th:        Team Kubota, five bass, 11-6
Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La., zero bass, 0-0
Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla., five bass, 11-6

Complete results from throughout the week can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 41 bass weighing 69 pounds, 2 ounces caught by the four teams in the second Elimination Round match on O.H. Ivie Lake. Team Kubota pro Edwin Evers caught a 4-pound, 7-ounce largemouth that was the Berkley Big Bass of the day.

The Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq is hosted by Visit Early and takes place over six days in west-central Texas. The competition water for each day is top-secret and is only revealed to the anglers when they arrive at the boat ramp each morning. Anglers are driven directly to the day’s competition area launch ramp by their officials. Competition begins on the water at 8:45 a.m.

As a part of the event, on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. MLF welcomes fans of all ages to join MLF pros, Visit Early and the Texas Forest Service (TFS) for Fishing with the Pros at the TFS inaugural Arbor Day event. The event will be held at Town Center Lake, located at 109 Kelcy Way in Early, and will provide local youth and community members an opportunity to fish up close and personal alongside MLF pros. Tackle and bait will be provided and the event is free and open to the public.

The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live every day of competition from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT. MLFNOW!® is live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.

The Patriot Cup features 12 two-man teams divided into three groups as they enter the one-day Elimination Round matches. Each of the three Elimination Round matches will feature four new teams, with the top two teams from each match of the Elimination Round advancing to the Knockout Round on Days 4 & 5. In the Knockout Rounds, three teams compete each day, with the top two teams from each Knockout Round match moving on to the Championship Round on Day 6. In Tuesday’s Day 6 Championship Round, the final four teams will compete in a one-day shootout to determine which team will win the 2024 Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq.

The 2024 General Tire Team Series is comprised of four events – Challenge Cup, Heritage Cup, Patriot Cup and Summit Cup – featuring two-man teams of MLF Bass Pro Tour pros competing from the same boat. Each event features a roster of 24 anglers, teamed up and working together to claim part of a season purse of more than $720,000. Teams were formed through a selection process, where 48 team captains – based on Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) standings throughout the 2024 Bass Pro Tour season – selected a teammate. Teams will compete throughout the fall of 2024.

Television coverage of the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq will premiere on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour episodes in March 2025. New MLF General Tire Team Series episodes will premiere each Saturday morning on Outdoor Channel and posted to MOTV.

Proud sponsors of the MLF General Tire Team Series include: 7 Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Barbasol, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Builders FirstSource, C-MAP, Coign, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Fishing Clash, General Tire, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Nitro Boats, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala Baits, REDCON1, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, Star brite, Toyota, USAA, WIX Filters and YETI.

For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at FacebookX,  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.


Brown Battles to Victory at NPFL Lake of the Ozarks

With a three-day total of 45 pounds, 13 ounces, Texas pro Nick Brown earned his first NPFL victory at the Chompers/NPFL Stop #5, presented by Bait-Wrx. Brown kicked things off with 11 pounds, 11 ounces on day one, followed by the event's biggest bag on day two—21 pounds, 8 ounces, anchored by a 6-pound, 5-ounce kicker. In addition to the $100,000 prize, Brown earned an extra $5,000 as the highest-placing Bass Cat Boats owner.

After a slow day one, Brown returned to an area he had high hopes for, and on day two, the magic happened. His big day pushed him into the lead and gave him the confidence to stick with his plan on the final day.

“That flat looked so good in practice, and it was loaded with stumps and laydowns, with a gravelly/silty bottom. The fish were moving into it during the event, but in practice and on day one, it was a dead zone.”

On the final day, he settled in and waited for the sun to come out and the breeze to pick up. Just as the fish started to bite, the locals moved in and confined his area to five to seven targets, making it hard to fish effectively and move around.

“There were thirty or so pieces of brush in there, and at one point, there were people everywhere,” he said. “I had those two fish this morning and decided to leave it alone and try something else for a while. It was funny; that big fish I caught early came on a log I had fished hard. I made four casts with a buzzbait and a few casts with a jig, and on my first cast with that glide bait, she ate it—getting wrapped around limbs and all over the place. It was wild.”

Returning to his area at 2 p.m. this afternoon paid off. As he fished around, targeting some of the isolated timber, he made his way to a couple of nice-looking pieces of wood he had yet to get a bite from this week.

“Pretty quickly, I caught my third keeper, a three-pounder, and right after that, I lost one over six that hit my buzzbait and rolled it—I thought I had blown it. I fished around in a big loop and came back to the same tree. My very next flip in there with a little structure jig, and I caught my last keeper, giving me four.”

Despite the ups and downs of the event and not having a limit on the first and final day, he is thrilled to turn his season around and automatically qualify for the NPFL Championship.

“It feels great,” he concluded. “I had to make a top twelve at the final two events to even come close to qualifying for the championship, and now I do not have to worry. I am also the first NPFL angler to win from a Bass Cat, which is awesome as those guys support the league. I started running a Suzuki this year too; it’s a great combo. What a great week.”

Webster Comes One Fish Away

Alabama angler Joseph Webster finished second with a three-day total of 45 pounds, 8 ounces. Consistent throughout, he posted 14 pounds on day one, followed by 16 pounds, 2 ounces on day two. On the final day, his four-fish bag weighed 15 pounds, 6 ounces, including a 5-pound kicker, falling just 5 ounces short of the win.

Coming into the event on day one, Webster had a solid game plan. With a tough bite and less-than-ideal conditions, he was confident that his area would provide the opportunity to catch five fish each day and put him in contention for the win.

“Everything I caught in practice was a decent fish. I only got a few bites, but that was enough,” he said. “I rotated between a plopper, a Berkley Choppo, and a jig. On day one, I hooked and landed six; on day two, the same thing; and today I hooked five and landed four—and that last lost fish, with 20 minutes left, cost me.”

With the presence of big gizzard shad in his three-mile stretch of water, the larger fish were holding on the shallow cover—docks, bluffs, rocks, points, etc.—which prompted him to upsize his baits.

“I threw a big Choppo and a big jig because I think the little ones wouldn’t want to touch it,” he added. “It was simple: when it was cloudy, I threw white, and when the sun came out, I swapped to black.”

Webster excels under tough conditions, and the mindset of knowing he may only get five bites doesn’t bother him. Knowing that he had found the fish to win and secure a spot in the NPFL Championship on Lake Hartwell, he went to work.

“I like playing the mind game; I can fight through the slow points,” he concluded. “The hard part was that you never knew where the bites were going to come from. They were on so much different stuff, and I fished my whole area and everything in between. The area was good enough; it held up for me—almost.”

Trent Palmer caught the biggest bass of the day, a 6-pound, 15-ounce bass, earning him the Power Pole Big Fish award.

Top Ten:

Nick Brown 45-13

Joseph Webster 45-8

Drew Cook 45-1

Brock Bila 38-15

John Cox 36-8

John Soukup 36-8

Christian Nash 36-6

Zack Birge 35-11

Isaac Peavyhouse 34-3

Brandon Perkins 33-15


Bassmaster Team Championship relocates to Tennessee’s Kentucky Lake

Oct. 25, 2024

TeamChamp_BPS_4C.jpgBIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, which will grant the winner the year’s final berth into the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic, was originally scheduled to take place on Louisiana's Ouachita River. However, due to critical, unforeseen repair work being conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Columbia Lock and Dam just south of Monroe, La., the Team Championship is relocating to Tennessee's Kentucky Lake.

The emergency work has caused significant disruptions to normal river operations, impacting water levels and navigability which would directly affect both the safety and overall experience of the anglers. As a result, the decision was made to move the championship to an alternate location to ensure the event can proceed without compromising the quality of competition or the experience for participants.

In consideration of the local resources and the challenges created by the dam repairs, B.A.S.S. officials have selected Tennessee's Kentucky Lake as the new venue for the final B.A.S.S. tournament of 2024. The 160,000-acre reservoir, located on the Tennessee River, has hosted numerous B.A.S.S. events over the years and most recently hosted the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Kentucky Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops in April of this year. The event dates will remain the same beginning on Wednesday, Dec. 4 and concluding Saturday, Dec. 7. The off-limits period and the no-information rule will go into effect on Saturday, Nov. 16.

Registration will remain open to qualified teams until Friday, Nov. 15. Updated information will be relayed to all official Bassmaster Team Trails; please check with your trail director for updated information.

The Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship is being hosted by the Paris, TN-Henry County Tourism Authority.

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Connect with #Bassmaster on FacebookInstagramTwitter and TikTok.

Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 205-313-0945, cgay@bassmaster.com


Robinson’s Preview Toyota Owners Tournament on Hartwell

Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships

When it comes to fishy families, you’d be hard pressed to find a household with more bass on the brain than the Robinson’s. Marty, the patriarch, has won nearly a million dollars throughout his 17-year career and his eldest son Marshall joined him on the Bass Pro Tour in 2024 after being crowned the Rookie of the Year in the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitationals and qualifying for the BPT in 2023 at nineteen years young.

Then Mitchell, the youngest Robinson won the Bassmaster High School National Championship in 2023 and is set to fish the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals in 2025. And while she may not fish professionally, because someone has to keep these boys in line, mama Iris Robinson can catch ‘em, too.

The Robinson’s are South Carolina natives with a plethora of experience on Lake Hartwell and they all drive Toyota Tundras. In fact, the Robinson’s have purchased eight Toyota tow vehicles spanning back to start of Marty’s professional career in 2007 and have collected tons of Toyota Bonus Bucks checks over the years. So, who better to preview the 13th Annual Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament set for Lake Hartwell this weekend than the Robinson family?

Q – What would be your target weight to win the Toyota Owners Tournament this weekend?

Marty – “I’d say it’ll take a mixed bag of spotted bass and largemouth to win. Probably 19-lbs or even high nineteens to win this thing.”

Marshall – “I’m going to say 18-lbs of mostly spotted bass, maybe one big largemouth mixed in.”

Mitchell – “I’ve seen lots of brim up shallow lately so I’m thinking it’ll take a big bag, 20-lbs or more, to win on Sunday. At least two big largemouth mixed in with three chunky spots.”

 

Q – As locals, what is something about Lake Hartwell that most people might not know?

Marty – “Believe it or not, these are some of the hardest fish in the country to catch with forward facing sonar (FFS). We really don’t know why either, but even Drew Gill has said so. These fish with all the pressure they get and there being no current in this fishery, they just are so finicky to catch.”

Marshall – “This is a place that you should be weeding through a lot of fish to get your target weight. Hartwell is not really a lake you look for five or six big bites a day to do well… you need to be catching numbers.”

Mitchell – “My insight is the fish here will get a lot shallower than you would think, even with warm water temperatures this time of year.”

 

Q – What are two patterns or techniques you expect top finishers to employ on Hartwell this weekend?

Marty – “I’m going to say a topwater bite early in the morning will key and then you gotta put scoping a jighead minnow (using forward facing sonar) in there nowadays.“

Marshall – “This is the time of year bass start eating crawfish and getting back on a jig bite pretty strong. And with this being a one-day tournament, consistency won’t be key, so I think someone could smash a big bag on a buzzbait in the back of a creek somewhere.”

Mitchell - “There should still be some stained water due to the hurricane rains we had a few weeks ago, so a chatterbait up shallow in the backs (of creeks) could be good. And scoping the timber edge way offshore for those big roamer spots would be another focal point of mine. Those spotted bass are bigger and usually easier to catch because they don’t setup on a spot, they just pull up on the edge of that timber for a few minutes at a time.”

 

Q – Why should tournament bass anglers drive a Toyota tow vehicle?

Marty – “Man, there are a lot of reasons to drive a Toyota but my number one is they are low to no maintenance vehicles. I ain’t got time to worry about working on a truck, I want to be on the water catching fish. In almost 20 years of towing with a Tundra, I’ve never had to worry about my truck.”

Marshall – “You can make extra money through Toyota Bonus Bucks in all kinds of tournaments. They are great trucks that add a little cash to your pocket, it’s a no brainer.”

Mitchell - “They are super smooth trucks when it comes to towing your boat and just the ride in general. They look good, tow great, and they crank every time.”


Fish Tip Friday - Want to catch bigger bass this fall?

Frog.

By Vance McCullough - AC Insider

While fall fishing is known for producing numbers of bass, big fish can be scarce. The remedy would be to use a big fish technique to specifically target them and forget the schoolers that are eating peanut shad offshore.

Autumn is the top time for froggin’ in many regions of the country as aquatic vegetation has reached its peak growth, forming solid mats across the tops of grass beds. This cover waits enticingly for bass that are starting to migrate back to the shallows for the fall feeding frenzy.

Mind your vegetative varieties for maximum effect. Hydrilla stems are hard, the leaves crunchy, and when water levels are normal-to-low, these mats can be all but impossible for fish to blast through and grab your lure well enough to get hooked. If the grass is already thinning or if water levels suddenly rise and, therefore, stand the hydrilla stalks up vertically, then game on!

Dance that same frog over matted milfoil, peppergrass or eel grass and bass should be able to track it much better and when they strike, they will be able to swallow the frog much more deeply, resulting in solid hookups.

The ultimate froggin’ cover is duck weed. These miniscule floating plants form an ultra-thin surface layer that shades bass below and offers no protection to critters scurrying overhead. Duck weed can blow-in around any cover that would already hold shallow bass, making the spot that much better.

Don’t just think of extensive blankets of greenery when looking for frog fishing opportunities. Isolated sawdust mats are popular flipping and pitching targets, but if the debris canopy is thin enough, frogs are on the menu here too.

Water levels in many places are at their highest in autumn due to ‘king tides’ in coastal regions and just plain old wet weather that tapers off as we ease out of another hurricane season. ‘Open water’ frogs have become a deal in recent years. These sleek models that walk like an old-fashioned spook can be used to nibble the edges of any cover. They skip well back under overhangs and docks, and they glide right through the limbs of gnarly laydowns, making them perfect for fishing around flooded cover of all types as bass move up to gorge on bait before the coming of colder weather.

One tip for fooling more bass on a frog: slow down and pick apart the most obvious targets.

“I mostly just use a frog to work one single piece of cover when I already know there should be a bass there,” noted Major League Fishing veteran pro Cliff Crochet when I shared a boat with him. “If I’m working a big area and I don’t know where to throw, I use a soft plastic buzzing toad. But a hollow bodied frog, like this Bobby’s Perfect Frog from Snagproof, I use that the same way I might use a jig to flip into a specific spot, but in this case the fish are feeding towards the surface,” explained the former deputy from Pier Part Louisiana - where the TV series Swamp People was filmed - in his thick Cajun accent. “Plus, I can throw that frog way back in there while staying off the spot with my boat, so I don’t spook those shallow fish.”

Crochet quickly demonstrated his point by drawing a vicious blow up from a bass that, after a braid-screeching tug of war, pushed the scale to over 6 pounds. It was a scene that would repeat often as Crochet called his shots and caught a stout limit in short order.

One bonus to froggin’ for upsized bass in autumn is you’re still likely to catch good numbers of fish too. But the big idea is to catch big fish.

On that note, gear up for the fight. Heavy braided line and the type of rod that can handle it are key. Something in the range of 7’3”-to- 7’6” is ideal. These days I find myself reaching for a 7’4” medium heavy power rod with a fast action tip. In spite of the name, Lew’s Custom Lite models are great for this salad-tossing tug of war. Another great model is the 7’4” Lee Livesay HFX signature series made by Halo.

I spool my Lew’s Hypermag reel, 7.5:1 gear ratio, with 65lb braid and fish with confidence around any cover.

And remember, when a fish eats, give it about a two-count before slamming those double hooks home.


Strader/Chapman and Lucas/Ehrler Advance from Elimination Round Match 1 on O.H. Ivie at General Tire Team Series Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq

O.H. Ivie challenges four teams as Team Knighten Industries boats 10 bass totaling 16 pounds, 15 ounces to pace field and earn Elimination Round victory

EARLY, Texas (Oct. 24, 2024) – Perhaps no fishery in the country has garnered more recent public attention than Texas’ O.H. Ivie Lake. And with good cause – the reservoir has tallied dozens of largemouth bass weighing in at 13 pounds or more over the past three years as a part of the Toyota ShareLunker program managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Inland Fisheries Division.

Thursday demonstrated to the world that even though giants lurk beneath the waters, sometimes they can still be pretty difficult to catch.

The third General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops event of the 2024 season launched from O.H. Ivie and Early, Texas, Thursday, and the four teams competing at the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq faced a challenging playing field. Recent water level fluctuations made the fishing extremely tough for the eight pros competing on the fishery, and the big ones never came out to play.

The Team Knighten Industries duo of Wesley Strader of Spring City, Tennessee, and Brent Chapman of Lake Quivira, Kansas, paced the field and caught 10 bass totaling 16 pounds, 15 ounces to win the first match of the Elimination Round by a 1-pound, 3-ounce margin. Also advancing to the Knockout Round in second place is the 7 Brew Coffee team of Guntersville, Alabama’s Justin Lucas and Brent Ehrler of Redlands, California, who caught 12 scorable largemouth bass weighing 15-13.

“It feels awesome to get the win today,” Chapman said in his post-game interview. “It was tough, but what a blast. Today was a good reminder. Here we are on a phenomenal fishery for big fish, but you have to take what the day has to offer you. We could have went out and tried to ‘Scope and maybe found something, but we stuck with our strengths, and it paid off.”

The Strader-Chapman duo caught the majority of their fish way back in some shallow, grassy cover. They were on their way to fish another location when they took a shortcut that ended up being a wrong turn. They ended up fishing in the thick cover and added five scorable bass in the final hour and 15 minutes – including a 1-15 with just two minutes remaining – to overtake Lucas and Ehrler.

“Wow, what a freaking move, dude,” Strader said. “Who said getting lost can’t turn into good things? We were catching them so shallow – like 6 inches deep. It was stupid. But today was a grinder. The most challenging part was being able to get (through the grass) to where you could get to the bank.”

Strader caught two scorable bass in the first period – one on a buzzbait and one on a spinnerbait. He added three more on a buzzbait in Period 2. In the final period, Strader caught one on a buzzbait and two on a frog, while Chapman tallied his two scorables with a frog as well.

“There is nothing that beats a buzzbait in the fall,” Strader said. “I like a big one that clacks the head, and I used a black toad (trailer). I threw it on a 7-foot, 5-inch crankbait rod, but it’s a heavy cranking rod – so it has a little bit of tip so you can get that bait in their mouth when they pull away from it – and a Lews Custom Tournament Light reel.”

Team Knighten Industries will now move on to the first match of the Knockout Round on Sunday, while Team 7 Brew Coffee will compete Monday in Knockout Round Match 2.

“I’m excited to get back out here with Wesley and laugh a little more and do this all over again,” Chapman said.

The top two teams from Elimination Round Match 1 at the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq that advance to the Knockout Round are:

1st:        Team Knighten Industries, 10 bass, 16-15
Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., eight bass, 13-13
Brent Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan., two bass, 3-2
2nd:       Team 7 Brew Coffee, 12 bass, 15-13
Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala., 10 bass, 12-15
Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif., two bass, 2-14

Eliminated from competition are:

3rd:       Team REDCON1, four bass, 6-8
Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn., three bass, 5-5
Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., one bass, 1-3
4th:        Team U.S. Air Force, two bass, 2-9
Gerald Spohrer, Gonzales, La., two bass, 2-9
James Elam, Tulsa, Okla., zero bass, 0-0

Complete results from throughout the week can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Overall, there were 28 bass weighing 41 pounds, 13 ounces caught by the four teams on the first day of the Elimination Round on O.H. Ivie Lake. Team Knighten Industries pro Wesley Strader caught the Berkley Big Bass of the day – a largemouth weighing 2 pounds, 14 ounces.

The Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq is hosted by Visit Early and takes place over six days in west-central Texas. The competition water for each day is top-secret and is only revealed to the anglers when they arrive at the boat ramp each morning. Anglers are driven directly to the day’s competition area launch ramp by their officials. Competition begins on the water at 8:45 a.m.

The MLFNOW!® broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live every day of competition from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT. MLFNOW!® is live streamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) app and Rumble.

The Patriot Cup features 12 two-man teams divided into three groups as they enter the one-day Elimination Round matches. Each of the three Elimination Round matches will feature four new teams, with the top two teams from each match of the Elimination Round advancing to the Knockout Round on Days 4 & 5. In the Knockout Rounds, three teams compete each day, with the top two teams from each Knockout Round match moving on to the Championship Round on Day 6. In Tuesday’s Day 6 Championship Round, the final four teams will compete in a one-day shootout to determine which team will win the 2024 Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq.

The 2024 General Tire Team Series is comprised of four events – Challenge Cup, Heritage Cup, Patriot Cup and Summit Cup – featuring two-man teams of MLF Bass Pro Tour pros competing from the same boat. Each event features a roster of 24 anglers, teamed up and working together to claim part of a season purse of more than $720,000. Teams were formed through a selection process, where 48 team captains – based on Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (AOY) standings throughout the 2024 Bass Pro Tour season – selected a teammate. Teams will compete throughout the fall of 2024.

Television coverage of the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq will premiere on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour episodes in March 2025. New MLF General Tire Team Series episodes will premiere each Saturday morning on Outdoor Channel and posted to MOTV.

Proud sponsors of the MLF General Tire Team Series include: 7 Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Barbasol, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Builders FirstSource, C-MAP, Coign, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Fishing Clash, General Tire, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Nitro Boats, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala Baits, REDCON1, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, Star brite, Toyota, USAA, WIX Filters and YETI.

For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at FacebookX,  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.


Tennessee’s Snyders repeats as Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year

Oct. 24, 2024

Bassmaster_Kayak_YamahaRW_4C.jpgSHREVEPORT, La. — For the second year in a row, Tennessee’s Rus Snyders has won the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year title, accumulating 730 points throughout the five-event season. Along with a customized trophy, Snyders earned a prize of $5,000.

It is the first time in Kayak Series history an angler has repeated as Angler of the Year.

“I’m just grateful to do what I love,” Snyders said. “We had big-time attendance at all of the events this year. I’m guessing there were an average of 200 anglers this year. Most of the top kayak anglers committed to the Kayak Series this year. It was the most talent we’ve had in these tournaments.”

Virginia’s Casey Reed finished second with 717 points, Ohio’s Jason Isaacs finished third with 711 points, Mississippi’s Clint Pippen was fourth with 709 points and Massachusetts’ Derek Brundle was fifth with 707 points.

“I respect Casey a lot,” Snyders said. “He is a great angler and very respectful. There have been a number of times where we have shared water, and he is a guy that I know will treat others the way he wants to be treated.”

As a Dakota Lithium angler, Snyders has watched the company grow over the last couple of years and has been grateful for the support they have given him and the kayak industry as a whole.

“Dakota Lithium has been a big supporter of kayak fishing for a number of years now. It is how they got their foot in the door and have evolved into working with Bassmaster not only in the Kayak Series, but (with their) bass boat series too. They are a huge supporter of kayak fishing, and they take care of their pro staff. They put a lot into helping us with a number of different things, and their support means a lot to me.”

Fishing out of his Bonafide PWR 129 with a Torqeedo motor, Snyders wanted to make sure he fished consistently all year long, and he certainly accomplished that goal by cashing checks in four of the five events. The one tournament that he didn’t cash a check in — the final event of the season on Caddo Lake/Lake Bistineau — he missed out by only two places.

“I only had one Top 5, but I had the consistency of being able to cash a check. That was a big part of my goal. I played it safe a few times just to make sure I got a limit and solid fish rather than swing for the fences.

“I couldn’t have picked a better schedule,” he added.

As a shallow-water power angler, the 2024 schedule set up perfectly for Snyders. However, a variety of different strategies came into play this year for the California native who currently resides in Tennessee, including several finesse presentations. But a squarebill crankbait was what he used whenever he needed to get a quality bite.

Just like in past years, Snyders made winning Angler of the Year a priority, and he set the tone for the season with a 12th-place finish at Lake Murray. One big catch in particular late on the second day propelled him into check range and gave him positive momentum for the following events.

“Within the last half hour of that second day, I caught a 22-incher,” he explained. “Getting a last-minute big bass like that is always something that stands out. It gave me that positive energy and momentum (and that) can really carry on into the next tournament.”

Then came a weather-shortened Possum Kingdom event where Snyders veered slightly out of his comfort zone to notch a fourth-place finish in central Texas.

“There were some giant bass caught. I caught one that was nearly 10 pounds in practice,” he said. “It was one of the few tournaments where I ended up using my electronics a little more. I used LiveScope and worked a shaky head and Texas-rigged worms in brushpiles that were in 5 to 12 feet of water.”

Two of his favorite fisheries were next on the schedule, a May event at Lake Guntersville and a July event at the Susquehanna River. He finished ninth and 10th respectively in those events but used very different techniques to earn checks. On Guntersville, the crankbait shined, while a weightless Senko was his primary presentation at the Susquehanna.

“I had a little more of a finesse approach at the Susky,” he said. “I let the Senko drift with the current. I had to find as many ambush points as I could in practice and hit as many waypoints as I could.”

He then sealed the title with a 21st-place finish at Caddo Lake/Lake Bistineau, where he mined the vast cypress swamps for quality keepers.

“I’m not sure there is a better place to fish in the fall,” he said. “I really love fishing cypress trees. It is one of my favorite things to do.”

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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Connect with #Bassmaster on FacebookInstagramTwitter and TikTok.

Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 205-313-0945, cgay@bassmaster.com


B.A.S.S., Castaway Coffee partner to launch B.A.S.S. Kickin’ Blend

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S., the worldwide authority on bass fishing, and Castaway Coffee have partnered to offer the B.A.S.S. Kickin’ Blend, an exclusive, highly caffeinated coffee boasting nearly twice the amount of caffeine as a regular cup of coffee. A portion of every bag of the medium-roast B.A.S.S. Kickin' Blend will go to support the conservation efforts of B.A.S.S.

"Castaway Coffee is committed to fueling adventures while preserving the environment," said Castaway Coffee Conservation Coordinator and Co-Founder Laura M. Sixto. "Our partnership with B.A.S.S. will amplify our impact supporting initiatives that address key issues such as habitat conservation, aquatic invasive species and responsible fishing practices within the bass fishing community."

“We’re very excited to be partnering with Castaway Coffee on this unique brew,” said Phillip Johnson, B.A.S.S.’s Chief Operating Officer. “In our role as a conservation leader, we want to continue to work with brands that have a like-minded approach to preserving the sport and the waters we all fish.”

The B.A.S.S. Kickin’ Blend joins Castaway Coffee’s lineup of custom blends alongside Café Cubano Espresso, Guatemalan Delight, Monsoon Malabar, Breakfast Blend and Dark Roast. Castaway Coffee also offers flavored coffees, including Paradise Crunch, Hazelnut, Bourbon Infused Coffee, Pumpkin Pie and Holiday Blend.

The B.A.S.S. Kickin' Blend is available for purchase online at castawaycoffee.com and will also be available at B.A.S.S.’s official on-site stores at Bassmaster Elite Series events as well as the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic during the upcoming season.

Castaway Coffee subscribers can also save 5% on Café Cubano Espresso, Dark Roast and Breakfast Blend by subscribing to regular deliveries at castawaycoffee.com.

About Castaway Coffee

At Castaway Coffee our mission is to keep providing you with the best coffee you’ll ever drink. We also think it’s important to give back. For each bag of Castaway Coffee sold, we give a portion of sales to environmental initiatives and other worthy causes. Castaway Coffee has joined the 1% for the Planet initiative, which reinforces our commitment to our community, our customers and our planet. We are committed to addressing the health of our oceans — a focus that is at the core of our organization’s mission. We’re excited to partner with other like-minded organizations working to solve the most urgent environmental issues.

We’re not just talk; our co-founder, marine artist Steve Diossy, has helped to raise millions for oceanographic research, conservation and education by creating artwork such as the 1998 “Protect Wild Dolphins” license plate and the 2021 “Protect Marine Wildlife” license plates for the state of Florida. Coastal living is all about the water, and Castaway Coffee is committed to doing what we can to help protect our oceans and waterways.

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 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: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 205-313-0945, cgay@bassmaster.com


NPFL Season Finale Now Set for Lake Murray

WILKESVILLE, Ohio — The National Professional Fishing League and Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board (CCLMC) are announcing that the NPFL will complete its 2024 season on South Carolina’s Lake Murray out of Newberry, South Carolina, December 11-13. The tournament was previously scheduled for the St. Johns River out of DeLand, Florida, but high waters and unsafe conditions following two major hurricanes required that the venue be changed.

“There are mixed emotions with this announcement,” said NPFL President Brad Fuller. “We’re disappointed that we cannot move ahead with plans to fish the St. Johns River and work with the wonderful team at the West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority, but weather and river conditions meant that we first had to reschedule that event and that we now must relocate it. Fortunately, we have the opportunity to go to historic Lake Murray and finish our season on a fishery that we’ve been targeting for some time and that promises to be a fantastic setting for our season finale.”

Georgia Turner, Executive Director of the West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority in DeLand, Florida, said, “We're disappointed that the schedule didn’t work out this year due to weather conditions, but we look forward to having the NPFL back very soon!”

The 2024 NPFL season will conclude at Lake Murray, the "Jewel of South Carolina" — a reservoir that has hosted numerous major fishing championships through the years. Created nearly a century ago, the lake offers 50,000 surface acres and 650 miles of shoreline for the NPFL pros to spread out and target largemouth bass using a wide variety of baits and techniques.

“We're glad we could step up to the challenge and work this prestigious professional fishing league season finale into our schedule. We know Lake Murray will deliver a challenging event to the professional anglers and that the final weights will be strong,” said Miriam Atria, CCLMC President/CEO.

About the National Professional Fishing League

The National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) was founded to bring competitive fishing to a broader audience and offer anglers a platform to compete at the highest level. The NPFL is committed to fostering integrity, competition, and innovation in the sport, providing anglers and fans alike with an exciting and unique experience.

 

Media Contact: Ken Duke — (407) 574-1898 or [email protected].


2024 Junior College National Championship Details

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Murray State College, in working with the TBF, is hosting the 2024 Open Junior College National Championship. Find out more tournament details and get signed up:

Tournament Details

When – November 14th and 15th

Where – Lake Eufaula, Eufaula Oklahoma

Ramp Location – Nicholes Point Pavilion Dabbs Rd, Eufaula, Ok 74432

Both days - Take off / Weigh-in – 7:00 am or safe light. 3:00 pm weigh-in (No Max boat field for this tournament.) “Combined Weight for 2 days”

Entry Fee - $125 per boat.

 

Form of Payment - Pay online at https://juco.profishingtournaments.com/


Unified Pros and the State of Alabama Join Forces to Launch The Ultimate Angler World Championship: the Largest Professional Bass Fishing Tournament and Winner Payout in History

Scottsboro, AL (October 22, 2024) – If you dig into the history of tournament bass fishing, you’ll find the blood, sweat, and tears of a dedicated group of anglers and hard-working folks in Alabama. Front and center, you’ll find the late Ray Scott, the genius behind the first professional bass fishing tournaments dating back to the 1960s.

Years after the launch of the Bassmaster Series and the Bassmaster Classic (aka "The Super Bowl of Bass Fishing"), numerous other national pro bass fishing circuits popped up, many of which still exist today, like Bassmaster itself, MLF, NPFL, and several others.

Well, meet a new, first of its kind, organization founded in Scott's home state of Alabama, a group called Unified Pros: a nonprofit, with no ownership, promising to be the biggest news in tournament bass fishing since those early days of Ray Scott, Roland Martin, Bill Dance, Jimmy Houston, and other passionate anglers who birthed a new professional sport and subsequently created a billion-dollar-plus industry across the world.

Working hand-in-hand, Unified Pros and the State of Alabama will launch its first tournament, the Ultimate Angler Championship—October 5-11, 2025 on Lake Guntersville, near Scottsboro, Alabama, with a guaranteed 1st Place payout of $500,000—the largest pot in bass fishing's history—and a total of over 1 million in cash payouts.

Alabama Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth said, “The Ultimate Angler Championship is not just a fishing tournament; it is an opportunity to unite anglers from diverse backgrounds, highlighting their talents while fostering camaraderie and mutual respect for a sport we all love in the place where tournament bass fishing began…the great state of Alabama.”

Alabama State Senate Majority Leader, Steve Livingston, said "Alabama offers outdoor recreational activities unlike any other place in the world, and we are committed to conserving our abundant, God-given natural resources. We are absolutely thrilled to host The Ultimate Angler World Championship in Scottsboro, as we put Alabama on the map for competitive fishing and will continue to raise funds for further conservation initiatives."

The Ultimate Angler Tournament is being modeled after The Masters golf tournament, and will be open to qualifying college anglers, amateurs, and pros. The tournament winner will be the first and only champion crowned across multiple bass fishing leagues and tournament trails.

The tournament will take place October 5-11, 2025 on Lake Guntersville near Scottsboro, Alabama.

Unified Pros is a nonprofit alliance of professional athletes. Through sanctioned competitions, charity events, and membership, the organization aims to elevate a love for outdoor competition while raising awareness for fisheries, habitats, and their continued conservation. Through collaborative partnerships with esteemed organizations such as the Major League Fishing Anglers Association (MLFAA), Bassmaster Professional Anglers, National Professional Fishing league (NPFL), NFL Professional Players Association (NFLPA), MLB Players Association (MLBPA), NBA Players Association (NBAPA), and Professional Golfers Association (PGA), Unified Pros aims to create Pro-Pro events that bring together professionals from various sports disciplines in unique and competitive formats.

These events will not only offer major payouts to winners, but also serve as platforms to raise awareness for outdoor activities and conservation efforts.

By harnessing the collective influence of these athletic associations, Unified Pros envision creating extraordinary experiences that unite athletes, build camaraderie, and promote the importance of preserving our outdoors and fisheries.


B.A.S.S. announces schedule for enhanced 2025 Bassmaster Opens season

Opens_StCroix_Sevin_4C-RASTER.png

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. officials have announced the schedule for the revamped 2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN, and the schedule features eight events — including some vintage tournament stops for the organization — across two divisions.

 

For 2025, Opens anglers placing in the Top 50 in each division’s Angler of the Year race will advance to the Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers series. This stand-alone series will feature three events, spanning from September through November, where anglers will compete to qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Series. The Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers series schedule will be released at a later date.

 

“We are proud of the diversity of this schedule,” said Executive Director of Tournaments Hank Weldon. “Each division works its way from south to north as the year goes along and mixes in different kinds of fisheries from highland reservoirs to river systems to tidal fisheries as well. At the end of the Opens, we should have a very diverse and tested group ready to move into the EQs.”

 

The schedule begins Jan. 23-25 at Clarks Hill Reservoir in Evans, Ga. This event marks the first time an Open event has visited the fishery, which is the third-largest artificial lake east of the Mississippi River. Featuring more than 400 miles of shoreline, Clarks Hill is referred to by Georgians as “Georgia’s Freshwater Coast.”

 

After a break of more than two months, Division 1 will pick up competition again April 16-18 at Tombigbee River in Columbus, Miss., a stop that hasn’t appeared on a Bassmaster schedule since 2004. Arkansas pro Mark Davis brought 62-4 to the scales to win that event by a massive 15-pound, 1-ounce margin over Kevin VanDam.

 

“Visit Columbus, partnering with the city of Columbus and Lowndes County, is thrilled to welcome Bassmaster and its anglers,” said Frances Glenn, tourism director for Columbus-Lowndes Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We cannot wait to show off our beautiful town and great fishing on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. A tournament of this size is a huge economic boost not only for our hospitality partners, but our area as well. Columbus is known for its warm Southern hospitality, and we are looking forward to welcoming a national tournament.”

 

Division 1 then heads to Upper Chesapeake Bay in North East, Md., July 23-25. Elite Series pro Aaron Martens picked up a 2015 victory at Chesapeake Bay with a total of 70 pounds, 2 ounces. The Division then heads over to St. Lawrence River in Waddington, N.Y., July 31-Aug. 2, which claimed the No. 1 spot overall on the 2024 Bassmaster Magazine 100 Best Bass Lakes list for its deep, clear waters that are famous for chunk smallmouth.

 

Division 2 kicks off its season Feb. 13-15 at Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Jasper, Texas. The 114,000-acre Sam Rayburn ended up No. 7 in the 2024 Bassmaster Magazine 100 Best Bass Lakes: Central list for producing giant largemouth consistently. The next stop for Division 2 will be a familiar one, as the Opens return to Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley in Paris, Tenn., March 6-8.

 

Division 2 then takes a swing to a destination that has not been visited by Opens competitors in nearly a decade — Norfork Lake in Mountain Home, Ark., April 3-5, where anglers will find plentiful bass in more than 22,000 acres of crystal blue water set in the Ozark Mountains.

 

The final stop of Division 2 will be Aug. 14-16 on Leech Lake in Walker, Minn., where in 2024 22-year-old Easton Fothergill fished his home waters to win an Open event with a weight of 49-13. The 2024 stop was the first visit for the Opens to Leech Lake.

 

“I absolutely circled this one on the calendar,” Fothergill said after winning the Leech Lake event. “Being 30 minutes away (from home) and the first time B.A.S.S. has come to Leech Lake and Walker, Minnesota — I’ve spent so much time out here through my childhood; it means the world to me to pull off the win on my home lake.”

 

Also new for the 2025 Opens and EQ Series, the new electronics rule for 2025 that was implemented for the Elite Series will also apply for the Opens. That includes standardization practices that allow for only one live transducer connected to the trolling motor shaft and capping total screen inches at 55. Complete details of the 2025 Opens format can be found at Bassmaster.com.

 

2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN

Division 1 Date Location  
Clarks Hill Reservoir Jan. 23-25 Evans, Ga.  
Tombigbee River April 16-18 Columbus, Miss.  
Upper Chesapeake Bay July 23-25 North East, Md.  
St. Lawrence River July 31-Aug. 2 Waddington, N.Y.  
Division 2 Date Location  
Sam Rayburn Reservoir Feb. 13-15 Jasper, Texas  
Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley March 6-8 Paris, Tenn.  
Norfork Lake April 3-5 Mountain Home, Ark.  
Leech Lake Aug. 14-16 Walker, Minn.  
Chronological
Clarks Hill Reservoir Jan. 23-25 Evans, Ga.  
Sam Rayburn Reservoir Feb. 13-15 Jasper, Texas  
Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley March 6-8 Paris, Tenn.  
Norfork Lake April 3-5 Mountain Home, Ark.  
Tombigbee River April 16-18 Columbus, Miss.  
Upper Chesapeake Bay July 23-25 North East, Md.  
St. Lawrence River July 31-Aug. 2 Waddington, N.Y.  
Leech Lake Aug. 14-16 Walker, Minn.  
       

Registration will open Nov. 18 at 9 a.m. CT at Bassmaster.com for pro angler B.A.S.S. members, Nov. 19 for Single Division - Life and B.A.S.S. Nation members and Nov. 20 for Single Division - B.A.S.S. members who want to participate in the Opens.

 

For full details of the 2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN please visit Bassmaster.com.

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 ShopsDakota 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 FacebookInstagramTwitter and TikTok.

Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 205-313-0945, cgay@bassmaster.com


Six Things We Won’t Do At Half Past First Cast

By Pete Robbins - Half Past First Cast
Since we’ve started our fishing travel consultancy, we’ve focused on maintaining a list of goals, a sort of moral code of what we want our purpose to be. For example we’ve vowed to do the following:

 

  • Send you to the best places at the best times;
  • Make sure that you get the best service, but never pay a penny more than you’d pay by booking directly with the outfitter;
  • Hook you up with likeminded people, or hosted trips, as appropriate;
  • And keep you aware of trends in gear, clothing and travel options.
There’s a flip side to all of those rules, though. We have to ensure that we maintain certain ethical standards and rules. Too many people in the fishing business are unscrupulous or simply don’t care once they have your money. We’ve been scammed by such operators on a small level, and we know many more anglers who’ve gotten a bad taste of fishing travel in other ways as the result of poor business practices.
We can’t control whether the fish bite or how big they are, but we can ensure that you have the best possible chance of having a great trip. Here are six things we WON’T DO under any circumstances — our ultimate goal is to make sure that the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is everything you’d hoped, or to make sure that trip number 200 is the best one ever:
We Won’t Let You Spend Too Much – We know that both your time and money are precious resources. We value both in our own lives, and we work to preserve as much as we can while still getting the most out of our fishing and travel experiences. If you need to upgrade some portion of your package or your gear, we’ll tell you so, and we’ll explain why, but ultimately the choice is yours. We will treat your money as carefully as we’d treat our own – helping you find the best possible deals, best flights, and all sorts of other hacks to ensure that you have money left over for the next trip.
We Won’t Let You Go Unprepared – We perform tireless (bordering on obsessive) research and you’re the beneficiary of those efforts. Usually that means we’ve been to a place multiple times, but when we haven’t we’ll go the extra mile – checking trip reports, calling experts, dialing in the tackle, clothing and transportation choices so that little is left to chance. We don’t want you to get there and suffer because you didn’t know it was going to rain or because the only lizard color they’ll eat is watermelon or because local merchants don’t take American Express, or aren’t open on Sundays. We’ll send you a dossier ahead of time, and if any questions are still unanswered we’re on call 24/7 and will track down accurate information.
We Won’t Let You Go on the Wrong Trip — Part of the information-gathering process comes down to understanding the physical demands and accommodation requirements of each individual angler. If you can’t stand on a rocking boat, we won’t send you tuna popping. If you can’t hike into a remote stream, we might still send you to Alaska, but tell you to forego the difficult fly-in options. If you don’t like heat, we won’t recommend that you visit the Amazon for peacock bass. We want to get you fishing, but it’s our obligation to tell you if we think that something is not going to be to your liking. Ultimately, you can override that advice, but we won’t hold our tongues.
 
We Won’t Let You Go Places that Disrespect Staff or the Environment – We’re often heading to places that are distant from us geographically and culturally. We are guests on their soil and on their waters. It’s important to us to respect their hospitality and to make sure that it’s there for generations to come. We won’t book with outfitters or lodges who don’t have that same attitude. We want the guides and other staff to reflect our values and we need to show them equal courtesy.
We Won’t Lie to You – Some outfitters and booking agents will tell you exaggerated stories of fish counts and once-in-a-lifetime trophies as if they’re virtually guaranteed. They take the best day a given fishery has ever had and build it up by 20% or more. They’ll tell you that the average size of the fish is equal to what most people would consider a giant. Our goal is to be as straightforward as possible about ranges of numbers and ranges of sizes based on our firsthand experiences whenever possible – and on reliable sources when not possible. If anything, we aim to under promise and overdeliver.
We Won’t Let You Further the Lies – If we’re not there with you, we want to hear all of your great fish stories from the trips we set up (and even some we don’t) in all of their excruciating detail. This is what we live for: not just our own on-the-water success, but also that of people we know and like. But what we need from you in return is a pledge to do the same. We need to pass along your information to our next group of travelers, who will rely upon it in preparing the same way you relied on information from your predecessors. It’s part of the circle of success.
If this approach appeals to you and you want to travel and fish, please email us today at [email protected] and let’s get the process moving in the right direction.

John McDiffitt tops over 1200 anglers at the 19th annual Berkley Big Bass on Fork

Top 50 fish weighed in below - for complete results on click here
Angler City State Weight Prize Amount
JOHN MCDIFFITT Quitman TX 8.18
Skeeter ZX200 Yamaha SHO Skeeter Built Trailer
RANDY YOUNG Hope AR 2.79
Skeeter ZX150 Yamaha SHO Skeeter Built Trailer
JOHN MCDIFFITT Quitman TX 8.18
$1000.00
JACOB CALLAHAN Yantis TX 8.11
$1000.00
TERRY WILSON Eastland TX 7.91
$1000.00
RANDY YOUNG Hope AR 2.79
$1000.00
TIMOTHY PRICE Tyler TX 2.78
$1000.00
BRIAN NATH McKinney TX 2.76
$1000.00
CARLOS PEREZ Garland TX 2.66
$1000.00
ROB WATSON Arlington TX 2.65
$1000.00
TIMOTHY PRICE Tyler TX 2.52
$1000.00
BILLY PRITCHETT Big Sandy TX 2.49
$1000.00
GLORIA SHEFFIELD Longview TX 2.42
$1000.00
JOE RIALS Lafayette LA 2.58
$750.00
JOE DAVID HICKS Wichita Falls TX 2.58
$750.00
EDGAR LAMB Flint TX 2.56
$750.00
JUSTIN CLARK Avery TX 2.56
$750.00
STACY CRUMPLER Bloomburg TX 2.54
$750.00
STEPHEN CRUMPLER II Bloomburg TX 2.54
$750.00
TIM WEAVER Edgewood TX 2.75
$500.00
STEPHEN JONES Powderly TX 2.64
$500.00
TIM GUEST Waxahachie TX 2.58
$500.00
HIMEY MATASKA Wichita Falls TX 2.54
$500.00
RANDY STEELE Sulphur Springs TX 2.52
$500.00
RICHARD CONWAY Moody TX 2.51
$500.00
JOSH ARRANT West Monroe LA 2.51
$500.00
BRIAN JACKSON Alba TX 2.48
$500.00
TOM NIETO Terrell TX 2.44
$500.00
DON HEMPHILL Yantis TX 2.44
$500.00
CHRIS COFFMAN Yantis TX 2.38
$500.00
TOMMY CLIMER Mesquite TX 1.98
$500 Bonus Card Draw
TIMOTHY LANE Quitman TX 2.63
$350.00
STEPHEN CRUMPLER II Bloomburg TX 2.58
$350.00
JONATHAN ABEL Florence MS 2.55
$350.00
MATTHEW BUSO Clay Como MO 2.54
$350.00
JOHN THOMPSON Grapevine TX 2.52
$350.00
DIANE VINEYARD Wylie TX 2.51
$350.00
RON HERSHBERGER Newton KS 2.51
$350.00
JAMES BUTCHER Amelia LA 2.49
$350.00
CHRIS COFFMAN Yantis TX 2.47
$350.00
JAMES ROHMER Quinlan TX 2.44
$350.00
MICHAEL MARTIN Edmond OK 2.44
$350.00
CHASE SHELTON Mansfield TX 2.43
$350.00

Nicholas Turner and Joe Lay win the ABT Championship with 31.43

By Jason Duran

The 2024 Alabama Bass Trail Championship, was held on October 18-19 at Lay Lake. This highly anticipated event brought fierce competition from the best of the best in team fishing. Teams qualified for this no-entry-fee event with a guaranteed $50,000 first-place prize plus another $50,000 paid out though 25th place. The top 75 teams from the north and south divisions plus 5 college teams, 5 couple teams, 5 student teams, and the 10 winners from the divisional tournaments make up the 175 teams all converging on Lay Lake for the two-day shootout.

The event featured changing fishing conditions, with the cool October weather scattering the fish out and making locating fish tough for anglers. Each morning anglers were greeted with foggy conditions. Day two began with a 45-minute fog delay. This caused anglers looking for the early morning bite to possibly miss an opportunity to catch them up shallow early.  Lay Lake provides an abundant population of spotted and largemouth bass. Teams used a mix of various strategies to target largemouth and spotted bass. Teams reported having to fish shallow and deep to put together a solid limit. Lots of teams said they just went “junk fishing” to locate and catch fish in the changing conditions.  As the competition progressed, consistency would play a key role. The anglers that were able to make adjustments and catch fish consistently for two days ended up on top.

During the final day's weigh-in, the tension in the air grew as the Phoenix Boat Hot Seats took center stage, occupied by Bret Harrel and Tyler Smart, the current leading team with 30.91 pounds. As the weigh-in progressed, each team brought their bags to the state trying to surpass their weight and dethrone them from the hot seats. One by one, teams crossed the stage, but none were able to achieve a significant enough gain on the final day to claim control of the Phoenix Boats Hot Seats. The anticipation built as only two teams remained. The team of Nicholas Turner and Joe Lay were the day one leaders, and they were the last team to cross the state. They needed only 13.51 pounds to win. When they dropped their catch on the scales it totaled 14.03. Enough to take the lead and win the $50,000 as the 2024 Alabama Bass Trail Champions. It was a thrilling and unforgettable conclusion to an intense competition.

The Champs Nicholas Turner and Joe Lay are locals on the lake and beat the local lake curse to take home the win. They spent lots of time fishing their  history on the lake. They described their style this weekend as “junk fishing. They used a variety of baits, including soft plastics, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and trick worms, without any specific standout bait. We really mixed it up.” The deck of their boat was covered with rods rigged for every opportunity. They spent lots of time just covering water. Lots of teams reported the fishing was tough and when asked why Joe shared “It just hasn’t got cold enough and the water temp is just not there, there are a few shallow fish they just aren’t all there. There are a few fish offshore, lots of fish are suspended currently floating around and scattered in between. This lake has lots of timber in it the lake is up a little right now and you can not see the timber above the surface and the only way to learn it is to just go fishing. The guys that do that will learn there are sweet spots in the timber and can be very productive. There are several of those places across the lake and you can only find them by taking the time to learn it.” They went out on day two as the tournament leaders after catching 17.40 on day one. They caught a couple fish early but spent lots of time moving around trying to locate fish. The team shared, “we had a special small little area that we were able to get a key spot off every day. We had the plan to pull up the trolling motor at 3:30 and we caught the biggest fish and culled us up at the last minute.” They culled up to the winning weight of 31.43.

The Second Place Team of Bret Harrell and Tyler Smart are no strangers to the top of the leaderboard in the ABT Championship. They have fished the ABT Championship 4 times, and this is their 3rd top five. They have some heartbreaking finishes but have proven they are included in the best of the best in team fishing.  The team shared “We both have been working a lot and we came down the previous two Sundays and found some shallow grass that had some fish. We basically found a creek up here close and a couple of pockets on the lower end. The plan was to fish one day in each area. The cold front moved in this week and the water dropped 12 degrees and the fish were still in the same places but seemed really lethargic. We just went junk fishing in those areas and we caught two or three solid fish in each area. The down-the-river area was a pocket in a creek with docks and grass mixed in. We primaly used a Spro Frog and Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver. The area was really close to deep water. We were sitting in 10 feet of water and casting up to 3 feet. The second area was a little shallower in the back of the creek. The area had a little bit of grass and rock. We went with these plans but every time we tried to build on the plan, it just wouldn’t pan out and we had to try something else.” They ended day one in 15th place with 13.76 and sat in the hot seats for a long time. The team shared “we hoped if we do lose it is more than by a half of a pound because yesterday we lost a fish that would have given us that and maybe more” They end up with another top five finish in second place and collcted a $10,000 payday.

The third-place team of Walker Brown and Sloan Pennington shared that practice for them “was not good” Walker shared “I grew up here and now live in North Alabama, but I still consider Lay Lake as my home lake. I thought the two days we spent practicing were going to be better. We practiced all the stuff we used to catch them on and both days we ended up not catching them. Normally this time of year, I would expect to throw a spook all day and you can catch 18 pounds plus a day.” The team shared, “On tournament day we abandoned the practice plan and just went fishing today. On day one we didn’t fish a single thing we fished in practice and on day two we didn’t fish a single thing from day one. We caught everything we weighed in on a Green Pumpkin on a Davis shaky head and flipped the grass with a Green Pumpkin NetBait B-Bug on a 1oz weight. Yesterday we lost a couple of fish that should have had us close to 18-pounds we lost a 4-pounder at the boat and a 3.5 right at the net. Going out today we were excited and planned on flipping all day long we didn’t catch anything early so the fog delay didn’t hurt us. We felt we were in a position that if we did catch two of those that we lost yesterday we would be in a good place and knocking on the door to win. Today we only ended up catching only one of those but at the end of the day in the last 15 minutes, we culled with a 3-pound spot and another 2.5 spot.” Their total weight for two days was 30.21 pounds. With their third-place finish, they collected $5,000 payday.

The event marked another successful chapter in Alabama Bass Trail history, solidifying Lay Lake’s reputation as a premier fishing destination. Visit the www.alabamabasstrail.or  for more coverage and highlights from this unforgettable day on the Alabama Bass Trail!

The Top 8 places are below for a complete list of standings visit: https://www.alabamabasstrail.org/lay-lake/results/

Download and listen to the ABT Podcast on your favorite Podcast app by searching for “Alabama Bass Trail Podcast.”  The podcast is released each week on Tuesday.  The 2024 Alabama Bass Trail Sponsors Include: Phoenix Boats, AMFirst, Landers - McLarty Chevrolet, McGraw - Webb Chevrolet, Rapala, VMC, Crush City, Buffalo Rock, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Jack's, Garmin, Alabama State Parks, Halo Fishing, Snag proof, NetBait, Bait Fuel, TH Marine Supplies, Power-Pole, Pro Guide Batteries, American Trailer Rental, Yamaha, Anheuser-Busch, Big Bite Baits, American Baitworks, E3 Sports Apparel and FishAlabama.org


Longview’s Fogle Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional on Wright Patman Lake

Arkansas’ Sloan Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division

TEXARKANA, Texas (Oct. 21, 2024) – Boater Zack Fogle of Longview, Texas, caught a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 48 pounds, 8 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine Regional on Wright Patman Lake . The tournament, which was hosted by the City of Texarkana, Texas, concluded Saturday. For his win, Fogle earned a prize package valued at $67,000, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard, $10,000 and the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus.

The Wright Patman event served as Regional championship for BFL Region 6. The field included the top 45 boaters and co-anglers based on point standings, plus each of the tournament winners, from the 2024 Arkie, Cowboy, Mississippi and Okie divisions. The top six boaters and co-anglers have qualified for the 2025 BFL All-American, which will be held on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, May 29-31.

Fogle’s winning strategy was to get away from the fishing pressure concentrated around obvious targets on Wright Patman’s shoreline.

“It’s a very shallow fishery; pretty much the whole lake,” he said. “Out in the middle of the lake it’s even 8 to 10 foot in some places. Typically, everything (fishing patterns) is around the bushes, laydowns and all that kind of shallow bank cover type of stuff. But as I was practicing for the tournament, everyone was up there around that stuff fishing, and I knew it wouldn’t hold up through the whole event. So I kind of backed off and started looking for brush piles and the bigger stumps off the bank that were holding fish.”

Fogle marked about 200 brush piles for the tournament. His better brush piles were in 10 to 12 feet of water and produced 12 of his 15 keepers. He also targeted some stumps in about 5 feet of water, and even those were out off the bank away from other anglers.

His strategy each day was to start on a spot within sight of takeoff and milk that area until about 10 a.m. Then, he switched to a run-and-gun strategy the rest of the day to cull up his weight.

On day one, it worked perfectly. He had a 3-pounder and another keeper in the livewell before the entire field was done launching and a limit by 8 a.m. He started out in third place with 17 pounds, 4 ounces. Day two was similar. Fogle sacked up a limit by 8:20 and then culled his way to another 17-pound daily weight, which put him in first place by 10 ounces.

“The last day got extremely tough,” he said. “It got tough on everyone. I didn’t get a limit until about 12:30. On my starting spot, I only caught two that morning. I was a little worried, feeling the pressure of everything. I just kept my head down and ran through my stuff and ended up getting my limit. Around 2:05, I pulled back on my starting spot because it was close to takeoff, and I culled my final time and actually broke off a big fish in a brush pile. I was really concerned that was going to cost me the tournament because I only had 14 pounds. I came in, and it turns out the guy really close to me, Cody (Ross), he actually had the same weight as me – 14-4. So that 10-ounce lead I had basically held through the last day.”

Fogle caught most of his fish on a Texas-rigged 10 1/2-inch Zoom Ol’ Monster worm. He also caught one keeper on a jerkbait and a couple on lighter Texas rigs. Now in his sixth BFL season, Fogle is headed to the All-American for the first time.

“I’m super excited about it,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it. It (Lake Hamilton) is not terribly far from me. It’s only four hours from here, so it’s pretty exciting. I’ve heard it’s a very fun tournament to fish.”

The top six boaters who qualified for the 2025 All-American finished:

1st:        Zack Fogle, Longview, Texas, 15 bass, 48-8, $67,000 (includes $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd:       Cody Ross, Livingston, Texas, 15 bass, 47-14, $11,000
3rd:       Doug Rochelle, Texarkana, Texas, 15 bass, 46-6, $6,000
4th:        Jeremy West, Hamilton, Miss., 15 bass, 44-7, $4,000
5th:        Glen Bingham, Texarkana, Texas, 15 bass, 44-1, $2,000
6th:        Dillon Roberts, Oologah, Okla., 15 bass, 43-8, $2,800

The rest of the top 12 finished:

7th:        Blake Capps, Muskogee, Okla., 15 bass, 40-13, $1,725
8th:        Tater Reynolds, Florien, La., 15 bass, 38-8, $1,700
9th:        Scott Hardin, Little Rock, Ark., 14 bass, 37-9, $1,200
10th:     Brad Morgan, Ashdown, Ark., 15 bass, 36-12, $1,100
11th:     Josh Greer, Carthage, Mo., 15 bass, 35-11, $1,000
12th:     Brad Smith, Longview, Texas, 13 bass, 35-8, $2,000

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The top-finishing boater from each division (not including the winner) earned a $1,000 bonus for placing highest in the event. Those anglers included:

Arkie:                  Doug Rochelle, Texarkana, Texas, 3rd Place, $1,000
Cowboy:            Cody Ross, Livingston, Texas, 2nd Place, $1,000
Mississippi:     Jeremy West, Hamilton, Miss., 4th Place, $1,000
Okie:                    Dillon Roberts, Oologah, Okla., 6th Place $1,000

Brad Smith of Longview, Texas, won the Berkley Big Bass boater award and $1,000 for landing a bass that weighed 5 pounds, 10 ounces.

Mark Sloan of Harrison, Arkansas, won the Strike King co-angler division Saturday after bringing a three-day total of 10 bass weighing 30 pounds, 3 ounces, to the scale. His $50,400 prize package included a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard.

The top six Strike King co-anglers who qualified for the 2025 All-American finished:

1st:        Mark Sloan, Harrison, Ark., 10 bass, 30-3, $50,400
2nd:       Robert Massey, Calhoun, La., 13 bass, 26-12, $5,500
3rd:       Logan Slaughter, Dallas, Texas, 13 bass, 25-1, $2,500
4th:        Nathan Hall, Hensley, Ark., 10 bass, 24-15, $2,000
5th:        Cedric Jackson, Sicily Island, La., 12 bass, 24-7, $1,000
6th:        William Easley, Pollok, Texas, nine bass, 22-7, $900

The rest of the top 12 finished:

7th:        Russell Malone, Grove, Okla., 11 bass, 21-15, $1,300
8th:        Jonathan Dotson, Dover, Ark., eight bass, 21-11, $700
9th:        Wes Ledbetter, Coweta, Okla., eight bass, 17-4, $600
10th:     Levi Nix, Weatherford, Okla., six bass, 14-12, $550
11th:     Zack Nick, Lufkin, Texas, seven bass, 14-10, $500
12th:     Buck Blackwell, Pine Bluff, Ark., seven bass, 13-0, $500

The top-finishing co-angler from each division (not including the winner) earned a $500 bonus for placing highest in the event. Those anglers included:

Arkie:                  Nathan Hall, Hensley, Ark., 4th Place, $500
Cowboy:            Robert Massey, Calhoun, La. 2nd Place, $500
Mississippi:     Joe Cornelius, Corinth, Miss., 17th Place, $500
Okie:                    Russell Malone, Grove, Okla., 7th Place $500

Zachary Morrow of Lonsdale, Arkansas, won the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award and $500 for catching a bass that weighed in at 5 pounds, 15 ounces.

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. Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7 Brew Coffee, 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, PowerStop Brakes, REDCON1, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters 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 FacebookInstagram, 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 Hadden Wins Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional on Watts Bar Lake Presented by recteq

Kentucky’s Smith Tops Strike King Co-Angler Division

SPRING CITY, Tenn. (Oct. 21, 2024) – Boater Tanner Hadden of Appling, Georgia, caught a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 47 pounds even to win the MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Presented by T-H Marine Regional on Watts Bar Lake Presented by recteq . The tournament, which was hosted by the Rhea County Department of Tourism – Fish Spring City, concluded Saturday. For his win, Hadden earned a prize package valued at $65,805, including a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard, $10,000 and the lucrative $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus.

The Watts Bar event served as Regional championship for BFL Region 5. Originally scheduled for Clarks Hill Lake in Appling, Georgia, the event moved due to the impacts of the recent hurricanes. The field included the top 45 boaters and co-anglers based on point standings, plus each of the tournament winners, from the 2024 Choo Choo, Music City, Piedmont and Volunteer divisions. The top six boaters and co-anglers have qualified for the 2025 BFL All-American, which will be held on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas, May 29-31.

Hadden is a senior business management major at the University of South Carolina-Union. He actually signed up to fish the entire Choo Choo Division for the first time this year just for a shot at making this Regional, since it was originally scheduled for nearby Clarks Hill. Obviously, the storms changed the plans, but that didn’t slow down Hadden.

“It all worked out in the end,” he said.

Getting the W started with adapting to conditions.

“From all the flooding, a lot of the lake was blown out,” he said about Watts Bar. “There were only a few areas of the lake that were clean. One of them was by the boat ramp, so I pretty much figured I’d stick around in that area.”

In addition to the muddy water, anglers had to deal with a cold front – a tough combo anywhere, anytime of year. The cold, muddy conditions pushed the fish off the bank. Hadden relocated them about 50 feet out suspended on the edge of some grass over about 15 feet of water. Schools of bait were suspended in these areas, too.

“I fished two half-mile banks for three days pretty much,” he said. “That was it. And they were in the same pocket. I pretty much fished one creek arm all week.”

Hadden used Garmin LiveScope to find and target his fish with a white jerkbait and a Greenfish Tackle Bad Little Dude (BLD) Jig.

The mornings were slow all week. In fact, most days the fish didn’t turn on until after 11. On day two, it was closer to 1 p.m. The most interesting part was how defined the bite window was each day. Hadden saw fish on his sonar all day long, but they just wouldn’t bite until after the sun got up and something triggered them to get active. Each day, he experienced a similar flurry of activity.

“At 11 the first day I went through one stretch and caught three 4-pounders within like 30 minutes to an hour,” he said. “And then the second day, I struggled until 1. They didn’t start biting until 1 because it got colder the second day. At 1 o’clock, I caught two 3 1/2-pounders back to back off that same stretch.

“The third day it was like 11 o’clock when I got on one stretch and just started catching them. I caught pretty much everything I caught in like 15 minutes. It was a timing deal.”

Hadden’s limits included a mix of species. Day one, he weighed four largemouths and a 4 1/4-pound smallmouth as part of his 18-pound, 11-ounce limit. Day two, his three biggest keepers were three different species – largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. Hadden weighed 14-11. The final day, he weighed in a 13-10 limit of five largies to move into first place for the win and his shot at the 2025 All-American.

The top six boaters who qualified for the 2025 All-American finished:

1st:        Tanner Hadden, Appling, Ga., 15 bass, 47-0, $65,805 (includes $7,000 Phoenix MLF Contingency Bonus)
2nd:       Dustin Dyer, Johnson City, Tenn., 15 bass, 45-3, $9,805
3rd:       Jeremy York, Conyers, Ga., 14 bass, 45-1, $5,829
4th:        Nathan Reynolds, Nashville, Tenn., 15 bass ,45-0, $3,642
5th:        Dillon Falardeau, Hixson, Tenn., 12 bass, 44-14, $1,761
6th:        Parker Batts, Dandridge, Tenn., 13 bass ,44-8, $1,585

The rest of the top 12 finished:

7th:        Jonathan Dagley, Wartburg, Tenn., 15 bass, 43-5, $1,409
8th:        Vince Botts, Bluff City, Tenn., 15 bass, 43-0, $1,233
9th:        Josh Womack, Gallatin, Tenn., 15 bass, 42-10, $1,057
10th:     Jake Gardner, Lenoir City, Tenn., 15 bass, 42-8, $969
11th:     Hunter Bouldin, McMinnville, Tenn., 15 bass, 42-6, $881
12th:     Riley Faulkner, Jacksboro, Tenn., 14 bass, 37-14, $881

Complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The top-finishing boater from each division (not including the winner) earned a $1,000 bonus for placing highest in the event. Those anglers included:

Music City:       Nathan Reynolds, Nashville, Tenn., 4th Place, $1,000
Choo Choo:      Jeremy York, Conyers, Ga., 3rd Place, $1,000
Piedmont:        John Wiese, Charlotte, N.C., 24th Place, $1,000
Volunteer:       Dustin Dyer, Johnson City, Tenn., 2nd Place $1,000

Matt VanMeter of Grant, Alabama, won the Berkley Big Bass boater award and earned the $1,000 prize.

Corey Smith of Hazard, Kentucky, won the Strike King co-angler division Saturday after bringing a three-day total of 13 bass weighing 39 pounds, 1 ounce, to the scale. His $50,000 prize package included a new Phoenix 819 Pro bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Suzuki outboard.

The top six Strike King co-anglers who qualified for the 2025 All-American finished:

1st:        Corey Smith, Hazard, Ky., 13 bass, 39-1, $50,000
2nd:       Ernest Stephens, Orrum, N.C., 12 bass, 38-13, $4,946
3rd:       Dewayne Drummonds, Gray, Ky., 11 bass, 30-2, $2,719
4th:        Luke Shrader, Monticello, Ky., 11 bass, 30-0, $1,984
5th:        Brad Sampson, Knoxville, Tenn., 11 bass, 29-8, $889
6th:        Cy Matlock, Crump, Tenn., nine bass, 27-11, $1,300

The rest of the top 12 finished:

7th:        Wayne Crouch, Jamestown, Tenn., 10 bass, 26-14, $811
8th:        Konnor Sweet, Abingdon, Va., 11 bass, 26-13, $622
9th:        Kenny Botts, Alvaton, Ky., 10 bass, 23-15, $533
10th:     Darren Kelly, Wartburg, Tenn., six bass, 23-11, $489
11th:     Justin Stephenson, Jasper, Ala., eight bass, 23-10, $945
12th:     Joshua Green, Cartersville, Ga., seven bass, 19-14, $445

The top-finishing co-angler from each division (not including the winner) earned a $500 bonus for placing highest in the event. Those anglers included:

Music City:       Luke Shrader, Monticello, Ky., 4th Place, $500
Choo Choo:      Cy Matlock, Crump, Tenn., 6th Place, $500
Piedmont:        Corey Smith, Hazard, Ky., 2nd Place, $500
Volunteer:       Dewayne Drummonds, Gray, Ky., 3rd Place $500

Justin Stephenson of Jasper, Alabama, won the Berkley Big Bass co-angler award and earned the $500 bonus.

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. Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine include: 7 Brew Coffee, 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, PowerStop Brakes, REDCON1, Strike King, Suzuki, Tackle Warehouse, T-H Marine, Toyota, WIX Filters 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 FacebookInstagram, 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.


University of North Alabama Wins MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Tournament on Lake Chickamauga Presented by Suzuki Marine

DAYTON, Tenn. (Oct. 21, 2024) – The University of North Alabama (UNA) duo of Gage King of Birchwood, Tennessee, and Banks Shaw of Harrison, Tennessee, won the MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Lake Chickamauga Presented by Suzuki Marine Friday with a five-bass limit weighing 28 pounds, 9 ounces. The victory earned the Lions’ bass club $2,000 and a qualification into the 2025 MLF College Fishing National Championship.

A heavy influx of runoff from the recent hurricanes was still making its way into Lake Chickamauga when the collegiate anglers arrived. The resulting current and muddy waters were the biggest factors in the outcome.

“We had a really good pattern going – a main-lake pattern – and I think everybody else kind of missed it just because the water was really muddy out there,” said Shaw. “It didn’t look good. We were just running main-lake current breaks, and we were also fishing some submerged grass.”

The submerged grass was hydrilla in 5 to 10 feet of water. For the current-related pattern, the UNA anglers targeted anything that formed an eddy along the main-lake bank, including some shallow points where the fish could forage in the flows. Their best areas were near the mouths of large creeks.

King and Shaw fished a milk run of about 30 to 40 spots, cycling back through any that produced good fish. Their primary lures were a Picasso Bait Ball Jr. umbrella rig and a 5-inch Zoom Swimmer.

“It was just really hard to catch them just because the water was dirty,” added Shaw. “You just had to put it right on their head to catch them.”

The top 10 teams finished:

1st:        University of North Alabama – Gage King, Birchwood, Tenn., and Banks Shaw, Harrison, Tenn., five bass, 28-9, $2,000
2nd:       University of Montevallo – Connor Bell, Lisbon, N.Y., and Nicholas Dumke, Grand Rapids, Minn., five bass, 19-13, $1,000
3rd:       University of Montevallo – Miller Dowling, Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Mason Kornegay, Buhl, Ala., five bass, 19-8, $700
4th:        Kentucky Christian University – Ethan Burnette, Monticello, Ky., and Cameron Dials, Lovely, Ky., five bass, 19-4, $600
5th:        University of Montevallo – Brody Robison, Dawson, Ala., and Peyton Sorrow, Abbeville, S.C., five bass, 18-10, $500
6th:        Florida Gateway College – Seth Jones, Havana, Fla., and Bryson O’Steen, Live Oak, Fla., five bass, 18-10
7th:        University of North Alabama – Samuel Schmitz and Nick Staub, both of Germantown, Tenn., five bass, 18-6
8th:        University of Montevallo – Luke Davis, Bishop, Ga., and Kaden Raichel, Scottsburg, Ind., five bass, 18-2
9th:        University of Montevallo – Mathias Boerboom, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., and Jacob Swanson, Farmingham, Mass., five bass, 18-1
10th:     Adrian College – Mathias Dahline, Howell, Mich., and Henry Vincent, Richmond, Ind., five bass, 17-15

The top 12% of teams qualified for the 2025 National Championship. A full list of qualifiers and complete results can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

The Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Lake Chickamauga Presented by Suzuki Marine was hosted by Fish Dayton – Rhea Economic & Tourism Council. It was the final event of the 2024 College Fishing season. The 2025 season kicks off at Lake Seminole in Bainbridge, Georgia, on February 14.

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: 7 Brew Coffee, 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 FacebookInstagram, 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.


Cartersville High School (Ga.) Wins MLF Abu Garcia High School Fishing Presented by Tackle Warehouse Open on Lake Chickamauga

DAYTON, Tenn. (Oct. 21, 2024) – The MLF High School Fishing team of Bill Gaines and Owen Wiggins of Taylorsville, Georgia, representing the Cartersville High Fishing Team, brought five bass to the scale weighing 17 pounds, 10 ounces to win the MLF Abu Garcia High School Fishing Presented by Tackle Warehouse Open at Lake Chickamauga Presented by Simms.

A field of 37 teams competed Saturday in the no-entry-fee tournament, which was hosted by Fish Dayton – Rhea Economic & Tourism Council. In MLF High School Fishing competition, the top 10 percent of teams competing advance to the High School Fishing National Championship.

The top three teams that advanced to the 2025 High School Fishing National Championship are:

1st:        Cartersville High Fishing Team, Cartersville, Ga., Bill Gaines and Owen Wiggins, five bass, 17-10
2nd:       Kingston Fishing Team, Kingston, Tenn., Hayden Barnett and Camdyn Cranfill, five bass, 13-6
3rd:       Kingston Fishing Team, Kingston, Tenn., Jackson Daugherty and James Lane, five bass, 12-15

Rounding out the top 10 teams were:

4th         Kaneland High School, Maple Park, Ill., JD McBroom and Carter Pjesky, five bass, 12-10
5th         Galatia High School, Galatia, Ill., Brian Gibbs and Mace Ridgeway, five bass, 11-12
6th         Smoky Mountain Anglers, Tennessee, Carson Holbert and Cooper Moon, four bass, 10-3
7th         Alcoa Fishing Team, Tennessee, Tanner Howerton and Ainsley Lynn, four bass, 7-3
8th         Gordon Lee High School, Chickamauga, Ga., Bryson Johnson and Eli Massey, four bass, 6-13
9th         Richland County High School, Olney, Ill., Drake Koester and Jakoby Vandyke, two bass, 6-8
10th      Salem Community High School, Salem, Ill., Peyton Bumgardner and Ben Ryan, two bass, 6-4

Complete results from the event can be found at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

MLF Abu Garcia High School Fishing presented by Tackle Warehouse tournaments are free, two-person (team) events for students in grades 7-12 and are open to any MLF and TBF Student Angler Federation-affiliated high school club. The top 10 percent of teams at each Open event, along with the TBF High School Fishing state championships, advance to the High School Fishing National Championship. Tournaments held on or before May 6, 2024, advance teams to the 2024 National Championship. Tournaments held after May 6, 2024, advance teams to the 2025 National Championship.

The 2025 Abu Garcia High School Fishing National Championship & World Finals events will take place June 25-27, at Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma. The High School Fishing National Champions each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice and advance to the 2025 MLF Toyota Series Championship to compete as co-anglers.

Proud sponsors of the 2024 MLF Abu Garcia High School Fishing Presented by Tackle Warehouse include: 7 Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Berkley, BUBBA, E3, Epic Baits, 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 High School Fishing updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF5’s social media outlets at FacebookInstagram, 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 13 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.


Jensen uses drawdown to his advantage to win Bassmaster Kayak Series at Lake Bistineau

Oct. 20, 2024

Bassmaster_Kayak_YamahaRW_4C.jpgSHREVEPORT, La. — When Gene Jensen signed up for the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series at Caddo Lake/Lake Bistineau scored by TourneyX, he had every intention of fishing Caddo Lake on the Texas/Louisiana border, so much so that he booked an Airbnb as close to the lake as he could.

Right after he booked the house, Jensen realized he had overlooked something. He thought initially only Caddo Lake was legal fishing waters, but soon discovered Bistineau was fishable water for the tournament as well.

“Honestly, it didn’t click that Bistineau was even one of the places we could fish. I read it, but it never registered in my brain,” Jensen explained.

So, when tournament week rolled around, Jensen found himself making an 80-mile one-way trek to Lake Bistineau every day, which turned out to be the winning move for the YouTuber known as “Flukemaster.”

With a total of 198.5 inches, Jensen claimed the top spot at the final Kayak Series event of the season, earned $11,000 in prize money and a trip to the 2025 Yamaha Rightwater Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship scored by TourneyX. The Georgia angler caught 98.25 inches on Day 1 before landing 100.25 inches on the final day to edge out Texas angler Matthew Scotch by 1/2 inch and Day 1 leader Abby Abbondanza by 1.5 inches.

“This wasn’t even my goal,” Jensen said. “My goal was a Top 5 because I knew I didn’t want to fish Lake Hartwell for the Georgia B.A.S.S. Nation State Championship. Hartwell and I never get along. But I told my travel partner before the tournament started that I knew what was going on on the lake. When I know what is going on all over the lake, I am deadly. That doesn’t happen very often. I can think of two other times that has happened, and I won both of those tournaments. It was pretty neat to feel that again.”

While he has fished the lakes several times, the shallow-water nature of the fisheries does not set up for his offshore style of fishing. But when Jensen realized he could go to Lake Bistineau, he was excited for one main reason: Each year, the lake is drawn down several feet in an attempt to combat the invasive Giant Salvinia that have infiltrated the lake.

The drawdown concentrates the bass in more predictable places, Jensen said, which helped him find his primary area.

Jensen spent six days of practice on Bistineau, only spending one day on Caddo to check some of the areas he fished during an August scouting trip. Each day on Bistineau, he landed over 90 inches while his lone day at the latter produced only 70 inches.

“I was catching 90 inches just searching. I went to Caddo and hit what I knew and caught 70 inches and said, ‘Nope.’ I made the decision that night to commit to Bistineau no matter what,” he said.

His best area was at the back of a long drain where the bass were funneling in and out. The middle of the drain was as deep as 4 feet, but many of the bass were up in 2 to 3 feet of water around cypress trees, laydowns and stumps. He also saw what looked like bluegill beds on his Lowrance SideScan, but those turned out to be little depressions he believes the bass were making to find hard bottom to find relief from the current.

“I’m guessing 5,000-plus acres of that lake drains down into this (area) when they draw it down,” he said. “So, all of the bass in those acres pulled down into this deeper ditch. I found it on Monday, and when I went to check it again on Wednesday, they had moved a little deeper because the lake had dropped about an inch.”

A Nichols Lures Pulsator spinnerbait with white willowleaf blades caught all of his bass. Jensen only had one in his kayak during practice, but luckily a friend was traveling to the tournament a few days later and was able to pick a couple up on his way into town.

“I caught 40 or 50 on one of those spinnerbaits before it broke,” he said. “White on white in dirty water just shows up a lot better whether it is sunny or cloudy.”

On Day 1, Jensen landed six bass in six casts to open Day 1 and left the area alone after that. Late in the day, he landed a key 20-incher, a bass that broke his spinnerbait as Jensen was netting it.

He returned to his primary on Day 2 and caught around 20 bass, but his tournament-defining catch came with 15 minutes to go before lines in. As he made his way out of the ditch, Jensen pitched his spinnerbait to a nearby stump and hooked up with a 20.5-inch largemouth that lifted him to the 100-inch mark.

“They weren’t biting right today,” Jensen said. “You had to bump what they were on, and you couldn’t kill the bait right at the log. You had to reel it two or three more times and then kill it, and then the bass would hit it on the way down.”

Scotch, meanwhile, landed 96 inches on Day 1 before landing 102 inches on Day 2, the biggest bag of the final day. He also used a spinnerbait, which he paired with an XCite Baits ShadNasty Swimbait trailer. In the afternoons, he would switch to a bluegill-colored spinnerbait when the bass buried themselves in the shade.

He opened the tournament fishing the same area as Jensen, but with not nearly the same amount of success. With one bass at 12:30 p.m., Scotch made a long run to an area he has fished in the past and filled out a limit.

“I went 9 miles. I just had to get down to that area,” he said. “As soon as I got down there, I started putting them in the boat. It was an awesome three hours of fishing.”

On Day 2, Scotch started in that same area and caught better quality bass. Each bass in his limit measured over 20 inches.

“Today I didn’t mess around. I went straight there and started hammering on them,” he said.

After leading Day 1 with a staggering 102.75 inches, Abbondanza caught 94.25 inches on Day 2 to finish in third place. The Pennsylvania angler lost two key bass in the morning hours of the final day but finished the day with two key culls to jump back into the Top 3.

Abbondanza caught all of his bass in one main area of Caddo Lake using a Bama craw-colored Z-Man Tungsten ChatterBait Elite EVO.

“It was one of those areas that just kept reloading,” he said. “It is a great lake.”

Along with a fourth-place finish, West Virginia’s Jody Queen caught the $500 Big Bass of the Tournament, a 22.75-inch largemouth he caught on Day 1.

The Shreveport/Bossier City Sports Commission is hosting the tournament.

A full list of results from the Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series at Caddo Lake/Lake Bistineau scored by TourneyX 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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Connect with #Bassmaster on FacebookInstagramTwitter and TikTok.

Media Contact: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 205-313-0945, cgay@bassmaster.com


B.A.S.S. announces expanded 2025 BassmastHER workshop schedule

BassmastHER_Logo_Shield.pngBIRMINGHAM, Ala. — 2024 saw B.A.S.S. kickstart the BassmastHER program, a new initiative with the goal of creating a space for female anglers at all levels to learn new fishing skills within a supportive community. B.A.S.S. hosted workshops that ran concurrently with three Bassmaster Elite Series events across the 2024 season, and 2025 will see the program expand its offerings to create even more workshop opportunities across the country.

2024’s events were held in conjunction with the Elite Series tournaments at St. Johns River in Palatka, Fla., Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Ala., and St. Lawrence River in Waddington, N.Y. The expanded list of 2025 BassmastHER workshops includes:

“As a dad who is teaching his two young girls to fish, I am excited that the BassmastHER program will introduce more females to the sport of bass fishing,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson. “I am thankful for our partners at Toyota for their continued support, and I believe together we can continue to grow this great program.”

Although gender does not dictate how successful you can be on the water, it helps to have a like-minded support system for education, travel, inspiration and ideation. BassmastHER was created to build a passionate community of female anglers, inspire confidence when you make it to the water's edge and to be the conduit for creating lifetime friends and memories.

BassmastHER workshops are conducted by BassmastHER ambassadors Anastasia PattersonKristine Fischer and Maggie Jo Carsello, along with fishing experts from the Bassmaster staff. Topics at the workshops will range from bass fishing fundamentals to casting for accuracy, getting familiar with a bass boat or kayak, bank fishing and discussing industry and sponsorship opportunities. Attendees will also have the opportunity to network with other female anglers at the workshops.

“Being a part of BassmastHER is bigger than just me — it’s every little girl, wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend who has a passion for fishing,” said Patterson. “They are all a part of this initiative to get more women out there and go fishing. The workshops are a great space to learn, lead, network and contribute to plant seeds to grow the community of female anglers and hopefully see more women out on the water.”

Virtual BassmastHER workshop educational material, articles and how-to pieces can be found at Bassmaster.com. Women interested in attending workshops, telling their story or asking fishing-related questions are encouraged to reach out to BassmastHER on any of their social channels, including a private Facebook page for female anglers to network with each other and establish community, or email bassmasther@bassmaster.com.

The BassmastHER workshops are for all skill levels, but participants must be at least 14 years old. Workshops are only $25 to attend and space is limited, so it is first come, first serve.

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: Chad Gay, Communications Manager, 205-313-0945, cgay@bassmaster.com


NPFL Announces Partial Schedule for 2025

WILKESVILLE, Ohio — The National Professional Fishing League has formally scheduled six of its seven tournament events for 2025 — including the second NPFL Championship — in what promises to be an exciting and competitive season. Another regular season event and the final dates for the Championship will be announced when finalized.

“Creating our tournament schedule is one of the most challenging things we do each year,” said NPFL President Brad Fuller. “Our complete regular season schedule for 2025 should be ready very soon, but we’re excited to announce what’s already been secured. We think it’s the best schedule we’ve ever assembled, and it promises to deliver a year of competition, content, and camaraderie to further elevate the League for our fans, our partners, and our anglers.”

Santee Cooper (South Carolina), March 6-8

In March, the NPFL will revisit legendary lakes Marion and Moultrie (often referred to as “Santee Cooper” for the rivers they impound) out of Clarendon County, South Carolina, March 6-8. Launch and weigh-in will take place at the John C. Land III Landing.

Santee Cooper was the site of a 2023 event won by local favorite Patrick Walters. Lake Marion produced the state record largemouth bass (16 pounds, 2 ounces) in 1949. These two historical bass fisheries were impounded in the 1940s, cover more than 170,000 surface acres and are renowned for lunker largemouths and heavy cover.

Douglas Lake (Tennessee), May 22-24

The NPFL will pay its first visit to 30,400-acre Douglas Lake out of Dandridge Tennessee, May 22-24. Launch and weigh-in will take place at Dandridge Boat Ramp in Jefferson County.

“We are incredibly excited to host the National Professional Fishing League on Douglas Lake in 2025,” said Lauren M. Hurdle, Director of Tourism for Jefferson County. “The tournament could not be scheduled for a better time of year, as it will really showcase just how amazing this fishery is. Douglas Lake is a tournament destination, but this will be its first time hosting an NPFL event, and it will be exciting to see what these anglers are able to do on these waters.”

Douglas Lake is widely regarded as one of the best bass fishing lakes in the country. It features both largemouth and smallmouth bass.

Lake Eufaula (Oklahoma), June 18-20

For the second time in two years, the NPFL will go west to Oklahoma and Lake Eufaula, June 18-20. The massive U.S. Army Corps of Engineers impoundment was completed in 1964 and covers 105,500 acres. Launch will be at Xtreme Cove Marina and weigh-in will be at Nichols Point.

“We are looking forward to welcoming NPFL back to Eufaula for the 2025 season,” said City Manager Jeb S. Jones. “Recreation is our economic engine, and we are excited to have NPFL as a community partner.”

In 2023, Lake Eufaula was the site of the closest finish in league history with Louis Fernandes taking the title by virtue of a tiebreaker over Will Harkins. The fishing can’t get any closer than that, but a return to Eufaula promises plenty of drama and a tight competition.

To Be Announced, July 31 – August 2

The NPFL is finalizing location and host details for an event in the northeast, July 31 – August 2. The League has yet to hold an event in this region, renowned for large, plentiful and aggressive smallmouth bass.

Logan Martin Lake (Alabama), September 25-27

In its continuing effort to shake up conventional tournament scheduling, the NPFL will return to the site of the 2024 season opener — Logan Martin Lake in Oxford Alabama — but this time in the fall, September 25-27. Launch will be at Lincoln’s Landing each morning, and weigh-ins will be held in Oxford.

“The City of Oxford looks forward to hosting the National Professional Fishing League again in 2025,” said Mayor Alton Craft. “Oxford’s inaugural partnership with the NPFL in 2024 proved to be a success for both as it boosted our local tourism and economy, while the visiting professional anglers found a variety of ways to engage and entertain our youngsters, senior citizens, and everyone in between. We are pleased to welcome back this positive, family-friendly experience which brings together good sportsmanship, community spirit, and the fun of fishing.”

Will Harkins claimed the win in 2024 out of the largest field of anglers in NPFL history. That event was in March under tough conditions with high, muddy water. A fall tournament should present new challenges and opportunities for league anglers.

NPFL Championship — Lake Hartwell (South Carolina), Fourth Quarter of 2025

The NPFL’s second Championship will be its third visit to Lake Hartwell and Anderson, South Carolina. The venue is not only one of the fishing friendliest in the country, but the 55,900-acre lake offers the kind of angling diversity that make it a true test of the best, suitable for the league’s premier event.

“We’re very excited for the opportunity to host the NPFL Championship at Green Pond Landing, Lake Hartwell, and Anderson County,” said Neil Paul, Executive Director of Visit Anderson, and a leading advocate for professional angling events. “We’ve hosted the NPFL twice for regular season events and could not be more impressed with the impact they made on our community. The opportunity to host their second Championship is an honor and a privilege. The leadership of Anderson County has provided us with a world class facility in Green Pond Landing as well as the resources to be able bring the NPFL Championship to our community. We take a great deal of pride in providing a championship caliber experience to our guests and look forward to providing the NPFL, the anglers, their families, and industry support with a memorable experience in our community.”

Hartwell was the site of NPFL events in April of 2022 and May of 2024. A fall tournament on the big Savannah River reservoir will guarantee that a wide variety of baits and methods will be in play for the 40-plus anglers in the field, all with their eyes on the biggest prize the NPFL has to offer — the gold Championship trophy and a six-figure payday.

“Final details of the 2025 NPFL season will be announced as soon as possible,” said Fuller. “We wanted to get this information out to stakeholders and prospective anglers now so that decisions can be made for next year.

“The challenge of putting our schedule together only after other leagues have made their announcements means that we can avoid unnecessary and unproductive conflicts, but it also means that things may come together later than we’d like and without every last detail being nailed down. Nevertheless, we work to ensure that our angler and sponsor partners can move forward with confidence and commitment.”

About the National Professional Fishing League

The National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) was founded to bring competitive fishing to a broader audience and offer anglers a platform to compete at the highest level. The NPFL is committed to fostering integrity, competition, and innovation in the sport, providing anglers and fans alike with an exciting and unique experience.

Media Contact: Ken Duke — (407) 574-1898 or [email protected].


Unified Pros Announces Addition to its Advisory Board, Kevin VanDam

Scottsboro, AL (October 18, 2024) – Unified Pros announced today the fourth addition to its Athlete Advisory Board, decorated professional angler, Kevin VanDam. Retired NFL defensive tackle, Bill Maas, retired MLB pitcher, Josh Beckett and retired PGA golfer, Brett Wetterich have previously been announced as board members.

Kevin VanDam is a 2018 Bass Fishing Hall of Fame inductee, seven-time B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year, FLW Angler of the Year, four-time Classic Champion, twenty-five-time Bassmaster winner and three-time MLF winner. “Unified Pros’ mission will elevate the sport of bass fishing to the position it deserves,” said VanDam. “By pairing professional anglers with professional athletes from other sports, for tournaments around the country, Unified Pros is taking bass fishing to places it’s never been before.  Match that with a focus on charity and conservation and you’ve got a recipe for success.”

Unified Pros is a nonprofit alliance of professional athletes. Through sanctioned competitions, charity events, and membership, the organization aims to elevate a love for outdoor competition while raising awareness for fisheries, habitats, and their continued conservation. Unified Pros envisions an inclusive world where athletes collaborate and compete in the outdoor arena to create transformative experiences that make a lasting impact on individuals, communities, professional athletes, and the sport of bass fishing.

Through collaborative partnerships with esteemed organizations such as the Major League Fishing Anglers Association (MLFAA), Bassmaster Professional Anglers, National Professional Fishing league (NPFL), NFL Professional Players Association (NFLPA), MLB Players Association (MLBPA), NBA Players Association (NBAPA), and Professional Golfers Association (PGA), Unified Pros aims to create Pro-Pro events that bring together professionals from various sports disciplines in unique and competitive formats. These events will not only offer major payouts to winners, but also serve as platforms to raise awareness for outdoor activities and conservation efforts.

By harnessing the collective influence of these athletic associations, Unified Pros envision creating extraordinary experiences that unite athletes, build camaraderie, and promote the importance of preserving our outdoors and fisheries.


Afternoon Charge Wins Cook and Littlejohn Inaugural Costa Bass Derby Hosted on Grand Lake

Hosted on Grand Lake, Costa’s first amateur-only bass tournament draws 150 teams, benefits freshwater conservation

Jupiter, FL – October 17, 2024

Every bass angler who has competed in a tournament has dreamed of a late day flurry that wins them the tournament, especially when the fishing is slow. It only takes five casts to put the winning fish in the boat, right? Those five casts could happen in the last hour of the day just as easily as the first hour, and that’s exactly what Preston “Kojak” Cook and Micah Littlejohn experienced en route to winning the inaugural Costa Bass Derby held on Grand Lake, October 13th 2024.

Littlejohn and Cook junk-fished their way to a limit of over 19-lbs, most of which was caught in the final hour after sitting on only two bass in their livewell until 1:30PM. The northeast Oklahoma natives and Grand Lake locals won the $15,000 grand prize payout, and chose Friends of Reservoirs to receive an additional $1,000 donation from Costa.

The Conservation payout is a core component of Costa’s popular Compete + Conserve contingency program, which pays a bonus to the highest placing angler wearing Costa Sunglasses in over 300 bass tournaments across the country each year. In addition, each Compete + Conserve winner chooses one of five conservation partners to receive an allotted donation from Costa that directly benefits freshwater conservation.

This was the first annual Costa Bass Derby, hosted in partnership with Academy Sports + Outdoors, which drew 150 amateur teams, like Cook and Littlejohn, who have been wearing Costas for years, and were eager for the chance to support the brand and fish a high-payout event on one of their home lakes.

“I bought my first pair of Costas over fifteen years ago and I bet I’ve had at least 10 pairs since,” Cook shared. “Both Micah and I have several different lens colors and just like we’ve heard the pros talk about, we change lenses based on the conditions. My favorite frame is the Cat Cay and Green Mirror is my favorite lens color, unless it’s low light, then Sunrise Silver Mirror is the deal for me.”

Cook owns a meat processing plant in Miami, Oklahoma and Littlejohn works as a physical therapist assistant. The duo fish several tournaments together each year, and they also do a lot of fishing with their spouses, who are equally as passionate about fishing and the culture that revolves around bass tournaments. Like many recreational bass anglers across the country, they look forward to getting on the water during the weekends and fish as many tournaments as possible.

“I’m sure my wife will want to fish this with me next year… this event had such an awesome atmosphere,” Littlejohn said. “There is nothing like this that comes to Grand Lake for us weekend anglers, and we fish dozens of tournaments in the area as well as several tournament trails on Grand Lake. From the gift bags at registration, having pros like Jason Christie hanging out with us, and the payouts being good from top to bottom, it was truly a great experience.”

For information on future Costa Bass Derby events, or to learn more about Costa Compete + Conserve, visit https://www.costacompeteandconserve.com/. If you own a pair of Costas, it’s completely free to register and you can win extra payouts if you compete in supported tournaments.

To shop Costa Sunglasses’ full collection of performance, lifestyle and optical eyewear, and learn more about its commitment to conservation, visit costasunglasses.com.

About Costa Sunglasses

More than 40 years ago, a group of anglers created Costa Sunglasses to stand up to the harsh light, unforgiving salt and rough conditions of a day at sea. The gear they made was up to the task, and it’s been on the water ever since. Today, Costa combines its superior 580® lens technology with unparalleled fit and durability to make the highest-quality sunglasses and prescription eyewear for adventures on the water. Committed to protecting the watery world it calls home, sustainability and conservation is woven throughout everything they do. From building products made of responsible materials, to Costa-owned initiatives like Kick Plastic® and #OneCoast, and its partnerships with 40+ mission-aligned conservation organizations, Costa inspires its community to help protect the earth’s resources and #SeeWhatsOutThere. Find out more on Costa’s website and join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter at @CostaSunglasses.


General Tire Team Series Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq Set for Early, Texas

Bass Pro Tour anglers compete as two-man teams on unknown west-central Texas fisheries in third event of season, all six days of competition livestreamed and filmed for broadcast on Outdoor Channel

EARLY, Texas (Oct. 16, 2024) – For the first time ever, a major professional bass-fishing tournament is taking place in Early, Texas. Major League Fishing (MLF) is bringing the 2024 General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops to west-central Texas, next week, Oct. 24-29, for the third Team Series event of the season – the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq.

Hosted by Visit Early, the Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq will feature 12 two-man teams of professional anglers from the Bass Pro Tour competing at fisheries in the region that are unknown to the competitors until they arrive to the launch ramp each morning.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Major League Fishing and some of the world's best anglers to Early, Texas,” said Denise Hudson-Brian, Tourism Director for Visit Early. “It’s exciting to feature the best in the sport, showcasing their skills in our area's diverse fisheries and exploring the fantastic experiences that Early and Brown County offer. We’re confident this event will have a substantial economic impact on our local hotels, restaurants and businesses throughout the competition and into the future.”

The General Tire Team Series is livestreamed daily, meaning every cast and every catch is covered live and fans can watch teammates work together to break down a new body of water in real time. The MLFNOW!  broadcast is livestreamed on MajorLeagueFishing.com, the MLF and MyOutdoorTV (MOTV) apps and on Rumble. The broadcast team of Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney will break down the extended action live on all six days of competition at the Patriot Cup from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT.

In keeping with traditional MLF Cup protocols, Early, Texas was not revealed to Team Series anglers until 30 days prior to the start of the tournament. All fishable waters within 60 miles of Early then went off limits to anglers. Fans watching the MLFNOW! livestream will find out the day’s competition waters right along with the anglers each morning, and then watch all the action unfold live as teams work together and share their knowledge as they compete for the Patriot Cup and to claim a part of a season-long purse of more than $720,000.

“Well, I don’t know where exactly we’re heading, but we grow big ones in Texas and there are a couple of lakes within the 60-mile limit that are absolute giant factories,” said Wills Point, Texas pro Jeff Sprague, who will be fishing alongside Bryan Thrift for Team Coign. “This is a really exciting Team Series event to go to. It won’t be like the northern fisheries where you catch 100 fish a day. But we have the potential to see some absolute giants here.”

Sprague said he expects the fish will be fully into their fall patterns by the time the tournament begins.

“We have a cool system coming in this week, which is really going to change things up,” Sprague said. “Water temperatures are already down into the high 70s around here, and that cold front is going to drop the temperatures a bit more. It will really set those fall patterns in motion.

“The bass will be chasing the baitfish,” he continued. “We’ll see a lot of topwater action, a lot of crankbaits, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits – just power-fishing. And you can still throw the finesse stuff at them, chasing the bait balls. That’s one of the things that make this event so cool – we don’t know which pattern is going to be the strongest. And every cast has the potential to catch a giant.”

Despite the potential to catch giant bass and the numerous different patterns available, Sprague said he’s most excited to be sharing the boat again with Thrift, who was his partner last month at the Heritage Cup in Wisconsin. Although they had a disappointing event and didn’t advance past the Elimination Round, Sprague said he thinks their experience fishing together will be beneficial in this tournament.

“We learned so much from each other at the last event,” Sprague said. “Even though we’ve fished together a lot as friends, we’d never competed together on the same boat, and we learned a lot. I feel like we’ll work together, better, and fish faster and more efficiently at this one. I’m more excited for this one than I have been in quite a while.”

The 12 teams that will compete in the General Tire Team Series Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq in Early, Texas are:

Team 7 Brew Coffee:
Justin Lucas, Guntersville, Ala.
Brent Ehrler, Redlands, Calif.

Team B&W Trailer Hitches:
Andy Montgomery, Blacksburg, S.C.
Todd Faircloth, Jasper, Texas

Team Builders FirstSource:
Alton Jones, Jr., Waco, Texas
Ott DeFoe, Blaine, Tenn.

Team Coign:
Jeff Sprague, Wills Point, Texas
Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C.

Team Ferguson:
Nick LeBrun, Bossier City, La.
Randy Howell, Guntersville, Ala.

Team Knighten Industries:
Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn.
Brent Chapman, Lake Quivira, Kan.

Team Kubota:
Justin Cooper, Zwolle, La.
Edwin Evers, Talala, Okla.

Team Lucas Oil:
Jacob Wheeler, Harrison, Tenn.
Dustin Connell, Clanton, Ala.

Team REDCON1:
Michael Neal, Dayton, Tenn.
Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn.

Team Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff & Pouches:
Luke Clausen, Spokane, Wash.
Martin Villa, Charlottesville, Va.

Team Star brite:
Jacob Wall, New Hope, Ala.
Dylan Hays, Hot Springs, Ark.

Team U.S. Air Force:
Gerald Spohrer, Gonzales, La.
James Elam, Tulsa, Okla.

On Saturday, Oct. 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. MLF welcomes fans of all ages to join MLF pros, Visit Early and the Texas Forest Service (TFS) for Fishing with the Pros at the TFS inaugural Arbor Day event. The event will be held at Town Center Lake, located at 109 Kelcy Way in Early, and will provide local youth and community members an opportunity to fish up close and personal alongside MLF pros. Tackle and bait will be provided and the event is free and open to the public.

The MLF General Tire Team Series Folds of Honor Patriot Cup Presented by recteq will also air on Outdoor Channel as six two-hour original episodes each Saturday afternoon starting March 29, 2025, airing from 2 to 4 p.m. EDT. The complete television schedule for the 2024 General Tire Team Series on Outdoor Channel will be posted at MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Proud sponsors of the MLF General Tire Team Series include: 7 Brew Coffee, Abu Garcia, B&W Trailer Hitches, Barbasol, Bass Boat Technologies, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, BUBBA, Builders FirstSource, C-MAP, Coign, Epic Baits, Ferguson, Fishing Clash, General Tire, Knighten Industries, Kubota, Lowrance, Lucas Oil, Mercury, Mossy Oak, Nitro Boats, Onyx, Plano, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala Baits, REDCON1, Smokey Mountain Herbal Snuff, Star brite, Toyota, USAA, WIX Filters and YETI.

For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing and the General Tire Team Series Presented by Bass Pro Shops, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow MLF’s social media outlets at FacebookXInstagram 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.


Bryant Smith Wins 2024 WON Bass U.S. Open with 64.74 pounds

Spencer Shuffield Finishes Second, Martin DeHaven Tops AAA Division

Laughlin, Nev. – October 16, 2024 –– The first two days of the 2024 WON Bass U.S. Open presented by Ranger Boats and Mercury had proven to be the shootout that was predicted.  As the 172-boat field ventured out on to the waters of Lake Mohave in Laughlin, Nev. for Championship Wednesday less than two pounds separated the day two leader Bryant Smith (43.84 pounds) and second place pro, Kyle Grover (41.88 pounds), the defending Champion.

Like most events, the one thing that is a certainty is that once the field gets accustomed to the conditions, they will change.  The first two days featured barely a breath of wind, and the water’s surface resembled a mirror.  The final day brought winds in in the 10 mile per hour range which added a wrinkle to the narrative of the event.

The question remained as to which of would be able to maintain the quality results they had to date, or would they fall to the hard charging efforts of pros like third place pro Spencer Shuffield (40.99 pounds), fourth place pro Josh Bertrand (40.16 pounds) or fifth place Julius Mazy (40.03 pounds).

The answer to that question would be Smith.  The Roseville, Calif. pro bagged 20.90 pound of Lake Mohave smallmouth bass to push his final weight to 64.74 pounds to earn the top prize of a fully rigged 2024 Ranger Z520R powered by a Mercury ProXS 250 equipped with Lowrance Electronics, Bioenno Lithium Batteries, Power Pole Charge, Megaware Keelguard and DD26 Accessories valued at more than $90,000.  Along with the Ranger / Mercury prize boat, the $70,000 winner’s share of the payout brings his total package to $160,000.

Shuffield finished second after posting a 21.10-pound limit of smallmouth bass to bring his total to 62.09 pounds for the Championship.  2023 U.S. Open Champion Kyle Grover caught a 19.61-pound limit to finish third for the event with 61.49 pounds.  Arizona pro Joe Uribe Jr. weighed 19.89 pounds to post 58.62 pounds and finish fourth while Shane Edgar posted 19.44 pounds to finish with 57.29 pounds to round out the top five.

Bryant reported that his practice period started slow, but that he began to put the pieces of the puzzle together as his pre-tournament scouting progressed.  “It took me a while, but I was able to find them in the same areas I fished last year, but had to make adjustments,” he said.  “I targeted smallmouth that had sand, grass and bait in the main bowl and my depth varied from the 10 to 20-foot range.”

He caught his fish using a green pumpkin Stike King Half Shell on a drop shot rig.  He set it up on a 6’10-inch Alpha Angler DSR spinning rod designed by Elite Series pro Brandon Palaniuk, a Lew’s Custom Lite spinning reel spooled with 10-pound-test braided main line to a 6-pound-test Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon Leader.  His Half  Shell was rigged on a size 4 Gamakatsu Drop Shot hook and 3/8 and 1/2-ounce Tour Grade Tungsten Drop Shot Weights.

He said he had dreams of winning the U.S. Open for many years.  “Every serious angler from the West dreams of being the U.S. Open Champion, and it has been for me for years,” he said.  “Now I can say that I am the winner and is something that hasn’t hit me yet, but this is absolutely humbling; I can’t believe it.”

Like Smith, Shuffield fished on the bottom as well. He fished in the main bowl himself and targeted edges where short grass and rock were inhabited by baitfish.  “I fished a dropshot rig on a 7’3” medium-light Ark Reinforcer spinning rod with 15-pound white Yozuri Super Braid with a 10-pound-test T7 Fluorocarbon and a Baby Too,” he said.  “I also Ned rigged a 7’1” Reinforcer with the same line and caught all of my fish on those two setups using my Livescope to find those edges.”

This marks the second time Shuffield has placed second in the U.S. Open and finishing fourth in his other attempt.  “I am thrilled to have another strong finish out here, but to come close again makes me want it even more,” he said.  “I just wasn’t able to chase Bryant down, but gosh I really want to win this tournament.”

Martin DeHaven, who led the AAA Division after day one, become the AAA Division Champion by posting at three-day total of 51.42 pounds.  Zack Hayes finished second for the championship with 51.14 pounds, he was followed in third position by Dean Yamagata with 51.10 pounds.  Fourth place went to Larry Llanes with 49.91 pounds and Nicolas Skerston finished fifth with 49.82 pounds.

The top 10 standings in each division are below – to see full results go to: https://wonbassevents.com/pages/2024-us-open-pairings-and-results

2024 WON Bass U.S. Open Pro Standings - Final

PLACE Angler Hometown Fish Weight Pnlty Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Total

1

Bryant Smith Roseville CA

15-14

65.24

0.50

22.14

21.70

20.90

64.74

2

Spencer Shuffield Hot Springs AR

15-15

62.09

 

19.74

21.25

21.10

62.09

3

Kyle Grover Rancho Santa Margarita CA

15-14

61.99

0.50

22.15

19.73

19.61

61.49

4

Joe Uribe, Jr. Surprise AZ

15-15

58.62

 

18.95

19.78

19.89

58.62

5

Shane Edgar Glendale AZ

15-15

57.29

 

19.69

18.16

19.44

57.29

6

Julius Mazy Phoenix AZ

15-15

57.22

 

17.85

22.18

17.19

57.22

7

Cody Steckel Las Vegas NV

15-15

55.41

 

18.58

20.80

16.03

55.41

8

Scott Hellesen Paso Robles CA

15-14

54.89

0.50

20.49

14.50

19.40

54.39

8

Luke Clausen Otis Orchards WA

15-15

54.89

0.50

20.21

17.34

16.84

54.39

10

Patrick Touey Santa Maria CA

15-13

54.12

1.00

18.91

12.68

21.53

53.12

 

2024 WON Bass U.S. Open AAA Standings - Final

PLACE Angler Hometown Fish Wght Pnlty Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Total
1 Martin DeHaven Fresno CA 15-15 51.42   22.15 16.39 12.88 51.42
2 Zack Hayes Blythe CA 15-15 51.14   17.18 18.46 15.50 51.14
3 Dean Yamagata Las Vegas NV 15-15 51.10   17.80 15.00 18.30 51.10
4 Larry Llanes Madera CA 15-15 49.91   19.74 12.64 17.53 49.91
5 Nicolas Skerston Boulder City NV 14-13 50.32 0.50 17.26 12.95 19.61 49.82
6 Tom White, Sr. Fountain Valley CA 15-14 50.24 0.50 19.31 10.99 19.44 49.74
7 Chuck Kavros Grass Valley CA 15-15 49.58   18.96 20.12 10.50 49.58
8 Mario Caporuscio Las Vegas NZ 15-15 49.05   19.59 11.35 18.11 49.05
9 Andrew Bell San Tan Valley AZ 15-15 48.92   9.71 18.31 20.90 48.92
10 Brandon Johnson Shelbyville IN 15-15 48.78   11.80 15.93 21.05 48.78

Other than Smith who is already a Bassmaster Elite Series Pro, and any others who may be double qualified, the Golden Tickets to the 2025 Bassmaster BASS Nation National Championship will be awarded to the top five Pro and AAA anglers and will finalize the season long WON Bass Angler of the Year competition to see who will receive guaranteed slots into the 2025 Bassmaster Opens Elite Qualifiers.

Daily takeoffs and weigh-ins occurred at Katherine Landing at Lake Mohave Marina in Bullhead City, Ariz. with the 2024 WON Bass U.S. Open Awards happened at the Tropicana Hotel Laughlin.

The 2024 WON Bass Western Opens Series of events consisting of five events in California, Arizona and Nevada culminates with the 2024 WON Bass U.S. Open at Lake Mohave in October 14-16, 2024.  The full schedule of the five event dates are as follows:

Jan. 31–Feb. 2, Lake Shasta - Champion Nick Wood – 47.42 pounds

April 17-19, Clear Lake – Austin Bonjour – 83.28 pounds

May 15-17, Lake Havasu – Joe Uribe Jr. – 57.31 pounds

Sept. 18-20, Lake Mead – Julius Mazy – 45.24 pounds

Oct. 14-16, U.S. Open at Lake Mohave – Bryant Smith – 64.74 pounds

For complete details or to register for the 2025 season, look to wonbassevents.com and WONews.com to hear the latest news about the 2024 season and beyond and follow along at Facebook.com/WONBassTournaments.

 

The 2024 WON Bass Northern California Lake Mead Open was brought to you by Bass Pro Shops, Ranger Boats, Mercury Marine, Nitro Boats, Triton Boats, Bridgford Foods, Phenix Rods, Yamamoto Baits, Bill Lewis Lures, Buckeye Lures, Steel Shad, Bioenno Power, DD26 Fishing, SOG Knives, Cold Steel Knives, Gamma Line, Power Pole, Lowrance, Daiwa, AFTCO, Costa, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Anderson Toyota, A&M Graphics, Anglers Marine, PRP and Signature Gates.

Local presenting sponsors were Visit Laughlin and Katherine Landing


The Association of Collegiate Anglers Names Three More Anglers to the 2024-25 All-Academic Team

SAN ANTONIO, TX (October 16, 2024) – With the completion of the AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open last weekend, the Association of Collegiate Anglers has now contested two events during its historic 20th season. Stop two of the 2024-25 Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series took place October 12-13 at Lake Dardanelle in Russellville, AR. At the registration meeting on Friday night, prior to the start of the event, the ACA named three more anglers to its 2024-25 All-Academic Team.

Here are the three anglers who were selected:

Briar Dodson – University of Montevallo

Mason Bohland – Purdue University

Jake Krauth – University of North Alabama

Balancing school work and time on the water is a demanding challenge for all college anglers. Excelling in the classroom is an even greater accomplishment. It is because of this hard work and required dedication that the ACA has created the All-Academic Team to call attention to, and reward, student anglers for their success in the classroom.

Briar Dodson – University of Montevallo, Sophomore, Business Major

The first angler to be highlighted in this feature is Briar Dodson. Briar is a sophomore at the University of Montevallo majoring in Business. He received multiple nominations to be named to the All-Academic Team. Briar is described as a deserving angler who goes above and beyond his call of work to find success in the classroom and on the water, while also working.

Mason Bohland – Purdue University, Senior, Design Construction and Integration Major

The second angler to be featured in this article also received multiple nominations for the All-Academic Team. Mason Bohland is a senior at Purdue University. He is majoring in Design Construction and Integration. In his time at Purdue, Mason has displayed diligent work ethic to earn the respect of his professors and classmates. He has also served as an officer for the Purdue bass fishing team, through which he has worked to coordinate multiple “take a kid fishing days” and holiday toy drives.

Jake Krauth – University of North Alabama, Sophomore, Marketing Major

Jake Krauth is a Sophomore at the University of North Alabama. He has managed to demonstrate a high level of academic success while pursuing a degree in Marketing. Like each of the recipients of this award, Jake goes above and beyond to balance his course work and time spent on the water. Along with diligent work in the classroom, Jake also looks out for his peers to encourage them and make them better as well.

At each ACA tournament during the 2024-25 season, 3 nominees will be selected to the All-Academic Team for that event. Throughout the season, a total of 12 student anglers will be selected to the All-Academic Team. Each of the 12 selected nominees will be presented at that specific tournament, of which they’ll receive a valuable prize package, exposure on ACA social media platforms and television series, as well as have the opportunity to be named the Academic All-American at the end of the season.

All-Academic Team members and the overall award recipient will be selected based on their all-around performance in the classroom, to include overall GPA, as reviewed by ACA staff through a diligent process.

To find out more information about the program and nominate an angler, click here.


KVD - Just Breathe

Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships

Team Toyota pro Kevin VanDam might have taken a step back from professional fishing tours but his schedule and love for the outdoors remain steadfast.

Anyone who archery hunts will be familiar with the following term.

“Just breathe.”

This is taught to us all at an early age as we hone our skills as an archer. When looking through the sights of your bow-and-arrow setup, it’s important to take some deep breaths before releasing the string. We are all stewards of the outdoors and we take great pride in making the land better for all living creatures. That comes with a lot of blood, sweat and tears through the years but it’s a responsibility we’re all more than willing to bear.

Mother Nature has blessed us. We feel it’s necessary and appropriate to return the favor.

This simple breathing exercise allows us to slow our heartbeat, collect our nerves, steady our hands and make the most ethical shot of which we’re capable. We simply owe it to the animal.

So when Team Toyota pro Kevin VanDam, who has amassed more than $7.3 million in professional bass-fishing tournament winnings throughout his career talks about his recent “retirement” from professional-level bass fishing, he likens it to his passion for archery hunting.

“I felt like it was just time to step back and breathe a little bit,” VanDam said. “My wife and two boys have sacrificed so much throughout the past 33 years; I owe it to them to slow down and just take a few deep breaths. Being a professional touring angler, you don’t really have any flexibility in your schedule. If there’s a tournament, you have to be there. Anniversaries, illness, family obligations… It doesn’t really matter. You have to make a living and I totally understand it. That’s the game I signed up to play. But I was at a point in my career when it was simply time to slow down and breathe.”

The support of VanDam’s wife has been essential to his legendary career. She has done so much for him throughout his career, he wants an opportunity to return her many favors.

“My wife and I still haven’t been on a trip to celebrate our 30th anniversary and that has been several years ago now,” VanDam said. “She has never been the type of person to want the limelight but in the background, she has been absolutely essential to everything in my career and life in general. From business, to sponsor communication, to raising two outstanding young men, it has been a total team effort.”

Although some folks might consider his recent career move a retirement announcement, VanDam doesn’t see it that way whatsoever. While he might be done competing in the national-level tours, he’s as busy—if not busier—than he’s ever been. The key difference, however, is the manageability of his new schedule. He still has a lot of media work and sponsor events to attend, along with filming his new TV show The VanDam Experience, which is sure to be a hit, but these days he finally has the ability to bend and flex his schedule to enjoy more time with his cherished family.

If anyone in the outdoor industry has earned that right, it would be Kevin VanDam.

As he heads to the Michigan deer woods this fall, he’ll do so with an unfamiliar ease that doesn’t include (quite as much) constant phone ringing and things of the sort. He’ll quietly crunch through the frost-covered leaves and grass in the darkness, climb up that old hardwood tree filled with memories of past hunts and finally, for once in his adult life…

He will sit.

And just breathe.

Whether the rutting whitetails bound his way or he simply spends the early morning hours observing the antics of nearby racoons, squirrels, turkeys, hawks or eagles, watching the world wake up is something that will never lose its luster to the bass-fishing icon. To us, an outdoor legend is sitting in that treestand but during that brief period, all creatures are equal and on a level playing field.

“I’ve been blessed to watch the world wake up most days of my adult life and there is simply nothing like it,” VanDam said. “The tranquility of each morning just brings a calmness over me I cannot accurately describe. Knowing that my family and I have put the hard work into making this land rich in gooseberry, elderberry, clover and fruit- and nut-producing trees unveils a pride I simply cannot match. The outdoors are absolutely everything to us and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The legend we watched on television all those years is, in fact, human. And as he enjoys the fruits of his labor and professionalism, we can all rest easy knowing we have a true outdoorsman and steward of the sport watching over and protecting our woods and waters.

Finally… He’s just Kevin.

And finally, he’s just breathing.


USA Bass Seeks 4th Straight Gold At World Championship

A USA Bass team with plenty of tour-level accolades and a lot of experience in international competition is in Italy this week for the 18th edition of the Bass World Championship. Competition among 15 nations gets under way on Thursday at Lake Bolsena, about 75 miles outside Rome.

The American squad is seeking its third straight title in the event. Five of the six team members were on last year’s gold medal-winning team at Lake Sabor in Portugal.

Scott Martin, who’s served as the USA Bass captain for the past several international competitions (including the recent Pan-American Championship in Canada), will again lead the American contingent. The Bassmaster Elite Series competitor and former FLW Tour Angler of the Year and FLW Championship winner will share a boat with ex-B.A.S.S. AOY Scott Canterbury.

MLF Bass Pro Tour stars Jacob Wheeler (the top-ranked angler in the world for five years running) and Dustin Connell will again form a powerhouse pairing. Wheeler captured his third BPT points title in the past four seasons in 2024 and won two regular-season events, and Connell claimed his second REDCREST Championship at Lay Lake and triumphed in the season opener at Toledo Bend Reservoir.

BPT veteran Fred Roumbanis and Elite Series angler Joey Cifuentes will be in the other American boat. Cifuentes, who replaces Hall-of-Famer David Fritts, is the only U.S. angler who wasn’t in Portugal in 2023, but earlier last year he’d teamed with Larry Nixon (another Hall-of-Famer) to take top honors in the Pan-American Championship in their home state of Arkansas.

“Having Joey on the team this year is a good call,” Martin said. “From what we can tell, it’s going to be an offshore bite and an electronics-based event for the most part, and Joey’s good with that.

“I think we’ve got a really strong team this year. Jacob and Dustin can do everything and if there’s a bite with a big swimbait or something off the wall like that, Fred can unlock that big-time. Myself and Canterbury both have a lot of experience fishing grass, so we’ve got a lot of bases covered.”

Other countries slated to compete are the host Italians, along with Australia, Austria, Canada, Croatia, Germany, Mexico, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Serbia, Spain, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Lake Bolsena, an ancient body of water formed by a volcano, is in Veterbo Province. It covers 28,000 acres with a maximum depth of nearly 500 feet. Largemouth were introduced in the 1970s and the population has thrived ever since, growing both in terms of numbers and size of the individual specimens.

It has clear water, lots of grass and a myriad of depth changes.

“It’s not going to be a shoreline deal – there’s grass and some other vegetation, and out past that it’s suspended fish,” Martin said. “This might be the hardest one for us to win just because we don’t have any experience there. The Italians, of course, have spent a lot of time there, and so have other teams like Spain and Germany.

“There are subtle depth changes in that grass that aren’t going to show up on a map and it takes time to find those really good sweet spots. It’s difficult to do that in two days of practice.”

Last year, the Americans won a tiebreaker over Germany for the gold after both countries finished with 67 points. The points total is the sum of the finishes among the field of each of the country’s three pairs – the lower the number, the better.

The tiebreaker was total weight for the event (higher is better for that) and the three American duos compiled 73.57 pounds. Germany had 69.09.

Italy, led by the gold medal-winning tandem of Luca Vittorio Della Ciana and Jimmy Ashlock, claimed the team bronze with 98 points.

This year’s event includes an opening ceremony following Tuesday’s initial practice day. After another practice round on Wednesday, competition will take place from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Fans can follow the Bass World Championship event at:

https://www.facebook.com/2024XVIIIBassFishingWorldChampionship

Fans can follow the USA Bass team at:

https://usangling.org/bass

www.facebook.com/usabassorg


Bryant Smith Leads Day Two of 2024 WON Bass U.S. Open with 43.84 pounds

Day One Leader Kyle Grover in Second place with 41.88 pounds

Laughlin, Nev. – October 15, 2024 –– For the second day in a row, the conditions for the 2024 WON Bass U.S. Open presented by Ranger Boats and Mercury were hot and slick.  Temperatures pushing the 100-degree mark with very little breeze meant that anglers would likely find conditions similar to the first day when the field presented nine limits that eclipsed 20 pounds and nearly 30 limits that topped 18 pounds.

Kyle Grover, the defending U.S. Open Champion set the pace on day one with 22.15 pounds and Bassmaster Elite Series pro Bryant Smith opened his tournament with 22.14 pounds.  The two pacesetters employed different approaches with Grover covering water and Smith working over one area for most of the day.

What effect the conditions, and the heavy fishing pressure would have on the anglers’ ability to get consistent bites would have to be seen.  What would also be a topic of discussion was if the leaders, who were both in the first flight on the opening day, would be able to get into their areas, or did they have enough real estate to adjust with being in the last flight on day two.

The answer to those questions is that both of the top anglers would perform well, but that they would flop positions.  Smith leapt into the lead by posting a 21.70-pound limit on the day to bring his total weight to 43.84 pounds while Grover connected with a 19.73-pound creel to fall just less than two pounds behind his Northern California competitor at a total weigh of 41.88 pounds.

Arkansas Bass Pro Tour angler Spencer Shuffield, competing in his third U.S. Open caught 21.25 pounds to leap from 11th place after day one into third place with 40.99 pounds.  Josh Bertrand, who won the 2022 U.S. Open caught a 19.45-pound limit to bring the Arizona pro’s two-day total to 40.16 pounds, good for fourth place.  Julius Mazy, who won the Lake Mead Open last month vaulted from 29th place to fifth place when the Arizona pro crushed a 22.18-pound limit, the heaviest of the event thus far, to bring his total weight to 40.03 pounds.

Bryant said that he targeted isolated targets using his Lowrance Active Target II and a drop shot presentation.  “I was able to keep using the program I did yesterday and catch about the same weight I did yesterday,” he said.  “With the slick conditions, I decided that finesse fishing would be the best approach and I’m using my Lew’s Custom Lite Reel and Alpha Angler DSR spinning rod, 6-pound-test Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon and a drop shot Strike King Half Shell; it’s been my go-to smallmouth setup for a long tie; I’m going with my confidence approach.”

Bryant reported catching 20 keepers today and feels optimistic about tomorrow.  “I feel like I have enough water to have the right moves tomorrow, and I have a backup plan if the winds pick up, so I’m looking forward to the final day,” he said.  “I’m entering the final day in the lead of the U.S. open and as a Western angler, winning this tournament is something I’ve dreamt of for a long time.”

Grover reported having a better overall day of fish catching than he did on day one but found his quality harder to locate.  “I probably culled three 17-pound limits today but was only able to bring two four pounders to the scales,” he said.  “I did cost my partner a big one this morning, I tied a new leader on his spinning gear, and he hooked a big one and broke it off, so I tied a bad knot.  It’s my fault, but that probably cost me a pound by the end of the day.”

He said he feels relaxed going into the final day, even with the possibility of repeating as champion.  “I know the pressure of going out in the lead after last year so I will go out there tomorrow with less pressure on me tomorrow,” he said.  “I feel pretty comfortable because I am using both finesse and power fishing patterns, so whatever the wind does, I feel like I’ll be okay.”

In the AAA division, Matt Moler partnered with his pro Cody Steckel to bring 20.90 pounds to the scale to take the lead with 39.72 pounds.  Nick Dulleck moved to second place with 39.46 pounds after his 21.25 pounds with Shuffield. Chuck Kavros posted 20.12 pounds to finish third with a total weight of 39.08 pounds.  Day One AAA Leader Martin DeHaven moved to fourth place by bringing 16.39 pounds with a total weight of 38.54 pounds while Zack Hayes rounded out the top five with 35.64 pounds after bringing 18.64 pounds to the scales.

The top 10 standings in each division are below – to see full results go to: https://wonbassevents.com/pages/2024-us-open-pairings-and-results

Day Two Pro Standings

Place Angler Hometown Fish

B/B

Day 1

Day 2

Total

1

Bryant Smith Roseville CA

10-9

5.59

22.14

21.70

43.84

2

Kyle Grover Rancho Santa Margarita CA

10-10

4.99

22.15

19.73

41.88

3

Spencer Shuffield Hot Springs AR

10-10

19.74

21.25

40.99

4

Josh Bertrand San Tan Valley AZ

10-10

20.71

19.45

40.16

5

Julius Mazy Phoenix AZ

10-10

4.89

17.85

22.18

40.03

6

Cody Steckel Las Vegas NV

10-10

5.12

18.58

20.80

39.38

7

Levi Samz Rock Springs WY

10-10

4.72

20.31

18.53

38.84

8

Joe Uribe, Jr. Surprise AZ

10-10

18.95

19.78

38.73

9

Chris Zaldain Fort Worth TX

10-10

4.66

20.87

17.52

38.39

10

Shane Edgar Glendale AZ

10-10

19.69

18.16

37.85

Day Two AAA Standings

Place Angler Hometown Fish

B/B

Day 1

Day 2

Total


1

Matt Moler Scottsdale AZ

10-10

 

18.92

20.80

39.72

2

Nick Dulleck Roseville CA

10-10

18.21

21.25

39.46

3

Chuck Kavros Grass Valley CA

10-10

4.55

18.96

20.12

39.08

4

Martin DeHaven Fresno CA

10-10

4.94

22.15

16.39

38.54

5

Zack Hayes Blythe CA

10-10

17.18

18.46

35.64

6

JP Huber Las Vegas NV

10-8

19.32

15.36

34.68

7

David Shearrer Trabuco Canyon CA

10-10

16.27

18.16

34.43

8

Jonathan Green San Pablo CA

10-9

2.96

12.34

21.70

34.04

9

Scott Holman Orange CA

10-10

3.56

18.94

14.95

33.89

10

Eric Hammer Peoria AZ

10-10

17.85

15.95

33.80

 

Daily takeoffs occur at safe light from Katherine Landing at Lake Mohave Marina in Bullhead City, Ariz. with daily weigh-ins at the U.S. Open stage located at Katherine Landing beginning at 3:00PM Pacific.

The 2024 WON Bass Western Opens Series of events consisting of five events in California, Arizona and Nevada culminates with the 2024 WON Bass U.S. Open at Lake Mohave in October 14-16, 2024.  The full schedule of the five event dates are as follows:

Jan. 31–Feb. 2, Lake Shasta - Champion Nick Wood – 47.42 pounds

April 17-19, Clear Lake – Austin Bonjour – 83.28 pounds

May 15-17, Lake Havasu – Joe Uribe Jr. – 57.31 pounds

Sept. 18-20, Lake Mead – Julius Mazy – 45.24 pounds

Oct. 14-16, U.S. Open at Lake Mohave - TBD

For complete details or to register, look to wonbassevents.com and WONews.com to hear the latest news about the 2024 season and beyond and follow along at Facebook.com/WONBassTournaments.

The 2024 WON Bass Northern California Lake Mead Open is brought to you by Bass Pro Shops, Ranger Boats, Mercury Marine, Nitro Boats, Triton Boats, Bridgford Foods, Phenix Rods, Yamamoto Baits, Bill Lewis Lures, Buckeye Lures, Steel Shad, Bioenno Power, DD26 Fishing, SOG Knives, Cold Steel Knives, Gamma Line, Power Pole, Lowrance, Daiwa, AFTCO, Costa, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Anderson Toyota, A&M Graphics, Anglers Marine, PRP and Signature Gates.

Local presenting sponsors are Visit Laughlin and Katherine Landing